A neuroagent approach is used in an automated and unified data mining system to provide an explicitly predictive knowledge model. The neuroagent is a neural multi-agent approach based on macro-connectionism and comprises a double integration at the association and symbolic level as well as the knowledge model level. This data mining system permits discovery, evaluation and prediction of the correlative factors of data, i.e., the conjunctions, as corresponding to neuroexpressions (a semantic connection of neuroagents) connected to an output neuroagent which corresponds to the data output, the connection weights yielding the relative significance of these factors to the given output. The system takes data sets called Domains, establishes candidate dimensions or Parameters, categorizes Parameters into discrete bins, and trains a neuroagent network composed of neuroagents allocated for each bin and each output based on a discovery data set, called a Discovery Domain, and by building up the various minimal and contextual neuroexpressions, and setting the appropriate connection weights, the results may therefore be compared with an optional evaluation data set, called an Evaluation Domain to establish the accuracy of the knowledge model, and thereafter applied with some degree of confidence to a prediction set or Prediction Domain. The ranking in importance of the composite Parameters may be calculated as well as the discrimination between the various outputs, which permits the relevant factors of interest to a decision maker to come into focus.

A. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to data processing. In particular, this invention relates to data mining using a unified neural multi-agent approach.
B. Description of the Related Art
Today, Data Mining has become a "hot" field for business intelligence because, until now, databases were essentially oriented to the input side and had very poor output analysis functionality. With the different mechanisms to extract information from existing data available today, this has lead to different definitions for Data Mining. However, one could offer a synthetic definition of Data Mining as a pattern discovery process from very large databases to provide models for use in decision making. A more precise definition is useful to classify the different "Data Mining" approaches.
Corporations keep accumulating huge amount of data every day, data which may represent their biggest potential assets. However, to realize this wealth, data must be transformed into usable form for the end-user. Decision Support Systems (DSS), including Executive Information Systems (EIS) and Data Access, have been developed to provide a first level of solutions to achieve these transformations.
Data Access and Presentation Tools provide a logical view of databases, generate complex SQL queries and include report writers that can generate charts or maps with "drill down" or other analysis capabilities. EIS tools, which are typically custom or semi-customized software, are heavily programmed to provide "canned" reports for top-level executives, as well as some very advanced statistical analysis functions that can be customized by MIS departments for Executive Reporting.
Today, EIS/DSS tools present two main limitations for fully transforming "data" into "knowledge": (i) users must know in advance exactly what they are searching for and how to search for it, which represents a comparatively low level of discovery; and (ii) results are "static", which means there are no unified mechanisms to provide explicitly predictive capabilities for new cases and validation processes therefore.
Although Data Mining presents an excellent market opportunity, there are two major impediments which have precluded the development of this market until now: (i) lack of quality data, which has until very recently represented a formidable bottleneck; and (ii) limited functionalities and performance of existing tools. None of the technologies used in current Data Mining products (Neural Networks, Rule Induction, Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) and statistical analysis) can provide the combination of prediction, explanation, performance and ease of use necessary for widespread usage of knowledge discovery tools.
Neural Networks constitute one of the better approaches to build predictive models from a set of examples with possibly imperfect data. However, Neural Networks present at least three major limitations: (i) the high level of expertise needed to choose a suitable architecture for the system (the number of layers, the number of neurons per layer, etc.) and to validate such system; (ii) the inability of neural nets to "explain" their results, i.e., they do not provide explicitly predictive models; and (iii) the inability to add explicit knowledge, thus forcing the system to eliminate artifacts or irrelevant relationships or to introduce a priori knowledge. Sometimes, an architecture already established for a specific problem can be used directly to build a predictive model. However, if one changes the problem or even the input data, the architecture can become inadequate. It is then unclear how to define a new architecture. From the knowledge worker's perspective, Neural Networks provide no knowledge discovery since the network provides no "understanding", i.e., the ability to comprehend the significance and reasons therefore; rather, it is a predictive system, but not an explicitly predictive system.
Rule Induction is a pattern discovery technology which does provide explicit results. The knowledge worker can thus understand the discoveries. However, this approach presents a number of limitations as well: (i) it is not adapted to handle complex data because the learning process is time-prohibitive, owing to the large number of combinations between generated rules; and (ii) when the learning is finished, the quantity of generated rules can be very large. The knowledge worker thus has tremendous difficulty to pinpoint relevant discoveries in a sea of rules. When data is imperfect, rules are not particularly well adapted and the predictive model thus not reliable.
Case-Based Reasoning is a technology based on the indexation of all the cases which are presented to the system, as for example, all the court cases on a particular legal issue. When the predictive model is established, it can perform reasoning by analogy. For each new case the system tries to find an old case which is the "closest" by some measure. There are different ways to calculate the distance between the different cases. By contrast with Neural Networks, which does not retain the full data presented to it, every case is maintained in a CBR system. The indexation techniques have no capability for generalization, and there is thus no effective synthesis for the knowledge worker. One can say, therefore, that the "richness" of discoveries is very low. It is relatively easy to build a predictive model, having merely to define the data fields like a desktop database and the system will index the different cases presented. CBR is an interesting approach for building a purely predictive model, like Neural Networks, but it is inadequate to perform knowledge discovery. And since the size of CBR models increase with the number of cases presented, it is difficult to handle very large databases owing to the memory requirements. Moreover, the processing of each new case takes, on average, more time than the previous case because all cases are kept in the system, which exacerbates the database size limitation.
Statistical methods are very well known in data analysis. They are reliable and can provide very rich information. However, the user must often be a trained statistician to choose the right methods and then to interpret the results. The user must have the time and resources to perform the computation of the entire database. Handling non-linear problems, which constitute many normal business problems, require even more advanced skills. Statistical analysis methods favor large populations and tend to discover the more important trends at the expense of the small ones. However, a company might wish to base its competitive advantage on the capability to discover individual particularities, i.e., special niche markets. Finally, statistical analysis tools do not provide an explicitly predictive model. One cannot use a statistical analysis tool to build an automatic prediction system. This lack of explicit predictive capability makes it difficult to validate data analysis results and necessitates the services of an expert statistician where rapid prediction is called for (e.g., credit acceptance).
C. The Neuroagent as Methodology
In AI, three fundamental levels can be distinguished: the knowledge level (knowledge modelling methodology), the symbol level (techniques for knowledge representation such as rules, semantic networks, and frames) and the sub-symbolic level (associative or connectionist technologies). Usually, the neuro-symbolic hybrid systems focus on the integration of the last two levels.
The neuroagent is a neural multi-agent approach based on macro-connectionism and comprises a double integration. The first integration concerns the association and symbol levels, where a neuro-symbolic fully-integrated processing unit provides learning capabilities and distributed inference mechanisms. The second integration concerns the symbol and knowledge levels, using a concept operational modelling (COM) methodology. COM permits the building of generic knowledge models which ensures coherent maintenance of all knowledge models based thereupon.
Knowledge acquisition is often considered to be a bottleneck for the development of expert systems, but two different cases must be distinguished where: (1) the expertise is complex and a modelling phase is necessary to define the conceptual model of the expertise (knowledge level); and (2) the expertise cannot be formalized and learning capabilities are therefore necessary. A prior art graphical knowledge-based system shell called intelliSphere.TM., marketed in the U.S. by DataMind, Inc., Redwood City, Calif., is based on the neuroagent approach, and has allowed the development of solutions to different industrial problems (e.g., image processing, design by optimization and constraints satisfaction, and medical diagnosis) where classical approaches have presented significant limits for modelling or learning.
Usually, the basic functional unit in an artificial neural network corresponds to a single formal neuron. FIG. 1, described below, shows how the structure of the neuroagent is related to the neurobiological macro-connectionist level, i.e., the basic unit at this level is an assembly or network of neurons, not a single neuron.
From the computer science point of view, the common characteristics between the connectionist and the macro-connectionist levels are: (i) an automata network; (ii) each automaton has a transition function and a memory; (iii) a communication medium based on the numeric propagation; (iv) numeric learning capabilities; (v) associative memory properties; and (vi) the triggering of the automaton's behavior based on the numeric stimulation that the automaton has received.
In comparison to the connectionist level, the macro-connectionist level differs in the following respects: (i) the automaton can be complex; (ii) the automaton is functionally autonomous; (iii) the propagation mechanism is more complex; and (iv) the topology of the network presents a semantic organization.
These latter characteristics are implemented in the neuroagent approach. The neuroagent is both an analysis and modelling entity for the knowledge level and an implemented neuro-symbolic processing unit for the development of knowledge-based systems.
1. Neuroagent Structure.
FIG. 1 shows the structure of a neuroagent 100 which consists of three main elements: (i) the Communication and Activation Envelope 110 which ensures a standard communication between neuroagents, and which controls the neuroagent's state; (ii) the Nominal Zone 120 which describes the neuroagent (e.g., name, synonyms); and (iii) the Internal Process 130 which determines the neuroagent's functional specifications.
a. Communication and Activation Envelope.
The Communication and Activation Envelope 110 contains: (i) the Minimal Excitation Zone 112; and (ii) the Contextual Excitation Zone 114. These excitation zones 112, 114 are areas which will receive the connections 130 from other neuroagents. It is clear that the Activation and Communication Envelope 110 can have the following configurations depending on the connections of its excitation zones 112 and 144: (i) no connection on either of the excitation zones 112 and 144; (ii) connections only on the Minimal Excitation Zone 112; (iii) connections only on the Contextual Excitation Zone 114; and (iv) connections on both the Minimal 112 and the Contextual 144 Excitation Zones.
A neuroexpression is a logic expression of neuroagents. In the embodiment described here, only logical AND's ("&") and NOT's ("!") are permitted as logical connectors within a neuroexpression; OR's (".vertline.") have been dispensed with because their logical function can be satisfied simply by having other neuroexpressions connected in parallel. An "atomic" neuroexpression is one that corresponds to a single neuroagent. With reference now to FIG. 2, one can see in neuroagent network 200 the connections established between neuroexpressions E.sub.1 230, E.sub.2 240, E.sub.3 250 and a given output neuroagent Z 210. In this example, the neuroexpressions E.sub.1 230, E.sub.2 240, E.sub.3 250 consist of two neuroagents each, B 232 and C 234, F 242 and D 244, B 232 and A 220, respectively. One can observe all the neuroexpressions E.sub.1 230, E.sub.2 240, E.sub.3 250 are connected (through 255) to neuroagent Z's 210 Contextual Excitation Zone Z 210b, while neuroagent A 220 is connected (through 225) to it's Minimal Excitation Zone 210a. Note that there is nothing which prohibits neuroagents B 232 and A 220 being represented more than once in neuroagent network 200. An output neuroagent may even form part of the input to itself.
Referring once more to FIG. 1, the Minimal Excitation Zone 112 of neuroagent 100 is the zone where all connections present must be validated, i.e., they are necessary conditions. However, having a necessary condition does not mean it is sufficient; rather, it is a minimal condition. For example, the concept "WHEEL" is absolutely necessary for the validation of the concept "CAR", but it is not sufficient. However, it is possible to express a minimal and sufficient condition. Recall that in FIG. 2 neuroagent A 220 is connected to both the Minimal 210a and Contextual 210b Excitation Zones.
The Contextual Excitation Zone 114 of neuroagent 100 is the zone where one defines what "evokes" and what "rejects" the neuroagent 100, or equivalently, what validates or inhibits the neuroagent. Using connection weights, as for example here, w.sub.ij 132, w.sub.ik 134, w.sub.im 136, it is possible to grade evocations and rejections. The evocation is a positive real number that can express a relatively weak (i.e., 20-40), or strong evocation (i.e., 80-100). The rejection is a negative real number that can express a relatively weak (i.e., (-40)-(-20)) or strong rejection (i.e., (-100)-(-80). The connection weights, w.sub.ij 132, w.sub.ik 134, w.sub.im 136, are, by convention, expressed as percentages.
There are two ways to establish the connection weights: (i) explicitly (e.g., with a fixed number of broad evocation levels: very weakly positive 20, weakly positive 40, positive 60, strongly positive 80, very strongly positive 100; similarly, for rejection: very weakly negative -20, weakly negative -40, negative -60, strongly negative -80, very strongly negative -100); or (ii) by learning from examples.
Contrary to ordinary Neural Networks, the connection weights can be dynamically modulated according to the current context, during the propagation process. This can be accomplished by modulating a connection weight by means of the Modulation Coefficient or by the Stimulation Function, discussed below.
The introduction of Modulation Coeffients and Stimulation Functions means that the defined connection weight, the effective connection weight and the stimulation weight may thus be all different. This notion of Modulation Coefficient is important because, as shall be seen, it allows external numerical functions to be directly integrated inside the system. The Modulation Coefficient may be a numerical function (fuzzy function, statistical function, or any numerical function). By default, the stimulation function is linear, but can be sigmoidal, for example. A sigmoidal choice, for example, tends to force evocation or rejection results.
b. The Nominal Zone.
The Nominal Zone 120 contains the neuroagent's 100: (i) label, the neuroagent's main identification used to designate it; and (ii) synonyms, used to assign other names to a neuroagent.
c. Internal Process.
There are two types of actions that can be taken by the Internal Process 310 of a neuroagent 300, as shown in FIG. 3: Cognitive actions 330, 340 and Productive actions 320.
Cognitive actions 330, 340 have a direct effect on the inference strategies. For example, a function 330 can be used to validate, inhibit or activate other neuroagents as well as to dynamically modulate the connection weights or functions used to express fuzzy predicates. Also, an Internal Process 310 can be used to embed a network of neuroagents 340 within a neuroagent 300.
Productive actions 320 are programmed functions (in "C" for example) which correspond to external processing (e.g., operate a video camera, execute an SQL request, make a library function call) or even the encapsulation of another entire neuroagent-based application.
It should be noted that a neuroagent lacking an Internal Process is not simply a neuron in the ordinary Neural Networks sense. For example, the neuroagent has a Minimal Excitation Zone, and such neuroagents can be built up into a neuroexpression with other neuroagents.
2. The Neuroagent's Basic Behavior.
A neuroagent's basic behavior is determined by the behavior parameters, the neuroagent's state and the inference propagation mechanisms.
a. The Behavior Parameters.
The neuroagent's inferential behavior is conditioned through various behavior parameters, among them: (i) the Excitation Threshold; (ii) the Excitation Level; and (iii) the Modulation Coefficient.
These behavior parameters shall be explained, in part, with reference to FIG. 4, where a neuroagent j 420 is acted upon by neuroexpressions, such as E.sub.i 430 and E.sub.r 440 (consisting of neuroagents k1 432, k2 434 and r 442, respectively) through the Contextual Excitation Zone 424, and by neuroagent (equivalently, atomic neuroexpression) 410 through the Minimal Excitation Zone 422.
(1) Excitation Threshold.
The Excitation Threshold, et.sub.j, sets the validation threshold for the Contextual Excitation Zone 424. The default setting for the Excitation Threshold parameter is 100%. In other words, if the sum of all stimulations exceed 100%, the Contextual Excitation Zone 424 is considered validated.
(2) Excitation Level.
The Excitation Level allows the determination of the state of the Contextual Excitation Zone 424. In the embodiment discussed here, the Excitation Level el.sub.j of neuroagent j 420 is established as: ##EQU1## where f is a "stimulation" function. This function is linear by default, but clearly it is possible to choose other functions, a double sigmoidal function for example. The expression S.sub.Eij 438 (438') is the stimulation of neuroexpression E.sub.i 430 with respect to neuroagent j 420, and eval.sub.-- exp(E.sub.i) is the logic evaluation function for the neuroexpression E.sub.i 430. Thus, in this example, eval.sub.-- exp(E.sub.i) is true if and only if component neuroagents k1 432 and k2 434 are true, i.e., that they are both validated. Similarly, eval.sub.-- exp(E.sub.r) is true identically with neuroagent r 442 being validated. The default setting for the Excitation Level parameter is 0%.
(3) Modulation Coefficient.
The Modulation Coefficient is used to dynamically modulate the neuroagent's 420 connection weights. Indeed, the connection weight W.sub.Eij 436 is a fixed value determined by a training expert or by learning from examples. But, neuroagent j 420 will receive a stimulation S.sub.Eij 438 (438') from neuroexpression E.sub.i 430, if the latter is validated, rather than the connection weight W.sub.Eij 436. An exemplary formula for calculating the stimulation S.sub.Eij 438 (438') would be: EQU S.sub.E.sbsb.ij W.sub.E.sbsb.ij .times.mc.sub.E.sbsb.i (Eq. 2)
with mc.sub.Ei the Modulation Coefficient of the neuroexpression E.sub.i 430. The Modulation Coefficients of individual neuroagents may be established by numerical functions, based on fuzzy predicates or statistics, for example. Furthermore, one can propose various ways of compounding the Modulation Coefficient of a neuroexpression based on the Modulation Coefficients of the component neuroagents (e.g., average). In this embodiment, however, the compounded Modulation Coefficient mc.sub.Ei is taken to be: ##EQU2## where {mc.sub.h } are the Modulation Coefficients of all neuroagents h (say 432 or 434) which belong to the neuroexpression E.sub.i 430. In this context, each of the modulation coefficients mc,, are evaluated with respect to the reference data point. The default setting for the Modulation Coefficient parameter is 100%.
(a) Fuzzy Predicates.
Owing to the Modulation Coefficient, neuroagents can be used to implement some features of fuzzy associative memories, which can be illustrated with FIGS. 5(a)-(d) in the context of a traffic problem. With reference to FIG. 5(a), the fuzzy membership set 900 for traffic density is shown, consisting of light traffic distribution 902, medium distribution 904 and heavy distribution 906. From the fuzzy membership defined by set 900, one can take the fuzzy primitive "is.sub.-- from", mc.sub.h 922, shown in FIG. 5(c) which represents the heavy traffic distribution. Similarly, one could have chosen a fuzzy primitive "is.sub.-- between", mc.sub.p 912, shown in FIG. 5(b) taken from another fuzzy membership set (not shown) related to the peak traffic period. With these fuzzy primitives 912, 922, one can apply them to the example network 950 shown in FIG. 5(d) with the aim of predicting when to deviate from one's normal path to avoid traffic. The network 950 is composed of neuroexpressions E.sub.i 960 and E.sub.i 970 connected to output neuroagent "Deviations" j 980. Neuroexpression E.sub.i 960 is composed of the neuroagents "Peak Period" 962 and "Heavy Traffic" 964, while atomic neuroexpression E.sub.r 970 is composed simply of neuroagent "Road Works" 972. Thus, applying fuzzy primitives mc.sub.p 912 and mc.sub.h 922, one can arrive at the "compound" modulation coefficient, mc.sub.Ei 990, as, for example, from (Eq. 3). Thus, the closer the hour is to peak period, i.e., between the hours of 6 to 8 oclock, as well as the higher the traffic density is with respect to 200 cars, the more likely that neuroexpression E.sub.i 960 will validate "Deviations" j 980. Of course, the presence of road works will also validate "Deviations" j 980 in the conventional manner. Thus, fuzzy predicates can be freely mixed with deterministic predicates.
b. The Neuroagent's State Determination.
At any given time, each neuroagent is characterized by its state which is established as the result of all the stimulation it receives on its Activation and Communication Envelope.
(1) Defining the Neuroagent State.
Three states are possible for a neuroagent: (i) undetermined; (ii) validated; or (iii) inhibited. Table I summarizes all of the neuroagent's states.
TABLE I ______________________________________ Neuroagent States Minimal Excitation Contextual Neuroagent Zone Excitation Zone General State ______________________________________ Validated No connection Validated No connection Validated Validated Validated Validated Validated Inhibited No connection Inhibited No connection Inhibited Inhibited Inhibited Any Inhibited Any Inhibited Inhibited Undetermined No connection Undetermined No connection Undetermined Undetermined Undetermined Undetermined Undetermined Undetermined Validated Undetermined Validated Undetermined Undetermined ______________________________________
The default state for a neuroagent is undetermined.
(2) Defining the State of the Minimal Excitation Zone.
Again, with reference to FIG. 4, the Minimal Excitation Zone 422 is validated when the neuroexpressions (here, neuroagent 410) connected to this zone, i.e., the logic conditions described with neuroagents, are validated. This zone 422 is inhibited otherwise. By convention, if there are no connections on the Minimal Excitation Zone 422 then it is considered to be validated. The evaluation of the Minimal Excitation Zone 422 of the neuroagent j 420, mez.sub.j, is thus formulated as follows:
with nb.sub.-- mez.sub.j the number of connections on the Minimal Excitation Zone 422 of the neuroagent j 420, eval.sub.-- mez (j) the logic evaluation function of the neuroexpressions ##EQU3## 410 connected on the Minimal Excitation Zone 422 of neuroagent j 420.
(3) Defining the State of the Contextual Excitation Zone.
The Contextual Excitation Zone 424 is validated when the sum of positive and negative stimulations 438 (438') meets or exceeds the neuroagent's Excitation Threshold. Similarly, the Contextual Excitation Zone 424 is inhibited when the sum of the positive and negative stimulations 438 (438') is less than or equal to the negative value of the Excitation Threshold. Between these two limits, the Contextual Excitation Zone 424 is indeterminate. As the default value of the Excitation Threshold 424 is equal to 100%, this means that the Contextual Excitation Zone 424 inhibited when the sum of the positive and negative stimulation 438 (438') is less than or equal to -100%.
By convention, if there are no connections on the Contextual Excitation Zone 424 then it is considered as validated. The evaluation of the Contextual Excitation Zone 424 of the neuroagent j, cez.sub.j is thus formulated as ##EQU4## with nb.sub.-- cez.sub.j the number of connections on the Contextual Excitation Zone 424, el.sub.j the Excitation Level of the neuroagent j 420, and et.sub.j the Excitation Threshold of the neuroagent j 420. The Excitation Level, el.sub.j, would be given by (Eq. 1).
c. The Inference Propagation Mechanism.
The propagation mechanisms incorporated into various embodiments of neuroagents include: (i) forward propagation; (ii) backward propagation; (iii) spontaneous backward propagation; and (iv) "retropropagation of necessities."All these propagation mechanisms are asynchronous, meaning that the update of neuroagents are event-driven.
FIGS. 6(a)-(c) show the different inference propagation mechanisms within the same system. In FIG. 6(a), forward propagation, the usual mode of propagation, is shown. Neuroagent 600 is connected to neuroagent 610 via the latter's Minimal Excitation Zone 614 or Contextual Excitation Zone 612 (connections 604 or 602, respectively). Thus, when neuroagent 600 is validated, this state is propagated, as signals 608 or 606, as the case may be, to neuroagent 610. Thus, if the minimal conditions on neuroagent 610 are satisfied and/or the excitation threshold reached, neuroagent 610 itself may be validated and the propagation may continue further.
FIG. 6(b) shows backward propagation. Notice that the connections are analogous to FIG. 6(a), with neuroagent 620 connected to neuroagent 630 via the latter's Minimal Excitation Zone 634 or Contextual Excitation Zone 632 (connections 624 or 622, respectively). Backward propagation may be performed as a result of an explicit selection to backward propagate, or may occur spontaneously, through the mechanism of Hypothesis. The Hypothesis mechanism triggers backward propagation where neuroagent validation is almost present, as for example: (i) the Minimal Excitation Zone 634 is validated and the Contextual Excitation Zone 632, is near but below its excitation threshold, say in the range of 80-100%; or (ii) Contextual
Excitation Zone 632 is validated but the Minimal Excitation Zone 634 is indeterminate. Thus, depending on the mechanism, neuroagent 630 will backward propagate, as either signals 636 or 638 (under Hypothesis, owing to the spontaneous generation by the Contextual 632 or Minimal 634 Excitation Zones, respectively), to neuroagent 620. Thus, neuroagent 620, based on this backward propagation, will find itself either validated, inhibited or indeterminate. The indeterminate state may cause further spontaneous backward propagation, or the process will stop if neuroagent 620 is not configured to go into Hypothesis.
Retropropagation of the necessities involves only the Minimal Excitation Zone, and is a means to verify implicit deductions, as shown in FIG. 6(c). Here, neuroagent 650 is connected to neuroagent 640 through the latter's Minimal Excitation Zone (connection 652). Neuroagent 650 may be connected to other neuroagents (not shown) through connection 654. Thus, if neuroagent 640 is validated (signal 642) retropropagation will occur (signal 644), thereby validating neuroagent 650, which will forward propagate itself (signal 656) as will neuroagent 640 (via connection 646). The implicit deductions are thus verified in the sense that the network connection topology supplies the information. Say that neuroagent 640 represents "CAR" and neuroagent 650 "WHEELS". Thus, this connection of neuroagents 640, 650 would supply the deduction that "CARS" implies "WHEELS".
3. Construction of Neuroagent Networks.
With the neuroagent approach, it is possible to design a knowledge base through either explicit modelling, learning, or both. This versatility enhances the quality of the knowledge bases, since in many cases neither explicit modelling nor learning from examples are sufficient of themselves.
The learning process is conducted with two objectives: (i) to automatically establish the connection weights as in usual connectionist models; and (ii) to automatically establish the topology of the network. Due to the neuroagent's connectionist architecture, the system will not be a "black box" at the end of the learning; rather, it will be able to reach semantic conclusions, i.e., make explicit predictions as to: minimal conditions for the validation of outputs, the simultaneous presence of certain inputs, and the specificity of certain inputs, etc.
Say one had a medical database to study in order to design a knowledge base of pathologies diagnosed in various patients. At the end of the learning process, one would obtain the connection weights established by the system, but also: (i) which symptoms are minimal (necessarily present) in order to diagnose a given pathology; (ii) which symptoms are always found together; and (iii) which symptoms are specific to a given pathology.
The neuroagent architecture has the following characteristics: (i) the topology of the neuroagent network is built during the learning period; (ii) the input parameters can be qualitative and/or quantitative; (iii) input parameters can be missing; (iv) the neuroexpressions are built during the learning period; (v) learning can be mixed directly with explicit knowledge; (vi) the order in which the examples are presented has no importance; and (vii) the order of the input data included in the examples has no importance.
The learning algorithm used with neuroagents is similar to that used with Probabilistic Neural Networks (PNN). However, it presents a number of differences, such as the advent of neuroexpressions, excitation zones, and the topology building associated therewith. FIGS. 7(a)-(b) shows how the topology of a neuroagent is built up during learning. Consider, in FIG. 7(a), how input neuroagents S1 710, S2 720, S3 730 are interconnected via 712, 722, 732, respectively, to output neuroagent P1 700 in view of training data 701. With only one set of training data 701, consisting of input S1 710, S2 720, S3 730 and output P1 700, the strongest assumption compatible with such data is to form a neuroexpression 705 comprised of neuroagents S1 710, S2 720 and S3 730, and connected via 706 to the Minimal Excitation Zone 702 of output neuroagent 700. In other words, without other information, the inputs all are assumed to occur together and be a minimal condition. There are thus no connections to the Contextual Excitation Zone 704 at this stage.
With a second set of training data, this situation changes, as shown in FIG. 7(b). Training data 701', consisting of inputs S1 710', S2 720', S4 740', S5 750' for output P1 700', causes a revision of the prior assumptions. The neuroexpression 705 must be broken down into the smaller neuroexpression 705', consisting of neuroagents S1 710' and S2 720', and the lone neuroagent 730' because the latter was not present in training data 701'. A new neuroexpression 707' is created and composed of neuroagents S4 740' and S5 750', because there is nothing yet to break the assumption that these neuroagents occur together. As S3 730' can no longer be assumed as "minimal", the connection 703' to output neuroagent P1 700' is made through the Contextual Excitation Zone 704'. Similarly, neuroexpression 707' was not "minimal" in the first instance, so it too, is connected via 705' to Contextual Excitation Zone 704'. The connection 706' of residual neuroexpression 705' to the Minimal Excitation Zone 702' remains. It is clear that this process could be repeated with still more training data.
During the learning period, the parameters which are necessary for the calculation of the connection weights are established. With N(E.sub.1 .vertline.O.sub.j) being the number of examples where the neuroexpression E.sub.i was present when the output was O.sub.j, N(E.sub.i) the total number of examples where neuroexpression E.sub.i was present, N(n.sub.k) the number of examples where the neuroagent n.sub.k was present, N(O.sub.j) the number of examples where the output was O.sub.j, N the total number of examples which were presented during the learning period, and Nb.sub.-- Class the number of output classes which were presented during the learning period, one can discuss the construction of the connection weights. The evaluation of the connection weight, or impact, w, of E.sub.i on the various outputs O.sub.j is based on a comparative process. In the embodiment discussed here, the connection weight w(E.sub.i,O.sub.j) is defined as P(O.sub.j .vertline.E.sub.i), the probability that output neuroagent O.sub.j is validated (i.e., the corresponding outcome is present) when neuroexpression E.sub.i is true. Notice that P(O.sub.j .vertline.E.sub.i) can be expressed in terms of the converse probabilities, P(E.sub.i .vertline.O.sub.k), namely, the probabilities that E.sub.i is true when any of the output neuroagents {O.sub.k } are validated, in this manner: ##EQU5## A simplifying approximation, in that one is concerned here only with neuroexpression E.sub.i and output O.sub.j, is that all other probabilities other than P(E.sub.i .vertline.O.sub.j), representing the other (Nb.sub.-- Class-1) output classes, are equal and denoted by the expression P(E.sub.i .vertline.O.sub.j) . Under this approximation: ##EQU6## where P(E.sub.i .vertline.O.sub.j) can be expressed in this manner: ##EQU7## Recalling that N(E.sub.i) is the total number of occurrences of neuroexpression Ei, this number certainly cannot be greater than the occurrence of any of its composite neuroagents, N(n.sub.k), and so offers the familiar approximation: ##EQU8## Finally, P(E.sub.i .vertline.O.sub.j) itself can be expressed readily as: ##EQU9## Thus, back substitution of (Eq. 8), (Eq. 9) and (Eq. 10) into (Eq. 7) would yield an approximation to P(O.sub.j .vertline.E.sub.i) as: ##EQU10## However, to avoid taking irrelevant information into account, a Significant Threshold, ST, may be introduced as follows: ##EQU11## where SD (for standard deviation) and PT (parasite threshold) are arbitrary constants though preferably small. Thus, the final value for the connection weight is calculated as follows: ##EQU12##
The basic neuroagent technology, and the prior art IntelliSphere.TM. product which embodied it, presents a formidable learning curve owing to its novel methodology. What is needed, therefore, is an application which can both hide the underlying mechanisms of the neuroagent methodology from the casual user, yet at the same time, unleash the strengths of this technology.

System for data mining using neuroagents


An electrical terminal, particularly for use in automotive applications, includes a body portion electrically connected to a connection portion. The body portion has an entry end, an exit end and an interior chamber therebetween. The body portion further has a contact spring member within the interior chamber for pressing a male blade into electrical contact with the body portion and hence, into electrical connection with the wire connection portion.

In the automotive industry electrical connectors are used for a variety of applications. In particular, electrical connectors are utilized in automotive vehicle electrical systems where it is common to have the electrical connectors disposed between a pair of discrete wires. It is also known to provide electrical connectors between a discrete wire and a male conductive blade or, alternatively, between a pair of male conductive blades. Conventional connectors utilized with male members have a barrel or box-like shape for receiving the male member. Examples of such conventional electrical connectors are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,545 entitled "Electrical Terminal Receptacle and Electrical Component Housing Adapted for the Same" issued on Jan. 17, 1989 to Roy et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,808 entitled "Blade Coupling Terminal" issued on Jul. 30, 1985 to Cairns et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,239 entitled "Connector Terminal" issued on Jul. 17, 1984 to Inoue; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,109 entitled "Connector Terminal" issued on May 29, 1994 to Inoue. The above referenced patents are incorporated by reference herewithin.
Another type of electrical connector which has been employed within the automotive industry consists of four side walls folded in a box-like manner having a conductive tail member extending therefrom, the conductive tail is able to be crimped onto a discrete wire. In this configuration a pair of flexible beams project within the box from respective generally parallel walls. Each beam is substantially flat with a single, central slot extending along substantially the entire longitudinal length of the beam.
Conventional electrical connectors have many limitations. The blade formations of conventional constructions create high insertion efforts of the male blade therein. As the male blade is inserted it causes each beam to compress beyond the plastic elasticity of the beam material such that each beam is then given a permanent compressed set. Thus, once insertion is achieved the compressive forces holding the male blade in contact with the female connector are minimal and the male blade may inadvertently disengage from the female electrical connector.
What is therefore needed in the art is an improved electrical terminal for use in the automotive industry exhibiting low insertion forces of a male blade member and extraction forces of the male member substantially equal to, or greater than the insertion force.


A question and answer (QA) system, computer program product, and computer-implemented method configured to determine an answer to a question that includes a measurement value. In one example, the QA system receives a question and analyzes the question to identify a measurement value specified in the question. The QA system determines relevant passages to the question. The QA system assigns a measurement value confidence score to a relevant passage based on a comparison of the measurement value specified in the question and a second measurement value specified in the relevant passage. The QA system determines an order of the relevant passages using the measurement value confidence score of each of the relevant passages. The QA system determines an answer to the question based on the order of the relevant passages.

The present disclosure relates generally to Question and Answer (QA) systems. QA systems take an input question, analyze it, search and analyze a corpus of data, and return results indicative of the most probable answer to the input question. A QA system may include natural language processing (NLP), which is the ability of a computer program to understand human speech as it is spoken. One such QA system is the IBM Watson™ system available from International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation of Armonk, N.Y.

Unit conversion in a synonym-sensitive framework for question answering

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


An improved laparoscopic surgical instrument having a proximal control end and a distal surgical instrument end adapted for performing medical procedures through the abdominal wall wherein the surgical instrument is arranged to articulate in a selected plane a full 180 degrees. Actuation of the articulating mechanism is provided by a pair of cables attached to a rotatable cable control whereby rotation of the rotatable cable control draws one cable toward the control handle while simultaneously releasing the other. The distal end of each cable is attached to an opposite side of the surgical instrument which is free to rotate about a pivot in the articulation plane when pulled upon by one of the cables. The cables pass on opposite sides of the pivot allowing for 90 degree rotations each side of the central axis of the instrument.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention resides in the field of surgical apparatus and more particularly relates to instruments for performing laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures having an end portion capable of articulated or pivotal movement within a patient's body.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has, in recent years, become important in hospitals and surgical centers. In MIS procedures, small incisions are made in the patient's body to provide access for various surgical devices for viewing and operating inside the patient. Using specially designed instruments such as a laparoscope or endoscope, trained surgeons can see directly inside the human body and perform operations using specially designed laparoscopic surgical instruments. Laparoscopic surgical instruments include scissors, dissectors, graspers and retractors. These instruments generally consist of a handle which remains outside of the patient's body and which is used by the surgeon to control the operation of the instrument, an elongated tubular section which fits through a tube or trocar device entering the patient's body, and a distal tip used to execute the particular procedure.
Many examples of MIS instrumentation exist in the prior art. Some early instruments were essentially elongated scalpels or probes. Early instruments with handles permitted opening and closing of the distal tip elements. Somewhat later instruments came to have axis rotation as a common feature. Axis rotation gave surgeons increased flexibility in the positioning of the elements of the distal tip.
A continuing limitation for surgeons has been the lack of flexibility of these instruments through the tubular section to the distal tip elements. To cope with the limitations of these instruments, surgeons may operate in teams with the instruments handed back and forth from surgeon to surgeon across the patient. Inability to reach around nerves and blood vessels may cause surgeons to resort to open surgery instead of continuing with a MIS procedure. By providing an easily manipulated, fully articulating distal tip, this invention increases the flexibility of laparoscopic surgical instruments, enabling surgeons to operate more safely, more quickly and efficiently, and with decreased risk to the patient.
An example of an endoscopic surgical instrument is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,113,246, Wappler. This patent discloses endoscopic forceps comprising an elongated conduit with jaws at the distal end thereof, a control rod in the conduit for controlling the operation of the jaws, and a control handle at the proximal end of the conduit which is operatively connected to the control rod.
Improvements have been made in the art of surgical instruments to increase their range of operability. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,669, Jaeger, discloses a microsurgery instrument with an adjustable angle of operation for obtaining cervical biopsies.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,015, Nierman, discloses a surgical device having an increased range of operability. In particular, this patent shows a biopsy forceps designed for use through a flexible fiber optic bronchoscope. The biopsy forceps includes a handle connected to a thin elongated flexible shaft with a distal portion thereof hinged to the shaft. A grasping tool or biopsy forceps is attached to the distal hinged portion. Control wires extend from the handle to the distal end to the shaft for controlling the angular rotation of the distal portion of the instrument.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,391 Iacovelli discloses a device having a pair of handles which may be operated in tandem to effect the orientation of a surgical instrument in a variety of positions.
Also of note is U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,502, Hassler et al., describing a mechanism utilizing a combination of a tube and knob to effect articulation of from zero to 90 degrees.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,888 Boris Zvenyatsky, et al., discloses an endoscopic surgical instrument with rotation, electrocautery, and a limited 90-degree articulation achieved through linkages.
None of the instruments described above is flexible enough to address the wide range of requirements for surgical procedures performed internally to the patient's body. Further, none of the instruments described permits the surgical team to proceed as quickly and efficiently as would be desired under normal operating conditions. The instruments described lack the ability to rotate the distal tip about the longitudinal axis of the instrument while fully articulating the tip to any setting relative to the tubular section of the instrument. This lack of flexibility requires surgeons to manually rotate and move the instrument relative to the patient body to perform the procedure. In some cases the instruments described cannot perform the procedure due to the location of blood vessels and blocking tissues.
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide laparoscopic surgical instruments having a distal tip independently moveable about the two axis of rotation relative to the handle while the instrument is in use, giving greatly expanded flexibility to the surgeon for motion inside the patient body.
It is another object of this invention to provide a surgical instrument capable of supporting a variety of tool heads with frill motion capability. Individual heads may be used to cut, grasp, push, pull probe, electrocauterize, and perform other actions either singly or in combination.
It is another object of this invention to provide a lightweight laparoscopic surgical instrument which enables the surgeon to reach under and around both tissue and blood vessels during an operation.
It is a further object of this invention is to provide a laparoscopic surgical instrument of simplified and rugged construction which is inexpensive to manufacture relative to both disposable and reusable instruments in current use.
These and other objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the summary which follows.

Laparoscopic endoscopic surgical instrument


A capacitive microphone and method of fabricating the same are provided. One or more holes can be formed in a first printed circuit board (PCB). A diaphragm can be surface micro-machined onto an interior surface of the first PCB at a region having the one or more holes. Interface electronics can also be interconnected to the interior surface of the PCB. One or more spacer PCBs can be attached to a second PCB to the first PCB, such that appropriate interconnections between interconnect vias are made. The second PCB and first PCB with spacers in between can be attached so as to create a cavity in which the diaphragm and interface electronics are located.

Many consumer electronic products incorporate a microphone. As this is a high volume market, average selling price (ASP) is typically a key factor. The "Yole Silicon Microphone Market Report 2005" [1] projects the total silicon microphone market to be 2.75 M units and 221 M$ by 2008 with the major applications being mobile phones, PDAs, laptops, PCs, hearing aids, acoustic noise control and automotive crash detection. Many of these products use conventional electret condenser microphones (ECM) produced by a number of low cost suppliers. To date, one silicon micromachined microphone (Knowles acoustics SiSonic [2]) has been able to compete effectively in this market by meeting the performance, reliability, and price expectations set by the ECM suppliers. Typically, die shrinkage (more parts per wafer) and elimination of processing steps (lower cost per fabrication lot run) can lower the ASP. However, the high costs associated with silicon microfabrication currently limits the microfabrication-based cost cutting measures. The packaging costs of the device can also be a dominant factor. For the SiSonic microphone, the packaging structure includes a base, a wall, and a lid all made from FR4 printed-circuit board (PCB) material and laminated together [2]. This package must be large enough to fit the silicon microphone and amplifier die, as well as the associated passives.

Capacitive microphone with integrated cavity

University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated


A data output circuit for a semiconductor integrated circuit device for outputting a data signal in sync with an output enable signal externally supplied, including: a comparing circuit for comparing a first data signal being outputted presently with a second data signal to be outputted next, when the data signal to be outputted is changed, and judging whether the first and second data signals are the same or different; a first output circuit for temporarily turning off output transistors and outputting the second data, if the comparing circuit judges that the first and second data signals are different; and a second output circuit for outputting the second data signal without turning off all the output transistors, if the comparing circuit judges that the first and second data signals are the same.

The present invention relates to a data output circuit for a semiconductor integrated circuit device.
A semiconductor integrated circuit device, particularly a semiconductor memory device, has a data output circuit for outputting internal data to an external device.
This data output circuit temporarily latches data transferred from an internal circuit. The latched data is supplied to the output circuit in sync with the timing of an output enable signal. The output circuit charges or discharges an output side node in accordance with the supplied data level, to thereby output the data to the external device.
It is necessary to raise or lower the potential at an output terminal at high speed, in order to output data to the external device. If the capacitance of an external load at the output terminal is large, the load cannot be driven at high speed unless a large output current is supplied.

Data output circuit for semiconductor integrated circuit device


In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a technique of determining forwarding information for at least a sub-set of members of a multi cast group, and sending, toward a downstream entity, at most a single copy of data to be multicasted to the sub-set of members and the determined forwarding information.

Networks enable computers and other devices to communicate. For example, networks can carry data representing video, audio, e-mail, and so forth. Typically, data sent across a network is divided into smaller messages. The structure and contents of the messages depend on the networking technology being used. For example, Internet Protocol (IP) datagrams include a destination address that is much like an address written on the outside of an envelope. Devices, known as routers, receive datagrams and can determine how to forward the datagram further toward its destination based on the destination address. Another network technology is known as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). In ATM, data messages, known as cells, include identification of a "circuit" that leads from the sender to the receiver. That is, rather than identifying a destination, an ATM cell identifies a path connecting the sender and receiver.
To complicate matters conceptually, IP and ATM can both be used to support the other technology. For example, an IP datagram can be divided across different ATM cells. A receiver can reassemble the IP datagram after receiving the ATM cells.
IP datagrams and ATM cells are examples of protocol data units (PDUs). A PDU includes a payload and header. The data in the header is often used by network protocols in handling the PDU (e.g., determining where to forward the PDU, whether transmission errors occurred, and so forth). Other examples of PDUs include frames (e.g., Ethernet and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) frames) and segments (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) segments).
A sender can send data to a single receiver. This is known as "unicasting". Alternately, a sender (or multiple senders) can send the same data to multiple members of a group. For example, a sender can send streaming video data to many different group members located at different points in the network. This is known as "multicasting".
Different protocols support multicasting in different ways. For example, in the Internet Protocol, instead of specifying a single destination, an IP datagram can specify a group address. ATM networks may also support multicasting in a variety of ways. For example, multicasting may be provided by a "tree" of circuits where a given circuit may feed diverging circuits downstream. Again, the above is merely a sampling of a wide variety of approaches to multicasting.


A capillary for a wire bonding apparatus having a wire threading hole and a chamfer, in which the wire threading hole is formed in two stages as first and second wire threading holes, the diameter of the first wire threading hole which is located above the second wire threading hole exceeds the diameter of a bonding wire by no more than 3 to 8 microns, the diameter of the second wire threading hole is 5 to 10 microns greater than the first hole diameter, and the depth of the second wire threading hole is 10 to 50 microns.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a capillary used in a wire bonding apparatus.
2. Prior Art
A prior art wire bonding method will be described first.
Various types of wire bonding methods have been proposed; and the most common method is illustrated in FIG. 4.
First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), a ball 3a is formed by means of a spark discharge created by an electric torch 5 on a wire 3 which extends from the lower end of a capillary 4, and the electric torch 5 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow. Next, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the capillary is moved to a point above the first bonding point 1a; and as shown in FIG. 4(c), the capillary 4 is lowered so that the ball 3a on the tip end of the wire 3 is pressed against the first bonding point 1a, and an ultrasonic vibration is applied to the capillary 4 by means of a horn which is provided with the capillary 4, thus bonding the ball 3a to the first bonding point.
Afterward, as shown in FIG. 4(d), the capillary 4 is raised. Then, as shown in FIG. 4(e), the capillary 4 is moved in the looping direction A to a point above the second bonding point 2a. Then, as shown in FIG. 4(f), the capillary 4 is lowered so that the wire 3 is pressed against the second bonding point 2a, and an ultrasonic vibration is applied to the capillary 4 by the horn, thus bonding the wire 3 to the second bonding point. After the capillary 4 is raised to a given position, a damper 6 is closed, and the capillary 4 and damper 6 are raised together so that the wire 3 is cut as shown in FIG. 4(g). As a result of this operation, the connection of one wire is completed.
Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. S57-87143 and Japanese Patent Application Kokoku (Publication) No. H1-2653 1, for instance, disclose wire bonding methods of this type.
One type of conventional capillaries has, as shown in FIG. 2, a chamfer 11 formed in the tip end of the wire threading hole 10, and another type of conventional capillaries has, as shown in FIG. 3, two chamfers, i.e., lower and upper chamfers 11 and 12, which are formed in the tip end of the wire threading hole 10. In these Figures, HD indicates the hole diameter, T indicates the tip diameter, CD indicates the chamfer diameter of the lower chamfer 11, .theta..sub.1 indicates the chamfer angle of the lower chamfer 11; .theta..sub.2 indicates the chamfer angle of the upper chamfer 12, .alpha. indicates the face angle, and OR indicates the outer radius. Where d is the diameter of the wire 3, then the hole diameter HD is d+(8 to 12) .mu.m (microns); in addition, .theta..sub.1 is 80 to 100 degrees, and .theta..sub.2 is 20 to 40 degrees.
Examples of capillaries of the type described above are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Kokoku (Laid-Open) No. HI-42349 and Japanese Patent Application Kokoku (Publication) No. H3-780, etc.
The prior art capillary 4 described above which includes two chamfers, i.e., lower and upper chamfers 11 and 12, has some problems. When the ball 3a is bonded to the first bonding point 1a shown in FIG. 4, since the capillary 4 has the upper chamfer 12 as shown in FIG. 3, the total volume inside the chamfers 11 and 12 is great, and a high amount of material of the ball 3a enters the area of the upper chamfer 12. As a result, the amount of ball material outside the upper chamfer 12 becomes small, so that the diameter of the press-bonded ball becomes inevitably small.
Recently, the pads on pellets are installed at finer pitches due to a strong demand of a higher integration of semiconductor IC chips; and therefore, the diameter of the press-bonded ball becomes smaller relative to the diameter of the wire 3. In the prior art described above, the hole diameter HD of the capillary is set to be 8 to 12 microns greater than the wire diameter d, and two chamfers, i.e., lower and upper chamfers 11 and 12, are formed so that the volume of the upper chamfer 12 is greater than the lower chamfer 11; as result, it is possible to make the diameter of the press-bonded ball small when the ball 3a is bonded to the first bonding point 1a shown in FIG. 4.
The prior art described above can be used for a wire that has the diameter d in the range of 20 to 80 microns; and in cases where the diameter d of the wire 3 is as small as 10 to 30 microns, various problems arise.
In particular, when the hole diameter HD is 8 to 12 microns greater than the diameter d of the wire 3, and the chamfer angle .theta..sub.2 of the upper chamfer 12 is as large as 20 to 40 degrees, then the ball 3a must inevitably be formed small in size as described above in order to reduce the diameter of the press-bonded ball in accordance with the demand of fine pitches in the semiconductor IC chips. However, when the hole diameter HD is 8 to 12 microns greater than the diameter d of the wire 3, and the chamfer angle .theta..sub.2 of the upper chamfer 12 is as large as 20 to 40 degrees as described above, the ball is contacted by the edge part 13 which is at the lower end of the chamfer 12.
When bonding is performed under such conditions, the ball 3a is cut by the edge part 13 in the initial stage when the capillary 4 is lowered; and the portion of the ball directly beneath the upper chamfer 12 enters the wire threading hole 10 through the upper chamfer 12, while the remaining portions of the ball gradually make contact with the lower chamfer 11 and then finally contact the entire surface of the lower chamfer 11; afterward, the ball material enters the area defined by the face angle .alpha.. In this case, the force required for bonding cannot be transmitted to the portions of the ball which have entered the area of the chamfer 12 and the interior of the wire threading hole 10. As a result, the force required for bonding can be transmitted only to the portions of the ball located inside the area of the lower chamfer 11 and in the area beneath the face angle .alpha.; and the bonding force drops if the amount of ball material that has entered the area of the chamfer 12 and the interior of the wire threading hole 10 is large. Furthermore, since the portions of the ball material that have entered the area of the chamfer 12 and the wire threading hole 10 contact the side surfaces of the wire threading hole 10 in the vertical direction, friction is generated when the capillary 4 is raised. This produces a force which peels off the press-bonded ball bonded to the first bonding point la, and thus weakens the press-bonding force.

Capillary for use in a wire bonding apparatus


A thermal transfer printing method and apparatus. The thermal transfer printing method of printing each main line in a unit of a block comprises uniting a plurality of critical data, which exists in the same order in each of the blocks in each of the main lines composing a unit page, to one another, storing the uniting results as a plurality of sub-line data and printing the plurality of stored sub-line data, wherein each of the plurality of critical data is data obtained by dividing data included in each of the blocks by the number of critical dots and each of the plurality of critical data has a number of dots less than or equal to the number of critical dots.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to thermal transfer printing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a thermal transfer printing method and apparatus requiring low rating.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in a thermal transfer printing method, each main line is printed in a unit of a block such that the thermal transfer printing method is suitable for use in a small-sized printing apparatus, such as a portable printer. However, in the thermal transfer printing method, printing data received from a personal computer (PC) must be converted into heat so that heat is transferred to a thermosensitive film and data is printed on a sheet of paper in a unit of a main line. Thus, in a conventional thermal transfer printing method, a considerably large amount of energy is consumed at a single instant. For example, when the number of dots per inch is 300 and a unit main line is comprised of four blocks, assuming that the number of dots included in each block is 720 and power consumption per dot is 0.26 watts, the maximum amount of power consumed during printing in each block is 187.2 watts and the maximum amount of power consumed during printing in each line is 748.8 watts. Accordingly, when a large amount of data is included in each line, a considerably large amount of power is consumed at a single instant such that the rating of a portable printer using a conventional thermal transfer printing method may be over 190 watts.
Consequently, a printing apparatus using the conventional thermal transfer printing method, which consumes a large amount of energy at a single instant, requires a DC power supply unit (or AC/DC power adaptor) having large rating. In this case, as the rating of the printing apparatus increases, the size of the DC power supply unit increases. Thus, a user using a portable printer applying the conventional thermal transfer printing method needs to carry a heavy and bulky DC power supply unit. Further, due to an increase in maximum power consumption caused by an increase in the amount of data, when the printing apparatus using the conventional thermal transfer printing method uses a common battery with another apparatus, such as a portable and personal printer, the battery capacity of the printing apparatus must be increased so that power required by another apparatus is supplied when the printing apparatus requires a large amount of energy at a single instant.

Thermal transfer printing method and apparatus


A SDRAM. The SDRAM including: at least one bank of DRAM cells; the SDRAM operable to a first specification defined by a first clock frequency, a first write recovery time and a first time interval for precharge to row address strobe; and means for programming the SDRAM operable to a second specification defined by a second clock frequency, a second write recovery time and a second time interval for precharge to row address strobe.

Generally synchronous circuits, such a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) circuits are designed to run at a pre-determined clock speed and with specified minimum fixed timings between critical input/output (I/O) events. It would be cost-effective to design and build synchronous circuits that can run at more than one clock speed as well as meet more than one set of I/O event timing specifications.

Timer lockout circuit for synchronous applications

International Business Machines Corporation


The present application relates to internally cyclized naphthamide compounds of the formula Ia (wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, X1, X2, Y, Z, and n are as defined herein), which are useful, for example, for antagonizing the pharmacological actions of the neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor. In particular, these compounds are useful in the treatment of diseases in which Substance P is involved such as, for example, major depressive disorder, severe anxiety disorders, stress disorders, major depressive disorder with anxiety, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, schizophrenic disorders, psychotic disorders, movement disorders, cognitive disorders, depression and/or anxiety, mania or hypomania, aggressive behaviour, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, oedema, allergic rhinitis, inflammation, pain, gastrointestinal-hypermotility, Huntington's disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), hypertension, migraine, bladder hypermotility, and urticaria.

The mammalian neurokinins comprise a class of peptide neurotransmitters which are found in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The three principal neurokinins are Substance P (SP), Neurokinin A (NKA) and Neurokinin B (NKB).
There are also N-terminally extended forms of at least NKA. At least three receptor types are known for the three principal neurokinins. Based upon their relative selectivities favoring the neurokinin agonists SP, NKA and NKB, the receptors are classified as neurokinin 1 (NK1), neurokinin 2 (NK2) and neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptors, respectively.
It is now recognized that anxiety, stress, and depression are interrelated conditions (File S E Pharmacol, Biochem & Behavior 54/1:3–12, 1996). Moreover, these complex emotional states cannot be due simply to defects in a single neurotransmitter although 5-HT has been ascribed a principal role (Graeff et al., Pharmacol, Biochem & Behavior 54/1: 129–141, 1996). Substance P (SP) was one of the first neuropeptides to be identified in mammalian brain and it is now accepted that all three tachykinins are found within the CNS (Iversen L L J Psychopharmacol 3/1: 1–6, 1989), particularly in the striatonigral neurons, hypothalamus and limbic forebrain (ibid). NK1 and NK3 receptors have been identified in the brain as well (Beaujouan et al., Neurosci. 18: 857–875, 1986). Controversy has existed regarding the presence of the NK2 receptor in brain, although recent evidence shows receptor localization in at least the septal region (Steinberg et al., Eur J Neurosci 10/7:2337–45 1998).
Pharmacological evidence supporting a role for either NK1 or NK2 receptors in anxiety disorders has been accumulating from assorted animal behavioral tests (for examples, see Table 1). Animal models of depression, however, have been used rarely to define the potential utility of NK receptor antagonists. SP stimulates the turnover of other neurotransmitters involved in depression, i.e., 5-HT in the raphe nucleus, an area thought to be linked to depressive phenomena (Forchetti et al., J. Neurochem. 38: 1336–1341, 1982). When injected centrally to nuclei responsible for control of emotion and stress, SP evokes a hemodynamic pressor response bridging this peptide to stress induced hypertension (Ku et al., Peptides; 19/4:677–82, 1998). Moreover, rises in both heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure evoked by physical stress can be blocked in rodents by centrally administered NK1 receptor antagonists (Culman et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther 280/1:238–46, 1997).
TABLE 1Neurokinin receptor antagonist activityin behavioral tests of anxiety/depression.CpdBehavioralAuthor(Receptor type)TestOutcomeTeixeira et al., EurNK1 agonists &Elevatedagonists -J PharmacolFK888 (NK1)plus-anxiogenic5; 311(1): 7–14,SR48968mazeantagonists -1996.(NK2)anxiolyticFile Pharm Bio BCGP 49823Socialanxiolytic58(3): 747–752,(NK1)interaction1997.Vassout et alCGP 49823SocialanxiolyticNeuropeptides(NK1)interaction testinactive26/S1: 38, 1994.Elevated plus-antidepressantmaze Forced (only at 30swim mazemg/kg bid)Forced swimtest (depressionmodelStratton et al., Eur.GR100679Light-dark boxanxiolyticJ. Pharmacol. 250:(NK2)R11–12, 1993.SR48968(NK2)Walsh et al.,GR159897Light-dark boxanxiolyticPsychopharmacology(NK2)Marmosetanxiolytic121: 186–191,SR48968human1995.(NK2)intruder

Neurokinin antagonists for use as medicaments


The present disclosure relates generally to epitopes of an antibody known as PAT-LM1, and methods for using said epitopes.

The antibody denoted PAT-LM1 (as deposited with DSMZ under accession number DSM ACC 2623; also referred to herein as "LM1") is an IgM and binds to different types of neoplasias, cancers, tumors, or metastases thereof. PAT-LM1 inhibits growth of various types of cancer cells and stimulates or induces apoptosis of various types of cancer cells. PAT-LM1 also reduces formation or establishment of metastases at one or more sites arising from a primary neoplasm, tumor or cancer, or growth or proliferation of a metastasis that has formed or been established at one or more other sites.
PAT-LM1 antibody, variants, functional fragments and target antigen (NMT55, also known as nuclear matrix protein 55; NONO (non-pou domain-containing octamer-binding protein); p54nrb (54 kDa nuclear RNA- and DNA-binding protein); or 55 kDa nuclear protein) have been identified previously (see. WO 2004/081027 and WO 2010/004438). However, there remains a need to identify specific PAT-LM1 epitopes. An understanding of PAT-LM1 epitopes will aid in the development of anti-cancer therapies. The present disclosure addresses these needs.

PAT-LM1 epitopes and methods for using same


A chip card consists of a chip support assembly and a coil support assembly which are combined by an electrically conducting adhesive material (7). The chip support assembly has a contact-face support element (2) electrically connected to at least one electronic chip (5) which is connected to the electrically conducting adhesive material (7). The coil support element B has a carrier foil (1) with one or several coils (9) for a contact-free transfer of energy and data to the card terminal apparatus. Electrically conducting faces (3) are connected to the coils (9) and are attached to the electrically conducting adhesive material (7).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to chip cards with a chip support element with at least one chip and a coil support element with at least one coil for the contact-free transfer of energy and data to a card terminal apparatus as well as a method for the production of such chip cards.
2. Brief Description of the Background of the Invention Including Prior Art
Chip cards (combination chip cards, hybrid cards) have become known from the German printed patent document DE 39 35 364, which chip cards can exchange energy and data both free of contacts as well as with operating contacts with their terminal apparatus (read apparatus/write apparatus). These cards can be employed for multiple applications such as, for example, telephone cards, health cards, access control cards. These cards can be employed for multiple applications such as, for example, telephone cards, health cards, access control cards.
According to the state of the art, contact-free operating chip cards are produced by connecting a chip fixedly to the coil support element and subsequently embedding the chip at the card producer as a complete device component into the plastic material of a card. This is associated with the disadvantage that fairly large and mechanically sensitive device components (chip+foil with coil) have to be transported to the card producer. In addition, card bodies cannot be manufactured in advance at the card producer, since the device component which contains chip and foil with coil has to be entered into the card body prior to the production of a card (for example, a card with imprint).
An integrated circuit card (IC card) and a method for its production has become known from the German printed patent document DE 41 05 869 A1, wherein conductor-path net, induction coils, and contact faces are placed on one side without cross-over onto an integrated circuit card (IC card) or, respectively, onto a support of the semiconductor chip. Antenna paths are formed by conductor paths on a flexible foil in the same way as the externally accessible contacts are realized on this foil. The integrated circuit chips (IC chips) are disposed on the support and are in each case surrounded by a stiffening collar. The chip itself is connected through bonding wires to the contact locations on the foil.
It is known from the European printed patent document EP 0 595 549 A2 to connect electrically and mechanically a chip with a coil-shaped conductor-path structure on a foil by applying an electrically conducting adhesive on the contact locations. Upon bringing together the chip with the foil, the contacts disposed on the surface of the chip are electrically connected to the conductor paths.

Chip card with chip support element and coil support element


Data constructs and architectures are disclosed for providing a foundation for an application-building system for enabling a non-technical user to perform discrete tasks to build a complete network-based application and maintain the same user experience throughout the application development. A data model having an extensible underlying structure that can be used in a user-oriented application development system having a task-based architecture is defined. The data model is capable of allowing for extensible attributes such that the addition of a new data attribute can be made without changing the underlying structure of the data model. Multiple applications making up the user-oriented application development system can access data from the data model. Data stored in a database having the data model as an underlying structure can be reused by the task-based architecture for various applications.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computer network-based application programming, design, and maintenance. More specifically, it relates to data constructs and methodologies for creating online, multiuser applications based on a single, uniform data model.
2. Discussion of Related Art
As the Internet and the World Wide Web grow and attract more and more viewers and content-providers, there has been a trend towards customization and, more broadly, user-empowerment. This movement in the online arena, whether on the Internet or an enterprise-based network, is marked by enabling users to create, customize and maintain their own presence on the network. One example of this is the proliferation of customized Web home pages for individuals that contain only information of specific interest to an individual and that can be edited by that individual. A broader example of user-empowerment is giving an online user or entity the ability to create a full-scale, customized Web site. Although users, primarily businesses, have been creating their own Web sites for years, not surprisingly, they have done so by hiring consultants and Web developers to do the work for them. However, as online application development reaches new levels, many of the initial technological and financial barriers are breaking down.
There are now available to online users several tools and wizard programs that allow them to build their own online applications, almost entirely without the help of Internet programmers or Web-site developers. A wizard is a set of steps (presented as separate screens/panels) that automate a task by asking users questions (with between one and ten questions per screen/panel). Many users now create their own home pages or complete Web sites using software from various vendors, such as popular software from Symantec Software Corporation and Microsoft Corporation, to name just two. Another trend that will inevitably grow more in the future is entities, typically commercial entities, building their own Web site to conduct online business or electronic commerce ("e-commerce"). Presently, there are providers that enable these entities to build their own commercial Web site, but there are still a number of drawbacks.
While advances in online application development have allowed users to create their own Web sites, little attention has been given thus far to forming a comprehensive, integrated, or complete solution and to providing a uniform user experience. E-commerce or e-business sites have increased dramatically in complexity, adding functionality such integration with customer databases, inventory management, and supply-chain management. Presently, no solution provides a platform for the continual advancement and integration of new e-business capabilities into a single framework with common data and user experience. In other words, no single package or toolkit currently available gives a user the ability to create a fully functioning commercially-enabled Web site. Nor do the toolkits provide a uniform user interface or, more broadly, user experience with which the user can become familiar and efficient.
The numerous services needed to build a complete online presence have disparate user experiences, thereby preventing any significant leveraging of skills users gain from a consistent user interface. Presently, users must register with each of the different Web sites where each site provides a different feature or function needed for the user's online presence. For example, a user may use a catalog building application tool from one provider and have to use a reporting or marketing tool from another provider, and then have to address communication between these and other components of the Web site. In another example, a user has to use several different programs such as a Web page development program, a graphics program, a database program, put them together, and then load it up to an ISP. Lack of uniformity in the user experience and the need to go to different providers are major barriers to entities building and maintaining their own online presence.
Although various application development models exist, none are entirely well-suited for enabling an entity to build its own "industrial-strength" network-based application, such as a comprehensive and commercially-enabled Web site. One such model can be referred to as a unified data model or "whiteboards" developed originally at MIT. This model used software agents to gather data and was used for single-application and multiple users. Many applications developed for online use are inherently multi-application (e.g., creating a catalog, reporting, site-building, etc.). Another application development model was used with the Newton hand-held digital organizer developed by Apple Computer Corp. The tool developed for the Newton enabled the execution of multiple applications but was geared for a single-user space. Naturally, any single-user model is not well suited for online application development. Furthermore, neither model supported a distributed architecture in which various components of the application reside at different places on the network.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have an integrated platform having a reactive architecture that allows a user to create a distributed, online application that can perform as a complete solution to a goal or problem. The platform should provide for single registration and have a seamless, uniform user experience that fosters leveraging skills learned from previous sessions. It would also be desirable for the platform to be distributed, and be multi-user and multi-application. Furthermore, it would be desirable for the architecture to be task-based and to provide for a uniform expression of data, which can be shared and is extensible.

Extensible data model for use in an integrated platform for creating a distribution multiapplication online presence


A pyramidal signal light includes a translucent base panel and triangular side panels having reflective interior surfaces, with each of the translucent panels having at their intersection adjacent panels and an array of light members. In this manner, reflective illumination within the structure projected exteriorly thereof is visible in a unique projection of illumination.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to signal light structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved pyramidal signal light where the same utilizes a pyramidal shape having oriented arrays of light members therewithin to project light in a unique and visibly distinctive manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Signal lights of various types have been utilized throughout the prior art, wherein the instant invention attempts to address deficiencies of the prior art by providing for a unique signal structure arranged for the entertainment as well as aesthetically appealing impact to individuals. Prior art decorative light structure is indicated in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,947,299; 4,017,729; 3,462,632; and 4,399,494.
The instant invention overcomes deficiencies of prior art decorative and uniquely configured lamp structure to provide for the pyramidal structure to enhance reflected illumination within the light and project such illumination for ease of viewing and recognition to individuals.


A shading device of a camera having shading bellows which is collapsible in interlocking motion with an imaging-lens barrel movable in the direction of its optical axis and which is provided between the front side of the aperture of a camera body and the imaging-lens barrel, wherein the relationship L1/L0<L0/L2 holds where L0 represents the free length of the shading bellows when it is formed, L1 represents the maximum length of the shading means expanded in the direction of the optical axis and L2 represents the minimum length of the shading means contracted in the direction of the optical axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shading device of a camera having collapsible bellows-like shading means and, more particularly, to a shading device of a camera having bellows-like shading means which is collapsible in interlocking motion with an imaging-lens barrel and which is provided between the front side of the aperture of a camera body and the imaging-lens barrel that moves in the direction of the optical axis.
2. Related Background Art
In the field of compact cameras for picture taking or other purposes, proposed or already put to practical use are a diversity of bellows-like light-cutting means or shading means which is provided between the front side of an exposure opening (hereinafter referred to as "aperture") of a camera body and an imaging-lens barrel movable in the direction of the optical axis, in a manner that allows the shading means to be collapsible in interlocking motion with an imaging-lens barrel, wherein the shading means prevents flare or the like when light from an object coming in through an imaging optical system is reflected off the inner wall of the camera body.
Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Application No. 68327 of 1984 discloses a camera bellows attachment mechanism, in which at least one end of a bellows employed as shading means is provided within a camera body and its opening portion facing the opening of the bellows, or with a fixing member having a joint portion connectable to an imaging-lens barrel, and a locking portion to be locked to the fixing member is provided on the camera body or the imaging-lens barrel, wherein the joint portion and locking portion are put into joining engagement.
According to Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Application No. 68327, however, the bellows employed as the shading means occupies a substantial space within the camera body and provides less freedom in configuration, and depending on the way the bellows is folded, the aperture is barred from fully opening and thus the bellows-like shading means is subject to a limitation in the way it is folded.

Shading device of a camera having collapsible bellows-like shading means


An integrated system and process for improving internal combustion engine performance consists of four components: (1) an acetone-based fuel additive phase, (2) a fuel pre-heating and polarization phase, (3) an ionized hydrogen-oxygen plasma injection phase, and (4) a microprocessor-ECM interface phase to optimize the combined performance of the other three components.

This invention relates to an integrated system and process for improving the performance of internal combustion engines. Combustion efficiency is increased and exhaust emissions are reduced by the combined effects of: (1) introducing an acetone-based fuel additive in the fuel tank. (2) pre-heating and polarizing the fuel, and (3) mixing a plasma of ionized hydrogen and oxygen with the intake air. This integrated system and process produces synergistic fuel additives with superior combustion characteristics.
With respect to the first component of the present invention, the use of acetone-based fuel additives to improve fuel efficiency is known in the prior art. One example of such a fuel additive is disclosed in Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,742. Acetone acts as a surfactant with respect to gasoline, reducing the surface tension of the liquid fuel so that it forms finer droplets that vaporize more readily. In the Smith patent disclosure, as in the present invention, acetone is mixed with xylene, the latter being an aromatic hydrocarbon which boosts the fuel's octane rating.
The acetone-based fuel additive component of the present invention differs from those disclosed in the prior art because it is formulated specifically to work in concert with the other two components of this invention. The composition of the additive and the ratio of its fuel mixture are optimized to complement the other fuel enhancement features of this invention.
With respect to the second component of this invention, a number of fuel preheaters are disclosed in the prior art, including Zabenskie, U.S. Pat. No. 4,015,567; Laramee, U.S. Pat. No. 4,527,533; Favreau et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,943; Ray, U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,137; Huang, U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,555; and Lambert, Sr., et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,451. These preheaters operate on the basis of a heat-exchange process between the fuel and hot-water side of the engine cooling system, as does the present invention. The prior art fuel preheaters in some instances produce a super-heated fuel (e.g., Favreau, et al.) and in other instances a vaporized fuel (e.g., Lambert, Sr., et al.). But none of the prior art devices produce a polarized preheated fuel, as does the present invention. The effect of the second component of the present invention is not only to preheat the fuel, but also to polarize the fuel's covalent hydrocarbon bonds, thereby rendering the hydrocarbon molecules more rapidly and completely combustible.
With respect to the third component of this invention, the prior art encompasses several devices for generating gaseous hydrogen-oxygen mixtures to be mixed with fuel prior to combustion. Examples are Ross, U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,722, Larocque, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,648 and DeSouza, Pub. No. U.S. 2001/0003276. These devices all use an electrolysis cell to electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen.
In the electrolysis process, positively-charged hydrogen ions are generated at the cathode, while negatively charged oxygen ions are generated at the anode. In the prior art electrolysis devices, however, no effort is made to retain the ionized state of the generated gases, which simply revert to molecular hydrogen H2 and oxygen O2. Consequently, these devices fail to take advantage of the superior combustion characteristics of an ionized hydrogen-oxygen mixture.
In the present invention, on the other hand, the ionized H+/O− plasma is not mixed with the fuel, but instead it is drawn from an electrolysis cell directly into the engine's air intake manifold by a Venturi injector. Consequently, the gaseous hydrogen and oxygen remain in an ionized state when they mix with the atomized fuel at the fuel injection ports. Since the fuel itself has already been polarized by the second component of this invention, moreover, the resulting air-fuel mixture is a highly combustible blend of ionized hydrogen-oxygen plasma and enhanced, pre-heated polarized fuel.
Consequently, the present invention presents a unique combination of synergistic fuel additives, fuel pre-heating, fuel polarization, and ionized hydrogen-oxygen injection. The overall result is an ionized gaseous plasma containing enhanced fuel which, when introduced into the engine's cylinders, combusts within optimum efficiency, both maximizing energy recovery and minimizing polluting residuals.

System and process for improving engine performance


A furnace heat exchanger with multiple parallel flow passages wherein the last flow passage extends downwardly from its plane as it approaches the outlet so as to result in a lower overall height of the heat exchanger. Preferably both the upper wall and the lower wall of the last passage extend downwardly such that the cross-sectional area of the last flow passage is not reduced and is preferably increased as it approaches the outlet. The bottom wall extension is preferably curvilinear and has substantially the same curvature as a return bend at the inlet of the penultimate flow passage.

This invention relates generally to furnaces and, more particularly, to multipass heat exchangers therefor.
A typical residential furnace has a bank of heat exchange panels arranged in parallel relationship such that the circulating blower air passes between the panels to be heated before it passes to the distribution duct. Each of the panels is typically formed of a clamshell structure which has an inlet end into which the flame of a burner extends to heat the flue gas, an outlet end which is fluidly connected to an inducer for drawing the heated flue gas therethrough, and a plurality of legs or passes through which the heated flue gas passes. In order to obtain the desired high efficiencies of operation, it is necessary to maximize the heat transfer that occurs between the heated flue gas within the heat exchanger passes and the circulating air passing over the outer sides of the heat exchanger panels. Further, there are required performance and durability requirements for the heat exchanger panels themselves.
One requirement is that the internal pressure drop within the heat exchanger panels is maintained at an acceptable level. That is, in order to minimize the inducer motor electrical consumption costs, it is necessary that the pressure drop be maintained at suitable levels.
Durability of the heat exchanger panels is also an important requirement. In order to obtain long life, the heat exchanger panels must be free of excessive surface temperatures, or hotspots, and the thermal stresses must be minimized. Further, the need for expensive high temperature materials is preferably avoided.
A more recent requirement is that of reducing the height of the heat exchanger panels. This is important for a number of reasons. First, it allows the overall height of the furnace to be reduced such that it can be placed in smaller spaces, such as in attics, crawl spaces, closets and the like. Secondly, it allows for a reduction in costs, both in the costs of the heat exchanger panels themselves and in the cost of the furnace cabinet. But this reduction in height must be done without sacrificing performance. That is, a simple reduction in height, with a proportionate reduction in performance, would not be acceptable. It is therefore necessary to obtain increased performance for a given length or height of the heat exchanger panels.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to obtain an improved heat exchanger for a furnace.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the overall height of the heat exchanger in a furnace.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision in the furnace for reducing the size of the heat exchanger while maintaining performance levels.
Another object of the present invention is the provision for a durable heat exchanger with controlled surface temperatures, reduced hotspots and minimal thermal stresses.
Still another object of the present invention is the provision for a heat exchanger with minimal internal pressure drop.
A further object of the present invention is the provision for a heat exchanger which is economical to manufacture and effective and efficient in use.
These objects and other features and advantages become readily apparent upon reference to the following descriptions when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.


Techniques are disclosed for optical switching and data control, without the interaction of electronic switching speeds. In one example embodiment, a common cavity optical latch is provided that that can hold an optical state for an extended period of time, and the operation of which is controlled optically. Optical phase control allows optical modal switching to be employed between two common optical cavities, using incident optical signals and the way in which the cavities manipulate the phase within them to lock in one or the other configuration, thereby forming an optical latch. The optical latch is implemented in an integrated fashion, such as in a CMOS environment.

Digital electronics such as logic gates are commonly used in implementing circuits of all kinds. In some such applications, however, the speed at which the gates can switch is limited, by both the gates themselves as well as the clocking signals that enable the switching. Although optical circuits can be used to improve speed, there are oftentimes still instances where optical circuitry interfaces with electronic circuitry, giving rise to switching delays. Moreover, conversion circuitry is needed at the optical-electronic interface, so that optical signals can be converted to electronic signals, and vice-versa. This conversion adds complexity and cost, in addition to delays associated with the conversion process itself as well as with switching delays.
There is an increasing need, therefore, for optical switching and data control.

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.


A radio communication device includes: a local oscillator; an amplifier amplifying an output signal of the local oscillator and outputting a local oscillation frequency and a harmonic wave component thereof; and a harmonic mixer receiving an output signal of the amplifier and an information signal, and generating an up-converted signal of the information signal with the harmonic wave component based on the local oscillation frequency, while allowing the harmonic wave component to pass through.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to radio communication devices, and more particularly, to a transmission technology suitable for a high frequency range as high as at least 30 GHz.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, there has been considerable activity in the research and development of communication technology using the submillimeter-wave frequency range or millimeter-wave frequency range as high as 30 GHz or more. In the above-mentioned high frequency range, it is difficult to generate the stabilized local oscillation frequency. The high-quality radio communication cannot be realized unless the stabilized local oscillation frequency is available on both the transmitter and receiver.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-53640 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1) describes a technique for transmitting an unmodulated carrier having a local oscillation frequency together with a modulated radio signal. On the receiver, the received unmodulated carrier is used as the local oscillation frequency to demodulate the modulated radio signal. It is not necessary to provide a high-accuracy local oscillator on the receiver. It is thus possible to simplify the structure of the receiver. In the case where the unmodulated carrier and the modulated radio carrier are affected by the same environmental factor such as temperature change, the affect of the environmental factor (fluctuations due to the temperature change) can be cancelled by demodulating with the received unmodulated carrier, and an excellent communication quality can be thus provided.
The invention disclosed in Document 1, however, employs a local oscillator that generates the oscillation frequency identical to that of the unmodulated carrier to be output from an antenna. There is a problem in that the stable modulated radio carrier cannot be generated. In order to obtain the local oscillator capable of stably generating the oscillation frequency of at least 30 GHz, there are still drawbacks to be solved even with the use of current technology. In particular, an extremely advanced technology and a considerable cost are required for producing the local oscillator having a frequency range as high as 60 GHz in order to realize the millimeter-wave radio communication with a frequency range of 60 GHz, which is considered attractive these days.