A phase locked loop (PLL) system generates an oscillator signal by providing a fixed control voltage to a programmable voltage to current converter having switch selection inputs and a variable current output. Logic values are provided to the switch selection inputs to adjust a control current at the variable current output and a frequency of the oscillator signal is adjusted based on the control current. The logic values are fixed when a first condition is reached, which is based on the frequency of the oscillator signal, a division factor, and an input reference signal frequency. The fixed control voltage provided to the programmable voltage to current converter is then replaced with a charge pump control voltage based on an error signal. The error signal is based on a comparison of the input reference signal frequency and a fraction of the oscillating frequency.

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for generating an oscillator signal and, more specifically, to a phase-locked loop (PLL) system and method for generating an oscillator signal.
A PLL is a system that generates an oscillator signal having a constant phase relationship with an input reference signal. PLL systems are widely used in various applications such as radio, telecommunications, computers, and other electronic applications. A PLL system includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for generating the oscillator signal based on a control voltage, and a phase detector for comparing the phase of the oscillator signal with that of the input reference signal and for generating an error signal based on the detected phase difference. The PLL system also includes a loop filter for filtering the error signal and generating the control voltage. Thereafter, the control voltage is provided to the VCO.
Generally, PLL systems are expected to operate over a wide range of frequencies and over a wide range of process, voltage and temperature (PVT) variations. To operate over a wide range of frequencies, a common practice is to increase the VCO gain. However, the increase in VCO gain over large output frequency range makes the VCO more susceptible to phase noise. Further, lack of immunity to phase noise results in high output jitter. Thus, approaches to calibrating VCO gain in PLL systems have been developed.
In certain PLL systems, input reference signal frequency may be tracked using a charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit generates a charge pump current based on the error signal generated by the phase detector. However, this approach does not reduce the gain of the VCO. Further, to control variations in VCO gain, additional components must be included, which increases the size of the PLL system.
To minimize the gain of the VCO over a wide operating range, external calibration circuits are used for calibrating the VCO. During calibration, the calibration circuit coarse tunes the VCO close to a locking frequency, while keeping the PLL system in an open loop. Thereafter, the VCO is fine tuned to the locking frequency by closing the loop. The gain of the VCO is minimized as the VCO is primarily tuned by the calibration circuit. However, the calibration of the VCO does not help in reducing variations in VCO gain with respect to PVT variations. The gain variations result in variable phase margin and bandwidth, thereby leading to unstable operation of the PLL system. Further, PLL systems that use such external calibration circuits typically require a current reference sources, biased noise filtering and other extra circuitry thereby increasing the footprint of the PLL system and adding additional noise creating nodes.
At lower supply voltages, the dynamic range of control voltages for a PLL system is limited. Hence, for a wide output frequency range a PLL system needs an adaptable frequency calibration technique. Generally, PLL calibration techniques require circuits including a current reference, a biased noise filter and DAC current source to achieve the desired frequency/performance. Being coupled to a VCO also adds extra noise to the PLL system and the above circuits increases the area and power of the PLL system.
At lower voltage power supplies and extended temperature variations (−40 C to 165 C) with given process corners, the VCO needs to be initialized with greater precision due to a "squeezed" dynamic range of control voltage.

Phase locked loop and method for generating an oscillator signal


A treatment device of this invention has a pair of first, second jaws capable of opening/closing with respect to each other at the tip end portion and comprises a tissue pressing portion in the relatively dull shape provided on a surface portion of the first jaw opposite to the second jaw and having a projection portion formed projecting toward the second jaw side, a receiving member provided on a surface portion of the second jaw opposite to the first jaw at a position opposite to the tissue pressing portion, and a plurality of electrode portions provided at least at one of the first jaw and the second jaw so that a high-frequency current flows through a living tissue compressed by the tissue pressing portion and the receiving member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a treatment device or more particularly to a treatment device for coagulation, incision, ablation or the like of a living tissue using high-frequency energy while gripping the living tissue between a pair of jaws capable of opening/closing.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a therapeutic treatment method in a surgery under endoscope or an abdominal surgery, a method for performing a therapeutic treatment using a treatment device, for example, has been known.
Such a treatment device is capable of treatment such as coagulation, incision, ablation or the like of a living tissue using high-frequency energy while gripping the living tissue between a pair of jaws capable of opening/closing when energy for treatment to the living tissue is high-frequency energy, for example.
In this type of treatment devices, a number of proposals have been made for efficient treatments including coagulation, incision, ablation or the like of a living tissue.
For example, the specification of US Patent No. 2003/0199869A1 discloses a technology relating to a treatment instrument comprising a pair of jaws capable of opening/closing at the tip end portion and a knife movable between slots formed at the respective jaws.
In such a treatment device, a sealing surface for coagulating the living tissue by applying high-frequency energy and pressure is provided at the respective jaws, and at treatment of the living tissue, the living tissue is coagulated by supplying the high-frequency energy while the living tissue is gripped between the sealing surfaces and then, incision of the living tissue portion coagulated by cutting edge formed by the knife is performed by operating the knife in the distal direction (specifically, forward in the insertion axis direction of the tip end portion).


Shallow LDD junctions are obtained by depositing a thin screening oxide layer prior to moderate or heavy ion implantations. The use of a thin deposited screening oxide, as by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, instead of a thermally grown oxide, minimizes transient enhanced diffusion during annealing to activate the source/drain regions, thereby decreasing the junction depth.

The escalating requirements for high densification and performance associated with ultra large scale integration semiconductor device require design features of 0.25 microns and under, such as under 0.18 microns, increased transistor and circuit speeds, high reliability and increased manufacturing throughput. The reduction of design features to 0.25 microns and under challenges the limitations of conventional semiconductor methodology.
As device features continually shrink in size, it becomes necessary to decrease the depth of the source and drain regions in the semiconductor substrate, i.e., the junction depth. For example, in forming a polycrystalline silicon gate having a width of about 0.25 microns, the junction depth (X.sub.J) should be no greater than about 800 .ANG.. This objective is extremely difficult to achieve, particularly when implanting boron ions to form P-type source/drain regions.
Boron is conventionally ion implanted at an implantation energy selected to determine the eventual junction depth (X.sub.J) The particular implantation dosage is selected to control the concentration of the resulting source/drain regions. As boron is an extremely light element, it must be implanted at a very low energy in order to achieve a shallow X.sub.J. Accordingly, boron is typically implanted at an energy of about 5 KeV.
It has been found, however, that during annealing to activate the implanted dopants, boron diffusion into the crystalline silicon layer proceeds apace, such that the junction depth of the boron exceeds the targeted maximum depth of about 800 .ANG.. The problem of undefined dopant X.sub.J is believed to stem from various factors. For example, when boron is implanted into a monocrystalline silicon layer, interstitial atoms of silicon are generated, i.e., silicon atoms are displaced from the monocrystalline lattice. A high temperature anneal, known as the dopant activation anneal, is performed to diffuse boron into the monocrystalline silicon lattice. However, during the dopant activation anneal, boron diffuses by transient enhanced diffusion via the interstitial silicon atoms causing a very rapid diffusion into the monocrystalline silicon layer, even though implanted at a very low energy of about 5 KeV. Consequently the resulting dopant profile of boron, after the activation anneal, extends to about 2000 .ANG. or more, which is considerably beyond the targeted maximum of about 800 .ANG.. In copending application Ser. No. 08/726,113, a method is disclosed to minimize boron diffusion during the high temperature activation anneal by initially forming an amorphous region in which boron is ion implanted and then performing a relatively low temperature activation anneal. During the low temperature activation anneal, the amorphous region is crystallized. In copending application Ser. No. 08/992,629, an improvement in the amorphization technique is disclosed, wherein a sub-surface amorphous region is formed to minimize end-of-range defects upon crystallization.
Conventional methodology comprises ion implanting impurities into a semiconductor substrate, using the gate electrode as a mask, to form lightly doped implants. An insulating sidewall spacer is then formed on the side surfaces of the gate electrode, whereby the semiconductor substrate is exposed. A thin thermal oxide screen layer is then grown on the exposed semiconductor surface prior to ion implanting to form moderately or heavily doped implants, followed by a high temperature activation anneal. The thermal oxide screen layer reduces damage to the silicon substrate during moderate or heavy impurity implantation. However, the thermal oxide screen is formed at an elevated temperature, e.g., about 900.degree. C., thereby causing diffusion of the lightly doped implants. Moreover, the high temperature thermal oxidation and attendant stresses induce crystalline defects in the underlying semiconductor substrate. During the high temperature activation anneal, the lightly doped implants rapidly diffuse via the crystalline defects, such as interstitials, by transient enhanced diffusion, thereby significantly increasing the X.sub.J beyond the targeted maximum of about 800 .ANG.. Accordingly, there exists a need for semiconductor methodology in forming CMOS devices having shallow junction depths.

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device containing shallow LDD junctions


An interconnect level is provided on a surface of a substrate that has improved crack stop capability. The interconnect level includes at least one wiring region including an electrically conductive structure embedded in an interconnect dielectric material having a dielectric constant of less than 4.0, and a crack stop region laterally surrounding the wiring region. The crack stop region includes a crack stop dielectric material having a dielectric constant greater than the dielectric constant of the interconnect dielectric material. The crack stop region may be devoid of any metallic structure, or it may contain a metallic structure. The metallic structure in the crack stop region, which is embedded in the crack stop dielectric material, may be composed of a same, or different, electrically conductive metal or metal alloy as the electrically conductive structure embedded in the interconnect dielectric material.

The present application relates to a semiconductor structure and a method of forming the same. More particularly, the present application relates to an interconnect level that includes a crack stop region that laterally surrounds an active device and a wiring region, wherein the crack stop region contains a dielectric material that has a higher dielectric constant than the interconnect dielectric material of the wiring region.
Integrated circuits are generally created by forming an array of electronic devices (i.e., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.) and interconnect wiring structures on a semiconductor substrate. Generally, semiconductor devices and gates are formed in a first layer during front-end-of-line (FEOL) processing, followed by formation of interconnect wiring structures in a second layer by BEOL processes. These first and second layers can each contain multiple layers of dielectric material which electrically isolate the devices and interconnect structures. Advanced BEOL processes utilize interconnect dielectric materials with a low dielectric constant (low-k) to minimize interconnect parasitic capacitances. The term "low-k" is used herein to denote a dielectric material having a dielectric constant of less than 4.0 (i.e., the dielectric constant of silicon dioxide).
After a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) are formed on a semiconductor wafer, the semiconductor wafer is subjected to a wafer cutting process so as to divide the semiconductor wafer into a plurality of semiconductor chips. The semiconductor chips are then bonded to a substrate package. Due to poor mechanical strength and poor moisture insulation of the low-k interconnect dielectric materials during the wafer cutting and bonding processes, cracks can form and propagate through the interconnect dielectrics toward the active area of the IC chip, causing chip failure.
In order to avoid such crack formation, propagation and structural failure, crack stop regions have been specifically designed which laterally surround each active device and interconnect region. New challenges arise on the crack stop for leading edge technologies. For example, as technologies scale down to 14 nm, 10 nm, 7 nm and beyond, the via sizes at the lower levels become very small (less than, or equal to, 32 nm). The via to line contact area becomes so small that the crack stop toughness may not meet the requirement anymore and result in a crack stop breach. To solve this problem, much larger via (so-called via bars) sizes in the crack stop region are needed. This may cause process window concerns for very different via sizes at different areas of the same interconnect level. There thus exists a need to provide an advanced interconnect structure that has improved crack stop capability.

Dielectric crack stop for advanced interconnects

International Business Machines Corporation


A medical tool includes, a deflectable distal end, at least a pull wire, and a coupling element. The at least pull wire has a first end coupled to the distal end of the medical tool, and configured to be moved for deflecting the distal end. The coupling element is coupled to a second end of the pull wire and having at least two boreholes configured to receive at least two respective rods traversing therethrough. The coupling element is configured to be moved along a rotation axis of a rotatable element coupled thereto, and the boreholes and the respective rods are configured to prevent rotation of the coupling element.

Some medical tools, such as ear-nose-throat (ENT) tools, apply various techniques for bending at least a section of a medical tool.
For example, U.S. Patent application publication 2011/0295242 describes devices and systems for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device by means of a robotic system. In one embodiment, systems and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting.
U.S. Patent application publication 2013/0104884 describes an endotracheal tube coupling adapters for facilitating collection and removal of biofilm or any debris from endotracheal tubes for disposal or laboratory testing. The endotracheal tube coupling adapters may be adapted for use in closed suction systems. The endotracheal tube coupling adapters may be configured to remain coupled to an endotracheal tube from the time of intubation until the time of removal and to receive visualization, cleaning, and/or biofilm collection devices or members without being removed from the endotracheal tube.

Preventing twisting of pull wires when deflecting an ear-nose-throat tool


In a digital image forming apparatus, in which images of a document placed on a document table are read through scanning by a scanner unit and electrostatic latent images are formed on a photosensitive body in accordance with data as for the images of the document by a laser scanning unit (LSU) arranged under the scanner unit, the upper box body which accommodates the document table and the scanner unit can be easily opened upwards relative to the lower box body which accommodates the LSU, centering around a hinge unit provided at the back side thereof. In addition, the laser scanning unit is placed and positioned on a plurality of bar-like members which are in parallel to the drive axis center of the photosensitive body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital image forming apparatus which can be preferably used for, for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc. and especially to a box body construction thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As shown in FIG. 19, in this kind of a conventional digital image forming apparatus, a document (not illustrated) is placed on a document table 2 arranged in an upper box body 1. Thereafter, images of the document are read by scanning the document with a CCD line sensor (not illustrated) which is arranged in the upper box body 1 and constitutes a scanner unit 3. In this case, the scanner unit 3 is driven by a motor (not illustrated) arranged in the upper box body 1.
Data of the document images read as shown above is outputted to a laser scanning unit (hereinafter, laser scanning unit is abbreviated into LSU) 5 arranged in a lower box body 4 on which the upper box body 1 is placed and supported. The LSU 5 is removably placed on a panel 6 fixed to a frame body (not illustrated) in the lower box body 4 with screws. Electrostatic latent images are formed on a photosensitive drum 7 by the LSU 5, based on the data of the above document images. Thereafter, the document images corresponding to the electrostatic latent images are transferred on a sheet of paper (not illustrated).
In this case, the photosensitive drum 7 is arranged under the panel 6 in the frame body and constitutes a printer unit 8, and the photosensitive drum 7 is driven by another motor (not illustrated) arranged in the lower box body 4 independently from the drive source in the upper box body 1 as well as the LSU 5, etc.
And in the digital image forming apparatus, the upper box body 1 is composed with the maintenance efficiency in the lower box body 4 taken into consideration so that it can slide sidewards relative to the lower box body 4.
Hence, in conventional digital image forming apparatuses composed as shown above, it is necessary to make the upper box body 1 slide sidewards relative to the lower box body 4 as described above when carrying out maintenance in the lower box body 4, for example, maintenance of the LSU 5. For this reason, comparatively wide space including space necessary for sliding of the upper box body 1 must be secured as space for installation of the corresponding digital image forming apparatus.


Compositions and methods for the dissolution of a microbial biofilm are provided, where the method comprises contacting a microbiofilm with an effective dose of a curcumin derivative as a biofilm inhibitor. In some embodiments the curcumin derivative is dimethoxycurcumin. In some embodiments the biofilm comprises E. coli, e.g. including uropathogenic E. coli. The biofilm can be present in vitro or in vivo. The biofilm inhibitor may be administered alone, or in combination with bacteriocidal agents.

This era may come to be remembered as one in which infectious diseases made a dramatic worldwide resurgence, owing to the rise of antibiotic resistance and the dwindling and startlingly scarce number of candidate antibiotics in the drug development pipeline. Our current arsenal of antibiotics is comprised of variations on the single theme of cell killing, i.e. drugs that target processes essential to bacterial viability. Targeting bacterial virulence is an alternative and attractive approach to the development of new antimicrobials that can be used to disarm pathogens in the host, increase the number of available therapeutics, and protect the effectiveness of current antibiotics. The overall strategy is to inhibit specific mechanisms that promote infection and are essential to persistence in a pathogenic cascade, though not required for cell viability per se.
A biofilm is an accumulation of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and/or protozoa, with associated bacteriophages and other viruses) embedded in a polysaccharide matrix and adherent to solid biological or non-biotic surfaces. Biofilms are medically important, accounting for over 80 percent of hospital-acquired microbial infections in the body. Examples include infections of the: oral soft tissues, teeth and dental implants; middle ear; gastrointestinal tract; urogenital tract; airway/lung tissue; eye; urinary tract prostheses; peritoneal membrane and peritoneal dialysis catheters, indwelling catheters for hemodialysis and for chronic administration of chemotherapeutic agents (Hickman catheters); cardiac implants such as pacemakers, prosthetic heart valves, ventricular assist devices, and synthetic vascular grafts and stents; prostheses, internal fixation devices, percutaneous sutures; and tracheal and ventilator tubing. The microorganisms tend to be far more resistant to antimicrobial agents and to be particularly difficult for the host immune system to render an appropriate response.
Biofilms are remarkably difficult to treat with antimicrobials. Antimicrobials may be readily inactivated or fail to penetrate into the biofilm. In addition, bacteria within biofilms have increased (up to 1000-fold higher) resistance to antimicrobial compounds, even though these same bacteria are sensitive to these agents if grown under planktonic conditions.
Biofilms play a significant role in the transmission and persistence of human disease and have emerged as virulence hallmarks of serious and persistent infectious diseases, including cystic fibrosis pneumonia, infective endocarditis, urinary tract infection (UTI), periodontitis, chronic infections of the middle ear, and infections of medical devices such as intravenous catheters and artificial joints. Currently available antibiotics often fail to eradicate biofilm-associated bacteria, necessitating multiple and intense antibiotic treatment regimens that drive the evolution of resistant pathogens and the exhaustion of last-resort antibiotics. As a consequence, biofilm-associated infections are the cause of significant morbidity and mortality in the clinic.
UTIs, which include infections of the bladder (cystitis) and kidney (pyelonephritis), are among the most common bacterial infections. Nearly 13 million women per year suffer from UTIs in the United States, and more than half of all women will experience a UTI during their lifetimes. A woman treated for an uncomplicated UTI has a 25-50% chance of developing a recurrent infection within one year of the primary infection and most are caused by the same bacterial strain as the initial infection. Furthermore, approximately one fourth of the yearly $4 billion cost attributed to nosocomial infections is a consequence of UTI, most of which are catheter-associated UTIs. Unfortunately, limited treatment options are available for patients with chronic and recurrent UTIs. These patients are typically given prolonged courses of antibiotics, which radically disrupt the symbiotic host microbiota and may be accompanied by the evolution of drug-resistant organisms in the urinary tract. In addition, UTIs have a strong causal correlation with systemic infection and sepsis if antibiotic therapy is ineffective.
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the most common etiologic agents, responsible for 80 to 85% of community-acquired UTIs. UPEC engage in a coordinated and regulated genetic and molecular pathogenic cascade that involves several distinct phases as examined in the mouse cystitis model and human UTIs. UPEC are thought to emerge primarily from the distal genitourinary tract and ascend the urethra into the bladder. UPEC bind to and invade the superficial umbrella cells that line the bladder lumen, where they rapidly replicate to form a biofilm-like intracellular bacterial community (IBC). In the IBC, bacteria find a safe haven where they are resistant to antibiotics, and subvert clearance by innate host responses. Even after acute infection is resolved, bacteria can persist within the bladder for many days to weeks, regardless of standard antibiotic treatments, and can be source of recurrent urinary tract infections. In the pathogenesis of catheter-associated UTI, UPEC form robust biofilms on urinary catheters and can serve as the pioneer pathogens to initiate the infectious cascade as well as more serious sequelae including bacteremia. Whether in the intracellular niche or on catheter surfaces, targeting UPEC biofilm formation has emerged as a ripe candidate for the development of anti-virulence therapeutics.
Several frank bacterial pathogens have been shown to associate with, and in some cases, grow in biofilms, including Legionella pneumophila, S. aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, Vibrio cholerae, and Helicobacter pylori. Although all these organisms have the ability to attach to surfaces and existing biofilms, most if not all appear incapable of extensive growth in the biofilm. This may be because of their fastidious growth requirements or because of their inability to compete with indigenous organisms. Survival and growth of pathogenic organisms within biofilms might also be enhanced by the association and metabolic interactions with indigenous organisms.
Bacteria embedded within biofilms are resistant to both immunological and non-specific defense mechanisms of the body. Contact with a solid surface triggers the expression of a panel of bacterial enzymes, which catalyze the formation of sticky polysaccharides that promote colonization and protection. The structure of biofilms is such that immune responses may be directed only at those antigens found on the outer surface of the biofilm, and antibodies and other serum or salivary proteins often fail to penetrate into the biofilm. In addition, phagocytes are unable to effectively engulf a bacterium growing within a complex polysaccharide matrix attached to a solid surface. This causes the phagocyte to release large amounts of pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, leading to inflammation and destruction of nearby tissues.
In view of the importance of biofilms for microbial infection, methods of understanding and manipulating biofilm dissolution are of great interest, and are addressed herein.
Publications
Ravindran et al. (2010) Biochem Pharmacol. 79(11):1658-1666. Orlando et al. (2012) PLoS One 7(3):e31869. Moshe, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGAINST MICROBIAL PATHOGENS Research, Development and Evaluation (pp 89-93), DOI No: 10.1142/9789814354868—0017.
Barnhart and Chapman (2006) Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 60:131-147; Romeroet al. (2010) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 107:2230-2234; Nenninger et al. (2009) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 106:900-905; Cegelski et al. (2008) Nature Reviews Microbiology 6:17-27; Cegelski et al. (2009) Nat. Chem. Biol. 5:913-919.

Methods for microbial biofilm destruction

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


An improved trailer theft-thwarting coupling dock to prevent unauthorized coupling and hauling of the trailer coupling dock includes a coupling dock body, a upper mechanism, a lower mechanism and a lock assembly. The upper mechanism has a upper handle fastening to the lock assembly. Through locking and unlocking of the lock assembly, unauthorized opening of the upper mechanism can be prevented. Thereby the trailer coupling dock cannot be coupled and hauled unless authorized, and an improved theft-thwarting effect can be achieved for the trailer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an improved trailer theft-thwarting coupling dock and particularly to a trailer theft-thwarting coupling dock to prevent unauthorized coupling and hauling thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The conventional trailer coupling dock such the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,849 has a coupling dock mating a spherical seat to couple with a trailer. The coupling dock has a lever mechanism to actuate a lower latch member beneath the coupling dock to enable the coupling dock and the spherical seat to be separated or latched so that the trailer can be disconnected or connected as desired.
The conventional trailer coupling dock mentioned above confines the spherical seat in a spherical cap of the coupling dock through the lever mechanism to actuate the lower latch member. The lever mechanism presses the lower latch member at a desired location, but does not have any theft-thwarting structure. Any person can easily disengage the coupling relationship. As a result, the trailer could be stolen and towed away easily.


A laser energy excitation and delivery device which includes a coaxial system of tubes having an annular space therebetween. A lasing or pumping gas is provided in the annular space and subjected to radio frequency discharge which results in the generation of laser radiation. The resulting laser radiation is propagated through and delivered from a section of the device which includes an extension of the innermost tube or an extension of each of the tubes. One embodiment of the device includes a central passageway though which various materials, including a guide wire, can pass. The device has particular utility for medical and surgical procedures.

Previous work by others has disclosed the utility of far infrared CO.sub.2 lasers for medical and many other applications and the utility of short wavelength lasers for corneal ablation and other applications where UV/VUV photochemistry is helpful. Both the excitation of these lasers and the delivery of the radiation is, at best, difficult.
Excitation of CO.sub.2 is most easily accomplished by gas discharge. Compact rf discharge devices which operate in this manner have been produced. However, these discharges produce radiation beams that are usually delivered by bulky articulated arms containing complex mirror systems. These devices are generally large and their size alone renders them difficult to use. At short wavelengths excitation becomes even more difficult and requires short, intense pump pulses to excite excimer lasers.
Efficient rf pumping can reduce the size of modest power UV/VUV lasers, but coupling and delivery are still difficult problems. In both the IR and UV/VUV cases, the coupling of either far infrared into some form of delivery arm or fiber, or the coupling of short wavelength laser radiation into a fiber has heretofore been unacceptable.
There presently exists a need for a compact device which produces laser excitation by rf pumping and which further provides convenient propagation and delivery of the resulting laser radiation.

Method of exciting laser action and delivering laser energy for medical and scientific applications

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services


The use of multiple sensors improves the measurement speed of a nuclear quadrupole resonance detection system when the nuclear quadrupole resonance frequency is known only within a range of frequencies.

The use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) as a means of detecting explosives and other contraband has been recognized for some time; see e.g., T. Hirshfield et al, J. Molec. Struct. 68, 63 (1980); A. N. Garroway et al, Proc. SPIE 2092, 318 (1993); and A. N. Garroway et al, IEEE Trans. on Geoscience and Remote Sensing 39, 1108 (2001). NQR provides some distinct advantages over other detection methods. NQR requires no external magnet such as required by nuclear magnetic resonance. NQR is sensitive to the compounds of interest, i.e. there is a specificity of the NQR frequencies.
One technique for measuring NQR in a sample is to place the sample within a solenoid coil that surrounds the sample. The coil provides a radio frequency (RF) magnetic field that excites the quadrupole nuclei in the sample and results in their producing their characteristic resonance signals. This is the typical apparatus configuration that might be used for scanning mail, baggage or luggage.
There is also need for a NQR detector that permits detection of NQR signals from a source outside the detector, e.g. a wand detector, that could be passed over persons or containers as is done with existing metal detectors. Problems associated with such detectors using conventional systems are the decrease in detectability with distance from the detector coil, and the associated equipment needed to operate the system.
A detection system can have one or more coils that both transmit and receive, or it can have separate coils that only transmit and only receive. A transmit, or transmit and receive, coil of an NQR detection system provides a radio frequency (RF) magnetic field that excites the quadrupole nuclei in the sample and results in their producing their characteristic resonance signals that the receive, or transmit and receive, coil (i.e. the sensor) detects. The NQR signals have low intensity and short duration.
The transmit, receive, or transmit and receive coil preferably has a high quality factor (Q). The transmit, receive, or transmit and receive coil has typically been a copper coil and therefore has a Q of about 102. It can be advantageous to use a transmit, receive, or transmit and receive coil made of a high temperature superconductor (HTS) rather than copper since the HTS self-resonant coil has a Q of the order of 103-106. The large Q of the HTS self-resonant coil produces large magnetic field strengths during the RF transmit pulse, and does so at lower RF power levels. This dramatically reduces the amount of transmitted power required to produce NQR signals for detection, and thereby reduces the size of the RF power supply sufficiently so that it can be run on portable batteries.
The large Q of the HTS self-resonant coil also plays an important role during the receive time. In view of the low intensity NQR signal, it is important to have a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) as large as possible. As the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio is proportional to the square root of Q, the use of the HTS self-resonant coil results in an increase in S/N by a factor of 10-100 over that of the copper system. These advantages during both the transmit and the receive times enable a detector configuration that is small and portable.
The NQR frequencies are temperature dependent; see e.g. T. Kushida et al, Phys. Rev. 104, 1364 (1956); J. Vanier, Can. J. Phys. 38, 1397 (1960); and David H. Smith et al, J. Chem. Phys. 41, 2403 (1964). When the temperature of the source of the NQR is known only within a range ΔT, the NQR frequency fNQR is known only within a range of frequencies ΔfNQR. Since it is advantageous as described above for a sensor, i.e. a receive coil, to have a high Q and therefore a narrow bandpass, use of a single sensor requires a number of measurements, and a tuning to a new resonance frequency after each measurement, in order to scan the range of frequencies ΔfNQR. This process is time-consuming. Accuracy and speed of measurement are important features of any detection system used for scanning a potential source of explosives, drugs or other contraband.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for increasing the speed of a NQR detection system for scanning a potential source of NQR when the frequency of the nuclear quadrupole resonance is not precisely known.

Use of multiple sensors in a nuclear quadropole resonance detection system to improve measurement speed


An arrangement for recording an information signal in a track (T.sub.0, T.sub.1, . . . ) on a record carrier (1), includes an input (20) for receiving the information signal, signal processing circuitry (21) for processing the information signal such that it can be recorded in the track, counting device (23) for counting and for generating an array of subsequent different count signals and for supplying the count signals to an output (24), recording apparatus (25, 26, 27) having at least one recording head (26) for recording the processed information signal in a track on the record carrier, and for recording the count signals in a track on the record carrier and a transport apparatus (34,35) for transporting the record carrier with a certain transport velocity (v.sub.t) in a longitudinal direction of the record carrier. The counting device (23) is adapted to supply count signals such that, independent of the value of the transport velocity during recording, a count signal is recorded in a substantially fixed location, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the record carrier, on said record carrier. Further, in the case that the arrangement is capable of recording a first video signal which is based on 25 pictures per second and of recording a second video signal which is based on 30 pictures per second, the following relation exists between the supply rate F.sub.s of the subsequent different count signals by the count signal generator (23), and D, being the difference between subsequent different count signals generated: EQU F.sub.s .times.D=constant,. for the recording of the first video signal as well as the second video signal, and where the transport velocity has been kept constant.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an arrangement for recording an information signal in a track on a record carrier, comprising
an input for receiving the information signal, PA1 signal processing means for processing the information signal such that it can be recorded in the track, PA1 count signal generating means for generating an array of subsequent different count signals and for supplying the different count signals to an output with a certain supply rate, PA1 recording means, having at least one recording head, for recording the processed information signal in a track on the record carrier, and for recording the count signals in a track on the record carrier, PA1 transport means for transporting the record carrier with a certain transport velocity in a longitudinal direction of the record carrier.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such an arrangement is known in the form of a helical scan videorecorder which is also capable of recording a VITC time code on the record carrier. The VITC code is described in the IEC standard publication no. 461 of 1986, see page 31 to 54. When a recording takes place in the known arrangement, the count signal generating means generates the count signals with incrementally increasing values, starting from a certain value which is preferably zero, with fixed increments. In this way, count signals are generated that are used as a time code, which count signals are recorded in the slant tracks on the record carrier. The time code recorded on the record carrier can be used for location purposes.
The known arrangement has the disadvantage that locating a certain position in the length direction of the record carrier sometimes fails.

Apparatus for recording a count signal in a fixed location regardless of transport velocity of record carrier


A structure for supplying assist air to an air-fuel mixture injection valve including a device for limiting the intake air taken by a compressor, whereby a drive force of the compressor required for compressing air is reduced, and fuel efficiency is achieved. The structure includes an inlet port of the compressor and a venturi member of an air-intake pipe brought into communication via an inlet channel. The air in the air-intake pipe is regulated by the venturi member through the inlet channel by driving the compressor and is taken to the compressor. Air compressed in the compressor is supplied through a high-pressure air channel to the air introduction portion of the fuel injection valve device, where fuel injected from the fuel injection valve and high-pressure air supplied to the air introduction portion are mixed to air-fuel mixture, and the air-fuel mixture is injected by the air-fuel mixture injection valve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved technology of an internal combustion engine with air-fuel mixture injection.
2. Description of Background Art
An air-fuel mixture injection type 2-cycle internal combustion engine in which compressed fuel from a fuel pump and pressurized air from an air-compressor to be supplied to a fuel injection valve are regulated in pressure by a differential pressure regulator, and excessive exhaust air which is run off by the differential pressure regulator when regulating the pressure is discharged into an air cleaner is known (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 2938992 (P.2-3, FIG. 1)). In addition, an air-fuel mixture injection type 2-cycle internal combustion engine in which an air-inlet port of the assist air compressor is connected to the clean side of the air cleaner is also known.
The work required to compress the air discharged as excessive air, which is a useless work in a sense, is performed by the compressor. In this sense, a drive force of the compressor corresponding to the compression of the excessive air is wasted, whereby fuel efficiency during driving of the internal combustion engine is lowered.
Therefore, it is desired to provide an improved technology in which improvement of fuel efficiency is achieved by regulating the amount of assist air adequately reducing the amount of excessive air supply, and eliminating the useless air compression work to improve driving efficiency of the air compressor, and in which air-intake noise of the air compressor by air-intake pulsation of the engine is reduced.

Internal combustion engine with air-fuel mixture injection


A user device scans a list of one or more channels to detect a wireless access point (WAP) connected to a network. The scanned channels include those over which the WAP is permitted to transmit, as well as those over which the WAP is not permitted to transmit. The user device indicates to the user whenever it detects a WAP on a channel that the WAP is not allowed to transmit over.

Wireless Access Points (WAPs) are dedicated, specially-configured devices on data networks, such as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Generally, WAPs comprise a transceiver and function as a point of access into the WLAN for one or more end user devices, such as cellular telephones, computing devices, and other WiFi or BLUETOOTH enabled devices. In operation, the WAP establishes a communications link with a user device, and communicate signals and data between the WLAN and the user device.
Wireless Access Points are currently widely in use and may be found in homes, schools, and businesses. Further, WAPs may be open to allow anyone with a suitably-enabled device to access the network, or restricted to allow access only to those users having an appropriate password. However, since WAPs transmit radio signals, they are subject to regulations that stipulate the exact frequencies, or "channels," over which they may transmit and receive such signals. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a table showing the WLAN channel-to-frequency mapping for the 2.4 GHz range. A WAP operating in this frequency band and connected to the WLAN would transmit and receive signals and data with user devices over the frequency assigned to the given channel. Thus, a WAP operating on channel 1, for example, would communicate signals and data with user devices over a frequency of 2412 MHz. A similar table exists for the 5 GHz frequency band and has different channel-to-frequency mappings.
Although the channel-frequency assignment is standard, different countries have different regulatory domains that govern channel usage. Because of the different regulatory domains, not all channels are allowed for use in all countries. For example, as seen in FIG. 1, most countries permit end user devices and WAPs connected to WLANs to communicate signals and data over channels 1-11 in the 2.4 GHz band. Japan and other countries also permit communications over channels 12 and 13. The North American countries do not normally permit communications over channels 12 and 13, and most countries, except for Japan, do not permit devices to communicate signals and data over channel 14.
Thus, there are differences in the channel assignments that each user device must consider when scanning for a WAP depending on their current location or region. These differences are even more pronounced for the 5 GHz band as there are many more channels and country-specific usage regulations.
Generally, WAP devices do have a method of dealing with these differences. Particularly, WAP devices are configured with information identifying their geographical region. This is usually accomplished, for example, via Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) functionality in the WAP, or by the user manually configuring this setting. However, this is not always the case. In many situations, users are not always savvy regarding these settings or how to properly configure the WAP. Consider, for example, a WAP set to transmit and receive on channel 13. If the WAP is in Japan or some European country, this may not pose a problem because in these countries, WAP devices are permitted to communicate over channel 13. For a WAP situated in the U.S., however, this could be problematic because WAPs are not normally permitted to transmit on this particular channel.
Typically, conventional user devices are equipped with, or have access to, information identifying their current geographical region (e.g., the country code). Based on this information, a user device will identify the channels that the WAP devices are permitted to communicate over and search only those channels. Thus, in the U.S., a user device would not waste the time and resources needed to scan for WAPs transmitting on channel 13 since it is not permitted to communicate with the WAP on that channel in the U.S. However, this also means that a user attempting to establish a connection with a WAP that is improperly configured to transmit on channel 13 would be unable to establish a communications link with the WAP. The user would interpret this lack of communications as a problem, but would be unable to determine the source of the problem, and therefore, be unable to correct the problem.

System and method for detecting access points transmitting outside of the regulated frequency range


A self-service machine, such as an automated teller machine (70), that includes a plurality of vacuum pick mechanisms (10) for picking media (12), such as banknotes, each vacuum pick mechanism (10) including a pump (18), a pickline (20) connected the pump, a drive mechanism for moving the pickline (20) between a media pick position and a media release position, and a motor (33) for driving both the pump (18) and the drive mechanism.

The present invention relates to a vacuum picking system for picking up and moving sheet media, such as banknotes, and in particular a valveless vacuum picking system. The present invention also relates to a self-service terminal such as an automated teller machine that includes such a system.
Vacuum picking systems are used in automated teller machines for dispensing cash. Most of these include some form of pump mechanism for sucking air through a tube, which tube has a suction pad on its end. When the suction pad is moved into contact with a banknote the suction created by the pump causes the banknote to stick to the pad. This effectively closes the end of the pad, and the tube. Continued action of the pump causes the pressure in the tube to lower, so that the banknote can be securely held in place. Once so secured, the banknote can be moved as and when desired.
Most automated teller machines include a plurality of vacuum picking modules so that different denominations of banknotes can be dispensed. For example, in the UK, typically four modules are provided, two of which may include twenty-pound notes and the other two of which may include ten-pound notes. In order that notes can be dispensed, each module has to have a separate banknote pick-up mechanism, each with its own pickline. FIG. 1 shows one known vacuum-based system, in which each pickline is connected to an individual pump, and each of the pumps is connected to a single AC motor. Associated with each pickline is a solenoid valve for opening or closing the line so that air can be selectively evacuated thereform. Also associated with each line is gearing or other mechanical means (not shown) for moving the end of the pickline into contact with the banknote, and then towards a dispensing location. This gearing is powered by the AC motor.
In use, when cash is to be dispensed from the system of FIG. 1, the motor is switched on and all of the pumps are run simultaneously. Because the motor also powers the gearing, this means that all of the gearing is caused to move. Once the pump is running, one of the valves is opened so that air is drawn through the associated pickline. The end of the pickline, which usually carries a suction cap, is then is moved towards the banknote until it is in contact therewith. As described previously, this causes the banknote to stick to the cap so that it can be removed under the action of the vacuum.
FIG. 2 shows another known arrangement. In this, a single pump driven by a single motor is used to create a pressure difference in a selected one of the pick-up lines and drive a gearing mechanism for moving the pickline between pick-up and release positions. Each of the picklines is provided as a separate branch of a single line that is connected directly to the pump. Provided in each pickline is a solenoid valve. By selectively opening and closing the solenoid valves as appropriate, a selected one of the picklines can be exposed to the pump and so used for a pick and place action. In use, the motor is switched on to power the pump. Because the motor also powers the gearing, this means that all of the gearing is caused to move. Once the pump is running, one of the valves is opened so that air is drawn through the associated pickline and the suction cap on the line is moved towards the banknote until it is moved into contact therewith, and removed as described previously.
Various problems arise with the arrangements of FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, a relatively large AC motor is needed, which reduces the level of control that can be exercised. Also, because all the pumps are run simultaneously, the power requirements, and so operational costs, are relatively high. In addition, because all of the gearing is run when the motor is on, this means that wear can be significant. Furthermore, both of the systems of FIGS. 1 and 2 require a solenoid valve in each pickline. Since solenoid valves can be difficult to control, this increases the complexity of the system.


A communication path establishment control module of a transmitting task transmits a communication path establishment request message to a communication path establishment control module of a receiving task. At this time, if the receiving task is not activated, a communication destination monitoring module transmits a failure-of-establishment notification to the transmitting task, and makes a system console display a destination information of a receiving task which is not activated. The transmitting task, when receiving the failure-of-establishment notification, registers a waiting state in a wait-for-activation list. An auto program activation module, when detecting destination information outputted by the system console, activates a receiving-side communication job. A receiving task that is thereby generated notifies the receiving-side control task of the activation. The receiving-side control task transmits an activation notification message to a transmitting-side control task. The transmitting-side control task notifies the transmitting task of the activation. The transmitting task retransmits a communication path establishment request message in accordance with this activation notification.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an inter-computer communication system for performing communications between a plurality of computer systems connected to each other via communication lines. The present invention relates more particularly to an inter-computer communication system capable of automatically taking activation synchronism of respective computer systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A user system such as LAN (local Area Network) has hitherto been decentralized for making the communications attainable between remote places as well as for decentralizing a load on a host computer. This decentralized system has the following construction. A plurality of host computers are installed, and LAN is provided under each host computer. The respective host computers are connected using a WAN (Wide Area Network), such as a public network or a private line, and the communications between terminals belonging to respective LANs can communicate with each other through the respective host computers. Note that the host computer is also termed a "computer system" or simply a "system".
In such a decentralized system, when inter system communications is performed, both communication jobs, including a transmitting task of a transmitting-side system, and a receiving task of a receiving-side system, must be activated. A word "activation synchronism" connotes herein that both the communication job of the transmitting-side system and the communication job of the receiving-side system are activated. Under such circumstances, a question arises concerning how to take the activation synchronism between the respective systems.
In this respect, according to a conventional decentralized system, for instance, operators of respective systems contact each other on phones in order to establish communication paths by taking the activation synchronism between the respective systems, thus respectively activating the communication jobs beforehand. Otherwise, the operator of the transmitting-side system confirms that the receiving task of the receiving-side system is activated in advance, and thereafter activates the transmitting task of the transmitting system.
Note that if the receiving task of the receiving-side system is not activated while the transmitting task of the transmitting-side system is activated, the transmitting-side system must retry to establish the communication path through polling until the receiving task of the receiving-side system is activated.
In recent years, the decentralized system is going to spread not only between large-sized general-purpose computers but also between small-sized computers such as work stations and personal computers. It is therefore difficult take the activation synchronism between the transmitting-side system and the receiving-side system due to a difference in operation time zone which is attributed to a difference in type between computers. More specifically, in general, the large-sized general-purpose computer is operated so that the communication job stops once per week for maintenance and inspection. In contrast with this, in general, the small-sized computer is operated so that the communication job stops at night time every day. Accordingly, when the transmitting-side host computer is the large-sized general-purpose computer, and the receiving-side host computer is the small-sized computer, if the communication is performed at night, the receiving task of the receiving-side system can not be previously activated, and therefore the activation synchronism between the systems is hard to be taken.
Further, in such a case that the transmitting-side system executes a retrying process (that is, poling) for establishing the communication path until the receiving task of the receiving-side system is activated, if the WAN for connecting the respective systems is a public network, futile line using charges must be paid until the communication path is established.


An end seal wrapping machine (10), and method of forming an end seal in a spaced series of articles (A) moved therethrough, is disclosed. The wrapping machine has a first rotating shaft (40) on which at least a first upper sealing and crimping head (41a, 41b) is positioned, with a spaced second counter-rotating shaft (81) on which a second opposed sealing and crimping head (82a, 82b) is positioned. The wrapping machine is supplied with a regularly spaced series of articles which are substantially enclosed in a continuous tube (27) of packaging film (20) upstream of the sealing and crimping heads. The articles in the tube of packaging film are passed between the sealing and crimping heads for being wrapped within the film. The first sealing and crimping head includes an elongate knife (43) formed as a part thereof, with an elongate platen (92) formed as a part of the second sealing and crimping head, and opposed to the knife. The knife is constructed and arranged to be rotatably moved into and out of engagement with the platen to pinch the packaging film therebetween to form an end seal in the packaging film. At least one air jet (54a, 54b) is mounted on the first rotating shaft with respect to the knife, the at least one air jet being sized and shaped to direct an air flow selectively emitted therethrough toward the packaging film for clamping the packaging film with respect to the platen and the knife, and for stripping the packaging film off of the knife in the event that any of the film tends to adhere thereto as the knife moves out of engagement with the platen.

A wide variety of articles are available that have been packaged in a heat shrink packaging film. Heat shrink packaging films offer the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, yet flexible for packaging a great variety of articles in a range of shapes and sizes. When heat shrink packaging films are used, the film is first wrapped about an article so that the article is substantially enclosed within the packaging film, whereupon an end seal is formed at each of the spaced ends of the article. This is typically done on a high speed continuous motion packaging or wrapping machine constructed to wrap the articles in the packaging film. Once the end seals are formed in the heat shrink film, the wrapped package is passed to a downstream heat shrink tunnel, in which a quick blast of heated air, for example, is directed against the film wrapped article to shrink the packaging film tightly about the exterior of the article, thus providing a neat, finished package in which the article is protected by a generally impervious barrier of packaging film.
As the articles to be packaged move along a path of travel on the wrapping machine, therefore, a continuous tube of the packaging film is formed about the articles so that the articles are generally enclosed within a tube of the film, and spaced from one another within the tube of film as the articles are thereafter carried with the film toward a downstream sealing and crimping head assembly. This is typically accomplished on a horizontal wrapping machine having opposed and counter-rotating sealing and crimping heads, between which the film entrained articles are sequentially passed. In this type of wrapping machine, the upper sealing and crimping head typically includes an elongate heated knife which extends transversely across the path of travel, and is of a length sufficient to form an end seal across the respective and spaced ends of the articles being packaged. The heated knife will rotate into engagement with a counterrotating spring loaded silicon rubber platen carried on the opposed sealing and crimping head, and which is sized to receive the knife. As the packaging film is passed between the counterrotating sealing and crimping heads, therefore, it is pinched by the knife against the platen, whereupon the heat of the knife acts to melt or otherwise form the end seal at the ends of the article. As the article is being packaged, the packaging film, and the counter-rotating heads all move in the direction of the path of travel extending from an upstream end of the machine toward a downstream end thereof.
As the heated knife moves out of engagement with the newly formed end seal of the now "wrapped" article, there is a tendency for the packaging film to adhere to the heated surfaces of the knife. This has necessitated the use of spring loaded clamp bars mounted on the rotating shaft on which the knife is mounted, which are positioned with respect to the knife, for holding the packaging film against the platen and away from the sides of the knife during seal formation, and for also stripping the packaging film off of the knife edge and/or side surfaces of the knife after the end seal has been formed and as the article moves downstream away from the counterrotating sealing and crimping heads.
A typical wrapping machine of this type will also use a pair of spaced clamp bars, positioned on opposite sides of each knife or knives provided. So constructed, the clamp bars extend parallel to, and run along the length of each knife. As the knives are rotated through an arc toward and into engagement with the packaging film, i.e. when the knife moves the packaging film against the platen, the clamp bars move into engagement with the packaging film and act to hold it away from the sides of the knife so that the film will not otherwise melt onto or adhere to the sides of the knife, and hopefully this allows only the knife edge to come into contact with the packaging film for forming the end seal. Moreover, to further prevent the packaging film from adhering to the sides of the knife, as well as to the clamp bars, oftentimes the clamp bars are water cooled which thus necessitates a rather complicated construction of a water cooling system adapted for supplying the rotating clamp bars with water, with the resultant problems of component wear due to the high demands placed on packaging machines in high speed packaging operations.
One problem that has arisen due to the construction of these conventional knife and clamp bar assemblies is that a sufficient amount, i.e., length, of packaging film is required at the ends of the article so that as the clamp bars hold the film away from the knife and against the platen, enough slack film is present to allow the knife edge to come into contact with the film against the platen, which can result in surplus film being present at the ends of the wrapped article. If, for example, a relatively low energy shrink film is used, this can result in an incomplete shrinking of the film about the ends of the article after being passed through the shrink tunnel, thus resulting in what is known to those in the art as "dog-ears" or "fish-eyes" at the ends of the package after heat shrinking the film. Aside from being an unsightly problem, this also leads to the possibility that the packaging film may be caught or torn during further processing and handling, which may result in breaking the seal of the film about the package, which, of course, leads to lowered production efficiencies, as well as leading to increased problems for retailers who may have articles that are inadvertently torn or opened while on display.
Another problem with the known sealing and crimping assemblies using knives and clamp bars is that the end seal may sometimes be incompletely formed due to the failure of the film to melt together into an integral seal because the end seal is not sufficiently cooled to allow the film forming the end seal to remain sealed, i.e. melted together, thus resulting in an opening being formed at the ends of the article, which opening may be opened moreso, or created in the first instance, by the passage of the article through the shrink tunnel. If the end seal is not adequately sealed in the first instance, the quick blast of heated air which shrinks the film about the article in the shrink tunnel may act to open the unformed seal at the ends of the article rather than draw the film tightly about the ends of the article to complete the packaging operation. It is therefore desirable to cool the newly formed end seals as quickly as possible in order to complete formation of the end seal prior to passage of the article into the heat shrink tunnel. However, this is problematic with the known knife and clamp bar arrangements.
Yet, another problem that exists with the known knife and clamp bar arrangements is that the packaging film will invariably come into contact with the sides of the knife, adjacent the knife edge, with the result that plastic residue will build up on the knife, thus necessitating machine shutdown so that the knife edge and sides can be stripped of the melted plastic residue that builds upon these surfaces. The clamp bars may also need to be cleaned of this plastic residue.
What is needed, therefore, but seemingly unavailable in the art, is an improved end seal wrapping machine which dispenses with the use of clamp bars for holding the packaging film with respect to the sealing knife, and which also is adapted to strip any packaging film which comes into engagement with the knife off of the knife. What is also needed is an improved end seal and wrapping machine which will ensure that a completed end seal is formed in the film wrapped about the ends of the article prior to passing the article through a heat shrink tunnel, such that the ends of the package are not otherwise opened, or left with surplus film after the packaging film is shrunk about the article. Additionally, there is a need for such an improved end seal wrapping machine which provides for improved production rates, and thus improved operating efficiencies and lower packaging costs, in a high speed continuous motion packaging operation. Moreover, such an improved end seal wrapping machine should cool the packaging film at the end seals as much as possible, without the use of any kind of a water cooled clamp bar, to permit these higher production rates to be attained.


A method includes screening heterogeneity of a rock sample using nuclear magnetic resonance testing to determine a composition of the rock sample, drilling at least one smaller rock sample representative of the determined composition, and testing the at least one smaller rock sample with mercury injection capillary pressure to obtain a capillary pressure distribution of the at least one smaller rock sample. The method further includes decomposing a T2 distribution from the nuclear magnetic resonance testing and the capillary pressure distribution using Gaussian fitting to identify multiple pore systems, where the small ends of the Gaussian fitted T2 distribution and the Gaussian fitted capillary pressure distribution are overlapped for at least one of the identified pore systems.

Pore size distribution is an important property of porous oil reservoir rocks used to determine how oil and water occupy different microscopic locations in the reservoir rocks and how oil flows out during oil production. A typical ball-stick representation of pore space 10 in reservoir rocks is shown in FIG. 1. The larger pore space referred to as a pore body 12 is connected through smaller pore space referred to as a pore throat 14. FIG. 1 shows a simplified diagram of interconnected pore space, where the actual 3D pore space may include irregular-shaped pore bodies interconnected by pore throats of different sizes.
During an operation, reservoir rock may be filled with water before oil migration. For oil migration, the oil drop needs to overcome the entry (drainage) capillary pressure as a function of rthroat size since the rock is initially water wet. After oil passes the pore throat, it fills the larger pore body with the size of rbody under the same entry pressure. Thus, the pore body-throat ratio and the body-throat connecting numbers are important parameters of a rock pore space to predict oil migration through the pore space. The body-throat connecting number refers to the number of throats connecting to a pore body. For example, FIG. 1 shows a pore body 12 having a body-throat connecting number of 4, where the pore body 12 is connected to four pore throats 14.
Different pore size distribution methods have been used to characterize different aspects of the complex pore space in reservoir rocks. The different methods reveal different information on the complex microscopic space, depending on how the measurement is conducted.
The most straightforward methods include imaging methods, such as thin-section, microtomography (μCT) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) scanning, which may be used to directly measure the size of the pore space. 3D parameters can be derived from the 2D images based on stereology. When using such imaging methods, obtaining the correct images of microscopic space proves to be the biggest challenge. For example, the image resolution of a thin-section sample by optical microscopy is only sufficient for pore spaces larger than about several microns, which is best for large pore bodies of high permeability rocks, while pore throat may not be measured accurately for most rocks.
Another pore characterization method includes mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP) testing. MICP testing includes injecting mercury into a porous rock sample with increasing pressures to quantify the pore throat size. The mercury pressure can be sufficiently high (e.g., about 60,000 psi) to fill up the smallest pore space (e.g., about 0.0036 μm) so that the complete pore throat distribution of the most porous rocks can be obtained. Since the oil/water distribution is primarily controlled by pore throat instead of the pore body size distribution, capillary pressure is central to the oil industry when studying the oil/water distribution. However, pore throat size does not reflect the pore body size on which some petrophysical properties depend.
Another pore characterization method includes nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) testing, where a rock sample may be positioned in a magnetic field, and the interaction of nuclear spins in the sample may be analyzed to obtain different properties of the sample. NMR tools may measure the decaying signals of the nuclear spin of the protons at various times in response to a magnetic field, where the signal decaying time for the protons to complete dephasing may be referred to as the T2 relaxation time. The NMR measurements of amplitude versus time may be used to determine the T2 distribution of the sample, which may be used to calculate other properties of the sample such as porosity and permeability. For example, NMR well logging is commonly used to obtain petrochemical properties of a formation and formation fluids.

Combined discrete gaussian analysis of MICP and NMR T2 distributions of multi-modal carbonate rocks


A self-contained business transaction capsule to conduct a wireless transaction includes data regarding the wireless transaction. Transaction logic is provided to complete the wireless transaction. The self-contained business transaction capsule is adapted to be broadcasted to and stored on a portable electronic device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a system and method of conducting business transactions. More specifically, the present invention relates to a self-contained business transaction capsule that contains all the data and logic necessary to complete a transaction, particularly utilizing wireless devices.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The Internet has profoundly impacted traditional methods of commerce. Internet commerce, or electronic commerce ("e-commerce"), continues to grow each year. A clear majority of Americans are expected to be online by the year 2003. It is also expected that there will be 502 million Internet users worldwide by the year 2003. By eliminating many of the costs involved in executing routine commercial transactions, such as simple banking services and retail purchases, the Internet is rapidly providing individuals and organizations with a new medium for conducting business. And, as a source of consumer information on products and services, the Internet is unparalleled. Consumers can easily gather and compare information on products and services by visiting Web sites on the Internet. In addition to the basic information of a product or service provided on a Web site, sounds and images may also be provided therewith. Therefore, with an Internet Web site, a consumer can learn more about a product or service than over the telephone, and can more easily compare benefits and prices with competitors. Accordingly, these new digital marketplaces allow participants to conduct transactions at any time from any place. In these "e-marketplaces", customers are drawn or "pulled" to Web sites or virtual stores, much like "window shoppers" are lured into brick-and-mortar retail stores.
As the Internet becomes more and more dominant, e-marketplaces will exist in wireless access networks, portal Web sites, interactive advertisements, cable access networks, telephone access networks, industrial trading hubs, auctioning systems, airplanes, kiosks, and geographically-local marketplaces to serve as additional outlets for the sale of products and services in the form of e-commerce transactions. To be successful in these new e-marketplaces, it is desirable for online businesses to "push" their products out into these new channels of distribution, rather than just simply "pulling" customers to their Web sites.
Wireless devices are expected to become extremely important conduits of online transactions for both "push" and "pull" commerce, even though they collectively lack a standard to communicate with the Internet. Existing "native e-commerce" systems are not readily compatible with the new digital marketplace, particularly with wireless devices. For example, a wireless user could not easily place an order for a specific product on a Web site that expects interactivity from a standard Web browser connection due to the limitations of wireless devices. Some of these limitations include the lack of transmission standards, low bandwidths, small displays, limited buttons for user input, unstable wireless connections, etc. Therefore, in order to conduct wireless mobile commerce, or "m-commerce", an online business would be required to develop a customized solution that makes the online business's native e-commerce system compatible with wireless devices.

Self-contained business transaction capsules


An X-band, crossed dipole turnstile antenna configured to be omni-directional with horizontal polarization is disclosed. It comprises a set of two dipole antennas aligned at right angles to each other attached to a common 50 ohm coaxial feedpoint and fed 90 degrees out-of-phase. The antenna pattern is nearly omnidirectional in the horizontal plane. The antenna can be used generally in microwave communications including Digital Radio Frequency Tags (DRaFTs) communicating with airborne and satellite platforms.

Radio frequency communication with air and space platforms provides the opportunity to remotely track objects over large distances. Military operations especially have a need for tracking technology for air-to-ground Combat Identification (CID). This generally includes microwave communications. As an example, a Digital Radio Frequency Tag (DRaFT) can provide flexible, low cost technology to allow radars such as Moving Target Indicator (MTI) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to receive data from ground devices. These small, lightweight and affordable RF Tags provide for data extraction from unattended ground sensors and communication with vehicles and personnel throughout an area. This is particularly useful for the identification and location of combined units. Other advanced tag functions include additional communications capabilities for enhanced interoperability with identification and communications systems. These can give the tags dual-mode capability to function as a tag when radar is present or as a more conventional radio beacon device when radar is not available. Another application includes dual-mode tags communicating with Satellite Communication (SATCOM) platforms. Additionally, small-scale tag variations may support other target tracking, substantially enhancing situational awareness and asset identification for ground operations. Tag antenna characteristics include horizontal polarization required to communicate with airborne radar platforms having horizontal (azimuth) polarization. Linear and circular polarization can be employed. Antennas presently used for DRaFTs are very large, waveguide slot antennas. They are typically 7 inches long, 1 inch wide and 0.5 inch deep. What is needed, therefore, are small, inexpensive antennas with horizontal polarization and an omni-directional pattern.

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.


A technique for reducing skew between clock signals in a digital system requiring multiple clock signals. The system preferably is implemented on a printed circuit board. An oscillator circuit provides a periodic signal to a clock buffer which generates multiple periodic clock signals. The clock signals are provided to various destination points on the printed circuit board. The rising and falling edges of each clock signal generated by the clock buffer do not occur precisely at the same time as the rising and falling edges of the other clock signals. This misalignment of clock edges, or skew, is detrimental to system performance, but is reduced substantially by connecting all of the clock buffer's output clock signals together at a single physical point or node. Accordingly, the printed circuit board traces carrying each of the clock signals are routed to a single point node. A single point node is used to reduce skew caused by the clock buffer. Single point nodes also may be used at various locations on the printed circuit board to reduce skew caused by differences in the lengths of the traces carrying the clock signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to clock signals in a digital system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to the reduction of skew between output clock signals from a clock buffer. Still more particularly, the invention relates to buffer-to-buffer skew reduction by coupling together the output clock signals from a clock buffer.
2. Background of the Invention
The timing of a microprocessor-based circuit is controlled by one or more clock signals. As shown in FIG. 1, a clock signal includes periodic transitions between high (logic "1") and low (logic "0") logic levels at a rate typically described in terms of frequency. Frequency commonly is measured by the number of high/low transitions or cycles that occur each second. Thus, a frequency of 1 Hertz (1 Hz) refers to one high/low cycle occurring each second. Early personal computers operated using clock signals with a frequency of approximately 5 megahertz (MHz) indicating that the clock signal had 5,000,000 cycles each second. Current implementations of personal computers include numerous clock sources with frequencies ranging from 1-200 MHz.
The clock signal in a computer system is used to synchronize bus cycles in the system. Thus, all digital components in the computer system initiate data operations based upon the clock signal. More specifically, circuit components that use a clock signal change the state of their output signals in conjunction with the rising and/or falling edge of the clock signal. For example, in FIG. 1, rising edge 17 or falling edge 18 might be used to control the state of a given circuit component.
Clock signals usually are generated by clock circuits which include multiple clock signal sources (i.e., output buffers for providing a clock signal). Like most digital circuitry, clock circuits typically are fabricated on a printed circuit board. Microprocessor-based circuits are often complex and include numerous electrical components, many of which are driven by a clock signal. Most, if not all, microprocessor-based circuits include multiple clock signals, typically one clock signal source for each destination point requiring a clock signal. The use of multiple clock signals is necessary for numerous reasons such as providing sufficient drive current for all loads requiring a clock signal and improving clock signal quality.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a typical clock circuit 10 includes an oscillator circuit 12 coupled to a clock buffer 14. The oscillator circuit 12 generates a periodic signal at a predetermined frequency. The clock buffer 14 receives the periodic signals from oscillator circuit 12 and generates n output clock signals, labeled in FIG. 2 as clock0, clock1, clock2, through clockn. The output clock signals are produced by output buffers (not shown) in clock buffer 14. The n clock signals couple to multiple destination points D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.3, through D.sub.n through output series termination resistors R.sub.0. The clock signals then are used to drive circuit components located at various sites across the circuit board in accordance with known techniques.
Although occurring extremely rapidly, electrical signals require a finite amount of time to travel from one point to another on a circuit board. The longer the distance through which a signal must travel, the more time it takes for that signal to propagate the required distance. Conductive copper pathways, commonly called traces, are etched in the circuit board to provide conductive paths for signals to travel from one component to another. The length of the traces between output resistors R.sub.0 and the various destination points D.sub.0, D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.n are labeled as L.sub.0, L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.n in FIG. 2. For example, L.sub.0 refers to the distance between resistor R.sub.0 and destination point D.sub.0. As illustrated in FIG. 2, L.sub.n represents a longer distance than L.sub.0. Thus, the time it takes for signal clockn to propagate through trace length L.sub.n to destination point D.sub.n is greater than for clock0 to propagate through trace distance L.sub.0. Thus, if the four clock signals clock0, clock1, clock2, clockn are in phase (i.e., their rising and falling edges occur simultaneously)at resistor R.sub.0, the rising and falling edges of the clock signals at the destination points will be out of phase. Specifically, the clock signal that propagates through the shortest trace length will have a rising and falling edge that occurs before the associated rising and falling edges of the other clock signals. Moreover, if all of the trace lengths are of different lengths, then all of the clock signals will have rising or falling edges that are out of phase at the respective destination points D.sub.0, D.sub.1, D.sub.2, D.sub.n. This phase difference typically is referred to as skew. FIG. 3 illustrates the effects of skewing in the prior art circuit of FIG. 2. Approximately two cycles of clock signals clock0-clockn are shown in which the rising edges 17a, 17b, 17c, 17d are not in phase. Because of the skew between clock signals, the circuit components in a computer, such as address and data latches and state machine flip flops, will change state at different times potentially impairing the performance of the computer system.
The skew between clock signals is further exacerbated by the clock buffer. Typical clock buffers do not produce identical clock signals; that is, the rising and falling edges of the output clock signals do not all occur simultaneously. The maximum skew between the clock signals shown in FIG. 3 is time interval S occurring between the rising edge 17a of clock0 and the rising edge 17d of clockn. Clock buffer manufacturers usually specify a time value for the maximum amount of skew the part may produce. The maximum skew value usually is referred to as buffer-to-buffer skew, referring to the output buffers that drive a clock signal on each of the output terminals of the clock buffer. The maximum buffer-to-buffer skew, for example, for the CGS2535 clock buffer manufactured by National Semiconductor is 250 picoseconds (ps). In computer systems in which speed is of paramount concern, a 250 ps buffer-to-buffer skew represents a significant amount of skewing and may impair the performance of the computer. Thus, reducing or eliminating buffer-to-buffer skew would be beneficial.
At least two attempts have been made to correct or reduce skew in a clock distribution system. In one technique, a prototype circuit board is constructed and the amount of inter-clock signal skew is measured at the destination points. Then the layout of the traces on the printed circuit board is modified to add additional trace length to the faster clock signal traces so that all of the clock signals are substantially in phase at the destination points. This technique thus compensates for skew at the destination points, but does not reduce buffer-to-buffer skew at the clock buffer (i.e., buffer-to-buffer skew is still present at the outputs of the clock buffer). Further, this process is time consuming and expensive, in that the fabrication and testing of a prototype board is required with the subsequent modifications to add precise lengths of additional trace to compensate for the clock signal skew.
A second attempt at overcoming the skew problem is exemplified in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, 16 output clock signals (i.e., n=16) are shown for clock buffer 14. In this approach, which currently is used in the Compaq Proliant 5000 computer, a trace 50 electrically couples together all of the output terminals of clock buffer 14 in an attempt to produce a single clock signal on trace 50. This single clock signal then is provided to various destination points via output resistors R.sub.0. Although this approach may reduce buffer-to-buffer skew somewhat, a substantial amount of skew remains that cannot be reduced further by trace 50. The substantial amount of skew still present in the clock signals results from differences in the trace lengths between the various clock buffer output terminals and the termination resistors R.sub.0.
A large portion of the total amount of skewing between clock signals is caused by the clock buffer. Thus, it would be advantageous to reduce, and preferably eliminate, buffer-to-buffer skewing associated with clock buffers. As a direct consequence, computers, and other digital systems, with multiple clock signals could operate faster and more robustly. Despite the advantages such a system would provide, there currently is no system which substantially eliminates the problem with buffer-to-buffer skewing in clock circuits.

Clock skew reduction using spider clock trace routing


The present invention provides a personal training device and system for applying controlled load on body muscles. The training device generally comprises a ground supported frame that holds a torso support assembly and a foot support assembly. The torso support assembly further comprises a torso support that is vertically displaceable with respect to the frame along a first axis and fixable at various positions along said first axis. The foot support assembly includes a foot-engaging member that is horizontally displaceable with respect to the frame along a second axis normal to the first axis and fixable at various positions along the second axis.

A typical feature of a personal training program is the need to apply different loads on trained muscle groups depending on a person's inherent characteristics (age, weight, etc.) and his fitness status. The most basic way of physical training is to use the individual's own body as the training loads without the use of any instruments, e.g. performing pull-ups, push-ups, etc. An exercise apparatus enabling a user to exert muscle effort against user's own body weight resistance is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,314 to Thompson. When using such apparatus, user may selectively incline the carriage assembly in a carriage assembly-receiving track in an operational state for exerting muscular effort against varying degrees of the user's own body weight resistance to achieve some level of physical activity or as part of an otherwise regular exercise regimen.
Modern fitness training usually employs various training devices for the purpose of systemizing personal training. In such devices, the training is against an adjustable load. The exercises in such devices are fixed through and the load adjustment is through variable weight loads, which may be added or removed. Generally, such devices are relatively expensive and not normally suited for home installation. Furthermore, typically different devices are needed for training different muscle groups. This typically increases the cost for a proper fitness installation and also increases the demand for space therefore. Furthermore, there is a need to provide fitness training device for individuals with physical limitations, such as overweight individuals, individuals lacking physical fitness and people having physical or other handicaps.


According to one embodiment, a method of coherency management in a data processing system includes holding a cache line in an upper level cache memory in an exclusive ownership coherency state and thereafter removing the cache line from the upper level cache memory and transmitting a castout request for the cache line from the upper level cache memory to a lower level cache memory. The castout request includes an indication of a shared ownership coherency state. In response to the castout request, the cache line is placed in the lower level cache memory in a coherency state determined in accordance with the castout request.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to data processing system and, in particular, to coherency management in a data processing system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a processor, data processing system and method supporting improved coherency management of castouts in a cache hierarchy of a data processing system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) computer system, such as a server computer system, includes multiple processing units all coupled to a system interconnect, which typically comprises one or more address, data and control buses. Coupled to the system interconnect is a system memory, which represents the lowest level of volatile memory in the multiprocessor computer system and which generally is accessible for read and write access by all processing units. In order to reduce access latency to instructions and data residing in the system memory, each processing unit is typically further supported by a respective multi-level cache hierarchy, the lower level(s) of which may be shared by one or more processor cores.
Cache memories are commonly utilized to temporarily buffer memory blocks that might be accessed by a processor in order to speed up processing by reducing access latency introduced by having to load needed data and instructions from system memory. In some multiprocessor (MP) systems, the cache hierarchy includes at least two levels. The level one (L1), or upper-level cache is usually a private cache associated with a particular processor core and cannot be directly accessed by other cores in an MP system. Typically, in response to a memory access instruction such as a load or store instruction, the processor core first accesses the upper-level cache. If the requested memory block is not found in the upper-level cache or the memory access request cannot be serviced in the upper-level cache (e.g., the L1 cache is a store-though cache), the processor core then access lower-level caches (e.g., level two (L2) or level three (L3) caches) to service the memory access to the requested memory block. The lowest level cache (e.g., L2 or L3) is often shared among multiple processor cores.
A coherent view of the contents of memory is maintained in the presence of potentially multiple copies of individual memory blocks distributed throughout the computer system through the implementation of a coherency protocol. The coherency protocol, for example, the well-known Modified, Exclusive, Shared, Invalid (MESI) protocol or a variant thereof, entails maintaining state information associated with each cached copy of the memory block and communicating at least some memory access requests between processing units to make the memory access requests visible to other processing units.
In order to synchronize access to a particular granule (e.g., cache line) of memory between multiple processing units and threads of execution, load-reserve and store-conditional instruction pairs are often employed. For example, load-reserve and store-conditional instructions have been implemented in the PowerPC® instruction set architecture with operation codes (opcodes) associated with the LWARX/LDARX and STWCX/STDCX mnemonics, respectively (referred to hereafter as LARX and STCX). Execution of a LARX instruction by a processor loads a specified cache line into the cache memory of the processor and sets a reservation flag and address register signifying the processor has interest in atomically updating the cache line through execution of a subsequent STCX instruction targeting the reserved cache line. The cache then monitors the storage subsystem for operations signifying that another processor has modified the cache line, and if one is detected, resets the reservation flag to signify the cancellation of the reservation. When the processor executes a subsequent STCX targeting the cache line reserved through execution of the LARX instruction, the cache memory only performs the cache line update requested by the STCX if the reservation for the cache line is still pending. Thus, updates to shared memory can be synchronized without the use of an atomic update primitive that strictly enforces atomicity.
The state of the reservation flag and the caching of the reserved cache line are independent, meaning that the reservation flag is not reset automatically if the associated cache line is removed from the cache of the reserving processor, for example, by a castout operation. If a reserved cache line that is castout from a cache memory is subsequently modified by a processor other than the reserving processor, the reservation will be automatically canceled through conventional coherency communication if the reserved cache line is in a state other than Modified. However, because a Modified cache line can be updated "silently" (i.e., without inter-cache coherency communication), special provision must be made for such cache lines in order to ensure that a STCX that should fail does not succeed.
In one prior art implementation, one coherency protocol addressed the above operating scenario by permitting a cache line (including a reserved cache line) to be castout from an upper level cache to a lower level cache in the same coherency state as the cache line was held in the upper level cache and by requiring the coherency state of the cache line to be downgraded, if applicable, from an exclusive ownership state (e.g., Modified (M)) to a shared ownership state (e.g., Tagged (T)) if the cache line were again obtained by an upper level cache from the lower level cache. The enforced downgrade ensures that any pending reservation for the cache line is canceled in the event that a different processor attempts to update the cache line while holding the cache line in the exclusive ownership state.


The invention provides a method and apparatus for integrating the heat transfer zones of plate fin and tube and finned tube exchangers and a catalytic mass transfer zone. The invention also provides a method for in situ regeneration of existing coated surface and augmentation of existing coated surface, or catalyst performance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of heat exchange and specifically to integrating a catalyst zone into an efficient heat exchanger.
2. Description of the Related Art
Plate fin and tube heat exchangers or externally finned tube exchangers have long been employed to recover process heat. These exchangers are most often employed to heat or cool a low density gas stream located on the finned side against a denser fluid with higher heat transfer coefficient within the tubes. The extended surface on the finned exterior pass allows greater heat transfer surface than a bare tube and provides greater heat transfer at a low-pressure drop.
The art has not heretofore recognized the unexpected advantage of applying a catalyst coating on the heat transfer fins, or support tubes and surrounding internal surface of the heat exchanger vessel/housing, to allow effective heat transfer while also allowing a catalytic reaction has not been recognized in the art.