An inclination monitoring system for monitoring an inclination of a lens having a lens portion and a flange portion surrounding the lens portion with respect to a reference plane. The inclination monitoring system includes a light emitting system which emits a collimated light beam towards the lens. The light emitting system and the lens are arranged such that optical axes of the light emitting system and the lens form a first predetermined angle. The monitoring system is further provided with a light receiving system which receives light reflected by the lens. The light receiving system is arranged in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the light emitting system and the lens. In particular, the collimated light beam illuminates an entire area of the flange portion.

The present invention relates to an inclination monitoring system, which is used, for example, in a lens inclination adjustment apparatus.
Conventionally, a data recording/reproducing device using an optical disk as a recording medium is provided with an optical system which includes a light source and an objective lens held in a lens holder. A recording medium (i.e., an optical disk) is set at a focal point of the objective lens. The light source emits a parallel light beam which is focused by the objective lens to form a beam spot on the recording medium. The beam reflects on the recording medium, and is received by an optical pick-up device.
In the data recording/reproducing device, an optical axis of the objective lens preferably intersects the recording medium at right angles. If the optical axis is inclined with respect to a normal line to the recording medium, coma occurs, which may cause the beam spot formed on the recording medium to be wider than it should be. If the beam spot is wider, the density at which data is recorded to the recording medium will be lower. Further, if the beam spot is wider, when recorded data is read, a reproduced signal may include noise.
Recently, an optical system having a larger numerical aperture NA has been used for such a device. In this case, even a small inclination of the objective lens may greatly affect the size of the beam spot on the recording medium.
Accordingly, it is necessary to adjust the inclination of the objective lens such that an inclination angle formed between the optical axis of the objective lens and a line normal to the recording medium is within a permissible range, which is, for example, 3 minutes of arc.
In order to adjust the inclination of the objective lens, a lens inclination adjustment system is used. A conventional inclination adjustment system includes an interferometer unit and a lens inclination adjustment unit.
Firstly, at least a part of the data recording/reproducing device, including the optical system and the light source, is coupled with the interferometer unit and interference fringes are observed. A user may then determine the inclination angle and inclination direction (i.e., a direction of the inclination on a plane parallel to the surface of the recording medium and facing the objective lens) based on the observed interference fringes.
Next, at least a part of the data recording/reproducing device is coupled with the lens inclination adjustment unit and the lens is moved so that the inclination (i.e., the inclination angle and inclination direction) is adjusted to be in a permissible range in accordance with the inclination angle and the inclination direction which have been determined using the interferometer.
When the lens is moved (i.e., when the inclination of the lens is changed), it is necessary to monitor the change of the inclination, or current inclination, of the lens. An example of an inclination monitoring system employed in an inclination adjustment apparatus is shown in FIG. 1.
Generally, an objective lens 1 is molded and includes a lens portion 2 and a planar flange portion 3 surrounding the lens portion 2. Generally, monitoring of the inclination of the lens 1 is performed by emitting a light beam to the flange portion 3 and detecting the reflected beam.
As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring system includes an He--Ne laser source 404 and a screen 407. The lens 1 is positioned approximately one meter away from the He--Ne laser source 404 and the He--Ne laser source 404 emits a narrow light beam P, having a diameter of 1-2 mm, towards the flange portion 3 of the lens 1 through an opening 409 formed on the screen 407. A reflected beam P', reflected by the flange portion 403, is incident on the screen 407. It should be noted that the flange portion 3 may be formed as a mirror surface to improve reflectivity.
The reflected beam P' is observed as an image on the screen 407, and a center of the image is regarded as a point where the optical axis of the reflected beam intersects the screen 407. The inclination of the lens 1 is then monitored with reference to the position of the center of the image formed by the reflected beam P' on the screen 407.
However, since the objective lens is made from a mold, the surface of the flat portion 3 is microscopically uneven and the image of the reflected beam is not a perfect beam spot. As shown in FIG. 2, the image may extend over a wide area, such as, in this example, approximately 26 minutes of arc. Accordingly, the center of the image of the reflected beam is difficult to identify, especially if the inclination of the lens 1 is changed during adjustment.
Further, part of the beam directed to the flange portion 3 may be incident on the lens portion 2, and a reflected beam from the lens portion 2 may form another spot or stray light on the screen 407, making it even more difficult to adjust the inclination of the lens 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the lens portion 2. The lens portion 2 includes a first surface 2A, on which the laser beam P may be incident, and a second surface 2B, opposite to the first surface 2A. An optical axis O1 of the lens 1 and the first surface 2A intersect at a point 2C.
As shown in FIG. 3, depending on the diameter of the beam P, parts P1 and P2 of the beam P may be incident on the surface 2A at different distances from the optical axis O1. For this analysis, we assume that the beam P is parallel to the optical axis O1, i.e., such that an inclination angle .phi. of the beam P with respect to the optical axis O1 is zero. In fact, in the conventional inclination monitoring system, since the inclination of the lens 1 is to be adjusted, the beam P may form a small angle with the optical axis O1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the part P2 of the incident beam P is incident at an incident height (a distance between the optical axis O1 and the position where the part P2 is incident) h=1.7 mm. A portion of the part P2 travels through the lens portion 2, is reflected by the inner surface of the second surface 2B six times (total reflection), and is then emitted from the first surface (as stray light) at an emitting angle (an angle of the emitted beam with respect to the optical axis O1) .PSI. of approximately -3.0 degrees. Similarly, for the part P1 of the beam P, inclination angle .phi.=0 and incident height h=1.6 mm, such that a portion of the part P1 is reflected by the second surface 2B three times and emitted from the first surface 2A at an emitting angle .PSI. of approximately 30 degrees.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing a relationship between the incident height h of the incident beam and the emitted angle .PSI.. Note that, in this graph, the optical axes of the objective lens 1, the light monitoring device, and the incident beam are assumed to be parallel with each other. In the graph, a numeral in parentheses represents a number of times a portion of an incident beam is reflected by the second surface 2B. Thus, from the graph, it may be seen that a beam which is incident to the first surface 2A at an incident height between 1.14 mm through 1.46 mm is totally reflected twice by the second surface 2B and is emitted at an emitting angle .PSI. between approximately 48 through -65 degrees. Further, a beam which is incident to the first surface 2A at an incident height of approximately 1.5 mm through 1.6 mm is reflected three times and is emitted at an emitting angle .PSI. between approximately 30 through -40 degrees. Note that the emitting angle .PSI. will vary according to the angle formed between the optical axis of the monitoring device and that of the lens 1 (i.e., depending on .phi.). Thus, the beam reflected by the second surface 2B may not be substantially attenuated and may be directed to the screen 407 as stray light, making it difficult to monitor the inclination of the lens 1. The above values are for a lens 1 having the following characteristics: a radius of curvature of the first surface 2A of approximately 4.5 mm; a radius of curvature of the second surface 2B of approximately -2.8 mm; a refractive index of approximately 1.54; and an effective diameter of approximately 3.3 mm.
As described above, it may be difficult to monitor the inclination of a lens precisely due to stray light caused by the lens itself.

Inclination monitoring system including reflection of collimated light


A device that is useful for the mixing and application of hair coloring products comprises a mixing and application brush with a handle that is attached to a brush portion. The handle is adapted to be received by and work with a rotating hand tool. The brush portion includes a brush base that is generally spatulate in shape and includes at least one mixing aperture. Bristles are also included for applying the mixture to a client's hair. Moreover, a two-piece mixing bowl, having a lower portion and an upper portion is provide. The upper portion of the mixing bowl has an aperture that is designed to receive the handle of the brush and allow the brush to be rotated within the bowl by the hand tool. The brush and mixing bowl may be provided in an convenient kit form and a method for using the same is provided.

Hair coloration is often a difficult, messy and complex procedure even for hair care professionals. There are numerous products in the hair color industry available to the hair care professional that help tint a person's hair. These include pigmented shampoos, weekly rinses, semi-permanent hair colors, permanent or peroxide hair colors and deposit only hair colors. Many of these products, especially the longer lasting hair colors, require the mixing of chemical components. Thus, hair care professionals have a need to consistently and repeatably blend and apply the hair coloration products.
As an example, in deposit only, or semi permanent hair colors, the hair color utilizes oxidative type dyes that require the addition of a catalyst. When first mixed, the chemical reaction between the components is most active. As time elapses and the formula is applied to the hair the peroxide and ammonia begin to dissipate, thereby reducing the immediate effectiveness. Since the life span of the hair dyes quickly decays with elapsed time, it would be useful to have a device that allows one to apply the hair coloration to the hair as soon after mixture as possible.
Another problem faced by hair care professionals is that a plurality of dyes may be mixed to achieve the desired color. If the one of the dyes is not completely mixed within the other dyes, then, upon activation, inhomogeneity or pockets of color may occur. This inhomogeneity in coloration is unwanted by both the client and the professional. Moreover, it is possible that if poorly mixed, one dye may be activated to a greater degree that of other dyes. Since the useful life span of a dye, once activated, is relatively short, disparate activation times can also lead to incongruous results. Therefore, it would be useful to have a device that would quickly and efficiently mix the chemical components.
Therefore there is a current and continuing need for devices that aid in the complete mixing and application of chemical hair coloration compounds. The present inventors have addressed these and other needs, in particular, the problems of complete and repeatable mixing of components followed by immediate application of the resultant mixture. The present invention provides a solution enables even the unskilled to repeatedly prepare and apply well-mixed dye formulations, without mess or inconvenience.

Methods for mixing and applying hair coloring compounds, and hair coloring devices and kits which comprise a brush and an enclosed mixing bowl

8
FSC 15
FSC 132
FSC 206
FSC 366
FSC 401
FSC D 4
FSC D28
FSC 424


Provided are a method and apparatus for dynamically controlling electrical loads, a storage medium and an electronic apparatus. The method includes that: a current capacity balance of a user sub-region is acquired from an intelligent electricity monitoring and metering terminal through a mobile terminal; when the current capacity balance is smaller than a load power of an electric consumption device to be started in the user sub-region, a regional coordination control apparatus or a server is requested through the mobile terminal to adjust and increase a capacity allocated for the user sub-region, such that a capacity balance will be greater than or equal to the load power; and whether to allow to start the electric consumption device is determined according to a decision replied by the regional coordination control apparatus or the server.

In the relevant art, conventional methods for allocating and managing a distribution capacity include: static allocation, i.e., all users depend on a switch tripper for overload trip control as per designed and uniformly allocated capacities; and once an electrical load exceeds a standard distribution capacity, the trip is caused. In most cases, some users do not use up the allocated electricity, there still remains a large amount of total capacity in regions, and users with excessive electricity requirements cannot use the remained capacity, such that the utilization rate of power supply devices and power consumption efficiency are not high, the power utilization experience of the user is affected, and a lot of idle capacity limits of devices cannot be optimally reallocated for full utilization.
In addition, the orderly power utilization relies on a manual power rationing manner or a load control terminal for rationed trip. Only the total capacity is able to be limited and the inside loads cannot be controlled; and in case of an overload, the whole region is powered off. The user interaction is insufficient, the internal power utilization is unclear, the power utilization management of each device is orderless, the operation is random, and the total load is limited in a single manner, such that the overload trip is easily caused to interrupt power supplies of all devices.
Moreover, the demand-side management excessively depends on the participation of the users. It is demanding on a load type, an electricity environment and an infrastructure, and further requires the users to keep a high demand-side management awareness. Meanwhile, the demand-side management neither effectively controls a start behavior of a user device nor effectively copes with the rapid rise of a load, which may lead to the overload trip of the total load.
Concerning the problems that the regional electricity control method has low utilization rate of power supply devices and low power consumption efficiency, is prone to the overload trip and the like in the relevant art, effective solutions haven't been pushed forward yet.

Method and apparatus for dynamically controlling electrical loads, storage medium and electronic apparatus

Zhuhai Unitech Power Technology Co., Ltd.


A sealing member for water cutoff is stuck to a door inner panel of an automobile for joining a door hole seal. The sealing member for water cutoff is long in length and at least a part thereof is curved when used. The sealing member for water cutoff comprises: a body part made of vulcanized sponge rubber, which is extrusion molded and having softness and elastic restoring force for reverting to an original shape when an external force once applied is unloaded; and adhesive layers formed by applying adhesive on surfaces of the body part.

The present invention relates to sealing members for water cutoff and sealing methods making use of the sealing members for water cutoff. The sealing members for water cutoff are used, for example, for joining door hole seals (door hole covers) for covering up openings, or water or noise insulation sheets to inner cabin sides of door inner panels of automobiles.
As shown in FIG. 14, there has been disclosed a structure that a door hole seal (door hole cover) 2 or a water or noise insulation sheet is joined to an inner cabin side of a door inner panel 1 of an automobile door 40 by a sealing member 10 for water cutoff. The door hole seal 2 is made of polyethylene and is used for covering up an opening 50. The opening 50 is formed on the door inner panel 1 and used as a hole for mechanical operation. See, for example, Japanese examined Patent Publication No. 3890568 and Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-195834.
Examples of the sealing member 10 for water cutoff include butyl sealant 11 made of soft rubber material which is sticky and wet and which has an indeterminate form, shown in FIG. 15. The door hole seal 2 is installed on the door inner panel 1 by: annularly installing the butyl sealant 11 along a concave 1a for positioning on the door inner panel 1; and piling an outer peripheral end of the door hole seal 2 on the butyl sealant 11.
Japanese examined Patent Publication No. 3890568 discloses that the water or noise insulation sheets are installed on the door inner panels by transparent films on the outer peripheral ends of the sheets, and the transparent films are joined to the door inner panels by sealer (glue).
Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-195834 discloses that ribbon-like adhesive is applied to release paper, the adhesive on release paper is pressed against ends of the door hole covers or peripheries of openings for transferring the adhesive from the release paper, and then the door hole covers are installed on the door inner panels.
Examples of the adhesive include: rubber-based, acrylic or olefinic hot melt glue; and butyl rubber-based hot melt glue.
It is to be noted that the inner panels of Japanese examined Patent Publication No. 3890568 and Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-195834 do not have concaves for positioning the glue.
These structures simplify installation of the door hole seals (door hole covers) or the water or noise insulation sheets on the door inner panels, enable the door hole seals or the like thus installed to cover the openings on the door inner panels and achieve excellent water or noise insulation effects.
Unfortunately, however, the butyl sealant 11 of FIG. 15, which is sticky and wet and which has the indeterminate form requires adept skill for operators. Specifically, the operators have to stick the butyl sealant 11 on the door inner panel 1 by expanding the butyl sealant 11. In addition, the butyl sealant 11 requires a large number of steps for installation. Also, the butyl sealant 11 once pasted on the door inner panel 1 is hard to peel and, even in case the butyl sealant 11 is somehow peeled, a part of the butyl sealant 11 remains on a side of the door panel 1 or on a side of the door hole seal 2, which makes it impossible to paste the same butyl sealant 11 again. The structure is not capable of adjusting positional shift, which requires completion of the installation on a first try. Further, the butyl sealant 11 may erroneously stain the operators. In hot seasons including summer, the butyl sealant 11 softens and is hard to stably install. Also, the structure requires formation of the extra concave 1a for positioning the butyl sealant 11 on the door inner panel 1.
The sealer and the hot melt glue of Japanese examined Patent Publication No. 3890568 and Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-195834, once pasted on the side of the door inner panel or on the side of the door hole seal are hard to peel and it is impossible to paste the sealer and the hot melt glue again after peeled.
There have been strong demands for controlling the sealing members for water cutoff as the wholes to remain on one of the sides of door inner panels and the sides of the door hole seals in order to improve operation efficiency in case the door hole seals once installed on the door inner panels are peeled off the door inner panels.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide the sealing members for water cutoff which, once pasted, can be easily peeled and pasted again in the same manner as a beginning.
Another object of the present invention is to provide the sealing methods making use of the sealing members for water cutoff which as the wholes remain on one desired sides of two members in case the two members joined to each other via the sealing members for water cutoff are peeled.


A compact resonator is provided which includes a coupling that is connected to the resonator in between a resonator body and pedestal. The coupling may be keyed or otherwise fixed to prevent it from moving. Both deep drawn and solid resonator designs are provided.

Existing wireless base stations utilize resonators as a part of an amplification system. FIG. 1 depicts a typical installation of a resonator 1. As shown, a resonator body 2 rests on a pedestal 3 that includes a tab portion 4 that extends from the pedestal 3. Attached to the tab portion 4 is a conductive, input/output (I/O), coupling loop 5. The loop 5 is typically made from a wire that is used to connect the resonator 1 to a tower mounted antenna or amplifier. Typically, the loop 5 is attached to the resonator tab 4 using a screw 6. Because the tab portion 4 extends from the pedestal 3, space is needed for the portion 4. Further, many times the shape of the loop 5 requires that additional space be allocated within the resonator cavity 7 (e.g., it extends from the extended tab portion 4). However, many times the area available to install a resonator is limited to a small amount of space. In such a scenario, it is difficult to install the resonator 1 because it requires space for the extended tab portion 4 and the loop 5.
It is therefore desirable to provide methods and devices for providing a compact resonator that may be installed within a relatively small amount of space.
The electrical performance of a resonator is also important. Thus, while it is desirable to design a resonator that fits within a small amount of space, the performance of such a resonator should not be sacrificed.
It is further desirable to provide methods and devices for providing a compact resonator that provides improved electrical performance.

Methods and devices for providing a compact resonator


A method of evaluating an earth formation is disclosed which includes conveying a logging tool into a borehole in the earth formation and using the logging tool to obtain a first set of azimuthally-independent resistivity measurements of the earth formation and a second set of azimuthally-sensitive resistivity measurements of the earth formation and estimating a value of a property of the earth formation using the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements, the estimation being substantially unaffected by a displacement of the logging tool from a center of the borehole.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to methods for obtaining a resistivity parameter of a formation from a logging tool in a borehole penetrating the formation. In particular, the present disclosure relates to correcting resistivity measurements for the effect of tool eccentricity within the borehole.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multiple Propagation Resistivity (MPR) tools are often used for measuring resistivity properties of a formation. An MPR tool typically includes transmitter coils and receiver coils having magnetic moments oriented parallel to and coincident with the tool axis. Increasingly, MPR tools are used for the purpose of determining well placement and to navigate reservoirs so as to maintain a borehole trajectory along a predetermined path. For example, it may be desired to place the borehole in an oil-producing formation for most of the borehole trajectory. However, MPR tools do not detect azimuthal variations in resistivity. An azimuthal propagation resistivity (APR) tool has recently been introduced that is sensitive to azimuthal variations in resistivity. The APR tool typically includes transmitter coils as well as receiver coils that are oriented perpendicular to the transmitter coils. As a result of azimuthal sensitivity, an APR tool can be responsive to formations ahead of the APR tool. Directional information may thereby be provided regarding formations ahead of the tool.
Signal responses obtained at an APR tool are generally affected by the degree of eccentricity of the APR tool from the central axis of the borehole. In horizontal and highly-deviated boreholes, tool eccentricity is common since the tool may sag toward or even rest upon a lower portion of a horizontal borehole due to the pull of gravity. The APR tool signal may thus be a superposition of a signal obtained from a nearby formation and a signal resulting from the eccentricity of the APR tool. An additional issue is related to the invasion of borehole mud into the formation. An invasion front of the borehole mud, which may be reasonably assumed to be azimuthally symmetric when occurring in a vertical borehole, is more likely to be azimuthally asymmetric when the occurring in a deviated or horizontal borehole. In other words, the invasion front may extend further below the borehole than above, due to the pull of gravity. These asymmetrical effects induce an additional unwanted signal at the APR tool.
APR tools are typically designed to minimize these tool eccentricity effects by, for example, using a bucking coil. In general, the bucking coil works effectively in canceling a field that is directly coupled from the transmitter coil to the receiver coils and helps reduce tool eccentricity effects and other near-borehole effects. However, in some cases tool eccentricity effects may still be significant. Additional effects may be related to the resistivity of the formation or of the mud used in drilling. For example, in a borehole having a resistive drilling mud therein and which penetrates a shale bed, the contribution of unwanted signals to the APR tool measurements can be anomalously large. Modeling results confirm that measurements obtained from a borehole filled with resistive mud may display a larger eccentricity effect than measurements obtained from a borehole filled with conductive mud. Therefore, there is a need to remove or reduce the effects of eccentricity on the APR measurements.

Apparatus and method for estimating eccentricity effects in resistivity measurements


A multicast connection scheduling method for a 3-stage switch fabric with n1 first stage, n2 second stage and n3 third stage interconnected switching devices. The first and third stage devices are non-blocking for unicast connections. The center stage devices are non-blocking for multicast connections. Load tables are provided for each center stage device, with one row per first and/or third stage device. Each row represents the number of connections being serviced between the first and/or third stage devices, through the center stage device corresponding to the table. By monitoring and updating the tables, the invention derives an approximately optimal connection schedule for an input list of connection requests, such that no input connection load exceeds any center stage device's maximum input connection load capacity and no output connection load exceeds any center stage device's maximum output connection load capacity.

Time division multiplexing (TDM) is a useful technique for aggregating lower speed data streams into higher speed streams for transmission across a network. Typically, TDM traffic is used in connection-based, fixed bandwidth networks like the SONET data network. In such a network, alignment of data streams is crucial at switching nodes, since data is switched based on its arrival time. TDM switches typically operate based on a static setup that enables desired switching patterns. A new connection is serviced by creating a new data path through the network using control signaling outside the data path—the data path must be fully configured from end to end before any data can be transmitted. By contrast, packet-based or connectionless networks transmit data packets which include the address information required to enable each packet to reach its destination. Connectionless networks can dynamically adopt switching configurations to suit currently available packets. However, connectionless networks are subject to congestion problems if many packets which must share a network path are suddenly simultaneously received. Connection-oriented networks manage congestion perfectly, at the expense of wasted bandwidth if there is no traffic for an established connection.
TDM networks typically carry multiplexed traffic by allocating a portion of the total available connection time to each connection, based on some regular timing scheme. For example, a single SONET OC-12 connection is a multiplexed aggregate of 12 STS-1 connections. Each STS-1 connection is regularly allocated 1/12th of the total available connection time to serially transmit its next 8 bits (i.e. byte) via an optical connection, as specified in the SONET standard. Each STS-1 connection byte is referred to as a "grain" of that connection. 12 STS-1 connection grains aggregated to make up an OC-12 connection are called a "grain group." Each grain group is numerically ordered, from the first to the twelfth grain of the corresponding STS-1s. A TDM switch typically accepts a number of multiplexed input connections and switches them, not as the aggregates it receives, but at some lower level, delivering newly reconstituted aggregates at its outputs.
TDM switches can be characterized by their capability to service arbitrary loads of connection requests (calls). For example, a switch is "non-blocking" if any load of calls can always be mapped successfully from the switch's input ports to the switch's output ports, regardless of any existing call load being serviced by the switch. A switch is "rearrangeably non-blocking" if servicing a new call may require rearrangement (without interruption) of existing calls to enable the switch to service a call that would otherwise be blocked. A "strictly non-blocking switch" can service any new load of calls, provided all of the switch inputs and outputs required to service the load are available (i.e. unused). A switch is "blocking" if there are possible existing call load states for which no input-to-output port mapping rearrangement will enable the switch to successfully map a new call load from the switch's input ports to the switch's output ports.
Strictly non-blocking switches require hardware proportional to the square of the number of inputs and the number of grains per input, or O(n2g2) where n is the number of inputs and g is the number of grains per input. Hardware complexity can be reduced to O(n2+g2) by using a so-called Clos architecture or its equivalent (Time:Space:Time or Space:Time:Space architectures, for example). But, such hardware savings compromise switching capability: the reduced hardware complexity switch is only rearrangeably non-blocking for unicast calls (i.e. a call in which one ingress grain is scheduled for delivery to one egress port); it is blocking for arbitrary loads of multicast calls (i.e. a call in which one ingress grain is scheduled for delivery to more than one egress port). Moreover, a scheduling algorithm must be used to determine how to route each new call through the reduced hardware complexity switch, taking into account all previously scheduled calls being handled by the switch. Hardware can be added to allow a switch to handle more calls—for example by increasing multicasting capability and eliminating the need to rearrange existing calls. But, regardless of whether a switch is strictly non-blocking for arbitrary loads of multicast calls, rearrangeably non-blocking for restricted widths of multicast calls (i.e. a call in which one ingress grain is scheduled for delivery to less than some predefined maximum number of egress ports), or simply blocking under certain conditions, physical limitations often prevent construction of switches of needed capacities.
In order to build larger switches, switching fabrics are formed by connecting switches together in regular patterns. One useful wiring pattern is a 3-stage fabric with 3 columns of switches regularly connected together, as shown in FIG. 1. The first stage (column) of the FIG. 1 fabric has n1 devices, each labeled <a,b> where a=1 and b=1, . . . , n1. The second (center) stage of the FIG. 1 fabric has n2 devices, each labeled <a,b> where a=2 and b=1, . . . , n2. The third stage of the FIG. 1 fabric has n3 devices, each labeled <a,b> where a=3 and b=1, . . . , n3. An output of each first stage device is connected to deliver a maximum input connection load of ti grains to an input of each center stage device. Each first stage device has a total input capacity it grains, and usually it≦n2·ti. An output of each center stage device is connected to deliver a maximum output connection load of to grains to an input of each third stage device. Each third stage device has a total output capacity ot grains, and usually ot≦n2·to.
Ideally, the center stage devices are designed so that they are non-blocking for whatever level of multicast calls the fabric is required to handle—all multicasting is handled by the center stage. Center stage devices with reduced multicasting capability can be used if corresponding degradation in multicast capability is acceptable. The first and third stage devices are designed so that they are non-blocking for unicast calls. The FIG. 1 fabric has an input speedup factor is=n2·ti/it, an output speedup factor os=n2·to/ot, a total input capacity of n1·it calls and a total output capacity of n3·ot calls. In some applications, is and os simultaneously have values greater than 1. In other applications, is or os, or both, simultaneously have values less than 1. Typically, a fabric's speedup is the same into and out of the center stage, in which case the fabric's overall speedup factor s=is=os. But, s can be expressed in different ways, one common example being s=min(is,os). Of course, if input capacity exceeds output capacity, then some switching capacity is unused. Conversely, if output capacity exceeds input capacity, additional output capacity can be "created" by multicasting calls to achieve full switching capacity usage. Although FIG. 1 shows only one connection between any two devices, persons skilled in the art will understand that each depicted connection represents aggregate connective capacity between two devices. In such fabrics, it is common to have multiple physical links connecting two switches. ti and to thus represent, respectively, total connection load capacity of all physical links into and out of the center stage.
The FIG. 1 fabric's aggregate bandwidth is equal to the lowest bandwidth of any of the 3 columns of switches. In this way, fabrics of arbitrary size can be built from any smaller sized switches. The 3-stage fabric is a conceptual organization that can take many real forms. For example, the first and third stage switches of a conceptual 3-stage fabric are often a single physical device. This allows a fabric's first and third stages to be located at a convenient ingress/egress point (physical ingress/egress connectors are often co-located). 3-stage fabrics are somewhat equivalent to Clos networks, in that they are not strictly non-blocking without impractical amounts of speedup, require a scheduling algorithm to derive a switch setting for scheduling a newly received call, and may require rearrangement of existing (i.e. previously scheduled) calls to facilitate scheduling of a newly received call.
For each newly received call, the scheduling algorithm examines the new call and the existing switch setting used to service the switch's existing call load, to determine a new switch setting that will preserve all existing end-to-end calls while permitting the new call to be scheduled. Here, "preserve" means that the inputs and outputs of each previously scheduled call are maintained in the new switch setting, although the internal path through the 3-stage fabric may differ (i.e. be rearranged). The optimal new switch setting is one that rearranges the fewest existing calls and leaves the fabric's latent (i.e. unused) switching capability evenly balanced among all switches. The problem of determining optimal switch settings for a 3-stage fabric is "NP-complete," meaning that there is no known way to solve the problem other than generating all possible switching schedules and examining them to determine which one is optimal.
FIG. 2 depicts a simple 3-stage switching fabric for which n1=n2=2 and n3=3. The first stage has n1=2 switches, each of which is capable of receiving 3 grains on each of 4 input ports and outputting 6 grains on each of 2 output ports. The second stage has n2=2 switches, each of which is capable of receiving 6 grains on each of 2 input ports and outputting 4 grains on each of 3 output ports. The third stage has n3=3 switches, each of which is capable of receiving 4 grains on each of 2 input ports and outputting 2 grains on each of 4 output ports.
More particularly, each output port of each first stage device is connected to deliver ti=6 grains to an input port of each center stage device; and, each output port of each center stage device is connected to deliver to=4 grains to an input port of each third stage device. Each first stage device has a total input capacity it≦n2·ti=2·6=12 grains. Each third stage device has a total output capacity ot≦n2·to=2·4=8 grains. The FIG. 2 fabric has an input speedup factor is=n2·ti/it=2·6/12=1, an output speedup factor os=n2·to/ot=2·4/8=1, an overall speedup factor s=is·os=1·1=1, a total input capacity n1·n2·ti=2·2·6=24 calls and a total output capacity n3·n2·to3·2·4=24 calls.
In the particular situation depicted in FIG. 2, switch <1, 1> has received at its input port 1 an input signal consisting of grain A assigned to a first ingress timeslot, nothing assigned to a second ingress timeslot, and grain B assigned to a third ingress timeslot. At its input port 2, switch <1, 1> has received an input signal consisting of nothing assigned to the first ingress timeslot, grain C assigned to the second ingress timeslot, and grain D assigned to the third ingress timeslot. At its input port 3, switch <1, 1> has received an input signal consisting of grain E assigned to the first ingress timeslot, and nothing assigned to the second or third ingress timeslots. At its input port 4, switch <1, 1> has received an input signal consisting of nothing assigned to the first ingress timeslot, grain F assigned to the second ingress timeslot, and grain G assigned to the third ingress timeslot. Switch <1, 1> rearranges its input signals by reassigning (unicasting) grains A and B to its output port 1's egress timeslots 3 and 5 respectively, reassigning grain C to output port 2's egress timeslot 1, reassigning grains D and E to output port 1's egress timeslots 6 and 2 respectively, and reassigning grains F and G to output port 2's egress timeslots 3 and 4 respectively.
Switch <1,2> has received at its input port 1 an input signal consisting of grain H assigned to the first ingress timeslot, grain I assigned to the second ingress timeslot, and grain J assigned to the third ingress timeslot. At its input port 2, switch <1,2> has received an input signal consisting of grain K assigned to the first ingress timeslot, and nothing assigned to the second or third ingress timeslots. At its input port 3, switch <1,2> has received an input signal consisting of grain L assigned to the first ingress timeslot, grain M assigned to the second ingress timeslot and nothing assigned to the third ingress timeslot. At its input port 4, switch <1,2> has received an input signal consisting of nothing assigned to the first or second ingress timeslots, and grain N assigned to the third ingress timeslot. Switch <1,2> rearranges its input signals by reassigning (unicasting) grains H and I to its output port 2's egress timeslots 3 and 6 respectively, reassigning grain J to output port 1's egress timeslot 1, reassigning grain K to output port 2's egress timeslot 5, and reassigning grains L, M and N to output port 1's egress timeslots 5, 4 and 3 respectively.
Output port 1 of switch <1, 1> is connected as aforesaid to deliver ti=6 grains to input port 1 of switch <2, 1>, output port 2 of switch <1, 1> is connected to deliver ti=6 grains to input port 1 of switch <2,2>, output port 1 of switch <1,2> is connected to deliver ti=6 grains to input port 2 of switch <2, 1>, and output port 2 of switch <1,2> is connected to deliver ti=6 grains to input port 2 of switch <2,2>.
Switch <2,1> rearranges its input signals by 2-casting grain A to its output port 2's egress timeslot 1 and to its output port 3's egress timeslot 4, unicasting grain B to output port 2's egress timeslot 4, unicasting grain D to output port 1's egress timeslot 2, 3-casting grain E to its output port 1's egress timeslot 1 and to its output port 2's egress timeslot 2 and to its output port 3's egress timeslot 3, 2-casting grain J to its output port 2's egress timeslot 3 and to its output port 3's egress timeslot 2, unicasting grain L to output port 3's egress timeslot 1, and unicasting grains M and N to output port 1's egress timeslots 4 and 3 respectively.
Switch <2,2> rearranges its input signals by 3-casting grain C to its output port 1's egress timeslot 2 and to output port 2's egress timeslot 3 and to output port 3's egress timeslot 1, 2-casting grain F to output port 1's egress timeslot 1 and to output port 2's egress timeslot 1, unicasting grain G to output port 2's egress timeslot 2, 2-casting grain H to output port 1's egress timeslot 4 and to output port 3's egress timeslot 3, and unicasting grains I and K to output port 3's egress timeslots 4 and 2 respectively.
Output port 1 of switch <2, 1> is connected as aforesaid to deliver t0=4 grains to input port 1 of switch <3, 1>, output port 2 of switch <2, 1> is connected to deliver to=4 grains to input port 1 of switch <3,2>, output port 3 of switch <2, 1> is connected to deliver to=4 grains to input port 1 of switch <3,3>, output port 1 of switch <2,2> is connected to deliver to=4 grains to input port 2 of switch <3,1>, output port 2 of switch <2,2> is connected to deliver to=4 grains to input port 2 of switch <3,2>, and output port 3 of switch <2,2> is connected to deliver to=4 grains to input port 2 of switch <3,3>.
Switch <3, 1> rearranges its input signals by reassigning (unicasting) grains F and M to its output port 1's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively, reassigning grains D and N to output port 2's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively, reassigning grain H to output port 3's egress timeslot 1, and reassigning grains C and E to output port 4's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively.
Switch <3,2> rearranges its input signals by reassigning (unicasting) grains F and A to its output port 1's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively, reassigning grains G and C to output port 2's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively, reassigning grains E and B to output port 3's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively, and reassigning grain J to output port 4's egress timeslot 2.
Switch <3,3> rearranges its input signals by reassigning (unicasting) grains H and J to its output port 1's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively, reassigning grains I and C to output port 2's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively, reassigning grains K and L to output port 3's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively, and reassigning grains A and E to output port 4's egress timeslots 1 and 2 respectively.
To be entirely unambiguous, a call must be specified in terms of its associated input device, port and timeslot; and, its associated output device(s), port(s) and timeslot(s) parameters. A unicast call can be specified as X:(w→x), a 2-cast call can be specified as X:(w→x, y) and a 3-cast call can be specified as X:(w→x, y, z) where X is the label of the call that originates at <stage, device, port, timeslot>w and is received at <stage, device, port, timeslot> x, y and z respectively. Call labels are analogous to grains. Thus, in FIG. 2, each letter-labeled grain represents a different call. The calls currently scheduled on the FIG. 2 fabric are:
A:(<1,1,1,1>→<3,2,1,2>, <3,3,4,1>)
B:(<1,1,1,3>→<3,2,3,2>)
C:(<1,1,2,2>→<3,1,4,1>, <3,2,2,2>, <3,3,2,2>)
D:(<1,1,2,3>→<3,1,2,1>)
E:(<1,1,3,1>→<3,1,4,2>, <3,2,3,1>, <3,3,4,2>)
F:(<1,1,4,2>→<3,1,1,1>, <3,2,1,1>)
G:(<1,1,4,3>→<3,2,2,1>)
H:(<1,2,1,1>→<3,1,3,1>, <3,3,1,1>)
I:(<1,2,1,2>→<3,3,2,1>)
J:(<1,2,1,3>→<3,2,4,2>, <3,3,1,2>)
K:(<1,2,2,1>→<3,3,3,1>)
L:(<1,2,3,1>→<3,3,3,2>)
M:(<1,2,3,2>→<3,1,1,2>)
N:(<1,2,4,2>→<3,1,2,2>)
FIG. 3A shows the FIG. 2 fabric carrying calls:
A:(<1,1,1,1>→<3,1,1,1>1)
B:(<1,1,1,2>→<3,1,1,2>)
C: (<1,1,1,3>→<3,1,2,1>)
D:(<1,1,2,1>→<3,1,2,2>)
E:(<1,1,2,2>→<3,2,1,1>)
F:(<1,1,2,3>→<3,2,1,2>)
G:(<1,2,1,1>→<3,2,2,1>)
H:(<1,2,1,2>→<3,2,1,2>)
I:(<1,2,1,3>→<3,2,3,1>)
J:(<1,2,2,1>→<3,2,3,2>)
K:(<1,2,2,2>→<3,3,1,1>)
L:(<1,2,2,3>→<3,3,1,2>).
Suppose that a new call M:(<1,1,3,1>→<3,2,4,1>) is to be scheduled on the FIG. 3A fabric. That new call cannot be routed through switch <1, 1> to switch <3,2> even though input port 3 of switch <1, 1> is unused and output port 4 of switch <3,2> is unused. This is because the connection between switch <1, 1> and switch <2, 1> is already carrying its maximum of ti=6 grains and the connection between switch <2,2> and switch <3,2> is already carrying its maximum of to=4 grains. Similarly, a new call N:(<1,2,3,1>→<3,1,4,1>) cannot be routed through switch <1,2> to switch <3, 1> even though input port 3 of switch <1,2> is unused and output port 4 of switch <3,1> is unused, because the connection between switch <1,2> and switch <2,2> is already carrying its maximum of ti=6 grains and the connection between switch <2, 1> and switch <3, 1> is already carrying its maximum of t0=4 grains. Potentially available switching capacity via unused input ports 3, 4 of switch <1, 1> to unused output port 4 of switch <3,2> and similar capacity from unused ports of switch <1,2> to switch <3, 1> is thus wasted, reducing the fabric's overall scheduling capability unless the existing call load can be rearranged to improve the fabric's scheduling capability. Such rearrangement is not always possible. It can thus be seen that even if a 3-stage fabric is constructed of strictly non-blocking switching devices, the overall fabric can be blocking, due to the foregoing connection allocation problem.
FIG. 3B shows the FIG. 2 fabric carrying the same call load as in FIG. 3A, but with the load evenly balanced between each first and second stage switch and between each second and third stage switch. Specifically, the load between switch <1, 1> and switch <2, 1> is 3 grains, as is the load between switch <1, 1> and switch <2,2>, the load between switch <1,2> and switch <2, 1> and the load between switch <1,2> and switch <2,2>. The load between switch <2, 1> and switch <3, 1> is 2 grains, as is the load between switch <2,2> and switch <3, 1>; the load between switch <2, 1> and switch <3,2> is 3 grains, as is the load between switch <2,2> and switch <3,2>; and, the load between switch <2, 1> and switch <3,3> is 1 grain, as is the load between switch <2,2> and switch <3,3>. Thus, although the FIG. 3B fabric is carrying the same call load as the FIG. 3A fabric, the FIG. 3B fabric can carry the new call M:(<1,1,3,1>→<3,2,4,1>) whereas the FIG. 3A fabric cannot.
For example, because the load between switch <1, 1> and switch <2, 1> is less than ti=6 grains and the load between switch <2, 1> and switch <3,2> is less than to=4 grains, call M:(<1,1,3,1>→<3,2,4,1>) can be routed through switch <1, 1> to switch <2, 1> and thence to switch <3,2>. Alternatively, because the load between switch <1, 1> and switch <2,2> is less than ti=6 grains and the load between switch <2,2> and switch <3,2> is less than to=4 grains, call M:(<1,1,3,1>→<3,2,4,1>) could be routed through switch <1, 1> to switch <2,2> and thence to switch <3,2>. Similarly, call N:(<1,2,3,1>→<3,1,4,1>) could be routed through switch <1,2> to switch <2, 1> and thence to switch <3,2>; or, through switch <1,2> to switch <2,2> and thence to switch <3,2>.
This invention facilitates call load balancing to improve a switching fabric's connection scheduling capability.

Load balancing multicast connection scheduling in 3-stage TDM fabrics


Implementations of the present invention comprise infant feeding pillows having a main portion and a wedge portion. The top surface of the main portion can be configured to support Si least the arm of a user and, optionally, at least a portion of the head of an infant. The wedge portion can be coupled to and extend from the first side of the main portion. The width of the wedge portion decrease from a base portion to a tip portion as the distance from the first side of the main body increases. Additionally, a top surface of the wedge portion forms an angle with the top surface of the main portion. The wedge portion is configured to rest in the lap of a user and supports at least a portion of an infant. The main portion can further comprise a first and a second shoulder extending seamlessly from the main body along the longitudinal axis thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
Implementations described herein relate to infant feeding pillows for use during nursing or bottle feeding that provide support for the infant and the user.
2. Related Art
Breastfeeding is known to improve the health and encourage proper growth and development of an infant. Breast milk provides the ideal amount of nutrition for infants with the proper mix of vitamins, protein and fat. Breast milk is known to be digested more easily than formula and can aid in the maturing of the infant's immune system. Breastfeeding is also known to supply an infant with valuable antibodies that can defend against illness. Even further, breastfeeding reduces the incidence of asthma and promotes optional brain development. Studies have shown that breastfed infants have less frequent and shorter episodes of illness. Additionally, the sucking action of the infant aids in dental development as well as development of the infant's facial bones and oral muscles. Conversely, lack of nursing increases the risk of childhood diabetes, cancers, ear infections, obesity and respiratory infections. In other aspects, the skin-to-skin contact encouraged by nursing offer infants emotional security and encourages bonding.
In yet other aspects, research has shown that nursing also offers health benefits for mothers. Increased levels of oxytocin stimulate uterine contractions, helping the uterus return to a pre-pregnancy size, decreasing blood loss and encouraging uterine toning. Nursing also burns additional calories and increases the rate of weight loss in most nursing mothers. Mothers who nurse their infants have a lower risk of developing osteoporosis and breast, ovarian and uterine cancers. Additionally, nursing allows a mother to feed her infant during times that normal supplies of food and water are not available.
During feedings, caregivers typically choose to sit in a chair, rocking chair or on a bed and hold the infant in their arms with the head of the infant resting in the elbow region of the arm and the infant's body on the caregiver's lap. Feedings can be performed over 1000 times in the first three months of life alone. Both feeding actions of breast and bottle feeding can result in the caregiver experiencing arm, upper back, shoulder and neck pain and stress and such effects are only worsened by the extended time of feeding. Injury and discomfort due to feeding can result in the caregiver making adjustments that result in improper positioning of the infant, making latching onto the nipple difficult which can, in turn, cause nipple irritation and soreness for a nursing mother. Also, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis can result from repetitively gripping, lifting and positioning the wrist during feeding.
In order to receive the most positive outcome from nursing, it is very important for the infant to latch onto the nipple in an optimal position. While nursing, the mother's nipple should be aligned to the month of the infant. Misalignment of the nipple to the infant's mouth often leads to discomfort due to nipple irritation and soreness as well as frustration. It is also important for the caregiver to be appropriately supported to prevent the development of strain and injury.
In the past, infant feeding pillows have been provided as an aid for feeding an infant. However, these prior art infant feeding pillows typically require the use of the arm of the caregiver to hold the infant's head. Thus, such prior art infant feeding pillows do not prevent strain and injury to the arm and elbow of a caregiver. Some prior art infant feeding pillows are designed to be placed around the waist of a caregiver and, optionally, secured with the use of a fastener. Such a configuration can be bulky and cumbersome as well as fail to accommodate a wide range of body types. Also, prior art infant feeding pillows do not provide adequate support for the caregiver's arm during post-feeding activities such as burping. Even further, such prior art pillows are generally no longer used once an infant no longer requires breast or bottle feeding.
Thus, there is a need for an infant feeding pillow that enables proper positioning and support of both the infant and caregiver.


A capacitive measuring device has a scale and a transducer, both provided with an array of electrodes. The position of the transducer with respect to the scale is determined in a processing circuit by evaluating the capacitances formed between the two arrays. These capacitances vary periodically as a function of the relative position of the transducer. The scale electrodes are spaced by a pitch (.lambda.). In order to increase the resolution, the transducer electrodes occupy possible initial positions spaced by an elementary interval (P) which is a submultiple of the pitch (.lambda.). The transducer electrodes are thus divided into N groups according to the initial position which they occupy. In order to compensate for manufacturing imprecisions of periodic type, the succession of transducer electrodes is highly non-periodic. To this end, the set intervals (I.sub.j) occupied by the sets of successive electrodes interpenetrate, and the number of unoccupied possible initial position between the bundles of electrodes is variable. A set of electrodes is a set composed of one electrode of each group.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a capacitive measuring device. More specifically the invention relates to a capacitive measuring device comprising a scale provided with an array of scale electrodes and a transducer provided with an array of transducer electrodes, the two electrode arrays being coupled capacitively in such a way that electrical signals can be produced which depend upon the resulting coupling and thus the relative position of the transducer and the scale.
2. Description of the Related Art
Devices of this type are used, for example, in instruments for measuring length or angles such as sliding calipers, or measuring columns or gauges for angles. They have the advantage of precise electronic measurement and are more economical than optical measuring systems. The patents or patent applications JP-A-12455283; U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,013; EP 0 248 165; U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,830; JP 1841668; JP 1783036; U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,307; EP 0 413 922; EP 0 404 980 and EP 0 400 626, among others, describe examples of known devices.
Generally speaking, these devices comprise a scale formed by a printed circuit or a glass substrate on which the scale electrodes are disposed. The transducer is composed of a second printed circuit equipped with an array of transducer electrodes placed facing the scale electrodes. The scale electrodes and the transducer electrodes thus constitute two arrays of capacitors, mobile with respect to one another. The capacitive coupling between the transducer electrodes and the scale electrodes varies according to the relative position of the transducer with respect to the scale. This information is evaluated in order to display the position measurement.
In these devices, the precision of measurement attainable is limited by different factors such as geometrical imperfections of the transducer or of the scale, in particular inaccuracies in mutual placement, surface unevenness or irregularities, or by imprecise geometry of the transducer or scale electrodes. In particular, the transducer electrodes are generally made using known techniques for manufacturing printed circuits. It is difficult with these techniques to obtain a precision in the geometry of the electrodes which is compatible with the desired smallest measurable quantities. The scale suffers from similar problems, at least when it is produced from a printed circuit. Moroever mechanical errors, due, for example, to imprecise construction or to dilatation cause changes in the spacing between the transducer and scale electrodes, and thus variations of the measured capacitances difficult to foresee or correct. In the aforementioned patents, several ways of placing electrodes on the transducer and the scale have been envisaged which permit at least partial compensation of the different factors leading to errors and which increase the precision.
In the Swiss patent CH 648 929 (TESA), the transducer electrodes are divided into four groups (A1, A2, B1, B2), phase-shifted with respect to one another by 90.degree.. Each group comprises three distinct electrodes, which allows certain errors to be distributed and averaged out at least partially.
However, in the aforementioned patent, all the electrodes in each electrode group are placed in the same corner of the transducer. In FIG. 1 of the patent, it is to be noted that all the electrodes of group A1 are placed in the upper left corner of the transducer, all those of group B2 in the lower left corner, and so on. This device is consequently very sensitive to errors in the positioning of the transducer opposite the scale and, in particular, in the pivoting of the transducer about its longitudinal axis.
In the European patent EP 0 404 980, for example, the transducer electrodes are equally distributed in four groups (1, 2, 3, 4) phase-shifted with respect to each other by 90.degree.. In FIG. 4 of that patent, each group is composed of 5 distinct electrodes distributed more or less over the whole surface of the transducer in such a way that the groups are intermixed. The successive electrodes thus belong respectively to groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3 and so on. An identical succession of electrodes thus repeats itself periodically.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,013 (Andermo) also proposes various ways of disposing the electrodes on the transducer. In particular, FIGS. 3 to 5 of that patent illustrate different ways of distributing the electrodes on the transducer so as to distribute the electrodes of each group (1 to 6) more or less uniformly over the whole surface of the transducer. The different groups of electrodes are thus equally intermixed. On the transducer of FIG. 4 of this patent, the successive electrodes belong respectively to groups 1, 3, 5, 4, 6, 2, then the succession repeats itself periodically. In the case of a transducer having a large number of electrodes, for example more than 50, distributed into a fairly small number of groups, for example 6, the same succession of electrodes repeats itself several times. With the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4, the succession repeats itself certainly less often, but the frequency of patterns thus formed remains high.
Owing to the techniques used in particular to manufacture the scale, and especially the transducer, certain geometrical inaccuracies repeat themselves periodically. This is the case, for example, for certain errors in the positioning or surface variations of the electrodes caused by the printing technique used. When the frequency of repetition of these errors is in a whole number ratio to the frequency of repetition of patterns of electrodes on the transducer, the resulting errors on all the electrodes of a group can accumulate instead of be averaged out. The correct functioning of the device is thus not ensured.
Among other things, since the succession of electrodes on the transducer repeats itself, the electrodes of each group are found regularly placed next to electrodes of another same group. For example, in FIG. 4 of the aforementioned patent, the electrodes of group 3 are always found between those of group 1 and those of group 5. The crosstalk between the electrodes of group 3 and those of group 1 is thus much greater than the coupling between the electrodes of group 3 and those of group 6, for example. This results in functioning asymmetries which can give a false measurement reading.
The European published application with the publication number EP 0 537 800 (Mitutoyo) and the European patent EP 0 400 626 (Mitutoyo) describe a transducer in which the electrodes have a variable shape and surface. This configuration permits compensation of certain errors in parallelism and pivoting of the transducer. The specific problems connected with the periodicity of electrodes remain however. Moreover, the capacitive coupling obtained is limited by the size of the electrodes, certain ones being very small. Therefore, to obtain a coupling sufficient for measurement, it is necessary for the transducer to move at a very slight distance above the scale, which poses problems of production mechanics.


An optical table active leveling and vibration cancellation system is disclosed. The system includes an optical table with three active isolation devices connected to the optical table, and one sole pneumatic device, such that the table is supported on all four corners. Each of the isolation devices includes a pneumatic suspension device and an electromagnetic suspension device. The pneumatic suspension device includes a pressurized load chamber, a gimballed piston received in the pressurized load chamber and coupled to the walls of the pressurized load chamber by a thin walled diaphragm, and a support rod extending from the optical table to the floor level. The electromagnetic bearing suspension device includes a magnetic bearing rotor having two planar surfaces and a peripheral surface, and two magnetic bearing stators, the stators each defining a central aperture and each stator being in a spaced apart relationship from each of the rotor planar surfaces. The rotor is secured to the support rod. Each of the stators includes an annular coil of wire. The electromagnetic suspension system may also include four radial electromagnets spaced around the peripheral surface of the rotor. The radial electromagnets also include an annular coil of wire. The system also includes three proximity sensors mounted under the optical table to detect motion of the table in relation to the floor or another fixed reference, and generate a signal in response to the motion. The system also includes three accelerometers mounted underneath the optical table in a triangle. The accelerometers measure vibration of the table in relation to inertial space and generate a signal in response to the movement. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and accelerometers, and generates a second signal, used to activate the pneumatic and electromagnetic bearing suspension devices to provide active leveling and vibration cancellation of the optical table.

Optical tables are used to support sensitive instrumentation, and thus require precise leveling and freedom from vibration. In a typical optical table, the optical table top is supported by a suspension system or table mount. Three types of suspension systems are known in the art, namely rigid mounts, pneumatic self-leveling mounts, and elastomeric or pneumatic mounts augmented by very expensive electromagnetic suspension systems.
The first mentioned suspension systems, rigid mounts, although the least expensive, are only suitable for applications where leveling is required, but not vibration isolation. The third mentioned suspension systems, elastomeric or pneumatic suspension systems augmented by expensive electromagnetic suspension systems, are very expensive, and are tailored to the specific needs of a small segment of the active vibration cancellation market. Therefore, the most commonly used suspension systems are the pneumatic self-leveling suspension system.
The pneumatic self-leveling suspension systems typically comprise sensors, pneumatic controls, and structural supports. Each of the vibration isolators in the system act as air springs in that they utilize the compressibility of air contained in a chamber, a sealing element, and a piston to produce the characteristics of a low frequency spring. Thus the pneumatic self-leveling system can accommodate varying loads without major deflections by varying the air pressure in the air chamber.
However, one problem with the pneumatic self-leveling suspension systems is that the systems are incapable of isolating the table from disturbances either generated directly on the table, or otherwise directly impacting the table. For example, rapid load shifts on the table may cause large direct disturbances, such that the table is no longer level. As another example, rotating or moving components on the optical table top will cause the table to respond more than a comparable table placed on rigid mounts. More specifically, the small disturbances on the table may cause the table to vibrate in unison with the disturbances, while the table appears to remain level. Moreover, if not properly designed, the system itself may generate a significant amount of vibration as a result of the contacting forces on the table by mechanical lever arms, or allow the passage of vibrations by the hysteresis of the thin rubber skins used as rolling diaphragms in the system.
Attempts have been made to improve the pneumatic suspension systems. For example, efforts have been made to reduce the effect of changes in the static load on the systems, thus creating zero deflection pneumatic suspensions. The zero deflection pneumatic suspensions make small adjustments to the pneumatic flexibility of the suspensions. The changes in flexibility are made by adjusting the pressure in the load bearing. The pressure adjustments are continued until the suspended entity to the position and/or orientation it occupied prior to the change in the static suspension load. The problem however, with such known types of the zero deflection devices is caused by their slow response. The slowness of the response to changes in static load renders the systems ineffective for many applications.
Efforts have also been made to reduce the effect of the dynamic forces on the suspended entities. Systems have thus been developed using transducers to ascertain the characteristics of the disturbance forces, wide bandwidth analog or high-speed digital techniques to determine cancellation forces proportional to the additive inverses of the dynamic forces, and transducers again to impart the cancellation forces on the suspended entities. However, several problems existed with the transducers used in these known systems. For one, the transducers impart the cancellation forces on the suspended entities at points different than the points of suspension, reducing the effectiveness of the system. Secondly, the cancellation forces created by the system are too small in comparison to the forces needed to minimize the suspended entity's response to sudden dynamic forces created by movement of components connected to the suspended entity.
Therefore, a need exists for an optical table vibration cancellation and active leveling system that provides a quick response to changes in static and dynamic load. Also, a need exists for an optical table vibration cancellation and active leveling system that provides sufficient forces at the points of suspension to minimize the effect of sudden forces exerted on the optical table.

Optical table active leveling and vibration cancellation system


The invention relates to techniques for forming fibres from glass or other thermoplastics materials by internal centrifugation associated with gaseous drawing at high temperature. The material to be converted to fibres is poured into a centrifuge, the peripheral face of which is pierced with a vast number of orifices from which the material is sprayed in the form of filaments drawn out into fibres and entrained by a flow of gas at elevated temperature and velocity and directed along the periphery of the centrifuge, cross-wise to the direction in which the fibres are projected and channelled by a layer of cold gases enveloping it which, according to the invention, is formed over the entire perforated height of the peripheral face by diverging individual jets which combine again shortly after the lowest row of orifices in the peripheral face.

The invention relates to the techniques for forming fibres from glass or other thermoplastics materials by an internal centrifugation process associated with a drawing by a high-temperature flow of gases. It is applied particularly to the industrial production of glass wool intended for use for example in the composition of heat and/or sound insulating products.
The fibre-forming process to which the invention relates consists in introducing a stream of molten glass into a centrifuge, also referred to as a fibre-forming platform, turning at high speed and provided on its periphery with a very large number of orifices through which the glass is sprayed in the form of filaments under the effect of centrifugal force. These filaments are then subjected to the action of an annular drawing current at elevated temperature and velocity flowing along the wall of the centrifuge which thins them out and converts them to fibres. Within the meaning of the invention, the term `elevated temperature and velocity` is understood to refer to a temperature at least in excess of 500.degree. C. and an annular flow velocity greater than or equal to 50 m/s. The fibres formed are entrained by this gaseous drawing current to a receiving device which quite generally consists of a strip which is permeable to gases. This method has been the subject of numerous improvements, including particularly those disclosed in the patents U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,507, FR-A-2 147 765, FR-A-2 459 783, FR-A-2 443 436, EP-A-91 381 and EP-A-91 866.
Although the velocity of the gaseous drawing current is very high and systematically greater than the velocity at which the filaments are projected, the kinetic energy in the fibres is sufficient that many of them penetrate the gaseous drawing current which surrounds the centrifuge to a thickness of just a few millimeters. This drawing current then spreads out just below the centrifuge which has the effect of dispersing the fibres over a wide surface area. Finally, these fibres change course to fall onto the receiving belt situated a few meters below. Thus, the receiving belt intercepts the fibres dispersed in a cylindrical torus having a diameter which is small in relation to the width of the belt, which makes it difficult to achieve a properly uniform distribution of the fibres over the belt.
Furthermore, the thermal balance in the centrifuge is more often than not provided by induction heating using an annular inductor through which an electric current passes. Maximum efficiency is achieved when this annular inductor is very close to the centrifuge. As the centrifuges used are preferably centrifuges with no bottom, this inductor can only be installed by disposing it just outside the centrifuge, in a concentric manner. Therefore, all that is left for passage of the fibres is a relatively narrow space but this must of necessity be retained in order to avoid the inductor constituting an obstacle which would obviously impair the quality of the end product and in any case it could not function properly for a long time because it would become blocked by the fibres striking and adhering to it.
To remedy this problem, it is known to confine the gaseous drawing current by means of a layer of cold gases enveloping and channelling it in a suitable fashion. This gaseous layer is produced by a blower ring surrounding the annular burner. The cold air makes it possible furthermore to assist the cooling of the fibres, the mechanical strength of which is thus improved by a heat-hardening effect.
This gaseous layer is generated for example by a blower ring similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,507, that is to say it is constituted by an annular tube provided with a circumferential slot or a series of orifices which are close to one another, the divergence of the jets ensuring continuity of the fluid barrier formed not later than at the height of the first row of orifices of the centrifuge, these rows being systematically counted from top to bottom by men skilled in the art. Thus, a sealing-tight barrier is formed which cannot be traversed by the fibres, which means that these latter are channelled.
Nevertheless, this confinement of the fibre layer does not resolve the problems of fibre distribution and in particular the problems due to the formation of tufts by tangling of the fibres. Before referring to the tuft formation again, it must be stressed that these lay behind many faults which are observed in the end products.
Firstly, these tufts constitute a locally heterogeneous fibre distribution and the greater the length of the tufts, the more noticeable the fault. The tuft has a tendency to become rolled onto itself and, by becoming so accumulated, to leave areas which are fibre deficient. In these areas, the product has a lesser mass per unit of surface area which locally changes the properties of the product. To guarantee a minimum performance level, therefore, it is necessary to compensate for these locally fibre deficient areas by providing an excess of fibres which renders the cost of the product much greater.
Furthermore, the orientation of the fibres in the tufts differs from the general orientation of isolated fibres which may itself differ from the orientation which is desired in the end product. Therefore, the tufts will complicate the control of this final orientation which will in particular affect the insulating properties, the propensity for delamination and the resistance to crushing.
Furthermore, these tufts often form very high up in the fibre-forming and receiving hood before the fibres have been sprayed with binder. If the fibres are not properly isolated when the glue is applied, the distribution of the binder is not completely homogeneous and the fibres which are not thus sized are inclined to show up in the end product in the form of white spots which contrast with the fibres coloured by the binder. The appearance of the product is not greatly affected but above all certain mechanical properties such as for example the tensile strength, the resistance to fibre tearing, the rigidity, the resumption of former size and the aptitude for cutting will all be affected.
All these parameters play a more or less important part according to the type of products which are generally classified as light products--in which the density is less than 25 or even 15 kg/m.sup.3 --generally available in the form of rolls, or heavy products--the density of which is typically greater than 30 kg/m.sup.3 and which are often subject to conditions of use which entail good mechanical strength. It must furthermore be stressed that although the properties desired for heavy or light products may differ only slightly, it is desirable to have polyvalent production lines, in other words lines having means which tend to resolve the problems posed at the most upstream point possible and not purely palliatives which remedy only a few defects which are specific to heavy or alternatively light products.
Thinking along these lines, therefore, the solution is not to be found solely in mechanical or pneumatic distributor means such as those described in the patents EP-A 69 321 and EP-A 125 963 and which set out to cause a movement aimed at balancing the fibre torus. Indeed, such means are only effective from the point of view of the final distribution of the surface masses but not in terms of the actual tufting and they are quite particularly inappropriate with regard to long tuft problems.
It should be noted furthermore that such means often require prolonged and delicate adjustment which can only be carried out by skilled personnel and which must furthermore be repeated whenever there is a change in production. Furthermore, it must be stressed that the difficulty of such adjustment tends to make it virtually impossible to isolate the factors involved in the mechanisms as a whole, in the blower ring which in particular plays a certain part in the process of forming fibres and tufts, inseparably supplementing its role of confinement of the fibre layer.

Method of and an apparatus for forming fibres


A vacuum raising apparatus for the production of an expanded foodstuff is disclosed, comprising a fluid permeable mould for constraining the foodstuff. The permeability of the mould is substantially uniform throughout so that during vacuum raising fluids from the foodstuff can escape uniformly through the entirety of the mould. The invention also provides a method of vacuum raising a foodstuff comprising constraining an unraised foodstuff within such a mould according to and subjecting the foodstuff within the mould to heat under vacuum.

In the production of human and animal foodstuffs it is known to use edible fats as lubricants to improve the mouth feel of foodstuffs, such as confectionery. Such fats can be introduced in the form of so called cremes, which may or may not contain dairy product, but which contain fat at about 25% to 45% and usually flavour and sweetening agents. Hardening of the fat content may set cremes of this type. When eaten by the consumer, the fat melts resulting in the characteristic mouth feel.
Some foodstuffs, such as confectionery products including substantial pieces of set expanded sugar based honeycomb confectionery, benefit from the inclusion of cremes containing fats, as they improve the eating characteristics of the honeycomb confectionery. The fats may be dairy or non-dairy or a mixture. However conventional cremes melt and liquefy immediately they enter the consumer's mouth and may not be available throughout the time over which the consumer is chewing the honeycomb. Further, although it is desirable to have the fat available throughout the chewing of the honeycomb, it is not desirable for the confectionery to have a high fat content or to include fat which does not readily melt in the mouth and so gives a waxy mouthfeel. An example of such a product is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,374.
WO-A-2005002352 discloses an aerated fat based including relatively large bubbles (0.5 mm to 3 mm in diameter). Aeration is achieved by introducing pressurised gas into the liquid fat and whipping the fat.
If an expanded confectionery products are vacuum raised using conventional apparatus to create light, foamed texture, products which are variable in size and non-uniform in texture and in particular, moisture content may be produced. This can be undesirable, since consumers of branded foodstuffs expect uniformity and consistency of the products.
The use of moulds during the vacuum raising process has been suggested in order to constrain the products as they expand, thereby making products of a more uniform size and shape. However, the use of moulds can detrimentally affect the raising process since as well as constraining the expanding product, the mould also restricts the passage of fluids out of the product. The escape of fluids, in particular moisture, from the expanding product is an essential part of the raising process. As a result of the restriction, the length of time which the product must remain under vacuum before the required levels of fluids have escaped is unacceptably long, making the process unsuitable for a large scale production line.
An additional problem may be that, although the average moisture content can be controlled by varying the time that the product is left in the vacuum oven, the presence of the mould means that moisture is lost unevenly throughout the product, resulting in a product with non-uniform moisture content and texture.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,853 discloses a flexible pouch in which a loose foodstuff such as popcorn can be heated under vacuum. The pouch has vents at one end. After expansion, the vents can be sealed so that the pouch provides a container for the foodstuff.

Vacuum raising in a fluid permeable mould of foodstuff


A burden caused by handling a large number of unique identifying information pieces such as authentication keys is to be lightened from both the user side and the protector side such as application creators. A proof data verification device sends authentication data to a proof data generation device. Signature data generation means and presignature data generation means in the proof data generation device cooperate with each other to generate proof data (a signature based on a discrete logarithm problem) from the received authentication data as well as held user unique identifying information and an access ticket, and send the proof data back to the proof data verification device. Verification means in the proof data verification device verify the signature, and if the verification is successful, the execution of program is allowed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an authentication technique for authenticating user's access rights to resources.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As the prior art belonging to the same field as the present invention there is known a program execution control technique, which comprises:    (1) embedding a user authentication routine in an application program;    (2) the routine checking whether the user who is trying to execute the application possesses a regular key for authentication; and    (3) continuing the execution of the program only when the presence of the key for authentication has been confirmed, or stopping the execution of the program if the answer is negative.
By utilizing this control technique, only a regular user possessing an authentication key is allowed to execute the application program. This technique is in practical use in the software distribution business. Examples of products produced according to this technique are Sentinel Super Pro (trademark) of Rainbow Technologies, Inc. and HASP (trademark) of Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.
The following is a more detailed explanation of the program execution control technique.    (1) The user who executes a software program possesses an authentication key as user identifying information. The authentication key is a key for encryption, which is distributed to users by a person who permits the utilization of software, for example a software vender. The authentication key, for the prevention of duplication, is sealed firmly into memory or the like in hardware and is delivered to the associated user by physical means such as mail or the like.    (2) The user loads the hardware with the authentication key incorporated therein into a his or her work station/personal computer by a specified method. For example, the hardware is loaded into a printer port.    (3) When the user starts the application program and the execution of the program reaches the user authentication routine, the program communicates with the hardware which incorporates the user authentication key therein. On the basis of the communication the program checks whether the authentication key is correct or not, and if the key is correct, execution shifts to the next step. On the other hand, if the communication fails and the presence of the authentication key cannot be confirmed, the program itself stops to inhibit subsequent execution.
Identification of the authentication key in the authentication routine is performed in accordance with the following protocol.    (1) The authentication routine generates an appropriate number and transmits it to the key-containing hardware.    (2) The key-containing hardware, using the authentication key contained therein, encrypts the transmitted number and sends it back to the authentication routine.    (3) The authentication routine judges whether the replied number is an anticipated number or not, that is, whether it is a number obtained by encrypting the transmitted number to the hardware with the correct authentication key.    (4) In the case where the replied number coincides with the anticipated number, the execution of the program is continued, while otherwise, the execution of the program is stopped.
In this case, the communication between the application program and the authentication key-containing hardware must differ at every execution even if exchange is made with the same hardware at the same location in the same application. Otherwise, if the contents of communication in a normal execution process are once recorded and if subsequently a reply is made to the application program in accordance with the recorded contents at every execution of program, it becomes possible for even a user not possessing a correct authentication key to execute the program. Such an improper execution of the application program by the reproduction of communication contents is called a replay attack.
To prevent such a replay attack, a random number which is newly generated at every communication is used as the number sent to the key-containing hardware.
The prior art described above involves the problem that at the time of making an application program it is required for the programmer to assume an authentication key of a user in advance and then perform a program protection processing on the basis of the authentication key.
That is, the programmer is required to anticipate a correct reply from the key-containing hardware at the time of programming and then create a program so that the program is executed correctly only upon receipt of a correct reply.
The prior art described above is utilized basically in two ways, both of which, however, involve the following problems.    (1) According to the first method, different authentication keys are provided for different users. More particularly, a different authentication key is provided for each user such as authentication key A for user A and authentication key B for user B.
In this case, it is necessary for the programmer to make a program while changing the authentication routine in the program appropriately for each user. In more particular terms, since the authentication key differs for each user, it is required that the authentication routine in the program be prepared so as to identify the authentication key peculiar to the each user who utilizes the program. In other words, the programmer is required to make as many different programs as the number of users who utilize the program.
In the case where a large number of users are involved, the work for individualizing programs for each user requires intolerable labor for the programmer, and the list of user authentication keys to be managed becomes vast.    (2) According to the second method, the programmer prepares a different authentication key for each application, for example, like authentication key A for application A and authentication key B for application B. And each application program is prepared so as to identify a unique authentication key.
According to this second method, unlike the first method, it is no longer necessary to make a program individually for each user, but the user is required to possess authentication keys by the number of applications to be utilized.
Such a limitation gives rise to the following problems for both programmer and users.
As noted previously, it is necessary that authentication keys be delivered in a firmly sealed state to users. Thus, in contrast with the program itself which can be distributed easily through a network, the distribution of hardware which contains an authentication key must rely on physical means such as mail or the like. This limitation is a heavy burden on the programmer in all of cost, time and packing work.
To meet the user needs, the programmer is required to stock hardware in a certain number different for each application, thus requiring cost for stock management.
In addition, each user submits to the troublesomeness of replacing hardware at every change of application to be used.
The also arises the inconvenience that even if a user wants to use a certain application, the user must wait for the arrival of hardware with an authentication key sealed therein and cannot use it at once.
To lighten this burden there is adopted a method wherein a plurality of authentication keys are sealed beforehand in hardware, and each time the user is permitted to use a new application, a password for making an unused authentication key in hardware utilizable is given to the user. However, it is apparent that the foregoing problems are basically not solved even by this method. Actually, in commercialization, a design is made so as to permit adjacent connection of plural hardware units.
Thus, even if either of the above two methods is adopted, there still remain problems in point of convenience on both programmer and user sides.
Considering external characteristics of the execution control, the prior art may also be applicable to the protection of mail privacy, access control for file and computer resources, and other ordinary access control for digital contents. However, due to the foregoing problems, it is impossible to apply the prior art to those fields.

Device and method for authenticating user's access rights to resources


An outline is cut in a glass sheet to form an inner zone and an outer marginal zone. The glass sheet is positioned on a support which supports the inner zone and marginal zone from below. A carrier is arranged such that suction pads thereof adhere to the inner zone, and such that a beveled bottom surface of a mechanical removing device carried by the carriage contacts an outer edge of the marginal zone. When the carriage is raised, the suction pads move up relative to the mechanical removing device. The inner zone is raised, but the outer edge of the marginal zone is restrained against upward movement by the mechanical removing device so that the marginal zone breaks along the outline.

The present invention relates to a method for removing a marginal zone external of an outline cut in a glass sheet, in which method a glass sheet is carried by means of a suction-padded conveyor carriage to a marginal zone removing station, wherein the marginal zone to be removed is subjected to the action of a heating flame by means of a flame burner.
The invention relates also to an apparatus for carrying out the method. The apparatus includes a conveyor carriage fitted with ascendable and descendable suction pads and a marginal zone removing station fitted with flame burners for applying a heating flame to the marginal zone to be removed.
The currently available solutions include a flame-effected removal on the one hand and a mechanical removal on the other. In the flame-effected removal procedure, a marginal zone to be removed is first subjected to a heating flame and the corners are then cut open by sharp cutting flames. A drawback in flame-effected removal is a wide marginal zone required thereby, resulting in a large loss of glass. Another drawback is that automatization of a plurality of flame stations is complicated in mixed production. In mechanical removal, the opening of corners is effected by means of a cutting knife and it further requires the use of presses for forcing the marginal zone loose. First of all, a drawback is that two separate removing stations are required and, furthermore, this removing method is also difficult to automatize in mixed production.
An object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus applicable to the removal of a marginal zone in a glass sheet, which make it possible to remove a very narrow marginal zone (5-10 mm) and whose operation can be automated in a simple fashion.
This object is achieved by means of the invention on the basis of the method features set forth in the annexed claim 1 and the apparatus features set forth in claim 2.

Method for removing a marginal zone external of an outline cut in a glass sheet


The present invention provides methods and apparatus for a wireless terminal to receive channel bursts in a wireless system while the wireless terminal is performing a handover from one base station to another base station. The wireless terminal determines that a handover may be necessary if a handover criterion is satisfied based upon a measurement of the signal quality associated with the current serving base station. If so, the wireless terminal performs measurements for the candidate cells, which are maintained in a candidate list. The wireless terminal will select one of the candidate cells (corresponding to the new serving base station) if the associated signal quality is sufficiently better than the current serving base station. After determining that a handover is necessary and before completing the handover to the new serving base station, the wireless terminal receives a last channel burst from the current serving base station.

Video streaming, data streaming, and broadband digital broadcast programming are increasing in popularity in wireless network applications, e.g., Internet protocol (IP) multicast services. To support these wireless applications, wireless broadcast systems transmit data content that support data services to many wireless terminals simultaneously. A wireless broadcast system typically comprises a plurality of base stations, in which data content is distributed by a service source through a backbone network. Wireless broadcast systems are typically unidirectional networks, in which there may not be an uplink channel (i.e. wireless terminal to serving base station) available. Thus, a wireless terminal may not be able to request lost data packets that are associated with a data service from the wireless broadcast system. When the wireless broadcast system has more than one base station serving different transmitting coverage areas (also known as cells), the base stations should transmit data services so that a wireless terminal is able to receive associated data packets in a seamless fashion as the wireless terminal moves from a coverage area of one base station to another coverage area of another base station. Seamlessness entails that the wireless terminal receive all data packets as the wireless terminal performs a handover from one base station to another. In order to complete a handover, a wireless terminal may need to measure neighboring cells to determine the new cell that will serve the wireless terminal after the handover. In addition, the wireless terminal must retune to match the transmission settings of the new cell. Moreover, in the prior art the wireless terminal typically must complete all of the necessary handover tasks before the base station serving the new cell transmits the next transmission burst. If the wireless terminal cannot expeditiously complete the tasks, the wireless terminal may miss the next transmission burst, causing a degradation of service.
What is needed is a system and method for providing an interrupt-free information and data flow to a wireless terminal receiving data and information from multiple wireless base stations.

Advanced handover in phased-shifted and time-sliced networks


A multistage read can dynamically change wordline capacitance as a function of threshold voltage of a memory cell being read. The multistage read can reduce current spikes and reduce the heating up of a memory cell during a read. A memory device includes a global wordline driver to connect a wordline of a selected memory cell to the sensing circuit, and a local wordline driver local to the memory cell. After the wordline is charged to a read voltage, control logic can selectively enable and disable a portion or all of the global wordline driver and the local wordline driver in conjunction with applying different discrete voltage levels to the bitline to perform a multistage read.

Computing devices rely on storage devices to store code and data used in the computing devices. Certain memory devices are byte addressable, with memory cells between wordlines and bitlines. With some memory cell technologies, reading the memory cell can cause unintentional changes to the contents of the memory device (referred to as cell disturb). More particularly, the current associated with reading a memory cell can cause a memory device to heat up and cause instability to stored data, as well as using more power. There is a certain amount of current that is necessary to be able to read the memory cell. It will be understood that even best known semiconductor processing techniques result in operations and performance variations both within a memory device as well as from device to device. The traditional approach to read voltage levels typically targets worst case current at the expense of lower sense margins. While current could be increased to improve the sense margins, increasing the current has the negative effects of increasing power consumption as well as causing increased cell disturb. Thus, the traditional approach tends to trade off between sense margin and cell disturb, which can negatively affect read performance.
Descriptions of certain details and implementations follow, including a description of the figures, which may depict some or all of the embodiments described below, as well as discussing other potential embodiments or implementations of the inventive concepts presented herein.