A circuit for reading a semiconductor memory device includes at least one global circuit for generating a global reference signal for a respective plurality of cell-reading circuits disposed locally in the memory device. The circuit includes at least one circuit for replicating the reference signal locally in order to generate a local reference signal to be supplied to at least one respective cell-reading circuit.

Semiconductor-memory reading circuits perform a comparison between two currents (or voltages) to read the data stored in memory cells. A current (or voltage) of a memory cell selected for reading is compared with a reference current (or voltage). The reference currents (or voltages) for the reading circuits are typically generated with the use of reference memory cells which are structurally identical to the memory cells and are programmed to predetermined levels, typically during the testing of the individual memory device.
There is a need to provide memories with ever larger bandwidths and ever lower energy consumption per individual bit. This need is imposed by the ever higher performance of electronic systems. On the other hand, the time required to perform reading cannot be reduced indefinitely since it is limited by physical constraints such as the charging time of the word lines of the memory. To achieve a greater bandwidth, it is therefore necessary to perform several cell readings in parallel. To be able to perform several readings in parallel, it is necessary to increase the number of cell-reading circuits and of respective circuits for generating reference currents (or voltages). This results in a significant increase in the area and energy consumption of the memory device.
To limit the increase in area and consumption, attempts have been made to limit the number of circuits for generating reference currents (or voltages). The same reference signal (current or voltage) generated at one point of the device is thus supplied to several cell-reading circuits by bringing the reference signal (current or voltage) to the various points of the device at which the reading circuits are arranged. The limiting of the number of reference-signal generating circuits brings advantages both in terms of area and in terms of consumption, and also in terms of the time required to test the individual device, since the number of reference cells to be programmed to the desired levels is reduced.
However, since the reference signal has to travel considerable distances inside the device, a large parasitic capacitance associated with the reference-signal distribution lines degrades the reference signal. It is also necessary to add the capacitances of the input nodes of the various cell-reading circuits which the reference signal supplies. The time required for the reference signal to reach the predetermined steady value therefore increases and the bandwidth of the memory device is limited. Moreover, since the various cell-reading circuits are coupled capacitively to the reference signal, the intrinsic imbalances in their operation in the course of the reading of the respective memory cells selected may cause errors in the reading, particularly when they are reading memory cells with large margins (distances between thresholds) involving large current or voltage ranges which alter the value of the reference signal.

Circuit for reading a semiconductor memory


Complement is recognized as an important, humoral defense system involved in the innate (nonspecific) recognition and elimination of microbial invaders, other foreign particles or molecules, and antigen-antibody complexes from the body. The present invention makes use of the surprising notion that the handling of lipids by the body, rather than its antimicrobial activity, is the primary and most ancient function of the complement system. Consequently, atherosclerosis as observed in disorders associated with disturbed lipid metabolism (familial combined hyperlipemia (FCHL), postprandial hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia with low levels of HDL cholesterol, and insulin resistance associated with type-II diabetes and obesity), is ascribed to either genetic or acquired defects in ancient (activatory and/or regulatory) complement components. Based on this new insight, novel preventive measures and treatment modalities of disturbed lipid metabolism are introduced.

According to the classical view, atherosclerosis is a condition ultimately leading to the narrowing of blood vessels, impaired circulation, and restricted oxygenation of tissues (1). If this process occurs in heart vessels (coronary arteries), consequences are the clinical conditions of angina pectoris and myocardial infarction; in the brain, atherosclerosis leads to cerebrovascular accidents; in the legs, the clinical presentation is claudicatio intermittens. Classical risk factors Associated with atherosclerosis are: obesity, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, male gender, fasting hyperlipidemia, and especially increased cholesterol concentrations. Novel risk factors have emerged during the last decennia, these including hyperhomocysteinemia, hypertriglyceridemia with low HDL cholesterol concentrations, postprandial hyperlipidemia, the insulin resistance syndrome, and a positive family history for cardiovascular disease, among others.
According to epidemiological surveys, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in western societies. In the United Kingdom in 1987, 31% of all deaths in males (280.177 total deaths in men) and 24% in females (total number: 286.817) were due to CHD. More than one quarter of CHD deaths in men (total CHD mortality in men: 86.978) occurred before the age of 65 years. In women (68.257 CHD deaths), the vast majority (almost 75%) occurred at ages beyond 75 years. The Dutch situation is similar and representative for other countries in Western society. In The Netherlands in 1997, there were 135.783 deaths in total (67.242 males and 68.541 females). In men, 37% of total mortality (24.664 deaths) was due to CHD and in women 38% (25.881 deaths). From 1972 to 1997, mortality due to CHD in The Netherlands decreased by 44% (age-corrected); however, hospital admissions related to CHD increased by 53%. This decrease in CHD-associated mortality is probably ascribed to improved care in coronary-care and intensive-care units. In addition, the early recognition of the above-mentioned risk factors for CHD and improved treatment of these risk factors may have led to increased survival in patients at risk.
The classical drugs for the treatment of these risk factors are cholesterol-lowering drugs (mainly statins) (3), drugs aiming at the reduction of blood pressure like angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (4) and drugs like aspirin which act on clot formation. The effects of life-style change to reduce body weight and stopping smoking have been disappointing so far, although their impact has not been established adequately on a population basis. Improvement of regulation of diabetes has resulted in decreased morbidity (less amputations, less diabetics with end-stage renal failure necessitating dialysis, and less diabetics becoming blind) (5, 6), but the incidence of cardiovascular disease in diabetics did not decrease by these measures (6, 7).
Many investigators point at the need for the recognition of concealed risk factors for CHD in diabetes (and obesity) and a more aggressive treatment of these factors should result in improved outcome. Moreover, land-mark trials with lipid-lowering drugs in secondary and primary prevention settings have resulted in significantly decreased mortality in treated patients (30% risk reduction) (2), but there were still significant numbers of patients that could not be saved by these drugs. Therefore, the identification of additional risk factors and the development of novel therapeutic interventions are expected to result in a significant reduction of total mortality due to CHD.
It has been postulated that atherosclerosis is associated with an impaired clearance of chylomicron remnants, i.e., partially hydrolyzed chylomicrons (intestinally-derived triglyceride-rich lipoproteins). Also, it was suggested (PCT International Patent Publication WO 00 34469) that clusterin could be used as a migration inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells in arteries whose migration and proliferation may lead to vessel injury and arterial lesion and whose migration and proliferation can be induced by atherosclerosis. Rosenberg and Silkensen (10), in reviewing the multifunctional protein role of clusterin state the determination of a common mechanism underlying its various functions would lead to a key in comprehending an important area of biology. Other researchers (11) have demonstrated that clusterin (apo J) may have a protective role against atherosclerosis as it participates in cholesterol transport.
One of the recently recognized mechanisms in the development of atherosclerosis is inflammation (8). Several studies have demonstrated that slightly elevated concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP; a well-known acute-phase reactant named after its reactivity with the so-called C-polysaccharide of pneumococci) are predictive of coronary events in middle-aged and elderly men and women. However, the precise mechanism by which complement is involved in atherosclerosis is not known. In discussing a possible relationship between infections with pathogenic micro-organisms, MBL (an innate immune-defense plasma protein) deficiency and atherosclerosis, Madsen et al. (12) suggested the presence of unexpected non-infective mechanisms relevant to the development of atherosclerosis but could not conclusively exclude a relationship with other pathogens. The role of MBL in the immune system and the use of recombinant MBL in treating deficiencies in the immune system is well known (PCT International Patent Publication WO 00/70043). The present invention teaches how lipid metabolism, complement activation, atherogenic processes and immune responses are physiologically related.

Diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of atherosclerosis and underlying and/or related diseases


A display device according to the present invention includes a plurality of pixels provided on a substrate; a first insulating film provided on the substrate; a second insulating film provided on the first insulating film in contact with at least a part thereof and formed of a different material from that of the first insulating film; a plurality of MEMS shutters provided on the second insulating film respectively in correspondence with the plurality of pixels, the plurality of MEMS shutters having a third insulating film formed on side surfaces thereof; and a plurality of terminals for supplying a potential to the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines, the plurality of terminals receiving the potential through openings formed in the first insulating film and the second insulating film, the openings being formed on the plurality of terminals.

Recently, a display device using a mechanical shutter to which a MEMS (Micro Electronic Mechanical Systems) technology is applied (hereinafter, such a shutter will be referred to as a "MEMS shutter") has been a target of attention. Such a display device (hereinafter, referred to as a "MEMS display device") opens or closes a MEMS shutter provided in correspondence with each of pixels, at a high speed by use of a TFT, to control the amount of light to be transmitted through the shutter, and thus adjusts the brightness of an image (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-197668). A mainstream gray scale system of such MEMS display devices is a time-ratio gray scale system of displaying an image by sequentially switching light provided from one of LED backlight units of red, green and blue to light provided from another of the LED backlight units. Accordingly, the MEMS display devices have features that polarizing films or color filters used for a liquid crystal display device are not required; and as compared with a liquid crystal display device, the utilization factor of backlight is about 10 times higher, the power consumption is no more than half, and the color reproducibility is superior.
A MEMS display device is formed as follows. A TFT including switching elements for driving MEMS shutters, and gate and data drivers for driving the switching elements is formed on a substrate. Terminals for supplying signals from an external device to the TFT are also formed on the substrate. Usually for forming a MEMS display device, on the TFT substrate having the TFTs and the terminals formed thereon, a passivation film (insulating film) for covering the TFTs and the terminals is formed, and MEMS shutters are formed on the passivation film. An insulating film is formed to cover the MEMS shutters except for a part of each MEMS shutter which is to be electrically connected to a terminal. A movable section of the MEMS shutter has a hollow structure. Therefore, the insulating film is formed by CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or the like on the entirety of a surface of the TFT substrate having the MEMS shutters formed thereon, so that a side surface and a bottom surface of the movable section is covered with the insulating film. Then, a counter substrate is joined to the TFT substrate. The terminals formed on the TFT substrate need to be supplied with signals from an external device. Therefore, the TFT substrate and the counter substrate are joined together such that the counter substrate does not cover a top surface of each terminal.
In order to supply signals and electric power to the terminals formed on the TFT substrate from an external device, the insulating film on the terminals needs to be removed to expose the terminals. The insulating film can be removed by, for example, a combination of a photolithography process and an etching process. However, the insulating film provided as the passivation film (lower-layer insulating film) and the insulating film provided on the lower-layer insulating film for covering the MEMS shutter (the insulating film provided on the lower-layer insulating film will be referred to as the upper-layer insulating film) are often both formed of a nitride film, which has splendid properties as a covering film and as an insulating film. Therefore, it is difficult to perform etching such that only the upper-layer insulating film is removed and the lower-layer insulating film is left having a sufficient thickness. When etching proceeds to the lower-layer insulating film, lines formed on the TFT substrate may be exposed, which may undesirably cause insulation failure or continuity failure.
The present invention made in light of the above-described problems has an object of providing a display device and a method for producing the same for removing an insulating film from top of terminals while suppressing the thickness reduction of an insulating film provided for protecting a surface of a TFT substrate and thus improving the reliability of the TFT substrate.

Display device and method of manufacturing the display device


Provided are an apparatus and method for performing a complex number operation using a Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) architecture. A SIMD operation apparatus may perform, in parallel, a real part operation and an imaginary part operation of a plurality of complex numbers. The real part operation and the imaginary part operation may be performed sequentially, or in parallel.

1. Field
The following description relates to a method and apparatus for performing a complex number operation using a Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) architecture, and in addition, to an apparatus and method for performing a predetermined complex number operation through SIMD parallel processing.
2. Description of Related Art
A Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) is a class of parallel computing that is used to process multiple data under a single instruction. SIMD is applicable to a multimedia field or a communication field. SIMD enables multiple operation apparatuses to simultaneously process multiple data by applying the same operation or similar operations to the multiple data. Generally, SIMD is used in a vector processor.
SIMD computer architecture uses Data Level Parallelism (DLP). In an N-way SIMD architecture, N pieces of data are processed in parallel, and N operation result values are generated. If the same number of output values are generated as the number of input values, the size of the output values, that is a number of bits of the output values, may be equal to the size of the input values.
In an example in which a multiplication operation is performed by the SIMD, an output value generated by the multiplication operation may have a size that is twice as many significant bits as an input value. However, because the size of the input value is equal to the size of the output value as described above, a quantization error may occur in the output value.

Apparatus and method for performing a complex number operation using a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) architecture


A method for detecting and determining a location of visible areas of change on a target object is described. The method includes locating, in position and orientation, a local positioning system with respect to the target object, determining an offset between the position and orientation of the local positioning system and a prior position and orientation of a local positioning system previously utilized to collect a set of reference images of the target object, the prior position and orientation in the coordinate system of the target object, repositioning, in position and orientation, the local positioning system with respect to the target object by the determined offset, acquiring a set of images of the target object from the position and orientation of the repositioned local positioning system, comparing the set of images to corresponding images within the set of reference images to detect a difference between the acquired images and the corresponding reference images, and determining a location of the detected difference in the coordinate system of the target object.

The field of the disclosure relates to methods and systems for locating visible differences on an object and accurately measuring the locations of potential damage on the object, for example, a large commercial airplane.
Finding and accurately measuring the locations of potential damage on an object, like a large commercial airplane, can be a laborious task. An efficient and automated process for addressing this problem would be valuable to many organizations involved in building and maintaining large vehicles and structures.
From two dimensional images alone it is difficult to get accurate measurements of aircraft locations defined in aircraft coordinates. Often, an item of known dimensions (like a tape measure) is inserted in the picture to give the analyst a size reference. But even with a reference scale, it can be difficult to measure a precise location in the desired coordinate system. Determining the correct location is especially difficult in areas where few uniquely identifiable landmark features exist. In addition, human analysis of a large number of potential damage areas would likely be error prone. Therefore, it is desirable to have as much of the damage detection and location process as automated as possible.
A number of manual or semi-automated options exist to determine local coordinate measurements of damage. One common approach is visual inspection and/or human analysis of images, along with the use of a tape measure to determine damage locations. Using a tape measure can be inaccurate, difficult and somewhat dangerous on an object as large as a commercial airplane, which can involve use of ladders, ropes, scissor or snorkel lifts to reach the damage areas.
The disadvantages of using a tape measure (and similar type of methods) are that the process can be inaccurate, time consuming and includes the possibility of human error. In some situations safety is also a concern, and for measurement of certain objects, contact with measurement tools is undesirable.
A local positioning system (LPS) can be used to provide measurements without climbing on or around the target object (such as an airplane). However, except for the embodiments described herein, the LPS is a manually controlled instrument, which makes the task of finding and measuring a large number of potentially damaged areas very time consuming.

Methods and systems for locating visible differences on an object


An ink set includes a first ink that contains a white material and a first resin; and a second ink that contains a color material other than the white material and a second resin, wherein the first resin includes a component (A) causing cracks when resin of 0.5 g is dropped onto a slide glass and is dried at a temperature of 50° C. and a humidity of 0% RH for 10 minutes, and wherein the second resin includes a component (B) of at least one of polyolefin wax and ethylene vinyl acetate resin.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an ink set and an image printing method using the same.
2. Related Art
Hitherto, it is known that ink is attached to a printing medium to form a desired image using various printing methods. The ink used to form the image is prepared in which various components are added according to the use thereof. For example, in JP-A-2008-120846, an ultraviolet curable overprinting ink composition used to protect a printing layer is described.
In JP-A-2007-194175, conductive pattern ink used to form a line pattern using an ink jet method is described.
However, in the image attached to the printing medium, cracks may occur according to the components included in the ink or the printing methods. JPA-2008-120846 describes that various oligomers or monomers are added to an overcoating ink component, to reduce such a problem. JP-A-2007-194175 describes that a nonionic compound such as polyethylene glycol is added to the conductive pattern ink to reduce cracks of the conductive pattern.
However, as described in JP-A-2008-120846 and JP-A-2007-194175, when the component for reducing the cracks of the image is added to the ink composition, friction resistance of the image may be decreased.
To solve such a problem, for example, a component for improving the friction resistance of the image may be further added to the ink composition. However, according to the added component, there is a case where it is difficult to satisfy both of improvement of friction resistance of the image and reduction of cracks of the image.
When a content ratio of resin and the like in the ink becomes high so as to improve the friction resistance of the image and to reduce the cracks, the components included in the ink may easily cohere, and ejection stability of an ink jet printing device may be decreased. Particularly, in ink including a white material, when the content ratio of resin in the ink becomes high, there is a problem in that the white ink easily coheres.


A system and method for cleanup of biological samples from contaminants prior to spectroscopy analysis. The system includes a support configured to hold a sample including a liquid having at least one group of biological molecules with a surface of the support binding the molecules at a surface tension angle to the liquid of less than 180 degrees. The system includes an evaporator configured to evaporate liquid from the support, a solvent applicator configured to apply a solvent for dissolution of the contaminants in the sample, and a solvent removal device configured to remove applied solvent from the sample and thereby at least partially remove the contaminants.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry. This invention specifically relates to sample preparation and purification for analysis by mass spectrometry, particularly matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS).
2. Background of the Invention
MALDI is widely used for analyzing bio-molecules such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids and lipids. However, MALDI is sensitive to the presence of interfering materials such as salts, buffers and chaotropes which result in signal suppression. Analysis of microorganisms by mass spectrometry using proteomics approaches has received attention recently due to the speed of analysis. In one approach, proteins from microbes are first extracted, digested using trypsin and purified before loading on to a MALDI target. Therefore, samples to be analyzed are usually cleaned and/or (partially) purified separately, before applying on to the MALDI probe surface. Currently, these cleaning and purification processes typically include chromatographic media and products such as C-18 ZipTips, C-8 ZipTips, and SPE columns. Biomolecules of interest are separated by selectively binding them to hydrophobic or hydrophilic groups attached to the chromatographic media.
Although these off-probe cleaning methods are generally good, there is often some sample loss in the chromatographic media, especially from samples containing low concentrations of analytes. Moreover, these clean up methods are time-consuming and require additional consumables and reagents that can be expensive.
Recently, self assembled monolayer surfaces have been developed as MALDI sample preparation platform and have demonstrated their usefulness in analyzing small volumes of peptides with high levels of contaminants. These techniques incubated the C-18 modified hydrophobic probes in the sample solution for more than 8 hours so as to effectively bind the analytes of interest. On probe cleaning methods by washing with deionized water prior to adding a MALDI matrix to the sample have been shown to significantly increase the protein sequence coverage. However, the long exposure of the probe surface to the sample solution to capture analyte biomolecules is one disadvantage of this method. In another approach, a small volume (1 μL) of the sample for analysis was dried on the probe surface (a procedure which took more than 10 minutes), and then was cleaned by washing the sample on the probe. Although this method appeared to work, the resultant spectra were fairly difficult to obtain since the analyte was localized to a very small region on the probe. As a result only few reasonable single-laser-shot spectra were obtained. This could be potentially explained by realizing that only a small amount of the peptide was bound to the hydrophobic surface due to a small contact area between a near-perfect sphere sample droplet and the hydrophobic surface, since a surface tension angle is close to 180 degrees. As a result the sensitivity of the method suffered due to a small number of analyte molecules binding to the probe surface.
The following articles related to sample preparation and analysis have been reported in the scientific literature, all of which are incorporated herein in entirety by reference:    1. Beavis, R. C. and B. T. Chait, Rapid, sensitive analysis of protein mixtures by mass spectrometry. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1990. 87(17): p. 6873-7.    2. Karas, M. and F. Hillenkamp, Laser desorption ionization of proteins with molecular masses exceeding 10,000 daltons. Anal Chem, 1988. 60(20): p. 2299-301.    3. Ham, B. M., J. T. Jacob, and R. B. Cole, MALDI-TOF MS of phosphorylated lipids in biological fluids using immobilized metal affinity chromatography and a solid ionic crystal matrix. Anal Chem, 2005. 77(14): p. 4439-47.    4. Lim, H., et al., Identification of 2D-gel proteins: a comparison of MALDI/TOF peptide mass mapping to mu LC-ESI tandem mass spectrometry. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom, 2003. 14(9): p. 957-70.    5. Terry, D. E., E. Umstot, and D. M. Desiderio, Optimized sample-processing time and peptide recovery for the mass spectrometric analysis of protein digests. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom, 2004. 15(6): p. 784-94.    6. Brockman, A. H., B. S. Dodd, and R. Orlando, A desalting approach for MALDI-MS using on-probe hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers. Anal Chem, 1997. 69(22): p. 4716-20.    7. Brockman, A. H., N. N. Shah, and R. Orlando, Optimization of a hydrophobic solid-phase extraction interface for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization. J Mass Spectrom, 1998. 33(11): p. 1141-7.    8. Warren, M. E., A. H. Brockman, and R. Orlando, On-probe solid-phase extraction/MALDI-MS using ion-pairing interactions for the cleanup of peptides and proteins. Anal Chem, 1998. 70(18): p. 3757-61.    9. Hooker, J. M., E. W. Kovacs, and M. B. Francis, Interior surface modification of bacteriophage MS2. J Am Chem Soc, 2004. 126(12): p. 3718-9.    10. Strauss, J. H., Jr. and R. L. Sinsheimer, Purification and properties of bacteriophage MS2 and of its ribonucleic acid. J Mol Biol, 1963. 7: p. 43-54.Despite this work, suitable sample preparation techniques are still needed.

On-probe sample cleanup system and method for MALDI analysis


A save control section included in a storage apparatus continuously performs writeback by which a data group is read out from a plurality of storage sections of the storage apparatus and by which the data group is saved in a data group storage section of the storage apparatus, or staging by which a data group saved in the data group storage section is distributed and stored in the plurality of storage sections according to storage areas of the data group storage section which store a plurality of data groups. An output section of the storage apparatus outputs in block a data group including the data stored in each of the plurality of storage sections. The data group storage section has the storage areas for storing a data group.

In order to improve performance or reliability, a redundant structure including a plurality of control modules for controlling inputting data to and outputting data from a storage device which is a storage medium such as a hard disk drive is adopted in conventional storage systems including distributed cache memory type storage apparatus. Each control module performs the process of reading data from and writing data to a logical volume.
In preparation for the occurrence of an unexpected disaster or the like, some of these storage apparatus have a REC (Remote Equivalent Copy) function for transferring data in a logical volume to a remote place via a network and performing remote copy. With an ordinary REC function, however, order is not guaranteed at the time of transferring data. Therefore, it may take a lot of time to recover the data after the occurrence of a disaster. In order to solve this problem, some storage systems have, for example, a REC consistency mode as a remote copy function which guarantees the order of remote copy.
In the REC consistency mode, a storage apparatus stores data sent from a host computer in a buffer of a control module which is a dedicated memory referred to as a consistency buffer and which is divided into constant-size storage areas according to generation. The storage apparatus then transfers the data to a storage apparatus which is a copy destination via a network according to generation. The storage apparatus to which the data is transferred stores the data in a logical volume so that the order of the data will be maintained. By doing so, the order of the remote copy is guaranteed.
FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate a storage system having a remote copy function which guarantees order. In a storage system illustrated in FIG. 30, a storage apparatus 3100 including control modules #00 and #01 and a storage apparatus 3200 including control modules #10 and #11 are connected via a network 3011. It is assumed that remote copy is performed via the network 3011 with the storage apparatus 3100 and 3200 as a copy source and a copy destination respectively.
The storage apparatus 3100 has the control module #00 including a record only buffer 31180 including a buffer 31180a associated with a storage device 31170 and a BIT (Buffer Index Table) storage section 31180b, a buffer set information storage section 31190 which stores information regarding a buffer set, and the storage device 31170 which stores data and the control module #01 including a record only buffer 31181 including a buffer 31181a associated with a storage device 31171 and a BIT storage section 31181b, a buffer set information storage section 31191, and the storage device 31171.
Similarly, the storage apparatus 3200 has the control module #10 including a record only buffer 32180 including a buffer 32180a associated with a storage device 32170 and a BIT storage section 32180b, a buffer set information storage section 32190, and the storage device 32170 and the control module #11 including a record only buffer 32181 including a buffer 32181a associated with a storage device 32171 and a BIT storage section 32181b, a buffer set information storage section 32191, and the storage device 32171.
Each of the buffers 31180a, 31181a, 32180a, and 32181a is divided into a plurality of constant-size storage areas. A buffer ID is assigned to each of the storage areas obtained by dividing the buffers 31180a, 31181a, 32180a, and 32181a. Data which has already been stored in the corresponding storage devices 31170, 31171, 32170, and 32171 or data which is to be stored in the corresponding storage devices 31170, 31171, 32170, and 32171 is stored temporarily in the storage areas of the buffers 31180a, 31181a, 32180a, and 32181a. In addition, the BIT storage sections 31180b, 31181b, 32180b, and 32181b store BITs which are information including storage locations on the storage devices 31170, 31171, 32170, and 32171 where the data stored in the corresponding buffers 31180a, 31181a, 32180a, and 32181a is stored, buffer IDs, and the like.
In FIG. 30, "(0000)" indicated in the buffer 31180a represents buffer data stored in a storage area the buffer ID of which is "0000." "0000" indicated in the BIT represents a buffer ID of a storage area corresponding to the BIT.
Each of the buffer set information storage sections 31190, 31191, 32190, and 32191 stores information regarding a buffer set which is a combination of buffer data stored in storage areas of buffers included in control modules. For example, information regarding a buffer set which is a combination of the buffer data (0000) and the buffer data (0100) enclosed with a dotted line in the horizontal direction in the storage apparatus 3100 (copy source) is stored.
Information regarding a buffer set includes information for associating buffer data stored in a storage area of a buffer of a control module corresponding to a buffer set information storage section with a storage area of a buffer of the storage apparatus 3200 (copy destination) which stores the buffer data. For example, the buffer data (0000) stored in the storage area the buffer ID of which is "0000" is associated with a storage area the buffer ID of which is "1000" and to which the buffer data (0000) is copied in the buffer set information storage section 31190 of the control module #00.
When the control modules #00 and #01 of the storage apparatus 3100 in the above storage system accept a write I/O instruction (instruction to write received data to a storage device) from, for example, a host computer, the control modules #00 and #01 store the data in the storage devices 31170 and 31171, respectively, in accordance with the write I/O instruction. In addition, the control modules #00 and #01 store the data in the buffers. At this time the data is managed by the buffer set. That is to say, pieces of buffer data are associated with each other by buffer set information and make up a buffer set. When the control modules #00 and #01 complete writing the data to the buffers, the control modules #00 and #01 begin to transfer the data to the storage apparatus 3200 by the buffer set, that is to say, to perform remote copy.
The data transferred from the storage apparatus 3100 (copy source) to the storage apparatus 3200 by the remote copy is stored in the buffers included in the control modules #10 and #11 of the storage apparatus 3200 (copy destination) in accordance with the buffer set information. The control modules #10 and #11 then write the data stored in the buffers to the storage devices 32170 and 32171 respectively. When this process is completed, each control module included in the storage apparatus 3100 and 3200 frees a buffer and the like.
As has been described, data is sent in block by the use of the record only buffers and a buffer set is controlled in block. In the storage apparatus 3200 (copy destination) the data is written to the storage devices 32170 and 32171 by the buffer set. By doing so, the order of the data transferred is guaranteed.    Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-100939    Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 07-121308    Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 05-100927    Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-260292    International Publication Pamphlet No. WO/2008/152691
As illustrated in FIG. 31, however, the buffers and the BITs in the storage apparatus 3100 (copy source) which store data that has been transferred wait for freeing until the data is expanded in the storage devices of the storage apparatus 3200 (copy destination). The data is held in the storage apparatus 3100 (copy source).
It is assumed that there is a delay in the process of expanding the data in the storage devices because of a heavy update load on a logical volume of the storage apparatus 3200 or that an abnormality has occurred in the network 3011 between the storage apparatus 3100 and 3200. For example, if the line capability of the network 3011 is poor or is not uniform, then a delay occurs in a transfer process.
If a delay occurs in a transfer process from such a cause, time for which the buffers and the BITs in the storage apparatus 3100 and 3200 are used becomes longer and the buffers in the storage apparatus 3100 and 3200 cannot be freed.
It is assumed that the storage apparatus 3100 accepts new write I/O instructions from, for example, the host computer in this state. Each time the storage apparatus 3100 (copy source) accepts the write I/O instruction, the storage apparatus 3100 stores data to be written in the buffers. As a result, the buffers of the storage apparatus 3100 are used one after another.
If this state continues, it is impossible to ensure a buffer in the storage apparatus 3100 which can store data. As a result, the buffers are exhausted in the storage apparatus 3100. In addition, if data the size of which is larger than the set size of the buffers is processed, then the buffers are also exhausted in the storage apparatus 3100.
In a state in which the buffers are exhausted, the storage apparatus 3100 does not execute a write I/O instruction from, for example, the host computer and is in a stopped state. The storage apparatus 3100 cannot continue this state for a long time.
Accordingly, a buffer halt process is performed. That is to say, the execution of the write I/O instruction is stopped temporarily. If the state in which the buffers are exhausted is not canceled after the elapse of a certain period of time, then the execution is stopped temporarily and contents stored in the buffers are erased. The storage apparatus 3100 and 3200 perform the buffer halt process to clear the buffers. In addition, the storage apparatus 3100 and 3200 resume the execution of the write I/O instruction.
At this time the storage apparatus 3100 writes back information, such as data, in the buffers to a dedicated bit map. After the storage apparatus 3100 performs the buffer halt process, the storage apparatus 3100 performs remote copy transfer which does not guarantee order in accordance with the bit map. In this case, remote copy which guarantees order is stopped.
A storage system having a REC disk buffered consistency mode will now be discussed. With the above remote copy function which guarantees order, data transferred by remote copy is stored temporarily in a save buffer, such as a hard disk drive, in the REC disk buffered consistency mode. By utilizing this mode, order can be guaranteed at remote copy time, for example, even if an update load on a logical volume of a storage apparatus is heavy or an abnormality has occurred in transfer via a network between storage apparatus. It is assumed that, in this storage system, data is stored in a save buffer according to generation.
In this storage system, a buffer included in each control module is used for writeback and staging. The writeback is the operation of reading out data from a buffer and writing the data to a save buffer. The staging is the operation of reading out data from a save buffer and writing the data to a buffer. With the writeback and the staging, access to a save buffer is performed in prescribed order in order to guarantee the order of data. For example, with the writeback and the staging, access to a save buffer is performed in order of generation. However, if access to a save buffer is performed according to generation in accordance with the order, areas of the save buffer which are not consecutive may be accessed by the writeback. This may make it impossible to realize the original performance of the save buffer. As a result, a delay in the writeback leads to a delay in storing data in buffers and the order may not be guaranteed adequately.

Storage apparatus and storage apparatus control method


A data structure, recording medium, playing device, playing method, program, and program storing medium, which enable providing of a video format for 3D display, suitable for 3D display of captions and menu buttons. Caption data used for 2D display of caption and menu data used for 2D display of menu buttons are recorded in a disc as is a database of offset information, in which is described offset information, made up of offset direction representing the direction of shifting of an image for the left eye and an image for the right eye used for 3D display as to images for 2D display regarding the caption data and menu data, and an offset value representing the amount of shifting, correlated with the playing point-in-time of caption data and menu data, respectively.

There are various types of displays having 3D (3 Dimensional) image display functions (hereinafter, 3D displays). Also, there are various types of video formats for 3D display (hereinafter called 3D video formats).
3D video formats include a method using images of three or more viewpoints (Multi-views), specifically for example, a 3D video format using 2-dimensional images and Depth images suitable of 3D display in a so-called lenticular method, and so forth.
Now, as a disc-type recording medium for recording data such as images and the like, there are play-only optical discs conforming to the Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark) standard. With this standard, captions are displayed on a plane separate from the plane on which moving images are displayed, and the caption and moving images are overlaid and displayed by the caption plane and moving image plane being synthesized. For example, one screen of image data wherein a caption is displayed on a moving image is generated by providing portions of a caption plane other than the caption with a transparent attribute, and the positioning the caption plane in front of the moving image plane. PTL 1 describes a technique wherein a moving image plane and caption plane are both provided based on the Blu-ray Disc standard which is a recoding/playing standard, and moving images according to video data and captions according to caption image data are displayed on one screen.

Information processing apparatus, method, program and recording medium


This invention relates to a method and devices for hydroblasting wherein a hydrolyzed solution of a silica compound and water, the hydrolyzed solution containing solid particles of the silica compound, is ejected at the surface to be cleaned.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hydroblasting in general. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of cleaning and cutting surfaces utilizing abrasives mixed with water to form a cutting mixture along with employing nucleation catalytic impact tubes and nucleation blaster tips of various design.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide variety of methods are used for the cleaning and cutting of various surfaces. In the cleaning and cutting of flat exterior surfaces, it is quite common to utilize sandblasting techniques. Sandblasting causes the ejection of sand particles under high pressure. As the sand particles impinge upon the surface, an abrasive action takes place which results in the cleaning of the surface. Sandblasting is particularly applicable when material accumulation is not a critical factor in the cleaning environment. Sandblasting is not appropriate for the cleaning of pipes, conduits, valves, and other internal surfaces. Also, sandblasting is often not preferred as it may pit a metal surface, leading to a degrading of the metal surface.
Another technique employed for the cleaning of various surfaces is the use of hydroblasting. Hydroblasting is designed for the cleaning of many interior surfaces in which material accumulation can present a problem. For example, hydroblasting is often used for the cleaning of pipes and tubes in oil field equipment, in factory applications, and in other fields of endeavor. Hydroblasting essentially consists of the utilization of a pumping mechanism which causes the pressurized release, through a nozzle, of a stream of water.
Unfortunately, hydroblasters have generally proved to be ineffective in the cleaning of pipes which are clogged with a viscous material. Since a hydroblaster relies upon the rotation of a nozzle and relies upon the high pressure ejection of water, it is common for the hydroblasters to bog down in the viscous material within the pipe. Since the hydroblaster emits one stream for cleaning purposes, the clogging of the hydroblaster prevents the hydroblaster from properly rotating for the thorough cleaning of the interior of the pipe. As the hydroblaster encounters obstructions within the pipe, the high pressure liquid stream emitted from the hydroblaster will only clean in one direction within the pipe. As a result, a great deal of streaking results from the use of hydroblasting.
It has been found that the streaking of pipes is an ineffective solution to the problem of a clogged pipe. Whenever streaking occurs in a pipe, this results in easier and quicker accumulation of the clogging material. In simple terms, the streaking of a tube promotes "addition". Since the use of conventional hydroblasters virtually inherently results in a streaking of the tube surface, hydroblasting is a relatively ineffective solution to clogged tubes and pipes.
In conventional hydroblasting applications, whenever the hydroblaster nozzle became clogged within the pipe, the operators of the hydroblaster simply increase the pressure of the water from the nozzle until it effectively penetrates the viscous material in the pipe. There was no way to maintain the constant rotation of the spinner nozzles. As a result, it has become conventional within the hydroblasting business to rely on pure water force for the cleaning of pipes and other surfaces. The use of high pressure results in increased fuel consumption. It also causes an increased fatigue of the blaster gunner. As increased fatigue is applied to the mechanical components of the hydroblasting operation, there is a greatly increasing chance of an accident. Given the high pressures that are utilized in hydroblasting operations, any metal fatigue or other material deterioration can cause a potentially fatal accident. In order to avoid such fatigue and dangers, hydroblasting companies must greatly increase their costs of maintenance and inspection. Another problem with the use of extremely high pressures for the hydroblasting of surfaces is that higher pressures more frequently result in lower blasting volumes. Thusly, this results in less waste product actually removed from the surface which is blasted.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting mixture that can be used in hydroblasting operations.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of cleaning surfaces which effectively prevents clogging and streaking.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of cleaning which is environmentally safe.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hydroblasting method of cleaning which reduces the pressures required for effective cleaning.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method of cleaning utilizing hydroblasting technology which is easy to use, relatively inexpensive, and effective.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

Method for cleaning surfaces with an abrading composition


The present invention provides an item of jewelry containing headphones, or a headset, enabling a wearer to interface with electronic devices. In particular, the present invention provides a necklace containing headphones or a headset, enabling a wearer to interface with electronic devices.

Portable electronic devices such as MP3 players, and mobile telephones have become increasingly popular, and the features on the devices have become more sophisticated and numerous. The market for accessories for such devices has increased.
In one example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,086,288 discloses [a] battery-powered miniature wireless headset [that] is worn as a single earring or as a pair of earrings. The headset communicates with a phone or other host over a bidirectional wireless communication link allowing hands-free operation. The wireless earring headset is comprised of an electronics module (18), a speaker assembly (17), a microphone assembly (16), an antenna (68), a battery (62), user interface devices such as a switch (28) and LED (30), and an attachment means employing either a clamp or a pierced earring post (24) with clutch (26). The electronics module, which may be a single chip, comprises a wireless transceiver, a processor with associated memory, an audio codec, power supply electronics, and other components. In use the device is attached to the pinna of the wearer's ear (99) using either a clamp or a post inserted through a pinna piercing and secured by a clutch or nut.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,693,295 provides a system for securing headphones, the system comprising: a first transducer device having a first mechanical housing, said first mechanical housing having an outer surface and an inner surface; a first coupling device affixed to the outer surface of said first mechanical housing of said first transducer device; a second transducer device having a second mechanical housing, said second mechanical housing having an outer surface and an inner surface; and a second coupling device affixed to the outer surface of said second mechanical housing of said second transducer device, wherein said first coupling device is coupled to said second coupling device when in close proximity to each other, such that the inner surfaces of said first and second mechanical devices are opposed to each other.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,436,974 provides a system for modifying a preexisting headphone transducer having a wire connected thereto, the system comprising: a first backing device having an inner surface and an outer surface, and comprising: a first conductive material at least partially covering the inner surface of said first backing device; a bonding layer at least partially disposed on said first conductive material; and a coupling device affixed to the outer surface of said first backing device; and a second backing device having an inner surface and an outer surface, and comprising: a second conductive material at least partially covering the inner surface of said second backing device, wherein said first backing device is affixed to one side of the wire of the headphone transducer and said second first backing device is affixed to the other side of the wire of the headphone transducer, and said backing devices mate with each other to securely attach to the wire of the headphone transducer.
In another example U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,946 provides a magnetic clasp comprising a bolting member and a locking member, wherein, the bolting member including a container, a bolting rod, a first magnetic element, and a second magnetic element; a through hole being provided in the container; both ends of the bolting rod having different outer diameters; the bolting rod, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element being received in sequence in the container; the bolting rod having its smaller end to penetrate the through hole of the container and its larger end being restricted inside the container and holding against the first magnetic element; both of the first and the second magnetic elements rejecting each other due to opposite magnetism; a through hole being provided in the locking member; the bolting rod penetrating the through hole of the locking member and to lock up by having the locking member attracted by the first magnetic element.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,398 provides a clasp for selectively joining a first element to a second element, the clasp comprising: a) a first generally elongated body member having opposed first and second ends and comprising a flange located at one of the ends, the flange for receiving the first element; and b) a second generally elongated body member having opposed first and second ends and comprising a flange located at one of the ends, the flange for receiving the second element; wherein each body member further comprises: (i) a generally semi-cylindrical elongated frame of nonmagnetic material, the frame having an internal semi-cylindrical coaxial channel and comprising a disk-like end member and a cylindrical end member which are located at opposite ends of the channel, and (ii) at least one magnet located within the channel for selectively securing the body members to each other through a common magnetic field.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,984 provides a jewelry closure comprising: first and second closure members for engaging together wherein at least one of said closure members comprises a magnet; casing means for supporting said first closure member and extending outwardly for supporting said second closure member; and means located on said casing means for engaging adjacent an outer end surface of said second closure member when said second closure member is held by magnetic attraction to said first closure member, said engaging means comprising an elongated member having a first end hinged to said casing means and a second end which lies adjacent said outer end surface of said second closure member when said jewelry closure is in secured position, wherein said hinged means is engaged with a protrusion on said casing means when said jewelry closure is in secured position; whereby said closure members cannot be separated from magnetic engagement with each other until after said engaging means is released from its position adjacent said second closure member.
In another example, U.S. Patent Application US20090016559A1 discloses a [w]earable holding apparatus and methods for securing and storing wireless or wired telecommunication and electronic devices. The apparatus includes a holding unit attached on a user's body or the clothing or accessories of a user or otherwise proximate to the user and having one or more cords attached to the device during both use and non-use.
In another example, U.S. Patent Application US20080075316A1 discloses [o]rnamental ear wrap . . . devices . . . Variations include an ear wrap having an ornamental body attachment . . . portion and an earphone attachment portion.
In another example, U.S. Patent Application US20070291974A1 discloses [a]n earpiece incorporating a small speaker for use with an electronic device that generates audio signals, such as a cell phone, digital recording player, tape player or the like, which is adapted to be inserted in or held over a wearer's ear by a head strap, includes a jewelry-like decorative attachment secured to the outer side of the earpiece, so as to give the appearance of an earring. The decorative accessory may be removably attached to the earpiece by a separable fastener such as a snap fastener clip, magnetic clamp, Velcro fastener or the like. The decorative accessory may incorporate one or more light sources in the form of LEDs or the like, powered by a battery secured in either the earpiece of the accessory itself or an inline on/off volume control switch housing assembly. The light source may be powered constantly or intermittently based on motion of the wearer, sounds or the like.
In another example, U.S. Patent Application US20040209576A1 discloses a decorative headset for a cellular phone [that] has metallic covers on the earpiece and the microphone. The metallic covers are formed to have an outer surface topography of raised and/or lowered portions. Decorative material is placed between the raised or within the lowered portions of the outer surface.
In another example, the website http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/h9/discloses a BLUETOOTH® enabled headset.
In another example, the website http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/376071581/Lovely_colorful_wooden_beads_stereo_necklace.html discloses a wooden bead stereo necklace headphone.
In another example, the website http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/395078004/Lovely_perple_crystal_beads_necklace_for.html discloses a bead stereo necklace headphone.


A method for verifying access conditions performed by two conditional access devices consecutively on a control message before releasing a control word to a descrambler. The control message includes a first part including first access conditions and a second part structured as a control message including at least second access conditions and a control word. A first conditional access device is configured for decrypting the control message with a common key specific to units having a first conditional access device and verifying the authenticity of said message. When the verification succeeds, the second part and a second right is transmitted to a second conditional access device, which decrypts the second part with a common key specific to units having a second conditional access device and verifies the authenticity of said second part and the second access conditions in relation to the second right encrypted by a personal key embedded therein.

A digital audio/video data processing unit like a digital television decoder or "set top box" includes a main module gathering essential functions for the decryption of the received data, generally called deciphering or descrambling unit or calculation module. The audio/video data entering the calculation module is encrypted with control words CW transmitted in a control message ECM (Entitlement Control message) stream associated with the audio/video data stream. The calculation module includes a particular circuit in charge of extracting the control words CW from the control messages ECM and decrypting them using keys made available by the processing unit and/or by a security module associated to said unit.
A security module can be implemented in a variety of manners such as on a microprocessor card, on a smartcard or any electronic module in the form of a badge or key. These modules are generally portable and detachable from the host user unit and are designed to be tamper-proof. The most commonly used form has electrical contacts, but contactless versions of type ISO 14443 also exist. Another implementation of the security module consists either of a directly soldered integrated circuit inside the user unit or a circuit on a socket or connector such as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) module. The security module may also be integrated on a chip which has another function e.g. on a descrambling module or on a microprocessor module of a pay television set top box. The security module can also be implemented as a software device managed by a processor of the user unit.
A control message ECM contains, in addition to the control word, access conditions required for the control word to be sent back to the processing unit. At the time of the decryption of a control message usually encrypted by a transmission key, the security module verifies if the conditions to access audio/video data sent in a stream are satisfied, i.e. the access rights stored in the security module are present. These rights are generally sent by the head end in entitlement management messages EMM which update the rights stored in the security module.
The control word is only returned to the processing unit when the rights verification is successful. According to a known Pay-TV broadcasting mode, three elements are necessary to decrypt a program at a given time, namely:    a) Data related to the program encrypted by one or a plurality of control words,    b) Control message(s) ECM containing the control words and access conditions,    c) Corresponding user rights stored in the security module allowing verifying the access conditions.
Accounting for the use of audio video content or other conditional access data is based on subscription, purchases of selected programs or on payment by time units.
In order to improve security of the control words which are the most sensitive elements of a Pay-TV system, several solutions have been developed such as for example:
The document EP1485857B1 describes a method for matching a decoder with a removable security module. The system formed by the decoder and the security module receives digital audio/video data encrypted by a control word and control messages ECM containing the encrypted control word. A first key is assigned to the decoder and a second key to the security module. These two keys form a unique pair in the broadcast network of the audio/video data. Only one key of the key pair can be chosen arbitrarily while the other is determined according to the first key in a way that the combination of these two keys conforms to a pairing key of the system, thus allowing to decrypt the control word.
The document EP1421789B1 discloses a process of controlling access to encrypted data transmitted by an operator to a plurality of subscribers groups. Each group has a group key and each subscriber receives from the operator an operating key encrypted by the group key to decipher the transmitted data. The process consists of associating the operating key encrypted with the group key to a random value for generating a secret code. This code is transmitted via a management message EMM to the subscribers to calculate the operating key at the reception of the random value transmitted by control messages ECM. The process uses only one access control and it allows for dissuading the publication of the operating keys by making them dependent on the subscriber group.
The document EP1078524B1 describes a coupling or matching method in order to make a security module dependent on the host apparatus, in this case a Pay-TV decoder, and vice versa. The aim of this matching mechanism is to protect the communications between the security module and the decoder in order to prevent the capture, from the transmission channel, of the control words allowing for the deciphering of the transmitted program data. The matching allows also for the prevention of the use of the security module with a foreign host apparatus or conversely. The solution uses a unique key or a unique key pair to encrypt and decrypt the data exchanged between the security module and the decoder. This unique key is maintained secret and unchanged during the whole life of the related devices. One or other of the connected devices can verify, at any moment, the validity of the matching parameters and take appropriate counter-measures when a match is not found.
The document WO2006/040482 describes a method of recomposing a control word on the one hand by a security module and on the other hand by a decoder. Neither of the two devices alone can obtain the complete control word. The message including the two parts of the control word moreover contains two access conditions, one for the security module and the other for the decoder.
The document WO2009/144264A1 describes a method for secure processing digital access controlled audio/video data and a processing unit configured for the same and able to receive control messages. The control messages comprise at least one first control word and first right execution parameters, at least one second control word and second right execution parameters. The processing unit being connected to a first access control device comprises:                means for verifying and applying the first right execution parameters in relation to the contents of a memory associated to the first access control device and means for obtaining the first control word,        a second access control device integrated into the processing unit including means for verifying and applying the second right execution parameters in relation to the contents of a memory associated to the second access control device and means for obtaining the second control word,        a deciphering module configured for deciphering, sequentially with the first and the second control word, the access controlled audio/video data, the first and second control words being provided respectively by the first and second access control devices and stored in said deciphering module.
The document EP1523188A1 discloses a method for pairing a first element and a second element, wherein the first element and the second element form a first decoding system among a plurality of receiving decoding systems in a broadcasting network. Each receiving decoding system is adapted to descramble scrambled audiovisual information received over the broadcasting network. A first key unique in the broadcasting network is selected. A second key is determined according to the first key, such that a combination of the first key and the second key enables to decrypt broadcasted encrypted control data that is received to be decrypted by each receiving decoding system, the encrypted control data being identical for each receiving decoding system. The first key and the second key are assigned respectively to the first element and the second element.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,207A discloses a decoder for descrambling encoded satellite transmissions comprising an internal security element and a replaceable security module. The program signal is scrambled with a key and then the key itself is twice-encrypted and multiplexed with the scrambled program signal. The key is first encrypted with a first secret serial number which is assigned to a given replaceable security module. The key is then encrypted with a second secret serial number which is assigned to a given decoder. The decoder performs a first key decryption using the second secret serial number stored within the decoder. The partially decrypted key is then further decrypted by the replaceable security module using the first secret serial number stored in the replaceable security module. The decoder then descrambles the program using the twice-decrypted key.
To sum up, the security of the control words may be improved by the following measures:                a transmission through a secured channel between the security module and the processing unit,        a plurality of conditional access modules requiring each a verification of the access conditions or rights,        reception of a control word in several parts sent either in one or several control messages. Appropriate instructions allow rebuilding the control word from its parts by a processing module before making it available to the descrambler.

Method and processing unit for secure processing of access controlled audio/video data


The present invention relates to an energy transfer system, in particular in the form of an energy efficient wheel for use with a vehicle such as a bicycle, which energy transfer system is operable to convert potential energy in the form of the load applied by the weight of the person on the vehicle into kinetic energy in the form of driving torque applied to the wheel, the system including an inner hub and an outer hub eccentrically coupled to the inner hub, in addition to a rim connected to the outer hub via an array of spokes, wherein an actuator comprising a pair of flanges extends radially outwardly from the inner hub and an array of lever arms are hingedly mounted to the outer hub and engaged by the actuator such as to be hingedly displaceable by the actuator in response to relative movement between the inner and outer hubs, and a spring captured between each lever arm and one of the spokes.

Cycling as a mode of transport is becoming more and more popular, both due to the significant increase in vehicle traffic on our roads and thus increased journey times, in addition to a greater awareness of the health benefits associated with cycling and a generally fitter lifestyle.
With this increased use of bicycles as a mode of transport has come an increase in the variety of bicycles coming on the market to meet the varied needs of these new commuters. For example electric or hybrid bicycles are becoming increasingly popular, in particular to meet the needs of cyclist who have a longer commute and thus desire the assistance provided by an onboard electric motor which can augment or replace the power provided by the cyclist. These electric bicycles are also favoured by cyclist who may have a reduced level of fitness but nevertheless wish to travel by bicycle, whether for the reasons stated above or in an effort to increase their fitness levels.
While electric bicycles have many benefits as set out above, in addition to having zero emissions and are thus a fare more environmentally friendly mode of transport, it is still necessary to ensure that the battery is suitably charged for the journey in question, and this is often not possible, in particular on the return leg of a round trip, where the battery capacity will have been lowered from the outward leg. A suitable charging location is not always available, and in any event the battery on an electric bicycle will have a limited capacity and thus the bicycle will have a limited range, which may make it less suitable for certain journeys. While most modern electric bicycles can be ridden in conventional fashion, for example when the battery has been fully discharged, the addition weight of the battery, motor and associated componentry make the task more difficult than with a conventional bicycle.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle wheel which is capable of converting a portion of the loading resulting from the weight of a person into torque applied to drive the wheel in order to reduce the rider effort necessary to power the vehicle.


A method is provided for measuring subsurface soil or rock temperatures remotely using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Electrical resistivity measurements are made using electrodes implanted in boreholes driven into the soil and/or at the ground surface. The measurements are repeated as some process changes the temperatures of the soil mass/rock mass. Tomographs of electrical resistivity are calculated based on the measurements using Poisson's equation. Changes in the soil/rock resistivity can be related to changes in soil/rock temperatures when: (1) the electrical conductivity of the fluid trapped in the soil's pore space is low, (2) the soil/rock has a high cation exchange capacity and (3) the temperature changes are sufficiently high. When these three conditions exist the resistivity changes observed in the ERT tomographs can be directly attributed to changes in soil/rock temperatures. This method provides a way of mapping temperature changes in subsurface soils remotely. Distances over which the ERT method can be used to monitor changes in soil temperature range from tens to hundreds of meters from the electrode locations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the use of electrical resistance tomography (ERT) to determine subsurface soil or rock temperatures. More specifically, it relates to a method for mapping temperature changes in subsurface soils through remote measurements.
2. Description of Related Art
Many applications require heating of subsurface soils or rocks. For example, steam injection can be used to heat soils and remove subsurface contaminants such as Volatile organic compounds. Steam injection is also used in oil reservoirs to enhance the recovery of petroleum. In both of these applications it is highly desirable to map the subsurface region through which steam has moved and to determine which regions have been bypassed by the steam. These processes can be made more cost-effective when the temperature distribution in the region of interest is known. Subsurface temperature measurements are generally made from boreholes using sensors which sample temperatures at a point along the borehole wall, however, these measurements only represent the temperature of the soil located within inches of the borehole. In order to measure temperatures at locations removed from one borehole requires drilling additional boreholes and the regions between boreholes cannot be measured. It would be beneficial to have a method which would minimize the need for and increase the utility of boreholes by providing means to monitor temperature changes remotely using electrodes located at the ground surface or in boreholes. The present invention provides such a method.
For a description of a simple physical model describing shaly sand conductivities, see M. H. Waxman et al., "Electrical Conductivities in Shaly Sands-I. The relation between hydrocarbon saturation and resistivity index; II. The temperature coefficient of electrical conductivity", Journal of Petroleum Technology, Vol. 26, pp. 213-218, 1974.

Using electrical resistance tomography to map subsurface temperatures


A burn-in socket for land grid array devices or ball grid array devices includes a receptacle having an array of terminals for accepting and contacting the device and an outer shell which is actuated by rotation of the shell to capture the device and provide a force to ensure electrical contact between the device and the terminals.

During the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, the device is tested by attaching the device to a printed circuit board and electronically testing its functionality. Such testing may be done in a heated environment to accelerate the testing and identify devices which otherwise might fail shortly after being placed in service.
To facilitate this testing, it is necessary to provide a socket permanently attached to the test circuit board which will allow the device to be temporarily connected to the circuit board. Such a socket should allow rapid connection and removal of the device and should not mar the device in any way. In addition, the socket must provide positive contact to all of the electrical connections of the device, and be susceptible to manipulation by automatic production machinery.
Socket of the type described have in the past primarily included abase attached to the test circuit board by means of spring-loaded contacts and a hinged lid which pressed the device down against the contacts. Such sockets have not proven to be easily compatible with modern process equipment, particularly production line robotic equipment.

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


Linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon are stabilized against thermal degradation by the inclusion therein of a stabilizing amount of a combination of a phenolic compound and an aromatic amine.

The class of polymers of carbon monoxide and olefin(s) has been known for some time. Brubaker, U.S. Pat. No. 2,495,286, produced such polymers of relatively low carbon monoxide content in the presence of free radical initiators, e.g., peroxy compounds. U.K. Pat. No. 1,081,304 discloses related polymers of higher carbon monoxide content produced in the presence of trialkylphosphine complexes of palladium salts as catalyst. Nozaki extended the reaction to produce linear alternating polymers in the presence of triarylphosphine complexes of palladium moieties and certain inert solvents. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,412.
More recently, the class of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon has become of greater interest in part because of the greater availability of the polymers. The more recent processes for the production of the linear alternating polymers, now becoming known as polyketone polymers or polyketones, are illustrated by number of published European Patent Applications including 121,965, 181,014, 213,671 and 257,663. The process generally involves the use of a catalyst composition formed from a compound of a Group VIII metal selected from palladium, cobalt or nickel, the anion of a non-hydrohalogenic acid having a pKa below 2 and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.
The resulting polymers are relatively high molecular weight thermoplastic materials having utility in the production of shaped articles such as containers for food and drink and as parts and housings for the automotive industry, which articles are produced by methods conventional for thermoplastics such as extrusion, injection molding or thermoforming. These polymers are now considered to be conventional.
Although the polyketone polymers are relatively stable and have good properties, the linear alternating polymers do undergo to some extent the thermal degradation that is characteristic of most if not all organic polymers. There are a large number of thermal stabilizers which are employed commercially to stabilize thermoplastic polymers against such degradation. However, many of the thermal stabilizers which are known to be effective with polyolefins, polyamides or polyacrylates are not effective when employed with linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon. Russell et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,729 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,104, teach the use of certain benzophenones and certain benzotriazines, respectively, as thermal stabilizers for a broad range of polymers of carbon monoxide and ethylene with the optional presence of third monomers. The scope of the polymers disclosed by Russell et al is relatively broad but the polymers tested ar relatively limited and the Russell et al disclosure does not appear to be specifically directed toward linear alternating polymers. It would be of advantage to provide for the efficient stabilization of such linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon against thermal degradation.


The subject matter described herein relates to switching between cameras of an electronic device. A method, system and computer storage medium are provided for switching between cameras of an electronic device. In an embodiment, the method comprises detecting at least a partial obstruction of a camera of the electronic device; and upon detection, switching between the at least partially obstructed camera and another camera of the electronic device. In such a way, it enables a user to switch between two different cameras by simply at least partially obstructing one of the cameras using, for example, a finger, which improves the accuracy of user operations and enhances usability of the electronic device, thereby providing a better user experience.

Recently, an electronic device such as mobile phone, tablet, etc., is more and more popular all over the world and more and the electronic device is provided with more appealing functionalities. For example, currently, many electronic devices are configured with more than one camera, typically a front camera and a back camera, for easy use by users. In such a way, it can enable a user to take a self-shot using the front camera and take a photo of scene before them using the back camera.
In a traditional solution, the two cameras are often switched by pressing a switching icon or menu in a user interface as provided on screen of the electronic device. The switching icon or menu is usually located, for example, on one side, or on top of the image and is very small so that it will not affect viewing of the image in view finder monitor. The small size of the switching icon or menu means that it is not easy to press it accurately. Furthermore, for a people with big fingers, it will be even more difficult for them to switch between two cameras by pressing the switching icon or menu. Accordingly, the user might have a bad experience.

Switching between cameras of an electronic device


An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium; an image reading unit that reads the image entered on an original and is disposed upwardly of the image forming unit; a joint member that connects the image forming unit and the image reading unit, the joint member including a first recess depressed toward a space formed between the image forming unit and the image reading unit; and a cover member including: a lower side fixed to the image forming unit; an upper side extending toward the image reading unit for covering the first recess; and a second recess depressed toward the first recess so as to follow the shape of the first recess.

Referring to a conventional image forming apparatus in which an image reading unit is disposed upwardly of an image forming unit. For example, according to JP-A-2004-214803, an image forming unit and an image reading unit are connected together by a joint cover. In the joint cover, there is provided a grip portion (a hold portion) for carrying the image forming apparatus.


A contact 4 for a PGA socket 1 is formed with a plate-like base portion 41, a pair of projecting portions 42a, 42b provided continuously at one end of the base portion 41 to extend in a direction substantially equal to the base portion, a turned portion 43 provided continuously at the other end of the base portion 41 to face the base portion 41, and a tail portion 44 provided continuously at the other end of the base portion 41 not to face the base portion 41. The turned portion 43 is provided with a contact portion 43a contacting a pin of a PGA package on a surface of the turned portion 43 not facing the base portion 41. This prevents flux from adhering on the contact portion 43a of the contact 4 when the contact 4 is soldered on a board.

The present invention relates to a contact for PGA and a PGA socket for connecting a PGA (Pin Grid Array) package provided with a plurality of pins in a grid array fashion to a circuit board substrate and the like.
A PGA socket includes a base housing formed with contact holes in a grid array fashion, a plurality of contacts located in the contact holes, a cover housing formed with through holes in a grid array fashion which the pins of the PGA package can be inserted through, and a sliding mechanism for sliding the cover housing over the base housing. Each contact includes a press-fitting portion for press-fitting the contact to be engaged to the base housing, a contact portion for being in contact with a pin of the PGA package, and a soldering portion for soldering the contact to a printed circuit board and the like. By soldering a plurality of contacts on a printed circuit board and the like, the PGA socket is mounted thereon.
The pins of the PGA package are inserted into the PGA socket through the trough holes of the cover housing by zero insertion force to a position in which the pins of the PGA package face the contact portions of the contacts. The cover housing is slid over the base housing by the sliding mechanism of the PGA socket and then the pins of the PGA package come in contact with the contact portions of the contacts to be electrically connected therewith. Signals can be thereby transmitted between the PGA package and the printed circuit board and the like.
However, upon soldering the soldering portions of the contacts on the printed circuit board and the like, flux may go into the PGA socket from the soldering portions through the gap between the contacts and the base housing to adhere on the contact portions of the contacts. In such a case, even if the pins of the PGA package and the contacts are contacted, a loose electrical connection is arisen that the pins and the contacts are not electrically connected. For this reason, yield of products containing PGA sockets, printed circuit boards, etc. has been decreased.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a construction of a contact for PGA that prevents a loose electrical connection caused by flux adhering on a contact portion of the contact and increases the yield of the products and to provide a PGA socket including contacts of the construction.
A contact for PGA of the present invention formed by bending a metal plate comprises a plate-like base portion, a projecting portion provided continuously in the base portion to extend in a direction substantially equal to the base portion, a turned portion provided continuously at one end of the base portion to face the base portion, and a tail portion provided continuously at the other end of the base portion not to face the base portion.
According to the contact for PGA, where the turned portion is used as a contact portion of the contact and a surface of the turned portion not facing the base portion is used as a contact surface for being in contact with a pin of a PGA package, even when the tail portion is soldered on a board and the like, a frequency of adhesion of flux is lowered to a great extent since flux may usually move between the base portion and a surface of the turned portion facing the base portion. For this reason, when the above-mentioned contact is used for a PGA socket, a loose electrical connection of the pins and the contacts can be prevented, resulting in increase in yield of the products. The contact for PGA may be manufactured at low cost since the contact may be obtained by bending the metal plate.
PGA sockets include PGA sockets used in desktop personal computers, micro PGA sockets used in notebook type personal computers and the like.
The above-mentioned contact for PGA further includes a pair of facing portions provided continuously in the turned portion to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction connecting between the one end of the base portion and the other end of the base portion add to face each other. According to the contact for PGA, when a pair of facing portions is used as contact portions, a pin of a PGA package and the contact are electrically connected more reliably, since the contact and the pin are to be in contact at two points.
A PGA socket of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned contacts for PGA, a base housing formed with a large number of contact holes for holding the contacts by a press-fit of the projecting portion in a grid array fashion, a cover housing located to overlap the base housing and formed with a large number of through holes in a grid array fashion through which the pins of the PGA package for being electrically connected with the contacts for PGA can be inserted, and a sliding mechanism for sliding the cover housing over the base housing.
According to the PGA socket, each contact used therein has a construction where flux is difficult to adhere on the contact portion for being in contact with the pin of a PGA package. Therefore, a loose electrical connection caused by flux adhering on the contact portion is not likely to occur, resulting in increase in yield of the products.


A composition for forming column spacers is provided. The composition comprises a radical polymerization inhibitor. The use of the composition enables simultaneous formation of a saturated pattern and a semi-transmissive pattern as column spacer patterns having different shapes, whose difference in thickness is controllable as desired although the sensitivity is slightly reduced, through a slit or semi-transmissive mask by varying the kind and amount of the radical polymerization inhibitor. Further provided are column spacers formed using composition and a liquid crystal display using the column spacers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composition comprising a radical polymerization inhibitor whose kind and content vary to simultaneously form two column spacers having different shapes through a slit or semi-transmissive mask. The present invention also relates to column spacers formed using composition and a liquid crystal display comprising the column spacers.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal cell of a liquid crystal display essentially includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate for driving the liquid crystal display, a color filter substrate for color display, and a liquid crystal filled between the two substrates. The color filter substrate is produced by subjecting a photosensitive organic material, in which at least one pigment is dispersed, to photolithography to form a pattern and coating three or more kinds of color inks having different transmission-absorption wavelengths on the pattern to form pixels. The pixels are combined to create color images. If needed, overcoats are formed in the color filter substrate to reduce the step between the adjacent pixels, or column spacers are formed by patterning to maintain the inner gap of the liquid crystal cell at a constant level.
Photosensitive resin compositions, particularly, negative type photosensitive resin compositions patternable by photolithography are usually used to form the overcoats or the column spacers. A typical negative type photosensitive resin composition essentially comprises an alkali-soluble polymer, a polyfunctional monomer having two or more acrylate groups, and a photoinitiator. Optionally, the negative type photosensitive resin composition may further comprise a solvent, a surfactant, an adhesion aid, etc.
The photoinitiator is decomposed to generate active radicals when the negative type photosensitive resin composition is exposed to light, particularly UV light. The active radicals activate the acrylate groups of the polyfunctional monomer to induce cross-linking of the alkali-soluble polymer with the polyfunctional monomer (photopolymerization). This photopolymerization increases the molecular weight of the polymer in the cross-linked portion (i.e. in the portion exposed to light), and as a result, the exposed portion becomes insoluble in alkali. The exposed portion remains unremoved even after subsequent development. Consequently, the use of the negative type photosensitive resin enables the formation of a fine pattern by photolithography.
The sensitivity of a photosensitive resin composition is associated with the minimum exposure dose (i.e. light energy) at which a pattern is stably formed. A low exposure dose shortens the processing time to assist in productivity improvement. Particularly, the sensitivity of a photosensitive resin composition for forming column spacers to maintain the gap of a liquid crystal cell at a constant level is determined as an exposure dose at which the variation in the thickness of patterns is sharply decreased.
Photoinitiators that rapidly respond to low light energy have been used to improve the sensitivity of photosensitive resin compositions without any marked reduction in the developability of the photosensitive resin compositions. However, the use of photoinitiators for improving the sensitivity of photosensitive resin compositions is disadvantageous in that the variation in the thickness of patterns depending on the exposure dose is small. This disadvantage makes it difficult to form transparent thin films whose thickness is controlled by varying the slit structure and transmittance of photomasks.
Radical polymerization inhibitors are often added to negative type photosensitive resin compositions. The radical polymerization inhibitors may be added separately. In most case, the radical polymerization inhibitors are present in small amounts in other raw materials, such as binder resins, cross-linking agents and solvents.
Radical polymerization inhibitors have been used for the purpose of improving the storage stability (stability over time) of photosensitive resin compositions because of their ability to remove a small amount of radicals created during storage of the photosensitive resin compositions.
A conventional negative type photosensitive resin composition enables the formation of column spacer patterns having the same shape, but it has difficulty in simultaneously forming a saturated pattern and a semi-transmissive pattern as column spacer patterns having different shapes for use in a liquid crystal display through a slit or semi-transmissive mask.
Thus, there is an urgent need to develop a composition for simultaneously forming a saturated pattern and a semi-transmissive pattern as column spacer patterns having different shapes, whose difference in thickness is controllable as desired although the sensitivity is slightly reduced, for use in a liquid crystal display through a slit or semi-transmissive mask.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Composition for simultaneously forming two isolated column spacer patterns


A gas purifying apparatus includes an adsorption member (e.g., a honeycomb structural body) that adsorbs particulate matter contained in the gas by the action of an electric field. The apparatus also includes a supply device (e.g., an ozone generator including a discharger, a pulsed power supply, a pump, and a discharge port) that supplies a pro-oxidant to the adsorption member.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a gas purifying apparatus, and, more specifically, to gas purifying apparatus that trap particulate matter contained in gas.
2. Description of Related Art
Diesel particulate filters (DPF) with porous honeycomb structural bodies, that remove particulate matter (PM) contained in exhaust gas emitted from a diesel engine, a lean-burn engine, or the like have been described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-06-29545. In such described DPFs, a plurality of opening portions passes through the honeycomb structural body from the upstream end face to the downstream end face. Some opening portions are closed at the respective upstream ends and open at the respective downstream ends. Other opening portions are closed at the respective downstream ends and open at the respective upstream ends. Thus, exhaust gas flowing into the opening portions open at the upstream ends is filtered when passing through the porous partition walls. The exhaust gas that passes through the partition walls flows into and is then discharged from the adjacent opening portions that are open at the downstream ends. While the exhaust gas is passing through the partition walls, the PM contained in the exhaust gas is trapped in the partition walls.
An apparatus that includes a cylindrical peripheral electrode that is open at both the upstream end and the downstream end has been described. Specifically, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2004-19534 describes an apparatus having a single rod-shaped center electrode that extends from a position near the upstream end of the peripheral electrode and that passes through the axis of the peripheral electrode. In this apparatus, the PM contained in the exhaust gas, which is electrically-charged by the center electrode, is adsorbed to the peripheral electrode by the interaction between the electric potential and the electric field produced between the two electrodes. A part of the PM adsorbed to the peripheral electrode is burned, and a plasma state is generated due to a high voltage applied between the two electrodes. Then, the oxidation of PM is promoted.