A method for driving a plurality of circuit units to be controlled includes applying a control signal to a control signal connection unit and an activation signal to an activation connection unit. A hold signal is the generated on the in response to the activation signal. This hold signal is combined with the control signal to obtain a modified control signal, which is then made available at an output.

This application claims the benefit of the Jul. 31, 2001 priority date of German application 101 37 373.2.
The present invention generally relates to activation of circuit units to be controlled, and relates in particular to a method for driving circuit units to be controlled, in which a modified control signal is provided by means of a control signal generating device after activation via an activation unit.
In an integrated circuit (IC), a multiplicity of initialization procedures are provided after application of an external voltage. By way of example, all the internal voltages are typically generated in a generator unit and stabilized for further use in integrated circuit units to be controlled.
For operation, circuit units to be controlled, such as, for example, DRAM modules (DRAM=Dynamic Random Access Memory), require a control signal which permanently has a hold state, for example a logic one (xe2x80x9cactive highxe2x80x9d). Only after a signal defined by the hold state is present at a control input of the circuit unit to be controlled does the circuit unit process externally provided commands. A corresponding control signal having a hold state is provided for example when all the voltage generators or generator units of an integrated circuit have signaled their functionality.
In the conventional methodxe2x80x94illustrated in FIG. 4xe2x80x94for driving circuit units to be controlled a control signal 110 is fed via a connection unit 401 in parallel to a series of circuit units 202a-202n to be controlled.
In a disadvantageous manner, all the circuit units to be controlled are blocked if even just a single voltage generator of a generator unit has a malfunction, i.e. if the control signal 110 cannot be provided.
Thus, in an inexpedient manner, operation of the entire module or of the integrated circuit cannot be commenced. It is a further disadvantage that circuit units cannot be characterized in the event of a malfunction of a single voltage generator, even if they do not depend on the faulty voltage generator or the faulty circuit section in a generator unit.
Accordingly, it is extremely unfavorable that additional, cost-intensive production and characterization procedures are required for testing such modules provided with a fault in a single or a plurality of voltage generators of a generator unit.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a method and a circuit arrangement in which, even in the case of one or more defective voltage generators of a generator unit, integrated switching units or modules can be tested and/or operated, at least one control signal being externally predeterminable or switchable.
An essential concept of the invention consists in combining a conventional control signal in a gate unit with a hold signal that can be set externally, in order to obtain a modified control signal in this way.
One advantage of the present invention is that circuit units which are not affected by a malfunction of a voltage generator of a generator unit or the like can be tested and/or operated independently of a control signal that has possibly not been supplied by the faulty voltage generator of a generator unit (if a malfunction has occurred in one or more voltage generators of a generator unit).
An additional, cost-intensive production and characterization process is advantageously obviated.
The invention""s method for driving circuit units to be controlled essentially has the following steps:
a) application of a control signal to a control signal connection unit, the control signal being provided in a conventional manner by, for example, voltage generators of a generator unit;
b) application of an activation signal, provided by an activation unit, to an activation connection unit, the activation signal being externally predeterminable;
c) generation of a hold signal in a manner dependent on the activation signal, provided by the activation unit, by means of a switching device, the switching device being switchable either by means of a positive edge or a negative edge;
d) combination of the control signal applied to the control signal connection unit with the hold signal, generated by the switching device, by means of a gate unit in such a way that a modified control signal is obtained; and
e) outputting of the modified control signal via an output connection unit, in order to activate circuit units to be controlled even in the event of a malfunction of one of more voltage generators of a generator unit.
The subclaims contain advantageous developments and improvements of the respective subject matter of the invention.
In accordance with one preferred development of the present invention, the control signal applied to the control signal connection unit is provided by a generator unit comprising voltage generators for supplying circuit units of the integrated module with supply voltages. In an advantageous manner, the control signal indicates whether or not a corresponding voltage of a voltage generator of a generator unit is present, whereas for operation of further circuit units to be controlled or for the testing of the circuit units to be controlled, this voltage is not required if the modified control signal is generated according to the invention.
In accordance with a further preferred development of the present invention, the activation signal is applied to the activation connection unit by means of a measuring tip encased in the activation unit, thereby achieving a simple switch-on of the modified control signal into a hold state.
In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, the switching device assumes a permanent hold state in response to a change in a voltage level at its input, which hold state is advantageously reset only after a turn-off of all the supply voltages for the integrated circuit.
In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, an OR combination of the control signal fed via the control signal connection unit with the hold signal generated by the switching device is performed in the gate unit in order to obtain the modified control signal in an advantageous manner by means of an OR function.
In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, the modified control signal provided at the output connection of the gate unit is made available to further circuit units to be controlled, thereby advantageously enabling operation of the further circuit units to be controlled.
In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, the activation unit applies a positive voltage pulse to the activation connection unit, thereby effecting setting of the switching device into a permanent hold state.
In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, the activation unit applies a negative voltage pulse to the activation connection unit, thereby effecting resetting of the switching device from the permanent hold state into a basic state.
In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, a ground potential is provided via the activation unit to the activation connection unit, thereby effecting resetting of the switching device from the permanent hold state into a basic state.
In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, resetting of the switching device is effected by a switch-off of the entire signal generating device or of the entire integrated circuit.
In accordance with yet another preferred development of the present invention, the permanent hold state of the hold signal constitutes a logic one or xe2x80x9cactive highxe2x80x9d.
The invention""s control signal generating device for providing a modified control signal furthermore has:
a) an activation connection unit for the application of an activation signal provided by an activation unit, for example a measuring tip;
b) a control signal connection unit for the application of a control signal which is provided by external circuit units;
c) a switching device for generating a hold signal in a manner dependent on the activation signal provided by the activation unit;
d) a gate unit for combining the control signal applied to the control signal connection unit with the hold signal generated by the switching device, in order to obtain a modified control signal; and
e) an output connection unit for outputting the modified control signal for further processing in circuit units to be controlled.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the description below.

Control signal generating device for driving a plurality of circuit units


An illustrative embodiment of a data collection method and apparatus comprises at least one sensor that may be configured as a mobile data collection apparatus, which sensor may be in communication with a controller. The data collection apparatus may include one or more sensors, including but not limited to air pressure, air humidity, air temperature, road surface temperature, lightning distance, light level, precipitation rate, ozone level, carbon dioxide level, nitrous oxide level, and methane level; all of which may be in communication with a controller. One or more sensors may be positioned on or within a main assembly.

Weather monitoring and forecasting is improved by increased granularity in data sampling. Traditional fixed-site sampling is done at airports and in some cases road weather stations (small weather stations along a highway); however, these fixed sites are usually separated by dozens of kilometers. Significant weather often goes undetected between fixed sites.
Telemetry and/or telematics as related to vehicles are growing fields, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,706,965; 7,813,870; 7,831,380; 7,899,611; 7,908,076; 7,912,627; 7,912,628; 8,014,936; 8,065,073; 8,090,524; 8,160,805; and 8,190,362, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
Precipitation sensors such as those used to detect rain falling on a vehicle windscreen measure changes in reflectance or capacitance at that surface. Unless there is a mechanism in place to remove accumulated moisture, the precipitation level detected does not give a reliable indication that precipitation is continuing due to mobility of the accumulation. Such sensors are also particularly poor at detecting dry snow and hail as individual particles may not even contact the sensing elements.
Detection of approaching storm fronts is particularly difficult. Weather radars can give an indication, but this is generally over a large geographical area and do not give a good indication within smaller areas. It is generally accepted that electrical discharges are associated with active storm fronts. These may manifest themselves as discharges between clouds and earth or within the storm clouds. Discharges within clouds may, or may not, be visible or audible from the ground. Both types of discharge do produce characteristic bursts of broad-band electrical interference which may be detected by a radio receiver. Algorithms have been developed to convert such bursts into an estimation of distance between receiver and discharge location. The majority of discharges are associated with the leading edge of the storm system and the distance estimation of the discharge is therefore and estimation of the distance to the storm front. When measurements are made over a period of time from multiple vehicles, or a single vehicle at multiple locations, it is possible to use such data to triangulate the location and heading of the storm front.


The invention relates to a golf tee assembled formed of a flexible rubber ball support shaft, an aluminum or plastic ground engaging spike and an aluminum retainer ring. The support shaft and spike each are provided with complementary planar flange and disc, respectively. The retainer ring is cup shaped and has a central bore. The central bore is made a size to receive the support shaft so the retainer ring can be moved to the flange and disk. The retainer ring has a shape which conforms to the shape of the flange. The planar surfaces of the flange and disc engage in abutting relationship and the retainer ring is crimped or folded around the flange and disc to thereby rigidly connect the support shaft and ground engaging spike to form a one piece golf tee unit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to golf tees. The purpose of a golf tee is to support the golf ball so contact can be made with the iron or wood/metal club head face.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Previously golf tees have either been formed of wood, which is susceptible to chipping and breakage, or have been molded out of plastic to form a hard strong product which tends to deform and bend with impact of the club head making it difficult, once deformed, to straighten and insert into the ground.
Both the wooden and plastic tees are very apt to be driven out of the ground and lost. When inserting the wood and plastic tees it is difficult to maintain a constant height of the tee above the ground. This causes the golfer to repeatabily bend over to readjust the height the tee is projecting above the ground. This inability to maintain a constant tee height, above the ground, results in the golf ball being projected, by the force of the club head, from the tee in varying directions, projectiles and distances.
When inserting wood or plastic tees, into the ground, more effort is required to reach and maintain the desired height of the tee above the ground. In addition, a great number of tees are being left in and on the fairway due to the difficulty required to grasp the tip of the tee and apply enough upward force to remove the tee and/or cause breakage of the tee, making it very difficult to retrieve and/or reuse.


A knife gate valve with an interior channel divided by an interior channel configured to receive a valve gate, the valve gate can travel along the interior channel. A removable first wear ring is disposed on the upstream side of the interior channel, the first wear ring substantially lining the upstream side of the interior channel; and a removable second wear ring disposed on the downstream side of the interior channel, the second wear ring substantially lining the downstream side of the interior channel; a first retainer ring adjacent to the gate on the upstream side of the valve; and a second retainer ring adjacent to the gate on the downstream side of the valve is disclosed. Other embodiments are also shown.

Gate valves are used in various industrial applications in which a fluid is transported. In some applications, the interior surfaces of the valve components are exposed to abrasive or corrosive materials that can rapidly degrade all but the most durable of materials. For example, mining slurries with significant amounts of rock and sand can rapidly wear away valve components. Wear rings can be provided to line the inside surfaces of the valve so that abrasive or corrosive materials do not come in contact with portions of the valve interior. The wear rings can be manufactured from highly durable materials and then replaced when they become worn out.
Some gate valves are configured such that, when the gate is closed, one side of the valve can be pressurized by, for example, a fluid pressing on one side of the gate. The opposite side of the valve can be at a lower pressure, for example at atmospheric pressure. This allows fluid to be drained from the downstream side of the valve while the upstream side of the valve still contains fluid. The valve maintains a seal so that fluid from the upstream side does not pass through to the downstream side of the valve. This function is sometimes called "dead-end service" because the valve provides a dead end to the flow of fluid through the valve.


A system and method directed to displaying images and presenting the data from the phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) inspection of a plurality of welded joints within a welded object. The system includes an engine comprising memory, a graphical user interface (GUI), an export module, a transformation module, and a merger module each operably coupled to one another. The export module is used to extract images and data from the PAUT inspection of the welded joints. The exported information is used by the transformation module to create a multi-dimensional representation of the PAUT inspected welded joint for each joint. The merger module combines the information from the export module and the transformation module into an evaluation report for each PAUT inspected welded joint and assembles the evaluation report into a master report for analysis. The system may be communicatively coupled over a network using a network interface.

Non-destructive testing (NDT) is a common method of testing the integrity of a welded joint within a welded object. In some forms of NDT, energy propagated into a welded object yields a signal that can be displayed as a waveform image. This waveform image can be instructive of the condition of the welded joint. Such propagated energy may be in the form of electromagnetic waves or acoustic waves. One common form of NDT using acoustic waves is phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT). To inspect a welded joint by PAUT, a transducer and a wedge may be used to propagate acoustical signals towards a welded plane of a welded joint at various angles and patterns. Upon encountering the welded plane, if a discontinuity is present, the acoustical signals are reflected back towards the transducer where they are converted to electronic-amplitude signals and transmitted to a phased array testing instrument (PATI). The PATI generates a display of the reflected acoustical signals in various forms on ultrasound graphs. The displays and data represented thereby are not intuitive and comprehending the displays and data can be difficult for those not familiar with interpreting the results of ultrasonic testing.
In addition to the ultrasound graphs generated from the PAUT inspection, characteristics related to the welded object, the welded joint and the equipment used during the PAUT inspection are normally captured for evaluation. In the prior art, software programs are able to generate a report containing this information for only a single weld. However, many times, a welded object may have a plurality of welded joints which require integrity testing. Depending on the relative size of the welded object, there may be tens or even hundreds of welded joints that need to be inspected. Given the potential volume of welded joints within a welded object, inspecting such joints individually using conventional solutions may be a very tedious and time-consuming process.

Method for the graphical representation and data presentation of weld inspection results


A process for forming thioglycolic acid by contacting in a reaction zone at elevated pressure of at least 250 psig a mixture of monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid with a molar excess of an alkali metal hydrosulfide to form the alkali metal salt of thioglycolic acid, acidifying said salt and removing the free thioglycolic acid. A preferred process further requires separating any formed thiodiglycolic acid from the resultant liquid phase materials and recycling said acid to the reaction zone.

The present invention is directed to a process for forming thioglycolic acid in high yields by reacting mixtures of monochloroacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid with an alkali metal hydrosulfide under conditions described herein below.
Thioglycolic acid is a highly desired product having various commercial applications. It forms the active ingredient of most hair waving preparations. It is also used extensively in cosmetic depilatories and in commercial agents used to remove hair from hides and the like. Various other commercial uses are made of thioglycolic acid in addition to those described above. The large and varied demands for thioglycolic acid provide a great need for forming this material in the most effective and economical method.
Thioglycolic acid is presently prepared commercially by reacting pure monochloroacetic acid with sodium hydrosulfide in an aqueous medium. After acidification, thiogylcolic acid is extracted from the reaction mixture with some suitable organic solvent and purified by distillation. This process was first described by Carius in Ann. 124, 43 (1862) and later improved by Klason and Carlson in Ber. 39, 732-738 (1906). The later authors taught that the process is best carried out using a sodium hydrosulfide liquor of not more than 15 percent by weight and a weak monochloroacetic acid solution containing the acid in not more than 20 percent by weight.
Alternate methods have been suggested. These include a two step synthesis of initially reacting monochloroacetic acid with sodium thiosulfate followed by hydrolysis of the resulting Bunte salt (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,594,030; 2,413,361 and British Patent No. 624,568). Another proposed synthesis (German Patent No. 180,875) involves the reaction of monochloroacetic acid with an alkali polysulfide and then reducing the formed dithiodiglycolic acid by means of zinc and mineral acid. U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,641 described a process of forming thioglycolic acid by heating an alkali hydrosulfide with a xanthogenic acid.
Recent patents directed to modifications of the Klason and Carlson process for forming thioglycolic acid include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,927,085 and 4,082,790. U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,085 describes a modification which requires the presence of aqueous sodium or ammonium hydroxide, a partial pressure of hydrogen sulfide and pure monochloroacetic or monochloropropionic acid in 4-12 mol. percent.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,790 teaches that mono, di or tri mercaptans of the formula R(SH).sub.a can be formed by reacting the corresponding mono, di or tri chloride or bromide, R(X).sub.a with H.sub.2 S and ammonia or an amine in aqueous systems to give the corresponding mercaptan R(SH).sub.a. R can represent an aliphatic carboxylic acid and a represents an integer of 1 to 3.
The process most commonly used is that described by Klason and Carlson. The starting carboxylic acid is pure monochloroacetic acid either as the free acid or as its alkali metal salt. The acid feed is required to be free of polyhalo acids to avoid the formation of the corresponding polythiols as suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,790. In view of the fact that the chloroacetic acid is normally formed as a mixture of mono and dihalo acids, the presently known art requires separation and purification of the monochloroacetic acid prior to its use in order to achieve high yields of the desired product.
It would be highly desired to have a process of forming the desired thioglycolic acid product which utilizes a combination of mono and polychloroacetic acids as feed reactant. Such a process would provide a more effective and economical mode of producing the desired product.


A detachable fastening apparatus for front fork accessories of bicycles to provide fast installation and removing of the bicycle accessories on the front fork of the bicycles. It includes a packing means and a coupling dock located on an accessory. The packing means has a rotary latch disk and can be anchored in a tube of the front fork. By swiveling the rotary latch disk the packing means can be fastened to the coupling dock thereby to install or remove the accessory rapidly.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a detachable fastening apparatus for front fork accessories of bicycles and particularly to a fastening apparatus to form a fast fastening or unfastening between a bicycle accessory and a front fork to facilitate fast installation or removing of the accessory.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Users of modern bicycles often install desired accessories such as a fender, knapsack bracket or the like according to their requirements. Installation and removing of the accessories encounter some problems, notably: 1. inconvenience in the installation and removing, and 2. lack a common coupling structure for fastening the accessories to the bicycle frame, especially on the front fork. For instance, EP1029777, EP1188652 and EP1435323 (called prior art hereinafter) disclose techniques that have a thrust element to be coupled with a bicycle accessory (fender) through a flute or track to achieve fast installation or removing. The prior art is applicable only for installation of some specific accessories such as the fender. Moreover, their structure cannot withstand the accessories of a heavier loading such as knapsack brackets. In addition, coupling through the flute or track in a parallel manner often incurs a greater gap between the flute (or track) and the coupling element after the bicycle has been used in rough and bumping conditions for a period of time. As a result, the fender sways and generates noise. It becomes an annoyance to the users.

Detachable fastening apparatus for front fork accessories of bicycles


An NMR system acquires data by performing a scan using a spin echo pulse sequence. An image is produced from the acquired data using a 2DFT reconstruction method. During the scan the echo time (TE) or the repetition time (TR) is altered as a function of phase encoding value to decrease total scan time or to improve signal-to-noise.

The field of the invention is nuclear magnetic resonance imaging methods and systems. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for reducing the time required to perform an NMR scan.
Any nucleus which possesses a magnetic moment attempts to align itself with the direction of the magnetic field in which it is located. In doing so, however, the nucleus precesses around this direction at a characteristic angular frequency (Larmor frequency) which is dependent on the strength of the magnetic field and on the properties of the specific nuclear species (the magnetogyric constant .gamma. of the nucleus). Nuclei which exhibit this phenomena are referred to herein as "spins".
When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field (polarizing field B.sub.z), the individual magnetic moments of the spins in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, but precess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. A net magnetic moment M.sub.z is produced in the direction of the polarizing field, but the randomly oriented magnetic components in the perpendicular, or transverse, plane (x-y plane) cancel one another. If, however, the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a magnetic field (excitation field B.sub.1) which is in the x-y plane and which is near the Larmor frequency, the net aligned moment, M.sub.z, may be rotated, or "tipped", into the z-y plane to produce a net transverse magnetic moment M.sub.1, which is rotating, or spinning, in the x-y plane at the Larmor frequency. The degree to which the net magnetic moment M.sub.z is tipped, and hence the magnitude of the net transverse magnetic moment M.sub.1 depends primarily on the length of time and the magnitude of the applied excitation field B.sub.1.
The practical value of this phenomenon resides in the signal which is emitted by the excited spins after the excitation signal B.sub.1 is terminated. In simple systems the excited spins induce an oscillating sine wave signal in a receiving coil. The frequency of this signal is the Larmor frequency, and its initial amplitude, A.sub.0, is determined by the magnitude of the transverse magnetic moment M.sub.1. The amplitude, A, of the emission signal decays in an exponential fashion with time, t: EQU A=A.sub.0 e.sup.-t /T*.sub.2
The NMR measurements of particular relevance to the present invention are called "pulsed NMR measurements". Such NMR measurements are divided into a period of excitation and a period of signal emission. Such measurements are performed in a cyclic manner in which the NMR measurement is repeated many times to accumulate different data during each cycle or to make the same measurement at different locations in the subject. A wide variety of preparative excitation techniques are known which involve the application of one or more excitation pulses (B.sub.1) of varying magnitude and duration. Such excitation pulses may have a narrow frequency spectrum (selective excitation pulse), or they may have a broad frequency spectrum (nonselective excitation pulse) which produces transverse magnetization M.sub.1 over a range of resonant frequencies. The prior art is replete with excitation techniques that are designed to take advantage of particular NMR phenomena and which overcome particular problems in the NMR measurement process.
When utilizing NMR to produce images, a technique is employed to obtain NMR signals from specific locations in the subject. Typically, the region which is to be imaged (region of interest) is scanned by a sequence of NMR measurement cycles which vary according to the particular localization method being used. The resulting set of received NMR signals are digitized and processed to reconstruct the image using one of many well known reconstruction techniques. To perform such a scan, it is, of course, necessary to elicit NMR signals from specific locations in the subject. This is accomplished by employing magnetic fields (G.sub.x, G.sub.y, and G.sub.z) which have the same direction as the polarizing field B.sub.0, but which have a gradient along the respective x, y and z axes. By controlling the strength of these gradients during each NMR cycle, the spatial distribution of spin excitation can be controlled and the location of the resulting NMR signals can be identified.
NMR data for constructing images can be collected using one of many available techniques, such as multiple angle projection reconstruction and Fourier transform (FT). Typically, such techniques comprise a scan made up of a plurality of sequentially implemented views. Each view may include one or more NMR experiments, each of which comprises at least an RF excitation pulse and a magnetic field gradient pulse to encode spatial information into the resulting NMR signal. As is well known, the NMR signal may be a free induction decay (FID) or, preferably, a spin-echo signal.
The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to a variant of the well known FT technique, which is frequently referred to as "spin-warp". The spin-warp technique is discussed in an article entitled "Spin Warp NMR Imaging and Applications to Human Whole-Body Imaging" by W. A. Edelstein et al., Physics in Medicine and Biology, Vol. 25, pp. 751-756 (1980).
Spin-echo imaging using relatively long echo times (TE) is a very effective diagnostic tool. Typically, such sequences have a fixed echo time (TE) of 80 to 100 milliseconds and a scan is comprised of 256 views with one or two averages. The main drawback is the long scanning time, as long as 17 minutes. To reduce total scan time, clinicians often reduce the number of views and accept the consequent reduction in resolution. For example, the scan time can be reduced 25% if the number of views is reduced from 256 to 192, however, the resulting image resolution is also reduced from 256 by 256 to 192 by 256.
The relatively long echo times (TE) are required to provide the desired T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 weighting in the image. For example, echo times of 80 to 100 milliseconds are preferred for revealing brain pathology, while much shorter echo times of from 15 to 30 milliseconds generally provide T.sub.1 weighting and are preferred, for example, when forming images in conjunction with contrast agents. Whatever echo time is selected, the pulse sequence remains fixed during the entire scan to provide a set of data from which an image having the desired T.sub.1 and T.sub.2 contrast weighting is produced.

Mayo Foundation For Medical Education and Research


A first-order modified, hydrogenated polymer comprising (1) a hydrogenated polymer obtained by hydrogenating at least one unhydrogenated polymer selected from the group consisting of a polymer comprising conjugated diene monomer units and a copolymer comprising conjugated diene monomer units and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units, and (2) a functional group-containing first-order modifier group bonded to the hydrogenated polymer (1), wherein the content of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units, vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon block ratio, weight average molecular weight, and hydrogenation ratio (as measured with respect to the double bonds in the conjugated diene monomer units) of the first-order modified, hydrogenated polymer are, respectively, within specific ranges. A second-order modified polymer obtained by reacting a second-order modifier with a first-order modified polymer comprising (β) a base polymer and (γ) a functional group-containing first-order modifier group bonded to the base polymer (β). A composition comprising the above-mentioned first-order modified, hydrogenated polymer or second-order modified polymer and at least one functional component other than the modified polymer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a modified polymer and a composition containing the same. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a first-order modified, hydrogenated polymer comprising (1) a hydrogenated polymer obtained by hydrogenating at least one unhydrogenated polymer selected from the group consisting of a polymer comprising conjugated diene monomer units and a copolymer comprising conjugated diene monomer units and vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units, and (2) a functional group-containing first-order modifier group bonded to the hydrogenated polymer (1), wherein the content of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer units, vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon block ratio, weight average molecular weight, and hydrogenation ratio (as measured with respect to the double bonds in the conjugated diene monomer units) of the first-order modified, hydrogenated polymer are, respectively, within specific ranges. Further, the present invention is concerned with a second-order modified polymer obtained by reacting a second-order modifier with a first-order modified polymer comprising (β) a base polymer and (γ) a functional group-containing first-order modifier group bonded to the base polymer (β). Furthermore, the present invention is concerned with a composition comprising the above-mentioned first-order modified polymer or second-order modified polymer and at least one component selected from various conventional additives (such as inorganic fillers (e.g., silica), polymers other than the above-mentioned modified polymers of the present invention, tackifiers and asphalts). The modified polymer of the present invention exhibits strong interaction with other various components, and by virtue of such property, the modified polymer of the present invention can be advantageously used for producing compositions, such as a filler-containing modified polymer composition, a modified polymer composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer, an adhesive composition, an asphalt composition and a styrene resin composition, which have excellent properties. Furthermore, the present invention is concerned with a precursor composition for use as a precursor of a second-order modified polymer composition, wherein the precursor composition comprises a first-order modified polymer comprising a base polymer (β) and a functional group-containing first-order modifier group (γ) bonded to the base polymer (γ), and further comprises a second-order modifier and at least one additional component selected from the group consisting of the above-mentioned additives.
2. Prior Art
As a method for producing a polymer having a functional group, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Sho 59-98106 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,809) discloses a method for producing a carboxyl group-containing polymer, in which a polymer-alkali metal composition is contacted with an epoxy compound, and the resultant product is directly contacted with a cyclic acid anhydride, thereby obtaining a carboxyl group-containing polymer. However, such carboxyl group-containing polymer (which has a terminal epoxy compound residue having bonded thereto a cyclic acid anhydride residue) has poor affinity to a thermo-plastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer, an inorganic filler, a polar group-containing additive and the like.
Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Sho 63-238107 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,023) discloses a polymer which is modified with a terminal acid group (or a salt thereof) which is bonded to the polymer through an acid amido group, and discloses a method for producing the modified polymer as well as applications of the modified polymer. This modified polymer is obtained by a method in which the modification is performed using 1,5-diaza-bicylo[3.1.0]-hexane and a derivative thereof and a Schiff base derived from an aliphatic or aromatic amine and aldehyde. The modified polymer (which is modified with a terminal acid group (or a salt thereof) which is bonded to the polymer through an acid amido group) has poor affinity to a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer, an inorganic filler, a polar group-containing additive and the like.
Further, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. Hei 7-196728 and Hei 9-143224 discloses a modified hydrogenated polymer which is obtained by introducing a primary amino group or a secondary amino group into the terminals of a hydrogenated polymer. However, such modified polymer (which is modified with a terminal amino group) has poor affinity to a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer, an inorganic filler, a polar group-containing additive and the like.
In recent years, in the field of a tire tread rubber composition, a technique of using silica as a substitute for carbon black has been attracting much attention. However, this technique is accompanied by problems. For example, silica has poor affinity to a rubber as compared to that of conventional carbon black and, thus, the dispersibility of silica in a rubber is not always satisfactory. Such poor dispersibility of silica is likely to cause problems, such as unsatisfactory abrasion resistance and strength characteristics for a tire tread. For improving the dispersibility of silica in a rubber, it is necessary to add a silane coupling agent (typically bis(triethoxypropyl)tetrasulfide) to a composition of rubber and silica and mix the composition under specific temperature conditions, wherein the number of the mixing operations is increased.
In this situation, for improving the dispersibility of silica in a rubber, a method for modifying a rubber with various terminal alkoxysilyl groups, and a silica-containing rubber composition comprising the modified rubber have been proposed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Sho 62-227908, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 8-53513 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,812) and Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 8-53576 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,322).
Further, a silica-containing composition comprising an epoxidized polymer is proposed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 9-118785 (corresponding to EP763564). In addition, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 7-330959 discloses a tire tread composition comprising an SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) having a specific molecular structure, wherein the SBR has been modified by coupling a multifunctional compound having a diglicidylamino group. This tire tread composition was proposed in an attempt to provide a tire tread composition having increased processability, reduced rolling resistance and improved wet skid resistance.
The rubber material used in the above-mentioned rubber compositions has many unsaturated double bonds in the polymer chain thereof and, therefore, exhibits poor heat resistance and weatherability. As a conjugated diene polymer having excellent heat resistance and weatherability, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Sho 63-41547 discloses a hydrogenated polymer which is modified with a specific functional group. This patent document also discloses a method for improving the properties of a carbon-containing composition, in which a functional group (such as an amino group) which interacts with carbon is addition-bonded to a hydrogenated polymer. Further, WO96/05250 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,644) discloses a silica-containing rubber composition comprising a hydrogenated rubber. However, the technique disclosed in this patent document is aimed at a rubber composition containing a rubber having low hydrogenation ratio which is suitable for producing tires. Therefore, the improvements in the heat resistance and weatherability of the rubber composition are unsatisfactory for use in fields other than tire production.
Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 2-60948 discloses a rubber composition having excellent heat resistance and weather-ability. Further, each of Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. Sho 62-283105 and Sho 63-41547 and Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 3-74409 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,074) discloses a hydrogenated modified polymer. The dispersibiltiy and reinforcing effect of silica which are imparted by the techniques disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents are unsatisfactory and, moreover, the composition and polymer exhibit only poor properties with respect to processability, low heat build-up and abrasion resistance.
In the fields of sheets, films and other shaped articles which are produced from polymeric materials, there have been made a number of proposals in which there is used a polymer composition or laminate comprising a plurality of types of polymeric materials in order to obtain advantages in that a satisfactory strength is imparted to the sheets, films or the like, or the processability of the sheets, films or the like is improved, or the production cost of the sheets, films or the like is reduced. However, when producing a polymer composition by mixing different polymeric materials together, the number of combinations of different polymeric materials which exhibit good compatibility with each other, is limited. In the case of a polymer composition comprising different polymeric materials which exhibit poor compatibility with each other, a problem is likely to arise in that, due to the poor compatibility, the composition becomes non-homogeneous, and a delamination occurs between layers of different polymeric materials, thus rendering it impossible to obtain a satisfactory improving effect aimed at by using a combination of different polymeric materials.
It is well known that, as a component for improving the miscibility of polymeric materials, there is used a polymeric material having a functional group. For example, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 2-60948 discloses a composition comprising a modified hydrogenated diene polymer having a functional group and a flexible elastomer, wherein the modified hydrogenated diene polymer is obtained by an addition reaction between a functional group-containing unsaturated compound and a hydrogenated diene polymer in the presence of a radical initiator. Further, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification No. Hei 3-74409 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,074) discloses a thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a modified hydrogenated block polymer having a functional group and a thermoplastic resin and/or a rubbery polymer, wherein the modified hydrogenated block polymer is obtained by an addition reaction between a functional group-containing unsaturated compound and a hydrogenated block polymer in the presence of a radical initiator.
An asphalt composition is used in wide variety of fields, such as a material for road paving, a water-proof sheet, a noise insulation sheet and a roofing sheet. In these fields, many attempts have been made to improve the properties of an asphalt by adding various polymers to the asphalt.
However, in recent years, due to the expansion of traffic and the increase in the number of expressways, there is a demand for an asphalt composition which can form a road pavement layer having excellent strength and abrasion resistance. Further, there is a growing demand for an asphalt composition which can form a road pavement layer having not only excellent strength and abrasion resistance, but also high open graded (void fraction) for improving drainage and noise reduction properties of expressways.
Recently, from the viewpoint of preventing environmental pollution and maintaining labor environment, the use of a hot-melt adhesive is expanding. However, the balance between retention and adhesion of the conventional hot-melt adhesive is unsatisfactory. For improving the properties of a hot-melt adhesive, each of Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. Sho 64-81877 and 61-278578 and "Sechaku (Adhesion)" Vol.32, No.1, page 27 (published in 1988) discloses an adhesive composition comprising a triblock copolymer and a diblock copolymer. However, the improvements achieved by the techniques disclosed in these patent documents were unsatisfactory.
A polystyrene having not only excellent stiffness, transparency and luster, but also good processability, is used in various fields. However, a polystyrene has a major defect, namely poor impact resistance. For alleviating this defect, various non-vulcanized rubbers are used as an impact-modifier for a styrene resin composition. Among the known styrene resin compositions containing a non-vulcanized rubber, a styrene resin composition obtained by subjecting a styrene monomer to radical polymerization in the presence of a non-vulcanized rubber, which composition comprises a rubbery polymer having a styrene monomer graft-polymerized thereto, has been manufactured widely in commercial scale.
In connection with the above-mentioned method, a method for improving the impact resistance and appearance of a styrene resin composition by the use of a modified conjugated diene polymer has been disclosed in Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Specification Nos. Sho 57-94014, Sho 63-8411, Sho 63-278920 and Hei 6-228246. From the detailed studies of the methods disclosed in these patent documents, it became apparent that none of the produced styrene resin composition exhibit excellent balance between the impact resistance and appearance which is satisfactory for practical use.

Modified polymers and compositions containing the same


A method of machining a workpiece using a rotary milling cutter is disclosed. The method includes rotating a tool head with a shaft, rough cutting a workpiece with a rough cutting edge of a first partial body to remove a first amount of material from the workpiece, and finish cutting a rough-cut surface of the workpiece with a finishing edge of a second partial body to remove a second amount of material from the workpiece, the second amount of material being smaller than the first amount of material. Both the rough cutting edge of the first partial body and the finishing edge of the second partial body simultaneously engage the workpiece to perform both rough cutting and said finish cutting of the workpiece in a single cutting operation.

1. Technical Field
This application relates to a milling cutter and an indexable insert with two partial bodies, which merge into one another and which have a polygonal base, but are rotated toward one another.
2. Background Information
German patent application published for opposition, No. 1 232 436, discloses an indexable insert whose base is in each case, for example, a square which offers the possibility to form eight cutting edges. By arranging the two partial bodies rotated toward one another, the cutting edges can be adjusted in the desired geometry.

Milling cutter and a cutting insert therefor


A baseband receiver, consisting of a receiver input port, configured to receive a baseband signal generated in response to electrical activity in tissue of a human patient. The receiver includes a modulator, configured to modulate a local oscillator signal with the baseband signal, and an isolating device configured to receive the modulated local oscillator signal at an input port of the device and in response to generate a modulated output local oscillator signal at an output port of the device. The receiver further includes a demodulator configured to demodulate the modulated output local oscillator signal with the local oscillator signal so as to recover the baseband signal.

During medical procedures, especially procedures performed on the heart of a patient, it is critical to ensure that no inadvertent current passes through the patient. Such currents, typically caused by leakage from equipment that may be connected directly or indirectly to the patient, may have catastrophic results. Any system that reduces possible leakage currents through a patient also reduces the chance of a catastrophic incident.
Documents incorporated by reference in the present patent application are to be considered an integral part of the application except that to the extent any terms are defined in these incorporated documents in a manner that conflicts with the definitions made explicitly or implicitly in the present specification, only the definitions in the present specification should be considered.


The present invention provides a solid golf ball having excellent rebound characteristics and excellent durability, and showing good workability when producing. The present invention relates to a solid golf ball composed of at least one layer of a rubber material as a component, wherein the rubber material is formed from the rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide and an inorganic filler, and the rubber composition comprises 10 to 100 parts by weight of a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 80%, having a Mooney viscosity of not less than 50 to less than 65 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) of 2.5 to 3.5 and Mw of 50xc3x97104 to 70xc3x97104, synthesized using lanthanide-containing catalyst, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber.

The present invention relates to a solid golf ball. More particularly, it relates to a solid golf ball having excellent rebound characteristics and excellent durability, and showing good workability when producing.
Hitherto, a rubber composition comprising a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 80%, synthesized using nickel-containing catalyst, has been suitably used as a rubber composition for a one-piece solid golf ball, a core of a two-piece golf ball or three-piece golf ball, or a solid center of a thread wound golf ball, in view of rebound characteristics and durability. It is also known that a polybutadiene, synthesized using lanthanide-containing catalyst, can be used for the same application.
It is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Kokoku Publication No. 80123/1994 that a mixture consisting of
(i) a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 40%, having a Mooney viscosity of 70 to 100 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), synthesized using nickel-containing catalyst and/or cobalt-containing catalyst, and
(ii) a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 40%, having a Mooney viscosity of 30 to 90 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), synthesized using a catalyst consisting of lanthanide rare earth elements-containing compound, or a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 40%, having a Mooney viscosity of 20 to 50 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), synthesized using nickel-containing catalyst and/or cobalt-containing catalyst
can be suitably used as a rubber composition for golf balls. When the polybutadiene (i) is used for the rubber composition, rebound characteristics of the resulting golf ball are improved. However, when the polybutadiene (ii) having high Mooney viscosity is used in combination with the polybutadiene (i), workability when producing is degraded.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2644226 that a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 80% and having a Mooney viscosity of 45 to 90 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.) and a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) of 4.0 to 8.0 can be suitably used for golf balls. Although the use of the polybutadiene imparts sufficient physical properties to golf balls, improvement on rebound characteristics and durability is further required.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2678240 that a mixture of
85 to 15 phr of a nickel- or cobalt-catalyzed polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 content of more than 40% and a Mooney viscosity of less than 50, and
15 to 85 phr of a lanthanide-catalyzed polybutadiene having a cis-1,4 content of more than 40% and a Mooney viscosity of less than 50
can be suitably used for a golf ball. However, when the mixture of the nickel- or cobalt-catalyzed polybutadiene having low Mooney viscosity (less than 50) and the lanthanide-catalyzed polybutadiene having low Mooney viscosity (less than 50), rebound characteristics and durability of the resulting golf ball are not sufficiently obtained.
In Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 319148/1999, a solid golf ball comprising a core and a cover covering the core, of which the core comprises at least one rubber layer formed from a rubber composition comprising a polybutadiene mixture, unsaturated carboxylic acid or a metal salt of unsaturated carboxylic acid, organic peroxide and inorganic filler, is disclosed. The polybutadiene mixture consists of
(a) a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 80 molar %, having a Mooney viscosity of 50 to 69 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.) and a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) of 4.0 to 8.0, synthesized using nickel-containing catalyst and/or cobalt-containing catalyst, and
(b) a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 40%, having a Mooney viscosity of 20 to 90 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), synthesized using lanthanide-containing catalyst,
and a weight ratio (a)/(b) is 30/70 to 90/10. However, workability when producing is degraded and rebound characteristics of the resulting golf ball are not sufficiently obtained.
In Japanese Patent Kokai Publication Nos. 149502/2001, 149503/2001, 149505/2001, 149506/2001, 149507/2001 and 149508/2001, a golf ball comprising a vulcanized molded article of rubber composition comprising polybutadiene. The polybutadiene, of which a 5 mass % toluene solution viscosity at 25xc2x0 C., a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) and a Mooney viscosity are adjusted to specified ranges, is synthesized using rare earth element-containing catalyst. However, workability when producing is degraded and rebound characteristics of the resulting golf ball are not sufficiently obtained.
A main object of the present invention is to provide a solid golf ball having excellent rebound characteristics and excellent durability, and showing good workability when producing.
According to the present invention, the object described above has been accomplished by providing a solid golf ball composed of at least one layer of a rubber material formed from rubber composition comprising a polybutadiene synthesized using lanthanide-containing catalyst, and adjusting the Mooney viscosity, weight average molecular weight (Mw) and molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of the polybutadiene to a specified range, thereby providing a solid golf ball having excellent rebound characteristics and excellent durability, and showing good workability when producing.
The present invention provides a solid golf ball composed of at least one layer of a rubber material as a component, wherein
the rubber material is formed from the rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide and an inorganic filler, and
the rubber composition comprises 10 to 100 parts by weight of a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 80%, having a Mooney viscosity of not less than 50 to less than 65 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) of 2.5 to 3.5 and Mw of 50xc3x97104 to 70xc3x97104, synthesized using lanthanide-containing catalyst, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber.
In order to put the present invention into a more suitable practical application, it is preferable that:
the polybutadiene has a content of a 1,2-bond of not more than 1.8%;
the polybutadiene have a 5 mass % toluene solution viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. (VS) of 400 to 550 mPa-s; and
the 5 mass % toluene solution viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. (VS), the Mooney viscosity (VM) and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polybutadiene satisfy a correlation represented by the following formula:
265xe2x89xa6VSxe2x88x92(VM+Mw/104)xe2x89xa6450
The rubber composition comprising the specified polybutadiene of the present invention is vulcanized by press-molding under applied heat to obtain a one-piece solid golf ball. The rubber composition of the present invention may be used for forming at least one portion or all of the core of a two-piece solid golf ball or a multi-piece solid golf ball, such as a three-piece solid golf ball, which consists of a core of rubber material and a cover of thermoplastic resin covering on the core. In order to explain the rubber composition for golf ball of the present invention simply, a core of two-piece golf ball will be mainly used hereinafter for explanation. However, the rubber composition may be applied to the one-piece golf ball and the core of the multi-piece solid golf ball other than the two-piece solid golf ball.
The solid golf ball of the present invention is formed by vulcanizing and press-molding the rubber composition described above to obtain a core, followed by covering the core with the cover. The core used for the solid golf ball of the present invention is obtained by vulcanizing and press-molding the rubber composition. The rubber composition comprises a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide, an inorganic filler, and optionally antioxidant, and the like.
In the golf ball of the present invention, it is required for the rubber composition to comprise 10 to 100 parts by weight of a polybutadiene containing a cis-1,4 bond of not less than 80%, having a Mooney viscosity of not less than 50 to less than 65 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) of 2.5 to 3.5 and Mw of 50xc3x97104 to 70xc3x97104, synthesized using lanthanide-containing catalyst, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber.
The Mooney viscosity is within the range of preferably 50 to 62, more preferably 50 to 60, most preferably 52 to 60 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), the ratio (Mw/Mn) is within the range of preferably 2.7 to 3.3, more preferably 2.9 to 3.2, and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is within the range of preferably 54xc3x97104 to 68xc3x97104, more preferably 56xc3x97104 to 67xc3x97104. When the Mooney viscosity is lower than 50 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), the workability when producing is good, but the rebound characteristics are poor. On the other hand, when the Mooney viscosity is not less than 65 ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), the rebound characteristics are good, but the workability when producing is poor. When the ratio (Mw/Mn) is smaller than 2.5, the rebound characteristics are good, but the workability when producing is poor. On the other hand, when the ratio (Mw/Mn) is larger than 3.5, the workability when producing is good, but the rebound characteristics are poor. When the Mw is lower than 50xc3x97104, the rebound characteristics are not sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, when the Mw is higher than 70xc3x97104, the workability when producing is poor.
In the golf ball of the present invention, it is desired for the polybutadiene to have a content of a 1,2-bond of not more than 1.8%, preferably 0.7 to 1.6%, more preferably 0.8 to 1.5%. When the content of the 1,2-bond is larger than 1.8%, the rebound characteristics are poor.
In the golf ball of the present invention, it is desired for the polybutadiene to have a 5 mass % toluene solution viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. (Vs) of 400 to 550 mPa-s, preferably 420 to 540 mPa-s, more preferably 440 to 530 mPa-s. When the viscosity (Vs) is lower than 400 mPa-s, the rebound characteristics are poor. On the other hand, when the viscosity (Vs) is high, the rebound characteristics are good. However, it is difficult for the viscosity (Vs) to be higher than 550 mPa-s, because the Mooney viscosity and Mw is too high, which degrades the workability when producing is degraded. In addition, the cost of producing the polybutadiene is high.
In the golf ball of the present invention, it is desired for the 5 mass % toluene solution viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. (VS), the Mooney viscosity (VM) and the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polybutadiene to satisfy a correlation represented by the following formula:
265xe2x89xa6VSxe2x88x92(VM+Mw/104)xe2x89xa6450,
preferably the following formula:
290xe2x89xa6VSxe2x88x92(VM+Mw/104)xe2x89xa6440,
more preferably the following formula:
330xe2x89xa6VSxe2x88x92(VM+Mw/104)xe2x89xa6420.
When the value of [VSxe2x88x92(VM+Mw/104)] is out of the range of 265 to 450, it is difficult to accomplish both excellent rebound characteristics and good workability when producing. When the values of VS, VM and Mw are large, the rebound characteristics are excellent, but the workability when producing is poor. When the value of VS is large and the values of VM and Mw are small compared with the value of VS, both the rebound characteristics and workability when producing are excellent. Therefore, it is preferable for the value of [VSxe2x88x92(VM+Mw/104)] to be adjust to the above range. When the value of [VSxe2x88x92(VM+Mw/104)] is smaller than 265, the value of VS is too small, and the rebound characteristics are degraded. In addition, the value of (VM+Mw/104) is too large, and the workability when producing is degraded. It is difficult for the value of [VSxe2x88x92(VM+Mw/104)] to be larger than 450, because the cost of producing the polybutadiene is high.
In the rubber composition for the golf ball of the present invention, it is required for the amount of the polybutadiene to be within the range of 10 to 100 parts by weight, preferably 50 to 100 parts by weight, more preferably 70 to 100 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber. When the amount is smaller than 10 parts by weight, the technical effects accomplished by the presence of the polybutadiene are not sufficiently obtained, and the rebound characteristics are not sufficiently improved.
In the rubber composition for the golf ball of the present invention, the amount of the polybutadiene varies depending on a position of the golf ball where it is used, such as one-piece solid golf ball, at least one portion or all of the core of a two-piece solid golf ball or a multi-piece solid golf ball, such as a three-piece solid golf ball. Therefore, the base rubber may be formed from the polybutadiene alone, but the polybutadiene may be compounded in combination with synthesis rubber, particularly the other polybutadiene rubber other than the polybutadiene described above, which has been conventionally used for solid golf balls. The base rubber may optionally contain natural rubber, polyisoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cMooney viscosityxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to an indication of a viscosity which is measured using a Mooney viscometer as a kind of rotational plastometer. The Mooney viscosity is typically used for measuring a viscosity of a rubber composition in the field of rubber industry. The Mooney viscosity is determined by closely putting a rubber composition in a gap between a cylindrical dice and a rotor positioned at the center of the dice, and then measuring a torque occurring when rotating a rotor at a testing temperature of 100xc2x0 C., for a preheating time of 1 minute, at the number of revolutions of 2 rpm, for the time of revolution of 4 minutes. The Mooney viscosity is expressed in ML1+4 (100xc2x0 C.), wherein M represents a Mooney viscosity, L represents a large rotor (L type) as a shape of the rotor, (1+4) represents that a preheating time is 1 minute and a time of revolution of the rotor is 4 minutes, and 100xc2x0 C. represents a testing temperature. The measurement is generally conducted according to JIS K 6300.
Lanthanide-containing catalysts used to synthesize the polybutadiene in the present invention are, for example, a combination of a lanthanide compound, an organoaluminum compound, a Lewis base and optionally a Lewis acid. Examples of the lanthanide compounds include halides, carboxylates, alcoholates, thioalcoholates and amides of rare earth metals having atomic numbers of 57 to 71, with neodymium being the preferred rare earth metal. Examples of the organoaluminum compounds include those having the general formula:
Al R1R2R3
wherein R1, R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, are independently selected from hydrogen or hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The Lewis bases serve to convert the lanthanide compounds into complexes. Acetylacetone, ketone, alcohols and the like may be used for this purpose. Examples of the Lewis acids include aluminum halides of the general formula:
AlXnR3-n
wherein X is a halogen, R is alkyl, aryl or aralkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and n is 1, 1.5, 2 or 3; or silicon tetrachloride, tin tetrachloride, titanium tetrachloride, and the like.
When butadiene is polymerized in the present of the lanthanide-containing catalyst, the molar ratio of butadiene to lanthanide compound is within the range of 5xc3x97102 to 5xc3x97106, preferably 1.0xc3x97103 to 1.0xc3x97105. The molar ratio of organoaluminum compound to lanthanide compound is within the range of 5 to 500, preferably 10 to 300. The molar ratio of Lewis base to lanthanide compound is within the range of at least 0.5, preferably 1 to 20. When Lewis acid is used, the molar ratio of halide in the Lewis acid to lanthanide compound is within the range of 1 to 10, preferably 1.5 to 5. In the polymerization of butadiene, the lanthanide-containing catalysts may be used as solution in an organic solvent such as n-hexane, cyclohexane, n-heptane, toluene, xylene, benzene and the like, or carried on suitable carriers such as silica, magnesia and magnesium chloride. The polymerization of butadiene may be carried out in a solvent, or bulk polymerization without a solvent may also be employed. The polymerization temperature is in the range of xe2x88x9230 to 150xc2x0 C., and the polymerization pressure may vary depending on other conditions.
In the rubber composition for the golf ball of the present invention, metal salt of xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid is used as the co-crosslinking agent. Examples of the xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated-unsaturated carboxylic acid include xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated-unsaturated carboxylic acids having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, cinnamic acid, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid and the like. Preferred are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Examples of the metal salts include sodium, potassium, lithium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, barium, aluminum, tin, zirconium, cadmium salts, and the like. Preferred are a sodium salt, zinc salt and magnesium salt. The amount of the co-crosslinking agent is from 20 to 50 parts by weight, preferably from 25 to 40 parts by weight, more preferably from 28 to 35 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber. When the amount of the co-crosslinking agent is smaller than 20 parts by weight, a desired hardness of the core is sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the co-crosslinking agent is larger than 50 parts by weight, the core is too hard, and the shot feel of the resulting golf ball is poor. The metal salt of xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid may be compounded as a combination of the xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid and a metal oxide such as zinc oxide, which are separately compounded and react with each other during mixing the rubber composition to form a metal salt of xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid.
The organic peroxide, which acts as crosslinking agent or curing agent, includes for example dicumyl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, 1,1-di-t-butylperoxy-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(t-butylperoxy) hexane, and the like. The preferred organic peroxide is dicumyl peroxide. The amount of the organic peroxide is from 0.1 to 5.0 parts by weight, preferably from 0.2 to 4.0 parts by weight, more preferably from 0.2 to 3.5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber. When the amount of the organic peroxide is smaller than 0.1 parts by weight, crosslinking reaction does not sufficiently occur, and a desired hardness of the core is sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the organic peroxide is larger than 5.0 parts by weight, the core is too hard, and the durability of the resulting golf ball is poor.
The inorganic filler includes, for example, zinc oxide, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, silica and the like. The preferred inorganic filler is zinc oxide, which also acts as a vulcanization aid. The amount of the inorganic filler is from 3 to 40 parts by weight, preferably from 4 to 35 parts by weight, more preferably from 4 to 30 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber. When the amount of the inorganic filler is smaller than 3 parts by weight, crosslinking reaction does not sufficiently occur, and a desired hardness of the core is sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, when the amount of the filler is larger than 40 parts by weight, the rebound characteristics of the resulting golf ball are degraded.
The rubber composition for the solid golf ball of the present invention can contain other components, which have been conventionally used for preparing the core of solid golf balls, such as antioxidant or peptizing agent. If used, the amount of the antioxidant is preferably 0.2 to 1.5 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the base rubber.
The golf ball of the present invention may be a one-piece solid golf ball obtained by integrally molding the rubber composition comprising the polybutadiene as a base rubber; a two-piece solid golf ball obtained by covering a core formed from the rubber composition with a cover; or a multi-piece solid golf ball such as a three-piece solid golf ball having at least one layer of a rubber material formed from the rubber composition.
In the golf ball of the present invention, the core has a diameter of 37.8 to 42.2 mm, preferably 38.8 to 41.8 mm. When the diameter of the core is larger than 42.2 mm, the thickness of the cover is too thin, and the durability of the resulting golf ball is poor. On the other hand, when the diameter of the core is smaller than 37.8 mm, it is required to increase the thickness of the cover, and the technical effects accomplished by the presence of the core are not sufficiently obtained. Therefore, the shot feel is poor.
In the golf ball of the present invention, the core has a deformation amount when applying from an initial load of 98 N to a final load of 1275 N of 2.0 to 5.0 mm, preferably 2.5 to 4.5 mm, more preferably 2.7 to 4.0 mm. When the deformation amount of the core is smaller than 2.0 mm, the core is too hard, and the shot feel of the resulting golf ball is poor. On the other hand, when the deformation amount is larger than 5.0 mm, the core is too soft, and the rebound characteristics of the resulting golf ball are degraded. In the case of one-piece golf ball, the golf ball itself has the above physical properties of the core of two-piece golf ball.
The cover is then covered on the core. In the golf ball of the present invention, the cover may be formed from thermoplastic resin, particularly ionomer resin, which has been conventionally used for the cover of solid golf balls, or the mixture of thereof. The ionomer resin may be a copolymer of xcex1-olefin and xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, of which a portion of carboxylic acid groups is neutralized with metal ion, a terpolymer of xcex1-olefin, xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms and xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester, of which a portion of carboxylic acid groups is neutralized with metal ion, or mixtures thereof. Examples of the xcex1-olefins in the ionomer preferably include ethylene, propylene and the like. Examples of the xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid in the ionomer include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, crotonic acid and the like, preferred are acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Examples of the xcex1,xcex2-unsaturated carboxylic acid ester in the ionomer include methyl ester, ethyl ester, propyl ester, n-butyl ester and isobutyl ester of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, crotonic acid and the like. Preferred are acrylic acid esters and methacrylic acid esters. The metal ion which neutralizes a portion of carboxylic acid groups of the copolymer includes alkali metal ion, such as sodium ion, potassium ion, lithium ion and the like; divalent metal ion, such as zinc ion, calcium ion, magnesium ion, and the like; trivalent metal ion, such as an aluminum ion, a neodymium ion and the like; and the mixture thereof. Preferred are sodium ions, zinc ions, lithium ions and the like, in view of rebound characteristics, durability and the like.
The ionomer resin is not limited, but examples thereof will be shown by a trade name thereof. Examples of the ionomer resins, which are commercially available from Du Pont-Mitsui Polychemicals Co., Ltd. include Hi-milan 1555, Hi-milan 1557, Hi-milan 1601, Hi-milan 1605, Hi-milan 1652, Hi-milan 1702, Hi-milan 1705, Hi-milan 1706, Hi-milan 1707, Hi-milan 1855, Hi-milan 1856, Hi-milan AM7316 and the like. Examples of the ionomer resins, which are commercially available from Du Pont Co., include Surlyn 8945, Surlyn 9945, Surlyn 6320, Surlyn 8320, Surlyn AD8511, Surlyn AD8512, Surlyn AD8542 and the like. Examples of the ionomer resins, which are commercially available from Exxon Chemical Co., include Iotek 7010, Iotek 8000 and the like. These ionomer resins may be used alone or in combination.
As the materials suitably used in the cover of the present invention, the above ionomer resin may be used alone, but the ionomer resin may be used in combination with at least one of thermoplastic elastomer, diene-based block copolymer and the like. Examples of the thermoplastic elastomers include polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer, which is commercially available from Toray Co., Ltd. under the trade name of xe2x80x9cPebaxxe2x80x9d (such as xe2x80x9cPebax 2533xe2x80x9d); polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer, which is commercially available from Toray-Du Pont Co., Ltd. under the trade name of xe2x80x9cHytrelxe2x80x9d (such as xe2x80x9cHytrel 3548xe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cHytrel 4047xe2x80x9d); polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, which is commercially available from Takeda Badische Urethane Industries, Ltd. under the trade name of xe2x80x9cElastollanxe2x80x9d (such as xe2x80x9cElastollan ET880xe2x80x9d); and the like.
The diene-based block copolymer is a block copolymer or partially hydrogenated block copolymer having double bond derived from conjugated diene compound. The base bock copolymer is block copolymer composed of block polymer block A mainly comprising at least one aromatic vinyl compound and polymer block B mainly comprising at least one conjugated diene compound. The partially hydrogenated block copolymer is obtained by hydrogenating the block copolymer. Examples of the aromatic vinyl compounds comprising the block copolymer include styrene, a-methyl styrene, vinyl toluene, p-t-butyl styrene, 1,1-diphenyl styrene and the like, or mixtures thereof. Preferred is styrene. Examples of the conjugated diene compounds include butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene and the like, or mixtures thereof. Preferred are butadiene, isoprene and combinations thereof. Examples of the diene block copolymers include an SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) block copolymer having polybutadiene block with epoxy groups or SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene) block copolymer having polyisoprene block with epoxy groups and the like. Examples of the diene block copolymers which is commercially available include the diene block copolymers, which are commercially available from Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd. under the trade name of xe2x80x9cEpofriendxe2x80x9d (such as xe2x80x9cEpofriend A1010xe2x80x9d), the diene-based block copolymers, which are commercially available from Kuraray Co., Ltd. under the trade name of xe2x80x9cSeptonxe2x80x9d (such as xe2x80x9cSepton HG-252xe2x80x9d and the like) and the like.
The amount of the thermoplastic elastomer or diene-based block copolymer is 1 to 60 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 35 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the base resin for the cover. When the amount is smaller than 1 parts by weight, the technical effects of improving shot feel accomplished by the presence of the thermoplastic elastomer or diene-based block copolymer are not sufficiently obtained. On the other hand, when the amount is larger than 60 parts by weight, the cover is too soft, and the rebound characteristics are degraded, or the compatibility with the ionomer resin is degraded, and the durability is degraded.
The composition for the cover used in the present invention may optionally contain pigments (such as titanium dioxide, etc.), fillers (such as barium sulfate, etc.) and the other additives such as a dispersant, an antioxidant, a UV absorber, a photostabilizer and a fluorescent agent or a fluorescent brightener, etc., in addition to the above resin component as a main component, as long as the addition of the additives does not deteriorate the desired performance of the golf ball cover. The amount of the pigment is preferably from 0.01 to 10.0 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the cover resin component.
A method of covering on the core with the cover is not specifically limited, but may be a conventional method for forming golf ball cover well known in the art. For example, there can be used a method comprising molding the cover composition into a semi-spherical half-shell in advance, covering the core with the two half-shells, followed by pressure molding at 130 to 170xc2x0 C. for 1 to 15 minutes, or a method comprising injection molding the cover composition directly on the core. The cover preferably has a thickness of 0.5 to 3.0 mm. At the time of molding the cover, many depressions called xe2x80x9cdimplesxe2x80x9d are formed on the surface of the golf ball. Furthermore, paint finishing or marking with a stamp may be optionally provided after the cover is molded for commercial purposes. The golf ball of the present invention is formed such that it has a diameter of not less than 42.67 mm (preferably 42.67 to 42.80 mm) and a weight of not more than 45.93 g, in accordance with the regulations for golf balls.
The diameter of the golf ball of the present invention is within the range of 40 to 45 mm, preferably 42 to 44 mm. The diameter of golf balls is limited to not less than 42.67 mm in accordance with the regulations for golf balls as described above. Therefore, the diameter is within the range of more preferably 42.67 to 42.80 mm.
Generally, when the diameter of the golf ball is large, air resistance of the golf ball on a flight is large, which reduces the flight distance. Therefore, most of golf balls commercially available are designed to have a diameter of 42.67 to 42.80 mm. The present invention is applicable to the golf balls having the diameter. There are golf balls having large diameter in order to improve the easiness of hitting. In addition, there are cases where golf balls having a diameter out of the regulations for golf balls are required depending on the demand and object of users. Therefore, it can be considered for golf balls to have a diameter of 42 to 44 mm, more widely 40 to 45 mm. The present invention is also applicable to the golf balls having the diameter.
The weight of the golf ball of the present invention is within the range of 44 to 46 g. The weight of golf balls is limited to not more than 45.93 g in accordance with the regulations for golf balls. Therefore, the weight is within the range of more preferably 45.00 to 45.93 mm.
In the golf ball of the present invention, it is desired to have a compression (deformation amount) of 40 to 120, preferably 60 to 110, more preferably 90 to 100. When the compression is larger than 120, the golf ball is too hard, and the shot feel is poor. On the other hand, when the deformation amount is smaller than 40, the golf ball is too soft, and the rebound characteristics are degraded, which reduces the flight distance.


Encoding a new version of a data module includes constructing a delta data module having data for providing the new version of the data module. The delta data module may indicate an encoding for copying data at an offset from one of a number of pointers into different versions of the data module. Decoding a delta data module to provide a new version of a data module includes copying, to the new version of the data module, data relative to a target pointer when an encoding in the delta data module indicates a matching pattern relative to the target pointer, and copying, to the new version of the data module, data relative to at least one other pointer when an encoding in the delta data module indicates a matching pattern relative to the at least one other pointer.

A software user may sometimes receive one or more updates for the software during its lifetime. These updates may be new versions of the software that the user has purchased or to which the user is entitled based on the user's initial purchase terms. In some cases the updates may address a problem with the software and in some cases the updates may be provided at no charge by the manufacturer/distributor of the software.
Although a user may receive updates in the form a CD (or equivalent) that the manufacturer/distributor sends to the user, in many cases it is preferable to use the Internet (or perhaps another communication network) to provide updates to users to avoid the cost of making and distributing CD's. The manufacturer/distributor may provide the updates on its Web site. In instances where not all users are entitled to the update (e.g., a new version that users must purchase), the manufacturer may take steps to restrict access to the updates to only authorized users (e.g., users that have paid).
One difficulty with using the Web to distribute updates is that many software programs are relatively large so that transmission of the entire software program to all users (or even an appreciable subset of users) is impractical or at least undesirable. In addition, in instances where a user may be updating only a small portion of the software, transmitting the entirety of a version thereof may be redundant.
One technique that addresses these issues is delta compression, where a user is sent data indicative of the differences between an initial version of the software that the user already has and the new version of the software. The user uses the delta compression data and the initial version of the software to construct the new (updated) version of the software. The delta compression data may be constructed by the manufacturer/distributor of the software by concatenating the new version of the software on to the old version of the software and then using a target pointer to traverse through the new version of the software to determine which data is unique and which data matches data that is prior to the target pointer. The location of matching data, relative to the target pointer, is encoded into the delta compression data. However, since it is expected that data in the new version of the software will match data in the initial version, the distance between the target pointer and the matching data (expressed, for example, in a number of bytes or bits between the two) may be relatively large, and thus require a relatively large number of bits for encoding. This large number of bits diminishes the beneficial effects of delta compression encoding.
It is desirable to provide a system that takes advantage of the reductions in data size afforded by delta compression encoding without the disadvantages of the detriments discussed above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Delta compression using multiple pointers


A radio base station (eNB) according to the present invention includes an aggregation level determination unit configured to determine an aggregation level based on CQI notified from a mobile station (UE), a control channel element assignment unit configured to assign a plurality of continuous CCE to a PDCCH addressed to the mobile station (UE), based on the determined aggregation level, and a resource assignment unit configured to assign resource element groups constituting the assigned CCE as a resource for the PDCCH addressed to the mobile station (UE). The control channel element assignment unit is configured to assign a plurality of continuous CCE to the PDCCH addressed to the mobile station (UE) based on an aggregation level changed by the aggregation level determination unit, when failing to assign CCE to the PDCCH addressed to the mobile station (UE).

In mobile communication systems of the LTE (Long Term Evolution) scheme being developed for standardization in the 3GPP, "CFI (Control Format Indicator)", "DCI (Downlink Control Information)", and "HI (HARQ Indicator)" are configured to be transmitted as control information in a downlink.
In this case, the CFI is information indicating an OFDM symbol number, of 14 OFDM symbols within one subframe, which is used in a control channel in a downlink.
Moreover, the DCI is control information (resource assignment information, a modulation method, etc.) necessary to transmit uplink data and downlink data. It is noted that there are two types of DCI, i.e., common DCI covering all mobile stations UE and specific DCI covering a specific mobile station UE (a specific mobile station UE or a mobile station UE in a specific group).
Moreover, the HI is transmission confirmation information (ACK/NACK) for the uplink data.
Further, in the mobile communication system of the LTE scheme, the CFI is configured to be transmitted via PCFICH (Physical Control Format Indicator Channel), the DCI is configured to be transmitted via PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) , and the HI is configured to be transmitted via Physical hybrid-ARQ Indicator Channel.


A method, system, and apparatus for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag inlay tester and sorter system are described. A tag inlay is received. A characteristic of the tag inlay is tested. The tag inlay is disposed if the tag inlay is determined to fail the test of characteristic. The tag inlay is transported to a processing station if the tag inlay is determined to have passed the test of characteristic. The tag inlay is processed at the processing station. In an aspect, the tag inlay testing and tag inlay processing is performed in a single apparatus. In an alternative aspect, the tag inlay testing is performed by a first apparatus, and the tag inlay processing is performed by a second apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to circuit assembly and test, and more particularly to high volume sortation of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.
2. Background Art
An RFID tag may be affixed to an item whose presence is to be detected and/or monitored. The presence of an RFID tag, and therefore the presence of the item to which the tag is affixed, may be checked and monitored by devices known as "readers."
Currently, RFID tags are assembled and then laminated to the face sheet of a pressure sensitive laminate. Once laminated, the backside of the RFID tag is coated with an adhesive, and a release liner is applied. After the release liner is applied, the tag is printed and/or die cut into the desired form factor.
A tag can be tested for proper operation either before the lamination process, after the lamination process, or both before and after. Testing before or after the lamination process is difficult when the tags are in a web format, where tags are formed in an array of tags, typically in a roll. If the tags are tested while in the roll, any bad tags (e.g., non-functional, malfunctioned) in the roll have to be removed from the roll, and replaced with good (e.g., functional) tags. The procedure of removing bad tags from a web, replacing them in the web with good tags, tends to be expensive and time consuming.
Thus, methods, systems, and apparatuses are needed for assembly of tags in high volume webs, while allowing for testing of the tags, and for removal and replacement of any bad tags.

Radio frequency identification tag inlay sortation and assembly


An electronics system module includes a primary electrical circuit including input connectors and output connectors and a filter circuit connected between the primary electrical circuit and ground. The module also includes a switch element connected between the primary electrical circuit and ground. The switch element is configured to be engaged by a test connector to open the switch to disconnect the primary electrical circuit from ground. The test connector includes electrical connectors configured to connect to the input connectors and the output connectors of the primary electrical circuit. The switch element is configured to automatically close based on the test connector being disengaged from the switch element.

Control units built to aerospace quality are often required to pass a dielectric test after being fabricated and prior to implementation in an aerospace environment. The dielectric test procedure entails applying high voltage in the range of 1500 V AC for a certain period of time to all mutually isolated terminals, and also from those terminals to the chassis that contains and encloses the printed circuit boards and circuit assemblies of the control unit. In many cases, filter circuits, such as lightning mitigating circuits and common mode filtering circuits and assemblies, are connected between the control units and ground or the chassis. The filtering circuits have relatively low impedance to the chassis potential. In order to pass the dielectric test, those circuits are typically removed from the printed circuit board or from the control box prior to conducting the dielectric test. Once the test is completed, those elements are reinstalled onto the printed circuit board or control box. This extra step in the manufacturing process is undesirable as it introduces manual labor to a process that is normally automated, increasing cost and the likelihood of errors.


An option circuit of a semiconductor chip includes a first option circuit that is set before packaging the semiconductor chip to generate a first option signal; a second option circuit that is set after packaging the semiconductor chip to generate a second option signal; and a selection circuit configured to: select one of the first option signal, the second option signal, and a mode register set signal in response to at least one first control signal; and output a first selected signal as a final option signal. An option method of a semiconductor chip includes setting a first option mode of the semiconductor chip by use of the first option circuit; setting a second option mode of the semiconductor chip by use of the second option circuit; and determining a final option mode of the semiconductor chip by selection of the first option mode or the second option mode.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to setting parameters in semiconductor chips. Also, example embodiments relate to option circuits and option methods of semiconductor chips, in which information such as operation parameters may be changed even after semiconductor packages have been assembled.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, a semiconductor chip includes a fuse option circuit so that internal parameters of the semiconductor chip may be controlled in a wafer test process. The fuse option circuit may be programmed by laser-cutting in the wafer test process.
After a semiconductor device including the programmed semiconductor chip is packaged in a package assembly process, the semiconductor package is tested. A soldering option, an electrical fuse (e-fuse) option, a mode register set (MRS) option, etc., are provided for the semiconductor chip so that the internal parameters may be changed in the package test process.
The soldering option is difficult to implement because of space limitations of the semiconductor chip that are encountered as a number of pins increases. However, the soldering option has an advantage in that a signal of the semiconductor chip may be artificially changed by external manipulation so that an operation mode may be easily changed. That is, even though each of a plurality of semiconductor chips is packaged to have the same operation mode as one another, each of the semiconductor chips may be set to have a different operation mode from one another by the soldering option.
The fuse option, the e-fuse option, the soldering option, etc., may be referred to as hardware options that are used in mechanically or physically changing the options, while the MRS option may be referred to as a software option with which external test equipment sends commands to the semiconductor chip so that a mode register value in the semiconductor chip may be changed.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a related art option method of a semiconductor chip.
Referring to FIG. 1, a register value is changed by multiplexing a signal outputted from a hardware option, such as a soldering option, an e-fuse option, a fuse option, etc., and a signal outputted from a software option, such as a MRS option.
In the related art option method, only one of the hardware options may be inputted to a multiplexer MUX. Then, either the inputted hardware option or the software option, but not both, is selected by applying a control signal CON to the multiplexer MUX. As a result, more than one of the hardware options may not be used at the same time.
Thus, for example, when fuse information needs changing after packaging a semiconductor chip, the fuse information may be changed by cutting a corresponding fuse only after the semiconductor package is disassembled. That is, the fuse information may not be changed without disassembling and then reassembling the semiconductor package.
In a mass-production test process for memory chips, environments in which a user may arbitrarily change test parameters are needed. For example, when the memory chips need to be tested with respective clock signals having duty ratios different from each other, an option program is needed in order to change the duty ratio of the clock signal.
However, the option program, such as a duty ratio, is set by a fuse option before packaging the semiconductor chip. Thus, after packaging the semiconductor chip, it is difficult to change parameters of the semiconductor chip that provide the clock signal to the memory chip to be tested. Therefore, a user has restrictions in managing the test because it may not be possible to perform the test with a variety of parameters.

Option circuits and option methods of semiconductor chips