The invention concerns a method and a device for crimping a stent onto a balloon of a balloon catheter. The stent is arranged on the balloon so that an outside surface of the balloon and an inside surface of the stent contact each other to form a combination of balloon and stent. The combination is compressed to crimp the stent onto the balloon. The invention is distinguished in that the combination is compressed to varying degrees along the longitudinal axis of the combination.

The invention concerns a method and a device for crimping a stent onto a balloon of a balloon catheter, wherein the stent is arranged on the balloon in such a way that the outside surface of the balloon and the inside surface of the stent are in contact with each other in order to form a combination of balloon and stent, the combination being compressed to crimp the stent onto the balloon.
Methods and devices of this kind are known in the prior art. They serve to produce a combination comprising the balloon of a balloon catheter and a stent which is crimped on the balloon. That makes it possible to move the stent of reduced outside diameter at its desired position on the balloon by means of the catheter into the region of the stenosis to be dilated, and at the same time to hold the stent on the balloon in fixed relationship.
In the methods and devices known in the prior art, the stent, for crimping on the balloon, is compressed by radially inwardly acting forces until it is carried fixedly on the balloon, but can still be deployed by inflation of the balloon in order to be fitted into the internal vessel wall of a stenosis in order to support it. Such a method and a device are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,952, to Davis (Nov. 18, 1998).
One disadvantage with the prior methods and devices is that the edges of the stents can stick out, or can be bent out, when the stent has to be passed in part through tight narrow vessel curvatures when the combination is inserted through the vessels of the body to the stenosis. When this occurs with regard to segmented stents, it is referred to as the xe2x80x9cfish scalingxe2x80x9d effect, and it results in damage to the internal walls of the corresponding vessels or in the stent coming into hooking engagement with the vessel wall and possibly being displaced on or being caused to slip off the catheter balloon, which can result in deposits or ruptures of the vessels.
Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a combination of stent and balloon or a method and a device for crimping a stent on a balloon, which avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages and which securely bring the stent to its implantation location.
In accordance with the invention that object is attained by a method, a crimping device and a combinations as set forth in the accompanying claims.
The advantages of the present invention are in particular that the fish scaling effect can be avoided or reduced by the fact that the two axial ends of the stent are bent inwardly. As a result, in particular the edges of segments of the stent, which are arranged in succession in the axial direction of the stent, bear against the balloon, even in the procedure for inserting a catheter carrying the combination through narrow winding vessels. The risk of damage to the internal vessel wall is thus reduced, like also the thrust force required for inserting such a balloon catheter or such a combination. In addition, it is also advantageous that the invention provides that the adhesion between the stent and the balloon is increased so as to prevent the stent from inadvertently sliding off the balloon upon insertion of the combination into the vessel in the body.
Advantageous embodiments of the method and the device according to the invention use rollers or plates which are at an alternately increasing and decreasing spacing relative to each so that a combination of stent and balloon which is clamped and compressed between the rollers or plates is crimped to differing degrees along the longitudinal axis of the combination.
The invention can be carried into effect in a particularly advantageous manner by the rollers or plates being provided with a corrugated surface. If now a combination of stent and balloon is forced through between rollers of that kind, the stent is crimped onto the balloon more strongly by the crests of the corrugation than by the troughs of the corrugation. The same applies in regard to compression by means of two plates arranged in parallel relationship. In that case the mutually facing surfaces of the plates are also corrugated in a wave-like configuration in a regular sequence. For the purposes of crimping the stents the two plates are moved towards each other at the same time displaced uniformly relative to each, whereby the combination of stent and balloon is compressed and thus the stent is crimped onto the balloon.
As an alternative it is also possible to use special profiled rollers in 2-, 3- or multi-point rolling devices, straight as well as inclined, to produce the crimping effect. As a further alternative for the invention it is possible to use collet chuck devices with a specially shaped internal clamping liner or also dies which are shaped according to the desired crimping profile. Finally it is also possible to provide for irregular crimping in accordance with the invention with the stent being locally enclosed with aperture-like shutter members.
A further advantageous embodiment of the crimping device according to the invention is distinguished in that for the crimping operation the stent-catheter combination is positioned in an entry nip or pinch between a first roller and a second roller which is arranged in adjacent parallel relationship with the first roller, and there is compressed in the entry nip by means of a third roller arranged in substantially parallel relationship with the other two rollers, at least one of the roller being provided with a corrugated surface. For that purpose, the third roller is preferably driven in rotation about its longitudinal axis. In a preferred embodiment the first and second rollers are supported rigidly while the third roller is mounted pivotably about the first roller by means of a lever connecting the first and third rollers so that in that way the stent-catheter combination positioned in the entry nip between the first and second rollers is compressed and thus crimped in the entry nip by pivotal movement of the lever and the third roller.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the appendant claims.

Biotronik Mess- und Therapiegeraete GmbH and Co. Ingenieurbuero Berlin


Example session management methods and apparatus are described. One example method includes allocating a first IP address and a first user plane network element to a terminal by a session management network element. The first user plane network element allocated to the terminal supports the first IP address.

In a core network, one user plane function (user plane function, UPF) network element may be managed by one or more session management function (session management function, SMF) network elements, and one SMF network element may manage one or more UPF network elements. For one UPF network element, all IP addresses supported by an SMF network element that manages the UPF network element may be allocated to the UPF network element. It may also be understood as that IP addresses supported by the UPF network element are all internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) addresses supported by the SMF network element that manages the UPF network element.
Currently, in some specific scenarios, for example, for an enterprise network, a dedicated UPF network element is deployed in the enterprise network. Because the enterprise network opens a connection only to a specific user, and a quantity of users is usually relatively small, IP addresses that can be allocated by the dedicated UPF network element to user sessions are limited. In other words, IP addresses supported by the dedicated UPF network element are limited. Generally, the IP addresses supported by the dedicated UPF network element are some of IP addresses supported by an SMF network element that manages the dedicated UPF network element. If the SMF randomly allocates an IP address to the user, a data network of the enterprise network cannot provide a service for the user.


An audible alert device and method of playing an audible message. The audible alert device includes a motion sensor, a speaker, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to store an audible message, determine whether an activating condition is met in which the activating condition is based on a directionality of movement of the person relative to the motion sensor, and play a corresponding audible message when the activating condition has been met.

In a variety of applications, motion sensors are used to detect movement and then play a sound. In particular, passive infrared sensors are generally known in the art for detecting the movement of people. This technology can apply in workplace receptions, to toys and other props, and to security applications among many others. Devices with motion sensors and a speaker can be situated in the vicinity of locations where people generally pass by, and the device will play a sound or message when the device detects any movement in the vicinity.


There is provided a method of preparing nanoparticles and novel nanoparticles. The nanoparticle preparation comprises the generation of a mixture comprising a plurality of metal-containing compounds and a copolymer of a polyethylene glycol and an amine-containing polyamino acid such as polylysine where a metal core and polymer shell nanoparticle is formed. The novel nanoparticles have a metallic core and a graft copolymer shell of polyethylene glycol and an amine-containing polyamino acid where the shell least partially surrounds the metallic core and is non-ionically bound to the metallic core via metal-amine bonds.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs), commonly known as colloidal gold, find an increasing number of potential biomedical applications, both in diagnostics and therapy of disease. The unique opto-electrical properties of GNPs, which can be defined by the presence of metallic cores and surface plasmons, have promoted wide use of GNPs in diagnostics. The spectral changes resulting from the particle size change or particle aggregation of the GNPs can be useful in designing systems for molecular recognition of biomolecules. In some applications, GNPs can be used as individual nano-sensors. Such nano-sensors can rely on binding of molecules to the GNPs surfaces and resultant plasmonic interactions for sensing changes in the environment.
However, there are significant problems with GNPs. Gold is not bio-inert, and mild-to-severe nephrotoxicity of gold-containing preparations have been found in various animals in the past. Bare GNPs present in a solution are typically unstable and will aggregate and precipitate out of the solution. Gold and silver/gold nanoparticles form stable colloidal suspensions in water only in the presence of a special stabilizer or a stabilizer with reducing properties that can be added during the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. The most commonly used stabilizer/reducer is sodium citrate. Such colloidal suspensions collapse at high nanoparticle concentrations in the presence of sodium citrate. To prevent such colloidal solutions from becoming unstable, polymers (linear, diblock, triblock, or dendrimeric) have been used to coat the already-formed nanoparticles. The precursor metallic nanoparticles are usually obtained by using sodium citrate (Turkevich's method), which acts as a reducing/capping reagent. Another method for producing metallic nanoparticles (Martin's method, as well as similar but more complex Brust's methods) requires the use of sodium borohydride as a reducer and 1-dodecanethiol as a stabilizer. In the latter case, extraction into organic phase is required. However, the need in a long-chain aliphatic thiol stabilizer severely limits the ability to add new or several functionalities to the surface of the nanoparticles. Additionally, the use of such compounds can require an additional derivatization step in the synthesis of the GNPs.
It is generally believed that a combination of small particle size and a protective layer on the surface of GNPs improves their biocompatibility. The latter is usually provided by adsorbing and/or chemically orienting polymers [23] on the surface of nanoparticles generating a layer that is sterically and chemically protective. There are prior water-based GNP synthesis strategies that utilize a combination of reducing/gold colloid capping polymers leading to GNP preparations of various diameters, and a variety of surface properties [24]. Of these polymers, very few provide a stable and relatively biologically inert coating, which is required for the GNPs to escape recognition and sequestration by macrophages [25]. A high molecular weight deacetylated chitosan has been recently suggested as a potential replacement for more commonly used protective polymer PEG-thiol [26, 27]. Though the use of the latter does result in stabilized and relatively biologically inert nanoparticles [28], unlike chistosan, PEG-coated GNPs are unstable in the presence of reduced glutathione [27, 29]. However, unlike chitosan, [30-32] methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) does not bind, nor does it activate, complement components unless terminal hydroxyl is exposed on PEG chains [33].
Thus, novel nanoparticles and methods of preparing such nanoparticles that overcome these and other problems associated with conventional nanoparticles and synthesis methods are needed.

Graft-copolymer stabilized metal nanoparticles


A mute for a horn-type musical instrument is disclosed. The mute comprises a resonating dish which has an opening therein to permit air flow through the dish and a slit extending from the opening to facilitate resonance of the dish. The dish is adapted to fit over the outside of the bell of the instrument on the bell wire by adjustable fitting means. The mute changes the timbre of the sound generated by the instrument, yet maintains the majority of the volume of sound prior to placement of the mute onto the bell.

The invention of this application relates to a mute for use with horn-type instruments. More particularly, this invention relates to a mute which changes the timbre of the sound generated by horn-type instruments yet maintains the majority of the presence or volume of the sound present prior to the placement of the mute onto the instrument.
A mute is a device that deadens, dampens or changes the color of the sound generated by a musical instrument such as a horn instrument. Typically, a mute is either fit into the bell of the instrument by means of corks that stick to the inside of the bell or can be clipped around the bell. Alternatively, the player of the instrument may play into a reflective or absorbent material set on a stand in order to achieve a muting effect.
The use of mutes stems from brass instrument players using their hands in the bell of the instrument to help change the pitch of the instrument. Since early brass instruments had no valves, and had a limited number of pitches available, using the hand in the bell could change the pitch. However, the hand was not used to change the color of the sound. Not until the 1830's when Berlioz actually indicated the use of mutes in the music did such use specifically change the color of the sound. Mutes used for such purpose were primarily wooden cone-shaped devices that were either held in the bell or had corks that stuck them in the bell.
In the 1920's, mutes were first used to radically alter the timbre of the sound. Typical of such mutes was the standard wooden cone-shaped mute commonly called a "straight mute." The French "Bol mute" or cup mute added a cup, facing back towards the bell, giving a cupped sound. The "Hamon mute" gives a metallic buzzing sound and its timbre may be adjusted by means of a moveable metal stem in the front. Other typically utilized mutes are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,644,272, 1,741,835, 2,657,609, 3,016,782, 3,299,764 and 3,429,215. None of these mutes have or had a resonating body having an opening and a slit therein to permit air flow through and resonance of the mute.
Heretofore, all mutes have either deadened, dampened or changed the color or timbre of the sound of the instrument in which they are used but also greatly reduced the volume of the sound. The invention disclosed herein comprises a mute which changes the timbre of the sound generated by an instrument yet maintains the majority of the presence or volume of the sound.


The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heating element from a flat metal foil blank in which strips (1) are formed whose ends (2) are interconnected by connecting portions (3, 4) with alternate connecting portions disposed at opposite ends of the strips so as to form a meandering pattern and to a heating appliance incorporating such a heating element. In order to make such a foil heating element suitable for use in appliances in which an air stream to be heated passes over the foil heating element the connecting portions (3, 4) are bent in such a way that the strips (1) are tilted out of the plane of the foil blank. Preferably the strips are disposed an an angle .alpha. between 45.degree. and 90.degree. relative to the plane.

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a heating element from a flat metal foil blank in which strips are formed, the ends of the strips being interconnected by connecting portions with alternate connecting portions disposed at opposite ends of the strips so as to form a meandering pattern and to a heating appliance incorporating such a heating element.
Such a method is generally known. The thin flat heating element thus obtained, also referred to as a foil heating element, is employed in, for example, cookers and electrical irons.

Heating element conveniently formed from flat blank


Disclosed herein is a device that includes a capacitor, a pumping circuit supplying a pumping signal changed between first and second potential to a first electrode of the capacitor, and an output circuit precharging a second electrode of the capacitor to a third potential different from the first and second potentials. The second electrode of the capacitor is thereby changed from the third potential to a fourth potential higher than the third potential when the pumping signal is changed from the first potential to the second potential.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and an information processing apparatus including the same, and more particularly relates to a semiconductor device that generates an internal power potential stepped up by a charge pump operation and an information processing apparatus including the same.
2. Description of Related Art
In most semiconductor devices, an internal voltage is used which is different from an external voltage supplied from the outside. In this case, an internal-voltage generation circuit that generates the internal voltage different from the external voltage is provided in the semiconductor device. For example, when an internal voltage to be generated is higher than an external voltage, the internal-voltage generation circuit steps up the external voltage to generate the internal voltage.
In recent years, an effort to lower the external voltage has been made in order to reduce current consumption. Meanwhile, because some circuit blocks in the semiconductor device require a high internal voltage that is difficult to be lowered, a step-up level by the internal-voltage generation circuit is likely to increase. To obtain the high internal voltage, it is necessary to step up the external voltage three or more times by using a plurality of pumping circuits. This causes a problem that a circuit dimension of the internal-voltage generation circuit is increased.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-319011 discloses a semiconductor device in which a dedicated external power-supply terminal is provided in a step-up power-supply circuit. A dedicated external voltage VDD3 is supplied to the external power-supply terminal, which is different from external voltages VDDM and VDDL that are supplied to a memory circuit and a logic circuit.
In the semiconductor device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-319011, because a charge pump operation is performed by using the dedicated external voltage VDD3, efficient step-up can be performed. However, in the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-319011, both an amplitude of a clock signal supplied to one of electrodes of a capacitor and a voltage for pre-charging the other electrode of the capacitor are the same as the dedicated external voltage VDD3, and accordingly a level of a generated step-up voltage VPP is theoretically two times the external voltage VDD3. Therefore, when the external voltage VDD3 has a level close to the level of the step-up voltage VPP, the step-up level becomes too high, so that not only it is hard to perform a stable charge pump operation but also it causes a problem of increasing the current consumption.

Semiconductor device having charge pump circuit and information processing apparatus including the same


The structure is tree-like, having a tubular cruciform base, a vertical section and a plurality of tiers of limb-like structure, comprising a top tier, a bottom tier and at least one intermediate tier. The basic structure comprises one straight vertical tube and four bent tubular elements. The four elements each have a horizontal portion which is part of the cruciform base, a vertical portion which is part of the vertical section and an arched top which is part of the top tier of limb-like structures. The tubular elements are integrated by spacers and clamps. The clamps also retain tubular sockets which hold the tubular limb-like structures of the bottom and intermediate tiers. A swivelled snap hook is attached to the free end of each limb-like structure to support a hanging plant.

1. Field
The subject invention is in the field of structure for supporting clothes, displays, plants and the like, particularly foldable structure. More particularly it is in the field of such structure for supporting a plurality of potted plants. Still more particularly it is in the field of such structure which resembles a tree, having a trunk and limbs.
2. Prior Art
The patents listed below comprise the patented prior art known to the inventor.
______________________________________ *1,073,763 3,708,144 1,357,250 3,786,766 *1,243,173 3,908,564 *1,794,076 3,955,787 4,582,282 ______________________________________
The asterisked patents are considered to be the known patented prior art closest to the subject invention, all showing structures resembling trees in that they have elements representing trunks and limbs and in that two of the structures are collapsible to a degree. However, none are particularly adapted to support hanging plants as well as being foldable into a flat configuration involving no loose parts. Accordingly, the prime objective of the subject invention is to provide a tree-like structure for supporting hanging plants. A second objective is that the structure be foldable into a flat configuration for convenience and cost savings in shipping and storage. A third objective is that there be no loose parts involved in the folding and unfolding, this feature facilitating the folding and unfolding as well as the shipping and storage. The tree-like configuration is considered important for aesthetic reasons.
A fourth objective is that the structure be easily manufactured from commercially available material and parts with a minimum requirement for specially made parts.

Foldable, tree-like structure for hanging plants


An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes: a lens array having a plurality of lenses; a plurality of image pickup regions (123) disposed to correspond to the plurality of lenses one-to-one and each including a light receiving surface substantially perpendicular to a direction in which an optical axis of the corresponding lens extends; a temperature sensor (126) disposed in the vicinity of the lens array to detect a temperature; a correction coefficient generating portion (142) configured to generate, based on the temperature, correction coefficients including correction coefficients correlated to magnifications of images taken in the image pickup regions; and a correction calculating portion (143, 144) configured to correct, based on the correction coefficients, image pickup signals generated in the image pickup regions and calculate a parallax using the corrected image pickup signals.

One example of a conventional image pickup apparatus capable of measuring distances is an image pickup apparatus of PTL 1. FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the image pickup apparatus of PTL 1. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining an image pickup block of the image pickup apparatus of PTL 1. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, an image pickup apparatus 901 that is a compound-eye image pickup system includes an iris member 902, an optical lens array 903, a light shielding block 904, an optical filter 906, and an image pickup unit 907. In the image pickup apparatus 901, the iris member 902 having four openings 902-1, 902-2, 902-3, and 902-4 and the optical lens array 903 having four optical blocks (lenses) 903-1, 903-2, 903-3, and 903-4 constitute four image pickup optical systems. Light beams having passed through the respective image pickup optical systems form images on four image pickup blocks 907-1, 907-2, 907-3, and 907-4, respectively, on the image pickup unit 907. The image pickup unit 907 constituted by, for example, a CCD sensor is formed on a semiconductor substrate 910 together with a drive circuit 908 configured to drive the image pickup unit 907 and a parallax calculating circuit 909 configured to calculate information regarding parallax among images taken by the plurality of image pickup blocks 907-1 to 907-4.
As described above, the light beams having passed through the openings 902-1 to 902-4 of the iris member 902 are refracted by the lenses 903-1 to 903-4, respectively. Then, the light beams pass through the light shielding block 904 and the optical filter 906 to form images on the image pickup blocks 907-1 to 907-4. Then, for example, a degree of similarity between the image taken by the image pickup block 907-1 and the image taken by the image pickup block 907-2 is calculated using block matching. A parallax d is calculated based on the degree of similarity, and a distance L is calculated based on the parallax d as shown by Formula (1) below. In Formula (1), f is a focal length of each of the lenses 903-1 and 903-2, B is an interval between optical axes of the lenses 903-1 and 903-2, and p is a pixel pitch of the image pickup unit 907 in a direction in which the optical axes of the lens 903-1 and 903-2 are opposite to each other.L=(f*B)/(p*d)   (1)
However, the lens array 903 deforms with changes in temperature, and this changes the interval B between the optical axes of the lenses. Therefore, if the temperature changes, the distance cannot be calculated properly.
An image pickup apparatus capable of dealing with such temperature change is disclosed in PTL 2. Since the image pickup apparatus of PTL 2 is the same in configuration as the image pickup apparatus of PTL 1 except that the image pickup apparatus of PTL 2 includes a temperature sensor, it will be explained in reference to FIG. 24. The image pickup apparatus of PTL 2 includes the lenses 903-1 to 903-4 arranged at regular intervals and a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature T of a portion in the vicinity of the lenses 903-1 to 903-4. The image pickup apparatus of PTL 2 uses the temperature T to correct images I1 to I4 taken by the image pickup blocks 907-1 to 907-4.
More specifically, the image pickup apparatus of PTL 2 calculates an amount (T−T0) of change in temperature with respect to a reference temperature T0, and as shown by Formula (2) below, calculates an amount z of change in the interval B between the optical axes of the lenses due to the temperature change based on a difference (aL−aS) between a linear thermal expansion coefficient aL of the lens array and a linear expansion coefficient aS of the image pickup unit 907. Then, using the image I1 taken by the image pickup block 907-1 as a reference as shown by Formula (3) below, the images 12, 13, and 14 taken by the image pickup blocks 907-2, 907-3, and 907-4, respectively, are corrected by the change in the interval between the optical axes of the lenses as shown by Formulas (4), (5), and (6) below. Here, the lenses 903-1 and 903-2 are arranged away from each other in an x-axis direction, the lenses 903-3 and 903-4 are arranged away from each other in the x-axis direction, the lenses 903-1 and 903-3 are arranged away from each other in a y-axis direction, and the lenses 903-2 and 903-4 are arranged away from each other in the y-axis direction. Then, p is the pixel pitch of the image pickup unit 907, and is the same in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. Each of I1(x, y), I2(x, y), I3(x, y), and I4(x, y) denotes luminance of each image at coordinates (x, y). As compared to the lens 903-1, the lens 903-2 moves by z/p pixels in the x-axis direction due to the temperature change. Therefore, as shown by Formula (4), I2(x, y) is corrected so as to move by z/p in the x-axis direction. Moreover, as compared to the lens 903-1, the lens 903-3 moves by z/p pixels in the y-axis direction due to the temperature change. Therefore, as shown by Formula (5), I3(x, y) is corrected so as to move by z/p in the y-axis direction. Further, as compared to the lens 903-1, the lens 903-4 moves by z/p pixels in the x-axis direction and by z/p pixels in the y-axis direction due to the temperature change. Therefore, as shown by Formula (6), I4(x, y) is corrected so as to move by z/p pixels in the x-axis direction and by z/p pixels in the y-axis direction.z=B(aL−aS)(T−T0)   (2)I1(x, y)=I1(x, y)   (3)I2(x, y)=I2(x+z/p, y)   (4)I3(x, y)=I3(y, x+z/p)   (5)I4(x, y)=I4(x+z/p, y+z/p)   (6)

Image pickup apparatus and semiconductor circuit element


Disclosed is a portable adjunct device that includes a case having a first recess and a second recess. Mounted in the first recess is a docking connector movable between closed and open positions. Detachably mounted in the second recess is a universal serial bus connector operably connected to the docking connector. The case defines a chamber and a battery operably connected to the docking connector is disposed in the chamber.

1. Field
The disclosure relates electronic arts. In particular, it relates to a portable adjunct device for use with portable electronic devices, such as portable media players.
2. Background
The dependence of people on an enormous variety of portable electronic devices for both business and personal use is continuously expanding. The portability of these devices allows users to communicate or enjoy music and video. However, with portability comes the concomitant need to be able to recharge the portable electronic device and to be able to sync the portable electronic device with other electronic devices.
For example, although improving battery technology has played a big part in this transformation, the inevitable battery recharge is still a very pertinent aspect of any portable device. Recharging portable media players is typically accomplished under the docking station concept. A portable media player is placed into a docking station device (docked) and the docking station device is separately plugged into a power source. Particularly for travelers, this means traveling, not only with the primary device itself, but also packing up a docking station device and for plugging the docking station device into a power source.
Additionally, particularly for a traveler, there is a need for a more compact universal serial bus (USB) cable device that can be transported and easily be a user and that eliminates the tangle and hassle of loose wires.
Accordingly, there is a need for portable adjunct devices for electronic devices. There is a still further need for portable adjunct devices that are compact, portable and have a minimum of parts, so they can easily be stowed for transport. And there is a still further need for portable adjunct devices that can be easily docked and synced with a portable electronic device.

Portable adjunct device for portable electronic devices


Exemplary embodiments provide a management server that controls a storage subsystem based on the cache status on a server. In accordance with one aspect, a system comprises: a storage system operable to couple to a server and to manage a plurality of storage tiers, each of the plurality of storage tiers operable to store data sent from the server; and a management computer operable to manage a storage tier of the plurality of storage tiers for storing data based on whether the data is stored in a cache memory in the server or not.

The present invention relates generally to tier management and, more particularly, to a method and an apparatus of data location management.
In recent years, thin provisioning has become popular. Thin provisioning is a method for allocating area for a storage system that receives a write command to an unallocated area and allocates physical devices in response to the write commands. Storage systems may also reallocate frequently accessed allocated area to fast and expensive media and rarely accessed allocated area to slow and cheap media. Generally, when a storage system receives a write command to an unallocated area, the storage system allocates a default tier area to the unallocated area.
An application program uses flash memory drive on server as a cache in order to increase performance. The application program reads data from the flash memory drive instead of the storage subsystem if there is the data on the flash memory drive and writes the data to the flash memory drive and the storage subsystem. However, there is flash memory device on the storage subsystem and frequently written areas in storage subsystem are moved to a higher tier that is the flash memory device. Therefore, the frequently written areas are located on the flash memory drive on the server and the flash memory device on the storage subsystem. Further, frequently accessed areas cannot be moved to a higher tier and performance will decrease.
According to US2011/0202705, an administrator can locate a specified volume to a specified tier. However, the storage subsystem cannot know whether a volume copy command from the management server is for deploy or backup. Therefore, the storage subsystem cannot locate the volume to an applicable tier. According to US2009/0144496 A1, the storage controller can compress virtual volumes by a page.

Method and apparatus to manage data location


A flapper valve preferably used in injection application in deep subterranean locations has an actuating sleeve with a seat to accept an object. A j-slot connects the actuation sleeve movement to the housing so that with an object on the seat and an applied pressure cycle the sleeve moves the flapper to the open position. The plug is dissolved and the injection begins. The plug can have an opening so as to allow continuous injection flow as the flapper is operated. Closing the flapper involves a second object on the same seat and a pressure cycle so that a spring can push the sleeve away from the flapper to allow a torsion spring on the flapper to close it.

Various valve designs used in the past have incorporated sleeves indexed by j-slot devices to selectively align and misalign ports. In one example the ball that lands on a seat to allow application of pressure cycles to operate the j-slot is blown through the seat after a change in valve position. This is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,029. Another device is in essence a sliding sleeve that allows flow uphole and the sleeve, which is mounted to a j-slot, can be cycled from uphole as flow from uphole acts to close a flapper on top of the sleeve for pressure cycling. This is shown in US Publication 2008/0196898.
Other designs use a j-slot to unlock a lock in conjunction with a plug that can then disappear as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,765,641; 6,119,783 and 6,026,903. Other designs use relatively movable mandrel components where cycles of picking up and setting down weight actuate a j-slot to operate a flapper, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,762. Some designs use a j-slot to unlock a lock so that a flapper can then operate. A plug is landed on a seat which then is dissolved. Some examples of combinations of some of these features are U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,270,191; 6,904,975 and US Publication 2009/0242199.
Other designs provide a flowpath constriction to create differential pressure on a flow tube to open a flapper. These designs such as the MC Injection Valves from Halliburton and the A Series Injection Valve from Schlumberger restrict access through the valve for advancing other tools. The Model J Wireline Retrievable Injection Valve from Baker Hughes opens on a predetermined flow through a restriction. Some hydraulically operated safety valves had a feature to lock a flapper open after the flapper was displaced with a flow tube driven by a hydraulic piston. In this design shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,006 the flame holding the flapper was itself shifted when the flapper was open to catch the edge of the flapper in a top groove of a sleeve below. Yet a few other applications that use flow bore restrictions to create a force to move a tube to open a flapper are U.S. Ser. Nos. 12/433,134, filed on Apr. 30, 2009 entitled Innovative Flow Tube, 12/469,310, filed on May 20, 2009, entitled Flow-Actuated Actuator, and 12/469,272, filed on May 20, 2009, entitled Flow-Actuated Actuator and Method.
The present invention deals with flapper type valves with a preferred use in injection service. The design provides a way of operating the flapper without control lines. In deep applications there will be high hydrostatic pressure in the control line that would have to be offset with a very large return spring. While a dual control line system can offset this hydrostatic effect in deep applications there is additional expense and operational issues from doubling up the control lines and running them with a string into the subterranean location. In the preferred embodiment there is no need for control lines. A flapper is operated by a sleeve that responds to pressure cycles against a seated ball or plug to push the flapper open after a predetermined number of cycles. The ball, plug or other object is removed from its blocking position on a seat preferably by dissolving it so that flow can commence. The preferred application is injection service where water, salt water, chemicals, CO2 or steam can be the flowing fluid. When it is desired to close the flapper another object can be landed in the same seat and the cycling with pressure repeated to allow a return spring to raise the flow tube so that a torsion spring on the flapper pivot can move the flapper to the closed position against its seat. As few as a single application and removal of pressure cycle can be used to change the flapper position between open and closed.
In an alternative embodiment an actuation sleeve pushes the flapper open as well as engaging or contacting a counter sleeve below that is engaged to a j-slot. On release of pressure a return spring on the counter sleeve raises it to retain the flapper in the open position while a separate return spring biases the actuation sleeve up. A second ball or other object landed in the seat of the actuation sleeve once again displaces the actuation sleeve against the counter sleeve. This time the counter sleeve is held against its return spring by the j-slot so that on release of pressure the torsion spring on the flapper allows the flapper to pivot closed when the actuation sleeve is also pushed up by its return spring. After a use of either the first or the second object, either is removed preferably by dissolving to get either object out of the flow path.
The dissolving of the object can occur by fluids such as water, saltwater in the wellbore, acid added to the wellbore, or by other reactive or dissolving agents present or added to the wellbore. Other ways to fail the object to get it out of the flow path are also contemplated.
Those skilled in the art will better appreciate the scope of the invention from a review of the description of the preferred embodiment and the associated drawings while recognizing that the full scope of the invention is determined by the appended claims.


A nonvolatile memory device includes a first channel comprising a pair of first pillars vertically extending from a substrate and a first coupling portion positioned under the pair of first pillars and coupling the pair of first pillars, a second channel adjacent to the first channel comprising a pair of second pillars vertically extending from the substrate and a second coupling portion positioned under the pair of second pillars and coupling the pair of second pillars, a plurality of gate electrode layers and interlayer dielectric layers alternately stacked along the first and second pillar portions, and first and second trenches isolating the plurality of gate electrode layers between the pair of first pillar portions and between the pair of second pillar portions, respectively.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a nonvolatile memory device, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional (3D) nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells that are vertically stacked over a substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
A nonvolatile memory device refers to a memory device that maintains stored data even though a power supply is off. A variety of nonvolatile memory devices, for example, a flash memory and so on, may be used.
Meanwhile, a two-dimensional (2D) memory device, which is formed as a single layer over a silicon substrate, may reach a limit in integration degree, and a 3D non-volatile memory device including a plurality of memory cells stacked vertically over a silicon substrate may be implemented to further increase the integration degree.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional 3D non-volatile memory device.
Referring to FIG. 1, a pipe gate electrode 11 and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers 12 and gate electrode layers 13, which are alternately stacked, are formed over a substrate (not illustrated).
A pair of channel holes is formed through the interlayer dielectric layers 12 and gate electrode layers 13. The pipe gate electrode 11 includes pipe channel holes formed therein, and the pipe channel holes couple the pair of channel holes.
A memory layer 14, a channel layer 15, and a dielectric layer 16 are sequentially formed in the channel holes and the pipe channel holes.
Meanwhile, a first trench T1 is formed between the pair of channel holes to isolate the gate electrode layers 13 for each channel hole. Furthermore, a second trench T2 is formed between channel holes, which are adjacent to each other while respectively belonging to different pairs, and isolates the gate electrode layers 13 for each string.
According to the conventional nonvolatile memory device, since the plurality of memory cells are vertically stacked, a vertical height increases. Also, the horizontal width of the uppermost parts of the channel holes or the trenches inevitably increases.
Specifically, although FIG. 1 illustrates that the channel holes or the trenches have a constant width, the width inevitably decreases from the upper part toward the lower part of the channel holes or the trenches due to a characteristic of an etching process. Therefore, when the vertical height of a nonvolatile memory device is increased, the horizontal width of the uppermost parts of channel holes or trenches should be increased. Accordingly, the horizontal area of the nonvolatile memory device inevitably increases. Thus, a structure capable of preventing the horizontal area from increasing is useful.


Spent stillage remaining after the fermentation of a feedstock for ethanol production may be processed to recover, use, and/or recycle the constituent components of the stillage. Stillage may be mixed, heated, and held at a desired temperature for a period of time. The stillage may then be cooled and treated with an enzyme. The enzymatically treated stillage may be emulsified with oil and water, and then permitted to settle into discrete layers. Individual layers may then be processed.

Ethanol has become an increasingly popular fuel source. Because ethanol can be produced from a variety of plant sources, it is a renewable energy source with positive effects on the environment relative to petroleum-based fuels. Ethanol may be produced from a variety of inputs, but a common feedstock used for ethanol production within the United States is grain. Currently available ethanol is typically made from grain(s) such as corn, wheat, barley, soybeans, milo, and other grains. Such potential inputs into the ethanol production process are available in abundance in the United States. While providing environmental advantages over petroleum-based fuels, ethanol fuels still possess many of the advantages of petroleum-based fuels, such as the ability to power appropriately configured internal combustion engines and to be distributed in a liquid form.


An optical connector that is assembled onto a terminal of an optical fiber cable including tension bodies. The optical connector includes a housing, a ferrule that is provided in the housing, and a fixing cap that is mounted on the housing. The housing includes a fixing portion of which an outer peripheral surface is provided with a screw portion. While the tension bodies leading from the terminal of the optical fiber cable are interposed between the housing and the fixing cap, the fixing cap is screwed onto and fixed to the fixing portion.

As an optical connector that is assembled onto a tip of an optical fiber cable (for example, an optical cord) including tension fibers, there is an optical connector having a structure for retaining tension fibers.
As a retaining structure, there is, for example, a structure for caulking and fixing tension fibers to a stop ring using a caulking member (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
In the caulking fixing structure, the caulking member is fixed by a dedicated tool.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H10-206687
[Patent Document 2] Specification of U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,581

Optical connector with a screw portion and method of assembling the optical connector


The disclosure describes a system and method for the reprogramming of the electronic control units (ECU) devices simultaneously in one or more motor vehicles using a radio broadcast system to transmit a digital radio signal to a receiving electronic control units (ECU) device present in the motor vehicles.

A vehicle currently has a large number of interconnected devices (the most common ones including gasoline pump, radio, seat control, air conditioning, engine controller, air bags etc.), which, most of the time, have some sort of microcontroller integrated into the electronic control device called Electronic Control Unit (ECU) which is the element that makes decisions based on the software that was downloaded within.
An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in automobiles allows managing various aspects of the internal combustion operation of the engine.
The electronic control units (ECUs) determine, for example, the amount of fuel injection in engines with injection systems, the ignition time in the combustion chamber, start-up controls, valve distribution controls and other parameters that allow monitoring of the engine through sensors, such as MAP sensor, throttle position sensor, air temperature sensor, oxygen sensor and many other sensors.
Programmable ECUs are required in situations where modifications after the sale of automotive vehicles are important for the final behavior of the engine. As a result of these changes, the old ECU may not provide proper control with the new configuration. In these situations, a programmable ECU is the solution. These can be programmed/mapped while connected to a laptop using a USB cable, while the engine is running, to map parameters such as ignition, water temperature, engine temperature, fuel supply, speed limit, speed control, variable cam timing, among others.
A race ECU is often equipped with a data logger that records the values of all the sensors for further analysis using special software on a computer. This can be very useful for the set-up of the vehicle and is achieved by observing the data looking for anomalies in the data or behavior of the ECUs.
Many recent cars use OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostic system in vehicles) ECUs, which are able to change their programming through an OBD port. Instead of using a new motor control system, one can use appropriate software to adjust the old ECU by reprogramming or updating it. By doing this, it is possible to maintain all functions and wiring while using certain parameter modification programs.
Modern ECUs use a microprocessor that can process the inputs of the motor sensors in real time. An electronic control unit contains hardware and software (firmware). The hardware consists of a set of electronic components that go on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The main component of this circuit in a board is a microcontroller chip. The software is stored in the microcontroller or in other chips of the PCB, usually in EPROM memories or in flash memories; that is why the CPU can be reprogrammed by updating the software of these memories or by changing the integrated circuits.
A large number of failures due to mechanical or programming defects in the ECUs are attributable to software problems, which may be due to a large number of circumstances such as poor software development processes, insufficient tests, errors when downloading the program in the microcontroller in the manufacturing plant, etc.
The updating or reprogramming of the software in an ECU requires that the vehicles be brought back to the plant or to the dealerships to execute this operation physically through a PC or other electronic devices that must be connected to the ECU itself of the vehicle in order to download and install the software that will allow its updating and reprogramming.
The updating or reprogramming of the software in an ECU requires the call recall of the vehicles to the plant or to the dealerships to execute this operation physically through a PC or other electronic devices that must be connected to the same ECU of the vehicle in order to execute the download and installation of the software that allows its updating and reprogramming.
Due to the increasing complexity in the features and functionalities of said ECU devices, it is becoming more common every year to be required to take a new car to its corresponding distributor due to a manufacturing defect (which can be a mechanical or programming defect) in order to perform a necessary update or reprogramming of its software.
Taking the above into account, it is easy to understand the scale of this problem within the automotive industry which loses millions of dollars each year due to this type of inconvenience, not to mention the decline in reputation that follows the need to recognize that new or recent vehicles were manufactured with some kind of defect.
Various systems are known in the market that allow the transmission of data to an ECU of a vehicle wirelessly (also called "Over-The-Air" or OTA) or with a wire as the following:
GM (ONSTAR). Technology used: CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). System used for the following objectives:
Collision notification system.
Assistance in case of vehicle theft.
Assistance on the road.
Remote car door opening.
Remote activation of the horn and optical horn.
Emergency button.
Remote vehicle diagnosis.
DAIMLER (mbrace2). Technology used: WIFI (HTML5). System used for the following objectives:
"Infotainment Systems" with applications such as updating FACEBOOK account, navigation etc. (characteristics very similar to the ONSTAR system).
MY FORD TOUCH. Technology used: USB. System used for the following objectives:
"Infotainment Systems" area.
QNX CAR 2. Technology used: It consists of a unified software platform with applications, information and entertainment, access to all its means of communication and control of the car itself. System used for the following objectives:
Allows one to use touch or voice commands to play music and other media, use navigation, search for parking, weather reports and post to FACEBOOK. There is even an application called VIRTUAL MECHANIC to easily check on the status of the different systems of the vehicle.
So far, it has been impossible to find a product that performs the reprogramming of electronic ECU control units via digital radio technology (such as HD Radio, Eureka-147 DAB, DRM, CAM-D etc.). Among the closest products, the only ones found are focused on the "Infotainment Systems" area, which means that they only cover the needs of updating the data in the vehicle for issues related to social network use, weather or traffic reports and, in some cases, such as with GM ONSTAR and QNX CAR 2, offer vehicle diagnostics. When it comes to innovation, these products do not transmit the information through the proposed form or method, since they do so by other means such as the Internet, which presents high security problems in the transmission/reception of data from or to the vehicle; not to mention that these products do not attack the problem dealing with this development.
The documents cited below were found while performing a search to determine the closest state of the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,607,215 B2, filed on Jul. 21, 2010 and granted on Dec. 10, 2013 to Natsume Mitsuyoshi and assigned to Denso Corporation, protects an electronic control system to rewrite control software in a car and defines a system whose purpose is to reprogram an ECU unit in such a way that the last update of a software is stored without deleting previous versions and where the storage takes place in the ROM/Flash memory of the microcontroller; it is also designed to download a program without taking risks of overwriting, defining a communication protocol of the half duplex type.
However, said patent does not disclose a system and method for the reprogramming of ECU (Electronic Control Units) devices in automotive vehicles, via digital radio, configured and structured as that of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,014,446 B2, filed on Dec. 22, 2006 and granted on Sep. 6, 2011 to the inventors Chinmay Shah et al and assigned to holders IBiquity Digital Corporation, protects a method and apparatus to receive and process a digital broadcast signal. The method includes the steps of receiving a digital broadcast signal, including content, storing encoded content, and decoding the stored encoded content to recover the decoded content. The stored encoded content may include units or protocol data packets. The stored encoded content can be recovered by decoding the encoded content. The content may include units or protocol data packets. The stored encoded content can be recovered by decoding the stored encoded content.
However, this patent only protects the method to perform a radio transmission by "HD-IBOC" which has nothing to do with the proposal of the present invention, except that this communication format could be used, among other digital formats of radio (HD Radio, Eureka-147 DAB, DRM, CAM-D etc.), for the transmission of data, that is to say, information that will be used to reprogram an electronic control unit inside a vehicle will be sent via radio. In short, the purpose of this patent is not a new communication protocol.
Another one is U.S. Pat. No. 8,306,521 B2, filed on May 5, 2008 and granted on Nov. 6, 2012, whose inventor is Ban Yoshinori, and (ceded) whose holder is Denso Corporation, which protects a vehicle control apparatus for reprogramming data stored therein on the basis of a reprogramming instruction transmitted to it through a wireless communication network. In the remote reprogramming technique, if the data reprogramming unit installed in the reprogramming station operates abnormally, an abnormal rewrite command could be sent, via the radio communication network, to a destination ECU of a motor vehicle to be reprogrammed.
The vehicle control apparatus for reprogramming data stored therein on the basis of a reprogramming instruction transmitted thereto through a first wireless communication network, which can sometimes be unreliable, said vehicle control apparatus comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to deactivate the reprogramming transmitted through a second alternative wireless communication network different from the first wireless communication network, thereby increasing the probability that said blocking instruction was received even if the first network wireless communication is then in an unreliable state; and a deactivation unit configured to deactivate, in accordance with the reprogramming deactivation instruction, any one of: (a) reprogramming the data stored in the vehicle's control apparatus; and (b) receiving an alternative reprogramming instruction transmitted through the first wireless communication network; the use of said second alternative wireless communication network thus increasing the reliability of the data reprogramming systems based on the first wireless communication network by the suppression of the invalid reprogramming, even if the reliability of the first wireless communication network is not guaranteed or if there is a failure in the first wireless communication network. Wherein the first wireless communication network is a cellular network, and the instruction to deactivate reprogramming is transmitted through the second alternative wireless communication network, which may be one of: an FM multiplex broadcast network; an infrared communication network using optical beacons; and a radio communication network using radio beacons.
However, said patent requires the execution of a "bi-directional" communication method and two wireless communication networks, while in the patent proposal it is a "unidirectional or simplex" system, that is, the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) module will not communicate with wireless communication network.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,585 B1, filed on Apr. 28, 1998 and granted on Aug. 14, 2001 to Sewin F. Ablay et al, and assigned to Motorola, Inc, protects a communication system (100) that includes an infrastructure (150) and at least one vehicle (101), the vehicle including at least one vehicle system (103), and at least one user system (113). The infrastructure includes an application (155) which, in turn, is arranged to reprogram the vehicle system, the user system, or both. However, the patent establishes a bidirectional communication system and this does not reveal, nor suggest a system and method for the reprogramming of ECU devices (Electronic Control Units) in motor vehicles, via digital radio, configured and structured as the one of the present invention.
Another patent is U.S. Pat. No. 8,144,612B2, filed on Apr. 15, 2009 and granted on Mar. 27, 2012 to Steven Andrew Johnson, et al., and assigned to IBiquity Digital Corporation, which protects systems, methods and processor-readable media for the encoding and transmission of first and second media contents using a digital radio broadcasting system, such that the second media content can be generated in synchronization with the first media content by a receiver of digital radio broadcasting. The systems described, the methods and the means readable by the processor determine when a receiver will cause the audio and data content to be transmitted at a given time via digital radio broadcasting transmitter, and allow the content of the media to be adjusted accordingly to provide the synchronized representation.
However, this patent only protects the method for performing a "HD" radio transmission which has nothing to do with the subject-matter proposed by the present invention, except that this communication format could be used, among other digital radio formats (HD Radio, Eureka-147 DAB, DRM, CAM-D etc.), for the transmission of data, that is to say, information that will be used to reprogram an electronic control unit inside a vehicle will be sent via radio. In short, the purpose of this patent is not a new communication protocol.
The present invention was developed based on the need to have a system and method for the reprogramming of ECU devices (Electronic Control Units) in automobiles. Said invention offers a practical, fast, efficient and economical way to update and/or reprogram said ECU devices in vehicles via digital radio technology (HD Radio, Eureka-147 DAB, DRM, CAM-D etc.).

System and method for reprogramming ECU devices (electronic control units) in vehicles, via digital radio

INSTITUTO TECNOLOGICO Y DE ESTUDIOS SUPERIORES DE OCCIDENTE, A.C


The invention relates to an integrated circuit having a circuit and a current measuring unit for measuring the current through the functional circuit. The current measuring unit is connected to an output device in order to output the value of the measured current to an external test system via an external connection of the integrated circuit.

The invention relates to an integrated circuit having circuits that will be tested by an external test system, and to an external test system.
As a result of increasing complexity, testing integrated circuits is becoming more and more time-consuming. This leads to higher costs, and as a rule, reduces the throughput in the fabrication of integrated circuits. In order to reduce the test costs or to increase the throughput, it is necessary, for example, to increase the parallelism during testing. One further possibility is to reduce the requirements placed on the external test systems, in order in this way to reduce the test duration and therefore the costs.
For instance, a self-test (BIST=build-in self-test) is performed, during which the integrated circuits are tested by suitable additional circuits that are actually configured on the integrated circuit that will be tested.
Integrated circuits can exhibit an increased current consumption because of defects such as short circuits or within the context of process fluctuations in fabrication. In order to identify corresponding chips, it is necessary to measure a current flow through the entire integrated circuit or parts thereof during the production test. This current measurement has hitherto been carried out by a DC measurement unit. For this purpose, an appropriately equipped external test system is required which, during the parallel testing, needs a separate measuring unit for each of the integrated circuits that will be tested.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an integrated circuit in which the current consumption can be measured more quickly during testing and in which lower requirements are placed on the external test system. It is furthermore an object of the present invention to provide a method for measuring current in such an integrated circuit.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an integrated circuit, including: a circuit having a current flowing therein; an external connection; and a current measuring unit for obtaining a measured current representing the current flowing in the circuit. The current measuring unit includes an output device for outputting a value of the measured current to an external test system via the external connection. The current measuring unit includes a measurement current path. The current measuring unit includes a current measuring circuit. The current measuring unit includes a current mirror circuit for obtaining a mirrored current by mirroring the current flowing in the circuit into the measurement current path. The measurement current path is led through the current measuring circuit so that the measured current can be obtained by measuring the mirrored current and so that the value of the measured current can be output by the output device. The current measuring circuit includes a capacitor. The current measuring circuit includes a switching device for charging the capacitor from a low voltage value to a high voltage value by using the mirrored current and for reversing a polarity of the capacitor when a voltage value stored in the capacitor exceeds the high voltage value. A number of charging operations of the capacitor occurring during a predetermined time period depend in an unambiguous way on the mirrored current.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the current measuring circuit has a counter device designed to measure the number of the charging operations of the capacitor occurring during the predefined time period; and the counter device outputs the number of the charging operations via the output device.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, there is provided, a second current measuring circuit including a second switching device, a second capacitor, and a second counter device. The second current measuring circuit obtains a predetermined current. The second capacitor is charged by the predetermined current for a predetermined number of recharging operations of the second capacitor. The second counter device is connected to the first current measuring circuit for starting the first counter device to begin counting the predetermined number of charging operations of the second capacitor and for stopping the first counter device after the predetermined number of recharging operations of the second capacitor has been reached.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the output device is configured to serially transmit the value of the measured current to the external test system.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the integrated circuit includes a DRAM memory circuit.
In accordance with a further added feature of the invention, the current measuring circuit has a capacitor that can substantially be charged up via the mirrored current.
In accordance with another added feature of the invention, the output device is configured to output the measured value as a digital value.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method of measuring a current in a circuit in an integrated circuit. The method includes steps of: providing the integrated circuit with a current measuring unit including a current mirror circuit for mirroring the current in the circuit into a measurement current path; providing the current measuring unit with an output unit to output a measured value of a measured current via an external connection; providing a voltage to the integrated circuit which lies a predetermined amount above a nominal supply voltage of the integrated circuit, the predetermined amount corresponding to a voltage drop across a transistor in the integrated circuit; and obtaining the measured value in dependence on a current consumption of the circuit.
In accordance with an added mode of the invention, the method includes steps of: outputting a reference current to the integrated circuit; and determining the measured value by using the reference current and outputting the measured value with the output device.
According to the invention, an integrated circuit is provided with a circuit that has a current measuring unit. The current measuring unit is used to measure the current through the circuit, and the current measuring unit is connected to an output device. The output device is configured in such a way that the value of the measured current can be output to an external test system via an external connection of the integrated circuit.
According to the invention, therefore, the current measuring unit is provided within the integrated circuit instead of, as had customarily been the case, providing the current measuring unit outside the integrated circuit, for example, in the external test system or connected to the external test system. In this way, the current through the circuits of the integrated circuit can be measured at any time, so that during the parallel testing of a plurality of integrated circuits, the current through the circuits of each of the integrated circuits can be measured substantially simultaneously in each case and can subsequently be transmitted to an external test system, for example. This therefore avoids the necessity of providing an additional current measuring unit outside the integrated circuit, in which the current measurements would have to be carried out sequentially if a sufficient number of external current measuring devices are not available.
Since it is frequently customary to provide integrated circuits with a BIST circuit, a data output used by the BIST circuit can also be used to output the current value.
A further advantage resides in the fact that, during the current measurement, a common voltage source can be used for a plurality of integrated circuits that will be tested in parallel. Individual voltage sources for an external current measuring unit in each case are therefore not necessary.
Provision can preferably be made for the output device to be configured to transmit the value of the measured current serially to an external test system. This has the advantage that the current value can be output via only one output connection, so that the remaining connections continue to be available for testing the functionality of the circuit. That is to say, the current is measured during a functional test of the circuit, and the corresponding current value is read out during the testing of the functional circuits.
The circuits of the integrated circuit can include a memory circuit. In particular in the case of memory circuits, the current flow is a significant variable that determines the quality and classification of the memory circuit, in particular in the case of DRAM modules. Since the value of the current must not exceed a specific amount and depends on the operating frequency, the maximum permissible current, in addition to other influencing variables, determines the maximum operating frequency of the memory module. In this case, the maximum operating frequency is often used as a classification feature, and chips with an increased current consumption are sorted out with regard to the specification.
The current measuring unit preferably has a current measuring circuit and a current mirror circuit, in order to mirror the current through the circuit into a measurement current path. The measurement current path is led through a current measuring circuit, in order to measure the mirrored current and to output the value of the measured current via the output device. In this way, the current measuring unit only influences the circuit to a low extent, so that the current that flows through the circuit can be measured exactly.
Additionally, the current measuring circuit can have a switching device with a capacitor, in order to charge up the capacitor from a low voltage value to a high voltage value using the current and in order to reverse the polarity of the capacitor when the voltage value stored in the capacitor exceeds the high voltage value. A number of charging operations of the capacitor occurring during a predetermined time period depend on the current. In this way, a current measuring circuit can be implemented which measures the current as a number of charging operations. This has the advantage that such a switching device can be implemented in a particularly simple way in an integrated circuit. Furthermore, using the switching device, the value of the current that is measured can be digitized in a particularly simple way.
Furthermore, the current measuring circuit can have a counter device that is designed to measure the number of charging operations of the capacitor during a predefined time period and to output the measured number of charging operations via the output device. In this way, the value of the current that is measured can be averaged during the predefined time period, so that an average current flow is measured, in which short-term disruption, for example, interference pulses, remains unnoticed.
Furthermore, the integrated circuit can have a second current measuring circuit that includes a second switching device with a second capacitor and a second counter device. In this case, a predetermined current, which is provided, for example, by the external test system, is applied to the second current measuring circuit. The second capacitor can be charged up by the predetermined current for a predetermined second number of charging operations. The second counter device is configured in such a way that, at the start of counting the predetermined second number of charging operations in the second capacitor, the second counter device starts the predefined time period in the first counter device, and after reaching the predetermined second number of charging operations of the second capacitor, the second counter device stops the predefined time period in the first counter device. The second counter device therefore counts a predefined number of charging operations by using a current of known magnitude, which is externally applied, for example. The starting and reaching of the final value of this second counter device are used to define the time during which the first counter determines the number of charging operations by the current that is measured. In this way, the absolute value of the current that is measured through the circuit can be determined, and only the following parameters have to be known: the current through the second current measuring circuit, which is predetermined by the external test system for example, the ratio of the first capacitance to the second capacitance, and also the predetermined second number of charging operations. Therefore, only the capacitance ratio is needed as a component parameter.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, an external test system for measuring a current in an integrated circuit can be provided. The external test system is configured in order to output a voltage to the integrated circuit. The voltage is a predetermined amount above the nominal supply voltage of the integrated circuit. The external test system is also configured to receive a measured value that depends on the current consumption of the integrated circuit.
Providing a circuit for measuring a current in an integrated circuit means that the external test system does not have to carry out its own current measurement, but merely receives the measured value that indicates the current consumption of the circuit. The external test system can therefore receive the corresponding measured values in parallel, and does not have to carry out a measurement one after another during parallel testing. If the measured value is transmitted as a digital value, it is possible to dispense with analog measuring devices in the external test system. Furthermore, provision can be made for the external test system to output a reference current, and it is possible for the current that is measured to be determined using the reference current, the predetermined second number of recharging operations, the capacitance ratio of the first capacitor to the second capacitor and the first number of recharging operations that correspond to the measured value.
The magnitude of the externally applied voltage is advantageously chosen in such a way that a voltage drop across the current mirror circuit is compensated for and the circuit is supplied with the nominal voltage.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a integrated circuit having a current measuring unit, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Integrated circuit having a current measuring unit


A two-dimensional matrix code containing dark and light square data modules, and a finder pattern of two bars of alternating dark and light square data modules on the perimeter of the symbol for indicating both orientation and printing density of the symbol, wherein all of the data modules are the same dimension and data is encoded based on the absolute position of the dark modules within the matrix, and inner and outer bars are provided along adjacent sides of the matrix code symbol, each bar having a width equal to the square data modules. In one embodiment, the inner and outer bars are solid. In another embodiment, the inner solid is bar and the outer bar is an encoding bar.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to two-dimensional bar codes. More specifically, the invention relates to a matrix code that provides increased accuracy.
2. Related Art
The "two dimensional bar code" was developed by NASA to identify and track space shuttle parts. The bar code pattern can be used to encode inventory data or a history of the object to which it is attached, as described in "A White Paper on Two Dimensional Symbols," by Paul Mathans et al. (CSPI Vision Systems 1996).
The "two-dimensional bar code" is more formally referred to as a matrix code, a term that applies to two-dimensional codes that code data based on the position of dark modules within a matrix. All of the dark modules are the same dimension, and it is the positions of the modules that code the data. Data Matrix is a type of two-dimensional matrix code containing dark and light square data modules. It is designed to pack a lot of information in a very small space; a Data Matrix symbol can store between one and 3116 numeric or 2335 alphanumeric characters. A Data Matrix symbol has a finder pattern of two solid bars and two alternating dark and light square data modules on the perimeter of the symbol. These patterns are used to indicate both orientation and printing density of the symbol. A two-dimensional imaging device such as a CCD camera is used to scan the symbology.
The information in a Data Matrix symbol is encoded by absolute dot position rather than relative dot position. While a Data Matrix symbol is easily scalable between a 1-mil square to a 14-inch square, the actual limits are dependent on the fidelity of the marking device and the optics of the sensor. Data Matrix symbols can be used for small item marking applications using a wide variety of printing and marking technologies.
Additional information regarding Data Matrix code is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,939,354; 5,053,609; 5,124,536.
It is to the solution of these and other problems that the present invention is directed.

Two dimensional bar code having increased accuracy


First-stage switches (B1 to B9), second-stage switches (M1 to M9), and third-stage switches (T1 to T9) include a bottom connection path that configure to interchange a connection point of one or more second signal transmitting units and a connection point of another one or more second signal transmitting units, in a Fat Tree configuration between the first-stage switches (B1 to B9) and the second-stage switches (M1 to M9) constituting a one-set Fat Tree with the third-stage switches (T1 to T9).

In recent years, cluster systems connecting a large number of nodes, for example, servers by a high-speed network have been widely used in the field of HPC (high performance computer). In many cases, such cluster systems perform parallel computation processing. In communication for the parallel computation processing, it is recommended to achieve a low delay and secure a wide band in signal transmission. To this end, InfiniBand-based Fat Tree connections have been widely used, particularly in large-scale cluster systems.
For example, the Fat Tree is a topology having a multiplexed tree-type network configuration such as a configuration illustrated in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network apparatus having a three-stage Fat Tree. In the Fat Tree, since the number of connection links in each switch is equal in the upper side and the lower side except for the top, a sufficiently wide band can be secured even when transmission is made in either the upward direction or the downward direction.
Herein, switches B1 to B9 illustrated in FIG. 13 will be referred to as first-stage switches. Further, switches M1 to M9 will be referred to as second-stage switches. Further, switches T1 to T9 will be referred to as third-stage switches. In the Fat Tree illustrated in FIG. 13, each of the first-stage switches is connected to three second-stage switches. Further, the switches B1 to B3 are connected to the same second-stage switch. Further, the switches B4 to B6 are connected to the same second-stage switch. Further, the switches B7 to B9 are connected to the same second-stage switch. For example, each of the switches B1 to B3 is connected to the switches M1, M4, and M7.
Further, each of the switches B1 to B9 is connected to three nodes. In FIG. 13, circles connected to the switches B1 to B9 represent nodes. Also, a number marked under each node represents each node number. This node number serves as an address for signal transmission between the nodes. For example, the nodes denoted by node numbers 1 to 3 are connected to the switch B1. Further, the nodes denoted by node numbers 4 to 6 are connected to the switch B2. Hereinafter, the node denoted by a node number P will be referred to as a node P.
Each of the nodes 1 to 27 transmits a signal destined for another node, to the first-stage switch connected to the node itself. Herein, each of the nodes 1 to 27 designates a node number as a destination address of a signal transmitted to another node.
Each of the switches B1 to B9 receives a signal transmitted from the node connected to the switch itself to another node. Then, the switches B1 to B9 transmit signals destined for node numbers of 1 mod 3, to the switches M1 to M3. Further, the switches B1 to B9 transmit signals destined for node numbers of 2 mod 3, to the switches M4 to M6. Further, the switches B1 to B9 transmit signals destined for node numbers of 3(0) mod 3, to the switches M7 to M9. For example, the switch B1 transmits a signal of 1 mod 3 among the signals received from the nodes 1 to 3, to the switch M1 as indicated by an arrow 901. Further, the switch B1 transmits a signal of 2 mod 3 among the signals received from the nodes 1 to 3, to the switch M4 as indicated by an arrow 902. Further, the switch B1 transmits a signal of 3(0) mod 3 among the signals received from the nodes 1 to 3, to the switch M7 as indicated by an arrow 903.
Each of the switches M1 to M9 receives signals that are equal in the remainder of a signal destination node number divided by 3, from the first-stage switches connected thereto. For example, the switch M1 receives a signal having a destination node number of 1 mod 3, from each of the switches B1 to B3. Further, the switch M2 receives a signal having a destination node number of 1 mod 3, from each of the switches B4 to B6. Further, the switch M3 receives a signal having a destination node number of 2 mod 3, from each of the switches B7 to B9. Further, the switch M4 receives a signal having a destination node number of 2 mod 3, from each of the switches B1 to B3. Further, the switch M7 receives a signal having a destination node number of 3(0) mod 3, from each of the switches B1 to B3.
Further, the switches M1 to M3 and the switches T1 to T3 are combined with each other, the switches M4 to M6 and the switches T4 to T6 are combined with each other, and the switches M7 to M9 and the switches T7 to T9 are combined with each other. Then, the switches M1 to M3 transmit signals having a destination node number of 1 mod 9, to the switch T1 as indicated by an arrow 904, for example. Further, the switches M1 to M3 transmit signals having a destination node number of 4 mod 9, to the switch T2 as indicated by an arrow 905, for example. Further, the switches M1 to M3 transmit signals having a destination node number of 7 mod 9, to the switch T3 as indicated by an arrow 906, for example. Further, the switches M4 to M6 transmit signals having a destination node number of 2 mod 9 to the switch T4, transmit signals having a destination node number of 5 mod 9 to the switch T5, and transmit signals having a destination node number of 8 mod 9 to the switch T6. Further, the switches M7 to M9 transmit signals having a destination node number of 3 mod 9 to the switch T7, transmit signals having a destination node number of 6 mod 9 to the switch T8, and transmit signals having a destination node number of 0 mod 9 (=9 mod 9) to the switch T9.
Then, the switches T1 to T9 transmit signals to the second-stage switches connected to the first-stage switches connected to the nodes having the destination node numbers of the signals received from the switches M1 to M9. Further, the switches M1 to M9 transmit signals to the first-stage switches connected to the nodes having the destination node numbers of the signals received from the switches T1 to T9. Thereafter, the switches B1 to B9 transmit signals to the nodes having the destination node numbers of the signals received from the switches M1 to M9.
In this way, a signal is transmitted from a node to another node in the Fat Tree.
Further, a communication scheme called a shift communication pattern is widely used in all-to-all communication that transmits messages from all nodes to all nodes in Fat Tree connection. If the number of nodes is N, the shift communication pattern is configured by N number of communication phases. Then, in the i-th communication phase, each node transmits a message with respect to a node number that is previous by "i" to its own node number. Thus, if each node number is p (p=1, 2, . . . , N), ((i+p) mod N) is a message destination of each node in the i-th communication phase. That is, in the shift communication pattern, the destinations of signals transmitted from the respective nodes do not overlap with each other in each phase.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a shift communication pattern. FIG. 14 illustrates the 9th communication phase in a case where a shift communication pattern is performed in the same configuration as illustrated in FIG. 13. Numerals enclosed by a box 910 represent the destination node numbers of respective nodes. In the 9th communication phase, the destination node number of each node is equal to 9 plus the node number of each node. In the shift communication pattern, the node numbers of signals received by the first-stage switches B1 to B9 from subordinate nodes are serial numbers. Thus, the first-stage switches receive three signals having destination node numbers of 1 mod 3, 2 mod 3, and 3(0)mod 3. Accordingly, the first-stage switches transmit the received signals to the different second-stage switches. Each of the second-stage switches receives signals that are equal in the remainder of division by 3 among 9 serial destination node numbers. Then, the numbers that are equal in the remainder of division by 3 among 9 serial destination node numbers are different in the remainder of division by 9. For example, the switch M1 receives three signals having destination node numbers of 1 mod 9, 4 mod 9, and 7 mod 9. Accordingly, the switch M1 transmits the received signals to the different third-stage switches. Likewise, each of the switches M2 to M9 transmits the each received signals to the different third-stage switches.
Accordingly, two or more signals may not flow through any path. Hereinafter, when two or more signals flow through the same path, it will be referred to as a path contention. While a description has been given of the 9th communication phase as an example, the relation between the destinations of signals received by each switch is also the same in other communication phases. That is, when the shift communication pattern is used, a path contention does not occur in any communication phase. Accordingly, the use of the shift communication pattern in the Fat Tree can achieve a high throughput in all-to-all communication and can secure a wide band in signal transmission.
In the description of FIGS. 13 and 14, for the convenience in description, it has been described that all signals are transmitted to the destination nodes through the first-stage to third stage switches. However, when the network connection state in each switch is stored and a signal can be transmitted to a destination node even without transmitting the signal to the upper stage, each of the first-stage switches and the second-stage switches directly transmits a signal to the lower-stage switch or a subordinate node. For example, when a node with a node number of 1 transmits a signal to a node with a node number of 2, the first-stage switch directly transmits the signal received from the node with a node number of 1, to the node with a node number of 2.
In the Fat Tree, for example, a second-stage Fat Tree, there has been proposed a conventional technology of the Fat Tree connected to transmit one-hop signals to all other nodes.
Non-patent Literature 1: Using Fat-Trees to Maximize the Number of Processors in a Massively Parallel Computer, M. Valerio, L. E. Moser and P. M. Melliar-Smith, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of California, Santa Barbara
However, in the Fat Tree topology illustrated in FIG. 13, when the scale of a network increases, the average number of hops between nodes increases. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce a delay in signal transmission.
Further, in the Fat Tree connected to transmit one-hop signals to all other nodes, it is difficult to perform all-to-all communication by shift communication, and it is difficult to secure a wide band for signal transmission.

Network apparatus and network managing apparatus


A method includes receiving request information obtained from an external user. The request information is associated with a task to be completed by at least one satellite asset among a plurality of satellite assets, where the satellite assets are grouped into a plurality of constellations and each of the constellations is associated with a corresponding scheduler among a plurality of schedulers. The method also includes assigning the task to a queue. The method further includes determining at least one specified scheduler to schedule the task at the at least one satellite asset. In addition, the method includes sending instructions to the at least one specified scheduler for performing the task by the at least one satellite asset.

The space market is evolving rapidly as the cost of entry to space continues to drop. As the costs of space vehicles and launches continue to decline, the market is shifting to ever larger constellations and enabling more international access to space. Additionally, on-board computational power continues to increase, which enables increasing vehicle autonomy. Current satellite collection mission management systems operate by using very fine grain vehicle models and weigh the priority of a data collection (such as images, temperature readings, and the like) against the opportunities and costs (such as vehicle resources) for collection. However, such systems do not easily scale to accommodate large constellations (such as greater than thirty vehicles). Moreover, such systems do not accommodate increasing vehicle autonomy and collaboration with third party systems.

System and method for satellite constellation management and scheduling


A method for providing visual effect messages on a receiving end and associated transmitting end configuration is provided. At the transmitting end, visual effect positions and visual effects of messages are determined according to an input message. The visual effect positions and visual effect information are transmitted to the receiving end, and are displayed at the visual effect positions at the receiving end according to the visual information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates in general to a method for providing visual effect messages in an associated communication system and transmitting end, and more particularly to a method for providing messages of diversified visual effects by utilizing a small message transmission mechanism in an associated communication system and transmitting end.
2. Description of Related Art
Apart from audio communications, communication systems also provide non-audio message services such as text and/or graphics short messages. For example, text of a message is inputted at a transmitting end by a user, and is transmitted in packets of predetermined message communication protocols to a receiving end via communication services of a communication system, so as to allow a user at the receiving end to read the text transmitted from the transmitting end. However, in typical conventional techniques, text messages are only monotonous text or graphics lacking in visual variations and interactivity ability.

Method for providing visual effect messages and associated communication system and transmitting end


A toner supply device for supplying toner to a developing device includes a toner container containing toner to be supplied to the developing device and a remaining amount sensor for detecting the remaining amount of toner in the toner container. The toner container includes a cylindrical rotating container having a spiral conveying rib formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof and a paddle provided so as to be slidable on the inner peripheral surface of the rotating container. The remaining amount sensor detects the remaining amount of toner on the upstream side on or before the contact position of the paddle in the toner conveying direction.

The present disclosure relates to a toner supply device and an image forming apparatus.
There are two types of toner supply devices for an image forming apparatus, one is a system in which the amount of toner remaining in a developing device is predicted by a sensor and the amount of toner supplied from a toner container to the developing device is determined, and the other is a system in which the developing device does not have a sensor and toner is always supplied from the toner container to the developing device. In the latter type of toner supply device, a toner container having a spiral conveying rib formed on its inner peripheral surface may be used. In order to detect the amount of toner remaining in the toner container, a remaining amount sensor such as a magnetic permeability sensor is provided on the image forming apparatus side on which the toner container is mounted.

Toner supply device having cylindrical rotating container and paddle and image forming apparatus