A status display system for storage device includes at least one logic device each having a plurality of physical device; and a plurality of device control means for controlling operations of the physical devices corresponding to a designated logic device in parallel in accordance with command from a host device. Preferably, the status display system is provided with status information generating means for collecting commands given to the device control means and responses to the commands given from the device control means, and generating a status information for the logic device; and display means provided corresponding to the logic device for displaying the status information in accordance with the generated status information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a status display system for storage device, e.g., at least one disk array device, which operates a plurality of physical devices in parallel as at least one logic device and is adapted to display a status of the logic device.
There is recently a tendency to demand, in a computer system, a transfer of large amounts of data at high speed, and therefore, auxiliary storage devices are also required to transfer large amounts of data at high speed to exchange data with a host device.
To meet this requirement, auxiliary storage device, e.g., magnetic disk array device, have been developed, which are mainly constituted from at least one logic device including a plurality of physical devices such as several units of disk drives and which enable plural bytes of data to be transferred in parallel between the host device and the logic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Here, the conventional magnetic disk array device, which is representative of storage device, will be explained more specifically.
In general, in a single unit of a magnetic disk drive, data transfer speed is limited by a rotation speed of a motor which rotates a magnetic disk as a recording medium. Accordingly, if it is intended to attain high speed operation by increasing a data transfer speed, it is necessary to perform read/write operations in parallel by driving a plurality of disk drives, called disk array drives, simultaneously. At this time, according to a command from a host device, the spindle motors of the magnetic disk drives such as a disk array device connected in parallel with the host device, are synchronously rotated, so that it becomes possible to perform a parallel transfer of data.
Further, in addition to the data transfer at high speed, fault tolerance of the whole system is also required for such disk array device so that sufficient reliability for the large amounts of data can be ensured without decreasing the data transfer speed.
To attain such a fault tolerant system, even though a failure, such as the inability to read data from one disk drive of a plurality of disk drives, has occurred, it is necessary for the disk array device to be constructed so that the data of the failed disk drive can be reconstructed immediately without stopping operation of the whole system of disk array device.
Some kinds of disk array device in practical use, in which the above-mentioned data transfer at high speed and the fault tolerance can be satisfied simultaneously, have begun to be announced by various computer manufacturers as the products of disk array device called RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) 1 to RAID5.
Among these RAIDs1-5, RAID3, is especially adequate for the case where large amounts of data have to be processed continuously at high speed, e.g., scientific calculations, will be described in more detail.
In the RAID3, the disk array device typically includes a plurality of disk drives for data transfer (for example, eight (8) disk drives) and a disk drive for parity checking, all these disk drives operating in parallel simultaneously. In this case, some given parity data corresponding to the parallel data of the respective disk drives for data transfer are previously stored in the disk drive for parity checking (parity disk drive). In such a construction, even though one disk drive of a plurality of disk drives fails so that the data cannot be read out, the data can be reconstructed by reading the parity data from the parity disk drive.
Further, in the RAID3, a spare storage disk drive is also provided. All the data in the failed disk drive is automatically reconstructed and transferred into the spare storage disk drive. If the reconstruction process is completed, the spare storage device can be utilized as a normal disk drive, in cooperation with the other disk drives for data transfer.
In this manner, the disk array device as represented by the RAID3, which enables large amounts of data to be transferred at relatively high speed (for example, 36 MBytes/sec) and has substantially fault tolerant characteristics, can be prepared. Hereafter, the whole construction of such disk array device will be described with reference to FIG. 1, so that the disk array device can be understood more clearly.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic construction of a plurality of conventional disk array devices which are representative of storage device. In FIG. 1, the disk array devices are provided with logic devices 10-1 to 10-n, such as n groups of disk array devices and a disk controller 20 for controlling these logic devices 10-1, to 10-n in accordance with an instruction from a host device, e.g., a host computer.
Each of the aforementioned logic devices 10-1 to 10-n includes physical devices 11-0 to 11-8, such as nine units of disk drives, corresponding to respective bytes of eight bytes (8 bytes) of data and a parity byte, and a spare physical device 11-9, such as one spare storage disk drive.
The disk controller 20 of the disk array drives is further provided with ten device controllers 21-0 to 21-9 corresponding to the respective physical devices constituting the logic devices 10-1-10-n. The physical devices included in the respective logic devices 10-1 to 10-n are connected to the corresponding device controllers 21-0 to 21-9 through multiple lines.
Each of the device controllers 21-0 to 21-9 is constructed so as to select any one of the physical devices 11 connected thereto in accordance with a designated address, and to perform data transfer operation with the selected physical device.
The disk controller 20 is constructed so as to designate addresses to these device controllers 21-0 to 21-9 in accordance with an instruction from the host computer, and to instruct read/write operations to the physical devices. At this time, the disk controller 20 divides data transferred through a channel from the host computer and transfers the divided data to the respective device controllers 21-0 to 21-9. Further, the disk controller 20 combines data transferred from the respective physical devices 11 through the device controllers 21-0 to 21-9 into 8 bytes of parallel data and transfers the combined data to the channel in accordance with the aforementioned instruction.
Accordingly, when at least one disk array device as shown in FIG. 1 is utilized, it becomes possible for eight bytes of data to be transferred during the time it takes to transfer one byte of data utilizing only a single disk drive. Therefore, the time that is required to input or output data can be remarkably shortened.
However, as described above, the individual device controllers 21-0 to 21-9 select the physical devices 11 connected thereto in accordance with the designated addresses and control the selected devices 11 in the disk array devices. Accordingly, the status of the logic devices as a whole designated by the addresses cannot be obtained until status information from the respective physical devices is combined together through the ten device controllers 21-0 to 21-9. In such a construction, the disk controller 20 including the device controllers 21-0 to 21-9 administers all the status information of the respective logic devices 10-1-10-n, and whether or not the individual physical devices 11 are in a ready condition is displayed by turning on light emitting diodes (LED) or the like provided on housings in the logic devices 10.
Practically, the aforementioned display by means of the light emitting diodes or the like is an extremely simple one, merely indicating whether or not the respective disks are rotating after an electric power is supplied to the respective physical devices.
Therefore, there are some cases where the individual physical devices are in the ready condition, but each of the logic devices constituted thereby is not in an operable condition as an overall logic device, such as the case where start-up processing of the disk array devices has not been normally completed or the case where an initial micro program loading (IMPL) is being executed for the logical devices. However, in regard to the display by means of the light emitting diodes, the ready condition is indicated even in these cases. Accordingly, a problem occurs in that an operator (user) is likely to misunderstand that each logic device is in an operable condition, and is likely not to notice that the logic device is not in an operable condition until receiving error information notifying that the display is erroneous, which is issued in response to a write command or a read command from the host computer.
On the other hand, the contents of a status information table provided in the disk controller 20 are used for a control processing executed in the disk controller 20. Thus, the contents of the status information table cannot be referred to, unless a specialized command for executing a diagnostic program is input from the host computer. Moreover, since the diagnostic program is usually complicated, it takes much time to start up the diagnostic program. Consequently, another problem occurs in that the status information effective for a logic device cannot be offered to the operator accurately and rapidly.

Status display system for storage device


A dental implant is provided for supporting a dental prosthesis. The implant can include a body having an outer surface, an apical end, and a coronal portion. The dental implant can include at least one thread located on at least a portion of the outer surface of the body. The dental implant can include a collar having a top surface that defines two peaks and two valleys, where the one valley is more coronal than the second valley.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to dental restorations, and more specifically, to dental implants.
2. Description of the Related Art
Implant dentistry involves the restoration of one or more teeth in a patient's mouth using artificial components. Such artificial components typically include a dental implant and a prosthetic tooth and/or an abutment that is secured to the dental implant. Generally, the process for restoring a tooth is carried out in three stages.
The dental implant is typically fabricated from pure titanium or a titanium alloy. The dental implant typically includes a body portion and a collar. The body portion is configured to extend into and osseointegrate with the alveolar bone. The top surface of the collar typically lies flush with the crest of the jawbone bone. The abutment (e.g., a final abutment) typically lies on the top surface and extends through the soft tissue, which lies above the alveolar bone. Recently, some dental implants have collars that extend above the crest of the jawbone and through the soft tissue.
Implants of various tapers and with various thread profiles are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,527 describes a conical implant design that is placed into a cylindrical osteotomy site in order to induce bone compression at the coronal aspect of the implant, i.e. at its widest end. Other thread profiles and patterns are known in the art. The most common design involves a symmetrical, V-shaped appearance such as that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,319. A variable thread profile is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,723 and 5,527,183 which is mathematically optimized for stress transfer under occlusal loads. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,797,113 and 3,849,887 describe dental implants with external thread-like features having a flat shelf facing the coronal end of the implant.
While such prior art dental implants have been successful, there is a continuing desire to improve a dental implant's ability to osseointegrate with the alveolar bone and to improve the stability of the dental implant within the alveolar bone. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,167 discloses an implant with a scalloped bone apposition surface and/or a scalloped top surface. Such an implant is configured to better maintain hard and soft-tissue in the area where the implant exits from the bone-tissue and transverses the soft-tissue. More particularly, such implants are designed so that areas intended for hard- and soft-tissue apposition exhibit a scalloped appearance, including convex and/or concave patterns that approximate the naturally occurring bone morphology. While representing an improvement, there is a desire to improve upon the implants of the '167 patent. In particular, in certain clinical setting, it may be difficult to align the scalloped surfaces of the implant with the hard and soft tissue of the patient.


Platinum and palladium complexes are disclosed that can be useful as narrow band phosphorescent emitters. Also disclosed are methods for preparing and using the platinum and palladium complexes.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to platinum and palladium complexes that can be useful as narrow band phosphorescent emitters in, for example, full color displays.
2. Technical Background
Compounds capable of absorbing and/or emitting light are ideally suited for use in a wide variety of applications, including optical and electro-optical devices, photo-absorbing devices, and as markers for bio-applications. Much research has been devoted to the discovery and optimization of organic and organometallic materials for use in such applications. Generally, research in this area aims to accomplish a number of goals, including improvements in absorption and emission efficiency, as well as improvements in processing ability, among others.
Despite significant advances in research devoted to optical, electro-optical, and marker materials, existing materials have a number disadvantages, including poor processing ability, inefficient emission or absorption, and less than ideal stability, among others. Thus, a need exists for new materials which exhibit improved performance in optical emitting and absorbing applications. This need and other needs are satisfied by the present invention.

Synthesis of platinum and palladium complexes as narrow-band phosphorescent emitters for full color displays

ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS, ACTING FOR AND ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY


An apparatus for regaining control over the flow of oil and gas from "blow out" wells having a housing consisting of two portions which are adapted to be fastened around an insitu well casing. The housing has a top, a bottom, an exterior surface and a central passage. The housing is rotatably secured to the insitu well casing, such that the well casing extends through the central passage. Cutters are provided which communicate with the central passage of the housing. Upon rotation of the housing the cutters move systematically around the circumference of the insitu well casing until it is severed. Rams are positioned adjacent the top of the housing for closing the central passage upon the severing of the well casing.

In the oil and gas industry a "blow out" occurs when there is an uncontrolled flow of gas and oil from a well. A device used to prevent the uncontrolled release of gas or oil from a well while drilling is in progress is called a "blow out preventor" or "BOP". The BOP is attached by means of a flange to a casing bowl welded to the top of the well casing. If, for any reason, the BOP should fail to function an uncontrolled flow of oil and gas will occur. Often this uncontrolled flow of gas and oil is ignited by a spark and the ensuing fire reduces on surface equipment to twisted metal which hinders attempts to regain control of the flow. Personnel fighting the fire can readily extinguish the fire, however, there is an extreme danger of the oil and gas being reignited unless the flow is controlled. Before the flow can be controlled, the casing is cut off below the casing bowl to remove the faulty BOP and another and casing bowl is welded in place and a new BOP installed. With gas and oil flowing from the well this is a very difficult and dangerous procedure.

Apparatus for regaining control over oil and gas flowing from "blow out" wells


The present invention relates to a spanner having a toggle bar installed in at least a jaw and allowed to be rotated in one direction for tightening or releasing a bolt (or nut) continually by continuous operation of rotating the spanner's lever in one and other converse directions repeatedly in a state of gripping the bolt, which is also easily operative for tightening or releasing a bolt (or nut), especially when placed in a narrow gap. The spanner is constructed to comprise a lever; a jaw and a second jaw respectively extending from both sides of the lead end of the lever and forming a gripping space therebetween for gripping a bolt; a toggle bar installed on the lead end of the second jaw to be allowed to be rotated only to the outward of the gripping space; and a tension adjustment bolt installed in the long hole formed on the bottom of the second jaw and having a lead end connected to the inner side of the toggle bar so as to elastically support the toggle bar to the inward of the gripping space.

Spanners are the most representative fastening tools for tightening or releasing a bolt or nut etc. operated by a leverage of the gripping lever in a shape of a stick. Generally, a spanner is constructed to have a gripping lever in a shape of a stick, and two jaws extending respectively from the lead end of the lever. When a bolt (or nut) is inserted in a gripping space formed between the two jaws, the bolt is tightened or released by rotating the lever while applying force to the lead end of the lever using the leverage exerted in proportion to the length of the lever.
At present, there are different kinds of spanners, such as a typical type of spanner having a fixed distal end between two jaws to be applicable to a bolt (or nut) of only one specification, a monkey spanner having a movable distal end between two jaws by relatively moving a jaw toward the other jaw to be applicable to a bolt of all specifications, and a ratchet spanner having a ratchet mechanism constructed to apply force only in one direction so as to be capable of tightening or releasing a bolt rapidly by the continuous operation of rotating the lever in one and other converse directions repeatedly in a state of gripping the bolt. Users selectively use the proper type of spanner depending on working conditions, but the ratchet spanner is most widely used for its convenience among these spanners.
However, if only a narrow gap is allowed for the operation of tightening a bolt where the ratchet spanner is not applicable due to the heavy thickness of its socket in spite of its convenience, then a user has to use a flat spanner. But, in a flat spanner, the user has to endure the inconvenience of repeatedly inserting the bolt in the jaws of the spanner after rotating the spanner a certain number of degrees, which has the problem of greatly decreasing efficiency.
To solve this problem, there has been suggested a spanner with a ratchet mechanism having a thin thickness and that can be operated without a socket, as disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 10-2000-0000449, 10-1999-0028347, and Korean Utility Model Registration Nos. 20-0243241 and 20-0261440.
However, these conventional spanners have a common problem in that their manufacturing is difficult due to the complex construction and structure of the ratchet mechanism installed for rotating in one direction. Moreover, the jaws for gripping the bolt have an overly large volume, therefore the spanner with a ratchet mechanism can't be used if only a narrow gap is allowed for the operation of tightening a bolt.
Considering these problems of conventional spanners with ratchet mechanisms, the applicant of the subject invention has also developed a spanner having a thin thickness as well as a simple construction and structure known as "an automatic spanner", as disclosed in Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0309103.
This automatic spanner solves the above problem partly, but it has a problem in that the toggle bar extrudes beyond the outside surface of the jaw so that the width (the distance between the outside surfaces of the two jaws) becomes too large, therefore the automatic spanner can't be used when a narrow gap in width is allowed for the operation of tightening the bolt. Moreover, it is difficult to adjust the tension of the torsion spring supporting the toggle bar, so that the friction force of the toggle bar against the bolt can't be adjusted appropriately to working conditions, which frequently decreases working efficiency. Also, the automatic spanner has another problem in that the rear end of the toggle bar extrudes to the exterior so that it is easily broken by external impact, and the torsion spring supporting the toggle bar is exposed to the exterior, so that the tension spring may easily rust or break from external impact, thus shortening the durability of the spanner.


A wireless communication apparatus of the present invention has an interference signal cutoff circuit (10) for cutting off electric waves having interference frequencies of Δf=|frx±ftx| interposed between a receiving antenna (1) and a receiver (5). A transmitter (6) is connected to a transmitting antenna (11).

A conventional wireless communication apparatus such as a cellular phone, automobile phone and the like, for use in a wireless communication system includes a receiving antenna 1 connected to a receiver 5 and a transmitting antenna 11 connected to a transmitter 6, as shown in FIG. 25.
In the thus configured wireless communication apparatus, the reception signal is received via antenna 1 and input to receiver 5 while a transmission signal is output from transmitter 6 and radiated externally from antenna 11.
Generally, in most cases, the receiving antenna and transmitting antenna are integrated into one structure (designated at 1 in FIG. 26) and the signal transmission path is branched by a duplexer (DUP) 4 into two paths toward receiver 5 and toward a transmitter 6, as shown in FIG. 26. As another typical configuration, an active antenna changer switch 3 may be used to perform switching between an external antenna terminal 7 and antenna 1, as shown in FIG. 27.
In a conventional wireless communication apparatus having the configuration as shown in FIG. 25, when an interference signal corresponding to Δf=|frx±ftx| is input to antenna 1 where the reception frequency is represented as frx and transmission frequency is represented as ftx, jamming waves having a frequency equal to the reception frequency frx are generated by modulation between transmission frequency ftx and interference frequency Δf, in the active elements included in receiver 5 or transmitter 6. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus has suffered the problem of its reception characteristics being deteriorated by the jamming waves.
In a conventional wireless communication apparatus having a configuration shown in FIG. 26, the level of the signal of transmission frequency ftx entering from transmitter 6 to receiver 5 is markedly high, so that the level of interference frequency Δf becomes further increased. As a result, the wireless communication apparatus has suffered the problem of its reception characteristics being further degraded.
When an external antenna is used, an antenna changer switch is used as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Hei 6 No. 37668. In the conventional wireless communication apparatus employing an active antenna changer switch 3 as the antenna changer switch as shown in FIG. 27, modulation between transmission frequency ftx and interference frequency Δf produces jamming waves having a frequency equal to the reception frequency frx. Accordingly, the wireless communication apparatus has suffered the problem of its reception characteristics being deteriorated by the jamming waves.
The present invention has been proposed in view of the above problems, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a wireless communication apparatus which performs communication using the reception and transmission frequencies, simultaneously, wherein degradation of its reception characteristics due to interference signals is prevented.

Abstract: In this way, provision of the interference signal cutoff circuit (10) makes it possible to prevent degradation of reception characteristics, the degradation being caused such that the transmission wave radiated from the transmitter (6) and input to the receiver (5), mainly via the receiving antenna 1 is modulated with interference waves by active elements provided in the receiver (5) to generate interference waves having the same frequency as the reception frequency frx.


The present invention pertains to an apparatus for partitioning seats in a vehicle. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a first partition for separating the back row of seats from the front row of seat in a vehicle; and at least one mounting member for securing the partition to the front row seat. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for partitioning a seat from an adjoining seat, and further includes a second partition, attached to the first partition, and at least one mounting member attaching the second partition to the backseat. The present invention also includes methods for separating or partitioning pets, children, groceries, etc. from adjoining seats of a vehicle by using the apparatus described herein. Also embodied are systems, vehicles and kits that include the apparatus.

Pets or children moving around freely in cars are a safety hazard to themselves and the passengers. If the driver slams on the brakes, the pet or child could launch into the front seat and cause injury to the pet. A pet or child that moves around a vehicle can distract the driver, and/or get pet hair on the front seats.
A need exists to design a barrier to prevent pets or children from moving back and forth between the back seat and front seat. A further need exists to design a barrier that also separates the pet or child from passengers that are sitting in an adjoining seat.

Seat partitions for a vehicle and methods of use thereof


A measuring arrangement for determining the concentration of gases dissolved in a liquid is proposed, which has a simple design and makes possible the use of known gas-measuring apparatus based on color reaction tubes or color reaction capillaries. A preferably flexible tube-like body is provided which is formed of a material that is permeable to the gases to be measured but is impermeable to the liquid. A carrier gas flows on the inside of this body and the body is connected to the gas-measuring apparatus upstream in the direction of the gas flow. The semipermeable material is preferably microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

Such measurements, e.g., the "Drager DLE Method," are currently carried out by allowing a carrier gas, e.g., air, to flow through a sample of the liquid containing the gas to be measured in a wash bottle, so that the carrier gas takes up the gaseous substance to be measured, especially a volatile harmful substance. The carrier gas may be passed first through a prefilter, especially an activated carbon tube, for precleaning, and it is then pumped by means of a pump to the gas-measuring apparatus, and the wash bottle with the liquid sample, through which the pure carrier flows, is arranged between the prefilter and the gas-measuring apparatus. The immersion tube of the wash bottle is provided with a frit in order to achieve a fine distribution of the gas in the liquid and consequently the highest possible degree of saturation of the carrier gas. The saturation of the carrier gas with the gas to be determined depends on various parameters, especially the size of the gas bubbles, the temperature, and the residence time in the liquid. Special devices, individual calibration, and correction at the time of the evaluation of the measurement results are necessary as a result. A more detailed description of this can be found in the Drager inhouse publication Analytik von Schadstoffen in flussigen Proben Analysis of Harmful Substances in Liquid Samples!. The determination of the gas concentration proper is carried out in a gas-measuring apparatus, especially one comprising a visually or optoelectronically scanned test tube with a color reaction zone providing a substance-specific and concentration-dependent display, wherein the length of the change in color indicated is usually an indicator of the concentration of the gas to be detected.

Measuring arrangement for determining the concentration of gases from liquid media


An electrical connector including an insulative housing and a number of terminals. The insulative housing includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate. The upper substrate defines an array of upper holes and the lower substrate defines an array of lower holes corresponding to the upper holes. The terminals are received in the upper and lower holes and each comprises an upper contact, a lower contact electrically connecting with the upper contact and a spring located between the upper contact and the lower contact. The upper contact protrudes a restricting portion for restricting the spring. A diameter of the lower hole is less than that of the upper hole and a distance of the restricting portion. So a top surface of the lower substrate supports the restricting portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector for electrically connecting an electronic package with a circuit substrate, and more particularly to an electrical connector having passageways with hard stops preventing over-compression during downward operation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional electrical connector for electrically connecting an electronic package with a circuit substrate disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,602 issued to Hwang on Apr. 11, 2006 includes an insulative housing and a number of terminals received in the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate assembled with each other. The upper substrate defines an array of upper holes and the lower substrate defines an array of lower holes corresponding to the upper holes. The lower holes and the upper holes have same diameters. The terminals are received in the upper and lower holes and each includes an upper contact, a lower contact electrically connecting to the upper contact and a spring located between the upper contact and the lower contact. The upper contact and the lower contact move toward each other and then compress the spring when pressed by the electronic package toward the circuit substrate. If the external force is larger than the maximum elastic force of the spring, the spring deforms permanently.
In view of the above, an improved electrical connector that overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages is desired.

Electrical connector having passageway with hard stop preventing over-compression during downward operation


A method of managing resource allocations in a storage system provisioning system, including monitoring write applications that result in new storage block allocations during a current time slice, calculating a time remaining to exceed actual capacity of allocated storage blocks, if the calculated remaining time does exceed length of next time slice immediately transmitting an alert when an estimated number of future write requests exceeds a predetermined threshold, and if the calculated remaining time does exceed length of next time slice immediately transmitting an alert when an estimated number of future write requests exceeds a predetermined threshold, wherein a duration of a time slice is set by a storage system administrator based upon a current storage library setup and a time required to arrange a new storage device when a thin provisioning device is going out of disk space.

Data storage systems are used to store large amounts of information received from one or more sources. A data storage system often comprises a storage controller in communication with one or more clients, often referred to as "hosts," and also in communication with a plurality of data storage devices. A host computing device may send a storage controller a write command to write certain information to a data storage medium, and/or a read command to read information from a data storage medium, and/or a copy command to copy information from one data storage medium to another data storage medium. Host computers may also provide commands to a storage controller to establish or revise physical and/or logical configurations. In certain embodiments, a read command, or a write command, or a copy command, or a configuration command comprises a plurality of objects packaged in one command
Many storage systems include a number of different storage devices, each arranged in a number of tiers. The storage devices and associated tiers are arranged to provide different performance characteristics. For example, a high performance tier of a particular storage system may include a number of solid state disks (SSDs) that provide short seek times. Because SSDs can be relatively expensive, the storage system may also include a lower performance tier made up of a number of slower devices, such as Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) drives. Although the SATA drives provide higher seek times, they can be a more inexpensive way to store data than additional SSD drives.
In some implementations, the physical storage resources available to a particular storage system can be distributed as part of an environment in which client devices are allocated a certain number of virtual resources. Those virtual resources are then mapped to a physical resource. Virtualization technology provides the appearance of more physical resources (e.g., storage devices) than are actually available to the client.

Apparatus and method for resource alerts

International Business Machines Corporation


While one node (such as a wireless mobile node) facilitates a point-to-multipoint communication via a communications network (10), communication requests from other nodes in the multipoint audience are queued in a node queue (17). At some point (in a preferred approach, at the conclusion of the transmission by the one node), and typically for a predetermined amount of time, communication requests are further noted. These more recent indicia of a desire to communicate are then utilized to modify the node queue. Subsequent communications are then arranged, at least in part, based upon the modified node queue.

Two-way verbal communications are well known in the art. In a full-duplex two-way communication (as with standard landline or cellular telephone technology), both parties to a conversation are technically able to transmit their own verbalizations and to receive the other party's statements simultaneously if they so wish. Such capability usually permits each party to well accommodate the ordinary dynamics of human verbal interchange.
There are some applications, however, when the enabling technology is less accommodating to the shifting dynamics of verbal exchanges. For example, some wireless and wireline systems will facilitate a group communication amongst a plurality of nodes (such as wireless mobile nodes) by permitting only a single node to source audio content which audio content is then provided to the remaining plurality of listening nodes. When the sourcing node concludes its transmission the system will then typically permit another of the nodes to initiate a new transmission for reception, again, by the other nodes. Often, however, contention occurs for this reply capability; that is, more than one of the available nodes will then attempt to communicate and/or otherwise indicate a desire to communicate to the group of nodes. Since multiple nodes cannot simultaneously verbally communicate in such a system, such contention must be resolved or chaos may ensue.
One simple approach has been to provide a queue. Communication requests are queued as received with a next communication opportunity being extended to a most highly queued node. Such an approach has the benefit of relative simplicity, and may provide satisfactory performance in some restricted settings. In general, however, such an approach does not well reflect and accommodate the ordinary dynamics of verbal communication, particularly in a group setting. For example, a first party listening to a verbal presentation may initially wish to ask a question regarding a particular point made by the speaker. This first party may then express their desire to speak (in order to pose their question) and, when they are the first listener to express this desire, they will be placed relatively high in the queue. Upon continuing to listen to the speaker, however, the first party may discover that their point of interest is later covered in sufficient detail such that they no longer wish to express their question. When such an event occurs, however, this party will continue to retain their relatively highly queued position. This, in turn, can lead to delay, confusion, and/or a misallocation of resources within the communication system.
This and numerous other examples make clear that previously known contention-resolving queues will not typically accommodate, track, reflect, or abet the ordinary and expected dynamics of group verbal discourse.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are typically not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

Method and apparatus for using a modified queue to facilitate group communications


The present invention relates to the field of cell immunotherapy and more particularly to a new generation of chimeric antigen receptors (CAR), allowing the control of immune cells endowed with such CARs through the interaction with small molecules. More particularly, the present invention relates to chimeric antigen receptor which comprise in at least one ectodomain a molecular switch turning the antigen binding function of the receptor from an off to on state, and vice versa. The present invention thus provides more controlled and potentially safer engineered CAR endowed immune cells, such as T-lymphocytes.

Adoptive immunotherapy, which involves the transfer of autologous antigen-specific T cells generated ex vivo, is a promising strategy to treat viral infections and cancer. The T cells used for adoptive immunotherapy can be generated either by expansion of antigen-specific T cells or redirection of T cells through genetic engineering (Park, Rosenberg et al. 2011). Transfer of viral antigen specific T cells is a well-established procedure used for the treatment of transplant associated viral infections and rare viral-related malignancies. Similarly, isolation and transfer of tumor specific T cells has been shown to be successful in treating melanoma.
Novel specificities in T cells have been successfully generated through the genetic transfer of transgenic T cell receptors or chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) (Jena, Dotti et al. 2010). CARs are synthetic receptors consisting of a targeting moiety that is associated with one or more signaling domains in a single fusion molecule. In general, the binding moiety of a CAR consists of an antigen-binding domain of a single-chain antibody (scFv), comprising the light and heavy variable fragments of a monoclonal antibody joined by a flexible linker. Binding moieties based on receptor or ligand domains have also been used successfully. The signaling domains for first generation CARs are derived from the cytoplasmic region of the CD3zeta or the Fc receptor gamma chains. First generation CARs have been shown to successfully redirect T cell cytotoxicity, however, they failed to provide prolonged expansion and anti-tumor activity in vivo. Signaling domains from co-stimulatory molecules including CD28, OX-40 (CD134), ICOS and 4-1BB (CD137) have been added alone (second generation) or in combination (third generation) to enhance survival and increase proliferation of CAR modified T cells. CARs have successfully allowed T cells to be redirected against antigens expressed at the surface of tumor cells from various malignancies including lymphomas and solid tumors (Jena, Dotti et al. 2010).
However, although numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the potential of adoptive transfer of CAR T cells for cancer therapy, they have also raised the risks associated with the cytokine-release syndrome (CRS) and the "on-target off-tumor" effect. To date, few strategies have been developed to pharmacologically control CAR engineered T-cells and mainly rely on suicide mechanisms. Such suicide strategies leading to a complete eradication of the engineered T-cells will result in the premature end of the treatment.
Consequently, there is a great need of implementing non-lethal control of engineered CAR T-cells to improve the CAR T-cell technology and its safety.

Chimeric antigen receptors with integrated controllable functions


A manufacturing method for a buried insulating layer-type semiconductor silicon carbide substrate comprises the step of placing an SOI substrate 100, which has a surface silicon layer 130 of a predetermined thickness and a buried insulator 120, in a heating furnace 200 and of increasing the temperature of the atmosphere within heating furnace 200 while supplying a mixed gas (G1+G2) of a hydrogen gas G1 and of a hydrocarbon gas G2 into heating furnace 200, thereby, of metamorphosing surface silicon layer 130 of SOI substrate 100 into a single crystal silicon carbide thin film 140.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a buried insulating layer-type semiconductor silicon carbide substrate and to a manufacturing apparatus thereof.
2. Prior Art
Single crystal silicon carbide (SiC) has been focused on as a material for semiconductor devices of the next generation because of its characteristics wherein single crystal silicon carbide is excellent in thermal and chemical stability, has a high mechanical strength and is stable when exposed to radiation. In addition, an SOI substrate having a buried insulating layer is excellent in achieving an increase in the speed of a circuit and a reduction in power consumption and, therefore, is expected to be used as an LSI substrate of the next generation. Accordingly, a buried insulating layer-type semiconductor silicon carbide substrate having these two characteristics is, therefore, expected to be used as a material for semiconductor devices.
At present, however, a manufacturing method for a buried insulating layer-type semiconductor silicon carbide substrate having the characteristics of single crystal silicon carbide and an SOI substrate has not yet been established.
As for a method for forming a single crystal silicon carbide thin film on a silicon substrate, a plasma-type vapor phase reaction, or the like, for example, maybe carried out on a silicon substrate and it is possible to apply such a technique to an SOI substrate so that a single crystal silicon carbide thin film is formed on the SOI substrate. In addition, at present, the film thickness of the surface silicon layer in an SOI substrate exceeds 50 nm.
There is a problem with a semiconductor substrate that has been manufactured according to a method for forming a single crystal silicon carbide thin film on an SOI substrate wherein a silicon layer is intervened between the single crystal silicon carbide thin film and the buried insulator. A problem arises wherein such a silicon layer intervened between a single crystal silicon carbide thin film and a buried insulator diffuses into the single crystal silicon carbide thin film on the surface of the substrate during a heat treatment in a later process leading to the deterioration of the physical characteristics thereof. In addition, the desired structure wherein silicon carbide is formed on the buried insulator is not gained.
In addition, a film formation process must be carried out in a high vacuum according to a method for forming a single crystal silicon carbide thin film on an SOI substrate by means of a plasma-type vapor phase reaction, or the like, and, therefore, a manufacturing apparatus having a complex structure is required. A problem wherein the cost for the formation of a single crystal silicon carbide thin film is increased is of course involved with such a manufacturing apparatus due to its complex structure.
In addition, in the case of an SOI substrate having a surface silicon layer of which the film thickness exceeds 10 nm, the metamorphoseed single crystal silicon carbide thin film locally causes nucleus growth leading to the formation of grains and, thereby, the surface of the substrate becomes coarse, bringing about an unfavorable condition.

Manufacturing apparatus for buried insulating layer-type semiconductor silicon carbide substrate


A method and system are provided for improving inlining using stack trace cache-based dynamic profiling. In one embodiment, a relationship map is provided to map a key representing a caller-callee relationship with a corresponding value indicating a frequency of call site executions. Whether a last stack frame of a stack frame trace is cached is determined. A caller-callee relationship is recorded if the last stack frame is not cached, wherein the caller-callee relationship is recorded in the relationship map, and the relationship map is updated with the recorded caller-callee relationship and then monitored via a recompilation scheduler, the monitoring to determine when a compilation or recompilation of callers and callees is to be performed. A turning on or turning off of dynamic profiling is conducted to perform partial unwinding of the frames in the stack trace.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to software applications and in particular, to improving inlining using stack trace cache-based dynamic profiling.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many modern software languages, such as Java, C#, and C++ use procedures and functions, also called methods, to act as a semantic abstraction boundary, so that the programs may be divided into different units for easier maintenance and development. Object Oriented languages, such as Java, C#, and C++, provide a programming way in which procedure calls are frequent and procedure sizes are small. The method might be the encapsulation of one functionality, and it can be overridden with a new implementation, resulting in the explosion of call sites and leads to performance penalties. Stated differently, writing modular programs causes penalties, and one way to reduce such penalties is by procedure integration, also called inlining. Inlining is a well-known compile-time optimization technique to improve the execution performance of programs by replacing or duplicating a procedure call with the body of the called procedure.
Many attempts have been made to improve inlining, particularly with regard to Just-In-Time (JIT) compilers in order to get more run time benefits. For example, inlining plays an important factor in JIT complied (JITted) code performance, which is widespread with regard to overall performance of desktop and server/enterprise workloads. JITted code refers to the code generated on the fly by a JIT compiler. Although inlining is a well known technique to improve the execution performance of statically compiled software applications, the methods and systems available today do not efficiently reduce runtime overhead, or minimize unwinding overhead by using stack trace cache, or improve processor performance, particularly with regard to JITted code.
One of the methods available today is instrument profiling, i.e., to add instrumentation code, such as some profiling code, at the entry of methods to collect call site information, such as counter, and caller-callee relationship. However, with instrument profiling, the original code is polluted and performance is degraded, because of the extra/foreign code being added to the original code. Furthermore, instrument profiling is often used only with base line compilers.
Another method for improving inlining available today is sample profiling. Typically, sample profiling uses some kind for a meter or other hardware-assisted monitoring methods to sample instruction pointers and insert the instruction pointers into a database to find which instruction pointer belongs to which corresponding method to determine which method is hot. Whether a method is hot may depend on the frequency of a caller invoking its callee, and a large enough frequency may classify the method as hot. However, sample profiling is limited only to determining hot methods, but cannot find the specific caller-callee pair that is hot as there may be many callers calling the hot method.
Methods, systems, and techniques available today are obtrusive and/or do not provide accurate and efficient inlining as they fail to determine hot caller-callee relationships. Furthermore, the methods, systems, and techniques available today do not efficiently reduce runtime overhead, minimize unwinding overhead, or improve processor performance.

Inlining with stack trace cache-based dynamic profiling


A precision device which can precisely actuate three degrees of freedom of an optic mount, commonly referred to as tip, tilt, and piston. The device consists of three identical flexure mechanisms, an optic mount to be supported and positioned, a structure that supports the flexure mechanisms, and three commercially available linear actuators. The advantages of the precision device is in the arrangement of the constraints offered by the flexure mechanism and not in the particular design of the flexure mechanisms, as other types of mechanisms could be substituted. Each flexure mechanism constrains two degrees of freedom in the plane of the mechanisms and one direction is actuated. All other degrees of freedom are free to move within the range of flexure mechanisms. Typically, three flexure mechanisms are equally spaced in angle about to optic mount and arranged so that each actuated degree of freedom is perpendicular to the plane formed by the optic mount. This arrangement exactly constrains the optic mount and allows arbitrary actuated movement of the plane within the range of the flexure mechanisms. Each flexure mechanism provides a mechanical advantage, typically on the order of 5:1, between the commercially available actuator and the functional point on the optic mount. This improves resolution by the same ratio and stiffness by the square of the ratio.

The present invention relates to optic mounts, particularly to optical mounts having means for adjustment about X, Y and Z axes, and more particularly to an actuator that can precisely actuate three degrees of freedom of a suspended component, such as an optic mount, commonly referred to as tip, tilt, and piston, while also providing exact constraint.
Optics for use in imaging system, such as extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), require reflective optics that are precisely figured to the Angstrom level. This requirement is expanding the state of the art in optics manufacturing and in opto-mechanical system design. There is a need in the art to position precisely and remotely the optical surface in three degrees of freedom, commonly referred to as tip, tilt, and piston. Quite often these degrees of freedom are provided serially as two independent rotations about X and Y axes and an independent translation along the Z axis, which is perpendicular to the optical surface. However, for the precision required by imaging systems, such as EUVL, it is difficult or perhaps impossible to obtain sufficient rigidity and dimensional stability in a serial mechanism.
The present invention addresses the particular challenge to position precisely and remotely the optical surface in tip, tilt and piston (three degrees of freedom). The invention belongs to the class of parallel-link mechanisms, which offer significant advantages at the complication of coordinated axis moves, which is not at all significant for tip, tilt and piston. Besides being stiffer, parallel-link mechanisms provide exact constraint for the suspended element (optical surface). This is important for an optic mount since over-constraint can negatively influence the figure of the optic.
The precise motions and long term dimensional stability required for EUVL naturally favor the use of blade flexures, rather than ball joints and hinges, which function as simple hinge joints but without friction and backlash. Frequently, flexure mechanisms are designed to provide mechanical advantage for more precise actuation. This invention incorporates mechanical advantage into each flexure mechanism with one extra hinge axis. Basically, the precision tip-tilt-piston actuator of this invention consists of three flexure mechanisms, an optic mount to be supported and positioned, a structure that supports the flexure mechanisms, and three commercially available linear actuators. Blade flexures are used as simple hinge joints in the flexure mechanisms because they operate without friction and backlash.

Precision tip-tilt-piston actuator that provides exact constraint

The Regents of the University of California


A method for mounting a semiconductor chip on a circuit board comprises the steps of pre-baking the circuit board to remove nonvolatile ingredients of epoxy resin, such as cyclohexane, in the circuit board at temperature above 170.degree. C. for above 10 minutes, and thermosetting the epoxy resin by applying a thrust force for thrusting the semiconductor chip against the circuit board at a maximum thrust force of 30 gf/bump.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for mounting a semiconductor chip on a circuit board and, more particularly, to a method for mounting a semiconductor chip by using a flip-chip bonding technique.
Description of the Related Art
Flip-chip bonding technique is generally used for mounting a semiconductor chip on a circuit board. Patent Publication JP-A-2(1990)-285650 describes a flip-chip bonding technique, wherein retaining force by a thermosetting insulative resin is used for electrical and mechanical connection between a semiconductor chip and a circuit board. FIG. 1 is a flowchart for the flip-chip bonding process described in the publication, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor chip and a circuit board after the flip-chip bonding process of FIG. 1.
In step S301, an insulating resin is supplied onto a circuit board 11 after positioning electrodes 15 of the circuit board 11 to a specified location. In step S303, a semiconductor chip 13 having electrodes or bumps 14 thereon, which are formed beforehand in step S302, is positioned with respect to the circuit board 11, and then pressed against the circuit board 11 to contact the bumps 14 of the semiconductor chip 13 with the electrodes 15 of the circuit board 11, which are subjected to deformation by the pressing. After heating the insulating resin while pressing the semiconductor chip 13, the insulating resin 12 is cured to hold the semiconductor chip 13 and the circuit board 11 in a unitary body, thereby connecting the bumps 14 of the semiconductor chip 13 to the distorted electrodes 15 of the circuit board 11. In step S104, after-curing of the insulating resin 12 completes the mounting process for mounting the semiconductor chip 13 onto the circuit board 11.
In the flip-chip bonding process as described above, since the circuit board 11 is heated in the mounting step S303 up to about 200.degree. C. for curing the thermosetting insulative resin 12, volatile ingredients volatilizes from the surface of the circuit board 11 to generate voids 16 within the thermosetting insulative resin 12.
Especially in the case of a built-up circuit board generally used for a high density mounting, the built-up circuit board comprises a photo-sensitizing epoxy resin in the insulating layers thereof and, among others, cyclohexanone volatilizes from the epoxy resin to generate the voids 16.
Moreover, since the semiconductor chip is first pressed against the circuit board in step S303 without heating the insulator resin, the insulating resin 12 having a high viscosity tends to receive therein air from outside. After heating the insulating resin 12, in step S303, the received air expands to form large voids 16.
Those voids 16 cause to degrade the reliability of electrical and mechanical connection between the semiconductor chip 13 and the circuit board 11 irrespective of the materials of the ingredients of the voids 16.
Patent Publication JP-A-59(1984)-114891 proposes to solve the problem voids due to generation of gases from the circuit board in a soldering technique. In this publication, the circuit board is heated for a short time in a saturated steam of a liquid having a boiling point above the boiling point of the solder, to remove the volatile ingredients from the circuit board before the soldering and thereby avoid generation of blow holes in a through-hole during the soldering step. The blow holes are generally formed by the gases contained in the organic materials in the circuit board 11 and expanding due to the heat during the soldering to remain in the solder.
However, this process is only applied to a soldering process for 60 seconds at a temperature of 215.degree. C. and thus insufficient, even if applied to mounting a semiconductor chip on a circuit board, for removing the volatile ingredients from the circuit board.
Patent Publication JP-A-2(1990)-137393 proposes pre-bake of a circuit board in a vacuum ambient at a temperature between 50.degree. C. and 150.degree. C. However, this process is only effective to water content or moisture in the circuit board and not effective to the volatile ingredients.

Method for mounting a semiconductor chip


A carrier for a wrist instrument when it is removed from the wrist band comprises a case made in two pieces of identical construction which slide together and house the wrist instrument and its attachments. The two carrier sections each have a tongue extending across a parting line which is received in a mating channel on the other carrier section. Additional guide pins and recesses hold the assembly in alignment. A holster for the assembled carrier sections cradles the assembly securely and includes a belt clip for attaching the holster to a belt.

There are many types of wrist instruments known in the art which usually have a display or dial in the center of the case with side attachments to be connected to a wrist band or strap encircling the wrist. Wrist instruments are usually timepieces, but may also include rather large electronic multi-function devices such as personal digital assistants or pagers. While they are designed to be worn on the wrist, there are times when it would be desirable to have an alternate means to transport the wrist instrument in a separate bag or purse or attach to a belt or other article of clothing.
Belt attached carrying cases are known in the art for carrying pocket watches in a leather holster with the display exposed for viewing, the holster being attached to a loop designed to be attached to a waistband or belt.
Exemplary of patents disclosing devices to mount an ordinary wristwatch on a belt are U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,280 issued Apr. 20, 1982 to Perry, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,004 issued Apr. 21, 1992 to Nguyen.
The lugs or attachments on a wristwatch which connect to the watch strap using springbars or other means of connection are particularly designed for this purpose. If the watch strap is removed and the wrist instrument is carried separately in a pocket or purse, the attachments are apt to catch on loose threads or fabric and cause damage. It would be desirable to have a carrying case for the wrist instrument allowing it to be easily handled when the strap is not attached, and to protect against injury or damage caused by the attachments. It would also be desirable to include a holster for the carrying case enabling the wrist instrument to be removed and observed and then returned to a secure carrying position.
One object of the invention is to provide a carrying case for a wrist instrument to be used when the wrist band has been removed.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved carrier and belt holder for a wrist instrument.

Alternate carrier for a wrist instrument


Hybrid welding methods include directing a laser beam from a laser onto a first component that is vertically offset from a second component, and, directing a weld arc from an arc welder onto a weld joint between the first component and the second component to weld the first and second components together.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to welding and, more specifically, to hybrid welding for spatially offset components.
Welding can be utilized for a variety of manufacturing or repair processes in multiple different industrial settings. For example, welding can be utilized to join multiple components, repair cracks, gaps or defects in used components, build up material in used or new components, or otherwise weld or join one or more components as needed for a particular application. However, the ability or speed that welding can occur can be limited by a number of factors including the thickness and alignment of the components being welded and the power of the welding apparatus.
Hybrid welding can combine the utilization of both laser welding and arc welding to potentially weld at a faster rate while still achieving full penetration. However, as components become thicker, an increase in laser power may still be required for full penetration. The configuration of the laser welder and the arc welder may thereby be adjusted to influence the weld result. For example, hybrid welding can include using a leading laser welder followed by a forehand arc welder to provide relatively smooth welds. However, such configurations may also be limited in the relative orientation of the substrate component(s). For example, components that are vertically offset by more than about 0.04 inches may require additional accommodations to ensure full penetration welds for both components. However, these additional accommodations may also depend on adaptive weld controls that vary weld parameters during operation to provide consistent results.
Accordingly, alternative hybrid welding apparatuses, systems and methods would be welcome in the art.

Hybrid welding apparatuses, systems and methods for spatially offset components


Aspects of the invention provide a self-biasing differential amplifier. The self-biasing differential amplifier may include a first input stage and a biasing transistor pair coupled to the first input stage. A second input stage may be coupled to the first input stage and the biasing transistor pair. The first input stage of the self-biasing differential amplifier may include a first PMOS transistor coupled to a first NMOS transistor in an inverter arrangement. The second input stage may include a second PMOS transistor coupled to a second NMOS transistor. The biasing transistor pair may include a third PMOS transistor coupled to a third NMOS transistor.

A transistor is an electronic device that permits current flow in electronic circuits. In this regard, the transistor permits the current to flow in a controlled manner whenever an electronic circuit attempts to push current through the transistor. In this manner, the transistor generically operates as a regulator or valve, which regulates the flow of current.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary conventional complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistor arrangement. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional CMOS transistor arrangement 24 includes an n-channel MOS (NMOS) transistor 18 and a p-channel MOS (PMOS) transistor 20. The conventional CMOS arrangement 24 also includes a p-substrate 14, for example a p−-substrate. The NMOS transistor 18 is disposed within the p-substrate 14. The NMOS transistor 18 includes a p+-body contact (B), an n+-source (S) and an n+-drain (D) disposed in the p-substrate 14. A voltage source VSS 6 having a ground is coupled to the p+-body contact (B) and the voltage source VSS 4 is coupled to the n+-source (S) of NMOS transistor 18. An input line 2 is coupled to a gate (G) of the NMOS transistor 18. An output line 10 is coupled to the n+-drain (D) of the NMOS transistor 18. The PMOS transistor 20 includes an n-well 22 that is disposed in the p-substrate 14. The PMOS transistor 20 also includes an n+-body contact (B), a p+-source (S) and a p+-drain (D) disposed in the n-well 22. A voltage source VDD 8 is coupled to the p+-source (S) and the n+-body contact (B) of PMOS transistor 22. The input line 2 is also coupled to a gate of the PMOS transistor 20. The output line 10 is also coupled to the p+-drain (D) of the PMOS transistor 20.
During normal operation of the conventional CMOS transistor arrangement 24, the voltage sources VSS 4, VDD 8 may be noisy. For example, the noise may be caused by other circuitry found on or coupled to the chip that may directly or indirectly affect the voltage sources VSS 4, VDD 8. High swing or high power devices such as, data drivers in a wire line communication system or transmitters in wireless communications systems, may be sources of noise. The noise may also be caused, for example, by the driving of active circuits. In one example, the voltage sources may be coupled to active circuitry such as active portions of an inverter circuit, which may cause transient currents to flow during signal transitions from a high level to a low level or from a low level to a high level. In another example, noise may be caused by transitions in a signal propagated or generated by the chip.
In the NMOS transistor 18, if the voltage source VSS 4, VSS 6 is noisy, then the noise may propagate to the p-substrate 14 via, for example, at least through the resistive coupling 9 between the p+-body contact (B) and the p-substrate 14. In the PMOS transistor 20, if the voltage source VDD 8 is noisy, then the noise may propagate to the n-well 22 via the n+-body contact (B) of the PMOS transistor 20 via a resistive coupling 12. The noise in the n-well 22 may propagate to the p-substrate 14 via, for example, at least the capacitive coupling 16 between the n-well 22 and the p-substrate 14. If the noise is able to propagate to the p-substrate 14, then noise may propagate to or otherwise affect other circuits on or off the chip that may be coupled to the p-substrate 14.
In order to mitigate the effects of impairments such as noise, transistors may be arranged so that they form a differential amplifier. Differential amplifiers form the basis of operational amplifiers, the latter of which are generally referred to as op amps. Differential amplifiers are electronic circuits, which are designed with an internal symmetry that is configured to cancel errors which are shared by both sides of the differential amplifier. These errors may include internal or external errors. Internal errors may include temperature changes, which in certain instances, may affect both sides of the operational amplifier to approximately the same degree. Transistor mismatch is another example of an internal error. Whenever both sides are affected to approximately the same degree, a nulling or canceling effect occurs. External errors may include noise picked up by inputs of the differential amplifier. In this regard, the differential amplifier may be adapted to eliminate common mode noise. Furthermore, the differential amplifier may require that the signal appear as a difference between waveforms occurring on either side of the differential amplifier. Accordingly, the differential amplifier may be configured to reject certain signal components such as noise and amplify desired signal components.
Some conventional differential amplifiers require a reference voltage or reference current in order for the differential amplifier to operate properly. Additionally, some differential amplifier designs utilize large numbers of transistors. In general, the greater the number of transistor devices, the greater the number of operating variables that will vary with respect to each of the sides of a differential amplifier. Consequently, differential amplifiers that utilize a large number of transistors may be more difficult to control and tune, and may also be less predictable with respect to process or operating variations. Furthermore, most conventional analog differential amplifiers are generally adapted to take a relatively small differential input voltage and produce as an output a voltage having a larger magnitude. These conventional analog differential amplifiers are usually optimized to operate in a specified voltage range and may not function at all if operated outside that range.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Apparatus for a differential self-biasing CMOS amplifier


A system and method tier tracking competitive driving on a driving circuit provides a unique driving experience for multiple drivers that allows a driving circuit, drivers and their vehicles, and driver statistics to be tracked, recorded, and displayed on a shared network. In some embodiments, the system and method provide a software application that enables multiple drivers to simultaneously drive on the same driving circuit, and on the same network. The driving circuit is a real public roadway that is digitally displayed, along with the position of each driver. The driving circuit is defined by a starting point and an ending point, and the position of the drivers is also visible on the driving circuit. Further, multiple driver statistics are recorded and displayed on the network for all to see.

The technology of tracking vehicle driving and driving circuits thereof has been developing since a long time ago. A bunch of applications installed or directed to mobile devices can perform the navigation or tracking for the majority of normal vehicle driving. Over these years, auto racing or competitive driving has emerged into a popular sport industry in several different forms, which has brought about the related technology for competitive driving including tracking and recording technology. The existing arts has included some research on the tracking competitive driving and the circuits.
The best-known use of vehicle tracking system or method generally integrates a GPS (Global Position System) navigation system with specific hardware and software. For example, a user installs a mobile unit on his race vehicle which features software allowing a processor connected to the electronics of the user's vehicle to communicate with an inertial navigation system which collects racing information, with a remote database which features software for various interactive real-time or virtual GPS racing system and processing the driving information of all users, and with a GPS in real time. The mobile unit collects, processes, saves, and transmits user-specific racing information continuously throughout the game. Some advanced systems contain more sophisticated features, where some database processes and evaluates the received. driving information, offsets this information with the users' basic input data, and compares the information of all users.
A general GPS only enables users to track their own circuits when they are involving in a single driving event. In a real auto racing or competitive driving game, it is difficult for a system for users or viewers to identify the vehicles, determine how many circuits a particular vehicle can choose, the identification information of the cars and drivers, and the instantaneous velocity/location/direction of a car. Additionally, because the driving is high speedy and competitive, the track system needs to identify whether every driving is a delay or on time, how other competitors drive in real time, and the information of other competitors. Thus, current racing events and competitive driving events have presented some challenges in developing an all-round, intelligent, and instant-feedback system or method to navigate the vehicle.
Thus, there is a need for enhancing the system or method for tracking competitive driving on a circuit.

System and method for tracking competitive driving on a circuit


Motor vehicle gearbox, comprising an input shaft (2) and two countershafts (3, 4) having six pairs of interengaging gears (7-11, 15, 16, 17-20) for first to sixth gear. The disengageable gear (17) for the first gear speed engages a disengageable gear (23) on the fourth shaft (5) for reverse.

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle gearbox comprising a housing with an input shaft and two countershafts lying in a plane offset from the input shaft and having gears in engagement with gears on the input shaft, at least one gear of each pair of mutually engaging gears on said shafts being disengageable from its shaft, one of said disengageable gears being mounted on one countershaft and being disposed to transmit torque in the first gear speed to a final drive unit.


A junction adapter, having face seal fluid fittings and being for use in a conventional plural line clamping system, has axial extension portions which extend from a central support portion, in a manner which permits face seal fluid connectors to be easily accessed by a wrench or like tool. Two embodiments of this new kind of junction adapter are described. The first embodiment features a junction adapter having axial extension portions which extend symmetrically outwardly from a central support portion substantially beyond the axial extension portions of conventional face seal junction adapters. This first embodiment can be installed in a plural line clamping system in an alternating manner with conventional face seal junction adapters. This enables those in the art to obtain the benefits of the present invention without obsoleting existing face seal junction adapters for plural line clamping systems The second embodiment is an asymmetrical junction adapter having axial extension portions extending for substantially different lengths from the central support portion. This embodiment can be installed in new plural line clamping system in an alternating manner so the fluid connector portions of each are staggered, that is extend a different length at each position in the clamping system.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to junction adapters for use in a conventional plural line clamping system and, more particularly, to junction adapters which have axial extension portions which project axially outwardly from a central support portion so that the locking nuts for the fluid connections to the junction adapters, especially those having face seal connections, are made more easily accessible by a standard wrench or like tool.
2. Discussion
Plural line clamping systems are widely used in hydraulics applications whenever it is necessary to connect a plurality of fluid lines to a machine. The plural line clamping system is a mounting device for holding the connectors that connect the fluid lines from the machine to the fluid lines heading to the source of fluid power. These connectors are commonly known as junction adapters. The plural line clamping system provides a secure mount for the junction adapters so that they will not shake loose or rattle. Plural line clamping systems and a variety of junction adapters used with them are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,397,431, 3,414,220 and 4,878,696, as well as in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/733,344, all in the name of William Ray Walker, an inventor of the present invention, and assigned to Hydro-Craft, Inc., of Rochester Hills, Mich., the assignee of present invention. These patents and application are hereby incorporated by reference.
Since their introduction, plural line clamping systems such as those available from Hydro-Craft, Inc. and sold under the trademark MULTI-CLAMP.RTM., have become quite popular and are widely used in the machine tool industry to route and secure hydraulic and pneumatic piping, tubing and other lines in an orderly, neat and efficient manner. The MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. system is widely used in nearly every hydraulics application to secure a plurality of fluid lines. There are currently several tens of thousands of MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems in use in the United States and other countries, and MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems in several standard sizes have been marketed for years by the assignee of the present invention.
In general, each of these plural line clamping systems includes two U-shaped, stamped metal channels which oppose one another. The channels are formed with semi-cylindrical collars that support the junction adapters at cylindrical collar support portions formed on the junction adapter. As can be seen from the prior patents, the plural line clamping system can typically have four to ten or more opposing pairs of semi-cylindrical collars, each pair capable of supporting a junction adapter.
The most commonly used MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems are labeled with the HC-10, HC-16 and HC-32 Series designations, which support junction adapters for fluid lines on 1.5 inch, 2.0 inch and 3.0 inch centers, respectively. In addition, there are larger MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. series including the HC-46, HC-72 and HC-96 Series designations, which have progressively greater distances between the centers of the fluid lines.
The junction adapters used in conjunction with the MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems have undergone great development and improvement in design and manufacturability over the years. For example, early on junction adapters were designed having a multi-piece construction. The junction adapters were formed having a rectangular central support portion, or body, and a separate cylindrical portion.
These rectangular junction adapters were somewhat difficult to manufacture. Several different methods were employed over the years to make them. In the original process, the first step in the manufacturing process was to machine a rectangular block of steel into the height, width and thickness required for the central support portion so that it would be received within the channels of a plural line clamping system. The next step was to drill a hole through the rectangular portion to accommodate the cylindrical portion. Cylindrical bar stock was then machined to form the cylindrical portion. Finally, the cylindrical portion was placed or pressed in the hole in the rectangular portion and brazed to hold it in place.
A second process employed to manufacture the rectangular junction adapter involved using a powdered metal casting for the rectangular portion. Such a casting was formed to the appropriate dimensions with the center hole being pre-formed as part of the casting process. This technique eliminated the need for machining the rectangular portion. However, because the powdered metal did not braze well, a conventional epoxy capable of withstanding temperatures in excess of 200.degree. F. was applied to the joint to secure the machined cylindrical portion to the rectangular portion.
A third process for making the rectangular junction adapters involved using a roll pin, in place of the brazing operation or the epoxy glue operation, to lock the cylindrical portion in place with respect to the rectangular portion. The roll pin was yet another technique for positively securing the cylindrical portion in place with respect to the rectangular portion. However, the production costs associated with the use of a roll pin were quite high due to the extra machining and assembly steps required.
A fourth process for making the rectangular junction adapters utilized a one-piece construction technique which eliminated the effort of assembling the rectangular portion and the cylindrical portion from separate pieces. In this fourth process, a cold forged blank was made in the general configuration of, but which had overall dimensions slightly larger than, the desired finished adapter. The rectangular portion of the blank was then machined to size, and thereafter the cylindrical portion was machined. But, they could not be readily machined on the most economical type of machinery, namely, automatic screw machines. Also, it was considerably more difficult and expensive to machine a forged part than to machine a non-forged part made of mild steel or powdered metal, which increased manufacturing costs.
The next generation junction adapter evolved into a one-piece unit having a hexagonal central support portion that eliminated many of the manufacturing problems and expense associated with the earlier rectangular junction adapters. In this newer configuration, the junction adapter was formed from a single piece of hexagonal bar stock. A significant advantage of this hexagonal junction adapter was that standard sizes of hexagonal bar stock of mild 1008 or 1010 steel already met the necessary dimensions for the central support portion of a junction adapter to fit into a MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. system, thus much of the machining required with the rectangular design was eliminated. Also, the hexagonal bar stock could be easily machined to final configuration by automatic screw machines. Further, because the hexagonal junction adapter was designed to be one-piece, all of the problems of the rectangular junction adapters related to the complex manufacture and assembly of two pieces to form a junction adapter were eliminated.
In recent years, the design of the junction adapter has evolved even further. In particular, the use of junction adapters having face seal fluid connectors, in lieu of the common flare fluid connectors, have become increasingly popular. The face seal fluid connector has become desirable because it exhibits several advantages over the flared fluid connector. For example, face seal fluid connectors can connect to fluid lines operating under as much as 6,000 psi without leaking. Also, these connectors can be repeatedly connected and disconnected to the fluid line without causing any significant detriment to the connector's seal. Further, face seal fluid connectors, unlike some flared fluid connectors, have standard internal diameters that match the fluid lines to which they connect, thereby eliminating any adverse effects on the fluid flow through the junction adapter.
However, junction adapters with face seal fluid connectors used in the MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems have presented a new problem. When the junction adapters are located in adjacent positions of the clamping system, the clearance between the adjacent locking nuts that secure the fluid lines to the junction adapters does not permit a wrench or other tool to easily access the flats of the locking nut. This condition is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings. As shown in positions A and B of FIGS. 1 and 3, the locking nuts 36 of conventional face seal junction adapters 30 cannot be accessed by a wrench 55 or other tool when they are positioned in adjacent locations A, B in the plural line clamping system 40. As illustrated, clearance X between each junction adapter 30 is extremely small such that wrench 55 is unable to access and torque the locking nut 36. It is important to remember that the face seal fluid connectors on the junction adapters 30 are compression-type connectors that require a substantial amount of torque to be adequately secured. Therefore, anything that inhibits the ability to torque the locking nut 36 and secure the fluid line is extremely undesirable.
The problem as just described has been already experienced with face seal junction adapters in a few of the Series of MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems described above, even when the adjacent junction adapters connect different sized fluid lines. For example, in the HC-10 series MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. system where junction adapters connect fluid fittings ranging from 3/8" to 5/8", inadequate clearance conditions can exist between the adjacent junction adapters of 1/2" and 5/8" fluid lines. Similar conditions are also found with certain sizes of junction adapters in the HC-16 and HC-32 series MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems.
An important and necessary feature for any new plural line clamping system junction adapter is that it must be capable of being retrofit into the existing plural line clamping systems. As mentioned above, there are currently several tens of thousands of MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems in service in the United States and other countries, and each includes several junction adapters. Also, the manufacturer of MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems, its distributors and a number of their larger customers each maintain a substantial inventory of MULTI-CLAMP.RTM. systems and components. In addition, conventional plural line clamping assemblies come in several different standard sizes of channels, with each different size channel requiring a different size central support portion. To change the dimensions of the conventional plural line clamping systems would require tooling changes for each such size channel amounting to several millions of dollars for each different size. Thus, any new junction adapter must fit into the existing plural line clamping assemblies or it will not be successful in the marketplace, because it is not realistic to expect the industry to replace completed design or existing plural line clamping systems merely to accommodate a new and superior junction adapter.
In light of the foregoing discussion, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a high quality junction adapter for use within a conventional plural line clamping system of the type including face seal fluid connectors that will provide adequate clearance for a wrench or other tool to easily access the locking nuts of the fluid fittings of junction adapters positioned in adjacent locations in the plural line clamping system.

Junction adapter with axial extension portions


Disclosed are techniques to improve power consumption of portable audio devices through the use of a plurality of adapters. Each of the plurality of adapters can be used to modify and/or enhance the functionality of the portable audio device. The portable audio device can include respective circuitry that is activated in response to detecting that a specific one of the plurality of adapters is coupled to the portable audio device.

Portable audio devices, such as headphones and earbuds, are becoming increasingly common. Many such devices are wireless and can be battery operated. True wireless earbuds, for example, may be used in conjunction with a corresponding case with an integrated battery for charging the earbuds. As these devices become increasingly popular, there is a desire to increase their functionality by enabling them to interface with various types of audio sources. However, this functionality must be balanced by impacts to the battery life required to power these devices.

Portable audio device case with power-saving features


A method for manufacturing food container includes the following steps: the husks of rice, oat, corn, soya bean, wheat or the mixture thereof are used as raw material to make food containers; an eatable adhesive is added in order to bind the husks; the bound husks is rolled into a sheet; after sterilizing the sheet with UV light; the sheet is shaped into a container of a desired shape, such as a bowl or a tray; a water-resistant is coated on the surface of the container.

Recently, disposable food containers are widely used in daily life and they are discarded after use. Some of the disposable containers used as bowls or cups are usually made of plastic material, such as expandable polystyrene, polypropylene or polyester foam. However, the disposable containers made of plastic material have a multitude of disadvantages. A major drawback of the disposable containers made of the plastic material is that it is not biodegradable and will exist for hundreds of years. Further, the disposable containers made of plastic material produce toxic gas when heated or burned, which causes air-pollution.
As a result, efforts have been made to develop biodegradable containers. Some prior art suggests using paper or starch to manufacture food containers. The use of paper as the raw material for food container is not a good choice, for paper is generally made from wood, pulp and woods are decreasing dramatically recently. Starch extracted form rice, wheat, potatoes or corns is a suitable material for the manufacturing of food containers. However, starch may serve as food for human being and other animals and is expensive. The manufacturing cost for the starch container is high and therefore cannot be widely used.
For solving the above problems, a method for manufacturing food containers is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-259384. The method of Japanese Patent Application No. 6-259384 comprises the steps of (1) the husks are ground into powder or granular shape; (2) the husks are mixed with a cashew paint; (3) the mixture of the husks and the cashew paint is put. on a mold and then molded by means of adding on pressure through high temperature; and (4) a water-resistant paint is coated on the surface of the modeled container. However, the ratio of the husks and the cashew paint in the method of Japanese Patent No. 8-91340 is not defined clearly so that variations in the content of the husks and cashew paint may cause a variation of the quality of containers and the rate of degraded product may be increased which leads to an increase of the manufacturing cost
Further, a method for making disposable bowls and trays is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,089. The method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,089 comprises a multitude of steps and two of the steps are that the dried fiber sections are added to a container of starch paste containing water and then the dried fiber sections and starch paste are mixed to form mixed fiber and starch. However, the ratio of the dried fiber sections, starch paste and water is also not defined clearly in the two steps so that variations in the content of dried fiber sections, starch paste and water may also cause a variation of the quality of containers and the rate of degraded product may be increased which leads to an increase of the manufacturing cost.
Thus, it is desirable to have a method for manufacturing food containers to overcome above problems.

Method for manufacturing food containers

No. 394, Chung Cheng Road, San Wan Village, San Wan Hsiang


The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing cathode active material for a lithium secondary battery. The manufacturing method according to the present invention is characterized by including: (1) an intermediate generation process, wherein an intermediate which is powder or a shaped object containing the first material compound which is a compound of the transition metal other than lithium, which constitutes said lithium composite oxide, is generated, (2) a lithium source compound addition process, wherein the second material compound which is a lithium compound is added so that the second material compound in the shape of film may adhere to the surface of said intermediate, and (3) a sintering process, wherein lithium composite oxide is generated by sintering said intermediate in the state where said second material compound has adhered to its surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the method for manufacturing the cathode active material of a lithium secondary battery.
2. Description of Related Art
A lithium secondary battery using lithium composite oxide (lithium transition metal oxide) as an cathode active material is known widely (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H05-226004 etc.).

Method for manufacturing cathode active material for lithium secondary battery