A fully associative translation lookaside buffer (TLB) using a content addressable memory (CAM) array to store virtual addresses and a static random access memory (SRAM) array to store corresponding physical addresses. The TLB incorporates a logic circuit that allows the SRAM to be accessed during both associative and non-associative modes by word lines that are strictly a function of corresponding match lines. Additionally, the logic circuit incorporated in the TLB does not introduce any additional delay in outputting the physical address from the SRAM during the associative mode.

Most modern computers use a virtual addressing scheme which allows the computer to address an address space that is larger than the computer's internal memory. In such a scheme, a virtual address must be translated to a physical address before the memory can be accessed. Unfortunately, each translation process ordinarily requires multiple accesses to page and segment tables in the computer's memory, which significantly degrades the computer's performance.
To overcome this problem, a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) is often used to maintain the most recently used virtual address and physical address mappings. Each TLB entry ordinarily contains a virtual address, a real address mapped to the virtual address, and sometimes, control information such as access protection flags, etc. Before translating an input virtual address in the conventional manner, the TLB is searched to see if a physical address mapping for the virtual address is present. If a physical address mapping is present in the TLB, the physical address may be obtained directly from the TLB, and the conventional time-wasting translation process is avoided.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a known TLB 100 which stores a set of virtual address/physical address translations. TLB 100 comprises a content addressable memory (CAM) array 104 for storing a plurality of virtual addresses, a static random-access memory (SRAM) array 108 for storing a plurality of physical addresses corresponding to the virtual addresses stored in CAM array 104, a CAM word line decoder 112 for receiving a line address from the CPU over a communication path 116, a CAM bit line driver 120 for receiving a virtual address from the CPU over a communication path 122, an SRAM bit line driver 124 for receiving a physical address from the CPU over a communication path 126, an array interface 130 for accessing SRAM array 108 in response to signals from CAM array 104 and from CAM word line decoder 112, and an SRAM bit line sense amplifier 134 for providing a physical address stored in SRAM array 108 to the CPU over a communication path 136.
CAM array 104 comprises a plurality of CAM cells 140(0,0) . . . 140(N,X) arranged in N rows and X columns. Each row of CAM cells 140(0,0-X) . . . 140(N,0-X) stores a single X-bit virtual address and is coupled to one of a plurality of CAM word lines 144(0) . . . 144(N) from CAM word line decoder 112. Each column of CAM cells 140(0-N,0) . . . 140(0-N,X) is coupled to a corresponding pair of a plurality of differential CAM bit lines 146(0) . . . 146(X), 148(0) . . . 148(X) from CAM bit line driver 120. CAM word lines 144(0) . . . 144(N) and CAM bit lines 146(0) . . . 146(X), 148(0) . . . 148(X) activate the CAM cells 140(0,0) . . . 140(N,X) to which they are attached. Each row of CAM cells 140(0,0-X) . . . 140(N,0-X) is also connected to one of a plurality of match lines 152(0) . . . 152(N) for indicating which row of CAM cells 140(0,0-X) . . . 140(N,0-X) stores the virtual address which matches the virtual address input to CAM bit line driver 120
Similarly, SRAM array 108 comprises a plurality of SRAM cells 156(0,0) . . . 156(N,Y) arranged in N rows and Y columns. Each row of SRAM cells 156(0,0-Y) . . . 156(N,0-Y) stores a single Y-bit physical address and is coupled to one of a plurality of SRAM word lines 160(0) . . . 160(N) from array interface 130. Each column of SRAM cells 156(0-N,0) . . . 156(0-N,Y) is coupled to a corresponding pair of a plurality of differential SRAM bit lines 162(0) . . . 162(Y), 164(0) . . . 164(Y) from SRAM bit line driver 124. SRAM word lines 160(0) . . . 160(N) and SRAM bit lines 162(0) . . . 162(Y), 164(0) . . . 164(Y) activate the SRAM cells 156(0,0) . . . 156(N, Y) to which they are attached. SRAM bit lines 162(0) . . . 162(Y), 164(0) . . . 164(Y) are also coupled to SRAM bit line sense amplifier 134 for providing the contents of the selected row of SRAM cells to the CPU.
Array interface 130 comprises a plurality of OR gates 168(0) . . . 168(N). Each OR gate 168(0) . . . 168(N) has a first input terminal coupled to a corresponding one of CAM word lines 144(0) . . . 144(N), a second input terminal coupled to a corresponding one of match lines 152(0) . . . 152(N) through corresponding sense amplifiers 172(0) . . . 172(N), and an output terminal coupled to a corresponding one of SRAM word lines 160(0) . . . 160(N). Array interface 130 selects one of the rows of SRAM cells 156(0,0-Y) . . . 156(N,0-Y) in response to CAM word lines 144(0) . . . 144(N) during a non-associative mode of operation (discussed below), and array interface 130 selects one of the rows of SRAM cells 156(0,0-Y) . . . 156(N,0-Y) in response to match lines 152(0) . . . 152(N) during an associative mode of operation.
The non-associative mode of operation includes either a write access or a read access. During a non-associative write access, a virtual address from the CPU is provided to CAM bit line driver 120 over communication path 122, a physical address from the CPU is provided to SRAM bit line driver 124 over communication path 126, and a write address is supplied from the CPU to CAM word line decoder 112 over communication path 116. CAM word line decoder 112 decodes the address received over communication path 116 and generates a high signal on a single CAM word line 144(I) from the plurality of CAM word lines 144(0) . . . 144(N) for activating CAM cells 140(I,0-X). The high signal on CAM word line 144(I) also causes the corresponding OR gate 168(I) in array interface 130 to generate a high signal on SRAM word line 160(I) for activating SRAM cells 156(I,O-Y). The virtual and physical addresses then may be written into CAM array 104 and SRAM array 108 at locations defined by the activated CAM cells 140(I,0-X) and SRAM cells 156(I,0-Y), respectively.
A non-associative read access operates the same way, except addresses are not supplied to CAM bit line driver 120 or SRAM bit line driver 124. The addressed physical address is output from SRAM bit line sense amp 134 over communication path 136.
During the associative mode of operation, a virtual address is input to CAM bit line driver 120, and the input virtual address is simultaneously compared with all virtual addresses stored in CAM array 104. If the input virtual addresses matches a virtual address stored in CAM array 104 (e.g., in CAM cells 140(I,0-X)), then a high signal is generated on the appropriate match line (e.g., match line 152(I)). The high signal is detected by sense amp 172(I), which in turn causes a high signal to be generated by OR gate 168(I). The high signal from OR gate 168(I) activates SRAM cells 156(I,0-Y) for communicating the stored physical address to SRAM bit line sense amp 134 and thereafter to the CPU over communication path 136.
A TLB implemented in this manner has the primary drawback of requiring extra time to output a physical address from SRAM array 108 during an associative access because array interface 130 includes OR gates 168(0) . . . 168(N) having match lines 152(0) . . . 152(N) and CAM word lines 144(0) . . . 144(N) as inputs. During an associative access, signals on match lines 152(0) . . . 152(N) which indicate if a match has been found on a match line 152(I) must propagate through OR gates 168(0) . . . 168(N) before the physical address stored in SRAM array 108 is output to the CPU.
The time it takes for TLB 100 to output a physical address once a matching virtual address has been found is of critical importance. The path a signal on match line 152(I) travels from the point a match is found until the physical address is output from SRAM 108 is commonly referred to as the "critical path." OR gates 168(0) . . . 168(N) are situated in the critical path so that they add an undesirable delay to associative accesses and reduce the performance of TLB 100.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a known TLB 200 which attempts to overcome the primary disadvantage of TLB 100 in that there is no additional delay in outputting a physical address from TLB 200 during the associative access mode. The TLB illustrated in FIG. 2 is discussed in "A 4-ns BiCMOS Translation-Lookaside Buffer" in IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 25, No. 5. For convenience of describing the operation of TLB 200, the same reference numerals used in FIG. 1 are used in FIG. 2 to refer to identical elements. Furthermore, the operation of TLB 200 is identical to the operation of TLB 100 except in the manner in which SRAM array 108 is accessed during both associative and non-associative modes.
TLB 200 comprises the same components as TLB 100 except that an array interface 205 replaces array interface 130. Additionally, TLB 200 comprises an SRAM word line decoder 210 for receiving a line address from the CPU over a communication path 215 and for accessing the rows of SRAM cells with output lines 220(0) . . . 220(N) which are coupled to rows of SRAM cells 156(0,0-Y) . . . 156(N,0-Y).
Array interface 205 comprises a plurality of sense amplifiers 172(0) . . . 172(N). Each sense amplifier 172(0) . . . 172(N) has an input terminal coupled to a corresponding one of match lines 152(0) . . . 152(N) and an output terminal coupled to a corresponding one of SRAM word lines 160(0) . . . 160(N). Array interface 205 selects one of the rows of SRAM cells 156(0,0-Y) . . . 156(N,0-Y) in response to match lines 152(0) . . . 152(N) during the associative mode.
During a non-associative write access, a virtual address from the CPU is provided to CAM bit line driver 120 over communication path 122, a physical address from the CPU is provided to SRAM bit line driver 124 over communication path 126, and a write address is supplied from the CPU to CAM word line decoder 112 over communication path 116 and to SRAM word line decoder 210 over communication path 215. CAM word line decoder 112 decodes the write address received over communication path 116 and generates a high signal on a single CAM word line 144(I) from the plurality of CAM word lines 144(0) . . . 144(N) for activating CAM cells 140(I,O-X). SRAM word line decoder 210 decodes the write address received over communication path 215 and generates a high signal on a output line 220(I) from the plurality of output lines 220(0) . . . 220(N). Output line 220(I) then activates SRAM cells 156(I,O-Y). The virtual and physical addresses then may be written into CAM array 104 and SRAM array 108 at locations defined by the activated CAM cells 140(I,0-X) and SRAM cells 156(I,0-Y), respectively.
A non-associative read access operates the same way, except addresses are not supplied to CAM bit line driver 120 or SRAM bit line driver 124, a write address is not supplied to CAM word line decoder 112, and the addressed physical address is output from SRAM bit line sense amp 134 over communication path 136.
During an associative access, a virtual address is input to CAM bit line driver 120, and the input virtual address is simultaneously compared with all virtual addresses stored in CAM array 104. If the input virtual address matches a virtual address stored in CAM array 104 (e.g., in CAM cells 140(I,0-X)), then a high signal is generated on the appropriate match line (e.g., match line 152(I)). The high signal is detected by sense amp 172(I) which activates SRAM cells 156(I,0-Y) for communicating the stored physical address to SRAM bit line sense amp 134 and thereafter to the CPU over communication path 136.
Prior art devices using the technique employed by TLB 200 have two major drawbacks. First, SRAM array 108 must be dual port memory arrays which is more expensive than comparable single port memories. Second, a TLB implemented in this manner requires the use of two word line decoders which results in increased hardware costs and less available chip area.

Decoder scheme for fully associative translation-lookaside buffer


The invention relates to a change-over coupling, change-over device and checking or processing system, comprising: a clamping element for bracing with a corresponding clamping element on the change-over adapter, at least one electrical and/or optical plug connection element for connecting to at least one corresponding electrical and/or optical plug connection element on the change-over adapter, and a fluid coupling element for connecting to a corresponding fluid coupling element on the change-over adapter. In at least one example, the fluid coupling element protrudes further in the direction of the connection with the change-over adapter than the electrical and/or optical plug connection element.

The invention also relates to a change-over device and a testing or processing system having such a change-over coupling.
With such change-over couplings, different connections are usually needed for connection to corresponding connections on the change-over adapter, such as plug connections with high-voltage and/or high-current contacts, high-frequency contacts, high-pin-count miniature plug connections (160 pins), and/or plug connections for optical waveguides.
EP 1 590 134 discloses a change-over coupling of the type in question, which can be locked to a change-over adapter. In the locked state, media and communications lines assigned to one another of the change-over coupling and of the change-over adapter, for example for compressed air, sensor signals, welding current or coolant, are connected to one another. It is however disadvantageous that the electrical or optical plug connection elements must be aligned precisely with each other when the change-over coupling and the change-over adapter are connected, to prevent damage to the sensitive electrical or optical plug connection elements.
WO 2015/074710 discloses a different type of depositing station, in which a tool-side receiving plate and a robot-side receiving plate can be deposited.
DE 11 2015 003 807 T5 describes a master unit for fastening to a robot arm and a tool unit for fastening to a robot tool.
US 2016/059424 A1 discloses a master element and a tool element.
The object of the present invention consists in moderating or overcoming at least some disadvantages of the prior art. The invention is aimed in particular at protecting the electrical or optical plug connection elements when the change-over adapter is attached.
This object is achieved by a change-over coupling, a change-over device, and a testing or processing system as described herein.
The invention therefore provides a liquid-coupling element, in particular a water-coupling element, for connection to a corresponding liquid-coupling element on the change-over adapter, wherein the liquid coupling element protrudes further towards the connection to the change-over adapter (i.e. in the longitudinal direction or axial direction of the change-over coupling) than the electrical and/or optical plug connection element, such that the electrical and/or optical plug connection element and the corresponding electrical and/or optical plug connection element on the change-over adapter are aligned with one another before they meet as a result of the connection of the liquid-coupling element to the corresponding liquid-coupling element on the change-over adapter.
The liquid-coupling element of the change-over coupling is thus connected to the corresponding liquid-coupling element on the change-over adapter when the change-over adapter is attached to the change-over coupling, before the electrical or optical plug connection elements are brought into engagement with the corresponding electrical or optical plug connection elements on the change-over adapter. As a result, the corresponding electrical or optical plug connection elements are aligned with one another, i.e. are arranged in the intended rotary position to one another, relative to the longitudinal axis of the change-over coupling, before the change-over adapter is coupled to the change-over coupling. This design has the advantage that damage to the sensitive electrical or optical plug connection elements can reliably be avoided. This functions for both a manual and an automated change-over process. The coupling of the change-over adapter to the change-over coupling is carried out by a person in a manual change-over process and automatically by a robot in an automated change-over process. There is the further advantage that the ingress of liquids and gases into the liquid-coupling element from a testing or processing environment of the change-over coupling is impeded thanks to the self-sealing function of the liquid-coupling element which protrudes further towards the connection to the change-over adapter. This inhibits or prevents contamination of the liquid, in particular the water, in the liquid-coupling element, in particular water-coupling element, and the associated liquid lines, in particular water lines, of the change-over coupling and of the change-over adapter.
According to a preferred embodiment, a change-over process has the following steps:
removing a used change-over adapter from the change-over coupling;
dabbing and/or vacuuming the liquid-coupling element of the change-over coupling and the liquid-coupling element of a change-over adapter to be connected, to avoid introducing liquid into the change-over adapter and/or change-over coupling;
aligning the liquid-coupling element of the change-over coupling with the corresponding liquid-coupling element on the change-over adapter to be attached;
connecting the liquid-coupling element of the change-over coupling to the corresponding liquid-coupling element on the change-over adapter to be attached; and
bringing the electrical or optical plug connection elements into engagement with the corresponding electrical or optical plug connection elements on the change-over adapter to be attached.
Entry of liquid during coupling or decoupling is reliably prevented by the liquid-coupling elements. Contamination of the electrical or optical plug connection elements by any droplet formation on the contact faces of the liquid-coupling element is prevented by countersinking the contact face of the liquid-coupling element of the change-over coupling or of the change-over adapter, or arranging same at the front.
The change-over coupling preferably comprises a main body which comprises, on the end face facing the change-over adapter, a main connection face, which extends preferably substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the change-over coupling and bears against a corresponding main connection face of the change-over adapter when in the connected state. The electrical and/or optical plug connection elements protrude less far in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the change-over coupling than the liquid-coupling element, and therefore, in the intended orientation, the corresponding electrical and/or optical plug connection elements are aligned with one another when the corresponding main connection faces of the change-over coupling and of the change-over adapter come into contact with one another.
For the purposes of the present disclosure, the location and direction information relates to the longitudinal axis of the change-over coupling, which coincides with the direction of the intended connection of the change-over coupling and the change-over adapter. "Axial" relates to the direction of the longitudinal axis, and "radial" relates to the direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the change-over coupling.
According to a preferred embodiment, the change-over coupling comprises an anti-rotation element for connection to a corresponding anti-rotation element on the change-over adapter, the anti-rotation element preferably being provided as a connection peg, which tapers towards the connection to the change-over adapter, and the corresponding anti-rotation element on the change-over adapter being provided as a peg receptacle. Because the connection between the corresponding liquid-coupling elements likewise has an anti-rotation effect, the anti-rotation element can advantageously be made smaller than in change-over couplings having liquid-coupling elements without torque absorption. A further advantage of the anti-rotation elements is that the change-over coupling can be aligned even more precisely with the change-over adapter thereby.
It is particularly preferred if the liquid-coupling element of the change-over coupling comprises a larger radial distance from the clamping element than the anti-rotation element. Thanks to this arrangement, the liquid-coupling element absorbs a greater torque than the anti-rotation element when the change-over adapter is twisted relative to the change-over coupling, which allows smaller dimensioning of the anti-rotation element.
To protect the at least one electrical and/or optical plug connection element and the liquid-coupling element from external influences, it is favourable if the change-over coupling comprises a seal ring for sealing connection to the change-over adapter, the seal ring preferably comprising a V-shaped cross-section. Owing to the V-shaped cross-section, liquid from the environment which collects on the outside of the change-over coupling can drop off, and therefore the electrical and/or optical plug connection element and the liquid-coupling element are protected from the liquid collecting on the outside of the change-over coupling.
According to a preferred embodiment, the seal ring is arranged on a (circumferential) outer edge of a preferably cylindrical main body of the change-over coupling.
According to a preferred embodiment, the electrical and/or optical plug connection element and the liquid-coupling element are each arranged inside the seal ring, as seen in the radial direction. In the connected state, the seal ring extends on the mutually meeting end faces of the change-over coupling and the change-over adapter, and the corresponding electrical and/or optical plug connection elements and the liquid connection are arranged in a protected manner inside the seal ring.
Particularly preferably, the main body comprises at least one first cut-out for the detachable arrangement of the electrical and/or optical plug connection element and/or at least one second cut-out for the detachable arrangement of the liquid-coupling element. During use, the electrical and/or optical plug connection elements are arranged inside the first cut-out, and the liquid-coupling element is arranged inside the second cut-out, and all the above are connected to the associated line of the manipulation element.
According to a preferred embodiment, the change-over coupling comprises a coupling element for air, in particular compressed air, for connection to a corresponding coupling element for air, in particular compressed air, on the change-over adapter. The compressed air can be used by a tool mounted on the change-over adapter, for the expedient use of said tool. During use, the compressed air is in particular used for one of: pneumatic lifting cylinder, blow-off device, sealing air or pneumatic collision protection.
According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one electrical plug connection element is electrically insulated from the change-over coupling. Particularly preferably, the at least one electrical plug connection element is earthed individually. This has an effect in particular on the electromagnetic compatibility of adjacent electrical components. This is important specifically for high-frequency applications.
To reduce a loading force on the change-over coupling, it is favourable if the at least one electrical plug connection element is radially sprung. The loading force on the change-over coupling thus remains independent of the type and number of electrical plug connection elements.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least one electrical plug connection element of the change-over coupling comprises high-voltage contacts or high-current contacts. In this connection, high voltage means a voltage of at least 680 volts direct current, and high current means an electrical current of at least 25 amperes.
It is also favourable if at least one electrical plug connection element of the change-over coupling comprises high-frequency contacts. In this connection, high frequency means a frequency of 100 kHz to 9 GHz. The high-frequency contacts are used for example in a tool mounted on the change-over adapter for the non-destructive testing of a component by means of ultrasound, in particular ultrasound with beam steering. Beam steering is the targeted emission of ultrasonic impulses from a probe mounted on the tool.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least one electrical plug connection element of the change-over coupling has a high pin count, a high pin count meaning a number of at least 160 pins. High-pin-count plug connection elements are used for example for signal transmission in lines for emitter array testing heads (phased array testing heads) for testing with phased array ultrasonics. Signals from a tool mounted on the change-over adapter can thus be transmitted via lines and via the electrical plug connection element to an evaluation unit of phased array testing electronics.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least one electrical plug connection element of the change-over coupling comprises contacts for transmitting a supply voltage from the manipulation element to the change-over adapter. The contacts for transmitting the supply voltage are for example used for the non-destructive testing of a component using a tool which is mounted on the change-over adapter and is supplied by a voltage source, to connect electrical lines of the manipulation element and of the tool via the change-over coupling and the change-over adapter.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least one electrical plug connection element of the change-over coupling comprises contacts for data transmission, in particular for transmitting a tool identifier ("ToolID") and/or analogue and/or digital sensor data, from the change-over adapter to the manipulation element. In this case, ToolID is the unique identifier of a tool, for example by means of a unique number, and analogue and/or digital sensor information is information from an analogue and/or digital sensor of a tool mounted on the change-over adapter.
According to a preferred embodiment, at least one electrical plug connection element of the change-over coupling comprises contacts for transferring ground points. High-frequency influences can be minimised or eliminated thereby, if different galvanically isolated earth points are necessary.
Preferably, at least one optical plug connection element of the change-over coupling comprises an optical waveguide. Optical waveguides are used to transmit light. The optical waveguide of the optical plug connection element is used for lossless transmissions (streams) of digital sensor data with a high bandwidth over long transmission paths. In particular, the optical waveguide of the optical plug connection element is used in non-destructive testing of a component using thermography or using a digital X-ray flat panel detector; in all cases, sensor data from the testing head used is streamed with a high bandwidth to an evaluation station.
Preferably, the change-over coupling comprises a centrepiece on the side facing the manipulation element, said centrepiece having an attachment element for attachment to a line of the manipulation element. Particularly preferably, the attachment element protrudes radially outwards from the centrepiece. The centrepiece thus allows a line to be attached to the change-over coupling in the radial direction. This is necessary for example for certain manipulation elements to allow the line to be routed away without impairing the mobility of the manipulation element.
According to a preferred embodiment, the change-over coupling, preferably at least the main body, in particular the main body and the centrepiece, comprises through-holes for connecting the change-over coupling, on the side facing the manipulation element, to an adapter plate, in order to simplify the connection of the change-over coupling to a standardised manipulation element.
According to a preferred embodiment, a supply of cables to the change-over coupling is arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the change-over coupling. Alternatively, the supply of cables to the change-over coupling can be arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the change-over coupling.
Furthermore, a change-over coupling according to an above-described embodiment and a change-over adapter which is detachably connected to the change-over coupling are preferably parts of a change-over device which is used in particular in non-destructive testing of a component, in particular an aircraft component, preferably a fibre-reinforced plastic component, for example of a hydraulic housing, a flight-safety-critical wing component or control component, or an engine casing.
According to a preferred embodiment, a testing or processing system, in particular for the non-destructive testing of a component, preferably a fibre-reinforced plastic component, for example an aircraft component, comprises a manipulation element, in particular a robot arm, a change-over coupling according to one of the above-described embodiments, and a change-over adapter, which is detachably connected to the manipulation element via the change-over coupling.


A system and method is provided that displays different symbols on an input device corresponding to different input device layouts. On a keyboard type input device, each key on the keyboard has an individually controllable display device which displays one or more symbols in a given symbol set. Software detects which keyboard layout should be used, downloads the keyboard layout over a network, such as the Internet, and causes the display device in each key to display the appropriate symbol or symbols. A virtual machine embedded in the keyboard provides a platform independent execution enviromnent and simplifies the development of different types of input device layouts. This unique arrangement obviates the need for purchasing different keyboards and software to accommodate the different character sets used by different languages or different specialized software applications.

This invention generally relates to input devices for computer based systems, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for dynamically configuring an input device.
Conventional input devices like keyboards have a set of electro-mechanical keys that generate symbols when they are actuated. A label is permanently affixed to the keycap of each key and indicates the symbol that the key generates upon actuation. The user refers to the symbol on the keycap to know which symbol the key generates when it is actuated. These symbols include, for example, characters of an alphabet, punctuation, and control indicators such as function keys.
User productivity with computer systems having keyboards as input devices depends on the user's ability to locate keys and enter data quickly. People who use keyboards frequently memorize the location of each key and may only look at the keycaps occasionally. Often, a skilled user can enter 90-120 words of the English language per minute into a computer using a keyboard having a standard keyboard layout such as the QWERTY and Dvorak layouts.
In many circumstances, however, the user may need to change the layout on a keyboard. For example, by moving keycaps a user may switch the layout on the keyboard from one standard layout, such as the QWERTY keyboard layout, to another standard layout, such as the Dvorak keyboard layout, to increase typing efficiency. Unfortunately, conventional techniques for changing keycaps, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,042 for a Multilingual Keyboard System, are cumbersome and tedious. That patent requires the user to move keycaps from the one keyboard layout, such as the QWERTY keyboard layout, to the new keyboard layout, such as the Dvorak layout. Further, the patent may require users to install special software on the computer system to interpret characters correctly for each different software application or operating system.
These conventional keyboard layout systems also do not address the expanded alphabets and symbols used in many non-English based languages. Many of the alphabets used in Asian languages, for example, require multiple bytes of data for each character or symbol and may include several thousand different symbols. It is a bewildering task for users to swap overlays or keycaps as described in the referenced patent to accommodate the many different symbols in these alphabets. It can also be expensive to buy new specialized keyboards for each of the different languages.
Even conventional keyboards having electronic light emitting diode (LED) and liquid crystal diode (LCD) displays on the keycaps as described in IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, 1981, Vol. 23, p. 4611-4613, do not address the problem of changing the keycaps quickly while the user is typing on the system. In an international context, such as an embassy or an international airport, it would be advantageous to quickly change keyboard layouts to accommodate a user's preferred language. The keyboard described in this IBM Technical Disclosure requires selectively loading different software for each language. Loading different software for each language is generally not an option on computer systems used to provide information to travelers and international visitors. Further, conventional computer systems and keyboards are not designed to swap keyboard device drivers efficiently unless the system is rebooted.
Keyboard layouts are also important in the growing area of interactive computer games and computer-based entertainment software. Games and entertainment oriented software packages generally use special keyboard layouts to control or interact with the software. These games require the user to memorize certain keystrokes to operate features of the game. Generally, each game has a different set of input requirements and thus uses a different keyboard layout. Unfortunately, the conventional techniques for swapping keycaps in the aforementioned patent would be too cumbersome for most game users in practice. Likewise, loading a special device driver for each game using the keyboard device described in the aforementioned IBM Technical Disclosure is too tedious and complex for the average game user.
Based on the above discussion, it is desirable to provide a dynamically configurable input device.

Method and apparatus for dynamic configuration of an input device


A clamping mechanism is provided. The mechanism includes a male clamping body. The mechanism also includes a female clamping body configured to mate with the male clamping body. The mechanism further includes tightening bolts structured to connect the male clamping body to the female clamping body. The mechanism includes connecting spans connected to the male clamping body and the female clamping body. The mechanism also includes integral positioning ring halves connected to the male clamping body and the female clamping body, wherein the positioning rings are designed to fit into a positioning groove of a drive shaft and to provide a backstop to a support ring. Also, the connecting spans, the male clamping body, and the female clamping body have inner diameters that are identical and are arranged to securely fit onto an outer surface of the drive shaft when the tightening bolts are tightened.

Many methods and systems have been used in unsuccessful attempts to provide mechanisms to provide an efficient, effective, and inexpensive way to provide redundancy to shaft sealing components. These systems and methods have not been reliable or effective. Many of the unsuccessful systems are cumbersome, costly and fail to provide all of the necessary material and physical features on a singular platform.
Current attempts include utilization of a single loose approximately 180 degree C-clip with a curvature radius slightly smaller than the radius of the drive shaft groove. The drive shaft has a predetermined groove to align axially where the drive shaft support ring is to be positioned during operation. After placement of the C-clip within the groove, the drive shaft support ring, having a groove on an inner surface, aligns with the C-clip and slides into place. Therefore, when the C-clip has been snapped into place onto the groove on the drive shaft and then the support ring inner grove slides into place over the C-clip, this provides the mechanism to keep the support ring in place on the shaft during high RPM operations. This arrangement is problematic in that it doesn't offer redundancy in securing the axial position of the support ring to the shaft and is also problematic because the C-clip does not fully encompass the entire circumferences of both the shaft and the support ring. This causes issues after prolonged use and causes premature wear and vibration.
Further, because of the saltwater environment in which most of the personal watercraft operate in, the current C-clip configuration may be subjected to functional failure due to corrosion. This functional failure due to corrosion can occur rather quickly.
Also, the preexisting systems are subject to frictional wear because of minimal contact area between the C-clip, the grooves on the drive shaft and under the support ring. This is exacerbated because of the minimal contact area allow for movement during operation can causes material due to relative movement. Friction erosion is also a problem for this set up.
In the preexisting systems the C-clip just does hold in place the components and is often ejected from its specified position.
Accordingly, there is an established need for an integral personal watercraft shaft sealing system which solves at least one of the aforementioned problems. Further, there is an established need for an integral personal watercraft shaft sealing system which can address providing redundant positioning of the components of the shaft sealing system and to prevent c-clip ejection.

Integral personal watercraft shaft sealing axial alignment systems


Heater elements made of high resistivity ternary and quaternary thin films containing three or more of W, C, O, N and Si are provided. The thin films have resistivities at least about 1000 μΩ-cm at 50 to 60 Angstroms. The ternary and quaternary films have improved stability over binary films on anneal. Methods of depositing the thin films are also provided. The methods involve depositing the film from an organometallic tungsten precursor under conditions such that a highly resistive, continuous film is formed.

Highly resistive thin films are used as heater elements for various applications. One key application is phase change memory, in which the different electrical resistivity values of the crystalline and amorphous states of chalcogenide glass are used to store data. The amorphous, high resistance state is typically used to represent a binary 0, with the crystalline, low resistance state representing a 1. A heater element is needed to switch a chalcogenide glass memory element from the crystalline phase to the amorphous phase. Thin film resistive heaters are also used in inkjet printers, micro-reactors and other devices.

Ternary tungsten-containing resistive thin films


A device receives, from a client device, a request for a resource, and accesses a table that includes one or more items of information. The device compares information provided in the request to the one or more items of information provided in the table, and terminates a connection for the request at the device when the information provided in the request matches at least one of the one or more items of information provided in the table. The device forwards the request to a network when the connection is not terminated at the device, and selects a target device for the resource when the connection is terminated at the device.

A service provider is an entity (e.g., a business or an organization) that sells bandwidth provided by or access to a network (e.g., the Internet, a data network, a telecommunication network, etc.) associated with the service provider. Service providers may include telecommunications companies, data carriers, wireless communications providers, Internet service providers, cable television operators offering high-speed Internet access, etc. The rapid growth in the use of content, such as, for example, video, audio, images, and software downloads, is creating much higher bandwidth demands on service providers, with sharp peaks around viral content and events.
The content may be served to a client device from servers, such as origin servers, mirror servers, cache servers, etc., installed across a service provider's network. A client device may request access to such content using Internet protocols, such as a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), a real time messaging protocol (RTMP), etc. When the client device requests access to the content, the request must be routed to an appropriate server in the network. Routing the request takes into consideration several factors, such as improving the client device's experience (e.g., latency, speed of content transfer, etc.), cost and scalability of the network and content delivery infrastructure, etc. However, routing requests to appropriate servers is becoming more and more problematic for service providers since the complexity and load variability of service provider networks are increasing. Furthermore, the number and type of client devices, as well as the amount of content, are rapidly growing. In addition, service providers need to federate their services in order to offer a worldwide solution.
In order to address such problems, service providers currently deploy different types of solutions, such as a domain name system (DNS)-based solution, a border gateway protocol (BGP)-based solution, and an application level-based solution. Each solution provides an overlay on top of existing network routing infrastructure with manual provisioning. Manual provisioning involves the service provider advertising Internet protocol (IP) addresses of servers. For larger types of content (e.g., video, downloads, etc.), the solutions do not provide any opportunity to further optimize routing within the context of a single request. The solutions also do not function well in an environment where service providers need to federate their services.
In the DNS-based solution, a client device typically performs a DNS lookup to resolve a domain name to an IP address. A DNS service is specialized to dynamically select a server IP address based on factors like geo-locality, server load, content location, etc. However, the DNS-based solution provides for coarse-grain routing at only the domain level.
In the BGP-based solution, a given server IP address is supported in multiple locations. For example, each different region may include a server with the same IP address, and the servers may advertise the IP address. However, the BGP-based solution provides for coarse-grain routing at only the server level, and does not handle network problems (e.g., congestion, server failure, etc.) particularly well.
With the application level-based solution, a server can redirect, via, for example, in the HTTP protocol, a client device to a different server. For example, some service providers deploy content servers in their networks at the application level. The application level-based solution may be performed by explicitly routing (e.g., via DNS or BGP) a content request to a content router implemented at the application level. Another example of application level routing includes a portal server embedding different uniform resource locators (URLs) in a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) page, returned by the portal server, based on where a content request originates.
However, the application level-based solution increases latency for the client device due to the extra routing and connection setup associated with the content server. Furthermore, the application level-based solution is difficult to scale, and the content server may become a bottleneck for a network if all requests must be routed to the content server.

Terminating connections and selecting target source devices for resource requests


Techniques are disclosed for resetting agents in a computer system without requiring the computer system, or partitions thereof, to be reset. In one embodiment, each agent in the system is associated with a corresponding partition. A reset signal directed to an agent is redirected to a reset type selector which determines whether the partition associated with the agent is in a run state (an “unsafe run state”) in which resetting the agent will cause the partition to crash. If the partition is in an unsafe run state, a soft reset is performed on the agent. Otherwise, a hard reset is performed on the agent. If performing a soft reset does not solve the problem that was the impetus for the reset signal, the partition may be brought into a safe run state before performing a hard reset on it.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to techniques for resetting components of a computer system and, more particularly, to techniques for resetting agents in a computer system without disrupting the operation of the computer system.
2. Related Art
All computer systems include a reset architecture of some kind. A computer system's reset architecture is responsible for resetting some or all of the components of the system to an initial state. A reset may be initiated, for example, when a computer system is booted up, in response to a user pressing a hardware reset button, or in response to an automated or user-invoked software reset instruction. If the computer system crashes, for example, it may be necessary for the user to invoke a hard reset by pressing a hardware reset button, thereby causing the computer system's memory and other components to be re-initialized and again become usable. Frequently, many or all components within a computer system are reset from the same reset signal, thereby ensuring that the overall system starts up in a defined state. The reset architecture in a standalone desktop computer, for example, typically uses a single reset signal to initiate a reset of all necessary components.
More complex computer systems may include multiple autonomous devices, such as embedded microcontrollers, system processors, or sets of complex logic. Each of these devices—referred to herein as "agents"—may have a distinct reset source. The term "multi-agent system" is used herein to refer to any computer system that includes multiple agents.
One example of a multi-agent computer system is a partitionable server, also referred to as a "consolidation server" or a "multi-partition computer." Referring to FIG. 1A, for example, a functional block diagram is shown of a prior art partitionable server 100. The partitionable server 100 is a single physical computer system that is logically subdivided into multiple partitions 104a–c, each of which is allocated a portion of the server's hardware and/or software resources. Each of the partitions 104a–c may execute its own operating system and software applications. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, partitions 104a–c execute operating systems 114a–c, respectively.
More generally, each of the partitions 104a–c is intended to be functionally equivalent to, and therefore externally indistinguishable from, a distinct standalone computer. Partitionable servers are sometimes referred to as "consolidation servers" because they may be used to consolidate several physical servers into one physical server having multiple partitions, each of which performs the functions of the physical server that it replaces. A conventional desktop or laptop computer may be considered to be a special case of a multi-partition computer, in which the number of partitions is one.
In the particular example shown in FIG. 1A, the partitionable server 100 also includes a plurality of agents 108a–c. The partitions 104a–c run off of main system power in a main power domain 102, while the agents 108a–c run off of auxiliary power in an auxiliary power domain 106, meaning that the agents 108a–c can continue to receive power even when the main power domain 102 is not providing power. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1A, each of the agents 108a–c monitors and supports a corresponding one of the partitions 104a–c. Partitions 104a–c and agents 108a–c communicate with each other over communications links 112a–c, respectively.
Each of the agents 108a–c includes its own reset circuitry, and agents 108a–c are capable of being independently reset by reset signals transmitted on reset lines 110a–c, respectively. As a result, it is possible for some of the agents 108a–c to be in the process of resetting while corresponding ones of the partitions 104a–c are still running. In some cases, one of the agents 108a–c and a corresponding one of the partitions 104a–c may be communicating with each other when the agent goes into reset unexpectedly (e.g., as the result of a watchdog timer triggering a reset or a user forcing a reset).
In multi-partition computers, such as the partitionable server 100 shown in FIG. 1A, it is highly desirable that the partitions 104a–c be isolated and independent, so that a failure (such as an operating system crash) in one of the partitions 104a–c does not cause a failure in other ones of the partitions 104a–c. Achieving this goal can be challenging for the system designer in many ways. In particular, it can be challenging to design the system 100 so that the act of resetting one of the agents 108a–c does not require the corresponding one of the partitions 104a–c, or the entire server 100, to be reset.
In most cases, the unexpected reset of one of the agents 108a–c will not disrupt the operation of either the corresponding partition or other ones of the partitions 104a–c in the server 100. In fact, partitionable servers and other multi-agent systems are typically designed to handle such an event gracefully. In certain circumstances, however, the unexpected reset of one of the agents 108a–c may cause undesirable effects, such as causing the corresponding one of the partitions 104a–c, or even the entire server 100, to crash. Typically, the server 100 may only be brought back into an operational state after such a crash by powering down the entire server 100 and then powering it back up again. This is one example of a "hard reset." A complete system crash and reboot is extremely undesirable, particularly in cases in which the server 100 is relied upon for constant connectivity by hundreds or even thousands of other computer systems and peripherals.
Consider, for purposes of example, the agent 108a and the corresponding partition 104a. One set of circumstances under which an unexpected reset of the agent 108a may cause the corresponding partition 104a (or the entire server 100) to crash is when the partition 104a is in a run state in which the operating system 114a executing on the partition 104a assumes that the agent 108a will always be available for communication over the communications link 112a. Examples of agents that may be relied upon for such constant availability include, for example, input/output (I/O) controllers, hard disk drive controllers, local area network (LAN) controllers, manageability processors, crossbar circuitry, bus bridges, and circuits for monitoring and/or controlling components such as cooling fans. If the operating system 114a attempts to communicate with the agent 108a over the communications link 112a and the agent 108a does not respond (e.g., because the agent 108a is in the process of resetting), the operating system 114a may crash, thereby making the partition 104a inoperable until it is reset.
Therefore, under such conditions it is unsafe to reset the agent 108a because doing so may cause the corresponding partition 104a to crash. Any run state of a partition in which resetting the corresponding agent is likely or certain to cause the partition to crash will be referred to herein as an "unsafe run state." Any run state of a partition in which resetting the corresponding agent is not likely or certain to cause the partition to crash will be referred to herein as a "safe run state."
When the partition 104a, for example, is in a safe run state, conventional techniques may be employed to reset the agent 108a because resetting the agent 108a will not cause the partition 104a or the other partitions 104b–c to crash. When the partition 104a is in an unsafe run state, however, a different reset scheme must be used to avoid the undesirable effects described above.
What is needed, therefore, are improved techniques for resetting agents in computer systems.

Dynamic computer system reset architecture

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An image sensor for three-dimensional (“3D”) imaging includes a first, a second, and a third pixel unit, where the second pixel unit is disposed between the first and third pixel units. Optical filters included in the pixel units are disposed on a light incident side of the image sensor to filter polarization-encoded light having a first polarization and a second polarization to photosensing regions of the pixel units. The first pixel unit includes a first optical filter having the first polarization, the second pixel unit includes a second optical filter having the second polarization, and the third pixel unit includes a third optical filter having the first polarization.

Recently, three-dimensional (3D) movies are played in cinemas and receive a great deal of attention from public. 3D TVs and displays are also available for home use. 3D movies can be played using a 3D DVD player and thus a 3D movie can be watched at home. A 3D display may also be known as a stereoscopic display.
Displaying a 3D image is essentially conducted by allowing the left eye to see a left view only and the right eye to see a right view only. The difference between the left and right views creates a parallax such that the viewer feels as he is seeing a 3D object. To let the left eye see the left view only and the right eye see the right view only both views must be isolated from each other. The left and right views provided by a display may be encoded in time, i.e., alternately displayed. A pair of goggle shutters may be turned on and off in a synchronized fashion, such that by wearing the goggle the left eye will see the left view only and the right eye will see the right view only. The left and right views may also be polarization-encoded. For example, the left view may horizontally polarized while the right view is vertically polarized. A pair of polarized goggles then may have a horizontal polarizer for the left eye and a vertical polarizer for the right eye. By wearing the polarized goggle, the left and right eyes will see their respective views only.
Some conventional 3D imaging systems use two separate cameras to capture a 3D image—one to record the left view and another to record the right view. Other conventional systems may record the left and right views using a single camera having two individual image sensors. Further conventional systems may include a single camera that uses a single image sensor, where the left and right views are recorded in left and right halves of the image sensor, respectively.
In more recent conventional systems, a single camera that uses a single image sensor may be implemented where the left and right views are separated using a lenticular-lens or micro-lens array such that the left and right images are interleaved onto the image sensor. However, the interleaving using a lenticular-lens or micro-lens array may increase pixel crosstalk and may also introduce crosstalk between the captured left and right images.

Image sensor with optical filters having alternating polarization for 3D imaging


A hydraulic accumulator includes an accumulator housing defining a gas reservoir and a liquid volume. A flexible membrane is positioned within the accumulator housing and separates the gas reservoir and the liquid volume. A flow control screen defines a wall of the accumulator housing, has a screen thickness, and includes an exterior face opposing a membrane engagement face. A first slot is formed through the exterior face and has a first slot depth that is less than the screen thickness. A second slot is formed through the membrane engagement face and has a second slot depth that is less than the screen thickness. The first slot and the second slot intersect to fluidly connect an exterior of the accumulator housing with the liquid volume.

Hydraulic accumulators may be positioned along hydraulic circuits and may function as reservoirs for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure. As a result, specific amounts of hydraulic fluid may be stored under pressure to meet peak demands. In addition, hydraulic accumulators may function to maintain system pressure and/or reduce or absorb hydraulic shocks or pulsations. According to a particular application, hydraulic accumulators may be incorporated into the hydraulic system of a hydraulic hammer for various purposes, including the suppression of hydraulic shocks that may occur during valve closures. Typical operation of a hydraulic hammer includes the reciprocation of a piston using hydraulic pressure acting on opposing ends of the piston, as taught in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0138328 to Teipel et al.
Hydraulic accumulators typically include a force, such as a spring, a weight, or a compressed gas, acting on the hydraulic fluid. Although various embodiments and configurations exist, hydraulic accumulators typically include a structure that permits a controlled flow of hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic system, or circuit, and a liquid volume within the hydraulic accumulator, which is acted on by the force. According to many embodiments, a wall of the hydraulic accumulator may include a large number of discrete openings facilitating the controlled fluid flow. Although such a flow control arrangement may provide acceptable flow, the costs of manufacture for machining the hundreds or thousands of discrete openings may be very high.
The present disclosure is directed to one or more of the problems or issues set forth above.

Flow control screen for use with hydraulic accumulator, hydraulic hammer using same, and manufacturing method


This invention pertains to packaging wherein the package comprises a blister member bonded to a substrate member. The blister member has a product-holding cavity having a sidewall, and is secured to the front surface of the substrate member by a bond line extending generally about the product-holding cavity. A tear strip is defined in one of the blister member and the substrate member. The tear strip comprises an opening tab having a distal edge disposed outwardly of the side wall at or adjacent a free edge in the blister card, and lines of weakness extending from approximately the distal edge inwardly on the blister card. The tear strip facilitates the creation of an opening in the blister card to provide access to the product-holding cavity. The tear strip is devoid of fixed bonding to the other of the substrate member and the blister member to allow for easy activation of the tear strip to open the package. A variety of package configurations, including a variety of configurations of lines of weakness, are contemplated in the invention. Some configurations enable reclosing the package to thereby protect the product, and/or to retain intact the location of the product with respect to the blister card and blister member.

This invention pertains to packaging of products in a package having a generally enclosing plastic member secured to a substrate member. In a first typical such package generally known as a blister package or blister card, the substrate member comprises a paperboard blister card, and the enclosing plastic member is a product-holding blister member, secured to the blister card. In a second typical such package, generally known as a frequency welded package, both the enclosing plastic member and the substrate member comprise molded plastic product-holding blister members.
In the packaging industry, especially as related to blister and related type packaging, it is desirable to have a package that may be readily opened by a consumer without destroying the packaging materials or without so degrading the packaging materials as to render the package ineffective for further use in containing and/or protecting unused portions of the product. Further, it is desirable to be able to easily open the package without so damaging the enclosing plastic member as to render it ineffective for further packaging use.
Because packages of interest (e.g. blister packaging or frequency welded packaging) may contain multiple units of product (e.g. batteries), it is also desirable to enable the consumer to open the package in such a way as to gain access to successively available units of product while retaining and protecting in the package any units of product not concurrently removed.
It is an object of this invention to provide novel packages which enable a consumer to readily access a product or products contained in the package while maintaining substantial containment and protective capabilities of the package.
It is a further object of this invention to provide packages which hold multiple units of product and which enable the consumer to progressively gain access to successively available units of the product.
It yet another object of this invention to provide packages which may be reclosed by the consumer to secure remaining units of product in the package.
It is still another object to provide packaging wherein the package can readily be progressively opened.
It is another object to provide packaging which includes a plastic member having a product-holding cavity, the plastic member being fixedly bonded to a substrate at a bond line, the packaging including a gap in the fixed bonding at a tear strip which crosses the bond line.


The invention provides methods and apparatus ultimately for converting a carbonaceous material to liquid hydrocarbons suitable for use, for example, as transportation fuels. In a first step the carbonaceous material is converted to a syngas product, and in subsequent steps the syngas product is converted to the desired liquid hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, coal and methane are converted to syngas, and the syngas product is converted to hydrocarbons through a methanol intermediate. An example use for the methods and apparatus of the invention is in the preparation of aviation fuels.

Coal reserves in the U.S. are sufficient to meet anticipated transportation fuel needs for the foreseeable future. However, despite increased costs and security concerns associated with relying on imported petroleum, no company has built a U.S. facility to produce transportation fuel from coal.
Coal liquefaction methods, also known as coal-to-liquid (CTL) methods, refer to the process of converting coal into hydrocarbon liquids. The hydrocarbon products are typically used as transportation fuels, and include diesel fuels and jet fuels. For some CTL methods, coal gasification is a companion process that plays an important initial role by converting the coal to syngas, which is a mixture of H2 and CO. Typically, coal gasification is carried out in a gasification reactor into which coal is injected either by a gas-blown system or water slurry. Gas-blown systems typically use air to blow the coal into the hot zone in the gasifier. The syngas product is converted to transportation fuels via one of several methods (for example, in the Fischer-Tropsch process) depending on a variety of factors.
Current CTL methods emit substantial amounts of CO2 and consume large quantities of water. The insufficient hydrogen content of coal (H/C˜0.4-0.8) relative to transportation fuels such as JP-8 (H/C˜1.9, where for simplicity JP-8 is assumed to have the average formula C11H21) means that any process that purports to convert all, or substantially all, of the carbon in coal into carbon in JP-8 requires an additional source of hydrogen. To make transportation fuel, current CTL plants typically produce additional hydrogen in a post-gasification unit using the water-gas shift (WGS) process that consumes water and CO to produce H2 and CO2. The CO2 emissions increase further when plants convert H2 and CO to CO2 and hydrocarbons using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), which produces a broad distribution of hydrocarbons and requires additional investment to convert fractions outside of the diesel range to diesel.
Current CTL technologies are not carbon-efficient. In a conventional indirect approach for coal to transportation fuels through FTS, as much as ⅔ of the carbon in the coal is emitted as CO2 (a 100,000 BPD plant would produce 136 million lb of CO2 per day). Because of these expensive process units, current CTL plants require˜$80,000 in capital per barrel/day of capacity.
There remains a need for converting coal to liquids at a competitive price on a large scale (e.g., 100,000+ barrel-per-day) in a method that produces little or no CO2 emissions and consumes little or no water. Preferred methods would be capable of using a variety of carbonaceous inputs and would be readily scalable to any desired level of output.


A combined extendable pole and counterbalance system for washing the windows of a building includes an elongated pole including a handle portion adjacent the lower end thereof and a window cleaning utensil adjacent the upper end. The handle portion is adapted to be grasped by a workman while standing on the ground. An elongated flexible line is suspended from the roof or some other an upper part of the building above the windows to be washed. The line extends downwardly toward the ground and is connected to the pole. A spring driven drum biases the line upwardly thereby lifting part of the weight of the pole. The line is preferably connected to the pole adjacent the handle portion thereof but passes around and is guided by a pulley located adjacent the upper end of the pole so as to stabilize the upper end of the pole to prevent it from falling from side to side.

The present invention is directed toward a window washing pole arrangement and, more particularly, toward a counterbalance for use with a window washing pole that reduces the strain and fatigue on the arms of a window washer and also decreases the risk of injury to the window washer and others nearby. The invention also decreases the risk damage to the window washing pole and to property in the vicinity.
Extendable poles for window washing are well known in the art and are widely used. Typically, scaffolding or a support lowered from a roof is used when cleaning windows on very tall buildings or on a building having seven or eighth floors or more. On the other hand, extendable poles are typically used for washing the windows on shorter buildings and sometimes for windows located on the lower five or six floors of taller buildings. These poles normally have a handle section at the bottom and a brush at the top. In addition, a fluid supply line within or carried outside of the pole carry water or cleaning fluid up to the brush.
There are, however, several problems with using such poles. For example, in one known system, the poles typically have several telescoping sections. This makes the pole rather heavy and somewhat cumbersome to use from the ground even when the pole is collapsed or telescoped in. The weight of the pole puts substantial strain on the arms of the window washer who must move the entire pole, brush and fluid up and down repeatedly. This causes great fatigue thereby reducing the amount of work that a window washer can perform.
In another type of extendable pole known in the art, several sections are provided that may each be six to feet long. The sections are releasably connected to each other end to end such as by a threaded connection, locking tabs, or the like. Cleaning fluid passes up through the center of the pole. When only the lowermost section is used to wash the windows on the bottom floor, the pole may not be particularly heavy. However, when five or six sections are interconnected, the combined pole along with the brush and fluid may weigh fifty pounds or more.
U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2005/0123344 to Bensussan discloses quick release connections for an extensible pole used to extend the reach of a variety of tools, such as a window washing implement. This pole also, when extended, may be rather heavy and cumbersome.
The weight of the pole, with the resultant fatigue on the window washer's muscles is not the only negative of such prior art systems. Because of the length of the pole, particularly in its fully extended position, it is unstable and can easily tilt to the left or right when being used and can fall causing damage to the pole or the building or other objects in the area. The falling pole may also cause injury to bystanders or to persons passing by.
Therefore, a need exists for an extendable pole system for washing windows that will not cause fatigue in a window washer and that will not cause damage or injury due to the pole accidentally falling.

Combined extendable pole and counterbalance system for washing the windows of a building


A resistively-heated furnace such as a graphite furnace is employed to atomize a sample for electron ionization and mass spectrometric analysis. Wide-ranging sample types such as biological tissue, semi-solid and nonhomogeneous materials, as well as bulk organic and inorganic chemicals, can be effectively and accurately analyzed with the instrument and instrumental method with little if any sample preparation.

Several types of instrumentation are presently available for elemental analyses. The four most predominant types are graphite furnace atomic absorbtion (GFAA), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), glow discharge mass spectrometry (GD-MS), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Each of these instruments with their associated techniques has its advantages and disadvantages in turn. There is no one form of instrumentation which is superior to the others in all respects.
GFAA is an optical technique. With it, an atom in its lowest energy state (the ground state) can absorb a specific wavelength of light which corresponds to the difference in the electronic energy levels of the excited and ground states of the atom. The more atoms of the particular analyte element which are present in a beam of this specific wavelength of light passing through the atoms, the greater will be the absorbance of that specific wavelength of light, and hence, the more absorbance will be measured. The amount of absorbance measured corresponds to the concentration of the analyte element in the sample. Principles of operation of atomic absorbtion have been described by J.W. Robinson in "Atomic Absorbtion Spectrometry," J.E. Cantle (Ed.), New York: Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., pages 1-5 & 22-23, 1982. In GFAA, the sample is atomized in a resistively heated furnace. To absorb their characteristic wavelengths of light, analyte atoms must be free atoms, i.e., in the gas phase. See, M. Cope, G. Kirkbright & P. Burr, Analyst, 107, 611 (1982).
The main disadvantages of GFAA are its slow analysis rate, poor sensitivity with certain elements, and limited dynamic range. It is a slow technique because a different light source must be brought into use for every element to be analyzed. Its sensitivity varies according to how strongly a particular element absorbs light. For some elements, the absorbtion is very strong, but for others it is quite weak. For the weakly absorbing elements such as phosphorus and sulphur, the poor sensitivity results in very bad (high) detection limits. Its linear range of response is very dynamically limited. In general, its absorbance is directly proportional to analyte element concentration for solutions ranging from one part per billion (1 ppb) to 100 ppb. This represents two orders of magnitude. Above this range the absorbance begins to taper off and is no longer linearly related to concentration.
ICP-OES is also an optical technique. The ICP is a plasma which is maintained by the coupling of a radio frequency (RF) field with a stream of argon gas. It has been described by J. Olesik in Anal. Chem., 63(1), 12A (1991). Its temperature of 6000 degrees Celsius or higher is hot enough to atomize almost any substance. It is also hot enough to excite ground state atoms to a higher energy level, from which emission of characteristic wavelengths of light can occur as the excited atoms settle back toward less energetic levels, again, the least energetic of which is the ground state. The intensities of these emissions are related to the concentration of analyte atoms in the sample. In ICP-OES, emissions are resolved and quantified by a spectrometer to include a detector such as a photomultiplier. See e.g., D. Beauchemin, Spectroscopy, 7(7), 12 (Sep. 1992).
ICP-OES has two main disadvantages associated with it relative to these other known techniques. It is subject to interferences because of the large number of emission lines inherent to atoms, which result in congested spectra. Also, it is not as sensitive as most of the other techniques.
GD-MS operates by ionizing the surface of a solid sample and analyzing the ions by mass spectrometry. A high voltage charges the sample in a low pressure argon plasma in order to accelerate argon ions toward the sample surface. The argon ions impact with the surface of the sample, dislodging free atoms, which become ionized as a result of further collisions in the plasma. In GD-MS, the plasma interfaces directly with the vacuum system that contains a quadrupole mass spectrometer. See e.g., R.K. Marcus, Spectroscopy. 7(5), 12 (Jun. 1992).
Disadvantages of GD-MS include that its sample must be electrically conductive, or made to be so, for it to be atomized. This is not always practical or even possible. At the very least, nonconductive samples such as biological samples and so forth must be mixed with a metal agent to make them conductive. This agent can be a source of contamination of the sample.
ICP-MS also generates ions from the sample and analyzes them by mass spectrometry. The atomization and ionization of the sample occurs in an inductively coupled plasma which is essentially the same as that in ICP-OES. The plasma is hot enough not only to atomize the sample but also to ionize most of the analyte atoms. In ICP-MS, however, the plasma generator is mounted so as to orient the plasma horizontally, and the plasma is directly interfaced to the inlet of a vacuum chamber for ion analysis. See, R. Houk, Anal. Chem., 58, 97A (1986).
Disadvantages of ICP-MS include that interferences and a form of ion suppression are often unavoidable. This is caused by the atomization and ionization steps which occur in the same region, a wet argon plasma. The interferences result in relatively poor detection limits for important atoms such as Si, S, P, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, V, Mn, Cr, Fe and Se.
Another known mass spectrometric system employs a Knudson cell as its sample source. The cell is positioned internally, and is heated slowly under the vacuum of the instrument until its solid phase sample contents come into thermal equilibrium with its vapor phase and the cell. The vapors effuse through a small opening in the cell and travel to the ionization region as a molecular beam. The mass spectrometer measures the ion current resulting from the sample. The purpose of this instrument is to establish the vapor pressure of the atomic or molecular species inside the cell rather than to determine elemental analysis of a sample. See, J.R. Majer, "The Mass Spectrometer," London: Wykeham Publications, Ltd., Crane, Russak & Co., Inc., page 71, 1977.
Further art concerning such instruments, parts thereof, and so forth, and improvements in them is known. See e.g., Kraus et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,619,839 (Nov. 16, 1971), for an electrically heatable cylindrical sample container; Calcote et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,441 (Jul. 14, 1981), for a flame sampling apparatus and method; Pink, U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,656 (Jun. 16, 1987), for aerosol production in inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy; Castleman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,800 (May 9, 1989), for a system for trace gas detection; Forster et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,077 (Apr. 10, 1990), for a method and apparatus for oxidative decomposition and analysis of a sample; Williams et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,870 (Aug. 4, 1992), for laser ablation/ionization and mass spectrometric analysis of massive polymers. This is not a technique for elemental analysis. See also trade literature for the following instruments: Model 5100 PC and Seeman/5100 PC atomic absorbtion spectrometers (Perkin Elmer, 1987); SpectrAA-300/400 atomic absorbtion spectrometers (Varian, 1987); ICAP 61E plasma spectrometer (Thermo Jarrel Ash, 1989); TS SOLA modular mass spectrometer system for multi-element analysis of liquids and solids, ICP-MS & GD-MS in one instrument (Turner Scientific).

Furnace atomization electron ionization mass spectrometry


A cooling unit has (a) a cooling cartridge having (i) two foils sealed to one another along a perimeter area delimiting an inner area of the cartridge where a liquid pathway is defined between both foils, the liquid pathway making a fluid communication between an inlet and an outlet of the cooling cartridge; (ii) a web or mesh of material provided between both foils in the inner area of the cooling cartridge in the liquid pathway, the web or mesh of material has contact zones where the foils contact the web or mesh of material in the inner area of the cooling cartridge when the pressure reigning in the inner area equals ambient pressure; (b) a first cooling plate has a first surface and a second cooling plate has a second surface facing the first surface; (c) a cold source suitable for cooling said first and second surfaces, wherein the inner area of the cooling cartridge is positioned between both cooling surfaces; wherein the foils are not or only at distinct locations attached to the contact zones of the web or mesh material.

Many applications require the cooling of a liquid. In particular, beverages or beverage components must often be cooled prior to or upon dispensing. This is the case for dispensing malt based beverages, such as beer, or any soda. There are basically two ways of serving a beverage at a temperature substantially lower than room temperature: either a whole container or reservoir containing the beverage or a component thereof to be dispensed is cooled, or only the volume of beverage or beverage component flowing through a dispensing tube from the container or reservoir to a tapping valve is cooled.
Many beverage dispensers comprise a cooled compartment for storing and cooling a container or reservoir. A common cooling system is based on the compression-expansion of a refrigerant gas of the type used in household refrigerators. Thermoelectric cooling systems using the Peltier effect have also been proposed in the art for cooling a container stored in a dispensing apparatus. One disadvantage of cooling the whole container/reservoir is that when an empty container must be replaced by a new one or when a reservoir needs to be refilled, it takes considerable time to bring the content of the new container or refilled reservoir down to the desired low temperature. A solution to this problem is of course to constantly store a full container in a cooled compartment so that it can be used immediately after being loaded into a dispensing apparatus in replacement of an empty container. This solution, however, requires the investment of an additional cooling compartment for storing cooled containers in the wait of being loaded, and requires extra work to store a new container into the cooled compartment after having loaded a new cooled container onto the dispensing apparatus.
Cooling only the volume of beverage flowing through the dispensing tube clearly has many potential advantages: no need to pre-cool a container in reserve as discussed supra, the volume of liquid being cooled is restricted to the volume being dispensed or even less, etc. These advantages are, however, difficult to attain, because of the numerous challenges of such process. It must be taken into consideration that the dispensing tube must be cleaned or changed at regular intervals, either because the type of beverage (type of beer) changes from one container to the other, or because with time bacterial deposits may form in a dispensing tube. Another challenge is that beer must be dispensed at a relatively high flow rate, of typically 2 oz/s or 3.5 l/min, and it is difficult to extract all the thermal energy required to bring the temperature of the beverage to the desired value at such flow rates.
Traditionally, the dispensing tube of a dispensing apparatus bringing in fluid communication the interior of a container/reservoir with a tapping valve comprises a serpentine or coil dipped into a vessel of iced water or any other secondary refrigerant such as glycol. Although simple and efficient, this solution has several drawbacks. A vessel of iced water occupies a substantial space which is often scarce behind a bar counter or at home. The temperature of the iced water is limited to zero degree Celsius (0° C.). The level of ice and water must be controlled and ice refilled at regular intervals. A compressor can be used to form ice, so that the vessel needs not be refilled. Subzero temperatures can be reached with e.g., glycol. Furthermore, the coil or serpentine is usually made of copper or other heat conductive metal and must be cleaned at regular intervals, which is not easy in view of the coiled geometry of the serpentine.
The dispensing tube used for dispensing beverage out of the container may be cooled by contacting it with cooling systems using the Peltier effect. Although not as efficient as other cooing systems, thermoelectric cooling systems have the great advantage of not requiring any refrigerant gas, nor any source of cold refrigerant liquid and only require to be plugged to a source of power. Examples of beverage dispensing apparatuses comprising a thermoelectric cooling system are disclosed in EP1188995, EP2103565, DE102006005381, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,658,859, 5,634,343, WO2007076584, WO8707361, WO2004051163, EP1642863. For example, a dispensing apparatus comprising a Peltier or thermoelectric cooling system for cooling a section of a dispensing tube is disclosed, e.g., in WO2010064191. A dispensing tube comprises a section of deformable walls disposed in a passage extending through a cooling block cooled by a Peltier cooling system. The deformability of the material of the disposable tube is such that the outer surface of the wall of the tube abuts against the inner surface of said passage when the beverage is pressurized. This ensures a better thermal contact between the cooling block and the dispensing tube. The passage through the cooling blocks comprises successive chambers separated from one another by thin passages. The thermal contact area between the dispensing tube and the cooling block is quite reduced and it seems unlikely that satisfactory results could be obtained at low rates of the order of 3.5 l/min. This is probably the reason why this cooling system is described with respect to domestic beverage dispensing devices only, which function at lower flow rates than in pubs and bars.
Other cooling solutions have been proposed in the art to cool beer flowing through a dispensing tube. For example, JP2002046799 discloses a domestic beverage dispensing device comprising a detachable cooling means placed in tight contact with a flexible dispensing tube, so as to allow the beer supplied from the barrel to be cooled and supplied at an appropriate temperature. The cooling means comprises a gelatinous cold-insulation agent filled in a predetermined container. In addition, a wall surface of the cooling member is formed with a guide for placing the flexible dispensing tube.
There therefore remains a need for a cooling system suitable for cooling beer flowing through a dispensing tube at high rates as used in pubs and bars or for small cooling units suitable for instant cooling of beverages or beverage components in domestic apparatuses. The present invention proposes a solution to this need, with a user friendly system, requiring no skills to install and of easy maintenance. These and other advantages of the present invention are presented in continuation.

Dispensing apparatus provided with a cooling unit


A deflector for an accumulator for an air conditioning system acts as a barrier to substantially prevent incoming liquid from entering a conduit which is primarily for gas. Fluid entering the accumulator comprises gas and liquid. The deflector also assists with the separation of gas from liquid, with reduced turbulence, to decrease the likelihood of liquid becoming re-entrained within the gas. An initial contact surface of the deflector receives the incoming fluid. The initial contact surface is substantially convex, so that liquid reflecting off the surface will be travel in a direction away (or different) from the flow of incoming fluid. The initial contact surface is also angled to direct liquid reflecting off it (or flowing down it) downward and outward.

Closed-loop refrigeration systems conventionally employ a compressor that is meant to draw in gaseous refrigerant at relatively low pressure and discharge hot refrigerant at relatively high pressure. The hot refrigerant condenses into liquid as it is cooled in a condenser. A small orifice or valve divides the system into high and low-pressure sides. The liquid on the high-pressure side passes through the orifice or valve and turns into a gas in the evaporator as it picks up heat. (Some systems operate in "transcritical" mode, in that the hot refrigerant is merely cooled in a high side heat exchanger, now termed a "gas cooler", and turns to gas plus liquid as it passes through the expansion device.) At low heat loads, it is not desirable or possible to evaporate all the liquid in the evaporator. However, excess liquid refrigerant entering the compressor (known as "slugging") causes system efficiency loss and can cause damage to the compressor. Hence it is standard practice to include a reservoir between the evaporator and the compressor to separate and store the excess liquid. It is also a reservoir for excess refrigerant, which is typically added to the system during manufacture to compensate for unavoidable leakage during the working life of the system. This reservoir is called a suction line accumulator, or simply an accumulator.
An accumulator is typically a metal can, welded together, and often has fittings attached for a switch, transducer and/or charge port. One or more inlet tubes and an outlet tube pierce the top, sides, or occasionally the bottom, or attach to fittings provided for that purpose. The refrigerant flowing into a typical accumulator will impinge upon a deflector or baffle intended to reduce the likelihood of liquid flowing out the exit, generally by removing kinetic energy from the liquid so it settles quietly into the reservoir area without churning or splashing. Some patents describe accumulators without deflectors (such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,179,844 and 5,471,854). However, the lack of a deflector reduces effective reservoir volume and reduces efficiency by allowing churning and splashing that returns unnecessary liquid to the compressor—that is, by allowing liquid carryover. Moreover, even when deflectors have been used in the past, the deflectors have contributed to turbulence, when the incoming fluid rebounds off the deflectors.
A consequence of using a suction line accumulator is that compressor oil can become trapped within it. Compressor oil is circulated with the refrigerant in most systems in current usage. Even if a separator is used, a small amount of oil escapes into the system. This oil will find its way into the accumulator, and while liquid refrigerant may be expected to evaporate and return to circulation as needed, the oil does not evaporate. Some means must be provided to return this oil to circulation. A known practice is to use a J-shaped outlet tube to carry the exiting gaseous refrigerant from the top of the accumulator down to the bottom and then back up to the outlet from the accumulator. A carefully sized orifice at the bottom of this "J-tube" (sometimes also referred to as a "U-tube") entrains the oil from the bottom of the liquid area into the stream of exiting gas. A recent development in accumulator design is to incorporate a plastic liner in the accumulator to assist with the oil pick up function (as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,612,128 and 6,463,757).
While previous deflector and accumulator designs have considered configurations to help prevent liquid refrigerant from exiting the accumulator, the previous designs do not appear to have addressed deflector design to improve the separation of liquid from vapour (while maintaining little liquid carryover).
Deflectors within accumulators have typically been designed to act only as shields to protect an outlet tube (or a J-tube or a gas flow tube (all of which may be referred to as a conduit primarily for gas)) from stray liquid refrigerant. It would be desirable to have a deflector that improves the separation of liquid and gas, while also protecting the outlet (or gas flow tube) from liquid refrigerant.


Disclosed are embodiments of an apparatus incorporating a detection circuit adapted for determining the state of selected fuses and a programming circuit for blowing selected fuses on demand. Also, disclosed are embodiments of an associated method. The detection circuit comprises a plurality of fuses in identical signal and reference legs in order to increase the signal margin for detecting blown fuses and/or current sources configured to pass offset currents through the signal and reference legs in order to set the trip point for detecting blown fuses between the un-blown and the minimum blown resistances. Thus, the invention provides the flexibility of single-sided fuse state detection devices with even greater sensitivity than both single-sided and differential fuse state detection device.

1. Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the invention generally relate to fuse state detection, and particularly, to a circuit for detecting whether or not a fuse is blown.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, simple electrical fuses that can be blown on demand have been designed into chips to alter chip performance after fabrication. For example, fuses within chips can be used to help repair flaws, to manage power consumption or to control individual circuit speed. Similarly, fuses within chips can be blown in order to optimize or tailor chip performance and capability based on customer demands. These fuses are typically thin strips of conductive material (e.g., semiconductor or metal) that are incorporated into a conductive path within a circuit. Such fuses can be blown (i.e., made less conductive) by forcing an excessive current there-through.
Chips that are designed with these fuses are also designed with fuse state detections circuits (i.e., fuse sense circuits) for determining whether or not individual fuses have been blown. Various techniques for detecting fuse states are known, as illustrated in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2005/0151578 of Huang et al., published on Jul. 14, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference. These techniques generally detect the change in the resistance of the fuse device from a low value to a high value. For example, one type of fuse state detection circuit (i.e., a single-sided fuse state detection circuit) compares the voltage of a current that has passed through the fuse to a reference voltage. Another type of fuse state detection circuit (i.e., a differential fuse state detection circuit) compares the voltage of a current that has passed through the fuse with the voltage of current that has passed through an identical reference fuse. Such known fuse detections circuits offer advantages and disadvantages that are related to both flexibility and sensitivity. These advantages and disadvantages must be balanced when determining which fuse detection circuit to use. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved fuse detection circuit that provides the same or greater advantages with regard to flexibility and sensitivity as both single-sided fuse detection circuits and differential fuse detection circuits.

Method of improving fuse state detection and yield in semiconductor applications

International Business Machines Corporation


A user-definable menuing system for use in a process controller or other limited output computer. The process controller is adapted to receive user input from a limited number of buttons and display user output using seven-segment display units. The user may view the current value of and/or change the value of a variety of parameters. The more frequently used parameters may be associated with positions in an easily accessible customizable menu. The less frequently used parameters as well as the customization process are accessed through the conventional means of a menu tree. The parameters are associated with positions in the customizable menu through a special configuration mode. One button is used to cycle through each menu position and another is used to cycle through available parameters within a given menu position. The associations are stored in non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM to prevent the need to reprogram the menu each time.

Industrial heaters are often controlled by specially configured electronic controller modules. In effect, these controller modules are small computers, complete with memory, a processing unit, a display for the output of information, and a means for the input of data from the user. Like more conventional, multi-purpose computers, the controller modules are ever increasingly powerful. With that power, however, comes complication and the loss of ease of use and "user-friendliness."
Recent models of process controllers, such as the Series 988 by Watlow Controls, Inc. of Winona, Minn., are extremely powerful, but that power in part comes from the ability to set well over 100 various parameters. With only a 2 by 4 array of seven-segment LED's to display all of the various parameters, the entry and altering of the parameters can often be a tedious task.
The Series 988 controls organize the different parameters into a tree with multiple branches, to facilitate easier access thereto, which may be referred to as menus. Nonetheless, it can take over 30 button pushes to reach a desired parameter, and on top of that, the user must know exactly under which branches and sub-branches of the menu tree the parameter lies. The positions of the various parameters are fixed at the time of manufacture, and are not adjustable.
Although, the particular problem has not been addressed with smaller devices that have only seven-segment displays for their output, and the intricacies that are thereby involved, others have tried to simplify the use of analogous menuing systems in personal computers and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,042 to Brandt discloses a menuing system that keeps track of the different branches of the menu tree through which the user has traversed. It then allows the user to back track to any branch in the tree the user desires, by displaying the path taken to the current location in the menu tree with the press of a particular button. The user may then choose to go to any previous branch point, selected from the displayed list.
This solution is not complete, as the user must still know on which branch a particular menu lies. This system does, however, speed up the trial and error process of finding the desired menu. This system is also not suitable for a small computer such as a process controller, as there are no means to display the entire list of branches taken, at once.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,653 to Fuller, discloses a 3-tier menu system, which breaks up a large list of menu choices into different zones. One press of a button moves the user from one zone to any other zone. Once again, a process controller is not going to be able to take advantage of such a system, given its limited output.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,675 to Padawer et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,514 to Gram, both assigned to Microsoft Corporation, disclose customizable menus very similar to each other. In each case, the finished customized menu is easy to use, but the process of customizing the menu is not as simplified as possible and requires a complex user interface not available on a process controller.
It is an object of this invention to provide user-definable menuing system adaptable specifically for limited output computers, and more specifically for process controllers.
It is another object of this invention to provide a user-definable menuing system that can be used with a seven-segment array display. Other objects and features will be in part pointed out or become apparent from the description herein below.

Process controller with user-definable menuing system