An area area package includes a plurality of solder balls not used as electrical connectors. These non-connected solder balls, or xe2x80x9cdummy balls,xe2x80x9d provide protection to solder balls connected to live pins and therefore increase reliability of the area array package. The dummy balls may be placed in the corners, along the diagonals or in other high stress location on the area array package. To further increase reliability, a continuous copper ball land pad may be used to connect each group of corner dummy balls. Continuous copper pads help to reduce stress on the dummy balls. For center-depopulated BGA packages, an array of dummy balls may be used in the center of the package to prevent substrate bending and improve drop test reliability.

The present application relates to area array packages, and more particularly to increasing the reliability of solder joints of an area array package subjected to environmental stresses.
Semiconductor integrated circuit chips have to be connected in order to enable them to interact electrically with the outside world. A ball grid array (BGA) semiconductor chip package employs a plurality of solder balls as external terminals. A BGA package is widely employed because it allows a multi-pin structure over a limited area.
Chip devices typically have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of about 3 ppm/C. These devices are relatively stiff and can fracture in a brittle manner if stressed by excessive bending. An area array package includes a chip, a package substrate, and optional molding. The CTE of the area array package is affected by each component of the package.
An epoxy-glass printed circuit board can have a CTE in the range of about 16 to 21 ppm/C, depending on the glass cloth, resin system, and copper content. It is necessary to provide a physical connection between the area array package and the printed circuit board in order to obtain a useful electrical connection.
A mismatch in CTE that exists between an area array package and a printed circuit board contributes to thermally driven stress and can affect package reliability in many ways. In some manner, all electronics packaging schemes involving an area array package and a printed circuit board are affected by this fundamental mismatch in CTE. Measurements on semiconductor packages of the ball-grid array (BGA) type and chips-size (CSP) type found that solder joints located close to package corners are under particularly heavy strain due to mismatch in CTE.
As the land pad pitch and size shrinks, solder joint reliability is typically decreased. The area array package requires a packaging scheme to form and maintain electrical contacts between the package and a printed circuit board over the entire face of a device. Temperature-dependent shear strains exist between the area array package and the printed circuit board. There is a very predictable, finite fatigue life of solder ball connections. Additionally, area array packages are also subject to mechanical stresses not related to the CTE. These stresses include mechanical bending and other environmental stresses.
Stresses between the area array package and the printed circuit board leads to the need for protection of solder balls that provide electrical connection. The protection of the solder balls that provide electrical connection should provide sufficient relief such that strains on solder connections are reduced to acceptable levels so that fatigue life improvement is realized.
An area array package includes a plurality of solder balls not used as electrical connectors. These non-connected solder balls, or xe2x80x9cdummy balls,xe2x80x9d provide protection to solder balls connected to live pins and therefore increase reliability of the area array package. The dummy balls may be placed in the corners, along the diagonals or in other high stress locations on the area array package. To further increase reliability, a continuous copper ball land pad may be used to connect each group of corner dummy balls. Continuous copper pads help to reduce stress on the dummy balls. For center-depopulated BGA packages, an array of dummy balls may be used in the center of the package to prevent substrate bending and improve drop test reliability.
Improving the reliability of area array packages using dummy balls and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.

Area array package with non-electrically connected solder balls


A method and apparatus for decreasing crosstalk between conductors, particularly differential pairs, that are routed in high-density patterns on printed circuit boards system. In one embodiment of the invention, a single-ended conductor is divided at a first point into two single-ended conductors of equal width, with the two single-ended conductors being routed around and alongside a differential pair of conductors. Equal and opposite noise is coupled onto each branch of the single-ended signal from each side of the differential pair. The two single-ended conductors are rejoined at a second point to form a combined single-ended conductor. Signals traveling along the two separate paths of the single-ended are combined at the second point and noise carried in the respective signals is cancelled. Noise coupled into the differential pair from the two single-ended paths is eliminated at the receiving end as common mode noise. In other embodiments of the present invention, the single-ended conductors and the differential pairs are oriented between two planes in stripline or dual stripline configurations. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be implemented in numerous media, such as vias and cables (including flex and ribbon).

1. Field of the Invention
Present invention relates generally to circuit boards used in information handling systems. More specifically, the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for increasing the routing density for circuit boards comprising differential conductor pairs.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
As computers have increased in performance, it has become necessary to use higher data bit rates in high-density circuitry with minimal spacing between the various circuit conductors. As a result, it has become difficult to fabricate circuit boards that meet the needs of high performance computing technology using conventional circuit board manufacturing methods. The necessity for a more ideal transmission path vital to higher-performance electrical signals is in direct conflict with the minimization of both cost and size.
One of the most common trends for achieving higher performance is the use of Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) to transmit data both intra-box and interbox. LVDS uses a pair of signals of opposite polarity to transmit data. There are currently many busses that use LVDS to transmit data in the Gigahertz range. These busses require very fast edge rates to support the signal integrity of the digital waveforms they produce. As these become increasingly faster, crosstalk between differential pairs becomes a greater concern. Faster edge rates result in an environment where very short parallel runs of conductors can produce significant crosstalk, thus increasing the risk of corrupted data. Increasing the spatial isolation of signals to minimize crosstalk translates to a reduction in routing density. There is a need, therefore, for a method and apparatus to route these signals to achieve acceptable routing density while minimizing or eliminating crosstalk.
In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, there is a need for an improved method and apparatus for increasing the density of circuits on printed circuit boards, particularly those employing mixed-mode signal conductors and differential conductor pairs.
In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus is provided which substantially decreases crosstalk between conductors, particularly differential conductor pairs, that are routed in high-density patterns on printed circuit boards. In one embodiment of the invention, a single-ended conductor is divided at a first point into two single-ended conductors of equal width, with the two single-ended conductors being routed around and alongside a differential pair of conductors. In this embodiment, equal and opposite noise is coupled onto each branch of the single-ended signal from each side of the differential pair. The two single-ended conductors are rejoined at a second point to form a combined single-ended conductor. Signals traveling along the two separate single-ended conductor paths are combined at the second point and noise carried in the respective signals on the two paths is cancelled when the two paths are combined. Noise coupled into the differential pair from the two single-ended conductors is eliminated at the receiving end as common mode noise.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the single-ended conductors and the differential pairs can be oriented between two planes in stripline or dual stripline configurations. Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented by utilizing a single microstrip layer or a combination of a microstrip with buried microstrip. The method and apparatus of the present invention can be implemented in numerous other media, such as vias and cables (including flex and ribbon cables).
Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to achieve significantly greater conductor densities in circuit boards or similar structures because the noise rejection characteristics make it possible to take advantage of space that is wasted in prior art methods for routing single-ended conductors and differential conductor pairs where noise is reduced primarily by spatial isolation.

Method and apparatus for increased routing density on printed circuit boards with differential pairs


Provision of a highly reliable magnetic recording medium with able to record further high density recording, usable advantageously as a magnetic tape for recording computer data, and having a further improved SNR, and a method for reproducing signals magnetically recorded on a magnetic recording medium to reproduce more desirably magnetic recording such as computer data with high density recording or the like. The magnetic recording medium having, on either side of a flexible nonmagnetic support, a nonmagnetic layer containing a nonmagnetic powder and a binder, and a magnetic layer containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder, having a thickness in the range of from 0.2 to 0.6 xcexcm in this order, where a laminated head is used for reproduction. The method for reproducing signals magnetically recorded medium having, on either side of a flexible nonmagnetic support, a nonmagnetic layer containing a nonmagnetic powder and a binder, and a magnetic layer, with a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 xcexcm, containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder in this order, where a laminated head is used as a reproducing head.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a magnetic recording medium, and more particularly, to a magnetic recording medium suitable for magnetic recording/reproduction systems for a high frequency recording with a further narrowed data-recording track width as well as advantageously available as a magnetic tape for recording computer data.
The invention also relates to a method for reproducing magnetic signals recorded in the above magnetic recording medium.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, along with popularization of mini computers, personal computers and office computers such as work stations, magnetic tapes for recording computer data as external recording media (so-called backup tapes) are used. It has been required for such backup tapes to have a large recording capacity and a high running durability along with the improvement of a computer information processing ability and the acceleration of processing speed. With spreading of the computer-using environments, the backup tapes are desired to have no occurrence of errors during recording and reproducing data, with high reliability, even under a variety of environmental conditions (especially, under the conditions with high fluctuations of temperature and humidity).
Various magnetic recording media have been developed with the aim at improving an output that corresponds to the shortest recording wavelength (xcex), especially to cope with high densification of magnetic recordings. For example, such a trial has been made as improving an analog SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio), thus to improve the SNR of signals by making a thickness of the magnetic layer 1.0 xcexcm or thinner, in a magnetic recording medium with a simultaneous multilayer structure which is a lamination of a nonmagnetic layer and a magnetic layer in this order on a flexible nonmagnetic support. With respect to digital signals, the SNR of the digital signals has been improved by improving an output at a high frequency equivalent to the shortest magnetization-reversing interval, thereby improving an error rate of the digital data with improving SNR of digital signals.
It has been tried that a laminated head is used as a reproducing head, mainly in a digital VTR for broadcast use or the like, for the purpose of improving an output and an SNR at the high frequency range. A laminated head here refers to a head with a structure forming magnetically superior sendust layers in the thickness direction of the conventional bulk ferrite head and accumulating magnetically separated layers (See, FIG. 1). The magnetically separated layers can be formed in the thickness direction by sandwiching the nonmagnetic layers, e.g., Si layers, in the thickness direction. A laminated head has a feature that an eddy current loss is hardly generated, especially in the high frequency range because each of the magnetic characteristics is separated between the thin layers in the thickness direction. This means that the laminated head has excellent characteristics in the high frequency range in comparison with a ferrite head.
Those challenges have been made to enhance an output in the high frequency area, make a good SNR with respect to digital signals and improve an error rate, by using such a laminated head exclusively as a reproducing head. However, SNR generated from using combination of a magnetic recording medium having the above-mentioned simultaneous multilayer structure and the laminated head is not enough to accomplish further high density recording such an improvement from DDS (Digital Data Storage)-3 to DDS-4 that specifications are shown in Table 1 as follows, and therefore further SNR improvement is required.
It is an object of the invention to provide a highly reliable magnetic recording medium allowing to provide further high density recording, serving advantageously as a magnetic tape for recording computer data, and having a further improved SNR.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for reproducing signals magnetically recorded on a magnetic recording medium to make it possible to reproduce better magnetic recording such as computer data with high density recording.
The inventors have found out that, an excellent SNR and a low error rate that have not been obtained with conventional magnetic recording media are gained by reproducing magnetic signals, using a laminated head, recorded in a magnetic recording medium which comprises a magnetic layer and a nonmagnetic layer on a support, in which a thickness of the magnetic layer in a limited specific range.
The invention relates to a magnetic reproducing method which comprises detecting with a laminated head as a reproducing head, magnetic signals recorded on a magnetic recording media comprising a flexible nonmagnetic support having, in order, a nonmagnetic layer containing a nonmagnetic powder and a binder and a magnetic layer having a thickness in the range of from 0.2 to 0.6 xcexcm and containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder.

Magnetic recording medium and method for reproducing magnetic recording


The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, in which inlet and outlet side heat exchange parts are communicated with each other and have the same refrigerant flowing direction by communicating pairs of cups with each other which are located at a predetermined area of the center of the heat exchanger, thereby being easily reduced in size, providing uniform surface temperature distribution and improving heat exchange efficiency by reducing the preponderance and the pressure drop rate of refrigerant and inlet and outlet pipes being easily arranged forward.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger, and more particularly, to a heat exchanger, in which inlet and outlet side heat exchange parts are fluidically communicated with each other and have the same refrigerant flowing direction by fluidically intercommunicating pairs of cups which are located at a predetermined area of the center of the heat exchanger, thereby being easily reduced in size, providing uniform surface temperature distribution of the heat exchanger and improving heat exchange efficiency by reducing the preponderance and the pressure drop rate of refrigerant and inlet and outlet pipes being easily arranged forward.
2. Background Art
In general, a heat exchanger includes a flow channel for allowing a flow of heat exchange medium therein, so that the heat exchange medium exchanges heat with the external air. The heat exchanger is used in various air conditioning devices, and is employed in various forms such as an evaporator, a condenser, a radiator and a heater core according to various using conditions.
The evaporator of the various heat exchangers is divided according to structural types of refrigerant passageways. Representatively, there are a serpentine type multilayerly bending one collapsible tube and a laminate type formed by piling up dimple type plates. In addition, recently, an evaporator using plural collapsible tubes has been introduced.
As an example of such conventional evaporator, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-12778 discloses an evaporator. Referring to FIG. 1, the evaporator 1 includes a plurality of tubes each of which is formed by bonding two plates 11 having pairs of cups 12 at the upper and lower end thereof. The plural tubes are laminated in multi layers.
The evaporator which is formed by laminating the plural tubes includes tanks 2 and 3 formed on the upper and lower portions thereof, and inlet and outlet pipes 4 and 5 disposed at a side therefore for flow-in and flow-out of refrigerant.
Therefore, an inlet side heat exchange part 20a is formed at a part fluidically communicated with the inlet pipe 4, and an outlet side heat exchange part 20b is formed at a part fluidically communicated with the outlet pipe 5.
Furthermore, a fluid communication part 25 is mounted at a part of the evaporator opposed to the inlet and outlet pipes 4 and 5 for fluidically communicating the inlet side heat exchange part 20a with the outlet side heat exchange part 20b.
Meanwhile, partition walls 26 are formed inside the upper tank 2 in a row for dividing the inlet and outlet side heat exchange parts 20a and 20b into a plurality of heat exchange zones 21 to 24, and heat radiation fins 15 are interposed between the tubes 10 for promoting heat exchange.
Referring to FIG. 2, a flow of refrigerant of the evaporator 1 will be described hereinafter.
Refrigerant induced into the upper tank 2 of the inlet side heat exchange part 20a through the inlet pipe 4 flows downwardly at the first heat exchange zone 21 divided by the partition wall 26, and then, moves into the lower tank 3. Refrigerant flowing into the lower tank 3 is returned at the lower tank 3, flows upwardly at the second heat exchange zone 22, and moves into the upper tank 2.
Refrigerant passing through the inlet side heat exchange part 20a is induced into the upper tank 2 of the outlet side heat exchange part 20b through the fluid communication part 25.
Refrigerant induced into the upper tank 2 of the outlet side heat exchange part 20b flows downwardly at the third heat exchange zone 23 divided by the partition wall 26, and moves into the lower tank 3. Refrigerant flowing into the lower tank 3 is returned at the lower tank 3, flows upwardly at the fourth heat exchange zone 24, and moves into the upper tank 2. After that, refrigerant is discharged to the outside through the outlet pipe 5.
In the meantime, the first heat exchange zone 21 is a zone where refrigerant of the upper tank 2 flows downwardly along the tube 10 and moves into the lower tank 3. At this time, since gravity is applied to refrigerant flowing inside the upper tank 2, the volume of refrigerant induced into each tube 10 is gradually increased at the first half stage of refrigerant inducement, but is gradually decreased at the second half stage.
The second heat exchange zone 22 is a zone where refrigerant induced into the lower tank 3 from the first heat exchange zone 21 flows upwardly along the tube 10 and is induced into the upper tank 2. Since inertia is applied to refrigerant flowing inside the lower tank 3, the volume of refrigerant induced into each tube 10 is gradually decreased at the first half stage of the refrigerant inducement, but is gradually increased at the second half stage.
The third heat exchange zone 23 is a zone where refrigerant induced into the upper tank 2 through the fluid communication part 25 from the second heat exchange zone 22 flows downwardly along the tube 10 and moves into the lower tank 3. At this time, since gravity is applied to refrigerant flowing inside the upper tank 2, the volume of refrigerant induced into each tube 10 is gradually increased at the first half stage of the refrigerant inducement, but is gradually decreased at the second half stage.
The fourth heat exchange zone 24 is a zone where refrigerant induced into the lower tank 3 from the third heat exchange zone 23 flows upwardly along the tube 10 and is induced into the upper tank 2. Since inertia is applied to refrigerant flowing inside the lower tank 3, the volume of refrigerant induced into each tube 10 is gradually decreased at the first half stage of the refrigerant inducement, but is gradually increased at the second half stage.
Therefore, there occurs a severe surface temperature difference of the evaporator 1 due to lopsidedness of refrigerant, and it occurs more severely when the flow amount of refrigerant is small or the air passing through the evaporator 1 is in a low airflow. That is, inside the inlet and outlet side heat exchange parts 20a and 20b, an overcooled section is formed in the tube 10 in which refrigerant of large quantity flows and an overheated section is formed in the tube in which refrigerant of small quantity flows.
Moreover, in the above flow channel structure, the overcooled section and the overheated section are formed at nearly similar locations of the inlet side heat exchange part 20a and the outlet side heat exchange part 20b. Most of the air passing through the overcooled section of the outlet side heat exchange part 20b passes through the overcooled section of the inlet side heat exchange part 20a, and most of the air passing through the overheated section of the outlet side heat exchange part 20b passes through the overheated section of the inlet side heat exchange part 20a. Therefore, the air passing between all of the tubes 10 does not exchange heat uniformly, and so, the temperature distribution difference of the discharged air becomes more severe. In addition, a problem of icing may occur on the surface of the evaporator and the air-conditioner system becomes unstable in the overcooled section. Additionally, in the overheated section, since the discharged air is not normally cooled and dehumidified, temperature-increased damp air is induced into a car, and thereby, passengers may feel uneasiness.
A pressure drop rate of refrigerant is increased by the fluid communication part 25 separately mounted at an end of the tank 2 for fluidically communicating the inlet side heat exchange part 20a with the outlet side heat exchange part 20b, and so, it causes deterioration of heat exchange performance, and obstructs miniaturization of the heat evaporator.
Furthermore, the conventional evaporator has another problem in that it is difficult to arrange the inlet pipe 4 and the outlet pipe forward since they are all arranged at one side of the evaporator 1.


Techniques to (more accurately) estimate the transmit power available for data service in a future time period (e.g., the next frame). In accordance with one aspect, variation in the available transmit power over time is estimated. A first margin is then computed and used to account for the estimated variation in the available transmit power. The available transmit power at a future time instance (e.g., the beginning of the next frame) is predicted and reduced by the first margin to derive a more accurate estimate of the available transmit power for the next frame. In accordance with another aspect, variation in the required transmit power for a particular data user is estimated and used in scheduling data transmission to this data user. A second margin can be computed and used to account for the estimated variation in the required transmit power for the data user. Whereas the first margin accounts for variation in the (overall) available transmit power, the second margin is specific to the particular link conditions experienced by the data user.

I. Field
The present invention relates to data communication. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel and improved techniques for determining the available transmit power for data transmissions in a wireless communication system.
II. Background
A modern day communication system is required to support a variety of applications. One such communication system is a code division multiple access (CDMA) system that supports voice and data communication between users over a terrestrial link. The use of CDMA techniques in a multiple access communication system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307, entitled xe2x80x9cSPREAD SPECTRUM MULTIPLE ACCESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING SATELLITE OR TERRESTRIAL REPEATERS,xe2x80x9d and U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,459, entitled xe2x80x9cSYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING WAVEFORMS IN A CDMA CELLULAR TELEPHONE SYSTEM.xe2x80x9d A specific CDMA system is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/963,386, entitled xe2x80x9cMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH RATE PACKET DATA TRANSMISSION,xe2x80x9d filed Nov. 3, 1997 (the HDR system), now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,211, issued on Jun. 3, 2003 to Padovani et al. These patents and patent applications are assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.
CDMA systems are typically designed to conform to one or more standards. Such standards include the xe2x80x9cTIA/EIA/IS-95-B Mobile Station-Base Station Compatibility Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular Systemxe2x80x9d (the IS-95 standard), the xe2x80x9cTIA/EIA/IS-98 Recommended Minimum Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular Mobile Stationxe2x80x9d (the IS-98 standard), the standard offered by a consortium named xe2x80x9c3rd Generation Partnership Projectxe2x80x9d (3GPP) and embodied in a set of documents including Document Nos. 3G TS 25.211, 3G TS 25.212, 3G TS 25.213, and 3G TS 25.214 (the W-CDMA standard), and the xe2x80x9cTR-45.5 Physical Layer Standard for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum Systemsxe2x80x9d (the cdma2000 standard). New CDMA standards are continually proposed and adopted for use. These CDMA standards are incorporated herein by reference.
Some CDMA systems are capable of supporting different types of service (e.g., voice, data, and so on) over the forward and reverse links. Each type of service is typically characterized by a particular set of requirements.
Voice service typically requires a fixed and common grade of service (GOS) for all users as well as a (relatively) stringent and fixed delay. For example, the overall one-way delay of speech frames may be specified to be less than 100 msec. These requirements may be satisfied by providing a fixed (and guaranteed) data rate for each user (e.g., via a dedicated channel assigned to the user for the duration of a communication session) and ensuring a maximum (tolerable) error rate for speech frames independent of the link resources. To maintain the required error rate at a particular data rate, a higher allocation of resources is required for a user having a degraded link.
In contrast, data service may be able to tolerate different GOS for different users and may further be able to tolerate variable amounts of delays. The GOS of a data service is typically defined as the total delay incurred in the transfer of a data message. The transmission delay can be a parameter used to optimize the efficiency of a data communication system.
To support both types of service, a CDMA system can be designed and operated to first allocate transmit power to (voice) users requiring a particular GOS and shorter delays. Any remaining transmit power can then be allocated to (data) users that can tolerate longer delays.
Numerous challenges are encountered in implementing a CDMA system capable of supporting different types of service. First, the transmit power required by voice users can vary during their communication sessions. Consequently, the amount of transmit power available for data users can vary from one (e.g., 20 msec) transmission interval to the next, and possibly even within the transmission interval. Second, the transmit power required for a particular data user may also vary during a data transmission.
The available transmit power for data service and the required transmit power for a particular data transmission are each typically estimated or predicted at a particular moment in time (e.g., at the time data transmissions are scheduled) for a particular future moment in time (e.g., the start of the next transmission interval). However, the link conditions may change during the next transmission interval, and the estimated available and required transmit power may not be accurate over the entire transmission interval. If the estimated available transmit power is too high and/or the estimated required transmit power is too low, excessive frame errors may occur for a data transmission (thereby degrading performance). Alternatively, if the estimated available transmit power is too low and/or the estimated required transmit power is too high, valuable system resources may be under-utilized.
As can be seen, techniques that can be used to accurately estimate the transmit power available for data service and the transmit power required for a data transmission in a CDMA communication system are highly desirable.
The present invention provides techniques to accurately estimate the transmit power available for data transmissions and the transmit power required for a particular data transmission for a future time period (e.g., the next frame). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, variation in the available transmit power over time is estimated. A first margin is then computed and used to account for the estimated variation in the available transmit power. The available transmit power at a future time instance (e.g., the beginning of the next frame) is predicted and reduced by the first margin to derive a more accurate estimate of the available transmit power.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, variation in the transmit power required for a data transmission to a particular data user is estimated and used in scheduling the data transmission to this data user. A second margin can be computed and used to account for the estimated variation in the required transmit power for this data user. Whereas the first margin accounts for variation in the (overall) available transmit power, the second margin is specific to the link conditions experienced by the data user.
A specific embodiment of the invention provides a method for estimating transmit power available for data transmissions for a future time period (e.g., the next frame). In accordance with the method, a (previously) predicted available transmit power for a prior time instance and a (previously computed) average available transmit power for a prior time period are received. Variation in the available transmit power over time is estimated based on the received predicted and average available transmit power. A margin is then determined to account for the estimated variation in the available transmit power. The available transmit power at a future time instance (e.g., the beginning of the next frame) is then predicted and subtracted by the margin to derive an estimated available transmit power for the future time period.
Other embodiments include methods, schedulers, and other elements that implement various aspects and features of the invention, as described in further detail below.

Method and apparatus for determining available transmit power in a wireless communication system


A stationery goods holder includes a housing having one or more openings formed in the top, one or more drawers disposed in the upper portion for accommodating stationery goods, a number of bars laterally engaged in the side portion of the housing so as to form a book shelf. A number of shafts are rotatably supported in the housing, and a sheet material is wound on each of the shafts, the sheet materials can be pulled outwards of the housing for taking notes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a book shelf, and more particularly to a stationery goods holder and book shelf combination.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical book shelves are good for supporting books only, and typical stationery goods holders are good for accommodating stationery goods only; the users have to buy one book shelf for holding books and buy another stationery goods holder for accommodating stationery goods, the users have to pay double cost, in addition, the two objects occupy a large space.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional book shelves and stationery goods holders.

Stationery goods holder and book shelf combination


According to one implementation, a narrative visualization system includes a computing platform having a hardware processor and a system memory storing a narrative visualization software code. The hardware processor is configured to execute the narrative visualization software code to receive multiple media files. For each of the media files, the hardware processor is further configured to execute the narrative visualization software code to parse the media file to identify a primary content and metadata describing the primary content, to analyze the metadata to determine representative features of the primary content, and to generate a visualization of the primary content based on the metadata and the representative features. The visualization depicts a temporal flow of the primary content in a story tune of the primary content in apposition to a temporal flow of the primary content in a narrative time of the primary content.

Nonlinear narrative is a widely used storytelling device in various types of art and entertainment, including literature, film, and digital media, for example. Nonlinear narrative can make a story more engaging and memorable by conveying the story out of chronological order, so that relationships among events in the story may not follow the original causality pattern established by the story plot. Due to its wide use, a technique for analyzing nonlinear narratives could provide useful insights for authors, academics, and consumers of literature and entertainment content narrated non-linearly. In particular, analysis of the relationship between narrative time and story time may benefit authors by shedding light on various ways to arrange scenes out of chronological order in order to increase suspense or otherwise heighten audience engagement.
Although techniques for analyzing stories qualitatively, such as through close reading, and quantitatively, such as through distance reading, have been developed, relatively little analysis has been directed to the temporal order of events in narrative. One explanation for the scarcity of analytical techniques for investigating temporal ordering within storytelling, particularly in the computational domain, is that it typically requires human-level cognitive processing to reconstruct the temporal relationship between narrative order and storyline.


An apparatus for forming flexible containers from a film web, dispensing fluid into the containers, and enclosing the fluid within the containers. The film web comprises a pair of juxtaposed film plies, a closed longitudinal edge at which the plies are joined, and an open longitudinal edge at which the plies are not joined.

The present invention relates to foam-in-place packaging and, more particularly, to a simplified and improved apparatus and process for producing foam-in-place packaging cushions and other flexible, fluid-filled containers.
Foam-in-place packaging is a highly useful technique for on-demand protection of packaged objects. In its most basic form, foam-in-place packaging comprises injecting foamable compositions from a dispenser into a container that holds an object to be cushioned. Typically, the object is wrapped in plastic to keep it from direct contact with the rising (expanding) foam. As the foam rises, it expands into the remaining space between the object and its container (e.g. a corrugated board box) thus forming a custom cushion for the object.
A common foamable composition is formed by mixing an isocyanate compound with a hydroxyl-containing material, such as a polyol (i.e., a compound that contains multiple hydroxyl groups), typically in the presence of water and a catalyst. The isocyanate and polyol precursors react to form polyurethane. At the same time, the water reacts with the isocyanate compound to produce carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide causes the polyurethane to expand into a foamed cellular structure, i.e., a polyurethane foal', which serves to protect the packaged object.
In other types of foam-in-place packaging, an automated apparatus produces flexible bags or other containers from a flexible, plastic film web, and dispenses a foamable composition into the bags as the bags are being formed. As the composition expands into a foam within the bag, the bag is sealed shut and typically dropped into a container holding the object to be cushioned. The rising foam again tends to expand into the available space, but does so inside the bag. Because the bags are formed of flexible plastic, they form individual custom foam cushions around the packaged objects. Exemplary types of such packaging apparatus are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and are illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,800,708, 4,854,109, 5,027,583, 5,376,219, and 6,003,288, the contents of each of which are incorporated entirely herein by reference.
A variation of the foregoing 'foam-in-bag' method of creating packaging cushions is to segregate each cushion into one or more containers, which are filled with foamable composition and sealed closed. The foam-filled containers are generally elongated, i.e., tube-shaped, and are separated from adjacent containers by relatively flat regions of the film web, which provide bending regions or hinges for the cushion. While not providing custom-fitting cushions as with standard foam-in-place or foam-in-bag packaging techniques, foam-tube packaging cushions can generally be produced at a higher rate of speed than custom cushions, while still providing the ability to flexibly ensconce the packaged product due to the non-foamed hinge regions of the cushion. These attributes have been found to be advantageous for high-volume packaging applications.
At present, the foregoing foam-tube packaging technique is carried out by modifying conventional foam-in-bag packaging machines to form horizontally-oriented, foam-filled tubes within each packaging cushion. While such modifications have generally proven adequate, shortcomings exist. In the first place, the minimum width of the tubes is currently limited to about 2.5 inches. This is due, in part, to the placement of the foam dispensing apparatus substantially completely inside of the film web, which is conveyed in a vertical direction, with the tubes being horizontally aligned in order to accommodate the placement of the foam dispenser within the web. The spatial constraints of this arrangement do not permit a closer spacing of the transverse seals that form the tubes than about 2.5 inches. It would be desired to produce foam-tube packaging cushions with much smaller tube-widths, e.g., down to about 1 inch or less, which would enhance the flexibility and versatility of foam-tube packaging cushions, e.g., for packaging delicate objects or those having a relatively complex shape.
Additionally, the current foam-tube systems are intermittent, with the film web being stopped each time that a side wall for a tube is formed. Such side walls are created by producing transverse heat-seals, i.e., across the width of the film web, and occur in an alternating fashion with the dispensation of the foamable composition. Spacing between the transverse-seal/side-walls is dependent on the frequency of film-contact with the transverse seal mechanism which, in turn, is dependent on the control of the speed and stoppage of the film web. Such intermittent movement of the film web results in a slower process than would otherwise be desired for many, high-volume applications, in which a continuous/non-intermittent process would be preferred. In addition, control of the spacing of the transverse seals, and therefore of the width of the tubes, is limited. Further, intermittent dispensation of the foam makes it difficult to control both the volume of the foam dispensed into each tube, and also the mixing ratio of the foam precursor components, i.e., the polyol and isocyanate.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus for making foam-tube-type packaging cushions, which overcomes the foregoing shortcomings.

Apparatus for forming flexible containers, dispensing fluid into the containers, and enclosing the fluid within the containers


Air vent for a vehicle includes a frame-shaped housing, in which a plurality of air guide elements are arranged, wherein first air guide elements are each mounted in a manner allowing pivot movement about a first pivot axis, and wherein second air guide elements are each mounted in a manner allowing pivot movement about a second pivot axis, wherein the first pivot axes extend perpendicular to the second pivot axes, further comprising a manually operable operating element for pivoting the air guide elements, wherein first guide rails are provided, along which the operating element for pivoting the first air guide elements about the first pivot axes is displaceable along a first direction of displacement, and wherein second guide rails are provided, along which the operating element for pivoting the second air guide elements about the second pivot axes is displaceable along a second direction of displacement.

Such air vents are used to ventilate the interior of vehicles, for example, passenger cars or trucks. They have a plurality of air guide elements, which can be adjusted, for example, pivoted, by means of an operating element. First air guide elements can each be pivoted about a first pivot axis; and second air guide elements can each be pivoted about a second pivot axis. The air guide elements can be pivoted by means of an operating element; and, thus, the direction of flow of the air into the interior of the vehicle can be set.
Such an air vent is known, for example, from the document DE 20 2010 000 979 U1. In this case a common operating element is arranged on an air guide lamella and can be pivoted, together with the air guide lamella, about a horizontal axis. By means of suitable coupling elements it is ensured that all of the air guide lamellae, which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis, are also pivoted. In addition, the operating element can be moved laterally in the horizontal direction, as a result of which second lamellae, which are coupled by means of a connecting element, are each pivoted about a vertical axis. Thus, it is possible to control all of the lamellae with only one operating element. However, the coupling requires very sophisticated kinematic elements, for example, coupling elements. Furthermore, these coupling elements are visible from the vehicle interior, a feature that which may be undesirable. Even the orientation of the operating element changes as a function of the position of the lamellae, an aspect that may also be undesirable, in particular, for reasons relating to the visual appearance.
Furthermore, air vents are known from the documents DE 20 2009 011 085 U1, DE 20 2005 018 642 U1 and DE 20 2012 100 980 U1. These air vents have sophisticated operating and adjusting mechanisms.


A circuit (S) for protecting a DC network having DC loads (1) and connectable to the circuit (S), the circuit (S) is suitable and configured to supply the DC network with electric power via a three-phase rectifier (G) and wherein the circuit (S) includes a means (2, 3, 4, TH1, LS, CS, DU, DV, DW) for detecting an overvoltage, wherein the means is suitable and configured to detect an overvoltage at the input of the DC network, and the circuit (S) includes a means (2, 3, 4, TH1, LS, CS, DU, DV, DW) for transferring a current, wherein the means is suitable and configured to supply current to one or several current-carrying thyristors (THU1, THV1, THW1) of the rectifier (G), wherein the current causes the thyristor or thyristors (THU1, THV1, THW1) to turn off as soon as the detection means has detected an overvoltage.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit for protecting at least one DC network with DC loads which are suitable and configured to be supplied with electrical power via a rectifier.
(2) Description of Related Art
DC networks having DC loads which are supplied with DC current via rectifiers, for example three-phase rectifiers, are known in the art, for example, from local networks of power plants. The DC loads in these local DC networks of the power plants can include DC loads related to the safe operation of the power plant. These may include, for example, sensors, field devices, display devices, display means, controllers and regulators, in particular for supplying uninterrupted power, a safety power supply, in particular a safety illumination, drives, in particular valve drives associated with a reactor vessel, and other DC loads. These electrical devices are implemented as DC devices, so that they can be easily supplied with electrical energy from an energy store, such as an accumulator or a battery. Under normal conditions, i.e., in error-free operation, these devices, such as the DC loads, are to be supplied with electrical energy generated by the power plant. The DC network with these DC loads is therefore connected by way of a rectifier to an AC voltage generated by the power plant.
However, it has been of observed in the past that these DC networks are inadequately protected against an overvoltage from the AC power grid. These overvoltages may damage the DC loads.
This may cause particularly controllers and regulators as well as sensors and actuators to fail.
Thus, there is a need to more adequately protect against an overvoltage from the AC power grid to avoid damage of the DC loads due to overvoltages.

Circuit for protecting a DC network with DC loads against overvoltage


An apparatus for wrapping an object with a film has a film-feed head having a drive for pulling the film from a supply and feeding it in a feed direction through the head toward an object to be wrapped with the film and a pull-down device downstream in the direction from the head for drawing the film around the object. A blower directs a stream of air in the feed head parallel and immediately adjacent to the film and in the feed direction so as to entrain the film in the direction.

A standard apparatus for wrapping a stack of goods with a film has at least one film supply, one film-feed head and one pull-down device for drawing the film over the stack of goods, the film being fed from the film supply to the film-feed head. In the context of the invention, the film is a plastic film. The stack of goods can consist, on the one hand, of goods such as, for example boxes or the like. On the other, the stack of goods can also involve products from the field of white goods such as, for example a refrigerator. Normally the stack of goods is sitting on a pallet.
From practice, apparatuses of the above-described type are known in different embodiments. Usually, an initially closed tubular film is transferred from the film supply to the film-feed head where a tubular film section necessary for the draw-down process is detached by a separator. Often, the film-feed head comprises also a welder that welds closed the tubular film section at its upper end to form a film hood. During transport, the tubular film has the tendency to get electrostatically charged. The results is that the tubular film or that the one or other layer of the tubular film clings in particular to metallic parts of the film-feed head. The tubular film can get caught at these points and an undesired film jam occurs that often requires manual clearing by an operator. When the tubular film is guided through a gap formed by guide walls and tapered in the feed direction, the tubular film or the layers of the tubular film can particularly easily get caught on the guide walls. This can result in a premature, unintended and disadvantageous opening of the tubular film. This makes it particularly easy for the tubular film, which is already slightly opened in this manner, to cling to downstream parts. The film can in particular rest against the welder downstream in the feed direction and can then get jammed back in a disadvantageous manner into the guide gap. This requires complicated interventions.

Apparatus for wrapping a stack of objects with a film


Technologies are generally described for environment-dependent dynamic range control for gesture recognition. In some examples, user environment including, but not limited to, location, device size, virtual or physical display size, is detected and gesture control range adjusted according to the detected environment. In other examples, a controller user interface or dynamic range status indicator may be adjusted based on the modified gesture recognition range control.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Traditional media equipment and computer controlled devices such as computers, televisions, message boards, electronic billboards, and monitoring devices are controlled directly over a user interface using input hardware. Typically, they are directly controlled using input devices such as a mouse, remote control, keyboard, stylus, touch screen, or the like for controlling the device. Since the input devices are integrated with the devices, in order for users to interact with a device, the users need to have direct access to or be in close proximity to such input devices and screens in order to initiate actions on, operate and control the devices through keystrokes on a keyboard, movements of a mouse, and selections on a touchscreen. If the input devices are not directly accessible to the users, the interaction between the user and the devices may be limited and the user may not be able to operate and control the devices, thus limiting the usefulness of the devices.
Recent developments in technology have enabled electronic device to be equipped with motion detection mechanisms to activate the devices, for example, by the waving of a hand or detection of motion in a predefined area. Because device sizes, user distance to a device, and similar circumstances may vary, typical electronic devices controlled by gestures may be commonly configured to detect a larger range of gestures. Depending on the circumstances, however, a user may wish (or need to) use smaller gestures, for example finger gestures instead of hand gestures.

Environment-dependent dynamic range control for gesture recognition


A method includes generating an audio signal, generating a control signal that is configured to control a haptic feedback device that is incorporated into a device for delivering audio based on the audio signal to a user, and embedding the control signal in the audio signal by using a pseudorandom signal to form an encoded audio signal. Another method includes receiving a signal that includes an audio signal having an embedded control signal, recovering the control signal from the received signal by using a pseudorandom signal, using the recovered control signal to control a haptic feedback device that is incorporated into a device for delivering audio, recovering the audio signal from the received signal, and using the recovered audio signal to generate audio in the device for delivering audio. Systems perform similar steps, and non-transitory computer readable storage mediums each store one or more computer programs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to computer simulation output technology, and more specifically to audio and haptic technology that may be employed by computer simulations, such as computer games and video games.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Computer games, such as video games, have become a popular source of entertainment. Computer games are typically implemented in computer game software applications and are often run on game consoles, entertainment systems, desktop, laptop, and notebook computers, portable devices, pad-like devices, etc. Computer games are one type of computer simulation.
The user of a computer game is typically able to view the game play on a display and control various aspects of the game with a game controller, game pad, joystick, mouse, or other input devices and/or input techniques. Computer games typically also include audio output so that the user can hear sounds generated by the game, such as for example, the sounds generated by other players' characters like voices, footsteps, physical confrontations, gun shots, explosions, car chases, car crashes, etc.
Haptic technology, or haptics, provides physical sensations to a user of a device or system as a type of feedback or output. A few examples of the types of physical sensations that haptic technology may provide include applying forces, vibrations, and/or motions to the user.

Scheme for embedding a control signal in an audio signal using pseudo white noise


Disclosed herein is an illumination unit and the method of operation thereof, characterized in that it comprises:                a photovoltaic module (A),        a ceiling light fixture (B),        a supporting structure (A1),        a shaped line (B1),        two side wings (B2),        a certain number of spaces (C),        optical elements/means (C1),        a control unit (D),        an electric storage unit (E),        a separate printed circuit (F),        a string (F1),        a cooling fan (G).

The present invention relates to an illumination unit which can be used for illuminating billboards, indicator and locality signs and road signs in urban and extraurban areas.
In particular, the present invention concerns the field of those processes/phenomena consisting of the emission of light photons by a unit subjected to a given incident electromagnetic radiation, through the use of Fresnel lenses providing better diffusion and homogeneity of the illuminating beam and an electronic control circuit.
Illumination units for road use are known which utilize light sources comprising stratified panels.
Said stratified panels have at least one layer consisting of reflecting pigments that can be activated by direct irradiation by means of an electric lamp.
Normally, power is supplied to said electric lamp at predefined time intervals, so as to activate the pigments according to an alternate cycle.
In this manner, said panels are capable of emitting light with gradually decreasing intensity between one activation cycle of the electric lamp and the next.
Typically, said illumination unit is used/employed in emergency situations, i.e. when a fault occurs in the main illumination unit, in order to replace the latter.
However, the light intensity of said traditional illumination units according to the state of the art is not particularly high, and they may cause several problems in terms of poorly flexible conditions/solutions, ineffectiveness and unreliability, such as:                they are only used/employed in cases of emergency in order to replace the main illumination units, because of their limited light emission power;        in order to activate the light storage layer, they require irradiation, though only intermittently, by an electric light source, which in turn requires power;        excavation works need to be carried out for laying the cables connecting the various illumination units;        in the event of a black-out of a single illumination unit, the whole set of units will become inactive.


Provided is a vertical cavity external surface emitting laser (VECSEL) apparatus in which incidence loss of a pumping beam can be reduced. The VECSEL apparatus includes: a laser chip including: an anti-reflection coating (ARC) layer to which a pumping beam is incident; a low Herpin Index distributed Bragg reflector (LHI-DBR) having a LHI stack structure; and a periodic gain layer that is formed on the LHI-DBR and generates laser light by being excited by the pumping beam; and an external cavity mirror that is installed outside the laser chip and faces the periodic gain layer and constitutes a laser cavity with the LHI-DBR.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a vertical external cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) apparatus, and more particularly, to a VECSEL apparatus having an improved structure to reduce the incidence loss of the pumping beam.
2. Description of the Related Art
A vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) emits a very narrow spectrum during single longitudinal operation and has high coupling efficiency since its projection angle is small. Other apparatuses can be easily integrated with the VCSEL due to the surface emitting structure of the VCSEL. Thus, VCSELs can be used for pumping laser diodes (LDs).
However, the width of an emission region of the VCSEL must be less than 10 μm for a general horizontal operation of the VCSEL. Even then, since the VCSEL can be easily changed into a multiple mode due to a thermal lens effect according to an increased light output, the maximum output generally is not greater than 5 mW during a single longitudinal operation.
A vertical external cavity surface-emitting laser (VECSEL) device has been suggested to enhance the above-described advantages of the VCSEL and realize high output. In the VECSEL, a gain region can be increased by replacing an upper distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) layer with an external mirror, and an output of 100 mW or more can be obtained. Recently, because it is difficult to obtain sufficient gain in a surface-emitting laser due to small gain volume compared to an edge emitting laser, a VECSEL device having a periodic gain structure in which quantum wells are periodically placed has been developed. Also, as it is limited to uniformly inject carriers into a large area by electric pumping, a VECSEL device has been developed in which a large area is pumped uniformly with carriers by optical pumping in order to obtain high output.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional end pumping VECSEL apparatus. FIG. 2 is a graph of the reflectivity of a DBR layer according to the wavelength of the pumping beams in the VECSEL apparatus of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional VECSEL includes a transparent substrate 2, a DBR layer 4 stacked on the transparent substrate 2, a periodic gain layer 6 stacked on the DBR layer 4, an optical pump 9 installed to radiate a pumping beam to the transparent substrate, and an external cavity mirror 8 installed to face the periodic gain layer 6. The DBR layer 4 has a stack structure of H, L, H, L, H, L . . . or L, H, L, H, L, H . . . Here, L denotes a low refractive index layer having a wavelength of λ/4, and H denotes a high refractive index layer, and λ is a wavelength of the laser light generated in the periodic gain layer 6.
In the conventional VECSEL apparatus having the above described configuration, more than 30% of the pumping beam light incident at an interface or on a surface of the DBR layer 4 is reflected and thus the incidence pumping efficiency in the gain region is relatively low, that is, about 70%. Referring to FIG. 2, when a pumping beam has a wavelength of 808 nm, about 30% of the pumping beam light is reflected at an interface of the DBR layer 4. Thus, reflection of the incident pumping beam at an interface of the DBR layer 4 reduces the gain efficiency and the lasing efficiency. Accordingly, a VECSEL apparatus having an improved structure to reduce the incidence loss to increase the pumping beam efficiency is required.

End pumping vertical external cavity surface emitting laser apparatus


There is provided a semiconductor device comprising a gate electrode which is formed on a semiconductor substrate through a gate insulating film and in which a plurality hexagonal rings are mutually connected so as to form a honeycomb structure, drain diffusion layers each formed in the semiconductor substrate on the inside of one hexagonal ring, source diffusion layers formed in the semiconductor substrate on the inside of a plurality of hexagonal rings which are adjacent to the hexagonal ring having the drain diffusion layer formed therein, and, insulating layers formed between respective source diffusion layers in the semiconductor substrate.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-011989, filed Jan. 21, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device including a FET having a gate electrode of a honeycomb structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
A FET having a gate electrode of a honeycomb structure has been considered for use as a high frequency element.
A MOSFET of a honeycomb structure has been disclosed, as in IEEE Trans. on Semiconductor Manufacturing, Vol. 13, pp. 167-172, May 2000, for example. The literature is a report about a MOSFET of hexagonal honeycomb structure. In the literature, it is described that a highly integrated (small area) circuit can be provided particularly by a 2-input drain/source common circuit configuration (FIG. 3, FIG. 6). The structure of a conventional MOSFET of honeycomb structure is shown in FIG. 1.
In the structure shown in the literature, elongated hexagonal gate electrodes are sequentially connected from upper left to lower right. In such a structure, a gate resistance becomes larger, and high frequency characteristics are deteriorated. Further, since a drain diffusion layer contact is obliquely arranged at 45xc2x0, and a source electrode wiring is configured with an oblique wiring at 60xc2x0, it is predicted that the oblique wiring rule would become highly complicated, resulting in a lower semiconductor device yield.
A conventional FET having a gate electrode of a honeycomb structure has a problem that the wiring design rule of the drain wiring layer and the source wiring layer becomes complicated.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device capable of simplifying a design rule of drain wiring layers in a convention FET having a gate electrode of a honeycomb structure, as described above.
In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising:
a plurality of unit cells, each comprising a gate insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate,
a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film and in which a plurality of hexagonal rings are mutually connected so as to form a honeycomb structure,
a drain diffusion layer formed in the semiconductor substrate on the inside of one hexagonal ring,
and source diffusion layers formed in the semiconductor substrate on the inside of a plurality of hexagonal rings which are adjacent to the hexagonal ring having the drain diffusion layer formed therein;
source contact plugs formed in the semiconductor substrate and are electrically connected to source diffusion layers;
a source wiring layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and is connected to the source contact plugs;
drain contact plugs formed on the semiconductor substrate and are electrically connected to drain diffusion layers; and
a drain wiring layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and being electrically connected to the drain contact plugs,
wherein each unit cell being arranged sharing source diffusion layers in adjacent unit cells,
the hexagonal rings each having two vertexes having an inner angle 90xc2x0, and four vertexes having an inner angle 135xc2x0, the hexagonal rings each being symmetrical with respect to a segment connecting the two vertexes having an inner angle 90xc2x0, and
the drain wiring layer is configured in which a plurality of isosceles triangle rings, where a hypotenuse is parallel to the segment, are mutually connected so as to form a honeycomb structure.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising:
a plurality of unit cells each comprising a gate insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate,
a gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film and in which a plurality of hexagonal rings are mutually connected so as to form a honeycomb structure,
a drain diffusion layer formed in the semiconductor substrate on the inside of one hexagonal ring, and
source diffusion layers formed in the semiconductor substrate on the inside of a plurality of hexagonal rings which are adjacent to the hexagonal ring having the drain diffusion layer formed therein;
source contact plugs formed in the semiconductor substrate and are electrically connected to source diffusion layers;
a source wiring layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and is connected to the source contact plugs;
drain contact plugs formed on the semiconductor substrate and are electrically connected to drain diffusion layers; and
a drain wiring layer formed on the semiconductor substrate and is electrically connected to the drain contact plugs,
wherein each unit cell being arranged sharing source diffusion layers in adjacent unit cells,
the hexagonal ring being equilateral hexagonal, and
the drain wiring layer being configured in which a plurality of isosceles triangles are mutually connected so as to form a honeycomb structure.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center


A method for operating an international combustion engine, the engine also includes a first cylinder, a second cylinder, an exhaust system, and a fuel cell in the exhaust system. The method comprises operating the first cylinder lean to provide air to the fuel cell during at least one condition; and operating the second cylinder rich or stoichiometric to provide torque output and fuel to the fuel cell.

Internal combustion engines use only a portion (for example, approximately 31% to 38% in some cases) of the supplied fuel energy due to heat wasted, friction, incomplete combustion, and others. In addition, approximately 3-17% of the supplied fuel energy can be used to maintain the engine operation during standby and another 1-2% can be used to operate accessories. Therefore, it can be advantageous to utilize the waste energy, typically in the form of thermal and chemical energy, to improve the overall vehicle system fuel efficiency.
One approach to utilize the waste energy is to arrange a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. Specifically, the U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0177607 describes an internal combustion engine with a SOFC in an exhaust system. The SOFC is of a structure that fuel can be reformed inside the fuel cell. In the '607 reference, one embodiment includes a fuel adding injector disposed between the engine and the SOFC (see FIG. 8). The fuel added to the exhaust passage can be used as power generation fuel for the SOFC. The embodiment also includes a heat exchanger and an air pump. The air with its temperature raised in the heat exchanger is introduced into the exhaust passage at the upstream side of SOFC so as to raise the wall surface temperature of the exhaust passage and the exhaust gas. Thus, evaporation of the fuel added from the fuel adding injector can be advanced.
However, the inventors herein have recognized several disadvantages of such an approach. For example, additional devices such fuel pump, fuel adding injector, air pump, and heat exchanger are required for the operation of the SOFC. These separate air and fuel supply systems plus the heat exchanger can be expensive or may become degraded over time. Further, the system may only use fuel cells that can perform fuel reformulation. Furthermore, the reformation of fuel in the SOFC may cause emissions such as NOx emissions.

System and method to operate fuel cell in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine


An image forming apparatus includes a transparent image forming unit configured to form a transparent toner image on a recording material, a fixing unit configured to fix the transparent toner image formed on the recording material, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a region where a mark visually recognizable due to a glossiness difference is to be formed, and a control unit configured to control the transparent image forming unit such that the transparent toner image formed in the region acquired by the acquisition unit is formed in a predetermined pattern in which a first portion having first glossiness after fixing and a second portion having second glossiness after fixing that is different from the first glossiness are at least alternately disposed.

1. Field of the Invention
The claimed invention relates to an image forming apparatus for forming an image by using a transparent toner, and an image processing apparatus for processing image data that is to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a toner image is formed and fixed on a recording material with a chromatic toner (a yellow toner, a magenta toner, a cyan toner, and a black toner) to output a print product. An image to be formed on the recording material is designated by a user. In an output image, regions (hair in a portrait image) using a large amount of toner and regions (skin color or the white of the eye in a portrait image) rarely using a toner are often mixed.
In an image forming apparatus for fixing a toner to a recording material, the glossiness of an image after fixing can be changed according to an amount of toner. This may be because some of the fixed toner influences the surface property of a recording material after the toner is fixed. Accordingly, when an image designated by a user is output onto a recording material, an unintended glossiness difference (uneven gloss) corresponding to the unevenness in an amount of chromatic toner may be generated on the recording material.
However, if the amount of chromatic toner is changed to suppress uneven gloss, a color tone may become different from that of an image to be originally output, which is undesirable.
Therefore, some image forming apparatuses can use a transparent toner, which does not contain a color material such as a pigment, to adjust glossiness after fixing. The transparent toner is also used to set up a measure for security, in addition to suppressing an intended glossiness difference caused by a toner step (convexo-concavity) generated by the chromatic toner. More specifically, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-191626 discusses a method of intentionally forming a transparent toner image on a portion of a recording material and forming a mark (hereinafter, referred to as 'gloss mark') which can be recognized visually due to a glossiness difference.
However, when a gloss mark is output by using a transparent toner, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the gloss mark if the glossiness of a portion to which the transparent toner is fixed and that of a peripheral portion thereof become incidentally substantially the same. More specifically, even when the glossiness of a portion of a recording medium is intentionally adjusted by using a transparent toner, it becomes difficult to visually recognize an edge (contour) of the gloss mark at a point where the glossiness of a region where the gloss mark is to be formed and the glossiness of a peripheral region thereof are incidentally substantially the same.
More specifically, the glossiness of a portion (white background portion) where a chromatic toner is not fixed to a recording material becomes intrinsic glossiness of the recording material itself. Accordingly, even when a gloss mark is formed at a white background portion, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the gloss mark if the glossiness of a region to which a transparent toner is fixed is substantially the same as the intrinsic glossiness of the recording material.
In addition, images are often formed with a chromatic toner on a recording material on which a gloss mark is formed, and the gloss mark may be formed to overlap the image formed with the chromatic toner. In this case, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the gloss mark if the glossiness of a region to which the transparent toner is fixed is substantially the same as the glossiness of a region to which the chromatic toner is fixed.
If a transparent toner is formed in a region where a gloss mark is to be formed such that the glossiness of the entire gloss mark region becomes substantially the same, it is difficult to visually recognize an edge (contour) of the gloss mark when the glossiness of the gloss mark incidentally coincides with the glossiness of a peripheral portion thereof.

Image forming apparatus and image processing apparatus


The present invention relates to metoprolol succinate, a new therapeutically active compound, and pharmaceutical preparations comprising this new compound.

There exists an everlasting problem within pharmacy to be able to administer a therapeutically active compound as close as possible to the colon, or preferably in the colon in order to thereby to eliminate the risk for acidic influence on the active compound by the gastric juice, or to prevent from irritation of the ventricular mucous membrane due to a reflux, or to obtain a therapeutical effect in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract.
As suitable active compounds it has previously been proposed propanolol, alprenolol, and metoprolol tartrate, quinidine sulphate, quinidine bisulphate, quinidine hydrochloride, furosemide, and 5aminosalicylic acid, i.e., such weak bases or salts thereof, the pH of which is 1 to 8.

Pharmaceutical composition comprising metroprolol succinate


A manual transmission with a gearshift locking arrangement includes a rail having a shifter having a slot between forward and rear ears of the shifter, the rail being movable between rail forward and rear positions. The manual transmission with a gearshift locking arrangement also includes forward and rear engagement members disposed at positions corresponding to the rail forward and rear positions. A shift lever is also provided, an engaging portion of the shift lever being adapted to be disposed in the slot, the shift lever being adapted to move the rail between the rail forward and rear position, the engaging portion being engageable with the forward engagement member when the rail is in the rail forward position and the engaging portion being engageable with the rear engagement member when the rail is in the rail rear position.

The present invention relates generally to manual transmissions and, more particularly, to manual transmissions having gearshift locking arrangements.
Unintended disengagement in a manual transmission can result from shift lever inertia forces causing the transmission to disengage from the selected gear position or from a combination of forces both internal to the transmission as well as external. The lever inertia forces usually result from traversing uneven terrain or from power train excitation causing excessive motion of the gear shift lever. Internal forces can be the result of manufacturing deficiencies or unequal load sharing within multi counter shaft units which is a common construction feature of today's heavy duty truck transmissions.
Unintended disengagement can be source of operator irritation, not to mention more serious concerns regarding safe vehicle operation. Over the years various types of locking devices have been employed in attempts to overcome these problems. Such locking devices are usually confined to modifying the jaw clutch components which are used to engage a particular gear to the transmission main or output shaft to produce a locking effect. This can be accomplished by tapering the engaging internal and external teeth to produce a dovetail joint type of connection which results in an axial force between the two which causes them remain engaged. While this is effective, the magnitude of the engaging force is dependent upon the load on the power train. Under heavy loads the engaging force is greater. Under light loads the effectiveness of the engaging force is diminished and therefore cannot always be employed to overcome disengagement problems under all types of conditions. Other types of tooth modifications have been utilized over the years but have met with mixed success or created other problems such as durability or manufacturing issues and for those reasons these solutions are not widely employed.
Attempts have been made to control the shift lever inertia forces but these usually interfere with the ability to shift the transmission resulting from the addition of friction or damping forces which must be overcome when shifting from gear to gear.
It is desirable to provide a gearshift locking arrangement that is simple in construction and that minimizes interferences with use of the gearshift.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a manual transmission with a gearshift locking arrangement comprises a first rail having a first shifter having a first slot between first forward and rear ears of the first shifter, first forward and rear engagement members being provided on the first forward and rear ears of the first shifter, a second rail having a second shifter having a second slot between second forward and rear ears of the second shifter, and a shift lever, an engaging portion of the shift lever being movable between the first slot and the second slot, the shift lever being adapted to move the second rail between a second rail forward and rear position when the engaging portion is in the second slot, the engaging portion being engageable with the first forward engagement member when the second rail is in the second rail forward position and the engaging portion being engageable with the first rear engagement member when the second rail is in the second rail rear position.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a shift rail assembly for a gearshift mechanism comprises a shift rail, and a shifter mounted on the shift rail, the shifter comprising forward and rear ears defining a slot for receiving a portion of a gearshift lever, and forward and rear engagement members on the forward and rear ears for engaging an engagement portion of the gearshift lever.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a gearshift mechanism comprises moving an engaging portion of a shift lever between a first slot in a first shifter of a first rail, the first slot being disposed between first forward and rear ears of the first shifter, and a second slot in a second shifter of a second rail, the second slot being disposed between second forward and rear ears of the second shifter, using the shift lever, moving the second rail one of forwardly and rearwardly relative to the first rail, and, when the second rail is moved forwardly, engaging with the engaging portion a first forward engagement member provided on the first forward ear of the first shifter and, when the second rail is moved rearwardly, engaging with the engaging portion a first rear engagement member provided on the first rear ear of the first shifter.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a manual transmission with a gearshift locking arrangement comprises a rail having a shifter having a slot between forward and rear ears of the shifter, the rail being movable between rail forward and rear positions, forward and rear engagement members disposed at positions corresponding to the rail forward and rear positions, and a shift lever, an engaging portion of the shift lever being adapted to be disposed in the slot, the shift lever being adapted to move the rail between the rail forward and rear position, the engaging portion being engageable with the forward engagement member when the rail is in the rail forward position and the engaging portion being engageable with the rear engagement member when the rail is in the rail rear position.

Manual transmission with a gearshift locking mechanism and method


A grooved forming roll in a paper machine has a rotably supported shell (20) with circular openings (21) arranged to be open at least on the outer surface of the shell (20). Each opening (21) has a circular groove which is formed on the outer surface and which is arranged concentrically relative to the opening (21). A portion of the formed circular openings (22) extends to each opening (21) from each adjacent opening (21). The outer radius (r) of the circular groove (22) is arranged such that the number of necks (24), delimited by the adjacent openings (21) and their circular grooves (22) on the shell outer surface within the area of one circular groove (22), is greater than the number of the adjacent openings (21) of the corresponding opening (21).

The invention relates to a grooved forming roll, which includes a rotably supported shell comprising circular openings arranged to be opened at least on the outer surface of the shell, and associated with each opening, a circular groove formed on the outer surface, arranged concentrically relative to the corresponding opening, and on which outer surface a portion of the formed circular grooves extends to each opening from each adjacent opening.
WO publication No. 9932713 discloses a forming roll and particularly the design of its outer surface. The object has been to increase the open surface of the shell for avoiding the previously used wire net. Previously, a plastic wire net was placed on top of the forming roll by shrinking, which wire net wore out fast during use. Another problem has been curling and soiling of the expensive wire net. The wire net has also set restrictions on the use of cleaning chemicals and high pressure cleaning. However, a drilled shell without a wire net would make clear marking in the web due to the effect of vacuum and/or the outer fabric during web forming. As a solution for the problem the publication proposes spiral grooves machined obliquely in relation to each other with which necks of material between the openings are divided into smaller parts. In this way, a flow connection is created between each two adjacent openings.
Machining of spiral grooves is a demanding procedure, in which special tools are required. In addition, despite of setting, the necks become indefinite in form and size. This makes the grooved outer surface of the shell sensitive to damaging and the sharp forms deplete the fabric. Furthermore, the proposed forming roll has operated in the desired way with some furnish grades only. The said publication also proposes the use of circular grooves in creating the grooving. Compared to spiral grooves, irrespective of easier machining, the remaining necks are large and the flow between the adjacent openings is poor. In this situation the marking problem remains as the flow speed of water varies in different positions of the forming roll.


The self-sealing card assembly comprises an intermediate plastic substrate having upper and lower clear polyethylene layers and an intermediate polyurethane layer therebetween, permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to the faces of the polyethylene layers, a release liner overlying approximately one-half of the upper adhesive and an ID card overlying the remaining half of the adhesive. The lower adhesive layer adheres the card assembly to a carrier sheet whereby the card assembly and carrier sheet may form a mailer. The recipient completes the information requested on the ID card, peels the upper three layers from the carrier sheet by separating the upper polyethylene layer from the polyurethane layer, removes the upper half of the release liner and folds the clear polyethylene layer onto the upper surface of the ID card to form the laminated card. To manufacture the assembly, the plastic substrate is passed through adhesive applicators and release liners are adhered to its opposite sides. The upper liner is slit lengthwise in the direction of web travel, one half of the liner is removed and the preprinted ID in continuous web form is applied to the exposed adhesive. The lower liner is then removed and the carrier sheet and card assembly are adhered one to the other.

Plastic laminated cards are used for a multiplicity of purposes. For example, cards of this type are often provided for purposes of identification and contain printed information, as well as perhaps pictures or other information on one or both sides and which card is sealed between two plastic sheets. Driver's licenses are typical of these standard laminated products. Frequently, it is desirable that an end user provide information on the identification card and have the capability to assemble it in laminated form. For example, an end user may request an identification card from an organization and that organization may forward to the end user the card and other information, whereby the user can complete the information required by the card and laminate the card between plastic sheets also provided the end user by the organization.
Self-sealing identification cards are, of course, not new per se. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,077 a transparent plastic substrate is secured by permanent adhesive to a base stock or bond paper and a release liner, the base stock and release liner each covering approximately one-half of a plastic substrate. The base stock has printing on it which can be completed by an end user by removing the release liner from the remaining half and exposing the adhesive, the end user may fold the portion of the transparent plastic substrate previously covered by the release liner and now with exposed adhesive over the face of the base stock to adhesively secure the plastic substrate to the base stock, thereby covering and protecting it. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,080, there is disclosed a similar type of laminated identification card in which one or more intermediate or record copies of the identification card are provided in addition to the materials forming the laminated plastic card.

Self-sealing card assembly on carrier and methods of manufacture


A microfluidic device is provided for managing fluid flow in disposable assay devices, which provides constant flow even at very low flow rates. Pumps utilizing the microfluidic device, as well as methods for manufacture and performing a microfluidic process are also provided.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to fluidics technology, and more particularly to a microfluidic multilayer peristaltic pump for control of fluid flow through microchannels.
Background Information
Microfluidics systems are of significant value for acquiring and analyzing chemical and biological information using very small volumes of liquid. Use of microfluidic systems can increase the response time of reactions, minimize sample volume, and lower reagent and consumables consumption. When volatile or hazardous materials are used or generated, performing reactions in microfluidic volumes also enhances safety and reduces disposal quantities.
Microfluidic devices have become increasingly important in a wide variety of fields from medical diagnostics and analytical chemistry to genomic and proteomic analysis. They may also be useful in therapeutic contexts, such as low flow rate drug delivery.
The microcomponents required for these devices are often complex and costly to produce. For example, a micropump may be used to mix reagents and transport fluids between a disposable analysis platform component of the system and an analysis instrument (e.g., an analyte reader with display functions). Yet controlling the direction and rate of fluid flow within the confines of a microfluidic device, or achieving complex fluid flow patterns inside microfluidic channels is difficult.


An adjustable stroke percussion massage device includes a stroke arm having a first end connected to a percussion massage head. A pin extends outward at a second end of the stroke arm. A cam has a cam slot formed into the cam such that the pin fits into the cam slot. The cam slot has a length, where the pin is movable from a first end of the cam slot to a second end of the cam slot, where the pin is a first distance from a rotation axis of the cam when positioned at the first end of the cam slot, and the pin is a second distance from the rotation axis of the cam when positioned at the second end of the cam slot. A motor is operable to rotate the cam about the rotation axis, moving the stroke arm along a vibration axis.

Percussion massage devices have become increasing popular for home use. Typical percussion massage devices have a massage head that moves back and forth between an extended position and a retracted position. Typically, this distance can range from about 10 mm to about 20 mm and is referred to as the device's stroke length. This movement may occur as a rapid frequency, such as between about 1700 to about 3400 strokes per minute.
Conventional percussion massage devices have a fixed stroke length, albeit this fixed stroke length can vary from one device to another. Thus, if a user desires a gentler massage (with a shorter stroke length) on one day and a more vigorous massage (with a longer stroke length) on another day, they typically need to own two different percussion massage devices.
Therefore, there is a need for a device that can provide a user percussive massage therapy while allowing a user to change the stroke length in a simple and quick manner. The present invention accomplishes these objectives.

Variable stroke percussive massage device


A control unit of an alarm device suppresses the activation of an alarm for a second another vehicle when a self-vehicle is reversing from a parked state, in a case where after one of a first detection unit, which is configured to detect another vehicle approaching from the back right of the self-vehicle, or the second detection unit, which is configured to detect another vehicle approaching from the back left of the self-vehicle, detects a first another vehicle, another one of the first detection unit or the second detection unit detects the second another vehicle, in a case where a distance difference between a first distance between the first another vehicle and the self-vehicle and a second distance between the second another vehicle and the self-vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined distance, in a case where a speed difference between a first speed of the first another vehicle and a second speed of the second another vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined speed, or in a case where a time difference between a first estimated crossing time of the first another vehicle and the self-vehicle and a second estimated crossing time of the second another vehicle and the self-vehicle is less than or equal to a predetermined time.

Conventionally, there is an alarm device for calculating the parking angle of a vehicle with respect to the travelling lane, based on a yaw rate detected by a yaw rate sensor installed in the vehicle or the rudder angle detected by a rudder angle sensor for detecting the steering angle, storing the calculated parking angle in a non-volatile memory, etc., and setting the angle of an alert area behind the self-vehicle when reversing the vehicle from the parked state (see, for example, Patent Document 1).


The closure (1) consists of a tubular base portion (2) and a cap (3). Considered in the direction of the axis (17) of the base portion (2), in the closed position the outer contour of the cap (3) is within the interior contour of the base portion (2). Cap and base portion are connected to each other in a single unit by a snap hinge and injection molded in a closed position. Extending from the snap hinge, cap and base portion are additionally connected together by a safety strap (40), which is to safeguard against unintentional premature opening of the closure (tamper evidence). The closure enables a marked productivity increase during manufacture.

The invention relates to a closure for a container such as a cap for a bottle or the like.
Bottle stoppers are injection molded by many various methods. EP Patent No. 0 056 469 describes single-piece stoppers with snap hinges that have proven to be very reliable. A plastic closure of similar construction, but that does not have a snap hinge, is known from French patent No. FR-2 309 425. The present invention is based on the technical problem of making a generic stopper with a snap hinge, that is both less expensive to produce and safe and easy to use. This technical problem is solved by the present invention as will be described below.
The known closures of the kind referred to above are injection molded in a position open to approximately 180.degree.. The opening to a complete 180.degree. is necessary in order to achieve a simple mold opening without transverse stresses. The inverse shapes of the interior contours of the cap and base portions are situated side by side in one half of the injection mold. The hinges must be chosen so that they allow for an opening of around 180.degree., an opening angle that afterwards is not normally in use at all.