An apparatus for applying sealant material continuously to an insulated glass panel assembly having a spacer frame with first, second, third and forth perimeter edges and corners defining a sealing area for receiving sealant material therein. The appartus includes a swivel dispensing head assembly (500) having a dispensing nozzle (502) thereon for applying sealant material in a continuous motion to the sealing area of the first, second, third and forth perimeter edge of the spacer frame of the insulted glass panel assembly. The swivel dispensing head assembly (500) includes a swivel rotation member sub-assembly (510) for swiveling and rotating the dispensing nozzle (502) around each of the first, second, third and forth corners of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly, wherein the dispensing nozzle applies the sealant material within the sealing area of the spacer frame; and also includes a dispensing valve sub-assembly (530) for transferring and controlling the flow movement of the sealant material from a sealant material drum via a material supply hose to the dispensing nozzle. The apparatus additionally includes a frame assembly having a frame housing with an air float tabletop and a glass air float and suction assembly having a plurality of air hose members for supplying air to support and float the insulated glass panel assembly.

This invention relates to an automated system for applying sealant along the four perimeter edges of an insulated glass unit assembly. More particularly, the system utilizes a unique method of holding the glass panel in place and for applying the sealant material by a dispensing head that moves completely around the four perimeter edges of the insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
Insulating glass includes an assembly of two sheets of panels of glass separated by one or more spacers so that there is a layer of insulating air between the two panels of glass. To seal in the insulating layer of air, a sealant material must be applied to each perimeter edge of the glass panel in the space formed between the spacer and the edges of the glass panels. In order to form a good seal, the two glass panels must be accurately aligned relative to each other, and, in addition, the spacer along each edge of the glass assembly must be properly spaced and aligned relative to the two glass panels. As a still further condition for forming a good seal, the glass assembly and spacers must be maintained in proper alignment while the sealant material is being applied thereto. Finally, the sealant material must be applied in such a way that it is uniform and covers the entire edge of the glass assembly.
The application of adhesive or other sealant material to substrates is well known and is particularly well known in the insulated glass assembly production. In the manufacturing of insulated glass, it is important to secure that the perimeter of a unit is completely sealed. If this is not done, the result is the ingress of moisture or debris which eventually leads to the premature degradation of an insulated glass assembly.
In view of this difficulty, the prior art has proposed numerous methods and various apparatus to ensure uniform application of sealant material in the assemblies. Typical of the known arrangements is extrusion heads which are either automated or manual. One of the primary difficulties of the known arrangements is that the depth of the sealant material cannot be uniformly applied in width or depth about the perimeter and further, the known arrangements are limited in that they do not positively avoid entrapment of air within the sealant material. A further limitation is that the most extreme perimeter of the sealant material cannot be perfectly perpendicular relative to the substrate surface. The result of this is, therefore, surface irregularity about the perimeter as opposed to a smooth planar finish which would be more desirable from an aesthetic point of view as well as a structural point of view.
Although apparatus has been developed in the past for handling insulating glass assemblies and applying sealant material to the edges, such apparatus has not been totally satisfactory. In one prior art system, a stationary header applies the sealant material to the glass assembly as it moves along a work support. However, one of the problems of such an arrangement is that it is difficult to keep the glass assembly and spacers properly aligned, relative to each other as it moves relative to the stationary header. As a result, defects in the seal are likely to occur.
In another prior art arrangement, the sealant material is applied to a frame formed by the aluminum spacers, and then the spacer frame with the sealant material applied thereto is taken to another station where the glass panels are adhered to the spacer frame. The glass assembly is then transferred to a vertically arranged heating and compression station to heat and compress the assembly. As will be understood, such an arrangement is time consuming, expensive, requires many work stations and is not automatic. Accordingly, this system has also not been entirely satisfactory.
In view of the existing limitations in the sealant applying art, there exists a need for an improved new method of disposing sealant between, for example, insulated glass assemblies. Further, there remains a need for an automated system for applying sealant material by a dispensing head that moves completely around the perimeter of the insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
An apparatus for automatically applying sealant material in an insulated glass assembly of various designs, configurations, styles and materials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,029 to LAFOND discloses a method for applying sealant material between spaced-apart substrates in an insulated glass assembly. The method of application of extrusion nozzles and smoothing plates. The smoothing plates move in concert with the extrusion nozzles to ensure the uniform distribution of the sealant material from the spacer to the perimeter of the substrates. The smoothing plates ensure a uniform and planar surface at the perimeter. This method of sealant material application to the insulated glass assembly is automated, and accordingly, the sealant material can be applied in an expedited manner with a high degree of precision of uniformity. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the particular structure and design of the present invention for an automated system that automatically applies sealant material around the perimeter and between glass panes in an insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,547 to LENHARDT discloses a process and apparatus for applying a sealing mass to seal the space between panes of insulating glass using a sealing nozzle. The apparatus includes at least one sealing nozzle and at least one covering and stripping plate. The stripping plate permits the defect-free and bubble-free filling of panes of insulating glass with a sealing material, even in the corner areas, in a uniform manner. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the particular structure and design of the present invention for an automated system that automatically applies sealant material around the perimeter and between glass panes in an insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,914 to CHECKO discloses an apparatus for applying sealant material to an insulated glass assembly. The apparatus includes a work supporting table for receiving the glass assembly, and an aligning apparatus for properly orienting and aligning the glass panels and spacers of the glass assembly relative to each other and relative to a sealant applying nozzle/head. The sealant applying apparatus also includes a clamping assembly having clamping members for clamping the glass assembly in order to maintain the glass assembly in its properly aligned position so that the sealant material can be applied to the space between the perimeter edges of the glass assembly. The sealant applying head is mounted for movement relative to an edge of the glass assembly which includes a nozzle assembly for applying the sealant material to the glass assembly as it moves relative to it. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the particular structure and design of the present invention for an automated system that automatically applies sealant material around the perimeter and between glass panes in an insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,738 to Lafond discloses a method for applying sealant material between spaced-part substrates in an insulated glass assembly. The method of application is sequential and employs extrusion nozzles and smoothing plates. The smoothing plates move in concert with the extrusion nozzles to ensure the uniform distribution of the sealant material from the spacer to the perimeter of the substrates. The smoothing plates ensure a uniform and planar surface of the perimeter. This method of sealant material application to the insulated glass assembly is automated, and accordingly, the sealant material can be applied in an expedited manner with a high degree of precision and uniformity. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the particular structure and design of an automated system for automatically applying sealant material around the perimeter in an insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,943 to Parsons discloses an apparatus for forming insulated glass structures. This apparatus is used for applying heat and pressure to form the glass assembly and is composed of a pair of glass sheets having a spacer and sealant inserted therebetween. The apparatus includes a rigid frame assembly having a plurality of torsion bars being pivotably mounted thereto. The apparatus also includes an aluminum lower platen resting in a plurality of pistons capable of raising and lower the lower platen, and includes an upper platen fixedly attached to the frame supports and substantially parallel to the lower platen. The apparatus further includes a heating element for heating the lower platen and the space between the lower and upper platens, respectively, and a control panel for operating the apparatus. The preheated heating elements cause the glass sheets to be compressed between the platens and are heated such that the spacer sealant is cured and the insulated glass assembly is formed. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the particular structure and design of an automated system for automatically applying sealant material around the perimeter in an insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,554 to Lafond discloses an apparatus for sealing the corners of an insulated glass assembly and spacer material for use in either a manual or an automated production assembly. The apparatus includes a pair of wiper blocks each having an interior surface for abutting an edge of the glass assembly and are arranged in a substantially perpendicular configuration to each other. The wiper blocks are adapted for converging and diverging in a reciprocal movement from an adjoining position for molding a square corner of glass assembly to a separated position for wiping smooth the surface of the injected sealant material. The apparatus further includes a nozzle which is positioned between the wiper blocks for injecting sealant material into the corner area and retracting in concert with the converging movement of the wiper blocks, respectively. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the particular structure and design of an automated system for automatically applying sealant material around the perimeter in an insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,062 to Manser discloses an automated sealant applicator for applying sealant material to form a plurality of insulated glass assemblies. The apparatus includes a computer control and a support structure having a carriage on which is movably disposed a sealant applicator. The sealant applicator is selectively positionable along at least one axis via the computer control and one or more sensors operate to provide the computer control with data regarding sealant application as the sealant is applied. The computer control is further operative to both determine the depth of sealant to be applied, and to effect positioning of the sealant applicator in response to data from the one or more sensors such that sealant applied does not exceed the determined depth. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the particular structure and design of an automated system for automatically applying sealant material around the perimeter in an insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,110,148; 4,145,237; 4,561,929; and 4,711,692 disclose other apparatus for sealing the edges of an insulated glass assembly with a sealant or adhesive material.
None of the aforementioned prior art patents disclose or teach an automated system or an overall apparatus for automatically and continuously applying sealant material to an insulated glass assembly having a motorized-dispensing nozzle that moves completely around the perimeter of the insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion, with the insulated glass assembly being in a fixed position and held in place by suction during the sealing process by the use of an air float and suction system. Further, none of these prior art patent disclose or teach that the insulated glass assembly is moved forward within the apparatus by the air floats when the sealant material has been completely dispensed within the insulated glass assembly.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for automatically and continuously applying sealant material in a single continuous motion along the perimeter of an insulated glass unit assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material that is built in a horizontal plane with the dispensing head traveling on an X-Y slide assembly, with the starting corner being in the rear left.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material that has the insulated glass assembly in a fixed position and held in place by suction during the sealing process with the use of an air float and suction system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material that has a dispensing head which moves completely around the perimeter of the insulated glass assembly in a single continuous motion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material that has the insulated glass assembly moving forward by the use of air floats when the sealant material has been completely dispensed within the insulated glass assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material that automatically changes its alignment criteria for different sizes of air spaces, and allows for differences in the sealant space caused by improper positioning of the spacer when manufacturing the insulated glass assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material that works for different sizes, shapes and thicknesses of glass units, with the benefit of increased efficiency due to lower maintenance and labor costs during change-overs for different sizes, shapes or thicknesses of the insulated glass assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material that utilizes an integrated electric system which automatically adjusts for the glass unit thickness chosen, thereby effectively eliminating operator error and variations for the different glass unit thicknesses of the insulated glass assembly being produced.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material in an insulated glass assembly that minimizes down time and labor costs by enabling quick removal of jams, defective glass units or misapplied sealant materials to the glass unit during the operational use of the apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material in an insulated glass assembly that minimizes change-over time and set-up time by automatically and simultaneously adjusting the position of the dispensing nozzle head in regard to the glass units being processed.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for applying sealant material in an insulated glass assembly that is simply to manufacture and assemble and is also more cost efficient during operational use.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for applying sealant material continuously to an insulated glass panel assembly having a spacer frame with first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges and corners defining a sealing area for receiving sealant material therein. The apparatus includes a swivel dispensing head assembly (500) having a dispensing nozzle (502) thereon for applying sealant material in a continuous motion to the sealing area of the first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly. The swivel dispensing head assembly (500) includes a swivel rotation member sub-assembly (510) for swiveling and rotating the dispensing nozzle (502) around each of the first, second, third and fourth corners of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly, wherein the dispensing nozzle applies the sealant material within the sealing area of the spacer frame; and also includes a dispensing valve sub-assembly (530) for transferring and controlling the flow movement of the sealant material from a sealant material drum via a material supply hose to the dispensing nozzle.
The apparatus also includes a dispensing head rotation assembly (400) for rotating the swivel dispensing head assembly (500) and the dispensing nozzle (502), as the dispensing nozzle applies the sealant material around each of the first, second, third and fourth corners of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly. The apparatus further includes a slide assembly for moving the dispensing head rotation assembly (400) around the first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges of the spacer frame of the insulated glass panel assembly during the sealing operation.
The apparatus additionally includes a frame assembly having a frame housing with an air float tabletop thereon; the air float tabletop includes an upper wall surface, a bottom wall surface and a plurality of air and vacuum hole openings therethrough for supplying either air or vacuum to the upper wall surface of the air float tabletop; and a glass air float and suction assembly having a plurality of air hose members for supplying air to support and float the insulated glass panel assembly above the upper wall surface of the air float tabletop in order to properly position the insulated glass panel assembly relative to the frame assembly prior to the sealing operation, and for removal of the insulated glass panel assembly after the sealing operation has been completed; and for supplying suction to clamp the insulated glass panel assembly on the upper wall surface of the air float tabletop in order to properly position the insulated glass panel assembly during the sealing operation.

Apparatus for automatically and continuously applying sealant material in an insulated glass assembly


A method and system for retrieving subscription information associated with a content file are provided. The method, according to an example embodiment, includes automatically generating a hash of the content file and retrieving an identifier for the subscription from a peer machine participating in a distributed hash table network. Subscription information is then retrieved using the subscription identifier, either from a specially configured subscription server or from a subscriber machine in the distributed hash table network.

Subscriptions allow users to specify a feed and filters to record or download desired multimedia content, but the content itself cannot be traced back to a normal subscription. For example, a TiVo® customer can create a Season Pass™ subscription to record all episodes of their favorite television program as they air. A web browser can be configured to download web page updates using RSS (rich site summary). A user of the VUZE® client (developed by Vuze, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif.) may create a subscription to download content such as all television programs within a genre, that are shown on a particular channel, or that are found as a result of a search query.
BitTorrent is currently one of the most popular methods of distributing large files over the Internet. For a given file, the BitTorrent protocol embodies four main roles: an initial seeder, new seeders, a tracker, and peers. Initial seeders, new seeders, and peers are all transient clients; trackers are typically web servers. The initial seeder is the source of the file, and operates by dividing a file into small pieces, creating a metadata description of the file and sending this description to the tracker. Peers discover this file metadata description, usually as a .torrent file, through some out-of-band mechanism (e.g., a web page) and then begin looking for pieces of the file. Peers contact a central tracker to bootstrap their knowledge of other peers and seeds, and the tracker returns a randomized subset of other peers and seeds. Initially, only the initial seeder has pieces of a file, but soon peers are able to exchange missing pieces with each other. Once a peer acquires all of the pieces of a file, it becomes a new seeder. This collection of clients actively sharing a file is called a swarm.
In some client-based peer-to-peer (P2P) systems (e.g., VUZE®), file descriptors and other metadata are stored in a distributed hash table (DHT), in which all clients participate, and any node can be assigned the role of tracker if its unique identification number is equal or close to the hash of a given file's descriptor. This is mainly used as a backup mechanism when the original tracker is offline or otherwise not responding to requests for the file. However, the DHT is also a way to distribute a file without a central tracker at all or to locate additional peers that are not connected to a tracker.


A system includes a power transistor having a first drain connected to a load, a first gate connected to a gate driver, wherein the gate driver is configured to drive a first gate voltage on the first gate, and a first source connected to a ground. A sampling transistor includes a second drain connected to the first gate, a second gate connected to the first drain and a second source. A sampling capacitor is connected between the second source and the ground, wherein the sampling transistor is configured to sample a Miller plateau voltage of the first gate voltage on the sampling capacitor, in response to the first gate voltage increasing to the Miller plateau voltage and a first drain voltage of the first drain decreasing to a value equal to the Miller plateau voltage plus a threshold voltage of the sampling transistor.

During activation of a Field Effect Transistor (FET), a portion of the charge from a gate voltage applied to the FET will be absorbed by a parasitic Miller capacitor (e.g., a capacitor between the gate and drain of the FET). While the Miller capacitor is being charged, the voltage on the gate will not increase at the same rate (e.g., the voltage will flatten), while charging the Miller capacitor. This operating regime where the gate voltage is flattened is referred to as the Miller plateau voltage.
Once the Miller capacitor is charged and the FET activated, the gate voltage will then be allowed to continue to rise. The Miller plateau voltage provides valuable information on current conduction through the FET. However, the Miller plateau voltage typically last for a very short duration, hence it is very difficult to measure.


This invention discloses a write-sensing circuit for a semiconductor memory having at least one memory block with a continuous word-line being coupled to all the memory cells in a column of the memory block and a continuous bit-line being coupled to all the memory cells in a row of the memory block, the write-sensing circuit comprising a first and a second sense amplifier belonging to the same memory block, a first switching device coupled between the first sense amplifier and a first power supply, the first switching device being controlled by a first signal, and a second switching device coupled between the second sense amplifier and the first power supply, the second switching device being controlled by a second signal different from the first signal, wherein when the first sense amplifier is activated, the second sense amplifier can remain de-activated.

The present invention relates generally to dynamic random access memory (DRAM) circuits, and, more particularly, to design of DRAM write circuit.
Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is a type of random access memory that stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor. A simplest DRAM cell comprises a single N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistor and a single capacitor. If charges are stored in the capacitor, the cell is said to store a logic HIGH, depending on the convention used. Then if no charge is present, the cell is said to store a logic LOW. Since the charges in the capacitor dissipate over time, DRAM systems require additional refreshing circuitries to periodically refresh the charges stored in the capacitors. Since a capacitor can store only a very limited amount of charges, to fast distinguish the difference between a logic '1' and a logic '0', two bit-lines (BLs) are typically used for each bit with the first in the bit line pair known as a bit line true (BLT) and the other being the bit line complement (BLC). Prior to a sensing, BLT and BLC are equalized to the same voltage. Upon the sensing, the voltages of the BL pair start to split oppositely, e.g., if BLT swings to a higher voltage, then BLC swings to lower voltage. A sense amplifier compares BLT and BLC voltages and outputs either a high or a low voltage to represent a logic value stored in the bit.
The single NMOS transistor's gate is controlled by a word-line (WL). When the WL is asserted a logic high voltage, the single NMOS transistor will be turned on and allow the cell capacitor to be accessed.
In a large DRAM bank, memory cells are organized in blocks, and a bank may contain a plurality of blocks. A WL is coupled to all the cells in a row of a block and a BL pair is coupled to all the cells in a column of the block. Here the row or column is arbitrary, i.e., WLs may run in the column direction and BLs may run in row direction instead. A global bit-line (GBL) pair is coupled to all the BL pairs belonging to the same column of the plurality of blocks through select transistors, which is controlled, conventionally, by a single select signal for the entire bank. The GBL pairs are coupled to the data input/output through multiplexers. When writing or reading the DRAM cells, the select transistors are turned on, so that data can be written into the memory cells from the corresponding GBL pairs and through the corresponding BL pairs, or read from the memory cells through the corresponding BL pairs onto the corresponding GBL pairs. During memory cell refreshing, since the cells are not accessed, so that the select transistors need not be turned on.
In general, accessing a DRAM cell involves WL activation, signal development on the BL pairs, BL sensing, WL deactivation and BL equalization (EQ). BL sensing is a signal write back or refreshing process. When a DRAM cell is being written, outside voltage will charge the storage capacitor, there is no data loss issue. But if the memory cell is not being written and not fully refreshed before connecting its corresponding BL pair to its corresponding GBL pair, data stored in the memory cell may be lost due to large capacitive load of the GBL.
Assuming a 64-bit DRAM has 256 columns in a bank, then each time only ¼ of the BLs need to be accessed. However, because all the select transistors of an entire bank are controlled by a single signal in conventional DRAMs, all 256 BL pairs are connected to their corresponding GBL pairs during a write operation, even though only 64 GBL pairs are forced with outside voltage source. If the memory cells on the rest 192 BL pairs are not fully refreshed prior to the select transistor's turn-on, these memory cells may suffer data loss. For this reason, the write operation in conventional DRAM must be sequential, i.e., writing may only start after a sensing is completed.
FIG. 1 shows a timing sequence of writing in a conventional DRAM. Prior to the writing 108, the BLs are equalized in time slot 102. At the beginning of the writing, the WL starts to develop in time slot 104, and maintains activated throughout the entire write cycle 100. Sensing occurs in time slot 106. During this time, all the cells coupled to the activated WL are refreshed to their full capacity. Writing to the selected cells happens in time slot 108 after the sensing period 106 is completed. Due to these sequential executions, the writing cycle 100 is particularly long, which limits the overall speed of the DRAM.
One way to overcome this limitation is to selectively turn on only those select transistors for the BL pairs being accessed, while keep the rest of the select transistors in the memory bank in off state. But this requires additional select signal lines, which will increase the memory die size.
As such, what is desired is a DRAM writing scheme that allows early writing, i.e., simultaneous writing and sensing or even writing ahead of sensing, without increasing memory die size.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


Method and apparatus for measuring sizes of objects by using photograph. Method includes taking photograph by using camera; recognizing reference scale in photograph and measuring size of reference scale; measuring vertical direction angle and horizontal direction angle between the camera and the objects by using image properties of the recognized reference scale; recognizing the objects in the photograph and measuring vertical sizes and horizontal sizes of the objects; and acquiring actual vertical sizes and actual horizontal sizes of the objects by compensating the measured vertical size and the measured horizontal size of the objects based on the size of the reference scale, the actual size of the reference scale, and the vertical and horizontal direction angles. Therefore, heights and widths of objects distributed throughout a wide area may be precisely measured regardless of positions of the objects by using a reference scale for comparatively measuring sizes of the objects.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring sizes of objects by using a camera or a CCTV camera, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for precisely and quickly measuring heights and widths of a plurality of objects by using a photograph taken by using a single camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
The basic method of measuring height and width of an object is directly measuring the height and the width of the object by using a ruled scale to the object. Height and width of an object may also be indirectly measured by multiplying a distance and an angle by a magnification ratio. In this case, if the distance to the object is sufficiently larger than size of the object, error due to angle is very subtle.
Furthermore, size of an object may be measured by taking a photograph of the object and measuring size in the photograph.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing that length of an object is measured by using a photograph of the object. Here, to find out actual size of an object, it is necessary to know a reduction ratio or a magnification ratio of the photograph. In a case of a map or an aerial photograph as shown in FIG. 1(A), if a reduction ratio 100 is known, size of an object may be induced by multiplying a distance in a photograph by the reduction ratio 100. For another example, in a case of an electron microscopic photograph or a microscopic photograph as shown in FIG. 1(B), size of an object may be induced by marking a reference length 110 in a portion of a photograph, measuring size of an object by using a scale, and comparing the measured size to the reference length. In the same regard, an object in a general photograph may be measured.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a reference scale for measuring a length next to an object.
As shown in FIG. 2, size of an object 210 may be measured by arranging a reference scale 200 with a known size next to the object 210 to be measured, photographing the reference scale 200 and the object 210 together, and measuring size of the object 210 by measuring size of the object 210 in a photograph by using a ruled scale and comparing the measured size of the object 210 in the photograph to that of the reference scale 200. The method is effective in a case where it is difficult to use a ruled scale or it is easy to photograph an object. Using a fixed camera or a CCTV camera which may adjust its angle and magnification ratio, sizes of a plurality of objects distributed throughout a wide area may be precisely measured by using a single camera. In other words, objects to be measured may be photographed at a suitable magnification ratio with a reduced measurement error by adjusting angles and magnification ratio of a camera. In this case, costs and efforts may be reduced as compared to a case in which a camera is arranged for each of objects to be measured or moved for photographing each of the objects to be measured. However, in a case of periodically photographing an object with changing sizes, e.g., vegetables, a lot of effort is necessary.
Furthermore, due to properties of photographs, many errors occur according to positions of objects in a method using a single camera.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing that length of an object is distorted while the object is being photographed, according to height of a camera.
To precisely measure size of an object by using a photograph, it is necessary for an object 310 and a camera 300 to form a right angle as shown in FIG. 3(A). If other objects 320 and 330 are arranged, a length measured by using a photograph becomes smaller than an actual length. In a case of measuring lengths only in a vertical direction, it is not necessary for an object and a camera to form a right angle, and a reference scale as shown in FIG. 2 may be used. Since both a reference scale and objects are shown to be shorter than actual heights, heights of objects may be measured by using a magnification ratio regarding the reference scale. However, in a case of measuring a horizontal length by using a vertical reference scale, the absolute value of the horizontal length cannot be measured by using a magnification ratio of the reference scale. On the contrary, a vertical length cannot be measure precisely by using a horizontal reference scale. To resolve the problems, it is necessary to use both a horizontal reference scale and a vertical reference scale.
However, a method using both a horizontal reference scale and a vertical reference scale is not only complicated, but also has a problem that it is necessary to recognize both the horizontal reference scale and the vertical reference scale. Therefore, measurement becomes complex and erroneous. The problem becomes more significant in a case of continuously measuring size of an object, such as a continuously growing plant.
Therefore, a technique for precisely measuring size of an object by using a single reference scale is highly demanded.

Method and apparatus for measuring sizes of objects in image


An animal data gathering device comprise: a radio transmitter and receiver, a processor for controlling the operation of the device, and memory for storing, information including a first unique identifier associated with the device, wherein the processor is arranged to transmit a signal, by means of the radio transmitter, and to receive, by means of the radio receiver, one or more signals, each representing a second unique identifier from other devices and the processor is arranged to store in the memory each second unique identifier. Thus a record is kept of all radio devices with which the device has come into radio contact.

In the wild, animals such as badgers are blamed for outbreaks of tuberculosis in cows but this is a difficult issue to prove since it is difficult to establish that contact between the different species has occurred.
In modern livestock farming, animals are moved a large number of times during their lifetimes. For breeding stock, the animals are normally reared on a specialist livestock farm before being transferred to other livestock farms to see out their productive lives. This transfer is usually not direct but is likely to involve an auction market, at least one livestock dealer (but frequently more) and two haulage contractors. Breeding animals at the end of their productive lives are then sent for slaughter. This again is rarely a direct transaction with animals usually passing through a cull stock market before finally reaching an abattoir or renderer.
The pathway for prime meat animals is usually more convoluted than that of breeding stock. Animals may be reared and finished (obtain a weight and fat cover appropriate for slaughter) on their farm of origin. This is the simplest system and involves the least number of animal movement transactions. Typically, either finished animals will be sold directly to the abattoir or they will be sold through a fat stock market, before being transferred to the abattoir. Finally, the abattoirs transfer the meat to wholesalers and retailers. Whereas the majority of pigs are reared and finished on their farm of origin, a relatively high proportion of calves and lambs are sold as store animals. Store animals require a period, of variable length, on high nutrition before they reach a condition ready for slaughter.
The store to finish pathway involves a large number of animal movements with animals being transferred initially from their rearing farms to store markets. Thereafter, they are purchased by dealers who group animals according to breed, weight, size etc before selling on usually to another dealer. These animals are eventually sold to a finisher who will take the animals through to slaughter weight. The pathway from this point is the same as for animals finished on their farm of origin. They are either sold directly to abattoirs or initially to fat stock markets and then to the abattoir.
All these movement transactions generate a mass of associated paperwork, especially, in the United Kingdom, in the case of cattle where a national mainly paper-based passport system operates. This large number of animal movements makes tracking animals very difficult. As consumers increasingly demand assurances concerning animal welfare and validation of preferred production systems, such as organic, the need to track accurately animals as they move down the production chain is increasing. In addition, the moving and mixing of animals at each step in these pathways is of considerable importance in the spread of infectious diseases. The large numbers of infected animals and the rapid spread of foot and mouth disease have vividly demonstrated this.
Various means are known for keeping track of animal movements. The first, and least sophisticated, is a plastic ear tag on which is printed a unique identifier such as a number and/or letter sequence. Such a system requires manual records to be kept, which can result in inaccuracies and omissions. Also known are electronic transponders such as those made by Allflex New Zealand Limited. These devices contain an electronic transponder which can be read by an electronic reader. An example of such a device is described in International Patent Application No. WO93/22907.
A more sophisticated electronic system is described in International Patent Application No. WO99/45761. In this system an electronic device incorporates an electronic radio frequency identification device that can be read by a reader. The electronic device stores information relating to a specific animal such as a unique identifier, inoculation information, feeding information, health etc. The electronic device may be carried on a collar or ear tag, implanted in the animal or provided as a bolus, to be swallowed by the animal and maintained in the stomach.


An improved writing instrument includes a main casing, a head portion, a relay rod, and a tail stopper. The head portion can be connected to the main casing and is centrally provided with a tip hole for passage of a reservoir tube. The tail stopper can be fitted to the relay rod. A core tube is disposed between the main casing opposite to a rear end of the head portion and the relay rod opposite to the tail stopper. The end of the core tube facing the head portion is provided with a core chamber, whereas the end facing the tail stopper is formed with a core tube hole. The section of the core tube facing the tail stopper has a smaller external diameter, with two or more ball holes symmetrically disposed therein. A core post is inserted in the core tube and has a post ring of a larger external diameter formed at a rear end thereof to serve as a limit. An intermediate portion of the core post is provided with a core groove corresponding to the positioning balls. A movable ring is slidably disposed between the relay rod and the core tube. When the head portion faces down, the core post and the movable ring slide downwardly, and the core post is restricted by the positioning balls and the movable ring. When the head portion faces up, the movable ring and the core post lower and retract.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved writing instrument, and more particularly to an improved writing instrument in which the writing tip is retracted into the main casing and always faces up when the writing instrument is attached to the user's clothing so as to avoid staining the user's clothing.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
With the progress of material science and processing techniques, as well as the transition of society, the roles played by and the forms of writing instruments have become diversified and various. There are the traditional pencils, ballpoint pens, sign pens, etc. To a certain degree, writing instruments have a secondary function, for instance, symbolizing status, or appealing to users, or promoting commodities. But, nonetheless, writing is their basic and indispensable function.
As a matter of fact, in terms of the objects and manner of use of writing instruments, aside from the function of writing, how writing instruments are carried should also be given consideration since they are used almost anywhere. The most common way to carry a writing instrument is to provide a cap or clip so that the writing instrument may be attached to the user's pocket when not in use.
Actually, although the arrangement of a cap or clip on the writing instrument can in general achieve its basic effect, there is a major disadvantage. For writing instruments provided with a clip, the reservoir tube, i.e., the writing tip, is retracted by rotating. Since the writing tip faces down when the writing instrument is clipped to the user's pocket, if the writing tip is not completely retracted into the casing, it may project from the casing so that the ink stains the user's pocket. The consequence will be worse if it is a fountain pen or ballpoint pen and the ink can easily leak. Therefore, such kind of writing instrument provided with a clip and having a writing tip that faces down when not in use is not satisfactory.


A method is provided that uses non-linear data compression in order to generate a set of test vectors for use in scan testing an integrated circuit. The method includes the steps of initially designing the set of test vectors, and selecting one of multiple available coding schemes for each test vector wherein at least two of the coding schemes selected for encoding are different from one another, and wherein one of the available coding schemes represents non-encoded data. The method further comprises operating a random pattern generator to generate data blocks, each corresponding to one of the test vectors, wherein the data block corresponding to a given test vector is encoded with a bit pattern representing the coding scheme of the given test vector. The corresponding data block also has a bit length that is less than the bit length of the given test vector. Each data block is routed to a plurality of decoders, wherein each decoder is adapted to recognize only one of the coding schemes represented by one of the bit patterns. The decoder recognizing the coding scheme of the data block decodes the bit pattern of the data block and generates the test vectors corresponding to the data block.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention disclosed and claimed herein generally pertains to a method for providing a set of test patterns or test vectors for use in scan testing an integrated circuit or other microelectronic component. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method of the above type wherein non-linear compression is used, in connection with a random pattern generator that is operated to provide the test patterns. Even more particularly, the invention pertains to a method of the above type that uses multiple non-linear encoding schemes for data compression, and thereby allows the random pattern generator to be of reduced size.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known by those of skill in the art, Design for Testability (DFT) refers to certain design techniques, wherein features are added to an integrated circuit (IC) or other microelectronic hardware for use in testing data. In a DFT technique known as scan testing, a scan enable signal is added to the design of an IC chip. When this signal is asserted, respective flip-flops or latches in the IC are connected together to form one or more shift registers, wherein each register has an input pin and an output pin. Using the clock signal of the IC, pre-selected patterns of test vectors can be entered into the chain of flip-flops, and the state of every flip-flop is then read out. Thus, a substantial set of test output data is generated, such as a data set comprising 1,000 or 2,500 bits. This output data is thereby made available for analysis, in order to detect the presence of faults in the IC. As is well known, the input test patterns are typically designed or customized to a particular IC chip. A pseudorandom generator is a common device used for producing the required test patterns.
As is further well known, while an input test pattern may comprise logic 1's or 0's at 1,000 bit positions, only the logic values at a comparatively small number of bit positions, such as 50 or 100 positions, will typically be important for a particular scan test procedure. These important bits or bit positions are referred to herein as specified bits. The logic values at all of the other positions do not matter. Accordingly, the term "don't care bit" is used herein to mean a data bit or data bit position that can have either a logic 1 or a logic 0 value, so that the value of the bit position is not important.
Given the very large number of don't care bits that can be found in the test vectors of a test data set, a significant number of test vector compression schemes have been developed, wherein a linear decompressor using only linear operations is employed to decompress the test vectors. These schemes include techniques based on linear feedback shift register (LFSR) reseeding, and combinational linear expansion circuits consisting of XOR Gates. Linear compression schemes are very efficient at exploiting don't care values in the test cubes, in order to achieve large amounts of compression. At present, virtually all available commercial tools for compressing test vectors use linear compression schemes. Test data compression reduces test costs by reducing tester storage, test time, and test data bandwidth requirements.
However, notwithstanding the benefits of currently available linear compressors, the amount of compression that can be achieved with linear compression schemes depends directly on the number of specified bits in the test vector. While linear decompressors are very efficient at exploiting don't care bits in the test data, they cannot exploit collations in the test data, and thus cannot compress the test data to less than the total number of specified bits in the test data. Accordingly, effort has been made to achieve further compression by supplementing linear schemes with non-linear compression.
In one technique, based on probability of usage, a non-linear decoder uses non-linear statistical transformations that exploit correlations in the test data, in order to reduce the number of specified bits that need to be produced by the linear decompressor. This technique is disclosed in a paper authored by Ward et al, and entitled "Using Statistical Transformations to Improve Compression for Linear Decompressors", 20th IEEE International Symposium on Defect and Fault Tolerance (VLSI Systems), pages 42-50, 2005 (hereinafter "Ward publication") This paper was co-authored by one of the inventors named herein. However, such technique is limited to a single set of correlated data. Also, while meritorious, the technique requires an iterative procedure that could involve substantial complexity. It would be desirable to provide a method of non-linear compression that was significantly simpler, and yet achieved the goal of reducing the number of specified bits that must be produced by the compressor.

Method using non-linear compression to generate a set of test vectors for use in scan testing an integrated circuit

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods and systems for storing and accessing data in UAS based flash memory device are disclosed. UAS based flash memory device comprises a controller and a plurality of non-volatile memories (e.g., flash memory) it controls. Controller is configured for connecting to a UAS host via a physical layer (e.g., plug and wire based on USB 3.0) and for conducting data transfer operations via two sets of logical pipes. Controller further comprises a random-access-memory (RAM) buffer configured for enabling parallel and duplex data transfer operations through the sets of logical pipes. In addition, a Smart Storage Switch configured for connecting multiple non-volatile memory devices is included in the controller. Finally, a security module/engine/unit is provided for data security via user authentication data encryption/decryption of the device. Furthermore, the flash memory device includes an optical transceiver configured for optical connection to a host also configured with an optical transceiver.

With advance of non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory), attempts have been made to use non-volatile memory as data storage, for example, flash memory drive, solid state drive (SSD), etc. One of the most commonly used interfaces for the non-volatile memory devices is based on a specification referred to as Universal Serial Bus (USB). Not only personal computers have adopted USB as standard method for connecting peripherals, but other devices (e.g., smartphone, video game console, personal digital assistant (PDA) and power cord for charging).
FIG. 1A is a schematic circuit block diagram illustrating an electronic data storage medium disclosed in the parent application. The electronic data storage medium with fingerprint verification capability can be accessed by external computer 109 using input/output interface circuit 105, which may use a USB or similar interface. The electronic data storage medium can be located inside or outside of the external computer 109. Card reader 106 may be attached to external computer 109 or may act as a substitute for external computer 109 through the host computer link 108 with a USB-Attached-SCSI (UAS) bus, which has one set of two pairs of differential serial buses:                (i) first pair differential serial bus with a first pin carry "+" signal and a second pin carry "−" signal, and;        (ii) second pair differential serial bus with a first pin carry "+" signal and a second pin carry "−" signal.
UAS protocol is used in conjunction with the latest USB 3.0, which specifies a maximum data transfer rate of five Gigabits/second (Gb/s) via the two pairs of differential serial bus.
Card reader 106 accepts card body 101. The card reader interface can connect with various standard buses including, but not limited to, Secure Digital (SD) bus, Compact Flash (CF) card, Serial ATA (SATA) bus, and Serial SCSI (SAS) bus. Electronic data storage medium packaged in card body 101 includes processing unit 102, memory device 103, security unit 104, and input/output interface circuit 105. Additionally, card reader 106 can connect to the host computer 109 with a link 110 substantially similar to the computer link 108.
Memory device 103 can be a solid state flash memory device rather than a rotational hard disk drive. Using flash memory provides lighter weight, lower power, and more rigidity than the rotational hard drive. Memory device 103 is generally configured for storing data files such as text, video and/or audio files. Data files may need security and encryption/decryption that can be processed by security and encryption/decryption unit 104. Security unit 104 may be configured for AES, IEEE 1667, fingerprint sensor, or other types of security functions, such as encryption and decryption and password verification or management. Processing unit 102 connects to other components and can operate in various modes, such as a programming mode, a data retrieving mode, and a data resetting mode. Power converter 107 can be a DC-DC (direct-current to direct-current) converter that converts from a higher voltage, such as 5 volts, to a lower voltage such as 3.3 or 1.8 volts or some other value that can be used by other units.
Flash memories use non-volatile memory cells such as electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory, (EEPROM), but are not randomly accessible at the byte level. Instead, whole pages or sectors of 512 bytes or more are read or written together as a single page. NAND flash memory is commonly used for data storage of blocks. Pages in the same block may have to be erased together, and limitations on writing may exist, such as only being allowed to write each page once between erases.
These small portable electronic devices often are able to connect to a host computer such as a personal computer (PC). While a proprietary connector may be used, a connector for a standard expansion bus is preferable. USB is often used to connect such portable flash-memory devices to a PC.
The USB 3.0 bus standard uses two pairs of differential lines that are full-duplexed, or used for transmission in both directions. The older USB 2.0 standard provides that the host, such as the personal computer, controls the bus as the bus master, while USB devices plugged into the host act as slave devices. A USB controller on the host PC generates data transfer transactions and waits for USB devices to respond, either by transmitting requested data to the host, or by writing host data into the USB device's memory.
Often a host system contains several different buses. For example, the host may have a Peripheral Components Interconnect Express (PCIE) bus, a Universal-Serial Bus (USB), an Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) bus, and an AT bus. Peripherals using the Small-Computer System Interface (SCSI) that connect to a host through USB are known as USB-Attached-SCSI (UAS).
Devices to convert one bus type to another bus type are known as bridges. Legacy host systems are not equipped for the newer bus protocols since these legacy systems are older and were designed before the new bus protocols were available. Bridges are often slow since all protocol layers may be present and are traversed. Data packets must flow up through the stack of protocol layers and then back down another stack of protocol layers for the other bus. When multiple bus standards are present on a host system, several bridges may be used in series, causing increased delays for multiple successive format conversions by multiple bridge devices.
FIG. 1B is a block diagram of host with an Enhanced USB (EUSB) receptacle that supports single-mode EUSB communication. EUSB card 111 can be plugged into EUSB receptacle 122 of host 121. Host 121 is an electronic device, for example, a cell phone or a digital camera, etc. EUSB receptacle 122 supports single-mode EUSB communication. Terms, USB, Enhanced USB and USB 3.0 are interchangeably used herein in this document. Unless explicitly stated as USB 2.0, all other references are referred to USB 3.0. Host 121 has a processor system 125 for executing programs such as EUSB management. EUSB protocol processor 124 performs protocol processing such as conversions to EUSB or USB 3.0 over bus 123 for host processor system 125. EUSB card 111 is a EUSB device with a plug that supports EUSB communication. EUSB card 111 has EUSB protocol processor 114 for executing programs including device initializations and bus-response programs. Single-personality bus interface 113 communicates processed data from EUSB protocol processor 114 using the EUSB protocol to its plug 112. Data is ultimately stored in flash memory array 115.
FIG. 1C is a block diagram of a USB UAS card reader with a flash-serial buffer bus 140 in parallel with the CPU bus 138. One or more flash-card controllers 150, 154 connect to both CPU bus 138 and to flash-serial buffer bus 140. When a flash-memory card is inserted, embedded, or surface mounted into 'slot-A' of card reader 190, flash-card controller 154 can transfer data, while when a flash-memory card is inserted into 'slot-B', flash-card controller 154 can transfer data. CPU 180 sends commands over CPU bus 138 to flash-card controllers 150, 154 using their slave ports 151, 155 and CPU master port 185.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a flash memory device that uses the faster extended modes of operation to take the advantage of additional pipes provided in UAS and USB 3.0.

Method and systems for storing and accessing data in USB attached-SCSI (UAS) and bulk-only-transfer (BOT) based flash-memory device


A photographic aqueous processing solution containing at least one solid compound that has a maximum solubility therein corresponding to a desired operating level, which solution is kept in equilibrium with the solid form of the compound, thus maintaining its concentration at the desired level without the need for a replenishing system.

In photographic processing solutions, the concentrations of the various components need to be kept close to certain aim levels. The normal way to maintain chemical levels is to replenish the components at the same rate as they are consumed. Consumption rates vary with exposure (and hence the amount of silver developed), and losses due to aerial oxidation, evaporation, etc., can vary widely for different processes and processing machines. Even with a particular machine and process, simply replenishing at a calculated rate can lead to undesirable variability. It is normal for processing chemicals to be as soluble as possible to facilitate solution preparation.
The problem to be solved is how to maintain the desired concentration of a processing solution component in a simple but accurate way.


A phase to digital converter, all digital phase locked loop, and apparatus having an all digital phase locked loop are described herein. The phase to digital converter includes a phase to frequency converter driving a time to digital converter. The time to digital converter determines a magnitude and sign of the phase differences output by the phase to frequency converter. The time to digital converter utilizes tapped delay lines and looped feedback counters to enable measurement of small timing differences typical of a loop tracking process and large timing differences typical of an loop acquisition process. The tapped delay lines permit the measurement of fractions of a reference period and enable lower power operation of the phase to digital converter by reducing requirements on the speed of the reference clock.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of electronic circuits. More particularly, the invention relates to the field of oscillators and phase locked loops (PLLs).
2. Description of Related Art
Phase and frequency controlled oscillators are used in a variety of electronic applications to provide stable, controlled, frequency references. A digital device may use a frequency controlled oscillator as a clock source for timing, for example, as a clock for a digital microprocessor circuit. An analog device may include a phase locked oscillator as a local oscillator used to frequency convert Radio Frequency (RF) signals. The phase and frequency controlled oscillator may be fixed frequency oscillator or may be a tunable oscillator that is implemented using a programmable frequency synthesizer.
A frequency controlled oscillator for a digital device may be implemented digitally, while a phase locked oscillator for an analog device may be implemented using exclusively analog building blocks. However, as the operating speeds of digital circuits increase, it is becoming more feasible to implement at least portions of a phase locked oscillator for traditionally analog applications using digital building blocks.
Some of the improvements in the operating speeds of digital circuits can be attributable to improvements in the processes uses to manufacture the digital circuits. Improvements in processes that shrink the size of the underlying transistors utilized in digital integrated circuit designs are related to improvements in operating speeds. CMOS circuits may be implemented using sub-micron processes, such as 90 nm, 65 nm, 45 nm, or 35 nm processes.
The supply voltage utilized in CMOS circuits have continually decreased due in part to decreases in dimensions and also due in part to desires to reduce the overall power consumed by such devices. In advanced CMOS processes, such as 65 nm, the power supply voltage is typically reduced to around 1.1V. At this low voltage, conventional analog building blocks such as operation amplifiers and current mirrors don't work well and are difficult to design. Thus, a conventional analog PLL is difficult to design with such process. In addition, an analog PLL typically needs large area to implement a filter function, while at 65 nm, silicon unit area is more expensive than die area for larger processes.
The advancements in digital processes result in greater constraints on the ability to implement traditional analog circuits, such as a PLL. Additionally, the advanced digital processes make traditional analog implementations more expensive. It is desirable to capitalize on the process improvements in the digital domain while minimizing the negative effects on circuits traditionally implemented using analog building blocks.

Phase to digital converter in all digital phase locked loop


The present invention provides an economical and efficient process for converting delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol to a variety of ester analogs. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is esterified by reaction with a carboxylic acid, an acid halide or an acid anhydride in the presence of a 4-aminopyridine either alone or in admixture with an organic amine such as a mono-, di-, or tri-alkyl amine.

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, also known as Dronabinol) is the main biologically active component in the Cannabis plant which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the control of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and, more recently, for appetite stimulation of AIDS patients suffering from the wasting syndrome. The drug, however, shows other biological activities which lend themselves to possible therapeutic applications, such as in the treatment of glaucoma (1), migraine headaches (2,3), spasticity (4), anxiety (5), and as an analgesic (4). It is because of these-promising biological activities of THC that marijuana has been brought into a public debate relative its medicinal value. The balance between medicinal use of a drug and the abuse potential is a delicate balance. One of the main points brought by the medicinal marijuana proponents is the fact that the currently available soft gelatin capsule formulation is very expensive and lacks consistency in its effects. The latter point could be explained based on the fact that oral THC has erratic absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, is subject to the first-pass effect resulting in heavy metabolism with production of high levels of 11-OH-THC, and undesirable side effects. Another THC formulation which is currently under development is a pro-drug consisting of THC hemisuccinate formulated in a suppository base (6). This formulation appears to overcome the problems associated with the oral preparation and has been shown to produce consistent bioavailability in animal studies (7). Preliminary clinical investigations show promise for this formulation (8, 9, 10). It is anticipated that other THC formulations will be forthcoming in light of the current interest in the therapeutic activities of cannabis.

Method of preparing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol esters


The present invention provides an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometry system. The invention provides an ion source for providing radiative heating to an ionization region. The ion source includes a nanospray ionization device for producing ions and a conduit adjacent to the ionization device for receiving ions from the ionization device. The conduit includes a conductive material for providing indirect radiative heating to the ionization region. Direct radiative heating may also be provided using a heater in the conduit. The ion source may be used separately or in conjunction with the mass spectrometry system. When used in conjunction with a mass spectrometry system a detector may also be employed down stream from the device. A method for desolvating an analyte using the device is also disclosed.

Mass spectrometers work by ionizing molecules and then sorting and identifying the molecules based on their mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios. Several different types of ion sources are available for mass spectrometers. Each ion source has particular advantages and disadvantages for different types of molecules to be analyzed.
Much of the advancement in liquid chromatography (LC/MS) over the last ten years has been in the development of ion sources. The introduction of techniques that are performed at atmospheric pressure have been of particular interest. These techniques do not require the use of complex pumps and pumping techniques to create a vacuum. Common techniques include and are not limited to electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI).
ESI is the oldest and most studied of the above-mentioned techniques. Electrospray ionization works by a technique that relies in part on chemistry of the molecules to generate analyte ions in solution before the analyte reaches the mass spectrometer. The liquid eluent is sprayed into a chamber at atmospheric pressure. The analyte ions are then spatially and electrostatically separated from neutral molecules.
More recently, there has been a trend toward developing ion sources that use low flow rates and sample amounts. Nanospray devices work by being able to emit small amounts of analyte at low flow rates. At such flow rates the properties effecting molecules are different from standard electrospray techniques. However, at low flow rates and with analyte at very low levels it is often difficult to detect certain ions. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide an apparatus that can detect various ions at very low levels with increased sensitivity. These and other problems have been overcome by the present invention.


An improved technique authenticates a user based on an ability to corroborate previous transaction data sent by a user device. Along these lines, the improved technique makes use of an independent information source for verifying the accuracy of previous transaction data obtained by a given collector. For example, when a collector of location data is a GPS unit of a cell phone, an independent information source may be a cell tower closest to the cell phone at the time of the transaction. While location data provided by the cell tower may not be as precise as that provided by the GPS unit, such data is useful for corroborating the location data from the GPS unit. In this scenario, if the data provided by the cell tower fails to corroborate that provided by the GPS unit, then the GPS unit adds significant risk to authenticating the user.

Some resource providers use risk-based authentication systems to process customer transactions. For example, an online bank may employ a risk engine of such a risk-based authentication system to assign risk scores to banking transactions where higher risk scores indicate higher risk.
A conventional risk-based authentication system assigns a risk score to a transaction based on data associated with the transaction. For example, suppose that a user initiates a transaction with an online bank through the user's cell phone. As part of the transaction request, the online bank may receive location data that was obtained with a GPS unit embedded in the cell phone. The online bank then sends the location data to the risk-based authentication system as part of a process of authenticating the user. The risk-based authentication system, in turn, assigns a risk score to the transaction based on this location data and previous location data associated with the user.
In some approaches, the conventional risk-based authentication system receives location data from the user, obtained with different devices. For example, in addition to the cell phone, the user may also use a laptop computer to log into a web site of the online bank over a WiFi network connection. The online bank would then receive location data obtained from the WiFi network connection in the form of an IP address. In addition, the conventional risk-based authentication system would assign a risk score to the transaction based on the value of the IP address as well as previous location data associated with the user.

Assessing risk for third-party data collectors


A switching power converter is provided that provides an adaptive power factor correction using a peak constant current mode and also a constant on time mode during each cycle of an input voltage.

A system's power factor relates to its efficiency because it is a ratio of the system's real power to its apparent power. For example, a non-linear load such as an electric motor presents a substantial amount of inductance to an AC power main. At startup, the input current must thus ramp up from zero whereas the AC voltage across the load continues to cycle with the AC power main voltage. The voltage and current into the load are thus out of phase with each other. A worst case with regard to power delivery occurs when the voltage and current are orthogonal to each other (90° out of phase) such that the power delivery is entirely reactive without any real power delivery. But apparent power is the magnitude of the product of the voltage and current (no phase dependence) such that such a device would continue to burn apparent power although the power factor would be zero. In contrast, a purely resistive load would produce no reactive power component such that the real power and the apparent power are equal, producing an optimal power factor of one. As the reactive power component increases, the power factor drops from one towards zero.
The power factor is thus an important parameter for a switching power converter such as a flyback converter as its transformer inevitably presents a non-linear load to the AC power main. It is thus conventional to implement power factor correction in a flyback power converter. For example, a diode bridge and capacitor may be used to provide a rectified input voltage for a flyback power converter. Despite the rectification, the input voltage will still have a sinusoidal profile for relatively small (and thus inexpensive) input capacitors. To obtain a high power factor, the peak current through the primary winding in the flyback converter's transformer should also have a similar sinusoidal profile. This peak current through the primary winding is proportional to a product of the input voltage and the on time (ton) for the corresponding switching cycle in the flyback converter. The on time is proportional to a ratio of the peak primary winding current to the input voltage. If the peak primary winding current amplitude is tied to the input voltage (as it should be for a high power factor), one can thus readily see that a constant on time achieves a high power factor.
But the resulting constant on time causes an undesirable ripple in the flyback converter's output voltage. In that regard, it can be shown that the output power of a flyback converter is proportional to a square of a product of the input voltage and the on time. Since the input voltage varies sinusoidally, the output power (and hence the output voltage) also varies sinusoidally for constant on time power factor correction. The flyback converter must then use a relatively large output capacitor at the secondary side of the transformer to filter the output ripple, which raises costs. To achieve high power factor correction yet also provide a tightly regulated output voltage, it is thus conventional to use a multi-stage approach such as by processing the output voltage from the flyback converter through a DC-DC switching power converter. But such multi-stage approaches are expensive in terms of the extra components and increased control complexity. It is thus more economical to use a single-stage flyback converter architecture. But such users are then left with a choice of an improved power factor with a poorly-regulated output voltage or a tightly-regulated output voltage with a decreased power factor.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for single-stage flyback converters with power factor correction and reduced output voltage ripple.

Switching power converter with adaptive power factor correction


A method is described for the installation of slab tracks in tunnels, in particular tracks on a slab of concrete, with the optimized design and execution characteristics, and substantially increased performance compared to the normal known methods. The method includes a succession of phases executed in order, with the help of an auxiliary track, Consisting of the design of the construction section, the construction of the railway yards, assembly of the auxiliary track from the evacuation platform, execution of the foundation base, assembly of the track in slabs, transitions from slab track—ballast track, and placement of long bars and welding.

As is well known by skilled persons in this field, slab tracks, or tracks on a slab of concrete, are a type of railway track that sits on concrete or asphalt beds, these materials replacing the conventional ballast. The criteria for their construction are much more demanding than those of traditional track, as they require greater precision in so far as refers to the levelling, alignment and track width, as any subsequent correction of possible mistakes is very expensive. Along these lines, it is particularly important to provide effective drainage so as to eliminate possible future maintenance problems, as in traditional tracks it is the ballast that guarantees this drainage function.
Slab tracks have the disadvantage compared to traditional tracks, that the construction cost is higher than for the latter, but on the other hand, they have a series of significant advantages compared to traditional tracks, from various points of view: On one hand, they guarantee the correct positioning of each one of the elements that make up the track, such as the rails and sleepers, keeping the geometric parameters unchanged over time, and on the other hand, require less maintenance work than traditional tracks, with a reduction which according to some estimates is in the order of some 20% less, which thus allows the intervention times to be reduced and, consequently, increases the operating availability of the infrastructure.
In addition, slab tracks also have some other positive aspects amongst which the following can be mentioned as examples: greater safety and reliability of their performance and repair in case of derailments, which in turn are less probable owing to the fact that slab tracks have two defences: One active, that reduces the formation of transversal defects, which translates into greater train stability, and another that is passive, based on its robustness, which makes it more solid from a structural point of view.
In accordance with the known methods of construction, the slab track can either have embedded rails, that is, the rail is introduced onto the inside of a channel made in the concrete slab, in such a way that the rail is supported along its entire length with the resulting reduction of stress and a better distribution of the loads, both static and dynamic, or with the rail assembled on sleepers. In whichever case, the parts that can be highlighted on a slab track are as follows:                Main slab: Is made up of concrete and the rails are fastened onto it.        Elastomeric product: This is a rubber based product that is placed between the rail and the main slab, in such a way that the assembly made up of the main slab and the elastomer perform functions equivalent to those of the ballast and the sleepers on conventional tracks.        Base slab: Located between the main slab and the platform, its object is to distribute the pressures equally on the platform and are usually some 15 centimeters in thickness.        Platform: Conceived and carried out in such a way as to provide good drainage capacity:        Sleepers: As has been said, they are only used in some types of slab tracks, and        Rail: Of the same type as in conventional tracks, but with reduced cross section.
The above is a summarised exposition of the differing components that are used in the construction of a slab track, together with some performance characteristics of same.
Given the high number of advantages gained from the installation of slab tracks compared to conventional tracks on ballast, it is desirable to be able to have the methods available that allow the assembly to be used in those cases in which its use is advisable, or which are suitable for whatever circumstance. This present invention has been developed taking the above need into consideration, and to that end is aimed at providing an installation method for slab tracks on the inside of tunnels that improves the traditional methods, where the space available is much more limited than on open land, and because of this a process sequence has been developed by means of which solutions are provided for the differing construction phases. This sequence of process stages constitutes the essence of the invention method, and is going to be described in greater detail below:

Method for the installation of slab tracks in twin tube tunnels


Indoles of structural formula (III): ##STR1## are synthesized by the palladium-catalyzed coupling/ring closure of a 2-halo or 2-trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy aniline and an alkyl ketone derivative. The process is particularly useful to form indoles containing acid-labile substituents such as triazole, acetyl, ketal, cyano, and carbamate, or indoles having a facile leaving group in the benzyl position. The advantages of the present process are that it does not require the use of triphenyl phosphine or tetrabutyl ammonium chloride or lithium chloride.

The present invention relates to the preparation of indoles from the palladium catalyzed reaction of 2-halo- and 2-trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy-anilines and ketones. In one embodiment of the present invention, substituted alkyl ketones are employed. This embodiment is particularly useful in preparing 2, 3, di-substituted indole derivatives, useful in the preparation of indomethacin and certain lipoxygenase inhibitors. Thus, the process of the present invention is useful in preparing biologically active compounds.
Generally, indoles are prepared via the Fischer-indole reaction. For example, Chen et al., J. Org. Chem., 59:3738 (1994) disclose the preparation of N,N-dimethyl tryptamines from 4-substituted hydrazines and dimethylaminobutyraldehyde dimethyl acetal using 4% H.sub.2 SO.sub.4. However, the yields are often low, particularly for compounds having triazole substitution. Benzyltriazoles are unstable to the Fischer indole reaction conditions, which generally lead to polymerization of the triazole moiety, and the production of oligomers.
Chen et al., Tet. Lett. 35:6981 (1994) describe basic/neutral coupling to form indoles employing hydrazines. Hydrazines are inherently less stable than the amines (anilines) employed in the present invention.
In contrast, the present invention provides for a robust process that occurs under mild conditions.
Iida et al., J. Org. Chem. 45:2938-2942 (1980) describe intramolecular cyclization of 3-((2-bromoaryl)amino) cyclohex-2-en-1-ones with catalytic palladium in the presence of triphenyl phosphine, as well as the reaction of aryl amines with .beta.-diketones to form the corresponding secondary enaminone followed by N-ethylation to form the corresponding tertiary enaminones and subsequent intramolecular cyclization in the presence of equimolar palladium acetate.
Sakamota et al., Synthesis, p. 215-218 (1990), describe palladium-catalyzed cyclization of .beta.-(2-halophenyl)amino substituted .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketones and esters to produce 2,3-disubstituted indoles. The procedure of Sakamota et al., also employs phosphine. Further, the Sakamoto method requires a 1,3-diketone. The process of the present invention employs a mono-ketone.
Indole is a common feature of a variety of natural products, many of which possess potent biological activities. Hence, indoles are attractive synthetic targets. When substituted alkyl ketones are employed in the process of the present invention, the present invention has particular application in the synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted indoles, including the precursor to indomethacin, shown below. ##STR2##
When cyclic ketones are employed in the process of the present invention, the present invention has particular application in the synthesis of tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives and homologs and analogs thereof. In particular, the precursor to the antidepressant iprindole may be made according to the process of the present invention. ##STR3##
Thus, the present invention also provides for an efficient and cost-effective synthesis of pharmaceutically active indole derivatives useful in the treatment of disease.


A water impermeable electrical junction system for effectively preventing water and debris from contacting electrical connections. The water impermeable electrical junction system generally includes a base, a plurality of first seal members connected to the base, a plurality of first connectors positioned within the first seal members, a plurality of a second seal members that physically connect to the first seal members, and a plurality of second connectors positioned within the second seal members. The first connectors and the second connectors electrically connect to one another with the first seal members and second seal members covering the first connectors and second connectors to prevent the entry of liquids inside of the seal members or to make contact with the connectors.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an electrical junction and more specifically it relates to a water impermeable electrical junction system for effectively preventing water and debris from contacting electrical connections.
Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
It is important when working in water related environments (e.g. septic tanks) that electrical connections are completely sealed from water and other debris (e.g. toilet paper in the fluid). Electronic devices such as floats and sensors need to be electrically connected to a control panel which is typically done through a junction box positioned above the water line in the septic tank. While conventional junction boxes are positioned above the fluid level in the tank in an attempt to prevent the electrical connections from being contaminated with water, they are still prone to splashing or accidental rising of fluid level in the tank thereby exposing the electrical connections to water. Over time, even sealed electrical connections will degrade and become increasingly susceptible to random contact with liquids in the tank thereby resulting in an electrical short or corrosion.
Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved water impermeable electrical junction system for effectively preventing water and debris from contacting electrical connections.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Water impermeable electrical junction system


A controller provides effective control of a plurality of control objects performing various cooperative and competitive jobs. The controller includes a first system execution section for storing a set of commands which describe the operation of a plurality of control objects as a first cooperative job and for executing the commands. A second system execution section is also provided for storing additional commands describing the operation of at least one control object other that the plurality of control objects governed by the first execution system and for executing the additional commands. A third system execution section which is included in the controller permits storage of activation commands for activating the first and second system execution sections and allows asynchronous and simultaneous execution of the commands stored in each. The first and second system execution sections have a master/slave relation with one another, one operating as a slave and a remaining one, as a master. The system execution section which operates as the slave utilizes output of the master as a reference to correct execution of the stored commands of its own.

The present invention relates to a controller for industrial robots and more particularly to a machine controller which is applicable when a control object (a mechanism comprising a robot(s) and one or a plurality of external axes) is commonly used for performing a plurality of jobs.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 4-252304, a known method exists for controlling a robot and a turntable comprising a plurality of axes and, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Sho 63-216689, it also causes a cooperative operation to be performed by a single robot and a plurality of positioners.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, there exists a method by which three control objects (two robots (B) and (C) and a single station (A) comprising a plurality of axes) are controlled by a single controller. In this case, all the control objects (A) - (B) - (C) are controlled synchronously with one another or in such a manner that a cooperative operation is first performed between (A) and (B) and after that, a cooperative operation is performed between (A) and (C).
However, where all the control objects (A) - (B) - (C) are synchronously controlled, since the control objects are controlled in a simultaneous start/stop mode, they can not be controlled individually at separate speeds. Further, where a cooperative operation is performed between (A) and (C) after the completion of a cooperative operation between (A) and (B), the control object (C) can work independently during the cooperative operation between (A) and (B) and the control object (B) can work independently during the cooperative operation between (A) and (C). However, a problem exists in that control objects (C) or (B) cannot both perform a cooperative operation with (A) at the same time, thus lowering working efficiency.


A system, method, and non-transitory computer-readable information recording medium allows a user or trader to prepare, and send to an exchange, a trade order using a trading device. The trading device receives market data from an exchange and displays the received market data on a display unit of the trading device. The trading device also receives a trade order instruction via an input device at the trading device and detecting an occurrence of a market update as a function of the received market data within an established trade order time period associated with a time at which the trade order was received. If the occurrence of the market update was detected during the established trade order time period, the execution of the trade order is prevented.

An electronic trading system generally includes a trading device in communication with an electronic exchange. The electronic exchange sends information about a market, such as prices and quantities, to the trading device. The trading device sends messages, such as messages related to orders, to the electronic exchange. The electronic exchange attempts to match quantity of an order with quantity of one or more contra-side orders.
The exchange is a central marketplace with established rules and regulations where buyers and sellers meet to trade. Some exchanges, referred to as open outcry exchanges, operate using a trading floor where buyers and sellers physically meet on the floor to trade. Other exchanges, referred to as electronic exchanges, operate by an electronic or telecommunications network instead of a trading floor to facilitate trading in an efficient, versatile, and functional manner. Electronic exchanges have made it possible for an increasing number of people to actively participate in a market at any given time. The increase in the number of potential market participants has advantageously led to, among other things, a more competitive market and greater liquidity.
With respect to electronic exchanges, buyers and sellers may log onto an electronic exchange trading platform by way of a communication link through their user terminals or trading device. Once connected, buyers and sellers may typically choose which tradeable objects they wish to trade. As used herein, the term "tradeable object" refers to anything that can be traded with a quantity and/or price. It includes, but is not limited to, all types of traded events, goods and/or financial products, which can include, for example, stocks, options, bonds, futures, currency, and warrants, as well as funds, derivatives and collections of the foregoing, and all types of commodities, such as grains, energy, and metals. The tradeable object may be "real," such as products that are listed by an exchange for trading, or "synthetic," such as a combination of real products that is created by the user. A tradeable object could actually be a combination of other tradeable objects, such as a class of tradeable objects.
To profit in electronic markets, market participants must be able to assimilate large amounts of data in order to recognize market trends and to view current market conditions. Screen space is often an important factor for a trader to consider when he/she sets up a trading workstation, since the screen space directly affects the trader's ability to quickly view and process market data. Many traders use one large monitor running at a very high resolution in an effort to get the maximum amount of data onto the screen. However, in today's information-intensive markets, to be successful, traders often need to simultaneously view multiple trading interfaces, charts, industry news, spreadsheets, as well as other information. Since each application-created interface has at least one window, a single monitor does not allow a trader to simultaneously view data on multiple windows, and the time it takes the trader to flip between the windows does not make the single monitor the most optimal trading workspace solution.
The trading device typically includes tools which assist, and in some instances, automatically prepare at least part of a trade order prior to the trading finalizing and sending the trade order to the exchange. Once the trade order is prepared, the trading tools may allow the trader to finalize and send the trade order to the exchange through a single action, e.g., a click or actuation of a button (via a mouse or a touchscreen input device). However, during the acting of generating the trade order, e.g., movement of the mouse controlled cursor, the market data may have changed. Thus, it is possible that the trader does not have sufficient time in which to read and understand any impact the updated market data may have on the trade order.
The present invention is aimed at one or more of the problems identified above.
Certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the provided figures, which illustrate examples. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached figures.

Dynamic market order execution validation mechanism

Trading Technologies International, Inc.