A power supply circuit and a switched-mode power supply with a power supply input circuit are proposed. Known power supply circuits comprise a rectifier supplied with an AC voltage and a first smoothing capacitor. To provide a circuit which is suitable for operation over a wide voltage range, it is proposed that at least a second capacitor be provided which is connected by a switching element to the load terminals so that, when the voltage at the load terminals drops below a voltage threshold, the second capacitor is connected to the load terminals. Further embodiments comprise an apparatus for charging the second capacitor, which is preferably equipped with an apparatus for limiting the voltage at the second capacitor to a charging threshold. By suitable selection of the charging threshold, a capacitor may be used as the second capacitor which, despite a high capacitance value, exhibits a small structural size and low component costs due to the relatively low dielectric strength.

The invention relates to a power supply circuit and to a switched-mode power supply with a power supply input circuit.
Power supply circuits serve to connect a load to an electricity power supply, in particular to the respective electricity power grid.
Known power supply circuits for supplying a DC voltage to a load comprise in this respect a connection to an AC voltage supply, e.g. the electricity power grid, and a rectifier supplied with the AC voltage. In addition, the known power supply circuits comprise further components, including at least a first smoothing capacitor. This is a capacitor with a high capacitance value, often an electrolytic capacitor, which is conventionally connected to the load terminals in parallel with the load and is charged by the rectified voltage or discharged via the load. This capacitor thus effects smoothing of the output voltage. In addition, the power supply circuit optionally comprises further components, for example a filter impedance and a resistor for limiting the current peak.
Simple power supply circuits may serve to deliver an unregulated voltage for an consumer of electricity. However, power supply circuits may also occur as components of other circuits, in particular as the power supply input circuit of a switched-mode power supply. Switched-mode power supplies operate with at least one converter supplied with an intermediate circuit voltage, which converter conventionally supplies a transformer. By suitable actuation of the converter, regulated output voltages may be produced. In such a switched-mode power supply, a power supply circuit serves, as described above, to deliver the intermediate circuit voltage. In this case, the subsequent modules of the switched-mode power supply are connected to the load terminals as a xe2x80x9cloadxe2x80x9d. In order to be able more easily to summarize these two possible uses for a power supply circuit in the following text, the designations xe2x80x9cloadxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cload terminalsxe2x80x9d are used below even if reference is being made therewith to downstream modules of a switched-mode power supply.
Dimensioning of the components of a power supply circuit, especially the smoothing capacitor, proceeds with reference to predetermined specifications for the circuit. They include input-side specifications for the AC input voltage (minimum, nominal and maximum values for voltage and frequency together with details about specified voltage interferences) and output-side specifications for the load (minimum, nominal and maximum values for current, voltage and power consumption). So as to meet these specifications in all respects, the power supply circuit must be so designed that it still meets the predetermined specifications even in the least favorable operating range for the parameters under consideration (worst case).
With respect to the smoothing capacitor, for example, this means that on the one hand the dielectric strength of the capacitor used has to be so selected that it is sufficient even when the supply voltage assumes the maximum permissible value and at the same time no output power is drawn. On the other hand, the capacitance value of the smoothing capacitor has to be sufficiently high for a sufficiently smoothed voltage to be present at the load terminals. If so planned by the requirements of the circuit, it must additionally even be ensured that, in the event of specified power failures (e.g. 100% power failure for a duration of 50 ms), the minimum output voltage necessary remains ensured even in the event of maximum power being drawn.
If the AC input voltage covers a wider voltage range, a capacitor which exhibits both high dielectric strength and a high capacitance value is often required to fulfill all these requirements. This leads to the use of structural elements of enormous size, which are also correspondingly expensive. If a power supply circuit is to be suitable throughout the world for connection to the electricity power grid (world-wide mains), rms AC input voltages ranging from a minimum of 85 V (specified minimum in USA) to 265 V (specified maximum in Europe) have to be expected.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,668 describes an electric razor with a power supply circuit. For operation at different AC input voltages, a switching unit is provided which supplies a load (motor) from a unidirectionally rectified power input line voltage. A filter capacitor is connected in parallel with the load. The load voltage is regulated to a value below a voltage threshold, wherein the voltage threshold lies below the supply transient overvoltage. This circuit allows operation of an electrical consumer at different AC input voltages.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,190 describes a circuit for extending operation of an electrical load after interruption of the power supply. The circuit is supplied by a direct current source and includes storage capacitors which are charged by the DC voltage source and kept at a predetermined voltage by means of a regulating circuit. If the power supply is interrupted and the voltage drops below a threshold, a switching device with a diode and an SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier) ensures that the storage capacitors are connected in series and this series circuit, in parallel with the optional filter capacitors, is arranged in parallel with the load and supplies it with power, while the filter capacitors are discharged.
It is an object of the invention to provide a power supply circuit and a switched-mode power supply with a power supply input circuit, which is suitable for operation over a wide range of voltages.
According to the invention, at least a second capacitor is provided. This second capacitor is connected by a switching element to the load terminals so that it is connected only when the voltage at that point drops below a voltage threshold.
This may be a fixed voltage threshold, but it is preferable for the switching element to operate as soon as the voltage at the second capacitor is higher than the voltage at the load terminals. For this purpose, a diode may be used as switching element.
The second capacitor is preferably a component with a capacitance value that is at least as high as but preferably higher than the capacitance value of the first capacitor. A capacitance value is proposed for the second capacitor which corresponds to at least twice the capacitance value of the first capacitor, preferably to more than five times, preferably to approximately ten times the capacitance value. It is sufficient in this respect for the dielectric strength of the second capacitor to be at or just above the voltage threshold. The second capacitor is preferably operated at most with a voltage corresponding to a charging threshold which is clearly below the maximum admissible value, according to the specifications, of the voltage at the first capacitor. A component may therefore be used which exhibits a lower dielectric strength (in comparison with the first capacitor), which reduces component costs and structural size.
To simplify the explanation, mention will here always be made of a first and a second capacitor. However, it is known to the person skilled in the art that, instead of using individual capacitors, it is also possible to produce such capacitor elements using in each case circuits with a plurality of capacitors.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided for charging the second capacitor. The apparatus for charging the second capacitor is preferably supplied with the rectified voltage. However, it is also possible to use a separate energy source for supplying the charging apparatus. Advantageously, the charging apparatus may comprise an apparatus for limiting the voltage at the second capacitor to a charging threshold, for example a zener diode.
A charging apparatus is preferred which comprises a switching unit by means of which the second capacitor may be connected to the rectified voltage. Charging of the second capacitor is performed in that the switching unit connects the capacitor to the rectified voltage if the voltage at the capacitor drops below a maximum charging threshold. The charging threshold serves to ensure that the second capacitor is not operated above this voltage value, so that a component with a correspondingly low dielectric strength may be used.
If the switching unit connects the second capacitor to the rectified voltage, the second capacitor is charged. This applies at any rate as long as the rectified voltage is higher than the voltage at the second capacitor, which may optionally be ensured by suitable means. Charging of the second capacitor is performed with a charging time constant, which depends to a considerable extent on the incoming resistance, and here in particular on the volume resistance of the switch. It is therefore preferable to use a switch with low resistance, for example an FET. If the voltage at the second capacitor reaches the charging threshold, the switching unit disconnects the second capacitor.
Selection of the voltage threshold is of decisive significance for the operating behavior of the power supply circuit. In the event of the voltage threshold being set very high, i.e. if the maximum possible rectified voltagexe2x80x94according to the specificationsxe2x80x94is below the voltage threshold, the second capacitor is always connected by the switching unit, so that the arrangement would correspond to a parallel connection of the first and second capacitors. In this case, however, the switching unit is pointless, so that it is recommended that a voltage threshold be selected that is below the maximum possible rectified voltage according to the specifications. Since the degree of savings that can be achieved with regard to component costs and structural size of the second capacitor is determined by how far the voltage threshold is set below the maximum possible rectified voltage, a threshold voltage is preferred that is clearly, preferably at least 25%, particularly preferably even more than 50%, below the maximum possible voltage.
According to a further embodiment, it is recommended that the voltage threshold be selected so that it is at or above the peak value of the minimum input voltage still admissible within the specifications. For example, for worldwide mains operation, the minimum voltage amounts to 85 V (rms value), so that the voltage threshold here should be 120 V or higher.
On the other hand, however, selecting an extremely low voltage threshold leads to the second capacitor becoming active in an extreme case only if there are relatively long line failures, since only in the case of a relatively long supply voltage failure does the rectified voltage, smoothed by the second capacitor, at the load terminals drop so far that it drops below the voltage threshold. In this case, the second capacitor then merely serves as a buffer for such line failures.
Such behavior may be desirable. However, it is preferable to select a voltage threshold between the two above-mentioned extremes, so that, although on the one hand distinct savings are achieved with regard to component costs and size, the threshold voltage is set high enough for it to become active according to the specification in steady-state operation.
In a conventional instance of operation, the AC input voltage is approximately constant with regard to amplitude for an observed period. The rms value is within the specified range, for example 85-140 V for the electricity power grid in the USA, 189-265 V for the European electricity power grid or 85-265 V for worldwide operation. When a consumer of electricity with a given power consumption is connected, a time profile for the output voltage is then established in steady-state operation at the output terminals, which time profile has a cycle of twice the mains frequency in the case of four-way rectification. In the case of a sinusoidal input voltage, a voltage shape is produced at the smoothing capacitor which follows the shape of the rectified voltage in the form of a xe2x80x9cfolded upxe2x80x9d sine curve, is charged by the first capacitor in the maximum value range and discharges in the zero value range. When only a single smoothing capacitor is used, an output voltage would thus be obtained, the ripple content of which would depend on the capacitance value of the first capacitor.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed to use the second capacitor according to the invention with a voltage threshold that is selected so that the voltage at the load terminals is lower at least once per cycle than the charging threshold, so that the second capacitor is active. This covers instances at which the voltage threshold is set so high that the second capacitor is constantly active at typical input voltages. However, it is also possible to select the threshold so that the voltage at the load terminals cyclically drops below the voltage threshold, so that the second capacitor becomes active cyclically. If the voltage threshold is suitably selected, this leads to a less rippled voltage at the output terminals, since, as soon as the voltage drops below the given voltage threshold, the second capacitor is connected, so that a substantially flatter discharge curve is obtained. Up to the next charging process, through the following half-wave the voltage merely drops to a minimum value, which is markedly higher than the minimum value when only the first capacitor is used. Thus, use is made of the second capacitor with regard to voltage smoothing, without a dielectric strength being required which covers the entire input voltage range.
A further embodiment of the invention relates to the choice of voltage threshold especially for operation at two voltage levels, for example world-wide mains operation, with two typical input voltages, for Europe (189 V/230 V/265 V), on the one hand, and the USA (85 V/117V/140 V) on the other. To operate the appliance on the basis of these input voltage stipulations, it is proposed to set the voltage threshold in the range between the peak value of the minimum voltage of the lower voltage level and the peak value of the maximum input voltage of the lower of the two operating voltage levels. For worldwide mains this means a voltage threshold between 120 V (this is the peak value, that is obtained in the case of the minimum rms input voltage of 85 V) and 200 V (corresponds effectively to 140 V, maximum rms value of the US input mains voltage).

Power supply input switching circuit improved with regard to line faults


A blow moulding machine for producing blown containers with an integrally formed handle; the machine including a preform injection moulding stage wherein the preform comprising a body portion, a neck portion and an integrally moulded handle; the machine further including a handle orientation stage, a preform conditioning stage and a blow moulding stage, and wherein the preform is nested in cavities provided in opposing portions of a conditioning module; the integrally moulded handle nested in cavities lined with an insulating material. Also disclosed is a method of producing a blown container with an integrally formed handle in a blow moulding machine; the blow moulding machine including a preform injection moulding stage for moulding a preform comprising a body portion and an integrally moulded handle; the blow moulding machine further including a handle orienting stage, a preform conditioning stage and a blow moulding stage; the method including the steps of: —Injection moulding the preform with an integrally moulded handle, —Orienting the handle of the preform into a predetermined orientation, —Transferring the preform to a preform conditioning module, —Transferring the preform from the preform conditioning module to a die of a blow moulding machine when the preform body and integrally moulded handle are at predetermined temperatures, —Blowing the container in the blow moulding machine, and wherein the preform is nested in cavities provided in opposing portions of the conditioning module; the integrally moulded handle nested in cavities lined with an insulating material.

The blow moulding of containers with integral handles from injection moulded preforms is known. For example aspects of this technology have been described in WO 207/101309, which discloses a preform of generally cylindrical body with a handle projecting from the side of the body.
For blow moulding in PET polymer, it is necessary that the body of the preform be brought to a suitable temperature prior to entry into the blow moulding die. But excessive heat applied to the handle during the preheating phase will distort the handle so that shielding of the handle without impeding the even heating of the body of the preform is required.
Some arrangements for preheating are disclosed in the above referenced citation, but have been found difficult to implement and have produced less than optimum results. Moreover, a more efficient process is desirable in which preforms while still at relatively elevated temperatures, are quickly transferred to a conditioning stage and thence to the blow moulding stage in an integrated system.
For some applications, it is desirable to "dope" the polymer with a metallic additive to provide a light barrier. These metallic barriers give the preform a reflective property making the preheating in a conventional heat tunnel difficult.
It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages or provide a useful alternative.
Notes
The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of".
The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.


A paper web is smoothened by passing the web through a pre-calender device on a paper machine before the application of a coating. The pre-calender device comprises at least one pair of steel rolls, one of which is heated, and a liquid application device which applies a thin film of water to the surface of the web which contacts the heated roll before the web enters the nip between the rolls. The web is then dried after exiting the nip either by wrapping the heated roll and/or by applying heat externally to the web.

The invention relates to a method for smoothening a web in a papermaking operation before it is coated. The steps in the smoothening operation include calendering a moistened web in a heated hard nip. This process improves the receptivity of the web surface to coating applications, and to subsequent printing operations.
It is known that an otherwise untreated web of paper or paperboard rawstock will react adversely to the application of a liquid by becoming rougher, since the surface fibers of the web absorb moisture leading to fiber swelling, breaking of hydrogen bonds and fiber reorientation. If the liquid application is in the form of a coating or the like, the web may actually become smoother because of the presence of smoothing ingredients in the coating, but the improvement in smoothness is not as great as would be expected because the surface of the rawstock beneath the coating becomes roughened in the presence of the liquid phase of the coating. Because of this phenomenon, and because one of the objectives in the production of paper and paperboard is to produce a smooth finish, it is desirable to smoothen the surface of the rawstock web before coating.
One of the known techniques for smoothing the surface of a web of paper or paperboard rawstock before coating is to pre-calender the web. This may be accomplished on a paper machine after the web is dried. In the pre-calendering step, the web is passed through one or more nips between the rolls of a calender, the nips providing a degree of compression to the paper surface to flatten the surface fibers, thereby creating a smoothened surface. The degree of finish obtained by this method depends upon the nip pressure reached in the calender. However, the smoothness obtained by pre-calendering a dried web is short lived when the web is subsequently brought into contact with water or a composition containing water, since dry cellulose fibers will not bond under pressure. On wetting, there will be substantial reorientation of the fibers at the web surface due to fiber swelling and release of stress. An improvement that alleviates this unwanted result is to moisten the dry web before pre-calendering. The compressing of moistened cellulose fibers will consolidate the web without undue stress, and the smoothened surface that is achieved will retain a substantial amount of its integrity for a longer time after wetting than is common for a web that is compressed in an essentially dry state.
Conventional processes for wet calendering employ either a water box on the calender, water sprays, or steam showers. In most cases, the quantity of moisture transferred to the web by these means is uneven, too great or too small, resulting in unsatisfactory results. Nevertheless, recent innovations in the paper industry have provided equipment that is capable of applying controlled amounts of water to a web in a uniform manner, particularly as disclosed in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/296,394, owned by the present assignee herein. The ability to apply a controlled amount of moisture to the web at the pre-calender yields better results. Nevertheless, there remains a need in the art to further enhance the process, and, accordingly, the present invention is designed to advance the process efficiency and product quality that can be achieved in a pre-calendering operation.
The importance of having a smooth rawstock surface and its effect on the printability of coated paper is well known. Pigmented coatings tend to hide or cover up some of the surface imperfections in a paper rawstock. However, the effectiveness of a coating in smoothing the surface of a paper web depends upon the condition of the surface on which the coating is applied. The effect on paper due to the application of a coating is discussed in the article entitled xe2x80x9cWater-Paper Interaction During Paper Coatingxe2x80x9d, by J. Skowronski and P. Lepoutre, published in the November 1985 issue of TAPPI Journal, at pages 98-102. Meanwhile, the effect of pretreatment or pre-calendering of a paper product before coating is discussed in the articles xe2x80x9cEffect of Pretreatment of LWC Basestock on Coated Paper Propertiesxe2x80x9d, by P. Lepoutre, W. Bichard and J. Skowronski, published in the December 1986 issue of TAPPI Journal, at pages 66-70, and in the article entitled xe2x80x9cPrecalendering and its Effect on Paper-Coating Interactionxe2x80x9d, by G. Engstrom and J. F. Lafaye, published in the August 1992 issue of TAPPI Journal, at pages 117-122.
Likewise, the effect of applying moisture to a paper web before the web enters a calender nip, and various methods for making water application are also known, and are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,497; 5,505,820; 5,522,312; and 5,607,553, all owned by the present assignee herein. However, none of these prior art references deal with the concept of smoothening the web while reducing loss of bulk by drying the web to a very low moisture content before the application of moisture, passing it through a hard calender nip, and heating at least one roll of the calender nip as disclosed herein. Nor do the prior art references teach the use of the heated roll to dry the applied moisture as the web exits the calender nip as disclosed herein, especially in connection with a pre-calendering treatment on a paper machine.
The apparatus comprises at least one heated nip formed between two rolls, at least one of which is heated. The heated nip may be formed between one heated and one unheated roll or it may be formed between two heated rolls in a calender stack. The moisture application is made to the surface of the web that contacts the heated roll. One nip with controlled loading force will normally suffice, but multiple nips, in tandem or stacked may preferably be employed.

Apparatus for smoothening a paper web before coating


System and methods for performing decoding error detection in a storage device are provided. Data bits of a data polynomial may be retrieved from a storage device. The data bits may be arranged in a first order. Error correction may be performed on the retrieved data bits of the data polynomial to produce an error polynomial based on error correction parity information encoded in the data polynomial. Bits of the error polynomial are arranged in a second order that is reverse to the first order. A first remainder of the error polynomial may be computed based on data bits corresponding to the data polynomial arranged in the second order. An error in the error polynomial may be detected based on the computed first remainder.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the inventors hereof, to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Typically, magnetic recording channel systems employ error correction codes (ECC) (e.g., 12-bit Reed Solomon (RS) code) to remove residual errors made by the channel detector. Error detection codes (EDC) are used to detect decoding failure produced by the ECC. After data encoded by the ECC and EDC is read from a storage medium, the data is decoded using an ECC decoder. The ECC decoder produces an error polynomial which is checked by EDC circuitry to detect failure in the error correction. However, the error polynomial produced by the ECC decoder is in reverse order from normal order in which the data is read from the storage medium. Moreover, because the EDC circuitry typically operates on the data in this normal order, traditional systems lack efficient techniques for processing the error polynomial produced by the ECC decoder.


An organic light emitting display device includes a scan driver, a data driver, and pixels. The scan driver is for sequentially supplying, during each horizontal period of a width 1H, a scan signal with a width of at least 2H to scan lines. The scan driver is further for sequentially supplying an emission control signal to emission control lines that are substantially parallel to the scan lines. The data driver supplies data signals to data lines. Each pixel includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a pixel circuit having a first transistor for controlling the amount of current supplied to the OLED, and a compensator for controlling the voltage of a gate electrode of the first transistor for compensating a degradation of the OLED. The compensator includes two transistors and a capacitor. One transistor is coupled to a scan line, and the other is coupled to an emission control line.

1. Field
Aspects of embodiments according to the present invention relate to an organic light emitting display device.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, there have been developed various types of flat panel display devices having less weight and volume than that of a comparable cathode ray tube device. The flat panel display devices include liquid crystal display devices, field emission display devices, plasma display panels, organic light emitting display devices, and the like.
Among these flat panel display devices, the organic light emitting display device displays images using organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) that emit light through recombination of electrons and holes. The organic light emitting display device has a fast response speed and is driven with low power consumption.
An organic light emitting display device has a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form at crossing regions of data lines, scan lines, and power lines. Each of the pixels usually includes an organic light emitting diode (OLED), two or more transistors including a driving transistor, and one or more capacitors.
Such an organic light emitting display device has low power consumption. However, in a typical organic light emitting display device, the amount of current that flows to each OLED varies depending on the threshold voltage of the driving transistor included in each pixel. Therefore, images with unequal luminance are displayed. That is, characteristics of the driving transistors vary between pixels depending on factors such as the fabrication process. From a practical standpoint, it is impossible with current fabrication processes to fabricate the organic light emitting display device so that all of the transistors of the organic light emitting display device have the same characteristics. Therefore, the variation in the threshold voltage of the driving transistors occurs.
To solve such a problem, there has been proposed a method of adding a compensation circuit including a plurality of transistors and capacitors to each of the pixels. The compensation circuit included in each of the pixels stores a voltage corresponding to the threshold voltage of the driving transistor. Accordingly, the variation in the threshold voltage of the driving transistor is compensated.
To help remove motion blur, recent methods of driving a driving transistor at a driving frequency of over 120 Hz have been developed. However, when the driving transistor is driven at such a high frequency, the period for storing the threshold voltage of the driving transistor is shortened. Therefore, it is not possible to sufficiently compensate the threshold voltage of the driving transistor.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Disclosed is an electronic device. The electronic device includes an input node, an output node, a power node that transfers a voltage of a third level to the output node when a voltage of the input node is a first level, and a capacitor that transfers a change in the voltage of the input node to the output node through a coupling such that a voltage of the output node is adjusted to a fourth level, when the voltage of the input node changes from the first level to a second level.

Non-limiting example embodiments of inventive concepts described herein relate to an electronic device, and more particularly, relate to an electronic device including a level shifter having an improved speed.
An electronic device may operate using voltages having various levels, e.g. may operate using various discrete levels. For example, to reduce power consumption of the electronic device, the electronic device is designed to have a level of a first voltage used in the electronic device low. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device may be designed in compliance with a signal transmission protocol such that a level of a second voltage used for the electronic device to communicate with an external device is higher than the level of the first voltage.
Circuits that use the first voltage may belong to a first voltage domain. Circuits that use the second voltage may belong to a second voltage domain. When signals are exchanged between different voltage domains, a level shifter that is configured to change a level of a signal may be used. For example, the electronic device may include a level shifter and may operate using the level shifter.
As an operating speed of the electronic device is improved, an operating speed of the level shifter causes a decrease in the operating speed of the electronic device. Accordingly, there is required/desired a level shifter having an improved operating speed.

Electronic device including level shifter


A sliding mode control method is provided capable of improving the following ability of a control system with respect to a command at the time of change in the operating condition of a machine, and preventing vibration which tends to occur by the action of a spring element of the machine at the time of change in the operating condition. The processor of a servo circuit derives position deviation (.epsilon.) and speed deviation (.epsilon.) based on a command position (.theta.r) and an actual position (.theta.), estimates an torsion amount (.epsilon.n) and torsion speed (.epsilon.n) by effecting observer processing (Steps 100 to 101), and derives a switching variable (s) (102). The processor derives each of the first to fourth terms of the switching input in dependence on the positive or negative sign of the switching variable, and the positive or negative sign of a corresponding one of the position deviation, the second derivative of the command position, the torsion amount, and the torsion speed (103 to 129), and then derives, on the basis of the switching input derived by adding the four terms together, a torque command (T) sufficient to cause the switching variable to converge on 0 (130, 131). The servo system properly follows the command even when nonlinear parameters associated with the spring element of the machine have varied, thereby preventing vibration of the machine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sliding mode control method capable of preventing vibration of a machine which tends to occur by an action of a spring element of the machine when the operating condition of the machine changes.
2. Background of the Related Art
It is known to effect the feedforward compensating operation of correcting in advance the control output by considering variation in various factors, caused by variation in the machine operating condition and acting as disturbance for the control operation, so as to prevent deterioration in the controllability of a control system which would be otherwise caused when the machine operating condition has largely varied. For example, in a control system for use with a machine which includes a speed reducer disposed between a driving source and a machine operating section and acting as a spring element and a damper element, the viscous friction coefficient and spring coefficient of the speed reducer which nonlinearly vary with variation in the position and speed of the mechanical operating section are determined, and the feedforward compensating operation for acceleration is effected on the basis of the thus determined coefficients. However, according to the conventional method mentioned above, the control performance of the control system is lowered and hence vibration occurs in the machine operating section, if the viscous friction coefficient and spring coefficient cannot be precisely determined. Namely, it is difficult to provide a robust control system.

Sliding mode control method for a machine having an operating section operatively coupled to a servomotor and wherein a switching variable is determined based on a torsion amount and a torsion speed


Provided is a method for manufacturing a fermented milk product, including sequentially performing a first step of mixing raw material milk and lactic acid bacteria to obtain a mixed liquid, and a second step of fermenting the mixed liquid, characterized by performing a step of adding a Paenibacillus-derived protease to the raw material milk and/or the mixed liquid (protease addition step) before the second step is completed. According to this manufacturing method, the hardness of the fermented milk product can be adjusted to a desired value while original smoothness of the fermented milk product is maintained.

Fermented milk is roughly classified into two types. One is a pre-fermentation type, obtained by fermenting raw material milk in a large-sized manufacturing tank, crushing the obtained fermented milk, and then packing the fermented milk in an individual food container. The other is a post-fermentation type, obtained by packing raw material milk, lactic acid bacteria, and the like in an individual food container and then fermenting the milk. In any type, the fermented milk packed and fermented in an individual food container is delivered to a final consumer on a distribution route.
Conventionally, on a distribution route, fermented milk in an individual food container may be broken disadvantageously, or in a case of fermented milk containing a fruit pulp, the fruit pulp may sink into a bottom of an individual food container disadvantageously. Examples of a method for preventing these problems include a method for adding a gelling agent such as agar or gelatin to fermented milk to increase the hardness of the fermented milk. However, by adding the gelling agent, fermented milk is hardly broken, but on the other hand, an original smooth texture of the fermented milk is lost disadvantageously.
In order to solve the above problem, a method for adding an enzyme in manufacturing fermented milk has been proposed (for example, see Patent Literatures 1 and 2). Patent Literature 1 discloses a method using peroxidase, and Patent Literature 2 discloses a method using transglutaminase.

Yogurt product and method for manufacturing same


A golf club head having a toe portion, a heal portion and a club front intended striking face with a plurality of substantially parallel grooves formed in the face and extending horizontally between the toe portion and the heel portion. Each groove has a groove width such that the groove width increases from a center portion of the face towards the toe portion and the heel portion.

The present invention relates to the grooves formed across the club face of golf clubs including irons, drivers, woods and particularly wedges.
Golf club wedges are usually designed with varying degrees of loft generally ranging from a minimum of about 48 degrees to a maximum of about 64 degrees. The varying degrees of loft help to control the trajectory and distance a golf ball will travel.
In play, especially with the higher numbered irons and wedges, control is obtained in part by means of backspin. At the time of impact, the golf ball is contacted against the club face with substantial deformation. Control of the ball in flight is partly exercised by backspin, and more control is obtained on the initial bounce (i.e., the ball will "bite" or hold the surface better after the initial bounce) when the ball has the proper backspin. Thus, the higher the rate of backspin, the greater the control.
To achieve backspin, multiple grooves are cut across the club face of a golf club. These grooves grip the ball momentarily upon impact as it is driven, which in turn generates backspin on the ball. By and large, the most popular and common groove configurations employed today are the V-shape and square shape. Although these conventional configurations succeed in creating backspin, it is desirable to impart more spin to golf balls so that greater control can be achieved. While the V-shape is used, it is commonly used so that a golf club set contains either all V-shape or all square shape.
Having all grooves identical is a performance compromise that prior art golf club manufacturers were previously unaware of because the V-shape groove is not suited for all clubs in a set to maximize performance. The square shaped groove however also has many deficiencies, the largest being the cuts and shear produced on the cover of a golf ball leading to premature failure of a golf ball.

Variable scoreline golf club groove configuration


In a portable gateway a bridge between two wireless networks is provided. The gateway has a small size and can be carried in a pocket or a briefcase.

The present invention relates to a gateway, and in particular to a gateway designed to constitute a bridge between two wireless networks.
Today many types of different wireless networks exist. The different networks usually use different radio frequency transmission methods, and communication protocols. Thus, when information is to be transmitted over two different networks from a transmitter to a receiver, the information must in most cases be translated from a first format into a second format when the information is passed from the first network to the second network. Such a translation is usually performed by a so called gateway. Hence, the gateway constitutes a bridge between the two different networks.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of gateway enabling many new mobile applications, and that will enhance other applications, by providing a bridge between different wireless communications environments.
This object and others are obtained by a portable gateway providing a bridge between two wireless networks, and, in particular, a portable gateway designed to bridge between a Bluetooth network and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
In a preferred embodiment the portable gateway has at least one and preferably two slots for receiving a PC Card or a CompactFlash Card. By means of selecting suitable PC Cards the portable gateway can bridge between any wireless networks.
Also, the gateway preferably comprises an embedded server for distributing parameters relating to the different networks, such as network names, user name and password and also other parameters regarding for example security. The server is accessed from a remote input wireless terminal, such as mobile telephone.
The new applications, and the other applications, will, in particular, include devices such as mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA""s), or other mobile devices, equipped with Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) and means for Bluetooth connectivity.
For these, and other devices, the gateway as described herein will enable new mobile Internet applications, in particular such applications requiring transmission speeds in the range of about 100 kbit/s to 1 Mbit/s. Also, future applications will involve even higher transmission speeds.
These, and other, mobile applications are enabled by using one wireless network, such as Bluetooth, as the carrier for the Internet access of the device by communicating to the gateway, which is, in turn accessing the Internet, by another wireless network, e.g. by means of a WLAN.


The present invention relates to a new coating composition and especially a new coating composition to be used with a specific coating device for providing an even, thin and enclosing coating on tablets, capsules or pills of different sizes and shapes in order to improve the taste and the swallowing characteristics of the tablets, capsules or pills.

EP-B1-1 176 950 relates to a method and a disposable device for providing a coating on a tablet, capsule, pill or the like, in order to improve the taste and the swallowing characteristics of the tablet. The coating is applied manually with the device and it replaces the taste of a given tablet with a more palatable taste. EP-B1-1 176 950 is incorporated in a whole as a reference.
Many types of substances can be used with this coating technique in order to apply a coating to a tablet. The present inventors have however discovered that in order to be able to coat different types of tablets, in size and shape, with the same device (which is advantageous since it is less economical and practical to produce different devices adjusted for different sizes and shapes of tablets) and still obtain an enclosing coating that is thin and even you need to have a coating composition presenting specific viscoelastic rheological properties at room temperature. The reason why it is beneficial with a fully enclosing coating is that it better can camouflage a tablet's possible bitter taste and also better improve the swallowability of tablets with a rough surface. The reason why it is beneficial with a thin and even thickness of the coating is that if the coating is uneven the coating could get too thick on some areas making the tablet's size bigger and therefore harder to swallow. If the coating is too thin on some parts the coating could dissolve too quickly in the mouth, revealing the sometimes bad taste and rough surface of a tablet. A coating composition with a suitable viscoelastic rheology can be reshaped and stretched to a great extent forming a thin and even film and is therefore suitable to be used with this coating technique.
The patent EP-B1-1176950 gives little advice in how to formulate a suitable coating composition. The only examples of ingredients suggested to be used in EP-B1-1176950 to formulate the coating composition are gelatine and glucose and no directions are given concerning the amount of the ingredients to be used. When using only gelatine and glucose the present inventors have not succeeded in formulating a stable viscoelastic coating composition that is suitable for coating of different types of tablets, in size and shape with the same device.
The formula with best rheological properties using only gelatine, glucose and water was obtained by dissolving gelatine (type A, 260 bloom, SG-722 from Gelita Sweden) and glucose separately in water and then mix it and boil it and ascertain that the final compound consists of 1.3 weight-% gelatine, 1.0 weight-% water and 97.7 weight-% glucose. However, this composition is not stable and will crystallize within two weeks resulting in that the viscoelastic properties are lost and the composition becomes a non-homogenous mass with hard sugar crystals, not suitable for the coating technique. This formula would therefore at its best result in a product with a shelf life of less than two weeks, which naturally is very disadvantageous for a consumer product.
Further on a coating composition consisting of gelatine, glucose and water gives a coating that is relatively sticky to fingers and teeth. The stickiness to fingers is negative since it makes the coating less pleasant when the coated tablet is held in the hand before swallowing. The stickiness may also increase the amount of dirt and bacteria etc. that clings to the tablet before swallowing. The stickiness to teeth is negative since the coated tablet may therefore cling to the teeth when the tablet is put into the mouth, which is unpleasant and it can also make the swallowing of the coated tablet more difficult. It is therefore desirable to have a coating compound with a relatively low stickiness.
Play putties based on cross linked polymer solution often have a suitable stable visco elastic rheology. Further these play putties are generally non sticky to fingers and teeth. However, these types of masses are not suitable to be used as coating compositions mainly since these compounds contain borax, which is not permitted as a food additive in many countries and since they have a low solubility in water which can delay the absorption of an ingested drug in the stomach. The present inventors have albeit much effort not succeeded in finding a previous developed suitable viscoelastic mass based on food approved ingredients.
Tests were also performed on many different confectionary masses but it was found that none of these had suitable viscoelastic properties. Generally they were either mostly elastic (e.g. jelly confectionary) or mostly viscous (e.g. soft caramel).
Apart from the above mentioned desirable properties of the coating compound the inventors have found that it would also be preferable if the coating composition could be sugar free, contain saliva stimulating ingredients, be slippery in the mouth in order to make the tablet easier to swallow, be allergen free, has a low water activity preventing bacterial growth, be easy to deposit into the device during manufacturing, dissolve quickly from the tablet in the stomach and contain only ingredients not known to interact with medical substances.
It is an object of the present invention to solve the above mentioned obstacles and present a suitable coating composition to be used with the coating method and device described in EP-B1-1176950.


An attribute vector including value identifiers and corresponding to a dictionary structure is identified. A dictionary type encoding structure is generated by virtually partitioning the dictionary structure. The dictionary type encoding structure may include multiple dictionary types. Based on the dictionary encoding structure, the attribute vector may be split to generate multiple attribute vector blocks that may be identified by block transition indices. Based on the dictionary types in the dictionary encoding structure, the value identifiers in the attribute vector blocks are rearranged. Such a rearrangement optimizes the attribute vector for searching the value identifiers.

Advancements in database technologies have provided efficient means of data storage. For instance, a dataset including values may be stored in a table residing in the database in compressed form, and may be associated with identifiers. The values of the dataset may be accessed through the identifiers. For instance, when the dataset is searched for a specific value, a database search engine may first identify the identifier associated with the value. Upon such identification, the database search engine may search for the corresponding identifier through the entire dataset in the table. As the database search engine has to search through the entire dataset of the table, the search process may become inefficient and time consuming. Although compression of data improves the storage efficiency, searching optimally for data may be challenging.

Virtual split dictionary for search optimization


An apparatus for forming and sealing an adjustable duct member for use in an air handling system. At least one work station accommodates a tapered work piece. A repositionable die is positioned relative to the work piece, and a cutting and forming assembly cooperates with the repositionable die to cut the work piece and form a coupling bead to reconnect the members together. A sealing assembly cooperates with the first repositioning die to seal the coupling bead in the first and second members. The work station includes an insertion channel having predetermined dimensions to accommodate at least a portion of the work piece. A clamping assembly is associated with the insertion channel to securely hold the tapered work piece at the predetermined position during the cutting and forming and sealing operations.

In general, duct work is commonly used in forced air heating and air-conditioning systems for buildings and the like, with the duct work providing a distribution system to various areas of the building from a furnace and/or air-conditioning system. Coupling a round duct to the furnace or main trunk line is commonly provided via a top take off duct member which is positioned in association with the air handling equipment. The top take off provides the outlet for forced air to exit the trunk line or extended plenum for distribution to the registers. Typically, such a top take off comprises a cylindrical fitting associated with a length of cylindrical tubing which is coupled to an outlet opening in a high pressure plenum of the air handling system. The fitting is installed into and fixed in position with respect to the outlet opening in the wall of a trunk line or plenum. This take off duct can then be coupled into cylindrical duct work which extends to various portions of the building or the like. Depending on the particulars of an installation of an air handling system, it is many times problematic to efficiently couple into the top take off, as the position of the duct work may not correspond to the location of the top take off. Various fittings and interconnections are then necessary to couple the duct work to the air handling system, being a labor intensive and time-consuming process. Attempts to simplify connection of round duct work to a trunk line or plenum have included forming the top take off as an adjustable elbow which allows the orientation and position of the take off to be readily adjusted to simplify positioning and interconnection to the duct system. Such adjustable elbows typically will include three sections, each section being rotatable relative to the others. Each section in the take off is formed so as to be connected at an angular orientation relative to an adjacent section, whereupon relative rotation will vary the orientation of the outlet portion of the take off to simplify coupling into further duct work. Known adjustable take offs may be produced in different ways, but typically utilize a machine which a skilled operator uses for cutting and forming of each of the sections in the take off. Each of the sections may be adjustably coupled to an adjacent section by means of a bead coupling wherein a portion of each section is flared outwardly to engage a similar bead in an adjacent section, thereby locking the pieces together but allowing relative rotation therebetween. Known machines for producing and locking these sections together to form an adjustable take off are problematic, in that many of the stages of production of the sections in the take off are performed manually with a machine for cutting and beading of the take off sections. A skilled operator is therefore necessary to properly form each section and couple the sections together in a manner that they can be adjusted to one another. The difficulty of properly forming each section and connecting the sections together result in a high percentage of scrap as well as take offs which do not function well. More recently, automated take off machines have been produced which are designed to form straight take offs, wherein a cylindrical tube is cut into multiple pieces with the pieces being reassembled and locked together in an adjustable coupling. Although such apparatus is capable of forming a more uniform adjustable coupling between sections of the take off in a repeatable fashion, only straight take offs are able to be manufactured, with each section of the take off having a common diameter.
Other problems associated with these machines include the loss of air through the beads between the gores of the duct system. As air circulates through the duct system, air dissipates through the beads or seams that are between the gores, which in turn, causes a loss of energy and thus creates a less efficient system. Presently, no apparatus or methods exist for automated manufacture of adjustable ducts that are highly efficient with respect to the leakage that occurs at the beads or seams of the duct system.

Apparatus and method for production of duct members


A movable arm is for a movable arm assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The movable arm assembly includes a first separable contact. The electrical switching apparatus has a housing, an operating handle coupled to the housing, and a second separable contact located internal the housing and being structured to engage the first separable contact. The movable arm includes a first arm member structured to be coupled to the first separable contact; and a second arm member coupled to the first arm member, the second arm member being structured to be coupled to the operating handle. The first arm member is made from a first copper material and the second arm member is made from a second, different copper material.

Field
The disclosed concept relates to electrical switching apparatus, such as, for example, circuit breakers. The disclosed concept also relates to movable arm assemblies and movable arms for electrical switching apparatus.
Background Information
Electrical switching apparatus include, for example, circuit switching devices; circuit interrupters, such as circuit breakers; network protectors; contactors; motor starters; motor controllers; and other load controllers. Circuit breakers are used to protect electrical circuitry from damage due to an overcurrent condition, such as an overload condition or a relatively high level short circuit or fault condition. Small power switches, which are commonly referred to as miniature circuit breakers, are used, for example, in residential and light commercial electrical distribution systems. Miniature circuit breakers typically include a set of separable electrical contacts. The separable electrical contacts are in physical and electrical contact with one another when it is desired that the circuit breaker energize a power circuit. When it is desired to interrupt the power circuit, the separable electrical contacts are separated. This is generally accomplished by way of a movable arm. More specifically, one of the separable contacts (e.g., a movable contact) is located at an end of the movable arm, and when the movable arm moves away from the other separable contact, the power circuit is interrupted. In many known miniature circuit breakers, the other end of the movable arm (e.g., the end opposite the movable contact) interfaces with an operating handle of the circuit breaker.
In order for the circuit breaker to be properly certified, such as, for example and without limitation, to be properly certified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc., headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., the circuit breaker must be able to interrupt predetermined currents without failing. Testing in connection with ensuring certification criteria are satisfied has shown that the interface between the movable arm and the operating handle becomes undesirably hot. As a result, the operating handle, which is commonly made of thermoset materials, will be exposed to performance degradation in the form of an inability to act as an effective insulator.
There is thus room for improvement in electrical switching apparatus, and in movable arm assemblies and movable arms therefor.

Electrical switching apparatus, and movable arm assembly and movable arm therefor


The invention relates to a bit line precharge circuit of a multi-sectional memory array in which a first set of circuits gate a section decoding signal and a main bit line precharge pulse and a second set of circuits gate the section decoding signal and a main data line precharge pulse. The resultant signals from the first and second sets of circuits are fed into respective inverter circuits and then respectively into a bit line precharge circuit and a data line precharge circuit so that the operation margin of the section decoding signal increases by as much as the width of the main bit line precharge pulse.

The present invention relates to the bitline precharge circuit of a multi-sectional memory array, which improves the operating speed and also stabilizes the charge equalization operation in the multi-sectional type static RAM.
In designing the large-integrated Memory devices, the design technique of the multi-sectional memory array has been utilized and generalized to gain the operating speed and decrease the operating power consumption. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the multi-sectional memory array. Therein the cell array is constituted by N sections(S.sub.1 -S.sub.n) and the section is selected or not selected according to the transition of a section decoding signal(SS.sub.L), which is controlled by a section decoder(SD) corresponding to each section.
Also, the section word line(WLS) of each section(S.sub.1 -S.sub.n) is operated by the combination of the main word line(WLM) and the section decoding signal(SS.sub.L). And the bit line precharge part(BP) is operated by the section bit line precharge pulse(.phi..sub.BLS) which is the combination of the section decoding signal(SS.sub.L) and the main bit line precharge pulse(.phi..sub.BLM).
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the circuit generating the main signals used in FIG. 1. Therein the external address signal(XAk) enters to a row address buffer(RAB) and a short pulse generator(SPG.sub.1), the external address signal(ZAj) enters to a section address buffer(SAB) and a short pulse generator(SPG.sub.2), and the external address signal(YA.sub.i) enters to a column address buffer(CAB) and a short pulse generator(SPG.sub.3).
The output of the row address buffer(RAB) and the output of the section address buffer(SAB) are combined to generate the main word line(WLM) and the section decoding signal(SS.sub.L) through a row predecoder and decoder(RPD) and a section predecoder and decoder(SPD), respectively. A column predecoder and decoder(CPD) receives the output of the column address buffer(CAB) and generates the column decoding signal(CD.sub.i) to select a bit line. On the other hand, a .phi..sub.PX pulse generator(G.sub.1) receives the outputs(SPG.sub.k, SPG.sub.j) of the short pulse generator(SPG.sub.1, SPG.sub.2) and generates a .phi..sub.PX pulse, and a .phi..sub.PY pulse generator(G.sub.2) receives the output(SPG.sub.i) of the short pulse generator(SPG.sub.3) and generates a .phi..sub.PY pulse.
Finally, the .phi..sub.PX pulse generates to the main bit line precharge pulse (.phi..sub.BLM) by passing through two invertors (I.sub.10, I.sub.11) and, the .phi..sub.PX pulse and the .phi..sub.PY pulse are greatly combined by passing (.phi..sub.DLM) through a NOR gate(NO.sub.10) and a delay circuit(DY.sub.10) to generate then main dataline circuit (DY.sub.10).
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the conventional multi-sectional memory array, which embodies the previously described FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 6, the precharge operation of the circuit is as follows:
Assume that a new section is going to be accessed with a new combination of input addresses.
First, the address transition generates short pulses(SPG.sub.k, SPG.sub.j, SPG.sub.i) at SPG.sub.1 or SPG.sub.2 or SPG.sub.3.
Soon after, the short pulses generate to the main precharge pulses .phi..sub.BLM, .phi..sub.DLM. On the other hand, the new combination of address inputs result in a new section decoding output.
A time, t.sub.1, is defined as the delay time from the address inputs to the new output of section decoding circuit and a time, mt.sub.1, is defined as the spare time from the new output of section decoding circuit to the main bit line precharge pulse, .phi..sub.BLM.
The new section is selected by section decoding signal(SS.sub.L), then main bit line and data line precharge pulses(.phi..sub.BLM, .phi..sub.DLM) appear, so the charge and equalization are attained by the driving transistors(TP.sub.1 -TP.sub.6) of FIG. 2. At this time the bit line has been partially charged by the transistors(TN.sub.1, TN.sub.2) in the non-selected condition, however since the transistors are usually designed to have a very small size due to read speed and operation current, the charging of the bit line by the transistors is very slow and is thus substantially negligible. Thus the said section decoding signal(SS.sub.L) should respond within the shortest time from the address input and precedes the leading edge of the main bit line and data line precharge pulse(.phi..sub.BLM, .phi..sub.DLM) with the spare time(mt.sub.1), to guarantee enough precharge time of bit lines and data lines. In the case where mt.sub.1 <0, depending on the surroundings, the pulse width of the said section bit line and data line precharge pulse(.phi..sub.BLS, .phi..sub.DLS) decreases and it is difficult to sufficiently precharge the section bit line(BLS) and the section data line(DLS), so careful attention must be paid when the chip is designed. Thus, there is a problem due to the operation speed of the whole chip being limited by the section decoding signal(SS.sub.L) which selects or deselects the section and the operation itself is unstable in certain instances.

Bitline precharge circuit of multi-sectional memory array


A method for forming a semiconductor device structure, comprising the steps of independently forming source/drain surface metal silicide layers and a fully silicided metal gate in a polysilicon gate stack. Specifically, one or more sets of spacer structures are provided along sidewalls of the polysilicon gate stack after formation of the source/drain surface metal silicide layers and before formation of the silicided metal gate, in order to prevent formation of additional metal silicide structures in the source/drain regions during the gate salicidation process. The resulting semiconductor device structure includes a fully silicide metal gate that either comprises a different metal silicide material from that in the source/drain surface metal silicide layers, or has a thickness that is larger than that of the source/drain surface metal silicide layers. The source/drain regions of the semiconductor device structure are devoid of other metal silicide structures besides the surface metal silicide layers.

Throughout the prior art, metal gate integration has proven difficult to achieve in a conventional process flow for MOS transistors. Most metal gate materials interact with the gate dielectric during the high temperature processing needed for source/drain (S/D) junction activation anneals. The need to keep the metal gate stack from receiving high temperature anneals has lead to the development of the "gate last" or "replacement gate" process for which the gate stack is fabricated last and remains below 500° C. during subsequent processing. Although the prior art replacement gate process increases the number of material choices for a metal gate, the process complexity and cost increases.
It is known in the prior art to form self-aligned silicided metal gates by reacting polycrystalline silicon with a metal. For example, the prior art process begins with providing a precursor structure that includes a semiconductor substrate having one or more patterned gate regions separated from each other by one or more isolation regions, each gate region containing at least a gate dielectric and a polysilicon gate conductor. Dielectric cap and spacer structures can be respectively formed on top of and along sidewalls of each gate region as well. Subsequently, source/drain implants are performed to form source and drain regions, during which the polysilicon gate conductor is protected by the dielectric cap and spacer. Next, the dielectric cap is non-selectively removed from the top of each gate region, and then a silicide metal, such as Ni or Co, is deposited on the entire structure. An optional oxygen diffusion barrier layer can be formed atop the silicide metal, and then annealing is performed to cause reaction between the polysilicon and the silicide metal in both the gate region and the source and drain regions. Depending on the metal, a low resistivity metal silicide can be formed by utilizing a single annealing step. After the single anneal, any unreacted metal and the optional oxygen diffusion barrier is removed, and if needed, a second annealing step may be performed to form a low resistivity metal silicide. In such a manner, the salicidation process described above simultaneously forms a fully silicided metal gate and metal silicide surface layers in the source/drain regions.
This prior art process does not allow independent salicidation of the gate region and the source/drain regions, and it can only form metal silicide gates and source/drain surface metal silicide layers of approximately the same thickness, i.e., about 100 nm. However, the gate region and the source/drain regions typically have significantly different silicide requirements. Specifically, the source/drain surface metal silicide layers should be relatively thin (e.g., about 20 nm) to prevent source/drain punchthrough, while the metal silicide gate is typically much thicker.
Therefore, the thick source/drain surface metal silicide layers formed by the above described prior art process can be problematic for a few reasons. First, the silicide can extend underneath the gate region, thereby shorting the device. Secondly, the thick source/drain metal silicide can also be problematic given the recess of the isolation regions of the device caused by the non-selective removal of the dielectric cap from the gate region. Specifically, the silicide in the prior art process can short across devices separated by narrow isolation regions. Thirdly, the thick silicide may consume the silicon in the extension regions under the spacers leading to poor device performance.
Hence, there is a continuing need for improved methods that produce a thick and fully silicided metal gate and a much thinner source/drain silicide.

Formation of fully silicided (FUSI) gate using a dual silicide process

International Business Machines Corporation


A reordering priority to grant higher priority for a request over a response when a predetermined condition is detected for live-lock prevention is discussed. Specifically. A a circuit and flowchart for preventing a live lock situation is discussed without a need for a bus converter. In one example, a detection of a PRETRY response in a response queue is analyzed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improving efficiency of a multinode system by preventing live-lock situations by reordering priority between a request and response.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typically, a multinode system grants higher priority to a response rather than a request for preventing dead-lock when a channel is shared between a request and a response. However, a live-lock situation may result if a response is always granted a higher priority than a request.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical live-lock situation. The vertical arrows designate various nodes within a multinode system. For example, node A, C, D, and a Home node, as well as a scalability port switch (SPS).
The SPS receives a Port Read Line Data (PRLD) request that is a snoop filter miss. As a result, a Port Snoop Invalidate (PSNRI) response is returned to the request node and a Port Memory Read (PMR) is scheduled to send to the Home node for a data read. However, back pressure occurs in the PMR because it is unable to accept the request due to insufficient space to store the request for processing. Meanwhile, a Port Read Invalidate Line (PRIL) request for the same cache line requested by the PRLD arrives at the SPS from another node. Thus, the SPS retries the PRIL because it conflicts with the PRLD for the same cache line. Therefore, the response channel is selected for returning PRETRY response and the requesting node retries the PRIL request after receiving the PRETRY. Subsequently, the SPS retries the PRIL while more requests to the same cache line continue to arrive from other nodes. Thus, the Home node releases the back pressure. However, the request channel is not selected for PMR because the response channel has been selected for handling multiple PRETRY's. Therefore, the pending PRLD creates a conflict scenario, "live-lock", and where the requests to the same cache line are continuously retried and results in new requests not being serviced and eventually leading to systems time-out

Method and apparatus for avoiding live-lock in a multinode system


An apparatus for recording and reproducing video data, audio data and graphics data representing sub-images such as subtitles to be superimposed with main images of the video data. Main data comprised of the video and audio data are compression encoded, multiplexed and recorded on a record medium such as a magnetic or optical disk. The graphics data are arranged in at least one file separate from the main data, and separately recorded on the recording medium. During reproduction, the graphics data file is read from the record medium at different times than the main data, and buffered separately. The arrangement and recording of the graphics data in a separate file simplifies editing and playback operations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to digital video and audio recording and reproduction, and more particularly, to the digital recording/reproduction of compressed audio/video with superimposed sub-information such as subtitles.
2. Description of the Related Art
In one approach to superimposing graphics data representing sub-images (e.g., subtitles) with main information containing digitally encoded motion picture video and audio, the main information and graphics data are time multiplexed and then recorded. Typically, MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) encoding is employed to compress the main information as well as the graphics data. With the MPEG technique, encoded data is organized into data blocks referred to as xe2x80x9caccess unitsxe2x80x9d. Within each access unit there is stored reproduction timing information representing the time at which both the main information and the superimposed graphics data of that access unit are to be output for reproduction.
A drawback of the above-noted traditional technique resides in its inherent inefficiency in certain situations. For instance, if correction of just the sub-image data (xe2x80x9csub-informationxe2x80x9d) is desired, then all data subsequent to and including the sub-information for correction has to be isolated and then once again multiplexed after the correction is performed. Moreover, the storage of the reproduction timing information within each access unit is a cause for inefficiency when it is desired to start reproduction (playback) of the stored video program from a user-selected in-progress point of the program, i.e., a point other than the beginning of the program. That is, it becomes necessary to search for the location of the access unit corresponding to the reproduction start time of the selected in-progress point.
In view of the above-noted problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a way to enable corrections to be made to main information and/or sub-information without the main and sub-information affecting one another.
It is another object of the invention to facilitate the retrieval of reproduction timing information in a digitally compressed audio/video program containing sub-information.
It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved digital video recording/reproduction device and method.
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for recording and reproducing audio/video data and graphics data representing sub-images such as subtitles to be superimposed with main images of the video data. Main data comprised of the video and audio data are compression encoded, multiplexed and recorded on a record medium such as an optical or magnetic disk. The graphics data are arranged in at least one file separate from the main data, and separately recorded on the record medium. During reproduction, the graphics data file is read from the record medium at different times than the main data, and buffered separately. The arrangement and recording of the graphics data in its own file(s) simplifies editing and playback operations.
Preferably, a graphics header file is also created and stored separately from the main data, and separately from the file(s) containing the graphics data. The graphics header file contains information relating to the graphics data, such as presentation times at which individual pages of the graphics data are to be decoded and displayed, and arrival times at which the pages are to arrive at a code buffer for temporary storage prior to being displayed. Another file may also be stored on the record medium, which file contains read times at which the pages are to be read from the record medium.

Method and apparatus for digital recording/reproduction of video with superimposed sub-information


An illumination device includes a light incident face onto which light is incident, a light guide plate that has a light emitting face that is disposed adjacent to the light incident face and intersects the light incident face, an illumination light source that is disposed to face the light incident face such that an optical axis thereof faces the light incident face, a position detecting beam source that is disposed to face the light incident face such that an optical axis thereof faces the light incident face, and a wiring substrate that extends along the light incident face and has both the illumination light source and the position detecting beam source mounted thereon.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an illumination device, a coordinate inputting device, an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus, and more particularly, to a configuration of an illumination device that is very appropriate to be used in a display device having an optical position detecting unit.
2. Related Art
Generally, in display devices having an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal display body, in order to allow a display screen to be visually recognized or increase the visibility, an illumination device such as a back light is frequently used. In addition, in the display devices, a pointed position detecting unit such as a touch panel may be disposed in a display screen. In such a case, by pointing a specific spot in the display screen with a pen, a finger, or the like, the pointed position is detected so as to be input to an information processing apparatus or the like.
As a pointed position detection unit (a position coordinate inputting unit) such as the touch panel, an electrostatic capacitance-type touch panel, a resistance film-type touch panel, or the like for mechanically or electrically detecting the state of a contact on the display screen have been known. In addition, other than the above-described touch panels, optical touch panels that can detect positional coordinates of a finger or the like for a case where infrared rays are blocked with the finger or the like, for example, by running a plurality of the infrared rays horizontally and vertically along the display screen and disposing light detectors corresponding thereto for detecting the infrared rays have been known. Generally, various types of optical touch panels have been known. For example, there are touch panels disclosed in JP-A-2004-295644 and JP-A-2004-303172.
However, in the above-described optical touch panels, a plurality of light sources and light detectors, a plurality of light switches, or a plurality of light guiding structures corresponding to resolution of positional coordinates to be detected in the vicinity of the display screen is needed to be arranged. Accordingly, the structure becomes complicated, and the number of optical elements is increased. As a result, there is a problem that a high manufacturing cost incurs.
In addition, by preparing the above-described complicated structure, the thickness of the device is increased or the external dimension of the device may be increased for a case where the structure is disposed on the outer peripheral side for preventing the increase of the thickness of the device.

Illumination device, coordinate inputting device, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus


A mold for nanoimprint lithography assisted by a determined wavelength is disclosed. According to some aspects, a layer made from a first material including, on a first face, a layer made from a second rigid material in which n structured zones with micrometric or nanometric patterns (n≧1) are made, and, on the face opposite said first face, a layer made from a third rigid material in which n recesses are formed, opposite the n structured zones. The n recesses are filled with a fourth material to form n portions. The transmittance at the determined wavelength of the layer of third material is lower than the transmittance of any one of the n portions; and the transmittance of the layers of first, second, and third materials at the determined wavelength λdet is such that the transmission of a light with determined wavelength λdet through said layers is lower than the transmission of the light through any one of the n portions and the layers of first and second materials. According to some aspects, methods for making such a mold are disclosed.

UV-assisted nanoimprint lithography consists in duplicating patterns by pressing a mold, which is transparent at an usage wavelength situated in the UV range (i.e. a wavelength between 193 nm and 400 nm, preferably between 200 nm and 400 nm), in a UV photosensitive polymer film arranged in a substrate to be imprinted and applying UV radiation through said mold in order to photopolymerize the resin film.
The patterns reproduced in the polymer film are then etched in the substrate to be imprinted, underlying the polymer film.
It is called nanoimprinting because the duplicated patterns have a size (length, width and/or diameter) between a few nanometers and several hundred micrometers.
UV-assisted nanoimprinting is generally done using a technique called "step and repeat": a mold having an area of several cm2 is put in contact with a resin film arranged on a substrate to be imprinted; the resin film is exposed to an usage wavelength situated in the UV range; the mold is then detached from the resin film and moved to another location of the substrate to be imprinted. These steps are repeated until the entire area of the substrate to be treated is imprinted.
The main drawback of this technique is that it is not possible to imprint two adjacent chips without leaving a separating distance between them. In the best of cases, this distance is several tens of micrometers, which constitutes a significant distance relative to the size of the chips and the size of the mold: there is therefore considerable lost space.
The main cause of this limitation comes from the fact that the mold usually made for carrying out the "step and repeat" technique is completely transparent to UV. As a result, during exposure to an usage wavelength situated in the UVs, the UVs modify the resin film present under the imprinted patterns, but also on the near periphery of the patterns (lateral diffusion).
This lateral diffusion of the light due to the transparency of the mold can be limited if the spaces situated between the patterns are covered by a light-absorbing layer. For example, the deposition of a layer of chrome on the face of a quartz mold comprising patterns will make it possible to locally eliminate the transparency of said mold. However, the deposition of said layer, done after the lithography and etching of the mold, is not simple to carry out and it is also difficult to very precisely define the boundary between the transparent zones and the absorbent zones of the mold. The presence of this light-absorbing layer also modifies the surface properties of the mold relative to the polymer film used during the nanoimprinting, which can cause new issues (appearance of flaws, wettability problem . . . ).
Another drawback of the UV-transparent molds is that they are generally rigid. Indeed, the molds generally used to perform UV-assisted nanoimprinting are made from quartz (quartz being transparent for wavelengths greater than 193 nm).
However, structuring using traditional lithography/etching methods of UV-transparent and rigid materials, and in particular quartz, becomes problematic when the patterns to be obtained have dimensions smaller than 100 nm.
Moreover, the more rigid a mold is, the more difficult it becomes to obtain homogenous contact (even contact) at all points between the mold and the resin film. It then becomes very difficult, or even impossible, to imprint patterns with satisfactory homogeneity. For example, a quartz mold has a rigidity such that the maximum area it is possible to imprint in a single step using such a mold is typically several cm2.
In light of the aforementioned drawbacks, the inventor's goal was to design a mold for nanoimprint lithography assisted by a determined wavelength in which the necessary distance between two successive chips can be minimized.
Another of the inventor's goals is for the mold also to be able to comprise patterns with a nanometric size and/or to have an area greater than several cm2.

Mold for UV assisted nanoimprint lithography and methods for making such a mold

Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives


A high density semiconductor device is provided with an improved voltage pumping (bootstrapping) circuit. The voltage pumping circuit generates at an initial power-up state a first output voltage which is substantially identical to the memory device source supply voltage. The pumping circuit then pumps the first output voltage up to a second output voltage which is higher than the first output voltage. The pumping operation is achieved prior to or upon the semiconductor memory device being enabled in response to a series of pulses output from an oscillator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to high density semiconductor memory devices and more particularly, to a circuit for applying a pumped voltage which is greater than the source supply voltage, to components within the high density semiconductor memory devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
The complexity of semiconductor memory devices has rapidly increased so that memory devices having a capacity of several tens of mega bits (Mbit) are fabricated under design tolerances of 1-micron (micrometer) or less.
Such semiconductor memory devices comprise mostly a plurality of CMOS elements having operating voltages applied across thin dielectric films.
As the complexity increases, the space between CMOS elements or signal lines is reduced along with the thickness of the dielectric films. Thus, it becomes necessary to lower chip operating voltage.
For example, 64 Mbit memory devices usually have an operating voltage of 1.5V. However, if the operating voltage of the memory device is improvidently lowered, the voltage drop caused by the threshold voltage of the respective MOS transistors and the resistances of signal lines during the transmission of data signals will often make it impossible to read and write the data.
In order to solve this problem, the externally applied source voltage is amplified within the chip of the memory device. Such amplifying means are better known as pumping circuits, bootstrapping circuits or voltage-raising circuits. For consistency, in the present application, such a circuit will be referred to as a pumping circuit.
As shown in FIG. 1A which illustrates a conventional pumping circuit, enable clock pulses are applied to drive circuit 1, 2 and to a first electrode of a pumping capacitor 3, providing at the other electrode a pumped voltage Vpp which is increased by coupling to a voltage level greater than that of the voltage applied to the first electrode.
Although this pumping circuit has a simple structure, there is not provided a way for stabilizing the output of pumping capacitor 3. Therefore, its operational reliability decreases when used in high density memory devices which demand a much lower operating voltage. Moreover, it is also difficult to adjust the timing of the enable clock pulses.
In order to improve the pumping circuit of FIG. 1A, a voltage pumping circuit as shown in FIG. 1A, originally disclosed in the IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUIT, VOL.24, NO.3, JUNE 1989, has been proposed.
In FIG. 1B, .PHI.PHB represents a word line precharge signal, .PHI.1 and .PHI.2 represent clock signals to enable row address signals, and OSC represents an oscillator output. When the chip is enabled from standby, i.e., precharging is performed before and after a read/write operation, the word line precharge signal .PHI.PHB is set to level Vpp. In the operational mode of the chip, the signal .PHI.PHB is supplied with ground voltage level (0V).
As shown in FIG. 1B, if the voltage level of word line precharge signal .PHI.PHB drops from Vpp level to OV, clock signals .PHI.1 and .PHI.2 are raised to Vcc level. Subsequently, clock signal .PHI.1 initiates a coupling effect on capacitors C1 and C2 to pump the voltages of signal lines G1 and G2 to level Vcc level or even greater. Similarly, clock signal .PHI.2 initiates a coupling effect on capacitors C3 and C4 to pump the voltages of signal lines G3 and G4 to a level Vpp which is greater than level Vcc.
Thereafter, the pumped voltages of signal lines G1 and G2 are dropped to 0V by clock signal .PHI.2. The voltages of signal lines G3 and G4 represent the output Vpp. As the chip changes its state from operational mode to standby mode, word line precharge signal .PHI.PHB is applied with voltage Vpp level. As a result, the output of prior art FIG. 1B results in voltage level Vcc, the voltage Vpp level being produced only when a given row address signal is applied active (operational mode).
Although the circuit of FIG. 1B overcomes tile problems associated with unstable Vpp voltages and the imprecise timing of input signal response, other problems originate. Namely, additional circuits necessary for generating the word line precharge signal .PHI.PHB and clock signals .PHI.1 and .PHI.2 are required. The addition of further non-memory circuitry reduces memory capacity and degrades chip density.
Moreover, voltage Vpp is output when a row address signal is applied active, enabling clock signals .PHI.1 and .PHI.2 and thereby degrading the operational speed of the chip.
Additionally, the circuit of FIG. 1B provides poor voltage pumping efficiency when used with semiconductor memory devices of densities in the order of 16 Mbits or 64 Mbits.
FIG. 1C shows another conventional voltage pumping circuit proposed by Yoshinobu Nakakome, et al in an article entitled "An Experimental 1.5-V 64 Mbit DRAM", IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits, Vol.26, No.4, April 1991, pp.465-472. This article discloses a word line driver circuit for preventing the word line voltage from being dropped by a threshold voltage of an access transistor.
As shown in FIG. 1C, the word line driver produces a pumped voltage V.sub.CH of voltage level 2Vcc by a feedback operation of charge pump circuits CP1 and CP2 even under low operating voltage conditions. This circuit, however, exhibits the following problems:
First, the capacitance of capacitor CcH connected to node VcH becomes so great that the area of the chip is increased. When a voltage "high" level is transferred to a selected word line, charge sharing occurs between capacitor C.sub.CH and the capacitance component C.sub.WL of the word line. This relationship may be expressed by the following equation (1): EQU C.sub.CH .times.V.sub.CH =(C.sub.WL +C.sub.CH).times.V.sub.WL EQU V.sub.WL =[C.sub.CH /(C.sub.WL +C.sub.CH)].times.V.sub.CH ( 1)
From equation (1), we can see that it is preferable for voltage V.sub.WL of the word line to equal the pumped voltage V.sub.CH. Capacitance C.sub.CH should be of a great enough value to obviate capacitance C.sub.WL. After charge sharing, the voltage drop of node V.sub.CH should be small to secure the stable operation of the circuit in the next cycle. This is achieved by making capacitance CcH great.
Second, in order to set the voltage of a selected word "high", the voltage pumping circuit is kept operating to charge node V.sub.CH, increasing chip power consumption.
Moreover, the continuous operation of the voltage pumping circuit of FIG. 1C may excessively increase the voltage at node V.sub.CH and destroy adjacent transistors.

Voltage pumping circuit for semiconductor memory devices


An automobile or vehicle having a high efficiency solar control system is provided. The automobile may have a painted surface and a film mounted to its exterior side. The film may reflect solar radiation in the near and mid infrared ranges yet allow high transmission of light in the visible range such that the painted panel may be seen. The film may have a layer of silver which reflects the solar radiation in the near and mid infrared ranges. Since the silver is susceptible to oxidation and turns the silver into a black body which absorbs the near and mid infrared radiation, the film may be designed to slow the rate of oxidation of the silver layer to an acceptable level. The silver layer may be sandwiched between the glass which does not allow oxygen to diffuse there through and reach the layer of silver and a stack of sacrificial layers having a certain thickness which slows down the rate of oxygen diffusion to an acceptable level.

The present invention relates to an automobile having a film mounted to its painted surface for reducing solar radiation load yet allowing the paint's color to shine through the film.
Direct sunlight on a painted surface of an automobile or vehicle may cause drivers to use the air conditioning system and/or use the air conditioning system at a higher level. The reason is that the paint and the underlying panel (e.g., metallic panel) may behave as a black body absorbing infrared radiation and re-radiating the absorbed infrared radiation as heat into the automobile cabin. Unfortunately, as a result, the air conditioning system may consume a large percentage of energy expended by the automobile in light of its overall energy consumption. By way of example and not limitation, the air conditioning system of the automobile may consume approximately twenty percent (20%) to about sixty percent (60%) of the total amount of energy consumed by the automobile. As such, reducing the cooling needs may reduce total energy consumption by the automobile.
The California Air Resources Board ("CARB") has been attempting to draft a "cool car standard" for vehicles which would come into effect sometime in the future. The standard would require that the paint of any newly produced car to have a solar reflectivity of greater than a certain level (e.g., 65%). Unfortunately, such cool car standard has been postponed since it is believed that the requirements cannot be met by paint manufacturers. Also, even if the standard could be met, eighty (80) % compliance is believed to take approximately fourteen (14) years to implement.
Several factors determine the comfort level within the cabin of the automobile. They include the cabin air temperature, air speed within the automobile cabin, humidity of the air within the automobile cabin and the amount of thermal radiation entering the automobile cabin. When the cabin air temperature is uncomfortably hot, the automobile occupants may turn on the air conditioning system to cool down the average air temperature. In this instance, the air conditioning unit consumes energy to reduce the air temperature of the automobile cabin. The automobile occupants may also turn on and/or increase fan speed to increase air speed of the air circulating within the automobile cabin. The fan consumes energy. The speed of air within the automobile cabin increases evaporation of moisture on the skin of the automobile occupants which cools the occupant's skin temperature.
While driving during the day, the automobile cabin is exposed to the solar radiation. A portion of the solar radiation is absorbed by the paint and heated. A portion of the solar radiation may be transmitted through the paint and absorbed by the metallic panel under the paint. The infrared radiation absorbed by the paint and the metallic panel heats up and re-radiates energy into the cabin of the automobile to thereby increase the average air temperature of the automobile cabin. Additionally, the re-radiated energy may be absorbed by the interior of the automobile cabin. As such, the interior of the automobile cabin may have a large amount of re-radiated infrared radiation being transmitted. Unfortunately, since the roof, interior and windows of the automobile cabin tend not to allow transmission of infrared radiation there through, the automobile cabin retains the infrared radiation and may have an air temperature greater than ambient air temperature.
Moreover, the re-radiated radiation may be transmitted through the air within the automobile cabin and be directly absorbed by the occupant's skin. This may cause the occupants to feel uncomfortably hot thereby encouraging use of the air conditioning system of the automobile even if the cabin air temperature is within a comfortable range. This may cause the occupant to turn on the air conditioning system and/or fan. Use of the air conditioning system and the fan both consume energy. Any reduction in the use of the air conditioning system and fan would also reduce the total amount of energy consumed by the automobile.
The human skin contains receptors that are sensitive to thermal radiation in the infrared range. When the automobile occupants are exposed to the re-radiated thermal radiation, the occupants may be uncomfortable even if the cabin air temperature is within a comfortable range. The occupants may resort to decreasing the average air temperature of the cabin and increasing the air speed of the fan system to counteract the discomfort caused by the reradiated thermal radiation, both of which consume increasing amounts of energy.
As such, there is a need in the art for an apparatus and method for reducing the need to use the air conditioning system and/or fan of the automobile and mitigating exposure to thermal radiation.