A method for carrying out code synchronization when a signal has been spread-coded by a pseudo-random spreading code. The method comprises forming angular cells (400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410), determining interference power in each angular cell (400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410), arranging the angular cells (400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410) according to the interference power, carrying out code acquisition by examining the arranged angular cells (400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410) by using different delays of the spreading code, starting from the angular cell with the lowest interference power. The angular cells (400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410) can e.g. be arranged as a vector in ascending order according to the interference power. The method comprises determining the number of angular cells to be formed e.g. by means of an estimated interference power.

The invention relates to synchronization of a receiver with a signal to be received.
In CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), a narrowband data signal of a user is modulated to a relatively broad band by a spreading code which is more broadband than the data signal. The known CDMA systems use bandwidths over 1 MHz. In a WCDMA (Wide-band CDMA) radio system, the bandwidth is even much more greater since the current mobile telephone networks aim to provide the user with increasingly versatile services.
The spreading code of the CDMA radio system usually comprises a long pseudo-random bit sequence. The bit rate of the spreading code is much higher than that of the data signal and, as distinct from data bits and data symbols, the bits of a spreading code are called chips. Each data symbol of the user is multiplied by the chips of the spreading code. The narrowband data signal thus spreads to the frequency band used by the spreading code. Each user has a unique spreading code. A spreading code may be one or more data bits long. A plurality of users transmit simultaneously in the same frequency band, and the data signals are separated in the receivers on the basis of the pseudo-random spreading code.
In spread-spectrum systems, such as the CDMA radio system, a receiver should synchronize with the signal to be received in order for enabling signal modulation and detection. Code synchronization is usually divided in two parts: code acquisition and code tracking. In code acquisition, the timing difference between the spreading code of a code generator of the receiver and the spreading code of the received signal is to be no more than one chip of the spreading code. To achieve this, the spreading code of the code generator of the receiver is delayed chip by chip, searching for the delay between the signal spreading code and the code generator spreading code. Code acquisition is the most challenging task in spread-spectrum receivers. In code tracking, in turn, the aim is to keep the timing inaccuracy as low as possible, i.e. fractions of a chip.
Code acquisition is carried out e.g. using a simple correlator. When the spreading code of the signal to be received and the spreading code of the code generator of the receiver are not synchronized, the output of the correlator is provided with a low value. But when the spreading code of the signal to be received and the spreading code of the code generator of the receiver are synchronous, i.e. the delay of the spreading code of the code generator of the receiver is a correct one, the output value of the correlator is high. Code acquisition can also be carried out using a matched filter. A threshold detector is typically connected to an output of the matched filter to indicate that synchronization has been found.
Radio telecommunication connections are susceptible to interference. For instance, multiple access interference MAI, noise and multipath propagation cause great temporary values at the output of the correlator even if the spreading code of the signal to be received and the spreading code of the code generator of the receiver were asynchronous. This results in a false alarm and prolonged code acquisition. In order to reduce the effect of false alarms, the delay obtained in code acquisition should be verified by a second correlation measurement, which results in a longer synchronization time.
An object of the invention is to provide an improved method for carrying out synchronization, and a receiver whereto the method can be applied. This is achieved by a method for carrying out code synchronization when a signal has been spread-coded by a pseudo-random spreading code. The method comprises forming angular cells, determining interference power in each angular cell, arranging the angular cells according to the interference power, carrying out code acquisition by examining the arranged angular cells by using different delays of the spreading code, starting from the angular cell with the lowest interference power.
The invention further relates to a method for carrying out code synchronization when a signal has been spread-coded by a pseudo-random spreading code. The method comprises forming angular cells, determining interference power in each angular cell, determining user equipment location probabilities in each angular cell, determining a code acquisition order for the angular cells by utilizing an interference power estimate and location probability information on the user equipment, carrying out code acquisition by examining the angular cells in chosen order.
The invention further relates to a method for carrying out code synchronization when a signal has been spread-coded by a pseudo-random spreading code. The method comprises forming angular cells, determining user equipment location probabilities in each angular cell, determining a code acquisition order for the angular cells by utilizing location probability information on the user equipment, carrying out code acquisition by examining the angular cells in chosen order.
The invention further relates to a receiver implementing the method, the receiver being arranged to carry out code acquisition from a signal to be received, the signal having been spread-coded by a pseudo-random spreading code. The receiver comprises means for forming angular cells, the receiver comprises means for determining interference power in each angular cell, the receiver comprises means for arranging the angular cells according to the interference power, the receiver comprises means for carrying out code acquisition by examining the arranged angular cells by using different delays of the spreading code, starting from the angular cell with the lowest interference power.
The invention further relates to a receiver arranged to carry out code acquisition from a signal to be received, the signal having been spread-coded by a pseudo-random spreading code. The receiver comprises means for forming angular cells, the receiver comprises means for determining interference power in each angular cell, the receiver is arranged to determine user equipment location probabilities in each angular cell or the receiver is arranged to utilize location probability information on the user equipment, the receiver comprises means for determining a code acquisition order for the angular cells by utilizing an interference power estimate and the location probability information on the user equipment, the receiver comprises means for carrying out code acquisition by examining the arranged angular cells in chosen order.
The invention further relates to a receiver arranged to carry out code acquisition from a signal to be received, the signal having been spread-coded by a pseudo-random spreading code. The receiver comprises means for forming angular cells, the receiver is arranged to determine user equipment location probabilities in each angular cell or the receiver is arranged to utilize location probability information on the user equipment, the receiver comprises means for determining a code acquisition order for the angular cells by utilizing the location probability information on the user equipment, the receiver comprises means for carrying out code acquisition by examining the arranged angular cells in chosen order.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
The idea underlying the invention is that code acquisition is carried out two-dimensionally, the dimensions being time dimension and angular dimension. Code acquisition utilizing the angular dimension is carried out by using several parallel antenna beams, i.e. angular cells. The interference level of the angular cells, i.e. interference power (also called interference level), is determined and the angular cells are arranged preferably as a vector wherein the order of elements is determined according to the interference power. Interference power also comprises noise. Code acquisition starts from the angular cell with the lowest interference power. An alternative is to determine user equipment location probabilities and to arrange the angular cells such that code acquisition is first carried out in the angular cell in which the user equipment is located most likely, and last in the angular cell in which the user equipment is located least likely. An alternative is also to combine these angular cell arrangement methods. Code acquisition then starts from the cell in which the interference level and the location probability are optimized, e.g. code acquisition starts from an angular cell with a low, but not necessarily the lowest, interference level if it is highly probable that the user equipment is located in this angular cell.
The method and system of the invention provide several advantages. Code acquisition can be made more efficient in an environment containing interference particularly when the interference levels vary in different angular cells. The method and system of the invention enable the time spent on code acquisition to be shortened.

Code synchronization method and receiver


A plank is described and a method for manufacturing the plank. The plank can be produced by mixing polyvinyl chloride powder, coarse whiting and light calcium compound powder, stabilizer, polyethylene wax, internal lubricant, plasticizer, and impact modifier together, and stirring this mixture. The mixture is then extruded through an extruder compound to form a plastic composite base material. A surface layer is then tiled onto the plastic composite base material using thermal compression, without the use of intermediate adhesive materials. The surface layer can be embossed when it is combined with the mixture being extruded.

The invention relates to building materials, predominantly flooring, especially involving an engineered plank and its production method. In a common approach to constructing flooring planks that have some plastic content, a substrate is extruded and then a surface layer is glued to the substrate. Typically, to create a desired look, the surface layer is a composite layer comprising a printed paper sheet glued to a wear layer. Then, to make a flooring plank, after gluing the wear layer and the drawing paper to form the surface layer and extruding and forming the substrate, these are compressed and pasted together.
Flooring planks are commonly made using wood or wood byproducts. For example, wood-plastic composite (WPC) engineered planks have a composite substrate having different layers of different materials that are in turn glued together to form the substrate. For example, a WPC plank might be constructed by extruding a wood polymer composite skin, extruding a low-density polymer core layer and gluing the skin and the core layer to form the substrate, and then gluing the surface layer to the substrate. This is often needed to increase the plank's rigidity.
In a typical construction process, the substrate, whether it is a single-layer substrate or a multi-layer substrate, is cut into slabs, such as 4 foot by 8 foot slabs, as is the surface layer. These are then aligned, glued, and with a high-pressure press, are pressed together.
The slabs might then be further cut and suitable edge connectors cut into the edges. A slab or plank can be constructed from a core that is adhered to a wear layer and possibly other layers using adhesive. A wear layer might be made separate from the substrate and later adhered with a waterproof adhesive.
The WPC substrate uses wood powder, which can result in a waste of resources, as it can affect the finish of the goods or create mustiness. WPC flooring planks might also require a coating process, which may increase the required number of processing steps and may make continuous production more difficult.
Therefore, improved engineered planks and improved methods for manufacturing engineered planks may be desired.

Engineered plank and its manufacturing method


A bicycle multi-gear cassette mountable to a wheel hub driver mechanism that includes truncated conical shell having a first opening proximate a small shell base and a second opening proximate a large shell base. The openings are coaxial with an axis of the shell. A plurality of toothed sprockets having different numbers of teeth are disposed on the shell and extend radially of the central axis. A torque load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. A radial load transmitting profile is configured on the shell proximate one of the small and large shell bases. The shell, sprockets, and the load transmitting profiles embody a single piece.

The present invention relates to bicycle multi-gear cassettes, and more particularly, to a multi-gear cassette that includes a truncated conical shell, a plurality of toothed sprockets disposed thereon, a torque load transmitting profile, and a radial load transmitting profile wherein the shell, sprockets and load transmitting profiles embody a single piece.
In a conventional multi-gear bicycle cassette, a plurality of discrete sprockets of variable diameter are arranged radially about an axis of a wheel hub. Each sprocket has a plurality of teeth spaced around its periphery for engaging a bicycle chain. The sprockets are mountable to the wheel hub to transfer pedaling forces from the bicycle chain to the wheel hub. In conventional designs, each sprocket may include a torque and radial load transmitting profile that mates to a corresponding profile on the wheel hub. One disadvantage of this design is that the sprockets are acting individually in transmitting pedaling load from the chain, at one end, to the wheel hub, at the other end, making the sprockets vulnerable to buckling and thus requiring thicker and heavier sprockets than desired.
In other devices, the individual sprockets may attached to a plurality of carrier arms of an intermediate carrier, the arms receiving loading from the sprockets and transmitting it to the wheel hub. Although the carrier may provide some lateral support to the sprockets, the carrier arms may themselves twist and flex under loading, also leading to buckling. Carriers with more rigid arms provide additional buckling resistance but come with a weight penalty. Beyond being resistant to buckling, carrier and noncarrier-based multi-gear cassettes must be sufficiently rigid to resist excessive twisting and flexing under high impact pedaling forces to provide positive and direct load transmission to the wheel hub.
In the carrier cassettes described above, the discrete sprockets are attached to the carrier arms using bolts, mating threads, coupling projections or the like. These mechanical connections not only require additional material on the mating pieces, making the sprocket assembly heavier, but also introduce hole and thread features that weaken the mating parts and provide possible fatigue and fracture failure points on both the sprockets and carrier. Finally, such mechanical connections also introduce additional unwanted flexibility as they twist and deform under loading, softening load transmission from the chain to the wheel hub.
Accordingly, a single-piece cassette according to the present invention avoids these design limitations by providing a rigid, buckling-resistant and lightweight load transmission path from the chain to the wheel hub driver mechanism. In the prior devices having discrete sprockets, with or without intermediate carriers, the user may selectively replace one or more of the individual sprockets to customize the gear ratios of the cassette. Additionally, in a cassette design with discrete sprockets, the complex recess and cutout features on the face of the sprockets, as well as the precise chamfered tooth features, may be more readily and economically produced by stamping these features onto individual sprockets before assembly into a cassette. The present invention achieves both a rigid and lightweight design that is contrary to the teachings of these prior devices. By using a single-piece truncated hollow cone design that ignores the art-perceived need for discrete sprockets, the present invention represents far more than a structural difference over these prior devices.


A process for producing a chlorinated polyolefin is disclosed, which comprises dissolving or suspending a polyolefin in a solvent and conducting chlorination reaction of the dissolved or suspended polyolefin, said solvent being a chloroform-based solvent comprising a mixture of 100 parts by weight of chloroform containing no alcohol and from 0.0005 to 15 parts by weight of a compound having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms and containing one or more double bonds per molecule. A process for producing a chlorosulfonated polyolefin is also disclosed, which comprises dissolving or suspending a polyolefin in a solvent and conducting chlorination and chlorosulfonation reaction of the dissolved or suspended polyolefin, said solvent being a chloroform-based solvent comprising a mixture of 100 parts by weight of chloroform containing no alcohol and from 0.0005 to 15 parts by weight of a compound having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms and containing one or more double bonds per molecule.

It is known that a chlorinated or chlorosulfonated polyolefin is produced by reacting a polyolefin dissolved or suspended in a solvent. It is also known that as this solvent, a halogenated compound is used such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, and fluorobenzene.
The most suitable solvent of these is carbon tetrachloride, which is employed in many industrial processes. However, use of carbon tetrachloride is not preferable in that the compound has recently come to be suspected as a substance which destroys ozone present in the stratosphere.
On the other hand, chloroform can also be used as the solvent to produce a chlorinated or chlorosulfonated polyolefin. However, the product is disadvantageously colored yellow and has problems in practical use, for example, that formulations containing the product are apt to undergo scorching.
Chlorinated polyolefins have excellent properties such as nonflammability, weatherability, ozone resistance, chemical resistance, and electrical characteristics, and because of this, they are used, for example, as a resin modifier for polyvinyl chloride and other polymers and in light-colored electric wires and light-colored sponges.
Chlorosulfonated polyolefins are being used in escalator handrails, LP gas hoses, light-colored electric wires, leisure boats, and others.
Because beauty in color is one of the characteristics of these applications, the discoloration of the chlorinated or chlorosulfonated polyolefins themselves can be said to be a fatal defect. Further, a short scorching time of formulations containing chlorinated or chlorosulfonated polyolefins, i.e., tendency for the formulations to be prone to scorching, results in impaired processing safety when the formulations are processed into final articles such as hoses and electric wires, etc. Therefore, the chlorinated or chlorosulfonated polyolefins obtained through reactions in the conventional chloroform solvent have been of low commercial value.
All chloroform products on the market, whether for industrial use or reagent grade, generally contain from 0.5 to 1.0% of ethyl alcohol as a stabilizer. The reason for this is that since chloroform is an unstable substance and readily generates harmful phosgene, ethyl alcohol is added to suppress the generation of phosgene. (See, for example, Iwanami Rikagaku Jiten (Dictionary of Physicochemistry), 3rd Edition, published by Iwanami Shoten).
In other words, the substance generally called chloroform always contains such an alcohol compound. However, in this invention, such chloroform containing an alcohol compound should be clearly distinguished from chloroform containing no alcohol compound. The alcohol compound as referred to herein means a compound having an -OH group, such as, for example, ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol.
The present inventors previously found that chlorinated or chlorosulfonated polyolefins synthesized by using, as a solvent, chloroform from which an alcohol compound stabilizer has been removed are pure-white, are not colored, and have excellent scorching stability. In addition, there was no difference therebetween in strength, elongation, hardness, and other properties after vulcanization. That is, it was found that the pure-white products and the conventional discolored products obtained using alcohol-containing chloroform cannot be distinguished from each other when viewed from the standpoint of physical properties after vulcanization.
However, since the chloroform containing no stabilizer was so unstable, there was a possibility that virulently poisonous phosgene generates, for example, in a tank storing the chloroform, in a reactor where chlorination reaction or chlorination and chlorosulfonation reaction was conducted, and during drying, etc.
Under these circumstances, there has been a strong desire for a stabilizer which, when used with chloroform to synthesize chlorinated or chlorosulfonated polyolefins, does not cause products which are colored as in the chlorinated or chlorosulfonated polyolefins synthesized by using alcohol compound-containing chloroform as a solvent and does not cause formulations containing the synthesized products to undergo scorching, and which effectively suppresses generation of virulently poisonous phosgene during storage of the chloroform or chlorination reaction or chlorination and chlorosulfonation reaction.

Process for producing chlorinated polyolefin


A disk drive is disclosed which demagnetizes the head after a write operation. Write circuitry applies a write signal to the head in order to write data to a selected data sector during a write operation, wherein the write signal comprises a predetermined write current amplitude. Control circuitry demagnetizes the head at the end of the write operation by maintaining the write current amplitude while increasing a frequency of an AC write signal applied to the head over a predetermined demagnetization interval, wherein increasing the frequency of the AC write signal decreases an amplitude of the AC write signal when observed at the head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to disk drives. In particular, the present invention relates to demagnetizing the head in a disk drive by increasing the frequency of an AC write signal while maintaining the write current amplitude.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a prior art recording format showing a plurality of embedded servo sectors 20–2N recorded on the disk 4 of a disk drive which define a plurality of radially-spaced, concentric data tracks 6. Each data track 6 is partitioned into a plurality of data sectors wherein the servo sectors 20–2N are considered "embedded" in the data sectors. Each servo sector (e.g., servo sector 24) comprises a preamble 8 for synchronizing gain control and timing recovery, a sync mark 10 for synchronizing to a servo data field 12 comprising coarse head positioning information such as a Gray coded track addresses for use during seeking, and servo bursts 14 which provide fine head positioning information for use during tracking. In a "headerless" format, the servo data field 12 also includes information identifying the data sectors between the servo sectors.
User data is written to a data sector by modulating the write current applied to a head 16, which magnetizes the surface of the disk 4. With conventional longitudinal magnetic recording, the head 16 magnetizes a thin film layer in a planar direction and in the more recent perpendicular magnet recording, the head 16 magnetizes the thin film layer in a perpendicular direction. In either case, the head 16 may remain magnetized after a write operation creating a magnetic field that can erase data in the following data sectors. A prior art technique (such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,395) teaches to demagnetize the head 16 after every write operation by applying an AC write signal to the head 16 while gradually decreasing the write current amplitude. This technique is illustrated in FIGS. 2A–2C wherein FIG. 2A shows the write data applied to the write circuitry, including an AC write signal at the end of the write operation. The write current amplitude is gradually decreased as shown in FIG. 2B, which decreases the amplitude of the AC, write signal when observed at the head 16 as shown in FIG. 2C. As the amplitude of the AC write signal decreases the head 16 is demagnetized. A problem with this technique, however, is the difficulty and expense involved with controlling the write current amplitude at the end of every write operation. In addition, the AC write signal must be applied over a sufficient interval to guarantee demagnetization which requires a corresponding "gap" at the end of each data sector. This gap is undesirable since it decreases the amount of disk space available for storing user data (i.e., decreases format efficiency).
There is, therefore, a need to simplify head demagnetization in a disk drive in a manner that improves format efficiency.

Demagnetizing a head in a disk drive by increasing the frequency of an AC write signal while maintaining the write current amplitude


An autostereoscopic display with an optical element inserted near the transmissive display has improved brightness of the display, and optionally has incorporated therein a head position sensing device capable of sensing the position of at least one observers head causing the light emitting regions of the device to move in response to data on the observer's head position provided by the head sensing device.

1. Field of the invention
This invention relates to an autostereoscopic device for use in television, computer graphics and the like viewing applications.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,949 describes an autostereoscopic device possessing a large number of illuminating lines situated behind a transmissive display.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,365 discloses a special masking technique that could be used to use this type of system with practically any transmissive display configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,385 further extends the capabilities of the above type of autostereoscopic display by adding blinking or moving illumination patterns and colored illumination patterns, which can provide hologram like images that a single observer can look around, or which multiple observers can each see with correct perspective.
All of these displays are intended for viewing by a small number of people situated in a computer workstation, telerobiotic station, or similar environment. They are not suited for viewing by large numbers of people sitting in random locations around a room, as is the case in a typical entertainment television viewing situation.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a display that can present such images using bandwidths and formats identical to those used for television today or contemplated for High Definition Television in the future.
Another object of this invention is to provide a display that can present three dimensional (3D) images to a large number of people sitting in various locations around a medium sized room, such as the living room of a typical house.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a display that can present a different perspective view to a person or persons depending on their locations in front of the display, so that each person sees an undistorted image with the proper perspective associated with that person's position or spacing in the room.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a display that can sense the positions of many people situated in front of it and direct its light only toward those persons, generating only two perspective images for each person, one being a left eye view and the other a right eye view, so that bandwidth is not wasted generating 3D images visible in areas in front of the display where there is no one to observe them.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a display that presents the same left eye view and the same right eye view to each person sitting in front of the display, thus allowing the minimum bandwidth possible for the transmission of stereoscopic images.
Still other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed description and claims.


A pocket drilling fixture has a clamp base with a clamping face formed thereon. Opposing the clamp base is a clamp body with an opposing clamping face. Clamp structure interengages the clamp body and the base. The clamp structure includes a clamp actuator positioned adjacent to the base to move the clamp body in a clamping direction. A guide carrier has at least one drill guide disposed therein, and has an axis which intersects a plane defined by the clamping face. The guide carrier is mounted on the base to move in the direction parallel to the plane. The base may have formed thereon a turret having multiple surfaces for height adjustment. The turret may be positioned under the guide carrier to set its height above the base so that height can be preselected, depending on the workpiece thickness.

Two wood workpieces are sometimes fastened together by means of a pocket joint. A pocket joint is a pocket hole in the first piece, with a screw in the pocket hole extending into the second workpiece. A pocket hole is one that is made at an angle in a first piece of wood, entering from the side and exiting out of the edge. Usually, the pocket is sufficiently large to fully contain the head of the screw so that, when the screw is recessed in the hole, it is not exposed.


A method of transparent call discrimination includes providing a call discrimination data message within a Caller ID message frame structure of an outgoing call from a call originating equipment. A type of call on an incoming telephone line of a call receiving equipment is discriminated in response to the call discrimination message, wherein the type of call is discriminated prior to an occurrence of an OFF-HOOK state of the telephone line. An appropriate device of the call receiving equipment is then activated in response to the type of call, in preparation for responding to the incoming call. Lastly, the incoming call is routed to the appropriate device in response to the discriminated type of call at the occurrence of the OFF-HOOK state. An apparatus for transparent call discrimination is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for digital signal processing communications and, more particularly, to a transparent call discrimination technique using a caller ID frame structure.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In the current state of the art, a call discrimination function for telephone communication applications using Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) is done during an OFF-HOOK period. CPE may include, for example, a telephone, fax machine, modem, etc . . . In view of the call discrimination being done during the OFF-HOOK period, the discriminating task is thus activated only when the phone goes OFF-HOOK. After discriminating for the type of call, an appropriate device sends a message to a corresponding driver of the device. The corresponding driver then loads an appropriate task and responds to the incoming call. Depending on the specific CPE, this process could take several seconds.
Many standard telephone carriers are encoding Caller ID information with communication signals in which the Caller ID information is received before call answering (e.g., with a telephone). Caller ID includes a physical layer signaling of a Caller ID standard, however, call discrimination using Caller ID information has not heretofore been addressed.

Transparent call discrimination (TCD) method and apparatus

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention discloses a digital signature scheme based on braid group conjugacy problem and a verifying method thereof, wherein a signatory S selects three braids xεLBm(l), x′εBn(l), aεBn(l), and considers braid pair (x′,x) as a public key of S, braid a as a private key of S; Signatory S uses hash function h for a message M needing signature to get y=h(M)εBn(l); generating a braid bεRBn−1−m(l) randomly, then signing M with a and b to obtain Sign(M)=a−1byb−1a; a signature verifying party V obtains the public key of S, calculating the message M by employing hash function h, obtaining the y=h(M); judging whether sign(M) and y, sign(M)x′ and xy are conjugate or not, if yes, sign(M) is a legal signature of message M; the present invention reduces the number of braids involved and the number for conjugacy decision without reducing security, thereby improving the operation efficiency of signature.

Currently, the digital signature technique commonly used is RSA signature mechanism, and its security is established on the difficulty of large number factoring. However, with constant improvement of computer process power and sustained development of related researches, RSA has to continuously increase digits of modulus N to ensure the security, from 512 bits to 1024 bits, further to 2048 bits. Because of the excess length of key bits, the operation for generating big prime number and exponential computation becomes more complex, therefore, the efficiency of RSA is not very high. If the hardware is employed to improve the efficiency, the excess length of bits will result in more complexity and higher cost, and due to the unchangeability of hardware, the use life of hardware becomes shorter, which further increases the cost as a result.
Since Ki Hyoung K O, Sang Jin Lee of Korea proposed a key exchange protocol and public encryption system based on the difficulty of braid groups conjugacy problem (K. H. Ko, S. J. Lee, J. H. Cheon, J. W. Han, J. S. Kang and C. S. Park, New Public-Key Crytosystem Using Braid Groups, Proc. of Crypto 2000, LNCS 1880, Springer-Verlag (2000) 166-183.), the braid public key cryptography system is widely researched. However, there has been no good solution for its digital signature scheme. Up to 2003, Ki Hyoung K O, Doo Ho Cho, the scholars of Korea, proposed and realized two signature schemes based on braid conjugacy problem (Ki Hyoung Ko and Doo Ho Choi and Mi Sung Cho and Jang Won Lee New Signature Scheme Using Conjugacy Problem Cryptology ePrint Archive: Complete Contents 2003/168): simple conjugacy signature scheme (SCSS) and conjugacy signature scheme (CSS). We will explain the two signature schemes of SCSS and CSS.
Simple conjugacy signature scheme SCSS:    Common parameter: braid group Bn, hash function h: {0,1}*→Bn     Key generation: public key: a conjugacy pair (x,x′)εBn×Bn for considering CSP problem as a difficult problem,            private key: aεBn, meeting x′=a−1xa;            Signature: for a given bit sequence message M, the signature of M sign(M)=a−1ya, in which, element y=h(M);    Verify: the signature of message M sign(M) is legal when and only when: sign(M)˜y and x′ sign(M)˜xy.
However, since a hacker may get many pairs of (yi, a−1yia), it may result in blowing the gab of private key a, i.e., k-CSP problem. In order to overcome the above problem, they proposed a CSS signature scheme.
Conjugacy signature scheme CSS:    Common parameter: braid group Bn, hash function h: {0,1}*→Bn     Key generation: public key: a conjugacy pair (x,x)′εBn×Bn for considering CSP problem as a difficult problem,            private key: aεBn, meeting x′=a−1xa;            Signature: for a given message M, selecting a random braid bεBn at random, calculating α=b−1xby=h(M∥α), β=b−1yb, γ=b−1aya−1b, the signature of message M sign(M)=(α, β, γ).Verify: the signature of message M sign(M)=(α, β, γ) is legal when and only when meeting α˜x, β˜y, αβ˜xy, αγ˜x′y.
Due to the introduction of random braid b, CCS signature scheme overcomes the k-CSP problem well. But due to the increase of calculation and data, the overall efficiency is decreased distinctly.

Digital signature method based on braid groups conjugacy and verify method thereof


Apparatus for stapling documents. The apparatus includes: a pair of side plates; a stitch head mounting bar secured to the side plates; a clincher mounting bar secured to the side plates; a stitch head mounted on the stitch head mounting bar; a clincher mounted on the clincher mounting bar; a pair of fixture plates secured to the side plates; a clincher actuating bar slidingly engaging the pair of fixture plates; a shaft seated in the fixture plates; a clincher actuating arm rotatably mounted on the shaft and engaging the clincher actuating bar; and a device for rotating the clincher actuating arm whereby the clincher is moved up into clinching position and down away from the clinching position.

The instant invention relates to stitching (stapling) apparatus used in document feeding systems, and more particularly to apparatus for stabilizing the clincher in a stitching device.
There are many applications today in which documents are fed along a feed path and then collated for further processing. In many cases the documents must be properly aligned prior to insertion into an envelope. In a significant number of applications, it is necessary that the documents be secured to one another, i.e. stitched or stapled together. There is a universal stitcher that is well known in the art and it is available for a variety of applications in which stapling of documents is required. The stitch is in the form of an open rectangle prior to clinching, i.e., it consists of a top side and two vertical legs extending downwardly from the top side. After clinching, the stitch is in the form of a rectangle that is almost closed on the bottom, i.e., the two legs are bent (clinched) somewhere between their ends so that they face each other and have sections substantially parallel to the top side. The height of the stitch is the difference between the top side and the bent sections of the two legs.
In prior art stitchers, the height of the stitch for a particular collation has varied considerably, resulting in non-uniform stitching which contributes to alignment problems with the documents, and complicates processing downstream of the stitching.
Accordingly, the instant invention provides apparatus in a stitcher which maintains uniform compression of the clinched portion of the stitch and assures uniform height of the stitch.


A self-resetting automatic cable cutter includes a body having an elongate cable slot disposed therein. The cable slot has an opening that is configured to receive a cable (wire) therein such that the cable slides along the cable slot. First and second cutting assemblies are positioned on opposing sides of the slot and a coupler is positioned across the cable slot. The coupler connects the first and second cutting assemblies together and is configured to slide away from the opening in response to force applied by the cable. The sliding of the coupler away from the opening in response to the force applied by the cable causes the first and second cutting assemblies to close together to cut the cable.

Naval/sea mines are manufactured or improvised explosive devices that are placed in waterways to destroy marine vessels, including surface ships and submarines. Although a large number of naval mines have been developed, naval mines can generally be classified as either bottom mines, buoyant moored mines, drifting mines, or limpet mines. Bottom mines are mines that are configured to rest on the bottom of a waterway and are generally triggered when in proximity to a passing vessel. Limpet mines are a special form of contact mine that are manually attached to a vessel via a magnet. Moored mines are generally buoyant, but are tethered in place by a mooring line and anchor. Floating mines are buoyant mines that float on or near the water surface, but generally remain anchored in place. Drifting mines can be positively or neutrally buoyant and are carried by currents and tides.
Naval mines may be either contact mines or influence mines. Contact mines are mines that are designed explode when placed contact with a naval vessel, while influence mines are triggered by the influence of a naval vessel, rather than direct contact. Influence mines generally include sensors (e.g., magnetic, acoustic, seismic, electrical potential, pressure, etc.) that detect when a naval vessel is in proximity to the mine.
Due to the availability and effectiveness of naval mines, mine warfare vessels (naval minesweepers or sweep vessels) are widely deployed by governments and other entities. Naval minesweepers are small naval warships equipped with some type of naval mine sweeping system that is configured to detect and disarm or safely detonate naval mines.
Naval mine sweeping systems may have a number of different configurations, depending on the type of mine that the system is designed to detect and deactivate. In the case of naval mine sweeping systems designed to detect and deactivate moored mines, the system usually includes a cable cutter connected to a sweep line. The sweep line guides the mooring line of the moored mine to the cable cutter. The cable cutter cuts/severs the mooring line so that the moored mine may float to the surface for subsequent deactivation.


A driving mass of an integrated microelectromechanical structure is moved with a rotary motion about an axis of rotation, and a sensing mass is connected to the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to perform a detection movement in the presence of an external stress. The driving mass is anchored to an anchorage arranged along the axis of rotation by elastic anchorage elements. An opening is provided within the driving mass and the sensing mass is arranged within the opening. The elastic supporting and anchorage elements render the sensing mass fixed to the driving mass in the rotary motion, and substantially decoupled from the driving mass in the detection movement. The detection movement is a rotation about an axis lying in a plane. The sensing mass has, in plan view, a non-rectangular shape; in particular, the sensing mass has a radial geometry and, in plan view, the overall shape of a radial annulus sector.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a high sensitivity microelectromechanical sensor having a rotary driving motion. In particular, in the following description reference will be made to a gyroscope (whether uniaxial or biaxial), which can possibly operate as an accelerometer (whether uniaxial or biaxial).
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known, microprocessing techniques enable formation of microelectromechanical structures or systems (the so-called MEMS) within layers of semiconductor material, which have been deposited (for example, in the case of a layer of polycrystalline silicon) or grown (for example, in the case of an epitaxial layer) on top of sacrificial layers, which are removed by chemical etching. Inertial sensors, accelerometers and gyroscopes obtained with this technology are encountering an increasing success, for example in the automotive field, in inertial navigation, or in the sector of portable devices.
In particular, integrated semiconductor gyroscopes are known, which are made with MEMS technology. Gyroscopes operate according to the theorem of relative accelerations, exploiting Coriolis acceleration. When an angular velocity is imparted on a movable mass that is moving with a linear velocity, the movable mass "feels" an apparent force, referred to as Coriolis force, which causes a displacement thereof in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the linear velocity and to the axis of rotation. The movable mass is supported via springs that enable a displacement in the direction of the apparent force. According to Hooke's law, the displacement is proportional to the apparent force, and consequently, based on the displacement of the movable mass, it is possible to detect the Coriolis force and the angular velocity that has generated it. The displacement of the movable mass can, for example, be detected capacitively, by measuring, in resonance conditions, the capacitance variations caused by the movement of movable electrodes, integrally fixed to the movable mass and operatively coupled to fixed electrodes.
US2007/214883, assigned to STMicroelectronics Srl, discloses a microelectromechanical integrated sensor with a rotary driving motion, which is sensitive to pitch and roll angular velocities.
This microelectromechanical sensor includes a single driving mass, anchored to a support at a single central point and driven with rotary motion about an axis, which passes through the central point and is orthogonal to the plane of the driving mass. The rotation of the driving mass enables two mutually orthogonal components of driving velocity in the plane of the mass. At least one through-opening is provided inside the driving mass, in which a sensing mass is arranged; the sensing mass is enclosed within the driving mass, suspended with respect to the substrate, and connected to the driving mass via flexible elements. The sensing mass is fixed to the driving mass during its rotary motion, and has a further degree of freedom of movement as a function of an external stress, in particular a Coriolis force acting on the sensor. The flexible elements, according to their particular construction, allow the sensing mass to perform a rotary movement of detection about an axis lying in the plane of the sensor in response to a Coriolis acceleration acting in a direction perpendicular to the plane, in a way substantially decoupled from the driving mass. The microelectromechanical structure, in addition to being compact (in so far as it envisages just one driving mass that encloses in its overall dimensions one or more sensing masses), enables with minor structural modifications, a uniaxial, biaxial or triaxial gyroscope (and/or an accelerometer, according to the electrical connections implemented) to be obtained, at the same time ensuring an excellent decoupling of the driving mass from the sensing mass during the movement of detection.
In detail, and as shown in FIG. 1, that relates to a biaxial sensor, the microelectromechanical sensor, denoted with 1, comprises a driving structure formed by a driving mass 3 and by a driving assembly 4. The driving mass 3 has a circular geometry with radial symmetry, with a substantially planar configuration having a main extension in a plane defined by a first axis x and by a second axis y (referred to in what follows as "plane of the sensor xy"), and negligible dimension, with respect to the main extension, in a direction parallel to a third axis (referred to in what follows as "orthogonal axis z"), forming with the first and second axes x, y a set of three orthogonal axes fixed with respect to the sensor structure. In particular, the driving mass 3 has in the plane of the sensor xy substantially the shape of an annulus, and defines at the center a circular empty space 6, the center O of which coincides with the centroid and the center of symmetry of the driving mass 3. The driving mass 3 is anchored to a substrate 2 (e.g. of semiconductor material) by means of an anchorage 7 arranged at the center O, to which it is connected through elastic anchorage elements 8. For example, the elastic anchorage elements 8 depart in a crosswise configuration from the center O along a first axis of symmetry A and a second axis of symmetry B of the driving mass 3, the axes of symmetry being parallel, respectively, to the first axis x and to the second axis y. The elastic anchorage elements 8 enable a rotary driving movement of the driving mass 3 about a drive axis passing through the center O, parallel to the orthogonal axis z and perpendicular to the plane of the sensor xy.
The driving mass 3 has a first pair of through-openings 9a, 9b with a substantially rectangular shape elongated in a direction parallel to the second axis y, aligned in a diametric direction along the first axis of symmetry A, and set on opposite sides with respect to the empty space 6; and a second pair of through-openings 9c, 9d, which are aligned along the second axis of symmetry B, have a substantially rectangular shape elongated in a direction parallel to the first axis x, and are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the empty space 6. In particular, the direction of alignment of the through-openings of each pair corresponds to a direction of detection of the microelectromechanical sensor 1 (in the case represented in the figure, coinciding with the first and second axes x, y).
The driving assembly 4 comprises a plurality of driven arms 10 (for example, eight in number), extending externally from the driving mass 3 in a radial direction and spaced apart at a same angular distance, and a plurality of first and second driving arms 12a, 12b, extending parallel to, and on opposite sides of, respective driven arms 10 and anchored to the substrate 2 through respective anchorages. Each driven arm 10 carries a plurality of first electrodes 13, extending in a direction perpendicular to, and on either side of, the same driven arm. Furthermore, each of the first and second driving arms 12a, 12b carries respective second electrodes 14a, 14b, extending towards the respective driven arm 10 and comb-fingered to the corresponding first electrodes 13. The first driving arms 12a are all arranged on the same side of the respective driven arms 10 and are all biased at a first voltage. Likewise, the second driving arms 12b are all arranged on the opposite side of the respective driven arms 10, and are all biased at a second voltage. In a per se known manner which is not described in detail, a driving circuit is connected to the second electrodes 14a, 14b so as to apply the first and second voltages and determine, by means of mutual and alternating attraction of the electrodes, an oscillatory rotary motion of the driving mass 3 about the drive axis, at a given oscillation frequency.
The microelectromechanical sensor 1 further comprises a first pair of acceleration sensors with axis parallel to the orthogonal axis z, and in particular a first pair of sensing masses 16a, 16b, positioned, respectively, within the first through-opening 9a and the second through-opening 9b, so as to be completely enclosed and contained within the overall dimensions of the driving mass 3 in the plane of the sensor xy. The sensing masses 16a, 16b have a generally rectangular shape matching the shape of the respective through-opening 9a, 9b, and are formed by a first rectangular portion 17, which is wider, and by a second rectangular portion 18, which is narrower (along the first axis x), connected by a connecting portion 19, which is shorter (in a direction parallel to the second axis y) than the first and second rectangular portions. Each sensing mass 16a, 16b has a centroid G located within the corresponding first rectangular portion 17, and is supported by a pair of elastic supporting elements 20. The elastic supporting elements 20 are connected to the connecting portion 19, and extend towards the driving mass 3, in a direction parallel to the second axis y. In other words, the elastic supporting elements 20 extend within recesses 21 provided at opposite sides of the sensing masses 16a, 16b. The elastic supporting elements 20 extend at a distance from the centroid G of the respective sensing mass 16a, 16b, and form torsional springs that are rigid for the rotary motion of the driving mass 3, and also enable rotation of the sensing masses about an axis of rotation parallel to the second axis y and lying in the plane of the sensor xy (and, consequently, their movement outside the plane of the sensor xy).
In addition, the microelectromechanical sensor 1 comprises a second pair of acceleration sensors with axis parallel to the orthogonal axis z, and in particular a second pair of sensing masses 16c, 16d housed within the through-openings 9c, 9d, substantially matching their shape, and completely enclosed and contained within the driving mass 3. The sensing masses 16c, 16d are arranged as a result of a 90° rotation of the sensing masses 16a, 16b, and consequently the corresponding elastic supporting elements 20 extend parallel to the first axis x and enable rotation of the respective sensing masses about an axis of rotation parallel to the first axis x.
A pair of first and second detection electrodes 22, 23 is arranged underneath the first and second rectangular portions 17, 18 of each one of the sensing masses 16a-16d; for example the detection electrodes 22, 23 are constituted by regions of polycrystalline silicon formed on the substrate 2, having equal dimensions, substantially corresponding to those of the second rectangular portion 18. The first and second detection electrodes 22, 23 are separated, respectively from the first and second rectangular portions 17, 18, by an air gap, and are connected to a read circuit. The first and second detection electrodes 22, 23 hence form, together with the first and second rectangular portions 17, 18 respective detection capacitors.
In use, the microelectromechanical sensor 1 is able to operate as a biaxial gyroscope, designed to detect an angular velocity {right arrow over (Ω)}x (in FIG. 1 assumed as being counterclockwise), about the first axis x, and an angular velocity {right arrow over (Ω)}y about the second axis y.
On the hypothesis of small displacements of the sensing masses 16a-16d and of small rotations of the driving mass 3, the rotary movement of the driving mass 3 and of the sensing masses 16a-16d about the drive axis can be represented by a driving-velocity vector {right arrow over (v)}a, linear and tangential to the circumference that describes the driving trajectory.
In particular, the rotary motion about the first axis x at the angular velocity {right arrow over (Ω)}x determines a force acting on the entire structure, known as Coriolis force ({right arrow over (F)}c). In particular, the Coriolis force {right arrow over (F)}c is proportional to the vector product between the angular velocity {right arrow over (Ω)}x and the driving velocity {right arrow over (v)}a, and is hence directed along the orthogonal axis z, is zero in the points where the driving velocity {right arrow over (v)}a is parallel to the first axis x, and, in the points where it does not go to zero, it is directly proportional to the driving velocity {right arrow over (v)}a, and consequently it increases with the distance from the center O. Over the entire structure, considered as a single rigid body, it is hence possible to identify a distribution of Coriolis forces that vary as the distance from the center O varies. The resultants of the Coriolis forces {right arrow over (F)}c acting on the sensing masses 16a, 16b at the corresponding centroid G, cause rotation of the sensing masses, which move out of the plane of the sensor xy, about respective axes parallel to the second axis y and passing through the first elastic supporting elements 20. This movement is allowed by the torsion of the first elastic supporting elements 20. Instead, the configuration of the elastic anchorage elements 8 is such as to inhibit, to a good approximation, movement of the driving mass 3 out of the plane of the sensor xy, thus allowing decoupling of the motion of detection of the sensing masses from the driving motion. The displacement of the sensing masses 16a, 16b out of the plane of the sensor xy causes a differential capacitive variation of the detection capacitors, the value of which is proportional to the angular velocity {right arrow over (Ω)}x, which can hence be determined in a per-se known manner via a purposely provided read circuit. In particular, since the reading scheme is differential, the presence of a pair of sensing masses enables automatic rejection of spurious linear accelerations along the orthogonal axis z. These accelerations, in fact, cause a variation in the same direction of the detection capacitors, which is cancelled by the differential reading (on the contrary, the same structure can be operated as an accelerometer detecting accelerations along the orthogonal axis z, by modifying the electrical connections between the sensing masses and electrodes). The presence of the central anchorage 7 also enables rejection of spurious linear accelerations along the axes x and y, given that the arrangement of elastic anchorage elements 8 is extremely rigid in these directions, and does not enable displacement of the sensing masses. Furthermore, the described structure is able to mechanically reject spurious angular acceleration about the orthogonal axis z, since the frequency response of the sensor can be modeled as a very selective filter.
In an altogether similar manner, the microelectromechanical sensor 1 is able to detect an angular velocity {right arrow over (Ω)}y about the second axis y. The rotary motion about the second axis y causes a Coriolis force, once again directed along the orthogonal axis z, which causes rotation of the sensing masses 16c, 16d about the axis of rotation parallel to the first axis x, and consequent opposite unbalancing of the corresponding detection capacitors.
The rotation about the first axis x is not sensed by the second pair of sensing masses 16c, 16d, in so far as the resultant Coriolis force {right arrow over (F)}c is zero (on account of the fact that the vector product between the angular velocity {right arrow over (Ω)}x and the corresponding driving velocity {right arrow over (v)}a is, to a first approximation, zero). Likewise, the rotation about the second axis y is not sensed for similar reasons by the first pair of sensing masses 16a, 16b, and consequently the two axes of detection are not affected and are substantially decoupled from one another.
Although advantageous compared to traditional gyroscope structures, the described microelectromechanical sensor is not optimized with respect to its sensitivity to external stresses, in particular due to the size of the sensing masses, which is limited by the overall dimension of the driving mass.

High sensitivity microelectromechanical sensor with rotary driving motion


A method of polishing a wafer is disclosed that includes determining a removal profile. The wafer is measured to determine a starting wafer profile and then the wafer is polished. The wafer is again measured after being polished to determine a polished wafer profile. The starting wafer profile and the polished wafer profile are compared to each other to determine the removal profile by computing the amount and shape of material removed from the first wafer during polishing.

Semiconductor wafers are commonly used in the production of integrated circuit (IC) chips on which circuitry are printed. The circuitry is first printed in miniaturized form onto surfaces of the wafers. The wafers are then broken into circuit chips. This miniaturized circuitry requires that front and back surfaces of each wafer be extremely flat and parallel to ensure that the circuitry can be properly printed over the entire surface of the wafer. To accomplish this, grinding and polishing processes are commonly used to improve flatness and parallelism of the front and back surfaces of the wafer after the wafer is cut from an ingot. A particularly good finish is required when polishing the wafer in preparation for printing the miniaturized circuits on the wafer by an electron beam-lithographic or photolithographic process (hereinafter "lithography"). The wafer surface on which the miniaturized circuits are to be printed must be flat. Typically, flatness of the polished surfaces of the wafer are acceptable when a new polishing pad is used on the wafer, but the flatness becomes unacceptable as the polishing pad wears down over the course of polishing many wafers. Similarly, flatness and finish are also important for solar applications.
The construction and operation of conventional polishing machines contribute to the unacceptable flatness parameters. Polishing machines typically include a circular or annular polishing pad mounted on a turntable or platen for driven rotation about a vertical axis passing through the center of the pad. A polishing slurry, typically including chemical polishing agents and abrasive particles, is applied to the pad for greater polishing interaction between the polishing pad and the surface of the wafer. This type of polishing operation is typically referred to as chemical-mechanical polishing or simply CMP.
During operation, the pad is rotated and the wafer is brought into contact with the pad. As the pad wears, e.g., after a few hundred wafers, wafer flatness parameters degrade because the pad is no longer flat, but instead has a worn annular band forming a depression along the polishing surface of the pad. Such pad wear impacts wafer flatness, and may cause "dishing" or "doming".
As illustrated in FIG. 1, "doming", results in the wafer 50 having a generally convex polished surface 52. This results when the worn pad removes less material from the center of the front surface of the wafer 50 than from the areas closer to the wafer's edge 54. This is because the worn pad's removal rate is inverse to its wear. In other words, the portions of the worn pad with less wear remove more material than portions of the worn pad with more wear. The least amount of material is removed from the wafer 50 by the portion of the pad corresponding to the worn annular band. As a result, the polished wafer has a generally "domed" shape.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, "dishing" results in the wafer 60 having a generally concave shape. One potential reason for this occurring is that the polishing pad becomes embedded with abrasives (i.e., colloidal material from the slurry, debris from previously polished wafers, debris from a retaining ring) causing the removal rate to increase in the areas of wear. The portions of the pad with more wear remove more material from the wafer during the polishing process than portions of the pad with less wear. As a result, more material is removed from the center of the wafer 60 than from its edge 64 resulting in the polished surface 62 of the wafer having a generally "dished" shape.
When the flatness of the wafers becomes unacceptable (e.g., too "domed" or too "dished"), the worn polishing pad has to be replaced with a new one. Frequent pad replacement adds significant costs to the operation of the polishing apparatus not only because of the number of pads that need to be purchased, stored, and disposed of, but also because of the substantial amount of down time required to change the polishing pad.
Accordingly, there is a need for a polishing apparatus that has the ability to optimize flatness parameters by measuring one wafer before and after polishing to determine a removal profile and applying the removal profile to another wafer before polishing.
This Background section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Single side polishing using shape matching

SunEdison Semiconductor Limited (UEN201334164H)


The present invention provides crystalline forms of (E)-6-(4-Phenylcyclohexyl)-5-(3-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione, and methods of making and using the same.

In most species, including man, the physiological glucocorticoid is cortisol (hydrocortisone). Glucocorticoids are secreted in response to ACTH (corticotropin), which shows both circadian rhythm variation and elevations in response to stress and food. Cortisol levels are responsive within minutes to many physical and psychological stresses, including trauma, surgery, exercise, anxiety and depression. Cortisol is a steroid and acts by binding to an intracellular, glucocorticoid receptor (GR, also known as the type II GR). A mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), also known as a type I glucocorticoid receptor (GR I), may be activated by aldosterone in humans. Compositions including modulators of one or both of GR and MR may be used to treat a variety of diseases and disorders. In man, GR may be present in two forms: a ligand-binding GR-alpha of 777 amino acids; and, a GR-beta isoform which lacks the 50 carboxy terminal residues. Since these residues include the ligand binding domain, GR-beta is unable to bind the natural ligand, and is constitutively localized in the nucleus.
The biologic effects of cortisol, including those caused by hypercortisolemia, can be modulated at the GR level using receptor modulators, such as agonists, partial agonists and antagonists. Several different classes of agents are able to inhibit the physiologic effects of GR-agonist binding. These antagonists include compositions which, by binding to GR, inhibit the ability of an agonist to effectively bind to and/or activate the GR. One such known GR antagonist, mifepristone, has been found to be an effective anti-glucocorticoid agent in humans (Bertagna (1984) J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 59:25). Mifepristone binds to the GR with high affinity, with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 10-9 M (Cadepond (1997) Annu. Rev. Med. 48:129).
In addition to cortisol, the biological effects of other steroids can be modulated at the GR level using receptor modulators, such as agonists, partial agonists and antagonists. When administered to subjects in need thereof, steroids can provide both intended therapeutic effects as well as negative side effects.
Hepatic steatosis, also referred to as fatty liver disease, is a cellular pathology that manifests in the intracellular accumulation of triglycerides and lipids by hepatocytes. Hepatic steatosis is a prevalent liver condition that may arise from a number of etiologies. Such liver disorders include fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcohol-induced fatty liver disease (AFLD), drug- or alcohol-related liver diseases, viral diseases, immune-mediated liver diseases, metabolic liver diseases, and complications associated with hepatic insufficiency and/or liver transplantation. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common hepatic disorder with histological features similar to those of alcohol-induced fatty liver disease, in individuals who consume little or no alcohol. Effective treatments for hepatic steatosis remain insufficient. To date, no therapeutic drug treatment is established for such patients. Thus, there is a need for novel therapeutic options for managing hepatic steatosis.
Administration of antipsychotic medication is an important treatment for many psychiatric disorders, and provides significant relief to the nearly 20 million patients suffering from such disorders. Unfortunately, antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine, risperidine, clozapine, quetiapine, sertindole, and other such medications, often lead to significant weight gain as well as alleviating psychotic symptoms. Numerous reports indicate that about 40-80% of patients who receive antipsychotic medications for long periods of time experience substantial weight gain, ultimately exceeding their ideal body weight by 20% or more (see, e.g., Umbricht et al., J Clin. Psychiatry 55 (Suppl. B):157-160, 1994; Baptista, Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 100:3-16, 1999). Such weight gain increases the risk of many serious health problems associated with obesity, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer. In addition, unwanted weight gain is one of the most common reasons for a patient's non-compliance with the administration of antipsychotic medications.
Over-use of substances such as alcohol, drugs of abuse, cigarettes, and others is a serious problem which often leads to health problems, disease and possibly death. In addition to the medical problems associated with such over-use, other problems occur, including psychological problems, problems in the families of those who over-use such substances, problems in the workplace, and problems in society at large.
The compounds of U.S. Pat. No. 8,685,973 have demonstrated utility for treating one or more of these conditions. What is needed are new forms of these compositions. Surprisingly, the present invention meets these and other needs.

Polymorphs of pyrimidine cyclohexyl glucocorticoid receptor modulators


A system and method of feeding wire is provided using at least one roller which is biased towards the wire. The at least one roller is permitted to deflect a limited amount during the wire feeding operation. The roller is permitted to deflect 50% or less than the wire diameter during feeding to prevent tangling.

1. Field of the Invention
Devices, systems, and methods consistent with the invention relate to an improved wire drive design for a wire feeder.
2. Description of the Related Art
During welding, such as metal inert gas (MIG) welding, a welding electrode is typically fed to a welding torch by a wire feeder. The wire feeder usually has two or more rollers which are in frictional contact with the electrode and cause the electrode to be advanced to the welding torch. In a two roller configuration, one roller is fixed positionally while the other is biased towards the electrode to provide the frictional contact with the electrode. As the electrode is delivered to the torch there can be unexpected increases in downstream frictional forces and resistance in the feeding of the wire to the torch. These increases in resistance can cause the electrode to buckle at the rollers and this buckling can overcome the biasing force applied to the rollers, ultimately resulting in the electrode becoming tangled at the rollers. This is often referred to as "birdnesting." Therefore, it is desirable to provide a wire feeder and roller configuration which inhibits or prevents this from occurring.


A print cylinder having a first header, a second header and a hollow cylinder body is internally piped. The first header includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The air outlet is sealingly connected to a central conduit which is sealingly attached to a disk, the disk being sealed about its perimeter to the cylinder body. The second header includes an air inlet and at least one air outlet, the air outlet being connected to a perimeter groove defined about the outer surface of the second header. Apertures are defined within the print cylinder immediately above the perimeter groove whereby an air flow continuum is created from the air inlet of the first header, through the central conduit, through the second header inlet and outlet, through the perimeter groove and through the cylinder apertures. Secondary apertures are defined within the cylinder body, each connected in an air flow continuum to the central conduit by means of secondary conduits.

The use of flexible printing plates is well known in the art of printing. The printing plate is typically mounted onto a cylindrically hollow and slightly more rigid print sleeve which, in turn, overlays a cylindrical print cylinder. The print cylinder, usually made of a metal material, then rotates about its longitudinal axis at relatively high speeds. Printing plates mounted to a print cylinder in this fashion are particularly useful for printing images and text on surfaces and materials that are soft, flexible and easily deformable. Such flexible surfaces and materials include packaging materials of paper, plastic films or metal foils, or materials with an irregular surface.
The use of the interposed sleeve provides a surface to which the printing plate can adhere, the print sleeve being relatively rigid in comparison to the generally flexible and pliable printing plate that is secured to it. Moreover, the interposed sleeve allows for the removal of the sleeve, and thus the printing plate, from the print cylinder in order that different print jobs can be run using the same cylinder, the cylinder being a very expansive piece of equipment. In the art, the print sleeve has an inner diameter that is slightly less than that of the outer diameter of the print cylinder. Once in place over the print cylinder, it is intended that the print sleeve frictionally adhere to the print cylinder and not be moved relative to it as the print cylinder rapidly rotates during the printing process. Due to this tight fit, methods and devices have been used to facilitate the mounting of the sleeve onto the cylinder and then the removal of the sleeve from the cylinder.
In the experience of these inventors, at least one such attempt has been made to air pressurize the inside of the print cylinder and then provide a number of small air apertures about the outer perimeter of the cylinder surface. In this fashion, pressurization of the cylinder interior works to provide air flow through the apertures and, in turn, provide the print sleeve with a layer of pressurized air to ride over. This air pressure expands the inner diameter of the sleeve ever so slightly, but enough to allow the sleeve to be placed over the cylinder in a relatively easy fashion. One disadvantage to this type of cylinder pressurization, however, is that it requires a greater volume of pressurized air to accomplish the intended purpose. That is, sufficient air flow through the apertures is only accomplished when the complete interior of the cylinder in adequately pressurized. Not only may such cylinders not qualify as certifiably safe pressure vessels, but there is additional time that is required to pressurize the entire cylinder. This takes time away from production. Additionally, the pressurized air supply typically includes air contaminants, including moisture, which, in larger volume vessels, may accumulate in the vessel and work to corrode and destroy the vessel from within.

Internally piped print cylinder and method for making same


The present invention relates to a process by which a carboxylic acid/diol mixture is obtained from a carboxylic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process by which a terephthalic acid/ethylene glycol mixture is obtained from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.

Pursuant to the goal of making polyethylene terephthalate(PET) and other polyesters, a great deal of patent literature is dedicated to the describing processes for preparing a carboxylic acid/diol mixture suitable as starting material. In general, these inventions describe specific mixing schemes with a purified terephthalic acid solid and liquid ethylene glycol. Additionally, there is substantial body of literature devoted to producing a purified terephthalic acid in the powder form that is suitable for use in producing PET and other polyesters.
The objective of this invention is to describe a process by which the carboxylic acid/diol mixture suitable as a starting material for polyester production is obtained from a carboxylic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry carboxylic acid solid. More specifically, the objective of this invention is to describe a process by which a terephthalic acid/diol mixture suitable as a starting material for polyester production is obtained from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry without isolation of a substantially dry terephthalic acid solid.
Usually, purified terephthalic acid solid is produced in a multi-step process wherein a crude terephthalic acid is produced. The crude terephthalic acid does not have sufficient quality for direct use as starting material in commercial PET. Instead, the crude terephthalic acid is usually refined to purified terephthalic acid solid.
Liquid phase oxidation of p-xylene produces crude terephthalic acid. The crude terephthalic acid is dissolved in water and hydrogenated for the purpose of converting 4-carboxybenzaldehyde to p-toluic acid, which is a more water-soluble derivative, and for the purpose of converting characteristically yellow compounds to colorless derivatives. Any 4-carboxybenzaldehyde and p-toluic acid in the final purified terephthalic acid product is particularly detrimental to polymerization processes as they act as a chain terminator during the condensation reaction between terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol in the production of PET. Typical purified terephthalic acid contains on a weight basis less than 25 parts per million (ppm) 4-carboxybenzaldehyde and less than 150 ppm p-toluic acid.
A number of other processes have been developed where a terephthalic acid suitable as starting material for commercial PET production without the use of hydrogenation. Typically, these processes usually involve catalyzed oxidation of p-xylene in an acetic acid solvent followed by filtration and drying of the terephthalic acid from the acetic acid solvent.
To produce a terephthalic acid/diol mixture acceptable for PET production from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry poses a substantially different problem than from a terephthalic acid and water mixture.
Typically, TPA produced via catalyzed oxidation of p-xylene in an acetic acid solvent produces a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry that contains residual catalyst (e.g cobalt, manganese, and bromine). In a common method of producing a substantially dry TPA solid from a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry, the terephthalic acid/solvent slurry is filtered to separate a substantial amount of the acetic acid liquid from the TPA solids. Residual catalyst is usually separated from the terephthalic acid/solvent slurry by washing (rinsing) the wet cake with catalyst-free acetic acid, water or other solvent. The TPA solid is isolated by drying.
In the present invention, a novel process has been discovered resulting in fewer steps than the currently employed processes. The primary utility of the invention is reduction of capital and operating costs associated with the isolation of a terephthalic acid powder. In the conventional approach toward producing terephthalic acid via catalyzed oxidation of p-xylene in an acetic acid solvent, a terephthalic acid/solvent slurry is filtered, washed, then dried to produce a terephthalic acid powder suitable as starting material for PET production.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the terephthalic acid/solvent slurry is filtered to produce a terephthalic acid cake with solvent and a TPA solvent mother liquor stream. The terephthalic acid cake with solvent is then washed (rinsed) with water to recover residual metal catalyst material and to produce a water-wet terephthalic acid cake and an TPA solvent/water by-product liquor. The water-wet terephthalic acid cake is then combined with a diol to produce a terephthalic acid/diol mixture suitable as starting material in a commercial PET process. By bypassing conventional processes for isolating a terephthalic acid solid, the equipment necessary produce a terephthalic acid powder is eliminated.
Another surprising and seemingly contradictory aspect of the invention is the benefit of addition of water to the acetic acid and ethylene glycol solvents. In general, in conventional processes for producing terephthalic acid, it is necessary to remove water produced in the oxidation process. Typically, use of acetic acid as an oxidation solvent necessitates an additional process step where acetic acid and water are separated. It is seemingly contradictory to produce an acetic acid and water mixture when it can be avoided by drying the terephthalic acid from the acetic acid solvent.
Additionally, in processes for producing PET via esterification of TPA with ethylene glycol, water is generated as a reaction by-product. In general, it is necessary to remove the water produced in the esterification process via an additional process step where ethylene glycol and water are separated. It is seemingly contradictory to produce an ethylene glycol and water mixture when it can be avoided by not introducing water with the TPA.
However, the one benefit of this invention is based on the premise that ethylene glycol/water and acetic acid/water separation systems normally exist for conventional TPA and PET production processes. In this invention, the savings associated with eliminating the TPA drying is of greater benefit than the incremental increase in ethylene glycol and water separation capacity plus the incremental increase in acetic acid and water separation capacity.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Process for production of a carboxylic acid/diol mixture suitable for use in polyester production


A method for providing redundancy within a communication network, the method provides means for using the same IP address with a plurality of hosts located in different subnets, non-simultaneously, without requiring any additional programming for routers in the network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communication networks, and more particularly to a system and method for providing redundancy within a communication network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Redundancy is often desirable within communication networks, and generally includes employing fail-over mechanisms, such as, providing a backup server (secondary) for a primary server. One of the proposed solutions includes using two different IP addresses, one for the primary server and another for the secondary server. However, any client/server applications (mainly telephony applications) connected to the primary call server would need to be modified in order to facilitate using two different IP addresses for the same service.
Another solution consists of using VPN equipment to connect the secondary server to the LAN of the primary server, thus having the two servers on the same subnet. However, for operational or security reasons, it is often more desirable to have the two servers located at two different locations, and thus the above-noted proposals do not adequately address this need. It is thus an object of the present invention to mitigate or obviate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages.


An extender bed system having channel affixed to the flatbed of the vehicle and a cradle slidingly received within the channel. An extendable bed is slidingly received within the cradle and a plurality of bearings affixed to the cradle permit sliding movement of the cradle in the channel and sliding movement of the extendable bed in the cradle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an flatbed extender system for a vehicle having a flatbed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flatbed extender system for a flatbed vehicle, in which the extender system has an extender bed that is capable of fully extending away from the flatbed of the vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
Flatbed vehicles are designed to carry heavy or long loads that one would not or could not transport in a traditional passenger vehicle. Individuals who have occasion to carry such loads can use pick-up trucks, station wagons or, more recently, sports utility vehicles. For extremely large loads, such as, the contents of a household, trucks or vans having extremely large flatbeds are often used. However, one of the difficulties with such vehicles whether they be pick-up trucks or commercial vans, is retrieving the contents from the vehicle in a safe yet efficient manner. Invariably, the user of the vehicle must bend or even climb into the vehicle to access the contents. In the case of commercial moving vans, the user must physically walk into the van to obtain the entire contents and possibly unload unwanted contents to obtain access to the desired contents.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, efficient and cost effective extender system that can be fitted to an existing vehicle flatbed and that permits a cargo receiving platform to extend away from the vehicle.


A system and method for optically monitoring contamination of machinery includes an optical illumination source, a photodetector and an analysis module. The system and method can monitor a fuser roll, a fuser belt, or other printer module component. The optical illumination source can emit at least one illuminating frequency. The at least one illuminating frequency is configured to cause a contaminant marker to fluoresce at least one fluorescing frequency and is also configured to at least partially illuminate the machine component. The machine component contains the contaminant marker when at least partially contaminated. The photodetector is responsive to the at least one fluorescing frequency and detects the at least one fluorescing frequency emitted from the contaminated machine component. The analysis module is in operative communication with the photodetector and is figured to receive a signal therefrom. The analysis module is configured to estimate contamination of the machine component as a function of the signal from the photodetector.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to monitoring a machine component, and in particular, to a system and method for optically monitoring contamination of a machine component, such as a printer machine component, utilizing fluorescent contaminant markers.
2. Description of Related Art
Modern machine designs utilize various "machine components" that are used together to fully construct the machine. These machine components may be replaceable and/or permanent. For example, modern printing systems utilize various modular and integrated machine components. Machine components utilized in printing systems are referred to herein as printer machine components. Monitoring of these printer machine components may be implemented using one or more strategically placed sensors. Some of these sensor may be optically based sensors. One such optical monitoring technique is described in the previously filed U.S. Patent Application entitled, "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A PRINTING SYSTEM USING A CAMERA", filed on Sep. 26, 2007 and assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/904,267, which has been assigned to the present assignee, and the entire contents thereof, are hereby incorporated by reference.
Many printer machine components are replaceable and have a limited shelf life and/or useful life. For example, in some color printing systems four types of toners are deposited on a printing substrate (e.g., paper) from one or more drums to form a toner image; however, the toner image initially deposited onto the paper is not fully secured to the paper. Moreover, the toner image initially deposited onto the paper does not have the desired gloss level. The toner image is permanently fixed to the paper and the desired gloss level in the image are both achieved by using a heat and pressure mechanism or a radiant fusing technology to melt and bond the toner particles to the medium being printed on (usually paper). This process is called fusing. These fusing members have a limited useful life.
One type of fusing member is a fuser roll. Typically, a pair of cylindrically shaped machine components forms the fuser rolls (one applies heat and the other applies pressure). The fuser rolls are used to fuse the toners to the paper. The toner image on the substrate initially has the consistency of loose powder. The substrate (e.g., paper) with the loose toner image is fed through the two fusing members where the toner image is heated while sufficient pressure is applied. The pressure and heat applied should be properly controlled to ensure that the toner image is adequately bonded to the substrate and to achieve the desired level of image gloss.
Another type of fusing member is a fuser belt. Rather than use a pair of fuser rolls, one or more belts are used to move the substrate along a path. The belt may be wrapped and/or guided along a path with various rollers and/or nips. One or more belts can carry the substrate with a loose toner image disposed thereon through a region of the printing system so that heat and/or pressure is applied to fuse the toner to the substrate.
The fuser belt and fuser roll are only two types of fusing members that can be utilized in the fusing process. Other fusing members include the various gears, nips, rollers and components used in the fusing process as well. One possible failure mode of fusing members is toner contamination. For example, fuser rolls eventually accumulate toner contamination levels that cause visible defects on the end product (e.g., a printed piece of paper). Fusing member contamination can cause various visible print quality defects associated with the toner offsetting onto the fuser member. Because of this type of failure mode, the fusing member(s) must be periodically replaced. This type of failure mode can account for a significant portion of the overall replacement costs of all of the printer machine components. One technology that extends the useful life of a fusing member is to continuously apply oil to the fusing member to prevent the toner from sticking thereto; although the useful life of the fusing member is extended, eventually it must be replaced.
One method of estimating contamination of the fusing member is destructive and off-line. This approach requires the removal of a strip of rubber from the fuser roll (or belt) with examination of the strip using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the sample to quantify the amount of various contaminants on the fuser roll (or belt). This method permanently disables the fusing member, is very expensive, and is not well suited for in situ diagnostics and/or feedback control.

System and method of optically monitoring contamination of a machine component