A receiver and a method are applied in a wireless communication system for detecting interference with a coexisting radar system. A signal received from an antenna is fed through an analog part and a subsequent digital part of said receiver. The receiver has an element with a-priori known attenuation values for a predefined set of frequencies, a first branch-off element for deriving a first detection signal from the signal before the element and a second branch-off element for deriving a second detection signal from the signal after the element. The receiver processes the first and the second detection signal such that a difference between the first and second detection signal is comparable with a threshold value, where the threshold value depends on the a-priori known attenuation values of the element. Depending on the comparison result, a frequency is identified as interfering or not a co-existing radar system.
Method and system for demodulating data signals. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for demodulating data signals. The method includes a step for receiving modulated data over a medium. The modulated data represents a plurality of bits, which includes at least a first bit. For example, the first bit is modulated by a number of modulation processes using a sequence of modulation symbols, and each of the sequence of modulation symbols is selected from a first plurality of modulation symbols. The method also includes a step for processing information associated with the first plurality of modulation symbols and the number of modulation processes. Also, the method includes a step for determining a plurality of sequences of modulation symbols based on at least information associated with the first plurality of modulation symbols and the number of modulation processes.
According to one embodiment, a demodulation system, such as DPSK in a SPS system can be used with soft decision information to correct bit errors. Soft decision information values are utilized to switch hard decision bits of the differentially decoded signal. A parity check can be used to determine if the toggling of the bit corrected the parity error.
A method of generating a smoothed transport stream to an MPEG decoder for a diversity combine digital television receiver includes generating a plurality of synchronization clocks and demodulated signals according to a plurality of digital television signals received from a plurality of antennas; monitoring a signal quality associated with each of the digital television signals; combining at least demodulated signals having a signal quality being greater than a predetermined threshold to thereby form a combined signal; generating transport stream packets according to the combined signal; selecting a synchronization signal corresponding to a digital television signal having a signal quality being greater than a second predetermined threshold as a selected synchronization signal; and generating a smoothed transport stream having packets being uniformly spaced according to the transport stream packets and the selected synchronization signal.
A demodulator system and method is disclosed. In an embodiment, the demodulator system can include a Coordinate Rotation Digital Computer (CORDIC) mixer to mix a first signal substantially to baseband using a first input frequency and to mix a second signal substantially to baseband using a second input frequency. In another embodiment, the demodulator system can include a phase detector to receive a pilot signal and to generate a control signal to adjust a decimation rate based on the pilot signal. In another embodiment, the demodulator system can include a symbol decoder to determine a symbol from a phase signal.
The present invention is directed to a system and method for channel estimation for a communication channel such as, for example, that found in a wireless communication network. One or more synchronization and channel estimate symbols can be combined to compute a refined channel estimate.
An improved multi-camera surveillance system for use on a vehicle such as an aircraft, and a method for implementing the same. The multi-camera surveillance system is capable of displaying a user-selected image from any camera or user-selected images from multiple cameras at multiple viewing stations by flight and cabin crew, as well as recording and maintaining the images at storage locations on the aircraft and making the images available for viewing and recording at locations external to the aircraft by gate personnel, security officers, and incident investigators.
The linear equalizer (LE) coefficients for code-division-multiplexed (CDM) pilot systems can be determined based upon frequency-domain calculations involving channel impulse responses. A channel impulse response can be formed at the mobile terminal by suitably filtering and despreading the received baseband signal with respect to the pilot Walsh channel. The channel frequency response is then determined based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the channel impulse response. Frequency-domain equalizer coefficients can be determined from the channel frequency response. The frequency-domain equalizer coefficient can be utilized to determine time-domain equalizer coefficients to implement the equalizer in time domain, or be utilized to implement the equalizer in frequency domain.
There are disclosed compounds for assisting triplet absorption in a laser, such as a pulsed-dye laser, the compounds comprising at least one molecule chosen from nitroxides and nitrones. In one embodiment, the disclosed compounds may be mixed with the dye of a dye laser in an amount sufficient to assist in triplet absorption. In one embodiment, the nitroxide compound comprises tempol[4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinyloxy, free radical]. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed compounds to control the triplet absorption of a dye laser or improve the performance or life span of a gaseous or solid laser.
A light source driving apparatus, which adjusts a bias current to be supplied so as to control intensity of a light source, comprises a power source which outputs a variable reference voltage; a light receiving unit which receives light output from the light source and converts the light into an electric signal; a bias supply unit which supplies a bias current, which is based on an intensity control signal according to the electric signal converted by the light receiving unit and the reference voltage output from the power source, to the light source; and a voltage control unit which acquires information about intensity characteristics with respect to the intensity control signal of the light source and controls the reference voltage according to the acquired information about the intensity characteristics.
Improved dispersion compensating circuits for optical transmission systems are disclosed. According to the improved method, there is provided a compensation circuit comprising a varactor diode network. The network is preferably inserted between a source of laser modulating signal and the laser. A low-pass filter or all pass filter constructs the network. The network preferably includes an inductor or inductors and a combined circuit, which includes varactors. The network preferably provides an amplitude dependent delay of the modulating signal applied to the laser or to the optical receiver as post dispersion correction circuitry. In a first embodiment, a fixed capacitor is in series with a varactor and connected to a DC bias through inductor. Additional embodiments, using multiple varactors in different circuit configurations, with particular advantages for various applications identified.
Mechanisms for controlling asynchronous clock domains to perform synchronous operations are provided. With these mechanisms, when a synchronous operation is to be performed on a chip, the latches of the functional elements of the chip are controlled by a synchronous clock so that the latches are controlled synchronously even across asynchronous boundaries of the chip. The synchronous operation may then be performed and the chip's functional elements returned to being controlled by a local clock in an asynchronous manner after completion of the synchronous operation. This synchronous operation may be, for example, a power on reset (POR) operation, a manufacturing test sequence, debug operation, or the like.
A channel estimation circuit (12) of an individual CH path demodulation unit (1A-1L) performs a channel estimation from an individual CH. A channel estimation value correction circuit (22) of a shared CH path demodulation unit (2A-2L) then corrects a reception power fluctuation due to uplink transmission power control which is caused by the timing offset between the individual CH and the shared CH. The resultant data is used for the demodulation by a shared CH demodulation circuit (23).
A daisy chained ethernet network data acquisition system for use in industrial processes is shown. The system employs standard category five twisted-pair connectors, each having four twisted-pairs associated therewith. Two of the twisted-pairs are employed for transmitting and receiving command signals and data, while the remaining two are employed for transmitting a common clock and synchronizing signal to each of the various stages of the processing line at which data is to be acquired. The system thus allows for the time correlated acquisition of data from a plurality of stages or stations of a lengthy processing line by employing ethernet interconnection.
A WLAN distributed/opportunistic scheduling (WDOS) method for acquiring a multi-user diversity gain is disclosed. The WDOS method allows a transmitter (i.e., a transmission user) to observe channel conditions of receivers (i.e., reception users), and commands the transmitter to transmit packets to a specific receiver having a relative good channel condition. The WDOS method uses a modified RTS/CTS exchange method to perform the channel probing. If the transmitter broadcasts the BRTS frame, each receiver transmits a CTS frame after the lapse of its backoff period. According to the reception signal strength distribution, the backoff delay time minimizes the number of CTS collisions irrespective of the number of receivers, reduces an amount of channel probing overheads, and maximizes a multi-user diversity gain. The better the relative channel condition, the lower the backoff delay time.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a framer/mapper/multiplexor (FMM) device that can simultaneously (i) send protection copies of both its working incoming high-speed (e.g., STS-12) signal and incoming low-speed signals to a protection FMM device, and (ii) receive corresponding protection signals from the protection FMM device. Furthermore, the FMM device can select between working and protection signals at a switching level (e.g., STS-1) lower than the high-speed level, allowing for 1+1 APS/MSP protection and equipment protection at the board level, the device level, and at the STS-1 level. Yet further, four or more FMM devices can be configured so that all FMM devices can communicate with their corresponding protection FMM devices using a single, shared, 4-pin link (e.g., quad-OC-3 mode), and still select between working and protection signals at the switching level (e.g., STS-1).
Aspects of the invention provide an improved solution for processing packets in a packetized communications network. For example, a next packet in a set of incoming packets placed in a plurality of queues is selected by obtaining a random/pseudo-random search key and identifying one of the plurality of queues based on the search key and a Patricia tree that includes at least one child node for each of the plurality of queues. A greedy algorithm can be used to select an alternative queue should the first selected queue be empty.
MTID of a terminal apparatus is preliminarily registered into a database of an ISP. In step S2, when a power source of the terminal apparatus is turned on first, (MTID=B) is transmitted from the terminal apparatus to a router. A transmission signal is received by the router and (HGWID=A, MTID=B) is transmitted from the router to the ISP. If (HGWID=A, MTID=B) has been registered in the database, the ISP transmits a permission message in step S5. In step S6, an IP address for a new terminal apparatus is allocated and the new terminal apparatus can participate in a homenetwork. If (HGWID=A, MTID=B) is not registered, a refusal message is sent to the router.
A method is provided for simulating a processor of network packets. A specification is input for the processor. The specification includes actions specifying a modification of the network packets by the processor. Each action includes a guard condition that enables and disables the action. First and second values of certain fields are determined for each action. The guard condition enables and disables the action respectively for the first and second values of the fields. The network packets are generated. For each field included in the guard conditions, a value of the field is selected for each generated network packet from the values of the field within the first and second values for the actions. The specification of the processor is translated into a simulator of the processor. The modification of the network packets is simulated in the simulator. A result of the modification is displayed on a user interface.
A method is provided for packet flow control for a switching node of a data transfer network. The method includes actively managing space allocations in a central queue of a switching node allotted to the ports of the switching node based on the amount of unused space currently available in the central queue. In a further aspect, the method includes separately tracking unallocated space and vacated allocated space, which had been used to buffer packets received by the ports but were vacated since a previous management update due to a packet being removed from the central queue. Each port is offered vacated space that is currently allocated to that port and a quantity of the currently unallocated space in the central queue to distribute to one or more virtual lanes of the port.
A system for determining static, dynamic and intelligent Virtual Route Forwarding routing for services traffic includes a data device and a network processing device. The network processing device is configured to: receive a data transmission from the data device, analyze the data transmission to identify a data characteristic other than a source or destination associated with the data transmission, create a packet, determine a transmission identifier associated with the data characteristic, and transmit the packet through a network path corresponding to the transmission identifier.
Implementations are described that are capable of adding information associated with one or more items and/or products to a virtual shopping cart associated with an entity, such as a customer browsing a website. The described implementations may detect a request to establish a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications session, the request made by the entity, and retrieve product data associated with the information in the virtual shopping cart. The product data may be bundled with VoIP session parameters usable to establish a VoIP communications session with the entity.
The present invention relates to a system and method for integrating telecommunications and cable networks for the purpose of providing telephone services to a cable host device over a cable network. The methods include registering a cable host device to receive telephone services, downloading telephone service software to a cable host device, cable host device sign on to the telephone services, associating a telephone with a cable host device, temporarily registering a cable host device, and activating and deactivating telephone services for a cable host device. Also described are systems for connecting telephone and cable networks to enable telephone services to be provided by cable host devices.
A method and apparatus for transmitting a packet in a wireless communications network is presented. A packet is constructed to include synchronization header, a physical layer header, and a payload. A preamble and a start of frame delimiter is inserted in the synchronization header. Multiple pairs of cores and of suffixes are inserted in the start of frame delimiter, and then the packet is transmitted.
The method for implementing an Intelligent Content Rating middleware platform and gateway system provides telecommunications carriers and network operators with the ability to define routing and actions based on HTTP/SIP based content and subscriber context through a powerful, extensible Layer 4-7 switching fabric technology. The disclosed embodiments mediate communications between applications and networks for IP packet flows, personal messaging, location-based services, and billing. Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments enable advanced context-sensitive dialogue scenarios with the wireless subscriber such as, but not limited to, Advice-of-Charge dialogues. The disclosed embodiments permit telecommunications network operators and like entities to introduce real-time rating of data services for both prepaid and postpaid subscribers. Further embodiments include the validation of digital signatures, combined with authentication and non-repudiation techniques to ensure subscriber privacy remains protected.
An IP telephone which supports a voice conference call with a plurality of other IP telephones over a packet-switched network is disclosed. The IP telephone exchanges audio and signaling messages with the other IP devices during the conference call, and thereby allows three or more conference call participants to talk together over the packet-switched network. The IP telephone includes a memory, which stores a conferencing module and a channel establishment module, and a mixing module for mixing input signals received at the IP telephone to produce a combined signal output. When played back, the combined signal output to allows the user to hear what was said by the other conference call participants.
A method for merging of ad hoc network partitions within an ad hoc network, the method includes forming a plurality of network partitions by forming a security association among each of a group of partitioned nodes. Each network partition includes a Network Identifier. A node operating within one of the network partitions receives an update message from another node, compares its current Network Identifier to the received Network Identifier; and determines whether to update to the received Network Identifier using an arbitration method when the received Network Identifier is different from the current Network Identifier.
A system and method is described herein for managing bandwidth and cost in connection with a plurality of sensors in an ad hoc network. The system and method receives sensor data that is provided from a plurality of sensors and constructs an ad hoc network among the plurality of sensors based on the sensor data. The system and method also receives and analyzes bandwidth information from each sensor in a group of sensors in the ad hoc network. Based on the analysis, the system and method then modifies a manner in which at least one sensor in the group exchanges data, including sensor data and multimedia content.
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for controlling when to send messages in a stream processing system. A policy is determined by utilizing probability statistics and a cost function prior to stream processing. The policy specifies under which conditions a message is sent eagerly and under which other conditions the message is delayed. A filter is operated during stream processing that selects which of the messages to send from a sending transform based upon a threshold. A controller is operated during stream processing that observes a current state of a receiving transform and that applies the policy based on the current state to determine whether to change the threshold.
A communication system that includes a supervisory node (e.g., a headend) and one or more remote nodes (e.g., cable modems). Packets are transmitted between the supervisory node and the one or more remote nodes via RF channels. A plurality of the RF channels are bonded, such that packets may be transmitted via any one or more of the RF channels that are bonded. Bonding may include higher-layer bonding and/or lower-layer bonding. In higher-layer bonding, the communication system further includes a forwarder and a plurality of edge modulators. Each edge modulator is connected to a different RF channel or group of RF channels. The forwarder determines to which edge modulator one or more packets or flows are to be transmitted. In lower-layer bonding, a packet is split into pieces. The pieces are assigned to respective RF channels that are associated with an edge modulator for transmission to a remote node.
In a bandwidth policing apparatus which accommodates a large number of user groups, bandwidth policing for each user group is performed at high speed. When there is any extra bandwidth in bandwidth for a user group, the contracted committed information rate for each user is guaranteed invariably while using this effectively. The bandwidth policing apparatus accumulates packets of a plurality of user groups under bandwidth policing in the same packet accumulate FIFO. Also, for a packet which does not exceed the contracted bandwidth for each user, the contracted bandwidth for each user is guaranteed by deciding that the packet does not exceed the contracted bandwidth for each user group.
Method and a system for transmitting data in a switchable data network. To improve the transmission of data having different priorities in the switchable data network, telegrams are assigned priorities, with said telegrams (70-77) in each case having a beginning and an end. Data telegrams assigned a first priority are sent during a first phase from first users to second users, with the first phase being characterized by a defined receive time of the end of one or more of the data telegram at one or more second users.
MPLS Solution for multihomed autonomous system is implemented for preventing routing loops and load balancing in a network. Route import and export statements are modified to set routing policies in a virtual routing and forwarding table. IBGP routes are blocked while maintaining route selections to stub sites.
In PCI-Express and alike network systems, back-up copies of recently sent packets are kept in a replay buffer for resending if the original packet is not well received by an intended destination device. A method for locating the back-up copy in the retry buffer comprises applying a less significant portion of the sequence number of a to-be-retrieved back-up copy to an index table to obtain a start address or other locater indicating where in the retry buffer the to-be-retrieved back-up copy resides. A method for skipping replay of late nullified packets includes deleting from the index table, references to late nullified packets.
A probe storage device includes a scanner chip body having at least a mechanical ground portion provided with first and second opposing surfaces and a scan table suspension portion. A scan table including a top surface and a back surface is moveably mounted to the scan table suspension portion. A probe array chip is fixedly mounted to the first surface of the mechanical ground portion. A first plate is also fixedly mounted to the first surface of the mechanical ground portion. A second plate, having a main body portion including first and second opposing surfaces, is fixedly mounted to the second surface of the mechanical ground portion. A desiccant layer is positioned upon one of the first surface of the second plate, the back surface of the scan table and one of the first and second surfaces of the mechanical ground portion.
On an optical path between a light source and an objective lens, there is provided an optical path changing section for changing a predetermined optical path of undesired light passing through, from the predetermined optical path to another optical path. The optical path changing section includes a plate having an aperture portion for allowing a laser beam emitted from the light source to pass through, and an aperture wall which defines the aperture portion of the plate includes a taper portion which is formed in a tapered-shape and slants so as to come close to an optical axis L1 of the light source in association with movement toward a laser beam outgoing direction. The undesired light from the light source is reflected by the taper portion to change the predetermined optical path of the undesired light passing through, from the predetermined optical path to another optical path.
A method of optimizing a writing condition of an optical recording medium, including writing test pattern data with the writing condition on the optical recording medium, comparing an error pattern binary signal detected by reproducing the written test pattern data with a correct pattern binary signal of the test pattern data, and determining an optimum writing condition of the optical recording medium based on a result of the comparison.
Based on actual recording power information obtained during test writing, a recording power is efficiently controlled with high accuracy during actual recording. An information recording apparatus irradiates a laser light onto an information recording medium such as an optical disc to record data and reproduce the recorded data. In recording actual data such as data designated by a user, the information recording apparatus temporarily stops recording at the time when predetermined amount of data is recorded, and confirms recording quality. Namely, the apparatus reproduces the recorded data and determines the recording quality based on the reproduced data. When it is determined that the recording quality is within an appropriate range, the recording of the actual data is continued at the recording power. Meanwhile, when it is determined that the recording quality is out of the appropriate range, the recording power is corrected so that the recording quality becomes within the appropriate range, and the actual data is recorded. Thereby, even when the optimum recording power is changed due to some causes and condition change after recording start of the actual data, the recording power can be correspondently corrected, and accurate information recording with the appropriate recording power can be realized.
The present invention is to detect an envelope defect of a read signal due to a fingerprint on a surface of a disc, an inter-layer interference of a dual disc, or the like which is a factor of a read error of an optical disc, and is to improve a read capability of an optical disc drive while avoiding a read error by performing an appropriate processing. Means for detecting an envelope defect and means for counting the number of appearances of the envelope defect are included in the present invention. A read condition for factors of a read error is set at the time of a read retry, and a read condition suitable for the decoding of a readout signal containing an envelope defect is set at the time of detection of the envelope defect in the present invention.
An objective lens driving apparatus comprising: an actuator movable unit that is configured such that a driving coil is mounted on a lens holder with an objective lens, and is supported on an actuator frame displaceably and elastically; a magnetic circuit that includes a magnet fixed to the actuator frame to form an effective magnetic field for the driving coil; and a rolling canceling coil that is so mounted on the lens holder as to act on the effective magnetic field formed by the magnetic circuit so effectively that a driving force is generated in a tilt direction that cancels rolling generated when a drive signal is supplied to a tracking coil to drive the actuator movable unit in a tracking direction.
When the input write data is a value of a value greater than the existing data of the memory array 100, the semiconductor memory device enables writing of input write data to the memory array 100. In specific terms, the increment controller 150 reads the existing data from the memory array 100, and compares it with the write data latched to the 8-bit latch register 170. When the value of the write data is a value greater than the existing data, the increment controller 150 outputs the write enable signal WEN1 to the write/read controller 140, and executes writing of the write data latched to the 8-bit latch register 170 to the memory array 100.
A semiconductor memory device and a control signal generating method thereof. The semiconductor memory device may include a voltage range detector configured to generate a voltage detecting signal corresponding to a range of a level of an external power voltage. A control signal generating portion may be used to generate a control signal corresponding to the range of the level of the external power voltage responsive to the voltage detecting signal. As a result, the semiconductor memory device can perform an operation for satisfying an access time characteristic according to a specification responsive to the control signal.
A method and system for simultaneously reading data from multiple indexed arrays, where each indexed array includes one or more memory locations and is coupled to a multiplexing circuit. Each multiplexing circuit includes one or more multiplexers and is driven by a set of input selector signals. The method includes enabling each multiplexing circuit with a distinct combination of the set of input selector signals. The distinct combinations of the set of input selector signals cause each input selector signal to drive a comparable number of multiplexers. Each multiplexing circuit selects a memory location from the coupled indexed array. Further, the method includes reading the data at the selected memory locations through the output of each multiplexing circuit.
A memory device including a plurality of memory cells, each with a control gate NMOS transistor sharing a floating gate with a program/erase PMOS transistor which is, in turn, connected in series with an access PMOS transistor. The memory cells are formed in a common N-Well formed in a P-substrate, the NMOS transistor being formed in a p-doped pocket or base. The program/erase PMOS includes a gate, and first and second P+ doped regions formed in the N-Well, wherein the first P+ region is electrically connected to a corresponding bit line. The access PMOS includes a gate, and first and second P+ regions formed within the N-Well, wherein the first P+ region is electrically connected to the second P+ region of the program/erase PMOS, and the gate is electrically connected to a corresponding word line. The control gate NMOS includes source, drain, and gate, wherein the source and third drain as well as the p-doped pocket are electrically connected to a corresponding control gate line, and the gate is electrically connected to the gate of the program/erase PMOS, forming floating gate of the cell.
A semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor layer provided on an insulating substrate or an insulating layer; active areas each defined in the semiconductor layer with a device insulating film buried therein; and NAND cell units formed on the active areas, each NAND cell unit including a plurality of electrically rewritable and non-volatile memory cells connected in series, both ends of each NAND cell unit being coupled to a source line and a bit line, wherein the device has such a carrier discharging mode as to discharge channel carriers in the NAND cell unit to at least one of the source line and the bit line.
The invention relates to a Magnetic memory system (1, 20) which comprises an information layer (13) and a sensor (2, 22) for cooperating with the information layer (13). The information layer (13) comprises a pattern of magnetic bits (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 24a, 24c, 24d) which constitutes an array of bit locations. A bit magnetic field (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) at a bit location represents a logical value (LO, L1/2, L1). The sensor (2, 22) comprises a magnetoresistive element (6, 26) comprising a fixed magnetic layer (7) and a free magnetic layer (8). The free magnetic layer (8) has a magnetization axis (10) along which the free magnetic layer retains a free magnetization direction (1 Ib, 1 Ic, 21b, 21c). A first bit magnetic field (3b, 3c) at one of the bit locations represents a first logical value (LO, L1/2, L1) by providing a first resistance value (Rmax, Rmid, Rmin) in the magnetoresistive element (6, 26) due to the free magnetization direction (1 Ic, 1 Ib, 21a, 21c) being substantially parallel to the magnetization axis (10). A second bit magnetic field (3a, 3d) at one of the bit locations represents a second logical value (LO, L1/2, L1) by providing a second resistance value (Rmax, Rmid, Rmin) in the magnetoresistive element (6, 26) due to the free magnetization direction (Ha, 1 Id, 21a, 2Id) having an angle (12a, 12d, 27) with the magnetization axis (10). The second bit magnetic field (3a, 3d) which provides the second resistance value (Rmax, Rmid, Rmin) is not one of the two stable magnetization directions of the free magnetic layer (8) and thus is different from the first resistance value (Rmax, Rmid, Rmin). The magnetization direction of the free magnetic layer (8) of the sensor (2, 22) no longer needs to be set before read-out.
Electronic apparatus, methods of forming the electronic apparatus, and methods of operating the electronic apparatus include a read only memory having a memory array of bit-lines, where the bit-lines are arranged such that each bit-line has a shared arrangement with one or more other bit-lines of the memory array. Each shared arrangement is structured to operably store a plurality of bits.
A semiconductor memory device is configured to vertically stack a plurality of memory chips using a resistance-change memory element as a memory cell in one package. The memory chips each have first and second memory position detection pads connected via chip top and bottom electrodes facing each other. Of the vertically stacked memory chips, the lowermost memory chip is provided with the connected chip bottom electrodes of the first and second memory position detection pads. The memory chips each control the variable resistance element, and in a state that the first memory position detection pad has a higher resistance than the second memory position detection pad, compare a voltage applied to the first memory position detection pad with the chip position detection signal using the comparator when a voltage is applied between the first and second memory position detection pads provided on the uppermost layer memory chip.
The invention relates to a prism-type electrical converter for the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electric current. The electrical converter includes two systems, a magnetic system and an electrical system, plus an additional thermal control or cooling system. As a result, the converter has three-phase side.
A system for protecting electronic components to be disposed inside a computer housing comprising a gliding connector aligner for disposing inside the housing. The aligner has a central flat surface to be disposed over electronic components and a plurality of appendages with at least one nub each disposed at an opposing end to that of the central surface. The appendages are substantially perpendicular to the flat surface. An EMC gasket is also provided around the housing. The gasket in one embodiment has a plurality of portions with each portion having a central support line from which a plurality of complementary spring fingers emanates. The portions are connected to one another via a tab such that said gasket can be stretched around all housing corners such that said spring fingers from different portions are placed in a substantially perpendicular direction to one another.
A rackmount storage server has a printed circuit board (PCB) having connectors for connecting with a plurality of top-loading storage devices. A controller assembly having a PCI expansion slot, is arranged to operatively connect to the passive backplane from a rear side of the PCB. Further, the rackmount storage server has redundant cooling unit for facilitating air flow in an interior region of the rackmount storage server. Further, the rackmount storage server may have an integrated battery for saving power for use in case of, for example, a power failure.
Charging or recharging a capacitor powers a USB key. The capacitor is connected to the USB plug. Inserting the key in a powered device charges or recharges the capacitor. Alternatively, the capacitor is connected to the USB plug and a rotatable generator electrically is connected to the capacitor. A sliding gear having teeth engages with complimentary teeth of the generator. A spring disposed at each end of the sliding gear to restrain the sliding movement of the gear. Movement of the sliding gear kinetically charges or recharges the capacitor. The USB key can include the capacitor alone or the kinetic arrangement or the combination of the capacitor and the kinetic arrangement.
A module includes an electrical component having an inner enclosure which surrounds the electrical component and which has first electrical contact means at least on one outer side; having an outer enclosure in the interior of which the inner enclosure is situated, the outer enclosure having second electrical contact means, the second electrical contact means extending from the interior to at least one outer side of the outer enclosure. The first and second contact means are interconnected.
A computer system includes a rack, a computer module and an interface-dedicated module to be mounted therein, and an intra-rack management module. The rack has a rear panel for power supply to and signal connection among modules, and the modules permit plug-in mounting onto the rear panel of the rack. The computer module has behind the computer a dedicated adapter which makes possible plug-in mounting of the computer onto the rack and coordinates signals between the computer and the rear panel.
An electronic control apparatus can be reduced in size and cost by eliminating certain parts such as a power board, etc. The apparatus includes a housing, a heat sink attached to one end of the housing, semiconductor switching elements mounted on the heat sink, a circuit board arranged in opposition to the heat sink, and a plurality of conductive plates electrically connecting the circuit board and the semiconductor switching elements. The heat sink is composed of a heat sink main body, and an anodized aluminum film formed at least on a surface of the heat sink main body at a side at which the power device is mounted thereon, and the heat sink main body has outer peripheral end faces arranged in opposition to inner wall surfaces of an opening portion of the housing.
A fan is disclosed. The fan includes a fan frame and a plug. The fan frame includes a circumference portion, an accommodating portion located in the circumference portion and having two sidewalls, and at least two fixed holes respectively disposed on two sidewalls of the accommodating portion. The plug disposed in the accommodating portion of the fan frame includes a base, a bipolar knife-shaped terminal and a cover. The base includes two sides and two connecting portions respectively disposed on the sides to connect the fan frame. The bipolar knife-shaped terminal is disposed on the base and located between the connecting portions of the base. The cover is engaged to the base.
A locking structure of a housing for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The housing defines an opening therein. The locking structure includes an engagement-receiving member, a bended rod, and a securing member. The engagement-receiving member is fixed to the housing so as to partially seal the opening but leave a rod entrance between the engagement-receiving member and the housing. The engagement-receiving member defines two rod-bearing portion at the rod entrance. The bended rod includes two distal shaft portions and a mesial swinging portion. The two distal shaft portions are borne by the rod-bearing portions respectively. The swinging potion is received in the opening and is capable of swinging out from the opening. The securing member is shaped so as to tightly fit into the entrance, thereby securing the bended rod to the engagement-receiving member.
A housing, which may contain a hard disk drive, is configured to removably mount to a recessed surface of a console. The housing includes a lip and a biased latch arm so that the lip can be inserted into a corresponding feature in the recessed surface and the housing can be rotatably mounted to the recessed surface. The biased latch arm is retained by a latch arm retainer so that the housing is held in place. A cable connector extends from the bottom of the housing and is configured to connect to a receptor on the console when the housing is installed. When desired, a latch on the housing can be translated where the translation cause the biased latch arm to translate so as to clear the latch arm retainer. Thus the housing can be readily removed from the console. Preferably a portion of the housing extends beyond a wall of the recessed surface so that when installed, the housing alters the profile of the console.
A rotation unit is supported to a device main body unit so as to rotate about a rotation supporting point. The rotation unit is rotated from a closure posture close to the device main body unit until a rotation limit position at 180 degrees. A magnet is fixed to the rotation unit at a position away from the rotation supporting point, and the device main body unit is provided with a detector capable of distinctly detect magnetic fields in two directions. When the rotation unit is rotated from the closure posture at a predetermined angle, a first open detection output is obtained form the detector and a display unit provided to the rotation unit is turned ON. The rotation unit is further rotated and when a second open detection output is obtained from the detector, the display content of the display unit is switched to be turned upside down.
A control apparatus includes a semiconductor switch that is arranged between a DC power supply and a load to control a turning ON/OFF operation of the load, a counter electromotive force judging unit that determines whether a counter electromotive force produced on a first wiring line is greater than a threshold voltage, the first wiring line connecting the semiconductor switch to the DC power supply, and a control unit that controls the semiconductor switch so as to be turned OFF when the counter electromotive force judging unit determines that the counter electromotive force is greater than the threshold voltage.
A self test (ST) ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) provides improved end of life (EOL) detection by rejecting false EOL information. A processing device receives fault detection signals indicating when faults are detected, and input signals indicating when contacts used to interrupt power to a load are closed. The processing device rejects the fault detection signals when they fail to meet a selected condition and the contacts are closed, and declares end of life (EOL) when the selected condition is met. The fault detection signals can correspond to pulses at an output of a gated device between the processing device and a GFCI chip, and the selected condition can be a selected integer number of pulses.
There is provided a practical magnetoresistance effect element which has an appropriate value of resistance, which can be sensitized and which has a small number of magnetic layers to be controlled, and a magnetic head and magnetic recording and/or reproducing system using the same. In a magnetoresistance effect element wherein a sense current is caused to flow in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the film, a resistance regulating layer is provided in at least one of a pinned layer, a free layer and an non-magnetic intermediate layer. The resistance regulating layer contains, as a principal component, an oxide, a nitride, a fluoride, a carbide or a boride. The resistance regulating layer may be a continuous film or may have pin holes. Thus, it is possible to provide a practical magnetoresistance effect element which has an appropriate value of resistance, which can be sensitized and which has a small number of magnetic layers, while effectively utilizing the scattering effect depending on spin.
A thermally-assisted perpendicular magnetic recording head and system has a head carrier that supports an optical channel for the transmission of radiation to the recording layer, a write pole for directing a magnetic field to the recording layer, and an electrical coil for inducing the magnetic field from the write pole. The optical channel has a radiation exit face with an aperture at the recording-layer-facing surface of the head carrier. The write pole has a pole tip with an end face that is recessed from the recording-layer-facing surface. The write pole tip is tapered down to the end faces. The pole tip taper and the recession of the end face concentrates the write field at the middle of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer where the radiation from the optical channel is incident. The characteristic dimension of the aperture and the spacing between the aperture and the recording layer are both less than the wavelength of the radiation. The radiation source may be a laser diode mounted to the head carrier.
A magnetic head apparatus is provided which is capable of recording data in a recoding layer having high coercive force with high accuracy without heating. A magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus is also provided which has the magnetic head apparatus. A recording head has: a main magnetic pole; a recording-side front-end shield (a return magnetic pole); a recording-side rear-end shield (a return magnetic pole); a main coil for generating a perpendicular recording magnetic field at the main magnetic pole; and an auxiliary coil for generating a longitudinal alternating current magnetic field having a frequency in the microwave band at the main magnetic pole.
A description is given of a macro objective (M) with a corrective compensation of aberrations (Continuous Aberration Suppression; CAS). The macro objective has a first positive optical subassembly (A), a second nearly afocal optical subassembly (B), a stop (APE), a third nearly afocal optical subassembly (B′) and a fourth positive optical subassembly (A′). The third optical subassembly (B′) and the fourth positive optical subassembly (A′) are designed with mirror symmetry relative to the optical subassemblies (A, B) upstream of the stop (APE). The nearly afocal optical subassemblies (B, B′) are displaced jointly inside the macro objective (M) along the optical axis (OA) with the aid of mechanical means in conjunction with linear magnifications of β′≠−1. As a result, the macro objective (M) achieves outstanding imaging properties both over a wide range of linear magnifications (β′=−2.0 to −0.5) and over a wide wavelength spectrum.
A microlens substrate is provided having a plurality of first microlenses and a plurality of second microlenses which are located between the plurality of first microlenses. The second microlenses are smaller than the first microlenses.
A dielectric coating is provided which has both a dielectric constant greater than 2.5 and a hydrophobic surface. The dielectric coating may be provided by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of organosilane, organosiloxane, organosilazane, organometallic, and/or hydrocarbon precursors. Methods are also provided for altering the contact angle of a liquid in contact with the dielectric coating, e.g., for electrowetting applications.
The invention relates to an optical electrowetting device comprising a conductive fluid (5; 101) and a non-conductive fluid (4; 102), said fluids being non miscible, and an insulating substrate (2; 103) on which both fluids are in contact and form a triple interface, wherein the natural contact angle (105) of the non-conductive fluid (102) on the substrate (103) in presence of the conductive fluid (101) is comprised between 0° and about 20°. This device may be a variable focus liquid lens, an optical diaphragm, an optical zoom. The invention further relates to an apparatus such as a camera, a cell phone, an endoscope or a dental video camera, comprising said electrowetting device and a driver or electronic means for controlling the lens.
A wearable system is shown that presents one or more heads-up displays to the wearer. A data source provides information to an image generator that is sufficient to generate one or more display images, which are still or moving, characters or graphical displays. The output image from the image generator passes through a lens, reflects off a curved mirror, and passes back through the lens the other way. The image then passes through two non-doublet lenses, between which an intermediate image exists. The image reflects off the “lens,” or visor, of the glasses and proceeds to the pupil of the wearer's eye. Alternative embodiments use a helmet visor, mirror, or other (at least partially) reflective surface for the final reflection.
An optical identification element including a non-waveguide optical substrate. The optical substrate has a volume and includes an inner region surrounded by an outer region. The inner region has an index of refraction that prevents the optical substrate from forming an optical waveguide. The optical substrate includes a diffraction grating within the volume, and the grating provides an output signal indicative of a code when illuminated by an incident light.
A drive circuit is provided for a semiconductor optical amplifier type gate switch includes a first transmission path and a second transmission path. The first transmission path includes a common first sub-path between a signal source and a first node; and an individual second sub-path for each of a plurality of operational amplifiers between the first node and a corresponding one of the operational amplifiers. The second transmission path includes an individual third sub-path between each of the operational amplifiers and a second node; and a common fourth sub-path between the second node and the semiconductor optical amplifier type gate switches. Transmission delay times of all the individual second sub-paths are equal, and transmission delay times of all the individual third sub-paths are equal.
An apparatus for suppressing optical power transients includes a variable optical attenuator receiving an input optical signal and outputting an output optical signal; an optical power sensing element coupled to the input optical signal and sensing a portion of the input optical signal; and a feedforward loop controller coupled to the variable optical attenuator and to the optical power sensing element; the feedforward control loop providing feedforward control of the variable optical attenuator to reduce optical power transients of the input optical signal and maintain a substantially constant output power based on the input optical power and a reference value; the variable optical attenuator having a default opaque state in which the input optical signal is substantially attenuated when power is not being supplied to said variable optical attenuator. Variations include feedback loop controllers and a combination feedback and feedforward loop controllers.
An image processing apparatus comprises a boundary line position storage section storing position information on boundary lines for dividing an image according to an image data unit into regions; a position information changing section to change the position information on boundary lines; and a dividing section to divide the image data unit into partial image data units corresponding to the respective regions. When a boundary line stored in the boundary line position storage section is across a principal part of the image, the position information changing section changes the position of the boundary line so as not to be across the principal part. When the regions divided by the boundary lines stored in the boundary line position storage section, includes a region that exceeds the maximum print size, the position information changing section changes the positions of boundary lines so that any region does not exceed the maximum print size.
A method for providing a film image and an image display apparatus for providing the film image are provided. The method includes determining a scheme of an input image signal; if the input image signal is determined to be an interlaced image signal, converting the input image signal into a progressive image signal to generate a converted progressive image signal and converting a scanning rate the converted progressive image signal to generate an image signal having a selected scanning rate; if the input image signal is determined to be a progressive image signal, converting a scanning rate the input progressive image signal to generate the image signal having the selected scanning rate; and converting a color characteristic of the image signal having the selected scanning rate into an image signal having a color characteristic related to a selected type of a film. Accordingly, a general image can be viewed which has a similar effect to when a film image is projected on a screen.
A client computer of the invention utilizes a printer driver for a distribution source printer to send a print job to the distribution source printer. The distribution source printer distributes each print job sent with setting of a preset second port number to multiple distribution destination printers. The client computer includes: a storage unit that stores a first printer driver with property information including specification of a port number, which is specified and used for transmission of each print job and is currently set to a preset first port number, as one printer driver for the distribution source printer; and a printer driver generation module that, in response to an externally given instruction, duplicates the property information of the first printer driver read from the storage unit and changes the port number included in the duplicated property information of the first printer driver to the preset second port number, which is different from the preset first port number, so as to generate a second printer driver as another printer driver for the distribution source printer. This arrangement enables the first printer driver and the second printer driver having the different settings of the port number included in the property information to be readily provided in the client computer as multiple different printer drivers for the distribution source printer.
An image forming system includes an image forming device which forms an image based on image data, and an image processing device such as a personal computer, and the image forming system is capable of restricting image output of the image forming device. In the image forming system, data information of the output image data or working environment of the image forming device is judged, so as to allow or disallow image output based on the working environment so judged. This judges whether or not devices such as digital complex device or scanner device in the image forming system are used properly, thus providing an image processing system which can be used efficiently.
An information processing method is provided for an information processing apparatus on which a printer driver that runs on an operating system is installed. The method includes a step of reading a module upon reception of an instruction for adding the module to the printer driver, a step of storing the read module into a storage area in an operating system corresponding to the printer driver, a step of registering the module by adding a name of the module stored in the storage area to configuration information of the printer driver and by adding the module to the printer driver, and a step of controlling a print service of the operating system to recognize the registered module.
A new process is synchronized to an existing process in the face of a communications delay (d) by collecting a history of delayed measurements and states of the existing process. This history and predetermined information regarding the behavior of the existing process are used to simulate the existing process forward in time to a current time, thereby computing a current process state. Once the current state is computed, the new process, driven by the same information, maintains synchronization with the existing process. In a document processor the method of synchronizing can be applied to tightly coupled modules. For example, a print media transport system includes a plurality of transport modules. Each transport module includes a plurality of transport actuators and an associated controller. Print media may be driven by actuators of plural modules contemporaneously. Modules about to receive media are synchronized to modules already transporting the media.
A three-dimensional shape measuring device for measuring a three-dimensional shape of a measurement object using a light section method includes: a slit beam generator for generating a slit beam of a fan-like shape; a light projecting optical system for projecting the slit beam toward the measurement object; and an imaging section including a light receiving plane for forming light reflected on the measurement object including the slit beam, wherein the light projecting optical system includes an extended optical path for extending a slit length of the slit beam near the imaging section to a predetermined length.
A device for exchanging data, such as a position or an identification, between a tool and a tool receiving structure. The device includes: an elongated track of sensors arranged in the receiving structure; and at least one sensor activating element arranged on the tool. The invention further relates to a method for exchanging data between a tool and a tool receiving structure, including: providing a device for exchanging data; activating at least one sensor activating element; and checking the track of sensors for activation of a sensor.
The illumination profile of a radiation beam is initially measured using a CCD detector. A reference mirror is then placed in the focal plane of the high aperture lens and the reflected radiation measured. By comparing the illumination profile and the detected radiation it is possible to determine the transmission losses for S and P polarisation which can then be used in scatterometry modeling.
Apparatus and methods for verification of the dimensions of a semiconductor manufacturing peripheral are disclosed, in which the peripheral, e.g., a wafer cassette, is positioned between, and is enveloped by, an emitter housing and an opposing receiver housing adapted for emitting and receiving, respectively, light from a selected portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, preferably infrared. The measured light is used to verify the dimensions of the target peripheral in comparison with a pre-selected standard.
A system for testing a reflective display device includes a testing apparatus and a computer. The testing apparatus includes one or more light emitters, one or more light detectors, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module, and a microcontroller unit (MCU). The light emitters are for projecting light onto a reflective display device located on the testing apparatus. The light detectors are for sensing reflected light from the reflective display device, and generating electricity according to a luminance of the reflected light. The ADC module is for receiving the electrical signals from the light detectors, and producing a digital output according to voltages of the electrical signals. The MCU is configured for reading the digital output of the ADC module. The computer is for processing the digital output and displaying results after processing.
Time-of-flight (TOF) phase-derived data is dealiased by operating the TOF system using at least two close-together modulation frequencies f1 and f2 that are close to the TOF system maximum modulation frequency fm. On one hand, phase data acquired by the TOF is associated with a desirably long aliasing interval range ZAIR normally associated with a rather low modulation frequency. On the other hand, phase data acquired by the TOF system is also associated with the high precision certainty as to Z value normally associated with high modulation frequency. Preferably the TOF system operates always close to fm such that TOF operating efficiency is high, and system signal/noise ratio is not substantially degraded using the present invention.
A lithographic method and apparatus for determining operational parameters of a maskless lithography tool. In an embodiment, an amount of data in a datapath of the maskless lithography system is reduced. A maximum value of at least one operational parameter of the maskless lithography system is determined responsive to the reduced amount of data in the datapath.
A transflective liquid crystal display (70) comprises a liquid crystal cell (38) disposed between a front substrate (40) and a rear substrate (36), a front polarizer (46) located in front of the front substrate (40) and a rear polarizer (32) located behind the rear substrate (36), a front retarder (42, 44) located between the front substrate (40) and the front polarizer (46), a rear retarder (62, 64) located between the rear substrate (36) and the rear polarizer (32), and a light source (30) located behind the rear polarizer (32). A transflective display having a number of differently colored sequentially flashing backlights is also provided.
A liquid crystal display device includes a black matrix between first and second substrates, the black matrix having openings defined therein, color filters between the first and second substrates and aligned with the openings defined in the black matrix, the color filters including first filters having a first color, second filters having a second color, and third filters having a third color; and spacers configured to maintain a predetermined cell gap. The second filters have a recess, such that the second filters have an area that is less than an area of the first filters, the spacers are aligned with regions of the black matrix adjacent to the recesses in the second filters, and alignment layers are on the first and second substrates.
An optical device for backlighting a liquid crystal display. The optical device has an optical element. The optical element includes a material body and at least one recess. The recess is formed in the material body and is configured to determine the light distribution of light to be directed towards the liquid crystal display.
A display device which may include a bottom chassis receiving a display panel, at least one printed circuit board mounting parts for controlling the display panel, and a reinforcing chassis attached to the printed circuit board.
An active device array substrate including a substrate, scan lines, data lines, pixels, a bus line and voltage pull-down circuits is provided. The pixels disposed on intersections of the scan lines and the data lines are arranged in array on the substrate and are electrically connected to the scan lines and the data lines. Each of the voltage pull-down circuits including a transistor and an electrostatic discharge protection device is electrically connected between the scan line and the bus line correspondingly. Each transistor includes a source, a drain, and a gate electrically connected to a next scan line. Each gate is electrically connected to the scan line, the source, the drain and the bus line correspondingly through the electrostatic discharge protection device. The electrostatic discharge protection of the active device array substrate is enhanced effectively by the electrostatic discharge protection device.
In a unit for setting a function of a displayed menu, a choosing and displaying operation of selecting one of a plurality of groups of a menu and displaying all the functional particulars belonging to the chosen group chosen from the plurality of divided groups of the menu, on a same screen page of a display is performed, a choosing operation of selecting one of the plurality of functional particulars displayed on the display and a choosing and setting operation of selecting and setting one of a plurality of functional condition values displayed on the display corresponding to the selected functional particular are performed, and a displaying operation of displaying the plurality of the functional condition values which correspond to the selected functional particular.
An image acquisition unit acquires multiple image data sets of pixels in array, having subject distortion due to focal plane shutter effects, corresponding to images taken at continuous exposure timings; a coefficient storage unit stores coefficients, determined by which number-in-order of multiple images that the image data set corresponds to, and by each pixel position in the image; a multiplying unit multiplies a pixel value of a predetermined pixel in the image data sets, by the coefficient stored in the coefficient storage means; and an adding unit adds each pixel value of a predetermined number of the image data sets. The coefficients include a coefficient wherein, at the earliest image data set, pixels exposed earlier are weighted less and pixels exposed later are weighted more, and a coefficient wherein, at the latest image data set, pixels exposed earlier are weighted more and pixels exposed later are weighted less.
This invention discloses a type of image signal sampling circuits and methods. The circuit includes: a signal acquisition unit, a column read out unit, and a working module control circuit. The control circuit includes: a control unit, a source column switch group, a ground column switch group, and a between-column switch group. Each sampling column circuit is equipped with a source column switch and a ground column switch. The source column switch is connected between the inputs of the signal source and the signal acquisition unit. The ground column switch is connected between the ground and the bottom of the signal acquisition unit. The input of the column read out unit is connected to the input of the signal acquisition unit and the output is used to send out the sampled signal. A between-column switch is installed between the input of a front column signal acquisition unit and the bottom of a back signal acquisition unit. The control unit is used to control the switch in each switch group for connected or disconnected operation according to the sampling working module. Employing this invention can realize gain in the image sensor signal, improvement with circuit structure, achieving minimal chip area, and lowered cost.
An image sensing apparatus includes: an image sensing device for sensing light representing a subject image; a first component extractor for extracting a first component having a predetermined frequency out of a photographic image obtained by the image sensing device; a second component extractor for extracting a second component having a frequency higher than the frequency of the first component out of the photographic image; a compressor for compressing a dynamic range of the first component extracted by the first component extractor with a predetermined compression ratio; an image generator for generating an image based on a compressed first component obtained by compressing the dynamic range of the first component by the compressor, and the second component extracted by the second component extractor; and a compression correction coefficient calculator for calculating a compression correction coefficient used in compressing the first component, using the second component extracted by the second component extractor, wherein the compressor determines the compression ratio in such a manner that the larger compression correction coefficient increases the compression ratio based on the compression correction coefficient calculated by the compression correction coefficient calculator, and compresses the dynamic range of the first component based on the determined compression ratio.
A method of reading out images is used for a digital image capturing device. The method includes the following steps: obtaining a first frame with a digital image capturing module; activating a pre-control signal with a processor when the first frame needs to be expanded; activating a control signal with a timing generator when the expansion of the first frame has finished to execute a first frame expanding process; and clearing the pre-control signal and the control signal when the expansion of the first frame procedure has finished.
An automatic white balance control image apparatus, medium, and method. The automatic white balance control imaging apparatus may include a color space conversion unit converting the input image data into color space data having a chromatic component, a gray region extraction unit extracting a gray region for the input image data based on gray regions for light sources, the gray regions being detected based on plural light sources and a predetermined color checker, a detection unit extracting initial light source information using a color gamut average value and a color gamut center value, and adjusting the initial light source information in order for a chromatic component introduced into the extracted gray region to be excluded, a gain control unit calculating gains to scale the input image data based on the adjusted initial light source information, and controlling a white balance by applying the calculated gains to the input image data.
There is described an image capturing apparatus and method, in which the electric signals originated from the logarithmic conversion source are converted into those originated from the linear conversion source and which makes it possible to prevent the apparatus from capsizing. The apparatus includes an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels to convert incident light to first electric signals according to a plurality of photoelectronic conversion characteristics, based on intensity of the incident light; and a signal processing section to apply signal processing to the first electric signals. The signal processing section has: a linearization section to convert the first electric signals to second electric signals, which represent such electric signals that are linearly converted from the incident light; and a compression section to compress a predetermined range component corresponding to a predetermined signal value range, among the first electric signals outputted from the image sensor.
Imaging systems and methods for processing images. Various of the imaging systems include a motion detection and/or estimation engine. Information from such a motion engine can be used by one or more of a scene definition engine, a blur reduction engine, an anti-shake engine, and a video compression engine. Various of the methods include processes for accepting motion information from a motion detection and/or estimation engine and performing one or more of the following functions: anti-shake, blur reduction, scene definition, video compression, and power management. In some cases, the various systems and methods can be implemented on a single chip.
A video processing apparatus includes an output terminal, a reception unit and a control unit. The reception unit receives one of a first command and a second command from a control apparatus, wherein the first command is for locking a data format of data output from the output terminal to a predetermined data format, and the second command is for not locking the data format of the data output from the output terminal to the predetermined data format. The control unit controls to lock the data format of the data output from the output terminal to the predetermined data format, if the first command is received by the reception unit. The control unit controls not to lock the data format of the data output from the output terminal to the predetermined data format, if the second command is received by the reception unit.
A ribbon supply shaft drive motor (8) and a ribbon take-up shaft drive motor (10) are drivingly controlled separately. If the state of a ribbon is not changed after a control cycle is repeated for a set time, the rotational speed of the drive motors (8, 10) is increased step by step.
A thermal head that includes a bonding portion and a protective layer. The thermal head prevents electrostatic discharge damage from occurring in the bonding portion of the thermal head due to the protective layer being electrostatically charged.
Provided is a thermal activation device capable of preventing a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet from being partially excessively heated, keeping a short distance between a contact between a thermal head and a platen roller, and a discharge port, and preventing a structure of the thermal activation device from being complicated and a size thereof from increasing. While a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet (2) is transported along a transport path (15) through rotations of insertion rollers (3) and a platen roller (5), a heat-generating portion (4a) of the thermal head (4) is caused to generate heat, thereby thermally activating a heat-sensitive adhesive layer of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet (2). When a trailing edge of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet (2) reaches a position where the trailing edge thereof is not in contact with the platen roller (5), a transporting force is not transmitted to the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet (2), thereby stopping transportation thereof. At that time, an adhesion prevention member (6) is allowed to enter the transport path (15) to lift and hold the trailing edge of the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet (2) to a position where the trailing edge thereof is not in contact with the thermal head (4).
A display apparatus having a display to display a picture thereon comprises a pivot sensor comprising a weight body, a housing in which the weight body is accommodated and movable as the display is pivoted, and a contact sensor placed in the housing and generating a sensing signal according to a pivoted angle of the display when contacting the weight body. A pivot sensing controller applies a predetermined driving voltage to the pivot sensor, and determines the pivot angle of the display on the basis of the sensing signal generated corresponding to the applied driving voltage. The pivot sensing apparatus requires a reduced number of pivot sensors and peripheral circuits to sense a pivot angle of a display panel. A display apparatus and system comprising the pivot sensing apparatus, and a method for sensing a pivot angle, are also disclosed.
A method of simulating a cloth includes: determining a first shape for the cloth at a first time; determining a first goal shape for the cloth at the first time; determining a first goal-directed force for the cloth at the first time from the first shape and the first goal shape, wherein the first goal directed force includes a component that measures a difference between the first shape and the first goal shape; and determining a second shape for the cloth at a second time from the first shape and the first goal-directed force by dynamically advancing the cloth from the first time to the second time.
The object of the present invention is reducing power consumption of a driving power supply circuit.In the case where the driving voltage Vi is higher than the reference voltage ViH, The signal S3P, S3N of the differential amplifier 30P, 30N become level “L” concurrently, and the signal S4P, S4N of the output circuit 40P, 40N become level “H”. Subsequently, the NMOS 62 becomes on-state and decreases the driving voltage Vi of the node N6. At the above stage, the control signal CP becomes level “L”, then the operation of the constant current circuit 20P is halted.In the case where the driving voltage Vi is lower than the reference voltage ViL, the PMOS 61 becomes on-state and increases the driving voltage Vi, and concurrently the operation of the constant current circuit 20P halts. At the same time, in the case where the reference voltage ViL is lower than the driving voltage Vi and the driving voltage Vi is lower than the reference voltage ViH, the signal S4P, S4N become level “H”, respectively, the PMOS 61 and the NMOS 62 become off-state, however, the control signal CP, CH become level “H”, then monitoring the driving voltage Vi is conducted by the comparing circuits thereof.
A touch input device includes two or more interleaved scroll sensors. A common area is interposed between two of the scroll sensors. A sense line snakes through the common area. Scrolling pressure applied to a sense layer causes the sense layer to contact and electrically connect the sense line to the scroll sensors thereby permitting the scrolling pressure position to be determined by measuring a voltage on the sense line. The scroll sensors are potentiometric and may be linear strip scroll sensors or rotary ring scroll sensors. The interleaved scroll sensors with the common area allow smooth scrolling action from one major leg to another major leg.
Embodiments include an article of manufacture, apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, system is provided that includes at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers, each identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers being respectively keyed to a data recipient and associatable with a hand-formed mark on a surface. The system also includes a commonly accepted meaning respectively associated by a group of users with each machine-differentiatable identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers. The system may include a surface displaying the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers. The system may include a surface displaying the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers and the commonly accepted meaning respectively associated by a group of users with each machine-differentiatable identifier of the at least two machine-differentiatable identifiers.
An optical mouse for controlling a cursor on a display. The mouse emits a light beam that interacts with a target surface and receives reflected light therefrom to detect movement of the mouse. The mouse includes a housing, a single-mode VCSEL disposed within the housing for emitting the light beam through a surface of the housing, the emitted light interacting with the target surface, a photodetector disposed within the housing that receives the light reflected from the target surface and that provides an electrical output and a processor that receives the electrical output and calculates a value that is indicative of the amount and direction of movement of the optical mouse relative to the target surface.
A method of fabricating a flexible display, the method comprising selecting a first flexible sheet and a second flexible sheet; and forming a number of magnetic display elements having magnetically controllable reflectivity between the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet. In some embodiments, a display includes pixels having a magnetically controllable reflectivity. The pixels are formed between a pair of flexible non-conductive sheets. Each of the magnetically controllable pixels includes a flexible ring located between the flexible non-conductive sheets. Each of the magnetically controllable pixels also includes magnetic particles located within the flexible ring. The location of the magnetic particles with respect to the flexible non-conductive sheets determines the reflectivity of the pixel. The display is especially suitable for use in connection with portable electronic devices.
A shift register includes a signal generating circuit for generating an output signal at an output end of the shift register according to a first clock signal while the signal generating circuit is turned on; a driving circuit, electrically coupled to the signal generating circuit, for generating a driving signal to control the signal generating circuit according to an input signal received from an input end of the shift register; a feedback circuit, electrically coupled to a next stage shift register, for transmitting a control signal while the feedback circuit is turned on by the next stage shift register; and a control switch, electrically coupled to the signal generating circuit and the feedback circuit, for turning off the signal generating circuit while the control switch is turned on by the control signal from the feedback circuit.
A circuit and a method for generating a common voltage, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device including the circuit for generating a common voltage. Chip size and accumulated offset voltage of a liquid crystal display (LCD) may be reduced. The circuit for generating a common voltage includes a digital logic calculator, an input reference voltage generator, and a buffer unit. Prior to the generation of the common voltage, the digital logic calculator sets an input reference voltage corresponding to a target voltage.
To provide a constitution capable of reducing production cost in a semiconductor device for display of a type integrally formed with a drive circuit with a digital signal as an input signal and a pixel matrix unit, a signal dividing circuit is formed on a substrate where drive circuits and a pixel matrix unit are to be formed simultaneously with the drive circuits and the pixel matrix unit in view of fabrication steps by which fabrication steps of the signal dividing circuit per se and steps required for connecting the signal dividing circuit to wirings on the substrate can be dispensed with without adding further steps.
The invention provides a light emitting device which can suppress the reduction of luminance in accordance with the light emission time and light emission at a high luminance. Moreover, the invention relates to a driving method which can suppress the reduction of luminance in accordance with the light emission time and light emission at a high luminance. The light emitting device of the invention can display a plurality of colors of which brightness and chromaticity are different by visually mixing light emission of a plurality of light emitting elements of which light emission colors are different. When a visually mixed display color is formed, a white light emission is exhibited.
Dispersion occurs in the characteristics of the transistors. The invention is a signal line driving circuit having a first and a second current source circuits corresponding to each of a plurality of signal lines, a shift register, and a constant current source for video signal, in which the first current source circuit is disposed in a first latch and the second current source circuit is disposed in a second latch. The first current source circuit includes capacitive means for converting the current supplied from the constant current source for video signal into a voltage, according to a sampling pulse supplied from the shift register, and supplying means for supplying the current corresponding to the converted voltage. The second current source circuit includes capacitive means for converting the current supplied from the first latch into a voltage, according to a latch pulse, and supplying means for supplying the current corresponding to the converted voltage.
A plasma display apparatus is disclosed. The plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel including first, second and third electrodes, a data driver supplying a data signal to the third electrode during an address period, and a sustain driver. The sustain driver consecutively supplies a first signal of a positive polarity direction, a second signal of a negative polarity direction, a third signal of a positive polarity direction, and a fourth signal of a negative polarity direction to the first electrode, and supplies a reference voltage to the second electrode during a sustain period. A duration of a bias period of the first signal is shorter than a duration of a bias period of the third signal.
The present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus and a method of driving the same. The plasma display apparatus according to the present invention includes a plasma display panel in which data electrodes are formed; and a data voltage controller for applying a data voltage as a floating state or a first state voltage to the data electrodes. The method of driving a plasma display apparatus according to the present invention includes the steps of: (a) applying a first voltage to the data electrodes; and (b) applying a voltage as a ground level or a floating state to the data electrodes.
A method of supporting multiple display configurations in a remote access environment, the remote access environment having a host computing device in communication with a viewer computing device comprises: receiving from a host computing device, by a viewer computing device having one or more viewer displays, a list of rectangles, each rectangle representing the boundaries of one of a plurality of host displays; presenting, by the viewer computing device to an end-user of the viewer computing device, a graphical user interface including means for selecting a configuration for displaying a window representing screen data of the plurality of host displays in the viewable area of the one or more displays of the viewer computing device; and displaying in the selected configuration, by the viewer computing device, the window representing the screen data of the one or more host displays. Corresponding systems are also described.
An antenna assembly is provided for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals in a range around a characteristic wavelength. A first radiative element, has a first end and a second end and is made from an electrically conductive material. The first end of the first radiative element is electrically connected to an antenna feed at an apex point and at least a portion of the first radiative element is disposed outwardly away from the apex point at an acute angle relative to, and on a first side of, an imaginary plane intersecting the apex point. A second radiative element has a first end and a second end and is comprised of an electrically conductive material. The first end of the first radiative element is electrically connected to the antenna feed and the first radiative element at the apex point. At least a portion of the second radiative element extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the imaginary plane. The antenna assembly further includes an electrically conductive ground reference.
An on-board antenna device comprises: a radiation element (302) formed on an inner-surface of a widow glass (51) for a vehicle (50); a base plate (305) fixed on the inner-surface of the widow glass (51) so as to surround the radiation element (302); a circuit board (308) having a conductive layer in a surface (308a) thereof, which is opposed to the radiation element (302), and a component mounting surface electrically connected to the radiation element (302) in the other surface (308b) thereof; and a housing (312) assembled onto the base plate (305), and the circuit board (308) being contained therein; wherein the circuit board (308) has a cutout portion (308f) to incorporate a connector (324) for a transmission line connection.
A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a dielectric substrate carried by the portable housing having a front side facing toward a user and a back side opposite the front side, and a ground plane carried by the dielectric substrate. The device may further include at least one circuit carried by the dielectric substrate, and an antenna carried by the dielectric substrate adjacent an end thereof and electrically connected to the at least one circuit. A ground patch may be adjacent the front side of the dielectric substrate that is electrically connected to the ground plane and spaced apart from and at least partially overlapping the antenna.
The problems to be solved by the present invention are to provide an antenna which is applied to a wireless identification system wherein there is a long distance between a device to execute identification and a device attached to an object to be identified and which does not cause deterioration in aesthetic terms and covering of a meaningful symbol, and further to provide a wireless system using the antenna. According to the present invention, there are provided an antenna having a circularly polarizing function and a frequency equalizing function achieved by a grid structure having roughness and fineness around a feeding point and density which allows visible light to pass through, an RFID tag using the antenna, and an RFID system using the tag.
A radar system and method for determining the range and, optionally, the azimuth of a target, while maintaining a high transmitting duty factor is provided. A waveform generator is connected to an antenna aperture by a transmit-receive switch, and the waveform is transmitted for more than half of the period of time of the sum of the transmission period and the receiving period. For a frequency-modulated continuous-wave waveform (FMCW), the receiver may be turned on for short intervals at a rate which is at least the Nyquist rate for the signal received from at target. A monopulse or frequency-scanned antenna may be used to determine azimuth as well as range.
A delta sigma (ΔΣ or DS) modulator includes at least a first proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) element that conditions an input signal, and a second PTAT element that conditions a reference signal.
System and method for conveying information from a vehicle to a fixed structure includes a data generating system arranged on the vehicle to obtain and/or generate information about conditions around the vehicle, one or more data processing facilities each arranged at a fixed structure or fixed location to process information about the vehicle, and a communications system coupled to the data generating system for communicating with a wireless Internet service provider (ISP) and arranged to enable the information obtained or generated by the data generating system to be transmitted via the Internet to the data processing facility. The data generating system may obtain or generate information about at least one of a road on which the vehicle is traveling, environmental conditions around the vehicle, traffic in the vicinity of the vehicle, and construction in the vicinity of the vehicle.
A method and system for providing sponsorship information to a user of a traffic message receiver is disclosed. Sponsorship messages are sent to the traffic message receiver and include data to be stored in the memory of the receiver. The transmission of the sponsorship messages is performed as a background routine to the regular transmission of traffic messages. The sponsorship data stored in the traffic message receiver is provided to the user of the traffic message receiver based on a triggering event, such as the end-user entering a point of interest string into the user interface of his navigation system or receipt of a message that includes an activated trigger flag.
A data processing system for analyzing customer and employee interactions in a service establishment is disclosed. The data processing system comprises a plurality of remote customer, employee units and a central unit. The units each include a transceiver to send and receive signals. The signals are all received by the central unit and relayed to the appropriate unit. The central unit time stamps and records all signals in a database. The system further comprises an evaluation program which analyzes the signal data to provide employee performance ratings and staffing recommendations.
An electronic-ink based RFID tag for attachment to a consumer item and displaying graphical indicia indicating whether or not the item has been read and its integrated RFID module has been activated or deactivated. In response to privacy concerns of consumers, the present invention provides new way of and means for allowing a consumer to readily determine the state of an RFID tag on a consumer item (i.e. activated or deactivated) through the use of a visual indicator integrated with the electronic-ink based RFID tag. The RFID tag has an addressable display label employing a layer of electronic ink, for displaying a first visual indicator when its RFID module has been activated to indicate that the unique identifier associated consumer item has not yet be read, and a second visual indicator when the RFID module has been deactivated to indicate that the unique identifier associated the consumer item has been read.
A connectable electronic component comprising a transducer such as an RFID antenna, a status annunciator such as a short circuit to indicate the presence of the electronic component, and circuit means to propagate signals between the transducer, the status annunciator and an external control system, and circuit means to propagate signals between the external control system and other electronic components.A control system adapted to control one or more of said electronic components, comprising sensing means adapted to generate an interrogation signal to detect the presence of any electronic component, a subsystem adapted to generate a control signal to control the transducer of a detected electronic component, and routing means.
A radio frequency identification (RFID) device is arranged for use with a remote interrogator unit. The RFID device comprises an integrated circuit configured to send, in response to a signal received from the remote interrogator unit or automatically, a responsive signal which includes identification information. A communication antenna is electrically coupled to the integrated circuit and is provided for wireless communication with the remote interrogator unit. At least one photovoltaic cell is provided for converting radiation into electrical energy and providing power to the integrated circuit. The photocell may be designed to form all or part of the RF antenna of the RFID device.
In some embodiments of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, multiple bits of data may be encoded at the same time based on a frequency shift key (FSK) modulation technique using multiple frequencies, by permitting any or all of the frequencies to be modulated on a carrier wave at the same time. In some embodiments a parallel but asymmetric down-conversion of the frequencies may allow both frequencies to be detected with identical filters.
An apparatus includes a mounting base and a compatible electrical unit removably carried on the base. The base carries a transducer and a sensor external to the unit. The transducer emits radiant energy toward the unit. The sensor receives radiant energy modulated by the unit. A local control unit can store the received, modulated radiant energy as a base-line profile. Subsequently, additional profiles can be generated and compared to the stored base-line to determine is a spatial characteristic of the electrical unit has changed.
An item location system uses voice activation and responsiveness to identify location(s) of item(s) sought by a user. The system may include a continuous speech recognition digital signal processor, a programmable microprocessor interfaced therewith, voice input and user feedback mechanisms, including audio and/or video feedback. Some embodiments utilize audio feedback to the user. The system also includes sufficient software and equipment to create item-identification/corresponding location-identification data pairs by utilizing item identifying bar codes on the items and matching them to location identifying bar codes physically situated on the corresponding locations. The continuous speech recognition engine may utilize Hidden Markov Models to create real time continuous speech recognition and feedback.
A hand-held remote locator (RL) device is used to locate a transponder or micro-transponder (MT). The user activates the RL to transmit a multi-frame ping to the MT in a slow ping mode, where the MT transmits reply messages when the multi-frame ping is received The RL calculates a distance between the RL and the MT using the time-of-flight (TOF) between the transmission of a ping and the receipt of a reply. The user can then engage a fast ping mode, where the RL transmits the multi-frame ping at an increased rate. The user then extends the RL device away from their body and turns through at least a partial arc length about their center line such that data is collected including compass readings, Doppler information, and distance calculations. The directional location for the MT is determined by the RL using the collected data.
A system for bi-directional power distribution line communication. The system is configured for data communication with an endpoint transceiver located at a customer premise. The system comprises a time server in electrical communication with the transceiver, the time server configured to retrieve the time. A substation controller is in electrical communication with a power distribution line. The substation controller includes a transceiver and a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a substation clock. The programmable circuit is programmed to periodically retrieve the time from the time server to calibrate the substation clock to the retrieved time, and to control the transceiver to transmit the time to the endpoint transceiver.
A system and method are provided for modifying the effective reading range of an radio frequency identification tag. The tag, a chip based tag, includes an antenna and a chip in communication with the antenna. The chip includes circuitry including field effect transistors that can modify the effective reading range of the tag by modifying characteristics of the tag including the modulation depth of the backscatter signal, the impedance characteristics of the tag front end electronics, the power consumption characteristics and the threshold power-on voltage of the tag. These characteristics are change either temporarily or permanently in response to commands communicated to the tag from a radio frequency identification reader.
Methods, systems and computer program products for providing mutual authentication for radio frequency identification (RFID) security. Methods include receiving an authentication request at a RFID tag from a requester, where the request includes an encrypted access role. An encrypted secret message is transmitted to the requestor in response to receiving the authentication request. The encrypted secret message is based on the encrypted access role received from the requester. An access request specifying a work area and including a random number that is encrypted is received from the requester at the RFID tag. The access request was generated by the requester in response to the RFID tag being successfully authenticated by the requestor using the encrypted secret message. The requester is authenticated at the RFID tag. The authenticating includes determining the value of the random number sent by the requester and verifying that the work area is valid for the encrypted access role. If the authenticating is successful, the RFID tag responds to the access request using the value of the random number as an encryption key.
A varistor comprises an element body, two external electrodes, and a metal conductor. The element body includes a portion having first and second faces opposing each other. Two external electrodes are arranged on the first face of the element body. The metal conductor is arranged on the second face of the element body. The metal conductor has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the element body. At least a region between the two external electrodes and metal conductor in the element body exhibits a nonlinear current-voltage characteristic. The heat transmitted to the varistor is efficiently diffused from the metal conductor in the varistor.
An inductor device formed on a semiconductor substrate includes an inductor body penetrating the semiconductor substrate, taking a spiral shape and having a conductivity, and an insulating film provided between a side surface of the inductor body and the semiconductor substrate.
A waveguide interface for millimeter wave and sub-millimeter wave applications adapted to couple and uncouple abutting waveguide sections wherein said waveguide interface acts as both a mating surface and a precision alignment mechanism. The waveguide interface comprises a first member having a first waveguide defined therein, a second member having a second waveguide similar in cross-section to said first waveguide defined therein, a means for mating said first member and said second member comprising a centrally located precision mating surface through which propagates electromagnetic energy and additionally comprising at least one pair of diametrically opposed rotational alignment pins and holes located a specified distance from said centrally located precision-mating surface, and wherein said pins and holes are in mating relation of looser fitment than said centrally located precision mating surface.
A nanotube apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a first electrode having a first edge. An array of nanotubes distributed in a closed path are also included. The closed path surrounds the first electrode and adjacent to the first edge. The closed path is also locally straight. Each of the nanotubes has an end that is free to oscillate. The apparatus also includes a second electrode having a second edge surrounding both the first electrode and the array of nanotubes. Methods are also described.
For decreasing errors within an analog phase-locked loop, an all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) with digital components and digital operations is used. The ADPLL may also be used for direct frequency modulation (DFM). By defining a proportional path gain of an ADPLL by a bandwidth and a reference frequency of the ADPLL, by a TDC gain, a DCO gain, a dividing ratio of a frequency divider, a gain of an amplifier or a combination thereof, the gain of the amplifier may be adjusted so that an optimal loop bandwidth of the ADPLL may be well calibrated. For achieving the aim of entirely digital of the ADPLL, the gains of the TDC and the DCO may be further adjusted in a digital manner.
A crystal oscillator emulator integrated circuit comprises a first temperature sensor that senses a first temperature of the integrated circuit. Memory stores calibration parameters and selects at least one of the calibration parameters based on the first temperature. A semiconductor oscillator generates an output signal having a frequency, which is based on the calibration parameters, and an amplitude. An amplitude adjustment module compares the amplitude to a predetermined amplitude and generates a control signal that adjusts the amplitude based on the comparison.
Embodiments described herein relate to amplification circuits. In some embodiments the amplification circuit includes a power amplifier, a feedforward error compensation loop, and phase feedback and amplitude feedback error compensation loops nested within the feedforward loop. The two nested feedback loops provide a “pre-cleaning” action, which reduces the amount of rejection required in the feedforward loop. In some embodiments, the amplification circuit includes a power amplifier and an enhanced feedforward loop comprising a phase control circuit that maintains a phase balance needed to reduce distortion in the output signal of the amplification circuit. In some embodiments, the amplification circuit includes a power amplifier, a feedforward error compensation loop, and phase feedback and amplitude feedback error compensation loops nested within the feedforward loop and the feedforward loop comprises the phase control circuit.
An amplifier arrangement and a method for amplifying a signal, the arrangement including a transistor to amplify an input signal and to provide an intermediate signal. The intermediate signal is amplified to form an output signal which is fed back to the transistor.
A low leakage power management system is provided. An external voltage domain is selectively coupled to the internal voltage domain of an integrated circuit according to demand for the functions provided by the integrated circuit. An external voltage VDD is connected to the internal supply voltage plane of the integrated circuit when the integrated circuit is active. The external supply voltage VDD is disconnected from the integrated circuit chip during idle periods. A plurality of switch cells may be provided for connecting the external voltage VDD to the integrated circuit. A multi-step sequence is provided for connecting the external supply voltage VDD to the chip's internal supply voltage plane to prevent excessive current from flowing through any individual switch cell.
An internal voltage generation circuit for a semiconductor device and method therefor includes a voltage generator configured to generate voltages with different levels by using an external voltage. A code storing unit is configured to store a selection code to select an internal voltage out of the plurality of voltages. A decoding unit selects the internal voltage from among the plurality of voltages in response to the selection code in a normal mode, and selects the internal voltage out of the plurality of voltages in response to a test selection code set in a test mode. The interval voltage selected in the normal mode is used as an initial value that is a reference of the selection in the test mode.
An offset voltage temperature coefficient reduction system for a differential operational amplifier is disclosed. In one embodiment, the offset voltage temperature coefficient reduction system comprises a first current source generating a first current with a positive temperature coefficient and a second current source generating a second current with a negative temperature coefficient, where the first current source and the second current source are coupled to their respective output nodes of the differential op amp such that an error due to an input offset voltage of the differential operational amplifier is approximately constant over a range of temperature, and where a difference between the first current and the second current is approximately zero at a reference temperature. In similar manner, the offset voltage temperature coefficient can be also adjusted to desired value other than zero.
A quadrature phase correction circuit includes an N-bit code counter configured to generate an N-bit code value according to a detected phase difference when a quadrature phase correction is carried out, N-bit code values are stored according to a plurality of detected phase differences. A controller shares the N-bit code counter, controls the generation of the N-bit code values according to the plurality of detected phase differences, and controls the storing of the N-bit code values in an allocated space of the storage by use of a multiplexer configured to provide the plurality of detected phase differences to the N-bit code counter, and a demultiplexer configured to store the N-bit code values in the allocated space of the storage.
A phase shifter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an AC component amplifying unit; and a dividing circuit. The AC component amplifying unit has positive gain slope characteristics and deforms a waveform of an input differential clock signal to output the deformed differential clock signal. The dividing circuit includes a T-flipflop having two D latches connected in series and receives the deformed differential clock signal defoemed by the AC component amplifying unit to generate at least two output signals having a phase difference of 90 degrees with a frequency of ½ of the deformed differential clock signal.
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to the present invention comprises a clock tree circuit for delay-adjusting a clock signal using various delay amounts, and a clock synchronizing circuit to which the delay-adjusted clock signal is supplied. The clock tree circuit comprises a first clock tree cell provided in a poststage of a clock signal introducing terminal, a second clock tree cell provided in a prestage of the clock synchronizing circuit and a poststage of the first clock tree cell, and a clock ramification point provided in a prestage of the second clock tree cell. The clock synchronizing circuit comprises a first clock synchronizing circuit to which the clock signal delay-adjusted by the second clock tree cell and thereafter outputted from the clock tree circuit is supplied, and a second clock synchronizing circuit to which the clock signal outputted from the clock tree circuit at the clock ramification point is supplied.
In one embodiment, a phase detector is provided comprising a first input, a second input, and first circuitry in communication with the first and second inputs, the first circuitry operative to provide an indication of a phase difference between a first signal supplied by the first input and a second signal supplied by the second input, wherein an aberration in one of the first and second signals results in an incorrect indication of phase difference. The phase detector also comprises second circuitry in communication with the first circuitry, the second circuitry operative to provide a correct indication of phase difference despite the aberration in the at least one of the first and second signals. In another embodiment, a differential phase detector is provided.
Read interface circuitry is disclosed that facilitates using a source-synchronous clock signal to calibrate the read interface. In one embodiment, configurable read interface circuitry allows a particular read path to be configured for use in calibrating a read interface of the destination device. In particular, a plurality of read paths are provided, each read path having a configurable multiplexor (“mux”) coupled to a capture register of the read path such that the mux can be configured to select either an input coupled to an inverted output of the capture register or an input coupled to a prior register in the read data path. When the inverted output of the capture register is selected, a source-synchronous clock signal (e.g., DQS or delayed DQS signal) provided at the capture register's clock input results in a toggle signal at the capture register's output. In one embodiment, that toggle signal is provided to a re-sync register clocked by a re-sync clock signal. This toggle signal, together with another toggle signal generated at a toggle register coupled to the re-sync clock signal, are compared for various possible phases of the re-sync clock signal to determine a preferred phase of the re-sync clock signal. For other read paths, a mux coupled to a similar capture register is configured to select an input coupled to a prior register in the read path so that the read path can act as a path for incoming data signals (e.g., DQ signals).
An output of a driving circuit is controlled by selectively outputting a first voltage or a second voltage as an N-th output voltage level in response to a first control signal and an N-th input voltage level, where N is a natural number, and pre-charging the selected N-th output voltage level to a third voltage or a fourth voltage, in response to a second control signal, the pre-charging being preformed based on the selected N-th output voltage level and a newly input (N+1)th input voltage level.
A semiconductor integrated circuit including on the same semiconductor substrate: a first circuit block including a switching transistor which is off when the first circuit block is inactive and on when the first circuit block is active, the first circuit block including internal circuits adapted to provide predetermined functions, the internal circuits being connected to a first power line maintained at a low-level source voltage; a second circuit block including internal circuits adapted to provide predetermined functions, the internal circuits being connected to a second power line maintained at a low-level source voltage; a power line switch section connected between the first and second power lines; and a control circuit adapted to control the power line switch section so that the first and second power lines are connected together at a later timing or gradually over a longer period of time than the switching transistor turns on.
A locking mechanism and method for selectively fixing and allowing movement of a tip portion of a probe relative to a rigid portion of the probe are provided. The mechanism comprises a locking ball joint for selectively locking and allowing relative movement between the tip portion and the rigid portion and a sleeve about the ball joint. The locking ball joint is locked by the placement of the sleeve in a first position, thereby fixing the position of the tip portion relative to the rigid portion, and released by the placement of the sleeve in a second position, thereby allowing movement of the tip portion relative to the rigid portion.
A fuel cell diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses a fuel cell in which a plurality of power generating cells are stacked together includes a voltage applying device that applies voltage from outside of the fuel cell; a magnetic field measuring device that measures a magnetic field in or around the fuel cell when external voltage is being applied; and a diagnostic device that diagnoses the state of the fuel cell from the measurement results of the magnetic field. By diagnosing an in-plane distribution of current in the power generating cells by measuring the magnetic field, the distribution of water in an electrolyte membrane after power is generated can be diagnosed based on the diagnostic results of that in-plane distribution of the current.
A device and method for testing an electrical power branch circuit that includes hot, neutral and protective ground conductors and that carries alternating current. The device includes circuitry for determining the total available short-circuit current that can be carried by the neutral conductor, circuitry for determining the total available ground-fault current that can be carried by the protective ground conductor, and circuitry that, based on at least one of the determined short-circuit current and the determined ground-fault current, applies a short-circuit or ground-fault current to the electrical power branch circuit.
A method for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. A scanning path is specified. Gradient amplitude is determined as a function of arc-length along the scanning path in k-space. A time optimal gradient waveform for scanning the scanning path is calculated from the gradient amplitude. The scanning path is scanned using the time optimal gradient waveform.
The purpose is to achieve size reduction, weight reduction and thickness reduction of a magnetic material detecting device (1). The device comprises a linearly displaceable magnet (12) and a Hall IC (14) for detecting the displacement of the magnet (12). When an iron piece (28) is positioned within a predetermined distance from the main body of the magnetic material detecting device (1), the iron piece (28) is strongly magnetized to attract the magnet (12) so that the latter is displaced toward the iron piece (28). Therefore, when the displacement of a magnet (14) is detected by the Hall IC (14), it is possible to detect the fact that the iron piece (28) has been positioned within the predetermined distance from the main body of the magnetic material detecting device (1).
A system of optimally recharging a battery cell while powering a device connected to the battery pack, in which an electronic switch connects a battery pack power-output either to the battery cells or to a second power-input contact. When not recharging, the battery-pack power-output contact is connected to the battery cells, thereby powering the device from the cells. When recharging via a charging unit, the battery pack's power-output terminal is uncoupled from the cells and coupled to a power source of the charging unit, thereby powering the device from the charging unit. At the same time, a voltage is supplied to the battery cells, thereby recharging them. The switching may be activated by a voltage supplied by the charging unit to a temperature monitoring thermistor in the battery pack. In this way, the battery pack's power output may be automatically switched whenever it is placed in the charging unit.
An object of the present invention is to provide a battery state monitoring circuit and a battery device which are capable of normally operating when a charger (301) is connected to an opposite polarity in error, and then correctly connected. In the case where the charger (301) is connected to the opposite polarity in error and then correctly connected, a logic circuit (305) does not output a power-down signal that powers down the respective circuits to the respective circuits by the aid of a power-down preventing circuit (110). As a result, the battery device normally operates without falling into the power-down state.
A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life such as by preventing inter battery current flow from a higher potential battery to a lower potential battery coupled in parallel.
Provided are a method, computer-readable medium, and system for automatically determining a proper operational current input to an electric motor. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for determining the proper operational current input includes sending a test signal to an input of an electric motor. A response to the test signal is measured using an output of the electric motor. Based on the measured response, a position of a brush that is capable of conducting current through a commutator of the electric motor is determined. The electric motor is supplied with a first current input if the brush is in a first position and a second current input if the brush is in a second position.
An apparatus for detecting a type of fan and controlling the fan, the fan providing during operation a tachometer signal indicating a speed of the fan, the apparatus includes: a direct current (DC) generator for coupling to the fan and configured to provide a first voltage to the fan; a resistor for providing, while the DC generator provides the first voltage, a sensed voltage relating to the type of the fan, wherein the resistor is connected to a reference voltage and for coupling to a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control terminal of the fan; an input judgment component coupled to the resistor to receive the sensed voltage, the input judgment component being configured to determine whether the fan is a 4-wire PWM fan with an internal pull-up resistor based on the sensed voltage and to provide a judgment signal indicating the determination; a PWM generator coupled to the input judgment component to receive the judgment signal, the PWM generator being configured to provide to the fan a PWM control signal to control the fan if the judgment signal indicates that the fan is the 4-wire PWM fan with an internal pull-up resistor; and a tachometer coupled to the DC generator and the PWM generator, the tachometer being configured to receive the tachometer signal to detect a change in the speed of the fan.
To precisely detect the temperature of a power assist motor without using a temperature sensor and enhance an overheating protection function. A calorific value calculating unit calculates a calorific value based upon the difference between a calorific value by current supplied to a motor and the quantity of heat radiation. The output of the calorific value calculating unit is accumulated and an accumulated value is input to an accumulated value buffer. A cumulative value TS acquired by adding initial temperature T0 to a cumulative value Td is input to a ratio map of a target current value, ratio is read, and a target base current value is limited according to the ratio. The cumulative value TS used in the map is not an actual motor current value and is calculated based upon unlimited current acquired in an unlimited current calculating unit.
An exciting coil of a motor is formed to be controlled by using an analog timer, to thus control an excitation control circuit of a motor control apparatus, whereby an excitation control circuit which excites the exciting coil of a motor control apparatus can be simplified and complexity can be reduced by simplifying a circuit construction of an excitation controller. The apparatus includes an auxiliary winding (sub-coil) and a main winding (main coil), and an exciting device electrically connected with the auxiliary winding and the main winding, determines an excitation application time and an excitation time and generates an excitation current according to the determined excitation application time and the excitation time.
A color adjustable lamp may be controlled using a well-known TRIAC dimmer circuit. The color adjustable lamp comprises two or more light sources. Each light source may output light having a different color. By setting an output intensity of each light source, light having a desired color may be output. A circuit or a processing unit comprised in a lamp driving circuit may detect a set phase angle of the TRIAC dimmer circuit by determining a shape of the supplied alternating voltage. According to the determined shape, the circuit or processing unit controls a lamp driver circuit for each light source in order to control the intensity of the light output by each light source.
In an AC drive circuit for LEDs, a current limiting capacitor connects to an AC source, a first circuit portion, including a first rectifying diode and a first power capacitor, connects between the current limiting capacitor and the source and a second circuit portion, including a second rectifying diode in series with a second power capacitor, is in parallel with the first circuit portion. A first LED is in the first circuit portion in parallel with the first power capacitor, while a second LED in the second circuit portion is in parallel with the second power capacitor. During positive half cycles, the first rectifying diode charges the first power capacitor and drives the first LED. During negative half cycles, the second rectifying diode charges the second power capacitor and drives the second LED.
Method and apparatus for generating and sustaining a glow discharge plasma in a plasma discharge space comprising at least two spaced electrodes. The method and apparatus are arranged for performing the steps of introducing in the discharge space a gas or gas mixture under atmospheric pressure conditions, energizing the electrodes by applying an AC energizing voltage (Va) to the electrodes, and controlling the energizing voltage (Va) such that at plasma generation a sharp relative decrease of displacement current is provided.
An LED lamp 100 includes: an LED chip 10; a phosphor resin portion 12 that covers the LED chip 10; and a light-transmissive member 20 that covers the phosphor resin portion 12. The phosphor resin portion 12 includes: a phosphor for converting the emission of the LED chip 10 into light that has a longer wavelength than the emission; and a resin in which the phosphor is dispersed. The surface of the light-transmissive member 20 includes an upper surface portion 22 located over the LED chip 10 and a side surface portion 24 located around and below the upper surface portion 22. At least a part (low-transmittance part 26) of the side surface portion 24 of the light-transmissive member 20 has lower transmittance than the upper surface portion 22.
A top-emitting OLED device, comprising: one or more OLEDs formed on a substrate; a light-scattering layer formed over the one or more OLEDs; a transparent cover; one or more color filters formed on the transparent cover; a color-conversion material layer formed over the color filters, or formed over or integral with the light-scattering layer; wherein the substrate is aligned and affixed to the transparent cover so that the locations of the color filters and color conversion material correspond to the location of the OLEDs, and the color-conversion material layer, color filters, and the light-scattering layer are between the cover and substrate, and a low-index gap is formed between the light-scattering layer and the color filters, with no light-scattering layer being positioned between the color conversion material layer and the low-index gap.
Disclosed is a luminescent substance which has the structure EA3N2Si2O4:D, wherein EA=(Sr,Ba,Ca) and D=Eu, provides red emission, and is characterized by great stability and a simple production process. Said luminescent substance can be used for many different types of light sources.
Particles, which may include nanoparticles, are mixed with carbon nanotubes and deposited on a substrate to form a cold cathode. The particles enhance the field emission characteristics of the carbon nanotubes. An additional activation step may be performed on the deposited carbon nanotube mixture to further enhance the emission of electrons.
A technique for a display device using a display panel with Lambert light distribution, such as a plasma display panel, which displays a bright image with less contrast deterioration. This device has a front sheet which is integrally or separately located in front of the display panel. The front sheet includes light guides which extend in the horizontal direction and have a virtually convex cross section in the vertical direction with their apexes on the light exit side. A light reflection layer and a light-absorbing layer are sequentially stacked on the lateral sides of the light guides.
This invention relates to biomimetic electro-active paper actuators which are ultra lightweight, have a large deformation feature, are operated with low power consumption, are remotely driven by microwaves, and have suitable response speed, which are comprised of paper wherein micro fibrils of cellulose are arranged in a predetermined direction, electrodes which are deposited on both sides of the paper, a film rectenna which receives an electric field from outside and converts it into direct power, and a PAD logic circuit (power allocation & distribution) which receives a signal of direct power and converts/controls it into power force.
An automatic focus camera Unit 10, comprises; a piezoelectric element 13a; a driving shaft 13b to be driven by the piezoelectric element 13a; a moving unit 13c to be moved with respect to the driving shaft 13b by a friction force caused by the driving shaft 13b; a microcomputer unit 24 for controlling power supply to the piezoelectric element 13a, and in which the microcomputer unit 24 assumes a preprocessing mode of calculating an amount of adjustment for a power supply time in accordance with a moving direction of the moving unit 13c, and a movement controlling mode of adjusting the supply time and controlling power supply based on the moving direction and the amount of adjustment. In the preprocessing mode, the moving unit 13c is controlled based on the detecting result of the base end sensor 15 and moved in forward and backward directions using the base end position 15a as a reference point, and the amount of adjustment is calculated based on the supply time for which power is supplied while the moving unit 13c is moved in the forward direction and the supply time for which power is supplied while the moving unit 13c is moved in backward direction.
A gear housing accommodates a worm shaft. A brush holder includes a base member and a retaining member loosely fitted to the base member. The base member is located between the gear housing and the retaining member. The retaining member retains a first brush and a second brush. The retaining member has a pair of positioning poles, and the gear housing has a pair of positioning projections. The positioning poles and the positioning projections are engaged with each other so as to prevent the retaining member from being moved in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotary shaft.
Provided are stir-welded rotors and methods of making these. An exemplary stir-welded rotor may include a stack of laminations that each has spaced-apart slots arrayed on an outer circumference. The slots register with slot bars that each has a first extremity extending above the stack of laminations and a second extremity extending below the stack of laminations. A first weld extends between first extremities of adjacent slot bars, and a second stir weld extending between adjacent second extremities of adjacent slot bars.
A motor driven assembly includes a motor having a motor shaft mounted for rotation about a rotational axis and a rotor radially located about the shaft. The motor drives a compressor that receives air from the motor, compresses the air, and circulates the compressed air to a space. The motor includes a first cooling flow passage and a second cooling flow passage that each receive air to provide internal cooling of the motor. A portion of the air compressed in the compressor is diverted from the compressor to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger cools the compressed air from before the air circulates into the first cooling flow passage to cool the motor. The second cooling flow passage receives air from the environment surrounding the motor driven assembly to further cool the motor.
An energy supply unit for a measuring device for determining and/or monitoring a physical or chemical, process variable of a medium. Included is at least one voltage limiting unit and/or at least one current limiting unit in the energy supply unit, wherein the voltage limiting unit is embodied in such a manner that arising voltages remain under a value, which leads to an explosion in an explosion-endangered area, and wherein the current limiting unit is embodied in such a manner that arising currents and/or heatings associated therewith remain under a value, which leads to an explosion in an explosion-endangered area.
A latching assembly is used on a door of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes a main electric supply and a striker. The latching assembly includes a ratchet that is selectively rotatable with respect to the striker to latch and unlatch the door. The latching assembly includes a pawl that is selectively engagable with the ratchet to selectively prevent the ratchet from rotating. The latching assembly includes a motor which is electrically connected to the main electric power supply. The motor is operatively connected to the pawl for pivoting the pawl into and out of engagement with the ratchet. The latching assembly also includes a backup battery disposed adjacent the motor for supplying electric power when the motor is disconnected from the main electric supply.
An open/close detection unit detects whether a lid covering a charge connector is closed or opened, and outputs the result of detection to a vehicle control unit. A connection detection unit receives a first signal and detects whether a plug and the charge connector are connected or not based on the voltage of the first signal. The vehicle control unit determines, based on the result of detection by the connection detection unit and information about an external power supply indicated by a second signal, whether the first signal is normal. When the first signal is abnormal, the vehicle control unit determines, based on the result of detection by the open/close detection unit, whether the lid is closed. When the lid is closed, the vehicle control unit controls the vehicle state to be in the travel-enabled state.
This invention relates to ejecting an underfill resin at multiple semiconductor die edges such that vacuum suction provided at a laminate through hole located beneath a stage enables spread of underfill resin from each edge simultaneously for quicker spread and reduction of voids. The excess underfill resin intentionally suctioned through the through hole air vent on the underside of the laminate is attracted to re-usable tape. The attracted underfill resin is cleaned from a rotating head mechanism by a cleaning pad positioned beneath a lower surface of the head.
Via structures are described which pass through a semiconductor substrate assembly such as a semiconductor die or wafer and allows for two different types of connections to be formed during a single formation process. One connection passes through the wafer without being electrically coupled to the wafer, while the other connection electrically connects to a conductive pad. To connect to a pad, a larger opening is etched into an overlying dielectric layer, while to pass through a pad without connection, a narrower opening is etched into the overlying dielectric layer.
At temperatures near, and above, 385° C., gold can diffuse into silicon and into some contact materials. Gold, however, is an excellent material because it is corrosion resistant, electrically conductive, and highly reliable. Using an adhesion layer and removing gold from the contact area above and around a contact allows a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems device or semiconductor to be subjected to temperatures above 385° C. without risking gold diffusion. Removing the risk of gold diffusion allows further elevated temperature processing. Bonding a device substrate to a carrier substrate can be an elevated temperature process.
A chip-sized wafer level packaged device including a portion of a semiconductor wafer including a device, a packaging layer formed over the portion of the semiconductor wafer, the packaging layer including a material having thermal expansion characteristics similar to those of the semiconductor wafer and a ball grid array formed over a surface of the packaging layer and being electrically connected to the device.
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor element having a plurality of connection terminals, a circuit substrate electrically connected with the semiconductor element; and a connecting member arranged between the semiconductor element and the circuit substrate having a plurality of conductive projections each having a columnar portion, each of columnar portions are connected with each of connection terminals, a cross section of the columnar portion along a plane parallel to a surface of the semiconductor element being smaller than a surface area of each of connection terminals of the semiconductor element.
A semiconductor device and methods of forming same are disclosed having multiple die redistribution layer. After fabrication of semiconductor die on a wafer and prior to singulation from the wafer, adjacent semiconductor die are paired together and a redistribution layer may be formed across the die pair. The redistribution layer may be used to redistribute at least a portion of the bond pads from the first die in the pair to a second die in the pair. One die in each pair will be a working die and the other die in each pair will be a dummy die. The function of the integrated circuit beneath the redistribution layer on the dummy die is at least partially sacrificed.
An array of crystalline silicon dies on a substrate and a method for yielding the array are provided. The method comprises: delineating an array of die areas on a crystalline semiconductor wafer; implanting the die areas with hydrogen ions; overlying the die areas with a layer of polymer to form, for each die, an aggregate including a die area first wafer layer; polymerically bonding an optically clear carrier to the die areas; thermally annealing the wafer to induce breakage in the wafer; forming, for each die, an aggregate wafer second layer with a thickness less than the die thickness; and, for each die, conformably attaching the aggregate wafer second layer to a substrate. The substrate can have an area of up to approximately two square meters and the wafer second layer can have a thickness of greater than and equal to approximately 20 nanometers.
An integrated circuit (IC) device package is presented. A frame body has opposing first and second surfaces and a central opening that is open at the first and second surfaces. The second frame body surface is mounted to a first stiffener surface. An IC die is mounted to the first stiffener surface within the central opening through the frame body. A planar lid has opposing first and second surfaces. The second lid surface is coupled to the first frame body surface. A first substrate surface is coupled to a second stiffener surface. An array of electrically conductive terminals is coupled to a second substrate surface. The stiffener, frame body, and lid form an enclosure structure substantially enclosing the IC die. The die enclosure spreads heat from the IC die, and shields EMI emanating from and radiating toward the IC die. At least one tab protrudes from the second surface of the frame body. At least one receptacle formed in the first surface of the stiffener corresponding to the at least one tab. The at least one tab is coupled with the at least one corresponding receptacle, whereby structural coupling of said frame body to said stiffener is substantially improved.
A universal micro-electro mechanical (MEM) device package is provided as having a relatively thin silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer having a top surface and a bottom surface. At least on MEM device maybe disposed on the top surface of the SOI wafer. A support member may be disposed on predetermined portions of the top surface of the SOI wafer to substantially surround the MEM device. A cap layer may be positioned over and in contact relationship with the support member. In this arrangement, the support member cooperates with the cap layer and predetermined portions of the top surface of the SOI wafer to form a hermetically sealed chamber surrounding the MEM device.
A semiconductor component and method for producing. The semiconductor component includes a semiconductor device and a leadframe. A package layout is defined and the orientation of electrically conductive members with respect to the semiconductor device and inner contact areas of the leadframe is altered so as to maximize the interfacial bonding area. The constraints of the standard package dimensions and the component assembly method are taken into account.
An integrated battery package, that contains semiconductor chips, for example to control and regulate battery charging and to monitor the package operation, uses a single lead frame to interconnect several internal chips, to internally connect said control chips to the battery and to connect the whole package assembly externally. The invention eliminates the need for any additional connecting mechanism. The invention uses established production processes. A molding process, similar to plastic chip encapsulation, encloses the battery controlling chips and forms at the same time the body of the battery package. An additional cover, sealed to said body, closes the battery package.
A lead frame unit, a semiconductor package having a lead frame unit, a stacked semiconductor package having a semiconductor package, and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The lead frame unit in a stacked semiconductor package may include a die pad supporting a semiconductor chip, an inner lead electrically connected to the semiconductor chip, an outer lead extending from the inner lead, and a heat-resistant insulation member surrounding the connection portion. The outer lead may include a connection portion connected to the inner lead and a junction portion connected to the connection portion and a circuit board. An external signal may be applied to the junction portion. If the lead frame unit is used in the stacked semiconductor package, the outer lead and a dummy outer lead in the stacked semiconductor package may have substantially the same shape.
A multi-chip device and method of stacking a plurality substantially identical chips to produce the device are provided. The multi-chip device, or circuit, includes at least one through-chip via providing a parallel connection between signal pads from at least two chips, and at least one through-chip via providing a serial or daisy chain connection between signal pads from at least two chips. Common connection signal pads are arranged symmetrically about a center line of the chip with respect to duplicate common signal pads. Input signal pads are symmetrically disposed about the center line of the chip with respect to corresponding output signal pads. The chips in the stack are alternating flipped versions of the substantially identical chip to provide for this arrangement. At least one serial connection is provided between signal pads of stacked and flipped chips when more than two chips are stacked.
Disclosed is a semiconductor structure that incorporates a capacitor for reducing the soft error rate of a device within the structure. The multi-layer semiconductor structure includes an insulator-filled deep trench isolation structure that is formed through an active silicon layer, a first insulator layer, and a first bulk layer and extends to a second insulator layer. The resulting isolated portion of the first bulk layer defines the first capacitor plate. A portion of the second insulator layer that is adjacent the first capacitor plate functions as the capacitor dielectric. Either the silicon substrate or a portion of a second bulk layer that is isolated by a third insulator layer and another deep trench isolation structure can function as the second capacitor plate. A first capacitor contact couples, either directly or via a wire array, the first capacitor plate to a circuit node of the device in order to increase the critical charge, Qcrit, of the circuit node.
Method of fabricating 3-dimensional force input control device are disclosed. These roughly follow a process of providing a first substrate having side one and side two, fabricating stress-sensitive IC components and signal processing IC on the side one of the first substrate, fabricating closed trenches on the side two of the first substrate within each die area, said closed trenches create elastic element, frame area and at least one rigid island separated from the frame areas, providing a second substrate having side one and side two, patterning side two of the second substrate to define areas for deep etching, creating a layer of bonding material in the local areas on at least one of the surfaces of the side one of the second substrate and the side two of the first substrate, aligning and bonding the side two of the first substrate with the side one of the second substrate, etching the second substrate from the side two through to the first substrate, dicing two bonded substrates onto multiple separate dice, resulting in processed, aligned, bonded and diced batch fabricated low cost 3D force input control devices.
An integrated circuit including a dielectric layer and a method for manufacturing. One embodiment provides a substrate having a first side and a second side and at least one dielectric layer. The dielectric layer includes a zirconium oxide and at least one dopant selected from the group consisting of hafnium and titanium and having a first side and a second side. The first side of the dielectric layer is arranged at least on a subarea of the first side of the semiconductor substrate.
Provides a field-enhanced programmable resistance memory cell. In an example embodiment, a resistor includes a resistance structure between a first electrode and a second electrode. The resistance structure includes an insulating dielectric material. The second electrode includes a protrusion extending into the resistance structure. The insulating dielectric material includes a material in which a confined conductive region with a programmable resistance is formable via a conditioning signal.
An insulated gate silicon carbide semiconductor device is provided having small on-resistance in a structure obtained by combining the SIT and MOSFET structures having normally-off operation. The device includes an n− semiconductor layer on an SiC n+ substrate, a p-type base region and highly doped p-region both buried in the layer, a trench from the semiconductor layer surface to the p-base region, an n+ first source region in the surface of a p-type base region at the bottom of the trench, a p-type channel region in the surface of the sidewall of the trench, one end of which contacts the first source region, a gate electrode contacting the trench-side surface of the channel region via a gate insulating film, and a source electrode contacting the trench-side surface of the gate electrode via an interlayer insulating film and contacting the exposed first source region and p-base region at the bottom of the trench.
To reduce the size and improve the power added efficiency of an RF power module having an amplifier element composed of a silicon power MOSFET, the on resistance and feedback capacitance, which were conventionally in a trade-off relationship, are reduced simultaneously by forming the structure of an offset drain region existing between a gate electrode and an n+ type drain region of the power MOSFET into a double offset one. More specifically, this is accomplished by adjusting the impurity concentration of an n− type offset drain region, which is closest to the gate electrode, to be relatively low and adjusting the impurity concentration of an n type offset drain region, which is distant from the gate electrode, to be relatively high.
The present invention relates to a non-volatile memory device on a substrate layer comprising semiconductor source and drain regions, a semiconductor channel region, a charge storage stack and a control gate; the channel region being fin-shaped having two sidewall portions and a top portion, and extending between the source region and the drain region; the charge storage stack being positioned between the source and drain regions and extending over the fin-shaped channel, substantially perpendicularly to the length direction of the fin-shaped channel; the control gate being in contact with the charge storage stack, wherein—an access gate is provided adjacent to one sidewall portion and separated therefrom by an intermediate gate oxide layer, and—the charge storage stack contacts the fin-shaped channel on the other sidewall portion and is separated from the channel by the intermediate gate oxide layer.
A semiconductor memory includes: a first memory cell transistor including: a first floating gate electrode provided on and insulated from the substrate; and a first control gate electrode provided on and insulated from the first floating gate electrode; and a second memory cell transistor including: a second floating gate electrode provided on and insulated from the substrate, an upper surface being larger than a lower surface, and the upper surface being lower than an upper surface of the first floating gate electrode; and a second control gate electrode provided on and insulated from the second floating gate electrode.
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes loading a semiconductor substrate into a reaction chamber, and providing metal organic precursors including hafnium and zirconium into the reaction chamber to form hafnium-zirconium oxide (HfxZr1-xO; 0
To fabricate an active matrix type display device integrated with an image sensor at a low cost and without complicating process, an image sensor laminated with TFT and a light receiving unit is formed on a light receiving matrix, a display matrix is arranged with TFT and pixel electrodes on a matrix and formed with an electrode layer functioning as a black matrix, a lower electrode of the light receiving unit is formed by a starting film the same as that of the black matrix, a terminal for fixing potential of an upper electrode is formed by starting films the same as those of a signal line, the electrode layer or pixel electrodes and the terminals function also as shield electrodes for a side face of the light receiving unit since potential thereof is fixed.
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of repeatable circuit cells connectable to one or more conductors providing at least electrical connection to the circuit cells and/or electrical connection between one or more circuit elements in the cells. Each of the circuit cells are configured having gates and active regions forming a grating, wherein, for a given active layer in the device, a width of each active region is substantially the same relative to one another, a spacing between any two adjacent active regions is substantially the same, a width of each gate is substantially the same relative to one another, and a spacing between any two adjacent gates is substantially the same.
The lighting device mainly contains a first material, a second material, at a light generation chip, and multiple metallic leads. The metallic leads are sandwiched between the first and second materials, and arranged in a radial manner around the indentation or the raised stand. The center of the first material has an obconical through channel and the center of the second material has either an indentation or a raised stand. The light generation chips are positioned in the center of the second material. High thermal conducting insulation paste is provided between the first material, the metallic leads, and the second material so that they are electrical insulated from each other. The present invention could achieve versatile color combinations and high brightness under superior heat dissipation effect, and could be applied in various types of packaging and welding.
A nitride semiconductor light emitting device comprising an n-side nitride semiconductor layer and a p-side nitride semiconductor layer formed on a substrate, with a light transmitting electrode 10 formed on the p-side nitride semiconductor layer, and the p-side pad electrode 14 formed for the connection with an outside circuit, and the n-side pad electrode 12 formed on the n-side nitride semiconductor layer for the connection with the outside circuit, so as to extract light on the p-side nitride semiconductor layer side, wherein taper angles of end faces of the light transmitting electrode 10 and/or the p-side nitride semiconductor layer are made different depending on the position.
In one embodiment, sub-micron size granules of TiO2, ZrO2, or other white colored non-phosphor inert granules are mixed with a silicone encapsulant and applied over an LED. In one experiment, the granules increased the light output of a GaN LED more than 5% when the inert material was between about 2.5-5% by weight of the encapsulant. Generally, a percentage of the inert material greater than 5% begins to reduce the light output. If the LED has a yellowish YAG phosphor coating, the white granules in the encapsulant make the LED appear whiter when the LED is in an off state, which is a more pleasing color when the LED is used as a white light flash in small cameras. The addition of the granules also reduces the variation of color temperature over the view angle and position over the LED, which is important for a camera flash and projection applications.
A semiconductor light-emitting device (1) includes a semiconductor multilayer film (11), a base material (12) for supporting the semiconductor multilayer film (11), a first feed terminal (17a), and a second feed terminal (17b). A protruding portion (12c) is formed on the back surface (12b) of the base material (12) that is opposite to the principal surface (12a) facing the semiconductor multilayer film (11). The first and second feed terminals (17a, 17b) are formed in contact with at least one selected from the portions (12d) of the back surface (12b) other than the protruding portion (12c) and the sides (12e) of the base material (12). The end face (121c) of the protruding portion (12c) is insulated electrically from the first and second feed terminals (17a, 17b). With this configuration, the semiconductor light-emitting device can improve the heat dissipation and achieve high integration easily.
A radiation-emitting semiconductor chip is specified, comprising a semiconductor body (3) having an n-conducting region (4) and a p-conducting region (5), the semiconductor body having a hole barrier layer containing a material from the material system InyGa1-x-yAlxN.
A thin film transistor and a liquid crystal display, in which a gate electrode is formed to include at least one portion extending in a direction perpendicular to a gain growing direction in order to make electrical charge mobility of TFTs uniform without increasing the size of the driving circuit. A thin film transistor according to the present invention includes a semiconductor pattern a thin film of poly-crystalline silicon containing grown grains on the insulating substrate. The semiconductor pattern includes a channel region and source and drain regions opposite with respect to the channel region. A gate insulating layer covers the semiconductor pattern. On the gate insulating layer, a gate electrode including at least one portion extending in a direction crossing the growing direction of the grains and overlapping the channel region is formed. In a liquid crystal display, a plurality of thin film transistors forming a data driver circuit include thin films of polycrystalline silicon formed by sequential lateral solidification, at least one portion of a gate electrode of each thin film transistor extends in a direction crossing the grain growing direction, and at least one of the plurality of thin film transistors has a gate electrode having a pattern different from other thin film transistors.
An amorphous oxide containing hydrogen (or deuterium) is applied to a channel layer of a transistor. Accordingly, a thin film transistor having superior TFT properties can be realized, the superior TFT properties including a small hysteresis, normally OFF operation, a high ON/OFF ratio, a high saturated current, and the like. Furthermore, as a method for manufacturing a channel layer made of an amorphous oxide, film formation is performed in an atmosphere containing a hydrogen gas and an oxygen gas, so that the carrier concentration of the amorphous oxide can be controlled.
An active matrix display comprising a light control device and a field effect transistor for driving the light control device. The active layer of the field effect transistor comprises an amorphous.
A field effect transistor is provided which comprises an organic semiconductor layer comprising a compound having a monobenzoporphyrin skeleton represented by the general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, and alkyl, alkenyl, oxyalkyl, thioalkyl, alkyl ester and aryl groups each having 1 to 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that adjacent R1 may be the same or different and adjacent R2 may be the same or different and that at least two of R2 are not hydrogen atoms; R3 is a hydrogen atom or an aryl group; and M denotes two hydrogen atoms, a metal atom or a metal oxide.
A light emitting diode is disclosed that includes a support structure and a Group III nitride light emitting active structure mesa on the support structure. The mesa has its sidewalls along an indexed crystal plane of the Group III nitride. A method of forming the diode is also disclosed that includes the steps of removing a substrate from a Group III nitride light emitting structure that includes a sub-mount structure on the Group III nitride light emitting structure opposite the substrate, and thereafter etching the surface of the Group III nitride from which the substrate has been removed with an anisotropic etch to develop crystal facets on the surface in which the facets are along an index plane of the Group III nitride. The method can also include etching the light emitting structure with an anisotropic etch to form a mesa with edges along an index plane of the Group III nitride.
A semiconductor memory device comprising: first and second wirings arranged in a matrix; and a memory cell being provided at an intersecting point of the first and second wirings and including a resistance change element and an ion conductor element connected to each other in a cascade arrangement between the first and second wirings.
An electric device has an electrically switchable resistor (2′) comprising a phase change material. The resistance value of the resistor can be changed between at least two values by changing the phase of the phase change material within a part of the resistor called the switching zone (12′) using Joule heating of the resistor. The device comprises a body (24′) encapsulating the resistor, which body comprises at least two abutting regions (26′, 28′) having different thermally insulating properties. These regions form a thermally insulating contrast with which the dimension of the switching zone can be determined without having to alter the dimensions of the resistor. Such a device can be used in electronic memory or reconfigurable logic circuits.
A method of imaging and identifying defects and contamination on the surface of an integrated circuit is described. The method may be used on areas smaller than one micron in diameter. An energetic beam, such as an electron beam, is directed at a selected IC location having a layer of a solid, fluid or gaseous reactive material formed over the surface. The energetic beam disassociates the reactive material in the region into chemical radicals that either chemically etch the surface preferentially, or deposit a thin layer of a conductive material over the local area around the energetic beam. The surface may be examined as various layers are selectively etched to decorate defects and/or as various layers are locally deposited in the area around the energetic beam. SEM imaging and other analytic methods may be used to identify the problem more easily.
A photo controller circuit for use in hazardous areas has an output switching (OS) circuit comprising an alternistor for ON/OFF switching of a load, and an optoisolator for gating the alternistor. A light to voltage converter (LVC) circuit generates a DC voltage proportional to detected incident light. A hysteresis control (HS) circuit comprises a voltage comparator for generating an output depending on the DC voltage and the state of the OS circuit. An integrator and switching (IS) circuit turns on and activates the optoisolator when the output of the HC circuit indicates the detected incident light is below a selected level, and turns off and deactivates the optoisolator when the output of the HC circuit indicates the detected incident light is above a selected level. The IS circuit time delays the output of the HC circuit prior activating or deactivating the optoisolator. The electronic components are rated for 125° C.
Thermal control is provided for an extraction electrode of an ion-beam producing system that prevents formation of deposits and unstable operation and enables use with ions produced from condensable vapors and with ion sources capable of cold and hot operation. Electrical heating of the extraction electrode is employed for extracting decaborane or octadecaborane ions. Active cooling during use with a hot ion source prevents electrode destruction, permitting the extraction electrode to be of heat-conductive and fluorine-resistant aluminum composition. The service lifetime of the system is enhanced by provisions for in-situ etch cleaning of the ion source and extraction electrode, using reactive halogen gases, and by having features that extend the service duration between cleanings, including accurate vapor flow control and accurate focusing of the ion beam optics. A remote plasma source delivers F or Cl ions to the de-energized ion source for the purpose of cleaning deposits in the ion source and the extraction electrode. These techniques enable long equipment uptime when running condensable feed gases such as sublimated vapors, and are particularly applicable for use with so-called cold ion sources and universal ion sources. Methods and apparatus are described which enable long equipment uptime when decaborane and octadecaborane are used as feed materials, as well as when vaporized elemental arsenic and phosphorus are used, and which serve to enhance beam stability during ion implantation.
A fiber-optic scintillation radiation detector includes: a cladding; a core extending within the cladding; and a scintillator contiguous with the core within the cladding responsive to particle and/or photon radiation by providing scintillation photons, which are then primarily propagated in the core.
An electron microscope stage mechanism capable of performing high-accuracy positioning while limiting vibration and drift. An ultrasonic motor is used in a stage drive mechanism, and a fixing mechanism capable of increasing stop stiffness is combined integrally with the motor. That is, a structure in which a piezoelectric actuator of the fixing mechanism is mounted in a pre-load mechanism together with the ultrasonic motor is used. When the stage is fixed by the fixing mechanism after acceleration, deceleration and positioning of the stage performed by the drive mechanism, the piezoelectric actuators positioned on opposite sides of the stage are extended to press the stage.
A mammographic system as a radiation image capturing apparatus includes a radiation source for emitting radiation, a solid-state detector for detecting radiation emitted from the radiation source and generating a radiation image based on such radiation, AEC sensors for detecting a radiation dose emitted from the radiation source, a radiation source controller for controlling the dose emitted from the radiation source based on output signals from the AEC sensors, a reference output storage unit for storing reference output ranges defining respective ranges of reference output signals for the solid-state detector and the AEC sensors, and a malfunction detector for comparing output signals generated by the solid-state detector and the AEC sensors with the respective reference output ranges to detect a malfunction of the solid-state detector, the AEC sensors, or the radiation source.
In some embodiments, an electron multiplier includes a neutron-sensitive composition having, in weight percent, approximately 30% to approximately 60% silicon oxide, approximately 20% to approximately 60% lead oxide, and approximately 1% to approximately 15% boron-10 enriched boron oxide. The composition is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade. The electron multiplier can be in the form of a microchannel plate, a microfiber plate, or a microsphere plate.
A neutron detection structure built from a Silicon-On-Insulator memory cell includes a conversion layer for converting incident neutrons into emitted charged particles, a device layer for receiving the emitted charged particles, a buried oxide layer separating the conversion layer from the device layer and directly adjacent to the conversion layer and the device layer, an isolation layer, a passivation layer formed on the isolation layer opposite the device layer and buried oxide layer, a carrier adhered by an adhesion layer to the passivation layer opposite the isolation layer, and a plurality of conductive contacts to provide electrical contact to the device layer. A corresponding method for fabricating such a structure includes permanently bonding a carrier to a passivated SOI SRAM wafer, removing an insulative substrate, depositing a conversion layer where at least a portion of the insulative substrate was removed, and forming at least one opening in the conversion layer and the buried oxide layer to provide at least one electrical contact to the device layer.
Parameters T1, T2, and K required by a scintillator array identification mechanism in a two-stage scintillator γ-ray detector (depth of interaction (DOI)) are accurately and easily determined. The parameters required by the scintillator array identification mechanism are determined with reference to a first signal count ratio, which is obtained by irradiating a γ-ray on each scintillator array with luminescence pulses in an incident depth direction of the γ-ray having different attenuation time during an inspection stage of the γ-ray detector single unit. Furthermore, a second signal count ratio is obtained by irradiating the γ-ray on a front surface of the γ-ray detector single unit, and then a third signal count ratio is obtained by irradiating the γ-ray on the front surface after the γ-ray detector single unit is installed in a PET device.
According to one aspect, an IR spectrometer includes a light source adapted to illuminate a sample, a grating adapted to spectrally disperse a light that has illuminated the sample, a MEMS array adapted to be electrostatically actuated by a controller to control a diffraction of the light, a detector configured to detect the light, and a power source adapted to supply power to the light source and to the MEMS array, wherein the controller is adapted to control the MEMS array so as to manage a power consumption of the IR spectrometer. In one embodiment, the IR spectrometer includes a housing sized and arranged to house the light source, the grating, the MEMS array, the controller, the detector, to and the power source in a hand-held device.
A compact, low power ambient pressure pyroelectric ionization source. The source can be constructed using a z-cut lithium niobate or lithium tantalate crystal with an attached resistive heater mounted in front of the atmospheric pressure inlet of an ion trap mass spectrometer. Positive and negative ion formation alternately results from thermally cycling the crystal over a narrow temperature range. Ionization of molecules such as 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol or benzoic acid results in the observation of the singly deprotonated species and their clusters in the negative ion mass spectrum. Ionization of molecules such as triethylamine or triphenylamine with the source results in observation of the corresponding singly protonated species of each in the positive ion mass spectrum. The pyroelectric crystals are thermally cycled by as little as 30 K from ambient temperature. Ion formation is largely unaffected by contamination of the crystal faces. This ion source is robust.
Methods and systems for measuring charges deposited on resistive and/or pixilated electrodes are described. The system includes a Time-of-Flight (TOF) detector with precise timing information provided by a discriminator implemented as a combination of a leading edge discriminator and a constant fraction discriminator. The discriminator initiates acquisition of the peak amplitude for accurate TOF measurements substantially independent of the signal amplitude at the input of the discriminator. The disclosed charge detection electronics has applications for space-based experiments.
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a laser processing apparatus that can use the shape of a plurality of reflected light fluxes to adjust the position of workpiece relative to an optical system, where the laser processing apparatus facilitates both the viewing of the workpiece and a focusing of a processing laser into the workpiece.
Methods and integrated apparatus are disclosed for electrically disconnecting and allowing external support and access for electrical devices in a power conversion system cabinet. The apparatus includes a support structure that translates a power conversion system component at least partially through a door or other cabinet opening between a first position with the component entirely within the cabinet and a second position with the component supported at least partially outside the cabinet, as well as a power disconnect apparatus operated by translation of the support structure to disconnect the component from electrical power when the support is translated from the first position to the second position.
The cable of the present invention contains at least one pair of insulated conductors and an optional drain wire. The insulate conductors and drain wire is longitudinally covered in a shielding tape, which preferably comprises a metallic sheet having an adhesive applied on selected portions of a surface of the metallic sheet. The adhesive is preferably applied in a checker board pattern so that the surface having adhesive thereon contains areas of uncoated, exposed metal forming contact pads. The shielding tape is then covered with two layers of polymeric tapes in opposite helical directions. The polymeric tape is preferably constructed of a polymeric sheet having a layer of adhesive disposed on a surface thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the tapes are wrapped around the shielding tape in opposite directions such that the adhesive surfaces face each other. The tapes are then optionally covered with a jacket.
A content searching method includes the steps of: detecting movements of a user as movement information; detecting a movement pattern of the user as key information from the movement information; and searching for a piece of content having a content pattern according to the key information among a plurality of pieces of content.
In accordance with the invention, a sound box for an instrument is provided exhibiting a 3-D bracing system. The bracing system comprises a plurality of braces on both the sound board and the bottom board of the sound box. The braces exhibit varying heights and configurations to, among other things, increase the strength without increasing the weight unnecessarily.
A novel maize variety designated PHRDW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHRDW with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHRDW through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHRDW or a trait conversion of PHRDW with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHRDW, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHRDW and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
An inbred corn line, designated BS112, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line BS112, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line BS112 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line BS112 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line BS112, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line BS112 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
A soybean cultivar designated S080007 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S080007, to the plants of soybean S080007, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S080007 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S080007 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S080007, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S080007 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S080007 with another soybean cultivar.
The subject invention concerns new classes of pesticidally active proteins and the polynucleotide sequences that encode these proteins. In preferred embodiments, these pesticidal proteins have molecular weights of approximately 40-50 kDa and of approximately 10-15 kDa.
Transformed plants which have increased or decreased linolenic acid content are disclosed. Also disclosed are plants which express a linoleic acid desaturase gene.
A gene relating to the regeneration ability of plants was successfully isolated and identified using linkage analysis. Furthermore, methods for breeding highly regenerative varieties, methods for transforming unculturable varieties, and methods for selecting transformed cells, wherein these methods utilize this gene, were also discovered. The present invention is useful in fields such as cultivar improvement and gene analysis that uses transformation methods.
A promoter isolated from Zea mays, designated the P95 promoter, provides a high level of specificity for expression in developing pollen, particularly at the mid-uninucleate stage, as confirmed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analyzes of RNA samples from various tissues. Compositions and methods of use of the P95 promoter are disclosed.
A process for alkylation or transalkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound having reactive impurities with an alkylating agent to produce a monoalkylated aromatic compound, comprising the steps of contacting at least a portion of said alkylatable aromatic compounds and said alkylating agent with a first molecular sieve catalyst in a guard bed under suitable conditions to remove said reactive impurities and form a first effluent comprising monoalkylated aromatic compound, unreacted alkylatable aromatic compounds and unreacted alkylating agent; contacting said first effluent with a second molecular sieve catalyst different from said first molecular sieve catalyst in said reaction zone under suitable alkylation or transalkylation conditions to produce additional said monoalkylated aromatic compounds; and maintaining said water content from about 1 wppm to about 10 wt. % based on the combined weight of said alkylatable aromatic compound and said alkylating agent in said reaction zone for the majority of the on-oil time.
The invention relates to a process for producing an alcohol including hydrogenating an aldehyde using a hydrogenation catalyst and subjecting the resultant product to distillation/purification, wherein the resultant hydrogenation product is subjected to distillation/purification in the absence of the hydrogenation catalyst or in the presence of the hydrogenation catalyst in such an amount that does not cause a dehydrogenation reaction.
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol, in which a glycerol-containing stream, in particular a stream obtained on an industrial scale in the production of biodiesel, is subjected to a hydrogenation.
A process is disclosed for the synthesis of formaldehyde from methane starting with the oxychlorination of methane to produce methylene chloride. Hydrolysis of methylene chloride yields the product formaldehyde. Byproduct chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are recovered and hydrogenated to provide additional methylene chloride.
The present invention relates to certain carbocyclic and oxacarbocyclic fumaric acid oligomers and the use thereof for preparing a pharmaceutical preparation as well of pharmaceutical preparations containing these compounds.
Substituted 3-phenylpiperidine compounds corresponding to Formula I in which R1 and R2 have the meanings defined in the specification, methods for preparing such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and the use of such compounds for treating or inhibiting various conditions, especially pain.
A novel aromatic compound having an anthracene skeleton structure and an asymmetric molecular structure; and an organic electroluminescence device which comprises a cathode, an anode and an organic thin film layer comprising at least one layer containing a light emitting layer and sandwiched between the cathode and the anode in which at least one layer in the organic thin film layer contains the above novel aromatic compound singly or as a component of a mixture. The organic electroluminescence device exhibits a great luminance of emitted light, a great efficiency of light emission and a high purity of color, emits bluish light, is excellent in stability at high temperatures and has a long life. The organic electroluminescence device can be provided by utilizing the novel aromatic compound.
Disclosed herein are a di-(4-vinylpyridine) metal phthalocyanine compound in which 4-vinylpyridines as ligands are included in a phthalocyanine having a metal, a composition comprising the same and a preparation method thereof. The di-(4-vinylpyridine) metal phthalocyanine compound has an excellent UV blocking effect together with low surface resistance and is prepared but by charging a powder phase with nitrogen, not by dissolving raw materials in an organic solvent as in the prior art.
A process for preparing a compound represented by the formula (I): comprising reacting a compound represented by the formula (II) or salt thereof: with a compound represented by the formula (III): in the presence of a condensation reagent, wherein R1 represents 1) optionally substituted azetidin-1-yl, 2) optionally substituted pyrrolidin-1-yl, 3) optionally substituted piperidin-1-yl, etc.; R2, R3, R4 and R5 may be the same or different and each represents hydrogen or fluorine; and R6 represents hydrogen or fluorine.
The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a non-oligomerizing Clavularia teal fluorescent protein (mTFP) variant having a tyrosine-derived chromophore, as well as fragments and derivatives thereof. Also provided is a method for engineering the nucleic acid sequence, a vector comprising the nucleic acid sequence, a host cell comprising the vector, and use of the vector in a method for expressing the nucleic acid sequence. The present invention further provides an isolated nucleic acid, or mimetic or complement thereof, that hybridizes under stringent conditions to the nucleic acid sequence. Additionally, the present invention provides a non-oligomerizing mTFP variant encoded by the nucleic acid sequence, as well as derivatives, fragments, and homologues thereof. Also provided is an antibody that specifically binds to the mTFP variant. The present invention further provides a tandem dimer comprising two mTFP dimers, operatively linked by a peptide linker.
The invention relates to novel nucleic acids encoding a mammalian PCADM-1 gene, and proteins encoded thereby, whose expression is increased in certain diseases, disorders, or conditions, including, but not limited to, prostate cancer. The invention further relates to methods of detecting and treating prostate cancer, comprising modulating or detecting PCADM-1 expression and/or production and activity of PCADM-1 polypeptide. Further, the invention relates to novel assays for the identification of DNA-binding proteins and the double-stranded oligonucleotide sequences that specifically bind with them. Finally, the invention relates to DNAZYMs or DNA enzymes which specifically bind PCADM-1 mRNA to inhibit PCADM-1 gene expression and thereby destroy tumor cells and tumor tissue.
The invention provides improved agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of Aβ in the brain of a patient. Preferred agents include humanized antibodies.
The invention concerns a liquid aqueous composition comprising (i) a factor VII polypeptide, (ii) an agent suitable for keeping pH in the range of from about 4.0 to about 9.0; (iii) an agent selected from the group consisting of: a calcium salt, a magnesium salt, or a mixture thereof; wherein the concentration of (iii) is less than 15 mM; and (iv) An ionic strength modifying agent; wherein the ionic strength of the composition is at least 200 mM.
Disclosed are novel materials and screening methods for diagnosing and monitoring cognitive disorders, as well as for identifying compounds for treating such disorders.
Disclosed herein is a novel functional diamine compound having a dendron structure, polyamic acid which is produced using functional diamine, aromatic cyclic diamine, aliphatic cyclic acid dianhydride, and aromatic cyclic acid dianhydride, polyimide which is produced by imidizing polyamic acid, and an LC alignment film produced using polyimide. Even if the diamine compound is used in a small amount, it is possible to realize a high pretilt angle, thus the pretilt angle is easily controlled. Therefore, it can be used to produce an LC alignment film using a twisted nematic (TN) mode, in which the pretilt angle of liquid crystal is low, and a vertically aligned (VA) mode, which requires a high pretilt angle of about 90°.
The invention relates to formulated compositions which can be easily formed into bottle caps, without the need for a liner, while still maintaining pressure requirements, such as for carbonated beverages. The compositions may include an ethylene polymer having a density in the range of from about 0.947 to 0.962 g/cm3, a melt index of from about 1 to about 10 g/10 min., and another ethylene polymer having a density in the range of from about 0.912 to 0.932 g/cm3, a melt index of from about 0.25 to about 6 g/10 min., wherein the two ethylene polymers have a density difference of equal to or greater than 0.03 g/cm3. In other cases, the composition may include a single component resin with a density in the 0.935-0.955 g/cm3 range with a melt index in the range of 0.3-1.2 g/10 minutes, and wherein the resin comprises a polyethylene polymer.
High refractive index copolymers suitable for use in ophthalmic devices are disclosed. The copolymers comprise a single aryl hydrophobic monomer as a device forming monomer. In addition, the copolymers comprise a non-polymerizable block copolymer surfactant. The copolymers have a reduced tendency to form glistenings when stored in water at physiological temperatures.
This invention relates to latex dispersions that are based on (co)polymers with one or more n-alkyl(meth)acrylate monomers with n a varying from 6 to 40, and optionally one or more monomers that are not very water-soluble of the (meth)acrylic and/or vinyl type, optionally one or more polar monomers that are selected from among the (meth)acrylamides and their derivatives and optionally one or more monomers that are selected from among the ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic and/or dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides.These dispersions are obtained by radical-type emulsion polymerization in the presence of water.They can be used as is for the inhibition of the deposition of paraffins that are contained in the crude petroleum hydrocarbons or else diluted in one or more solvents.
In a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion selected from drilling fluids, hydraulic cement compositions, mineral pigment containing coatings, and papermaking furnishes or in a method of preparing a melt extrudate, the improvement comprising: a) producing a copolymer of vinyl alcohol (VOH) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid or a salt of such acid (AMPS) by steps including continuously feeding with agitation, vinyl acetate (VAM) and AMPS as comonomers, a free radical yielding polymerization initiator, and a solvent for said comonomers, initiator, and copolymer resulting from the copolymerization of said comonomers, maintaining the resulting reaction mass in said first reaction zone under polymerization conditions for a residence time sufficient for a major proportion of AMPS fed to said first reaction zone to polymerize, continuously feeding reaction mass from said first reaction zone with an additional supply of AMPS to a second reaction zone, maintaining the reaction mass in the second reaction zone for a residence time sufficient to polymerize a major proportion of the AMPS added to the second reaction zone, continuously withdrawing reaction mass from the second reaction zone, separating copolymer of VAM and AMPS from the latter reaction mass, and saponifying by hydrolysis and/or alcoholysis a major proportion of the acetate groups in said copolymer to form a copolymer of VOH and AMPS; and b) incorporating the saponified copolymer into the aqueous dispersion or melt extrudate.
The invention provides a process for the purification of polymer polyols that ensures a reduction of acrylonitrile, styrene as well as the residual amounts of optionally used chain regulator, and of occurring recombination products of the initiator when azo initiators are used, to levels of <25 ppm of acrylonitrile, <50 ppm styrene, <50 ppm chain regulator and <280 ppm of recombination products by stripping using packed columns.
The adhesive bonding of matted PMMA with customary polymerization adhesives leads to very shiny bond seams, since the cured polymerization adhesives have a shiny surface. This emphasizes the very joining zones which it is intended that the viewer of bonded products should not perceive. The adhesive should therefore be matted after curing. The adhesive has for its basis a polymerization adhesive, preferably a (meth)acrylate-based adhesive. Two different kinds of silica are added as disperse powder to the polymerization adhesive, namely a silica powder having an average particle size of from 1 μm to 10 μm (matting agent) and a silica powder having an average particle size of more than 10 μm up to 200 μm (texturing agent).
The invention provides new composite materials containing aerogels blended with thermoplastic polymer materials at a weight ratio of aerogel to thermoplastic polymer of less than 20:100. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability. The composite materials also have better flexibility and less brittleness at low temperatures than the parent thermoplastic polymer materials.
An optical pickup lens holder which comprises a wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polyester resin composition comprising 97 to 45 mass percent of a wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polyester having a melting point of 320° C. or higher, 3 to 50 mass percent of an inorganic spherical hollow material having an aspect ratio of 2 or less and 0 to 30 mass percent of an inorganic filler having as aspect ratio of 4 or more, wherein the percentages are made to 100 mass percent in total, and having a specific gravity in the range of 1.00 to 1.35. The lens holder exhibits excellent characteristics, while retaining good heat resistance in soldering and good processability inherent in a liquid crystalline polyester, exhibits high injection processability and high adaptability to a soldering process even in a sheet form lens holder having a thin part and an opening port.
Silicone compositions particularly useful for the production of anti-fouling varnishes for application to support substrates, these providing an anti-fouling varnish for textiles covered with silicone elastomers which is economical, adhesive, non-slip and glossy; the subject varnishes comprise a crosslinkable silicone composition containing, per 100 parts by weight: 1, at least 80 parts by weight of: (1.1), 2., 0.1 to 10 parts of weight of: (1.2), 3., 0 to 10 parts by weight of at least one polydimethylisiloxane (PDMS) acrylate or epoxide, 4., 0 to 10 parts by weight of at least one silylated compound which includes at least one ultrafine filler, 7., 0 to 10 parts by weight of at least one thickener, and 8., 0 to 10 parts by weigh of at least one additional functional additive.
A resin composition for molding, added with a nucleating agent suitable for promoting crystallization of a polyester capable of having a crystal structure, and in particular of a biodegradable polyester, and a molded product containing, the resin composition for molding thus improved in the crystallinity has either a cyclic compound expressed by general formula (I): (where each of A1, A2, A4 and A5 commonly or independently expresses —CO— or —NH—, each of A3 and A6 commonly or independently expresses hydrogen, halogen, optionally-substituted aliphatic group or optionally-substituted aromatic group) and having both of —CO— and —NH— in the molecule, or a mixture of (i) a cyclic compound having —CO— but no NH in the molecule and (ii) a cyclic compound having no —CO— but NH in the molecule, together with the polyester capable of having a crystal structure.
Isocyanate-terminated prepolymer having an NCO-value of 5-30% by weight and being the reaction product of an excessive amount of diphenylmethane diisocyanate comprising at least 80% by weight of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene polyol having an average molecular weight of 2000-10000, an average nominal hydroxy functionality of 2-6, an oxyethylene content of 21-45% by weight and a structure of the type -PO-PO/EO-EO wherein the PO block comprises 60-90% of the PO and the ratio of tipped EO:random is 3:1 to 1:3, and a process for preparing a flexible foam by reacting in a mould and at an index of 70-120, the above prepolymer or a composition comprising this prepolymer and b1) a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene polyol, having an average nominal hydroxy functionality of 2-6, and a oxyethylene (EO) content of more than 50% by weight; and optionally b2) a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene polyol, having an average nominal hydroxy functionality of 2-6, an EO content of between 20-50% by weight and a primary hydroxy content of at least 50%, calculated on the number of primary and secondary hydroxyl groups; and c) water; and optionally d) additives and auxiliaries known per se.
The present invention is concerned with novel compounds useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases and mammalian cancers, especially human cancers. The invention also pertains to methods of modulating kinase activities, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of treating individuals, incorporating or using the compounds. The preferred compounds are active small molecules set forth in formulae Ia-Iww.
This invention relates to indol-3-yl-carbonyl-azaspiro derivatives which act as V1a receptor antagonists and which are represented by Formula I: wherein the azaspiro-head group A and the residues R1, R2 and R3 are as defined herein. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, their use for treating dysmenorrhea, hypertension, chronic heart failure, inappropriate secretion of vasopressin, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety and depressive disorders, and methods of preparation thereof.
A method of preventing or treating diseases mediated by Helicobacter pylori, comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of pleuromutilin.
The present invention is directed to novel compounds of formula (I) wherein the variables are as defined herein. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as kinase inhibitors and as such would be useful in treating certain conditions and diseases, especially inflammatory conditions and diseases and proliferative disorders and conditions, for example, cancers.
The present invention relates to imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives, that are useful for treating cellular proliferative diseases, for treating disorders associated with MET activity, and for inhibiting the receptor tyrosine kinase MET. The invention also related to compositions which comprise these compounds, and methods of using them to treat cancer in mammals.
The invention is directed to compounds of Formula II: wherein A, R1, R2, R3, R4, X, Y and W are set forth in the specification, as well as solvates, hydrates, tautomers or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that inhibit protein tyrosine kinases, especially c-fms kinase.
The present invention relates to the use of growth factors in improving tissue survival. In particular, the invention describes methods for enhancing organ transplant, musculocutaneous flap or skin graft survival by administering a nucleic acid sequence encoding hepatocyte growth factor.
The present invention provides double stranded compositions that have a region that is complementary to a target nucleic acid. One of the targeting strand or the second strand comprises linked ribofuranosyl nucleosides and the other strand comprises linked modified nucleosides that have 3′-endo conformational geometry. The strands can be linked together or separate and may contain additional groups. The present invention also provides methods of using the compositions for modulating gene expression.
Embodiments of the present invention include the use of placental alkaline phosphatase alone or in combination with human transferrin and, optionally, human α1-antitrypsin to enhance the proliferation and survival of transplanted stem cells and stem cell-derived progenitor cells.
A composition for treating damaged tissue and promoting healthy tissue growth, healing and tissue regeneration, wherein said composition comprises an extracellular matrix compound, a surface-active lipid, one or more enantiomerically pure L-amino acids or glycine, a hydrophilic surfactant with a high HLB, as well as vitamins, minerals or trace elements. Not only does it maintain good health, but the components are non-intrusive, bio-safe, non-coalescent and can mimic normally occurring stem-cells within a body. When applied to diseased tissues, the subject compositions can stimulate, facilitate, and accelerate protein synthesis for the regeneration of diseased organs and tissues. The healing efficacy of these tissue components gives us further appreciation of the protective action of human tissue over and above and other than the immune protective system or perhaps an integral component part of the immune system.
Disclosed are peptides that bind to Ang-2. Also disclosed are peptibodies comprising the peptides, methods of making such peptides and peptibodies, and methods of treatment using such peptides and peptibodies.
Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms resident in the alimentary tract of humans and animals can be prevented and treated by administering to the alimentary tract of the human or animal an effective amount of a composition containing at least one lectin capable of binding to an infective microorganism and diminishing its infective capability of the microorganism. The lectin is administered dispensed in a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic vehicle. Peptic ulcer disease caused by infection with H. pylori can be treated by oral administration of lectins that bind to the pathogen. A beneficial ecology of H. pylori can be maintained in infected patients by chronic oral administration of lectins that bind to the pathogen.
This invention relates to compositions comprising certain lipase variants and a fabric hueing agent and processes for making and using such compositions. Including the use of such compositions to clean and/or treat a situs.
Crop protection compositions, formulated as powder, granules or water-based, of active compounds having foliar or systemic action are characterized in that they comprise, in the case of herbicide preparations, at least one herbicide from the groups of the urea derivatives or sulphonylureas, the carbamates, biscarbamates, diphenyl ethers, pyridolylacetic acid derivatives, pyridazines, triazines, triazinones, uracils, benzofuran derivatives, glyphosate or glufosinate, in the case of fungicide preparations, at least one fungicide from the group of the morpholines, azoles, phthalimides or piperidines, in the case of insecticide preparations, at least one insecticide from the group of the pyrethroids, carbamates or organophosphates, or possible salts or esters of the abovementioned groups of active compounds, at least one inorganic adsorbent and at least one surfactant, preferably from the group of the ethoxylated C6-to C20-alcohols, preferably C8- to C16-alcohols, the ethoxylated castor oils or the alkyl ether sulphates.
Ion implantation is used to modify the chemical properties of portions of a material, such that the modified portions respond differently to a chemical etching operation than do the unmodified portions of the material. In a further aspect of the present invention, ion implants into a wafer are performed at different energies so as to form three-dimensional patterns of chemically modified material within the body of a wafer. In a still further aspect of the present invention, three-dimensional patterns of etched tunnels within a wafer are formed, and in some embodiments provide for reduced parasitic capacitance and/or reduced leakage currents for electronic circuits.
The invention relates to a method to seal a cavity, comprising a hole (6), comprising: the deposition on at least part of the cover, or an electrically conductive material (4, 5), the conveyance of part of this material by electro-migration into the hole (6) to form a plug (20).
A substantially planar surface coexposes conductive or semiconductor features and a dielectric etch stop material. A second dielectric material, different from the dielectric etch stop material, is deposited on the substantially planar surface. A selective etch etches a hole or trench in the second dielectric material, so that the etch stops on the conductive or semiconductor feature and the dielectric etch stop material. In a preferred embodiment the substantially planar surface is formed by filling gaps between the conductive or semiconductor features with a first dielectric such as oxide, recessing the oxide, filling with a second dielectric such as nitride, then planarizing to coexpose the nitride and the conductive or semiconductor features.
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a conducting layer, a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a via hole formed therein, a lower barrier film formed on an inside wall of the via hole, a first metal wiring formed on the lower barrier film, a second insulating film formed on the first metal wiring and the first insulating film, the second insulating film being provided with a trench which has a width greater than a width of the via hole, an upper barrier film formed on a lower surface of the trench, a second metal wiring formed on the upper barrier film, and a sidewall barrier film formed on sidewalls of the upper barrier film and the second metal wiring. The sidewall barrier film has an L-shaped mirror-symmetrical structure.
A structure and method of forming an improved metal cap for interconnect structures is described. The method includes forming an interconnect feature in an upper portion of a first insulating layer; deposing a dielectric capping layer over the interconnect feature and the first insulating layer; depositing a second insulating layer over the dielectric capping layer; etching a portion of the second insulating layer to form a via opening, wherein the via opening exposes a portion of the interconnect feature; bombarding the portion of the interconnect feature for defining a gauging feature in a portion of the interconnect feature; etching the via gauging feature for forming an undercut area adjacent to the interconnect feature and the dielectric capping layer; depositing a noble metal layer, the noble metal layer filling the undercut area of the via gauging feature to form a metal cap; and depositing a metal layer over the metal cap.
It is an object of the invention to provide an electronic part capable of forming an accurate gap between opposing substrates while also capable of decreasing the area of the electronic part, and a method of producing the same. A second electrode portion (6), having a core pattern (7) and a bump pattern (8) covering the surface thereof, is provided on a device substrate (1), the core pattern (7) is made of a material having hardness greater than that of the bump pattern (8), a first electrode portion (5) of the same material as the bump pattern (8) is provided on a bonding substrate (2), and a functional portion of the device substrate (1) and the first electrode portion (5) are electrically connected by direct bonding of the first electrode portion (5) and the bump pattern (8).
A method that allows for uniform, simultaneous epitaxial growth of a semiconductor material on dissimilarly doped semiconductor surfaces (n-type and p-type) that does not impart substrate thinning via a novel surface preparation scheme, as well as a structure that results from the implementation of this scheme into the process integration flow for integrated circuitry are provided. The method of the present invention can by used for the selective or nonselective epitaxial growth of semiconductor material from the dissimilar surfaces. More specifically, the invention comprises a method for counterdoping of n-FET and/or p-FET regions of silicon circuitry during the halo and/or extension implantation process utilizing a technique by which the surface characteristics of the two regions are made similar with respect to their response to wet or dry surface preparation and which renders the two previously dissimilar surfaces amenable to simultaneous epitaxial growth of raised source/drain structures; but not otherwise affecting the electrical performance of the resulting device.
Methods and associated structures of forming a microelectronic device are described. Those methods may include creating an amorphous region in source/drain regions of a substrate by ion implantation with an electrically neutral dopant, annealing with a first anneal that removes defects without completely re-crystallizing the amophous region, ion implantation of electrically active dopant to a depth shallower than the remaining amorphous region, followed by a second anneal.
One embodiment of the present invention is a method for cleaning an electron beam treatment apparatus that includes: (a) generating an electron beam that energizes a cleaning gas in a chamber of the electron beam treatment apparatus; (b) monitoring an electron beam current; (c) adjusting a pressure of the cleaning gas to maintain the electron beam current at a substantially constant value; and (d) stopping when a predetermined condition has been reached.
A method for fabricating a polysilicon liquid crystal display device includes: forming a first amorphous silicon layer on a substrate; forming a photoresist pattern on the first amorphous silicon layer; forming a second amorphous silicon layer over the photoresist pattern and the first amorphous silicon layer; defining a channel region on the first amorphous silicon layer; crystallizing the first and second silicon layers; forming an active layer by patterning the crystallized silicon layers; forming a first insulating layer on the active layer; forming a gate electrode on the first insulating layer; forming source and drain electrodes electrically connected to the active layer; and forming a pixel electrode electrically connected to the drain electrode.
Disclosed are various embodiments that include a process, an arrangement, and an apparatus for boron diffusion in a wafer. In one representative embodiment, a process is provided in which a boric oxide solution is applied to a surface of the wafer. Thereafter, the wafer is subjected to a fast heat ramp-up associated with a first heating cycle that results in a release of an amount of boron for diffusion into the wafer.
Methods, apparatus and systems form memory structures, such as flash memory structures from nanoparticles by providing a source of nanoparticles as a conductive layer. The particles are moved by application of a field, such as an electrical field, magnetic field and even electromagnetic radiation. The nanoparticles are deposited onto an insulating surface over a transistor in a first distribution of the nanoparticles. A field is applied to the nanoparticles on the surface that applies a force to the particles, rearranging the nanoparticles on the surface by the force from the field to form a second distribution of nanoparticles on the surface. A protective and enclosing insulating layer is deposited on the nanoparticle second distribution. The addition of a top conductive layer completes a basic flash memory structure.
A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor structure includes (i) a semiconductor substrate which includes a channel region, (ii) first and second source/drain regions on the semiconductor substrate, (iii) a final gate dielectric region, (iv) a final gate electrode region, and (v) a first gate dielectric corner region. The final gate dielectric region (i) includes a first dielectric material, and (ii) is disposed between and in direct physical contact with the channel region and the final gate electrode region. The first gate dielectric corner region (i) includes a second dielectric material that is different from the first dielectric material, (ii) is disposed between and in direct physical contact with the first source/drain region and the final gate dielectric region, (iii) is not in direct physical contact with the final gate electrode region, and (iv) overlaps the final gate electrode region in a reference direction.
Method of enhancing stress in a semiconductor device having a gate stack disposed on a substrate. The method utilizes depositing a nitride film along a surface of the substrate and the gate stack. The nitride film is thicker over a surface of the substrate and thinner over a portion of the gate stack.
Stress is exerted to the SiC crystal in the region, in which the carriers of a SiC semiconductor device flow, to change the crystal lattice intervals of the SiC crystal. Since the degeneration of the conduction bands in the bottoms thereof is dissolved, since the inter-band scattering is prevented from causing, and since the effective electron mass is reduced due to the crystal lattice interval change, the carrier mobility in the SiC crystal is improved, the resistance of the SiC crystal is reduced and, therefore, the on-resistance of the SiC semiconductor device is reduced.
Methods are provided herein for forming electrode layers over high dielectric constant (“high k”) materials. In the illustrated embodiments, a high k gate dielectric, such as zirconium oxide, is protected from reduction during a subsequent deposition of silicon-containing gate electrode. In particular, a seed deposition phase includes conditions designed for minimizing hydrogen reduction of the gate dielectric, including low hydrogen content, low temperatures and/or low partial pressures of the silicon source gas. Conditions are preferably changed for higher deposition rates and deposition continues in a bulk phase. Desirably, though, hydrogen diffusion is still minimized by controlling the above-noted parameters. In one embodiment, high k dielectric reduction is minimized through omission of a hydrogen carrier gas. In another embodiment, higher order silanes, aid in reducing hydrogen content for a given deposition rate.
Provided is a manufacturing method of a semiconductor integrated circuit device having a plurality of first MISFETs in a first region and a plurality of second MISFETs in a second region, which comprises forming a first insulating film between two adjacent regions of the first MISFET forming regions in the first region and the second MISFET forming regions in the second region; forming a second insulating film over the surface of the semiconductor substrate between the first insulating films in each of the first and second regions; depositing a third insulating film over the second insulating film; forming a first conductive film over the third insulating film in the second region; forming, after removal of the third and second insulating films from the first region, a fourth insulating film over the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the first region; and forming a second conductive film over the fourth insulating film; wherein the third insulating film remains over the first insulating film in the second region. The present invention makes it possible to raise the threshold voltage of a parasitic MOS and in addition, to suppress occurrence of an NBT phenomenon.
A transistor includes substrate having an active region therein. The active region includes a recess therein having opposing sidewalls and a surface therebetween. A protrusion extends from the surface of the recess between the opposing sidewalls thereof. The transistor further includes a gate insulation layer on the protrusion in the recess, a gate electrode on the gate insulation layer in the recess, and source/drain regions in the active region on opposite sides of the gate electrode and adjacent to the opposing sidewalls of the recess. The gate electrode includes portions that extend into the recess between the protrusion and the opposing sidewalls of the recess. Related methods of fabrication are also discussed.
Device structures for a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) that is suitable for operation at relatively high voltages and methods of forming same. The MOSFET, which is formed using a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, includes a channel in a semiconductor body that is self-aligned with a gate electrode. The gate electrode and semiconductor body, which are both formed from the monocrystalline SOI layer of the SOI substrate, are separated by a gap that is filled by a gate dielectric layer. The gate dielectric layer may be composed of thermal oxide layers grown on adjacent sidewalls of the semiconductor body and gate electrode, in combination with an optional deposited dielectric material that fills the remaining gap between the thermal oxide layers.
A microelectronic device and a method for producing the device can overcome the disadvantages of known electronic devices composed of carbon molecules, and can deliver performance superior to the known devices. An insulated-gate field-effect transistor includes a multi-walled carbon nanotube (10) having an outer semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1) and an inner metallic carbon nanotube layer (2) that is partially covered by the outer semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1). A metal source electrode (3) and a metal drain electrode (5) are brought into contact with both ends of the semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1) while a metal gate electrode (4) is brought into contact with the metallic carbon nanotube layer (2). The space between the semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1) and the metallic carbon nanotube layer (2) is used as a gate insulating layer. Two layers including the outer semiconductive carbon nanotube layer (1) and the inner metallic carbon nanotube layer (2) are selected from carbon nanotube layers of a multi-walled carbon nanotube. These layers are processed into a form suitable for use as the multi-walled carbon nanotube (10).
In a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor substrate, a gate line and a gate electrode are formed on a substrate. A gate insulating layer is formed to cover the gate line and the gate electrode. A semiconductor layer is formed on the gate insulating layer to overlap with the gate electrode. A data line, a source electrode, and a drain electrode are formed on the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor layer. A photoresist layer is formed on the data line, the source electrode, and the drain electrode. The photoresist layer is patterned, and an organic layer is formed on the substrate having the photoresist layer pattern. Then, the photoresist layer pattern is removed.
Device and design structures for memory cells in a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) and methods for fabricating such device structures using complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes. The device structure, which is formed using a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, includes a floating gate electrode, a semiconductor body, and a control gate electrode separated from the semiconductor body by the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode, the control gate electrode, and the semiconductor body, which are both formed from the monocrystalline SOI layer of the SOI substrate, are respectively separated by dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may each be composed of thermal oxide layers grown on confronting sidewalls of the semiconductor body, the floating gate electrode, and the control gate electrode. An optional deposited dielectric material may fill any remaining gap between either pair of the thermal oxide layers.
A memory device may include a substrate, a bit line, at least a first lower word line, at least a first trap site, a pad electrode, at least a first cantilever electrode, and/or at least a first upper word line. The bit line may be formed on the substrate in a first direction. The first lower word line and the first trap site may be insulated from the bit line and formed in a second direction crossing the bit line. The pad electrode may be insulated at sidewalls of the first lower word line and the first trap site and connected to the bit line. The first cantilever electrode may be formed in the first direction, connected to the pad electrode, floated on the first trap site with at least a first lower vacant space, and/or configured to be bent in a third direction. The first upper word line may be formed on the first cantilever electrode in the second direction with at least a first upper vacant space.
A III-V group nitride system semiconductor self-standing substrate has: a first III-V group nitride system semiconductor crystal layer that has a region with dislocation lines gathered densely, the dislocation lines being gathered substantially perpendicular to a surface of the substrate, and a region with dislocation lines gathered thinly; and a second III-V group nitride system semiconductor crystal layer that is formed up to 10 μm from the surface of the substrate on the first III-V group nitride system semiconductor crystal layer and that has a dislocation density distribution that is substantially uniform.
An in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display (LCD) device, which reduces loss in transmittance and improves reflectance, and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The in-plane switching mode LCD device includes gate and data lines orthogonally crossing each other on a first substrate to define pixel regions having reflection portions and transmission portions; thin film transistors formed at the crossing of the gate and data lines; common electrodes formed at the transmission portions of the pixel regions; reflection electrodes formed at the reflection portions of the pixel regions; pixel electrodes formed parallel with the common electrodes at the transmission portions and formed above the reflection electrodes at the reflection portions; a second substrate facing and attached to the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates; and first and second polarizing films respectively attached to outer surfaces of the first and second substrates.
Provided is a light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting device comprises a transparent substrate, an n-type compound semiconductor layer formed on the transparent substrate, an active layer, a p-type compound semiconductor layer, and a p-type electrode sequentially formed on a first region of the n-type compound semiconductor layer, and an n-type electrode formed on a second region separated from the first region of the n-type compound semiconductor layer, wherein the p-type electrode comprises first and second electrodes, each electrode having different resistance and reflectance.
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device. The method includes: mounting a semiconductor light emitting element on a flat substrate; covering the semiconductor light emitting element on the flat substrate by a cover layer in a domed shape to form a light emitting device, the cover layer including at least a phosphor layer and a coating resin layer that are laminated in order, so as to fill around the semiconductor light emitting element; measuring an emission condition of the light emitting device; and forming a convex lens unit on the outermost of the coating resin layer using a liquid droplet discharging apparatus to adjust an emission distribution of the light emitting device based on the measured emission condition.
A method capable of stirring a liquid sample and a reagent promptly and easily includes the following steps (A) and (B). In step (A), using a cell including: a liquid sample retaining section having a plurality of particles; and a liquid sample supply inlet, a liquid sample containing an analyte is supplied from the liquid sample supply inlet to the liquid sample retaining section. In step (B), the liquid sample and a specific binding substance capable of specifically binding to the analyte are stirred by the movement of the particles caused by the flow of the liquid sample in the cell resulting from the supply of the liquid sample, to obtain a liquid mixture. The electric charge of at least the surface of the particles and the electric charge of the specific binding substance have the same polarity in the liquid mixture.
Methods, computer program products and apparatus determine a subject's risk of having or developing CHD using a calculated LDL particle risk number and/or a mathematical model of risk associated with LDL particles that adjusts concentrations of at least one of small and large LDL particle measurements to reflect predicted CHD risk.
The invention relates to a process for cultivating undifferentiated stem cells in suspension and in particular to a method for cultivating stem cells on microcarriers in vessels. The method enables stem cells to be cultivated in a scalable process for the first time, without losing their pluripotentiality. Different types of vessels are suitable for cultivation, such as e.g. spinners and bioreactors. The option of precisely setting the cultivation conditions in said vessels aids the process of obtaining a pluripotentiality of the stem cells. the inventive method also permits large yields of stem cells of an unvarying quality to be produced.
Sequences of a serotype 8 adeno-associated virus and vectors and host cells containing these sequences are provided. Also described are methods of using such host cells and vectors in production of rAAV particles. rAAV8-mediated delivery of therapeutic and immunogenic genes, including Factor VIII, is also provided.
This disclosure shows that the BPV-1 E2 protein-dependent minichromosome maintenance element (MME) comprised of E2 multimeric binding sites can provide the stable maintenance replication function to the mouse polyomavirus (PyV) core origin plasmids in the presence of BPV-1 E2 protein and PyV large T-antigen (LT). MME dependent plasmids are lost with the frequency of 6% per generation. Significantly long stable maintenance replication can also be provided without selection pressure. We also demonstrate that PyV core origin maintenance function/replication activation could be provided by Epstein-Barr virus Family of repeats and EBNA1 protein. The maintenance of the Polyomavirus core origin plasmid was characterized by 13% loss of the plasmid during one cell generation in the case of EBV FR harboring plasmids. Our data clearly indicate that maintenance functions from different viruses can provide segregation/partitioning function to different heterologous origins in variety of cells and can be used in expression of gene products.
A method and apparatus for detecting an analyte includes a sensor chamber for detecting an analyte, an analyte feed chamber, a distributor, and a controller for controlling the transport medium flow. The distributor includes an annular channel with four connections with a switchable isolating device between two connections. The controller controls the distributor for flushing the transport medium fed from the distributor to the sensor chamber without passing through the analyte feed chamber and for measuring the transport medium fed from the distributor to the sensor chamber while passing through the analyte feed chamber.
Novel enzymes and novel enzymatic pathways for the pyruvate-based synthesis of shikimate or at least one intermediate thereto or derivative thereof, nucleic acids encoding the enzymes, cells transformed therewith, and kits containing said enzymes, cells, or nucleic acid. A KDPGal aldolase is used to perform condensation of pyruvate with D-erythrose 4-phosphate to form 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate (DAHP); a 3-dehydroquinate synthase is used to convert the DAHP to 3-dehydroquinate (DHQ); DHQ dehydratase can then convert DHQ to the key shikimate intermediate, 3-dehydroshikimate.
Disclosed are compositions and methods for enhancing the circulating half-life of antibody-based fusion proteins. Disclosed methods and compositions rely on altering the amino acid sequence of the junction region between the antibody moiety and the fused protein moiety in an antibody-based fusion protein. An antibody-based fusion protein with an altered amino acid sequence in the junction region has a greater circulating half-life when administered to a mammal. Disclosed methods and compositions are particularly useful for reducing tumor size and metastasis in a mammal.
This invention is directed to nucleic acids which encode the proteins that direct the synthesis of the orthosomycin everninomicin and to use of the nucleic acids and proteins to produce compounds exhibiting antibiotic activity based on the everninomycin structure. The DNA sequence for the gene clusters responsible for encoding everninomicin biosynthetic genes, which provide the machinery for producing everninomicin, are provided. Thus, this invention provides the nucleic acid sequences needed to synthesize novel everninomicin-related compounds based on everninomicin, arising from modifications of the DNA sequence designed to change glycosyl and modified orsellinic acid groups contained in everninomicin. A Micromonospora site-specific integrase gene is also provided, which can be incorporated in a vector for integration into any actinomycete, and, particularly into Monospora. Thus, the invention further provides methods for introducing heterologous genes into an actinomycete chromosome using this particular vector.
The present invention discloses nucleic acids, proteins, and antibodies for SALL4 (including isoforms SALL4A, SALL4B, and SALL4C), a zinc finger transcriptional factor. Further, methods are disclosed which demonstrate that constitutive expression of SALL4 increases leukemogenic potential in cells of model animal systems. Moreover, constitutive expression of select isoforms (e.g., SALL4B) in transgenic mice demonstrate that these animals develop myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-like signs and symptoms, including subsequent acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is transplantable. The disclosure also provides methods for identifying and purifying embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, cancer stem cells, including leukemia stem cells, methods for identifying substances which bind to and/or modulate SALL4, methods for diagnosing MDS in a subject, and methods of treating a subject presenting MDS.
The invention relates to a method of directing selection of biological therapeutic molecules to specific functional domains of the target biologic molecule. Selection is directed by the use of closely related molecules, where one is a decoy and the other contains the targeted domain or epitope. The invention is based on the use of physical data, which may be combined with derived data, to ascertain that the decoy and the target differ only in the specific functional domain or epitope where the binding will be directed.
The present invention provides a method of predicting pregnancy outcome in a subject by determining the amount of an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of hCG in a sample. The present invention further provides a method for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated molecular isoforms of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for determining the amount of early pregnancy associated hCG in a sample. The present invention additionally provides an antibody which specifically binds to an early pregnancy associated molecular isoform of human chorionic gonadotropin. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting trophoblast or non-trophoblast malignancy in a sample.
Methods and reagents are disclosed for enhancing the bioavailability of a hydrophobic drug, and in some embodiments for determining a hydrophobic drug, in a sample suspected of containing a hydrophobic drug. A combination is formed in a medium where the combination comprises the sample, a hemolytic agent where a determination of the hydrophobic drug is conducted, and a bioavailability agent for the hydrophobic drug. The bioavailability agent comprises an ionic detergent comprising a chain of at least 10 carbon atoms or a non-ionic detergent comprising a chain of at least 15 repeating ethylene oxide units or propylene oxide units or a combination of ethylene oxide units and propylene oxide units. The concentration of the bioavailability agent in the medium is sufficient to enhance the bioavailability of the hydrophobic drug. The medium is incubated under conditions for enhancing the bioavailability of the hydrophobic drug, and in a determination of the hydrophobic drug under conditions for hemolyzing cells in the sample. For determination of the hydrophobic drug, reagents for determining the presence and/or amount of the hydrophobic drug in the sample are added to the medium. The reagents comprise at least one antibody for the hydrophobic drug. The medium is examined for the presence of a complex comprising the hydrophobic drug and the antibody for the hydrophobic drug. The presence and/or amount of the complex indicates the presence and/or amount of the hydrophobic drug in the sample.
Chemically reactive carbocyanine dyes that are intramolecularly crosslinked between the 1-position and 3′-position, their bioconjugates and their uses are described. 1,3′-crosslinked carbocyanines are superior to those of conjugates of spectrally similar 1,1′-crosslinked or non-crosslinked dyes. The invention includes derivative compounds having one or more benzo nitrogens.
The present invention provides an array of polymers and methods of forming arrays of polymers by providing a substrate having a first layer including one or more dielectric coatings on a solid support and a second layer including a plurality of polymers disposed on the first layer. The invention also provides methods for forming an array of polymers on a substrate using light-directed synthesis by providing a substrate having a first layer including one or more dielectric coatings on a solid support, derivatizing the first layer by contacting the first layer with a silanation reagent, and a second layer disposed on said first layer wherein the second layer includes functional groups protected with a photolabile protecting group.
The invention relates to the Slug gene, the replication, transcription or expression products thereof and products related with the regulation of said Slug gene or with the regulation, elimination or degradation of the expression or translation products of same, which can be used in the identification, prevention or treatment of the spread or development of metastasis in cancer patients, such as a patient suffering from a cancer with cancer cells that express the Slug gene.
The invention provides methods for evolving a polynucleotide toward acquisition of a desired property. Such methods entail incubating a population of parental polynucleotide variants under conditions to generate annealed polynucleotides comprising heteroduplexes. The heteroduplexes are then exposed to a cellular DNA repair system to convert the heteroduplexes to parental polynucleotide variants or recombined polynucleotide variants. The resulting polynucleotides are then screened or selected for the desired property.
The present invention relates to polymorphisms of the FRZB gene and the analysis of nucleic acids thereof. The invention further relates to methods of predicting risks of certain conditions in individual and kits for the determination of such risks.
There are provided methods for screening a library of VHH polypeptides for VHH polypeptides that bind to an antigen including subjecting a library of VHH polypeptides to antigen-affinity selection with the antigen.
A family of cDNA sequences derived from hepatitis C virus (HCV) are provided. These sequences encode antigens which react immunologically with antibodies present in individuals with non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH), but which are absent from individuals infected with hepatitis A virus, or hepatitis B virus, and also are absent in control individuals. The HCV cDNA sequences lack substantial homology to the sequences of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and HBV. A comparison of the sequences of amino acids encoded in the HCV cDNA with the sequences of Flaviviruses indicates that HCV may be related to the Flaviviruses.The HCV cDNA sequences and the polypeptides encoded therein are useful as reagents for the detection and therapy of HCV. The reagents provided in the invention are also useful for the isolation of NANBH agent(s), for the propagation of these agents in tissue culture, and for the screening of antiviral agents for HCV.
An isolated nucleotide sequence or fragment thereof encoding the porcine intrinsic factor, wherein the porcine intrinsic factor comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 85% amino acid sequence identity to an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 6, and SEQ ID NO: 9. The invention also encompasses an isolated nucleic acid sequence or fragment thereof comprising, or complementary to, a nucleotide sequence having at least 85% nucleotide sequence identity to a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO: 7. The porcine intrinsic factor can be use is an assay to determine the quantity of vitamin B12 in a biological sample.
A method for enhancing photoreactive absorption in a specified volume element of a photoreactive composition. In one embodiment, the method includes: providing a photoreactive composition: providing a source of light (preferably, a pulsed laser) sufficient for simultaneous absorption of at least two photons by the photoreactive composition, the light source having a beam capable of being divided: dividing the light beam into a plurality of equal path length exposure beams: and focusing the exposure beams in a substantially non-counter propagating manner at a single volume element of the photoreactive composition simultaneously to react at least a portion of the photoreactive composition. In another embodiment, a method includes: providing a photoreactive composition capable of photoreactive absorption: and exposing the photoreactive composition to laser light from a plurality of substantially non-counter propagating directions simultaneously, wherein the light overlaps in time and space at a predetermined focus spot.
A positive resist composition comprising: (A) a resin showing an increase in the solubility in an alkali developer by the action of an acid; (B) a compound being capable of generating an acid when irradiated with an actinic ray or a radiation; (C) a resin having a silicon-containing repeating unit of a specific structure and being stable to acids but insoluble in an alkali developer; and (D) a solvent; and a pattern making method using the same.
A principal pattern made of a plurality of isolated transparent portions is formed in a light-shielding portion disposed on a transparent substrate having a transparent property against exposing light. The principal pattern includes a first principal pattern and a second principal pattern adjacent to each other at a given distance, and a first auxiliary pattern made of a phase shifter portion for transmitting the exposing light in an opposite phase to the exposing light passing through the transparent portion is formed between the first principal pattern and the second principal pattern.
A method for joining a plurality of reticles is used for producing a semiconductor layout pattern, so that the reticles will collectively map a circuit arrangement on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of matching patterns is provided that are each geometrically linked to a respective particular reticle and through detecting pairwise correspondence among the matching patterns likewise correspondence among the associated reticles is ascertained.In particular, the method has bulk sub-reticles and peripheral sub-reticles, and a first matching pattern associates to a peripheral sub-reticle that abuts a bulk sub-reticle and a second matching pattern to the bulk sub-reticle at such distance therefrom that fitting of the peripheral sub-reticle between the second matching pattern and the bulk sub-reticle allows matching of the first and second matching patterns. The bulk sub-reticles are used to constitute an array of sub-reticles.
A fuel cell has a substrate with a film deposited thereon. The film has nanowires dispersed therein. Catalytic activity and conductivity is substantially enhanced throughout the film.
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell structure includes a proton exchange membrane (4). An anode catalyst layer (1,16) is located on one side of the proton exchange membrane. A cathode catalyst layer (7) is located on the opposite side of the proton exchange membrane, and a gas distribution layer (3,5) is arranged on each side of the proton exchange membrane (4). The anode side gas distribution layer (3) is a flat, porous structure having water channels (3a) formed in the surface facing the membrane (4). The anode side gas distribution layer (3) is enclosed by a coplanar, sealing plate (2) with water inlet channels coupled to the water channels (3a) in the gas distribution layer.
A single cell for a solid oxide fuel cell, in which a solid electrolyte layer is sandwiched by an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer. This single cell includes a substrate having openings and an insulating and stress absorbing layer stacked on an upper surface of this substrate. The solid electrolyte layer is formed on an upper surface of the insulating and stress absorbing layer so as to cover the openings, the upper electrode layer is stacked on an upper surface of the solid electrolyte layer, and the lower electrode layer is coated on a lower surface of the solid electrolyte layer via the openings from a lower surface of the substrate. A cell plate, in which these single cells are disposed two-dimensionally on a common substrate. Furthermore, a solid oxide fuel cell, in which these cell plates and plate-shaped separators including gas passages on both surfaces thereof are alternately stacked.
A valve and a fuel cell using the same are provided, the valve having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flow path communicating therebetween, a valve element provided in the flow path, a diaphragm which is disposed so as to separate the inside from the outside of the flow path and which is to be deformed by the difference in pressure between the inside and the outside of the flow path, a valve shaft connecting between the valve element and the diaphragm, and an actuator provided for the diaphragm. In the valve described above, the valve element is displaced by at least one movement of the diaphragm and the actuator to open and close the valve. Accordingly, the valve has a simple structure which can be easily miniaturized and which is unlikely to be degraded even when a corrosive fluid flows through the valve.
The invention relates to a separator plate for use in a fuel cell and to a fuel cell. The separator plate has: a passage groove group including a plurality of gas passage grooves 35 formed so as to extend in serpentine form; and a communicating groove 33 configured to provide fluid communication between adjacent portions of the gas passage grooves. Various separator plates have heretofore been disclosed in public by many documents and the blockage of the gas passage grooves caused by condensed water droplets formed therein is deemed to be properly prevented. However, the inventors think that those separator plates have a critical oversight in the behavior of a gas-liquid two phase fluid including a reaction gas and condensed water. That is, the condensed water is likely to concentrate in the vicinity of the gas passage grooves located in the downstream side of such separator plates and therefore these separator plates are liable to blockage. The invention intends to overcome the above problem by making the communicating groove 33 shallower than the gas passage grooves.
The present invention is directed to a method for making electrode active materials represented by the general formula: Aa(VO)bXO4, wherein: (a) A is an alkali metal or mixture of alkali metals, and 0
Metal oxide-fluoride material including silver, vanadium, oxygen and fluorine, such as Ag4V2O6F2, is made and useful as a cathode for a battery. The material is made by subjecting silver oxide, vanadium oxide, and aqueous solution of HF to superambient temperature in a pressure vessel.
A prismatic rechargeable battery includes a housing comprising a plurality of cell vessels separated from one another by electrically insulating intermediate walls and a plate stack provided in each of the cell vessels, the plate stack comprising stacked electrode plates and a plurality of contacts. The battery also includes contact connector plates coupled to each of the intermediate walls such that each of the contact connector plates is in electrical contact with a contact of a plate stack. Each of the intermediate walls has a contact connector plate on a first side thereof electrically coupled to a contact connector plate on a second side thereof through the intermediate wall.
The present invention provides an intermediate film for use in laminated glass, comprising a resin composition containing polyvinyl butyral, a plasticizer and a neodymium compound having compatibility in both the plasticizer and a plasticized resin, where the neodymium compound is a neodymium salt of a polyvalent ester of a dicarboxylic or polycarboxylic acid wherein one carboxyl group is not esterified. The intermediate film is useful in producing a laminated glass.
This invention provides a nano-scaled graphene platelet (NGP) having a thickness no greater than 100 nm and a length-to-width ratio no less than 3 (preferably greater than 10). The NGP with a high length-to-width ratio can be prepared by using a method comprising (a) intercalating a carbon fiber or graphite fiber with an intercalate to form an intercalated fiber; (b) exfoliating the intercalated fiber to obtain an exfoliated fiber comprising graphene sheets or flakes; and (c) separating the graphene sheets or flakes to obtain nano-scaled graphene platelets. The invention also provides a nanocomposite material comprising an NGP with a high length-to-width ratio. Such a nanocomposite can become electrically conductive with a small weight fraction of NGPs. Conductive composites are particularly useful for shielding of sensitive electronic equipment against electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI), and for electrostatic charge dissipation.
Self-crimping fully drawn high bulk yarns comprising fiber forming bicomponent filaments comprising two polymers having different crystallizability or differential orientation or combination thereof is disclosed herein. Further the present invention discloses a method for producing the self-crimping fully drawn high bulk yarns by single and two-stage process. The invention also discloses the fabric comprising the self-crimping fully drawn high bulk yarns.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a film that has a high rigidity and is superior in dimension stability under high temperatures and transparency after heating processes, as well as in moldability within a wide temperature range, which has not been achieved by conventional techniques, and this objective has been achieved by a laminated film that includes 50 or more layers each of which is made of a thermoplastic resin and has a thickness of less than 30 nm or a biaxial oriented polyester film that has a density in a range from 1 to 1.4 g/cm3, a heat shrinkage of −2 to 2% in the longitudinal direction at 180° C. and a breaking elongation in a range of 100 to 1000% in at least one direction.
The present invention provides a wiring board which may be warped only by a reduced amount when the wiring board is thin and has wiring patterns of different shapes on the opposite surfaces thereof and which enables a thin, small, and reliable semiconductor device to be implemented. The wiring board includes a planar resin base material 12, a first resin film 26 provided on the first surface of the resin base material 12 and shaped to expose the element connection terminals 14, and a second resin film 28 provided on the second surface of the resin base material and shaped to expose the external connection terminals 16, wherein the first resin film 26 and the second resin film 28 are different in at least one of a glass transition point, cure shrinkage, and a thermal expansion coefficient.
A circuit assembly comprises two or more circuit laminates, each comprising a conductive metal layer disposed on a poly(arylene ether ketone) substrate layer, wherein at least one of the conductive metal layers has been patterned to form a circuit, and a bond ply layer comprising a thermoplastic or thermosetting material. The thermoplastic bond ply has a melting point between 250° C. and 370° C., a decomposition temperature greater than about 290° C. and a dissipation factor of less than 0.01 at 10 GHz. The thermoset bond ply has a dissipation factor less than 0.01 at 10 GHz and a decomposition temperature greater than about 290° C. after lamination. Methods of forming the above circuit assemblies are also disclosed.
A loop material for a hook and loop type fastener is a composite nonwoven. The composite nonwoven consists of a loop layer, a backing layer, and a plurality of bond regions. The loop layer may be a carded nonwoven of thermoplastic crimped staple fiber. The staple fiber may be between 1.5 to 6.0 dTEX. The loop layer may have a basis weight of between 10 and 35 g/m2. The backing layer may be a spunbond or spunmelt nonwoven having a basis weight of 5 to 30 g/m2. The loop layer may be superimposed face-to-face with the backing layer. The plurality of bond regions joins the loop layer to the backing layer and rendering said bond regions substantially air impermeable. The bond regions comprise between 35 to 55% of a surface area of the loop material.
A splice seam for joining various sections of fabric together is disclosed, wherein the fabric sections are initially delaminated into their constituent plies. The plies associated with each fabric section are then interleaved with each other, and bonded together. The amount of surface area between each interleaved plies can be adjusted as so as to achieve a desired level of load carrying strength between the fabric sections. Additionally, the splice seam may utilize an external and/or internal seam tape to increase the strength of the resultant seam.
A window for use in an electronic device is provided. The window includes a display section and a strengthening layer. The display section is made of polyethylene terephthalate and overlaps with the strengthening layer. The strengthening layer is made of polymethyl methacrylate. The window is adhered to the electronic device with a transparent cyanoacrylate adhesive.
A container comprises a micro cellular foamed polymer, and a non-reactive gas contained within the micro cellular foam cells, wherein the container has a silvery appearance. The process for making the container comprises injection molding a polymer preform having a non-reactive gas entrapped within the walls thereof, cooling the preform to a temperature below the polymer softening temperature, reheating the preform to a temperature above the polymer softening temperature, and blow molding the preform, to prepare a container comprising a micro cellular foamed polymer having a non-reactive gas contained within the micro cellular foam cells.
A reinforced diverter switch is molded with a flange having a reinforcing material embedded therein. A shaft of a diverter switch is wrapped with a reinforcing material. The shaft of the diverter switch may be wrapped by first removing a portion of the epoxy resin to expose a conductor of the diverter switch, machining a portion of the epoxy resin, and then filament winding the reinforcing material over the portion of the epoxy resin machined.
A multi-layer device having a plurality of primary layers for protecting an object includes a first primary layer formed from a first ceramic material. A second primary layer is positioned over the first primary layer, the second primary layer being formed from a first plastic material. A third primary layer is positioned over the second primary layer, the third primary layer being formed from metal. A fourth primary layer is positioned over the third primary layer, the fourth primary layer being formed from a second plastic material. A fifth primary layer is positioned over the fourth layer, the fifth primary layer being formed from a second ceramic material. A sixth primary layer is positioned over the fifth primary layer. The sixth primary layer includes a plurality of sub-layers, with each sub-layer being formed as a plurality of secondary layers, and with each secondary layer being a composite polymer-fabric.
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a composite pressure container or tubular body, which includes: a prepreg tow winding obtained by a process that includes: contacting at least one fiber with an uncured thermosetting resin, to form a coated fiber; winding said coated fiber around an outer shell, form, liner, or mandrel; and curing the resin; wherein said uncured thermosetting resin includes at least one surface active oligomer or polymer.
The invention relates to a process for the formation of a coating of metal oxides comprising at least one precious metal from Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the elements, optionally in combination with titanium and/or zirconium, on an electrically conductive substrate made of steel or of iron, which consists in applying a sole solution of acetylacetonate(s) of the said metal(s) dissolved in a (plurality of) solvent(s) which specifically dissolve(s) each metal acetylacetonate; and in then drying and calcining the coated substrate. The invention also relates to an activated cathode obtained from the electrically conductive substrate coated with metal oxides and to its use in the electrolysis of aqueous solutions of alkali metal chlorides.
Process for the preparation and the deposition of vitreous films on substrates comprising: the dissolution of one or more metal alkoxides in aprotic solvent, the hydrolysis of the resulting solution, the eventual removal of the formed alcohol, the deposition of the resulting sol on the substrate surface of interest and the final drying of the film.
Coatings and methods are provided. An embodiment of the coating includes microcapsules that contain at least one of a corrosion inhibitor, a film-forming compound, and an indicator. The microcapsules are dispersed in a coating vehicle. A shell of each microcapsule breaks down in the presence of an alkaline condition, resulting from corrosion.
The present invention is a pan for cooking pizza dough and method of using same. The pan consists of a first pan mountable below a second pan. The first pan has a flat bottom and a plurality of fingers projecting upwards from the bottom. The second pan having a flat bottom provided with a plurality of apertures dimensioned and configured to receive the fingers of the first pan. The first and second pans have mounting elements for releasably mounting the second pan on top of the first pan. The apertures of the second pan and the fingers of the first pan are dimensioned and arranged such that the fingers of the first pan project through the apertures of the second pan when the second pan is mounted on top of the first pan. The pans can be used to cook pizza dough by first spreading the pizza dough into the second pan and then mounting the second pan to the first pan such that the fingers of the first pan project through the apertures of the second pan and into the pizza dough. The pizza dough can then be cooked by placing the pans and pizza dough in an oven.
The present invention relates to a composition for promoting the growth of animals, comprising extracts of Artemisia capillaris thunberg, Acanthopanax and garlic, as well as a feed composition comprising the same. The composition for promoting the growth of animals shows the excellent effect of promoting the secretion of growth hormone. Particularly, when the feed composition comprising the animal growth-promoting composition is administered to livestock animals, it will show the excellent effects of body weight gain, meat quality improvement and milk production increase in the livestock animals.
There is disclosed a novel sustained release granular resin-pharmaceutical composition comprising an ion exchange resin complexed with a pharmaceutical material wherein said complex is embedded into and on the surface of a diffusion barrier material. There is also disclosed a novel process for preparing the granulated complex wherein an aqueous granulating vehicle is employed to form the complex and the granulated product, thereby avoiding the use of coatings and large amounts of organic solvents in the process.
The present invention relates to a controlled release pellet of metoprolol and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts that uses a water soluble or a water swellable inert starting seed or core.
A unit dosage form, such as a capsule or the like, for delivering a skeletal muscle relaxant, such as cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride, into the body in an extended or sustained release fashion comprising one or more populations of drug-containing particles (beads, pellets, granules, etc.) is disclosed. At least one bead population exhibits a pre-designed sustained release profile. Such a drug delivery system is designed for once-daily oral administration to maintain an adequate plasma concentration—time profile, thereby providing relief of muscle spasm associated with painful musculoskeletal conditions over a 24 hour period.
The invention relates to membrane vesicles from non-pathogenic amoeba, in particular from the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum, containing a molecule of therapeutic interest, to a method of preparing such vesicles and to the use of the vesicles as a vehicle for transferring the molecule therapeutic interest to an eukaryotic mammalian cell.
The present invention relates to an antifungal protein gene and cDNA sequence thereof, which is obtained by mining the whole genome sequences of Monascus pilosus BCRC 38072 and the unigene database. The gene can encode an antifungal protein MAFP1. A purified protein obtained from M. pilosus culture broth having molecular weight of about 7 kDa is identified as MAFP1 by N-terminal protein sequencing and comparative analysis. The purified MAFP1 protein can inhibit the growth of pathogens such as Paecilomyces variotii BCRC 33174 and Helminthosporium panici BCRC 35004. In addition, it is found by PCR test that the gene of this antifungal protein exists in other Monascus species such as M. Barkeri, M. floridanus, M. lunisporas, M. pilosus, M. ruber and the like. It is also been proved that the mafp1 gene and cDNA thereof in four Monascus strains, M. pilosus (BCRC 38072, BCRC 38093 and BCRC 31502) and M. ruber BCRC 31533, have the same DNA sequences.
The invention described herein relates to a method for combining antigen fragments of Toxoplasma gondii proteins, in the form of chimeric fusion products, and their use as diagnostic and immunogenic agents.
The invention is drawn to a novel class of drugs directed against HIV, comprising a peptide or analog comprising a decapeptide, said decapeptide containing (from N-terminus to the C-terminus) a basic amino acid in position 1, an acidic amino acid in positions 2 and 5, and a tryptophan in positions 4, 7, and 8, and to a method of treatment of HIV infections, in particular multidrug-resistant HIV infections.
The methods and compositions of the present invention are directed to enhancing an immune response and increasing vaccine efficacy through the simultaneous or sequential targeting of specific immune system components. More particularly, specific immune components, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B cells and T cells, are individually activated by component-specific immunostimulating agents. One such component-specific immunostimulating agent is an antigen-specific, species-specific monoclonal antibody. The invention is also directed to a method for the in vitro production of the antigen-specific, species-specific monoclonal antibodies which relies upon the in vitro conversion of blood-borne immune cells, such as macrophages and lymphocytes. Vaccine efficacy is enhanced by the administration of compositions containing component-specific immunostimulating agents and other elements, such as antigens or carrier particles, such as colloidal methods, such as gold.
Methods for preventing or treating an antibody-mediated disease in a patient are presented, the methods comprising administration of a monoclonal antibody capable of binding to a human CD40 antigen located on the surface of a human B cell, wherein the binding of the antibody to the CD40 antigen prevents the growth or differentiation of the B cell. Monoclonal antibodies useful in these methods, and epitopes immunoreactive with such monoclonal antibodies are also presented.
The present invention provides a method of treating auto-immune diseases in an animal comprising the step of orally administering a type one interferon to said animal. Also provided is a method of reducing inflammation associated with an auto-immune disease in an animal comprising the step of orally administering a type one interferon to said animal. Further provided is a method of decreasing the levels of a cytokine in an individual having multiple sclerosis, comprising the step of orally administering a type one interferon to said individual, wherein said cytokine is selected from the group consisting of TGF-β, IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ and the inflammatory soluble serum marker ICAM-1. In addition, the present invention provides a method of decreasing the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in at-risk populations, comprising the step of orally administering INF-α to individuals of said at-risk population.
A process for synthesizing a metal telluride is provided that includes the dissolution of a metal precursor in a solvent containing a ligand to form a metal-ligand complex soluble in the solvent. The metal-ligand complex is then reacted with a telluride-containing reagent to form metal telluride domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers. NaHTe represents a well-suited telluride reagent. A composition is provided that includes a plurality of metal telluride crystalline domains (PbTe)1-x-y(SnTe)x(Bi2Te3)y (I) having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive where x is between 0 and 1 inclusive and y is between 0 and 1 inclusive with the proviso that x+y is less than or equal to 1. Each of the metal telluride crystalline domains has a surface passivated with a saccharide moiety or a polydentate carboxylate. A densified mass having a density of greater than 95% of the theoretical density includes a plurality of lead telluride, tin telluride, bismuth telluride, or a combination thereof of domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive that have been subjected to hot isotactic pressing.
A modular and reconfigurable multi-stage microreactor cartridge apparatus provides a manifold for removably attaching multiple microfluidic components such as microreactors. The microfluidic components are attached at microfluidic component ports having two input/output terminals, which microfluidic component ports are connected via connections internal to the manifold to other microfluidic component ports providing a microfluidic circuit. The microfluidic component may be a microfluidic circuit plug-in or a cartridge having a mounting block with two input/output terminals and a fastener aperture and fluidic tubing having a first and second transport portion and a body portion, the three portions being disposed in substantially parallel planes and the body portion being would in a coil around a spool. The coil is connected to the mounting block by either epoxy protector or L-bracket. The cartridge has a first and a second remote input/output terminal connected to the first and second transport lines respectively.
A method and apparatus for measuring the presence or absence of interaction between at least a first and second material of interest by measuring osmotic pressure changes in an osmotic cell. Changes in osmotic pressure are determined by measuring the amount of compression exhibited by a compressible, semi-permeable material positioned in the cell.
Method for preparing a medical solution, comprising the steps of a) providing a solution comprising one or more acetylated or deacetylated amino sugar/sugars in at least one compartment of a container at a pH from 2.5 to 5.0, and b) terminal sterilization of said at least one compartment and the contents therein, is disclosed, as well as a solution used for preparing the medical solution, a container containing said solution, and use of said solution for the manufacture of a medicament for peritoneal dialysis.
The method and device are used to blow form containers. A preform is elongated by means of an elongation bar after thermal conditioning inside a blow mould and is moulded into a container under the effect of the blow pressure. Initially, a first blow pressure provided by a low pressure supply is used, followed by a higher pressure provided by a high pressure supply (43). The blow air is supplied via at least one blow pressure valve and at least one part of the high pressure blow air is fed into the low pressure supply after the container has been formed. The reintroduction of blow air into the low pressure supply is controlled by means of a return valve (47) which is mounted parallel to the blow pressure valve. An outlet of the return valve is connected to the low pressure supply.
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing sheets based on hydraulic binder, particularly sheets of plasterboard with feathered edges. The method comprises the steps of (I) making a mark (301) on a facing (2 or 3) of the preform (5), (II) detecting the mark (301), and (III) sending an actuating signal to a device (9) for cutting the preform (5). The invention also relates to a production line for producing such sheets, and to an apparatus, particularly for making an impression (12, 12bis) in a preform (5). The apparatus comprises a frame (101), first (102, 103) and second (105, 106) pulleys, two belts (108, 109) wrapped around the pulleys (102, 103, 105, 106), and at least one wire (111) extending between these belts (108, 109) so that its axis is parallel to the axis of the pulleys (102, 103, 105, 106).
In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for reproducing the size of a first ceramic ware in the making of a second ceramic ware. In embodiments, the first ceramic ware may be received on a pottery wheel. A hinged pointer may then be presented to a position on the first ceramic ware, where the hinged pointer may include a pointer connected to a supporting structure by way of a hinge. The first ceramic ware may then be removed from the pottery wheel, and material for the making of the second ceramic ware may be placed on the pottery wheel. The process of making the second ceramic ware may then progress, where the making includes sizing the second ceramic ware to the position of the hinged pointer.
A process for the production of a panel of composite material with stiffening strips, in which a mold is draped with at least one first ply of fibers pre-impregnated with resin, there is emplaced at desired positions on said ply at least one stiffening strip, the stiffening strip as well as at least a portion of the remaining surface of the first ply is covered with at least one second ply of fibers pre-impregnated with resin, then a bladder is placed to cover the above elements, the assembly is then placed under vacuum and then in an autoclave to polymerize the resin. Before emplacement of the stiffening strip and/or of the second ply (4), there is interposed at least one layer (5) of a non-adherent material between at least one portion of the surface of the stiffening strip and one and/or the other of the plies.
A process for producing a transparent or opaque silica glass product including mixing a silica fine powder and a cellulose derivative and injection molding the mixture, followed by degreasing treatment and baking treatment, which is characterized in that the cellulose derivative is a cellulose derivative which causes reversible thermal gelation in an aqueous solution of at least one member selected from methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose; in producing a transparent silica glass product, the cellulose derivative is added in water heated at a gelation temperature thereof or higher, and after cooling, the formed aqueous solution is kneaded with the silica fine powder; and in producing an opaque silica glass product, the cellulose derivative is added in a silica slurry containing a silica powder and heated at a gelation temperature of the cellulose derivative or higher.
A method of forming a three-dimensional object comprises ejecting drops of liquefied material into a vat using an ejector; scanning the ejector in first and second mutually opposed directions to induce the drops of liquefied material from the ejector to deposit and solidify in a predetermined sequence to sequentially form layers of the three-dimensional object; supplying a viscous liquid into the vat to a level which is essentially level with the top of a most recently formed layer of the three-dimensional object; and raising the level of the viscous liquid in accordance with the formation of new layers.
A method of treating zinc sulfide transmissive bodies includes using the same metal layer to treat multiple transmissive bodies, catalyzing the recrystallization of the bodies to remove defects from the bodies and forming multispectral zinc sulfide. The metal layer is brought into contact with one of the transmissive bodies. The transmissive body and the metal layer are then subjected to elevated temperature and pressure. The metal layer may include any of a variety of suitable metals, such as platinum, cobalt, silver, nickel, and/or copper. The metal layer may be a foil that is wrapped around the transmissive body. Alternatively the metal layer may be a rigid metal piece, for example being machined to fit the shape of the transmissive bodies. The reuse of the metal layer to treat multiple transmissive bodies reduces the cost of treating the transmissive bodies.
A wholly aromatic liquid crystal polyester resin composition for injection molding, formed by melt-kneading 100 parts by mass of a wholly aromatic liquid crystal polyester resin, and 5 to 20 parts by mass of glass fibers having a number average diameter of 5 to 20 μm and an aspect ratio of 5 or more, the wholly aromatic liquid crystal polyester resin being formed by polycondensation of 60 to 70 mol % of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 40 to 30 mol % of terephthalic acid and 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl combined, and 0 to 5 mol % of isophthalic acid and/or terephthalic acid (for all of these, derivatives thereof are included, and the total of these is 100 mol %). This composition has excellent damping properties, and is suitable for a molding material of an optical pickup lens holder for short type pickups for use in high-speed DVD systems and playback pickups for use in Blu-ray systems.
A low-loss Mn—Zn ferrite comprising Fe, Mn and Zn as main components, Co, Ca and Si as first sub-components, and at least one Va-group metal as a second sub-component: Fe and Zn being 53-56% by mol (calculated as Fe2O3) and 1-9% by mol (calculated as ZnO), respectively, and Mn being the balance, based on the total amount (100% by mol) of the main components; Co and Ca being 500-5000 ppm (calculated as Co3O4) and 3000 ppm or less (calculated as CaCO3), respectively, by mass based on the total amount of the main components, a mass ratio of Ca (calculated as CaCO3) to Si (calculated as SiO2) being 2 or more; Ta being 250 ppm or more (calculated as Ta2O5) among the Va-group metals; the ferrite having an average crystal grain size of less than 3.2 μm and volume resistivity ρ of 1 Ω·m or more, and a power loss Pcv of 350 kW/m3 or less in a range of 0° C.-120° C. at a frequency of 2 MHz and a magnetic flux density of 25 mT.
A processing method of a polymer product is provided. This method first supplies a gas to an atmospheric pressure plasma machine to generate an ionized gas. Then, bombard the ionized gas to the surface of the polymer product to create a surface reaction. Afterwards, a dying treatment or an electroplating treatment is performed on the polymer product.
The present invention relates to the self-assembly of a spherical-morphology block copolymer into V-shaped grooves of a substrate. Although spherical morphology block copolymers typically form a body-centered cubic system (bcc) sphere array in bulk, the V-shaped grooves promote the formation of a face-centered cubic system (fcc) sphere array that is well ordered. In one embodiment, the (111) planes of the fcc sphere array are parallel to the angled side walls of the V-shaped groove. The (100) plane of the fcc sphere array is parallel to the top surface of the substrate, and may show a square symmetry among adjacent spheres. This square symmetry is unlike the hexagonal symmetry seen in monolayers of spherical domains and is a useful geometry for lithography applications, especially those used in semiconductor applications.
A method for removing submicron colloidal particulates, such as hydrocarbons, from water. The method includes first adding a soluble, cationic polymer, such as chitosan, a salt, or solution of chitosan to water containing the submicron particulates and a halogenating agent, followed by adding a soluble, anionic polymer or anionic salt to the water. The resulting flocs are filtered to remove the submicron particulates.
The present invention provides devices and methods for micro-scale simulated moving bed chromatography (SMB) for continuous preparation of analytic quantities of highly pure fractions of target molecules. The present apparatus and method of the invention is adapted in a preferred embodiment to separations by affinity chromatography involving three discontinuous liquid flow loops. An alternative embodiment of affinity chromatography utilizes standard SMB operating under isocratic conditions.
A process has steps of one or more of aerobic treatment to remove COD and nitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to denitrify a waste stream, anoxic treatment to remove selenium and anaerobic treatment to remove heavy metals and sulphur. The process may be used to treat, for example, FGD blow down water. The process may further include one or more of (a) membrane separation of the waste stream upstream of the anoxic digestion to remove selenium, (b) dilution upstream of the biological treatment step, (c) physical/chemical pretreatment upstream of the biological processes or dilution step to remove TSS and soften the waste stream, or (d) ammonia stripping upstream of the biological treatment steps or dilutions step. These processes may be provided in a variety of suspended growth or fixed film reactors, for example a membrane bioreactor or a fixed film reactor having a GAC bed. Processes for biological treatment of inorganic compounds in a fixed medium reactor is described including steps of one or more of maintaining desired ORP levels, optionally by controlling nutrient addition, and removing solids or gas bubbles from the medium bed.
Use of a fungal biomass for treating industrial wastewaters containing at least one dye, wherein: i. the fungal biomass contains at least the fungal species Cunninghamella elegans Lendner; ii. the fungal biomass absorbs the at least one dye, so as to obtain wastewater that is basically free of the at least one dye.
A separation system including a pressure vessel containing a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies is provided for the separation of a fluid feed. The separation system typically includes an elongated pressure vessel having a feed stream inlet, a residual stream and at least one permeate stream outlet. Disposed within the pressure vessel are a first tube sheet assembly defining a first permeate reservoir, a first fluid reservoir, and a plurality of membrane cartridge assemblies. The first tube sheet assembly includes a first pair of tube sheets, which define the first permeate reservoir therebetween, and a plurality of first sleeves disposed between the first pair of tube sheets. The first permeate reservoir is in fluid communication with the at least one permeate stream outlet. The at least one membrane cartridge assembly includes a membrane cartridge and a first permeate adapter joined to a first end of the membrane cartridge.
A membrane filter plate for a filter press includes a membrane fastened in the filter plate. The membrane has a flexible support layer, a central region with a functional layer different from the flexible support layer, and edge regions free of the functional layer.
Apparatus for treating liquid by contact with a particulate adsorbent material comprises a regeneration chamber (10) within a reservoir (2) for liquid to be treated. Adsorbent material is recycled along a path including passage through the regeneration chamber (10) and in a body of liquid in the reservoir to contact and treat the liquid. The adsorbent material is capable of regeneration, and the regeneration chamber (10) is defined between two electrodes (36, 38), which can be coupled to a source of electrical power. The treatment process can be continuous with liquid flowing through the reservoir while the adsorbent material is recycled and regenerated. Alternatively, individual quantities of liquid may be treated on a batch basis. A plurality of regeneration chambers may be arranged within a common reservoir, such as in a bank of chambers aligned along an axis thereof.
The apparatus of this invention consists of a float assembly, constrained in its vertical movement by a perforated riser. The riser is surrounded by a flexible, bellows conduit which will allow the float assembly to move up and down the vertically disposed riser. The float assembly supports a weir collar designed to allow multiple weir orifice openings of different sizes. The flexible, bellows conduit is watertight, and prevents water from entering the riser below the float assembly that is buoyed just below the surface of the liquid basin. The riser is connected to an outlet that discharges the liquid from the liquid basin.
An apparatus and method for the electrolytic and electrodialytic removal of metal ions from wastewater in a single cell. A battery of cells, each of which consists of a cathode, anode, anion exchange membrane and cation exchange membrane, is used. The battery of cells may be used in both batch and continuous processes, and is capable of reducing metal ion concentration from thousand ppm to few ppm. It can be used to concentrate dilute acids as a by-product.
A low-energy method and system of forming hydroxide ions in an electrochemical cell. On applying a low voltage across the anode and cathode, hydroxide ions form in the electrolyte containing the cathode, protons form at the anode but a gas e.g. chlorine or oxygen does not form at the anode.
A method is provided for electrochemically depositing a polymer with spatial selectivity. A substrate having a substrate surface is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide, such as chitosan, which is subjected to electrochemically treatment to deposit, with spatial selectivity, the selectively insolubilizable polysaccharide on a patterned electrically conductive portion of the substrate surface.
The present invention concerns an electrochemical pattern replication method, ECPR, and a construction of a conductive electrode for production of applications involving micro and nano structures. An etching or plating pattern, which is defined by a conductive electrode, a master electrode, is replicated on an electrically conductive material, a substrate. The master electrode is put in close contact with the substrate and the etching/plating pattern is directly transferred onto the substrate by using a contact etching/plating process. The contact etching/plating process is performed in local etching/plating cells, that are formed in closed or open cavities between the master electrode and the substrate.
A method for depositing a nanostructured coating comprising chromium or a copper-chromium mixture on a workpiece. The workpiece may comprise a hollowed structure such as a rocket or jet engine combustion chamber liner. The method comprises providing a magnetron and an external sputter target material comprising chromium or a copper-chromium composite and effecting a magnetron sputter deposition to deposit a substantially uniform nanostructured coating comprising said sputter target material on said workpiece. The method may include plasma enhancement wherein a filament is utilized to produce a plasma that effects an ion bombardment on the workpiece during the magnetron sputter deposition process. The invention also includes the nanostructured coatings deposited by these methods and workpieces coated thereby.
A pinseam press fabric is smoothed in the area of the seam by depositing polyurethane particles having a size of about 1 to 500 micrometers across the seam of the felt defined by the ends of the fabric. The polyurethane particles are drawn into the seam end by the application of a vacuum. Once the particles are deposited, the fabric is heated so that the polyurethane particles melt to form a polymeric matrix.
A device for cleaning a filter net of a pulp dryer fan tower includes a nozzle guide connectable to a filter net of a fan tower in a pulp dryer and at least one nozzle movably arranged on the nozzle guide. At least one connection is arranged on the nozzle for connecting a vacuum pressure to the at least one nozzle. The nozzle guide includes a rail or a threaded rod and an intermediate part connected between the nozzle and the rail or threaded rod. An actuatable power device is configured for moving the nozzle relative to the rail or threaded rod, wherein said at least one nozzle is arranged and dimensioned for cleaning the filter net during the movement relative to the rail or threaded rod.
A neutral beam etching device for separating and accelerating a plasma is provided. The device includes a first chamber having a first opening formed at one side thereof; a second chamber having a second opening formed at one side thereof and being disposed inside the first chamber to form a plasma generation area; a first channel fluidly communicating the first opening with the plasma generation area; a second channel fluidly communicating the second opening with the plasma generation area; a coil disposed on an outer surface of the first chamber and which generates a magnetic field to generate a plasma in the plasma generation area; and an acceleration part disposed within the first and second chambers and configured to separate the plasma into a positive ion and an electron, accelerate the positive ion and the electron, and discharge the positive ion and electron through the first and the second channels.
The invention is an adhesive composition comprising one or more polymers having a flexible backbone and silane moieties capable of silanol condensation; one or more hydrophobic silanes having one or more hydrocarbyloxy groups and one or more hydrocarbyl groups; one or more catalysts for the reaction of silane moieties with active hydrogen containing compounds. Preferably, the adhesive composition further comprises one or more heat stabilizers and/or light stabilizers. In another embodiment, the invention is a method of bonding a window to a coated substrate, such as a window in a vehicle, which comprises applying to the window or the coated substrate an adhesive as described; contacting the window with the coated substrate wherein the adhesive is located between the window and the substrate; and allowing the adhesive to cure.
A peripheral edge of a protective tape joined to a front face of a semiconductor wafer is snagged on a needle having a sharp tip end so as to be partially separated from the front face of the semiconductor wafer; thus, a separated portion is formed. Next, an operation of joining a separating tape to a surface of the protective tape is started from the separated portion, and the protective tape is separated together with the separating tape from the front face of the semiconductor wafer with the separated portion as a starting end.
A method to produce an absorbent article using a blank, includes the following steps: folding the side-edge portions of the side parts of either the rear portion or front portion in towards the inner cover sheet over supports placed on the side parts of this portion and extending along the full length of this portion, folding the blank about a transverse line in the crotch portion so that the end edges of the front portion and rear portion come to lie edge-to-edge and so that the side-edge portions of the folded-in portion overlap the folded-in side-edge portions of the second portion; and welding together the overlapping side-edge portions of the side parts within the area of the supports by way of ultrasonic or thermal welding.
A method for supplying a pyrotechnic material slurry to a container, includes, taking out a pyrotechnic material slurry, stored inside a storage container, from the bottom portion of the storage container or a vicinity thereof, sealing the exposed surface of the pyrotechnic material slurry with a sealing material, and maintaining the sealed state of the pyrotechnic material slurry in the process of supplying the pyrotechnic material slurry to the container.
A method to substantially desensitize a metastable intermolecular composite material to electrostatic discharge and friction comprising mixing the composite material with an organic diluent and removing enough organic diluent from the mixture to form a mixture with a substantially putty-like consistency, as well as a concomitant method of recovering the metastable intermolecular composite material.
The present invention provides a spring steel having both a high strength and a good coiling property after heat treatment, characterized by: containing, in mass, C: 0.4 to 1.2%, Si: 0.9 to 3.0%, Mn: 0.1 to 2.0%, P: 0.015% or less, S: 0.015% or less, Cr: 2.5% or less, and N: 0.001 to 0.015%, with the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities; and, in the microstructure of the steel after hot rolling, the density of globular cementite carbides 0.2 to 3 μm in circle-equivalent diameter being 0.5 piece/μm2 or less and the density of globular cementite carbides over 3 μm in circle-equivalent diameter being 0.005 piece/μm2 or less.
An aqueous phosphoric bonding solution consists essentially of phosphoric acid, a source of magnesium ions, and a leachable corrosion inhibitor. The bonding solution is stable with respect to inorganic metal particles, such as aluminum, which are admixed to the bonding solution for the preparation of a coating slurry. Metal parts coated with the coating compositions have very satisfactory properties such as heat and corrosion resistance.
A process for maintaining a low carbon monoxide content in a carbon dioxide product that is made in a synthesis gas purification process is disclosed. More particularly, the invention involves an improved process in which a portion of a loaded solvent is sent through a carbon dioxide absorber instead of to a series of carbon dioxide flash drums.
A treatment system to efficiently remove lead from dust contained in extracted cement kiln combustion gas while reducing facility and running costs. A treatment system 1 comprising: a probe 3 for extracting a part of combustion gas, while cooling it, from a kiln exhaust gas passage, which runs from an inlet end of a cement kiln to a bottom cyclone; a classifier 5 for separating coarse powder from dust contained in the combustion gas extracted by the probe 3; a wet dust collector 6 for collecting dust from the extracted gas containing fine powder discharged from the classifier 5; and devices 12, 13 for feeding sulfurizing agent for sulfurizing lead contained in the kiln exhaust gas to the wet dust collector 6, and others. From the sulfurizing-agent feeders 12, 13 are preferably added the sulfurizing agents to a circulation liquid tank 7 or a pump 9 for circulating slurry. The slurry obtained by the wet dust collector 6 is separated into froth including lead and tail side slurry including gypsum by a flotation facility 14, 17, 18.
A lithographic projection apparatus (1) includes a support configured to support a patterning device (MA), the patterning device configured to pattern the projection beam according to a desired pattern. The apparatus has a substrate (W) table configure to hold a substrate, a projection system configured to project the patterned beam onto a target portion of the substrate. The apparatus also has a purge gas supply system (100) configured to provide a purge gas near a surface of a component of the lithographic projection apparatus. The purge gas supply system (100) includes a purge gas mixture generator (120) configured to generate a purge gas mixture which includes at least one purging gas and moisture. The purge gas mixture generator has a moisturizer (150) configured to add the moisture to the purge gas and a purge gas mixture outlet (130) connected to the purge gas mixture generator (120) configured to supply the purge gas mixture near the surface.
A portable partition system includes an air permeable nonwoven sheet material as the primary isolation material. An elongated support member with an attachment device are used to erect the sheet material. The attachment device includes a head with opposed separable clamping surfaces having a hook material provided thereon. The sheet material is inserted between the clamping surfaces so as to be engaged directly by the hook material on opposite sides of the sheet material upon erecting the system into a portable partition.
A filter system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle has a housing with a top housing part and a bottom housing part. A filter element is arranged inside the housing. An unfiltered air connector is connected to the housing. A clean air connector is connected to the housing The top housing part has a support grate embedded in foam material. The support grate and the foam material are configured such that bending of the top housing part in a direction of the bottom housing part is ensured when a load is applied.
A cyclonic chamber for use in air filtration devices. The chamber includes an apex opposite a base with sidewalls extending therebetween. The cyclonic chamber is preferably parabolic in cross-section or tubular with a hemi-spherical cap. The base contains an outflow passage and a conical filter extending therefrom. An inflow passage is provided proximate the apex. The inflow and outflow passages are parallel but not aligned. The chamber interior is smooth. The smooth interior and offset relationship of the inflow and outflow passages causes air to take a cyclonic path between the inflow passage and the filter. Debris in the airstream is pushed outward—away from the filter—by centripetal force. Eddies form proximate the base. Debris escapes the airstream there, where it either remains or, depending upon the chamber's orientation relative to gravity, falls back into the airflow where it is again directed away from the filter.
The present invention relates to a additive composition for use as lubricity improver for low sulphur diesel, comprising c) 0.1-10% by weight of ester derivative derived from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL esters) of formula (I); f) 0.1-10% by weight of ester derivative derived from cashew nut shell liquid of formula (II); g) 50-95% by weight of free fatty acid of the formula RCOOH in which R represents an alkyl/alkenyl group with 12 to 24 carbon atoms. h) 1-30% by weight of synthetic esters derived by esterifying tri, tetra, penta hydric alcohols with carboxylic acids such as lauric, palmitic, linoleic, ricinoleic etc.
A stent is made from a coiled wire and is very smooth along its length and as well its ends. The stent is thus highly atraumatic to patients, and because of its smooth surfaces, it presents a surface to which it is difficult for microbes to cling. The stent may be used in a minimally invasive procedure, such as for a ureteral stent, and may also be used percutaneously. Similar stents may be used in other body areas, such as in draining the biliary tract, the gastro-intestinal tract, hepatic procedures, and in vascular procedures as well.
The present invention relates to tubular radially expansible metal structures, having an abluminal wall, a luminal wall and a radial wall thickness therebetween with struts defining through-apertures in the wall, the structure further defining a plurality of expansible rings arranged adjacent one another along the longitudinal axis of the structure, each of the rings defining at least one bridge strut, and adjacent rings being linked by a bridge extending between adjacent bridge struts on adjacent rings. The bridges, a plurality of which are distributed throughout the length of the tubular structure and are configured and arranged to divide the tubular structure into axially spaced and electrically insulated sections, advantageously exhibit reduced electrical conductivity throughout their wall thickness. The present invention relates furthermore to a method of manufacturing such a tubular structure, as well as a method of visualizing a bodily lumen supported by such a tubular structure deployed therein.
A stent-graft comprising a stent and a graft having a supported portion lining or covering at least a portion of the stent, and an unsupported portion extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the stent. The stent-graft may have a length corresponding to at least a mean standard length from a standard incision point to a distal-most portion of a standard lumen into which the distal end of the stent is adapted to be deployed, with the unsupported portion of the graft extending beyond the mean standard length by an amount equal to at least two, if not three or more, standard deviations of the mean standard length. A method for deploying the stent-graft comprises making an incision in a wall of the lumen, introducing and deploying the stent-graft in the lumen so that the proximal end extends beyond the incision, and attaching the graft to a lumen by anastamosis.
An apparatus for promoting hemostasis of a puncture formed in a blood vessel accessible through an incision tract and methods of use thereof. The apparatus includes distal and proximal balloons each having a contracted position and an expanded position, the proximal balloon spaced by a predetermined initial distance from the distal balloon. The apparatus further includes at least one catheter coupling the distal and proximal balloons to a source of pressurized fluid to selectively actuate the distal and proximal balloons between the contracted and expanded positions.
Disclosed is an instrument, assembly, and method for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy. The instrument comprises a tube assembly having an end effector assembly operably supported thereby, where the end effector assembly includes a harness adapted to receive a balloon portion of a balloon catheter assembly.
A treatment system includes an energy source, a pair of holding portions, an output portion and a cooling section. To hold a living tissue of a treatment target, at least one of the pair of the holding portions relatively moves with respect to the other holding portion. The output portion is disposed on at least one of the holding portions and connected with the energy source. Moreover, the output portion thermally denatures the living tissue, when the energy is supplied from the energy source. The cooling section inhibits the thermal spread in a direction away from the output portion.
An electrosurgical forceps has at least the tip of one blade member formed of a composite material having aligned elongated particles of nickel interspersed in a matrix of silver particles. The tip can be provided as a tip member attached, such as by brazing, to the body of the blade member, or the entire blade member can be formed of the silver/nickel composite material. In another embodiment, the tip or blade member is formed of a dispersion strengthened silver or copper composite material.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of excising tissue including injecting fluid into the submucosa to raise targeted tissue. A first electrode is positioned below the targeted tissue within the injected fluid and a second electrode is positioned adjacent a surface of the raised targeted tissue opposite the first electrode. Electrical current is applied between the first and second electrodes and the targeted tissue is excised with the second electrode.
A device for resection and/or ablation of organic tissue by means of high-frequency current comprises, at the distal end, a loop that can be acted upon by high-frequency voltage and, in the proximal direction from the loop, at least one helix that can likewise be acted upon by high-frequency voltage, the arrangement of loop and helix being able to be moved in rotation about the longitudinal axis of the helix.
Vacuum break vial assembly and method for reducing the incidence of nosocomial infections, comprising a vial stopper having a 2-part withdrawn-fluid volume compensation assembly having a barbed vent element that secures an apertured needle sheath, a bladder-retainer tube and an expandable/unfoldable bladder. The vial has an aluminum cap holding a plastic flip-off top that removes a central portion of the cap to permit access by hypodermic needle through the stopper into the needle sheath. No pre-pressurization of the vial by ambient contaminated air via the hypodermic can occur. Rather, the needle is inserted in the vial through the stopper and the medicinal fluid withdrawn. Air is inlet into the separate bladder which expands to permit withdrawal of fluid into the hypodermic without vacuum lock. No air having pathogen vectors is introduced into the vial medicinal fluid as the bladder isolates volume-compensating air from the medicinal fluid. Plural embodiments are shown.
To provide a medical liquid container which is free from sealing failure in the seal portion at the peripheral edge of the liquid medicament-housing chamber and also free from deterioration of a medicament housed in a small amount; and a preparation-containing medical liquid container. A secondary liquid medicament-housing chamber 12 is connected to one end of a primary liquid medicament-housing chamber 11. This secondary liquid medicament-housing chamber 12 is unseparably fixed to the primary liquid medicament-housing chamber 11 at a connection part 14. The secondary liquid medicament-housing chamber 12 has a bulge part 15 bulged such that the internal medicament-housing space before housing a second medicament is larger than the volume of the housed second medicament.
A peritoneal dialysis system includes: (i) an enclosure; (ii) a stepper motor housed by the enclosure; (iii) a pump head in operable communication with the stepper motor; and (iv) a disposable unit including at least one flexible membrane attached to a rigid piece, the enclosure configured to receive the disposable unit such that the stepper motor can move the pump head towards and away from the flexible membrane to cause, (a) the flexible membrane to move outwardly with respect to the rigid piece as the pump head is moved away from the disposable unit, and (b) the flexible membrane to move inwardly with respect to the rigid piece as the pump head is moved away from the disposable unit.
A user or assistant operated device for elevation and forward thrusting of the jaw for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea is disclosed. The device includes a base configured to contact a torso of a wearer, a chin support configured to contact a jaw of the wearer, and a jack extending between the base and the chin support. In this regard, the jack is length adjustable and configured to elevate the chin support relative to the base such that the jaw is thrust forward relative to the torso.
An improved patient monitoring system is described herein. In particular, the present invention provides an improved system, method, and kit for positioning and removably mounting, often repeatedly, a monitor transducer on a patient, for example, an external fetal monitor used during pregnancy and childbirth labor. The improved system of the present invention avoids many of the disadvantages of conventional monitoring systems in that it maintains transducer position during patient movement, allows the position of the transducer to be changed without repositioning the patient, allows for simple and expeditious adjustment so as to maximize signal quality without causing patient discomfort, eliminates the need for a belt circumferentially disposed about the patient's abdomen, and can be applied to a wide array of body types, including patients having round abdomens. The system, method, and kit of the present invention is not only both efficient and effective but also economical.
Described herein are systems and methods for determining the cardiac output of a patient. One such method includes measuring the patient's height and the velocity time integral or stroke distance of blood flowing from the heart of the patient, and subsequently utilising these measurements to determine the cardiac output of the patient based on a valve cross sectional area estimate.
A control handle for use with a steerable endoscopic device. The endoscopic device having a pair of control wires to effect steering. The control handle includes a steering mechanism that includes an actuator, such as a control knob, drivingly connected to a drive member, such as a sprocket or drive gear. To transmit force from the drive member to the control wires, a length of transmission structure, such as bead chain, is connected to the proximal ends of the control wires and is engaged with the drive member. In one embodiment, a single-use endoscope may be provided, which includes a control handle, a steerable endoscopic device, and a umbilical cord or communications conduit for functionally connecting the control handle to a control cabinet of an endoscopic imaging system.
The present disclosure provides a method and device for exercise comprising having two bases each supporting a pivoting arm with a grip attached thereto with a rotating hub attached to each pivoting arm (wherein each hub has a magnetically attractive region thereon and each pivoting arm is movable around 360 degrees). Placing a movable magnetic device in close proximity to each hub (wherein moving the magnetic device will vary the magnetic field being applied to the hub), placing a user grasping the grips (between the bases) and moving the grips around a guided circular pathway and varying the magnetic field being applied to each hub, thereby adjusting the resistance being exercised with, during movement of the grip around one revolution.
Provided is a chest expander including: a head having a spring installation part at which a spring is installed and arm connection parts installed at both sides of the spring installation part; a pair of arms pivotally coupled with the arm connection parts of the head at their upper ends; a spring member vertically installed at the spring installation part of the head, and converting movement of the pair of arms approached toward each other into a resilient force generated by compressing or extending the spring to vertically transmit the resilient force to the arms; a pair of links having first ends connected to each arm and second ends extending between the arms; and a spring operation part having a link connection part connected to the second ends of the links and compressing or extending the spring member using power added and transmitted to the link connection part through the links by the movement of the arms.
A rope climbing apparatus (15) comprising a frame (16), a seat (18) supported by the frame and adapted to move relative to the frame from a first position (19) to an elevated second position (20), a lower pulley assembly (21) connected to the seat, an upper pulley assembly (22) connected to the frame, a rope (23) extending between the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly and having a rope climbing portion (24) graspable by a user (25) when the user is seated on the seat, and the rope, the seat, the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly configured and arranged such that a downward force (26) on the rope climbing portion of the rope causes an upward force (28) on the seat. The downward force on the rope climbing portion may result in an upward force on the seat at a mechanical advantage provided by the lower pulley assembly and the upper pulley assembly, and the mechanical advantage may be four. The rope may comprise a first end portion (29) connected to the seat and the rope climbing portion may comprise a second end portion (30) terminating within grasp of the user when the user is seated on the seat. The first end portion of the rope may be connected to the seat via the lower pulley assembly, such that the first end portion of the rope is connected directly to the lower pulley assembly.
One embodiment of a portable acrobatic training apparatus (I) with which to support and instruct athletes learning back handsprings having opposing flat vertical ends (16), a resilient arcuate uppermost surface (10), a flat horizontal base 12), and a convex near surface (14). Said trainer apparatus is of approximate elliptical shape, rests on its base until intentionally activated by user, is self-limiting rotationally and returns to start position automatically following each usage.
A floatable trampoline that includes a floatable support, an apron attached to the floatable support, a mat, a first connector attached to the mat, a second connector attached to the apron, and springs, wherein at least one spring is attached to at least one first connector and at least one second connector so as to couple the mat to the apron.
A method is disclosed for controlling overall transmission ratios in a vehicle powertrain with an engine, fixed multiple-ratio gearing and infinitely variable ratio components. For a given vehicle speed and for a given vehicle traction wheel horsepower, the fixed multiple-ratio gearing and the infinitely variable ratio components are controlled to operate with an overall ratio that will permit the engine to operate with optimum efficiency.
A transmission having input and output shafts, gearsets (RS1-RS4), shafts (1-8) and elements (A-E). Carriers of gearsets (RS4, RS3) are respectively connected to the input and the output forming shafts (1, 2). Sun gears of gearsets (RS1, RS4) are coupled forming shaft (3). The ring gear and a carrier respectively of gearsets (RS1, RS2) form shafts (4, 8). Ring gears of gearsets (RS2, RS4) respectively couple sun gears of gearsets (RS3, RS2) forming shafts (5, 7). A carrier of gearset (RS1) and a ring gear of gearset (RS3) are connected forming shaft (6). In the power flow, elements (A, B) are respectively arranged between shafts (3, 4) and a transmission housing, element (C) between shafts (5, 1), element (D) between shafts (8, 2) or (8, 6), and element (E) between two of shafts (5, 7, 8).
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and a brake arranged within a transmission housing.
An embodiment of the invention provides a sports equipment handle, such as a lacrosse stick handle, that includes a hollow tubular lacrosse stick shaft, a wall of the shaft defining a cavity extending around the shaft in a direction perpendicular to the shaft axis, and a pre-molded latitudinal rib disposed in the cavity, wherein a dimension of the rib is slightly larger than a corresponding dimension of the cavity such that the rib is compressed within the cavity. The shaft can also define a slot substantially parallel to the shaft axis, with a longitudinal rib disposed in the slot. The ribs can be specially located and structured to provide the shaft with structural and tactile features that correspond to and accommodate the way in which a player moves his hands along the shaft and grips the shaft, to enhance the player's control of the shaft when performing various skills.
An exemplary golf club head having an increased amount of discretionary mass may be realized by utilizing improved drop angles, an improved average crown height, and/or articulation points. The discretionary mass may be placed low and deep in the club head to improve the location of the center of gravity as well as the inertial properties. A preferred break length may also be utilized to further improve the depth of the center of gravity. In one example, the center of gravity may be positioned to substantially align the sweet spot with the face center of the club head.
A golf club head according to one or more aspects of the present invention may include a main cavity having at least one auxiliary cavity and a base surface. An insert may be associated with the base surface and may comprise at least two contact elements, with a bridge member disposed therebetween. Different contact elements of the insert may be disposed in separate respective auxiliary cavities, such that each contact element may be associated with the base surface. The bridge member of the insert may be dissociated from the base surface. Moreover, a surface coating may be selectively applied to the head to permit a durable adhesive bond between the insert and the base surface.
This invention presents an apparatus for force adjustment within a golf shaft. The apparatus includes load member and a force adjuster and parts for coupling the apparatus to a golf shaft. A lightweight design for the load member is introduced and a method of assembling the apparatus into the golf club shaft is described.
Golf club 2 has shaft 6, head 4, inner member 8 and cap 10. The head 4 has hosel member 22, and this hosel member 22 screw member 26 formed on the outer peripheral face thereof, and hosel hole 28. The cap 10 has screw member 40 formed on the inner peripheral face thereof, and internal extending portion 44 that extends more inwards than this screw member 40. The screw member 26 of this cap 10 and the screw member 40 of the hosel member 22 are bound by thread connection. The inner member 8 has shaft channel 46, and engaging face 50. The shaft 6 is stuck to the shaft channel 46. Engagement of the engaging face 50 with the internal extending portion 44 controls upward displacement of the inner member 8 with respect to the hosel hole 28.
A golf training aid comprised of a telescopic rod mounted on an adjustable bracket and a generally spherical end member mounted on the rod. The bracket adjusts to fit over the end of the grip of a golf club and is held in place by a band around the bracket. The rod is adapted to be extended and shortened as a means to adjust the length of the device. The distance of the end member from the grip is adjusted so that the end member contacts the midsection of a golfer when he assumes his putting stance and is positioned outside the golfer's body when used for chipping. The portion of the end member which contacts a golfer's body has relatively low friction so that the end member moves relative to the body if the proper putting stroke is not used. The telescopic rod of the device is not meant to contact the golfer's body when used for chipping and will come in contact with the golfer's body when an improper chipping motion is used.
A game contents delivery server receives a desire to obtain contents from the player terminal with presentation of the contents ID via a communication network. The game contents delivery server creates tag data uniquely defined when the desire to obtain the contents is received from the player terminal. The game contents delivery server delivers the contents to the player terminal by adding the tag data thus created to the contents identification information and transmitting the contents to the player terminal. An online video game control server creates delivered contents data in the case where the obtained contents information in which header data are added to the obtained tag data is received from the player character. The online video game control server then registers the created delivered contents data so that the contents indicated by the obtained contents information can be utilized.
A gaming system comprises: one or more slot machines each of which includes a controller for controlling a basic game, and each of which has a function whereby, in the case that a “BONUS” symbol combination has come to a stop along an active pay line in the basic game, a second game start signal is transmitted; a second gaming device which is a separate device from the slot machines, and which has a function of executing a roulette game; and an image capturing device having a function of capturing an image of the second gaming device upon receipt of a predetermined image capturing signal, and a function of transmitting the image data. Furthermore, the gaming system includes a central controller which is communicably connected to the slot machines, the second gaming device, and the image capturing device. The central controller transmits an image capturing signal to the image capturing device upon receipt of the second game start signal. Upon receipt of the image data thus captured, the central controller transmits the image data to the slot machines at which the players play the second game.
A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.
The present invention relates particularly to an oscillating grinding machine. The grinding machine comprises a driving motor (3) surrounded by a body (3), and a drive shaft (4) cooperating with the driving motor. The drive shaft comprises a grinding head (5) that constitutes a support for a grinding product (8). The drive shaft (4) is arranged in two pieces and comprises a main shaft (11) and an eccentric shaft (10) arranged rigidly thereto. The eccentric shaft comprises a center line (12) that assumes an angle (α) against a corresponding center line (13) of the main shaft, and thus the grinding head (5) will assume an eccentric placement in relation to the main shaft (11). Thus, the grinding head is arranged to oscillate in a substantially spherical plane provided by the rotation of the main shaft and the eccentricity and inclination of the eccentric shaft in relation to the main shaft.
A toy gun is provided with ejecting shells and a smoking chamber. Each ejecting shell has a spring and a recess and is placed into a barrel chamber. The chamber has a post, which compresses the spring when the shell is placed into the chamber. When the hinge is opened, the spring decompresses ejecting the shell from the chamber. The smoke generating assembly is provided with a pump, an oil tank, a heating element, a switch, a visual indicator, and an automatic shutoff. When the switch is actuated, the heating element heats the oil, such that it transforms into a smoke vapor. Upon opening the hinge, the hinge actuates the pump, connected to the tank, which pumps smoke vapor out of the tank through an opening in the post such that smoke appears in the chamber.
A method provides defining a profile associated with an image representing a real toy or product, said profile including at least one variable parameter therein, which variable parameter effects the way the image is displayed on the website, based on said interacting, changing a part of the profile that includes at least one parameter related to at least one of health, happiness and/or hunger, based on a registration code associated with the real product or toy, defining a temperament profile that defines how the image will react to interactions with another aspect of the method or a system or a user, and based on the temperament profile and the interactions and the profile, causing the image to react to one or more of the interactions.
In terminals (10, 20) to be connected by inserting a tab (11) of one terminal (10) into a tubular portion (21) of the other terminal (20), a resiliently deformable resilient contact piece (23) is provided in the tubular portion (21) and includes a contact portion (24) to be brought into contact with the tab (11) inserted into the tubular portion (21), and a groove (13) is formed in a part of the contact portion (24) to be brought into sliding contact with the tab (11) or in a part of the tab (11) to come into sliding contact with the contact portion (24), both lateral edges (13S) of the groove (13) extending in oblique directions with respect to an inserting direction of the tab (11).
A probe connector has a barrel with a main body surrounding a chamber therein. The main body has a slot communicating with the chamber. A plunger includes a basic portion restricted in the barrel and a contact portion extended from one end of the basic portion. A fixing element has a fixing ring wrapping a periphery of the main body, a portion of the fixing ring extended perpendicular to the fixing ring to form a connecting rod. The connecting rod has a portion bent towards the same direction as an extending direction of a radius of the fixing ring to form a resting portion buckling into the chamber of the main body through the slot. The resting portion resiliently abuts against a side of the plunger when the plunger is pressed downwards to deflect to contact an inner surface of the main body by an opposite side thereof.
An electrical card connector (1) for receiving a card, includes an insulating housing (10) receiving a plurality of terminals (4), a shell (11) mounting on the insulating housing defining a guiding space (14) and receiving a guiding portion (34) to guiding the card moving in the guiding space, and an ejecting mechanism (6) assembled on the insulating housing. The ejecting mechanism includes an ejecting plate (63) for ejecting the card from the guiding space, an operation portion (66) and a lever member (62) connecting the operation and the ejecting plate. The lever member forms a center point as the center of rotation thereof, and the center point is outside the guiding space.
A cable assembly, comprises at least one connector defining a mating portion; a cable electrically connected to the connector; and a dustproof cover module attached to the cable. The dustproof cover module comprises at least one dustproof cover for covering the mating portion of the connector and a carrier comprising a base portion having at least one receiving room therein and a tie extending from a rear surface of the base portion. The dustproof cover is received into the receiving room, the tie engages with the base portion to make the carrier surrounding the cable and holding the dustproof cover positioned in the base portion of the carrier.
A plurality of contacts are assembled at prescribed spacings in a longitudinal direction of a receptacle body. Each contact has a meandering curved part in the intermediate portion for elastically contacting the corresponding contact. A ground member extending in a longitudinal direction of the receptacle body and passes through the inner area of the respective meandering curved parts of the contacts is combined with the receptacle body. The ground member is arranged at a position equally distant from the respective parts of the meandering curved part.
An electrical connector includes a housing and a lead frame held by the housing. The lead frame includes a terminal extending along a length between a mating end portion and a mounting end portion. The terminal is at least partially surrounded by a dielectric core extending a length along at least a portion of the length of the terminal. The dielectric core is metallized such that the core is at least partially surrounded by an electrically conductive shell.
A power connector (100) has a mating plug (10) having a number of contacts (110), an internal printed circuit board (30) mounted to the mating plug and located in one transverse direction perpendicular to the pluggable direction, a cable (20) connected to the internal circuit board, and outer barrel (50) enclosing the mating plug and the cable. The internal printed circuit board defines a conductive area (31). The cable provides a connecting section (24) connecting with the conductive area of the internal printed circuit board and extending through the internal printed circuit board to connect with the contact of the mating plug.
A plug connector has an insulative housing and a plurality of signal terminals. The insulative housing has a plurality mounting channels and each mounting channel has an interfering portion. The signal terminals are mounted respectively in the mounting channels and each signal terminals has a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion. Each of the first and second clamping portions has at least on barb stabbing and biting the interfering portion of a corresponding mounting channel to securely hold the signal terminal in the insulative housing.
A socket adapted for electrically connecting a semiconductor package to a printed circuit board, comprises an insulating body and a plurality of position clump. The insulating body has a plurality of sidewalls, which define a plurality of assembling slots. The position clumps are movably assembled to the assembling slots of the insulating housing, each of the position clump has a position block and a spring member disposed between the position block and the insulating housing, the position block has a supporting face for supporting the IC package and is able to downwardly move toward the mating face of insulating housing.
The present invention provides a very thin planar connector having 2 mm or smaller pitch interval at the lattice area and 0.5 mm or smaller thickness of the lattice area, giving excellent performance in the whole performances such as moldability, flatness, warp-deformation, and heat resistance. A planar connector having a lattice structure within an outer frame is molded by using (C) a resin composition prepared by compounding (A) a liquid-crystalline polymer with (B) a fibrous filler, while the relation between the compounding quantity and the weight-average length of (B) the fibrous filler is controlled to a specified range.
Disclosed are educational straws having an end portion of a defined shape and the name of said shape displayed on the exterior body of the straw thereby instilling a cognitive recognition of a sequence of letters associated with the shape which will enhance vocabulary, spelling and object spatial recognition for a plurality of defined shapes.
A primary flow of the burner air stream is slowed relatively to a secondary flow of the air stream. Fuel is injected at a lower rate into the primary flow, which generates a more stable flame, and fuel is injected at a higher rate into the secondary flow, which generates a stronger flame. If the stronger flame is blown out, fuel in the secondary flow can be lit by the flame from the primary flow.
A fired heater has two types of burners. The first burner is located in a duct which provides oxygen-containing gas to the heater to be combusted with the fuel provided by the burner. The second burner is located in the heater and provides both air and fuel for combustion. The heater may be located downstream of a gas turbine engine that cogenerates electricity and provides the oxygen-containing gas.
A roller extruder for manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments from raw plastic, the roller extruder having a blank roller and a die roller positioned a desired roller clearance from the blank roller, the die roller having two peripheral lens dies with an angular displacement between the lens dies increasing linearly from a die junction at the inside roller edge to approximately one hundred eighty degrees at the outside roller edge, and the die roller having peripheral Fresnel facet dies.
Device for extruding hollow strands from thermoplastic material, with an extruder head, having a mandrel, and a calibrating device, for making a dimensional change while production is in progress, and with a radially adjustable inlet, at least one Ranque vortex chamber being formed in the mandrel, the cooling air outlet of which chamber leads into a cooling tube, which extends as an axial extension of the mandrel through the inlet of the calibrating device and has a cooling air outlet opening out into the calibrating device. This device achieves the object of providing a device with which effective interior cooling is achieved in calibrating devices designed for making a dimensional change while operation is in progress.
A processing apparatus for transferring a relief pattern on a mold to a resist on a substrate through a compression of the mold against the resist, and an irradiation of light for exposing the resist onto the resist includes a mold chuck for holding the mold and for compressing the mold against the resist, and a deformation reducing part for reducing a deformation of the mold when the mold chuck applies a compression force to the mold.
A method and apparatus for reducing the pressure in an enclosure are provided. The method includes at least one primary pump on the outlet side and one secondary pump on the inlet side connected in series in the flow path of the pumped gases and driven in the same rotation direction by a first electric motor and a second electric motor, respectively, controlled by an electronic control module for modifying the speeds of the two electric motors independently, and includes at least one step, during reducing the pressure in the enclosure, of progressively increasing the rotation speed of the secondary pump in accordance with a rotation speed variation law of the secondary pump and at the same time progressively reducing the rotation speed of the primary pump in accordance with a rotation speed variation law of the primary pump.
Injection molded ring fan embodiments and methods for making them. The methods influence material flow during the injection molding process such that a major portion of the materials flowing in opposite directions in the outer rings preferably flow past one another, intermix in a swirling relationship, and/or collide at an angle relative to one another. This results in better material mixing or integration of the flow fronts. In one embodiment, the thickness of the outer ring varies in different portions between adjacent fan blades.
A turbine blade used in a gas turbine engine, the blade having a showerhead film cooling hole arrangement along the leading edge of the blade, the showerhead arrangement including three rows of film cooling holes with a middle row being aligned with the stagnation point, a second row on the pressure side of the stagnation point, and the third row on the suction side of the stagnation point. The film cooling holes can be oriented at any angle within each row, and the cooling holes spiral within the airfoil wall to promote heat transfer to the cooling air flow. In large turbine airfoils, very fine cooling passages can be formed in the airfoil wall using the small diameter ceramic core ties used in the present invention.
A gas turbine engine airfoil including at least one outer tile coupled to a supporting member. The outer tile is coupled to the supporting member by a pin passing though the supporting member and the outer tile.
A surface coated cutting tool comprises a substrate and a hard layer formed on the surface of the substrate, and a contact angle of water θ on the rake face of the hard layer is in the range of 30 to 80°. A surface coated cutting tool comprises a substrate and a hard layer formed on the surface of the substrate, and a contact angle of water θR on the rake face of the hard layer and a contact angle of water θF on the flank face of the hard layer have a relation of θR<θF. Thereby, excellent resistance to wear and fracture can be shown, leading to a excellent surface coated cutting tool.
A rotary cutting tool or end mill is provided, the tool comprising a plurality of pairs of diametrically-opposed, symmetrical, helical flutes formed in a cutting portion of the tool body, wherein the pitch between at least one pair of adjacent helical flutes is less than or greater than the pitch of at least one other pair of adjacent helical flutes in at least one radial plane along the axial length of the flutes, a plurality of peripheral cutting edges, wherein at least one of the peripheral cutting edges has a radial rake angle different from radial rake angle of a peripheral cutting edge of a different helical flute.
Stabilizing strip (10) intended for use in reinforced earth structures comprising laterally-opening notches (16) and/or pre-notches (17) making it possible to impose a finite radius of curvature on said strip (10).
A curvature limiter for a hydrocarbon transferring subsea system comprising a flexible tubular member through which an intermediate portion of the flexible hydrocarbon pipe passes. The flexible tubular member has a plurality of successive, substantially cylindrical sections which are hingedly mounted with respect to each other. At a predetermined maximum displacement thereof, the tubular member defining a mean plane in such a way that the flexible tubular member forms a mean curvature having the predetermined curvature radius of this mean plane.
A printing apparatus configured to print on the pages of a block of printable pages that are pre-bound by a binding along a binding-edge of each page. The pages of the block are arranged in two interconnected stacks that are joined by the flexible binding. Printing is performed on the top surfaces of each of the stacks, and then a top page is redeployed from one stack to the other. During the redeployment process, the page is turned, thereby revealing an unprinted side of the page. Since the height of each of the stacks changes each time a page is redeployed, the printing apparatus includes two height-adjustable stack support tables each associated with a corresponding one of the two stacks. The support tables are configured to adjust their height so as to maintain the planar relationship of the top surfaces of each of the stacks. After printing, the printed pages are removed separated from the unprinted pages. A book-cover is then attached to the printed pages to complete the book.
An integrated optical interconnect. The integrated optical interconnect includes a receptacle for connecting to a first external component. The receptacle includes an EMI shield with an aperture sized to allow transmission of an optical signal through the aperture while containing EMI within the receptacle. The integrated optical interconnect also includes a port injection molded around or within a portion of the receptacle, the port being configured to receive a second external component and a lens injection molded near a location of the aperture of the EMI shield.
A tapered roller bearing has an increased load capacity and has a decreased maximum face pressure on the raceway surfaces without lowering the rigidity of the cage. The tapered roller bearing includes an inner ring, an outer ring, multiple tapered rollers rollably disposed between the inner ring 2 and the outer ring 3, and a cage for holding the tapered rollers at predetermined circumferential intervals, wherein the roller coefficient γ thereof is larger than 0.94. Herein, γ=(the number of the rollers×the average diameter of the rollers)/(π×PCD).
A mounting piece (1) for receiving a roll neck of a roll used in steel and non-ferrous metal processing has at least one lubricant-receiving chamber (7) on a roll body side (3) and at least one lubricant-receiving chamber (8) on a discharge side (4) which are located beneath a lowest support point (9), connection bores (10) between the lubricant-receiving chambers (7, 8) on the roll body and discharge sides (3, 4), wherein the lubricant (2) is collected in additional lubricant-receiving chambers (15, 16) in the mounting piece (1).
A bearing assembly comprises an inner ring and an outer ring assembly having an upstream face and a downstream face. The outer ring assembly comprises an outer ring rotatably coupled to the inner ring, and a plurality of rolling elements that resides between the inner ring and the outer ring. At least one flow bypass channel extends through the outer ring assembly.
A smooth surface of a shaft member is divided from an outer circumferential surface by a step so that its axial length dimension becomes shorter than the axial length dimension of a hydrodynamic groove region formed on the inner circumferential surface of a bearing sleeve, whereby the hydrodynamic groove regions excluding lower portions of a land between hydrodynamic grooves oppose the smooth surface.
A temperature sensor has a sensor tip and a front for measuring the temperature of the inner walls of tools, particularly inner walls of injection molding tools. The tip of the temperature sensor has two thermocouple wires of a thermocouple. Each thermocouple wire of the thermocouple guided to the front is welded to the sensor tip up to a depth which is larger than the total processing depth behind the front. The sensor tip is processable by removing of material at the front up to that processing depth.
Embodiments provide an LED comprising a quantum well region operable to generate light and a substrate having an interface with the quantum well region, wherein light generated by the quantum well region traverses the interface to enter the substrate and exit the LED through an exit face of the substrate. The exit face may be opposite from and a distance from the interface, with some portion or all of this LED being shaped to optimize the light extraction efficiency of the device. The exit face can have at least 70% of a minimum area necessary to conserve brightness for a desired half-angle of light. Sidewalls of the LED may be positioned and shaped so that rays incident on a sidewall reflect to the exit face with an angle of incidence at the exit face at less than or equal to a critical angle at the exit face.
An outdoor LED lamp includes an LED lamp and a cover mounted on the LED lamp and covering a heat sink of the LED lamp therein. The LED lamp includes a bracket, the heat sink mounted on a top side of the bracket, and a plurality of LED modules mounted on a bottom surface of the heat sink. The cover is a bended metal sheet. The cover includes a covering portion located over a top of the heat sink and a baffling portion extending slantwise downwardly from an end of the covering portion. Height of the covering portion is decreased from a central portion to opposite lateral portions of the covering portion. Slits are defined in the covering portion. Downwardly opened slots are defined in the baffling portion. The cover is used for preventing snow, leaves or dust from accumulating on the heat sink.
A wallwash reflector assembly includes a downlight body mounted within a wallwash body, the wallwash body being of multi-piece construction including an active body having an upper wallwash reflector for illuminating a first portion of a wall and a wallside body having a lower wallwash reflector for illuminating for a second portion of the wall. The upper and lower wallwash reflectors are optically optimized to provide a smooth, imperceptible transition between the illumination provided to the wall by the upper wallwash reflector and the illumination provided to the wall by the lower wallwash reflector.
A folded projection display system includes a wire-grid polarizer placed immediately behind the system's imaging screen. The display system includes an image projector that projects an image beam containing light of a predetermined linear polarization toward the imaging screen. The wire-grid polarizer reflects the light in the image beam away from the screen. The reflected image beam then encounters a ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder that converts the linear polarization to circular polarization. The image beam next hits a mirror that reflects the light back through the ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder, which converts the circular polarization back to linear polarization, with the polarization director rotated 90 degrees from the original polarization direction. The wire-grid polarizer then allows the light to pass through to the image screen.
An eye movement measuring apparatus comprises: an image forming part configured to obtain data optically to form a fundus oculi image of an eye based on the obtained data; and an image analysis part configured to analyze the formed fundus oculi image to determine eye movement of the eye.
The enhanced visual field prism optical apparatus includes a pair of eye glasses frames having the users prescription provided therein, if needed, and an enhanced field prism rotatably supported in front of at least one of the lenses of the frames. For binocular vision, a prism is rotatably supported in front of both lenses of the frames.
Provided is a printing cartridge for a printer. The cartridge includes an upper and a lower molding configured to engage cooperatively to define a chamber, and a hollow cylindrical former with print media rolled thereon to form a print medium roll. The cartridge also includes an ink cartridge in the form of a cylindrical container internally divided into ink reservoirs, said ink cartridge co-axially rotatable inside the former, as well as an elastomeric seal molding configured to arrange the ink reservoirs in fluid communication with a printhead of the printer.
An ink jet print head is provided which allows an ejection opening-formed surface to be cleaned well and can improve a precision with which ejected ink lands on a print medium. For this purpose, conductive layers of a conductive material are formed on the support substrate and planarized. The liquid ejection substrates are mounted on the support substrate with high precision, without a sealing agent, that protects electrical connecting portions on the liquid ejection substrates, protruding from the ejection opening-formed surface.
There are provided an ejection actuator that ejects ink from a nozzle, and a driver chip that supplies a signal for driving the ejection actuator. In a first location, the driver chip is sandwiched between a flat plate member and an elastic member. The elastic member biases the driver chip to the flat plate member. The elastic member is supported by the support member. A restricting portion is provided on at least either one of the support member and the flat plate member. When the support member and the flat plate member get close to each other in a second location different from the first location, the restricting portion restricts movement of at least either one of the support member and the flat plate member so as to prevent the driver chip and the support member in the first location from getting closer to each other beyond a minimum distance. Here, the minimum distance means a distance between the support member and the flat plate member in the first location at the time when the elastic member is compressed to the maximum limit.