This invention involves approximating a gray scale tone with a more limited range image producer, a process known as screening. This invention reduces the time needed for such screening by discriminating when screening is not needed. In a first embodiment, the rendering process produces a minimally enclosing bounding box surrounding all rendered objects. In an alternative embodiment, scan lines including any part of a rendered object are noted. The screening makes better use of memory by dividing each row of a preference matrix into segments. The lookup tables associated with these segments are sequentially loaded into a memory cache. Input pixels mapping into the loaded segment lookup tables are screened. Then the lookup table associated with the next segment of the preference matrix are loaded into the memory cache and used to screen input pixels mapping into that segment. The method of packs two output pixels into a single data word while multi-level screening even when the preference matrix has an odd row length by alternating consideration of Mxe2x88x921 input pixels and M+1 input pixels, where M is the row length.

The technical field of this invention is printers and more particularly the electronics of printers that converts input data in the form of a page description file into control signals for the print engine.
Screening is the process of rendering the illusion of continuous-tone pictures on displays that are only capable of producing digital picture elements. In the process of printing images, large gray levels of the input picture have to be simulated by the printing device to reproduce a perfect duplicate of the original image. However, in the printed image the pixel resolution can be limited to that which is perceivable by the eye. Hence by grouping the adjacent pixels it is possible to simulate a continuous tone in the image.
Screening may take place by a threshold method in one of two categories: bi-level threshold screening; and multi-level threshold screening. In bi-level threshold screening the (x,y) coordinates of the input pixel are used to index into a two dimensional m by n matrix. The individual entries in the matrix are gray level thresholds which are compared against the input pixel gray level. A binary value (0 or 1) is output based on the results of the comparison. Multi-level screening indexes into a three dimensional lookup table. This three dimensional lookup table is organized as a two dimensional preference matrix of size M by N. The preference matrix is a repeatable spatial tile in the image space. Each entry of the preference matrix has a number of the tone curve which has to be used for the position of (x,y). The tone curve is the compensation transfer function of the input pixel gray value range to within range of the printing process. The tone-curve transfer function is quantized based on a set of thresholds and stored in the form of lookup tables. The lookup tables each contain 2b entries for an unscreened input pixel of size b-bits. All the 2b entries contain the corresponding screened output pixel of size c-bits. This process provides a manner of translating the large dynamic range of the input image into the smaller dynamic range of the printer by mixing colors within the printer dynamic range.
This invention involves approximating a gray scale tone with a more limited range image producer, a process known as screening. The screening makes better use of memory by dividing each row of a preference matrix into segments. The lookup tables associated with these segments are sequentially loaded into a memory cache. Input pixels mapping into the loaded segment lookup tables are screened. Then the lookup table associated with the next segment of the preference matrix are loaded into the memory cache and used to screen input pixels mapping into that segment. This process continues unit all pixels of a scan line have been screened.

Segmented multilevel screening for printing files in a page description language


For providing a permanent magnet type rotary electric machine that can reduce magnetic fluxes concentrated to one side in rotating direction on a magnetic pole circumferential face that causes torque ripple as well as ensure the mechanical strength, in the present invention, an outer circumference of respective magnetic poles is formed in a circular arc having a same curvature as well as the magnetic pole center axes of the respective magnetic poles are displaced with respect to the rotation center of a rotor so that an air gap between a stator and the respective magnetic pole outer circumferences at one side in the rotating direction is widened in comparison with the air gap at the other side.

These years, an employment of permanent magnet type rotary electric machines is increasing remarkably in respective fields with respect to rotary electric machines. And in order to enhance economy through increasing a single machine capacity of permanent magnet type rotary electric machine, a demand of a small size and large capacity permanent magnet type rotary electric machine is increasing. However, when reducing the size and increasing the capacity of a permanent magnet type rotary electric machine is tried, since the amount of heat generated is increased, a permanent magnet type rotary electric machine as shown in FIG. 1 in patent document 1 has been proposed in which cooling use ventilation passages are formed between respective magnetic poles.
Through forming the cooling use ventilation passages between respective magnetic poles, the amount of heat generated can be suppressed, and the size of the permanent magnet type rotary electric machine can be reduced corresponding to the suppression. However, due to the formation of the cooling use ventilation passages between respective magnetic poles, magnetic flux concentration to the respective magnetic poles becomes remarkable, which causes to increase torque ripple that leads to increase such as vibrations and noises.
In order to decrease this magnetic flux concentration to the respective magnetic poles, an air gap between the outer circumferential face of the magnetic pole and the stator is increased at both end portion sides in circumferential direction in comparison with that at the center portion of the magnetic pole as shown FIGS. 14 and 15 in the patent document 11, thereby, the magnetic flux concentration is relaxed, and the torque ripple is reduced.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2008-131813

Permanent magnet type rotary electric machine


Provided are a chip, a chip stack, and a method of manufacturing the same. A plurality of chips which each include: at least one pad formed on a wafer; and a metal layer which protrudes up to a predetermined thickness from the bottom of the wafer and is formed in a via hole exposing the bottom of the pad are stacked such that the pad and the metal layer of adjacent chips are bonded. This leads to a simplified manufacturing process, high chip performance and a small footprint for a chip stack.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a chip, a chip stack, and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a chip, a chip stack, and a method of manufacturing the same in which a chip manufacturing process is simplified, chip performance is improved, and a footprint for a chip stack is made small by forming a metal layer protruding from the bottom of a wafer up to a predetermined thickness in a via hole penetrating the wafer to expose the bottom of a pad formed on the wafer.
2. Discussion of Related Art
The ongoing development of wireless communication and digital multimedia technology, coupled with increasing consumer demand, continues to fuel the trend toward miniaturization, high performance, high integration, and multi-functionality of portable digital electronic devices such as portable phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), and high performance multimedia devices.
For miniaturization of such portable digital electronic devices, system on chip (SoC) technology, in which integrated circuits (ICs) having different functions are integrated into one chip to function as a system, has been extensively researched.
However, SoC technology can only integrate ICs manufactured by the same processes into one chip. For example, SoC technology cannot be applied to a metal oxide semiconductor, a bipolar semiconductor, and a RF chip because these IC's are fabricated on different wafers.
As an alternative to SoC, research into system on package (SoP) technology is currently progressing. SoP integrates ICs not integrated into one chip by SoC. In order to implement SoP technology, a method of stacking ICs to be mounted has been suggested as a way to reduce a footprint of the ICs.
Such a chip stack is classified into a package stack and a bare chip stack. The bare chip stack has a relatively small footprint and the advantage of small size compared to the package stack.
Many chip stacking methods have been suggested to date. The package stack has the disadvantage of involving a bulky process using wire bonding or a chip carrier. This results in large inductance which degrades the performance of ICs. Thus, the chip stack better facilitates miniaturization.
PCT/US1999/09744, entitled "Chip Stack and Method of Making the same" discloses a conventional chip stack technique using a carrier. The method involves stacking chips by putting a chip on a chip carrier and forming a bump on the carrier. However, conventional art using the chip carrier has the problem of a large footprint.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,630, entitled "Stacked Integrated Circuits" discloses a chip stack technique in which a bump is formed in the chip such that a hole having an aspect ratio of 100 to 200 is formed to penetrate a wafer and a coaxial conductor is formed in the hole using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique.
However, the conventional art in which the bump is formed in the chip has several problems. These are, it is difficult to form a hole having a high aspect ratio, a process for forming the coaxial conductor in the hole using the CVD technique has a low deposition rate (e.g., 100 Å/min) and requires a long processing time, and an inner conductor process and an outer conductor process should be performed separately.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


Device for quickly variable and high precision metering of powder, granulated or micropearl dyeing material including a container 1 for the dyeing material that is put under vacuum by means of a suction tube 7 from the outside, and a mesh-sieve 5 fixed on the base of tile container 1. A scraper 2 rotates on the sieve 5 with a changeable speed. A scraper 2 rotates on the sieve 5 with a changeable speed. A compass-type shutter, with a changeable port, is mounted under the sieve 5, and a precision balance 20 is mounted below the shutter 6. An electronic computer 30 is programmed for checking and con trolling the rotation speed of the scraper 2, the opening/closing of the shutter 6 and the weight value of the balance 20.

A device to collect and distribute powder material is known from the document DE-U-9 014 270. In the version illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 of this document, there includes a plate with several holes through which the material passes by means of a collecting device with a pallet rotating round a vertical shaft, which is moved by means of a relative driving element. A plate beneath the above mentioned perforated plate allows the material sifted in this way to be collected, and a scythe-shaped blade, which is operated by means of the vertical shaft, conveys the collected material into a central outgoing duct.
But this device does not provide for the control of the size of the grains of the sifted material and, furthermore, it does not allow the quick adjustment of the flow rate of the treated material. This highly reduces the device's elasticity degree and limits its employment to the applications for which it is not necessary to quickly change the quantity of the worked material, for example the transfer of material from a silo to another or to its package.
From the same document, a device to collect the granulated material is also known, which, in the version illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, is provided with several plane elements, which are moved horizontally and alternately in the two directions, and which convey the material to be treated into relative diagonal slits or into relative holes on a plate. For the control of the size of the grains of the worked material, a second perforated plate is positioned below the first one in such a way that the holes or the slits of the two plates correspond either exactly or only partially.
But this device also can not guarantee the necessary degree of elasticity for those applications which continuously require quick changes of the flow rate of the material outgoing from the device.

Device for metering powder, grained or micropearl dyeing materials


A method of preparing colored UV-curable artificial nail gel compositions comprising dispersing a pigment in an organic liquid to form a pigment concentrate and mixing the pigment concentrate with a polyfunctional acrylic monomer and/or a polyfunctional acrylic oligomer, and the resultant highly colored artificial nail gel are disclosed.

This invention relates to the field of radiation-curable gels useful for cosmetic adornment of natural nails, artificial fingernails, toenails and artificial nail extensions.
The use of radiation-curable gels in formation of nail enhancements or artificial nails has been an important part of the cosmetic industry since it was first introduced. U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,612, describing the use of actinic radiation-curable compositions suitable for preparation of artificial nails, is representative of this technology.
Ultra-violet radiation (UV) is the most conventional form of radiation used to cure gels in this art, however, visible light curing systems are also known. UV-curable gels are most typically applied by professional nail technicians. Such UV-curable gels are usually composed of acrylic or methacrylic monomers and oligomers in a gel-like state that requires curing under a UV lamp. Such nail finishes can be applied directly to natural fingernails or toenails, or alternatively can be applied to nail extensions bonded to fingernails. In many cases, the artificial nails are coated with conventional nail polish after they are cured.
In order to avoid the need to coat the artificial nails or natural nails with conventional nail polish, in more recent years, the preparation of gels containing colorants, particularly pigments, has become known in this art. However, the previously suggested processes used to prepare such colored gels have several disadvantages. One such process, the direct of addition of pigment powders, is described in US Pat. Pubs. US2006/0283720 and US2010/0008876. The direct use of pigment powders brings with it the disadvantages of difficulty in handling, inconsistent dispersion leading to poor color control, the need for high shear mixing or milling full batches of material, and the need for expensive large scale equipment. The direct mixing of all components including pigment powders in a suitable solvent is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,951 which brings the same disadvantages. As an alternative to incorporating pigments per se, a gel composition combined with commercial nail polish is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,394. In this patent, commercial nail polish is added to a UV-curable artificial nail gel by the applicator as a means for coloring the gel and resultant artificial nails.
The use of commercial nail polish is undesirable in that it limits the depth of color that can be achieved in a given coating weight. Thus, compared to the commercial nail polish itself, a lower color density will be achieved and attempts to increase the amount of nail polish will lead to systems which give poor curing characteristics or discomfort due to the thick coating required to provide the desired color depth.
It has been a long felt need in this art to provide integrally colored artificial nails which have a reproducible, predictable color when cured.
There is also a need for an improved method to produce color containing UV-curable gels which give high color density.
There is also a need for an alternative to directly adding pigments to artificial nail gels to avoid the requirement of applying high shear to the gels in order to effectively incorporate the pigments.

Method of preparation of radiation-curable colored artificial nail gels


A method and a device for assembling a structure that is formed from several modules that are disposed on top of each other, e.g. a wind power plant. An auxiliary mast of modular construction is erected parallel to and laterally of the structure to be erected, wherein the length of an auxiliary mast module approximately corresponds to the length of a structural module. A respective auxiliary mast module is previously detachably connected to a respective structural module to form an overall module, such that the auxiliary mast module can accept the weight of the structural module. The overall modules that are each formed from one auxiliary mast module and one structural module are moved by means of the lifting gondola in an upward direction along the auxiliary mast of previously erected structural modules to the level of the assembly position.

The invention concerns a method for assembling a structure that is formed from several modules that are disposed on top of each other, such as a wind power plant or the like, wherein a first module of the structure is initially erected and at least one further structural module is subsequently disposed onto the first structural module or the previously erected structural modules by lifting at least the at least one further structural module to the level of its assembly position by means of a lifting gondola in such a fashion that contact between the lifting gondola and the previously erected structural module(s) is prevented at least during movement of the lifting gondola. The invention also concerns a device, which is suited for performing such a method, for assembling a structure that is formed from several modules that are disposed on top of each other, such as a wind power plant or the like, with a lifting gondola that can be moved between a first position in which it can receive a structural module to be assembled, and a second position at the level of the assembly position of the structural module to be mounted on a previously erected structural module, wherein the lifting gondola is guided in such a fashion that contact between the lifting gondola and the previously erected structural module(s) is prevented at least during movement of the lifting gondola along the auxiliary mast.
There are many different conventional modular structures of the above-mentioned type, in particular, in the form of wind power plants and also in the form of TV/radio towers, bridges—or to be more precise: bridge piers, etc. In particular, wind power plants are becoming more and more important in view of decreasing fossil fuels. Consequently, their sizes and efficiency increase and the locations where they are erected should provide continuous wind power and be sparsely populated in order to be profitable and minimally affect the population. The increasing sizes and the fact that many locations are difficult to access, e.g. in particular at sea (so-called offshore plants), can cause considerable problems with respect to the assembly of such plants and also with respect to removal of the plant, if required. The same naturally also applies to structures of the above-mentioned type of similar size.
Wind power plants generally comprise a structure of several structural modules that are disposed on top of each other, which may be formed e.g. from welded steel tube, lattice girders or reinforced concrete elements. The ends of the structural modules may have corresponding mounting flanges for connection, which are generally provided on the inside of the hollow modules in order to facilitate access, e.g. via internal stairs or a ladder, for a technician who screws them in place, and also to provide an optically uniform overall impression. The structural modules themselves may either be cylindrical, in particular circular cylindrical, or conical, and taper towards the top. In both cases, the wall thickness may moreover decrease from module to module and/or within one module from the bottom to the top in order to reduce material. Modern wind power plants today have a height of up to approximately 120 m and an approximately equally sized rotor diameter, which obtains a power of up to approximately 5 MW. The length of the structural modules of such plants is often in a range of approximately 30 m, and having a structural module weight of approximately 150 t. The machine gondola, on which the rotor is disposed, may even have a weight of several 100 t.
In most cases, wind power plants of this type are presently assembled on site by means of cranes. In dependence on the location where the structural modules are erected, the structural modules are moved to their destination by means of special trucks or ships, where they are picked up by the assembly crane and lifted to their assembly position, whereby the assembly crane must hold them in position until they are completely fixed to each other, in particular, screwed and/or welded. For onshore assembly, extremely large mobile telescopic or lattice steel tower cranes are used, in which case the ground must be particularly levelled/compacted. For offshore assembly, special lifting ships are used, which have corresponding cranes and can be arranged at the sea bottom via supports that can be lowered such that the crane is arranged in a stationary fashion independently of the state of the sea.
It is obvious that the use of such cranes requires a considerable amount of time and cost, which includes the transport of the crane to and away from the site and its erection, which may e.g. require the use of counterweights for erecting its arm. In addition thereto, strong winds or overall unfavorable weather conditions often naturally prevail at the site of erection, which not only applies for erection of such structures in the offshore region. It may happen that the time for erecting a plant at a location that is favorable for operating a powerful wind power plant is actually limited to only a few months of the year due to the assembly preconditions. In contrast thereto, it usually takes some weeks to erect the plant, which may be considerably extended by unfavorable weather conditions requiring stoppage of any work. Finally, there is only a limited number world-wide of lifting devices for such wind power plants of continuously increasing size.
DE 103 08 239 A1 describes a method and a device for erecting a wind power plant that is formed from several structural modules that are disposed on top of each other, the top structural module of which bears the machine gondola with the rotor. The plant is erected by lifting each previously erected structural module to such an extent that the following structural module can be inserted below the lower one of the previously erected modules and can be fastened thereto. In consequence thereof, the previously finished overall structure must always be lifted to a suitable height in order to add further structural modules. The machine gondola of the wind power plant is thereby mounted to the initially erected structural module, in the present case, the upper module, already at the start with the consequence that it must always be lifted as well. The lifting means that is used for this purpose has corresponding complex dimensions and comprises linear guidances having the length of one respective structural module, which must also accept the wind forces that act during assembly. The most important disadvantage, however, is that also in this case, a crane is obligatory at least for disposing the machine gondola onto the first (upper) structural module, which entails the above-described problems.
EP 1 057 770 B1 discloses a method and a device of this type that are, in particular, also suited to erect an offshore wind power plant. Sections of a guiding rail are welded to each individual mast module of the wind power plant such that a lifting gondola that is driven along previously erected mast modules by means of a cable is guided on the guiding rails, thereby preventing contact between the lifting gondola and the mast to largely prevent damage thereof and also, in particular, of an anti-corrosion paint. Disadvantageously, considerable transverse forces and bending moments act on the guiding rails that are rigidly connected to the mast modules, during movement of the lifting gondola, which necessitates extremely expensive over-dimensioning of the mast modules, in particular, for relatively large masts that are required for offshore wind power plants in order to accept the additional stress that is generated during erection. The guiding rails themselves that are only used to erect the mast also produce considerable additional cost. It also takes a relatively great amount of time to erect such a mast since the mast modules that are transported on the lifting gondola in an upward direction along the guiding rails must initially be oriented with respect to the previously erected mast modules, and the mast module must then be screwed to the upper previously erected module prior to moving the lifting gondola again along the guiding rail of the last erected (upper) mast module.
It is the underlying purpose of the invention to further develop a method and a device of the above-mentioned type by means of a simple and inexpensive construction such that the above-mentioned disadvantages are at least largely eliminated.

Method and service for assembling a modular structure such as a wind power plant


An idle speed adjusting system for effecting feedback control of the idle speed of an internal combustion engine comprises a reference control amount output circuit for producing and delivering a reference control signal necessary for maintaining a command engine speed; a speed controller for generating a speed correction signal representing the offset of the running speed of the engine from the command engine speed; a flow rate controller for controlling the flow rate of intake air supplied to the engine, in accordance with the reference control signal and the speed correction signal; and an auxiliary flow rate controller for controlling the flow rate of the intake air in accordance with the speed correction signal and independently of the flow rate controller, so as to adjust the speed correction signal to a predetermined value. In the system, there is provided an ambient air temperature sensor for delivering an ambient air temperature signal to the reference control amount output circuit so as to vary the reference control signal in accordance with a change in the ambient air temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for adjusting the idle speed of an internal combustion engine through feedback control.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, the flow rate of intake air taken into an internal combustion engine is closely related to the rate of supply of a fuel to the engine. It is known that the speed of running of the engine can be varied by varying the rate at which air is taken into the engine.
A known idle speed adjusting system for an internal combustion engine will be described with specific reference to FIG. 1. Referring to this figure, an internal combustion engine 1 has an intake pipe 2 which is provided with a throttle valve 3. A bypass intake passage 9 directly connects portions of the intake passage 2 upstream and downstream of the throttle valve 3 so as to bypass the throttle valve 3. More specifically, the bypass intake passage 9 includes a main bypass passage 91 and an auxiliary bypass passage 92 which are parallel to each other. The main bypass passage 91 has a linear solenoid valve 8 (referred to simply as "solenoid valve" hereinafter) capable of varying the cross-sectional area of the air passage in the main bypass passage 91 in accordance with the electrical current supplied thereto. Thus, the solenoid valve 8 functions as an intake air control valve. An adjusting screw 4 provided in the auxiliary bypass passage 92 is capable of varying the cross-sectional area of the air passage so as to control the flow rate of air flowing through the auxiliary bypass passage 92. The solenoid valve 8 is arranged so as to be driven and controlled by the output of an actuator 7.
On the other hand, a gear 41 provided on the shaft of the internal combustion engine 1 rotates as the engine operates, and the rotation of this gear 41 is sensed by a rotation speed sensor 42. The rotation speed sensor 42 detects the rotation speed of the gear 41 and delivers the engine speed n.sub.E to an offset amplifier 61. The offset amplifier 61 also receives a command speed n.sub.T from a command speed generator 5. The offset amplifier 61 computes the offset .DELTA.n of the engine speed n.sub.E from the command speed n.sub.T and delivers it to a speed controller 62. The command speed generator 5 generates, in accordance with conditions such as the engine temperature, a predetermined idle speed as the command speed n.sub.T. The speed controller 62, upon receipt of the speed offset .DELTA.n, conducts a proportional, integrating or differentiation operation so as to generate a speed correction signal S.sub.C which acts in the direction to cancel the speed offset .DELTA.n. Meanwhile, a reference control amount output circuit 11 delivers a reference control signal S.sub.T representing a fixed control amount to maintain the engine speed n.sub.E at the same level as the command speed n.sub.T. An adder 13 adds this reference control signal S.sub.T to the output S.sub.C from the speed controller 62, and delivers the sum as an output. The output (S.sub.T +S.sub.C) of the adder 13 is delivered to a limiter 12, which delivers a signal representing a limited value within the range of (S.sub.T +S.sub.C). The output from the limiter 12 is delivered to the actuator 7 which delivers to the solenoid valve 8, upon receipt of the output from the limiter 12, an actuating signal of a duty cycle corresponding to the input signal. The solenoid valve 8 then increases or decreases the cross-sectional area of the air passage, thereby controlling the flow rate of air flowing through the bypass intake passage 9.
A description will now be given of the operation of this system. The speed controller 62 operates in accordance with the speed offset .DELTA.n, thereby generating a speed correction signal S.sub.C. This speed correction signal S.sub.C varies in such a direction as to reduce the speed offset .DELTA.n which is output from the offset amplifier 61, and is settled when the speed offset .DELTA.n is minimized. The adder 13 adds the output S.sub.C of the speed controller 62 to the output S.sub.T from the reference control output circuit 11 and delivers the sum to the limiter 12. The limiter 12 delivers a limited output to the actuator 7 which in turn produces an actuating signal for actuating the solenoid valve 8.
The idle speed is adjusted in a manner which will be explained hereinunder. It is assumed here that the throttle valve 3 is in the idle position and the control is conducted when the engine is sufficiently warmed up. A correction value output circuit 20 converts the speed correction signal S.sub.C from the speed controller 62 into a duty cycle signal as shown in FIG. 2, and delivers this signal to an externally connected meter 21. The meter 21 is a volt meter capable of indicating a value corresponding to the mean voltage. The adjusting screw 4 on the bypass intake passage 9 is then manually adjusted such that the meter indicates a value corresponding to a 50% duty ratio. Consequently, the speed correction signal S.sub.C is reduced to zero, whereby the offset of the idle speed is eliminated regardless of the causes of the offset, e.g., clogging of the throttle valve 3 or of the solenoid valve 8, and so forth.
A description will now be given of another known idle speed adjusting system for an internal combustion engine, with specific reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same components as those appearing in FIG. 1, and detailed description of such components is omitted. The engine speed n.sub.E sensed by the speed sensor 42 is delivered not only to the offset amplifier 61 but also to an engine speed meter 60. The limiter 12 delivers a signal of a value within a limited range in response to the input value (S.sub.T +S.sub.C), in accordance with the operations of the command speed generator 5, the offset amplifier 61, the speed controller 62, the reference control amount output circuit 11 and the adder 13. A switching circuit 15 selects the output of the limiter 12 when the idle speed adjusting switch 14 is off, whereas, when the idle speed adjusting switch 14 is on, it selects the output S.sub.T from the reference control amount output circuit 11. The output selected by the switching circuit 15, i.e., the output from the limiter 12, or the output from the reference control amount output circuit 11, is delivered to the actuator 7 which, in accordance with the selected output, delivers to the solenoid valve 8 a duty cycle signal corresponding to the selected output. In consquence, the solenoid valve 8 controls the cross-sectional area of the air passage so as to increase and decrease the flow rate of the intake air flowing through the bypass intake passage 9. The idle speed adjusting switch 14 applies a predetermined signal to the input terminal of the switching circuit 15.
A description will now be given of the operation of this system. The speed controller 62 operates in accordance with the speed offset .DELTA.n, so as to produce a speed correction signal S.sub.C. The speed correction signal S.sub.C is generated in such a direction as to reduce the offset .DELTA.n which is output from the offset amplifier 61, and is settled when the offset .DELTA.n is minimized. The output S.sub.C of the speed controller 62 is added by the adder 13 to the output S.sub.T of the reference control amount output circuit 11 and the sum is delivered to the limiter 12. Either the output of the reference control amount output circuit 11 or the output of the limiter 12 is delivered to the actuator 7 in response to the ON or OFF of the idle adjusting switch 14, and is converted to an actuating signal for actuating the solenoid valve 8.
The manner in which the idle speed is adjusted in this system will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The adjustment of the idle speed is conducted, for example, when the engine has been sufficiently warmed up, with the throttle valve 3 being set at the idle position. A mechanic then turns on the idle adjusting switch 14. As a consequence, the reference control signal S.sub.T from the reference control amount output circuit 11 is selected by the switching circuit 15 and is then delivered to the actuator 7. The actuator 7 delivers an actuating signal of a duty cycle corresponding to the level of the reference control signal S.sub.T to the solenoid valve 8 so as to set the solenoid valve 8 to a reference degree of opening. On the other hand, the engine speed meter 60 receiving a signal output which indicates the engine speed n.sub.E from an engine speed sensor 42. In this state, the mechanic manually adjusts the adjusting screw 4 to adjust the intake airflow rate through the auxiliary bypass intake passage, while monitoring the engine speed meter 60, thereby setting the engine speed n.sub.E to a predetermined speed.
In the known idle speed adjusting systems having the described constructions, the intake air flow rate varies according to the value of the electrical current flowing through the linear solenoid of the solenoid valve 8. The electrical current through the linear solenoid varies according to the electrical resistance of the linear solenoid which varies according to the ambient air temperature. This poses the following problem. If the idle speed is adjusted when the ambient air temperature is high, since the linear solenoid of the solenoid valve 8 exhibits a large resistance, the intake air flow rate is decreases, requiring the adjusting screw to be opened more than when the adjustment is conducted at a lower ambient air temperature. Therefore, when the air temperature drops, the electrical resistance of the linear solenoid of the solenoid valve 8 is changed to cause a change in the intake air flow rate. In such a case, though a demand for closing the intake air control valve exists for the purpose of maintaining the idle speed at the command level, the control of the intake air flow rate may be defective after the solenoid valve 8 is at its lower limit of control. Consequently, the idling speed is set at a higher rate than the command idle speed, resulting in an uneconomical use of fuel.

Idle speed adjusting system for internal combustion engine


Methods, apparatuses, computer program products and a system for enabling timer value handling are provided. Handling of timer values is enabled by creating a connection initiation message, placing into the connection initiation message a state keeping timer value, and sending the connection initiation message. Timer value handling is further enabled by receiving a connection initiation message, determining availability of state keeping timer adjustment on the basis of the connection initiation message, acquiring, in case state keeping timer adjustment is available, a state keeping timer value from the connection initiation message, creating a connection initiation response message, placing the state keeping timer value into the connection initiation response message, and sending the connection initiation response message.

Packet-switched communication has become commonplace in today's communication systems and applications. Presently, packet-switched communication is available in wireline and wireless networks for data and voice communication applications. Features of packet-switched communication may include the reservation of transmission capacity only for the duration of an actual data (e.g. application or voice data) transmission, thus enabling the sharing of common transmission capacity between a plurality of data transmission flows.
A prevailing protocol family used in packet-switched communication is the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) protocol family, where the TCP and IP protocols represent the core protocols of the protocol family. The TCP protocol is a connection-oriented protocol that may operate on a transport layer and provides reliable delivery, including flow and congestion control, of data packets between communication endpoints. The IP protocol is a connectionless protocol that may operate on a network layer and provides e.g. addressing and routing of data packets between endpoints. In some applications, some other transport protocol, such as for example SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is used on top of the IP protocol in stead of the TCP protocol.
IP networks may comprise communication endpoint nodes, such as client and server computers, that are connected to the IP network either directly or through a wireline or wireless access network, and intermediate nodes, or routers, that handle data traffic routing between the communication endpoints. Along with the expansion of the use of IP networks, as well as the increase of data traffic carried therein, a need for further development of the IP networks in particular and packet-switched networks in general, and for introduction of new features has emerged.
For example, modern IP networks may comprise intermediate network entities called middle-boxes for providing policy enforcement in IP networks. Such middle-boxes include e.g. firewalls, network address translators (NAT), network address/port translators (NAPT), and QoS (Quality of Service) policing devices. A firewall may be a network entity that controls traffic flow between computer networks, such as IP networks. NAT/NAPT is a network entity that e.g. separates a private computer network from a public network and provides a network address translation/mapping between private and public network addresses. A QoS policing device is a network entity that enforces QoS policies on data flows e.g. by providing access to transmission capacity according to priorities assigned to different data flows.
Middle-boxes typically maintain a particular state associated with data flows. For example, a NAT may maintain a mapping between a private network address and a public network address. Typically, in case a data flow becomes inactive, i.e. data packets belonging to said data flow cease to be transmitted, a middle-box maintains a state, such as a mapping between a private and a public network address, associated with an inactive data flow for a predetermined time period, after which state information is removed.
In case a middle-box clears a state associated with an inactive data flow (i.e. removes state information associated with the data flow) and transmission of data packets belonging to said previously inactive data flow is resumed, the resumed data transmission is most likely disrupted due to an error caused by the middle-box not being able to deliver data packets to the right destination. For example, if a NAT removes a mapping between a private and a public network address from its mapping table, the NAT will no longer be able to deliver data packets sent to the public network address of a device, as the device's private network address is no longer associated with the device's public network address. In order to avoid the expiry of a state associated with a data flow at a middle-box, a communication endpoint can occasionally send a dummy data packet belonging to the data flow to keep the data flow active. Typically, a communication endpoint is not aware of the length of the period of time for which a middle-box maintains a state for an inactive data flow, and therefore the endpoint may have to send the dummy keep-alive packets more often than necessary.


A distributing circuit distributes audio signals of a predetermined number of channels to audio signals of a predetermined number of channels. A first signal processing circuit processes audio signals that are output from the distributing circuit in parallel, reproduces the resultant signals with a plurality of speakers, and localizes sound images of the individual audio signals at predetermined positions. A second signal processing circuit inputs audio signals that are output to the plurality of speakers and performs signal processes equivalent to the transfer functions from the individual speakers to both the ears of the listener. The output signals of the second signal processing circuit are reproduced with the headsets.

Audio signals corresponding to a picture such as a movie are recorded on multiple channels so that the recorded audio signals are reproduced from speakers disposed at a left front position, a right front position, a center front position, a left back position, and a right back position of the listener or from speakers disposed at a left position and a right position of the listener. With these speakers, the position of a sound source in a picture matches the position of a real sound image. Thus, a sound field with a naturally spacial impression is accomplished.
However, when the listener listens to such sound with headsets, the sound image is localized in his or her head. Thus, the direction of the picture does not match the localized position of the sound image. Consequently, an unnatural sound image is localized. In addition, the audio signals of individual channels cannot be reproduced in such a manner that the localized positions thereof are separated. This problem also takes place when the listener listens to only sounds of multiple channels such as musical sounds. In this case, unlike with sounds reproduced with speakers, the listener hears sounds from his or her head. Thus, since the localized positions of sound images are not separated, a sound field is very unnaturally reproduced.
An object of the present invention is to solve unnaturalness in sounds reproduced with headsets, in particularly, to localize a sound image at a predetermined position.


A system and methods for facilitating drilling and/or drilling a well in an orientation with respect to an existing well are provided. Specifically, one method in accordance with present embodiments is directed to producing a magnetic field with a magnetic field source positioned in a non-magnetic region of casing within a first well, wherein the first well is cased with alternating regions of magnetic casing and non-magnetic casing. The method may also include producing at least one output from at least one magnetic field sensor capable of sensing directional magnetic field components, wherein the at least one output is based on detection of the magnetic field and wherein the at least one magnetic field sensor is positioned in a second well.

In order to access certain types of hydrocarbons in the earth, it may be necessary or desirable to drill wells or boreholes in a certain spatial relationship with respect to one another. Specifically, it may be desirable to drill a borehole such that it has a specific location relative to a previously drilled borehole. For example, heavy oil may be too viscous in its natural state to be produced from a conventional well, and, thus, an arrangement of cooperative wells and well features may be utilized to produce such oil. Indeed, to produce heavy oil, a variety of techniques may be employed, including, for example, Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD), Cross Well Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (X-SAGD), or Toe to Heel Air Injection (THAI). While SAGD wells generally involve two parallel horizontal wells, X-SAGD and THAI wells generally involve two or more wells located perpendicular to one another.
X-SAGD and THAI techniques function by employing one or more wells for steam injection or air injection, respectively, known as "injector wells." The injector wells pump steam or air into precise locations in a heavy oil formation to heat heavy oil. One or more lower horizontal wells, known as "producer wells," collect the heated heavy oil. For an X-SAGD well pair including an injector well and a producer well, the injector well is a horizontal well located above and oriented perpendicular to the producer well. In contrast, for a THAI well pair including an injector well and a producer well, the injector well is a vertical well located near and oriented perpendicular to the producer well.
Steam or air from an injector well in an X-SAGD or THAI well pair should be injected at a precise point in the heavy oil formation to maximize recovery. Particularly, if steam is injected too near to a point of closest approach between the injector well and the producer well, steam may be shunted out of the formation and into the producer well. Using some conventional techniques, the point of closest approach between the two wells may be difficult to locate or the location of the point of closest approach may be imprecise.
Moreover, the relative distance between the injector and producer wells of an X-SAGD or THAI well pair may affect potential recovery. The wells should be located sufficiently near to one another such that heavy oil heated at the injector well may drain into the producer well. However, if the wells are located too near to one another, steam or air from the injector well may shunt into the producer well, and if the wells are located too far from one another, the heated heavy oil may not extend to the producer well.
Using many conventional techniques, it may be difficult to accurately drill one well in a specified relationship relative to another well. Indeed, standard measurement while drilling (MWD) direction and inclination measurements are usually too inaccurate to maintain proper spacing and relative positioning between two wells over their entire lengths. In part, this is because the location of each well becomes more uncertain as the length of the well increases. For example, the uncertainties may be represented as ellipses at different well lengths that represent the area in which the well may be located at a particular point. These ellipses increase in area with drilled depth. Thus, it is very difficult to accurately position wells relative to one another. Indeed, if the ellipses for a pair of wells overlap, there is potential for a collision between the wells. For these reasons, a standard practice is to use magnetic ranging to position one well with respect to another (e.g., a SAGD pair). However, magnetic ranging can be challenging for certain applications. For example, it may be difficult and/or expensive to use magnetic ranging when two wells are to be placed a relatively large distance from one another.

System and method for employing alternating regions of magnetic and non-magnetic casing in magnetic ranging applications


A monosheet type self-processing film unit comprising a masking member formed with an image area defining opening, a photosensitive sheet, a developer containing pod, a trapping member, a transparent cover sheet, and a spacer member interposed between the photosensitive and transparent cover sheets. A method of making the same comprises the steps of attaching pods and trapping members to opposite edges on one surface of a long sheet, punching out a series of image area defining openings in the long sheet between each pair of the paired pods and trapping members, attaching a web-like photosensitive sheet to the long sheet, attaching both ends of a spacer member longer than the width of the photosensitive sheet to the one surface of the long sheet between the adjacent two image area defining openings, attaching a web-like transparent sheet onto the one surface of the long sheet, folding both sides of the long sheet so as to enclose the pods and the trapping members, respectively, and cutting the long sheet overlapping with and interposed between the photosensitive and transparent sheets along a center line of each spacer member to separate film units.

The present invention relates to a monosheet type self-processing photographic film unit and a method of making the same.
In recent years, monosheet-type self-processing photographic film units (which are referred hereinafter to simply as film units) have become increasingly popular. Such a film unit has an image-receiving sheet onto which a positive image is transferred from a photosensitive sheet and which is peeled apart from the film unit as a print. One such film unit is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,456 issued on Dec. 25, 1984. In the film unit disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, it is difficult to peel apart the supporting sheet with an image-receiving layer from the film unit because of the photosensitive sheet having the same size as the film unit and the film unit is expensive because of the usage of a large size of photosensitive sheet relative to the effective image-forming area in which an image is formed.
To solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional monosheet-type self-processing film units, there has been proposed a peelable monosheet type of self-processing photographic film unit (which is hereinafter referred to simply as a peelable film unit) which is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/269,016 filed on Nov. 9, 1988. Such a peelable film unit basically comprises a photosensitive sheet, which is shorter in length than the film unit, consisting of a supporting sheet on which are formed an image-receiving layer, a peelable interlayer and a photosensitive layer one upon another in that order; a masking sheet having an opening for defining an image-forming area in the photosensitive layer; and a peelable sheet attached to the back surface of the photosensitive sheet by means of an adhesive layer as one integral unit. The peelable film unit is covered with a transparent cover sheet attached to the front surface of the photosensitive sheet. For forming a uniform layer of developing reagent over the image-forming area of the photosensitive layer, an elongated spacer member is interposed along each side of the image-forming area between the photosensitive sheet and the cover sheet.
A problem with peelable film units, is that they are apt to bend at the end of the photosensitive sheet upon being pushed out with a claw to be withdrawn from a film pack. If in fact the film unit bends, it is hard to be grasped by and between a pair of processing rollers.
When manufacturing the peelable monosheet film unit or conventional monosheet film unit, there is the problem of adhering the spacer member to the masking sheet and the cover sheet, because the spacer member is applied with an adhesive layer, such as a hot-melt adhesive layer, to the respective surface, and the simultaneous heating of the respective hot-melt adhesive layers should be avoided. For this reason, the spacer member with hot-melt adhesive layers applied to the respective surfaces is first adhered or welded to the cover sheet, and thereafter the cover sheet is adhered or welded to the masking sheet through the spacer member. In this adhering process, it is necessary to overlap the cover sheet on the masking sheet so as to position exactly the spacer members adhered to the cover sheet on both sides of the image-forming area defining opening. When automatically manufacturing the film units, it is difficult to avoid defective or faulty film units that have inadequately positioned spacer members. To avoid defective film units, positioning means should be provided in the manufacturing apparatus or manufacturing line for exactly overlapping the cover sheet on the masking sheet. This complicates the film unit manufacturing apparatus or manufacturing line.
To manufacture film units at an acceptably rapid rate, it was previously thought that the spacer member should first be attached to the masking sheet. In such a procedure, because of the spacer member applied with hot-melt adhesive layers on both surfaces and being no greater in length than the photosensitive sheet, it is impossible to heat directly the spacer member with a heating head. Accordingly, the photosensitive sheet has to be heated with a heating head to weld the spacer member to the masking sheet. But when heating the photosensitive sheet, the heat transmitted to the spacer member through the photosensitive sheet and the masking sheet is insufficient to weld firmly the spacer member to the masking sheet. This causes a weak adhesion between the spacer member and the masking sheet.
It was also previously proposed to heat the back surface of the masking sheet to weld the spacer member to the front surface of the masking sheet. The back surface of the masking sheet should, however, not be directly heated with the heating head because of the masking sheet having a hot-melt adhesive layer for welding itself to the photosensitive sheet.

Monosheet self-processing film unit and method of making the same


Real-time image data of coins that are on a physical coin pusher playfield and that are adjacent a drop-off edge of the physical coin pusher playfield may be received. An augmented reality (AR) device may generate AR display content that includes first game content that is viewable by a user of the AR device and that is associated with one of the coins. An action of the first virtual element may be generated responsive to physical movement of the one of the coins in response to generating the action of the first element. An AR award to the user that is associated with the first virtual element may be generated. A combined image corresponding to an image of the physical coin pusher game that is viewable through the AR device and the AR display content that may be generated by the AR device may be provided to the user.

Embodiments described herein relate to augmented reality systems and methods, and in particular to electronic gaming machines that interoperate with augmented reality systems.
A coin pusher is a style of game that is used for entertainment and in gaming. The player launches or drops coins, such as currency or tokens into a physical playfield of the coin pusher. The physical playfield may include coins and/or other objects that the user may try to win. The coin pusher may further include one or more pushing mechanisms that are operable to push coins towards an edge of the physical playfield. The player attempts to cause the coins and/or other objects to fall off the edge of the physical playfield. Any coins or objects that fall off the edge of the physical are collected by the player.
In the casino gaming industry, many of the electronic and electro-mechanical gaming machines (EGMs) have transitioned to paper currency and/or electronic value transfer systems that do not rely on coins, such as currency or tokens. As such, conventional coin pushers have declined in popularity.


The bicycle basket connecting device connects a basket to the threaded hole define in the lower end of the bicycle front fork and the two fork blades of the bicycle where two brake arms are connected. The bicycle basket connecting device is adjustable to meet different sizes of front forks.

The conventional bicycle bracket connecting device is disclosed in Taiwan Utility Model No. M341636 and the bicycle bracket connecting device connects the basket to the front of the bicycle. The bicycle bracket connecting device includes hooks on the lower end thereof and loops on the top thereof so that the basket is hooked to the hooks and the handle of the basket is then engaged with the loops. The basket is detachably connected to the bicycle bracket connecting device.
However, the basket is designed to be connected to the handlebar of the bicycle, and there are other accessories such as head light to be connected to the handlebar so that the space for the accessories is not sufficient.
TW505129 and TW558535 provide alternative ways to connect the basket to the front fork. Nevertheless, the fixing member of TW558535 is secured to the head tube so that it may swing and not stable. The fixing member of TW505129 has to be cooperated to specific front fork with fixing unit, and cannot be installed to the bicycles without the specific front fork.
The present invention intends to provide a bicycle basket connecting device which allows the basket to be easily installed to and detached from the bicycle. The bicycle basket connecting device allows the basket to be installed to any type of bicycles.

Bicycle and basket connecting device for connecting basket to bicycle


A stabilized camera system has a roll frame formed as a parallelogram linkage and pivotably attached to a pan frame. A tilt frame is pivotably attached to the roll frame. Control circuits are provided to compensate for drift, to allow manual aiming of the camera during stabilized camera operation, and for providing rapid leveling. The stabilized camera system is compact with low moments of inertia to allow rapid movements.

The field of the invention is stabilized platforms and systems for cameras. More specifically, the invention relates to gyroscopic stabilization systems for motion picture and video cameras.
In motion picture, television or video filming or recording, the camera is often supported on a vehicle, to follow an action or moving sequence to achieve a desired camera angle or effect, or to film occupants in or on the vehicle. Various specialized camera cars, camera trucks, cranes, and dollys have been used for this purpose. In addition, specialized camera support systems have been used to mount cameras on aircraft such as airplanes and helicopters, and on watercraft, such as boats, floats, or buoys.
In filming or recording with motion picture or television or video cameras, it is important for the camera to be maintained in a stable position. In the most basic form, camera stability has been achieved by mounting the camera on a tri-pod. However, when the camera itself is mounted on and moves with a vehicle, maintaining camera stability often becomes difficult. For example, with a camera mounted on a camera car moving along a roadway and filming or recording a fixed subject on the ground, e.g., a building, or a subject which is also moving e.g., another moving vehicle, the camera and the lens of the camera will necessarily move in unintended and undesirable ways, due to various factors. These factors may include changes in the roadway direction or inclination, changes in the vehicle orientation, due to shifting gravitational or inertial loads, as well as for other reasons. Undesirable movement can be especially problematic when the camera is mounted on an aircraft, where movement readily occurs along three dimensions, and where wind buffeting of the camera can be extreme. The undesirable camera lens movement resulting from these factors reduces the quality of the filmed or recorded images, by causing the images to be improperly framed, or to appear jumpy or erratic.
Production time can be extremely expensive. Even relatively short, simple film or video sequences, such as a scene in a motion picture or television production, or a TV commercial, generally requires large numbers of film or video production professionals, such as directors, actors, camera crew, grips, lighting and sound personnel, prop, background set, make-up and wardrobe personnel, etc. Consequently, even the loss of one minute of production time can translate into hundreds or thousands of dollars in increased production costs. If special effects, stunts, large numbers of extras, animal actors, etc. are involved, costs can be even higher. Accordingly, any techniques that avoid delays in filming or re-shooting, are very advantageous.
To maintain the camera lens in a stable position in these types of situations, various camera stabilization systems have been proposed. Generally, these camera stabilization systems rely on gyrostabilization and feedback techniques which detect unintended or undesirable movement of the camera, and then compensate for that movement via motors driving the camera platform. The term gyrostabilization here means any camera movement compensation system using position, rate, or acceleration sensors, whether "gyroscopic" or of another type.
While these types of stabilization systems have been successfully used in the past, various disadvantages remain. The gimbal system used in existing stabilized camera systems, which allows the camera to pivot about three perpendicular directions, are often large and relatively time consuming or difficult to balance. This can restrict camera movement and positioning and also make transport, installation and set-up (including balancing) more difficult. Moreover, existing systems generally have large moments of inertia, making them relatively slower in responding to correction forces applied by the motors. Accordingly, there is a need for a camera stabilization system which is compact, lightweight, and agile in responding to correction signals and forces.
The camera operator, cinematographer, or director will often want to manually aim the camera, by simply grabbing the camera with the hands, and aiming it as desired. Existing camera stabilization systems, when turned on, will automatically resist such manual movement. While this resistance can be overcome by applying force sufficient to overcome the torque limits of the motors in the stabilization system, this results in jerky and imprecise camera movement. As a result, manually aiming or positioning of the camera by forcibly overriding stabilization system has disadvantages, and generally is almost never acceptable during filming. On the other hand, turning the stabilization system off to perform hand or manual camera aiming or movement results in loss of all stabilization functions. With the stabilization turned off, the only forces holding the camera in position are the frictional forces in the various rotation joints. Based on the weight of the camera and other factors, these frictional forces may be insufficient to even hold the camera at any desired position. In addition, due to static and dynamic friction characteristics, achieving smooth and accurate camera movement, even with the stabilization system turned off, can be difficult or impossible. Accordingly, there is a need for a camera stabilization system which allows for smooth and accurate manual aiming.
Over longer periods of time, drift in existing camera stabilization systems can cause the camera to become improperly positioned. The severity of drift varies with the accuracy of the sensors in the system. Due to drift, under certain conditions, the camera may require repositioning before filming or recording is continued after a lunch break or other pause. This can result in delays and added production costs. Accordingly, there is a need for a camera stabilization system which compensates for or eliminates drift.
Existing camera stabilization systems have various other disadvantages as well, relating to backlash in the drive systems, balancing, large moments of inertia, controls and accuracy of positioning. Accordingly, various engineering challenges remain in designing an improved camera stabilization system.


Information represented in text-based markup languages, such as XML, is often a large, highly nested structure corresponding to complex patterns of metadata and/or data. Parsing such data streams via conventional software mechanisms rapidly exhibits degrading performance as the size, or volume, of data increases. Further, such do not perform dynamic modification to the output in response to feedback based on the data being parsed. An adaptive XML processing hardware apparatus processes an XML document in a manner suited to the invoking application, and processes the incoming XML into an optimal structure based on the type of data and a set of rules relating the type of the data to the output format. It also dynamically augments the output information stream based on the data, at the option of the invoking system. The generated output may take a tree form, adaptable for efficient traversal of the hierarchical structure represented by the input XML, or may involve an attribute approach, in which the XML takes the from of a stream of fixed length cells containing optimized representations of input data, or may take a combination of the two approaches, based on configuration and XML input stream.

Conventional information processing environments universally strive to improve throughput and processing capabilities by identifying bottlenecks and resource contention and redirecting, streamlining, or complementing the processing to mitigate inefficiency. Often, redirection of a processing stream to a more specialized processing mechanism improves performance by offloading such specialized or computationally intensive processing to the specialized processing mechanism rather than burdening a primary resource such as processor or bus. For example, early PCs employed math co-processors to complement the main processor for engineering and scientific applications requiring substantial floating point computations and/or high precision accuracy. Such specialized processing mechanism relieve the main processing resources of tasks which, although they are capable of handling, can more effectively be completed by such specialized resources not burdened with the general task handling responsibility.
In modern times, specialized processing mechanisms such as SSL offloaders, storage device subsystems, and encryption hardware, for example, are often incorporated into a base computer system to suit application specific demands. Such specialized processing mechanisms allow a common, widely installed computer system, such as a Windows or Unix based PC, to be deployed in specialized applications while still maintaining a widely accepted platform for integration with other computer systems, networks, and applications. A variety of specialized peripheral devices and interface are currently available for integration with a computer system such as a PC. These specialized peripheral devices enable processing advantages to suit particular applications, such as, for example, communications, multimedia and video, real time control interfaces, swipeable card readers, and other applications.

Method and apparatus for processing markup language information

International Business Machines Corporation


In a method of determining an edge roughness parameter of a periodic structure, the periodic structure is illuminated (602) in an inspection apparatus. The illumination radiation beam may comprise radiation with a wavelength in the range 1 nm to 100 nm. A scattering signal (604) is obtained from a radiation beam scattered from the periodic structure. The scattering signal comprises a scattering intensity signal that is obtained by detecting an image of a far-field diffraction pattern in the inspection apparatus. An edge roughness parameter, such as Lined Edge Roughness and/or Line Width Roughness is determined (606) based on a distribution of the scattering intensity signal around a non-specular diffraction order. This may be done for example using a peak broadening model.

A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that instance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g., including part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. These target portions are commonly referred to as "fields".
In lithographic processes, it is desirable frequently to make measurements of the structures created, e.g., for process control and verification. Various tools for making such measurements are known, including scanning electron microscopes, which are often used to measure critical dimension (CD), and specialized tools to measure overlay, the accuracy of alignment of two layers in a device. Recently, various forms of scatterometers have been developed for use in the lithographic field. These devices direct a beam of radiation onto a target and measure one or more properties of the scattered radiation—e.g., intensity at a single angle of reflection as a function of wavelength; intensity at one or more wavelengths as a function of reflected angle; or polarization as a function of reflected angle—to obtain a diffraction "spectrum" from which a property of interest of the target can be determined.
At the same time, the known inspection techniques employ radiation in the visible or ultraviolet waveband. This limits the smallest features that can be measured, so that the technique can no longer measure directly the smallest features made in modern lithographic processes. To allow measurement of smaller structures, it has been proposed to use radiation of shorter wavelengths, similar for example to the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths used in EUV lithography. Such wavelengths may be in the range 1 to 100 nm, for example, or 1-125 nm. Part or all of this wavelength range may also be referred to as soft x-ray (SXR) wavelengths. Some authors may use SXR to refer to a narrower range of wavelengths, for example in the range 1-10 nm or 1-20 nm. For the purposes of the present disclosure, these terms SXR and EUV will be used without implying any hard distinction. Metrology using harder x-rays, for example in the range 0.1-1 nm is also contemplated. Examples of transmissive and reflective metrology techniques using these wavelengths in transmissive and/or reflective scattering modes are disclosed in published patent application WO2015172963A1. Further examples of metrology techniques and apparatuses using these wavelengths in transmissive and/or reflective scattering modes are disclosed in the published patent applications US2016282282A1, US2017045823A1, WO2017025392A1 and WO2017108404A1. The contents of all these applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Convenient sources of SXR radiation include higher harmonic generation (HHG) sources, in which infrared pump radiation from a laser is converted to shorter wavelength radiation by interaction with a gaseous medium. HHG sources are available for example from KMLabs, Boulder Colo., USA (http://www.kmlabs.com/). Various modifications of HHG sources are also under consideration for application in inspection apparatus for lithography. Some of these modifications are disclosed for example in European patent application number 16198346.5 dated Nov. 11, 2016, not having been published at the priority date of the present application. Other modifications are disclosed in the published patent applications US20170184511A1 and WO2017108410A1. European patent application no. 16188816.9 dated Sep. 14, 2016, not published at the present priority date, describes the correction of wavefronts in an HHG radiation source to minimize blurring of the measurement spot in an inspection apparatus. The contents of all of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.
The smallest feature size, the so-called Critical Dimension (CD), of new-generation integrated circuits (ICs) is continuously shrinking. Every next generation (so-called node) of lithography processes is facing even more difficult challenges than the previous one, an important example being Line Edge Roughness (LER). For the nodes below 100 nm the edges of lithography-fabricated IC structures can no longer be assumed to be straight lines since their nanometer-scale stochastic variations become a non-negligible fraction of the overall structures' dimensions, rendering the edges "rough". The 3σ Root Mean Square (RMS) value of the variations is what is called the Line Edge Roughness. When two rough edges form e.g., a line, its width is also statistically varying, this being known as Line Width Roughness (LWR). LER and LWR result in local CD variations, which may be quantified by a Local CD Uniformity (LCDU) value.
Currently the LER, LWR and LCDU of line patterns are typically characterized using CD-SEM (Critical Dimension Scanning Electron Microscopy). For example, LER measurements with CD-SEM may be based on CD measurements over multiple lengths of lines and deriving the roughness Power Spectral Density (PSD) from this. The PSD describes how power of a continuous signal is distributed over frequency. In the context of edge roughness, this is described in Bunday et. al., "Influence of metrology error in measurement of line edge roughness power spectral density", Proc. SPIE 9050, Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control for Microlithography XXVIII, 90500G (14 Apr. 2014). The contents of that publication are incorporated herein by reference.
A problem with CD-SEM measurement is that it is a very slow process. Multiple lines have to be measured with sufficient sample points to obtain a sufficiently representative LER parameter estimate. The insensitivity to low-frequent LER variations due to a limited field of view results typically in an underestimation of the LER.
Another approach to measuring LER is using small angle x-ray scattering, typically with hard x-rays, where transmitted Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) or reflected Grazing-Incidence SAXS (GI-SAXS) x-ray beams are diffracted by the (material) lattice of the lines. The diffracted beams contain information on the material distribution, and thus the LER, of the lines.
Hard X-ray scatterometry has a drawback that compact bright sources are not available, and that transmission measurements (SAXS), through the whole wafer/wafer table, or under very small grazing angles (GI-SAXS: leading to very large spot size) are difficult to realize in a volume manufacturing environment, such as for semiconductor device manufacture.
For widely spaced lines (with many propagating diffraction orders), it is also known that that the diffraction intensity of the many orders taken together are sensitive to the LER of the lines. This method has been used in the DUV/EUV(SXR) wavelength range.
Determination of LER from the intensity of many diffraction orders has the drawback that these orders only propagate for large pitch/wavelength ratio which makes the method not usable for small on-product pitches, even in the SXR/EUV wavelength range.

Determining an edge roughness parameter of a periodic structure


An image forming apparatus according to the invention includes, in an apparatus body, an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; and a rotary-type development unit being rotatable about an axis thereof and having a plurality of developing devices, which are used for developing the latent images formed on the image carrier. The rotary-type development unit is formed with cavities at an outer periphery thereof for receiving gas. The rotary-type development unit is rotated for sequentially advancing the gas in the cavities whereby the gas in the apparatus body is discharged out of the apparatus body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as electrophotographic copiers and printers. Particularly, the invention relates to an image forming apparatus including in its apparatus body: an image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed; and a rotary-type development unit being rotatable about an axis thereof and having a plurality of developing devices, which are used for developing the latent images formed on the image carrier.
2. Description of the Related Art
The image forming apparatus, such as the copiers and printers, generally forms images as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, an image carrier 1 shaped like a drum and disposed in an apparatus body 10 is rotated, while a surface of the image carrier 1 is charged by means of a charger unit 2. Subsequently, the image carrier 1 thus charged is exposed to light from an exposure unit 3 according to an image signal, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the image carrier 1.
Next, a development unit 4 supplies a toner to the surface of the image carrier 1 with the electrostatic latent image formed thereon, thereby forming a toner image on the surface of the image carrier 1. The toner image is transferred to a recording sheet 6 by means of a transfer unit 5. Then, the recording sheet 6 with the toner image transferred thereto is transported to a fixing unit 7, which fixes the toner image to the recording sheet 6. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier 1 after the toner image transfer is removed from the surface of the image carrier 1 by means of a cleaner 8.
In a case where the apparatus carries out the image formation as described above, the apparatus encounters a problem that the exposure unit 3 and the like disposed in the apparatus body 10 generate heat to raise temperatures in the apparatus body 10. There is another problem that ozone is released when the charger unit 2 charges the surface of the image carrier 1 and hence, the ozone is accumulated in the apparatus body 10.
In this connection, the following proposal has been made in the prior art. That is, the aforementioned image forming apparatus is provided with an air exhaust such as a fan, which is operated for forcibly discharging the heat, ozone and such generated in the apparatus body out of the apparatus body (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-280494).
However, if the image forming apparatus is provided with the air exhaust for forcibly discharging the heat, ozone and such generated in the apparatus body out of the apparatus body, the apparatus suffers disadvantages of increased size and increased running cost.
More recently, an image forming apparatus employing a rotary-type development unit 40 is used as an apparatus for forming full color images, the rotary-type development unit including plural developing devices 4A to 4D containing toners of different colors and retained by a rotatable support body 41, as shown in FIG. 2.
In this image forming apparatus, the rotary-type development unit 40 is rotated by means of the support body 41 so as to shift the developing devices 4A to 4D, in turn, to position opposite the image carrier 1. The developing devices 4A to 4D in turn supply the toners of the individual colors to the image carrier 1. The toners thus supplied to the image carrier 1 are sequentially transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 9, so that a full-colored toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 9.
Subsequently, the full-colored toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 9 to the recording sheet 6, such as recording paper, by means of the transfer unit 5. The full-colored toner image so transferred is fixed to the recording sheet 6 by means of the fixing unit 7.
Unfortunately, in a case where the image forming apparatus for forming the full color image is provided with the air exhaust for forcibly discharging the heat, ozone and such generated in the apparatus body out of the apparatus body, the apparatus is further increased in size.

Image forming apparatus having a heat-discharging rotary-type development unit

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


An improved method for preparing high temperature Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductive films utilizing spray pyrolysis. The method can further include an additional annealing step to improve the electrical transport properties.

The present invention relates to an improved method for preparing high temperature superconductive films and, specifically, to an improved spray pyrolysis method for preparing Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting films.
Spray pyrolysis, a low cost method for preparing thin films, is well known For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,119 to Lis, et al. describes a spray pyrolysis method for synthesizing and producing thin films. The films of Lis, et al. find particular utility in photovoltaic devices, and particularly, in solar heat absorbing panels Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,285 to Squillante relates to an improvement on the Lis, et al. method which involves the identification and use of certain highly soluble organic acids as reducing agents in the spray pyrolysis solution. Again, the suggested use is for photovoltaic devices.
Spray pyrolysis has been recognized also as a useful method for applying and preparing superconducting thin films. Maki Kawai, et al. describe the formation of Y-Ba-Cu-O superconducting films using a spray pyrolysis method. Of particular relevance, Hitoshi Nobumasa, et al. describe the formation of Bi(Pb)-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconducting films using a spray pyrolysis application method. The techniques involve relatively low temperature deposition of chemical precursors, such as metal nitrates and acetates, onto suitable substrates, followed by higher temperature processing, both to convert the precursors to oxides and to induce the formation of the superconducting phase. According to the Nobumasa method, an aqueous solution of Bi, Sr, Ca and Cu nitrates was prepared. A lead doping agent was added as a substitute for a portion of bismuth. The solution was sprayed onto a heated MgO substrate. Thereafter, the sprayed substrate was air-cooled and then reheated to 845.degree. C. After a select heating time of two hours or more, the substrate again was allowed to air cool to room temperature.
While the known pyrolysis methods for applying thin superconductive films have yielded useful high quality films, the films often exhibit high porosity and gross textures. These properties are the result of volume shrinkage and the evolution of gaseous byproducts.
In the literature concerning the processing of bulk superconducting oxides, two methods have been reported for enhancing the densification of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O materials. The first is a melt-quench technique. This method is described by T. Komatsu, et al. in (1) J. Appl. Phys, 27, L533 (1988) and (2) J. Appl Phys. 26, L1148 (1987). The second method is a flux-sinter method in which materials, such as potassium fluoride, are added to the spray solution to enhance mass transport.

Spray pyrolysis process for preparing superconductive films

Microelectronics & Computer Technology Corp.


A luggage having a hidden type pull handle includes a main body, a telescopic pull handle, and two roller sets. Each of the two roller sets includes a wheel seat, a roller, and a reinforcement member. The pull handle is retained on the middle partition of the main body. Thus, when the pull handle is pulled in an oblique manner, the pull handle directly forces the main space of the main body to lean, so that the shell around the periphery of the secondary space of the main body is not pulled by the pull handle, thereby preventing the main body from being torn out, so as to increase the lifetime of the main body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a luggage having a hidden type pull handle, and more particularly to a luggage, wherein the pull handle can be retracted into and hidden in the secondary space of the main body, thereby decreasing the volume of the luggage, and thereby protecting the pull handle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A first conventional luggage in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 1 comprises a main body 1, a pull handle 2, two rollers 3 and two wheel seats 4. However, the pull handle 2 protrudes outward from the main body 1, so that the luggage has a larger volume and occupies a larger space, thereby causing inconvenience in storage, package and transportation. In addition, the pull handle 2 is easily broken due to hit.
A second conventional luggage in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises a main body 5, a retractable pull handle 6, and two rollers 7. The main body 5 includes a main space 8 and a secondary space 9. The main body 5 also includes a shell 502, and a zipper 508. The pull handle 6 is retractably mounted on the main body 5, so that the pull handle 6 can be retracted into and hidden in the main body 5. The pull handle 6 has a lower end secured on a support plate (not shown) in the shell 502 of the main body 5. Thus, when the pull handle 6 is pulled, the pull handle 6 applies a pulling force on the support plate in the shell 502 of the main body 5, so that the shell 502 located at the secondary space 9 of the main body 5 is easily torn out or broken during a long-term of utilization.
A third conventional luggage in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 4 comprises a main body having a main space 8xe2x80x2 and a secondary space 9xe2x80x2. The secondary space 9xe2x80x2 has a zipper 508xe2x80x2 extending to the two sides of the secondary space 9xe2x80x2, so that the secondary space 9xe2x80x2 can be fully opened to increase the storage space. However, when the zipper 508xe2x80x2 is fully opened, the combining force between the main space 8xe2x80x2 and the secondary space 9xe2x80x2 is greatly reduced, so that the main space 8xe2x80x2 and the secondary space 9xe2x80x2 lean toward the opposite directions, thereby causing inconvenience in use.
The present invention is to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional luggage.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a luggage having a hidden type pull handle, wherein the pull handle is retained on the middle partition of the main body. Thus, when the pull handle is pulled in an oblique manner, the pull handle directly forces the main space of the main body to lean, so that the shell around the periphery of the secondary space of the main body is not pulled by the pull handle, thereby preventing the main body from being torn out, so as to increase the lifetime of the main body.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a luggage having a hidden type pull handle, wherein the arcuate guard plate of the wheel seat is extended to the outer side of the main space and the secondary space of the main body, thereby supporting, strengthening and protecting the main space and the secondary space of the main body, so that the main body has a better structural strength.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a luggage having a hidden type pull handle, wherein the wheel seats and the support members are combined with the support plate, so as to support the main body rigidly and stably, so that the main body will not lean when the user is taking out the articles in the main body.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a luggage having a hidden type pull handle, wherein the pull handle can be retracted into and hidden in the secondary space of the main body, thereby decreasing the volume of the luggage, and thereby protecting the pull handle.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a luggage having a hidden type pull handle, comprising a main body, a telescopic pull handle, and two roller sets, wherein:
the main body has an inner portion provided with a middle partition which divides the inner portion of the main body into a main space and a secondary space, the main space of the main body has a bottom provided with a support plate;
the pull handle is mounted in the secondary space of the main body and supported on the middle partition of the main body;
each of the two roller sets is mounted on the bottom of the main body and includes a wheel seat, a roller, and a reinforcement member, wherein:
the wheel seat includes an arcuate guard plate and an upright plate, the wheel seat is mounted on the bottom of the main body, with the corner of the bottom of the main body being encompassed by the arcuate guard plate and the upright plate of the wheel seat;
the roller is rotatably mounted on the wheel seat; and
the reinforcement member is mounted in the secondary space of the main body, with the comer of the bottom of the main body being sandwiched and clamped between the arcuate guard plate, the upright plate and the reinforcement member.

Luggage having a hidden type pull handle


A large block synthesis (LBS) process pre-optimizes selected submacros by synthesizing the submacros using timing assertions and placement abstracts, removing placement information, and assigning weights to the internal nets of the submacros that are much higher than weights used for external (e.g., top-level) nets. The timing assertions include an input arrival time, a required output arrival time, and an output pin capacitance loading for the logic block, and the placement abstract is generated by condensing input and output pins of the logic block at a center of gravity of the logic block. The submacros to be pre-optimized can automatically be identified using an attribute to indicate pre-optimization, or by determining that the submacro is one of many instances in the design. The higher weights for the submacro nets define soft-bounds for the logic which still allow relocation of submacro components. The pre-optimization results in significantly reduced synthesis runtime.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to the fabrication and design of semiconductor chips and integrated circuits, and more particularly to the physical layout (placement) of logic cells in an integrated circuit design.
2. Description of the Related Art
Integrated circuits are used for a wide variety of electronic applications, from simple devices such as wristwatches, to the most complex computer systems. A microelectronic integrated circuit (IC) chip can generally be thought of as a collection of logic cells with electrical interconnections between the cells, formed on a semiconductor substrate (e.g., silicon). An IC may include a very large number of cells and require complicated connections between the cells. A cell is a group of one or more circuit elements such as transistors, capacitors, resistors, inductors, and other basic circuit elements combined to perform a logic function. Cell types include, for example, core cells, scan cells, input/output (I/O) cells, and memory (storage) cells. Each of the cells of an IC may have one or more pins, each of which in turn may be connected to one or more other pins of the IC by wires. The wires connecting the pins of the IC are also formed on the surface of the chip. For more complex designs, there are typically at least four distinct layers of conducting media available for routing, such as a polysilicon layer and three metal layers (metal-1, metal-2, and metal-3). The polysilicon layer, metal-1, metal-2, and metal-3 are all used for vertical and/or horizontal routing.
An IC chip is fabricated by first conceiving the logical circuit description, and then converting that logical description into a physical description, or geometric layout. This process is usually carried out using a "netlist," which is a record of all of the nets, or interconnections, between the cell pins, including information about the various components such as transistors, resistors and capacitors. A layout typically consists of a set of planar geometric shapes in several layers. The layout is checked to ensure that it meets all of the design requirements, particularly timing requirements. The result is a set of design files known as an intermediate form that describes the layout. The design files are then run through a dataprep process that is used to produce patterns called masks by an optical or electron beam pattern generator. During fabrication, these masks are used to etch or deposit features in a silicon wafer in a sequence of photolithographic steps using a complex lens system that shrinks the mask image. The process of converting the specifications of an electrical circuit into such a layout is called the physical design.
Cell placement in semiconductor fabrication involves a determination of where particular cells should optimally (or near-optimally) be located on the surface of a integrated circuit device. Due to the large number of components and the details required by the fabrication process for very large scale integrated (VLSI) devices, physical design is not practical without the aid of computers. As a result, most phases of physical design extensively use computer-aided design (CAD) tools, and many phases have already been partially or fully automated. Automation of the physical design process has increased the level of integration, reduced turn around time and enhanced chip performance. Several different programming languages have been created for electronic design automation (EDA), including Verilog, VHDL and TDML. A typical EDA system receives one or more high level behavioral descriptions of an IC device, and translates this high level design language description into netlists of various levels of abstraction.
Physical synthesis is prominent in the automated design of integrated circuits such as high performance processors and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Physical synthesis is the process of concurrently optimizing placement, timing, power consumption, crosstalk effects and the like in an integrated circuit design. This comprehensive approach helps to eliminate iterations between circuit analysis and place-and-route. Physical synthesis has the ability to repower gates (changing their sizes), insert repeaters (buffers or inverters), clone gates or other combinational logic, etc., so the area of logic in the design remains fluid. However, physical synthesis can take days to complete, and the computational requirements are increasing as designs are ever larger and more gates need to be placed. There are also more chances for bad placements due to limited area resources.
Current microprocessor trends are integrating traditionally custom designs with random logic macros (RLMs) into very large integrated circuit designs. In some cases, entire microprocessor units are designed using an automated synthesis flow that integrates these traditional custom designs and RLMs. This type of merged synthesis run is referred to as large block synthesis (LBS). The LBS blocks, i.e., sets of cells or logic modules, require handling dataflow designs differently than traditional RLMs. In this process the entire logic is usually flattened out, and timing-critical logic portions can be pre-optimized in order to improve the overall result. This pre-optimization uses multiple copies (instances) of the same block of logic whose cells have already been placed and routed. These hard-bounded blocks are fed into the flat synthesis. FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified example for a floating-point unit (FPU) 2 having multiple instances 4 of an adder submacro which have been inserted in this manner. While FIG. 1 depicts adders with a generally rectangular boundary, the pre-optimized blocks may have other hard-bounded shapes as well.