A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device can include a semiconductor substrate; an interlayer dielectric layer having a damascene pattern formed on the semiconductor substrate; a diffusion barrier formed in the damascene pattern and made of a trivalent material; a seed layer formed on the diffusion barrier; and a copper interconnection formed on the seed layer. In one embodiment, the trivalent material is CoFeB.

In general, a metal interconnection is used to electrically interconnect devices in a semiconductor device. Aluminum (Al), aluminum alloy, and tungsten (W) are often used as the material for a metal interconnection.
However, since semiconductor devices are highly integrated, it is difficult to use such metals because of their low melting points and high specific resistances. Copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) all have excellent conductivity and can be used as the material for a metal interconnection. Particularly, copper and copper alloy, which have low specific resistivity, excellent reliability for electron migration (EM) and stress migration (SM), and low production cost, have been widely used.
Metal interconnections using copper are often formed using a damascene process. The damascene process forms a trench in an insulating layer through a photo process and an etching process and then fills a conductive material in the trench, such as W, Al, or Cu. Next, the majority of the conductive material is removed, leaving a required interconnection using an etch-back or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) method, thereby forming an interconnection having the shape corresponding to the trench.
However, copper is not suitable for a dry etching process and does not easily adhere to SiO2. Copper also has low thermo-dynamical stability and low resistance against corrosion. Furthermore, copper may serve as a deep level dopant that is diffused into silicon to produce acceptor and donor states in a band gap, thereby causing a leakage current or malfunction of a device.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for an effective diffusion barrier layer that can be used with copper.

Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same


A metal-air power supply which provides improved control over air flow is provided. The reactant air and cooling air inlets are separate from one another and isolated from the exhausted reactant and cooling portions of the air flow. The reactant air flow is limited to a volumetric flow rate sufficient to provide from about 3 to about 10 times the stoichiometric amount of oxygen necessary to produce a predetermined level of current from the cell, and a total volumetric flow rate of air sufficient so that the cooling portion of the air flow has a volumetric flow rate from about 10 to about 1000 times the volumetric flow rate of the reactant portion of the air flow is provided. This limits the flow rate of the reactant air over the cathode, isolates the cooling air flow from the reactant air flow, and maintains the temperature of the metal-air cell at a low level without exposing the air cathode to an excessive air flow rate to reduce the likelihood of drying out the metal-air cells, reduce the exposure of the battery cell to contaminants, and minimize the effects of temperature on the vaporization of water within the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the power supply housing and the metal-air cell case form part of the air plenums. A substantially leak-proof metal-air cell is also disclosed.

There is an increasing need for light-weight, high-output power supplies for powering the increasing supply of portable electronic equipment such as personal computers. Electrochemical cells are commonly used as power supplies for a variety of applications but are often impractical for use with portable electronic equipment because the electrical energy densities of the electrochemical cells are too low. In other words, conventional electrochemical cells that produce the desired power output are often too heavy for use with portable equipment.
One electrochemical cell that is an exception is the metal-air cell. Metal-air cells have a relatively high energy density because the cathode of a metal-air cell utilizes oxygen from ambient air as a reactant in the electrochemical reaction rather than a heavier material such as a metal or metallic composition. This results in a relatively light-weight power supply.
Metal-air cells include an air permeable cathode and a metallic anode surrounded by an aqueous electrolyte. For example, in a zinc-air cell, the anode contains zinc, and during operation, oxygen from the ambient air is converted at the cathode to hydroxide, zinc is oxidized at the anode by the hydroxide, and water and electrons are released to provide electrical energy.
Cells that are useful for only a single discharge cycle are called primary cells, and cells that are rechargeable and useful for multiple discharge cycles are called secondary cells. Both primary and secondary metal-air cells have been developed. An electrically rechargeable metal-air cell is recharged by applying voltage between the anode and cathode of the cell and reversing the electrochemical reaction. Oxygen is discharged to the atmosphere through the air permeable cathode.
Metal-air cells are often arranged in multiple cell battery packs to provide a sufficient amount of power output. In addition, it is often necessary to expose the air cathodes of the cells to a continuous flow of air at a flow rate sufficient to achieve the desired power output. Such an arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,983 wherein a fan is used to supply a flow of air to a pack of metal-air battery cells.
One problem with metal-air cells is that the ambient humidity can cause the metal-air cell to fail. Equilibrium vapor pressure of the metal-air cell results in an equilibrium relative humidity that is typically about 45 percent. If ambient humidity is greater than the equilibrium relative humidity value for the metal-air cell, the metal-air cell will absorb water from the air through the cathode and fail due to a condition called flooding. Flooding may cause the cell to leak. If the ambient humidity is less than the equilibrium relative humidity value for the metal-air cell, the cell will release water vapor from the electrolyte through the air cathode and fail due to drying out. In most environments where a metal-air battery cell is used, failure occurs from drying out.
During operation of a metal-air cell, the electrolytic reaction produces heat and increases the temperature of the cell. The heat produced by the electrolytic reaction increases the rate of vaporization of the water contained in the cell. The air flow rate over the air cathode may be increased to cool the metal-air cell as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,395,047; however, the increase in the air flow rate over the air cathodes increases the rate of vaporization of the water and offsets the decrease in water loss from the cooling effect.
In some conventional arrangements such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,983, metal-air cells are arranged inside a housing and air is circulated within the housing and around the cells. The same air circulating within the housing is used for cooling the cells and for reactant air. Although the air cools the cells to some extent, the air circulating within the housing is heated by the cells and then passes through the cells and over the cathode as reactant air. The mixing of cooling air and reactant air entering the cells increases the rate of vaporization of the water in the cells and offsets the decrease in water loss from the cooling effect.
Another problem with a metal-air battery is that contaminates in the air such as carbon dioxide, smoke, and sulfides, decrease the battery output. For example, carbon dioxide reacts with the metal hydroxide in the electrolyte. The reaction between carbon dioxide and the metal hydroxide forms a metal carbonate compound that interferes with the electrochemical reaction. The exposure of metal-air battery cells to contaminates is increased if the air flow rate over the cathodes is increased for cooling.
Drying out and flooding are even greater problems for secondary metal-air cells than for primary metal-air cells. Although ambient humidity may not be a sufficient problem to flood or dry out a cell after a single cycle, cumulative water gain or loss from a series of discharge and charge cycles can cause premature failure of a secondary metal-air cell.
Another problem with metal-air cells is electrolyte leakage which causes cell failure and corrosion of the cell surroundings. As set forth above, a metal air cell includes an air cathode, an anode, and electrolyte between the cathode and anode. In a typical metal-air cell, these components are encased between frames of a cell case. The case frames may be mechanically fastened with bolts or the like, fastened with adhesive, or welded together. In each instance, the cell case includes one or more seams through which electrolyte may eventually leak. Moreover, steps taken to ensure that the seams of a metal-air cell are liquid impermeable are often time consuming and costly.
Electrolyte also may leak through or around the air cathode. It is known to cover the air side of a cathode with a liquid impermeable but gas permeable film to control electrolyte leakage. However, leaked electrolyte can form bulges beneath such a film and block or otherwise inhibit the flow of air over the cathode, or leak around the periphery of the film.
Yet another problem encountered with metal-air cells occurs when metal-air cells are arranged within an air manager housing and especially when metal-air cells are arranged in battery packs. Metal-air cells must be arranged in an air-manager so that an appropriate stoichiometric amount of air flows relatively unobstructed over the air cathode. Preferably, air for cooling also flows adjacent the cell. The passageway for air over an air cathode is typically formed by an integral part of the cell case. When a multi-cell battery pack is formed, the cells are normally fastened together by mechanical means, adhesive or welding. The formation of metal-air cell cases, battery packs, and the associated air flow passageways with such methods is complex, time consuming and costly.
Accordingly, there is a need for a metal-air power supply with an air-manager system that provides greater control over air flow through the power supply and thereby minimizes the effect of ambient humidity and contaminates on the useable life of the power supply. In addition, there is a need for such a metal-air power supply that is not likely to leak and is relatively simple in construction and inexpensive.

Metal-air power supply and air-manager system, and metal-air cell for use therein


A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first fin and a second fin on a substrate. A gate structure is formed over a first portion of the first fin and the second fin without covering a second portion of the first fin and the second fin. Single-crystal epitaxial layers are deposited surrounding the second portion of the first fin and the second fin such that the single-crystal epitaxial layer on the first fin does not contact the single-crystal epitaxial layer on the second fin. A polycrystalline layer is then deposited surrounding the single-crystal epitaxial layers, so that the polycrystalline layer contacts the single-crystal epitaxial layer on the first fin and the single-crystal epitaxial layer on the second fin. The single-crystal epitaxial layers and the polycrystalline layer form a merged source-drain region.

The present invention generally relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to fin field effect transistor devices (FinFET) having single-crystal source-drain regions merged by a polycrystalline material.
Complementary Metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology is commonly used for fabricating field effect transistors (FET) as part of advanced integrated circuits (IC), such as CPUs, memory, storage devices, and the like. Most common among these may be metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), in which a gate structure may be energized to create an electric field in an underlying channel region of a substrate, by which charge carriers are allowed to travel through the channel region between a source region and a drain region of the substrate. As ICs continue to scale downward in size, fin field effect transistors (FinFETs), sometimes referred to as tri-gate structures, may be potential candidates for 32 nm node technology and beyond primarily because FinFETs may offer better performance than planar FETs at the same power budget. FinFETs are three dimensional (3D), fully depleted MOSFET devices having a fin structure formed from the substrate material. The gate structure may wrap a portion of the fin acting as the channel region. The portion of the fin not covered by the gate structure may define the source-drain region of the semiconductor device.

Single crystal source-drain merged by polycrystalline material

International Business Machines Corporation


A tanning pod for use outdoors includes a body shell of curved configuration and provided with a transparent dome encompassing a majority of the extent of the pod and tapering to the front thereof. A bed within the pod is tiltable in a forward direction while a motive device is operable to rotate the pod relative an underlying support pedestal. A self-contained climate control system permits maintenance of desired temperature conditions within the pod regardless of the outside weather. Consoles adjacent the bed are provided with control panels allowing selective tilting of the bed and rotary displacement of the pod along with regulation of the climate control system as well as radiotape player devices. Current for operation of the pod and associated accessories may be supplied from a source of conventional AC power or alternatively, from attached or adjacent solar cells.

With the noticeable increase in the amount of free time now available to so many persons and the heightened interest in the pursuit of recreational and outdoor activities, the need is recognized for means to facilitate and improve the enjoyment of such pastimes. In the case of sun bathing, such activity was long available only during the summer season and then, often only when one had ready access to an appropriate facility, such as a beach or poolside. Even during the warmer months of the year, sunbathing directly in the open air may be restricted due to windy conditions. Recently, suntanning salons have become quite popular. These facilities comprise indoor rental accommodations wherein patrons repose upon cushioned mats while being exposed to radiant lamps. Such arrangements fall far short of providing a tanning environment whereby one may obtain a natural suntan or merely enjoy the warmth of the sun, in an outdoor location and at any time of the year and, additionally, can present a measure of danger. It is well recognized that UV radiant energy lamps can readily lead to overexposure in a relative short period of time and precaution must be taken to shield the eyes during such exposure. Also, the resultant artificial tan is unlike that as obtained from natural sunlight. The present invention seeks to respond to the need for an apparatus which is usable in the outdoors to allow occupants to enjoy the sun's natural energy at any time of the year. The apparatus is self-contained and provides a controlled environment along with numerous enhancements furthering the users' enjoyment.


A mobile terminal and method of managing a schedule using the same are disclosed, by which applications can be processed by linking to a schedule. The present invention includes displaying target item information including the schedule by executing a prescribe application, receiving a user's control selection signal for the target item information, and performing a control over the target item information according to the user's control selection signal received via the input device. Accordingly, based on contents of a received message, corresponding information is registered on a schedule table by a simple manipulation. And, schedules in the schedule table can be controlled in a simple manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal and method of managing a schedule using the same. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for processing applications linking to a schedule.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, contents received via SMS (short message service) or email by a terminal are checked and a meeting or conference schedule is inputted to a schedule table. In doing so, it is inconvenient to input the corresponding information to the schedule table through a series of procedures.

Managing a calendar through a touch interface and graphically displaying the change history


The tensioning structure for carryall bars on motor vehicles having no driprail, has supporting brackets for a carryall bar which can be mutually connected by means of a metallic cable having terminals at its ends. The terminals can be engaged in accommodation seats defined in the brackets. An end of the cable may be threaded for screw thread engagement with the terminal, whereby to adjust the length of the cable.

The present invention relates to a tensioning structure particularly for carryall bars on motor vehicles having no driprail.
As is known, in order to install carryall bars on motor vehicles having no driprail it is necessary to provide an element for the mutual connection of the brackets of the carryall bar in order to oppose the tendency which brackets usually have to move mutually apart when loads of any kind are placed on cross-members or carryall bars.
On motor vehicles having no driprail, the fixing of the brackets is in fact ensured by jaws for engaging lateral portions of the motor vehicle itself.
These connecting elements are usually constituted by rigid metallic strips, tubes, drawn elements or bars, usually covered with plastics, which are coupled to each bracket. Said strips or the like, despite solving the above described technical problem, have considerable disadvantages.
They in fact entail the need to provide packages of considerable size, since each strip is as long as the distance between the brackets for the particular motor vehicle on which they must be installed, and they thus require every long packages. This problem, as is evident, affects the storage and shipping costs, since these are light but bulky packages.
Furthermore, they cannot be adjusted in length with respect to the different dimensions and distances which can be found on motor vehicles of different types and models.

Tensioning structure particularly for carryall bars on motor vehicles having no driprail

Ilma S.r.l. Industria Lavorazioni Meccaniche Autoaccessori


A method for treating a cladding within which there is a sintered material composed wholly or partly of sintered calcium hydride, the method comprising a step during which the sintered material is contacted with a reaction mixture comprising steam, carbon dioxide, and a chemically inert gas, the contacting being carried out for a duration allowing the sintered calcium hydride to be converted into a calcium carbonate powder.

As part of irradiation studies performed in a fast-neutron nuclear reactor (FNR), sintered calcium hydride is used, and acts as a moderator of the nuclear fission reaction.
This material is present generally in the form of wafer cores which are stacked in an impervious cylindrical cladding made of steel.
When the irradiation studies have been performed, a cladding is obtained within which there are wafer cores presenting both a radiological risk (presence of radioactive substance such as a substance containing tritium) and also a chemical risk, since, on contact with water, calcium hydride gives off hydrogen, which is an extremely flammable gas.
The processing stream for the treatment of nuclear wastes requires the chemical risk to be neutralized while the volume of the wastes is reduced as far as possible, and their subsequent conditioning is optimized.
In order to respond to this twofold requirement, therefore, it would be desirable to have a treatment at the end of which, on the one hand, the wastes stemming from the cladding, and, on the other hand, the wastes stemming from the irradiated calcium hydride wafer cores, are removed by processing streams appropriate to the nature of each waste.
In practice, this requires that any pollution, particularly radioactive pollution, of one waste by another should as far as possible be limited.
If such a result is achieved, this has the advantageous effect of allowing:                the cladding to be removed to a processing stream in which waste management is simplified by the absence of radioactive substance, or even allows this cladding to be recycled (transformation or re-use);        management of the waste stemming from the irradiated calcium hydride wafer cores, in the form of a waste product suitable for the processing streams for removal of radioactive wastes.

Method for treating a cladding containing sintered calcium hydride

Abstract: The treatment method provided by the invention results in a chemically inert waste, a limitation on the volume of wastes obtained, while allowing the removal or even recovery of these wastes by appropriate processing streams.

COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES


An improved for preparing N-substituted carbamate comprising reaction of a selected olefin or alcohol with a carbamate in the presence of a catalyst comprising a blend of a perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer and a perfluorinated polymer diluent in a substantially nonpolar reaction mixture.

Many N-substituted carbamates exhibit physiological activity and are useful as herbicides, insecticides or drugs. Other N-substituted carbamates can be used as intermediates in the phosgene-free synthesis of isocyanates which are widely used in the manufacture of fibers, coatings and other polymeric products.
The most commonly used routes to N-substituted carbamates are the reaction of alcohols with isocyanates and the reaction of alcohols with phosgene and substituted amines (Kuhr et al., "Carbamate Insecticides: Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Toxicology", CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio, 1976). Although these methods provide the desired carbamates, they require the use of either potentially harmful isocyanates (e.g., methyl isocyanate) or highly toxic phosgene.
Belgian Pat. No. 625,748 discloses the preparation of carbamic acid esters with substitutents on the nitrogen atom by the addition of polymerizable olefins to carbamic acid esters having at least one hydrogen atom on the amine function in the presence of catalysts which react as acids. Specific acids which are disclosed include anhydrous mineral acids, such as hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, and hydrobromic acid, sulfuric, phosphoric and chlorosulfonic acid, as well as acidic anion exchangers, e.g., those based on polystyrene sulfonic acid and various Lewis acids. Preferably, boron trifluoride or its addition products are utilized.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,916 discloses the preparation of N-substituted-N-fluorocarbamates by acid catalyzed addition of an N-fluorocarbamate to an ethylenically unsaturated compound. Mineral acids such as concentrated sulfuric, hydrochloric and phosphoric acids, as well as Friedel-Crafts catalysts such as aluminum trichloride, ferric chloride, stannic chloride and boron trifluoride are disclosed as suitable acid catalysts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,616 discloses the preparation of tertiary aralkyl urethane esters by the reaction of a carbamic acid ester of a lower aliphatic alcohol with an olefin at 40.degree. C.-150.degree. C. in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid, toluene sulfonic acid, dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, hydrocarbon sulfate esters, hydrochloric acid, boron trifluoride and other Lewis and Bronsted acids.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,012 discloses the preparation of tertiary aralkyl urethanes by reacting tertiary aralkyl diols with lower alkyl esters of carbamic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst to form N-substituted tertiary aralkyl carbamic acid esters. Suitable acid catalysts are sulfuric acid, toluene sulfonic acid, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, hydrocarbon sulfate esters, hydrogen chloride, boron trifluoride, and other Lewis and Bronsted acids.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,316 discloses the preparation of N-substituted carbamates by reacting a carbamate with an olefin in the presence of a cation exchanger containing sulfonic acid groups and of from 0.1 to 50 g of an alcohol per mole of carbamate starting material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,513 discloses a process for making (phenylisopropyl)urea derivatives by the acid catalyzed addition of substituted ureas to isopropenyl aromatic compounds. The acid catalyst is chosen from concentrated sulfuric acid, a Lewis acid such as boron trifluoride, aluminum chloride or stannic chloride or a substituted sulfonic acid. Preferred acid catalysts include chlorosulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoromethylsulfonic acid, boron trifluoride etherate and sulfuric acid. ##STR1##
U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,804 (Col. 3, lines 35-40) discloses the preparation of geminal bis-carbamates by the acid catalyzed reaction of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated ethers with carbamates. This reaction was exemplified using p-toluene sulfonic acid. No other acids were disclosed for this reaction. ##STR2##
Fukuoka et al., Japanese Kokoku Patent Publication 61-11942, disclose a process for producing N-substituted carbamate esters, in which cyclohexane and a carbamate ester are reacted in the presence of a supported or unsupported heteropolyacid catalyst. The catalyst is a condensate of a multi-element oxyacid having dissimilar molecules arranged at the center, and has a condensation configuration with polyacid groups of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, niobium, etc., which share oxygen. The central elements include phosphorus, arsenic, silicon, germanium, titanium, cerium, thorium, boron, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, selenium, tellurium, iron, cobalt, nickel manganese, iodine, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,368 discloses a process for preparing p-substituted aromatic carbamic acid esters by reacting an aromatic carbamic acid ester with an olefin in the presence of an inorganic acid or a sulfonic acid. ##STR3##
Preferred acid catalysts are organic cation exchangers containing sulfonic acid groups, including perfluorinated sulfonated polystyrene/divinylbenzene resins, perfluorinated, sulfonated crosslinked polystyrene resins and copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and vinylsulfonic acid. This process provides only the aromatic alkylation product; N-alkylation is not disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,974 discloses the use of organic cation exchange resins having either fluoroalkyl sulfonic acid groups or fluoroalkyl carboxyl groups or both to produce diphenylmethane dicarbamate by reacting an N-phenylcarbamate with a methylenating agent (e.g., formaldehyde).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,215 discloses blends of fluorinated polymer which contains sulfonyl groups in ionizable form and a second fluorinated polymer which contains carboxylic acid functional groups. Blends are also disclosed which contain an additional inert polymer such as a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoropropylene.
European Patent Application 291,033 published Nov. 17, 1988, teaches use of perfluorinated acid ion exchange resins containing a group 8 metal in an oxidation state of at least +2 as catalysts for the isomerization of 3-pentenoic compounds to 4-pentenoic compounds. The resins include blends of fluorinated polymers containing sulfonic acid groups and fluorinated polymers containing carboxylic acid groups. Blends are also disclosed which contain copolymers such as tetrafluoroethylene.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,439 discloses a polymer blend comprising 75% perfluorocarbon polymer having sulfonyl exchange groups and an equivalent weight of 1100 and 25% copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene.

Acid catalyzed formation of carbamates from olefins


A zoom lens includes a fixed first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power and movable along an optical axis, a fixed third lens group having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens group having a negative refracting power and movable along the optical axis, and a fixed fifth lens group, disposed in order from the object side to the image side. The following expressions are satisfied:0.5<f1/(fw·ft)1/2<1.8−0.4<f3/f5<0.4where f1, fw, ft, f3 and f5 are focal lengths of the first lens group, the entire lens system in a wide angle end state, the entire lens system in a telephoto end state, the third lens group and the fifth lens group, respectively.

The present technology relates to a zoom lens and an image pickup apparatus. More particularly, the present technology relates to a technical field of a zoom lens which has a zoom ratio of approximately 3 to 8 times and an angle of view at a wide angle end of approximately 55° to 80° and is suitable for use with a digital video camera, a digital still camera and so forth, and an image pickup apparatus which includes the zoom lens.
In recent years, along with the popularization of an image pickup apparatus which uses a solid-state image pickup device such as a digital video camera or a digital still camera, still higher picture quality is demanded. Especially, in order to obtain a rich gradation representation or a representation which takes advantage of blurring in a picked up image, a bright lens compatible with a still greater image pickup device is demanded.
In general, the lens size increases by increase of the image circle or the aperture of the lens. However, also miniaturization of the lens with the portability taken into consideration is demanded strongly.
Meanwhile, in order to achieve compatibility between high quality and quietness upon zooming or focusing in moving picture image pickup, a lens is demanded which includes a zooming mechanism or a focusing mechanism of high quality by which image shaking or image skipping is less likely to be caused during image pickup.
In general, if the number of lens groups which move in a direction of an optical axis upon zooming or upon focusing is reduced to reduce the weight, then the compatibility between high quality and quietness upon zooming or upon focusing is facilitated.
A zoom lens suitable for use with a camera which uses an image pickup device of the APS-C size is known and disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-247962 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1). With the zoom lens, sufficient reduction in weight of a focusing group is achieved.
The zoom lens disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, a third lens group having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens group having a negative refracting power and a fifth lens group, disposed in order from the object side.
Another zoom lens by which compatibility between high quality and quietness upon zooming or upon focusing can be achieved readily is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-185942 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 2). The zoom lens is of the inner zoom type and the inner focus type in which the overall length of the optical system does not vary upon zooming and upon focusing.
The zoom lens disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, a third lens group having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power and a fifth lens group having a positive refracting power, disposed in order from the object side.


A method of making embedded non-volatile memory devices includes forming a first mask layer overlying a polycrystalline silicon layer in a cell region and a peripheral region on a semiconductor substrate wherein the first mask layer has a plurality of openings in the cell region. Portions of the polycrystalline silicon layer exposed in the plurality of openings can be oxidized to form a plurality of poly-oxide regions, and the first mask layer can then be removed. The polycrystalline silicon layer not covered by the plurality of poly-oxide regions can be etched to form a plurality of floating gates, wherein etching the polycrystalline silicon layer is accompanied by a sputtering. A dielectric layer can then be formed, as well as a second mask layer in both the cell region and the peripheral region. The second mask layer in the cell region is partially etched back after a photoresist layer is formed over the second mask layer in the peripheral region. The dielectric layer is partially etched to form multiple thicknesses of the dielectric layer. The second mask layer is removed and a plurality of control gates are formed partially overlying the plurality of floating gates in the cell region.

When fabricating a non-volatile memory (NVM) cell having a split gate feature in a semiconductor wafer, erasing efficiency is associated with the thickness of an inter-poly oxide interposed between a floating gate and a control gate. An etching-back process could reduce the thickness of the inter-poly oxide at a tip of the floating gate but may damage gate dielectric layers in the peripheral regions, such as transistor regions. Furthermore, a process of etching polycrystalline silicon to form the floating gate may form an undercut in the floating gate such that a portion of a poly-oxide cap hangs over the undercut.

Process for erase improvement in a non-volatile memory device

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


An automobile cover is provided. The cover includes an inner sheet, an outer sheet and an insulating material in between. The cover is sectioned into a plurality of panels. The plurality of panels may include at least a front panel sized to cover a windshield of the automobile, a top panel sized to cover a top of the automobile, side panels and a rear panel sized to cover the rear windshield of the automobile. The front panel is joined to the top panel by a seam and the top panel is joined to the rear panel by a seam. The inner and outer sheets may be made of breathable water proof or water resistant fabric. The seams of the present invention allow for easy opening and folding of the cover.

The present invention relates to an automobile cover and, more particularly, to a car cover that is easy to use and is useful during winter conditions.
A car cover is used to cover a car to protect the car from the elements. However, current car covers are not suitable for winter conditions. With ice formation, the covers may become attached to the car and cause damage to the windshield and paint. Further, the car covers are not easy to remove when snow freezes, do not help with defrosting the car, do not allow easy access to the doors, and are difficult to unfold and fold. Therefore, it is preferable to use a garage for parking.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved car cover that is convenient to use.


A surge absorption circuit of one embodiment comprises an input terminal; an output terminal; a common terminal; a first surge absorption element and a second surge absorption element which are connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; a first inductive element provided in parallel to the first surge absorption element and the second surge absorption element, and connected to the input terminal and the output terminal; a second inductive element connected to a connection point of the first surge absorption element and the second surge absorption element and connected to the common terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a surge absorption circuit with improved high frequency characteristics and a laminated surge absorption device.
2. Related Background of the Invention
Semiconductor devices such as IC and LSI are destroyed or degraded in characteristics by high voltage static electricity. As a countermeasure against the static electricity for the semiconductor device, a surge absorption element such as a varistor is used. The surge absorption element typically represented by a varistor has a stray capacitive component and a stray inductive component, therefore, if applied to a circuit dealing with a high speed signal, it degrades the signal.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional surge absorption circuit to which a varistor is applied. A surge absorption circuit 100 shown in FIG. 1 has an input/output terminal 101, a common terminal 102 and a varistor 103. When an input signal with a small amplitude is input to the input/output terminal 101, the varistor 103 remains highly resistive and does not give influence on the input signal. On the other hand, when a high voltage surge enters the input/output terminal 101, the high voltage surge is forced to pass through the varistor 103 to the common terminal 102. As a result, if the surge absorption circuit 100 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the input/output terminal of a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device is protected from a high voltage surge.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a varistor. As shown in FIG. 2, a varistor can be expressed equivalently by a variable resistor 104 and a stray capacitance 105, provided in parallel between one terminal and the other terminal. The resistance value of the variable resistor 104 is large in general, and becomes small when a high voltage surge is applied, therefore, it is possible for a varistor to protect a semiconductor device from a high voltage surge. However, since there exists the stray capacitance 105, a varistor attached to the input/output side of a semiconductor device dealing with a high speed signal may be a cause of degradation of the high speed signal.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the calculation result of S parameters S11 and S21 of the surge absorption circuit expressed by the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the S parameters S11 and S21 when the capacitance Cz of the stray capacitance is 1 pF, 3 pF, and 5 pF, respectively. When the stray capacitance is 5 pF, S21 begins to degrade when the frequency of a signal exceeds 100 MHz and it is no longer possible to transmit the signal. In addition, S11 also becomes large and the reflection characteristic degrades. Even when the stray capacitance is 1 pF, the same result occurs when the frequency of the signal exceeds 1 GHz. Since the stray capacitance has a tradeoff relationship to a clamping voltage and a surge durability, there has been a problem that a surge absorption element having excellent characteristic cannot be applied to the use of a high speed signal.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the TDR (Time Domain Reflectmetry) test result of a conventional surge absorption circuit. FIG. 4 shows TDR when the capacitance Cz of the stray capacitance is 1 pF, 3 pF, and 5 pF, respectively. An input impedance Zi for a pulse signal whose rise time and fall time are 200 ps and signal amplitude is 1 V0-p degrades to about 40 Ω when the stray capacitance is 5 pF while it is 100 Ω in the steady state. Even when the stray capacitance is 1 pF, the input impedance degrades to 80 Ω.
As described above, when a surge absorption circuit is applied to a circuit dealing with a high speed signal, it is necessary to reduce the stray capacitive component to avoid degradation in the rise characteristic and delay characteristic of a high speed signal. On the other hand, if the stray capacitive component of a surge absorption element is reduced, the clamping voltage of the surge absorption element is raised and the surge durability is reduced.
A surge absorption circuit that reduces the influence of the stray capacitive component has already been proposed. For example, by combining an inductive element and a surge absorption element, it is possible to attain impedance matching of the surge absorption circuit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional surge absorption circuit in which two varistors are combined with an inductive element. In a surge absorption circuit 110 shown in FIG. 5, a varistor 115 is connected between an input terminal 111 and a common terminal 113. A varistor 116 is connected between an output terminal 112 and a common terminal 113. A inductive element is connected between the input terminal 111 and the output terminal 112.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional surge absorption circuit in which an inductive element is combined with two varistors. In a surge absorption circuit 120 shown in FIG. 6, a parallel circuit having a varistor 124 and an inductive element 125 is connected to a varistor 123 in series between an input/output terminal 121 and a common terminal 122. Such a surge absorption circuit is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-60838.

Surge absorption circuit and laminated surge absorption device


The present invention provides a governor assembly and an elevator, wherein the governor assembly includes: a support; a first axle rotatably supported by the support; a main pulley rotatably mounted on the first axle relative to the first axle; a first guide pulley near the main pulley; a first safety device actuated by the rotation of the first axle; and a centrifugal tripping mechanism which enables, when a rotating speed of the main pulley exceeds a preset value, the main pulley and the first axle to be coupled and rotate together. The governor assembly according to the present invention is of a compact structure and is applicable to a small mounting space.

A governor for an elevator is known. When a speed of the elevator exceeds a particular range, the governor starts a switch to power off an elevator motor, so that the elevator slows down or brakes. In a special situation in which the elevator continues to speed up, the governor starts a mechanical retarding mechanism, which is usually a safety gear frictionally engaged with a guide rail, so as to slow down the elevator through friction between the safety gear and the guide rail.
In the prior art, there is a "machine room" type governor or a "machine room-less" type governor. The governors are mounted at the top of the shaft or in a top machine room. Such governors may be used at a car side or a counterweight side of the elevator. However, in some special buildings, such governors are not allowed to be mounted due to limitations of site conditions, for example, the top of the elevator shaft has no space for disposing the governor.
The prior art provides a follower-type governor moving along with the car.


A new and distinct variety of peach called xe2x80x98Sweet-N-UPxe2x80x99 is characterized by an upright tree growth form suitable for standard-density and high-density plantings. Fruit is yellow, melting-flesh of excellent dessert-quality flavor, and of large size with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] which is named xe2x80x98Sweet-N-UPxe2x80x99.
The new variety is attractive commercially for its upright tree form, productivity and for fruit of excellent quality. It may be utilized in standard- and high-density plantings.
The new variety was originated at the Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture in Kearneysville, W. Va. and was identified as KV930278. It resulted from hand pollination of peach seedling identified as KV882304 (unpatented) with pollen from peach seedling identified as BO87021003 (unpatented). KV882304 resulted from hand pollination of xe2x80x98Bountyxe2x80x99 (unpatented) peach with pollen of xe2x80x9cpillarxe2x80x9d peach. BO87021003 resulted from a cross of xe2x80x98Fireredxe2x80x99xc3x97xe2x80x9cpillarxe2x80x9d. xe2x80x9cPillarxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cbroomyxe2x80x9d peach trees were originally reported from Japan as columnar trees used as ornamentals. The xe2x80x9cpillarxe2x80x9d pollen used in these crosses was obtained from Italy and is not patented. BO87021003 was obtained from the University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Plants of the new variety were selected in 1996 from a group of 358 seedlings produced from the pollination described hereinabove. The original xe2x80x98Sweet-N-UPxe2x80x99 tree has maintained its upright form, high fruit quality and productivity for 6 years. The plant was asexually propagated through grafting on to xe2x80x98Lovellxe2x80x99 seedling rootstock. Asexual propagation through bud grafting was carried out at Adams County Nursery, Aspers, Pa., the budwood provided under a Material Transfer Agreement. Buds of xe2x80x98Sweet-N-UPxe2x80x99 were grafted onto xe2x80x98Lovellxe2x80x99, a widely used rootstock of standard tree growth habit, following standard bud-grafting techniques. Following one year of growth in the nursery, these grafted trees were dug and transferred to their permanent orchard location following standard techniques. A total of 96 bud-grafted xe2x80x98Sweet-N-UPxe2x80x99 trees were planted in a replicated block orchard design with 12 treatment blocks, each containing 8 trees. Trees were spaced at 1.5 m, 2 m, 4 m or 6 m within rows, and 6 m between rows. Half of the trees were pruned to one leader (one major limb) and half to multi-leader (3 major limbs). These trees were tested in this planting for 3 years and have maintained their tree form, high fruit quality and productivity. No aberrant types have appeared in these plantings developed through vegetative propagation, demonstrating the stability of the new variety. The plant is self-fertile.
The new variety is distinct from its parents in its combination of high fruit quality and upright growth habit. It is distinguished from its parents by its superior fruit quality: fruit are larger, firmer and with more red skin color than fruit of either parent. It is distinguished from other commercial peach varieties by a distinctly upright growth habit with branch angles from the main axis at approximately 42-51xc2x0, in contrast to branch angles of standard peach trees which average approximately 60xc2x0. Fruit have a distinct combination of large size, firmness and red skin color.
Fruit are melting-flesh, dessert type, yellow, flavorful and firm until full-ripe. Fruit size averages 73-77 mm in diameter and 217 g in weight. Fruit are sweet with a good balance of acidity. Brix of firm-ripe fruit averages between 11.5 and 13xc2x0, depending on date of harvest and environment. Fruit maintains firmness on the tree and in storage at levels comparable to or exceeding current commercial peach cultivars.
The new and distinct variety of peach tree is productive and vigorous with an upright growth habit. The fruit is large in size, is freestone and of excellent eating quality. The fruit has yellow melting-flesh with approximately 80% red blush over a yellow ground color.

Peach tree named xe2x80x98Sweet-N-UPxe2x80x99

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture


A garbage container is disclosed, which will open automatically when a user is present in front of the container and will close after a predetermined time of the departure of the user. This garbage container comprises an infrared ray transmitter and an infrared ray receiver to detect the presence of a user.

Conventional garbage containers can be roughly classified into two types. The first type is an open garbage container. That is, no cover is provided for the garbage container, and therefore quite unhygienic. The second type is a cover-provided garbage container. With this type, the user must open the cover when he dumps the garbage into the container, and its is therefore inconvenient to use.

5F No. 5-1, Alley 62, Lane 166, Shih-Pai Rd.


A drain and filler attachment for a plastic pool has at one end of a threaded elbow, a threaded nipple intrudes into a plastic pool through X-cuts made in the pool material. The opening is sealed by O-rings and a threaded open cap compressing the O-rings and the pool material against a collar on the threaded elbow. At the other end, the threaded elbow has a coupling and a hose adapter. The hose adapter has a controllable water flow on and off valve at one end and a fitting at the other end for removable attachment to a cooperative fitting on a garden hose.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to draining and filling devices for plastic pools. The present invention is particularly directed towards an auxiliary attachment useful with a play pool for draining the play pool without bailing or dumping out the water. The device of the present invention can be reversely used also to fill the pool.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Although drain attachments are available for a variety of plastic pool purposes, particularly for large above-ground yard pools, these drains are usually supplied as a built-in part of the pool or as input and output tubing attached to the pumping facilities of the pool. An auxiliary tubing attachment with fittings for draining or for filling a small plastic pool such as a play pool has been neglected. The present invention is designed to provide this application.

Auxiliary drain and filler device for plastic pools


The present invention provides a technology that allows a user to more easily record medication information. A blood pressure measurement device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a prescription information acquisition unit configured to acquire prescription information, a preparatory action determination unit configured to determine whether a preparatory action for blood pressure measurement is performed, a blood pressure measurement operation unit configured to perform a blood pressure measurement operation in a case where an operation button is operated with the preparatory action determined to be performed, and a medication recording and processing unit configured to, in a case where the operation button is operated with the preparatory action determined not to be performed, assess that the operation is a medication confirmation operation, and generate and record medication information on the basis of the prescription information thus acquired.

A medication management device may be used to manage medication information on a user. Such a medication management device is proposed in JP 2015-195951 A. The medication management device in JP 2015-195951 A includes a touch panel display, and a medication recording screen is displayed on this touch panel display. Medicine buttons corresponding to medicines to be taken are displayed on the medication recording screen and, upon taking a medicine, the user selects and presses the applicable medicine button on the touch panel display. The selected medicine is recorded as medication information. As a result, medication information can be recorded relatively easily.

Blood pressure measurement device, medication management method, and non-transitory storage medium storing medication management program


Users and programmers view relational database tables using an schema such as an SQL-annotated XML schema. The schema describes how XML data maps into base tables and fields, including complex one-to-many and many-to-many relationships.

XML is rapidly becoming the vehicle of choice as a definition language for the description of content-related structures. XML provides great flexibility and universality because XML provides a grammar that can express nearly any content. On the Internet in particular, the standardized representation of content structures fosters the development of previously unrecognized applications.
More and more, mission-critical applications are designed to run on the Internet. Adding the logical structuring capability of XML to the mix, and a new infrastructure that is ideal for running electronic business applications on the Internet becomes much more feasible. Databases can now be accessed directly via XML without having to use CGI and HTML or Java in addition. XML is generally a hierarchical structured data representation.
In addition to the rise of structured content like XML, relational databases have long been the bulwark of the information infrastructure of countless businesses. Relational databases provide a primary tool for business to maintain, access, and analyze data. Such database technologies have evolved over many years so that they are optimized for accessing and manipulating large information bases. Many businesses store the majority of their critical information in relational databases. Moreover, many Internet sites managed their data using relational database technology. This approach also makes it possible to develop database search engines for sifting through the large volumes of information that "live" on the Internet. Unlike XML, relational databases are not hierarchically structured but rather are relationally structured to provide efficient management of large amounts of data.
The combination of database technology with self-describing structure of hierarchical languages such as XML opens an interesting perspective for new applications. However, the melding of the kind of tree structures supported by hierarchical languages such as XML with the form of a relational data model presents a number of issues, some of which have already been addressed and solved. One vexing issue is presented when ensuring that seemingly inapposite theoretical constructs between the two data representations must be harmonized. Hence, a mechanism that facilitates the mapping between data in the form of hierarchical data structures and relational data structures is desirable.

System and method for viewing relational data using a hierarchical schema


A nozzle arrangement 1 for use in an ink jet print head, the nozzle arrangement 1 comprising a substrate, a nozzle chamber 2 positioned at least partially on the substrate, a channel 3, in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber 2, through the substrate, and, an actuator 6 including an actuator arm 8 and a paddle 7, the paddle 7 positioned within the nozzle chamber 2 and at least partially overlying the channel 3.

Recently, for example, in PCT Application No. PCT/AU98/00550 the present applicant has proposed an inkjet printing device which utilizes micro-electromechanical (MEMS) processing techniques in the construction of a thermal bend actuator type device for the ejection of fluid from a nozzle chamber.
The aforementioned application discloses an actuator which is substantially exposed to an external atmosphere, often adjacent a print media surface. This is likely to lead to substantial operational problems in that the exposed actuator could be damaged by foreign objects or paper dust etc. leading to a malfunction.

Nozzle arrangement including an actuator


A technique for resource distribution using an auto-discovery mechanism for Provider-Provisioned Layer-2 and Layer-3 Virtual Private Networks. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized by a method for establishing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) tunnel between a first provider edge (PE) device and a second (PE) device of a provider-provisioned VPN. The method may comprise advertising at least one tunnel-based parameter to one or more PE devices over a network backbone using an auto-discovery mechanism, the one or more PE devices including at least one of the first and second PE devices. The method further may comprise configuring a VPN tunnel between the first and second PE devices based at least in part on the at least one tunnel-based parameter.

In the absence of a privacy mechanism, sensitive data (e.g., passwords, account numbers, proprietary information, etc.) transmitted over a network may be susceptible to interception by unauthorized parties. One privacy mechanism commonly used to protect network data is the Virtual Private Network (VPN). Using specialized tunneling protocols and optionally secure encryption techniques, data integrity and privacy may be maintained in a VPN in what seems like a dedicated point-to-point connection.
Network-based VPNs typically are implemented through a tunneling mechanism. In general, the tunneling mechanism encapsulates the packet headers and/or payload prior to transmission of the packet over an established VPN tunnel. As a result, the transmission of a VPN-based packet only uses non-tunneling information, such as the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the ends of the tunnels, while the sensitive information, such as the source and destination IP addresses and sensitive payload data, remains encapsulated. Exemplary tunneling mechanisms include IP/IP tunneling, Generic Router Encapsulation (GRE) tunneling, IP Security (IPSec) tunneling and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) tunneling. The configuration of VPN tunnel typically is specific to the particular type of VPN used.
A typical Network IP-based VPN generally includes at least two provider edge (PE) devices (e.g., a VPN-enabled router) interconnected via a series of provider devices (e.g., routers) that form a network backbone, where the network backbone typically includes one or more public networks, such as, for example, the Internet or a wide area network (WAN). Connected to each PE device are one or more customer edge (CE) devices, such as a workstation or personal computer. In this type of network-based VPN, VPN tunnels are established between PE devices, rather than between CE devices. These tunnels, herein referred to as PE-PE tunnels, typically are established at either Layer-2 or Layer-3 of the International Standard Organization's Open System Interconnect (ISO/OSI) network model. Exemplary VPN mechanisms at Layer-2 include Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) (see Waldemar Augustyn et al., "Requirements for Virtual Private LAN Services (VPLS)," October 2002, available at <http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-ppvpn-vpls-requirements-01.txt>, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference) and Virtual Private Wire (VPW) (see Eric Rosen et al., "L2VPN Framework," February 2003, available at <http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-ppvpn-12-framework-03. txt>, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference). Exemplary VPN mechanisms at Layer-3 include Virtual Routing (VR)-based mechanisms, such as VR using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) (see Hamid Ould-Brahim et al. "Network based IP VPN Architecture using Virtual Routers," July 2002, available at <http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-ppvpn-vpn-vr-03. txt>, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference) or VPNs based on RFC 2547bis (often referred to as BGP/MLPS-based VPNs)(see Eric Rosen et al., "BGP/MPLS VPNs" available at <http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-ietf-ppvpn-rfc2547bis-03.txt>, October 2002, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference).
Regardless of the VPN mechanism used, a primary step in establishing a network-based VPN is to provide information about each VPN configured on a local PE device to the remaining remote PE devices. A number of mechanisms may be implemented to achieve this distribution of PE information, such as BGP, Domain Name Service (DNS), Remote Authentication Dial In User Service (RADIUS), and the like. Such mechanisms are well known in the art. After distributing this PE information, one or more PE-PE tunnels typically are established based in part on information received through a VPN auto-discovery mechanism.
Various tunnel signalling protocols may be used to establish and maintain VPN tunnels, such as, for example, Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), Resource Reservation Protocol—Traffic Engineered (RSVP-TE), Label Distribution Protocol (LDP), Constraint-based Routing LDP (CR-LDP), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay, Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE), IPSec, and the like.
Various parameters for VPN tunnels in conventional Layer-2 and Layer-3 VPNs typically are configured manually by the service provider. As a result, the scalability of such conventional VPN implementations is limited due to the difficulty in manually configuring a complex and dynamic VPN system having a large number of PE devices and/or constantly changing system requirements, such as a continuous changing number of tunnels/VPNs, constant, continuous changes in resources such as bandwidth, delay and/or Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, and the like. Further, these conventional VPN implementations generally lack a defined mechanism to relate VPN tunnels to a per VPN or per set of VPNs resources such as QoS profiles or other tunnel-specific parameters. As a result, the flexibility of such conventional VPN systems is compromised because the VPN is unable to predictably respond to changes in bandwidth requirements, QoS requirements, and the like.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a technique for facilitating the configuration of VPN tunnels based at least in part on supplied parameters in an auto-discovery manner. More particularly, it would be desirable to implement resource profiles such as Quality of Service (QoS) parameters using a VPN auto-discovery as an extension to existing auto-discovery mechanisms in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Resource allocation using an auto-discovery mechanism for provider-provisioned layer-2 and layer-3 virtual private networks


The invention relates to a modular assembly for fastening electronic modules carried on board an aircraft, characterized in that it comprises:                a frame (10) having a more or less planar vertical front surface, comprising several mechanical fastening interfaces each intended for mechanically fastening an electronic module,        at least one electronic module (80) comprising a mechanical fastening interface and which is attached to the front surface of the frame in suspended position via cooperation of the mechanical fastening interface of the said at least one electronic module with one of the mechanical fastening interfaces of the frame.

In an aircraft, many electronic equipment items are located in a zone situated underneath the cockpit of the aircraft, which provides the equipment items with preferential environmental conditions such as a reasonable ambient pressure and a controlled ambient temperature. Units are disposed in this zone and make it possible to fasten equipment items, connect them to the cables of the aircraft and ventilate them.
The document US2004050569 describes and shows a known connection assembly, in which at least one electronic equipment item is disposed in a support means. This support means comprises a movable carrier structure in the general shape of a chair having a horizontal support, a vertical back element and two side jambs, this structure defining a housing for accommodating an electronic equipment item. The carrier structure comprises a connection interface at the back element and on which the electronic equipment item comes to be connected horizontally. The assembly created in this way is brought into the desired zone, next to other assemblies created separately, and the wiring of the aircraft is added onto each connection interface integral with an electronic equipment item.
Such an assembly is defined in particular by the international aeronautical standard ARINC 600.
This type of assembly, however, could be improved in keeping with more modular future solutions.
In this regard, the invention proposes a new modular assembly for fastening electronic module(s)/equipment item(s).

Modular assembly for fastening electronic modules


A method for writing servo patterns on at least one disc in a disc drive that has a first set of tracks and a second set of tracks on a major surface of the disc includes stepping between the tracks of the first set of tracks at a first constant angle, and stepping between the tracks of the second set of tracks at a second constant angle. Stepping between tracks in the first group or the second group includes selecting two adjacent tracks from either the first group of tracks or the second group of tracks, and determining the angle through which an actuator assembly must be rotated between the two adjacent tracks selected to produce a selected track pitch. The method produces a disc for a disc drive with a first set of tracks, and a second set of tracks in which the track pitch varies across the set of tracks.

The present invention relates to the field of mass storage devices. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for writing servo information to the disc of a high density disc drive.
One key component of any computer system is a device to store data. Computer systems have many different places where data can be stored. One common place for storing massive amounts of data in a computer system is on a disc drive. The most basic parts of a disc drive are a disc drive housing, a disc that is rotated, an actuator assembly that moves a transducer to various locations over the disc, and electrical circuitry that is used to write and read data to and from the disc. The disc drive also includes circuitry for encoding data so that it can be successfully retrieved and written to the disc surface. A microprocessor controls most of the operations of the disc drive as well as passing the data back to the requesting computer and taking data from a requesting computer for storing to the disc.
To read and write data to the disc drive, the actuator assembly includes one or more arms that support the transducer over the disc surface. The actuator assembly is selectively positioned by a voice coil motor which pivots the actuator assembly about a pivot shaft secured to the drive housing. The disc is coupled to a motorized spindle which is also secured to the housing. During operation, the spindle provides rotational power to the disc. By controlling the voice coil motor, the actuator arms (and thus the transducers) can be positioned over any radial location along the rotating disc surface.
The transducer is typically placed on a small ceramic block, also referred to as a slider, that is aerodynamically designed so that it flies over the disc. The slider is passed over the disc in a transducing relationship with the disc. Most sliders have an air-bearing surface (xe2x80x9cABSxe2x80x9d) which includes rails and a cavity between the rails. When the disc rotates, air is dragged between the rails and the disc surface causing pressure which forces the head away from the disc. At the same time, the air rushing past the cavity or depression in the air bearing surface produces a negative pressure area. The negative pressure or suction counteracts the pressure produced at the rails. The slider is also attached to a load spring which produces a force on the slider directed toward the disc surface. The various forces equalize so the slider flies over the surface of the disc at a particular desired fly height. The fly height is the distance between the disc surface and the transducing head, which is typically the thickness of the air lubrication film. This film eliminates the friction and resulting wear that would occur if the transducing head and disc were in mechanical contact during disc rotation. In some disc drives, the slider passes through a layer of lubricant rather than flying over the surface of the disc.
Information representative of data is stored on the surface of the storage disc. Disc drive systems read and write information stored on portions of the storage disc referred to as tracks. Transducers, in the form of read/write heads attached to the sliders, located on both sides of the storage disc, read and write information on the storage discs when the transducers are accurately positioned over one of the designated tracks on the surface of the storage disc. As the storage disc spins and the read/write head is accurately positioned above a target track, the read/write head can store data onto the track by writing information representative of data onto the storage disc. Similarly, reading data on a storage disc is accomplished by positioning the read/write head above a target track and reading the stored material on the storage disc. To write to or read from different tracks, the read/write head is moved radially across the tracks to a selected target track. The data is often divided between several different tracks. While most storage discs utilize a multiplicity of concentric circular tracks, other discs have a continuous spiral forming a single track on one or both sides of the disc.
During manufacture, servo information is encoded on the disc and subsequently used to accurately locate the transducer. The written servo information is used subsequently to locate the actuator assembly/transducer head at the required position on the disc surface and hold it very accurately in position during a read or write operation. The servo information is written or encoded onto the disc with a machine commonly referred to as a servo track writer (hereinafter STW). At the time the servo information is written, the disc drive is typically at the xe2x80x9chead disk assemblyxe2x80x9d (hereinafter HDA) stage. The HDA includes most of the mechanical drive components but does not typically include all the drive electronics. During the track writing process, the STW precisely locates the transducer heads relative to the disc surface and writes the servo information thereon. Accurate location of the transducer heads is necessary to ensure that the track definition remains concentric.
Servo track writing includes writing a first servo track and then repositioning the transducer to a second position. At the second position, an adjacent servo track is written. The process of moving the transducer from the first position to the second position is referred to as stepping. This stepping process is repeated over and over until the entire disc surface is provided with a number of servo tracks that can be used to located the tracks of data on a disc. Currently, disc drives have discs with up to 2000 tracks in an inch written thereon. A constant desire or industry goal is to increase the storage capacity of disc drives. One way to increase capacity is to increase the density of tracks on the disc. Currently, the number of tracks per inch (TPI) is growing at a rate of 60% per year. It is contemplated that this trend will continue and, as a result, higher track densities will be the norm in the future.
The most common method of stepping during the servo writing process is to move the actuator assembly through a constant angle between the first position and the second position adjacent the first position. The actuator used in the servo write process pivots. Each time the actuator is moved or stepped it is moved through a fixed angle. This method is the quickest way of stepping or repositioning the transducing head used to servo write the disc. Quickness is a factor since the time required to servo write a disc drive is lengthy. In many instances, servo writing a head disc assembly is considered one of the bottlenecks during manufacture. With the increased number of tracks on a disc and the constant trend to increase the number of tracks per inch, the length of time for servo writing discs will also increase. Another pressure is to cut down production time for disc drives.
One problem associated with constant angular stepping is that the track width is wider at the inner diameter of the disc than the track width at the outer diameter of the disc. As a result, the off track performance is much better at the inner diameter of the disc than at the outer diameter of the disc. Off track performance is how well the disc drive reads data when the read head is positioned at a distance from the center of the track. In other words, when reading a track at the inner diameter the read head may be positioned farther off the track than at a track at the outer diameter with the ability to read the data without error or with soft errors.
There is one way to solve the problem of difference in off track performance. The solution has other problems. Rather than step the actuator assembly through a constant angle, the actuator assembly can be stepped so as to produce tracks having the same width (constant track pitch). This process takes more time than the constant angle stepping process since the servo track writer needs to change the step angle for every track written in order to keep the track width (track pitch) constant. This requires the servo track writer to recalibrate the step angle for each track. This approach is impractical for manufacturing purposes since this method adds time to the potential bottleneck of servowriting the disc drive.
Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus and method for use with a servo track writer (STW) that will allow the servo patterns to be written in tracks so that the off track performance is balanced between the inner diameter and the outer diameter. What is also needed is a disc drive in which the off track performance or capability is more uniform from the tracks at the inner diameter of the disc drive to the outer diameter of the disc drive. What is also needed is a method and apparatus which uses the current servo writing equipment.
The present invention is directed to reducing the problem of having better off track performance at tracks on the inner diameter than at tracks at the outer diameter. The present invention is directed toward evening out the off track performance and the off track capability of the read head at the various tracks across the disc. The present invention includes a method for writing servo patterns on at least one disc in a disc drive that has a first set of tracks and a second set of tracks on a major surface of the disc includes stepping between the tracks of the first set of tracks at a first constant angle, and stepping between the tracks of the second set of tracks at a second constant angle. Stepping between tracks in the first group or the second group includes selecting two adjacent tracks from either the first group of tracks or the second group of tracks, and determining the angle through which an actuator assembly must be rotated between the two adjacent tracks selected to produce a selected track pitch. The result is a series of track sets in which the value of the track pitch varies across the group. The track pitch value for each group is then reset for the next group by recalibrating another constant angle.
The method results in a disc for a disc drive with a first set of tracks, and a second set of tracks in which the track pitch varies across the set of tracks. The track pitch varies between a first value and a second value in the first group. The track pitch varies between a third value and a fourth value in the second group. The first value and the third value are approximately equal as are the second and fourth value of track pitch. The end result is that the track pitch stays more uniform across the surface of the disc.
Advantageously, the method and apparatus of the present invention allows servo patterns to be written on the various tracks of the disc so that the off track performance is balanced between tracks at or near the inner diameter of the disc and tracks at or near the outer diameter of the disc. Using the method and apparatus of the present invention, the off track performance and off track capability is more uniform between the tracks at the inner diameter of the disc drive to the tracks at the outer diameter of the disc drive.


Methods, systems, and devices for determining a harmonic are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature of a circuit conductor while the circuit conductor is conducting a current, and determining a harmonic associated with the circuit conductor based, at least in part, on the determined temperature.

Power system harmonics (e.g., integer multiples of a fundamental frequency of a power system) can cause a number of problems in power systems including, for example, voltage distortion, equipment degradation, increased power losses, mistiming of equipment, false equipment operations, and/or shortened equipment life. Harmonics can cause these problems, among others, in large-scale utilities of the power system (e.g., transformer and/or capacitor failures at a power substation) and/or at customer devices (e.g., variable frequency drives (VFDs), among others).
Voltage and/or current measuring devices can be used to determine (e.g., detect) harmonics associated with a power system. However, costs associated with voltage and/or current measuring devices can be prohibitively high because installation of such devices may require a power outage (e.g., the power of the power system may need to be turned off in order to install such measuring devices). Further, such a power outage may inconvenience customers, especially customers (e.g., businesses) that may be economically impacted by an outage.


A method and system for navigating content in a personal video recorder (“PVR”) is disclosed. The PVR detects events, or dark frames, during recording of television content, and records the locations of the events. The PVR can use the recorded locations of the events by applying commercial grouping rules, contained in a logic that is accessible by a processing unit, to divide the recorded television program into scenes. In applying such commercial grouping rules, a group of back-to-back television commercials comprises a single scene. Such division allows a user to skip over an entire scene (e.g. an entire block of commercials) with the press of a single navigation button.

Personal video recorders ("PVR") typically digitally record television content that is received via broadcast, cable, or satellite. PVRs typically record content according to the user's instructions and preferences. PVRs generally have control buttons on a PVR control panel and/or a remote control to provide the user with the ability to select recorded content that the user would like to view, as well as to move forward or backward through such content during playback.
Recently, PVRs have provided the users with features that give the user the option to either view or navigate through content, including commercial advertisements that are typically broadcast in several groups of time during television programming content. These viewing and navigation features have been implemented in PVRs to allow a user to skip through recorded content in timed intervals. For example, in a typical PVR, pressing a forward, or right navigation button ("RNB"), might cause the content to advance 1.5 seconds or 8 seconds, depending on the type of PVR and/or its settings.
The capability of a PVR to allow a user to skip through recorded content in timed intervals assists the user, if they choose, in jumping past content that the user does not wish to view. This ability to skip through unwanted content allows users to reduce the amount of time spent watching unwanted content (e.g., commercial advertisements), and to reach content that the user does wish to view (i.e., program content) more quickly. However, because this current capability uses time segments to allow the user to skip through the unwanted television content, and because time groups of commercial advertisements are not always the same length, to skip through commercial advertisements, the user must either (1) repeatedly press a forward navigation button (RNB) or (2) press a forward navigation button (RNB) at least once to skip over at least all of the commercial advertisement time segment, and then press a backward button (left navigation button ("LNB")) at least once so to not miss any desired program content.
It would therefore be desirable for a PVR to be able to determine whether sections of recorded content are commercial advertisements or program content, and use such information to divide the recorded content into scenes. A PVR with such a capability may allow a user to skip recorded commercial advertising, for instance, by pressing a single button, without also skipping any program content. For example, it would be desirable to allow a user to skip from scene to scene within recorded content, rather than from a first time segment to a second time segment.

Method and apparatus for navigating content in a personal video recorder


A first image data, binarized with a first threshold, represent a first image corresponding to a first portion of a specific image. A second image data, binarized with a second threshold different from the first threshold, represent a second image corresponding to a second portion of the specific image. A first area, which is extracted from the first image, includes pixels with a first color. The first color corresponding to a color of an outline of a hole image in the specific image. A second area, which is extracted from the second image, includes pixels with the first color. The first area and the second area are determined as a specific area corresponding to the hole image.

There has been known a technique for detecting, in an image of a document read by an image reader, an image corresponding to, for example, a hole (e.g., a perforation or a punched hole) formed in the document using a hole punch and eliminating the detected image from the image of the document.
For example, a known image reader obtains an image density of a reference image by reading a white reference member and obtains an image density of a document image by reading a document. The image density of the reference image is higher than the image density of a blank portion (having a color of white) of the document image. In a case that the document has a punched hole, an image density of an outline of the punched hole is lower than the image density of the blank portion. The image reader detects a circle having a lower image density than the image density of the blank portion in the document image. Thereafter, the image reader determines whether an image density of an image enclosed by the detected circle is equal to the image density of the reference image. When the image density of the image enclosed by the circle is equal to the image density of the reference image, the image reader determines that the document has a punched hole.

Imaging process for binarization and punched hole extraction


A toilet module attachment assembly that includes a retainer member that is adapted to be secured to a wall. The retainer member includes a wall attachment flange and a press fit portion extending generally inwardly from the wall attachment flange. When the retainer member is secured to a wall a channel is defined between the wall and the press fit portion. The attachment assembly also includes a seal member that includes a bulge portion that is received in the channel of the retainer member.

Commercial aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, are typically constructed from modular components, the size, weight and construction of which are dictated by many considerations, including fuselage dimensions, aesthetic and safety. Many of these requirements are imposed by law or regulation. Aircraft components, such as overhead stowage compartments, seats, lavatories, galleys, lighting systems, etc. are all required to function within strictly confined spaces.
Manufacturers of aircraft are constantly refining interior aircraft designs to achieve more comfort and utility for passengers and crew within carrier-imposed restraints on cost, weight, maintenance down-time, and safety. Commercial passenger aircraft generally include lavatories for use by passengers and crew that include a toilet therein. Cleaning of and replacement of the toilet can often prove difficult.

Toilet module attachment assembly and method of use


A control device includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: when detecting a new access from a communication device, based on session information including times of past accesses, compute a time period of a difference between a first time at which the new access is detected and a second time of a last access among the past accesses, and when the time period exceeds a given time interval, determine whether a session established with the communication device is valid for the new access in accordance with another time period over which the communication device is in locked state from the second time to the first time, the locked state not accepting an operation by a user.

There is known a monitoring system for reducing the risk of, in response to the fact that a user leaves a terminal, a third party operating the terminal. For example, the related techniques are disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2014-6718. In an idle monitoring system, a server device assumes that when a user authorized through authentication to use a terminal leaves his seat and is temporarily away from the terminal, a state in which the server device is not accessed (idle state) will occur, and monitors the time over which the idle state is retained. Then, if this idle state time exceeds a certain time period, the server device invalidates the authorization and, when the user next uses the terminal, requests the user to re-authenticate. Thus, it is possible to reduce the risk of, after the user has left his seat, a third party impersonating a valid user and operating the terminal.


A lossless optical coupler includes at least one input waveguide, at least two output waveguides and an intermediate optical splitter. The optical splitter of the present invention further comprises an active section adapted to provide contemporaneous splitting and amplification of an input optical signal. The arrangement of the present invention provides an inexpensive and compact integrateable coupling device.

Optical couplers, such as mode couplers, are used extensively in integrated optics to split and to combine light signals propagating through an optical waveguide structure. Since an optical coupler splits an input into several outputs, each output will have less optical power than a corresponding input. This power drop is loosely termed as splitting loss. For example, a 1×2, 50-50 coupler has a 3-dB splitting loss beside other losses. This power drop or splitting loss fundamentally limits several useful system and device architectures that otherwise find many applications in electronic systems. For example, data bus architecture, which is ubiquitous in electronic computers and data networks, finds limited applications in optical systems mainly due to splitting losses. Filter designs based on finite or infinite impulse responses (FIR or IIR) also require a series of the splitting of an input signal. The applications in optics of such devices therefore are also limited due to splitting losses.
Current solutions for the splitting losses in conventional optical couplers include passive optical couplers having amplifiers at the inputs and/or the outputs to provide amplification for optical signals being split. However, the splitting and amplification of such optical couplers occur at different locations of the optical coupler and the transition between the active amplification process and the passive splitting require intricate and expensive manufacturing processes. In addition such optical couplers require a plurality of optical amplifiers and may comprise a relatively large form factor.

Monolithically integrated optical coupler with substantially no splitting loss


The present disclosure generally relates to compounds comprising homotaurine that may be used in improving the general mental condition and/or general brain function of a non-human animal, and for the prophylaxis of chronic, aging-related mental deterioration in non-human animals. In addition, the present disclosure generally relates to compositions comprising homotaurine that may be used in determining whether a candidate veterinary compound and/or a candidate formulation can improve general mental condition and/or general brain function of animals and for the prophylaxis of chronic, aging-related mental deterioration in non-human animals.

Animals play an important role in many people's lives. In addition to seeing-eye dogs and dogs that can be trained to detect seizures, animals can also be used in occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical rehabilitation to help patients recover. Aside from these designated therapeutic roles, animals are also valued as companions, which can affect the quality of human lives. The pet industry in the United States and many other countries is booming. Americans, for example, own more pets than ever before. Growth in the sector is derived both from increasing pet ownership as well as from increased spending per pet. Pet pampering is becoming the norm, as pet owner spending has moved far beyond simple food and grooming expenses to include innovative and specialized premium products and medical treatments. People increasingly view their pets as part of the family and are willing to spend even during difficult economic times. According to the American Pet Product Association (APPA), Americans spent approximately $47.7 billion on pet products and services in 2010, an increase of 4.8% over 2009. Since 1988, pet ownership has expanded from 56% of households to 62%.
Like people, animals (non-human animals) suffer from diseases and require proper care from the veterinarians, the farmers and the pet owners. Keeping animals healthy and treating them with dignity is one of the main objectives of the animal health industry and applies equally to companion animals, livestock and wild animals.
Aging has long been associated with a gradual decline in memory, cognition and thinking abilities. Previously, the deterioration of memory, cognition and thinking abilities has been considered as a normal, unmodifiable process as a result of aging. Research as shown however, that this progression can be delayed and/or slowed, by improving the overall protection of brain cells during the normal course of aging.
Aging and a gradual decline in memory and cognitive functions is not a malady that is specific to humans only; it is also observed in non-human animals, for example in companion animals such as in canines (e.g., dogs) and felines (e.g., cats), and may occur in other non-human animal species. For example, Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) represents a group of symptoms related to the aging of the canine and feline brain. Although the initial symptoms of CDS are mild, the symptoms gradually worsen over time and are generally referred to as "cognitive decline". In some canine breeds, and moreover in breeds of large dogs, the onset and rapid progression of CDS is a well-known phenomenon and often results in near to complete incapacitation of the affected animal.
Similar in its symptomology to Alzheimer's disease in humans, canine/feline cognitive dysfunction may be caused by physical and chemical changes in the brain that result in a progressive decline and loss of mental cognition in the affected animal. Studies have shown that some older dogs with cognitive dysfunction have brain lesions similar to those that physicians see in Alzheimer's human patients. The result of these changes may be manifested by one or more of a number of CDS symptoms such as aging-related behavioral changes in canines, and also in felines, including: frequent incidents of soiling while indoors or in areas other than where the animal has been trained and has perpetually utilized for such a purpose (e.g. the location of a litterbox for a cat); a loss of stamina or chronic fatigue; it exhibits a lack of familiarity with places either indoors or outdoors even though the animal has been familiar with the location throughout its life; unfocused wandering and staring at walls or into space and becoming "trapped" behind familiar furniture or in room corners; the animal trouble finding and using doors and negotiating stairways despite having no apparent deterioration of its muscular co-ordination or eyesight; the animal, although undistracted, does not respond to her/his name or familiar voices and voice commands; the animal is withdrawn and unwilling to play or otherwise interact (unlike what may be described as a generally aloof behaviour in some felines); it is reluctant or refuses to go for walks (e.g., a canine) or to even go outside despite never hesitating to do so in its younger years; it does not recognize or is startled by family members, toys, or other cues that it has been familiar with and exposed to on a constant basis throughout its life; it frequently trembles or shakes uncontrollably (despite not being exposed to a cold temperature or being unstartled) either while standing or lying down; it paces or wanders aimlessly throughout the house as if it is unfamiliar with its location or environment; it has difficulty learning new tasks, commands, or routes; for canines, sleeping more during the day and less during the night; it becomes startled by interior lighting, the television, and other visual or auditory stimuli despite having been exposed to such on a regular basis throughout its life; it seeks less and less of the human attention, praise, and play, and is hesitant to take treats, drink fresh water, or eat fresh food.
The development and validation of tests for assessing cognitive function including discrimination, oddity, reversal, and spatial memory has been instrumental in documenting age-related cognitive differences and the deterioration of such function. The associated neurodegenerative changes include: reduction in brain mass, increased ventricular size, meningeal calcification, demyelization, neuroaxonal degeneration, reduction in neurons, increased accumulation of diffuse beta amyloid plaques with perivascular infiltrates, depletion of catecholamines, increase in monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) activity, resulting in a decline in the cholinergic system. Common clinical signs of cognitive decline in companion pets, such as dogs and cats, are represented by the acronym DISHA (Disorientation, Altered Interactions with people or other pets, Altered Sleep-wake cycles, Housesoiling, Activity changes (initially decline then increased restless or repetitive locomotion).
Little is known about the staging and phenotypic variability of CDS, and little is known in terms of the prevention and treatment of CDS.
As such, there remains a need for compositions and prophylactic treatment regimens that may improve the overall mental condition of non-human animals such as canines and felines, and which may thus delay or otherwise ameliorate a progression of conditions that are associated with or seen during the normal course of non-human animal aging.

Homotaurine-enriched compositions and methods of use for animal health