A semiconductor device includes a drive circuit that outputs a drive signal to drive an external device; a voltage output circuit that outputs a first voltage and a second voltage that is larger than the first voltage; a selector that, when supplying a power supply voltage to the drive circuit, selects the first voltage and, when supplying a power supply voltage to an internal device, selects the second voltage; and a step-up circuit that, when the first voltage selected by the selector is input, boosts the first voltage to a third voltage and outputs the third voltage as the power supply voltage to the drive circuit and, when the second voltage selected by the selector is inputted, boosts the second voltage to a fourth voltage and outputs the fourth voltage as the power supply voltage to the internal device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and particularly to a semiconductor device on which a drive circuit that drives an external device is formed.
2. Related Art
Generally, semiconductor devices on which a drive circuit that drives an external device is formed (mounted) are known. For example, there are microcomputers on which an LCD panel driver that is a drive circuit for driving a liquid crystal display (LCD) is formed. FIG. 6 shows the general configuration of one example of a conventional microcomputer on which an LCD driver panel is formed.
The semiconductor device 100 shown in FIG. 6 is equipped with an LCD panel driver 112, a VPP generating circuit 121, a flash memory 122, a reference voltage circuit 124, a VLCD step-up circuit 128, and a logic circuit 130.
The reference voltage circuit 124 generates a reference voltage VREF by an inputted power supply voltage VDD. The VLCD step-up circuit 128 boosts the inputted reference voltage VREF to a drive voltage VLCD and outputs the drive voltage VLCD to the LCD panel driver 112. The flash memory 122 stores various programs and so forth.
The flash memory 122 executes three types of operations—an erase operation, a program operation, and a read operation—as operation modes controlled by an operation instruction from the logic circuit 130. In contrast to when the flash memory 22 performs the read operation, the flash memory 22 cannot perform the erase operation and the program operation unless a high voltage is supplied thereto. For that reason, the step-up circuit generates a voltage according to the operation of the memory and supplies the voltage to the memory in accordance with the operation. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2000-67591 describes a voltage generating circuit that is a step-up circuit for a memory that generates a voltage according to each operation of the memory.
In the case of the conventional semiconductor device 100 shown in FIG. 6, when the flash memory 122 performs the read operation, it can execute that operation by only the supply of the power supply voltage VDD, but when the flash memory 122 performs the erase operation or the program operation, it cannot execute those operations unless a voltage VPP that is a high voltage is supplied apart from the supply of the power supply voltage VDD. For that reason, when the flash memory 122 performs the erase operation or the program operation, the VPP generating circuit 121 boosts the power supply voltage VDD to the voltage VPP and supplies the voltage VPP to the flash memory 122.
In this way, because the VPP generating circuit 121 is needed as a step-up circuit for supplying a voltage according to the operation of the flash memory 122, an increase in the chip size resulting from the circuit scale occurs. Because of this, there have been cases where problems such as a cost increase, for example, arise.


The present disclosure relates to an electrochemical sensor for determining a measurand correlating with a concentration of an analyte in a measuring fluid, comprising: a sensor membrane designed to be in contact with the measuring fluid for detecting measured values of the measurand; a probe housing which has at least one immersion region designed for immersion into the measuring fluid, wherein the sensor membrane is arranged in the immersion region of the probe housing; and a measurement circuit which is at least partially contained in the probe housing and is designed to generate and output a measurement signal dependent on the measurand, wherein the sensor membrane contains an optically detectable substance for marking the sensor membrane.

Such sensors are used for the analysis of measuring media, especially measuring fluids, in laboratory and process metrology in many fields of chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, food technology, water management, and environmental metrology. The substance whose concentration is to be measured by means of the electrochemical sensor is also referred to as an analyte. Analytes can, for example, be certain chemical substances dissolved in a measurement liquid, e.g., ions or dissolved gases.
Sensor membranes, which have different properties depending on the measuring principle used, serve to detect measurands representing the analyte concentration in electrochemical sensors. This is illustrated below with reference to the examples of potentiometric and amperometric sensors for determining analyte concentrations.
Potentiometric sensors for measuring analyte concentrations typically include a measuring half cell, also referred to as a measuring electrode, and a reference half cell, also referred to as a reference electrode, as well as a measurement circuit. The measuring electrode and the reference electrode are brought into contact with the measuring medium for measurement. In contact with the measuring medium, the measuring electrode develops a potential that is a function of the activity of the analyte in the measuring medium, whereas the reference electrode provides a stable reference potential independent of the analyte concentration. The measurement circuit generates an analog or digital measuring signal which represents the potential difference (measurement voltage) between the measuring electrode and the reference electrode and, consequently, the activity of the analyte in the measuring medium. The measurement signal is output from the measurement circuit, if applicable to a superordinate data processing unit which is connected to the sensor and further processes the measurement signal.
The measuring electrode is typically designed as an ion-selective electrode (ISE). This comprises an ion-selective sensor membrane serving as a potential-forming sensor element. The ion-selective sensor membrane closes off a housing of the measuring electrode in which is accommodated a potential-sensing system which is in contact with the sensor membrane. This can comprise a fixed discharge line or an inner electrolyte which is contacted by an electrically conductive discharge electrode. The discharge system is connected to the measurement circuit. The reference electrode is designed to provide a stable reference potential. For example, it can be designed as a silver/silver chloride electrode. The reference electrode is also connected to the measurement circuit.
The sensor membrane and the reference electrode of the potentiometric sensor are brought into contact with the measuring medium for measurement. The sensor membrane selectively interacts with the analyte dissolved in the measuring medium. The sensor membrane is specially designed for this purpose; for example, there are pH-sensitive glasses which essentially interact selectively with H+ ions in the measuring medium or other membranes, e.g., ionophore-containing polymer membranes which selectively interact with a specific ion. By changing the activity of the analyte in the measuring medium, a relative change of the equilibrium Galvani potential is produced between the measuring medium and the discharge line of the measuring electrode. This correspondingly leads to a measurable change in the voltage detected by the measurement circuit between the discharge line of the measuring electrode and the reference electrode.
Amperometric sensors are often used for measuring the concentration of gases dissolved in a measuring medium, for example, oxygen, chlorine, or chlorine dioxide. They have at least two, often also three electrodes. One of the electrodes is used as a working electrode, another as a counterelectrode. A current flow between the working electrode and the counterelectrode is used to determine the measurand. In many amperometric applications, the potential of the working electrode, or the current flow through the working electrode, is regulated by means of a third reference electrode through which current does not flow. A potential-stable electrode of the second type, for example, a silver/silver chloride electrode, can serve as reference electrode, for example. The electrodes are electrically conductively connected to a measurement circuit which, given an amperometric measuring probe, is normally a component of a measurement circuit accommodated in a probe housing with the electrodes. A chamber which is closed off by a sensor membrane, and in which an inner electrolyte is accommodated, is often formed in the probe housing. The electrodes are in contact with the inner electrolyte. The sensor membrane is permeable, especially selectively permeable, to the analyte.
For the measurement, the sensor membrane is brought into contact with the measuring medium, wherein the concentration of the analyte present in the inner electrolyte is adjusted as a function of the concentration present in the measuring medium. The current flow, which can be detected when an analyte-dependent polarization voltage is applied between the working electrode and counter-electrode (2-electrode structure) or between the working electrode and reference electrode (3-electrode structure), is detected by the measurement circuit as a measure of the analyte concentration in the measuring medium.
In the course of their service life, sensor membranes of electrochemical sensors are subject to aging, which can lead to a gradual deterioration of the sensor properties, for example, a sensor drift. The aging of the sensor membranes, which is unavoidable even under moderate conditions of use, is intensified by extreme conditions of use, for example, by sterilization processes or contact with aggressive media such as strong acids or alkaline solutions. By means of a regular calibration, the aging of the sensor membranes can be compensated to a certain extent, and thus the operating time of the sensors can be extended. However, if the properties of the sensor membrane have changed to such an extent that a sufficient measurement quality of the sensor is no longer ensured, the sensor membrane or the sensor must be taken out of operation. Sensor membranes of amperometric sensors, as well as measuring electrodes of potentiometric sensors or potentiometric measuring probes as a whole, are therefore frequently wearing parts which are replaced regularly.
For example, there are amperometric sensors which have a sensor body and a membrane cap that can be connected to the sensor body so as to be detachable. Such sensors are described in DE 10 2008 039465 A1 and DE 10 2016 120581 A1, for example. Whereas the sensor body contains long-lived electrical or electronic components of the sensor that serve to detect and process measurement signals, the membrane cap comprises the substantially more short-lived sensor membrane. The membrane cap can be replaced with a new membrane cap having a new, similar sensor membrane if the sensor membrane is damaged or can no longer be used due to signs of aging.
Ion-selective electrodes or combination electrodes with an ion-selective electrode and a reference electrode are often designed as probes which can be connected to a superordinate unit which takes over at least part of the signal processing and/or signal evaluation. If the sensor membrane of the ion-selective electrode is damaged or can no longer be used due to aging, the electrode or the combination electrode can be replaced.
These exchangeable sensor parts are therefore independently offered for purchase as accessories for sensors or measuring stations. In order to ensure an optimal function of the exchangeable sensor parts with the remaining sensor components that can be connected thereto, care should be taken to combine only sensor membranes which are suitable and/or matched to the other sensor components for the respective application in which the new sensor membrane is to be used. By contrast, if the new sensor membrane is designed and specified for other applications than the previously used sensor membrane, the functionality of the sensor can be impaired, both with regard to the measurement of the analyte concentration and also with regard to possible diagnostic functions of the sensor. This applies even more when the sensor membrane is of lower quality or has been manipulated (e.g., product piracy). A mix-up of sensor membranes or the use of sensor membranes, possibly of lower quality, that are not intended for the other sensor components should therefore be excluded with certainty. A marking provided on a package of the replacement part does not appear sufficiently certain to prevent unintended mix-ups or manipulations.


A disk drive has an arrangement for controlling the spindle motor and driving the disk contained therein as a function of the mode of operation such as a low acoustic noise mode or a low power consumption rate mode. For normal operation of the disk drive, priority is given to the low power consumption rate mode and the spindle motor is controlled and driven by a rectangular wave drive current. On the other hand, priority is given to the low acoustic noise mode according to a command issued from the host system to the disk drive so as to control and drive the spindle motor by a trapezoidal wave drive current.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-100536, filed Mar. 30, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the field of disk drives, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for controlling a spindle motor for rotating a disk.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in a disk drive that may typically be a hard disk drive, the disk that operates as data recording medium is fitted to a spindle motor (SPM) and driven to rotate. In recent years, 3-phase brushless DC motors of the sensorless type are in the main stream of spindle motors. The sensorless type motor doesn""t utilizes a sensor for detecting any rotary movement, for example a Hall-effect sensor.
The bipolar drive method is popularly used for driving such a motor as shown in FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawing. In FIG. 6, arrows (a) through (f) indicate the directions along which drive currents flow for the three phases of U, V and W that correspond to respective coils 30. With the bipolar drive method, an electric current is made to flow between two phases, e.g., from the U phase to the V phase. On the other hand, with the unipolar drive method, an electric current is made to flow only in a single phase. Thus, the bipolar drive method can generate a torque twice as strong as the torque generated by the unipolar drive method when an electric current of a same intensity is used. Therefore, with the bipolar drive method, it is possible to relatively reduce the number of wire windings of each coil of a motor.
A method of detecting the back-induced voltage (BIV) generated in each coil by the rotation of a magnet that is interlocked with the rotor of a sensorless type motor is normally used for detecting the position of the rotor. This method utilizes the fact that the back-induced voltage and the rotary position of the rotor show a constant relationship. Since this method makes the use of a Hall-effect sensor for detecting any rotary movement unnecessary, it is possible to produce a compact sensorless type motor at low cost.
FIG. 7 of the accompanying drawing shows a graph illustrating the relationship between the drive current (70) that flows in each phase and the back-induced voltage (71). The terminal voltage of each phase becomes a back-induced voltage only when no drive current flows. Therefore, in a sensorless type motor, the back-induced voltage is detected during a period when no electric current flows in any of the phases (72).
Meanwhile, disk drives are finding a broader scope of applications including not only memory devices of personal computers that have been taking a major area of applications but also data storage devices of various digital apparatus such as digital television sets. Such digital apparatus store data in the form of images and sounds, which may be read out from the disk drive comprised in the apparatus and reproduced from time to time. Then, the acoustic noise that the spindle motor of the disk drive emits when the disk drive is operated can give rise to a serious problem.
The acoustic noise problem can be solved by using a fluid dynamics bearing motor for the spindle motor because it can remarkably reduce the noise level. However, as the overall noise level is reduced by the use of a fluid dynamic bearing motor, the high frequency noise induced by electromagnetic force that is referred to as pure tone and occurs at the time of phase change during the operation of driving the motor can irritate people frequently. It is known that the pure tone is related to fluctuations in the torque of the rotor that occur when the motor is driven.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are graphs illustrating the torque of a motor when the motor is driven by means of the bipolar drive method, using a rectangular wave drive control technique of changing the drive current flowing in each phase of the motor into a rectangular current wave. As shown in FIG. 8B, the torque changes fiercely at each time of phase change (as indicated by an arrow). Therefore, a relatively large high frequency pure tone is generated with the bipolar drive method using a rectangular wave control technique.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are graphs illustrating the torque of a motor when the motor is driven by means of the bipolar drive method, using a trapezoidal wave drive control technique of changing the drive current flowing in each phase into a trapezoidal current wave. With the trapezoidal wave drive control technique, the torque changes mildly at each time of phase change (as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 9B) because this technique reduces the gradient of the drive current (to be referred to as slew rate thereinafter). Therefore, the high frequency pure tone is relatively reduced.
As described above, it is possible to reduce the pure tone during the motor is driven by using the trapezoidal wave drive control technique. However, trapezoidal wave drive control is less efficient than rectangular wave drive control and hence consumes power at a rate greater than the latter. In short, the reduction of pure tone and the increase of power consumption rate provide the problem of tradeoff.
Meanwhile, fluctuations in the torque of a motor driven by using sinusoidal wave drive control of changing the drive current flowing in each phase into a sinusoidal current are substantially reduced to nil as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. However, this technique is less efficient than trapezoidal wave drive control and consumes power at a rate higher than rectangular wave drive control by about 10%. Additionally, it is too difficult to apply the sinusoidal wave drive control technique to a sensorless type spindle motor because the drive current flows constantly in each phase and hence it is no longer possible to detect the back-induced voltage.
As described above, while the noise level of a spindle motor can be reduced by using a fluid dynamic bearing motor for it, it is necessary to reduce the pure tone that is generated at the time of phase change that takes place while the motor is being driven. While the pure tone can be reduced by using trapezoidal wave drive control of changing the waveform of the motor drive current into a trapezoidal waveform or sinusoidal wave drive control of changing the waveform of the motor drive current into a sinusoidal waveform, the both techniques are accompanied by a reduced efficiency and an increased power consumption rate if compared with the rectangular wave drive control technique.
Methods for driving a 3-phase brushless motor of the sensorless type that utilize a pulse width modulation (PWM) type drive control technique have been proposed (for example, inter alia, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-37584). These proposed methods are adapted to softer the rising edges of the drive current at the time of phase change by regulating the drive timing at the time of phase change. While these methods can reduce the pure tone, they cannot avoid the increase of the power consumption rate due to a reduced motor driving efficiency.
Methods for driving 3-phase brushless motors of the sensorless type that can be used with a sinusoidal wave drive control technique are also known (for example, inter alia, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-278987). These known methods utilize a means for detecting the amplitude of the electric current in each phase to make it possible to use a sinusoidal wave drive control technique for a sensorless type motor and reduce the pure tone. However, with these methods, the phase of the back-induced voltage is determined by a CPU to force the latter to bear a heavy workload. Additionally, the CPU needs to know some constants of the brushless motor (including the reactance, the coil resistance and the torque constant) for the arithmetic operation of determining the phase of the back-induced voltage, taking possible variances of these values including those attributable to temperature changes into consideration. Therefore, these proposed methods may not be feasibly commercialized. Additionally, a sinusoidal wave drive control technique is accompanied by a relatively high power consumption rate as pointed out above but none of the proposed methods dissolve this problem.
Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a disk drive adapted to selectively use a method of driving the spindle motor thereof where priority is given to noise suppression (reduction of pure tone) or a method of driving the spindle motor thereof where priority is given to reduction of the power consumption rate of the motor.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a disk drive including an arrangement for controlling the spindle motor to match plural modes of operation. The plural modes of operation include a low power consumption rate mode where priority is given to reduction of the power consumption rate of the motor and a low noise mode where priority is given to noise suppression.
The disk drive comprises:
a disk for recording the data written by a head;
a spindle motor for rotating said disk;
a drive device for supplying a drive current to said spindle motor and driving it; and
a controller for controlling said drive device so as to make it drive said spindle motor by a drive current adapted to a low power consumption rate mode included in said plural modes or make it drive said spindle motor by a drive current adapted to a low noise mode also included in said plural modes.

Method and apparatus for controlling spindle motor to match plural modes of operation in a disk drive


A caulking gun handle and a caulking gun are provided. A caulking amount adjusting assembly is mounted on a movable handle of the caulking gun; the caulking amount adjusting assembly comprises a driving shaft and a driving shaft positioning member; portions at two sides of a mounting groove are each formed as a handle mounting portion; a driving protrusion and first and second positioning recesses are provided on a peripheral surface of the driving shaft, the driving shaft can slide left and right with respect to the two handle mounting portions, so that in a first workstation, an end portion of the driving shaft positioning member located in the driving shaft mounting hole is engaged in the first positioning recess, and in a second workstation, the end portion of the driving shaft positioning member located in the driving shaft mounting hole is engaged in the second positioning recess.

In the prior art, when a caulking gun is used for caulking, the amount of caulking discharged from the caulk cartridge cannot be controlled, and the propelling ratio of the caulking gun cannot be flexibly adjusted according to different viscosities of the caulks, thus leading to a too large caulking amount in some work scenes, which on the one hand will cause great interference to the process, and needs additionally performing cleaning work to excess caulk discharged on the to-be-caulked surface, and on the other hand, also causes a problem of serious caulk waste. In some work scenes, the caulking amount at a single time is too small, resulting in that the caulking needs to be performed multiple times to cover the to-be-caulked surface, and then causing a problem that the caulking efficiency is low and further the construction efficiency is affected.


A shoulder protector device that is releasably attachable to a ladder. The shoulder protector device includes a body having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion disposed between and integral with the first portion and the second portion. The protector device further includes a first longitudinal portion spanning the longitudinal length of the body and an opposed second longitudinal portion spanning the longitudinal length of the body. The first longitudinal portion includes a slot. The slot has a first section provided in the first portion of the body and a second section provided in the second portion of the body. The first section of the slot is configured to receive an edge of a rung of a ladder and the second section of the slot is configured to receive an edge of a rail of the ladder such that the edge of the rung and the edge of the rail can concurrently be disposed within the first section of the slot and second section of the slot, respectively.

A-frame ladders and other types of ladders are difficult to carry from place to place because of their weight and length, often six feet or more, make them awkward and cumbersome to handle. Aggravating this problem is the fact that a ladder is often needed in a place that is somewhat difficult to access and/or may need to be carried a fairly long distance to its point of use.
A common way for a person to carry a ladder is by holding the middle of the ladder with one or two hands, depending on its weight, at the side of the person near the hip. In this carrying position, the ladder is oriented horizontally and extends lengthwise several feet forward and rearward of the person. As such, much care is needed when carrying a ladder along a hallway, stairwell, around corners or through a doorway to ensure that the ends of the ladder do not strike and damage walls or other objects. Additionally, a ladder carried this way also tends to bang against the leg of the person carrying the ladder. And, by having the ladder hanging at the side of a person the ladder's weight is greatly off-set from the person's sagittal plane which can lead to back injury. A further difficultly is that sufficient hand strength is required to carry and control a ladder, particularly where the point of use is at a long distance and in spaces that are difficult to navigate such as a stairwell.
In view of these disadvantages, another common technique to carry a ladder is to balance it on the shoulder and to then walk slowly and carefully to the desired location. The ladder may be positioned such that a rail rest on the shoulder, a rung rest on the shoulder, or both a rail and rung simultaneously rest on the shoulder for example when the shoulder is positioned at a rail-rung junction.
Nonetheless, this technique is not wholly satisfactory and can result in physical injuries. A notable problem is that the entire weight of the ladder is concentrated on the shoulder and is borne by the clavicle and/or surrounding tissue. In particular, ridge lines formed by edges of the rail and/or rung concentrate the full weight of the ladder into the shoulder. Consequently, there is not only considerable discomfort to the shoulder area, but there is also a risk of physical injury to the shoulder and neck as well as aggravation of any prior injury to these areas.
To reduce shoulder discomfort, oftentimes a person lifts with their hand to offset a portion of ladder's weight and/or to periodically reposition the ladder on the shoulder. This lifting and repositioning can cause fatigue and potentially injury and does not satisfactorily resolve the problem of shoulder discomfort.
In view of the aforementioned deficiencies, there exists a need for a shoulder protector device that aids a person in carrying a ladder, for example a step ladder, with their shoulder. More particularly, there exists a need for a shoulder protector device to protect and comfort the shoulder of a person from edges of the rail and/or rung while carrying a ladder. There exists a further and more specific need for a shoulder protector device that disperses the weight of a ladder over a greater area of a person's shoulder as compared to not using the device. There also exists a need for a shoulder protector device that is easily attached to a ladder for moving the ladder to a new location and easily removed so that the device will not interfere with use of the ladder. There further also exists a need for a shoulder protector device to be cost-effective and simple to use.

Shoulder protector device for carrying a ladder


A plate precursor for a lithographic printing plate requiring no development, which comprises a surface formed of a solid material of an inorganic compound comprising at least two kinds of elements selected from groups 13, 14 and 15 of the periodic table; a method for making a lithographic printing plate using the same; and a novel plate precursor for a lithographic printing plate in which an image can be formed and deleted.

The technique of lithography is based on immiscibility of oil and water. Oil materials or ink is preferentially retained in image regions, and aqueous solutions are selectively retained in non-image regions. When surfaces of plate materials suitably prepared are wetted with water, followed by coating with print ink, the non-image regions hold water to repel the ink, whereas the image regions receive the ink to repel water. Accordingly, when these plate materials are brought into contact with surfaces to be printed, directly or indirectly through intermediates called blankets, the ink on the image regions is transferred to perform printing.
As materials for forming the ink-receiving image regions, many organic materials are known. They are basically formed from light-sensitive components (radiant ray-sensitive materials) and binders. As the radiant ray-sensitive materials, many materials are known. Useful negative type compositions include diazo resins, photo-crosslinkable polymers and photo-polymerizable compositions. Useful positive type compositions include aromatic diazo-oxide compounds such as benzoquinonediazides and naphthoquinonediazides. When imagewise exposure is given to these materials, followed by development and optional fixing, image regions of imagewise distribution are formed which can be used in printing.
As a material for forming the water holding non-image regions, an anodized aluminum surface has generally been used. For preparing aluminum for this application, both the graining process and the subsequent anodization are generally performed. The graining process is useful to improve the adhesion of the radiant ray-sensitive paint films, and also useful to enhance the water holding characteristics of the non-image regions of lithographic printing plates.
Such hydrophilized surfaces are exposed at non-image areas by exposure and development, and when fountain solutions are given thereto, they are sufficiently retained. Accordingly, the print ink is effectively repelled to inhibit stains in printing.
The above-mentioned ordinary lithographic printing plates are required to be developed with developing solutions after imagewise exposure. The developing solutions remove the non-image regions of image forming layers to expose the surfaces of supports hydrophilized by roughening thereof. The developing solutions are typical aqueous alkaline solutions, and sometimes contain organic solvents in large amounts. The development therefore requires not only its complicated processing procedure, but also waste disposal of large amounts of the aqueous alkaline solutions. Accordingly, this has been an important concern in the printing field for a long period of time. In recent years, the problem of the alkaline developing waste liquid has been noted particularly from the standpoint of environmental preservation, and methods for reducing the amount of waste liquid as small as possible and measures for lowering alkalinity have been proposed. However, no fundamental solution has been found.
From the above-mentioned background, efforts to produce printing plates requiring no development using alkaline developing solutions have been made. In recent years, for example, methods for preparing printing plates by use of laser exposure have been known. However, printing materials used herein mostly form images by ablation.
On the other hand, JP-A-9-169098 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application) proposes a method of using a ZrO.sub.2 ceramic material as a surface material, and changing the surface properties by laser irradiation to form an image. In this system, the ceramic material itself has sensitivity to laser beams, and corresponds to image formation (ink-receptive) and deletion (hydrophilization) at different wavelengths. Accordingly, both the image formation and deletion can be carried out only by irradiation of laser beams.
However, for the lithographic printing plates requiring no development processing which have hitherto been proposed, sufficiently satisfactory practicability has not been obtained. That is to say, in a field to which a printing system is applied, extreme accuracy is generally required for maintaining the quality of images. Accordingly, the use of printing materials which form images by ablation undesirably causes mist produced by the ablation to become a source of pollution in the system.
Further, the printing material using the ZrO.sub.2 ceramic material described in JP-A-9-169098 is very low in the degree of changes in polarity. Hence, when the surface is contaminated by some chance, there is the high possibility that ink adheres to a non-image area in printing practice to form a stain.

Plate precursor for lithographic printing plate, method for making lithographic printing plate using the same, and method for producing the plate precursor for lithographic printing plate


Certain exemplary embodiments comprise an electrical power distribution panel, which can comprise a Source Line Evaluation Detector. The Source Line Evaluation Detector can be configured to open a contactor responsive to at least one condition from a plurality of monitored electrical source line conditions. The Source Line Evaluation Detector can be configured to monitor the one or more monitored electrical source line conditions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,392 (McDonald), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly recites a "power distribution unit for supplying temporary branch power has a 240-250 VAC input with input power line conductors L1 and L2, a neutral conductor N, and a ground conductor G. A supervisory circuit checks that the 240-250 VAC input is properly connected to the power distribution unit by requiring that the input voltage exceeds a supervisory circuit threshold voltage substantially greater than 120-125 volts. When that occurs, a contactor is enabled by the supervisory circuit to close first and second contacts therein to pass the 240-250 VAC on lines L1 and L2 therethrough to a 240-250 VAC ground fault interrupter protected circuit breaker outlet. A plurality of 120-125 VAC GFI module outlets are connected across either one of lines L1 and L2 at the output of the supervisory circuit and the neutral conductor N which bypasses the contactor. The supervisory circuit includes a diode bridge circuit connected across power line conductors L1 and L2 to convert a 240-250 VAC input to 240-250 VDC. A voltage threshold zener diode is connected in series with first and second relays across the 240-250 VDC, such that the zener diode ensures that the voltage required to operate the first and second relays is substantially greater than 120-125 VDC. The first relay operates contacts to activate the contactor, and the second relay operates contacts to bypass the neutral conductor N around the contactor." See Abstract.
United States Patent Publication No. 20050122650 (Beasley), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly recites a "portable electric power supply with a main contactor relay connected in electrical series with a manual safety switch and voltage sensing relay contactor between the neutral conductor and a power conductor of the power supply. A voltage sensing relay detects the voltages in the power supply and turns on the voltage sensing relay contactor when the voltages reach a minimum value. The safety switch is wired in parallel with a latching contactor. The main contactor relay activates a main power contactor and the latching contactor when the voltage sensing relay contactor and one or both of the safety switch and latching contactor are activated, and deactivates the main power contactor and latching contactor when the voltage sensing relay contactor is deactivated. When activated, the main power contactor connects power outlets to the neutral conductor and power conductors." See Abstract.

Devices, systems, and methods for providing electrical power


Improved semiconductor devices including metal gate electrodes are formed with reduced performance variability by reducing the initial high dopant concentration at the top portion of the silicon layer overlying the metal layer. Embodiments include reducing the dopant concentration in the upper portion of the silicon layer, by implanting a counter-dopant into the upper portion of the silicon layer, removing the high dopant concentration portion and replacing it with undoped or lightly doped silicon, and applying a gettering agent to the upper surface of the silicon layer to form a thin layer with the gettered dopant, which layer can be removed or retained.

A typical metal gate electrode stack comprises an amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon capping layer 101, a metal layer 103, and a high K dielectric layer 105, over a semiconductor substrate 107, as illustrated in FIG. 1. For P-type semiconductor devices with metal gate electrodes, the amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon layer is typically doped, for example with an appropriate dopant, such as boron (B), aluminum, or gallium, notably B, to improve device performance and control conductivity. However, it was found that during doping, as by ion implantation, a high dopant concentration is formed at the upper surface of the silicon layer which decreases asymptotically downward from the surface leaving a non-uniform dopant concentration profile. The resulting high dopant concentration region 201 near the top surface of silicon layer 101, etches at a rate different from the remainder of silicon layer 101. For example B-doped silicon has a slower etch rate than undoped silicon, and the etch rate changes monotonously with dopant concentration. Accordingly and adverting to FIG. 2, upon etching the layers after dopant implantation, the high B concentration region 201 etches at a significantly lower rate that the remainder of silicon layer 101, resulting in a gate stack having non-linear side surfaces due to undercutting 203, and forming a "shoulder" 205 near the top of the patterned gate. The "shoulder" will not only cause variability in device performance, but also acts as a weak point in subsequent encapsulation, thereby leading to defects.
A need therefore exists for methodology enabling the fabrication of semiconductor devices with metal gate transistors, particularly P-type metal gate transistors, having reduced variability in device performance.

Gate etch optimization through silicon dopant profile change


The invention relates to a method by which an unmanned transport device docked on a receiving container is loaded with a payload container for a consignment, having a loading device for loading the transport device with the payload container, wherein the payload container has a bearing at its first end, the transport device has a loading opening on its underside for receiving the payload container, and the loading opening, at its front end, has a mating contour corresponding to the bearing, and the method has the following steps: the payload container, arranged on the loading device, is pivoted in relation to the horizontal by the loading device such that the first end is elevated in relation to a second, opposite end of the payload container, the loading device is raised until the payload container ends up at least with its first end located within and/or beneath the loading opening, and the payload container is pivoted by the loading device into the horizontal for introduction into the loading opening such that, first of all, the bearing comes into engagement with the mating contour and, subsequently, the second end of the payload container comes into engagement with a rear end of the loading opening.

Due to rising goods traffic as a result of general and mixed cargo journeys, truck or container transports, sea or air freight parcel transports within the framework of e-commerce and online mail order offers, the number of transport goods and, in particular, of packages and consignments has significantly increased. Although it is nowadays possible that an order can be placed online independently of conventional store opening times, the delivery of the order as a consignment to the consignee is made almost exclusively by traditional delivery methods, for instance by mailmen or, in the case of packages, by motorized delivery vehicles, and substantially only within store opening times. If the consignee cannot be located at the time of delivery, for instance because he, as an employed person, is pursuing his work within store opening times, either an attempt is made to deliver the consignment on a further occasion, or the consignment is deposited in a branch of the delivery company for collection by the consignee. Although for some time the possibility has existed of depositing consignments at a collection point, for instance in a DHL Packstation, such collection points are not yet widely available and thus not in all cases an alternative.
Very recently, trials have therefore been undertaken to deliver consignments to the consignee or the collection point with unmanned transport devices, for instance with an unmanned flying machine, also referred to as a parcelcopter or drone. In these trials, a receiving container is normally used to receive the consignment, to which the transport device can carry the consignment or from which the transport device can fetch the consignment. After the consignment has been carried by the transport device to the receiving container, which is installed, for instance, in the front yard of a house of the consignee or is provided for an urban district for a plurality of consignees, the consignment can be removed from the receiving container also outside store opening times.
In the aforementioned trials, the actual transfer of the consignment from the unmanned transport device to the receiving container has proved particularly difficult. For instance, a "dropping" of the consignment from the transport device to the receiving container is not possible, in order not to damage fragile consignments.

Method for loading and/or unloading a transport device at a receiving container


Word spotting in a speech recognition system without predetermining the endpoints of the input speech. The invention is intended to be implemented in a system which has word templates stored in template memory, with the system being capable of accumulating distance measures for states within each word template. The following steps are used to generate a measure of similarity between a subset of the input frames and a word template. The steps are: a) recording a beginning input frame number for each state to identify the potential beginning of the word; b) accumulating distance measures for at least one state for each input frame; c) normalizing the distance measures by substracting a normalization amount from each distance measure; d) recording normalization information corresponding to the normalization amount for each input frame; and e) determining a similarity measure between the word template and a subset of input frames after a given input frame has been processed. The subset is identified from the beginning input frame number corresponding to an end state of the template, through the given input frame number. The similarity measure is based on the normalized distance measure recorded for the end state. and the normalization information.

The present invention relates to word recognition for a speech recognition system and, more particularly, to word recognition without predetermining the endpoints of input words.
Speech recognition systems generally employ word recognition methods to match a word spoken by the system user to a "word template", i.e. a data set in the system representing a spoken word. Traditionally, one of the first steps performed by a typical speech recognition system is determining the endpoints of the speech utterance to define the word to be recognized. It is critical that these endpoints be determined accurately since incorrect endpoints cannot be compensated for later on during the recognition process.
Endpoint detection has proven to be a difficult task. In noisy environments, this difficulty is emphasized due to a lack of acoustic cues indicating a word's starting and ending points. Even in quiet environments, endpoint detection can be hampered because of speaker induced noises such as lip smacks, breathing noises, etc. Notwithstanding noise interference, continuous speech utterances may confuse the endpoint detector if a spoken word is part of a phrase or sentence. Accordingly, endpoint detection is a problem well recognized in the speech recognition field.
Although there have been other attempts of word spotting without predetermined endpoint detection, even those methods that have enjoyed some success have proven to be either computationally prohibitive or they have compromised the system's recognizer performance.

Word spotting in a speech recognition system without predetermined endpoint detection


A system and method for leak check module including first and second solenoid valves. A first solenoid valve is configured to be coupled between a fuel vapor canister and atmospheric air for controlling air flow in a first flow path between the fuel vapor canister and atmospheric air. A pump is configured to be coupled to atmospheric air. A second solenoid valve is configured to be coupled between the pump and the fuel vapor canister for controlling air flow in a second flow path between the fuel vapor canister and atmospheric air through the pump.

Gasoline, the fuel for many automotive vehicles, is a volatile liquid subject to potentially rapid evaporation, in response to diurnal variations in the ambient temperature. Thus, the fuel contained in automobile gas tanks presents a major source of potential emission of hydrocarbons into the atmosphere. Such emissions from vehicles are termed 'evaporative emissions' and those vapors can emit vapors even when the engine is not running
In response to this problem, industry has incorporated evaporative emission control (EVAP) systems into automobiles to prevent fuel vapor from being discharged into the atmosphere. Known EVAP systems generally include a canister, e.g. a carbon canister containing adsorbent carbon, that traps fuel vapor. Periodically, a purge cycle feeds the captured vapor to the intake manifold for combustion, thus reducing evaporative emissions.
Hybrid electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEV's or PHEV's), pose a particular problem for effectively controlling evaporative emissions. Although hybrid vehicles have been proposed and introduced in a number of forms, some hybrid vehicles use a combustion engine as backup to an electric motor. Primary power is provided by the electric motor, and careful attention to charging cycles can produce an operating profile in which the combustion engine is only run for short periods. Systems in which the combustion engine is only operated once or twice every few weeks are not uncommon. In known systems purging the carbon canister can only occur when the engine is running, and if the canister is not purged, the carbon pellets can become saturated, after which hydrocarbons will escape to the atmosphere, causing pollution.
To address this issue, EVAP systems are generally sealed to prevent the escape of any hydrocarbons. These systems require periodic leak detection tests to identify potential problems. Several different leak check systems have been developed. The systems may be generally classified as vacuum-based, pressure-based or combined vacuum and pressure-based techniques.
Vacuum-based techniques rely on evacuating the EVAP system and then monitoring to determine whether the system can hold the vacuum without bleed-up. Pressure-based techniques involve pressurizing the EVAP system and monitoring to determine whether the system can maintain the pressure. Combined techniques use a combination of vacuum and pressure-based techniques.
One known vacuum-based technique configuration uses a pump for generating a vacuum and a check valve to determine leakage. Drawbacks to this configuration include the potential that the check valve will seal or leak and the potential for system seals resulting from corking of the system solenoid canister vent valve at the completion of a leak test. Also, this known configuration is not readily adaptable to use in both pressure and vacuum based systems.

Evaporative emissions control system leak check module including first and second solenoid valves


This is a structure of, and method for preparation of, molybdenum resistors in a superconductor integrated circxuit. It utilizes a pattern superconductor film; applying a titanium film on the patterned superconductor film; and then applying a molybdenum film on the titanium film to provide a titanium-molybdenum, etch-stop interface; applying a patterned resist film on the molybdenum film; etching the exposed molybdenum film to expose a portion of the titanium-molybdenum, etch-stop interface; and oxidizing the exposed titanium-molybdenum, etch-stop interface. The titanium-molybdenum etch stop interface protects the patterned superconductor film and the support (including any other underlayers) and increases processing margins for the etch time. Preferably the etching of the exposed molybdenum film is by reactive ion etching and oxidizing the exposed titanium-molybdenum etch stop interface is by exposing the interface to a plasma containing about 25-75 volume percent oxygen and 25-75 volume percent argon, and the titanium film is about 50-500 Angstroms thick.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to superconductor integrated circuits, and in particular provides an etch stop for the etching of molybdenum resistors in superconductor integrated circuits.
2. Description of Related Art
Superconductor integrated circuits using Josephson tunnel junction devices have been described in a number of U.S. Patents (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,662 issued Feb. 7, 1984 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,567 issued Nov. 19, 1985, both to Jillie and Smith and both describing integrated circuitry and methods of manufacture, Josephson junction device configurations are also shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,430 issued Dec. 27, 1983 to Hasuo et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,785 issued Dec. 20, 1983 to Kroger). The usage of molybdenum resistors is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,903 issued Sept. 2, 1986 to Toyokura et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,228, issued Feb. 12, 1985, to Jillie and Smith discloses a method of manufacturing a Josephson junction integrated circuit including the step of depositing and patterning the resistor material, which typically may be molybdenum, approximately 800 angstroms thick and also having an insulator layer comprising U silicon dioxide, approximately 2500 angstroms thick. Jillie et al. note that the first layer of deposited insulator provides an etch stop for the upper niobium etch step. A paper by S. Kosaka et al. entitled "An Integration of All Refractory Josephson Logic LSI Circuit", (IEEE Transactions On Magnetics, volume MAG-21, No. 2, Mar. 1985, pp. 102-109) provides several examples of etch stop by chemical selectivity, i.e., the layer being etched has a much higher etch rate than the layers underneath.

Refractory resistors with etch stop for superconductor integrated circuits


A vehicle seat comprises: a base frame (side frames 4, pipe frame 5) which constitutes left and right lower portions of a seat back frame; a force-receiving member (bracket 7) disposed adjacent to a left or right outer side of the base frame, and configured to receive a load from outside in a lateral direction; and a load transmission part (lower portion 51 and lower frame) configured to transmit the load from the force-receiving member to a side laterally opposite to that on which the force-receiving member is provided. The force-receiving member has a shape with a closed cross section, and a portion of at least one of the front wall and the rear wall (front wall 81) separate from upper and lower ends thereof provides an uneven shape (recessed portions 81a).

A vehicle seat comprising a pipe frame (inner frame) shaped like a rectangular loop, a plate-like side frame disposed adjacent to a left or right outer side of the pipe frame, and a bracket (force-receiving member) fixed to a left or right outer side of the side frame has hitherto been known in the art (see JP 2000-103275 A). In this technique, the bracket is shaped like a box having front, rear, upper and lower sides all of which are flat, and when a side collision load imposed on the vehicle is received by the bracket from outside in a lateral direction, this side collision load is transmitted through the respective flat surfaces inward in the lateral direction.
However, with the conventional technique, since the sides of the bracket for transmitting a side collision load are flat, these flat sides of the bracket, if their wall thickness is thin, would be buckled upon receipt of a side collision load, with the result that the load disadvantageously could not properly be transmitted inward in the lateral direction.
Against this backdrop, the inventors named in the present application have created the present invention in an effort to provide a vehicle seat in which a load can be properly transmitted laterally from outside toward inside even if the wall thickness of the bracket (force-receiving member) is thin.


A water conducting household appliance, particularly a dishwasher or a washing machine, having a hydraulic circuit, in which cleaning fluid can be recycled and in which at least one further filter is provided for filtering recycled washing liquor. In an exemplary embodiment, the appliance includes a filter in the hydraulic circuit for filtering recycled washing liquor. The filter may be disposed in a region of the hydraulic circuit in which the recycled washing liquor is rotated.

In order to prevent the line system in which washing liquor is circulated in water conducting household appliances, such as dishwashers for example, becoming contaminated with dirt particles, a filter system is used, which may comprise a coarse filter, a fine filter and a micro filter. The coarse filter here serves to retain dirt particles, which could lead to a blockage of the washing liquor pump. A fine filter retains particles with a particle size greater than approximately 1 mm and a micro filter retains particles with a particle size greater then approximately 0.15 mm.
A water conducting household appliance such as a dishwasher for example has a washing liquor pump, which can be used to convey washing liquor that is contaminated at the end of the washing operation out of the dishwasher into a house-side waste water disposal system. Such washing liquor pumps are designed so that they can convey larger particle sizes unimpeded and there is no blockage of the washing liquor pump. Washing liquor pumps are therefore disposed so that contaminated washing liquor is only filtered coarsely during the pumping operation.
A dishwasher also has a circulation pump, which can be used to circulate washing liquor during a cleaning operation; in other words fluid collecting in the pump sum of a dishwasher is fed by means of the circulation pump through a hydraulic system to spray arms disposed in the interior of the washing compartment, said spray arms then spraying washing liquor onto the items to be washed in a regular manner. The spray arms have relatively small openings so it is necessary to pass the circulated washing liquor through the fine and micro filters so that even the smallest particles are retained and the outlet openings of the spray arms cannot become blocked. The circulation pump is configured accordingly in respect of particle size tolerance.


A flash storage device comprises: a memory module, for storing data; a control unit, electrically connected to the memory module, for accessing the data in the memory module; and a detecting unit, electrically connected to the control unit, for passing a temperature detecting result to the control unit, and the control unit determining whether a data protection operation is activated according to the temperature detecting result.

Flash memories are non-volatile semiconductor memory devices used for data storage by controlling electrons staying in the floating gates. The approach of floating gate is used for storing data via the storage of electrons at flash cells, and comprises steps of: connecting the control gate to a high voltage and connecting the drain to a low voltage while programming the flash cells. Due to the voltage difference between the control gate and the drain, the floating gate is capable of maintaining a voltage Vt while the flash cell is being programmed. After removing the high voltage and the low voltage from the control gate and the drain, the floating gates then preserve the electrons.
Due to the characteristics of vibration-proof, low noise and low power consumption, flash storage devices are widely used in recent days. With the development of techniques, the usage of flash memories is more popular. Except being used as a portable data storage media like a thumb drive, a compact flash card (CF card), a secure digital card (SD card), a multi media card (MMC card), nowadays, flash memories are used for solid state drive (herein after, SSD) and intend to replace the conventional hard disks in personal computers.
According to the various circuit combinations, flash memories can be classified into different types like nand-flash memories, nor-flash memories etc. The usage of the nand-flash memories is more popular than the usage of the nor-flash memories in practical application due to the following reasons: First of all, the erasing period of the nand-flash memories is shorter than the nor-flash memories. Secondly, the nand-flash memories have higher storage density. Besides, the number of erasing times of the nand-flash memories is ten times more than the number of erasing times of the nor-flash memories.
Generally speaking, a flash storage device comprises nand-flash memories, and a control chip. Depending on the various implementation techniques, nand-flash memories in the market can be separated into a single-level cell style of flash memory (herein after, SLC flash memory), or a multi-level cell style of flash memory (herein after, MLC flash memory).
Simply specking, the distinct difference between the SLC flash memories and the MLC flash memories is, only one bit of data is stored in each cell (floating gate) of SLC flash memories, while two or more bits of data are stored in each cell (floating gate) of MLC flash memories. In other words, the floating gate of the MLC flash memories has a higher unit capacity for data storage, and this implies that MLC flash memories uses less space for storing the same quantity of data. Although the MLC flash memories have some shortages like: higher error rate for data programming, shorter life, and longer block erasing time, longer page programming time, the MLC flash memories are actually more common in practice due to its advantages of higher data storage density and lower manufacture cost. Hence MLC flash memories are widely used for mass storage application, especially for SSD.
In order to avoid failures occurred while accessing data, it is very common to provide data control or management mechanisms for flash memories access. For example, proceeding bad block management (referred as, BBM) in order to detect and mark trouble blocks in the flash memories and further avoid the usage of such trouble blocks latter on. Another example is providing wear-leveling techniques to keep a record of the eraseing times of each block in the flash memory, and avoid the chances that a host erases only certain blocks as it might shorten the life of the flash storage device. Flash storage device uses error correcting codes (herein after, ECC) for detecting or examining error while programming or reading data. Besides, flash storage device is capable of providing relative control mechanism for speeding up the access speed, or diminishing the data crash problem caused by unstable power supply.
ECC are used for both bit error correction and bit error detection, and ECC can be implemented by different algorithms in practice. For example, Hamming Code, Reed Solomom Code etc. are used in conventional techniques for ECC.
All ECC algorithms have their limitations, that is, once the number of error bits in the flash memory is more than ECC algorithms can detect, ECC is not able to recover the data. This implies that there is a chance to access incorrect data stored in the flash memory.
For example, while accessing a 4k bytes page, two 2k bytes of allocation unit might be used. Besides, an ECC with 64 bytes length might be used for each page. By doing so, the ECC are capable of correcting incorrect data if the number of error bits is no more than 32 bits in the same page.
In other words, once the ECC reach their limitations and not able to correct the content stored in the flash memories, that is, in the previous example, if the number of error bits is more than 32 bits, the ECC are not capable of finding out the incorrect data nor correcting them. This implies that the data stored in the flash memories are damaged, and this is very dangerous for data storage devices. As the functions of ECC are limited, it is important to guarantee the correctness of data stored in flash memories. As for the MLC flash memories, this issue becomes more important as MLC flash memories are wildly used for mass data storage with higher error rate during data accessing.
Moreover, as flash memories use floating gate to store data, it happens the electrons stored at the floating gates are easily missing in a high temperature environment. Besides, in a low temperature environment, electrons are not easily to be injected or pulled off the floating gates. This result in the content of data stored in the flash memories being affected, and this phenomena becomes more often when the process technique is more advanced. In other words, the data stored in the flash memories are affected by the temperature in the surrounding environment, and this might increase the number of error bits. Since the sensitivity to the temperature becomes a serious problem for flash memories nowadays, it might result in that the occasions of ECC not capable of correcting data are more. Therefore, the intention of the present invention is to propose an approach to solve the problem.

Flash storage device and data protection method thereof


The present invention relates to a transformant for inhibiting glycerol production through deletion of glycerol producing genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae modified so as to use glycerol as a fermentation source, or enhancing bioethanol production through overexpression of TATA-binding proteins, SPT3 and SPT15, and a method for producing ethanol by using the transformant.

Ethanol currently has a huge market as an industrial solvent, and it is expected that ethanol can be actually used as a transportation fuel for automobiles and the like and the demand therefor continue to increase.
Glycerol (C3H8O3) is converted from glucose (C6H12O6) by one-step reduction and can provide improved reducing power during the metabolism of a microorganism. Many substances produced by fermentation frequently require reducing power in their metabolic pathways. Therefore, if glycerol can be effectively used as a substrate, the yield and productivity of the desired fermentation product can be improved. With a rapid increase in the production of biodiesel, the production of glycerol has increased, thus the price thereof is decreasing rapidly. As the production of biodiesel increases rapidly, the production of the byproduct glycerol also increases, and thus problems associated with the effective treatment of byproducts including glycerol will occur. Accordingly, the production of useful fermentation products by effective fermentation of glycerol will result in many effects.
The present inventors previously reported a transformant having an enhanced ability to produce ethanol from glycerol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yu et al. Bioresour Technol. 101(11):4157-61 (2010)). In the studies of the present inventors, in order to increase ethanol productivity by improving a strain developed so as to use glycerol efficiently, an increase in glycerol productivity was achieved by blocking a pathway in which about 10% glycerol is produced as a byproduct in the production of ethanol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Strains known to be used in the microbial production of glycerol include yeasts such as S. cerevisiae, C. magnoliae, P. farinose, C. glycerinogens, bacteria such as B. subtilis, and algae such as D. tertiolecta. It is known that microorganisms generated by manipulating the glycerol biosynthesis pathway found in microorganisms known as glycerol-producing strains can be used. Generally, a carbon substrate such as glucose is converted to glucose-6-phosphate by hexokinase in the presence of ATP. Glucose-6-phosphate is converted by glucose-phosphate isomerase to fructose-6-phosphate which is then converted to fructose-1,6-diphosphate by 6-phosphofructokinase. The fructose-1,6-diphosphate is converted to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) by aldolase. Finally, DHAP is converted to glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) by NADH-dependent glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), and the G3P is then dephosphorylated to glycerol by glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase (Hou J et al. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 85(4):1123-30 (2010)).
Among dehydrogenase genes that are involved in DHAP conversion to glycerol, GPD1 is known as a gene encoding glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase that converts DHAP to glycerol-3-phosphate. In addition, GPP2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is known as a gene encoding glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase that converts glycerol-3-phosphate to glycerol.
In the glycerol production pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) is converted by glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) to glycerol-3-phosphate, which is then converted by glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase to glycerol which is then excreted from cells through the glycerol export channel Fps1 (Oliveira et al. Biochim Biophys Acta. 27; 1613(1-2):57-71 (2003)).
In order to increase ethanol production in a transformant constructed so as to use glycerol as a carbon source in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two glycerol production genes, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 2 and yeast glycerol channel Fps1, were deleted. In addition, it was found that glycerol uptake protein (Gup1) provides recovery against osmotic stress, and an increase in ethanol production was achieved.
Further, the present inventors developed broad regulatory functions of sigma factors for facilitating whole cell manipulation by TATA-binding proteins overexpression and induction of multiple simultaneous gene expression changes similarly.
Particularly in the case of ethanol production, the present invention can be applied to fungal cells and RNA polymerase II factors related to such eukaryotic cells. The present invention may encompass the use of other eukaryotic cells and transcriptional mechanisms corresponding to such cells, for improving phenotype characteristics, particularly the resistance of glycerol (and other sugars) and/or ethanol in culture medium and the production of ethanol by cells from various sources known in the art.
Thus, in the present invention, in order to increase ethanol production in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae engineered so as to use glycerol as a carbon source, a transformant that overexpresses TATA-binding proteins SPT3 and SPT15 was constructed, thereby increasing ethanol production.

Transformant for enhancing bioethanol production, and method for producing ethanol by using said strain

Korea University Research and Business Foundation


The assembly comprises a filtration unit and a gel growth medium cassette, the unit and the cassette being adapted to cooperate in order to occupy a nested position in which a membrane covers the gel growth medium, the unit and the cassette each being equipped with an intermediate stop, it being possible for at least one of the two stops to move clear so as to allow the unit to move from an intermediate position, in which the membrane is spaced away from the said gel growth medium, into the nested position. The method comprises selecting such an assembly, of engaging the unit on the cassette until the intermediate stop of the unit comes into contact with the intermediate stop of the cassette, and the step of moving clear the stop able to move clear so as to allow the unit to move from the intermediate position into the nested position.

The present invention relates to the microbiological analysis of a sample of liquid in a pressurized flow.
Units for the microbiological testing of samples of pressurized liquid comprising a microporous membrane through which the liquid is filtered under pressure are already known, particularly from French patent 2 802 942.
Such units comprise a body for admitting the liquid that is to be filtered and a body for draining this liquid away, the admission and drainage bodies of this unit being locked together one on each side of the filter membrane, sandwiching this membrane over an annular area with the interposition of a seal.
Locking is achieved by means of frangible latching tabs which are broken after filtration in order to disconnect the two bodies and thus gain access to the membrane, it then being possible for this membrane to be gripped in forceps via its edge to be set down on the top surface of gel growth medium poured beforehand into a growing cassette such as a petri dish for example.

Microbiological analysis assembly and method


A high bandwidth telephone line transceiver for connecting telecommunications equipment to a telephone line provides a pair of isolation capacitors connected to the telephone line to transmit the telephone signals across the requisite electrical isolation barrier. The capacitors are connected to a user-side hybrid circuit that provides a line impedance match for the telephone circuit, and converts the two wire connection to the capacitors to a 4 wire circuit for separate transmit and receive signal paths. The receive signal path extends through a signal op amp to a high pass filter that transmits the DSL download bandwidth and rejects the upload bandwidth and voice spectrum. The received signal is then fed to an analog/digital converter, and the digitized signal is connected to a DSP. The DSP is connected to a data handling device via a USB port, a PCI interface, or the like. The transmit signal path extends from the DSP circuit to a transmit path digital/analog converter. The resulting analog signal is fed through a low pass filter, which transmits the upload bandwidth and rejects the remainder of the spectrum. The signal then passes through a compensation network that maintains a flat impedance characteristic over the upload bandwidth, and then through a line impedance matching network to the other isolation capacitor that connects to the telephone line. The hybrid circuit also cancels the near echo from the transmit signal path to the receive signal path.

This invention relates to devices for connecting communications equipment to a telephone line across an electrical isolation barrier.
In the past few years the internet has progressed from a computer curiosity to an integral part of business and commerce and education. The number of homes in the United States connected to the internet is estimated to exceed 40 million in the year 2001. Many new subscribers to internet services have come to realize that although a universe of information and products and services are available via the internet, the service connections available to most users are severely limited in speed, due either to limited modem speed or the limitations of the communications line serving the modem. The slow response time and downloading delays that are commonly experienced by internet users are continually frustrating to internet users, who are accustomed to the faster reaction times of systems such as video games, remote control selection of television programming, cell phone connectivity, and the like.
The internet has flourished on the promise of future services, such as video on demand, video conferencing for telecommuting and on-line meetings, high quality audio programming, multi-casting, and the like. These features cannot be provided on a real-time basis using existing internet connections.
One solution to this bottleneck is video cable service, which is available to over 90% of homes, with over 60% of homes in the United States subscribing to a CATV service. Although coaxial cable has very high bandwidth, a major drawback of cable TV systems is that they are predominantly non-switched and non-directed; i.e., every customer connected to the cable receives substantially all of the traffic on the cable. If cable systems are modified to carry individual channels of communication for each subscriber, it will be necessary to devise a time domain multiplex scheme for cable traffic, or a plurality of subcarriers, or some other multiplex network communications arrangement that can address each subscriber individually. Network communications could fill a large portion of the cable bandwidth, particularly if the cable systems continue to carry hundreds of TV channels as well.
Other communications technologies, such as fiberoptics, also offer the promise of xe2x80x9cunlimitedxe2x80x9d bandwidth. Although ten years ago there were predictions that every home would be connected to an optical fiber communications system by the year 2000, the magnitude of the task and the cost per home have combined to limit direct fiberoptic service to extremely high volume users. Rather, telephone companies have built fiberoptic networks across much of the country, but transfer the signals to the existing twisted pair copper wire circuits for transmission to the end user.
Ironically, the existing telephone system, unlike the cable TV systems and fiberoptic systems, does provide individually addressed communications circuits to each home (often more than one to each home). These circuits are typically formed by twisted pairs of copper wire, and are generally thought to have severe bandwidth limitations due to inductive losses over moderate distances, particularly as the frequency of the signal increases toward the upper end of the audio band. Indeed, plain old telephone service (POTS) provides voice circuits that are limited to 4 KHz bandwidth, and are terminated at the telephone company switch by an inductive terminator that enforces the 4 KHz limit. Standard analog modems must operate within this bandwidth restriction, and 56 Kbps appears to be the technical and physical limit to communications speed using this bandwidth.
A new technology has been devised to exploit the unused bandwidth that is available via the twisted copper pair network that now exists. Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) takes advantage of the fact that a twisted copper pair may transmit a usable signal up at 1.5 Mbps for 2-3 miles from the telephone company switch, under normal conditions. ADSL permits simultaneous voice and internet traffic on the same twisted copper pair circuit by reserving the 0-4 KHz band for voice traffic. Bandpass filters, or xe2x80x9csplittersxe2x80x9d are placed in the circuit to separate the voice spectrum from the data spectrum. For data downloading, a plurality of subcarriers, each having a 4 KHz bandwidth, are transmitted in the 140 KHz-1 MHz band, each being independently modulated with the data signal and carrying up to 15 bits/sec per Hz. For data uploading, a plurality of subcarriers are transmitted in the 20-130 KHz band, the carrier bandwidth and modulation being similar to the upload spectrum. The technical details of ADSL are set forth in the ANSI T1.413 standard. A variant of this technology, termed Universal ADSL or DSL LITE, requires no splitter for voice service, and reduces the upload bandwidth to 140-550 KHz. This latter variant provides most of the advantages of DSL, such as high data rates for data uploads and downloads, without requiring the installation cost and hardware cost of a splitter at the customer premises.
At the receiver end of the telephone circuit, a DSL modem is connected to receive and transmit upload and download signals in the appropriate DSL format. The modem must provide a high bandwidth connection while also maintaining a required electrical isolation barrier between the telephone line and the user equipment. The baseline technology for transmission across an electrical isolation barrier is an isolation transformer.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,895, issued to Gerald Yurgelites, there is described a method and apparatus for transmitting communications signals across an electrical isolation barrier. One example of this invention is the transmission of telecommunications signals across the isolation barrier that is required between a telephone network and any telephonic device (telephone, facsimile machine, modem, and the like). This invention employs paired capacitors connected across the isolation barrier, and differentially charges the paired capacitors to deliver the signal across the barrier without breaching the isolation that the barrier provides. In this arrangement, there is provided a line-side circuit that communicates with a user-side circuit through a plurality of paired capacitors. The separated circuits (sold as a two chip set) handle the transmit, receive, and tip/ring signals and convert them to differential charges for transmission across respective paired capacitors. The line-side circuit is powered by the telephone circuit, and the user-side circuit is powered by the user device (modem, fax machine, telephone, etc.).
Although this technology is superior to isolation transformer arrangements for virtually all previous applications, it is not well suited to DSL applications. It would be advantageous to eliminate the line-side device entirely, both to reduce cost and to reduce signal attenuation caused by the power requirements of the line-side device. However, there remains a need to convert the two-line telephone circuit to a four line transmit/receive circuit for proper signal handling.
The present invention generally comprises a high bandwidth telephone line transceiver for connecting telecommunications equipment to a telephone line across an electrical isolation barrier. A salient aspect of the invention is the elimination of isolation transformers, and the elimination of a line-side circuit for delivering signals to the user-side telecommunications equipment.
The invention provides one pair of isolation capacitors connected to the telephone line to transmit the telephone signals across the electrical isolation barrier, and provides at least 1000 VDC (up to 5000 VDC, depending on the jurisdiction) of isolation. The capacitors are connected to a user-side hybrid circuit that provides a line impedance match for the telephone circuit. The hybrid circuit also converts the two wire connection to the capacitors to a 4 wire circuit for separate transmit and receive signal paths.
The receive signal path derives a signal from one of the isolation capacitors, and feeds the signal through a signal op amp to a high pass filter that transmits the DSL download bandwidth and rejects the upload bandwidth and voice spectrum. The received signal is then fed to an analog/digital converter, and the digitized signal is connected to a digital signal processor, such as a DSP integrated circuit known in the prior art. The DSP circuit is connected to a modem, fax machine, network, or other data handling device via a USB port, a PCI interface, or the like.
The transmit signal path extends from the DSP circuit to a transmit path digital to analog converter. The resulting analog signal is fed through a low pass filter, which transmits the upload bandwidth and rejects the remainder of the spectrum. The signal then passes through a compensation network that maintains a flat impedance characteristic over the upload bandwidth, and then through a line impedance matching network to the other isolation capacitor that connects to the telephone line.
Due to the fact that the isolation capacitor impedance changes with frequency, particularly in the low frequency upload (transmit) band, it is necessary to employ the compensation network to flatten the impedance characteristic among all the subcarriers used in the upload band. The compensation network includes a balanced op amp that receives signal inputs from the low pass filter, and includes an RC feedback loop from each output to the respective input port. The RC values are chosen so that the output voltage of the circuit substantially tracks the line voltage of the telephone circuit across the isolation capacitors. This result is not affected by impedance changes with frequency, nor is it affected by differences in the ground voltage levels between the telephone circuit and the user equipment.
The hybrid circuit connects each receive signal input to a respective line out port through an RC series combination, and a resistor connects each receive signal input to the other line out port. This combination not only transmits the telephone signal to the receive signal inputs, it also cancels the near echo from the transmit portion of the circuit.
The high bandwidth transceiver of the invention eliminates the use of an isolation transformer, thereby eliminating a bulky component that radiates EMI like an antenna and generates heat. Transformers also may distort the telephone signal, due to inductance effects and possible magnetic coil saturation. The transceiver, on the other hand, may be realized as a small integrated circuit that may be surface mounted, with far less heat generation, far less EMI noise, and a far smaller area profile on a PCB.
The transceiver of the invention also eliminates the requirement for any electronic circuit to the telephone line side of the isolation barrier. All of the active components in the transceiver circuitry are connected only to the user side of the telephone line, with the exception of the pair of isolation capacitors that transfer the signals across the isolation barrier. There is no telephone side circuit drawing power from the telephone line. Thus the cost is diminished, and signal attenuation is also reduced.

High bandwidth phone line transceiver with capacitor isolation


Provided is a casino-style game for one or more players. A standard, shuffled four-suited deck of playing cards is provided, along with at least one wager-indicating marker is for each player. A playing field having indicia indicating designated areas is provided. The designated areas including integer spaces designated for the integers five through seventeen on which at least one wager-indicating marker is placed by a player. To determine an integer between five and seventeen, the cards are dealt sequentially until five cards of one suit have been dealt. The determined integer is the total numbers of cards dealt. Any bet made on the determined integer is paid according to predetermined odds.

Casino patrons like to play games with rules that be understood quickly and that offer flexibility of wager size, odds, and payout. Games with complex betting rules may be intimidating to novices, which discourages some from participating. While some patrons are attracted to games that involve some element of skill and strategy (such as poker or blackjack), others are attracted to games that are purely chance (like roulette or slot machines).
Games that allow multiple players to bet at the same time (like roulette, craps, or blackjack) can foster social interaction and camaraderie, which encourage the players to continue playing. Games that do not play out instantly, but that develop over a relatively short period of time (typically less than two minutes), like a horse race, allow players to cheer for a favorable outcome, extending the excitement of the wagering experience.


A bit patterned magnetic recording medium, comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; a plurality of spaced apart magnetic elements on the surface, each of the elements constituting a discrete magnetic domain or bit; and a layer of a ferromagnetic material for regulating magnetic exchange coupling between said magnetic elements. The layer has a saturation magnetization Ms ranging from about 1 to about 2,000 emu/cm3, preferably below about 400 emu/cm3, more preferably below about 200 emu/cm3, and may overlie, underlie, or at least partially fill spaces between adjacent magnetic elements.

Designers, manufacturers, and users of electronic computers and computing systems require reliable and efficient equipment for storage and retrieval of information in digital form. Conventional storage systems, such as magnetic disk drives, are typically utilized for this purpose and are well known in the art. However, the amount of information that is digitally stored continually increases, and designers and manufacturers of magnetic recording media work to increase the storage capacity of magnetic disks.
In conventional magnetic disk data/information storage, the data/information is stored in a continuous magnetic thin film overlying a substantially rigid, non-magnetic disk. Each bit of data/information is stored by magnetizing a small area of the thin magnetic film using a magnetic transducer (write head) that provides a sufficiently strong magnetic field to effect a selected alignment of the small area (magnetic grain) of the film. The magnetic moment, area, and location of the small area comprise a bit of binary information which must be precisely defined in order to allow a magnetic read head to retrieve the stored data/information.
Such conventional magnetic disk storage media incur several drawbacks and disadvantages which adversely affect realization of high areal density data/information storage, as follows:
(1) there is an infinite number of possibilities for the magnetic moments of the continuous magnetic film, and as a consequence, the write head must be able to write very precisely in order to precisely define, without error, the magnetic moment, location, and area of each bit on the magnetic film;
(2) since the continuous film tends to link exchange and magnetostatic interaction between neighboring magnetic bits, when the bits are very close, writing of one bit can result in writing of neighboring bits because of the exchange and magnetostatic interaction, causing errors in reading;
(3) the absence of physical boundaries between many bits of the continuous magnetic film cause the writing and reading process to occur in a "blind" fashion, i.e., the location of each bit is determined by calculating the movements of the disk and the read or write heads instead of physically sensing the actual bit location;
(4) the boundaries between adjacent pairs of bits tend to be ragged in continuous magnetic films, resulting in noise generation during reading; and
(5) the requirement for increased areal recording density has necessitated a corresponding decrease in recording bit size or area. Consequently, recording bit sizes of continuous film media have become extremely minute, e.g., on the order of nanometers (nm). In order to obtain a sufficient output signal from such minute bits, the saturation magnetization (Ms) and thickness of the film must be as large as possible. However, the magnetization quantity of such minute bits is extremely small, resulting in a loss of stored information due to magnetization reversal by "thermal fluctuation", also known as the "superparamagnetic effect".
Regarding item (5) above, it is further noted that for longitudinal type continuous magnetic media, wherein the magnetic easy axis is oriented parallel to the film plane (i.e., surface), magnetization reversal by the superparamagnetic effect may occur even with relatively large magnetic particles or grains, thereby limiting increase in areal recording density to levels necessitated by current and future computer-related applications. On the other hand, for perpendicular type continuous magnetic media, wherein the magnetic easy axis is oriented perpendicular to the film plane (i.e., surface), growth of the magnetic particles or grains in the film thickness direction increases the volume of magnetization of the particles or grains while maintaining a small cross-sectional area (as measured in the film plane). As a consequence, onset of the superparamagnetic effect can be suppressed for very small particles or grains of minute width. However, further decrease in grain width in perpendicular media necessitated by increasing requirements for areal recording density will inevitably result in onset of the superparamagnetic effect even for such type media.
The superparamagnetic effect is a major limiting factor in increasing the areal recording density of continuous film magnetic recording media. Superparamagnetism results from thermal excitations which perturb the magnetization of grains in a ferromagnetic material, resulting in unstable magnetization. As the grain size of magnetic media is reduced to achieve higher areal recording density, the superparamagnetic instabilities become more problematic. The superparamagnetic effect is most evident when the grain volume V is sufficiently small such that the inequality KμV/kBT>40 cannot be maintained, where Kμ is the magnetic crystalline anisotropy energy density of the material, kB is Boltzmann's constant, and T is the absolute temperature. When this inequality is not satisfied, thermal energy demagnetizes the individual magnetic grains and the stored data bits are no longer stable. Consequently, as the magnetic grain size is decreased in order to increase the areal recording density, a threshold is reached for a given Kμ and temperature T such that stable data storage is no longer possible.
So-called "patterned" or "bit patterned" magnetic media have been proposed as a means for overcoming the above-described problem of conventional continuous magnetic media associated with magnetization reversal via the superparamagnetic effect, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,216, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The term "patterned" media generally refers to magnetic data/information storage and retrieval media wherein a plurality of discrete, independent regions of magnetic material form discrete, independent magnetic elements which function as recording bits are formed on a non-magnetic substrate. Since the regions of ferromagnetic material comprising the magnetic bits or elements are independent of each other, mutual interference between neighboring bits can be minimized. As a consequence, patterned magnetic media are advantageous vis-à-vis continuous magnetic media in reducing recording losses and noises arising from neighboring magnetic bits. In addition, patterning of the magnetic layer advantageously increases resistance to domain wall movement, i.e., enhances domain wall pinning, resulting in improved magnetic performance characteristics.
Generally, each magnetic bit or element has the same size and shape, and is composed of the same magnetic material as the other elements. The elements are arranged in a regular pattern over the substrate surface, with each element having a small size and desired magnetic anisotropy, so that, in the absence of an externally applied magnetic field, the magnetic moments of each discrete magnetic element will aligned along the same magnetic easy axis. Stated differently, the magnetic moment of each discrete magnetic element has only two states: the same in magnitude but aligned in opposite directions. Each discrete magnetic element forms a single magnetic domain or bit and the size, area, and location of each domain is determined during the fabrication process.
During writing operation of such patterned media, the direction of the magnetic moment of the single magnetic domain element or bit is flipped along the easy axis, and during reading operation, the direction of the single magnetic domain element or bit is sensed. The direction of the magnetic easy axis of each single magnetic domain, element, or bit can be parallel or perpendicular to the surface of the domain, element, or bit, corresponding to conventional continuous longitudinal and perpendicular media, respectively. Stated differently, the nature (i.e., type) of the magnetic recording layer of the magnetic domain elements or bits is not critical in patterned media, and may, for example, be selected from among longitudinal, perpendicular, laminated, anti-ferromagnetically coupled (AFC), granular, superlattice, etc., types.
Patterned media in disk form offer a number of advantages relative to conventional disk media. Specifically, the writing process is greatly simplified, resulting in much lower noise and lower error rate, thereby allowing much higher areal recording density. In patterned disk media, the writing process does not define the location, shape, and magnetization value of a bit, but merely flips the magnetization orientation of a patterned single domain magnetic structure. Writing of data can be essentially perfect, even when the transducer head deviates slightly from the intended bit location and partially overlaps neighboring bits, as long as only the magnetization direction of the intended bit is flipped. By contrast, in conventional magnetic disk media, the writing process must define the location, shape, and magnetization of a bit. Therefore, with such conventional disk media, if the transducer head deviates from the intended location, the head will write to part of the intended bit and to part of the neighboring bits. Another advantage of patterned media is that crosstalk between neighboring bits is reduced relative to conventional media, whereby areal recording density is increased. Each individual magnetic element, domain, or bit of a patterned medium can be tracked individually, and reading is less jittery than in conventional disks.
In bit patterned media, interaction between the discrete magnetic elements is purely magnetostatic, and is inversely proportional to the cube of the distance, r, between neighboring magnetic elements (bits), i.e., 1/r3. FIG. 1 illustrates the situation when the discrete elements are in the form of circularly shaped columns arranged in a hexagonal close-packed array, i.e., where each magnetic element is surrounded by 6 first nearest neighbor magnetic elements, where r=a; 6 second nearest neighbor magnetic elements, where r=a√3; and so on. On average, the number of magnetic elements or bits that surround a magnetic element or bit increases with the square of the distance r, i.e., as r2. As a consequence, the total magnetostatic interaction between a magnetic element and its neighboring magnetic elements decreases with distance r as 1/r (noting that the magnetostatic interaction between two magnetic elements decreases with distance r as 1/r3 and the number of magnetic elements increases with distance r as r2). It follows, therefore, that the coercivity field, Hc, of each magnetic element depends upon the magnetic state of the neighboring magnetic elements due to the magnetostatic interaction. A drawback of conventionally structured bit patterned magnetic media arising from the dependence of the coercivity field Hc of each magnetic element on the magnetic state of the neighboring magnetic elements due to the magnetostatic interaction is disadvantageous creation of a distribution of Hc, resulting in a deterioration of the magnetic performance characteristics of such bit patterned media. In addition, the magnetostatic interaction disadvantageously lowers the thermal stability of the magnetic elements.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages and drawbacks resulting from magnetostatic interaction between neighboring magnetic elements of conventionally structured bit patterned media, leading to a distribution of Hc with attendant deterioration of magnetic properties and reduction in thermal stability, there exists a clear need for improved bit patterned media (and methodology therefor) which function in optimal fashion such that the above-described disadvantages and drawbacks are effectively eliminated or at least minimized.