In one embodiment, a method of signal processing includes calculating an envelope of a first signal that is based on a low-frequency portion of a speech signal, calculating an envelope of a second signal that is based on a high-frequency portion of the speech signal, and calculating a first plurality of gain factor values according to a time-varying relation between the envelopes of the first and second signals. The method includes, based on the first plurality of gain factor values, calculating a plurality of smoothed gain factor values. In one example, each of the plurality of smoothed gain factor values is based on a weighted sum of at least one of the first plurality of gain factor values and at least one smoothed gain factor value. In another example, the sum is adaptively weighted based on at least one distance among the plurality of gain factor values.

Voice communications over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) have traditionally been limited in bandwidth to the frequency range of 300-3400 kHz. New networks for voice communications, such as cellular telephony and voice over IP (Internet Protocol, VoIP), may not have the same bandwidth limits, and it may be desirable to transmit and receive voice communications that include a wideband frequency range over such networks. For example, it may be desirable to support an audio frequency range that extends down to 50 Hz and/or up to 7 or 8 kHz. It may also be desirable to support other applications, such as high-quality audio or audio/video conferencing, that may have audio speech content in ranges outside the traditional PSTN limits.
Extension of the range supported by a speech coder into higher frequencies may improve intelligibility. For example, the information that differentiates fricatives such as 's' and 'f' is largely in the high frequencies. Highband extension may also improve other qualities of speech, such as presence. For example, even a voiced vowel may have spectral energy far above the PSTN limit.
One approach to wideband speech coding involves scaling a narrowband speech coding technique (e.g., one configured to encode the range of 0-4 kHz) to cover the wideband spectrum. For example, a speech signal may be sampled at a higher rate to include components at high frequencies, and a narrowband coding technique may be reconfigured to use more filter coefficients to represent this wideband signal. Narrowband coding techniques such as CELP (codebook excited linear prediction) are computationally intensive, however, and a wideband CELP coder may consume too many processing cycles to be practical for many mobile and other embedded applications. Encoding the entire spectrum of a wideband signal to a desired quality using such a technique may also lead to an unacceptably large increase in bandwidth. Moreover, transcoding of such an encoded signal would be required before even its narrowband portion could be transmitted into and/or decoded by a system that only supports narrowband coding.
Another approach to wideband speech coding involves extrapolating the highband spectral envelope from the encoded narrowband spectral envelope. While such an approach may be implemented without any increase in bandwidth and without a need for transcoding, the coarse spectral envelope or formant structure of the highband portion of a speech signal generally cannot be predicted accurately from the spectral envelope of the narrowband portion.
It may be desirable to implement wideband speech coding such that at least the narrowband portion of the encoded signal may be sent through a narrowband channel (such as a PSTN channel) without transcoding or other significant modification. Efficiency of the wideband coding extension may also be desirable, for example, to avoid a significant reduction in the number of users that may be serviced in applications such as wireless cellular telephony and broadcasting over wired and wireless channels.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for gain factor smoothing


The disclosure provides several pyrolysis reactor configurations and associated methods for generating pyrolysis products (e.g., oil, gas, and/or char) from organic feedstock.

The pervasive use of fossil fuels as the primary energy source for most transportation, space heating and industrial activity has led to the release of increasingly large of amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. The resulting increase in CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is believed by the climate research community to be a primary driver of global warming. Because of the potentially dire economic and human consequences of global warming, extensive efforts are being made to reduce all Green House Gas Emissions including CO2 and CH4 from dump sites and landfills wherever possible.
In view of the large fraction of the global economy that runs on gas and liquid hydrocarbon fuels (currently derived almost exclusively from fossil fuels), alternative fuels that can serve as replacements with a minimum of technological adjustment are desirable. Additionally, there is substantial demand for other fossil fuel-based feedstocks from the chemical industry. Therefore, there is a need for gas and liquid fuels, as well as other chemical feedstocks, the production and/or use of which results in reduced CO2 emissions as compared to use of the fossil fuel equivalents. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel can be reduced by using pyrolysis of biomass and other waste streams to produce alternative fuels and feedstocks.
The world generated 1.4 trillion tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) in 2014. Of that total, 43% was landfilled, 9% was disposed in dump sites, 16% was incinerated, 9% was composted, and only 17% is recycled (What a Waste: A Global Review of Solid Waste Management, World Bank). The percentage of waste sent to the landfill and dumped could be reduced to less than 26%, using integrated materials and energy recovery. Mixed MSW may be sorted with the use of mechanical and optical technologies to extract (i) recyclables (plastic bottles, cardboard, paper, metals and glass/ceramics) and (ii) wet organic waste (food and yard waste) for anaerobic digestion to produce bio-gas, and (iii) compost and residual mixed unrecyclable waste (film plastics, plastic cups/plates, dirty unrecyclable paper/cardboard, diapers, and wood chips) for pyrolysis to produce biofuels.
MSW is not the only source of biomass for biofuel production. Materials such as wood wastes from forestry operations, crop residues from agriculture, and animal wastes may be used. Because biomass of these types ultimately are derived from photosynthesis, combustion of its derivatives does not add new CO2 to the atmosphere, thereby resulting in a concomitant reduction in CO2 emissions.
Pyrolysis is one of a number of processes that can be used to convert biomass and other sources of hydrocarbon-containing materials into gas and liquid fuels and other chemical feedstocks. Pyrolysis is a chemical process whereby hydrocarbon-containing materials can be thermally decomposed in the absence of free oxygen, and whereby useful hydrocarbon liquids, gases and other materials are produced as a result of that thermal decomposition from the biomass or other starting material. The products of pyrolysis can be further processed to produce gas and liquid fuels and other feedstocks required by the chemical industry.
While the chemical principles of pyrolysis have been well understood for several decades, it has only recently been applied to large-scale conversion of biomass and other hydrocarbon-containing waste streams. While many types of reactors are used for conducting pyrolysis, there is a need to provide a pyrolysis reactor with more efficient feedstock conversion in pyrolysis. One of the biggest challenges for commercial-scale pyrolysis is the reliability of continuous processing. Maintaining an oxygen free environment is critical to pyrolysis and has been very difficult to achieve. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a batch reactor that functions in a semi-continuous mode and provides sufficient throughput per reactor volume to satisfy the commercial scale requirement.


An adjustable thermal die assembly is provided. The thermal die assembly includes a thermal forming die and at least one insert. The thermal forming die has at least one die cavity of a select shape. The die further has at least one opening to the at least one die cavity. The at least one insert has at least one internal passage that is conformed to have a shape of the at least one opening to the at least one die cavity of the die. Moreover, the at least one insert is configured and arranged to be selectively coupled to the die with the at least one internal passage of the at least one insert aligning with the at least one opening of the at least one die cavity to selectively increase a depth of a forming cavity of the thermal forming assembly.

Plastic packaging is commonly used for products such as meats. It is often desired to have a package that is conformed to the shape of the product being packaged for sale. One method of achieving a desired shape of a package is by forming a plastic package with a thermal forming die. Different sized cavities in different thermal dies can produce different sized packages.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an effective and efficient apparatus and method of forming plastic packages of different sizes with the use of a single thermal forming die.


Apparatuses and methods for determining a deflection of a moveable conductive plate that is moved over a capacitive sensing device. The method may include moving the moveable conductive plate over sensor elements of the capacitive sensing device, and determining the deflection of the moveable conductive plate. In determining the deflection, a deflection magnitude and a deflection direction may be determined by calculating a vector of x- and y-directions or a vector of a radius and an angle.

Computing devices, such as notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), kiosks, and mobile handsets, have user interface devices, which are also known as human interface devices (HID). One user interface device that has become more common is a touch-sensor pad (also commonly referred to as a touchpad). A basic notebook computer touch-sensor pad emulates the function of a personal computer (PC) mouse. A touch-sensor pad is typically embedded into a PC notebook for built-in portability. A touch-sensor pad replicates mouse x/y movement by using two defined axes which contain a collection of sensor elements that detect the position of a conductive object, such as a finger. Mouse right/left button clicks can be replicated by two mechanical buttons, located in the vicinity of the touchpad, or by tapping commands on the touch-sensor pad itself. The touch-sensor pad provides a user interface device for performing such functions as positioning a pointer, or selecting an item on a display. These touch-sensor pads may include multi-dimensional sensor arrays for detecting movement in multiple axes. The sensor array may include a one-dimensional sensor array, detecting movement in one axis. The sensor array may also be two array, detecting movement in one axis. The sensor array may also be two dimensional, detecting movements in two axes.
One type of touchpad operates by way of capacitance sensing utilizing capacitive sensors. The capacitance detected by a capacitive sensor changes as a function of the proximity of a conductive object to the sensor. The conductive object can be, for example, a stylus or a user's finger. In a touch-sensor device, a change in capacitance detected by each sensor in the X and Y dimensions of the sensor array due to the proximity or movement of a conductive object can be measured by a variety of methods. The touch-sensor devices may include single sensor elements or elements arranged in multiple dimensions for detecting a presence of the conductive object on the touch-sensor device. Regardless of the method, usually an electrical signal representative of the capacitance detected by each capacitive sensor is processed by a processing device, which in turn produces electrical or optical signals representative of the position of the conductive object in relation to the touch-sensor pad in the X and Y dimensions. A touch-sensor strip, slider, or button operates on the same capacitance-sensing principle.
FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional touch-sensor pad. The touch-sensor pad 100 includes a sensing surface 101 on which a conductive object may be used to position a pointer in the x- and y-axes, using either relative or absolute positioning, or to select an item on a display. Touch-sensor pad 100 may also include two buttons, left and right buttons 102 and 103, respectively, shown here as an example. These buttons are typically mechanical buttons, and operate much like a left and right buttons on a mouse. These buttons permit a user to select items on a display or send other commands to the computing device.
FIG. 1B illustrates a conventional linear touch-sensor slider. The Linear touch-sensor slider 110 includes a surface area 111 on which a conductive object may be used to control a setting on a device, such as volume or brightness. Alternatively, the linear touch-sensor slider 110 may be used for scrolling functions. The construct of touch-sensor slider 110 may be the same as that of touch-sensor pad 100. Touch-sensor slider 110 may include a sensor array capable of detection in only one dimension (referred to herein as one-dimensional sensor array). The slider structure may include one or more sensor elements that may be conductive traces. By positioning or manipulating a conductive object in contact or in proximity to a particular portion of the slider structure, the capacitance between each conductive trace and ground varies and can be detected. The capacitance variation may be sent as a signal on the conductive trace to a processing device. It should also be noted that the sensing may be performed in a differential fashion, obviating the need for a ground reference. For example, by detecting the relative capacitance of each sensor element, the position and/or motion (if any) of the external conductive object can be determined. In one embodiment, it can be determined which sensor element has detected the presence of the conductive object, and it can also be determined the motion and/or the position of the conductive object over multiple sensor elements.
One difference between touch-sensor sliders and touch-sensor pads may be how the signals are processed after detecting the conductive objects. Another difference is that the touch-sensor slider is not necessarily used to convey absolute positional information of a conducting object (e.g., to emulate a mouse in controlling pointer positioning on a display), but rather relative positional information. However, the touch-sensor slider and sensor slider and touch-sensor pad may be configured to support either relative or absolute coordinates, and/or to support one or more touch-sensor button functions of the sensing device.
FIG. 1C illustrates a conventional sensing device having three touch-sensor buttons. Conventional sensing device 120 includes button 121, button 122, and button 123. These buttons may be capacitive touch-sensor buttons. These three buttons may be used for user input using a conductive object, such as a finger.
Capacitance sensing has been implemented in a wide variety of user interfaces of electronic devices to replace mechanical buttons in the electronic devices. Examples include touchpads on notebook computers, touchscreens, slider controls used for menu navigation in cellular phones, personal music players, and other hand held electronic devices. Capacitance sensing has many advantages over conventional cursor control devices, mechanical switches, and rotary encoders. A principal such advantage is the lack of moving parts, which allows capacitance sensing to provide great improvements in reliability, since there are no moving parts to wear out.
Some problems with conventional computing devices are that a mouse is a separate device and requires significant desk area to use; a track pad requires a large number of x-y sensors and significant computation to resolve directional inputs; and a joystick is physically bulky in three dimensions.

Pointing device using capacitance sensor


An apparatus for charging a substrate including a dielectric substrate, a support member having a first end and a second end between which the member extends substantially parallel to the substrate, a row of electrodes distributed over the support member between the first and second ends, the electrodes extending from the support member in the direction of the substrate, the electrodes having a free end for spraying a charge on the substrate, each free end having a substantially fixed distance from the substrate, wherein the distance in the case of the electrode located at the first and second end of the support member differs substantially from the distance in the case of the electrode located in the middle of the support member.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for charging a substrate comprising a dielectric substrate, a support member having a first end and a second end between which said member extends substantially parallel to the substrate, a row of electrodes distributed over the support member between the first and second ends, said electrodes extending from the support member in the direction of the substrate, the electrodes having a free end for spraying a charge on the substrate, each free end having a predetermined, mainly fixed distance from the substrate. The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus provided with an apparatus of this kind.
An apparatus of this kind is known from Japanese Laid-Open specification JP 03164467, in which a corona unit is described which can be used in an image forming apparatus, for example a printer, copying machine or fax. Apparatus of this kind frequently makes use of an image forming process wherein a dielectric substrate, usually a photoconductor, is uniformly charged in a first step by use of a corona unit. For this purpose, a pin corona is used in JP 03164467. In a corona of this kind, a large number of individual electrodes extend from the support member in the direction of the substrate which is to be charged. In this case the support member is an elongated electrically conductive member of a length substantially equal to the width of the substrate for charging. In this way the substrate can be charged over its full width by passing it beneath the corona unit. At their free ends the electrodes are provided with a sharp point with a very small radius. By the application of a high voltage between the electrodes and the substrate, a charge will be sprayed from the point of the electrode in the direction of the substrate. Since the substrate is dielectric, charge can thus be built up on the surface of the substrate. In a following step, a charge image is then created on the substrate by discharging the substrate imagewise. This charge image can then be converted to a visible image by developing it with toner. To obtain good image quality, it is important that a uniform charge is applied to the surface of the substrate during the initial charging. Frequently, a non-uniform charge of the substrate is obtained due to all kinds of effect. For example, at the ends of the support member there are edge effects which are perceptible. Since the outermost electrodes have no more neighboring electrodes, there will often be less charge sprayed on to the substrate in the vicinity of these ends per unit area. JP 03164467 does not give any solution for this problem. By bending the support member of the corona unit in the vicinity of the respective ends in a plane parallel to the substrate, the effective electrode density is greater at these ends. In this way the lower charge in the vicinity of the ends can be compensated.
However, the apparatus known from JP 03164467 has one significant disadvantage. Since the support member has a bend, it is practically impossible to clamp this element in a corona unit while retaining the required bend. Clamping of this kind is necessary in order to obtain a reliable location of the support member in the corona charging apparatus. In the absence of a reliable location of this kind, the charging level of the substrate cannot be obtained at a predetermined and uniform value, which has an adverse effect on the final image quality.
The object of the present invention is to obtain an apparatus for charging a substrate whereby a predetermined uniform or substantially uniform charging of the substrate can be obtained. Toward this end, an apparatus has been developed, wherein the said distance in the case of a first electrode differs substantially from said distance in the case of a second electrode.
It has been found that charging the substrate at the location of an individual electrode can be influenced by varying the distance between the free end of the electrode and the substrate. As soon as a change of this distance results in a perceptible change in the charging level of the substrate (approximately one volt is already perceptible), this may be referred to as a substantial change. A smaller distance often results in a stronger charging of the substrate, while a larger distance results in a weaker charge. If the charge is locally too weak, for example at the edge of the substrate, the charge can be brought to an adequate level by precisely reducing, at that location, the distance between the free end of one or more electrodes and the substrate. A change in the distance equal, for example, to one-tenth of a millimeter will result in a perceptible change of the charging level of the substrate at the corresponding electrode. If the charge is locally too strong for any reason whatsoever, then the distance of the free end of one or more electrodes corresponding to that location could be increased. It is thus possible in an effective manner to obtain a corona unit which has no bend but nevertheless results in an adequately uniform charging of the substrate. Since the support member can be made completely straight, it can be fixed in a known manner in the corona unit so that a reliable location with respect to the substrate can be obtained. Therefore, by using an apparatus according to the present invention, a predetermined uniform or almost uniform charging of the substrate can be obtained.
Charging apparatus in which pin coronas are used is also known from U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,655,966 and 5,083,959, in which the free ends of the electrodes do not extend through a straight line. Nevertheless, it is known from both patent specifications that each of the free ends must have the same distance from the substrate for charging, in order to obtain a uniform charge. The configuration of the free ends is used as an adaptation to a bend of the associated substrates. As a result, these known devices still have the problem of a non-uniform charge. This means that these devices are further away from the present invention than the above-described apparatus.
In one embodiment of the present invention, said distance for electrodes in the vicinity of the first and second ends of the support member is less than the distance for electrodes in the vicinity of the middle of the support member. It has been found that a weaker charge occurs particularly at the edges of the substrate, in many corona units. The apparatus according to this embodiment solves this problem by placing the free ends of one or more electrodes in the vicinity of these edges more densely in the neighborhood of the substrate, so that the charging level is locally influenced positively. By selecting a suitable distance, it is possible in principle completely to compensate for the difference in charging level so that a uniform charge is obtained.
In another embodiment of the invention, the electrodes in the row are substantially congruent and the support member has a side for carrying the electrodes, said side being profiled. In this embodiment, the electrodes themselves are substantially identical and of the same shape. This has the advantage that the spraying behavior of the electrodes is also substantially equal, and this has a favorable influence on image quality. A difference in the distance of the free end of an electrode from the substrate is obtained in this embodiment by locally displacing the support member, at least that side of said member which carries the electrodes. As a result, this side acquires a profile. A profile of this kind can assume many shapes. If only one end of an electrode is to be displaced, said profile can, for example, be a step function. In a practical embodiment, however, it will more frequently be the case that a number of adjoining free ends must be displaced. This can be done, for example, by giving the associated side of the support member a gradually extending profile.
In another embodiment, said side of the support member is so profiled that said side forms part of a polygon, each side of the polygon carrying at least one electrode. In this embodiment, the profile extends gradually, via a number of straight support elements merging into one another and which in each case form a different angle with the substrate. It has been found that a support member according to this further embodiment is simple to produce because the electrodes themselves can remain in the same form.
In a further embodiment, the sides of the polygon which form an angle with the substrate other than mainly 180xc2x0 carry a maximum of five electrodes. It has been found that with an apparatus according to this embodiment a predetermined uniform of the substrate can be obtained in simple manner. Since the number of electrodes for each support element is restricted to a maximum of five, the charging level can be accurately controlled.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Apparatus for charging a substrate and an image forming apparatus comprising an apparatus of this kind


Embodiments related to a processing unit and a first information storage are described and depicted. First information is provided from a first unit into a first information storage for performing a first operation of the processing unit. During the first operation of the processing unit second information is transferred between the processing unit and the first information storage. The first information storage comprises during the first operation of the processing unit an access protection for the first unit.

Data processing is nowadays implemented in almost every part of life with still an increasing trend for more and more implementations. For example, in data communications, security applications or automotive applications, data processing is provided in order to provide functions such as secure trans-mission of data, authentication and verification, or safe and secure mobility. Semiconductor devices such as microcontrollers typically having a program controller unit such as a CPU with one or more cores are programmed in order to achieve these functions. For storing the data and program, data memory and program memory associated with the CPU is provided. Furthermore, in some systems, a further processor such as a dedicated Co-processor may be provided for processing certain tasks or functions.

Device with processing unit and information storage


An appliance cooperation operation device in which a facility database stores an introduction cost of a power storage shared among a plurality of customers, and a rated life of the power storage; a facility deteriorating influence calculator calculates deteriorating influence on the power storage by using at least one parameter selected from a discharge rate of the power storage in a first period, depth of discharge at the end of the first period, and environmental temperature in the first period; a customer electric energy collector collects, from each of the customers, data of electric energy consumption in the first period; and a customer's burden cost calculator calculates a burden cost of each customer in the first period by multiplying: a ratio of energy consumption of each customer to total customer energy consumption; the introduction cost; a ratio of the first period to the rated life; and the deteriorating influence.

A report issued by IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) in 2007 shows that it is highly reliable (9 out of 10 are correct) that global warming is caused by greenhouse gases emitted through human activities. At present, this report is most accepted across the world. Further, this report shows that it is essential to promptly make a greater effort, by which importance of struggling against the global warming has been socially recognized.
Under these circumstances, various countermeasures have been taken under the government initiative. One of the countermeasures is to encourage the use of power generated by natural energy such as wind power and sunlight. The natural energy cannot be stably supplied, and thus the stability of a power system connected to the natural energy is affected. Accordingly, a power storage (storage battery) is used as a buffer for stabilizing the unstable supply from the energy source.
It is assumed that an expensive appliance such as storage battery is introduced to be shared among a plurality of members. In most of conventional methods concerning a system for sharing a storage battery, efficient utilization of the storage battery is a main object, and it is not often that cost burden is focused on. In a system based on a conventional method, the cost burden of a storage battery to be shared is determined depending on the amount of used power and occupancy time of the appliance. However, when a plurality of members utilize and share a facility or an appliance suffering remarkable deterioration as in the storage battery, the facility cost is unfairly shared since deteriorating influence on the appliance is not considered depending on the utilization situation of each member.


A wireless communication network serves data content to a wireless user device. An access wireless relay wirelessly receives a user request for the data content from the wireless user device. The access wireless relay wirelessly transfers the data content to the wireless user device when it stores the data content. When the access wireless relay does not store the data content, it transfers content requests having a Time-To-Live (TTL). Serving wireless relays receive the content requests during the TTL. The serving wireless relays transfer the data content to the access wireless relay if they store the data content. The serving wireless relays forward the content requests with the TTL when they do not store the data content. Terminating wireless relays receive the content requests after the TTL. The terminating wireless relays stop forwarding the content requests.

Wireless communication networks serve wireless user devices with mobile data services like media streaming and software downloading. The wireless data networks have wireless access points that exchange user data over the air with the wireless user devices. To extend the range of the mobile data services, the wireless communication networks deploy wireless relays between the wireless user devices and the wireless access points.
A wireless relay has an internal access point and an internal user device. The internal access point in the relay serves the wireless user devices. The wireless communication network serves internal user device in the relay, and the internal user device serves the internal access point. The communication network is able to serve wireless user devices over the user device and access point in the wireless relay. In some wireless communication networks, several wireless relays are coupled in a grid fashion to cover a geographic area like a factory, school, or office. In some wireless communication networks, several wireless relays are coupled in a line or tree to cover a roads, railways, and the like. The wireless relays often form a relay network between the wireless user devices and the wireless communication network.
Unfortunately, the wireless relays have not been optimized to support the mobile data services like media streaming and software downloading. Although the wireless relays provide wireless connectivity between the wireless user devices and the wireless communication network, the wireless relays do not efficiently and intelligently support media streaming and software downloading between the wireless user devices and the wireless communication network.

Wireless communication network with wireless relays that serve data content to wireless user devices


A coating material for a solid formulation is capable of stably retaining the effective ingredient in the solid formulation for a prolonged period even in unpacked condition in such a manner that the solid formulation can be used in a single-dose formulation. The coating material for a solid formulation includes a high hydrogen-bonding resin and a swelling clay and, when coated on a solid formulation and dried, forms a coating film in which the laminated structures of the aforementioned swelling clay are oriented planarly and dispersed in a network fashion.

It is known that many pharmaceuticals are not stable against oxygen and water vapor and that some change occurs in about 40% of pharmaceuticals when they are left to stand in unpacked condition, thereby causing a fatal problem in the pharmaceutical quality. Therefore, most of the commercially available pharmaceuticals, especially solid formulations, are packaged with a packaging material such as PTP (press through pack) sheet and protected from oxygen and water vapor. In recent years, PTP sheets in which polyvinylidene chloride having superior water vapor barrier property (moisture resistance) and oxygen barrier property are laminated have been developed and put into practice.
As a method of improving the stability of a solid formulation against oxygen and water vapor, methods of sugar-coating the solid formulation and methods of film-coating the solid formulation with a macromolecular substance have been put into practice. In the latter film-coating methods, polyvinyl alcohols and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose are known as a macromolecular substance exhibiting oxygen barrier property, and as a macromolecular substance exhibiting water vapor barrier property, aminoalkyl methacrylate copolymer E (Eudragit EPO (registered trademark); Degusssa Co.) is known.
Recently, as a macromolecular substance having an improved oxygen barrier property, a resin composition obtained by copolymerizing a polyvinyl alcohol and a polymerizable vinyl monomer (WO 05/019286) and a coating material obtained by adding talc and a surfactant to a polyvinyl alcohol (JP 2006-188490 A) have been developed to try to improve the stability of solid formulations. In addition, in the field of packaging films, as a method of improving gas barrier properties (oxygen barrier property and water vapor barrier property) in high humidity, methods of dispersing an intercalation compound in a polyvinyl alcohol have been proposed (JP 11-315222 A and JP 9-150484 A).
Meanwhile, at medical sites and dispensing pharmacies, to prevent patients from forgetting to take their prescribed drugs or making mistakes in the dosage thereof, it is widely practiced to use single-dose formulation which is prepared by taking a plurality of pharmaceuticals to be taken at once out of the respective packaging material such as PTP sheet and provides them altogether in one bag.
However, in those pharmaceuticals used in single-dose formulations, although the stability against oxygen and water vapor is ensured by the packaging material such as PTP sheet at the stage when the pharmaceuticals are put onto the market, since they are stored in unpacked condition over a prolonged period at medical scenes and the like, there is a risk of causing a deterioration in the quality of the pharmaceuticals.
To avoid this risk, there is a method of sugar-coating a solid formulation. However, sugar-coating of a solid formulation not only requires a long processing time, but also makes the resulting solid formulation excessively large, rendering it difficult for patients to take. Consequently, there are currently limited cases where this method is applicable. In addition, at present, the existing methods of film-coating a solid formulation cannot allow the resulting solid formulation to exhibit sufficient oxygen barrier property in high humidity, and even when the resin composition according to WO '286 is used, the resulting oxygen barrier property falls short of that of a packaging material such as PTP sheet. In the field of packaging films, there are coating materials having superior oxygen barrier property. However, they cannot be applied to a solid formulation since they are laminated films with a substrate film.
In view of the above, it could be helpful to provide a coating material for a solid formulation which is capable of stably retaining the quality of the effective ingredient in the solid formulation for a prolonged period even in unpacked condition in such a manner that the solid formulation can be used in a single-dose formulation.

Coating material for solid medicine and solid medicine formed with same


The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory circuit enabling stable data transmission in a high frequency operation and a data processing system using the same. The data processing system includes a semiconductor memory circuit configured to output data, corresponding to a read command, in response to an external strobe signal, and a controller configured to provide the semiconductor memory circuit with the read command and the strobe signal related to the read command.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor circuit, and more particularly, to a semiconductor memory circuit and a data processing system using the same.
2. Related Art
A data processing system may include semiconductor integrated circuits, such as a semiconductor memory circuit and a controller, e.g. a CPU or a GPU.
When a read command is received from the controller, the semiconductor memory circuit outputs data stored therein to the controller with the assistance of an internal clock signal.
When a write command is received, the semiconductor memory circuit writes data, provided from the controller, into an internal memory block in response to a strobe signal provided by the controller.
Electronic devices, such as mobile phones and computers, require high speed operation, and thus, higher operating frequencies.
Accordingly, it is necessary for a semiconductor memory circuit to sufficiently secure a timing margin in a data transfer process and to maintain stable performance even during a high speed operation.

Semiconductor memory circuit and data processing using the same


This invention relates to optically active substances of tenatoprazole, (+) and (−)-5-methoxy-2-{(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridyl)methyl]sulfinyl}-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine. The compound and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are useful for anti-ulcer agent.

Tenatoprazole, or (+)-5-methoxy-2-{[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridyl) methyl] sulfinyl} imidazo-[4,5-b] pyridine, is described in Patent No. EP 254,588. It belongs to the group of drugs considered as proton pump inhibitors, which inhibit the secretion of gastric acid and are useful in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers. It can also be used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux, digestive bleeding and dyspepsia, because of its relatively long elimination half-life, as described in the application for French patent No. FR 02. 13113.
The first known derivative of this series of proton pump inhibitors was omeprazole, described in Patent No. EP 001,529, which is endowed with properties which inhibit the secretion of gastric acid and is widely employed as an anti-ulcerative in human therapeutics.
In addition to omeprazole, other proton pump inhibitors are well known, and particular mention can be made of rabeprazole, pantoprazole and lansoprazole, which all exhibit structural analogy and lansoprazole, which all exhibit structural analogy and belong to the group of pyridinyl methyl sulfinyl benzimidazoles. These compounds are sulfoxides presenting with asymmetry at the level of the sulphur atom, and therefore generally take the form of a racemic mixture of two enantiomers.
Like omeprazole and other sulfoxide with an analogue structure, tenatoprazole has an asymmetric structure and may therefore be present in the form of a racemic mixture or of its enantiomers. Thus it may exist in the form of its two enantiomers with R and S configurations, or (+) or (−), respectively.
Recent studies have shown that, unlike all the other proton pump inhibitors such as, for example, omeprazole or lansoprazole, and unexpectedly, tenatoprazole is endowed with a markedly prolonged duration of action, resulting from a plasma half-life which is about seven times longer. Thus the clinical data collected have shown that tenatoprazole enables a degree of symptom relief and healing of gastric lesions which is superior to that achieved by other drugs belonging to the same therapeutic category of proton pump inhibitors, which thus allows its effective use in the treatment of atypical and oesophageal symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, digestive bleeding and dyspepsia, as indicated above.
Studies performed by the application have made it possible to show that the two enantiomers contribute differently to the properties of tenatoprazole, and that the two enantiomers, (+) and (−) exhibit significantly different pharmacokinetic properties. Thus it is possible to prepare medicinal products with specific activity by isolating the enantiomers, and these enantiomers themselves exhibit a different pharmacokinetic profile from that of the known racemic mixture. It then becomes possible to use each of these enantiomers more effectively in precise indications for the treatment of perfectly identified pathologies.

Enantiomer of tenatoprazole and the use thereof in therapy


A hinged rocker arm includes a first wing including a first opening for receiving a rocker shall and a first contacting surface, and a second wing including a second opening for receiving the rocker shaft, the second wing including a second contacting surface When the first and second wings are mounted on the rocker shaft, the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface are adapted to contact each other and thereby transfer a force in a direction transverse to an axis of the rocker shaft.

The present invention relates generally to rocker arms.
US201010071643, which is incorporated by reference, discloses a valve opening arrangement including rocker arms for opening and closing valves. US2010/0071643 discloses that it can be desirable to provide a hydraulically movable piston for opening and closing a valve at a different timing than would occur using only a rocker arm and a cam. The inventor has using recognized that there is limited space available on the rocker arms, making it difficult to provide such a piston in many circumstances. It is desirable to address this problem.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hinged rocker arm comprises a first wing comprising a first opening for receiving a rocker shaft, and a first contacting surface, and a second wing comprising a second opening for receiving the rocker shaft, the second wing comprising a second contacting surface, wherein, when the first and second wings are mounted on the rocker shaft, the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface are adapted to contact each other and thereby transfer a force in a direction transverse to an axis of the rocker shaft.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a valve opening arrangement comprises a valve arrangement comprising a valve, the valve being movable against a force from a first valve position to a second valve position, a rocker shaft, and a hinged rocker arm comprising a first wing pivotably mounted on the rocker shaft and a first contacting surface, and a second wing pivotably mounted on the rocker shaft and comprising a second contacting surface, the first contacting surface and the second contacting surface being adapted to contact each other and thereby transfer a force in a direction transverse to an axis of the rocker shaft such that a third contacting surface on the hinged rocker arm contacts the valve arrangement and moves the valve against the force from the first valve position to the second valve position.

Hinged rocker arm and valve opening arrangement including a hinged rocker arm


The use of substituted glycosides to enhance the penetration of drugs across mucus covered epithelial tissues of humans and animals is disclosed, including enhanced penetrations of topically applied ophthalmic drugs through the corneal epithelium of said humans and animals.

The present invention relates to the field of drug delivery across mucus covered epithelial tissues of humans and animals. Such tissues include nasal, pulmonary, rectal, buccal, vaginal, uteral, and gastrointestinal routes for drug administration. More particularly, this invention relates to enhancement of the penetration of ophthalmic drugs and other therapeutic agents through the cornea and other tissues of the eye such as the sclera and conjunctiva of humans and animals.
In order for an ophthalmic drug to be therapeutically effective, it is generally necessary for the drug to penetrate the cornea and be taken up in the aqueous humor, ciliary processes and other tissues in the eye. There are notable exceptions to this general rule, such as drugs or drug products which produce a localized therapeutic effect by acting on the exterior surface of the cornea (e.g., drugs or drug products useful in improving ocular comfort and/or treating dry or irritated eyes). However, the treatment of conditions involving physiological mechanisms within the eye (e.g., glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, etc.) generally does require the permeation of topically applied ophthalmic drugs primarily through the cornea.
In order for a drug to pass through the cornea, it must penetrate three layers of tissue, namely, the epithelium, stroma, and the endothelium. Except for highly lipophilic drugs, the epithelium is the main barrier to drug penetration of the cornea. Penetration of the stroma basically involves diffusion of the drug through a barrier which is approximately 360 microns thick. There are currently no known methods of enhancing drug penetration through the stroma or endothelium. However, it is possible to enhance the penetration of drugs through the epithelium, and thereby enhance the overall absorption of drugs applied topically to the eye. The present invention is directed to such enhancement.
There have been prior attempts to enhance the penetration of drugs through the corneal epithelium. The goal of such attempts has generally been to enhance penetration of drugs through the corneal epithelium to an optimal point at which the stroma alone controls drug transport through the corneas. The prior attempts have included use of chemical agents to enhance the penetration of drugs through the epithelium. It has been reported that benzalkonium chloride (BAC), bile salts, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) and 1-dodecylazayl-cycloheptan-2-one (AZONE.RTM.) enhance the corneal penetration of certain drugs. The following publications may be referred to for further background concerning the use of such agents to enhance corneal penetration: Acta Ophthalmologica, Vol. 53, p.335 (1975); J. Pharm. Pharmacol., Vol.39, p.124 (1987); Chem. Abstracts, Vol.106, 125931t, p.402 (1987); Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol.77, No.1 (Jan.,1988); and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Vol.29, No.2 (Feb.,1988). Notwithstanding such prior attempts, there continues to be a need for a means of safely and effectively enhancing the penetration of drugs through the cornea.

Compositions and method comprising substituted glycosides as mucus membrane permeation enhancers


A plurality of data channels provide respective data rates and maximum error rates from a mobile station to a base station of a CDMA system; a pilot channel facilitates recovery of the data channels. For each data channel there is determined a channel energy to noise ratio (ENR) and a required pilot channel ENR. A maximum one of the required pilot channel ENRs is selected as an ENR for transmission of the pilot channel. A relative gain, and hence transmit signal power, for each data channel is determined from the ENR determined for the data channel and the selected maximum ENR for transmission of the pilot channel, thereby minimizing the total transmitted signal power of the mobile station. The data channel signals are spread using orthogonal Walsh codes and are combined with their determined relative gains.

This invention relates to determining transmit signal powers of channels in a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) communications system, in particular so-called reverse link channels from a remote station to a base station (BS) in a cellular communications system. The remote station is typically a mobile station (MS) and is referred to herein as such, but it may alternatively have a fixed location.
CDMA communications systems currently being developed, such as those referred to as IS-2000 and wideband CDMA systems, are desired to be able to provide a plurality of data channels on the reverse link from an MS to a BS. For example, such reverse link channels may include a dedicated control channel, a fundamental channel, and a supplementary channel. Each of these channels is desired when active to provide an individual data rate and quality of service (QoS). The QoS generally corresponds to a maximum bit error rate (BER) or frame error rate (FER) for typically 20 ms frames of information on the reverse link. For example, in an IS-2000 system, the control channel C can serve for carrying reverse link control information with a data rate of 9.6 kbps and a QoS requirement corresponding to a maximum BER of 10xe2x88x923, the fundamental channel F can serve for carrying voice communications with a data rate up to 9.6 kbps (Rate Set 1) or 14.4 kbps (Rate Set 2) and a QoS requirement corresponding to a maximum FER of 10xe2x88x922, and the supplemental channel S can serve for carrying other data (for example a video or multi-media signal) with a data rate for example up to about 1 Mbps and a QoS requirement corresponding to a maximum BER of 10xe2x88x926.
To facilitate channel estimation and coherent detection of the reverse link signal at the BS, the MS also provides on the reverse link a pilot channel P for a pilot signal on its own or time division multiplexed with other data. In the MS, the reverse link channels are orthogonally spread for example using respective Walsh codes and are then combined; the resulting signal is spread using a PN (pseudo random number) sequence for transmission on the reverse link from the MS to the BS.
In active operation of the MS, the pilot channel P is typically continuously on, and the other channels may be selectively present. In particular, there may be three configurations in which respectively only the channel F, only the channels C and F, and all of the channels C, F, and S are active with the pilot channel P.
It can be appreciated that, with simultaneous communications from multiple MSs to a BS in a cell of the system, the reverse link signal of each individual MS must be received by the BS and distinguished from noise or interference (referred to below simply as noise, for convenience) which includes the reverse link signals of all other MSs. For maximum system capacity, it is therefore very important that each MS transmit its reverse link signal at an optimum power or level, i.e. at a power which is just sufficient to permit recovery of each of its constituent data channels C, F, and/or S at its respective data rate and QoS, without contributing unduly to noise for all other MS reverse link signals. For similar reasons, it is necessary for each MS to combine its constituent channels with relative levels or gains that are optimally balanced, so that each channel has a signal level that is just sufficient for the BS to recover the channel at the respective bit rate and QoS.
To this end, it has been proposed that the MS, when it is powered on, initially determine what power of the pilot channel is required for recovery of the signal of each of the other channels C, F, and/or S individually at its respective data rate and QoS, to select as the power of the pilot channel the greatest one of the pilot channel powers thus determined, and to determine the power of each of the other channels C, F, and/or S relative to the selected power of the pilot channel. This can be done conveniently using a power balance default table, stored in the MS, for the respective configurations, data rates, and QoS requirements. The powers of the channels can be adjusted in known manner during subsequent communications between the MS and the BS.
An object of this invention is to provide an improved method of determining transmit signal powers of channels on the reverse link of a CDMA communications system.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a method of determining relative signal powers for transmission of channels on a reverse link from a remote station to a base station of a CDMA (code division multiple access) cellular communications system, comprising the steps of: for each of a plurality of data channels for transmission, each of the data channels providing a respective data rate and a respective maximum error rate, determining a respective energy to noise ratio for the channel; for each of the plurality of data channels, determining a respective energy to noise ratio of a signal of a pilot channel required for recovering a signal of the data channel; selecting a maximum one of the respective required energy to noise ratios as an energy to noise ratio for transmission of the signal of the pilot channel; and determining a relative signal power for transmission of each of the plurality of data channels from the energy to noise ratio determined for the respective data channel and the selected maximum energy to noise ratio for transmission of the pilot channel.
The method preferably comprises the steps of spreading signals of the plurality of data channels using respective orthogonal codes, and combining the signals of the data channels with the signal of the pilot channel with relative gains dependent upon the determined relative signal powers for transmission of the respective channels.
Preferably the plurality of data channels comprise at least a fundamental channel providing a relatively low data rate for a voice signal and a supplemental channel providing a relatively high data rate and a maximum error rate less than a maximum error rate of the fundamental channel. Typically in this case the maximum energy to noise ratio selected for transmission of the signal of the pilot channel is the energy to noise ratio required for recovering the signal of the supplemental channel, and the signal power determined for transmission of the fundamental channel is less than the signal power determined for transmission of the signal of the pilot channel.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of determining gains of signals of each of a plurality of data channels relative to a signal of a pilot channel, said signals being spread using orthogonal codes, for combining said signals for transmission from a mobile station to a base station of a CDMA (code division multiple access) communications system with an initial power sufficient for recovery of the signals of the data channels at the base station each with a respective data rate and a respective maximum error rate, comprising the steps of: (a) for each of the data channels, determining a signal bit energy to noise ratio in accordance with the maximum error rate of the data channel; (b) for each of the data channels, determining a respective channel energy to noise ratio from the determined signal bit energy to noise ratio and a signal processing gain for the data channel; (c) for each of the data channels, determining a respective pilot channel energy to noise ratio sufficient for recovery of the signal of the data channel by the base station; (d) selecting a maximum one of the respective required pilot channel energy to noise ratios as an energy to noise ratio for transmission of the pilot channel; and (e) determining relative gains for combining the signals of the data channels with the signal of the pilot channel from the respective data channel energy to noise ratio determined in step (b) and the pilot channel energy to noise ratio selected in step (d).

Determining transmit signal powers of channels in a CDMA communications system


A method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head, the thin-film magnetic head including a magnetoresistive element, first and second shield layers for shielding the magnetoresistive element, a first shield gap film provided between the magnetoresistive element and the first shield layer, and a second shield gap film provided between the magnetoresistive element and the second shield layer. The method includes the steps of forming the first shield layer, forming the first shield gap film on the first shield layer, forming the magnetoresistive element on the first shield gap film, forming the second shield gap film on the magnetoresistive element, and forming the second shield layer on the second shield gap film. At least one of the first and second shield gap films is formed by stacking a plurality of insulating films formed by chemical vapor deposition.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a thin-film magnetic head having at least one of an induction-type electromagnetic transducer and a magnetoresistive element, and to a method of manufacturing such a thin-film magnetic head.
2. Description of Related Art
Performance improvements in thin-film magnetic heads have been sought as a real recording density of hard disk drives has increased. Such thin-film magnetic heads include composite thin-film magnetic heads that have been widely used. A composite head is made of a layered structure including a recording head having an induction magnetic transducer for writing and a reproducing head having a magnetoresistive (MR) element for reading. MR elements include an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) element that utilizes the AMR effect and a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) element that utilizes the GMR effect. A reproducing head using an AMR element is called an AMR head or simply an MR head. A reproducing head using a GMR element is called a GMR head. An AMR head is used as a reproducing head where a real density is more than 1 gigabit per square inch. A GMR head is used as a reproducing head where a real density is more than 3 gigabits per square inch. It is GMR heads that have been most widely used recently.
The performance of the reproducing head is improved by replacing the AMR film with a GMR film and the like having an excellent magnetoresistive sensitivity. Alternatively, a pattern width such as the reproducing track width and the MR height, in particular, may be optimized. The MR height is the length (height) between an end of the MR element located in the air bearing surface and the other end. The air bearing surface is a surface of the thin-film magnetic head facing toward a magnetic recording medium.
Performance improvements in a recording head are also required as the performance of a reproducing head is improved. It is required to increase the recording track density in order to increase the a real density among the performance characteristics of the recording head. To achieve this, it is required to implement a recording head of a narrow track structure wherein the width of top and bottom poles sandwiching the recording gap layer on a side of the air bearing surface is reduced down to microns or a submicron order. This width is one of the factors that determine the recording head performance. Semiconductor process techniques are utilized to implement such a structure. Another factor is a pattern width such as the throat height, in particular. The throat height is the length (height) of pole portions, that is, portions of magnetic pole layers facing each other with a recording gap layer in between, between the air-bearing-surface-side end and the other end. A reduction in throat height is desired in order to improve the recording head performance. The throat height is controlled by an amount of lapping when the air bearing surface is processed.
As thus described, it is important to fabricate well-balanced recording and reproducing heads to improve the performance of the thin-film magnetic head.
In order to implement a thin-film magnetic head that achieves high recording density, the requirements for the reproducing head include a reduction in reproducing track width, an increase in reproducing output, and a reduction in noise. The requirements for the recording head include a reduction in recording track width, an improvement in overwrite property that is a parameter indicating one of characteristics when data is written over existing data, and an improvement in nonlinear transition shift (NLTS).
Reference is now made to FIG. 16A to FIG. 22A and FIG. 16B to FIG. 22B to describe an example of a manufacturing method of a related-art thin-film magnetic head element. FIG. 16A to FIG. 22A are cross sections each orthogonal to the air bearing surface. FIG. 16B to FIG. 22B are cross sections of the pole portions each parallel to the air bearing surface.
According to the manufacturing method, as shown in FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B, an insulating layer 102 made of alumina (Al2O3), for example, having a thickness of about 5 to 10 μm, is deposited on a substrate 101 made of aluminum oxide and titanium carbide (Al2O3-TiC), for example. Next, on the insulating layer 102, a bottom shield layer 103 made of a magnetic material and having a thickness of 2 to 3 μm, for example, is formed for a reproducing head.
Next, as shown in FIG. 17A and FIG. 17B, a shield gap film 104a made of an insulating material such as alumina and having a thickness of 10 to 20 nm, for example, is formed through sputtering, for example, on the bottom shield layer 103. Next, a shield gap film 104b made of an insulating material such as alumina and having a thickness of 100 nm, for example, is formed through sputtering, for example, on the shield gap film 104a except a region where a GMR element described later will be formed. The shield gap film 104b is provided for preventing a short circuit between the GMR element and the bottom shield layer 103.
Next, on the shield gap film 104b, a film having a thickness of 40 to 50 nm, for example, to make up the GMR element for reproduction is formed through a method such as sputtering. This film is etched with a photoresist pattern not shown as a mask to form the GMR element 105.
Next, a pair of conductive layers (that may be called leads) 106 are formed by liftoff through the use of the above-mentioned photoresist pattern. The conductive layers 106 are electrically connected to the GMR element 105. The photoresist pattern is then removed.
Next, as shown in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B, a shield gap film 107a made of an insulating material such as alumina and having a thickness of 10 to 20 nm, for example, is formed through sputtering, for example, on the shield gap films 104a and 104b, the GMR element 105 and the conductive layers 106. The GMR element 105 is embedded in the shield gap films 104a and 107a. Next, a shield gap film 107b made of an insulating material such as alumina and having a thickness of 100 nm, for example, is formed through a method such as sputtering on the shield gap film 107a except the neighborhood of the GMR element 105.
Next, as shown in FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, on the shield gap films 107a and 107b, a top-shield-layer-cum-bottom-pole-layer (called a top shield layer in the following description) 108 is formed. The top shield layer 108 has a thickness of about 3 μm and is made of a magnetic material and used for both the reproducing head and the recording head.
Next, as shown in FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B, a recording gap layer 109 made of an insulating film such as an alumina film and having a thickness of 0.2 μm, for example, is formed on the top shield layer 108. Next, a portion of the recording gap layer 109 located in the center of the region where a thin-film coil described later is to be formed is etched to form a contact hole for making a magnetic path. Next, a top pole tip 110 for the recording head is formed on the recording gap layer 109 in the pole portion. The top pole tip 110 is made of a magnetic material and has a thickness of 1.0 to 1.5 μm. At the same time, a magnetic layer 119 made of a magnetic material is formed for making the magnetic path in the contact hole for making the magnetic path.
Next, the recording gap layer 109 and a part of the top shield layer 108 are etched through ion milling, using the top pole tip 110 as a mask. As shown in FIG. 20B, the structure is called a trim structure wherein the sidewalls of the top pole portion (the top pole tip 110), the recording gap layer 109, and a part of the top shield layer 108 are formed vertically in a self-aligned manner.
Next, an insulating layer 111 of alumina, for example, having a thickness of about 3 μm is formed over the entire surface. The insulating layer 111 is polished to the surfaces of the top pole tip 110 and the magnetic layer 119 and flattened.
Next, as shown in FIG. 21A and FIG. 21B, on the flattened insulating layer 111 a first layer 112 of the thin-film coil is made for the induction-type recording head. The first layer 112 of the coil is made of copper (Cu), for example. Next, a photoresist layer 113 is formed into a specific shape on the insulating layer 111 and the first layer 112 of the coil. Next, a second layer 114 of the thin-film coil is formed on the photoresist layer 113. Next, a photoresist layer 115 is formed into a specific shape on the photoresist layer 113 and the second layer 114 of the coil.
Next, as shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, a top pole layer 116 for the recording head is formed on the top pole tip 110, the photoresist layers 113 and 115 and the magnetic layer 119. The top pole layer 116 is made of a magnetic material such as Permalloy. Next, an overcoat layer 117 of alumina, for example, is formed to cover the top pole layer 116. Finally, machine processing of the slider including the forgoing layers is performed to form the air bearing surface 118 of the thin-film magnetic head including the recording head and the reproducing head. The thin-film magnetic head is thus completed.
FIG. 23 is a top view of the thin-film magnetic head shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B. The overcoat layer 117 and the other insulating layers and film are omitted in FIG. 27.
In order to improve the performance characteristics of a hard disk drive, such as a real recording density, in particular, a method of increasing linear recording density and a method of increasing track density may be taken. To design a high-performance hard disk drive, specific measures taken for implementing the recording head, the reproducing head or the thin-film magnetic head as a whole depend on whether linear recording density or track density is emphasized. That is, if priority is given to track density, a reduction in track width is required for both recording head and reproducing head, for example. If priority is given to linear recording density, it is required for the reproducing head to improve the reproducing output and to reduce the half width of the reproducing output. Moreover, it is required to reduce the distance between the hard disk platter and the slider (hereinafter called a magnetic space). To achieve a real density of 20 to 30 gigabits per square inch, a magnetic space of 15 to 25 nm, for example, is required.
Consideration will now be given to the measures taken when priority is given to linear recording density. Among the factors that contribute to improvements in linear recording density, a reduction in magnetic space is achieved by reducing the amount of floating of the slider. The amount of floating of the slider depends mainly on the design, processing method, lapping method and so on of the slider.
Among the factors that contribute to improvements in linear recording density, an improvement in reproducing output is achieved mainly by replacing the AMR film with a GMR film and the like having an excellent magnetoresistive sensitivity. It is known that another factor, that is, a reduction in half width of the reading output, is achieved by reducing the distance between the bottom shield layer and the top shield layer (hereinafter called the shield gap length). It is possible to control the shield gap length it the steps of manufacturing the thin-film magnetic head.
The problems arising when the shield gap length is reduced will now be described. To implement a real recording density of about 10 gigabits per square inch, an appropriate shield gap length is 0.11 to 0.14 μm (110 to 140 nm). However, a shield gap length of 0.07 to 0.09 μm (70 to 90 nm) is required for implementing a real recording density of 30 to 40 gigabits per square inch.
It is difficult to reduce the thickness of the MR element since this thickness is determined by factors such as the reading output required. Therefore, in order to reduce the shield gap length, it is required to reduce the thickness of the shield gap film provided between the MR element and the bottom shield layer, and the thickness of the shield gap film provided between the MR element and the top shield layer.
A case is assumed wherein a shield gap length of 60 to 70 nm is required to implement a real recording density of 40 gigabits per square inch. In this case, if the thickness of the MR element is 40 nm, the thickness of the shield gap films each of which is provided between the MR element and the bottom shield layer and between the MR element and the top shield layer, respectively, is required to be 10 to 15 nm.
In prior art the shield gap film is made of an alumina film formed through sputtering performed in a plasma atmosphere through the use of an apparatus such as a radio frequency (RF) sputtering apparatus or an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) sputtering apparatus.
However, a reduction in the thickness of the prior-art shield gap film formed through sputtering is limited to about 20 nm. That is, if the thickness of the prior-art shield gap film is smaller than 20 nm, the insulation strength is 5 to 7 volts or smaller so that static damage is likely to occur. If the thickness of the prior-art shield gap film is reduced down to about 10 to 15 nm, not only the insulation strength is made smaller but also pinholes are likely to occur. If static damage is done to the shield gap film or pinholes are made in the shield gap film, a short circuit is developed between the MR element and the bottom shield layer or the top shield layer. As a result, the reading output signal carries noise, and it is impossible to obtain a proper reading output signal in some cases.
In addition, the prior-art shield gap film exhibits bad step coverage. Therefore, pinholes or faulty insulation frequently occurs in portions having projections and depressions, in particular, such as the neighborhood of the pattern edge of the MR element or the leads connected to the MR element.
As thus described, it is difficult in prior art to form the shield gap film that is thin and exhibits high qualities, that is, closely packed and has an even thickness, greater insulation strength and excellent step coverage. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the shield gap length of the prior art thin-film magnetic head, and to reduce the half width of the reading output and to improve the recording density. In addition, since it is difficult in prior art to form a high-quality and thin shield gap film, the yield of thin-film magnetic heads for high density recording is low.
Although the problems arising when the shield gap film is formed have been described so far, similar problems are found in formation of layers such as the recording gap layer, an insulating film of a thin-film magnetic head wherein the recording head and the reproducing head are isolated from each other by the insulating film, or an insulating layer for isolating turns of the coil.

Method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head


A heat pump apparatus includes an evaporator evaporating a refrigerant, an electrochemical compressor compressing the refrigerant evaporated in the evaporator, and a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed by the electrochemical compressor. The heat pump apparatus is structured such that the refrigerant in a wet steam state is supplied from the evaporator to the electrochemical compressor.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a heat pump apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a voltage is applied to an electrolyte membrane used in a fuel cell, H2 changes to a proton (H+) and moves from one face to the other face of the electrolyte membrane. At this time, the proton moves inside the electrolyte membrane with polar compounds such as water, alcohol, and ammonia. A technique of compressing the gases of the polar compounds using this phenomenon is called "electrochemical compression". A compressor adopting electrochemical compression is called "electrochemical compressor". Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-262424 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0132386 disclose a heat pump apparatus using an electrochemical compressor.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


An array of n-bit words representing an image is filtered to produce a corresponding array of higher precision m-bit words representing the image. During the filtering, upper and lower bounds for the m-bit words are identified, and values for the m-bit words are selected between the upper and lower bounds. There is at least some spatial smoothness between the selected values. For example, the values may be selected at sample points of a curve or surface between the upper and lower bounds.

The invention relates generally to digital imaging. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for attenuating quantization contour artifacts in underquantized image data.
For any number of reasons, a digital image might be undersampled or underquantized. When rendered on a display or printer, an image having a tone scale that is insufficiently quantized is subject to the introduction of quantization contour artifacts. These artifacts can be especially objectionable in image areas having spatially smooth intensity variations such as sky, skin and large homogeneous surfaces such as walls.
The artifacts are essentially amplified quantization errors in the tone scale of the image. If, for instance, a scanner outputs 8-bit words representing an image, and a computer displays 16-bit words, the computer might multiply the 8-bit words by a scale factor of 28 in order to produce the 16-bit words for display. However, a difference of one between two 8-bit words now becomes an abrupt difference of 28. These abrupt differences can cause the quantization contour artifacts to become visible when the image is displayed.
There are various ways of reducing the visibility of the quantization contour artifacts. For example, Gaussian noise can be added to the underquantized image to break up the contour lines. However, the Gaussian noise can also reduce image contrast.
Another source of quantization contour artifacts is tone mapping, whereby the words of the underquantized image are multiplied by a tone-dependent gain. The gain is usually higher at lower tone levels in order to boost dark details to make them visible. Both signal and noise including so-called xe2x80x9cquantization noisexe2x80x9d are amplified by high gain. Without adequate input precision, high gain tone map regions have skipped output levels that yield abrupt difference quantization artifacts. These abrupt differences are especially visible in smooth shaded areas.
Thus an image which appears well quantized before tone mapping can show itself after mapping to have inadequate tonal precision.
Quantization contour artifacts are attenuated by augmenting precision using spatial information. According to one aspect of the present invention, an array of n-bit data words is generated, and the n-bit words are filtered to provide corresponding m-bit words. Filtering is performed by identifying upper and lower bounds of each m-bit word; and selecting values for the m-bit words between the upper and lower bounds. There is at least some spatial smoothness between the selected values. The lower bound of a given m-bit word has its n most significant bits equal to the corresponding n-bit word; and the upper bound of a given n-bit word is equal to a sum of a maximum uncertainty and the lower bound of the given m-bit word.
If the array of n-bit data words represents an image, the filtering can reduce the abruptness of changes in values of the m-bit words and, therefore, can attenuate quantization contour artifacts.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

Method and apparatus for filtering images having insufficient tonal precision

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A window egress assistance handle having a base, at least one finger grip with two legs, multiple offset orifice fixation ports for receiving multiple securing devices such as set screws or thumb screws, and a base midline grooved channel receiver. To temporarily install and use the handle, the handle is positioned to envelope an integrated extruded window sash lift in the grooved channel receiver, and the securing devices disposed in the multiple offset fixation port are engaged to create a binding compressive force upon enveloped sash lift. The window can then be lifted or slid by applying force to the finger grips. The handle can be adjusted to the user's strength, size, and dimensions, and installed and removed without use of tools or creating permanent damage to the framework of the window.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to window opening assistance devices for anyone needing assistance opening a window, especially in emergency situations.
2. Background of the Invention
Windows in dwellings can become difficult to open. This is due to post construction changes in a structure. Changes that frequently occur are shrinking and swelling of the window unit due to exposure of extreme elements of weather such as heat, cold, dry or moist atmospheres. Over time many structures may experience shifting due to ground movement and gravity. Dirt deposits collect due to poor maintenance. These post construction changes can cause the window to become difficult to open.
Many windows integrate a dedicated lift area. However, many times this area is not sufficient regarding the size and strength of the occupant desiring to open the window.
This clearly puts occupants at great disadvantage when needing to make emergency exit. This is evident by the fact that there are 2 ways out of a home in the event of fires. Yet 800 kids under the age of 9 die each year in home fires. The problem of window egress is clear and can be addressed properly by the use of my invention. Proper education and encouragement by professional and volunteer firefighters are only available after engineering process is complete. Our invention must be first available.
It is estimated by the firefighting profession that 60-90% of home dwellers do not practice fire drills. To highlight the importance of our invention could save many lives. After Sep. 11, 2001, the Department of Homeland Security cited that terrorists could threaten soft targets. This included family dwellings. As firefighters, we have a response obligation of duty to protect America from harm at every level concerning safety. The most important problem our invention will solve is allowing us as firefighters to give kids a solid answer to their most common question, which is "What do I do if the window will not open during a fire and that is my only way out?". Today, firefighters across the country answer "Do whatever it takes." This is not a good plan.
Window lift areas are usually integrated into the framework of the window by manufacturers. Historically, these areas are small and present a challenge to the fingertip strengths of many users, especially the young and others who have dexterity deficits. Additional handles may be obtained when minimal or no integrated lift design exists. These additional handles require skill to ensure proper mounting. These additional handles are usually screwed into the framework and the margin for error by the untrained installer can range from crooked handles to unrepairable holes in the framework of the window. Placement errors can cause the handle to become less effective. Placement issues are of great importance to the end user. These additional handles do not allow movement or adjustment to meet the optimum position for the user whose needs may change, without leaving unsightly holes when removing the additional handle to move or adjust it. Optimum leverage is desired during the lifting, pushing, or pulling action during sliding operation in accordance with the physical changes of the user. If people of different sizes change living quarters, it requires possible different position placement of these additional handles in order to optimize leverage. Additionally, when one moves from one dwelling to another, to remove these additional handles leaves unsightly holes in the window framework.


According to one embodiment, there is provided a rotating electrical machine coil with a conductor and an insulation layer that is provided around the conductor to cover the conductor, the rotating electrical machine coil including a linear part of the coil and a coil end that is separable from and electrically connectable to the linear part of the coil.

A basic structure of a conventional stator coil is a unitary structure that includes a linear part of the coil that forms a straight line in an axial direction (longitudinal direction) parallel to a rotation axis center, a coil end (curved part), and a field alleviating layer. The coil end is wound around a stator core and protrudes from an axial end face, forming an involute shape. The stator core is formed of a layered body of metal plates, for example, with a slot radially formed (a groove extending in a radial direction) on a plurality of portions in a circumferential direction of an inner periphery. The coil end is electrically integral with the linear part of the coil via the field alleviating layer.
In a turbine generator or a water-wheel generator as a rotating electrical machine, a coil end has an involute curve, as described above, and the shape of the coil end differs for each product number of the electric generator. Therefore, it is necessary to produce a coil end having a complicated shape for each product number.
Also, in storing a coil in a slot, the shape of the coil end is complicated, as described above, and therefore it is necessary to perform the operation of picking up several coils, the so-called pick-up coil, when storing, in a slot, the final coil to be stored in the slot, which presents a challenge to the operation process.

TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION


An electrostatic latent image is formed on an image carrier. A plurality of development cartridges include toner and are adapted to face the image carrier at a development position, respectively. The development cartridges cause the toner to adhere onto the image carrier to develop the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. A development device is configured to be rotatable around an rotational axis thereof. The development device houses the plurality of development cartridges around the rotational axis. A duct includes an inlet port through which air in the vicinity of the development position is sucked and an outlet port from which the sucked air is exhausted to the outside of the image forming apparatus. The duct covers an outer peripheral surface of the development device.

The present invention relates to an image-forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image-forming apparatus provided with an exhaust duct.
In an image-forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic recording system, an electrostatic latent image is formed through exposure on the surface of an image carrier formed from a photosensitive element. In this image-forming apparatus, the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier, the toner image being transferred after the electrostatic latent image has been developed by use of toner, is transferred to a recording medium, such as recording paper, thereby forming an image. The electrostatic latent image can be subjected to toner development, by rotating a development roller opposing the surface of the image carrier and transferring the electrostatic latent image to an outer peripheral surface of the development roller in an adhering manner.
This image-forming apparatus adopting the electrophotographic recording system is provided with a development cartridge which houses toner in a container, along with the development roller opposing the image carrier. Some image-forming apparatus have a rotary development device capable of housing a plurality of development cartridges. In this image-forming apparatus, the rotary development device is rotated around a rotary shaft, thereby switching the development cartridge to be located at a development position where the development cartridge opposes the image carrier.
In such an image-forming apparatus, development cartridges for housing yellow (Y) toner, magenta (M) toner, cyan (C) toner, and black (K) toner are configured as development cartridges for causing toner to adhere to the surface of the image carrier, so that a rotary development device can store (carry) the development cartridges. The development cartridges are sequentially switched, thereby forming a color image on which colors of toner are superimposed. A monochrome image made of one color of toner, for instance, a black-and-white monochrome image made of black (K) toner (hereinafter also called simply a "monochrome image"), can also be formed.
In such an image-forming apparatus, development is performed by use of toner while the image carrier and the development roller are being rotated. For this reason, difficulty is encountered in transferring all particles of the toner on the outer peripheral surface of the development roller to the image carrier or recovering all particles of the toner into the development cartridge. Since the toner is in the form of fine particles, the toner often splashes and floats around a development position where the development roller opposes the image carrier, to thus accumulate or stain recording paper or the like. Therefore, there is proposed an image-forming apparatus adopting an electrophotographic recording system having an exhaust duct for sucking air in the vicinity of the development position and exhausting the sucked air (see, e.g., JP-A-2003-295714).
Recently, silencing of OA equipment has been sought. The image-forming apparatus having such a rotary development device forms an image while continually rotating the rotary development device at the time of formation of a color image. Therefore, noise stemming from driving of the rotary development device, particularly, leakage of noise from a side surface close to a position where the rotary development device is situated, raises a problem.
Moreover, in the image-forming apparatus having such a rotary development device, the toner housed in the development cartridge is greatly influenced by an environment. For instance, when an ambient temperature becomes high, a problem may arise in the quality of the toner.
In contrast, miniaturization of such office automation equipment has recently been particularly sought. Since an internal storage space of the equipment also becomes smaller, difficulty is encountered in avoiding a layout where a rotary development device housing the development cartridges becomes close to heat-producing elements.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 15, in the image-forming apparatus having such an exhaust duct, an exhaust duct 130 has an inlet 131 located at a position above the neighborhood of a development position where a development roller 14c of the rotary development device 14 opposes a photosensitive drum 12, and is provided such that a path extending from the inlet 131 to a position above the rotary development device 14 is taken as an exhaust path 132. Since an intermediate transfer belt 15 is provided at a position above the rotary development device 14, the exhaust duct 130 is also provided at a position adjacent to an intermediate transfer unit 25 which actuates the intermediate transfer belt 15.
A pair of duct plates 141a, 141b formed along an exterior surface of the rotary development device 14 oppose each other to thus form an exhaust passage of an exhaust path 132 in this exhaust duct 130. A filter 134 for adsorbing toner absorbed in sucked air is provided at any position in this exhaust path 132.
However, in such a related image-forming apparatus, the duct plate 141a of the exhaust duct 130 is provided separately from a unit cover 25a of the intermediate transfer unit 25. As shown in FIG. 16, there is adopted a structure where, when the intermediate transfer unit 25 is removed for performing maintenance of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the unit cover 25a is removed.
Specifically, since the exhaust duct 130 is not designed to be removed from the main body of the apparatus, the exhaust path defined between the duct plates 141a, 141b cannot be opened during the period of ordinary maintenance. Even when the sucked toner has been accumulated in the exhaust path, the toner cannot be cleaned. Therefore, on some occasions, when the image-forming apparatus has been subjected to shock during, e.g., movement, there may be a risk of the accumulated toner contaminating the inside of the apparatus.
Although FIGS. 15 and 16 show the intermediate transfer unit 25 having the unit cover 25a, the intermediate transfer unit is not limited to this type. An intermediate transfer unit not having the unit cover 25a suffers the same problem, as well. The rotary development device 14 can be removably attached while being withdrawn along the direction of a rotary shaft of the rotary development device, without regard to the exhaust duct 130.