The inventions separate the activated sludge, biochemical reaction stages of the batch treatment process of a sequencing batch reactor from the clarification and sedimentation stages by separating the locations where each process takes place. The separation may be accomplished in a variety of ways including constructing separate basins for each process, installing baffles or other partitions in a single vessel to isolate the areas where each process takes place, or other methods of process separation as are known in the art. In each process, treatment occurs through the performance of a series of operations. The operations are repeated for each batch of wastewater processed by the SBR. In a conventional SBR process, the cycle of operations for clarification and sedimentation are dependent on a preceding biochemical reaction step. However, in the present invention the clarification and sedimentation operations are independent of the biochemical reaction operations. It remains possible to coordinate operations so that the process cycles are coincident, however the benefits of the invention are more readily realized by the practice of independent operation.

When a wastewater treatment facility is designed to employ batch mode influent flow treatment with a sequencing batch reactor (or SBR), the treatment plant operator realizes several advantages over the use of conventional, continuous flow treatment facilities. In an SBR system, a single vessel performs multiple functions over time, thereby placing all the necessary treatment equipment within a smaller footprint, saving the cost of purchasing and maintaining additional land. In addition, both the initial capital costs and the annual operation and maintenance cost for SBR's are ordinarily lower than continuous flow systems since there are fewer vessels to maintain and fewer pieces of equipment to install and operate.
In a basic SBR, the vessel treats a fixed volume of wastewater influent in four phases over time. The first two phases, filling and reacting, occur under dynamic flow conditions in the basin. The influent flows into the basin and is mixed with aerated activated sludge causing a reaction that captures suspended solids. These are commonly referred to as the biochemical reaction phases of the treatment process.
Following biochemical reaction, the final two phases are quiescent periods in the vessel, for clarification and sedimentation. The process of clarification and sedimentation creates an upper liquid zone and a lower solids zone in the reactor. The liquids are decanted from the top of the vessel and a portion of the solids are removed from the bottom. After separation, the liquids and solids are processed separately. In many systems, the liquids are then passed through a filtration system, such as an AquaDisk® Cloth Media Filter, to remove smaller solids that remain suspended after the prior treatment step. Solids are commonly concentrated and stored for later disposal or land application. At the conclusion of the fourth phase the vessel is again ready to treat another volume of the influent.
In a typical SBR, since the reaction and clarification phases occur in the same vessel, the size of the vessel will be selected based on the phase or process step that requires the largest volume, making the basin oversized for the remaining phases. Since aeration is intermittent, the aeration equipment (blowers and diffusers) is commonly over designed to deliver the needed oxygen to the activated sludge within the time allotted for biochemical reaction. The inability to aerate a vessel continuously means that, maximum oxygen utilization rates cannot be accommodated in small reaction tanks.
Each SBR vessel can be "turned down" to some extent so as to be operated at less than its full influent volume capacity. However, the turn down ratio is limited to a fixed fraction of the full volume. Therefore, the larger the vessel size, the greater the initial flow requirement will be for operation in a turned down condition. Turned down operations are particularly important during the initial operation of an SBR. Vessel sizes are normally determined based on projected influent volumes that are expected ten to twenty years into the future. When these SBR vessels are first operated, incoming flows may be lower than the full turned down capacity of the system requiring storage of the influent until the minimum volume is available. By reducing the size of each SBR vessel, smaller incoming flows can be treated.
In normal operation, the water level in an SBR vessel rises and falls with each batch cycle. The rising and falling water line makes it more difficult to remove floatable pollutants like oils and greases (generically referred to as "scum") in comparison to a vessel that operates at a fixed water level. The present inventions overcome these and other limitations of current SBR treatment processes.
It is a feature and an advantage of the present inventions that the reaction phases are separated from the clarification phases by providing separate vessels that operate independently of each other. Such separation—while still operating each vessel in a batch mode—optimizes the vessel volumes for each treatment phase. Optimized volumes result in smaller land footprints, lower construction costs and higher cost effectiveness for SBR systems.
With a separate biochemical reaction vessel, reaction time with the present invention may increase to 24 hours per day. It is a feature and an advantage of the present inventions that this improvement allows for aeration equipment to be reduced in size, thereby reducing equipment and capital cost for SBR systems. It is a further feature and advantage of the present inventions that continuous aeration accommodates maximum oxygen utilization rates (OURs) in smaller tanks than conventional SBR systems.
It is also a feature and advantage of the present inventions that the smaller operating vessels resulting from the implementation of the inventions allow for a greater range of turn down capabilities. Increased turn down ranges allow treatment plant operators to handle initial flows to a new SBR that would be too low to properly treat with a conventional SBR system.
It is also a feature and an advantage of the inventions that unlike conventional SBR systems, the clarification component of the inventions can operate at a fixed water level to better facilitate scum removal.

Multiple barrier biological treatment process


A data processing device first reads directory data provided for each directory by a file management system which manages files using a directory structure. When meta-data to be attached to the directory data is written in proper XML format, the device appends the meta-data to the end of the read directory data, and outputs the entirety of the data obtained thereby as a directory data file. By appending the meta-data to the end of the directory data in this way, meta-data can be registered by directory with respect to existing data managed by the directory, without affecting existing applications.

Meta-data is "data about data," and is used as data which explains binary data such as video data or audio data. However, when binary data and meta-data corresponding thereto exist in separate files, when moving or copying files, the user must simultaneously manage the binary data and the meta-data, which is very troublesome.
For this reason, in order to simplify management of binary data and meta-data, various methods of writing binary data and meta-data have conventionally been proposed. This type of conventional art can be divided into methods which stipulate a new binary format, and methods of managing in a database.
First, examples of methods which stipulate a new binary format include, for image data, Tiff, Exif, and Flashpix. FIG. 16 schematically shows a format which incorporates meta-data into binary data. Binary data is, for example, image data. A typical method of incorporating meta-data into binary data, as shown in FIG. 16, is to provide in the header portion of the image data a domain for writing meta-data, into which the user writes the meta-data. Writing meta-data in this way facilitates data searching and classification. Further, since the meta-data is included in the binary data, both can be managed as a single file, making file management comparatively easier.
Next, a method of managing binary data and meta-data in a database will be explained. FIG. 17 schematically shows a method of managing binary data and meta-data in a database. Methods like that shown in FIG. 17, which use a database, etc. to manage binary data and meta-data existing as separate files, are widely used. These methods have the advantage that existing binary data can be used as is in existing applications.
It is also commonly known that a directory structure can be used in file management. Accordingly, when, for example, managing a large number of binary data files, all of the binary data files are usually not placed in a single directory, but a plurality of sub-directories are created, one for each group of binary data files sharing a certain affiliation or characteristic. In this case, the meta-data for all of the binary data files in a given sub-directory have an item in common. However, at present, each binary data file exists separately, and meta-data is managed by one of the two methods discussed above.
Both methods which stipulate a new format for writing meta-data and methods which manage meta-data using a database have their respective problems.
First, when a new format for writing meta-data is stipulated, existing binary data must be converted into that new format, and then the meta-data written into the new format. Further, in order to use the meta-data in the new format for searching, applications compatible with the new format are necessary. In other words, the drawback of this method is that writing and using the meta-data require a very large number of steps and a special environment. In addition, in order to process binary data in the new format (in the case of image data, to replay the image, for example), applications compatible with the new data format are necessary, and existing applications cannot be used.
Moreover, since the method of writing the meta-data is uniquely determined by the new format, a further problem is that in order to prepare an application which uses meta-data in the new format, it is necessary to create new routines for searching the meta-data. In addition, the prescribed format must be changed in order to write meta-data in a new domain.
On the other hand, when using a database to simultaneously manage binary data and meta-data, meta-data cannot be recorded or used without database software. Further, special software is also necessary to display recorded meta-data. In addition, when binary data is taken out of the database, it is not accompanied by the corresponding meta-data, and becomes binary data without meta-data.
When using a directory structure to manage binary data files, as well, the meta-data for binary data files in a given directory exist for each binary data file, and are managed as separate files. Consequently, even when a plurality of binary data files share an item in common, each binary data file is managed independently, thus increasing the data quantity of meta-data which must be managed. Further, when changing an item in common, meta-data for each binary data file changed must also be changed.

Data processing method and data processing device


A nucleotide sequence is provided for the VR-2332 virus, which is capable of causing Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome. The nucleotide sequence includes protein coding regions that are inserted into recombinant vectors for the host expression of viral proteins according to a variety of vaccination techniques. Diagnostic assays utilize fragmentary sequences or oligonucleotides to selectively identify the VR-2332 nucleic acids by hybridization or PCR amplification reactions that distinguish VR-2332 nucleotide sequences from other PRRS-causative viruses which are immunologically distinct from VR-2332.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to the field of molecular genetics and, in particular, to the use of man-made nucleotides in diagnosing animal diseases or vaccinating animals against disease. More specifically, the preferred nucleotides derive from an immunologically distinct strain of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome ("PRRS") virus, and selectively target this virus in the application of vaccination or diagnostic techniques.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A new viral disease of pigs was detected in North America during 1987, and reported by Hill, Overview and History of Mystery Swine Disease (Swine Infertility and Respiratory syndrome), in Proceedings of the Mystery Swine Disease Committee Meeting, October 6, Denver Colo., from the Livestock Conservation Institute of Madison, Wis. pp. 29-30 (1990). A disease having substantially identical clinical signs was found in Europe during 1990, as reported by Paton et al., Blue ear disease of pigs, 128 Vet Rec. 617 (1991). The clinically observed disease is commonly known by various names including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome ("PRRS"), swine infertility and respiratory syndrome ("SIRS"), porcine epidemic abortion and respiratory syndrome ("PEARS"), and mystery swine disease; herein, the term PRRS will suffice to indicate all of these names.
The consequences of this disease included late-term abortions and stillbirths in sows, as well as respiratory insufficiencies in nursery pigs that developed poorly and died easily. Decreases were observed in sow conception rates and litter sizes. Estimates stated that about ten to fifteen percent of pig production were lost annually due to reproductive failure. Early clinical signs of the disease included anorexia and mild pyrexia. Other signs included bluish discolorations on the skin of diseased herd animals, with the discolorations being primarily located on the ears, teats, snout, and frontal portions of the neck and shoulders. Necropsy results indicated thickened alveolar septae caused by the presence of macrophages, degenerating cells, and debris in alveolar spaces. These abnormalities indicated the presence of PRRS virus.
The causative viral agent was suspected to be a small, enveloped positive-stranded RNA virus that was recovered primarily from alveolar macrophages of infected swine, as reported by Benfield et al., Characterization of swine infertility and respiratory syndrome (SIRS) virus (isolate ATCC VR-2332), 4 J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 127-133 (1992); and Wensvoort et al., Lelystad virus, the cause of porcine epidemic abortion and respiratory syndrome: a review of mystery swine disease research at Lelystad, 33 Vet. Micro. 185-193 (1992). The isolation technique for the Lelystad ("LV") virus included homogenizing infected swine lung tissue; mixing the homogenate with a physiological saline, e.g., Ringers solution, Hank's balanced salt solution, and Minimum Essential Medium ("MEM") to a 10% weight/volume amount of the homogenate; and filtering the mixture through a series of 0.45, 0.2 and 0.1 micron filters.
The LV virus appeared to be closely related to arteriviruses in morphology, genome organization, transcriptional regulation, and macrophage specificity, according to Plagemann et al., Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus, equine arteritis virus and simian hemorrhagic fever virus: a new group of positive-strand RNA viruses, 41 Adv. Vir. Res. 99-192 (1992).
The complete nucleotide sequence of the LV strain of the PRRS virus was identified by Meulenberg et al., Lelystad virus, the causative agent of porcine epidemic abortion and respiratory syndrome (PEARS), is related to LDV and EAV, 192 Virology 62-72 (1993). A partial LV sequence was also identified by Conzelmann et al., Molecular characterization of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, a member of the arterivirus group, 193 Virology 193, 329-339. The positive-strand genome of the LV virus (Sequence ID. Nos. 14-26) included eight open reading frames ("ORFs"), which had some similarity in comparison with the genes of coronaviruses and arteriviruses. Two open reading frames likely coded for the viral RNA polymerase. LV ORFs two through six appeared to code for structural proteins associated with viral membranes, and LV ORF 7 was believed to code for a nucleocapsid.
The LV viral proteins were expressed from a nested set of RNA transcripts that had overlapping 3' ends. While this expression strategy was shared with the Coronavirus family, the physical properties of the LV virus originally placed it in the Togavirus family. Plagemann et al. (see above) has proposed a new family, the Arteriviridae, to encompass viruses having these dual properties. This family included the PRRS virus, equine arteritis virus ("EAV"), lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus ("LDV"), and simian hemorrhagic fever virus ("SHFV").
A second strain ("VR-2332") of the PRRS virus was isolated as a fourth cell culture passage, as reported by Benfield et al., Characterization of swine infertility and respiratory syndrome (SIRS) virus (isolate ATCC VR-2332), 4 J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 4, 127-133 (1992). Nevertheless, the viral genome was not sequenced. The VR2332 isolate was deposited in the American Type Culture Collection, and now has an ATCC catalogue number VR-2332. The VR-2332 virus was characterized as spherical with an average diameter of 62 nm and a 25-30 nm core surrounded by an envelope. Viral particles had a buoyant density of 1.18-1.19 g/ml in cesium chloride and were further purified from filtered tissue homogenates by centrifugation on cesium chloride gradients.
The respective VR-2332 and LV virus isolates displayed vast differences in terms of antigenic variation, especially in view of their common morphology and similar clinical signs in swine. A comparison study between 24 field sera and seven viral isolates from Europe and North America failed to distinguish a single common antigen which was able to diagnose infection in a reliable manner for both viruses, as reported by Wensvoort et al., Antigenic comparison of Lelystad virus and swine infertility and respiratory syndrome (SIRS) virus, 4 J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 134-138 (1992). Accordingly, despite the structural and symptomological similarities between the two virus strains, it is unlikely that a single vaccine could be developed from one strain of the virus for purposes of immunizing swine against both strains.

VR-2332 viral nucleotide sequence and methods of use


A method for estimating axial positions of formation layer boundaries from transverse electromagnetic induction signals. A first derivative is calculated with respect to depth of the induction signals. A second derivative of the signals is calculated. The second derivative is muted. Layer boundaries are selected at axial positions where the muted second derivative is non zero, and the first derivative changes sign. The selected boundaries are thickness filtered to eliminate boundaries which have the same axial spacing as the spacing between an induction transmitter and receiver used to measure the induction signals, and to eliminate boundaries having a spacing less than an axial resolution of the induction signals. In a preferred embodiment, the process is repeated using transverse induction measurements made at another alternating current frequency. Layer boundaries selected in both frequencies are determined to be the layer boundaries. An alternative embodiment includes Fourier transforming the induction signals into the spatial frequency domain, low pass filtering the Fourier transformed signals at a band limit about equal to the axial resolution of the induction signals, calculating a central first derivative of the filtered, Fourier transformed signals, calculating an inverse Fourier transform of the central first derivative, determining roots of the inverse Fourier transform, and testing localized properties of the inverse Fourier transform within a selected number of data sample points of the selected roots, thereby providing indications of formation layer boundaries at axial positions most likely to be true ones of the formation layer boundaries.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of electromagnetic induction well logging for determining the electrical resistivity of earth formations penetrated by a wellbore. More specifically, the invention is related to methods for processing induction voltage measurements to determine the position of formation layer boundaries for inversion processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electromagnetic induction resistivity well logging instruments are well known in the art. Electromagnetic induction resistivity well logging instruments are used to determine the electrical conductivity (and its converse, resistivity) of earth formations penetrated by a wellbore. Measurements of the electrical conductivity are used for, among other things, inferring the fluid content of the earth formations. Typically, lower conductivity (higher resistivity) is associated with hydrocarbon-bearing earth formations.
The physical principles of electromagnetic induction resistivity well logging are described, for example, in, H. G. Doll, Introduction to Induction Logging and Application to Logging of Wells Drilled with Oil Based Mud, Journal of Petroleum Technology, vol. 1, p.148, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Richardson Tex. (1949). Many improvements and modifications to electromagnetic induction resistivity instruments have been devised since publication of the Doll reference, supra. Examples of such modifications and improvements can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,517, U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,605 issued to Chandler et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,762 issued to Beard et al.
A limitation to the electromagnetic induction resistivity well logging instruments known in the art is that they typically include transmitter coils and receiver coils wound so that the magnetic moments of these coils are substantially parallel only to the axis of the instrument. Eddy currents are induced in the earth formations from the magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil, and in the induction instruments known in the art these eddy currents tend to flow in ground loops which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the instrument. Voltages are then induced in the receiver coils related to the magnitude of the eddy currents. Certain earth formations, however, consist of thin layers of electrically conductive materials interleaved with thin layers of substantially non-conductive material. The response of the typical electromagnetic induction resistivity well logging instrument will be largely dependent on the conductivity of the conductive layers when the layers are substantially parallel to the flow path of the eddy currents. The substantially non-conductive layers will contribute only a small amount to the overall response of the instrument and therefore their presence will typically be masked by the presence of the conductive layers. The non-conductive layers, however, are the ones which are typically hydrocarbon-bearing and are of the most interest to the instrument user. Some earth formations which might be of commercial interest therefore may be overlooked by interpreting a well log made using the electromagnetic induction resistivity well logging instruments known in the art.
One solution to the limitation of the induction instruments known in the art is to include a transverse transmitter coil and a transverse receiver coil on the induction instrument, whereby the magnetic moments of these transverse coils is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the instrument. Such as solution was suggested in, L. A. Tabarovsky and M. I. Epov, Geometric and Frequency Focusing in Exploration of Anisotropic Seams, Nauka, USSR Academy of Science, Siberian Division, Novosibirsk, pp. 67-129 (1972). Tabarovsky and Epov suggest various arrangements of transverse transmitter coils and transverse receiver coils, and present simulations of the responses of these transverse coil systems configured as shown therein. Tabarovsky and Epov also describe a method of substantially reducing the effect on the voltage induced in transverse receiver coils which would be caused by eddy currents flowing in the wellbore. The wellbore is typically filled with a conductive fluid known as drilling mud. Eddy currents which flow in the drilling mud can substantially affect the magnitude of voltages induced in the transverse receiver coils. The wellbore signal reduction method described by Tabarovsky and Epov can be described as "frequency focusing", whereby induction voltage measurements are made at more than one frequency, and the signals induced in the transverse receiver coils are combined in a manner so that the effects of eddy currents flowing within certain geometries, such as the wellbore, can be substantially eliminated from the final result. Tabarovsky and Epov, however, do not suggest any configuration of signal processing circuitry which could perform the frequency focusing method suggested in their paper.
A device which can measure "frequency focused" transverse induction measurements is described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 08/686,848 filed on Jul. 26, 1996, U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,436, entitled, "Method and Apparatus for Transverse Electromagnetic Induction Logging", and assigned to the assignee of this invention. Using measurements made from conventional induction logging instruments such as described in U. S. Pat. No. 4,837,517, U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,605 issued to Chandler et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,762 issued to Beard et al typically involves a process known as inversion. Inversion includes generating an initial estimate of the probable spatial distributions of resistivity around the logging instrument, and using the estimated spatial distribution to generate an expected response of the particular logging instrument given the estimated spatial distribution of resistivity. Differences between the expected response and the measured response are used to adjust the model of spatial distribution. The adjusted model of spatial distribution is then used to generate a new expected instrument response. The new expected response is then compared to the measured response. This process is repeated until the difference between the expected response and the measured response reaches a minimum. The apparent spatial distribution of resistivity which generates this "closest" expected response is deemed to be the distribution which most accurately represents the spatial distribution of resistivities in the earth formations surveyed by the induction logging instrument. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,773 issued to Tabarovsky et al.
Inversion methods for processing signals such as from the instrument described in patent application Ser. No. 08/686,848 generally require an initial estimate of the axial location (depth position) of the boundaries between layers of the earth formation. Initial estimates can be made from various well log measurements such as gamma ray radiation or spontaneous potential. Gamma ray and spontaneous potential-based methods for determining boundary positions tend to have a relatively high incidence of failure to locate boundaries or falsely indicating the presence of a boundary where the contrast in formation resistivity is unlikely to have a material effect on the response of an induction resistivity instrument.

Method for determining the axial position of formation layer boundaries using measurements made by a transverse electromagnetic induction logging instrument


A method is provided for pseudo wire processing in a packet forwarding device in which a packet is processed based on whether the ports through which the packet is transmitted are real or pseudo wire ports. The inbound and outbound port information is encoded using a predefined range of index values such that index values falling within one range of values are used for passing real port information, and index values falling within another range of values are used for passing pseudo wire port information. The index values are used in a manner that facilitates efficient performance of pseudowire processing for the packets in the switch fabric component of the packet forwarding device.

A switch is a packet-forwarding device, such as a bridge (layer 2 switch) or a router (layer 3 switch), that determines the destination of individual data packets (such as Ethernet frames) and selectively forwards them across a packet switched network (such as an IP or MPLS packet switched network) according to the best route to their destination. The best route is associated with one of a number of ports on the packet-forwarding device, which are the device's external interface to the network.
In a network that supports pseudo wire emulation, the ports on the packet-forwarding device may include both real ports and pseudo wire ports. Pseudo wires are used to emulate native wire-line services, such as Ethernet, over a packet switched network (see, Pseudo Wire Emulation Edge-to-Edge (PWE3) Architecture, RFC 3985, March 2005). In general, a real port refers to a physical port on the packet-forwarding device through which packets may be transmitted, such as an Ethernet port. A pseudo wire port refers to a virtual port associated with one or more pseudo wires through which packets may be transmitted.
Packets transmitted to and from a packet-forwarding device through a pseudo wire port generally travel through a tunnel across the packet-switched network; the packet-forwarding device itself may be unaware whether the packets transmitted through its ports are transmitted using real ports or pseudo wire ports.
In today's packet-forwarding devices, much of the packet forwarding is performed in the switch fabric. The switch fabric is a hardware component of the packet-forwarding device, and thus provides high-speed forwarding performance. The packets transmitted through the pseudo wire ports, however, typically require additional pseudo wire processing to provide proper forwarding, not all of which is capable of being performed in the switch fabric of a typical packet forwarding device. For example, the pseudo wire traffic may require special echo kill or load balancing processing. As a result, the additional pseudo wire processing is typically performed in software rather than in the switch fabric, which can impair the efficiency of the forwarding function of the packet forwarding device, especially when handling large volumes of packets transmitted through pseudo wire ports.

Pseudo wire processing in a packet forwarding device


Examples are disclosed for establishing a window for a queue structure maintained in a cache for a processing element for a network device. The processing element may be configured to operate in cooperation with an input/output device such as a network interface card. In some of these examples, the window may include portions of the queue structure having identifiers to active allocated buffers maintained in memory for the network device. The active allocated buffers may be configured to maintain or store data received or to be forwarded by the input/output device. For these examples, the window may be adjusted based on information gathered while the identifiers are read from or written to the portions of the queue structure.

An input/output (I/O) device may couple to a processing element on a host computing platform or network device such as a networked server. Typically, the I/O device may read information from or cause information to be written to a queue structure maintained in a cache for the processing element. The queue structure may be a circular queue or ring that includes entries or identifiers to a much larger memory for the host network device. The much larger memory may be a type of off-chip memory (as related to the processing element) such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or other types of volatile memory. Buffers associated with the identifiers may be maintained at the memory for the host network device. In some examples, these buffers may include data (e.g., payloads from data packets) received or forwarded by the I/O device.
The amount and rate of data received or forwarded by I/O devices (data throughput) has grown rapidly. Additionally, the number of processing elements coupled to a given I/O device has also grown with the deployment of multi-core processors and the use of virtual machines that may be implemented on one or more cores of these multi-core processors. In order to handle increasing data throughput needs as well increasing numbers of processing elements, the number of buffers utilized by I/O devices has also increased rapidly. The use of higher numbers of buffers requires more identifiers and thus the queue structures maintained in caches for processing elements are increasing in size to accommodate more identifiers.

Adaptive queuing of a cache for a processing element


An enclosure for an electric machine includes a housing defining an axial bore having an opening at a first end of the bore. The housing comprises a first wall having a first inboard surface partially defining the bore, and a first outboard surface spaced from the first inboard surface, the first wall defining a first coolant channel disposed between the first inboard and first outboard surface. An end cap is fastenable to the housing to cover the opening.

Electrical machinery, such as generators, motors, motor/generators, starter/generators, and other dynamoelectric machinery are well known and can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, generators can provide for the generation of electricity from a mechanical force.
An electrical machine can include a stator and a rotor. The rotor can be rotated relative to the stator to generate electrical energy or can be rotated relative to the stator because of changing magnetic fields induced in windings of the stator. The interaction of the rotating magnetic field in relation to the conductive windings generates a current in the stator windings, which can be provided to the power output of the generator, where it can be further transmitted to power an electrical load.
Typically, such rotatable electric machines are generally cylindrical, with the rotor and stator assemblies concentrically arranged within a cylindrical enclosure. The rotor can include a rotatable shaft that protrudes from at least one end of the enclosure. The housing typically comprises at least two elements: a cylindrical housing portion or "shell" defining a cavity to receive the rotor and stator concentrically therein through an opening at the end of the cavity, and a cover, or "end cap" fastened to an end of the cylindrical housing portion to cover the opening and enclose the rotor and stator. Most electric machines also include a second end cap attached to the opposing end of the cylindrical housing to cover an opening at the opposing end of the housing. At least one of the end caps will typically define a centrally disposed aperture, sized and arranged to receive the rotor shaft therethrough. Electric motors or generators typically generate heat during operation. Consequently, an electric machine needs to be cooled to ensure efficient operation of machine. Conventional electrical machines can be liquid or air cooled

Apparatus and method for cooling an electrical machine


In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides an X-ray source. The X-ray source includes a field emitter array having a plurality of field emitter elements disposed in a vacuum chamber and configured to emit electrons in the vacuum chamber towards an anode assembly. The X-ray source also includes an anode disposed in the vacuum chamber for receiving the electrons emitted by the field emitter array and configured to thereby generate X-ray radiation. The X-ray source further includes a source of cleaning gas coupled to the vacuum chamber, wherein the source of cleaning gas is configured to provide the cleaning gas to the vacuum chamber towards the field emitter array to reduce deposition of contaminants on or to clean contaminates from the field emitter array.

The present invention relates generally to generating X-rays, and specifically to an improved method and system for generating X-rays using a field emitter X-ray source.
X-ray systems are generally utilized in various applications, such as for imaging in the medical and non-medical fields. For example, X-ray systems, such as radiographic systems, computed tomography (CT) systems, and tomosynthesis systems, are used to create images or views of tissues of a patient based on the attenuation of X-ray beams passing through the patient. X-ray systems and sources may also be utilized to in non-medical applications, such as detecting minute flaws in equipment or structures, and scanning baggage, crystallography, to mention only a few.
Typically, a X-ray system includes an X-ray source that generates X-ray beams that are directed towards a detector or film. Conventional X-ray tubes generate a beam of X-rays by bombarding a rotating anode with a stream of electrons in vacuum tube. More recent developments have provided a design in which an electron source, such as an array of field emitters, and an anode assembly, are housed inside an evacuated tube. The field emitters include sharp tips that are subjected to high electric currents to emit electrons by a phenomenon called field emission. The electrons thus emitted, travel across an open space at very high speeds and collide with the anode assembly to produce the X-ray beams.
In field emitter X-ray sources, the tips of the field emitters can become degraded by deposition of oxides and other contaminations. A low level of contamination in field emitters may be tolerated in applications such as flat panel displays. However, these contaminations can significantly affect the performance of the field emitters that are subjected to very high electric currents in applications such as X-ray systems.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved field emitter X-ray source for generating X-rays. There is a particular need in the art for techniques that will limit or correct the deposition of contaminates in field emitter arrays, thereby permitting the arrays to be more effective over a longer useful life.

Field emitter X-ray source and system and method thereof


A method performed by a conversation manager in a communications network includes establishing a multimedia conversation between a first device associated with a first user and at least one endpoint associated with at least one other user, the multimedia conversation comprising at least two different media types according to respective and different protocol types. The method further includes receiving an instruction to transfer the conversation from the first device of the first user to a second device, adding the second device to the multimedia conversation by establishing connections for the at least two different media types to the second device, and removing the first device from the multimedia conversation by removing connections for the at least two media types to the first device.

The present disclosure relates generally to communication management, and more particularly to methods and systems for transferring communications between devices.
People often communicate using various types of media. For example, people may engage in voice communication over the phone, whether by a landline, mobile phone, or voice over internet protocol (VOIP) applications. Additionally, users may use email and instant messaging applications. Other methods such as video conferencing and document sharing technologies are available as well.
In general, when one user is communicating with another user using one type of media and desires to use a second type of media, the user has to manually connect or set up a connection with the new media. For example, if a user is on a phone call with another user and desires to share his or her computer desktop with the other user, the user has to manually set up the desktop sharing with the other user. This typically involves sending a link via email to the other user. Additionally, a user may wish to change devices during a communication session.
Managing multiple applications and media types can often be a daunting task for a user. This can have an adverse effect on productivity. Additionally, this may be a source of frustration for a user. Thus, it is desirable to provide methods and systems that provide a better user experience for various communication applications.


The structure has a panel provided with a number of openings arranged in parallel rows and columns. Each opening may be opened and closed by a flap. A corner of each flap is removed so that a part of each opening remains open when the flap is closed. A completed crossword puzzle is held stationary beneath the upper panel. Each square of the puzzle displays either a letter or a blank. The square also displays in one of its corners an indication of what the remainder of the square displays whether a letter or a blank. Each square is visible through a respective opening when the flap which is closed by the opening is open and when the flap is closed the letter or blank within the square is hidden but the indication within the square is visible through the open part of the opening.

This invention relates to a crossword puzzle game and more particularly to a competitive crossword puzzle game which is played by two or more players.
Crossword puzzles may be played by one or more players and if there is more than one, they usually cooperate with each other in solving the puzzles. Seldom do the players compete with each other. Recently however games have been devised for the playing of crossword puzzles competitively. Examples of such games are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,106,773 to Coefield and No. 4,850,595 to Sherman et al.
Known games intended for competitive play have a number of shortcomings. Some such as the puzzle described in Sherman et al. introduce the element of chance into the game. Many players of crossword puzzles consider, however, that chance is not an appropriate element in a game whose primary object is to challenge the players' intellect. Others such as the puzzle described in Coefield display a crossword puzzle in blank and the players take turns in filling in the puzzle. If a word is challenged it is verified by reference to the completed puzzle. The player who verifies the word may, in looking at the word in question, inadvertently look at other words as well. If he does of course there is little point in continuing to play.
The game of crossword puzzle of the present invention obviates many of the shortcomings of known games. For example, chance plays little part in the playing of the game. As well only one word at a time is uncovered as the game is played. That word is the one being sought and no other so that the possibility of the players inadvertently seeing other words is minimized.


A data shuffler of the pipeline type receives successive trains of n sequential data words and rearranges data words in each train according to a predetermined order. It comprises p (p.ltoreq.n) elementary processing units arranged in series. Each unit comprises an input, an output, a one-word storage register (20), a steering means (21) in order, in response to a binary control, to connect the input to the output either directly or through the register; and means for periodically supplying to each of the p steering means a sequence of n control bits determined as a function of said predetermined order.

The present invention relates to a data shuffler, that is, a circuit receiving a train of data and supplying at the output the same data arranged in a different and predetermined order.
Numerous applications, especially in the field of picture processing, require the use of operators or circuits capable of changing the order of a series of data according to a predetermined sequence.
An example of such an application is the calculation of the two-dimensional transform, such as discrete cosine transform, of an image block in a TV image where this shuffling problem occurs several times:
data shuffling for calculating the monodimensional transform,
matrix transposition,
conversion of the coefficient matrix scanning into a zigzag scanning.
Another application is the ciphering of a video signal through pixel mixing.
Hereinafter the state of the art and the invention will be described in the particular case it is desired to carry out zigzag scanning of a data block. However, it will be noted that it is only a specific case of the invention which is described in detail to make the invention better understood.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a zigzag scanning process. Considering a series of data, for example 16 data such as shown in FIG. 1A in the form of a 4.times.4 image block, zigzag scanning consists in reading those data according to successive diagonals, that is, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, in the following order: EQU 1, 2, 5, 9, 6, 3, 4, 7, 10, 13, 14, 11, 8, 12, 15, 16.
The most conventional method for carrying out such a data shuffling consists in using a circuit of the type illustrated in FIG. 2. This circuit comprises two random access memories (RAM) M1 and M2 each of which having the size of the train or block of data that it is desired to shuffle. Each of those memories is addressable either in the natural order of FIG. 1A through a counter C or in the order corresponding to a stored sequence in a ROM 10, the content of which corresponds to the drawing of FIG. 1B for a zigzag scanning.
Each train or block of data arriving on an input 11 is written in one of the memories according to natural order while the other memory is read according to zigzag order towards an output 12. During the next step, the data are entered in the memory which has just been read while the memory in which the data have just been written is read.
This method requires a memory capacity of two data trains or blocks in the RAMs M1 and M2 and a sequence of address words in ROM 10.
By way of example, considering 4.times.4 blocks and 12bits words, the memory capacity of the RAMs will have to be 32 words of 12 bits (384 bits) and the memory capacity of ROM 10 will be 16 words of 4 bits (64 bits), that is, a total memory capacity of 448 bits.
In case of 64-words blocks (8.times.8), it is necessary to provide for a RAM of 128 (2.times.64) words of 12 bits (1536 bits) and a ROM having a capacity of 64 words of 6 bits (384 bits), that is, a total memory capacity of 1920 bits.
In order to reduce the required memory capacity, it has been devised to use the simplified diagram illustrated in FIG. 3 comprising one RAM memory MO, the memory capacity of which is equal to the size of the incoming data block, that it is desired to transform, receiving the data trains on an input 11 and supplying them in a determined order on an output 12. This memory MO is addressed by a ROM 13 controlled by a counter C.
Initially, memory MO is filled with the first block of data normally arranged according to the order from 1 to 16. For the next data block, the ROM determines the addressing according to a determined order. Each time a datum is read at a specified address, a datum from the incoming train is simultaneously written at the place that has just been read. This architecture permits to divide by two the RAM memory capacity and to simplify the address circuits since the reading/writing operations are sequentially carried out in the same case without readdressing. However, it is necessary to provide for an increased capacity of ROM 13 for supplying the sequential addresses required for processing the successive data blocks. This structure has been used when the data shuffling corresponds to a matrix transposition (symmetry with respect to a diagonal). Indeed, this operation is involutive, that is, after two transpositions the initial order occurs again. Therefore, it is only necessary to store one address sequence in ROM 13.
But, the operation is more complex in case of zigzag scanning as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4F for 4.times.4 data blocks. The first address sequence, corresponding to natural order, is illustrated in FIG. 4A. The next address sequence is illustrated in FIG. 4B where it can be appreciated that the third address corresponds to case 5 and the fourth one to case 9. The table of FIG. 4B is obtained by following the arrows represented in FIG. 4A. For the next data block, following the same zigzag sequence as the one which permits to pass from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B and by applying this sequence to FIG. 4B, it can be seen that the successive order will be 1, 2, 6, 10 . . . (FIG. 4C). One similarly passes from each figure to the next one. Considering FIG. 4F, it will be seen that by applying a zigzag scanning to the data that are stored therein, the natural sequence of FIG. 4A is obtained again. Therefore, it is necessary to provide for six address cycles in the ROM to be able to convert again, according to a zigzag order, the successive data trains.
Considering the same digital data as above, for 4.times.4 blocks of 12-bits data, it will therefore be necessary to provide for a 16-words RAM capacity of 12 bits (192 bits) and a 4-bits ROM capacity of 6.times.16 address words (384 bits), that is, a total memory capacity of 576 bits.
In case of a zigzag scanning of 8.times.8 blocks, it will be necessary to carry out one after the other 136 different sequences before obtaining again the initial sequence which requires a storage ROM of 8704 (136.times.64) 6-bits words, that is, 51 kbits, to which are to be added the 64 words of 12 bits of the RAM. Therefore, it is clear, that in this case the initial two-RAMs approach such as illustrated in FIG. 2 is far more economical than the one-RAM approach such as illustrated in FIG. 3.
Moreover, in the very schematic FIGS. 2 and 3, various decoders, which are necessarily associated with the storage ROM and are not represented, also necessitate a non negligible silicon surface area.
Another drawback of the prior art data shufflers is that the manufacture of memory structures is unavoidably delicate and involves to provide for sorting and testing steps to check that none of the memory points is faulty.
A further drawbacks of the prior art structures is that the process for using the described shufflers requires initial filling of a full memory block. Therefore, the latency time is equal to the duration of the initial filling of a complete memory, that is, to the duration for introducing all the words of a data train.
An object of the invention is to provide for a data shuffler palliating the drawbacks of the two above prior art circuits and more specifically:
decreasing the necessary silicon surface,
increasing the reliability of the system,
reducing latency time.

System for rearranging sequential data words from an initial order to an arrival order in a predetermined order


A collapsible bicycle stand that is supported in the upright position when in use. The stand includes a telescopeable and length-adjustable post. The post is extended when the stand is in use, and shortened when the stand is not in use. Support arms are located at the upper end of the post. The support arms are pivotally rotatable between a bicycle holding or retaining position, when the stand is in use, and a parallel position with respect to the post, when the stand is not in use. At least a pair of legs are connected to the bottom portion of the post. These legs are pivotally movable between a first position where the legs are opened in opposite directions with respect to the post, and parallel with respect to the floor when the stand is in use, and a second position where the legs are folded in parallel with respect to the post, when the stand is not in use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a bicycle stand. More particularly, it relates to a collapsible bicycle stand for supporting a bicycle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, participating in bicycle racing as a hobby is gaining wide popularity. Therefore, it is the trend to design multi-functional high quality bicycles. In bicycle shops, display stands are used for displaying bicycles for emphasizing their aesthetic appearance. Furthermore, these display stands could be used to perform maintenance works on the bicycles. Many hobby type (specialized) bicycles are no longer provided with self-stands. Bicycle stands can also be used as a temporary parking device when the bicycle is stored.
Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. 2-78483 discloses a stand of this type for bicycle maintenance as illustrated in FIG. 12. A pair of legs 80 are pivotally connected to each other at the middle portions thereof, and are closed when the stand is not in use. Therefore, the stand can be stored in narrow spaces. The pair of legs 80 are opened to form an X-configuration, in order to support a bicycle 90, when the stand is in use. The bicycle 90 is elevated in order to perform maintenance works. Therefore, the legs 80 are relatively long, and do not become more compact lengthwise. Consequently, it is inconvenient to carry the stand even when the legs 80 are closed. Furthermore, when maintenance is performed on the bicycle 90, a fork blade 91 and a crank axle 92 are captured by corresponding top portions of the legs 80. In order to perform maintenance, the front wheel of the bicycle 90 should be removed. Thus, maintenance becomes rather complicated.
To overcome this shortcoming, a bicycle work stand has been proposed, as illustrated in FIG. 13. This work stand has tripod legs 86 which are connected to the lower portion of a post 85. The legs 86 can be folded for easy transport when the stand is not in use. When the stand is in use, the legs 86 are opened to support a down tube of the bicycle by supporting means disposed at the upper end of a post 85. Therefore, this work stand is compact and transportable. Furthermore, the stand permits to support the bicycle without taking its front wheel off for easy mounting.
On the contrary, in the stand described above, the lower end portion of the post 85 is supported by the tripod legs well above the floor level. Therefore, the stand is rather unstable and is not suitable for long term displays.


A system includes participant nodes that unicast a voice stream to a master node and receive a multicast voice stream from the master node. The multicast voice stream may be a mixed voice stream mixing the voice streams of the participants. In this case, each participant performs echo cancellation on the multicast voice stream. Alternatively, the multicast voice stream may be a multiplexed voice stream multiplexing the voice streams of all participants. In this case, each participant de-multiplexes the multicast voice stream and generates a mixed voice stream that does not include that participant. Alternatively, the multicast voice stream received by each participant may be a multiplexed digital voice stream multiplexing multiple mixed streams including one mixed stream that does not include the voice stream of that participant. In this case, each participant de-multiplexes the multicast voice stream to obtain the mixed stream that does not include that participant.

The present disclosure relates generally to conferencing, and more particularly, to systems and methods for audio conferencing over a network.
A conference call between multiple parties may be established by using voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) where appropriate hardware and software is utilized to use the Internet as a communication medium for sending and receiving voice data packets for a VOIP conference call.

Systems and methods for echo management in conferencing over a network using multiplexed mixed multicast


A method of supplying a treating solution based on a prestored processing program with a plurality of instructions including a supply start instruction and a supply stop instruction for performing a series of processes. The method includes the steps of executing the supply start instruction to supply the treating solution to a central region of a substrate, executing the supply stop instruction to stop supplying the treating solution when the treating solution has been supplied in a fixed quantity/and executing subsequent instructions in the processing program in response to an actual stoppage in delivering the treating solution following execution of the supply stop instruction.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for supplying a treating solution such as photoresist or developer to substrates such as semiconductor wafers, glass substrates for photomasks, glass substrates for liquid crystal displays or glass substrates for optical disks (hereinafter referred to simply as substrates or as wafers). More particularly, the invention relates to a technique of treating the surface of each substrate by supplying a treating solution in a predetermined fixed quantity thereto based on a prestored processing program with a plurality of instructions including a supply start instruction and a supply stop instruction for performing a series of processes.
(2) Description of the Related Art
A conventional treating solution supplying method of the type noted above will be described with reference to a time chart shown FIG. 1.
This time chart corresponds to a processing program (also called a spin coat program or recipe) prepared beforehand in accordance with a desired film thickness and the like. At a point of time T.sub.S at which a substrate remains still, for example, a supply start instruction is executed to start supplying a photoresist solution as a treating solution. At a point of time T.sub.E when a predetermined supplying period T.sub.SU elapses, a supply stop instruction is executed to stop supplying the photoresist solution. The above method in which the photoresist supply is started and stopped while the substrate is maintained still is hereinafter called the "static method".
At a point of time ti which is a predetermined period after stopping the photoresist supply to the substrate as noted above, the substrate is spun with an acceleration to a first rotational frequency R1 (e.g. 900 rpm). The spin at the first rotational frequency R1 is maintained for a predetermined period whereby the photoresist solution is spread substantially over the entire surface of the substrate. Next, the substrate is spun at a second rotational frequency R2 (e.g. 3,000 rpm) higher than the first rotational frequency R1 for a predetermined period. Consequently, the photoresist solution is spread completely over the entire surface of the substrate, and a superfluous part of the photoresist solution is dispelled, thereby forming a photoresist film of desired thickness uniformly over the entire surface of the substrate.
A mechanism for supplying the photoresist solution, e.g. a pump for feeding the photoresist solution to a nozzle, usually includes a filter disposed at an output side thereof. This filter is provided primarily for the purpose of protecting substrates from contamination when impurities are contained in the photoresist solution. However, an increasing pressure loss occurs across the filter as its mesh becomes clogged through use, for example. Such an increasing pressure loss results in a reduced flow velocity of the photoresist solution supplied. Then, even if the pump is driven for the predetermined supplying period T.sub.SU to supply the photoresist solution as noted above, the photoresist solution is supplied during the supplying period T.sub.SU in a quantity less than what is intended. Inconveniences are encountered where, as days go by, substrate treatment based on the processing program fails to form films of uniform thickness or of desired thickness.
There has been an ever-intensifying movement recently, with a view to a reduction in the cost of manufacturing semiconductor devices, environmental protection and so on, to limit to a necessity minimum the supply of photoresist solution which was formerly was supplied in a lavish way, thereby to minimize the quantity of photoresist solution dispelled and discarded (the movement being called resist saving also). Such resist saving could give rise to the worst situation where the surface of a substrate is not fully covered by the photoresist solution supplied in a reduced quantity.
The following method has been proposed to solve the problem experienced with the above method based on supplying the photoresist solution at a fixed flow velocity.
That is, the quantity of photoresist solution fed by the pump is controlled to supply the photoresist solution constantly in a predetermined quantity. By controlling the quantity of supply in place of the control based on the photoresist supplying period, the photoresist solution may be supplied in the predetermined quantity to the substrate despite an increased pressure loss. Thus, the photoresist solution may be supplied in a predetermined fixed quantity over a long period of time, to avoid the inconvenience due to energy saving noted above.
However, this conventional method has the following drawback.
The photoresist supply is started at the point of time T.sub.S for executing the supply start instruction, and stopped at the point of time T.sub.E for executing the supply stop instruction when the photoresist solution has been supplied in a predetermined fixed quantity. The supplying period T.sub.SU between these instructions becomes extended due to pressure loss increases occurring with passage of some days. This results in shortening of the intended period from the point of time T.sub.E for stopping the photoresist supply on the supply stop instruction to the point of time ti for starting a substrate spin. In an extreme case, the supply period is extended to a period (T.sub.SU1) as indicated in a dotted line in FIG. 1, so that the photoresist supply is stopped after the substrate is started spinning. This is contrary to the intended processing method, i.e. the "static method", in which the photoresist supply should be completed while the substrate remains still prior to a spin.
The processing program is prepared through experiment using dummy substrates with the same surface condition as product substrates. The experiment is repeated by varying conditions such as timing of starting and stopping the photoresist supply, rotational frequencies R1 and R2, and the periods for maintaining the rotational frequencies R1 and R2. The program is based on optimal conditions found through the experiment to form films of desired thickness, and that uniformly over the entire surface of each substrate. Thus, in the event of any mistiming, the substrate is treated in a way deviating from the optimum conditions set by the program.
Methods of supplying the photoresist solution other than the above "static method" include a method in which the supply start instruction is executed while the substrate is spun at the first rotational frequency R1, and the supply stop instruction is executed to complete the supply when the photoresist solution has been supplied in a fixed quantity (which is hereinafter called the "dynamic method"), and a method in which the supply start instruction is executed while the substrate remains still, and the supply stop instruction is executed, when the photoresist solution has been supplied in a fixed quantity, to complete the supply after the substrate is spun with an acceleration to the first rotational frequency R1. The latter is a combination of the "static method" and "dynamic method", and will be called "stamic method" hereinfter.
In the "dynamic method" and "stamic method", an extended supplying period results in shortening of the period between the point of time for stopping the photoresist supply and the point of time for starting to accelerate the spin to the second rotational frequency R2. Thus, as in the "static method", the substrate is treated in a way deviating from the optimum conditions.

Treating solution supplying method and apparatus


The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heat transfer device, particularly a heat transfer device for cooling electronic components, having a metal plate and a plurality of cylindrical metal pins which are packed relatively densely on the plate and extend perpendicularly therefrom. The inventive method comprises the steps of cleaning the plate (1) and the pins (2) and treating the same with fluxing agent; loading the pins (2) into a pin holding device (4, 7) and affixing the pins by means of said device in mutually radial positions and holding the pins at an axial distance above the plate (1). Solder material (13) is applied to the plate (1) and caused to melt. The pins (2) are then lowered simultaneously down into the molten solder (13) and the solder is caused to solidify while maintaining the pins (2) in their fixed radial positions, whereafter the holder device (4, 7) is removed. The invention also relates to a tool in the form of a holding device intended for use in the manufacture of a heat transfer device and for carrying out the method.

Many electronic components become hot due to the power losses that occur during the electric function of said components. This is the case, for instance, with terminal stage transistors for radio transmitters. The useful life of the components decreases rapidly at elevated temperatures. It is therefore essential to conduct heat away from the components in an effective manner, particularly in the case of the electronic components in equipment where a long useful life is desired, such as telecommunication equipment, for instance. A normal manner of effecting such heat transport is to conduct the heat away from the active element, for instance a transistor chip, through a transfer element which is joined to a device in which heat is transferred to air passing therethrough. Both the efficiency of the thermal conduction from the active element to the heat transfer element and the transfer of heat to the cooling air has direct significance on the temperature difference between the active element and the cooling air.
The following parameters are significant when optimizing air-cooled heat transfer devices: The pronounced or large temperature difference shall prevail between the heat transfer surfaces of said device and the cooling air; the cooling air shall move at a high speed; the heat transfer surfaces shall be large; and the boundary layer shall have a small thickness. By boundary layer is meant here the air layer which lies nearest the heat transfer surface where a gradient of temperature and air velocity prevails.
Those heat transfer devices normally used for cooling electronic components are often of the flanged type which are manufactured by casting, injection moulding, rolling or milling processes. Other known heat transfer devices have the form of corrugated metal sheet. One particular heat transfer device has the form of a cast or moulded device comprising cylindrical pins which extend perpendicularly to a main surface of a pin-carrying plate.
Cylindrical pins which are flushed with cooling air have been found to provide highly effective heat transfer devices, due to a combination of favourable material areas perpendicular to the heat flow in the axial direction of the pins and thin boundary layers alternating with turbulence. One problem is that this design principle often cannot be optimized when practicing the aforesaid manufacturing methods. The combination of pins having a diameter and a pitch which is optimal from a thermal aspect is impossible to manufacture by casting or moulding techniques. In addition to the purely physical requirements, there is often a requirement for low manufacturing costs. Milling constitutes a problem in this regard, because manufacture of the device will then take a relatively long time to complete.
The optimal configuration in this regard, is dependent on the size of the active element and on the pressure and flow rate of the air source used. In one example, where two transistors develop 125 W heat in total, there was used a fan which generated 0.8 m.sup.3 /min. and 200 Pa, wherewith an effective heat transfer was obtained with pins having a diameter of 3 mm, a length of 24 mm, and a pitch or centre-to-centre arrangement of 5 mm. The pins were mounted perpendicularly to one main surface of a plate having a thickness of 4 mm with said surface measuring 83.times.33 mm and thus accommodating 119 cylinders. This configuration cannot be cast, injection moulded, rolled, milled or forged.
The material from which the heat transfer device is made shall have the highest possible thermal conductivity, since this will enable the device to be given smaller dimensions than would otherwise be possible, which in turn results in shorter conduction paths and smaller temperature differences. The cast aluminium alloys usually used have about 150 W/m.degree. C., pure aluminium about 200 W/m.degree. C., and copper and silver about 400 W/m.degree. C. Pure copper can therefore be used advantageously for the manufacture of compact heat transfer devices, but is still more discriminating in the choice of manufacturing methods.
When soldering cylindrical copper pins to a copper plate, the distribution of the solder, among other things, creates a problem. Due to the high thermal conductivity of copper, a pin cannot be soldered to the copper plate without melting adjacent pins. This means that the solder joint alone cannot be used as a fixation means when soldering one pin at a time. If several pins are to be soldered in position simultaneously and these pins are held in position on the copper plate by means of a jig or like fixture, the solder will first melt and wet a given part of said surface. This area of the plate and the pins first wetted by the solder will then suck solder from the surroundings and the solder will rise up between the relatively densely packed pins as a result of capillary action. This means that the solder layers will have greatly varying thicknesses, which presents a problem.

Method of manufacturing heat transfer devices, and a tool for carrying out the method


A wheelchair braking device (10) adapted to automatically engage when the wheelchair (12) to which the device (10) is mounted is unoccupied. The braking device (10) includes a support structure (28) to which is pivotably mounted a sensing lever (14) and a braking lever (22). A biasing element (30) is coupled to the braking lever (22) to bias the braking lever (22) in a first rotational direction relative to the support structure (28) and into engagement with a wheel (32) of the wheelchair (12). The sensing and braking levers (14, 22) are interconnected such that the biasing element (30) operates through the braking lever (22) to bias the sensing lever (14) in a second rotational direction relative to the support structure (28), corresponding to a brake engagement position for the sensing lever (14). As such, the interconnection between the sensing and braking levers (14, 22) causes the braking lever (22) to rotate in a direction opposite to the first rotational direction, thereby disengaging the braking lever (22) from the wheel (32), when the sensing lever (14) is caused to rotate in a direction opposite to the second rotational direction, corresponding to a brake disengagement position for the sensing lever (14). The braking device (10) may further include a hand lever (20) that is interconnected with the sensing lever (14), such that the hand lever (20) is operable to pivot the sensing lever (14) from the engagement position to the disengagement position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to braking devices for wheelchairs and similar vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to wheelchair braking device having an uncomplicated construction that can be installed on conventional wheelchairs, and which provides a braking action that automatically disengages when an occupant is seated in the wheelchair.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Wheelchairs are generally equipped with a brake mechanism to enable the user to more safely enter and leave the seat of the wheelchair. Conventional braking mechanisms typically consist of a pair of levers, each engaging the exterior of one of the larger wheels of the wheelchair. To immobilize the wheelchair, the levers must be manually operated to engage the wheels. While such brake mechanisms are reliable, the operator or user of a wheelchair may forget to engage the lever prior to entering or leaving the seat. If the wheelchair is not properly immobilized by the brake, there is a significantly increased risk of the user falling while trying to stabilize him or herself when entering or leaving the wheelchair.
In response, the prior art has suggested various automatic braking systems for wheelchairs. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,529,700 to Marshall, 4,320,818 to Knoche, 4,623,043 to Babilas, and 5,203,433 to Dugas teach mechanical braking systems that automatically engage when the user rises off the wheelchair seat. Unfortunately, these braking mechanisms are relatively complicated, requiring a complicated mechanical camming system that can be retrofitted to conventional wheelchairs, e.g., Babilas, or requiring considerable modification to the wheelchair itself, e.g., Marshall, Knoche and Dugas. Other braking systems suggested by the prior art have relied on the use of solenoids to engage and disengage a braking lever or pin. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,266 to Roth et al. discloses a solenoid that operates a bistable braking lever between an engaged and disengaged position, with a large spring acting on the lever to produce the bistable operation. However, the solenoid must be sufficiently powerful to overcome the spring force, such that the solenoid and the battery required to energize the solenoid contribute significantly to the cost of the wheelchair.
From the above, it can be seen that it would be desirable if an automatic braking mechanism were available for wheelchairs, wherein the braking mechanism has a relatively uncomplicated and inexpensive construction, and can be readily mounted to a contentional wheelchair without interfering with the operation of the wheelchair.


An online computer support system uses simultaneous and alternating transfer of different data types including voice, image, video, and other digital information. This allows a customer service representative and a user having a computer problem to communicate more effectively and solve the problem. The customer service representative can provide prepared tutorials or information to the customer in the form of text, diagrams, and video with synchronized sound. Software at the user computer side automatically interrogates the user computer to determine information about hardware and software components needed to solve problems the user is having. Information, such as the serial number, is programmed into non-volatile memory at the factory for reading during, or at the beginning of, an online support session. The customer service representative can control the user's computer remotely. Software agents are used to perform specific functions. A data base, indexed by information obtained from the user's computer, tracks warranty, support history, and other information. A preventive maintenance function detects components having sporadic problems before they fail as well as flags components as they approach the end of their predicted life spans.

The popularity of personal computers has made service and support for such computers critical to ensure consumers' efficient use of the computers. Further, because computer designs are so similar, service and support programs also serve to differentiate different manufacturers of the computers. A superior service and support program may well be the difference between mediocre and superior personal computer sales.
However, even though a good service and support-system is important to a computer manufacturer, such a program is difficult and expensive to maintain because of the complexity of today's computer systems and related components, the lack of technical expertise at the user end and the difficulty of solving technical computer problems from a remote location. Part of the difficulty also arises from the "open architecture" of a typical personal computer. Such an open architecture allows many different manufacturers to produce hardware components and software applications for a consumer's personal computer. The combination of specific hardware and software residing on, or operating within, a computer system is referred to as the particular "configuration" of that computer system. Because several different hardware and software manufacturers contribute to any particular configuration, it is difficult for a single manufacturer to provide adequate support for all of the components in the configuration. Also, a given configuration will likely change every few months, or so, as the user purchases new or upgraded hardware and software components.
Despite the difficulty in providing a single source of support for a user's configuration, the user has a very strong expectation of being able to go to the original equipment manufacturer (known as an "OEM," i.e., the manufacturer or assembler of the basic computer components initially shipped together as a "system," typically including the motherboard and housing, hard disk, monitor, operating system software, and bundled applications) for solutions to any problems that the user experiences with the configuration. The user is disappointed if such a service is not provided.
Today's typical support programs allow a user to contact a Customer Service Center staffed and run by the OEM of the user's computer. The contact is usually by telephone. Often the user can use the Internet, modem, or other means to obtain digital information or components such as an updated "patch" to fix a software problem, or instructional text on how to solve a problem.
However, these methods of communication and information access provided by a typical support program do not provide adequate help to the user for various reasons.
One reason that traditional support methods fall short is that in order to diagnose properly a user's computer system problems, a customer service representative in a remote location needs to obtain detailed and accurate information about the user's configuration. Often this is complicated because there is no standard way for hardware or software component manufacturers to identify products, to describe them, or to implement product interfaces.
Also, a personal computer user is generally not a technical person. In this respect, it is difficult for the customer service representative at a remote location to obtain the proper information from the user, or to get the user to perform tasks on the computer system that are necessary in order to fix a problem with the computer. Even if the user is technically trained, it is often difficult to communicate adequately with the user over standard communication devices such as the telephone, fax machine, mail correspondence, etc. Yet other problems exist with typical online service and support practices today. For example, companies will often provide "patches" on the Internet or World Wide Web (WWW or WEB) which the user must download and install in order to fix problems on the computer. This process is often time consuming and is usually handled by having the user end the conversation with the customer service representative, perform the download, install the patch, test out the software, and call the customer service representative back, if necessary. Because Customer Service Centers are notoriously overloaded, obtaining another session with a customer service representative may be frustrating and may require a considerable amount of time.
Thus, it is desirable to provide an online service and support system for improved support, diagnosis, and servicing of remotely located personal computers.

Online simultaneous/altering-audio/video/voice data based service and support for computer systems


Water release valve for a compressed air system. It has a service connection for attachment to a low point of the compressed air system. The valve has a body which has an internal space, part of which is a cylindrical bore. It also has a pilot connection for attachment of a pilot pressure obtained from the compressed air system, and the valve has an exhaust port for releasing air and water from the system. It has one or more pistons placed in the cylindrical bore. At least one of the pistons has a position determined by the pilot pressure. The piston closest to the service end may be placed in two different positions. In one of the positions, it closes the flowpath from the service connection to the exhaust. In the second position, it opens the flowpath.

When air is drawn into an air compressor, all the constituent gases and vapors in the ambient atmosphere are drawn into the compressor in the same proportion as the proportions in the ambient atmosphere. For example, if a compressed air system provides air at a gage pressure of 102.9 psi, and the ambient atmosphere has an absolute pressure of 14.7 psi, the absolute pressure has increased by a factor of eight. Vapors in the atmosphere, notably water vapor, which may be at a partial pressure below the dew point at the temperature of the ambient atmosphere, are compressed to a partial pressure which is increased eightfold, and may greatly exceed the dewpoint for air at the temperatures in the compressed air system. Hence, the vapors, notably water vapor, condense in the compressed air system, causing water to collect at low points in the system.
Water has a density vastly greater than does air, and hence acts very differently from air when it flows through valves, flow conduits, and orifices of a compressed air system. Indeed, it a mixture of water and air flow through an orifice or valve, the air may drive masses of water at a high speed, which act like bullets, causing noise and damaging the system. Also, if an air cylinder used for cushioning a force becomes filled with water, it becomes rock hard and does not provide the required cushioning.
Hence, compressed air systems generally have water release valves which are opened occasionally to eject water, or a mixture of water and air. An example of a prior art valve is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,724 entitled "Automatic Wet Tank Drain Valve". This valve is activated by electrical or mechanical means. Other drain valves are operated manually.
Automatic valves of the prior art are generally not very satisfactory. For example, some of them, after being opened, permit a major loss of pressure from the compressed air system before closing. For example, such valves may lose as much as 20% of their pressure after a valve is opened, and before it closes.


A PC (10) comprises a PC housing (14) containing conventional PC architecture including a motherboard having a processor and associated peripheral circuitry, a hard disc and external disc inputs (16, 18). A display assembly (12) comprising a housing and a flat screen display is pivotally mounted to the front edge of the PC housing (14) and the flat screen display is mounted on the outer face of the flat screen housing.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to computer displays, and in particular to foldable displays such as are used, for example, in laptop PCS.
2. The Background Art
A laptop PC is intended to be used by a single person operating a keyboard or other input device which is integral within the laptop and using a hinged display. The display is located on the inside of the display and is usually an LCD type display. As laptops are intended to be carried around, the location of the display protects it from accidental damage.
The display arrangement is less convenient when the display is to be viewed by a number of people or the laptop is intended for uses other than by a particular user, for example, it would be very difficult to wall mount a laptop, say in an information centre as the display would be hard to see. Even if the display hinge could be rotated through 180xc2x0, the footprint of the laptop would be twice the footprint when it is closed.
The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of laptop displays and to provide displays which are more suitable for retail and hospitality environments as well as a variety of other environments in which the computer is intended to be used by a variety of different people.
The invention in its broadest form resides in a display which is mounted to a main body in which the display screen is on the outer face of the display such that when the display is folded to a flat position the display is still visible.
More particularly there is provided a PC computer comprising a PC housing having mounted therein a processor and associated peripherals; and a display housing having a display immovable with respect thereto, the display housing being pivotally mounted substantially at its lower edge to a fixed point on the PC housing substantially along one axis of the PC housing and movable between a first position generally parallel to the PC housing and a second position angled with respect to the PC housing, the display housing having an inner face opposite the PC housing in the first position and an outer face, the display being mounted on the outer face.
The invention has the advantage that the computer may be used in environments where it is desirable for a number of people to see a display. For example, in a flat configuration, the PC may be wall mounted. It is preferred that the display is a TFT touch screen display which is particularly advantageous in a wall mounted environment.
Preferably, the main body PC housing has an angled rear face with a second display housing mounted thereon. The display is also mounted on the outer face of the second display housing and is preferably a TFT touch screen display.


A slab handling device for facilitating movement of slabs around a facility is presented. The slab handling device includes a base frame disposed horizontally in parallel to a floor surface, wherein a first end of the base frame comprises a projection extending from the base frame. The base frame hosts a second frame disposed vertically on the base frame to form a viewing side and a stacking side. Pluralities of side wheels are coupled to the base frame, wherein the diameter of the plurality of track wheels is greater than the diameter of the plurality of side wheels. A first set of end stoppers are disposed on the base frame and configured to hold a slab in position on the viewing side and a second set of end stoppers are disposed on the base frame and configured to hold multiple slabs in place on the stacking side.

Transporting slabs of heavy material presents particular challenge given the weight, size, and potential for breakage of hard material configured as a slab. A variety of devices are available to assist in handling and transporting large slabs of marble, granite, glass, or otherwise flat, hard, and heavy objects. A stone slab may be transported between cutting area finishing area, staging area and worksite using devices such as a wheeled cart or any other like means. However, unique problems arise when handling stone slabs due to their sheer size and weight The large and unwieldy nature of a typical slab gives rise to additional during maneuvers such as ascending inclines, negotiating corners and the like.
Stone slabs are generally supported in an upright position during transport in order to prevent breakage and to allow a proper fit through restricted spaces. In addition, breakage is more likely when a slab is carried flat, not only due to increased probability of contact with obstacles but because of the inherent weakness of a slab in the cross sectional (horizontal) direction. Although the upright position is most suitable for slab transport, the slightest tipping or urging in a lateral direction must be avoided.
Currently, carts exist that assist in dealing with the sheer weight of a stone slab. Maneuvering the stone slab over worksite obstacles while maintaining upright stability may still be problematic for such carts. Some carts, in order to handle the sheer Weight of the heaviest slab likely to be encountered are typically constructed with small diameter metal wheels. Other carts are limited by their fixed physical configuration which arises in an effort to accommodate slabs of different sizes.
In addition to the handling and transportation limitations as mentioned above, there are certain other disadvantages faced by the stone slab handling facilities such as, retrieving a single slab for display from a stack of slabs and retrieving multiple such single slabs of different variety for review and selection by customers.
In addition to the disadvantages already mentioned above, other disadvantages are known to those skilled in the art. For example, rubber tires are used as a replacement for aluminum or resin rollers, they are nevertheless disadvantageous in that they are of a solid rubber construction. Solid rubber tires are known to present many of the disadvantages as with the metal rollers in terms of leaving marks or causing physical damage especially when more delicate surfaces are encountered.
Therefore, there is a need for a slab handling system that can handle slabs and an inventory of slabs efficiently and at the same time also provide for an effective display system of slabs.


An input output ring for a semiconductor device is disclosed that uses power buffers having widths that vary from the widths of the input and output buffers. In one embodiment, the pitches between bond pads are the same, in another embodiment the pitches between the bond pads can vary. In another embodiment, the number of bond pads is greater than the number of associated active buffer areas. By connecting two power bond pads to a common buffer the inductance associated with the buffer is reduced, thereby reducing the number of active buffers needed to be dedicated to providing power to the semiconductor device.

Reduction in size of semiconductor devices continues to be an important objective in the design and manufacture of such devices. Generally, semiconductor devices comprise an input output (IO) ring and a logic core as illustrated in FIG. 1. The logic core generally contains combinational and state machine logic to implement specific features of the semiconductor device. The IO ring generally contains signal buffers, and power buffers. Signal buffers include input buffers, output buffers, and bi-directional buffers. Input buffers receive and condition input signals from external to the semiconductor device for use by the logic core. Output buffers receive and condition output signals from the logic core for use external to the semiconductor device. Bi-directional buffers offer the functionality of both input buffers and output buffers. Power buffers provide fixed voltage references and/or supply voltages, such as Vdd and Vss to the semiconductor device.
The minimum number of power buffers needed by a semiconductor device is defined by the number of power buffers needed to prevent a supply voltage related failure from occurring for a specified maximum amount of direct current (DC) needed by the semiconductor device. Generally, supply voltage related failure mechanisms can occur. First, a power buffer can fail when it carries too much current. For example, a power buffer can be physically damaged when it carries too much current. Therefore, by increasing the number of power buffers used, the amount of current through each one can be reduced to assure the power buffers are not physically damaged. A second failure mechanism occurs when the inductance of bond wires prevents enough current from reaching the semiconductor device. During high speed transitions in logic value, output buffer transistors can produce a high current. This high current, in turn, can impress a noise voltage on the low and high power supply buses as a result of a bonding wire, packaging and other inductances that prevent enough current from reaching the semiconductor device. Note that the impressed voltage is given by v=L (di/dt), where v is the noise voltage, L is the inductance of the bonding wire, packaging, etc., and di/dt is the derivative of the current generated by the large driver transistors of the output buffer with respect to time. Thus, the more rapidly that the current of large driver transistors vary in time, the greater the magnitude of the impressed noise signal. This undesirable noise voltage on the high and low power supply buses is commonly referred to as "ground bounce." A primary contributor to ground bounce is the bond wire connecting a die to its package. To limit the amount of ground bounce, the number of power buffers for the device are increased, which can result in a significant number of power buffers.
Prior art FIG. 2 illustrates a semiconductor device having a logic core generally square in shape having seven IO devices on each side. Assuming that all the logic core area is used to implement features of the semiconductor device, the logic core device of FIG. 2 is ideally laid out in that the combined width the 7 IO pads is equal to the width of the logic core. If the logic core illustrated in FIG. 2 were smaller, and the same IO were needed, it would not be possible to reduce the overall size of the semiconductor device without changing the width of the IO buffers. The width of the IO buffers can be modified by relaying out each IO buffer. Relaying out buffers is not always a feasible option. Not only is relaying out IO buffers a time consuming process, but there is a practical limit to the extent that the width of IO buffers can be reduced.
FIG. 3 illustrates three adjacent bond pads. The pitch between immediately adjacent bond pads of FIG. 3 have a minimum distance, below which bonding to the pads cannot be properly performed. Therefore, the width of an IO buffer can be limited by the minimum pitch which must be maintained. In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates that each IO buffer includes a bond pad area and an active buffer area, such that the bond pad areas form a bond pad ring within the IO ring illustrated in FIG. 1.
Therefore, a method and/or apparatus capable of reducing the overall area utilized by the IO ring portion of a semiconductor device would be useful.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.