The present invention provides a method of producing a polyolefin composition comprising contacting a binuclear metallocene pre-catalyst and a co-catalyst, adding a excess of a metal alkyl, then adding a first olefin monomer. The method allows for the production of polyolefins with a highly stereoregular stereochemical microstructure through living coordination polymerization in which rapid reversible chain transfer between a racemic mixture of a chiral active transition metal propagating center and multiple equivalents of inert main group metal alkyl is competitive with chain-growth propagation at the active center. By virtue of the slower rate of chain-transfer relative to propagation that can be achieved with a binuclear catalyst relative to the corresponding mononuclear catalyst, the present invention provides a work-around solution to the intrinsic limitation on product volume imposed by a traditional living polymerization, as well as a work-around solution to the stereochemically random microstructure that is normally obtained as the result of rapid and reversible chain-transfer between two populations of chiral active propagating centers, of opposite absolute configuration, when a racemic mixture of the pre-catalyst is employed. In essence, the field of invention is defined as stereoselective living coordinative chain-transfer polymerization.

Field of the Invention
The present invention provides a method of producing a polyolefin composition comprising contacting a binuclear metallocene pre-catalyst and a co-catalyst, adding a excess of a metal alkyl, then adding a first olefin monomer. The method allows for the production of polyolefins with a highly stereoregular stereochemical microstructure through living coordination polymerization in which rapid reversible chain transfer between a racemic mixture of a chiral active transition metal propagating center and multiple equivalents of inert main group metal alkyl is competitive with chain-growth propagation at the active center. By virtue of the slower rate of chain-transfer relative to propagation that can be achieved with a binuclear catalyst relative to the corresponding mononuclear catalyst, the present invention provides a work-around solution to the intrinsic limitation on product volume imposed by a traditional living polymerization, as well as a work-around solution to the stereochemically random microstructure that is normally obtained as the result of rapid and reversible chain-transfer between two populations of chiral active propagating centers, of opposite absolute configuration, when a racemic mixture of the pre-catalyst is employed. In essence, the field of invention is defined as stereoselective living coordinative chain-transfer polymerization.
Related Art
Several transition-metal-based catalysts have been reported that can mediate the living metal-mediated coordination polymerization (also known as homogeneous, single-site Ziegler-Natta polymerization) of ethene, propene, higher α-olefins, and α,ω-nonconjugated dienes, and, in some cases, these proceed with a high degree of stereocontrol (tacticity) ((for a review of catalysts for living coordination polymerization of ethene and α-olefins, sec: Coates, G. W., et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 41:2236-2257 (2002)); (for the living and stereoselective coordination polymerization of α-olefins and α,ω-non-conjugated dienes, see: Jayaratne, K. C., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122:958-959 (2000); Jayaratne, K. C., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122:10490-10491 (2000); Keaton, R. J., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123:6197-6198 (2001); Zhang, Y., et al., Chem. Commun. 2358-2359 (2003); Zhang, Y., et al., Organometallics 23:3512-3520 (2004); Harney, M. B., et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 45:2400-2404 (2006); Harney, M. R, et. al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 45:6140-6144 (2006); Zhang, W., et al., Adv. Synth. Catal. 350:439-447 (2008))). However, the commercialization of new polyolefin materials and products that take advantage of the unique capabilities of living coordination polymerizations appears unlikely (for reviews of polyolefin materials prepared through living coordination polymerization, see: Domski, G. J., et al., Prog. Polym. Sci. 32:30-92 (2007); Sakuma, A., et al., Polym. J. 1 39:193-207 (2007); Szwarc, M., et al., Ionic Polymerization and Living Polymers; Chapman & Hall: New York (1993); Quirk, R. P., et al., Polym. Int. 27:359-367 (1992); Matyjaszewski, K., J. Phys. Org. Chem. 8:197-207 (1995)).
The same fundamental criterion of a living polymerization, namely, chain-growth propagation in the absence of irreversible chain termination, serves to establish a "one polymer chain per active metal center" cap on product yield as a critical liability. The severity of this liability sharply increases as the targeted number-average degree of polymerization, Xn, of the desired polyolefin product decreases. While living coordination polymerization is ideally suited for accessing the largely unexplored material science and technology associated with architecturally well-structured 'precision polyolefins' of very low to moderate molecular weights (ca 500-10,000 Da), the practical availability of significant quantities of these materials presently remains out of reach due to unfavorable weight (polymer) to weight (catalyst) ratios ((for a review of catalysts for living coordination polymerization of ethene and α-olefins. See Coates, G. W., et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 41:2236-2257 (2002)); (for reviews of polyolefin materials prepared through living coordination polymerization, see Domski, J., et al., Prog. Polym. Sci. 32:30-92 (2007); Sakuma, A., et al., Polym. J. 39:193-207 (2007); Szwarc, M., et al., Ionic Polymerization and Living Polymers; Chapman & Hall: New York (1993); Quirk, R. P., et al., Polym. Int. 27:359-367 (1992); Matyjaszewski, K., J. Phys. Org. Chem. 8:197-207 (1995); Kaneyoshi, H., et al., Macromolecules 38:5425-5435 (2005); Ring, J. O., et al., Macromol. Chem. Phys. 208:896-902 (2007); Ventolá, L., et al., J. Phys. Chem. Solids 66:1668-1674 (2005))).
U.S. Pat. No. 8,188,200 discloses the living coordinative chain-transfer polymerization and copolymerization of ethene, propene, long-chain α-olefins, and α,ω-nonconjugated dienes using {η5-C5Me5)Hf(Me)[N(Et)C(Me)N(Et)]}[B(C6F5)4] as the active transition-metal initiator for chain-growth propagation with multiple stoichiometric equivalents of diethylzinc (ZnEt2) as surrogate chain growth sites. Successful living coordinative chain-transfer polymerization of these monomers requires that the rate, and rate constant for reversible (polymeryl group) chain transfer between the active transition-metal propagating centers, and the inactive surrogate main-group metal species, vct and kct, respectively, should be far greater than the corresponding kinetic parameters for transition-metal-mediated propagation, vp and kp, in order to insure that all active and surrogate species appear to propagate at the same rate.
To address the problems inherent with the 'one catalyst-one material' strategy, several strategies have been introduced to achieve 'catalyst-many materials' by using dynamic processes competitive to chain propagation. For example, Waymouth and Coates took advantage of conformational flexibility in unconstrained 'oscillating' metallocenes to prepare atactic-isotactic stereoblock polypropenes such as elastomers and softened theromoplastics. See Coates, G. W., et al., Science 267:217-219 (1995) and Lin, S., et al., Acc. Chem. Res. 35:765-773 (2002). However, no method has been developed to directly modulate chain propagation rates in a single catalyst system.
It is well-known that co-catalyst and the resulting anion play an important role in homogeneous Zeigler-Natta polymerization by stabilizing the cationic transition metal center which is the initiator of olefin polymerization. See Kaminsky, W., et al., Adv. Polym. Sci. 127:144-187 (1997); Bohmann, M., J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans.:255-270 (1996); Brintzinger, H.-H., et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 34:1143-1170 (1995); Guram, A. S., et al., Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry II, Chapter 2; Elsevier: Oxford (1995); Soga, K., et al., Catalyst Design for Tailor-Made Polyolefins; Elsevier: Tokyo (1994); Möhring, P. C., et al., J. Organomet. Chem. 479:1-29 (1994); Marks, T. J., Acc. Chem. Res. 25:57-65 (1992). Marks and co-workers reported that for olefin copolymerization, tris(2,2′,2″-nonafluorobiphenyl) borane (PBB) and tetrakis borate anion B(C6H5)4− derived cationic complexes exhibited higher catalytic activity and comonomer incorporation level than the MeB(C6H5)4− analogues. See Chen, Y.-X., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120:6287-6305 (1998); Chen, M. C., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 123:11803-11804 (2001); Li, L., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124:12725-12741 (2002). MeB(C6H5)4− is a more coordinating anion than bulkier MePBB− and B(C6H5)4−, and the relatively stronger cation-anion ion pairing stabilizes highly electron-deficient metal centers. Higher hexene incorporation in copolymerization of ethene was observed by Waymouth and co-workers using methylaluminoxane (MMAO) instead of borane catalysts (Reybuck, S. E., et al., Macromolecules 38:2552-2558 (2005)). Therefore, the same transition metal pre-catalyst activated by different co-catalysts may show different polymerization characteristics, and having weak ion pairing after activation will yield high propagation rates and high comonomer incorporation level.
There is a need, for a method that produces of isotactic stereoblock polyolefin. Additionally, there is a need for a method that can be used to modulate the different grades of isotactic stereoblock polyolefin materials of varying average block length.

Methods for stereoselective coordinative chain transfer polymerization of olefins


At least one anomaly associated with at least one actual hardware element in a computer system having a plurality of hardware elements is addressed. The anomaly is detected, and, responsive to the detection, a virtualization layer is inserted between (i) an operating system of the computer system, and (ii) the plurality of hardware elements. Hardware emulation and/or selective hardware activation/deactivation are performed on the at least one actual hardware element by the virtualization layer. The insertion of the virtualization layer is accomplished in an on-the-fly manner.

Hardware maintenance is normally problematic from a logistic and system management perspective. Defective hardware normally will prevent a system from continuing normal operation until the defective parts are replaced or repaired. Finally, hardware management can present a problem for system migration.
In a conventional computer system, the operating system installed on the computer accesses hardware devices directly. The piece of software inside an operating system that communicates with the hardware is known as a device driver. In a virtualized system, the operating system does not access the hardware devices directly; instead it communicates with virtual devices provided by the hypervisor, which in turn communicates with the real hardware. The hypervisor can act as a transparent proxy to the hardware (simply relaying access requests from the operating system), but it can also completely alter the view of the hardware that is presented to the operating system.

Hardware emulation using on-the-fly virtualization

International Business Machines Corporation


Water paths for feeding a coolant water through a power converter mounted on an automobile are arranged in parallel, openings are formed on the water paths respectively, heat radiating fins project from the openings, and the openings are closed by a base plate of the power module. Further, the base plate of the power module includes a metal in addition to copper to increase a hardness of the base plate, so that a deterioration of the flatness during fixing the fins with brazing is restrained.

The present invention relates to an electric power inverter, for example, a power inverter preferable for being mounted on a vehicle.
A typical electric automobile driven by an output power of a motor instead of an internal combustion engine, and a hybrid-type electric automobile driven by using together the internal combustion engine and the motor exist. On such automobile, a rotary motor and a power converter for supplying electric power to the rotary motor are mounted.
The power converter has a function of converting a direct current electric power to an alternating current electric power to drive the rotary motor, and may further have a function of converting the alternating current electric power generated by the rotary motor to the direct current electric power to be supplied to a secondary battery. For obtaining these functions, the power converter includes a semiconductor module to form an inverter, a control circuit for controlling the semiconductor and a capacitor.
A cooling of a semiconductor constituting an inverter is disclosed by JP-A-2005-259748.


A security server receives a full hash and a set of subhashes from a client. The security server determines that the full hash is whitelisted. The security server updates, for each subhash in the set of subhashes, an associated clean count. The security server adds a subhash to a subhash whitelist responsive to an associated clean count exceeding a threshold. The security server receives a second set of subhashes. The security server determines whether at least one of the subhashes in the second set of subhashes is included in the subhash whitelist. The security server reports to the client based on the determination.

It is traditionally difficult to automatically detect malware due to the constantly evolving nature of different types of malware. Conventional detection techniques often suffer from a high rate of false positives in which clean files are erroneously detected as malware. False positives are undesirable because they may prompt an anti-malware application to unnecessarily quarantine or delete important system or user files.


Disclosed is a light emitting device including a light emitting structure including a plurality of light emitting regions comprising a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer, a first distributed bragg reflective layer disposed on the light emitting regions, a first electrode unit disposed on the first semiconductor layer in one of the light emitting regions, a second electrode unit disposed on the second semiconductor layer in another of the light emitting regions, an intermediate pad disposed on the first semiconductor layer or the second semiconductor layer in at least still another of the light emitting regions, and at least one connection electrode disposed on the first distributed bragg reflective layer such that the connection electrode sequentially connects the light emitting regions in series.

Red, green and blue light emitting diodes (LED) capable of realizing high luminance and white light were developed, based on development of metal organic chemical vapor deposition and molecular beam growth of gallium nitride (GaN).
Such LEDs do not contain environmentally harmful substances such as mercury (Hg) used in conventional lighting apparatuses such as incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps and thus advantageously have superior eco-friendliness, long lifespan and low power consumption, thus being used as alternatives of conventional light sources. The key factors in competitiveness of such LEDs are to realize high luminance, based on chips with high efficiency and high power and packaging technologies.
In order to realize high luminance, an increase in light extraction efficiency is important. A variety of methods using flip-chip structures, surface texturing, patterned sapphire substrates (PSSs), photonic crystal techniques, anti-reflective layer structures and the like are being researched in order to increase light extraction efficiency.
In general, a light emitting device may include: a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductive type semiconductor layer disposed on a substrate; a first electrode to supply a first power to the first conductive type semiconductor layer; and a second electrode to supply a second power to the second conductive type semiconductor layer.

Light emitting device and light emitting device package including series of light emitting regions


A toilet installation kit and method of using thereof, containing pre-measured and disposable toilet installation components. The toilet installation kit includes a gasket for sealingly engaging a toilet to a closet flange and a connecting assembly including at least one flange bolt and corresponding washer and nut or nut caps for fastening the toilet to the closet flange. The toilet installation components include a predetermined measure of aggregate to be mixed with a corresponding measure of solution to form a settling compound for stabilizing the toilet to a floor surface. The components also include a tray having an interior for combining the pre-determined measure of aggregate and corresponding measure of solution therein, wherein the tray includes indicia indicating the corresponding measure of solution to be combined with the aggregate. Also included is a mixing or spreading instrument used for agitating the aggregate and solution to form the settling compound within the interior of the tray and for applying the settling compound to the floor surface.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of toilet or water closet installation, and more particularly, is directed to a toilet installation kit containing pre-measured and disposable components required in the installation of a toilet.
2. Background of Related Art
The installation of a floor-type toilet or water closet involves the use of several well known essential components including a sealing gasket and bolt assemblies which are used to sealingly engage a toilet to a corresponding closet flange and soil pipe. The installed toilet must be securely mounted to the floor to avoid any rocking or settling of the toilet with respect to the closet flange or floor. Otherwise, any rocking or settling of the toilet may eventually lead to possible leakage of waste material to the surrounding floor area. Accordingly, the installation of a toilet includes steps in preventing the rocking or settling of the toilet with respect to the floor. The primary manner in achieving rigid securement of an installed toilet is achieved through the use of a water resistant, rigid settling compound applied on the floor surface along the outer perimeter of the closet flange. These settling compounds are preferably applied to the toilet connection area in moldable form and subsequently cure to a rigid hardness. The application of settling compound during a toilet installation adds both time and labor to the total installation process. Application of settling compound includes the proper measurement and mixing of both aggregate and solution to form the settling compound within a container, application of the compound to the floor surface with the aid of a tool and finally, cleansing of the container and tools used in the application process.
In this respect, the toilet installation kit according to the present disclosure substantially departs from conventional concepts and techniques of the prior art, and in doing so provides an installation kit which is particularly well suited in solving the inadequacies involved in the installation of toilets according to the prior art. Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a need for a toilet installation kit containing pre-measured and disposable essential components required in installing a toilet.
The embodiments herein disclosed throughout the present disclosure achieve the intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing readily available materials.


A portable hydro-generator, for the generation of power, including a tower (10) filled with a driving fluid, a semi-sealed curved tubular housing with a drive portion and a return portion primed with a fluid, the drive portion having a larger diameter than the return portion, an inlet to allow the fluid to enter the tubular housing, a plurality of paddles to harness the kinetic energy of the fluid entering the curved tubular housing, a linkage assembly to link the plurality of paddles, a drive chamber, a sprocket within the drive chamber to engage a portion of the paddles, and an output power generator attached to the sprocket. A paddle adapted to be used in the hydro-generator include a top surface, a bottom surface, seals to prevent water leakage through the paddles, a linkage bar to allow an attachment of the paddle to subsequent paddle, wherein the top surface of the paddle further includes studs to increase the effective surface area of the top of the paddle.

There have been various attempts to generate power of electricity. These attempts can be broadly categorized as the use of depletable resources, and the use of renewable energy.
Current depletable resources include coal, oil and nuclear energy. These resources are known to be pollutive not only upon extraction, and also when these resources are being used. Further, these resources are not freely available in all parts of the world, and regions who possess these resources, may tend to hold the rest of the world 'at ransom'. More importantly, the negative side effects of the use of nuclear energy may even be long term.
Notwithstanding the negative impacts of these depletable resources, they are currently still being mined, as they are the traditional energy resources. Thus, these resources are being threatened.
The long-term solution is to engage and harness known renewable energies, for example, solar energy, wind energy and hydraulic energy.
Most known attempts which operate using renewable energies work on very tight parameters as they rely solely on the presence of these renewable energies, and the fact that these energies are seasonal and unpredictable. These are not always found where they are needed. For example, when hydraulics are used as a power generating source, the power generation machines will need to be physically built at or around moving water, for example, rivers or near dams. This may not always be economically feasible, and may require rather long term payback.
In another example, renewable energy like solar energy is limited during wintry periods, when power or electricity generation is needed more.
A solution to this is an arrangement to channel excess energies to batteries for use during off load periods. However, these batteries not only are expensive, but also have a relatively short life span and are toxic. Most importantly, due to the relatively short life span, the continued disposal of these toxic substances are pollutive to the environment.
There is thus a need to alleviate and ameliorate all of these problems as highlighted above.


The present invention is related to a data storage device capable of restricting access to data storage or retrieval when a first code is incompatible with a second code. The data storage device comprises (a) a data storage media having a data storage region; and (b) a controller adapted to compare a first code with a second code and to restrict access to a portion of the data storage region of the data storage device if the first code is incompatible with the second code.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method capable of restricting access to a data storage device.
There are a variety of reasons why it may be desirable to restrict access to the storage or retrieval of data on a data storage device. First, it may be desirable to restrict access to data stored on the data storage device. For example, theft of the data storage device can lead to the theft of trade-secret and copyrighted data or software stored in the data storage device. Trade-secret data derives its value from its secrecy. Copyrighted software is often licensed with the condition that the software may be used only within a specific product or computer in which it was sold. When a data storage device that contains copyrighted software or trade-secrets is stolen, the unauthorized use, reproduction and distribution of the software or data would result in economic harm to the owner of the software or data.
Another problem arises from the widespread theft of data storage devices from purchased or leased computers. Purchased computers are often stolen and their components sold as spare parts. In leased computers, the data storage device can be replaced with an inferior data storage device without the knowledge of the lessor. Because it is easy to remove peripheral devices such as disk drives from the external computer system and to use the devices in other machines, there is a large market for stolen disk drives. Thus, it is desirable to prevent or limit use of a data storage device when it is removed from one computer or other apparatus for use in another computer or device.
Another reason is that data storage devices are often sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) at lower subsidized prices in order for the OEM""to manufacture and sell a product at a competitive price. However, an unscrupulous merchant can take advantage of the lower OEM price by buying the product, removing the data storage device from the product, and using the device in a different machine or selling the device on the open market. Also, the removed data storage device could be sold to a consumer without disclosing that the data storage device is being resold or is a re-manufactured unit, thereby deceiving the consumer.
Thus it is desirable to limit functioning of a data storage device to a specific product or computer system. Restricting access to a data storage region of the data storage device discourages potential thefts of data storage devices and prevents the unauthorized use, reproduction and distribution of copyrighted software and trade secret data.
The present invention is directed to a data storage device, a computer system and a method for restricting a computer""access to a portion of a data storage region of a data storage device so that the data storage device can be used effectively only on a specific computer or a specific apparatus that contains a computer to deter theft or other unlawful use of the data storage device.
The present data storage device invention comprises a controller and a data storage media having a data storage region thereon. The controller is adapted to compare a first code with a second code. If the first code is incompatible with the second code, the controller is adapted to restrict access to a portion of the data storage region of the data storage device. Otherwise, the controller provides access to substantially all of the data storage region of the data storage device.
The present computer system invention comprises a data storage media, a master module, and a controller. The data storage media has a key storage area adapted to store a first code and a second code, and a data storage region to receive and store data. The master module comprises program code to retrieve a first code and perform a function adapted to generate a comparison value from the first code. The controller is adapted to compare the comparison value to the second code and to restrict access to a portion of the data storage region of the data storage device if the comparison value is incompatible with the second code.
The present invention also provides a method of restricting access of a computer to a portion of a data storage region of a data storage device. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a first code and a second code from one or more of the data storage device or an external system and comparing the first code to the second code. The method further includes the step of restricting access to a portion of a data storage region of the data storage device if the first code is incompatible with the second code. Otherwise, substantially all of the data storage region of the data storage device is accessible.
Thus this invention prevents theft of data storage devices by preventing access to a portion of the data storage region of data storage devices. The incentive to steal data storage devices with restricted access to a portion of its data storage region is lessened. In addition, if trade secret data or copyrighted software is stored in the portion of the data storage region, the potential for unauthorized use, reproduction and distribution of the trade secret data or the copyrighted software is lessened.

Apparatus and method capable of restricting access to a data storage device


In a distance measurement device of an embodiment, a light source emits modulation light in a first charge transfer cycle, and emission of the modulation light of the light source is stopped in a second charge transfer cycle. In each of the first and second charge transfer cycles, the charges generated in a photosensitive region are distributed to a first accumulation region and a second accumulation region. A first value is obtained based on readout values corresponding to amounts of accumulated charges of the first accumulation region. A second value is obtained based on readout values corresponding to amounts of accumulated charges of the second accumulation region. A distance is calculated based on the first value and the second value.

A time-of-flight (TOF) method for measuring a distance from an object to a distance sensor by emitting a pulsed light from a light source and receiving reflected light from the object using the distance sensor is known.
A distance measurement device based on a TOF method is described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 below. The device described in Patent Literature 1 emits pulsed light from a light source, acquires, from a distance sensor, a signal having a value corresponding to an amount of charges generated by a photodiode of the distance sensor in each of sub-periods having different lengths in one frame period, and calculates a distance based on a best signal among a plurality of acquired signals.
The device described in Patent Literature 2 has a configuration for widening an effective dynamic range of a distance sensor. Specifically, this device emits pulsed light from a light source, accumulates charges generated by a photodiode of the distance sensor in a capacitor, resets a voltage generated in the capacitor when the voltage reaches a saturation voltage, and calculates a distance based on the number of resets and a last voltage generated in the capacitor.
Further, background light is included in light to be incident on the distance sensor, in addition to signal light generated by the pulsed light emitted from the light source being reflected from an object. The distance measurement devices described in Patent Literatures 1 and 2 do not basically consider removal of noise components, such as a background light component included in the signal from the distance sensor.
Another distance measurement device based on a TOF method is described in Patent Literature 3 below. The device described in Patent Literature 3 emits pulsed light from a light source, acquires a signal from a distance sensor in a first frame period, and acquires a signal from the distance sensor with the light source being in a non-emission state in a second frame period. The frame period is a time period from resetting charges of an accumulation region which accumulates charges generated by a photosensitive region of the sensor to next resetting of the charges of the accumulation region. This device removes noise components in a signal by subtracting the signal of the second frame period from the signal of the first frame period. The device calculates the distance based on the signal from which the noise components have been removed in this way.


A replaceable starter assembly for a hand-held internal combustion engine of a power tool is disclosed. The replaceable starter assembly comprises a cartridge including a spool on which rope is wound and with a recoil spring for biasing the spool to rotate in one direction. The cartridge is secured to an engine housing of the power tool on the opposite side of the engine housing from the internal combustion engine. The cartridge may be detached from the engine housing of the power tool to facilitate the replacement of the starter assembly without requiring disassembly of the engine housing of the power tool. A starter housing substantially encloses the cartridge and is secured to the engine housing by removable fasteners. The starter housing may include a clutch and clutch drum which are removable with the starter housing and separable from the cartridge. The starter assembly is assembled to the power tool between the engine housing and a boom which supports the driveshaft of an implement.

Recoil starters are used to manually start small internal combustion engines. The best known example of a recoil starter is a lawn mower starter. The use of small internal combustion engines having recoil starters has increased in recent years. Such engines are used on hand-held lawn care implements such as line trimmers, blowers, edgers and cultivators. The recoil starter is a relatively frequent maintenance item on such lawn care implements. One problem that may occur is that the pull rope may become disengaged from the rope spool. Another cause for repair of the recoil starter is breakage or jamming of the recoil spring. Another maintenance detail is wear of the starter gear.
In recent years, the weight and cost of internal combustion engines for hand-held implements has been reduced by providing a half-crank internal combustion engine. An example of this is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,605, in which a single cylinder is connected to a half-crank crankshaft. In this type of engine, a recoil starter is secured to the forward end of the internal combustion engine at the location where the crank is journalled for rotation. It is not possible to secure the recoil starter to the rear portion of the crankshaft because the crank does not extend through the rear of the internal combustion engine.
Prior art recoil starter devices include statutory invention registration H517 to Sato et al, which discloses a recoil starter having a rope which may be replaced by removing a cover on the recoil case without detaching the recoil drum and spiral spring. The recoil pulley is exposed when the recoil cover is removed from the recoil case. A new rope may be wound on the periphery of the recoil pulley without detaching the recoil pulley from the engine. While this simplifies the approach to repair or replacement of the recoil rope, it is not suited for half-crank internal combustion engines and does not provide a simple method for replacing the recoil spring which drives the rope to a return position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,121 to Miyata et al, describes a recoil starter with a side plate disposed between the recoil spring and the rope spool. The side plate is used to retain the recoil spring when the rope spool is removed for replacement or inspection. This design is again not useful with a half-crank internal combustion engine because it is secured to the rear of the internal combustion engine. Also, no method of simply replacing the recoil spring is provided by this reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,926,648 to Hamman discloses a recoil starter assembly which may be disassembled by an operator to replace the rope and make other repairs. This approach is not well suited for a half-crank engine and is subject to many of the disadvantages and complex maintenance procedures which are representative of the prior art.
These and other problems and disadvantages encountered by prior art recoil starter assemblies are addressed by the applicant's invention as summarized below.


A video transcoding method is described. A computer device obtains at least one initial quantization parameter used to encode at least one initial coding unit for generating an initial compressed video, and determines, according to the at least one initial quantization parameter, a current reference quantization parameter corresponding to a current coding unit in a current video frame that is generated by decoding the initial compressed video. The computer device determines an estimated quantization parameter for encoding the current coding unit, determines a first difference between the current reference quantization parameter and the estimated quantization parameter, and sets a target quantization parameter to be equal to or greater than the estimated quantization parameter according to the first difference. The computer device encodes the current coding unit according to the target quantization parameter.

Video transcoding refers to converting a video bitstream on which compression coding has been performed to another video bitstream, such that the video bitstreams can be adapted to different network bandwidths, different terminal processing capabilities, and/or different user requirements. In some applications, a transcoding process includes first decoding an initial video bitstream and then encoding the decoded video into an output video bitstream. The initial video bitstream before the transcoding and the output video bitstream after the transcoding may be coded using different video coding standards.
In some applications, a client uploads a compressed video to a server, and the server transcodes the received video. In at least one related video transcoding method, the output video bitstream after the transcoding may still have a high demand for bandwidth resources.

Video transcoding method, computer device, and storage medium

Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited


Described is a method of producing an aqueous polymer dispersion, the method calling for further polymerization of the dispersion using a radical mechanism redox initiator system including as the reducing agent the addition compound obtained between a lower ketone and hydrogen sulphite.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aqueous polymer dispersion, in which an aqueous dispersion of a polymer which contains at least two monomers A and B which differ from one another, have at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and are incorporated in chemically bonded form is produced, in a manner known per se, so that the total content of monomers which are free, ie. not chemically bonded, and have at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond (referred to in this publication as content of residual monomers or residual monomer content) in the aqueous polymer dispersion is from >0 to .ltoreq.1% by weight, based on the aqueous polymer dispersion, and this residual monomer content is then reduced by the action of a free radical redox initiator system comprising at least one oxidizing agent and at least one reducing agent.
The present invention furthermore relates to aqueous polymer dispersions resulting when such a procedure is used.
2. Discussion of the Background
Aqueous polymer dispersions are systems which contain polymer particles in disperse distribution as the disperse phase in an aqueous dispersing medium.
As in the case of polymer solutions when the solvent is evaporated, aqueous polymer dispersions have the property of forming polymer films when the aqueous dispersing medium is evaporated, and aqueous polymer dispersions are therefore widely used as binders, for example for surface coatings or for materials for coating leather.
In principle, a person skilled in the art classifies aqueous polymer dispersions as aqueous secondary dispersions and aqueous primary dispersions. The aqueous secondary dispersions are those in the preparation of which the polymer is produced outside the dispersing medium, for example is present in solution in a suitable nonaqueous solvent. This solution is then transferred to the aqueous dispersing medium, and the solvent is separated off, as a rule by distillation, while dispersing is effected. In contrast, aqueous primary dispersions are those in which the polymer is produced in the aqueous dispersing medium itself, directly as the disperse phase.
The common feature of all preparation processes is essentially that monomers which have at least one ethylenically unsaturated group are used for the synthesis of the polymer, or that this synthesis is effected exclusively from such monomers. The incorporation of such monomers having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group is usually carried out by an initiated polymerization reaction, the type of initiation used being determined in particular by the desired performance characteristics of the end product and therefore being adapted to these. For example, ionic or free radical initiation is suitable. However, the incorporation may also be effected by catalytically initiated polymeranalogous reaction. Free radical initiation is particularly frequently used, and the incorporation of the monomers having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group is therefore carried out as a rule by the free radical aqueous emulsion or suspension polymerization method in the case of aqueous primary dispersions and as a rule by the free radical solution polymerization method in the case of aqueous secondary dispersions.
As it is generally uneconomical to attempt to achieve complete conversion while maintaining the actual polymerization reaction conditions which determine the desired properties of the end product, in relation to the incorporation of the monomers having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, the aqueous polymer dispersions resulting after the end of this main polymerization reaction usually contain free monomers which are not incorporated and have at least one ethylenically unsaturated double bond (this is the case in particular when monomers such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or the amides thereof are involved, said monomers having high water solubility). Owing to the high reactivity of the ethylenically unsaturated double bond, such residual monomers are not toxicologically safe and are therefore undesired both by the producer and by the user.
There are in principle already various methods for reducing the residual monomer content of aqueous polymer dispersions.
EP-A 584 458 discloses, for example, the reduction of the residual monomer content of aqueous polymer dispersions by stripping by means of steam.
DE-A 38 34 734 recommends reducing the content of residual monomers in aqueous polymer dispersions by means of the action, after the end of the main polymerization reaction, of a free radical redox initiator system which is less suitable for initiation of main polymerization reactions, for example from the point of view of the usually desired performance characteristics and economical polymerization conditions, hydroxymethanesulfinic acid or the salts thereof being recommended in particular as the reducing agent to be used.
By means of these methods recommended in the prior art for reducing the residual monomer content of aqueous polymer dispersions, residual monomer contents of 1% by weight, based on the aqueous polymer dispersion, can usually be achieved regularly and without great difficulties. By means of these methods, it is of course also possible to achieve residual monomer contents of less than 1% by weight, based on the aqueous polymer emulsion.
Below the 1% by weight limit, however, increasing difficulties are encountered in reducing the residual monomer content when the residual monomers are composed of at least two monomers A and B which differ from one another, since this difference in the residual monomers generally also results in different solubilities thereof both in the aqueous dispersing medium and in the dispersed polymer particles. For different residual monomers A and B, this usually leads to different distribution equilibria between the two phases of an aqueous polymer dispersion, with the consequence that, when the known processes are used for reducing the residual monomer content, the reduction in the contents of the different residual monomers does not take place uniformly, this effect becoming increasingly significant below the abovementioned 1% by weight limit. This means that the method used for the reduction either preferably affects residual monomers which are preferably present in the aqueous dispersing medium or preferably affects those residual monomers which are preferably present in the dispersed polymer particles.

Preparation of an aqueous polymer dispersion


Systems and methods are provided for improving accuracy and efficiency of a context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) by adaptively selecting a context model specific to the characteristics of a coding unit (CU), such as the size, dimension (height and/or width), type (luma or chroma), and/or flag type (cu_palette_flag or pred_mode_flag) of the CU, that comprise: determining a characteristic of the CU; determining whether the characteristic of the CU meets a corresponding threshold; and upon determining that the characteristic of the CU meets the corresponding threshold, selecting a first context model, or upon determining that the characteristic of the CU fails to meet the corresponding threshold, selecting a second context model.

The state-of-the-art video coding standard, such as H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding), H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, and H.265/HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) standard, is based on a hybrid coding scheme using block-based prediction and transform coding.
To compress a video frame, a video compression system applies prediction methods, such as intra-prediction or inter-prediction, to derive a prediction frame. Based on the prediction frame, the video compression system further encodes residual information to refine the prediction frame. The residual information is usually compressed by transform and quantization techniques. Based on those information, a decoder is able to reconstruct the video frame from the prediction frame and the residual information.
Context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) is a lossless compression technique used in the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and the H.265/HEVC standards, and it provides improved compression than most other entropy encoding algorithms used in video encoding. However, because the CABAC requires a larger amount of processing to decode compared to a simpler scheme, such as context-adaptive variable-length coding (CAVLC) used in the standard's Baseline profile, the CABAC is only supported in the Main and higher profiles of the standard.
In a CABAC engine, if the system were able to identify that the statistic of a bin to be encoded is different in a different condition, the system would be able to design different context models and adaptively select the corresponding context models according to the condition. Because the context models are more accurate, the coding efficiency is improved. However, for the palette mode, lager CUs tend to use the palette mode more than the smaller CUs, and for the current picture referencing (CPR), the smaller CUs tend to use the palette mode more than the larger CUs. Further, the statistic of both tools, the palette mode and the CPR, may vary between a luma CU and a chroma CU when dual tree is turned on in the versatile video coding (VVC)/H.266.
In the palette mode signaling, a palette mode flag, such as cu_palette_flag, is signaled in each CU to indicate whether the CU is coded by palette mode, and a shared context model of the cu_palette_flag is utilized for all sizes of the CU and for both luma and chroma CUs. In the CPR signaling, a prediction mode flag, such as pred_mode_flag, is signaled in each CU to indicate whether the CU is coded by an inter/intra mode, and a shared context model of the pred_mode_flag is utilized for all sizes of the CU and for both luma and chroma CUs.

Context model selection based on coding unit characteristics


A method for facilitating an authentication related to an electronic transaction between a first and a second user is provided. Authentication data is received from the first user along with transaction data defining the first user and the electronic transaction to be authenticated. This authentication data is compared to enrollment authentication data associated with the first user in order to verify the identity of the first user. When the user is properly verified, access to at least one private cryptographic key stored on a secure server is available for use in securing the electronic transaction. The particular private cryptographic key need not be released from the secure server. Data indicating the status of the authentication may then be sent to one of either the first or second user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cryptographic authentication in electronic commerce. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of cryptographic authentication to provide security to transactions in electronic commerce.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the continued increase in commercial and other transactions taking place across linked computer systems, it has become desirable to secure these transactions and the information related to these transactions. One form of security is to prevent access to systems which perform certain functions, for instance by requiring a password or PIN number in order to use an ATM. Another form of security is to protect data from being intercepted and used by those other than the intended recipients, for instance, when sending a credit card number electronically. Another form of security involves allowing someone to undeniably sign a document or otherwise assent to a transaction electronically.
All of these functions are related to the concept of authentication, or proof of identity. Authentication of electronic transactions, particularly those carried out across networks or other physically distributed systems, is generally carried out using cryptographic techniques and protocols. Cryptography is the scrambling of information in such a specific way that it can only be unscrambled by someone who holds the appropriate unscrambling key. By exchanging messages which can only be decrypted by those with access to the proper key, cryptographic protocols can be used as a means to authenticate individuals.
However, different authentication techniques have differing levels of both reliability and ease of use. Generally, those techniques which are simpler and less cumbersome to use also provide less security that the individual is authenticated correctly. Passwords are an example of such a simple technique. It is easy to enter a password to prove who you are; however, it is also easy for someone else to overhear your password and use it to attempt to prove that he is you.
Stronger techniques may involve control over particular tokens, such as a particular smart card, or may make use of biometric identifiers, such as fingerprint analysis or retinal scanning. However, such techniques may require specialized hardware or require that the user carry a particular item at all times.
While some transactions are sufficiently authenticated by simple unreliable authentication techniques, for authentication of other transactions, it may be desirable to require a high degree of confidence in the authentication in order to allow the transaction. For instance, transactions which have a large economic value, such as a supply contract, or which carry a high risk for false authentication, such as logging on to a military computer, may require high security authentication.
Therefore, there is a continued need for improved systems that provide users and vendors with levels of security in authentication appropriate to the transactions being carried out while improving the ease of use of such authentication for common tasks.

Electronic commerce with cryptographic authentication


A method for evaluating the inhibitory effect of a substance on tat-protein TAR RNA binding is described. A test system for determining the association of tat-protein with TAR RNA is also included within the scope of the invention.

It has been known that HIV-1 gene expression is positively regulated by the viral transregulatory protein, tat (Arya, et al., 1985, Sodroski, et al., 1985). Tat protein is an 86 amino acid polypeptide that is translated from doubly spliced mRNA containing one 5' non-coding exon and two coding exons. Tat expression is believed to be essential for HIV replication, since mutants lacking tat fail to produce significant levels of viral protein and mRNA. A "tat activation response" element, termed TAR, has been localized within the long terminal repeat (LTR), by deletion analysis, to the region -17 to +80 nucleotides relative to the transcription initiation site (Rosen, et al., 1985). The function of this element is position and orientation dependent and can confer tat inducibility to heterologous promotors, albeit to a reduced level.

Method for detecting inhibitors of tat protein

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health & Human Services


A device for locking and unlocking a rotor to a stator, at least parallel to the rotation axis of the rotor, includes an annular rotor flange transverse to the axis, an annular stator bearing surface transverse to the axis and at least partly axially facing the annular flange, and a mobile annular bearing surface transverse to the axis and at least partially axially facing the annular flange on the opposite side of the stator annular bearing surface. The mobile annular bearing surface is formed on a thrust ring coupled radially to a stator portion and able to move axially relative thereto. An annular inflatable airbag in the stator portion axially between a stator back and the thrust ring is provided with pneumatic fluid inlet/outlet arrangements.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns the axial and radial retention of a rotor relative to a stator, in particular against vibration. The rotor is part of a reaction wheel, for example; this can be a reaction wheel for a spacecraft, in which case effective locking is required to resist vibrations generated during launch from the ground.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Mechanical solutions to provide such locking/unlocking are known in themselves.
For example, document FR-A-2 619 176 (AEROSPATIALE) (or document U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,357) proposes temporary retention of the rotor by means of an annular cable pressing locking arms provided with cams radially onto the rotor. Unlocking is effected by cutting the cable.
These mechanical solutions are satisfactory. However, they have the drawback of being complex, costly and bulky and do not cater for multiple locking/unlocking cycles (although this requirement is rarely encountered).
An object of the invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawback and, in the case of a ground configuration, to provide a very simple means of remote control (subject only to simple connection operations).

Pneumatic device for locking/unlocking a rotor to a stator

Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle of Paris, France


A tester for testing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The tester for testing the semiconductor device employs a data selector for converting a logical test pattern data transmitted from a pattern generator into a physical test pattern data and an expected data based on the logical test pattern data, thereby generating various timings based on a time delay instead of using a plurality of clocks to improve a test efficiency and reduce a manufacturing cost.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tester for testing a semiconductor device, and in particular to a tester for testing a semiconductor device wherein various timings are generated based on a time delay instead of using a plurality of clocks to improve a test efficiency and reduce a manufacturing cost.
2. Description of Prior Art
A tester for testing a semiconductor device tests whether the semiconductor device is defective. The tester for testing the semiconductor device is designed and developed according to a development state of a memory device, a DRAM in particular which takes up most of the memory devices since the tester for testing the semiconductor device is mostly used for testing the memory devices.
The development of the DRAM is progressing from an EDO (Extended Data Output) DRAM, SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM), Rambus DRAM to DDR (Double Data Rate) DRAM.
In order to test the DRAM, a high speed and a high accuracy are required for the tester so as to correspond to a high speed DRAM. In addition, as a capacity of the memory is increased, a time required for testing the DRAM also increases. Therefore, a testing speed is also required to be increased. Moreover, a cost for testing the memory should be reduced by embodying a miniaturized and economical tester.
Of the tester for testing the semiconductor device, the memory tester in particular is typically used for testing and verifying a memory component or a memory module in a form of a SIMM or DIMM. The tester detects a functional defect of the memory module or the memory component prior to an installation thereof in a real computer system.
The tester is classified into a hardware semiconductor device tester and a software diagnostic program executed in a PC environment. However, since the software diagnostic program diagnoses a state of the memory when the memory module or the memory component is installed in the real computer, the hardware semiconductor device tester is mainly used during a semiconductor memory manufacturing process.
The tester may be classified as a high-end tester referred to as an ATE (Automatic Test Equipment), a medium range memory tester and a low-end memory tester.
The ATE which is the high-end tester is typically used in order to carry out a test process of the memory device. The conventional ATE carries out tests such as a DC test for testing whether a DC parameter is suitable for a digital operation of a circuit, a transmission delay time of signals, and an AC margin related to a set-up time and a hold time. The ATE also generates a test pattern and a timing for the test. However, a manufacturing cost of the ATE is high since the ATE is manufactured using a dedicated equipment such as a main frame having a large size and a high price.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional tester for testing a semiconductor device.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional tester comprises a pattern generator 110, a timing generator 120, a format controller 130, a driver 140, a comparator 150, and a test result storage 160. In addition to these components, the conventional tester may comprise a power supply controller for the DC test, a component for generating a clock signal, a component for supplying a power for an operation of a DUT (Device Under Test) 180, a component for relaying a test pattern data to the DUT 180 and receiving a test result from the DUT 180, a component for receiving a test pattern program from an outside, and a component for transmitting the test result to the outside. However, a description thereof is omitted.
The pattern generator 110 generates the test pattern data required for testing the DUT 180 based on the test pattern program. For instance, the test pattern program is written to include an instruction for carrying out various operations in order to carry out the test. The pattern generator 110 generates the test pattern data by receiving and interpreting the test pattern program from an external storage for instance. The test pattern data includes a data such as a command, address and a data inputted to the DUT 180. In addition, an expected data corresponding to the generated test pattern data is generated.
The timing generator 120 generates a timing edge which is a reference for converting the test pattern data generated in the pattern generator 110 into various waveforms. The timing edge is generated using a plurality of clocks for a smooth conversion.
The format controller 130 converts the test pattern data to a desired waveform based on the timing edge.
The conversion of the test pattern data is described below in detail.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of converting a test waveform in a conventional tester for testing a semiconductor device.
Referring to FIG. 2, the pattern generator 110 generates the test pattern data. On the other hand, the timing generator 120 generates a plurality of timing edges using a plurality of clocks ACLK, BCLK and CCLK as shown. Because the format controller 130 requires a timing reference in order to convert the test pattern data to the desired test waveform at a desired moment, the timing generator 120 generates the plurality of timing edges using the plurality of clocks in order to configure the timing reference. The plurality of clocks is particularly used to generate the pattern data for a test of an asynchronous semiconductor device.
The format controller 130 converts the test pattern to the desired test waveform based on each of the timing edges. For instance, when the clock ACLK is used, the format controller 130 may convert the test pattern data to the test waveform of NRZA or /NRZA. "NRZ" represents a conversion wherein '0 ' is not returned during a cycle in which the test pattern data is '1 ', a character "A" represents that the test pattern data is converted through the clock ACLK, and a character "/" represents that the test pattern data is inverted. When the clock BCLK is used, the format controller 130 may convert the test pattern data to the test waveform of NRZB or /NRZB. When the clock CCLK is used, the format controller 130 may convert the test pattern data to the test waveform of NRZC or /NRZC. When the clocks BCLK and CCLK are used simultaneously, the format controller 130 may convert the test pattern data to the test waveform of NRZBC or /NRZBC. As described above, the test pattern data may be converted to the test waveform by the format controller 130 using the plurality of clocks.
The driver 140 transmits the converted test waveform to the DUT 180.
The comparator 150 tests the DUT 180 by comparing the test output data being outputted from the DUT 180 after an operation of the DUT 180 is complete by the test waveform applied to the DUT 180 with the expected data generated in the pattern generator 110.
The test result storage 160 stores a test result based on a result of the comparison of the comparator 150. For instance, an information on a defective DUT is stored.
As described above, the conventional ATE is a very highly priced equipment. Therefore, it is preferable that a manufacturer designs the highly priced ATE efficiently in order to increase a competitiveness by minimizing a manufacturing cost thereof. For the efficient design of the ATE, the generation of the test pattern and the timing should be optimized.
Particularly, in order to embody the timing generating function of the timing generator 120, a highly priced components are required. In addition, even when the highly priced components are used, a function of generating an accurate timing for the test of the semiconductor device operating at a high speed is difficult to embody. The function of generating the timing using the plurality of clocks may be used for the test of asynchronous device. However, the function of generating the timing using the plurality of clocks is not optimum for a synchronous device.
Moreover, the when the converted test waveform is transmitted to the DUT 180, the test waveform may be delayed for a predetermined cycle. The expected data may be also delayed by the comparator 150 in order to carry out the comparison with the data being outputted from the DUT 180. Because the delays are carried out after the conversion by the format controller 130, the driver 140 or the comparator 150 may convert an actual test waveform or the expected data again by considering each of the delays.
In addition, the test pattern data generated in the pattern generator 110 should be converted according to each of channels of the DUT 180, i.e. pins of the DUT 180. The conversion for the pins is carried out before the test pattern data is applied to the format controller 130. In such case, a multiplexing of the test pattern data to be applied to each of the pins is carried out. However, because the multiplexing is carried out to correspond to the each of the pins, a resource is wasted.


A method for electronically accumulating market survey data from inherently interested Internet users or TV viewers. Various market survey questions can be disseminated to Internet users and TV viewers, and the answers are processed at a central location. In exchange for his answers, the responder receives free access to the Internet or cable TV for a predetermined amount of time.

Various systems and methods have been used to collect market surveying data. Methods include written questionnaires and telephone solicitations. Such systems can be time consuming and inaccurate. Many potential responders will not fill out a questionnaire or answer questions from a caller. Further, collection of information can not be analyzed quickly. There is a need for a market survey data collection method which is both fast and inherently accurate.

Accurate market survey collection method


Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for facilitating multiple users or groups in thinking about and working collaboratively on an arbitrary problem, Embodiments of the system includes logic to facilitate multiple user or group specification of a problem specification, a conclusion specification, and a knowledge structure, related to the arbitrary problem. Some embodiments of the system further include logic to subdivide and link at least one of the problem specification, conclusion specification and knowledge specification, as for work by individuals or subteams. Some embodiments include automatic composition logic to combine at least one of the problem specification, knowledge specification and conclusion specification across multiple users or teams and other embodiments provide automatic suggestioning regarding the archetype group problem solving process.

In educational and business situations, there is recognition of the need for improving the abilities of groups working on information intensive projects, in both the quality of the results and the efficiency with which information-intensive work is done. A significant portion of business and educational endeavors involve the joint conduct of information-intensive or inquiry-based projects by multiple individuals or even multiple sub teams. Such projects often include a broad range of problem solving activities, such as defining the problem, finding and analyzing information, formulating conclusions, hypotheses and alternatives, and in many cases developing an answer or course of action, and others. Such group or collaborative projects also often result in the production of one or more reports to convey the findings and/or recommendations or views to others.
A large number of workers are classified as knowledge workers and routinely formulate understanding about and solutions to rather unstructured or arbitrary problems. Research shows that most knowledge workers are assigned to teams for at least some portion of their work and that most teams are fairly large in their numbers of members. In addition, many if not most knowledge workers have professional or personal areas of interest in which they may pursue inquiry and the development of various documented understanding and reports as well. Informal communities of interest—whether professional or personal—are common, and individuals often seek each other out on an ad-hoc or informal collaborative or cooperative basis as well—sharing information and ideas about professional issues or personal hobbies and interests and the like.
Despite the prevalence of formal groups and informal collaborative networks conducting information-intensive projects together, computerized support for generalized, collaborative inquiry based projects is lacking. Most teams or collaborating individuals utilize at best a loose collection of computerized tools such as the Internet and search engines to find information, E-mail, tools such as Outlook, in some cases social networking tools to seek out others and communicate, and document production tools like Power Point or web authoring tools to produce results. In some instances, the teams may use tools like Lotus Notes or others to share documents and control versioning. However, generalized computer-based collaboration systems tend to focus on the mechanics of communication and document change management control, as opposed to providing support and additional value to the group or collaborative thinking, problem solving and information process itself.
In contrast, teams that work on very specialized project types may utilize specific specialized computerized systems that have a highly shared set of tools and provide a specific shared context for the group and team members—such as product development teams using CAD/CAM systems for product design. However, the team or group or collaborative support for information intensive, generalized or arbitrary problem solving to date has been lacking in a generalizable set of shared tools and problem solving context that assists significantly in the structure, content, or process of the problem solving work itself, or indeed for the content and problem solving process of the collaboration that occurs.
A familiar type of generalized collaboration computer support, for example, coordinates documents through version control allowing for participants to see versions, changes and attribute those changes to contributors. Another type of generalized computer supported collaboration is through email, instant messaging, the email conversation threads of SIG's and discussions, and other similar approaches. Generalized collaboration computer platforms largely at best are focused on the mechanics and management of the communication and document control, as opposed to the project content or group problem solving process.
As a result, the problems in supporting multi-user and collaborative or team work in inquiry based projects are many. One particular problem is the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of the interaction between individual knowledge work and group or collective or collaborative work. For example, typically, although an assignment is made to the individual to support the groups' goals and objectives, the individual knowledge workers often work independently using techniques they have found to be successful in the past, and typically utilizing more personal support through word processors, search engines and browsers, spread sheets, specialized tools like statistical packages, hand written notes, and other tools and approaches accepted and appropriate to the particular discipline. In many situations, meetings and points where group work needs to be pulled together cause additional work for the knowledge worker or sub team outside of their individual project content work, as they prepare summary or other review documents for group or collaborative session or reviews. Upon return from group meetings, the individual workers in this type of situation often largely revert to a work mode in the appropriate tools and manner for their detail efforts, which remain relatively hidden from the group as a whole. There is therefore often extra effort and time to translate to and from the personal detail work approach to the meeting formats, presentations, and group discussions, and little if any additional insight tends to be gained from this work. Collaboration between individuals occurs at best through joint text or other document authoring, or the sharing of documents augmented by emails and other communications.
In many cases, knowledge workers and individuals have generally learned their generalized, information intensive problem solving approaches throughout their education in schools and universities and through "trial and error", and in some cases personal mentoring, on the job. There tends therefore not to be a shared problem solving and inquiry project process context to assist in discussions about the process or approaches being used by individuals and the group.
An additional problem with most group work supported by generalized computer systems or tools today is that the final presentation, written document or other similar media is often the most available or only documentation of the problem/project and as such only records the final solution and findings of the team, and little about the process and little about what was examined and rejected, and little about the process, rationale etc. This final report or product in many circumstances transfers very little depth of understanding to future work.
There is therefore a significant need for a system and method that enables generalized multi-user and group information-intensive thinking and problem solving in a collaborative manner to address these and additional needs and problems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for facilitating collaboration and related multiple user thinking and cooperation regarding an arbitrary problem


A method for microfabricating diamond includes the steps of: forming a resist layer composed of a ladder silicone spin-on glass material on the surface of diamond; performing lithography, in which the resist layer is irradiated with an electron beam or an ion beam in a given pattern; developing the resist layer to form the given pattern; and etching diamond by an ECR plasma etching method or a high-frequency plasma etching method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for microfabricating diamond, including a step for etching diamond which is a suitable material for electronic devices used at high temperatures, at high frequencies, and in high electric fields.
2. Description of the Related Art
Diamond has excellent heat-resistance and has a wide band gap of 5.5 eV. It is generally an insulator, however, it can function as a semiconductor when doped with an impurity. Also, diamond has excellent electrical characteristics, such as a high dielectric breakdown voltage, a high saturation velocity and a low dielectric constant. Because of these characteristics, diamond is expected to be a suitable material for electronic devices or sensors with high output, which are used at high temperatures, at high frequencies, and in high electric fields. Also, diamond has been applied to the following fields: as an optical sensor or a light emitting device for the short wavelength range of ultraviolet rays or the like, because of the wide band gap; as a material for a heat dissipating substrate because of its high thermal conductivity and low specific heat; as a surface acoustic device by making use of the characteristic that diamond is the hardest substance; as an X-ray window or optical material because of its high transmittance and refractive index; and so on. Also, diamond is used as a material for tools and micromachinery because of its high wear resistance.
A single crystal of diamond is obtained by mining for natural diamond or by synthesizing it at high temperatures and pressures. A single crystal of diamond, however, has areas of approximately 1 cm.sup.2 at the largest, and the price is significantly high. Fields in which diamond is industrially used, therefore, are limited to specific ones such as for polishing powder or as an edge-tool for precision cutting.
Conventionally, various methods of diamond film synthesis have been studied, including, for example, a micro-wave chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 59-27754 and 61-3320, a high-frequency plasma CVD method, a hot filament CVD method, a direct-current plasma CVD method, a plasma-jet method, a combustion method, and a thermal CVD method. In accordance with these vapor phase synthesis methods, a large area of diamond film can be obtained with low production costs.
It is a requirement that the surface of a diamond be microfabricated by etching when it is to be used as a core material for practical purposes, as disclosed by K. Kobashi, S. Miyauchi, K. Miyata, K. Nishimura, Journal of Materials Research, Vol. 11, No.11 (1996) p.2744. In particular, in order to apply diamond to electronic devices such as field effect transistors and the like, it is a requirement that diamond is microfabricated in the submicron range (1 .mu.m or less), as disclosed by K. Miyata et al, in IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, Vol. 42, No.11 (1995) p.2010.
The conventional method for fabricating a diamond semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming a resist layer by applying a resist (photosensitive material) onto a diamond film or substrate; projecting a pattern which has been delineated on a photomask beforehand onto the resist layer with a light source such as a mercury lamp which emits ultraviolet rays; transferring the pattern onto the resist layer by developing it; and patterning by etching the diamond film or substrate with the transferred pattern being used as a mask. After the completion of the patterning of the diamond film or substrate, the resist layer is decomposed and removed by oxygen plasma.
In the photolithography step where the pattern is transferred onto the resist layer, the i-line having a wavelength of 365 nm which is the emission line of the mercury lamp as a light source of the photolithography, and ultraviolet rays having a short wavelength such as a KrF excimer laser having a wavelength of 248 nm are used. However, differing from silicon, diamond transmits light having a wavelength of 220 nm or more in accordance with the band gap. As a result, after the i-lines having a wavelength of 365 nm or the ultraviolet rays having a short wavelength such as a KrF excimer laser having a wavelength of 248 nm pass through the mask, a part of the lines or rays passes through the diamond film, is reflected from the rear towards the surface, and exposes the resist layer. This causes the problem of the mask pattern being transferred incorrectly.
Further, since a lower limit of a line pattern width which is transferable by photolithography, that is, a resolution limit, depends on a wavelength of a light source, it is difficult to form a pattern having a line width of 100 nm or less even if the i-line from a mercury lamp and short-wavelength ultraviolet rays of a KrF excimer laser or the like are used.
The method for making a silicon semiconductor device generally employs an electron beam or ion beam having an acceleration energy of 20 to 200 keV instead of ultraviolet rays in order to form a fine pattern having a line width of 100 nm or less. In electron beam lithography or ion beam lithography which employs an electron beam or ion beam, a pattern is directly delineated on a resist layer with an electron beam or ion beam without a photomask. As a resist which is suitable for these lithographic techniques, polymethyl methacrylate (hereinafter referred to as PMMA) has been known. However, PMMA has a disadvantage of weak resistance to the plasma etching.
Conventionally, a spin-on glass (hereinafter referred to as "SOG") material has been used as an insulating coating film. Recently, it was proposed that the SOG film be used as a negative resist because the SOG material is dehydrated and condensed by irradiation with an electron beam or ion beam and changes into a silicon oxide which is insoluble in an organic solvent, as disclosed by A. Imai, H. Fukuda, T. Ueno, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 29 (1990) P.2653; Y. Koh, T. Goto, J. Yanagisawa, K. Gamo, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 31 (1992) p.4479.
FIG. 8 is an example of a chemical structure of the SOG material. In FIG. 8, four hydroxyl groups are bonded to a silicon (Si), and this is called a straight-chain SOG material including a chemical structure in which hydroxyl groups are substituted for methyl groups. When a SOG film is used as a resist, an organic solvent, for example, methanol or butanol, is used as a developer. A SOG pattern formed as described above can be used as an etching mask as it is, and also can be used as an overlying resist in a multi-layered resist, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.3-287163. Also, in phase-shift lithography which is a technique used to improve the resolution of photolithography, a shifter composed of a silicon oxide layer is formed on a photomask, and it is also possible to employ the patterning method using the SOG material in order to correct defects in the fabrication process.
The dehydration-condensation reaction of the straight-chain SOG material, however, progresses gradually in air and in a vacuum as time passes, even without being irradiated with an electron beam or ion beam. Hence, in the conventional patterning method using the SOG material, irradiation with an electron beam or an ion beam, and the development, must be completed within 7 hours after the SOG application, which is disadvantageous to the fabrication process. For example, in an experiment conducted by the present inventors, in which the straight-chain SOG material is used to confirm the problem described above, after applying the straight-chain SOG material to a sample followed by soft-baking at a temperature of 80.degree. C. for 5 minutes, the sample with the SOG material was left to stand. As a result, the straight-chain SOG material was found to already be insoluble in the solvent in 8 hours and could not be provided for patterning.
As described above, the patterning method using the SOG material has a problem in the fabrication process, that is, since the SOG material becomes insoluble as time passes, a series of steps, including the application of the straight-chain SOG material, irradiation with an electron beam or an ion beam, and the development, must be performed promptly. Also, it has another problem, that is, since the dehydration-condensation reaction of the applied straight-chain SOG material progresses as time passes, the unreacted SOG material, which is soluble in the developer, decreases as time passes during the development for patterning, and therefore, the size of the pattern formed by electron beam or ion beam irradiation changes with time.


A toe cap setting machine includes at least one cooling mechanism having a shoe last fixedly connected to a post with a heating tube disposed below the shoe last which is disposed between two work plates each having a slide slidably disposed thereon. Each of the work plates has a cylinder disposed therebelow which has a cylinder rod extending through the work plate and the slide. A first jaw extends from each of the slides and is located beside the shoe last. A second jaw is pivotally connected to a root portion of each of the first jaws and contacts the cylinder rod of the cylinder corresponding thereto at a bottom of the second jaw so as to clamp a toe cap between the first and the second jaw when the cylinder rod is operated. A light emitting device is disposed above the shoe last.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toe cap setting machine comprising a plurality of clamping devices for positioning the toe cap on a shoe last of the setting machine so as to correctly dispose the toe cap on the shoe last.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
A toe cap setting machine is used to set the toe cap at a desired configuration. The toe cap is generally made of a sheet of leather which is first softened by being neated on a heating means and then put on a shoe last which is generally a curved solid member. In order to securely position the sheet of leather on the shoe last so as to set the leather into a configuration the same as that of the shoe last, a positioning apparatus is used to compresses the sheet of leather so that the sheet of leather is snugly mounted to the shoe last and therefore set to have the desired configuration after it is cooled. However, the apparatus compress the sheet of leather within a short of time and this action often slightly moves the sheet of leather on the shoe last so that the configuration of the toe cap does not consistently meet a desired requirement.
The present invention intends to provide an improved toe cap setting machine comprising clamping devices to mitigate and/or obviate the above-mentioned problems.


A communication system and method for supporting a plurality of vehicle-to-everything radio access technologies (V2X RATs) is provided. The communication system configured to support multiple V2X RATs transmits, using a first V2X RAT, an indication of its availability to support an interworking function between the plurality of V2X RATs. The communication system receives an instruction to provide the interworking function between different V2X RATs. The interworking function may be incorporated in a vehicle that is joined to a platoon configured to use a first V2X RAT, and provide the interworking function between the first and a second V2X RAT. The interworking function may be used to add further vehicles to the platoon that communicate using only the second V2X RAT.

"Smart" control systems such as intelligent transportation systems rely on wireless communications between entities (e.g., ground or aerial vehicles, which may or may not be autonomously or semi-autonomously controlled) to share relevant sensor and other data, and to pass configuration and control messages, and the like. However, there exist several possible standards for wireless communications for these purposes, and these standards, and the underlying technology, are continually evolving. This poses a challenge for operators and manufacturers of equipment such as vehicles for intelligent transportation systems to ensure that newer equipment continues to be compatible with older equipment.

Interworking system and operation in V2X applications


Disclosed are methodologies, a system and components thereof and associated computer programs for providing training/testing of one or more users performing treatment of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) victims. The system provides computer controlled interactive instruction and testing methodologies that enable one or more users to be trained and/or tested using a plurality of mannequins including circuitry and hardware that enable each users compressions to analyzed for rate, depth and recoil to ensure that each user is performing the chest compressions properly. The data collected for determining rate, depth and recoil are collected via mannequin-specific hardware and electronics that utilize a plurality of magnets provided in proximity to a Hall Effect sensor. Data is collected at each mannequin and transmitted to at least one computer processing unit operating to receive, collect, analyze and display the data as well as store data for subsequent use in individualized training and certification of users.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a leading single cause of death in this country. Between 350,000 and 450,000 individuals a year, or more than 1000 per day, fall victim to this disease, despite 4 decades of education and systematic interventions, survival rates have not improved: about 95% of SCA victims will die.
One of the aspects of caring for a victim of SCA is the critical importance of time. SCA occurs suddenly, with little or no warning: the victim simply collapses and blood flow to the heart and brain stops abruptly. The window for initiating treatment is measured in minutes—few survive if treatments are delayed beyond 8-10 minutes. The victim is, therefore, totally dependent upon the actions of those who witness the cardiac arrest. This is, in turn, influenced by the location of the event: 15-20% occur in public places (where witnesses are more likely to be present) while the remaining 80-85% occur in private locations, the most common being sites of residence, where 40% of events are unwitnessed. Survival rates for unwitnessed events are uniformly almost zero.
When an event is witnessed by a layperson, interventions become available that dramatically improve survival: recognition of the event as a cardiac arrest, activation of the EMS system by calling 911, and provision of "CPR" until help arrives. Recognizing a collapse as a possible SCA depends almost totally upon educational programs aimed at the layperson. Calling for help as soon as possible after recognition may be critical because the majority of survivors of SCA have a cardiac rhythm that responds to defibrillation. Education is also the primary modality for improving performance in this activity; but in specialized settings (e.g. industry, schools, sports events, etc.), pre-planned methodologies similar to fire drills could be developed.
A witness who performs "CPR" dramatically increases the odds of survival. In fact, it is the single most valuable contribution to survival, increasing odds of success up to 4.5. fold. Some witnesses have received training in CPR but even in communities with decades of public education, the percentage of individuals trained is rarely over 30%. Typically only 15% are trained.
Simplification of layperson (and/or initial responder) CPR training to include only activities that are crucial to survival at the time of their contact with the patient (i.e. to "call 911" and "provide chest compressions") should improve the number of willing and competent persons. This simplification should also result in more "CPR" actually being delivered to victims because the breathing component in traditional "CPR" in not only difficult to teach and recall but very difficult to perform adequately. Having to breathe for SCA victims results in many witnesses forgoing any CPR activities.
Evidence also indicates that breathing may not only be unnecessary in the initial minutes of an arrest but the effort is indeed detrimental because it takes valuable time away from the crucial activity of circulating blood to the brain and heart. See, for example, "Cardiocerebral resuscitation: a new approach to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest," Ewy, Gordon A. and Kellum, Michael J., University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz., American Heart Association, Dec. 10, 2004. See also, "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation by bystanders with chest compression only (SOS-KANTO): an observational study," The Lancet, Mar. 17, 2007.

System, components and methodologies for training and testing on cardiac compressions