A pressure sensor using the MEMS element and the manufacture method thereof utilize the semiconductor processes to form the micro channel connecting to the chamber, open the micro channel, coat the anti-sticking layer on the inner surface of the chamber, and then seal the micro channel to keep the chamber airtight. Therefore, the manufacture method may essentially simplify the process to coat the anti-sticking layer on the inner surface of the airtight chamber to prevent the sticking and failing of the movable MEMS element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pressure sensor and a manufacture method thereof, particularly to a pressure sensor and manufacture method thereof complied with the Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since the development in 1970, the Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) device has been improved from subject in the laboratory research to that for high-level system integration. The MEMS device also has a popular application and an amazing and stable growth in the public consumable field. The MEMS device is capable of achieving the functions of the device through detecting or controlling the kinematic physical quantity of the movable MEMS elements. Therefore, how to avoid failure of the MEMS device caused by sticking of the movable MEMS element has been always one of the most important goals of the MEMS device, particularly to the pressure sensor with the airtight chamber.

Pressure sensor and manufacture method thereof


There is provided an apparatus for receiving a T-DMB signal. The apparatus for receiving a T-DMB signal comprises an input buffer receiving and buffering a T-DMB signal comprising a null symbol and a phase reference symbol (PRS); an initial synchronizing unit estimating and compensating for time and frequency offsets of the T-DMB signal using the null symbol and the PRS; a frame tracking unit performing estimation of the time offset and measurement of a strength of an output signal from the input buffer; an OFDM signal demodulating unit performing I/Q demodulation, frequency compensation, OFDM demodulation and de-interleaving with respect to an output signal of the frame tracking unit; a channel decoding unit performing channel decoding with respect to an output signal of the OFDM signal demodulating unit and checking quality of the channel-decoded signal; and a controller controlling operations of the initial synchronizing unit, the OFDM signal demodulating unit and the channel decoding unit 308 based on the strength of the signal measured by the frame tracking unit and the quality of the signal checked by the channel decoding unit. Accordingly, unnecessary calculating processes arc reduced by measuring the strength and quality of an input signal, thereby maximizing power efficiency of the apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving a T-DMB signal
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a view showing the structure of a transmission frame used in a T-DMB system. The transmission frame 100 comprises a synchronization channel 101, a fast information channel 102 and a main service channel 103. The synchronization channel comprises a null symbol 104 and a phase reference symbol (PRS) 105, and is used for time and frequency synchronization at the receiver side. The fast information channel 102 carries control information for data decoding of the main service channel. The main service channel 103 is a channel containing real video, audio and data information.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of a conventional software-based T-DMB receiver. The receiver 200 comprises an RF tuner 201, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 202 and a baseband signal processing unit 203.
The RF tuner 201 amplifies an input signal having a small amplitude and converts a RF frequency into an intermediate or baseband frequency. Further, the RF tuner 201 selects a desired channel through a filter.
The ADC 202 converts analog signals into digital signals.
The baseband signal processing unit 203 comprises an initial synchronizing unit 205 and a data demodulating unit 206.
The initial synchronizing unit 205 comprises a frame synchronizer (205-1), a symbol time synchronizer (205-2) and a frequency synchronizer (205-3). The initial synchronizing unit 205 estimates time and frequency offsets using a null symbol and a PRS and compensates for the estimated time and frequency offsets. The time and frequency offsets estimated through an initial synchronizing process are used for time offset tracking and frequency estimation and compensation together with data demodulation.
The data demodulating unit 206 comprises a time offset tracker 207, an I/Q demodulator (210), a frequency compensator (211), a fractional frequency synchronizer (212), an ODFM demodulator (213), a de-intetleaver (209), a convolution decoder (214), an RS sync byte checker (215) and an RS decoder (216). The data demodulating unit 206 performs I/Q demodulation and OFDM signal modulation, and performs a channel decoding process.
When the receiver 200 is turned on, the initial synchronizing unit 205 is first starts operating. The initial synchronizing unit 205 estimates and compensate for time and frequency offsets using some initial data stored in an input buffer 204. After the initial synchronization is performed, the initial synchronizing unit 205 stops operation, and the data demodulating unit 206 starts operation. If the receiver enters into a tunnel or a shadow area between high-rise buildings, the strength of an input signal received by the receiver is considerably decreased. The RF tuner 201 transmits a received signal strength indication (RSSI) as a level of a received signal to a controller.
If the strength of the input signal is decreased lower than sensitivity, data demodulation is not smoothly performed. However, time and frequency synchronization is generally performed even at the strength of an input signal, where data demodulation is not smoothly performed.
The time offset tracker 207 tracks multiple paths of each frame using a PRS and selects a path along which an input signal is strongest. However, when the receiver enters into a place such as a long tunnel provided with no repeater, the strength of an input signal is extremely decreased. At this time, it is difficult to properly estimate time and frequency offsets any more and loose synchronization. In this case, a controller 208 stops the operation of the data demodulating unit 206 and re-operates the initial synchronizing unit 205 so as to perform time and frequency synchronization.
If the strength of the input signal is maintained lower than reference sensitivity, an initial synchronization process is repeatedly performed until the time and frequency offsets are properly estimated. Therefore, if a receiver receives T-DMB broadcasting while a user moves in a place such as a metropolis having many shadow areas, the aforementioned situation frequently occurs. If the receiver frequently enters into shadow areas, time and frequency synchronization is performed but data demodulation is not properly performed as the strength of an input signal becomes weak. If a data seriously damaged due to the weak strength of input signal is inputted, the damaged data has an influence on subsequent frames due to characteristics of the de-interleaver 209 included in the T-DMB receiver. Although the data demodulating unit 206 is operated for data processing, images or sounds are interrupted as a bad result, and therefore, power is wasted. Further, if the initial synchronizing unit 205 is re-operated as the strength of the input signal becomes weaker, the initial synchronization process is continuously repeated, and therefore, power is also wasted. Furthermore, a large amount of calculation is necessary for the channel decoding process and the operation of the initial synchronizing unit 205. For this reason, if the large amount of calculation is not controlled, power consumption is serious.

Apparatus for receiving T-DMB signal and method of operating the same

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


A process for producing DRI from iron ores, utilizing a gas produced from fossil fuels, containing sulfur compounds and BTX, heating said gas in a heater, preferably a regenerator, wherein heat is transferred from a previously-heated solid material to the gas. Flowing the hot gas through a bed of DRI particles, iron oxides or other equivalent material, outside of the reduction reactor, where said material adsorbs sulfur compounds and destroys BTX. The resulting gas, free from sulfur compounds and BTX, is combined with a reducing gas stream from the reduction reactor after H2O and CO2 is at least partially removed for regenerating its reducing potential, with or without undergoing previous cleaning, is used for producing DRI. One inventive embodiment comprises producing DRI at high temperature giving advantageously higher productivity and energy savings when using hot DRI in an electric arc furnace lowering the capital and operational costs of steelmaking.

Several proposals published in the technical literature of the iron and steelmaking industry and in patents can be found about the utilization of gases derived from the pyrolysis or from gasification of coal (coal gas), of which an example is coke oven gas, for producing direct reduced iron, also known in the industry as sponge iron (DRI in English).
DRI is a granular solid material produced by the reaction of particulate iron ores, mainly iron oxides, in the form of lumps, pellets of concentrated ore, or mixtures thereof, with a reducing gas mainly composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, at a temperature in the range from about 750° C. to about 1100° C.
Typical DRI plants are shown for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,779,741; 3,765,872; 4,150,972; 4,336,063; 4,834,792; and 5,078,787. These systems commonly comprise vertical shaft reactors having a reduction zone in their upper part and a discharge zone in their lower part.
The reducing gas fed to the reactor at high temperatures is typically mainly composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and after reacting with the iron oxides produces water and carbon dioxide.
Chemical reduction of iron oxides is carried out by such reducing gas is typically produced by the reformation or the partial combustion of natural gas;however, there is an increasing interest in utilizing other gases derived from gasification (partial combustion) of solid and liquid fossil fuels, such as coal, among which coke oven gas is included.
Coke oven gas is a by-product of coking of coal. Coke is used in the steel industry as a feedstock for blast furnaces where pig iron is produced. Pig iron is liquid metallic iron used as raw material for steelmaking. Coal is pyrolyzed in coke ovens, i.e. is heated without presence of oxygen whereby the volatile matters contained in coal are evaporated and are thus removed from coal, producing coke.
The gas effluent from coke ovens at a temperature of about 1100° C. passes to a gas purification plant wherein some of the volatile substances are recuperated. This gas is then cooled and the cooled gas, saturated with water at a temperature of about 80° C. is separated from the cooling water which entrains tars and other condensed organic compounds.
Coke oven gas typically has the following composition in volume % on a dry basis:
Hydrogen55-62%Methane22-26%Nitrogen 8-10%Carbon monoxide6-8%Carbon dioxide2-3%Hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, etc.)2-3%
Additionally, coke oven gas contains other contaminants and undesired substances, whereby this gas has some special characteristics that condition its utilization, such as:    Tar vapors    Light oils vapors (aromatics) mainly comprising benzene, toluene and xylene, which jointly are known as BTX.    Naphthalene vapors    Ammonia    Hydrogen sulfide H2S    Hydrogen cyanide
The concentration levels of the above-mentioned substances in the available coke oven gas, depends on the cleaning process undergone by the gas effluent from coke ovens.
So that the coke oven gas can be utilized as fuel in the coke ovens or in other processes in a steelmaking plant, the gas must be treated for condensed water and other contaminant substances; remove the tar aerosols for avoiding plugging of pipes and equipment; remove ammonia for avoiding corrosion of pipes and gas-handling equipment; remove naphthalene for avoiding deposits and plugging of pipes due to its condensation; remove light oils if there is interest in recuperating BTX; and remove sulfur compounds, for example hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans, for complying with environmental regulations.
Since coke oven gas is mainly composed of H2 and CH4, it has been proposed to utilize it for chemical reduction of iron ores and obtain metallic iron in solid form for increasing steel production.
However, coke oven gas can not be fed directly to the direct reduction plant if it is not previously treated to clean out those substances which may cause damages to the plant equipment or which are noxious pollutants for the environment.
The cleaning and conditioning process for coke oven gas entails a high cost since it implies installation and operation of several chemical plants for cooling the gas stream effluent from coke ovens and for separation of condensed oils and ammonia as well as removal of sulfur compounds. The normal separation processes for thiophene, mercaptans and other aromatic sulfur compounds requires that these substances be previously transformed into hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which is suitable of being absorbed by chemical solvents. This process however also has a high capital and operating cost which can be avoided or significantly lowered by applying the present invention.
The cost of cleaning coke oven gas, mainly the desulfurization and removal of BTX, can be lowered by the present invention, by synergistically utilizing the coke oven gas in a direct reduction plant, not just as a fuel, but instead make its utilization snore cost effective as a chemical agent.
It has been proposed, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,739, to have a direct reduction process which utilizes coke oven gas for reduction of iron ores to metallic iron, wherein the coke oven gas is heated in a direct fired heater before being introduced to the upper part of a reduction reactor wherein the sulfur compounds are adsorbed by the iron care particles. The coke oven gas, free of sulfur compounds, is withdrawn from said reactor and is fed to a catalytic reformer wherein the hydrocarbons present in the gas are reformed to H2 and CO and are then fed to a lower zone where the reduction of iron ores to metallic iron is effected at a higher temperature than the temperature in the adsorption zone of the reactor. This process has the disadvantage that the heater used for heating the coke oven gas to a temperature of 700° C. or higher is a direct-fired heater and therefore the sulfur compounds cause corrosion of the heating pipes and the high level of hydrocarbons cause carbon deposits in the heating pipes which entail damages and problems in the operation of the heater. Furthermore this patent proposes that the reactor have two gas distributing plenums: one for distributing the hot coke oven gas in the upper zone of the reactor and another for distributing the hot reducing gas produced in the reformer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,351,513 discloses a process for utilizing coke oven gas in a direct reduction reactor wherein the iron ore fed to the upper part of the reactor adsorbs sulfur compounds. This patent does not mention removal of BTX and necessarily produces DRI at low temperature, because coke oven gas, after passing through the iron ore bed is extracted from the reduction reactor and fed to its lower part where it is used for cooling the DRI before its discharge from said reactor. The coke oven gas exiting from the lower part of the reactor is cooled and fed to a reformer to reform the hydrocarbons, mainly CH4, to H2 and CO by reaction of the CH4 with CO2 in the presence of a catalyst. The principal object of this process is the desulfurization of coke oven gas before it passes through the catalytic reformer to avoid the catalyst poisoning by sulfur.
U.S. patent application No. 20090211401 describes a direct reduction process utilizing coke oven gas wherein the coke oven gas is mainly fed to the lower part of the reduction reactor wherein it is contacted with high temperature DRI produced in the upper part of the reactor. The DRI is cooled by the coke oven gas stream, and at the same time the DRI adsorbs the BTX and the sulfur compounds present in the coke oven gas; so that the gas withdrawn from the lower part of the reactor is clean of the undesirable contaminants and is driven to the reduction zone located at the upper part of the reactor wherein the reducing agents H2 and CO react with the iron oxides to produce the DRI. This process however cannot be used when high-temperature DRI is to be produced without any cooling; so as to take advantage of the thermal energy of the DRI when charged directly into the electric arc furnace thus achieving important economic advantages through the electric energy savings and by the increase of steel output productivity due to the shortening of the melting time and of the over all steel furnace heat time, in general.
The processes described in the above-cited patents all are limited with respect to the amount of coke oven gas that can be treated with the DRI produced in the reactor, because sulfur trapped in the DRI must afterwards be eliminated or its concentration minimized in the electric arc furnace where said DRI is utilized for steelmaking.
In contrast with the above limitation, applying the present invention a relatively small amount of DRI (or equivalent material) is used because it can become saturated with sulfur and properly disposed of without contamination of the DRI produced in the reactor.

Process for producing direct reduced iron (DRI) utilizing gases derived from coal

DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE, S.P.A.


There is provided mechanisms for configuring use of keys for security protecting packets communicated between a wireless device and a network node. A method is performed by the wireless device. The method comprises exchanging key use information with the network node in conjunction with performing a key change procedure with the network node during which a first key is replaced with a second key. The key use information indicates which of the packets are security protected using which of the first key and the second key.

In communications networks, there may be a challenge to obtain good performance and capacity for a given communications protocol, its parameters and the physical environment in which the communications network is deployed.
For example, one parameter in providing good performance and capacity for a given communications protocol in a communications network is the ability to communicate securely. For example, in Long Term evolution (LTE) based communications networks, the security keys (hereinafter simply referred to as keys) used for the protection of the radio interface communication are known as access stratum (AS) keys. Clause 7.2.9 of Technical specification 3GPP TS 33.401 describes mechanism in LTE based communications networks for changing the AS keys on-the-fly. The change of AS keys on-the-fly is accomplished using a procedure based on intra-cell handover (HO).
A HO for a wireless device being operatively connected to a cellular radio access network occurs when the wireless device is handed over from a source radio access network node to a target radio access network node. If the source and target radio access network nodes are interconnected, the HO is known as an X2 HO. The source radio access network node instructs the wireless device to perform a HO by sending a radio resource control (RRC) Connection Reconfiguration message. The wireless device detaches from the source radio access network node and performs random access channel (RACH) procedure with the target radio access network node. After the completion of the RACH procedure, the wireless device confirms the completion of the HO by sending a RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete message to the target radio access network node. An intra-cell HO procedure in an LTE based communications network can logically be regarded as an X2 HO procedure where the source radio access network node and the target radio access network node are one and the same radio access network node.
Hence, in LTE based communications networks, in order to change the AS keys, the radio access network node needs to trigger the wireless device to perform an intra-cell HO, causing the wireless device to perform a RACH procedure to the same radio access network node that the wireless device was previously connected to. One reason for using this RACH procedure to the same radio access network node is to synchronize the change of AS keys between the wireless device and the radio access network node. Performing the RACH procedure causes consumption of radio resources as well as network resources and resources in the wireless device.
The wireless device and the radio access network node will apply the old key for all signaling and data transmissions prior to the RACH procedure, and the new key for all signaling and data transmissions after the RACH procedure. Thus, since encryption and integrity protection generally is applied at the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer the wireless device and the radio access network node need to remove (or flush, or clear) any data currently stored in Radio Link Control (RLC)/Medium Access Control (MAC) transmit or receive buffers at the time of the RACH procedure, so that this data can be sent/resent from the PDCP layer using the new key. The RLC/MAC transmit buffers typically contains packets which are being transmitted or re-transmitted on RLC (using automatic repeat request (ARQ) transmission) or MAC levels (using hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) transmission). The RLC/MAC receive buffers can contain partially received packets, and/or packets received out of order.
In view of the above, there is still a need for an improved key change procedure.


Updating the access control of a smart card at multiple points of the smart card life cycle. The system and method for updating the access control mechanisms during the smart card life cycle includes implementing an interface having a method for providing access control and a method for registering an access manager as an active access manager. In response to a request to register an access manager, the system and method executes the method for determining whether registering the access manager may be allowed.

1.0 Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to access control mechanisms for controlling the access to smart cards and more particularly to the secure update of the access control mechanisms for smart cards during the smart card life cycle.
2.0 Description of the Related Art
Smart cards are small personal computing devices that are used to protect very sensitive information. Smart cards may be used to perform banking functions, provide access to health records, personalization of computer network access, secure building access, and many more functions. Smart cards are also used as subscriber identity modules (SIM) in certain mobile telephony networks.
A crucial selling point of smart cards is the security of the data stored thereon or accessed through the use of smart cards. In many circumstances smart cards provide heightened levels of security than other security mechanisms because smart cards include a combination of security features. For example, to gain access to some data you need to know a password stored on the smart card and you must be in possession of the smart card. Other access control mechanisms include challenge-response schemes and biometric tests such as finger print verification.
A recent trend in smart card technology is so called multi-application smart cards. These cards may be programmed with multiple disjointed application programs. For example, the same card may be used to access both banking records as well as provide health care information. Examples of such cards include the Cyberflex family of cards from Axalto Inc.
A common feature of multi-application smart cards is that the application programs may be loaded onto the smart card after the card has been issued by the manufacturer or even after an end-user has taken possession of the card. Each such application program in a multi-application smart card is stored in some form of programmable memory on the smart card. Such post-manufacture programmability of smart cards provides increased flexibility and power of use of the smart cards.
Thus, because of the nature of smart cards, they have a product life cycle that includes several distinct phases. A first phase or series of steps is the manufacturing phase in which the integrated circuit is fabricated and mounted on the smart card as well as the system software loaded or stored on the smart card. A second phase is personalization phase in which the smart card is personalized to contain information unique to one person, the intended end-user of the smart card, such as cardholder name and cryptography keys for that cardholder. A third phase is the issuance phase in which the smart card is deployed. Finally, a fourth phase is usage phase in which the cardholder uses the smart card for one or more purposes, such as for banking or as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in a GSM mobile telephone system.
Each phase in the smart card life cycle may have unique needs in terms of access control. For example, at the manufacturing phase there may not be a need for as high a level of security because at that phase neither personal information nor other sensitive application programs have been loaded onto the smart card and smart cards are manufactured in a controlled environment. Thus, to gain access to the smart card during manufacturing may only require a very simple access control mechanism. However, once personal information has been loaded onto the smart card, a higher level of access control may be required. Furthermore, in a multi-application smart card, the smart cards usage may change even during the usage phase. For example, a card that was originally issued for some banking purpose, e.g., an electronic purse for small value transactions, could be re-programmed to also include a health care information application containing very sensitive and personal information about the card holders health history. The former of these applications would not merit a particularly sophisticated access control scheme, perhaps PIN would suffice, whereas the health care information application may require a very secure access control mechanism, e.g., a biometric scheme such as fingerprint verification.
Co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/285,654 to Apostol Vassilev, et al., entitled "Authentication Framework for Smart Cards", filed on Oct. 31, 2002 and co-assigned with the present invention, describes an authentication framework in which authentication technology applications are separated from functional card applications, thereby allowing the authentication technology applications to be modified or replaced independently from the card applications. The co-pending patent application '654 allows the application level to select or update the authentication policy without requiring updates to the applications themselves.
A problem with the known prior art access control mechanisms is that these schemes do not allow for controlled update of the access control mechanisms during the smart card life cycle. Accordingly, from the foregoing it is apparent that there is a hitherto unresolved need for a system and methodology for permitting the secure update of the access control mechanism of a smart card during the smart card life cycle.

System and method for updating access control mechanisms


A traffic sign including a base member, a mounting post of an elastic weather-resistant material, a jacket, and a sign portion of elastic weather-resistant material displaying traffic indicia. The jacket has first and second halves provided with a space therebetween. Each of the halves has an outwardly curved outer surface integrally formed with a protective frame. The sign portion is disposed on the outwardly curved outer surface of at least the first of the halves. The protective frame has an edge having an elevation that extends outwardly beyond an outer periphery of the sign portion whereby to protect the outer periphery. Each of the outer surfaces is made of a pliable, elastic material.

Traffic signs have conventionally been manufactured of metal in such a way that the actual sign plate has been stamped from sheet metal onto which the required sign has been painted. In general, the mounting post of the traffic sign has been a metal tube or a metal profile bar. Traffic signs have been erected by the roadside or the side of the street either by sinking them into the ground or by employing various concrete base members or equivalent. In conventional traffic signs, the sign portion has been attached to the mounting post either integrally or by using lobes of different types, which has made it possible to replace a sign on a mounting post.
One disadvantage of conventional metal traffic signs has been their rigid construction, with the result that, in vehicle collisions with such signs, the damages have often been great. In traffic accidents, conventional traffic signs may cause damage not only to the vehicle but also to the driver and passengers. In accordance with studies on accidents that have been conducted in Finland, annually 20 persons die in crashes in which the damage has at least partially been caused by a traffic sign upon collision of a vehicle with the sign. For reasons of economy, metal traffic signs are normally made of a material susceptible to corrosion. When the paint layer covering the sign is damaged, corrosion can easily start spreading and may damage the entire sign. Salt used on roads has also accelerated corrosion of traffic signs and shortened the service life of conventional traffic signs, which is calculated to be about 5 to 10 years with metal signs. Moreover, from a ecological point of view, conventional metal traffic signs have not been recyclable.


An amplifier circuit includes first and second amplification units. A first detection electrode and a high impedance circuit are connected to the input terminal of the first amplification unit. A second detection electrode and a high impedance circuit are connected to the input terminal of the second amplification unit. The output terminals of the first and second amplification units output first and second output signals, and are connected to the input terminals of a differential amplifier circuit through coupling capacitors, respectively. The differential amplifier circuit operates a difference between the first and second output signals in a state where a direct-current component is omitted.

There has been known a measurement device that detects detection signals in body surfaces at at least two points in a person to be measured and measures biological information such as an electrocardiogram on the basis of a difference between the two detection signals. The measurement device includes at least two detection electrodes used for detecting detection signals and a detection circuit including a differential amplifier subjecting at least two detection signals, detected by the detection electrodes, to differential arithmetic processing (refer to Patent Document 1 or 2).

Detection circuit for generating biological information


A lawn waste collection system is designed to be removably coupled to a side-discharge, riding lawn mower in order to assist in the collection of leaves, The collection system includes an oversized collection bag for retaining a large quantity of lawn waste, an adapter kit for connecting the collection bag to the mower, and a shield coupled to the mower for supporting and protecting the collection bag. The adapter kit includes a multi-sectioned chute, which establishes a discharge communication path between the mower and the collection bag, and a frame for retaining the chute, collection bag, and shield. As a feature of the invention, the chute includes a primary section comprising a flexible outer layer, which universally connects to a wide variety of mower blade decks over the discharge exit port, and an initially planar, rigid inner layer affixed to the outer layer to provide structural reinforcement,

The collection of leaves is traditionally achieved using rakes, blowers or other handheld items. In certain environments that are replete with leaves, the use of handheld items to gather leaves renders the collection process burdensomely time-consuming and laborious.
Accordingly, lawn mowers and other similar types of motorized lawn equipment, such as mulchers, chippers and vacuums, are often utilized to assist in the collection of leaves. Specifically, by advancing the lawn mower over the desired area, the mower blade shreds, or mulches, the leaves and discharges the resultant debris into a designated collection bag, or bin, in communication with the mower.
Although the use of traditional lawn mowers has been found to facilitate the collection of leaves, the limited size of the designated collection bag requires frequently unloading of debris retained therein, particularly in environments that are heavily covered with leaves. This frequent unloading of the retained matter renders the entire collection process significantly more time-consuming and highly disruptive.
Accordingly, it is known in the art for oversized leaf collection bags to be used in place of the limited sized collection bag, or bin, typically designated for use with a particular piece of motorized lawn equipment, such as mowers. Due to the enlarged size of the collection bag, the leaves can be collected without stopping frequently to empty collected matter.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,710 to D. DeHart, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, there is provided a grass and leaf catcher for use with a riding mower that is in the form of a large bag of flexible material having a generally conical shape. The bag has an opening around its first end and another at the second end. The opening at the first end is generally circular, with a drawstring to facilitate attachment around the discharge tube and hood of the mower. A cleat in proximity to the opening allows for securing the drawstring. The opening at the second end is likewise secured by a drawstring and cleat combination, or by a hook-and-loop fastener. A mesh area in the surface of the bag relieves the pressure within the bag caused by the entry of air forced up the discharge tube by the action of the cutter blades of the mower.
Oversized collection bags of the type as described above are most commonly connected to a typical riding mower by mounting the enlarged opening of the bag directly over the hood on the rear of the mower that is ordinarily provided to support the plastic collection bin, the bin being removed in this situation so as not to interfere with the bag. The remainder of the bag is thus disposed to drag behind the mower on the lawn surface.
Oversized collection bags of the type as described above have been found to suffer from a pair of notable drawbacks.
As a first drawback, oversized collection bags of the type as described above are generally incapable of being mounted onto a riding mower that does not include the plastic collection bin accessory. As a result, a user who did not originally purchase the mower with the collection bin must subsequently purchase the plastic collection bin accessory, typically at a substantial cost. Otherwise, the user is precluded from using the collection bag with the mower.
As a second drawback, oversized collection bags of the type as described above are designed to drag behind the mower on the ground surface, which is often roughened with presence of rocks, gravel and the like. As a result, it has been found that collection bags often wear prematurely or become punctured or damaged as a result of the direct frictional contact against the ground surface.
Adapters are known in the art to assist in the connection of oversized collection bags to conventional riding lawn mowers that do not include a rear collection bin. These types of adapters are typically connected directly to the blade deck on the underside of the riding lawn mower, rather than to fixed structures. n the rear of the mower. Although useful, these types of adapters have been found to suffer from a plurality of notable drawbacks.
As a first drawback, adapters for connecting an oversized collection bag to the blade deck of a conventional riding mower are typically constructed out of a relatively rigid material for durability purposes. As a result of their rigid construction, these types of adapters are incapable of universal usage. Rather, each adapter is typically designed for use with a single style of mower, thereby necessitating the manufacture of a uniquely dimensioned adapter for each of the large variety of different mowers currently on the market.
As a second drawback, adapters for connecting an oversized collection bag to the blade deck of a conventional riding mower are not only difficult to install but also require the attachment of additional support structures (e.g., an auxiliary support) to the mower deck.
As a third drawback, adapters for connecting an oversized collection bag to the blade deck of a conventional riding mower typically include a plurality of components, many of which are substantial in size. As a result, the packaging for these types of adapters is relatively large, which not only introduces display and storage issues at the point-of-sale but also substantially increases shipping costs, which is highly undesirable.


The present invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which have high anti-RSV neutralizing titers. The invention further provides for isolated nucleic acids encoding the antibodies of the invention and host cells transformed therewith. The invention yet further provides for diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic methods employing the antibodies and nucleic acids of the invention, particularly as a passive immunotherapy agent in infants and the elderly.

Paramyxoviruses are enveloped negative-strand RNA viruses that are significant human and animal pathogens. Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV, RSV) belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae, subfamily Pneumovirinae. Two subtypes, type A and type B, have been identified and are a major cause of severe and sometimes even fatal respiratory infections in children less than 6 months of age. Adults with underlying diseases, such as COPD, asthma, cancer, immunocompromised status, including HIV or post transplantation, are also at risk of developing severe RSV infection. 15% of annual hospitalizations in adults over 50 years due to acute respiratory infection are caused by RSV. In the United States, RSV causes more than 100,000 hospitalizations annually, and it is estimated to cause about 160,000 deaths globally each year. Currently there is no vaccine for RSV, and a trial with a formalin-inactivated virus was associated with increased disease severity in infants upon infection with RSV. Other family members including Human Metapneumo Virus (hMPV) and Human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV) are also responsible for acute respiratory illness similar to hRSV.
The hRSV genome is a single-stranded negative-sense RNA molecule of approximately 15 kb that encodes 11 proteins. Two of these proteins are the main surface glycoproteins of the virion. These are (i) the attachment (G) protein, which mediates virus binding to cells, and (ii) the fusion (F) protein, which promotes both fusion of the viral and cell membranes at the initial stages of the infectious cycle and fusion of the membrane of infected cells with those of adjacent cells to form characteristic syncytia. The attachment protein G binds cellular surface receptors and interacts with F. This interaction triggers a conformational change in F to induce membrane fusion, thereby releasing the viral ribonucleoprotein complex into the host cell cytoplasm.
Monoclonal antibodies against the F protein or the G protein have been shown to have neutralizing effect in vitro and prophylactic effects in vivo. See, e.g., Beeler and Coelingh 1989, J. Virol. 63:2941-50; Garcia-Barreno et al., 1989, J. Virol. 63:925-32; Taylor et al., 1984, Immunology 52: 137-142; Walsh et al., 1984, Infection and Immunity 43:756-758; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,842,307 and 6,818,216. Neutralizing epitopes on the F glycoprotein were originally mapped by identifying amino acids that were altered in antibody escape variants and by assessing antibody binding to RSV F-derived peptides. These studies demonstrated neutralizing antibodies are often targeted to two distinct linear epitopes. See Graham et al., 2015, Curr Opin Immunol 35:30-38 for a review of the antigenic sites for the pre-fusion and post-fusion F forms. Antigenic site II (also called site A) includes residues 255 to 275 and is the target of palivizumab (SYNAGIS®, AstraZeneca). This epitope was predicted to be conformationally dependent, and the structure of a more potent derivative of palivizumab in complex with this epitope revealed that the linear epitope adopts a helix-loop-helix conformation. Antigenic site IV (also called site C) includes residues 422 to 438 and is the target of antibodies MAb19 and 101F. This epitope is C-terminal to the cysteine-rich region and is part of domain II, which in homologous paramyxovirus F glycoproteins remains structurally unchanged between pre- and post-fusion conformations. 5C4, AM22 and D25 delineate an epitope designated as site 0 which is only present on the pre-fusion F protein and were 50 times as potent as palivizumab. See McLellan et al., 2013, Science 340:1113-1117; International Patent Application No. WO 2008/147196 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,568,726. Other hRSV antibodies are described in International Patent Application Nos. WO94/06448 and WO92/04381 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,759.
An RSV vaccine for active immunization, if available, could not be utilized for the treatment of newborn babies with immature immune systems or patients who are immunosuppressed. In patients where prophylactic passive immunotherapy is required, as a result of a more chronic form of disease, current therapy is mediated via periodic intravenous inoculation of human IgG prepared from pooled plasma. This type of therapy, due to the low titers of neutralizing anti-RSV antibodies, involves a large quantity of globulin (e.g., 0.75 gm per kg) and consequently requires administration intravenously, in a clinic or hospital, over a lengthy period (2 to 4 hours), on a monthly basis during the high risk months (fall, winter and early spring).

Antibody neutralizing human respiratory syncytial virus


An infrared sensor at lower production cost for optimal massive production includes an infrared sensor unit disposed to the bottom of an automatic vacuum cleaner to measure the level of the ground to prevent the vacuum cleaner from turning overdue to any drop height created on the ground; a slide screen being disposed on the infrared sensor unit; and a small gateway to control the area for receiving energy of the infrared ray to precisely measure the drop height of the ground for the vacuum cleaner to automatically take turn whenever the drop height is detected to prevent a possible falling over.

The prior art illustrated in FIG. 1 is related to a U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,844B2. As illustrated, a measurement 1 is applied on an instrument at the bottom of the automatic vacuum cleaner to emit at a certain inclination through an infrared ray 10 to a ground 12; and another infrared ray 14 receives the reflection. Meanwhile, the distances respectively among the infrared ray 10, the infrared ray 14 and the ground 12 are measured from a first path 16 and a second path 18. Once the distances respectively among the first path 16, the second path 18 and the ground changes, it indicates that the distances respectively among the infrared ray 10, the infrared ray 14 and the ground 12 also change accordingly so as to notify the automatic vacuum cleaner to take turns to avoid falling from the higher level on the ground.
However, the prior art is found with the following disadvantages. Firstly, a technical bottleneck exists about the range of detection distance by both of the infrared rays 10 and 14 at a certain inclination. The detection sensitivity becomes poor once a certain range is challenged. Secondly, should the eradiation of the infrared ray be adjusted for smaller power, it may effectively shorten up the detection distance between the infrared ray and the ground. However, the inaccurate measurement of the distance may still happen in case of a dark ground or a ground that pays back poor reflection.


Provided is an adhesion-promoting composition between a curable composition for imprints and a substrate, which excellent in adhesiveness and can control pattern failure. An adhesion-promoting composition used between a curable composition for imprints and a substrate, which comprises a compound having a molecular weight of 500 or larger and having a reactive group, and has a content of a compound, with a molecular weight of 200 or smaller, of more than 1% by mass and not more than 10% by mass of a total solid content.

In recent years, pattern formation using resist has been employed in order to manufacture various devices. In particular, imprinting method takes advantages of easy repetitive molding of fine structures including nano-structure, and of less emission of hazardous waste or discharge, and is expected to be applied to various fields.
The imprinting method includes two technologies, which are thermal imprinting using thermoplastic resin as a workpiece, and photo-imprinting using curable composition for imprints. In the thermal imprinting, a mold is pressed against a polymer resin heated at or above the glass transition temperature, and is then released after cooled, to thereby transfer a fine structure onto the resin on a substrate. The method is applicable to a variety of resin materials and also to glass materials, and is expected to be applied to various fields.
On the other hand, in the photo-imprint method where a photo-curable composition is cured by photo irradiation through a transparent mold or a transparent substrate, the transferring material does not require heating in pressing it against the mold, and therefore the method enables room-temperature imprinting. Recently, new developments having the advantages of the above two as combined, have been reported, including a nanocasting method and a reversal imprint method for forming three-dimensional structures.
For the nanoimprint methods as above, proposed are applied technologies mentioned below.
In the first technology, the molded pattern itself has a function, and is applied to various elements in nanotechnology and to structural members. Its examples include various micro/nano. optical elements and high-density recording media, as well as structural members in optical films, flat panel displays, etc.
The second technology is for hybrid-molding of microstructures and nanostructures, or for construction of laminate structures through simple interlayer positioning, and this is applied to production of .mu.-TAS (micro-total analysis system) and biochips.
In the third technology, the formed pattern is used as a mask and is applied to a method of processing a substrate through etching or the like.
In these technologies, high-precision positioning is combined with high-density integration; and in place of conventional lithography technology, these technologies are being applied to production of high-density semiconductor integrated circuits and transistors in liquid-crystal displays, and-also to magnetic processing for next-generation hard discs referred to as patterned media. Recently, the action on industrialization of the above-mentioned nanoimprint technologies and their applied technologies has become active for practical use thereof.
As activities regarding the photonanoimprint method-have increased, an issue of adhesiveness between a substrate and a curable composition for imprints has been gaining more attention. In more details, the curable composition for imprints is generally applied to the surface of the substrate to form a layer, and is cured by photoirradiation while being kept under a mold, but the curable composition for imprints may adhere onto the mold when the mold is separated thereafter. Poor separability of the mold may degrade formability of the resultant patterns. This is ascribable to apart of the curable composition for imprints remaining on the mold.
There has therefore been a need to enhance adhesiveness between the substrate and the curable composition for imprints. Known methods of enhancing the adhesiveness between the substrate and the curable composition for imprints are described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2. More specifically, according to Patent Literature 1, a polymerizable monomer having a group capable of interacting with the substrate is used to enhance the adhesiveness between the substrate and the curable composition for imprints. According to Patent Literature 2, an aromatic polymer is used to enhance the adhesiveness between the substrate and the curable composition for imprints.

Adhesion-promoting composition used between curable composition for imprints and substrate, and semiconductor device using the same


A library apparatus includes a cell unit having a plurality of cells arrayed in a matrix, a holder to insert the storage medium to one of the cells or extract the storage medium from the cell, and a position controller to move the holder over the cell unit in X-axis and Y-axis directions to position the holder at a desired position. The holder has a reading unit configured to acquire data of the edges on both sides of each cell. The position controller determines each position of the cells on the basis of the data of the edges acquired at a plurality of positions while moving the holder in a predetermined direction from a predetermined position of the cell unit.

1. Field
This apparatus relates to position correction when a magnetic tape is accommodated in a cell of a magnetic tape library apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
The capacity of hard disks is increasing markedly. If data is lost, the loss is not just a problem for an individual or a company it may affect a large number of people. Storing a backup of data is extremely important for the use of a computer in case of the loss of data. To store a backup of data, a magnetic tape library apparatus is frequently used. The apparatus uses a magnetic tape as a storage medium. A magnetic tape library apparatus accommodates several to several hundred magnetic tapes. The apparatus has at least one drive, and one or two robots. The apparatus also has a casing called a locker with cells attached for accommodating the magnetic tapes. The apparatus operates a robot to insert the magnetic tape to the cell, or extract the magnetic tape from the cell, carry the magnetic tape, and mount the magnetic tape on the drive for read or write operation. When the read or write operation is completed, the robot demounts the magnetic tape from the drive, carries the magnetic tape, and inserts the magnetic tape to the former cell.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are explanatory illustrations showing cells of a related art.
FIG. 1A shows an example of a normal position. Cells 5 are arrayed in a matrix. Relative flags 61 are arranged at three positions of the matrix. A locker may be deformed due to variation in assembly, transport, installation environment, and the like. As the locker is deformed, the cells may be deformed accordingly. FIG. 1B shows an example with deformation. The deformation usually appears in the form of a parallelogram because of the structure of the locker, and sometimes includes a rotation. Thus, the center positions (x1, y1), (x2, y2), (x3, y3) of the relative flags 61 in the normal positions are shifted to (x′1, y′1), (x′2, y′2), (x′3, y′3). To correct the deformation, relative flags 61 located on a deformed surface may be measured, and distances from default positions of the relative flags 61 to shifted positions thereof may be calculated. The distances of the relative flags 61 are measured with, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor mounted on a robot. The position of the robot is corrected, so that the robot is controlled to reliably hold the magnetic tape. With the above-described controlling method, the relative flags 61 have to be provided for the correction of relative values, this may reduce the number of magnetic tapes in the magnetic tape library apparatus.

Library apparatus and position controlling method


A first opening is formed in a vertical wall portion, and a second opening is formed in an underfloor. Airflow partially flows into the first opening and hits a rear face of an inclined wall portion, so as to be discharged from the second opening toward a vehicle rear side. The airflow that cannot enter the first opening flows toward the inclined wall portion along the vertical wall portion so that the airflow is drawn to the airflow flowing into the first opening. The airflow that cannot enter the first opening flows toward the vehicle rear side along the inclined wall portion. Detachment of the airflow from the inclined wall portion is restrained, and airflow flows toward the vehicle rear side along the underfloor of the vehicle. Air flowing from a side part of the vehicle into the rear wheel house restrains a decrease in steering stability.

In a vehicle rear body structure described in Patent Document 1, a narrowing surface is formed on a side part of a rear bumper, thereby decreasing an air resistance of a vehicle. Further, an outer surface of a corner part of the rear bumper is placed so as to be distanced outward in a vehicle width direction from the narrowing surface, so that a cross wind receiving portion is formed. This improves cross wind stability of the vehicle.
Further, the rear bumper has a slit and an exhaust port at a vehicle rear side of a rear tire, and the slit and the exhaust port are communicated with each other via a passage portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction. Hereby, turbulence generated in a rear tire house is discharged toward the vehicle rear side from the exhaust port through the slit and the passage portion.


Techniques related to optics formation using pick-up tools are disclosed. Optical elements are formed by pressing a pick-up tool (PUT) against elastomeric material deposited on a light-outputting side of light-emitting diode (LED) devices. Pressing the PUT against the elastomeric material causes a molded shape of the PUT to be transferred to the elastomeric material. This forms the optical elements in the elastomeric material.

The disclosure relates generally to semiconductor device fabrication, and more specifically to formation of optical elements on semiconductor devices.
Semiconductor devices have become prevalent in electronics for providing such benefits as reduced size, improved durability, and increased efficiency. For example, in contrast to an incandescent light bulb, a light-emitting diode (LED) is typically smaller, lasts several times longer, and converts proportionately more energy into light instead of heat. Accordingly, semiconductor devices have even been incorporated into display systems, such as those found in televisions, computer monitors, laptop computers, tablets, smartphones, and wearable electronic devices. In particular, tiny LEDs can be used to form the sub-pixels of a display system. However, manipulating such tiny LEDs can be challenging. Furthermore, the brightness of such tiny LEDs can be limited by their size.


The system is a parallel processing jamming architecture that is designed to automatically attack and concurrently investigate multiple signals simultaneously in the radio environment. The system implements multiple wideband independent channels to allow simultaneous threat signals to be processed in parallel and jammed in real-time. The system automatically attacks a radio communication channel when the suspect radio signal surpasses a dynamic composite threshold which is internally updated using multi-channel data feedback, in real-time. The concurrent analysis with transmission allows the system to optimize the jam efficiency quickly to an unknown signal, and while determining the validity of the threat. The high throughput parallel architecture allows the intelligent jamming process to occur with rapidity and signal multiplicity.

In order for a jamming system to respond to the plethora of commercially made radio control devices, the jamming system must cover a considerable bandwidth from 20 to 2500 MHz and beyond in a very short period of time. Almost any commercially made radio device, whether it be a hobby radio, garage door opener, cellular telephone or a handie-talkie for example, can be with little technical knowledge fashioned into a threat device. These devices operate in various parts of the spectrum, using different modulation formats, protocols and intelligence. To assign a receiver for each frequency where every commercial device operates would not only be impractical but very costly. Furthermore, there still needs to be a mechanism to decide quickly whether to attack the signal or leave it alone.
For a jamming system to be effective in the urban environment for policing protection and intervention, several primary requirements need to be met. (1) The system should jam both hostile voice/data communication equipment and also accommodate the larger growing threat of radio control devices being used to detonate explosives by a hostile force during, for example, a motorcade escort. On this point alone, prior art systems fail primarily because the jam algorithms are not properly tailored to the target device and as a result either premature actuation of the explosive will result or ineffective jamming will prevail. (2) The system should jam radio signals surreptitiously. Very few people in the urban neighborhood should be alerted to the presence of the jamming equipment when transmitting, particularly the terrorist, and therefore it should be selective about which frequencies it must jam as well as how long the jammer can transmit. (3) The system should be real-time adaptable to the multiplicity of radio signals received in the urban environment to accommodate a variety of radio control and communication signal threats. (4) Coverage of the radio spectrum should be continuous and as widebanded as possible since the threat may occur at any time and at any frequency unbeknown to the operator of the system. If the system is reactive in nature, the reaction time must be faster than the time it takes for a commercially marketed radio control device to decode a command from the moment of initiation. (5) The system should be easy to transport. (6) The system should be easy to operate. (7) The system should not be costly.
In many ways the requirements put forth for jamming radio control devices are even more demanding than a conventional communication jammer since if the hostile transmission is not properly addressed it is not simply a voice instruction that is missed, but moreover, perhaps a loss of life and property. If the system can handle radio control devices, voice/data communication jamming can also be handled.
In the prior art, the known architectures do not show the necessary versatility and operational efficiency to function in the urban environment for policing protection against the aforementioned threats in real-time. The "barrage" jamming method, where jamming noise is radiated indiscriminately across a very wide radio spectrum, fails on requirements 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8. "Selective" jamming, which concentrates the jamming noise into multiple narrow spectral bandwidths, fails on requirements 1, 3 and 4. Known reactive jamming architectures, which introduce a receiver to guide the jammer, fail on requirements 1, 3, 5 and 7. Many of these techniques are described in more detail in electronic warfare literature such as "Electronic Countermeasures", Peninsula Publishing, Chp. 6, 7 and 12, 1979, ISBN-0-932146-00-7.
Therefore, there is a need for improved jamming methods that can meet a majority of the above-listed criteria.

Reactive parallel processing jamming system


A memory has a method of operating that includes performing operations of a first type and a second type. A first voltage is coupled to a power supply node of a first memory cell of a memory array during a first operation of the first type. The first voltage is decoupled from the power supply node in response to terminating the first operation of the first type so as to allow the power supply node to drift. If the power supply node drifts to a second voltage, a power supply source is coupled to the power supply node. This is useful in reducing power in the circuit that produces the first voltage.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to memories, and more specifically, to a memory which transitions between multiple supply voltages.
2. Related Art
As processor voltages are decreased to lower power, bitcell read margin decreases and hence limits the minimum memory operating voltage. Therefore, during a read access to a memory, bitcell read margin can be increased by boosting the voltage to the bitcell. However, this boosted voltage can lead to higher leakage currents when the memory is not being accessed.


The present invention is provided to manufacture a low magnetic loss metal tape with biaxial texture and a manufacturing method thereof. The low magnetic loss metal tape has a non-magnetic metal layer deposited on a nickel layer in the form of stack. The low magnetic loss metal tape with biaxial texture is manufactured by the following steps. A biaxially textured nickel layer is formed on a surface of cathode rotating in an electroplating bath including a cathode with single crystalline structure or similarly high orientation, and an anode made of high purity nickel. The nickel layer formed on the cathode is then washed in a water bath. Subsequently, a non-magnetic metal layer is formed on the washed nickel layer rotating in a plating bath with a non-magnetic metal solution. The metal tape is finally manufactured by delaminating and winding the nickel/non-magnetic metal layers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a low magnetic loss metal tape with biaxial texture and a manufacturing method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a low magnetic loss metal tape with biaxial texture by providing metal layers in a multi-layer structure, such as nickel and non-magnetic metal layers, with an electroplating method being performed near room temperature. The ferromagnetic characteristic of the nickel layer may effectively be avoided by utilizing this method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The efficiency of electric power equipment may generally be influenced by energy loss during the operation of electric power equipment. Intensive works related to utilizing superconducting wires without electric resistance have been carried out, in order to minimize energy loss in the electric power equipment and to increase the efficiency of the equipment. Particularly due to the characteristics of high critical current and low production cost, it is expected that the research and development on a coated superconductor will make great contributions to the improvement of performance and efficiency of the electric power equipments in the field of high-capacity electric power equipments. The coated conductor is a material in a tape or linear shape, in which a superconducting substance is included to transport a high flow of current.
FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a coated superconductor.
As shown in FIG. 1, the coated conductor has a structure including a biaxially textured metal tape, a buffer layer, a superconducting layer, and a protective layer. A biaxially textured metal tape is essential for fabrication of coated conductor with high electrical performance. Especially, the magnetic loss of the biaxially textured metal tape should be low enough to decrease an alternating current (AC) loss in the application of electric power equipments using the coated conductor.
Currently, a nickel-based metal tape is generally used as a substrate for coated conductor. However, nickel shows ferromagnetic characteristics, which causes a magnetic loss, and means for restraining the characteristic of ferromagnetism is required to reduce the magnetic loss.
Ferromagnetism is a magnetic property of material having macroscopic magnetization without any influence of external magnetic field. The ferromagnetism is induced by the interaction of magnetic moments between electrons' spin and orbital angular movement in a material. If a ferromagnetic material is heated above a specific temperature called the Curie temperature of the material, the ferromagnetic property of the material disappears. Some ferromagnetic materials do not show a magnetic property. It is because individual magnetic domains formed internally have ferromagnetic properties, however magnetic moments of them are oriented in the opposite directions relative to each other, resulting compensation as a whole.
It is possible to make the material magnetized by engaging an external magnetic field to reorient the individual magnetic domains. In this case, the individual magnetic domains don't go back to their initial state, even though the external magnetic field is removed completely. A phenomenon that a magnetic property is being changed by a structural change of magnetic domain, according to engaging or disengaging the external magnetic field, is called magnetic hysteresis.
Currently, Rolling-assisted Biaxially Textured Substrate (RaBiTS) process is generally used to manufacture biaxially textured metallic substrates for coated conductors. The RaBiTS process includes the steps of manufacturing a basic material, rolling and heat treatment. In order to restrain magnetic loss of biaxially textured metallic substrates for coated conductors, non-magnetic metals such as Chromium, Tungsten, etc. are alloyed in manufacturing basic materials.
However, in the case that a large amount of the non-magnetic metal is added into a nickel alloy to restrain the ferromagnetic characteristic, the mechanical characteristics of metal substrate are deteriorated. Accordingly, cracks or irregular surface characteristics may frequently be caused in mechanical processing such as a rolling process. Therefore, it is recommended to limit addition of non-magnetic metal in the low range of several percents. In the case of a typical metal tape having a Ni—W constitution among nickel alloy substrates manufactured by the RaBiTS process, nickel with the thickness of about 1 μm may have to be deposited to form a buffer layer. Accordingly, there is a problem that precise mechanical processing and additional processes are required in many cases to manufacture a non-magnetic alloy substrate.
It has been recently reported that a biaxial texture may be induced by using a metal cathode having single crystalline or similarly high orientation in an electroplating process, without applying any external force (Korean Patent Application No. 10-2003-0021091, and U.S. App. Pub. No. 10-608,67). In this process, high orientation of the cathode is transferred to a plated metal layer, and thereby an electroplated metal layer with biaxial texture can be obtained. Continuous electroplating with a non-magnetic metal alloy is required to manufacture a low magnetic loss metal tape. However, it is not easy to control the constitution and orientation of the electroplated metal layer in alloy plating process. In addition, the mechanical properties of metal layer can be deteriorated by defects such as cavity, and cracks which can be formed in alloy plating process.

Method of manufacturing a low magnetic loss metal tape with biaxial texture

Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials


A roll-formed, guidewire extension system for connecting an extension wire to a guidewire is disclosed. The system comprises a connector or sleeve, such as a turnbuckle, having a tubular outer body, a guidewire retention means, an extension wire retention means, a guidewire and an extension wire. A sleeve or turnbuckle nut is produced by rolling a portion of a formable hollow tubular workpiece upon an elongated projection with the projection being disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of the workpiece. This process is repeated on the remaining part of the workpiece to create external threads in the sleeve of opposite pitch. The roll-formed external beads or dents in the sleeve create threads in the interior of the sleeve, the threads running in opposite directions and meeting at approximately the middle of the sleeve. The guidewire and the extension wire engagement means are preferably helically wound wires which are connected e.g., brazed to reduced diameter portions of the guidewire/extension wire. The guidewire is connected to the extension wire by inserting the respective engagement portions into the open ends of the sleeve, and rotating the sleeve in a single direction. In a preferred practice the turnbuckle sleeve, is rotatively affixed to one or the other of the extension wires or guidewires, preferably the extension wire.

The present invention relates in general to the field of guidewires. Guidewires are used to position catheters in exploratory procedures, diagnosis, and treatment of various medical conditions. More particularly, this invention relates to a guidewire extension system for connecting or coupling a guidewire, primary or initial wire to an extension or secondary wire during a medical procedure.
Guidewires are used in various medical procedures to position medical devices at desired locations within a patient""s vascular system. Guidewires, which are steerable, are inserted and maneuvered through the patient""s vasculature to a previously chosen location. Once in place, the guidewire provides the means to place a non-steerable device, such as a catheter, at the chosen body site. For example, a catheter is slid over the guidewire until the catheter, or some working portion thereof, is positioned within the vasculature at the desired location. Generally speaking, guidewires of a standard length are longer than the non-steerable devices with which they are used to permit independent movement of the device and the wire.
Angioplasty is one surgical application where a guidewire is often used. In angioplasty a dilatation catheter having an inflatable balloon structure is used to compress occlusive or blockage material against the sides of a vessel, thereby permitting (ideally) circulation to be reestablished. In preparatory procedures, the site of a vascular restriction, occlusion or stenosis is identified. The guidewire is inserted into the patient""s femoral artery and maneuvered or steered to the location of the restriction. Insertion of the guidewire is facilitated by an video X-ray device which allows the surgeon to observe the movement of the guidewire""s distal tip. The guidewire distal tip generally comprises a radiopaque metal to enhance X-ray viewing. A dilatation catheter then is inserted over the guidewire so that its working segment is located adjacent the restriction. Generally this means that the catheter balloon is positioned adjacent the vascular restriction or blockage.
During a simple angioplasty procedure, the dilatation catheter balloon is inflated to open the restriction, and then is removed along with the guidewire. However, complications sometimes arise which prevent the surgeon from completing this simple procedure. Occasionally the balloon catheter malfunctions. Sometimes a larger (or smaller) balloon is required further to dilate the vascular restriction, or another device or other type of catheter is needed to remove vascular material. For whatever the reason, the guidewire extension system of this invention is used when the catheter, or other such device, has to be removed and replaced with another device or catheter.
In the usual procedure to exchange catheters, the guidewire is removed from the patient leaving the catheter in the vascular system. An exchange wire is inserted through the catheter and the catheter removed, leaving the exchange wire in place. . The new catheter is inserted over the exchange wire and the exchange wire removed and replaced with the guidewire.
It is desirable to keep the guidewire in the patient""s vasculative for various reasons. However, the primary reason for not removing the guidewire is that the initial placement of the guidewire requires extensive, time consuming, manipulation. Removal and repositioning of the guidewire would be equally time consuming, possibly requiring further exposure to drugs, exposure to additional radiation, and, in general, infliction of additional trauma to the patient.
In those cases where catheter exchange is desired, the surgeon could simply remove the catheter over the guidewire, leaving the guidewire in the patient. However, to facilitate the removal and replacement of a catheter, the guidewire must be sufficiently long to allow the surgeon to grip a portion of the wire as the catheter is being withdrawn. This requires the guidewire to be long enough to provide an external portion longer than the catheter in addition to the portion remaining in the patient.
Unfortunately, a guidewire of sufficient length has inferior handling characteristics, thereby making more difficult the steering and maneuvering manipulations needed for guidewire placement. The added length also imposes itself on the usually cramped surgical arena thereby causing distractions to other surgical support activities. It is for these reasons that guidewires are usually only slightly longer than balloon catheters, e.g. 20-50 centimeters longer, and that a much longer exchange wire (and exchange procedure) is used. In other words, the guide wire-extension wire combination has a length approximating that of an exchange wire. Illustrating the above, a dilatation catheter has a length in the range of about 130 cm to about 160 cm, a suitable guidewire would have a length in the range of about 160 cm to about 200 cm and an exchange wire would have a length in the range of about 260 cm to about 340 cm. As can be imagined from the above, utilization of an exchange wire in an exchange wire procedure is complicated and time consuming. This invention simplifies catheter exchange and eliminates the need to use an exchange wire.
A recent development involves coupling or connecting a second length of wire, sometimes called an extension wire or secondary wire, to the exposed, proximal end of a guidewire. The second wire length should be of sufficient length to allow the catheter to be withdrawn while leaving the guidewire in the patient. Various approaches have been suggested for effecting the attachment of an extension wire to a guidewire.
In one approach, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,923 to Gambale et al., a guide wire and an extension are joined together by crimping. A special crimping tool is disclosed in the Gambale et al., ""923 patent. A drawback of this approach is that once the wires have been crimped, the connection therebetween is substantially permanent, and the extension wire cannot be detached from the guidewire except by severing it, e.g., by cutting.
Instead of crimping the guidewire to the extension wire, attempts have been made to engage the extension wire to the guidewire frictionally. Such attempts are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,872 to Jahrmarkt et al., and related U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,838 to Palmer et al. These two patents disclose a guidewire extension system in which the distal end of the extension wire comprises a small diameter tube in which there is disposed a small diameter, open pitch, flat wire coiled spring. The proximal end of the guidewire has a reduced diameter portion which is inserted into the tube assembly to complete the connection. The reduced diameter proximal end of the guidewire is slightly larger than the internal diameter of the coiled spring of the extension wire, thereby creating a frictional engagement when one is inserted into the other. Palmer et al. disclose the utilization a swivel joint for minimizing twisting of the extension guidewire when connecting or disconnecting it from the extension wire. A device as described in these two patents would be very difficult to manufacture reliably and apparently requires an alignment tool to ease insertion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,489 to Messner et al., discloses an extendable guidewire in which concentric tubular segments are secured to one or the other of the sections to be connected. The inner tubular segment has a longitudinal slot therein which permits it to expand when a cooperating male portion is inserted therein. The outer tubular member of the connector assembly restricts the expansion of the inner tubular member as the male portion is inserted therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,193 to Tremulis et al., disclose a guidewire having first and second telescopically extendable sections movable between axially extended and retracted positions. No disengagement of the guidewire and extension wire is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,136 to Kraus et al., discloses an internally threaded female connection member secured to the distal end of the extension wire. The internally threaded female connection member is disclosed to be freely rotatable with respect to the extension wire by securement thereto by means of a collar. The body of the extension wire has a distal enlargement which cooperates with the collar to permit it to be freely rotated. The female connection member of the extension wire cooperates with a threaded male portion located on the proximal end of the guidewire. The mechanism disclosed by Kraus et al., however, sacrifices pushability and flexibility as the ball and socket joint do not effect a mechanical lock sufficiently to transmit such desirable properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,941 to Taylor et al. discloses a guidewire extension system employing a tubular female connector portion on one wire and a cooperating male portion on the other. The connecting male portion has an effective diameter in one radial dimension which is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tubular portion. In a preferred practice, the male end portion of the Taylor et al. guidewire has an undulating shape, which, when inserted into the tube creates an interference fit.
The guidewire extension systems discussed above all have drawbacks. Either they have not provided easy engagement or they have disengaged too easily. While frictional engagement overcomes the disadvantages of crimping, disengagement may occur. Problems of kinking at the connection have been experienced with some systems. Moreover, prior extendable wires for use in coronary angioplasty procedures have been found to be unsuitable in peripheral arteries because the connections are not strong enough. Further, some connections have larger diameters than the rest of the guidewire system. This may cause snagging of the catheter. It also means that the catheter with which such connection system is used must have a larger internal diameter than would be necessary were a smaller diameter coupler employed.
Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a threaded-type guidewire extension system which is reliable, easy to use and easy to manufacture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a guidewire extension system which minimizes the possibility of system failure by kinking or undesirable bending at the connection between the guidewire and the extension wire.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a guidewire extension system utilizing what is referred to as a turnbuckle configuration which does not require that either the guidewire or extension wire be rotated when attaching one to the other. It is advantageous that the guidewire be held stationary because the guidewire is located within the patient""s blood vessel where. unnecessary movement can induce trauma. It is also advantageous to have the majority of the length of the extension wire held stationary during the connection process. Having the extension wire self-contained in its tubular carrier package allows medical personnel to concentrate upon engaging the two wires. An uncontained extension wire is awkward, and thus complicates the process of effecting a guidewire/extension wire union during a medical procedure.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a guidewire extension system which has substantially the same flexibility and pushability at its connection as that of the remainder of the length of the guidewire.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a unitized guidewire extension system having a uniform, smooth, continuous outer diameter along the guidewire, connector, and extension wire. Methods of manufacturing an extension system of this invention and methods of using a system of this invention also are disclosed.
Briefly, in one aspect, the present invention is an extension system for rotatively connecting the proximal end of a guidewire to the distal end of an extension wire. In accordance with the present invention, the system comprises engagement means, such as threads located on the proximal end, and distal end, respectively, of a guidewire and an extension wire. The system further includes a cylindrical sleeve, coupler, or connector, the connector having a deformable wall or body wall. The deformable body wall defines openings on each end of the connector and a cavity extending between the openings. The body wall further defines oppositely pitched, exteriorly-formed, interior threads. The oppositely-pitched, interior threads extend toward the center of the connector. In one embodiment, the interior threads run the entire length of the connector body and meet at approximately the middle. In a preferred practice, the externally-formed internal threads begin at a point interiorly disposed from the openings. This leaves a segment of the body wall which is substantially smooth between the sleeve openings and the start of the thread. The threads are adapted to cooperate with the respective engagement means of the guidewire and extension wire so that the engagement means are retained within the sleeve.
The system further comprises means for rotatively retaining the connector on one or the other of the guidewire or extension wire. In one embodiment, this retention means comprises an annular bead or dent in the sleeve. The annular bead is of sufficient width so that it will not pass over threads on the guidewire or extension wire on which it is located. Thus the guidewire and extension wire may be connected or coupled by inserting the engagement means into the connector and rotating the connector in a single direction.
In a method of making the present extension system, the externally-formed, internal thread is roll formed by rolling a deformable, suitably thin walled, sleeve material over an elongate protuberance, skin or projection from an otherwise substantially flat surface. The sleeve, which has an axis, is rolled over the projection at an angle with respect to its axis with sufficient force to deform the connector body create therein a substantially continuous, external bead or dent. The sleeve body is sufficiently thin so that rolling the sleeve body over the shim creates an internal, helical thread according to the invention. Having rolled the sleeve in one direction to create an internal thread of a first pitch, the process is repeated, starting adjacent the remaining end of the sleeve, to create the second oppositely pitched thread. In a further embodiment, the oppositely pitched threads could be created in a single step by rolling the deformable sleeve, with sufficient force, in one direction over two obliquely angled (i.e., defining an open xe2x80x9cVxe2x80x9d ), elongate shims.


A transmission terminal is connected to a management device via a network. The transmission terminal includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a communication state of another transmission terminal from the management device; a selection accepting unit configured to accept a selection of the another transmission terminal from a user to participate in an established session that has been already established for the another transmission terminal; a participation determination unit configured to determine that it is not possible to participate in the established session when the communication state of the another transmission terminal whose selection has been accepted indicates participation restriction; and a communication unit configured not to transmit a participation request to the management device when it is determined that the participation is not possible.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transmission terminal, a communication system, and a computer-readable storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a telephone call system for performing a television conference through a communication network such as the Internet is becoming commonplace along with requirement for reducing expenses for the business trip and length of the business trip. In such a telephone call system, when a call is started among a plurality of call terminals, image data and audio data are transmitted and/or received to hold a television conference successfully.
In addition, high-quality image data or high-quality audio data can be transmitted and/or received among a plurality of call terminals due to an improved broadband environment in recent years. Accordingly, a state of the other party in the television conference may be easily grasped, so that completeness of communication through conversation may be improved.
Some of the conferences involve transmission/reception of highly confidential data and it is desired to provide a technique to appropriately restrict participants of the conference. As a technique of restricting the participants of the conference, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H7-177482 discloses a technique to restrict participation of a person other than the registered participants by registering the participants before the conference is started for the purpose of restricting the participants of the conference.
However, the technique of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H7-177482 requires an operation, by a user, for registering the participants of the conference in advance, and there is a demand for restricting the participants more easily and appropriately.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a transmission terminal, a communication system, and a computer-readable storage that can limit terminals being able to participate in communication easily and appropriately.

Transmission terminal, communication system, and computer-readable storage medium


A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: an internal circuit; a detecting circuit which detects an element characteristic of the internal circuit; a calculating circuit which calculates a first consumption energy consumed when a power gating operation is performed on a task processed by the internal circuit and a second consumption energy consumed when an operation of reducing a voltage and a frequency is performed in accordance with the element characteristic; and a switching circuit which performs the power gating operation on the internal circuit when the first consumption energy is smaller than the second consumption energy and performs the operation of reducing a voltage and a frequency when the second consumption energy is smaller than the first consumption energy.

As semiconductor elements have been miniaturized, distances between sources and drains of MOS transistors are reduced and leakage currents between the sources and the drains are increased. The leakage currents are increased in an exponential manner along with increase of operation temperatures of the MOS transistors. The leakage currents are further increased when a threshold value is lowered owing to fabrication variations of the MOS transistors. Therefore, in semiconductor integrated circuits including the MOS transistors, power consumptions are increased owing to increase of the leakage currents.
Accordingly, in micro processors, for example, a method, which is referred to as a Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) method, for reducing a power consumption using a circuit function of changing a power-supply voltage of an internal circuit or a frequency of an operation clock in accordance with a processing load has been employed.
Furthermore, in mobile devices, a method, which is referred to as a Power Gating) (PG method, for reducing a power consumption by stopping power supplied to an internal circuit while the internal circuit is in a standby state has been employed.
According to the DVFS method, an operation current and a leakage current per unit time may be reduced by controlling an operation frequency or an operation voltage of a task having long Worst Case Execution Time (WCET) so that operation periods of circuits are matched with one another. For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application Publication No. 2001-345693 discloses a semiconductor integrated circuit device capable of controlling a clock control circuit and a power-supply voltage control circuit in accordance with requisite performance so as to realize a low power consumption.
On the other hand, according to the PG method, although the operation current and the leakage current while the circuits operate are not reduced, a leakage current while the circuits do not operate in the WCET is reduced.
As described above, in terms of the reduction of the power consumption, one of the DVFS method and the PG method has been used depending on an operation of a circuit included in a semiconductor integrated circuit device and a state of a WCET associated with the circuit operation. However, superiority of the DVFS method or the PG method in a certain semiconductor integrated circuit device may depend on an operation temperature condition and a fabrication condition of the semiconductor integrated circuit device.


An apparatus for reducing the size of a solid material into smaller particles having an implosion chamber for containing the solid material and creating turbulence and ultrasonic soundwaves. The soundwaves generated by a flail propeller bounce off the chamber walls to create sound frequencies causing the expansion of moisture particles in the solid material leading to implosion of moisture particles within the solid material. The implosion thereby results in reducing the size of solid material, wherein a separating section that receives the smaller material from the implosion chamber channels the coarser particles back into the chamber to go through additional disintegration process. The rotation of the flail propeller within the chamber causes the moisture particles of the solid material to oscillate at high frequency and expansion that disintegrates the solid material. During this process, the moisture content is converted into vapor.

A pulveriser or grinder has been used in numerous industries to reduce the size of solid materials, including waste materials into smaller particles to facilitate disposal or to be subjected to subsequent processes such as; chemical process, burning, or even treatments for producing sustainable end-products. Most machines are adapted for crushing or grinding large chunks of solid materials into smaller particles with a rotating or propelling cutter, hammer mills, rollers or tubular ball crushers, whereby usually the resulting particles are in a range of sizes thus not uniform in size and still consists of large chunks. It is desirable that, and more particularly in the waste disposal and management industries, the solid materials are reduced into fine and uniform particles for ease of disposal or for undergoing subsequent processes. Although several machines exist for pulverising solid materials into finer particles, these machines are relatively slow in processing and frequently have large power requirements.
An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for disintegrating solid materials into fine particles, and more particularly into powder form with reduced processing time. In one embodiment, the moisture content of the particles can be substantially reduced.

Dehydration and disintegration apparatus and system