A recline lift chair operates between an upright position and a reclined position under power such that the backrest moves away from an adjacent wall. The chair comprises a base to which is pivotally connected a lift mechanism. The lift mechanism is moved between an upright position and a lift position by a power actuator pivotally secured between the base and the lift mechanism. Pivotally supported on the lift mechanism is a recliner mechanism that includes a pair of four-bar linkages to which the seat and backrest are fastened. The power actuator acts through a control linkage of the recliner mechanism to move the four-bar linkages between an upright position and a reclined position. Movement of the four-bar linkages from the upright position to the reclined position locates the seat and backrest upwardly and forwardly relative to their respective locations when in the upright position to move the backrest away from the wall. An adjustment mechanism interposed between the control linkage and the four-bar linkages enables movement of the four-bar linkages without actuation of the power actuator. In a modified embodiment, the backrest is tiltable relative to the seat. The backrest does not move closer to a wall when the chair is operated between the upright position and an intermediate position, and the backrest moves only minimally toward the wall when the chair is operated from the intermediate position to a fully reclined position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to chairs, and more particularly to reclining lift chairs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Reclining chairs, which are movable between upright and reclined positions, are well known. Some reclining chairs are designed such that their backrests do not move rearwardly as the chair moves between an upright position and the reclined position. Such so-called wall hugger chairs are quite popular, because they do not require any clearance between the backrest and a nearby wall in order to operate properly, and thus they conserve space in a room.
Prior wall hugger reclining chairs may be operated between the upright and reclined positions by shifting the weight of a person sitting in the chair. In some designs, the chair includes a handle that forms a part of the chair recliner mechanism. By actuating the handle, the chair occupant is able to control the chair position. Typical examples of prior wall hugger chairs are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,836,197; 4,306,746; and 4,577,902.
Although the prior wall hugger reclining chairs have enjoyed a certain degree of popularity, they nevertheless possess certain disadvantages. A common disadvantage is that in many chairs movement between positions is undesirably jerky and uncomfortable. Probably the primary disadvantage relates to the force a person must exert through his arms, back, and legs in order to change chair positions. Because of age, illness, or other reasons, many persons find it difficult, uncomfortable, and even impossible to expend the bodily force required to change chair positions.
Another well known type of chair is the lift or elevator chair. In a lift chair, the seat and backrest are connected by suitable linkages to a base that rests on the floor. A power actuator drives the linkages to raise the seat and backrest above their normal upright positions. Simultaneously, the linkages cause the seat and backrest to tilt forwardly. The result is that elderly or infirm persons are assisted to their feet after sitting in the chair.
Some lift chairs also include mechanisms for reclining. Exemplary combination recline lift chairs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,007,960; 4,852,939; and 4,909,569. The recline lift chairs of the foregoing patents operate very smoothly, and they fulfill their intended purposes very well. However, they are subject to further development from the standpoint of incorporating the wall hugging feature into them.


An apparatus and method for dispensing toothpaste is disclosed herein whereby a user may depress a depressor to extract a pre-determined quantity of toothpaste from a tube of toothpaste. The present invention includes a toothpaste dispenser body forming a radius resiliently and integrally securing together a substantially flat first coextensive member and a substantially flat second coextensive member. The second coextensive member may comprise a downward first curvature towards the first coextensive member and an upward second curvature away from the first coextensive member. The second coextensive member comprises a depressor comprising resilient material. The radius may be used to contain and roll the portion of the toothpaste tube that has been evacuated of toothpaste, thereby allowing the second coextensive member to remain in contact with the filled portion of the toothpaste tube.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the field of dispensing and more specifically relates to the regulated dispensing of toothpaste from a tube.
2. Background Art
Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene by removing dental plaque and food from the teeth. Toothpaste is used by most individuals on a daily basis to clean and protect teeth from damage. Toothpaste is commonly sold in flexible tubes or rigid containers. Flexible tubes may be squeezed to extract toothpaste onto a toothbrush. The rigid container type is designed to stand upright to save shelf space. In these versions of containment, toothpaste may be frequently wasted due to dispensing a larger amount than required as well as the inability to completely deplete toothpaste from the containers using present manual and automatic dispensing methods.
Tubes have a tendency to not fully prevent backward flow of the toothpaste; therefore the task of completely removing all contents from the tube may be a difficult one, especially at the front of the tube. Further, toothpaste tubes may become germ infested if not stored up and away from unclean surfaces found in bathrooms. Problems such as waste may also be encountered, especially when children are left to dispense toothpaste onto a brush. Examples of attempts to solve the mentioned problems may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,501,369 and 5,897,030.
Automatic toothpaste dispensers or toothpaste pumps are devices that may be used to contain and dispense toothpaste, similar to a tube. Unlike a tube, they are made of rigid plastic and function by pressing a knob on the top rather than squeezing the tube. These dispensers may allow toothpaste to dry and are difficult to keep clean. Further, because of the pumping action used it is difficult to get an accurate amount of toothpaste onto the toothbrush to avoid wasting the product.
Many times it is difficult to get children to consistently brush their teeth at multiple intervals during the day. Present alternatives may not provide entertaining gratification for youngsters to entice them to remember to brush their teeth. Toothpaste dispensers may be awkward to use and may require two hands to operate.
Ideally, a toothpaste dispenser should be user-friendly, fun to use, operate reliably to fully dispense toothpaste contents and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a toothpaste dispenser that is operated with a single hand to avoid the above-mentioned problems.


Provided is a chemical wet preparation method for Group 12-16 compound semiconductor nanocrystals. The method includes mixing one or more Group 12 metals or Group 12 precursors with a dispersing agent and a solvent followed by heating to obtain a Group 12 metal precursor solution; dissolving one or more Group 16 elements or Group 16 precursors in a coordinating solvent to obtain a Group 16 element precursor solution; and mixing the Group 12 metal precursors solution and the Group 16 element precursors solution to form a mixture, and then reacting the mixture to grow the semiconductor nanocrystals. The Group 12-16 compound semiconductor nanocrystals are stable and have high quantum efficiency and uniform sizes and shapes.

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 2003-49547, filed on Jul. 19, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to alloy type semiconductor nanocrystals and a method of preparing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to alloy type Group 12-16 compound semiconductor nanocrystals with a high luminance efficiency in a visible light band and a wet preparation method for the semiconductor nanocrystals.
2. Description of the Related Art
When compound semiconductor materials are made into nanometer-sized crystals, a quantum confinement effect occurs at the regions of the crystals smaller than the bulk exciton Bohr radius. Such a quantum confinement effect results in a change in bandgap energy which is intrinsic characteristics of semiconductor materials. In a case where visible light-emitting compound semiconductor materials are made into nanocrystals, a bandgap energy commences to increase when the size of the nanocrystals reaches below a specific level. As a result, the smaller sized nanocrystals exhibit a blue shift of a luminance band. Based on such size-dependent optical characteristics of quantum dot materials, adjustments of intrinsic properties, structures, shapes, and sizes of the quantum dot materials enable a change in an energy bandgap, which allows formation of various energy levels.
Studies have been done on a quantum dot growth technology as the most important technology among next generation semiconductor device development technologies. In particular, metal organic chemical deposition (MOCVD) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) which are conventional vapor phase deposition processes are promising technologies which allow a control of a semiconductor thin film to a single atomic layer level and a controllable growth of quantum dots. Even though quantum dots grown mainly by lattice mismatch using a vapor phase method have good crystallinity, the vapor phase method has a fatal defect in controlling the size, uniformity, and density of the quantum dots, which renders fabrication of commercially available semiconductor devices difficult.
In view of these problems, there was an attempt to grow quantum dots using a chemical wet method. According to the chemical wet method, quantum dot crystal precursor materials grow into quantum dot crystals in a coordinating organic solvent. The organic solvent spontaneously coordinates with the surfaces of the quantum dot crystals. At this time, the organic solvent serves as a dispersing agent to control the size of the quantum dot crystals to a nanometer level.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,198 B1 discloses a method for forming Group 12-16 compound semiconductor quantum dots. According to the method disclosed in this patent, a Group 12 metal (Zn, Cd, or Hg) containing material which is a Group 12 precursor is dissolved in a first dispersion and a Group 16 element (S, Se, or Te) containing material which is a Group 16 precursor is dissolved in a second dispersion. A solvent capable of dissolving the two precursors is added to a mixture of the two dispersions and maintained at a temperature sufficient to promote the growth of Group 12-16 compound semiconductor crystals. When the sizes of the compound semiconductor crystals reach a desired level, the crystals are separated. However, this method has a restriction on the solvent used, i.e., tri-octyl phophonic acid (referred to as TOPO, hereinafter). TOPO is commercially available only as technical grade (about 90% pure) TOPO. Reportedly, it is difficult to form reproducible and uniform quantum structures in a solvent containing a large amount of impurities. It is also reported that impurities in the technical grade TOPO serves as an uncontrollable reaction parameter that adversely affects the reaction. In this regard, substitution of pure (99%) TOPO for the technical grade TOPO can be considered. In this case, however, a change in a binding property of TOPO may occur, which renders the growth of desired crystals difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,736 discloses a method for forming Group 3-5 compound semiconductor quantum dots. Here, the above-described method for forming Group 12-16 compound semiconductor quantum dots is used as it is.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,901B1 discloses high-luminescent core-shell quantum dot materials and U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,229 discloses a method for preparing core-shell quantum dot materials. It is reported that the core-shell compound semiconductor quantum dots thus formed exhibit an increase in luminance efficiency by 30 to 50%.

Alloy type semiconductor nanocrystals and method for preparing the same


A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor structure forming a carrier channel, a barrier layer arranged in proximity with the semiconductor structure, and a set of electrodes for providing and controlling carrier charge in the carrier channel. The barrier layer is at least partially doped by impurities having a conductivity type opposite to a conductivity type of the carrier channel. The material of the barrier layer has a bandgap and thermal conductivity larger than a bandgap and thermal conductivity of material in the semiconductor structure.

Semiconductor devices have a significant role in solving energy challenges. Specifically, nitride power transistors have great potential in the application of advanced transportation systems, reliable energy delivery networks and many new approaches for high-efficiency electricity generation and conversion. Those systems rely on very efficient converters to step-up or step-down electric voltages. Most of these devices are made of silicon (Si). However, the limited breakdown voltage and frequency response of Si, and its higher resistance make the commercial devices and circuits currently available very bulky, heavy and inappropriate for future power applications. As an alternative, gallium nitride (GaN) devices have achieved record combination of high-voltages, high frequency response and low on-resistances for power applications.
GaN power devices, such as the GaN-based high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), are regarded as one of the most promising candidates for high-power, high-voltage and high frequency applications. GaN HEMTs have achieved up to 10 times higher power density of GaAs HEMTs with much larger breakdown voltage (VB) and current density, as well as a high cut-off frequency of over 400 GHz. State-of-the-art power levels have been demonstrated on silicon carbon (SiC) substrates with total output powers of 800 W at 2.9 GHz and over 500 W at 3.5 GHz. However, for the high-power applications, such as high-power motors, a higher output power, i.e. 3˜5 kW, is desired, which requires a further enhancement of output power of semiconductor devices.

Semiconductor device with multiple-functional barrier layer

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.


Tools having a surface coating of at least one compound containing at least one element from the main group of Group VI of the periodic table and at least one element from the subgroup of Groups V and VI of the periodic table. The coating may consist of molybdenum disulfide, for example. These tools are superior to conventional hard-solid covered tools in various respects and may be milling cutters, for example, which have an excellent edge life, even more than six times as long. Moreover, the machined surfaces have substantially less surface roughness and make it possible to work with higher feeds.

This invention relates to tools for machining materials and to a method of producing such tools.
It is generally known at the present time that hard layers on the basis of carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, borides, silicides, and oxides of elements of Groups III-VIII of the periodic table have wear-resistant properties. Such layers or cases have very high coefficients of hardness ranging from 1,500 HV to 4,000 HV and more.
One of the most well-known fields of application world-wide is the coating of cutting tools of hard metal, high-speed steel, and tool steel with hard solids, e.g., TiC, TiN, TiNC, etc., whereby substantial improvements in edge life can be achieved. Examples of such cutting tools are reversible carbide tips, milling cutters, reamers, drills, etc. The thickness of these coatings, or combinations thereof, is preferably between 2 and 5 microns. It is limited by the ductility and adhesive strength of the coating on the substrate material. The action of the coating is attributed to the high degree of hardness and wear-resistance in that metal-to-metal contact can be avoided during machining at high pressure and occasionally high temperatures, and hence no local welding together takes place.
It has been shown in practice that in the case of certain alloys and types of steel, tools coated with hard solids do not yield the expected cutting performance. Such alloys to be machined are, for example, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and nickel alloys. For this reason, uncoated tools, or tools of hard metal, are frequently utilized at present for machining the aforementioned materials.


In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes operating a transistor device by a drive circuit in one of a first operating mode and a second operating mode based on an operating mode signal received by the drive circuit. Operating the transistor device in each of the first operating mode and the second operating mode includes switching on the transistor device based on a drive signal received by the drive circuit; monitoring at least one operating parameter of the transistor device; and switching off the transistor device independent of the drive signal when the at least one operating parameter reaches a respective predefined off-threshold. Switching on the transistor device in the second operating mode includes switching on the transistor with a second slew rate that is smaller than a first slew rate in the first operating mode.

Transistor devices such as MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors) are widely used as electronic switches for switching loads in various types of applications such as, for example, power conversion, automotive, motor drive, household or consumer electronic applications. Driving such a transistor device may include switching on or off the transistor device based on a drive signal. Further, driving such a transistor device may include, in an on-state of the transistor device, monitoring one or more operating parameters in order to detect an overload scenario, and switching off the transistor device independent of the drive signal when an overload scenario is detected.
In particular, an overload scenario may occur when a load driven by the transistor device is a capacitive load. A capacitive load, in a discharged state, may draw a high inrush current. This inrush current may trigger a switching off of the transistor device although it can be expected that the inrush current will decrease as the capacitive load is charged.
There is therefore a need for an improved method of operating a transistor device and an electronic circuit with a transistor device and a drive circuit.

Method for operating a transistor device and electronic-circuit with a transistor device


A selective call receiver comprises a receiver for receiving a signal, a processor for processing the received signal to detect an address code therein, a storage device for storing information representing at least one personalized alert signal, and a controller coupled to the storage device for presenting one of the personalized alert signals when an appropriate address code is detected.

Selective call radio receivers such as pagers alert a user of a received signal that includes an address identifying that particular selective call receiver. Such devices generally incorporate a radio receiver capable of producing, for example, an audible alert which may be heard by the user. Some pagers provide the additional features of a voice message or a message visually displayed on a screen.
Each selective call receiver is identified by a specific address that typically precedes each message. When a selective call receiver receives a message preceded by that selective call receiver's address, the message is stored within a memory for subsequent presentation.
These selective call receivers are widely used by professional and other individuals in many communities. The use of such selective call receivers has become so proliferated that it has become difficult for an individual in a group, all of which are using pagers, to distinguish his or her signal from the others in the group. Accordingly, some selective call receiver users resort to checking to see if they have received a signal when someone else in the group has received a signal. More disturbingly, however, other selective call receiver users are becoming ambivalent to response tones due to the great frequency that alert tones sound in a group of individuals. This may delay response time in some situations, since the selective call receiver user may not respond to a message intended for him or her, or it may lead to catastrophic damage or loss of life in some situations such as fires, etc. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a selective call receiver for providing a distinctive alert tone to the alert user.

Selective call receiver having customized voice alerts


A window blind covering arrangement including a set of window blind slat cover members that detachably fit over existing window blind slats for purposes of changing the associated existing decor. Each blind cover member including attachment features that facilitate a fast way of slip-over attachment to the structure associated with the existing window blind slats. Each blind slat cover member is provided with a code member that is associated with a panoramic scene portion of a larger composite panoramic scene which is depicted by the full set of slat cover members. The coded blind slat cover members facilitate selecting and installing a proper sequence of blind slat cover members to produce the composite panoramic scene of a preselected subject, such as a sports scene, a mountain scene, a seaside view, a city lights scene, or of an other subject. The displaying of the composite panoramic scene being controlled by selectively operating the window blind drawing mechanism.

The prior art teaches that window blinds are a home furnishing item which contribute greatly to the outcome of an interior decorating project. The window blinds may be used as the primary window treatment, or they may be used to complement a combination including drapes and window blinds arrangement. The present invention is directed at window blinds that are the primary form of window treatment, and which have an exterior surface treatment, including color, combination of colors, or a design pattern. The decorative window blinds commercially available are offered in a variety of lengths, width and material. The material may be a fabric strip or a colored plastic slat. The fabric strips or plastic slats are elongated to cover a window, or a wall area, typically in a vertical arrangement of a plurality of the slats. The louver-type action of the blinds is facilitated by a pivoting hardware interconnection mechanism disposed at each blind which in concert respond to action to provide an open or closed louver state of the blind to either expose, or not expose the blind's larger surface area. The mechanism, in combination with a traverse member mechanism anchored to a wall, provides means for support and also a means to group and move all of the blind members to one or both sides. The fabric strips typically require a weight at a bottom end to help keep the elongated drapery look, and further require a bottom end interconnection between the plurality of fabric strips to cause the bottom end to follow the upper end initiated louver-type action. Because of the stiff properties associated with the plastic slat type of blind, a window blind arrangement using the plastic slat blinds does not require the bottom end follower interconnection to effect a complete louvered opening and closing of the blinds. Regardless of the material, the decor associated with the exterior surface of the blinds is the decor which will stay on the window blinds until the entire window blind arrangement is replaced with another window blind having a different decor.
While some prior art is known which is directed at replacement of blind panels and thereby change the decor, see generally U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,049,038, 4,195,680 and 4,628,980. These prior art teachings are not directed at blind cover structure, as is the present invention. Rather, the prior art teaches a complete blind system whereby the consumer must have originally installed a particular blind structure member which is designed to accept the replaceable decor-containing blind panel member. The system's interdependency is viewed as a limited way of changing the decor of window blinds in that replacement is only possible if the consumer has that particular window blind system.
Additionally, there is no window blind system known that changing the decor by providing a panoramic scene, of a subject, such as a mountain scene, a seaside view, a city lights scene, etc., by opening and closing the window blinds.
Thus, a need is seen to exist for a window blind covering structure adapted to fit over existing blind structure for purposes of changing the decor associated with the existing window blind arrangement.
A need is further seen to exist for a window blind covering arrangement which contains blind cover members that not only conveniently fits over an existing blind structure to change the decor treatment, but that additionally provide, in combination with other blind cover members, a panoramic scene of a subject on at least one surface of the plurality of blinds.

Blind covering apparatus and method for changing decor on vertical window blinds


A control selection circuit for a semiconductor device including a pulse generation circuit to delay a first pulse signal by a predetermined delay time to generate a second pulse signal, a frequency information generation circuit to generate a selection signal in response to the second pulse signal, the selection signal indicating an operating frequency of the semiconductor device, and a control circuit to select a control scheme of for the semiconductor device in response to the selection signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a control selection circuit and method which selects a control scheme of a control circuit for controlling a data input/output operation suitable for an operating frequency of a semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A semiconductor device such as a semiconductor memory device operates using a control scheme suitable for an operating frequency of an externally applied system clock signal. Such a semiconductor memory device may be used for inputting/outputting data to/from a memory cell of a semiconductor memory device in a computer system. The data input/output speed of the semiconductor memory device is very important in determining the operation speed of the computer system.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a semiconductor device 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the semiconductor device 100 includes a control selection circuit 110 and a control circuit 130. The semiconductor device 100 may be, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
The control circuit 130 controls the semiconductor device 100 to input/output data at a high frequency or a low frequency, in response to a selection signal SEL. The selection signal at SEL is an internal control signal. A reference frequency for generating the high frequency and the low frequency may be, for example, 500 MHz.
The control circuit 130 may include an output data sense amplifier. The output data sense amplifier may be a current sense amplifier. When the semiconductor device 100 operates at the high frequency, the output data sense amplifier of the control circuit 130 may always operate. Thus, a current consumption of the semiconductor device 100 may be large. However, when the semiconductor device 100 operates at the low frequency, the output data sense amplifier of the control circuit 130 may operate only in a valid time interval during which the data is output. As a result the current consumption of the semiconductor device 100 may be small.
The control selection circuit 110 outputs the selection signal SEL for selecting the control scheme of the control circuit 130. The control selection circuit 110 may include a fuse circuit which changes the state of the selection signal SEL depending on whether a fuse is cut or by a mode register set circuit which stores the data for controlling the operation mode of the semiconductor device 100.
Accordingly, the semiconductor device 100 uses only one control scheme in response to the selection signal SEL, and the selection signal SEL is activated in response to the state of the fuse or the state of the mode register, and a specific operating frequency.

Control selection circuit and method for a semiconductor device


A lithographic projection apparatus includes a conduit shuttle used to at least partly support conduits which provide utilities to moveable objects. The conduit shuttle has an actuator which is positionable with six degrees of freedom. The actuator comprises a 2-phase or 3-phase motor with one degree of freedom and a Lorentz actuator with five degrees of freedom.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithographic projection apparatus and a device manufacturing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
The term "patterning device" as here employed should be broadly interpreted as referring to a device that can be used to endow an incoming radiation beam with a patterned cross-section, corresponding to a pattern that is to be created in a target portion of the substrate. The term "light valve" can also be used in this context. Generally, the pattern will correspond to a particular functional layer in a device being created in the target portion, such as an integrated circuit or other device (see below). An example of such a patterning device includes a mask. The concept of a mask is well known in lithography, and it includes mask types such as binary, alternating phase-shift, and attenuated phase-shift, as well as various hybrid mask types. Placement of such a mask in the radiation beam causes selective transmission (in the case of a transmissive mask) or reflection (in the case of a reflective mask) of the radiation impinging on the mask, according to the pattern on the mask. In the case of a mask, the support structure will generally be a mask table, which ensures that the mask can be held at a desired position in the incoming radiation beam, and that it can be moved relative to the beam if so desired.
Another example of a patterning device is a programmable mirror array. One example of such a device is a matrix-addressable surface having a viscoelastic control layer and a reflective surface. The basic principle behind such an apparatus is that, for example, addressed areas of the reflective surface reflect incident light as diffracted light, whereas unaddressed areas reflect incident light as undiffracted light. Using an appropriate filter, the undiffracted light can be filtered out of the reflected beam, leaving only the diffracted light behind. In this manner, the beam becomes patterned according to the addressing pattern of the matrix-addressable surface. An alternative embodiment of a programmable mirror array employs a matrix arrangement of tiny mirrors, each of which can be individually tilted about an axis by applying a suitable localized electric field, or by employing piezoelectric actuators. Once again, the mirrors are matrix-addressable, such that addressed mirrors will reflect an incoming radiation beam in a different direction to unaddressed mirrors. In this manner, the reflected beam is patterned according to the addressing pattern of the matrix-addressable mirrors. The required matrix addressing can be performed using suitable electronics. In both of the situations described hereabove, the patterning device can include one or more programmable mirror arrays. More information on mirror arrays as here referred to can be gleaned, for example, from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,891 and 5,523,193, and PCT patent applications WO 98/38597 and WO 98/33096, the contents of all of which are incorporated by reference. In the case of a programmable mirror array, the support may be embodied as a frame or table, for example, which may be fixed or movable as required.
Another example of the patterning device is a programmable LCD array. An example of such a construction is given in U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,872, hereby incorporated by reference. As above, the support structure in this case may be embodied as a frame or table, for example, which may be fixed or movable as required.
For purposes of simplicity, the rest of this text may, at certain locations, specifically direct itself to examples involving a mask and mask table. However, the general principles discussed in such instances should be seen in the broader context of the patterning device as hereabove set forth.
Lithographic projection apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In such a case, the patterning device may generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC, and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g. including one or more dies) on a substrate (silicon wafer) that has been coated with a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). In general, a single wafer will contain a whole network of adjacent target portions that are successively irradiated via the projection system, one at a time. In current apparatus, employing patterning by a mask on a mask table, a distinction can be made between two different types of machine. In one type of lithographic projection apparatus, each target portion is irradiated by exposing the entire mask pattern onto the target portion at once. Such an apparatus is commonly referred to as a wafer stepper. In an alternative apparatus, commonly referred to as a step-and-scan apparatus, each target portion is irradiated by progressively scanning the mask pattern under the projection beam in a given reference direction (the "scanning" direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate table parallel or anti-parallel to this direction. Since, in general, the projection system will have a magnification factor M (generally <1), the speed V at which the substrate table is scanned will be a factor M times that at which the mask table is scanned. More information with regard to lithographic devices as here described can be gleaned, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,792, hereby incorporated by reference.
In a manufacturing process using a lithographic projection apparatus, a pattern (e.g. in a mask) is imaged onto a substrate that is at least partially covered by a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). Prior to this imaging, the substrate may undergo various procedures, such as priming, resist coating and a soft bake. After exposure, the substrate may be subjected to other procedures, such as a post-exposure bake (PEB), development, a hard bake and measurement/inspection of the imaged features. This array of procedures is used as a basis to pattern an individual layer of a device, e.g. an IC. Such a patterned layer may then undergo various processes such as etching, ion-implantation (doping), metallization, oxidation, chemo-mechanical polishing, etc., all intended to finish off an individual layer. If several layers are required, then the whole procedure, or a variant thereof, will have to be repeated for each new layer. Eventually, an array of devices will be present on the substrate (wafer). These devices are then separated from one another by a technique such as dicing or sawing, whence the individual devices can be mounted on a carrier, connected to pins, etc. Further information regarding such processes can be obtained, for example, from the book "Microchip Fabrication: A Practical Guide to Semiconductor Processing", Third Edition, by Peter van Zant, McGraw Hill Publishing Co., 1997, ISBN 0-07-067250-4.
For the sake of simplicity, the projection system may hereinafter be referred to as the "lens." However, this term should be broadly interpreted as encompassing various types of projection system, including refractive optics, reflective optics, and catadioptric systems, for example. The radiation system may also include components operating according to any of these design types for directing, shaping or controlling the projection beam of radiation, and such components may also be referred to below, collectively or singularly, as a "lens". Further, the lithographic apparatus may be of a type having two or more substrate tables (and/or two or more mask tables). In such "multiple stage" devices the additional tables may be used in parallel, or preparatory steps may be carried out on one or more tables while one or more other tables are being used for exposures. Dual stage lithographic apparatus are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,969,441 and 6,262,796, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The various moveable objects in a lithographic projection apparatus, such as stages, actuators, etc., require utilities such as water, gas, electrical power and control signals to be provided to them. The utilities are provided to the objects through conduits, such as cables and tubes. The term "conduits" refers to such items as power cords, signal carriers, gas tubes (e.g. for supplying gas to a gas bearing in the table), vacuum tubes, coolant tubes, etc. Moveable objects inside the vacuum chamber, for example the mask table, substrate table, associated motors, balance masses and sensors, may be connected to the frame of the lithographic projection device via their conduits (using a distinct conduit conduct for each component if necessary).
In order that the conduits do not sag, wear or interfere with the movement of the moveable objects, it is desirable to support the conduits and provide a so called "conduit shuttle" for at least partly supporting the conduits. The conduit shuttle typically requires a separate drive in order to reduce disturbance forces that cause positioning accuracy problems on the mask or wafer stage. The actuator generally is only responsible for long/stroke movement in a single degree of freedom, but a bearing or guiding system is required with five degrees of freedom.
The mask stage must be movable over a large stroke in the scan direction. The total drive of the mask stage can be formed by a single high precision motor that has a large stroke in the scan direction in combination with a 5 DOF small stroke actuation in the non-scan direction with a position accuracy of approximately <10 nm.
It is very difficult to build a high precision motor that is movable over a large stroke, so the "short stroke, long stroke principle" is generally applied. In this configuration the short stroke is a high precision 6 DOF Lorentz actuator that drives the mask/substrate table containing the mask/substrate.
This short stroke motor is superimposed on a coarse long stroke motor to enable a large motion in scan-direction. The long stroke motor can be designed less accurate than the short stroke motor. Typically, the long stroke position accuracy is approximately 10-500 μm.

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method


A rolling basket assembly for an agricultural tillage implement. The rolling basket assembly includes a bracket, a first disk and a second disk rotatably connected to the bracket, a plurality of chain assemblies. Each chain assembly includes a first end connected to the first disk and a second end connected to the second disk and a plurality of links looped around one another and collectively forming each chain assembly. Each link includes a first loop, a second loop that is looped around the first loop, and at least one projection extending outwardly from one of the first loop and the second loop.

The present invention pertains to agricultural tillage implements and, more specifically, to an auxiliary rotary tool for an agricultural tillage implement.
Farmers utilize a wide variety of tillage implements to prepare soil for planting. Tillage implements prepare the soil by way of mechanical agitation of numerous types, such as digging, stirring, and overturning. Examples of tillage include plowing (overturning with moldboards or chiseling with chisel shanks), disking, harrowing, sweeping, and cultivating with cultivator shanks. Tillage implements are often classified into two types: vertical or horizontal tillage. Generally, vertical tillage is performed with implements such as coulters or spider wheels. Horizontal tillage, on the other hand, is performed with implements such as sweeps. The employment of vertical and/or horizontal tillage depends upon various aspects of a given situation including soil conditions, equipment, crops to be planted, etc.
Some tillage implements may include two or more sections coupled together to perform multiple functions as they are pulled through fields by an agricultural vehicle. For example, a field cultivator is capable of simultaneously tilling soil and leveling the tilled soil in preparation for planting. Field cultivators convert compacted soil into a level seedbed with a consistent depth for providing optimal conditions for planting of a crop. Residual crop material, weeds, or other undesired plants disposed on top of the soil are destroyed and worked into the soil.
A typical field cultivator generally includes a frame that carries a number of ground-engaging tools for working the soil. The tools may include shovels, knives, points, sweeps, coulters, spikes, or plows. For example, a field cultivator may include shank assemblies for creating a level seedbed to facilitate optimal seed growth. Some field cultivators may also include rear auxiliary tools to perform various secondary tasks for finishing the soil. For example, a field cultivator may also include a spike tooth harrow, spring tooth harrow, rolling (aka. crumbler) basket, etc., or any combination thereof for finishing the soil.
A typical rolling basket includes has a reel with numerous horizontally disposed blades. As the rolling basket contacts the ground, it rotates and the blades accordingly break up dirt and sod clods into smaller sizes. The blades may also chop the remaining debris on the top of the soil, smooth out ridges, and slightly pack the field. However, the due to the limited cutting depth of the blades and/or the wear on the blades, the rolling basket may undesirably finish the soil. For example, the blades may undesirably leave coarse objects, such as soil clods or other debris, on the surface of the field.
What is needed in the art is a cost-effective auxiliary rotary tool for creating a smoother and finer strip of soil.

Rotary ground engaging tool with double loop barbed links


Implementations of the present specification provide a method for updating a state Merkle tree, where the state Merkle tree is used to store a state of an account in a blockchain network. The method includes: accessing data related to a state Merkle tree that stores a state of an account in a blockchain network; determining to-be-updated nodes that need to be updated in the state Merkle tree due to a state change of the account; extracting one first subtree and M second subtrees from the state Merkle tree based on the to-be-updated nodes; allocating the M second subtrees to N worker threads, wherein two or more of the N worker threads process in parallel the M second subtrees to obtain each updated second subtree; and updating at least the first subtree based on hash values of root nodes of the updated second subtrees, to obtain an updated state Merkle tree.

In a new generation of blockchain, for example, Ethereum, concept of account is added. Accordingly, a user can create an account by using a blockchain platform. In such a scenario, the blockchain platform functions as a node in a blockchain network, and the account created by the user is an external account of Ethereum. In addition, many blockchain platforms such as Ethereum support smart contracts to execute more transactions. A smart contract can be created by a user and has a corresponding contract account after it is created. As such, accounts in the blockchain network can include external accounts and contract accounts.
In each node of the blockchain network, state data of all accounts (including external accounts and contract accounts) in the blockchain is maintained in form of a state Merkle tree in a local database of the node. As transactions in the blockchain are executed, an account state changes, which requires updating the state Merkle tree. Due to a large number of accounts and frequent transactions in the blockchain network, the state Merkle tree often needs to be updated.


Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for controlling sounding reference signal (SRS) transmission are provided. One method includes incorporating into an uplink grant message, by a base station in a communications system, information on whether a last symbol of an uplink subframe is used for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), for sounding reference signal (SRS), or is empty. The method may then include transmitting the uplink grant message comprising the information on the last symbol to a user equipment (UE).

1. Field
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to mobile communications networks, such as, but not limited to, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), and/or LTE-A.
2. Description of the Related Art
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) refers to a communications network including base stations, or Node Bs, and for example radio network controllers (RNC). UTRAN allows for connectivity between the user equipment (UE) and the core network. The RNC provides control functionalities for one or more Node Bs. The RNC and its corresponding Node Bs are called the Radio Network Subsystem (RNS). In case of E-UTRAN (enhanced UTRAN), no RNC exists and most of the RNC functionalities are contained in the enhanced Node B (eNodeB or eNB).
Long Term Evolution (LTE) or E-UTRAN refers to improvements of the UMTS through improved efficiency and services, lower costs, and use of new spectrum opportunities. In particular, LTE is a 3GPP standard that provides for uplink peak rates of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and downlink peak rates of at least 100 Mbps. LTE supports scalable carrier bandwidths from 20 MHz down to 1.4 MHz and supports both Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD).
As mentioned above, LTE may also improve spectral efficiency in networks, allowing carriers to provide more data and voice services over a given bandwidth. Therefore, LTE is designed to fulfill the needs for high-speed data and media transport in addition to high-capacity voice support. Advantages of LTE include, for example, high throughput, low latency, FDD and TDD support in the same platform, an improved end-user experience, and a simple architecture resulting in low operating costs.
Further releases of 3GPP LTE (e.g., LTE Rel-10, LTE Rel-11, LTE Rel-12) are targeted towards future international mobile telecommunications advanced (IMT-A) systems, referred to herein for convenience simply as LTE-Advanced (LTE-A).
LTE-A is directed toward extending and optimizing the 3GPP LTE radio access technologies. A goal of LTE-A is to provide significantly enhanced services by means of higher data rates and lower latency with reduced cost. LTE-A is a more optimized radio system fulfilling the international telecommunication union-radio (ITU-R) requirements for IMT-Advanced while keeping the backward compatibility.


A data processing system estimates hidden (off-net) wireless network users based on wireless communication network usage. The system processes wireless network usage data to estimate a first amount of frequent off-net users at a location in a time period based on past frequent on-net users who were at the location in past time periods at a rate above a frequent user threshold. The system processes the first amount and the wireless network usage data to estimate a second amount of infrequent off-net users at the location in the time period. The system process the first amount of the frequent off-net users and the second amount of the infrequent off-net users to estimate a total amount of off-net users at the location in the time period.

Users operate wireless communication devices to communicate over wireless communication networks. The wireless communication networks generate usage data that characterizes these wireless communications. The usage data typically indicates the user devices, locations, and communication times among other items. The usage data is processed to determine the number of users at a given location at a given time by detecting their wireless transmissions at the given location at the given time. This usage data is also processed to identify frequent users at a given location and time by comparing their presence at the location to a frequent user threshold. The total population at the given location and time can also be determined by scaling the number of network users by a network penetration factor.
Unfortunately, some wireless network users may be present at the location during the time, but still remain hidden from the wireless network. The hidden wireless users typically do not have their wireless device, have turned the device off, have lost battery power, and the like. These hidden wireless network users decrease the accuracy of the user/population counts.

Hidden wireless user estimation based on wireless network usage data


The support device (3) is adapted to be secured to the front face (4) of the injector, and to position an angiographic syringe (1) having a body (7) that presents an outwardly-directed projection (30), the cross-section of the body at the location of said projection being non-circular. The device which is extended forwards by a cradle (23) for supporting the syringe body, includes an upwardly-open recess (24) that presents firstly a non-circular cross-section that is complementary to a portion of the cross-section of the syringe body at the location of said projection, and secondly an abutment front face for said projection. The recess (24) includes a central portion (31) of circularly-arcuate cross-section, which portion is extended by two diametrically-opposite notches (32).

The present invention relates to a front-loading syringe support device for an angiographic injector.
The invention relates essentially to the field of injecting contrast media for establishing diagnoses by medical imaging (scanners, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the like).
Front-loading syringes are provided, generally at the rear, with at least one projection projecting from their cylindrical body in order to enable them to be releasably secured to the injector or to a support device secured to the front face thereof. The projection may be a plate (see for example WO-A-02/056947) or a pair of diametrically-opposite tabs (see for example WO-A-97/36635).
Nevertheless, the above arrangements are not entirely satisfactory, either because they do not directly ensure angular positioning of the syringe about its axis, or else because the movement of the syringe on the injector is relatively complex, in particular being of the bayonet type.
WO-A-95/13841 uses a support device in accordance with the precharacterizing portion of claim 1, and provides means for fastening the syringe in a single action serving simultaneously to position the syringe angularly about its own axis. Nevertheless, that prior arrangement does not enable the syringe to be disconnected and withdrawn when the pusher is engaged in the body of the syringe.

Angiographic syringe support device and combined use thereof with an angiographic syringe and an angiographic injector


A method for efficiently signaling resource assignment information to notify User Equipment (UE) of allocated resources in an Frequency Division Multiple Access mobile communication system is provided, in which a base station signals UE Identifications in the order of allocated resource blocks to UEs without explicitly notifying the positions of the allocated resource blocks, so that the UEs can find out resource blocks about which resource assignment information is not required, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a mobile communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for efficiently signaling resource assignment information in a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Owing to the rapid development of communications technology, mobile communication systems have reached a developmental stage that provides a high-speed data service for sending a large amount of digital data such as e-mails, still images, and moving pictures at high rate to User Equipment (UE) or Mobile Stations (MSs), beyond the traditional voice service.
In this context, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) has recently been studied and is being actively exploited for the mobile communication systems. OFDM is a special case of Multi-Carrier Modulation (MCM) in which an input serial symbol sequence is parallelized and modulated to mutually orthogonal subcarriers or subcarrier channels, prior to transmission.
FIG. 1 provides an example of time-frequency resource allocation in an OFDM mobile communication system to which the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 1, one modulation symbol (e.g. Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) or 16-ary Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (16QAM) symbol) is sent, generally on a single subcarrier. The subcarrier is a resource unit in the high-speed data service.
In FIG. 1, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents frequency. Reference numeral 101 denotes a subcarrier and reference numeral 102 denotes an OFDM symbol. As illustrated in FIG. 1, one OFDM symbol is composed of a plurality of subcarriers.
The OFDM system sends a plurality of OFDM symbols as a transmission unit called Transmission Time Interval (TTI), as denoted by reference numeral 103. In FIG. 1, a single rectangle defines a time-frequency bin and one TTI has a plurality of time-frequency bins.
Typically, one TTI includes a plurality of physical channels. The physical channels are channels that carry different types of information in the mobile communication system, including paging, packet data, packet data control and uplink scheduling channels.
For example, part of a TTI, that is, some of time-frequency bins, are used for a paging channel, a common control channel carrying system information, a packet data channel carrying user data and a packet data control channel carrying control information required for demodulation of the packet data channel, as illustrated in FIG. 1. While not specified herein, other physical channels may exist to serve other purposes and thus part of the time-frequency bins may be occupied by these other physical channels.
As described above, the OFDM mobile communication system uses two-dimensional resources, i.e. time-frequency resources which are divided into smaller areas for allocation to a plurality of UEs. Because the UEs require different amounts of resources, resources (time-frequency bins) allocated to them should be efficiently agreed on or determined between a transmitter and receivers.
For instance, given 5000 time-frequency bins in one TTI, if the transmitter allocates time-frequency bins 1 to 100 to a first receiver and time-frequency bins 101 to 600 to a second receiver, it should be able to effectively notify the receivers of the resource allocation.
Yet, it is very inefficient to indicate the allocated subcarriers one by one, for example, by specifying the indexes of the individual subcarriers on the frequency axis and the indexes of OFDM symbols with the subcarriers on the time axis because this resource allocation notification requires too much control information. Hence, a resource allocation scheme is under discussion, that groups time-frequency resources into resource blocks and allocates resources to UEs on a resource block basis.
FIG. 2 illustrates allocation of successive time-frequency resources as resource blocks and FIG. 3 illustrates allocation of scattered time-frequency resources as resource blocks.
A resource block with subcarriers successive in time and contiguous in frequency is called a localized resource block, as illustrated in FIG. 2. A resource block with subcarriers successive in time but distributed in frequency is called a distributed resource block, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the distributed resource allocation of FIG. 3, spaced subcarriers are allocated in the same time area. As a result, the block-based resource allocation illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 reduces uplink signaling overhead.
FIG. 4 illustrates transmission of resource assignment information to UEs to which a Base Station (BS) allocates a plurality of resource blocks.
To notify a particular UE by allocation of a resource block, the BS basically uses the Identifier (ID) of the UE and resource block information. The UE ID is about 10 bits long and the resource block information occupies about 5 to 10 bits to deliver more accurate information.
The conventional resource assignment information signaling method increases signaling overhead because UE IDs and resource block information are indicated one by one, as explained above.
To avert this problem, only the UE IDs can be indicated in relation to resource blocks allocated to the UEs with the UE Ids, without explicitly signaling the resource block information.
Referring to FIG. 4, reference numeral 314 denotes resources available to the BS and reference numerals 307 to 313 denote logical resource blocks allocated to UEs. The resource allocation can be performed in a localized manner or a distributed manner, as illustrated in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. Reference numeral 304 denotes the UE IDs of the UEs and reference numeral 306 denotes short IDs that identify the UEs to which resource blocks are allocated.
The BS first sends the UE IDs to the UEs to which radio resources are allocated in a certain order such that new IDs are allocated to the UEs in accordance with the transmission sequence numbers of the UE IDs. As the new IDs are mapped to the allocated resource blocks in a one-to-one correspondence, the UEs can find out which resource blocks are allocated to them. Therefore, signaling overhead is decreased, compared to the conventional signaling of information about allocated resource blocks together with the full UE IDs to the UEs.
In the illustrated case of FIG. 4, new IDs 01, 10 and 11 are allocated respectively to first, second and third UEs (301, 302 and 303) (UE 1, UE 2 and UE 3 respectively). If a resource block is not allocated to any UE, 00 is mapped to the resource block. Hereinafter, the new IDs are called as short IDs.
The BS allocates the resource blocks to UE 1, UE 2 and UE 3. A resource block 307 is allocated to UE 2 and thus 10 is signaled in respect to the resource block 307. Since the following resource block 308 is not allocated to any UE, 00 representing none is signaled in respect to the resource block 308. A resource block 309 is allocated to UE 1 and thus 01 is signaled in respect to the resource block 309. A resource block 310 is not allocated to any UE, 00 is signaled in respect to the resource block 310. A resource block 311 is allocated to UE 3 and thus 11 is signaled in respect to the resource block 311. For a resource block 313 allocated to UE 2, 10 is signaled.
Therefore, the BS signals the UEs' short IDs for the respective resource blocks, as denoted by reference numeral 306. The signaling of the short IDs in the order of the UEs to which the resource blocks are allocated obviates the need for additional information for mapping between the resource blocks and the UEs because the UEs are aware that a first resource block is allocated to the UE with a first short ID and the other resources blocks are allocated in this manner.
For the above-described resource assignment information signaling, a control channel is configured as described in Table 1 below.
TABLE 1FieldBitsNum of scheduled UEs 5 {Num of scheduled UEs occurrences UE ID10 } {number of resource block Short ID┌log2 (NumofscheduledUEs + 1)┐ }
In Table 1, Num of scheduled UEs indicates the number of UEs to which resources are allocated by the control channel. UE IDs for as many of these fields are included. UE ID identifies a UE to which resources are allocated. As many Short IDs as the allocated resource blocks are signaled. Since the UEs to which the resources are allocated are numbered with the Short IDs, the Short IDs may vary depending on UEs to which resources are allocated by the control channel.
For instance, if three UEs are allocated resources by the control channel, they are represented by 2-bit short IDs. For five UEs to which resources are allocated, 3-bit short IDs are feasible. Notably, more short IDs than the number of the UEs to which resources are allocated are required in order to notify non-allocated resource blocks. If the notification is not made, the number of short IDs can be equal to that of the UEs to which resources are allocated.
While the conventional signaling method reduces signaling overhead in that there is no need for signaling both UE IDs and resource block information, if the sequence of short IDs are not mapped to allocated resource blocks in a one-to-one correspondence, the receivers cannot determine a resource allocation sequence automatically. Moreover, the none ID (00 in FIG. 4) should be included in the short ID sequence to indicate a non-allocated resource block.
Meanwhile, signaling of dedicated resource assignment information that is kept valid for a predetermined time to UEs is under active discussion for services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). In this case, there is no need for sending resource block information to the UEs at each time because in uplink transmission, a scheduler and a transmitter reside in different nodes.
Synchronous Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) uses the same resources and the same Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) level for a retransmission as in an initial transmission. In this case, there is also no need for sending resource assignment information on a control channel. Since no IDs are sent even when the resource assignment information is not required, the conventional control channel transmission method is inefficient.
When control information is delivered to UEs on a plurality of Shared Control Channels (SCCHs), the conventional one-to-one mapping between short IDs and resource blocks is notified by each of the SCCHs, thereby causing signaling overhead. Accordingly, there exists a need for efficiently signaling resource assignment information, i.e. control information.

Method for signaling resource assignment information in a frequency division multiple access system


A curable epoxy resin composition comprising (A) a curable epoxy resin and (B) an organopolysiloxane prepared by equilibrium polymerization and having the average unit formula EQU (R.sup.1 SiO.sub.3/2).sub.a (R.sup.2.sub.2 SiO.sub.2/2).sub.b (R.sup.2.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2).sub.c (R.sup.3 O.sub.1/2).sub.d. in which R.sup.1 is an epoxy-functional monovalent organic group, R.sup.2 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, R.sup.3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having no more than 4 carbon atoms, a>0, b>0, d>0 and c.gtoreq.0. Also, an electronic component coated with a product obtained by curing the aforesaid composition

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to curable epoxy resin compositions and electronic components. More particularly, this invention relates to curable epoxy resin compositions that have excellent storage stability prior to cure, excellent initial and durable adhesiveness, and that are well-suited for use as a protectant for-electronic components. The invention also relates to highly reliable electronic components that are coated with the cured product from the curable epoxy resin composition.
2. Description of the Related Art
Curable epoxy resin compositions provide cured products that have excellent electrical properties, for example, volume resistivity, breakdown strength, dielectric constant, and so forth, and as a result are used as protectants and coatings for electronic components. However, since these cured products are generally stiff and have poor fleability, when coated on an electronic component, they cause large internal stresses to be applied to the electronic component. This can result in cracking in the cured material and/or in destruction of the electronic component
To counter this, for example, Japanese Patent Publication Number Sho 62-27095 (1987) teaches a curable epoxy resin composition comprising the blend of curable epoxy resin and organopolysiloxane afforded by the hydrolysis and condensation of organosilane and bearing at least one epoxy-functional or amino-functional organic group and at least one hydroxyl group or hydrolyzable group, while Japanese Patent application Laid Open Number Sho 62-192423 (1987) teaches a curable epoxy resin composition comprising the blend of curable epoxy resin and epoxy-functional organopolysiloxane.
However, in the case of the curable epoxy resin composition proposed in Japanese Patent Publication Number Sho 62-27095, the final curable epoxy resin composition has a poor storage stability. The curable epoxy resin composition taught in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Number Sho 62-192423 exhibits a poor initial and durable adhesiveness and thus performs poorly as a protectant for electronic components. Furthermore, these organopolysiloxanes are not compatible with curable epoxy resins, with the result that phase separation can occur during storage and the curable epoxy resin composition can suffer from a decline in transparency.
Moreover, electronic components coated with the cured products afforded by the aforementioned curable epoxy resin compositions suffer from the problem of poor reliability as manifested by a poor moisture resistance and heat resistance.
The inventors achieved the present invention as a result of extensive investigations into the problems described above.
In specific terms, an object of the present invention is to provide curable epoxy resin compositions that have excellent storage stability prior to cure, excellent initial and durable adhesiveness, and that are well-suited for use as protectants for electronic components. Another object of the present invention is to provide highly reliable electronic components that are coated with the cured product from the curable epoxy resin composition.

Epoxy resin and epoxy-functional organopolysiloxane


As received, a data value of an expected input set of received data values is missing from user input. A subset of known data with data values similar to a subset of the received data values is determined. A data sample average for the missing data value is determined from data values within the subset of the known data. An initial estimate of the missing data value is initialized using the data sample average. Boundary data clusters near the initial estimate of the missing data value are identified within the subset of the known data. A data harvesting region encapsulated according to the boundary clusters is defined. Data support clusters within at least one subset of the known data inside the data harvesting region are selected. The initial estimate of the missing data value is updated based upon data of the boundary clusters and the data support clusters.

The present invention relates to computational derivation of missing data values. More particularly, the present invention relates to missing value imputation using adaptive ordering and clustering analysis.
Data collection processes often involve a person being presented with a questionnaire, and that person being requested to answer questions presented within the questionnaire. For example, health care, insurance, and other industries utilize data collection processes as part of an initial interaction to build information with which to initiate providing a particular service or product and/or to evaluate how to provide the particular service or product.

Missing value imputation using adaptive ordering and clustering analysis

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


Units of traffic are routed between nodes in a network on corresponding sets of trunks, such that the traffic is balanced between disjoint paths. A restoration process for the traffic is implemented using service layer or transport layer switching. In a first embodiment, first and second nodes are connected by first and second sets of trunks, with each of the trunks in a given set of trunks supporting a designated portion of a given one of the units of traffic. The units of traffic are then routed such that a first half of a given one of the units of traffic is routed on a first one of the trunks in a given one of the sets of trunks, and a second half of the given unit is routed on a second one of the trunks in the given set of trunks. In other embodiments, the first and second nodes are connected by first and second sets of trunks so as to form a four-trunk ring, with each of the first and second sets of trunks including a primary trunk and a backup trunk. A given one of the units of traffic is then routed on either an upper or lower portion of the ring. The four trunk ring may be in the form of an IP/optical hybrid ring, in which case the restoration process is implemented using service layer switching, or a SONET/optical ring, in which case the restoration process is implemented using transport layer switching.

Communication network technology is advancing at a rapid rate. For example, all-optical networks using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) are currently being deployed for a wide variety of communication applications. WDM techniques allow optical signals having different wavelengths to be multiplexed into a single optical fiber. Each of the wavelengths serves as an optical carrier and can be used independently of the other wavelengths, such that different wavelengths may use different modulation formats to carry different signal types. In one possible implementation, each wavelength may carry a modulation signal representing a synchronous optical network/synchronous digital hierarchy (SONET/SDH) client payload, where each client is a SONET-rate time division multiplexed (TDM) application and the common carried signals are in an OC-x format, where "OC" denotes optical carrier and x denotes the rate, e.g., an OC-3 format, an OC-48 format, an OC-192 format, etc.
Such optical networks generally include routing elements such as wavelength switching cross-connects, wavelength adapters, wavelength interchanging cross-connects, etc. A wavelength switching cross-connect serves to cross-connect incoming wavelengths on a given input fiber to different output fibers, but does not provide any transformation in wavelength. When only this type of routing device is present in an optical network, the network typically routes a given end-to-end demand using a single wavelength. If a primary network path assigned to the given demand fails, the demand generally must be carried on a secondary or restoration path using exactly the same wavelength as the primary path. A wavelength adapter is a device which allows conversion of wavelength at the client-network interface. A wavelength interchanging cross-connect is used to cross-connect incoming wavelengths onto different output fibers while also providing transformation of wavelengths.
One type of approach to providing failure protection in an optical network formed of these and other elements is to provide complete redundancy, such that the network includes a dedicated backup or secondary connection for each primary connection of the network. When a link, span or node of the primary connection fails, traffic may then be switched onto the corresponding elements of the secondary connection.
FIG. 1 shows an example traffic demand between two nodes A and Z of a given network. In this example, the demand is two units of OC-x traffic, each unit corresponding to one of the dashed lines between nodes A and Z.
FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional network protection approach as applied to the two units of OC-x traffic in the FIG. 1 example. This approach is an example of the above-noted complete redundancy approach, and is known in the art as "1+1" protection or "bridge and select." In this approach, the first and second units of OC-x traffic are routed in the manner indicated at 100 and 110, respectively. More particularly, an original signal corresponding to the first unit of OC-x traffic is routed on a first link 102 between the nodes A and Z, while a copy of this signal is routed on a second link 104 between the nodes A and Z. A particular one of the original signal or the copy is then selected at the destination node Z. The second unit of OC-x traffic is routed in a similar manner, with an original signal corresponding to the second unit of OC-x traffic routed on a link 112 between the nodes A and Z, while a copy of this signal is routed on a link 114 between the nodes A and Z. Again, a particular one of the original signal or the copy is then selected at the destination node Z.
The "bridge and select" approach illustrated in FIG. 2 provides complete redundancy for the capacity required to route the two units of OC-x traffic between nodes A and Z. However, this approach suffers from a number of significant drawbacks. For example, although the approach provides link protection, i.e., protection against a failure in one of the primary links 102 or 112, it fails to provide span protection, where span protection refers generally to an ability to switch locally from a primary trunk to a backup trunk. In addition, since a full unit of the OC-x traffic is assigned to each link, this approach does not accommodate preemptible traffic, and fails to provide any opportunity for quality of service (QoS) enhancement.
More sophisticated approaches may involve the use of a path restoration algorithm to provide automatic restoration of network traffic in the event of a primary path failure, while sharing restoration capacities whenever possible, so as to reduce the total amount of required redundant capacity.
Examples of known path restoration algorithms are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,113 issued Feb. 1, 2000 in the name of inventors Bharat T. Doshi et al. and entitled "Distributed Precomputation of Network Signal Paths with Table-Based Link Capacity Control," J. Anderson, B. T. Doshi, S. Dravida and P. Harshavardhana, "Fast Restoration of ATM Networks," JSAC 1991; W. D. Grover, "The Self-Healing Network: A Fast Distributed Restoration Technique for Networks Using Digital Cross Connect Machines," IEEE Globecom 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,835, issued to W. D. Grover on Sep. 11, 1990; C. H. Yang et al., "FITNESS: Failure Immunization Technology for Network Service Survivability," IEEE Globecom 1988; C. Edward Chow, J. Bicknell, S. McCaughey and S. Syed, "A Fast Distributed Network Restoration Algorithm," IEEE Globecom '93, pp. 261–267, 1993; and S. Hasegawa, Y. Okanone, T. Egawa and H. Sakauchi, "Control Algorithms of SONET Integrated Self-Healing Networks;" and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,435,003 and 5,537,532, both entitled "Restoration in Communications Networks" and issued to R. S. K. Chng, C. P. Botham and M. C. Sinclair.
These more sophisticated approaches are often computationally intensive, and are therefore not appropriate or desirable in many applications. What is needed is a simple approach which utilizes redundancy but also overcomes the above-noted problems associated with the conventional "bridge and select" approach.

Methods and apparatus for protection against network failures


A transaction card includes at least two read-only magnetically encoded stripes encoding different data in accordance with standard data encryption protocols readable by conventional transaction card reading systems. The stripes are associated with areas of the card which may have different indicia, such as, for example, being different colors or different textures. In accordance with one embodiment, superimposed upon the card may be two sets of raised printed indicia including, for example, the transaction card number, the expiration date and the name of the card user. One set of the raised printed indicia is inverted with respect to the other set so as to indicate to the user which one of the magnetic stripes is being processed. In accordance with another embodiment, only one set of raised letters is used; the other set being flush with the surface of the card if there are two sets. In this way, magnetically encoded information on the same transaction card may be segregated at the point of sale. The transaction card is readable by standard, existing readers and the information is processed for invoicing by standard processing systems to preferably generate a single statement with two groups of charges, one relating to each magnetically encoded stripe.

Currently, all transactions made utilizing a transaction card with one magnetic stripe must be charged against one information set contained on that magnetic stripe. Examples of such cards are conventional credit cards, ATM cards and frequent flyer cards. For non-magnetic stripe readers, transactions are charged against one set of raised account numbers. Presently, single cards do not have multiple account capability so as to be separable into different accounts at points of sale. Moreover, as transaction cards multiply, so do difficulties such as the physical inconvenience of carrying the cards, the difficulties in consolidating rebates from multiple accounts, and the inconveniences of receiving more than one bill and writing more than one check. In addition, there is frequently a need to separate transactions for specific categories of business expenses. This is especially the case for small business owners who need to separate transactions for accounting purposes and employees who must separate transactions for reimbursement purposes.
The current credit cards with one magnetic stripe cannot separate transactions at the point of sale. To configure them to do so requires advanced technologies such as "smart" cards which require complete reconfiguration of merchant reader equipment and which, in addition to requiring a complete change-out of the installed processing base, would require retraining of all merchant users. Introduction of advanced technologies to separate transactions at the point of sale would result in installation of unproven systems which may be susceptible to fraud as well as installation of systems requiring modification of strict VISA/MasterCard standards. Moreover, extensive research and development and extensive investment in tooling for manufacturing would be necessary to implement using advanced technologies for separating transactions at the point of sale.

Multiple magnetic stripe transaction cards and systems for the utilization thereof


An ambidextrous protective hand covering monolithically formed from a heat/cold resistant flexible silicone material, the opposing interior and exterior surfaces of which each include a plurality of integrally-formed raised nodules that are positionally off-set relative to one another with non-aligning transverse axes. The positionally off-set exterior and interior nodules act to oppose thermal conductivity and provide an effective thermal barrier so as to protect the hand and wrist during handling of articles of differing or uncomfortable temperatures. Optionally, the formulation of the heat/cold resistant material may be chemically enhanced to provide a thermal luminescent change in color of the hand protective covering upon detection of excessive hot/cold temperatures.

Protective hand coverings designed to withstand uncomfortable temperatures, aggressive chemicals and the like, have been in existence for many years and find common use in many household and industrial applications. Such conventional hand coverings have existed in many forms, including gloves, mittens, pads and other protective coverings, and are generally manufactured from one or more of a number of materials, such as natural or synthetic fabrics, leather, rubber and other plastic materials. While such conventional hand coverings have been moderately successful in providing the desired protection, due to construction and materials used, all such devices have had limited effectiveness in adequately protecting the hand while offering suitable comfort and wearability.
In more recent times, efforts have been directed toward the manufacture of protective hand coverings made of silicone rubber which, due to the material's inherent characteristics, provides improved wearability and fitness, strength, and resistance to hot and cold temperatures, as well as aggressive chemicals. One example of such a hand covering formed of silicone rubber can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,597. As shown, hand coverings of this type are usually formed of a somewhat thicker material for added protection against extreme conditions, and are typically designed with a smooth surface contacting the palm of the hand, such that the protective material rests flat against the hand when grasping a desired article.
Under such circumstances, the silicone material of the protective covering acts as the sole barrier (thermal or otherwise) for protection of the hand against the encountered elements. While effective, the thickness of the material often tends to make the hand covering more cumbersome to wear and manipulate, and more costly to manufacture. Moreover, the smooth surface contacting the hand provides little ventilation, and the material's inability to breathe effectively can lead to discomfort of the hand as a result of perspiration, clamminess and the like.
It is therefore evident that there is a need for a protective hand covering which not only provides the desired strength and resistance against extreme elements, but is also supple and comfortable to wear under any condition, can be manufactured in a simple and cost effective manner, and provides adequate ventilation for the hand during use thereof.

Heat/cold resistant protective hand covering


A device for attracting and capturing or otherwise disabling insects includes a fan mechanism structured and arranged to provide an outflow of air out of the device to atmosphere, and to draw an inflow directed counter the outflow from atmosphere into the device, the outflow being substantially within the inflow outside of the device. The flow mechanism is also structured and arranged to provide an insect attractant in the outflow. The device can include mounting structure being adapted to position the device with the outflow directed in a substantially downward direction. The outflow attracts insects to the vicinity of the device, and the inflow urges the insects to enter the device. An insect disabling structure is arranged with the flow mechanism to capture or otherwise disable insects being urged into the device by the inflow.

The invention relates to method and device for attracting and trapping or otherwise disabling insects, and, in particular, to a counterflow device that uses an insect attractant in an outflow from the trap.
Suction traps have been used in a variety of configurations to trap or kill insects. It is known to use screened material to trap the insects thus drawn into the trap, and to use mechanical, electrical or poison means to disable, injure or kill the insects. It is also known to use fan mechanisms to generate the suction flow, and to use lights or air-borne attractants to lure the insects to the vicinity of the suction flow. In some configurations, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,577 (Plunkett) and U.S. Pat No. 5,157,090 (Cody), a small flow of an insect attractant is exhausted from the device to the outside of a much larger suction stream.
For devices using air-borne attractants, the trapping efficiency is related to the type of attractant used, the direction of the attractant, the direction of the suction stream, and the direction of the suction stream relative to the attractant.


The present invention provides a channel switching method for use with a wireless mouse by intelligently switching the communication channels with a wireless signal receiver. Firstly, the packet error rate is detected to discriminate whether the number of continuous failed packets is greater than a threshold value. Subsequently, the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is detected to discriminate whether the wireless transmitter needs to switch the current communication channel with the wireless signal receiver.

Nowadays, wireless communication technologies have experienced great growth and are now rapidly gaining in popularity. As a result, many peripheral devices of computer system were developed according to wireless communication technologies, so that signals or data are transmitted between the peripheral devices and the host computer. Among the wireless peripheral devices, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, wireless earphone, wireless microphone and the like are prevailing. When a wireless peripheral device is operated, a corresponding wireless signal receiver is employed for receiving the wireless signal delivered from the wireless peripheral device. Generally, the wireless signal receiver is connected to an extension slot of the host computer. Therefore, the signals generated from the wireless peripheral device can be transmitted to the host computer via the wireless signal receiver.
The common wireless communication protocols are usually operated in the bandwidth of for example 2.4 G Hz. Devices communicating by means a specified wireless technology run the risk of encountering interference in environments where other wireless technologies are in use. For reducing interference between wireless technologies sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum, a so-called automatic frequency hopping method was developed. Frequency hopping devices can know which frequencies are occupied by other users of the band and then rapidly switched among other frequency channels.
In wireless transmission, packet error rate is a measure of discriminating whether the channel frequency has to be switched. A method of estimating the packet error rate caused by interference utilizes a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) to detect the interference level, thereby discriminating whether the channel is encountering interference. However, if the wireless peripheral device is relatively far from the host computer, it is usually deemed that channel switching is necessary. As known, too frequent channel switching may increase power consumption.
Another method of discriminating whether the channel-switching is required utilizes a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to indicate how strong a signal is at a receiver. RSSI is measured in each channel in order to specify a frequency channel being used in a wireless communication by another communication apparatus, and if specified, such a frequency channel is avoided based upon the measurement result. In a case that a wireless peripheral device employs a lower-level RFIC when taking cost into account, insufficient number of frequency channels are provided for performing channel-switching. Under this circumstance, the threshold value associated with each channel is so high that the packet lost rate is increased.
In views of the above-described disadvantages resulted from the prior art, the applicant keeps on carving unflaggingly to develop a channel switching method according to the present invention through wholehearted experience and research.

Channel switching method for use with wireless peripheral device


An apparatus for passing a guidewire through a subcutaneous tissue tunnel to enable over-the wire insertion of a catheter through the tissue tunnel. The apparatus comprises an elongated member having a distal end portion having a tip configured to advance through the tissue tunnel and an opening extending longitudinally with respect to the apparatus and dimensioned to receive the guidewire. The guidewire is inserted through the opening to pass the guidewire through the tunnel to enable subsequent insertion of the catheter.

1. Technical Field
This application relates to an apparatus and method for guidewire retrieval for over the wire insertion of catheters.
2. Background of Related Art
Hemodialysis is a well known method of providing renal (kidney) function by circulating blood. A dialysis catheter is typically inserted through the jugular vein and maneuvered into position through the superior vena cava into the right atrium. Blood is withdrawn from the patient's body through the dialysis catheter and transported to a dialysis (kidney) machine. In the dialysis machine, the waste products are removed, and the filtered blood is returned to the patient's body through the catheter.
Prior art catheters such as the MedComp Ash Split catheter are inserted through introducer sheaths which are then manually separated (peeled) and removed from the site. These dialysis catheters require numerous steps for insertion because of the tear away sheath. The multiple insertion steps can be summarized as follows:                1. an introducer needle is inserted through a first incision site (first opening) to properly locate (access) the vessel, e.g. the right internal jugular vein;        2. a guidewire is inserted through the needle into the internal jugular vein and down through the superior vena cava into the inferior vena cava;        3. the introducer needle is withdrawn leaving the guidewire in place;        4. a tear away (peel away) sheath and dilator are inserted over the guidewire and through the first incision site to provide an access port for the dialysis catheter into the jugular vein, superior vena cava and right atrium;        5. a second incision is made in the chest wall to create a second opening;        6. a trocar is attached to the distal end of the dialysis catheter;        7. the trocar and dialysis catheter are pushed through the second incision and advanced to bluntly dissect the subcutaneous tissue to exit the first incision (opening) which was created by the introducer needle, thereby creating a subcutaneous tissue tunnel between the first and second openings;        8. the trocar is detached from the dialysis catheter leaving the catheter in place extending from the second opening, through the tissue tunnel and out the first opening;        9. the dilator and guidewire are removed, leaving the tear away sheath in place in the first incision which has been expanded by the dilator;        10. the dialysis catheter, which is protruding from the first incision, is inserted through the tear away sheath and advanced so its distal portion is positioned in the right atrium;        11. the sheath is separated, i.e. split, by pulling the tabs apart, and then pulled upwardly away from the dialysis catheter and removed from the body, leaving the catheter in place; and        12. the second incision is closed and the dialysis catheter, which is connected through tubes to the dialysis machine, is left in place an extended period of time to provide blood circulation to and from the dialysis machine.
Alternatively, in the foregoing method, the trocar can be forced through a third incision exiting adjacent the first incision, and then the catheter inserted through the second and third incisions and the introducer sheath positioned in the first incision.
This multiple step process of inserting the prior art dialysis catheter is time consuming and complicates the surgical procedure. These multiple steps also add to the cost of the procedure, not only because of the additional surgeon's time but because additional components, such as the tear-away sheath, are required which increases the overall cost of the catheter system. Also, removal of the dilator increases the tendency of the sheath to kink causing difficulties in catheter insertion.
The use of the tear away sheath is also problematic. The tear-away style sheath has lines of weakness to separate the sheath as it is pulled apart by the pull tabs for removal. However, the sheath can potentially cause damage to the vessel wall as it is being pulled apart and can cause infection. Moreover, pulling the sheath laterally can enlarge the incision, thereby increasing the difficulty of closing the incision at the end of the procedure. Also, since the sheath is pulled in the proximal direction for removal, it could pull the catheter proximally as well, thereby pulling it away from the desired site, and requiring repositioning. The edges of the tear away can also lacerate the surgeon's glove and finger. Over dilation caused by the sheath can also cause blood leakage.
An additional potential risk with utilizing tear away sheaths is that air embolism can occur. During the time the surgeon withdraws the dilator from the sheath and inserts the catheter, a passageway through the sheath to the vessel is open. If the patient inhales during this catheter exchange, an air bubble can enter the vascular system and obstruct the vessel, potentially causing stroke or even death.
It would therefore be advantageous if a dialysis catheter insertion method could be provided which reduces some of the foregoing procedural steps, thereby decreasing the complexity of the procedure and decreasing the hospital and surgeon costs. It would also be advantageous if such dialysis catheter insertion method could be provided which would be less traumatic and avoid the foregoing problems associated with the use of a tear-away sheath.
To achieve such insertion, it would be necessary to ensure the catheter has sufficient stiffness to be pushed through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel and vessels into the right atrium. However, such stiffness must not significantly reduce catheter flexibility which would render navigation of the catheter difficult and potentially traumatic to the vessels.
The need therefore exists for a dialysis catheter having the necessary stiffness, while retaining sufficient flexibility, to enable the advantageous insertion characteristics described herein, e.g. reduction of catheter insertion time, simplification of the catheter insertion process, and elimination of a peel-away introducer sheath.
The catheter and insertion methods disclosed in co-pending commonly assigned Ser. No. 10/279,468, filed Oct. 24, 2002, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, satisfies the above-mentioned needs and provides the foregoing advantages by providing a complete over-the-wire catheter insertion method which eliminates the need for a peel-away sheath. As disclosed in this application, a trocar is provided for retrieving the guidewire and passing it through the tissue tunnel for subsequent guidance of the catheter. The present invention discloses various trocars for achieving placement of the guidewire through the subcutaneous tissue tunnel. Such placement of the guidewire also advantageously enables over the wire insertion of different types of catheters.

Guidewire retrieval member for catheter insertion


The invention is directed to an anti-vibration sound insulator for a suspended ceiling which is intended to be used either in residential or commercial applications. The insulator comprises a metal furring devised to be fixed to the ceiling. It also includes a central part comprising a star-shaped element having an upper vertical plate provided with an orifice and two lower plates each having extremities. These extremities are folded so as to jointly form a slide rail sized to receive and support the folded extremities of the metal furring. The central part also comprises an insulating element devised to be inserted in the upper plate orifice, this insulating element including an orifice. This latter orifice allows introducing a fixing element so as to fix the insulator beneath a floor, or against a joist supporting the floor.

The common technique used to obtain vibration insulation on a wood floor consists in pouring concrete slab of about 1.5 inch thick on the floor. This technique is efficient but very restricting due to the mass of the concrete slab which is applied to the wood framework.
When a floor is already made of concrete, it is known in the art to fix under the floor a suspended ceiling using metal bars, U-shaped bars or wood furrings. However, such suspended ceilings lead to sound insulation and anti-vibration problems. Indeed, sounds and vibrations can be transmitted from the upper floor to the lower ceiling via the metal bars, the U-shaped bars or the wood furrings.
The present invention resolves these problems by an anti-vibration sound insulator which can be easily fixed under an existing floor in metal or wood, to support, with a certain amount of elasticity, bars or any other means presently being used to fix a ceiling beneath the floor, without any constraint and particularly no mass to support.

Anti-vibration sound insulator for suspended ceiling