A crash sensor for automobiles of the type including a ball moving against viscous damping in a closed tube has a much smaller hall than known designs and a power transistor to switch power in the firing circuit. A resistance sensing circuit enables the crash sensor to monitor the firing circuit and indicate a change in the resistance of the fining circuit. In two embodiments simple message patterns allow communication of diagnostic information through existing wiring. A latching circuit maintains the switch in its closed state after initial closing. The small size of the ball enables use of a plastic or aluminum tube. The tube may have fluted walls that form air ducts that viscously conduct much of the air displaced when the ball moves. Routing most of the air through the ducts eliminates the uncertainty in the viscous resistance resulting when all of the air flows between the ball and the inner diameter of the tube. The movable element may be a sensing mass having a nonspherical shape. Compensation for the variation of air viscosity with temperature may be obtained by varying the normal resting position of the sensing mass as a function of temperature or by varying the size of the air ducts. The small sensing mass and electronic components allow simple contacts. The combination of these elements provides a crash sensing and diagnostic system costing much less than known systems.

Air bags are inflatable bags that remain folded and out of sight in readiness for a frontal collision. During a collision, chemical reaction of a material typically containing sodium azide produces gaseous products which inflate the bag and interpose it between the driver and the steering wheel or the front seat occupant and the dashboard.
Belt tensioners are devices that tighten automobile seat belts during a crash to hold the seat occupants more securely. A tensioner has a small motor driven by pressurized gas from the chemical reaction of gas generating material like that used for inflating air bags. In both cases, chemical reaction of the gas generating material is initiated by an electrically heated squib. The crash sensor of this invention is a switch for controlling the power that energizes the squib.
In the United States automobiles having electrically initiated air bag inflators are required by law to incorporate diagnostic capability to warn the driver of a failure in the fitting circuit.
This invention is an improvement on a crash sensor which is in commercial production. The crash sensor in current production consists of a ball free to move in a sealed tube with contacts that are bridged by the ball when it moves beyond a predetermined distance. Viscous air flow around the ball causes a pressure differential which resists ball movement in proportion to the velocity of the ball with respect to the tube. The proportionality of viscous force to velocity makes the crash sensor an acceleration integrator that completes the firing circuit when a crash causes a predetermined vehicular velocity change. A permanent magnet retains the ball in a normal resting position away from the contacts and causes the vehicular velocity change required for switch closure to increase with the duration of the crash. To compensate for the variation of air viscosity with temperature the tube and ball are made of different stainless steels having a difference in their thermal expansion coefficients such that the gap between the bail and tube changes with temperature to maintain constant performance of the crash sensor over a wide temperature range. An elastomeric seal reduces transmission of cross axis vibrations to the ball and tube.
This known sensor is expensive to manufacture and one reason for the high cost is the high precision required of the ball and the tube. Another reason for the high cost is that the tube material is difficult to work. Another reason for the high cost is the requirement in the present design that the electrical contacts must remain in good electrical contact with the ball as the ball moves over a distance of about one fourth of an inch. Further, the contacts are connected with lead wires and a diagnostic resistor by soldering. This creates contamination during manufacturing that cannot be tolerated in the vicinity of the hall and tube thereby requiring additional components and processing steps to maintain isolation for cleanliness. This known sensor is particularly affected by contamination because small particles can wedge between the ball and the tube and interfere with movement of the ball.
The performance of this current production crash sensor depends upon flow of air between the ball and the inner diameter of the tube which varies depending on whether the ball moves near the center of the tube or near the wall. During a crash the venturi effect creates aerodynamic forces that urge the ball toward the center of the tube whereas lateral accelerations urge the ball toward the wall. When the ball moves near the wall there is a crescent shaped air duct between the ball and the tube. When the ball moves near the center of the tube there is an annular shaped air duct between the ball and the tube. The crescent shaped opening has about one half of the resistance to air flow as the annular opening. Therefore, the velocity change required for the ball to bridge the contacts can vary substantially depending on the path of the ball.
When the velocity of the air between the ball and tube of this current production crash sensor is large the flow rate is substantially affected by the need for the pressure differential across the gap to overcome the inertia of the air and accelerate it to the maximum velocity it achieves at the narrowest point between the ball and tube. The pressure required to overcome inertia reduces the pressure available to overcome viscous resistance to flow. Furthermore, the pressure required to overcome inertia is independent of temperature because it does not depend on viscosity and causes the temperature compensation resulting from the aforementioned different expansion coefficients to be excessive. Also, inertial damping of air flow does not vary linearly with pressure so the sensor is not a velocity integrator under these circumstances.
A safing sensor is a second crash sensor typically located on the firewall or elsewhere in the interior of the vehicle and is wired in series with one or more crash sensors located near the front of the vehicle. It prevents deployment of occupant protection systems in the event of sharp blows to a forward crash sensor which would not warrant deployment of the system.
Diagnostic systems typically include a diagnostic resistor that supplies a small current to the firing circuit during normal operation and means for monitoring that small current. Absence of the current indicates an open firing circuit. It is also desirable for the diagnostic system to detect small variations in the resistance of the firing circuit such as might be caused by corrosion of conectors. Circuits to accomplish this require high precision and current systems do not perform this function as well as is desired.
A switching circuit for measuring resistance is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,188 issued May 19, 1992 to Peter Norton for Resistance Sensor And Switch.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,260 issued Jun. 12, 1990 to Peter Norton for "Crash Sensing Switch With Suspended Mass" describes a crash sensor having a suspended mass in which air ducts conduct the air displaced by the movement of the sensing mass and in which compensation for variation of air viscosity with temperature is accomplished by varying the normal resting position of the sensing mass according to the temperature thereby by requiring the sensing mass to travel farther at lower temperatures before bridging the contacts and less far at higher temperatures.
Copending application Ser. No. 249,840 filed May 26, 1994 and titled "Crash Sensing Switch" describes a crash sensor having a cylindrical sensing mass movable in a tube in which air ducts incorporated in the sensing mass conduct the air displaced by the sensing mass. The ball shaped sensing mass of the invention of the present application could be replaced by a cylindrical sensing mass having air ducts and means for reducing the friction between the sensing mass and tube. This provides the advantages of small sensing mass and air ducts without the need to form those ducts in the wall of the tube or provide for ducts outside the inside diameter of the tube.
Integrated electronic circuits commonly include on a single chip of silicon both switching power transistors for controlling substantial power and circuitry for making the decisions as to when the switching power transistors should be conducting and not conducting. This circuitry may include voltage comparators, timing devices, and circuits for performing boolean logic.
Connections to semiconductor devices including integrated circuits are commonly made by attaching fine wires of materials such as gold or aluminum to pads on the semiconductor formed for that purpose. The pads are areas of the semiconductor chip that are sufficiently large for attachment to be made reliably by methods such as acoustic welding. The pads and the connections between the pads and the circuits on the semiconductor chip are made as part of the process of making the circuitry on the semiconductor chip.
Completed semiconductor chips are commonly mounted on a substrate which may be metal, ceramic, plastic, or other suitable material. The substrate typically includes connector pins for connecting the completed semiconductor device to other equipment. The pads on the chip are commonly connected to the connector pins by stitch bonding. The delicate chip and wiring of the electrically complete device are protected by encapsulation. Many encapsulation on methods are known and several have been highly developed to meet the needs of the semiconductor industry. One method is to cover the completed chip and wing with a small can and solder the can to the substrate which forms a hermetic seal. Another is to place the completed chip and wiring in a mold and flood the mold with uncured thermosetting plastic which is cured to form the required encapsulation.
Circuits for driving MOSFET power transistors are described in the literature. A review of such circuits is provided by chapter 6 of the second edition of POWER MOSFET TRANSISTOR DATA copyright 1986 and published by Motorola Inc.
A general object of this invention is to provide a crash sensor and diagnostic system for automotive vehicles which overcomes certain disadvantages of the prior art.

Compact crash sensing switch with air ducts and diagnostic system


The present invention relates to a process for preparing a masterbatch rubber containing polymer bound functionalized moieties. The process comprises the emulsion polymerization at a temperature from 40.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. of (a) at least one functionalized monomer that contains a polymerizable vinyl group; with (b) at least one copolymerizable conjugated diene monomer selected from the group consisting of butadiene-1,3,2 chlorobutadiene-1,3, isoprene, piperylene and conjugated hexadienes, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of from (1) from 2 to 30 parts by weight of an ionic surfactant per 100 parts by weight of organic components and (2) about 10 to about 70 parts by weight of a plasticizer based on 100 parts by weight of total monomers. Other than the water, ionic surfactant, and the copolymerizable conjugated diene, the plasticizer functions as the sole solvent for the functionalized monomer during the emulsion polymerization and additionally functions as a plasticizer for the final polymer product.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a masterbatch rubber containing polymer bound functionalities. More specifically, the present invention relates to a process for forming a polymer comprising the emulsion polymerization at a temperature ranging from about 50.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. of (a) at least one functionalized monomer that contains a polymerizable vinyl group with (b) at least one copolymerizable conjugated diene monomer, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of (1) from 2 to 30 parts by weight of an ionic surfactant per 100 parts by weight of organic components and (2) from about 10 to about 70 parts by weight of a plasticizer based upon 100 parts by weight of total monomers. The plasticizer functions as the sole solvent for the functionalized monomer during the emulsion polymerization and also as a plasticizer for the final polymer product.
Polymer bound functionalities, such as antidegradants, have been used in masterbatch rubber. The masterbatch rubber is blended down to the desired level with the rubber in which the antidegradant is intended to function. One route to prepare the masterbatch rubber involves the use of copolymerizable functionalized monomers. Many of these copolymerizable monomers are polar, high melting solids which are only slightly soluble at best in the copolymerizable diene monomers typically employed to prepare rubber. And since these copolymerizable monomers have little, if any, solubility in water and ionic surfactants, the solubility of these chemicals limits the level to which they can be polymerized and thus the extent to which they may be utilized in the masterbatch blending technique.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,658,769, 3,767,628 and 4,213,892 describe the preparation of compounds such as N-(4-anilinophenyl) methacrylamide and N-(4-anilinophenyl) acrylamide and the polymerization of such compounds with typical monomers. These references suggest that a solvent such as methylethyl ketone or isopropyl alcohol may be required to obtain adequate solubility of the monomers as well as to solubilize other ingredients. Unfortunately, the use of cosolvents like methylethyl-ketone (MEK) and isopropyl alcohol is limited in emulsion polymerization systems due to the tendency of these solvents to destabilize latex particles resulting in partial coagulation or the formation of multiple phases.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,574 discloses the use of dichloromethane (DCM) and/or tetrahydrofuran (THF) as cosolvents in an emulsion polymerization; however, DCM and THF have been determined to be a potential environmental and health concern.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,507 disclose the use of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as a cosolvent in an emulsion polymerization; however, MIBK is also unsuitable in many applications due to its odor and volatile nature. In addition, the use of a solubilizing cosolvent while necessary to dissolve polar, solid copolymerizable monomers in the emulsion polymerization recipe, most often will require its complete removal and economical recycle upon completion of the reaction. The steps of cosolvent addition, removal and recycle make their use inconvenient and costly.

Process for the preparation of a masterbatch rubber having polymer bound functionality


The Ring Rack Oil Pumping Machine is comprised of: a base, a frame mounted on the base, a roller mounted at the frame top, a sprocket case connects to the middle of the frame; a input shaft having a lower sprocket and a drive shaft having an upper sprocket are installed at the bottom and top of the sprocket case respectively, the upper sprocket and lower sprocket are connected by a chain; a guide wheel, track gear and centralizer wheel are mounted in sequence on the end of the drive shaft extended out of the sprocket case; the track gear meshes with a rack, a slide rail is mounted with the frame, and a sliding base (21) connected with the slide rail (20) moveably. Comparing to currently using pumping units, this invention features simple structure, high safety and reliability, upgraded efficiency, easy maintenance, smooth running and high durability.

Currently, what used the most often for petroleum exploration are the beam type pumping units, but this kind pumping machine has many disadvantages, such as low power transmission efficiency, low motor power utilization rate, and the stroke cannot be greatly improved.
The Chinese Patent No. 91228837.X publicized the linear pumping machine, which is composed of two special-shape chains, two rail sets (four rails), a commutator, an equalizer and a power system; the E-shape commutator and a middle beam are set up between the two rail sets and side beams are designed at both sides of the two rail sets; the rail sets are connected and fixed via connecting plates and designed with long circular grooves. Although this kind linear pumping unit has higher work efficiency and improved stroke, its structure is too complex, particularly, the four rails and the E-shape commutator are so complex that the required precision is hard to guarantee and manufacture and installation are difficult; moreover, as the rollers of the special-shape chains move in the long circular groove, the chains will get worn and lengthened and vibration or even damages will be caused to spare parts. Therefore, the linear pumping machine is difficult to maintain, not cost-efficient and has low reliability.

Sinopec Group, Shengli Petroleum Administration Transport Corporation


Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems and methods for improving the performance of a telecommunications network by monitoring the performance of one or more storage drives. Operational data is received from a plurality of storage drives of a storage server of a telecommunications network. A plurality of operational coefficients for each of the plurality of storage drives is derived based on the operational data, and a cluster plot is created from the plurality of operational coefficients for each of the plurality of storage drives. A distance is calculated between a subset of operational coefficients of the plurality of operational coefficients of the cluster plot, and a remedial action is initiated on a storage drive of the plurality of storage drives when a calculated distance of an operational coefficient associated with the storage drive exceeds a distance value from a cluster of the cluster plot.

The Internet and the World Wide Web (the "Web") are easily accessible to process, store, transmit, access, and otherwise operate on many types of data and information. Content providers (publishers) now use the Internet (and, particularly, the Web) to provide all kinds of content to numerous users throughout the world. However, providing access to such content to requestors throughout the world can quickly become costly to many providers. In order to offload the job of serving some or all of its content, many content providers now operate or subscribe to content delivery networks (CDNs). Using a CDN, content can be served to clients or requestors from the CDN (e.g., from one or more servers dedicated to hosting and providing content from content providers) instead of from the content provider's server(s) directly.
Numerous forms of content may be served from a CDN. For example, television shows, movies, and other video files may now be accessed or streamed from any number of Web sites, which may be served from a CDN. Print newspapers have migrated to the Web and provide portals through which clients operating some form of computing device (e.g., PC, smart phone, or tablet) with a browser may access numerous forms of content, such as short video clips, articles, images, and audio tracks. Software updates and patches, once provided on disc and mailed to recipients, are now routinely distributed to devices from a CDN through one or more network connections and devices. The CDN provides for widespread distribution of such content to users all over the world.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Streaming server statistics and predictive mitigation


Systems and methods for determining coefficients of an Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter are disclosed. The FIR filter coefficients are computed by determining a sine of an input value and an inverse of the input value. The sine of the input signal and the inverse of the input signal are multiplied together to form a sinc value of the input value. The sinc value is employed to determine the coefficient. The system and method can be repeated to compute any number of FIR filter coefficients in real-time. The sine of the input signal is computed utilizing a memory lookup table. The memory lookup table includes pairs of uniformly distributed values for the sine and cosine functions in the range of 0 to π. The inverse of the input value is computed using an inverse memory lookup table, a most significant digit and a remainder. The coefficient is then computed from a product of the sine of the input signal and the inverse of the input signal. Thus, the coefficient is computable in real-time without the use of previously computed and stored coefficients.

FIR (finite impulse response) filters are widely used in signal processing systems such as digital signal processors (DSP). FIR filters are generally used to operate on a digital signal to decimate (reduce sampling rates), interpolate (increase sampling rates), and/or remove or filter out unwanted frequencies.
An FIR filter has a number of characteristics and parameters associated with it. An impulse response is actually just the set of FIR filter coefficients. Thus, if an "impulse" which consists of a "1" sample followed by many "0" samples is input into an FIR filter, the output of the filter will be the set of coefficients, as the 1 sample moves past each coefficient in turn to form the output. An FIR "TAP" is simply a coefficient/delay pair. The number of FIR TAPs, (often designated as "N") is an indication of 1) the amount of memory required to implement the filter, 2) the number of calculations required, and 3) the amount of "filtering" the filter can do. In effect, more TAPs means more stopband attenuation, less ripple, narrower filter transitions, etc. Multiply-Accumulate (MAC), in an FIR filter, is the operation of multiplying a coefficient by the corresponding delayed data sample and accumulating the result. FIR filters usually require one MAC per tap.
FIR filters are commonly implemented with symmetric coefficients to provide a linear phase response. A filter having a linear phase response is a filter that exhibits a constant change in phase angle as a function of frequency. This type of filter response is highly desirable for many applications, such as communications. In these cases, the number of taps is often denoted as 2N or 2N+1. However, only N or N+1 coefficients need to be created due to the symmetry.
One goal of FIR filter design is to increase the number of coefficients and or TAPs. Typical, conventional FIR filters used today employ thousands of coefficients, millions of coefficients or more. These conventional FIR filters compute the large number of coefficients and store them in read only memory (ROM) prior to filter operation. Computing such a large number of coefficients is prohibitively expensive to compute in real-time and is also prohibitively expensive to store. System designers employ many hours of CPU time to search for the coefficients that are best suited for the requirements. However, for applications such as digital domain sample rate conversion, the number of coefficients of the FIR digital filters can reach a level of hundreds, thousands or even millions. For such levels of FIR filters, optimization techniques and/or a huge memory physically storing all the possible coefficients are not feasible. Thus, computing the digital filter coefficients in real-time becomes an indispensable option.
There are a number of conventional approaches to computing coefficients. A first approach is to compute all of the coefficients off-line, as described above, before filtering and store them in read only memory (ROM). Then, the coefficients are recalled from memory during FIR filter operation. However, this approach is not realistic for the large number of coefficients typically used in FIR filters of today because a large amount of storage is required.
A second approach to compute coefficients is to use linear interpolation in real-time. According to this approach, a portion of a large number of coefficients are computed and stored in ROM. During real-time filter operation, coefficients are computed from interpolating between values stored in the ROM. This approach does reduce the size of memory used compared to the first approach (from tens of millions to hundreds of thousands of words), however a large memory is still required and the coefficients calculated from interpolation may not be as accurate as required.
A third approach is to use a multi-stage filter in combination with the second approach. Multiple stages of filters are used instead of a single filter in order to reduce the size of memory used. However, a large amount of memory is still required to store pre-computed coefficients and the coefficients calculated from interpolation may not be as accurate as desired.

Efficient real-time computation of FIR filter coefficients


The present invention provides a method of operating a telematics enabled mobile vehicle communication system. The method includes receiving a vehicle power down signal that includes vehicle identification information and time information of vehicle power down from a telematics device to a service provider. The method further includes initiating a vehicle power down count down at the service provider responsive to the receipt of the vehicle power down signal and estimating a remaining vehicle connection availability window based on the vehicle power down count down. The method additionally includes populating an advisor application with an estimated remaining vehicle connection availability window that is based on the vehicle power down count down. The method may further include generating the vehicle power down signal with the telematics device when a power down mode in an associated motor vehicle is detected and communicating the generated vehicle power down signal to the service provider.

The opportunity to utilize wireless features is ever increasing as cellular transceivers are being transformed into entertainment as well as communication platforms. One such cellular transceiver is a wireless feature included within wireless vehicle communication and networking services for a mobile vehicle. Another such cellular transceiver includes capabilities to receive satellite broadcasts such as, for example, Global Positioning System (GPS) signals and satellite radio signals.
Typically, wireless systems within mobile vehicles (e.g., telematics units) provide voice communication. These wireless systems have also been utilized to update systems within telematics units such as, for example, radio station presets. Additionally, these wireless systems have also been utilized to send data to service providers, such as, sensor data to assist the mobile vehicle manufacturer in maintaining the mobile vehicle.
Recently, services have been expanded to include emergency services, roadside assistance, and the like. Unfortunately, there are limitations to some of the services offered, such as, the ability to instantaneously unlock a user's vehicle due to the telematics equipped mobile vehicle operating in a stand-by mode or discontinuous receive state.
The present invention advances the state operating a telematics enabled mobile vehicle communication system.

Providing services within a telematics communication system


Depth information can be used to assist with image processing functionality, such as image stabilization and blur reduction. In at least some embodiments, depth information obtained from stereo imaging or distance sensing, for example, can be used to determine a foreground object and background object(s) for an image or frame of video. The foreground object then can be located in later frames of video or subsequent images. Small offsets of the foreground object can be determined, and the offset accounted for by adjusting the subsequent frames or images. Such an approach provides image stabilization for at least a foreground object, while providing simplified processing and reduce power consumption. Similarly processes can be used to reduce blur for an identified foreground object in a series of images, where the blur of the identified object is analyzed.

People are increasingly utilizing portable computing devices to perform various types of tasks. As an example, people are increasingly using devices such as portable phones and tablets to take pictures, in lieu of having to carry a separate, dedicated camera. In addition to still image capture, users are also using these devices to capture video images. Oftentimes, however, it is difficult for a user to hold such a device perfectly still, which can result in shaking or movement of objects as represented in the video. While image stabilization techniques exist that can remove at least some of this movement, using these techniques on devices with high resolution cameras can require a significant amount of processing power, and be a significant drain on battery power. Other approaches attempt various hardware solutions, but this can result in complex hardware that can be expensive and unreliable. Similarly, the movement can cause blur in still images captured by these devices, resulting in users having to attempt to recapture the image, if possible and if noticed by the user in time.


A deformable mirror includes a deformable section in which, a reflecting surface is formed, a fixing section which fixes an outer periphery of the deformable section, a GND electrode which is formed on the deformable section, a drive electrode which is provided facing the GND electrode, and a driving-signal source which deforms the deformable section by an electric voltage applied between the GND electrode and the drive electrode. The deformable mirror is sealed such that a pressure inside to be lower than an atmospheric pressure, and is provided with a capacitance detecting circuit which detects a change in response characteristics of the deformable section associated with a pressure change of a sealed-inside.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a deformable mirror which is capable of deforming continuously a shape of a reflecting surface, and particularly to a small-size deformable mirror which is manufactured by applying a semiconductor-manufacturing technology.
2. Description of the Related Art
A structure in which a deformable mirror is used by sealing inside thereof upon reducing pressure (upon depressurizing) has hitherto been proposed (for example, refer to "The membrane mirror as an adaptive optical element", Journal of the Optical Society of America, Volume 67, No. 3, March 1977). FIG. 23A shows a perspective view of a conventional deformable mirror 10, and FIG. 23B shows a cross-sectional view of the conventional deformable mirror 10. Moreover, FIG. 24 shows another cross-sectional view of the deformable mirror 10.
As shown in FIG. 24, in the deformable mirror 10, a ground (GND) is formed on a membrane (thin film) 11 on which the reflecting surface is formed. A plurality of drive electrodes 13 is formed at intervals at positions facing the GND. Moreover, a voltage is applied between the drive electrodes 13 and the GND. Accordingly, the membrane 11, in other words the reflecting surface, is deformed by an electrostatic force which is generated.
Moreover, a glass lid 12 for sealing upon vacuumizing is provided facing a surface on which the reflecting surface is formed. An electroconductive thin film 14 is formed on a surface of the glass lid 12 facing the reflecting surface. A voltage is also applied to the electroconductive thin film 14. Accordingly, the reflecting surface can be deformed to a concavo-convex by combining the electrostatic force in which the drive electrode 13 is used. Accordingly, it is possible to change a direction of reflection of a beam L.
In a case of an electrostatic drive in which the electrostatic force is used, a gap between the GND and the drive electrode 13 is narrow. Therefore, at the time of driving the membrane 11, air in the gap becomes a damper (air damping). As a result of this, response characteristics of the membrane 11 are affected adversely. Therefore, in the deformable mirror 10, the pressure is reduced to approximately 2.0 Torr, and an effect of the air damping is suppressed.
However, when the deformable mirror is used in a vacuum environment, a pressure in the sealed-inside changes in course of time due to a problem in sealing technology. With the change in the pressure, the response characteristics of the deformable mirror are changed. Consequently, a problem that a desired response cannot be achieved arises.


A linear guide device comprises a guide base on which a runner assembly is movably guided in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the guide base. The runner assembly is driven along the longitudinal axis by a drive spindle that is in threaded engagement with a drive nut on the runner assembly. For additional support of the drive spindle there is a pair of spindle support units, one unit on either side of the runner assembly. A traction rope formed as an endless loop connects the two spindle support units and is reversed over a pulley at the ends of the guide base. The traction rope moves freely past the runner assembly such that the spindle support units are displaceable along the longitudinal axis by abutment of the runner assembly against one of the spindle support units, the other spindle support unit being towed along the guide base in following relation by the traction rope.

The invention relates to a linear guide device comprising a guide base having a longitudinal axis, a runner assembly guided relative to said guide base in the direction of said longitudinal axis, a linear drive means for driving said runner assembly along said longitudinal axis, said linear drive means including a drive spindle supported at at least one of its ends axially fixedly, but rotatably, relative to said guide base, and including a nut being in threaded engagement with said drive spindle, said nut being connected with said runner assembly for movement in the direction of said longitudinal axis and being lockable or brakable against rotation with said drive spindle, and at least one spindle support unit at each of axially both sides of said runner assembly, each said spindle support unit being guided relative to said runner assembly on said guide base in the direction of said longitudinal axis, said spindle support units being displaceable along said longitudinal axis within a respective longitudinal distance between said runner assembly and a respective spindle end in dependence on movements of said runner assembly.
In such a linear guide device the maximum movement speed of the runner assembly relative to the guide base depends on the socalled critical speed of the drive spindle. When reaching the critical speed the drive spindle is set to self-induced vibration whose amplitude makes a precise positioning of the runner assembly impossible. Substantial factors which determine the critical speed are the diameter of the spindle and its length. The smaller the diameter/length ratio of the drive spindle is, the lower is the critical speed and, accordingly, the maximum movement speed of the runner assembly. Since particularly in the case of great lengths of the drive spindle (e.g. several meters) the spindle diameter cannot be enlarged at will for reasons of dimensions or weight, additional spindle support units are arranged in the support-free longitudinal portions of the drive spindle between the runner assembly and the spindle ends. The spindle support units represent additional support locations for the drive spindle and shorten the length of the support-free spindle portions. The critical speed of the drive spindle and the maximum movement speed of the runner assembly are increased in this manner. Furthermore, the spindle support units prevent deformation especially in the case of long drive spindles. The spindle support units are movable in relationship to the runner assembly and displaceable dependent on a movement of the runner assembly along the longitudinal axis so that they shorten the maximum displacement path of the runner assembly along the longitudinal axis, which is predetermined by the spindle length, only by their respective overall length.


Systems and techniques are disclosed wherein a method of providing a security code for a document comprises applying a first magnetic feature capable of being read by a contactless magnetic reader and having a fixed magnetic signature selected from a set of magnetic signatures, and applying a second magnetic feature capable of being read by a contactless magnetic reader and characterized by its magnetic signature and its spatial location on the document. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

This invention relates to security documents, e.g. banknotes. The invention will be described hereafter with particular reference to banknotes, but it will be understood that the invention is not limited to banknotes only.
There is already known a number of features using a range of technologies which may be embodied in banknotes to provide security. Many of these features are based upon magnetic and optical technologies. The objectives of these features are to reduce the potential for counterfeit and to assist in the machine readability for use in counters and authenticators.
Magnetic features used in banknotes to date have been based upon the use of magnetic inks (as in, for example, the US dollar) and the use of discrete segments of magnetic media (e.g. the magnetic thread used in UK banknotes). Such features are detected (i.e. sensed and/or read) in banknote counters and authenticators; basic machines merely serve to detect the presence of the feature whereas more complex machines are able to discriminate between notes of different denominations and carry out authentication tests on the banknotes.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a security code for a document, e.g. a banknote, which comprises:
(i) applying to the document or to a precursor thereof a first magnetic feature which is capable of being read by a contactless magnetic reader and which has a fixed magnetic signature selected from a set of magnetic signatures each of which is characteristic of a given denomination or other characteristic of the document, said first magnetic feature being applied to a predetermined location of the document; and
(ii) applying to the document or to a precursor of the document a second magnetic feature which is capable of being read by a contactless magnetic reader and which is characterised by (a) its magnetic signature and (b) its spatial location on the document,
wherein the second magnetic feature is such that either one or both of its magnetic signature and its spatial location on the document is effected at random at the time of its deposition.
The term xe2x80x9cprecursorxe2x80x9d in relation to the document includes within its scope partly fabricated documents, e.g. a laminar substrate.
In one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the steps of:
(iii) reading the magnetic signatures of said two magnetic features simultaneously;
(iv) subjecting the resultant magnetic signal to an algorithmic transformation to derive a digital or numerical signature; and
(v) applying to the document or to a precursor of the document a further detectable feature corresponding to said digital or numerical signature to provide a means for checking the authenticity of the document.
In such a method, the digital or numerical signature may be subjected to an asymmetrical encoding algorithm to generate an encoded signature which is then used to determine the characteristics of said further detectable feature. This further detectable feature is preferably a magnetic feature; it may, for example, comprise a plurality of magnetic stripes.
Alternatively, the further detectable feature may be an optical feature.
Conveniently, the first magnetic feature is formed from a first magnetic material having a first coercivity and the second magnetic feature comprises a second magnetic material having a second coercivity.
At least one of said first and second magnetic features may be applied to the surface of the document. Equally, at least one of said first and second magnetic features may be incorporated into the body of the document. Suitable methods for applying a magnetic feature to the surface of the document include printing, coating or laminating processes. The features may also be applied by other methods, including (but not limited to) methods involving selective metallisation by electrodeposition, direct hot stamping onto the surface of the document, and vacuum deposition (e.g. using a mask or template to create a desired pattern of deposition). After application of the magnetic feature(s) to the document, the feature(s) may be modified by selective removal of part of the applied materials for example by means of chemical etching or by ablation techniques, e.g. using a laser. Additionally, parts of the deposited material may, if desired, be modified physically or chemically so as to alter their magnetic properties in a selective manner.
The first and second magnetic features may be applied to the same face of the document or to opposite faces thereof.
At least one of said first and second magnetic features may comprise an amorphous metal glass.
Where the random property of the second magnetic feature is its spatial location, this may be achieved by means of at least one random number generator which is arranged to control a servo motor which governs the registration between the document or its laminar precursor and an applicator device for depositing magnetic material. The applicator may, for example, be a printhead, a stamper, a laminator, a sputterer or a coating device.
Where the random property of the second magnetic feature is its random magnetic signature, this can be achieved by a variety of means. For example, a random number generator may be arranged to control the selection of a magnetic material from a plurality of magnetic materials, the selected material being applied to the document or its laminar precursor to form said second magnetic feature. Alternatively, a random number generator may be arranged to control the quantity of magnetic material which is applied to the document or its laminar precursor to form said second magnetic feature. A further possibility is to use a random number generator which is arranged to control a process for generating a magnetic material, e.g. by the selection of two or more components from a plurality of such components, which are brought together under conditions which generate a magnetic material, the generated magnetic material being applied to the document or its laminar precursor to form said second magnetic feature.
The method of the present invention may include further steps to form additional layers or coatings on the surface of the document. These may, for example, include a protective outer layer formed, for example, of a plastics material; and layers which modify the optical properties of the document, e.g. its reflectivity and/or its transparency. If desired, coating(s) may be applied to act as camouflage layers so that the presence of either or both of the magnetic features is less easily discerned (whether by the naked eye or to optical reading apparatus).
The invention also provides security documents, e.g. banknotes, which are produced by the methods of the invention.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security document, e.g. a banknote, which carries a first magnetic security feature which is selected from a predetermined set of features (for example, to indicate the denomination or value of the document); and a second magnetic security feature which is random and/or is unique to a given specimen document, characterised in that either one or both of (a) the magnetic signature and (b) the location of the second magnetic security feature are effected at random.
Such a banknote may include a further detectable feature derived from said first and second features.
As described hereinafter, the security features mentioned are all magnetic; it is to be understood, however, that the magnetic features described herein may be used in isolation or in conjunction with other, non-magnetic security features (for example, optical features). Both of these options fall within the scope of this invention.
The magnetic features in security documents (e.g. banknotes) in accordance with this invention are preferably susceptible of being detected (read) by contactless magnetic sensors; and digital encryption techniques may be used with these documents to achieve enhanced levels of security and authentication. The use of this technique will enable layered security levels to be employed, the ability to use each level being governed by access to relevant reading techniques and, if desired, encryption keys.
Documents in accordance with this invention may be used with magnetic sensors capable of reading magnetic features at a distance, i.e. features which are not in contact with the reading head. Two examples of technologies which allow this are Flying Null (see International Patent Specification No. WO96/31790) and Magneto-Resistive. It relates to the sensing of features which are printed, coated and or laminated onto one or the two faces of a banknote. These features may be read individually or in combination to provide a layered security facility.
The security features may be disposed on opposite faces of the document or they may be disposed on the same face of the document
In one embodiment of this invention, magnetic patterns or features are applied on each face of the document. Since either or both of these can be read using a sensor of the kind described, successfully counterfeiting the banknote involves copying both the features and also achieving the correct spatial registration between them. As described below, further security can be provided by making one feature standard, and the other variable from note to note. As will be explained below, even higher levels of security can be obtained if each features is of different coercivity.
The invention is able to provide a layered security feature based on magnetic technology for use in banknotes and other documents with a face value. It makes use of the ability of recently developed sensors to read magnetic features remotely, that is, in a contactless manner. This ability allows the sensing of features on both faces of a document either individually or in combination.
The magnetic signatures may be printed, coated or laminated onto the face(s) of the document. Where the security features are both on the same face of the document, overprinting techniques may, for example, be used. In a typical embodiment using two magnetic features, these features would have substantially different coercivities; this makes it possible to measure one of the features only, or to measure both simultaneously.
In one embodiment of this invention, one face of the document may be of a reproducible standard, that is a fixed pattern or xe2x80x9csignaturexe2x80x9d for any one denomination. The other security feature (e.g. on the other face of the document, or on the same face) could be random. Both features could extend over a significant proportion of the document. In a typical embodiment the layered security features would be achieved in manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings.


A power converter includes an inductor, a first switch and a second switch. A summing module generates a voltage sum based on a ramp voltage and a first voltage based on a sensed inductor current. Error amplifier modules generate error voltages. A comparing and control signal generating module generates first and second switching signals and skip signals. A state machine module switches the first and second switches based on the first switching signal, the second switching signal and the skip signals. The state machine module, during a single clock period, operates in one of a two phase mode with a TON phase during which the inductor is charged and one TOFF phase during which one of a first load and a second load is fed and a three phase mode with the TON phase and two TOFF phases during which both the first load and the second load are sequentially fed.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Some power converters may be used to regulate positive and negative voltage using switching regulators. These power converters typically use many internal switches and two or more external inductors. Reducing the number of switches and external inductors used to implement the power converters tends to reduce the cost of the power converter.

Single-inductor power converter with buck-boost capability


A Mobile Station, an MS (700), for a GERAN system, the MS (700) being arranged (705, 710, 750, 730) to receive bursts from a Base Transceiver Station, a BTS, each of said bursts being modulated with a modulation type chosen from one of a number of modulation types. The MS is arranged (730, 740) to identify bursts from the BTS which may comprise information for the MS by identifying if a Training Sequence Code, a TSC, which is comprised in received bursts corresponds to a TSC which the MS has been assigned, the MS being arranged (705, 710, 750, 730, 740) to be assigned a first and a second TSC to be used for at least one of said modulation types.

In GERAN systems, the Mobile Stations, the MSs, receive bursts transmitted from a BTS, a Base Transceiver Station. A burst comprises information such as data and uplink status flags, USFs, for the MS, and also comprises a Training Sequence Code, a TSC. The BTS can modulate each burst in a number of different ways, i.e. using one of a number of different modulations, and for each modulation type, there exists one set of TSCs. At present, these sets of TSCs comprise 8 TSCs per set.
Each MS is assigned a TSC, which is used by the MS for burst time synchronization, and also in order to estimate the radio channel and to perform blind modulation detection, i.e. to blindly detect the modulation that is used for transmitting the received burst. If the TSC comprised in the burst corresponds to the TSC assigned to the MS, these three operations (synchronization, channel estimation and blind modulation detection) can be performed successfully, and the MS thereby knows that the information comprised in the burst may be for the MS. Whether or not the information comprised in the burst is in fact for the MS is then determined by the MS by examining the information comprised in the burst.
The TSCs are a sequence of, at present, 26 or 31 bits, which is placed as a so called midamble in a burst.
The bursts in the downlink are transmitted to the MS from the BTS, but the information for the MS comes from a Base Station Controller, a BSC, which controls the BTS and uses the BTS to communicate with the MS. The bursts are received by the MS on a Temporary Block Flow, a TBF, between the MS and the BSC, where the TBF goes via the BTS.


The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and computer-readable media for implementing a device management system that controls a plurality of remotely managed computing devices by way of one or more delta proxies. The systems disclosed herein can set up, generate, or otherwise implement a delta proxy that includes interfaces for facilitating communication between a master control system and any number of managed devices. The systems disclosed herein can implement a delta proxy for controlling multiple managed devices via a single instance of the delta proxy. The delta proxy may include a plug-in layer including software plug-ins that facilitate control of devices of different types and functionalities. The delta proxy can additionally include a namespace layer for allocating memory on a per-device basis.

Recent years have seen rapid development in software products and electronic devices. For example, it is now common for computing devices to remotely control or otherwise manage functionality of a wide variety of electronic devices. As the number of remotely managed devices becomes more common, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to effectively communicate with and control functionality of a large number of devices, particularly where those devices include a wide range of functionality and complexity. Indeed, current solutions to manage an ever-growing number of remotely managed devices has become increasingly expensive and computationally prohibitive.
For example, while many tools exist for remotely managing electronic devices, conventional device management systems often fail to effectively utilize computing or server resources. For instance, conventional device management systems typically require a separate software programs to control each respective managed device. However, where conventional systems control functionality of tens of thousands of devices, running tens of thousands of software programs generally involves a very robust farm of computing devices to effectively operate the tens of thousands of managed devices. As a result, remotely managing devices using conventional systems has become expensive and computationally prohibitive.
These along with additional problems and issues exist with regard to conventional device management systems.

Managing functionality of multiple devices via a delta proxy


A body fat percentage-lowering, body composition-improving food composition comprising 10-65 weight % of protein, 5-25 weight % of fat, and 15-70 weight % of carbohydrate, all on a dry weight basis, which composition is to be taken before, during, and/or after exercise, particularly after exercise preceding a resting period, and a method for lowering body fat percentage and improving body composition through utilization of the above food composition.

With the increasing consciousness of health and greater importance attached to shape-up, dieting, and so on in recent years, the sporting population devoted to jogging, cycling, mountain climbing, and so on is on the steady increase and a variety of food compositions designed to supply energy in such physical exercises and permit an easy and convenient intake of high-quality protein for increased muscle mass and shape-up are being explored and developed.
The inventors of the present invention also did much research for the purpose of providing a food composition adapted to supply nutrients on the occasion of such sport activities and previously succeeded in developing a high-protein, high-viscosity nutritional food composition suited for the purpose (Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 102112/1995). This composition is not only useful for feeding in sport activities but also can be taken easily and conveniently even by hospitalized patients on the bed during the postoperative period of convalescence or in the recovery stage of liver and kidney diseases, for instance, but it is not sufficiently effective in lowering the human body fat mass or improving the chemical composition of the body.
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a novel food composition capable of lowering the body fat percentage and improving the body composition and a methodology for judicious ingestion of the food composition.
With the above object in mind, the inventors of the present invention did further research and discovered surprisingly that ingestion of a defined food, such as the above food composition, according to a predetermined time schedule associated with physical exercises can increase muscle mass and decrease fat mass leading to an improvement in body composition. The present invention has been developed on the basis of the above finding.

Body fat percent-lowering, body composition-improving food composition and a method for lowering the body fat percentage and improving the body composition


A positive displacement piston flow meter for measuring air flow comprising a hollow flowtube, preferably arranged in a vertical orientation, having a movable piston disposed in the flowtube for movement between a starting position, preferably at the bottom end of the piston stroke, and an elevated position at the top end of the piston stroke. The piston is reciprocated by means of a pressure relief control valve assembly which controls the ascent and descent of the piston. The piston is physically connected to the pressure relief control valve assembly by means of a flexible string, which causes the piston to automatically close the valve assembly for automatic operation on reaching the bottom end of the piston stroke and to reverse direction.

The accurate measurement of ambient fluid (air) flow is becoming increasingly more important in the application and control of many processes, as well as in the research laboratory. One of the major applications is in the field of air sampling, where an accurate knowledge of the sampled air quality determines the exposure level to various contaminants. The most widely accepted primary standard method for a gaseous fluid is the bubble flow meter. In the basic form of the bubble flow meter, a soap film is generated from a soap solution, and is propelled by the gas flow under measurement from one end of the flow meter to the other. By timing the rise of the soap film between calibrated volume marks, the volume flow is obtained. Since for all practical purposes, the soap film is massless, it requires almost no force to accelerate the bubble. Furthermore, a seal is always insured by the presence of the bubble. The very nature of the bubble eliminates the friction which is associated with a piston type flow meter. The soap film flow meter is essentially transparent to the flow being measured, having a no-load effect. Accordingly, the soap film flow meter comes closest to meeting the unique requirements of the ideal calibrator.
The measurement of air flow using a positive displacement reciprocating piston flow meter is susceptible to errors based on the following requirements:
1. Initial breakaway friction;
2. Acceleration and deceleration of the piston after breakaway (until equilibrium is reached);
3. Running friction; and
4. Fixed pressure loading determined by the mass of the piston.
The resolution of the above conditions presents a load to the air flow system being measured. The arrangement of the present invention minimizes the initial breakaway friction and acceleration forces of the piston on reversing its direction at the bottom of the piston stroke and, if desired, permits automatic operation without an external power source. An additional advantage of the positive displacement piston flow meter of the present invention is its simplicity in design for reversing the direction of the piston on both the upstroke and downstroke of the piston.

Positive displacement piston flow meter for air flow measurement


An apparatus and method for dynamically controlling the maximum frequency of operation of the IC is provided. The invention optimizes power consumption in a device by measuring a current maximum frequency of operation and adjusting IC operating voltage to provide a desired maximum operating frequency. The invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling multiple voltages in an IC to independently adjust maximum operating frequencies for a plurality of separate portions of the IC. The invention may equally be applied to a group of ICs. The invention further provides a method for calibrating an IC. Thus, the apparatus facilitates the operation of an IC at a minimum voltage for a selected maximum frequency, thereby minimizing power consumption overall a wide range of operating frequencies.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to power consumption within an Integrated Circuit ("IC"). The present invention more particularly relates to optimization techniques to control power consumption within an IC.
2. Description of Related Art
Power consumption in integrated circuit ("IC") devices, including application specific IC ("ASIC") devices and system-on-chip ("SOC") devices, is dependent on both voltage and frequency. Increased power consumption necessitates the use of larger power supplies and more efficient cooling systems and is particularly problematic in portable, handheld devices. Increased power typically is resolved by providing more powerful batteries and cooling requirements thereby limiting the ability to produce smaller, lighter devices.
Many current systems are designed to accommodate a highest anticipated frequency of operation and suffer from relatively low percentage of productive processing cycles because processors in the systems are idle for large portions of time. Other current systems compromise performance to achieve lower power consumption. Another compromise commonly found in current devices monitors system activity and powers down the current devices to conserve battery life. Such compromises are prevalent in battery-powered portable devices.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a system that can deliver high-performance operation on demand and can further minimize power usage in systems that have variable performance requirements.


A bow sight for use in archery hunting provides for the automated compensation of target distance and elevation differential factors when bow hunting from a relatively elevated site, such as a tree stand. The sight is formed in a generally L shaped configuration, with a pivot at the juncture of the two legs. The forward leg includes a plurality of sight pin mounting points, into which a close distance sight pin and a far distance sight pin may be installed. The sight is mounted to a bow, and the pivot provides for the sight and pins to maintain a constant position relative to the horizontal. An adjustable balance weight is provided in the rear leg of the device for fine adjustment. As the bow is raised or lowered to adjust for different target distances, one of the two sight pins will always appear to be lower than the other, or in a singular situation will be aligned with one another. An archer may use the sight by aligning the lowest of the two pins (or the two pins together for a middle distance target) with the target, thus eliminating any confusion as to which of a plurality of pins to use.

While archery may at first glance appear to be a somewhat anachronistic sport, its popularity has gained steadily. Much of the reason for this increasing popularity, particularly in hunting, is the far greater challenge involved in shooting game with a manually operated weapon (such as a long or compound bow) as compared to a rifle or other explosively powered weapon. In addition to the above consideration, most jurisdictions provide longer hunting seasons, higher limits, or other considerations to hunters using bows and/or other manually powered weapons.
One of the reasons behind the greater challenges and legal advantages noted above, is that such manually powered weapons as bows are inherently more difficult to aim accurately, particularly over relatively long distances. This is due not only to the lack of sighting means along the propulsive axis of the weapon, as in the case of firearms, but also due to the lesser forces provided to the projectile by manual operation and the consequently slower flight and greater drop in the path of the projectile. As a result, various devices have been developed to aid in the accurate aiming of bows and like manually powered weapons. However, for the most part these devices are excessively complex in order to attempt to achieve the desired accuracy, and consequently are at odds with the inherent simplicity of the sport of archery. This is particularly true in the case of sighting devices developed for use by archers from elevated stations, due not only to the drop of the arrow or projectile while in flight, but also due to the greater elevation of the site relative to the target.
The need arises for a sight for use in archery hunting which not only compensates for variation in range to the target, but also for the difference in elevation between a target and an archer shooting from an elevated site or platform, as in a tree stand. The sighting device or aid must be relatively simple in construction and in operation, yet provide accurate compensation for both range and elevation factors for the archer.


Disclosed are a catalyst support particle comprising alumina having dispersed therein ceria primary particles, wherein a prominent peak of alumina is not present in the vicinity of 2θ=67° in the X-ray diffraction analysis; an exhaust gas purifying catalyst obtained by loading a noble metal on the support particle; and production processes of the support catalyst and the exhaust gas purifying catalyst.

Exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine such as an automobile engine contains nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbon (HC) and the like, which is generally released into the atmosphere after purification with an exhaust gas purifying catalyst capable of oxidizing CO and HC, and at the same time, reducing NOx. Regarding exhaust gas purifying catalyst, a three-way catalyst is known in which a noble metal such as platinum (Pt), rhodium (Rh) and palladium (Pd) is supported on a porous metal oxide support such as γ-alumina.
The metal oxide support may be formed of various materials, but in order to obtain a large surface area, generally alumina has been used. However, in recent years, in order to accelerate the purification of an exhaust gas by using chemical properties of the support, it has been proposed to use various other materials such as ceria (CeO2), zirconia (ZrO2) and titanium (TiO2) in combination with, or not in combination with, alumina.
For example, Kokai (Unexamined Japanese Patent Application) No. 9-925 discloses a catalyst particle having stacked therein a plurality of support material layers and specifically proposes, for example, a catalyst support particle having, in the periphery of a support particle of alumina, zirconia or silica working out to the core, a first layer comprising such a support material, on which platinum is supported, a second layer covering the first layer and comprising ceria, barium oxide or lanthanum oxide, a third layer covering the second layer and comprising a support material such as alumina, on which rhodium or lanthanum is supported, and a fourth layer covering the third layer and comprising a support material such as alumina, on which cerium, cobalt or the like is supported. According to Kokai No. 9-925, such a catalyst support is supposed to exhibit excellent NOx purifying performance when used as an exhaust gas purifying catalyst while supplying a reducing agent such as light oil.
In order to absorb the fluctuation of oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas and increase the exhaust gas purifying ability of the three-way catalyst, ceria having an oxygen storage capacity (OSC) of storing oxygen when the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is high, and releasing oxygen when the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is low, is used in the exhaust gas purifying catalyst.
In order to allow for efficient progress of oxidation of CO and HC and reduction of NOx by the activity of the three-way catalyst, the air-fuel ratio in the internal combustion engine must be a theoretical air-fuel ratio (stoichiometric air-fuel ratio). Therefore, a material having OSC is preferably used to absorb the fluctuation of oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas and maintain the oxygen concentration in the vicinity of the theoretical air-fuel ratio, so that the three-way catalyst can exert its exhaust gas purifying ability.
Various studies are being made on the use of ceria in an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, and it is also known to increase the OSC and heat resistance by forming a solid solution of ceria and zirconia (see, Kokai No. 2003-126694). For example, in Kokai Nos. 8-131830 and 2003-117393, a technique is proposed in which loading platinum on a support particle such as alumina and coating ceria or a ceria-zirconia solid solution on the platinum, thereby suppressing movement of the platinum during use of the catalyst as well as sintering caused by the movement.
According to recent studies, ceria is found to have not only OSC, but also by virtue of its strong affinity for a noble metal, particularly for platinum, the capability of preventing particle growth (sintering) of the noble metal supported thereon. When platinum is sintered during use of an exhaust gas purifying catalyst, active sites of the catalyst decrease and in turn, the efficiency in the oxidation and reduction of NOx is depressed. For this reason, it is very important to suppress the sintering of platinum.
In this way, ceria is important in terms of preventing platinum from sintering. However, ceria may undergo sintering, and the ceria itself sometimes becomes sintered, and thereby reduced in the effect of preventing sintering of platinum.
To solve this problem, Japanese Patent No. 3,262,044 discloses a catalyst support where at least either one particle of ceria and zirconia and an alumina particle are dispersed in a highly uniform manner, and a production method thereof. In Japanese Patent No. 3,262,044, such a catalyst support is obtained by mixing a salt solution containing at least either one salt of cerium and zirconia and an aluminum salt with an alkaline solution in a short time. In this catalyst support, at least either one particle of ceria and zirconia and an alumina particle are dispersed in a highly uniform manner and sintering of at least either one particle of ceria and zirconia is suppressed by an alumina particle between those particles.
According to the catalyst support particle and the production process thereof described in Japanese Patent No. 3,262,044 supra, sintering of ceria is effectively suppressed by the use of alumina. Under these circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a better catalyst support particle similarly by using alumina in a ceria-based catalyst support. Another object of the present invention is to provide a production process of the catalyst support particle and an exhaust gas purifying catalyst produced by using the catalyst support particle.
In the case of obtaining an exhaust gas purifying catalyst by loading platinum on this catalyst support particle, platinum cannot be loaded selectively on ceria and a large amount of platinum is supported also on alumina. The sintering preventing effect of ceria cannot be exerted on such platinum supported on alumina. Accordingly, still another object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas purifying catalyst capable of successfully exerting a sintering preventing effect of ceria on platinum while effectively suppressing sintering of ceria by the use of alumina, and a production process thereof.

Catalyst support particle, exhaust gas purifying catalyst, and production processes thereof


A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a source-line-side diode an anode region that is connected to a source line; a bit-line-side diode a cathode region that is connected to a bit line; and memory cell string connected between a cathode region of the source-line-side diode and an anode region of the bit-line-side diode. The memory cell string includes a series connection of a plurality of memory cell transistors. The source-line-side diode is formed in a contact for connecting the source line and the memory cell string in a first direction perpendicular to a semiconductor substrate. The bit-line-side diode is formed in a contact for connecting the bit line and the memory cell string in the first direction.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, such as a NAND nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, capable of being manufactured by a simplified process and having an increased storage capacity.
2. Description of Related Art
NAND nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices includes a series connected plural transistors as memory cells each including a charge storage layer in a gate insulating film and select gate transistors (generally, MOS transistors) respectively connected to the two ends of the series connection. As an example of the transistor used for the memory sell, there is used the following transistors: a memory cell transistor having a layered gate structure including a floating gate electrode layer; or a memory cell transistor having MONOS structure or SONOS structure, which includes an insulating film (ONO structure) as a gate insulating film having a silicon oxide film/silicon nitride film/silicon oxide film layered structure.
When the select gate transistor has the same layered structure as the memory cell transistor, electrons or holes may be stored in the charge storage layer of the select gate transistor due to, for example, voltage stress at the time of read state although it is not intended to perform write or erase operations on the select gate transistor as a target. In this case, when the select gate transistor is n-channel MOS transistor, the select gate transistor is not turned on because of increase of the threshold voltage or is not turned off because of decrease of the threshold voltage, which results in that the selectivity is impaired. For this reason, the select gate transistor needs to be formed by a different manufacturing process than the memory cell transistors.
In case where the memory cell transistor has the ONO structure, after a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and a silicon oxide film are formed on a silicon semiconductor substrate, or after a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film are formed on a silicon semiconductor substrate, the formed insulating films are removed in a region for forming a select gate transistor, a silicon oxide film is then formed at the region by oxidation, and a select gate transistor is finally formed as a usual MOS transistor.
In case where the memory cell transistor has the floating gate structure, it is desirable that the select gate transistor and the memory cell transistor have the same structure in a gate processing including lithography. Therefore, although the gate electrode of the lower layer is not separated for each select gate transistor, the select gate transistor also becomes a two-layer structure. However, it becomes a floating gate structure as it is and thus it is necessary to provide a contact portion of a two-layer gate including a floating gate electrode layer and a control gate electrode layer at a cell array end or in a cell array.
As described above, the presence of the select gate transistor complicates the manufacturing process. Furthermore, spaces for forming separated gate insulating films or regions for short-circuiting the two-layer gate electrodes are needed between the select gate transistors and the memory cell transistors, which result in increase in the memory cell size or the memory cell array area.
JP-A-5-326892 (see FIG. 4 of this document) discloses a NAND nonvolatile semiconductor memory device in which a diode, instead of the source-side select gate transistor, is connected in series to the memory cell transistors. Write operation is prohibited by charging-up of the channel region by utilizing the characteristics of the diode to turn off when a reverse voltage is applied. At the time of read operation, the diode is turned on by applying voltage to the source line side and voltage is applied to the gate electrodes of the memory cell transistors which are connected to the diode in series. A "1" or "0" state of the memory cell transistor of a target memory cell can be read out depending on whether it is on or off.
US 2004/0124466 A1 and A. J. Walker et al. ("3D TFT-SONOS Memory Cell for Ultra-High Density File Storage Applications," 2003 Symposium on VLSI Technology Digest of Technical Papers, June 2003) discloses an example in which memory cell transistors, which are thin-film transistors (TFTs) having an ONO structure charge storage dielectric layer are connected to each other in series to form a NAND string, are applied to a 3D flash memory. Likewise, US 2004/0155302 A1 discloses a 3D mask programmable ROM and its peripheral circuit configuration.
Although the storage capacity of memories has been increased by the miniaturization, investments are increasing as the degree of miniaturization increases. As a result, a tendency to produce an inexpensive, high-capacity layered memory using facilities which are low in running cost though the process is long is now increasing (see the document by A. J. Walker et al referred above).
M. Johnson et al. ("512-Mb PROM with a Three-Dimensional Array of Diode/Antifuse Memory Cells," IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 38, No. 11, pp. 1,920-1,928, November 2003) discloses a 3D PROM including diode/antifuse memory cells having a stacked structure in which eight layers are stacked in the vertical direction. Furthermore, K-D. Sung et al. ("A 3.3-V, 32 Mb NAND Flash Memory with Incremental Step Pulse Programming Scheme," 1995 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, pp. 128-129, Feb. 15-17, 1995) discloses an incremental step pulse programming (ISPP) NAND flash memory capable of reducing the page program current by self-boosting the program suppression voltage and capable of attaining high-speed read throughput by interleaved data paths.

Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has source-line-side diode formed in a contact for connecting source line and memory cell string in direction perpendicular to substrate


‘Kakegawa S90’ is a new Petunia-Calibrachoa hybrid particularly distinguished by having a purple flower color, medium-large flower size and a semi-creeping growth habit.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia-Calibrachoa and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'Kakegawa S90.' It is characterized by having a purple flower color, medium-large flower size and semi-creeping growth habit. The new cultivar originated from a hybridization in Kakegawa, Japan in May of 2003. The male parent was a proprietary hybrid Calibrachoa line named '04-62', having a deep blue flower color, medium flower size and a creeping plant habit. The female parent was a proprietary hybrid Petunia line named '04H-64', having a light purple flower color, medium flower size and mounding plant habit.
In May 2003, the new Petunia-Calibrachoa variety was developed using an intergeneric cross between a Petunia hybrid and a Calibrachoa hybrid species. After crossing the parent lines, 1,530 ovules were removed from flowers on the female parent and cultured by standard ovule culture techniques. In December 2003, 12 intergeneric hybrid plantlets were transplanted to soilless media for greenhouse culture and acclimization.
In March 2004, 10 plants out of 12 hybrid lines were vegetatively propagated to produce rooted cuttings. In April 2004, the 10 plants were transplanted to an open field and evaluated for flower color and plant growth habit through July. In August 2004, 'Kakegawa S90' which has a medium-large flower, purple color and semi-creeping plant growth habit was selected and vegetatively propagated.
In September 2004, 10 cuttings were evaluated in an open field through November 2004. The selection subsequently was named 'Kakegawa S90' and found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Petunia-Calibrachoa plant named ‘Kakegawa S90’


In an embodiment of a flash apparatus, a semiconductor laser device is used as a flash-use light source. Laser light beams are approximately evenly scattered by a reflector plate whose reflection surface is formed of Ag coarse film, whereby illumination of a wide range and safety are secured. In an embodiment of the semiconductor laser device, the semiconductor laser device is disposed such that a longitudinal direction of an imaging area 20a of a camera and a wide direction of far-field patterns 11a1, 12a1 and 12b1 of laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser device match.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a flash apparatus using a semiconductor laser device, a camera provided with the flash apparatus, a semiconductor laser device used in the flash apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor laser device.
2. Conventional Art
Conventionally, halogen lamps and xenon tubes have been used as light sources in flash apparatuses used in test equipments and cameras. In such flash apparatuses, a capacitor is precharged. By discharging the capacitor once, the halogen lamp or xenon tube is made to emit light, whereby strong illumination light is obtained. However, with halogen lamps and xenon tubes, there have been problems in terms of the shortness of the lifespan, heat emission and high power consumption.
Thus, an illumination apparatus has been proposed that uses a light-emitting diode, whose power consumption is low and which has a long lifespan. This illumination apparatus eliminates unevenness of the illumination distribution resulting from each time the light-emitting diode is a point source of light (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication (JP-A) No. 8-247929).
This illumination apparatus includes: a light reflector that is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, with light-reflecting surfaces being formed on four surfaces thereof excluding a light-incident surface and a light-emission surface at a position facing the light-incident surface; a plurality of light-emitting means whose optical axes are disposed facing the light-incident surface of the light reflector; light-diffusing means disposed at a position facing the light-emission surface of the light reflector; and a polarizing plate that changes the light leaving the light reflector and passing through the light-diffusing means to linearly polarized light.
However, when a light-emitting diode is used as the light source of an illumination apparatus as in the conventional technology described above, sometimes sufficient light output is not obtained.

Flash apparatus, camera provided with flash apparatus, semiconductor laser device, and method of manufacturing the same


The invention relates to a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The fuel injector has an injection valve member that can be actuated directly by a piezoelectric actuator. This injection valve member is contained in a nozzle body of the fuel injector and can be moved into its closed position by a spring element. A hydraulic boosting device is provided between the piezoelectric actuator and the injection valve member in order to adapt the force to be exerted by the piezoelectric actuator to the opening force curve of the injection valve member.

1. Field of the Invention
Internal combustion engines are supplied with fuel by means of fuel injection systems that have a number of fuel injectors. Modern autoignition engines use high-pressure accumulator fuel injection systems. The fuel injectors, which can each be supplied with fuel by means of a high-pressure fuel accumulator (common rail), are triggered by means of solenoid valves or piezoelectric actuators. In fuel injectors whose actuating element is embodied in the form of a piezoelectric actuator, a needle-shaped injection valve member can be directly controlled by changing the electrical voltage supplied to the piezoelectric actuator. When the piezoelectric actuator is supplied with current, the piezocrystal stack undergoes a longitudinal extension that disappears again when the current is switched off.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In fuel injectors that are actuated by means of a piezoelectric actuator, the piezocrystal stack undergoes a longitudinal extension when supplied with current. Depending on the strength of the current supply, the piezocrystal stack of the piezoelectric actuator lengthens by a different amount. When the current is switched off again, though, the piezocrystal stack reverts back to its original length. It has turned out that supplying different current levels to the piezocrystal stack of a piezoelectric actuator is only able to achieve insufficiently stable intermediate positions of an injection valve member, which can be embodied in the form of a nozzle needle.
If a piezoelectric actuator is used in a fuel injector with a directly controlled injection valve member, then the required intermediate positions of the injection valve member between its completely open position and its completely closed position can only be maintained to a degree that is not sufficiently stable, which can be accompanied by a significant variation in the quantity of fuel injected into the combustion chamber of the autoignition engine in an intermediate position of the injection valve member.
In fuel injectors with direct needle control, in order to be able to open an injection valve member by means of a piezoelectric actuator, it is first necessary to overcome powerful forces. The injection valve member embodied in the form of a nozzle needle is usually pressed into its seat by system pressure, i.e. by rail pressure in the case of common rail injection systems. These forces can be on the order of 100 N. In order to be able to supply a sufficient flow of fuel through the fuel injector when the injection valve member is completely open, it is necessary for the injection valve member to execute a stroke of several hundred μm, e.g. on the order of between 200 and 300 μm. The values of the maximum opening force Fmax, which can be in the range of several hundred N, e.g. 400 N, and the maximum stroke distance of the injection valve member on the order of between 200 and 300 μm essentially determine the size of the piezoelectric actuator that is used to directly actuate the fuel injector.
By implementing a for example hydraulically functioning boosting action, it is in fact possible to vary the length/diameter ratio of the piezoelectric actuator; by itself, the volume of the actuator is determined by the maximum opening force Fmax to be overcome and by the maximum stroke distance to be executed by the injection valve member, which can be embodied in the form of a needle.

Fuel injector with variable actuator boosting


The invention relates to a flinger device for preventing the ingress of foreign matter such as dust or grit to the vicinity of a contact surface between a rotary shaft lubricant seal and the shaft. The device is adapted to locate on an end of the shaft and has a radially extending flange portion which fits closely adjacent to a radially extending outer end surface for retaining the seal in contact with the shaft. The device also has an axially extending wall part whose outer circumferential surface locates closely adjacent to an axially extending inner surface of the seal retainer. The surfaces of the flange portion and wall part of the device co-operate to prevent or at least restrict the ingress of foreign matter to the vicinity of the seal/shaft contact surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary shaft sealing system and, in particular, to a flinger device for preventing the ingress of foreign matter to a side of a bearing surface between a rotary shaft seal and its associate shaft.
Housing-mounted rubber-lipped seals are a generally efficient form of sealing rotating shafts in order to prevent oil leaking from internal combustion engines. These seals usually comprise a circular metal housing into which is moulded a rubber seal having two lips, an inner shaft-contacting and spring-assisted lip and an outer non-contacting, non-spring-assisted, lip.
The seal is fitted to a shaft in the engine so that an inner lip faces an oil (lubricated) side of the shaft to contain the oil within the engine and an outer lip faces away from the engine to provide some protection from the ingress of foreign matter to the vicinity of the inner lip and the moving (bearing) surface against which it seals. A surface of the inner lip presses against a smooth peripheral surface of the rotating shaft and may have a scroll moulded into its surface to cause oil to wind towards the engine side of the seal as the shaft rotates. It is commonplace for a seal of this type to be fitted at each end of the crankshaft.
The front end of an engine usually benefits from a labyrinth sealing system provided by the shaped rear face of the crankshaft-mounted pulley closely following that of the adjacent front face of the engine. This, and the centrifugal effect of the rotating pulley on the surrounding air, assists in directing dirt, which can be in dry, airborne form or may be thrown up as a wet slurry, away from the front oil seal. Front seal wear from abrasives is therefore not generally a problem.
In dirty operating environments, a crankshaft oil seal fitted at the rear end of an engine may suffer from dirt ingress to a greater extent than a seal fitted at the front end. This is particularly true where the engine is used as an open power unit and the rear end does not have the protection of a flywheel housing or a clutch housing. In these situations, abrasive foreign matter can access the seal to crankshaft contact area and wear both the seal and the corresponding surface of the crankshaft. The wear to the crankshaft may be exacerbated by abrasive particles becoming embedded in the relatively soft rubber of the seal.
A known method of protecting the crankshaft and other shaft seals is to provide a `flinger` device adjacent the `dirty` side of the seal which rotates with the shaft. The flinger device is generally circular with a diameter exceeding that of the seal and it serves to throw out abrasives, by centrifugal action, in a similar manner to the crankshaft pulley at the front end of the crankshaft.
There are disadvantages with the use of flinger devices. Firstly, flinger devices which fit closely adjacent to the seal but are non-contacting with surrounding surfaces, do not fully protect the seal and bearing surface from airborne abrasive foreign matter when the engine is running. Nor do they protect the seal when the engine is not operating at which time abrasive dirts or slurries can run down the engine block, etc, into the vicinity of the crankshaft/seal bearing surface and become trapped, thus causing abrasion when the engine is operated again.
2. Descriptive of the Related Art
The problem of crankshaft rear seal wear in dirty operating environments has been previously discussed. On page 58 of the publication `Design News` of Dec. 2, 1996 is disclosed an apparatus for protecting a crankshaft rear oil seal from external contamination. This apparatus comprises a preformed metal sleeve carrying an integral rubber lip. The apparatus is pressed onto the flange of the crankshaft and is therefore caused to correspondingly rotate during engine operation. The rubber lip part of the apparatus is in contact with an inner surface of the seal retaining housing and has the function of isolating the seal from sources of external contamination.
The seal protecting apparatus described in the aforementioned publication has the disadvantage that the rubber lip is itself directly exposed to abrasives in foreign matter and may suffer wear and embedding of abrasives in the relatively soft material of the lip, thus becoming progressively less effective.


An integrated circuit packaging system and method of manufacture thereof includes: an L-plated lead; a die conductively connected to the L-plated lead; and an encapsulant encapsulating the L-plated lead and the die.

Electrical products must compete in world markets and attract many consumers or buyers to be successful. As a result, it is very important for products to continue to improve in features, performance, and reliability while reducing product costs, product size, and equally important to be available quickly for purchase by the consumers or buyers.
The demand for high density and high output/input integrated circuit packages dramatically increased with the trend of electronic products toward lightweight, small size, multi-function, and high speed products. Therefore, components in the package are becoming thinner and thinner to reduce the size of the whole package effectively and the capability of stacking more packages on top of each other. Electronic products such as cell phone base products, global positioning systems (GPS), satellites, communication equipment, consumer products, and a vast line of other similar products are in ever increasing global demand.
A small product, such as a cell phone, can contain many integrated circuit packages, each having different sizes and shapes. Each of the integrated circuit packages within the cell phone can contain large amounts of complex circuitry. The circuitry within each of the integrated circuit packages work and communicate with other circuitry of other integrated circuit packages and electrical parts using electrical connections on circuit boards.
Time to market, reliability, the number of integrated circuit packages, and the number of electrical parts on the circuit boards inside a product are important to improving the features, performance, and reliability of any product. Furthermore, the ways the circuitry and electrical connections are implemented have a direct impact on the availability, reliability, and costs of products.
Attempts have failed to provide a complete solution addressing simplified manufacturing processing, ease of stacking, time to market, improved reliability, reduced electrical parts on the circuit boards, and size reductions of the circuit boards with increased functionality, leveragability, and increased product features to the consumer.
In view of the problems and process requirements, it is increasingly critical that answers be found. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be found for these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Integrated circuit packaging system with plated leads and method of manufacture thereof


The present invention relates to antibody-based fusion proteins wherein a portion of an immunoglobulin molecule is linked to a biologically active ligand. In particular embodiments of the invention, the fusion protein comprises a portion of an antibody which recognizes a cell surface antigen linked to a ligand which is a lymphokine or a cellular factor. A preferred embodiment of the fusion protein comprises the variable region of the anti-tumor monoclonal antibody L6 and an active lymphokine molecule such as IL-2. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises the variable region of the L6 monoclonal antibody and active platelet factor 4. The antibody-based fusion proteins of the invention may be used therapeutically to deliver biologically active ligands to a specific target cell or tissue.

2.1. MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AS DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC REAGENTS
Since the development of the cell fusion technique for the production of monoclonal antibodies (Kohler and Milstein, 1975, Nature 256:495), a vast number of monoclonal antibodies, many of which define heretofore unknown antigens, have been produced by a number of researchers. Concurrently, a number of techniques have been developed for the generation of monoclonal antibodies, including the B cell hybridoma technique (Kozbor et al, 1983, Immunology Today 4:72) and the EBV hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies (Cole et al., 1985, in "Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy," Alan R. Liss, Inc. pp. 77-96).
Through hybridoma technology, monoclonal antibodies (Mab) can be developed that are capable of recognizing almost any determinant or epitope. The property of specific recognition and binding to particular cells has encouraged the development of Mabs as diagnostic and therapeutic reagents for a variety of disease states. Mabs have been obtained that recognize determinants preferentially expressed on tumor cells (Hellstrom et al., 1984 in "Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer", Wright et. al. Marcel Dekker, Inc., N.Y., pp. 31-47) and are currently being evaluated in the clinic for their effectiveness as therapeutic agents.

Therapeutic interleukin-2-antibody based fusion proteins


In one embodiment, a memory array is provided comprising one or more columns each comprising a plurality of bit cells divided into groups of bit cells with each group of bit cells controllably coupled to a separate bit line.

Memory arrays formed from static random access memory ("SRAM") cells are commonly used in many different applications. Such arrays are typically configured into multiple columns of cells with each column of cells sharing a common bit line. For example, with so-called "6T" SRAM cells, which have a pair of complementary storage nodes, a common, complementary bit line pair is commonly utilized. It is typically controllably coupled (e.g., through gate or access transistors) to a relatively large number of cells in a column. When a cell is to be read, the bit line pair is charged to a High level during a precharge state. Next, during an evaluate state, a selected cell to be read is activated (coupled to the bit line pair with its gate transistors turned on) causing one of its bit lines to discharge into a Low node of the selected cell. Unfortunately, in some cases, the bit line discharges in a way that causes the cell to be improperly read. Accordingly, this disclosure provides solutions for addressing such read instability problems.