The invention provides a smart card chip having a nonvolatile system memory (ROM, flash1), a Java Card Virtual Machine implemented in the nonvolatile system memory (ROM, flash1), a nonvolatile application memory (EEPROM, flash2), a volatile working memory (RAM) and a variables memory area reserved for global variables, wherein the variables memory area is reserved in the volatile working memory (RAM). The variables memory area is preferably reserved statically. The use of the variables can be limited to system packages and optionally additionally to preloaded (ROM/EEPROM) packages.

Smart cards, i.e. chip cards with a microprocessor, are already used today, and will most likely be used increasingly in future, in a multiplicity of applications, for example in mobile devices such as mobile telephones as SIM cards or USIM cards, as bank cards or electronic purses in electronic payment transactions, as health cards for holders of health insurance (patient card) and doctors (doctor card), as citizen cards, or as multiapplication cards in which a plurality of the stated, or other, functionalities are implemented.
A smart card chip has a plurality of memory areas, namely nonvolatile, only once writable ROM, nonvolatile, rewritable EEPROM and volatile, rewritable RAM. Alternatively, parts of ROM and/or EEPROM can be replaced by flash memories.
In the production of the smart card chip, the chip manufacturer first implements in ROM a program code part called a ROM mask, which primarily contains the operating system. Then, as a rule the smart card manufacturer, which obtains the chip with the implemented ROM mask from the chip manufacturer, performs the completion of the smart card, during which additions to the operating system and applications of the smart card manufacturer are implemented in EEPROM. After completion, the smart card chip is ready to be issued to the customer.
Object-oriented programming languages, in particular Java™ from Sun Microsystems Inc., are very well suited for creating platform-independent and mutually well protected applications. However, the runtime environments of object-oriented programming languages such as Java™ are as a rule too extensive to be readily implemented in a smart card chip.
The Java Card™ technology of Sun Microsystems Inc., which is set forth e.g. in the current—and constantly updated—version in the document "Java Card™ 2.2 Runtime Environment (JCRE) Specification" (currently available under http://java.sun.com/products/javacard), is a modified Java technology for runtime environments with limited system resources which is also suitable for smart cards.
The runtime environment provided in the Java Card (more precisely, in the chip) according to the JCRE specification comprises at least the Java Card Virtual Machine (JCVM) and the Java Card Application Programming Interface (API) classes, and optionally further components. In connection with the invention the Virtual Machine of the Java Card or Java Card Virtual Machine (in the narrower sense) is understood to be the on-card part of the Java Card Virtual Machine (in the broader sense). The term Virtual Machine (VM) is thus understood in the narrower sense and equated with the on-card part of the VM provided on the Java Card. Besides the on-card part, an off-card part of the VM in the broader sense can additionally be provided.
A created program source code of a predetermined program, e.g. a program to be loaded onto a Java Card™, is, in the Java Card™ technology, as in the Java™ technology, first compiled by means of a compiler so as to produce a class file which has the format of an intermediate code, namely the Java bytecode, which is interpretable by the Java Card Virtual Machine. Then, in the Java Card™ technology, as opposed to the Java™ technology, the bytecode of the class file is additionally converted by means of a converter into a converted bytecode in a CAP file (CAP=Card Application Protocol). Compiling and conversion is done outside the Java Card, "off-card". The CAP file, and thus ultimately the predetermined program, is loaded onto the Java Card, and the bytecode of the CAP file is linked. Upon linking, access options of the program loaded onto the Java Card with the CAP file to other program code elements present in the Java Card are set up, among other things, i.e. connections between the individual packages are produced. In linking, the off-card linker must be distinguished from the on-card linker. The on-card linker is implemented in the Java Card (in the chip) and is operable without further components. The off-card linker requires for linking an export file which contains information for linking and which is not also loaded into the Java Card (the chip). The Java Card Virtual Machine finally interprets the converted and linked bytecode of the CAP files and executes it.
As a rule, Java program code is stored in the form of packages. Each package contains a part of the program code, e.g. data or one or more individual programs. The individual programs system can be either system functions of the operating system (in compiled form: system classes) or applications. The structuring of the program code into packages is also retained in the converted CAP file.
In the CAP file, each package contains not only the actual program code but additionally an import component and an export component.
The import component specifies what access options the package requires to other packages, e.g. what methods from other packages the package wants to use. The required access options are stated in the import component for example by a reference "import<other package>". Such an "import< . . . >" reference, which is formally a name reference (reference directed to a name, e.g. to "other package"), is converted during production of the CAP file as a rule into a so-called token, which is formally a number reference (reference directed to a number).
The export component specifies what access options the package offers other packages, e.g. what methods the package makes available to other packages for use. The access options made available are obtained in the export component for example by stating an address, the address stating the memory location of the program code made available.
That a package newly loaded into a Java Card can actually access a predetermined other package and use its program code is set up by linking. During linking, the newly loaded package loads link information (e.g. an address) from the export component of the other package into its own import component. For example, a token, i.e. a number reference produced from an "import" reference, in the import component of the new package is replaced during linking by an address from the export component of the other package. This causes the token (the reference) with the desire for use to be replaced by an actual address link between the two packages. The link and thus the actual possibility of use can only be set up if the newly loaded package has available the export component of the other package whose program code the new package wants to use.
The export components of all packages implemented in a Java Card, or a predetermined subset of all said export components, are combined in the export file. If an additional (new) package is loaded into the Java Card before completion of the Java Card, it is linked using the off-card linker and the export file. After completion of the Java Card, only the on-card linker can be used for linking.
Applications are implemented in the Java Card as a rule in the form of applets, the applets being in turn grouped into application packages. Application packages include so-called preloaded packages (preissuance packages), which are implemented in the smart card chip before or during completion, and which are implemented as a rule by the smart card manufacturer. Further, there are postloaded packages (postissuance packages), which are loaded into the smart card chip after completion, as a rule by the buyer or customer, for example a credit institution or an agency.
The contents (e.g. applets or system functions) of different packages are mutually protected by firewalls, whereas the contents (applets, etc.) within one and the same package are not mutually protected by means of firewalls.
Java makes available a number of different types of variables. There are e.g. a number of non-global, dynamically produced variables restricted to their context, e.g. instance variables or (synonymously) object variables, local variables and method parameters. Instance variables, local variables, method parameters have in common that they are produced dynamically during the runtime of a program with the object (=instance of a class), the flow (e.g. program loop), the method, etc., to which they belong, and only exist as long as the object, flow or method exists, i.e. they are transient. Moreover, they are not global, i.e. they are only usable within the context (i.e. within the object, flow or method) in or with which they have been produced. Beyond the context, the firewall prevents the variables from being used, i.e. access to the variables from outside the context is prevented by the firewall.
The memory area reserved for instance variables is located on the heap memory, in nonvolatile EEPROM (or alternatively in the flash memory). The memory area reserved for local variables is located on the stack memory, in RAM, and has only a short lifetime, namely the duration of the method execution.
The disadvantage of non-global variables is that they are not usable outside their context.
Besides the above-mentioned variables there are, as the only global (see below) variables in Java, the class variables or static variables, which are statically produced variables.
Class variables (synonymously used term: static variables) are global variables, i.e. they are not bound to single instances of a class (=single objects). Class variables are statically declared, the memory area reserved for class variables being located in EEPROM, i.e. in a nonvolatile memory area of the Java Card.
Write accesses to EEPROM are slow and therefore very time-consuming. For this reason, the access to class variables is slow, so that the performance of a program using class variables is low. Secondly, EEPROM allows only a maximum number of typically 100,000 write cycles, so that it is desirable to avoid write accesses to EEPROM wherever possible. The use of class variables, in particular in cases when only a short lifetime of the variables is required, thus slows down the performance of the program flow and stresses EEPROM by the write processes involved.
On the other hand, there is a need to use variables globally, i.e. independently of the context of a specific object, package, method, etc., for example for exchanging variables between different contexts (objects, packages, methods), etc. At present, this possibility is given only by class variables, which have the above-mentioned disadvantages such as strong stress on EEPROM and slowness.
It is therefore the problem of the invention to provide a smart card chip with a Java Card Virtual Machine and a memory area reserved for global variables which permits an access to the global variables that is simple, fast and gentle on the chip.
The smart card chip has a variables memory area reserved for global variables which is reserved in the volatile working memory, for example in RAM. Accesses to the volatile working memory are fast, and the use of the volatile working memory moreover spares the nonvolatile application memory, in particular EEPROM or a flash memory. Thus, the chip permits an access to the global variables that is simple, fast and gentle on the chip.
Therefore, there is provided a smart card chip with a Java Card Virtual Machine and a memory area reserved for global variables which permits an access to the global variables that is simple, fast and gentle on the chip.
The invention is well suited in particular for application cases for global variables in which the variables must be global, e.g. because they must be available beyond context limits, but which do not require a long lifetime of the variables. For the (fast) RAM memory in which the memory area is reserved for the variables and in which the variables are created when required is volatile. Consequently, the created variables are deleted as soon as the energy supply of the RAM memory is interrupted.
Preferably, the variables memory area is reserved statically, for example by the variables memory area being reserved for class variables (a synonym being "static type variables"), since access to the variables is particularly fast with static reservation. Access (read access or write access) to the statically reserved variables memory area means that a statically reserved variable (static type variable) is used (read or overwritten). Since no firewall check is performed when using statically reserved variables, static reservation of the variables memory area has the additional advantage that access to the variables is faster than if the variables memory area were reserved dynamically, during the runtime of the program. Consequently, it is particularly preferable that the variables memory area is reserved statically.
Further, it is preferred that those programs can access the variables memory area that can link to the variables memory area. Further preferably, the ability of a program to link to the variables memory area is obtained by making available to the program for linking an export component on the smart card chip. The variables memory area appears to a program wanting to access it to be an external program. Therefore, the program wanting to access the variables memory area needs the export information of the external program that has created the variables memory area. Preferably, a program wanting to use the reserved variables memory area thus has available, for linking, the export component of an external program that has created the variables memory area.
Further, those programs are preferably excluded from using the variables memory area that cannot link to the variables memory area. The inability of a program to link to the variables memory area is preferably obtained by an export component of the smart card chip being withheld from the program for linking.
Further preferably, the variables memory area is reserved by a corresponding Java package being stored in a system memory of the chip, said package preferably containing only the reservation of the variables memory area. Such a Java package with the name e.g.
"com.gieseckedevrient.javacard.os.commonram",
which reserves memory space for a plurality of static variables "myRamVarA", "myRamVarB", etc., of the data types short and byte and int, can have for example the following form:
package com.gieseckedevrient.javacard.os.commonram;                static short myRamVarA;        static short myRamVarB;                    etc.
The Java package is stored in the system memory (ROM, optionally also flash memory). Upon later use of the Java package, the corresponding data, i.e. the static, global variables of the types short, byte, int are stored in RAM.
Further, it is preferred that only programs stored in the system memory (ROM, flash) can access the variables memory area. Alternatively or additionally, only programs that have been implemented in the smart card chip up to the end of completion of the smart card chip can preferably access the variables memory area.
According to a preferred embodiment, the export component is made available for linking only for packages that are implemented up to completion. A loaded package that is implemented up to completion is preferably linked with the off-card linker and the export file. Thus, the link information for linking to the variables memory area is loaded from the export component of the Java package that reserves the variables memory area into the import component of the loaded package. The result is that the loaded package can access the reserved variables memory area and can use the RAM variables there, in RAM. Packages that are implemented in the Java Card or the chip after completion do not have in their import components the link information from the export component of the Java package that has reserved the variables memory area. Therefore, packages implemented after completion cannot use the inventive RAM variables according to the preferred embodiment, i.e. not access the reserved variables memory area in RAM.
The Java Card Virtual Machine is preferably so formed, and when required modified compared to the Java Card Virtual Machine according to the Java Card VM specification, that it permits the use of global variables in the volatile working memory (RAM) on the basis of the variables memory area reserved in RAM.
In particular, the commands "getstatic" and "putstatic" of the Java Card Virtual Machine are modified compared to the commands "get static" and "putstatic" of the Java Card Virtual Machine according to the Java Card VM specification when required.
Preferably, the modifications or changes performed on the Java Card Virtual Machine when required are carried out in such a way that the modifications/changes are not qualitatively recognizable externally during use of the VM. That the modifications are not qualitatively recognizable means in particular that the smart card chip meets a predetermined Java Card specification that the chip would likewise meet without the modifications. Quantitatively, the modifications can optionally be recognizable externally, e.g. it can be recognizable externally that using the inventive global RAM variables is faster than using known global variables from the prior art. In particular, the changes performed on the commands "getstatic" and "putstatic" when required are preferably done in such a way that the use (e.g. creation, changing variable value) of static variables using the commands "getstatic" and "putstatic" is unchanged over the use (e.g. creation, changing variable value) of static variables according to the Java Card VM specification.
That the changes are not qualitatively recognizable externally is achieved for example by reserving a variables memory area for global variables in RAM, using for the reservation a variables declaration that otherwise meets the Java Card VM specification, for example a declaration of static variables, the only difference being that the static area is provided in RAM instead of in EEPROM.
Meeting of the specifications is preferably further guaranteed to the effect that a normal user cannot use the reserved variables memory area, i.e. cannot use any inventive RAM variables, since he lacks the link information because the export file required for linking is withheld from him. For example, the export file is stored with the manufacturer of the smart card and kept secret from both users and buyers of smart cards. Preferably, only program developers of system programs (and optionally of preloaded packages additionally) that are linked before completion can use the inventive RAM variables, since only these program developers of system programs (and optionally preloaded packages) have available the secret export file and thus the link information required for linking to the reserved variables memory area. Only program developers of system programs (and optionally preloaded packages) are thus excepted from the general secrecy of the export file. Buyers of smart cards who load programs (e.g. applications) into the smart card (or smart card chip) after completion of the smart card can use for linking only the on-card linker, however, which does not have the link information for linking to the reserved variables memory area in RAM.

Java smart card chip having memory area reserved for global variables


A signal monitoring device, a signal transmission/reception device and a communication device, which realize easy acquisition of a diagnosis result and a signal value, and further realize fast acquisition of the diagnosis result. A signal monitoring device includes: a difference value calculator that time-sequentially calculates, for a signal to be monitored, a difference value between a signal value thereof and a previously set threshold; and a storage that updates and stores the time-sequentially calculated difference value in accordance with a previously set rule.

In a signal transmission/reception device such as an optical transceiver, generally, diagnosis has been performed as to whether or not a signal transmitting/receiving operation is being normally performed, thereby to enhance reliability of the operation. The diagnosis function is realized by a signal monitoring device provided inside or outside the signal transmission/reception device.
As a technique for the above diagnosis, for example, there is one where in an optical transceiver or the like, an analog signal which is a parameter concerning operation characteristics or an analog signal which is a parameter concerning an environment is converted to a digital signal, to regularly monitor the digital signal, and when it exceeds a predetermined threshold, a predetermined flag bit is generated (cf. Patent Document 1). The flag bit is information complying with the XFP standard, for example. When a request is made from an external host-side device, the presence or absence of the flag bit is reported, to allow a diagnosis result to be grasped.
Further, for example, there is one where in an optical transceiver or the like, a transmitted/received signal is regularly monitored, and a maximum value and a minimum value of the signal values are stored (cf. Patent Document 2). The optical transceiver references the maximum value and the minimum value, to perform comparison processing with a predetermined threshold, and it is thereby possible to judge whether or not the signal value has exceeded the predetermined threshold.

Signal monitoring apparatus, signal transmitting/receiving apparatus, and communication apparatus


A vertical lift aircraft comprising an aircraft body and a lifting assembly is presented. The lifting assembly comprises a frame wherein at least one airfoil assembly which includes a plurality of airfoils attached to a drive ring is secured. As the drive ring rotates, the airfoils move through the air and create lift. The pitch of the airfoils or blades can be fixed or variable. The drive ring is rotated by a band which is in frictional contact with the inner surface of the drive ring. The band is rotated by at least one pair of rollers which are in frictional contact with the band. Aircraft stability is controlled by regulating airfoil pitch which is responsive to pivoting of a control ring. Alternatively, aircraft stability is provided by regulating the flow of air or gas from a plurality of nozzles disposed about the aircraft. The body, a portion of which may be located inside the lifting assembly, includes a passenger and load carrying compartment and an engine assembly.

This invention relates to an aircraft and, more particularly, to a vertical lift aircraft employing a new and improved lift system.
Presently, helicopters are the most common vertical lift type aircrafts. The helicopters generally employ a single main rotor with a torque-compensating propeller on a boom at the rear of the helicopter. The body of the helicopter is located below the main rotor and is connected to the rotor system by a shaft which drives the rotor.
This conventional configuration has many deficiencies. For example, the rotor blades of the helicopter (generally between two and five) are long and heavy, and are connected to a single rotor hub; resulting in the rotor hub being heavily stressed. Damage to one of the rotor blades can create unbalances which can destroy the entire rotor system. Normal vibrations are also very difficult to damp in a conventional rotor system. The rotor blades, being free at one end, are easily damaged upon impact. The torque compensating propeller consumes a significant part of the engine power and adds a large amount of weight. The body of the helicopter being suspended below the rotor, interferes with the flow of air from the rotor, thus reducing the efficiency of the rotor. The rotor, being positioned high above the body of the helicopter, does not benefit fully from "ground effect", the lift-enhancing phenomena, which occurs when a lifting surface is operated close to the ground. The rotor of the helicopter operates at a much lower RPM than the engine which drives the rotor, necessitating the use of a heavy, RPM-reducing gear box. Other types of vertical lift aircrafts are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,437,290; 3,507,461; 3,514,053; 3,813,059 and 4,196,877. The above list is only exemplary and is not intended to be a complete list of vertical lift type aircrafts. In general, these patents address many of the deficiencies, noted above, of the helicopter type aircraft. In particular, these patents disclose the use of many airfoils located closer to the ground for providing lift as compared to the few rotor blades used on a helicopter. Further, the use of multiple sets of airfoils is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,813,059.


A method of fatigue life prediction including: calculating a critical crack size of an object of interest; identifying a first flaw in ultrasound data of the object of interest; determining that the first flaw interacts with a second flaw, the first flaw is to be merged with the second flaw, or the first flaw is isolated; calculating an initial crack size based on the determination; and calculating an increase in the initial crack size due to fatigue and creep to determine a number of load cycles until the initial crack size reaches the critical crack size.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to fatigue life prediction in rotor materials.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Fatigue life prediction is an important management task in turbine generators. The casing, valves, and rotor materials are metallurgically degraded under long-term operation in an elevated temperature and high-pressure environment. Cracks due to fracture and creep may initiate and develop in years of service under severe conditions. Reliable life prediction techniques have been desired in the field for maintenance and repair plans to reduce the life-cycle cost.
Despite efforts made over the past decades, several difficulties and challenges remain in the field. Fatigue crack propagation in an elevated temperature and high-pressure environment is a complex and dynamic process, which involves many fields of expertise and empirical judgments. Two major components must be carefully included in fatigue life prediction under the severe environment: (1) time- and temperature-dependent fatigue and creep-fatigue crack growth, and (2) multiple crack interactions and their impact on final fatigue life. Fatigue crack growth is not only driven by the stress intensity factor but also by the J-integral. The interaction among multiple cracks or between cracks and boundaries affects the stress intensity factor and J-integral. The holding time in a typical loading profile for stream or gas turbines also affects fatigue crack growth. It is not easy for ordinary engineers without expertise to successfully perform life prediction.
A system that can manage useful and empirical information required in this process is desired.

Method and system of deterministic fatigue life prediction for rotor materials


A mobile communication system in which a mobile station apparatus transmits reception quality information to a base station apparatus, the reception quality information indicating quality of a signal received from the base station apparatus, characterized in that the base station apparatus transmits information for instructing transmission of reception quality information without uplink data included in an uplink data transmission permission signal, and the mobile station apparatus transmits reception quality information without uplink data according to the information for instructing transmission of reception quality information without uplink data. This allows a mobile station apparatus to transmit reception quality information including a large amount of information even if there is no uplink data between the mobile station apparatus and the base station apparatus, and the transmission control flexibly responding to the amount of information and the frequency of transmissions of the reception quality information transmitted from the mobile station apparatus is possible. Therefore, more efficient communication control (scheduling) between the base station apparatus and the mobile station apparatus can be achieved.

Recently, demand for data communication is increasing in a mobile communication system, and various techniques are proposed to obtain high frequency use efficiency meeting the increase in the communication data associated with the demand. One of the techniques for increasing the frequency use efficiency is OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access). The OFDMA relates to a technique of modulation method of communication in which the same frequency is used in all cells in a communication area constituted by the cells, and the OFDMA can achieve fast data communication. In the mobile station apparatuses transmit CQI (Channel Quality Indicator), which is information indicating the reception quality of a downlink state for sub-carriers in wideband, to a base station apparatus, and the base station apparatus performs scheduling of the packets based on the CQI of sub-carriers in wideband transmitted from the mobile station apparatuses.
Furthermore, in the scheduling of transmission packets in an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) system using a plurality of sub-carriers, a technique is also known in which mobile station apparatuses evaluate each channel states of a downlink (frequency characteristics, or characteristics such as transmission loss dependent on the frequency) and transmit information with quantized each channel states to a base station apparatus, and the base station apparatus determines sub-carriers to be assigned to the mobile station apparatuses based on the transmitted information (see, Patent Document 1 below). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of a conventional communication method between a base station apparatus and a mobile station apparatus. FIG. 5(A) is a diagram showing a system configuration example, and FIG. 5(B) is a diagram showing a characteristic example. Having received downlink information 205 of a downlink line used for reception quality measurement from a base station apparatus 201, a mobile station apparatus measures the reception quality of each channel (FIG. 5(B)) based on the downlink information and quantizes the measured reception quality of each channel to create a channel profile of a propagation path.
The channel profile created by the mobile station apparatus 203 is transmitted, from the mobile station apparatus 203 to the base station apparatus 201, as reception quality information 207 using an uplink line. The base station apparatus 201 executes processing, such as adaptive modulation and coding or frequency selective scheduling, upon signals transmitted from the base station apparatus 201 to the mobile station apparatus 203 based on the reception quality information 207.
In relation to the transmission of reception quality information by the mobile station apparatus to the base station apparatus, transmission from the mobile station apparatus to the base station apparatus by using a dedicated uplink control channel (hereinafter, referred to as PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)) and an uplink shared data channel (hereinafter, PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel)) is examined in the evolution of third generation wireless access (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) examined in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) that is an international standardization project. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 described below proposes transmitting the reception quality information using the PUCCH or the PUSCH depending on the type of services, in which required reception quality information varies, when the mobile station apparatus transmits the reception quality information to the base station apparatus.
Patent Document 1: JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2005-130491A
Non-Patent Document 1: "CQI handling during DRX", 3GPP, TSG RAN WG2 Meeting #58, R2-071901, May 2007

Communication system for transmitting the reception quality information without uplink data


Systems, methods and computer readable media are provided to control anycast traffic using a software defined network controller. Telemetry and event data is gathered from a plurality of service nodes in the network. The telemetry and event data sent by an event broker to an analytic application with a resource conditions at each of the plurality of service nodes is determined based on the telemetry and event data. Traffic routing change recommendations are provided to a software defined network controller based on resource conditions at each of the plurality of service nodes and a set of predetermined policies.

A data network is a collection of interconnected communication links for transporting data between nodes, such as servers. To transport data over the network the nodes exchange discrete packets containing the data using protocols, such as the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or the Internetwork Packet eXchange (IPX) protocol.
There are a variety of networks types available, including local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). LANs typically connect nodes that are in geographic proximity. WANs, in contrast, typically connect large numbers of geographically dispersed nodes over long-distance communications links. The Internet is an example of a WAN that connects various networks, providing communication between nodes in those networks.
Networks include a variety of network nodes, such as routers or switches. These nodes are interconnected to form the network and are usually configured to forward traffic through the network. A function that may be performed by an intermediate node is to implement a routing protocol. Examples of routing protocols include the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) or the Open Shortest-Path First (OSPF) protocol. Routing protocols enable the exchange of routing information that may be used by the intermediate nodes to forward (route) traffic carried by the nodes through the data network from a source to a destination.
Some data networks contain server nodes configured to provide services to client nodes coupled to the network. Typically, a client node accesses a particular service by issuing requests to the server node providing the service. The server node receives the request, processes it, and depending on the nature of the request may respond to the client with results. An example of such a service is the Domain Name System (DNS) service for resolving a fully qualified domain name to an IP address. In the DNS service example, a client accesses the DNS service by issuing a request to the DNS server. The request will include the fully qualified domain name that is to be resolved. In processing the request the DNS server may search a database to locate an IP address associated with the fully qualified domain name. The server will send a response to the client including the IP address if the IP address is found, or a response message indicating that the fully qualified domain name cannot be resolved if the IP address is not found.
Typically, data networks employ many servers configured to provide the requested service. In one type of arrangement, an "anycast" address may be associated with the service and each server providing the service is configured with the anycast address. An anycast address refers to a single address assigned to a plurality of nodes. Servers typically utilize an anycast address to enable access to their particular service, such as a DNS service, a dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) service, or a rendezvous point (RP) associated with a protocol independent multicasting sparse mode (PIM-SM) service. A client typically accesses the service by issuing one or more requests containing the anycast address as a destination address in each request. Intermediate nodes in the network forward the requests to the server configured with the anycast address that is typically located at the shortest path from the requesting client. The server acquires the requests and processes them accordingly, which may include responding to the client.
DNS resolvers for some services provided by telecommunication networks may handle in excess of 200 billion queries per day, or 4 million queries per second at peak. In anycast communications, if one site fails, BGP automatically sends traffic to next closest site. However, the next closest site may not have enough server capacity, which will cause a site failure. In some cases cascading failures may happen across the DNS sites. This phenomenon is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. FIG. 3 illustrates a network 201 having a plurality of DNS nodes (DNS Node 203, DNS Node 205, DNS node 207, and DNS node 209). Accessing DNS node 203 may be a plurality of services such as video hub offices (VHO 211, VHO 213, and VHO 215). Similarly, accessing DNS node 205 there may be a plurality of services such as VHO 217 and VHO 219. Illustrated in FIG. 4 is what happens when there is a failure of DNS node 203. In that case, the services for VHO 211, VHO 213, and VHO 215 will be routed to DNS node 205 (next closest site). As illustrated in FIG. 5 the routing of the traffic to DNS node 205 may cause failure of DNS node 205 which will result in the routing of all traffic to DNS node 207. Typically network operators will install excess capacity to avoid cascading failure so that most existing non-virtualized DNS infrastructures operate at low average (20-30%) utilization. This approach is expensive.
Additionally, it has been found that running a DNS resolver service "hotter", in the range of 60-80% utilization, improves the transactional efficiency (CPU cycles per transaction) of the physical hardware and improves the performance through reduced latency as a result of an increased cache-hit ratio. However, this target range, while desired, does not allow for the absorption of bursts in queries or other requests; therefore, currently new vDNS virtual machines (VMs) may need to be deployed in one or more locations as needed in an automated fashion.
During a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, efficient operation must be balanced with the ability to maintain service at adequate levels and avoid service impacting outages. Traditionally, for open services like DNS, defending against DDoS attacks is done either by over-provisioning the service capacity or by re-routing traffic to scrubbing centers where the attack traffic can be filtered, allowing only legitimate traffic to reach the service nodes. Both approaches are extremely costly and can become impractical as the bit rate of attacks increases to several hundred Gbps
Currently, it takes many hours or even days to recover from network-based attacks on DNS, since a manual and labor intensive process is required to detect, characterize the attack and send all (attack and legitimate) traffic to network scrubbers. With the size of attacks and legitimate traffic increasing, a commensurate increase of scrubbing capacity in bandwidth and number of scrubbing sites is required.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need to accommodate increased DNS traffic without the accompanying capital investment in capacity. Further, there is a need provide routing methods that minimize cascading failures in networks and that can withstand network based attacks. Also there is a need to provide a method to recover from network based attacks without significant increase in scrubbing capacity.

Method and apparatus to control anycast traffic using a software defined network controller


A headrest removably engageable with the seat back includes a seat back mounting member adapted to encircle a seat back headrest which has side portions engageable with end portions of a cushion configured to surround at least a portion of the user's head. A support is carried on the seat back mounting member to engage the seat back to assist in supporting the headrest on the seat back.

In order to alleviate the neck strain associated with a person trying to sleep while seated in a seat, such as a vehicle seat, airplane seat, train seat, etc., and maintaining his or her head in a generally upright, vertical position, a variety of different headrests have been devised for supporting a portion of the user's head, such as each cheek or in a fully face encircling manner.
Maintaining a sleeping person's head in a generally upright position while the person is sleeping in a seat is particularly desirable from a safety standpoint for small children who frequently fall asleep while riding in a vehicle, airplane, or train.
The various devised headrests are either designed as part of the vehicle head restraint or are portable and removably attachable to the seatback for deployment and use. However, the previously devised headrests are either cumbersome or unsightly to deploy and attach to a seat back or, do not have easily adjustable positions to enable use of the headrest with different sized individuals or with children as the children grow.
It would be desirable to provide a seat headrest which overcomes these difficulties and provides ease of attachment and ease of adjustability.


The manually pushed swing involves a vertical pole that is anchored into the ground via a concrete base, wherein a swing top mounts atop said pole and enables a plurality of swings seats and push handles to be connected thereon. The push handles enable a non-occupant to propel the plurality of swing seats around the pole via a bearing. The manually pushed swing is ideally suited for outdoor use.

A. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to the field of swings, more specifically, a children's swing that supports a plurality of seats and of which is manually operated.
B. Discussion of the Prior Art
As a preliminary note, it should be stated that there is an ample amount of prior art that deals with swings. As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a circular swing set that supports a plurality of seats and of which is manually operated via a plurality of push handles each of which extends from the center.
The Koehler patent (U.S. Pat. No. 1,142,970) discloses a circular swing set with a mechanized means of propelling the swing seats around the center. However, the swing set does not rely upon push handles for propelling the swing seats about the said seats.
The Ehrman patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,606) discloses a rotatable swing set for providing amusement to children by spinning children secured within swings seats around a central point. However, the swing set is not manually operated via a plurality of push handles that extend from the center above where the swings attach.
The Malone patent (U.S. Pat. No. 2,777,691) discloses a child's merry-go-round. However, an occupant propels the swing as opposed to another person that is a non-occupant, and wherein said non-occupant propels the swing via push handles extending from the center and extending above the swings.
The Hannas patent (U.S. Pat. No. 2,925,272) discloses a merry-go-round swing. However, the swing is propelled via a pulley system as opposed to a plurality of push handles that extend from the center atop where the seats hang, and of which the swing is propelled by a non-occupant.
The Huff patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,570) discloses an occupant-propelled roundabout swing set. Again, one of the occupants propels the swing as opposed to a non-occupant who pushes upon one of a plurality of push handles that extend from a center.
The Taylor patent (U.S. Pat. No. 2,765,168) discloses a children's carousel. However, the carousel is powered by a motor and mechanical means as opposed to a manually propelled swing that is powered by a non-occupant pushing on one of a plurality of push handles that extend from a center.
The Weaser patent (U.S. Pat. No. 1,447,110) discloses a children's merry-go-round. However, the merry-go-round is occupant propelled via a spring-loaded linkage set as opposed to a non-occupant propelled swing that only includes push handles.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a swing set that is propelled by push handles acted upon by a non-occupant, and wherein said push handles extend from the center atop where the swing seats connect. In this regard, the manually pushed swing departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.


A horizontally slatted blind for an opening, such as a window, has a plurality of slats suspended from points on their two ends. One such point is the rear corner, and the other is between the front and rear corners. The edges of the slats between the rear corners are provided with stiffeners, which makes the slats rigid and provides them with additional weight. The axes of rotation of the slats lies between the points of suspension, and the slats are balanced relative thereto because of the extra weight provided by the stiffeners.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to horizontally slatted blinds, that is, to Venetian blinds, and more particularly to blinds of this general type having slats which are cantilevered.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Venetian blinds, of course, are well-known in the art. Indeed, they are ubiquitous and can be found in homes and offices around the world.
Cantilevered blinds of this general type have slats which turn, to open or close the blind, about axes which do not coincide with the centers of the slats. The axes, instead, are typically closer to the opening, such as a window, than the geometric centers of the slats so that, when the blind is closed, the slats will be close to the window or opening.
The relevant art includes several examples of this general type of blind. U.S. Pat. No. 1,590,886 to Carella, for example, shows a window blind having spaced vertically disposed chains having their opposite ends secured to the top and bottom of the window frame. Slats are mounted one above the other on the chains, pivoting about the chain links to which they are attached. A cable, attached to each of the slats, is used to open or close the blind. This blind, however, has no means for being raised or lowered as a whole. Whether opened or closed, the blind always extends for the full height of the window because the chains are secured to the top and bottom of the frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,583,449 to Tarnoff shows an elaborate Venetian blind having slats cantilevered in front of a mechanical linkage which collapses as the blind is raised from its bottom. The slats may be opened or closed by turning the rod from which the mechanical linkage is suspended. The slats themselves are entirely free of tapes and cords, and may be easily cleaned.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,459 to Gaber et al. shows a window covering having a head rail and a plurality of slats suspended therefrom. The slats are adapted to pivot and thereby contact contiguous slats to form dead air cells for improved appearance and insulating properties. The cords which raise and lower the window covering and which open and close the slats pass through holes therein. The slats may be pivoted in a cantilevered manner, that is, they may be pivoted about an axis not coincident with their centers, by providing opposite sides of the slats with different weight.
Finally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,405,783 and 6,557,615 to Smith, which patents are related to one another, show a horizontal window blind apparatus having slats which are cantilevered outward from tabs. The tabs are raised, lowered and tilted in a manner similar to that employed in a conventional Venetian blind.
Notwithstanding these cantilevered blinds of the relevant art, there remains a need for a horizontally slatted blind having slats which are wider than those customarily used in Venetian blinds. There further remains a need for such a blind whose slats have no holes through which light would be able to leak from outside into a room. Moreover, there remains a need for a blind which will hang closely adjacent to a window when closed, so that light will be less able to pass around its ends into a room. These needs are met by the present invention.


Programming code, such as dynamically loadable program code used in object oriented programming languages, may be pushed over a unidirectional communication link, such as though a transmitter tower transmission or one-way networking communication protocol. A manifest is created that includes identifiers of programming code that will be pushed onto the unidirectional communication link, where the manifest includes a push schedule. A receiver of the manifest retrieves pushed code of interest according to the schedule. Purchasing data may also be included in the manifest. Programming code may include decryption techniques to allow for pay-per-use retrieval of premium content.

FIG. 1 illustrates a general prior art hardware environment for pushing data to a receiving computing device.
As illustrated, there is a data-pushing device 100, such as one or more network servers or other computing devices, that pushes data onto a network 102. The data-pushing device is responsible for generating or forwarding data that is ultimately received by a receiving computing device 104. The network can be any combination of conventional and proprietary networks such as an intranet or the Internet.
A receiving computing device 104, also in communication with the network, receives the pushed data. Various protocols for receiving pushed data are known in the art. For example, see the PointCast system by EntryPoint of San Diego, Calif. Generally, the receiving computing device 104 listens to a particular data channel, e.g., a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network port, broadcast channel, frequency range, etc. for data pushed by the data-pushing device 100.

Dynamically loading program code over a push-based network


In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: for a new quality of service (QoS) flow in a buffer of a user equipment, determine using one or more conditional rules whether to send data from the new QoS flow using a default data radio bearer (DRB) or to trigger radio resource control (RRC) signaling to request a dedicated DRB for the new QoS flow; and perform, by the user equipment and based on an outcome of the determining, one of transmitting the data using the default DRB or triggering the RRC signaling to request the dedicated DRB for the new QoS flow.

This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention disclosed below. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived, implemented or described. Therefore, unless otherwise explicitly indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. Abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined below, after the main part of the detailed description section.
In LTE, there has been a constant progression in "generations". The fourth generation (4G) offered much improved uplink and downlink speeds over previous generations. The base station for 4G is referred to as an eNB. The fifth generation (5G) is being implemented now and offers further advancements, e.g., in improved uplink and downlink speeds over 4G. The base station for 5G is referred to as a gNB. Technologies for 5G are often referred to as "New Radio" (NR), as NR is a study item in the 3GPP radio access network (RAN) working group and will be an enabler for 5G cellular networks.
The radio protocols for the user plane traditionally were comprised of three layers: Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio Link Control (RLC) and Medium Access Control (MAC). See, e.g., 3GPP TS 36.300 V14.1.0 (2016-12). These three layers have also been agreed to be included in the NR specifications. See, e.g., NTT DOCOMO, INC. (Rapporteur), "TR 38.804 v0.7.0 on Study on New Radio Access Technology; Radio Interface Protocol Aspects", R2-1702375, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 #97, Athens, Greece, Feb. 13-17, 2017.

Conditional RRC based QoS flow indication and use


The present invention relates to a transistor comprising a gate channel area and a gate stack having mechanical stress arranged on the gate channel area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a transistor. Further, the invention relates to a transistor and a memory device comprising such a transistor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Although in principle applicable to any structured semiconductor device, the following invention is explained for transistors of a DRAM.
A DRAM device comprises a plurality of transistors for controlling access to data stored. The delay time for reading and writing depends on the resistivity of gate channels of the transistors. Methods for enhancing the mobility of major carriers in the gate channel is therefore, subject of investigation.

Method for manufacturing an integrated circuit including a transistor


In a seal-type rolling bearing, between an inner ring and an outer ring, contact-type seal plates are respectively interposed on the counter-water-drenchable side and on the water-drenchable side. On the counter-water-drenchable side, a seal plate including, in the lip leading end portion thereof, an air hole for controlling the internal and external pressures of the bearing is disposed. On the water-drenchable side, a seal plate without air hole is disposed.

Conventionally, in a vehicle such as a car, in a seal-type rolling bearing for use in a power transmission pulley, an electromagnetic clutch or the like used to transmit power to a compressor included in a refrigeration cycle, there are disposed a total of two contact seals (seal plates) one on either side thereof to thereby attain a sealed condition.
In each of the seal lips of the two-side seal plates, there is formed an air hole (or a slit) in at least one portion thereof in the circumferential direction thereof.
The reason for this is as follows: that is, in case where a contact seal bearing without air hole is incorporated, when the pressure of the interior of the bearing rises and lowers, the internal and external pressures of the bearing cannot be equalized, which incurs a fear that there can occur seal removal, seal lip adsorption phenomenon or the like; and, therefore, there is proposed a bearing in which, by escaping the air through the air hole to thereby equalize the pressure of the interior of the bearing with the pressure of the exterior thereof, the above-mentioned seal removal, seal lip adsorption phenomenon or the like can be prevented (for example, JP-UM-B-6-50655, JP-UM-A-6-73454, and the like).
However, in the conventional contact seal (seal plate) bearing having an air hole, when the bearing at a high temperature is drenched with water drawn in from outside and is thereby cooled suddenly (for example, when a vehicle passes through a puddle of water while it is running), the pressure of the interior of the bearing is lowered suddenly, so that, at the same time when the air is drawn in through the air hole, the water existing outside is also sucked in through the air hole, which reduces the life of the bearing outstandingly.
The present invention at eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks found in the conventional bearings. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a seal-type rolling bearing which not only can secure a high seal sealing performance but also can equalize the pressure of the interior of the bearing with the pressure of the exterior thereof.


A guide wire assembly comprises a tubular body having a distal end and an proximal end. At least a portion of the body comprises a single continuous helical spring to which one or more tubular electrodes are secured. The electrodes are insulated from the spring by means of an insulator. The electrodes can take a variety of forms, including conductive ribbons, longitudinally split conductive tubes, tubular sections, etc. The guide wire assembly may further include a variety of sensors, such as velocity sensors or temperature sensors. In order to allow flowable material to be passed to the distal end of the guide wire, the guide wire can include a catheter tube passable over the tubular body of the guide wire.

An abnormal condition of the heart's electrical conduction system can exist that causes irregular heartbeats. There are various forms of these abnormalities that can cause the irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, including coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital and valvular heart disease, metabolic disorders, and drug toxicity. Arrhythmias are even known to develop in structurally normal hearts. Whichever the cause and manifestation of the arrhythmia, the irregular heartbeat results in disruption of the smooth contraction sequence of the heart muscle and compromises the heart's ability to pump blood out to the rest of the body.
It is thus important that a process should exist allowing the source of such arrhythmias to be located. Electrocardiographic mapping allows this to be achieved. In the past, electrocardiographic mapping, however, typically required open heart surgery in which a grid of electrodes was wrapped around the heart on the epicardial surface. In order to avoid open heart surgery and to allow the mapping to be performed percutaneously, endocardial mapping processes have been developed. These involve the insertion of a catheter into the heart chambers in order to probe the endocardial surfaces to locate the general area from which an arrhythmia emanates. Should intervention be desired in order to stop the arrhythmia, the precise location of its source must be known. While an endocardial approach allows the general location of the source of an arrhythmia to be determined, the epicardial approach will provide more accurate results. In particular it is desirable to be able to map the electrocardiographic patterns using a percutaneous technique. The present invention accordingly provides a means to achieve this by mapping the coronary arteries lying on the epicardial surface of the heart.

Apparatus for mapping electrical activity in a body and treating tissue


A system of multiplexed data lines in a DRAM integrated circuit includes a switching circuit having two switching states. In one switching state, the data lines connect to a first configuration of data paths as would occur in a typical DRAM integrated circuit. A limited number of spare column select lines are available to repair defective column select lines in the first configuration. In another switching state, the data lines connect to a second configuration of the data paths, doubling the number of spare column select lines available to repair a defective column select line.

Many electronic devices and systems include integrated circuits for the storage of data during the operation of the devices. For example, electronic devices such as computers, printing devices, scanning devices, personal digital assistants, calculators, computer work stations, audio and/or video devices, communications devices such as cellular telephones, and routers for packet switched networks may include memory in the form of integrated circuits for retaining data as part of their operation. Advantages of using integrated circuit memory compared to other forms of memory include space conservation and miniaturization, conserving limited battery resources, decreasing access time to data stored in the memory, and cutting the costs of assembling the electronic devices.
Dynamic Random Access Memory ("DRAM") is an example of integrated circuit memory. DRAM typically comprises an array of semiconductor capacitor cells, each of which may hold an amount of electric charge that represents the logical value of a stored bit. The cells in the array are typically arranged in rows and columns. Each cell is situated at the intersection of a row and a column. Each cell in the DRAM array may be accessed by simultaneously addressing the intersecting row and column.
In operation, internal circuitry on the DRAM refreshes the charge on those cells that sense amplifiers have determined to already hold an electric charge. In this manner, the DRAM compensates for leakages of electric charge from the semiconductor capacitor cells, such as leakage into the substrate of the DRAM integrated circuit. Also, secondary sense amplifiers in the DRAM sense the amounts of electric charges stored on the capacitors. Based on the sensed electric charges, the outputs of the secondary sense amplifiers represent the logical values of the bits that are stored in the DRAM array. Data is written into the DRAM array and read out of the DRAM array through multiple read-write data lines. The read-write data lines connect the DRAM array to the input/output pins of the DRAM integrated circuit. The pins connect the DRAM integrated circuit to other integrated circuits in the electronic device. In this manner, the data stored in the DRAM array may be extracted from the DRAM integrated circuit for use by the other integrated circuits in the electronic device. Such reading, writing, and maintaining of charge on the cells are substantial internal operations of the DRAM.
Distinct sets of the read-write data lines typically connect to distinct portions of the DRAM memory array. Each of the memory portions also includes redundant memory cells that may substitute for damaged or failed memory cells within that memory portion. When all the redundant memory cells for a memory portion have been used as substitutes, however, further repair of the memory portion is not possible. Any additional damaged or failed memory cells in the memory portion cannot be repaired within that memory portion, resulting in corrupt or lost data on the read-write data lines and therefore a failed DRAM integrated circuit.
One possible solution to the problem is to increase the number of redundant memory cells in the memory portion. This solution, however, comes at the expense of an increase in the size of the die of the DRAM array as it has to accommodate many more memory cells. Therefore there is a need for repairing failed memory cells in a DRAM integrated circuit without increasing the size of the die of the DRAM array.

System of multiplexed data lines in a dynamic random access memory


A mechanism for hindering the escape of grain dust from a grain bin, including baffle units having diagonally extending barrier members and vertically oriented baffle members. First and second sloped side walls of the bin, a cover, and a curtain confine the circulation of dust to portions of the bin remote from the baffle units to thereby hinder the escape of dust from the bin. Metering and dump units can be combined with the baffle units to allow operation of a single grain bin in both the high and low flow rate modes of operation.

1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to mechanisms designed to reduce the amount of dust emitted from a grain bin when grain from a truck or rail car is dumped into the grain bin.
2) Related Art
It is known to provide grain bins which receive grain dumped from a truck or rail car. These grain bins typically include a grate which forms a covering over the top opening of the grain bin. The truck is driven onto the grate such that the outlet of the truck is positioned over the grate, and the contents of the truck are emptied from the truck through the outlet. The grain being dumped from the truck falls through the grate and into the grain bin. The falling grain tends to generate a large amount of dust as it falls through the grate and into the bin. This dust tends to rush up through the grate and into the atmosphere as the falling grain displaces the air and dust within the bin. Several design efforts have been directed at reducing or eliminating the dust exiting the grain bin. One such mechanism designed to reduce emissions of dust from grain bins provides a plurality of vents positioned across the opening at the top of the grain bin. The vents are in a closed position until grain from the truck or rail car contacts the vents, at which time the vents open under the weight of the grain to allow the grain to fall into the bin. These mechanisms also include blower fans which suck air and dust from the grain bin in large quantities and direct the air and dust through a filter. The filter blocks the dust particles from passing into the atmosphere. These devices prevent a portion of the dust from entering the atmosphere. These devices tend not to function well when the filters become clogged, at which time the dust tends to boil upwardly through the vents and into the atmosphere. The filters and blower fans have the further disadvantage of requiring an undesirable amount of maintenance.
Also, these devices tend not to function in an acceptable manner when grain is dumped into the bin at relatively large flow rates. When grain is dumped from a truck through a small outlet door in the truck, the flow rate of grain being dumped is relatively low. Since the flow rate is low, the rate at which air is being displaced from the grain bin by the flow of dumped grain is also relatively low. The blower fans have large enough capacity to suck off the air and dust being displaced by the inflow of grain. But when relatively large flow rates of grain occur the rate at which air and dust is displaced by the inflow of grain correspondingly increases, and many prior art blower mechanisms are not large enough to accept the large rates of flow of displaced air and dust. These large flow rates are experienced, for example, when a truck is unloaded by tilting the bed of the truck upwardly and opening the entire rear wall or tailgate of the truck. Since the outlet of the truck is the entire rear wall or tailgate of the truck, the rate of flow of grain from the truck is relatively large in comparison to the rate of flow through a smaller outlet or opening in a wall of the truck.
Another dust reducing mechanism is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,686. That invention provides a plurality of metering units positioned across the opening in the top of the grain bin. The metering units include louvers that have open and closed positions. The metering units also include a sensor which senses the presence of the grain on the closed louvers. After the sensor senses the presence of grain on the closed louvers, a timer will operatively open the metering unit's louvers after a predetermined amount of time. The delay in opening the louver allows a pile of grain to accumulate on top of the louver before the louver opens. The quantity of grain on top of the louver is greater than can pass through the louver at one time, and therefore when the louver is opened, grain will begin falling through the louvers but the pile will remain above the louver.
When the louver is open by action of the sensor, enough grain will have accumulated on top of the louver to establish a choke load in the metering unit that is sufficient to block any air from rising up through the louver as the choke load of grain passes by the louver. The quantity of grain passing through the louver is sufficient to generally fill the entire opening of the louver, and therefore dust within the grain bin will be blocked from rising up through the open louver. This device operates well when the flow rate of grain from a truck is relatively low, such as when the grain is dumped from the truck through a relatively small outlet.
However, when the grain is dumped at a relatively large flow rate, such as when the entire tailgate of the truck is opened and the bed of the truck is tilted up to unload the truck, this device will cause a very large pile of grain to accumulate above the louvers. The metering units only allow grain through the louvers at a certain rate of flow, and when the flow rate out of the truck greatly exceeds the maximum flow rate that can pass through the louvers then a relatively large pile of grain will accumulate on top of the metering units. The truck may be emptied at such a quick rate that the resulting pile would be wider than the opening in the top of the grain bin. This would require manually shoveling or sweeping the grain back on top of the grain bin. It would be generally impractical to build a bin with a large enough opening and with enough metering units to accommodate the high flow rates resulting from dumping a large truck with the entire tailgate open.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a mechanism for reducing the amount of dust emitted from a grain bin when the grain is being dumped at relatively high flow rates such as when grain is dumped from a truck with the entire tailgate open and the truck bed tilted up. It would be desirable for such a mechanism to reduce emissions of grain dust during both high and low flow rate modes of operation. It would also be desirable for such a mechanism to be adapted for use with dust reduction mechanisms utilizing metering units as described above.

Mechanism for reducing emissions of dust from grain bins


A method and apparatus for automatically compensating a tone color. The method includes a first step for determining whether a channel is modified or an input audio signal is switched, a second step for calculating frequency characteristics of the input audio signal and comparing the compared result with data in a basic table, a third step for determining the input audio signal as a least error mode during the second step, and a fourth step for compensating a tone color in accordance with the determined mode. The method and apparatus automatically adjusts a tone color by determining a present tone color in itself on the ground of the frequency energy being presently applied when a channel is modified, an input audio signal is switched, or a color sound mode is modified, thereby eliminating a manual manipulation by a user as well as providing an optimal sound.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an audio signal processing technology, and more particularly, to an improved method and apparatus for automatically compensating a tone color without an additional key manipulation by a user.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional audio signal processing apparatus for a television set. As shown therein, the apparatus includes a tuning unit 101 for selecting a channel required by a user from a plurality of channels in accordance with high frequency broadcasting signals received through an antenna ANT, a wave detecting unit 102 for receiving an output signal of the tuning unit 101 and restoring a video signal and an audio signal, an input signal selecting unit 103 for outputting to an image processing unit the video signal received from the wave detecting unit 102 and outputting one selected from the audio signal outputted from the wave detecting unit 102 and an external audio signal EAU.sub.in, a voice control unit 104 for adjusting a sound volume of the audio signal AU output from the input signal selection unit 103 and outputting a resultant signal to a speaker SP, and a microcomputer 105 for controlling respective blocks in accordance with a user selected signal received from a key input unit 106.
The operation of the conventional audio signal processing apparatus will now be described.
First, in case a user intends to watch an arial wave broadcasting, when a required broadcasting channel is input through the key input unit 106, the input signal is applied to the microcomputer 105 which in turn outputs the corresponding control signal to the tuning unit 101.
The tuning unit 101 selects one of a plurality of channels with high frequency broadcasting signals through the antenna ANT, that is, the channel which corresponds to the control signal applied thereto from the microcomputer 105 selected by the user, amplifies the television broadcasting signal of the corresponding channel to a predetermined level, and outputs the amplified signal. Then, the wave detecting unit 102 restores an original video signal and an audio signal from the signal outputted from the tuning unit 101.
The input signal selecting unit 103 transfers the video signal among those outputted from the wave detecting unit 102 to the image processing unit, and the audio signal AU is transferred to the voice control unit 104.
When there is required a playback of an external device through an additional connection line other than the case in which an aerial wave broadcasting is watched, that is, when peripheral devices such as a VCR, CD(compact disc) player, and LD(laser disc) player, are connected to the television set for their playback, a user may carry out the key operation of a corresponding function through the key input unit 106, and the microcomputer 105 recognizes the key operation to thereby apply a control signal CS1 corresponding thereto to the input signal selecting unit 103.
Then, the input signal selection unit 103 selects one from the audio signal or external audio signal EAU.sub.in outputted from the wave detecting unit 102 in accordance with the control signal CS1, and outputs the video signal and audio signal to the image processing unit and the voice control unit 104, respectively. The voice control unit 104 receives the audio signal AU outputted from the input signal selecting unit 103, and adjusts the received signal to a volume level required by the user, that is, a volume level in correspondence to the control signal CS2 outputted from the microcomputer 105 so as to be applied to the speaker SP.
However, the tone color adjusting technology of the conventional audio signal processing apparatus has a disadvantage in that a tone color compensation for respective frequencies is carried out using a preset value when selecting a tone color mode desired by a user after setting a compensation value in accordance with several tone color modes, thereby causing an inconvenience in use.
For example, when a user intends to listen to music while listening to news, the voice mode has to be manually converted to a music mode. That is, if there is no key input, the tone color is maintained without change.
Also, the tone color compensation is performed under the reference of average characteristics of respective major modes, so that different frequency characteristics have caused unnatural feelings. That is, such a tone color compensation has been stuck under a uniformed tone color.

Method and apparatus for automatically compensating tone color


A cover (10) of integral construction for an air bag comprising: a panel (20) and a hinge (26) formed in a first side (28) of the cover (10) for enabling the panel to rotate thereabout after the panel separates from a seam on the opposite side of the panel in response to forces imparted thereto by an expanding air bag. The seam includes stress enhancing features for increasing stresses in the material causing same to tear and separate. These stress enhancing features includes a laterally extending narrow first portion (42), a closely spaced laterally extending narrow second portion (44) and a thin bridge (46) joining the first and second portions (42,44). The first portion, second portion and bridge are relatively movable one to the other so as to generate in the material at least two zones of increased tensile stress and at least two zones of increased compressive stress sufficient to cause the material to tear.

This invention relates to covers, doors or enclosures for air bags.
The present invention generally relates to a door or cover to enclose and protect an air bag and more specifically to an air bag door located on the passenger side of the passenger compartment. Typically a passenger side air bag door or cover is secured to a portion of the instrument panel and is opened by inflation forces generated by the air bag. It is desirable to provide a cover or door which can be opened in response to a relatively low level of air bag deployment forces while still being structurally sound so that it will not break when pushed on by the occupant or when objects are placed upon it. It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy opening air bag door which will not impede deployment of the air bag, or deform in any manner to impact closely space parts such as the windshield. An advantage of providing a door which opens in response to a low level of airbag deployment forces is that less inertia loads are generated on a hinge portion permitting a greater latitude in the design of the hinge. While the preferred embodiment of the invention shows a passenger side air bag door the invention is not so limited. A further object of the present invention is to provide a tear seam in a door constructed of relatively rigid material.
Accordingly, the invention comprises: a cover or door, of integral construction, for an air bag comprising: a panel, hinge means formed between a first side of the cover for enabling the panel to rotate thereabout after the panel separates from a seam in response to forces imparted thereto by an expanding air bag. The seam, interposes an opposite side of the cover and the panel, and provides a tear or crack region along which the panel separates from the opposite side. The seam comprises stress enhancing means for increasing stresses in the material and includes a laterally extending narrow first portion, a closely spaced laterally extending narrow second portion and a thin bridge joining the first and second portions formed in the material forming the seam. The first portion, second portion and bridge are relatively movable one to the other so as to generate in the material at least two zones of increased tensile stress and preferably at least two zones of increased compressive stress sufficient to cause the material to tear. During the inflation of the air bag, the cover is placed in a stressed condition, causing in the preferred embodiment, the relative rotation of the first portion, bridge and second portion, stretching the material in the seam region to its ultimate elongation generally within the zones of increased tensile stress causing such material to initially separate or crack. In response to the continued inflation of the air bag, the crack laterally and rapidly propagates across the width of the seam severing the panel from the opposite side of the cover. This rapid propagation in part results from using a relatively stiff material.
Many other objects and purposes of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the drawings.


A dual mode input buffer having two modes of operation, a first mode of operation which provides a first CMOS level output from a TTL level input while operating at a first voltage level, and a second mode of operation which provides a second CMOS level output from a TTL level input while operating at a second voltage level. A first input provides TTl level inputs. An output provides a first CMOS level output and a second CMOS level output, one at at a time, depending on the mode of operation. A second input selects one of the two operation modes. Buffer means provides buffering of the signals provided on the first input. The buffer means has a level shifting transistor. Trip point level shifting means is provided for maintaining the trip point of the dual mode input buffer at approximately the same voltage level when the dual mode input buffer is operated at the second voltage level as when it operates at the first voltage level. A second input activates said trip point level shifting means.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of semiconductor circuits, and more specifically to the field of integrated circuit input buffers.
2. Prior Art
Most present integrated circuits, such as microprocessors, have operating voltages V.sub.CC of approximately 5 volts. These circuits normally receive TTL level inputs, that is, they receive inputs in the 0-0.8 volt range to constitute a logical low signal, and inputs in the 2.0-5.0 volt range to constitute a logical high signal. Input buffers are provided for buffering and to convert TTL level inputs into 5 volt CMOS level signals which are utilized by the integrated circuit. With five volt CMOS level signals a logical low signal is represented by 0 volts and a logical high signal is represented by 5 volts only. Input buffers which input TTL level signals and output 5 volt CMOS level signals are well known in the art. These circuits are ideally designed so that they provide proper switching worst case scenarios; such as when a previous low TTL level input of 0.8 volts switches to a high TTL level input of only 2.0 volts. Ideally, input buffers which input TTL level signals are designed to toggle outputs at the midpoint, 1.4 volts, of the two worst case inputs.
Many modern integrated circuits, in order to decrease power dissipation, can now operate at 3 volts V.sub.CC as well as at 5 volts V.sub.CC. Microprocessors which can operate in both a 3 volt and a 5 volt environment require two input buffers for each input signal. One input buffer tuned for receiving TTL level inputs when operating at 5 volts V.sub.CC, and a second input buffer tuned for TTL level inputs when operating at 3 volts V.sub.CC.
In the prior art, the two input buffers are connected to a 1:2 MUX. The 1:2 MUX enables one of the two input buffers, depending upon operating environment. This technique, however, is expensive because it requires two buffers and a MUX for each input of the integrated circuit. Since there are literally hundreds of inputs to modern integrated circuits, this technique requires substantial silicon area. Silicon area is always of limited supply in modern integrated circuits.
Thus, what is needed is a single input buffer which can provide proper buffering for two different operating modes, a 5 volt mode where the buffer inputs TTL level signals and outputs 5 volts CMOS level signals while operating at 5 volts V.sub.CC and a 3 volt mode where the buffer inputs TTL level signals and outputs 3 volt CMOS signals while operating at 3 volts V.sub.CC.

TTL/CMOS input buffer operable with three volt and five volt power supplies


The present invention relates to novel crystal forms of tipifarnib. Compared with the prior art, the crystal forms of tipifarnib have advantages in crystallinity, hygroscopicity, morphology, form stability and chemical stability. The present invention also relates to the preparation methods of crystal forms of tipifarnib, pharmaceutical composition thereof and their use in preparation for treating and/or preventing abnormal cell growth diseases.

Tipifarnib is a farnesyltransferase inhibitor that targets H-RAS or N-RAS mutant cells and has anti-proliferative effects. It is capable of blocking the farneylation modification of RAS protein, thereby interfering with RAS localization to the inner surface of the plasma membrane and subsequent activation of downstream signaling pathways. Tipifarnib shows effective anti-tumor activity.
Tipifarnib has the chemical name of (R)-6-(amino(4-chlorophenyl)(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)methyl)-4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-2(1H)-quinolinone. The chemical structure is shown in the following formula:

Patent document CN1101392C reported the preparation method of tipifarnib which was a racemic mixture and the patent did not disclose any characterization data. Patent document CN100567292C reported the preparation method of tipifarnib, which was a mixture with certain enantiomeric excesses and the patent only mentioned the melting point of the mixture. Patent document CN1246318C reported the preparation method of tipifarnib and the resolution and purification method of tipifarnib in enantiomers. The present inventors have found that tipifarnib prepared by the method described in patent document CN1246318C is crystalline (herein as "Form A"), but has the defects of low crystallinity and poor phase stability. Tipifarnib, reported in patent documents CN1101392C and CN100567292C are both mixtures and lack characteristic data that accurately describes their physical forms, therefore cannot be considered as sufficiently disclosed content.
In view of the disadvantages in the prior art, it is necessary to develop new solid forms of tipifarnib with more advantageous properties to meet the strict requirements of pharmaceutical preparations on the morphology, stability and other physicochemical properties of active substances.

Crystal form of tipifarnib and preparation method and pharmaceutical composition thereof


A toaster in which spaced, vertically oriented heating assemblies are nested within a cover that pivots between open and closed positions. In the open position, an consumer can add food slices to or remove toasted food slices from baskets in the toaster remotely from the heating assemblies. When the cover closes, the heating assemblies pivot to be positioned on both sides of the baskets. When energized, the heating assemblies toast the food slices.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to electric apparatus for toasting food, and more specifically to a toaster that overcomes many of the problems of current toasters.
2. Description of Related Art
Toasters have existed for many years and often embody a basic construction in which a housing essentially surrounds the toasting mechanism. Elongated openings through the top of the housing provide access to internal basket assemblies. The basket assemblies typically support the bread slices or the like so their outer surfaces are essentially parallel to and proximate heater plates within the toaster. An consumer manipulates a slider or other control that establishes a time interval for toasting the bread slices. After the bread slices are placed into the basket assemblies, the consumer depresses a mechanical lever or performs some similar function. The basket assemblies move to a latched lower position compressing one or more return springs. This energizes heating elements on each side of the bread slice. A bimetallic switch or similar device, being adjustable by the above-mentioned button or slider, releases the latch after the toasted bread slice has reached the desired level of darkness. The compressed springs elevate the basket assemblies and the toasted bread slices so the consumer can grasp the top portion of the slice. Toasters with this basic construction have been popular for a number of years.
However, removal of toast from conventional toasters is not always easy. Small toast slices are a particular problem if, after toasting, they lie below the top. If one reaches inside through the elongated opening to retrieve such a toast slice, there is a risk of burning a finger on adjacent hot surfaces. Using a utensil, such as a fork, is likely to damage the heating elements. If an consumer tries to remove a food slice from a basket assembly while the heaters are energized, there is a danger of electric shock and even electrocution.
Often these toasters do not toast food slices uniformly, as evidenced by varying shades that often appear across the food slice surface. The top portion of the food slice is usually darker and drier than the bottom portion due to its exposure to rising hot air. Such toasters are also inefficient. Infrared radiation is the primary toasting property. However, the heating elements radiate a certain percentage of their energy into the room through the elongated openings through the top. There is also a loss of heat through the slots due to convection. As a result considerable energy is wasted, which lowers the overall operating efficiency for the toaster.
More recently it has become desirable for toasters to receive other foodstuffs, like bagels, flatbread, Panini sandwiches and the like. In the following discussion the phrase "food slice" is intended to designate all such foodstuffs as might be inserted into a toaster. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,945 (2007) to Starr et al. a toaster includes a chassis that defines a cavity with spaced, parallel heating elements. The chassis has a door that closes an open end. When the door opens, in one embodiment, it pulls a carriage with food slice basket assemblies from the cavity and chassis. An consumer loads food slices in the basket assemblies and then closes the door. When the door closes, the heating elements are energized to toast the food slices. In one proposed embodiment, the toaster includes a motor to facilitate the opening and closing of the door.
The Starr et al. patent states that the disclosed apparatus provides even toasting of a variety of food slices by controlling the loss of heat and moisture from the enclosed heating chamber. However, it also appears each of the embodiments include structures that increase manufacturing costs and introduce potential reliability issues. For example, in the first and third embodiments the use of sliding doors and a sliding carriage requires the assembly of a large number of components which add to manufacturing costs. A sliding carriage also acts as a crumb tray, but during operation crumbs may slide off the tray and jam the carriage.
An consumer of each of any one of the first, second and third embodiments will probably close the door against the force of a door-opening spring. The consumer must block the back of the toaster either by abutting it against a vertical surface or by grasping the back edge or cover with one hand. Otherwise it is likely that the toaster will slide along a countertop or other supporting surface. After repeated toasting cycles heat may build up at the top back corner of the toaster. Consequently, the toaster must include structures that assure this buildup does not produce a potential for burning the consumer's hand that grasps the top back corner. In addition, this required action for manual operation differs from the one-handed action used for conventional toasters; this may make the toaster less desirable to use. A suggested alternative is to provide a motor drive to operate the door, but this also increase expense and the potential for reliability problems.
Many consumers want to store their toasters on counter tops characterized by limited counter space. Prior art toasters often require significantly more counter space than the space associated with food slices being toasted and the heating elements. Consequently, toasters are stored in cabinets or the like that are not as convenient as a countertop.
What is needed is a toaster that is compact, has low manufacturing costs, controls heat and moisture loss for uniform toasting, is easy to use and is reliable. Such a toaster should deliver the finished toast at a position that minimizes the potential for injury by inadvertent contact with heating elements or any other hot surfaces. Finally, the toaster should operate with minimal energy requirements.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Systems and methods for adjusting a projection mirror of a rear projection device, that may be utilized to properly align an image projected by an image source within a desired projection area of the projection screen by adjusting the positional orientation of an image reflected by the adjustable projection mirror relative to a projection screen of the projection device based on one or more measured characteristics of light reflected by the projection mirror for projection onto the projection screen.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to rear projection devices, and more particularly to adjustment of projection mirrors of rear projection devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rear projection devices, such as rear projection televisions, often employ integral projection mirrors for reflecting an image onto the rear projection surface of a translucent projection screen for viewing from the front side of the screen. In such devices, the image is generated by an image source, e.g., digital micromirror ("DMD")/digital light processing ("DLP™") device, liquid crystal on silicon ("LCoS") device, liquid crystal display ("LCD") device, cathode ray tube ("CRT") device, etc. The generated image is reflected from the image source onto the rear projection surface of the projection screen in sequential manner by two projection mirrors, i.e., reflected by a first mirror from the image source to a second mirror, and reflected from the second mirror to the projection screen. In such an projection device, the first mirror is typically adjustable to allow for post-manufacture alignment of the image generated by an image source with the projection screen. However, the adjustable projection mirror may become misaligned (e.g., tilted) during the shipping process when a rear projection device is shipped to an end customer, requiring professional installation and realignment of the adjustable projection mirror at the customer's end location.

Systems and methods for projection mirror adjustment


A method and apparatus for enabling service aware congestion control of PS (Packet Switched) data to be performed in a communication network. In the communication network PS data is communicated between a core network of the communication network and one or more User Equipments, UE, via the communication network node. Each UE is associated to the core network by one or more PS connections, and each of the PS connections is applied by the UE for a respective PS data service. When performing the service aware congestion control, information related to a respective PS data service is obtained, and priority information is provided to a resource manager arranged in the communication network. The priority information is based on the information related to the respective PS data service for a plurality of the PS connections. The resource manager is then enabled to perform congestion control of the PS connections based on the priority information. By determining for which PS data services the PS connections are currently applied, and prioritize the PS connections accordingly, the communication network node may reallocate RAN communication resources to higher prioritized PS data services from less prioritized PS data services. Thereby, a more flexible and effective use of available RAN communication resources may be achieved.

With the emergence of telecommunication services, various technologies have been developed for communicating data in telecommunication networks. One example of such a technology is WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), which is capable to distribute as well PS data, (Packet Switched), as CS data (Circuit Switched).
In this description, the term "User Equipment" (UE) will be used to denote any suitable communication terminal adapted to communicate with a radio base station. A UE, may be implemented as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a handheld computer, a laptop computer, etc. A "radio base station" may be implanted as a NodeB, an eNodeB, a repeater, etc.
In telecommunication networks, as well PS data as CS data is communicated between UE:s and a core network. Typically, a UE is associated to the core network via a radio access network (RAN). Logical connections, defined as "Radio Access Bearers" (RAB), are set up between each UE and the core network and serve both communication of PS data and communication CS data. RAB:s are dynamic and can change communication rate, and in the communication system Radio Access Network (RAN) communication resources, can be reallocated from one RAB to another RAB by a radio network controller, which is arranged to control communication in the communication network. In this description, the term "PS connection" denotes a logical connection applied for one PS data service of a UE, between the UE and the core network. Generally, each PS data service uses one respective PS connection, and a plurality of PS connections may be applied by the UE on an RAB set up between the UE and the core network. Moreover, typically, one or more CS data services for the UE may also apply the RAB. However, this description relates to PS data services, and the CS data services will not be further mentioned herein.
With reference to FIG. 1, a communication system 100 according to the prior art will now be described.
In the communication system 100, PS data is communicated between one or more User Equipments (UE) 102, 104, . . . , and a core network 110. A radio access network (not referred to) and a radio network controller 112 distributes PS data between the UE:s 102, 104, . . . , and the core network 110. When communicating PS data, the radio network controller 112 receives PS data from the core network 110 on a first communication link 114, and transmits the PS data intended for a specific UE 102 to a radio base station 106 on a second communication link 108, the radio base station 106 which serves the specific UE 102. The PS data flows through the radio network controller 112, and the PS data flow 118 is shown as a dotted line in the figure. Then the radio base station 106 transmits the PS data to the specific UE 102 on one or more PS connections (not shown in the figure) between the radio base station 106 and the specific UE 102. The PS connections are logic connections between the core network and the respective UE:s, 102, 104, . . . . Communication of PS data between the radio base station 106 and specific UE:s 102, 104 is illustrated by flash formed arrows in the figure. In the radio network controller 112, a resource manager 116 is arranged to control the RAN communication resources used to transmit PS data from the core network and select the radio base station 106 which currently serves the specific UE 102. When controlling the RAN communication resources, the resource manager 116 analyses the PS data flow 118 and allocates RAN communication resources to the PS connections, based on various predefined policies. Such policies may be defined based on Quality of Services (QoS) classes, end-users subscriptions, etc. Typically, a PS connection according to a higher QoS class and/or a more advanced subscription will be prioritised to get RAN resources allocated, than PS connections according to lower QoS classes or less advanced subscriptions.
Due to massive increase of packet switched data traffic in communication networks, there is a need to handle congestions of communicated PS data in the communication system, still providing enough communication resources to the end-users.

Method and apparatus relating to congestion control