The present invention relates to a process for producing an electronic device having two contacts, an anode and a cathode being completely or partly transmissive to light, one or more organic semi-conducting layers and one or more organic buffer layers between the contacts or the cathode and anode respectively. A solution is sprayed which contains organic material for applying at least one porous layer.

An organic light emitting diode, briefly OLED (short form for the English expression "organic light emitting diode") is a luminous component made from organic semi-conducting materials. The OLED technology is intended for visual display application (e.g. television screen, PC screen) among others. Another field of application is represented by large scale space illumination as well as advertising illumination). Considering the materials available the employment of OLEDs as area light sources, flexible display and electronic paper (E-paper) will only be a matter of time.
An OLED design consists of a plurality of thin organic layers. Usually a hole transport layer (HTL) is thereby applied onto an anode (e.g. indium tin oxide, ITO) partly or completely transmissive to light, which is located on a transparent substrate such as a sheet of glass or a transparent layer of plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Depending on the method of production, between the anode and the hole transport layer an additional layer of PE-DOT/PSS (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate, Baytron P) is often applied which serves for lowering the injection barrier for holes and furthermore smoothens the surface. Onto the hole transport layer, a layer is applied which either contains the dye (app. 5-10%) or—rarely—completely consists of the dye (e.g. aluminum tris(8-hydroxy quinoline)=Alq3). This layer is referred to as an emitter layer (EL). In some cases an electron transport layer (ETL) is applied thereupon. Finally a cathode (consisting of a metal or an alloy having low electron exit work, e.g. calcium, aluminum, magnesium/silver alloy) is applied by vapour deposition under high vacuum. For lowering the injection barrier for electrons a very thin layer of e.g. LiF or CsF is applied by vapour deposition between cathode and ETL or emitter. For completion the electrode may be coated with silver or aluminum for protective reasons. However, the transparent layer can likewise be adjacent to the cathode. Then the cathode is partly or completely transmissive to light.
An organic solar cell (OSC) is a photovoltaically active component made from organic semi-conducting materials or a mixture of organic and inorganic semi-conducting materials. These components are prospectively considered as inexpensive alternatives for inorganic solar cell materials.
An OSC design consists of a plurality of thin organic or in part even of inorganic layers. Usually a photovoltaically active layer is thereby applied onto an electrode (e.g. indium tin oxide, ITO) partly or completely transmissive to light which is located on a transparent substrate such as for example on a sheet of glass or a transparent layer of plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalte (PET). Depending on the method of production, between the electrode and the photovoltaically active layer an additional layer of PE-DOT/PSS (poly 3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate, Baytron P) is often applied which serves for adapting energy levels between the transparent electrode and the photovoltaically active layer, and furthermore smoothens the surface. The photovoltaically active layer either is a mixture of a donor and acceptor compound, or a sequence of layers of donor and acceptor compounds. One common example of a donor compound is poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT); the acceptor compound is exemplified by phenyl-C61-butylic acid methyl ester (PCBM). Additional interlayers may be present. Finally an electrode consisting of a metal or an alloy having low electron exit work (e.g. calcium, aluminum, magnesium/silver alloy) is vapour deposited under high vacuum. For completion the electrode may be coated with silver or aluminum for protective reasons.
Methods of production of such electronic components are known from the references U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,608, U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,690 as well as U.S. Pat. No. 7,018,713. Therefrom, electrostatic spraying methods for application of layers are known among others. From this state of the art it will not be realized that spraying under certain circumstances may lead to practically manufacturable electronic components enabling an extremely good out-coupling efficiency.
For creation of light a voltage is applied to the electrodes. The electrons are now injected by the cathode whereas the anode provides the holes. Hole (=positive charge) and electron (=negative charge) are drifting towards each other and ideally meet in the emitter layer, and this is why this layer is also referred to as recombination layer. The electrons and holes form a bound state which is referred to as exciton. Depending on the mechanism the exciton already represents the excited state of the dye molecule, or the decay of the exciton will provide the energy for the excitement of the dye molecule. This dye exhibits various states of excitement. The excited state can return to the ground state, thereby emitting a photon (particle of light). The colour of the emitted light depends on the energy difference between excided state and ground state and may selectively be changed by variation of the dye molecules. It is the distance between the so called HOMO and LUMO which is responsible for the wavelength of light. With the inorganic semiconductor, HOMO and LUMO correspond to the valence band and conduction band.
Disadvantageously, because of internal total reflexion, the created light will exit the glass sheet predominantly laterally and only a minor part of it will exit the glass sheet or the plastic layer frontwardly. Since usually exclusively the light which is emitted frontwardly is suitable only a small part of the created light will actually be used.
In order to improve the out-coupling of usable light, according to EP 1 100 129 A2 the provision of an interlayer having a low refractive index, consisting of aerogel, which is located between the transparent substrate and the transparent electrode is proposed. It is said that the light yield may thus be doubled. However, an interlayer consisting of aerogel cannot be manufactured practically and hence this proposal has not been put into practice.
According to WO 2005/109539 A1, in order to be able to out-couple light more practically the provision of a light emitting diode of the previously mentioned type with a porous buffer layer having a low refractive index being located between the transparent electrode and a layer consisting of an organic semiconductor is proposed. The size of the pores is in the nanometer range. In order to be able to apply an organic semiconductor layer the buffer layer is said to be of closed pores. The porous buffer layer is produced either by pyrogenes which will be eliminated from the buffer layer after layer formation, or by foaming. The porous buffer layer is said to consist of a hole conducting material.
In practice it was accomplished to produce the buffer layer known from WO 2005/109539 A1, having a refractive index of 1.6 (wavelength-dependent) and thus improve the light yield. However, the improvement is minor. Buffer layers having a lower refractive index inferior to 1.6 to further increase the light yield could not be realized. Furthermore a porous buffer layer was not realized successfully either in a practice-oriented way. For example pores cannot be manufactured by foaming in a practice-oriented way since a foaming process basically results in uneven layer thicknesses. Thus, desired layer thicknesses of the buffer layer could not be manufactured consistently. The creation of porosity with the aid of pyrogenes did not result in pores having suitable pore sizes.

Method for production of an organic light emitting diode or of an organic solar cell and organic light emitting diodes or solar cells produced therewith


A closed loop auxiliary heating circuit includes a coolant, a closed loop coolant line and a pump for circulating the coolant through the closed loop coolant line between a computing device and an auxiliary heater core whereby heat is transferred from the computing device to the auxiliary heater core to heat the cabin of an electric motor vehicle. An electric motor vehicle incorporating the closed loop auxiliary heating circuit is also disclosed.

Electrified vehicles include significant amounts of hardware dedicated to dissipating waste heat produced by onboard electrified systems. This waste heat is exchanged through coolant and various heat exchangers through the refrigeration system as well as to the ambient environment. In larger vehicles equipped with an auxiliary climate control systems, state of the art motor vehicles require two sets of coolant lines running to the back of the vehicle: one for the auxiliary heating system, and one for the electric vehicle (EV) cooling system. This adds significant cost, and importantly, extra weight which, in turn, reduces the electrified range of the electric vehicle.
Additionally, fully autonomous vehicles including, for example ride share vehicles of the future, incorporate additional electronics which produce even greater levels of waste heat to the point of becoming greater than the capacity of a single refrigeration system. As a result, full secondary refrigeration loops dedicated to cooling the electronics are being designed to maintain cabin comfort and the electronics in their proper operating temperature range.
This document relates to a closed loop auxiliary heating circuit that provides a new and improved solution to the waste heat problem characteristic of larger electric vehicles including, particularly, the autonomous vehicles of the future. That closed loop auxiliary heating circuit is not connected to the power train of the motor vehicle and its function is to cool the motor vehicle electronics and utilize the waste heat from those electronics to provide comfort to the cabin. Advantageously, such a closed loop auxiliary heating circuit functions to reduce the overall weight of the system by reducing one set of underbody heater lines and the associated coolant from the power train to the auxiliary climate system. This reduction of the underbody lines also improves the "external" package space and reduces the assembly complexity of the system.
In addition, a valve is provided to control the flow of coolant to the auxiliary heater core thereby allowing the closed loop auxiliary heating circuit to deliver the desired temperature of air to the cabin of the motor vehicle without the use of a blend door. This improves the internal package space required for the auxiliary climate system. This can be a substantial benefit given that the electronics package space required for the auxiliary climate system is in the same region of the motor vehicle as the auxiliary climate system. Utilizing the waste heat to cool the cabin also reduces the refrigeration work required of the refrigeration system in most ambient weather conditions. Advantageously this can lead to increases in the range of the electric motor vehicle.

Closed loop auxiliary heating circuit and an electric motor vehicle incorporating that circuit


A ventriculostomy reservoir includes a rigid base and an elastomeric cap which is positioned over the base to enclose a reservoir well. A rigid cap insert is captured by the lower portion of the cap and is positioned for engagement with the base. The cap insert and the base are configured so that the cap may be snap-fit onto the base in a manner forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween. In one form of the invention, the cap insert includes a cylindrical portion which extends downwardly from a flange-like portion captured within the cap, to fit within an upwardly extending wall portion of the base. The cylindrical portion includes an encircling protrusion on an exterior surface thereof which engages and fits within an encircling detent provided on the interior surface of the wall portion to snap-fit the cap to the base. In a second embodiment of the invention the cap insert exteriorly surrounds an upper end of the base, and a similar protrusion and detent arrangement is utilized to snap-fit the cap to the base. In a third embodiment of the invention the cap insert overlies an upper end of the base and is secured to the base through an interference fit both on interior and exterior surfaces of the wall portion of the base.

This invention relates generally to surgically implantable valves. More particularly, this invention relates to devices for the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricle of the brain and for monitoring such drainage.
As is well known in the medical arts, to relieve undesirable accumulation of fluids, it is frequently necessary to provide a means for draining a fluid from one part of the human body to another in a controlled manner. This is required, for example, in the treatment of hydrocephalus, an ailment usually afflicting infants or children in which fluids which ought to drain away accumulate within the skull and thereby exert extreme pressure and skull deforming forces.
In treating hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the brain ventricles is drained away by a catheter inserted into the ventricle through the skull. The catheter is connected to a conduit which conducts the fluid away from the brain to be reintroduced into the vascular system, as by extending through the patient's jugular vein to the atrium portion of the heart. To control the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and maintain the proper pressure in the brain ventricle, a pump or valve is placed in the conduit between the brain and the heart atrium. Examples of such pump and valve devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,560,375, to Schulte et al.
Ventriculostomy reservoirs are often utilized in connection with such pumps or valves to provide a convenient location for sampling accumulated cerebrospinal fluid as close to the brain ventricles as possible. Such ventriculostomy reservoirs may be placed over a burr hole through the skull to facilitate sampling of cerebrospinal fluid before the implantation of the fluid conduit.
Prior ventriculostomy reservoirs typically include a metal base having a catheter connector, an integral, upwardly extending cylindrical wall portion, and a flange portion integrally formed with and overlying the wall portion. A cap made of a silicone elastomer material is typically provided to enclose the upper end of the base and define, with the base, an internal reservoir. The cap usually includes an annular internal recess configured to fit over the flange portion of the base.
The cap and the base of such prior ventriculostomy reservoirs are usually separated prior to implantation. The surgeon, after drilling a burr hole through the skull, attaches a catheter to the connector at the lower end of the base, and then positions the base on the skull. Previously, the surgeon has then been required to grasp the cap and stretch its peripheral edges over the upper flange of the base to position the flange within the recess of the cap. This has, however, presented difficulties for the surgeon which the present invention eliminates.
More particularly, during an operation the surgeon's gloves usually become quite slippery due to contact with blood and other body fluids. This often makes the grasping of objects difficult, particularly when the objects are very small. The caps of prior ventriculostomy reservoirs also tend to become slippery and difficult to handle when they have come in contact with body fluids. This has made it difficult for surgeons to quickly and efficiently grasp and stretch the cap over the upper flange of the base.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a convenient means for attaching the cap of a ventriculostomy reservoir to the base, which renders the device relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which can be constructed substantially of non-metallic parts. Such a device would preferably suffer no degradation in operation within a patient in comparison with prior ventriculostomy reservoirs, and eliminate, as much as possible, handling of the cap separately from the base. In this regard it would be desirable to provide means for connecting the cap to the base in a manner providing a fluid-tight seal therebetween, which required nothing more than for the surgeon to push the cap onto the base at an appropriate time during the surgical procedure. As will become apparent from the following description, the present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

Pudenz-Schulte Medical Research Corporation


A Laser device for optical packet data transmission in TDM-systems is provided. The device comprises a laser light source for outputting laser light beam and a laser driver for driving the laser light source; an optical modulator which receives and modulates the laser light beam output by the laser light source; a packet data source for outputting a packet data stream; and a modulator driver for receiving the packet data stream output by the packet data source and for driving the optical modulator in response to the packet data stream resulting in that the optical modulator modulates the laser light beam in response to the packet data stream. A filter generates an envelope signal of the data packets in the packet data stream, and a switch switches the laser driver in response to the envelope signal.

The invention is based on a priority application EP 03291778.3 which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The invention relates to a laser device for optical packet data transmission in burst mode system and to an optical transmitter in such a system.
Such laser devices and optical transmitters are basically known in the art. In particular, known laser devices comprise a loser light source for outputting a laser light beam and a laser driver for driving said laser light source. The known laser devices further comprise an optical modulator means for receiving the laser light beam output by said laser light source and a packet data source for outputting a packet data stream. Moreover, they comprise a modulated driver for receiving said packet data stream output by said packet data source and for driving or controlling said optical modulator means in response to said packet data stream resulting in that the optical modulator means modulates the laser light beam in response to said packet data stream.
The optical modulator means presently available on the market, suffer from the disadvantage that they are not able to completely close their light output even if they are driven by a shut-off signal, for example represented by a logical zero. This is because they only have a low extinction ratio. Consequently, there remains a residual light which is output by said optical modulator means, for example onto an optical fiber, even if an logical zero shall be transmitted.
If there is only one of these laser devices provided in a telecommunication system that residual light does not cause any difficulties in correctly detecting the transmitted logical value, in particular a logical zero, because a threshold value for detecting the transmitted logical zero might be adapted appropriately.
However, in dense wavelength division multiplex DWDM-systems being operated in a burst mode, a plurality of laser devices operate at the some wavelength and they all transmit the modulated laser beam via the same channel. Consequently, on the channel the outputs of all of said laser devices, more exactly of said optical modulator means are summed up. Thus, there occurs the problem, that if quite a lot of said laser devices or modulator means output said residual light, representing a logical zero, simultaneously, these residual lights are summed up on the channel and might be wrongly detected as logical "1" by a receiver receiving said laser beam.

Laser device for optical data transmission


An Ethernet access connection (102) connects a user access point (10) to an access node (12) in the network. The access connection comprises a passive coupler (20), by means of which a further access connection (104) can be provided between the user access point (10) and a second access node (14), such that data can be exchanged over each access connection (102, 104) between the user access point and the network. This duplication ensures that communication is not severed if the access connection (102) is breached. To avoid interference at the destination terminal (11) between the two resulting identical data streams, the access nodes (13, 18) giving access to the destination terminal are controlled such that only one of them forwards data to the destination access point (11), with the capability to switch to the other one in the event of a loss of connection between the access node (13) and user access point (10).

This invention relates to packet data switching systems, and relates in particular to a means for preventing loss of service resulting from damage to an end user's access connection. It is of particular application to systems of the type known as "Ethernet" or those according to the IEEE 802.3 standard. In this specification, the term "Ethernet" embraces any network using Ethernet or IEEE 802.3 frames, including MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) networks using Ethernet frames, and other networks operating on similar principles.
A simple Ethernet packet data switching system is shown at FIG. 1. For clarity only two access points are shown. These access points comprise terminal equipment 10, 11 which are typically owned by the customer and located on his premises, and provide the interface between the customer equipment and the public network. These access points are each connected by access connections 102, 113, to respective local nodes 12, 13. These local nodes direct the packets, by way of intermediate nodes e.g. 16 according to the address of the destination node carried in the header. On arrival at the destination node (e.g. 13) the packet is then forwarded to the access point 11. Note that any of the nodes 12-18 can serve as a local node for an associated access point. The individual connections 102, 126, 163, 113, etc may be of any type, such as wireless, wired or optical fibre. In the embodiment to be described the access connections are optical, but this is not to be taken as limitative.
Each local node 13 is typically connected to a plurality of user access points 11, 11a. As shown in United States Patent Application US2005/0047332, and in FIG. 2 of the attached drawings to the present specification, a passive optical coupler 132 is used to provide connections 111, 113 from a single local node 13 to several access points 11, 11a, with a multiplex imposed to separate data originating from, or destined for, each individual user. Passive couplers are well-known in the art: their function is to split a signal, or to combine two signals such that a single port can be connected to two ports. As will be described in relation to FIG. 7, passive couplers of this kind are also commonly used to connect separate input/output ports 31, 32 to a bidirectional port 30.
It will be seen that there is redundancy in the network, allowing packets to be transmitted by a variety of routes between the local nodes 12, 13. Thus, should an individual link 126 be overloaded or severed, data can still pass between the local nodes 12, 13 using some alternative route, e.g. via links 127, 178, 183.
In general, routing is carried out autonomously by the individual nodes 12-18, reading the address data in the packets. An overall control function 19 supervises the nodes (as indicated by the dotted lines) to monitor for link failures, and the like.
A problem arises if the link 102 between an access point 10 and its local node 12 is damaged. As there is no redundancy on this link 102, any damage to this connection severs the end-to-end link between the end users at the access points 10, 11. This connection 102, between the user's own terminal equipment at the access point 10 and the network access node 12, is necessarily partially located on the user premises, making it not only particularly vulnerable to damage, but harder for a network operator to gain access for repairs. A cost effective way of extending network redundancy into the access connections would therefore be desirable, especially if it can be achieved without modifying the equipment located on the user premises at the access points 10, 11, which may be owned by the customer of the provider of the respective access links 102, 113.
It is known, for example from United States Patent Application US2005/0047332 mentioned above, and as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings attached to the present specification, to provide duplicate connections 112; 113 from a node 13 to each user access point 11. However, this system requires the user equipment to set up a main and a standby link to the local node, each link having its own physical termination point in the user equipment, and its own network address. According to the invention, this complexity can be avoided by providing an access connection for providing access between a user access point and an access node forming part of an Ethernet network (as hereinbefore defined) comprising a plurality of nodes, characterised in that the access connection comprises one or more passive couplers, by means of which the user access point is provided with a plurality of access connections to one or more access nodes such that data can be exchanged, over each access connection, between the user access point and the one or more access nodes, and means for controlling the access node or nodes such that only one of the access connections transmits the data received from the network to the user access point. It will be noted that, unlike the configuration used in the prior art reference, the present invention does not use the passive coupler to connect a single network access node to a plurality of user access points. Instead, the coupler is reversed such that it connects a single user access point to a plurality of network access nodes. This invention therefore requires minimal modification to the user terminal equipment to provide the security of a redundant path. Instead, the network access nodes are controlled to avoid collision in the data between the duplicate paths. Thus, the customer equipment is kept as simple as possible, and any complexity is in the operator's network, where it is easier to supervise and maintain.
Encapsulation of packets is common in some packet systems but not normally required in Ethernet systems. However, in this invention encapsulation is desirable in order to prevent the formation of loops within the network. In a preferred embodiment, it is therefore desirable for each access node to provide means for generating a distinct encapsulation of the data transmitted to it from the user access point for transmission over the network, and means for de-encapsulation of data destined for the user access point that it receives from elsewhere in the network, for transmission to the user access point.
The provision of a distinct encapsulation for each instance of data prevents the formation of loops within the network. At the destination access node or nodes, the data is de-encapsulated, resulting in two identical data streams (save for any loss or corruption en route). However, path and phase differences would cause multiple sets of de-encapsulated data to interfere with each other at the user equipment if both streams were to be successfully delivered to the destination user access points, through intact access connections Thus co-operation between the access paths is required to ensure that only one set of de-encapsulated data arrives at the user access point. This may be achieved by comparing de-encapsulated packets, and not forwarding any that have already been sent. However, it is preferred to designate a first access connection path as the path over which data is sent by default, monitoring the return connection path, and in the event that a loss of data is detected on that return path, switching to the other access connection path. The loss of access path due to fibre break is detected at the access node as a 'Loss of Signal' condition.
In a preferred arrangement, single-fibre links are used, typically implemented using 'Bi-Di' (Bi-directional transmission on a single fibre) SFP (Small Form Pluggable) optical modules. The use of two separate fibre connections (for transmit and receive) is possible, but in that case a Backward Defect Indication signal would need to be in place for the access node to detect a single-fibre break that causes a Loss of Signal condition on the user port.
The invention also provides an access node for an Ethernet network comprising means for receiving data packets over an access connection from a user access point, means for forwarding the packets to other nodes in a network, means for receiving data packets from other nodes in the network, and means for forwarding the packets over the access connection to a user access point, characterised by means for detecting traffic received over the access connection, means for comparing the detected traffic information relating to plurality of such connections to the same user access point, and means for selectively suspending the transmission of packets over the access connection to the user access point in accordance with that information.
The invention also provides an Ethernet network comprising a plurality of interconnected access nodes connected by access connections to respective user access points, wherein each access node provides means for receiving data transmitted to it from the respective user access point for transmission over the network, and means for transmitting data destined for the user access point that it receives from elsewhere in the network, the system being characterised in that at least one user access point is connected by way of a passive coupler to one or more access nodes by a plurality of access connections such that data can be exchanged between the user access point and the network by a plurality of routes using different access connections, and means for controlling the access nodes such that only one of the access connections transmits data received from the network to the respective user access point.
The invention allows Ethernet access links to customer sited equipment to be protected without the need for that equipment to support any protection scheme.
This increases the range of equipment that can be used for protected access links, as no hardware changes are necessary on the customer equipment other than the addition of couplers between the customer equipment and the access fibres. Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP)-based interfaces (and Bi-directional SFP modules) may be used, removing the need to provide additional signalling for Remote Defect Indications.
The invention also provides a method of operating an Ethernet network such that data is transmitted to and from user access points by way of respective access nodes connected by access connections to the user access points, characterised in that a user access point is connected by way of a passive coupler to a plurality of access connections such that data can be exchanged between the user access point and the network by a plurality of routes using different access connections, and the access nodes are controlled such that only one of the access connections transmits data received from the network to the respective user access point.
The access nodes may be "virtually" distinct, but physically co-located and sharing some components: all that is required is that they have separate access connections to the user access point, and encapsulate and de-encapsulate the data separately.
The streams can be transported across the network together (with different encapsulations to prevent the formation of loops). One of the streams is designated as the active stream, and the or each other stream as standby streams. Standby streams are blocked, either at the destination or an intermediate node. A loss of signal condition on the access port for the currently active stream would signal the removal of the block on standby stream, allowing it to become the active stream. The original active stream would be redesignated as a standby stream, to avoid interference should it reinstate itself without intervention.
The paths between the access nodes may also have elements in common.
Multiple redundancy may be introduced by having more than one passive coupler: in this case all the access nodes must co-operate such that only one is transmitting to the user access equipment at any given time.

BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS public limited company


A resistor device includes a resistor plate and an electrode structure. The electrode structure includes an electrode layer and an auxiliary layer. The electrode layer is disposed at a first face of the resistor plate and includes a first portion and a second portion overlying a first side and a second side of the resistor plate, respectively, and a current path is conducted between the first portion and the second portion through the resistor plate. The auxiliary layer is disposed at a second face of the resistor plate and includes at least a first block and a second block overlying the first side of the resistor plate, and at least a third block overlying the second side of the resistor plate, wherein the first, second and third blocks of the auxiliary layer are separated from one another so that any current flow among the blocks is blocked.

A current sensing resistor, when serially connected to a load and applied current thereto, results in a voltage drop which may be measured and referred to estimate the current intensity. Since the resistance of a current sensing resistor is generally at a milliohm (mOhm) order, high resistance precision, e.g. with deviation within ±1%, is required compared to a common resistor. Accordingly, proper adjustment is generally performed in the manufacturing process of the current sensing resistor after measuring resistance of the newly produced resistor and calculating deviation of the measured resistance from a preset ideal value. Repetitive measurement and adjustment are performed until the measured resistance is close enough to the preset ideal value.
Conventionally, Kelvin measurement, which is a four-point type of measurement, is adopted to measure resistance of a current sensing resistor. The principle will be described hereinafter.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which schematically illustrates circuitry associated with Kelvin measurement. As shown, two ends of a resistor 15 whose resistance R is to be measured are respectively connected to four points 11, 12, 13 and 14. The points 13 and 14 are further respectively connected to head and tail ends of a constant current source 16 which supplies a constant current intensity I. On the other hand, the points 11 and 12 are coupled to respective probes with high impedance for measuring voltage difference therebetween. Since the input impedance of the probes coupled to the points 11 and 12 is relative high, it is assumed that no current would pass through point 11, resistor 15 and point 12, i.e. i1=0i2=0. Under this circumstance, the constant current source 16, point 14, resistor 15 and point 13 form a circuit loop, and the voltage difference V between the points 11 and 12, where V=V11−V12, can be measured and used for calculating resistance of the resistor 15 based on Ohm's Law, i.e. V=IR.
FIG. 2A illustrates a structure of a conventional current sensing resistor. The current sensing resistor 100 includes a resistor plate 120 and two electrode plates 110 and 130 respectively welded to opposite sides of the resistor plate 120 and having apertures 140 and 150. On the electrode plates, sensing pads 111 and 113 and current pads 112 and 132 are defined as measuring area. When producing the current sensing resistor 100, a constant current I is applied between the current pads 112 and 132, and a voltage difference rendered between the sensing pads 111 and 131 (Vdiff=V111−V131) when the constant current I passes through the current sensing resistor 100 is measured. Accordingly, resistance R1 of the resistor 120 can be calculated as R1=Vdiff/I.
Please refer to FIG. 2B, which illustrates four measurement points defined in a measuring apparatus for measuring resistance of a newly produced resistor. The four measurement points 211, 212, 213 and 214 are arranged on the electrode plate in zones 311, 312, 313 and 314 as a rectangle, as shown in FIG. 2C, wherein the measurement points 213 and 214 are associated with constant current input and the measurement points 211 and 212 are associated with output voltage measurement.
The newly produced resistor is then performed with a barrel plating process to be electroplated with a soldering layer for facilitating the mounting of the resistor onto a printed circuit board (PCB).
Since the soldering layer is applied onto the resistor after the measurement and adjustment of the resistance of the resistor has been accomplished, the resistor product suffers from resistance deviation due to the newly applied soldering layer. Furthermore, the resistors produced in a batch would have diverse resistance. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the resistance of resistors produced in a batch before the soldering layer is applied is generally distributed within a narrow range, e.g. ±0.8% from the peak value. However, after the soldering layer is applied, the resistance of the resistors becomes diverse as distributed within a wide range, e.g. ±3% from the peak value, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Thus the requirement on high resistance precision cannot be complied with.


An electric appliance comprises a component part (101) that comprises electronic components, among which is an electrolytic capacitor (105). A molded part (301) is molded around the component part (101), An outer surface of the molded part (301) constitutes at least a part of the outer surface of the electric appliance. The molded part comprises a cavity (302), which contains something else than electronic components or connections between electronic components. The cavity (302) is separated from the electrolytic capacitor (105) by at most a wall the thickness of which is smaller than a mean material thickness of the molded part (301) between the component part (101) and outside of the electric appliance.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross section illustrating an exemplary prior art electric device that comprises a component part 101 and an outer cover, which in this case consists of a lower cover part 102 and an upper cover part 103. Wired connections 104 to and from the electric appliance can be made through holes in the outer cover. We assume that among the components of the component part 101 is an electrolytic capacitor 105.
FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary prior art device, which is inmoulded. This means that instead of any separately assembled outer cover the electric appliance comprises a moulded part 201, which encloses the component part 101. The moulded part 201 serves several purposes simultaneously. It acts as a mechanical support both to the components of the component part 101 and to possible connections 202, 203 to and from the component part 101. The moulded part 201 also balances temperature differences within the component part 101 by conducting heat away from hot components, and its inner parts constitute electrically isolating walls between the electrically conducting parts of the component part 101. In most cases it also isolates the component part 101 from the environment, keeping out water and dust. The outer surface of the moulded part 201 constitutes the outer surface of the whole electric appliance, which means that it must exhibit sufficient visual quality and give a pleasant tactile feeling. Commonly used materials for the moulded part 201 are thermosetting or thermoplastic hard mouldable polymers.
In addition to inmoulding, also potting or casting of electric appliances is known. As a difference to an inmoulded solution, potting or casting means that the appliance has an outer cover but the space inside it otherwise left free is filled with an epoxy resin or other casting material that flows in to fill all free space and hardens, so that the final result is a solid piece of material in which the space between the inside of the outer cover and the electronic components is filled with the hardened potting material.
A problem of an inmoulded or potted electric appliance is its vulnerability to explosion under certain very improbable but still possible circumstances. If an electrolytic capacitor 105 is subjected to overvoltage or a voltage of incorrect polarity, it may heat up so much that the electrolyte inside thereof begins to vaporize. Electric protection mechanisms such as fuses, overvoltage protection circuits and temperature- or voltage-triggered protective circuit elements are known; also the electrolytic capacitor itself may comprise internal conductor rupturing mechanisms or other means that react to exceptional conditions by electrically disconnecting the capacitor from the rest of the circuitry in the component part. However, the known protective measures may be so slow to react that a significant amount of vaporized electrolyte is still formed, causing a sudden rise of internal pressure within the moulded part. If the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the moulded or potted part becomes sufficiently large, the moulded part may crack.
The vulnerability to explosion of inmoulded or potted electric appliances becomes worse if the appliance should be made as small as possible. For example in the technical field of battery chargers of mobile electric devices there is a trend of squeezing the electronics of the charger device to an increasingly smaller space, so that the main body of a charger might be little larger than the wall plug of a power cord. Small size means thin material thickness of the moulded or potted material between the component part inside it and the outside, which in turn may lead to weaker mechanical strength and consequently to vulnerability to explosion even with relatively moderate pressure differences.
An obvious solution would be to increase the mechanical strength of the material used for the moulded or potted part, for example by mixing some reinforcing substance like glass fibres or carbon fibres to the basic polymer. However, using a reinforcing substance increases material costs and may cause disadvantages in other aspects of the manufacturing process, like increasing the mechanical wear of moulds, causing interference in the flow of the moulding material or producing unwanted visible effects on outer surfaces.
Responsible manufacturers of electric appliances test their products extensively during and immediately after the manufacturing process. Errors like an electrolytic capacitor assembled with incorrect polarity should reveal themselves in these tests. However, it is impossible to make the tests so extensive that they would take into account each and every form of exceptional operational conditions. It is also possible that a testing cycle goes so fast that an electrolytic capacitor with an internal fault does not make it to exploding before the test voltage is removed.
A prior art publication JP 8069948 discloses a protective arrangement in which the moulded cover of a capacitor element comprises a vent, through which the molten metal of a protective fuse may escape. Elastic material that filled the vent under normal circumstances gets pushed outwards by the molten metal and remains as a protective, isolating cover on top of the solidified metal after the protective device has operated. This solution does not solve the problem of expanding gaseous electrolyte. Apparently the author has assumed that the protective fuse is fast enough to cut off the electric current before any pressure buildup occurs. If the electrolyte would vaporize in the solution of JP 8069948, it might blow a way for itself through the vent, spraying the remnants of the elastic material and molten metal from the protective fuse all around.

Protection of an inmoulded electric appliance against explosion


A method for producing a cell structure includes: a step of firing a laminated body of a layer containing an anode material and a layer containing a solid electrolyte material, to obtain a joined body of an anode and a solid electrolyte layer; a step of laminating a layer containing a cathode material on a surface of the solid electrolyte layer, and firing the obtained laminated body to obtain a cathode. The anode material contains a metal oxide Ma1 and a nickel compound. The metal oxide Ma1 is a metal oxide having a perovskite structure represented by A1x1B11-y1M1y1O3-δ (wherein: A1 is at least one of Ba, Ca, and Sr; B1 is at least one of Ce and Zr; M1 is at least one of Y, Yb, Er, Ho, Tm, Gd, In, and Sc; 0.85≤x1≤0.99; 0<y1≤0.5; and δ is an oxygen deficiency amount).

PATENT LITERATURE 1 and 2 disclose using, as an ion conductor of a fuel cell, a perovskite type oxide such as barium zirconate doped with yttrium (hereinafter, referred to as "BZY"), barium cerate doped with yttrium, and a mixed oxide of barium zirconate/barium cerate doped with yttrium.
NON PATENT LITERATURE 1 states that BaY2NiO5 is generated as a by-product in the case where an anode of a fuel cell is formed by sintering the BZY and nickel oxide. Furthermore, NON PATENT LITERATURE 1 states that the BaY2NiO5 decomposes in an atmosphere containing water, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen, to generate decomposition products such as barium hydroxide [Ba(OH)2] and barium carbonate [BaCO3].


The object recognition system comprises: a detection unit for detecting a moving target object as an object to be recognized; an imaging unit for capturing a moving image of the target object; a control unit for controlling the state of objects, the state of which can be changed in a capturing area of the imaging unit, on the basis of the output of the detection unit such that a change in light quantity or hue between captured images due to the change in the state of the objects falls within a predetermined range; an identification unit for, upon detecting the change in the state of the objects included in the moving images, identifying a captured image to be recognized; and a recognition unit for recognizing the target object included in the identified captured image.

There is a method of associating a captured image with a position of a target object included in the captured image, when each captured image included in a moving image to be taken is used for recognition processing. As one example of the association, PTL 1, for example, describes a method of associating a position of a vehicle with a captured image, by flashing a light source unit, based on time, by an in-vehicle device that calculates a precise position and the time, and recording a time stamp in a captured image taken by a imaging device that captures a vehicle.

Object recognition system, object control device, object recognition device, object recognition method, object control method, and recording medium


A method of preserving a biomaterial according to the present invention includes the step of simultaneously applying negative DC voltage and AC voltage to a biomaterial (O). It is preferable that in the simultaneous voltage application step, the biomaterial (O) is stored in a container (1) that surrounds at least the periphery of the biomaterial (O), and a voltage application plate (2) supplied with negative DC voltage and AC voltage in a superposed manner is placed along one outer surface of the container (1), so that the voltage is indirectly applied to the biomaterial (O).

A conventional method of preserving a microorganism and animal derived material is disclosed, according to which AC or negative DC voltage in the range from 100 V to 5000 V is applied across an electrode to generate an electrostatic field atmosphere, and a microorganism or animal derived material is placed in the electrostatic field atmosphere at −20° C. to −40° C. for preservation. In this way, the microorganism or animal derived material is preserved in the electrostatic field atmosphere with the AC or negative DC voltage in the range from 100 V to 5000 V, preferably from 100 V to 3000 V, so that the microorganism or animal derived material can be preserved without inactivating or deactivating its activity or killing it (see for example JP 2005-112839 A).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A product merchandiser which can be adjusted to position the sign based on the size and shape of the particular product being merchandised, and on the space available on the shelf or counter in view of the proximity of the other products, such that the product information, e.g., product name and price, is clearly visible and associated with the product being merchandised.

Product merchandisers which display product and price information constructed to be situated in proximity to products are in widespread use, such as in department stores, specialty stores, warehouse stores, pet stores and grocery stores, among other establishments. One type of product merchandiser comprises a base adapted to rest on a shelf or counter, a vertical post having one end fixed to the base, and a sign connected to the other end of the base having product and pricing information. The prior art product merchandiser is situated on the counter proximate to the product.
One problem with conventional product merchandisers is that the size and shape of products widely vary and while a product merchandiser may be useful with a small product, it may not be sufficiently tall for use with a larger product. This problem often arises in connection with the use of conventional product merchandisers in deli cases in which meats, such as ham, sausage and cold cuts, cheeses, chicken, salads and other food products are displayed in proximity with each other. A product merchandiser may be effective for use with a large ham but be too tall for use with cold cuts.
Another problem with conventional product merchandisers occurs when a shelf or counter is crowded with many products in close proximity to each other. First, there may not be space on the counter or shelf to place the bases of a plurality of product merchandisers proximate to closely spaced products. Second, when the sizes and shapes of the products widely vary, it is difficult to situate a product merchandiser proximate to a respective product, and in a location at which the sign can be easily seen by consumers, and in which the sign will not itself obstruct other products and their product merchandisers. These problems are not uncommon in deli cases.


A tire, the tread of which comprises a rubber composition comprising a diene elastomer, such as, for example, an SBR or BR elastomer, a poly(vinyl ester) resin, at a content preferably of between 5 and 50 phr, and a reinforcing filler, such as silica and/or carbon black. The poly(vinyl ester) resin is in particular a vinyl ester homopolymer or copolymer of formula R—C(═O)O—CH═CH2, at least one of the vinyl ester monomers of which comprises a radical R having more than 2 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 20 carbon atoms. Such a composition makes it possible to improve the wet grip of the treads of the tire and also the processability of such a composition.

A tire tread has to meet, in a known way, a large number of often conflicting technical requirements, including a low rolling resistance, a high wear resistance and a high wet grip.
It has been possible to improve this compromise in properties, in particular from the viewpoint of the rolling resistance and the wear resistance, in recent years with regard to energy-saving "Green Tires", intended in particular for passenger vehicles, by virtue in particular of the use of novel weakly hysteretic rubber compositions having the characteristic of being reinforced predominantly by specific inorganic fillers described as reinforcing, in particular by highly dispersible silicas (HDS), capable of rivalling, from the viewpoint of the reinforcing power, conventional tire-grade carbon blacks.
However, the improvement in the wet grip properties of tires remains a continual preoccupation of tire designers.

Tire, the tread of which comprises a rubber composition a polyvinyl ester resin

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin


A mobile terminal can receive N or less different data streams transmitted in parallel over N antennas. The number of different data streams actually transmitted in parallel to the mobile terminal corresponds to transmission rank. If the speed of the mobile terminal does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the mobile terminal utilizes a full-size codebook containing precoder elements for all N transmission ranks to determine a recommended transmission rank and precoder matrix for use in transmitting data to the mobile terminal. Otherwise, the mobile terminal utilizes a reduced-size codebook which excludes the precoder elements for at least transmission rank-N to determine the recommended transmission rank and precoder matrix where transmission rank-N corresponds to N different data streams being transmitted in parallel over the N antennas. The mobile terminal transmits an indication of the recommended transmission rank and precoder matrix to the network.

Several new features added to the long term HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) evolution for meeting IMT-A (International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced) requirements increase average spectral efficiency. One possible technique for improving downlink performance is to introduce support for four branch downlink MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-output). For a fixed amount of transmission power, such an approach doubles the supported peak data rate so that 84 Mbps can be supported on a single downlink 5 MHz carrier. Also this feature improves the coverage for rank-1 and rank-2 transmissions due to the higher-order beamforming gain, where the term 'rank' refers to the number of different data streams transmitted in parallel over N antennas.
Multiple antennas employed at the transmitter and receiver can significantly increase system capacity. By transmitting independent symbol streams in the same frequency bandwidth, often referred to as spatial multiplexing (SM), a linear increase in data rates is achieved for an increased number of antennas. On the other hand, by using space-time codes at the transmitter, reliability of the detected symbols can be improved by exploiting so-called transmit diversity. Transmit diversity refers to a radio communication scheme which uses signals that originate from two or more independent sources and that have been modulated with identical information-bearing signals and that may vary in their transmission characteristics at any given instant.
Both the schemes mentioned above assume no channel knowledge at the transmitter. However, in practical wireless systems such as the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) and WiMAX systems, HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) etc., the channel knowledge can be made available at the transmitter via feedback from the receiver to the transmitter. The MIMO transmitter can utilize this channel information to improve system performance with the aid of precoding. In point-to-point systems, precoding means that multiple data streams are emitted from the transmit antennas with independent and appropriate weightings such that the link throughput is maximized at the receiver output. In addition to beam forming gain, the use of precoding avoids the problem of an ill-conditioned channel matrix.
The performance of 4×4 MIMO systems in general depends on the mobile terminal speed. As with other adaptive MIMO systems, the performance of a conventional system degrades at high mobile terminal speeds. The performance degradation is particularly severe for high SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) users. Another problem for a 4×4 MIMO capable mobile terminal is that determining the rank information and precoding index is cumbersome and involves many computations. The complexity at the mobile terminal becomes very large for closed loop MIMO when the codebook is large, significantly increasing the computational resources needed to perform conventional rank information and precoding index determination.

Method and apparatus for controlling adaptive rank multi antenna communication


A new adaptive pixel architecture, folded-multiple-capture (FMC), integrates synchronous self-reset and multiple capture schemes and advantageously eliminates the requirement of a high-frame-rate sensor array, which is essential for conventional image sensors with high dynamic range. The FMC comprises a per-pixel analog-front-end (AFE), a fine analog-digital convertor (ADC) stage, and a digital-signal-processor/controller (DSPC) stage. The AFE performs programmable gain control, synchronous self-reset, sample-and-hold, and enables disturbance detection. In the AFE, a comparator compares an integrator output with a threshold voltage and produces a binary sequence accordingly. The ADC utilizes the binary sequence and the folded multiple capture signals to estimate photocurrent. An image sensor embodying the present invention adapts integration time to signal level, has minimal per-pixel hardware requirement, provides a very high dynamic range, about 120 dB or more, at high speed, about 1,000 frames/s or more, detects and corrects subframe disturbances, and consumes significantly less power.

Cameras, visible and infrared, are currently being utilized in a wide variety of applications. For example, surveillance/security cameras are commonly used to observe and track people and their activities in certain areas/locations. In automotive applications, cameras have been integrated into modern cars and trucks to help drivers and, in some cases, to monitor passengers in case of an accident. In military applications, a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera is used to observe a scene or to track a target. Other applications include industrial/structural inspection, nondestructive-testing, thermo-graphic inspection, thermal infrared imaging, night vision, remote temperature measurement, aerospace imaging, multispectral imaging, unmanned vehicle payloads, spectroscopy, firefighting, transportation, etc.
The heart of the camera is an electronic circuit (i.e., a sensor array) that captures images and provides corresponding digital values for each pixel. The performance of the sensor array is essential to the performance of the camera as a system or device. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a conventional pixel sensor 100. A photoconductive diode (photo detector) produces a photo-induced current (Iph) 102, also known as "photocurrent", that is proportional to the amount of light 101 incident on the diode. When no light is incident on the diode, some leakage current (Idc) 103, also referred to as dark current, will flow through the diode. Total current (Itotal) 104 equals photo-induced current (Iph) 102 plus dark current (Idc) 103 per Kirchoff's current law. A current to voltage convertor/amplifier 105 converts the total current (Itotal) 104 to an analog voltage (Vtotal) 106. An analog-to-digital convertor (ADC) 107 then converts this analog voltage (Vtotal) 106 and correspondingly produces a digital signal, i.e., pixel value (Pvalue) 108.
Most imagers operate in a direct-integration mode where photocurrent is integrated over a capacitor. In its simplest and most area efficient form, integration is performed onto the photodiode parasitic capacitance. Many sensor arrays, including most of the infrared ones, use an external capacitor as the integrator. The accumulated charge is read out at the end of integration time. High integration time is desirable because it increases the accuracy of the estimated photocurrent. However, integration time cannot be made arbitrarily long due to integrator saturation and scene motion considerations. Frame rate also limits integration time.
The integrator outputs electrical signals representing the intensity of the image captured by the sensor array, i.e., the imager or the image sensor. It is important that the image sensor be usable under a variety of lighting conditions because the wider the variety of lighting conditions under which the image sensor is usable the better the image quality. Consequently, the quality of an imaging system is mainly measured by the image sensor's dynamic range and its ability to mask noises, i.e., its signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), under low light conditions.
Generally, signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) is the ratio of the signal power over the noise power. Dynamic range is the ratio of the maximum non-saturating signal to the minimum detectable signal (i.e., signal with SNR=1). The dynamic range of an image sensor measures how wide a range of lighting the sensor can accurately capture. For example, a scene including both a tree lit by bright sunlight and a person standing under the tree has a high dynamic range. This high dynamic range makes it difficult for the image sensor, such as one used in a camera, a video recorder, or a security monitor, to capture details of both the brightly lit tree and the person standing in the tree's shadow. Although in most of the applications a sufficiently high dynamic range is required, dynamic range of conventional sensor arrays (e.g., charge-coupled devices, or CCDs) is usually limited.
Several schemes have been proposed to increase the dynamic range of the sensor array, see, for example,    1. S. J. Decker et al. "A 256×256 CMOS Imaging Array with Wide Dynamic Range Pixels and Column-Parallel Digital Output" IEEE J. of Solid-State Circuits, December 1998, V. 33, pp. 2081-2091.    2. T. Lule et al. "Design and Fabrication of a High Dynamic Range Image Sensor in TFA Technology" IEEE J. of Solid-State Circuits, May 1999, V. 34, pp. 704-711.    3. W. Yang "A Wide-Dynamic Range, Low-Power Photosensor Array" IEEE Int. Solid-State Circuits Conf., San Francisco, Calif., February 1994, pp. 230-231.    4. L. G. McIlrath "A Low-Power Low-Noise Ultrawide-Dynamic-Range CMOS Imager with Pixel-Parallel A/D Conversion" IEEE J. of Solid-State Circuits, May 2001, V. 36, I. 5, pp. 846-853.    5. B. Fowler et al. "A CMOS Area Image Sensor with Pixel-Level A/D Conversion" IEEE Int. Solid-State Circuits Conf., San Francisco, Calif., February 1994, TP 13.5, pp. 226-227.    6. D. Yang et al. "A 640×512 CMOS Image Sensor with Ultrawide Dynamic Range Floating-Point Pixel-Level ADC" JSSCC, December 1999, V. 34, No. 12, pp. 1821-1834.    7. S. Kleinfelder et al. "A 10,000 Frames/s CMOS Digital Pixel Sensor" IEEE J. of Solid-State Circuits, December 2001, V. 36, No. 12, pp. 2049-2059.
All of these schemes would perform better if the required frame rate were low. The user or tracking/rendering program that uses the raw frames usually dictates the frame rate. Essentially, the incident photon flux constancy over the pixel limits the frame rate. Motion forces the required frame rate; however, a mechanical image stabilizer usually compensates fast vibrations, thereby relaxing the frame rate requirement, which, in most applications, is low (e.g., 30 Hz).
One major problem for cameras is the presence of disturbance. Disturbance is any anomaly in the constant incident photon flux on the pixel. For example, a fast temporary reflection of the sun can cause a temporary spike in the photon flux. This is a usual scenario in automotive applications. In tactical applications, laser jamming is a technique use to ruin the frames taken by the camera. For example, a one-watt carbon-dioxide laser at 10 μm creates five orders of magnitude higher photocurrent in a long-wave infrared detector than the sun. The random movement of such a laser by the target creates saturation or partial loss of information in the sensor array when it reaches the camera. A similar scenario is possible in security applications. Such events cause spikes in the incident photon flux, resulting in undesirable partial or complete loss of information.
The state-of-the-art mechanism to overcome this problem is to use a fast frame rate, high dynamic range sensor array with over-sampled frames to detect and correct such disturbances in digital domain. This technique requires a high-speed sensor array, which has a high sensitivity and high dynamic range. However, there are fundamental limitations in achieving such performance.
For example, in order to be able to detect a temperature difference of 1 mK, the maximum possible frame rate is only 25 frames per a second (=1/0.04) for a nominal long-wave infrared pixel. This low frame rate is enough for most applications; however, the disturbance frequency would require a sensor array with a substantially much higher frame rate, e.g., 10,000 frames/s.
Moreover, certain applications require averaging techniques in digital domain on over-sampled frames. This requires very high resolution in the analog-digital convertor (ADC) stage, which is extremely challenging. It is only achievable with very high power consumption.
Clearly, there is a continuing need in the art for a new pixel sensor design and architecture that offers pixel-level disturbance detection and correction without requiring the overall sensor array to have a high frame rate and that offers very high dynamic range at high speed with much lower power, bandwidth, and memory requirements.

Adaptive pixel for high dynamic range and disturbance detection and correction

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated chip comprising memory cells separated by a void-free dielectric structure. In some embodiments, a pair of memory cell structures is formed on a via dielectric layer, where the memory cell structures are separated by an inter-cell area. An inter-cell filler layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the via dielectric layer, and further filling the inter-cell area. The inter-cell filler layer is recessed until a top surface of the inter-cell filler layer is below a top surface of the pair of memory cell structures and the inter-cell area is partially cleared. An interconnect dielectric layer is formed covering the memory cell structures and the inter-cell filler layer, and further filling a cleared portion of the inter-cell area.

Many modern-day electronic devices include non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory is electronic memory that is able to store data in the absence of power. A promising candidate for the next generation of non-volatile memory is resistive random-access memory (RRAM). RRAM has a relatively simple structure, consumes a small cell area, has a low switching voltage, has fast switching times, and is compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic fabrication processes.

Method to form memory cells separated by a void-free dielectric structure

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


Photodetectors that produce detectivities close to the theoretical maximum detectivity include an electrically insulating substrate carrying a body of semiconductive material that includes a region of first conductivity type and a region of second conductivity type where the first region overlies and substantially covers the top and sides of the region of second conductivity type and where the junction between the first and second regions creates a depletion layer that separates minority carriers in the region of second conductivity type from majority carriers in the region of first conductivity type. These photodetectors produce high detectivities where radiation incident on the detectors has wavelengths in the range of about 1 to about 25 microns or more, particularly under low background conditions.

Photoconductive detectors made of mercury cadmium telluride semiconductor material are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,223, issued Apr. 6, 1976, and entitled, "Monolithic Photoconductive Detector Array." The '223 patent also discloses several methods for making such detectors, but none of these methods produces a detector that operates close to the theoretical maximum detectivity for wavelengths in the range of about 1 to about 25 microns, particularly for wavelengths in the range of about 10 to about 25 microns, and more particularly where such radiation appears in low background levels such as those having less than about 10.sup.17 photons/cm.sup.2 -sec.
A concurrently-filed, commonly assigned U.S. application entitled, "Photoconductive Detectors and Methods of Making Such Detectors," describes other processes for making photodetectors of the kinds disclosed hereinbelow.

Method of making photodetector with P layer covered by N layer


A DNA construct comprising:

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a transformant lacking a selective marker gene using site-specific recombination of yeast. After a gene of interest is transferred into yeast by using this method, a transformant of yeast deprived of a selective marker gene and transfected with a desired character can be obtained. Yeasts obtained by transformation methods of the present invention can be used to produce liquors or bread based on yeasts of the genus Saccharomyces, and are especially useful in producing beer.
Although many gene transfer methods concerning yeasts have been reported, all of these methods require a selective marker for selecting a transformant because of low gene transfer efficiency. Selective markers include those restoring auxotrophy, but typically consist of resistance genes to drugs such as antibiotics because auxotrophy is often difficult to confer to yeasts. However, it would be desirable to remove and reuse selective marker genes to repeatedly transform the same strain because few classes of drug resistance genes can be efficiently used in yeast. It would be also desirable to remove selective marker genes from transformants from the aspect of safety in commercialization of recombinants.
In order to solve these problems, methods for removing selective marker genes from transformants have been developed. An example of these methods uses site-specific recombination.
Site-specific recombination occurs when a recombinase acts on two recognition sequences consisting of specific nucleotide sequences recognized by said recombinase to induce recombination between said recognition sequences. These recombinations invite such events as deletion, insertion or inversion according to the arrangement of a pair of recognition sequences. Four site-specific recombinations are known, ie, Cre/lox derived from bacteriophage P1, FLP/FRT derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, R/RS derived from Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Gin/gix derived from bacteriophage Mu (each designated by the combination of a recombinase and the specific nucleotide sequence recognized by the recombinase).
Saccharomyces cerevisiae is known to have a cyclic double-stranded DNA called the 2 xcexcm plasmid in the cells, and the presence of a site-specific recombination mechanism in the 2 xcexcm plasmid has been shown (Broach, J. R., Guarascio, V. R. and Jayaram, M., Cell, 29, 227-234, 1982). The 2 xcexcm plasmid is a cyclic plasmid of 6318 bp, which is known to have a pair of inverted repeats of 599 bp in its molecule and to undergo site-specific recombination between these inverted repeats. The recombination site between these inverted repeats contains a spacer sequence of 8 bp flanked by short inverted repeats of 13 bp containing one mismatch (FRT sequences) and followed by another 13-bp inverted repeat at one end. Site-specific recombination occurs when a recombinase (Flp protein) expressed by the FLP gene encoded by the plasmid itself acts on the FRT sequences consisting of a specific nucleotide sequence present in the recombination site in the inverted repeats.
A known FRT sequence is a 34-bp sequence consisting of a spacer sequence of 8 bp and inverted repeats of 13 bp (J. F. Senecoff, R. C. Bruckner, and M. M. Cox, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 7270-7274, 1985). However, this 34-bp FRT sequence is not suitable for commercial use because site-specific recombination using this sequence leaves recognition sequences of the recombinase on chromosomes after recombination so that undesired recombination may be induced.
Thus, there was a need for suppressing recombination between recognition sequences left on chromosomes after recombination.
Some groups reported excision of selective marker genes using site-specific recombination with a recombinase and the recognition sequences of the recombinase, such as excision of selective marker genes using the FLP/FRT system in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (F. Storici, M. Coglievina and C. V. Bruschi, Yeast, 15, 271-283, 1999). Storici et al. used the kanMX4 gene or URA3K1 gene as a selective marker gene to transform Saccharomyces cerevisiae by integrating the selective marker gene between FRT sequences recurring in the same orientation in the case of Cir+ strains carrying the 2 xcexcm plasmid or integrating the selective marker gene together with the FLP gene between similar FRT sequences in the case of Cir0 strains lacking the 2 xcexcm plasmid. The resulting transformant was cultured in a non-selective medium to induce recombination between FRT sequences so that the selective marker gene was successfully removed. Taking advantage of the fact that a nucleotide change in the core (a 8-bp spacer sequence) of an FRT sequence induces recombination with a sequence having the same nucleotide change but suppresses recombination with a sequence having another nucleotide change, they suppressed undesired recombination between FRT a sequences left on chromosomes by using an FRT sequence having a different nucleotide change at each run of repeated transformation and excision of a selective marker gene. However, the selective marker gene excision efficiency of their method is as low as 0.01%-1.39% and thus it is not easy to select strains deprived of selective marker genes. Moreover, the number of nucleotide changes at the core of a FRT sequence is limited.
A method using the Zygosaccharomyces rouxii-derived site-specific recombination system R/RS in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was also developed (JPA 66587/98). According to this document, a selective marker gene and the R gene linked to a galactose-inducible promoter were integrated between RS sequences recurring in the same orientation to transform Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Several nucleotides were deleted from the outside of each of a pair of RS sequences flanking the R gene and the selective marker gene to suppress undesired recombination with RS sequences left after recombination. However, this method involved introducing a foreign gene for recombinase (R gene). Moreover, the excision efficiency of the selective marker gene varies with the strain of yeast to be transformed, and it is not easy to select strains deprived of a selective marker gene especially in commercial strains such as brewer""s yeasts and wild-type yeasts due to the low excision efficiency of the selective marker gene.
A sequence which inhibits growth of cells when it is highly expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (growth inhibition sequence) has been reported. Excision of selective marker genes with such a sequence has already been reported (M. Kawahata et al., Yeast 15, 1-10, 1999). Kawahata et al. inserted the URA3 gene and a growth inhibition sequence linked to a galactose-inducible promoter between the E. coli-derived hisG sequences of about 1.2 kb recurring in the same orientation and used this construct for transformation. They inserted the construct into a chromosome and then cultured it in a medium containing galactose to successfully remove the selective marker gene at an efficiency of 96% or more. However, this method is not suitable for commercial use because the selective marker gene is excised by homologous recombination to leave an unnecessary long sequence as an excision mark of the selective gene on the chromosome.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for preparing a transformant lacking a selective marker gene and efficiently expressing a desired gene of interest. It is also an object of the present invention to apply thus prepared transformant yeast to the production of liquors or bread, and especially beer.
We found a method for preparing a yeast transformant lacking a selective marker gene by combining FRT sequences and a growth inhibition sequence in order to solve the above problems.
Specifically, the present invention provides a DNA construct comprising:
(1) a selective marker gene,
(2) a galactose-inducible growth inhibition sequence,
(3) a pair of FRT sequences in the same orientation flanking (1) and (2), and
(4) a DNA fragment capable of recombining with a yeast chromosomal DNA located at each end of (3),
wherein said FRT sequences contain the following sequence: 5xe2x80x2-GAAGTTCCTATACTTTCTAGACAATAGGACTTC-3xe2x80x2 (SEQ ID NO: 1)
inverted spacer inverted
repeat (1) sequence repeat (1)
or a sequence substantially identical to said sequence, provided that in each member of said pair of FRT sequences, the inverted repeat distal from the flanked selective marker gene and growth inhibition sequence has at least one but no more than six nucleotides deleted on the side distal from the spacer sequence.
The present invention also provides a method for transforming a yeast of the genus Saccharomyces, comprising:
(1) transferring said DNA construct into yeast cells to integrate said DNA construct into a yeast chromosome by recombination between a DNA fragment capable of recombining with a yeast chromosomal DNA present in said DNA construct and the yeast chromosomal DNA,
(2) selecting yeast cells transfected with said DNA construct based on the expression of a selective marker gene contained in said DNA construct,
(3) culturing said cells in a non-selective medium to induce recombination between a pair of FRT sequences contained in said DNA construct, thereby excising the selective marker gene, and
(4) culturing said cells in a medium containing galactose to select growable yeast cells.
The present invention also provides a yeast of the genus Saccharomyces obtained by using said transformation method.
The present invention also provides a method for producing a beer using said yeast of the genus Saccharomyces.
The present invention also provides a beer obtained by said method.

Abstract: A DNA construct comprising:

Abstract: (1) a selective marker gene,

Abstract: wherein said FRT sequences contain the following sequence: 5xe2x80x2-GAAGTTCCTATAC TTTCTAGA GAATAGGAACTTC-3xe2x80x2 (SEQ ID NO: 1)

Abstract: or a sequence substantially identical to said sequence.


A device (1) for supporting a photovoltaic panel essentially includes a sealed plastic jacket (2), the plastic jacket (2) forming a lower wall (3), an upper wall (4), and four sidewalls (5, 6, 7, 8), the device including elements for securing a photovoltaic panel to the upper wall (4) of the plastic jacket.

The invention relates to a device for supporting a photovoltaic panel, as well as system for supporting photovoltaic panels, resulting from the assembly of supporting devices in accordance with the invention, and of connecting elements.
The field of the invention is that of photovoltaic installations, and more particularly floating photovoltaic installations.
In the field of floating photovoltaic installations, floating devices for supporting photovoltaic panels are known, comprising a support structure, in the form of a metal frame, supporting one or several photovoltaic panels and means for floating, integral at the lower portion with the support structure, in the form of plastic floaters.
These floating devices, of complex structure, are intended to be manufactured in a workshop, then to be conveyed by lorry to the site of implementation.
The implementation of a floating photovoltaic installation, according to prior art, requires substantial logistics, not only for the carrying out of the floating devices, in the workshop, but also for conveying them to the site of implementation, then assembling them.


The present teachings provide devices and methods of treating a tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distances between two papillary muscles. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distances along the right ventricle wall. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the distance between the distance of right ventricle outflow track and the right ventricle wall. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by changing the right ventricle sphericity index. Another aspect of the present teachings provides devices and methods for reshaping and resizing the right ventricle by reducing the tricuspid valve tethering height.

Tricuspid valve diseases relate to conditions in which the valve between the two right heart chambers (i.e., the right ventricle and the right atrium) doesn't function properly and they often occur with other heart valve problems. An example of tricuspid valve diseases is tricuspid valve regurgitation, where the tricuspid valve doesn't close properly and blood flows back into the right atrium. Uncorrected, functional tricuspid regurgitation has serious long-term morbidity and mortality. Another example is tricuspid valve stenosis where the tricuspid valve is narrowed, which reduces the amount of blood flowing into the right ventricle. Yet another example is tricuspid atresia, a congenital heart disease, where a solid wall of tissues blocks the blood from flowing between the two right heart chambers. Yet another example is the Ebstein's anomaly where a malformed tricuspid valve situates at a position lower than the normal position in the right ventricle, causing blood to flow back into the right atrium. There are other tricuspid valve diseases generally known to a person with ordinary skill in the art and these tricuspid valve diseases are also included in the present teachings.
A tricuspid valve disease can be corrected by an annuloplasty ring. In some instances, this device is preferred for surgically repairing a defect tricuspid valve. An annuloplasty ring is an anatomically-correct three-dimensional (3D) ring and can flexibly conform to the heart valve opening. This ring is implanted into a defect tricuspid valve and reduces the valve opening. Properly implanted, an annuloplasty ring allows the valve to open and close properly.
A tricuspid valve repair surgery can be done in one of the following two ways: a minimally invasive surgery or an open-heart surgery. A minimally invasive method involves making a small upper or lower chest incision and inserting a valve repairing system/device percutaneously. After the valve is repaired, the incision is closed with dissolving sutures. Advantages of a minimally invasive approach include a shorter recovery time, less post-operation pain, and earlier return to work and normal daily activities.

Percutaneous valve repair by reshaping and resizing right ventricle


The method for electrophoretic transport of at least one solute from a first solvent stream to a second solvent stream utilizes an apparatus having a housing, a pair of electrodes positioned with the housing, each electrode being positioned adjacent one of a pair of opposite ends of the housing and each being surrounded by a device to provide a flow of a buffer around the electrode, a first inlet device through which the first solvent stream is introduced into the housing and an associated outlet device, a second inlet device through which the second solvent stream is fed into the housing and an associated outlet device, a plurality of electrophoretic membranes extending in substantially parallel, space apart, array transversely of the housing and between the electrodes, the membranes being structured to define a first solvent path for the first solvent stream and a separate second solvent path for the second solvent stream. To help prevent membrane clogging the method includes the steps of stopping or reversing the voltage across the electrodes during the electrophoretic separation while maintaining a new movement of the solute species in the desired direction from the first solvent stream to the second solvent stream and while maintaining the first solvent stream in the first solvent path and the second solvent stream in the second solvent path.

Preparative electrophoretic separation of proteins and other compounds, i.e. separation by charge within an electric field, is normally carried out in a column of anticonvectant medium, e.g. chemical gel. The samples are delivered to the upper surface of the gel, electric potential is applied and, after a time interval, separated components emerge at the bottom of the gel column. The scale of this method of preparative separation is limited by the cross section of the gel which must not exceed the capacity of the system to remove heat generated by the current. This cross section can only be of the order of several square millimeters because of the very poor heat conductivity of the gel. The present invention aims to overcome these limitations in a number of ways.
It is also known to carry out electrophoretic separation as between free flowing streams either with free or fixed boundaries. In free boundary electrophoretic separation macromolecular species in solution, including colloidal solution, are separated as a stream of the solution is passed between charged electrodes. The stream is then divided, without remixing, into a plurality of parts with differing proportions of the molecular species present in the original stream (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,878,178, and British Patent specification 1,255,418). In fixed boundary electrophoretic separation a semi-permeable membrane acts as a filter through which the liquid stream passes (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,079,318) or acts to separate two streams of liquid between which at least one molecular species migrates under the electrophoretic influence (see PCT Patent specification W079/00002 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,613).
A problem with fixed boundary electrophoresis is the fouling or clogging of the membranes. The efficiency of the process depends upon:
1) maximum contact of the processed solution with the membrane surface, and PA1 2) unimpaired permeability of the membrane pores intended to permit the passage of the macromolecules in question. PA1 1) Upstream fluid phase; PA1 2) Upstream interface with membrane; PA1 3) Membrane gel; PA1 4) Downstream interface; PA1 5) Downstream fluid phase; PA1 1. Electrophoretic migration in the upstream fluid will be disturbed by a rapid turbulent flow. On the other hand a flow rate may be so slow that all the relevant components will migrate to the proximal part of the membrane, and a large distal part of the membrane may not participate in the process. Thus a preferred flow pattern in this phase is stepwise with one step following: designed to replace quickly the spent solution with a fresh one, followed by a stationary period to allow migration to the membrane. The optimal volume and duration of each cycle will depend on the prevailing conditions. PA1 2. The upstream fluid/membrane boundary may be blocked by obstructed molecules forming an insoluble film on the surface, a condition called "fouling" in filtration processes. When necessary this can be counteracted by temporarily reversing the electric field toward the end of each cycle to detach the aggregating molecules. Frequency and duration of field reversal must be determined experimentally and may be controlled manually or automatically by monitoring changes in electrical conductivity of the stack during each phase or cycle. PA1 3. Within the membrane the transport is dependent mainly on the characteristics of current and membrane composition and is isolated from the flow mechanics. PA1 4. In the downstream fluid phase a vigorous cross flow is desirable because it prevents molecules adhering to limiting membranes separating the solvent from the buffer streams and offers the opportunity for heat removal with the aid of an external heat exchanger. PA1 1. Stroke 1 (e.g. 5 seconds). Plunger out, pump filled with the solution withdrawn from the stack (replaced by fresh fluid sucked from the reservoir). PA1 2. Interval (e.g. 60 seconds) for electrophoretic transport, while the plunger is being slowly depressed, expelling pump effluent to a collection or recirculation reservoir. Current may be reversed by a linked mechanism during the last few seconds of the cycle.
Maximum contact, in turn, depends on uniform distribution of fluid flow in the spaces between the membranes. Because of the relatively slow passage of the fluid in electrophoretic separation manifolding of the flow through parallel spaces in a stack of electrophoretic membranes as well as ensuring a uniform flow of the fluid film along each space may be difficult because of preferential channelling due to slight differences in the geometry, air locks and similar imperfections. The present invention aims, in a first aspect, to overcome this problem.
It will be realised that membrane fouling or clogging can occur in fixed boundary electrophoretic separation when the pores in the membranes approach in size the molecules being separated. In a second aspect the present invention aims to overcome this problem.
A further problem with known fixed boundary electrophoretic separation has been the difficulty in maintaining a free flow of solvent between adjacent membranes. In a third aspect the present invention provides means to effectively space adjacent membranes while allowing free flow of solute therebetween.
A still further problem with known fixed boundary electrophoretic separation apparatus has been the physical problems of filling, emptying, cleaning and reassembling of a housing containing the electrodes and membranes. Conventionally such a housing has been formed substantially integrally with associated storage tanks, pumps, cooling apparatus and the like making the housing itself difficult to handle. In a fourth aspect the present invention provides improved apparatus for overcoming these physical handling problems.

Electrophoretic method for preparative separation of charged molecules in liquids


The present application discloses a method, apparatus and system for processing graphic objects in a flow diagram. Said method comprises obtaining a flow diagram and execution stage information generated when executing said flow diagram; obtaining a layout policy, wherein said layout policy at least designates the conditions for determining a primary path in the flow diagram using the execution stage information; determining the primary path using the execution stage information based on the layout policy; and displaying prominently said primary path during displaying said flow diagram. Owing to the present invention, the elements, such as a primary path, in a diagram in which a user takes interest can be found by the user easily to facilitate the user to understand the diagram. Furthermore, the diagram automatically arranged using the present invention is usually clear enough so that it is almost not required to be manually adjusted by the user.

A diagram editor is a development environment that automatically generates visual graphs for users. Microsoft® Visio is a more commonly used diagram editor among the existing ones and it allows the users to edit graphic objects and connection relations therebetween in a mouse drag and drop manner. After the graphic objects and the connection relations therebetween are determined, a graph can be automatically generated, and then the users may either manually adjust the graphic objects in the generated graph or only manually arrange the graphic objects in the graph thereby to generate a graph with a desired layout. Generally, the graph layout refers to how to arrange a plurality of objects with specified geometrical shapes within a limited space based on the specified requirements. The graph layout is one of the elements of graph design. Whether the graph layout is reasonable significantly influences the actual effect of a graph.
A plurality of layout algorithms are available in the prior art, and these algorithms are very useful for representing the relations between graphic objects and can calculate positions of connection lines, positions of nodes or both so as to generate a visual graph that for example presents data. FIG. 1A-FIG. 1B show schematic examples of graph layouts that can be carried out using the existing diagram editors. The results obtained from the existing layout algorithms fail to completely satisfy the users' needs. FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a visual graph of an order processing flow generated using the existing diagram editors. According to this figure, all graphic objects are uniformly distributed without crossings of connection lines, but it cannot be found therefrom which path or paths are primary path or paths and which paths are secondary paths. The reason is that the existing algorithms do not consider semantic meanings of the graphic objects while all the graphic objects are merely treated as plain boxes. In other words, the purpose of the existing algorithms is graphics-oriented and they intend to optimize some visual metrics, such as the number of crossings of connection lines, the distribution uniformity of graphic objects, etc. However, the above-mentioned visual metrics may not be the metrics the users care most. For example, the commonly used industrial flow diagrams usually have tens of or even hundreds of possible processing paths and different users may care the practical execution conditions of different paths instead of the visual effect of the complete flow diagram. Taking the physical distribution system as an example, the transportation department cares which transport path is the most commonly used, while the storage department cares which articles are imported and exported most frequently into and out of repository, so that the primary paths different departments expect to view in a graph are obviously different.

Method, apparatus and system for processing graphic objects

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION