The invention provides an apparatus and method of inserting a lightweight, oversized, inside head to the end of a partially wrapped roll. An inside head is attached to multiple articulated arms extending from a spider assembly. The spider is moved toward the end of the roll until the articulated arms engage the end of the roll. The spider assembly opens the articulated arms radially outwardly until adjacent a wrapper tube extension. A heating clamp then welds the outer edge of the inside head to the wrapper tube extension.

Packages, such as paper rolls, must be covered or wrapped before they are shipped and handled. The wrapping serves to protect the package or roll from impact damage and to seal such things as moisture and foreign substances outside of the package.
Various roll wrapping systems and other packaging systems have been developed over the years to protect the rolls from impact damage and moisture during shipping and handling. A common problem in wrapping rolls has been encountered when attempting to seal the ends of the partially wrapped roll. A circular head is typically installed at each end of the roll.
Traditionally, a heavy, self-supporting head has been installed by holding the head with suction at the end of the roll while the wrapper tube extension is crimped over the head to secure the head in place. Modern roll wrapping techniques now use a lightweight, flexible, plastic-covered head for the inside head. This inside head cannot be handled or applied in a conventional manner.
Heads have been stapled or fastened by other mechanical means to a fiber core at the center of the roll. This requires the head to be made of a heavy, self-supporting material so that the portion of the head above the point of attachment will not fall down.
While it is generally preferable to use a lightweight material as a moisture barrier in wrapping, those in the art have recognized that lightweight heads are not self-supporting and thus cannot be secured to the end of the roll by crimping alone or by securing the lightweight head to the center fiber core of the roll.

Inside head inserting apparatus and method


An optical unit with a shake correction function includes a movable body, a gimbal mechanism, a fixed body and a magnetic drive mechanism. The gimbal mechanism includes a gimbal frame, a first connection mechanism turnably connecting the movable body with the gimbal frame around a first axis, and a second connection mechanism turnably connecting the fixed body with the gimbal frame around a second axis. The first connection mechanism includes a first spherical body, a first spherical body fixing part to which the first spherical body is fixed in one of the movable body and the gimbal frame and, in the other, a first spherical body support part having a first concave curved face which faces the first spherical body fixing part and contacts with the first spherical body, and the first spherical body fixing part has a first fixing hole to which the first spherical body is partly fitted.

An optical unit which is mounted on a portable terminal or a movement body may include a mechanism structured to swing or turn a movable body on which an optical module is mounted around a predetermined axis to correct a shake in order to restrain disturbance of a photographed image of the portable terminal or when the movement body is moved. Such an optical unit with a shake correction function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-006522 (Patent Literature 1).
The optical unit with a shake correction function described in Patent Literature 1 includes a gimbal mechanism structured to swingably support a movable body around a predetermined axis. The gimbal mechanism includes a gimbal frame (movable frame) in a rectangular frame shape and a connection mechanism structured to turnably connect the gimbal frame with the movable body around the axis. The connection mechanism includes spherical bodies, spherical body fixing parts to each of which the spherical body is fixed, and spherical body support parts each of which is provided with a hemispherical shaped recessed part with which the spherical body is contacted. The spherical body fixing parts are inner side faces of a pair of corner parts of the gimbal frame which face each other in a predetermined axial line direction. The spherical body is fixed to the inner side face of each corner part by welding. The spherical body support part is provided at two positions of the movable body which face each spherical body fixing part in a predetermined axial line direction.
In order to reduce a size of an optical unit with a correction function, the size of the connection mechanism is required to be made small. However, when a size of the spherical body is made small for reducing a size of the connection mechanism, it is difficult to fix the spherical body in a positioned state on an inner side of a corner part of the gimbal frame. If the spherical body is not positioned, it is difficult to support the movable body by the gimbal frame with a high degree of accuracy.
The present disclosure provides an optical unit with a shake correction function in which, when a gimbal frame and a movable body are to be turnably connected with each other by using a spherical body, the spherical body is capable of being positioned and fixed with a high degree of accuracy.

Optical unit with shake correction function


An information storage apparatus characterized in that provided with: a data writing unit that writes the data in a data-storable information recording medium; a control information writing unit that writes control information in a predetermined region of the information recording medium, the control information being related to the data-writing by said data writing unit; and a conditional control information writing unit that, while the data writing unit is writing the data in the information recording medium, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, writes the control information in the predetermined region of the information recording medium, the control information being related to the data-writing for the meantime by the data writing unit. If the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control information is written in the predetermined region of the information recording medium. Even if the power fails unexpectedly due to a power failure, for example, the loss of written data can be limited to a minimal extent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for writing information that writes data in a recording medium and further writes control information related to the data-writing in a predetermined control region of the recording medium. The present invention further relates to a method of writing information in which data is written in a recording medium and control information related to the data-writing is further written in a predetermined control region of the recording medium. The present invention yet further relates to a computer program that causes a computer to perform steps related to the information-writing.
2. Description of the Related Art
A rewritable DVD disk such as a DVD+RW disk needs to be formatted before user data is written therein.
In response to a user's request for formatting the DVD+RW disk, dummy data is written in the DVD+RW disk. However, once dummy data have been written in a portion of the lead-in region of the DVD+RW disk, the user is notified that the formatting of the DVD+RW disk has been completed. While the DVD+RW disk is not accessed in response to a user's request, dummy data is written in the remaining region of the DVD+RW disk. This is called background formatting.
Conventionally, the user needs to spend a long time for formatting, but the user does not need to wait until the background formatting is completed.
In the background formatting, dummy data is continuously written starting with the inner circumference. In response to a user's request for writing user data, the background formatting is suspended, and a Last Written Address (LWA) indicating the last address in which dummy data has been written is updated. Then, the user data is written.
After the user data is completely written, the background formatting is resumed with the LWA.
While the DVD+RW disk is background formatted, the user can write user data in any data region of the DVD+RW disk.
That is to say, the user can write user data in a region in which dummy data has not been written yet. As a result, if the user data is written during the background formatting, a region in which data has been written and another region in which no data has been written coexist in the same disk.
When the background formatting is resumed in a state in which a region in which data has been written and another region in which no data has been written coexist in the same disk, it is necessary to write dummy data in a region other than a region in which the user data has been written. This is the reason why, for example, many information storage apparatuses use one bit flag (bit map information) indicating the state of a unit region (in the case of DVD+RW disk, 1 ECC block=16 sectors) of whether data has been written.
That is, if the user writes user data in a region outer than the LWA, the flag in the bit map corresponding to the region is set "data-written."
When the background formatting is resumed, the bit map information is referred to so that dummy data is written only in a region in which the user data has not been written yet.
In the case of a DVD+RW disk, the user can even suspend the background formatting, and remove the disk.
In this case, the LWA and the bit map information are written in a Formatting Disk Control Block (FDCB) in the lead-in region.
When a disk that has not yet been fully formatted is inserted, and the disk is formatted in the background, the FDCB enables dummy data to be written only in regions in which no data has been written.
As described above, in the case in which the background formatting is suspended and the disk is removed, the FDCB is indispensable for knowing the writing state of the disk. If an error occurs in the updating of the FDCB, such a problem that the user data written by the user is overwritten with dummy data during the background formatting may occur.
On the other hand, if the FDCB is updated too often, the performance of data-writing in response to a user's request may be lowered, and/or the disk may be degraded.
To avoid such problems, in the case of conventional information storage apparatuses, the FDCB is updated at a predetermined time after the user data has been written and before the background formatting is resumed, for example, the time when a user's request for discharging the disk or suspending the background formatting. According to this arrangement, the FDCB can be updated at a suitable timing even during the background formatting. Since the FDCB is updated after the user data has been fully written, the FDCB is updated without lowering the performance of data-writing (See Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2003-45117, for example).
However, the conventional information storage apparatuses still has the following unsolved problems.
For example, the DVD+RW disk can be used for applications such as the real-time recording of a television program. It is required to write data at a relatively low average data transfer rate and at a constant interval for the real-time data-writing. As a result, if real-time data-writing is required during the background formatting, dummy data is not written for the formatting but user data is kept being written for the time period of recording.
In other words, while the real-time data is being written, the conventional information storage apparatuses described above do not have a chance to update the FDCB. For example, if the power provided to the conventional information storage apparatuses unexpectedly fails due to power failure while the real-time data is being written, the conventional information storage apparatuses cannot normally update the FDCB.
If a disk of which FDCB has not been normally updated is inserted and the background formatting is resumed, the written user data may be overwritten with dummy data since the LWA and the bitmap information are incorrect.

Apparatus and method of storing information


For transmitting a common channel signal with characteristics with an approximated non-directivity, the common channel signal for all users is divided into sub-channel signals, corresponding to a number of antenna elements composing an array antenna, to be concurrently transmitted with non-directivity by using each antenna element. Individual channel signals, for each user, following the common channel signal with a desired directivity by using the antenna elements. Each sub-channel signal can be made a sub-channel signal obtained by dividing all sub-channel components composing the common channel signal for each sub-channel component by a predetermined number or dividing them depending on a receiving quality of each antenna element.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a transmission device as well as an array antenna control method and device, which are preferably used in a base station etc. composing a wireless communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Related art examples [1]-[3] as described herebelow are known in the array antenna control art for a base station:
Related Art Example [1]: Not Shown
A base station in a wireless communication system transmits a common channel signal to be propagated to overall a cell (i.e. all users) by using a dedicated (exclusive use) non-directivity antenna.
On the other hand, individual channel signals for users following the above common channel signal are transmitted by using an array antenna after having adjusted the amplitude and the phase thereof so that each individual channel signal may have a desired directivity due to interferences among antenna elements composing the array antenna. This enables each individual channel signal to be propagated to each user without requiring a high transmission power.
However, due to requiring a dedicated non-directivity antenna for propagating the common channel signal, the setting space interferes with a miniaturization of the base station and increases development costs.
In order to address this, related art examples [2] and [3] as described herebelow have already been proposed:
Related Art Example [2]: Not Shown
A base station in a W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) or TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) wireless communication system performs a signal transmission by using one of antenna elements composing an array antenna when propagating the common channel signal (See, e.g. Japanese patent application publication No.2003-158479 or No. 2005-176160).
Related Art Example [3]: Not Shown
A base station in a W-CDMA wireless communication system provides the common channel signal to all antenna elements composing the array antenna to be transmitted (See, e.g. Japanese patent application publication Nos. 2006-5874 and 2003-60549).
The above related art examples [2] and [3] eliminate the use of the dedicated non-directivity antenna such as in the above related art example [1].
In the above related art example [2], one antenna element of the array antenna is employed to transmit the common channel signal, whereat a high transmission power of propagating the common channel signal to overall the cell is required, so that amplifiers or the like connected to the antenna elements should be of a high performance and a high output, increasing a power consumption and development costs of the entire base station.
Also, in the above related art example [3], the common channel signal of the same frequency is transmitted from each antenna element, thereby causing interferences where a null direction with no signals being propagated exists, so that the common channel signal is eventually transmitted with some directivity, failing to achieve non-directivity.

Transmission device, and array antenna control method and device


A refrigerator tray holds containers of individual beverages for dispensing the beverages one at a time. The tray has a ventilated support panel surrounded about its periphery by a frame of sidewalls. The support panel fits in the sidewalls so that the panel slants downward toward the front to gravity feed the beverages.

This invention relates to a refrigerator shelf device, and, more particularly, to a tray for a refrigerator shelf for holding a beverage package having multiple individual beverage containers.
Beverages occupy precious space in a refrigerator. To conserve space, individual beverage containers are packaged in a carton so that individual beverage containers are stacked vertically to conserve shelf space. For consumer appeal and economy, cartons typically contain 12, 18, 20 or 24 individual beverage containers. The cartons rest on a side to make maximum use of shelf space. Unfortunately, the cartons lie flat on one side thereby losing benefit of gravity feed when only one row of containers remains to be dispensed. It is desirable to retain gravity feed to ensure that containers are easily dispensed.
Typically, popular upscale residential refrigerators have glass shelves wherein the glass is flat, without openings or ribs, so that there is no air circulation through the glass shelf or over the surface between the carton and shelf surface. Ventilation is essential to timely chill the beverage containers and to keep them chilled. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to have a shelf device that not only ensures gravity feed but also facilitates ventilation of the beverage carton.
A full carton rests flat on the shelf and individual beverage containers gravity feed for removal one at a time. When only one row or layer of containers remains, the gravity feed is lost. As the containers are removed, the center of gravity shifts which may cause the carton to tip forward or move about on the shelf. Also, moisture on the shelf reduces friction between the carton and shelf increasing the tendency of the carton to move about on the shelf. It is desirable to maintain the carton in a fixed position on the shelf.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to the present invention, a tray for a refrigerator shelf has four sidewalls and a support panel. A front sidewall has a top portion and a bottom portion, and a rear sidewall has a top portion and a bottom portion with the rear sidewall spaced from the front sidewall. The bottom portion of the front sidewall is at a lower elevation than the top portion of the rear sidewall. A left sidewall has a top portion and a bottom portion, and a right sidewall has a top portion and a bottom portion. The right sidewall is spaced from the left sidewall. The bottom portions of the left and right sidewalls are at a lower elevation than the top portions of the left and right sidewalls. The support panel has front, rear, left and right edges with the front edge connected to the bottom portion of the front sidewall and with the rear edge connected to the top portion of the rear sidewall. The left edge is connected to the left sidewall and the right edge is connected to the right sidewall so that the support. panel slants downward from the rear sidewall towards the front sidewall.
Slanting the support panel towards the front sidewall ensures that a carton resting on the tray will have individual beverage containers inside the carton gravity feed toward the front sidewall for dispensing one at a time.
The left, right and front sidewalls define a retaining lip above the support panel which retains the carton on the tray. The left, right and rear sidewalls define a retaining lip below the support panel, which, when upturned, retains the carton on the tray. When the upper retaining lip and the lower retaining lip are of different width dimensions, different sizes of cartons are easily accommodated by a single tray.
The support panel defines a plurality of ventilation openings to provide for adequate ventilation. Also, the sidewalls have openings that provide effective ventilation when the tray rests on a glass shelf.
According to another aspect of the invention, a tray has a bottom panel with front, rear, left and right upstanding sidewalls. A plurality of support members each have their front ends connected to the bottom portion of the front sidewall and their rear ends connected to the top portion of the rear sidewall so that the support members slant downward from the rear sidewall towards the front sidewall. The bottom panel has openings to provide ventilation.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings

Ventilated tray for refrigerator beverage packages


A one-touch quick-release device of a toilet cover is provided. One end of a connecting member is installed to the toilet cover through a turning member, and another end of the connecting member is connected with an engaging member. A return elastic member is provided between the engaging member and the connecting member. The connecting member is radially provided with an insertion rod. The retaining member is vertically provided with a support rod. The support rod is formed with a central hole for insertion of the insertion rod. An upper end of the support rod is provided with an annular flange. The engaging member is provided with an annular through trough. The annular flange is inserted through the annular through trough to lean against the connecting member. The insertion rod of the connecting member is inserted into the central hole of the support rod.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a one-touch quick-release device of a toilet cover.
2. Description of the Prior Art
European Patent Publication No. EP1199020B1 discloses a toilet seat assembly installed on a toilet ceramic body, which comprise a damper device, an adapter, and a fastening device. The fastening device is fixed on the toilet ceramic body. The fastening device is provided with a shaft head. The adapter is connected with the damper device. The damper device is used to support the pivotal turning of the toilet cover, namely, the toilet cover is installed on the damper device in a pivotal way. The adapter is formed with a radial blind bore for insertion of the shaft head of the fastening device.
The toilet seat assembly limits the transverse movement and vertical movement of the adapter and the damper device as well as the turning of the adapter and the damper device through the shaft head of the fastening device to be inserted into the radial blind bore of the adapter. In order to limit the radial movement of the shaft head, the shaft head is formed with an engaging recess. An engaging spring is provided with in the engaging recess. Through the engaging spring engaged in the engaging recess to limit the radial movement of the shaft head, the shortcoming is that the engaging spring is easily deformed during use to lose its engaging function. As a result, it is unable to limit the radial movement of the shaft head. The rigid hardness of the engaging spring is not enough, so it may be bent with ease. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himself based on his many years of practical experiences to solve these problems.

One-touch quick-release device of toilet cover

LOTTERY (XIAMEN) SANITARY WARE CO., LTD.


A plush construction set including a first plush object and a second plush object. A first connecting element is secured to the first plush object, and a second connecting element is secured to the second plush object. The first and second connecting elements are at least semi-rigid. The first and second connecting elements are configured to establish a releasable connection between the first and second plush objects. At least one of the first and second objects may have a plurality of fibrous elements that extend in a plurality of directions. The fibrous elements may be made of yarn, fur, hair, synthetic fiber resembling hair, thread, thin strips of cloth or other textiles, or the like. Decorative features resembling body features may be attached to the first or second plush objects.

Construction sets, which include differently-sized components that are configured to be assembled by a child, are fun and educational toys for children of differing age groups. Construction sets help develop small-motor skills and stimulate creativity. One type of construction set, sold under the trademark LEGO, includes a plurality of small molded plastic components that are stackable upon each other, like small bricks, to create a desired object. The upper side of each component has at least one protruding element that interlocks with a recessed construction in the underside of other components. Another type of construction set, sold under the trademark TINKERTOY, comprises a plurality of shafts and hubs that may be attached and configured in many different ways. These construction sets are made from wood or hard plastic and are designed to build objects such as machinery, buildings, or vehicles. The angular or mechanical characteristics of such construction sets are not optimal if it is desired to construct an object resembling an animal, doll or whimsical creature.
Yet another type of construction set, sold under the trademark MISTER POTATO HEAD, includes a molded hard plastic "head" that may be adorned with plastic eyes, ears, etc. to resemble a face. However, it is not possible to vary the shape of the hard plastic "head," or to create a soft object resembling an animal or doll.


A single- or multi-phase step wave power converter includes multiple transformers configured to receive DC voltage from one or more power sources. Each of the transformers includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformers are each configured to supply a step for a step wave AC output. Bridge circuits are supplied for controlling input of DC voltage into the primary windings of the transformers. Steps for the step wave AC output are output from the secondary windings based upon the input provided to the primary windings. DC source management circuitry manages which DC power source(s) supplies DC voltage input to each of the bridge circuits. The management circuitry provides seamless power switching between the plurality of DC power sources based on each power source's performance characteristics. A pulse-width modulator can also be provided to the step wave power converter to modulate the input into a selected primary winding. In this way, the step wave AC output can be fine-tuned in substantial conformance with an ideal AC waveform.

This invention relates generally to step wave power converters for transforming power from power sources supplying DC voltage input into AC power. More specifically, this invention relates to step wave power converters for providing greater input control over multiple DC power buses and for more accurately simulating single- or multiple-phase AC waveforms. While this invention is particularly directed to the transformation of power from DC power sources to AC power, it should be noted that AC power sources can be readily converted to DC power sources through the use of a rectifier. Therefore, the scope of this invention is not limited to strictly DC-to-AC power conversion.
Prior art patents and publications describe various single-phase step wave power converters for transforming DC voltage input into a step wave AC output. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing one example of a prior art power converter. Referring to FIG. 1, one single-phase step wave power converter of the prior art uses one transformer 2 for each step of the step wave output. A single DC power source is used to supply power to each of the transformers 2 in the power converter. Each transformer 2 has three windings, including two primary windings P1, P2 and one secondary winding S. The two primary windings P1 and P2 are electrically coupled to the DC power source through four gates G1-G4. The gates G1-G4 control the flow of current through the primary windings P1, P2 in order to produce a step of the AC output from the secondary winding S. The two primary windings P1, P2 in each transformer 2 are identical to each other except that they are oppositely connected to the DC voltage source. Because of their reverse connections, they induce opposite polarity voltage in the secondary winding S. The secondary windings S of the transformers are connected together in series so that their outputs can be combined to produce the step wave AC output.
In operation, the gates G1-G4 are controlled to alternately pulse DC current through the primary windings P1, P2. Current flow through a positive polarity primary winding P1 induces a positive step output from the corresponding secondary winding S, while, conversely, the flow of current through a negative polarity primary winding P2 induces a negative step. Steps from the secondary windings S of all of the transformers 2 are added together to form the overall AC waveform. Consequently, pulsing DC current through the primary windings PI, P2 at the appropriate time intervals causes the secondary windings S to output an approximate AC waveform.
U.S. Patent No. 5,373,433 issued to Thomas (Thomas) provides an improvement in the art with respect to single-phase power inverters operating from a single DC power source. Specifically, Thomas discloses switching bridges for controlling DC voltage input into multiple transformers from a single source. Each switching bridge includes four switches arranged in two parallel lines, each of which has two series connected switches. The switching bridges are controlled so that the transformers produce either a positive, zero, or negative output voltage step at a given time. According to Thomas, the transformers "preferably have turns ratios that are multiples of each other in order to provide both good resolution and a wide dynamic range of the [AC output] signal." Col. 5, ll. 58-62. For example, Thomas explicitly discloses a single-phase power converter having three transformers capable of producing voltage outputs from their secondary windings of .hoarfrost.15V, .+-.45V, and .+-.135V, respectively. The output voltages from the secondary windings of all of the transformers are combined in series. Thomas produces a fairly accurate AC waveform by controlling timing and sequencing of the voltage contributions from the three transformers to transition sequentially through each of twenty-seven different possible overall output voltage levels. A special decoder circuit is also provided to prevent accidental shorting across the DC voltage input which would occur if two switches in a series connected pair were closed at the same time. Despite its improvements, Thomas does not contemplate either the use of multiple power sources or three-phase operation.
Another prior art topology is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,820 issued to Donnelly et al. (Donnelly). Donnelly provides an improvement in the art by using three gates instead of four to control current flow through primary transformer windings. Also, although using transformers having two primary windings and one secondary winding, Donnelly's switching architecture allows each primary winding to be used to produce either a positive or a negative step, rather than only one or the other. Donnelly also provides an improvement in the art by contemplating the use of multiple power sources, but fails to provide seamless integration and management of the multiple power sources based on their performance characteristics. Donnelly also discloses a three-phase power converter topology that has nine gates and one three winding, three-phase transformer per step.
Other prior art patents and publications also describe three-phase step wave power converters for converting DC voltage from one or more DC power sources to a step wave AC output. Referring to FIG. 2, one example of a prior art three-phase step wave power converter includes multiple three-phase transformers 4, each having three windings (two primary P1, P2 and one secondary S) per phase per step. The configuration of each phase is similar to the single-phase arrangement of the prior art described above with reference to FIG. 1. Each phase of each transformer includes two primary windings P1, P2 and a secondary winding S. The two primary windings P1, P2 of each phase are identical to each other except for their opposite connections to the DC power source. Four switches G1-G4 are used to control current flow through the primary windings P1, P2 of each phase. The switches are used to alternately pulse DC voltage through the primary windings P1, P2 in order to generate steps of the AC waveform for that particular phase from a corresponding secondary winding S. The contributions output from the secondary windings S of the transformers for a given phase are combined together in series to produce the step wave AC output for that phase.
Unfortunately, this prior art configuration is bulky, requiring a three winding, three-phase transformer 4 controlled by 12 gates for each step. Also, each primary winding P1, P2 contributes only one positive or one negative step towards the overall AC waveform output and the total number of steps of the AC output directly corresponds to the number of primary windings used to produce the output. To get better resolution in this three-phase AC waveform output, therefore, more transformers must be added to the system, further increasing its bulkiness.
It should be noted that in each of the prior art three-phase step wave converters, the three-phase transformers 4 used are wye-wye transformers, meaning that both the primary P1, P2 and secondary windings S are arranged in wye configurations. This configuration is presumably used to avoid voltage contention which occurs between delta and wye connections in delta-wye transformers.
A further drawback of each of the prior art power converters is that the step wave AC output is generally blocky as a result of the mere addition of positive and/or negative block steps to form the AC waveform output. Although blocky AC waveforms are acceptable for many applications, they are less than desirable for use in many modern electronic devices such as computers, televisions, etc., which perform better and last longer when power is supplied to them using a closely regulated AC power supply.
Therefore, the industry faces several problems related to conventional step wave power conversion. First of all, the industry has been unable to seamlessly integrate power from multiple power sources based on their performance characteristics. The industry has also failed to produce a step wave AC output that more closely approximates an ideal AC waveform. Additionally, the industry has been unable to produce a three-phase step wave AC power output in a more efficient manner. The industry has further failed to enhance the resolution of the AC waveform output from a three-phase step wave power converter without increasing the number of primary transformer windings. Furthermore, the industry has not succeeded in allowing a single power source to selectively supply power to multiple transformers when other power sources become disabled or go offline. Nor has the industry succeeded in preventing backfeed to the power grid or in allowing any DC power source connected to the converter to be charged from any of the other power sources connected thereto.
Accordingly, the industry would be benefitted by a step wave power conversion method and apparatus which provides seamless integration between multiple power sources. The industry would be further benefitted by a step wave AC output which more closely approximates an ideal AC waveform. The industry is in further need of a more efficient step wave power converter. The industry would also be benefitted by a method of converting DC voltage into three-phase power output with enhanced resolution with simpler circuitry. The industry is in still further need of a step wave power converter which allows a single power source to selectively supply power to multiple transformers when other power sources become disabled. Still further needs in the industry include preventing backfeed to the power grid and allowing any DC power source with storage capability connected to the converter to be charged from any of the other power sources connected to the converter.


Provided is a method of realizing a semiconductor device having a structure in which a sufficient light shielding property is compatible with a sufficient storage capacitance without reducing an aperture ratio. A lower light shielding film is formed on a substrate, a TFT is formed on the lower light shielding film, and an upper light shielding film is formed on the TFT via an interlayer insulating film to cover and fit the TFT. Thus, the TFT can be completely light-shielded by the lower light shielding film and the upper light shielding film and an occurrence of a photo leak current can be prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor element, typically, a thin film transistor (TFT), using particularly a crystalline semiconductor film as a semiconductor layer including a channel forming region, a source region, and a drain region. Also, the present invention relates to a semiconductor device using such a TFT as a driver circuit or a switching element of a pixel (particularly, a liquid crystal display device or a light emitting device) and a manufacturing technique thereof. Further, the present invention particularly relates to a semiconductor device having a structure in which a light shielding property is improved and a manufacturing technique thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a liquid crystal projector in which characteristics such as miniaturization and weight reduction are improved has been used in various situations. In response to that, competition of development for providing a liquid crystal projector having a smaller size and lighter weight is intensified. The liquid crystal projector is constructed so as to project an image and the like displayed on a liquid crystal display device and the performance of the liquid crystal projector is greatly influenced by a display quality of the liquid crystal display device.
As to the liquid crystal display device, the mainstream is one in which liquid crystal is sealed between a substrate in which a TFT and a pixel electrode are formed (hereinafter referred to as a TFT substrate) and a substrate in which a counter electrode is formed (hereinafter referred to as a counter substrate) and an alignment of the liquid crystal is controlled by an electric field produced between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode to display an image.
In recent years, an active matrix type liquid crystal display device (liquid crystal panel) having several million pixels in a pixel portion is greatly used as a liquid crystal display device. In such a liquid crystal panel, a TFT is provided in each of pixels as a switching element for providing a potential to each of pixels and a pixel electrode is provided in each TFT. When the TFT is turned on, the potential of the pixel electrode is set. When the TFT is turned off, the potential of the pixel electrode is kept by charges stored in a storage capacitor element (hereinafter referred to as a storage capacitor).
When the potential of the pixel electrode is changed while the TFT is in an off state, a display quality is deteriorated. Thus, it is required for an active matrix type TFT substrate that a leak current of the TFT is suppressed, a sufficient storage capacitance is obtained for each of pixels, and the amount of charges stored in the storage capacitor is sufficiently larger than that lost by a leak current.
Also, in the case of a transmission type liquid crystal panel, in order to increase the intensity, it is necessary to increase an occupying ratio of an opening portion, that is, a region which is intended to control display in a pixel (for example, a region through which light is transmitted and which contributes to display in the case of a transmission type display device, a region from which light is reflected and which contributes to display in the case of a reflection type display device, a region in which an organic light emitting layer sandwiched by electrodes emits light and which contributes to display in the case of a display device using an organic light emitting element, or the like).
Incidentally, in the case where the above-mentioned liquid crystal panel (in particular, a transmission type liquid crystal panel) is used for a liquid crystal projector, when light is incident into the semiconductor layer of a TFT, since a leak current due to photo-excitation (hereinafter referred to as a photo leak current) is caused, it has an adverse affect on display. Thus, a light shielding layer is provided in the liquid crystal panel. For example, when a light source of the projector is located in a counter substrate side, the light shielding layer is formed between a pixel electrode and a TFT to block light from the light source, or the light shielding layer is formed between a substrate and a semiconductor layer to block light reflected from a projection lens or the like. Also, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-164875, a concave portion is provided in a substrate and a lower light shielding film is formed on the entire inner wall surface of the concave portion. Thus, the channel forming region of a TFT is formed so as to be buried in the concave portion. Also, an upper light shielding film is formed together.
However, according to the structure disclosed in the above publication, unevenness is formed near a TFT on which various wirings are concentrated. Thus, a possibility of reducing a yield is high because, at the time of wiring formation, a short circuit and a break of wirings are easily caused, or the wirings are easily deteriorated by the concentration of an electric field.
Also, according to the structure disclosed in the above publication, a gap is present between the upper light shielding film and the lower light shielding film. Thus, in the case of such a structure, there is also a possibility that a photo leak current by stray light is caused. Further, since the concave portion is provided in the substrate, there is a possibility that the mechanical strength of the substrate is reduced.
In the case of a projector for which a high intensity and a high definition are required, first, the intensity of a lamp used as a light source is increased to increase a display brightness. Second, the number of pixels in a panel used for an optical system is increased to obtain a higher definition. However, in the conventional methods of forming the light shielding film between the pixel electrode and the TFT and of forming the light shielding film between the substrate and the semiconductor layer, there is a problem that light diffracted by end portions of the light shielding film is incident into the semiconductor layer to cause a photo leak current.
Further, with increasing the intensity of the light source, an adverse affect on the TFT by the diffracted cannot be neglected any longer.
Also, when a thin insulating film is used for isolating the light shielding film and the TFT, the intensity of the diffracted light in the position of the TFT can be reduced to a negligible extent. However, when the insulating film is made thinner, a parasitic capacitance produced between the TFT and the insulating film is increased. Therefore, a problem occurs in that an operation of the TFT is influenced by a potential of the light shielding film.
Also, when a width of the light shielding film is expanded, a problem that diffracted light is incident into the TFT can be solved. However, it is natural to reduce an aperture ratio. In addition, since the requirement for a high definition of display is satisfied by increasing the number of pixels, a size of respective pixels is decreased. Thus, a reduction in an aperture ratio due to the expansion of the width of the light shielding film and a reduction in brightness accompanied by such a reduction become a large problem.
Also, only when the width of the light shielding film is expanded, a problem that stray light produced by unintended scattering in an interlayer insulating film is incident into the TFT (in particular, the semiconductor layer) cannot be solved. With increasing the intensity of the light source as described above, the influence of the stray light also cannot be neglected.
Also, in a TFT including an active layer having a crystalline structure, which has been actively used because of its high field effect mobility and the like, a photo leak current tends to increase as compared with a TFT including an amorphous semiconductor layer. If the TFT have no sufficient storage capacitance, stored charges are decreased by the leak current to change the amount of light to be transmitted, which becomes a cause for reducing a contrast in image display. Thus, it is necessary to form a storage capacitor element capable of securing a sufficient capacitance in a liquid crystal panel.
However, when an area of the storage capacitor is expanded in two dimensions to secure the sufficient capacitance, an occupying ratio of the storage capacitor element to an area of a pixel is increased to reduce an aperture ratio.
Further, in order to improve a yield, it is necessary to use a structure in which a break of wiring and the like are not caused by unevenness due to the presence of the storage capacitor.
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method of realizing a semiconductor device having a structure in which a sufficient light shielding property is compatible with a sufficient storage capacitance without reducing an aperture ratio.
In order to solve the above problems, the present inventor considered a structure for reducing diffracted light and stray light, which are incident into the semiconductor layer of a TFT by forming a light shielding film so as to cover and fit the TFT.
FIG. 1A shows one example of a structure of a pixel for which the present invention is adopted.
A light shielding film is formed between a pixel electrode and a TFT. In this specification, a light shielding film in which at least a portion thereof is formed between the pixel electrode and the TFT is called an upper light shielding film. In the pixel, a groove is formed between a region through which light is transmitted and for which display is controlled and the TFT, and then a conductive film as the upper light shielding film is formed. It is different from a conventional structure having the light shielding film formed between the TFT and the pixel electrode. That is, the upper light shielding film is continuously formed from a region located between the pixel electrode and the TFT to a region through which light is transmitted so that the TFT is covered and fit with the upper shielding film.
FIG. 1B shows another structure of a TFT for which the present invention is adopted.
A TFT composed of a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode is formed and an interlayer insulating film is formed. After that, the gate insulating film and the interlayer insulating film in a region through which light is transmitted and for which display is controlled in a later stage and its surrounding region are removed. In this specification, a hole-shaped region (having a wall surface and a bottom surface) is called a window for the sake of simplification, in which a portion of the gate insulating film and a portion of the interlayer insulating film are removed and which has the substantially same area as a region (opening portion) intended to control display in a display device. The upper light shielding film and the insulating film are formed in the wall surface of the window. Thus, although the area of the opening portion is smaller than that of the window by the film thickness, it can be said that the area of the window and that of the opening portion are substantially identical to each other.
Here, when the window shown in FIG. 1B is compared with the groove shown in FIG. 1A, since the window has a small aspect ratio, the formation of the upper light shielding film is simple and easy. Next, a light shielding film is continuously formed to cover a region from the top of the TFT to the side surface of the window. After that, the light shielding film formed on the bottom surface of the window (in particular, a region through which light is transmitted) is removed, and then an insulating film is formed and the window is filled with a transparent organic resin film made of acrylic or the like for leveling. Next, an insulating film is formed such that the light shielding film is not in contact with a pixel electrode and then the pixel electrode is formed. Thus, the structure is obtained such that the TFT is covered and fit with the upper light shielding film and the window is formed by removing the interlayer insulating film and filled with the transparent organic resin insulating film for leveling.
In the case of the above structure, an area of the region (window) in which a portion of the gate insulating film and a portion of the interlayer insulating film are removed is substantially equal to that of the region (opening portion) intended to control display in a pixel. In addition, the region (opening portion) intended to control display has a smaller area than that of the region (window) in which at least the portion of the gate insulating film and the portion of the interlayer insulating film are removed.
FIG. 1C shows another structure of a pixel for which the present invention is adopted. In the example shown in FIG. 1C, in order to also block light incident from a substrate side, a light shielding film is formed between the substrate and a semiconductor film before the formation of the semiconductor film. Note that the light shielding film formed between the substrate and the semiconductor film is hereinafter called a lower light shielding film in this specification. Next, a TFT composed of a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode is formed and an interlayer insulating film is formed. After that, the gate insulating film and the interlayer insulating film which are formed in a region for which display is controlled later and its surrounding region are removed to form a window. Next, a light shielding film is continuously formed from the top of the TFT to the window. After that, the lower light shielding film formed on the bottom surface of the window and the upper light shielding film are removed to form an opening portion (region intended to control display). Next, an insulating film is formed and the window is filled with a transparent organic resin film made of acrylic or the like for leveling. Next, an insulating film is formed such that the light shielding film is not in contact with a pixel electrode and then the pixel electrode is formed. Thus, the structure is obtained such that the TFT is covered with the upper light shielding film and completely light-shielded by the upper light shielding film and the lower light shielding film. Note that, if a ground potential is provided for the upper light shielding film and the lower light shielding film, the TFT can be electrically shielded.
Further, when a color filter is formed in a counter substrate side, there is a problem that a matching accuracy between the counter substrate and a TFT substrate is reduced due to a decrease of a pixel size for high definition display. Thus, a method of forming the color filter in a TFT substrate side is considered. However, for the orientation of liquid crystal, it is necessary to form a pixel electrode after the formation of the color filter. Here, since the color filter having a thickness of 1 xcexcm or larger is required, it is difficult to electrically connect the pixel electrode and a drain electrode which are isolated by the color filter.
Therefore, in the examples shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, when the window is filled with a photoresist film colored with R (red), G (green) or B (blue) for leveling, the same function is obtained as in the case of the color filter formed in a counter substrate.
Also, although not shown, in the structure shown in FIG. 1B or 1C, the upper light shielding film is made of a material having a high reflectance such as aluminum. In addition, the upper light shielding film on the bottom surface of the region (window) in which at least the portion of the gate insulating film and the portion of the interlayer insulating film are removed is not removed and is used as a reflective plate. In this case, a reflection type display device can be also obtained.
According to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a TFT located over the substrate; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; an upper light shielding film located between the TFT and the pixel electrode; at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT; and a window formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film, the semiconductor device being characterized in that the upper light shielding film is continuously formed from a bottom surface of the window to a surface of the interlayer insulating film to cover and fit the TFT, and an area of the window is substantially equal to that of the opening portion.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a lower light shielding film located on the substrate; a TFT located over the lower light shielding film; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; an upper light shielding film located between the TFT and the pixel electrode; at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT; and a window which is formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film and provided with an opening portion, the semiconductor device being characterized in that the upper light shielding film is continuously formed from a bottom surface of the window to a surface of the interlayer insulating film to cover and fit the TFT, and an area of the window is substantially equal to that of the opening portion.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a lower light shielding film located on the substrate; a TFT located over the lower light shielding film; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; an upper light shielding film located between the TFT and the pixel electrode; at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT; and a window formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film, the semiconductor device being characterized in that the upper light shielding film is continuously formed from a bottom surface of the window to a surface of the interlayer insulating film to cover and fit the TFT, and the lower light shielding film is in contact with the upper light shielding film at the bottom surface of the window.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a lower light shielding film located on the substrate; a TFT located over the lower light shielding film; a storage capacitor element formed in parallel to the TFT; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; an upper light shielding film located between the TFT and the pixel electrode; at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT and the storage capacitor element; and a window formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film, the semiconductor device being characterized in that the lower light shielding film is in contact with the upper light shielding film at a bottom surface of the window.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a TFT located over the substrate; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; a light shielding film located between the TFT and the pixel electrode; at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT; and a window formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film, the semiconductor device being characterized in that the window is filled with a transparent organic insulating film for leveling, and the light shielding film is continuously formed from a bottom surface of the window to a surface of the interlayer insulating film to cover and fit the TFT.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a lower light shielding film located on the substrate: a TFT located over the lower light shielding film; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; a laminate body which is located between the TFT and the pixel electrode and provided with a plurality of upper light shielding films and a plurality of insulating films which are alternately laminated; at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT; and a window formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film, the semiconductor device being characterized in that the window is filled with a transparent organic insulating film for leveling, and the plurality of laminated light shielding films are formed from a bottom surface of the window to cover and fit the TFT.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a lower light shielding film located over the substrate; a TFT located on the lower light shielding film; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; a laminate body which is located between the TFT and the pixel electrode and has a plurality of upper light shielding films and a plurality of insulating films which are alternately laminated; at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT; and a window formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film, the semiconductor device being characterized in that the window is filled with a transparent organic insulating film for leveling, the plurality of laminated light shielding films are formed from a bottom surface of the window to cover and fit the TFT, and at least one upper light shielding film of the laminate body is electrically connected with the TFT and the pixel electrode.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a lower light shielding film located on the substrate; a TFT located over the lower light shielding film; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; a laminate body which is located between the TFT and the pixel electrode and has a plurality of upper light shielding films and a plurality of insulating films which are alternately laminated; at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT; and a window formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film, the semiconductor device being characterized in that the window is filled with a transparent organic insulating film for leveling, the plurality of laminated light shielding films are formed from a bottom surface of the window to cover and fit the TFT, and a storage capacitor element is formed by the insulating film and the plurality of upper light shielding films which are formed via the insulating film in the laminate body.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate; a TFT located over the substrate; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the TFT; a laminate body which is located between the TFT and the pixel electrode and has a plurality of upper light shielding films and a plurality of insulating films which are alternately laminated: at least one interlayer insulating film formed over the TFT; a window formed between the pixel electrode and the substrate by removing the interlayer insulating film; and a wiring for electrically connecting the TFT and the pixel electrode, the wiring being one layer of the upper light shielding films which are formed from a bottom surface of the window to cover and fit the TFT, the semiconductor device being characterized in that an area of the window substantially equal to that of a region which is intended to control display in a pixel.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device characterized by further comprising a lower light shielding film formed between the substrate and the TFT.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device characterized in that a first layer of the upper light shielding layers is in contact with the lower light shielding film at the bottom surface of the window between the pixel electrode and the substrate.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device characterized in that the window includes a photoresist film colored with one of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) and a transparent organic insulating film.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device characterized by comprising: forming a semiconductor layer over an insulating surface; forming a gate insulating film on the semiconductor layer; forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating film; forming a first interlayer insulating film on the gate electrode; forming a second interlayer insulating film on the first interlayer insulating film; forming a first contact hole which reaches the semiconductor layer and forming a wiring for electrically connecting among respective TFTs; forming a third interlayer insulating film to cover the wiring; forming a groove which reaches a substrate between a region through which light is transmitted and a TFT; continuously forming a light shielding film from a region located over the third interlayer insulating film to the groove; forming a second contact hole for connecting a pixel electrode and the wiring; forming a fourth interlayer insulating film on the light shielding film; removing a portion of an insulating film formed in the second contact hole to expose the wiring; and forming the pixel electrode.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device characterized by comprising: forming a semiconductor layer over an insulating surface; forming a gate insulating film on the semiconductor layer; forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating film; forming a first interlayer insulating film on the gate electrode; forming a second interlayer insulating film on the first interlayer insulating film; forming a first contact hole which reaches the semiconductor layer and forming a wiring for electrically connecting among respective TFTs; forming a third interlayer insulating film to cover the wiring; removing a base insulating film, the gate insulating film, the first interlayer insulating film, and the second interlayer insulating film in a region through which light is transmitted to form a window which reaches a substrate; forming an upper light shielding film on the third interlayer insulating film to cover a TFT; removing a lower light shielding film formed on a bottom surface of the window; forming a second contact hole in the upper light shielding film; forming a fourth interlayer insulating film on the upper light shielding film; filling the window with a transparent insulating film for leveling; forming a fifth interlayer insulating film on the upper light shielding film; removing a portion of an insulating film filled into the second contact hole to expose the wiring; and forming a pixel electrode on the fifth interlayer insulating film.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device characterized by comprising: forming a semiconductor layer over an insulating surface; forming a gate insulating film on the semiconductor layer; forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating film; forming a first interlayer insulating film on the gate electrode; forming a second interlayer insulating film on the first interlayer insulating film; forming a first contact hole which reaches the semiconductor layer and forming a wiring for electrically connecting among respective TFTs; forming a third interlayer insulating film to cover the wiring; removing a base insulating film, the gate insulating film, the first interlayer insulating film, and the second interlayer insulating film in a region through which light is transmitted to form a hole which reaches a substrate; forming an upper first light shielding film on the third interlayer insulating film to cover a TFT; forming a second contact hole which reaches the wiring in the upper first light shielding film and the third interlayer insulating film; forming a first insulating film on the upper first light shielding film; removing a portion of the first insulating film filled into the second contact hole to expose the wiring; forming an upper second light shielding film on the first insulating film; forming a second insulating film on the upper second light shielding film; forming an upper third light shielding film on the second insulating film; removing a lower light shielding film, the upper first light shielding film, the first insulating film, the upper second light shielding film, the second insulating film, and the upper third light shielding film, which are formed on a bottom surface of the hole; forming a third contact hole which reaches the upper second light shielding film in the upper third light shielding film and the second insulating film; forming a fourth interlayer insulating film; filling the hole with a transparent insulating film for leveling; forming a fifth interlayer insulating film on the upper third light shielding film; removing a portion of an insulating film filled into the third contact hole to expose the upper second light shielding film; and forming a pixel electrode on the fifth interlayer insulating film.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor characterized by comprising forming a lower light shielding film on the insulating surface.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor characterized in that a lower light shielding film, the upper first light shielding film, and the upper third light shielding film are connected with a wiring having a ground potential.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor characterized in that a lower light shielding film is in contact with an upper first light shielding film at the bottom surface of the window.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor characterized in that a leveling step for the window is performed using an organic insulating film.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor characterized in that a leveling step for the window is performed by laminating a photoresist film colored with one of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) and a transparent organic insulating film.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor characterized in that the semiconductor layer is crystallized by irradiation of laser light.
Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor characterized in that the semiconductor layer is a crystalline semiconductor layer obtained by reducing a concentration of a catalytic element in the semiconductor layer by gettering the catalytic element after crystallization using the catalytic element.
As described above, according to the present invention, the structure is used in which the TFT is covered with the light shielding film to prevent the occurrence of a photo leak current by light incident into the semiconductor layer of the TFT without intention, such as diffracted light or stray light.

Semiconductor device comprising a window

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


Methods and Systems for automatic information extraction by performing self-learning crawling and rule-based data mining is provided. The method determines existence of crawl policy within input information and performs at least one of front-end crawling, assisted crawling and recursive crawling. Downloaded data set is pre-processed to remove noisy data and subjected to classification rules and decision tree based data mining to extract meaningful information. Performing crawling techniques leads to smaller relevant datasets pertaining to a specific domain from multi-dimensional datasets available in online and offline sources.

Today, advancements and changes in technology space are happening at a quick pace. New infrastructure, products, applications, services and technologies are coming up to cope up with the needs of the era. New applications (apps) are being developed with assistance from underlying hardware improvisations. Activities such as analysis, detection, prediction, forecasting, design, planning, etc., are essential for either creation of new advancement or deciding upon futuristic road maps. This requires a hard-bound dependency on valuable information for carrying out the activities mentioned before.
Multi-dimensional data sets are available both online such as Internet and off-line in the form of directory services (pdf, xml, doc, html etc.) and are usually unstructured. It is highly likely that the presentation structure, keywords used, acronyms defined, table formats followed etc., differ from one source to another. Therefore, there lies a challenging task of extracting the valuable/meaningful information specific to a particular domain from multi-dimensional data sets in an automated manner. However, collection of data from these kinds of sources will be a humongous task and highly time consuming in practice.
In literature there are methods/tools/systems available to perform crawling and data mining through independent processes, which may lead to increase in time, memory and processor complexity and may not guarantee the desired accuracy. Therefore a joint crawling and data mining approach is required. To evaluate the complexity and accuracy of the joint crawling and data mining approach, we consider the automatic update of network device repository as a use case through a tool based system implementation which can be extended to other domains as well without any difficulty.
In the use case considered above, the repository needs to be refreshed periodically in order for the tools to sustain, since manual update of such a huge repository is a time consuming and error prone process, and thereafter automated information extraction becomes imperative. Furthermore, the extraction of information becomes more challenging due to different documentation standards used everywhere.
The tools/methods/systems available in prior art do not provide the flexibility of extracting meaningful information by learning the difference in documentation standards as used in the public domain through self-learning systems. Furthermore, systems available with self-learning capability fail to extract relevant information due to challenges posed by data mining techniques.
Thus, there exists a need for a system that allows the automated information retrieval with the on-going ability to learn such documentation standards by incorporating the self-learning crawler and extracting meaningful information from the crawled dataset by applying rule-based data mining techniques.

Self-learning based crawling and rule-based data mining for automatic information extraction


An herbicidal synergistic composition containing (a) fluoroxypyr and (b) an ALS inhibitor herbicide, in which the ALS inhibitor herbicide is penoxsulam, halosulfuron-methyl, imazamox or imazethapyr, provides improved post-emergence weed control in rice, cereal and grain crops, pastures, rangelands, IVM and turf.

The protection of crops from weeds and other vegetation which inhibit crop growth is a constantly recurring problem in agriculture. To help combat this problem, researchers in the field of synthetic chemistry have produced an extensive variety of chemicals and chemical formulations effective in the control of such unwanted growth. Chemical herbicides of many types have been disclosed in the literature and a large number are in commercial use.
In some cases, herbicidal active ingredients have been shown to be more effective in combination than when applied individually and this is referred to as "synergism." As described in the Herbicide Handbook of the Weed Science Society of America, Eighth Edition, 2002, p. 462 "'synergism' [is] an interaction of two or more factors such that the effect when combined is greater than the predicted effect based on the response to each factor applied separately." The present invention is based on the discovery that fluoroxypyr, penoxsulam, halosulfuron-methyl and imazamox, already known individually for their herbicidal efficacy, display a synergistic effect when applied in combination.
The herbicidal compounds forming the synergistic composition of this invention are independently known in the art for their effects on plant growth.

Synergistic herbicidal composition containing fluroxypyr and penoxsulam, halosulfuron-methyl, imazamox or imazethapyr


A feedforward control method for an absorption chiller includes determining the disturbance transfer function, determining the capacity valve transfer function, measuring the actual disturbance, and implementing the feedforward control function in a feedforward controller. The feedforward control function is represented by the ratio of the disturbance transfer function divided by the capacity valve transfer function. The disturbance transfer function and the capacity valve transfer function are measured by applying a known amplitude input perturbation to the disturbance or capacity valve and recording the resulting perturbation in the output leaving chilled water temp. The disturbance transfer function is then the ratio of the delta leaving chilled water temperature divided by the delta change in the disturbance. The capacity transfer function is the ratio of the delta leaving chilled water temperature divided by the delta change in the capacity valve.

This invention relates generally to the field of absorption chillers, and more particularly to a feedforward control for an absorption chiller.
Absorption chillers differ from mechanical vapor compression chillers in that they utilize a thermal or chemical process to produce the refrigeration effect necessary to provide chilled water. There is no mechanical compression of the refrigerant taking place within the machine as occurs within more traditional vapor compression type chillers. Most commercial absorption chillers use lithium bromide (a salt) and water as the fluid pair, with lithium bromide being the absorbent and water being the refrigerant. In order to produce the refrigeration effect necessary to make, for example, 44 F chilled water, the shellside of the machine must be maintained in a deep vacuum to allow the refrigerant (water) to boil at approximately 40 F. The lithium bromide solution absorbs the vaporized refrigerant, diluting it before it is pumped to the generator section of the machine where heat is added to reconcentrate the dilute solution. The water vapor boiled off in the generator is then condensed, returning to the evaporator as liquid. The reconcentrated lithium bromide returns to the absorber section as a strong solution to begin the cycle again.
In an absorption chiller, the chilled water temperature is directly affected by disturbances such as the cooling water temperature and the entering chilled water temperature. These disturbances are slowly removed by existing capacity control systems slowly as a result of the slow machine dynamics that exist between the burner and the leaving chilled water temperature. The result is poor transient temperature regulation of the leaving chilled water temperature.
Briefly stated, a feedforward control method for an absorption chiller includes determining the disturbance transfer function, determining the capacity valve transfer function, measuring the actual disturbance, and implementing the feedforward control function in a feedforward controller. The feedforward control function is represented by the ratio of the disturbance transfer function divided by the capacity valve transfer function. The disturbance transfer function and the capacity valve transfer function are measured by applying a known amplitude input perturbation to the disturbance or capacity valve and recording the resulting perturbation in the output leaving chilled water temp. The disturbance transfer function is then the ratio of the delta leaving chilled water temperature divided by the delta change in the disturbance. The capacity transfer function is the ratio of the delta leaving chilled water temperature divided by the delta change in the capacity valve.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a feedforward control method for an absorption chiller system, wherein a control input for said chiller is a heat source controlled by a capacity valve, and wherein said capacity valve is controlled by a feedforward controller, includes the steps of (a) determining a disturbance transfer function between a measured disturbance input into said system and a leaving chilled water output; (b) determining a capacity valve transfer function between said capacity valve and said leaving chilled water output; (c) measuring an actual disturbance introduced into said system; and (d) controlling said capacity valve based on a feedforward control transfer function in said feedforward controller, wherein said feedforward control transfer function is represented by a ratio of said disturbance transfer function to said capacity valve transfer function.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a feedforward controller for an absorption chiller system, wherein a control input for said chiller is a heat source controlled by a capacity valve, and a system output is a leaving chilled water temperature, includes a feedforward loop having a feedforward control transfer function represented by a ratio of a disturbance transfer function to a capacity valve transfer function, wherein said feedforward control transfer function receives a disturbance input as an input; a first summer receiving both a set point input and a feedback from a system transfer function as inputs, and sending an output to a capacity control transfer function; a second summer receiving an output from said capacity control transfer function and an output from said feedforward control transfer function, and sending an output to said system transfer function; said system transfer function receiving said output from said second summer as an input, and also receiving said disturbance input as an input, wherein an output of said system transfer function is said leaving chilled water temperature.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a feedforward control for an absorption chiller system, wherein a control input for said chiller is a heat source controlled by a capacity valve, and wherein said capacity valve is controlled by a feedforward controller, includes means for determining a disturbance transfer function between a measured disturbance input into said system and a leaving chilled water output; means for determining a capacity valve transfer function between said capacity valve and said leaving chilled water output; means for measuring an actual disturbance introduced into said system; and means for controlling said capacity valve based on a feedforward control transfer function in said feedforward controller, wherein said feedforward control transfer function is represented by a ratio of said disturbance transfer function to said capacity valve transfer function.

Feedforward control for absorption chiller


A method of encoding data records comprised of null or variable length fields of data bytes such that the sortabilty of the resulting string of data is permitted via simple byte comparisons. The first field is examined to determine if it is a null field. A null field is a field containing no data. It should sort out before a field containing any data, even all zeros. If a null field is detected, it is represented in the encoded string of data by a null field indicator. If the field is not a null field, the bytes in the field are examined. Zero value bytes are encoded based on the number of consecutive zero value bytes while non-zero bytes remain unchanged. An end of field indicator designates the end of each field in the resulting string of encoded data.

The invention relates to encoding data records to allow the sortability of the records.
Alphanumeric records of a data base may consist of variable length and null fields. Variable length fields cannot be simply catenated prior to collating because characters of long fields may interfere with those immediately following a short field, thereby destroying the correct sort sequence. For example, consider the names "Franz, Fred" and "Franzen, Fred". If simple concatenation is used the strings "FRANZFRED" and "FRANZENFRED" result but "FRANZENFRED" the longer of the last names, collates before "FRANZFRED". This is clearly incorrect. Also, at least one data base manipulation language, Structured Query Language (SQL), defines the concept of a null field. The null field should sort before any other field which has an actual value. It should even sort before a field consisting of all zeros. Since no sequence of bytes is less than all zeros, an encoding method must be provided to represent nulls. Furthermore, this encoding scheme should provide a method whereby the "Franz, Fred"--"Franzen, Fred" names collate correctly. An encoding method which provides a single string representing variable-length and null data fields within a data base record while preserving the correct sort sequence among multiple records is desirable. This encoding algorithm must also be reversible such that the original fields can be recovered from the encoded string.
One problem associated with current presort encoding techniques such as that shown in IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin Vol. 19 No. 9, Feb. 1977, pages 3582-3583, Multifield Encoding For Unrestricted Strings, is that the resulting encoded strings can be very long. In this method, an integer value parameter, N, is chosen. The field to be encoded is padded with binary zeros so that its length is a multiple of N. To encode a two field string, each N bytes of the string are separated by a single `trigger` character which is `FF`X in this case. If the last N-byte substring of the field (i.e. the substring in which any padding occurred) is being processed then, instead of `FF`x, a byte which indicates the number of non-padded characters in this substring is appended. This indicates the end of a field. As can be seen above and in the following example, the encoded string is filled with excess baggage. In an environment where data is paged in and out of main storage, a sorting operation can take a long time because the data is spread out over more pages which must be retrieved from a relatively slow storage device. To encode the two fields `ABCDEF`,`XYZ` assuming N=4 and using `//` to indicate catenation (`//` does not appear in the actual data), we get "`C1C2C3C4`//`FF`//`C5C6`//`0000`//`02`// `E6E7E8`//`00`//`03`" in the EBCDIC hexadecimal or base 16 notation of expressing alphanumeric data. This encoding technique does not handle null fields.

Encoding variable length and null data while preserving sort sequence


Systems, methods, and computer programs for performing calculations of cost of entities are described. According to one embodiment, a method is described wherein one or more data sources are identified; information is gathered from those data sources, which is then used to calculate an adjusted cost of the entities. According to another embodiment, the information gathered from the data sources relates to dollar costs and other information pertaining to the entities, which is used to statistically model cost-related figures pertaining to the entities.

Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
Embodiments of the present invention relate to predicting dollar cost estimates based on related predictor variables obtained from one or more data sources. The dollar cost estimates provide a more accurate and reliable figure of the actual dollar cost of the entities to which they pertain.
Description of Related Art
Consumers often use the internet to research the dollar cost of entities, such as restaurants, hotels, attractions, or services, to aid in choosing a specific entity to visit or purchase. They may do so on websites that host information about entities of interest. For example, someone seeking the dollar cost of local restaurants may use a site like Zagats.com or Yelp.com. The dollar cost provided by such sites is usually a fixed cost for a particular selection of services or products. For instance, a website like Orbitz.com might post the average dollar cost of a nightly stay at a particular hotel. Different sites may post different dollar costs for the same entity based on differing criteria for determining cost, which may cause consumer confusion when trying to choose a particular entity. The data on dollar cost available to a consumer may be missing, inaccurate, or only an approximation. This is in contrast to cost information concerning items directly for sale on a website or in a store, where every item will generally have a clearly defined dollar cost, and those that do not will essentially be unavailable for purchase.
In addition to entities' dollar costs, websites often provide a host of other information pertaining to entities of interest. A site like Zagats.com or Yelp.com, for instance, might provide information like ratings of restaurants' food quality, the location of restaurants, the dress code, or even symbolic information about cost like a set of increasing dollar signs ($, $$, $$$, $$$$). Consumers often attempt to evaluate and choose entities based on the dollar cost and other information provided by such websites with no means of measuring the quantitative relationship between different types of information and dollar cost. There may be, however, a mathematical relationship between dollar cost and other information. For example higher ratings and better locations may both correlate to higher dollar costs for a group of restaurants, but the human mind is unable to calculate those relationships and apply them to select the entity with the best value for the money. This is especially true when there is a large number or entities to choose from. The consumer ends up choosing on gut instinct and may not be pleased with the end result.
Consumers would benefit from a means for consolidating information about entities from one or more websites and mathematically correlating as much information as possible to the fixed dollar costs of the entities to generate an adjusted, more realistic estimate of the price of the restaurant. Similarly, when dollar cost is unavailable, consumers may benefit from a statistically determined dollar cost based on other available information about the entities. Specifically, calculating a cost in dollars for entities based on statistically modeling the relationships between dollar costs and other information would provide a useful mechanism for distinguishing between the true price of entities. For example, modeling the relationship between the costs of restaurants to, for example, their location and dress code can form the basis for calculating adjusted dollar cost figures. Consumers could then quantitatively compare a single adjusted dollar cost figure to the dollar costs available from various data sources for each entity, thereby providing a simple mechanism for gauging the true value of entities based on all available information. Accordingly, there is a need for methods to statistically model adjusted dollar cost for entities based on the relationships between cost and other information.

Systems and methods for calculating actual dollar costs for entities


The present invention relates to a transmission line having improved bending durability, which includes a strip structure or a micro-strip structure that is divided into a base part and a bending part that is bent and unfolded based on the base part, wherein the base part and the bending part include a signal line configured to extend in a length direction so as to transmit a high frequency signal, a first dielectric of which an upper surface or a lower surface is provided with the signal line formed thereon, and a second dielectric formed above the first dielectric; and the second dielectric is coupled to the first dielectric in the base part and separated from the first dielectric in the bending part.

Wireless communication terminals such as smart phones, tablets, and notebook computers include transmission lines for transmitting high-frequency signals to antennas.
Recently, a transmission line is disposed to cross a hinge in a foldable wireless communication terminal which can be folded and unfolded, and the transmission line is simultaneously bent when the wireless communication terminal is folded and unfolded.
The transmission line has a problem in that, when bent multiple times, a bending part is damaged due to stress accumulated in the bending part.
In particular, since a signal line is located in a dielectric of the bending part, there is a problem in that, when the dielectric is stressed, cracks occur in the signal line so that the high frequency transmission function of the transmission line is lost.

Transmission line having improved bending durability


A low velocity aortic cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween for conducting blood, the distal end being adapted for insertion into the aorta during heart surgery to provide blood to the aorta. There is a diffuser at least partially blocking the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the side of the distal end of the cannula. In one embodiment the distal end of the cannula is closed with a cap, and the diffuser is a rounded cone extending generally upstream in the lumen. The outlet openings are located in the sidewall of the cannula. In a second embodiment of the invention, the diffuser has a helical configuration, and partially blocks the distal opening of the cannula. Additional openings are provided in the sidewall to permit flow. According to the method of this invention, an opening is formed in the aorta, the distal end of one of the embodiments of the cannula is inserted into the opening, and blood flow through the cannula is established.

Aortic cannulas are used to return blood to the aorta while the heart is by-passed during heart surgery. These cannulas are purposely made with small diameters (typically six to eight millimeters, but even smaller for pediatric applications) to minimize the disruption to the aorta, which in many heart surgery patients have advanced complex atherosclerotic lesions with adherent blood thrombi. The flow velocities through these small diameter cannula must be very high in order to maintain a satisfactory blood flow rate of about five to seven liters per minute. In at least some styles of conventional aortic cannula now in use, this high velocity resulted in "jet" flow emanating from the distal end of the cannula, which acted as a nozzle. It is believed that the force of this narrow jet stream may dislodge atheromatous material and/or adherent thrombi from the walls of the aorta, causing embolisms. As surgical equipment and techniques improve, making heart surgery available to older and more seriously ill patients, thrombo-atheroembolisms affect an increasing number of patients due to the increasing extent of atherosclerosis with age.
The size of aortic cannula may be constrained by the constricted size of the aorta of the typical heart surgery patient. Moreover, the ability to diffuse flow is restricted by the fragility of the blood, which is easily damaged by the shear stresses associated with turbulence.
The aortic cannulas of the present invention are adapted to provide high volume flow at relatively lower flow velocities than the conventional aortic cannulas presently available, thereby reducing the jet flow and consequently reducing the incidence of thrombo-atheroembolisms. Generally aortic cannulas constructed according to the principles of this invention comprise a diffuser that blocks some or all of the flow through the distal end of the cannula, and a plurality of outlet openings in the sidewall of cannula adjacent the distal end to maintain flow volume.
According to a first embodiment of this invention, the distal end of the aortic cannula is substantially blocked with a cap, and there is a tapering, preferably conical, diffuser extending upstream inside the lumen of the cannula toward the proximal end of the cannula. There are outlet openings in the sidewall of the cannula that permit the blood deflected by the diffuser to flow out of the cannula.
According to a second embodiment of this invention, the distal end of the aortic cannula is partially blocked by a diffuser having helical splines. There are a plurality of openings in the sidewall of the cannula between the splines on the diffuser to permit blood to flow out of the cannula. Additional outlet openings can be provided in the sidewall of the cannula upstream of the diffuser to reduce back pressure and the flow velocity from the distal end of the cannula.
The outlet openings provide for increased flow, thereby reducing the flow velocity from the cannula. The openings allow the flow to quickly establish a stable, more uniform velocity flow. In the first embodiment, the diffuser diverts the flow out of the outlet openings, minimizing hemolysis or other damage to the blood. In the second embodiment, the diffuser reduces the flow through distal end of the cannula, preventing jetting by imparting angular momentum to the fluid, and diverts a portion of the flow through the outlet openings in the sidewall surrounding the diffuser. Thus, the aortic cannula of the present invention reduces the high velocity jetting that can occur with some conventional aortic cannulas, while maintaining flow rate and minimizing damage to the blood.
These and other features and advantages will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


An apparatus for preventing the development of bed sores, and once developed, successfully treating them, composed partly of an rigid elongate member which is transversely disposed across a hospital bed, wherein each end of the elongate member is engaged with a respective side rail of the hospital bed. The apparatus is further composed partly of a depression member which substantially vertically depends from the elongate member so as to depressably abut the mattress of the hospital bed. The depression member may be selectively located anywhere along the elongate member, and is preferably held abuttingly with respect to the elongate member by a frictional interface therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to treatment and prevention of bed sores, and more particularly to an apparatus which effects to locally depress the patient's bed mattress so as to eliminate pressure upon an affected area of the patient's body.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When a patient is bed-ridden for an extended period of time, one of the unfortunate discomforts to be endured is the development of bed sores. Bed sores occur because of constant pressure of the bed mattress upon parts of the body which are not structured to endure such pressure, as are, for example the bottom of the feet. As a result of this pressure caused by the weight of the body at the contact location, circulation is adversely affected, eventually leading to a bed sore. Bed sores range in severity from painful skin areas to ulceration. Bed sores create great discomfort for the patient, and are a major source of concern to hospital personnel.
What is needed is some way to prevent the development of bed sores, and once developed, successfully treating them.

Apparatus for treating and preventing development of bed sores