A digital system is provided having at least one processor with an associated multi-segment local memory circuit. Validity circuitry is operable to indicate if each segment of the plurality of segments holds valid data. Dirty bit circuitry indicates if data within the local memory is incoherent with a secondary memory. DMA circuitry can transfer blocks of data/instructions between the local memory and the secondary memory. The valid bits and dirty bits are set in response to DMA transfers. In a first mode, the DMA circuitry transfers an entire block from the local memory to the secondary memory; in a second mode, the DMA circuitry transfers only segments marked as being dirty. Transaction requests by the processor to locations within the local memory are stalled if the requested segment has not yet been loaded by a DMA transfer.

Microprocessors are general purpose processors which provide high instruction throughputs in order to execute software running thereon, and can have a wide range of processing requirements depending on the particular software applications involved. A cache architecture is often used to increase the speed of retrieving information from a main memory. A cache memory is a high speed memory that is situated between the processing core of a processing device and the main memory. The main memory is generally much larger than the cache, but also significantly slower. Each time the processing core requests information from the main memory, the cache controller checks the cache memory to determine whether the address being accessed is currently in the cache memory. If so, the information is retrieved from the faster cache memory instead of the slower main memory to service the request. If the information is not in the cache, the main memory is accessed, and the cache memory is updated with the information.
Many different types of processors are known, of which microprocessors are but one example. For example, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) are widely used, in particular for specific applications, such as mobile processing applications. DSPs are typically configured to optimize the performance of the applications concerned and to achieve this they employ more specialized execution units and instruction sets. Particularly in applications such as mobile telecommunications, but not exclusively, it is desirable to provide ever increasing DSP performance while keeping power consumption as low as possible.
To further improve performance of a digital system, two or more processors can be interconnected. For example, a DSP may be interconnected with a general purpose processor in a digital system. The DSP performs numeric intensive signal processing algorithms while the general purpose processor manages overall control flow. The two processors communicate and transfer data for signal processing via shared memory. A direct memory access (DMA) controller is often associated with a processor in order to take over the burden of transferring blocks of data from one memory or peripheral resource to another and to thereby improve the performance of the processor.

Local memory with indicator bits to support concurrent DMA and CPU access


A minimally invasive heart stabilizer includes a guide tube, a revolute joint, a stabilizing end-effector, and a linkage. The guide tube is sized to allow insertion through an endoscopic cannula. The revolute joint is coupled to a distal end of the guide tube. The stabilizing end-effector is coupled to the revolute joint. The linkage has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end is pivotally connected to the end-effector. The stabilizing end-effector includes two tissue engaging members in parallel alignment with one another. The two tissue engaging members are joined via an arrangement of links.

In order to remove a severe blockage of a coronary artery, an open heart surgery may be performed by splitting the sternum and forcing the chest cavity open to access the heart of a patient. Due to the trauma that may be created to the patient as a result of splitting the sternum and opening the chest cavity, there is a need in the art for systems and methods for performing minimally invasive heart surgeries. In a minimally invasive heart surgery, the surgical instruments may be inserted into a patient's body through small incisions on the chest. As a result, the trauma and prolonged recovery of an open heart surgery may be avoided.
In order to perform a coronary procedure without stopping the heart, the heart needs to be stabilized. A heart stabilizer is utilized during the procedure to limit the movements of the heart at the surgical site. In a minimally invasive heart surgery, the heart stabilizer needs to be capable of being inserted through a small incision and it needs to have the required maneuverability within the chest cavity of a patient. Consequently, there is a need in the art for a heart stabilizer that may be used in a minimally invasive heart surgery.


A multicast transmission method is disclosed. A base station of a first cell obtains first multicast resource information of at least one second cell, where the base station of the first cell is different from a base station of each second cell; and the base station of the first cell sends second multicast resource information to user equipment, where the second multicast resource information is used to indicate a resource configuration used by each second cell to transmit multicast service data. The base station of the first cell actively sends obtained multicast resource information to the user equipment in a broadcast manner. In this way, the base station of the first cell does not need to configure, in a unicast manner for each user equipment, a resource location for sending/reading the multicast service data of each second cell, thereby reducing signaling overheads.

With rapid development of the Internet and popularization of large-screen multi-functional user equipment (UE), a large quantity of mobile data multimedia services and various high-bandwidth multimedia services such as a video conference, television broadcasting, a video on demand, an advertisement, online education, an interactive game, and the Internet of Vehicles have emerged. These services not only meet a multiservice requirement of a mobile user, but also provide a new service growth point to an operator. These mobile data multimedia services require a plurality of users to receive same data at the same time, and have features such as a large data volume and long duration compared with a common data service.
To effectively use a mobile network resource, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) is provided in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The service is a technology for delivering data from one data source to a plurality of target UEs, implements sharing of a network (including a core network and an access network) resource, and improves utilization of the network resource (particularly an air interface resource).
However, with development of a network, in addition to obtaining a multicast service of the cell, a user of a cell may further need to obtain a multicast service of another cell. Before obtaining multicast service data of the another cell, the user of the cell further needs to determine a resource configuration of the multicast service of the another cell. In the prior art, a similar cross-cell resource configuration obtaining manner has been used in a device-to-device (D2D) technology. However, the prior art has the following disadvantage: Each user needs to apply to the cell for obtaining the resource configuration of the another cell, and the cell configures, in a unicast manner for each user that needs to read the multicast service of the another cell, sending/reading of a resource location of the another cell for transmitting the multicast service, causing a large quantity of signaling overheads.

Multicast transmission method, base station, and user equipment


‘UF16-64-1’ is a new coleus plant with novel characteristics that include a vigorous compact mounded growth habit, an excellent heat tolerance, and consistent brightly colored leaves. It has superior stability in foliage color in both sun and shade conditions, maintaining stable color in all conditions. ‘UF16-64-1’ has not been observed to produce flowers in any trial we have conducted to date, and thus it has long season performance as an annual plant in the landscape until late Fall.

The invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of coleus plant named 'UF16-64-1'. 'UF16-64-1' originated from an open-pollination conducted in May-November 2015 in Gainesville, Fla. between the female coleus plant 'UF15-56-1' (unpatented) and an unknown male coleus plant. A single seedling was chosen in May 2016 for further asexual propagation in Gainesville, Fla.
'UF16-64-1' has been reproduced asexually for over 18 months through vegetative cuttings and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations. 'UF16-64-1' was first propagated asexually by meristem tip cuttings in May 2016 in Gainesville, Fla., and has remained true-to-type since that time.
'UF16-64-1' has large green leaves with distinct hot-pink centers and maroon venation that are much longer than they are wide; whereas, 'UF15-56-1', the female parent, has much smaller leaves that are dark green with maroon centers and no pink coloration. 'UF16-64-1' has an extremely compact well-branched mounded habit; whereas, 'UF15-56-1' is more vigorous and upright in habit with less lateral branching.
'UF16-64-1' and commercial cultivar 'Mainstreet Fifth Avenue' ('UF12-86-9', unpatented) both have tri-colored green, maroon, and pink leaves and purple stems; however, 'UF16-64-1' has a more vigorous growth habit and its leaves are larger and more brightly colored in both sun and shade conditions. 'UF16-64-1' has not been observed to flower; whereas, 'Mainstreet Fifth Avenue' flowers profusely.


An information reproducing apparatus is provided with: a video operating device to set a video reproduction effect; a music operating device to set a music reproduction effect; an adding device for adding the video reproduction effect to the video image in accordance with an operation of the video operating device, and for adding the music reproduction effect to the music in accordance with an operation of the music operating device; a change operating device for changing a condition of the music operating device between a condition to set the music reproduction effect and a condition. to set the music reproduction effect and to set the video reproduction effect in linkage of the operation of the music operating device; and a controlling device for controlling the adding device to add the video reproduction effect to the video image in accordance with the operation of the music operating device.

Recently, a recording medium, such as a CD and a DVD, which allows data recording and data reproduction by using a digital signal has been spread. Along with that, an information reproducing apparatus, which performs a unique reproduction process due to the digital signal, is also under development.
For example, in a CD and a DVD, a plurality of music pieces (i.e. content data) are recorded in association with each other. More specifically, for example, music pieces, each having a predetermined reproduction time length, are recorded as a plurality of data groups distinguished by track numbers. Thus, a DJ player can perform cue-reproduction which searches for a head address of each music piece and reproduces it, random-reproduction which arbitrarily changes the reproduction order of each music pieces, or the like. Moreover, it is also possible to change the volume of a piece of music to be reproduced, and to change its tempo. Recently, a DJ player which allows not only music but also video images to be reproduced in the same manner has appeared.
Moreover, by using a mixer, it is possible to mix music pieces or the like, which are reproduced from a plurality of DJ players. For example, it is assumed that when a piece of music reproduced by one DJ player comes from a speaker, another piece of music reproduced by another DJ player is mixed therewith. In this case, for example, by increasing the volume of the piece of music reproduced by the another DJ player while reducing the volume of the piece of music reproduced by the one DJ player, it is possible to continue the music reproduction, with the two different pieces of music smoothly connected.
Moreover, by using an effecter, it is possible to add various effects, to the music to be reproduced or the like. Depending on the effecter, it is possible to generate a delay sound, to generate an echo sound, to send a sound between right side and left side, to add the effect that a jet plane ascends or descends periodically, or to cut a sound periodically.
These are used to provide a user with more comfortable music or music with a sensation of reality. On the other hand, as a method of providing the comfortable music or the music with a sensation of reality, a method disclosed in a patent document 1 is listed    Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open NO. 2002-207488

Information reproducing apparatus and method, and computer program


A telephone headset on-line indicator uses a light emitting diode located on a boom of a headset to indicate that the user is on-line with another telephone. Circuits are described for use with use with conventional telephones, electronic telephones and PBX telephone base units.

Operation of a telephone switchboard or PBX is typically among the duties assigned to an office receptionist. In addition to connecting an incoming telephone call with the appropriate person within the office, the receptionist is often required to take messages when the desired party is unavailable. Receptionists are well aware that it is difficult to write a telephone message while cradling a conventional telephone handset between the head and shoulder. Therefore, so-called "hands free" telephone headsets have been designed which will operate with telephone base units. These headsets include a curved boom which positions a small microphone in close proximity to the front of the receptionist's mouth. An earphone is positioned at the other end of the boom so as to be adjacent to the receptionist's ear. A headband suspends the boom and earphone adjacent to the receptionist's face.
A very successful line of after market headsets have been designed for use with conventional telephone base units. Headsets of this type use the same four electrical connections between the headset and base unit as are present between a conventional telephone handset and a telephone base unit. Two of these electrical connections are receiving lines which receive electrical signals transmitted by the calling telephone to the earphone of the headset or handset of the called telephone. The remaining two electrical connections are transmitting lines which carry electrical signals from the microphone of the telephone headset or handset to the telephone base unit.
A continuing problem with the use of the now popular "hands free" telephone headsets is that only the receptionist is usually aware that he or she is currently "on line" with someone on the other end of the telephone. There are no visual cues to advise a guest or client in the reception area that the receptionist is listening to a speaker at the other end of the line. With conventional telephone handsets, it is abundantly clear that at least the telephone is "off the hook" whenever the receptionist cradles the telephone handset between his or her head and shoulder. With the telephone headset, however, the only visual cues which indicates that the receptionist is currently on the line is movement of the receptionist's lips. Clearly, this only occurs when the receptionist is talking and not listening. This motion is often difficult to see if the receptionist's head is slightly bowed, slightly turned, or if the receptionist is soft-spoken. Thus, a guest or client in the reception room may inadvertently interrupt a telephone conversation by addressing the receptionist when he or she is listening and is on the line. These situations are difficult for any receptionist to handle gracefully. In addition, even if the receptionist can politely inform the interrupting guest that he or she is currently on the line, such as by raising and index finger, the guest or client is often embarrassed and the receptionist's train of thought is broken thus possibly causing him or her to miss the message and requiring him or her to ask the caller to repeat the message.
Conventional, pre-electronic, multiple-line telephones are known which have a series of push-buttons illuminated by incandescent bulbs along the bottom edge of the telephone. Typically, a red hold button is provided at the right hand lower corner of the telephone base unit. Each of these transparent buttons, when illuminated, indicates that the handset has been removed from the base unit and that the base unit is on-line if the light is continuous. A flashing light indicates that another line is ringing. Nevertheless, these illuminated push-buttons are not located for effective viewing by guests in a reception area. Furthermore, these incandescent bulbs draw heavy currents and cannot advantageously use the low current signals which are present on the cable connecting the headset or hand set to the telephone base unit. Electronic telephones and PBX base units use solid state lighting devices to indicate that a particular line is in use, and that the base unit is on-line. Nevertheless, these lights are not appropriately positioned for viewing by a guest in a reception area, nor do these solid state devices advantageously use the signals which are present in the cable connecting a telephone headset to a base unit.
In view of the above, a need exists for a method and apparatus which will subtlety but clearly indicate to an observer that a telephone headset is currently in use with a telephone in the "on line" (or "off the hook") condition. Such method and device would preferably retrofit existing, conventional telephone base units and be adaptable to modern, electronic telephones.


A resist composition which generates acid upon exposure and exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under action of acid, the resist composition including a base component (A) which exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution under action of acid, and a compound (D1) represented by general formula (d1), wherein Z− represents an anion having an aromatic ring containing a hydroxybenzoic acid skeleton, provided that at least one hydrogen atom of the aromatic ring has been substituted with a halogen atom; m represents an integer of 1 or more; and Mm+ represents an organic cation having a valency of m.Z−(Mm+)1,m  (d1)

In recent years, in the production of semiconductor elements and liquid crystal display elements, advances in lithography techniques have led to rapid progress in the field of pattern miniaturization. Typically, these miniaturization techniques involve shortening the wavelength (increasing the energy) of the exposure light source. Conventionally, ultraviolet radiation typified by g-line and i-line radiation has been used, but nowadays KrF excimer lasers and ArF excimer lasers are used in mass production. Furthermore, research is also being conducted into lithography techniques that use an exposure light source having a wavelength shorter (energy higher) than these excimer lasers, such as electron beam (EB), extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV), and X ray.
Resist materials for use with these types of exposure light sources require lithography properties such as a high resolution capable of reproducing patterns of minute dimensions, and a high level of sensitivity to these types of exposure light sources.
As a resist material that satisfies these conditions, a chemically amplified composition is used, which includes a base material component that exhibits a changed solubility in a developing solution under the action of acid and an acid-generator component that generates acid upon exposure.
For example, in the case where the developing solution is an alkali developing solution (alkali developing process), a chemically amplified positive resist which contains, as a base component (base resin), a resin which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under action of acid, and an acid generator is typically used. If a resist film formed using such a resist composition is selectively exposed at the time of forming a resist pattern, in exposed areas, acid is generated from the acid generator component, and the polarity of the base resin increases by the action of the generated acid, thereby making the exposed areas of the resist film soluble in the alkali developing solution. Thus, by conducting alkali developing, the unexposed portions of the resist film remain to form a positive resist pattern.
On the other hand, when such a base resin is applied to a solvent developing process using a developing solution containing an organic solvent (organic developing solution), the solubility of the exposed portions in an organic developing solution is decreased. As a result, the unexposed portions of the resist film are dissolved and removed by the organic developing solution, and a negative resist pattern in which the exposed portions of the resist film are remaining is formed. Such a solvent developing process for forming a negative-tone resist composition is sometimes referred to as "negative-tone developing process" (for example, see Patent Literature 1).
In general, the base resin used for a chemically amplified resist composition contains a plurality of structural units for improving lithography properties and the like.
For example, in the case of a resin composition which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution by the action of acid, a structural unit containing an acid decomposable group which is decomposed by the action of acid generated from an acid generator component and exhibits increased polarity. Further, a structural unit containing a lactone-containing cyclic group or a structural unit containing a polar group such as a hydroxy group is used in combination.
Further, in the formation of a resist pattern, the behavior of acid generated from the acid generator component upon exposure is one of the factors which have large influence on the lithography properties.
In consideration of the above, there has been proposed a chemically amplified resist composition which uses, in combination with an acid generator component, an acid diffusion control agent which controls the diffusion of acid generated from the acid generator component upon exposure.
For example, Patent Literature 2 discloses a resist composition including a resin component that exhibits changed solubility in a developing solution by the action of acid, an acid generator component, and a photoreactive quencher as an acid diffusion control agent, wherein the photoreactive quencher has a cation moiety having a specific structure. The photoreactive quencher goes under an ion exchange reaction with the acid generated from the acid generator component to exhibit a quenching effect. By including a photoreactive quencher, acid generated from the acid generator component can be suppressed from being diffused from exposed portions of the resist film to unexposed portions of the resist film. As a result, lithography properties can be improved.

Resist composition, method of forming resist pattern, compound, and acid diffusion control agent


There are provided systems and methods for a communication device interface for merchant check-in and shopping notifications. A user may enter shopping preferences to a module of a communication device in order to receive notifications and alerts when items matching the shopping preferences are available with one or more merchants. A service provider may receive the shopping preferences with user attributes, such as a user location and/or account balance. The attributes may be determined using applications and/or modules of the communication device or through a check-in by the user at a location. The service provider may determine shopping notifications having purchase offers for the items from available merchants. The purchase offers may include offers to sell the items and discounts for the items. The shopping notifications may be displayed to the user using a user device interface, such as cells within an application or mobile device home screen.

Users may have shopping preferences corresponding to items, item discounts, and/or merchant locations. For example, a user may wish to purchase a specific item, or may wish to view items available with a merchant. However, in order to access information corresponding to those shopping preferences, the user may be required to retrieve information available online, through a merchant application, or directly from the merchant. Where a user is unsure of a best price for an item and wishes to engage in comparative shopping, the user may perform multiple searches with multiple different merchants. Therefore, the user may not optimize purchase prices and/or item preferences without going through manual steps performed by the user, and in some cases may miss potential savings from short term sales, coupons, or other item discounts. Additionally, the user may be unaware of local merchants and/or item offers and discounts at merchants the user is visiting. For example, a user may visit a coffeehouse to purchase coffee but be unaware that the merchant is presently offering 10% of drink purchases with food purchases. Thus, the user may not maximize their shopping experience unless they perform prior research on their shopping preferences and locations the user expects to visit.
Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures, wherein showings therein are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of limiting the same.

Communication device interface for merchant check-in and shopping notifications


Errors in software may be detected via the use of design rule spaces and architecture root detection. Design rule spaces may reveal multiple overlapping modular structures of a software system, and reveal structural relations among error-prone files and structural problems contributing to error-proneness. Root detection may extract a few groups of architecturally connected files, which may be connected through problematic architecture relations that propagate errors among these files, and thus influence system error-proneness. The root detector may locate the core architecturally connected file groups that contribute to the error-proneness of a system. The root detection process may, beginning with a set of error-prone files, search and link other files that are architecturally related. The output of the root detection process may be a set of design rule spaces ordered by the number of error-prone contained therein.

In the field of reverse engineering, numerous techniques have been proposed to recover the software architecture from source code. These approaches aim to improve the accuracy and comprehensibility of the recovered architecture. However, a means of leveraging the recovered architectural structure to inform software quality issues, such as the location of defects, has not been explored. In the field of data mining, numerous approaches have been proposed to leverage co-change information in revision history to locate error-prone files, and construct defect predictors. There is no known methodology for directly and effectively linking software architecture with quality issues such as error-proneness.

Rule spaces and architecture root detection


A method, apparatus, and computer-readable media for a wireless network device for communicating with a network comprises a memory to store an image comprising a plurality of virtual machines and only one multi-tasking operating system, wherein each of the virtual machines comprises a wireless network application to execute on the multi-tasking operating system; a processor to execute the virtual machines; and a port comprising a physical-layer device to communicate with the network, and a media access controller to communicate with the physical-layer device and the processor.

The present invention relates generally to wireless data communications. More particularly, the present invention relates to all-in-one wireless network devices.
Many wireless network devices are available to facilitate data communications and network access at home and in the workplace, including wireless access points, wireless clients, wireless bridges, wireless repeaters, and even wireless enabled laptop computers and personal digital assistants. FIG. 1 shows a conventional combination wireless network device 100. Wireless network device 100 comprises a processor 102, a wireless port 104, a memory controller 110, a non-volatile memory 112, a volatile memory 114, and an antenna 116.
FIG. 2 shows a conventional architecture 200 for a conventional combination wireless network device 100 that can act as either a wireless access point or a wireless client. Architecture 200 comprises a plurality of software images comprising a software image 202A for the wireless access point and a software image 202B for the wireless client, and wireless port 104 of FIG. 1. Image 202A comprises a conventional operating system 204A, a wireless access point application 206A, and a media access controller (MAC) device driver 210A. Image 202B comprises a conventional operating system 204B, a wireless client application 206B, and a MAC device driver 210B3. Wireless port 104 comprises a MAC 212 and a wireless physical-layer device (PHY) 214.
Conventional architecture 200 is limited in that only one wireless application can execute at a time. That is, according to architecture 200, combination wireless network device 100 can act either as a wireless access point or as a wireless client, but cannot act as both concurrently.
Furthermore, switching between modes is slow. For example, in order to switch from wireless access point mode to wireless client mode, processor 102 must reboot and load wireless client image 202B into volatile memory 114 before entering wireless client mode.
Finally, architecture 200 is inefficient because operating system 204 is replicated in each image 202, and can account for up to ⅔ of the storage space required by each image 202. This inefficiency increases the storage requirements for both non-volatile memory 112 and volatile memory 114, as well as the time required to transfer each image 202 from non-volatile memory 112 to volatile memory 114. These storage requirements mandate a larger, less portable, and more expensive package for conventional combination wireless network device 100.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Coaxial loudspeaker arrangements (10) are usually so configured, that the loudspeaker (12) located in the bellmouth (29) of the conical loudspeaker (11), is placed on the pole core (17) of the conical loudspeaker (11). However, the contact of the loudspeaker (11) has a disadvantage, with respect to automated manufacture, because either the connection cables (24) for loudspeaker (12) must be threaded through the pole core (17), or the connection cables (24) must be connected to the soldering joints in the diaphragm (15). It is also known to place the loudspeaker (12) into a preform, and to attach this preform to the edge of the loudspeaker frame (14) of the conical loudspeaker (11). The latter is very costly and detrimental to the acoustical effect. For that reason the invention has the task of indicating a coaxial loudspeaker arrangement (10), which is simplified with respect to automated manufacture, without impairing the acoustical effect. This task is fulfilled in that the pole core (17) of loudspeaker (11 ) is tube-shaped, that the loudspeaker (12) is connected to a receiving arbor (22), and that the shaft (23) of the receiving arbor (22) is pushed into the pole core (17) of the loudspeaker (11), and is securely attached thereto. If the shaft (23) is hollow, the components for a frequency crossover can be integrated into the inside of the shaft (23).

Coaxial loudspeaker arrangements have been known for a long time in the state of the art, so that an extensive explanation of this arrangement can be omitted in this instance.
It is characteristic of a coaxial loudspeaker arrangement that a second loudspeaker, which is smaller than the first loudspeaker, is located inside a first (conical) loudspeaker. Since in the usual applications the conical loudspeaker is a low-frequency loudspeaker, and the other loudspeaker that is located in the bellmouth is a high-frequency loudspeaker, this type of assembly of a coaxial loudspeaker system will be maintained in the following explanation. However, this does not restrict the assembly to the above described type. Rather, the conical loudspeaker can also be configured as a medium-frequency loudspeaker.
The second (high-frequency) loudspeaker located in the bellmouth can be configured as a conical, as well as a hemispherical high-frequency loudspeaker.
The state of the art essentially recognizes two configurations for the arrangement of the high-frequency loudspeaker in the bellmouth of the first loudspeaker.
According to a known configuration, the magnet system of the high-frequency loudspeaker is placed directly on the pole core of the conical loudspeaker. As a rule, the connection of the two above mentioned components is an adhesive connection. The contact of the high-frequency loudspeaker with the connector block of the loudspeaker system is most often arranged so that the loudspeaker's connection cables extend to the soldering terminals located in the bellmouth of the conical loudspeaker, where they are soldered. As is generally known, this type of high-frequency loudspeaker contact has disadvantages, because the movement of the conical diaphragm places considerable mechanical stresses on the connection lines of the high-frequency loudspeaker, and on the soldered joint. In addition, this type of contact requires a series of costly operating steps.
According to another type of high-frequency loudspeaker contacts, which are connected with the pole core of the conical loudspeaker, the connection wires for the high-frequency loudspeaker are threaded through a hole in the pole core of the conical loudspeaker. This type of contact, however, is very expensive with regard to the automated production of coaxial loudspeaker arrangements. The reason is that the high-frequency loudspeaker must be held by a tool during connection to the conical loudspeaker, and that another tool must be available, which is able to thread the high-frequency loudspeaker connection cables through the hole in the pole core.
If the signal path of the high-frequency loudspeaker contains a frequency crossover, the latter is either located on the high-frequency loudspeaker housing, or the housing of the conical loudspeaker, depending on the configuration of the above indicated lines. As can easily be seen, besides requiring a special space, this arrangement of the frequency crossover in the indicated areas sometimes requires additional soldering operations.
In addition to this configuration of coaxial loudspeaker systems, other coaxial loudspeaker systems are known, in which the high-frequency loudspeaker is located in a preform. The preform is attached to the edge of the conical loudspeaker so that it locates the high-frequency loudspeaker above the conical diaphragm in the bellmouth. In this instance, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,905, for example. The contact of these high-frequency loudspeakers is made by connection lines, which are placed in the preform or in the housing of the conical loudspeaker. The frequency crossover may be integrated into the preform or into the preform frame. Although this type of conical loudspeaker arrangement is advantageous for the automated production of the system, it is however considered a disadvantage that the preform, into which the high-frequency loudspeaker is inserted, covers a large portion of the free radiation surface of the conical diaphragm, which reduces the reproduction quality of the coaxial loudspeaker system.
For that reason, the invention has an object of presenting a coaxial loudspeaker arrangement, which can be automatically manufactured in a simple manner, and which has an improved sound reproduction.


Embodiments of the invention include a method and apparatus for causing transmission of a signal providing at least one information related to a requirement for a reconfiguration period in which a reconfiguration procedure for reconfiguring a setting of a transceiver system is conducted, receiving and processing a signal which includes information related to a decision whether or not a reconfiguration period is scheduled, and executing a reconfiguration procedure for the transceiver system on the basis of a result of the processing of the received information.

Prior art which is related to this technical field can e.g. be found in technical specifications according to 3GPP TS 36.321 (e.g. version 11.2.0), 3GPP TS 36.331 (e.g. version 11.3.0), 3GPP TS 36.300 (e.g. version 11.5.0) and 3GPP TS 36.101 (e.g. version 11.4.0).
The following meanings for the abbreviations used in this specification apply:
APE: application processor engine
BB: baseband
BS: base station
CA: carrier aggregation
CC: component carrier
CLTD: closed loop transmit diversity
CPC: continuous packet continuity
CPU: central processing unit
DCO: digitally controlled oscillator
DL: downlink
DRX: discontinuous reception
DSDA: dual SIM (subscriber identification module) dual active
DTX: discontinuous transmission
eNB: evolved node B
EUTRA: evolved universal terrestrial radio access
FDD: frequency division duplex
FE: front end
HB: higher band
HW: hardware
IC: integrated circuit
ID: identification
IL: insertion loss
LA: local area
LAeNB: LA eNB (eNB controlling LA cell)
LB: lower band
LNA: low noise amplifier
LO: local oscillator
LTE: Long Term Evolution
LTE-A: LTE Advanced
MAC: medium access control
MIMO: multiple input multiple output
MUX: multiplexer, multiplexing
PA: power amplifier
PCC: primary component carrier
Pcell: primary cell
PLL: phase locked loop
RAT: radio access technology
RF: radio frequency
RFIC: radio frequency integrated circuit
RX: receiver, reception
SCC: secondary component carrier
Scell: secondary cell
TPC: transmission power control
TX: transmitter, transmission
VCO: voltage controlled oscillator
UE: user equipment
UL: uplink
In the last years, an increasing extension of communication networks, e.g. of wire based communication networks, such as the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), DSL, or wireless communication networks, such as the cdma2000 (code division multiple access) system, cellular 3rd generation (3G) communication networks like the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), enhanced communication networks based e.g. on LTE, cellular 2nd generation (2G) communication networks like the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), the General Packet Radio System (GPRS), the Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolutions (EDGE), or other wireless communication system, such as the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), took place all over the world. Various organizations, such as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Telecoms & Internet converged Services & Protocols for Advanced Networks (TISPAN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), the WiMAX Forum and the like are working on standards for telecommunication network and access environments.
A new development of communication network systems is the implementation of heterogeneous networks consisting of e.g. a "normal" communication cell (referred to as macro cell) and plural small cells (referred to as Scells or local area (LA) cells) which allow a better coverage and possibly outsourcing options for communications conducted in the macro cell.
In carrier aggregation (CA), it is intended to increase communication data throughput by using simultaneous communication link with multiple carrier components (CC). For example, CA is done in DL direction with secondary CC (SCC). SCC may use an adjacent or non-adjacent frequency band with regard to the PCC. For example, an adjacent CC is related to a so-called intra-band CA case, while a non-adjacent CC may be related to a so-called inter-band CA (but is also usable in an intra-band CA). In addition, CC's can include several clusters that in practice mean that RB's in one CC can be allocated in non-contiguous manner. Also UL CA is considered for increasing data throughput further, e.g. in connection with relays or routers.
In protocol point of view, DL CA communication creation starts from an active primary cell (Pcell) communication link, which is always used for UL communication purposes in combination with DL CA. DL communication link/s from one or more secondary cell/s are then configured according to allocated radio resources. It is to be noted that prior to a Scell communication link establishment, a communication unit such as a UE using the CA communication may conduct Scell measurements and report results to a communication counterpart (e.g. the eNB). Furthermore, a Scell communication link may be disconnected after some period, e.g. when the UE detects that a Scell timer or the like in the UE reaches a limit which may be a value being predefined by the network.
When the UE is attached to the network, a so-called handover may take place e.g. due to mobility or load reasons. In such a handover, the Scell communication link is not kept active. The handover is executed from one Pcell communication resource (e.g. one eNB) to an alternate Pcell communication resource (e.g. another eNB) according to known handover procedures. In this situation, a new DL CA communication (with Scells) will be established as indicated above.

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


Planar light sources are directed at an article on either side of the optical axis so that the trace of each light beam defines a line, on either side of the optical axis, whose form is dependent on the shape of the surface of the article. To determine whether the article is in focus, the distance between the two lines is measured. To determine whether the article is in correct pitch, the distance between each line and the optical axis is measured and compared. To determine whether the article has drifted, the distances between the ends of the lines and the optical axis are measured and compared.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the position of an article under optical observation. More specifically, the invention relates to such a method and apparatus using laser means.
The invention also relates to such a method and apparatus which, in addition to monitoring the position of the article, also adjusts its position as required.
More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring the position of a bullet under optical observation for forensic purposes, and for adjusting the bullet as required, the method and apparatus using laser means.
2. Description of Prior Art
Various optoelectronic inspection systems are known in the art as illustrated in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,966, Cofek et al, Aug. 1, 1972, U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,640, Hirst, Aug. 19, 1986, U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,932, Knollenberg, Jan. 16, 1990 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,697, Takagi et al, Dec. 31, 1991.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,966 teaches an optoelectronic inspection apparatus wherein light from a light source is directed by lens 12 through a source probe 14, and, via a system of mirrors 18 and 45 to a light detector 50. The system detects the area of aperture 32 in a shell casing 30. The light from the source 10 uninterrupted is fed to a light detector 12, and the output of light detectors 51 and 12 are directed through a system including a divider 70 and comparator 72 and 74, and the output is then fed to an indicator 84.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,640 teaches a system for optically testing the quality of reflective cylindrical surfaces. A monochromatic light (laser) beam 14 is directed at a diffraction grating 16 which is perpendicular to the direction of the beam. A wavefront 20 converges into line focus at 24 and then diverges as a cylindrical wavefront 26 to impinge on a test object such as a concave cylindrical surface 30. In FIG. 1, the cylindrical surface is concave. If the surface is convex (FIG. 2), then the surface is disposed ahead of the focal point 24.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,932, differently polarized beams from lasers 16 and 14 (see FIG. 6) are directed to opposite sides of a monitoring area by a system of mirrors and lenses. The reflected light is directed, by a system of lenses, to a beam splitter 64 wherein the different polarized lights are directed to different inputs of a signal processor 76.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,697, slit light projectors 3 direct their output on the surface of a circuit board 10 through galvano-mirrors 4. The image is then picked up by a television camera 1 and is processed in the image processor 7.
As can be seen, none of the references teach a system for monitoring and adjusting the position of an article under optoelectronic observation. Although the '932 patent does use two lasers, it uses them for an entirely different purpose. In addition, the laser beams of the '932 patent are not planar laser beams.

Method and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting the position of an article under optical observation


A cosmetic applicator for applying heat and medicament, unguents, cosmetics and the like to the face or other parts of the body.

This invention relates to a convenient hand-held facial heat applicator which is adaptable to apply medicaments, unguents, cosmetics and the like to the face and other parts of the body.
After years of encouraging women to cover their skin with layers of makeup, the trend now is to place more emphasis on the skin itself. The care of the skin, particularly cleaning and lubricating, is a fast growing segment of the cosmetic business. The jar of cold cream is now being replaced with products to firm up wrinkled necks and nourish the skin.
Beauty clinics cater to men and women who want treatments that they hope will keep their skin appearing young, smooth and wrinkle free. A cosmetologist cleans the skin with unscented makeup remover and lotions. Then a lubricant is applied with a small hot iron to soften the pores. This face ironing is followed by a herbal or seaweed steam facial, manual and deep-pore cleaning and further make up consultation and application is then undertaken.
In essence, most beauty parlors clean the skin thoroughly.
A convenient hand-held home and business appliance is needed for applying heat to the face or body which in one form may also include a vibrator and in another form a medicament dispenser. A compreshensive device will include the heating iron, vibrator and medicament dispenser all in one appliance the functions of which may be used individually or in combination.

Therapeutic heat and cosmetic applicator


A cooling system is provided for an electric vehicle inverter system having an inverter for converting electric power from a battery into alternating current and for supplying the current to a driving motor for driving the vehicle. The cooling system employs a heat sink having an internal coolant flow passage for conducting a liquid coolant which is forced to recirculate. The heat sink is vertically placed on a mounting base, and heat generating parts are placed and fixed on at least one side of said heat sink. In this way, a cooling system for an electric vehicle inverter system which is small in size and large in cooling capacity with a simple construction is easily provided.

The present invention relates to a cooling system for an electric vehicle inverter system and, more particularly, to a cooling system for an electric vehicle inverter system which is capable of effectively cooling the inverter in an inverter system.
It has been known to use a cooling system of the water cooling type instead of the using a cooling system of air cooling type in order to cool an electric power converting apparatus (inverter system) mounted on an electric vehicle, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-275492 (1992).
In a cooling system of this type, the cooling of each of a number of electric power converting units provided in an electric vehicle is performed by a single cooling system formed as a unit, and cooling is classified into two patterns, a battery charging pattern and a running pattern, to selectively cool a battery charger and a DC/DC converter operating during battery charging, as well as an inverter and a DC/DC converter operating during running.
For cooling an IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) and the like, it has been common to use a heat sink of the air cooling type, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 47-31317 (1972).
According to the former publication, an excellent cooling system of the water cooling type is provided since cooling is performed with forced convection and the main part of the inverter is locally and effectively cooled. However, there is a disadvantage in that it is difficult to directly employ the system for commercial use in an electric vehicle because of insufficient capacity of the available space and a weight bearing problem.
In the latter system of the air cooling type, there are many air heat sinks to cool heat generating bodies, such as IGBT's, and a duct, a blower and the like are required to conduct the cooling air to the fins of the heat sinks. The units are large in size and require a large room when these units are mounted on a vehicle, which decreases its during efficiency. In addition to this, since a large air flow rate and high outlet pressure are required, the blower makes a large noise.

Cooling system for electric vehicle inverter system


An inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system includes an ignition transformer primary winding in parallel with a capacitor and fed by an alternating current source providing a plural number of repetition cycles during each igniter firing period. Such repetition cycles cause the capacitor and primary winding to charge and discharge during each of the repetition cycles creating a plurality of ringing periods for each igniter firing period. A diode or an additional capacitor, or both, inserted in series with the parallel combination of the first stated capacitor and primary winding, substantially increases the velocity of arc provided by an igniter. Such arc has several components composed of luminous particles extending across the entire base of the igniter.

This invention is in the field of ignition systems for fuel burning engines and in particular in such ignition systems which have both a capacitor and an inductive winding of an ignition transformer cyclically charged and discharged in discharge aiding mode, and more particularly wherein such system produces a high velocity igniter arc.
The principal prior art ignition systems may be categorized into three groups. The first category of such prior art systems, referred to as the Kettering system, uses a capacitor in series with a primary winding of an ignition transformer wherein the capacitor is short-circuited by a timer so as to permit the primary winding to be charged by a DC source. The timer then removes the short circuit from the capacitor to permit the charged winding to discharge into the capacitor so as to create a single ringing circuit component, used to fire an igniter.
The second category of such prior art systems, referred to as a capacitive discharge system, also has a capacitor in series with an ignition transformer winding. Controlled by an appropriate timer, the capacitor is charged, generally by a higher DC voltage than in the Kettering system, such higher DC voltage being generated in the system. The timer then enables the charged capacitor to discharge into the transformer winding also creating a single ringing current component of somewhat higher voltage peak than the Kettering system to fire an igniter.
The third category of such prior art systems involves the use of a generated AC wave by such prior art system and attempts to apply such generated wave either to an ignition transformer or directly to a distributor in order to fire an igniter.
With respect to the first category, or Kettering prior art system, the main problem lies in the fact that the system attempts to precharge an inductor using a DC source in anticipation of an igniter firing cycle. It is well-known that an inductor energized by DC cannot charge to its full current level in a short period of time, and therefore, cannot rapidly produce an induced voltage therein. Hence, only a portion of the maximum current quantity can be made to flow through the primary winding during the charging mode, with consequent nonuse of the full energy storage capability of such primary winding, and therefore, loss of electrical power delivery capability to fire the igniter is experienced.
The current conduction through an inductor powered by a DC source, such as a battery, when switched on by the timer may be expressed as: ##EQU1## where i is current at any instant of time, t is time, V.sub.dc is the voltage provided by the DC source, R is the circuit resistance of the inductor and DC source, L is the inductance of the primary winding and R/L is the time constant of the circuit.
From such equation, it can be seen that when t=0, i=0, and when t approaches infinity, i approaches the value of V.sub.dc /R. Based on typical values of L and R, it would take about 100 milliseconds for the primary winding to be almost fully charged, and a typical primary winding charging period is generally not greater than 5 milliseconds.
It is, therefore, obvious that the use of a DC source to charge the primary winding of the Kettering or first category of ignition systems is self-defeating in that possibly no more than half the inductor's charge capacity can be effectively utilized.
With respect to the second category or capacitive discharge system, a like result, with very little improvement over the Kettering system, is realized.
In such second category system, the higher DC voltage to precharge the capacitor is obtained by using an electronic oscillator to generate a higher AC voltage which is then converted to DC by rectification and filtering. The higher DC voltage is controlled by a timer to precharge the capacitor and then discharge the capacitor into the ignition transformer winding to fire an igniter. If one keeps in mind that a charged capacitor is just like a DC source, then one can apply the foregoing equation which defines current in the transformer winding. Although the value of V.sub.dc representing the charged capacitor will be higher than in the case of the Kettering system, one must not lose sight of the fact that the energy content of a charged capacitor is limited by the capacitance and hence its ability to deliver current for an extended time period is limited. Hence, although a higher peak single ringing cycle will result due to the charge from the capacitor being dumped into the transformer winding, the single ringing period will be substantially shortened compared with the single ringing period of the Kettering system.
Since energy is a function of the product of power and time, the advantage of the capacitive discharge system over the Kettering system is minimized due to the lesser amount of time during which energy is present to fire the igniter.
With respect to the third category of prior art ignition systems or the AC systems, the major problem resides in the inability of the prior art to recognize how to transfer the power from the AC generator to the load, the load generally being a transformer. Consequently, although such system might basically be able to provide AC power over longer periods of time, these systems suffer from the lack of technique in effectively tranferring such power and particularly providing higher current levels to the load.
The need for such higher current levels has been repeatedly stated in periodicals and patents written by those in the automotive manufacturing industry and in the automotive fuel-producing industry such as Texaco. Such periodicals or patents generally show a high power AC rectangular wave generator employing a transformer wherein one of the windings thereof is used to saturate the transformer core by employing a DC source connected to that winding, so as to prevent the generator from producing power. A timer, coupled to such winding, enables the core to go out saturation, and ostensibly enables the generator to provide AC power by magnetic induction through a high voltage winding of the transformer to an igniter load.
The basic problem with such generator resides in the high impedance experienced in the electronic circuit of the generator where the transistors are located, when under actual load conditions such as when the igniter is attempting to arc. Reflected impedance of the high voltage winding into the lower voltage winding to which the transistors are connected plus the self-impedance of such lower voltage winding would severely limit the current circulating in the collector-emitter circuits, and consequently would result in a lowered voltage and severely reduced current levels deliverable to the actual igniter. Thus, not only is the voltage across the so-called high voltage winding of such prior art AC system lower than expected, but the required higher current level for feeding the igniter in order to overcome high pressure fuel-flow across the igniter base, and in particular where the air-to-fuel ratio is in the order of 18 to 1 or greater (lean-burn engines), is not available.
Additionally, such prior art AC systems are inhibited from rapid duty cycling of their AC generator principally by magnetically saturating the generator's transformer core to inhibit oscillations. Sight is lost of the fact that the DC current used to saturate such core results in a comparatively long time for the core to reach saturation (see formula above), and hence slows up the cycling of the generator between its operative and quiescent mode. As a result, the prior art AC systems provide triangular-shaped current waveforms which inherently have slow rates of change in their waveforms as a function of time and therefore result in a reduced induced voltage in the high voltage winding, inasmuch as by Faraday's law of induction, such reduced voltage is a function of the rate of change of current. It can be appreciated that if, for example, the prior art could have overcome the above problems residual in their AC source and could provide a current waveform output with a fast rate of change, such as one approaching a rectangular waveshape, at least the output voltage of such generator would be increased. However, the problem of being able to deliver higher currents to the load would still remain unsolved.
Accordingly, neither the Kettering, capacitive discharge, nor AC system is capable of delivery of sufficient quantities of energy to fire an igniter, in order to enable the igniter to cause all fuel in an engine cylinder to be consumed and not wasted by failure of the ignition arc to burn same.
A further disadvantage of prior art ignition systems is that they cannot charge the inductor or transformer winding and the capacitor in a way so that discharge currents therefrom are additive and aid each other.
A still further disadvantage of the prior art systems is their inability to deliver sufficient energy to fire an igniter for extended periods of time.
Yet a further disadvantage of the prior art systems is their inability to deliver more than one ringing cycle during an igniter firing period.
Yet another disadvantage of the precharged inductor or capacitor prior art systems is their inability to rapidly charge the inductor due to use of DC power, with attendant inability to deliver sufficient energy to fire an igniter so as to effectively cause all the fuel to burn during an igniter firing period.
Yet another important disadvantage of any prior art system is the inability of the system to accelerate the arc luminous particles to such high velocity so that such arc can adequately overcome internal engine and fuelflow pressures. Such prior art systems are therefore unable to use an igniter that develops long arc lengths between its electrodes. Such deficiency results in initation of a small fuel ignited nodule during the initial ignition period which is insufficient in mass and area to cause all fuel in a cylinder to be consumed and not wasted.
Other disadvantages with such prior art systems reside in their complexity due to the need of a large quantity of electronic components which also gives rise to unreliability as well as high cost of production.
Exemplary of prior art systems is U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,507 which is a capacitive discharge system. A charge retention storage capacitor is charged by a relatively high DC voltage source, and the charge from the charge capacitor is discharged through an ignition transformer primary winding by utilizing a silicon controlled rectifier switch. Another capacitor across the primary winding is selected of such value so as to suppress electromagnetic interference due to discharge of the storage capacitor.
Another example of prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 3,312,860 which operates on a similar principle to that of U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,507, except that its high voltage DC power source is of a different design.
Still another example of the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,315 which utilizes two ignition transformer primary windings. One of such windings is energized by the discharge of a precharged capacitor from a DC source, whereas the other of these primary windings has a discharge current passing therethrough to combine with the capacitive discharge into the first named primary winding. This would be the principle of operation if the system were operative, but such system is precluded from operation by a hard-wire short circuit across the second named primary winding.
All of these exemplary systems miss the major point of technology of not utilizing rectangular or other AC power to feed the ignition transformer primary winding, and to feed such components as are connected in the primary winding circuit with AC power, and thus such systems cannot obtain the extremely high energy levels that would otherwise be possible when exciting the ignition transformer primary circuit components with AC power.

Inductive-capacitive cyclic charge-discharge ignition system


In controlling an automatic transmission in a vehicle by a combination of an electronic computer system and a hydraulic actuation system according to a principle of feedback control so that the electronic computer system computes a target control state for the hydraulic actuation system and the hydraulic actuation system is operated according to a difference between the target control state and a current control state thereof, the difference is modified by an amount which is decreased along with lapse of time so that the delay in the operation of the hydraulic actuation system is compensated for by a simulation that at the start of control the difference is beforehand increased for an amount which is gradually cancelled by a delay function of the difference itself as the delay in the operation of the hydraulic actuation system disappears. The difference may further be modified so that the modification is started with a time lag. The difference may further be modified by the rate of change of itself.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control of an automatic transmission in a vehicle, and more particularly, to a control of a friction engaging means such as a clutch and a brake in the speed stage shifting of an automatic transmission by an electronic computer through a hydraulic actuation system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is already known in the art of automatic transmission in a vehicle having an assembly of gear wheels such as a planetary gear mechanism and friction engaging means such as clutches and brakes adapted to be selectively engaged or disengaged so as to set up various speed stages providing various reduction gear ratios in the automatic transmission to control said engagement and disengagement of the friction engaging means by a combination of an electric control means and a hydraulic actuation system, wherein said electric control means dispatches electric control signals for selective setting up of certain speed stages in the transmission, said electric control signals being supplied to one or more solenoid valves incorporated in said hydraulic actuation system so as to change over supply or exhaust of a hydraulic pressure to or from said friction engaging means, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication 57-86650.
Further, in such an art of electro-hydraulic control of the automatic transmission in a vehicle it is also known to control supply or exhaust of a hydraulic pressure to or from certain friction engaging means in changing over of speed stages of the transmission under watching of the rotational speed of a rotation member such as a drum of a clutch incorporated in the gear train so that the supply or exhaust of the hydraulic pressure to or from such certain friction engaging means is controlled on a real time basis according to each instant difference between the rotational speed of said rotation member and a certain target value therefor computed by an electronic computer based upon data with regard to various operation parameters of the vehicle in a manner of feedback control cyclically repeated at a certain time interval such as several microseconds, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication 60-201152.
However, in such a combination of an electronic computer system and a hydraulic actuation system there is a great difference between the speeds of operation of the two systems. The electronic computer can finish almost all control calculations at an instant, whereas the hydraulic actuation system needs a substantial time to accomplish certain control operations due to a hydraulic inertia which generally causes a relatively large delay in response to an increase or decrease of the cross sectional area of a flow passage allowed for the hydraulic fluid. Therefore, if, for example, the electronic computer system generates a control output signal to change over the transmission from a certain first speed stage to a certain second speed stage at a certain moment to, as shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic pressure in a clutch or a brake which is newly supplied with the hydraulic pressure for setting up said certain second gear stage is delayed as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the delay includes a time lag Tg which lapses before the hydraulic pressure starts to increase and an asymptotic delay Tf such as a first order delay, a second order delay or a further order delay during which the hydraulic pressure gradually increases so as asymptotically to approach the final value thereof.
In the electro-hydraulic control of the automatic transmission in a vehicle the electronic control system generally provides its output control signal in the form of a series of electric pulses to be supplied to a solenoid valve in the hydraulic actuation system, said pulse signal having a duty ratio representing the instructions to be given to the hydraulic actuation system. If the electronic computer system operates to produce an output signal such as said pulse signal having a variable duty ratio based upon only such input data as throttle opening of the engine determined by stepping on an accelerator pedal by the driver, patterns of driving such as the economy pattern putting preference on the economical performance of the vehicle and the power pattern putting preference on the power performance of the vehicle selected at a pattern select switch operated by the driver, and shift positions such as the R, N, D, 2 and L set up by a manual lever handled by the driver, the delay in response of the hydraulic actuation system as shown in FIG. 1 would cause no substantial problem. However, if the control computation in the electronic computer system also refers to such data as vehicle speed, oil temperature in the engine, rotational speed of a certain rotation member so as to modify the curve of asymptotic approach of the hydraulic pressure to its target value for a better speed stage shifting performance of the automatic transmission, the delay in the hydraulic actuation system seriously affects the performance of the automatic transmission control as the vehicle speed and the rotational speed of said certain rotation member are directly affected by such delay in the operation of the hydraulic actuation system thereby substantially disturbing the feedback gain. Therefore, certain measures are required to deal with such delays in the hydraulic actuation system if high performance of the automatic transmission is to be ensured based upon wide variety of operation parameters having more or less influence on the operation of the automatic transmission.

Method of controlling automatic transmission with compensation for delay in response of hydraulic actuation system


The present invention provides ceramic coated heat-resistant elements which suffer no damages even under high heat load conditions and can afford a thermal barrier effect stably for a long period of time and can be used, for example, as buckets and stationary blades of turbines. A method for making the elements is also provided. The ceramic coated heat-resistant element comprises a heat resisting alloy base mainly composed of Ni and/or Co and a heat-resistant coating layer provided on the surface of the base and is characterized in that said heat-resistant coating layer comprises a metal layer of an alloy superior to the base in high-temperature corrosion and oxidation resistance and provided on the base, an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ceramic thin film layer provided on the metal layer, a ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer having dense texture provided on the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ceramic thin film layer and a ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer having columnar texture provided on the ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer having dense texture and cracks are present only in said ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer having columnar texture in the direction of thickness along the boundary of the columns. A mixed layer composed of a metal superior to the base in high-temperature corrosion and oxidation resistance and a ZrO.sub.2 ceramic may be provided between the base and the metal layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat-resistant element provided with a coating layer and particularly, to a thermal stress relaxation type ceramic coated heat-resistant member and a method for making such element.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heat-resistant parts represented by gas turbines for electricity generation are increasingly subjected to higher operation temperature for improvement of efficiency. As a result, improvement of high-temperature endurance of stationary blades and buckets of turbines which are heat-resistant parts are earnestly demanded. Under the circumstances, heat resisting alloys high in high-temperature strength and excellent in reliability have been developed, but they are limited in their heat resisting temperature. As a method for reducing the temperature of base metals of parts used under high temperature condition, there is the thermal barrier coating (hereinafter abbreviated as "TBC") which is a coating of ceramics of low thermal conductivity (such as ZrO.sub.2 type ceramics). According to this TBC, the temperature of base metals can be reduced by 50.degree.-100.degree. C.
However, the TBC which is employed under severe heat load conditions is apt to cause damages such as peeling of coating layers such as ceramic layers. Especially, in the case of gas turbines operated at high temperatures for improving efficiency, the heat load conditions are very severe and damages are caused more readily.
There are heat-resistant parts coated with various thermal stress relaxation type ceramics (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,503,130 and 4,095,003). A ceramic coating layer having the laminate structure comprising a porous ceramic layer and a dense ceramic layer and a coating layer comprising columnar ceramics are proposed in these known techniques.
However, in the case of the ceramic coating layer of laminate structure, the residual strain in the laminate ceramic coating layer is controlled by control of base temperature at the time of film-forming and by forming a porous ceramic layer by thermal spraying of a mixture of ceramic powders and polyesters and damages occur in the ceramic coating layer under very severe heat load conditions. On the other hand, in the case of the coating layer comprising columnar crystal ceramics, improvement in endurance by the thermal stress relaxation action is recognized, but peeling also occurs at the boundary part between the ceramic coating layer and the lower layer under very severe heat load conditions.
As mentioned above, in the case of heat-resistant parts provided with conventional thermal stress relaxation type ceramic coating layer, the ceramic coating layer is often damaged under severe heat load conditions of high operation temperature and the thermal barrier effect which is the original object of providing the layer cannot be sufficiently exhibited.
The above known techniques propose ceramic coating layers having thermal stress relaxing function. However, all of them do not necessarily show sufficient heat resistance when used for parts operated under high heat load conditions of high operation temperatures.
As a result of studying the thermal stress relaxing function, it has been found by thermal stress analysis that ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer smaller in thermal expansion provided on the surface of a base made of a heat resisting alloy larger in thermal expansion undergoes tensile stress under severe heat load conditions of high operation temperatures. It has been further found that this tensile stress shows such a distribution that it becomes greatest in the ceramic coating layer in the vicinity of the boundary part between the ceramic coating layer and the under layer (such as an alloy layer) and when the maximum stress exceeds the strength of the ceramic coating layer, break of the ceramic layer is brought about.
Being different from sintered ceramics, the texture of ceramic coating layers have various structures. Such difference in the texture results in a great difference in the form of breaking of the ceramic coating layers. That is, in the case of porous particulate stacking texture which is low in inter-particle bonding force, wear loss of the ceramic coating layer results due to exfoliation phenomenon of particles. Such texture can be produced, for example, by the known thermal spraying of a mixture of ZrO.sub.2 ceramic particles and polyester powders.
Next, in the particulate stacking texture relatively strong in interparticle bonding force and having internal defects such as voids, breaking occurs in the longitudinal direction of the coating layer to result in cracks. This is because the strength of the ceramic coating layer in such textural structure is low, namely, several kg/mm.sup.2. Furthermore, since such a particle stacking texture has many stacking defects of particles in transverse direction of the coating layer, cracks also occur in the transverse direction due to breaking and the coating layer peels off in the stress state where a shear force is produced (for example, when there is a temperature distribution and local heating occurs). Such stacking texture can be produced by thermal spraying of ZrO.sub.2 type particles.
As for the coating layer of dense texture having substantially no internal defects, since the strength of the layer is equal to or higher than that of sintered materials, neither impact nor flex cracks occur in longitudinal or transverse direction in the coating layer. Rather, since adhesiveness between the ceramic coating layer and the under layer (such as an alloy coating layer) is smaller, peeling at the boundary part is brought about owing to the shear stress. The coating layer of such texture can be produced by vapor deposition of ZrO.sub.2 type materials by an electron beam under the condition of 500.degree. C. or lower in the temperature of bases (corresponding to parts). On the other hand, in the case of a ceramic coating layer composed of a dense ceramic which has columnar texture, the strength of the ceramic coating layer is low at the boundary part (grain boundary) of the respective columns. Accordingly, due to tensile stress, breaking occurs in the longitudinal direction of the coating layer along the grain boundary, resulting in a great number of micro-cracks. It is known that such texture can be produced by vapor deposition of ZrO.sub.2 materials by an electron beam under the condition of 500.degree. C. or higher, preferably 700.degree. C. or higher in the base temperature.
As mentioned above, ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer for TBC shows a breaking form peculiar to its texture. When the various breaking forms are compared, columnar texture is most advantageous as ceramic coating layers for TBC. In this case, it can be supposed that since the thermal stress generated in the ceramic coating layer is relaxed by the micro-cracks, wear or peeling is difficult to occur and the thermal barrier effect of TBC can be maintained for a long time. Such fact is disclosed in an ASME meeting material ('91-GT-40).
As a result of research on the above ceramic coating layer of columnar texture as TBC for heat-resistant parts of gas turbines or aircraft engines operated at very high temperatures, the inventors have clarified that the ceramic coating layers having the columnar texture do not necessarily have sufficient heat resistance. That is, under the heating condition of the heat flux being 2-4 MW/m.sup.2 which is a severe heat load condition, TBC which is provided with the above-mentioned ceramic coating layer having columnar texture shows peeling at Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer of several .mu.m provided under the ZrO.sub.2 columnar texture ceramic coating layer in the vicinity of the boundary part between the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer and an alloy coating layer provided under the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer. Such breaking phenomenon coincides with the form of damage reported in the above material ('91-GT-40). In the case of the heating condition of high heat flux employed by the inventors, the number of repetition of heating and cooling until the peeling started was several times. Thus, under very severe heating conditions, the ceramic coating layer having columnar texture which has been considered to have thermal stress relaxation action has not been necessarily satisfactory.
Results of investigation by the inventors on such unexpected result will be explained below. Micro-cracks in the longitudinal direction uniformly occurred along the respective grain boundaries of columnar texture in the ceramic coating layer having columnar texture by one heating. Therefore, when it is used as TBC of heat-resistant parts, it has been essential to provide a dense Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer as an environmental barrier layer for inhibiting high-temperature corrosion and oxidation through the micro-cracks. Since Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and ZrO.sub.2 have some solution limit, they interdiffuse under heating at high temperatures and the ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer and the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer strongly adhere to each other. However, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and the alloy layer provided thereunder have no solution limit and adhesion between them is weak.
Accordingly, it can be considered that a thick coating layer of columnar texture comprising ZrO.sub.2 ceramic and a very thin environmental barrier layer comprising Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 can be regarded to be integral when thermal stress is considered. In such coating layer, micro-cracks are present at boundaries of columns, namely, the layer is the thermal stress relaxation type ceramic coating layer and nevertheless damage occurs when heat load is large. The reason is considered as follows. The thermal stress generated by heat load is a driving force for breaking of the ceramic coating layer, but the breaking phenomenon governs the damage and the mechanism of breaking caused by thermal stress is a great factor. Therefore, the position of starting point of breaking is important in considering the mechanism of breaking. In the columnar texture ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer, micro-cracks present along the boundary of the columns reach the boundary between the ZrO.sub.2 coating layer and the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer.
As a result of analysis of thermal stress, in the coating layer of the above-mentioned structure, the tensile stress becomes maximum in the vicinity of the boundary between the ZrO.sub.2 coating layer and the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer. The maximum value increases with the heat load condition becoming severer. On the other hand, when breaking mechanism is considered, the starting point of breaking in the coating layer of such structure is the head of the micro-cracks, namely, the end of the individual columnar bodies of ZrO.sub.2 coating layer segmented at the boundary between the coating layer and the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer. The thermal stress around the starting point of breaking is the largest. As a result, it can be considered that under the condition of severe heat load, the thermal stress at the starting point of breaking exceeds the strength of material to bring about breaking phenomenon, resulting in damages. While the coating layer of this structure has the thermal stress relaxing action due to the micro-cracks, damage has occurred under the condition of severe heat load. The reason is considered that there is a problem in construction of materials around the starting point of breaking. That is, it can be pointed out that the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer susceptible to thermal shock is present under the starting point of breaking and the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer is thin, namely, several .mu.m and when cracks occur in the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer, there is the boundary part between the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer and the alloy coating layer which is lowest in strength.
The ZrO.sub.2 coating layer comprises a ceramic excellent in thermal shock resistance which comprises ZrO.sub.2 and a stabilizer for inhibiting phase transformation such as Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgO, CaO or the like while Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is considerably inferior in thermal shock resistance owing to the phase transformation of .alpha..gamma.. Therefore, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer is a material readily broken due to ON/OFF of heat load and the like. The coating layer of this structure has its effectiveness in relaxation of thermal stress, but does not have sufficient endurance under the severe condition of a great heat load for the reasons that from the point of breaking mechanism, an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer is present at the break starting point and boundary part between the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer and the alloy coating layer is present just below the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer. In this case, as aforementioned, the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer is a barrier layer essential for obtaining corrosion resistance and the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer cannot be omitted in ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layers of columnar texture.
As a result of the investigation referred to hereabove, the inventors have noticed the break starting point which governs the breaking of coating layers induced by thermal stress and they have accomplished the present invention. That is, for relaxing the thermal stress and diminishing its maximum tensile stress in the ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer having columnar texture, it is very effective to produce micro-cracks along the boundary of the columns. However, when the breaking mechanism is considered, the material at the head of the micro-cracks and construction of materials around the micro-cracks are very important.
For forming ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layers having columnar texture and having micro-cracks, a method has been proposed which comprises carrying out electron beam vapor deposition of ZrO.sub.2 ceramic materials on a base kept at a temperature of 538.degree.-816.degree. C. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,003). Furthermore, similarly, a ZrO.sub.2 ceramic coating layer having a dense texture is obtained at a temperature lower than 538.degree. C. Accordingly, a ZrO.sub.2 coating layer comprising different compositions of dense texture and columnar texture can be formed by firstly vapor depositing a ZrO.sub.2 material on an alloy coating layer having an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer of several micrometers thick on the uppermost surface at a base preheating temperature of lower than 538.degree. C. and then evaporating the ZrO.sub.2 material at a base preheating temperature of 538.degree.-816.degree. C. to form a ZrO.sub.2 coating layer having columnar texture. In this case, however, when the upper ZrO.sub.2 coating layer comprising columnar texture is formed by raising the base temperature after the lower ZrO.sub.2 coating layer comprising dense texture has been formed, a thermal stress (tensile stress) is generated in the lower ZrO.sub.2 coating layer comprising dense texture due to the preheating of the base at the high temperature and cracks are generated in the longitudinal direction in the lower ZrO.sub.2 coating layer. Thus, the upper ZrO.sub.2 coating layer comprising columnar texture is formed on the lower ZrO.sub.2 coating layer having the cracks.
Accordingly, in the case of TBC having ZrO.sub.2 coating layer of such two-layer structure, cracks in the longitudinal direction occur along the columnar boundary of the ZrO.sub.2 coating layer having columnar texture at the time of heating as an after-treatment or at the time of using as turbine parts. As a result, both the lower and upper ZrO.sub.2 coating layers have the cracks in the longitudinal direction and are insufficient as the ZrO.sub.2 coating layer of two-layer structure of the present invention. That is, the head of cracks extends to the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer of several .mu.m thick and to the vicinity of the boundary between the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 layer and the alloy coating layer thereunder and the starting point of breaking caused by thermal stress is present in the portion where damages of ZrO.sub.2 coating layer (such as peeling) occur with ease.

Thermal stress relaxation type ceramic coated heat-resistant element


To improve probability of successfully performing origination processing by a priority terminal and origination processing of an emergency call even during congestion. In a mobile station UE according to the present invention, an AS function unit 11 is configured to receive SSAC information from a radio base station eNB and transmit the SSAC information to the NAS function unit 12 at a predetermined timing, and a NAS function unit 12 is configured to perform SSAC on transmission of “RA Preamble” in a RA procedure for the mobile station UE in the DRX state to transmit an uplink signal, or on transmission of an uplink signal from the mobile station UE in the Non-DRX state.

In a mobile communication system of the LTE (Long Term Evolution), transmission of "RA Preamble" in a RA (Random Access) procedure for transmitting a signal relating to call origination processing (herein after referred to as origination processing) (including location registration processing, this also applies hereinafter) such as, for example, location registration processing signaling (MO-signalling) and U-plane origination processing signaling (MO-data) can be restricted by a mobile station UE in the RRC_IDLE state (idle state) using a mechanism of ACB (Access Class Barring).

Mobile station performing access control with NAS restriction information sent from radio base station


The surface of a polymer such as polypropylene, may be treated by contact with an amine donor such as ethylene diamine followed by irradiation with ultraviolet light of wave length of about 1800.ANG.-2800.ANG. to improve surface wettability.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, polyolefins, typified by polypropylene and polyethylene, possess surfaces which are characterized by their poor properties with respect to wettability, adhesivity, paintability, and by their inability to be readily printed. These properties may serve as a practical limitation to the uses to which these materials may be put. Background on this problem and prior efforts to solve it may be obtained from Mechanisms of Photophysical Processes and Photochemical Reactions in Polymers by J. F. Rabek, J. Wiley and Sons (1987) p339-350 Photomodification of Polymer Surfaces. and R. P. Singh, Surface Grafting Onto Polypropylene--A Survey of Recent Developments, Prog. Polymer. Sci, Vol 1.7., 251-281 (1992). Another reference is M. Pasternak et al Photo-substitution of Benzyl Hydrogens with Alcoholic Moieties. Selective Formation of Alkylbenzene Carbinols Tetrahedron Letters 24, 3439-3442 (1983). See also U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/992,666 filed 18 Dec 1992.
It is an object of this invention to provide a polymer treating process to modify the surface properties of the polymer. Other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.


A utility vehicle ha a rigid axle that can be pivoted about a fixed swivel extending the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The axle is mounted on a swinging link, with which the cylinder of a hydro-pneumatic spring suspension engages. Such vehicle are equipped with a spring suspension for road travel at speeds in excess of 40 km/hr. However, both the spring action and the swivel movement of the rigid axles are potentially dangerous when working on uneven or sloping ground. This invention permits both the spring action and the swivel movement of the rigid axle to be prevented. This invention is particularly well suited for vehicles used in agriculture, forestry, and construction.

The invention relates to a utility vehicle with a rigid axle, which can pivot about a swivel pin in a substantially vertical plane.
Such vehicles, for example agricultural tractors, are equipped with a spring suspension for the axle to allow road travel at speeds in excess of 40 km/h. When used in other situations, in particular when working on the land, the spring suspension can be problematic or can even make it impossible to carry out the work properly. As a result, the spring suspensions of these utility vehicles can be disabled as a rule. Typically, the axle is mounted on one or more swinging links extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and with which the cylinder of a hydro-pneumatic spring suspension spring engages.
DE 195 26 346A1 describes the suspension of the steerable rigid axle of a utility vehicle, in which the spring suspension can be disabled by lowering the vehicle structure onto a stop secured onto the or each swinging link. The disadvantage caused by the spring suspension is eliminated as a result of this action; however, the rigid axle is still able to swing about the swivel pin so that when travelling on uneven terrain, the rigid axle is better able to adapt to the ground. However, in very difficult terrain, in particular when travelling across relatively steep hills or when working with a front-load tool, there may be a danger that the vehicle may tip or roll if the axle pivots in an undesirable manner.


An interface between a computer and an asynchronous communications line in which asynchronous data on the communications line sets a register made up of latches designed according to LSSD rules, which is then read out and reset in synchronism with the computer. The latches for each individual bit position of the register are edge triggered providing for maximum speed of transmission and are designed to be tested using LSSD test criteria. Data is frozen in the register upon receipt of a data valid signal. The contents of the register are then synchronously gated internally within the computer.

LSSD circuits have become more and more attractive for use as the size and complexity of integrated circuit chips has increased. The evolutionary increase in size, density and complexity lead to improved methods of testing and the design of circuits which are configured to enhance their testability.
Despite the existence of certain attractive aspects of LSSD circuits, they are limited to the response to input levels. That is, the level of an input signal (high or low) dictates the state that the receiving latch will go when it is clocked. The edge of a signal (transition) is not of consequence in these designs since all signals are stable when the system's synchronizing clock are activated. For this reason, interfacing LSSD circuits to devices which run asynchronously requires that the signals being received be synchronized to the receiving system clock before they are acted upon. Such synchronization always requires a wait period. This time delay penalty has an adverse impact on the system performance.
The LSSD circuits, which follow the rules generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,761,695; 3,783,254; and 3,784,907 are exemplary of efforts to enhance testability.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 21, No. 10, March, 1979, p. 4166, "Set/Reset Shift Register Latch", D. E. Gates and W. G. Verdoorn, Jr., describes an LSSD shift register latch that is capable of being set and reset asynchronously. In this circuit, the system clock must be active to allow the latch to be either the set or reset.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 5, October, 1980, p. 2013, "Edge Triggered Latch Design", R. A. Johnson, describes an edge triggered Latch which is limited to synchronous operation.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 1A, June, 1981, p. 404, "Signal Transition Detection Circuit", J. W. Cannon and B. D. Herrman, describes an edge triggered latch which is intended for synchronous operation.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 24, No. 2, July, 1981, p. 1038, "Level Sensitive Scan Design Testable Asynchronous Set/Reset Latch", is descriptive of a synchronous latch in which the scan clock is used to reset the latch.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,699, Brown et al., shows a "D" type flip flop which utilizes a synchronous clock signal.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 27, No. 12, May, 1985, p. 7120, "LSSD Design Techniques", discloses techniques for meeting the rules of LSSD in an edge triggered shift register latch. The latch is designed for synchronous operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,137, T. S. Fielder and R. P. Moore, shows a latch circuit which provides synchronous and asynchronous clocking. This patent contains an exceptionally complete review of the various aspects of LSSD latch design.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,633, C. H. Ngai and G. J. Watkins, shows a latch design for synchronous operation.

LSSD edge detection logic for asynchronous data interface

International Business Machines Corporation