A status register within a non-volatile semiconductor memory device chip is provided with a bit indicating whether an access is possible from the external side of the chip or not and a controller for instructing the write process to the non-volatile semiconductor device issues again a write process instruction to the same area depending on the condition of the bit of the status register. Thereby, reduction of effective memory area due to an accidental write error generated can be prevented in the system utilizing an electrically erasable and programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory technique and more specifically to a technique that may be effectively adapted to a system utilizing a non-volatile memory for electrically erasing and programming information and additionally to a technique that may be effectively adapted to a system using, for example, a flash memory.
The flash memory uses, as a memory cell, a non-volatile memory element consisting of a MOSFET of a double-layer gate structure including a control gate and a floating gate and is capable of changing a threshold voltage of the MOSFET to store information by changing a fixed amount of charges of the floating gate.
In this flash memory, change of threshold voltage due to the write and erase operation to the memory cell of course fluctuates among memory cells and also fluctuates for each operation even in the same memory cell and therefore the threshold voltage of the memory cell is distributed within a certain range after the write and erase operation. Moreover, in some memory cells, the threshold voltage of memory cell cannot be changed up to the desired level with a single cycle of the write and erase operations. Therefore, the flash memory often has a structure that a status register is generally provided therein and if write or erase operation is not successfully completed, such defective operation is stored as the write error or erase error.
In the side of CPU to give an instruction for write or erase operation to the flash memory, a sector including a memory cell which has generated an error is registered as a defective sector by referring to such status register and such sector is excluded thereafter from the effective memory area of data.
Although the threshold voltage cannot be changed up to the predetermined level in a certain memory cell which has generated an error even after the write and erase operations have been conducted many times, in many memory cells, the normal write operation can be realized by conducting the re-write operation after the erase operation is once conducted (hereinafter, such defective memory cell is called the accidentally defective memory cell). Particularly in a multi-level flash memory in which the data of 2-bits or more is stored in one memory cell, since the range of threshold voltage corresponding to each stored information is narrower than that of the binary memory cell, such accidental fault may be easily generated.
However, in the flash memory, the detail error condition of sectors including the bits having generated a write error has not been reflected on the status register. Therefore, the sectors having generated an error have all been registered as defective sectors and excluded from the effective memory area, and thereby the total memory capacity is reduced. Moreover, when a write error is generated, the alternative sector process to exchange such defective sector alternative sector is conducted. Therefore, a problem arises in which the time required for total write operation is extended.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system utilizing an electrically erasable and programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, such as a flash memory, with a view toward preventing reduction of effective memory capacity due to an accidental write error and increasing the memory capacity for application as in the system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system utilizing an electrically erasable programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device such as a flash memory, with a view toward reducing the number of times of the alternative sector process and reducing the time required for the total write operation.
The abovementioned and the other objects and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.
Some principal aspects of the inventions disclosed in this specification can be summarized briefly as explained below.
In one aspect, there is provided, to a status register within a non-volatile semiconductor memory device chip, a bit indicating whether the normal write operation can be conducted by executing the write process again or not, and a controller for instructing the write process to such non-volatile semiconductor memory device issues an instruction to conduct again the write process to the same area depending on the bit condition of the status register.
In more detail, there is provided a memory system comprising a non-volatile semiconductor memory device, including a memory area including a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, a status register indicating the internal condition and an external terminal for outputting at least a part of the contents of the status register, and a controller for issuing an instruction to the non-volatile semiconductor memory device and conducting the process for the defective write process area. In this memory system, the status register is provided with a first bit to indicate whether the normal write process is possible or not by executing again the write process and the controller issues an instruction to conduct again the write process to the same area depending on the condition of the first bit.
According to the means explained above, a chance of normal write process increases, by reading the contents of the status register to conduct re-write process depending on the condition of bits, even in the memory cell which has once shown a fault and thereby reduction of effective memory capacity due to an accidental write error can be prevented.
The status register is preferably also provided with a second bit indicating whether the write process has been completed normally or not and the controller issues an instruction for re-write process depending on the condition of the first bit when the second bit indicates that the write process is not completed normally. Thereby, when the write process is completed normally, this write process can be completed immediately without checking the first bit which indicates possibility of normal write process by conducting again the write process.
The status register is preferably also provided with a third bit for indicating whether access from the external side of chip is possible or not and the controller issues an instruction, when the third bit indicates that access from external side is possible, to conduct again the write process depending on the condition of the first bit. Accordingly, whether the non-volatile semiconductor memory device is in the access-ready condition or not can be known accurately by reading the content of the status register.
Furthermore, the non-volatile semiconductor memory device is preferably provided with an external terminal for reflecting the condition of the third bit and the controller issues an instruction, when the signal at the external terminal indicates possibility of access from the external side, to conduct again the write process depending on the condition of the first bit. Accordingly, the controller can detect the end of write operation within the non-volatile semiconductor device without reading out the contents of the status register by monitoring the signal at the external terminal. Thereby, the total write operation period can be reduced by eliminating useless waiting time.
Moreover, the controller is also provided with a function to execute the process to replace the memory area in which the write process has not been completed normally with another memory area and therefore to execute, if the normal write process cannot be realized with the re-write process based on the condition of the first bit, the process to replace the memory area where the relevant normal write process has not been completed with the other memory area. Thereby, reduction of effective memory capacity due to an accidental write error can be reduced and the memory area where the normal write process cannot be realized even with the re-write process can be defined as a defective memory area and can be replaced with the other normal memory area.
In addition, the memory area where the normal write process is impossible may be replaced with another memory area in the case that the normal write process impossible even after the re-write process conducted on the basis of the first condition of the first bit and in the case that the second bit does not indicate the normal end of write process and the first bit is in the second condition. Thereby, an accidental write error and a non-accidental write error can be discriminated, the defective memory area can be replaced with the other normal memory area when a non-accidental write error is generated and the total write process period can be reduced.
When the memory area where the write process cannot be completed normally is replaced with the other normal memory area, the controller writes information indicating the defective memory area into a part of the memory area where the write process cannot be completed normally. Accordingly, read of erroneous information can be avoided and such information can be used for analysis of a fault.
In addition, at the time of replacing the memory area where the write process cannot be completed normally with the other memory area, the controller reads the information stored in the other memory area and then determines whether the relevant area is the defective memory area or not for the purpose of replacement of memory areas. Thereby, a useless write process can be eliminated, total write time can be shortened and useless power consumption can also be reduced.
Further, the controller executes the process to replace the relevant memory area with the other memory area if the write process cannot be completed normally even after the predetermined number of times of re-write process instructed depending on the condition of the first bit. Thereby, an endless loop in which the re-write operation is repeated upon erroneous determination of an accidental write error and abnormal extension of the time required for the write operation can be avoided.
Moreover, contents of the status register are read to the external terminal when a plurality of control signals supplied from the controller are combined as predetermined. Thereby, the controller can check the contents of the status register with a simplified process based on an output of the control signals.
A second principal aspect of the invention relates to a data processing system comprising a non-volatile semiconductor memory device including a memory area having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, a status register indicating the internal condition and an external terminal for outputting at least a part of contents of the status register, and a controller for making access to such non-volatile semiconductor memory device, wherein the status register is provided with a first bit indicating whether the write process can be completed normally by executing again the write process, and the controller issues an instruction to conduct the write process again to the same area depending on the condition of the first bit.
According to the means explained above, a chance of normal write process even in the memory area where a fault is once generated can be increased when the controller reads the contents of the status register to issue an instruction for re-write process depending on the condition of the bit. Thereby, a reduction of effective memory capacity of the system due to an accidental write error can be prevented.
A third principal aspect of the invention relates to a data processing system comprising a non-volatile semiconductor memory circuit including a memory area having a plurality of non-volatile memory cells, a status register indicating the internal conditions and a terminal for outputting at least a part of contents of the status register, a memory device including a control circuit for issuing an instruction of write process to the non-volatile semiconductor memory circuit and conducting the process to the defective write area and a data processing device for making access to the memory device, wherein the status register is provided with a first bit indicating whether the write process can be completed normally by executing again the write process, and the control circuit issues an instruction to conduct again the write process to the same area depending on the condition of the first bit.
According to this means, a chance of normal write process even in the memory area where a fault is once generated can be increased when the control circuit reads the contents of status register and executes again the write process depending on the condition of the bit. Thereby, reduction of effective memory capacity of the system due to an accidental write error can be prevented and the share of data processing device can also be reduced.

Nonvolatile memory system having status register for rewrite control


A vapor-phase process apparatus and a vapor-phase process method capable of satisfactorily maintaining quality of processes even when different types of processes are performed are obtained. A vapor-phase process apparatus includes a process chamber, gas supply ports serving as a plurality of gas introduction portions, and a gas supply portion (a gas supply member, a pipe, a flow rate control device, a pipe, and a buffer chamber). The process chamber allows flow of a reaction gas therein. The plurality of gas supply ports are formed in a wall surface (upper wall) of the process chamber along a direction of flow of the reaction gas. The gas supply portion can supply a gas into the process chamber at a different flow rate from each of one gas supply port and another gas supply port different from that one gas supply port among the plurality of gas supply ports.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vapor-phase process apparatus, a vapor-phase process method, and a substrate, and more particularly to a vapor-phase process apparatus, a vapor-phase process method, and a substrate capable of achieving high-quality process.
2. Description of the Background Art
A vapor-phase process apparatus for such a process as formation of a film on a surface of an object to be processed (hereinafter referred to as a "process object") such as a substrate has conventionally been known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. 2005-005594, 2002-371361 and 2006-013326). In the vapor-phase process apparatus disclosed, for example, in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-005594, a plurality of flow-guide gas blowing portions are formed in positions (in an upper wall of a process chamber) opposed to the process object (substrate) arranged in a process chamber (a chamber). Then, the flow-guide gas is supplied into the process chamber from the flow-guide gas blowing portions so that contamination due to a by-product of a reaction gas (raw material gas) on a wall surface of the process chamber can be prevented and a rate of film deposition on a substrate surface and uniformity of a composition of a formed film can be maintained.
In addition, according to Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-371361, in order to efficiently vapor-deposit a film on a surface of a substrate serving as a process object, a pressing gas for pressing a raw material gas against the surface of the substrate is supplied from a process chamber wall portion (an upper wall) opposed to the substrate. In a pressing gas supply portion, a device like a nozzle is used in order to adjust a direction of supply of the pressing gas to an obliquely downward direction or to a horizontal direction. Moreover, according to Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-013326 as well, a flow-guide gas corresponding to the pressing gas described above is supplied through an upper wall of a process chamber into the process chamber. Further, a nozzle is used in order to adjust a direction of supply of the flow-guide gas to an obliquely downward direction.
The conventional vapor-phase process apparatus described above, however, has suffered from the following problems. Specifically, a structure of the upper wall of the process chamber in which the flow-guide gas blowing portions are provided has a predetermined, certain shape. In addition, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-005594, the flow-guide gas is supplied from a common gas supply source to the plurality of flow-guide gas blowing portions and a flow rate or the like cannot be controlled individually for each flow-guide gas blowing portion. Here, if types of processes for the surface of the process object are different (for example, materials for a film to be deposited in a film deposition process are different), conditions for film deposition are also different, and hence optimal conditions for a flow rate or distribution of the flow-guide gas supplied from the flow-guide gas blowing portions are also different. In the conventional vapor-phase process apparatus described above, however, if types of such processes are changed, it is difficult to optimize a flow rate or flow velocity distribution of the flow-guide gas depending on types of processes. Accordingly, it has been difficult to satisfactorily maintain process quality (for example, quality of a formed film), such as a rate of film deposition on the substrate surface and uniformity of a composition of a formed film.
Further, according to Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. 2002-371361 and 2006-013326, a plurality of nozzles supply the pressing gas (the flow-guide gas), however, these gases may not form such a gas layer as uniformly covering a wall portion (an upper wall) of the process chamber. Unless such a gas layer is formed, a part of the raw material gas reaches the upper wall and deposits originating from the raw material gas may adhere to the upper wall. When such deposits peel off from the upper wall (the wall portion) and result in deposit pieces, the deposit pieces may adhere to the surface of the process object, which results in large number of defects.
The present invention was made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vapor-phase process apparatus and a vapor-phase process method capable of satisfactorily maintaining quality of processes even when different types of processes are performed.
In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a vapor-phase process apparatus and a vapor-phase process method capable of performing a process less likely to cause defects on a processed surface.
Moreover, yet another object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality substrate subjected to a process excellent in uniformity or the like with the use of the vapor-phase process method above.

Vapor-phase process apparatus, vapor-phase process method, and substrate


A class A amplifier (20) includes an amplifier (21), a capacitor (22), and an output stage (23). The output stage (23) includes a source-follower transistor (24) and a feedback circuit (25). The source-follower transistor (24) receives an analog signal from the amplifier (21) and provides a corresponding output signal to a load. The feedback circuit (25) provides current feedback to maintain a relatively constant drain current in the source-follower transistor (24). The class A amplifier (20) with the feedback circuit (25) provides high current drive capability with low quiescent power consumption, high power supply rejection, high voltage gain, and stable operation without the use of a Miller compensation capacitor.

An amplifier may comprise a transconductance amplifier first stage, and an output stage, where the output stage provides unity voltage gain for driving a low impedance load. The output stage may comprise a source-follower transistor. Important criteria for an amplifier having a source-follower output stage include wide bandwidth, high current drive capability, low quiescent power consumption, high power supply rejection, and stable operation.
FIG. 1 illustrates in schematic diagram form, commonly used class AB amplifier 10. Class AB amplifier 10 includes amplifier 11 and output stage 12. Output stage 12 includes P-channel transistors 13, 14, and 15, current source 16, and capacitor 17. P-channel transistor 14 is coupled as a source-follower transistor for providing an output signal labeled "V.sub.OUT ". Amplifier 11 is a conventional single-stage transconductance amplifier for receiving a noninverting input signal labeled "+V.sub.IN ", and an inverting input signal labeled "-V.sub.IN ", and for providing a single-ended output signal.
Prior art class AB amplifier 10 provides low impedance output drive and strong current drive capability with relatively low quiescent power consumption. However, because of the large voltage gain and low frequency pole in output stage 12, Miller compensation capacitor 17 is required to stabilize amplifier 10. A problem with using Miller compensation is that it degrades the power supply rejection of output stage 12. In order for the drive current of output stage 12 to remain constant when the power supply varies, the gate-source voltage of transistor 13 should remain constant. For this to occur, the gate voltage of transistor 13 should track the power supply voltage. However, this causes the voltage across Miller compensation capacitor 17 to vary with the power supply voltage, and generates a power supply dependent current in capacitor 17 which degrades the amplifier power supply rejection.
Another problem with output stage 12 is that when required to drive a high voltage across a sufficiently small impedance load (not shown), the drain current in P-channel transistor 15 becomes larger than the current provided by current source 16. This causes the gate voltage of source-follower transistor 14 to rise. The current in source-follower transistor 14 is reduced to near zero as the gate voltage rises and source-follower transistor 14 becomes substantially non-conductive. This effectively disconnects the gain path in output stage 12 between the gate of P-channel transistor 15 and the output terminal of output stage 12. The voltage gain of output stage 12 reduces to that of a simple common-source transistor (P-channel transistor 13) in conjunction with the output load.

Amplifier with feedback having high power supply rejection


Disclosed herein are processes for preparing extract products from the root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. and the extract products thus obtained, which are biologically active in promoting the proliferation, growth and/or differentiation of hematocytes and bone marrow cells in vitro and in vivo.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for preparing extract products from the root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., to the extract products thus obtained, which have been demonstrated to have biological activities in enhancing liver cell regeneration and bone marrow stem cell proliferation, and to the uses of such extract products in the manufacture of medicaments for promoting cell proliferation, growth and/or differentiation.
2) Description of the Related Art
Stem cell refers to those cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation. Stem cells are most numerous during the embryonic period, and gradually decrease in number with aging. Thus, it was speculated that there is an important correlation/association between stem cells and aging. The stem cells in adults can generate a specific response toward the message in the environment, and generate new stem cells or differentiate into specific cells. When the stem cells receive a differentiation message, the stem cells rapidly reproduce in large amounts, and then finally proceed to differentiation. These stem cells are used for maintaining the balance of cells in adults, and replenish the number of cells that die due to natural causes or injuries.
The stem cells in bone marrow are divided into two types: (1) the hematopoietic stem cells which produce two more specialized types of stem cells, including lymphoid progenitor cells (which give rise to T and B lymphocytes) and myeloid progenitor cells (which give rise to leukocytes, erythrocytes, and megakaryocytes); and (2) the stromal cells which are the source of the cells making up the supporting structure in the bone marrow. The stromal cells have the characteristic of adhering to the bottom of plastic culture plates during culturing, and can differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and even myoblasts. Stromal cells are required for the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells.
The production and number of stem cells will be extensively reduced as aging occurs, leading to various problems of aging, in which osteoporosis is the most common. The causes of osteoporosis include the loss of balance between bone formation and resorption. The osteoblastic cells derived from the osteoprogenitor cells are responsible for bone formation. Osteoprogenitor cells come from the stromal cells in the bone marrow. Dexamethasone and ascorbic acid can promote the proliferation growth of osteoprogenitor cells, and enable the cells to differentiate into matured osteoblasts. During the differentiating process, different markers of osteoblasts are expressed: There is the deposition of collagenous matrix first, and after 10 to 14 days, alkaline phosphatase (AP) is expressed.
Alkaline phosphatase is widely used as a biochemical marker for identification of osteoblast activity. While its actual function is unknown, it is currently believed that it participates in the skeletal mineralization process. After continuous culture to 21 days, the cells will secrete osteocalcein, and finally mineralize to form bone nodules.
It was known that the proliferation and differentiation of the stem cells would be affected by the growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), etc. When the growth factors in the culture environment are changed, the stem cells differentiate into different cells along with the specificity of the growth factors. For example, GM-CSF can act on a specific receptor complex present on hematopoietic progenitor cells, and thus, can promote the proliferation and differentiation of the hematopoietic progenitor cells in the bone marrow into monocyte, neutrophil, etc. Therefore, GM-CSF may be used to treat the diseases related to leukocyte deficiency.
The recognition that somatic stem cells can be isolated and are able to renew a particular tissue motivated immediate efforts to apply these cells in the clinic. Bone marrow transplantation, albeit not successful in all circumstances, has become a mainstay in the treatment of hematological and some nonhematological diseases and cancers (Treleaven, J., and Barrett, J. 1992. Introduction to bone marrow transplantation. In Bone marrow transplantation in practice. J. Treleaven and J. Barrett, editors. Churchill Livingstone. New York, N.Y., USA. 3-9). Extensive skin lesions are now being treated with the use of autologous and even nonautologous grafts generated by the ex vivo expansion of epidermal cells (Green, H. (1989), Lab. Invest. 60:583-584). The reconstruction of damaged articular cartilage has been attempted using ex vivo expanded chondrogenic cells (Brittberg, M. et al. (1994), N. Engl. J. Med. 331:889-895). More recently, it has also been suggested that skeletal tissue, muscle, and even nervous tissue can be regenerated from stem cell populations. Potential applications extend beyond tissue regeneration, into the realm of gene transfer and gene therapy.
With the advance of molecular techniques, it is envisioned that stem cells could be engineered to replace or repair a defective gene. Because of their self-renewal and ability to regenerate a tissue, transgenic stem cells could provide a long-lasting clinical benefit to a recipient. Although the precise techniques for accomplishing these goals are not yet in hand, our biotechnological imaginations have run wild with the hope of recreating organs, correcting genetic diseases, and improving the quality of life as we age. The realization that cells with extensive potential for growth and differentiation occur in a variety of tissues also provides novel angles for understanding disease mechanisms. Since stem cells regulate the dynamics of normal tissues, a surprising range of disorders, including gastric atrophy, Alzheimer's disease, and, perhaps more intuitively, various forms of cancer, can be traced to altered stem cell function.
The trend toward defining stem cells primarily based on our ability to manipulate them in culture should also inspire us to devise novel models of these diseases, by analyzing genetically altered or carcinogen-treated stem cells either in vitro or in vivo after transplantation into host animals. Thus, even without improved tissue engineering or replacement, the study of stem cells may deepen our understanding of their pathogenic roles and facilitate the design of novel treatments.
The major causes of liver cirrhosis include chronic alcoholism, viral infection and metabolic lesion. Currently, there is no therapy that is effective in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. Recently, it is reported in literature that hepatocyte growth factor may be used in the treatment of human liver fibrosis and chronic liver failure (Matsuda Y. et al. (1995), Journal of biochemistry, 118 (3): 643-9; Ueki T et al. (1999), Nature Medicine, 5 (2): 226-30).
Mammalian hepatocytes have been used in the investigation of cell growth and differentiation mechanism for a long time. However, shortly after isolation, mammalian hepatocytes will lose their characteristics and their growth ability will be limited. Many researchers have endeavored to develop a methodology for the growth of normal hepatocytes, but no successful results have been reported.
Fleeceflower root is the dried root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (Family Polygonaceae), and it has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine called Heshouwu (Latin Title: Radix Polygoni Multiflori) for a long time.
Fleeceflower root is produced in most parts of China, in Taiwan and in Japan. It is collected in autumn and winter when leaves wither. After cutting off the two ends thereof, the collected fleeceflower root is washed clean, cut into pieces, and then dried. Fleeceflower root tastes sweet, astringent and bitter in flavor, slightly warm in nature, and it has affinity to the liver and kidney channels.
Fleeceflower root may be used in processed or unprocessed form. The processed fleeceflower root is slightly warm but not dry and not greasy. It functions in replenishing the liver and kidney, benefiting essence and blood, and astringing primordial energy. This herb is mild in action and very effective in tonification. It is said that anyone who takes this herb regularly for a long period can prolong his life. It serves to treat insufficiency of both the liver and kidney, deficiency of essence and blood, and disability of the lower-jiao. The unprocessed fleeceflower root can also function in clearing away toxins and lubricating the bowels, serving to treat scrofula, carbuncle and constipation due to dryness of the bowels.
Fleeceflower root is known to contain the following chemical components: emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, rhein, chrysophanol anthrone, resveratrol, piceid, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-2″-O-monogalloyl ester, 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside-3″-O-monogalloyl ester, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, 3-O-galloyl(−)-catechin, 3-O-galloyl(−)-epicatechin, 3-O-galloyl-procyanidin B-2, 3,3′-di-O-galloyl-procyanidin B-2, and β-sitosterol.
Fleeceflower root may be used in the treatment of hyperlipemia, lymphadenitis, carbuncles, urticaria with itching, and constipation.
It is reported in literature that hydroxyl anthraquinone derivatives contained in Polygonum multiform roots have the vasorelaxant effect (Huang, H. C. et al., European Journal of Pharmacology 198:211-3, 1993) and the effect of reducing the incidence of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (Yim, T. K. et al., Phytotherapy research 14:195-99, 2000). It is also reported in literature that stilbene glucosides contained in Polygonum multiform roots have the blood lipid-lowering effect (Kimura Y, Planta Medica 49:51-54, 1983) and the antioxidation effect (Chen, Y. et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 47:2226-8, 1999).
WO 95/30427 disclosed the use of extracts of the Chinese herb Polygonum multiflorum in the treatment of hyperglycemia. According to the disclosure of WO9530427A1, the root of Polygonum multiflorum was extracted with 0.1 N NH4OH (20:1) (w/v) and centrifuged (1,000×g). The resultant supernatant was then applied to a Sephadex G-25 column and eluted with distilled deionized water. Three fractions were collected and demonstrated to exhibit a high insulin potentiating activity in fat cell assays and to have the effect of lowering blood sugar levels.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,569 disclosed and claimed a method for decreasing the glycosylated hemoglobin level or blood glucose level in a hyperglycemic patient, in which a water extract or a dilute acidic extract of Polygonum multiform roots, or Cinnamomum bark, or a mixture thereof, was administered to the patient. According to Example 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,569, the roots of Polygonum multiform were cut up and ground into small pieces, followed by extraction with water. The obtained water extract was then assayed for insulin potentiating activity.
CN 1306837A disclosed the use of Polygonum multiform roots and the extracts thereof in preventing and treating osteoporosis.
According to the Applicant's knowledge, none of the abovementioned patent publications and scientific articles has disclosed the production of methanol-extracted products of Polygonum multiform roots and the further extracted fractions thereof, as well as the biological effect(s) of these extracted products of Polygonum multiform roots upon bone marrow stem cells and liver cells.


An exemplary lock apparatus includes a housing and a plug assembly rotatably mounted in the housing. The plug assembly includes a tumbler assembly operable to selectively prevent rotation of the plug assembly relative to the housing and a retention mechanism operable to selectively prevent removal of the plug assembly from the housing. A system including the lock apparatus may include a change key configured to actuate the tumbler assembly without actuating the retention mechanism and/or a control key configured to actuate both the tumbler assembly and the retention mechanism.

Interchangeable core lock cylinders are commonly installed to a housing (e.g., a handle of a lockset) to enable the lock cylinder to be selectively removed from the housing for rekeying or replacement without disturbing the housing (e.g., by removing the handle). Lock cylinders of this type generally include a shell, a plug rotatably mounted in the shell, a tumbler system operable to selectively prevent rotation of the plug relative to the shell, and a retaining lug that is rotatably mounted to the shell and selectively retains the entire lock cylinder within a housing. Upon insertion of a proper control key, the retaining lug can be rotated to a position in which the lug is positioned within the footprint of the tower of the shell, thereby enabling the entire lock cylinder to be removed from the housing as a complete unit. However, the towers of such lock cylinders are generally of approximately the same size as the plug. As a result, the housing must be large enough to retain this enlarged tower, which can limit the design options for the housing.
Another format of lock cylinder is the key-in-lever format. In comparison to interchangeable core locksets, the towers of key-in-lever format lock cylinders are much thinner, which enables the key-in-lever format cylinder to be installed in a greater variety of handle designed. However, key-in-lever format cylinders lack the interchangeable core functionality, and typically require that the handle be removed from the spindle in order for the cylinder to be removed for rekeying or replacement. Thus, while key-in-lever cylinders are typically more versatile than interchangeable core cylinders, they typically suffer from disadvantages related to ease of installation and/or replacement. Additionally, even the smaller profile of the key-in-lever format tower can limit the design options for the housing. For these reasons among others, there remains a need for further improvements in this technological field.


An Apparatus and method for breaking off cores from a material to be tested includes a tube split by opposing slots, a tightening device for moving confronting ends of a split tube towards each other so that the split tube grasps the core to be broken, and a handle for exerting lateral forces to break off the core. The core breaker is inserted into a space left by a core drill bit. The split tube is tightened around the core to be broken off, and lateral pressure is then applied to the handle to break off the core.

The present invention relates in general to an apparatus and method for obtaining test core samples and in particular to an apparatus and method for obtaining test core samples from pavement.
In the paving industry, State Dept. of Transportation, County, City and Federal Aviation Administration Officials, Authorities and Engineers as well as the above from the private sector of the construction industry, require that paving contractors of their representatives drill out core samples of the pavement within certain time constraints, or at a later time for investigative and informational purposes. These cores are subjected to various tests to verify different properties and density. The core samples are generally obtained by using a vertical core drill which drills out a core of the pavement using a tubular diamond-tipped bit driven by a gas or electric drilling machine. The cores will generally vary in length and are of varying diameters, depending on the agency specifications and/or preference of the testers.
To test the cores and obtain results that are representative in general, it is important to obtain the cores in a timely and cost effective manner. Several methods presently used to obtain core samples are: 1) Drilling a second identical core next to the sample core hole, chipping out the second core hole and then getting under the sample core with a lever and prying it out. 2) Driving a pair of rods through the surrounding material and prying out the core. 3) Digging a wedge shaped hole next to the core and prying it out. 4) Drilling through the entire depth of the pavement and extracting the core from the hole using an apparatus for pulling cores such as that described in the Richardson, Jr. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,466), which represents the present state of the art. These methods are time consuming, hence labor costly and materials (core bit) costly, due to having to drill (in many instances) the depth of the full pavement, when only a small portion of the top surface may be tested.
With the specifying agencies continuously requiring a better product and more quality control, the number of cores to be drilled and tested has increased. The problem of obtaining test cores in a timely and cost effective manner has increased over the past years. This is particularly true where the pavement to be tested is a surface layer of asphalt (2 inches is common) underlaid with 8 inches of concrete (common on large expressways). Drilling a core through the full depth of pavement under these circumstances can take 45 minutes or longer and may wear out a single 4 inch diamond tipped core bit at an average cost of $300 or more. This is an extremely inefficient use of time and materials when it is common that only the top 2 inches of asphalt is required for examination. This top layer of asphalt can be drilled in substantially less time than drilling the full depth of pavement (approximately 2 minutes or less), especially when drilling a full core requires drilling through concrete. Drilling only the top layer also saves dramatically on equipment, where a single core bit may last through several hundred cores of the top layer of asphalt. What is needed is a tool that can efficiently and easily break off and extract cores from pavement surfaces without the necessity of drilling the depth of full pavement.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for obtaining undamaged test cores which only requires drilling to a specified depth in the top surface, and does not require drilling the full depth of pavement.
It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus and method for obtaining test cores in a timely and cost effective manner.
It is a further object of invention to provide an apparatus and method of obtaining test cores which can be used with industry standard drill bits for taking core samples from the pavement.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are realized in one embodiment of an apparatus for breaking off cores, comprising a split tube, a handle attached to the top of the split tube, and tightening device for moving confronting ends of the split tube towards each other and away from each other if desired, the tightening device being located on the middle portion of the split tube.
The method of the present invention includes the steps of providing an apparatus for the breaking off of cores, inserting the apparatus to a predetermined depth in a space that has been drilled around a core with industry standard drill bits, tightening the apparatus and using lateral force to break off the core.


A method for controlling a power converter that includes a first cell having an output connected at a first node in parallel with a second cell includes sensing a voltage signal at the first node, defining a current set point associated with the converter, processing the current set point associated with the converter to define a current set point associated with the first cell, sensing a current output by the first cell, controlling the first cell such that the first cell outputs a current substantially similar to the current set point associated with the first cell, processing the current set point associated with the converter to define a current set point associated with the second cell, sensing a current output by the second cell, and controlling the second cell such that the second cell outputs a current substantially similar to the current set point associated with the second cell.

The present invention relates to power converters, and more specifically, to multiphase power converters.
Radio frequency (RF) system performance requirements are placing tighter noise voltage requirements on the converters that supply power to the RF systems. The noise voltage output from a converter ultimately is imposed on the phase noise of the RF system. For power requirements up to, for example, 2 kW, previous systems often used a single converter. The passive components (inductors and capacitors) of the single converter were large in size and have large parasitic elements. The active devices switch slower as they become larger in order to manage the large parasitics that contribute to the noise voltage. The single converter system is less fault tolerant because the single converter offers a single point of failure.
Multiphase power converters offer a number of advantages over the use of a single converter. In this regard, the use of a plurality of converter cells that are modulated allows the use of smaller passive and active components in each cell as compared to the sizes of the active and passive components for a similarly rated single converter system. Though low pass filters may be used to reduce output noise voltage from a multiphase power converter, the additional components used in a low pass filter reduce efficiency and consume valuable space. Though dither techniques may increase effective pulse width modulated (PWM), dither techniques fail to address reduction in control resolution in multiphase applications.
Multiphase power converters (converters) include two or more interleaved converters or cells that are connected to output a summation of the cell outputs. The cells operate at a common frequency (f) and the phases of the outputs of each of the cells are shifted by control logic. In this regard, for n number of cells, the control logic controls the switching time of each cell to induce a difference in phase angle between the outputs of each cell of 360°/n. The cell outputs are connected in parallel. The output of the converter has an output ripple frequency of n×f.
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art example of a multiphase power converter (converter) 100. The converter 100 includes n number of cells (e.g., 102a, 102b, . . . 102n). Each cell 102 includes a power stage portion 104 that receives a Vin signal, a current sense portion 106 that senses the current output by the power stage portion 104, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 108 that converts the sensed current signal to a digital output, and a current loop compensator 110 that provides a duty cycle signal to the power stage portion 104. The outputs of each of the cells 102 are connected in parallel and output a signal Vout. The Vout signal is converted by another ADC 112 that outputs a digital signal that is biased by a voltage loop compensator portion 114. The voltage loop compensator portion 114 outputs an Iset signal. The current loop compensator portion 110 receives the Iset signal and the signal from the ADC 108 to output the duty cycle signal to the power stage portion 104.


A wireless response device comprises an antenna that receives a question signal, an identification signal generating unit that generates a response signal for a question signal received by the antenna, and that operates passively, and an impedance conversion unit provided between the antenna and the identification signal generating unit, whose impedance changes in response to the state of the environment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless response device and an image forming apparatus and electronic equipment using the wireless response device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Status detection sensors for detecting equipment status are widely used in electronic equipment such as copiers and printers. As status detection sensors, for example, switches that detect status with an electrical short circuit or release, and photo interrupters that detect status by the interruption or transmission of light, are used. Status detection sensors are often used in applications that detect the binary status of whether or not a paper has passed, as in the case of a paper passage sensor, for example. In this case, the electronic equipment performs operating control and status monitoring of the electronic equipment according to the detection results of the paper passage sensor.
JP 2004-32052A discloses a wireless sensor (wireless response device) that detects the open/closed status in an opening/closing portion of a piece of equipment. This wireless sensor detects the open/closed status of the opening/closing portion by changing the state of electromagnetic waves of the equipment by placing the conductor in the vicinity of an antenna. Also, in Non-patent Document 1 (L. Reindl, et. al, Ultrasonics Symposium Proceedings, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), SAW Devices as Wireless Passive Sensors, 1996, p. 363-367) and Non-patent Document 2 (F. Schmidt, et. al, Ultrasonics Symposium Proceedings, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Remote Sensing of Physical Parameters By Means of Passive Surface Acoustic Wave Devices ("ID-Tags"), 1994, p. 589-592), wireless sensors using a so-called SAW-ID (Surface Acoustic Wave Identification) are disclosed.
In status detection sensors such as switches and photo interrupters, power supply and the sending and receiving of signals are ordinarily performed by wire. When using a power line, there is the problem that power is also consumed when the equipment is in standby, or that malfunctions occur due to noise mixing in from the power line. Further, there is the problem that wiring becomes complicated when many status detection sensors are used in one piece of equipment, and many man-hours become necessary during fabrication or maintenance. Also, there is the problem that with connectors using the so-called lead-free materials of recent years, stable propagation of signals is hindered by the deterioration of those materials over time.
In order to address the problems described above, it is conceivable to wirelessly send and receive data signals to and from the status detection sensor. However, it is necessary for ordinary wireless communications equipment to have a battery inside in order to supply power. Thus, there is the problem that considerable labor is needed when exchanging batteries, so the realization of that concept is difficult. Also, as disclosed in JP 2004-32052A, in a system using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), which does not require a battery, a communications blocking antenna for absorbing electromagnetic waves from an RFID reader is brought near or moved away from an RFID chip in order to not allow the RFID chip to operate. This system uses a principle in which the RDIF chip operates when the communications blocking antenna is moved away because electromagnetic waves reach the RFID chip, and the RDIF chip does not operate when the communications blocking antenna is brought near because electromagnetic waves are absorbed by the blocking antenna. However, in order to clearly change signals, a large space is necessary to bring the communications blocking antenna near and move it away. In this manner, the technology disclosed in JP 2004-32052A has the problem that it can not be used as a status detection sensor provided in a small space, such as a paper passage sensor, for example. Also, the wireless sensors disclosed in Non-patent Documents 1 and 2 have the problem that they have a configuration in which they have been specialized into a SAW device, which, in comparison to an RFID chip formed by a semiconductor (see FIG. 11 of Non-patent Document 1, and FIG. 6 of Non-patent Document 2), is disadvantageous for handling a large number of IDs. Further, when using a contact switch, as disclosed in Non-patent Document 2, there is the problem that depending on the arrangement of the SAW reflector, useless noise is generated because chattering occurs. Still further, when a sensor, which functions as a variable impedance, is arranged on a reflector disclosed in Non-patent Document 2, it is necessary to measure changes in amplitude of signals from the reflector. Therefore, a problem arises to apply the technology for a frequency band where an intensity of a signal is limited.

Wireless response device, image forming apparatus, and equipment


A control system (10) according to the present invention includes a robot arm (11) provided in a manner capable of moving in a given space, a motor (14) for operating the robot arm (11), a torque adjustment device (16) for operating in a manner capable of adjusting a transmitted torque that is transmitted from the motor (14) to the robot arm (11), and a control device (19) for performing operation control of the robot arm (11). The robot arm (11) is provided with a gravity-compensating mechanism (12) for cancelling an effect of gravity due to the robot arm (11), and the control device (19) commands adjustment of the transmitted torque at the torque adjustment device (16), without taking into account the effect of the gravity of the robot arm (11).

In an environment where robots and humans coexist, safety measures of the robots for the environment are important. As such safety measures, a compliance function for buffering a collision is necessary for when a robot suddenly collides into a human or an object in an environment while performing a desired operation. As the compliance function, an elastic element such as a spring for mitigating the impact of a collision is typically attached to a robot arm which is a movable part of a robot, for example. However, in the case of using the spring to mitigate an impact, the elasticity of the spring has to be adjusted during operation of the robot, for example, by increasing the cushioning property by weakening the spring at the time of collision, and this may become one factor which makes position control of the robot arm difficult. Moreover, the elastic element such as the spring makes acceleration operation of the robot less speedy, and also, may become a factor for causing vibration at the time of operation of the robot.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a robot including a collision torque buffer mechanism for relieving a force acting on an object or the like when a robot hand collides into another object or the like with an external force of given magnitude or more. With the collision torque buffer mechanism, a connection portion between a robot hand side and a robot arm side is filled with a lubricating agent, and a coupled state between the robot hand side and the robot arm side is maintained due to the viscosity of the lubricating agent even when an external force of certain magnitude is applied to the robot arm side, but when an external force exceeding the external force of certain magnitude is applied, relative rotation between the robot hand side and the robot arm side is allowed to buffer the force that acts on an object at the time of collision.


A sampling circuit and a receiver, with relatively simple configurations, and clocks, exhibiting excellent frequency characteristics, are provided. In discrete time circuits, a charging switch is controlled on and off using one of four-phase control signals. A rotate capacitor shares electrical charge accumulated in an IQ generating circuit via the charging switch. A dump switch is controlled on and off using a different signal from the control signal used to control the charging switch on and off, among the four-phase control signals. A buffer capacitor shares electrical charge with the rotate capacitor via the dump switch to form an output value.

A configuration has been known that performs reception processing by means of direct discrete time sampling of a high-frequency signal with the aim of achieving small size and low power consumption of a receiver and integrating the analog signal processing section and digital signal processing section (see, for example, Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 1).
FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a sampling circuit disclosed in Patent Literature 1. FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing control signals inputted to the circuit shown in FIG. 1. The sampling circuit shown in FIG. 1 performs frequency conversion on a received analog RF signal using a multi-tap direct sampling mixer to obtain a discrete time analog signal. To be more specific, electrical charge transfer between a plurality of capacitors included in the sampling circuit in FIG. 1 realizes filter characteristics resulting in the product of an FIR (finite impulse response) filer and an IIR (infinite impulse response) filter. Characteristics around the passband are determined based on second-order IIR filter characteristics. FIG. 3B shows an example of wideband frequency characteristics (local (LO) frequency fLO=800 MHz). Here, FIG. 3A shows the narrowband frequency characteristic around the passband (800 MHz), in the frequency characteristic shown in FIG. 3B.
Moreover, a configuration in which image rejection can be performed, has been known as a technology based on the above-described configuration (see Patent Literature 2). FIG. 4 shows the whole configuration of a sampling circuit disclosed in Patent Literature 2. FIG. 5 shows an example of frequency characteristics obtained in the circuit shown in FIG. 4 (local (LO) frequency fLO=800 MHz). As shown in FIG. 4, the frequency characteristics are bilaterally asymmetric with respect to the LO frequency and allow image rejection.
Moreover, as a discrete time direct sampling mixer that can realize high-order IIR characteristics, a configuration has been known in which basic multitap direct sampling mixers are arranged in parallel (for example, see Patent Literature 3). FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a discrete time direct sampling mixer disclosed in Patent Literature 3. In addition, FIG. 7 shows clocks supplied to the circuit shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B show examples of frequency characteristics obtained in the circuit shown in FIG. 6 (local (LO) frequency fLO=800 MHz). By supplying clocks as shown in FIG. 7 to the circuit shown in FIG. 6 having appropriate circuit element values, it is possible to set attenuation poles in the bilateral symmetric positions with respect to the LO frequency as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B.


A connector includes a support and an arm. The support is to support a to-be-test workpiece. The arm is rotatably connected to the support and includes a number of probes. Pinheads of the probes faces the support. When the arm is rotated to a predetermined position relative to the support, the pinheads of the probes contacts with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) of the to-be-tested workpiece.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to connectors, and particularly to a connector used for testing actuators of cameras.
2. Description of Related Art
For electrically testing camera actuators, a general connector known in the camera industry is used to connect gold fingers of a flexible printed board (FPC) of the actuator to be tested to a test board. However, for some special actuators, for example, socket type actuators, are manufactured so small now that their FPCs are too small to be reliably connected to the test board by the general connector, making reliable testing difficult.


Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may allow for transmitting location information from a mobile station to a base station. The mobile station can determine differential location information (DLI) of the mobile station relative to an absolute location of the mobile station and transmit the DLI to the base station. The base station can receive DLI from the mobile station, the DLI indicating a location of the mobile station relative to an absolute location, and adjust parameters of the mobile station based, at least in part, on the DLI.

Location-based services (LBSs) generally refer to information services accessible with mobile devices through a mobile network, such as those defined by the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standard (IEEE 802.16). An LBS utilizes the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile devices. LBS services include services to identify a location of a person or object, such as discovering the nearest banking cash machine or the whereabouts of a friend or employee. LBS services can also include parcel tracking and vehicle tracking services. Furthermore, LBS can also include personalized weather services and even location-based games.
Due to the popularity and potential of LBSs, demand and usage of location information of a mobile device have been increasing sharply.

Methods and systems of reporting location information through fast-feedback channels in WiMAX system


Structure of an electric power-steering apparatus is achieved that is capable of both preventing damage to a connector 18a that is used for supplying electric power to an electric component, and improving the workability of the work for connecting the connector 18a. The connector 18a is located in a portion that is located below a housing 10a, and is located on the rear side of a worm wheel housing section 48a and below a torque sensor housing section 49a. Moreover, a protective wall section 21 is formed on the bottom surface of the worm wheel housing section 48a and extends downward, and when it is presumed that the electric power-steering apparatus is placed on a flat plane α, the edge on the bottom end of the protective wall section 21 and the bottom end sections of the support bracket 23 come in contact with the flat plant α such that a gap 52 is formed between the flat plane α and the connector 18a.

The use of electric power-steering apparatuses is widely spread as a steering apparatus for applying a steering angle to the steered wheels of an automobile, and that uses an electric motor as a drive source to reduce the steering force. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a conventional electric power-steering apparatus. The directions in the following explanation are all directions when the steering apparatus is assembled in a vehicle.
In the case of the structure illustrated in FIG. 10, a steering shaft 2 is supported by way of a rolling bearing (not illustrated in the figure) on the inside of a cylindrical steering column 1 that is supported by the vehicle body so as to be able to freely rotate. A steering wheel 3 is fastened to the portion on the rear end section of the steering shaft 2 that protrudes from the opening section on the rear end of the steering column 1. The portion on the front end section of the steering shaft 2 that protrudes from the opening on the front end of the steering column 1 is connected to the rear end section of the intermediate shaft 5 by way of a universal joint 4a. Furthermore, the front end section of the intermediate shaft 5 is connected to the input shaft (pinion shaft) 7 of the steering gear unit 6 by way of another universal joint 4b.
As the steering wheel 3 rotates, this rotation is transmitted to the input shaft 7 by way of these members, and pushes and pulls a pair of left and right tie rods 8 by way of the steering gear unit 6, which applies a steering angle to a pair of left and right steered wheels according to the operation amount (steering angle) of the steering wheel 3. Particularly, in the case of the first example of conventional structure, by applying auxiliary power to the steering shaft 2 by an electric motor 9 that is supported on the front end section of the steering column 1, the force necessary for turning the steering wheel 3 is reduced.
FIG. 11 illustrates an example of specific structure of the major parts of an electric power-steering apparatus that is disclosed in JP 9-20252 (A). In the case of this structure, in order for the electric motor 9a to apply an auxiliary force to the steering shaft 2a, a cylindrical transmission shaft 11 is supported inside a housing 10 that is fastened to the front end section of the steering column 1a so as to be able to rotate, and the rear end section of this transmission shaft 11 and the front end section of the steering shaft 2a are connected by way of a torsion bar 12 so as to be able to transmit torque. Moreover, a worm wheel 13 that is fastened to the outer circumferential surface of the middle section of the transmission shaft 11 is made to engage with a worm 15 that is fastened to the output shaft 14 of an electric motor 9a so as to be able to apply auxiliary power from the electric motor 9a to the transmission shaft 11. Furthermore, in order to measure the torque that is applied to the steering shaft 2a, a torque sensor 16 is arranged around the transmission shaft 11. A harness 19 is connected by way of a connector 18 to the circuit board 17 that is connected to this torque sensor 16, and measurement values that indicate the direction and size of the torque that are outputted from this torque sensor 16 are inputted to a controller (ECU) (not illustrated in the figure).
In the case of this structure, the housing 10 is composed of a worm wheel housing section 48, a torque sensor housing section 49, a circuit board housing section 50 and a worm housing section 51. The worm wheel housing section 48 is an approximate circular disk shape that is arranged so as to be concentric with the steering column 1a, and houses the worm wheel 13 on the inside thereof. The torque sensor housing section 49 is provided adjacent to the rear side of the worm wheel housing section 48, and having a smaller diameter than the worm wheel housing section 48, houses the torque sensor 16 on the inside thereof. The circuit board housing section 50 is provided above the torque sensor housing section 49, and houses the circuit board 17 on the inside thereof. Furthermore, the worm housing section 51 has an approximate cylindrical shape that is arranged in a twisted position with respect to the steering shaft 2a, and houses the worm 15 on the inside thereof. The connector 18 is located above the circuit board housing section 50. Moreover, the worm wheel housing section 48 and the torque sensor housing section 49 cover the worm wheel 13 and the torque sensor 16 with minimum volume. Therefore, the outer circumferential surfaces of both the worm wheel housing section 48 and the torque sensor housing section 49 are formed into a circular shape along the shape of the worm wheel 13 and the torque sensor 16.
In the case of this structure, it is possible to control the direction and amount of current flowing through the electric motor 9a (the drive state) based on measurement values from the torque sensor 16, so it is possible to adequately reduce the force necessary for turning the steering wheel 3 (see FIG. 10) that is fastened to the rear end section of the steering shaft 2a. However, before or after the electric power-steering apparatus is assembled in the vehicle, there is the possibility that the following problems may occur.
That is, in the case of this structure, when the electric power-steering apparatus is temporarily placed on the floor or the like before being assembled in the vehicle, there is a possibility that the connector 18 may come in contact with the floor together with the end section of the harness 19. This connector 18 is often made using synthetic resin or the like, so in the case that it comes in contact with the floor, there is a possibility that damage could occur such as part being scratched, or some of the internal wiring could be cut. A unit having this kind of damaged connector 18 must be discarded as a defective unit, so it causes an increase in cost.
Moreover, in the case of this structure, there is a possibility that other parts other than the connector 18 that is used in connecting to the circuit board 17 could be damaged when the electric power-steering apparatus is temporarily placed on the floor or the like. In order to maintain the reliability of electrical supply connectors for supplying electric power to the electric motor 9a for which larger drive electric power is needed compared with the other electric components, often large-capacity connectors are used. Such large connectors when simply placed near the worm wheel housing section 48, due to the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the worm wheel housing section 48 being a circular shape, part of these connectors protrudes from the worm wheel housing 48 and could be easily damaged.
In addition, after the electric power-steering apparatus has been assembled in the vehicle, the connector 18 is placed on the upward side of the housing 10 (top side in FIG. 11), and is arranged in a narrow empty space between the housing 10 and a member on the vehicle side such as a steering support. Furthermore, the work of connecting the harness 19 to the connector 18 is normally performed from the driver seat side, so for the worker performing this connection work, the connector 18 is hidden behind the housing 10. Therefore, performing the work of connecting the harness 19 to the connector 18 after the electric power-steering apparatus has been assembled in the vehicle is inferior in work characteristics, and it causes an increase in cost.
On the other hand, it is feasible to complete the connection work before the electric power-steering apparatus has been assembled in the vehicle. However, when one group of electrical components that are electrically connected by way of a connector is arranged on both the electric power-steering apparatus side and the vehicle side, in order to perform the connection work before assembly, the length of the harness that connects to the connector must be sufficiently longer than the originally required length. Therefore, together with causing costs and weight to increase, the harness gets in the way, and there is a possibility that the ease of performing the work of assembling the electric power-steering apparatus will decrease. Depending on the arrangement of the electrical components, there may be cases wherein performing the connection work in advance before assembling the apparatus in the vehicle could be difficult or disadvantageous.


An advanced monitoring device and an implementation method for a whole-process deformation curve of a surrounding rock during tunnel excavation is disclosed, comprising a steel pipe elastic body, a cathetometer structure and an embedded optical fiber, and an implementation step; the cathetometer is an equidistant series structure, and fixed in the steel pipe; the embedded optical fiber is encapsulated in the surface slot of the steel pipe; the cathetometer and the embedded optical fiber and the steel pipe form a deformation coordination structure, and the deformation of the surrounding rock can be deduced by calculating the variation of the cathetometer and the deformation of the optical fiber. The invention can test and calculate the deformation curve of the surrounding rock in front of the excavation face during tunnel excavation, and provide support for engineering dynamic design, construction and safety.

Tunnel project is generally of large scale and has complicated engineering, geological conditions. During the excavation of the rock mass, the surrounding rock mass (surrounding rock) is deformed due to stress re-adjustment. The stability of surrounding rock is affected by many factors. The engineering practice shows that the deformation of tunnel surrounding rock during construction has an important reference role in the stability evaluation of tunnel surrounding rock and the selection of supportive parameters of the cavern.
At present, the monitoring of tunnel deformation mainly focuses on the displacement of rock mass, convergence and settlement, etc. The measuring instruments used mainly comprise conventional measuring apparatus such as level, theodolite and total station, as well as photogrammetric apparatus. The measurement accuracy is high, but the following shortcomings exist: (1) they are point type measurement, the layout of point is random, although the increase of the number of measuring points can improve the reliability, it will greatly increase the cost, and the arrangement of the measuring points is greatly affected by the construction organization in the tunnel; (2) the object of the measurement is the deformation of the internal tunnel wall of the tunnel, which does not reflect the deformation of the interior of the surrounding rock; (3) the measurement is directed only to the excavated section, and the deformation of the section without excavation and during excavation before excavation of the face cannot be monitored, the measured value is not the magnitude of the entire deformation stage of the surrounding rock, and cannot reflect the true deformation feature of the surrounding rock which is particularly important in the analysis and evaluation of surrounding rock stability and cavern supportive design.
Therefore, it is an urgent problem to design and study a device that can continuously measure the whole-process deformation of the surrounding rock before and after the excavation of the tunnel face.

Advanced monitoring device for whole-process deformation curve of surrounding rock of tunnel excavation and implementation method thereof


The invention provides a printed circuit board (10) including a first electrically conductive track (210), wherein the printed circuit board (10) comprises a set (15) of two printed circuit board areas (100) both comprising a part of the first electrically conductive track (210), wherein printed circuit board (10) further comprises a perforation line (300) between the two printed circuit board areas (100) for customizing the printed circuit board (10) into two physically separated printed circuit board area comprising parts (1100), wherein the perforation line (300) is configured as a non-straight line, wherein the perforation line (300) comprises relative to one of the printed circuit board areas (100), and in a plane of the printed circuit board (10), a first projecting part (311) and a first recessed part (312), wherein the first recessed part (312) is recessed relative to the first projecting part (311), wherein the first electrically conductive track (210) is intercepted by the perforation line (300) at the first recessed part (312).

The use of perforated printed circuit boards (PCBs) is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,431, for instance, describes a pallet which is made up of a number of printed circuit boards, the boards being perforated at their interconnected edges whereby each printed circuit board can be easily snapped apart at a selected stage of assembly. In an embodiment, the printed circuit board sections are connected in groups of three, four or more to form a pallet. These printed circuit board sections will all be identically processed to form the same calculator circuit when the assembly procedure is completed. However, for accuracy of assembly, increasing the speed, and making assembly more convenient the four sections comprising printed circuit boards are simultaneously carried as an interconnected unit through the successive stations of assembly. It should be noted that the pallet has perforated sections which permit each printed circuit board section to be snapped apart one from the other along the perforations and there is an occasional elongated opening so that when the board sections are broken apart there will be formed notches along the edges of the boards which serve as means for locating and connecting the boards within the interior of the casing of the calculator. Thus, the pallet comes preformed with the printed circuitry, the perforations which are the breakage points for the boards and the openings to form the necessary notched areas which serve to locate and secure the printed circuit board in place.


Methods for making gas distribution members for plasma processing apparatuses are provided. The gas distribution members can be electrodes, gas distribution plates, or other members. The methods include fabricating gas injection holes in a gas distribution member by a suitable technique, e.g., a mechanical fabrication technique, measuring gas flow through the gas distribution member, and then adjusting the permeability of the gas distribution member by the same fabrication technique, or by a different technique, e.g., laser drilling. The permeability of the gas distribution member can be adjusted at one or more zones of the member.

Plasma processing apparatuses for processing semiconductor substrates, such as semiconductor wafers, can include a gas distribution member having holes through which gas is flowed into a plasma processing chamber. For example, the gas distribution member can be a showerhead electrode positioned in the chamber to distribute process gas over a surface of a semiconductor substrate being processed in the chamber.

Methods of making gas distribution members for plasma processing apparatuses


Disclosed are DC-52 derivatives represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represents hydrogen or hydroxyl, X represents hydroxyl and Y represents cyano and Z represents carboxyl or hydroxymethyl, or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof. The DC-52 derivatives are useful as antitumor agents.

The present invention relates to DC-52 derivatives.
DC-52 derivatives have an antitumor activity and are useful as antitumor agent.
JP-A-170189/1982 discloses DC-52, which is a compound represented by the formula: ##STR2## and exhibits an antitumor activity against lymphocytic leukemia P388, etc. in addition to an antibacterial activity against various bacteria.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,869 (JP-A-210086/1984) discloses DX-52-1, a derivative of DC-52, having an antitumor activity and represented by the formula: ##STR3## EP-A-283521 (JP-A-88183/1988) discloses a derivative represented by the formula: ##STR4## wherein X represents chlorine, bromine, iodine, hydroxyl, formyl, hydroxyiminomethyl, cyano, nitro, amino or lower alkanoylamino, Y represents hydroxyl and Z represents cyano, or Y and Z are combined together to represent --O-- as --Y--Z--. JP-A-183583/88 discloses a derivative represented by the formula: ##STR5## wherein R represents hydrogen, alkanoyloxy having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, oleoyloxy, linoloyloxy, linolenoyloxy, retinoyloxy, unsubstitued or substitued benzoyloxy in which the substituent is halogen or lower alkoxy, mercapto, alkanoylthio having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, oleoylthio, linoloylthio, linolenoylthio, retinoylthio, unsubstituted or substituted benzoylthio in which the substituent is halogen or lower alkoxy, azido, amino, --NHZ [in which Z is an .alpha.-amino acid residue (wherein the OH of carboxyl of the .alpha.-amino acid is removed and the amino and/or carboxyl when it is present may be protected by their protective groups conventionally used in the peptide synthetic chemistry), pyruvoyl, citroyl or acetyl], cyano or halogen, and X represents cyano or hydroxyl. EP-A-262984 discloses a compound represented by the formula: ##STR6## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represents hydrogen, lower alkoxy, azido, amino, lower alkylamino, dilower alkylamino, cyclic amino, lower alkylthio, or unsubstituted or substituted arylthio, X represents hydroxyl and Y represents cyano, or X and Y are combined together to represent --0-- as --X--Y--.


In a power conditioner, a DC-DC converter outputs an output of a first power source for which reverse power flow is permitted to a DC supply line, and a bidirectional DC-DC converter discharges an output of a second power source for which reverse power flow is not permitted to the DC supply line and, on the other hand, charges power of the DC supply line to the second power source. A DC-AC inverter converts DC power of the DC supply line to AC power and outputs the converted power to outside. When a power consumption of a load exceeds a rated output of the DC-AC inverter and a power generation amount of the first power source exceeds the rated output of the DC-AC inverter, a portion of surplus power of the first power source is charged to the second power source.

The present disclosure relates to power conditioners or the like used for solar power generation systems which include a storage battery.
In recent years, for solar power generation systems, oversizing in which an output capacity of a solar battery is set larger than an inverter output of a power conditioner (PCS: Power Conditioning System) to maximize a power generation amount has been commonly used. In this oversizing, when conditions of solar radiation are good and the solar battery generates power of a rated output of PCS or larger power, surplus power generated by the solar battery is wastefully abandoned. Note that oversizing includes a case where an output of an inverter is limited by output control based on the primary power supply rules, or the like, and the power generation amount of the solar battery is larger than an output limiting value of an inverter.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-98952, a storage system that is provided in a solar power generation system and includes a storage battery configured to store DC power of a solar battery, a converter that converts the DC power of the solar battery to charge the converted power to the storage battery, and a switch that discharges the DC power stored in the storage battery is described. In this configuration, only surplus power of the solar battery is charged to the storage battery, and storage battery discharge can be performed in a time period, such as a night period or the like, in which the solar battery cannot generate power.


A computation unit locates data of a first component in a first circuit, as well as data of a second component in the second circuit. The computation unit then obtains data of a first portion of the first circuit by tracing wiring lines from component to component in the first circuit, with the first component as the start point. Similarly the computation unit obtains data of a second portion of the second circuit by tracing wiring lines from component to component in the second circuit, with the second component as the start point. The computation unit outputs data indicating differences between the first portion and second portion, based on the obtained data of the first portion and the obtained data of the second portion.

Electronic circuits are designed with the aid of an information processing apparatus. Generally a circuit is made up of a variety of elements, which include integrated circuits (IC), resistors, capacitors, and other electronic components. Also included are terminals for power supply and ground connections. These components are interconnected by wiring lines so that the circuit as a whole will provide particular intended functions.
Computer-aided design (CAD) is one of the tools that assist in the creation of a circuit design. CAD software running on a computer offers a graphical user interface (GUI) dedicated for circuit design. For example, the design engineer places component symbols and draws wiring lines to connect them in a GUI window on the display device.
The connections of components in a circuit may be managed by using net identifiers (net ID) assigned to each pin of components. When two or more pins have the same net ID, it means that they are wired together. The designer sometimes needs to check differences between two circuits. One proposed method achieves this by identifying each pair of corresponding pins in master and slave circuits and, with those pins, matching net IDs in the slave circuit with those in the master circuit one by one. If some net IDs remain with no counterparts, then each of these net IDs indicates a difference between the two circuits. See, for example, the following documents:
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 7-239870
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-009574
The above-noted method compares two circuits in their entirety, meaning that the matching process searches even unnecessary part of the circuits. This extraneous processing could be a drawback in some cases, such as when an existing circuit is imported to the circuit under development. The design engineer may need to check the imported portion as to what is different between the existing circuit and the circuit under development. However, the processing of a whole-to-whole comparison extends over the circuit section that is unrelated to the imported circuit, thus leading to increased processing costs. Such extraneous comparison would also result in detection of extraneous differences, making it difficult to figure out which differences are really relevant.

Information processing apparatus and design verification method


Disclosed is a method, apparatus, and kit for assisting the expansion of a self-expanding stent, especially within highly curved or tortuous blood vessels. An elongated pusher having an expandable distal mesh portion can be positioned within a self-expanding stent, expanding during delivery to provide extra expansion force to the stent to ensure the stent properly expands.

Typically, stents are tubular devices that are delivered into a patient's vascular system via a catheter or similar delivery device. Stents can be used to treat a variety of different conditions, including stenosis and aneurysms. When used to treat stenosis (narrowing of a vessel), the stent is used to press against thrombus and open a vessel to allow normal blood flow. When used to treat aneurysms, low-porosity stents can be used to limit blood flow to a vessel (so-called flow-diversion stents) to promote clotting of the aneurysm and reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture. Alternatively, the stent can be used as a scaffold to keep other embolic material (such as embolic coils) within the aneurysm.
When a stent is deployed in a generally linear portion of a vessel, stent delivery is typically straightforward. For example, a distal end of a delivery catheter is advance near a desired delivery location and the outer sheath is withdrawn, allowing the stent to expand within the vessel. Even in these linear vessel situations though, stent delivery can still be challenging due to variables such as the size of the stent, size of the delivery catheter, and size of the vessel. Often, when the stent must be deployed at or near a tortuous or heavily curved portion of a vessel, a self-expanding stent may have difficulty properly deploying. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a self-expanding stent 12 (e.g., such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,439,791, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) being deployed in a heavily curved portion of a vessel 10. While the catheter 14 releases the stent 12, it forms a flat or collapsed portion 12A against the outer curved surface of the vessel 10. FIG. 2 illustrates a second flat or collapsed portion 12A formed against the outer surface of a second curve of the vessel 10 as the stent 12 is further expanded. When collapsed portions 12A occur, the physician's only alternative is to attempt to rotate the catheter 14 and/or partially retract and re-deploy the stent 12.

Methods for delivering and using a stent


Disclosed are systems and methods for managing a browser cache offline. An example method comprises storing in a cache of a web browser on a user device information about a plurality of contents of a web page visited by a user during one or more web browsing sessions; determining logical relationships among the plurality of the contents of the web page; associating the plurality of contents of the web page with a cluster based on the determined logical relationships; receiving a request to load a web page from the web browser on the user device; upon detecting that the user device is offline, determining and detecting that the requested web page is stored in the cache and is associated with a cluster, and retrieving from the cache for off-line browsing on the user device the plurality of contents of the requested web page associated with the identified cluster.

World Wide Web (WWW) generally comprises a multitude of computer servers having respective databases and a network by which client computing devices can communicate with the computer servers and request and load data. The client device typically uses a "web browser" program to request data, such as web pages, from remote computer servers. Whenever a web browser associated with a client device requests a web page, either by a user specifying a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or selecting a link in another web page, the web browser locates the server that stores the requested web page and loads the web page into the client device in the form of a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) file. The HTML file may comprise a specification of each component of the web page, such as HTML or Java code, text, graphics, embedded multimedia, links to other web page, etc. Web pages received by the browser may be stored or cached in a memory of the client device and displayed to the user.
Caching of web pages on the client device has number of advantages. It improves an overall access speed to the web page at the client device, because the browser may access the data associated with the web page directly from the client device (e.g., a browser cache), rather than re-requesting the page data from the server. In addition, caching of web pages may allow a user to repeatedly view information within a period of time without retrieving the web pages from the server each time. Moreover, caching of web pages allows an off-line viewing of the cached web pages by the user when a network connection to the server is not available.
Offline browsing of locally saved copies of web pages that have previously been downloaded while in the online state may be useful when the client device is offline or connection to the Internet is unavailable or very slow. Generally, the web pages are downloaded implicitly into a web browser cache as a result of prior online browsing by the user. Alternatively, the web pages may be downloaded into the browser cache explicitly by a web browser configured to keep local copies of certain web pages, which are updated when the web browser is in the online state, either by updating the local copies at regular intervals or by updating the local copies whenever the web browser is switched to the online state. For example, wireless communications devices such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants, handheld computers may provide a user with services such as stock trading, buying or selling goods, and getting sports or flight information. However, the user may not be able to obtain a network connection due to the user being outside a service area of the communications provider's network, being inside a building blocking the transmission and receipt of radio waves, or being out of the range of a relay device that relays information received from the device to the communications provider's network. Using a web browser that is capable of being explicitly configured to download web pages for offline browsing such as the Internet Explorer, the user may be able to bookmark certain web pages (e.g., adding these web pages to a "Favorites" list) for offline browsing to avoid costs, delays and network access problems associated with online or live browsing.
When web pages are bookmarked and saved for offline browsing, the web browser may download to the browser cache copies both the marked web page and, optionally, the associated web contents including hyperlinks with reference to various code, text, graphics, multimedia, etc. However, when the user wishes to browse a web page which was previously visited and saved in the browser cache, it is uncertain whether the saved information of the web page includes all of the associated web page contents and whether linked web contents can be retrieved accurately in a timely manner. For example, due to modified or deleted web content, an error message may be displayed when the hyperlink which points to the web content is selected. It will become increasingly problematic as to the integrity of the saved web page contents of one or more specific web pages for offline browsing when various linked web contents developed by uncoordinated and undisciplined data sources grow, evolve and are subsequently saved and modified in the browser cache over time. It is, therefore, desirable to facilitate effective logical organization and management of a web browser cache, such that the cache may efficiently maintain various linked web page contents for offline browsing.

Managing web browser cache for offline browsing


The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a metal foil laminated plate comprising the step of forming and attaching a resin porous layer onto a metal foil by a wet coagulating method, wherein a metal foil including a conductive bump having an almost equal height on a film forming side surface is used. The present invention provides a metal foil laminated plate comprising a metal foil including a conductive bump having an almost equal height and a resin porous layer laminated integrally, the conductive bump being exposed. The present invention provides another metal foil laminated plate comprising a metal foil including a conductive bump having an almost equal height, a resin porous layer laminated integrally, and a thermosetting resin impregnated in a hole of the resin porous layer, in which the conductive bump is exposed from the resin porous layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal foil laminated plate comprising the step of forming and sticking a resin porous layer on to a metal foil having a conductive bump and to a metal foil laminated plate obtained by the manufacturing method and is useful for a technique for conductively connecting the wiring layers of a multiplayer wiring board.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an increase in the density of a wiring board has been required with a reduction in the size and weight of electronic equipment. Correspondingly, the multilayer structure of a wiring layer has been enhanced. As such a structure of the multilayer wiring board, generally, an insulating layer and a wiring layer having a pattern formed thereon are sequentially laminated and the wiring layer is conductively connected through an inner via hole. As the conductive connecting method, there have been known a method of plating the inner peripheral surface of a via hole, a method of plating the internal space of the via hole to form a metal column, a method of filling a conductive paste in the internal space of the via hole, and the like.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-268345, particularly, attention has been paid, in respect of the reliability of an inter layer connection, to a method comprising the steps of forming a through hole on a prepreg having a releasing film on at least one of surfaces of a prepreg base material, filling a conductive paste in the through hole, separating the releasing film, laminating a metal foil on a surface from which the releasing film is separated, and heating and pressurizing to form the laminated product.
In the method of carrying out metal plating or filling a conductive paste after the formation of the via hole, however, there is a tendency that a laser processing is required or the steps are complicated.
On the other hand, there has been known a technique for utilizing a resin porous film as the insulating layer of a multilayer wiring board in order to reduce a dielectric constant. Moreover, there has been known a prepreg for a wiring board impregnated with the half cured thermosetting resin in the hole of the resin porous film. In such cases, however, a connecting structure for conductively connecting wiring layers is formed separately from the formation of the resin porous layer.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a metal foil laminated plate in which opening the via holes is not required and a connecting structure for conductively connecting wiring layers is obtained at a simple step and a metal foil laminated plate which is obtained by the manufacturing method.
The object can be attained by the present invention in the following manner.
More specifically, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing a metal foil laminated plate comprising the step of forming and attaching a resin porous layer onto a metal foil by a wet coagulating method, wherein a metal foil including a conductive bump having an almost equal height on a film forming side surface is used. According to the manufacturing method of the present invention, a metal foil including a conductive bump having an almost equal height on a film forming side surface is used as a metal foil for forming and attaching a resin porous film by a wet coagulating method. Therefore, it is possible to form the conductive connecting structure for wiring layers simultaneously with the formation of the resin porous layer. Accordingly, the hole-opening step is not required and a connecting structure for conductively connecting the wiring layers can be obtained at a simple step.
It is preferable that an amount of application of a film forming solution should be regulated such that the height of the surface of a resin porous layer after the film formation is almost equal to that of the conductive bump. In this case, the conductive bump can be easily exposed to a surface, and furthermore, the resin porous layer can be prevented from being lower than the conductive bump to generate concavo-convex portions.
On the other hand, the present invention provides a metal foil laminated plate comprising a metal foil including a conductive bump having an almost equal height and a resin porous layer laminated integrally, the conductive bump being exposed. According to the metal foil laminated plate of the present invention, the wiring layers can be conductively connected by the conductive bump, and furthermore, the resin porous layer has the function of insulating the wiring layers. Moreover, it is possible to reduce a dielectric constant and a dielectric loss by the resin porous layer.
Further, another metal foil laminated plate of the present invention provides a metal foil laminated plate comprising a metal foil including a conductive bump having an almost equal height, a resin porous layer laminated integrally, and a thermosetting resin impregnated in a hole of the resin porous layer, the conductive bump being exposed from the resin porous layer.
According to another metal foil laminated plate of the present invention, the wiring layers can be conductively connected by the conductive bump. In addition, the metal foil laminated plate according to the present invention can be sequentially bonded and laminated by a thermosetting resin impregnated in the hole of the resin porous layer. Consequently, it is possible to easily manufacture a multilayer wiring board.

Metal foil laminated plate and method of manufacturing the same