A method and apparatus for detecting discontinued transmission (DTX) frames in data frames received over a link or channel, is described, where a DTX frame is a frame that does not carry data and which is transmitted with zero power over the link or channel. The method and apparatus determines whether a received data frame is a DTX frame based on a plurality of metrics. Based on the metrics, the method and apparatus may effectively discriminate a case where a data frame is received as an erasure (e.g., data frame received with errors), and a case where a transmitted data frame is received as a DTX frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to communication systems, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for detecting DTX frames in communication systems.
2. Related Art
Cellular telecommunication systems are typically characterized by a plurality of transceivers in mobile phones and base stations. Each transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver which communicate with each other via one or more links. A link typically comprises a plurality of communication channels such as signaling channels and traffic channels. Traffic channels are communication channels through which users convey (i.e., transmit and/or receive) user information. Signaling channels are used by the system equipment to convey signaling information used to manage, operate and otherwise control the system. The system equipment, which are typically owned, maintained and operated by a service provider, include various known radio and processing equipment used in communication systems. The system equipment along with user equipment (e.g., cell phone) generate and receive the signaling information.
Communication signals transmitted and received via communication links are often distorted by various anomalies that exist in the communication channels. These channel anomalies cause the signals to be received erroneously. For example, channel anomalies such as Rayleigh fading, frequency translation and phase jitter often cause the signals to lose power, so that a signal is received at a significantly lower power level than it was transmitted. As a result, signals adversely affected by channel anomalies are often received with errors. One way of preventing errors from occurring, or at least to reduce the likelihood of errors occurring, is by applying power control techniques to these communication systems.
Typically, a power control algorithm is performed at a base station. In looking at a signal received from a mobile, if the signal looks weak (e.g., based on detected frame error rate (FER)), the base station sends a command to either increase or decrease mobile station transmit power. For example, a comfortable level of quality in a voice system is possible with a FER of approximately 1%. If FER is much less than (<<) 1%, the mobile station is wasting power, and the power control algorithm located at the base station sends commands to the mobile requesting the mobile to reduce the transmit power. For FER much greater than(>>)1%, the level of quality is degraded and the base station sends a command to the mobile to bring the mobile transmit power up in order to restore quality.
Typically, in order to effect power control at the base station, two loops are utilized, termed "closed-loop power control": inner loop power control and outer loop power control. In an exemplary CDMA communication system for example, an inner loop power control algorithm ("inner loop"), which may operate at a speed of 800 Hz for example, is used to adjust the power at the transmitter. Thus, a base station measures a received signal to noise ratio (known as Eb/Nt) and compares the Eb/Nt value to a threshold. The threshold is used by the inner loop to determine a specified quality of service for power control. If the received Eb/Nt is too high (e.g., above the threshold), the base station transmitter sends a down power command to the mobile station, and vice versa where Eb/Nt is too low.
However, a communication path between base station and mobile station is not often line of sight (LOS), and is constantly changing due to the motion of the mobile station, or due to the mobile station's surroundings. As a consequence, path loss between the base station and the mobile station is constantly changing. Under these conditions, the threshold must be adjusted in order to maintain the quality of service of the radio link. The system that performs the function of adjusting the threshold (e.g., setting and adjusting the set point of the threshold) is called the outer loop power control ("outer loop"). Together with the inner loop, the outer loop forms the closed loop power control.
As noted above, the threshold is used to ensure quality of service of the radio link and typically depends on the speed of the mobile and the RF environment in the surroundings of the mobile. The speed in which the outer loop updates (adjusts) the threshold is lower than the inner loop speed. Typical the outer loop operates at a speed of 50 Hz, which is lower than the speed of the inner loop. Thus if the mobile is moving at a low speed, in relation to the base station, the outer loop is effective in adjusting the threshold. However, at high speeds (e.g., in a fading condition environment such as an environment subject to Rayleigh fading) the outer loop is not effective in tracking the changes of the RF conditions. Typically the outer loop is tuned to operate at low FER for efficiency. Thus, a small fraction of all data frames (frames) received by the base station constitute frames that are received with errors. These frames received with errors are called "erasures". The instance of receiving an erasure triggers the outer loop to increase the threshold (e.g., raise the set point of the threshold). When a frame is received without error (e.g., normally received), the outer loop lowers the threshold slightly in order to decrease its transmitted power and interference to other mobiles.
However, due to a mechanism that is fundamentally different from closed loop power control, the base station can receive frames in error, if the mobile decides not to transmit frames at a given time. For example, if the mobile does not have data to send to the base station, but the mobile wants to maintain the connection (e.g., maintain the data channel up) to the base station, the mobile is allowed to maintain the data channel up and set the power of a given transmitted frame to zero. This can happen at any time during the data transmission. This condition, where the mobile station actually transmits a frame, but the frame contains no data and has its power (e.g., gain) set to be zero, is called a Discontinued Transmission (DTX) mode. DTX mode can be initiated by the mobile at any time, without informing the base station (e.g., the base station has no knowledge that the mobile station has shifted to DTX mode). Accordingly, frames that do not carry data and which are transmitted with zero power are called "DTX frames". The mobile station transmits DTX frames to the base station to avoid bringing down the connection (data channel) when the data traffic is bursty. For example, data in cellular communications is typically transmitted in bursts (e.g., many consecutive frames of data transmitted, followed by silence, followed by another "burst" of data, etc.).
To the base station, both DTX frames and erasures exhibit similar signal strength around the noise level. Thus, it is difficult for a base station receiver to distinguish between DTX frames and erasures. The base station must perform some type of efficient blind detection in order to efficiently distinguish DTX frames from erasures.
Received frames that are incorrectly identified as DTX frames by a receiver prevent the outer loop from increasing the threshold, which potentially may cause additional erasures. Further, received frames that are incorrectly identified as erasures cause the outer loop to unnecessarily increase the set point of the threshold increasing interference and ultimately decreasing the call capacity of the system.
The ideal response of the closed-loop power control algorithm when processing DTX frames is fundamentally different from a response to processing erasures. For example, if a DTX frame is received, the power control outer loop should freeze the threshold (e.g., maintain the threshold at a given set point) for the duration of the DTX. However, if a frame undergoes a channel fade and an erasure is actually received, the outer loop should increase the threshold in order to maintain quality of service of the link. Since the response of the outer loop depends on the detected state of the received frames, DTX detection by the receiver must be reliable.
DTX frames are detected at the receiver end. In the forward link, DTX detection is done at the mobile station, while in the reverse link, DTX detection is performed at the base station. Typically, DTX detection is accomplished using a technique that compares a metric, such as a measured traffic energy value of the channel or symbol error rate (SER) value of the transmitting channel, against the threshold. If the metric is lower than the threshold, then the frame is declared DTX; otherwise the frame is an erasure. However, the reliability of this technique is susceptible to noise fluctuations that cause detection errors. Further, this susceptibility increases as the transmitted signal becomes weakened.
Accordingly, power control algorithms using existing DTX detectors (e.g., a DTX detector using a single channel energy metric or a single SER metric) must tune operation based on a compromise between two opposing requirements: (1) a requirement to minimize the probability that a DTX frame is detected as an erasure ("P(E|D"), in order to increase the link capacity; and (2) a requirement to minimize the probability that frames transmitted and received in error (e.g., erasures) are detected as DTX frames, in order to avoid a burst of errors in the link. This second probability is referred to as P(D|E).
Typically, this compromise is arranged so as to maximize link capacity, i.e., the DTX detector is operated such that P(E|D) is small (less than 10% of the target frame error rate (FER) of the link). When a DTX detector is tuned in this way, P(D|E) increases to unacceptable levels. This is particularly undesirable for traffic channels where the coding is efficient (e.g. turbo-coding), and to traffic channels where the average traffic energy of transmitted frames such as erasures are close to the traffic energy of frames that are not transmitted (e.g., DTX frames). In order to overcome this deficiency, to avoid a burst of frame errors, and to avoid degradation of the quality of service of the traffic channel, the conventional power control algorithm used by existing DTX detectors must increase the transmitted power when DTX frames are detected. The power increase thus unnecessarily decreases link capacity. Thus, the existing DTX detector is not effective in maintaining the probability of false DTX frame detection low.

Method and apparatus for DTX frame detection


A coil apparatus includes a base having a front surface and a rear surface, a magnetic portion provided on a side of the front surface of the base, and a coil portion which is provided on an opposite side from the base with respect to the magnetic portion and includes a conductive wire. The magnetic portion includes a first passing region, the base includes a second passing region, and the conductive wire is drawn out from the rear surface of the base through the first passing region and the second passing region.

Conventionally, a coil apparatus including a base included in an installation surface, a coil portion disposed on a front surface side of the base, and a cover attached to the base to cover the coil portion has been known as a coil apparatus (for example, Patent Document 1). Each of both ends of the coil portion is connected to a conductive wire.


A tubular staff has sections which can be collapsed one into the other down to a very small size. The sections are held together by peripheral clamps snap-tightened by a small lever. There is a ground spike at the bottom of the staff which itself can be removed and stowed within the staff. A firearm cradle can be on top and one end of a small elbowed rod goes either into the top of the staff or into the cradle, if one's there. The rod's other end attaches to a hole in a hunting bow to support it until game arrives. Instead of the elbowed rod, an accessory supporting structure can likewise be set into the staff or cradle. The linkage of the accessory support is a bendable length of ball and socket joints available from certain industrial sources so that the camera angle or telescope can be properly manipulated.

1. Field of the Invention
Hunting equipment; sporting goods
2. Description of the Prior Art
Occasionally a descriptive term in this application may be shortened so as to recite only a part rather than the entirety thereof as a matter of convenience or to avoid needless redundancy. In instances in which that is done, it is intended that the same meaning be afforded each manner of expression. Thus, the term cradle emplacement peg (31) might be used in one instance but in another, if meaning is otherwise clear from context, expression might be shortened to emplacement peg (31) or merely peg (31). Any of those forms is intended to convey the same meaning.
The term attach or fasten or any of their forms when so used means that the juncture is of a more or less permanent nature, such as might be accomplished by nails, screws, welds or adhesives. Thus it is stated herein that the preferable connection of the lower portion of a cammed lever enwrapping clamp (81) to the lower of two conjoining segments (13) is one of attachment. A connection in which one object is easily removed from another is described by the word emplace, as where it is stated herein that a portion of the camera connection link (5) may be emplaced within the staff's bushing tunnel (17). A connection in which two objects, although not attached could be separated only with considerable difficulty is referred to herein as one of rigid emplacement. The fastening together of two staff segments (13) by a cammed lever enwrapping clamp (81) is stated herein to be such a connection. Employment of the words connector join or any of their forms is intended to include the meaning of any of those terms in a more general way.
The word comprise may be construed in any one of three ways herein. A term used to describe a given object is said to comprise it, thereby characterizing it with what could be considered two-way equivalency in meaning for the term. Thus, it is stated that the tight joints of an articulated linkage of accessory support (55) comprise a ball and socket series (56) of rotable hinges, meaning that the latter is in fact the former. The term comprise may also be characterized by what might be considered one-way equivalency, as when it is stated herein that in a given model of the subject matter hereof, three cammed thumb lever clamps (81) at the sectional juncture sites comprise the sectional connecting means (8), meaning that in the given instance, the three clamps (81) are themselves the means (8). This use of the word has a generic sense to it. That is, those clamps (81) will always be means (8); but means (8) might suitably be those members (81) only in one case but, something else in another. However, the word comprise may also be used to describe a feature which is part of the structure, composition or property of a given object. Thus, a preferable bow connection anchor (4) is said to comprise an elbowed, or L-shaped, rod (40). The meaning in the respective cases is clear from context, however. Accordingly, modifying words to clarify which of the three uses is the intended one seem unnecessary.
Terms relating to physical orientation such as top or bottom, upper or lower, upwards or downwards, refer to the positioning of a bow (100), firearm (200), camera (300), spotting scope (400)—a powerful telescopic instrument used to locate game at considerable distance—or any of the components thereof (100, 200, 300, 400) in the manner they (100, 200, 300, 400) would be typically oriented when held in use or supported in readiness; or otherwise, as shown in the drawings. Thus, a segmented (13) tubular staff (71, 72) is spoken of as providing a bottom segment (65) and an upper one (67). The lower portion of a cammed lever enwrapping clamp (81) is said to be configured to tightly retain the upper portion of the lower of two conjoining segments (713) but, under certain circumstances, enwrap the upper of the two (713) loosely. The staff (1) is similarly addressed in terms of its lower (11) and upper (12) ends. So, too, with the extremities of the ground spike (2) which in most other instances are identified by more specific functional names (22, 23, ante). Expressions in terms of longitudinality refer to an object in terms of its longest dimension.
The word co-axial herein is defined to mean with reference to two objects or elements that they share the same longitudinal axis. Thus, in preferred arrangements, the ground spike (2) is said to be co-axial with the staff (1) it (2) is connected to.
By definition herein, the term "transverse" or derivations thereof expressed relative to another structure means generally right angled—as with the configuration of the elbowed rod (40) addressed herein—as distinguished from a precise 90° angle.
The term reeve, or any of various forms thereof, is occasionally employed herein. It is stated, for example, that for interconnection purposes in certain prior art references, an elastic cord was reeved longitudinally through a staff's segments (713).
The terms bow (100) readiness support or firearm (200) readiness support as used herein addresses the aspect in which they (100, 200) are disposed to be quickly and easily picked up for use upon the approach of game. This meaning differentiates from placement in which the hunting implement is ready for immediate shooting—hereinafter identified as Type I modality, ante. The word stow is used to denote placement of a very temporary sort. Thus, to say that a bow (100) or firearm (200) is stowed, as opposed to being stored, would include the notion of emplacing either (100, 200) in readiness support, supra. In a related sense, the expression steadiness, in conjunction with a camera (300) or spotting scope (400), concerns the matter of picture taking or telescopic viewing without the occurrence of undue movement.
In that respect, certain other words may also occasionally be coined herein to simplify discussion by interchanging noun, verb or adjective or by modifying certain words. It takes little imagination to understand, for example, that the coined word turnable, expressed in connection with certain prior art control cranks or handles, derives from the word turn. So too, in the case of interconnective and forwardly. The words rotable and rotability are other examples of coining use denoting an object's capability of being turned without undue impediment within a seat it is disposed in, as opposed to suggesting a rapidly spinning behavior or some other sort of circular motion which might be addressed by the more cumbersome word rotatable. The adjective pivotal also represents rotable disposition. In a similar vein, the expression collapsibility derives from collapse and stowablity from stow. The term interthread and its derivations addresses the coengagement of mated threaded parts, a bolt and nut, for example. The word staff (1, 701) denotes an elongated or post-like structure. The term substitutive interchangeability is meant to express in a given novel scheme that one part or subassembly may be substituted for another for an alternative use, such as by substituting in emplacement an accessory connection link (5) for a bow connection anchor (4).
The term enwrapment, derived from enwrap, describes a physical relationship in which a given object is at least partially cloaked—or more specifically, wrapped up in—a second encompassing one.
Although adjustment schemes comprising set screw and aperture adjustment features (787, 789) are sometimes distinguished for purposes of discussion herein from those employing wing nuts or thumbscrews (788), they (787, 788, 789) are all so similar functionally that their (787, 788, 789) identifiers are occasionally interchanged. It does not appear that doing so is a factor material to patentability.
The word collapsible and its derivations is used herein to indicate an object's capability of being contracted in bulk to improve portability or stowability. As used herein, these words describe the manner in which an object or article comprising tubular elongation (71) comprises sections or segments (13) which slide together to some degree—one into another in what is herein termed rod and sleeve fashion, and that other, in turn, into yet another—so as to reduce total length. The expression telescope and its derivations have often been used in the art in a vague manner and for use in that connection are, therefore, eschewed herein. It is often unclear whether that term is meant to express that a first piece slides into a second one slightly or whether in its entirely; or whether the two pieces are fixed, one within the other, in immobility. It is thought the term may have been borrowed from that describing the sea-faring magnifying piece which so conveniently folded together concentrically. Employing instead with reference to tubular staff (71) configuration the terms derived from the root collapse should, it is hoped, obviate those vagueness difficulties.
Because even the word collapsible could, without more, denote either a partial or total condition or capability, the expression ultra-collapsibility is given to describe the latter case. Thus, an ultra-collapsible tubular staff (71) would permit its reduction to a very small size compared to its extended longitudinality such that, for example, a three-piece length is made to comprise no more than approximately that of one of its sections (13).
By definition herein, a bushing (16), even without more being said, comprises a socket or tunnel (17) and should be considered to comprise either of them (17) interchangeably. Moreover, when the disposition of a flange (14) is said to be circumferential, it is meant that it is the very rim of the tubular object (71) which comprises that configuration. And the term axial is relegated to an object's longitudinal dimension. The word tubular (71) includes elongated hollow structures having any one of a variety of cross sectional configurations. The term curvilinear includes those which are round, oval, ovoid and the like. Similarly, the cross sectional configuration expressed as rectangular (75) includes that which is squared (74).
Although remarks concerning the bow (100) are occasionally compounded as hunting bow (100), the matters therein presented are intended to apply interchangeably to those (100) used for archery, even though not explicitly so expressed.
To the extent any given prior art component comprises part of the subject matter hereof in combination, the same reference number might well have been assigned in each case. Where the number of such adopted components is substantial, however, identical reference number designation might prove confusing. Accordingly, throughout this disclosure, the reference number for any prior art feature or component shared by the subject matter hereof, though identical, is spoken of as having added 700 to it—that is, thereby raising the identifier to the 700s. In the main, this is merely a matter of written disclosure, except for the occasional inclusion of some of them in prior art renderings among the drawings. By way of this convention, then, the prior art reference for the ground spike hereof, "(2)", is said to be "(702)", that for the segmented staff "(13)", as "(713)", and so on.
Hunting stands, of course, sometimes comprised elaborate constructions wherein the framework itself provided more than enough support for bow (100), firearm (200), camera (300) or spotting scope (400). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,439 issued to Woodruff featured a seating structure allowing for emplacement of a bow connection anchor (704) which, together with the bow (100), could be lifted for use in Type IV modality, ante. U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,685 B1 issued to Taylor comprised a rack-like construction against which either a bow (100) or firearm (200) could be lain and extracted for use in that same way. As we shall see, however, stable as they might be for supporting purposes, the provision of cumbersome structures of that sort is not among the objectives hereof.
In considering an assembly for readiness bow (100) support, or photographic steadiness for a camera (300) or spotting scope (400), it is instructive to examine and, perhaps, borrow some of the sisterhood features of firearm (200) aiming supports.
The forcing of a pointed ground spike (702) into the underlying soil (500), for example, is extensively addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,625 issued to Jenkins and references reported therein. The feature (702) enabling that undertaking was often adopted for reasons of reliability and simplicity whether or not it (702) was embellished with a foot thruster (725). One of the versions of the cited Narvaez reference, ante, comprised a ground spike (702) wisely inverted for stowage within a segmented (713) tubular staff (771).
In that connection, reliance upon a monopod staff (701) whose bulk might be of take-apart configuration or otherwise collapsible for purposes of stowage and portability echoes from the past with resonance at least equally respectable to that of the ground spike (702), foot thruster (725) and other adoptive features. The Jenkins patent and many of those cited there were no exceptions to that oft-followed trend toward convenient collapsibility.
A Narvaez model, ante, for example, featured among the Jenkins references, employed either a snap-fit spring loaded beach umbrella type connector or an interthreading ring for height adjustment. The assemblies of Jeranek, Canterbury, Sr., Fritschka, Parker and Helmstadter comprised set screw (787) adjustment connectors. Uhl's collapsible sections (713) were unitized by a twist-together series of slot and pin fittings.
In Kramer and Underwood, the segments (713) were interconnected by an elastic cord reeved through them (713) longitudinally. Webster, ante, presented external spring laden friction clamps for interconnection. Groba's connector used a similar frictional principle and, the tubular (771) sections (713) were simply, but cleverly, configured with flanged connective ends (714) specifically comprising mutually engaging turned annular beads—a simple technique well worth adopting—to keep the pieces from merely falling apart from each other, ante.
The most pertinent Jenkins references comprise U.S. Pat. No. 879,052 issued to Jeranek; U.S. Pat. No. 1,112,732 issued to Uhl; U.S. Pat. No. 1,147,890 issued to Purcell; U.S. Pat. No. 1,456,304 issued to Fritschka; U.S. Pat. No. 2,690,211 issued to Wentz; U.S. Pat. No. 3,156,062 issued to Stevenson, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,821 issued to Glebe; U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,084 issued to Anderson, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,554 issued to Helmstadter; U.S. Pat. No. 4,089,423 issued to Gorham; U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,964 issued to Minneman; U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,021 issued to Groba; U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,066 issued to Canterbury, Sr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,869 issued to Webster; U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,391 issued to Klipp; U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,965 issued to Narvaez; U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,619 issued to Eckert; U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,874 issued to Troncoso, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,678 issued to Kramer; U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,693 issued to Underwood; U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,817 issued to Parker.
There was, of course, a line of development belonging solely to the bow (100), ostensibly having nothing to do with any firearm (200) support. A suitable prop for a bow (100) permitted putting it (100) aside in readiness so that the hunter remained unencumbered by its (100) awkward, cumbersome bulk while awaiting the arrival of game. Under most practical circumstances, hunting bows (100), particularly the modern ones (100), are too heavy to be actively attended in a position poised for the shot. From what we see in the art, we may consider arrangements for the bow's (100) use in relation to its (100) standard or support as one of four sorts.
A Type I modality is one in which the bow's (100) connection to the support is usually one either of attachment or rigid emplacement, as those terms are defined herein, supra, as might be the case where the arrow is merely discharged from a ready-to-shoot posture or, at least, something closely approximating it. While arrangements of that sort have been more appropriate for firearm (200) use, in the few instances in which they were suggested, they had to have compromised bow (100) use or convenience in portability. There, readiness stowability would have been provided at the expense of shooting accuracy and convenience.
A Type II scheme permits picking up the bow (100) from its (100) moorings but only after undertaking significant manipulative efforts—unfettering well secured connections and the like. That arrangement, unfortunately, has entailed an unwanted time lapse for game to escape while getting set for shooting and often has not been as quiet in operation as desired.
In Type III, the bow (100) could be picked up for use but only with all or a significant portion of the standard along with it (100). It was understandably thought better to bear a little extra weight and bulk while shooting than frighten away the game by unsnapping clamps or binders.
A Type IV construction involves merely the picking up of an emplaced bow (100) such that it (100) is entirely free of any part of the support or at most, carries along a very small portion of it. Those have been the most preferred of the lot. Even so, the looseness of their connections often subjected them to risk of unsteadiness on difficult terrain or perhaps to dislodgment by too stiff a breeze.
But means of readiness stowability is but one criteria for comparison. Whether for firearm (200) or bow (100) operation, portability has always been-a significant factor. Any hunting kit which can be collapsed within itself—"telescoped", as some vaguely say for sectional constructions (713)—will invariably have an edge over one wherein that capability is absent. Packing and carting a fully extended staff (701) in a rack atop an automobile or within its trunk, while plausible, is too cumbersome an undertaking for the likes of most hunters. A spiked (702) assembly makes the task just that much more difficult.
Important patents following the bow (100) support line were U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,044 issued to Regard III; U.S. Pat. No. 3,991,780 issued to Maroski, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 1,851,779 issued to Slater; U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,820 issued to Butcher, Sr.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,981 issued to Breedlove; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,140 issued to DiMartino.
The Regard III assembly comprised three-point support, the contact with the ground (500) by the bottom tip of the bow itself (100) counting for one of them. Whatever objections some have voiced concerning ground (500) contact by the bow (100) because of imagined potential for damage—say, to a bowstring reel usually disposed at that low extremity in the modern hunting implements—the additional stability afforded thereby without the inclusion of additional apparatus evinces cleverness in design. The other two support sites were provided by a pair of flexible leg-like extensions which could be gathered against the bow (100) and snapped in place when the bow (100) was picked up for use. By reason of the manipulation required, the assembly demonstrated Type II configuration; but by reason of the keeping together of the entire assembly—however compacted and light in weight-indicated also that of Type III. The grounded (500) bow (100) and bendable legs of the assembly primarily of focus in U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,992 B1 issued to Meeks, et. al. appear to have wisely followed the Regard III lead.
The Maroski, Jr. assembly featured, among other things, two-point support upon a two-piece (713) ground spiked (702) tubular staff (771) adjustable in height by means of a wing nut (788) and a series of spaced holes (789) therein (771). The assembly illustrated a Type IV configuration in that the bow's (100) curvature permitted it (100) to rest delicately against two supportive sites disposed along the length of a ground-spiked (702) staff (701). Because of the looseness of its (100) stowage, it is doubtful the bow (100) would have endured a strong wind. For that contingency, the assembly also comprised an attached rope which might have been tied to a tree branch or other anchoring site (550).
Slater also provided Type IV configuration wherein the bow (100) rested horizontally upon a shelf borne by a ground spiked (702) staff (701). While there were no impediments to its (100) removal for shooting—as with Maroski, Jr.—the arrangement must have lacked stability in the face of the elements.
Butcher, Sr., featured three-point retention upon a staff (701) vaguely suggested to be adjustable in height by a set screw (787) and collar combination. Removal of the bow (100) required working it (100) out of a ring-like retention yoke, thereby evincing the less preferred Type II configuration. One of the models comprised a ground spike (702).
The DiMartino ground spiked (702) assembly comprised for a connection mechanism a turnable handle similar to that used to open and close a tool-bench vise. The necessity for manipulation upon release portrayed Type II modality.
Although the "preferred embodiment" mentioned in Breedlove is touted to permit height adjustment by reason of "telescopic" and "lockable" features, specific details are wanting both in his drawings and written disclosure. The 22 page patent focuses primarily upon a pivoting elbow to which a longitudinal extension doubles for use either as a vertically oriented bow (100) support or a horizontally projecting stabilizing rod (402). Practicality may have, therefore, dictated some obtuseness concerning height adjustment and collapsible capabilities. After all, several unremarkable alternative tube (771) clamping mechanisms then known included the set screw (787) or wing nut (788), with or without threaded apertures (789); the snap-fit spring loaded button and receptor hole configuration found in lawn and beach umbrellas; and a threaded ring connection vaguely suggested in the first of the drawings. The model presented sans ground spike (702)—that almost exclusively addressed therein—surprisingly, but necessarily, portrays Type III configuration wherein the bulk thereof is removed from an anchored socket for shooting. In a variation comprising the ground spike (702), however, the assembly remains fixed for use in Type I modality. Aside from that, however, the patent admirably addresses the oft-overlooked difficulty of want of sufficient space between the forwardly displaced curvature of the bow (100) and the support, recognizing that the limbs of modern bows (100) are formed with sufficient convexity to interfere with most standards unless some provision is taken to address the matter. Certainly, any support which attaches to a bow (100) should do so at a site thereon (100) which provides the required clearance; or at least provide a stabilizing rod (402) or similar structure which allows for the clearance. Because a bow's anchoring well (401) provides such a convenient connection site for the support, its (401) optimal placement constitutes an important matter to acknowledge in bow (100) manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,643 B1 issued to Golfieri illustrated Type IV modality wherein a projection from an aimed and handheld bow (100) was disposed to merely rest upon a set screw (87) and threaded aperture (89) height adjusting arrangement. The arrangement there, however, merely assisted the shooting operation, providing no capability at all for independent readiness stowability.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,240 issued to Gorsuch, a Type IV support system wherein the bow (100) was merely lifted from a hanger for use, featured a length adjusting scheme similar to those discussed supra for lawn umbrellas and even then, only for horizontal longitudinality. Additionally, the tubular configuration (771) was of squared (774) rather than cylindrical (772) cross section.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,569 issued to Chalin, et. al., a Type IV system also, boasts a "unique" system for collapsible tubular interconnectibility, employing what is described as an "internal locking mechanism". However, because of drawing conventions undertaken which are non-traditional to patent presentation, specific details appear to be vague or wanting altogether. A series of off-center circular renderings suggest a circularly bent leaf spring camming operation. Those may have been intended to reflect in combination known prior art mechanisms rather than any construction of novelty. A system of cylindrical tube (771) staff segment (713) interconnection by means of the joining feature suggested would, indeed, be useful. Although the use of the term "telescopic" and the illustrated diameter of respective segments (713) suggest the capacity to slide one thereof (713) into another (713), the extent to which that is possible is not explained. Thus, while it would be theoretically possible for the assembly to comprise what is defined herein as ultra-collapsibility, that is not entirely clear.
Reliance upon the historical firearm (200) supports, supra, provides yet another useful avenue of pursuit. Where they are concerned, the cradle (703) has been one of their near-essential ingredients. A reference encompassing not only that (703) but other features pertinent hereto is U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,667 issued to Smilee. That assembly illustrates three-point support for a rifle (200) and comprises a ground spike (702), foot thruster (725), two in-line cradles (703) and a two-section (713) tubular staff (771) comprising set screw (788) and aligned threaded receptor holes (789). Because of the respective segment (713) lengths, the arrangement does not qualify as ultra-collapsible but does permit partial contraction. The unit is constructed to allow respective parts thereof to pivot together for stowage.
The cradle (703) may also be found in abundance under the Jenkins references, supra. It (703) is part of the Narvaez assembly, for example, wherein azimuth settings may be changed by turning a handle and those for height, by manually effected pin and aperture connections. That (703) provided by Jeranek is suggested as having rotable emplacement. Glebe provided a fold-up version (703) retained in place upon the staff (701) by acentric principles. In Purcell, the firearm (200) was cradled merely upon a hand-held coil spring (703). The cradle (703) in Webster was well designed in allowing for rotable emplacement of an accessory connection link (705) within it (703).
The modern bow (100), however, is generally provided with cradle-like configuration at the site thereon (100) the arrow is emplaced for release and flight. When using even the more traditional one (100), however, the arrow has been steadied merely upon the operator's grasping fist. One would not, therefore, expect to find a bow (100) supporting assembly dedicated to dual use—bow (100) stowage under some circumstances and firearm (200) aiming support under others. Absent special arrangements, a firearm cradle (703) would seem to have just gotten in the way.
Along the way, it also became apparent that once an acceptable staff (701) had been devised, it (701) might, if appropriately configured, double also as an accessory connection link (705). A camera (300) and a spotting scope (400) are each generally configured with a threaded well (301) at their (300, 400) respective undersides within which various tripods or other supportive standards may interthread for attachment. Thus, the uppermost portion of Webster's segmented staff (713), supra, provided an accessory connection link (705) comprising the usual threaded accessory connecting sector (758) at its accessory connecting end (751) and a rotable emplacement end (752) for its (705) connection to the staff (701).
The challenge in accessory (300, 400) supporting arrangements is to provide some means of maneuverability to the support by which the accessory's (300) angular position might be selectively controlled. These are identified herein in the generic sense as positional adjustment axis support means (53, 753). More specifically, for example, accessory supports at prior art sometimes comprised a protractor-like arrangement (54) for adjustment in a vertical plane. Ideally, easily manipulated accessory (300) adjustment in any of the three dimensions is, by far, that most preferred. There are jointed bendable solid composition linkages used for certain industrial purposes—such as to control the jet of a coolant for cutting tools, ante—which provide the sought-after flexibility. The legs in one embodiment of the Meeks, et. al. reference, supra, suggest another, although its specific configuration is not clearly disclosed therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,256 B1 issued to Tolar functionally coupled a dual-function firearm cradle (703) with a horizontally rotable camera (300) support. More interestingly, for connection to a rod-like extension, cammed peripheral clamping means—somewhat resembling an oil filter wrench—are shown which potentially have application to a segmented tubular staff (713).
As one will observe supra, the holding together of a tubular staff's (771) sectional components (713) has always presented a challenge. There has emerged from the art, however a mechanism—available in various sizes—capable of tightly housing the ends of the respective tubular (771) segments (713) in opposition, holding them (713) firmly in place end-to-end, and then providing a situs—a cammed clamp sector (82) comprising for the camming action a clearance opening (84)—a window within which a hinged (83) cammed lever clamp (81) is made to bear down peripherally upon the end of a respective one of them (713). The clamp (81) is disposed at each interconnective junction between segments (713).
Thus, two tubular segments (713) can be longitudinally fixed together. The interior of the clamp (81) is configured in size to accommodate the respective diameters of the segments (713). The lower portion of the clamp (81) is configured to enwrap the upper portion of the lower conjoining segment (713) snugly, preferably by means of attachment. The upper portion of the clamp (81) is configured to loosely enwrap the upper segment (713) when camming action is not applied but retain it (713) snugly when it is. Where segments (713) comprise successively larger diameters from top to bottom such that the first at the top slide into a second and the second into a third and so on, to effect a proper fit, the interior of the upper end of each clamp (81) is accordingly made smaller than the interior of the lower end.
Without further undertaking, when a clamp (81 is loosened, there is nothing to impede or restrict interconnecting lengths (13, 713) from merely sliding apart from one another. The industry deals with this matter in various ways-factoring detents, small catch-knobs or providing other configurational solutions for respective parts. A satisfactory technique, which one may observe upon inspection, is to configure the inside of the clamp (81) with a stop and then merely form at the lower end of the upper of two segments (13, 713) a rim or circumferential widening—or what is designated herein a sectional flare or flange (714). As it turns out, the inevitable inner diameter ridge resulting from hollowing out a portion of the clamp (81) in preparation as a seating site for the tube's (771) end is suitable for double service as the stop. By way of definition herein, a cammed lever enwrapping clamp (81) inherently and necessarily comprises a stop. The flanged lip (14) is made small enough to permit forcing the segments (13, 713) together. Yet, it (14) is made large enough to provide substantial friction between them (13, 713) once joined. With this fairly close tolerance fit, it is observed that a forceful tug is required to pull the flanged end (14) of one segment (13, 713) out of the other (13, 713).
To cast the achieved situation in more formal terms, it is sufficient to say that it is feasible to arrange a plurality of interconnective tubular staff segments (13, 713), configured in progressive rod and sleeve fashion wherein the segments (13, 713) may be co-axially collapsed within one another (13, 713), narrowest to widest, the lowest comprising the widest, or may conversely be co-axially extended from within one another (13, 713), widest to narrowest, each of two conjoining segments (13, 713) being interconnected by a cammed lever enwrapping clamp (81); and the lower connective end of each conjoining segment (13, 713) comprising a rim flanged (14) sufficiently to impede its (13, 713) upward withdrawal beyond the clamp's (81) stop. Operation of the camming lever—a thumb lever (85) in a clamp (81) comprising one (85) or the handheld lever in a handgrip assembly (86), ante—by causing the cam to impose impingement prevents disconnection of the conjoined segments (13, 713). Release of the thumb lever (85) or that of a handgrip assembly (86), ante, permits extension by withdrawal of one segment (13, 713) from another at least to the stopping point for the flange (14).
The segments (13, 713) may, as suggested supra, be pulled out in extension however far desired to achieve a particular staff (1) length—that is, all of the way out or instead, to any intermediate point. Once so adjusted, they (13, 713) are again held firmly in place by what is characterized herein as sectional connecting means (708), of which the cammed lever enwrapping clamp (81) discussed supra is but one example, albeit the most preferred one. While such means (708) may, for example, comprise snap-fit arrangements, such as provided for a beach umbrella, those are relatively expensive to make and their springs subject to tension wear. The means (708) may also alternatively comprise an assembly clamp of the set screw (87) or thumb screw (88) variety with threaded apertures (89), supra, but those are vexed by difficulties of their (87, 88) own. The cammed thumb lever enwrapping clamp (81), supra, disposed at each connection point between segments (13, 713) is preferred, particularly one comprising a thumb lever (85).
The cammed lever enwrapping clamp (81) is known in two forms. The first is a handgrip cam assembly (86), wherein the lever operated to lower the cam comprises a handgrip type handle which extends longitudinally along the segmented staff (13, 713). The hinge (83) is disposed transversely to the staff's (13, 713) longitudinality. The second and more preferred form is the more compact variety comprising a clamp thumb lever (85) and in those, the cam hinge (83) is disposed parallel to the staff's (13, 713) longitudinality.
In recognition of the instability of the upwardly projected modern bow (100) when poised for shooting, allowances have been made in the art to deal with its (100) weight and configuration. Specifically, a stabilizing rod (402) has been attached in front and configured to serve as a counterweight (404). Connection has been made by means of interthreading a bolt-like extension upon the rod (402) with a threaded cavity (403) in the bow itself (100). However, the counterweight (404) has never been considered absolutely essential to the bow's (100) use and it was quickly recognized that the cavity (403) provided a suitable connection situs also for a readiness support assembly.
In another vein wherein no ground spike (702) was employed, U.S. patent issued to Lubrecht devised an appendage comprising a bolt-like threaded rod (792) transversely attached to the bow's disconnected stabilizing rod (402) so that it (792) could be cranked, using the stabilizing rod (402) as the handle, to screw it (792) into a tree or other supporting structure (550). Afterwards, the stabilizing rod (402) was interthreaded with the bow's stabilizing rod threaded cavity (403) to provide the bow a horizontally (709) anchored site comprising of stowage in Type II modality.
It is tempting to wonder whether most of the offered devices were really new at all with respect to their forerunners. Certainly, there seems to have been an overabundance of game awaiting or game readiness gadgetry. Some credit, perhaps, derived from the hunting traditions so long an honored part of our history. But it was probably more the manner in which the parts were fitted and held together than the assembled structure itself which conferred patentable novelty upon those numerous variations on a common theme. And, undoubtedly, there still remains plenty of room for more. Surely, hunting will always endure and the provision of innovative tools to undertake it, always be welcomed.
It would also be useful if a readiness stowage assembly were provided which not only dependably accommodates the bow (100), the firearm (200), the camera (300), the spotting scope (400) or any other suitable accessory by substitutive interchange, but which permits the bow (100) to be picked up immediately from its stowage site and operated without the encumbrance of additional weight—that is, in Type IV modality. To be sure, the longstanding insistence upon firearm (200) support functionality, if only for its (200) own sake, should not be disregarded. Beyond that, however, the provision of rotability for both bow (100) and firearm (200) readiness would be of great value in orienting the assembly toward a point from which game might be expected to emerge. Camera (300) steadiness for picture taking and spotting scope (400) steadiness for telescopic viewing, on the other hand, without having to rely upon a tripod arrangement, should also be provided for in the same assembly. By the same token, a suitable flexible view framing means should be included which retains the angular position to which it is brought—something superior to the pivotable plane, or protractor-like structures (54) so common to picture taking and scope viewing supports of the past. Safety from spike (702) impalement injury and unwanted damage should be a factor. Most of all, the entire assembly should comprise ultra-collapsibility—say, for example, a ground spiked (702) unit capable of collapsing down to a pocket sized pack less than a third its extended length.
In its own context, the historical development has done well in addressing deep-seated needs and objectives related to readiness stowability support use. It is now time, however, to combine the fruits of those past efforts in a more innovative way than has thus far been undertaken to address needs and objectives emanating in part even from them.

Support for hunting implements and accessories


AN electronic component includes at least one microcomponent which is contacted with, and fastened to, a support element. The support element includes a spring element which is configured for fastening the microcomponent, and the spring element is engaged in the support element with the aid of a detent in order to fasten the microcomponent to the support element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates an electronic component, e.g., an acceleration sensor for use in a motor vehicle, having a microcomponent which is contacted with and fastened to a support element, and a method for manufacturing the electronic component.
2. Description of Related Art
Known designs in assembly and connection technology of microcomponents, in particular sensors, use increasingly miniaturized and fully integrated approaches for representing the function. Housing designs for "packaging" of sensor chips, for example land grid arrays (LGA), integrate all components of a circuit in a tiny housing only a few cubic millimeters in size. Such miniaturized circuits represent an enormous challenge for so-called "second-level packaging," i.e., further processing to form a sensor having fastening capability and a plug. Since such miniaturized circuits such as LGAs, for example, no longer require a printed circuit board or other circuit substrates, they are typically mounted directly in the surrounding sensor housing. In systems according to the related art, microcomponents are typically contacted using metallic support strips or support elements. Thermal joining processes such as soldering, conductive adhesion, or welding are used for fixing and establishing contact of the microcomponent and the support element. The soldering process is preferably used, but this also involves risks and problems. This results, for example, in thermal stress on the joints, solder balls, solder cavities, and, not least of all, organic residues of the fluxing agent. These organic residues may interact with silicone, which is used as housing material. Another problem is the shear effect or shear force between pre-tin plated contact pads of the microcomponent and the metallic support strips or support elements, which occurs when the microcomponent is contacted. The shear effect results in damage in the form of scratches, and there is the risk of splinter formation. Since the microcomponent has only very small distances between the potential-conducting measuring pads and programming pads due to its small dimensions, even the tiniest metallic conductive particles and splinters may result in a short circuit.

Electronic component and method for manufacturing the electronic component


A reference generator with programmable m and b parameters and methods of use are provided. A circuit includes a first generator operable to generate a first voltage including a fraction of a supply voltage. The circuit further includes a second generator operable to generate a second voltage. The circuit further includes a mixer and buffer circuit operable to output a reference voltage including a sum of the first and second voltages.

In sensing a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) storage cell, it is necessary to generate a reference voltage between sense levels of "1" and "0" data types for differential sensing. More specifically, a level of the reference voltage VREF may be set to balance a signal margin between the "1" and "0" data types. For example, reference cells may be used where "0" and "1" levels are mixed, and a half-level is used to sense a DRAM data type. However, this scheme may lack an effective, predictable signal margin test. In addition, since the "1" data type may require an additional leakage margin for retention, the half-level used to sense the DRAM data type may not be optimal.
In another example, a linear voltage divider may be used to generate a VREF level equal to a fraction of a bitline power supply, and the fractional VREF level may be used to precharge reference cell capacitors. During a read operation of a DRAM, the VREF level is coupled to reference bitlines through reference cell access transistors. The VREF level may be scaled with a power supply voltage of e.g., 1 to 1.8 volts (V) in embedded DRAM (eDRAM) designs.
However, silicon on insulator (SOI) eDRAM may be designed with a floating body cell device which is susceptible to increased subthreshold leakage at high supply voltages due to a charge-up of the floating body cell device. More specifically, this increased subthreshold leakage may be due to junction leakage effects in the floating body cell device between drain and body terminals and between source and body terminals. For example, when a bitline is high (e.g., includes a write-back to another address), junction leakages may raise a body voltage in the floating body cell device. This lowers a threshold voltage of the floating body cell device, and increases leakage in the floating body cell device.
In addition, as junction and subthreshold leakages increase with a higher power supply voltage, a margin between the reference voltage and a voltage of a "0" data type may be degraded. A voltage level of a "1" data type is limited by a cell wordline level, so while the higher power supply voltage increases the "0" margin, the higher power supply voltage does not add to a margin between the reference voltage and the voltage of the "1" data type. Furthermore, scaling of the reference voltage in proportion to the power supply voltage may reduce the "1" margin as the power supply voltage increases, even though the scaling may improve the "0" margin.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described hereinabove.

Reference generator with programmable M and B parameters and methods of use

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for treating memory disturbances comprising the administration of an effective amount of arginine aspartate is disclosed.

Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a drug for treating memory disturbances, for example those caused by drugs such as benzodiazepines, for example diazepam, cholinolytics, for example scopolamine, or by electric shock treatments. The treatment is accomplished by repeated administration of arginine aspartate.
Arginine aspartate is a known product that was described in France in the special drug patents No. 1625 M and 106 CAM on Sept. 15, 1961 and Dec. 21, 1964, and in French Patent 2568124 of July 24, 1984. This product is the salt resulting from the reaction of equimolecular quantities of L-aspartic acid and L-arginine; the compound has the formula ##STR1##
The physiological effects and a probable method of action of this product were described in these documents, which make therapeutic use of it in
hyperammonemic conditions, PA1 mental and physical asthenia, PA1 and certain retardations of growth.
It has now been found surprisingly that this aspartate, when it is used orally, can be useful in certain memory disturbances. Up to now, among all of the pharmacological actions of arginine aspartate that are presently known, or of any other salt of arginine, none could suggest such a possibility. Furthermore, no bibliographic search made on the various salts of arginine or of aspartic acid suggests such possible activity.
Benzodiazepines and scopolamine are very widely used drugs, but they frequently involve a loss of memory: GOODMAN and GILMAN, The pharmacological basis of therapeutics, 7th Edition, pages 341-342, 133.
Electroshocks are therapy that is very useful in the treatment of patients afflicted with serious psychosis and major personality disturbances. Nevertheless, electroshock therapy has major secondary effects, memory disturbances, although the methods of application currently used have somewhat less severe side effects. For a review of electroshock therapy, refer to the article by SELVIN-B-L, Electroconvulsive therapy, 1987, Anesthesiology, 1987, 67, 367-385.
It has now been shown that arginine aspartate used orally greatly reduces the loss of memory in various models of amnesia induced in the mouse or the rat.

Method for treating memory disturbances using arginine aspartate


The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and cardiac compression devices that have both passive chambers and active chambers to improve heart function.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a debilitating disease that is generally initiated by some index cardiac event that results in muscle damage and a decline in cardiac pumping ability. The precipitating index event may be episodic, occurring abruptly, e.g., myocardial infarction; or it may develop gradually over time, e.g., genetic cardiomyopathy. Following the index event, a decline in pumping capacity triggers neurohormonal compensatory mechanisms, which are activated to restore and maintain healthy cardiac output. Due to the effectiveness of these compensatory mechanisms, it is often difficult to recognize the development of persistent underlying disease, as the patient may appear asymptomatic with respect to metrics such as ejection fraction and cardiac output. Nevertheless, evidence of disease may be physically present in the aberrant motion and subsequent remodeling of the failing heart. Left ventricular (LV) remodeling is a progressive phenomenon characterized globally by remodeling of LV chamber size and shape, with a corresponding loss of cardiomyocytes, myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Left ventricular remodeling dramatically alters the mechanical environment, which in turn influences growth and remodeling processes. It is well established that mechanical stimuli (e.g., stress or strain) are important epigenetic factors in cardiovascular development, adaptation, and disease. Changes in heart structure and function result in changes in the mechanical forces sensed by the cells. This alters the biochemical activity of the cells, which in turn stimulates changes in the structure and function of the heart. Interestingly, abnormal cardiac kinematics is often considered a symptom of heart failure when in actuality it is likely that aberrant motion is a primary contributing factor to the aberrant growth and remodeling i.e., cellular responses to the pathologic mechanical factors lead to further pathologic remodeling and a positive feedback loop emerges such that eventually a threshold is reached wherein the neurohormonal compensatory mechanisms activated to maintain homeostasis are no longer sufficient to deter further progression of the disease. Consequently, treatment strategies that fail to remedy the aberrant mechanical environment become increasingly ineffective as the disease progresses.
There are numerous cardiac devices, artificial hearts, and heart assist devices currently on the market. In addition, there are other therapies like drugs, biventricular pacing, stem cell therapies, blood contacting assist devices, surgical manipulations, or passive stents, and constraints which typically off-load the heart, and thus, only modulate the strain pattern indirectly.
One heart assist device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,804, issued on Jun. 9, 1992 to Anstadt, for a cardiac massage apparatus and a drive system. The cardiac massage apparatus includes a cup having a liner that is connected within the cup at its upper and lower ends. Dimensions defining an optimum cup shape as a function of ventricular length are disclosed wherein the heart remains within the cup when mechanically activated.
Other examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,663,558; 6,612,979; 6,612,978; 6,602,184; and 6,595,912, issued to Lau et al., for a cardiac harness to treat congestive heart failure. The harness applies elastic, compressive reinforcement on the LV to reduce deleterious wall tension and to resist shape change of the ventricle during the mechanical cardiac cycle. Rather than imposing a dimension beyond which the heart cannot expand, the harness provides no hard limit over the range of diastolic expansion of the ventricle. Instead, the harness follows the contour of the heart throughout diastole and continuously exerts gentle resistance to stretch.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,182, issued on Aug. 5, 2003, to Milbocker, for a unified, non-blood contacting, implantable heart assist system surrounds the natural heart and provides circumferential contraction in synchrony with the heart's natural contractions. The pumping unit includes adjacent tube pairs arranged along a bias with respect to the axis of the heart and bound in a non-distensible sheath forming a heart wrap. The tube pairs are tapered at both ends such that when they are juxtaposed and deflated they approximately follow the surface of the diastolic myocardium. Inflation of the tube pairs causes the wrap to follow the motion of the myocardial surface during systole. A muscle-driven or electromagnetically powered energy converter inflates the tubes using hydraulic fluid pressure. An implanted electronic controller detects electrical activity in the natural heart, synchronizes pumping activity with this signal, and measures and diagnoses system as well as physiological operating parameters for automated operation. A transcutaneous energy transmission and telemetry subsystem allows the Unified System to be controlled and powered externally.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,619, issued on Jul. 15, 2003 to Melvin, for an actuation system for assisting the operation of the natural heart. The system includes a framework for interfacing with a natural heart, through the wall of the heart, which includes an internal framework element configured to be positioned within the interior volume of a heart and an external framework element configured to be positioned proximate an exterior surface of the heart. The internal framework is flexibly suspended with respect to the external frame. An actuator system is coupled to the framework and configured to engage an exterior surface of the heart. The actuator system includes an actuator band extending along a portion of a heart wall exterior surface. The actuator band is selectively movable between an actuated state and a relaxed state and is operable, when in the actuated state, to assume a predetermined shape and thereby indent a portion of the heart wall to affect a reduction in the volume of the heart. A drive apparatus is coupled to the actuator band and is operable for selectively moving the actuator band between the relaxed and actuated states to achieve the desired assistance of the natural heart.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,540, issued on May 1, 2001, to Lederman et al., relates to a passive girdle for heart ventricle for therapeutic aid to patients having ventricular dilatation. A passive girdle is wrapped around a heart muscle which has dilatation of a ventricle to conform to the size and shape of the heart and to constrain the dilatation during diastole. The girdle is formed of a material and structure that does not expand away from the heart but may, over an extended period of time be decreased in size as dilatation decreases.
The foregoing problems have been recognized for many years and while numerous solutions have been proposed, none of them adequately address all of the problems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cardiac compression device having passive and active chambers


A load-relieving apparatus includes a wire cable 36 with a free end and a fixed end opposite to the free end, a locking part 361 being attached to the free end, a winding part 334 configured to wind the wire cable 36 from a fixed-end side thereof, a pulley 335 interposed between the winding part 334 and the locking part 361, and configured to stretch the wire cable therebetween, and a cover 336 with a through hole 338H formed therein through which the wire cable 36 is inserted, the cover 336 being interposed between the locking part 361 and the pulley 335, and formed so as to cover at least a part of the pulley 335. Further, the through hole 338H is configured so that a relative position of the through hole 338H with respect to a rotation axis of the pulley 335 changes.

The present disclosure relates to a load-relieving apparatus.
Support systems for supporting rehabilitation of patients who suffer from lower-limb paralysis caused by strokes or the like have been developed. Such support systems can enable, for example, patients with paralyzed lower limbs to do walking trainings. In a walking training, a walking assisting apparatus is attached to a leg of a trainee, i.e., a patient with a paralyzed lower limb. The walking assisting apparatus is attached to the paralyzed leg and assists the trainee in performing knee bending/extending motions. The trainee wearing the walking assisting apparatus walks on a treadmill provided in the support apparatus. It should be noted that the walking assisting apparatus or the leg to which the walking assisting apparatus is attached is pulled in an upper-front direction and an upper-rear direction by a load-relieving apparatus. The load-relieving apparatus supports the weight of the walking assisting apparatus and assists the trainee in moving his/her leg by paying out or pulling in wire cables from positions located above and in front of the trainee, and above and behind the trainee.
As an example of a technique related to the above-described load-relieving apparatus, a lifting/lowering apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-141517 includes a wire cable with locking means for suspending a suspended object attached to one end thereof, a winding drum for winding up this wire cable, and winding momentum-giving means for giving rotational momentum to the winding drum in a winding direction. Further, in this lifting/lowering apparatus, an insertion nut and a stopper through which the wire cable is inserted are attached to a base plate covering the winding drum, so that the locking means provided at the free end of the wire cable does not come into contact with the winding drum.


An apparatus for recording/reproducing data onto/from an information recording medium (101) is provided. The apparatus (1) comprises a section for reading first data from a first predetermined position in a data recording area of the medium, a section for determining whether or not the first data matches first type information indicating a type of a first predetermined file system, a section for executing a recording or reproduction process using the first predetermined file system when matching is positive, a section for reading second data from a second predetermined position of the data recording area when matching is negative, a section for determining whether or not the second data matches second type information indicating a type of a second predetermined file system different from that of the first predetermined file system, and a section for executing a recording or reproduction process using the second predetermined file system when matching is positive.

Conventionally, data is recorded/reproduced to/from an information recording medium in accordance with a specific format in which a rule for recording/reproduction is defined.
Contents which are protected by copyright are recorded in a form which does not allow unauthorized replication of the data, by means of encryption or the like.

Recording/reproduction apparatus, recording/reproduction method, and controller for maintaining data compatibility


According to one embodiment, there is provided a composite. The composite includes active material particles of a titanium composite oxide or oxide of titanium, and a graphene structure including a carbon material. The carbon material has a graphene framework defining a graphene surface. The graphene structure is located in between the active material particles. The graphene structure has at least one side surface in contact with the active material particle. The side surface includes the carbon material whose graphene surface is slanted relative to the side surface.

Recently, as a battery having a high energy density, a lithium-ion secondary battery has been developed. The lithium-ion secondary battery is anticipated as a power source for vehicles such as hybrid vehicles or electric cars. The lithium-ion secondary battery is also anticipated as an uninterruptible power supply for mobile phone base stations. Therefore, the lithium-ion secondary battery is desired to have performances other than high energy density, such as rapid charge and discharge performances and long-term reliability. A lithium-ion secondary battery capable of rapid charge and discharge not only remarkably shortens the charging time, but also makes it possible to improve performances related to the motive force of a hybrid vehicle and to efficiently recover the regenerative energy of the motive force.
In order to enable rapid charge and discharge, it is necessary for electrons and lithium ions to be able to migrate rapidly between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. When a battery using a carbon-based material in the negative electrode undergoes repeated rapid charge and/or discharge, dendrite precipitation of metal lithium occurs on the electrode. Dendrites cause internal short circuits, which can lead to heat generation and fires.
In light of this, a battery using a metal composite oxide as a negative electrode active material, in place of a carbonaceous material, has been developed. Particularly, in a battery using an oxide of titanium as the negative electrode active material, rapid charge and discharge can be performed stably. Such a battery also has a longer life than those using a carbonaceous material.
However, oxides of titanium have a higher potential relative to metal lithium than that of the carbonaceous material, that is, oxides of titanium are noble relative to metal lithium. Further, oxides of titanium have lower capacity per weight. Therefore, a battery using an oxide of titanium possesses a problem in that its energy density is low.
As to the capacity of the battery per unit weight, the theoretical capacity of a lithium-titanium composite oxide such as Li4Ti5O12 is about 175 mAh/g. On the other hand, the theoretical capacity of a general graphite-based electrode material is 372 mAh/g. Therefore, the capacity density of an oxide of titanium is significantly lower than that of the carbon based negative electrode. This is due to a reduction in substantial capacity because there are only a small number of lithium-absorption sites in the crystal structure and lithium tends to be stabilized in the structure.
In view of such circumstances, a new electrode material including Ti and Nb has been examined. Such materials are expected to have high charge and discharge capacities. Particularly, a composite oxide represented by TiNb2O7 has a theoretical capacity exceeding 300 mAh/g. However, the conductivity of TiNb2O7 is not high. Therefore, carbon materials are added to TiNb2O7 to increase conductivity.
Various materials are studied as a carbon material used for increasing conductivity. For example, a combination of Ketjen black with a titanium-niobium composite oxide is known. In order to provide sufficient conductivity to the titanium-niobium composite oxide, however, it is required to use a large amount of the Ketjen black. Use of a large amount of the Ketjen black may cause problems of a reduced capacity and destabilization of the oxide.
Another strategy is a method in which a low molecular weight organic substance such as a dicarboxylic acid or sucrose is sintered onto the titanium-niobium composite oxide. The low molecular weight organic substance such as the dicarboxylic acid or sucrose, however, has low conductivity. For that reason, it may be necessary to use a large amount of the carbide to provide sufficient conductivity to the titanium-niobium composite oxide. In addition, the sucrose easily generates a reductive intermediate. For that reason, if a large amount of the sucrose is used, a part of the oxide is reduced, and thus a capacity is easily reduced.
In yet another strategy, there is disclosure of a technique to combine graphene with a titanium-niobium composite oxide. The graphene, however, tends to have a weak connection with the titanium-niobium composite oxide. For that reason, in a nonaqueous electrolyte battery including the combination of the graphene and the titanium-niobium composite oxide wherein no measure is taken for the connection between the graphene and the titanium-niobium composite oxide, detachment readily occurs, leading to a reduction in capacity, when cycles are repeated.
Carbon fibers are also known as another example of the material for increasing conductivity.


A loading bridge includes motors for moving the open end forward, backward, left, right, up and down so the open end can be aligned with a passenger door of an airplane. To minimize collisions between the loading bridge and the airplane, a deadman switch is provided under the control of a second person on the ground adjacent the open end of the loading bridge. So long as the second person holds the deadman switch in a preferred position, the motors are operative to drive the loading bridge forward, backward, left and right. When the second person releases the deadman switch, the loading bridge can no longer move in these directions.

This invention is an improved control system for a passenger loading bridge through which passengers walk to board or deplane an airplane and an improved method of operating a loading bridge.
Modern airports are constructed so that passengers walk between full sized commercial airplanes and a terminal building through a loading bridge. The loading bridge is normally retracted adjacent the terminal building when not in use. When an airplane is at a loading location, the loading bridge is driven by an operator so the passageway through the loading bridge aligns with the airplane door and is close enough to the airplane so passengers can safely walk between them.
Conventional loading bridges are self propelled by suitable electric motors under the control of an operator located inside the loading bridge. A major disadvantage of conventional loading bridges is the operator station is inside the loading bridge a few feet from the open end of the runway. Although there are windows adjacent the operator""s station, the operator has relatively poor visibility in all directions except straight out the windows. As a practical matter, the bridge operator must have some additional input in order to align the loading bridge and the airplane door in a safe, repeatable manner.
In practice, a person on the ground adjacent the airplane stands in front of the open runway end in the intended path of the loading bridge or in plain sight adjacent the window and, with hand signals, directs the operator left or right, forward or back. When the loading bridge comes within a few feet of the airplane door, the person giving directions must move out of the way or become pinned between the loading bridge and the airplane. Thus, in the last five feet or so of movement of the loading bridge, the bridge operator can only see down the runway or out the window.
Even though loading bridge operators do their best to position the loading bridge adjacent the airplane door and not damage the airplane, collisions occur with distressing regularity. The damage that can occur is not only to the airplane door or the structural components adjacent the door. Many airplanes have pitot tubes or other sensors on the outside of the airplane in locations that can be impacted by a moving loading bridge.
A major United States airline, operating flights from about a thousand gates, has one collision a week between a loading bridge and an airplane. The cost of these collisions varies substantially, as one would expect. The cost of repairing the airplane runs from a few hundred dollars to several tens of thousands of dollars. Often, the airplane cannot be flown with passengers until repairs are made, causing flights to be cancelled for at least a day and occasionally as much as a week. The total cost of a collision includes the cost of repair, lost revenue while the plane is out of service, the cost of ferrying the plane to a repair location or the cost of ferrying mechanics and parts to the airplane and the like. The total cost of a collision, including lost revenue, is normally much greater than the parts and labor necessary to repair the airplane.
Similar problems occur when retracting the loading bridge. The parking sites for airplanes are selected and marked on the tarmac so planes will not run into the loading bridge when the loading bridge is fully retracted. It occasionally happens that loading bridges are not fully retracted because the bridge operator cannot see whether it is completely docked and planes run into the loading bridge, it also occasionally happens that loading bridges are not fully retracted but are retracted enough to handle the normal plane that appears at a gate. When a different, larger plane taxis up to the gate, they will occasionally hit a loading bridge that is retracted enough for planes that normally use the gate. These collisions are Particularly expensive to repair because the plane is large, heavy and moving.
Another category of collisions occurs when the loading bridge is in the process of being retracted from its operative position toward its stowed position. Sometimes, the loading bridge backs into objects temporarily left under the loading bridge such as baggage carts, generator vehicles, or the like. In some situations, there are physical connections between the loading bridge and the airplane, such as electrical supply conduits. If these are not uncoupled and retracted before the loading bridge starts to move, the airplane can be damaged by the uncoupled physical connections. In brief, there are numerous ways for an airplane or other equipment to be damaged or people to be hurt because the loading bridge operator has poor visibility.
The straight forward solution to this problem is to provide cameras and sensors reporting to an operator""s station so the operator can view various parts of the loading bridge, the airplane and the like, as shown in exemplary U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,683,440 and 5,226,204.
In this invention, a deadman switch is provided on a tether on the outside of the loading bridge under the control of the person on the ground, often called a ramp agent, who normally gives hand signals to the loading bridge k operator. So long as the switch is held in a predetermined position, the control circuit leading to the loading bridge motors work normally. When the switch is released or moved to another position, the control circuit is interrupted or otherwise manipulated to stop the loading bridge for movement in directions which will cause collisions with the airplane.
Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the ramp agent giving signals holds the deadman switch closed while standing below the airplane door or in plain sight through a window and directs the loading bridge operator with suitable hand signals. When the loading bridge approaches the airplane so it is no longer safe to stand in front of the runway, the person giving directions stands aside, holding the switch closed. If the loading bridge continues to move in a safe manner, the person on the ground continues to hold the switch closed. In the event it appears to the person on the ground that the loading bridge is in danger of running into the airplane, the person lets loose of the switch, causing the loading bridge to stop. In this manner, the person who is closest to the scene and who has the best view has the power to stop the loading bridge immediately.
The deadman switch of this invention preferably also operates when moving the loading bridge in a retracting direction so the person on the ground can prevent damages to the airplane and/or to people or equipment behind or underneath the loading bridge during movement of the loading bridge.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved loading bridge.
A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method of moving a loading bridge.
A further object of this invention is to provide an improved control system for a loading bridge.
A more specific object of this invention is to provide a switch for a loading bridge control system which requires an additional person to hold the switch in a predetermined position to allow the loading bridge to move.
These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent as this description proceeds, reference being made to the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Loading bridge control system and method


A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of a split gate structure having a gate of low resistance suitable to the arrangement of a memory cell array is provided. When being formed of a side wall spacer, a memory gate is formed of polycrystal silicon and then replaced with nickel silicide. Thus, its resistance can be lowered with no effect on the silicidation to the selection gate or the diffusion layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor memory devices and making methods thereof and it particularly relates to a semiconductor memory device having a nonvolatile memory structure and a making method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is a nonvolatile memory that is one of integrated semiconductor memories assembled in a large scale integrated (LSI) device or chip. This is a device that retains memory information even after a power supply for an LSI chip is turned off and this is an extremely important device to use the LSI chip for various applications.
For the nonvolatile semiconductor device, the so-called float gate type memory or a memory using an insulative film is described in Physics of Semiconductor Devices, 2nd edition, pp 496 to 506 written by S. Sze, A. Wiley-Interscience Publication. According to the description, those memories using the insulative film, in which insulative films are laminated and charges are stored at the boundary thereof or traps in the insulative films, require no additional formation of a conductive film compared with the float gate type. Accordingly, it has been known that the memories can be formed with good matching to the CMOS LSI process.
However, since existent memories storing charges in the insulative films are required to conduct charge and discharge of electric charges while possessing sufficient charge retaining characteristics, they are difficult to realize. On the other hand, it has been proposed to rewrite the memory information by injecting charges of different polarity. The operation is described in Symposium VLSI Technology, p63, 1997. In this structure, a polycrystal silicon gate for memory operation and a gate for cell selection are formed separately. Further, similar descriptions are also found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,383.
It is considered that the memory cell structure is fundamentally based on the N-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (NMOS) two transistors in which comprising a memory gate 501 is disposed on the side of a selection gate 502 as shown in FIG. 1.
Diffusion layer electrodes 202 and 201 are disposed to face each other in a silicon substrate 101, and the selection gate 502 and the memory gate 501 are disposed between the electrodes 202, 201 by way of insulative films 902 and 901. Channels 302 and 301 are formed in the semiconductor substrate in association with the gates respectively. FIG. 2 shows the structure as an equivalent circuit. The gate insulative film 901 of the memory gate is formed as a structure of sandwiching a silicon nitride film between silicon oxide films, that is, the so-called MONOS structure (Metal Oxide Nitride Oxide Semiconductor (Silicon)). The gate insulative film 902 for the selection gate 502 is a silicon oxide film. The diffusion layer electrodes 202 and 201 are formed by using the selection gate and the memory gate as a mask respectively. In this case, the selection gate means a gate corresponding to the selection transistor 1 and the memory gate means a gate corresponding to the memory transistor 2 in the equivalent circuit.
It is considered that the basic operations of the memory cell include four stages of (1) writing, (2) erasing, (3) retaining, and (4) reading. However, nomination for the four states is used for typical operation, and writing and erasing may be called in the opposite manner depending on the view. Further, while the operations are explained also with respect to typical ones, various different operation methods may be conceivable. While a memory formed with the NMOS type is to be described for the sake of explanation, this can be formed in principle with the PMOS type in the same manner.
(1) Upon writing, a positive potential is applied to the diffusion layer electrode 201 on the side of the memory gate, and a ground potential identical with that for the substrate 101 is applied to the diffusion layer electrode 202 on the side of the selection gate. A gate overdrive voltage higher than that of the diffusion layer electrode 201 on the side of the memory gate is applied to the memory gate 501, to thereby turn on the channel 301 below the memory gate 501. In this case, the on-state is attained by setting the potential for the selection gate to a value higher by 0.1 to 0.2 V than the threshold value for the potential of the selection gate. At this time; since a most intense electric field is generated near the boundary between the two gates 901 and 902, many hot electrons are generated in this region and injected to the memory gate. This phenomenon has been known as a source side injection (SSI). The phenomenon is reported by A. T. Wu, et al. in IEEE International Electron Device Meeting, Technical Digest, in pp 584 to 587, 1986. While the float gate type memory is used, the injection mechanism is the same also in the insulative film type. The hot electron injection in this system is characterized in that since the electric field is concentrated near the boundary between selection gate and the memory gate, electrons are injected concentrically to the end of the memory gate on the side of the selection gate. Further, while the charge retention layer is formed of the electrode in the float gate type, since electrons are accumulated in the insulative film in the insulative film type, electrons are retained in an extremely narrow region.
(2) Upon erasing, a negative potential is applied to the memory gate and a positive potential is applied to the diffusion layer 201 on the side of the memory gate. This causes strong inversion in a region where the memory gate 901 and the diffusion layer 201 overlap with each other at the end of the diffusion layer. The strong inversion causes a band-to-band tunnel phenomenon and holes can be generated. The band-to-band tunnel phenomenon is reported, for example, by T. Y. Chan, et al. in IEEE International Electron Device Meeting, Technical Digest, pp 718 to 721, 1987. In the memory cell, the generated holes are accelerated in the direction of the channel, attracted by the bias of the memory gate and injected into the MONOS film to conduct the erasing operation. That is, the threshold value of the memory gate increased by the charges of the electrons can be lowered by the charges of the injected holes. This erasing system is characterized in that since the holes are generated at the end of the diffusion layer, holes are injected concentrically to the end of the memory gate 501 on the side of the diffusion layer.
(3) Upon retention, the charges are retained as the charges of the carriers injected into the insulative film MONOS. Since transfer of the carriers in the insulative film is extremely small and slow, charges can be retained favorably even when the voltage is not applied to the electrode.
(4) Upon reading, a positive potential is applied to the diffusion layer on the side of the selection gate and a positive potential is applied to the selection gate 502, to thereby turn on the channel 302 below the selection gate. Then, by applying an appropriate memory gate potential capable of distinguishing the difference of threshold values of the memory gate which are applied depending on writing and erasing states (that is, an intermediate potential for the threshold value between the writing state and the threshold value in the erasing state), retained charge information can be read out as a current.
FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure of a memory cell for providing the prior art described above. FIG. 3 shows an example of the so-called split gate type cell structure. Such an example is shown, for example, in JP-A No. 2002-231829. To improve the scalability of a memory cell using the split gate type cell structure, memory gate fabrication by the so-called sidewall spacer using polycrystal silicon of high fabricability is useful. FIG. 3 shows a typical example. Diffusion layer electrodes 201 and 202 are formed to face each other in a semiconductor substrate 101. A selection gate 502 and a memory gate 501 are disposed corresponding to respective channels 205 and 206 formed between the diffusion layer electrodes 201 and 202. The selection gate 502 and the memory gate 501 are formed by way of gate insulative films 902 and 901, respectively. In this example, silicide layers 554, 555 are disposed over the diffusion layer electrodes 201 and 202 and the gates 501 and 502, respectively.
The structure is advantageous in that injection of holes can be facilitated by decreasing the gate length (Lmg) of the memory gate. However, when the structure is formed by utilizing a usual sidewall spacer, while the gate length can be reduced, this poses a problem in that the wiring resistance of the memory gate electrode is increased. The problem of the wiring resistance is unfavorable for integrated semiconductor nonvolatile memory cells. This is because the conductor layer for the gate has to be handled as wiring when the memory cells are arranged in an array. For example, increase of the gate resistance makes the bias supply instable, which gives a significant problem to the high-speed operation of the cell. In view of the above, to solve the problem, it may be conceivable to silicide the gate electrode formed of polycrystal silicon which has been used frequently in the existent CMOS in order to decrease the gate resistance.
FIG. 3 shows the state where an existent salicide process is applied. Silicide layers 554 and 555 are formed over the gates 501 and 502, respectively. As can be seen from the figure, the memory gate where the gate length (Lmg) is shorter than the gate length (Lcg) of the selection gate involves a problem in that the resistance can not be lowered sufficiently due to the size dependence of the silicide material. The countermeasure for the problem results in an additional problem. That is, when the silicide layer is formed to be large in thickness (xm) in order to lower the resistance of the gate conductor layer, the thicknesses of the silicide layers 254 and 255 for the respective diffusion layers 202 and 201 which have to be formed by the same step also increases. Accordingly, it is necessary to make the diffusion layers 201 and 202 further deeper. This deteriorates the scalability of the cell.
Further, in this example, since the memory gate is formed as a sidewall spacer by polycrystal silicon, when the diffusion layer electrodes 201 and 202 on the side of the semiconductor substrate and the upper portions of the gates 502 and 501 are silicided simultaneously, it may be probably that the diffusion layers, that is, the silicide 555 and the silicide 554 are short circuited to each other. To avoid the problem, a process of forming the material layer for silicidation so as to cover only the diffusion layers on the side of the semiconductor substrate has been described in JP-A No. 2002-231829. However, the method additionally poses a problem in that the resistance of both the selection gate and the diffusion layer cannot be lowered simultaneously.
On the other hand, to lower the resistance without using the siliciding reaction, it may be conceivable to form a memory gate by using a high melting metal such as tungsten. However, this not only makes the fabricability difficult compared with the case of using polycrystal silicon but also makes it impossible to form the source and drain diffusion layer electrodes by a self-alignment process by ion implantation using the gate as a mask. This is because the metal is injected from the gate used as a mask into the substrate due to the knock-on phenomenon caused by ion implantation.

Nonvolatile semiconductor memory and making method thereof