A booster circuit for a non-volatile semiconductor memory device has a drive control circuit. At a power supply ON time or at a reset time, in response to an externally input power supply ON/reset signal ON/RS, the drive control circuit does not drive a weak charge pump but drives a strong charge pump, which has a greater current capacity than that of the weak charge pump, even in a standby mode. This arrangement enables a boosted voltage HV to quickly rise from 0 V to a standby voltage, thus desirably shortening an initial access permission time at the power supply ON time or at the reset time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a voltage generation circuit for a non-volatile semiconductor memory device. More specifically the invention pertains to a booster circuit that generates a boosted voltage from a power source voltage according to an operation mode.
2. Description of the Related Art
A semiconductor memory device has a memory cell array, in which multiple memory cells are arranged in a matrix. Data reading, programming or writing, and erasing operations with regard to each memory cell are generally carried out by specifying an address in a row direction and a column direction of the memory cell array.
Regulation of a voltage applied to a signal line in the row direction and to a signal line in the column direction connected to each memory cell enables an access to the memory cell, in order to carry out a predetermined operation out of the data reading, programming, and erasing operations. For selection of a certain memory cell, a specific voltage, which is different from a voltage applied to the other memory cells, is generated from a power source voltage and is applied to the certain memory cell.
Recently developed MONOS (Metal Oxide Nitride Oxide Semiconductor or Substrate)-type non-volatile semiconductor memory devices are non-volatile and enable electrical erasing of data. In the MONOS-type non-volatile semiconductor memory device, each memory cell has two memory elements as discussed in a reference Y. Hayashi, et al., 2000 Symposium on VLSI Technology Digest of Technical Papers, pp. 122-123.
As described in this cited reference, in order to gain access to the respective memory elements in such a MONOS-type non-volatile semiconductor memory device, it is required to set, as control voltages, a plurality of different voltages corresponding to the respective signal lines (control lines), which depend upon the number of the memory cells. Different control voltages are also required corresponding to respective operation modes (data reading, data programming, data erasing, and standby modes) with regard to each memory element.
A voltage generation circuit generates such a control voltage. The voltage generation circuit typically includes a booster circuit that boosts the power source voltage according to each of diverse operation modes, and a control voltage generation circuit that receives the boosted voltage and generates a plurality of different control voltages required for the respective operation modes. The booster circuit boosts a power source voltage of, for example, 1.8 V to a high voltage of 8.0 V and outputs the high voltage of 8.0 V as the boosted voltage in the data programming or writing mode and in the data erasing mode, while boosting the power source voltage to a low voltage of 5.0 V and outputs the low voltage of 5.0 V as the boosted voltage in the data reading mode and in the standby mode. The MONOS memory cell requires a higher voltage than the power source voltage in the data reading mode. Generation of a higher voltage than the power source voltage is also required in the standby mode, in order to shorten an access time in which the operation mode is changed over from the standby mode to the data reading mode. The boosted voltage of 5.0 V in the standby mode may hereafter be referred to as the standby voltage.
An access to the memory element is required in the active modes, for example, in the data reading mode, in the data programming mode, and in the data erasing mode, among the operation modes. The memory cell array accordingly requires a large electric power. In the standby mode, on the other hand, no access to the memory element is required. It is accordingly desirable to reduce the current consumption in the standby mode.
A proposed booster circuit has a first booster module having a large current capacity supplied to a loading (for example, a memory cell array) and a second booster module having a smaller current capacity and thereby a less current consumption than those of the first booster module. In the active mode, the first booster module having the large current capacity is used to boost the power source voltage and ensure a sufficient supply of electric power required for the memory cell array. In the standby mode, on the other hand, while the first booster module is at a stop, the second booster module having the smaller current capacity and thereby the less current consumption is driven and used to boost the power source voltage. This arrangement reduces the current consumption by the booster circuit in the standby mode.
The proposed booster circuit, however, has some problems discussed below at the power supply ON time or at the reset time of the non-volatile semiconductor memory device.
Immediately after the power supply ON time or the reset time of the non-volatile semiconductor memory device, the memory device is in the standby mode. In the booster circuit, the second booster module is accordingly driven, while the first booster module is kept at a stop. At the power supply ON time or at the reset time, however, the boosted voltage output from the booster circuit is initially close to the power source voltage. It is required to quickly raise the boosted voltage from the power source voltage level to the standby voltage level (for example, 5.0 V). The second booster module has the smaller current capacity and thus requires an undesirably long time to raise the boosted voltage from the power source voltage to the standby voltage. This results in extending the time period between the power supply ON time or the reset time and the time to permit an access to the memory element (initial access permission time).
The advantage of the present invention is thus to solve the problems of the prior art technique discussed above and to provide a booster circuit for a non-volatile semiconductor memory device, which shortens an initial access permission time at a power supply ON time or at a reset time.
In order to attain at least part of the above and the other objects, the present invention is directed to a booster circuit applied for a non-volatile semiconductor memory device, which includes a memory cell array of multiple non-volatile memory elements and has multiple operation modes including a plurality of active modes to permit an access to one of the multiple non-volatile memory elements and a standby mode to stand ready for an access to one of the multiple non-volatile memory elements. The booster circuit boosts a power source voltage and outputs a boosted voltage according to each of the operation modes. The booster circuit includes: a first booster module that is driven in each of the active modes to boost the power source voltage to a specified voltage according to the active mode and output the specified voltage as the boosted voltage; a second booster module that has a smaller current capacity supplied to the memory cell array than that of the first booster module, and is driven in the standby mode to boost the power source voltage to a standby voltage according to the standby mode and outputs the standby voltage as the boosted voltage; and a drive control module that controls actuation of the first booster module and the second booster module. At a power supply ON time or at a reset time of the non-volatile semiconductor memory device, the drive control module actuates the first booster module to make the boosted voltage rise to the standby voltage even when the operation mode is the standby mode.
At the power supply ON time or at the reset time, the first booster module is driven and used to boost the power source voltage. The first booster module has the greater current capacity and thereby enables the boosted voltage to be quickly raised from the power source voltage to the standby voltage, compared with the second booster module. This arrangement significantly shortens the time period required for boosting the voltage to the standby voltage level, thus remarkably reducing the time period between the power supply ON time or the reset time and the time to permit an access to the memory element (initial access permission time).
In one preferable application of the booster circuit of the present invention, the drive control module stops the first booster module and actuates the second booster module, when it is detected that the boosted voltage reaches the standby voltage.
After the boosted voltage reaches the standby voltage, the requirement is to keep the standby voltage in the standby mode. No problem accordingly arises when the second booster module having the smaller current capacity is driven and used to boost the power source voltage. The arrangement stops the first booster module having greater current consumption in proportion to the greater current capacity, while actuating the second booster module having smaller current consumption in proportion to the smaller current capacity. This effectively reduces the total current consumption by the booster circuit in the standby mode.
In the booster circuit of the present invention, each of the non-volatile memory elements in the non-volatile semiconductor memory device, for which the booster circuit is applied, may be a twin memory cell controlled by one word gate and two control gates.
This arrangement allows operations in multiple operation modes, for example, a data reading mode, a data programming mode, and a data erasing mode, with regard to the memory cell array of multiple twin memory cells.
In the booster circuit of the present invention, each of the non-volatile memory elements in the non-volatile semiconductor memory device, for which the booster circuit is applied, may have an ONO membrane that includes an oxide film (O), a nitride film (N), and an oxide film (O) and functions as a trap site of electric charges.
This arrangement enables the booster circuit to boost the power source voltage in a device using MONOS non-volatile memory elements.
In one preferable embodiment of the present invention, each of the first booster module and the second booster module includes: an oscillation circuit that carries out an oscillating operation to output a clock signal; a charge pump circuit that boosts the power source voltage and outputs the boosted voltage, in response to the clock signal output from the oscillation circuit; and a level sense circuit that controls the oscillating operation of the oscillation circuit to make the boosted voltage output from the charge pump circuit equal to a predetermined setting voltage according to each of the operation modes. The drive control module stops the first booster module or the second booster module by stopping the oscillating operation of the oscillation circuit included in the booster module.
This arrangement enables the first booster module or the second booster module to be readily stopped according to the requirements.
The present invention is not restricted to the applications of the booster circuit discussed above, but is actualized by a diversity of other applications, for example, a voltage generation circuit including the booster circuit and a non-volatile semiconductor device including the booster circuit.
The above and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with the accompanying drawings.

Booster circuit for non-volatile semiconductor memory device


For an incremental redundancy (IR) transmission in a MIMO system, a transmitter processes (e.g., encodes, partitions, interleaves, and modulates) a data packet based on a selected rate to obtain multiple data symbol blocks. The transmitter transmits one data symbol block at a time until a receiver correctly recovers the data packet or all blocks are transmitted. Whenever a data symbol block is received from the transmitter, the receiver detects a received symbol block to obtain a detected symbol block, processes (e.g., demodulates, deinterleaves, re-assembles, and decodes) all detected symbol blocks obtained for the data packet, and provides a decoded packet. If the decoded packet is in error, then the receiver repeats the processing when another data symbol block is received for the data packet. The receiver may also perform iterative detection and decoding on the received symbol blocks for the data packet multiple times to obtain the decoded packet.

I. Field
The present invention relates generally to communication, and more specifically to techniques for transmitting data in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system.
II. Background
A MIMO system employs multiple (NT) transmit antennas and multiple (NR) receive antennas for data transmission and is denoted as an (NT, NR) system. A MIMO channel formed by the NT transmit and NR receive antennas may be decomposed into NS spatial channels, where NS≦min {NT, NR}. The MIMO system can provide increased transmission capacity if the NS spatial channels created by the multiple transmit and receive antennas are used for data transmission.
A major challenge in a MIMO system is selecting a suitable rate for data transmission based on channel conditions. A "rate" may indicate a particular data rate or information bit rate, a particular coding scheme, a particular modulation scheme, a particular data packet size, and so on. The goal of the rate selection is to maximize throughput on the NS spatial channels while meeting certain quality objectives, which may be quantified by a particular packet error rate (e.g., 1% PER).
The transmission capacity of a MIMO channel is dependent on the signal-to-noise-and-interference ratios (SNRs) achieved by the NS spatial channels. The SNRs are in turn dependent on the channel conditions. In one conventional MIMO system, a transmitter encodes, modulates, and transmits data in accordance with a rate that is selected based on a model of a static MIMO channel. Good performance can be achieved if the model is accurate and if the MIMO channel is relatively static (i.e., does not change over time). In another conventional MIMO system, a receiver estimates the MIMO channel, selects a suitable rate based on the channel estimates, and sends the selected rate to the transmitter. The transmitter then processes and transmits data in accordance with the selected rate. The performance of this system is dependent on the nature of the MIMO channel and the accuracy of the channel estimates.
For both conventional MIMO systems described above, the transmitter typically processes and transmits each data packet at the rate selected for that data packet. The receiver decodes each data packet transmitted by the transmitter and determines whether the packet is decoded correctly or in error. The receiver may send back an acknowledgment (ACK) if the packet is decoded correctly or a negative acknowledgment (NAK) if the packet is decoded in error. The transmitter may retransmit each data packet decoded in error by the receiver, in its entirety, upon receiving a NAK from the receiver for the packet.
The performance of both MIMO systems described above is highly dependent on the accuracy of the rate selection. If the selected rate for a data packet is too conservative (e.g., because the actual SNR is much better than the SNR estimate), then excessive system resources are expended to transmit the data packet and channel capacity is underutilized. Conversely, if the selected rate for the data packet is too aggressive, then the packet may be decoded in error by the receiver and system resources may be expended to retransmit the data packet. Rate selection for a MIMO system is challenging because of (1) greater complexity in the channel estimation for a MIMO channel and (2) the time-varying and independent nature of the multiple spatial channels of the MIMO channel.
There is therefore a need in the art for techniques to efficiently transmit data in a MIMO system and which do not require accurate rate selection in order to achieve good performance.

Incremental redundancy transmission in a MIMO communication system


An aerating nozzle tip comprises a housing having a central axis, an inlet, an outlet, a plurality of passages disposed around the central axis between the inlet and the outlet, and a circumferential aspirator disposed between the inlet and the outlet.

The most effective type of spray nozzle used on wash down equipment will produce a stream of water that, in the food service industry, cleans dishes, pans, pots and the like with the most debris removal in the shortest amount of time. The goal is to rinse well enough so that food and grease does not remain on the dishes when they emerge from a commercial dishwasher. Typically, multiple dishes are arranged on a rack and are pre-rinsed together, while pots and deeper items must be rinsed separately.
A forceful stream of water, such as a jet stream emanating from a nozzle outlet defined by a single generally-circular opening, is likely to remove more food debris than a nozzle outlet that is elongated or curved, such as with a crescent-shaped opening, for example, that might be more suited for clean room applications where it is desired to wash down walls or expansive surfaces. However, a jet stream has a significant disadvantage in certain environments where, for example, the item being washed is a deep container, or has a narrow opening. In these situations, a forceful water jet can result in significant back splash that has the possibility of contaminating the equipment operator and/or the surroundings. In some cases, the wash down equipment is located very close to the food preparation area or the customer service area, whereby the back splash can result in food contamination or soiling of the customer.
There is a need, therefore, to provide a nozzle outlet that cleans effectively while minimizing back splash.


According to an embodiment, a content reproducing apparatus includes a determination unit, a decision unit, an acquisition unit and a reproducing unit. The determination unit determines a reproduction condition for first content scheduled to be reproduced. The decision unit decides first acquisition information for acquiring the first content based on the reproduction condition. The acquisition unit acquires the first content using the first acquisition information. The reproducing unit reproduces the first content.

In recent years, various content reproducing apparatuses capable of reproducing contents (mainly web contents) have been developed. A user can select a desired device from, for example, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a slate PC, a smart TV, a feature phone, a DAP (Digital Audio Player), a video game machine, and the like for viewing contents. On the other hand, a content reproduction environment has continuously been diversified, and content that can be appropriately reproduced in one reproduction environment may fail to be appropriately reproduced in another reproduction environment.
To deal with the diversified content reproduction environments, techniques have been proposed which enable content to be appropriately reproduced by adapting the content itself to the reproduction environment. One of these techniques is known as responsive web design.
For example, JavaScript provides functions called onOrientationChange and Viewport. Utilizing these functions to produce content allows a content reproducing apparatus to decide the display direction and display size of the content based on the direction, angle of view, size, and the like of a content display screen.
Furthermore, CSS3 provides a function called Media Queries. Utilizing this function to produce content allows the content reproducing apparatus to decide a style to be applied to the content based on the size and the like of the content display screen.
Moreover, HTML5 provides a function called Flexible Images. Utilizing this function to produce content allows the content reproducing apparatus to update the content based on a change in the size of the content display screen.
However, even the use of responsive design has difficulty producing content that can be adapted to all reproduction environments. For example, if content is reproduced in a reproduction environment totally different from a reproduction environment expected to be present during the design of the content, a problem may occur. Thus, production of content adaptable to all reproduction environments needs sufficient knowledge of the content reproducing apparatus and an application for content reproduction (for example, a web browser) as well as an advanced design technique and a sophisticated production flow. Moreover, the design may need to be modified to adapt the content to a newly developed content reproducing apparatus and a newly developed application for content reproduction. Thus, when responsive design is utilized to produce content, a heavy burden is placed on a content producer.
Thus, in general, contents with different designs are produced for respective types of content reproducing apparatuses or respective types of applications for content reproduction. Such a production technique allows the content producer to produce contents with particular designs for particular types of content reproducing apparatuses or particular types of application, reducing the burden associated with the production of content, compared to responsive design. Upon receiving an acquisition request for content, a content providing apparatus (for example, a web server) can determine the type of the content reproducing apparatus or the type of the application based on the acquisition request and select and provide content with the appropriate design. Individual addresses are assigned to the contents with different designs. However, the acquisition request need not contain the address of content with the desired design but may contain a common address for the contents with the different designs. If the types of the content reproducing apparatuses or the types of applications are different from expected types, the content providing apparatus may fail to provide content with the appropriate design.
An example of a measure against this problem involves producing contents for a large number of types of content reproducing apparatuses or a large number of types of applications. However, such a measure increases the total amount of contents produced, resulting in a heavier burden on the content producer or web server operator.
Furthermore, a technique is known which enables invocation of a process from a content reproducing application (for example, a web browser), the process being carried out by an application or a function different from the content reproducing application (that is, an external process). One of these techniques is a uniform resource locator (URL) schema.
The URL schema is associated with an application or a function. The association is carried out, for example, during initial setting for the web browser or during installation of the application. For example, when the content reproducing apparatus reproduces a web page using the web browser, selection of a URL schema "mailto:" contained in the web page causes the web browser to initiate mail software.
However, content with a URL schema is produced on the assumption that the application or function initiated by the URL schema is provided in the content reproducing apparatus. Hence, for example, if content produced for one content reproducing apparatus is reproduced by another content reproducing apparatus, a situation is expected in which the corresponding application or function fails to be activated even by selecting the URL schema contained in the content because the application or function is not provided in the content reproducing apparatus.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A system, method and article of manufacture for accessing data are disclosed. In general, data access is facilitated by a query configured with a correlation criterion or criteria. The presence of the correlation criteria facilitates the introduction of additional correlation logic to be applied to conditions of the query. In general, correlation criteria are contemplated which support correlation of entities based on time, physical location and age, for example.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to data processing and more particularly to accessing data using correlation criterion or criteria.
2. Description of the Related Art
Databases are computerized information storage and retrieval systems. A relational database management system is a computer database management system (DBMS) that uses relational techniques for storing and retrieving data. The most prevalent type of database is the relational database, a tabular database in which data is defined so that it can be reorganized and accessed in a number of different ways.
Regardless of the particular architecture, in a DBMS, a requesting entity (e.g., an application or the operating system) demands access to a specified database by issuing a database access request. Such requests may include, for instance, simple catalog lookup requests or transactions and combinations of transactions that operate to read, change and add specified records in the database. These requests are made using high-level query languages such as the Structured Query Language (SQL). Illustratively, SQL is used to make interactive queries for getting information from and updating a database such as International Business Machines' (IBM) DB2, Microsoft's SQL Server, and database products from Oracle, Sybase, and Computer Associates. The term "query" denominates a set of commands for retrieving data from a stored database. Queries take the form of a command language that lets programmers and programs select, insert, update, find out the location of data, and so forth.
When constructing complex queries against information stored in a database or data warehouse, it is often desirable to correlate the data entities being queried based on a common attribute. For example, data entities may be correlated based on all entities or events that: (i) occurred at a given point in time or within a given time span; (ii) occurred at the same time or within a given time interval of each other; (iii) occurred at the same location which may be scoped a number of different ways (e.g., same street address, city, county, state, postal code, or country); (iv) occurred when an individual or item in question was a given age or within a given age range; and (v) occurred when the age associated with all data entities in question was the same.
The typical approach to constructing such complex queries involves augmenting the query with additional predicates to factor in the logic for the common correlation attribute(s) for each data entity being queried. Unfortunately, this approach requires a deeper understanding of the physical relationship of the data involved and of the particular data entities being queried (e.g., whether the data entity supports the concept of time, age or location). By way of example, consider a user interested in identifying males currently 60 years of age or older who were found to have a liver enzyme level above a certain threshold and who underwent surgery to correct the liver abnormality. In SQL, a corresponding query may take the form of Query 1.
SQL QUERY 1SELECT ASTValue, Diagnostics, SurgeryType FROM Demographics, TestResults, SurgeryRecord WHERE Gender ="M" AND YEAR (CURRENT_DATE − BirthDate) >= 60 ANDASTValue > 30 AND SurgeryType = "Liver"
Now assume the user desires to narrow the data returned to only include those cases where the person was tested and had the surgery within thirty days. This could be accomplished by extending the SQL Query 1 with additional predicates to select test and surgery events that occurred within the same time span, as illustrated by Query 2.
SQL QUERY 2SELECT ASTValue, Diagnostics, SurgeryType FROM Demographics, TestResults, SurgeryRecord WHERE Gender ="M" AND YEAR (CURRENT_DATE − BirthDate) >= 60 ANDASTValue > 30 AND SurgeryType = "Liver" AND DAYS (SurgeryDate − TestDate) <= 30
In another case, the user may desire to identify individuals with the same combination of criteria, but limiting the results to those people who were between the ages of 40 and 50 when they had the test and surgery. This would require a different set of predicates being added to the base query, as illustrated by Query 3.
SQL QUERY 3SELECT ASTValue, Diagnostics, SurgeryType FROM Demographics, TestResults, SurgeryRecord WHERE Gender ="M" AND YEAR (CURRENT_DATE − BirthDate) >= 60 ANDASTValue > 30 AND SurgeryType = "Liver" AND YEAR (SurgeryDate − BirthDate) >= 40 AND YEAR(SurgeryDate − BirthDate) <= 50 AND YEAR(TestDate − BirthDate) > = 40 AND YEAR(TestDate − BirthDate) <= 50
The foregoing examples illustrate that, while the base query remains the same in each case, additional predicates are added to accomplish the desired correlation between entities examined by the query. As a result, the burden on the end-user to access the desired data is substantial.
Therefore, there is a need for a manner of implementing correlation logic within queries.

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides novel techniques for validating laboratory data values for properties of interest of products produced by a process system. In particular, samples of the product may be sent to a laboratory testing facility, where laboratory testing procedures may be used to obtain the laboratory data values for the property of interest. The laboratory data values may be sent to a control system which includes a laboratory data validation module. The laboratory data validation module may be capable of validating the laboratory data values of the property of interest by comparing the laboratory data values of the property of interest with predicted values generated by a model. The model may be created using inputs such as laboratory and measured data values of the property of interest as well as laboratory and measured data values of other properties of the product. In particular, the laboratory data validation module may, in certain embodiments, include a laboratory data validation model, which may aid the validation of the laboratory data values of the property of interest.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to control systems, and more particularly to techniques for validating laboratory test data for to properties of interest of products produced by a process system.
Many manufacturing processes do not allow many of the critical qualities and properties of the product to be measured directly and during production (i.e., directly from the process). Typically, these properties are determined by taking a sample of the product from the process and performing tests, such as destructive tests, in a laboratory environment. Only a certain number of samples from the process may be used for laboratory testing, due at least in part to cost and logistics considerations. As a result, there may only be sporadic laboratory property measurements available for the operator of the process to consider. Therefore, these laboratory property measurements may be critical for the implementation of both manual and automatic process corrections necessary to produce a finished product which meets desired quality specifications. As such, these results should be as reliable, repeatable, and accurate as possible.

Process controller having a laboratory data validation model and methods for using the same


A dual tubular member intra-aortic balloon assembly (1) has an inflatable balloon (4) bonded, at its proximal end, to an outer tubular member (2), and at its distal end, to an inner tubular member (3). The inner tubular member is composed of metal, being axially rigid yet bendable along its length. A flexible forwardly projecting extension (12) is attached to the inner tubular member for guiding the relatively stiff balloon assembly over a guide wire (9) through a tortuous arterial path, without causing buckling or misplacement of the guide wire. The junction between the inner tubular member and the flexible tubular member extension is embedded within a flexible tip (10) which reinforces the juncture to prevent balloon failure due to bending stress at the same time, enables a tighter balloon wrapping by eliminating the enlarged junction of the inner tubular member and flexible tip within the balloon membrane.

Intra-aortic balloons are designed to assist a failing heart through cyclic inflation/deflation in the descending thoracic aorta, in counterpulsation to the heart. Such balloons are generally inserted percutaneously into the femoral artery and advanced along the arterial path to the descending thoracic aorta. Intra-aortic balloons consisting of a catheter with two coaxial tubular members defining two lumens, are known, for example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,404 to Wolvek. An outer tubular member (outer lumen) is included, being substantially circumferentially rigid but longitudinally flexible, having its distal end attached to the proximal end of an inflatable balloon. An inner tubular member (inner lumen) is coaxially disposed in the outer tubular member, and is similarly longitudinally flexible, having its distal end attached to the balloon distal end. The inner tubular member supports the balloon.
The intra-aortic balloon is wrapped around the inner tubular member for insertion into the artery, with vacuum applied to the balloon interior to assure tight wrapping and the absence of air pockets. Tight, smooth wrapping is essential as a small diameter and smooth balloon outer surface provide less resistance during insertion, and reduce arterial wall contact during travel through the artery.
Intra-aortic balloon assemblies of this type usually utilize a guide wire which is inserted through an incision into the common femoral artery, such as by using the standard Seldinger technique. The guide wire is thin and readily guidable through the artery. Once the wire is positioned, the inner tubular member of the balloon assembly is passed over the wire until the balloon reaches the desired location. The balloon is then unwrapped, connected to its pumping apparatus and counterpulsation initiated.
While a guide wire can be directed through delicate, tortuous and narrow vasculature, it is often difficult to advance the balloon assembly over the guide wire for any great distance. If the inner tubular member is relatively rigid in its longitudinal duration, it may not track properly over the wire because advancement of the assembly will buckle the wire in a narrow turn, pulling the guide wire out of the distal vessel and posing a possible risk of penetration of the vessel wall by the relatively rigid member. On the other hand, catheters having a soft, longitudinally flexible inner tubular member, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,307, have no difficulty in following the wire. However, some practitioners may prefer the stiff feel provided by a rigid inner lumen.
One arrangement for providing better guidability to a relatively rigid balloon catheter is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,150 to Lombardi, Jr. et al.. A metallic inner tubular member is used which does not extend for the entire length of the balloon, with the member being bendable but relatively rigid in its axial direction. The balloon distal end is fixed to an inwardly projecting segment of a longitudinally flexible outer tubular member. The metallic inner tubular member is coaxial with the flexible tubing within the balloon membrane. This provides some flexibility to the forward part of the balloon. However, since the flexible tubing extends into the balloon membrane, it is only marginally effective in providing sufficient flexibility for balloon guidance. Also, insertion and travel of the balloon along a tortuous path concentrates bending stresses at the flexible tube/rigid tube juncture within the balloon, which may weaken the juncture, causing separation and balloon failure. In addition, the enlarged cross-section of the tube juncture within the balloon membrane retards the tightness of the wrap, and creates a larger wrapped diameter, limiting the ease of insertion of the assembly into the femoral artery.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,768 to Engelson, a noncoaxial, single lumen catheter for use with a guide wire is disclosed which includes a relatively stiff proximal segment and a relatively flexible distal segment. The tubular member has a flexible distal extension for leading the relatively stiff inner tubular member along a tortuous path. However, the catheter of Engelson is not a balloon catheter, rather being designed to deliver fluids to a particular target site.


Random numbers output from a random-number generation circuit, for which an optimized control parameter is set, at a predetermined timing after power-on reset are obtained after each power-on reset, by repeating the power-on reset with respect to a system LSI for a preset number of times, and a test of the obtained predetermined number of random numbers is performed by using a test circuit incorporated in the system LSI to determine the quality of the random-number generation circuit incorporated in the system LSI.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a test method of an integrated circuit with a random-number generation circuit for testing a random-number generation circuit incorporated in an integrated circuit, and an integrated circuit with a random-number generation circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
As described on pages 47 to 51 of Toshiba Review Vol. 58, No. 8 (2003), there have been increasing demands for high quality random numbers from an aspect of information security. It is desired to generate a random number that is difficult to predict in the case of communication and recording for encryption and decryption, device authentication, personal authentication, or access control to network. Under such circumstances, in a system LSI (large-scale integration), the random number has been generated by software. However, there have been an increasing number of cases that a random-number generation circuit by hardware is incorporated for a higher randomness. Because random number generation according to the software is based on an arithmetic algorithm, occurrence of periodicity is inevitable, and also occurrence of repeatability is inevitable such that, if the same initial value is provided, the same sequence of random number values is generated. On the other hand, in the random number generation according to the hardware using a physical phenomenon in principle, no periodicity is shown, setting of the initial value is not required, and the sequence of random number values generated after power-on reset will be different after each power-on reset.
In JP-A H11-312078 (KOKAI) and JP-A 2002-268874 (KOKAI), a random-number generation circuit configured by hardware is described. For example, in JP-A H11-312078 (KOKAI), resetting is not performed with respect to a random-number generation circuit configured by a linear feedback shift register (LFSR), so that random number values output from the random-number generation circuit immediately after power on are not the same, without setting the initial value. Further, in JP-A 2002-268874 (KOKAI), there is described a random-number-seed generation circuit that latches an output of a counter operating with a high-speed clock, which is output from an oscillator operating immediately after power on, by a latch circuit that uses a power-on reset signal as a trigger, and uses an output of the latch circuit as a random number seed value (initial value) for the random-number generation circuit. In this case, the count value (random number seed value) latched by the latch circuit is made different every time power is turned on, by using a fact that the power-on reset signal is sufficiently slower than the high-speed clock and an input timing thereof to the latch circuit varies for each time.
Such a random-number generation circuit by the hardware is incorporated in the system LSI after well reviewed in a designing stage. However, because an analog circuit element cannot be completely excluded in incorporation thereof, the random number characteristic may be affected depending on the quality of the random-number generation circuit itself. Therefore, at the time of designing and manufacturing the system LSI on trial, the operation thereof is confirmed by a circuit simulator such as a simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis (SPICE), operation confirmation and evaluation of the quality of the random number are performed by a programmable logic device (PLD) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the quality of the random number needs to be evaluated again in a stage after the system LSI is manufactured. Further, it is desired that the evaluation result of the quality of the random number after the system LSI is manufactured is fed back to thereby enable adjustments of the random-number generation circuit.
Basically, evaluation of the quality of the random number is performed by a statistical test from various angles by obtaining a large amount of data. For example, according to tools published in NIST Special Publication 800-22 (hereinafter, NIST SP800-22) by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), there are more than ten items such as a mono bit test and a poker test. In some of these tests, random number data of 100 million bits or more is required.
To ensure generation of good quality random numbers, all the items in the NIST SP800-22 need to be tested. However, when these tests are performed after the system LSI is manufactured, an actual machine evaluation test using an LSI evaluation board must be performed. If the actual machine evaluation test using the LSI evaluation board is newly added to a mass production process, the cost for the test becomes considerably large, and therefore it is not practical. Thus, under the current circumstances, there has been a strong demand for a method capable of efficiently testing the random-number generation circuit incorporated in the system LSI at a low cost in the mass production stage. To respond to such a demand, it is desired that the random-number generation circuit can be tested concurrently with the existing process without any interruption to it, during the existing process in the mass production stage.
Further, as described above, in random number generation by the software, the initial value needs to be provided after each power-on reset, and when the power is turned off, the random number value generated last needs to be stored as the initial value for the next power-on reset. On the other hand, in the case of the random-number generation circuit by the hardware, generally, such a process for the initial value is not required. This means that there is a strong need to check the quality of the random number sequence of the random-number generation circuit generated immediately after the power-on reset. It can be considered that if there is no problem in the quality of the random number sequence generated immediately after the power-on reset, the quality of the random number sequence subsequent thereto is guaranteed to some extent.

Test method of integrated circuit with random-number generation circuit and integrated circuit with random-number generation circuit


A semiconductor device is provided, which includes a multi-layered substrate having an interposed polymeric film and a device layer arranged over the multi-layered substrate.

There is an increasing demand for radio frequency (RF) semiconductor devices, such as for use in wireless devices for the telecommunication industry, in driverless vehicles for automotive industry and in radar systems for aviation, space and defense industries. RF semiconductor devices are able to provide reliable and high-speed connectivity.
RF semiconductor devices are required to handle high to extremely high-frequency switching speed of high-powered RF signals. The presence of parasitic components, such as parasitic capacitance, inductance, and resistance, may combine to attenuate and degrade the performance of RF semiconductor devices. It is critical to ensure the parasitic components are kept low, or at least at an acceptable level, for a specific application.
One of the possible solutions to reducing parasitic capacitance, as well as substrate current leakage, is to fabricate RF semiconductor devices on a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate (SOI), such as a silicon-on-insulator substrate. The SOI substrate, having an electrically resistive insulator layer arranged between a thin semiconductor layer and a bulk semiconductor substrate, is able to lower parasitic capacitance of the RF semiconductor devices fabricated thereon. The RF semiconductor devices fabricated on an SOI substrate may achieve an improved device performance compared to that of RF semiconductor devices fabricated on a bulk silicon substrate.
However, the cost of SOI substrates is much higher than that of bulk semiconductor substrates. Therefore, lower cost methods to manufacture high-performance semiconductor devices are desired.

Multi-layered substrates of semiconductor devices


The present disclosure provides a display panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The display panel includes a plurality of optical fingerprint identification structures, each optical fingerprint identification structure includes a display region and a sensing region, the display region includes a driving circuitry layer, a planarization layer, a pixel definition layer, and a light-emitting element, and the light-emitting element includes an anode, a light-emitting material layer and a cathode. The sensing region includes a sensing region opening, an optical sensor and a cathode metal layer, the cathode metal layer includes a first cathode metal layer and a second cathode metal layer, and the first cathode metal layer is separated from the second cathode metal layer by a gap, so that light emitted by the light-emitting element is allowed to enter the optical sensor through the gap after being reflected by a fingerprint.

Fingerprint is inherent and unique for every one. With the development of the market, fingerprint identification technology has become one of the important functions of electronic products, which has been concerned by many electronic manufacturers and applied in their electronic products, such as mobile phones, tablet computers and intelligent wearable devices. In this way, the user only needs to touch a fingerprint identification module of the electronic product with a finger before operating the electronic product with a fingerprint identification function, so as to facilitate the permission validation.
At present, in the related art, an optical fingerprint identification technology is combined with a display technology, so that a fingerprint identification region is located in a display region. In this way, it is able to solve such a problem that a display panel is provided with a low screen-to-body ratio when the fingerprint identification region is arranged at a non-display region. However, in the related art, there is a serious loss of visible light for an optical fingerprint identification structure integrated in the display panel, and a utilization rate of the visible light is insufficient. At this time, the sensitivity of the optical fingerprint identification is relatively low, and usually it is impossible to identify the fingerprint normally, so the user experience is adversely affected.

Display panel, manufacturing method, and display device


A cup made of paper material and having a fillable interior including a tubular wall that is at least partially conical, and a bottom wall that is joined to the tubular wall at the bottom end of its interior in a substantially liquid-tight manner. The tubular wall is produced from a plane blank, the end regions of which are joined together in an overlap region. The tubular wall delimits the interior and includes at least one deforming entity extending in the peripheral direction, wherein the peripheral deforming entity is not formed in the overlap region.

German Laid-open Specification DE 10 2004 056 932 A1 discloses a cup made of paper material having a partially conical tubular wall and a bottom wall joined thereto in a substantially liquid-tight manner. The cup comprises, above its bottom wall, a peripheral deforming entity that is in the form of a so-called "stacking shoulder" and that is provided for the purpose of supporting a lower bead of an outer sleeve of the cup above it in a stack containing a plurality of cups. The peripheral deforming entity extends around the periphery of the tubular wall of the inner cup and is formed by pushing an annular plunger around the tubular wall, while the internal surface of the inner cup is abutted by a mandrel. The peripheral deforming entity is incorporated in the inner cup when the latter is in its finished state, that is, a state in which a pot-type bottom wall has already been joined to the conical tubular wall of the inner cup in a liquid-tight manner to form a peripheral edge frame, and a mouth bead has been formed at the top edge of the tubular wall of the inner cup.
European Laid-open Specification EP 1 785 265 A1 discloses a cup of a substantially identical design. When the peripheral stacking shoulder is formed by means of an annular plunger, a mandrel is placed in the interior of the inner cup such that a portion of the mandrel of reduced external periphery is disposed so as to be adjacent to the overlap region. The mandrel disposed inside the inner cup thus has a recess in the overlap region for the purpose of accommodating the double material thickness occurring in the overlap region when the stacking shoulder is formed. This recess enables the stacking shoulder to be shaped uniformly on the external periphery of the inner cup without crushing the material in this region. The peripheral stacking shoulder is incorporated in the inner cup when the latter is in its substantially finished state, that is to say, when it already has a pot-shaped bottom wall joined in a liquid-tight manner to the tubular wall to form a peripheral edge frame, and also has a mouth bead formed at the top edge of the tubular wall.
The overlap region is a critical factor in the case of a more pronounced peripheral stacking shoulder or when use is made of cheap materials or of materials that are less suitable for deformation, and leaks can occur in this overlap region. The method of forming the peripheral stacking shoulder can also result in unwanted material displacements resulting in deformation of the bottom wall of the cup so that the cup no longer stands level.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cup made of paper material and an improved method for the fabrication of such a cup.
According to the invention, a cup made of paper material is provided for this purpose, which cup has a fillable interior comprising a tubular wall that is at least partially conical, and a bottom wall that is joined to the tubular wall at the bottom end of its interior in a substantially liquid-tight manner, wherein the tubular wall is produced from a plane blank, the end regions of which are joined together in an overlap region and wherein the tubular wall delimiting the interior comprises at least one deforming entity extending in the peripheral direction, which peripheral deforming entity is not formed in the overlap region.
By omitting the peripheral deforming entity or the stacking shoulder in the region of the side seam, that is, the region of the overlap, an improved cup made of paper material can be achieved, surprisingly, due to the fact that leaks are avoided in the region of said side seam. This is because no deformation takes place in this overlap region, which thus ensures that the side seam does remain intact and the end regions of the tubular wall in the overlap region do not separate from each other. Very satisfactory stacking properties of the cup of the invention can be achieved in spite of the fact that the peripheral deforming entity is omitted in the overlap region.
In a development of the invention, the peripheral deforming entity extends around the entire periphery of the tubular wall with the exception of the overlap region.
In this way, the peripheral deforming entity can serve as a means for supporting another cup, and very satisfactory stacking properties can be achieved, since the peripheral deforming entity is provided around the entire periphery of the tubular wall with the exception of the overlap region.
In a development of the invention, the peripheral deforming entity follows a curve or bend in the region adjacent to the overlap region, and the peripheral deforming entity, as regarded in the direction toward the overlap region, follows a curve or bend toward the bottom wall of the cup on both sides of the overlap region.
By means of such a bent or curved shape of the peripheral deforming entity on both sides of the overlap region, material stresses occurring due to the special structure of the paper material used for cups can be largely prevented or controlled such that they do not result in irregularly deformed cups. Thus the peripheral deforming entity does not terminate abruptly on reaching the overlap region, but rather it follows a bend or curve directed toward the bottom wall of the cup. The bent or curved shape of the peripheral deforming entity is conducive to the avoidance of regions of excessive deformation in which the paper material might tear.
In a development of the invention, the peripheral deforming entity, as regarded in the direction toward the overlap region, extends in the peripheral direction and then curves downwardly toward the bottom wall through an angle of 90°.
In this way, it is possible to combine satisfactory stacking properties of the peripheral deforming entity, free from deformation at the overlap region, with the prevention of excessive material deformation.
In a development of the invention, the peripheral deforming entity follows a curve forming the arc of a circle.
The peripheral deforming entity following a curve forming the arc of a circle having an angle of curvature of 90° toward the bottom wall is conducive to the prevention of material stresses.
In a development of the invention, the peripheral deforming entity diminishes in radial depth as it approaches the overlap region.
In this way, the depth of the peripheral deforming entity and thus also the necessary material deformation can be gradually diminished as it approaches the overlap. Advantageously, the depth of the peripheral deforming entity diminishes gradually down to zero. In this case, the peripheral deforming entity does not terminate abruptly so that the material near the overlap region is not exposed to excessive stresses or deformation.
In a development of the invention, the inside diameter of the tubular wall at the level of the peripheral deforming entity is smaller than the inside diameter of the tubular wall at the level of the bottom wall.
In this way, excellent stacking properties can be achieved. The peripheral deforming entity or the stacking shoulder then protrudes into the interior to an extent that even makes it possible to compensate for tolerances in the shape of the stacked cup above, that is, for example, in the peripheral edge frame thereof implemented for stacking purposes. Since the overlap region is relieved of such severe deformation, leaks in the overlap region are obviated.
The object of the invention is also achieved by a method for the fabrication of a cup made of paper material, which method includes the following steps: shaping a plane blank to form a substantially conical tubular wall and joining the end regions of the blank to each other in an overlap region, inserting a pot-shaped bottom wall into the conical tubular wall so that the peripheral pot-shaped radial wall of the pot-shaped bottom wall is substantially parallel to the internal surface of the conical tubular wall, and incorporating a peripheral deforming entity in the conical tubular wall excluding the overlap region.
By excluding the overlap region during the process of incorporating the peripheral deforming entity, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of leaks in the overlap region. Advantageously, the process of forming the peripheral deforming entity is carried out before the tubular wall is joined to the pot-shaped radial wall of the bottom wall in a secure and liquid-tight manner to form a peripheral edge frame. Advantageously, the tubular wall is merely wrapped around the bottom edge of the pot-shaped radial wall of the bottom wall without there being a firm joint between the tubular wall and the pot-shaped radial wall of the bottom wall. The process of wrapping the bottom end of the tubular wall is also referred to as the so-called process of rolling the bottom wall and it is typically carried out by moving a groove-shaped plunger toward the bottom edge of the tubular wall. Consequently, the bottom edge is rolled in through 180° and, as a result, that region of the tubular wall which protrudes beyond the bottom edge of the pot-shaped radial wall of the bottom wall is wrapped around the bottom edge of said pot-shaped radial wall. Alternatively, the tubular wall can be joined exclusively to the external surface of the pot-shaped radial wall so that it is then not necessary to wrap the bottom region of the tubular wall. Thus displacement and compression of material resulting from the process of incorporating the peripheral deforming entity with the omission of the overlap region can be compensated before the tubular wall is joined to the bottom wall in a secure and liquid-tight manner. The omission of the overlap region when forming the peripheral deforming entity or the stacking shoulder results in the occurrence of greater material displacements than occur when forming a deforming entity extending around the entire periphery of the tubular wall. This is, for example, simply due to the fact that the tubular wall decreases in length in those regions where the peripheral deforming entity is formed, but maintains its original length in regions where the peripheral deforming entity is not formed, that is, in the overlap region. Such increased material displacements can result in paper cups that are not shaped uniformly and that therefore might suffer from problems relating to their leak tightness and are especially considered by users as being lopsided and inferior. Surprisingly, it is possible, by means of the present invention, to compensate for these increased material displacements occurring when the peripheral deforming entity is formed with the omission of the overlap region by forming the peripheral deforming entity before the tubular wall has been securely joined to the bottom wall in a liquid-tight manner.
In a development of the invention, the process of wrapping the bottom region of the conical tubular wall around the pot-shaped radial wall and the method of forming the peripheral deforming entity are carried out essentially simultaneously.
For example, the process of wrapping the bottom region of the conical tubular wall or the process of rolling the bottom wall can be carried out by moving a groove-shaped plunger toward the bottom end of the tubular wall. The plunger, as regarded in the direction toward the cup, comprises a peripheral ring that is then moved toward the tubular wall from the outside and that shapes the peripheral deforming entity whilst excluding the overlap region. The process of forming the peripheral deforming entity can be carried out by axially moving the ring toward the conical tubular wall, but it may also be carried out, for example, by moving a plurality of plungers in the radial direction towards the conical tubular wall. At all events, the ring or the plunger are designed such that the overlap region is excluded and no peripheral deforming entity or stacking shoulder is formed in said overlap region.
In a development of the invention, the processes of wrapping the bottom region of the conical tubular wall and of forming the peripheral deforming entity are carried out by pushing a plunger over the bottom region of the conical tubular wall in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the conical tubular wall.
The process of pushing the plunger axially parallel to the longitudinal center axis also enables peripheral deforming entities protruding by a comparatively large distance into the interior to be reliably formed without resulting in any damage to the paper material. In particular, the paper material of the tubular wall will not be stretched during such a procedure, but is, rather, folded down more or less inwardly, and the height of the cup between the peripheral deforming entity and the bottom edge of the cup is reduced at the same time as the peripheral deforming entity is formed. As mentioned above, this reduction in height, as regarded over the periphery of the cup, is carried out unevenly since the overlap region is excluded. The resulting material displacements within the tubular wall can thus be compensated for in that the process of rolling the bottom wall or wrapping the tubular wall is carried out at the same time as the process of forming the peripheral deforming entity, whilst the process of forming the peripheral edge frame, by means of which the tubular wall is then securely joined in a liquid-tight manner to the pot-shaped radial wall of the bottom wall is not carried out before the peripheral deforming entity has been formed.
In a development of the invention, the process of pressing the pot-shaped radial wall of the bottom wall and the conical tubular wall together in a liquid-tight manner is carried out after the step of forming the peripheral deforming entity.
The object of the invention is also achieved by a device for carrying out the method of the invention, which device comprises a mandrel and a plunger for incorporating a peripheral deforming entity in a conical tubular wall of a cup made of paper material, with the mandrel comprising a step or heel extending in the peripheral direction and the plunger comprising an annular portion for shaping the peripheral deforming entity, wherein the step or heel is discontinued in the overlap region in the tubular wall and/or the annular portion of the plunger is recessed in the overlap region of the tubular wall.
The provision of the discontinued step on the core mandrel in the overlap region reduces the risk of the paper material becoming wrinkled in this region, that is, at the level of the peripheral deforming entity to be formed and in the region of the side seam or overlap.
Additional features and advantages of the invention are revealed in the claims and in the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the drawings. Individual features of the different embodiments shown can be arbitrarily combined with each other, as required, without going beyond the scope of the present invention.

Cup made of paper material and method for the fabrication of a cup


The present disclosure relates to a package for a surgical repair kit, the package including at least a first area configured and dimensioned to receive a surgical mesh and a second area configured and dimensioned to receive an implantable plug.

Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to packaging for a surgical repair kit, and more particularly, packaging for a surgical repair kit which includes at least one surgical mesh and at least one surgical plug.
Background of the Related Art
Surgical meshes are typically employed to repair or obturate an opening in tissue or a wound, such as a hernia or fistula. The surgical mesh may be positioned across the opening in a generally planar configuration to support the tissue and/or wound. In some instances, the opening in the tissue and/or wound may have a depth that spans multiple layers of tissue, such as a ventral hernia or colostomy. In such instances, the surgical mesh may be combined with a surgical plug to further support the depth of the opening.
Conventional techniques for transporting and storing such devices may not be entirely satisfactory. These techniques may lead to damage or alteration of the shape of the surgical mesh and/or the surgical plug. The surgical plug, typically having a three-dimensional configuration, i.e., a cylindrical or conical configuration, may be intended to be inserted into a hernial canal of corresponding size and shape. The shape of the device facilitates the insertion and placement of the device for treatment of hernias. If the device is crushed during shipping, it may be difficult for the surgeon to use the device and properly place it in the patient. Therefore, the maintenance of the shape of the surgical mesh and/or the surgical plug may be important.
However, since surgical mesh and/or surgical plugs may often by configured to be sufficiently flexible to be rolled, folded, and/or reconfigured prior to implantation, it may be difficult to prevent alteration of such implants during manufacturing, sterilizing, shipping and/or storing. It would be beneficial to provide packages suitable for storing and/or receiving a surgical mesh and a surgical plug which maintains the shape of the surgical mesh and the surgical plug separately.


An animal feeder includes an open ended food container that is hinge mounted at a normal inclined position on a ground support. The container pivots upwardly about a fixed horizontal transverse axis when the animal tries to remove the container from the support. This unnatural, upwardly pivoting movement discourages further attempts to remove the feeder, and the animal, thus discouraged, continues to feed at the site.

It is well know that the use of feed will attract feral birds and animals. Attracting such animals has always been more difficult because of their natural wariness.
Salt licks, of course, have been used by both domestic and wild animals and are a known attractant. Even special salt licks have been formulated and used in an attempt to attract animals, more particularly hoofed animals, such as deer, antelope and the like. Also, products such as molasses dispensers have been used in attempts to attract these animals.
Although the prior known feeders have been somewhat successful, they have proved to be far from irresistible.
Another problem encountered in the use of animal feeders is that the animals tend to try to bite and pull the feeder from its location. This is particularly true for wild animals where the feeder is in an open, relatively unprotected area.
Examples of the foregoing include U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,022 to Fore that discloses a deer feeder in the form of a hanging bottle that dispenses molasses when the device is licked by an animal. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,342 to Schneider discloses a suet-seed cake bird feeder that is suspended from the top. A further example, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,833,247 to Beyea wherein a salt holder is fixedly mounted on a post.
In view of the limitations of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide an animal feeder for wild animals that is enticing as a feeder but resists the inclination for damage or removal by the animal.


Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an HVPE chamber. The chamber may have two separate precursor sources coupled thereto to permit two separate layers to be deposited. For example, a gallium source and a separate aluminum source may be coupled to the processing chamber to permit gallium nitride and aluminum nitride to be separately deposited onto a substrate in the same processing chamber. The nitrogen may be introduced to the processing chamber at a separate location from the gallium and the aluminum and at a lower temperature. The different temperatures causes the gases to mix together, react and deposit on the substrate with little or no deposition on the chamber walls.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) chamber.
2. Description of the Related Art
Group-III nitride semiconductors are finding greater importance in the development and fabrication of short wavelength light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes (LDs), and electronic devices including high power, high frequency, and high temperature transistors and integrated circuits. One method that has been used to deposit Group-III nitrides is HVPE. In HVPE, a hydride gas reacts with the Group-III metal which then reacts with a nitrogen precursor to form the Group-III metal nitride.
As the demand for LEDs, LDs, transistors, and integrated circuits increases, the efficiency of depositing the Group-III metal nitride takes on greater importance. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved HVPE deposition method and an HVPE apparatus.


A two wheeled trailer is used to propel a two wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle or a scooter. The trailer is powered by an electric motor and at least one battery. The control of the motor is through a potentiometer attached to the handlebars of the vehicle and in electrical communication with a controller. The trailer is attached to the vehicle by an attachment arm that is mounted near the rear axle of the vehicle. A coupler that allows three axes of rotation attaches the trailer to the vehicle.

a. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains generally to electric vehicles and specifically to an electric powered trailer to push a bicycle or push scooter.
b. Description of the Background
Traditionally, human muscle power has propelled bicycles and push scooters by way of pedaling or pushing. Steep inclines and heavy loads require more muscle power, as well as reduce speed, limiting the performance of the bicycle or push scooter. Various types of motors have been mounted on bicycles and push scooters. However, mounting a motor on the bicycle or push scooter frame compromises power and performance by adding weight to the bicycle or push scooter. In addition, the added weight makes the bicycle or push scooter impractical as a human-powered vehicle. Existing motorized bicycles and push scooters also offer limited cargo hauling capabilities because of their small size, limited weight carrying capabilities, and difficulty balancing large loads.
A crude electric bicycle pusher trailer was constructed prior to 1981 by David A. Ferre. Ferre""s trailer is described in page 189 in the Complete Book of Electric Vehicles, Sheldon R. Shaket, Copyright 1981. Ferre""s trailer did not have a speed controller or an efficient electric motor drive train. The trailer attached high up on the base of the seat, which would cause unstable power conditions. Because of the Ferre""s crude power on off switch control of the power, it was recommended that the operator start pedaling the bicycle before engaging the motor.
It would therefore be valuable to provide a method of assisting a bicycle or push scooter that was easily controllable, had large carrying capacity while still being stable, was easily detachable, and did not impart forces onto the bicycle or scooter that were unnatural or difficult for the operator.
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art by providing a two wheeled trailer that pushes a bicycle or scooter from behind. The trailer mounts to a bicycle near the rear axle of the bicycle using a three axis connector. The connector may include a quick disconnect feature so that the trailer may be removed easily and quickly. The trailer contains a controller, batteries, and a motor that powers one of the two wheels of the trailer. The trailer is controlled by a potentiometer mounted on the handlebars and operated by a rider""s thumb or other finger.
The items mounted in the trailer may be mounted very low so that the center of gravity is close to the ground, which improves the handling characteristics. Further, the three axis mount that is attached to the bicycle is done so very near the rear wheel, which is advantageous so that the forces exerted by the trailer onto the bicycle are felt by the rider to be natural and anticipated. The trailer has the advantage that the rider may elect to pedal the bicycle for enjoyment, to assist the trailer, or to travel without the assistance of the trailer.
The trailer has the ability to carry more weight in the form of batteries, motor, and drivetrain components than could be placed on a bicycle frame, allowing the present invention to have greatly increased range and power over such frame mounted options. The trailer may further be outfitted with a cargo container or a flat area whereby large, heavy objects may be transported.
The present invention may therefore comprise a device for propelling a two wheeled vehicle comprising: a driven wheel and a free wheel, the driven wheel and the free wheel being aligned axially to each other and rotatably mounted to a frame; the driven wheel attached to an electrical motor; the electrical motor in electrical communication with a controller; the controller in electrical communication with at least one battery and in further communication with a potentiometer; and the device being attached to the vehicle near the rear axle of the vehicle with a connector that allows three degrees of axial rotation.
The present invention may further comprise a trailer for pushing a two wheeled vehicle comprising: a first wheel and a second wheel; the first wheel being in mechanical communication with a motor and the second wheel being free wheeling; a controller in electrical communication with at least one battery and the motor; a potentiometer in electrical communication with the controller; a connector attached to the vehicle near the rear axle of the vehicle; said connector allowing three orthogonal axes of rotation between the vehicle and the trailer; and the first wheel being offset from a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.
The present invention may further comprise a method of constructing a two wheeled vehicle using a powered trailer comprising: fabricating a frame, the frame having a hitch that has three orthogonal axes of rotation and being adapted to clamp near the rear axle of a two wheeled vehicle; mounting a first wheel and a second wheel to the frame, the wheels being aligned axially and rotatably attached to the frame; mounting an electric motor to the frame; connecting the motor to the first wheel such that the first wheel is driven by the motor; mounting a controller to the frame; mounting at least one battery to the frame; electrically connecting the motor to the controller; the controller being connected to the battery; and electrically connecting a potentiometer to the controller.
The advantages of the present invention are a low cost and efficient device to assist a rider of a two wheeled vehicle such as a scooter or bicycle. The single attachment point near the rear axle imparts the minimum opposing force that may seem unnatural and unexpected to the novice rider of the device. The two wheeled design may accommodate large cargoes. The simple potentiometer input offers the rider excellent control of the vehicle, while the three axis swivel mount allows the rider to operate the powered vehicle with a similar feel and response as a conventional, unpowered version.

Powered trailer to propel a two wheeled vehicle


A leaf spring suspension for a motor vehicle wherein the leaf spring has one end pivotally connected to the frame and the other end also connected to the frame via a torsion spring member. The torsion spring member has a shaft member which is pivotally connected to the other end of the leaf spring. The torsion spring member has an elastomeric sleeve whose inner bore surface is bonded to the shaft member. The torsion spring member also has an outer shell secured to the sleeve and also connected to the frame. A stop member is mounted on the outer shell for engagement by an abutment member on the bracket member to cut out the torsion spring and place the leaf spring in sole control as the suspension.

This invention relates to a suspension system and more particularly to a vehicle suspension utilizing a torsion spring in cooperation with a leaf spring suspension.
It is conventional to use a leaf spring at each side of the vehicle to provide the suspension means between the frame of the vehicle and the axle, such that one end of the leaf spring is pivotally fixed to the frame and the other end connected via a shackle to the frame. In many instances such as in pick-up trucks as well as large trucks, the suspension means is designed to give acceptable rides where the vehicle is substantially loaded but provide a poor and uncomfortably stiff ride when the vehicle is very lightly loaded as with only the driver and possibly a passenger with no cargo. In some instances, this condition exists because the rear springs are designed for rated (full cargo) loads and such springs are far too stiff. In addition to the above, helper springs are also used in conjunction with the leaf spring but this only aggravates the problem.
The present invention is directed to a double link system employing a double-link torsion spring in series with a leaf spring wherein the torsion spring acts initially as the sole means for providing the suspension means giving a very comfortable ride under lightly loaded conditions. Such series connection of the torsion spring to the leaf spring dampens road noise that is normally transmitted through the ordinary shackle. As the load approaches the rated load value (cargo added), the double-link torsion spring locks up and the leaf spring takes up the full load providing the desired designed ride. Of importance in the above described suspension systems is that the leaf spring system itself exhibits a lower spring rate (softer) when the torsion spring which is in series with the leaf spring is not locked out.


This disclosure provides a data retransmission method and apparatus. The method includes: A transmitting device obtains information to be transmitted for a tth time, where the information to be transmitted for the tth time includes Rt extension locations and information to be transmitted for a (t−1)th time, and the extension locations include Mt information bits and Lt check bits corresponding to the Mt information bits. The transmitting device then performs Polar encoding on the information to be transmitted for the tth time, to obtain a codeword after the Polar encoding, obtains a codeword for (t−1)th retransmission based on the codeword after the Polar encoding, and transmits the codeword for (t−1)th retransmission. A receiving device performs polar decoding after receiving the codeword for (t−1)th retransmission, to obtain a decoding result of codewords for t times of transmission. By performing, on an encoding side, check encoding on the information bits in an extension part, a decoding path can be reduced in a decoding process, thereby greatly reducing decoding complexity, and reducing storage overheads and calculation overheads.

At present, as a next generation wireless communications technology, a fifth generation mobile communications technology (5G) has been widely valued and researched in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) and various other international standardization organizations. An application scenario of a 5G mobile communications system is as follows: for example, ultra-low latency and ultra-reliable communications (uRLLC) has higher requirements, such as high reliability and low latency. In a communications system, channel encoding is usually used to improve data transmission reliability and ensure communication quality, and a polar code is the first channel encoding method that can be strictly proved to "reach" a channel capacity. The Polar code is a linear block code, a generator matrix of the Polar code is GN, an encoding process of the Polar code is x1N=u1NGN, where u1N=(u1, u2, . . . , uN) is a binary row vector, and a length of the Polar code is N (namely, a code length). In addition, GN=BNF2⊗(log2(N)), and
      F    2    =      [                            1                          0                                      1                          1                      ]  herein is an N×N transposed matrix, for example, a bit reversal order transposed matrix. It should be noted that BN is an optional matrix, and may not be multiplied by BN in some scenarios. F2⊗(log2(N)) is defined as a Kronecker product of log2N matrices F2. x1N is a bit after encoding (also referred to as a codeword), and the bit after encoding is obtained by multiplying u1N and the generator matrix GN together. A multiplication process is an encoding process. In a polar encoding process, some bits in u1N are used to carry information, and are referred to as information bits, and a set of indexes of the information bits is denoted as A. Some other bits in u1N are set to fixed values that are agreed on by a transmit end and a receive end in advance, and are referred to as frozen bits. A set of indexes of the frozen bits is represented by a complementary set Ac of A. The frozen bits are usually set to 0. A sequence of the frozen bits may be randomly set provided that the transmit end and the receive end agree in advance. A construction process of the Polar code is a selection process of the set A. This determines performance of the Polar code.
In a communications application insensitive to a system delay, a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) is a common transmission method used to improve a system throughput. There are a plurality of Polar-code-based HARQ manners, and a common Polar-code-based HARQ manner is an incremental redundancy (IR) HARQ. Specifically, in this IR HARQ manner, a transmitting device performs cyclic redundancy check (CRC) encoding on to-be-transmitted data during initial transmission, and encodes the to-be-transmitted data into a relatively short Polar code at a corresponding code rate. In each retransmission, extension is performed based on Polar code lengths in previous transmission. Data of an unreliable information location during the initial transmission is placed in an extension location. Polar encoding is performed on the extension location to generate an incremental redundancy bit, to obtain extension information after encoding, and the extension information after encoding is sent to a receiving device as retransmission information. The receiving device combines the received retransmission information with initially transmitted information and retransmitted information to form a long code for decoding.
However, in a currently used IR HARQ manner, as a quantity of retransmission times increases, a code length of a combined long code also increases continuously. If an existing CRC-aided successive cancellation list (CASCL) is used for decoding, there is a problem of excessively high storage overheads and relatively high decoding complexity.

Data retransmission method and apparatus to obtain information to be transmitted and to perform Polar encoding on the information


An image marking method includes acquiring an image and at least one feature to be marked in the image, searching for at least one target area matching the at least one feature to be marked in the image, and marking the at least one target area with a preset graphic. The feature corresponds to the preset graphic.

With the development of artificial intelligence, image recognition technology has been applied to all fields of production and life. In the product manufacturing industry, image recognition technology is used to classify and mark product defects. Defect areas of products are generally marked manually, which is slow and has low accuracy.

Image marking method and computing device implementing image marking method


Systems and methods for monitoring underwater structures are provided. First and second sets of point cloud data that are obtained at different times are compared to determine whether the location of the underwater structure has changed. For detecting vibration, a series of range measurements taken along a line intersecting the underwater structure are compared to one another to determine an amplitude and frequency of any vibration present in the underwater structure. For detecting temperature, the ratio of different components of return signals obtained from a point in the water surrounding the underwater structure is measured to derive the temperature of the water. Leak detection can be performed by scanning areas around the underwater structure. Monitoring systems can include a primary receiver for range measurements, and first and second temperature channel receivers for temperature measurements.

Monitoring underwater equipment, such as wellheads, manifolds, risers, anchors, Pipeline End Terminations (PLETS), Blow Out Preventors (BOPs), pumps, touch down points, suction piles, chains, slip joints, and pipelines is important to ensuring the safe and reliable operation of such equipment. Through environmental and/or operational conditions, such underwater equipment can experience undesirable movement, vibration conditions, and temperature differentials. For example, vortex-induced vibration (VIV) is responsible for the majority of the fatigue damage in deep water drilling risers. Damage from VIV is a major issue and is potentially very dangerous for operational personnel and the environment.
Conventional techniques for detecting and monitoring movement and vibration require the installation of vibration, accelerometers, and/or motion sensors directly on the equipment to be monitored. Accordingly, available systems require that they be physically attached to the equipment, either by integrating a monitoring device into the equipment prior to putting the equipment in operation, or by attaching the monitoring device to the equipment while that equipment is in place. Moreover, each underwater structure to be monitored requires its own vibration, accelerometer, and/or motion sensor.
External temperature variations of subsea components are an indication of internal issues within the system. For instance, hot spots can indicate cracks in insulation, overheating pumps, thinning of internal pipe walls, or other problems. Cold spots can indicate hydrate formations inside pipes or equipment that either reduce or totally block flow, and other problems. Currently the only way to measure these temperature deltas are with point probes either attached to the subsea equipment or carried by a diver or remote vehicle. This provides a very sparse temperature "map" with many gaps.
In addition, access to equipment installed on the seafloor can be difficult, and the installation of additional devices directly on the monitored equipment poses the risk of damaging that subsea equipment. The devices installed must be connected to subsea power sources, or have batteries installed (which requires periodic changing). The data recorded by the devices must be downloaded periodically, which typically requires a direct connection for large amounts of data. Both of these scenarios require contact of the subsea equipment by divers, Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs), or Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), which is costly and risks damaging expensive subsea equipment. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods that allowed for the monitoring of underwater equipment, without requiring monitors that are directly attached to such equipment, and preferably a single monitoring device to provide multiple monitoring functions.


An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the quantity of residual toner contained in a toner cartridge, and an image forming apparatus having such a device. The inventive device for measuring the quantity of residual toner comprises a controller and a residual toner data memory. The controller selects one of a plurality of preset values for one or more correction coefficients weighted depending on the length of time the toner cartridge has been in printing service, and calculates the quantity of residual toner using the selected value for each correction coefficient and the number of counted dots of a print data. The residual toner memory stores the quantity of residual toner calculated and updated by the controller. According to one exemplary embodiment, the quantity of residual toner can be calculated close to actual value by applying appropriately weighted coefficients.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring a quantity of residual toner, wherein the residual toner can be estimated by considering the length of time the associated toner cartridge has been in use. Aspects of the present invention provide a means wherein a user can be informed of the quantity of residual toner.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an image forming apparatus, such as a laser printer, comprises a paper-feeding cassette, a toner cartridge containing developer, a print engine for forming and transferring a visible image to a paper fed from the paper-feeding cassette, a fixing unit for fixing the transferred visible image to the paper, and a controller for controlling respective components of the image forming apparatus. The controller also calculates the used or residual toner quantity which is used as developer at the time of printing.
The toner contained in the toner cartridge is developed on a photosensitive medium formed with an electrostatic latent image through a predetermined process, and the toner developed on the photosensitive medium is transferred to a transfer medium by a transfer device. After the toner has been transferred, the photosensitive medium is electrically charged after undergoing a cleaning process, then an electrostatic latent image is formed again on the photosensitive medium, then toner is developed again on the photosensitive medium, and these steps are repeated. The toner transferred to a sheet of paper in this manner is subjected to a fixing process by adequate heat and pressure while being passed through a fixing unit, and one print operation is completed as the paper is discharged.
A conventional method for measuring the quantity of residual toner in such an image forming apparatus is to provide a toner detecting sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit on a toner cartridge of the print engine. The quantity of toner is detected and, if desired, the user is informed. However, such a method has a problem in that the toner detection sensor and related detection circuit are additional items required, which increases manufacturing costs.
Another conventional method for providing information regarding the quantity of residual toner is to counter the number of pages of papers printed since a new toner cartridge has been changed. This method judges whether toner is exhausted when a quantity of papers exceeding a predetermined number of pages have been printed, and to inform the user that the toner is exhausted. However, such a method calculates the quantity of residual toner on the basis of an average quantity of toner required for printing one page, which is estimated on the basis of about 4% to 5% coverage. The "4% to 5% coverage" means that the quantity of toner printed on the paper is 4% to 5%, 100% occurring when toner is printed on the entire page. However, since a printed image is generally composed of various patterns—including dot, line, character, text, diagram, picture or the like—the quantity of toner actually used on a given sheet of paper may vary. Therefore, a toner cartridge may not actually be used with as many pages of paper as anticipated.
A recent conventional solution has been to apply a dot counting method to measure the quantity of residual toner. In the dot counting method, each time a page is printed the number of dots per page is counted. When multiple pages are printed, the number of dots per page is counted and accumulated for the totality of pages printed.
The number of printable pages (Pr) is calculated by subtracting the number of printed pages per print job (Pj) from the quantity of residual toner stored in the residual toner data memory, in other words, the number of residual printable pages (Pr−m). This calculation e may be expressed by an equation as follows:Pr=Pr−m−Pj, andPj=Qj÷Qr (for each environment).
In the equations above, Qj is the quantity of consumed toner per job and Qr is the quantity of consumed toner per reference page, in which the latter is set on the basis of 5% coverage for A4 size page.
Since the quantity of consumed toner per job (Qj) indicates the quantity of transferred toner (Qt) plus the quantity of produced waste toner (Qw), the number of printable pages may be expressed as follows:Pr=Pr−m−{(Qt+Qw)/Qr}.
The quantity of transferred toner (Qt) is calculated by adding the values obtained by multiplying the number of dots per each page (Ndot), the quantity of transferred toner per dot (qdot) and a weighting factor (solid/text/gray), and is expressed as follows:Qt=Σ(x·Ndot·qdot).
In the equation above, x is a weighting factor that changes depending on various image information of a print data, such as dot, line, character, text, diagram, picture, or the like.
As can be seen from the equations above, the quantity of residual toner, that is the number of residual printable pages (Pr), can be calculated only when the quantity of toner per dot (qdot) consumed is calculated. Thus, the quantity of residual toner can be calculated only when the quantity of transferred toner (Qt) and the quantity of waste toner (Qw) have been calculated.
However, the conventional method for measuring quantity of residual toner is calculated by using calculated values rather than by accurately measuring the quantity of transferred and waste toner. Accordingly, as the quantity of toner used or the length of time that the toner is used increases, an offset is created that represents deviation from the actual value of residual toner. In general, once a toner cartridge is installed for printing, toner stress, deterioration and wear of components occur as time goes by. Toner stress increases as time goes by so that the toner can no longer sufficiently exhibit the performance originally possessed by fresh toner. This results in poor image quality. Furthermore, since image developing efficiency and electrified characteristic (Q/M) of the toner are also changed, the quantity of produced waste toner is also changed. Moreover, the performance of essential components such as an image developing roller and feeding roller of the toner cartridge, a photosensitive medium, and a charging roller, also deteriorate, thereby worsening the above-mentioned problems. In addition, because various toner parameters depend on density of print data or printing environment, an offset deviation from actual value occurs.
Due to the problems identified above, there will be an error between the measured value and actual value as to the quantity of residual toner. If the error is large, a user cannot be informed of the correct time for changing the toner cartridge because the information related to the quantity of residual toner, life span of one or more components, quantity of waste toner, or the like, is incorrect. Ultimately, image quality cannot be maintained.

Device and method for measuring quantity of residual toner, image forming apparatus having such a device