Provided is a metal oxygen battery 1 including a positive electrode 2 having oxygen as an active material, a negative electrode 3 having metallic lithium as an active material, and an electrolyte layer 4 interposed between the positive electrode 2 and negative electrode 3. The positive electrode 2 contains oxygen storage material including mixed crystal of hexagonal composite metal oxide expressed by the general formula AxByOz (in which, A is one type of metal selected from a group of Y, Sc, La, Sr, Ba, Zr, Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, B is one type of metal selected from a group of Mn, Ti, Ru, Zr, Ni, Cr, and x=1, 1≦y≦2, 1≦z≦7, provided that a case where both A and B are Zr is excluded) and one or more non-hexagonal composite metal oxide expressed by the general formula AxByOz.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a metal oxygen battery and a manufacturing method of an oxygen storage material used therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Metal oxygen batteries have conventionally been known, which have a positive electrode using oxygen as an active material, a negative electrode using a metal as an active material, and an electrolyte layer interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
In the metal oxygen batteries, in the discharge time, a metal is oxidized to form metal ions at the negative electrode, and the formed metal ions permeate through the electrolyte and migrate into the positive electrode side. On the other hand, at the positive electrode, oxygen is reduced to form oxygen ions, and the formed oxygen ions bond with the metal ions to form a metal oxide.
In the charge time, at the positive electrode, metal ions and oxygen ions are formed from the metal oxide, and the formed oxygen ions are oxidized to become oxygen. On the other hand, the metal ions permeate through the electrolyte layer and migrate into the negative electrode side, and reduced to become the metal at the negative electrode.
In the metal oxygen battery, if metallic lithium is used as the metal, since the metallic lithium has a high theoretical potential and a large electrochemical equivalent weight, the metal oxygen battery can provide a large capacity. If oxygen in the air is used as the oxygen, since there is no need for filling a positive electrode active material in a battery, the energy density per mass of the battery can be raised.
However, if the positive electrode is exposed to the atmosphere in order to make oxygen in the air to be a positive electrode active material, moisture, carbon dioxide, and the like in the air invade in the battery, and there is caused a problem of deterioration of the electrolyte, the negative electrode, and the like. Then, in order to solve the problem, a metal oxygen battery is known, which has a positive electrode containing an oxygen-occluding material to release oxygen by reception of light, a negative electrode composed of metallic lithium, and an electrolyte layer disposed in a hermetically sealed case, and has a light transmission part to guide light to the oxygen-occluding material (for example, see Patent Document 1).
The metal oxygen battery can release oxygen from the oxygen-occluding material by guiding light to the oxygen-occluding material through the light transmission part, and can provide oxygen as a positive electrode active material without exposing the positive electrode to the atmosphere. Therefore, the deterioration of the electrolyte, the negative electrode, and the like due to the invasion of moisture, carbon dioxide, and the like in the air into the battery can be prevented.
However, in the conventional metal oxygen battery, the supply of oxygen becomes unstable in the absence of irradiation of light rays, and there is a risk that the light transmission part, which is weaker than other parts of the hermetically sealed case, is broken and the electrolyte solution leaks out. Then, it is conceivable that an oxygen storage material, which does not rely on irradiation of light rays and which can occlude and release oxygen chemically, or adsorb and desorb oxygen physically, is used as a positive electrode material of the metal oxygen battery. The oxygen storage material can be the one including hexagonal composite metal oxide expressed by a general formula AxByOz (wherein A is one type of metal selected from a group consisting of Y, Sc, La, Sr, Ba, Zr, Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, and B is one type of metal selected from a group consisting of Mn, Ti, Ru, Zr, Ni, Cr, and x=1, 1≦y≦2, 1≦z≦7, provided that a case where both of A and B are Zr is excluded).

Metal oxygen battery and a method for manufacturing oxygen storage material used therein


A base station is provided in which a terminal efficiently controls a demodulation reference signal for a data signal transmitted from the base station in a wireless communication system in which the base station and the terminal communicates with each other. The base station that performs a communication with the terminal includes a data signal generation unit that generates a data signal for terminal, and a demodulation reference signal for a data signal multiplexing unit that multiplexes a demodulation reference signal for a data signal, which is a known signal for demodulating the data signal, into the data signal. The scramble code included in the demodulation reference signal for the data signal is generated based on a first scramble ID and a second scramble ID that are notified from the base station to the terminal.

In a wireless communication system such as a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) by Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a Long Term Evolution (LTE), a LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), a Wireless LAN by The Institute of electrical and Electronics engineers (IEEE), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), a base station (a cell, a transmission station, a transmission device, and an eNodeB) and a terminal (a mobile terminal, a reception station, a mobile station, a reception device, and a User Equipment (UE)) respectively include a plurality of transmitting-receiving antennas, thereby it is possible to realize high-speed data transmission by a Multi Input Multi Output (MIMO) technology.
In such a wireless communication system, a channel state between the base station and the terminal is measured by using a reference signal for measuring the channel state (Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a pilot signal, a known signal) configured by signals that are commonly known between the base station and the terminal. Further, in the wireless communication system, a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), a spatial multiplexing number (number of layers and rank number), a precoding weight (precoding matrix and precoder), and the like are adaptively controlled based on the measured result, thereby it is possible to realize more efficient data transmission.
Further, in a case where the base station transmits data signals to the terminal, demodulation reference signal for the data signal (Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) and UE-specific RS) configured by the signals that are commonly known between the base station and the terminal are multiplexed and transmitted. The demodulation reference signal for the data signal may be multiplexed into the data signal, prior to performing a precoding process with respect to the terminal. Therefore, the terminal may measure the precoding process performed by the base station and equalization channel including a channel state, by using the demodulation reference signal for the data signal. For example, a method described in NPL 1 may be used. Accordingly, the terminal may perform a demodulation process of the data signals transmitted by the base station, even without knowing the precoding process performed by the base station.
On the other hand, it is possible to build a wireless communication system using a heterogeneous network configuration by a macro base station having wide coverage and an RRC (Remote Radio Head) having narrower coverage than the macro base station. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the wireless communication system using the heterogeneous network configuration. In an example shown in FIG. 13, the heterogeneous network configuration is formed by a macro base station 1301, an RRC 1302, and an RRC 1303. The macro base station 1301 builds coverage 1305, and the RRH 1302 and the RRH 1303 respectively build coverage 1306 and coverage 1307. Further, the macro base station 1301 is connected to the RRH 1302 through a line 1308, and connected to the RRH 1303 through a line 1309. Thus, the macro base station 1301 may transmit and receive a control signal and a data signal with the RRH 1302 and the RRH 1303. The line 1308 and the line 1309 may use a wire line such as an optical fiber or a wireless line using a relay technology. In this case, all or a part of the macro base station 1301, the RRH 1302, and the RRH 1303 respectively use the same frequency (resource), thereby it is possible to improve an overall frequency usage efficiency (transmission capacity) within an area of the coverage 1305.
When the terminal 1304 is located within the coverage 1306, the terminal 1304 may perform a single cell communication with the RRH 1302. Further, when the terminal 1304 is located around the edge (cell edge) of the coverage 1306, it is necessary to take measures against co-channel interference from the macro base station 1301. A method is considered which reduces or suppresses the interference to the terminal 1304 in a cell edge area, by performing an inter-base station cooperative communication in which adjacent base stations cooperate with each other, as a multi-cell communication (cooperative communication) between the macro base station 1301 and the RRH 1302. For example, in NPL 2, a Cooperative Multipoint (CoMP) transmission scheme is considered as such a scheme.

Base station, terminal, communication system, communication method, and integrated circuit


Optimal synchronization mark/address mark construction. These marks can generally be referred to as sync marks. A novel means is presented by which sync marks can be generated for use within a variety of communication systems including HDD systems. The sync marks generated hereby have a largest possible minimum distance measurement that ensures highly accurate detection of the transition between the data portion and the preamble portion of information that is processed. Various types of distance measurement criteria can be employed, including a Euclidean distance measurement or a Hamming distance measurement, when selecting the sync mark from among a plurality of possible sync marks.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to hard disk drives (HDDs); and, more particularly, it relates to synchronization that includes indicating the data portions within signals employed within such HDDs.
2. Description of Related Art
As is known, many varieties of memory storage devices (e.g. disk drives), such as magnetic disk drives are used to provide data storage for a host device, either directly, or through a network such as a storage area network (SAN) or network attached storage (NAS). Typical host devices include stand alone computer systems such as a desktop or laptop computer, enterprise storage devices such as servers, storage arrays such as a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) arrays, storage routers, storage switches and storage directors, and other consumer devices such as video game systems and digital video recorders. These devices provide high storage capacity in a cost effective manner.
When processing information that is read from (or that will be written to) a storage media of a HDD, oftentimes there is an indication provided within the portion of information to indicate a transition between a preamble portion and a data portion. The preamble and the data portion are sometimes given other names in the art (e.g., the data portion can be referred to as payload). This indication can be referred to as a sync mark, sometimes referred to as a synchronization mark or an address mark, which allows a device to know where the data portion begins and where the preamble portion ends when processing information.
There is a need in the art for a better means by which sync marks (e.g. synchronization marks/address marks) may be identified and constructed for use within HDDs.


An electronic engine fuel controller that is simple, low cost, easily installed, and configurable for any internal combustion engine. The system is intended for upgrading older carbureted vehicles or vehicles that have been modified beyond the limits of the OEM controller. It takes advantage of modern microcontroller technology with integrated memory, digital input/output, sensor and timer channels to produce a low parts count, as well as reliable operation in a large variety of vehicles, even when installed by people with little experience or knowledge in this area. Operation is by sensing a tachometer signal from the existing distributor, ignition coil, toothed wheel or similar device that produces one electronic pulse for each cylinder cycle. When a pulse is received, software in the micro measures engine operating parameters, calculates fuel parameters, and fires one or more injectors depending on how the system is configured. Configuration software operating on an external computer or laptop and communicating with the micro allows the user to modify any of the controller parameters or tables used for the fuel calculations.

During the early to mid-1980s, car manufacturers, under pressure to increase fuel economy and simultaneously reduce emissions, switched to electronic fuel injection to obtain more precise control of engine fuel under all operating conditions. When the automotive aftermarket saw the trend, it entered the field, first with PROM chips that allowed the buyer to modify the constants programmed into the electronic controller unit at the factory by simply switching chips. This allowed one to increase performance somewhat, generally at the expense of gas mileage, and to make engine modifications for which changes in program parameters were needed. Gradually, conversion kits were developed to allow hobbyists and racers to upgrade carbureted engines to Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) or to replace OEM Electronic Control Units (ECUs) to obtain much more control over the system than the re-programmed PROM chips allowed. One of the first of these was U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,509 (1985) to Long. Although now plentiful, these kits are quite costly and difficult to install and configure. Numerous drivability problems whose solutions are beyond the capabilities of the users are also often reported after the installation. Furthermore, the price of these systems places them well beyond the reach of most hobbyists and enthusiasts.
The present invention provides an engine controller that is: more cost effective because of its low parts count due to integrated technology; simpler to install because of its generic design and flexible software, allowing it to be used with all models and makes of
engines from motorcycles to trucks, even or odd number of cylinders, and regardless of the experience of the end user. The design is also more reliable because of several software algorithms that will be described.


A process for the functional regeneration of the porosity of the materials used to make molds (2) for moulding ceramic objects, when the pores have been damaged by use of the mold (2), comprises the sequential execution of at least two successive steps of an ordered sequence which includes the steps of: eliminating contamination caused by organic substances form the mold (2); eliminating contamination of biological origin from the mold (2); attacking inorganic encrustations and eliminating inorganic substances which have infiltrated the pores of the mold (2), the initial step of the process being preset according to the nature of a predetermined contaminating agent. A station implementing the process is also an integral part of the present invention.

Moulds made of porous material for the production of ceramic objects comprise one or more forming cavities, each delimited by a surface designed to form the outer surface of the ceramic object and connected to a network of drainage channels and a system for filling the forming cavity with the ceramic mixture and emptying the cavity. Special drainage manifolds and slip manifolds allow access respectively from the outside of the mould to the drainage channel system and to the mould forming cavity filling and emptying system.
Functionally, the above-mentioned moulds may be considered on a level with a draining filter in which the ceramic mixture, cast in the forming cavity in the form of a water-based suspension of extremely fine solid particles, is held and moulded, whilst the liquid fraction separates from it through the surrounding forming surface which acts as a filter screen.
In practice, such moulds are controlled by a machine which controls the moulding cycle. At particular steps of the cycle, the mould drainage system may be supplied with the so-called service fluids (water, air and washing solutions). These may be supplied in two ways, that is to say, against the current or by absorption. When supplied against the current, the service fluids are introduced into the drainage system by means of the drainage manifolds, then flow down into the forming cavity, passing through the forming surfaces. During supply with absorption, with the flow parallel with the current, the service fluids are applied on the forming surfaces and left to migrate towards the drainage system by gravity or with the aid of a vacuum.
In the plumbing industry, the raw materials used for the ceramic mixtures, that is to say, the slips, are inorganic, obtained as a result of industrial refinement or directly from natural deposits. In the latter case, they may, therefore, contain impurities due to organic substances or other mineral compounds.
Slips normally consist of clays, feldspar and silica, finely ground and dispersed in water, of the industrial type. The solid particles in these ceramic mixtures have diameters measuring between several fractions of a μm up to around 40 μm.
Therefore, if, during use, a mould made of porous material (for example, a mould made of microporous resin) is not subjected to targeted and regular maintenance treatments, the pores may be partially or completely blocked, due to the natural penetration of particles from the ceramic mixture, or the infiltration of impurities from the air and/or water used for mould operation. Moreover, the filter layer of a mould may also accidentally be damaged by contamination by substances from outside the production cycle, such as greases, oils, etc.
The effects of the substances infiltrating the pores of the mould filter screen may be classed as: biological and organic contamination; inorganic encrustations; and mixed encrustations, which combine the various types indicated above.
In the case of biological contamination, the contaminating agents are the impurities contained in the mixtures or in the mould service water, such as humus and bacterial loads in general.
As indicated, organic contamination is due to the accidental presence of greases and/or oils.
Contamination by encrustations is due to the formation of clusters as a result of the interaction of particles in the mixture with salts or oxides. The latter may be present as impurities in the raw materials and/or in the water used to prepare the mixture, or may be introduced into the mould during the various steps of the technological cycle (for example, with water during mould washing).
Document DE-2 107 018 discloses a method for moulding ceramic products where compressed air is used to dry the porous moulds.
Document GB-1 337 492 discloses a method for moulding ceramic products and describes the use of warm air to speed up the process of drying the porous moulds.
Patent application EP-A-0 463 179 discloses a high-pressure device for moulding ceramic products in porous moulds and comprising an ultrasonic unit to clean the mould.
At present there are no known processes for regeneration of the mould materials which allow the full restoration of the original microporosity of the material. Therefore, there is no remedy to the progressive deterioration in the functionality of moulds made of resin, with consequent deterioration of production conditions in the specific steps of the process in question (object forming and removal from the mould). For these reasons, after a given period of use, the moulds must be substituted.

Process for the functional regeneration of the porosity of moulds used for moulding ceramic objects

Sacmi Cooperativa Meccanici Imola Societa′ Cooperativa


An aqueous-based slurry comprising:. a particulate solid substance comprising a weak acid functional group having effective pK.sub.a1 >1 and less than 1% by weight aqueous solubility at pH=pK.sub.a1 ; PA0 an aqueous continuous phase at pH<pK.sub.a1 +3; PA0 a buffering salt of a weak acid, where the weak acid associated with this buffering salt has pK.sub.a2 and where EQU pK.sub.a1 -2.ltoreq.pK.sub.a2 ; PA0 where the incremental molar ionic strength in the continuous phase of said slurry resulting from said buffering salt is less than 0.04 mol/L is disclosed.. and

Acids and Bases in Slurries
The use of acids and bases for controlling pH in slurries is widely known. Buffering agents are employed to provide a buffered environment in which moderate amounts of either a strong base or acid may be added without causing any large change in pH. A buffer solution usually contains a weak acid and a salt of the weak acid, an acid salt with a normal salt or a mixture of two acid salts.
Coulter et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,743,613, disclose a particulate galactomannan gum based composition for sealing permeable formations. The composition contains a pH control agent to maintain pH of the initial slurry at about 7.5, preferably in the range of 8-12. A hydroxyl ion source such as any soluble or partially soluble hydroxide or carbonate in an amount to yield the desired pH may be used. Suitable buffering agents which may be employed to provide to provide the desired pH are NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 /Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4, boric acid/sodium hydroxide, acetic acid/sodium hydroxide, boric acid/borax, sodium carbonate/sodium bicarbonate, and sodium bicarbonate.
Scher and Cochran, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,741, disclose a stable suspension-buffer system for aqueous suspension of microencapsulated materials which can be obtained by using aluminum hydroxide or ferric hydroxide as the suspending and buffering agent. Also used are a sequestering agent and a second suspending agent to prevent separation and caking.
Higgins, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,566, disclose aqueous disperse compositions that may include buffers such as potassium dichromate/acetic acid and potassium dichromate/phosphoric acid combinations.
In JP-58-002215 published Jan. 7, 1983, aqueous zeolite slurried are disclosed comprising carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a dispersant and a water soluble alkali metal salt. The slurry is disclosed as being suitable for use as a detergent builder due to its excellent metal ion masking effect, buffer activity under alkaline conditions and a redeposition preventing effect.
Nayar et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,476, disclose stable suspensions of pigmets in aqueous hypochlorite bleach compositions. Bleach stable inorganic buffering agents from about 0.2 to 10% by weight are disclosed that maintain composition pH within the range of 10.5-13.5. Sodium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium silicates, sodium orthophosphate, and sodium tetraborate are disclosed as buffering agents.
Duminy-Kovarik, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,275, discloses an aqueous testing system for testing slurries of magnetic particles, wherein the slurry comprises a buffering element to assist in corrosion resistance. Boric acid buffering is preferred.
Gottwald and Machoczek, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,592, disclose a pharmaceutical composition suitable for oral administration comprising particulate cimetidine suspended in an aqueous phase containing a buffer which maintains the pH at greater than 7 and a suspending agent. Antacids such as aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate, and mixtures are disclosed as agents that may be incorporated in the composition in order to maintain the pH greater than 8.
Motola et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,465, disclose a liquid aqueous based ibuprofen composition, wherein the ibuprofen is maintained in suspension by a combination of primary suspending agents and wherein a buffer acid is incorporated to adjust the pH of the composition to between 1.5 and 3.5. Compositions containing citric acid or phosphoric acid in an amount of 0.1% to 2% weight by volume are suggested. Sodium benzoate/citric acid and sodium benzoate/phosphoric acid containing ibuprofen compositions are disclosed.
Usagawa et al., in EP 0 435 561 A3, disclose silver halide materials containing solid particle dispersions of acidic 2-pyrazoline-5-one based filter dyes. Usagawa et al. teach the addition of small amounts of organic acids, such as acetic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, and tartaric acid for the adjustment of pH.
Stude et al., in DE 4 103 283 A, disclose an interlayer material for separating stored glass sheets.

Process for buffering concentrated aqueous slurries


A method for trimming a pole used in a read-write head comprises the step of depositing a metallic layer on a layer of pole material, patterning the metallic layer so that it can serve as a mask, and ion beam etching the pole material with nitrogen ions. Of importance, a thin nitride layer forms on the metallic layer so that the etch rate of the metallic layer during ion beam etching is slowed. Alternatively, in lieu of the metallic layer, a nitride layer can be used.

This invention relates to thin film magnetic heads, and in particular, to a method for fabricating narrow track width write heads comprising poles made of laminated pole-piece material.
Typical magnetic disk drives include a magnetic disk and a read-write head for recording data in and reading data from the disk. It has been a goal of industry to increase the recording density in magnetic disks. In order to achieve this goal, read-write heads have been developed comprising an inductive write element and a magnetoresistive read element. In addition, magnetic disks exhibiting high coercivity and low noise have been developed.
Advanced read-write heads with inductive write elements are expected to operate at high frequencies (e.g. greater than 10 MHz). At such frequencies, the permeability of typical head material (e.g. permalloy) tends to drop significantly, thereby leading to degraded performance. Consequently, laminated heads have been proposed to enhance high frequency permeability.
In a laminated head, the top pole is divided into two or more layers separated by thin insulation. This reduces eddy current losses, and therefore enhances high frequency performance. Lamination is discussed by Okumura, et al., "High Frequency Read/Write Characteristics for Laminated Fe--Ta--N Heads", IEEE Trans. Magnetics, Vol. 29, No. 6, November 1993, by Makino, et al., "High Density Recording FeTaN Laminated Hard Disk Heads", IEEE Trans. Magnetics, Vol. 29, No. 6, November 1993, and by Zhu, "Modeling of Lamination Effects for Thin Film Inductive Heads", 1996 Digest of Intermag '96, paper BB-04, incorporated herein by reference.
It is known in the art to use "pole-tip trimming" to reduce the write fringing field. (The fringing field is that portion of the magnetic field generated by the write element and extending toward tracks adjacent to the track being written to. See P.V. Koeppe, et al., "Effect of Pole Tip Alignment on Magnetic Fringing Fields from Recording Heads", J. Appl. Phys. 63(8), 15 Apr. 1988, pp. 4042-4044, incorporated herein by reference.) It is important to minimize the write fringing field, especially when recording in disks having a high track density (i.e., disks recorded using a narrow pole width) because otherwise, the fringing field might partially erase or garble data in adjacent tracks.
At present, ion beam etching ("IBE") is the only proven high-volume etching technique for trimming deposited pole-piece layers into poles. Use of IBE for trimming is discussed by Alan Hayes, et al., "Ion Milling for Thin-Film Head Fabrication", Data Storage, March/April 1995, incorporated herein by reference.
The use of IBE for patterned etching requires a mask to protect the portions of the read-write head that are not to be etched. The most common mask for IBE is photoresist. However, due to relatively low etch selectivity, thick photoresist is required for pole trimming. (Etch selectivity refers to the ratio of the rate at which the pole-piece material is etched to the rate at which the photoresist is etched during IBE.) This limits the efficacy of using photoresist as a mask for trimming very narrow poles (e.g. poles with an aspect ratio greater than 2.0). Further, due to thick photoresist mask requirements, "redeposition" and "shadowing" become a severe problem when trimming narrow, high aspect ratio poles. After the photoresist mask is removed, "fencings" or "rabbit ears" remain above the pole-pieces. To minimize the "fencing" problem, a complicated, long ion-milling process, e.g. using multi-angle ion milling and a tedious post-milling photoresist stripping step, is used.
It is also known in the art to use sputtered Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 as an IBE mask. During such a process, a) Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is blanket-deposited on a workpiece to be patterned; b) photoresist is deposited on the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; c) the photoresist is patterned to serve as a mask for etching the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; and d) and the pattern in the photoresist is transferred to the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 by wet etching. Unfortunately, this results in an uncontrollable "undercut" of the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 underneath the photoresist pattern. This undercut prevents Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 from being used as a mask for trimming narrow track poles.
It is possible to pattern a carbon mask by reactive ion etching. However, carbon poorly adheres to most pole-piece materials, thus limiting its use in pole-piece trimming.

Pole trimming technique for high data rate thin film heads


A method of storing data on a storage device is disclosed. The method includes receiving data at a storage device containing the storage media, adding error correction code to the received data, generating additional error correction information based upon an amount of free space on the storage media, storing the data on the storage media, and storing the generated additional error correction information on the storage media. The method further includes selecting one of a plurality of methods for generating error correction information based upon the amount of free space on the storage media, and generating the error correction information based on the selected method.

Data storage systems such as disc drives typically store information on the surface of a storage media such as a magnetic or optical disc. In a typical disc drive a number of discs are stacked in a disc stack and mounted together on a single spindle that rotates. Each side of the disc in the disc stack has a surface which is used to store information. Above the surface of the disc is usually at least one head that reads information from and/or writes information to the surface of the disc. These heads are typically mounted on an actuator arm that moves the heads in tandem over the surface of the discs so that all of the heads at the same approximate disc radius at the same time.
When information is stored on a disc it is generally stored in a set of concentric circular patterns called tracks. The tracks on the disc surface are typically divided into sectors. Sectors are the basic unit of data storage on a disc surface. A sector is a "pie-shaped" angular section of a track that is bounded on two sides by radii of the disc and on the other side by the perimeter of the circle that defines the track. In other words, the sector is a small segment along the length of a track. In previous generation hard discs, each disc has the same number of sectors per track, and the number of sectors per track was generally the same regardless of the disc's manufacturer. However, advances in disc drive design have allowed the number of sectors per track to vary significantly within the disc and across manufacturers.
In order to read and write data from the correct location in the disc stack, the data storage areas of the disc stack are identified by a cylinder address, head address and sector address. A cylinder identifies a set of specific tracks on the disc surfaces in the disc stack which lie at equal radii and are, in general, simultaneously accessible by the collection of heads. The head address identifies which head can read the data and therefore identifies the disc in the stack that the data is located. Each track within a cylinder is further divided into sectors for storing data and servo information. The sector is identified by an associated sector address.
Most cylinders are available for read/write access by the host computer. However, drive unique information, for example, the drive defect table (a table that contains remap information to circumvent defective sectors formed at the time the disc was manufactured) is stored in reserved cylinders which are not normally accessible by the host computer. Typically, multiple copies of drive unique information are stored in reserved cylinders. Additionally, multiple copies of user data are sometimes stored on user accessible cylinders for faster access and data backup purposes.
Each of the multiple copies of data is stored on a different set of sectors. Defects can arise in any of these sectors at various times during the lifetime of the storage system (grown defects). Grown defects include, for example, invading foreign particles which become embedded onto the surface of the disc, or external shocks to the storage system which can cause the transducer to nick or crash onto the surface of the disc. Defective sectors present within a group of sectors storing any of the multiple copies of information pose either temporary or permanent problems in retrieving an entire copy.
In typical prior art systems, when retrieval of a first copy fails due to a defective sector being encountered, a second attempt is made to retrieve a second copy. If the second attempt fails, a third attempt is made to retrieve a third copy and so forth. This process is repeated until, either a complete copy of the data is retrieved or until a recovery attempt on the last available copy has failed. In this retrieval method, any portion of information contained on a defective sector in each copy is sufficient to prevent the retrieval of a complete copy of information. Therefore, at least one copy of information should be contained on a set of completely error-free sectors for the prior art retrieval method to work. Consequently, data can be lost, or in some cases, where critical information like the defect table cannot be retrieved, the drive could prevent the user from accessing any data stored on the disc.
However, as the user fills up the space on the disc with data there is less space available on the disc to store complete copies of the data. Therefore, in order to preserve as much space on the disc, error correction codes (ECC) are added to the data stored on the disc to assist in the recreation of corrupted data. The use of ECC on data then replaces the need for copying or mirroring of data to other sectors of the drive.
There are several types of error correction codes that have been developed for recovering lost data. Error correction methods are typically chosen depending on the error characteristics of the transmission or storage medium, such that these errors are detected and corrected with a minimum of redundant data stored or sent. Typically, in data storage systems, block ECC codes are used, such as Hamming codes or Reed-Solomon codes. These codes transform a chunk of bits into a longer chunk of bits in such a way that errors up to a threshold in each block of data can be detected and corrected. Hamming codes are typically used to correct errors that occur in the main memory such as DRAM, whereas Reed-Solomon code is typically used to correct errors in peripheral devices such as disc drives. However, either correction type can be used on either type of device.
Hamming codes allow for detection of multiple errors in the bits that comprise a word. A word is merely a set number of bits that represent data. Generally in prior art systems a word is an 8, 16 or 32 bit string. Hamming code is able to correct errors of one bit, but cannot correct errors of more than one bit in the word. The ability to correct a single bit in words of this length has provided sufficient reliability for the data. However, as word length has increased with the use of 64 and 128 bit words, there is an increase in the probability of errors occurring in the words, and therefore can increase the need for more error correction that cannot be provided by Hamming ECC.
Reed-Solomon coding has historically been used in areas where there is a high probability of errors occurring where multiple bits or even bytes of data are lost. Reed-Solomon code provides the ability to correct multiple errors as the error correction is applied to entire blocks of data.
Storage of Reed-Solomon ECC generally does not present a problem in peripheral storage systems because a small amount of data is written to the sector in addition to the actual data. In current generation disc drives a typical sector size is 512 bytes. Reed Solomon error correction code encodes blocks of n-bit symbols in the sector. The total number of n-bit symbols in the encoded block is 2n−1. Thus a block encoding 8 bit bytes has 255 bytes. The number of data symbols in the block can vary. A typical block encodes 233 bytes in the 255-byte block. This leaves 22 bytes in the block for error correction. The scheme encodes the block's message as points in a polynomial plotted over a finite field (usually a small binary number). The coefficients of the polynomial are the data of the block. The plot over determines the coefficients, which can be recovered from quite small subsets of the plotted points. In the same sense that one can correct a curve by interpolating past a gap, a Reed-Solomon code can bridge a series of errors in a block of data to recover the coefficients of the polynomial that drew the original curve.
As sector sizes increase and disc drives become more sensitive due to advances in storage technology, it is becoming more important to reconstruct corrupted data. As users typically don't use the entire capacity of the disc for storage there is a vast amount of unused space on the drive that can be used for data redundancy and error correction. Therefore, it is desirable to have a disc drive or other storage media that increases data redundancy without detracting from the overall capacity of the storage media.
Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions to these and other problems, and offer other advantages over the prior art.

Method and apparatus to improve magnetic disc drive reliability using excess un-utilized capacity


Embodiments of the invention provide an ability to associate telemetry data received from different entities, such as guest and/or host machines residing on one or more particular physical computers (e.g., server computers) executing virtualization software. In some embodiments, telemetry data supplied by each entity includes information that identifies, and preserves the anonymity of, the entity (e.g., the computer(s) on which the guest and/or host machine(s) reside(s)). For example, if the entities comprise guest and/or host machines residing on a single computer, the information may comprise a one-way hash of the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) of the computer. If the entities are guest and/or host machines residing on a group of computers, the information may comprise a one-way hash of a portion of an FQDN for each computer which is common to all computers in the group. If the group of computers belong to a network domain having a globally unique identifier (GUID) (e.g., as employed by Microsoft Active Directory), the information may comprise a one-way hash of a portion of the GUID.

Many organizations operate one or more server computers to perform various computing tasks. Each server may communicate with one or more client computers over a network. For example, some server computers communicate with client computers within an organization over a local network, and some server computers communicate with client computers over the Internet. Generally, a server computer executes at least one operating system, and one or more server applications may execute under the control of each operating system. A server application may, for example, carry out tasks on behalf of, or provide services to, applications running on client computers. One common example of a server application is a web server application, which processes requests for information received from browser applications running on client computers and provides information to the browser application responsive to the requests.
In general, the services that a server is equipped to provide to a client computer are defined by modules or components of server applications installed on the server computer. Overall, these services may be thought of as "roles" which the server is capable of performing. A server may be equipped to perform a wide variety of roles. For example, depending on the application modules installed, a server may function as a file server, print server, mail server, web application server, terminal server, remote access and/or virtual private network (VPN) server, directory services server, streaming media server, or other server role. A server may perform any number of roles at a given time.
In accordance with some conventional techniques, information relating to how server application modules are installed and used on a server computer are collected. With some of these techniques, information (referred to herein as "telemetry information" or "telemetry data") is collected from the server computer and/or the applications thereon, stored on the server computer, and uploaded to an information collection facility (e.g., with the consent of the party that maintains the server computer). Once uploaded, telemetry information may be analyzed to enable, for example, server application providers to refine their applications to make them more useful and less error-prone over time. For example, if an application provider determines based on uploaded information that certain server roles are commonly implemented in combination, the provider may modify the application to allow the roles in question to be more easily combined, or develop new features for one role that complement features in another. In another example, a provider may help customers avoid problems associated with particular implementations. For example, if a provider determines that a particular role is commonly implemented in a server which is ill-configured to support its features (e.g., on a server with access to insufficient network bandwidth), then the provider may suggest that customers avoid this configuration.
Conventional telemetry data typically includes information that enables an information collection facility to associate telemetry data coming from the same originating entity over time. For example, a server computer may include a particular identifier within each set of telemetry data sent to an information collection facility, so that the information collection facility may use the identifier to determine that different sets of telemetry data received over time originated from the same server computer. This identifier is typically constructed to obfuscate the identity of the server computer, so as to preserve the anonymity of the party that maintains and operates it, and to preserve that party's privacy with respect to the implementation and use of server hardware and software.
Virtualization is a technique whereby a computer's resources may be partitioned into separate and isolated "virtual machines," each simulating a different machine within the same physical computer. Virtualization enables multiple instances of the same, or different, operating systems to run on the same physical computer and prevents applications running under the control of each operating system from interfering with each other's operation. In a system that employs virtualization, a virtual machine (also called a "guest machine") includes an instance of an operating system (a "guest operating system"), under the control of which one or more applications execute within the virtual machine. Each guest operating system may make requests to employ the computer's hardware to either a "host" operating system (e.g., if each guest machine on the computer runs the same operating system), or a "virtual machine monitor," or VMM (e.g., if the capability to run multiple operating systems is provided.) In some conventional systems, guest machines are configured to provide telemetry data to an information collection facility.

Associating telemetry data from a group of entities


Formula (I) compounds are described where the groups are as defined here below, processes for their preparation, and their uses for the preparation of conjugates with radionuclides for use in human and animal therapy and diagnostics, particularly for the diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions such as tumours.

Tumour therapy is mostly implemented through the use of substances targeted at destroying cancer cells. This can be achieved with cytotoxic substances, which have to penetrate into the tumour cells in order to exert their full effect, or by means of treatment of the tumour cells with radiation of sufficient energy to kill the cells. In both cases there is the problem of delivering the substance in as selective a manner as possible to the target cells, so as to avoid possible damage to the surrounding healthy cells. In the case of radiopharmaceuticals, i.e. substances carrying radioactive portions, the problem of selectively delivering the active part (that is, the radioactive portion) to the tumour target, avoiding as far as possible diffusion of the radionuclide in the body or interaction with healthy cells surrounding the tumour, is perceived as being particularly important.
For a discussion of all the issues involved and the solutions proposed to date, the reader is referred to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,283,342, 5,608,060 and 5,955,605, assigned to Neorex, and based on a patent application filed on Jun. 9, 1992. These patents are specifically incorporated herein for reference purposes.
In these documents, the problem, amongst others, of the resistance of the molecule carrying the radionuclide to the metabolic attacks of the body is discussed. Specifically, the case accorded most attention is the molecule of biotin, which is one of the first choices for delivering the radionuclide to the tumour cells, thanks to its well-known interaction with avidins. Biotin, as we know from consolidated practice, is bound to the radionuclide-chelating portion, e.g. a molecule of DOTA, via a linker. In fact, the Neorex patents pose the problem of the resistance of the complex consisting of the biotin molecule, as connected to the radionuclide via the linker, to biotinidases, enzymes that break the peptide bond present in the complex. This bond stems from the union of the chelating agent and biotin.
Among its much desired characteristics, the molecule must be eliminated from the body rapidly and efficiently and must be sufficiently small (m.w.<1000) to allow easy distribution into the extracellular fluid where it will bind with the tumour. In addition, it must show proven stability in vivo with only minimal uptake by non-tumour cells and rapid (renal) clearance and must not be metabolised.
To these characteristics one should add the need for a certain amount of stability between the biotin part and the chelating portion of the molecule.
In fact, the chelating portion must not be released in vivo, freeing parts of the molecule, which are potentially dangerous for the body. Experts in the field are clearly familiar with the problem of the release of radionuclide by the chelating portion, including metal ions which are entirely foreign to the body, which may be endowed with radioactivity of various types and even high-energy radiation, which is therefore highly damaging.

Aminoderivative of biotin and their conjugates with macrocyclic chelating agents

Sigma-Tau Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.p.A.


A method for reducing a computational complexity of an m-stage adaptive filter is provided by expanding a weighted sum of forward prediction error squares into a corresponding binomial expansion series, expanding a weighted sum of backward prediction error squares into a corresponding binomial expansion series, and determining coefficient updates of the adaptive filter with the weighted sums of forward and backward prediction error squares approximated by a select number of terms of their corresponding binomial expansion series.

Adaptive filters are found in a wide range of applications and come in a wide variety of configurations, each of which having distinctive properties. A particular configuration chosen may depend on specific properties needed for a target application. These properties, which include among others, rate of convergence, mis-adjustment, tracking, and computational requirements, are evaluated and weighed against each other to determine the appropriate configuration for the target application.
Of particular interest when choosing an adaptive filter configuration for use in a non-stationary signal environment are the rate of convergence, the mis-adjustment and the tracking capability. Good tracking capability is generally a function of the convergence rate and mis-adjustment properties of a corresponding algorithm. However, these properties may be contradictory in nature, in that a higher convergence rate will typically result in a higher convergence error or mis-adjustment of the resulting filter.
A recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm is generally a good tool for the non-stationary signal environment due to its fast convergence rate and low level of mis-adjustment. A recursive least squares lattice (RLSL) algorithm is one particular version of the RLS algorithm. The initial RLSL algorithm was introduced by Simon Haykin, and can be found in the "Adaptive Filter Theory Third Edition" book. The RLS class of adaptive filters exhibit fast convergence rates and are relatively insensitive to variations in an eigenvalue spread. Eigenvalues are a measure of correlation properties of the reference signal and the eigenvalue spread is typically defined as a ratio of the highest eigenvalue to the lowest eigenvalue. A large eigenvalue spread significantly slows down the rate of convergence for most adaptive algorithms.
However, the RLS algorithm typically requires extensive computational resources and can be prohibitive for embedded systems. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a mechanism by which the computational requirements of a RLSL structure adaptive filter are reduced.
Illustrative and exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to and in conjunction with the figures.

Reduced complexity recursive least square lattice structure adaptive filter by means of estimating the backward and forward error prediction squares using binomial expansion


Disclosed are novel pharmaceutical compositions containing N-{3-[3-cyclopropyl-5-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-6,8-dimethyl-2, 4, 7-trioxo-3, 4, 6, 7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-1-yl]phenyl}acetamide dimethyl sulfoxide solvate, methods of using the compositions in therapy and processes for preparing the same.

N-{3-[3-cyclopropyl-5-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-6,8-dimethyl-2,4,7-trioxo-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-1-yl]phenyl}acetamide, as the un-solvated compound (hereinafter Compound B) is a compound which is disclosed and claimed, along with pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, as being useful as an inhibitor of MEK activity, particularly in treatment of cancer, in International Application No. PCT/JP2005/011082, having an International filing date of Jun. 10, 2005; International Publication Number WO 2005/121142 and an International Publication date of Dec. 22, 2005, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Compound B is the compound of Example 4-1. Compound B can be prepared as described in International Application No. PCT/JP2005/011082. Compound B can be prepared as described in United States Patent Publication No. US 2006/0014768, Published Jan. 19, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Compound B is the compound of Example 4-1.
Suitably, Compound B is in the form of a dimethyl sulfoxide solvate, or Compound A as defined herein. Suitably, Compound B is in the form of a solvate selected from: hydrate, acetic acid, ethanol, nitromethane, chlorobenzene, 1-pentanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol and 3-methyl-1-butanol. Solvates and salt forms can be prepared by one of skill in the art, for example from the description in International Application No. PCT/JP2005/011082 or United States Patent Publication No. US 2006/0014768. Compound A is prepared in Example 4-149 of United States Patent Publication No. US 2006/0014768.
Solid oral pharmaceutical dosage forms are popular and useful forms of medications for dispensing pharmaceutically active compounds. A variety of such forms are known, including tablets, capsules, pellets, lozenges, and powders.
However, the formulation of an acceptable solid oral pharmaceutical dosage form on a commercial scale is not straightforward. When administered in vivo, each pharmaceutical compound acts uniquely in regards to therapeutic drug levels. Further, pharmaceutically active compounds, particularly anti-neoplastic compounds, are often associated with undesirable side effects such as; toxicity (e.g. genotoxicity, teratogenicity) and undesirable physical or psychological manifestations. In addition to balancing the drug's unique chemical properties with those of the excipients, the drug must be administered at a specific amount that is sufficient to provide the desired therapeutic drug level but less than the amount that presents an unacceptable side effect profile, or within the therapeutic window for that particular drug. Moreover, the formulation and process of manufacture must be such as to provide an integral solid dosage form that maintains its integrity until used. The solid dosage form must also possess acceptable dissolution and disintegration properties so as to provide the desired profile in use. Pharmaceutically active compounds with low solubility and/or in solvate form can present particular challenges in preparing high quality solid dosage forms. These challenges include insufficient and in consistent exposure upon in vivo administration and desolvation which releases unsolvated compound which can exhibit poor pharmacodynamic properties.
It would be desirable to provide Compound A in a solid oral pharmaceutical dosage form on a commercial scale with a desirable pharmacodynamic profile.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An output signal is generated with a predetermined phase shift with respect to an input signal using a closed loop control. The input and output signal of the closed loop control are logically combined in accordance with first and second combinatory logic to generate first and second control signals. The first and second control signals selectively activate first and second current sources, respectively. The current supplied by the first current source charges a capacitance controlling the closed loop control, while the current supplied by the second current source discharges the capacitance. By selecting the types of the combinatory logics as well as the ratio of the currents supplied by the first and second current sources, the phase shift of the output signal with respect to the input signal can be variably adapted to individual requirements.

The generation of continuous signals, for example clock signals, having a predetermined phase shift with respect to a reference signal are used in many different applications. For example, shifting a clock signal by a constant phase, for example by 90°, is using during sampling of received data in a receiver component of a communication device to sample the received data in the center of a data eye. Furthermore, in so-called polyphase filters a phase shift of 90° is applied to signals irrespective of the frequency. Moreover, generating signals having a predetermined phase shift with respect to a reference signal is also used for the time-wise calibration of a plurality of signals or for the time-wise matching of signal sources. Devices for generating an output signal having a predetermined phase shift with respect to a reference signal can also be designed for using so-called early-late phase detectors, for example so-called Hogge-detectors.
As regards the above-mentioned applications, several solutions are known from the prior art. Conventionally, delay elements are used for generating an output signal having a predetermined phase shift with respect to an input signal. These delay elements may comprise a plurality of gates connected in series, which is the simplest embodiment of such a delay device.
FIG. 10 shows a device or circuit arrangement which is often used for shifting a clock signal by 90°. According to FIG. 10, chip-internal passive filters comprising an RC network with resistors and capacitances. This passive RC network is a frequency selective network for generating an output signal OUT2 having a phase shift of ±90° with respect to an input signal IN. In addition, the circuit arrangement of FIG. 10 generates an output signal OUT1 having no phase shift with respect to the input signal IN. In order to obtain an output signal which is the inverted version of the input signal IN, the same RC network would have to be used one more time to shift the output signal OUT2 by further 90°. The problem of the solution shown in FIG. 10 is that the required space is relatively high and the electric components have tolerances which are problematic in many applications, especially in applications which require a very precise phase shift of the output signal with respect to the input signal.
Other conventional devices for generating an output signal having a predetermined phase shift with respect to an input signal are based on the principle of a so-called delay locked loop (DLL).
FIG. 11 shows an example for such a conventional DLL-based device which, in particular, can be used for the time-wise calibration of a plurality of signals. According to FIG. 11, the DLL comprises a plurality of identical voltage controlled delay elements 41 connected in series and a phase detector 42. The input signal of the first delay element 41 and of the phase detector 42 is the output signal of a demultiplexer 40 which receives a plurality of input signals IN1–IN3 which are to be calibrated. Furthermore, the demultiplexer 40 is controlled by a selection signal SEL for selecting one of the input signals IN1–IN3 as an input signal for the DLL. The phase detector 42 compares the phase of the output signal of the last delay element with the phase of the input signal of the DLL, that is to say the output signal of the demultiplexer 40, which serves as a reference signal for the DLL. The output signals A–C of individual delay element 41 are supplied to a multiplexer 43 which is also controlled by the selection signal SEL. Depending on the phase comparison of the phase detector 42 the delay time of the individual delay elements 41 is controlled by the phase detector 42. The time shift between signals A and B is for example T1, while the time shift between signals B and C is for example T2≠T1. After the calibration of the input signals IN1–IN3 has been completed, for each input signal IN1–IN3 the appropriate delay element 41 of the chain of delay elements is determined, whose output signal is supplied to the multiplexer 43. One problem of the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 11 is the relatively large number of circuit components and the required space. Even more important, however, is that the time-wise calibration can only be as precise as the delay time of one individual delay element 41, which is often insufficient for applications requiring a very precise calibration of a plurality of input signals.
In various applications phase detectors are used to detect a phase error between a reference signal and an output signal. For example, it is the function of a clock and data recovery circuit of a communication device to create a properly aligned clock to an incoming data pattern, and to retime the input data according to that clock. This is accomplished by using a PLL, and a phase error signal is produced and used to properly set the phase and frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) through closed loop feedback. The generation of the phase error signal is generally performed by phase detector designs, which are classified as either linear and bang-bang approaches. Linear phase detectors, for which the Hogge-detector is a common implementation, create a continuous error signal that leads to linear behaviour in the tracking characteristics of the PLL, while bang-bang detectors generate a quantized phase error signal, which leads to non-linear tracking characteristics.
An example for a conventional Hogge phase detector design is shown in FIG. 12. The circuit of FIG. 12 comprises a first register or flip-flop 50 connected in series with a second register or flip-flop 51 acting as a latch. Both flip-flops 50, 51 are master-slave flip-flops. The input data is supplied to the first flip-flop 50. The data signal DATA is combined with the output signal of the first flip-flop 50 by a first XOR gate 53 to create an UP phase error signal, while the output signal of the first flip-flop 50 and the output signal of the second flip-flop 51 are combined by a second XOR gate 54 to create a DOWN phase error signal. Both flip-flops 50, 51 are inversely operated by a clock signal CLK using an inverter 52. The output signal of the second flip-flop 51 corresponds to the retimed data signal DATA′, and the phase error signals UP/DOWN indicate whether the clock signal CLK lags or leads the data signal DATA acting as a reference signal so as to be able to properly align the phase shift of the clock signal CLK with respect to the incoming data signal DATA.
The Hogge phase detector shown in FIG. 12 is an easy to implement phase detector design, but it works with fixed, that is non-variable, sampling times. Consequently, the sampling times cannot be adapted to the respective task. In addition, the Hogge phase detector design requires a critical alignment of the run time of the first flip-flop 50 shown in FIG. 12.

Method and device for generating an output signal having a predetermined phase shift with respect to an input signal


Disclosed is a shielded water-proof joint connecting a first mating-based plug to an inner conduction wire having a second mating-based plug and a third mating based plug and transmitting/receiving a signal, comprising a first mating-based jack for receiving the first mating-based plug therein, a water-proof device wrapping the first mating-based jack, a second mating-based jack connected to the first mating-based jack and used for receiving the second mating-based plug therein, a printed circuit board (PCB) connected electrically to the first and second mating-based plugs, and a shielding device wrapping the PCB and second mating-based plug.

For a radio frequency (RF) network, an emitter is generally mounted within a machine box and a RF signal is emitted through a bridge and an antenna disposed downstream thereto. To complete transmission of a signal, a specific configuration of the elements associated with the machine box has to be provided. Referring to FIG. 1, an outer conduction wire 65 external to the machine box is connected to a mating-based plug (of RJ-45 type) 63. A water-proof joint 64 is mounted on the machine box. The water-proof joint 64 is used to press against a fixed body portion 51 shown in FIG. 2 by being rotated and thus has a water-proof function. Further, the water-roof joint 64 also wraps a mating-based jack 50 shown in FIG. 2 for connection with the first mating-based plug 63. As such, the mating-based jack 50 is connected electrically to a printed circuit board (PCB) 60 which exposes (refer to FIG. 3). On the PCB, there is a DIN (Deutsches Insitut fur Normung) connector 61 composed of nine pins. The inner conduction wire 62 may only be connected out to an external machine (not shown) by being welded to the DIN connector 61 and then wired to a plug of RJ-45 type. Since the plug of RJ-45 type is only provided at a single side of the external machine, the inner conduction wire requires not only the weld process but also the wiring process. As a result, the connection between the inner conduction wire and the external machine (not shown) and engineering labor is time consuming and thus inefficient, which proves to be not ideal and has a need to be improved.
In this regard, the Inventor of the present invention has paid much attention to improvement of such water-proof joint in quest of a better RF machine box where welding and wiring labor are saved. After a series of intensive researches, experiments and tests, a shielded water-proof joint is finally set forth in the present invention, considerably enhancing efficiency of the connection task between the water-proof joint and the external machine.


A multiple axis servo control implements a multi-tasking PWM control unit to provide PWM signals for multiple axes in a single unit. A time slice mechanism provides axis selection signals based on a system clock signal to permit control parameters of the selected axis to be processed to control the selected motor drive axis. The single unit PWM control mechanism eliminates complex and costly multiple axis networks typically associated with independent servo motor controls for each axis in a multi-axis system. A single PWM unit implementation also permits the reduction of components for closed loop current control and closed loop velocity control in the multi-axis servo control system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to multi-axis servo drive controls, and relates more particularly to a system and method for multi-axis motion control through a single PWM unit.
2. Description of Related Art
A number of servo motor drive applications have specific requirements for multiple axes with high precision coordinated position control. For example, in the fields of robotics, electronic CAM and wafer handling, multiple-axis motion control provides coordinated three dimensional position control. Servo drive application controls are available for multi-axis motion control realized through multiple servo amplifiers with each axis unit containing an independent PWM unit, an independent closed loop current control and an independent closed loop velocity control. Each of the servo amplifiers are typically connected to a network system with a host that performs multi-axis coordinated position control, such as axis interpolation and other coordinated position control applications. The network system for the multi-axis control is often complex and somewhat expensive, since a network protocol must be implemented to permit control messages to be transmitted simultaneously, or in a synchronous communication technique to provide high speed response or real-time control. Due to the number of parameters communicated in the control messages, the communication network can be overburdened or somewhat costly when a network with a large amount of resources is used.
A typical AC servo drive system contains a closed loop current control and a velocity control. In a digital AC servo system, these controls are traditionally implemented in software. Each loop control typically has a different update rate because the dynamics of the control objectives for each control loop are different. For example, closed loop current control typically attempts to control motor torque indirectly by controlling motor phase current. The velocity control loop controls motor speed, typically with a feedback signal representing rotor speed for the motor. Torque is a high dynamic parameter, with a quick response time when compared with motor speed. Accordingly, closed loop current control is typically operated with an update rate that is much faster than that of the velocity control loop. As a typical example, closed loop current control update rates are often on the order of approximately 100 microseconds, where closed loop velocity control rates are typically 400 microseconds. The computation time for each of the control loops should be much less than the update rate for the practical implementation of the closed loop current control. For example, the closed loop current control computation time should be approximately 50 microseconds or less.
Traditional servo control methods are based on a microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP) that do not provide multiple axis servo drive functionality. Servo control techniques typically involve the use of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to drive the motor inverter switches to provide appropriate power in the windings of the motor to realize the specific servo control. However, traditional microprocessors and DSPs are provided with a PWM unit as a piece of hardware logic that is designed and implemented for single axis servo motor control. Accordingly, multi-axis servo control systems using traditional microprocessors or DSPs are implemented with a single microprocessor or DSP for each axis of the multi-axis servo control system. That is, each axis of the multi-axis servo control system has a dedicated PWM unit for controlling the switches in the inverter drive.
Referring to FIG. 1, a diagram of a traditional multi-axis servo drive system 10 is illustrated. Microprocessor or DSP 11a, 11b and 11c control individual servo axes 15a, 15b and 15c, each with an inverter drive 16a, 16b and 16c operated with a PWM unit in processor 11a, 11b or 11c, respectively.
A network 12 acts to coordinate operation of each of the servo axes under the direction of a host system 13. Network 12 interfaces with each servo axis control through a network interface 14a, 14b or 14c, respectively. Host system 13 provides coordination for the various axes by delivering commands for motion control and reading feedback data to determine parameters such as velocity and position, for example. Accordingly, the efficient operation of network 12 is important for sophisticated multi-axis servo control according to a traditional system. Host system 13 typically initiates motion coordination through network 12 by providing network messages to each controlled servo axis drive. Each servo drive, or amplifier, includes a self contained closed loop current control with PWM hardware and a velocity control. This traditional technique of providing a multi-axis servo control by coordinating a number of individual servo drives, each with a PWM unit, a power converter and several feedback loops including current sensing devices has long been used as a standard configuration for providing multi-axis servo control.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a traditional three-phase PWM unit 20 for a single axis servo control is illustrated in block diagram format. Unit 20 provides PWM signals for a single servo axis control. PWM unit 20 receives phase voltage commands for each of the phases U, V and W. The phase voltage commands are placed in a respective register 21a, 21b or 21c for each phase of the servo control. Each time a phase voltage command is updated, it is written into a respective phase register 21a–21c. At the beginning of a PWM cycle, the register values in registers 21a–21c are loaded into a respective corresponding synchronized secondary register 22a–22c. The synchronized secondary register values are compared against the PWM carrier frequency waveform generated in an up/down counter 23.
The resulting PWM waveforms from the comparison of the phase voltage commands and the carrier frequency command is applied to a deadtime insertion logic block 23a, 23b and 23c, for each of the respective motor phases. The inserted deadtime for the PWM signals is derived from the deadtime command also provided through a primary and secondary register. The output of deadtime insertion logic blocks 23a–23c is applied to gate enable logic block 24, which is influenced by the PWM enable signal and the digital filter signal applied to gate enable logic block 24. The PWM enable signal is applied through a primary and secondary register, similar to the other servo drive commands. The digital filter signal is obtained from digital filter block 25, which contains various filter parameters and a filter state that may change with each cycle of the digital control.
Gate enable logic 24 outputs the gate control signals for the switches in the inverter drive of the single axis servo control, designated as high and low signals for each of the motor phases, to control the high and low switches supplying electrical energy to each of the motor phases. PWM unit 20 accordingly provides a PWM control based on synchronous, digital logic and various servo drive controls provided from host system 13 over network 12. As shown in FIG. 1, PWM unit 20 occupies a specific portion of each of processors 11a–11c. Other portions of processors 11a–11c read sensory information from current and position feedback sensors and close the current control loop and the velocity control loop for the axis under the control of the particular processor 11a–11c.
It would be desirable to obtain a control for a servo drive system with multiple axes that simplifies the interaction with the host system and the servo axis controllers. It would also be desirable to reduce the redundancy in the multi-axis servo control system where each servo axis is provided with an independent controller.

Multi-axis AC servo control system and method


A system and method are presented for assuring electronic documents containing active content. Aspects of the system and method are directed to storing a copy of input data called by the active content in a first invocation of the electronic document, then, on subsequent invocations of the electronic document, using the stored copy of the input data instead of calling for input data from the computing environment. In this way, the output from the subsequent invocations of the electronic document are the same as the output from the first invocation of the electronic document.

With the proliferation of electronic documents and the increased reliance on electronic documents, e.g., in electronic commerce, the use of electronic or digital signatures is becoming more widespread. An "electronic document" can include any collection of organized information, which is stored, transmitted, read, or written, in electronic form. Examples of electronic documents include files, folders, directories and other data structures and organized representations of information used in conjunction with computers, digital communication systems and other electronic media.
One difference between conventional paper documents and electronic documents is that while paper documents display on their face what is contained therein, electronic documents may contain content which is not apparent on the face of the electronic document. Electronic documents may contain codes and nonvisible characters and data in addition to their visible content. As an example, electronic documents may contain embedded control characters, used for the purpose of sending an instruction to a display terminal to make changes in the physical appearance of the document. As another example, metadata may be incorporated into an electronic document to perform other functions related to the appearance or formatting of the document. One example of metadata includes metatags, used in mark-up languages such as hypertext mark-up language (HTML) to format and index an HTML document.
In addition, electronic documents may include macros or active content. "Active content" can include executable electronic content that can take an input or a set of inputs, and cause a result based on the input or set of inputs. Active content may include nonvisible, executable instructions within the electronic document, such as macros. A "macro" may be an instruction or a set of instructions that perform a specific function or task, usually in the context of a software application. Active content and macros typically operate on the electronic document within its environment, using the inputs as parameters. Macros may be simple or complex, with some applications allowing almost arbitrary programming capability within the macro environment. One consequence of including active content in electronic documents is the possibility of compromising the integrity of the document from the standpoint of document security.
It is customary for a person to sign a document as a mark of authenticity, using a signature uniquely identifying the person signing the document. Various types of conventional signatures are known, such as seals, fingerprints and handwritten signatures. Since traditional signature methods are not normally applied to electronic documents, special electronic or "digital signatures" have been developed for this purpose. Digital signatures, in analogy with conventional signatures, allow the owner of the signature to impart a unique identifier to that which is to be identified. In the case of a typical digital signature, the holder of the signature attaches a unique electronic code to the electronic document. The electronic document, together with the digital signature, can then be stored or transmitted in electronic form and later identified with the signature holder. Typically, the digital signature is specific to the person (or entity) signing the electronic document and the content of the electronic document. "Digital signatures" can include numerous means of signing an electronic document, generally, and include known methods based on public key infrastructure (PKI), digital watermarks, and other methods for verifying, identifying and/or securing a document.
Systems and methods for identification, verification, authentication and/or non-repudiation of electronic documents are generally referred to herein as "assurance" systems and methods. Electronic document assurance systems and techniques may provide one or more of these functions, however, assurance is not so limited. Other functions falling under the general umbrella of assurance services may be provided either directly or indirectly, and are essentially directed to improving the security of electronic document transfer and storage and/or to minimizing intentional or unintentional compromises to the integrity of electronic documents.
A conventional paper document typically displays on its face substantially all that is contained therein, and photocopies thereof will display the same. An electronic document can include both the electronic document "corpus," stored or transmitted, or existing in electronic form, as well as a corresponding perceptible, observable, or visible form that is presented to users of the electronic document, such as by displaying an output onto a computer monitor or printer. It should be understood that a perceptible instance of an electronic document, such as the output displayed onto a computer monitor or printed onto a printer, is merely an output generated to correspond to the electronic document and its content. The output may be presented to a user or viewer of the document in whole or in part and may appear in various forms. This perceptible output is a representation of the document corpus and data, and reflects in part any active content and input data used to produce the observed output.
Embedding active content into an electronic document can make it difficult to verify that the output as seen and digitally signed by a party when presented with the output in a first instance is identical to the output as seen in a second instance. This is especially true if the active content is not visible to the party viewing or invoking the document. An electronic document is said to be "presented" or "invoked," referring to any recall, viewing, editing, transmission or other use of or interaction with the electronic document. One example of invoking an electronic document is the act or process of viewing a document containing text or graphical output on a display device. More specifically, one example is the process of retrieving a stored word processing file and displaying its corresponding output on a computer monitor or printing the same on a printer.
Active content can manipulate or alter the way an active electronic document is perceived or displayed, resulting in a lowered confidence level in the authenticity of the active electronic document. This may occur accidentally or intentionally and may take place without the knowledge or permission of the electronic document's users. Attaching a digital signature to the electronic document still leaves a question as to its integrity. The reason for this being that no change to the corpus of the electronic document (e.g., rewriting the data in the electronic file) needs to occur to alter the visible output of the active document. Digital signatures merely attest to the integrity of the underlying electronic file and do not assure that the output of active electronic documents has not been altered by the active content.
This problem is not cured by delivery of the digitally signed document to an uninterested party, or placing the document in an electronic escrow account, because embedded active content or macros within the document may become activated by an input to alter the document and any copies of the document, including copies kept with the uninterested party or in escrow. Furthermore, as explained above, since the actual electronic file's corpus is not altered by the active content, there is typically no indication that the displayed form of the document has been changed from one invocation of the document to the next.
Information, such as the date of the formation of the contract, may be automatically inserted into a contract document for convenience, such as by soliciting the time and/or date information from the operating system. This solicited information is an input to the electronic document, corresponding to a "system call" caused by instructions from its active content. Many applications routinely pass system calls, such as queries, to their environments or operating systems to obtain input information required by the applications. Date and time queries are typical of such queries, which may be used by active content to modify the output of electronic documents.
In some instances, for example in cases where goods, services and funds are exchanged frequently between the same two parties, the two parties may agree to have a software application automatically generate the individual corresponding contracts for convenience. For example, the two parties may have agreed that the amount owed by one party to another is to be calculated from a related document, such as a spreadsheet.
To illustrate a possible adverse consequence of the preceding situation, consider the simple case of a contract, formed electronically between parties A and B, and executed using digital signatures. The contract may be in the form of a word processing document, and may contain active content or macros, either embedded by the application vendor, the parties to the contract, or by another party. The contracting parties may have agreed that B will render goods or services to A, and in return A will pay $1,000 to B. The figure $1,000 may be calculated by a spreadsheet application and automatically inserted into the word processing document using a macro. The calculation may involve parameters which may change without the knowledge of the parties, causing the apparently-agreed upon payment amount to change.
This scenario and others can arise using presently-accepted electronic document technology and practices.

Electronic document active content assurance


Embodiments include systems and methods for assisting a pilot of an aircraft. The system includes a near-eye display and a processing subsystem. The near-eye display includes a transparent display panel that is adapted to be oriented in proximity to at least one eye of the pilot. The processing subsystem is adapted to receive aircraft data that indicates an attitude of the aircraft, and to determine whether the aircraft data indicates a potential spatial disorientation situation. When the aircraft data indicates the potential spatial disorientation situation, the processing system is adapted to cause the near-eye display to display an exterior display indicator overlying at least a portion of the windshield of the aircraft. The exterior display indicator includes a visual representation of an earth-based reference, and the exterior display indicator is oriented to indicate the attitude of the aircraft.

The most accurate information available to a pilot about an aircraft's position, motion, and attitude are exterior visual cues (e.g., the Earth's horizon) and the aircraft's flight instruments. When exterior visual cues are unavailable, such as when the horizon is not visible, a pilot should rely on the aircraft's flight instruments. However, when the pilot's attention is distracted from the attitude or altitude instruments or the pilot has limited instrument flight time, the pilot may instead rely on sensory information provided by the pilot's vestibular system (e.g., organs of equilibrium located in the inner ear) and/or proprioceptive system (e.g., receptors located in the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints).
Under certain circumstances, an aircraft pilot may experience spatial disorientation, which refers to a condition when a pilot's sense of the aircraft's attitude or rotation is incorrect and is based on misinterpreted sensory information. For example, when a pilot initiates a banking right turn, the pilot's inner ear may detect the roll into the turn. However, if the turn is held constant, the pilot's inner ear quickly may compensate, and the pilot inaccurately may sense that the aircraft has returned to level flight. Accordingly, when the pilot subsequently levels the wings, the pilot may perceive that the aircraft is banking to the left. In the absence of exterior visual references to counteract the sensation, the pilot may rely on the sensory illusion produced by the inner ear, and spatial disorientation may result.
It is extremely dangerous for a pilot to fly under a sustained condition of spatial disorientation, particularly if the pilot is not adequately trained to rely on the aircraft instruments, because the condition may cause the pilot to enter an unsafe maneuver and/or to lose control of the aircraft. Several dangerous illusions that may occur as a pilot is experiencing spatial disorientation include the "graveyard spin," the "graveyard spiral," and the "Coriolis illusion." Any one of these illusions, if not recognized and compensated for in adequate time, may result in an excessive loss of altitude and an impact with terrain.
Although non instrument-rated pilots are prohibited from flying under limited visibility conditions in which spatial disorientation is likely, significant numbers of general aviation accidents that are attributable to spatial orientation continue to occur. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods and apparatus for assisting pilots under conditions in which spatial disorientation is likely to be present. Other desirable features and characteristics of the embodiments will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the inventive subject matter and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the inventive subject matter.

Methods and apparatus to assist pilots under conditions in which spatial disorientation may be present


A method of administering a surfactant dispersion to the lungs of a patient in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises heating the dispersion and nebulizing the heated dispersion to produce respirable surfactant particles. The respirable surfactant particles delivered to the lungs of the patient. By heating the dispersion the amount of phospholipid delivered to the lungs of the patient is increased.. The dispersion is comprised of a phospholipid dispersed in an aqueous carrier. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the phospholipid is preferably dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) included in an amount from about 8 to 50 milligrams per milliliter of aqueous carrier, and the dispersion is preferably heated to a temperature between about 25.degree. C. and 75.degree. C.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), also termed hyaline membrane disease, is the leading cause of death and disability among premature infants. Of the 230,000 to 250,000 infants born prematurely each year in the United States, 40,000 to 50,000 develop RDS; and of those who develop this disease, 5,000 to 8,000 die. See generally R. Perelman and P. Farrell, Pediatrics 70, 570 (1982); D. Vidyasagar, in Hyaline Membrane Disease: Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology, 98 (L. Stern Ed. 1984). In addition, RDS can occur in children, adolescents, and adults as a result of trauma or other injury to the lungs. 150,000 cases of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are reported annually, with 60-80% mortality. See American Lung Program, Respiratory Diseases, Task Force Report on Problems, Research Approaches, and Needs, National Heart and Lung Institute, DHEW Publn. (NIH) 73-432: 165-80 (1972).
RDS is caused by a primary deficiency in lung surfactant, a material ordinarily secreted onto the surface of lung alveoli. ARDS consists of a secondary deficiency in lung surfactant due to surfactant inhibition and/or decreased secretion. In the absence of surfactant, the alveoli tend to collapse during exhalation. Collapse can be avoided by mechanically ventilating the lungs. A problem with mechanical ventilation, however, is that it can cause damage to the lungs because of high oxygen concentrations and positive pressures.
A number of groups have sought to develop surfactant formulations which can be used to treat or prevent RDS and ARDS. Both human and bovine natural surfactants have been administered into the airways of human subjects. See, e.g., J. Horbar et al., N. Eng. J. Med. 320, 959 (1989); R. Soll et al., Pediatric Res. 23, 425A (1988). Problems with such natural surfactants are, however, potential contamination with microorganisms and potential sensitization of the patient to proteins therein. Accordingly, completely synthetic surfactants have been developed. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,821 to Clements; U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,860 to Clements.
While the development of surfactant formulations have provided an alternative to mechanical ventilation alone, clinicians are now faced with the difficult problem of how to quickly and efficaciously administer these formulations to the lungs of patients. U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,012 to Raabe and Lee discloses a nebulizing apparatus which may be used to deliver drug-containing liquids to the lungs of patients in the form of an aerosol. It is suggested that the liquid can be heated or cooled prior to nebulization (column 4, lines 47-48). Raabe and Lee do not address the problems involved in administering surfactant formulations to the lungs of a patient. Such formulations are dispersions of lipids in an aqueous carrier solution, rather than single phase solutions.
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a means for administering surfactant formulations to the lungs of patients in the form of an aerosol.

Method of administering phospholipid dispersions


An integrated power and thermal management system for a turbine-powered aircraft is provided. The system may comprise a power turbine, compressor, first cooling turbine, second cooling turbine, and electrical motor-generator disposed on a primary shaft. The compressor may be disposed on the primary shaft to motivate a system airflow and operably joined to the power turbine. The first cooling turbine may be rotatably disposed on the primary shaft in selective fluid communication with the compressor. The second cooling turbine may be rotatably disposed on the primary shaft in selective fluid communication with the first cooling turbine.

Typical existing aircrafts are equipped with one or more environmental control systems, including an air-conditioning system to control the aircraft cabin temperature. These systems are also relied upon to provide adequate cabin pressure during flight. Existing systems utilize a portion of air bled from a turbine engine to induce an air flow and power the air-conditioning system. However, since the systems operate solely on air from the turbine engine, such systems are often unable to provide adequate cooling or cabin pressure control during instances when the turbine engine is not operating. For instance, auxiliary cooling systems may be required to cool an aircraft before takeoff. Such auxiliary cooling systems often require substantial power to operate. Lengthy delays before a flight may quickly drain an aircraft's battery, requiring judicious use of the aircraft's many electrical systems. If enough power is used to operate the air-conditioning systems, the aircraft may not have adequate power to start or initiate operation of the aircraft's engine(s). Although additional batteries may be provided, the weight increase of such batteries can be detrimental to the aircraft's efficiency during flight.
In addition, since typical air-conditioning systems rely on air diverted from the engine, the engine may be unable to provide maximum thrust or power while the air-conditioning systems are in operation. Moreover, loss of engine power during flight may result in the loss of cabin pressurization, and potentially, the loss of any electricity to operate the aircraft.
Therefore, there is a need for an aircraft thermal management system that is able to selectively operate independently of the aircraft engine. Moreover, there is a need for a thermal management system that can provide additional power to the aircraft and turbine engine. In addition, there is a need for a power and thermal management system that is able to effectively operate without impeding the power output of the aircraft engine.
Accordingly, improved thermal and power management systems are desired in the art.

Systems and methods for integrated power and thermal management in a turbine-powered aircraft