A current data capture system has a set of configuration parameters operative for enabling the current data capture system to capture transaction data. A configuration host is operative for pulling the set of configuration parameters from the current data capture system, and for pushing a pulled set of configuration parameters to at least one additional data capture system to enable the at least one additional data capture system to capture the transaction data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to in-field remote management of data capture systems, such as electro-optical readers, preferably laser scanners for reading indicia, such as bar code symbols, as well as imagers for capturing an image of such indicia or other targets, as well as radio frequency identification (RFID) devices for identifying targets and, more particularly, to an arrangement for, and a method of, migrating a configuration of one data capture system to one or more additional data capture systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various electro-optical readers or data capture systems have been developed for reading indicia such as bar code symbols appearing on a label or on a surface of an article. The bar code symbol itself is a coded pattern of graphic indicia comprised of a series of bars of various widths spaced apart from one another to bound spaces of various widths, the bars and spaces having different light reflecting characteristics. The readers function by electro-optically transforming the pattern of the graphic indicia into a time-varying electrical signal, which is digitized and decoded into data relating to the symbol being read.
Typically, a laser beam from a laser is directed along a light path toward a target that includes the bar code symbol on a target surface. A moving-beam reader operates by repetitively sweeping the laser beam in a scan line or a series of scan lines across the symbol by means of motion of a scanning component, such as the laser itself or a scan mirror disposed in the path of the laser beam. Optics focus the laser beam into a beam spot on the target surface, and the motion of the scanning component sweeps the beam spot across the symbol to trace a scan line across the symbol. Motion of the scanning component is typically effected by an electrical drive motor.
The readers also include a sensor or photodetector that detects light along the scan line that is reflected or scattered from the symbol. The photodetector or sensor is positioned such that it has a field of view that ensures the capture of the reflected or scattered light, and converts the latter into an electrical analog signal.
In retroreflective light collection, a single optical component, e.g., a reciprocally oscillatory mirror, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,816,661 or 4,409,470, both herein incorporated by reference, sweeps the beam across the target surface and directs the collected light to the sensor. In non-retroreflective light collection, the reflected laser light is not collected by the same optical component used for scanning. Instead, the sensor is independent of the scanning beam, and has a large field of view so that the reflected laser light traces across the sensor.
Electronic control circuitry and software decode the electrical analog signal from the sensor into a digital representation of the data represented by the symbol that has been scanned. For example, the analog electrical signal generated by the photodetector may be converted by a digitizer into a pulse width modulated digitized signal, with the widths corresponding to the physical widths of the bars and spaces. Alternatively, the analog electrical signal may be processed directly by a software decoder. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,318.
The decoding process usually works by applying the digitized signal to a microprocessor running a software algorithm, which attempts to decode the signal. If a symbol is decoded successfully and completely, the decoding terminates, and an indicator of a successful read (such as a green light and/or audible beep) is provided to a user. Otherwise, the microprocessor receives the next scan, and performs another decoding into a binary representation of the data encoded in the symbol, and to the alphanumeric characters so represented. Once a successful read is obtained, the binary data is communicated to a host computer for further processing, for example, information retrieval from a look-up table.
Both one- and two-dimensional symbols can be read by employing moving-beam readers, as well as imaging readers. For example, a solid-state imager may be employed which has a one- or two-dimensional array of cells or photosensors that correspond to image elements or pixels in a field of view of the imager. Such an imager may include a one- or two-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and associated circuits for producing electronic signals corresponding to a one- or two-dimensional array of pixel information over the field of view.
It is therefore known to use a solid-state imager for capturing a monochrome image of a symbol as, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,349. It is also known to use a solid-state imager with multiple buried channels for capturing a full color image of a target as, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,895. It is common to provide a two-dimensional CCD with a 640×480 resolution commonly found in VGA monitors, although other resolution sizes are possible.
It is also known to use radio waves to automatically identify objects, people, or like targets. A radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag or transponder identifies a target. An RFID reader interrogates the tag and converts radio waves reflected back from the tag into digital data.
As satisfactory as such moving-beam readers, imaging readers and RFID readers are in capturing data, such data capture systems are not easily updated in the field. Typically, a portable data capture system is connected, and movable relative, to a transaction terminal operative for processing transaction data captured by the system. It is up to a human user to disconnect the system and initiate the process of connecting the system to a dedicated configuration computer operative for upgrading the system by loading a set of updated configuration parameters. Alternatively, the user can upgrade each system by scanning parameter bar code symbols which self-configure each system. Such upgrading, however, can lead to costly disruptions due to the system being out of service. In some applications, there is a multitude of systems that are operatively connected to a single transaction terminal. Disconnecting and upgrading each system, in turn, is a laborious procedure. Frequently, many systems are simply not upgraded due to the great effort involved.
In addition, such data capture systems are not easily replaced in the field. When an old data capture system having a set of old configuration parameters needs to be replaced with one or more new data capture systems, it is often desired to migrate or transfer the old configuration parameters to the new data capture systems so that the new systems will work just like the old system. However, the set of old configuration parameters may be lost or misplaced. The set of old configuration parameters may not be the same for the new systems, especially if the family or type of new systems is different from that of the old system. Seamless or problem-free migration of configuration parameters between different families of systems is not now available, especially when the configuration parameters are not known.

Configuration migration for data capture systems


A method of making a semiconductor package includes bonding a carrier to a surface of the substrate, wherein the carrier is free of active devices, wherein the carrier includes a carrier bond pad on a surface of the carrier. The method further includes bonding a wafer bond pad of an active circuit wafer to the carrier bond pad, wherein the bonding of the wafer bond pad to the carrier bond pad comprises re-graining the wafer bond pad to form at least one grain boundary extending from the wafer bond pad to the carrier bond pad.

Micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors are used for various applications including gyroscopes, accelerometers or other sensing applications. A vacuum region is maintained around the MEMS sensor. Signals generated using the MEMS sensors are transmitted to a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) package through an interconnect structure.
The CMOS package is electrically connected to the MEMS sensors using a eutectic bond interface between a bond pad on the CMOS package and a bond pad on the MEMS sensor. The interconnect structure is in contact with the vacuum region around the MEMS sensors.

Method of forming semiconductor package and semiconductor package

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.


Systems and methods for controlling electro-migration, and reducing the deleterious effects thereof, are disclosed. Embodiments provide for reversal of an applied voltage to an integrated circuit when a measurement indicative of an extent of electro-migration indicates that a healing cycle of operation is warranted. During the healing cycle, circuits of the integrated circuit function normally, but electro-migration effects are reversed. In one embodiment, micro-electro-mechanical switches are provided at a lowest level of metallization to switch the direction of current through the levels of metallization of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, if the measurement indicative of the extent of electro-migration exceeds a reference level by a specifiable amount, then the voltage applied to the integrated circuit is reversed in polarity to cause current to switch directions to counter electro-migration. A plurality of switches are provided to switch current directions through a lowest level of metallization so that the circuits function normally even though the polarity of the applied voltage has been reversed.

Reliability of integrated circuits is a significant consideration both in terms of fabrication and subsequent use. Attempts are continually being made to ensure high reliability at all stages of the fabrication process. For example, where feasible, Electro-Migration (EM) test structures are incorporated on semiconductor wafers with the formation of integrated circuits therein. Each integrated circuit can then individually be electrically bonded to the test structures to determine whether electro-migration may cause failure of the integrated circuit.
Today's metallization practice is to layer aluminum (Al) interconnects with thin films of refractory materials, such as titanium or tungsten, so that if a void in the aluminum forms, electrical continuity through the interconnect is maintained, albeit at increased resistance. Unfortunately, the increased resistance is typically insufficient to identify the failed interconnect conductor. This is because the additional resistance due to the aluminum void is often insufficient to distinguish the interconnect line from a normal resistance sampling after accounting for measurement variations.
One area of traditional concern is the electro-migration (EM) characteristics of metal (e.g., aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper, copper alloys and/or refractory metal) conductors in the integrated circuit. Because of the very small line widths required for present-day IC's, the current density in these conductors, including runners and contacts, is very high, often exceeding 1×105 amps/cm2 in normal device operation. Therefore, if the metal is inadvertently thinner (or narrower) in some portions of the runner than in others, the current density will be even higher than the intended value at those locations. Since the failure rate due to EM problems increases rapidly as the current density increases, such unintended thinning of the runners may lead to unacceptable reliability of the IC. Still other factors may affect the EM characteristics, such as the presence of impurities or precipitates in the metal that forms the runners, the grain size of the metal, and various other geometry limiting effects.
Electro-migration has long been identified as the major metal failure mechanism. It is one of the worst reliability concerns for VLSI circuits and manufacturing. The problem not only needs to be overcome during process development period in order to qualify the process, but it also persists through the life time of the chip. Voids are created inside of the metal conductors due to metal ion movement caused by high density of current flow. In short, electro-migration failure is caused by a positive divergence of the ionic flux leading to an accumulation of vacancies, forming voids in the metal. It appears that ions are moved "downstream" by the force of "electron wind". Electro-migration and its related failures therefore can be categorized as a wear-out mechanism. In general the failure rate is proportional to current density and the surrounding temperature. EM problem becomes worse as the feature sizes both in width and thickness of metal wirings are further scaled. The current density for wires that lack sufficient cross-sectional area can easily exceed 1×105 amps/cm2. It has been observed that metal lines crossing over steep corners tend to be thinner than normal. These corner regions as well as via structures are the most common locations for EM to take place.
Methods to slow down the EM effect have been proposed, including: (1) adding copper (0.5-4%) into Al film, (2) adding Ti (0.1-0.5%) into the Al film, (3) using CVD tungsten metal studs (4) using diffusion barrier liners, etc. Acceleration EM tests carried out using high current, voltage and temperature stress can screen out defective chips in a relatively short period of time. Several methods have been proposed to teach how to conduct these EM tests. One method to measure EM effect is taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,361, entitled "Poly-silicon Electro-migration Sensor Which Can Detect and Monitor Electro-migration in Composite Metal Lines on Integrated Circuit Structures with Improved Sensitivity". The EM sensor described in this patent has a poly-silicon body, a monitored metal piece, and two electrodes. The electrodes are used to probe the connectivity of the EM sensor built by using an intrinsic poly-silicon element. A long metal that is placed on top of the sensor is stressed by a high voltage. When the EM mechanism occurs within the metal, the resulting local joule heating will cause the mobility of the senor to drastically increase. This is an indirect measurement of EM. It doesn't test metal with topology with corners and via contact regions.
A better way to test EM is to directly measure resistance of a test structure formed by metal wiring as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,377, entitled "Integrated Circuit Electro-migration Monitor". A test structure is designed to measure wire resistance in terms of voltage drop after a period of high-voltage and high-temperature stress. Again, this test structure can detect EM failure only on the emulated wires. That is, the wire, made of one metal level, exhibits only a small artificial topology, which is far from reality.
An improved test structure is proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,974, entitled "Test Device and Method for Signaling Metal Failure of Semiconductor Wafer". As described, the metal interconnects under test contain a plurality of metal segments connected together with vias. The structure is closer to real life interconnects. The resistance of the test structure is compared to a control structure which is less prone to failure. If the resistance deviation between test and control structures exceeds a certain level, the part fails the test and is then rejected. This is a more direct measurement of EM.
However, all the EM testing methods proposed so far can only be done at wafer level and during a specific test mode. These test sites are bulky and usually are built along the kerf area adjacent to a chip, or inside a specially designed test chip. These testing methods were focused on process qualification and/or screening out bad chips during burn-in tests. Once the chips are diced and packaged, the capability of EM monitoring through out its life time doesn't exist. EM degradation doesn't stop after the chip is installed in a system and shipped to customers. One may desire, therefore, an on-chip EM sensor that would continue to monitor the EM degradation when the chip is in service. Such a sensor would be extremely useful for an expensive, sophisticated system to predict a chip's life time. Moreover, one may desire a system that can perform a self-healing process to cure damage done by EM.

Systems and methods for controlling of electro-migration

International Business Machines Corporation


An organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of pixels configured to store a first data signal received through a corresponding data line during a scan period and to emit light according to a second data signal during a light emitting period of a frame, wherein the first data signal corresponds to the frame and the second data signal corresponds to a previous frame, and the scan period overlaps the light emitting period.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a technology associated with an organic light emitting diode display and a driving method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A display device is used as a display device of a personal computer, portable phone, or personal digital assistant (PDA) or a monitor of various information devices, and an LCD using a liquid crystal panel, an organic light emitting diode display using an organic light emitting diode, and a PDP using a plasma panel may be used as the display device. Among them, the organic light emitting diode display, which has an excellent emission efficiency, luminance, and viewing angle, and a fast response speed, has been spotlighted.
The organic light emitting diode display has a display area including a plurality of pixels on a substrate in a matrix form, and is configured to provide a display by connecting a scan line and a data line to each pixel and selectively applying a data signal to the pixel.
The organic light emitting diode displays may be divided into a passive matrix type and an active matrix type. The passive matrix type refers to a type driven by forming positive electrodes and negative electrodes which cross each other and supplying data to selected lines.
The active matrix type refers to a type which maintains a data signal switched by a switching transistor in a capacitor and which applies the data signal to a driving transistor so as to control a current flowing in an organic light emitting diode.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing a method of driving an organic light emitting diode display in a general active matrix type.
Referring to FIG. 1, one frame comprises sub-frames of a left-eye image section (or period) LI and a right-eye image section (or period) RI to display a stereoscopic image. The left-eye image section LI comprises a scan section (or period) LN1 for inputting (or writing) left-eye image data and a light emitting section (or period) LE1 in which light is emitted according to the input left-eye image data. Further, the right-eye image section RI also comprises a scan section (or period) RN1 for inputting (or writing) right-eye image data and a light emitting section (or period) RE1 which emits light in which light is emitted according to the input right-eye image data.
As described above, at least each scan period and each light emitting period are required to express the left-eye image and the right-eye image for one frame (60 Hz), so that each of the sections should be processed at a speed of ¼ frame (240 Hz).
Further, with respect to all of the pixels of the display panel, the scan period and the light emitting period are separated from each other. When an image is concurrently (e.g., simultaneously) displayed across all of the pixels during the light emitting period, it may be advantageous to improve a motion blur phenomenon or implement a stereoscopic image. However, it is difficult to express accurate luminance because the light emitting period is limited to a half frame or shorter.
Accordingly, even not in a case of the driving of the stereoscopic image, light emitting luminance should be maximally increased to secure average luminance, thereby increasing a power voltage and power consumption. Further, because a driving current is also increased when the light is emitted, non-uniformity in the luminance due to a voltage drop (IR drop) may also be relatively increased.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Organic light emitting diode display and driving method thereof


A transcoding system and method effectively synchronize segmentation metadata with A/V content when converting an MPEG stream to another format stream using a segment browser. The transcoding system includes a timing synchronizer, which adjusts the timing parameters so that the video data can be synchronized with segmentation metadata even after the transcoding process, a transcoding condition determiner, which determines transcoding conditions suitable for an end user environment, and an encoder, which compresses a video sequence reconstructed from the video data according to the transcoding conditions determined by the transcoding condition determiner and records a presentation time stamp, which is one of the adjusted timing parameters, in the compressed video sequence.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to video compression, and more particularly, to a transcoding system and method that can effectively synchronize segmentation metadata with AV contents when converting an MPEG stream from one bit rate to another, from one frame size to another, or from one compression format to another, storing or transmitting the converted stream, or reproducing the converted stream using a segment browser.
2. Description of the Related Art
A transcoding process is a process of converting a compressed video signal into another video signal having a different rate, a different video frame rate, a different video frame size, or a different compression type to the compressed video signal, and a transcoder is an apparatus that performs the transcoding process.
Due to the development of a variety of multimedia application programs and the improvement of communication environments, the demand for communications between different types of networks or protocols has been steadily growing. For example, in order to transmit a video stream between different types of networks, a special communication path should be set up between a video source and a user. In this case, a bandwidth for a compressed video stream is adjusted to be compatible with the severest (lowest) transmission rate provided in network connection when encoding source video.
The bandwidth of a real-time video stream is adjusted by changing the coding parameters of the source encoder. In this case, however, since the encoding bit rate should be lowered to be compatible with a link under the worst condition, poor picture quality may be resulted. In other words, even a system capable of processing higher quality images is likely to end up having low quality images. In current communication environments, in which a variety of user devices are used together, many problems may be caused due to the fact that transmission channels are likely to have different characteristics and different capabilities from one another.
Recently, an increasing number of users have had a preference for compact-sized portable devices, such as mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs), for the purpose of video communications or access to the Internet. Most portable devices, however, have limited computation and display capabilities. Therefore, they are not suitable for high-resolution video decoding or displaying processes. In order to display high-resolution video streams using such portable devices, the high-resolution video streams should be converted into lower-resolution ones.
As various video compression standards, such as H.261, H.263, H.264, MPEG1, MPEG2, and MPEG4, have been developed, the demand for convertibility of video streams of one video compression type into video streams of another video compression type has steadily grown. In the case of loading a video source in a video stream and transmitting the video stream via client channels of different capabilities, the video stream should be converted to have a bit rate appropriate for each of the client channels. In particular, this requirement becomes important when holding a multi-spot video conference, in which a plurality of video streams should be transmitted over a limited number of channels after appropriately converting their respective bit rates.
Video transcoding technology has been developed to solve the above problem. Such technology enables a compressed video stream to be transmitted between different types of networks or between different user devices by converting the compressed video stream from one format to another. A video transcoder, like a source encoder, can change image data by adjusting several parameters, such as picture quality, frame rate, and resolution.
After such a transcoding process, it is necessary to appropriately reset timing parameters. Hereinafter, various conventional techniques of appropriately adjusting timing parameters after a transcoding process will be described.
An MPEG decoder changes its local system time based on a time stamp indicating an encoder's local system time. Data is input from an original input source to the encoder at a predetermined bit rate. The encoder outputs data having a variable bit rate. The data output from the encoder is input to an encoder buffer. Finally, stream data having a constant bit rate is output from the encoder buffer. The stream data is input to a decoder buffer via a radio frequency (RF) transmission channel at a predetermined bit rate and then input to the MPEG decoder at a variable bit rate. Accordingly, data having a predetermined bit rate is output from the decoder buffer. A timing synchronization process is performed to process data converted from a variable bit rate to a fixed bit rate or vice versa.
A conventional transcoder operates with a predetermined delay on the assumption that there is zero delay among a decoder block, a transmission port, and an end of an encoder. A decoder operates in synchronization with a time stamp of an encoder in the following manner. The encoder includes a main oscillator, which serves as a system time clock (STC), and a counter. The STC belongs to a predetermined program and is a main clock of a program for video and audio encoders.
In some MPEG standards, a time stamp may not be used for time synchronization, in which case, synchronization of different components with one another may not be guaranteed. When a video frame or audio block is input to an encoder, the encoder samples an STC from the video frame or the audio block. A constant indicating a delay between the encoder and the decoder buffer is added to the sampled STC, thereby forming a presentation time stamp (PTS). The PTS is inserted in a header of the video frame or the audio block.
In the case of reordering video frames, decode time stamps (DTSs), which indicate when each of the video frames is to be decoded by the decoder, are respectively inserted into the video frames. DTSs, which are necessary for a frame reordering process, can be the same values as their respective PTSs , except for the case of reordering B pictures. Whenever DTSs are used, PTSs are used. A DTS and a PTS are inserted into a video frame so that they are located less than or equal to 700 msec apart from each other.
According to the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), a PTS and a DTS are inserted into a header of each picture. The encoder buffer outputs transport packets each having a time stamp called program clock reference (PCR) or packetized elementary streams (PES) each having a time stamp called a system clock reference (SCR). The PCR is generated at intervals of 100 msec, and the SCR is generated at intervals of up to 700 msec. The PCR or SCR is used to synchronize an STC of the decoder with an STC of the encoder.
A program stream (PS) has an SCR as its clock reference, and a transport stream (TS) has a PCR as its clock reference. Therefore, each type of video stream or audio stream has a time stamp corresponding to an STC so as to synchronize the STC of the decoder with the STC of the encoder.
A segment browser provides a function for non-linearly reproducing a broadcasting stream using segmentation metadata, as defined by the TV-Anytime Forum. The TV-Anytime Forum is an association of private standards organizations, which seeks to enable viewers to watch various types of broadcasting programs, including conventional types of broadcasting programs and on-line interactive broadcasting services, at any time using their own storage devices. More specifically, the TV-Anytime Forum aims to develop standards regarding a service environment, in which real-time broadcasting services and Internet services are integrated.
The segmentation metadata used in the segment browser provides additional content information, such as highlights, a table of contents, or bookmarks. For example, the segmentation metadata enables only highlights of a soccer game, such as goal-scoring scenes, or only newscasts regarding a user's specific preference field to be broadcasted to the user.
Broadcasting streams are provided by a content provider and broadcasted to the user via a broadcasting system, while segmentation metadata is provided by a metadata provider and broadcasted to the user via the Internet. In other words, since the broadcasting streams and the segmentation metadata are provided by different providers, it is necessary to synchronize the timing of supply of the broadcasting streams with the timing of supply of the segmentation metadata.
Due to changes in user environments, the demand for a variety of platforms is on the increase. Recently, a personal digital recorder (PDR), in which a broadcasting stream receiver is integrated with a digital storage medium, has been developed. The PDR requires one type of broadcasting stream to be converted into another type of broadcasting stream and to be temporarily stored. Therefore, service providers are increasingly expected to provide broadcasting content that can easily be converted from one format to another at any time. A transcoder performs a function for converting such broadcasting content from one format to another. More specifically, the transcoder decodes a broadcasting stream compressed in an MPEG format and compresses the decoded stream into another format.
An MPEG broadcasting stream is stored in a storage medium as a TS or PS. The MPEG broadcasting stream includes time information, such as a PCR or SCR, which is used for synchronizing an encoder with a decoder, an STC, and a PTS and a DTS, which are used for synchronizing audio content with video content. The MPEG broadcasting stream is reconstructed using the decoder, and the time information disappears after being used to synchronize the decoder with the encoder and to synchronize the audio content with the video content.
Each segment of segmentation metadata includes a PTS or DTS so that a video stream can be synchronized with an audio stream. Therefore, if any desired segment of the segmentation metadata is searched for and selected at an end decoder, corresponding metadata is output to a user, and video or audio data corresponding the selected segment is displayed.
As disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-230092, in the case of resetting a PTS (or DTS) of each stream through decoding and re-encoding processes or in the case of multiplexing a plurality of TSs into a single TS, the value of the PTS (or DTS) is increased by as much as a delay occurring in a transcoder, and then each stream is re-encoded, in order to synchronize video data with audio data. However, in the case of using metadata as well as A/V data, as described above, a PTS (or DTS) of the A/V data should not be arbitrarily reset; otherwise, an end user may not use the metadata properly.
Therefore, it is necessary to synchronize streams with each other without changing a PTS or DTS of each video frame or each audio block.

Transcoding system and method for maintaining timing parameters before and after performing transcoding process


An electrical cord locking connector joins electrical cords in series and presents a streamlined profile that minimizes interference in restricted spaces through which the cords must be fed to service a job site. The connector joins the ends of successive cords utilizing the outwardly projecting shoulder provided on the female socket of one cord in cooperation with a latch member on the male end of the connecting cord to lock the two cords together. A cord provided with a female end terminating in a replacement cord cap is provided with a socket presenting a generally circular face and an outwardly projecting shoulder at the face for engaging a releasable latch member of a mating plug, thereby preventing separation of the plug and socket under force until the latch member is disengaged.

In the construction of buildings and other structures a live electrical outlet is often remote from the area where workmen require electric power to operate power tools of various types. A typical example is a carpenter utilizing a power tool in a multi-floor structure or single floor areas having a long horizontal expanse. In these common construction environments electrical power tools are supplied with electricity using long extension cords connected in series, which may span long horizontal distances as well as vertically through several floors. When power cords separate under stress, time is lost and the broken connection may be difficult to locate and reestablish.
Also, in a construction environment, a series of extension cords are often threaded through openings, around corners and, under stress, separate at the weakest point which is usually where they are joined end to end. Separation at the union of two cords or at the power cord of a tool is not uncommon, thereby causing a complete shut down of electrically-powered equipment. Although locking devices have been proposed and used at the interconnection between two cords to assist in preventing separation, such devices may project radially and thus increase the transverse dimension of the cords at the connection, thereby presenting an obstacle to passing the connected cords through an opening or around a corner. When this occurs, the cords cannot be advanced until fed by hand through or around the turn or other obstacle, also resulting in lost time.
Furthermore, safety regulations in construction environments may require that a locking connector be used at the joinder of electrical cords in series in order to preclude separation under longitudinal stress and possible exposure of workers to electric shock. This could be caused, for example, by an uncoupled end of an extension cord being exposed to moisture at a construction site. This further evidences the need for an improved locking connector that provides a minimum of interference with handling and movement of serially connected electrical cords in a construction environment.


A sealing gland is provided for forming a seal between a plurality of elongate members and a surface having an aperture, or a pipe, through which the elongate members extend. The sealing gland includes a main sealing portion for sealing to the surface or the pipe. Skirts extend from a base of the sealing gland, where each skirt includes a lumen extending from the base to a distant end of the skirt for receiving one of the elongate members. Each skirt provides a flexible seal for sealing around a periphery of the elongate member, and adjacent skirts are adjoined along a portion of the length of the skirts.

Specific requirements for clean areas for example in food handling, biologically sensitive areas, or other such areas requiring a clean seal, requires use of a seal that can be cleaned easily, applied easily and become functional easily yet is also consistent in its sealing engagement to both the pipe and the wall, and that is manufactured from inert and chemically resistant materials, so as to not contaminate the immediate environment, and to withstand cleaning and the like.
The same criteria apply when sealing a pipe to a further pipe that it may pass through. The further pipe may be an outer sleeve such as a kick pipe to prevent damage to the inner pipe. Such assemblies are often present where a pipe passes through a wall, floor or ceiling and the wall floor or ceiling has an outer sleeve for the pipe to pass through.
Specific requirements for ingress protection, for example in hazardous environments, also require the use of a seal between a pipe or cable and a wall of an enclosure.
There are numerous ways of sealing a cavity about pipes and similar elongate members to a flat surface which they may pass through. The most simple method for sealing between a wall and a pipe or other elongate member passing through the wall is the application of sealant about the periphery of the pipe adjacent the region of the wall into or through which the pipe may pass through. Prior art methods that use sealants and similar are messy and time consuming and the sealant cannot be easily removed and replaced, meaning that the pipe, wall panel or similar cannot be easily removed and replaced. Further, the use of sealant can provide a surface or joint between the pipe and wall that provides a collection or accumulation area for dirt or grime that can be difficult to clean, causing hygiene concerns or issues.
Another example of these is the use of a stainless steel flange attached to the elongate pipe or member. This is then attached to the flat surface in a first method by standing this off the flat surface and then sealing the space with sealant. This is not an easily removable system. The second is the bolting of the flange to a further wall fitting and locating between the two a sealing component, e.g. an "O" ring. This method and the previous one do not stand up well to vibration and flexure of the pipe relative to the flat surface. This method, like the previous sealing method using sealant, can also provide crevices or collection/accumulation points that are difficult to clean.
Further methods utilize boots and similar to engage both the pipe and wall. Different sized boots are typically provided depending on the size or diameter of the elongate member that is to pass through and be sealed to a wall or other surface. Cone or stepped boots exist, that may be cut at a suitable height to fit a particular sized pipe or conduit or cable.
Increasingly hygienic environments, for example food handling and preparation premises, require high standard chemically inert materials to be present. This is not only to preserve the hygienic environment but also the method of cleaning such places uses highly corrosive clean in place chemicals that attack most materials such as rubbers and steels, including 305 stainless steel. These chemicals or environments are also often thermally elevated increasing their reactivity. Such environments require materials that are compatible with such harsh environments.
Additionally such environments require a vibration and flexure resistant sealing and often a fire retardant and resistance seal. Such relative movement can occur due to impact of the pipe or surface, flow in the elongate member, water or gas hammer or thermal expansion. The relative movement can be both radially and axially of the elongate member.
Further, in hazardous environments where protection of sensitive equipment is necessary, or where separation of equipment from hazardous environments is required to remove the risk of fire or other catastrophic events, seals or glands for providing suitable ingress protection to enclosures are required that provide flexibility in installation and that allow for future upgrades and/or configuration of the number of pipes or cables extending into a sealed/controlled enclosure.
To date no such gland exists that offers all these properties and there is a long felt want in the industry that as yet has not been addressed.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sealing gland to overcome the one or more of the above problems or at least to provide the public with a choice.
In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.


A battery includes a cathode having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and defining a cavity and two open ends; a separator disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the cathode; an anode disposed adjacent to the separator and inside the cavity; an air-permeable, liquid-impermeable barrier layer disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the cathode, and defining an exterior surface of the battery; two end members connected to the open ends of the cathode; and an anode current collector extending through the two end members. Methods designed such a battery is also disclosed.

Batteries are commonly used electrical energy sources. A battery contains a negative electrode, typically called the anode, and a positive electrode, typically called the cathode. The anode contains an active material that can be oxidized; the cathode contains or consumes an active material that can be reduced. The anode active material is capable of reducing the cathode active material. In order to prevent direct reaction of the anode material and the cathode material, the anode and the cathode are electrically isolated from each other by a separator.
When a battery is used as an electrical energy source in a device, electrical contact is; made to the anode and the cathode, allowing electrons to flow through the device and permitting the respective oxidation and reduction reactions to occur to provide electrical power. An electrolyte, for example, potassium hydroxide in contact with the anode and the cathode contains ions that flow through the separator between the electrodes to maintain charge balance throughout the battery during discharge.
In a metal-air electrochemical cell, oxygen is reduced at the cathode, and a metal is oxidized at the anode. Oxygen is supplied to the cathode from the atmospheric air external to the cell through one or more air hole(s) in the cell can.
To prolong battery life, it is desirable that the cathode be exposed to air flow when in use, and isolated from air flow when not in use. During use, it is desirable to provide uniform and sufficient air access to the cathode to provide, for example, uniform discharge of the active materials and/or a relatively high discharge voltage profile.


Disclosed is a unit for allowing a user, when any error occurs in a service, to easily ascertain the degree of influence on the service provision due to the error. In order to solve the above-described problem, there is provided a service management device including a graphing unit that graphically displays, on an identical time series graph, an access frequency to a predetermined service provided on a computer network and a predicted access frequency to the service in a state where no error occurs in the service, and displays an error occurrence time, on the time series graph, when the error occurs in the service.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plant operation apparatus that operates a plant such as water and sewage equipment. The plant operation apparatus displays current value data and past record data to be superimposed with each other on a trend graph in which a vertical axis represents a flow rate and a horizontal axis represents time.
Patent Document 1 discloses that, according to the plant operation apparatus, it is possible to compare a tendency of a current plant operation and a tendency of a past plant operation and to detect an abnormal tendency, in particular, to clearly ascertain abnormalities that occur in an unexpected fashion.

Service management device, display method, and information storage medium


The invention relates to an electrical machine with an internally cooled rotor. In order to improve the cooling power of such a machine without the use of a fan wheel fitted separately on the rotor, the invention proposes an electrical machine with a stator laminate stack and a rotor in a housing, which electrical machine has an internal cooling circuit comprising rotor cooling channels, which pass axially through the rotor and are arranged on two concentric circles, in which internal cooling circuit a gaseous coolant can be circulated, wherein fan vanes and a first means for guiding the coolant from the rotor cooling channels on one of the two concentric circles via a winding head to the rotor cooling channels on the other of the two concentric circles are provided in the case of the machine on a first rotor end side. As a result, particularly those regions are cooled optimally in which the dissipation of lost heat is problematic.

The invention relates to an electrical machine with an internally cooled rotor.
One power-limiting factor of electrical machines is the quality of the heat-loss dissipation. Particularly in embodiments in which the hot parts within the machine are not cooled directly by the cooling medium, it is difficult to make use of the active mass that is used. Specific zones in which the dissipation of heat losses is problematic are the end windings and the rotor. If it is possible to specifically pass heat from these two zones to the surrounding area, the power of an electrical machine can be increased, with the physical volume remaining the same.
DE 42 42 132 A1 discloses a cooling system for an electrical machine which is in the form of an internal cooling circuit system. In the case of this internal cooling, it is possible for flow to pass axially through the rotor cooling channels in both directions. A machine-internal cooling circuit is generated by using the rotor cooling channels for flow to pass through in two directions. In order to make this cooling circuit operate, two fans are required, on each of the end faces of the rotor.
DE 44 43 427 C2 discloses an internal cooling circuit system in which flow passes through the rotor from one end. The cooling air flow is blown against the end winding by means of fan blades which are provided on the rotor and located radially within the end winding. The cooling air flows via cooling channels, which are arranged on the stator circumference, to the other machine end, where it passes via the end winding to the rotor, and finally enters the rotor cooling channels, from which it is passed to the fan blades again.
The invention is based on the object of improving the cooling performance of an electrical machine with an internally cooled rotor, without using a fan impeller mounted separately on the rotor.
This object is achieved by an electrical machine having a laminated stator core in a housing and having a rotor which electrical machine has an internal cooling circuit comprising rotor cooling channels which pass axially through the rotor and are arranged on two concentric circles, in which internal cooling circuit a gaseous coolant can circulate wherein fan blades and a first means for guiding the coolant from the rotor cooling channels on one of the two concentric circles via an end winding to the rotor cooling channels on the other of the two concentric circles are provided on a first rotor end face of the machine.
The guidance of the coolant which, for example, may be air or an inert gas through the rotor cooling channels in both directions on the various concentric circles, wherein the coolant circuit is driven by fan blades which are fitted on the rotor end face and is in this case blown directly onto an end winding by the means for guiding the coolant, results in optimum cooling in particular in those areas in which the dissipation of heat losses is problematic. In this case, the fan blades pragmatically extend axially from the rotor end face, but may also each have some other expedient form. Since the solution according to the invention does not require a separate fan impeller, no additional machining of the rotor shaft for fan impeller mounting is required here, thus making it possible to also achieve a shorter axial physical length of the electrical machine, in addition to saving costs.
In one advantageous form of the refinement, the first means for guiding the coolant is in the form of an air guide cylinder, which is arranged between the two concentric circles, extends axially from the first rotor end face to in front of the fan blades and has a part which points outwards in front of the fan blades. In this case, the air guide cylinder need not have a strictly cylindrical shape in front of the part which points outwards, but can essentially correspond to half a single-shell rotation hyperboloid. The coolant flow which emerges from the rotor cooling channels on, for example, the outer of the two concentric circles is thus passed directly to the end winding in a simple manner. That part of the air guide cylinder which is arranged axially in front of the fan blades and points outwards creates a space which extends from the output of the rotor cooling channels on the relevant rotor end face to the fan blades. This considerably improves the coolant guidance in the internal cooling circuit.
In a further advantageous embodiment, a second means, for guiding the coolant, which is formed identically to the first means for guiding the coolant is arranged on a second rotor end face. This likewise considerably improves the cooling guidance in the internal cooling circuit in the area of the end winding, on the side of the second rotor end face.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the fan blades on the first rotor end face are designed such that they feed the coolant radially outwards. The force which acts radially outwards on the coolant in this case has superimposed on it the inertial force of the coolant emerging from the rotor cooling channels to form a total force which already acts on the coolant essentially in the direction of the end winding. This further improves the through-flow since less swirling occurs in this case in comparison for example, to an axial feed in which the coolant flow is guided only by the means for guiding the coolant to the end winding.
In a further advantageous embodiment, axially extending fan blades are provided on the second rotor end face and are designed such that a coolant flow which is caused by the fan blades provided on the first rotor end face is increased. This means that the fan blades on the second rotor end face feed the coolant in a direction which points between radially and axially inwards, when the fan blades on the first rotor end face are provided for feeding in a direction between radially and axially outwards.
In a further advantageous embodiment, that part of the at least one air guide cylinder which points outwards rests directly on a respective radially running end edge of the fan blades or is axially at a short distance from these end edges. This virtually completely suppresses leakage flows with respect to the coolant flow passing through the rotor cooling channels.
In a further advantageous embodiment, that part of the at least one air guide cylinder which points outwards extends radially at least to a circumferential edge, which is located radially on the outside, of the fan blades. This avoids branching flows bypassing the end winding.
In a further advantageous embodiment, when the rotor is in the form of a squirrel-cage rotor, the fan blades are formed on the corresponding short-circuiting ring. There is therefore no need to produce the fan blades separately and to fit them separately to the rotor.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the rotor cooling channels have a cross section with a circumference which is larger than that of a circle with the same cross-sectional area. In this case, by way of example, the cross section may have a corrugated circumference or may have a polygonal shape or may be in the form of a star. This provides a larger heat transfer area for cooling the rotor.
In a further advantageous embodiment, for each concentric circle on the rotor end face, a center point of a rotor cooling channel and a fan blade are arranged radially from the inside outwards in a line. This results, so to speak, in there being a dedicated fan blade for each rotor cooling channel, thus improving the feed effect of the fan blades on the coolant.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the rotor cooling channels on one of the two concentric circles is equal to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the rotor cooling channels on the other of the two concentric circles. This ensures that there is a uniform flow through the rotor cooling channels on the various concentric circles, thus avoiding swirling resulting from different flow speeds.
In a further advantageous embodiment, primary cooling channels, through which a cooling medium flows, for an outer cooling circuit are provided on the housing circumference. The dissipation of heat to a primary cooling medium, which may be gaseous or liquid, considerably improves the recooling of the coolant in the internal circuit.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the primary cooling channels are in this case arranged in a helical shape on the housing circumference. This results in more uniform cooling with respect to the housing circumference, in comparison to primary cooling channels which are provided only in the corners of, for example, a rectangular housing, resulting in a simpler design than, for example, in the case of a meandering structure of the primary cooling channels.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the pitch height between successive turns of the helically arranged primary cooling channels is in this case less in the area of the end windings than in the area between the end windings. The cooling effect is therefore particularly high in those areas in which the recooling of the coolant in the internal circuit is provided by means of the primary cooling medium.
In a further advantageous embodiment, cooling ribs are provided on the housing circumference. This results in a particularly large surface area being available for exchange of heat with the environment or the primary cooling medium.
In a further advantageous embodiment, the machine is in the form of an asynchronous machine. In this case, the fan blades can be cast directly on a short-circuiting ring of, for example, an aluminum die-cast rotor.

Electrical machine with an internally cooled rotor


On an adapter mounting portion 3a having a projecting cross section which is formed on a cap 3 of a small-sized memory card 1, a recessed portion of an adapter 2 side is fitted so that both parts are formed as an integral unit in a replaceable manner. Accordingly, the small-sized memory card 1 can maintain the dimensional compatibility with respect to existing memory cards whereby the small-sized memory card 1 can be used also in equipment which is designed to cope with the existing memory cards.

A memory card such as a multimedia card (produced by Sun Disk Inc.) or a SD card (produced by Panasonic, Toshiba Corporation, Sun Disk Inc.) is one of a storage device which stores information in a semiconductor memory chip housed in the inside thereof. This memory card can directly and electrically get access to information with respect to a non-volatile memory formed in the semiconductor memory chip. Accordingly, the memory card exhibits faster writing and reading compared to other storage device by an amount corresponding to the absence of a mechanical system control and further enables the exchange of storage mediums. Further, since the memory card is relatively miniaturized in shape and light-weighted, the memory card is mainly used as an auxiliary storage device of equipment which is requested to satisfy portability such as a portable personal computer, a portable telephone set or a digital camera. Recently, the miniaturization of the equipment is still in progress and hence, the further miniaturization of the memory card is requested along with such progress. Further, since the memory card is a novel technique, the dimensional standard has not been completely unified.
However, when the size of the memory card is to be reduced or the size of the memory card differs between countries, the manner how to maintain the compatibility in size with existing memory cards and the manner how to use the memory card with respect to equipment which are devised for existing memory cards constitute serious tasks.
The object of the present invention lies in providing a technique which can enhance the versatility of semiconductor device.
The above-mentioned and other objects as well as novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification and attached drawings.


A lancet pricking device comprising a lancet, a launching spring and a lancet holder for housing therein the lancet and the launching spring. The lancet pricking device of the present invention is characterized in that the lancet comprises a lancet body, a lancet cap and a pricking needle, and the pricking needle is disposed in both the lancet body and the lancet cap; wherein the launching spring is attached to the lancet body, and the lancet body is secured by abutting against the lancet holder such that the launching spring is kept compressed before a pricking operation; and wherein, when the lancet cap is removed, the lancet body becomes capable of warping upon being pressed from an outside to cause the secured lancet body to be released.

In order to measure a blood sugar level of a patient with diabetes, it is required to take a sample of the blood from the patient. The small amount of blood to be taken may be enough. Thus, a pricking device capable of taking a small amount of blood is used to measure the blood sugar level. The pricking device is generally composed of a lancet (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,571) and an injector. The lancet has a pricking needle capable of puncturing a predetermined region of the patient's body. The injector has a function of launching the lancet toward the predetermined region. The pricking device is set up for use by loading the lancet into the injector. Then, the lancet is launched toward the predetermined region by means of a plunger of the injector, whereby the predetermined region is pricked.
The pricking device used for taking blood from the patient with diabetes is required to be suitable in terms of hygiene and safety. In this regard, a particular attention must be paid to the handling of the used lancet. As for the used lancet, the tip of the pricking needle is exposed on a lancet body, and there may be the patient's blood adhered to the pricking needle due to the pricking. If the body of a person other than the subject of the blood sampling (for example, a nurse or medical practitioner who collects the blood sample) accidentally should touch the tip of the pricking needle, the body of such person may be pricked by the pricking needle. This will result in a wound of the body through which the patient's blood may enter the body (i.e. the body of the nurse or medical practitioner), and thus posing a risk of the infection disease.
The pricking device is also required to be suitable in terms of pricking performance in use. In particular, if a pricking operation is performed without a large deflecting of the pricking needle, the predetermined region of the patient's body can be surely pricked with the pricking needle. Thus, the pricking device with an improved pricking pathway of the needle is desired.


An anatomic structure of interest is contoured in 3D source data by selecting a first subset of data in a first image slice, which has a first orientation in the source data. A first set of instructions identifies a first edge (E1) of the anatomic structure of interest in the first image slice. Then, a second subset of data is selected in a second image slice, which has a second orientation in the source data. A second set of instructions identifies a second edge (E2) of the anatomic structure of interest in the second image slice. A three-dimensional shell (3DS) is calculated based on the first and second edges (E1; E2) and the source data (SD). The three-dimensional shell (3DS) represents an approximation of a delimiting surface that separates the anatomic structure of interest from adjoining tissues in the 3D source data.

The present invention relates generally to solutions for enhancing the information contents of medical image data. More particularly the invention relates to an image processing system according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding method. The invention also relates to a computer program and a processor-readable medium.
The process of defining which voxels that represent a particular anatomic structure, or so-called organ delineation, is one of the most tedious and time-consuming parts of radiotherapy planning. This process usually involves manual contouring in two-dimensional slices using simple drawing tools, and it may take several hours to delineate all structures of interest in a three-dimensional data set of high resolution used for planning.
Pekar, V., et al., "Automated Model-Based Organ Delineation for Radiotherapy Planning in Prostatic Region", International Journal of Radiation Oncology—Biology—Physics, Vol. 60, No. 3, pp 973-980, 2004 discloses a method for adapting 3D deformable surface models to the boundaries of anatomic structures of interest. The adaptation is based on a tradeoff between deformations of the model induced by its attraction to certain image features and the shape integrity of the model. Problematic areas where the automated model adaptation may fail can be corrected via interactive tools.
US 2011/0268330 describes systems and methods for contouring a set of medical images. An example system may include an image database, an image deformation engine and a contour transformation engine. The image database may be used to store a set of medical images. The image deformation engine may be configured to receive a source image and a target image from the set of medical images in the image database, and may be further configured to use a deformation algorithm with the source image and the target image to generate deformation field data that is indicative of changes between one or more objects from the source image to the target image. The contour transformation engine may be configured to receive source contour data that identifies the one or more objects within the source image, and be further configured to use the deformation field data and the source contour data to generate automatic target contour data that identifies the one or more objects within the target image. The image deformation engine and the contour transformation engine may comprise software instructions stored in one or more memory devices and be executable by one or more processors.
Wimmer, A., et al, "Two-stage Semi-automatic Organ Segmentation Framework using Radial Basis Functions and Level Sets", 10th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, MICCAI 2007, 3D Segmentation in The Clinic: Grand Challenge, 29 Oct. 2007, pages 179-188 discloses a two-stage semi-automatic algorithm that is able to segment complex structures like the liver shape with moderate user interaction. A first stage of the algorithm involves manual delineation of cross-sections of the anatomical structure in 2D multi-planar reconstruction views. From this set of contours, an initial 3D surface is reconstructed using radial basis functions. In a second step, the surface is evolved using a level set algorithm incorporating a new combination of both image information and shape information, the latter being derived from the initial contours.
US 2014/0126797 describes an apparatus for delineating a structure of interest. A plane selection interface for selecting a contouring plane of selectable orientation in a three-dimensional image or map; a contouring interface for defining a contour in the selected contour plane; and a mesh constructor configured to construct a three-dimensional polygonal mesh delineating the structure of interest in the three-dimensional image or map are included. The mesh constructor positions are constrained vertices on or near a plurality of non-coplanar delineation contours defined using the contouring interface.
Tutar, I. B., et al, "Semiautomatic 3-D Prostate Segmentation from TRUS Images Using Spherical Harmonics", IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING, IEEE SERVICE CENTER, Piscataway, N.J., U.S., Vol. 25, No. 12, 1 Dec. 2006 pages 1645-1654 shows a solution for reconstructing seed locations from fluoroscopic images and identifying prostate boundaries in ultrasound images to perform dosimetry in the operating room. Specifically, a segmentation method is proposed, which defines an optimization framework as fitting the best surface to the underlying images under shape constraints. This involves modeling the shape of the prostate using spherical harmonics of degree eight and performing statistical analysis on the shape parameters. After user initialization, the algorithm identifies the prostate boundaries on the average in two minutes.
Ning, H., et al, "Prostate boundary segmentation from 3D ultrasound images", MEDICAL PHYSICS, AIP, Melville, N.Y., U.S., Vol. 30, No. 7, 1 Jul. 2003, pages 1648-1659 describes an algorithm for semiautomatic segmentation of the prostate from 3D ultrasound images. The algorithm uses model-based initialization and mesh refinement using an efficient deformable model. Initialization requires the user to select six points from which the outline of the prostate is estimated using shape information. The estimated outline is then automatically deformed to better fit the prostate boundary. An editing tool allows the user to edit the boundary in problematic regions and then deform the model again to improve the final results.

Image processing system and method for interactive contouring of three-dimensional medical data


A ballast includes circuitry to allow the level of the lighting to be adjusted as well as circuitry that interfaces the ballast to a control system via the power line. The ballast is provided for adjusting the output by using a conventional triac phase chop dimming circuit. The basic concepts of the circuit can also be used to drive flat panel (electro luminescent) light source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of power inverters used for electronic lighting ballast and the ability of the ballast to monitor the incoming power line for control signals to adjust the operation of the ballast. In the process of monitoring the power line, the microprocessor within the ballast can detect, among other control signals, the amount of phase chop caused by a conventional wall dimmer and adjust the light output accordingly. The method of driving a flat panel or electro luminescent display is also disclosed.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
There are many varied public domain circuits involving the generation of high frequency inputs for driving fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge and other forms of gas discharged lighting. With more and more emphasis being placed on energy conservation controllable output or dimming ballasts are becoming more in demand. The problem now is that there is a need for a mechanism to determine the proper level at which to operate the ballast as well as an inexpensive and reliable method of communicating with control information to the ballast. Ballasts that have the capability of adjusting light output, with a corresponding reduction of power input, and the ability of communicating with a lighting system have been, up to now, considerably more complicated and expensive to produce. Thus, there are no ballasts that are capable of performing the necessary tasks while still being low enough in cost to be used in all locations. New and different means of lighting an area are also entering the market. Electro luminescent panels originally developed for computer monitors are being used now as sources of illumination in some cases. These panels also need a ballast but they must operate at low frequency compared to fluorescent lighting ballasts. In most applications they have been found difficult to drive efficiently. It is often desirable to connect a ballast to a system that uses some form of interruption of a portion of the power line cycle. This is referred to as 'phase chop dimming'. Most electronic devices have some sort of regulation that compensates for this until so much of the line sine wave is eliminated that dimming is not functional.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Fluorescent ballast with unique dimming control


The invention relates to the use of at least predominantly linear hydrocarbon compounds olefinically unsaturated in the alpha-position with flashpoints of at least about 80.degree. as the oil phase or as part of the oil phase of oil- or water-based free-flowing borehole servicing preparations. Particular significance is attributed to corresponding drilling fluids which, together with the alpha-olefins, contain other oil phases from the field of borehole servicing preparations and are distinguished by ecological compatibility, being degradable under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Suitable mixture components for the oil phase are, in particular, oleophilic alcohols, ethers and corresponding esters selected from carboxylic acid esters and/or carbonic acid esters.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to new borehole servicing preparations which flow freely under normal conditions and which are made up using an oil phase. As a characteristic example of servicing preparations of the type in question, the invention is described hereinafter with reference to drilling fluids and drilling muds based thereon which may be used both in land-supported drilling and in offshore drilling. However, the modification according to the invention of auxiliary fluids of the type in question is by no means limited to this particular application. The many other auxiliary fluids used in the specialist field in question, for example spotting fluids, spacers, packer fluids, auxiliary workover, stimulation and fracturing fluids, may also be correspondingly modified.
The invention is concerned both with auxiliary fluids of the type mentioned which are based on oils, i.e. which work with a continuous oil phase, and with auxiliaries in which the oil phase is emulsified in a continuous phase, more particularly an aqueous continuous phase. Drilling fluids and drilling muds based thereon are characteristic examples of the various corresponding possibilities.
On the one hand, water-based drilling fluids containing around 1 to 50% of emulsified oil phase in addition to other typical auxiliaries encountered in drilling fluids are known and are also referred to as o/w emulsion fluids. On the other hand, oil-based drilling fluids in which the oil forms the fluid phase or at least a substantial part of the fluid phase as a continuous oil phase are widely used in practice. Particular significance is attributed in this regard to so-called invert drilling muds which--on the basis of w/o emulsions--contain a disperse aqueous phase in the continuous oil phase. The content of disperse aqueous phase is typically in the range from about 5-10% by weight to about 50-60% by weight. In addition to these w/o invert drilling muds, however, there are also the so-called true oil muds of which the liquid phase consists almost entirely of a continuous oil phase and which contain at most small quantities--normally not more than 5 to 10% by weight--of dispersed aqueous phase.
The invention relates equally to the two fields in question, namely oil-based drilling fluids and water-based drilling emulsions.
The use of the new borehole servicing fluids is of particular significance for the development of oil and gas occurrences, particularly in the marine sector, but is by no means limited to this particular field of application. The new systems may also be generally used in land-supported drilling operations, for example in geothermal drilling, water drilling, geoscientific drilling, so-called river-crossing drilling and mine drilling. Irrespective of this broad range of applications of the principles according to the invention, the technical teaching is described hereinafter with reference to drilling muds.
2. Discussion of Related Art
It is known that drilling fluids for sinking bores in rock and bringing up the rock cuttings are slightly thickened, fluid systems which may be assigned to one of the following three classes:
water-based drilling fluids,
oil-based drilling fluids (true oil muds and so-called w/o invert emulsion muds) and
water-based o/w emulsions which contain a heterogeneous finely dispersed oil phase in a continuous aqueous phase.
Drilling fluids on a continuous oil basis, more particularly w/o invert emulsions, are generally made up of a three-phase system, namely: oil, water and fine-particle solids. The aqueous phase is present in the continuous oil phase in, heterogeneous fine dispersion. There are a whole range of additives, including in particular emulsifiers, weighting agents, fluid loss additives, alkali reserves, viscosity regulators and the like. Full particulars can be found, for example, in the Article by P. A. Boyd et al. entitled "New Base Oil Used in Low-Toxicity Oil Muds" in Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1985, 137 to 142 and in the Article by R. B. Bennet entitled "New Drilling Fluid Technology -Mineral Oil Mud" in Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1984, 975 to 981 and the literature cited therein.
Drilling fluids based on aqueous o/w emulsion systems occupy an intermediate position between water-based systems and oil-based invert muds in terms of their performance properties. Detailed information can be found in the relevant specialist literature, cf. for example the book by George R. Gray and H. C. H. Darley entitled "Composition and Properties of Oil Well Drilling Fluids", 4th Edition, 1980/81, Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, and the extensive specialist and patent literature cited therein and the manual entitled "Applied Drilling Engineering" by Adam T. Borgoyne, Jr. et al., First Printing, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Richardson, Tex. (USA).
In practice, the oil phases of drilling fluids of the type described in these references and other borehole servicing preparations of comparable composition have until very recently been formed almost exclusively by selected mineral oil fractions. Accordingly, considerable environmental pollution occurs when, for example, the drilling muds enter the environment either directly or via the drilled rock. Although mineral oils are aerobically degradable in the presence of suitable bacterial strains, the degradation process is relatively slow. Anaerobically, mineral oils are virtually non-degradable and, accordingly, may be regarded as causing long-term pollution.
These problems have been known to experts for years. Thus, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,374,737 and 4,481,121 describe oil-based invert drilling fluids in which so-called non-polluting oils are said to be used. De-aromaticized mineral oil fractions and ester oils of vegetable and animal origin are named alongside one another as non-polluting oils of equal rank. The ester oils are triglycerides of natural fatty acids which, ecologically, are known to be safe and distinctly superior in this respect to hydrocarbon fractions. These proposals cannot be put into practice for the particularly important field of oil-based w/o invert emulsion drilling fluids. The primary and secondary hydrolysis products of these triglyceride esters, which are formed in use, lead to uncontrollable changes in the fluidity of the w/o emulsions. More particularly, complete thickening occurs in a very short time.
In a relatively large number of earlier patent applications, applicants describe proposals for replacing the mineral oil fractions by ecologically safe, comparatively readily degradable oil phases. Four different types of replacement oils are disclosed and may even be used in admixture with one another. The substitutes in question are selected oleophilic carboxylic acid esters, at least substantially water-insoluble alcohols which flow freely under working conditions, corresponding ethers and selected carbonic acid esters, cf. the following German patent applications which have become part of the prior art literature in the form of the DE-A1 specifications: 38 42 659, 38 42 703, 39 07 391, 39 07 392, 39 03 785, 39 03 784, 39 11 238, 39 11 299, 40 18 228 and 40 19 266. All these documents are concerned with oil-based drilling fluids, more particularly of the w/o invert type. Water-based emulsion drilling fluids using oil phases of increased degradability are described in the following German patent applications identified by the publication numbers of the DE-A1 specifications: 39 15 876, 39 15 875, 39 16 550 and the already cited 40 18 228 and 40 19 266.
Other proposals have also been put forward with a view to replacing mineral oils in borehole servicing preparations of the type described herein by other oil phases, cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,012. This document proposes the use of synthetic hydrocarbon compounds from the group of branched-chain oligomers which have been produced by oligomerization of C.sub.2-14 olefins to average molecular weights of the oligomer in the range from 120 to 1,000. The Examples of this document describe tests to determine the toxicity of these branched hydrocarbon oligomers towards selected test organisms (Mysidopsis Bahia). There is no reference to tests for determining the degradability and, in particular, the anaerobic degradability of these branched hydrocarbon compounds which are also known among experts as "poly-alpha-olefins". Applicants' investigations of these problems have indicated that poly-alpha-olefins show little or no anaerobic degradability.
By contrast, oil phases based on the ester oils described in the documents cited above and corresponding oleophilic alcohols are distinguished by surprisingly good degradability both under aerobic conditions and in particular under anaerobic conditions. Starting out from this fact, selected monocarboxylic acid esters are now used worldwide as replacement oils, more particularly for drilling muds, in the field of offshore drilling. At the present time, particular significance is attributed in this regard to the esters of saturated monocarboxylic acids containing 12 to 16 carbon atoms and monohydric alcohols which are described in DE-A1 38 41 703.
The problem addressed by the invention and its technical solution
The invention sought to broaden the range of technical possibilities presently available for alternative oil phases in the field of application in question. More particularly, the problem addressed by the present invention was to increase the ability of liquid and, in particular, water-containing borehole servicing preparations to withstand high temperatures without at the same time compromising their degradability both under aerobic conditions and under anaerobic conditions. The following basic observations are relevant in this regard:
The alternative oil phases based on carboxylic acid esters widely used today combine optimal results under typical in-use conditions both from the point of view of operational efficiency and from the point of view of ecological compatibility as reflected in their anaerobic degradability. Despite the basic susceptibility to hydrolysis, even water-containing systems of this type, more particularly the w/o invert systems, are astonishingly stable up to relatively high temperatures at the bottom of the borehole. However, if extreme temperatures, for example of the order of 200.degree. C. or higher, are reached, inreasing ester hydrolysis can occur to the detriment of the process.
Oleophilic alcohols are not susceptible to hydrolysis and combine this advantage with ready aerobic and anaerobic degradability. However, alcohol-based w/o muds show flow properties which may call for particular attentiveness in operation, presumably on account of their tendency to form hydrogen bridges, so that hitherto hydrolysis-resistant oil phases based on oleophilic alcohols have not been successfully used in practice.
The problem addressed by the teaching according to the invention was to enable selected hydrocarbon compounds to be used as the oil phase or, more particularly, as a mixture component of the oil phase in the field in question. By virtue of their structure, the selected hydrocarbon compounds would largely achieve the required combination of good performance properties and ecological compatibility, particularly in the form of anaerobic degradability. The teaching according to the invention is based on the additional concept that certain deficiencies in the technical performance properties are acceptable. By mixing the pure hydrocarbon compounds with alternative oil phases of the type mentioned above and, more particularly, with oils based on esters and/or on oleophilic alcohols, certain weaknesses can be intercepted and corrected. The teaching according to the invention is based in particular on the observation that corresponding mixtures are capable of combining optimal technical performance properties without in any way comprising the advantage of ecological compatibility as reflected in aerobic and/or anaerobic degradability.
The teaching of the invention described hereinafter is based on the fact that at least substantially linear hydrocarbon compounds olefinically unsaturated in the alpha position--hereinafter also referred to as "linear alpha-olefins (LAOS)"--can also be anaerobically degraded using microorganism strains occurring in practice on the seabed. Reference is made in this connection to the article by B. Schink entitled "Degradation of Unsaturated Hydrocarbons by Methanogenic Enrichment Cultures" in FEMS Microbiology Ecology 31 (1985), 69-77, published by Elsevier. It can be seen from this publication that alpha-olefins with a chain length of interest to the application according to the invention, for example alpha-hexadecene, can even be degraded under anaerobic conditions using anoxic marine sediments as inoculation medium.

Free-flowing borehole servicing preparations containing linear .alpha.-olefins, more patricularly corresponding drilling fluids


An improved method to remove metals, including molybdenum, from industrial wastewater, by chemical precipitation of the metals, followed by settling and dewatering of the precipitate.

The removal of molybdenum from industrial wastewater has long posed a difficult and expensive technological challenge. This is a particular issue in sectors such as the service and maintenance of transportation vehicles and conveyances, military hardware and construction equipment, in which lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide are commonly used, particularly on wheel and brake parts, aircraft engines and other aerospace and military applications. The cleaning of such equipment and associated parts/hardware generates an oily wastewater containing molybdenum, along with other metals which may leach from the metal parts surfaces, such as cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper, lead and zinc. One of the most significant challenges exists due to the high solubility of molybdenum disulfide, which does not respond to traditional alkaline precipitation processes.
Before such wastewater can be discharged for disposal, strict federal, state and local environmental requirements must be met. This requires treatment of the wastewater to lower the content of molybdenum and the other metals to stringent discharge limits, often to levels such as less than 1 part per million (ppm).
One of the treatment technologies which has been used for the removal of molybdenum from wastewater is ion exchange. However this method is expensive, as it involves high capital and operating costs. In addition, this method is not effective in the treatment of oily wastewaters such as those identified above. A second method which has been used for molybdenum removal is reverse osmosis, in which the wastewater is passed through a semi-permeable membrane to separate the metals components from the wastewater. However, this method also has high capital and operating costs. In addition, once the reverse osmosis process has been completed, the concentrate (the waste stream containing the removed contaminants) must then be treated and disposed at a significant cost.
The traditional methodology used for the removal of metals from wastewater is the precipitation of the metal ions, typically involving the increase in the pH of the wastewater to facilitate the precipitation. However, this method can be time consuming and inefficient. Certain metals, such as cadmium and chromium, may precipitate out of solution under alkaline conditions, while metals such as molybdenum will not precipitate as easily and will typically remain in solution at levels above environmental regulatory discharge limits.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,416 issued to Ramirez et al. discloses an existing method for removing molybdenum and tungsten from mining wastewater. This patent teaches that methods of precipitating or settling out these minerals are inefficient and discloses a method of removing them using gas flotation. A trivalent metal cation is added to the wastewater and its pH is lowered. After an initial treatment of electrolytically driven dissolved air flotation, a flocculating polymer is added and the wastewater is again subjected to dissolved air flotation. This system is costly, inefficient and time consuming.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,075 issued to Maurel discloses a method of extracting arsenic in various metals. Lime is added to raise the pH and cause various contaminants to precipitate. Because the process requires evaporation of effluent it is time consuming. Furthermore, it requires stoichiometric determinations and is therefore complicated.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,339 issued to Mainwaring et al. discloses a method of removing contaminants by forming a foam, drying it and removing it from the waste water. The foam is formed by adding the sulfates or hydroxides of either iron or aluminum and a strong surfactant to the effluent and mixing it. The foam is then pulled off the wastewater, dried and removed. Gas is applied to the wastewater to induce formation of the foam. It teaches that sedimentation is a slow, undesirable process.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method of the treatment of molybdenum-containing wastewater. The present invention provides a method whereby molybdenum, along with other metal ions, is readily precipitated and separated from the wastewater. Through the addition of a metal sulfate, such as alum, to the wastewater, an effective method of precipitation of molybdenum and other metals under acidic conditions is presented. Alum has traditionally not been used in the precipitation of molybdenum and has typically not been effective under acidic conditions. Due to the efficiency of this process, neither reverse osmosis, gas flotation, ion exchange nor any other unit operation is needed.

Method for the removal of metals, including a co-precipitation of molybdenum, from wastewater


This invention pertains to compositions, methods, cells and organisms useful for selectively localizing polypeptides to the proteasome for degradation. Therapeutic methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating disorders associated with the expression and/or activity of a polypeptide by targeting these polypeptides for degradation, as well as methods for targeting therapeutic polypeptides for degradation and/or activating therapeutic polypeptides by degradation are provided. The invention provides methods for identifying compounds that mediate proteasome localization and/or polypeptide degradation. The invention also provides research tools for the study of protein function.

ATP-dependent protease complexes degrade many unstable cellular proteins. These molecular machines function both generally in protein turnover, and specifically in the regulation of processes such as transcription, apoptosis, antigen presentation and cell cycle progression (Jesenberger et al. (2002) Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 3:112). A high degree of conservation is evident among them; the archaebacterial and eukaryotic 20S proteolytic core particles share both sequence and structural homology (Bochtler et al. (1999) Ann. Rev. Biophys. Biomol. Struct. 28:295), while eubacteria have functionally related complexes: ClpYQ, ClpXP and ClpAP (Bochtler et al. (2000) Nature 403:800; Bochtler et al. (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 94:6070; Groll et al. (1997) Nature 386:463). The 20S core particle (CP) is composed of four stacked heptameric rings structured in an α-β-β-α configuration. Access to the proteolytic central chamber is obstructed at both ends of the cylindrical assembly by N-terminal projections of the α-subunits, thus preventing uncontrolled proteolytic degradation (Groll et al. (1997) Nature 386:463; Whitby et al. (2000) Nature 408:115; Groll et al. (2000) Nat. Struct. Biol. 7:1062). In eukaryotes, docking with the 19S regulatory particle (RP) to form the complete 26S proteasome is sufficient to relieve this block, opening a channel into the core (Groll et al. (2000) Nat. Struct. Biol. 7:1062; Kohler et al. (2001) Mol. Cell 7:1143).
Eukaryotes have evolved an elaborate system that operates in conjunction with the proteasome to facilitate the temporal and specific regulation of intracellular proteolysis. Substrates targeted for degradation by the proteasome pathway are recognized by the E1, E2, and E3 ubiquitin conjugation machinery and tagged with polyubiquitin chains, which are thought to promote the proteolytic process through their binding with the proteasome. These three consecutively acting enzymes are necessary for target recognition, transfer of a ubiquitin moiety to the substrate, and subsequent elongation of the ubiquitin branched chain (Hershko et al. (1998) Ann. Rev. Biochem. 67:425). Modularity and the large number of E2 Ub-conjugating enzymes and E3 Ub-ligases allow for great specificity and flexibility in detecting a diverse range of substrates. Once a protein is polyubiquitinated, it can be recognized and degraded by the 26S proteasome.
The polyubiquitin chain is thought to play two possible roles. The first is to target the protein to the proteasome and the second is to initiate the process of degradation. The targeting hypothesis is supported by the identification of several proteasome subunits that either bind or crosslink to ubiquitin chains (Deveraux et al. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269:7059; Lam et al. (2002) Nature 416:763). Hypotheses for how ubiquitin-dependent initiation of degradation might occur include: allosteric regulation, channel opening, and assistance in the unfolding of the target (Groll et al. (2003) Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol. 35:606).

President and Fellows of Harvard College


A stored electric power discharging circuit for an inverter device includes a group of series resistors configured to be connected in parallel to a plurality of main circuit capacitors in a normal operation, a voltage stabilization circuit configured to stabilize interterminal voltages of the respective main circuit capacitor according to a divided voltage of the series resistors during the normal operation, and a control switch having a control input and configured to cut the direct connection between the series resistors at a time of power-off, thereby breaking a voltage stability state of the main circuit capacitors by the voltage stabilization circuit.

An inverter device rectifies and smooths AC power to generate DC voltage. The DC voltage is supplied to an inverter main circuit, which is then driven. Capacitors having large capacities, such as aluminum electrolytic capacitors, are used as main circuit capacitors for smoothing the DC voltage. The DC power is stored in the main circuit capacitors even when the inverter device has been powered off. Accordingly, there is a possibility of electrical shock when the inverter device is touched.
To discharge electric power stored in the main circuit capacitors, the conventional art uses discharge resistors connected in parallel to the main circuit capacitors to reduce a discharge time during power-off. However, this results in discharge even during power supply, so a large resistance value is required so that an amount of discharge is rendered small during a normal operation after power supply. Thus, the above-described arrangement cannot reduce the discharge time during power-off cannot be reduced. Furthermore, rendering the resistance value smaller increases unnecessary loss in normal operation despite reducing the discharge time.
For example, when a plurality of capacitors is series-connected for use as main circuit capacitors, balancing resistors are sometimes connected in parallel to the main circuit capacitors to balance voltages applied to the main circuit capacitors respectively. In this case, even though combination use of the balancing resistors as discharge resistors can be considered, the discharge resistors are normally connected to the main circuit capacitors as described above, causing unnecessary loss in normal operation.

Stored electric power discharging circuit for inverter


The invention provides spray coatings to achieve circumferentially non-uniform seal clearances in turbomachines. In steam and gas turbines it is desirable to assemble the machines with elliptical seal clearances to compensate for expected casing distortion, rotordynamics or phenomena that cause circumferentially non-uniform rotor-stator rubs. The claimed invention allows the casing hardware to be fabricated round, and a spray coating is applied to the radially inner surface such that the coating thickness varies circumferentially, providing the desired non-uniform rotor-stator clearance during assembly.

The invention relates to seal clearances in rotary machines. More particularly, the invention relates to a method to modify the stationary casing in a manner to compensate for circumferentially non-uniform rotor movements.
Rotary machines include, but are not limited to, gas turbines and steam turbines. The moving part of the turbine is called a rotor and the fixed, non-moving part i. e. housings, casings etc. a stator. Usually, the rotor rotates within a stator assembly at very high speeds, powering a generator which in turn produces electricity or power. A steam turbine has a steam path that typically includes, in serial-flow relationship, a steam inlet, a turbine, and a steam outlet. A gas turbine has a gas path, which typically includes, in serial-flow relationship, an air intake (or inlet), a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a gas outlet (or exhaust nozzle). Gas or steam leakage, either out of the gas or steam path or into the gas or steam path, from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure, is generally undesirable. For example, gas path leakage in the turbine or compressor area of a gas turbine, between the rotor of the turbine or compressor and the circumferentially surrounding turbine or compressor casing, will lower the efficiency of the gas turbine leading to increased fuel costs.
In practice, clearances between the rotating and stationary parts are often designed to be sufficiently large so that minimal contact occurs during the operation of the engine. However, overly generous clearances tend to promote undesirable leakages and decreased performance. In some machine designs, where reduced clearances have been designed for better efficiency, contact between rotor and stator is anticipated and accommodated by disposing a seal, such as a brush seal or an abradable seal, between these components. Abradable seals applied on the stationary parts of the gas or steam turbines have been used in order to allow the components from the rotating part (e.g. bucket tips, shaft teeth, etc.) to come into contact with the stator without suffering significant damage or wear. Contact between rotating elements and the abradable seal results in trenches worn into the abradable seal, creating a tight clearance between the two.
Effects such as thermal distortion of the casing and vibrations due to rotor dynamics often cause the path of relative rotor motion to become circumferentially non-uniform with respect to the stator. This non-uniformity of motion can lead to substantial contact in preferential, localized areas of the stator, resulting in undesirable amounts of component wear. A number of approaches have been tried to compensate for this non-uniform motion and resultant prevention of contact. Conventionally, machine parts have been machined circular and assembled with generous uniform clearances to prevent contact. The large clearances allow for more gas or steam to escape, however, which degrades system performance. In certain cases, parts are machined off-center to provide non-uniform clearances, but this complicates their fabrication and significantly boosts costs. In some steam turbines, seals are segmented into 4, 6, 8, or more segments, and the segments are each machined to a different diameter. This greatly complicates turbine assembly because individual parts must be tracked and assembled insitu in their specific circumferential locations. Therefore, what is needed is a cost-effective stator component that is capable of producing non-uniform rotor clearances. A further need is for efficient methods for making such components.

Use of spray coatings to achieve non-uniform seal clearances in turbomachinery