An information recording apparatus includes a pickup which irradiates a recording light to a disc on which prepits are formed and which outputs return light quantity data, a period determination circuit which determines a data obtaining period in which return light quantity is not affected by the prepit, a sample-hold circuit which obtains the return light quantity in the data obtaining period, and a microcomputer which controls a recording power based on the return light quantity data. The microcomputer obtains the return light quantity data in the data obtaining period in which the return light quantity is not affected by the prepit, and executes control including the recording power control based on the return light quantity data. As a sample-hold circuit detects a pit level and the like in a 9T to 11T period which is hardly affected by the LPP and controls the recording power based on the result, proper recording power control can be executed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an information recording technique to an optical disc.
2. Description of Related Art
When information is recorded on an optical disc, various controls are executed in order to form pits (recording marks) of accurate shapes corresponding to information to be recorded. Some of them detect a return light from an optical disc which is generated by irradiating a recording laser beam to the optical disc, and execute various controls for recording, based on the return light quantity.
As an example of such controls, there is known ROPC (Running Optimum Power Control) which controls a recording power so as to always form constantly-shaped pits during recording. The ROPC detects a return light from an optical disc while a recording laser beam is irradiated onto the disc, and controls the recording power of the laser beam based on the level of the return light. A recording power control by ROPC can be applied to optical discs such as CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable) DVD-R and DVD-RW.
However, in cases of DVD-R and DVD-RW, which are different from CD-R, there is a problem that the return light quantity from the disc varies due to the existence of prepits because prepits such as land-prepits (LPP) are formed on a recording surface of the disc. Specifically, grooves serving as recording tracks and lands are alternately formed in a radial direction on the recording surface of DVD-R and DVD-RW. On the lands, LPPs including addresses and other information are formed according to a predetermined rule. Return light quantity of a recording laser beam which is used to the control such as ROPC varies by the existence of the LPPs. The problem is that a current pit forming condition is recognized incorrectly and proper recording power adjustment can not be executed because of this variation of the return light quantity.
This problem is not limited to the case of ROPC. Namely, in the case of other controls which are executed by using the return light quantity of the recording laser beam during recording, accurate controls cannot be executed because the existence of prepits varies the return light quantity.

Information recording apparatus and control method thereof


A computer implemented method for managing a password is disclosed. The method can include generating a first hash value corresponding to a first password. The method can also include determining whether the first hash value corresponds with a second hash value included in the set of hash values. Further, the method can include suppressing storage of the first password in the set of passwords in response to determining that the first hash value corresponds with a second hash value included in the set of hash values.

The present disclosure relates to computer systems, and more specifically, to computer systems for managing a password.
Passwords are a widely used method of authentication used by computers and networks. A single user may use many passwords to access different password protected domains, or access password protected content. As the use of passwords for authentication increases, the need for managing passwords may also increase.

International Business Machines Corporation


An anchoring sleeve assembly for securing a plurality of component systems to an axle tube housing. In one aspect, the anchoring sleeve assembly is pre-machined prior to installation on the axle tube housing to reduce the need for further machining operations once coupled to the axle tube housing. In particular, the anchoring sleeve assembly includes an annular portion defining a sleeve bore and a plurality of fixation apertures positioned about the annular portion. The anchoring sleeve assembly includes a plurality of extended portions projecting outwardly from the annular portion. Each extended portion from the plurality of extended portions fixedly receives a respective component system from the plurality of component systems to ultimately secure the component system to the axle tube housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an anchoring sleeve assembly for placement on an axle tube housing of a motor vehicle. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an axle system and method for securing a plurality of component systems to an axle tube housing, whereby the component systems are used for a wide variety of applications and illustratively include, among others, braking systems, sensor systems, and suspension systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, axle tube housings are steel tubes that protect a motor vehicle axle set within the housing from unwanted external factors such as, among others, weather factors such as rain, snow, dust, mud, salt, and foreign objects such as rocks or other components. In the case of a driven axle, axle tube housings facilitate continuous axle rotation without external interruptions. Specifically, an axle tube housing supports the weight of a motor vehicle as well as conveys driveline forces. Apart from protecting a motor vehicle axle, axle tube housings are often machined to accommodate many additional functions. Most of these machining operations are complicated in that they often take place after the axle is set within the axle tube housing. Typically, the inner diameter of the axle tube housing is machined to accommodate wheel bearings whereas the outer diameter is conditioned at one end for attachment of a brake system and, optionally, the other end of the housing is conditioned for insertion into a differential housing.
Illustratively, for the attachment of the brake system, a welded support plate typically of steel is initially secured onto one end of the axle tube housing through standard welding operations. Commonly, after it is secured on to the axle tube housing, the welded support plate is machined or, specifically, "faced off" to ensure that the welded support plate is aligned perpendicular to the centerline shared by both the wheel bearing and axle. Accordingly, based on this operation, the rotor is ultimately positioned relative to the brake shoes. This facing off operation adds additional costs to the overall assembly. In some instances, practical limitations in the thickness and processing of a welded support plate result in insufficient lateral stiffness. In such instances, additional structure may be added to the assembly. In instances of insufficient lateral stiffness, the operational effect of the braking system with respect to the welded support plate would increase the risk of unwanted harmonic oscillations to the welded support plate. Particularly, mechanical stiffness decreases as the thickness of the welded support plate decreases. Ultimately, in relation to a braking system attached to the welded support plate, decreased lateral stiffness of the welded support plate heightens the possibility for brake shimmy and noise to passengers operating a motor vehicle during braking related events.
After "facing off" the welded support plate, the brake adaptor plate may be secured to the welded support plate to receive component systems such as, among others, brake calipers. A drawback to this conventional attachment scheme is that the lateral stiffness of the component system is directly dependent on the thickness of the welded support plate and its interface with the axle tube housing and is dependent on a bolted joint that couples the component system to the axle tube housing. In some instances, the lateral stiffness is not sufficient for braking related events and thus causes undesirable noises and vibrations.
Unfortunately, there is no known device or method for quickly and accurately securing and positioning component systems such as a braking system to the axle tube housing without imparting structural difficulties and additional machining operations to the axle tube housing and welded support plate arrangement. Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for quick and accurate placement of component systems with respect to the positioning of the axle centerline. Many other problems and disadvantages of the prior art will become apparent to one skilled in the art after comparing such prior art with the present invention as herein described.

Anchoring sleeve assembly and method of use


The semiconductor memory device receives a first and a second pairs of input signals. Each of the pairs has a first and a second address signals which are complementary and substantially in phase. The semiconductor memory device comprises a pre-decoder for receiving the first and second pairs of input signals and outputting a first and second pre-decode signals. The first and second pre-decode signals are complementary signals and are substantially in phase with each other. The pre-decoder comprises a NAND gate for receiving the first input signals of the first and second pairs and outputting the first pre-decode signal and a NOR gate for receiving the second input signals of the first and second pairs and outputting the second pre-decode signal. The NOR gate and the NAND gate are electrically isolated from each other. The semiconductor memory device further comprises a row decoder coupled to the pre-decoder and word lines for selecting one of the word lines in response to the pre-decode signals and a memory array coupled to the row decoder through the word lines.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly to a semiconductor memory device having a CMOS decoding circuit for generating complementary decode signals.
A processor comprising a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM) and a central processing unit (CPU) has a CMOS decoding circuit for decoding input signals so as to output complementary decode signals which are out of phase with each other. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a CMOS decoding circuit of a semiconductor memory device for generating decode signals XPia, XPib.
The CMOS decoding circuit has a two input NAND gate 101 which is supplied with address signals Ca, Da and whose output node N1 is electrically connected to an inverter 103 and connected to an inverter 105 via the inverter 103 and a node N2.
When the address signals Ca, Da are input to the NAND gate 101, the NAND gate 101 determines a negative AND and outputs an output signal indicative of the result of negative ANDing at the node N1. The output signal is inverted by the inverter 103 to produce a first inverted signal. Then, the first inverted signal is delivered to the node N2 to be output as a decode signal XPia. The first inverted signal is inverted again by the inverter 105 to be output as an inverted decode signal XPib from the node N3. Since the output signal referred to above is successively inverted by the inverters 103, 105, the output signal is delivered to the node N3 after a signal propagation delay.
When the address signals Ca, Da are both "H" in level (i.e., Upon selection of both address signals Ca, Da as the "H" level), the CMOS decoding circuit outputs a decode signal XPia of an "H" level and an inverted decode signal XPib of an "L" level. When, on the other hand, either one of the address signals Ca, Da is "L" in level (i.e., Upon non-selection of either of the address signals Ca, Da as the "H" level), the CMOS decoding circuit outputs a decode signal XPia of an "L" level and an inverted decode signal XPib of an "H" level.
In the CMOS decoding circuit shown in FIG. 1, as described above, the decode signal XPia is inverted to produce the inverted decode signal XPib, thereby outputting the complementary decode signals XPia, XPib from the CMOS decoding circuit. Therefore, the phase of the decode signal XPia is shifted from that of the decode signal XPib by the propagation delay time of the inverter 105 because the decode signal XPia is fed through only one inverter whereas the decode signal XPib is fed through two inverters.
When a circuit for a semiconductor memory device is designed on a large scale and the capacity of each inverter for driving a load is increased in particular, the phase difference or shift between, the decode signals XPia and XPib becomes correspondingly greater. Consequently, the D.C. current momentarily flows into word line drivers supplied with the outputs of the CMOS decoding circuit during a period in which the phase .. difference between the decode signals XPia and XPib is being produced, thereby increasing the power consumption of the semiconductor memory device. In addition, the signal propagation or transfer speed is determined by either the decode signal XPia or XPib which has a phase lag, thereby creating a difficulty in operating the CMOS decoding circuit at a high speed.

Semiconductor memory device having a CMOS decoding circuit


Presenting a subset is disclosed. Information associated with a set of one or more objects is obtained, where the set of one or more objects have been detected from a collection of one or more images. Object search criteria is obtained. A subset of the collection is determined based at least in part on the object search criteria. The subset is presented.

Automatic detection processes can be used to detect objects in an image and can be a powerful tool. For example, a face detection process can detect faces of people in an image. With digital cameras becoming increasingly popular, more and more digital images are being created. However, as a user's collection of images grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage the collection. Face detection technology and other automatic detection processes generate data using the images that are processed. It may be useful to leverage the data generated during an automatic detection process to assist in managing a collection of images.


A user interface allows a user to input handwritten, key-press, and spoken text in a seamless, synchronized manner. A text input panel accepts soft keyboard presses and handwritten words, characters, and gestures. A text recognizer/synchronizer integrates textual input from various sources while recognizing and preserving the order in which a user entered text via the soft keyboard, via handwriting, and/or by speaking. Synchronized text may be displayed in a stage area of the text input panel before being passed to an operating system message router and/or an application program. While in handwriting recognition mode, various permutations and combinations of a word recognition area, a character recognition area, and a keybar/keypad may optionally be displayed.

As used herein the term Tablet PC refers to, by way of example, without limitation, a full-function "MICROSOFT" "WINDOWS" operating system-based personal computer incorporating various convenient and intuitive aspects of pencil and paper into a user's interaction with a PC. Such Tablet PCs provide a very natural way to interact with a computer, namely, by writing on it, without sacrificing the power or utility of various "WINDOWS" operating systems and/or various "WINDOWS" operating system-based desktop applications. As will be apparent, Tablet PCs, as the term is used herein, are not limited to computers running "WINDOWS" operating system. Instead, a Tablet PC may also run any other known, or later-developed, operating system.
Computer users are generally familiar with interacting with conventional personal computers via a mouse and keyboard. Tablet PC's, however, generally do not have a physical keyboard or a mouse as part of their user interfaces. Instead, the user will often interact with a Tablet PC in the form of inputting textual information, navigating among documents, entering commands, and the like, by using a pen or stylus on the Tablet PC's display.
Conventional stylus and tablet user interfaces have various shortcomings, though. For instance, such conventional user interfaces are typically cumbersome to use, limit a user to one mode of inputting text information at a time, and require that the user manually switch between each of the various input modes.
Tablet PC's are preferably adapted for portability and use in a variety of settings, including, but not limited to, meetings with multiple attendees and in relatively secluded settings, such as in a user's office or home. Because handwritten notes are more appropriate in a meeting setting, while speech may be more efficient for entering text into correspondence from a relatively private setting, an integrated spectrum of various ways to enter textual information into a Tablet PC is desirable. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved computer user interface that allows users of Tablet PC's to input multimedia text information (including, but not limited to, handwritten text, spoken text, and/or virtual keyboard-entered text) in various ways, while minimizing the required amount of manual switching between input modes.

System and method for accepting disparate types of user input


Embodiments of the present invention relate to a detector comprising first and second lenses for use with respective first and second sensing means; each lens comprising a plurality of Fresnel facets having respective fields of view adapted such that the fields of view of the first lens are alternately arranged with the fields of view of the second lens such that the fields of view of the first lens are adjacent only to, but do not overlap with, the fields of view of the second lens in a single direction.

Detection apparatuses, for example, intrusion monitoring apparatuses, are well known within the art. Typically, they are used to detect unauthorised entry or intrusion into a protected volume.
Commercially available intrusion monitoring apparatuses can be either passive or active. Passive intrusion monitoring apparatuses can comprise a sensor which detects infrared radiation emitted by people. Typically, such passive apparatuses comprise a thermal detection apparatus consisting of one or more thermal sensors arranged to detect infrared radiation and an optical system for directing such infrared radiation towards the thermal sensors. The optical system comprises at least one lens formed from a plurality of Fresnel lenses or at least portions thereof. Each Fresnel lens of the plurality of lenses is typically known as a facet. Conventionally, facets view or monitor respective regions or angular sectors of the protected volume. Such apparatuses are activated when a source of infrared radiation passes from one region or angular sector to the next, that is, infrared radiation is detected in a plurality of angular sectors. Typical prior art intrusion monitoring apparatuses are illustrated in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,703,718 and 3,958,118 and UK patent application number 1,335,410, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
Active intrusion monitoring apparatuses are also known which comprise a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits radiation at a defined frequency and the receiver measures the Doppler shift in any reflected signal. Such active monitoring apparatuses can, for example, operate at microwave frequencies using a microwave detection apparatus to detect the reflected signal.
The above active and passive detection apparatuses can be used alone or in conjunction with one another. Apparatuses that use two or more technologies, that is, a passive detection technology and an active detection technology, to identify intrusion into a protected volume or, more particularly, movement of an intruder within the field of view of the apparatus, are known within the art as combined detectors, combined technology apparatuses, dual technology or multi-technology devices. Examples of combined detectors that use a photoelectric sensor and a microwave sensor are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,725,888 and 4,401,976, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by reference. There exists a British standard relating to combined passive infrared and microwave detectors, which is "Alarm systems-Intrusion systems-Part 2-4: Requirements for combined passive infrared and microwave detectors", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
However, the revised DD243-2004 standard, entitled "Installation and configuration of intruder alarm systems designed to generate confirmed alarm conditions—Code of practice", under section 5.4, entitled "Design and configuration of sequential confirmation IASs", provides that within a sequentially confirmed alarm the movement detectors are not allowed to overlap each other. Furthermore, section 5.4.2 states that "[therefore], movement detectors should be located some distance apart, generally with a minimum distance between detector housings of 2.5 m". One skilled in the art clearly appreciates that the above is a costly solution to the problem of providing sequentially confirmed alarms since it requires twice the investment, that is, two detectors, twice the cabling etc.
In one typical combined technology device the outputs of two independent sensing means, that is, the photoelectric sensor and the microwave sensor, responding to different stimuli, must be present within a predetermined period of time to register an event, that is, intrusion by an intruder into the field of view or fields of view of the combined technology apparatus.
The European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation is responsible, amongst other things, for establishing technical standards relating to intrusion detection or detection apparatuses. For example, technical specification CLC/TS 50131-2-4:2004, entitled "Alarm systems-Intrusion Part 2-4: Requirements for combined passive infrared and microwave detectors", establishes a base or minimum set of standards or tests to be achieved by microwave detectors. The microwave detectors are given a corresponding grade according to the number or level of tests they pass, that is, according to the degree to which they correspond to the technical specifications or the specifications established by the class of 50131 standards. The above technical specifications are incorporated, for all purposes, herein by reference. The technical specifications provide for a number of security grades; namely, security grades 1 to 4. A requirement of EN 50131-1:1997 is that grade 3 and 4 systems shall have detectors that are able to detect a significant reduction in range. It will be appreciated that EN 50131-2-4:2004 applies to grade 4 detectors only. A simulated walk test is used to determine whether or not a detector is worthy of a corresponding grade. Typically, when assessing detector performance, a detector should generate an intrusion signal or message when an SWT or simulated walk test target moves within and across the detector's claimed boundary of detection for a distance of 3 meters. The detector shall also generate an intrusion signal or message when the standard or simulated walk test target moves at velocities and attitudes that meet the requirements specified of the technical standard CLC/TS 50131-2-4:2004. It can be appreciated from section 4.2.3 of that standard that the requirement headed "Significant reduction of specified range" is such that grade ¾ detectors should be capable of detecting "a range reduction along [a] principal axis of detection of more than 50% within a maximum period of 180s according to the requirements of Table 2". It will be appreciated that range reduction is discussed with reference to figure C.5 of that standard. Furthermore, it is indicated that the requirements of 4.3.5 (self test) and 4.5.5 (resistance to masking) can provide range reduction detection. Section 6.4.5, entitled "Verify the significant reduction of specified range" specifies a test to be met in determining whether or not a detector can detect a significant reduction of a specified range according to the technical specification. The test is as follows. A test point on a detector axis at a distance of 55% of the manufacturer's claimed detection range is selected. A barrier of cardboard boxes is erected across the axis such that it is normal, that is, perpendicular, to it at a distance of 45% of the manufacturer's claimed detection range. The barrier is such that it covers a horizontal distance of plus and minus 2.5 metres either side of the axis and has a vertical height of 3 metres such as is shown in figure C.5 of the technical specification CLC/TS 50131-2-4-2004. At the test point, two test directions are used, beginning at a distance of 1.5 metres before the test point, and finishing 1.5 metres after it, moving perpendicularly to the detector axis. The SWT shall move along each path from start to finish. At the end of each walk test, the SWT shall pause for at least 20 seconds before carrying out any further tests. The pass/fail criterion is such that an alarm or fault signal or message is generated when the barrier is present. It will be appreciated that a corresponding standard also prescribes requirements for passive infrared detectors; namely, DD CLC/TS 50131-2-2:2004.
In a further typical combined technology event detection device, the outputs of two independent sensing means, responding to different physical stimuli, are processed to determine if both sensing means register an event within a specified period of time, and, if so, an alarm is triggered. In this manner the incidence of false alarms occurring when only a single sensor means is used can be greatly reduced.
A problem with both single and combined technology event detection devices is that if the detector is masked, for example, by tampering with the outer casing of the detector, or by placing a screen in front of the detector which will absorb the microwave signals emitted by the microwave device, or which will block infra red signals and prevent them from reaching the passive infra red sensor, the event detection device is rendered inoperable.
Attempts have been made to overcome this problem by providing the event detection device with a separate system comprising an infra red LED emitter and a detector which operate at a frequency range different from that of the passive infra red sensor. If an object is placed near the event detection device so as to mask the passive infra red sensor, the infra red LED/detector system will detect the presence of the object and cause an alarm to be triggered.
Such anti-masking system increase the expense of the device, and in some circumstances are ineffective, because it is still possible to mask all or part of the Fresnel lens associated with the passive infra red sensor without traversing the light beam from the infra red LED. Thus a skilful thief can mask the lens without activating the anti-masking system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,450 discloses an event detection which the alarm is sounded if a signal from a masking circuit exceeds a threshold level. The alarm continues to sound for a predetermined period. Once the predetermined period has lapsed the correct of operation of the event detection device is confirmed, the alarm is reset.
It is an object of embodiments to at least mitigate some of the problems of the prior art.


A method for producing methanol includes obtaining reformed gas by subjecting raw material gas containing methane to partial oxidation reforming by use of oxygen; reducing a CO/CO2 ratio in the reformed gas; and obtaining produced gas containing methanol from the reformed gas with the reduced CO/CO2 ratio by using any of a fixed-bed reactor and an isothermal reactor.

Various methods for producing methanol from natural gas containing methane have heretofore been proposed. In these methods, methanol is synthesized by producing a reformed gas that contains hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide by reforming methane in natural gas in accordance with steam reforming, autothermal reforming, or the like.
A method designed to perform partial oxidation reforming by introducing oxygen to a gas containing methane in the process of synthesizing methanol has been known as one of the methods for producing methanol (Patent Document 1, for example).

System and method for producing methanol

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Engineering, Ltd.


A rule-based selection, storage and access method and system for processing packets from network traffic. First, packet intercepted from network traffic are selected based on at least one rule. Second, the selected packets are stored in an in-kernel storage buffer, which can be tuned to a size that is appropriate to the number packets being captured and the ability of a packet usage application (e.g., a billing program) to process the packets. Third, an access mechanism is provided to a packet usage application for accessing the stored packets. The intercepted network traffic is provided to a receiving application.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have three basic models for charging customers for providing access to the Internet. The first model charges a flat monthly fee for "unlimited" usage (also referred to as a flat-fee business model). This model is commonly employed by ISPs, such as America On Line (AOL) and Earthlink, to charge for their dial-up connection services.
In the second model, a customer is charged by connect time. Wireless carriers or wireless ISPs, especially in Europe and Asia, commonly use this model. However, the connect time is impacted by network load and network speed, which are not under a customer's control. For example, when the network is congested, the network speed decreases, and it would take much longer, for example, for the customer to transfer a file than when the network is less busy. In this regard, customers are being penalized for a congested network since the customer is charged solely based on connect time and not on the amount of data transferred or actual usage of the network. However, many customers would rather pay for the actual services received instead of paying for the connect time. Consequently, this billing model may not be attractive to customers.
A third model charges a customer based on usage of the network (also referred to as a pay-per-use business model). For example, the third model charges a customer based on the number of packets that are received or sent through the ISP network. Both the customer and the ISP may prefer the third model. From the customer's point of view, one benefit is that the customer pays only for the usage of the network. In this manner, the cost for use of the network is more fairly allocated to the users, where those users that heavily use the network pay a greater fee, and those users that use the network less, pay a smaller fee. From the ISP's point of view, one benefit is that the ISP can use the pay-per-use business model to more efficiently allocate bandwidth and resources.
Unfortunately, although the pay-per-use business model is intuitive to understand, the pay-per-use business model is difficult to implement. Specifically, the implementation of the pay-per-use business model poses difficult technical problems. One of these problems or challenges is called the producer-consumer problem. The producer-consumer problem exists when the number of packets generated exceeds the number of packets that can be consumed or processed.
When billing a customer with a pay-per-use model, the number of packets that are sent or received by the customer must be calculated. However, as can be appreciated, there may be many thousands of packets that are received from the network every minute. In this regard, the network must both deliver the packets to the end-user and process the packets to bill the end-user's account. It is desirable that the processing required for maintaining an end-user's account not affect network performance. Furthermore, it is desirable that the processing for the user account not drop packets in the event that the accounting process is unable to keep up with the network packet flow. Otherwise, when packets are dropped, the user is improperly billed for his/her usage.
For example, using current technology, it is predicted that 20% or more of the packets that are received from the network will be lost or dropped while trying to process the packets for accounting purposes. Any packet loss would not be acceptable for an application that bills a customer based on the usage or amount of traffic. Accordingly, a mechanism for counting packets that has a zero packet loss would be desirable.
Based on the foregoing, there remains a need for a method and system for metering packets in a network that has zero packet loss and that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art as set forth previously.

Rule-based packet selection, storage, and access method and system

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method for manufacturing a surface-treated laminated film is provided. The produced film should include at least a surface treated polyolefin-containing resin layer with a flame or corona treated surface and a heat sealable resin layer having a storage shear modulus of 400,000 Pa or less at 100 rad/s at 121° C., 100,000 Pa or less at 10 rad/s at 121° C., and 5000 Pa or less at 1 rad/s at 121° C. The method may involve coextruding a laminated film that includes at least a polyolefin-containing resin layer and a heat sealable resin layer. The laminated film may be simultaneously stretched in machine and traverse direction, and subsequently surface treated to produce a surface-treated laminated film.

There are a variety of applications, such as food packaging, that require packaging film that have excellent tensile, heat seal and gas barrier properties. However, there are several problems with current packaging films.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,643,945 (Kiang) discloses a polymer blend useful for forming heat sealable plastic film, which comprises 60% to 40% by weight of propylene-ethylene-butene terpolymers wherein the ethylene content is about 0.1-10.0 mole percent and the 1-butene content is about 0.1-10.0 mole percent, and about 40%-60% by weight of a second component of copolymers of ethylene and alpha olefins containing four or more carbon atoms. The examples indicate seal initiation temperatures in the range of 105° C. to 120° C. These seal initiation temperatures are generally considered to be high.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,065 (Farley) discloses a film comprising at least one layer containing from of about 40 to of about 99 weight percent of a metallocene polyethylene copolymer and about 1 to 60 weight percent on a Ziegler-Natta based ethylene interpolymer such as linear low density polypropylene (LLDPE). These blends have low seal initiation temperatures. However, it is difficult to process these polymers in the conventional sequential machine direction orientation (MDO) and transverse direction orientation (TDO) biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) process due to the very low melting temperatures associated with these polymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,139 (Bosiers) discloses a multi-layer structure having a sealant layer and a polypropylene layer, the sealant layer comprising a polymer mixture of from about 30 to 55 weight percent of a homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene copolymer having a density in the range of 0.885 and 0.905 g/cc and 45 to 70 weight percent of a heterogeneously branched linear ethylene copolymer with a density in the range of 0.91 to 0.95 g/cc. The heat seal initiation temperature of these resin blends is in the range of existing BOPP films. However, Bosiers' polymers suffer from the same defects as Farley's polymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,648 (Donovan) discloses a multilayer film for forming hermetic seals comprising a main film substrate and a two-layer sealant layer which itself comprises of an intermediate layer selected for sufficient flow property under sealing conditions and an outer sealant layer bonded to the intermediate layer to provide a seal under sealing conditions. Resins cited in the examples for the intermediate layer are LLDPE, ethylene-propylene random copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butene terpolymer, a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene, and blends of these. The sealant layer resins cited in the examples are ethylene-propylene-butene terpolymers or ethylene-propylene random copolymer. Such film structures are expensive and bulky due to the thick intermediate layer required to achieve a hermetic seal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,190,760 (Nagai) discloses an oriented metallized polypropylene film comprising a metal adhesion layer of a polypropylene resin of mesopentad fraction 60-88%. A coextruded heat sealable layer opposite the metal adhesion layer comprises an ethylene-propylene-butene terpolymer. This film does not have good low seal initiation properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,975 (Kong) discloses an oriented sealable film comprising an inner layer comprising greater than 80% by weight of isotactic polypropylene or syndiotactic polypropylene, a sealing layer which can be an ethylene-propylene random copolymer, ethylene-butene copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butene terpolymer, butene-propylene copolymer, Ziegler Natta catalyzed polyethylene or a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene, and a separable layer positioned between the inner layer and sealing layer. The separable layer comprises a blend of linear low density polyethylene and ethylene-propylene block copolymer. Kong's film would not have the proper seal initiation properties without the separable layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,423,420 (Brant) discloses an oriented multilayer film, comprising an outer layer comprising a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene having a density of 0.900 to 0.935 g/cm3 and a composition distribution breadth index of 50 to 95%; and a polypropylene core layer. This film does not have good low seal initiation temperature properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,469 (DeLisio) discloses an oriented multilayer film comprising a base layer, at least one tie layer, and at least one outer layer consisting of a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene. This metallocene catalyzed polyethylene layer does not have good low seal initiation temperature or hot tack properties.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/744,081 (Su) discloses blends of propylene-ethylene-butene terpolymer and metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene or metallocene-catalyzed ethylene copolymers. This film does not have good low seal initiation properties.
In light of the deficiencies of the prior art, this invention provides several advantages, among others, to provide an economical solution to the product packager and provide the heat seal properties of a low seal initiation temperature, hot tack performance, high hermetic seal attributes and seal through contamination as well as superior flat sheet and formed bag barrier durability.

Method for producing a sealable biaxially oriented polypropylene film for packaging


A method for testing a ball grid array package includes the following steps. Firstly, a printed circuit board having a plurality of contact pads thereon is provided. Then, a ball grid array test socket assembly having a connecting interface, a plurality of resilient contact members and a plurality of conducting members penetrating through the connecting interface is provided. The first terminal of each conducting member is in contact with the second terminal of corresponding resilient contact member. The second terminal of each conducting member is in contact with corresponding contact pad on the printed circuit board. Afterwards, the ball contacts of the ball grid array package are in contact with corresponding first terminals of the resilient contact members so as to test the ball grid array package.

Ball grid array (BGA) packages are widely used in the art because they have high I/O densities and can be directly arranged on the printed circuit board according to a surface mount technology (SMT). As known, the BGA package should be tested according to a testing procedure. Since the BGA package has a higher I/O density and unique ball contacts, the method for testing the BGA package is more complicated than that for testing the conventional semiconductor package. Generally, the ball contacts of the BGA package are conductively connected to the contact pads of the printed circuit board via a BGA test socket assembly. In this instance, the ball contacts of the BGA package need not to be soldered onto the contact pads of the printed circuit board.
Referring to FIG. 1(a), a cross-sectional view of a conventional BGA test socket assembly is illustrated. The BGA test socket assembly is employed for interconnecting the ball contacts of the BGA package and the conducting holes of the printed circuit board. The BGA test socket assembly 1 of FIG. 1(a) comprises a socket body 10 and a clip member 11. The socket body 10 comprises an interface layer 101 and a receptacle 102. There are perforations 103 extending through the interface layer 101 between upper and lower surfaces thereof so as to accommodate corresponding number of resilient contact members 104. A ball grid array package 12 is accommodated in the receptacle 102 and clamped by the clip member 11 such that the ball contacts 120 are in contact with the upper terminal ends 104a of corresponding resilient contact members 104. The lower terminal ends 104b (i.e. pins) of the resilient contact members 104 project downwardly from the socket body 10 to touch corresponding conductive holes 130 of the printed circuit board 13. By means of the BGA test socket assembly 1, the performance properties of the ball grid array package 12 would be tested accordingly.
Please refer to FIG. 1(b). The BGA test socket assembly 1 of FIG. 1(a) is mounted on the printed circuit board 13 by inserting the lower terminal ends 104b of the resilient contact members 104 into the conductive holes 130. Since the lower terminal ends 104b of the resilient contact members 104 should be precisely inserted into the corresponding conductive holes 130 to perform the test procedure, the printed circuit board 13 should be tailored and not cost-effective. That is to say, the printed circuit board 13 is only applied to the unreal system. In addition, due to the high density of the resilient contact members 104, the lower terminal ends 104b are readily broken during the period of inserting them into the conductive holes 130 and thus erroneous test results may often occur. Moreover, with increasing improvement, the semiconductor packages are developed toward minimization and high integration, and thus the pin density of the semiconductor packages are growing higher and higher. In other words, the pitch between two adjacent pins becomes shorter and shorter as well as the pitch between the terminal pads on the test printed circuit board. The possibility of generating erroneous test results is increased.
Another BGA test socket assembly was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,255, entitled "BALL GRID ARRY SOCKET ASSEMBLY", which was filed on Dec. 30, 1997, and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The BGA test socket assembly 2 of FIG. 2 comprises a socket body 20 and a clip member 21. The socket body 20 comprises an interface layer 201 and a receptacle 202. There are perforations 203 extending through the interface layer 201 between upper and lower surfaces thereof so as to accommodate corresponding number of resilient contact members 204. A ball grid array package 22 is accommodated in the receptacle 202 and clamped by the clip member 21 such that the ball contacts 220 are in contact with the upper terminal ends 204a of corresponding resilient contact members 204. The lower terminal ends 204b (i.e. ball pins) of the respective resilient contact members 204 project downwardly from the socket body 20 to touch corresponding contact pads 230 on the printed circuit board 23 of an unreal system. By means of the BGA test socket assembly 2, the performance properties of the ball grid array package 22 would be tested accordingly.
As known, the process for forming the ball pins 204b on the lower terminal ends of the resilient contact members 204 is complicated. In addition, the process for assembling the resilient contact members 204 in the BGA test socket assembly 2 is time-consuming. Accordingly, a problem of poor connection may occur. If several BGA test socket assemblies 2 are intended to mount on the printed circuit board 23, each BGA test socket assembly 2 should be precisely aligned with the corresponding contact portions of the printed circuit board 23, and thus the testing procedure is not effective for testing plural BGA test socket assemblies 2 when a single printed circuit board 23 is used.
With increasing development of semiconductor industries, the size and shape of semiconductor package will be varied according to the manufacturer's design and/or the market's requirement. For complying with the semiconductor package to be tested, the size and the shape of the retaining base used in the test socket assembly should be varied accordingly. In the conventional test socket assembly, however, the retaining base is not replaceable and has unchanged size and shape. Under this circumstance, in order to test the semiconductor packages conforming to different specifications, different moulds should be fabricated to produce proper test socket assemblies. Therefore, the testing process is not cost effective and is time-consuming.
Accordingly, the above-described prior art method is not a perfect design and has still many disadvantages to be solved. In views of the above-described disadvantages resulted from the prior art, the applicant keeps on carving unflaggingly to develop a method and socket assembly for testing a ball grid array package according to the present invention through wholehearted experience and research.

Method and socket assembly for testing ball grid array package in real system


Isolation, characterization, proliferation, differentiation and transplantation of mammalian neural stem cells is disclosed.

During development of the central nervous system ("CNS"), multipotent precursor cells, also known as neural stem cells, proliferate, giving rise to transiently dividing progenitor cells that eventually differentiate into the cell types that compose the adult brain. Neural stem cells are classically defined as having the ability to self-renew (i.e., form more stem cells), to proliferate, and to differentiate into multiple different phenotypic lineages, including neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
These neural stem cells have been isolated from several mammalian species, including mice, rats, pigs and humans. See, e.g., WO 93/01275, WO 94/09119, WO 94/10292, WO 94/16718 and Cattaneo et al., Mol. Brain Res., 42, pp. 161-66 (1996), all herein incorporated by reference.
Human CNS neural stem cells, like their rodent homologues, when maintained in a mitogen-containing (typically epidermal growth factor or epidermal growth factor plus basic fibroblast growth factor), serum-free culture medium, grow in suspension culture to form aggregates of cells known as "neurospheres". In the prior art, human neural stem cells have doubling rates of about 30 days. See, e.g., Cattaneo et al., Mol. Brain Res., 42, pp. 161-66 (1996). Upon removal of the mitogen(s) and provision of a substrate, the stem cells differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In the prior art, the majority of cells in the differentiated cell population have been identified as astrocytes, with very few neurons (<10%) being observed.
There remains a need to increase the rate of proliferation of neural stem cell cultures. There also remains a need to increase the number of neurons in the differentiated cell population. There further remains a need to improve the viability of neural stem cell grafts upon implantation into a host.


A system includes a bypass valve, a first conduit, and a second conduit. The bypass valve includes at least a first channel and a second channel and is configured to permit insufflation fluid to flow along a first flow path when the second channel is closed and permit the insufflation fluid to flow along a second flow path when the first channel is closed. The first conduit is coupled to the bypass valve and is configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from an insufflator to the bypass valve. The second conduit is coupled to the first channel of the bypass valve and configured to facilitate delivery of the insufflation fluid from the bypass valve to the patient cavity via a first medical appliance.

Providing an insufflation gas into a body cavity is referred to as insufflation. The purpose of insufflation is to inflate or distend the body cavity to allow a surgeon to explore a surgical site and/or otherwise provide a view of the site to be treated or observed. Insufflation is used in many common procedures including endoscopic surgical procedures, laparoscopic procedures performed on the abdominal cavity and orthoscopic procedures performed on the chest cavity. Additional medical access devices (e.g., trocars) can be used during the same surgical procedure to remove surgical smoke from the patient cavity or to continuously measure pressure within the body cavity.
As described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,411,474, 6,068,609, and 7,066,902 (incorporated by reference herein), insufflation gas is typically treated before being delivered to a patient cavity. Briefly, an insufflation gas is heated and hydrated (i.e., conditioned) before being directed, in some cases, by a trocar into a patient cavity. In order to hydrate the insufflation gas a charge of hydration fluid is typically injected into a device where the hydration fluid can humidify the insufflation gas and a heater can bring the insufflation gas to a temperature near body temperature. The conditioned insufflation gas is then delivered to a medical appliance (e.g., a trocar) for injection into a body cavity of a patient.


A method is provided for managing item placement in a store. A count of electronic price labels (EPLs) is sent, by a processor, to a handheld device indicating a quantity of EPLs needed in a select portion of a planogram. An EPL identifier is received, by the processor, from the handheld device for each of the quantity of EPLs equal to the count. An item in the portion of the planogram is linked, by the processor, to each EPL. Placement information is sent, by the processor, to each electronic price label. The placement information corresponds with the linked item and is configured to be rendered on a display of each EPL.

Electronic price labels (EPLs) are electronic display modules that attach to the fronts of display structures in retail stores and provide information about products on the display structures. The electronic display modules include display screens that can use LCD or other display technology. The EPLs also include circuitry for sending and receiving data signals over a network. Such data communication allows the EPLs to be automatically updated whenever attributes of the product, such as the price, change. The network can communicate using radio, infrared or other communication signals, which reduce costs related to managing and displaying accurate product information.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the background.

Product management using electronic price labels


The present invention provides a Digital PB exchanger with a Multi-processor control system by using an ATM for a plurality of Digital PB exchangers with a single processor control system to multiplex PCM voice data and communication data between processors. The Digital PB exchanger consists of a Processor unit, a Time division switch, a subscriber circuit, a trunk circuit, a telephone terminal and the like. A PCM voice signal and data from the Time division switch 21 are connected to the ATM switch 5 via the ATM interface circuit 31 so that communication of the audio signal can be made possible. Furthermore, when data is transmitted from one processor to another processor, the data from the processor is multiplexed with the audio signal by the ATM interface circuit and is transmitted to other ATM interface circuits.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital PB exchanger with a Multi-processor control system, and more particularly to a Digital PB exchanger using an Asynchronous transfer mode (hereinafter, referred to as an ATM) for data transferring between processors.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a general block diagram showing a connection between processors in a conventional Digital PB exchanger with the Multi-processor control system. A conventional Digital PB exchanger with a Multi-processor control system consists of a plurality of Processor units 71 to 76 for load sharing and function sharing. The Digital PB exchanger comprises bus 7, used exclusively for data Communication between processors, as means for performing data transmitting between processors and Bus interface circuits 81 to 86 between processors which provide an interface between the bus used exclusively for data Communication between processors and Processor units 71 to 76. In addition, buses which are used exclusively for connections between Time division switches 91 to 94 and Space division switch 6 are arranged. Thus, the Digital PB exchanger with a Multi-processor control system is realized by these components.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a conventional Connection system between processors, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Tokkaihei 2-277340. The conventional Connection system between processors shown in FIG. 2 is constituted by connecting a plurality of Processors 100 to 10n to ATM switch 200. Each of Processors 100 to 10n includes an ATM interface circuit, and is connected to ATM switch 200 via the ATM switch interface circuit. Thus, the Connection system between processors shown in FIG. 2 realizes data communication between processors.
The first problem involved in the prior art is that the conventional Digital PB exchanger with the Multi-processor control system requires the bus for data communication and the buses for Time division switches 91 to 94, separately. The connections between the processors and ATM switch 220 are disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Tokkaihei 2-277340. The bus for data communications between processors has been merely disclosed in the prior art. However, the bus such as for the Time division switch, which is different from the bus for data communications between processors, has not been disclosed yet.
The reason for this is that the signal form and the transmitting speed are different between the bus for the data communication between processors and the bus for the connections for the Time division switches so that the Digital PB exchanger with the Multi-processor control system can not be realized by simply multiplexing.
The second problem involved in the prior art is as follows. The distance between the bus used for data communication between processors and the bus used for the connections for the Time division switches can not be set to be longer so that the buses must be installed in a single system and it is impossible to use them extending over more than two systems. The reason of the presence of the second problem is that the communication speed of both of the aforementioned buses is high and communication trouble such as bit error might be caused unfortunately in case of long distance between the buses.

Digital PB exchanger with multi-processor control system using asynchronous transfer mode


A storage volume reservation system and method for maintaining cache coherency amongst a plurality of caching controllers in a data storage system during a warm start cache recovery utilizing a stripe lock data structure. The stripe lock data structure is defined to maintain reservation status of cache lines within data extents that are part of a logical unit or storage volume. A battery backup unit (BBU) stores stripe lock data structure and dirty cache line data of each of the plurality of controllers during a power failure. Using the stripe lock data structure, a delay required for continued processing of I/O requests from one or more host computers following the warm start cache recovery is minimized. Without saving the stripe lock data structure, continued processing of I/O requests from one or more host computers requires reestablishing stripe locks, during the warm start cache recovery, for cache line data saved before the power failure. A computer program product for maintaining cache coherency amongst a plurality of caching storage controllers in a data storage system during a warm start is also provided which includes a computer readable medium and a computer mechanism stored thereon for implementing the inventive method and procedures thereof. Advantages of the invention include eliminating the delay required to re-establish stripe locks in order to flush dirty cache line data to a storage volume during a warm start cache recovery.

The present invention relates to a storage volume reservation system and method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a storage volume reservation system and method for maintaining cache coherency amongst a plurality of caching controllers in a data storage system during a warm start cache recovery.
In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a typical computer system 100 having a host computer 102 with a processor 104 and associated memory 106, one or more data storage subsystems 108, 110 each having a plurality of hard disk drives 112, 114, first and second storage controllers 116, 118 coupled between the host computer and the storage subsystem by interfaces and communications links of conventional type, such as for example, busses or network connections. When the first and second controllers 116, 118 are caching storage controllers (described below), each controller includes a cache memory 120, 122 that serves as intermediate storage. Usually the cache memory is fast random access memory (RAM) of which there are many types.
Increasingly, there is a need to provide access to stored information or data on hard disk drives (or other storage devices) from a plurality of host servers and to also permit the data stored on any particular storage device to be accessed through alternative device controllers. Providing access to the data from multiple hosts eliminates the need to store the data at more than one location (though the data may still be redundantly stored using known mirroring or Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID) techniques) and in theory assures that the identical data can be accessed by interested parties. Providing multiple access to a storage device through a plurality of controllers, provides redundant access to the device from an alternate (or second) controller so that the data remains accessible in the event that the first controller fails.
Although providing access to storage devices through multiple controllers is desirable, such a configuration may present data consistency problems. Data consistency refers to all controllers providing visibility to one identical copy of the data. Data consistency can be provided through data synchronization or data coherency or both. Data coherency refers to maintaining a consistent copy of the data in each of the controllers caches. Data synchronization refers to keeping the data in the storage controller""s cache the same as that in the storage device.
A storage controller is a device which is capable of directing data traffic from the host system to one or more non-volatile storage devices. It may or may not have an intermediary cache to stage data between the non-volatile storage device and the host system. A caching controller (or caching storage controller) is a device which is capable of directing the data traffic from a host system to one or more non-volatile storage devices which uses an intermediary data storage device (the cache memory) to stage data between the non-volatile storage device and the host system. In general, the intermediary storage device is built out of RAM to allow a quicker access time to the data. Furthermore, it provides a buffer in which to allow exclusive-or (XOR) operations to be completed for RAID 5 operations. Multiple active controllers are defined as a collection of storage controllers or caching storage controllers which work in a cooperative manner with each other. They provide the ability for recovering from a controller failure by allowing multiple paths to a storage volume. The storage volume is a contiguous range of randomly accessible sector of data. For practical purposes, the sector numbering starts at 0 and goes to N, where N is the total number of sectors available to the host system. A data extent is a range of data within a storage volume delineated by a starting sector and an ending sector. The storage volume is broken up into a number of data extents which are not required to be of equivalent sizes, but may not overlap. These concepts are used in the discussion of the background and the detailed description of embodiments of the invention, and apply to both.
Caching storage controllers that work independently of one another to store information or data to a secondary storage unit, such as a hard disk drive, or tape unit, are conventionally available. There are also caching storage controllers that work with one or more other controller(s) to provide multiple controller access to a secondary storage unit and provide a fault tolerant environment. If two controllers are simultaneously providing access to a common set of storage devices and each is able to take over the other""s functionality in the event of a failure, then those controllers are referred to as active-active or dual-active controllers.
Computer system configurations involving one or more host computers and having two or more controllers that use cache technologies, with access to a storage device through any of the controllers, should desirably provide some mechanism of ensuring that the cache data in each controller is always correct. Unfortunately in conventional systems they may not. Controllers using the SCSI command set could use two commands that are provided in that command set, the xe2x80x9cReserve LUNxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cRelease LUNxe2x80x9d commands, where LUN is an abbreviation for Logical Unit Number. (SCSI commands, including the Reserve LUN and Release LUN commands, are described in standard references including SCSI-2 Small Computer System Interface-2 ANSI X3.131:1994: which is incorporated herein by reference.) The host computer, especially one operating in a cluster environment, could use these two commands to reserve all accesses to the entire LUN.
Unfortunately, not all host computers use these SCSI commands. Furthermore, the Reserve LUN and Release LUN commands do not provide for reservation of a portion of a storage volume because they apply to the entire storage volume.
The following description is provided relative to FIG. 2, and sets forth the problems with data synchronization between controllers which maintain local cached copies of data. This example details one set of host transactions that could cause data integrity problems (data consistency and data synchronization problems). The data consistency problem is brought about by the fact that each controller""s cache operates independently.
With reference to the illustration in FIG. 2, there is shown a portion of computer system 130, including host computer 132 having a processor or central processing unit (CPU) 134, first controller (controller xe2x80x9cAxe2x80x9d) 136, second controller (controller xe2x80x9cBxe2x80x9d) 138, a storage subsystem 140 including at least one backing storage volume 142. Each of the two controllers 136, 138 further separately include first cache (Cache xe2x80x9cAxe2x80x9d) 144 and second cache (Cache xe2x80x9cBxe2x80x9d) 146 for caching data retrieved from backing storage volume 142. Generic techniques for controller caching are known in the art and not described further here. Backing storage volume 142 is coupled to each of first and second controllers 136, 138 by storage interface channels 148, 150, and the host computer processor (CPU) 134 is coupled to the controllers by CPU-to-storage device interface 152 The interface 152 may typically be implemented as a Personal Computer Interface (PCI), parallel SCSI, fibre channel, or IEEE-1394 (fire-wire) interface using a storage, file system, or other communications protocol. In like manner, the controller-to-storage device interfaces 148, 150 may typically be implemented using the same set of interfaces and protocols as just described for interface 152. A logical unit number (LUN) is assigned or otherwise associated with each backing storage volume 140. The relationship between physical devices or portions thereof and logical devices is known in the art and not further described here.
In this configuration, if data is written to a logical unit, such as backing storage volume 142A through first controller 136, the data is properly retained in the first controller""s cache, that is within cache 144. If data is subsequently written to logical storage unit 142A through second controller 138, the newly written data in backing storage volume 142A matches the data in the second controller""s cache 146, but the information in the first controller""s cache 144 will not have been updated, and (if the newly written data is different from the original data) no longer matches the data written to the backing storage volume 142A. If a request to read the data is made through first controller 136, the data will be read from cache 144 according to standard data caching and retrieval practices to minimize backing storage volume access, and the wrong information will be returned to the requestor. The data is said to lack coherency between different locations (that is between one or more of the backing storage volume, cache 144, and cache 146), and is out of temporal synchronization as a result of the time-order of events involving the read, write, and caching operations.
Stating the problem by way of example in somewhat more concrete terms, in a system with two controllers 136, 138 attached to the same CPU/storage interface and sharing access to a backing storage volume 142, as illustrated in FIG. 2, host computer 132 writes data pattern xe2x80x9cAAAAxe2x80x9d to the backing storage volume through first controller 136. First controller 136 retains this information in its data cache 144 so that future requests for the data can be fulfilled without having to access the disk backing storage volume 142A. At a later time, the host computer writes the data pattern xe2x80x9cBBBBxe2x80x9d to backing storage volume 142A at the same location the xe2x80x9cAAAAxe2x80x9d data pattern had been stored, but now the write operation is directed through the second controller 138 as illustrated in FIG. 3. First controller 136 still has the xe2x80x9cAAAAxe2x80x9d data pattern stored in its cache 144, but second controller 138 has the xe2x80x9cBBBBxe2x80x9d data pattern stored in its cache 146. The data in cache 144 (xe2x80x9cAAAAxe2x80x9d) and the data in cache 146 (xe2x80x9cBBBBxe2x80x9d), each supposedly representing the identical data, no longer match and are incoherent.
The correct data pattern on backing storage volume 142A (xe2x80x9cBBBBxe2x80x9d) is the later data pattern also stored in cache 146 (xe2x80x9cBBBBxe2x80x9d), but if the host computer 132 attempts to read the information from backing storage volume 142A through first controller 136, first controller 136 will, using conventional techniques, be unaware of any controller 138 operations, and in particular will be unaware that a write operation has altered the data on the backing storage volume. Lacking knowledge that the data has changed, first controller 136 will access it""s own cache 144 to retrieve the data, and erroneously return that data pattern (xe2x80x9cAAAAxe2x80x9d) rather than the correct data pattern (xe2x80x9cBBBBxe2x80x9d) to the requesting host computer 132.
One technique for overcoming the data consistency problem described above is a storage volume reservation system and method as described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/325,033, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,099, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The storage volume (or storage LUN) reservation system for active controllers in an environment allows data access through two or more separate caching controllers. The inventive structure and method maintains a xe2x80x9creservation tablexe2x80x9d (such as a LUN reservation table) that is always consistent on each of the plurality of controllers. This structure and method also provide the capability of explicitly reserving storage volumes using any current storage volume (or LUN) reserve commands, or implicitly using a write operation. The inventive structure and method also provide the capability of invalidating a controller""s cache based on acquiring new reservation.
The storage volume reservation system and method provide that each controller is not required to reserve a storage volume in order to perform an update to that storage volume. An explicit reservation may be made through the use of Storage Volume Reserve commands, while an implicit reservation is made whenever a write operation requires that the particular controller obtain a reservation. Implicit reservations may occur for example when an alternate controller already owns the reservation. The reservation may also be obtained implicitly when the controller is required to perform a read operation, and the alternate controller already owns the reservation. This reservation requirement is imposed in order to ensure that the alternate controller""s cache contains no data (dirty data) that has not been synchronized with the storage volume drive.
The reservation process is synchronized between all of the controllers in the system in order to maintain reservation table coherency. All updates to the reservation table are propagated to the alternate controllers to maintain reservation table coherency. This procedure allows most reads and writes to be performed with minimal overhead. An I/O operation to a storage volume that is reserved by that controller only needs to check for that ownership before processing the I/O operation request.
The reservation process also benefits from cache flushing and cache invalidating in some circumstances to maintain data integrity. Obtaining a reservation to a storage volume or portion there of that is not owned by any controller is straightforward and only requires an update to the reservation table, and it""s propagation to all alternate controllers. Obtaining a reservation to a storage volume or portion thereof currently owned by an alternate active controller further requires that the alternate controller flush and invalidate all cache data associated with that storage volume. Releasing a reservation is not required but may optionally be performed using storage volume release command.
The problem with the storage reservation system and method described above is what to do with cache data preserved by a battery backup unit (BBU) during a warm start cache recovery. In order to maintain data coherency, the dirty cache lines need to be written out to the disk. In addition, each controller needs access to the area of the storage volume required to write out the caches line that it owns such that the access is coordinated in order to maintain data integrity. Consequently, a storage volume reservation must be re-acquired for each dirty cache line. In fact, the entire process of storage volume reservation needed to maintain cache coherency must be repeated before any new input output (I/O) processes can be accepted. In addition, any host initiated I/O that occurs before the dirty data from the warm start is written out must have it""s access to the storage volume coordinated so that data integrity is maintained. Any host I/O processes that were running power to the power off are discarded, while any rebuild operations in process are either discarded or restarted depending on whether the automatic rebuild feature is enabled.
Therefore, there remains a need to overcome the above limitations in the existing art which is satisfied by the inventive structure and method described hereinafter.
The present invention overcomes the identified problems by providing a storage volume reservation system, method, and computer program for maintaining cache coherency amongst a plurality of caching controllers in a data storage system during a warm start cache recovery. More specifically, the invention provides a method of maintaining cache coherency amongst a plurality of caching storage controllers in a data storage system during a warm start utilizing a stripe lock data structure. The stripe lock data structure is defined to maintain reservation status of cache lines within data extents that are part of a logical unit or storage volume. A battery backup unit (BBU) stores stripe lock data structure and dirty cache line data of each of the plurality of controllers during a power failure. Using the stripe lock data structure information, a delay required for continued processing of I/O requests from one or more host computers following the warm start cache recovery is minimized. Without saving the stripe lock data structure, continued processing of I/O requests from one or more host computers requires reestablishing stripe locks, during the warm start cache recovery, for cache line data saved before the power failure.
The inventive structure and method provide a storage volume reservation system in a computing environment that allows data access through two or more caching controllers. The stripe lock data structure is defined in memory within each of the two or more caching controllers. The stripe lock data structure is used to provide consistent information within each of the two or more caching controllers. A battery backup unit is configured to save the stripe lock data structure and cache line data of each of the two or more caching controllers during a power failure. The cache line data structure minimizes a delay required for continued processing of I/O requests from one or more host computers following the warm start cache recovery.
A computer program and computer program product for maintaining cache coherency amongst a plurality of caching storage controllers in a data storage system during a warm start is also provided which includes a computer readable medium and a computer mechanism stored thereon for implementing the inventive method and procedures thereof.
Advantages of the inventive method and structure eliminate the delay required to re-establish stripe locks in order to flush dirty cache line data to a storage volume during a warm start cache recovery.

Warm start cache recovery in a dual active controller with cache coherency using stripe locks for implied storage volume reservations

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention is a building panel and clip system, in which the building panel members are quickly and reversibly attached to other similar building panel members with clip members to form a temporary structure that provides shelter from the elements. Alternatively, the building panel members are erected interior an existing structure to provide partitioning of the space therein. The building panel members are used to form both vertical walls and the roof for such an exterior structure. The building panel members may incorporate a door or a window for added versatility.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for constructing temporary structures. More particularly, the invention relates to a panel and clip system for constructing temporary structures. Most particularly, the invention relates to a panel and clip system employing standardized panels and releasable clips for constructing temporary structures.
2. Background Information
It is often required that temporary structures be erected for a variety of purposes. The structures can be erected out of doors to provide individuals shelter from the elements or erected interior an existing structure to provide partitioning of the space therein. Because the temporary structures are dismantled after having served their purpose, it is desirable that the components used to erect the structure be easy to assemble and disassemble, readily stackable for transport or storage, as well as reusable for reasons of economy. Likewise, the components of the structure are preferably fabricated from standard sized materials of suitable durability, again for availability and economy.
Some examples of building fabrication systems for which patents have been granted include the following.
Edgar, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,014, describes mating structural members in the nature of panels, which are assembled together to form the floor, walls and roof of a building. Each panel has an integral joint component extending entirely or almost entirely about its periphery. More specifically, using a four foot by eight foot wall panel as an example, the top is provided with a male joint member and the bottom with a female joint member each four feet long, while the sides carry male and female members respectively, eight feet long. A joint between panels is formed between a male joint-forming member of one panel and a female joint-forming member of the other panel. The male joint-forming member comprises a tongue which projects from the periphery of the panel made, in the preferred form, of a blunt wedge-shared hollow elongated channel member having terminal flanges anchored in the panel, preferably directly inside the facing. In the female joint member, a channel member is countersunk in the body of the panel, preferably with its flanges bonded to the interior of the panel facing members and the edges of the flanges being coextensive with the edges of the facing. The female channel member is of blunt wedge-shaped internal contour adapted to mate with the male member. In the actual joint, the exposed surfaces of the male and female members are in contact, and the ends of the facings of the respective panels abut to form a continuous insulated wall. There is an effective weather-proof seal at the joint when the panels are mated, with no direct passage from one side of the panel to the other, but only a circuitous line of contact between the faces of the male and female channel members.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,167, Saunders discloses a lightweight cabin construction fabricated of a plurality of readily available lumber and plywood parts. The parts are worked to render them easily interfitting. All of the cabin construction materials may be easily transported in knocked-down condition and are designed to be easily assembled on the job site. The invention also includes a portable foundation which can be employed with the cabin construction for assembly at the job site.
Hage et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,838, describes a wall assembly that includes one or more panels each supported at its end edges by a removably attached post having releasable retainer means at the top and bottom thereof, engageable with top and bottom mounting clips carried by each panel end edge. Each clip is provided with an insertable leg and transversely secured within the free ends, respectively, of an edge channel attached to each panel end edge, while a tongue projects outwardly from each clip and extends inwardly toward the medial portion of the post. A fastener means associated with each top and bottom retainer means is activated to securely clamp each clip tongue within the respective end of the post to rigidly connect the panel thereto. Removable force-fitting trim means is attachable to the panel top and top retainer to provide a smooth, planar construction along the top of the wall assembly.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,427, Zilch discloses a framing system for demountable walls, in which the frame member provides a substantially continuous backing surface to engage the back sides of panels along abutting edges thereof. The frame member is provided with separate locking means at spaced intervals along the backup surface, having locking portions which project into the edges of abutting panels to retain the panels against the backing surface. Such locking means are proportioned to fit into kerfs formed in the edges of the panel and are shaped to provide a camming action to press the back sides of the panel into snug engagement with the backup surface. The framing members may be, for example, furring strips formed of metal to secure the wall to a foreign wall, or a stud providing opposed backup surfaces for use in a wall providing panels along both sides thereof. In one form of the invention, the locking means are formed by integral tabs cut from the material of the backup surface so that the locking means do not require any additional material. In another form of the invention, the locking means are formed as separate clips which can be mounted along the backup surface at intervals. In the latter form of the invention, the framing member can be used, without such locking clips, with standard drywall construction, or with locking clips for a demountable wall construction.
Preston, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,146, describes an improved partition panel structure. The structure comprises a framed panel member, the vertical frames of which include extended locking members snap-on facings covering the open outer surface of at least the vertical frames. The snap-on facings have an opening for allowing the locking member to pass through and slots on each upper side surface end for engagement with the ends of the horizontal frame members. This slot engagement and the upper surface engagement of the locking member, with the opening through the snap-on facing, prevent relative movement between the snap-on facing and vertical frame member. A post or upright includes openings through its vertical surfaces for engagement with the inner angled surface of the downward extending distal end of the locking member. When assembled, the components form a rigid, reusable, locked together, panel partition structure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,497, Hoenle discloses a coupling unit that includes a pair of parts, mounted on respective panels, each on an axis extending through the panel. The panels are moved into coupling position, with the parts thereby in interconnecting position, with elements of the parts interlocking and their coincident axes. The two parts are then rotated on their common axis. Two units are used together, in spaced apart relation. In one form of the device, the parts of each unit are identical, and in another form, they are respectively of male and female shapes.
Friesen, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,406, describes a building system that includes a plurality of building panels which are connected together to form a wall structure and are then connected to roof panels to form a roof structure. Each of the panels is formed by rotational molding to form a hollow body. The hollow body can be filled with a foam insulation material. Side edges of the hollow body include either a projection or a correspondingly shaped recess which has a web and a bulbous part of increased width on the outer end of the web, so that the panels can be connected only by longitudinal sliding movement. Metal plates are embedded in the top and bottom surfaces for connection to metal plates in the roof panels and to a footing respectively. A rib on the front surface of the panel has a width on the order of one third the width of the panel and extends from the front surface of the panel substantially equal to the thickness of the panel so as to provide sufficient longitudinal strength in the panel that the weight of the roof can be supported wholly upon the panels. Corner, window and door panels are provided to complete the system.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,778, Mazpule et al. disclose portable enclosure designed to be mounted in any desirable location and including a plurality of wall segments arranged in a vertically stacked array. Each wall segment includes a plurality of wall panels interconnected to one another so as to partially surround and thereby define a vertically oriented interior of sufficient dimension and configuration to house a person in an upstanding position. Supplementary attachments, including a hose bib and water supplying hose or like water source, may be attached such that the person within the interior of the enclosure may take a shower. Anchor structures are provided to secure the enclosure to the ground or other applicable supporting surface. The various components of the enclosure assembly may be easily assembled and disassembled to facilitate storage and/or transport. In another embodiment the portable enclosure may be positioned in a horizontal enclosure, and the position may be used as a sleeping enclosure. A main entrance is disposed in contiguous relation to the supporting ground, and one open end now defines the "crawl in" entrance for the person, to be housed when sleeping adjacent the portable enclosure.
Maupin, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,535, describes a panel system and method for building construction in which standing seam panels are attached to one another, such that the inner flange of one panel attaches to the outer flange of an adjacent panel, and the tongue of the inner flange is received by the groove of the outer flange. Multiple panels are joined together to form wall, ceiling, and roof sections. Clips are used to secure wall sections to ceiling sections.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,047, Walker discloses a building structure having prefabricated, interfitting structural parts comprising wall panels forming an enclosure and roof panels forming a peaked roof structure above the enclosure. The wall panels are preferably joined by duplicate spaced wall panel connector elements. The roof panels preferably forming the peaked roof structure are joined to abutting roof panels at their side edges by duplicate spaced roof panel connector elements. These connector elements, in one embodiment, can embody duplicate spaced protrusions and recesses of appropriate size and shape. The adjacent upper ends of the roof panels are joined together by a roof ridge connector. The roof ridge connector is appropriately angled to match the slope of the peaked roof structure. The peaked roof structure is supported above the enclosure by the top edges of the wall panels. A roof connecting strip would preferably be attached to the bottom surface of the peaked roof structure near the unconnected ends of the roof panels and interfit with the connector elements along the upper horizontal edges of the wall panels.
Bullard, III et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,878, describe a utility shed comprising modular side panels which are connected together by corner connectors and in-line connectors to form sidewalls. The connectors have an I-beam cross section and comprise U-shaped ends which engage relatively wide channels to securely hold the wall panels together. A door assembly is provided for engaging the corner connectors and includes pivot pin members which are attached to the vertical channel of corner connectors and allow pivotal door panels to be suspended therefrom. Floor panels and lid panels are provided, compatible with the I-beam edge configuration of the side panels, such that the lid, floor and sidewalls mutually interlock with high structural integrity. The modularity of the side panels allows for enclosures of larger or smaller size to be created using the same panel components.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,410, Haberman discloses a wall member with a first side having a tongue extending therefrom, a second side having a headed tongue extending therefrom, a third side having a groove defined therein for receiving a tongue of an adjacent panel, and a fourth side having a groove and cavity defined therein for slide-lock receiving of a headed tongue of an adjacent panel. The wall member may have a surface with a recess defined therein, and ribs extending from the recess. Also, the wall member may have a generally square, trapezoidal, hexagonal, or octagonal planar shape. Apertures may be defined in the tongue and grooves for aligning and receiving a dowel to lock panels together. A first corner section is defined by longitudinally extending the profile of the tongue through the profile of the headed tongue. A second corner section is defined by longitudinally extending the profile of the third side groove through the profile of the headed tongue. A third corner section is defined by longitudinally extending the profile of the fourth side groove and cavity through the third side groove. A fourth corner section is defined by longitudinally extending the profile of the fourth side groove and cavity through the tongue. Alternate embodiments provide corner panels, curved panels, and curved corner panels.
Applicants have devised a panel and clip system employing standardized panels and releasable clips for constructing temporary structures that overcome many of the short comings of the above described building systems.

Prefabricated panels for temporary structures


A GPS precision approach and landing system for aircraft employs a fixed ground facility and a single satellite navigation receiver on board the aircraft. The fixed ground facility includes a reference receiver that measures differential corrections to the satellite code and carrier measurements and a pseudolite that is employed to transmit these corrections to a broadband GPS receiver on board the aircraft and to provide an additional code and carrier measurement to assist in the navigation solution. The pseudolite signal is broadcast at a frequency offset from the L1 GPS frequency in order to prevent interference with the satellite navigation system. The broadband GPS receiver on board the aircraft is capable of making phase coherent measurements from the GPS satellites, the pseudolite signal, and the GLONASS satellites. These phase coherent measurements are combined to form a precise differential carrier ranging (DCR) solution that is used to provide three-dimensional position guidance of the aircraft throughout a precision approach and landing procedure.

This invention relates generally to a more precise, reliable, and continuous navigation system using the GPS or GLONASS satellite based radionavigation system and more particularly to use of this navigation system as a precision approach and landing system for aircraft.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a widely used satellite-based navigation system consisting of a network of satellites broadcasting pseudo-random noise (PRN) codes modulated on an L-band carrier (1575.43 MHz). A GPS receiver uses measurements of the PRN code-phase from four or more satellites to solve for the three-dimensional position of the receiver and to calibrate its internal time reference. The GPS receiver determines velocity from measurements of the carrier phase and doppler. Accuracy of the GPS solution is limited by the errors on the GPS signals and the geometry established by the positions of the satellites relative to the user. Presently, neither the precision nor the coverage of the standard positioning service provided by the proposed 21-satellite constellation meets the requirements for a precision approach and landing system for aircraft.
A common method for improving the precision of the standard positioning service is to broadcast differential corrections to users of the service. A standard message format for these corrections is described in "RCTM Recommended Standards for Differential Navstar GPS Service," Version 2.0, RTCM Special Commitee No. 104, January, 1990. This method is used in the landing assistance system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,655 to Joquet et al. In accordance with these prior art teachings, the GPS accuracy is improved through the transmission of differential GPS corrections on a radio channel according to the standards of the microwave landing system known as MLS. However, this method requires that the user aircraft carry both an MLS and a GPS receiver. Moreover, this method does not address the problem that the GPS satellite coverage is insufficient to provide a continuous and reliable precision approach and landing service. See Braff, R. and R. Loh, "Analysis of Stand-Alone Differential GPS for Precision Approach," Proceeding of the RION Satellite Navigation Conference, London, England, November, 1991. Differential GPS flight test results have also demonstrated that the accuracy provided using this method is only sufficient to meet a relaxed "Near CAT I" precision approach requirement. See Braff et al., supra, and L. Hogle, "Investigation of the Potential Application of GPS for Precision Approaches," NAVIGATION, The Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Vol. 35, No. 2, Fall, 1988.
Test results documented in the prior art have demonstrated that GPS can provide sufficient accuracy to meet precision approach and landing system requirements using the GPS carrier phase data to solve for the aircraft's position. See Landau, H. and G. Hein, "Precise Real-Time Differential GPS Positioning Using On-the-fly Ambiguity Resolution," Proceedings of the RION Satellite Navigation Conference, London, England, November, 1991. This processing method is generally termed "Kinematic GPS" or "Carrier-Ranging" in the literature. In the prior art, GPS carrier measurements from a ground-based reference receiver and the airborne receiver are processed to solve for the precise relative position of the aircraft with respect to the ground facility. Test results have demonstrated real-time positioning accuracies of better than 10 cm using the method described by Landau et al., which is sufficient to meet CAT I, II, and III precision approach accuracy requirements. However, the GPS satellite constellation does not provide sufficient coverage and redundancy to meet these operational requirements for a precision approach and landing system.
One solution that has been proposed by the RTCM Special Committee No. 104 and others to improve the GPS satellite coverage is to augment the GPS satellite measurements with a range observation from a ground-based transmitter, i.e. a pseudolite. In accordance with the teachings of the prior art, pseudolites have been proposed that broadcast a signal at the same frequency as GPS (1575.42 MHz) so that the aircraft receiver can process this measurement as though it were another satellite. However, a pseudolite with this signal format will also act as a jammer to users operating near the transmitter, thereby preventing the receiver from tracking the GPS satellites. This interference problem renders this technique unacceptable for use in a precision approach and landing system. The SC-104 reference, supra, and A.J. Van Dierendonck, "Concepts for Replacing Shipboard Tacan with Differential GPS," ION Satellite Division Third International Technical Meeting, September, 1990, describe a time-slotted signal structure for a pseudolite which somewhat alleviates the foregoing problem. However, this pseudolite signal will still jam satellite signals at close range. Moreover, the time-slotted or pulsed signal format does not allow contiguous carrier phase measurements to be made of the pseudolite signal. This means that the pseudolite signal cannot be included in the carrier-ranging navigation solution, and the time-slotting also affects the use of the pseudolite signal as a high-rate communication link for differential corrections.
To avoid the possibility of the pseudolite signal jamming the satellite signals, the pseudolite signal can be broadcast at a different frequency from that of the GPS satellites. This is a similar approach to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,450 to Chisholm wherein a ranging reference signal modulated with correction data is broadcast from a ground-based transmitter synchronized with GPS time. However, in accordance with the teachings of Chisholm, the signal is again time-slotted and so has the same disadvantages as the pseudolite design described in the SC-104 reference, supra. Another disadvantage of the method described in the Chisholm patent is that a second receiver is required in the aircraft to process the ground station signals broadcast at the second frequency. The timing and frequency offsets between the GPS and second receiver will introduce a significant offset between the range measurements made by the two receivers. Although the additional measurement will improve the solution geometry, the receiver offset will degrade the performance of the differential solution. Therefore, it is not believed that the teachings of Chisholm represent an improvement over those of Joquet et al. Based on test results, both of these methods will only meet a relaxed "Near CAT I" precision approach requirement, as described in Braff et al., supra.