In a computer system employing PCI Express (PCIe) links, the PCIe bandwidth is increased by configuring an endpoint device with at least two PCIe interfaces, and coupling the first of these interfaces with a PCIe interface of a system controller and the second of these PCIe interfaces with an expansion PCIe interface of an I/O controller. Therefore, the endpoint device's performance becomes more efficient. For example, if the endpoint device is a graphics processing unit, then the endpoint device can execute more frames per second. When a read request is split up and issued as multiple read requests over the at least two PCIe interfaces, the multiple read completion packets that are received in response thereto are ordered in accordance with the timing of the multiple read requests.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to communication in computer systems. More specifically the invention relates to a system having increased Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bandwidth.
2. Description of the Related Art
In some computer systems, a chipset communicates with one or more endpoint devices through a PCIe link. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a prior art computer system 100 employing PCIe links. Computer system 100 includes endpoint device 102, chipset 104, central processing unit (CPU) 106, and system memory 108. Further, chipset 104 includes a system controller 110 (e.g., a controller commonly known as northbridge) and an I/O controller 112 (e.g., a controller commonly known as southbridge). System controller 110 communicates with CPU 106, system memory 108, I/O controller 112, and endpoint device 102, which may be a graphics processing unit (GPU). I/O controller 112 communicates with system controller 110 and one or more I/O devices (not shown).
System controller 110 includes PCIe interface 114 that is used to communicate with endpoint device 102, and endpoint device 102 includes a PCIe interface 116 that is used to communicate with system controller 110. PCIe interface 114 and PCIe interface 116 are connected to each other through a PCIe link, i.e., a plurality of PCIe lanes, typically 16. Endpoint device 102 communicates with CPU 106 and system memory 108 through system controller 110. Endpoint device 102 communicates with I/O devices connected to I/O controller 112 through system controller 110 and I/O controller 112. I/O controller 112 includes a plurality of expansion PCIe interfaces that are used for communication with I/O devices. Three of the expansion PCIe interfaces of I/O controller 112 are shown in FIG. 1. They are PCIe interface 118, PCIe interface 120, and PCIe interface 122.
In the prior art computer system 100 described above, the PCIe bandwidth available to endpoint device 102 is limited. For graphics applications that employ turbo cache technology, where part of the frame buffer resides in system memory 108, PCIe bandwidth available to endpoint device 102 is becoming the bottleneck. Optimizing the bus utilization of the PCIe link can increase the PCIe bus throughput efficiency, but the efficiency can be increased only up to a certain limit.
There is therefore, a need for a system that can increase the PCIe bandwidth available to a PCIe endpoint device.

Computer system having increased PCIe bandwidth


A resonator (104) including a piezoelectric plate (102) with an electrode (108) having a random pattern (100) along a portion of an edge of the electrode (108). The random pattern (100) dampens or destructively interferes with undesirable and inharmonic vibrational modes. For example, a rectangular AT-cut quartz resonator, which vibrates in a thickness-shear mode may also possess undesirable flexure and face-shear modes. These modes not only present undesirable spurious frequencies, they also change over temperature, disturbing a frequency-ternperature response of the resonator. The random pattern (100) causes diffuse and/or specular scattering to reduce these undesirable modes, providing a more uniform frequency-temperature response which is beneficial in temperature compensated crystal oscillator applications.

Piezoelectric crystals have been used for many decades as frequency control elements in radio communication devices because of their stable resonant frequency signal generation during operation. The resonant frequency of a particular piezoelectric crystal is dependent on its vibrational mode of operation, its thickness, the density, and the elastic coefficients of material. Each of these parameters vary with changes in temperature. Therefore, the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric crystal changes with temperature.
There are no piezoelectric angle cuts that provide perfectly flat frequency-temperature curves (i.e. a curve demonstrating no frequency variation over a particular temperature range of interest). However, there are several known cuts of quartz that thermally compensate the crystal blank to have a relatively stable temperature performance. These include the AT, BT, GT and SC cuts, among others. Of these, the AT-cut is the predominantly used cut and ideally exhibits a frequency-temperature curve for a thickness-shear vibrational mode which should be recognized by those skilled in the art as the familiar Bechmann curve. The AT-cut also should ideally exhibit a substantially uniform resistance-temperature curve.
In the design of quartz crystal resonators, after properly designing the physical dimensions of the blank, the next most important issue is the proper design of the electrodes. The common approach to designing the electrodes for AT quartz crystals is to use the mass and dimensions of the electrodes to suppress undesired vibrational modes and inharmonics of the desired thickness-shear mode of the crystal.
The inharmonic modes are addressed by making the frequency of vibration of the desired mode low enough in the electroded region that it can not propagate outside of the electrodes, while at the same time assuring that the frequency of the inharmonic mode in the electroded region are high enough in frequency that they can propagate out of the electroded region. In this way the desired mode is said to be "trapped" under the electroded region. In this technique the inharmonic modes can propagate outside of the electrode to the mounts (or elsewhere on the blank) and be dampened. The coupling to these inharmonic modes is decreased within the electroded region precisely because the inharmonic modes are dampened at the edges.
In practice, the undesired vibrational modes that arise in piezoelectric crystals, such as AT-cut quartz for example, disturb the frequency-temperature and/or resistance-temperature performance of the crystal. These undesired vibrational modes cause disturbances, or "activity dips", in the frequency-temperature and/or resistance-temperature curves of the crystal. This results in a sudden and undesirable shift in frequency and/or resistance as the crystal changes temperature. This problem occurs in about 2-7% of AT-cut quartz crystals and causes serious difficulties for temperature compensation schemes and circuitry required to normalize the temperature variation of the quartz crystal, such as in a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) application, for example.
An example of undesirable vibrational modes are face-shear and flexure modes that have frequencies near that of the desired thickness-shear vibrational mode. These undesirable modes exhibit their own frequency-temperature and/or resistance-temperature curves which are typically much steeper than the Bechmann curve. Where these curves intersect the Bechmann curve, vibrational coupling occurs which disturbs the Bechmann response. These disturbances, or activity dips, distort the frequency-temperature and/or resistance-temperature curves such that typical temperature compensation schemes can no longer compensate the higher-order perturbations caused by the activity dips.
There is a need for a piezoelectric resonator with a reduction of activity dips in a frequency-temperature and/or resistance-temperature curve, that can be realized in a simple, readily manufacturable form, at a low cost and high yield.

Electrode edge wave patterns for piezoelectric resonator


The present invention provides a highly stable light emitting device having high light-emitting efficiency (light-extraction efficiency) with high luminance and low power consumption, and a method of manufacturing thereof. A partition wall and a heat-resistant planarizing film are formed of a same material so as to be well-adhered to each other, thereby reducing material costs. Either an anode or a cathode is formed on the heat-resistant planarizing film. The partition wall and the heat-resistant planarizing film is adhered to each other without inserting a film having different refractive index therebetween, and therefore reflection of light is not caused in an interface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emitting device having a circuit composed of a thin film transistor (hereinafter, referred to as a TFT), and a method of manufacturing thereof. For example, the invention relates to an electronic appliance mounted with a light emitting display device comprising an organic light-emitting element as a component.
2. Related Art
In recent years, research related to a light emitting device having an EL element as a self-luminous light emitting element has been actively carried out. The light emitting device has also been referred to as an organic EL display or an organic light-emitting diode. Since these light emitting devices have such characteristics as rapid response speed, low voltage, low power consumption driving, which are suitable for displaying moving pictures, they have been attracting much attention for next generation displays including new-generation cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
An EL element using a layer including an organic compound as a light emitting layer has a structure in which the layer including an organic compound (hereinafter referred to as an EL layer) is sandwiched between an anode and a cathode. By applying an electric field to the anode and the cathode, electroluminescence is generated in the EL layer. Luminescence obtained from the EL element includes luminescence generated in returning to a ground state from an excited singlet state (fluorescence) and luminescence generated in returning to a ground state from an excited triplet state (phosphorescence).
However, sufficient luminance has not been obtained in the conventional light emitting element having the layer including an organic compound as a light emitting layer.
Light generated in the EL layer is emitted through the anode or the cathode to display images on a display surface. At this moment, the light generated in the EL layer is partially reflected by an interface between different material layers while passing through the various material layers, a substrate, and the like. As a result, there have been problems in which the amount of light transmitting though elements is reduced by several tens percent from initial light emission, and luminance is reduced.
Accordingly, the present inventors proposes an element structure for improving the light-extraction efficiency in patent documents 1 and 2.
Further, since the conventional light emitting element having the layer including an organic compound as a light emitting layer has low light-emitting efficiency, the amount of the current is increased in order to obtain the desired luminance, thereby increasing power consumption. Such high power consumption adversely affects the lifetime of an element. In particular, the half-life in luminance is shortened. Accordingly, there has been a problem in which the stability of the element must be improved.
[Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-352950
[Patent document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-229482

Light emitting device and method of manufacturing thereof

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd


The present disclosure discloses a data storage system and a control method thereof. The data storage system includes a plurality of data storage devices, a temporary memory device and an expander. The control method includes: detecting, by the expander, if a flag is in a first status after the expander is restarted; sending, by the expander, a first command to all the data storage devices if the first status is detected. The first status indicates that all the data storage devices are ready for linking and operation.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to a control method for a data storage system, and more particular to the control method of data storage system when the expander is restarted.
2. Description of the Related Art
Compared to data storage devices of the past, data storage devices nowadays have the advantages of enhanced data integration, enhanced fault tolerance and larger processing capacity or storage capacity. A Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) combines a plurality of cheaper disks so that its efficiency is better than a disk which is more expensive and has a larger storage capacity. As shown in FIG. 1, a disk system 120 includes at least one expander 121 and a plurality of disk groups 122 to 126 and a server system 110 includes a server 111 and a RAID control device 112. The expander 121 is coupled to the disk groups 122 to 126 and the RAID control device 112.
The disk system 120 and the expander 121 need to be restarted under the watchdog timeout warning mechanism of the expander 121 when unpredictable factors cause the disk system 120 to fail to operate normally. When the expander 121 is restarted, taking into consideration the instantaneous current, the expander 121 needs to supply power to the disk groups 122 to 126 of the disk system 120 sequentially and individually to avoid power to the disk system 120 being tripped off. It leads to more than one minute spent waiting for all the disk groups 122 to 126 of the disk system 120 are completely ready.
However, the time spent on the error-handling mechanism of the RAID control device 112 cannot exceed one minute when the disk system 120 has failed to operate normally because of the unpredictable factors. If the time spent waiting for all the disk groups 122 to 126 be completely ready exceeds the time spent on the error-handling mechanism of the RAID control device 112, the RAID control device 112 would determine that the unready disk groups are damaged. That causes damage to user data (for example, Facebook, Rackspace, Google . . . etc.). Therefore the present disclosure provides a disk system and a control method thereof to solve the above problem.

Control method of data storage system for restarting expander


A method, system and computer program product for efficiently quantifying the economic impact of retiming flights without the necessity of implementing the traditional airline forecasting system from scratch. A forecast module computes the difference in impact prior to and after the retiming of a flight. A flight grouping module, using the computed difference in impact, generates a new schedule, which is used by the forecast module to generate new changes in impact, until the schedule converges. A flyable module generates a list of retimed flights based on the converged schedule for resolving operational infeasibilities of the latter. The forecast module generates a profit for each of the retimed flights, which is used by a scheduling module to improve the schedule, which is used by the forecast module to revise the economic impacts for the list of all retimed flights. This process continues until no further economic improvement can be made.

In the past, the scheduling of airplane flights was performed manually. It was assumed that this manual process in scheduling airplane flights optimized the amount of profits to be earned by the airline. If a flight was retimed, then it was assumed that there was a negative impact on the airline's profits. That is, if a flight changed the origin-departure time (i.e., changed the time it left the place of origin and the time it arrived at the place of destination), then it was assumed that there was a negative impact on the airline's profits.
However, there was no consideration of new opportunities that may be gained by retiming flights. For example, if a flight from Dallas to Austin originally left Dallas at 13:00 and was retimed to leave Dallas at 13:20, then there may be new opportunities gained by allowing additional flights to connect in Dallas to fly to Austin. For instance, if a flight from San Diego to Dallas arrived in Dallas at 12:45, then those passengers would not originally be able to make a connecting flight to Austin in Dallas at 13:00. If, however, the flight from Dallas to Austin was retimed to leave Dallas at 13:20, then those passengers on the flight from San Diego to Dallas would now be able to make the connecting flight to Austin in Dallas. Hence, additional revenue may be generated for the airline.
Further, there was no quantification of lost opportunities. For example, if a particular flight was retimed an hour later which caused a passenger to wait an additional hour for that connecting flight, then that passenger may seek out a flight from a different airline as the passenger may be averse to waiting such a long time for the connecting flight. Further, the retiming of a flight may cause a "break" in the connection. "Breaking a connection" may refer to changing the flight time in such a manner as to make that flight no longer connectable for an incoming flight. For example, suppose that the flight from Dallas to Austin originally left Dallas at 13:00 and was retimed to leave Dallas at 12:40. If a flight from San Diego to Dallas arrives in Dallas at 12:30, then those passengers no longer could make the connecting flight to Austin in Dallas at 12:40. Hence, the connection to Austin at Dallas is broken for these passengers.
There have been attempts in quantifying the impact of retiming flights; however, none have been successful, in part due to the non-linearity and discreteness of the solution as well as in part due to the lack of computation efficiency. Each time a flight is retimed, it impacts other flights, such as whether new connections may be made or whether existing connections become broken. Further, passengers' demand for the retimed flight may change. Passengers' demand may refer to the desire a passenger has in taking that flight. Moreover, the schedules of all competing airlines should be considered. Additionally, it may not be feasible for the flight to leave at that time due to slot constraints of the airport. For example, the airport may only have the capacity to allow a limited number of airplanes to leave the airport at around the same time. Hence, there needs to be a consideration of the number of flights to be flown by other airlines. Further, it may not be feasible for the flight to leave at a particular time due to operating constraints of the focus airline. For example, a flight may not be able to be retimed due to gate availability of the focus airline.
If, however, the revenue impact of retiming flights could be quantified taking into consideration the various ramifications as discussed above (e.g., impact on other flights, change in passengers' demand, airport constraints), then airlines could generate a schedule that would maximizing their revenue while taking into consideration the various non-linear ramifications and constraints.
Therefore, there is a need in the art to quantify the revenue and profit impact of retiming flights taking into consideration the various non-linear ramifications and constraints.

Quantifying revenue and profit impact of retiming flights while taking into consideration non-linear ramifications and constraints


The invention may be embodied as an identity assurance system or method. A system according to the invention may have a biometric sensor capable of providing static biometric indications, a strap capable of positioning the sensor on an organism, and a computer in communication with the sensor. The computer may have software running on the computer in order to (a) cause the computer to determine whether there is a match between a subsequent static biometric indication and an initial static biometric indication, and (b) cause the computer to send a signal indicating whether a match was determined in order to assure the identity of the organism.

Assuring the identity of an individual is critical to the safety and success of many endeavors, including military and medical activities. And yet a U.S. Government Accounting Office report found poor access controls protecting sensitive information and operations, making them vulnerable to attack from all over the world with only minimal computer and telecommunications expertise. There is also an increasing need and desire to utilize complex and sensitive systems in situations which were previously not needed or desirable for those situations. Given the need to improve access control and the need to use systems in new situations, a portable biometric assurance system is needed.


An approach for machine-to-machine vertical integration with publisher-subscriber architecture is provided. The approach includes dynamically registering a plurality of sensors associated with a plurality of subscribers. The sensors are monitored as part of a sensor platform to maintain sensor data for the plurality of subscribers. Also, the sensor data are acquired from the plurality of sensors as a collective data set to determine one or more trends. The collective data set is tagged with metadata for the determined trend.

Numerous sensor devices are capable of collecting and transferring sensor data over a network. These devices typically operate independently with little to no coordination among them. The widespread practice of data collection systems using unique data formats particular to the systems further contributes to the isolation of sensor devices. As such, service providers and users face challenges in taking advantage of sensor data aggregated into a collective set.
Based on the foregoing, there is a need for collecting and processing data from a multitude of sensor devices in an integrated manner.

Method and system of machine-to-machine vertical integration with publisher subscriber architecture


A contamination-resistant bearing assembly includes an outer ring mounted within a housing and an inner ring rotatably supported from the outer ring. Inboard and outboard seal structures are disposed within a bearing space defined between the rings and prevent contaminants from entering a rolling element lubrication zone. A surface seal may also be included to protect the spherical interface between the housing and outer ring. The improved structure allows dynamic alignment of the bearing assembly when acted on by outside forces and also allows for extended operation under maintenance free conditions with no need for relubrication.

The present disclosure relates generally to a bearing assembly and, more specifically, to a contamination-resistant bearing assembly having a multi-part sealing structure particularly useful in harsh environmental conditions such as agricultural tillage applications.
Contamination problems are particularly apparent in agricultural tillage implement bearings because such bearings operate in wet and muddy soil conditions and therefore are exposed to contaminants such as dirt, mud and water. Extended bearing usage in such environments often allows dirt and mud to accumulate and pack against the sealing structure and lead to contaminant ingress into the bearing space and eventually lead to bearing failure. Oftentimes, several times a year such bearings may be exposed to high pressure washing and during such cleaning process contaminants are often forced into the bearing space. Once a bearing is contaminated, the bearing will eventually seize and fail to turn or become loose due to wear and corrosion.
Typically, the life of bearings used in these harsh environments is sustained through frequent and plentiful relubrication to purge the bearing assembly of contaminants and avoid corrosion of the bearing space and rolling surfaces. However, maintenance-free bearings cannot be easily lubricated, and therefore the foreign material typically cannot be flushed away.
Bearing assemblies used in agricultural tillage implements also have to allow for dynamic misalignment to accommodate deflections encountered during the tillage operation. The inability of a bearing assembly to misalign results in high internal stresses which lead to accelerated bearing failure. Current assemblies allow misalignment wear in key areas resulting in bearing damage after extended operation.
Development of a self-aligning maintenance free unit saves the time and expense of relubrication as well as reduces environmental contamination caused by purging grease during relubrication.

Self-aligning maintenance free bearing unit for agricultural applications


An analytical framework and modeling process for assessing salinity contamination of soil ecosystems in geographical areas related to oil and gas production sites combines detection and monitoring of unplanned saltwater releases from such production activities with soil impact prediction. The analytical framework and modeling process enables an assessment of risks associated with saltwater disposal from drilling operations to the surrounding environment and the impact on soils, aquifers, rangeland, cropland, and adjoining areas by monitoring water movement and other soil conditions, and generating predictive output data for landowners, farmers, oil and gas production site operators, governmental regulators, and other end users for contamination mitigation and agricultural activities.

Salinity contamination of soils and aquifers from exposure to high amounts of saltwater can cause adverse and long lasting impacts as salt accumulates or disassociates, leaving sodium ion particles that raise the sodicity of soil and potentially reduce soil texture. The accumulation of saltwater in soils can cause damage by destroying soil structure and permeability. Seed germination may be reduced in the presence of high concentrations of soluble salts, which limit a plant's ability to uptake water. With sufficient concentrations, salt-contaminated soil can lose its ability to support agricultural crops and other vegetation. Over time this may further contribute to erosion.
Recent trends in the field of oil and gas drilling include the use of hydraulic fracturing, which is commonly referred to as fracking. Hydraulic fracturing is a process employed to stimulate a natural gas, oil, or geothermal energy well to maximize the extraction of resources from the well. Generally, hydraulic fracturing involves injection of massive amounts of fluids, such as saltwater, into a well at high pressure to create fractures in rock formations, such as shale, that contain subterranean hydrocarbon reservoirs. Products extracted from a typical oil well involving hydraulic fracturing are crude oil and natural gas, along with the injected saltwater, which becomes an unwanted byproduct of the process. Over the production lifetime, the percentage of saltwater from a well producing oil or gas increases, and a newly-drilled well can initially produce one barrel of saltwater for every two barrels of hydrocarbons extracted. Over time, that ratio can grow to 10 barrels of saltwater for every barrel of hydrocarbons. The water extracted from such wells can easily contain over 250,000 parts per million of various types of salts, nearly equal to the waters of the Dead Sea and almost 10 times the salinity of ocean water.
Oil and gas well operators are required to properly dispose of the saltwater by-product in an environmentally responsible manner. Saltwater is typically disposed of in one of three ways. One way involves using the saltwater by-product to enhance oil production by injecting the saltwater back into an oil-producing formation. Another approach involves evaporation of water content to produce solid salt that can be collected. In a third approach, saltwater may also be injected into an underground formation that contains a natural saline aquifer. This third approach is termed saltwater disposal (SWD) and is the predominant method of disposal. Before either of the second (evaporation) or third (SWD) methods take place, saltwater is stored at the production site in a handling facility that may be a tank, pit, or pool, and transfer of saltwater to a disposal site is undertaken either by tanker truck or pipeline.
There are significant challenges with managing SWD, as indicated by the current assessment of oil and gas production development in the North Dakota Bakken Formation. Well operators currently inject around 468,000 barrels of saltwater a day into saltwater disposal sites related to the Bakken drilling activity. Future development of this production could require approximately 1,600 additional SWD wells, which currently can be built for $2 million to $3 million per well. For the next 50 to 60 years, these wells could potentially utilize roughly 10,000 barrels of saltwater per day of operation, creating a significant increase in saltwater to be disposed of. With the need to store saltwater quantities of this magnitude at handling facilities and transfer those quantities to SWD wells, the risk for potential leakage or spillage into surrounding soils and aquifers is a major concern.
While spillage of saltwater at an active production site can lead to significant soil contamination, these events are often easier to monitor and therefore can be quickly addressed. The greater risk of soil contamination, especially to rangeland and cropland, occurs both between the production location and a SWD site, and at the SWD site itself. This is especially true for saltwater transfer by pipeline, and storage in holding tanks, either above or below ground, as breaks or leaks can go undetected for an extended period. This can lead to significant long-term effects on soils, aquifers, rangeland, and cropland.
The unplanned release of saltwater brine resulting from truck and/or pipeline transport of brine, leakage from containment ponds associated with active oil and gas drilling, and at SWD sites presents a host of contamination problems with wide-ranging effects on soils, vegetation, crops, livestock, and people. For example, unintended releases of saltwater brine have the capacity to infiltrate soils and sufficiently alter its pH so as to deteriorate crop productivity. Further, if the infiltration is sufficient and sustained for a period of time, in extreme cases it can lead to a horizontal movement in soils resulting in an expansion in the contamination area and causing a wide-ranging impact cropland. Under such situations this can also lead to the contamination of groundwater supplies and present a threat to drinking water for both humans and animals. Episodes of excessive or prolonged precipitation can further exacerbate this problem if undetected.

Measurement and modeling of salinity contamination of soil and soil-water systems from oil and gas production activities


A table includes an upper flat board having the edge folded to join the edge of a lower shaped board. The lower shaped board has lower side strengthening ribs radially extending from a central connecting part. An inner rod is connected to the central connecting part from an upper threaded portion, and connected to a base member from a lower threaded portion. An outer tube is placed around the inner rod with a top abutting the central connecting part. A plastic sleeve is passed into a lower end of the outer tube with the central hole encircling the inner rod, and has a lower end flange interposed between the bottom of the outer tube and the upper side of the base member. Thus, the boards are held at an elevated position by both the inner rod and the outer tube.

The present invention relates to a table, and more particularly, to a table, which has a metallic board part for holding things on, and has a relatively simple structure and assembly.
The top board parts of tables are usually made of plastics, wood, and metals. The board part is connected to the upper end of a central supporting leg, and the supporting leg is connected to a base member from the lower end such that the table can be held in a stable manner.
Tables with plastic top board parts are provided for the use of children because they can""t hold large weight. Tables with wooden top board parts are more expensive than both metallic and plastic tables, and have to be covered with protective objects such as glass and table cloth otherwise scratches are likely to form on them. In addition, the wooden top parts usually are not smooth enough.
Tables with metallic top board parts are stronger than those with plastic board parts, and smoother and less expensive than those with wooden board parts.
However, the metallic top board part has to be provided with several strengthening ribs, which are connected to the bottom of the top board by means of soldering. And, a sleeve having inner threads are connected to the center of the bottom of the top board, usually by means of soldering in order for the upper end of the supporting leg to be screwed into. The lower end of the supporting leg is connected to a base member also by means of soldering for supporting the top board part on the ground. It is found that the table with the above structure has the following drawbacks:
Firstly, the single supporting leg of the table is screwed into the fixed sleeve from the upper end, so the top board part can""t be stably held in position, in other words, the top board part is likely to shake. Secondly, the table will occupy relatively much space, and is very heavy after assembly; therefore it causes problems, and costs more money in packing and transportation.
Therefore, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a table, which has a metallic top board part, and simple structure, and which can be assembled very easily.
The table of the present invention includes a first metallic shaped board, a second metallic flat board, an inner rod, an outer tube, a plastic sleeve and a base member. The edge of the second flat board is folded to join the edge of the first shaped board, the first board being positioned under the second board. The shaped board has trenches radially extending from a central connecting part thereof. The trenches each has a corresponding strengthening rib on a lower side of the shaped board.
The inner rod is connected to the central connecting part from an upper threaded end, and connected to the base member from a lower threaded end. The outer tube is placed around the inner rod with a top abutting an upper part of the central connecting part; the sleeve is passed into a lower end of the outer tube with a central hole encircling the inner rod, and is provided with a lower end flange interposed between the bottom of the outer tube and the upper side of the base member.
Because the board parts are supported by both the inner rod and the outer tube, they can be held in position more stably.
This invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the table of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the table of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the table of the present invention.


An insulated structure of a chip array component and fabrication method of the same, the element is fabricated by enclosing its main body with a dense layer of high surface insulation resistance material, and then exposing the portions of the main body where terminal electrodes are to be formed by removing the dense layer of high surface insulation resistance material by employing sand blasting, laser trimming, grinding, or etching process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an insulated structure of a chip array component and fabrication method of the same. In particular, to a chip array component whose main body is entirely and densely coated with a high resistance insulation material and then by removing parts of the coating at the positions of the terminal electrodes using sand blasting, laser trimming, grinding or etching process, so as to obtain a desired finished structure of the chip array component.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The chip array component is widely applied as an important component in many electronic products. Different types of materials are applied to form a variety of electronic elements according to their respective physical properties. For example, the ceramic dielectric substance is a suitable material for forming the chip capacitor array component, the ceramic ferrite substance is a suitable material for forming the chip bead array component, and the ceramic semiconductor substance is suitable for forming the chip varistor array component. In the materials mentioned above, although a ceramic dielectric substance with good insulation property is selected for forming a chip arrayed type capacitor element, the insulation resistance of the capacitor element is still not reliable under high voltage applications. And the chip arrayed type bead element or varistor element etc. formed of material with a lower volume resistivity also has a problem of poor insulation resistance. Even there might arise a problematic insulation resistance appealing on the surface of an element during the fabrication process.
Furthermore, in a chip array component of insufficient surface insulation resistance, it is difficult to fabricate terminal electrodes with excellent soldering property. In order to rectify such a disadvantage, a very special means and process for forming terminal electrodes with definite soldering properties should be considered. However, these two conditions have the problems of manufacturing process or quality of the product.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are two perspective views of terminal electrode of a chip array component fabricated with a conventional method. On the main body of a component 10, terminal electrodes for the chip array component are formed directly at the positions 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g and 11h with an appropriate electrode material.
In the case an ordinary conducting material is used for forming the terminal electrodes, as shown in FIG. 1B, an electroplating process will be performed to form soldering interfaces 12a˜12h at the positions on the terminal electrode conductor where the terminal electrodes 11a˜11h are to be formed at the final stage of the chip array fabrication process.
In order to reliably soldering the terminal electrodes in the chip array component with an insufficient surface insulation resistance, the prior arts encounter the following problems:
1. It is an art of directly using a conducting material containing a precious metal component to form the terminal electrode so as to meet the requirement of soldering. However, to solve the soldering problems in this art is not only increasing the production cost due to selecting the expensive conductor for fabricating terminal electrodes. Moreover, the aforesaid conducting material is easy to deteriorate by oxidation and then causing the finished product to lose its reliability and degrade its quality comparing with the soldering interface.
2. Another art usually adopted by the prior fabrication process to overcome the above defect is to utilize a specially plating solution and plating process so as to grow a preferable soldering interface at the position where the terminal electrode is to be formed. However, such a particularly designed treating method is likely incompatible with a common chip array component resulting in vainly wasting the investment and increasing an extra work for waste disposal in a complicated tedious way, therefore, the quality of the product still remains unimproved.
As for the chip array capacitor for high voltage application, the above mentioned two defects become minor problems to be worried. But a granulated surface resulted by the ceramic material brings the problems of high voltage discharging and leakage current caused by the affixed dirts. For a remedy, a long term study and investigation as to develop an improved dielectric material to overcome this embarrassment is necessary.
For these defects noticeable on the prior art, an improvement is seriously required.
The inventor has dedicated great efforts for years in studying and improving these defects and finally come up with a novel insulated structure of a chip array component and its fabrication method as provided in this invention to eliminate the defects mentioned above.

Insulated structure of a chip array component and fabrication method of the same


An apparatus for generating function signals to an elevator controller for controlling an elevator car (1) at terminal landings in a building includes an upper cam (3) and a lower cam (4) for mounting on a wall (2a, 2b) in an elevator shaft (2) at a top landing and a bottom landing respectively, an upper switch (5) and a lower switch (8) for mounting on the elevator car and for connection to a source of electrical power (12) and an interface circuit (10) connected to the switches. The interface circuit (10) has a lower limit relay coil (16), an upper limit relay coil (27), normally closed up relay contact sets (17,19,35) and normally closed down relay contact sets (24,28,30) which cooperate with the switches (5,8) for generating upper and lower limit function signals to control car travel and upper and lower slow down signals to control car speed.

The present invention relates generally to hydraulic elevators and, in particular, to a limit switch apparatus for use with hydraulic elevator cars.
Typically, limit switches for use with hydraulic elevators are mounted in stacks at each terminal landing on the wall of the elevator shaft. These terminal limit switch stacks provide normal terminal stopping, emergency terminal slowdown, and limit functions as required by code. The number of switches used depends upon the provisions of the elevator code governing the installation (such as A17.1, CSA, or local) and the car speed. For example, a maximum of seven switches may be required for some installations and a minimum of four switches for other installations. The switches are mounted in the elevator shaft at each terminal landing and are actuated by a car mounted cam. Each switch has a specific function and a sequence of operation.
In some installations, the terminal limit switches are mounted on the car by transferring the upper and lower terminal limit switch stacks from the elevator shaft wall to the exterior of the car. The German patent document 2 262 396 shows car mounted position indicators which are activated by a cam or a magnet wherein different levels used for different operating modes are detected.
The German patent document 37 04 291 shows a hydraulic elevator car having limit switches mounted thereon which switches are activated by shaft mounted magnets for detecting floor levels.

Limit switch apparatus for hydraulic elevators


Disclosed is a fish cleaning station. The cleaning station features a support frame with ample storage and workspace, a convenient waste holder, a supply of running water, electrical connections, and an overall design that is easy to clean and maintain.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fish cleaning stations and in particular to a fish cleaning station having storage containers, foldable work trays, and a water supply. The fish cleaning station is designed to be removably mounted to a trailer.
2. State of the Art
There are a number of commercially available portable fish cleaning stations. Some permanently or temporarily attach to trucks, trailers, or to the side of the boat hull. Unfortunately, there are a number of drawbacks to the known devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,043 discloses a boat-mounted fish cleaning station that includes a rigid trough held over the outside surface of the hull by a horizontal flange that extends over the outer edge of the gunwale. Two flexible cords are attached to the flange that extends over the gunwale to temporarily hold the trough over the outside surface of the hull. Hooks are attached to the end of the cords that engage the lower inside edge of the hull. Because these types of devices are mounted directly to the boat they can scratch or damage the sides of the hull. Second, because the troughs are relatively deep and narrow, they may block or impede the ability to cut through the first with a knife.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,367 discloses a portable cleaning table, which is supported by foldable legs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,359 discloses a collapsible fish-cleaning table, which has a tabletop member with an upwardly facing work surface, which is supported by collapsible legs attached to the boom of the tabletop member. These types of "stationary" fish cleaning stations cannot easily be transported to and from the fishing site.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,096 discloses a game washing and butchering station attached to a trailer. This trailer-mount device lacks storage requiring the fishermen to maintain a separate storage container for supplies that are involved in fish cleaning.
What is needed is an all-in-one portable fish cleaning station having adequate storage and fish cleaning capabilities that can be removably mounted to a variety of trailers. The present invention remedies the above problems and serves a long felt market need.


This disclosure describes a clock circuit for a memory controller. The described circuit uses a processor clock signal to generate an input clock signal for use during write operations to the memory, or to generate a feedback clock signal for use during read operations from the memory. The circuit is particularly applicable to mobile wireless devices that include memories that do not generate a strobe. The clock circuit may comprise a driver in series with a resistor element that generates an input clock signal for input to a memory, and a resistor-capacitor (RC) filter in series with a receiver that generates a feedback clock signal for output from the memory, wherein an input to the RC filter is tapped between the driver and the resistor element.

In computer environments, digital memory is used to store data. In some cases, a variety of different processors may have access to the same memory. For example, the different processors may be coupled to a shared memory via a system bus. Only one of the processors is able to access the memory at a given time via the system bus. A bus controller arbitrates the access to the bus and routes traffic accordingly.
In this disclosure, the term "processor" generally refers to any device that can access a memory, e.g., to either store data to the memory or retrieve data from the memory. Examples of processors include general purpose microprocessors, application specific processors such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), modulator-demodulators (MODEMs), central processing units, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or any device that can process data from a memory. Accordingly, as used in this disclosure, the term "processor" broadly refers to any device, module or unit that can write data to the memory or retrieve data from the memory.
In order to access the memory, a clock signal is needed. A clock signal is generally a signal that switches with every cycle of a system clock in order to provide synchronization between different units or processors of the system. When data is written from a processor to a memory, the processor typically sends its clock signal to the memory controller, which uses the clock signal to synchronize the memory to the processor as data is written to the memory. When data is retrieved from the memory to a processor, however, clock signal generation can be more challenging.
Some memory devices provide a clock signal from the memory to the processor on an external line. Clock signals sent from a memory on an external line are often referred to as a "strobe." Unfortunately, memories that generate a strobe are more complex than memories that use the clock signal from the processor when retrieving data from the memory to the processor.
When the clock signal of a processor is used by the memory controller during data retrieval from the memory, delay becomes a paramount concern. In this case, the flight time of an incoming memory access signal, the access time to the memory, and the flight time of data sent from the memory to the memory controller can all add delay, which can undermine the accuracy of the clock signal. If the data is not properly clocked, errors may occur when reading data from memory.
Typically, the memory controller "re-clocks" the data in an attempt to account for the delay introduced by flight time and access time in order to ensure that the data is properly clocked. However, accurate re-clocking of data is difficult, and variations between processors, flight times, external factors (such as temperature variation), and other variables can compound these difficulties.

Clock signal generation techniques for memories that do not generate a strobe


In a wireless multihop network having node devices within communication range neighboring node devices in a corresponding local neighborhood, the node devices generate visibility messages to be transmitted via connection-less broadcast. The visibility messages include at least an identifier of the corresponding node device. Visibility messages received by each of the node devices from the one or more neighboring node devices are processed to determine a measure of density of the local neighborhood. This measure of density also accounts for the heterogeneous transmit power capabilities of node devices and is used for updating of one or more operational parameter of the node device relating to utilization of the radio communications medium by that node device. A degree of utilization of the medium through the control of transmission data rate and power is adjusted based on an inverse relation to the measure of density determined from the received visibility messages.

A wireless multihop communications network, such as a mesh network, includes a set of node devices capable of exchanging messages with one another over a wireless medium, typically using radio frequency (RF) airwaves. Each of the node devices can be primarily a communications device or, alternatively, the communications functionality may be secondary to its primary function. For example, in a given node, the communications circuitry can be a part of a device such as a computer system, a smart appliance, a vehicle, a media device, a piece of industrial equipment (e.g., an instrument, machine, sensor, actuator), and the like. In a mesh architecture the node devices are uniquely addressable, and able to route messages from an originating node device toward the intended destination node. In general, each of the node devices can be an originating and destination node device as well. Thus, node devices perform both, message forwarding, and message origination/consumption functions. This means that the communication channels can be quite busy at certain parts of the network where node density is high and the message density is relatively higher than at other parts.
Wireless networks in particular face other challenges. For instance, wireless links may not always be reliable: there may be intermittent interfering signals, intermittent obstructions, including large movable objects (e.g., vehicles) moving in and out of the transmission path, weather affecting the quality of radio signal propagation, etc., affecting the signal strength of transmissions seen by the receiving node. Also, certain node devices may be situated near the limits of their radio's communication range, which further compounds signal reception challenges.
For node devices in wireless mesh networks, having multiple neighboring node devices through which communications can be sent and received is advantageous in several respects. In general, having a higher number of neighbors is better in terms of increasing coverage and providing an ability to select higher-quality communications paths. A higher count of neighbors also provides robustness and self-healing capability in the mesh network by supporting a diversity of alternative communications paths.
In a wireless mesh network with very high neighbor density, it is possible to have hundreds or even thousands of neighboring node devices within communication range of one another. This situation can come into play particularly when node devices are able to transmit at high power levels, thereby reaching more distant node devices. In spite of the advantages of having multiple neighbors, there is an important trade-off: maintaining a high number of neighbors is costly in terms of memory and processing capacity needed in each of the node devices. These added costs can be significant particularly for node devices deigned to be low-cost.
Maintaining neighbors typically involves establishing periodic communications between devices and re-evaluating the links to each neighbor in order to coordinate network routing and communicating functions. Specific information is gathered and exchanged between individual sets of neighboring devices to allow network connectivity and route optimizing decisions to be made. Therefore, the greater the density of deployed devices, in terms of number of visible radio neighbors in a given geographic area, the greater is the system overhead that may be associated with the communications and data exchanges that occurs among neighbors.
If not properly controlled, communicating with a large number of neighbors can take up a significant portion of the available communications capacity in the network neighborhood, which can degrade overall radio link performance. Increased communications in high-density networks, even those due to messages for neighbor management, result in an increased rate at which messages "collide"—i.e., interfere with one another, preventing reception of one or more of the transmitted messages. Communications received with errors detected therein must be re-transmitted, which uses additional communication overhead in the system, thereby further aggravating the problem.
A solution is therefore needed that improves the communications performance in high-density wireless mesh networks.

Informational broadcast messages and its uses in wireless multihop networks


The present invention relates to a method and system for processing time series signal data or image signal data indicative of a characteristic of an object. Received signal data are transformed into second signal data within a Stockwell domain based upon a sparse approximation of a S-transform of the signal data. The second signal data are then processed within the Stockwell domain to extract features therefrom. The processing includes determination of local spectra at predetermined locations; determination of voices at predetermined frequencies; and filtering of the signal data using a filter function in dependence upon frequency and time or space. The signal processing method and system according to the invention enables signal processing based on the S-transform using a desktop computer or workstation.

The Fourier transform of a function h(t) has served as the most important transform in numerous signal processing applications. For example, the Fourier transform is widely used in medical imaging techniques such as Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
Standard Fourier analysis reveals individual frequency components involved in a signal or an image. However, in many situations of frequencies changing over time or space, the standard Fourier analysis does not provide sufficient information. In numerous applications, frequencies changing over time or space reveal important information. For example, in MRI signal processing, motion caused by respiratory activity, cardiac activity, and blood flow causes temporal changes in a time series signal.
Time-Frequency Representations (TFRs) are capable of localizing spectra of events in time, thus overcoming the deficiency of the standard Fourier analysis and providing a useful tool for signal analysis in numerous applications. However, all TFRs have a substantial disadvantage that hamper or even block their application in present signal processing methods and systems. All TFRs require substantially increased computer memory storage, as well as substantially longer program execution time, compared to the corresponding requirements of the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT).
One such TFR is the Stockwell-transform (S-transform) disclosed in: Stockwell R. G., Mansinha L., Lowe R. P., "Localization of the complex spectrum: the S-transform", IEEE Trans. Signal Process, 1996; 44, 998-1001. The S-transform is a spectral localization transform that uses a frequency adapted Gaussian window to achieve optimum resolution at each frequency. Employment of the S-transform is highly beneficial in numerous applications. For example, a one-dimensional version of the S-transform applied to time series signal data, such as time course functional MRI (fMRI) data, enables localizing and removing of noise components and artifacts, while a two dimensional version of the S-transform provides local textural information for each point in an image. This gives a texture map of an MRI image that enhances differences, indicating lesions or other abnormalities due to disease activity that are difficult to distinguish in conventional MR images. Unfortunately, the system requirements of the S-transform regarding computer memory storage, as well as execution time, prohibit employment of this highly beneficial signal processing tool in a clinical setting.
It would be advantageous to overcome the drawbacks of the S-transform by providing a signal processing method and system, based on the S-transform but having substantially reduced system requirements. Such a signal processing method and system based on the S-transform would be highly beneficial, not only for signal processing in medical applications, but in numerous other industrial and scientific applications.

Method and system for signal processing using a sparse approximation of the S-transform


To assure the continuity of bonding by preventing any buckling of a covered wire or slipping-off of the covered wire from a second clamper, the second clamper is caused to vibrate while a capillary and first clamper are being raised to a ball formation level after the first clamper is closed and the second clamper is opened in the step of raising the capillary and first clamper to the ball formation level, thus preventing the covered wire from sticking to the second clamper.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for wire-bonding a covered wire.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally, as a method for wire-bonding a covered wire, a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 2-213146 has been known. This method is disclosed in FIG. 6. A covered wire 1 is comprised of a core wire 1a, which is a conductor, and a covering-film 1b, which consists of a macromolecular resin material with electrical insulating properties and is covered as a coating around the circumference of the core wire 1a. The covered wire 1 is supplied from a wire spool, which is not shown in the Figures, and passed through a capillary 4 via a second clamper 2, which is for holding the wire, and a first clamper 3, which is for cutting the wire. The covered wire 1 thus passing through the capillary 4 is connected to the pad of a semiconductor pellet 5 and the lead 6a of a lead frame 6.
A pair of discharge electrodes 7 and 8 for removing the covering-film and for forming a ball include, as shown in FIG. 5, electromagnetic parts 71 and 81 as discharge terminals, and the upper and lower surfaces of the electromagnetic parts 71 and 81 are held by insulating parts 72 and 82 which have electrical insulating properties. Here, one of the discharge electrodes 7 is used exclusively for removing the covering-film 1b, while the other discharge electrode 8 functions as a dual-purpose electrode so that it is used both for removing the covering-film 1b and for forming a ball. As a result, the upper surface of the discharge electrode 8 has a structure provided with an exposed discharge surface, and this exposed portion functions as an electrode surface 8a for forming a ball.
FIG. 6(a) shows a state in which a ball 1c has been formed at the tip of the covered wire 1, and the first clamper 3 and second clamper 2 are opened. Furthermore, a removed portion (exposed portion 1d) has been formed beforehand by a method which will be described below in an area extending for a predetermined distance from the tip of the covered wire 1. As seen from FIGS. 6(a) to 6(b), the capillary 4 is lowered so that the ball 1c is bonded to the first bonding point of a pad of the semiconductor pellet 5. Next, the capillary 4 is raised, moved to a point above one of the leads 6a of the lead frame 6 and then lowered; and as shown in FIG. 6(c), the exposed portion 1d is bonded to the second bonding point of the lead 6a.
Next, as shown in FIG. 6(d), the capillary 4 is raised by a distance L.sub.1 from the surface of the lead 6a. This distance L.sub.1 is calculated by use of information concerning the first and second bonding positions and the initial set conditions of the bonding apparatus, etc., as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-213146. When the first clamper 3 and the capillary 4 are thus raised by a distance L.sub.1, the first clamper 3 closes and holds the covered wire 1. Next, with the first clamper 3 closed, the clamper 3 is raised together with the capillary 4; and as shown in FIG. 6(e), the covered wire 1 is cut from the base area of the second bonding point. In this case, the first clamper 3 and the capillary 4 are raised so that an intended covering-film removal area 1e comes between the pair of discharge electrodes 7 and 8. As result, the covered wire 1 protrudes from the tip of the capillary 4 by the length L.sub.1, and a part of the exposed portion 1d remains at the tip of the covered wire 1.
Next, as shown in FIG. 6(f), the pair of discharge electrodes 7 and 8 are moved in close to the covered wire 1 from both sides in a non-contact state. A voltage is then applied to the discharge electrodes 7 and 8 so that an electric discharge is caused to take place between the electromagnetic parts 71 and 81 and the core wire 1a with the covering-film 1b in between. As a result of the discharge energy, as shown in FIG. 6(g), a portion of the covering-film 1b located at a predetermined position on the covered wire 1 is removed. In other words, the exposed portion 1d shown in FIG. 6(a) is formed. Next, as shown in FIG. 6(g), the discharge electrodes 7 and 8 are withdrawn in a direction away from the covered wire 1.
Next, as shown by the chain lines, the second clamper 2 is closed, and the first clamper 3 is opened. Afterward, as shown in FIG. 6(h), the first clamper 3 and the capillary 4 are lowered, in relative terms, by a distance L.sub.2 from the state shown in FIG. 6(g). In this case, since the covered wire 1 is held (restrained) by the second clamper 2, the covered wire 1 is brought into the interior of the capillary 4 by a distance L.sub.2, so that the tip of the covered wire 1 protrudes from the tip of the capillary 4 by a tail length L.sub.3. In this case, the tail length L.sub.3 of the tip of the covered wire 1 corresponds to a part of the exposed portion 1d, from which the covering-film 1b has been removed.
Next, as shown in FIG. 6(i), the first clamper 3 is closed, and the second clamper 2 is opened; and the capillary 4 is raised to a ball forming level as shown in FIG. 6(j). Next, as shown by chain lines, the discharge electrode 8 is moved so that the electrode surface 8a for ball formation is positioned directly beneath the tip of the covered wire 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(k), a high voltage is applied across the discharge electrode 8 and covered wire 1, thus forming the ball 1c. Next, as shown by the chain lines, the discharge electrode 8 is returned to its original position. Then, the first clamper 3 is opened, and the capillary 4 is positioned above the next bonding point (see FIG. 6(a)). Afterward, the series of operations shown in FIGS. 6(a) through (k) are repeated.
The covering-film 1b of the covered wire 1 is made of a macromolecular resin material having electrical insulating properties such as a polyurethane, polyvinyl formal, polyester, etc., or of a resin material combining such resins. Accordingly, the covering-film 1b has a certain degree of weak adhesive properties; and when the second clamper 2 is opened as shown in FIGS. 6(h) and 6(i), the covered wire 1 may stick to the clamping surface of the second clamper 2 as indicated by the chain lines. If the first clamper 3 and the capillary 4 are raised as shown in FIG. 6(j) while the covered wire 1 remains stuck to the second clamper 2, the covered wire 1 may buckle flex in the direction parallel to the clamping surfaces of the second clamper 2 so that the covered wire 1 slips out of the second clamper 2, thus interfering with the continuity of bonding.


Described are new cable designs for indoor installations wherein the cable comprises a dual-layer optical fiber buffer encasement of acrylate resin. The buffer encasement has an acrylate compliant inner layer that protects the fiber and minimizes stress transfer to the fiber; and a hard, tough acrylate outer layer that provides crush resistance. The dual-layer optical fiber buffer encasement is wrapped with reinforcing yarn and encased in an outer protective jacket. The protective jacket is relatively thick and rigid, having a thickness of 0.7-3.0 mm, and a modulus greater than 240 MPa.

(Parts of this background may or may not constitute prior art.)
It has now been several decades since the start of the transition from copper wire telecommunications cable to optical fiber cable. In that transition the biggest change by far is the sensitivity of glass optical fibers to stresses in the cable. The electrical transmission properties of copper are relatively immune to mechanical forces. In contrast, the light transmission properties of optical fibers are significantly impacted by mechanical stresses on the optical fiber cable. There is a variety of these effects, and a variety of causes. This makes optical fiber cable design, while simple in concept, extremely complex in practice.
For many years Standard Multimode optical fiber (MMF) was manufactured with a core size of 62.5 and an overall dimension of 125 microns. Now, 50-Micron Multimode Fiber (50-MMF) is gaining popularity due to its expanded bandwidth and transmission distance potential over traditional multimode fiber runs. Providing nearly three times the bandwidth over twice the distance, 50-MMM fiber is recommended for new premise applications including intra-building connections.
However, compared to single mode fiber and 62.5MMF, 50-MMF tends to be far more sensitive to signal attenuation resulting from fiber microbending or macrobending caused by mechanical stress. As a result, recent studies show that some 50-MMF optical fiber cables can show significant signal attenuation in standardized mechanical qualification tests, while older SMF cables show minimal signal attenuation in those tests.
This problem is exacerbated by end-user demand for smaller optical fiber cables with increased fiber packing density. Traditionally, indoor distribution cables with 50-MMF employ tight buffer coatings over each individual fiber, to provide mechanical protection to the individual fibers. Common tight buffer diameters include 900 micron and 600 micron. Distribution or trunk cables employing tight-buffered fibers tend to be large and bulky, providing challenges to the end-user. First, it is often difficult for end-users to route these large cables directly to connection or interconnection points on equipment, or within shelves or trays. End-users must often transition from the large buffered fiber distribution cable to smaller, flexible interconnect cables. However, this adds cost and complexity to installations. Second, in large data centers or storage-area networks, a large number of distribution cables are often needed for interconnection of equipment. Use of large distribution cables can fill up limited space in overhead or underfloor cable trays, as well as restricting flow of cooling air. There is end-user demand for compact, high-density distribution cables with 50-MMF which can be directly routed to interconnection points.

Reduced diameter multimode optical fiber cables


A map is provided for indicating the direction of a fixed point (S), such as a sub-satellite point, from any point (P) within a specified area which is a substantial fraction of the earth's surface. The map projection is such that the actual direction to the fixed point (S) is the same as the direction shown on the map, when the map is aligned with a reference direction such as magnetic north. Optionally, the distance to the fixed point on the map represents the elevation of the satellite. Apparatus for using the map includes a holder (10) for the map and for a magnetic compass (18). A scale (22) which rotates about the fixed point on the map has a marker (32) which is positioned over the user's location on the map. The azimuthal direction of the satellite is indicated by an arrow (28) on the scale, while the elevation of the satellite is read off the scale by means of a pointer (34) located on the fixed point on the map.

Various methods have been used for determining the direction to a satellite from a variable location. It is known to use a computer or processor to calculate the required elevation and azimuth to a selected satellite from data regarding the location of the user. Such data may be entered into the computer as the user's latitude and longitude read from a world map or by indicating the user's location using a cursor in an electronic display showing a world map. Alternatively, the user can make use of a map, such as that shown in FIG. 1. The map is of a standard projection but the map grid does not show the normal lines of latitude and longitude. Instead, the map grid is a curvilinear grid showing lines of azimuth and elevation for a particular satellite so that the user can determine the correct azimuth and elevation for his location by finding the location on the map. In all these methods, the user then employs a compass to point the antenna in the required azimuthal direction and adjusts the angle of the antenna to set the elevational component of the direction to the satellite.

Method and apparatus for determining direction

International Mobile Satellite Organization


A lighting device comprising a plurality of light emitting elements (1), and a beam shaping optics (7) having an entrance aperture (6). Each light emitting element is optically connected to a set of optical fibers (5) each having a first end optically connected to the light emitting element and a second end optically connected to the entrance aperture (6), so as to guide collimated light from the light emitting element to the beam shaping optics (7). The light emitting elements are distributed over an area larger than the entrance aperture (6).

Light emitting elements with point shaped light emission, in particular solid state light emitting elements (e.g. LEDs), are being used more frequently in various lighting devices, including light fixtures for various entertainment lighting applications such as Theatre, TV Studio lighting and illumination at events like e.g. rock concerts.
Solid state light emitting elements have large advantages over conventional lamps in terms of energy efficiency and weight. Especially in temporary applications, such as lighting fixtures used during tours and events, the reduction of total weight is a key benefit of solid state lighting systems.
There are many LED systems on the market with red, green and blue LEDs, where each LED has an individual lens to form a narrow beam. Because in these systems the light is not sufficiently mixed, objects create multiple shadows. In addition, with this system architecture it is not possible to create a hard-edge spot, as is frequently used in entertainment.
It has been shown that a lighting system without these limitations can be created based on an array of 100-200 LEDs, connected to one optical system. This optical system is important to transform the Lambertian light distribution from the LEDs into the required beam shape (10°-40° FWHM, preferably zoomable, well defined beam profile). Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,002.
The optical system to transform the Lambertian light distribution of the LEDs into a beam usable e.g. in entertainment applications typically comprises a tubular reflector having an entrance aperture and an exit aperture being larger than the entrance aperture and a ratio between the exit aperture diameter and entrance aperture diameter in the range of 6 to 10. Since the total diameter of the system should not become larger than a few tens of cm, the light emitting elements must be confined to an area having a diameter in the order of a few cm.
The output flux of a LED array with a diameter of a few cm is limited by the heat transfer to the environment. In addition, the amount of LEDs is also limited by the package size of the existing efficient LEDs. In order to reach e.g. 10.000 lumen at the current LED efficacy of around 60 lm/W, around 150 W needs to be removed from a few cm2. If this is to be done by a metal heat sink, the weight of the fixture will become large.


The present invention provides a two-part telescopic intramedullary orthopedic device comprising a first section inserted into the medullary cavity of one of the fractured or severed bone ends, and secured thereto, and a second section inserted into the medullary cavity of the other fractured or severed bone end and secured thereto, wherein the first section is telescoped within the internal space of the second section, and wherein one of the sections comprises a ferromagnetic material and the other section is either constructed entirely of a non-magnetic material or comprises a ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic section(s) are actuable by an external axially directed magnetic field, such that one section may be caused to move axially (either bidirectional or essentially unidirectional) in relation to the other section. In addition, the invention encompasses a method for changing bone length as well as a method for enhancing bone fracture healing.

The use of implant devices in the management of many orthopedic conditions is well known in the art. In some cases, the use of such internally-fitted devices may be the only effective way of stabilizing fractured bones. However, this approach suffers from the drawback that, once in place, the length and/or position of the implant cannot be physically manipulated without further surgical intervention. This is a particular drawback when implants are used in order to achieve one or both of the following clinical goals:                a) increase or decrease in bone length, and        b) accelerated healing of bone fractures.
It is known in orthopedic surgery to sever a bone, such as a tibia or femur, in order to increase its overall length and thereby correct a skeletal or other defect. One common procedure for this purpose makes use of a special nail that is implanted in an intramedullary fashion into the bone to be lengthened. A longitudinally-adjustable frame external to the appendage containing the bone to be lengthened is secured at one end of the bone and it is attached at its other end to the nail as well as to the other end of the bone.
The bone is then osteotomized by the surgeon and the adjustable frame is periodically lengthened, thereby causing the bone, while the break therein is knitting, to assume a desired overall length. The implant is then embedded in the lengthened bone.
As pointed out in U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,938 to Staehlin et al. (1998) the external frame fixation system used in this known bone lengthening procedure is difficult to securely locate on the patient and not only gives rise to discomfort, but it also presents an unattractive appearance. Moreover, pins anchored in the bone and protruding through the skin to join the frame increases the risk of infection and nerve injury, either immediate or delayed, during the lengthening procedure.
To overcome these drawbacks, Staehlin provides a bone-lengthening device which is wholly implantable, except for a tube extending from the device and passing through the skin to supply a hydraulic fluid to the implant which is hydraulically adjustable in length.
Staehlin's two-part implant is mechanically complicated, for it includes a drive bolt located in one part that extends into the other part, which bolt, when rotated by a drive mechanism is activated by a hydraulically-operated plunger making it necessary to supply through a tube leading into the implant a pressurized hydraulic fluid.
In their least complicated forms, bone fractures may be treated by simple immobilization of the relevant body part. In many case, particularly when the fracture occurs in a long bone, this type of management may be sufficient to permit the body's natural processes to completely close the fracture and to lead to complete healing of the affected bone. In other cases, the distance between the mating surfaces of a fractured bone may be so great as to result in non-union of the fracture. Clinically, non-union of fractures is often defined as failure of the fracture fragments to unite after 8 months. Typically, such a situation can arise from excessive movement at the fracture site, soft tissue interposition, infection, or trauma. In such cases, the normal process of calcification fails to take place and the fracture gap remains occupied by fibrocartilage and/or fibrous tissue. Ingrowth of new blood vessels cannot take place, and normal healing will be prevented.
It has been found that application of cyclic compressive forces to the fracture (in imitation of the normal weight bearing forces) accelerates this process by up to one third of the normal healing time. This effect will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow.
Currently, long bone fractures are preferably treated by the use of intramedullary nails or rods. The stability of these implant devices, and the reduced soft tissue damage caused thereby, render this approach preferable over open reduction techniques. However, although these implants permit weight bearing forces to be exerted thereon, they often isolate the fracture from compression forces due to the presence of locking screws, whose primary purpose is to prevent rotation. Also, as a result of the fixed distance between the fracture ends imposed on the fracture by virtue of their rigid structure, intramedullary nails can actually cause cases of fracture of non-union. Various studies have estimated that the incidence of non-unions that result directly from the use of intramedullary nails may reach up to 5% of all fracture cases treated with these devices.
Various other techniques for managing non-union fractures have been used and reported in the art. For example, different forms of electrical stimulation have been investigated. These basic studies have in turn led to a number of proposals for promoting the healing of bone fractures, including invasive treatments involving the use of implanted electrodes as well as non-invasive techniques utilizing electrostatic and electromagnetic fields.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,995, for example, describes metal splints that are affixed to fractured bone by means of screws. The device further comprises pickup coils having terminals connected both to said splints and to electrodes invasively inserted into the bone. A coil surrounding the limb having the fracture induces in the pickup coils an alternating current signal. In this way, the electrical signals are transmitted to the fracture ends.
In another approach, the use of mechanical stimuli to promote healing of non-union fractures has been described. For example, in one study [J. Kenwright & A. E. Goodship, Clin. Ortho. & Rel. Res. (1989) 241: 36–47] the effects of mechanical stimulation on midshaft tibial breaks were investigated in experimental animals. The applied stimulation had frequencies approximating that of the walking frequency of the animal used. Cyclic loading of the fracture region for 17 minutes per day was used. Although useful results were obtained in these experimental studies, it was found that it was critical to accurately control the displacements of the fractured bones, as high displacements were noted to lead to mechanical failure of the wound healing process.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,349 describes a method and system for treating bone fractures and osteoporosis that is based on the mechanical stimulation described in the aforementioned study by Kenwright and Goodship. However, it would appear that the apparatus described therein is not capable of producing the controlled, axially-directed oscillatory movements that imitate normal force-loading on the affected limb (e.g. the cyclic compression that occurs during walking), that have been shown to be useful in accelerating fracture healing.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,677 discloses a method and apparatus for stimulating the healing of medical implants, particularly those used in dental surgery. The apparatus described therein uses an internally-placed permanent magnet and externally applied electromagnetic field to cause oscillation of the implant within a tooth socket or medullary cavity of a fractured bone.
It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a reliable implant device and method for the alteration of bone length.
It is another purpose of the present invention to provide the aforementioned implant device in a form suitable for the management of bone fractures, particularly long bone fractures, and more particularly, cases of non-union of said long bone fractures.
It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a device for managing bone fractures that will act to prevent the occurrence of fracture non-union, by permitting movement of the fractured bone ends towards each other.
Yet a further purpose of the invention is to provide a device and method for managing fractures that will reduce the time required for complete healing.
It is another purpose of the invention to provide a device and method that may be applied during the initial stages of the treatment of bone fractures.
It is a further purpose of the invention to provide a method for managing non-union fractures or for elongating or shortening bones that does not require the complete immobilization of the patient, or the use of uncomfortable and unaesthetic externally-placed devices such as external fixation frames.
It is yet another purpose of the present invention to provide a device for the management of non-union fractures that overcomes the problems and disadvantages of prior art devices.
It is yet another purpose of the present invention to provide a device for elongating or shortening bones that overcomes the problems and disadvantages of prior art devices.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.


A thermal flowmeter for determining a parameter of a fluid flowing through a passage, including a detecting element, and a pair of electrically conductive supports fixed to a wall defining the passage for supporting the detecting element. The detecting element includes a substrate, an electrically resistive body disposed on the substrate and having an electrical resistance which varies with an ambient temperature, and a pair of electrical conductors provided at opposite ends of the support and electrically connected to the electrically resistive body. The detecting element is positioned in the passage such that the electrical conductors are secured to the electrically conductive supports. The electrically conductive supports have respective engaging portions which engage the electrical conductors, respectively, for positioning the detecting element with respect to the wall of the passage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a thermal flowmeter including at least one detecting element which utilizes temperature dependence of its electrical resistance to determine a flow rate or velocity of a fluid flowing in a passage. More particularly, the invention is concerned with an improvement on such a thermal flowmeter, which can determine the fluid flow rate with enhanced detecting accuracy.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
As one type of a flowmeter for measuring a flow rate or velocity of a fluid having a varying temperature, e.g., an intake air introduced into an internal combustion engine, there is known a thermal flowmeter as disclosed in laid-open Publication Nos. 55-43447, 56-77716 and 60-91211 of unexamined Japanese Patent Applications, which flowmeter includes detecting elements whose electrical resistance varies with an ambient temperature. This thermal flowmeter is adapted to determine a flow rate of a fluid flowing in a passage, by utilizing the temperature dependence of the electrical resistance of the detecting element.
More specifically, the thermal flowmeter has two detecting elements, each of which includes a substrate made of an electrically insulating material, an electrically resistive body formed on the substrate, and a pair of electrical conductors or leads which are secured to opposite ends of the substrate and electrically connected to the resistor body. The resistor body has an electrical resistance whose value varies with the temperature of the ambient atmosphere. The thermal flowmeter further includes two pairs of electrically conductive supports which are fixed to a wall that defines the fluid passage, and protrude suitable distances from the wall into the passage, for supporting the detecting elements at the electrical conductors.
Upon measurement of the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the fluid passage, one of the two detecting elements is used as a temperature-measuring element which has the same temperature as the fluid to be measured. This detecting element is adapted to measure the temperature of the fluid, by detecting a change in the electrical resistance of the resistive body when it is energized by an electric current which is so small as to generate a negligible amount of heat. The other detecting element is used as a heat-generating element which is energized and heated to a temperature that is higher by a given value than that of the temperature-measuring element. This heat-generating element is adapted to determine the flow rate of the fluid, by detecting the amount of an electric current required to be applied to the heat-generating element for maintaining the above-indicated temperature difference.
In the thermal flowmeter of the above type, a quantity Q of heat which is generated by the heat-generating element is represented by a sum of a quantity Q1 of heat Which is transferred to and dissipated into the fluid flowing in the passage, and a quantity Q2 of heat which is transferred to and dissipated into the wall of the fluid passage, through the electrical conductors and the electrically conductive supports. The quantity Q1 varies with the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the passage, while the quantity Q2 does not vary with the flow rate of the fluid. Accordingly, the amount of the electric current applied to the heat-generating element corresponds to the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the passage, when the current is controlled so that the temperature difference between the heat-generating element and the temperature-measuring element (having the same temperature as the fluid) is kept constant. It follows that the thermal flowmeter is able to determine the flow rate of the fluid, based on the amount of the controlled current applied to the heat-generating element.
Of the quantity Q of the heat generated by the heat-generating element, the quantity Q2 of the heat dissipated into the wall of the fluid passage is determined, depending upon the materials, sizes, or other conditions of the heat-generating element and the conductive supports for supporting the element. In practice, a flowmeter having a specific design, such as installed on automotive internal combustion engines, is often produced in a relatively large lot size, such that the heat-generating element and the conductive supports of each product satisfy the nominal conditions. In such a case, the flow rate of the fluid is calculated based on the amount of the current applied to the heat-generating element, assuming that all of the individual products have the same quantity Q2 of the heat dissipated into the wall of the fluid passage.
However, a study of the inventors of the present invention revealed that a relatively large variation in the quantity Q2 of the heat transferred from the heat-generating element to the wall of the fluid passage exists among the individual products of the flowmeter, even though they are continuously produced under the same condition. Accordingly, the amount of an electric current applied to the heat-generating element for maintaining the temperature difference between the heat-generating and temperature-measuring elements differs from one product to another, even if the flow rate of the fluid is constant. Consequently, the individual flowmeters suffer from a variation in the measurement due to the variation in the quantity Q2 of the heat dissipated into the wall of the fluid passage.
In the thermal flowmeter, both of the electrical conductors of the heat-generating element, and the conductive supports to which the conductors are secured, generally take the form of an electrically conductive thin wire. When the conductors are secured to the conductive supports by welding, for example, it is difficult to accurately position the conductors relative to the corresponding conductive supports, resulting in a variation in the welding positions of the supports among the individual flowmeters. Namely, the individual flowmeters have different conditions of heat transfer between the heat-generating element and the wall of the fluid passage, due to a difference in the distance therebetween, which results from the positioning error. Consequently, there arises a variation in the quantities Q2 of the heat dissipated from the heat-generating elements into the wall of the fluid passage, among the individual flowmeters, whereby the flowmeters suffer from reduction in accuracy in determining the fluid flow rate.
Similarly, the above-described problem of the heat-generating element is encountered by the temperature-measuring element. Namely, the temperature-measuring element also suffers from a variation among the individual flowmeters, in the condition of heat transfer between the element and the wall of the fluid passage, due to the variation in the positional relationship between the conductors and the conductive supports (wall of the fluid passage), which are difficult to be exactly positioned relative to each other when secured to each other. If the wall of the fluid passage has different thermal influences upon the temperature-measuring elements of the individual flowmeters, due to the variation in the condition of heat transfer, the values of the fluid temperature measured by the temperature-measurement elements involve different errors corresponding to the different thermal influences, resulting in reduction in the measuring accuracy of the temperature-measurement element, and eventually in the detecting accuracy of the flowmeter for determining the flow rate of the fluid.

Thermal flowmeter with detecting element supported by supports having engaging portions


Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access is provided for a communications services platform. A caller may dial a local DDD number or a long distance DDD number to access the communications services platform. A platform may provide a plurality of different communications services, including voicemail services, paging services, automatic routing services, and facsimile messaging services. Expenses associated with servicing the call are partitioned between a caller and a subscriber of the communications services platform in an intuitive and reasonable fashion.

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications systems and, more particularly, to a system that provides Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) access to a communications services platform.
A number of different communications services are available to a customer, including local telephone service, long distance telephone service, automatic routing service, cellular telephone services, voice mail messaging service, facsimile messaging service, paging service, and the like. Unfortunately, each such service requires a unique telephone number. As a result, the customer must manage the multiple telephone numbers and not confuse the mapping of telephone numbers to services. This confusion is enhanced by each of the services being separately billed such that a customer receives separate billing statements for each of the services. Unfortunately, accessing communications services like those described above are not generally available by single number DDD access.
The present invention provides direct distance dialing (DDD) access to a platform that provides multiple communications services. The platform may provide, for example, voice mail services, paging services, automatic routing services, facsimile messaging services and other services. The billing for calls that are handled by the platform is shared between the caller and the subscriber. The caller will be charged as if the caller attempted to place a call to the subscriber at the subscriber""s home location (i.e., at the location dialed by the caller). The other charges associated with the call will be assessed to the subscriber of services that are provided by the platform.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a method is practiced in a telecommunications network that has a switch for routing calls and a platform that provides multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber. A call is received at the switch from a caller that was initiated as a DDD call by dialing a DDD number. The switch performs a translation of the DDD number to a value for accessing the platform. The call is routed from the switch to the platform using the translated value.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the telecommunications network includes a platform for providing multiple communications services on behalf of the subscriber. The telecommunications network also includes a selected switch that receives a call from a caller who dials a DDD telephone number to place a call to the subscriber. The switch includes a translator for translating the DDD telephone number to a translated value for use in routing the call. The telecommunications network also includes routing switching for using the translated value to route the call to the platform.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a method is practiced in a telecommunications network that has a platform for providing multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber. The method is concerned with billing a call that is initiated from a caller to the subscriber but that is serviced by the platform. The caller is charged for calling the subscriber, whereas the servicing performed by the platform is charged to the subscriber.

Direct distance dialing (DDD) access to a communication services platform