A digital synchronization circuit 1000 according to the present invention includes: a polyphase clock generation circuit outputting a plurality of clock signals having the sane frequency and different phases; a selection circuit selecting and outputting one of the plurality of clock signals in accordance with the selection signal; and a selection control circuit outputting a selection signal in accordance with a clock selection signal and the plurality of clock signals. The timing at which a value of the selection signal changes from the first value to the second value is in the period in which potential levels of the clock signals respectively represented by the first and second values are the same. Thus, an output clock signal without any hazard is output which is in synchronization with an input data signal of a plurality of clock signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital synchronization circuit for generating an output clock signal which is in synchronization with a phase of an input data signal.
2. Description of the Background Art
A method of implementing a synchronization circuit for generating an output clock signal which is in synchronization with a phase of an input data signal serially transmitted from an external portion of a chip is disclosed in IEEE JOURNAL OF SOLID-STATE CIRCUITS, Vol. 25, No. 6,DECEMBER 1990, pp. 1385-1394, B. Kim, D. N. Helman and P. Gray, xe2x80x9cA 30-MHz Hybrid Analog/Digital Clock Recovery Circuit in 2-xcexcm CMOS.xe2x80x9d
Disclosed in the reference is a method of generating a desired clock signal by using a polyphase clock signal generated by a voltage controlled oscillator (hereinafter abbreviated as a VCO) including inverter columns connected in a ring like form and whose delay times are controllable.
A polyphase clock generation circuit generating the polyphase clock signal has a PLL (phase locked loop) structure which is controlled such that an oscillation frequency of the VCO is the same as an operation frequency of the input data signal which is input from the external portion of the chip. The signals are separately transmitted from nodes of inverter columns connected in the ring like form in the VCO, so that a plurality of clock signals having different phases but the same phase difference, i.e., polyphase clock signals, are output.
Referring to FIG. 14, a conventional digital synchronization circuit 9000 using polyphase clock signals will be described.
Conventional digital synchronization circuit 9000 includes: a polyphase clock generation circuit 910 outputting clock signals CLK1-CLKn to n signal lines; n-bit latch circuits 920 and 930; a clock phase determination circuit 950; and a selector 960 selecting and outputting one of n clock signals CLK1 to CLKn.
Latch circuit 920 includes n D type flip-flops FF1 to FFn. Flip-flops FFi (i=1 to n) is arranged in correspondence with clock signal CLKi.
Next, an arrangement of conventional digital synchronization circuit 9000 will be described. Clock signals CLK1 to CLKn are respectively connected to clock input terminals of flip-flops FF1 to FFn and the first to nth data input terminals of selector 960. Input data signals DIN are applied to all of data input terminals D of flip-flops FF1 to FFn.
Further, output signals from flip-flops FF1 to FFn are respectively applied to the first to the nth bit data input terminals of latch circuit 30. Clock signal CLKn is applied to the clock input terminal of latch circuit 930.
The n-bit output signal output from latch circuit 930 is applied to the input terminal of clock phase determination circuit 950.
A clock selection signal CSL from clock phase determination circuit 950 is applied to a control input terminal of selector 960, and an output clock signal OUTCLK is output from an output terminal of selector 960.
Now, an operation of conventional digital synchronization circuit 9000 will be described.
Clock signals CLK1 to CLKn having different phases and having the same frequency as that of input data signal DIN are output from polyphase clock generation circuit 910. Input data signals DIN are respective latched at flip-flops FF1 to FFn by clock signals CLK1 to CLKn. More specifically, input data signals DIN are sampled by clock signals CLK1 to CLKn, and the sampled data are retained in flip-flops FF1 to FFn.
The sampled data in FF1 to FFn are received by latch circuit 930 in the next stage by clock signal CLKn.
The n-bit data in latch circuit 930 is applied to clock phase determination circuit 950.
Here, clock phase determination circuit 950 determines the change in potential level of the signal which has been obtained by sampling input data signal DIN in time series, so that a clock selection signal CSL for selecting one of clock signals CLK1 to CLKn is output as a suitable clock signal for correctly sampling input data signal DIN.
Selector 960 selects one of clock signals CLK1 to CLKn in accordance with a value of dock selection signal CSL. The selected signal is output as output clock signal OUTCLK.
As described above, digital synchronization circuit 9000 selects one of clock signals CLK1 to CLKn having a phase in synchronization with input data signal DIN for outputting the selected signal as output clock signal OUTCLK. Thus, the synchronization circuit by digital control is achieved.
In the case of a digital synchronization circuit selecting one of clock signals CLK1 to CLKn by selector 960 for outputting the selected signal as output clock signal OUTCLK in synchronization with input data signal DIN, a hazard, which is an undesirable change in potential level of a signal in a short period of time, may be caused to output clock signal OUTCLK in switching clock signals at a certain transition timing of clock selection signal CSL.
The hazard caused to output clock signal OUTCLK will be described with reference to FIG. 15.
Assume that, at a time t100, the clock signal selected by selector 960 in accordance with the value of clock selection signal CSL switches from clock signal CLKc to CLKc+1. Further, assume that potentials of clock signals CLKc and CLKc+1 are both at an xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level. Here, c=1, 1 less than c  less than nxe2x88x922 (c: integer) or c=nxe2x88x922.
At the time, potentials of clock signals CLKc and CLKc+1 are both at the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level, so that even if the signal selected by selector 960 is switched, no hazard is caused to output clock signal OUTCLK.
Next, at a time t101, assume that the clock signal selected by selector 960 in accordance with the value of clock selection signal CSL switches from clock signal CLKc+1 to CLKc+2. Further, assume that the potential level of clock signal CLKc+1 changes from an xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level to the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level shortly before time t101, and the potential level of clock signal CLKc+2 changes from the xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d to xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level shortly after time t101.
Then, the potential level of output clock signal OUTCLK from selector 960 changes from the xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d to xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level shortly before time t101, then to the xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level at t101, and further to xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level shortly after the t101.
More specifically, a hazard is caused to the potential of output clock signal OUTCLK, that is characterized by undesirable changes in potential level in a short period of time.
The hazard caused to output clock signal OUTCLK would adversely affect the operation of the external circuit receiving output clock signal OUTCLK.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital synchronization circuit capable of outputting an output clock signal which is stably in synchronization with an input data signal without causing a hazard.
The digital synchronization circuit according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a clock generation circuit generating a plurality of clock signals having substantially the same frequency and having different phases; a selection circuit selectively outputting corresponding one having plurality of clock signals in accordance with a first selection signal; a clock determination circuit sampling the input data signal using the plurality of clock signals and selecting one of the plurality of clock signals based on the sampling result for outputting a second selection signal indicating the selection result; and a selection control circuit adjusting a timing at which the second selection circuit changes and outputting the first selection signal. The selection control circuit changes a value of the first selection signal from a first value to a second value in a period in which potentials of clock signals represented by the first and second values match in response to the change in value of the second selection signal from the first value to the second value.
Preferably, the selection control circuit includes: a clock selection circuit selectively outputting a clock signal represented by the value of the second selection signal of the plurality of clock signals; and a latch circuit latching the second selection signal and outputting the first selection signal in accordance with an output from the clock selection circuit.
Preferably, the selection control circuit includes a clock selection circuit having a plurality of first data input terminals respectively arranged in correspondence with the plurality of clock signals and supplied with respective clock signals, a first control input terminal supplied with the second selection signal, and a first output terminal. The clock selection circuit selects of the plurality of first data input terminals in accordance with the second selection signal for outputting the clock signal applied to the selected first data input terminal from the first output terminal. The selection control circuit further includes a latch circuit having a clock input terminal receiving the clock signal output from the first output terminal, a second data input terminal supplied with the second selection signal and a second output terminal. The latch circuit latches the second selection signal in accordance with an input to the clock input terminal for outputting the first selection signal from the second output terminal. The selection circuit includes a plurality of third data input terminals respectively arranged in correspondence with the plurality of clock signals and supplied with corresponding clock signals, a second control input terminal supplied with the second selection signal, and a third output terminal. The selection circuit selects one of the plurality of third data input terminals in accordance with the first selection signal for outputting the clock signal supplied to the selected third data input terminal from the third output terminal.
Particularly, the digital synchronization circuit further includes a plurality of signal lines transmitting the plurality of clock signals which are connected to the plurality of the first and third data input terminals such that the clock signals respectively represented by values of the second and first selection signals and input to the first and third data input terminals are the same when the values of the second and first selection signals are the same. Alternatively, the plurality of signal lines are connected to the plurality of first and third data input terminals such that there is a prescribed phase difference in the clock signals respectively represented by the values of the second and first selection signals and input to the first and third data input terminals when the values of the second and first selection signals are the same.
Preferably, the clock determination circuit selects one of the plurality of clock signals that changes in a prescribed relationship with respect to a transition timing of the input data signal, and outputs the second selection signal representing the selected clock signal. Particularly, the clock determination circuit selects one of the plurality of clock signals that rises or falls at the timing which is the closest to a prescribed timing of the input data signal in an input period.
According to the digital synchronization circuit, the value of the first selection signal can be changed at a timing different from that at which the value of the second selection signal is changed.
Accordingly, a transition in the first selection signal is achieved when potentials of two clock signals to be switched are the same, so that a clock signal without any hazard is obtained as an output from the selection circuit.
A digital synchronization circuit according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a clock generation circuit generating a plurality of clock signals having substantially the same frequency and having different phases; a clock determination circuit sampling an input data signal using the plurality of clock signals and selecting one of the plurality of clock signals based on the sampling result for outputting a selection signal indicating the selection result; a selection circuit selecting and outputting one of the plurality of clock signals having a prescribed phase difference with respect to the clock signal represented by the value of the selection signal; and a logic circuit eliminating and outputting a high frequency component from an output from the selection circuit.
Preferably, a prescribed amount of time is required after input of the signal to the selection circuit and before output of the corresponding signal from the logic circuit. The selection circuit selects a clock signal with a phase which is advanced with respect to that of the clock signal represented by the value of the selection signal by a prescribed amount of time.
Particularly, the selection circuit includes a plurality of data input terminals respectively arranged in correspondence with the plurality of clock signals and supplied with corresponding clock signals, a control input terminal supplied with the selection signal, and an output terminal. The selection circuit selects one of the plurality of data input terminals that is supplied with the clock signal having a prescribed phase difference with respect to the dock signal represented by the value of the selection signal for outputting the clock signal applied to the selected data input terminal from the output terminal.
Alternatively, the selection circuit may include a calculation circuit shifting the value of the selection signal by an amount corresponding to the prescribed phase difference and a circuit including a plurality of data input terminals respectively arranged in correspondence with the plurality of clock signals and supplied with corresponding clock signals; a control input terminal supplied with an output from the calculation circuit and output terminal. The circuit selects one of the plurality of data input terminals that is supplied with a clock signal represented by the value of the output from the calculation circuit for outputting the clock signal applied to the selected data input terminal from the output terminal.
Preferably, the clock determination circuit selects one of the plurality of clock signals that changes in a prescribed relationship with respect to a transition timing of the input data signal for outputting the selection signal representing the selected clock signal. Particularly, the clock determination circuit selects one of the plurality of clock signals that rises or falls at a timing which is the closest to a prescribed timing of the input data signal in an input period.
Preferably, the logic circuit includes a filter circuit for eliminating a high frequency component, and a waveform adjusting circuit for adjusting an output waveform from the filter circuit. The waveform adjusting circuit includes a logic gate circuit.
According to the above mentioned digital synchronization circuit, the clock signal having a phase advanced by a propagation delay time caused by the selection circuit and the logic circuit is selected, and the signal obtained by eliminating the high frequency component from the selected clock signal is output. Thus, an adverse affect of the propagation delay time caused by the selection circuit and the logic circuit is eliminated and the clock signal without any hazard can effectively be obtained.
Further, the filter circuit for eliminating the high frequency component from the selection output signal and the waveform adjusting circuit for adjusting undesired variations in the output signal waveform from the filter circuit are provided, whereby a signal without being adversely affected by a hazard is effectively and readily be obtained even if a hazard is caused to the output signal from the selection circuit.
Furthermore, the waveform adjusting circuit is in the form of the logic gate circuit, so that a circuit scale can effectively be reduced.

Digital synchronization circuit provided with circuit for generating polyphase clock signal


A method and apparatus for reducing erosion and friction losses in a wellbore using a power cabled deployed electric submersible pump (ESP). The apparatus can include an ESP disposed within production tubing, wherein a portion of the production tubing surrounding the ESP contains fluid openings that are operable to allow produced fluids to flow outward, thereby increasing the available volume for the produced fluids. The increased volume results in lower fluid velocities of the produced fluid, which advantageously reduces erosion and friction loss.

For certain production wells, artificial lift systems can become necessary when the natural pressure within the underground reservoir is no longer adequate to naturally push produced fluids to the surface. Electric submersible pumps (ESPs) are often used in these situations. Electric power is transmitted from the surface via an umbilical power cable to the downhole ESP. Conventionally, ESPs were deployed at the end of production tubing, with the power cable installed outside the production tubing. However, electrical failures were often associated with this type of setup, and anytime there was an electrical failure, a rig had to be brought in to pull out the production tubing and the ESP.
In an effort to overcome this problem, alternative ESP systems were developed. One such system is a power cable deployed ESP system. In this system, the power cable is used to transmit power, as well as to support the ESP itself. In this alternate setup, both the power cable and the ESP are installed inside the production tubing.
In order to improve overall safety for a power cable deployed ESP system, well control can employ a deep set surface controlled subsurface safety valve (SCSSV). The SCSSV is installed in the production tubing below the ESP. The SCSSV is designed to be fail-safe, so that the wellbore is isolated in the event of any system failure or damage to the surface production-control facilities. An example of a prior art setup is shown in FIG. 1.
In FIG. 1, production tubing 40 is disposed within casing 20. ESP 90 is supported by power cable 100, as well as production tubing 40 via isolation member 120. Casing 20 has perforations 22 in a producing region 30 of an underground reservoir. Produced fluids enter casing 20 through perforations 22. The produced fluids then travel through the safety valve 80 into an inner volume 105 of production tubing 40, and flow through a narrow gap between ESP 90 and production tubing 40. The produced fluid then enters ESP 90 via intake slots 97, travels through medial pump body portion 98, and exits ESP 90 above isolation member 120 via discharge slots 111. The produced fluid is now back within production tubing 40 (at a point above isolation member 120), where it can be pumped to the surface. Lower packer 50 prevents produced fluids from traveling up the annular region formed between production tubing 40 and casing 20.
In these types of setups, the fluid velocity of the production fluids can get quite high due to the narrow gap between the production tubing and the ESP. In typical installations, the narrow gap can range from 0.079 inch to 0.225 inch, depending on the size of the production tubing and chosen ESP. For a typical target rate of 6,000 barrels per day (bpd) production using production tubing of 4½ inch, the fluid velocity of the produced fluid coming through this gap can be 70 ft/s. For 5½ inch tubing, the velocity can still reach 40 ft/s. However, at fluid velocities in this range, the ESP system can fail quickly due to erosion. Additionally, at high velocities such as these, the frictional losses are quite significant. Overcoming frictional losses is usually achieved using longer motors and longer pumps; however, doing this increases the capital costs. Additionally, longer equipment increases installation difficulties, particularly for live well deployment with a surface lubricator. As such, ESP systems are typically only operated at 1,000 to 2,000 bpd.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an ESP system that did not suffer from erosion or high friction losses at production rates higher than 2,000 bpd.

Apparatus and methods for well completion design to avoid erosion and high friction loss for power cable deployed electric submersible pump systems


In various embodiments, methods and systems for game development based on an integrated game development cloud computing platform are provided. Development components that facilitate game development using an integrated game-cloud component are initiated. An input is received to perform a game development task. The game development task is associated with one or more games. The game development task is executed using the integrated game-cloud component. The integrated game-cloud component comprises a game-development-platform development component and a cloud-computing-platform development component combined into an integrated development component supported on the integrated game development cloud computing platform. The game development task can be associated with a first game-platform and a second game-platform of a selected game. The game-platform functions with a cross-platform support component having an integrated core module and an integrated game-platform module.

Game development publishers develop different types of games for a variety of gaming consoles and systems. Games are developed using game development platforms that can also facilitate the deployment of games. Game development platforms can be accessed through a dedicated game development infrastructure including as a cloud-based service on cloud computing platforms. In particular, cloud-based game services are implemented as separate programming models, Software Development Kits (SDKs), tools, graphical user interfaces, and billing models on cloud computing platforms. In this regard, conventional techniques for providing cloud-based game development platforms are not effective in facilitating an integrated game development cloud computing platform because conventional techniques fail to provide comprehensive support for game development such as game deployment and game management.

Integrated game development cloud computing platform


Methods for reconfiguring an atrioventricular heart valve that may use systems comprising a partial or complete annuloplasty rings proportioned to reconfigure a heart valve that has become in some way incompetent, a pair of trigonal sutures or implantable anchors, and a plurality of staples which may have pairs of legs that are sized and shaped for association with the ring at spaced locations along its length. These systems permit relative axial movement between the staples and the ring, whereby a patient's heart valve can be reconfigured in a manner that does not deter subtle shifting of the native valve components. Shape-memory alloy material staples may have legs with free ends that interlock following implantation. Annuloplasty rings may be complete or partial and may be fenestrated. One alternative method routes a flexible wire, preferably of shape-memory material, through the bights of pre-implanted staples. Other alternative systems use linkers of shape-memory material having hooked ends to interengage with staples or other implanted supports which, following implantation, decrease in effective length and pull the staples or other supports toward one another so as to create desired curvature of the reconfigured valve. These linkers may be separate from the supports or may be integral with them and may have a variety of shapes and forms. Various of these systems may be implanted non-invasively using a delivery catheter.

Rheumatic, connective tissue or ischemic heart diseases may heavily affect the configuration of the atrioventricular heart valves. Diseased valves may become narrow, incompetent or both. A great many patients suffering from ischemic heart disease, who previously underwent myocardial infarctions, consequently develop various degrees of mitral valve incompetence. Typically in those patients, the valve may grossly seem to be normal; yet its annulus is dilated, causing coaptation or interengagement of the leaflets to be disturbed and resulting in incompetence of the valve. Such patients will benefit from an annuloplasty as a repair, either alone or in addition to a revascularization procedure, i.e. coronary artery bypass surgery. Most but not all mitral and tricuspid valves are amenable to reconstruction, and the etiology of valvular disease has an important bearing on the indication for repair. A rheumatic valve is probably the most difficult to conserve; conversely, degenerative valves with thin and redundant tissue, elongated or ruptured chordae, and/or a dilated annulus are very likely to be repairable. Ischemic regurgitation can often be repaired with annuloplasty.
Annuloplasty rings have now become essential components of reconstructive surgery of the mitral and tricuspid valves. Their safety and durability have been proven in numerous clinical studies that have occurred since their genesis in the late 1960's when Dr. Alain Carpentier introduced the prosthetic ring. This completely rigid ring had the systolic shape of the mitral and tricuspid valve; once sutured in place, the ring permanently stabilized the valve annulus into this shape. He designed a series of multi-sized fabric-covered rings with a stainless steel or a titanium core, which were configured to approximate the original shape of the diseased or dysfunctional valve annulus. Multiple sutures were sewn around the periphery of the annulus creating an entire circle of guide lines. The ring was positioned on the valve annulus, and the guide lines were then attached to the ring and used to draw the valve opening to the configuration of the ring (which would be the approximate shape of the original valve annulus). Although Dr. Carpenter's method could significantly improve valve function, some surgeons believe that the rigid structure of rings of this type may compromise the natural flexibility of the valve components. An open or partial ring annuloplasty prosthesis is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,046; it discloses a uniquely shaped open ring useful for mitral and tricuspid annuloplasty having a special velour exterior.
Subsequent experimental and clinical echocardiographic studies showed that the mitral and tricuspid annuli change continuously in size and shape during the cardiac cycle. These results induced Dr. Carlos Duran, in 1975, to develop a completely flexible ring that could adapt to such changes. His fully flexible annuloplasty ring could only be shortened in the posterior segment by the placement of placating sutures; however, judgment of the position, size and spacing of these sutures requires skill and experience. Other adjustable annuloplasty rings are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,042,979 and 4,290,151. Another type of flexible ring design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,860 which includes an open ring in the form of a wide, flexible ligament that is implanted into the valve annulus. The ligament is typically made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene to provide flexibility, promote tissue ingrowth and allow sutures to readily pass therethrough.
Although flexible rings may avoid constraining the natural flexibility of the annulus while still improving valve function, there are some disadvantages in using flexible rings. For example, when the suture spacing along the annulus is not matched to the spacing on the ring, tension in the tissue may result and cause tissue puckering. Loss of annulus flexibility may also occur over time should scarring and stiffening of the valve annulus develop as a result of the large number of sutures needed, and such may result in a valve physiology that is similar to that of a rigid ring, somewhat compromising the natural flexibility of the valve.
Studies were also done as to determine whether these flexible annuloplasty rings would entirely correct the problems witnessed with regard to annuloplasty rings in general. As a result, it is believed that such a flexible ring may lower the risk of dehiscence because of reduced tension on sutures that would otherwise occur during systole, and such may also reduce the negative consequences of somewhat inaccurate placement of annuloplasty ring sutures, which could result in malrotation of the ring. It is also felt that such may minimize the risk of systolic anterior motion (SAM) when a left ventricular outflow tract obstruction occurs, which is a potential and fairly frequent complication associated with the use of a completely rigid ring in the mitral position. However, they still have not proved to be a complete solution to these problems.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,338, issued Feb. 25, 2003, shows the stapling of a flexible, generally C-shaped band that fits over the prosterior valve annulus of a mitral valve while it is being held in place in the annulus by a positioning instrument to which it is releasably sutured. Staples stored in a magazine of a stapling device are individually fed from a delivery section at spaced locations along the outer periphery of the flexible band so as to attach outer regions of the band to the heart tissue.
With the improvements in cardiopulmonary bypass and myocardial protection on one hand and in life expectancy on the other hand, an increase in interest in valve reconstructions and demand for improved novel technologies is foreseen. With careful patient selection, valve reconstruction should exhibit significant benefits compared with valve replacement, to wit: (1) decreased operative mortality and late mortality rates; (2) improved hemodynamics due to better preservation of left ventricular function; (3) fewer thromboembolic complications and reduced risk anticoagulant-related hemorrhage, particularly when compared with the installation of mechanical prostheses; (4) reduced risk of infected endocarditis; (5) greater durability leading to lower percentage of reoperations; and (6) reduced operating costs.
In summary, the prevailing techniques that are now used throughout the world, without resorting to a full valve replacement, generally employ an annuloplasty ring to reduce a great part of the circumference of the valve. This is accomplished by suturing into place an elastic, semi-rigid or rigid ring that is smaller than the native annulus being reduced; the ring may be of a closed shape or an open band or C-shape. Installation takes place using regular sutures, in much the same manner as when a full valve replacement is carried out, and the procedure may consume as much time as a full valve replacement, for example, an average of about 35 to 45 minutes. Accordingly, improved annuloplasty systems and methods of reducing this time of surgery have continued to be sought.

Implantation system for annuloplasty rings


The present invention relates to an electronic control unit and a method for compensating for a torque steer. The electronic control unit includes: a driving torque calculation unit that calculates a drive shaft driving torque value, which is a torque value transmitted from an engine to a drive shaft; a torque steer degree calculation unit that calculates the actual driving torque value of a vehicle based on the drive shaft driving torque value, and calculates a torque steer degree by using the actual driving torque value; a compensation current calculation unit that calculates a torque steer compensation current value that compensates for the torque steer using the torque steer degree; a direction compensation unit that calculates a direction compensation current value according to a travelling direction of the vehicle; and a motor driving control unit that calculates a basic control current value using a steering angle and a steering torque value, calculates the final control current value by adding the torque steer compensation current value and the direction compensation current value to the basic control current value, and generates a control current according to the final control current value in order to supply the control current value to an electric motor.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an electronic control unit and a method for compensating for a torque steer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, the phenomenon in which the body shell of a vehicle is tilted to one side as a result of a difference between the driving forces of the left and right wheels when the vehicle abruptly starts is called a torque steer phenomenon.
The causes of the torque steer include the difference between the lengths of the left and right drive shafts and the difference between the bending angles of the left and right drive shafts.
The method of solving the torque steer includes a method of adding an intermediate shaft to a short drive shaft in order to make the lengths of the drive shafts and bending angles the same and also includes a method of compensating for a torque steer by using a power steering system.
Among them, the conventional method of compensating for a torque steer using a power steering system is to estimate the degree of the torque steer by using an engine RPM, an engine torque, an acceleration pedal manipulation degree, and the speed of the vehicle by an electronic control unit (ECU) of a power steering system and to apply a compensation current to an electric motor that is proportional to the estimated torque steer.
In the above-mentioned conventional method, a torque steer degree is estimated by using indirect information on a torque steer, such as an engine RPM, an engine torque, an acceleration pedal manipulation degree, and the speed of the vehicle, and because direct information on a torque steer, such as the slip degrees of the left and right wheels of the vehicle is not used, a torque steer degree that may vary according to a change in the slip degrees of the wheels of the vehicle cannot be precisely recognized.
Accordingly, if a torque steer is compensated for in an electronic control unit of a power steering system according to the conventional method, the torque steer that occurs cannot actually be appropriately reduced.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Electronic control unit for compensating for torque steer


A new and distinct cultivar of Viola plant named ‘Halo Sky Blue’, characterized by its white and violet-blue colored flowers having a central yellow splotch, medium green-colored foliage, and moderate to vigorous, mounded-spreading growth habit, is disclosed.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Viola plant botanically known as Viola cornuta and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'Halo Sky Blue'.
The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Guadalupe, Calif. during April 2007. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Viola cultivars having large flowers with distinctive flower coloration and a mounded-spreading growth habit.
The new Viola cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Viola cornuta breeding selection coded 20214-2, not patented, characterized by its violet-blue colored flowers having a central yellow splotch, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, mounded growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Viola cornuta breeding selection coded 20634-4, not patented, characterized by dark purple-colored flowers having a central yellow splotch, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, spreading growth habit. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during September 2007 in a controlled environment in Guadalupe, Calif.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since September 2007 in Guadalupe, Calif. and Elburn, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.


A method is disclosed to form a shallow trench isolation (STI) having reduced junction leakage by avoiding undercutting near the shoulder of the trench. This is accomplished by using the pad oxide as a screen oxide and not removing it by wet dip etch as is normally practiced. Instead, an extra layer of low temperature oxide is added through thermal growth, and then the resulting composite is removed together with minimal undercutting at the shoulder corners of the trench. Subsequently, gate oxide is grown thermally to complete the forming of the STI.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices in general, and more particularly, to a method of forming shallow trench isolation without corner leakage effects.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Trench structures in semiconductors are employed for various purposes, such as for replacement of LOCOS (local oxidation of silicon) isolation for like devices within the same tub in a CMOS device, or for isolation of n-channel from p-channel devices, or as trench-capacitor structures in DRAMS, or for isolation of bipolar devices. Shallow refilled trenches are used primarily for isolating devices of the same type, and trench-capacitor structures are normally fabricated with narrow, deep trenches. By virtue of the shape of a trench, there usually results a sharp corner or shoulder where the trench intersects with the surface within which the trench is formed. Consequently, concentration of the electric-field occurs at the sharp corner region which in turn causes the lowering of the threshold voltage of the corner region, and this part of the device turns on at a lower voltage than does the interior portion of the device. As is known in the art, the problem is exacerbated if there is a downward step in the field oxide adjacent the trench. The larger the step, the lower the threshold voltage, and unwanted subthreshold conduction begins at progressively lower values of the gate voltage. It is disclosed later in the embodiments of this invention a method of eliminating these common but undesirable steps at the trench corners and shoulders.
In prior art, several techniques have been developed to minimize the parasitic leakage caused by the electricfiled concentration at the trench corner. Because the trench corner can be made sharper by successive process steps during manufacturing, one approach is to protect the corner from the effects of subsequent processes.
Mandelman, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,422 uses a corner dielectric co-aligned with the trench corner extending a subminimum dimension distance from the corner. The corner dielectric serves as a spacer and is formed as shown in FIGS. 1a-1f. In FIG. 1a, a silicon substrate (10) is provided with pad oxide (20) and nitride surface coating (30). Window (40) with nearly vertical sidewall (35) is photolithographically defined in surface coating (30) and oxide layer (20) as shown in FIG. 1b. Trench (45) is etched, defined by window (40) as illustrated in FIG. 1c. It will be noted that now the intersection of oxide layer (20) and trench (45) forms trench corner (17). Trench (45) and window (40) are then filled with insulator (50). Insulator (50) is then polished, stopping on surface coating (30) (not shown). Then surface coating (30) is removed leaving insulator (50) with nearly vertical sidewalls (55) extending above the surface (13) of silicon substrate (10) as shown in FIG. 1d. It will be known by those skilled in the art that during isotropic etches used in standard semiconductor processing after trench (45) is filled with insulator (50), trench corner (17) becomes exposed. During the commonly used wet-etch process, sidewall (55) retreats to (53) while a groove-like recess (51) is formed, as shown by broken lines in FIG. 1d. In other words, corner (17) becomes sharpened further and hence more susceptible to electric-field concentration. In order to avoid this, Mandelman, et al., provide spacer (60) self-aligned to sidewall (55) of insulator (50) by performing standard process of depositing a spacer insulator having a desired thickness and then directionally etching to selectively remove the spacer insulator from horizontal surfaces as shown in FIG. 1e. Finally, gate dielectric (70) is formed by conventional processing, gate conductor (80) deposited and photolithographically defined. Thus, gate conductor (80) is spaced from corner (17) by corner dielectric (60) and the electric field in the corner region is significantly reduced.
In another approach, Barden in U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,034 discloses a method for forming a DRAM cell having a capacitor adjacent a field effect transistor (FET), wherein the FET fabrication area is protected from adverse effects of the capacitor formation. Barden accomplishes this by forming edge-sealed multi-layer structure while protecting adjacent region by screen oxide layer.
Lur of U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,790, on the other hand, discloses a method of partial trench etching to form at least one narrow trench, followed by anneal-treatment to release stress and eliminate crystalline defects, therein. Isolating material is then filled into the narrow trench to form a complete stress-free isolation layer.
An improved LOCOS device isolation method for forming a field oxide is disclosed by Nguyen, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,364. In one embodiment of the invention a silicon substrate is provided having a pad oxide formed on its surface and a first polysilicon stress-relief buffer layer formed overlying the first polysilicon layer. Next, a second polysilicon, etch-resistant buffer layer is deposited overlying the first nitride layer. The first nitride layer and second polysilicon layer are patterned by conventional lithography while the fist polysilicon and pad oxide layers remained unpatterned. A second nitride layer is deposited overlying the patterned second polysilicon layer and exposed regions of the first polysilicon layer. Sidewalls are formed on the edges of the patterned first nitride and second polysilicon layers by anisotropically etching the second nitride layer using the first and second polysilicon layers as etching endpoints. Finally, the field oxide is grown by conventional methods. The grown field oxide exhibits reduced the well-known bird's beak length, and the resulting field separation is not limited by optical lithography resolution.
In still another approach, Liao teaches in U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,162, a method for forming field-oxide regions for a ROM (read-only-memory) cell where channels with concave shapes are formed to increase the effective channel length of the device.
In the present invention, a method is described where the integrity of the trench corner is protected from unwanted process induced alterations by using pad oxide as a screen oxide and by eliminating the wet etching of the trench oxide.

Formation of shallow trench isolation (STI)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company


A compact bidet assembly having external adjustment is mounted to the rear undersurface of a seat of a conventional toilet. A body having a fixed element connected to a source of water by means of flexible tubing hidden under the seat has an adjacent rotatable element and internal passageway leading to a nozzle. The nozzle rotates in response to a hidden control rod having a handle extended just beyond the seat edge and aligned to indicate the directional position of the nozzle, the nozzle being rotatable in a vertical arc to about 15 degrees above horizontal (seat down) to at least 30 degrees below horizontal. A control valve assembly provides water preadjusted for temperature and pressure to the bidet assembly by off-on control with the initial surge of warmup water being diverted to the bowl under the seat. An alternate control valve assembly is provided to replace the sink faucet assembly one mode supplying water through a diverter valve to the bidet and another mode diverting water to the sink faucet.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to bidet assemblies primarily intended for retrofit usage on a conventional toilet; more specifically, a compact bidet assembly operated by external means and mounted hidden from view on the undersurface of a toilet seat.
2. Background of the Prior Art
Bidets have not been widely accepted in the United States, in spite of the many benefits. Bidets provide enhanced cleanliness and avoid the use of toilet paper which is an increasing ecological concern. Individuals with hemorrhoids or other medical conditions or those recuperating from surgery find the bidet essential. There is increased marine use of bidets because of the clogging problem caused by the paper that is normally used.
A number of shortcomings are seen in the prior art bidet devices. Many of the devices have a fixed nozzle which leaves the user with no control over the application of cleansing water which given sufficient pressure can spray out onto the user's legs. Some devices provide a nozzle located some distance below the seat which requires reaching down into the bowl to obtain adjustment of the spray.
Those that have adjustable nozzles, such as Kuo, U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,688, Oct. 21, 1986 or Sussman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,553, Aug. 16, 1977, either have complicated adjustment mechanisms as in Kuo or undesirable bridging support structure which interferes with the operators washing motions, are crude and have a tendency to accumulate unsightly elimination materials.
The present invention solves the problems of unsightliness by providing a compact externally adjusted bidet assembly for unobtrusive attachment on the undersurface of a toilet seat hidden from view. The unit is constructed of only a few separate elements which are inexpensive and foolproof. Installation is the ultimate of simplicity. Water temperature can be adjusted comfortably before contacting the user.

Compact bidet assembly with external adjustment


At a time of carrying out a laser cutting processing in a direction intersecting with a processing line at which the laser cutting processing for a work has been carried out, a laser cutting speed is decelerated before a laser beam reaches the processing line at an initial laser cutting speed, and the laser cutting speed is accelerated when an axial center of the laser beam is positioned within a prescribed range in vicinity of a central position of the processing line, and the laser cutting speed is returned to the initial laser cutting speed, in vicinity of a position at which the axial center of the laser beam crosses the processing line. Also, when the axial center of the laser beam and the central position of the processing line almost coincide, the laser output is made to be almost zero.

When a laser cutting processing is to be carried out by arranging a plurality of products on a plate shaped work adjacently, the laser cutting processing is carried out with a borderline of each product as a common cutting line (a crosspiece width sharing line) (see Patent Document 1).
In this Patent Document 1, a laser cutting processing method shown in FIG. 1 is described. Namely, as shown in FIG. 1, in this laser cutting processing method, a plurality of products WP, each in a cross shape having a hole H at a central portion, are arranged on a plate shaped work W in plural rows in an X-axis direction and plural lines in a Y-axis direction, and each product WP is cut and separated from the work W by the laser cutting processing.
In that case, first, the laser cutting processing is carried out for each hole H of each product WP and spaces S between products WP, and after that, the cutting of a borderline (a crosspiece width sharing line) of each product WP is carried out. In this cutting of the borderline, the laser cutting processing for lines L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5 is carried out sequentially, and finally the laser cutting processing for an outer circumference is carried out along a line L6.


Organopolysilazanes or organopoly(disilyl)silazanes having controlled physicochemical properties, well adapted for shaping and pyrolysis into useful ceramic articles, are prepared by catalytically polymerizing a silazane monomer to a desired degree of polymerization, and then, either during or upon completion of polymerization, contacting the polymerization reaction medium with at least one adsorbent material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the preparation of organopolysilazanes and/or organopoly(disilyl)silazanes having controlled physicochemical properties, and, more especially, to the preparation of polysilazanes particularly suited for the production of ceramic materials and shaped articles based on silicon nitride and/or silicon carbide, for example fibrous such materials/shaped articles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Organopolysilazanes and organopoly(disilyl)silazanes, hereinafter designated "polysilazanes", are well known products existing as monomers, oligomers and cyclic or linear polymers, and also as polymer resins. These polysilazanes may be prepared by a wide variety of processes from a broad range of starting materials.
The polysilazanes may in particular be shaped and pyrolyzed into Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, SiC or mixtures thereof. They may also be extruded as continuous filaments, the pyrolysis of which yields ceramic fibers.
They may also be in the form of a more or less thin film, or solid molded pieces, and used as a binder of ceramic or carbon fibers and as a sintering binder for porous ceramic shaped articles. The variety of possible forms of the polysilazanes is one of their principal advantages.
To produce good ceramic precursors, the polysilazanes must be converted, after pyrolysis, into ceramic materials in a high yield by weight. It is therefore necessary that the polysilazane have good heat resistance in pyrolysis, which may be provided in particular by a high molecular weight and/or a high viscosity of up to the solid state at ambient temperature.
The monomers or oligomers produced by the conventional ammonolysis of one or more organochlorosilanes are not good precursors, in particular because of their low boiling point temperatures. Pyrolysis thus entails their distillation, at least if it is not carried out under a high pressure, and consequently the ceramic yields are especially low. It will thus be apparent that serious need exists in this art for macromolecular polysilazane backbones having molecular weights sufficiently high to obviate the above problem.
To this end, the catalytic polymerization of silazanes to produce materials having appreciably improved ceramic yields after pyrolysis has already been proposed to this art.
Such polymerization also makes it possible to produce polysilazanes that are solid at ambient temperature and which melt at higher temperatures, thus being potentially extrudable.
However, these polymerization reactions, although they effectively increase the molecular weight of the polysilazanes, have several disadvantages, principally related to the fact that to date it has not been possible to control and deactivate them when the polysilazane, over the course of the polymerization, has attained adequate physicochemical properties for its subsequent conversion.
Therefore, by controlling the degree of polymerization of the polysilazane, it would be possible to control its melting temperature and consequently its forming temperature, which necessarily must be lower than the temperature of onset of degradation of the polymer.
On the other hand, nonnegligible residual amounts of the catalyst may still be present in the formed and recovered polysilazane, such that even following the polymerization stage proper, the polysilazane can continue to increase in molecular weight at ambient temperature and/or during a subsequent treatment and/or forming. This is manifested principally by an uncontrollable increase in the melting point of the polymer, which may be very deleterious in industrial production (handling of polymer stocks, control of materials for the conversion thereof).

Controlled polymerization of silazane monomers


The object of the present invention is to provide a diffusion preventing film capable of inhibiting diffusion of Cu into an insulator film when Cu is used as a wiring material. This objective is attained by forming the diffusion preventing film from a crystalline WCN film. The WCN film, when subjected to X-ray diffraction, shows peaks at a first position between 36xc2x0 to 38xc2x0 and at a second position between 42xc2x0 to 44xc2x0. The half-width of the peak at the first position is 3.2xc2x0 or less, and the half-width of the peak at the second position is 2.6xc2x0 or less. Since the WCN film has satisfactory coverage, it can form a thick barrier film in a concave with a high aspect ratio.

This invention relates to a technique for preventing diffusion of copper from a wiring layer formed of the copper into an insulator film in a semiconductor device.
To achieve high integration of semiconductor devices, contrivances, such as miniscule patterning and multilayering of circuits, are under way. Among them is a technique for forming a multiplayer interconnection. To impart a multiplayer interconnection structure, an nth wiring layer and an (n+1)th wiring layer are connected together by a conductor layer, and a thin film, called an interlayer insulator film, is formed in a region other than the conductor layer.
An aluminum (Al) layer has been used as a wiring layer. In recent years, it has been studied to use copper (Cu), which is lower in resistance than Al and withstands electromigration, as a wiring material. The Cu has a much greater diffusion coefficient than that of Al, and tends to diffuse into silicon and an oxide film.
In using Cu for wiring, therefore, a barrier film about 200 angstroms thick, for example, needs to be formed between the insulator film and the Cu wiring layer in order to prevent Cu diffusion into the device. As a material for the barrier film, the use of TiN, TaN or WN has been considered. With the recent increase in the integration of semiconductor devices, the aspect ratio of a via hole or the like has become greater. Thus, the use of WCxNy with better coverage has been proposed (e.g., see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10-209073).
This publication discloses a technology for depositing a thin film of WCxNy having an amorphous structure, by reacting a starting material gas containing W, such as WF6, W(N(CH3)2)6, or W(N(C2H5)2)6, a hydrocarbon gas, such as CH4, and a nitrogen supply source, such as a nitrogen plasma.
However, since the WCxNy film obtained by the above method has an amorphous structure, it crystallizes from the amorphous structure in response to temperature, and this structural change of the film poses the problem of deteriorating the barrier properties.
The object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device with a copper diffusion preventing film having high barrier properties, and a method of making the semiconductor device.
To attain this objective, the present invention provides a semiconductor device, which includes: an insulator film formed on a substrate; a wiring layer of copper formed on the insulator film; and a copper diffusion preventing film, formed between the insulator film and the wiring film, that prevents copper diffusion from the wiring layer to the insulator film.
The copper diffusion preventing film is preferably a crystalline film, that, when subjected to X-ray diffraction, shows peaks at a first position at 36 degrees or more, but 38 degrees or less, and at a second position at 42 degrees or more, but 44 degrees or less. The higher the crystallinity of the copper diffusion preventing film, the higher the barrier properties. The crystallinity can be expressed as the half-width of the peak. The copper diffusion preventing film preferably has a half-width of 3.2 degrees or less for the peak at the first position at 36xc2x0 to 38xc2x0, and preferably has a half-width of 2.6 degrees or less for the peak at the second position at 42xc2x0 to 44xc2x0.
The copper diffusion preventing film may be formed from a film containing tungsten and carbon.
The present invention also provides a method of making a semiconductor device, which includes the steps of converting a gas containing tungsten, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen into a plasma, and forming a crystalline copper diffusion preventing film by means of the plasma, the copper diffusion preventing film containing tungsten, carbon and nitrogen, and, when subjected to X-ray diffraction, showing peaks at a first position at 36 degrees or more, but 38 degrees or less, and at a second position at 42 degrees or more, but 44 degrees or less in X-ray diffraction, wherein a process temperature during formation of the copper diffusion preventing film is 250xc2x0 C. or higher, preferably 250xc2x0 C. to 500xc2x0 C.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for producing a semiconductor device, which includes the steps of converting a gas containing tungsten, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen into a plasma, and forming a crystalline copper diffusion preventing film by means of the plasma, the copper diffusion preventing film containing tungsten, carbon and nitrogen, and, when subjected to X-ray diffraction, showing peaks at a first position at 36 degrees or more, but 38 degrees or less, and at a second position at 42 degrees or more, but 44 degrees or less in X-ray diffraction, wherein a process pressure during formation of the copper diffusion preventing film is 10 pa or less, preferably 5 pa or less.
The gas containing tungsten, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen preferably includes a hydrocarbon gas. In this case, the hydrocarbon gas preferably has a multiple bond. Also preferably, the gas containing tungsten, carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen includes a carbon-fluorine compound gas.
In performing the method of the present invention, it is preferred to generate a plasma by an interaction between a high frequency wave and a magnetic field, and to convert the gas into a plasma with the use of the plasma.

Semiconductor device having multilayer interconnection structure and method of making the same


Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described that may enable a user equipment (UE) to monitor a shared spectrum to receive control signaling and data transmissions associated with different transmission time intervals (TTIs). For example, a base station may communicate with a UE according to a first transmission mode during a first, shortened TTI. The base station may transmit a downlink control channel for a shortened TTI based on a subset of a number of blind decodes or control channel elements. Additionally, a downlink control channel for a shortened TTI may contain grants for multiple TTIs. In some cases, the base station may transmit a signaling to the UE via a reference signal, downlink control channel, or radio resource control which may indicate a change from the shortened-TTI transmission mode to a transmission mode with a TTI duration that is longer than the first, shortened TTI duration.

The following relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to control channel design for shared wireless communications.
Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations or network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).
In some cases, a base station and UE operating in shared or unlicensed spectrum may participate in contention-based access procedures prior to beginning communications (e.g., to determine whether resources are available for communication). After gaining access to resources for communication, a base station and a UE may communicate using varying transmission time intervals (e.g., slots, mini-slots, symbols).

Control channel design for shared wireless communications


A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) motor includes a substrate, a backplate, and a diaphragm. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface has a slot that extends at least partially into the substrate. A port extends through the substrate. The backplate is mounted to the first surface of the substrate, and the backplate covers at least a portion of the port. The diaphragm is between the backplate and the substrate. The diaphragm moves with respect to the backplate in response to acoustic energy that passes through the port.

The following description is provided to assist the understanding of the reader. None of the information provided or references cited is admitted to be prior art. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) can be used in microphones to convert acoustic energy into an electrical signal. The electrical signal can be used by a device such as a laptop computer, a cell phone, a tablet, etc. MEMS microphones have typically been used for low sound pressure level acoustic activity, but traditional MEMS microphones typically have poor characteristics for high sound pressure level (SPL) acoustic activity.


Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide techniques for verifying compatibility between a configuration image file bitstream for a programmable logic device (PLD) and an electrical circuit incorporating the PLD. The circuit includes an embedded processor, at least one memory device, and at least one input/output (I/O) device. A computer processing arrangement receives a user selection of the target image file, a first identifier of a first set of electrical circuit designs with which the target image file is compatible; and makes a determination whether or not the first circuit has a design included in the first set by comparing the first identifier with a second identifier, the second identifier corresponding to a design definition of the circuit.

A PLD is a semiconductor integrated circuit that contains logic circuitry that can be programmed to perform a host of logic functions. Such programming may be accomplished by loading onto the PLD a configuration image file (or "bitstream").
An example of a PLD that may benefit from the presently disclosed techniques include a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and, particularly an FPGA integrated in a higher level assembly such as an electrical circuit that includes an embedded processor and various hardware and software elements in addition to the FPGA.
On such a higher level assembly, it is desirable to facilitate loading a configuration image file bitstream previously designed by a first party onto the FPGA by a second party who may be unrelated to the first party. For example, a developer of the electrical circuit, or a product incorporating the circuit, may wish to load an FPGA configuration image file prepared by an unrelated FPGA designer. Such an FPGA configuration image file may be referred to as a "target image file". The target image file may be available for downloading over the Internet, for example onto the FPGA device and may have been prepared to be compatible with a discrete number of different electrical circuit designs.
The circuit developer, however, may be unable to efficiently or reliably verify whether the target image file is compatible with the specific electrical circuit design within which the developer intends the target image file to operate.
Computer-aided design tools exist to facilitate design of a custom configuration image file to be implemented on a PLD. However, existing tools have limited abilities to assist the design of a higher level assembly electrical circuit, particularly where it is desired to use a previously prepared configuration image file.
Improved techniques for assuring compatibility between electrical circuits incorporating PLDs, embedded processors, and other hardware and software components, on the one hand, and a target configuration image file, on the other, are therefore desirable.

Bitstream verification on embedded processor—FPGA platform


Systems and methods are disclosed for efficient buffering for a system having non-volatile memory (“NVM”). A tree can be stored in volatile memory that includes a logical-to-physical mapping between a logical space and physical addresses of the NVM. When the amount of memory available for the tree is below a pre-determined threshold, a system can attempt to reduce the number of data fragments in the NVM, and consequently flatten a portion of the tree. The NVM interface may select an optimal set of entries of the tree to combine. Any suitable approach can be used such as, for example, moving one or more sliding windows across the tree, expanding a sliding window when a condition has been satisfied, using a priority queue while scanning the tree, and/or maintaining a priority queue while the tree is being updated.

NAND flash memory, as well as other types of non-volatile memories ("NVMs"), are commonly used for mass storage. For example, consumer electronics such as portable media players often include flash memory to store music, videos, and other media.
A system having a NVM can include a data structure that maps logical addresses used by a file system to physical addresses of the NVM (e.g., provides a logical-to-physical mapping). The structure can sometimes reside in volatile memory. As existing files are updated or additional files are added, the amount of memory required to store the mapping may increase accordingly. Thus, in some cases, the amount of memory allocated for the structure may be insufficient to capture all of the logical-to-physical mappings.

Faster tree flattening for a system having non-volatile memory


A system and process for managing content organized in a tag-delimited template using metadata are described. A stored template written in a tag-delimited language is retrieved. The retrieved template is converted into an object representation of a metadata entry form. A user interface exported by the object representation is initialized. A data entry form is built including individual data entry elements responsive to user selections on the user interface of the metadata form. Each data entry element includes a set of information attributes describing the data entry element. The data entry elements of the data entry form are defined as one or more classes within the retrieved template. The data entry form is rendered by enumerating each of the one or more classes of the stored template and generating each data entry element of the one or more enumerated classes as described by the set of information attributes.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates in general to Web content management and, in particular, to a system and process for managing content organized in a tag-delimited template using metadata.
Currently, Web content published in tag-delimited, markup languages for presentation on browser clients is a popular form of digital data communication. A browser client, or simply xe2x80x9cbrowser,xe2x80x9d is a computer application that interprets individual statements, delimited using tags, which describe the layout and substance of the content. The content can include, for example, textual, audio, and video communications, and can be static or interactive.
Although many markup languages exist, the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and the Extensible Markup Language (XML) are widely used due to their ability to be distributed and interpreted in an almost hardware-independent manner by browsers operating in a variety of hardware environments. For instance, digital data networks compliant with the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) use the Hypertext Transport Protocol (HTTP) to transfer markup language content organized into pages accessed over the so-called World Wide Web. These xe2x80x9cWebxe2x80x9d pages make content available for viewing on a browser in a hierarchically structured, easy to navigate fashion.
Collections of related Web pages are often organized into a single Web site that is rooted in a home page. The home page typically identifies the Web site based on some common domain name identifier. For instance, xe2x80x9cwww.RoseDog.comxe2x80x9d is the home page of RoseDog.com(trademark), a Web site headquartered in Seattle, Wash., which provides services for writers, agents and publishers. A client can navigate through the Web site beginning with the home page into successively linked Web pages identified by hyperlinks embedded within the content.
Although such content can be easy to access, each page must actually be encoded in the markup language as a self-contained document that is served by a Web server one page at a time. The one-page-per-service request requirement is a limitation resulting as a side effect of HTTP, which is a stateless protocol. Specifically, HTTP uses two main commands, xe2x80x9cGETxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cPOST,xe2x80x9d used by a client to specify a Web page to be retrieved and viewed. A separate Web page must be stored even if a pair of Web pages contains nearly identical content. This limitation can result in significant data duplication, which can be particularly inefficient if the content for each related Web page is organized in a similar structure. Moreover, revising the Web content can be a monumental task if wholesale changes to appearance and structure are required, as opposed to merely displaying new content.
One prior art approach to creating Web content creates Web pages directly incorporating the content with the structure. Many popular Web page publishing tools, such as Microsoft FrontPage, licensed by Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash., and Dream Weaver, licensed by Macromedia, Inc., San Francisco, calif., generate Web pages hard-coded in HTML. The content can be modified by visually editing each Web Page with the page-publishing tool or by editing the raw HTML with a text editor. Neither approach easily accommodates wholesale changes to the appearance or structure of the Web pages, a limitation which can be particularly problematic for a Web site containing multiple, nearly identical Web pages. Furthermore, the text editor approach is unacceptable for a novice user lacking programming expertise.
Another prior art approach to creating Web content introduces a template within which the structure of each Web page is specified separately from the actual data. This type of template is used to create Web pages for viewing on a browser. These types of tools generate interpretable, proprietary scripts, such as Active Server Pages, licensed by Microsoft Corporation; WebObjects, licensed by Apple Computer, Cupertino Calif.; and ColdFusion, licensed by Allaire Corporation, Cambridge, Mass. These tools provide a runtime environment for inserting data objects into Web pages. Typically, the data used to populate these data objects is retrieved from proprietary data sources, such as Structured Query Language (SQL) databases and the final Web page is built by combining the interpretable scripts with the retrieved data to generate HTML source code. In addition, data insertion and modification can be an arduous task requiring custom database applications. Moreover, the data structures used by these data sources are often rigid and cannot be easily changed.
Therefore, what is needed is an approach to organizing content augmenting conventional Web content creation tools, such as content for use in Web pages, whereby the data stored in the Web page can be easily modified without writing custom data entry applications. What is also needed is an approach to loading complex data based on a structured template written in a non-proprietary manner. Such an approach would preferably use a standard markup language specifying metadata in a vendor-independent fashion and usable by existing Web content publishing tools and viewers.
The present invention provides a system and process for managing content, such as for use in Web pages and similar constructs, which generates templates containing data describing data, known as metadata. A user can design the structure of a series of related Web pages through a preferably graphical user interface. The data types and Web page structure are described and stored in the template as a dynamic content package of classes.
An embodiment of the present invention is a system and process for managing content organized in a tag-delimited template using metadata. A stored template written in a tag-delimited language is retrieved. The retrieved template is converted into an object representation of a metadata entry form. A user interface exported by the object representation is initialized. A data entry form is built including individual data entry elements responsive to user selections on the user interface of the metadata form. Each data entry element includes a set of information attributes describing the data entry element. The data entry elements of the data entry form are defined as one or more classes within the retrieved template. The data entry form is rendered by enumerating each of the one or more classes of the stored template and generating each data entry element of the one or more enumerated classes as described by the set of information attributes.
A further embodiment of the present invention is a system and process for managing Web content using metadata in a content management framework. A base template defining a set of properties of and characterizing one or more data entry controls for use in a data entry form is processed. The data entry controls and the properties are formed into classes comprising metadata. An interface of the base template that defines a public method with which the data entry form can be built is exposed. The data entry form is built as a set of Web page elements responsive to a call to the public method of the template. The one or more data entry controls within the data entry form for each metadata class are created. The one or more properties of the data entry form for each metadata class are set. The data entry form is rendered as source code in a tag-delimited page description language.

System and process for managing content organized in a tag-delimited template using metadata


Methods are provided for driving sheets through a transaction-based printer. A sheet drive forwards a sheet through a printing station to a cutting station where the sheet is severed from a spool by a cutter. Movement of a kicker element is coordinated with that of the cutter so that the severed sheet is kicked into a bin located in the top cover of the printer. The printer can be, for example, an ink-jet, dot matrix, dye sublimation or thermal printer used to print tickets, vouchers, coupons or the like.

High speed printers, such as inkjet, thermal, dye sublimation and dot matrix printers are used to provide vouchers, coupons, tickets, receipts and the like (all generally referred to herein as "tickets") to consumers. For example, when a winning lottery prize becomes relatively large, the lines at ticket sales counters become long. In addition, the number of tickets purchased by each person in the line can be relatively large. Heretofore, most point of sales (POS) and other transaction-based printers have been designed to issue one ticket, voucher, coupon or receipt at a time. Sales personnel are therefore required to remove each printed sheet manually from the printer. When a number of lottery or wagering tickets, for example, are purchased in a single transaction, the sales person must compile all of the tickets for that transaction by hand. This can be a time consuming procedure leading to errors being made and long delays in ticket sales.
It would be advantageous to provide an automatic stacking function for printers used in such environments. Such a stacking function would be particularly advantageous for high speed printers that dispense quantities of tickets, vouchers, receipts, coupons and other printed substrates. Such printers are often used in wagering and lottery terminals, as well as in other point of sale terminals such as those used to print train tickets, bus tickets, movie and theater tickets, retail coupons, and other substrates of value.
The present invention provides an automated stacker for a printer and methods for stacking tickets in a printer having the aforementioned and other advantages.

Method for stacking tickets in a printer


Methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed to generate media exposure maps of media environments. An example apparatus includes memory and processor circuitry to execute instructions to at least: group first locations into a first cluster and second locations into a second cluster, ones of the first locations and the second locations based on at least one of corresponding angle of arrival measurements or corresponding angle of departure measurements, determine a first duration corresponding to the first cluster and a second duration corresponding to the second cluster based on timestamps of the first locations and the second locations, and generate a map based on at least one of the first cluster or the second cluster in response to one of the first duration or the second duration meeting a threshold duration and corresponding to a monitored data, the map to represent an area of media exposure in a media presentation environment.

In recent years, media research efforts have included using installed metering hardware associating accessed media with panelists and/or other audience members that fit one or more demographics of interest. In some cases, the metering hardware is capable of determining whether a media presentation device (such as a television set) is powered on and tuned to a specified station via a hardwired connection from the media presentation device to the meter. In some cases, the metering hardware is capable of determining which panelist and/or other audience member is exposed to a particular portion of media via one or more button presses entered on a people meter by people near the television. Collected information from the different types of meters provides insight to the various factors influencing media consumption behavior habits of viewers.
The figures are not to scale. In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, descriptors such as "first," "second," "third," etc. are used herein without imputing or otherwise indicating any meaning of priority, physical order, arrangement in a list, and/or ordering in any way, but are merely used as labels and/or arbitrary names to distinguish elements for ease of understanding the disclosed examples. In some examples, the descriptor "first" may be used to refer to an element in the detailed description, while the same element may be referred to in a claim with a different descriptor such as "second" or "third." In such instances, it should be understood that such descriptors are used merely for identifying those elements distinctly that might, for example, otherwise share a same name.

Methods and apparatus to generate media exposure maps of media environments


A wood burning stove incorporates a catalytic cell for reducing exhaust emissions from the stove. A pair of heat shields are spaced from opposing surfaces of a combustor to exchange thermal radiation with the combustor. The combustor is oriented at an acute angle to enhance the combustor life. One of the heat shields also functions as a deflector for deflecting exhaust toward the combustor. A secondary air unit supplies secondary air to the vicinity of the combustor. A dynamic grate assembly is employed to prevent under firing of the firebox.

This invention relates generally to systems for controlling the emissions of pollutants from wood burning stoves. More particularly, this invention relates generally to systems for oxidizing combustibles in the exhaust gases generated by the primary combustion of a wood burning stove.
Environmental and regulatory concerns have resulted in increasing regulation and stricter requirements as to the acceptable level and quality of exhaust emissions which may be generated by wood burning stoves. The Federal Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that wood burning stoves manufactured after July 1, 1988 comply with strict emission standards. Most conventional wood burning stoves do not meet the emission regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency. A number of systems have been advanced for reducing the pollutants of the exhaust gases produced by the primary wood burning combustion. Some systems have involved catalytic converters or combustors for facilitating the secondary combustion of exhaust pollutants. A number of conventional systems which are effective in reducing pollutants are not effective under all conditions such as when the ash pan is opened and an "under fire" condition is produced in the firebox.
Van Dewoestine U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,452 discloses a wood burning stove which employs a catalytic burner converter for oxidizing various uncombusted matter in the exhaust produced by the primary combustion. In one embodiment, the catalytic burner is located in the flue immediately adjacent the combustion chamber of the stove. The catalytic converter may also be situated in the combustion chamber. The catalytic converter is a cellular ceramic honeycomb structure with a plurality of mutually parallel cells extending through the converter. The catalytic converter may have a variety of forms such as a ceramic monolith having an alumina washcoat and coated with a precious metal catalyst such as palladium, platinum or alloys of the materials. A means for providing secondary air in the vicinity of the catalytic converter is also provided to enhance the operation of the catalytic converter.
Catalytic combustors of the type having a ceramic honeycomb substrate and precious metal catalyst coatings have been employed in connection with wood burning stoves for a number of years for facilitating the combustion of products in the exhaust from the primary combustion. The application of catalytic combustors in wood burning technology has engendered a number of problems. For example, non-uniform catalyst temperatures tend to cause cracking of the combustor substrates. The conventional vertical cell orientation for the normal exhaust flow path results in conventional catalyst combustors being vulnerable to premature failure due to the ceramic chips falling out of the combustors. Bulky metal housings also result in the heat up time of the catalytic combustors being relatively slow. The effectiveness of catalytic combustors can also be easily compromised under various conditions.


A visor assembly for an aviation helmet includes a lens, lens/strap anti-tear interface assemblies, retainer plates, and attachment strap assemblies. A friction strip mounted on the brim of the helmet operates to increase the friction between the visor lens and the helmet. The combined function of the friction strip and the configuration of the strap assemblies operate to maintain the visor in a deployed (as-worn) positioned in front of the wearer's face, even during high speed wind blasts of up to 600 KEAS (Knots Equivalent Air Speed).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to helmets. More particularly, it relates to a visor assembly for a helmet that is capable of withstanding ejection or windblast forces up to 600 knots equivalent air speed (KEAS).
2. Description of Related Art
Various bungee or elastic mountings of visors for helmets are known in the prior art. However, the bungee/elastic strap or webbing mounting arrangement suffers from many deficiencies. For example, the known bungee/elastic strap or webbing mounting methods are not rigid throughout the entire arrangement, and are therefore susceptible to strong wind gusts that can literally blow the visor off of the helmet.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,920 discloses a dual-visor assembly for a helmet. An inner visor is releasably secured to the helmet by snap fasteners that release toward the rear of the helmet, while an outer visor is releasably secured to the helmet over the inner visor by snap fasteners that release toward the front of the helmet to prevent the inadvertent release of both visors simultaneously. This dual visor assembly, however, is not capable of withstanding high speed windblasts.
Accordingly, it would be desirable and highly advantageous to have a visor assembly for helmets that overcomes the above-described problems of the prior art.


Disclosed herein are a crystal of a human TOPII (hTOPII)-DNA binary complex, the method for preparing the same and the use thereof. The hTOPII-DNA binary complex includes an hTOPII portion that contains an hTOPII core domain (hTOPIIcore), and a synthetic double-stranded DNA in complex with the hTOPII portion. The synthetic double-stranded DNA has a first DNA strand comprising nucleotide positions 3 to 20 of the sequence of 5′-NNNCCGAGCNNNNGCTCGGNNN-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 1), wherein N is any one of adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine, and a second DNA strand complementary to the first DNA strand.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a crystal structure of a protein-DNA binary complex. More particularly, the disclosure relates to the crystal structure of a human topoisomerase II (hTOPII)-DNA binary complex and its uses for identifying candidate compounds exhibiting inhibitory effects toward hTOPII, specifically, the cc and (3 form of hTOPII.
2. Description of Related Art
DNA topoisomerases (TOPs) are enzymes that change DNA topology by catalyzing the passage of DNA strands across each other. There are two well-characterized classes of topoisomerases, type I topoisomerase (TOPI) and type II topoisomerase (TOPII). TOPI acts by breaking and religating one DNA strand, while TOPII involves double-strand breaking. These enzymes play key roles in DNA replication, transcription, and recombinant repair. In particular, TOPII is highly expressed in rapidly proliferating cells and is therefore an attractive target for the development of antitumor drugs.
TOPIIs are two-fold symmetric enzymes that alter DNA topology by transiently cleaving a pair of opposing phosphodiester bonds four base pairs apart via the formation of two reversible 5′-phosphotyrosyl linkages, thereby generating a TOPII-DNA cleavage complex that harbors a double-stranded DNA break. Under physiological conditions, these TOPII-DNA cleavage complexes are normally short lived intermediates in the catalytic cycle of the enzyme. Passage of a second DNA segment through this TOPII-DNA cleavage complex and its resealing complete the topological change of the DNA. The DNA cleavage activity of TOPII is known as a double-edged sword; failure to reseal the enzyme-mediated DNA break can lead to permanent DNA damage followed by cell death.
There are two general classes of TOPII-targeting drugs: TOPII poisons and TOPII catalytic inhibitors. TOP II poisons include etoposide (VP-16), doxorubicin, amsacrine (mAMSA) and mitoxantrone. These compounds serve to stabilize the TOPII-DNA cleavage complex thereby increasing the steady-state levels of cleavage complexes. Hence TOPII poisons convert TOPII into a physiological toxin that creates DNA double-strand breaks in the genome of treated cells. The catalytic inhibitors, on the other hand, block the catalytic activity of DNA-TOPII cleavage complex by preventing the binding of the enzyme to DNA rather than stabilizing the DNA-TOPII cleavage complex. Examples of catalytic TOPII inhibitors include novobiocin, dexrazoxane (ICRF-187) and GSK 299423.
Crystallography is a powerful tool for investigating the interactions among protein, DNA, and drugs. In this disclosure, crystal structures of the DNA-binding and cleavage core of hTOPII (hTOPII core domain; hTOPIIcore) in complexes with DNA and antitumor drugs were used to obtain high resolution and homogeneous crystal structure of binary TOPIIcore-DNA cleavage complex, which is useful for constructing a high throughput screening platform for identifying candidate compounds having inhibitory effects toward hTOPII. As such, potential lead compound having anti-tumor effects may be identified and subsequently being developed into an anti-neoplastic medicine.

Crystals of human topoisomerase II-DNA binary complex, methods for preparing the same and uses thereof


An apparatus for protecting a solid state retrofit lighting or illumination system from electrostatic discharge damage caused by charge induced onto conductive surfaces of the lighting or illumination system.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure is generally related to electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of a luminaire, illumination system.
2. Description of the Related Art
High voltage power lines generate large electric fields around the conductors, which can capacitively couple large electrostatic charges onto conductive surfaces located near the power lines. In some locations, outdoor lighting is located proximate to these high voltage power lines. The charges from the power lines can capacitively couple to the electronic circuits of the outdoor lighting sources in an effort to be dissipated to Earth ground. Traditional lighting technology using Incandescent, High Intensity Discharge (HID) or other magnetically ballasted lamps have proven to be resistant to Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) even when installed in close proximity to high voltage power lines.

Electrostatic discharge protection for luminaire


An apparatus for hanging garments and exhibiting garment indicia is disclosed. The apparatus has a body for hanging garments therefrom and a hook. The apparatus also contains an attachment for a garment indicia tab, which is used for displaying information regarding the associated garment. The indicia carrying tab has a body and legs and is removable and interchangeable as desired.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to garment hangers and more particularly to an apparatus for hanging garments and exhibiting garment indicia.
2. History of the Prior Art
Prior designs of identification devices for garment hangers include stationary indicia means. The device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,914 features a marker device with four clasping members that is attachable to a portion of the hanger's hook. That design utilizes a very elaborate marking device construction. It also limits attachment of the marking device to the hook portion of the hanger.
Removable carrying indicia means disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,547 require means for deep mountings in the body of the hanger to facilitate proper attachment. Therefore, these means are not acceptable for a hanger constructed of thin resilient material. Moreover, this design doesn't allow the mountings to be located on the hook of the hanger.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,115,940 discloses a design that requires an imposing tab mounting member to be molded to the body of the hanger. This design is inefficient, since it requires a substantial amount of material to form support means for the indicia. In addition, the design permanently alters the shape and overall form of the hanger.
The indicia display means that are presently available do not exhibit the efficiency standard desired to eliminate the waste of material used in creation of garment hangers. Also, the prior designs do not allow the flexibility of attaching the indicia carrying means on any part of the hanger hook or body which is desired.


An article surveillance marker includes a marker body having two sections connected together by a resilient hinge. A securing pin holds the body sections together in a closed position and secures the marker to an article to be protected. Two ferromagnetic ribbons are housed within separate cavities in the marker body. The first ribbon is free to mechanically vibrate and produce a first signal in response to an applied interrogation field that indicates the conveyance of the protected article from an authorized area. A contact button on the marker body damps and deactivates the second ribbon when the marker body sections are closed and the marker is secured to the article. Specifically, the contact button extends through an aperture in the marker body that communicates with the cavity containing the second marker ribbon. When the marker is closed, the button engages the second ribbon and prevents mechanical vibration and, therefore, the production of a second response signal. Conversely, when the marker is opened, the contact button disengages the second ribbon that is then free to vibrate mechanically and produce a signal indicating the unauthorized opening and removal of the marker from the article. A complete article surveillance system including a marker and two interrogation and detection circuits is also provided.

Theft of clothing and other soft goods articles from retail stores is a very serious problem. The cost of replacing the stolen articles annually runs in the billions of dollars and is increasing.
Advanced electronic systems employed to prevent theft of clothing articles generally comprise a marker element secured to the article and an electronic interrogator adapted to detect a signal produced by marker, An example of such a system may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,489 to Anderson, III, et al., owned by the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. Typically, the interrogator includes a transmitting apparatus, including a drive coil, situated on one side of a passage leading a store exit and a receive coil for detecting the response signal from the marker at the other side of the passage. The drive coil produces an interrogation signal that energizes the marker, When energy marker produces an identifiable response is by the receive coil. Detection of the presence of the response signal indicates that the article has not been properly checked out by the cashier and may, in fact, be stolen.
One of the major considerations with such theft detection systems is the manner of fastening to the clothing or similar articles. A number of structures have been developed to securely fix the markers to the article and prevent unauthorized removal of the markers by shoplifters. It must be recognized, however, that the markers must also be easy to remove by authorized personnel, such as a cashier, following purchase of the article by a customer. It is because of this latter consideration that a completely acceptable marker construction resistant to unauthorized removal has not heretofore been developed in the art. While the markers are generally too difficult to remove from the article in the open, shoplifters in the past have been successful in taking the article to, for example, a fitting room where they can use tools to remove the article without being observed.
The present invention addresses this problem by providing an advanced electronic system including a lightweight, compact marker adapted to generate a response signal when the marker body is opened to remove the marker from an article.

Article surveillance system having target removal sensor