In a multi-chamber load-locking device which is placed between a loading station which places a wafer cassette which houses semiconductor wafers and a transfer chamber which conveys the semiconductor wafers and in which lock-loading device chamber space is divided into two by the vertical motion of a plate, a device which comprises: sealing means by which the chamber space is selectively divided into two by contacting the plate and a state of no airflow is caused; a cylindrical cam provided with the same axis as that of the chamber; and a rotary actuator dynamically connected with the cylindrical cam, wherein the turning moment of the rotary actuator is converted into the vertical thrust of the axis and the plate rises and descends.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a vacuum chamber for semiconductor manufacturing and it particularly relates to a sealing mechanism of a load-locking chamber.
2. Description of the Related Art
To reduce the device area of a semiconductor-manufacturing device, in place of a transfer chamber, devices for which a load-locking chamber and a reactor chamber were constructed in three dimensions were introduced. These are devices in which, for example, a plate capable of moving vertically, which is provided inside a wafer transfer chamber, seals the opening of a load-locking chamber or a reactor chamber, which is provided in the upper part of the wafer transfer chamber, and causes a state of no airflow for both chambers.
When replacing a wafer, because the pressure within a load-locking chamber becomes atmospheric pressure and a transfer chamber is under vacuum, a plate is sucked into the transfer chamber under great force due to the pressure difference between them. When processing a wafer with a diameter of 200 mm and if the diameter of the plate is approximately 300 mm, this sucking force is approximately 700 Kg.
Normally, to hold a plate against this sucking force, an electromagnetic brake is used. Because this brake uses friction, it is gradually worn away and periodic maintenance becomes necessary.
For manufacturing a wafer with a diameter of 300 mm, the diameter of a plate must be enlarge to approximately 400 mm, and the sucking force will reach approximately 1300 Kg. To accommodate these changes, an electromagnetic brake will become larger and the frequency of maintenance work will increase.
Additionally, in a multi-chamber load-locking device for which a load-locking chamber is divided into two by the vertical motion of a plate, the plate receives a sucking force in the reverse direction at two upper and lower sealing positions. As a result, the frequency of maintenance work including brake readjustment increases.
Further, a plate needs to move quickly to improve productivity. At the time of sealing, the plate, however, needs to slow down immediately before a sealing position to prevent particle contamination from an O-ring seal. Likewise, when the plate separates from the seal, it should move slowly and the moving speed should increase after the plate separates from the seal completely.
Thus, in a multi-chamber load-locking device, complex operation control such as change in moving speeds, operation of a brake, and maintenance become necessary.
Consequently, an object of this invention is to provide, with simple construction, a maintenance-free multi-chamber load-locking device which is equipped with an automatic motion control mechanism for a plate.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, this invention comprises structures described below. In an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-chamber load-locking device is placed between a loading station which places a wafer cassette which houses semiconductor wafers, and a transfer chamber which conveys the semiconductor wafers. The device""s chamber space is divided into two by the vertical motion of a plate which comprises sealing structures with which the chamber space is selectively divided into two by contacting the plate and a state of no airflow is caused. A cylindrical cam is provided with the same axis as that of the chamber; and a rotary actuator is connected dynamically with the cylindrical cam. Accordingly, the turning moment of the rotary actuator is converted to the vertical thrust of the axis and in that the plate rises and descends.
Preferably, the groove is threaded so that the moving speed decreases immediately before the plate contacts the sealing surface and the plate is locked in a state of rest when it contacts the sealing surface.
In an embodiment, sealing structures are formed by O-rings.
The multi-chamber load-locking device of the present invention can be used with various devices for transferring wafers between zones having different pressures. In an embodiment, the present invention can be applied to a multi-chamber load-locking device for transferring wafers between a first-pressure area and a second-pressure area, said device having an interior divided into (i) an upper chamber and (ii) a lower chamber, both of which are for transferring wafers at the second pressure, and (iii) an intermediate section located between the upper chamber and the lower chamber, which is for loading/unloading wafers at the first pressure, said device comprising a divider plate having an upper side and a lower side, both of which are for temporarily supporting wafers, said plate moving reciprocally between an upper position and a lower position. In the above, when the plate is at the upper position, the plate divides and seals the upper chamber from the intermediate section and the lower chamber, wherein the upper chamber is at the second pressure while the intermediate section and the lower chamber are at the first pressure, whereby wafers at the upper side of the plate are transferred between the first-pressure area and the second-pressure area via the upper chamber, and when the plate is at the lower position, the plate divides and seals the lower chamber from the intermediate section and the upper chamber, wherein the lower chamber is at the second pressure while the intermediate section and the upper chamber are at the first pressure, whereby wafers at the lower side of the plate are transferred between the first-pressure area and the second-pressure area via the lower chamber. In the embodiment of the present invention, the device further comprising: a cylindrical cam structure co-axially connected to said plate, wherein said plate moves between the first position and the second position by rotation of the cylindrical cam structure; and a rotary actuator for rotating the cylindrical cam structure.
In an embodiment, the cam structure comprises a cam cylinder having a cam groove which rotates with the rotary actuator, and a support cylinder having a cam follower which support cylinder is attached to the plate and does not rotate, wherein the cam follower is fitted in the cam groove and moves vertically when the cam groove rotates, said support cylinder being provided inside or outside the cam cylinder.
In the above, the cam groove can have a shape threaded into five sections constituted by (I) an upper horizontal section for locking the plate at the upper position, (II) a lower horizontal section for locking the plate at the lower position, (III) a an intermediate section for moving the plate at a predetermined rate, (IV) an upper transition section for connecting the upper horizontal section and the intermediate section, and (V) a lower transition section for connecting the lower horizontal section and the intermediate section, The moving speed of the plate decreases immediately before sealing the upper chamber and the lower chamber with the plate when the cam follower is in the upper transition section and the lower transition section, respectively; the plate is locked upon sealing the upper chamber and the lower chamber when the cam follower is in the upper horizontal section and the lower horizontal section, respectively; and the plate moves vertically at a rate when the cam follower is in the intermediate section.
Additionally, the device may further comprises a vertical beam provided in parallel to the axis of the cam cylinder, and a sliding support which is affixed to the support cylinder and slides on the beam when the support cylinder moves vertically.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described above. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
Further aspects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow.

Sealing mechanism of multi-chamber load-locking device


A communication apparatus (100), when synchronization of a received signal is established, performs transmit power control using a transmit power value obtained by closed-loop transmit power control by a transmit power control circuit (201), and when the synchronization of the received signal is out, controls a current transmit power value to gradually return over a predetermined period to a transmit power value determined at a timing closest to the current timing from among past reliable transmit power values determined when the synchronization was established.

Conventionally, a mobile communications system using the CDMA scheme, the levels of signals received by a base station from mobile stations vary greatly depending on where the mobile station is located, and thus the far-near problem occurs that a received signal having large power interferes with a received signal having small power. In particular, in a communication system using the CDMA scheme, a plurality of mobile stations share the same frequency band, and hence for each mobile station, signals from other mobile stations become interference signals and degrade the communication quality of its channel. Such interference associated with the far-near problem leads to the reduction of the number of multiple stations in the same cell.
One method for solving this problem is a transmit power control circuit disclosed in Laid-Open Japanese Patent Publication No.2001-69073. In this transmit power control circuit, information data subjected to transmit power control and transmit power control information not subjected to transmit power control are transmitted at the same time from a base station to a mobile station, and the mobile station determines the transmit power of a signal to be sent in return to the base station based on the transmit power control information from the base station.
The transmit power is determined by estimating the receive level of the signal from the base station, and, based on a result of reduction in this receive level, selecting a transmit power for a signal to be sent in return to the base station.
When the receive level decreases at a mobile station, the mobile station selects the transmit power of the signal sent at the previous time in return to the base station under transmit power control as a transmit power for a signal to be sent in return to the base station.
A typical transmit power control apparatus thus controls the transmit power using only the receive level of the received signal at the mobile station, so that it is effective to a certain degree in controlling the transmit power against instantaneous reduction in the level of the received signal due to fading and the like and interference because of. However, changing the transmit power more than needed in response to instantaneous reduction in the level of the received signal and interference causes the transmit power value to vary suddenly and greatly, and consequently the problem occurs that the closed-loop transmit power control is affected in a harmful way.

Transmit power control method for communication apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method and apparatus are provided for communicating congestions that area detected in a communications network. According to the method and apparatus, a first Ethernet frame encapsulating a first PDU is transmitted across an Ethernet network. Congestion in the network is then detected, and an indication of the congestion is inserted in a predetermined header field of the first Ethernet frame. Once the first Ethernet frame is received by an endpoint in the network, the indication of congestion is transferred into a second PDU that is associated with the first PDU. The second PDU is then encapsulated in a second Ethernet frame and transmitted towards the sender of the first PDU.

Network congestions occur when nodes in a network carry so much traffic that their quality-of-service (QoS) deteriorates. To prevent QoS deteriorations, congestion control mechanisms have been developed as part of many protocols. Different protocols, however, may use different congestion control mechanisms, thus making it difficult for network routers to keep up. For example, a router may support the congestion control mechanism used by a first protocol while failing to support the congestion control mechanism of a second protocol. Because the congestion control of the second protocol is not supported, when the router is congested, traffic of the second protocol may continue to flood the router even though senders of traffic of the first protocol have backed off and are refraining from transmitting data in an attempt to relieve the congestion. Thus, in general, the failure to support the congestion control mechanisms of some protocols while supporting others may decrease the efficiency of the supported congestion control mechanisms.

Explicit congestion notification in mixed fabric network communications


Designs for a magnetic mounting system that facilitate wireless charging. The magnetic mounting system generally includes an attachment member engaged with a device that interfaces magnetically with a carrier member. The attachment member may comprise a split ring or discontinuous ring comprising arcuate members that allows inductive coupling between a charge transmitting coil and a charge receiving coil to be achieved as the arcuate members do not interfere with the inductive coupling. Specifically, rather than a solid plate in which the RF energy emitted by the charge transmitting coil generates eddy currents in the plate, the arcuate members are substantially transparent to the RF energy such that inductive coupling may be achieved.

Universal magnetic mounting solutions for mobile and other electronic devices have been proposed. Generally, these systems consists of a ferro-magnetic disk (e.g., an attachment member) permanently or semi-permanently attached to the device allowing it to be removably attachable to a magnetic carrier member that magnetically attaches to a base member allowing free rotation and/or articulation of the device. One such example is U.S. Pat. No. 8,900,009, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
As wireless charging is gaining prominence it is becoming increasingly important to provide mounting solutions that do not interfere with wireless charging and ones that provide mounting and wireless charging for the device at the same time.

Wireless charger and wireless charging compatible magnetic mounting for electronic devices


A sheet having two opposing sides and a fiber orientation, comprising: a first section on one side of the sheet; and a second section on another the other side of the sheet and substantially parallel to the first section, wherein the sections are not transverse to the fiber orientation of the sheet, and wherein the sections are dimensioned and arranged so that respective separation lines and separation regions formed on the respective sides of the sheet when the sheet is torn result in a homogeneous outlook where respective separation regions are hidden from view.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a notepad, according to the prior art. Notepad 10 comprises a plurality of sheets 20. Sheets 20 are banded by binding means. In FIG. 1, the binding means are clamps 40, but other binding means can also be used, such as gluing.
The sheet 20 comprises a perforation line 30, for enabling tearing sheet 20 from notepad 10 over perforation line 30. Thus, perforation line 30 is aimed to provide two functions: to allow tearing the sheet more easily in comparison to a non-perforated sheet and thus enforcing the tearing line to be substantially at the perforation line.
FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an un-torn perforation line 30 of a sheet 20, according to the prior art. The perforation line 30 is comprised of sectioned regions 32 and non-sectioned regions 34. The non-sectioned regions 34 are "short" in order to enable "easy" tearing by a user. The shorter the non-torn region, the easier its tearing. The optimal length of the non-sectioned regions 34 (and the sectioned regions 32 as well) can be determined by experiment. It usually depends on the characteristics of the sheet, such as its thickness, the type of its fibers, and so forth.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates sheet 20 of FIG. 2 after having been torn, according to the prior art. Tearing sheet 20 separates it into two parts: 20a, and 20b. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the torn perforation lines 30a and 30b are not uniform; thus, when tearing sheet 20 at perforation line 30, separated rims 30a and 30b are neither straight nor "homogeneous".
Due to the non-esthetic nature of a sheet torn at a perforation line, a plurality of press products cannot be distributed as a notepad. For example, a business card necessarily must be esthetic as possible, and therefore business cards in the prior art are not distributed in a notepad form, but as separate entities which usually reside in a casing, generally a box.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,731 to Hansen et al. discloses a method of manufacturing tearable sheets, comprising the steps of: punching each sheet transversely of the fibers of said sheet from a first side of the sheet to an extent corresponding to a first portion of the thickness of the sheet; and punching each sheet transversely of the fibers of said sheet from a second side of the sheet to an extent corresponding to a second portion of the thickness of said sheet. (Abstract)
Another implementation which cannot be embodied as a perforated sheet is a postcard featuring a landscape. Generally, landscape postcards are distributed as single entities, or in connection with a plurality of postcards.


A fitting for a fluid conduit includes a coupling body having an inside surface for engaging an outside surface of a fluid conduit and a shoulder portion for limiting axial insertion of the fluid conduit into the coupling body. At least one seal is formed on the inside surface of the coupling body. The at least one seal includes a proximal seal adjacent the shoulder portion. A ring is annularly disposed on the coupling body urging the at least one seal into the fluid conduit to seal and mechanically connect the coupling body to the fluid conduit.

The present invention relates, in general, to fluid fittings and, more particularly, to an improved fitting having a low volume crevice. In one embodiment, the fitting includes a coupling body having an inside surface for engaging an outside surface of a fluid conduit and a shoulder portion for limiting axial insertion of the fluid conduit into the coupling body. The fitting further includes at least one seal formed on the inside surface of the coupling body. The at least one seal includes a proximal seal adjacent the shoulder portion. The fitting also includes a ring annularly disposed on the coupling body urging the at least one seal into the fluid conduit to seal and mechanically connect the coupling body to the fluid conduit. The improved fitting will be described with particular reference to this embodiment, but it is to be appreciated that the improved fitting is also amenable to other like applications.
Various types of fittings have been developed for joining tubes and pipes to other tubes and pipes, or to other fluid apparatus such as pumps, fluid motors, actuation cylinders, etc. For thin walled tubing or pipe, various types of fittings are used which compress against the outside diameter of the tube or pipe to create a seal. One particular type of such a fitting includes a swage ring which is forced over the fitting to compress it radially inwardly against the tube or pipe to create a seal. Generally, this type of fitting has one or more circumferential teeth or ridges on its inside diameter which, when compressed inwardly by a swage ring, engage the outside diameter of the tube or pipe to create one or more leak-tight mechanical connections or joints between the tube or pipe and the fitting. This engagement of the sealing teeth of the fitting with the tube or pipe causes the pipe to be deformed radially inwardly, with the coupling body of the fitting located externally about the tube or pipe.
Examples of such mechanically attached fittings are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,482,174; 5,110,163; 5,114,191; and 6,692,040. One example installation tool employable for attaching these types of fittings to a tube or pipe is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,510. All the teachings and substance of these patents are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.
The fittings described above are suitable for a variety of applications. However, in some applications, these fittings allow residual amounts of whatever passes through the fitting to accumulate in the fitting and/or between the fitting and the tube or pipe to which the fitting is attached. More particularly, a fluid or other substance may undesirably accumulate between the end of the pipe and the fitting body, as well as between an outside surface of the pipe and the fitting, extending axially to the first seal. Reducing this amount of space between the pipe and the fitting could desirably lessen the area in which residual amounts may accumulate. Thus, any improvement to the fitting that would lessen the area in which residue may gather is deemed desirable.


The present invention relates to a method and system for full parametric testing of the drive and receive capability of bi-directional driver/receiver-stages, and in particular of bi-directional input/output-stages of a semiconductor chip. Electrical properties, as for example DC-resistance, AC-impedance of a driver stage are tested by at least one test load implemented on the chip itself which causes a characteristic voltage drop usable for test evaluation. Advantageously, the output stage devices of P-type (50, 52) and N-type (54, 56), respectively, are split into at least two sub-devices P1, P2 and N1, N2, and are controlled separately by a control logic (60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74). Then, for example N2 is used for testing the P device, and P2 is used for testing the N-device. Thus, devices already present on the chip are re-used for test purposes, which makes off-chip testing unnecessary.

The present invention relates to a method and system for full parametric testing of the drive and receive capability of bi-directional driver/receiver-stages, and in particular of bi-directional input/output-stages of a semiconductor chip.
The testing of semiconductor chips in general is a very complex task because test devices must be fine enough in order to be coupled to the enormous number of chip signal input/output pins which are available to test the chip with a given test scheme.
Current and next generation semiconductor product chips have an increasingly large number of signal I/O stages to achieve the performance and complexity requirements imposed by the specific technical progress intended with each new generation. This trend, in conjunction with the required high quality of the products, results in the need for very costly test equipment to reach all of the signal input/output stages at the tester in order to have the stages tested adequately.
xe2x80x98Adequate testingxe2x80x99 means to enable for full parametric testing of the physical drive/receive capabilities of the driver/receiver system of an I/O stage. It should be noted that this is far more than the self-test facilities being implemented on-chip in prior art, as for example disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,935, or in an exemplary I/O stage as depicted in FIG. 1, which will be discussed later below.
The xe2x80x98drive capability testxe2x80x99 basically means to give an answer to the question if a driver device has the physical (i.e. electrical) properties required for driving a desired voltage level reflecting one of the three states, i.e. low, high and high-impedance state, abbreviated herein as HZ-state, from the driver stage input to its output. In particular, testing the parametric specifications of a driver device consists of testing the resistance of the transistor device in pass mode, as well as in lock mode.
The receive capability of the receiver stage is essentially determined by whether the receive hysteresis has specified threshold levels LPUL (Least Positive Up Level for xe2x80x980xe2x80x99) and MPDL (Most Positive Down Level for xe2x80x981xe2x80x99) which can be realized during normal operation of the stage. If the respective latch stores a xe2x80x981xe2x80x99 and the value shall be overwritten to xe2x80x980xe2x80x99, a voltage level must be applied at its input which is smaller than the MPDL because of the hysteresis problem being present in this situation. On the other hand, if the latch stores a xe2x80x980xe2x80x99 which shall be overwritten to xe2x80x981xe2x80x99, an input voltage is required which is at least greater than LPUL. Thus, xe2x80x98full parametric testingxe2x80x99 means to qualify a respective driver/receiver stage to determine if (and to quantify, in particular, how good) the drive and receive processes can be achieved with an I/O stage.
The above mentioned test equipment required for full parametric testing is large and expensive. In particular, the coupling between test apparatus and chip is difficult because of the enormous number of I/O stages to be tested. Nearly each new chip generation requires a new expensive test apparatus in particular to test the quality of the I/O stages.
In order to simplify the full parametric chip testing a method was introduced, the so-called xe2x80x9creduced pin test methodxe2x80x9d. The basic idea used in this prior art approach is to couple an intermediate, connective device having a reduced number of pins between the test apparatus and the chip to be tested. The testing scheme was then a xe2x80x98structurized schemexe2x80x99, i.e. a scheme in which a selectively chosen subset of chip signal I/Os connected to a low pin count test apparatus and a specific set of test patterns, applied only to this test I/O interface was decided to be sufficient to test the respective chip and in particular by having the unconnected signal I/Os testing themselves by receiving their own driven value.
A prior art I/O stage is illustrated below with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a simplified scheme of a prior art bi-directional signal I/O stage 10 having a built-in xe2x80x98digitalxe2x80x99 self-test feature by which minimum qualitative properties of driver 18 receiver 24 system can be tested by driving both values xe2x80x980xe2x80x99 and xe2x80x981xe2x80x99 to node 14 (generally a connective pad denoted as PAD in the figures), and by receiving it correspondingly in receiver 24 and signal line 26 RDATA.
This kind of self-test, however, is of limited coverage as mentioned above with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,935, because it does not tell anything about the xe2x80x98analogxe2x80x99, i.e. the electrical properties of the I/O stage (the driver and receiver capabilities, DC-Ohm or AC-impedance, and hysteris behavior) as it will be described later below. Thus, applying this kind of built-in self-test, the driver as well as the receiver part can not be fully tested against the parametric specifications of the I/O stage like drive capability and/or receiver threshold levels.
I/O stage 10 further consists of signal line 12 DDATA as a signal input representing the logical data value (xe2x80x980xe2x80x99 or xe2x80x981xe2x80x99) which has to be driven out by driver logic 18 to node 14 denoted as PAD as the off-chip connection thereof. Signal line 16 carries a signal denoted as ACT which is the signal input used for ACTivating and turning off the driver when signal I/O stage 10 has to be in receive mode. P-type 20 and N-type 22 output stage field effect transistors, referred to herein and denoted in the drawing as P and N (FETs) are connected to node 14 PAD.
The P and N transistor devices depicted in FIG. 1 are illustrated in a simplified manner in order to improve clarity. In reality, each device 20 and 22 consists of a number of single transistors of the I/O stage, which is in turn often called an xe2x80x98I/O bookxe2x80x99.
Receiver device 24 denoted as xe2x80x98recxe2x80x99 converts the voltage levels applied at node 14 PAD to logical xe2x80x980xe2x80x99 and xe2x80x981xe2x80x99 values at signal line 26 denoted as RDATA which is usually stored into a latch for further test evaluation but could also be carried out in a different way to the test apparatus. For simplification of the following disclosure it will be assumed that rec 24 already contains a latch function to store the test result.
Having implemented the limited self-test capability mentioned above, signal I/O stage 10 receives its own driven output signal. In this situation the off-chip connection PAD has no loading applied so that driver logic 18 may achieve the receiver threshold levels LPUL (Least Positive Up Level for xe2x80x980xe2x80x99) and MPDL (Most Positive Down Level for xe2x80x981xe2x80x99) too easily, which may result in undertesting. Further, a defect mis-aligning the detection levels of receiving stage 24 can rarely be found in the receiver area which may result in undertesting, as well.
As can be appreciated now by a person skilled in the art, due to the problems mentioned above there is a need to have all signal I/O stages connected to the above mentioned external test system in order to enable the testing for the full parametric specifications of drive and receive capability.
As mentioned in the prior art, the parametric drive capability test can be tested only with the external load connected to PAD in FIG. 1 provided by expensive external test circuitry. Without such external test circuitry, however, no test of the parametric specifications of the driver/receiver system can be performed, neither for chips constructed compatible to reduced pin technology nor for chips being incompatible with it.
It is thus an object of the present invention to improve the testing of driver and that of receiver stages, and in particular that of combined stages, and in particular that of semiconductor chip I/O stages.
Although the present invention has a very broad scope implied by its inherent technical abstractness, it will be discussed in here primarily with reference to bi-directional chip input/output (I/O) stages, since this is the most obvious technical area to apply the present invention and to draw significant technical and economical advantages immediately from it.
According to its broadest aspect, the present invention provides for a method and the respective hardware implementation for full parametric testing of the drive capability of a driver stage and the receive capability of a receiver stage implemented in an integrated circuit chip, which is characterized by the step of determining electrical properties (ie. DC-resistance, AC-impedance) of a driver stage by at least one test load implemented on the chip itself. For accomplishing this, the test load is selectively controllable according to a predetermined on-chip test scheme for forming a voltage divider circuit in which the test load causes a characteristic voltage drop usable for test evaluation. With this approach, a full parametric driver and receiver self-test can be achieved without the need of an external tester connection to the off-chip contacting pad. The test result is converted into digital form and can be used to draw quantified conclusions about the operational performance of the driver/receiver stage. Thus, any expensive off-chip test scheme is eliminated.
According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides for a method and the respective hardware implementation for full parametric testing of the drive capability of a driver stage and the receive capability of a receiver stage of a bi-directional combined driver/receiver stage, the driver stage consisting of a first number of xe2x80x980xe2x80x99 driving transistor devices, and a second number of xe2x80x981xe2x80x99 driving transistor devices. The subgroup is advantageously chosen such that the fraction obtained by the xe2x80x9csubgroupxe2x80x9d divided by the xe2x80x9ctotalxe2x80x9d is significantly different from 50%, a feature which is further to be referred to as xe2x80x98asymmetric controlxe2x80x99, or xe2x80x98asymmetric voltage dividerxe2x80x99. The method consists of the steps of: a) selectively controlling a subset of the first number of transistor devices for forming a respective test load for the total of the second number of transistor devices, b) generating an evaluable input voltage at a receiving device of the receiver stage reflecting the drive capability of the total of the second number of transistor devices, c) selectively controlling a subset of the second number of transistor devices for forming a respective test load for the total of the first number of transistor devices, and d) generating an evaluable input voltage at the receiving device of the receiver stage reflecting the drive capability of the total of the first number of transistor devices.
Because of the xe2x80x98splitxe2x80x99 output stage devices, a very high precision for accurate V PAD (pad voltage) level adjustments can be achieved in comparison to an analog control.
There is no need for additional, space consuming load devices; the output stage devices of P-, and N-type, respectively, are split into at least two sub-devices P1, P2 and N1, N2. Thus, they are re-used for test purposes when being controllable separately.
The test scheme is simple and is applied via the test signal I/O""s.
The test can be applied at low speed. There is no need for high performance test equipment.
The test can be applied at every packing level: at wafer level, on a single-chip module (SCM) or on a temporary chip attach (TCA), on a multiple chip module (MCM), and even at system level, when the chip is incorporated into a printed circuit board connected to whatever bus system. In the latter case, advantageously a dedicated piece of system software can be executed which controls the hardware logic according to the test scheme so as to perform the inventive test method. The software may be run triggered by service staff or in any automated form.
For implementing the inventive logic adequate to modern chip design, the first number of transistor devices advantageously consists of P-type transistors and the second number of transistor devices consists of N-type transistors, or vice versa, respectively.
The above method can advantageously be applied to situations in which the driver/receiver stage is an input/output (I/O) stage of a chip. But the inventive concept is free to be accomodated to test for an output-only stage of a chip, as well. For this purpose, the voltage level serving as a test result has to be read and evaluated by a separate signal line, instead of the already existing receiving line in the case of the combined I/O case.
As should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the basic concept of the present invention consists of the idea to setup, i.e. to establish a controllable xe2x80x98on-chip loadingxe2x80x99, for each signal I/O stage so that the driver as well as the receiver can be tested against the full parametric specifications without a tester pin connected to the external, connective node.
Basically, this can be achieved by adding a load device on the chip and controlling it accordingly by separate control inputs. Advantageously, however, this is achieved by re-using the transistor devices of the driver devices which are already present in the I/O stage as a voltage divider for asymetrically testing a subgroup of the P-device transistors against the total of the N-device transistors, and vice versa.
In particular, the inventive principle can be summarized as follows. The N-type and P-type devices of the driver output stage are logically split into two separate sub-devices P1, P2 and N1, N2, respectively. Both sub-devices, or sub-groups of transistors are arranged to be controlled separately by respective control inputs SELFTEST and ACT signals.
Further, a simple control logic is implemented which controls the above-mentioned device and sub-device such that the P-subdevice acts as a load for the N-device and vice versa.
A preferred dimensioning of the output stage devices"" resistance and thus of the selection of the degree of asymmetry is as follows. P1P2/N2=(VDD-VH)/VH, i.e., the total resistance of P1 and P2 (electrically connected in parallel) divided by the resistance of the N2 subgroup is the same as the voltage difference between VDD and VH divided by VH.
This relationship is defined in conjunction with the input detection level specification LPUL of the receiving device rec 24 plus some guardband and P2/N1N2=(VDD-VL)/VL, respectively.

Self-test with split, asymmetric controlled driver output stage

International Business Machines Corporation


A current sensing system and method for wireless energy transfer may include a printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board may include at least a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. A loop of conductive material may be included, wherein the loop of conductive material may include a diameter D3 on the second layer. A coil of conductive material may be included, wherein the coil of conductive material may have at least 2 turns, wherein a majority of the coil of conductive material may occupy the first layer and the third layer with an outer diameter D1 and an inner diameter D2, connected through each of the first, second, and third layers. The loop of conductive material may be coupled to the coil of conductive material.

Energy or power may be transferred wirelessly using a variety of known techniques for, e.g., the purpose of doing work, such as for powering or charging electrical devices. For example, wireless power transfer systems (e.g., highly resonant wireless power transfer systems) may include high quality factor resonators that may be driven to generate oscillating electromagnetic fields and that may interact with oscillating magnetic fields to generate currents and/or voltages in electronic circuits. That is, energy may be transferred wirelessly using oscillating magnetic fields. For instance, wireless energy exchange between a source resonator (e.g., coupled to a power supply such as AC mains, battery, solar panels, etc.) and a remote resonator (e.g., integrated with electronic mobile devices, enclosures, sleeves, cases, covers, chargers, etc.) may exchange wireless energy, which as noted above, may be used to power or charge the associated electronic mobile device.
The wireless energy exchange between the source resonator and the remote (device) resonator may be optimized when the resonators are tuned to substantially the same frequency and when the losses in the system are minimal. As a non-limiting example, remote devices, such as a smart phone or other mobile electronic device, may be powered directly, using the wirelessly supplied power or energy, or the devices may be coupled to an energy storage unit such as a battery, a super-capacitor, an ultra-capacitor, or the like (or other kind of power drain), where the energy storage unit may be charged or re-charged wirelessly, and/or where the wireless power transfer mechanism may be supplementary to the main power source of the device. However, while known resonator designs may be optimized while at a distance, these resonators may be less optimal, e.g., in closer proximity. For instance, as a non-limiting example, the source resonator may detune the device resonator as each resonator moves closer in proximity to one another. Additionally, known current sensing techniques that may be used for wireless energy transfer may, e.g., have excessive loss and power dissipation for the high current and high frequencies used in some types of wireless energy transfer, may have frequency restrictions used in wireless energy transfer, may be susceptible to magnetic interference, may be expensive, and may add to the size of the overall devices.

Wireless energy transfer for mobile device applications


A flow diverter which is well suited for use in the medical environment to direct an inflow of various fluids (such as air and oxygen among others) to one of two (or more separate outlets. The diverter has a minimal amount of components and relies on a minimal amount of seals to effectuate a full diversion of flow between two outlets. The flow diverter 10 includes outer housing 12, flow selector valve 14 and seal members 16. The seal members are positioned so that one of the seal members is positioned within a non-planar groove on the selector valve.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates in general to medical equipment, and more particularly, to a flow diverter valve, and one that is well suited to medical applications.
2. Background Art
The use of flow diverters is known in the art. Flow diverters can be utilized to divert an inlet stream to a plurality of different outlet openings. While such flow diverters are prevalent in the art, there are nevertheless problems associated with such diverters.
Among other problems, it is often the case that flow diverters of the prior art are cumbersome and have a multitude of parts, thereby complicating assembly. In addition, other flow diverters rely on complicated specialty seals to effectuate the sealing structure within the diverter body. Still other diverters have limited use due to their cost.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified configuration of a flow diverter valve.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a flow diverter valve that utilizes a non-planar groove for accepting a seal member.
It is another object of the invention to provide a flow diverter valve that relies upon a simple actuation between outlets.
These objects as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.


A sequential encoder/decoder pair for error correction using block and convolutionally encoded data. The encoder includes a block coder with up to t bit error correction capability and a convolutional coder, so that the block encoded bits are also convolutionally coded. The convolutional decoder includes a block decoder, which renders the convolutional decoding process more efficient by reducing the amount of computation required to correct t or fewer errors in a received block of data. Since the most likely error patterns involve the least number of bits, most of the correction is accomplished by block decoding, with only minimal use of the convolutional-encoding algorithm, thus saving valuable computation time for more complex but less likely error patterns. The decoder employs an error pattern estimator and branch metric generator to correct all error patterns using the Fano algorithm, using stored values which are derived from known probability of random errors in the data channel. The decoder feeds an encoded block of data into a replica of the convolutional encoder. The replica encoder calculates a syndrome bit pattern from the combination of the received parity together with parity data calculated using the received block and a given number of previous data blocks, i.e., calculated convolutionally. The syndrome bit can then be used to correct the received data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an efficient and reliable convolutional encoder and sequential decoder system which uses the properties of block codes to maximize decoding efficiency and thereby greatly increase the speed and/or coding gain over the prior art.
2Description of Related Art
Convolutional encoding and sequential decoding have received considerable attention within the communications field. The properties of the various codes and popular decoding algorithms are discussed in detail in Error Control Coding: Fundamentals and Applications, Lin and Costello, Prentice-Hall, 1983 (pp. 350-384).
A conventional convolutional encoder comprises K shift registers coupled to N-K parity adders. Each adder acts on a distinct subset of the bits in the shift registers. Typically, the code is systematic. The N-K outputs of the adders are loaded into a parallel-to-serial register along with K successive data bits. This N-bit word is then transmitted in serial form. These N symbols form one "branch" of a "tree code" which is generated. For transmission purposes, the convolutionally encoded data is organized into packets. This packet of encoded data then becomes the initial state for the encoding of the next block of data.
Systematic convolutional encoding inserts parity bits into the information bit stream. The code words in the conventional convolutional code can be arranged in the form of a tree structure, and the encoder selects a path through the tree corresponding to the data to be encoded. Sequential decoding can accordingly be regarded as the process of determining the path in the tree which was followed by the encoder. As the decoder reconstructs the encoder's path through the tree based upon the received sequence, it compares the probability of the path that it is currently exploring against a threshold. The probability of a path is stored in the decoder as the "path metric". When the comparison is favorable, the decoder continues forward on the decoding tree. An unfavorable comparison indicates that the decoder is on the wrong path. In this event the decoder changes direction and searches a different portion of the tree.
A conventional sequential decoder for such a code comprises a buffer memory to hold the received data, a functional "copy" of the encoder, and associated equipment to measure the merit of the output of the encoder relative to the received data, that is, the accuracy of the decoding process. This can be performed as described in Massey, J.L., "Variable-Length Codes and the Fano Metric", IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory, IT-18, pp. 196-198, Jan. 1972, specifically according to eq. (5) on p. 198. The resulting "metric of merit" is used sequentially to estimate errors and correct the data sequence. The "branch metric" is computed branch by branch of the coding tree; the running sum of all branch metrics is called the "path metric", which is compared to a threshold. Whenever a threshold violation is found, the received data is searched backward for the probable cause and then corrected.
This estimation and backward searching can be controlled according to the well-known Fano algorithm. See Error-Correction Coding for Digital Communications, Clark and Cain, Plenum Press, 1981 (pp. 297-326). According to the Fano algorithm, and as suggested above, information bits and parity bits are transmitted, are to some degree corrupted in the channel by noise, and then are detected by the receiver. The receiver regenerates parity bits from the corrupted information bits and compares the regenerated parity bits with the received parity bits, generating the so-called "syndrome" bits. The branch metric, that is, a measure of the probability of the received sequence, is computed for each branch according to the formulas in Massey, supra. The branch metric is greater for higher probability received vectors, i.e., ones with fewer errors. A running sum of these branch metrics is compared with an adaptive threshold. Where the running sum drops below the current threshold, the detection process ceases to go forward and is reversed to re-examine the values for assumed previous information bits, until a sequence of information bits which results in an increasingly positive running sum value is obtained. The adaptive threshold is adjusted following the rules of the modified Fano algorithm.
Conventional sequential decoders can thus provide effective correction for communication errors. However, due to channel noise and other transmission path conditions, errors often cause a conventional sequential decoder to do an enormous amount of searching, which can result in the decoder simply running out of time to decode all the received information. Resynchronization of the decoder is then required. During this process, the decoder is unable to correct a quantity of data, which is lost.
Block coding is also employed in data communication arrangements. In such systems, a group of K information bits is algebraically manipulated according to a particular coding scheme (e.g. a Hamming code) to yield a number of additional bits which together with the original bits or some permutation of them make up an N-bit block. N is thus always greater than K, and the code is referred to as an K/N code. The additional bits provide redundant information which can be used to decode a limited number of errors in the received blocks. See the Clark and Cain reference mentioned above (Ch. 1-5) for a full discussion of block coding.
Block coding is distinguished from convolutional coding as discussed above in that convolutional codes use a sliding window of memory (i.e., data is encoded according to the preceding data) while the block encoder memory window advances one block at a time (i.e., data blocks are treated individually).
As far as known by the present inventors the properties and structures of both convolutional and block codes have not previously been integrated into a single code and employed on data streams.

Convolutional encoder and sequential decoder with parallel architecture and block coding properties


A data collecting system includes a server and a data processing apparatus. The server holds at least one piece of request data including at least a content of a request for collection of traveling state data on a vehicle and a requisite condition for the collection of the traveling state data. The server sends request data of interest to the data processing apparatus. The data processing apparatus acquires the traveling state data on the vehicle on the basis of the request data of interest received from the server, and sends the acquired traveling state data to the server.

The disclosure relates to a data collecting system, a server, and a data processing apparatus that collect traveling state data on a vehicle.
There is a recent demand for collection of traveling state data on a vehicle under various conditions. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2005-044058 discloses a technique relevant to a data collecting system that includes a server collecting and providing traveling state data on a vehicle sold in the past, at the time of purchase of a new vehicle of the same type as the sold vehicle.

Data collecting system, server, and data processing apparatus


A toner replenishing device includes a toner conveyance path for connecting a toner storing device with a developing device, a toner conveying device for conveying the toner from the toner storing device to the developing device along the toner conveyance path, and an air supplying device connected to the toner conveyance path vie an air supply path for supplying the toner storing device with air from a bottom of the toner storing device so as to agitate the toner pooling in the toner storing device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an image forming apparatus, such as a printer, a copier, a facsimile, etc., and in particular relates to a toner replenishing device capable of replenishing a developing device with toner stored in a toner storage container.
2. Discussion of the Background
In known image forming apparatuses, such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, etc., a toner storage container such as a toner bottle or a toner cartridge is disposed within or in the vicinity of a unit which mounts a developing device. The developing device generally is replenished directly or via a toner hopper with toner conveyed from the toner storage container. In such a construction, conveyance of the toner from the toner storage container to the developing device generally is performed by a mechanical auger such as a screw, a paddle, etc.
However, when the mechanical auger conveys the toner, since the screw, for example, can only be arranged substantially straight, the toner storage container and the toner replenishing device are necessarily integrated with, or in the vicinity of, the developing device. Thus, the construction of the toner replenishing device is complex, costly and has low productivity and a low machine maintenance performance. In addition, protection and maintenance of toner quality characteristics are burdensome. In addition, it is generally difficult for a user to exchange a toner storage container.
Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 04-9082A has proposed a toner replenishing device capable of suppressing such problems. Specifically, the toner replenishing device conveys toner using suction generated by a suction device, and has an advantages that toner can be replenished, whatever positional relationship exists between a toner storage container and a developing device or the like.
However, toner utilized in an image forming apparatus which employs an electrophotographic system generally has greatly poor fluidity, and it is typically noted that conveyance of such toner is difficult. Accordingly, there are problems in the above noted toner replenishing device that toner clogging easily arises at a leading end or a middle portion of a suction pipe, and as a result, toner is not smoothly replenished.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to address the above and other problems and provide a new image processing apparatus. The above and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a novel toner replenishing device including a toner conveyance path extending from a toner storing device to a developing device, a toner conveying device for conveying toner from the toner storing device to the developing device along the toner conveyance path, and an air supplying device connected to the toner conveyance path via an air supply path for supplying the toner storing device with air from a bottom of the toner storing device so as to agitate the toner pooling in the toner storing device.
In yet another embodiment, the toner storing device includes an evacuation section at a top thereof so as to evacuate and receive air.
In yet another embodiment, the evacuation section is made of a breathable filter so as to efficiently evacuate the air.
In yet another embodiment, a multicolor image forming apparatus includes an air supply control device for controlling supplying of air to a plurality of toner storing devices and a fewer number of air generation sources than the plurality of toner storing devices so as to efficiently supply the air to the plurality of toner storing devices.
In yet another embodiment, the air supply control device controls both the driving of the air generation source and the opening and closing of a plurality of openable valves provided in a plurality of toner conveyance paths in such a manner that the plurality of toner storing devices is supplied with air one after another when the air generation sources are driven, so that an amount of air supplied to each of the toner storing devices can independently be supervised.
In yet another embodiment, the toner conveyance path is configured to receive at its middle portion user toner collected by a cleaning device so as to recycle the toner and protect the used toner from needless stress.

Apparatus and method for replenishing a developing device with toner while suppressing toner remaining


A semi-submersible microscope objective (100) includes a microscope objective having a protective barrel (120) with an optical inlet (122) and optical outlet (124), and a protective element (130) affixed to the microscope objective, sealing the optical outlet (124) but not the optical inlet (122). A transparent portion (132) of the protective element is aligned with the optical exit (124). The protective element is separable from the microscope objective without damaging the microscope objective. Use of the semi-submersible microscope objective in a multiphoton imaging method is also disclosed.

In a microscope, the objective (sometimes referred to in the art as an objective lens) is the optical element that gathers light from the object being observed and focuses the light rays to produce a real image. For example, the objective lens of a microscope is the one at the bottom near the sample. At its simplest, it is a very high-powered magnifying glass, with very short focal length. This is brought very close to the specimen being examined so that the light from the specimen comes to a focus inside the microscope tube. The microscope objective itself is typically substantially cylindrical or tubular and contains one or more lenses, typically made of glass, confined within a protective barrel. Microscope objectives generally have an optical inlet and optical exit, typically centered along opposite ends of its longitudinal axis. The optical inlet and optical exit are connected by an optical path extending between them through the microscope objective.
Microscope objectives are typically characterized by two parameters: magnification and numerical aperture. The former typically ranges from 4×-100×, while the latter ranges from about 0.1 to 1.4, and focal lengths of about 30 millimeters to about 200 microns, respectively. Similarly, microscope objectives with numerical apertures in the range of about 0.1 to 1.4 typically have respective working distances (i.e., the distance between the microscope objective and the focal point where imaging occurs) of from several millimeters to about 210 microns. Similarly, for high magnification applications, an oil-immersion objective or water-immersion objective generally has to be used. The objective is specially designed to use refractive index matching oil or water to fill the air gap between the front element and the object to allow the numerical aperture to exceed 1, and hence give greater resolution at high magnification. Numerical apertures as high as 1.5 or even higher can be achieved with oil immersion. Microscope objectives with high numerical aperture (NA) and of high quality are typically quite expensive.
Microscope objectives are also used to focus laser light in a process known as multiphoton stereolithography. In that process, laser light (typically in the infrared) is focused in a polymerizable composition commonly termed a "photoresist", typically supported on a substrate. The photoresist contains a multiphoton absorbing compound, and the laser has sufficiently high power that two (or, less typically, more than two) photons are absorbed essentially simultaneously by the multiphoton absorbing compound resulting in subsequent polymerization of the photoresist.
In order to improve resolution, one conventional approach has been to partially submerge the objective lens assembly into a liquid photoresist to eliminate the air interface/objective lens interface. However, the localized laser power in multiphoton stereolithography can be considerable, and the potential exists for a buildup of polymerized photoresist material over time on the microscope objective lens that could be difficult to remove from the optical surfaces. Were this to happen, there is a potential that an expensive microscope objective could be rendered unusable.

Semi-submersible microscope objective with protective element and use of the same in multiphoton imaging method


A turbine blade includes a root for fixing the turbine blade to a turbine rotor; and an airfoil coupled to the root, the airfoil including a suction side and a pressure side, and at least one internal wall defining a coolant chamber in the airfoil for delivering a coolant through the airfoil. A tip shroud is coupled to a radially outer end of the airfoil by a suction side fillet and a pressure side fillet. The tip shroud includes a shroud body defining a substantially trident-shaped shroud cooling passage including: a trunk cooling passage, a center cooling passage in fluid communication with the trunk cooling passage, a suction side cooling passage in fluid communication with the trunk cooling passage, and a pressure side cooling passage in fluid communication with the trunk cooling passage. The center cooling passage is fluidly coupled to the coolant chamber to receive a coolant.

The disclosure relates generally to turbomachines and, more particularly, to a tip shroud cooling passage for a tip shroud of a turbine blade.
Gas turbine (GT) systems are used to generate power in a wide variety of applications. Rotating blades in the turbine of the GT system are exposed to very high temperatures and loads. Tip shrouds are positioned at a radially outer ends of the rotating blades and interact with an internal surface of a stationary casing to create a flow path for combustion gases in the turbine. The tip shroud is coupled to an airfoil by fillets. The airfoil extends from the tip shroud to a root of the rotating blade. Hence, the fillets help hold the parts together and experience high stress.
Current GT systems operate at ever increasing temperatures. As the temperatures increase, tip shroud creep increases, limiting the life span of the rotating blades at the fillets. Current approaches to increase cooling effectiveness in high stress regions employ intricate cooling circuits within the tip shroud that limit placement of other structures and that may create areas of high stress and/or fatigue.

Turbine blade with tip shroud cooling passage


A method and a computer readable medium includes instructions for obtaining time data as programmed into processing recipes or as recorded when a wafer is processed and transferred during lithography operations. The data is parsed and saved into an MES database. A report server accesses the database responsive to a query made of the database. A query may specify one or more fabrication parameters. The specified fabrication parameter or parameters is fixed and a data display is provided that compares times for processing and transferring wafers in various lithography operations used in the production of the semiconductor device and bottlenecks in lithography operations are identified by the comparative data.

Semiconductor device manufacturing involves a lengthy fabrication process that includes multiple patterning operations. Each of the patterning operations utilizes a photolithographic process sequence. The photolithographic process sequence involves coating a wafer with a photosensitive material such as photoresist, then forming a pattern in the photosensitive material. The pattern is formed in the photosensitive material by first exposing the photosensitive material to light that has been directed through a photomask which has an opaque pattern, then developing the photosensitive material to remove the exposed or unexposed portion of the film, depending on whether positive or negative photosensitive material is used. Such a pattern is found at several device levels in the manufacture of a semiconductor device.
These operations are carried out along with several other operations in an integrated lithography tool that typically includes a stepper or scanner within which the exposure operation is carried out, and a track that includes multiple units that perform the previously discussed develop and coat operations as well as hard bake operations, soft bake operations, cooling operations, adhesion enhancement operations, post-exposure bake operations and requisite wafer transfer operations between the stations. There are therefore processing times associated with each of the aforementioned unit operations including wafer-to-wafer transfer times between the unit operations. Moreover, the time required to process an entire lot through a unit operation is influenced by the number of units used to carry out the operation. For example, in a single lithography tool, there may be multiple coating operations, multiple hard bake stations, multiple developer heads, and so forth. When a lot of semiconductor wafers has completed processing at the lithography operation, and a new lot is poised to be processed at the lithography tool, the recticle or photomask must be changed. As such, there are also lot-to-lot set up transfer times to consider.
High volume semiconductor manufacturing facilities typically have several of the aforementioned lithography tools and each of the lithography tools may be used to carry out patterning operations at various different levels for various different technologies and device types. Many process recipes may be used to carry out the patterning operations using the various unit operations described above, and the recipes typically vary by device level. Moreover, the number of unit operations may be different for the various lithography tools in a production facility.
In today's rapidly advancing semiconductor manufacturing industry, the time required to process a semiconductor wafer at any stage such as the patterning operations, is critically important. A reduction in processing time at any particular processing operation produces an increased WPH (wafers per hour) output for the processing tool and this increased manufacturing tool output improves the efficiency of the tool producing a cost savings. Each processing tool such as a lithography tool may typically include an inherently time limiting operation such as the alignment and exposure operation in a lithography tool. It would be inefficient and cost ineffective to have an overall lithography operation limited by a different operation, for example a baking operation that requires more time than the exposure operation due to an insufficient number of bake plates or other process inefficiencies associated with the baking operation. Such would be a bottleneck that hinders overall progress at the lithography operation.
It is therefore critically important to quickly identify bottlenecks in lithography operations. Moreover, it would be advantageous to specify one fabrication parameter such as lithography tool or technology type, device type, device level, or reticle and to be able to quickly compare processing times between other of the fabrication parameters.

Method and software for conducting efficient lithography WPH / lost time analysis in semiconductor manufacturing


The invention is a multi layer cover for an automobile that has an outer water proof layer, an inner soft layer to protect the finish of the automobile, and a padded middle layer to absorb shock of objects striking the automobile. A securing cable extends under the automobile and is in a channel in or over the cover to secure the cover to the automobile and to prevent intruders from opening the doors of the automobile during storage. A flap over at least one door may be opened by the owner to enter the automobile while the cover is in place over the automobile. A cover flap protects fasteners securing the door flap. A cable is connected to two eyelets to prevent opening the flap and door flap.

There are numerous designs of covers for automobiles. Included are simple cloth covers for protecting the automobile finish from sun light and heat. Some covers include vent openings to prevent moisture deposits from forming on the automobile body. Other covers include reinforced areas to hold the cover raised over the automobile so that the cover encloses part of the automobile, but does not come in contact with the automobile surface.
An object of most prior art automobile covers is to provide a light weight cover easily installed and stored. These covers are not intended for long time storage, security purposes, or to prevent damage during storage from, for example, hail or other objects which may come into contact with the automobile during storage.
______________________________________ LIST OF PRIOR ART PATENT No. PATENTEE ______________________________________ 3,316,012 Thier 4,699,192 Kamen et al. 4,821,785 Rolan 4,857,216 McKee 4,973,100 Yang 5,115,848 Malone ______________________________________


The invention refers to a device for supporting a milking member in a milking stall (1) and to a milking stall arrangement. The milking member includes a claw (8), a number of teacups (9) connected to the claw, and a long conduit member (11, 12) connecting the claw to a milk-receiving member (7). The stall includes an enclosing structure (2) defining a space (3) for an animal to be milked, and a passage (4) permitting the animal to enter and/or exit the space. The device (15) includes an arm (16), which has a first end portion and a second end portion and is pivotable between an active milking position and a retracted position between milking operations. The arm includes a member (25) for supporting the milking member in the active and inactive positions. A first stop (41, 23) defines the active position of the arm and a second stop (42, 23) defines the inactive position of the arm.

The present invention refers to a device for supporting a milking member in a milking stall according to the preamble portion of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention refers to a milking stall arrangement according to the preamble portion of claim 20.
It is known to provide such a device for supporting a milking member in different types of milking stall arrangements, such as single milking stalls, tandem milking stalls, rotary milking parlours, etc. Furthermore, such devices including a pivotable arm are known. The arm may be pivotably attached at one end and arranged to carry the milking member at the other end. Usually, such arms are provided in such a way that they are freely pivotable within a certain area. Problems have occurred when such an arm is located in the area of the passage leading to and from the space of the milking stall, since the arm, the milking member and the milk hose is not always properly out of the way for a cow entering and exiting the stall. Thereby, the milking equipment, i.e. the milking member, the milk hose and also the arm can be damaged and, furthermore, the animal can be injured when hitting the milking equipment.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,470 discloses a movable arm device for supporting a milking member during the milking operation and in the meantime between the milking operations. The arm device includes several arms being pivotably connected to each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,085 discloses another movable arm for supporting a milking member by carrying a long milk conduit of the milking member.
EP-A-91 892 discloses a movable arm for supporting the teatcups in connection with automatic attachment of the teatcups to the teats of an animal to be milked.
The object of the invention is to overcome the problems described above. Consequently, the invention aims at an improved positioning and support device for the milking member and the long milk conduit.
This object is obtained by the device initially defined, which is characterised in that it includes first stop means defining the active position of the arm and second stop means defining the inactive position of the arm.
By such well-defined active positions for the arm it is possible to obtain a proper position and steady support for the milking member during milking of an animal. By such a well-defined retracted, inactive position it is possible to ensure a proper retraction of the arm when an animal is to enter or exit the stall via the passage in such a manner that the arm and the milking member is completely out of the way for the animal.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the first stop means includes a first stop member, provided on one of the arm and the enclosing structure, and a first stop surface, provided on the other of the arm and the enclosing structure, wherein the first stop member is arranged to abut the first stop surface to define the active position. The second stop means may include a second stop member, provided on one of the arm and the enclosing structure, and a second stop surface, provided on the other of the arm and the enclosing structure, wherein the second stop member is arranged to abut the second stop surface to define the inactive position. In such a manner the extreme positions of the arm may be well defined, wherein the arm may be pivoted or rotated between these positions. Advantageously, the first stop member and the second stop member are provided on the arm, wherein the first stop member is provided on one side of the arm and the second stop member is provided the other, opposite side of the arm. Thereby, the position of the stop members in relation to the axial extension of the arm may determine the active position and the inactive position. Moreover, the first stop member may include a first projection extending from said one side of the arm and the second stop member may include a second projection extending from said other side of the arm. Thereby, length of the projections determines the active position and the inactive position.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the arm in the active position extends to a milking position in the passage, and in the inactive, retracted position is retracted from the passage, thereby permitting the animal to enter and/or exit the space. Advantageously, such a milking position, i.e. the position of the distal end portion of the arm, is substantially immediately behind the animal to be milked, from where the teatcups may be attached to the teats in a convenient manner and where the milking member may be supported in an advantageous manner during the milking operation.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device includes a connecting member which is attached to the enclosing structure and to which the first proximal end portion of the arm is pivotably connected. Advantageously, the connecting member may be attached to the enclosing structure in the proximity of the passage, wherein the arm may be pivoted or rotated between the active position in the passage or the inactive position outside the passage. To this end, the connecting member is preferably positioned outside the space. Furthermore, the connecting member may be attached to an outer wall portion of the enclosing structure, wherein the outer wall portion extends in a direction away from the space.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, said first stop surface and said second stop surface are formed by the outer wall portion. In such a manner the positions of the arm may be defined by means of the enclosing structure.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, said supporting means of the arm includes a holding member arranged to hold the long conduit member of the milking member. By supporting the milking member in such a manner, the claw may hang down from the udder to exert a certain pulling force to the teats. Thereby, the milking member may include a lifting cord attached to and extending along the long conduit member, wherein the holding member is arranged to engage the lifting cord. Advantageously, the holding member is provided at the second end portion of the arm.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, a retracting device is provided for retracting the arm from the active position to the inactive position after a milking operation. The retracting device may include an actuator and a pulling cord connected to the actuator and to the milking member, wherein the arm includes a guiding member arranged to guide the pulling cord during the retraction of the arm. In such a manner the arm is retracted to the inactive position at the same time as the milking member is removed from the udder and pulled out of the way for the animal. The guiding member may be provided at the second end portion of the arm. Consequently, the arm guides the milking member during the whole detachment and retraction of the milking member from the udder of the animal.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting member includes a bearing rod to be attached to the enclosing structure, and a sleeve attached to the first proximal end of the arm and arranged to be rotatably mounted on the bearing rod.
The object is also obtained by the milking stall arrangement initially defined, which is characterised in that the device includes first stop means defining the active position of the arm and second stop means defining the inactive position of the arm. Such a milking stall arrangement may include a plurality of milking stalls arranged in different configurations, and advantageously the arrangement may include a rotary milking parlour on which a plurality of such milking stalls are provided. Thereby, each milking stall extends along a longitudinal axis between a forward end and a rearward end, the passage being located at the rearward end. The milking stalls may be arranged in such a way that the longitudinal axes thereof extend substantially radially with regard to a rotary axis of the parlour, wherein the enclosing structure includes outer wall portions extending between adjacent milking stalls and being associated with a respective one of said devices.


Signal encoding in a multiple input multiple output system in a wireless communication network is provided. The communication system provides a method of encoding and transmitting symbols in a rate-2 complex symbol per second per Hertz transmission system that achieves a maximum diversity of four for a four transmit antenna system and a diversity of three on a three transmit antenna system. The communication system further provides a method of interleaving the complex symbols such that each interleaved symbol comprises information of at least two complex symbols where the complex symbols obtain values from a rotated constellation.

Reliability and speed of communications in a wireless network is increasingly crucial to serve growing user demands. This necessitates increasing constant improvements in technology.
Wireless communications systems can be deployed using a single transmit and a single receive antenna. The wireless channel distorts and adds other impairments to the received signal. These include additive noise, interference, time selective, frequency selective and space selective fading. Fading implies that the signal can be at different level at different antennas, or frequency or time. It is therefore important to transmit and or receive multiple replicas of the signal from multiple dimensions in space, frequency or time to increase the overall link reliability. This approach is known as diversity and is an important technique to assure reliable wireless communication over fading channels. Space diversity is obtained by using multiple antennas in the transmitter and/or in the receiver. When a multiple transmitter-receiver antenna system is deployed, not only can the reliability be improved but also the data rate can be enhanced.
Typically digital modulation of transmitted data is used. Example of such modulation schemes include M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), M-ary phase shift keying (PSK) etc. Multiple access schemes are also employed to support multiple users. Multiple access schemes include code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM) and orthogonal frequency division modulation access (OFDMA) are employed. Multiple antenna schemes can be used with any modulation and multiple access scheme.
The data to be transmitted (e.g., the information bits) are encoded with a chosen coding scheme to generate coded bits. With multiple transmit antennas, coding includes the space dimension along with time or frequency dimensions and are specific to the number of transmit and receive antennas. The encoding scheme determines the diversity that can be captured, the transmission rate, and the decoding complexity at the receiver. The transmission rate refers to the average number of complex symbols that can be transmitted in one time slot or frequency bin. Transmission rate two requires at least 2 transmit and 2 receive antennas. A configuration with multiple transmit and receive antennas is known as MIMO (multiple input-multiple output).
Though different MIMO encoding schemes are available, these schemes do not simultaneously support transmission rate two, low complexity decoding at the receiver, maximum transmit diversity performance, and are not capable of being used with more than two transmit antennas. For example U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,258 describes the Alamouti code, a code which is only a rate one scheme and applicable to two transmit antennas only. Other schemes do not offer maximum diversity or low complexity decoding.
Since wireless systems sometimes operate with more than two (2) transmit antennas, there is a need to develop signal encoding schemes for a MIMO system with more than 2 transmit antennas, where the encoding schemes further support a transmission rate of two complex symbols per time slot or frequency bin, and also offers maximum diversity as well as low complexity decoding.

Method and system for rate-2 transmission


Embodiments of this application relate to the field of communications technologies, and disclose communications methods and apparatuses. In an implementation, a method comprising receiving, by a first communications device, information about a radio bearer (RB) of a heterogeneous communications system, wherein a duplication operation for the RB is configured by a second communications device, and the first communications device and the second communications are comprised in a master node or a secondary node; generating, by the first communications device, an activation indication indicating whether to activate or deactivate the duplication operation of the RB, wherein whether to activate or deactivate the duplication operation is determined by the first communications device; and sending the activation indication to a terminal device.

A duplication operation (duplication) is introduced on a radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN) side in a 5th generation (the 5 Generation Mobile Communication Technology, 5G) system. Specifically, a packet data convergence protocol (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, PDCP) layer of a transmit end makes one copy (or a plurality of copies) of an original (original) data packet, such as a PDCP protocol data unit (Protocol Data Unit, PDU), to generate a plurality of same data packets, namely, the original data packet and a duplicated data packet. The transmit end may use a dual connectivity (Dual Connectivity, DC) manner to send the same data packets to a peer end twice (or multiple times) along two independent transmission paths (transmission path). For example, the same data packets are sent twice. For the first time, the sending is performed over a link to a master node; for the other time, the sending is performed over a link to a secondary node. After a receive end receives the foregoing data packets, a PDCP layer performs duplicate data packet detection, deletes a duplicate data packet, and transmits, to an upper layer, only one data packet that is not duplicate. A gNB (a base station, using new radio (New Radio, NR), in a 5G system) uses radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC) signaling to configure duplication of each radio bearer (Radio Bearer, RB), and uses media access control (Media Access Control, MAC) layer signaling to activate/deactivate duplication of each data radio bearer (Data Radio Bearer, DRB), that is, per DRB. The foregoing duplication operation can improve data transmission reliability and reduce a data transmission latency, and is particularly applicable to an ultra-reliable and low-latency service.
In the 5G system, there is a scenario in which a gNB and a long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE) base station (for example, an eNB connected to an evolved packet core (Evolved Packet Core, EPC) or an ng-eNB connected to a next generation core (Next Generation Core, NGC)) cooperate on a network. In this scenario, a base station in which a PDCP entity of an RB is located is referred to as a PDCP anchor (anchor), a transmission path between the master node (Master Node, MN) and a terminal is referred to as an MN link (MN link), an MN leg (MN leg), or a master leg (master leg), and a transmission path between the secondary node (Secondary Node, SN) and the terminal is referred to as an SN link (SN link), an SN leg (SN leg), or a secondary leg (secondary leg). Once duplication is configured and activated for an RB, a same data packet may be transmitted for the RB by using an MN link and an SN link separately. The PDCP anchor may be an LTE base station or a gNB. A MAC layer of the gNB can activate/deactivate the duplication, but a MAC layer of the LTE base station cannot perform an activation/deactivation operation. In this way, when the PDCP anchor is the LTE base station, the LTE base station cannot send a duplication activation/deactivation indication to the terminal through an LTE air interface.


In a CDMA network, each mobile is arranged to combined pilot symbols from its dedicated pilot channel with pilot symbols from at least one common channel as an input to its channel impulse response sensing means. The common channel may be a BCH, a FACH or a PCH, and the pilot symbols on all such channels may be combined. The pilot energy required on each dedicated pilot channel can thereby be reduced. By communicating the quality of the received pilot symbols to a base station, the base station can reduce the energy on the dedicated pilot channel, providing a yet further saving of energy.

For effective use of direct sequence CDMA systems for digital mobile cellular telephone and personal communication network applications, a detection technique must be used which performs well at low signal to interference ratios. Coherent detection is preferred to non-coherent detection because it has better performance in the slow fading environments which typify personal communication channels. To apply coherent detection, the channel impulse response at a receiver must be known, and this can be achieved by transmitting pilot symbols.
Pilot symbols can be transmitted in two ways; a) a dedicated pilot channel, i.e. one pilot channel for each user, in which pilot symbols are embedded periodically (time- or code-multiplexed) in the same channel as the data symbols, or b) a common pilot channel, i.e. one pilot channel for all users, in which pilot symbols are continuously sent on a separate channel in parallel with data channels.
An advantage of dedicated pilot channels is that power can be varied, so that a mobile at a boundary of a cell can ramp up the power of its received symbols to overcome channel propagation as well as fast fading; however the system relies on good  statistical multiplexing of users to ensure that there is always spare transmitter capacity to meet a sudden demand from a mobile for increased power, which can create instability.
The well known differences between the two arrangements will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6.
FIG. 1a shows the sector coverage angle alpha (e.g. 30° to 40°) over which a small base station transmits. FIG. 1b indicates by the enclosed area the energy Ed required to transmit data, and this is assumed to be constant. FIG. 1c indicates by the shaded area the energy Ep required to transmit pilot symbols in either a dedicated pilot channel or a common pilot channel.
FIG. 2 illustrates energy requirements in a common pilot channel arrangement, and is effectively a merger of FIGS. 1b and 1c; a single continuous pilot channel is broadcast to all users.
FIG. 3 illustrates energy requirements in a dedicated pilot channel arrangement; each of the N users (where N±5) has a different energy requirement E1 to E5, shown by the shaded and crosshatched areas. The total energy requirement for the pilot channels is N*Ep. This arrangement assumes there is no power control facility to vary power transmission.
FIG. 4 shows a variation of FIG. 3 including a power control facility. The power supplied to each pilot channel can be controlled individually, as indicated by the different areas of the shaded and crosshatched bands E6 to E10. At certain times, in theory, the pilot in a channel can even be switched off completely, saving energy, and allowing other data or control information to be transported by that channel. Pilot energy requirement is ΣEp,i·βi where βi is the scaling factor for each user, dependant on power control and time multiplexing. β is between 1 and 0, i.e. it is small when a mobile is close to its base station.
However comparison with FIG. 1c shows that the total power used is unchanged.
FIG. 5 indicates energy requirements where spatially adaptive antennas are used. Data energy is transmitted in much narrower sections α1 to α4 within the sector angle α, i.e. a beam forming technique is used. The narrow sectors α1 to α4 are directed towards active mobiles, and the pilot energy required for each narrow sector is also varied in accordance with need, as indicated by the shaded areas. The total energy requirement is greatly reduced. The pilot energy requirement is
      ∑    i    N                          β      i                  E      p                  G      A      where GA is the gain of the directed antennas.
FIG. 6 shows that, in addition to the directed channels of FIG. 5, some common channel facility is required across the whole sector angle α, e.g. for mobiles attempting to make a call, and the data power for this is indicated at Edc, between the directed sectors with the associated pilot energy indicated by the cross-hatched areas Epc. Pilot energy requirements are
                    ∑        i        N                                    β          i                                  E          p                                  G          A                      +                  ∑        i        C                                    β          i                                  E          p                      ,where C is the number of common channels.

Code division multiple access system having improved pilot channels


A non-lethal temporarily incapacitating formulation having a new solvent system that has reduced blow back longer hang time when used as an aerosol spray. The solvent and formulation are non-toxic, non-hazardous, non-flammable, highly stable, environmentally safe and able to withstand extreme operating temperatures. The solvent system is a mixture of propylene glycerol dicaprylate/caprate and glycerol tris (2-ethylhexanoate) and is suitable for use for a wide range of automotive, household and industrial applications.

Non-lethal weapons are designed to incapacitate the target, and when properly used do not result in any injuries, fatalities or after effects. Non-lethal weapons in the form of aerosol sprays capable of temporarily incapacitating a target have shown great use both for enforcement and defensive purposes. These non-lethal sprays are particularly useful in close proximity encounters, such as breaking up a bar fight or intervening in a domestic disturbance; stopping fleeing suspects; in hostage or terrorist situations; in barricade situations, where the subject is violent, but has not taken a hostage; and generally in crowd control or riot situations.
Aerosol sprays commercially available are of three types: chloroacetophenone (CN) commonly known as mace, orthochlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS) commonly known as tear gas, and oleoresin capsicum (OC) also known as pepper spray. Both mace and tear gas are lachrymators that cause tearing and irritation. However, they have no effect on those who are enraged or are under the influence of narcotics, or alcohol. Pepper sprays contain an extract of hot pepper and act as an inflammatory agent causing closing of the eyes and coughing.
Initial aerosol type formulations were of the lachrymator type, such as Chemical Mace® lachrymator, included various types of liquid based CN chemical formulae in pressurized aerosol spray containers. However, the lachrymator agents used in such sprays contain highly toxic and/or cancer causing chemicals. Furthermore, such technology used environmentally unfriendly carrier agent/solvents such as trichlorotrifluoroethanes (CFC's 111, 113) and cosmetic kerosene.
In an effort to overcome these problems, a pepper based inflammatory spray technology was developed and first introduced through the CAP-STUN® brand pepper spray in 1982 introduced into the self-protection market. Pepper sprays are available with various concentration of capsaicin (capsaicinoids), which is the primary ingredient producing the effects of pepper spray. Various types of pepper sprays have since come into existence; however, the technology of pepper spray is still basically unchanged since its inception.
Even though pepper sprays and other lachrymators are generally effective for self-defense purposes, improvements are still desired, particularly in decreasing the time it takes for incapacitation of the recipient and increasing the length of time for incapacitation while avoiding long term effects on the target. Law enforcement officials would like to be able to incapacitate a suspect for a sufficient time to allow immobilization and/or transport to an appropriate holding facility. Thus, efforts have been made to increase effectiveness or duration of the pepper spray by increasing the amount of pepper in the spray. However, this has been limited by the need to avoid permanent harm or injury to the recipient, particularly damage to the eyes, skin, or upper respiratory tract. This has left unmet the need for a more effective and longer duration spray that can be used without long-term harm to the recipient, while reducing or eliminating any impact on the user and any bystanders, and reducing any adverse effects on the environment.
Another problem with the pepper sprays and other lachrymators dispensed using an aerosol or other spray dispensing system is that when it is dispensed, there is always the possibility that an open flame or other source of ignition may be present that could ignite the solvent or carrier of the mixture resulting in serious bodily harm to both the user and the intended recipient of the lachrymator. Examples of some possible sources of ignition include lit cigarettes or cigars, burning candles or matches, and stoves or other heating devices.
In particular, alcohol-based or containing sprays pose a considerable risk of ignition. However, replacing the alcohol cannot simply be replaced with water since the active ingredients are not soluble therein and thus an additional solubilizing agent must be used—most of which also exhibit flammable tendencies.
Foam based carrying agents also may potentially cause gagging, vomiting and choking from entry of foam bubbles in the respiratory system. Chlorinated solvents such as CFC's, HCFC's and HFC's can be damaging to the eyes as well as to the environment.
There are a number of household and industrial aerosol and other spray device propellant and solvent formulations currently available. Known nonflammable carriers, although less likely to ignite when exposed to such sources of ignition, pose their own problems. Many are classified as carcinogenic, and thus are not suitable for use where there is skin contact. Most are as ozone depleting and fail to meet applicable standards for ozone depletion and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Due to the self-pressurized nature of aerosols and the direct correlation between pressure, temperature and volume, extreme temperature variance is an area of concern. Particularly desirable aerosols must be capable of operating even when exposed to high temperatures, such as in a parked car in the summer, and also be functional when the temperature falls below zero. Those solvents that don't thicken and freeze, such as hydrocarbons and alcohols, are generally flammable. Exposure to extreme elevated temperatures can cause instability of the spray pattern while exposure to sub-zero temperatures can freeze the formulation and render the system inoperable.
Another area of concern, particularly where irritating chemicals are being sprayed, is the ability to reliably direct the spray to an intended target and not have it remain airborne for extended periods of time. When used indoors, many sprays can remain airborne too long, thus affecting bystanders, further circulating into the heating or air conditioning system, and contaminating other areas. When used outdoors, many sprays can be blown back to the face of the user or more erratically with wind direction and contaminate bystanders rather than the intended target. Furthermore, prior art sprays have had difficulty in penetrating rain, and thus have not been able to reach their desired target when used in such conditions.
Other problems arise with defense spray applications, such as in pepper sprays and mace, where the spray is directed to the facial area. Here the solvent formulation requirements are stricter since they are intentionally sprayed on an individuals face, with exposure to eyes, skin and the respiratory system. Therefore, the solvent formulation should also pass toxicological tests showing no damage to the eyes, skin or upper respiratory tract. Furthermore, the solvent formulation must be miscible with the active ingredients in the defense spray.
Prior art solvent systems have proven unsuitable for application due to a number of problems including flammability, toxicity, carcinogenic properties, irritant, adverse reactions with materials contacted, and inability to dissolve and maintain in a dissolved state the active ingredient. Furthermore, known solvents that are non-toxic when used in an aerosol dispensing system lack the ability to be readily controlled and directed, particularly in windy and/or rainy conditions.

Non-lethal temporary incapacitation formulation and novel solvent system