Lookup operations are performed on ternary content-addressable memory (TCAM) entries, with error protection provided. Groups of TCAM entries are programmed such that each of its entries differ by more than a predetermined calculated count of ones distance of k bits, where k>0. Lookup operations are performed on these entries using a lookup word in a manner to detect k or less differences in entries within groups to identify a matching entry or no matching entry from each group. These matching entries are then verified using a corresponding error code to identify which entries are a full hit, a suspected hit, or a miss. One of the full and suspected hits is determined in a predetermined manner and identified as the lookup result (or a miss is the lookup result if there are no such entries).

The communications industry is rapidly changing to adjust to emerging technologies and ever increasing customer demand. This customer demand for new applications and increased performance of existing applications is driving communications network and system providers to employ networks and systems having greater speed and capacity (e.g., greater bandwidth). In trying to achieve these goals, a common approach taken by many communications providers is to use packet switching technology. Increasingly, public and private communications networks are being built and expanded using various packet technologies, such as Internet Protocol (IP). Note, nothing described or referenced in this document is admitted as prior art to this application unless explicitly so stated.
A network device, such as a switch or router, typically receives, processes, and forwards or discards a packet based on one or more criteria, including the type of protocol used by the packet, addresses of the packet (e.g., source, destination, group), and type or quality of service requested. Additionally, one or more security operations are typically performed on each packet. But before these operations can be performed, a packet classification operation must typically be performed on the packet.
Packet classification as required for, inter alia, access control lists (ACLs) and forwarding decisions, is a demanding part of switch and router design. The packet classification of a received packet is increasingly becoming more difficult due to ever increasing packet rates and number of packet classifications. For example, ACLs require matching packets on a subset of fields of the packet flow label, with the semantics of a sequential search through the ACL rules. IP forwarding requires a longest prefix match.
Known approaches of packet classification include using custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), custom circuitry, software or firmware controlled processors, and associative memories, including, but not limited to binary content-addressable memories (binary CAMs) and ternary content-addressable memories (ternary CAMs or TCAMs). Each entry of a binary CAM typically includes a value for matching against, while each TCAM entry typically includes a value and a mask. The associative memory compares a lookup word against all of the entries in parallel, and typically generates an indication of the highest-priority entry that matches the lookup word. An entry matches the lookup word in a binary CAM if the lookup word and the entry value are identical, while an entry matches the lookup word in a TCAM if the lookup word and the entry value are identical in the bits that are not indicated by the mask as being irrelevant to the comparison operations.
Associative memories are very useful in performing packet classification operations. As with most any system, errors can occur. For example, array parity errors can occur in certain content-addressable memories as a result of failure-in-time errors which are typical of semiconductor devices.
When a packet classification lookup operation is performed on an associative memory with corrupted entries, a bit error in an entry can result in a false hit, or a false miss. A false hit occurs when the corrupted value of an entry matches the lookup value when it otherwise would not match that entry (and thus another entry or no entry should have been matched). A false miss occurs when an entry should have been matched except for the corruption in the entry. This could result in no entry being matched or another lower-priority entry being matched. When these lookup operations are used for packet classification, an incorrect match or miss presents a problem especially when identifying a route or performing a security classification.
Error-correcting and error-detecting codes are well-known. For example, ANDREW S. TANENBAUM, Computer Networks, Prentice-Hall, 1981, pp. 125-132, discusses error-correcting and error-detecting codes, and is hereby incorporated by reference. Assume a codeword contains n bits of which m are data bits and r are error-correcting or error-detecting bits (e.g., redundant or check bits), with n=m+r. There are many well-known ways to generate the error-detecting and error-correcting bits. Given two codewords, it is possible to determine how many bits differ (e.g., by exclusively-OR'ing or one bit summing the corresponding bits of the two codewords and summing these results). The number of bit positions in which two codewords or a set of codewords differ is called the Hamming distance. A Hamming distance of d, means that it will require d single-bit errors to convert one codeword to another codeword. To detect j errors, a Hamming distance of j+1 is required because with such a code, there is no way that j single-bit errors can change a valid codeword into another valid codeword. Similarly, to correct j errors, a distance 2j+1 code is required because that way the legal codewords are so far apart that even with j changes, the original codeword is still closer than any other codeword, so it can be uniquely determined.
A prior approach protects the associative memory entries with error detection or correction values when the associative memory is not being used to perform a lookup operation. For example, using a background operation, the associative memory entries are periodically checked and corrected for errors (e.g., read from their location and if in error, the correct value is written back). Another prior approach is to periodically over write each associative memory entry with the correct value. These and other prior approaches do not immediately detect the error, nor detect the error when a lookup operation is performed on the corrupted entry. Thus, there can be significant periods (e.g., several seconds to minutes which can be a very long time in the context of a packet switch) before such corrupted entry is corrected.
Some random access memories (RAMs) add error-correcting or error-detecting codes to each memory cell. As part of a read operation of a memory location, the data portion and the error-correcting or error-detecting code is read, which is then used to detect a possible error and/or correct a discovered error in the data portion. This is especially convenient to do as only one set of error-detecting/error correcting circuitry is required (i.e., to operate on the data read from the specified memory location). However, this approach is impractical for an associative memory, as each associative memory entry would need this complete circuitry, and the result of the error-corrected operation for each memory location would need to be compared to the lookup word for every lookup operation. Desired is a mechanism to reduce or eliminate the possible false hits or misses due to corrupted associative memory entries.

Error protection for lookup operations performed on ternary content-addressable memory entries


A multi-layer steel (MLS) cylinder head gasket containing fully integrated pressure sensors includes first and second metal layers with inner facing surfaces, and a spacer layer interposed between the facing surfaces. Outer (non-facing) surfaces of the first and second metal layers each include an elastomeric seal coating; the inner surfaces of the layers each include a friction reducing coating. Combustion apertures extend fully between the outer surfaces of the gasket, and are adapted to circumscribe cylinder bores of an engine. The spacer layer includes protective slots positioned adjacent each of the combustion apertures. Each slot wall contains a pressure sensor in form of a strain gauge to measure deflection of the wall resulting from pressure changes within engine combustion chambers. The measured deflections are correlated to actual pressures within the chambers. In the protective slots, the strain gauges are not exposed to combustion gases that could otherwise foul the sensors.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to apparatus embedded in and or applied to gasket structures, and particularly to sensing apparatus applied to combustion gaskets of internal combustion engines. More specifically, the invention relates to pressure sensing apparatus for measuring pressure levels of combustion gases that are provided within structures of cylinder head combustion gaskets.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to employ electronic sensors in gaskets for sealing between engine components including, for example, the block and cylinder head of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. In one such case, the gasket comprises a sealing plate having several combustion chamber orifices, with combustion chamber sealing elements situated on the edges of the sealing plate surrounding the combustion chamber orifices. The gasket includes sensor elements for cylinder-specific detection of sealing movements perpendicular to the plane of the sealing plate, caused by pressure changes in respective combustion chambers being measured. All of the sensor elements are arranged outside of the combustion chamber sealing elements, and can be piezoelectric and piezoresistive, as well as glass fiber light guide-style sensors.
In another example, a gasket enclosed sensor system is employed for measurement of combustion chamber parameters and delivery of signals to points external of the engine. The gasket includes a combustion opening substantially surrounding a combustion chamber, and includes an access opening extending from the combustion chamber to a point external of the engine. A metallic sensor terminal is positioned within the access opening, and insulating material substantially surrounds the metallic sensor terminal.
In yet another example, a fluid sensor and associated circuitry are used to indicate presence of oil flow in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine. The oil sensor includes a heating element positioned within the oil line, directly in the oil flow path. A comparator measures the value of signals from upstream and downstream heat sensors, and triggers a switching circuit when the temperature at the sensors approach one another to indicate an adequate oil flow to the engine.
In still another example, a gasket formed in the shape of an exhaust flange includes a load sensor comprising a pressure sensitive electrically resistive material positioned between electrodes and conductors extending outwardly of the perimeter of the gasket. A seal provided between first and second layers of the gasket, and about the load sensor, provides a seal for the electrodes, which are positioned in a cavity to protect the sensor from fluids.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Multi-layer steel cylinder head gasket with integrated pressure sensor


Under the present invention, when a request for a web page is received from a client on a server, the web page is built and analyzed for cacheablity. If the web page is cacheable, an entity tag is generated. The entity tag generally identifies the various sources of dynamic content in the web page, and includes cacheability flags and time values associated with the dependencies. The entity tag is sent to the client with the web page where it is stored in local cache memory. If a subsequent request for the same web page is issued from the client, the request is accompanied with the entity tag (e.g., in a header). The entity tag is decoded and analyzed by the server to determine whether the cached web page is still valid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method, system and program product for validating cached dynamic content web pages in caches located remotely from the server. Specifically, the present invention allows a cached dynamic content web page to be validated without the server having to rebuild or evaluate the web page itself.
2. Related Art
As the use of computers becomes more pervasive, computer users are increasingly relying on computer networks to perform everyday functions. For example, today a computer user can purchase goods/services or obtain information over the Internet. Typically, a computer user will issue a request for a certain web page from a "client" that is received by a "server." The server will analyze the request, build the web page, and serve the web page to the client. If the same web page is requested at a later time, the serve can reconstruct and retransmit the web page to the client. Unfortunately, retransmission of a dynamic content web page wastes valuable resources when the web page has not changed. Accordingly, a popular technology that helps prevent unnecessary retransmission of web pages is caching. One example of how caching can be utilized to help prevent unnecessary web page retransmission is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,767 ('767), which is commonly assigned with the present application to International Business Machines, Corp. of Armonk, N.Y. and is hereby incorporated by reference.
Under '767, when a web page is originally built and sent to a client, it is also analyzed for cacheability. If it is determined that the web page is cacheable, it is stored in cache memory both on the server and on the client. When the same web page is later requested, the server will first attempt to retrieve the page from its own cache. If the page is not in the server's cache, and the client has communicated to the server that it has a cached version of the page which requires validation, the server will attempt to validate the cached we page through evaluation. Specifically, the server will rebuild the web page and compare time values (i.e., "last modified dates") of the cached web page to the rebuilt web page. If the time values are the same, the cached web page is still valid and the client can retrieve its cached copy of the web page for display to the user. Conversely, if the time values have changed, the cached web page is stale, and the rebuilt web page is sent to the client. Although such a system avoids unnecessary retransmission of the web page, it nevertheless can consume a large amount of resources of the server in rebuilding the web page to perform the validation. Specifically, as known, a single web page can include content from numerous sources. To rebuild the web page, the server would have to evaluate the page to determine the sources of data and to interface with each source to obtain the necessary content and determine dependencies on additional sources of data. Accordingly, the processing demands on the server are not eased by the caching.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists for a method, system and program product for validating cached dynamic content web pages in remote caches. Specifically, a need exists for a system that can validate a cached dynamic content web page without having to evaluate (rebuild) the web page.

Method for validating remotely cached dynamic content web pages

International Business Machines Corporation


A computer-implemented method for posting content from an external source and onto one or more platforms includes receiving content from a computing device and analyzing the content to generate rich metadata. The method also includes rendering the content in one or more formats acceptable to the one or more platforms. The method further includes transmitting a uniform resource location (URL) for the rendered content to the one or more platforms to allow the one or more platforms to post the rendered content by way of the URL.

Current platforms that post content to social media platforms fail to recognize which platform is posting to. Further, the current platforms take the received content, and post the received content into the platform without modifying the format and/or metadata. These platforms also fail to consider the type of content that is viewed by users of a social media platform. Furthermore, this content fails to include metadata that helps the content to be identified and curated.
Some technologies utilize short uniform resource locators (URLs) to deliver content and capture click throughs. This does not, however, correct the problem of delivering the right kind of content for the platform and audience. This approach also creates additional complications with analytics and corrupts the source of the content for most platforms.
Thus, an alternative process for identifying the appropriate platform may be more beneficial.

Dynamic open graph module for posting content one or more platforms


A beverage dispensing system which includes a server, a sensing system coupled to the server for detecting a quantity of beverage retained in the server, a display coupled to the sensing system, and a count-up timer coupled to the system. The display may provide indicia as to the time and/or freshness of the beverage in the server. A method for sensing and displaying a quantity of beverage in a beverage server which can also include a freshness indicator. A resettable timer is incorporated which cannot be reset until at least the sensing system has been physically or operatively uncoupled from the server. The resetting may also require the sensing system to detect an empty server upon recoupling the sensing system with the server. Further, the resetting may also require monitoring a refill function for refill occurring within a predetermined rate parameter or time.

The present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring, detecting, and reporting or displaying information relating to the volume, amount and/or level of liquid retained in a beverage dispenser. This disclosure also relates to a system which provides a count-up timer operating in relation to beverage freshness.
The present disclosure relates to a level sensing system used with a server of the type having a dual wall thermal insulating container. This type of server is known as a vacuum insulated server. This type of server includes a controllable faucet for controllably dispensing beverage from the cavity of the server. This type of server is used with a beverage brewing system including a brewer to dispense a brewed beverage from the brewer directly into the server for subsequent dispensing. In such, a beverage brewing system the dispenser is spaced in close proximity to the brewer, generally underneath a brewing funnel so that as beverage is dispensed from the brewing funnel it flows directly into a cavity of the container reducing potential exposure to the surrounding atmosphere and helping to maintain the thermal load in the beverage.
It is desirable to maintain the maximum temperature during the brewing process so that a maximum hold time can be achieved for the freshly brewed beverage. Beverage level sensors, as noted above, are used to identify how much beverage is contained in the server. Additionally, a beverage freshness countdown timer has been developed by the assignee of the present application. U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,771 to Hart shows a system in which dispensing of beverage into the server also initiates a countdown timer during which beverage is maintained in a heated condition.
Additional features and embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of drawings.
The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the disclosure that is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

Resettable count-up timer for beverage dispense


In a preferred embodiment, a wire stripper, which includes: a generally elongate lower body member having first and second ends; a generally elongate upper clamping member having first and second ends and generally overlying the lower body member; an integral flexible hinge member joining the lower body member and the upper clamping member intermediate the respective first and second ends; an integral biaser disposed at and between the first ends, so as to bias the first ends apart by rotation of the upper clamping member around the flexible hinge member, and so as to draw the second ends toward each other, and to permit the second ends to be drawn apart by the further tensioning of the biaser by the rotation of the upper clamping member around the hinge member; and a cutting blade disposed in the second end of the lower body member along the major axis of the lower body member and extending above the upper surface thereof, such that a cable inserted between the second ends when the first ends are drawn together will come into cutting engagement with the cutting blade when the second ends are subsequently drawn together, and one or more layers of the cable will be severed by the cutting blade when the wire stripper is rotated about the cable in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the cable.

"Wire" usually refers to a central electrical conductor surrounded by a layer of insulation, while "cable" usually refers to a central conductor surrounded by insulation, with a second conductor of foil or braid surrounding the first layer of insulation and a second layer of insulation surrounding the second conductor. "Wire" and "cable" at times may be used herein interchangeably, as will be clear from the context.
One type of wire stripper long known in the art comprises a pair of opposed blades having handles at one end thereof, which handles are pivotally attached together between the blade ends and the handle ends. The blades have opposed, aligned pairs of sharp notches along their lengths such that when the blades are manually urged together, a selected pair of notches closes about, and cuts through, the insulation on a wire. Rotating the stripper in its closed position in a circular motion of at least 180 degrees about the wire in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the wire severs the insulation and allows it to be pulled off the end of the wire. The pairs of notches are variously sized to cut insulation on wires or cables of several different diameters. While this type of wire stripper is somewhat satisfactory, it is inconvenient to use, in part, because of limitations of a human arm and wrist in rotating the stripper. Such type of wire stripper is also relatively expensive to construct.
A recent development in wire strippers has provided a wire stripper of molded plastic material which is generally in the shape of a clothespin, with the proximal ends of two straight members being biased together by an integral spring member, the bridging member being put in a tensioned state by means of the manual forcing together of the distal ends of the straight members. Removably disposed in the proximal end of one of the straight members is a cassette containing two cutting blades in selected positions. In use, the stripper is "opened" by the manual forcing together of the distal ends of the straight members, the cable is placed against a stop in the other one of the straight members, and the distal ends of the straight members are released so as to bring the cable in cutting engagement with the blades. Relative rotation of the wire stripper and the cable about the axis of the latter causes the cutting through of the outer and inner layers of the cable.
While the body of the latter wire stripper is relatively economically manufactured, the cassette required represents a second part to be manufactured and additional manufacturing expense.
Another disadvantage of that wire stripper is that the positions of the cuts are predetermined by the relative positions of the cutting blades and the stop and cannot be changed without changing-the cassette. Even then, the degree of flexibility in choosing positions is somewhat limited.
A further disadvantage of that wire stripper is that it is difficult to rotate around the cable with one finger.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a wire stripper that is easy to use and economical to manufacture.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a wire stripper that is of one piece construction.
Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.


An optical fiber having continuous spot-illumination thereupon, wherein the continuous illumination spot are realized by cutting away a plurality of cladding from the fiber till exposes the core under the micro-windows and let the light wave guided within the core emit form those micro-windows, therefore, this fiber can provide uniform radial illumination in spot manner.

Christmas light bulb plays a significant role in the decoration lighting market. However, the conventional Christmas light bulbs have some problems. For example, it is haunted by the problem of safety caused by its physical arrangement, lack of the ability of saving electrical power and hard to manipulate the exhibiting color. For the bulbs connected in series and used in decoration situation, the whole series of bulbs will be extinguished if only one of those lamps has problem. This problem will be more serious for those decorating lighting bulbs used in outdoor decoration, for those bulbs in such situation are liable to be deteriorated by a bad weather.
To overcome above problems, the present invention provides an optical fiber which has a plurality of micro-windows alone its outer surface, the light guided along the optical fiber can come out from those micro-windows in radial direction as it travels to those micro-windows to provide a uniform illumination in spot-like manner.
An optical fiber generally consists of a cylinder core of silica glass or plastic materials surrounded by a cladding whose refractive index is lower than that of the core and can be used in the field of data transmission, guided wave device, optical fiber sensor and decoration application. For a step-index plastic optical fiber, its has a core made of PMMA Polymethyl methacrylate and a cladding made of fluorinated polymer, and has excellent extension property and flexibility.
Referring to FIG. 1, this figure shows a step-index optical fiber and is used to explain the principle of guiding light wave for an optical fiber. The incident light is launched into the core of the optical fiber which is a homogeneous and has a larger refractive index, and the core is surrounded by a cladding which has a lower refractive index. By the principle of total internal reflection, the light launched into the core within a small angle will be reflected on the interface of the core and the cladding. That is, the light will be bounced forth and back within the core, in other word, be guided within the core. For a step-index plastic optical fiber, it has a thick core and a thin cladding. For example, in an optical fiber of 750 .mu.m diameter, the core has diameter of 735.+-.45 .mu.m, and the cladding with the core has total thickness of 750.+-.45 .mu.m.
Above discussion shows that the guidance of light wave in an optical fiber is realized by the total internal reflection occurred on the interface of the core and the cladding, which have different values of refractive index. By the principle of ray optics, the light wave will be guided losslessly alone the core if the light wave is launched into the core within a small angle. That is, the angle is such small that the condition of total internal reflection can be realized. However, there exists propagation loss in the optical fiber due to the imperfection in the materials and the structure of the optical fiber.
As to the mechanism accounting for the propagation loss of the optical fiber, there are the inherent absorption loss for the fiber materials. Taking fiber with an absorption loss of 0.2 dB/km as an example, the optical fiber will lose 7% of its light energy after a 2 meter propagation. Besides the inherent absorption loss in optical fiber, there are also the scattering loss due to the impurity and bulb generated during the pulling process of the optical fiber, the loss caused by the imperfection in the shape of the core . . . etc. FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the guided wave energy and the propagation distance for optical fibers to explain the effect of the propagation loss.
Because the light wave is not guided perfectly in real situation, there exists light wave scattered from the surface of the optical fiber. The scattered light can be employed for decoration purpose. However, for the optical fiber having above propagation loss mechanism can only illuminate weak or diversified light alone its surface and provide spot light only at its end, so it does meet the requirement of decoration satisfactorily. For a high propagation loss fiber, there might be more light wave emitting out of fiber in radial direction, however, the illumination is not uniform.
To solve the above problem, the present invention provide a fiber having continuous and uniform spot-like illumination, which can be advantageously employed in the field of decoration lighting.
The present invention provides a fiber having a radial illumination effect along a effective propagation distance, said fiber has a plurality of micro-windows cut in its outer surface, light can be illuminated from the micro-window as long as there is light launched into the fiber within the acceptance angle thereof.
More particularly, this invention use automatically-controlled and high-precision cutting means to machine the optical fiber, which cuts away a plurality of tiny region of the cladding and exposes those part of the core t under the opening. Therefore, the light wave guided within the core can illuminate uniformly from those opening if they incident to the opening.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention:

Optical fiber having continuous spot-illumination


A computer system includes a computer system unit and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit is coupled to receive input power and generate output power. This circuit includes a circuit to generate a control signal that is related to the power level of the input power. The control signal has a first value relative to the input signal if the input signal exceeds a selected threshold level and the control signal has a second value relative to the input signal if the input signal does not exceed the selective threshold value. The power level of the output power is controlled so that it does not exceed a maximum power level which is based on the level of the control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a power supply circuit for a computer system or the like, and more particularly to a power limit circuit which is adaptable for varying input voltage, useful in a computer system or similar electronic equipment. In particular, the invention relates to an off-line, power factor corrected (PFC), power supply circuit.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
In the manufacture of computer systems, it is preferable to produce a single model that is operable in a wide variety of settings, rather than tailoring a system to each different setting. A computer unit which is to be operated from AC line power is preferably adapted to accept a wide range of input voltages, 110V or 220V, 50 Hz or 60 Hz, for world-wide utility. Even though the nominal ratings are 110V and 220V, the power supply might allow the computer system to be operable from a low of 90V to a maximum of 265V, without intervention by an operator to make any adjustments via selector switches or the like.
A power supply circuit which allows operation over this wide range of AC line voltages is described by G. A. Hall et al. in "Application Note 33" at pages 226-234 in Applications Handbook, published 1995 by Micro Linear Corporation, 2092 Concourse Drive, San Jose, Calif. 95131. This power supply circuit uses a Micro Linear ML4824 controller as described at pp. 7-143 to 7-152 of Applications Handbook. This controller includes a power factor corrector circuit and a pulse width modulator type voltage control circuit. The power supply circuit described therein accepts an AC input of 80V to 264V and produces the usual computer operating voltages of 3V, 5V and 12V DC.
However, a power supply as described by Hall et al. presents a problem due to the wide range of input currents for differing AC line voltages, assuming a constant power output. For a computer system rated at 750 Watts, for example, the input current would be 8.3 Amp at 90V input, while at 265V input the current would be 2.1 Amp. At the lower AC line voltages, the line current can be precariously close to the trip current of a fuse or circuit breaker that must be in series with the AC power line. The high current condition must be avoided, as the equipment will be thought by a user to be unreliable, when indeed it is the low line voltage condition that is causing the high current. Of course, there will be loss of data and awkward restart chores if the fuse is tripped while operating in a normal running condition. Causing the fuse or circuit breaker to trip is a catastrophic shut down mode that is undesirable unless there is indeed a high current condition.
There are several methods which have previously been used in power supply circuits to limit the output power and prevent permanent damage to the power supply circuits in computer systems of this type. These include fixed current limit, under-voltage lockout, and fixed power limit, or a combination of these.
Fixed current limit and under-voltage lockout protects against fuse clearing, but is ineffective against component damage at high-input voltages. Fixed power limit is effective but does not allow higher output power at high voltages, and thus the power supply cannot be dual rated to take advantage of the ability of the power supply to provide higher output powers at high voltages.
In a typical power supply circuit using these principles, the AC input is monitored by circuits that produce voltage and current values, e.g., VRMS and I.sub.AC inputs are generated. These inputs are fed into a multiplier, producing a representation of power (P=IV), and this result is compared against a reference voltage. When the reference is exceeded, the duty cycle of the power supply is limited and thus the output power is limited. This arrangement, employed in the power supply circuit described by Hall et al. as set forth above, is effective in many situations, but still does not account for a wide range of input voltages, needlessly limiting power in some cases where it is not necessary.

Computer system including power supply circuit with controlled output power


Aspects include executing a first phase that includes injecting instrumentation into program code in response to identifying an inner conditional check in the program code and running the instrumented program with a representative workload. The injecting includes duplicating the inner conditional check and placing a duplicate of the inner conditional check before a respective original nested conditional check in the program code to create an instrumented program. The instrumented program includes a plurality of basic blocks including original basic blocks and a newly added basic block that includes the duplicate of the inner conditional check. The method also includes executing a second phase that includes collecting execution frequency values from counters associated with the basic blocks to form metadata used to make optimization decisions for the program code.

The present invention generally relates to optimizing computer code, and more specifically, to improving profile-guided optimization (PGO) instrumentation for nested conditional checks.
Compilers can implement performance optimizations by using known heuristics to make guesses about code execution. For example, a compiler may predict the static frequency of a branch is taken based on where the branch is located, and/or it may choose to inline a function based on its size. To extract good performance out of a program, it is important for the programmer to have intrinsic knowledge of the compiler and system design, so that the programmer can provide hints or annotations to the compiler. Unfortunately, this is not always possible and another performance optimization technique that can be used is profile-guided optimization (PGO).
PGO is a method used by compilers to produce optimal code by using application runtime data. Because this data comes directly from the application, the compiler can make much more accurate guesses about code execution. PGO has two phases. During the first phase, the program being compiled is instrumented. When the program is run, using input data representative of the typical workload, the injected instrumentation collects characteristics of the program that are useful to the optimizer. During the second phase, the data collected in the first phase is used to reoptimize the program. The information collected is used to make better heuristic guided optimization decisions.
One technique used by PGO is to inject instrumentation designed to collect counters representing the execution frequency for the basic blocks in a function. Basic blocks with higher counters are executed more frequently than basic blocks with lower counters. Optimizations can use this information to augment the cost model used to decide whether a transformation of the code is deemed profitable.

Instrumentation for nested conditional checks


A method and system for ranking products using similarity propagation. The method incudes calculating a total score of a product based on its own score and a propagated score. The propagated score is determined by looking at a similarity distance value and then applying a similarity distance factor to a product's score to determine a propagated score for a new product.

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has been a growing field for many years. Many retailers now offer both a store front location and the ability for customers to purchase items online. In some cases, retailers may only have an online presence. Instead of heading to a retail store, customers can either stay at home to make purchases or can purchase on their mobile devices without having to visit a retail store.
With the creation of e-commerce websites, customers are now also able to check prices of identical products at different merchants on their mobile devices. In some scenarios, the user relies on the website to provide suggestions based on pre-determined criteria. As such, the website must rank products for the user to browse. While different ranking processes are contemplated, many are based on individual criteria such as a product's popularity or price. Newer ranking methodologies are currently being developed in order to improve these search results. As the e-commerce market continues to grow, new innovation continues to be developed to assist the e-commerce market.
Therefore, there is provided a novel method and system for ranking products in an e-e-commerce environment based on similarity propagation.

Method and system for ranking products in an electronic commerce environment based on similarity propagation


A map including a plurality of sheets having map pictorial sections printed on each sheet; the plurality of sheets including an outermost sheet and an innermost sheet; and at least a first inner sheet and a second inner sheet positioned between the outermost sheet and the innermost sheet, the first inner sheet positioned between the outermost sheet and the second inner sheet; each of the plurality of sheets having first, second and third fold lines such that each of the plurality of sheets includes four panels; the first panel defined by a first side edge and the first fold line, the second panel defined by the first fold line and the second fold line, the third panel defined by the second fold line and the third fold line, and the fourth panel defined by the third fold line and a second side edge; wherein each the sheet is folded along the second fold line such that the third panel is positioned atop the second panel with the third fold line proximate the first fold line; the fourth panel positioned atop the third panel as the sheet is folded along the third fold line; the first panel positioned atop the fourth panel; and wherein the outermost sheet has an overall length less than the first inner sheet, which has an overall length less than the second inner sheet, which has an overall length less than the innermost sheet, such that when assembled the first panels form a first staggered edge and each of the fourth panels form a second staggered edge.

The invention relates to maps made of paper, cardboard, or similar materials that are intended to be carried and handled by a user during the course of travel, for example. Various types of maps for this purpose are known in the art, and have seen widespread use for many year now. These include maps printed on a single sheet of paper that folds and unfolds to reveal various sections of the map, and maps bound into book for with various areas being mapped shown on different pages. With the former, it is well known that such maps are often times difficult to handle while travelling and once unfolded can be problematic to fold back to their original position. Thus, after repeated fold and unfold cycles, the map tends to get damaged and wear on the map takes its toll. With the latter, the user is often required to turn between numerous pages to locate a position on the map and often times, reference to various pages must be made. Thus, book-style maps can be confusing and difficult to hand as well.
Various modifications and improvements have been attempted over the years to improve upon these types of maps. However, some prior art maps prove expensive to manufacture and/or assemble, while others do not lend themselves to ease of use and carry while travelling.
One prior art map that attempted to address these problems was shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,038 to Peter Lynch—the inventor of the present invention. The '038 Patent discloses an improved map arranged from a number of folded sheets, that form a variation on the book style of maps. While the '038 map provides significant improvements over the prior art, its cost of manufacture prohibited widespread use.
Other prior art maps make it difficult to readily locate landmarks, or to provide detail portions of sections of the map while providing ease of use and handling of the map itself.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved map that addresses one or more of the aforementioned problems with the prior art.


A synchronous differential logic system is provided for implementation of pipelined computational structures capable of hyperfrequency operation. An individual logic circuit has a differential cascode switch and a synchronous sense amplifier which operates as a latch. A plurality of differential inputs are connected to the differential cascode switch which produces complementary signals at first and second nodes. The cascode switch is connected to the synchronous sense latch which provides complementary output signals of the logic circuit. The synchronous sense latch comprises an equalization transistor and two cross-coupled inverters, each connected to first and second power supply buses. The equalization transistor is connected to the first and second outputs, of the logic gate and to a global system clock. The two output signals of the logic circuit are forced by the equalization transistor to a voltage approximately equal to one half of the power supply voltage in one clock phase and are partially released by the equalization transistor in the second clock phase. The synchronous sense latch output is a function of the differential logic inputs applied to the cascode switch. High speed of operation is also accomplished by a) reducing logic signal voltage swings, b) using a synchronous sense latch which is not disconnected from the power supply during equalization, and c) forcing the terminals of each bistable circuit to a substantially sensitive operating point which is one half of the power supply voltage, before the bistable circuit switches to valid logic levels.

A. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to logic systems and more particularly to synchronous differential logic circuits for very large scale integrated systems which operate at very high frequency.
B. Background Art
Advanced CMOS fabrication technologies are capable of producing VLSI systems comprising millions of transistors and wires. However, CMOS has yet to be exploited to its full potential for manufacturing not only complex but also high performance VLSI systems.
Efforts toward improving VLSI system performance have proceed on all levels including improvements in architecture and logic circuits. At the architectural level the press for increased performance has led to the development of two forms of concurrency--parallelism and pipelining. Parallelism emphasizes concurrency by replicating a hardware structure many times. Pipelining takes the approach of providing combinational logic structures with clocked data latches to hold intermediary results so that the processing of one data set can be performed concurrently with the processing of other data sets. As the number of logic levels interposed between successive clocked latches decreases, the pipelined system could be operated at higher clock frequencies and thus the amount of work performed concurrently could be increased. However, the implementation of high performance maximally pipelined systems has not been commercially viable because of the relatively high incremental cost of data latches.
At the circuit level, the development of logic gates having shorter switching times, hence permitting operation of VLSI systems at higher clock frequencies has been a constant goal. The major improvements in logic circuits performance has been due to advances in CMOS fabrication technologies which produced transistors with higher gain per chip area and interconnections with less parasitic capacitance and resistance between logic circuits. However, little improvement in circuit performance has come from new types of CMOS logic gates.
There are two types of logic circuits which are used in digital VLSI systems, i.e., single-ended and differential. Single-ended CMOS logic circuits are characterized by having a single current path between a power supply bus and ground and by the use of a single signal conductor to connect the output of one gate to the input of another gate. During the transition period from one logic level to the opposite one, single-ended CMOS circuits are known to generate a significant amount of switching noise. The problem is further exacerbated by an occasional simultaneous switching of a group of single-ended off-chip drivers which alter the current demand on the power supply thus causing an instantaneous voltage collapse. This type of noise which depends on the data being processed by the VLSI system is difficult or impossible to filter out due to its low frequency of occurrence. Moreover, switching noise can affect the correct operation of other gates and consequently limits the upper clock frequency of such systems.
A differential logic gate has two current paths between the power supply buses. One current path produces a logic value at one output while, simultaneously, the other current path produces its logic complement at the other output. A differential logic system uses two wires for each signal connected from a differential output of one gate to a differential input of another gate. Logic values in a differential logic system are defined as the algebraic voltage difference between the two complementary signal wires. Differential circuits could be less sensitive to noise, signal line voltage drops, and power supply variations, than single-ended circuits.
A differential logic gate comprises a differential switch and a load circuit. A plurality of differential inputs are connected to the differential switch which provides a path to ground, only on one of its two outputs, as a function of the logic values of the inputs. (The differential switch is a single pole double throw switch implemented with transistors and controlled by one or more differential inputs.) The load circuit senses the current into the outputs of the differential switch and produces a given output signal at a first output node and a second output signal, which is the complement of that of the given output signal, at a second output node.
There is a class of differential circuits that use load circuits which are controlled by a clock. In these synchronous circuits, both differential outputs are precharged in one phase of the clock to a given voltage and in a second phase of the clock, the inputs are evaluated to provide a logic value at the outputs which is a Boolean function of the inputs.
Synchronous differential logic circuits suitable for implementing pipelined VLSI systems have been known in the prior art. Applicants believe that the invention, as set forth herein, has many significant advantages over the circuits of the prior art, especially when ones purpose is to produce useful maximally pipelined systems which are to operate at a much higher frequency than the prior art system. Although none of the prior art known to the applicants teaches or suggests applicants' invention, the closet reference is described as follows.
A synchronous, latched, differential CMOS logic circuit was described by T. A. Grotjohn and B. Hoefflinger in an article entitled "Sample-Set Differential Logic (SSDL) for Complex High-Speed VLSI," in Journal of Solid-State Circuits, vol. SC-21, No. 2, pp. 367-369, April 1986.

Synchronous differential logic system for hyperfrequency operation


Chloride dioxide for a cellulose pulp mill bleach plant is produced by concentrating (evaporating) liquid effluents from the bleach plant to a concentration level high enough for incineration, incinerating the concentrated effluents to produce an ash, chemically reacting at least a part of the ash to produce chlorate, and using the chlorate in the manufacture of chlorine dioxide. The ash is purified to produce sodium chloride and the sodium chloride is reacted with oxygen and external energy to produce sodium chlorate. The chlorate is then used in the manufacture of chlorine dioxide. Sulfates produced are used to manufacture acid and/or caustic, and heavy metal hydroxides are disposed of. A part of the ash may be used directly in chlorine dioxide manufacture. At least some of the salt from chlorate manufacture may be fed to the chemical recovery loop, including a recovery boiler, in the pulp mill. Evaporated gases may be returned to the pulp mill and bleach plant.

One component of a zero discharge pulp mill, such as described in the parent application, is a system for the manufacture of chlorine dioxide for use in the bleach plant of the pulp mill. It is highly desirable to be able to generate all of the chlorine dioxide on site, and in a manner recovering chemicals from the pulp production.
In the parent application, chlorine dioxide generation is accomplished by concentrating the bleach plant effluent, incinerating it, and then subjecting it to a leaching stage in which the sodium salts are leached prior to crystal washing. Sodium chloride, which is removed during crystal washing, is directed to chlorine dioxide production while part of the leachate is directed back to the recovery boiler of a chemical recovery loop of the pulp mill.
According to the present invention, another method of producing chlorine dioxide, suitable for use in the zero discharge pulp mill of the parent application, is provided, which avoids the leaching and crystal washing stages. In the various aspects of the present invention, after concentration and incineration of bleach plant effluents, the ash produced may be fed directly to chlorine dioxide production, or after storage to chlorate manufacture, or a part to each. In a chlorate manufacture stage the ash is chemically reacted to produce chlorate which is then subsequently used in chlorine dioxide manufacture.
According to one aspect of the present invention a method of producing chlorine dioxide for a cellulose pulp mill having a bleach plant, is provided. The method comprises the steps of automatically, continuously and sequentially: (a) Concentrating liquid effluents from the bleach plant to a concentration level high enough for incineration. (b) Incinerating the concentrated bleach plant effluents to produce an ash. (c) Chemically reacting at least a part of the ash from step (b) to produce chlorate. And, (d) using the chlorate produced in step (c) in the manufacture of chlorine dioxide, which chlorine dioxide is used in the bleach plant to bleach pulp. Step (c) is practiced by purifying the ash to produce sodium chloride, and reacting sodium chloride from the ash with oxygen and external energy to produce sodium chlorate. This also produces sulfates and heavy metal hydroxides. The sulfates are used to produce acid and caustic, which are used elsewhere in the mill. Part of the ash from step (b) can be used directly in chlorine dioxide manufacture. In the chlorine dioxide manufacture caustic and acid also can be produced, as are metal hydroxides (which are disposed of).
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of producing chlorine dioxide for a cellulose pulp mill having a bleach plant is provided. The method comprises the steps of automatically, continuously and sequentially: (a) Concentrating liquid effluents from the bleach plant to a concentration level high enough for incineration. (b) Incinerating the concentrated bleach plant effluents to produce an ash. And, (c) using at least a part of the ash directly in the manufacture of chlorine dioxide, which chlorine dioxide in turn is used in the bleach plant to bleach pulp.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of minimizing effluents from a cellulose pulp mill having a bleach plant and a recovery boiler and chemical recovery loop, is provided. The method comprises the steps of continuously: (a) Concentrating liquid effluents from the bleach plant to a concentration level high enough for incineration. (b) Incinerating the concentrated bleach plant effluents to produce an ash containing sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, and sodium chloride. (c) Chemically reacting at least a part of the ash to produce chlorate and sodium salts. (d) Feeding at least a substantial portion of the sodium salts to the chemical recovery loop of the recovery boiler. And, (e) using the chlorate produced in step (c) in the manufacture of chlorine dioxide, which is used in the bleach plant.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a method for the effective production of chlorine dioxide, preferably all the chlorine dioxide needs for a bleach plant of a pulp mill, from bleach plant effluents. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from a detailed description of the drawing and from the appended claims.

Chlorine dioxide generation for a zero discharge pulp mill


An aircraft landing gear self-orients so to align itself within a plane parallel to the plane defined by the aircraft's roll and yaw axis. A nose gear of a tricycle landing gear configuration includes the ability to not only caster 360 degrees but also self-orient itself to be aligned parallel with the plane defined by the aircraft's roll and yaw axis once removed from any interaction with the ground. A simple and efficient mechanical design provides the landing gear with a substantially constant centering torque that neither impedes nor impairs ground movement yet returns the nose gear to a proper alignment for retraction and stowage.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to improvements in caster centering devices. Primarily devices for use in airplane landing gear to bring the nose wheel of the landing gear into parallelism with the fuselage of the plane, so that upon landing the caster wheel will be disposed in alignment with the direction of flight and upon retraction the landing gear is in alignment with the storage compartment.
2. Relevant Background
Aircraft landing gear, attached to primary structural members of the aircraft, support the entire weight of an aircraft during landing and ground operations. Most landing gear includes wheels to facilitate operation to and from hard surfaces, such as airport runways.
Numerous configurations of landing gear types can be found. Three basic arrangements of landing gear include: tail wheel-type landing gear, tandem landing gear, and tricycle-type landing gear. Tail wheel-type landing gear is generally comprised of a main gear assembly located forward of the center of gravity and an additional wheel assembly to support the tail. Alternatively, tandem landing gear has the main gear and tail gear aligned in the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. Sailplanes and certain large aircraft employ such a tandem configuration. In contrast, tricycle-type landing gear includes a main gear assembly and a nose gear.
The nose gear of some aircraft with tricycle-type landing gear is steerable from the flight deck via a nose wheel steering system. Conversely, other aircraft include nose wheel assemblies that caster (swivel freely in a horizontal plane). Such aircraft are steered during taxi by differential braking and use aerodynamic control surfaces during takeoff and landing to maintain directional control.
A further classification of aircraft landing gear can be made into two categories: fixed and retractable. Many small, single engine light aircraft have fixed landing gear, which means the gear is attached to the airframe and remains exposed to the slipstream as the aircraft is flown. However, as the speed of an aircraft increases, the drag caused by the fixed landing gear (parasite drag) also increases. To minimize parasite drag, mechanisms to retract and stow the landing gear are often employed. While in flight, retractable landing gear stows in the fuselage or wing compartment wheel wells. Once in these wheel wells, the landing gear is out of the slipstream and does not create any parasite drag.
Another category of aircraft that employ retractable landing gear is amphibians. Amphibious aircraft possess the ability to land and takeoff from the water as well as from land based runways. While the fundamentals of landing gear retraction and extension remain the same, the process must also consider the hydrodynamic forces and that the gear may be submerged for extended periods of time.
Presently, retractable aircraft landing gear that include a castering wheel assembly are susceptible to incorrect wheel orientation upon retraction assembly into the fuselage or wing storage compartment. If retracted in an improper position, the castering wheel assembly may not fit into the intended storage compartment and, consequently, doors to the landing gear storage compartment cannot close. Such a scenario can result in numerous problems, including breaking of one or more doors, stalling of one or more actuators, etc. And in the case of an amphibious aircraft an improperly retracted landing gear may result in unacceptable hydrodynamic performance that may jeopardize the ability to become safely airborne or safely land on water.
In light aircraft, especially Light Sport Aircraft or light amphibious aircraft, weight and complexity are driving design considerations. While landing gear centering mechanisms exist in the prior art they are, in many instances provide at the cost of increased weight and complexity. The challenge is therefore to produce a landing gear centering mechanism that is effective in orienting the landing gear prior to retraction and after extension and that is simple and minimizes financial and weight costs.
These and other challenges of the prior art are addressed by one or more embodiments of the present invention. That is to say, the present invention provides a simplified aircraft landing gear that self-orients and thus properly orients itself for storage within a storage compartment.
Additional advantages and novel features of this invention shall be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following specification or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, combinations, compositions, and methods particularly pointed out in the appended claims.


A fish hook of generally conventional design with the unique features of having a point section of a pyramidal shape with a triangular cross-section. The three sides of the point section are either flat-sided or slightly concave facets extending from the point to the base of the point section. The hook has at least three barbs of different sizes with at least one barb on each edge of the cross-section. The smallest barb is near the point, and the barbs increase in size in increments down to the largest (conventional) barb at the base of the point section. The barb positions rotate sequentially in 120 degree increments around the axis of the point section from the top barb near the point to the bottom barb at the base of the point section. This multiple barb arrangement and the cutting edges of the facets results in increased and more secure hookups.

Fish hooks are typically used by recreational fishermen and sometimes in commercial fishing. Hooks of various sizes and shapes have been developed in attempts to maximize effectiveness for different methods of fishing and for different species of fish. A typical fishhook is formed from a section of round steel wire that has been bent into a U shape at one end and has an eye at the other end to attach a fishing line. The end of the U bend has a sharpened point and usually one barb near the end of the sharpened section a short distance down from the point. A hook having a small barb positioned near the point serves to increase the ability to hook the fish, especially if the fish just nibbles at the bait, while a larger barb further from the point improves the likelihood of preventing the fish from getting free of the hook after it is hooked. It is therefore advantageous to have a fish hook with multiple barbs of progressively increasing size with increasing distance from the point or tip.
Another feature that can improve hooking success is to have the point section faceted to provide cutting edges where the facets join. This allows the point to more easily penetrate the fish's mouth to a depth of penetration past the barb(s). What is needed is a fish hook that can provide initial hooking and barb engagement close to the point of the hook, and then gradually increasing the size of the barbs as the hook continues to penetrate further into the fish's mouth. This can best be accomplished by using a faceted point in combination with a gradually increasing size of barb(s) as the kook penetration progresses.
Although single barb fish hooks with point sections of circular cross-section are most common, some fish hooks with multiple barbs and/or faceted point sections have been developed to improve the effectiveness of hooking fish and preventing the fish from disengaging or shaking the hook loose. An example of a hook with a regular barb and some smaller beards (barbs) is described by Martin in U.S. Pat. No. 523,988, issued on Aug. 7, 1894. The beards, while smaller than the ordinary barb, are all disposed in a vertical alignment upon the inner side of the hook portion below the point, and having the usual inner edge inclined toward the point. The patentee does not include a faceted point section in the description.
Another fish hook with multiple barbs is disclosed by Edgar in U.S. Pat. No. 620,896, issued on Mar. 14, 1899. Here, the barbs are disposed either in the direction toward the shank of the hook or in a direction preferably at right angles to a line extending across the space between the short arm and the shank of the hook. The disclosure does not include any specific differentiation in the sizes of the barbs and does not mention any facets of the tapered point.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,906,054, issued to Morehead on Sep. 29, 1959, a typical fish hook is described having a slender tapered point wherein the conventional large barb is eliminated and replaced by a large number of very minute spines. The slender tapered point is not faceted and, while the minute spines provide some advantage where only a very light force is required to effect the initial hook-set, a large barb should also be included to further engage the fish's mouth with a final hook-set that penetrates the fish's mouth deeper and provides a more secure purchase to reduce the likelihood of the fish being able to disengage or shake the hook loose.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,875, issued to Hoben et al. on Jun. 1, 1993, discloses a fish hook with preferably two barbs of identical size wherein the second barb is located directly behind the first barb. This arrangement of same-sized barbs doesn't contribute substantially in facilitating an easy (light insertion force) hook-set, and the second barb doesn't engage or hold a different part of the fish's mouth from that of the first barb. With the multiple barbs being in general alignment, they don't provide any significant advantage over a single barb, because all of the barbs engage the same penetration point of the mouth. Also, the barbs, as shown in FIG. 3 are located below the triangular-shaped member (104) (the point section). The fish hook would be more effective if the top barb were smaller and disposed up on the triangular section of the point and not directly in line with the second barb.
The above-mentioned disclosures have multiple barbs, but the barbs are not configured in the most advantageous manner to facilitate hooking the fish and retaining the fish on the hook. As detailed herein, there are a number of improvements and features that can be incorporated to greatly increase the effectiveness of a fish hook, especially the point section of a fish hook.


A fitted glove structure that incorporates a molded rubber palm piece that has a portion which extends over certain of the glove fingertips to the back piece in a manner to increase wearer comfort and protection and to enhance the object pick up capabilities of the glove.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides an improved glove construction wherein the palm pattern comprises a molded rubber piece having a portion which rolls over the fingertips.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gloves specifically designed for use in the construction industry have been available in the prior art. For example, Ironclad Performance Wear Corp., Los Angeles, Calif., sells a variety of gloves having a palm piece attached to a back piece through the use of fourchettes. The glove fingers are attached to the palm and back pieces across the tips of the fingers, down the side of each finger and down through the crotch between each finger. The Ironclad gloves typically have a pattern on the palm piece to protect the user hand from strain, vibration or abrasion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,290 to Gold discloses a glove structure wherein the palm piece is attached to the back piece through the use of connector strips made from stretchable elastic fabric, such as spandex.
The problems with the conventional glove design is that sensitivity is reduced as the typical glove has materials (4) coming together at one point; wearer fingernails tend to hang up on seams reducing the utility and mobility when the gloves are worn; seams in the central wear area cause the glove material wearing out; the presence of multiple materials and seams reduces wear comfort; the plural seams and materials increases the likelihood that the glove will snag on outside items such as nails and screws; and the fingernails are susceptible to damage because of the thin and lighter palm material used in conventional gloves.
Ski gloves have been available which include an inner glove portion and an outer shell glove portion which includes a palm design that wraps up and over the fingertips. This ski glove construction is not a single, fitted glove, is primarily limited to skiing and other winter sport activities and is not designed to be long lived.
What is thus desired is to provide a glove construction whereby the above noted disadvantages are substantially eliminated.

Glove having molded rubber palm pattern with a portion that rolls over fingertips


An electrical connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of conductive terminals received in the insulating housing, a detecting contact and a metallic shell shielding around the insulating housing. The insulating housing has a base portion and a mating tongue extending forwardly from the base portion. The metallic shell surrounds the meting tongue to form a receiving cavity opening forwardly. The conductive terminals have contacting sections exposed in the receiving cavity. The metallic shell has a resilient contacting portion contacting or disconnecting with the detecting contact so as to obtain detecting function.

1 . Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to an electrical connector having detecting structure secured therein.
2 . Description of Related Art
TW patent issued NO. M391737 discloses an electrical connector, the electrical connector comprises an insulating housing, a plurality of conductive terminals received in the insulating housing and a metallic shell surrounding the insulating housing. The metallic shell surrounds the insulating housing to form a mating cavity opening forwardly. The insulating housing has a base portion and a mating tongue extending into the mating cavity from the base portion. One of the conductive terminals is defined as a detecting contact. The detecting contact has a soldering portion and an elastic contacting portion opposite to the soldering portion. The elastic contacting portion of the detecting contact extends into the mating cavity. In use, the detecting contact will be frequently pressed outwardly by the complementary connector, thereby the detecting contact is easy to be destroyed.
Therefore, an electrical connector having new detecting structure is provided to overcome the drawbacks described aforementioned would be desirable.

Electrical connector having detecting structure


An aircraft wing has a main wing element with a spar and a leading edge rib supported by the spar, a high lift device movably mounted to the main wing element, and an actuation mechanism with a drive shaft and a gear train. The gear train has a drive cog carried by the drive shaft, an actuator cog coupled to the high lift device, and one or more intermediate cogs mounted to the rib and coupled in series with the drive cog and the actuator cog so as to transmit torque from the drive cog to the actuator cog which moves the high lift device between a retracted position and an extended position in which the high lift device increases the camber of the wing. Sizes of the cogs in the gear train are selected so that the drive shaft rotates at a higher rate than the high lift device.

A conventional aircraft wing comprises a main wing element with a spar; a high lift device (such as a slat or Krueger flap) which is movably mounted to the main wing element; and an actuation mechanism which moves the high lift device between a retracted position and an extended position in which the high lift device increases the camber of the wing. A known mechanisms comprises a drive shaft which runs span-wise along the wing, and an actuator shaft which is positioned forward of the drive shaft and also runs span-wise along the wing. Power is transmitted from the drive shaft to the actuator shaft via two bevel gears, a down-drive shaft between the bevel gears, and a gear box extending in line with the actuator shaft. A problem with such an actuator mechanism is that the gearbox takes up valuable space.


A thin ribbon of paint film is guided and applied directly to hot thermoplastics extrudate just as it exits the extrusion die by a film curving and guide plate and then by a film application wheel that is adjusted so that the film mates with and is laminated to the extrudate with an adhesive bond between the paint film substrate and the extrudate. This eliminates the need for high gloss, high metallic content thermoplastics for use as extrudate such as currently used for finished automotive side molding and allows reground thermoplastics to be used as the extrudate and finished with a paint film covering. The thermoplastic extrusion molding is then compression formed in a preform operation to establish end corners with selected radii for corner sharpness as well as reshape the part cross section. This is accomplished with a die and end cap construction which can be relatively adjusted to provide effective gas venting around the end of the die cavity on die closure.

Prior to the present invention, thin films of thermoplastic material, such as cast paint film, have been widely utilized in a variety of laminating applications, such as for printing and packaging. In more limited applications, paint films have been applied to plastic bodies such as molded profiled strips of thermoplastics for body moldings for automotive vehicles. The use of such moldings has been limited in view of the initial cost of the paint film and the frequent rejection of molded parts because of wrinkles, distortions and stretch lines in the applied film which detracted from the appearance and acceptability of the finished body molding. Additionally, because of difficulty in securely laminating the paint film to the profiled strip, problems of de-lamination of the film occurred when the body moldings were subjected to severe environments associated with vehicle use.
Furthermore, prior to the present invention, profiled extrudate used as vehicle body side moldings often had to be knife cut or reheated and post formed in a die operation, or the molding was end capped to cover the plastic end to provide acceptable terminal ends. Such methods involved complex and tedious measuring and cutting procedures or extra parts which materially added to body molding costs.

Laminating film to plastics extrudate and cornering extrudate with selected radii


A manual and automatic integrated faucet, comprising a faucet main body, a water outlet component, a handle, a handle switch, a displacement sensing element, a touch sensing element, an action sensing element, a control element and an electromagnetic valve; the water outlet component is connected with the faucet main body at one end, and provided with a water outlet at the other end; the handle switch is arranged on the faucet main body, and the electromagnetic valve is arranged on a water outlet passage of the faucet; the water outlet is controlled to let water out by simultaneously turning on the handle switch and opening the electromagnetic valve; and manual and automatic integration can be achieved by applying the handle switch, a touch sensing switch, a displacement switch, an infrared sensing switch and a timer to one faucet.

Currently, faucets in the markets have various forms, and are largely divided into manual and automatic types, wherein a manual faucet has a mechanical valve opened or closed by human strength; and automatic faucets include inductive faucets, touch faucets, etc., and receive trigger information by a sensing element or a touch sensing element to control the opening or closing of an electromagnetic valve. These automatic faucets are widely used in public locations, such as canteens, air ports, hospitals and hotels, as well as in private locations, such as at home. The existing inductive faucets are very suitable to be used in public locations because the opening of the faucets can be achieved without contact, and potential sanitary safety problem can be effectively eliminated. However, faucets in such an inductive water outflow mode become too monotonous and do not work well in private locations, such as at home, and in places with large water consumption or places needing continuous use of water, such as in medial cleaning rooms, food factories and catering chain enterprises. A touch sensing element of a touch faucet is usually arranged on the whole exposed main body of the faucet, and the main body is insulated from a mounting countertop. However, in this way of arrangement, it is likely to cause touching of a switch and continuous opening of an electromagnetic valve due to water splashing on the countertop or interference of other factors.
Meanwhile, if a touch sensing element or an infrared sensing element outside the faucet is damaged and cannot sense external trigger information, use of water can be seriously affected, and the maintenance procedure is complicated. Also, such inductive faucets have various types; and if installed and used at home, the faucets are difficult to use conveniently by old people or children in general, and they need to continuously grasp using methods of various inductive faucets, thus affecting the use of water by old people or children.


Embodiments of a solid state photomultiplier are provided herein. In some embodiments, a solid state photomultiplier may include a microcell configured to generate an analog signal when exposed to optical photons, a quench resistor electrically coupled to the microcell in series; and a first switch disposed between the quench resistor and an output of the solid state photomultiplier, the first switch electrically coupled to the microcell via the quench resistor and configured to selectively couple the microcell to the output.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to detection systems for use in imaging systems, such as X-ray based and nuclear medicine imaging systems.
Conventional imaging, for example, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) may utilize a radiopharmaceutical that is administered to a patient. In the context of PET imaging, the radiopharmaceutical typically breaks down or decays within the patient, releasing a positron that annihilates when encountering an electron and produces a pair of gamma rays moving in opposite directions in the process. In SPECT imaging, a single gamma ray is generated when the radiopharmaceutical breaks down or decays within the patient. These gamma rays interact with detectors within the respective PET or SPECT scanner, which allow the decay events to be localized, thereby providing a view of where the radiopharmaceutical is distributed throughout the patient.
In the above examples of imaging technologies, a detector is employed which converts incident radiation to useful electrical signals that can be used in image formation. Certain such detector technologies employ solid state photomultipliers, which may be useful for detecting optical signals generated in a scintillator in response to the incident radiation. One issue that may arise is that, in certain detector technologies where solid state photomultipliers are employed, the large output capacitance of the solid state photomultipliers combined with the inductance and impedance of the readout circuit can produce poor timing resolution. The larger output capacitance of the solid state photomultiplier arises from the large number of micro cells connected in parallel between the bias voltage input pin and the anode output pin of the solid state photomultiplier. To reduce the output capacitance, circuitry may be added to each microcell to isolate the capacitance of the microcell from the output of the solid state photomultiplier. However, the inventors have observed that conventional circuitry configurations typically require a high current that is drawn from a separate power supply to operate, thereby increasing the power dissipated in the solid state photomultiplier. In addition, the conventional circuitry configurations require relatively large area in the microcell making the photomultiplier inefficient.
Therefore, the inventors have provided an improved solid state photomultiplier.


In a data processing system, apparatus and method for controlling the type of processing to which data signal groups can be subjected includes a page table entry format having a multiplicity of field positions for storing signals defining page access rights. In addition to the read/write access control, the signal group access rights can be determined by the current mode of operation of the data processing unit and the intended activity of the addressed instruction or data element (i.e., read, write or execute).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to data processing systems and, more particularly, to the control of the instruction and data elements that are processed by the data processing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In data processing systems, the data elements that are manipulated by the data processing system, as well as instruction elements forming a program controlling the manipulations, are typically stored in a main memory unit. The main memory unit can store instruction and data elements associated with a multiplicity of programs being executed by the data processing system. For a variety of reasons, such as integrity of the instruction and data elements, it is frequently desirable to control the type of manipulation to which the instruction and data elements can be subjected. For example, inconsistent results can occur when a user of the data processing system can cause the fundamental portions of the operating system program or selected subroutines to be altered.
In the past, a variety of techniques have been used to control the type of manipulation to which a logic signal group can be subjected. A field (or fields) can be associated with each logic signal group that designates the intended use of the associated instruction or data element. Because of the variety of access rights that can be assigned to the instruction or data element, only a subset of all possible access rights to the associated instruction or data elements can be assigned without the requisite access rights fields becoming excessively large. This problem is addressed in a somewhat different manner by the Multics (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service) system in which a multiplicity of privilege levels are defined for the operation of the data processing system and transfer between these levels is rigidly controlled. The Multics system is described in "The Multics System; An Examination of its Structure" by Elliott I. Orgnick, published by MIT Press. The Multics system and similar data processing systems require elaborate hardware/software privilege level interfaces that typically involve a large amount of processing time to implement. Access rights associated with Multics system are defined for each level of privilege and must be examined for consistency when passing between privilege levels.
A need has therefore been felt for a technique for controlling the manipulation of instruction and data elements that has sufficient flexibility to provide for the available processing options without requiring a large amount of dedicated processing capability or, without requiring relatively large access rights fields to be associated with each instruction or data element.

Apparatus and method for main memory unit protection using access and fault logic signals


A filter system (10) is disclosed that includes a filter assembly (12) and input/output hardware (14). The filter assembly includes a housing (16) and cap (18) that cooperatively support a prefilter (20) and main filter (22) in a fluid flow path. Fluid flow through the filter assembly occurs radially through the prefilter and axially or radially through the main filter. The main filter includes an alkaline leaching agent to raise the pH of fluid flowing therethrough to, for example, between 8 and 10. A method is also disclosed for evaluating the effectiveness of the filter system in reducing a select contaminant from the fluid by evaluating the effectiveness of the filter system in raising the fluid's pH.

Systems for filtering fluid have been developed for use in a wide variety of commercial, industrial, and domestic applications. Some systems employ mechanical or physical barriers to block micropollutants, particulate, and other materials in the fluid. Other systems rely upon carbon to reduce materials in the fluid through adsorption or reduction-oxidation (redox) materials to induce electron transfers that reduce the content of a material in the fluid. Some systems even use a combination of the foregoing techniques to achieve the desired filtering, treatment, purification, or conditioning (collectively referred to herein as filtering) of the fluid.
As with the type of filtering process employed, the fluids to be filtered by different systems may vary widely. For example, the fluids may be gaseous or liquid, and may have relatively high or low viscosities. Further, the pressure of the fluid may vary greatly, above and below one atmosphere. As will be appreciated, each of these factors may influence the design and operation of a filter system.
One particular fluid of interest to be filtered is water. As will be appreciated, water has many industrial, commercial, and domestic uses in which some threshold level of purity is desirable. The most common example is the use of water in the home for drinking and cooking. The water available from many sources and distribution systems, however, is unsuitable for such uses because it includes contaminants such as particulates (e.g., scale, rust, soil, or sediment), micropollutants (e.g., giardia, salmonella, et cetera), bacteria, chemicals (e.g., chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, lead, trihalomethanes, and other inorganics). As a result, there has been a significant expansion in the world market for bottled water and water filter systems.
A conventional water filter system often includes a housing for receiving at least one filter element in a path of fluid flow defined by the housing. The filter element typically includes a shell or frame and a filter medium supported by the shell. Commonly used filter media include close-woven textiles, metal screens, string-wound fibers, papers, nonwoven fabrics, carbon granular beds, and various reduction-oxidation (redox) media.
Addressing the construction of several common filter elements in greater detail, one embodiment is cylindrical in shape and includes a paper filter medium or barrier, which may be rolled or folded around the perimeter of a porous cylindrical core. The core is seated against the housing at both ends and water flows radially through the assembly, while the paper filter blocks particulate.
Alternatively, the filter element or barrier may be formed by winding a suitable fiber or string about a perforate cylindrical core. Each end of the fiber wound about the core abuts a circular seal provided on the housing. Water flows radially between the wound fibers, which are spaced to block the desired contaminants.
In yet another embodiment, the filter element or cartridge is a cylindrical shell, filled with an adsorbent or electron transfer media. For example, the shell may contain a granulated activated carbon (GAC), such as charcoal. The shell is impermeable and coupled to the housing at both ends by seals, directing the flow of water axially through the GAC. The GAC, through adsorption, reduces or removes chlorine and its associated taste, as well as hydrogen sulfide and its associated odor from the water. The spacing between the granules, further, obstructs the flow of particulate in the water.
One of the most common problems with such conventional filter systems is their inability to remove small particulate at high filtration rates. Typically, a high filtration rate is achieved only by employing a number of independent filter elements in independent housings, significantly increasing system size and expense. Further, filter elements designed to remove small particulate will typically clog relatively quickly when exposed to larger particulates, reducing flow to undesirably low rates, and therefore requiring frequent replacement of the filter elements.
Another problem with conventional systems of the type described above is that they are typically only suited for use in reducing or removing certain types of contaminants. More particularly, a given filter element may be suitable for use in filtering water including particulates but not chemicals, or may be suitable only for reducing certain types of chemicals. As a result, a filter system that works well in one part of the country may be completely inadequate in another geographic area.
In addition to having limited adaptability to various water conditions, many conventional filter systems are not readily placed in different physical environments. For example, when a filter system is to be used in the home, it may be desirable to locate the housing and filter element either above or below a kitchen or bathroom countertop. Conventional filter systems, however, are not readily adaptable for efficient use in these different locations.
In summary, it would be desirable to provide a low-cost system that is capable of filtering small particulate at a high volumetric rate, without frequent filter element replacement, and that is usable with a wide variety of fluid conditions and in a variety of environments.

Dual cartridge filter employing pH control


A nozzle structure for a paint spray gun, is comprised of a central outlet for paint, an annular slot surrounding the central outlet, the annular slot being connected inside the nozzle structure via an annular duct to a number of virtually axially parallel bores, the bores being situated on at least one circle about a central axis of the nozzle structure, apparatus for providing,  compressed air via the bores for delivery to the annular duct, and an air reversing  deflection disk located inside the annular duct and opposite the bores.

A nozzle arrangement for a paint spray gun is described in German Utility Model G 90 01 265.8. The nozzle arrangement described in that document has a central outlet for the paint which can be closed with an axially extending pin. The paint flows pressureless from a fluid container to this sealable outlet. The outlet is surrounded by an annular slot out of which a circular air jet of high velocity flows, which thereby sucks paint out of the outlet, atomizes it and carries it along, as a result of which a circular jet consisting of paint particles is formed.
Laterally of the jet direction, the nozzle arrangement has two protruding horns, horn air jets of which are directed diagonally and in the same direction to the direction of flow of and into the circular jet, which deformed it. To control the horn air, the nozzle arrangement has, on both sides of the outlet in the direction of the horns, two or more control bores through which air passes and impacts the horn air jets and thus controls them.
Both the annular slot and the control bores are supplied with air from the same air chamber, namely an annular duct inside the nozzle arrangement. This annular duct is supplied with compressed air from supply bores which are located in a paint nozzle and the axes of which are arranged parallel and equidistant on a circle around the axis of the nozzle arrangement.
A disadvantage of the arrangement described is that the air does not flow uniformly into the annular slot via the supply bores arranged about the periphery inside the nozzle arrangement, as a result of which the air/paint mixture is not distributed as uniformly as possible in the circular jet. If the air pressure were measured along the periphery of the annular slot, then an almost sinusoidal modulation would result, whereby peaks occur in the angular area of the annular slot, in which the bores are also located, and minimums in between.
In addition, this arrangement has the disadvantage that the air from the supply bores reaches directly into the control bores for the horn air, depending on the angular position of the paint nozzle having the bores relative to the housing or air cap of the paint spray gun, when the supply bores are about colinear with these control bores and, as a result, the horn air is affected too greatly in an undesirable manner, which in turn changes the jet pattern in an undesirable manner. The spray result thus depends on the relative position of the air cap having the horns and control bores relative to the paint nozzle which has the supply bores. However, the position of the paint nozzle screwed into the housing of the paint spray gun is determined by the starting cut of its thread and thus a great extent accidental, so that some of the guns produced exhibit undesirable paint coat properties.

Nozzle arrangement for a paint spray gun


Charging of parasitic capacitances present in a unity gain buffer amplifier is speeded up, with a consequent increase in input slew rate capability, by connecting a resistance circuit across the current sources and output transistors. Imbalances in the response rate of the input transistors to changes in the input voltage produce a current shift through the resistor that charges parasitic capacitances to speed up the output transistor response.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to unity gain buffer amplifiers, and more particularly to increasing the permissible input slew rate of such amplifiers by charging parasitic capacitances associated with the amplifier circuitry.
2. Description of the Related Art
Unity gain buffer amplifiers have been in use for applications such as the input stage for current feedback operational amplifiers, and stand-alone buffers. A simplified schematic diagram of such a circuit, used in the OP260 dual high-speed current-feedback operational amplifier by the PMI division of Analog Devices, Inc., the assignee of the present invention, is shown in FIG. 1. It includes an input branch with input bipolar transistors Q1 and Q2, which are respectively npn and pnp devices. An input terminal T1 is connected to the bases of each of the input transistors. The collector of Q1 is connected to a positive voltage bus V+, with a current source I1 drawing current from the emitter of Q1 to a negative voltage bus V-; the collector of Q2 is connected to V-, with another current source I2 supplying the Q2 emitter with current from V+. The current sources are typically transistors biased to supply about 0.5 mA, while the absolute voltage levels of the voltage buses can range from about 5 to about 15 volts.
An output branch consisting of series-connected npn and pnp transistors Q3 and Q4 is connected between V+ and V-, with an output terminal T2 taken from the common connection of the Q3, Q4 emitters. The base of Q3 is supplied with current from I2, while current is drawn from the base of Q4 by I1. The emitters of Q1 and Q2 are connected respectively to the bases of Q4 and Q3 by connector lines 2 and 4. The amplifier's unity gain between T1 and T2 results from the rough balancing of the base-emitter voltage drops across Q1 and Q4, and across Q2 and Q3.
The slew rate (the rate at which the circuit responds to a change in the input voltage) of the amplifier as described thus far is limited due to the presence of parasitic capacitances in the circuit, illustrated as capacitances C.sub.p1 and C.sub.p2 at the bases of Q3 and Q4, respectively. These parasitic capacitances result mainly from the collector-base capacitances of Q3 and Q4, the collector-base and collector-substrate capacitances of I1 and I2 (which are typically implemented by current source transistors), and metallization capacitances. The slew rate for a positive-going input signal at T1 is limited to I2/C.sub.p1, while the slew rate for a negative-going input signal is limited to I1/C.sub.p2. Simply making I1 and I2 larger would not be effective in speeding up the slew rate, since it would impose excessive currents upon Q1-Q4.
Instead of attempting to increase I1 and I2, current boosting npn and pnp bipolar transistors Q5 and Q6 are added in the OP260 device, each with its base connected to the input terminal T1. The base-emitter circuit of Q5 transmits current from V+ to the parasitic capacitance C.sub.p1, while the collector-emitter circuit of Q6 conducts current away from C.sub.p2 to V-. Q5 is gated into conduction when the input voltage at T1 is greater than about 2 base-emitter voltage drops (about 1.2 volts) greater than the output voltage at T2, while Q6 is gated into conduction when the input voltage drops more than about 2 base-emitter voltage drops below the output voltage. When gated, Q5 provides for a more rapid charging of C.sub.p1, while Q6 increases the negative charging (i.e., the discharge) rate for C.sub.p2.
While the addition of Q5 and Q6 provides a gross improvement in the input slew rate, it does not speed up the circuit operation for small signal levels. In fact, the circuit response for small signals is actually slower because of additional stray capacitances introduced by Q5 and Q6.

Rapid slewing unity gain buffer amplifier with boosted parasitic capacitance charging