The present invention relates to a communication control system, and provides specifically a peer-to-peer (P2P) communication control system making it possible to effectively exploit P2P communication within an organizational network. The communication control system includes: an authentication server that authenticates a terminal which requests subscription to a network, sends communication priority information to the terminal whose subscription is permitted, and delivers communication regulation information based on the communication priority information to a router which accommodates the terminal; a terminal that uses a packet, to which the communication priority information sent from the authentication server is appended, to perform communication after having subscription thereof permitted; and a router that monitors the packet sent from the terminal, and imposes a communication regulation on the terminal according to the communication regulation information based on the communication priority information and delivered from the authentication server.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication control system, or more specifically, a P2P communication control system for effectively exploiting peer-to-peer (P2P) communication within an enterprise network constructed using a virtual private network (VPN) service provided by a communication carrier.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the recent growth in broadband connection to the Internet, various P2P applications allowing end users to exchange files over a network are increasing. A P2P application is a kind of file swapping software permitting personal computers (PCs) to directly exchange files over the Internet.
P2P applications are expected to be vigorously utilized within an enterprise network for purposes of (1) forming a secure group of appropriate or necessary members so as to construct a job environment based on the P2P application, and (2) using the P2P application not only to share files, but also to exchange audio and video data, etc.
In this case, an authentication server capable of managing startup of the P2P application or subscribing or unsubscribing of members has to be constructed, and P2P software together with authentication software that accesses the authentication server has to be installed in terminals or devices belonging to each group. Moreover, from the viewpoint of security verification or economy, a VPN service provided by a communication carrier will presumably be used to construct an enterprise network over which headquarters, branch offices, and factories are interconnected.
The amount of traffic whose priority level was relatively high and which was transferred to or from each site or between sites was able to be estimated or planned in the past. An organization has a determined bandwidth, which is allocated to a carrier line leading to each site, according to an estimated or planned value. Traffic sent from each site over a carrier network, carrier network connection relay equipment owned by the organization checks the priority level given to the traffic, and implements priority control on the basis of the result of the check. Thus, quality of high-priority traffic is guaranteed.
Moreover, in the carrier network connection relay equipment at each site from which traffic is transmitted by, for example, the traffic is transferred to a site over the carrier network, so as to control bandwidth according to a design value of the capacity of each site in order to transmit data. The sum total of high-priority traffic originating from respective sites is guaranteed not to exceed bandwidth allocated to a line linking the carrier network and a site, whereby quality of high-priority traffic is ensured. In this case, relay equipment installed in a carrier discards low-priority traffic, which are sent to the site over the carrier network, and exceed bandwidth allocated to the carrier line leading to the site. Quality control provided for an existing carrier VPN service, and the approach to the service by an enterprise are as mentioned above.
However, in a situation in which a P2P application is vigorously utilized within an enterprise network constructed by an existing carrier VPN service, the following problems may be encountered.
(1) Difficulty in Designing Traffic
For the purpose of the above (1) utilizing a P2P application within an organizational network, employees are grouped based on the description of their jobs at various sites, for example, headquarters, branch office, and factories. It is difficult to estimate the amount of traffic occurring between sites linked over a VPN or the occurrence time thereof. In particular, the use of a P2P application increases this kind of traffic and makes estimation of the amount of traffic more difficult.
FIG. 1 shows an example of traffic sent to a site over a carrier network within an existing organizational network.
In the organizational network shown in FIG. 1, multiple sites 20, 30, and 40 belonging to an organization are interconnected over a carrier core network 10 as a virtual private network (VPN). An authentication server 50 owned by the organization is installed within a carrier core network 10. Moreover, customer edge (CE) routers 21, 31, and 41 that interface the carrier core network 10 with the VPN are installed at respective sites 20, 30, and 40.
In this example, P2P applications 22, 32, and 42 or P2P application terminals (hereinafter simply terminals) 22, 32, and 42 that belong to a high-priority group and are authenticated by the authentication server 50 and communicate with one another. A large amount of traffic sent from site 30 or 40 to site 20 takes place. Consequently, the total amount of traffic exceeds bandwidth contracted for a line over which a CE router 21 has network access. As a result, a packet that represents a large amount of traffic and is sent from the site 30 may be discarded (see filled star mark in FIG. 1).
If traffic sent from the transmitting-side site 30 exceeds the bandwidth contracted to the line over which the CE router 31 has network access, a portion of the packet exceeding the contracted value is discarded in the CE router 31.
(2) Prioritization by the Router
The CE router fills the role of Layer-3 relay equipment that is basically designed to handle data packet by packet. The CE router therefore has a bandwidth control feature, but does not have a P2P communication discrimination feature that is needed for P2P communications or a feature that recognizes a P2P group and priority level. The CE router cannot prioritize a P2P application (see x mark in FIG. 1). Therefore, the CE router cannot control traffic according to a priority level or control the bandwidth of high-priority traffic. If high-priority traffic becomes congested, important packets are lost.
(3) High Cost due to Use of Layer 7 Switching
In order to control traffic according to a priority level or control the bandwidth of high-priority traffic, high-order layer processing equipment that operates in Layer 7 and can detect and handle a P2P application is needed.
FIG. 2 shows an example of an organizational network having Layer 7 switches 23, 33, and 43 installed at the respective sites 20, 30, and 40. In this example, the Layer 7 switches are installed independently beside the CE routers 21, 31, and 41. Alternatively, routers dedicated to P2P communications and provided with Layer 7 switches may be adopted.
The Layer 7 switches 23, 33, and 43 detect a P2P application, which should be transmitted over the carrier core network 10, in advance, and transmits the P2P application, which is selected based on the priority level given to the P2P application and the permissible bandwidth, over the carrier core network 10. In this example, congestion in the originating routers 31 and 41 and the terminating router 21, etc. can be prevented.
However, P2P communication arise between any site. Therefore, a Layer 7 switch should be installed at each site 20, 30, and 40. Moreover, since communication between P2P applications generates a large amount of traffic, expensive high-performance high-order layer processing equipment is needed. This leads to an increase in cost needed to construct a network and control equipment. Since a large number of sessions has to be supported in a large scale network, the cost needed to run a network increases.
The countermeasures described below may be adopted for foregoing problems (1) to (3). However, countermeasures cannot thoroughly solve the problems for the reasons described below.
A countermeasure against problem (2) is such that the authentication server 50 assigns a priority level (transmission permission) to a P2P application that cooperates with the authentication server. In this case, data transmission from each of the sites 20, 30, and 40 over the carrier core network 10 can be controlled based on priority levels. However, since the amount of traffic between the sites cannot be recognized because of problem (1), congestion of traffic sent to each site 20, 30, and 40 over carrier core network 10 cannot be controlled.
In this case, authentication server 50 may instruct the terminal installed at a terminating site, which suffers from congestion, to suspend P2P communication or temporarily withdraw from the P2P group. This is effective in reducing the amount of traffic congesting. However, when traffic sent to each site over the carrier core network 10 is congested, an instruction issued from the authentication server 50 may not reach the terminal at the site. Moreover, when a notification of congestion over the carrier core network 10 is posted as a congestion occurrence report to a user enterprise over the carrier core network 10, the report is delayed due to congestion, and the organization cannot take advantage of the report.
A countermeasure for problem (3) is adopted so that relay equipment within the carrier core network 10 collects traffic information in units of priority level or destination site, and the authentication server 50 acquires the information so as to dynamically instruct each relay equipment to control traffic (the contents of the control include, for example, changing of a bandwidth based on which shaping is performed or changing of a threshold for discarding of data according to a priority level). Traffic is therefore controlled in units of a site. However, construction and maintenance of the authentication server 50 is very expensive, and traffic needed to transmit a notification or instructions over the carrier core network 10 increases.


In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a scrambled message over a network connection. The method further includes detecting one or more embedded responses in the scrambled message. In addition, the method includes discovering any streamed embedded responses of the one or more embedded responses. Further, the method includes, responsive to the discovering of any streamed embedded responses, determining whether all of the one or more embedded responses validate. Moreover, the method includes, responsive to a determination that fewer than all of the one or more embedded responses validate, discovering any interleaved embedded responses of the one or more embedded responses. The method also includes, responsive to the discovering of any interleaved embedded responses, determining whether all of the one or more embedded responses validate. Additionally, the method includes, responsive to a determination that all of the one or more embedded responses validate, retaining the one or more responses.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to network error correction and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods for correcting scrambled messages.
2. History of Related Art
On a communications network, a monitoring node may periodically issue commands to monitored devices. The commands typically request certain data such as, for example, a firmware version, a status, or other information. In response, the monitored devices typically transmit messages (i.e., responses) that provide the requested data. Oftentimes, particularly in communications networks such as radio networks and serial-communication networks, network unreliability and/or environmental conditions can cause the messages to arrive scrambled. That is, the messages may no longer conform to a sequence of fields required by a message format. For example, a single scrambled message may contain noise, have multiple distinct messages randomly interleaved therein, etc. Traditionally, scrambled messages are handled utilizing a combination of checksums and retransmissions. For the most part, scrambled messages must be discarded.
Moreover, as the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.

System and method for correcting scrambled messages


The present invention relates to a process of preparing quinacridone pigments in their specific crystal forms by oxidizing a premilled 6,13-dihydroquinacridone corresponding to the quinacridone pigment in a basic, aqueous reaction medium utilizing hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent. The inventive process is an environmentally friendly process which yields a polymorphically homogeneous product in excellent yield.

The oxidation of unsubstituted and substituted 6,13-dihydroquinacridone compounds to the corresponding quinacridone is well-known in the art.
For example, numerous publications disclose the oxidation of a 6,13-dihydroquinacridone to the corresponding quinacridone using aromatic nitro compounds as the oxidizing agent in an alcoholic medium containing a small amount of water. However, such processes have the disadvantage of producing considerable organic waste due to the generation of reduced aromatic by-products.
It is also known to oxidize a 6,13-dihydroquinacridone to the corresponding quinacridone by a process wherein the 6,13-dihydroquinacridone is oxidized in a solvent and/or aqueous basic system with an oxygen-containing gas. Such processes are often referred to as "air oxidation" because air is conveniently used as the oxygen containing-gas. Air oxidation processes have the disadvantage that large gas volumes have to be introduced into a heterogeneous reaction mixture, whereby foam is generated. Additionally, it is difficult to determine when the reaction is complete.
Furthermore it is known to oxidize 6,13-dihydroquinacridones dissolved in polar solvents, for example DMSO, using air as the oxidizing agent. Such processes have the advantage of generating excellent quinacridone pigments in a high yield. However, they have the disadvantage of producing a substantial amount of organic waste, such as dimethylsulfone, as by-product during the oxidation reaction, which requires costly solvent regeneration systems.
The present invention is based on the discovery that unsubstituted and substituted quinacridones are prepared by an environmentally friendly process whereby a premilled 6,13-dihydroquinacridone is oxidized to the corresponding quinacridone in an aqueous, basic medium using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. It is necessary to premill the 6,13-dihydroquinacridone in order to achieve an acceptable degree of oxidation when hydrogen peroxide is the oxidant.
The inventive process offers the advantage of oxidizing the 6,13-dihydroquinacridone without organic solvents and with only a small excess of base in an aqueous system. The hydrogen peroxide oxidant is additionally advantageous because it does not generate a reduced by-product, but rather oxidizes impurities present in the 6,13-dihydroquinacridone from the presynthesis steps. Thus, the inventive process produces a quinacridone product with improved purity and chroma. Additionally, less water has to be used to wash the presscake of the quinacridone product compared to the known oxidation processes.
In another related aspect, the present invention is based on the discovery that gamma-II quinacridone is obtained, if desired in polymorphically pure form, by an environmentally friendly process whereby finely milled 6,13-dihydroquinacridone is oxidized in a basic, aqueous medium using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant. Since the gamma-II form of quinacridone is widely used, the ability to produce it in polymorphically pure form by an anvironmentally friendly process is a great advantage.

Oxidation process for preparing quinacridone pigments


A method and system for converting an email message to a facsimile only for authorized users of an account which has been previously created. After a user registers and provides an email address and appropriate billing information, stamps or authorization codes are transmitted to the user via email. When the user desires to have an email message transmitted via facsimile to another party, the user transmits, from a registered account, an email message which includes the fax number to which the facsimile is to be transmitted and contains a stamp. A computer operated by a service provider receives the email message, checks to see that the email message originated from a valid account, and contains a valid stamp. The stamp is then removed from the email, the email is converted to an image which is transmitted via facsimile to the appropriate telephone number, and the account which was previously registered is billed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and system for relaying communications from a first party to a second party through a third party. The invention is more particularly related to a method of relaying communications by the third party only for authorized users having valid accounts. The invention is more particularly related to converting, by the third party, a received electronic mail message to a facsimile which Is transmitted to a facsimile machine when the electronic mail message originates from an authorized user and contains a valid authorization code.
2. Discussion of the Background:
Internet electronic mail (email) provides an easy, inexpensive, and fast manner of transmitting communications. However, there are many people throughout the United States and the world who do not have access to an internet electronic mail account or who are not able to check their internet account while traveling. Many of these people without internet electronic mail accounts do have access to a facsimile machine which is capable of receiving facsimile communications.
In order to utilize the receiving party's facsimile machine yet still take advantage of the essentially free internet email, there currently exists both commercial services and free services to which internet email can be sent which will convert the email to a fax which is forwarded to the receiving party's fax machine. There is a file available through the internet which explains how to fax from the internet and is entitled "FAQ: How can I send a fax from the Internet?". This FAQ (answers to Frequently Asked Questions) is currently in version 1.5, dated Feb. 23, 1996, is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.northcoast.com/savetz/fax-faq.html and is authored by Kevin M. Savetz.
While conventional internet to fax services allow a facsimile to be transmitted at a much lower cost than a conventional long distance facsimile communication, the inventor has noticed that a problem exists in that there is no simple yet secure manner of billing users to forward a received electronic mail message by facsimile.

Method and system for relaying communications from authorized users


Provided are an angular velocity sensor with improved reliability by preventing an electric short circuit resulting from etching debris left on the bottom electrode after the etching of the conductive layers, and a method for manufacturing the angular velocity sensor. The drive electrode unit, the monitor electrode unit and the sensing electrode unit are each provided with bottom electrode (29) formed on substrate (33) having the shape of a tuning fork, piezoelectric film (30) made of piezoelectric material and formed on bottom electrode (29), and top electrode (31) formed on piezoelectric film (30). Ends (31T) of top electrode (31) are located inside ends (30T) of piezoelectric film (30) so as to expose ends (30T) of piezoelectric film (30) beyond top electrode (31), thereby forming exposed parts (32). When exposed parts (32) have a thickness of “t”, piezoelectric film (30) is made to have an exposed width (L) of not less than 0.3 t.

A conventional angular velocity sensor will be described as follows with reference to drawings. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a vibrator used in the conventional angular velocity sensor, FIG. 9 is a B-B cross sectional view of arms shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the inside of circle "Q" shown in FIG. 9.
In FIGS. 8 and 9, the conventional angular velocity sensor is provided with vibrator 1 for detecting angular velocity, and an electronic circuit (unillustrated) connected with vibrator 1. Vibrator 1 and the electronic circuit are accommodated in an unillustrated casing.
In FIG. 8, vibrator 1 includes shaft 2 and a pair of arms 3 so as to take the shape of a tuning fork. Arms 3 are each provided with drive electrode units 4 and sensing electrode unit 5, and further with monitor electrode unit 6 extending from a part of each arm 3 that is adjacent to shaft 2 to shaft 2.
Drive electrode units 4 receive driving signals which drive vibrator 1. Monitor electrode units 6 detect the state of driving vibrator 1, and then output detection signals. Sensing electrode units 5 output angular velocity signals generated based on angular velocity given to vibrator 1.
Each drive electrode unit 4, each monitor electrode unit 6 and each sensing electrode unit 5 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with bottom electrode 7 formed on a tuning-fork-shaped substrate, piezoelectric film 8 made of piezoelectric material and formed on bottom electrode 7, and top electrode 9 formed on piezoelectric film 8 as shown in FIG. 9. More specifically, a conductive layer which is to become bottom electrode 7 is formed on a main surface of silicon substrate 10, and piezoelectric film 8 is formed on the conductive layer. Then, another conductive layer which is to become top electrode 9 is formed on piezoelectric film 8. These are processed into prescribed shapes by using a well-known photolithography method.
In an etching process in the manufacturing method using the photolithography method, the conductive layers are processed into the prescribed shapes. In a case of producing fine vibrator 1, dry etching is adopted because it allows a specific part to be exclusively etched with high precision. The reason for this is that wet etching, for example, would cause the conductive layers which are to become bottom and top electrodes 7, 9 and piezoelectric film 8 to be etched by the etching solution more than necessary so as to make it impossible to obtain a pattern with a prescribed shape, thereby deteriorating the electric properties.
Dry etching is a well-known microfabrication process and is used to manufacture various semiconductor devices. The dry etching is also suitable to manufacture vibrator 1 of an angular velocity sensor of the present invention, and is particularly suitable to etch thin conductive layers with high precision.
One conventional technique related to the invention of this application is shown in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2002-257549.
With reference to FIG. 8, vibrator 1 used in the conventional angular velocity sensor is provided with drive electrode units 4, monitor electrode units 6 and sensing electrode units 5. In general, the thickness of etching for the formation of the electrode units of the angular velocity sensor is made thicker than the thickness of etching a semiconductor. This makes it necessary to overcome the inconvenience shown in FIG. 10. That is to say, etching debris 11 is left on each etched surface 12 after the etching of the conductive layer corresponding to, e.g. bottom electrode 7.
In actual use conditions where electric field 13 (shown with the arrows) is applied as in FIG. 10, it is necessary to overcome the inconvenience of etching debris 11 causing an electric short circuit between top electrode 9 and bottom electrode 7.

Angular speed sensor and method for fabricating the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A non-volatile hard disk drive cache system is coupled between a processor and a hard disk drive. The cache system includes a control circuit, a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. the control circuit causes a subset of the data stored in the hard disk drive to be written to the non-volatile memory. In response to a request to read data are stored in the non-volatile memory. If so, the requested read data are provided form the non-volatile memory. Otherwise, the requested read data are provided from the hard disk drive. the volatile memory is used as a write buffer and to store disk access statistics, such as the disk drive locations that are most frequently read, which are used by the control circuit to determine which data to store in the non-volatile memory.

Computer or other processor-based systems normally store data, including program instructions, in one or more data storage devices. Data are written to and read from the data storage devices by a central processing unit ("CPU"), such as a microprocessor. An ideal data storage device would have a capacity to store a very large amount of data, it would be able to store and retrieve the data very quickly, and it would be relatively inexpensive in terms of cost per byte of data storage. Other factors that sometimes make a data storage device more desirable are low power consumption and non-volatility, which allows the data to be retained when power is removed from the system containing the data storage device. Unfortunately, the ideal data storage device does not exist. As a result, data storage devices are invariably involve a compromise between capacity, access speed, cost and other factors.
At the high end of the access speed capabilities are static random access memory ("SRAM") devices, which can be accessed very quickly. However, SRAM devices are relatively expensive because they consume a relatively large amount of area on a semiconductor die. SRAM devices are therefore not used where high data storage capacity is desired. Also, SRAM devices are inherently much more prone to radiation-induced errors. Dynamic random access memory ("DRAM") devices consume less area on a semiconductor die per byte of storage, and are therefore less expensive than SRAM devices. For these reasons DRAM devices are typically used for application, such as system memory, where higher data storage capacities and greater reliability are needed. Unfortunately, the access times of DRAM devices are significantly higher than the access times of SRAM devices, and they can consume a significant amount of power. Computer systems often balance the advantages and disadvantages of SRAM and DRAM devices by using DRAM devices as system memory, and using SRAM devices as cache memory to more quickly make available of subset of the data stored in system memory.
One disadvantage of both SRAM devices and DRAM devices is that they are volatile. As a result, any data stored in these devices is lost when power is removed from these memory devices. Flash memory devices have the advantages of being non-volatile, but they are more expensive and slower than both SRAM and DRAM devices.
In applications where high data storage capacity is required, a hard drive is generally used. Hard drives have the significant advantages of being able to store a vast amount of data and are thus far cheaper than SRAM or DRAM devices on a per byte basis. Hard drives also have the advantages of being non-volatile, and they can be configured to consume little or no power when the disk drive is not being accessed. Unfortunately, disk drives have the significant disadvantage of being very slow in comparison to SRAM and DRAM devices. In fact, the data access time of a disk drive is particularly high when accessing data that are not stored on the drive in a contiguous manner. As a result, the read/write head of the disk drive must be physically moved each time data stored at a different track are accessed. The high access times of a disk drive used in a computer system can severely limit the speed at which the computer system may function.
One approach that has been used to reduce the access time for disk drives, has been the use of SRAM or DRAM devices as write buffers for data that are written to disk drives and read caches for data that are read from disk drives. Using this approach, when data are read from the disk drive, the data are stored in the read cache. In response to a read request, the read cache is checked to determine if the requested read data are stored therein. If so, the read data are quickly supplied from the read cache. Otherwise, the read data are more slowly supplied from the disk drive and then stored in the read cache. The read cache therefore stores the data that have been most recently read from the disk drive. A read cache can greatly reduce the time required to access data stored in a disk drive. However, a read cache does not reduce disk access times when a system containing the disk drive is powered-up or otherwise initialized. In such case, the read cache will not contain any data, so all of the read data must be obtained from the disk drive. Yet the disk drive cannot provide any data until after the disk drive has spooled up, which typically requires at least 3-6 seconds.
For write accesses, the data to be written to the disk drive are first stored in the write buffer. As a result, data can be stored at the faster rate commensurate with the faster access times of these devices. During the time that data are written to the write buffer, power can be removed from the disk drive spindle motor, head actuator and associated components to reduce the power consumed by a system containing the disk drive. When the amount of data stored in the write buffer approaches the capacity of the write buffer, power is applied to the disk drive, and the data stored in the write buffer are transferred to the disk drive. The use of a write buffer thus provides the advantages of faster write access speed and lower power consumption. However, if power is inadvertently lost from a system using the write buffer, the write data are also lost.
There is therefore a need for a data storage device that has a very high storage capacity that is relatively inexpensive on a per byte basis, that is non-volatile to prevent the loss of write data, that can be configured to consume relatively little power, and that allows for quick data access.

Non-volatile hard disk drive cache system and method


The present invention provides an electromagnetic tracking system that includes a field generator and a field sensor arranged to generate and detect, respectively, an electromagnetic field. Both the transmitter and receiver coils are connected to signal conditioning and processing circuitry to provide outputs indicative of the coil signals. A processor operates on the signals to determine the coordinates of the sensing assembly relative to the generator assembly. The signal processor produces ratiometric outputs, and applies a mutual inductance model to solve for position/orientation coordinates. In some embodiments, a disturber in the form of a conductive ring or a sheath is disposed about an interfering piece of equipment to moderate and standardize disturbances due to eddy currents.

The present invention relates to magnetic tracking systems of the type wherein a magnetic field is established in a relevant work area, and one Or more magnetic field sensors are operated to sense values of a local magnetic field and are processed to determine the position of a tool, instrument or other identified object. In general, such systems operate using a field generating element or assembly, and a field sensing element or assembly, often in conjunction with other position determining elements, such as robotic stepper or optical tracker assemblies to track the relative changes in position between one or more fixed points or structures in the physical environment or associated images, and one or more moving or non-visible points or structures in the work arena.
Magnetic field generating or sensing assemblies for tracking may be implemented in various ways, with conventional analog wire coils forming current loops or paths, or with semiconductor or microlithographically-formed conductive leads or circuit board traces forming current paths, arranged in an appropriate geometry to generate or sense the desired field components. There may be a symmetry or duality between the generating or sensing elements. Thus, for example in many cases it is possible to have a small multi-coil array that generates a spatially distributed magnetic field and a similar or even identical array that senses the field so generated. Small coils offer the prospect of generating, to a close approximation, dipole fields, although small size may limit the attainable field strength or the achievable level of detection signal amplitude. The generating and sensing constructions may alternatively employ different scales, for example, with relatively large and/or high current coils to establish magnetic field components along different axes, and smaller, or more localized coil assemblies for sensing field values. Smaller coils, whether for sensing or generating, may, for example, be fastened to the body, or attached to workplace or surgical instruments, or to catheters or other body-inserted devices, to sense the magnetic field and track position of the attached structure.
In general, it is the aim of such magnetic tracking assemblies to define the spatial coordinates (e.g., position and orientation coordinates, either absolute or relative) where the movable magnetic assembly is located at a given instant in time. It is therefore necessary to characterize the magnetic field distribution or signal values with some degree of accuracy, and also necessary to accurately detect the field. The field distribution may be determined by a combination of field modeling and empirical field mapping. The latter, for example, may be carried out as a calibration or an initialization step, and may be performed to correct a theoretical field distribution for the presence of interfering structures. In any case, the spatial coordinates are generally computed for one magnetic assembly (transmitter or sensor) with respect to the other magnetic assembly (sensor or transmitter). Typically, one of these assemblies is itself fixed.
One area in which magnetic tracking has been useful is the area of image guided surgery. Typical image guided surgical systems acquire a set of images of an operative region of a patient's body, and track a surgical tool or instrument in relation to one or more sets of coordinates, e.g., spatial coordinates of the surgical work arena, the coordinates of the images themselves, or a target feature of the patient's anatomy. At the present time, such systems have been developed or proposed for a number of surgical procedures such as brain surgery and arthroscopic procedures on the knee, wrist, shoulder or spine, as well as certain types of angiography, cardiac or other interventional radiological procedures and biopsies. Such procedures may also involve preoperative or intraoperative x-ray images being taken to correct the position of and refine the display of, or otherwise navigate a tool or instrument involved in the procedure in relation to anatomical features of interest.
Several areas of surgery have required very precise planning and control. Such tracking is useful for the placement of an elongated probe, radiation needle, fastener or other article in tissue or bone that is internal or is otherwise positioned so that it is difficult to view directly. For brain surgery, stereotactic frames may be used to define the entry point, probe angle and probe depth to access a site in the brain. Furthermore, many of the foregoing techniques may be used in conjunction with previously-compiled three-dimensional diagnostic images such as MRI, PET or CT scan images to provide accurate tissue coordinates to which the tracked physical elements may be referenced. Such systems offer valuable improvements for procedures such as placement of pedicle screws in the spine, where visual and fluoroscopic imaging directions cannot capture the axial view that would be required to safely orient the insertion path through bony material close to the spinal cord.
When used with existing CT, PET or MRI image sets, the previously recorded diagnostic image sets, by virtue of their controlled scan formation and the spatial mathematics of their reconstruction algorithms, define a high precision three dimensional rectilinear coordinate system. However, even when provided with such reference images it is necessary to correlate and fit available measurement and views and anatomical features visible from the surface, with features in the diagnostic images and with the external coordinates of the tools being employed. This is often done by providing implanted fiducials, by adding external visible or trackable markers that may be imaged, and by enabling a surgeon or radiologist to use a keyboard or mouse to identify fiducials or features in the various images, and thus map common sets of coordinate registration points in the different images. Given a fit of spatial points to image points, software may then track changing positions in an automated way (for example, simply transforming the coordinates that are output by an external coordinate measurement device, such as a suitably programmed off-the-shelf optical tracking assembly.) Instead of correlating image positions of a set of imageable fiducials appearing in fluoroscopic or CT images, such systems can also operate with simple optical tracking, employing an initialization protocol wherein the surgeon touches or points at a number of bony prominences or other recognizable anatomic features in order to define the external coordinates in relation to the patient anatomy and to initiate software tracking of those features.
For such applications, electromagnetic tracking offers the advantage that its position-defining field, a magnetic field, penetrates the body without attenuation or change so that tracking may continue during a surgical procedure, unimpaired by the blocking that occurs with visible light trackers (e.g., due to operating room personnel moving into positions that obstruct the line-of-sight paths required by optical trackers). Optical or ultrasonic tracking, by contrast, may require a larger or excess number of line-of-sight paths, and corresponding transponders and/or detectors to assure that triangulation is always possible despite occluded pathways. The body-penetrating electromagnetic fields also allow one to track locations or movements inside the body with minimal resort to the fluoroscopic or ultrasound techniques normally required for visualization.
Among electromagnetic tracking techniques, several principal approaches are known. In one, relatively large Helmholtz coils establish well defined and highly uniform independent magnetic field components or gradients along each of the X, Y and Z axes in a work arena, and the static field components are detected by a localized detector to determine position coordinates. This approach has been proposed, for example, for cranial surgery, where such coils may define a suitably localized region encompassing the entire operative arena. Another principal approach involves using time-varying dipole fields e.g., dipole fields established by driving field-generating coils with an AC current signal. While the latter approach offers some processing advantages (such as being able to synchronously demodulate induced signals, and thus cumulate detected signal values to enhance sensitivity, and also the ability to establish the X, Y and Z field components at different frequencies so that detected sensor output signals may be separated or even demodulated simultaneously), it has the disadvantage that varying magnetic fields induce eddy currents in conductive structures found within the field. Induced currents themselves then generate secondary magnetic fields, thus introducing distortions into the expected or calibrated field distribution. Conductive or metal structures are in fact commonly present in a tracking environment, whether it be an avionics, surgical or industrial tracking environment.
The latter problem has historically been addressed by the observation that for a fixed metal disturber located at least twice as far from the field generator as is the field sensor, the induced disturbance will be low, e.g., under one percent, so that by restricting the tracked arena to a region sufficiently removed from the disturbing structure, accuracy may be achieved. However, this approach may be unrealistically restrictive for certain applications, including some image guided surgery applications, where highly disturbing equipment (such as the imaging assembly of a fluoroscope) is necessarily placed as close as possible to the work arena in which tracking is to occur. Another common alternative approach would be to map the disturbed fields or detected signal levels that occur close to the distorters present in the work arena, so that a processor can more accurately determine coordinates from the run time field values or the induced signals detected by a sensor. However, as a practical matter, such mapping is not only likely to require a time-consuming preliminary set-up operation, but may require that the set-up be carried out afresh for each new arrangement of operating room equipment that introduces different distortions, i.e., when equipment is changed or moved.
In addition to the practical problem of accurately detecting the field, there is the theoretical problem of converting the signal measurements into position and orientation coordinates.
On a fundamental level, the task that must be addressed by any electromagnetic tracking system is to computationally determine a unique position from the various measured parameters (typically induced voltages indicative of field strength). Often the relevant equations have several solutions, and care must be taken to operate within a single-valued domain (typically a hemisphere, quadrant or octant), thus limiting the selection of the initial generator or receiver fixed locations to establish a sufficiently well behaved field region, and restricting the allowable work arena in relation thereto, or else providing additional, or extrinsic data inputs to resolve ambiguities or refine computations. Beyond encountering multi-valued coordinate solutions, the accuracy of the coordinate determination processing may depend quite critically on the relative positions of generating and sensing elements. Processing equations may break down or solutions may become poorly defined as the sensing or generating element approaches or crosses a particular plane or axis, or one of its pitch, yaw or roll angle coordinates approaches 0 or 90 degrees, becomes too acute, or becomes too oblique.
Another practical problem stems from the dynamic range of the sensed signals, which varies greatly with distance/position, and may drop to quite low levels with increasing distance from the transmitter, or with decreasing size of the generating or sensing coils. Often, as a field unit moves to different positions, different gains must be determined on the fly, or additional gain stages must be used in order to obtain adequate signal values. This introduces some complexity and potential for error in normalizing the signals to accurately fit together readings from two different or even closely contiguous regions.
Thus, while magnetic tracking offers certain significant advantages, particularly for surgical applications, there remains a need for improved systems and processing to enhance accuracy of coordinate determinations.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an electromagnetic tracker of enhanced accuracy.
It would also be desirable to provide an electromagnetic tracker having enhanced immunity to common field distortions.

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


A disc retarding conveyor comprises at least one continuous tractive element. At least two-part static plates are mounted on the tractive element. The static plates are separated from each other at a distance in the tractive direction. The static plates are divided in the cross-sectional plane of the tractive element into two preferably identical halves. Each half has a radial cut hole which permits the halves of the static plate to be mounted concentrically onto the tractive element.

The state of the art is that disc retarding conveyors move the carried, loose material by discs that are screwed or cast onto individual chain elements of the solid chain. Due to the meshing of the teeth into the diversion and drive stations of the individual chain elements, these disc retarding conveyors are very loud when in operation and have various other disadvantages. The disc retarding conveyor can be improved with a solid, smooth traction device, e.g., a steel cable. In this case, individual nodes and press-pieces are squashed onto the steel cable. Two half-dishes of one static plate, that have a common diameter surface, will be inverted over these press-pieces and screwed together. The static plates are driven by yokes cycling around a drive wheel; these yokes surround the traction rope and press against the surfaces of the static plates. High demands are placed on the uniformity of the distribution, so that the motive power is picked up and transferred uniformly over all static plates located in the cycle. Now, in case of a certain irregularity, the entire motive power will be transferred via only one static plate to the traction element, and acceleration jolts result. Therefore this type of disc retarding conveyor, which will only allow a small motive power, is susceptible to breaks in the wire cable, and is less suitable for control of the conveyor path.
Due to the use of additional, known tractive elements made of high-strength Aramid with a large alternating bending strength, the problem of fatigue breaks due to limited alternating bending strength of the steel cable tractive elements will indeed be eliminated, but the static plate mounting and [lack of] uniformity of the force application is not satisfactory.


A pallet comprised of a first deck, a second deck, a dampening device and a shield. The first deck includes an interior surface, an exterior surface and an edge. The second deck includes an interior surface. The dampening device located between the interior surface of the first deck and the interior surface of the second deck. The dampening device configured to contract to counteract a compression force when the first deck and the second deck are pressed together and further configured to deform to counteract an expansive force when the first deck and the second deck are pulled apart. The shield having a first planar member adjacent to the exterior surface of the first deck opposite the dampening device and a second planar member extending from the first planar member to the interior surface of the second deck and adjacent to the edge of the first deck.

The present disclosure relates to pallets, and more specifically, to shields to protect pallet blocks and stringers.
Cushioned pallets (or shock pallets) can be used when shipping fragile products that are susceptible to damage in transit. These pallets are designed with cushioning and/or dampening material integrated in the pallets' blocks and stringers to reduce the shock seen by the products mounted onto the pallets. These pallets can be used to protect large and heavy rack products (1000+ lbs) against shock and/or vibration damage while the product is being shipped. Large rack products can be handled somewhere within the supply chain by a fork lift. This is because the products are so large and heavy, that moving via pallet jack is extremely slow, and depending on the infrastructure, impossible if the rack product needs to change elevation (either go up a hill or sit onto a raised area). Fork lifts are large and generally have to move and turn static products to get them to fit properly within trucks and warehouses to maximize space. In some cases there is not any room, or there is just no time for the fork lift operator to pick a product up and move it via a series of turns. Damage can occur to wooden stringers and blocks and when soft foam blocks are used, the results can be disastrous when a careless or hurried fork lift driver wishes to turn a heavy rack product in transit by using the fork tines to push the blocks. These blocks can be damaged or cut to the point that the pallet integrity is compromised.

Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) PTE. LTD.


A silicon-on-insulator MOSFET includes a silicon layer and an insulator layer positioned over a silicon substrate. An isolation region defines a silicon region positioned over the insulator layer. The silicon region further includes a source region, a drain region, and a doped body region. The drain region and source region do not extend to the bottom of the silicon region. A first metal conductor is electrically coupled to the side and top of the source region and the side of the body region. The first metal conductor establishes a potential at the body region to control floating body effects. A second metal conductor is electrically coupled to the top of the drain region.

Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) are well known in the field of semiconductors. SOI MOSFETs have been demonstrated to be superior to bulk silicon MOSFETs in low-power, high-speed very large scale integration (VLSI) applications. The advantages include 1) less junction capacitance so that higher circuit speed can be achieved; 2) better device isolation; and 3) sufficient radiation hardness.
FIG. 1 depicts a SOI MOSFET semiconductor structure 100 of the prior art. Structure 100 includes insulator 114 positioned over bottom substrate layer 116. Insulator 114 surrounds body region 112. Source region 108 and drain region 110 are positioned within body region 112, and gate electrode 106 is positioned above body region 112. Side wall spacers 122 and 124 surround gate electrode 106. A barrier layer 118 and oxide layer 120 are formed over insulator 114, source region 108, drain region 110, and gate electrode 106. Electrical contacts 102 and 104, source region 108, and drain region 110 are formed through barrier layer 118 and oxide layer 120.
As shown, electrical contacts 102 and 104 only contact respective source region 108 and drain region 110. Body region 112 is electrically isolated and therefore its voltage varies with the voltages applied to either source region 108, drain region 110, or gate electrode 106. When a voltage applied to a source or drain region changes, the voltage of body region 112 also changes to accommodate the change in applied voltage, but in a different amount of time than it takes the source or drain terminals to achieve the applied voltage. The voltage of body region 112 varies undesirably because the body region is electrically isolated (so called "floating body effect"). The floating body effect introduces undesirable effects.
Floating body effects cause, for example, sharp increases in the relationship between drain current and drain voltage (so called "kink effect"), anomalous subthreshold current, transient current overshoot, and early device voltage V.sub.DS breakdown. The kink effect may lead to lower device gain, which is undesirable in analog applications. Floating body effects remains a major obstacle to acceptable operation of SOI MOSFET transistors.
What is needed is an SOI MOSFET semiconductor structure and method of fabricating the SOI MOSFET semiconductor structure which controls the floating body effects.

Structure and method of formation of body contacts in SOI MOSFETS to elimate floating body effects


A method of automatically translating an opcode summary table into an Architecture Description Language (“ADL”) can be employed to efficiently design and test a microprocessor instruction set. An opcode summary table is analyzed and code is generated in an ADL. The generated code can be optimized by first analyzing the opcode summary table to find groupings and sub-groupings of instructions based on similarities. The optimized code can be generated by first generating code for common elements within the sub-group, then generating code for each instruction within the sub-group. This process would repeated for each group in the opcode summary table. The result is an ADL description of the opcode summary table.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to the field of microprocessor development, and more particularly to techniques for automating the production of a hierarchical processor/architecture description language representation of a microprocessor.
2. Background Information
A microprocessor acts as the "brain" of a computer, processing instructions at a high rate; the prior art is replete with various microprocessor designs, architectures, configurations, processing schemes, and coding techniques. The power of a microprocessor is its ability to perform instructions very quickly. In order to process an instruction, a microprocessor requires the information to be in a particular format, called a "machine language." This machine language, which is the basic binary language for the computer instructions, differs depending on the specific microprocessor. Although microprocessors utilize binary machine language, it is much easier to write instructions for a computer if the instructions are alphanumeric, a format more easily understood by humans. This can be done through the use of "high-level languages," such as C++ and BASIC, or assembly language. Assembly language is more directly related to a microprocessor's machine language as each assembly language instruction represents a machine language instruction with mnemonic text instead of a binary format.
Microprocessor designers balance many considerations during the development of a microprocessor. One important consideration is the actual functionality of the microprocessor. A microprocessor must have a plurality of instructions to be useful. The term "instruction set" is used for the set of all of the instructions utilized by a microprocessor. The description of the instruction set and the functions of each instruction is called an "instruction set architecture" ("ISA"). An ISA is generally viewed in terms of three portions: the assembly language mnemonic for each of the instructions, the machine language encoding of the instructions, and the operation of the instruction.
Designers traditionally describe the ISA of a processor/architecture in terms of an opcode summary table. An opcode summary table is a table which lists the assembly language mnemonic for each instruction, the machine language bit pattern encoding for each instruction, and the position of the operands within the instruction.
Each bit in an instruction has a different function. The portion of the instruction that determines which instruction is to be performed is termed the opcode. For a simple instruction set, the opcode may take 6 bits out of the 32 bits available for each instruction. The operand is the remainder of the instruction and determines, for example, what register is being operated upon, or what memory location is to be accessed.
When designing a new microprocessor, the designers must be able to test their designs to find any problems and optimize the performance. Testing the designs involves the use of assemblers, compilers, and simulators ("programming tools") to test the operation of the microprocessor. An assembler is a program that translates assembly language mnemonics to the processor's machine language. A compiler transforms a high-level language, such as BASIC or C++, to the processor's machine language. A simulator simulates the operation of the microprocessor by performing each function of the microprocessor on an already existing computing platform. A simulator thus enables one to test a microprocessor without having to first physically build it.
To automate the creation of those programming tools, several Architecture Description Languages ("ADL") have been developed, such as nML, ISDL, LISA, and RADL. It is possible to describe each instruction using an ADL. For many instruction sets, however, similar instructions have similar machine language formats with common shared fields. Using an ADL, one can group similar instructions together to create a more compact representation of the processor. This compact representation is also less prone to errors because similar groups of instructions need be described only once, with only the differences further delineated.
The power of an ADL lies in the fact that, using an ADL description of a microprocessor, one can automatically create various programming tools for that processor. In order to create, for example, an assembler for a microprocessor, one may write a program in ADL that describes the microprocessor. Then, an assembler generator could be used to create an assembler from the ADL description of the microprocessor. In order to create a simulator, one would also need to input the behavior of each instruction into the ADL description into the simulator generator.
In the past, the creation of an ADL description of a microprocessor was manually performed by a person, given the assembly language instructions and its machine language representation. However, when developing new microprocessors, the manual creation of these programs can delay the development of the new microprocessors by two to three weeks.
After the programming tools are created, the new microprocessor is tested. Once tested, the design may be improved in various ways, including modifying the instruction set. Once the product is improved, new programming tools must be created, which results in additional delays associated with the re-coding of the ADL. Furthermore, the ADL code must be debugged before it can reliably be used to test the microprocessor.
Another problem with the ADL is the learning curve. A microprocessor designer would have to learn how to code in a language that may be new to them. A microprocessor designer may be more concerned with producing the physical embodiment of the microprocessor chip, rather than the production of programming tools. Many designers are also more comfortable with the traditional methods of describing a microprocessor, such as an opcode summary table. Thus, many designers spend their time producing documentation related to the operation of the microprocessor.
To facilitate the design of microprocessors, it is desirable to automate the process of producing an ADL representation of a microprocessor.

Automated translation of a microprocessor opcode summary table to an architecture description language


A sports boot that includes a tightening device cooperating with a series of return elements for tightening an upper portion, each return portion including a closed loop made of a flexible and traction-resistant material, wherein the return element includes a guiding portion connected to the loop and has a sliding surface for the passage of the tightening device within the loop along a passage plane P, the guiding element having enough stiffness in the plane P to resist deformation when the tightening device is placed under tension. The tightening efficiency is thus optimized by reducing friction. The size of the return element is limited in order to provide greater comfort in case pressure is exerted by an external element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to the field of sports boots, especially to technical boots of the types such as those used in hiking, snowboarding, in-line skating and hang gliding.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
Sports boots of the types cited above are traditionally made up of a sole and an upper equipped with an opening for the passage of the foot, and they include, on either side of such opening, return elements or guides that cooperate with one or several tightening devices, such as a lace, so as to ensure the partial closure of the opening via tightening.
In the case of some boots, the return elements that are localized on top of one portion of the upper, are subject to pressure under various circumstances. Some snowboarding boots, for instance, are adapted to cooperate with a binding that includes transverse straps that exert pressure at the top of the foot, and consequently, also compress the return elements or guides. It has been noted that large or rigid guides such as hooks, loops or metallic or plastic eyelets can cause the creation of hard spots. This, in turn, can cause pain to the foot and also cause the strap to become deformed at certain areas in a more or less permanent manner.
Some hiking boots or other boots, that have an inner tightening device for a portion of the upper also encounter similar problems. In this case, the inner portion of the upper comprises return elements that are subject to pressure from an external portion of the upper after the latter has been tightened via various means (lacing, velcro, zipper closures, etc.). Once again, these pressures can cause discomfort or cause deformation of the boot, both of which are better avoided.
In order to overcome this problem, flexible and traction resistant guides elements have been known to be used, in the form of textile strips shaped like a loop and connected to the upper in order to limit their volume and encourage their deformation under the effect of an external pressure.
An example of such usage is provided in the document FR-A-2,726,440 that is related to a sports boot that includes an inner tightening device in the area of the instep and wherein an external protective upper is provided against external attacks that tighten the inner device and therefore exert pressure on the return elements of the device.
However, these return elements do not provide total satisfaction.
Due to the nature and characteristics of the loop, especially its texture and flexibility, the tightening efficiency is not optimal. The friction borne by the lace is high. In addition, the lace deforms the strips by shrinking its width due to the return angle; this causes additional friction and can cause premature wear and tear of the loop, and can even cause it to break.

Sports boot including flexible and traction resistant return elements


An output stage includes a first transistor pair with a first conductivity type and a second transistor pair with a second conductivity type. The source connections of the first and second transistors in the first transistor pair and of the first and second transistors in the second transistor pair are respectively connected to a first and a second circuit node. The output stage further includes a first current mirror with the first conductivity type and a second current mirror with the second conductivity type. The current mirror transistors are connected to the signal output. The signal input is connected to control connections of the first transistors in the first and second transistor pairs. A second connection of the second transistor in the first transistor pair is connected to the second current mirror, and a second connection of the second transistor in the second transistor pair is connected to the first current mirror.

Output stages are part of the amplifier circuits and are counted among the most important basic circuits in analog circuitry.
Output stages can be distinguished further using various characteristics, for example, by their small-signal gain response. An exemplary embodiment of a normal-mode AB output stage is shown in prior art FIG. 5. The output stage shown comprises two series-connected field effect transistors of different conductivity type. Specifically, one connection of a p-channel field effect transistor 900 is connected to a supply potential VDD and its other connection is connected to the output 905. Connected in series with this is an n-channel field effect transistor 901. The two field effect transistors 900 and 901 are actuated in antiphase by a normal-mode signal VIN at the signal connection 902.
To set the operating point, there is additionally provided a voltage source 904 which is connected to the control connections of the two transistors for the purpose of setting the operating point of the normal-mode AB output stage. In this case, the operating point is chosen such that over the entire input and output voltage range there is a gain in a respective one of the two field effect transistors.
FIG. 6 shows the dependency of the two currents I1 and I2 flowing through the transistors on the input voltage VIN. To reduce distortions in small-signal operation around the operating point V0, the diodes are used to set the quiescent output current IQ such that it is always greater than zero. A drawback is the great dependency of the output current on the supply voltage and external parameters which cannot be influenced. These include the temperature, for example. If the voltage supply VDDfluctuates and is not constant, these are transferred directly to the response of the circuit shown in prior art FIG. 5. The problem also arises if the voltage for setting the operating point is derived from the supply voltage. There is no provision for the output current Iout to be limited in the class AB output stage shown in FIG. 5.

Output stage, amplifier control loop and use of the output stage


An implantable drug delivery apparatus for delivering a drug into a bodily fluid in a body cavity of a patient over a period of time includes a variable-volume vessel defining a working chamber for receiving a drug and recirculating a therapeutic fluid. The fluid can contain a bodily fluid, such as, for example, perilymph, and a drug. The device allows for the controlled delivery of the therapeutic fluid to a predetermined location in the bodily cavity of the patient, such as, for example, a cochlea of a human ear.

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is common, and its impact on human communication and quality of life, significant. It is estimated that some 28 million individuals in the United States suffer from hearing loss. As our population ages, hearing loss prevalence is expected to climb rapidly, nearly doubling by the year 2030. Causes range from degenerative processes associated with aging and genetic disorders to environmental exposure to loud sounds and toxic agents. Consequences range from moderate communication difficulty and social withdrawal to profound deafness and its significant challenges. At present, management of SNHL centers on the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants. However, such treatments cannot address hearing loss prevention, they cannot minimize hearing loss progression and, even with optimal device fitting, cannot increase a damaged ear's basic capacity. As a result, many users continue to experience significant communication difficulties.
Recent advances in the pharmacology and molecular biology of hearing have revealed new and powerful possibilities for preventing or minimizing hearing loss. The crux of the problem in SNHL is loss of the delicate cochlear sensory cells that detect the exquisitely small mechanical vibrations associated with sound. In human ears, once lost or damaged, these sensory cells do not regenerate and this compromise is often followed by secondary degeneration of auditory neurons. However, scientists and clinicians are making rapid progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with cochlear and auditory nerve degenerative processes. Additional insight into the molecular signals involved in generating new hair cells is rapidly accumulating, and with this insight comes the promise of novel and precise drug treatments. Moreover, the extraordinary progress that has been made in defining the genes involved in a number of human genetic forms of deafness offers hope for gene-transfer and molecular approaches to treat these diseases.
For therapies based on these discoveries to become clinically useful, it will be necessary to develop safe and reliable mechanisms for the delivery of complex compounds into the inner ear. Direct delivery to the fluids of the inner ear is necessary because of the presence of a blood-labyrinth drug barrier, which is anatomically and functionally similar to the blood-brain barrier. That is, through the presence of so-called 'tight junctions' between adjacent cells in the inner ear end organs, substances outside these organs encounter a substantial physical barrier to entry, this protecting the delicate sensory structures within from insult. This 'protection', however, also prevents certain molecules with potentially therapeutic effect from gaining access to their inner ear targets. Prime candidates for exclusion from the cochlea after systemic injection are complex molecules, such as proteins and peptides, as well as any molecule that is not lipid-soluble.
Current otologic practice requires drug delivery to the inner ear, but uses inefficient routes. Drugs are commonly delivered systemically, with the hope that they will find their way to their intended inner ear targets in the form and concentration desired and without serous side effects. Systemic corticosteroids, for example, are used in the otologic management of idiopathic sudden and immune-mediated sensorineural hearing losses. Their clinical usefulness, however, is limited by undesirable side effects arising from the high systemic doses required to achieve sufficient cochlear fluid levels of drug to produce the intended inner ear effects.
Local drug application by transtympanic perfusion of the middle ear with the goal of diffusion through the round window membrane (RWM) into the fluid spaces on the inner ear) was introduced nearly 50 years ago with aminoglycoside treatment of Meniere's disease. This method or some variant remains in common use in the treatment of inner ear diseases, notably the intractable vertigo that can be associated with Meniere's disease, but has been used as well for sudden sensorineural hearing loss, autoimmune inner ear disease, and even tinnitus. Accomplished as an office procedure, a drug is injected through the tympanic membrane into the middle ear space. The patient then lies with the treated ear 'up' so that the drug has a better chance of making contact with the RWM, through which the drug must diffuse to gain access to the inner ear. With the goal of extending the time of drug availability to the inner ear, newer methods of intratympanic drug delivery have employed several strategies to prolong drug contact with the RWM, including, placing absorbent material on or near the TWM and using pump-driven microcatheter systems.
Delivery of drugs to the middle ear reduces systemic side effects, but access to the inner ear is unpredictable. Middle ear application has advantages over systemic drug delivery, in that drugs so applied can reach their desired targets at higher concentrations and without unwanted systemic side effects. The application is straightforward, and complications are minimal. A major limitation of these methods, however, is the inability to precisely control the amount of drug that diffuses from the middle ear through the RWM into the inner ear. Individual variation in mucous membrane thickness, mucosal folds and middle ear anatomy can have a significant impact on the amount of drug that ultimately enters the inner ear. Some commentators, for example, report round window niche obstruction in 33% of human ears. This becomes even more problematic when considering delivery of coplex macromolecules with limited diffusion coefficients and those requiring sequenced delivery. Additionally, the bolus application used by certain existing systems makes them poorly suited for direct inner ear delivery. Although such devices may be useful for delivery of low molecular weight, stable, lipid-soluble compounds like steroids, they would not be suitable for the delivery of the unstable macromolecules that ultimately will be the therapeutic compounds with greatest potential benefit.
Direct intracochlear drug delivery, which has been utilized successfully in animals, has significant potential advantages for therapeutic application. The practice of placing drugs of interest within cochlear perilymphatic spaces via a perfusion technique is a method with a long history of successful application. When carefully administered, the technique itself has been shown to have little effect on a variety of gross cochlear and neural potentials as recorded from sites within and near the cochlea. This mode of delivery bypasses the blood-cochlea barrier, allowing drugs to reach their intended targets more directly with lower doses and fewer non-specific actions. Drugs are largely unaltered by metabolic changes that inevitably occur with other routes of administration. Drugs perfused into the perilymph compartment of scala tympani have ready access to the hair cells and synaptic regions of hair cells, a view supported by investigations in which various stains demonstrated ready access to structures within the organ of Corti when introduced via the scala tympani perilymph compartment. Additionally, a comparison of the concentrations of cholinergic antagonists required to block the cochlear efferents in vivo and those effective at in vitro isolated outer hair cells shows remarkable close agreement.
Thus, in order to treat ear disorders, it may often be necessary to deliver therapeutic agents to various ear tissues in a controlled, safe, and efficient manner. For example, a variety of structures have been developed which are capable of delivering/administering therapeutic agents into the external auditory canal of the outer ear. U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,759 to Haerr discloses a hollow, cylindrical tube manufactured of sponge material, e.g. dehydrated cellulose, which is inserted into the external auditory canal of a patient. When liquid medicines are placed in contact with the tube, it correspondingly expands against the walls of the auditory canal. As a result, accidental removal of the tube is prevented. Furthermore, medicine materials absorbed by the tube are maintained in contact with the walls of the external auditory canal for treatment purposes.
However, as mentioned above, the delivery of therapeutic agents in a controlled and effective manner is considerably more difficult with respect to tissue structures of the inner ear (e.g. those portions of the ear surrounded by the otic capsule bone and contained within the temporal bone which is the most dense bone tissue in the entire human body). The same situation exists in connection with tissue materials, which lead into the inner ear (e.g. the round window membrane). Exemplary inner ear tissue structures of primary importance for treatment purposes include but are not limited to the cochlea, the endolymphatic sac/duct, the vestibular labyrinth, and all of the compartments (and connecting tubes) that include these components. Access to these and other inner ear tissue regions is typically achieved through a variety of structures, including but not limited to the round window membrane, the oval window/stapes footplate, the annular ligament, and the otic capsule/temporal bone, all of which shall be considered "middle-inner ear interface tissue structures" as described in greater detail below. Furthermore, as indicated herein, the middle ear shall be defined as the physiological air-containing tissue zone behind the tympanic membrane (e.g. the ear drum) and ahead of the inner ear.
The inner ear tissues listed above are of minimal size and only readily accessible through invasive microsurgical procedures. In order to treat various diseases and conditions associated with inner ear tissues, the delivery of drugs to such structures is often of primary importance. Representative drugs that are typically used to treat inner ear tissues include but are not limited to urea, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, lidocaine, xylocalne, epinephrine, immunoglobulins, sodium chloride, steroids, heparin, hyaluronidase, aminoglycoside antibiotics (streptomycin/gentamycin), antioxidants, neurotrophins, nerve growth factors, various therapeutic peptides, and polysaccharides. The treatment of inner ear tissues and/or fluid cavities may involve altering the pressure, volume, electrical activity, and temperature characteristics thereof. Specifically, a precise balance must be maintained with respect to the pressure of various fluids within the inner ear and its associated compartments. Imbalances in the pressure and volume levels of such fluids can cause various problems, including but not limited to conditions known as endolymphatic hydrops, endolymphatic hypertension, perilymphatic hypertension, perilymphatic hydrops, perilymphatic fistula, intracochlear fistula, Meniere's disease, tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss related to hair cell or ganglion cell damage/malfunction, and ruptures in various membrane structures within the ear.
With respect to existing methods of drug delivery, implantable and externally mounted drug infusers use a "one-way" infusion system where a reservoir empties into the tissue directly or through a catheter. To be pumped along a catheter, however, drugs must have appropriate physical properties. For example, it has been determined that dry compounds, which may be more stable than aqueous ones, cannot be used in a conventional infuser. In another example, it has been determined that highly concentrated compounds may be prohibited because of local reaction at the catheter outlet. Moreover, in the application to inner ear diseases, dosage to the relevant tissues of the cochlea can be difficult or impossible to assess and control by the methods described above, and no device has been provided for programmable long-term delivery, either to the middle ear or inner ear.
Known methods require a relatively complicated mechanism to achieve mixing and circulating flow between reservoir and patient. These more complicated methods include having two tubes entering the patient, rather than just one, or having a two-way pump, two pumps, or a switching valve at the pump.
For example, drugs are delivered to the inner ear by infusing the middle ear and allowing the medication to diffuse through the local tissue and into the inner ear. Alternatively drugs are given systemically (e.g., orally or by injection). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,372 to Zenner, incorporated by reference herein, discloses an implantable dosaging system that injects drugs into the middle ear using a manually operated pump. As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,697 to Arenberg et al., incorporated by reference herein, describes a drug delivery unit for controlled delivery of a therapeutic agent to an internal cavity of the ear, particularly to the inner ear, that includes carrier media material containing one or more therapeutic agents therein. The carrier media material is designed to release the therapeutic agents in a controlled manner over time. The drug delivery unit is shaped and sized for placement of at least a portion thereof in the round window niche of a patient.
Alternatively, body fluid is caused to circulate through a drug-containing reservoir via a recirculating system having two tubes—one for inflow and one for outflow between reservoir and patient. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,207 to Rise, incorporated by reference herein, describes recirculating body fluid through a drug delivery device for drug delivery to the brain. As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,997 to Weitzel et al., discloses a circuit for extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid.
As another example, one known perfusion technology involves a cochlear implant electrode modified to allow intracochlear drug delivery. In conventional use, the electrode is inserted into the cochlea and used to provide stimulation to the auditory nerve of severely to profoundly hearing impaired individuals. The electrode employed for the drug delivery application, however, contains a removable stylet used for positioning the electrode during insertion. With the stylet removed, the lumen that remains provides the path for drug delivery. The lumen is connected to an osmotic or mechanical pump via a connector and short length of perfusion tubing.
Notably, existing drug-delivery technology is typically not appropriate for long-term programmable infusion into the inner ear. The existing approaches for drug delivery devices include external and implanted infusers, osmotic pumps, and erodible polymer-drug systems. These systems range from passive devices, which have a low level of predictability in their dispense rates, to electronically-controlled rate dispensers and finally to fully programmable infusers. Device volumes range from pill size (e.g., those available from Oculex Pharmaceuticals) to over ten cubic inches, generally depending on their maximum dispense volume and sophistication of control. Though small in volume, erodible polymer and porous membrane systems (e.g., those available from iMMED, Inc.) must typically be implemented to deliver a specific compound, or at best, a set of compounds with similar chemistry and transport properties. They are generally short to medium term delivery devices (less than six weeks) with unalterable, non-constant delivery profiles. The existing osmotic pump-based delivery systems (e.g. those available from Alzet International) are similar in terms of device size and lifetime, and they too are capable only of fixed rate delivery. The various available models trade off device size, lifetime, and delivery rate, depending on the application requirements. Infuser technology has primarily been developed by Medtronic (Minneapolis, Minn.). Devices such as SynchroMed product offer sophisticated control and are effective for treatment for some disorders such as chronic pain. However, because they use macro scale conventionally fabricated pumps, these systems are relatively large. They are practical only when implanted in subcutaneous tissue in the torso.
Emerging microsystems present solution to many previously intractable bioengineering challenges. The extension of micorfabrication methods from integrated circuits to many other applications has spawned microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices capable of reproducing the functions of conventional sensors and actuators at a fraction of the size and cost. The resulting miniaturization enables complete systems to be integrated into devices small enough to be implanted in close proximity to the organ to be treated. In the case of drug delivery, complex automated dosing regimens can be programmed into the system or even implemented to respond to sensor input of physiological measurements. Several technologies have emerged that may allow controlled release of drug in dried or lyophilized form from discrete compartments.
And so, as described above, developments in cochlear physiology and molecular biology allow for new and innovative ways of treating and preventing sensorineural hearing loss. It is desirable to implement a safe and reliable mechanism for delivering bioactive compounds directly to the inner ear, e.g., a versatile long-term drug delivery system for the treatment of inner ear disorders that will have broad application and the potential for revolutionizing the treatment of hearing loss.
Thus, it is desirable to provide an implantable long-term drug delivery system for treatment of inner ear disorders and prevention of sensorineural hearing loss, specifically, a versatile device that is capable of delivering multiple simple and complex molecules over long periods of time, with capability to control and regulate the sequence and rate of delivery. Such a device can be useful for treatment of idiopathic and inflammatory conditions affecting the inner ear, including autoimmune inner ear disease, cisplatinum-induced ototoxicity, and possible Meniere's disease. In addition, a wide spectrum of other degenerative inner ear disorders may be amenable to treatment with such a device, including idiopathic, genetically-based, and age-related progressive sensorineural hearing losses.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.


A process control system performing control of an industrial process implemented in a plant, may include: a network provided in the plant; a plurality of field devices connected to the network, each of the plurality of field devices is configured to perform at least one of measurement and actuation required for control of the industrial process; and a controller, connected to the network, having a virtual part configured to operate in hardware in place of hardware, and a control unit configured to operate in the virtual part and to control operations of the field devices via the network, the controller being configured to enable replacement of hardware without changing the control unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process control system.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-068041, filed Mar. 23, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
All patents, patent applications, patent publications, scientific articles, and the like, which will hereinafter be cited or identified in the present application, will hereby be incorporated by reference in their entirety in order to describe more fully the state of the art to which the present invention pertains.
Conventionally, in plants, factories, and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to simply as plants), process control systems are implemented which control various state quantities such as pressure, temperature, and flow amount in industrial processes, and a high level of automated operation is achieved. In a conventional process control system, as shown, for example, in FIG. 7 of Japanese Patent (Granted) Publication No. 439973, FIG. 1 of PCT International Publication No. WO 2005/050336 and FIG. 1 of United States Patent Application, Publication No. 2007/0078980, the constitution is one in which a plurality of sensors, such as flow gauges and temperature gauges, and actuators, such as valves, are directly connected to controllers, the controllers controlling the actuators in accordance with the results of detection by the sensors, in order to control the above-noted various state quantities.
Although a plant is often designed to have a life of approximately 30 years, because general-purpose electronic components are used in the various devices that form the process control system (the above-described controller, sensors, and actuators), the life of the devices is determined by the life of the electronic components, and is approximately 10 years. Whereas a sensor that has reached the end of its life can be individually replaced, because general-purpose electronic components are mounted in I/O cards, which are the interfaces in controllers, the life of controllers is limited to approximately 10 years, and the life of the process control system is also limited.
In this manner, because the various devices that make up a process control system have lives that are shorter than that of the plant, it is necessary to replace (reconstruct) the process control system before the plant reaches the end of its life. As shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent (Granted) Publication No. 439973, FIG. 2 of PCT International Publication No. WO 2005/050336 and FIG. 2 of United States Patent Application, Publication No. 2007/0078980, the extension of the life of a process control system can be envisioned by adopting a constitution in which various devices making up the process control system are connected to the same network and in which the above-noted I/O cards are eliminated.
The various devices making up a process control system use general-purpose electronic components in parts other than the controller I/O cards. For this reason, even if it is possible to extend the life of the process control system by eliminating the I/O cards as described above, the process control system will ultimately need to be replaced.
With the dramatic advances in technological made in recent years, it can be thought that there is a great possibility that a new process control system will be developed before the plant reaches the end of its life. Even when new technology is to be adopted, the existing process control system in the plant needs to be replaced by a new process control system.
In this case, in order to replace the process control system, it is basically necessary to stop the plant for a long period of time. For this reason, it should be considered that the cost of replacing the process control system is not only the cost of replacing the various devices making up the process control system, but also the cost of lost revenue from products that could have been produced if the plant had not been stopped. If such costs are considered, it is desirable to be able to change or add devices, while maintaining compatibility and without replacing the existing process control system.


A method of installing a molecular sieve bed gas enrichment system in a vehicle such as an aircraft. A system controller, a product gas distribution conduit, a high pressure gas supply conduit which extends from a high pressure gas source, and a plurality of molecular sieve beds are installed in the vehicle. Each sieve bed has a first port which delivers product gas through a check valve to an outlet duct. Each sieve bed also includes a second port connected to a valve assembly which is controlled by the system controller to connect the second port either to a gas supply duct during a charging phase or to a venting duct during a venting phase. The outlet duct for each sieve bed is connected to the product gas distribution conduit, and the gas supply duct for each sieve bed is connected to the high pressure gas supply conduit.

Conventionally in such a system, the beds are operated in pairs or triplets or groups of other numbers of beds, so that when one or more beds of the system are operating in a venting phase, at least one bed is operating in a charging phase, so that oxygen enriched gas is continuously being produced.
It is essential for the integrity of the system, to protect the molecular sieve bed material of the beds from contamination such as particulate contamination, e.g. dust, which is most likely to occur during installation in the aircraft, and from water ingestion which is most likely to occur during storage of the molecular sieve bed material. Also components and fittings for a bed tend to be particular for that bed.
Thus to prevent the likelihood of contamination, water ingestion and the exchanging of components and fittings between the beds, groups of the beds e.g. two beds which are to be operated in tandem, are conventionally provided as modules with all associated valves etc. to enable the material of the bed to be isolated during storage and installation, ready to be plumbed into supply and distribution conduits of the aircraft.
However such modules thus tend to be heavy and difficult to handle during installation and removal e.g. for repair or replacement.
It has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,736 to provide a modular sieve bed so that the area/volume of the sieve bed material available for non-product gas adsorption can be tailored to a desired product gas producing capacity. However, the modules of the arrangement described are assembled by connecting together fittings which provide manifolds for the inlet and outlet gases, such that although the arrangement relieves the problem of overly heavy and bulky multiple bed modules, the molecular sieve bed material is not isolated during and prior to installation of the modules, making contamination and water ingestion a possibility.

Method of installing a molecular sieve bed gas-enriching system

Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited