A method and apparatus for monitoring fiber optic communications involves providing a space between a first end of a first optical fiber and a second end of a second optical fiber. A reflector is movable between a retracted position and an active position. In the active position, the reflector is positioned in the path of an optical signal beam passing through the space between the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber to reflect a portion of the optical signal beam as a tap signal. The reflector is selectively moved between the retracted position and the active position. This enables the tap signal to be selectively turned off and on. It also enables the portion of the optical signal beam reflected to be selectively adjusted.

The performance of a fiber optic communication system is dependent on the strength of a signal that can be transmitted along a length of optical fiber in an optical communication channel and retention of the quality of the signal during transmission. A signal that has lost a portion of its strength during transmission along one length of optical fiber must be boosted to recover that strength before transmission along further successive lengths of optical fiber, or else the signal will be too weak to be detected and understood after transmission along several lengths of optical fiber. Similarly, the quality of the signal must be retained if it is to be clearly detected and understood after it has been transmitted along several lengths of optical fiber. Consequently, there is a need to monitor both the power and the quality of data transmitted as light signals along optical communication channels.
The number of optical fibers for communications has increased substantially in recent years, with the consequence that the costs for installation and operation of optical fiber systems have dropped to values comparable with those for coaxial cable systems. Thus there is a need for improved capability to monitor optical fiber systems.
Stephen G. Bavington has described the current state of the art optical fiber monitoring technologies in "Monitoring Fiber Networks", published in the 2nd quarter, 2001 issue of Spirent.com e-magazine published by Spirent Communications. This article describes a system in which the apparatus for monitoring fiber optic communications includes single fixed optical taps on each fiber communications channel among an array of fiber communications channels. Each tap is in optical communication with a matrix of optical switches, which in turn is connected to selected signal analysers. In this system, each tap is a fixed fiber optical signal splitter with a fixed tap ratio.
Typically, electro-optic technology is used in systems for monitoring optical fiber communications. An optical signal being transmitted along an optical channel is intercepted and converted to an electrical signal for retiming and data recovery. The power and quality of the signal is assessed, and the performance of the optical fiber is thereby evaluated. This method of monitoring data communications is expensive. The cost of termination of fibers also is expensive. Thus the cost of monitoring the performance of optical fiber communication systems is increasing as the number of optical channels increases. Frequency and wavelength multiplexing allows each fiber to carry several signals simultaneously, thus further increasing the complexity and cost of monitoring optical fiber communications. Considerable effort is being made to enable monitoring of optical transmission of data, and methods of tapping said optical transmissions, as described in the following examples.
Chang-Hasnain et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,233,263, issued in 2001, describe a monitoring and control assembly for a wavelength stabilized optical system. The assembly includes a tunable laser and an adjustable wavelength selective filter whereby the signal is split selectively by wavelength of the signal into a reflected portion and a transmitted portion of said signal. At least one photodetector is used to monitor a beam of light as a function of wavelength of light emitted by the laser and the position of the wavelength selective filter.
Strasser and Wagener in U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,156, issued in 1998, describe a dispersive optical waveguide tap comprising a refractive index grating, coupling means and utilization means. Optical co-operation between the waveguide and the coupling means changes the guiding conditions, thereby directing the guided mode light into one or more radiation modes instead of transmission mode.
Jennings et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,942, issued in 1998, describe an optical communications system having distributed intelligence. Distributed intelligence interconnection modules optically connect one optical channel to another optical channel. The modules allow monitoring, testing and/or related activities of the overall optical communications system to be performed locally at the interconnection modules in an automatic and continuous manner. The interconnections each have actively intelligent microcontrollers thereon. A signal is tapped using an optical tap. The type of optical tap is not specified.
Corke et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,917, issued in 1996, describe optical communication monitoring and control. A fraction of signals being transmitted along an optical communications channel, at different signal carrier wavelengths, is tapped using an optical tap. A set of communication signals is transmitted using at least two distinct carrier optical wavelengths. The signals are demultiplexed and compared to a standard. Thereby the performance quality of the optical pathway is evaluated.
All of the above described methods and apparatus use fixed fiber optical signal splitters having fixed tap ratios that are capable of capturing a fraction of the optical signal. The fraction of the signal required varies with the monitoring function, for example: monitoring the power of a signal 1%, monitoring wavelength of a signal 3%, monitoring the quality of the signal 5%, and capturing encoded data from optical signal 10%. Of course, these are estimated values that vary depending with proximity of the monitoring apparatus to the transmission source or a transmission booster. It is not desirable to divert 10% of the signal to the monitoring apparatus if 1% will do, as the signal is weakened by whatever fraction of the signal is diverted to the monitoring apparatus. At the present time monitoring apparatus are, therefore, selected based upon specific monitoring requirements.

Method and apparatus for monitoring fiber optic communications


A vehicle camera and wide-angle objective lens system are disclosed wherein the wide-angle objective lens has image aberrations or errors that do not deteriorate the detection of obstructions or obstacles in its field of view.

The invention relates to a wide-angle objective lens system and a wide-angle camera incorporating the wide-angle lens system.
Today, in the case of motor vehicles, especially in regard to commercial vehicles, more and more cameras are being installed for the purpose of monitoring the area surrounding the vehicle. Panoramic cameras of types to serve such a purpose are rigidly affixed to a vehicle so that the camera has to encompass a wide area of sight or a wide-angled field of view. For this purpose cameras with comparatively inexpensive wide-angle objective lens systems are customarily installed.
These wide-angle objective lenses encompass a very wide field angle of 100° or more. However, this large field angle, i.e., this extensive extent of view, must be bought at the price of considerable distortion and reduced brightness in the outer edges of the displayed image. "Distortion" or "image distortion," means that straight lines in the edge areas of the object show themselves as curved in the produced image. It is important to distinguish a barrel-shaped distortion and a cushion-shaped distortion. Wide-angle lens system usually show a barrel-shaped distortion, i.e., expressed as positive figure. FIG. 3 illustrates examples of positive and negative image distortions. Image distortion is expressed as
      (                            y          ′                -        y                    y        ′              )    ,where y′ represents the height of the image without distortion and y designates the height of the image with aberration. As a general rule, only the radial distortion, i. e. the change in lengths along radial distances, are considered. In the present application %-values for distortion designate this radial image distortion.
Where objective lenses are involved, and especially wide-angle objective lenses, a multiplicity of errors or aberrations in the produced images occur, which are known as the "Seven Seidel Aberrations" referring to the Seidel Error Theory. These seven Seidel Aberrations can be combined into three groups:                I) focus aberrations                    a) Spherical aberration, (differences in paraxial rays and marginal rays),            b) coma, (light patching, with stringed tails),            c) astigmatism, (formation of focal lines at points),                        II) positional aberrations                    d) field curvature, (result of curved surface of image receiver),            e) distortion, (convex or concave forms of outlines or barrel-shaped or cushion shaped outlines),                        III) color aberration                    f) longitudinal color aberration            g) transverse color aberration
Each lens of an objective lens system possesses various properties such as the kind of glass, curvature expressed by the radii of the two lens surfaces) and the thickness of the lens. The arrangement of a plurality of lenses in an objective system becomes characterized by the separation distance of one lens from another, the position of an iris, and the back focus, i.e. the distance of the last lens surface to the plane of the recorded image. These characteristics become known as parameters or degrees of freedom. Theoretically, each of these degrees of freedom can be put to use to correct image aberrations. Contrary thereto, each degree of freedom takes part in all image aberrations. By customary use of optics software the proportionate image aberration for each single lens surface can be calculated.
In the following the work method of an optics designer will be explained by the aid of a pertinent example. This example is very important, since it presents the concept, of how an optics-designer proceeds and it shows decisive the creativity of the optics designer still is. It is possible to correct the seven aberrations with a minimum of eight independent system parameters. Focal length is also such a parameter. A triplet, i.e., a three-lens objective, could, as far as principle is concerned, suffice in this correction. A triplet is normally built-up from two converging outside members, e. g. made of crown glass, and one inner diverging member, e. g. made of flint glass. This assembly provides six radii and two distances between the individual lenses. To start with, the optics designer brings together optical system parameters such as the type of the glass, the thickness of the lenses, the separating distance between the lenses and also the radius of curvature of the glass surfaces. We have six lens surfaces and it is now possible to determine to what extent each contributes to the overall aberration in the final image. Very simplified, we could determine, that in a given case the radius of the second surface of the first lens produces a spherical and chromatic aberration, and the radii of the third lens surfaces produce coma and astigmatism.
The optics designer must now make a decision, as to how these aberrations are to be corrected. He may try to change the curvature of the first lens in order to correct for the spherical aberration. However, the curvature of the lens is also decisive for the focal length and the focal length should not be changed. The change of the curvature may reduce the spherical aberration but at the same time coma would be increased. The designer can also decide that the correction is to be distributed over a plurality of system parameters, in order to ameliorate the erroneous sensitivity. If a specific parameter is very decisive in order to correct for a certain aberration, one is in trouble, if the parameter is outside the allowed tolerance or clearance range during the production of the lens system. Or, one can also determine, that the clearance is too finely specified, and cannot be observed in the production of the lens system.
The optics designer will alter the system parameters up to such a point, that the remaining optical aberrations are small enough. In additional steps, he will attempt to correct each image aberration with different degrees of freedom simultaneously. The burden of the correction can then be distributed over the various lens surfaces and the entire system is no longer as critical. Within certain limitations, the optics designer has the possibility of specifying the types of glass and the degrees of curvature, although each chosen combination brings forth another aspect of the total correction. If the triplet has been so configured, that it approximates the pre-defined requirements, then the designer can, for example, determine that the astigmatism at the edge of the image has nearly vanished, but appears to play an important role in the inner field of view. At this point, we collide with a new problem. The seven Seidel aberrations, outlined above, are, unfortunately, not the only optical aberrations. One designates the Aberrations of Seidel as "Image aberrations of the Third Order". Logically, there are more aberrations of a higher order. The most important of these are the aberrations of the fifth and seventh order. These aberration groups are generally only to be encountered when the first group, the "third order" aberrations is properly corrected.
Theoretically, a very small point existing in the object is mapped into a very small point again. As a matter of practice, this does not occur because of the optical aberrations. A point will not reproduce as a point, but rather as a small disk with a varying distribution of brightness. As soon as these disks under-step a certain diameter, then the image errors become evident. That is a very simplified explanation. In reality, these aberrations are continually in force, but come to attention only if the residual aberrations of the third order are small.
The example given, i.e. the "Triplet Example", wherein the astigmatism in the field is still visible, shows the effect of these image aberrations of higher orders. One can make use of a defined and entirely controlled residue of the Seidel image aberrations in order to compensate for errors or aberrations of the fifth and seventh order. This is naturally, a limited measure and a triplet will have only an acceptable image quality, if the field angle and/or the iris opening is small.
It is important to note that a defined optical system, defined by the number and the configuration of the lenses etc., provides for limited correction possibilities. That means, in other words, even with sophisticated optics software and computer power only an experienced optics designer will choose the "right" starting parameters.
Computers, software and numerical methods are used in order to reduce optical aberrations. This equipment and procedures are be employed in order to optimize an optical system. This huge amount of data may cause its own problems. As a result, the task of the experts or optics designers has not become easier. Rather with the aid of computers an optics designer can consider more parameters and carry out the computations quicker and with greater accuracy.
A certain relationship exists between the number of design parameters of an optical system (lens curvature, lens thickness, distance of separation, refractive index etc.) and the degree of correction of the optical aberrations. With a greater degree of freedom and more design parameters, respectively, the optics designer has correspondingly more possibilities of correcting a system. If an optics designer applies a greater number of optical elements, then a better degree of correction can be attained. This, however, results in a considerable increase in costs, and further, the system may react strongly on the part of manufacturing clearances or increases in weight.
The designer of an optical system must then acquire a very good understanding of the fundamental optical possibilities of a given construction. All constructions or designs require an optimization system or plan in accord with a initial sketch. If the construction is not suitable for a fine compensation of aberrations, then the optics designer will attain only a product of lower quality.
A six lens objective system has 10 free lens surfaces (radii), six lens thicknesses (one per lens) with four separation-distances between the lenses. Additionally, each kind of glass has its own refractive index and dispersion number to consider. Further, it is necessary, that the exact position of the iris is to be determined. With these 36 parameters, i.e., degrees of freedom, the optics designer must correct more than 60 different image aberrations. Each parameter can present something like 10,000 individual values and one must calculate some 6,000 different ray paths for each parameter change.
These 36 degrees of freedom or parameters are also not entirely independent. Some must be combined; others are strongly limited by other parameters. Accordingly, the 36 degrees of freedom are reduced to something like 20, whereby the task becomes even more complex. In view of the given conditions and considerations, it is not surprising, that hundreds, if not thousands of designs may result, all of which very close or similar to the desired solution or design. The complete evaluation of a six lens objective system with the aid of fast computers and software that are able to calculate 10.000 lens surfaces per second approximately takes ten years.
Obviously, such a procedure is not feasible. In order to seek out the best solution to this unending succession of choices, the optics designer must have an inherent recognition of all the effects of the image aberrations on the final image quality of the displayed image. In addition, he must have the capability, to know those factors of image quality, which can produce the desired features of the optical system.
In a case of the application of wide angle objective lenses for the panoramic viewing of the immediate environment about a vehicle, there should be, first, the ability to encompass the greatest possible field of view, since the cameras are normally affixed rigidly to the vehicle. Second, the image aberrations, which will necessarily appear, must not deteriorate the recognition of obstacles within the field of view of the wide-angle lens system. Moreover, a wide-angle objective lens system cannot be designed in too complex a manner, since then it would be too expensive for use in a motor vehicle.
Thus it is an object of the present invention to make available an economical, wide-angle objective lens having image aberrations or errors that do not deteriorate the detection of obstructions or obstacles in its field of view. It is a further object o the present invention to provide a camera with such a wide-angle lens system.

Wide-angle objective lens system and camera


An automated system and method which monitors the cash flow of the merchant account and maintains a minimum balance for each merchant account based upon allowable delays. The automated system/method includes a point of sale device and data files for transactional activity. The point of sale device resides at the merchant""s premises and is used for commercial transactions between a credit card holder and a merchant. The data files are comprised of the net transactional activity between the credit card holder and the merchant. The system further includes a merchant credit card transaction processor for processing data files at the merchant premises and a merchant database. The system further includes a transaction processor in communication with the merchant credit card transaction processor, the merchant database and a plurality of card issuers. The transaction processor facilitates the flow of credit card transaction data by withholding a fraction of the net transactional amount based upon the transactional parameters to maintain a minimum merchant account balance. Also provided is a method for monitoring the cash flow of a merchant account and for maintaining a minimum balance for each merchant account. The method includes gathering at least one transaction performed by a merchant; adding up the amounts of the at least one transaction to determine a net amount for daily merchant account activity; allocating a fraction of the net amount to a merchant reserve account for future funding; and disbursing the net amount minus the fraction allocated to the reserve account to the merchant.

This invention relates to an automated system and method for monitoring financial transactions.
With the advent of computerized systems and the internet, commercial transactions have experienced a significant increase. Credit cards, debit cards and other financial account cards, as part of the entire process, are popular means to transact business. Accordingly, credit cards, debit cards and other cards have gained widespread acceptance as a method of paying for goods and services. These cards collectively may be referred to as xe2x80x9cdata cards.xe2x80x9d Data cards in use today typically include a magnetic stripe containing account and other information, and most often include an account number and other information in embossed or raised characters.
Two elements must be present before a credit card transaction can be completed successfully. First, the consumer or cardholder must possess a valid credit card. Second, the merchant must be authorized to accept the card as payment for the goods or services and to receive payment from the organization that issued the credit card. The card issuing organization subsequently receives payment from the cardholder.
Credit cards are issued by banks and other financial organizations, generally as members and under the regulations of a credit card issuing association or entity. VISA(copyright), MASTERCARD(copyright), DISCOVER CARD(copyright), and AMERICAN EXPRESS(copyright) are examples of credit card issuing associations or entities for particular brands of data cards. When a credit card is issued, the issuer is, in effect, granting a line of credit to the cardholder. Because the issuer is granting a line of credit, a credit card will be issued only after the issuer has conducted a credit background check and is satisfied as to the cardholder""s ability and willingness to repay the debts incurred. The issuer""s confidence is reflected in the amount of credit granted, which may range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Many data card transactions involve third-party credit card transaction processors in addition to the merchant and credit card issuer. Transaction processors, which are sometimes independent business institutions, provide merchants with data processing services that facilitate the flow of credit card transaction data and the corresponding payments of monies between the merchants and card issuers. The flow of transaction data from the merchant to the issuer via a transaction processor is commonly referred to as xe2x80x9cprocessingxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cclearingxe2x80x9d the transactions. The flow of money from the issuer to the merchant via a processor is known as xe2x80x9csettlement.xe2x80x9d The term xe2x80x9ctransaction processorxe2x80x9d, as used herein, generally means a third-party institution that processes card transactions independently of a card issuer, but can also include card issuers and card issuing associations that process their own transactions.
In a typical credit card transaction, a card holder presents a credit card to a merchant, who records transaction data by using either an electronic terminal or a manually imprinted sales draft. The recorded data includes the amount of the purchase, the cardholder""s account number, the card""s expiration date, the merchant identification number, and the date of the transaction. In most cases, the cardholder is also required to sign a copy of the receipt.
At the end of each day, the merchant determines the total dollar volume of the credit card transactions completed and prepares a deposit slip indicating that amount. All of the transaction data is then transferred to the merchant""s credit card transaction processor and entered into the transaction processor""s computers. This transfer may be electronic, in which case a data capture terminal transfers the data directly to the processor""s computer. Alternatively, the transfer may involve the deposit of imprinted paper sales drafts and subsequent entry of the data into the computers by the processor""s data entry personnel.
Once the data is received by the transaction processor, the amount of the merchant""s xe2x80x9cdepositxe2x80x9d is verified and recorded. At that point, the transactions are separated according to the type of credit card used to complete the transaction. The transaction processor then transfers the corresponding transaction data to the appropriate credit card issuer or card issuing association. After the data is transferred to the issuer, the issuer posts the individual transactions to the appropriate cardholder""s account.
In most cases, settlement occurs very soon after the data is cleared. For example, after a transaction processor receives a merchant""s daily transaction data, the balance due the merchant is calculated and paid to the merchant via check, direct deposit, or wire transfer. The transaction processor issues the check out of the individual merchant account held with the transaction processor. Transaction processors perform the task of maintaining the individual merchant accounts manually. In addition to maintaining merchant accounts, the transaction processor sorts the transaction data from all of its client merchants according to the type of card used and forwards that data to the appropriate card issuer. Because transaction processors perform these functions manually, processing and account maintenance accordingly becomes extremely time-consuming and costly.
Once the transaction processor has sorted the transactions and forwarded the information to the appropriate card issuer, the issuer or card association then determines the balance due the transaction processor and transfers that amount to the transaction processor. As a part of a transaction settlement, transaction processors and issuers assess fees for processing the credit card transaction. These fees are commonly referred to as the xe2x80x9cdiscount ratexe2x80x9d and are usually calculated as a percentage of the face value of the credit card transaction. The issuer deducts its fee as percentage from the total amount due the transaction processor.
As noted above, in performing its tasks, the transaction processor must maintain an account for each merchant. Where the merchant is a high risk, the transaction processor may require a minimum account balance or reserve. The reserve or minimum balance serves as collateral for future debits. Transaction processors must monitor the cash flow into and out of the account. Given that monitoring the accounts is performed manually, transaction processors incur great cost. Consequently, a need has developed whereby transaction processors may have an automated system and method which monitors the cash flow of the merchant account and maintains a minimum balance for each merchant account based upon allowable delays.
In view of the above problems associated with the related art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automated system which monitors the cash flow of an account.
It is also an objective of the invention to provide a system which maintains a minimum balance for each merchant account based upon allowable delays.
In view of the above problems associated with the related art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method which automatically monitors the cash flow of an account.
It is also an objective of the invention to provide a method which maintains a minimum balance for each merchant account.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects and features, an automated system and method for monitoring the cash flow and maintaining a minimum balance is provided. The automated system/method includes a point of sale device and data files for transactional activity. The point of sale device resides at the merchant""s premises and is used for commercial transactions between a credit card holder and a merchant. The data files are comprised of the net transactional activity between the credit card holder and the merchant. The system further includes a merchant credit card transaction processor for processing data files at the merchant premises and a merchant database. The system further includes a transaction processor in communication with the merchant credit card transaction processor, the merchant database and a plurality of card issuers. The transaction processor facilitates the flow of credit card transaction data by withholding a fraction of the net transactional amount based upon the transactional parameters to maintain a minimum merchant account balance.
The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are more readily understood from review of the attached drawings and the accompanying specification and claims.

Automated system and method for monitoring financial transactions


A laminate structure may include: an aluminum layer; a glass composite layer adjacent to the aluminum layer; and/or a carbon composite layer adjacent to the glass composite layer, opposite to the aluminum layer. The glass composite layer may include one or more glass-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies. The carbon composite layer may include one or more carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies. A laminate structure may include: a first aluminum layer; a first glass composite layer adjacent to the first aluminum layer; a first carbon composite layer adjacent to the first glass composite layer, and opposite to the first aluminum layer; and/or a second glass composite layer adjacent to the first carbon composite layer, and opposite to the first glass composite layer. The first glass composite layer may include one or more glass-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies. The first carbon composite layer may include one or more carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies.

Laminate structures may comprise fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies may be, for example, glass-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies. The fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies may be, for example, carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies.
Laminate structures also may comprise, for example, aluminum, glass composite, and/or carbon composite layers. The glass composite layer(s) may comprise the glass-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies. The carbon composite layer(s) may comprise the carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies. Such laminate structures may fall, for example, in the fiber metal laminate ("FML") category. FMLs may exhibit specific advantages when compared to simple metal structures. Such advantages may include, for example, improved resistance to corrosion, fatigue, fire, and/or impact. In addition or in the alternative, such advantages may include, for example, integral electromagnetic effects ("EME") conductivity. In addition or in the alternative, such advantages may include, for example, specialized strength properties and/or reduced weight per a given volume.
Many industries, such as the aerospace, automotive, defense, electronics, maritime, and rail-transport industries, continually seek to push the boundaries of what has come before in laminate structures. Thus, there is a need for improved laminate structures.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Laminate structures comprising fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg plies


Apparatus and method for the bending of rigid workpieces, particularly tubes, such as those of use in automotive exhaust systems, heat exchangers and aircraft hydraulic systems. The apparatus comprises. a workpiece clamping means for retaining the workpiece on the bending apparatus; PA1 a pressure die means engageable with the workpiece; PA1 a radius die means for providing a radius form about which the workpiece is bent, the radius die means being adapted to rotate about an axis for bending the workpiece about the radius die means to the bend angle; PA1 a workpiece clamping die means for engaging and bending the workpiece relative to the pressure die means and about a portion of the radius die means; PA1 control means for moving the clamping die means between a bend angle position in which the workpiece is bent about the radius die means to said bend angle relative to the clamping means and a relieved position in which the clamping die means is not bending the workpiece; PA1 a workpiece displacement means for displacing said workpiece to a displaced position relative to said pressure die means and said clamping die means out of the engaging plane of said clamping die means by movement of said workpiece clamping means; and PA1 sensor means for sensing the free portion of the workpiece after the bending when the workpiece is in said displaced position and for sending a signal providing said sensing to the control means.

In prior apparatus used for the rotary draw bending of pipe and tube, such as of use in automobile exhaust systems, heat exchangers and aircraft construction, a primary component is the bending head of the apparatus. The bending head comprises a rotary bend die, an opposing clamp die which clamps a section of the tube immediately preceding the section of the tube where the bend is to be formed, and a pressure die located directly behind the clamped section of the tube. As the tube is pulled around the rotary bend die, the pressure die moves substantially in unison with the tube while resisting the radial reaction force of the tube action on the pressure die. Thus, the pressure die and rotary bend die cause the tube to be squeezed therebetween during the bending operation.
Many variable factors such as the type of tube material, tube wall thickness, shape of tube section to be formed, the radius of the bend and the like contribute to the "springback" characteristics of the tube and need to be considered when tube bending with rotary draw bending machine is carried out. However, although commercially acceptable tubes are manufactured with apparatus hereinbefore described, there is a need for pipe bending means which are capable of producing bent tubes of consistent quality on a repeated basis.
There are known apparatus having means available which can detect and compensate for the tube's springback characteristics. These apparatus are usually used after the tube is bent and unloaded from the bender to measure actual tube geometry compared to the desired tube geometry, such that the springback factor can be calculated and used to set the corrective bend angles needed to obtain the desired specified shape. Although these apparatus are effective, in practice there may be many iterations needed, with a high number of tubes being used, before the corrective springback factor is determined which results in increased tube scrap.
On some benders there are means for bend correction while the tube remains on the bender. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,031, issued Jan. 4, 1994, to Whiteside, J. A. et al., the bend correction means comprises a pressure die for holding a tube, a bend die for providing a radius form about which the tube is bent, and a clamping die for engaging and bending the tube relative to the pressure die and about a portion of the radius die. Control means moves the clamping die between a bend angle position in which the tube is bent about the radius die to a predetermined angle relative to angle position in which the tube is bent about the radius die to a predetermined angle relative to the clamping die and a relieved position in which the clamping die is not bending the tube. Sensor means, movable conjointly with the radius die, engages the tube in a springback position upon rotation of the radius die toward the tube and sends a signal to the control means upon contact with the tube. The control means then determines a rebend angle to achieve the desired degree of bend in the tube and moves the clamping die means and radius die to the rebend angle to bend the tube to that angle and storing the rebend angle for bending subsequent pieces. However, by having the sensor move conjointly with the radius die and having the radius die rotate until the sensor makes contact with the tube results in inaccurate position readings. Due to the sensitive nature of sensors, it will detect the location of the tube once it comes into contact with the tube. However, the contact location may not result in an accurate calculation of the actual tube angle if the sensor does not meet the tube at a flush 90 degree angle. By reason that the sensor is mounted on the bend die which rotates in an arc to make contact with the tube, it may not be possible for the sensor to make a 90 degree contact with the tube for all angle of bends. There is also the possibility that depending on the amount of springback of the tube, the sensor may not be able to make contact with the tube because it is firmly attached to the bend die. Further, due to the bending process itself there may be situations where lubricants are used on the tube around the bend die. These lubricants have the potential of clogging up the area where the sensor is mounted in the bend die to render the sensor ineffective or inaccurate.
Yet further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,031 corrects each angle of the tube through trial and error. If the specific angle is 30 degrees and the actual angle 27 degrees, produced on a first bend the angle at that portion of the tube will be rebent to an angle of greater than 30 degrees so that the relaxed state of the tube at that position will measure 30 degrees. In consequence, of the strain hardening nature of the materials, once a tube is bent, it is difficult to make minor adjustments to the bend. This strain hardening aspect of materials results in a bend angle error that is not compensated for in the control means calculation and may result in a final tube shape that does not correspond to the specified tube shape.


A method of operating a first server data processing apparatus for use in coordinating a distributed transaction which is carried out by a plurality of server data processing apparatuses is disclosed, the method having steps of: receiving a registration request from a second server data processing apparatus; determining a machine address of the second server data processing apparatus that sent the registration request; keeping a list of the machine addresses of server data processing apparatuses that send registration requests to the first apparatus; determining the destination machine address of an outbound transactional request; determining whether the destination machine address of the outbound transactional request is included in the list of machine addresses kept by the keeping step; and when the destination machine address of the outbound transactional request is included in the list of machine addresses, substituting an identifier in the outbound transaction request identifying a transaction coordinator located on the first server apparatus with an identifier identifying a transaction coordinator located on the server apparatus having the destination machine address of the outbound transactional request.

The invention relates to the field of client/server (also known as xe2x80x9cdistributedxe2x80x9d) computing, where one computing device (xe2x80x9cthe clientxe2x80x9d) requests another computing device (xe2x80x9cthe serverxe2x80x9d) to perform part of the client""s work. The client and server can also be both located on the same physical computing device.
Client/server computing has become more and more important over the past few years in the information technology world. This type of distributed computing allows one machine to delegate some of its work to another machine that might be, for example, better suited to perform that work. For example, the server could be a high-powered computer running a database program managing the storage of a vast amount of data, while the client is simply a desktop personal computer (PC) which requests information from the database to use in one of its local programs.
The benefits of client/server computing have been even further enhanced by the use of a well-known computer programming technology called object-oriented programming (OOP), which allows the client and server to be located on different (heterogeneous) xe2x80x9cplatformsxe2x80x9d. A platform is a combination of the specific hardware/software/operating system/communication protocol which a machine uses to do its work. OOP allows the client application program and server application program to operate on their own platforms without worrying how the client application""s work requests will be communicated and accepted by the server application. Likewise, the server application does not have to worry about how the OOP system will receive, translate and send the server application""s processing results back to the requesting client application.
Details of how OOP techniques have been integrated with heterogeneous client/server systems are explained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,744 and European Patent Published Application No. EP 0 677,943 A2. These latter two publications are hereby incorporated by reference. However, an example of the basic architecture will be given below for contextual understanding of the invention""s environment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the client computer 10 (which could, for example, be a personal computer having the IBM OS/2 operating system installed thereon) has an application program 40 running on its operating system (xe2x80x9cIBMxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cOS/2xe2x80x9d are trademarks of the International Business Machines corporation). The application program 40 will periodically require work to be performed on the server computer 20 and/or data to be returned from the server 20 for subsequent use by the application program 40. The server computer 20 can be, for example, a high-powered mainframe computer running on IBM""s MVS operating system (xe2x80x9cMVSxe2x80x9d is also a trademark of the IBM corp.). For the purposes of the present invention it is irrelevant whether the requests for communications services to be carried out by the server are instigated by user interaction with the first application program 40, or whether the application program 40 operates independently of user interaction and makes the requests automatically during the running of the program.
When the client computer 10 wishes to make a request for the server computer 20""s services, the first application program 40 informs the first logic means 50 of the service required. It may for example do this by sending the first logic means the name of a remote procedure along with a list of input and output parameters. The first logic means 50 then handles the task of establishing the necessary communications with the second computer 20 with reference to definitions of the available communications services stored in the storage device 60. All the possible services are defined as a cohesive framework of object classes 70, these classes being derived from a single object class. Defining the services in this way gives rise to a great number of advantages in terms of performance and reusability.
To establish the necessary communication with the server 20, the first logic means 50 determines which object class in the framework needs to be used, and then creates an instance of that object at the server, a message being sent to that object so as to cause that object to invoke one of its methods. This gives rise to the establishment of the connection with the server computer 20 via the connection means 80, and the subsequent sending of a request to the second logic means 90.
The second logic means 90 then passes the request on to the second application program 100 (hereafter called the service application) running on the server computer 20 so that the service application 100 can perform the specific task required by that request, such as running a data retrieval procedure. Once this task has been completed the service application may need to send results back to the first computer 10. The server application 100 interacts with the second logic means 90 during the performance of the requested tasks and when results are to be sent back to the first computer 10. The second logic means 90 establishes instances of objects, and invokes appropriate methods of those objects, as and when required by the server application 100, the object instances being created from the cohesive framework of object classes stored in the storage device 110.
Using the above technique, the client application program 40 is not exposed to the communications architecture. Further the service application 100 is invoked through the standard mechanism for its environment; it does not know that it is being invoked remotely.
The Object Management Group (OMG) is an international consortium of organizations involved in various aspects of client/server computing on heterogeneous platforms with distributed objects as is shown in FIG. 1. The OMG has set forth published standards by which client computers (e.g. 10) communicate (in OOP form) with server machines (e.g. 20). As part of these standards, an Object Request Broker (called CORBA-the Common Object Request Broker Architecture) has been defined, which provides the object-oriented bridge between the client and the server machines. The ORB decouples the client and server applications from the object oriented implementation details, performing at least part of the work of the first and second logic means 50 and 90 as well as the connection means 80.
As part of the CORBA software structure, the OMG has set forth standards related to xe2x80x9ctransactionsxe2x80x9d and these standards are known as the OTS or Object Transaction Service. See, e.g., CORBA Object Transaction Service Specification 1.0, OMG Document 94.8.4. Computer implemented transaction processing systems are used for critical business tasks in a number of industries. A transaction defines a single unit of work that must either be fully completed or fully purged without action. For example, in the case of a bank automated teller machine from which a customer seeks to withdraw money, the actions of issuing the money, reducing the balance of money on hand in the machine and reducing the customer""s bank balance must all occur or none of them must occur. Failure of one of the subordinate actions would lead to inconsistency between the records and the actual occurrences.
Distributed transaction processing involves a transaction that affects resources at more than one physical or logical location. In the above example, a transaction affects resources managed at the local automated teller device as well as bank balances managed by a bank""s main computer. Such transactions involve one particular client computer (e.g, 10) communicating with one particular server computer (e.g., 20) over a series of client requests which are processed by the server. The OMG""s OTS is responsible for coordinating these distributed transactions.
An application running on a client process begins a transaction which may involve calling a plurality of different servers, each of which will initiate a server process to make changes to its local data according to the instructions contained in the transaction. The transaction finishes by either committing the transaction (and thus all servers finalize the changes to their local data) or aborting the transaction (and thus all servers xe2x80x9crollbackxe2x80x9d or ignore the changes to their local data made during the transaction). To communicate with the servers during the transaction (e.g., instructing them to either commit or abort their part in the transaction) one of the processes involved must maintain state data for the transaction. According to the OTS standard, this involves the process setting up a series of objects, one of which is a coordinator object which coordinates the transaction with respect to the various servers.
The main purpose of this coordinator object is to keep track of which server objects are involved in the transaction, so that when the transaction is finished, each server object involved in the transaction can be told to commit the changes made locally to the local database associated with that server object, in a single unified effort. This ensures that no server object makes a data change final without the other server objects which are also involved in the same transaction doing so. Thus, each server object which is to join a transaction must first register with the coordinator object so that the coordinator object will know of the server object""s existence, its wish to join the transaction, and where to find the server object (e.g., which server machine the server object resides on) when it comes time to complete the transaction (where the coordinator object instructs all server objects to make the changes to their respective local data final).
A server object responsible for updating data (referred to hereinbelow as a resource object) gets involved in a transaction when another server object (or the original client object which started the transaction) sends a request to the resource object for the resource object to do some work. This latter request carries some information, called the transaction context, to inform the resource object that the request is part of a transaction. Once a resource object finds out that it is to be involved in a transaction, it then makes a registration request with the coordinator object.
When the resource object is located in a different operating system process from the coordinator object, it has been found to be useful in the prior art (e.g., the CORBA OTS standard, including IBM""s implementation thereof in IBM""s Component Broker software product, released in 1997) to use a subordinate coordinator object (222 in FIG. 2) located in the same operating system process as the resource object (223 or 224). The main coordinator object is then called the xe2x80x9csuperior coordinator objectxe2x80x9d 211. During registration of a resource object 223 to the transaction, the subordinate coordinator 222 is set up locally inside the server machine 22 which houses the resource object 223 and the resource object 223 communicates directly with this subordinate coordinator object 222 when it makes a registration request. (It should be noted that while the term xe2x80x9cserver machinexe2x80x9d is used here, the term xe2x80x9cserver processxe2x80x9d could also be used, to thus indicate that the distributed server objects could, in fact, be located on the same server machine but on different operating system processes running on the server machine, and hereinafter the term xe2x80x9cserverxe2x80x9d will be used to refer to both terms.) The subordinate coordinator 222, in turn, registers itself with the superior coordinator object 211 (which is located in another process possibly on another server machine as if it were a resource object).
The subordinate coordinator object 222 thus provides a representation of the existence of the transaction within the server housing the resource object. Instead of communicating directly with the superior coordinator object 211, the resource objects 223 and 224 first communicate with their local subordinate coordinator object 222 which in turn communicates with the superior coordinator object. This greatly reduces the number of cross-operating-system-process calls.
With this prior art architecture, there are still many inefficiencies that result. For example, assume that there are two machines involved in a transaction: one machine containing the business logic and another machine containing the data logic. The superior coordinator is set up in a process running on the machine containing the business logic and the resource objects are located in the machine containing the data logic. The machine containing the data logic has two server processes running in it and each such process has resource objects which are involved in a distributed transaction. Therefore, two separate subordinate coordinators will be set up, one in each of the server processes. Each subordinate coordinator in the machine containing the data logic then sends inter-machine messages (e.g., using TCP/IP) to the superior coordinator in the machine containing the business logic in order to progress the transaction. Thus, there are still many inter-machine data flows occurring with this software architecture of the prior art.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a first server data processing apparatus for use in coordinating a distributed transaction which is carried out by a plurality of server data processing apparatuses, the first apparatus having: a means for receiving a registration request from a second server data processing apparatus; a means for determining a machine address of the second server data processing apparatus that sent the registration request; a means for keeping a list of the machine addresses of server data processing apparatuses that send registration requests to the first apparatus; a means for determining the destination machine address of an outbound transactional request; a means for determining whether the destination machine address of the outbound transactional request is included in the list of machine addresses kept by the means for keeping; and a means for, when the destination machine address of the outbound transactional request is included in the list of machine addresses kept by the means for keeping, substituting an identifier in the outbound transaction request identifying a transaction coordinator located on the first server apparatus with an identifier identifying a transaction coordinator located on the server apparatus having the destination machine address of the outbound transactional request.
According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of carrying out the functionality recited above concerning the first aspect.
According to a third aspect, the invention provides a computer program, stored on a computer-readable storage medium, the program having program elements for, when run on a computer, performing the method set forth in the second aspect of the invention.
Thus, the present invention consolidates a group of subordinate coordinators that are located on the same machine such that only one such subordinate coordinator needs to communicate directly via inter-machine data with the superior coordinator (which is running on another machine). This greatly reduces the number of inter-machine data transfers that would otherwise be required.

Client/server computing for transaction processing with superior coordinator optimization

International Business Machines Corporation


A hanging system for framed paintings and other basically plate-like objects, has at least one hanging rail attached securely to a frame and a mounting rail which is detachably mountable to the hanging rail; wherein said hanging rail has at least one fastening point by which the mounting rail is detachably fastenable to the hanging rail. Preferably, at least one hanging rail is located in each corner of the frame and the fastening point is in the form of a threaded bore. The hanging system also includes a transport frame having lengthwise sides and crosswise sides which interconnect the lengthwise sides to which outwardly projecting ends of the hanging rails are attachable. Preferably, the transport frame has lengthwise sides with longitudinally extending openings, and crossbars which extend parallel to the crosswise sides and are mounted in the longitudinally extending openings so as to be adjustably guidable therein and fixable in a lockable manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hanging system for framed paintings or other basically plate-like objects.
While the teaching of this invention is explained below based on the preferred intended use for framed paintings, it is always to be kept in mind that the teaching of this invention is also suitable for all other basically plate-like objects, for example, for poster mountings, for other art objects, or the like, that require hanging.
2. Description of Related Art
Normally, with framed paintings, a hanging system is used that has hanging angles or hanging brackets securely fastened to the backside of the frame. With hanging angles the frame is hung on hooks on the wall or with hanging brackets the frame is hung on a cord leading down from a display rail. With pictures, that are frequently moved, be it that their hanging places are changed, or that they are hung in different places in a gallery, from time to time the necessity arises to move hanging angles and hanging brackets on the backside of the frame of the painting. If such frames are transported over considerable distances, for which they then have to be inserted in a transport frame, the hanging angles or hanging brackets are normally removed to be able to complete cover the frame all over in cushioning material.
The result of the above explained situation is that, often, in older and "widely traveled" framed paintings, their backsides have a dense hole pattern, so that there are hardly any more possibilities for attaching hanging brackets or hanging angles. A special problem is that major difficulties are often caused in the hanging of old, perhaps even somewhat brittle and possibly also very heavy frames of large paintings.
Another problem is the transportation of such paintings that are in frames. Transport frames, as already noted above, are used for this purpose. Transport frames are flat boxes made mostly of wood, in which the painting in the frame is placed in soft cushioning material, especially plastic foam. Then, the painting is tightly surrounded on all sides by cushioning material so as not to be damaged in transport by vibrations and impacts. To achieve sufficient protection, here, the cushioning material must be made very thick and tight. Especially on the bottom edge of the frame, on which the full weight of the painting acts, achieving adequate padding is extraordinarily problematic, so that, time and again, damages in transit are nothing out of the ordinary.
The cushioning of paintings in a frame for transporting has a further great drawback. Paintings in this category of art must be exposed, as much as possible, to constant climatic surrounding conditions. Therefore, they are carried in specially air-conditioned transport vehicles. But, the best air-conditioning fails if, because of the thick padding of the painting, the predetermined climate produced in the air-conditioned transport space cannot be effective on the painting itself. Thus, the problem is that a sufficient air exchange through the cushioning cannot be guaranteed.

Hanging system for frames of paintings or the like

Hasenkamp Internationale Transporte GmbH & Co. KG


A hinge assembly comprising a movable member 5 and a fixed member 6 rotatably connected to each other and a coiled spring (not shown) biasing the movable member 5 toward the fixed member 6. A receiving recess 11 is formed in an opposing surface 5b of the movable member 5 facing the fixed member 6. A spherical body 8 is received in the receiving recess 11 such that the spherical body 8 is movable in a circumferential direction of the movable member 5. A first cam portion 13a is formed in an opposing surface of the fixed member 6 facing the movable member 5. Rotation of the movable member 5 in a direction of an arrow causes the cam portion 13a to be abutted against the spherical body 8. The cam portion 13a converts a biasing force of the coiled spring into a rotational biasing force. The rotational biasing force causes the spherical body 8 to be rapidly abutted against a first hitting portion 11a of the receiving recess 11 and thereby to generate a clicking sound.

A hinge assembly of this type typically includes a fixed member, a movable member connected to the fixed member such that the movable member is rotatable and movable toward and away from the fixed member and a coiled spring biasing the movable member toward the fixed member. A pair of spherical bodies are provided on an opposing surface of the movable member facing the fixed member and a pair of cam surfaces are provided on an opposing surface of the fixed member facing the movable member. The pair of spherical bodies and the pair of cam surfaces respectively abut against one another when the movable member is in a predetermined rotational angle range with respect to the fixed member. The spherical bodies and the cam surfaces in respective abutment with one another convert a biasing force of the coiled spring into a rotational biasing force. The rotational biasing force causes the movable member to be rotated to a predetermined rotation position with respect to the fixed member and to be maintained at the rotation position.
The fixed member is adapted to be rotatable through a predetermined slight angle with respect to other members of the hinge assembly or tubular portions, etc., of a pair of housings rotatably connected by the hinge assembly, and when the movable member is in the predetermined rotational angle range, the fixed member is rotated through the predetermined slight angle by the rotational biasing force converted by the spherical bodies and the cam surfaces. As a result, hitting portions formed in the fixed member and in the other members or the tubular portions abut against each other at a high speed. This generates a clicking sound.
Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-152728.
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-181031.


A method for making aerospace face seal rotors reinforced by rhenium metal, alloy, or composite in combination with silicon carbide or other ceramic. The resulting rotor also is disclosed. Ceramic grains, preferably silicon carbide (SiC), are mixed with powdered metallic (PM) binder that may be based on a refractory metal, preferably rhenium. The mixture is applied to a rotor substrate. The combined ceramic-metal powder mixture is heated to sintering temperature under pressure to enable fusion of the ceramic in the resulting metal-based substrate. A load may then be applied under an elevated temperature. The resulting coated rotor can exhibit high hot hardness, increased durability and/or high hot wear resistance, as well as high thermal conductivity.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the use of powdered metal sintering or diffusion bonding to enable silicon carbide and/or rhenium alloys to coat face seal rotors, such as face seal rotors found in air turbine starter components for gas turbine engines found in aircraft or other applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mechanical face seals in aerospace applications operate at high rotary speeds and need high thermal conductivity rotor materials to reduce running temperatures. Aerospace face seals typically can include a metal-based disc, called a rotor, with a very flat face. Such face seals rotate while in contact or nearly in contact with a stationary, very flat carbon disc, called a stator.
Currently, one material with a high thermal conductivity typically used for rotors is silicon carbide (SiC). Silicon carbide has long been recognized as an ideal material for applications where superior attributes such as hardness and stiffness, strength and oxidation-resistance at elevated temperatures, high thermal conductivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and resistance to wear and abrasion are of primary value. The resiliency and utility of silicon carbide are well established in the art and silicon carbide parts are often fabricated by powder metallurgy (PM) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Wide use of monolithic SiC in low speed industrial equipment is acknowledgement within the seal industry that it is the "best of class" seal rotor material.
However, monolithic silicon carbide (SiC) can be brittle and is generally not used in some aerospace equipment when there are higher rotation speeds and stresses. In addition, conventional techniques of coating steel seal rotors with particulate ceramics are not capable of applying SiC because its melting and/or oxidation temperature can be exceeded by such techniques. Conventional techniques for coating steel seal rotors with ceramic include plasma spraying, high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF), and detonation gun systems. Furthermore, fabrication of monolithic ceramics is expensive. They are difficult to machine and are susceptible to fracture as they are very notch sensitive.
Some high-speed aerospace seal applications have higher-than-preferred carbon temperatures at the rotor/stator interface. These higher temperatures can reduce the life of both the carbon stator and the face seal assembly. Although existing designs are safe and reliable, sometimes the carbon stator may fail unexpectedly and the component in which it operates, usually a gas turbine engine starter, must be replaced or repaired. Other components using carbon stators include primary propulsion aircraft engines, engine gearbox seals, engine accessories such as air turbine starters, hydraulic pumps, generators, constant speed drives, and permanent magnet alternators which must be replaced when the face seal fails. Such unplanned replacements or repairs are expensive, cause unit downtime, and increase operating costs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages, there is a need for an improved aerospace face seal rotor that is able to better withstand the operating temperatures of aerospace applications. The present invention solves one or more of these disadvantages and satisfies a need for a better face seal and related rotor components.

Use of powder metal sintering/diffusion bonding to enable applying silicon carbide or rhenium alloys to face seal rotors


A general dimensioning method and system for allocating limited transmission resources to various virtual paths defined on top of a physical network. A two-level hierarchical structure is defined with a layer of one or more virtual paths on top of a layer of physical network elements. Traffic demand is specified for each virtual path and the Entropy Rate Function is used as a blocking measure. The loads on the various links are balanced by equalizing blocking probabilities and the optimal allocation of network physical resources is determined.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system and method for the efficient dimensioning of a telecommunications network, and more particularly, to a technique for dimensioning defined virtual paths on a constrained physical network using the Entropy Rate Function as a blocking measure.
2. Description of Related Art
Telephone instruments and other communications devices located in a localized geographic area are conventionally connected with one another by means of switching equipment referred to as local exchanges. Local exchanges, in turn, are interconnected by trunk exchanges. Telephone/data instruments located in geographic areas separated from one another and connected to different local exchanges communicate with one another via a complex grouping of local and trunk exchanges linked together into a telecommunications network. A telecommunication network thus comprises a plurality of interconnected network elements, such as local exchanges, trunk exchanges, mobile radio exchanges, long distance exchanges and combinations thereof. At each network level, traffic from one network element, such as an exchange, to another network element can take various routes that pass through different exchanges.
Efficient network traffic management of the communication facilities within a network requires that a sufficient number of circuits be available to handle the traffic requirements of each destination without exaggerated congestion on last-choice traffic routes. It also requires that the network congestion be as even as possible on all last-choice routes and that unused capacity within the routes which are actually provided be minimized in order to insure efficient utilization of resources. In addition, the telephone company which operates a network has a limited budget and consequently must get as much efficiency as possible out of the existing resources in each network.
In the past, traffic management within a communications network has included procedures for periodically surveying the traffic patterns within the network and changing the configuration of circuits and routes to increase the traffic handling efficiently. In addition, more routes and circuits may be added to a network in anticipation of high call densities to a particular location or a particular region and to local events within that region. Conventional network management systems are also capable of changing the relative distribution of traffic loads between selected routes within the network in order to efficiently maximize the utilization of the network without excessive degradation in the quality of service (QoS). However, conventional traffic network management systems and procedures have generally strived to increase the availability of circuits and routes within a network to handle individual traffic demands rather than to reconfigure a network by redimensioning the routes and circuits within it at a higher level of abstraction so as to maximize the overall efficiency of the network.
In addition to the inherent need to maximize the efficiency of managing physical network resources within a telecommunications system, the growth in information and communications technologies in recent years has created a wealth of new economic opportunities and managerial challenges. Vendors providing telecommunications services are continually faced with new customer demands. Providing ordinary voice communications through a telecommunications network is no longer enough. Today's users want the ability to transmit not just voice signals, but also data, audio, video and multimedia signals in both real time as well as through packet switching networks. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology is acquiring increasing significance due to its enhanced ability to provide broadband telecommunications facilities.
A principal feature of ATM technology is its flexibility in the utilization of network resources. One possible approach to exploit this flexibility is to partition the physical network resources, either completely or partially, into logically defined resources. For example, by partitioning a physical network into a plurality of virtual networks, the operation, maintenance and management of a physical network can be substantially simplified. By this procedure, the task of analyzing and solving the traffic routing problem for each call over an entire physical network can be reduced to the considerably simpler routing problem on each virtual network. Each of the individual virtual networks have less complexity than the entire physical network as a whole, making the solution of the traffic routing problem easier.
Partitioning of physical resources can also be necessitated by the existence of different traffic types, different classes of service or varying traffic demands within leased networks. Instead of providing a separate physical network for each customer application, a service provider can set up a number of virtual networks defined on top of a single common ATM physical infrastructure.
This new flexibility in the configuration of virtual network structures demands efficient dimensioning tools, methods and algorithms. Since the nature of the telecommunications services that will be offered in the future are hard to predict, any dimensioning method that is used to manage the configuration of virtual network resources must be capable of dealing with all types of broadband traffic. If the configuration of a virtual network has to be frequently revised in order to adapt to changes in the pattern of offered traffic, then the computational efficiency of the network redimensioning and configuration control system also needs to be high. An algorithm selected for performing network redimensioning and reconfiguring a network should perform its calculations in a time period that is much shorter than the time duration of each virtual network.
Many existing dimensioning techniques are excluded by the requirement that the dimensioning technique be capable of modeling a general traffic distribution. Most commonly used dimensioning methods are not capable of handling general traffic models because of limitations arising from the use of the Erlang blocking measure. The method and system of the present invention overcomes these disadvantages.

System and method for optimal virtual path capacity dimensioning with broadband traffic


An image forming system (100) is provided with plural image forming apparatuses (200) that form images on can bodies (10), a can-body supply mechanism (300) that supplies can bodies (10) to the plural image forming apparatuses (200) successively, and a can-body discharge mechanism (400) that discharges the can bodies (10) on which images have been formed by the image forming apparatuses (200). Each of the image forming apparatuses (200) receives, at a can-body receiving position (1C), can bodies (10) supplied by the can-body supply mechanism (300). Each of the image forming apparatuses (200) also discharges, at a can-body discharging position (1D), can bodies (10) on which images have been formed. The can-body receiving positions (1C) and the can-body discharging positions (1D) are arranged more to the inner side than a circular virtual line (1B) that passes through the centers of the image forming apparatuses (200).

A printing device is suggested, which includes plural digital print heads that are secured on a main body side of the device to form an image on a can body and a driving mechanism that conveys the can body and rotates the can body at a position facing the digital print heads (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Moreover, there is known a device for printing provided with a digital printing unit that sprays ink onto a surface of an offset blanket to form an ink image on the surface of the blanket and covers the whole circumference of a print target surface of a cylindrical print medium with a transferred image of the ink image (for example, refer to Patent Document 2)


An air dryer device including a tapered cylindrical casing consisting of five sections and fastened to a dental 3-way syringe for the holding of the hand, and an air dryer unit fastened inside the tapered cylindrical casing to remove moisture from the air being compressed to the dental 3-way syringe, the air dryer unit consisting of a layer of activated aluminum particles, a layer of activated carbon, and an air filter board respectively separated by wire gauzes.

The present invention relates to an air dryer device detachably fastened to a dental 3-way syringe to dry the air being compressed to the dental 3-way syringe and simultaneously to serve as the handle of the dental 3-way syringe for the holding of the hand.
The dry air ejected through the tip of a dental 3-way syringe is commonly obtained from a high-pressure air supply system, which is generally comprised of an air compressor, an air aftercooler, and an air filter. This structure of air supply system can not effectively remove oil, water, oil vapor, water vapor, etc. from the air being compressed to the dental 3-way syringe. Therefore, an additional air dryer device is needed. There are two types of air dryer devices being commonly used in dental clinics, namely, the absorptive type and the frozen type. A frozen type air dryer device is easy to maintain. However, it is difficult to obtain a dry air of very low dew point through a frozen type air dryer device. An absorptive type air dryer device uses a desicant to absorb moisture from the air passing through. The desicant must be regularly dried by pumping hot and dry air through it so that it can be repeatedly used again and again. However, an absorptive type air dryer device is expensive and must be regularly maintained through a complicated procedure. Because it is not necessary to dry the air being compressed for driving a pneumatic type dental instrument, for example: high-speed handpieces, it is not economic to constantly incorporate an air dryer device in the high-pressure air supply system. In general, regular air dryer devices have drawbacks as follows:
1) They are commonly expensive, and will increase the cost of medical treatment.
2) Absorptive type air dryers are difficult and expensive to maintain.
3) They are commonly heavy and need much installation space.
4) It is not economic to use the compressed air being treated through an expensive air dryer device simply for driving a pneumatic type dental instrument.

Air dryer device for a dental 3-way syringe


An embodiment includes a process of forming a gate stack that acts to resist the redeposition to the semiconductive substrate of mobilized metal such as from a metal gate electrode. An embodiment also relates to a system that achieves the process. An embodiment also relates to a gate stack structure that provides a composition that resists the redeposition of metal during processing and field use.

Integrated circuit technology relies on transistors to formulate functional circuits. The complexity of these circuits requires the use of an ever-increasing number of transistors. During the manufacture of some integrated circuits, field effect transistor (FET) gate electrodes and gate electrode interconnects are etched from an electrically conductive layer that covers other circuitry. For example, in semiconductor memory circuits, wherever a word line passes over a field oxide region, it functions as a gate electrode interconnect; wherever the word line passes over a gate dielectric layer overlying an active region, the word line functions as a gate electrode.
In previous integrated circuits, gate electrodes and electrode interconnects were often etched from a doped polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) layer. However, faster operational speeds and low gate stack heights that are desirable for some applications could not be obtained using the polysilicon layer. Faster operational speeds, for example, are required for certain high-speed processor and memory circuits. Reduced gate stack heights are desirable for increasing the planarity of the integrated circuit to obtain better photolithographic resolution that is required with miniaturization. To achieve increased operational speeds and lower gate stack heights in more recent integrated circuits, it became necessary to reduce the sheet resistance of the conductive layer from which the gates and gate interconnects were formed.
As semiconductor devices continued to scale to smaller dimensions, reduced resistance in the gate electrode lines of FETs also became more important. One way to reduce the resistance and the topology in a gate electrode was to use a combination of polysilicon and refractory metal films. These are known as polycide gates.
One challenge in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) technology is to get the memory cell to hold a charge for longer periods of time. A longer period of time requires less frequent refreshing of the memory cell and allows for more efficient use of the memory controller for read/write/refresh demands. Leakage from the memory cell is a function of many things. There are several leakage mechanisms and pathways. For example, increased temperature will increase leakage. Impurities, traps, and defects in the junction or in the depletion width of the junction represent other leakage pathways. Further, impurities etc. in the source and drain, and defects in or near the gate will also increase leakage. Another cause of leakage includes gate-induced drain leakage (GIDL), also referred to as band-to-band tunneling. Another cause of leakage include sub-threshold leakage, which is backward tunneling of charge from the source to the drain. Another source of leakage is through the dielectric into the polysilicon, referred to as gate leakage.
Three oxidation-promoting processes are used during the gate fabrication that may cause a significant amount of metal to oxidize and to volatilize and redeposit in the substrate junctions and other regions. This redeposition of metal impurities is one source for many leakage pathways. The first is a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of silicon dioxide or silicon nitride dielectric material over the metal layer prior to the gate stack etch. This dielectric material may become the dielectric cap for the gate stack.
The second oxidation-promoting process is a light thermal reoxidation. Various processes are used. They are sometimes referred to as a gate thickening oxidation (GTO), sometimes referred to as a "poly smile" oxidation, and sometimes referred to as "selective steam". The light thermal reoxidation process is carried out to oxidize some of the polysilicon in the gate stack without causing the volumetric expansion of the metal in the gate stack by resisting the formation of a metal oxide.
In the selective steam exemplary process, a wet hydrogen oxidation procedure was developed to allow the silicon to oxidize while leaving the metal such as tungsten unaffected in a post gate etch oxidation. The method was based on thermodynamic calculations which showed that at, for example, 1000E C and a P(H2O)/P(H2) ratio (partial pressure ratio of H20 and H2) of about 1.0×10−05, the equilibrium:Si+2H2O<====>SiO2+2H2 tends toward oxidation of Si, andW+3H2O<====>WO3+3H3 tends toward reduction of WO3 to W. Therefore, it was possible to oxidize silicon again such that the oxidation rate of W would be reduced. However, W may volatilize during processing and recombine with the substrate in a manner that poisons active areas.
The third oxidation-promoting process is a sidewall formation of a dielectric that becomes the gate spacer.
During oxidation-promoting processes, the oxidation of silicon, including polysilicon, is self limiting to a degree. In other words, only a portion of the silicon will oxidize. Metals such as tungsten, are less self limiting. Accordingly, the tungsten may oxidize to a significant amount and even vaporize during any of these oxidation-promoting processes. Further, some metal may volatilize and recombine with portions of the semiconductor in ways that are detrimental to both device yield and field use life.

Method to chemically remove metal impurities from polycide gate sidewalls


An exercise device designed to work and strengthen abdominal muscles while in a standing position comprises a center tube that forms the main axle of the device. The center tube extends completely through where it forms the left and right gripping handles. A pair of padded rollers is rotatingly supported upon the center tube and are pressed upon and then motioned downwardly and upwardly over a user's quadriceps in a reciprocating manner to exercise the abdominal muscles. A gap between the rollers is provided to allow clearance for the device as it is utilized.

Physical fitness and good health are among the areas of highest concerns among Americans today. More than ever, people frequent health clubs and perform exercise routines at home in order to lose weight, improve muscle tone, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. One (1) area that many people concentrate on is their abdominal and adjacent area. This area around one's waist is usually very difficult to reduce with standard equipments. Further, existing equipment tend to require a user to be in a horizontal position while exercising, thus putting undue strain on a user's back. Accordingly, there is a need for means by which exercise workout equipment can effectively target the abdominal area while minimizing excess strain on the user's back. The development of the rolling pad fulfills this need.
The rolling pad, as its name implies, is an exercise machine designed to work and strengthen abdominal muscles while in a standing position. The invention is approximately twenty-eight inches (28 in.) long and four inches (4 in.) in circumference. A center tube forms the main axle of the device, and extends completely through where it forms the left and right handles of the invention. Handle stops then separate the handles from an outer tube which is supported by bushings or bearings off of the interior tube. This outer tube is then covered with foam padding that is used to reduce the localized pressure upon the user's thighs. A gap between the left and right padding is provided to allow the invention to be rolled over the user's genitals. The invention is used in a standing position by first grasping the handles, and pressing it against the hips just above the level of the pubic bone. It is then rolled over the thighs toward the knees. With this exercise motion, the abdominal muscles are tightened and the abdomen is curled while standing. The use of the rolling pad, allows body builders and health enthusiasts to obtain a complete and thorough workout of their abdominal area, in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective.


A power interrupter device includes a solid-state bidirectional switch and control circuitry to control the solid-state bidirectional switch. The bidirectional switch is connected between input and output terminals of the power interrupter device. The control circuitry includes driver circuitry and fault detection circuitry. The driver circuitry generates a regulated direct current (DC) voltage using current drawn from an input power source applied to the input terminal and applies the regulated DC voltage to a control input of the bidirectional switch. The fault detection circuitry is configured to sense a level of load current flowing in an electrical path between the input and output terminals, to detect an occurrence of a fault condition based on the sensed load current level, and to short the control input of the bidirectional switch to place the bidirectional switch in a switched-off state, in response to detecting the occurrence of a fault condition.

Electrical power interrupters are an essential component in electrical distribution systems and are often positioned between an incoming high-current utility supply circuit and lower current branch circuits within a given building or home structure to protect branch circuit conductors and electrical loads from being exposed to over-current conditions. There are several types of over current conditions including overload conditions and fault conditions. An overload condition is defined as operation of equipment in excess of its normal, full-load rating, or a branch circuit in excess of its ampacity which, when the overload persists for a sufficient period of time, would cause damage or dangerous overheating. Fault conditions comprise unintended or accidental load conditions that typically produce much higher over-current conditions than do overloads, depending on the impedance of the fault. A fault producing the maximum over-current condition is referred to as a short-circuit or a "bolted fault."
Conventional power interrupters are electromechanical in nature and have electrical contacts that are physically separated by either manual intervention of an operator lever or automatically upon the occurrence of a fault condition or prolonged over current condition, in which cases the circuit interrupter is deemed to be "tripped." The separation of the electrical contacts of a circuit breaker can be performed electromagnetically or mechanically, or a combination of both. A significant problem with conventional circuit interrupters is that they are slow to react to fault conditions due to their electromechanical construction, and exhibit large variations in both the time to trip and the current trip limit in response to a fault or prolonged over-current conditions. Conventional power interrupters typically require at least several milliseconds to isolate a fault condition. The slow reaction time is undesirable since it raises the risk of hazardous fire, damage to electrical equipment, and arc-flashes, which can occur at the short-circuit location when a bolted fault is not isolated quickly enough.


In a sealing arrangement between a tubular housing (2) and a rod (1) in a rail vehicle slack adjuster, a cup (3) is movable with the rod and extends along the rod over the free end of the housing. A sealing arrangement (6-9) is in sealing engagement with the housing (2). It comprises flange-like portions (6', 7), extending into close proximity with the inner wall of the cup for forming a labyrinth seal, and a sealing lip (9') in sealing contact with the end of the cup for preventing the intrusion of water and the like in the cup.

As is well known to any person skilled in the art, there are both axial and rotational movements between the rod or spindle and housing or barrel of a conventional rail vehicle slack adjuster of the axial type at each and every brake operation. This means that the required sealing between the rod and the housing is exposed to great wear, not the least in view of the extremely harsh environment underneath a rail vehicle, where the slack adjuster is mounted.
A very conventional sealing in the housing may consist of one or more internal sealing rings engaging the rod. These sealing rings may be made of a plastic material in order to withstand the wear better than rubber rings. The result is, however, not satisfactory in some instances when the sealing after a certain period of operation is not tight any more and allows water and contaminants to enter the interior of the slack adjuster resulting in rust problems and eventually function disturbances.
A solution to the above problems was presented in EP-B-353 796, to which reference is made for a full understanding.
The sealing arrangement proposed therein has been used in practice for a period of time and has generally speaking proved advantageous, especially with regard to the possibility for water or moist introduced in the cup in any way to leave it. However, a special problem is that the sealing arrangement is sometimes exposed to forceful water sprays, for example when the undercarriage of the vehicle is cleaned. Generally speaking, the object of the invention is to improve the ability of the sealing arrangement defined above to prevent the intrusion of water, moist, dirt and the like, whilst allowing water in the cup to leave it.

Sealing arrangement for a rail vehicle slack adjuster


An SQL procedure deployment system deploys a query procedure comprising a procedural logic component and a database request component from a source system to a target system. At generation of the query procedure, the system generates a query procedure source code, a symbol table, and an encapsulated optimization results to regenerate run-time instructions for query statements of the database request component and make the query statements function with a deployed procedural logic component. The system maintains an association between the procedural logic component and the database request component during deployment. The system copies an internal representation of the procedural logic component to the target system without regeneration. The system regenerates the database request component to recreate the query procedure on the target system and to maintain a consistent interface between the procedural logic component and database request component.

The use of a database management system (DBMS) is well known in the art. Databases of the database management system are organized into tables that are comprised of rows and columns of data, wherein the rows are tuples and the columns are attributes. The tables are typically stored on direct access storage devices, such as magnetic or optical disk drives, for semi-permanent storage.
The use of a structured query language (SQL) interface to access data in the relational database management system is also well known in the art. The SQL interface has evolved into a standard language for database management system software and has been adopted as such by both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO). The SQL interface allows users to formulate relational operations on the tables either interactively, in batch files, or embedded in host languages such as C and COBOL.
An SQL procedure in a DBMS is created (or defined) by an SQL CREATE PROCEDURE statement. Different from an external stored procedure, an SQL procedure definition comprises a source code for the stored procedure. Users can change the procedure options, modify the procedure definition, and add a version or drop a version of the SQL procedure definition by executing, for example, an ALTER PROCEDURE statement. SQL procedures are stored in a database and maintained by the DBMS. In a manner similar to regular application programs, SQL procedures have a program life cycle comprising a design phase, an implementation phase, and a maintenance phase. SQL procedure developers follow a process of writing a code, testing the code, fixing bugs, etc., one or more times before the SQL procedures can be deployed to a production system for execution.
Typically, an internal implementation of an SQL procedure comprises a procedural logic component and a database request component. The procedural logic component comprises loop statements, conditional statements, and other control statements. The procedural logic component can be compiled into an internal representation of the procedural logic component for interpretation and execution during run time. Otherwise, the procedural logic component can be compiled into native code for direct execution. The database request component comprises SQL statements. The database request component is typically implemented via run-time instructions built by an SQL compiler and optimizer of the database requests by the DBMS.
Within many situations, users wish to ensure that performance of an SQL procedure deployed to a production system duplicates the behavior and performance of the SQL procedure on a testing system. Users cannot afford any minor behavior change in the procedural logic component after the SQL procedure is deployed. However, recreating the SQL procedure on the production system and generating a new internal representation of the SQL procedure engenders the possibility of behavior changes. A minor change in the procedural logic component can affect the main logic flow of the procedure, causing inaccurate results for SQL queries.
No conventional approach exists for ensuring consistent behavior and performance of an SQL procedure deployed from a source DBMS to a target DBMS. One related conventional technique has been implemented by DBMS users of external stored procedures. This conventional approach copies a procedure load module or DLL (dynamic load library) compiled on a testing system to a production system. However, this conventional technique is applicable only to external stored procedures, where the procedural logic component of the procedure is separate from the database request component and a load module or DLL is available to the user outside of the DBMS. An SQL procedure does not have an associated external load module; consequently, this conventional technique is not applicable.
What is therefore needed is a system, a computer program product, and an associated method for deploying an SQL procedure. The need for such a solution has heretofore remained unsatisfied.

System and method for deploying an SQL procedure

International Business Machines Corporation