An apparatus for forming a fenestration including a glazing unit utilizing a base support and a pair of retainers that snap-into place on the base to form a recess for support of the glazing unit.

The present invention relates to a novel and useful snap-together fire resistant fenestration frame apparatus.
Buildings of modern construction are often required to include doors and windows that are deemed to be resistant to fire over a specific period of time. The combination of fire rated glass and framing must be matched in order for the full assembly of glazing and framing to meet the requirements of certain codes.
In the past, the most common frame employed in fire resistant assemblies has been the hollow metal frame. Further development in this field have included the use of fire resistant framing with the ability to block the spread of radiant heat.
In the past, fire resistant framing for fenestrations such as windows, doors, skylights, and the like have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,094,112, 4,164,830, 4,281,481, 5,481,839, and 8,011,146 describe door and window frames that include covers and trims that are snapped into place once the frames are assembled.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,178 shows a support for glass panels having a series of mullions that include support clips located at intersections of the mullions. The support clips are also found on horizontal supports that are used to support the glass panels.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,389,527, 4,117,640 and 6,141,923 describe window frames that include snap-together elements and are intended to provide fire resistance by the provision of spacing upon the release of fire suppressing materials.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,694,731 and 7,487,591 shows fire resistant frame assemblies utilizing slabs of water absorbent and intumescent materials to effect heat and fire protection.
A snap-together fire resistant fenestration frame apparatus for use with fire resistant glazing would be a notable advance in the field of fire protection components used in edifices.

Snap-together fire resistant fenestration frame apparatus


A CD-ROM decoder for processing digital data while buffering the digital data in a buffer RAM. The CD-ROM decoder includes a host interface for storing the digital data in the buffer RAM. An EDC processing circuit generates an error detection code using the digital data read from the buffer RAM in a block unit. An ECC processing circuit generates an error correction code with the digital data and the error detection code. An internal RAM stores the digital data and adds the error detection code and the error correction code to the digital data when storing the digital data. A digital signal processor outputs the digital data, the error detection code, and the error correction code that are stored in the internal RAM in a block unit.

The present invention relates to a data processor, and more particularly, to an error correction processor for adding an error detection code and an error correction code to digital data when recording the digital data, which is in a predetermined format and output from a host computer, on a recording medium, such as a CD-Recordable (CD-R) or CD-Rewritable (CD-RW) disc.
An optical disc recorder, which functions as a data recorder, is known in the prior art to record data on an optical disc, which is a recording medium. An example of such an optical disc recorder is a CD-R/RW drive that uses a CD-R disc, to which data may be written only once, or a CD-RW disc, to which data may be written repetitively. In a CD-R/RW system, an error detection code (EDC) and an error correction code (ECC) are added to the recording data to correct code errors when reproducing the data on the disc.
Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art CD-R/RW system 100 includes a CD-ROM decoder 1, a digital signal processor 2, an analog signal processor 3, a pickup 4, a pickup controller 6, a buffer RAM 7, and a control microcomputer 8.
The CD-ROM decoder 1 receives 2048 bytes of data from a host computer 120 and adds an error correction code (ECC) and an error detection code (EDC) to the data to generate CD-ROM data. The CD-ROM data includes multiple blocks. As shown in FIG. 2, each block is configured from 2,352 bytes (24 bytes×98 frames). In mode 1, each block includes synchronization data (12 bytes), a header (4 bytes), user data (2,048 bytes), the EDC (4 bytes), a space (8 bytes), and the ECC (276 bytes). In each block, the data excluding the synchronization data (12 bytes), that is, 2,340 bytes of data, undergoes scramble processing. In the CD-ROM decoder 1, an encoding (recording) device is incorporated in a decoding (reproduction) device, which performs an error correction process and error detection process on the CD-ROM data that is read from an optical disc. Further, in the CD-ROM decoder 1, the reproducing system and the recording system are normally combined. The recording system of the CD-R/RW system 100 is described here, but description of the reproducing system is omitted.
The digital signal processor 2 receives the CD-ROM data from the CD-ROM decoder 1 in single frame units (24 bytes), performs a predetermined operation on the CD-ROM data to generate codes C1 and C2 based on a Cross-Interleave Reed-Solomon Code (CJRC), and adds codes C1 and C2 to the CD-ROM data. The digital signal processor 2 interleaves and performs eight to fourteen modulation (EFM) on the CD-ROM data, to which the codes C1 and C2 are added, to generate an analog signal. The analog signal processor 3 receives the analog data from the digital signal processor 2 in a serial manner. Then, the analog signal processor 3 reads changes in the level of the analog data to control the emission of a laser beam from the pickup 4 toward the optical disc 5.
In addition to emitting a laser beam toward the optical disc 5 to read data from the optical disc 5, the pickup 4 records the data encoded by the CD-ROM decoder 1 on the optical disc 5. The optical disc 5 may be, for example, a CD-R disc having a recording layer to which the writing of data is enabled only once or a CD-RW disc having a recording layer to which data may be rewritten a number of times. In the CD-R disc, data is recorded by melting the recording layer, which is formed from organic pigments, with the heat of a high power laser beam and forming pits. In the CD-RW disc, sudden heating with a laser beam and sudden cooling are performed so that an amorphous phase is formed in the recording layer to change the reflectance of light and record data. The pickup controller 6 controls the position of the pickup 4 relative to the optical disc 5 based on the signal read from the optical disc 5.
The buffer RAM 7, which is connected to the CD-ROM decoder 1, temporarily stores the CD-ROM data provided to the CD-ROM decoder 1 from the host computer 120. In the CD-ROM decoder 1, the EDC and ECC are obtained for each block. Further, the obtained EDC and ECC are added to the data of the block. Thus, the CD-ROM decoder 1 requires at least a single block of the CD-ROM data. Accordingly, the buffer RAM 7 stores a single block of the CD-ROM data that is required for the CD-ROM decoder 1 to perform processing.
The control microcomputer 8, which is a one-chip microcomputer having a memory that stores a control program, controls the operation of the CD-ROM decoder 1 in accordance with its control program. Further, the control microcomputer 8 stores command data, which is provided from the host computer 120, in its memory and controls the CD-ROM decoder 1, the digital signal processor 2, the analog signal processor 3, and the pickup controller 6 in accordance with the command from the host computer 120.
While receiving the CD-ROM data from the host computer 120 and providing the CD-ROM data to the digital signal processor 2, the CD-ROM decoder 1 adds the EDC and the ECC to the CD-ROM data. The CD-ROM decoder 1 includes an plurality of circuits including an error correction circuit and an error detection circuit. The processes performed by the error correction and error detection circuits are performed in a sequential manner. Thus, in accordance with each process, the buffer RAM 7 is accessed in a time-divisional manner. In this case, when, for example, error correction is performed, the error correction circuit occupies the access to the buffer RAM 7. However, other processing circuits are also permitted access to the buffer RAM 7 in this state. Accordingly, regardless of how fast error correction or error detection are performed, a certain length of time is required to complete processing in the entire CD-ROM decoder 1. Thus, it is difficult to further increase the processing speed of the CD-ROM decoder 1.

System and method for processing digital data while buffering digital data in a buffer memory


A reel brake device of a deck in a camera-integrated type video cassette recorder system, comprising a pinch arm having an extension extending downwardly from one side portion of the pinch arm, a first lever connected operatively to the pinch arm and a second lever connected operatively to the first lever and provided with a felt for applying a brake force to a take-up reel. A torsion spring is disposed between the first lever and the second lever to urge the first lever and the second lever away from each other. Pivotal movement of the pinch arm causes the first lever to move pivotally, so that the second lever moves pivotally by virtue of the torsion spring to make the felt come into pressing contact with the take-up reel. In order to compress the torsion spring and thus increase the brake force applied to the take-up reel by the felt, the first lever and the second lever have a pin and a cam slot receiving the pin, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reel brake device of a deck in a camera-integrated type video cassette recorder system, and more particularly to a reel brake device of a deck in a camera-integrated type video cassette recorder system, wherein a reverse brake force is applied to a take-up reel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an example of a conventional reel brake device capable of applying a reverse brake force to a take-up reel.
First, the meaning of "a reverse brake" which has been mentioned above and will be mentioned hereinafter will now be explained. Take-up reel is a reel for taking up a tape during the operation of a deck during play mode. Accordingly, an external effect on the take-up reel affects directly a video displayed on a screen. In order to minimize such an external effect, therefore, a proper brake force is optionally applied to the take-up reel during the operation of the deck during play mode. The brake force absorbs a slight effect exerting externally on the tape. A brake which is provided for the purpose of applying such a brake force to the take-up reel means the reverse brake.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional reel brake device comprises a cam gear 12 being rotatable in clockwise and counterclockwise directions and having a curved cam 12' and a slider 9 slidably mounted to a chassis 13 of a deck by means o f pins 10 inserted in slots 13' formed at the chassis 13. The slider 9 has at its upper end a cam follower following the cam 12' of cam gear 12 to move the slider 9 upwardly along the chassis 13. A tension spring 11 is mounted to the upper end of slider 9 to always urge the slider 9 upwardly. To the lower end of slider 9, a link 5 is pivotally mounted at its one end, by means of a pin 8. The link 5 has a slot 5' in which a pin 6 fixed to the chassis 13 is inserted. As the slider 9 moves upwardly and downwardly, the link 5 pivots about the pin 8 while the pivotal movement is guided by the cooperation between the slot 5' and the pin 6. The reel brake device also comprises a reverse brake 2 pivotally mounted to the chassis 13. The reverse brake 2 has one end being in contact with the other end of link 5 and the other end carrying a felt 3 coming into contact with the take-up reel 1 selectively. A tension spring 4 is connected to the reverse brake 2, so as to urge the reverse brake 2 in a direction coming into contact with the take-up reel 1.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference numeral "14" denotes a pinch arm pivotally mounted to the chassis of the deck. The pinch arm 14 has a pinch roller 15 rotatably supported on the pinch arm 15. During a stop mode, the pinch roller 15 receives the power from a separate drive source and moves to a position in which it is spaced apart from the a capstan shaft 16 mounted to the chassis of the deck. During play mode, the pinch roller 15 comes into pressing contact with the capstan shaft 16, as shown in FIG. 3.
Now, the operation of the conventional reel brake device will be described.
During the stop mode, the slider 9 is moved to its lower position by the action of the curved cam 12' of cam gear 12 and stopped at the position, as shown in FIG. 1. By this movement of slider 9, the link 5 pivots about the pin 8 in a clockwise direction while the pivotal movement is guided by the cooperation between the slot 5' and the pin 6. Accordingly, the link 5 pushes at the other end thereof the one end of reverse brake 2 so that the reverse brake 2 pivots in a direction that the felt 3 is spaced away from the take-up reel 1, against the urging force of tension spring 4. Thus, the reverse brake 2 is maintained to be spaced apart from the take-up reel 1 at the stop mode.
During the play mode, the cam gear 12 rotates in counter-clockwise, as shown in FIG. 2. By this rotation, the force which has been applied to the slider 9 by the cam gear 12 to maintain it at its lower position is released. As a result, the slider 9 is moved upwardly to its upper position in which the pins 10 come into contact with the upper ends of slots 13', by the urging force of tension spring 11. By the upward movement of slider 9, the link 5 pivots about the pin 8 in counter-clockwise direction while the pivotal movement is guided by the cooperation between the slot 5' and the pin 6. As a result, the link 5 moves away from the reverse brake 2, so that the reverse brake 2 rotates clockwise by the urging force of tension spring 4, thereby causing the felt 3 to come into pressing contact with the take-up reel 1. Thus, the reverse brake 2 applies a brake force to the take-up reel 1 during play mode.
However, the above-mentioned reel brake device requires many elements (totally, 14 elements), such as the link, the cam gear, etc., for switching the transmission of brake force to the take-up reel, resulting in a complexity in construction and an inefficiency in compactness. Such a great number of elements also causes an increase in manufacture cost and a decrease in reliability.

Reel brake device of deck in camera-integrated type video cassette recorder system


A light emitting device comprising at least one compound of formula (I), (II) or (III) wherein R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, are organic substituents not including H, and wherein R3 and R5 are each independently selected from halo and organic substituents not including H, and wherein R4, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently selected from H, halo, and organic substituents, wherein any two or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 may optionally be fused together to form a ring system, provided that one of R3 and R5 is not part of a fused ring system, and provided that R1 and R2 are not fused to each other to form a ring system, and wherein one but not both of either (a) R3 and R4, or (b) R5 and R6, are fused to each other to form a ring system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a light emitting device, in particular an organic electroluminescent device, and compounds primarily, although not exclusively, for use therein. These devices may be utilized in flat-panel displays.
2. Description of Related Technology
Organic electroluminescent (EL) displays (or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs)) have been attracting much attention as a potential alternative to liquid-crystal displays for a number of flat panel display applications. In essence an organic EL device comprises a thin organic layer sandwiched between two electrodes, such that when a current is passed between the electrodes light is emitted from the organic material. The organic material can be macromolecular or a molecular species. In the most efficient devices there are typically a number of organic layers between the electrodes, for example a hole transporting layer, a luminescent layer and an electron transporting layer.
Volatile molecular compounds have the advantage that they can be deposited by thermal evaporation. This allows known techniques (e.g. shadow masking) to be used to form pixellated displays. The luminescent layer may be a homogeneous film, or may consist of a host and a dopant.
Although OLEDs have been under development since the late 1980s there is still scope for improved emissive and charge transporting materials. To make a full color display there is a need for efficient blue, red and green emitters that meet the NIST or PAL color coordinate standards, and that these materials have a long operating lifetime. The lifetime of current blue emitters is less than is required for many applications.
It is known that recrystallization of the organic films is one failure mechanism and hence that a high glass transition temperature (Tg) is a necessary requirement for a long device lifetime.
Among the best-known blue emitting compounds for organic EL devices are stilbene and triarylethylene derivatives such as 4,4′-bis(2,2′-diphenylvinyl) biphenyl (DPVBi) (Idemitsu Kosan U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,603 and App. Phys. Lett. 1995, 67(26), 3853-3855). DPVBi devices can be made more efficient by doping the DPVBi layer with a blue dye, but this adds complexity to the device fabrication. The resulting color will depend on the blue dye used. The spiro compound spiro-DPVBi has an improved Tg relative to DPVBi; however the color is still not as blue as is desired for a full-color display. The emission maximum is at 470 nm and the FWHM (Full Half Width Maximum) is greater than 80 nm (Proceedings of SPIE Vol 4105 (2001) p125-133).
It would be advantageous to enhance the color purity, efficiency and lifetime, particularly of blue emitting EL devices.
The non-planar structure of the compounds of this invention makes the compounds surprisingly volatile for their size which allows larger molecules to be used which have a greater chance of having a high Tg. This allows stable amorphous films to be formed by thermal evaporation. Some of the compounds are optically active, which can have the benefit that a mixture of enantiomers will tend to form a glassy film rather than a polycrystalline film. Alternatively a non-optically active compound may be easier to purify.
EL devices have been made with novel molecules that emit deep blue light.
The indenes included in the invention were designed to offer superior advantages over compounds that contain the more standard stilbene group. Many stilbene-containing compounds have been shown to have excellent emission characteristics in electroluminescent devices. There are however two significant disadvantages with the stilbene system. Firstly, although some twisting does occur around the axial bonds, the molecules are comparatively planar. This means that neighboring molecules can be packed closely together—a process that is well known to allow the introduction of intermolecular electronic orbitals, the broadening of electronic spectra, and the reduction of luminescent efficiency. Close approach of molecules can also enhance intermolecular electrochemical reactions, which are likely to be a significant cause of electroluminescent lifetime loss.
The second problem with stilbene systems is associated with the slightly twisted nature of the stilbene. Twisting oscillations (libration) along the axis means that there is a bigger distribution of molecular orbitals, which leads to a broadening of the electronic spectra of the material.
The compounds of the invention were therefore designed to address both these problems, with the aim of preparing a family of molecules that have narrower electronic spectra—particularly in the electroluminescence spectra—and that have better electrochemical stability that could provide longer EL lifetimes.
Indenes differ from the stilbenes by including the disubstituted bridging carbon atom. This achieves two purposes. Firstly, because half of the former stilbene is now enclosed in a 5-membered ring, the indene molecule is significantly more rigid which means that there are far fewer degrees of freedom for the molecule, leading to narrower electronic spectra. Secondly, because the two substituting groups overhang the faces of the indenes, the main molecular orbitals of the indene are protected from the approach of other molecules, so that intermolecular effects should be greatly reduced.
The idea of using bulky groups in inhibiting molecular packing has been known for a long time. A more relevant case is that of fluorene, where there are also overhanging groups that can protect the molecular faces from packing. However, the use of fluorene in place of biphenyl is a very specific process that cannot be used to enhance the performance of stilbene containing molecules, which are an extremely important separate class of materials for use in OLEDs.
By allowing the development of enhanced versions of stilbene derivatives, this invention opens up significant and novel possibilities for designing compounds for electroluminescent applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,217 discloses the use of spiro compounds as electroluminescence materials. The compounds are said to have a good solubility in customary organic solvents, improved film-forming properties and a significantly reduced tendency to crystallize. This leads to an increased service life of electroluminescence devices including such compounds.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,142 discloses electroluminescent devices comprising a wide variety of compounds which include an aromatic benzene ring, including unsubstituted indenes.
JP 3-168294 describes a compound in which fused cyclic systems are bound to a 5-membered ring having a tetrahedral carbon atom.
Spiro compounds for use in OLEDs are also disclosed in Spreitzel et al, Organic Light-Emitting Materials and Devices Vol 4105 (2001) pp 125-133.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,946 discloses the use of various cyclopentadiene derivatives in OLEDs. The substituents are not linked to form a ring system and the operating voltages of the devices disclosed are undesirably high.
JP 2001-307880 discloses spiro compounds for use in OLEDs. Such compounds can be quite difficult to synthesise and limit the substituents that can be used at the tetrahedral carbon position.

Light emitting device and compounds for use therein


The present invention relates to melting plate candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a support plate for a solid fuel and to the body of said solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquefy the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof and to more rapidly release volatile materials contained within said fuels. The heat conductive support plate is configured so as to have a capillary pedestal upon the surface thereof, which magnetically engages a wick holder comprising a preferably consumable wick and heat conductive fins which conduct heat from a flame upon said wick to said support plate, said magnetic engagement of said wick holder preventing accidental removal thereof from said pedestal. The fuel may be provided in various forms, configured to cooperatively engage said wick holder and support plate, and may comprise various volatile materials. The capillary pedestal, in conjunction with the wick holder, causes rapid and complete flow of the liquefied fuel to said wick.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a means for providing a locking mechanism to secure a wick clip or wick holder assembly in a melting plate candle or other candle assembly having a replaceable wick and/or fuel puck. This invention is most particularly designed to be used in a melting plate candle having means to provide a capillary feed between the wick holder and the melting plate, as well as in jar candles or conventional container candles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Clips which locate and secure wicks for candles and for devices which dispense vapors into the ambient air are well known in the art, and useful in many applications. In candles, such clips provide a means to position the wick for the most efficient provision of fuel, such as candle wax, to the flame, while in vapor dispensing devices, such wick clips secure a wick by which a vaporizable liquid is delivered from a reservoir to an exposed surface.
More recently, melting plate candles and simmer plate dispensers have been used to provide rapid melting of a solid fuel element and/or rapid dispensing of a vaporizable material to the atmosphere. An example of such a dispensing device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,382, issued Aug. 24, 2004, in which a dispenser for active materials is shown. This reference, incorporated herein by reference, illustrates a melting plate dispenser of volatile materials comprising a solid fuel containing active material, a consumable wick, and a heat conductive base having conductive elements, and the configuration of such elements.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,707, issued Oct. 12, 2004, incorporated herein by reference, a melting plate candle comprising solid fuel, a consumable wick, a concave melting plate comprising a lobe by which heat is conducted from the flame upon the candle to the plate, and the configuration of such elements, are shown.
In addition to the above, in application Ser. No. 10/780,028, filed Feb. 17, 2004, a candle comprising solid fuel, a melting plate, a lobe which engages a wick holder comprising a wick and conducting heat to said lobe and to said melting plate is taught, wherein said wick holder engages said lobe in such a manner as to create a capillary flow of melted fuel to the wick itself.
Still further, application Ser. No. 10/938,434, filed Sep. 10, 2004, of which the present application is a Continuation-In-Part, teaches means to secure a wick clip to a melting plate by means of a skirt or spider legs, which clip over a pedestal in the melting plate or snap-fit into a recess in the melting plate.
In each of the above references, it is possible that the wick holder assembly, comprising the wick and wax puck, i.e. the fuel, may fall out of the container if the container or candle holder is tipped excessively, or turned on its side, and it may be difficult to precisely position the wick holder along the bottom of the candle container.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method for and apparatus for controlling transmission power in a wireless communication system is provided. A wireless device checks a duration in which a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) for uplink resources overlaps, determines whether the transmission power of the UE is greater than a maximum power restriction of the UE in the duration, and controls power of at least one RAT based on priorities of the plurality of RATs so that the transmission power of the UE is under the maximum power restriction of the UE. Thus, dynamic and efficient transmission power is supported.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless communications, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for controlling transmission power in a wireless communication system having cellular/WLAN integration systems.
Related Art
With the recent trend of increasing high-rate data traffic, fifth generation mobile communication technologies are in discussion for their realistic and efficient backup. One of requirements for fifth generation mobile communication technologies is the interworking between heterogeneous wireless communication systems, particularly between a cellular system and a wireless local area network (WLAN) system. The cellular system may be one of a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long-term evolution (LTE) system, a 3GPP LTE-A (advanced) system, and an institute of electrical and electronics engineers (IEEE) 802.16 (WiMax, WiBro) system. The WLAN system may be an IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) system. In particular, WLAN is a wireless communication system that is commonly used for various user equipments, and thus, the cellular-WLAN interoperation is a high-priority convergence technique. Offloading by the cellular-WLAN interoperation may increase the coverage and capacity of the cellular system.
The arrival of the ubiquitous environment led to a sharp increase in demands for seamless services anytime, anywhere. The fifth generation mobile communication system may adopt a plurality of radio access technologies (RATs) for always gaining easy access and maintaining efficient performance in any place. In other words, the fifth-generation mobile communication system may use multiple RATs in a converging manner through the interoperation between heterogeneous wireless communication systems. Each entity in the plurality of RATs constituting a fifth-generation mobile communication system may exchange information therebetween, and accordingly, the optimal communication system may be provided to a user in the fifth-generation mobile communication system. Among the plurality of RATs constituting the fifth-generation mobile communication system, a specific RAT may operate as a primary RAT system, and another specific RAT may operate as a secondary RAT system. That is, the primary RAT system may mainly play a role to provide a communication system to a user in the fifth-generation mobile communication system, while the secondary RAT system may assist the primary RAT system.
In general, a 3GPP LTE(-A) or IEEE 802.16 cellular system with relatively broad coverage may be a primary RAT system, and a Wi-Fi system with relatively narrower coverage may be a secondary RAT system.
In general, in an interworking system of the cellular system and the WLAN system, all data flows transmitted/received through a secondary RAT system (e.g., Wi-Fi system) as well as a primary RAT system (e.g., cellular system) may be controlled by a device operating as a local mobility anchor (LMA). In case of simultaneous transmission in the cellular/WLAN integration systems, a scheme of power control may be required.

Method and apparatus for controlling transmission power in wireless communication system


A method for forming a metal line structure comprising the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate, and then sequentially forming a metallic layer and an insulating layer over the substrate. Next, photolithographic and etching processes are performed to create a pattern on the insulating layer exposing portions of the metallic layer and forming insulating lines. Then, spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the insulating lines. Thereafter, the metal layer is etched using the insulating lines and the spacers as masks, and the substrate as an etching stop layer. The metal etching also removes the insulating lines. Thus, the top surface of the metallic layer is exposed and the metal line structure that has the characteristic sloping sidewalls of this invention is formed. These outward sloping sidewalls of the metal lines form slanted edges with the semiconductor substrate, and provide a good step coverage for subsequently deposited layer.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a metal line structure and its method of manufacture. More particularly, the present invention relates to a metal line structure having slanted edges on two sides for enhancing step coverage in a subsequent deposition process.
2. Description of Related Art
For most very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, when fabrication of the MOS transistors is nearly complete, metal layers have to be formed over the substrate to connect various transistors or other device units. The metal layers that connect various transistors or other devices are known as "metal lines". Following the recent increase in the level of integration for VLSI circuits, distances between different devices become smaller. Hence, density of the metal lines will correspondingly increase. Furthermore, since these metal lines actually serve as conducting wires, it needs to climb over, for example, a multiple of insulating field oxide layers in a three-dimensional way in order to link up the various devices in different locations.
FIG. 1A and 1B are two cross-sectional views showing the progression of manufacturing steps in producing a conventional metal line structure. First, as shown in FIG. 1A, on a semiconductor substrate 10 that has a transistor already formed thereon, metal is deposited to form a metallic layer 12. The metal can be deposited using a sputtering method. In general, a thin layer of anti-reflective coating (ARC) will also coated on top of the metallic layer 12. Thereafter, photolithographic and etching processes are carried out to create a pattern in the metallic layer 12. The method is to form a photoresist layer over the metallic layer 12, and then patterning the photoresist layer. Next, using the photoresist layer as a mask, anisotropic dry etching is performed to etch away portions of the metallic layer 12 forming an opening 16 that exposes the substrate 10. Thus, a metal line structure is complete, and it is not difficult to see that the sidewalls of these metal lines 12 are near vertical.
Next, as shown in FIG. 1B, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is used to deposit a dielectric layer 18 over the metal lines 12, and filling the opening 16 as well. Because the sidewalls 17 of the metal lines 12 are near vertical, so the deposited dielectric layer 18 will form an overhang at the upper corner of the metal lines 12 in general. This is due to poor step coverage by the deposited dielectric material. The overhang is actually a thick formation of the dielectric layer 18 at the upper corner locations. When the overhangs on each upper corner of the metal lines meet, a void 19 will be formed in the opening 16. A void in the dielectric layer 18 will eventually affect the stability of the connected devices.
Since the current trend in semiconductor manufacturing is towards device miniaturization, spacing between metal lines 12 is going to be smaller. Therefore, the step coverage ability for the deposited dielectric material is bound to get worse, and overhangs and voids are going to be more numerous.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art to provide a better metal line structure and method of manufacture.

Metal line structure and method of manufacturing the same


An alignment guide for aligning instrumentation along a proximal femur includes a neck portion configured to wrap around a portion of the neck of the femur, a head underside portion configured to abut a disto-lateral portion of the femoral head and a medial head portion configured to overlie a medial portion of the head. Portions of the guide can have an inner surface generally a negative of the femoral bone of a specific patient that the guide overlies; such surfaces can be formed using data obtained from the specific patient. The neck portion can be configured to rotationally stabilize the guide by abutting and generating a first gripping force on the neck. The femoral head portions can be configured to grip the head portion of the femur and can support a bore guide that is configured to guide an instrument to the femur in a specified location and along a given axis.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to instruments for bone modifications at a hip joint and, more particularly, for instruments designed for a patient's specific bone and cartilage.
2. Related Art
Current instrumentation is generally hard to learn, difficult to use, and time consuming. Costs may be reduced by reducing the time required to perform the surgery, as well as requiring fewer instruments. Additionally, patient specific instrumentation may also limit the invasiveness of instruments, may provide faster recovery times, and fewer complications (for example, by lowering the risk of clotting).
Work in patient specific instruments has focused primarily on the knee joint. Some art offhandedly refers to instruments and methods that may additionally be used for the hip joint. However, the art generally does not specifically focus on the important differences of the hip joint relative to the knee joint, nor focus on the specific orientations necessary at the hip for proper placement of a prosthetic device.
There remains a need in the art for a patient specific alignment guide for a proximal femur. Specifically, there is a need to provide a better and easier way of performing femoral head resurfacing procedures.

Patient specific alignment guide for a proximal femur


A voltage command value of a converter is set by executing the step of determining a candidate voltage of a system voltage VH as a converter output voltage in a voltage range from the minimum necessary voltage corresponding to induction voltage of a motor generator and a maximum output voltage of the converter; the step of estimating power loss at the battery, converter, inverter and motor generator, at each candidate voltage, and calculating total sum of estimated power loss of the overall system; and the step of setting the voltage command value VH# based on the candidate voltage that minimizes the total sum of estimated power losses among the candidate voltages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric motor drive control system and control method thereof and, more specifically, to an electric motor drive control system formed with a converter allowing variable control of a DC voltage.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, as a type of an electric motor drive control system driving an AC electric motor, a structure has been used in which a DC voltage variably controlled by a converter is converted to an AC voltage for controlling driving of an AC electric motor using an inverter (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. 2003-33071 and 2003-116280, hereinafter referred to as Patent Documents 1 and 2, respectively).
By way of example, Patent Document 1 discloses a motor controller including a converter as a PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) circuit and an inverter as a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) circuit for converting an output voltage from the PAM circuit to an AC voltage. Particularly, in the motor controller disclosed in Patent Document 1, by balancing the durability of switching elements in the converter and the inverter, the life of the controller as a whole is enhanced.
In the drive device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a current flowing in a reactor in a converter is calculated by dividing an output battery power demanded of a battery, which is obtained by converting motive power required of a motor to an electric power, by a voltage between terminals of the battery. In accordance with the calculated current, carrier frequency of transistors forming the converter is set such that converter loss is minimized, whereby energy efficiency of the drive device can be improved.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. 2003-348892 and 2001-238490 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Documents 3 and 4, respectively) disclose motor controllers in which a plurality of motors are controlled efficiently by sharing an output of a converter having a DC voltage control function among a plurality of motor driving circuits (inverters having motor control function). In the structures disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4, the DC voltage value output by the converter is changed in accordance with conduction ratio of each inverter or a motor load.
In the structures in which the variably controlled converter output voltage is converted to an AC voltage by an inverter for driving an AC electric motor, loss in each component of the system varies dependent on the voltage level of the output voltage of the converter, that is, the voltage on the DC-linked side of the inverter and, therefore, efficiency of the system as a whole may also vary.
Patent Documents 1 to 4, however, neither disclose nor suggest determination of the DC voltage value variably controlled by the converter in consideration of the efficiency of the system as a whole, in the electric motor drive control system having such structures as described above.

Electric motor drive control system and control method thereof


A user interface for display and navigation of multiple video programs displays a graphical user interface including a plurality of available video programs. A user is allowed to generate a custom list of video programs by selecting at least one video program from the plurality of video programs. The videos programs from the custom list are simultaneously displayed while displaying the graphical user interface to the user.

Consumer devices such as tablet computers and smartphones are increasingly being used to receive and view video programs. However, it is still cumbersome for a user to use the user's device to browse through a selection of available video programs.
Popularity of the Internet as the network for video delivery to users continues to grow. Internet Protocol (IP) packet allows seamless video delivery over heterogeneous networks such as wired and wireless networks. As the computational power of user devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers grows, so does a user's ability to receive and view multiple and/or higher bandwidth video programs.

User interface and program guide for a multi-program video viewing apparatus


A cooling water intake system is configured to minimize entrainment, impingement and thermal plumes associated with the operation of onshore industrial facilities, such as a power plant, and includes a delivery system guiding ground waters from under the sand bottom of the water reservoir including oceans, seas, lakes and rivers to the industrial facilities.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and system for delivering ground waters from under the bottom of water reservoirs for cooling equipment of onshore facilities.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
A variety of industrial facilities generating or consuming electric energy necessarily use a cooling medium for providing proper functioning of the facilities' equipment. For example, steam power plants, typically generating electric energy, operate with a cooling medium such as a water/steam mixture, carried in an evaporator circuit of the steam power plant. The steam generated in the process expands to perform work in the steam turbine of the steam power plant and is subsequently fed to the condenser for producing a working medium. The latter is normally condensed by heat exchange with cooling water, which is fed directly to the condenser from a water reservoir, such as an ocean, sea, river or lake. This is known as an open cycle cooling system, or simply, open system.
Utilization of an open system operating with ambient surface waters for cooling purposes produces a variety of negative environmental impacts to the local receiving waters. For example, the massive volumes of water circulated through a large facility absorb heat from the condensers, typically raising the circulating cooling water temperatures 15 to 20 degrees (F) within seconds. Depending on the water demands of the power plant, cooling water discharged from the facility causes thermal plumes of ambient water in the vicinity of the powerplant or other heat producing industrial facility. During summer months these plumes are sufficiently hot to kill or stun fish and invertebrates.
Furthermore, small aquatic organisms are entrained by the pumped-in influent water. Entrainment is a term for the process of sweeping planktonic organisms, including eggs and larval forms through the cooling system of a powerplant. The organisms are subject to mechanical (pumping) stresses, thermal effects and injection of biocides. Overall mortality of the organisms varies but is usually high, often approaching 100 percent. This mortality is thought to be a major factor in reduction of fish stocks in both fresh and saline waters.
Still a further disadvantage of the open-cooling systems is associated with impingement, which is the process whereby larger fish and invertebrates are sucked against the intake screens of a powerplant or forced against the sea floor. The water velocity prevents them from getting off the screens and they remain there until the screens are backwashed. Impinged fish and invertebrates are often killed.
Also, facilities situated on saline waters periodically use biocides, such as chlorine, to control algae, which detrimentally affect organism growth. While much work has been done researching the effects of powerplants on aquatic biota, and numerous intake systems tested, the impacts still remain very much a problem.
The problems are so prevalent that regulatory agencies usually specify an alternate cooling system, such as cooling towers, even though these lessen the thermal efficiency of the powerplant or industrial facility. One such alternative cooling system for a power generation plant 10 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1 and, in principle, operates by directing steam 12 to a turbine 24 actuating its generator 14, which spins at high velocity generating electricity that is transmitted in the electricity grid 16. Since, as is well known, condensing improves turbine efficiency, power generation plants have at least one cooling tower 18 providing the power plant with a cooling medium, such as cold water typically delivered from a natural water reservoir for efficient operation of a condenser 20. The cooling system, as described immediately above, may be cost inefficient and may have the same problems as the traditional cooling system.
A need therefore exists for a method and system for providing a cooling medium to industrial facilities that retains the advantage of ambient water cooling while minimizing or even completely eliminating all adverse environmental impacts.


The present invention provides methods, systems, and apparatus for calibrating a laser ablation system, such as an excimer laser system for selectively ablating a cornea of a patient's eye. The invention also facilitates alignment of eye tracking cameras that measure a position of the eye during laser eye surgery. A calibration and alignment fixture for a scanning laser beam delivery system having eye tracking cameras may include a structure positionable in a treatment plane. The structure having a feature directing laser energy incident thereon to a calibration energy sensor, at least one reference-edge to determine a characteristic of the laser beam (shape, dimensions, etc.), and an artificial pupil to determine alignment of the eye tracking cameras with the laser system.

The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and apparatus for laser calibration and eye tracker camera alignment. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and systems for measuring laser energy, shape, and dimensions of a laser beam from a laser beam delivery system, particularly opthalmological surgery systems, and aligning eye tracking cameras used in conjunction with such laser systems that measure a position of the eye during laser eye surgery.
Laser-based systems are now used in opthalmological surgery on corneal tissues to correct vision defects. These systems use lasers to achieve a desired change in corneal shape, with the laser removing thin layers of corneal tissue using a technique generally described as ablative photodecomposition to alter the cornea's refractive power. Laser eye surgery techniques are useful in procedures such as photorefractive keratotomy (PRK), phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK), laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and the like.
In such laser-based systems and methods, the irradiated flux density and exposure time of the cornea to the laser radiation are controlled so as to provide a surface sculpting of the cornea to achieve a desired ultimate surface change in the cornea. To that end, ablation algorithms have been developed that determine the approximate energy density that must be applied to remove a certain depth of tissue from the cornea. At ultraviolet wavelengths, for example, a cumulative energy density of about 1 joule/cm2 will typically ablate corneal tissue to a depth of about one micron when applied in a series of pulses of about 40 to 400 millijoules/cm2. Accordingly, the ablation algorithms are tailored for each procedure depending on the amount and the shape of corneal tissue which will be removed to correct a particular individual's refractive error.
In order to properly use these laser ablation algorithms, the laser beam delivery system typically should be calibrated. Calibration of the laser system helps ensure removal of the intended shape and quantity of the corneal tissue so as to provide the desired shape and refractive power modification to the patient's cornea. For example, deviation from a desired laser beam shape or size, such as the laser beam exhibiting a non-symmetrical shape or an increased or decreased laser beam diameter, may result in tissue ablation at an undesired location on the patient's cornea which in turn leads to less than ideal corneal sculpting results. As such, it is beneficial to know the shape and size profiles of the laser beam so as to accurately sculpt the patient's cornea through laser ablation. In addition, it is usually desirable to test for acceptable levels of system performance. For example, such tests can help ensure that laser energy measurements are accurate. Ablations of plastic test materials are often performed prior to laser surgery to calibrate the laser energy and ablation shape of the laser beam delivery system. Although such laser ablation calibration techniques are fairly effective, in some instances, alternative methods for laser energy and beam shape calibration may be advantageous.
A variety of integrated structures have been proposed for both scanning of a laser beam across the corneal tissue and tracking of eye movements. Tracking of the eye during laser eye surgery has been proposed to avoid uncomfortable structures which attempt to achieve total immobilization of the eye. Tracking further compensates for eye movement during a treatment procedure so that the intended portion of the eye may be accurately ablated. An exemplary two camera off-axis eye tracker for laser eye surgery is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,216 B1, assigned to the assignee of the present application, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In this system, first and second cameras or image capture devices are oriented toward the eye. An energy delivery system laterally deflects an energy stream toward the corneal tissue along a first and second axis in response to movement of the eye sensed by the first and second image capture devices. Alignment of such image capture devices may be facilitated by a jig plate.
In light of the above, it would be desirable to provide improved methods, systems, and apparatus for calibrating laser energy, laser beam shape, and/or laser beam dimensions from a laser eye surgery system. It would be particularly desirable if such improvements enhanced calibration accuracy without significantly increasing the overall system cost and complexity. It would be further desirable if such methods, systems, and apparatus further allow for eye tracker camera alignment so that laser calibration and camera alignment may be conveniently and effectively carried out utilizing a single, reusable apparatus. At least some of these objectives will be met by the methods, systems, and apparatus of the present invention described hereinafter.

Methods and systems for laser calibration and eye tracker camera alignment


A suppression method that provides adaptive (i.e., selective) processing of an input picture to generate an enhanced output picture with ringing-like areas of the input picture suppressed. For each such window in the input picture, if the window is detected as around a ringing-like area in the picture, then the output pixel for the position of the window comprises the low-pass filtered (i.e., smoothed) pixel in the input picture. However, if the window is not detected as around a ringing-like area (i.e., the window is around a non-ringing-like area) then the output pixel for the position of the window comprises essentially the unchanged window in the input picture. As a result no blurring is introduced into the input picture in areas where ringing-like patterns are not detected. Therefore, the output picture includes portions of the input picture in which ringing-like patterns were not detected, and portions of the input picture with suppressed ringing-like patterns where detected. The output picture is an enhanced version of the input picture with suppressed (i.e., smoothed) ringing-like patterns.

The development of modern digital video technology has enhanced the video quality for consumer electronics such as in DVD players and digital TV (DTV) systems, as compared to analog TV systems. However, significant video enhancement shortcomings remain in digital video systems such as DTV systems, including contrast enhancement, brightness enhancement and detail enhancement.
Post processing for decompressed pictures plays an important role in the quality of any digital video system depending on compression technology. This is because artifacts inherently arise as a result of data quantization in data compression. Examples include blocking artifacts, ringing artifacts, mosquito noise, etc. When a digital image or video has been compressed to a low bit rate, such artifacts are especially annoying.
Conventionally, a low-pass-filter has been used to remove the ringing artifacts from the digital picture. However, the low-pass-filter also removes the picture details which introduces blurring artifacts. There is, therefore, a need for a method of suppressing ringing artifacts that commonly arise in decompressed pictures.

Methods of suppressing ringing artifact of decompressed images


An assembly of interlocking, flat, relatively stiff components consisting of identical plate members joined by identical spacers forms a decorative display that may be stored and shipped in a flat knocked down configuration and assembled by a relatively inexperienced person without the use of tools or separate fasteners. Besides serving in a purely decorative capacity, the device may be used to display items, such as jewelry, in a retail establishment and also used in a home for storage purposes.

While decorative or display units constructed primarily from multiple sheet members are known, they generally require components of several different configurations and various fasteners, and/or may require tools for their assembly. See for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,881,423; 2,865,122; 2,916,843; and 4,315,376.
Such prior art decorative and display units may be used by merchants and individual consumers, and indeed, a merchant might use such a device to display its products, such as jewelry, and also sell the units to purchasers of such jewelry to be used by the purchaser to store jewelry in their home. It is desirable therefore that devices of this type be capable of being shipped in a flat condition and also easily assembled by a relatively unskilled person without the use of tools and/or fasteners.
A need exists, therefore, for an assembly that can be shipped and/or stored in a flattened condition, consists of a minimum of differently shaped components and can be readily erected by an unskilled purchaser without the need for tools or fasteners to form an attractive, sturdy, three dimensional structure suitable for a variety of purposes such as a jewelry tree, a revolving hanger, an advertising marquee and a mobile or stationary decoration.


A liquid soap container comprising of a dispensing pump which incorporates a pressurised air freshener canister or a liquid air freshener container. When a dispensing pump is depressed it also activates the valve of a pressurised air freshener canister or a pump for a liquid air freshener container to refresh the air whilst at the same time dispensing the liquid or gel soap. After the action of depressing the pump has stopped the release of the air freshener also stops. Both systems work simultaneously. An air vent casing helps secure the air freshener canister or the liquid air freshener container, and also temporarily contains the released air freshener before it vaporises or evaporates in to the atmosphere.

This invention relates to a cleansing agent and an air freshener dispenser.
Liquid soaps and air fresheners on their own are well known. A liquid soap comprises of a container usually made of HDPE, PVC, or PET. The container has a dispensing pump which is screwed on to the neck of the container which when depressed dispenses the liquid soap in the container.
An air freshener comes in many forms and designs but technically all perform the same task i.e. to make a confined space e.g. a toilet, bathroom, kitchen etc. smell more pleasantly by neutralising an offensive odour and replacing it with a pleasant smell. Air fresheners come in a solid gel, liquid, or pressurised gas canister.
These two systems of washing hands and deodorising a room at this moment in time is relatively expensive as a consumer has to purchase both separately. Moreover the use of an air freshener in the gas canister or a liquid form become active only when a person physically takes the canister in his hand and sprays the room. In the liquid air freshener system a person has to pour the liquid perfume on to a sponge or pot pourri.
Both of these acts are by human nature forgetful especially in a bathroom, toilet, kitchen, commercial or public environment. A person is almost certain to wash his hands after using the toilet or after cooking in a kitchen and it is this habit that is being utilised to create the invention.

Cleansing agent and air freshener dispenser


The instant disclosure generally relates to a dual component hair coloring composition for coloring mammalian or synthetic keratin fibers, the composition comprising composition A comprising a cationic polymer, pigment microparticles and an aqueous medium, and comprising composition B comprising an anionic polymer, aqueous medium and optional cross linking agent. Optionally or alternatively composition B may contain pigment particles. The cationic and anionic polymers are at least partially soluble in the medium and the pigment microparticles are dispersed therein. The hair coloring composition forms a dual layer coating upon application to keratin fibers such as hair and has a substantially permanent pigment lastingness following development (setting); minimally alters the keratin fibers, upon application; and substantially eliminates development time. Methods of using such compositions are also described herein.

Treatments to mammalian or synthetic keratin fibers, and their surfaces, are well known in the art. Of particular note are treatments that alter the color appearance of the hair or provide other colored or reflective properties through surface treatment of the hair; dissolution (absorption) of dye molecules into the keratin fiber or attachment to the fiber surface (so called direct dyes); and/or dissolution of dye precursors into the keratin fiber, followed by reaction of these dye precursors within the hair to form dye species (so called oxidative dyeing). Surface coloration treatments and many soluble dyes can be later washed out. Alternatively, pigments can be adhered to the hair surface to alter the perceived color.
One drawback of the known oxidation based technologies in this area is that the methods for applying dye based coloring materials involves compositions that can irritate the scalp, for example such compositions may contain ammonia (often as ammonium hydroxide) or monoethanolamine combined with hydrogen peroxide. This prevents the hair coloration experience from being pleasant or a so called wellness experience. Such coloring compositions also alter the hair structure itself, leading to oxidation of the hair surface, and partial degradation to the keratinous proteins from which the hair structure is constructed. With repeated coloring, these changes in hair structure become more pronounced. The color obtained when coloring with such composition is hard to predict, and even highly experienced users can still be surprised with the results that are obtained. Yet another drawback to known technologies is that, once the color is on the hair, the dye based coloring material is difficult to remove and/or cannot be completely removed. A drawback of pigment based coloring approaches is the low adherent fastness of the pigment or colored material to the keratin fibers. This results in the pigment based color effectively being removed after a single hair wash. Another drawback for both dye and pigment based approaches is that the application of hair coloration materials often yields uneven results as (1) adherence and or penetration of hair coloration materials to the hair surface or within the hair can vary with hair type for example due to changes in porosity, changes in surface composition due to proximity to scalp and/or age of the user; and (2) even when material is adhered or penetrated into the hair, differences in coloration of the underlying hair, including presence of pheomelanin and eumelanin, may yield different color results, even when the same color pigments or dyes are applied across hair types/colors having different native characteristics. There is therefore a need for compositions and methods that not only make the hair coloring experience a beauty/wellness experience, but also address, among other things, the foregoing drawbacks of known technologies.
There is a need for a method for achieving a predetermined target colour in a more reproducible and reliable manner independently from the user's initial hair colour and hair condition. This method should preferably involve the use of compositions which are less aggressive for the hair and for the scalp. This method should also preferably involve the use of low odour compositions.
At least some of these needs may be met by the method for treating hair according to the present invention, wherein a composition comprising at least one pigment is applied onto the hair to impart the hair with an intermediate colour which is different to the initial colour, and subsequently, a second composition is applied onto the hair to enable desirable characteristics including but not limited to extension of the duration of the coloring without fading or ameliorating intensity.

Dual polymer component hair coloring composition


Terminating supraventricular arrhythmias through parasympathetic nerve stimulation. The method comprises detecting a supraventricular arrhythmia, stimulating a parasympathetic nerve and determining whether the supraventricular arrhythmia terminated or worsened. Various exemplary methods include delivering one or more stimulation pulses during postinspiration and/or in response to one or more cardiac events.

Supraventricular arrhythmias (SVAs) are characterized by abnormal rhythms that arise in the atria or the atrioventricular node (AV node), essentially arising in any tissue located anatomically above the ventricles. An SVA can exhibit heart rates between approximately 140 beats per minute (bpm) and approximately 250 bpm. The most common SVAs are atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. Many SVAs involve the AV node, for example, AV nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) where the arrhythmia repeatedly re-excites tissue via reentrant pathway through the AV node.
Atrial flutter can result when an early beat triggers a "circus circular current" that travels in regular cycles around the atrium, pushing the atrial rate up to approximately 250 bpm to approximately 350 bpm. The atrioventricular node between the atria and ventricles will often block one of every two beats, keeping the ventricular rate at about 125 bpm to about 175 bpm. This is the pulse rate that will be felt, even though the atria are beating more rapidly. At this pace, the ventricles will usually continue to pump blood relatively effectively for many hours or even days. A patient with underlying heart disease, however, may experience chest pain, faintness, or even heart failure as a result of the continuing increased stress on the heart muscle. In some individuals, the ventricular rate may also be slower if there is increased block of impulses in the AV node, or faster if there is little or no block.
If the cardiac impulse fails to follow a regular circuit and divides along multiple pathways, a chaos of uncoordinated beats results, producing atrial fibrillation. Fibrillation commonly occurs in conjunction with atrial enlargement associated with heart disease. Fibrillation can however, also occur in the absence of any apparent heart disease. In fibrillation, the atrial rate can increase to more than 350 bpm and cause the atria to fail to pump blood effectively. Under such circumstances, the ventricular beat may also become haphazard, producing a rapid irregular pulse. Although atrial fibrillation may cause the heart to lose approximately 20 to 30 percent of its pumping effectiveness, the volume of blood pumped by the ventricles usually remains within the margin of safety, again because the atrioventricular node blocks out many of the chaotic beats. Hence, during atrial fibrillation, the ventricles may contract at a lesser rate than the atria, for example, of approximately 125 bpm to approximately 175 bpm.
Various studies have reported on interactions between the autonomic nervous system and SVAs. For example, Schlepper, "Effects of the autonomic nervous system in supraventricular arrhythmia", Z. Kardiol., 75, Suppl. 5: 35–40 (1986), original text in German, reported that "influences of the autonomic nervous system may cause modifications of the initiation, continuation and discontinuation of supraventricular rhythm disturbances". In particular, Schlepper reported that "in atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter the influence of the autonomic nervous system is apparent in a form of the vagotonically and sympathotonically evoked paroxysms". Indeed, a study by Ringdahl, "Vagally mediated atrial fibrillation in a young man," Arch. Fam. Med., 9:389–390 (2000), recognized that atrial fibrillation may be parasympathetically or sympathetically mediated. Ringdahl reported that sympathetic effects are common in middle-aged and elderly patients with underlying heart disease while, in the young, where heart disease is typically not present, vagal influences are more likely to predominate. Hence, for patients diagnosed with heart disease, increased sympathetic tone is a likely factor in arrhythmia initiation.
While the Ringdahl study indicates that both autonomic branches can play a role in initiating arrhythmia (the responsible branch determined largely by patient age and disease state), both branches may also play a role in terminating arrhythmia. Perhaps the simplest approach to termination of an SVA through parasympathetic stimulation involves Valsalva's maneuver. Valsalva's maneuver involves having a patient (i) inhale and hold her breath, (ii) bear down while holding her breath, as if to have a bowel movement, and (iii) hold the position for approximately 20 seconds to approximately 30 seconds. This maneuver aims to terminate a SVA by increasing parasympathetic tone and consequently slow conduction through the AV node. Another technique involves application of pressure to the carotid sinuses. For example, a physician may apply gentle and steady pressure over a patient's right carotid sinus and hold for approximately 5 to approximately 10 seconds. If a favorable response does not results from application of pressure to the right carotid sinus, then after a short wait (e.g., approximately 2 to 4 minutes), the technique may be applied to the left carotid sinus.
In general, studies show that parasympathetic stimulation can terminate SVAs. However, SVA termination therapies that rely on parasympathetic stimulation have not been implemented using implantable delivery technology. Therefore, a need exists for methods and/or devices that can stimulate parasympathetic pathways to treat SVAs. In particular, a need exists for termination of sympathetically mediated SVAs via parasympathetic stimulation.

Parasympathetic nerve stimulation for termination of supraventricular arrhythmias


An internal combustion engine having a camshaft which is translatable between first and second positions to control an engine operating characteristic. The camshaft is rotationally driven from the engine crankshaft, and includes an oil pump member in fluid communication with the oil sump of the engine. During rotation of the camshaft, the oil pump member pumps oil from the oil sump to various lubrication points in the engine, and also generates an oil pressure which acts upon at least a portion of the camshaft. At low engine speeds, the oil pressure is insufficient to translate the camshaft. However, at high engine speeds, the oil pressure is sufficient to translate the camshaft axially during running of the engine, and the camshaft returns to its initial position when the speed of the engine decreases. Translation of the camshaft may facilitate an automatic compression and/or vacuum release feature, a low and high speed cam switching feature, or a low oil shutdown feature, for example.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to small internal combustion engines of the type used in a variety of applications, such as lawnmowers, generators, pumps, tillers, pressure washers and other lawn and garden implements, or in small utility vehicles such as riding lawnmowers, lawn tractors, and the like, as well as in sport vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, the intake and exhaust valves of small internal combustion engines may be actuated directly by a camshaft located in the cylinder head, or may be actuated indirectly through the use of rocker arms, tappets, or other similar means. For example, in many existing L-head and overhead valve ("OHV") engines, the crankshaft drives a camshaft which is located within the crankcase and is disposed parallel to the crankshaft, and lobes on the camshaft actuate tappets, lifters, push rods and/or rocker arms to open and close the valves. In overhead cam ("OHC"), engines, a camshaft located in the cylinder head of the engine is driven from the crankshaft, and includes lobes thereon which directly actuate intake and exhaust valves.
At engine cranking speeds during engine starting, the intake and exhaust valves are both closed as the piston rises in its compression stroke toward its top dead center position, and substantial pressure is built up in the combustion chamber which resists movement of the piston toward its top dead center position. This pressure must be overcome to crank the engine for starting, and typically requires a substantial amount of force to be exerted by the operator, such as by pulling on the rope of a recoil starter. Therefore, small internal combustion engines typically include a type of compression release mechanism to aid in engine starting.
Also, at engine cranking speeds during engine starting, the intake and exhaust valves are both closed as the piston descends in its expansion stroke toward its bottom dead center position. During this stroke, the piston descends against a vacuum which is produced within the combustion chamber of the engine, thereby creating a vacuum force which resists downward movement of the piston and which must be overcome by the operator to start the engine. Therefore, small internal combustion engines may also include a type of combustion chamber venting arrangement, or "vacuum release" mechanism to aid in engine starting.
Compression release mechanisms for small internal combustion engines are usually operable at cranking speeds to prevent the exhaust or intake valve from fully closing as the piston approaches its top dead center position, thereby allowing venting of pressure from the combustion chamber. Vacuum release mechanisms for small internal combustion engines are also operable at cranking speeds to prevent the exhaust or intake valve from fully closing as the piston descends from its top dead center position, thereby allowing venting of air into the combustion chamber. In this manner, cranking of the engine is much easier and requires less force to be exerted by the operator. When the engine reaches a predetermined speed after starting, the compression and/or vacuum release mechanism is automatically rendered inoperative, such that the exhaust or intake valve fully seats or closes as the piston approaches and/or descends from its top dead center position to allow combustion to proceed in a normal manner.
Many known compression release mechanisms and vacuum release mechanisms include a large number of individual, moving parts, and can be somewhat mechanically complex. Although many known compression release mechanisms and vacuum release mechanisms operate well, the number of parts from which these mechanisms are made increases the cost and difficulty of assembling such mechanisms.
What is needed is a compression and/or vacuum release mechanism for small internal combustion engines which includes a relatively few number of parts, is durable, and which is compact in construction.
Additionally, it is known that for many internal combustion engines, the optimum valve operating characteristics may vary between low engine speeds and high engine speeds. Some internal combustion engines include low speed cams having a first cam profile for actuating the intake and exhaust valves at low engine speeds, and high speed cams having a second cam profile for actuating the intake and exhaust valves at high engine speeds. These engines incorporate cam switching mechanisms in which the low speed cams are used at low engine speeds, and the high speed cams are used high engine speeds. Typically, however, cam switching mechanisms are mechanically very complex and expensive to manufacture, such that same are usually not used in small internal combustion engines.
Thus, a further need is for a cam switching mechanism for small internal combustion engines which is an improvement over the foregoing.
Additionally, some known internal combustion engines incorporate a low oil level warning and/or a low oil shut down feature which is responsive to the oil level in the engine crankcase. When the oil level falls below a level which is necessary to adequately lubricate the moving parts of the engine, such that damage to the engine could potentially occur, a low oil level warning is signaled to the operator or the engine is automatically shut down to prevent damage to the engine. Typical low oil level warning and/or low oil shutdown mechanisms rely upon direct oil measurement devices, such as float valves or electronic sensors disposed in the crankcase, which add cost to the engine.
What is needed is a low oil shutdown feature for small internal combustion engines which is an improvement over the foregoing.

Internal combustion engine with translatable camshaft


Stain-loaded seals and stain-free seals for packaged documents bear matching, identifying numbers or like symbols on their upper surfaces, respective coatings of adhesive on their lower surfaces, and respective peelable sheets of backing material covering their adhesive layer. The stainloaded seal bears one or more frangible containers of staining material which is released if there is an attempt to remove the seal after the seal is adhered to a substrate. The stainfree seal is adhered to an envelope or package as a seal so that any attempt to open the package or envelope will result in tearing of the seal and thereby evidence that the package or envelope has been opened.

1. Field:
The invention relates to sealing devices for securing packages or envelopes so that any unauthorized access to same will be evidenced by a tamper-revealing, broken seal.
2. State of the Art
Normally, envelopes and packages are not provided with any means for detecting tampering. A package or envelope can be opened, the contents or documents contained therein inspected or read and the contents resealed in another package or envelope without the intended recipient ever knowing that the contents of his package or envelope had been revealed to an unauthorized viewer.

Tamper-revealing sealing device for packaged documents


A disk array utilizes a surviving relationship algorithm for generating parity terms. During a drive failure, a script corresponding to the failure mode (e.g., single storage element failure or dual storage element failure) is executed. The script reconstructs data by deriving a surviving relationship matrix from a seed matrix, sending the resulting surviving relationship matrix to parity/data generators in the storage controller, and generating P parity and Q parity symbols based on the inputs from the relationship matrix. The surviving relationship matrix is independent of symbol position (i.e., row, column, or diagonal) and further ensures that all data is reconstructable after single or dual storage element failures.

With the accelerating growth of Internet and intranet communication, high-bandwidth applications (such as streaming video), and large information databases, the need for networked storage systems has increased dramatically. System performance, data protection, and cost have been some of the main concerns in designing networked storage systems. In the past, many systems have used fibre channel drives because of their speed and reliability. However, fibre channel drives are very costly. Integrated drive electronics (IDE) drives are much cheaper in terms of dollars-per-gigabyte of storage; however, their reliability is inferior to that of fibre channel drives. Furthermore, IDE drives require cumbersome 40-pin cable connections and are not easily replaceable when a drive fails. Serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) drives that use the same receptor as their fibre channel counterparts are now available. These drives, therefore, have the speed required for acceptable system performance and are hot-swappable, meaning that failed drives are easily replaced with new ones. Furthermore, they provide more storage than do fibre channel drives and at a much lower cost. However, SATA drives still do not offer the same reliability as fibre channel drives. Thus, there is an industry push to develop high-capacity storage devices that are low cost and extremely reliable.
To improve data reliability, many computer systems implement a redundant array of independent disk (RAID) system, which is a disk system that includes a collection of multiple disk drives that are organized into a disk array and managed by a common array controller. The array controller presents the array to the user as one or more virtual disks. Disk arrays are the framework to which RAID functionality is added in functional levels to produce cost-effective, highly available, high-performance disk systems.
In RAID systems, the data is distributed over multiple disk drives to allow parallel operation, and thereby enhance disk access performance and provide fault tolerance against drive failures. Currently, a variety of RAID levels from RAID level 0 through RAID level 6 have been specified in the industry. RAID levels 1 through 5 provide a single drive fault tolerance. That is, these RAID levels allow reconstruction of the original data, if any one of the disk drives fails. It is quite possible, however, that more than one SATA drive may fail in a RAID system. For example, dual drive failures are becoming more common as RAID systems incorporate an increasing number of less expensive disk drives.
To provide, in part, a dual-fault tolerance to such failures, the industry has specified a RAID level 6. The RAID 6 architecture is similar to RAID 5, but RAID 6 can overcome the failure of any two disk drives by using an additional parity block for each row (for a storage loss of 2/N). The first parity block (P) is calculated by performing an exclusive or (XOR) operation on a set of positionally assigned data sectors (e.g., rows of data sectors). Likewise, the second parity block (Q) is generated by using the XOR function on a set of positionally assigned data sectors (e.g., columns of data sectors). When a pair of disk drives fails, the conventional dual-fault tolerant RAID systems reconstruct the data of the failed drives by using the parity sets. The RAID systems are well known in the art and are amply described, for example, in The RAIDbook, 6th Edition: A Storage System Technology Handbook, edited by Paul Massiglia (1997), which is incorporated herein by reference.
An example dual parity algorithm is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,428, entitled, "Dual-drive fault tolerant method and system for assigning data chunks to column parity sets." The '428 patent describes a method of and system for assigning data chunks to column parity sets in a dual-drive fault tolerant storage disk drive system having N disk drives, where N is a prime number. Each of the N disk drives is organized into N chunks, such that the N disk drives are configured as one or more N×N array of chunks. The array has chunks arranged in N rows from row 1 to row N and in N columns from column 1 to column N. Each row includes a plurality of data chunks for storing data, a column parity chunk for storing a column parity set, and a row parity chunk for storing a row parity set. These data chunks are assigned in a predetermined order. The data chunks in each row are assigned to the row parity set. Each column parity set is associated with a set of data chunks in the array, wherein row m is associated with column parity set Qm, where m is an integer that ranges from 1 to N. For row 1 of a selected N×N array, a first data chunk is assigned to a column parity set Qi, wherein i is an integer determined by rounding down (N/2). For each of the remaining data chunks in row 1, each data chunk is assigned to a column parity set Qj, wherein j is an integer one less than the column parity set for the preceding data chunk and wherein j wraps to N when j is equal to 0. For each of the remaining rows 2 to N of the selected array, a first logical data chunk is assigned to a column parity set Qk, wherein k is one greater than the column parity set for the first logical data chunk in a preceding row and wherein k wraps to 1 when k is equal to (N+1). For each of the remaining data chunks in rows 2 to N, each data chunk is assigned to a column parity set Qn, wherein n is an integer one less than a column parity set for the preceding data chunk and wherein n wraps to N when n is equal to 0.
The algorithm described in the '428 patent safeguards against losing data in the event of a dual drive failure. However, performing the algorithm described uses excess processing cycles that may otherwise be utilized for performing system storage tasks. Hence, the '428 patent describes a suitable dual parity algorithm for calculating dual parity and for restoring data from a dual drive failure, yet it fails to provide an optimized software system that is capable of performing the dual parity algorithm without affecting system performance. Furthermore, the algorithm described in the '428 patent is dependent on row and column parity, which may not be the most efficient algorithm for every parity update. There is, therefore, a need for an effective means of calculating parity, such that the storage system is fault tolerant against a dual drive failure, provides optimal performance by an algorithm that runs a priori, and, further, is capable of generating parity regardless of symbol position (i.e., not dependent on row, diagonal/column parity).
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an algorithm that compensates for dual-storage element failures in a networked storage system.
It is another object of this invention to provide an algorithm that compensates for dual-storage element failures in a networked storage system and that is not dependent on symbol position.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an algorithm that compensates for dual-storage element failures in a networked storage system and that runs once a priori.

Method of calculating parity for surviving dual drive failures in a disk array


A handoff control system for performing handoff processing for a terminal that moves across cells of base stations while performing speech communication includes a measuring section, a calculating section, a queue storage section, a request processing section, and a queue control section. The measuring section periodically measures the reception signal strength in the terminal. The calculation section calculates the relative change amount of reception signal strength at measurement time intervals on the basis of the measurement result. The queue storage section stores queues to which priories based on relative change amounts of reception signal strength are assigned. When the terminal generates a handoff request, the request processing section distributes a call from the terminal to one of the queues on the basis of the relative change amount of reception signal strength in the terminal.

The present invention relates to a handoff control system in a cellular communication system and, more particularly, to a handoff control system and method which perform handoff processing by assigning priorities.
Recently, the number of subscribers in mobile communication systems is unceasingly on the increase, and hence an increase in subscriber capacity is required. To increase the subscriber capacity of a mobile communication system, a technique of reducing the cell radius has been studied. If the cell radius is reduced, the number of base stations in the service area increases. As a consequence, the number of channels used by subscribers can be increased.
Assume that a terminal 110 is present in a cell 130a of a base station 120a and is receiving service from the base station 120a, and the terminal 110 moves into a cell 130b of a base station 120b, as shown in FIG. 9A. As the terminal 110 moves away from the base station 120a, the reception signal strength from the base station 120a gradually decreases in the terminal 110. In this case, the reception signal strength indicates the magnitude of power received from the base station.
The reception signal strength from the base station 120a is periodically measured in the terminal 110. When the measured reception signal strength becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the terminal 110 sends a handoff request to the base station 120a. With this operation, the terminal 110 is set in a state in which it can also receive service from the base station 120b.
The handoff request sent from the terminal 110 to the base station 120a is notified from the base station 120a to the base station 120b through a network (not shown). Thereafter, the terminal 110 can receive service from both the base stations 120a and 120b. When the terminal 110 further moves away from the base station 120a, the service from the base station 120a is stopped, and the terminal 110 receives service from only the base station 120b.
An area where the terminal 110 can receive service from both the base stations 120a and 102b is an area 140 where the cells 130a and 130b overlap.
When the cell radius is reduced as shown in FIG. 9B, the above handoff operation is frequently performed. For this reason, as the cell radius decreases, the handoff rate increases, and forced termination of communication tends to occur.
A method of avoiding such a situation by preparing a queue for requests from terminals that demand handoffs is disclosed in, for example, D. Hong et al., xe2x80x9cTraffic model and performance analysis for cellular mobile radio telephone systems with prioritized and nonprioritized handoff proceduresxe2x80x9d, IEEE Trans. Veh. Technol., vol. VT-35, August 1986 (reference 1) and Q. A. Zeng et al., xe2x80x9cPerformance analysis of mobile cellular radio system with priority reservation handoff proceduresxe2x80x9d, IEEE Proc. VTC-94, vol. 3, June 1994 (reference 2).
According to reference 1, of all the set channels, some number of channels are always ensured as handoff channels, and the handoff channels are not used for new calls. With this setting, the loss probability during handoff operation is reduced.
According to reference 2, a buffer for new calls is used in addition to the technique disclosed in reference 1 to decrease the loss probability of new calls without increasing the blocking probability and probability of forced termination of handoff calls much.
In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-264656 (reference 3) discloses a technique of assigning priorities to handoff processes on the basis of a mathematical expression set in consideration of the moving speeds and directions of terminals, and performing the handoff processes in accordance with the priorities.
Terminals move across cells at various speeds. For example, the moving speed of a terminal that moves on a car differs from that of a terminal carried by a walking user. When the moving speeds of terminals differ in this manner, the time allowed between the instant at which a handoff request is generated and the instant at which the handoff process is completed changes. For this reason, when handoff processes are performed in the order of handoff requests, forced termination of communication may occur at a terminal that is moving at a high speed if the time between the instant at which a handoff request is generated and the instant at which the handoff process is completed is prolonged.
In addition, a terminal that moves at a high speed generates handoff requests many times during one communication operation because it passes many cells in a predetermined period of time, and hence the frequency of forced termination of communication tends to increase.
Furthermore, terminals move across cells through various routes; some terminals move away from the base stations from which service is received, and some terminals move while keeping distances to the base stations constant.
When terminals move through different routes as described above, the time allowed between the instant at which a handoff request is generated and the instant at which the handoff process is completed changes as well. When handoff processes are to be simply performed in the order of handoff requests, a delay in performing a handoff process upon generation of a handoff request may cause forced termination of communication at a terminal that only moves away from the base station from which service is currently received because of a process delay.
In the technique disclosed in reference 3, since complicated arithmetic operation is required to assign priorities, and a priority is assigned to each call, processing for a handoff request is frequently performed and complicated.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a handoff control system and method which can decrease the probability of forced termination of communication by considering the time allowed between the instant at which a terminal generates a handoff request and the instant at which the handoff process is completed.
In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a handoff control system for performing handoff processing for a terminal that moves across cells of a plurality of base stations while performing speech communication, comprising measuring means for periodically measuring a reception signal strength in the terminal, calculation means for calculating the relative change amount of reception signal strength at measurement time intervals on the basis of the measurement result output from the measuring means, queue storage means storing, in advance, a plurality of queues to which priories based on relative change amounts of reception signal strength are assigned, request processing means for, when the terminal generates a handoff request, distributing a call from the terminal to one of the queues on the basis of the relative change amount of reception signal strength in the terminal, and queue control means for, when an available channel is present in an adjacent cell to which the terminal, which generated the request, has moved, assigning the call, distributed into the queue according to the order based on the priority, to the available channel.

Handoff control system handoff control method, and storage medium storing handoff control program


A method and treatment is described for treating epidermal irritations due to insect bites and parasitic manifestations by applying a non-toxic composition of the chemical compound stannous fluoride.

The present invention relates to a treatment and prevention of insect bites and parasitic manifestations that lead animals to rub, scratch, or bite at a body site whereby the result may lead to loss of hair, infection and scarring. It is well established that animals react to insect bites and parasite infections by scratching, biting or rubbing which often causes the animal to lose hair and may also cause serious fungal and bacterial infections. In the Equine and Bovine industry, loss of bodily hair can depreciate the value of the animal when presented to potential buyers. Dogs and cats are constantly plagued with fleas, mites and lice (a condition that causes scratching and biting). Other pets including birds, rodents, and the like either peck or bite themselves in order to get relief from irritations associated with insect bites and other parasites. More particularly, the invention relates to the topical application of stannous fluoride for the treatment of such conditions.
A large number of pharmaceuticals have been developed for administration to animals suffering from pain, itching or inflammation which accompany insect bites and parasitic infections. Antihistamines, analgesics, corticosteroids, DMSO and astringents dressings are typical of such treatments. However, it is often the case that such treatments are either ineffective or marginally effective, have associate undesirable side effects, or are prohibitively expensive, especially when long term administration is required.
It is, therefore, an objective of the present invention to provide a safe and inexpensive treatment and prevention of insect bites, mites, lice and other skin conditions such as ringworm leading to scratching, rubbing, and biting which cause hair loss and epidermal abrasions and infections.

Veterinary compositions for treating epidermal irritations


A dental treatment apparatus with a root canal length measurement function comprising a cordless handpiece equipped with at least a cutting tool drive motor, a root canal length measurement circuit and a power supply battery, and a charger equipped with at least a charge circuit for charging the power supply battery. With this structure, the handpiece can be operated as desired without interference with any tube since no tube is necessary to connect the handpiece to a main control unit, thereby capable of providing an easy-to-use treatment apparatus. By charging the power supply battery for the handpiece using the charger, the battery can be used repeatedly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in a dental treatment apparatus with a root canal length measurement function, being capable of treating root canals while measuring the lengths thereof by using a cutting tool also as an electrode for root canal length measurement.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Apparatuses being capable of treating root canals while measuring the lengths thereof by using a cutting tool, such as a file or a reamer, also as an electrode for root canal length measurement are known. (Refer to Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-3303 and Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 5-64643, for example.) The handpiece used in this case is connected to the main control unit via a single tube in which control lead wires and other wires and pipes, such as a water supply pipe when required, are incorporated. This tube forms a cause for worsening the operability of the handpiece. Furthermore, since in a conventional apparatus, a root canal length measurement circuit and an indication section for showing the measurement results are installed in the main control unit which is separate from the handpiece, the operator of the apparatus is required to turn his eyes from an affected part to the indication section each time confirming the indicated data.
In the above-mentioned conventional example, the lead wires for the root canal length measurement circuit are directly connected from the main control unit to the cutting tool of the handpiece, separately from the above-mentioned tube. This structure worsens the operability of the handpiece, and requires to externally connect the lead wires of the measurement circuit at each treatment, making operation troublesome.

Dental treatment apparatus with a root canal length measurement function