A touch pad system is disclosed. The system includes mapping the touch pad into native sensor coordinates. The system also includes producing native values of the native sensor coordinates when events occur on the touch pad. The system further includes filtering the native values of the native sensor coordinates based on the type of events that occur on the touch pad. The system additionally includes generating a control signal based on the native values of the native sensor coordinates when a desired event occurs on the touch pad.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a media player having a touch pad. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved touch pads.
2. Description of the Related Art
There exist today many styles of input devices for performing operations in a consumer electronic device. The operations generally correspond to moving a cursor and making selections on a display screen. By way of example, the input devices may include buttons, switches, keyboards, mice, trackballs, touch pads, joy sticks, touch screens and the like. Each of these devices has advantages and disadvantages that are taken into account when designing the consumer electronic device. In handheld computing devices, the input devices are generally selected from buttons and switches. Buttons and switches are generally mechanical in nature and provide limited control with regards to the movement of a cursor (or other selector) and making selections. For example, they are generally dedicated to moving the cursor in a specific direction (e.g., arrow keys) or to making specific selections (e.g., enter, delete, number, etc.). In the case of hand-held personal digital assistants (PDA), the input devices tend to utilize touch-sensitive display screens. When using a touch screen, a user makes a selection on the display screen by pointing directly to objects on the screen using a stylus or finger.
In portable computing devices such as laptop computers, the input devices are commonly touch pads. With a touch pad, the movement of an input pointer (i.e., cursor) corresponds to the relative movements of the user's finger (or stylus) as the finger is moved along a surface of the touch pad. Touch pads can also make a selection on the display screen when one or more taps are detected on the surface of the touch pad. In some cases, any portion of the touch pad may be tapped, and in other cases a dedicated portion of the touch pad may be tapped. In stationary devices such as desktop computers, the input devices are generally selected from mice and trackballs. With a mouse, the movement of the input pointer corresponds to the relative movements of the mouse as the user moves the mouse along a surface. With a trackball, the movement of the input pointer corresponds to the relative movements of a ball as the user rotates the ball within a housing. Both mice and trackballs generally include one or more buttons for making selections on the display screen.
In addition to allowing input pointer movements and selections with respect to a GUI presented on a display screen, the input devices may also allow a user to scroll across the display screen in the horizontal or vertical directions. For example, mice may include a scroll wheel that allows a user to simply roll the scroll wheel forward or backward to perform a scroll action. In addition, touch pads may provide dedicated active areas that implement scrolling when the user passes his or her finger linearly across the active area in the x and y directions. Both devices may also implement scrolling via horizontal and vertical scroll bars as part of the GUI. Using this technique, scrolling is implemented by positioning the input pointer over the desired scroll bar, selecting the desired scroll bar, and moving the scroll bar by moving the mouse or finger in the y direction (forwards and backwards) for vertical scrolling or in the x direction (left and right) for horizontal scrolling.
With regards to touch pads, mice and track balls, a Cartesian coordinate system is used to monitor the position of the finger, mouse and ball, respectively, as they are moved. The Cartesian coordinate system is generally defined as a two dimensional coordinate system (x, y) in which the coordinates of a point (e.g., position of finger, mouse or ball) are its distances from two intersecting, often perpendicular straight lines, the distance from each being measured along a straight line parallel to each other. For example, the x, y positions of the mouse, ball and finger may be monitored. The x, y positions are then used to correspondingly locate and move the input pointer on the display screen.
To elaborate further, touch pads generally include one or more sensors for detecting the proximity of the finger thereto. The sensors are generally dispersed about the touch pad with each sensor representing an x, y position. In most cases, the sensors are arranged in a grid of columns and rows. Distinct x and y position signals, which control the x, y movement of a pointer device on the display screen, are thus generated when a finger is moved across the grid of sensors within the touch pad. For brevity sake, the remaining discussion will be held to the discussion of capacitive sensing technologies. It should be noted, however, that the other technologies have similar features.
Capacitive sensing touch pads generally contain several layers of material. For example, the touch pad may include a protective shield, one or more electrode layers and a circuit board. The protective shield typically covers the electrode layer(s), and the electrode layer(s) is generally disposed on a front side of the circuit board. As is generally well known, the protective shield is the part of the touch pad that is touched by the user to implement cursor movements on a display screen. The electrode layer(s), on the other hand, is used to interpret the x, y position of the user's finger when the user's finger is resting or moving on the protective shield. The electrode layer (s) typically consists of a plurality of electrodes that are positioned in columns and rows so as to form a grid array. The columns and rows are generally based on the Cartesian coordinate system and thus the rows and columns correspond to the x and y directions.
The touch pad may also include sensing electronics for detecting signals associated with the electrodes. For example, the sensing electronics may be adapted to detect the change in capacitance at each of the electrodes as the finger passes over the grid. The sensing electronics are generally located on the backside of the circuit board. By way of example, the sensing electronics may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is configured to measure the amount of capacitance in each of the electrodes and to compute the position of finger movement based on the capacitance in each of the electrodes. The ASIC may also be configured to report this information to the computing device.
Referring to FIG. 1, a touch pad 2 will be described in greater detail. The touch pad 2 is generally a small rectangular area that includes a protective shield 4 and a plurality of electrodes 6 disposed underneath the protective shield layer 4. For ease of discussion, a portion of the protective shield layer 4 has been removed to show the electrodes 6. Each of the electrodes 6 represents a different x, y position. In one configuration, as a finger 8 approaches the electrode grid 6, a tiny capacitance forms between the finger 8 and the electrodes 6 proximate the finger 8. The circuit board/sensing electronics measures capacitance and produces an x, y input signal 10 corresponding to the active electrodes 6. The x, y input signal 10 is sent to a host device 12 having a display screen 14. The x, y input signal 10 is used to control the movement of a cursor 16 on the display screen 14. As shown, the input pointer moves in a similar x, y direction as the detected x, y finger motion.


A magnetic resonance receiver system has an antenna arrangement with a number of receiver antenna elements to receive MR response signals. The magnetic resonance system has a combination network arrangement with a number of combination networks in order to combine the MR response signals received by various receiver antenna elements, to form modes, a frequency multiplexer arrangement downstream of the combination network that superimposes at least some of the modes in a common transmission signal, and a transmission line arrangement with a number of transmission lines in order to respectively transfer the transmission signals to an input channel of a first channel switching matrix. This input channel is associated with the transmission line. Downstream of the first channel switching matrix is a frequency demultiplexer arrangement that filters the modes superimposed in a transmission signal out of the transmission signal. Downstream of the frequency demultiplexer arrangement is a second channel switching matrix that connects the modes at specific inputs of an MR signal processing device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a magnetic resonance acquisition system of the type having an antenna arrangement with a number of receiver antennas to receive MR response signals. The invention also concerns a receiver antenna module of the type having at least one group of receiver antenna elements to receive the MR response signals, and at least one combination network associated with the group of receiver antenna elements in order to combine the MR response signals received by the receiver antenna elements to form modes. Furthermore, the invention concerns a transmission signal receiver module of the type having a channel switching matrix; with a number of input channels for connection with transmission lines of a transmission line arrangement; a number of output channels; and a control input to activate the channel switching matrix in order to connect a transmission signal received at one input channel to an output channel to relay the transmission signal to an input of an MR signal processing device. The invention also concerns a magnetic resonance system with such a magnetic resonance acquisition system as well as a method to transfer MR response signals from an antenna arrangement with a number of receiver antenna elements to an MR signal processing device, of the type wherein initially MR response signals received by different receiver antenna elements are combined into modes and these modes are then transferred to the MR signal processing device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a magnetic resonance examination, local coils are predominantly used to receive the magnetic resonance (MR) response signals. These local coils are receiver antenna modules that contain at least one, but often multiple, receiver antenna elements, generally in the form of conductor loops. The received MR response signals are normally pre-amplified while still in the local coil and are conducted out of the central region of the magnetic resonance system via cables and supplied to a shielded receiver of an MR signal processing device. In the processing device, the acquired data are then digitized and processed further. In many examinations, a number of such local coils are arranged on the patient in order to cover entire regions of the body of the patient. It therefore often occurs that the number of the antenna elements to be used during an examination exceeds the number of input channels that are present at the MR signal processing device, or the number of receiver modules of such an MR signal processing device. It is normally the case, however, that all antenna elements are not simultaneously used during such a measurement, since often only those antenna elements located in a specific region in which a magnetic resonance excitation is presently occurring actually receive MR response signals. Receiver elements whose field of view would not encompass the body region from which MR signals originate during a specific measurement sequence are normally deactivated. In order to thus connect multiple receiver antenna elements to an MR signal processing device that has only a lower number of input channels, a channel switching matrix (also more often called an RCCS: Receive Coil Channel Selector) is therefore used at the MR signal processing device. This switching matrix can be activated so that the currently active receiver antenna elements, or the outputs of the local coils that belong to these antenna elements, are connected to the available input channels of the MR signal processing device. The typical active elements are predominantly those elements that are situated in the homogeneity volume of the magnet.
In order to be able to use the same receiver system with different MR signal processing devices that respectively have different numbers of input channels, or to more easily, retroactively expand the number of receiver channels in a magnetic resonance system, a method to transfer MR response signals of the aforementioned type is described in DE 103 13 004 A1, in which, initially, the MR response signals received by different receiver antenna elements are combined into combinations are known as modes, that are then transferred to the MR signal processing device. A "mode" in this context means a distribution of the sensitivity in the antenna field as a function of space (spatial coordinates). A mode is thus an analog output signal that is formed as a linear combination of the MR response signals of the different receiver antenna elements that are used. This linear combination can be formed in a combination network arrangement composed of a number of combination networks (known as mode matrices). A mode matrix is, for example, a circuit formed of phase shifters and hybrids that combine the signals according to magnitude and phase so that n linear, independent modes can be generated from n input signals. Such a linear combination can be, for example, the sum of multiple MR response signals, wherein each MR response signal, phase-shifted and weighted, can be entered into the sum. A sum of, for example, two signals with a phase difference of 180° corresponds to a difference signal of the two signals. In an extreme case of a linear combination, all signals except for one, with a weight of 0, can enter into the linear combination, such that the resulting mode corresponds to the one MR response signal that was possibly still phase-shifted. In the normal case, however, at least two MR response signals are linearly combined with one another. The modes are preferably formed so that at least one primary mode is formed that already offers the most important image information and the maximum signal-to-noise ratio in the center of the current measurement field of view (FOV). The use of the higher modes then increasingly offers an improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio in the peripheral regions of the FoV and in particular enables the application of parallel imaging techniques. The mode matrices or the combination network arrangement are/is located in the individual local coils, such that instead of the MR response signals, the modes formed thereby can be transferred via cables to the input channels of the MR signal processing device. By the interconnection of the typical channel switching matrix (RCCS), the possibility then exists to decide whether all signal information is read out by a lower number of local coils in order to use these for a parallel imaging technique, or whether instead at least the primary mode is read out by a larger number of receiver antenna elements in order to thus graphically acquire an optimally large spatial region and nevertheless to obtain a relatively good signal-to-noise ratio in the most important regions.
The number of transmission channels from the local coils to the MR signal processing device is not reduced by this method. As cited above, these transmission lines normally run in shielded cables, and the number of such cables that occur with increasing number of receiver antenna elements or local coils is an ever-increasing problem, since the cable bundles that are thereby formed are very unwieldy and are additionally exposed to increased mechanical stresses due to the movement of the patient bed.

Magnetic resonance acquisition system, receiver antenna module, transmission signal reception module, magnetic resonance system and method to transfer MR response signals


A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulating layer, a gate electrode structure and a side wall structure. The gate insulating layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode structure is formed on the gate insulating layer, and includes a lower gate electrode layer and a cap gate layer. The side wall structure includes a nitride side wall spacer, and an oxide layer formed between the semiconductor substrate and the nitride side wall spacer and between the lower gate electrode layer and the nitride side wall spacer. A thickness of the oxide layer is greater than a thickness of the gate insulating layer, so as to prevent diffusion of nitrogen from the nitride side wall spacer to the semiconductor substrate. A height of the gate electrode structure is substantially equal to a height of the side wall structure after completion of the semiconductor device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor device and to a method for manufacturing the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a MOSFET which has side wall structure and to a method for manufacturing the same.
This is a divisional application Ser. No. 10/762,361, filed Jan. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,732, which is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 10/320,660, filed Dec. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,700,167, which is a divisional application of Ser. No. 09/759,639 filed Jan. 16, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,854, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
2. Description of the Related Art
A Self-Aligned Contact (SAC) method is an important technique used in fabricating semiconductor devices. This technology is described in the article entitled "A Process Technology for 1 Giga-Bit DRAM" IEDM Tech. Dig., pp907-910, 1995.
SiN is generally used as sidewalls of a gate electrode in the SAC process. This is because the etching rate of SiN is different from that of silicon-oxide, and therefore SiN sidewalls are used as a stopper in etching on an intermediate oxide layer.
FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a MOSFET 800 manufactured using an SAC process.
A gate oxide layer 824 having a constant thickness is formed on a silicon substrate 802. A gate electrode 816 is formed on the gate oxide layer 824. A SiN cap layer 820 is formed on the gate electrode 816. SiN sidewalls 822, which cover the side surfaces of the gate electrode 816, are formed on the gate oxide layer 824.
A heat treatment is generally performed in manufacturing of the MOSFET 800 after the formation of sidewalls. In case of SiN sidewalls, hydrogen and nitrogen may be diffused into the silicon substrate 802 through the gate oxide layer 824 during the heat treatment. Therefore, MOSFETs which have SiN sidewalls are less reliable due to resultant hot-carrier degradation than MOSFETs which have sidewalls of silicon oxide. These problems are pointed out and discussed in the article entitled "Enhancement of Hot-Carrier Induced Degradation under Low Gate Voltage Stress due to Hydrogen for NMOSFETs with SiN films" S. Tokitoh et al. IRPS, pp307-311, 1997 and "Hot-carrier Degradation Mechanism and Promising Device Design of nMOSFETs with Niteride Sidewall Spacer" Y. Yamasugi et al. IRPS, pp 184-188, 1998.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Semiconductor device including a MOSFET with nitride side wall


The golf club head (20) of the present invention allows for the face angle, lie angle, loft angle and shaft diameter of the golf club to be customized to a golfer. The golf club head (20) of the present invention is able to accomplish this by providing a major body (22) and a minor body (23) having a crown section (24) and hosel section (25). The minor bodies (23) have different hosel section (25) orientations thereby allowing for different face angles, loft angle, lie angles and shaft diameters of the golf club (19).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club head. More specifically, the present invention relates to a golf club head with an upper section composed of a crown and hosel which is attached to a lower section composed of a striking plate, sole and ribbon.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to improve their game, golfers seek customization of their equipment to their particular swing. Golf equipment manufacturers have responded by increasing the different types of clubs available to the average golfer. For drivers, this has included increasing the different number of lofts readily available to the average golfer. Further the average golfer can choose the type of shaft, whether metal or graphite, appropriate to the golfer's swing. Additionally, the length of the shaft may be adjusted, and the type of grip can be customized for the golfer.
However, golfers demand perfection, and every possible adjustment must be made to fit a particular golfer's swing. Thus, drivers that allow for adjustments in the lie angle and face angle have been made available to golfers. One such driver is Jackson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,973 for a Golf Club Head With Enlarged Hosel, originally filed in 1996. The insert of Jackson is removable thereby allowing for another insert with a different shaft orientation to be inserted into the hosel. The insert of Jackson has a diameter that is much larger than that of the tip end of the shaft.
Another example is Schroder, U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,733, filed in 1990 for a Golf Club. The Schroder patent discloses a club head with an elongated lower shaft portion that can be rotated to adjust the face angle of the golf club. The lower shaft portion is adjustable by rotating the shaft to accommodate the golfer, however, the tip of the shaft will be disposed behind or in proximity to the center of percussion of the golf club. Additionally, Schroder requires a particular shaft, with a lower angled portion, for the golf club head.
A further example is Toulon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,528, filed in 1996, for a Golf Club Head And Hosel Construction. The Toulon patent discloses a hosel with a slot groove that provides for adjustment of the face angle by five degrees and the lie angle by seven degrees by application of a transverse bending force on the hosel.
A further example of such an invention is Wood, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,155, which was originally filed in 1997. The Wood patent discloses a hosel that allows for customization of the face angle for a particular golfer by reorienting the club head relative to a neck member of the hosel.
Yet a further example is Kubica, U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,549 which was filed in 1997 for a golf club and a multitude of hosels with each hosel having a passage with a different angle relative to the club head. Each hosel has a flat portion for securing the hosel within a bore in the club head. In order to adjust the angle, the hosel must be replaced with another hosel. The hosels are composed of a material softer than the club head.
The prior art also contains the use of inserts for non-adjustment purposes. One example of the prior art is Chappell, U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,188 for a golf club. The Chappell patent discloses an iron with a ferrule composed of a thermoplastic material having a modulus of elasticity of 80-1980 pounds per square inch, a specific gravity of 1.15 to 1.22, shore hardness of 60, and an Izod strength of 3.0 to 10.0 ft/lbs. The ferrule is placed within an external hosel, and the exposed end of the ferrule 21 millimeters. The preferred material is a butyrate.
Another example is Dekura, U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,089, which was originally filed in Japan in 1994 for a metal wood composed of magnesium or aluminum alloy with a hosel attaching section composed of ABS and epoxy. The rigidity of the hosel attaching section is lower than the shaft to absorb vibration and shock to thereby reduce vibrations through the shaft.
Another example is Take et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,723, originally filed in Japan in 1994 for a Golf club With Cushion Material Between Shaft And Head. The Take patent discloses the use of a cushioning member composed of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin, polycarbonate, or epoxy, in order to cushion the shaft within the metal head.
Another example is Allen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,149 which was originally filed in 1999 for a shortened hosel and an extended ferrule. The primary object of the Allen patent is to reduce hosel weight without sacrificing shaft support or cosmetic integrity. The Allen patent discloses a hosel with a length of 0.625 inch to 0.750 inch, and an extended ferrule composed of a high strength thermoplastic.
One of the earliest examples is Offutt, U.S. Pat. No. 1,167,922, originally filed in 1914 for a golf club head with an enlargement on a tubular metal shaft to provide a fluted surface.
Still another example is Wood, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,411, which was originally filled in 1998 for a golf club head and a hosel coupling assembly. The Wood patent discloses a hosel that allows for customization of the face angle for a particular golfer by reorienting the club head relative to a coupling assembly.
Another example is Jackson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,028, which was originally filed in 1998 for a golf club with enlarged hosel and curved sole plate. The hosel is hollow, wherein the hollow interior of the hosel is substantially larger than the mounting end of the shaft so the face angle can be modified by changing the orientation of the shaft to the hosel.
Yet another example is McCabe, U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,843 which was originally filed in 2001 for a golf club with a selectable loft and lie angulation. The hosel of McCabe is removable and interchangeable thereby allowing for another hosel with a different shaft orientation to be inserted into a hosel receiving tube.
However, golfers want a high performance golf club that can be easily customized to them while golf equipment manufacturers need to provide as much standardization as possible in order to prevent escalation of manufacturing costs. Thus, although the prior art has presented many inventions for providing customization, the prior art has failed to provide a cost effective method of customization.


A silicone-modified epoxy resin which yields a cured product having low gas permeability and excellent strength; a composition of the silicone-modified epoxy resin; and an epoxy resin cured product obtainable by curing the composition, are provided.

Regarding photosemiconductor element sealing resin compositions, compositions each including a bisphenol A type epoxy resin having excellent adhesiveness or mechanical strength, an epoxy resin which has no UV absorption, for example, a hydrogenated bisphenol A type epoxy resin or an alicyclic epoxy resin, a curing agent, and a curing catalyst, have been frequently used. However, along with the increase in the luminance and output power of LED elements, these compositions have problems such as discoloration and cracking, due to the light, heat and the like emitted by LED elements.
As a solution for solving these problems, there is known a resin obtainable by introducing an epoxy group into a silicone resin which yields a cured product that does not absorb UV radiation and has flexibility. For example, a silicone resin having one or more units of a cyclic ether-containing group such as a glycidyl group or an epoxycyclohexyl group (Patent Literature 1); a reaction product of an epoxyalkoxysilane and silanol (Patent Literature 2); and a combination of an alicyclic epoxy-modified silicone resin and an alicyclic epoxy resin (Patent Literature 3) are known. However, since silicone resins have very high gas permeability compared to epoxy resins, as the silicone content increases, it becomes more difficult to use silicone resins in applications where low gas permeability is needed. Thus, an addition reaction type phenyl-based silicone resin composition has been disclosed as a resin composition having low gas permeability (Patent Literature 4); however, even this silicone resin composition is still not satisfactory in the aspects of low gas permeability and adhesiveness.

Silicone-modified epoxy resin, composition containing the epoxy resin, and cured product of same

Abstract: An epoxy resin represented by the following Formula (1):

Abstract: wherein R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X represents an organic group having a norbornane epoxy structure, or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; n represents an integer from 1 to 3; plural R1s and plural Xs present in the formula may be respectively identical or different; and two or more of plural Xs represent an organic group having a norbornane epoxy structure.


An apparatus and methods for transeptal punctures provide audible feedback to an operator or clinician with information to identify an intended needle or instrument pathway. Despite improved safety and simplification of the TSP itself, the apparatus enables the operator to optimize a crossing angle for various procedures, including PV isolation, valve repair, and appendage closure.

The present invention relates to a medical transeptal crossing procedure.
The two upper chambers of the heart, the right and left atrium, are separated by the atrial septum. Transeptal punctures are becoming increasingly important with the realization of minimal invasive catheter based cardiac procedures. Mitral Valve repair, AF ablations and appendage closure all typically require a transeptal puncture. The puncture is being performed by crossing the intra atrial septum from the right atrium into the left atrium. This way the catheter traverses from the venous side to the arterial side. By entering the patient body through the venous side larger catheters can be utilized while minimizing the complication rate.
As disclosed by Hansen Medical in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,853 (The '853 patent) a physiological parameter can be utilized to guide a transeptal puncture. However, as described in the '853 patent the septum must be at least partially traversed in order to detect a change of the physiologic parameter. The interventionalist typically accesses the left atrium by piercing the septum with a special needle, the Brockenbrough needle, under angiographic and often TEE guidance. This needle is hollow and enables detection of the blood pressure at the tip of the needle. Since right venous- and left atrial pressures are significantly different in value and flow pattern, the physician gets a visual confirmation that he has successfully accessed the left atrium by monitoring the pressure curves. However, this control mechanism is somewhat "after the fact" by confirming the needle position only, once the needle has entered the left atrium and is exposed to the higher blood pressure and arterial flow pattern. Even in experienced hands it does happen that the septum is punctured in the wrong location and or direction and structures like the aorta or the pericardium are penetrated, resulting in serious injury to the patient. While ICE (Intra Cardiac Echocardiography) or TEE (Trans Esophageal Echocardiography) imaging increases the safety of the transeptal puncture, such imaging is costly and time consuming. What would be desirable would be a simple method and apparatus to indicate the optimal needle position before the septum is partially or fully penetrated, without the use of additional imaging instrumentation.


The electronic grill control employs a microprocessor-based circuit which monitors cooking temperature, cooking time, fuel level and the presence or absence of flame. The fuel level may be displayed alternately as a percentage or fraction of the full tank capacity or in terms of the burning time remaining in the tank. A dual electrode ignition circuit eliminates noise problems in the microprocessor circuitry by establishing the appropriate sparking voltage between the two electrodes instead of between a single electrode and the casting ground. A fuel presence sensor comprising one of the two electrodes measures resistance or conductance of the ionized gases within the flame to provide the microprocessor with an indication that the flame has failed to ignite or has blown out. All information is displayed on an alphanumeric display with audible alarms provided for certain conditions.

The present invention relates generally to barbecue grills and more particularly to an electronically controlled barbecue grill employing a microprocessor-based electronic circuit for monitoring fuel status, cooking time and temperature and for monitoring and controlling electronic ignition. The electronic circuit includes a human-readable display and comprises a compact and fully integrated, battery-powered control package which affords great convenience and high reliability.
One popular style of conventional barbecue grill in use today employs a containment casting with a gas burner assembly disposed therein and supplied with fuel stored under pressure in a replaceable or refillable canister. Typically, a manually adjustable fuel supply valve is interposed between canister and burner to allow the user to adjust the height of the flame and the cooking temperature. Normally a mating lid is hingedly attached to the casting for use in covering the grill cooking surface and for defining an oven space beneath the lid and within the casting. Some barbecue grills of this type have an analog thermometer of the bimetal type attached to the lid to allow the user to determine the temperature within the oven space, when the lid is closed. In addition, some models may include a push-button operated electronic ignition. In use, the user adjusts the gas valve to establish fuel flow into the burner and then depresses the electronic ignition button, causing a momentary spark to ignite the fuel at the burner.
The present invention affords a great deal of convenience not found in conventional barbecue grills. The invention employs a microprocessor-based electronic circuit which monitors and controls various functions of the grill.
A canister weighing system with electronic output provides the data used by the microprocessor to determine the quantity of fuel remaining. The microprocessor displays the quantity of fuel remaining either as a numerical fractional value, or in terms of remaining burning time, based on a calculation performed by the microprocessor. The electronic circuit also includes means for user input of a desired cooking time. The microprocessor circuit includes a real time clock for comparison with the desired cooking time to provide an alarm when the desired cooking time has elapsed. In addition, the desired cooking time is compared by the microprocessor with the remaining burning time for the fuel within the canister. If the microprocessor determines that the fuel remaining in the canister is insufficient to complete the desired cooking time, a notification of the low fuel condition is automatically displayed when the desired cooking time is first entered. This provides the user ample opportunity to fill or replace the fuel canister before beginning to cook. The microprocessor also automatically warns of a low fuel condition when the quantity of fuel drops below 1/8 of the full level.
The electronic circuit also includes an automatic electronic ignition control which may be initially activated by the user, simply by turning the gas supply valve to its fully on position. A first ignition event occurs in response to manual actuation, causing the electronic ignition device to be actuated. An electronic flame sensing device monitors whether a flame is produced in response to the ignition event. If a flame is not present after the first ignition event, the electronic circuit automatically causes one or more subsequent ignition events to occur, without further human interaction, in an effort to ignite the burner. After a predetermined number of attempts at ignition, if no flame is produced, an error message is displayed and an audible alarm is sounded to allow the user to correct the problem or attempt to light the burner manually with a match.
The same flame sensing apparatus continues to monitor the flame even after ignition and the electronic circuit automatically initiates a reignition cycle if the flame is extinguished. This might occur, for example, if a strong wind were to blow out the flame.
Anytime the electronic circuit is unable to ignite or reignite the flame after a predetermined number of tries an error message is displayed, giving the most likely cause of the problem, the principal reasons being inadequate fuel or insufficient battery energy to cause an ignition spark. Accordingly, the control circuit monitors fuel level and battery voltage to provide the appropriate "Fuel Out" and "Low Battery" messages.
The electronic control circuit also employs a thermistor sensor attached to the mid-rear portion of the lower containment casting. The thermistor provides an electrical signal indicative of the cooking temperature. The microprocessor-based control circuit can display the temperature on the integral display device located on the front console. This same display device is also used to display the fuel status messages, electronic timer messages and error messages, when appropriate.
In one user-selected mode the microprocessor cycles various information onto the display device in a rotating sequence. In this fashion, fuel level, fuel time, cooking temperature and cooking time are sequentially displayed.
For a more complete understanding of the invention, its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following specification and to the accompanying drawings.


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device may include forming a gate structure that includes a dummy gate member on a substrate. The method may further include forming two first-type spacers such that the dummy gate member is positioned between the first-type spacers. The method may further include forming two second-type spacers such that the first-type spacers are positioned between the second-type spacers. The method may further include forming two third-type spacers such that the second-type spacers are positioned between the third-type spacers. The method may further include performing etch to remove the third-type spacers and to at least partially remove the second-type spacers. The method may further include removing at least a portion of the dummy gate member to form a space between remaining portions of the first-type spacers. The method may further include providing a metal material in the space for forming a metal gate member.

The present invention is related to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. For example, the present invention may be related to a method for manufacturing a high-k metal gate (HKMG) semiconductor device, i.e., a semiconductor device that includes a high-k member (with a dielectric constant higher than the dielectric constant of silicon dioxide or 2.5) and a metal gate member.
Manufacturing of an HKMG semiconductor device may involve minimization of oxygen diffusion and removal of a polysilicon dummy gate. For minimizing oxygen diffusion, spacers (e.g., offset spacers) in the device may be formed of silicon nitride (SiN). Nevertheless, chemicals used and/or generated during processing of the SiN spacers may substantially obstruct the removal of the polysilicon dummy gate and/or may cause an undesirable trapezoidal profile of a space for receiving metal gate material. The trapezoidal profile may undesirably affect the filling of the metal gate material and formation of the metal gate member. For example, unwanted voids may be formed in the metal gate member. As a result, the quality of the HKMG semiconductor device and/or the associated manufacturing yield may be undesirable.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device

SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION


A duty cycle correction circuit comprises a duty cycle detector, a filter, a comparator, a SAR DAC, an equalization device, a pass gate circuit, and a duty cycle corrector. The duty cycle detector generates control signals in response to internal clock signals. The equalization device equalizes voltage levels of the control signals, and the pass gate circuit applies the control signals to the duty cycle corrector. The filter obtains average voltages of the control signals. The comparator compares output signals from the filter to generate a comparison result. The SAR DAC performs a SAR algorithm to generate analog output signals based on the comparison result. The duty cycle corrector receives external clock signals, the analog output signals, and output signals from the pass gate circuit to generate the internal clock signals with a corrected duty cycle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit for providing a corrected duty cycle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a delay locked loop (DLL) is used in a synchronous semiconductor memory device, such as a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), to perform synchronization between an internal clock signal and an external clock signal of the synchronous semiconductor memory device. When the external clock signal is inputted to the synchronous semiconductor memory device, a time delay occurs due to a clock skew between the external clock signal and the internal clock signal. Therefore, the DLL is employed in the synchronous semiconductor memory device for generating the internal clock signal by compensating for the clock skew.
The DDR SDRAM inputs and/or outputs data at rising and falling edges of the clock signal so as to increase the transmission speed of data. As the operational speed of the DDR SDRAM is increased, performance of the DDR SDRAM is greatly affected by performance of the DLL. Therefore, since design margin decreases with an increase of duty error, having a correct duty cycle of the internal clock is important. Reliable data transmission is achieved when the duty cycle is equivalent to 50%, and a duty cycle correction method applied to the DLL is required for ensuring a sufficient design margin of the duty cycle.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art duty cycle correction circuit 10 disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,106,697. The duty cycle correction circuit 10 comprises a duty cycle detector 11, a filter 12, an operational amplifier 13, a charge pump 14, a control circuit 15, and a duty cycle corrector 16. The duty cycle detector 11 receives a pair of internal clock signals CK and CKB and generates a pair of control signals DCF and DCFB. The filter 12 obtains average voltages of the pair of control signals DCF and DCFB. The amplifier 13 compares output voltages of the filter 12 and generates an enable signal EN. The control circuit 15 receives the enable signal EN and generates two switch enable signals ENCPS and ENCPL. The charge pump 14 receives the enable signals EN, ENCPS, and ENCPL and generates a pair of control signals DCC, DCCB. The duty cycle corrector 16 receives a pair of external clock signals ECK and ECKB, the two pairs of control signals DCF, DCFB, DCC, and DCCB and generates the pair of the internal clock signals CK and CKB with a corrected duty cycle of about 50%.
Referring to FIG. 1, the duty cycle correction circuit 10 requires the charge pump 14 to obtain the pair of control signals DCC, DCCB so as to correct the duty cycle of the external clock signals ECK and ECKB. However, the charge pump 14 has a speed limitation on the maximum operation frequency, which results in long duty cycle correction time. In addition, the duty cycle correction circuit 10 lacks a means of tracking the frequency variation of the input clock signal. Therefore, it may not be operated over a wide range of input frequencies.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide a circuit to solve the above problems.

Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.


A brachytherapy device 10 for exposing to radioactivity a patient includes an elongate member such as a needle or cannula 12 adapted for introduction into the patient and also includes a stylet 14 slideably receivable in a longitudinal throughbore 16 in the needle 12. The device 10 also includes a portion 64 near either the proximal end 18 of the needle 12 or the distal end 24 of the stylet 14 which provides a local, defined amount of friction between the needle 12 and the stylet 14. The device 10 further includes an anti-static handle 34 connected to the needle 12. The handle 34 has an interior ramp surface 40 in communication with the throughbore 16 of the needle 12, frustoconical in shape and possessing an included apical angle of at least about 16.degree.. The localized friction portion 64 can be a crimp or flange 48 on the stylet 14, or a crimp 44 or deformation 46 in or of the needle 12. The handle 34 is preferably composed of a polycarbonate, acrylic or acetal resin (such resins preferably being carbon-filled, or otherwise electro static dissipative), or a hydroscopic nylon blend. The device 10 is particularly advantageous in that the preferred ramp surface 40 in the handle 34 facilitates the insertion of seeds 26 of radioactive material and inert spacers 28 into the needle 12. The anti-static handle 34 eliminates, for practical purposes, the previously encountered risks of static interference, static cling of the spacers 28 and ignition spark generation. Finally, the localized friction portion 64 provides a controlled and predetermined amount of friction between the needle 12 and the stylet 14, preventing the stylet 14 from falling from the needle 12, while also preventing or reducing the risk of unintended ejection of the radioactive seeds 26 and spacers 28. Such friction is advantageously provided virtually the entire time any portion of the stylet 14 is received in the needle 12.

Brachytherapy is a known medical treatment for tumors and the like. More specifically, brachytherapy is a radiation treatment which entails the use of a solid or enclosed radioisotopic source positioned either on the surface of the body of the patient or at a short distance from the area to be treated. One form of brachytherapy is sometimes referred to as "interstitial" brachytherapy, in which radioactive implants are inserted into a tumor to be treated. Radioactivity from the implant shrinks the tumor or preferentially kills the cancerous cells making up the tumor, resulting in successful treatment of the patient. The present disclosure will use the word "brachytherapy" to refer to this latter form of treatment.
Brachytherapy typically involves the steps of positioning the end of a needle, cannula, catheter, or other elongate member or the like in or near the tumor; inserting a radioactive material into the needle, cannula, catheter or the like; allowing the radioactive material to remain near the tumor for a specific length of time; and removing the radioactive material and the needle, cannula, catheter, or other elongate member or the like after the treatment time has expired. In general, the order of the positioning and inserting steps is chosen as desired, depending upon the particular tumor being treated, the nature of the radioactive material and the characteristics of the needle, cannula, catheter, or elongate member or the like being used. Of course, access to the tumor can be established prior to the positioning and inserting steps via an introducer sheath or another needle, cannula, catheter or the like.
The radioactive material introduced during brachytherapy is often contained in a plurality of pellets or "seeds" which are inserted into an open end of the needle, cannula, catheter, or other elongate member and the like. Such seeds are sealed to prevent the leakage of the radioactive material from them. A stylet or other push rod is often used to advance the seeds to an appropriate position in the elongate member.
One commonly used seed comprises an iridium or iridium/platinum alloy core encased in a sheath of platinum. The iridium is irradiated to render it radioactive, in particular, to yield gamma-emitting .sup.192 Ir. A variety of other radioactive materials are known for this purpose, and are equally useful in brachytherapy. Typically, the radioactive seeds are 3 mm in length; during use, the individual seeds are separated by inert spacers of 7 mm length, so that there exists a known standard distance of one centimeter (1 cm) between the centers of the seeds. Knowledge of this distance is useful to the treating physician or surgeon for a variety of known reasons. The diameter of the radioactive seeds is selected as desired for the tumor to be treated, typically at or below about 0.040 in. (1.0 mm) diameter.
A number of practical problems have been encountered with existing apparatus for performing brachytherapy procedures. For example, it is often difficult to insert the radioactive seeds into the small diameter of the needle, cannula, catheter or the like. While it is known to orient such elongate members vertically as an aid to inserting the radioactive seeds, problems are still encountered due to the relatively small diameters employed, and due to the closeness of the diameters of the seeds (and spacers) and the interior diameters of the elongate members.
Moreover, the plastic materials often employed as handles for the elongate members are susceptible to generating an appreciable amount of static electricity. Such static electricity can cause the synthetic materials conventionally employed as spacers to cling to the handle ("static cling"), making it impossible to load the spacers into the elongate member through the handle. Such static electricity, when discharged, can also generate interference with some of the various sensing and other equipment present in the operating room. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, a static spark can be an ignition source in the presence of the oxygen and/or ether commonly employed within the operating room.
Another drawback to some brachytherapy devices (in particular, in those devices in which the elongate member is rigid) is the relative lack of control over the stylet or other push rod used to advance and position the radioactive seeds and the spacers. It is highly desirable that the stylet move with a minimal amount of force, since the radioactive seeds are often retained in the elongate member merely by a small (1 mm) wax plug in the distal end of the elongate member. Unfortunately, it has in fact been a common problem that the stylet is so loose within the rigid elongate member that the stylet readily falls outside the operating field, e.g., to the floor, if not carefully grasped. Since such a mishap can occur while the radioactive seeds are being inserted into the elongate member, too loose a stylet can increase patient and physician exposure to the seeds by what can be an appreciable amount. Too tight a fit between the stylet and elongate member is undesirable, however, because of the fine tactile feedback needed to sense when the seeds are completely inserted in the elongate member and abutted against the wax plug. A force sufficient to overcome undue friction can also unintentionally cause the stylet to eject the wax plug and radioactive seeds when such friction is overcome.
It would be highly advantageous to have a brachytherapy device which included a handle for the elongate member that facilitated the introduction of the radioactive seeds and the spacers into the elongate member. It would also be highly advantageous to have a brachytherapy device which included a handle that was anti-static or static electricity-free, or that was at least static electricity reduced by an amount to substantially eliminate (that is, eliminate to an extent desired for practical purposes) static interference, static cling and the risk of generating an ignition spark. Finally, it would further be highly advantageous to provide a controlled amount of friction between the elongate member and the stylet of a brachytherapy device, such that the stylet would not fall from the elongate member under weight of the stylet, yet also such that only a minimal amount of force was needed to overcome that friction, and such that such friction could be provided virtually the entire time any portion of the stylet was received in the elongate member.

Brachytherapy device including an anti-static handle


An image formation apparatus and process cartridge exhibiting high durability, in which such disadvantages as irregular recovery of untransferred toner and the advance of carrier degradation are not produced even when jointly using a trickle development system and a cleanerless system, comprising an image support member on which a latent image is formed; a developing unit that houses developer having carrier and toner, develops the latent image formed on the image support member, and recovers untransferred toner remaining on the image support member; a carrier supply unit that supplies carrier to the developing unit; carrier discharge means that discharges carrier housed in the developing unit to outside of the developing unit; and lubricant supply means that supplies lubricant onto the image support member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image formation apparatus such as a copier, printer, facsimile apparatus or combinations of these, and to process cartridges installed therein. In particular, the present invention relates to an image formation apparatus and process cartridge that uses a trickle development system that suitably discharges degraded carrier from within the developing unit to outside the developing unit, and a cleanerless system that cleans the untransferred toner on the image support member in the developing unit.
2. Description of the Background Art
In the past a variety of technologies were disclosed to make the imaging units in image formation apparatuses of electronic photographic systems more durable. For example, disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-62724 is a technology to make the imaging unit more durable by using the trickle development system. In more detail, toner and a small quantity of carrier are refilled and excess carrier is discharged from the development unit of a two-component development system in which a magnetic carrier is made to spike up by magnetic force on a developer support member of a developing roller, etc., (suitably called a "magnetic brush" hereinafter) and is made to contact the image support member of a photo-sensitive body, etc., thereby causing toner particles within the magnetic brush to contact the image support member. The intention of this technology was to make the imaging unit more durable by reducing the degradation of image quality caused by degraded magnetic carrier. Specifically, when continuously agitating the magnetic carrier in the development unit of a two component development system, foreign matter such as the parent resin of the toner particles and external additives adhere to the surface of the carrier, and the frictional electrification capacity of the carrier decreases in relation to the toner. Further, mechanical impact causes the coated film of magnetic carriers having a coated film to peel off, and toner is then prone to adhere. Trickle development systems that suitably discharge degraded carrier within the development unit to outside the development unit in this way may be expected to have the effect of reducing deterioration of image quality over time.
Meanwhile, disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-278256 is a technology to make the imaging unit durable using a cleanerless system. In further detail, the imaging unit of the cleanerless system is not provided with a cleaning unit to mechanically recover with a cleaning blade, etc. untransferred toner on the image support member, specifically, toner that is not transferred to the transfer receiving material in the transfer process and remains on the image support member. The intention of this technology was to make the imaging unit more durable by reducing the abrasion from the image support member caused by contact with the cleaning blade, etc. Concretely, instead of using a cleaning blade, etc. to recover the untransferred toner in the imaging unit of the cleanerless system, many mechanisms are employed which recover and directly reuse untransferred toner in the developing unit. If these kinds of mechanisms are used in an imaging unit of a two-component development system, the untransferred toner recovery characteristics are improved by increasing the relative motional velocities of both opposing parts of the developer support member and the image support member. Consequently, a counter-contact development system is used in which the direction of motion of the image support member is the opposite to the direction of motion of the developer support member (magnetic brush).
Using either of the conventional image formation apparatuses described above, the trickle development system or the cleanerless system, can achieve improved durability of the apparatus. Consequently, it may be expected that further improved durability of the apparatus could be gained by combining the trickle development system with the cleanerless system. However, a variety of problems arise when actually combining the trickle development system and the cleanerless system.
As the result of relentless research, the inventors of the present application discovered the following facts.
First, the case of installing a trickle development system in an image formation apparatus pre-equipped with a cleanerless system will be considered. In a trickle development system, carriers with differing degrees of degradation are essentially mixed together in the interior of the developing unit. Concretely, new carrier just supplied to the development unit together with toner has little foreign material adhering to the surface thereof, and the capacity to cause frictional electrification of the toner is high. In contrast, carrier that has been agitated a long time in the development unit has a large amount of adhering foreign material, and the capacity to cause frictional electrification of the toner is low. Consequently, the distribution of the amount of carrier charge in the magnetic brush is broadened. Moreover, carrier with a large amount of adhering foreign matter has high electrical resistance. Accordingly, fluctuations of the amount of toner particle charge in the magnetic brush are prone to occur. In addition, the development electric field that is formed between the tip of the magnetic brush and the image support member is also prone to become uneven. Further, when the amount of adhering foreign material differs, differences arise in the responsiveness to the magnetic field of the carriers and in the flow characteristics of the carriers. As a result, differences arise in the flexibility and strength as a magnetic brush.
Consequently, when installing a trickle development system in an image formation apparatus pre-equipped with a cleanerless system, fluctuations of the strength of the magnetic field in the tips of the magnetic brush cause irregularities to arise in the capacity to electrostatically draw untransferred toner to the development unit side. In addition, fluctuations of the flexibility and strength of the magnetic brush cause irregularities to arise in the capacity to physically scrape off untransferred toner. Setting the conditions for recovering the untransferred toner by the magnetic brush is delicate, and if irregularities of the recovery capacity of the magnetic brush arise longitudinally, the degree of margin for uniformly recovering untransferred toner across the longitudinal direction is lost.
Next, the case of installing a cleanerless system in an image formation apparatus pre-equipped with a trickle development system will be considered. As described above, when the relative motional velocities of the opposing parts of the image support member and the developer support member have been increased in order to improve the untransferred toner recovery characteristics, the velocity at which the carrier collides with the image support member is heightened. This strengthens the impact when the toner particles on the tip of the magnetic brush collide with the untransferred toner and carrier adhering on the image support member, increasing the adhesion of toner particle parent resin and external additives onto the carrier. Moreover, the impact at the time of collision is prone to cause the coated film of carriers having a coated film to peel off. If degradation of the carrier progresses in this way, differences in carrier characteristics within the magnetic brush will broaden and it will not be possible to achieve uniform development.
Consequently, when installing a cleanerless system in an image formation apparatus pre-equipped with a trickle development system, degradation of the carrier is promoted, and the desired effect cannot be obtained unless the cycle of supplying fresh carrier and discharging degraded carrier is expedited.

Image formation apparatus and process cartridge including a trickle development system and a cleanerless system


A device for attachment to a crib comprises a housing and a motor having an eccentric weight mounted on a shaft driven by the motor so as to produce vibrations upon actuation of the motor. The frequency of the vibrations is within the range of 800-2000 vibrations per minute. The device has sound generating means including volume and frequency control means. The device includes vibration attenuating means for attachment to the lower ends and at least an upper end of the crib for attenuation of the vibrations that would be transmitted to the floor supporting the lower ends of the crib and the walls that could be contacting at least an upper end of the crib.

1. Technical Field
Cries from children can be tolerated by parents of the children. Neighbors however consider crying children a disturbance and the noise a health hazard. Inspections on site often indicate poor wall or floor insulation. The present invention attacks the source of noise and reduces considerably the risk of disturbance.
2. Background Art
The cradle has been in use since ancient times. Parents have found that a slow periodic movement has a pacifying effect on the child as a whole. The periodicity of these movements has normally been within the range of up to 50 cycles per minute. It has not been possible to achieve higher frequencies with cradles or hanging baskets.
For a general feeling of well-being, complete beds have been developed which have been made to vibrate through some form of imbalance. At motels, particularly in the U.S.A., there are various devices with coin meters but these devices also have a relatively low frequency. It has been observed that discomforting vibrations have been transmitted through the buildings.
Empirically it has been found that vibrations have a tension-releasing effect on the human body. Vibration massage has long been a method applied. The vibrations are attenuated by the body being treated, and are not transmitted to the surroundings. The same is found with the sexual vibrators which have found a considerable market of late. Even here the empirical result from ancient times has now appeared in a modern form.
Modern research, particularly on infants, indicates that the crying which can be observed during the years of infancy is caused by cramp in the intestines. Cramp leads to pain which in turn leads to the very typical crying of a child which may often have the character of an environmental inconvenience - albeit temporary. The present invention is therefore directed to diverting the cause of irritating noise from small children. Knowledge about cramp provides the solution where children should be subjected to types of vibrations which relieve the attacks of cramp. It has been found particularly suitable in this context that the frequency used for treatment should be in the region of 800-2000 vibrations per minute. The purely technical problem is subjecting the child's intestines to a pulsating mechanical load while at the same time preventing this pulsating movement from being transmitted to the surroundings as an environmental inconvenience of a type other than a child's crying.


A fuel filter assembly employs a base which mounts a disposable filter element cartridge. The cartridge includes a dual stage filter system wherein fuel flows axially to a primary filter element for removing particulate matter and coalescing water droplets and axially to a secondary filter stage which functions as a water barrier. The filtered fuel flows axially and exits through an outlet passage in the base. Water may be collected in a sump. The cartridge is retained on the base by a collar which engages against a roll seam structure of the cartridge.

This invention relates generally to devices for filtering and separating liquids. More particularly, the present invention relates to fuel filters for removing foreign particles and separating water from fuel of the fuel supply system of an internal combustion engine.
The absence of high standards of quality control in diesel fuel supplies dictates that an effective fuel filter be incorporated into the fuel supply system for a diesel engine. It is not uncommon for diesel fuel to have significant quantities of abrasive particles and water. The abrasive particles present the potential for permanent damage to components of the fuel injection pump. The abrasive particles can also adversely effect the performance of the pump by destroying the ability of the fuel injection pump to precisely meter and deliver fuel at high pressures. The presence of water in the diesel fuel supply can cause rusting of engine components, and during freezing conditions, can result in interruption of the fuel injection system and/or seizure of moving components.
Diesel fuel also contains a waxy constituent which precipitates as wax crystals when the fuel temperature drops below a characteristic "cloud point". In cold weather conditions, the precipitating wax crystals can rapidly plug a fuel filter and thereby cut off fuel delivery to the internal combustion engine.
A number of conventional fuel filters perform the dual function of removing particulate material from the diesel fuel and separating water from the fuel. In addition, conventional fuel filter units or fuel conditioners frequently employ heaters to prevent wax crystal formation. Commonly, the fuel filters employ a disposable filter cartridge which is replaced at pre-established intervals of filter usage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,120 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a fuel conditioner to which the present invention relates. A disposable filter/water separator cartridge is releasably secured to a base. A multi-stage filter assembly within the cartridge includes filtering and coalescing media and separates an upper portion of the chamber from a lower portion which functions as a water collection sump. A heater mounted in the base warms the fuel before the fuel enters the cartridge. The fuel conditioner also features sensing devices in the base to indicate the presence of a predetermined quantity of water in the sump and the occurrence of a plugged filter condition. A priming pump is also manually operable to restore the fuel conditioner to operational condition after the cartridge replacement.


An output circuit which may be used in a battery pack, such as those used to provide a charge to a portable electronic device. The output circuit includes an output MOSFET having a gate and forming an open drain circuit, and a CMOS drive transistor. The CMOS drive transistor has a PMOS transistor, an NMOS transistor, an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal receives a drive control signal and the output terminal is connected to the gate of the output MOSFET. When the drive control signal is active, the PMOS transistor is turned off and the output MOSFET is turned on, such that power is provided at the output terminal of the output circuit via the output MOSFET. The output circuit provides improved power consumption characteristics so that the battery charge is not unnecessarily drained.

The present invention relates to an output circuit and a battery pack.
The demand for batteries that last longer in portable electronic equipment, such as notebook computers, has grown in recent years. The life of such a battery can be prolonged by increasing the capacity of the battery and decreasing power consumption in each circuit. Thus, decreasing the power consumed by output circuits of portable electronic equipment will help to prolong the life of the battery.
A notebook computer is provided with a rechargeable battery pack. The notebook computer may also be provided with a backup battery pack, which has a large capacity and can be used for a long period of time. A typical battery pack includes an output circuit for generating a control signal used to indicate whether power can be supplied properly. The output circuit generates the control signal when the battery pack is electrically connected to the computer.
A conventional output circuit employs a bipolar transistor to form an open collector circuit. An output circuit employing a MOSFET, which output loss is small, to form an open drain circuit has also been proposed. The drain of the MOSFET sends control signals to circuits in the computer that are concerned with the processing of electric power.
The battery pack may be disconnected from the computer. When the battery pack is disconnected and then reconnected to the computer, the circuits or semiconductor devices within the computer must be activated immediately. Thus, the MOSFET is always in an on state.
FIG. 10 shows an example of a prior art output circuit, which includes a p-channel output MOSFET 51. The source of the MOSFET 51 is connected to a power supply line via a current detecting resistor Rs. A lithium ion battery (not shown) incorporated in the battery pack supplies a power supply voltage Vdd to the power supply line. The drain of the MOSFET 51 is connected to an external output terminal of the battery pack. The gate of the MOSFET 51 is connected to the collector of a drive bipolar transistor 52 via a resistor R2, which forms a bias circuit with a resistor R1. The power supply line, which provides the power supply voltage Vdd, is connected to one end of the resistor R1.
The bipolar transistor 52 goes on when a high drive control signal SG1 is input to the base of the bipolar transistor 52 via a resistor R3. This decreases the gate voltage of the MOSFET 51 to the voltage determined by the bias circuit (formed by the resistors R1, R2) and causes the MOSFET 51 to go on. An output voltage Vout, or control signal, is output from an external output terminal and sent to the semiconductor devices in the computer that are related with the processing of power.
The bipolar transistor 52 goes off when the drive control signal SG1 falls. This increases the gate voltage of the MOSFET 51 to the power supply voltage Vdd and causes the MOSFET 51 to go off.
The current detecting resistor Rs is connected between the source of the MOSFET 51 and the power supply line. The source of the MOSFET 51 is connected to the base of a current restricting bipolar transistor 53. The collector of the bipolar transistor 53 is connected to the gate of the MOSFET 51. The emitter of the bipolar transistor 53 is connected to the power supply line.
When the MOSFET 51 is on, a large output current Iout flows into the MOSFET 51 if a short circuit occurs between the external output terminals for some reason. This increases the voltage between the terminals of the current detecting resistor Rs (Iout.times.Rs). More specifically, the base emitter voltage Vbe of the current restricting bipolar transistor 53 increases and the collector current of the bipolar transistor 53 flows into the resistor R2 of the bias circuit. This increases the gate voltage of the MOSFET 51, or decreases the voltage between the gate and source of the MOSFET 51, and causes the MOSFET 51 to go on, thereby suppressing the increase of the output current Iout.
However, current constantly flows in the output circuit because the bipolar transistor 52 is on when the MOSFET 51 is on. In other words, current flows through the bipolar transistor 52 since the MOSFET 51 is on, even if the battery pack is detached from the computer, when there is no short circuit. Thus, current is consumed by the bipolar transistor 52, which drives the MOSFET 51, even when the battery pack is not being used.


A switching device has a switch, a case within which the switch is accommodated, a cylinder which is provided on an upper surface of the case and open to above and below to communicate with the inside of the case, an operation knob which covers an opening of the cylinder and swings in a front-to-rear direction, and an operation bar which extends from the operation knob through the opening into the case to transmit the motion of the operation knob to the switch. A guide member is disposed between the case upper surface and the end of the operation knob. The guide member is inclined in the left and right directions so as to guide water toward the sides of the case.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switching device for switching on and off by operation of an operation knob which swings, and more particularly to a waterproof-type switching device which is capable of preventing water from entering into its case.
2. Description of Related Art
A switching device used in a vehicle window open/close system (power window system) is provided on an arm rest of a door, a console at the center, or other positions of an automobile. This type of switching device has a switch, a circuit board and other components accommodated inside a case, and a cylinder which is disposed on the upper surface of the case and opens to above and below to communicate with the inside of the case, as disclosed in JP-A-8-180755 and JP-A-5-314864 (Patent References 1 and 2). An operation knob is attached to the cylinder in such a position as to cover the upper opening of the cylinder and in such a manner as to swing on the cylinder in the front-to-rear direction. An operation bar which is connected with the operation knob penetrates through the opening of the cylinder and extends toward the inside of the case so as to transmit the movement of the operation knob to the switch. When the operation knob is operated, its swinging motion in the front-to-rear direction is transmitted through the operation bar to the switch so that the switch is turned on or off in accordance with the swinging motion of the operation knob.
In a typical switching device of this type, a cover for covering the upper surface of the case is attached. The operation knob is exposed through an opening of the cover such that the operation knob can be operated therethrough. Thus, when some raindrops fall on the cover in case of raining or for other reasons, the raindrops scarcely enter into the case of the switching device. However, when a large volume of beverage or the like (hereinafter referred to as "water") is spilt over the cover, the water enters through the clearance between the opening of the cover and the operation knob and flows downward to the upper surface of the case, reaching the cylinder or other components. The water having reached the cylinder rises through the clearance between the operation knob and the cylinder by the force of flow, and enters through the opening of the cylinder into the case. The water having entered the case may cause corrosion and short-circuit of the switch and circuit board.
Japanese Patent No. 3111221 (Patent Reference 3) discloses a method for preventing entrance of water as in the above case. According to this method, water catching grooves are formed on the upper surface of the case before and after a cylinder. The bottoms of the grooves are inclined toward the front of the case, and/or are mountain-shaped having a watershed at the center. Drain ports penetrating through the deepest portions of the water catching grooves are formed on the front surface and the sides of the case. Nothing is described about prevention of water entrance in Patent References 1 and 2.
According to the method of Patent Reference 3, water having entered through the clearance between a cover (finisher according to the description of Patent Reference 3) and the operation knob toward the upper surface of the case is introduced into the water catching grooves to be captured therein. The water is then guided along the inclined groove bottoms toward the deepest portions at the front, and is discharged through the drain ports which are disposed on the sides of the case and are relatively smaller in size than the width and depth of the water catching grooves. Thus, when the amount of water is large, the water having flowed into the water catching grooves cannot be sufficiently discharged through the drain ports. As a result, water overflows the water catching grooves and goes toward the cylinder. The water having reached the cylinder rises through the clearance between the operation knob and the cylinder and enters into the case in some cases.


The election of a key server is provided. The key server is a single device that broadcasts an encryption key to other devices in a network segment. Also, automatic reelection of a new key server is provided when a current key server becomes unavailable. Key receivers may separately detect that a new key server is needed and separately determine from state information which key receiver should be elected the new key server. The state information may have been received in previously sent messages. Thus, further messaging is not needed to elect a new key server.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to computer networks and more specifically to techniques for managing a secure key using a key server in a network segment.
Devices in a local area network (LAN) require an encryption method for the data link layer (layer 2). A secure key is needed to protect data communications among devices connected to the LAN. The secure key is used by all devices in the LAN when sending data amongst each other.
A data link layer encryption method (commonly called LinkSec or MACsec) has been defined for IEEE 802 LANs. For devices on the LAN to use the same group key, they must obtain the same generated group key. Traditionally, the generated key is distributed manually to each device. An administrator thus manually installs the key. One proposal is for a group key to be generated in which all devices contribute information that is used in the generation of the group key use to communicate. For example, all devices broadcast information to every other device in the LAN. When one device receives all the information from the other devices, the information is combined together to create a group key based on heuristics. Each device in a LAN uses the same heuristics to generate the group key. In this method, a lot of messages are transmitted among the devices. This requires a lot of regulations to ensure the messaging is performed correctly.

Techniques for managing keys using a key server in a network segment


A mixing valve includes in a valve case a hot water chamber, a water chamber, a mixing chamber, a chamber communicating to a shower device and a chamber communicating to a bath at one end of the valve case is equipped a thermo handle for controlling a ratio of hot water and water and at the other end of the valve case is equipped an operating handle of the valve which selectively connects the mixing chamber to the shower chamber or to the bath chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a mixing valve and its change valve which is selectively switched to provide hot water either to a shower or to a bath.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A vertical sectional front view in FIG. 10 and a vertical sectional side view in FIG. 11 show a conventional type of a mixing valve. In the valve case 1, a hot water chamber 2, a water chamber 3 and a mixing chamber 4 are aligned. In crossing the hot water chamber 2 and the water chamber 3, a temperature control valve with a thermostat 5 is arranged to obtain hot water at a desired temperature by controlling the rate of hot water from the hot water chamber 2 and water from the water chamber 3 into the mixing chamber 4. At the right end of this valve case 1, a thermo handle 7 is fixed to adjust the axial position of a spindle 6 in the thermo handle 5 and determine the temperature of hot water.
At the bottom of the mixing chamber 4, a change valve chamber for hot water 8 connected to the mixing chamber 4 is installed to project therefrom. In this change valve chamber 8, a supply port to a bath 9 and a supply port to a shower 10 are aligned, its opening and closing being controlled by the change valve 11. The change valve 11 has valves 13 and 14 which are interfittingly attached to a spindle 12, and generally the valves 13 and 14 are spaced from one another with a spring 15. When a change handle 16 is operated to turn to the right or to the left, the spindle 12 moves forward and backward (move to the right or to the left in FIG. 11) by the screw 17, thereby either valve 13 or valve 14 is operated to open, that is, change valve chamber 8 is connected to either supply port to a bath 9 or supply chamber to a shower 10 and hot water adjusted to a desired temperature in the mixing chamber 4 is provided to the bath or to the shower.
This conventional type of mixing valve has some defects : the first one is the irregular appearance of the valve case 1, i.e. the change valve chamber 8 is formed to project at the central bottom of the valve case 1; the second one is the increase in height of the valve case 1; the third one is the unsymmetrical form of the valve case, where one end of the valve 1 is equipped with the thermo handle 7 and the other end is closed; and the last one is the axial enlargement of all the members composing the change valve 11 and the increase of the depth of the valve case, which result from the working space between the valve 13 and the valve 14 for opening and closing the change valve 11 and the area required to move the spindle 12 forward and backward to, open and close the valves 13 and 14.


A phase- or frequency-locked loop circuit (200) that generates an accurate output signal (ACC_SYN_OUT) even in the presence of edge-triggering-type glitches (148, 304A, 304B) in the input reference clock signal (REF_CLK). The locked-loop circuit includes a phase or frequency difference detector (216) and a glitch detector (208) that generates a trigger signal (GLITCH_DETECTED) upon detection of at least one glitch. The trigger signal resets the difference detector so as to abort the updating of the output signal that the glitch would otherwise cause.

Many integrated circuits (ICs) require a highly accurate, e.g., less than 1% deviation, frequency source. A conventional design of such a source includes a phase-locked loop (PLL) and a tightly controlled, reference clock. High accuracy requires frequent updating to prevent drift. However, even a single bad update can create an intolerable frequency error. For example, in the context of writing and reading data to and from computer storage disks, the write signal has about a ±1% frequency deviation tolerance. If the frequency of the write signal deviates beyond this tight tolerance, data written after the out-of-tolerance deviation will be corrupted and data may not be successfully read back.
Noise on chipset boards and from sources within ICs themselves creates an environment where the frequency source can be corrupted once every billion or so cycles—in many systems, this equates to many times day. This corruption can cause the input of an on-chip PLL to experience a large phase disturbance, which causes frequency instability. Reducing corruption is becoming more and more challenging as the level of integration continues to increase and signal voltages continue to decrease. For example, radio frequency circuits onboard system-on-chip ICs or chip-set boards exacerbate the noisy environment. In addition, most all ICs/chip-set boards contain multiple clock domains that increase the chance that noise from multiple sources will combine to cause false switching events. Decreasing signal voltage decreases noise margin on both internal and external signals, making the low-voltage signals more susceptible to corruption causing disturbances.
A conventional approach to highly accurate frequency synthesis in the presence of a noisy reference clock is to redesign the integrated circuit/system to limit/eliminate noise sources or interference. Drawbacks to this approach include: difficulties changing the design depending on the time in the product cycle; on-board filtering, if appropriate, can be an expensive solution and take up valuable space; tools for predicting noise are typically inaccurate and pessimistic; the redesign can be very time consuming and debug intensive; and multiple redesigns may be needed before achieving acceptable results. Another conventional approach is to tighten the loop characteristics of the PLL to limit the exposure to noise-induced disturbances. Drawbacks to this approach include the fact that the loop tightening may impact desired loop dynamics and the difficulty of predicting/modeling noise characteristics. Yet another conventional approach to highly accurate frequency synthesis in the presence of a noisy reference clock is to tighten the requirements on the reference clock networks. Drawbacks to this approach include: increased design time; reference clock networks are not as capacitive (noise resistant) as clock networks; filtering schemes may create slow rise time characteristics that can create skew/jitter concerns; and the difficulty of predicting/modeling noise characteristics.
FIGS. 1A-C illustrate the effect of a noisy reference clock signal REF_CLK on a conventional PLL frequency synthesizer 100 and on the resulting synthesized output signal SYN_OUT. Referring first to FIG. 1A, synthesizer 100 includes a charge pump/loop filter/voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 104 controlled by a phase detector 108 coupled to a "numerator" frequency divider 112 and a "denominator" frequency divider 116. Charge pump/loop filter/VCO 104 has an internal voltage control signal V_CONTROL that drives the VCO so as to generate SYN_OUT signal. Phase detector 108 controls charge pump/loop filter/VCO 104 via V_CONTROL signal using an increase-voltage signal INC_OUT and a decrease-voltage signal DEC_OUT. Numerator frequency divider 112 divides fed-back SYN_OUT signal by a divide-by value "N" to provide a NDIV_OUT signal, and denominator frequency divider 116 divides REF_CLK signal by a divide-by value "D" to provide a DDIV_OUT signal. Consequently, the frequency of SYN_OUT signal equals the frequency of REF_CLK signal multiplied by N and divided by D.
FIG. 1A includes a timing diagram 120 showing the waveforms 124,128,132, 136,140, respectively, of NDIV_OUT, DDIV_OUT, INC_OUT, DEC_OUT and V_CONTROL signals when the PLL portion of synthesizer 100 is stable, i.e., locked onto a clean REF_CLK signal. Note how the leading edges 124A, 128A of the NDIV_OUT and DDIV_OUT signals, respectively, line up with one another so that the pulses 132A, 136A in INC_OUT and DEC_OUT signals are fully aligned so as to cancel each other, thereby resulting in no change to V_CONTROL signal. Thus, there is no change to the frequency of the SYN_OUT signal.
FIG. 1B illustrates the effect of a noisy environment (e.g., chip board, system on chip, etc.) on an originally clean REF_CLK signal waveform 146A that results in a corrupt REF_CLK signal waveform 146B containing a triggering-edge-type glitch 148, i.e., an anomaly in the waveform having edges 148A-B capable of triggering or otherwise impacting the operation of electronic devices (not shown) in the manner that any of the normal, clean-signal edges 150A-D would affect such devices. For example, an edge-triggered latch that latches on a rising normal edge, such as edges 150A, 150C, would likewise latch on a rising edge of a glitch, e.g., rising edge 148B of glitch 148. It is noted that glitch 148 is denoted a "negative" glitch since it occurs in an otherwise high portion of waveform 146B. Although not shown, a "positive" glitch would be an opposite glitch that occurs in a low portion of waveform 146B.
Clean REF_CLK signal waveform 146A is generated by a reference clock driver 152 and travels through a reference clock network 156 to a reference clock receiver 160. Along its way through network 156, clean REF_CLK signal waveform 146A is subject to electrical noise from various sources 164 that can combine (as represented by summer 168) into a noise signal 172 that can cause receiver 160 to falsely switch and cause glitch 148 in corrupt REF_CLK signal waveform 146B. Corrupt REF_CLK signal waveform 146B would then be the input to frequency synthesizer 100 illustrated more particularly in FIG. 1A, which would, in turn, generate an out-of-specification SYN_OUT signal 176 that could cause various faults in circuitry, such as circuitry 178, that is responsive to the SYN_OUT signal.
FIG. 1C shows a timing diagram 180 for conventional PLL frequency synthesizer 100 of FIG. 1A when REF_CLK signal is corrupted by a glitch, such as glitch 148 of FIG. 1B. As seen, the glitch causes the leading edges 182A-B, 184A-B, respectively, of waveforms 182, 184 of NDIV_OUT and DDIV_OUT signals to be misaligned so that the signals are out of phase with each other, i.e., have a phase offsets 186A-B. Consequently, a correction to SYN_OUT signal to account for phase offsets 186A-B is made via changes in waveform 188 of V_CONTROL signal due to the mismatched pulses 190A-B, 192A-B of waveforms 190, 192 of INC_OUT and DEC_OUT signals, respectively. Absent the glitch in REF_CLK signal, waveform 188 of V_CONTROL would have been unchanged so that the frequency of SYN_OUT signal would have remained unchanged. However, the glitch has caused frequency synthesizer 100 to change the phase alignment and/or frequency of SYN_OUT signal, potentially to an extent that causes one or more faults in circuitry 178 (FIG. 1B) responsive to the SYN_OUT signal.

Phase- or frequency-locked loop circuit having a glitch detector for detecting triggering-edge-type glitches in a noisy signal

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention relates to a system and a method for combined use of different types of display with system-controlled, context-dependent information display, having a mobile data processing apparatus and having a plurality of interaction devices which are operated in parallel by the mobile data processing apparatus for display and/or input, and having a higher-level system for monitoring the interaction devices such that at least one respectively suitable output display type is selected as a function of the input parameters.

The invention relates to a system and a method for combined use of different display types in a system-controlled, context-dependent information display.
Such a system and method are used, for example, in the field of automation, for production machines and machine tools, for process automation, for diagnosis/servicing support systems and for complex components, appliances and systems, such as vehicles and industrial machines and plants. One particularly advantageous application relates to augmented reality (AR), a new form of man-machine interaction, in which information is overlaid on the user""s field of view, for example using data goggles. However, the overlaying process is context-dependent, that is to say it is matched to and derived from the object being viewed, for example a component. The actual field of view of a fitter, for example, thus has information that is important to him added by means of overlaid installation instructions. In this case, augmented reality can, inter alia, replace the conventional installation manual. The solution approach proposed here relates to the use of augmented reality (AR) for installation and assembly, and in the field of servicing and maintenance.
The invention is based on the object of providing a system and a method which allow information to be provided as appropriate for the situation and user.
This object is achieved by a system for structuring, preparing and outputting information, with the system containing a number of interaction devices for outputting information to a user and for detecting inputs by the user, and a computer unit which can be carried on the body of the user. The system further includes an interaction monitoring system for controlling and coupling the interaction devices and for evaluating a context, which is defined by input parameters, of a specific work situation for the user. The system then determines the interaction devices and selects the information to be output, in each case as a function of the specific context.
The method according to the invention involves structuring, preparing and outputting information, using a number of interaction devices to output information to a user and to detect inputs from the user. The interaction devices are controlled and coupled by means of an interaction monitoring system in a computer unit which can be carried on the body of the user. A context, defined by input parameters, of a specific user work situation is evaluated, the appropriate interaction devices are determined, and the information to be output in each case is selected as a function of the specific context.
The system is advantageously designed such that the interaction monitoring system contains evaluation means for prioritization of one or more interaction devices, such that the interaction devices contain output means for outputting a result of the prioritization to the user. The user can use the output result to make it easier to decide which interaction device or devices it will be sensible for him to use. The large number of interaction devices used make it possible, in particular, for the information to be both static and dynamic. Depending on the nature of the information, the interaction device that is most suitable for information reproduction is proposed or selected by the interaction monitoring system. The interaction monitoring system is advantageously intended for activation and deactivation of the interaction devices as a function of inputs by the user, so that only the actually desired interaction devices are used in parallel. One particularly suitable interaction device for use in the field of augmented reality is a head mounted display with means for detecting inputs by the user, for example a microphone or keys.

Different display types in a system-controlled, context-dependent information display