A common mode feedback circuit includes first and second nodes defining a differential node pair. A collective plurality of transconductors includes a first plurality of transconductors associated with the first node and a second plurality of transconductors associated with the second node. Each plurality, for example, may consist of 2 transconductors such that one may be serve as a common mode current sink and the other may be operated as a current source during calibration. At least one transconductor of the collective plurality has an adjustable transconductance. In various embodiments, each node has at least one transconductor with an adjustable transconductance. The common mode feedback circuit includes a calibration engine. The calibration engine adjusts at least one adjustable transconductor until a sensed differential voltage across the differential node pair is substantially zero without the use of external current sources.

This invention relates to the field of circuit design. In particular, this invention is drawn to common mode feedback circuits and methods of calibrating such circuits to minimize the common mode current to differential mode voltage conversion factor.
Common mode feedback circuits are routinely incorporated into the design of differential circuits when a differential pair of signal nodes must present a low impedance to common mode excitation without significantly affecting the differential mode excitation of the circuitry. Asymmetries within the common mode feedback circuit, however, may impair the common mode feedback circuit ability to reject common mode signals. This results in degradation of the performance of the differential circuitry.
In order to improve the performance of the differential circuitry, the common mode feedback circuit may be designed as an adjustable component of the differential circuitry. The common mode feedback circuit is adjusted or calibrated to maximize rejection of the common mode component of any signal presented to a differential node pair of the differential circuitry.
Typically, adjusting or tuning of the common mode feedback circuit requires the application of a matched pair of signal sources (e.g., current sources) to the differential node pair. The primary disadvantage of this approach is the requirement for highly matched external current sources. The calibration of the common mode feedback circuitry is limited by the precision of matching between the external current sources.
Another approach calibrates the common mode feedback circuitry based on the external current sources and memorizes the result. The differential nodes are then switched so that the current sources are now presented to the complementary nodes as compared with the first calibration run. A second calibration now calibrates the common mode feedback circuitry based on the swapped current sources. The calibration mechanism then attempts to find an optimum adjustment based on the two stored calibration results. Although this approach is less reliant on precise matching of the external current sources, the calibration procedure and calibration engine are necessarily more complex.
A common mode feedback circuit includes first and second nodes defining a differential node pair. A collective plurality of transconductors includes a first plurality of transconductors associated with the first node and a second plurality of transconductors associated with the second node. At least one transconductor of the collective plurality has an adjustable transconductance. In one embodiment, each node has at least one transconductor with an adjustable transconductance. The nominal transconductance of each of the transconductors within a selected plurality is substantially the same.
The common mode feedback circuit may further include a calibration engine. While in a calibration mode, the calibration engine adjusts at least one adjustable transconductor until a sensed differential voltage across the differential node pair is substantially zero without the use of external current sources. When switched to a normal mode, the calibration fixes the adjustable transconductance values to prevent further adjustments.
In various embodiments, the common mode feedback block including the calibration engine resides on an integrated circuit semiconductor die. In one embodiment, the common mode feedback block is fabricated as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below.

Differential mode circuitry and method of calibrating same without matched external current sources


An apparatus for adaptively tuning to a received periodic signal. The apparatus preferably employs digital signal processing techniques for algorithmic generation of a sinusoidal estimated output signal, determines the difference between the estimated output signal and the received signal, and generates an error signal based upon the difference between the estimated output signal and the received signal. The error signal is applied to vary at least one factor of the algorithmic determination of the estimated output signal appropriately to reduce the error between the estimated output signal and the received signal.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus which will adaptively tune to a received periodic signal and, in one embodiment, will identify the frequency of the received signal to a user.
Adaptive tuning to a received periodic signal is useful in a variety of situations, such as tuning to a homing beacon or other similar navigational device, or, generally, tuning to or identifying any periodic signal of unknown frequency with speed and precision.
Prior art devices for identifying and tuning to an unidentified (i.e., the frequency is unknown) received signal involved filtering the received signal through an array of high Q filters, and establishing a frequency range within which the received frequency is propagated by noting which of the high Q filters in the array passes the received signal. In order to provide a high degree of accuracy in ascertaining the frequency of the received signal, such prior art circuits must necessarily have a large number of high Q filters in the filter array. A greater number of filters reduces the interval between detectable frequencies and, therefore, increased the accuracy by which the received frequency can be determined.
Thus, such prior art devices necessarily require that some estimation of the frequency of the received signal be known in advance in order that the frequency range detectable by the filter array can be assured to include the frequency expected to be received. In order to search a very wide frequency spectrum, it is sometimes required that a plurality of prior art devices be employed, with each device addressing a different range of frequencies.
The prior art devices thus described are slow to operate, require foreknowledge of the range within the anticipated frequency of the received signal will fall, and require the use of analog devices, such as high Q filters, which are known by those skilled in the art to be less stable than digital circuit elements, especially when subjected to variations of ambient temperature.
It is desirable that an apparatus be provided for detection of frequency of a received signal which is stable in operation in a variety of environments, which is capable of accurate determination of the frequency of the received signal, and which is capable of ascertaining the frequency of the received signal speedily.

Apparatus for adaptively tuning to a received periodic signal


A valve assembly (20) for a respirator comprises a valve body (25) having a valve outlet portion and a valve inlet portion which together define a valve cavity (30) for a valve mechanism (24) permitting gas flow from the valve inlet portion to the valve portion member, an air purge means comprising a purge inlet, connectable to an air pressure supply means, an air purge outlet (27) and an air deflection means (28) in which the deflection means is spatially arranged relative to the valve mechanism and purge outlet so that, in use, air exiting the purge outlet and incident the air deflection means provides a curtain of air over the valve mechanism.

Respirators were first developed in response to the use of chemical warfare agents in the First World War. Nearly all respirators have several common features-a seal suitable for forming a seal against the face, thus providing a cavity into which air is inhaled via a filter that removes noxious materials from the inhaled air. The seal prevents ingress of ambient, potentially foul, air into the cavity and thus into the lungs of the wearer. Air is drawn into the cavity either by the negative pressure caused by inhalation of the wearer or by the use of a positive pressure exerted, for example, by a pump. The respirators also normally comprise some sort of eyepiece.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,799 and GB 1587812 describe a respirator comprising both an oronasal mask and an outer face-sealing mask, wherein, in use, the oronasal mask forms a seal around the oronasal region of the face of the wearer and defines a cavity between itself and the outer mask such that substantially no pressure difference forms between the ambient atmosphere and the cavity between the oronasal mask and the outer mask that would allow ingress of ambient air into the cavity formed between the seal of outer mask and face and allows for compensation in the drop in pressure during inhalation that may lead to ingress of unwanted material via disrupted seal.
WO 02/11816 discloses a dual cavity respirator similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,799 and GB 1587812. The respirator of WO 02/11816 also comprises an ocular mask in gaseous communication with the oronasal mask. The ocular mask protects the eyes against potential damage should foul air enter the cavity between the outer mask and the oronasal mask. However, several problems have been experienced with such a respirator. It is difficult to incorporate the seals of the ocular and oronasal masks into the relatively small area defined by the size of the face of the wearer and so construction of the respirator is relatively complex and expensive. Furthermore, it is difficult to develop a seal on the ocular mask that fits all users due to the large variation of head and face shapes.
The respirator of the present invention seeks to overcome some or all of these problems.


A sign for attaching to a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, a flexible sign requesting road service has a sleeve which allows the sign to be readily attached to the antennae of the vehicle. A second sleeve receives a stiffening member to ensure the readability of the sign. When not in use, the sign may be readily folded or rolled for compact storage.

1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to signs, and more particularly to signs for use with vehicles.
2. Description of Related Art.
For the occasions when a motorist experiences mechanical difficulties sufficiently serious to necessitate stopping the vehicle before a service station can be reached, a number of devices have been proposed by which the motorist can signal that road assistance is requested. For example, cardboard window shades that are placed on the dashboard of the vehicle may have a message such as "call police" imprinted on one side of the shade. However, the message often is not easily viewed from some directions, particularly from the rear of the vehicle.
Other signalling devices include flags or ribbons which attach in some manner to the radio antennae of the vehicle. However, many of these devices require a wind to be blowing to extend the flag horizontally for maximum visibility. Various law enforcement agencies also place inverted envelopes over the end of the antennae of disabled vehicles. However, these envelopes tend to be relatively small in size and therefore limited in visibility.


A differential float and cementing valve assembly used to position and cement casing in a wellbore. A leaf spring and other components of the assembly are preferably constructed of composite materials and/or plastics that can be drilled up with polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bits. The valve components may be contained within a metallic housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to valve devices that may be used in the construction of oil and gas wells. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved pressure and differential-fill (PDF) valve used to position and cement casing into a wellbore.
2. Setting of the Invention
Differential-fill float and cementing assemblies employ a flow regulation valve in the casing string to permit forward circulation through the casing string and to automatically control the filling of the casing string with drilling fluid as the casing string is lowered into a well. Admitting regulated amounts of drilling fluid into the casing as it is being lowered into the wellbore reduces the suspended weight of the casing string, allows the casing to sink through the drilling fluid, prevents the casing from collapsing and reduces hydraulic ram forces against the subsurface formation. Once the casing is lowered into the proper position in the wellbore, a cement slurry is pumped through the casing string and cementing assembly into the annulus between the casing and the borehole. During this cementing process, the valving in the cementing assembly is remotely reconfigured to form a backpressure (check) valve for the purpose of preventing back-flow of the cement slurry pumped into the annulus. A complete description of differential-fill float and cementing equipment of the type with which the present invention may be employed may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,432 (herein, the xe2x80x9c""432 patentxe2x80x9d). The ""432 patent, belonging to the Assignee of the present application, is incorporated herein for all purposes.
The differential-fill operation of the assembly described in the ""432 patent is provided by a differential pressure valve comprised of a small, pivoting flapper valve xe2x80x9cpiggybackedxe2x80x9d on the flapper gate of a larger flapper check valve. The differential pressure valve and the flapper check valve cooperate to prevent back-flow of drilling fluid from the well into the casing until the differential pressure valve opens. The small flapper valve opens to permit a regulated amount of well fluid to flow into the casing through a flow passage in the gate of the check valve. A controlled strength spring constructed of hard spring-steel biases the small flapper valve to its closed position preventing back-flow of drilling fluid into the casing. When the differential pressure between the drilling fluid in the wellbore and that in the casing is sufficiently great, the spring bias is overcome and the small flapper valve pivots open to admit drilling fluid into the casing. The flapper spring closes the small flapper valve automatically when fluid admitted into the casing reduces the pressure differential below that required to open the valve. The flapper spring imposes a great deal of stress on the flapper hinge pin, requiring usage of a relatively large, high strength steel pin as the hinge pin.
After the casing has been cemented into the well, the differential-fill and cementing assembly must be milled or drilled out of the casing string. This removal process is facilitated by constructing the assembly with materials that are easily milled or cut by the drill bit. Brass and aluminum are commonly employed in the construction of the major structural components of the differential-fill and cementing equipment.
The springs used to regulate the opening of the regulating valves used in the differential-fill portions of the assembly are often provided by heavy coiled springs constructed of relatively hard spring-steel. The high strength steel flapper hinge pins and the steel springs, such as the pins and springs used for the small flapper valve of the ""432 patent, are very difficult for a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit to mill or drill out of the casing.
A feature of the assembly of the present invention is that a differential pressure poppet valve is centrally located in the differential-fill equipment and is moved along its central axis, parallel to the direction of fluid back-flow, as it travels between opened and closed positions. The poppet valve of the assembly operates without pivoting into and out of the centerline area of the flow stream and eliminates the need for a heavy steel hinge pin as is required for the flapper closure member of the prior art. The axial movement of the poppet valve maintains symmetrical flow past the valve to improve fluid flow regulation and minimize erosion of the valve components, which is particularly important where the components are constructed of plastics and/or composite materials. As compared with a standard piggybacked flapper arrangement, the configuration of the poppet valve and its placement on the flapper gate of the differential pressure valve of the present invention contribute to an increase in the flow passage dimensions through the differential-fill equipment when the flapper gate is fully opened.
When the invention is employed as a differential-fill valve for lowering casing into drilling fluid, the major structural components and the pressure regulating biasing spring of the differential-fill valve may be constructed of plastics and/or composite materials to facilitate the milling or drilling up of the valve. A leaf spring constructed of composite material may be employed to impose the biasing closing force on a poppet valve mounted in the flapper gate of the differential pressure valve. Elimination of a flapper valve as a regulating component of the differential-fill valve eliminates the need for a heavy steel hinge pin. In a preferred embodiment, the poppet valve, poppet valve biasing element, flapper valve and flapper hinge pin may be constructed of composite materials and/or plastics.
The regulating poppet valve feature of the present invention may be used in a combination, differential-fill and cementing assembly that is first used to automatically fill the casing as the casing is lowered into a wellbore and then is remotely reconfigured from the well surface to conduct a cement slurry from the casing into the annulus between the casing and the wellbore. The differential pressure valve also functions to provide a backpressure check valve to prevent back-flow of the cement slurry into the casing once the cement slurry has been pumped into the annulus. The major structural components of the assembly, including the pressure regulating spring of the differential fill valve, may be constructed of composite materials and/or plastics to facilitate the milling or drilling up of the assembly after the casing has been cemented into the wellbore.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9ccomposite materialsxe2x80x9d is intended to mean a combination of two or more materials (reinforcing elements, fillers, and composite matrix binder), differing in form or composition on a macro scale. Constituents of composite materials retain their identities; that is, they do not dissolve or merge completely into one another although they act in concert. Normally, the components of composite materials can be physically identified and exhibit an interface between one another.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a major objective of the present invention is to provide a poppet valve in the closure element of a differential pressure valve that permits improved regulation of a back-flow of fluid through the valve while minimizing turbulent fluid flow and valve erosion through the poppet valve.
An object of the present invention is to provide a subsurface fluid flow regulating valve in which the regulating portions of the valve are smoothly contoured and symmetrically oriented about a central axis and are moved in a direction parallel to the regulated fluid flow to improve flow regulation, minimize fluid turbulence and minimize erosion of the valve components.
A related object of the present invention is to provide a biasing spring constructed of a composite material that is sufficiently strong to bias the closure member of a regulating valve against the opening force of a pressurized fluid to maintain a predetermined pressure differential between the pressurized fluid and the area regulated by the valve.
Another important object of the present invention is to provide a regulating valve that can be easily drilled out of a casing string by a PDC bit.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a combination differential-fill and cementing valve assembly constructed primarily of plastics and/or composite materials whereby the assembly may be easily drilled out of a casing string with a PDC bit. A related object of the invention is to eliminate the need for a heavy steel flapper hinge pin in the regulating portions of the cementing valve assembly.
The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, will be more fully appreciated and better understood by reference to the following drawings, specification and claims.


A connecting device includes first and second connecting members, first and second fixing members and bolts. The first connecting member is fixed to a back of a sewing machine by means of the first and second fixing members and the bolts. The second connecting member is pivotally connected at the right side of the first connecting member. The connecting device requires only the use of existing holes on the sewing machine to install the connecting device of the present invention on the back of the sewing machine easily. No drilling of holes in the sewing machine is required.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a cloth pulling arrangement to a sewing machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
A cloth pulling arrangement known in the prior art is designed specifically for a general purpose sewing machine already used in a ready-made clothes factory. After installation of the cloth pulling arrangement on a back of a sewing machine, a cloth pulling roller is driven by a main shaft of the sewing machine, and a belt, a governor, and a driving shaft of the cloth pulling arrangement are driven, in turn, to cope with the up-and-down movement of a needle of the sewing machine in order to pull the cloth in the sewing machine taut to resist formation of wrinkles in cloth during operation of the sewing machine and to maintain the sewn portion flat, neat and beautiful.
When the cloth pulling arrangement is added to the sewing machine, it must conform to the shape and structure of the sewing machine. It is known to utilize two connecting frames to install the pulling arrangement on a back of a post of the sewing machine.
One connecting frame is used specifically to fix the governor of the cloth pulling arrangement on the back of the post of the sewing machine. In addition, an end connecting frame is used to replace the original end plate and to fix the components of the cloth pulling arrangement, such as a pulling roller, solenoid actuator, etc. on the back of the end of a hanging arm of the sewing machine.
In order to satisfy the general custom of the operator during operation, in the majority of the time of operation, the cloth is sewn in a forward direction, and the operating direction of the cloth pulling arrangement is also designed to keep pace with the forward sewing; however, back sewing in the reverse direction is also required sometimes. During this back sewing period, the cloth pulling roller of the cloth pulling arrangement must be disengaged from the cloth. Under such circumstances, the solenoid actuator of the cloth pulling arrangement must act to lift up the pulling roller. In order to make the action of the solenoid actuator and the back sewing of the sewing machine completely synchronous, a limit switch is added below the back sewing lever of the sewing machine. When the operator wants to begin back sewing, the back sewing lever only is depressed, and then the sewing machine would begin the back sewing operation. The back sewing lever triggers the limit switch which causes the solenoid actuator to lift up the cloth pulling roller.
There are many brands of sewing machines, the trade marks of those most frequently used being Brother, Juki, Toyota, Singer ... too many to be enumerated, and each manufacturer produces various kinds of sewing machines. Besides, even sewing machines of the same type are divided into (1) automatic thread cutting (i.e. to cut off the thread automatically after completion of sewing), and (2) without automatic thread cutting. Thus, there are more than one hundred sewing machine types. More importantly, new machine types are constantly being introduced in the market, and the quantity of sewing machines of different types is increasing continuously.
In order that the cloth pulling arrangement might be installed on different shapes of sewing machines, the manufacturer of the known cloth pulling arrangement produces more than one hundred shapes of two-piece "connecting frames". In the meantime, owing to new types of sewing machines being constantly introduced into the market, the manufacturer of the known cloth pulling arrangement must increase the number of connecting frames to fit such new machine types in order to meet the requirements of ready-made clothes manufacturers. Under such circumstances, both the manufacturers of ready-made clothes and cloth pulling arrangements have been annoyed by the following problems:
1. The enormous warehousing of connecting frames annoyed the manufacturers of cloth pulling arrangements in management, manufacture and in installing the connecting frames on the scene of a sewing machine,
2. The complicated classification and specification of the connecting frames caused misunderstanding during communication between the manufacturers of ready-made clothes and cloth pulling arrangements which resulted in annoyance,
3. The process of installation of the connecting frames was troublesome; it had to be performed by an expert; ordinary ready-made clothes factories were unable to install it by themselves. It was really inconvenient to request the manufacturer of cloth pulling arrangement to dispatch a technician to install the connecting frames, and
4. Many holes had to be drilled into the sewing machine in order to fix the connecting frames. It would not only ruin the external look of the sewing machine, but also selecting appropriate positions on the case of the sewing machine of a special shape was also difficult.

Connecting device for connecting a cloth pulling arrangement to a sewing machine


An adaptor for converting a domestic bottle fed water cooler into a device supplied from the local piping system. The adaptor comprises a circular body attached to the bottle support ring of the cooling unit and incorporates a float valve to maintain the water level in the cooler constant. The connection between the water supply piping system and the adaptor is made by a conduit incorporating a filtering system.

In the past recent years, many scientific studies have been published clearly showing that the various chemical products added to the drinking water supply for preventing bacteria growth may have adverse effects on the human body. In addition, certain types of additives such as those containing chlorine give an objectionable taste and color to the water.
These reasons explain the increasing popularity of mineral drinking water as a substitute for tap water. Mineral drinking water is commercially available in disposable containers of various sizes or it may be obtained from a supplier in large 18 liter money-back bottles designed to be used exclusively with domestic water cooling units. Typically, such water cooling devices are in the form of a cabinet with a support fixture for the bottle in an inverted condition supplying water by gravity to an internal reservoir cooled by a suitable refrigeration system. Cool water is distributed from the internal reservoir through a manually operated stop cock.
Although these bottle fed water coolers are convenient, they are expensive to use on a long term basis considering the high costs for the service to refill and deliver on site the water bottles.

Adaptor to convert a bottle fed water cooler into a device supplied with pressurized water from the local piping system


A circuit arrangement for generating representations of supply voltages that includes a first path that receives control signals, the first path having a subtracter for forming a difference signal from two of the control signals and a low pass filter to receive the difference signal. A second path receives the control signals, the second path includes a second low pass filters that passes frequencies higher than the first low pass filter does. Output signals of the first and second paths are fed to a combination network which, as a function of the difference between the output signals of the first and second paths, passes on the output signals of one of the first and second paths.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for generating a representation of the supply voltage in connection with service devices that are capable of feedback to a supply line, in particular for frequency converters of electric motors. The invention further relates to a circuit arrangement for executing the method.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Frequency converters for electric motors of machine tools are known from the prior art, which feed the energy, which is being generated in the course of braking the electric motors, back into the supply system. To feed the energy back into the power supply, the electric motors are operated in a generator mode. The voltage output by the electric motors is initially rectified and thereafter converted to a voltage that has the same frequency and phase position as the supply voltage. In a three-phase rotary current system, at least two such voltages must be selected for feedback, the third voltage can then be calculated from the two known ones. The voltages determined in this manner are called representations of the supply voltages.
In order to keep the outlay for wires as low as possible, for determining the representation of the supply voltage it is advantageous to pick up the required control signals from the supply system downstream of the commutating chokes, to which a signal, which is proportional to the supply voltage and is pulse-width-modulated, has been applied. Since the supply voltage has been modulated by the pulse width modulation at this point, a low pass filter is required for demodulating the supply voltage. This filter should rotate the phase as little as possible, but should demodulate the pulse width modulation as well as possible. A low pass filter of a critical frequency of approximately 2 kHz is used for this.
A disadvantage of such a filter is that harmonics of the supply frequency are not suppressed. The result of this is that in case of a connection to a supply system with a relatively high internal resistance (for example because of the use of a power supply transformer for matching the supply voltage), an oscillation tendency can easily occur. This applies in particular in feedback, since a positive feedback relative to the harmonics can occur.
These disadvantages are avoided when using so-called -90 degree filters. Two of three supply voltages of a rotary current supply system are fed to such a filter, the difference between the two is formed in an upstream-connected subtracter, and this difference is rotated by -90 degrees of angle by the filter. By means of this a representation of the third phase is generated. A -90 degree filter is a low pass filter of a very low critical frequency (for example 2 Hz), which generates a phase rotation of almost -90 degrees at 50 Hz. The exact rotation of over -90 degrees is achieved by a second filter of a critical frequency of approximately 1.25 kHz and connected in series. If no rotation of exactly -90 degrees is required, the second filter can also be omitted. This circuit has the advantage that all harmonics are satisfactorily damped out of the supply frequency because of the low critical frequency, so that therefore no sinusoidal voltage with a very low distortion degree is available.
However, the disadvantage of this circuit arrangement, also known from the prior art, lies in that the determination of the representation of the supply voltage is erroneous if a supply voltage fails, since the other two supply voltages are determined from the failed supply voltage. The result of this is that, if one of the three supply voltages fails, the phase current and the intermediate circuit voltage very quickly assume extreme values because of the erroneous triggering.

Method and circuit arrangement for generating a representation of the supply voltage in a frequency converter


A new Petunia-Calibrachoa hybrid plant particularly distinguished by having a rose flower color with red-purple veins and purple mid vein and mounding plant growth habit is disclosed.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Petunia-Calibrachoa (Petchoa) referred to by the variety name 'SAKPXC010'. Variety 'SAKPXC010' originated from a hybridization in Kakegawa, Japan in July 2007. The male parent was a proprietary hybrid Calibrachoa line named '5Bdw-7b-1A-1' (unpatented), which had a pink flower color with an unknown vein color and a creeping plant habit. The female parent was a proprietary hybrid petunia line named 'AM6-99A-3' (unpatented), which had a light pink flower color and a mounding plant habit.
In July 2007, an F1 generation from the initial hybridization was grown and approximately 120 seeds were obtained. In August 2007, 120 seeds were sown and the plants were cultivated in a greenhouse, with only one plant surviving and blooming. Segregation in the F1 generation resulted in the one plant having a rose flower color with red-purple veins and a purple mid vein and a mounding plant growth habit. In December 2007, a plant was selected that exhibited a rose with vein flower color and a mounding plant growth habit.
In February 2008, the selection was vegetatively propagated to produce rooted cuttings, and the plants were cultivated in an open field. In May 2008, the selection was observed to have its distinct characteristics remain stable. In August 2008, the selection was propagated again and plants were cultivated. In December 2008, it was confirmed that the distinct characteristics of the selection were fixed and stable. The selection was given the experimental name 'K2008-J-223'. The selection was later named 'SAKPXC010' and was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation via vegetative cuttings.


An extremely pure oxide containing two or more metals, homogeneous at the atomic level, is prepared by (1) reacting in water, soluble salts of two or more metals with quaternary ammonium carbonate; the metals being those that form water-insoluble carbonates, thereby to precipitate mixed carbonates of the metals; (2) recovering and drying the precipitate; (3) calcining the precipitate to provide an oxide of mixed metals homogeneous at the atomic level and substantially free from extraneous contaminants. The calcined oxide can be shaped and compressed as greenware and sintered to form useful ceramic products.

It has long been known that the effective resistivity of certain metals was sometimes substantially eliminated when the metal was exposed to low temperature conditions. Of particular interest were the metals and metal oxides which can conduct electricity under certain low temperature conditions with virtually no resistance. These have become known as superconductors. Certain metals, for example, are known to be superconductive when cooled to about 4.degree. on the Kelvin scale (.degree.K.), and certain niobium alloys are known to be superconductive at about 15.degree. K., some as high as about 23.degree. K.
Discovery of superconductivity in the system La-Ba-Cu-O (J. G. Bednorz and K. A. Muller, Zeit. Phys. B 64, 189-193 [1986]) has stimulated the search for other systems, particularly with a view to substituting other elements for the rare earths (RE) used in the earlier materials. For example, replacement of RE by Bi and Tl has been reported. See M. A. Subramanian et al., Science, 239, p. 1015 (1988); L. Gao et al., Nature, 332, pp. 623-624 (1988).
Michel, C., and Raveau, B., Oxygen intercalation in mixed valence copper oxides related to the perovskites, Rev. de Chim. Minerale, t. 21, pp. 407-425 (1984). This paper discloses and discusses certain oxides of La-(Ca or Sr or Ba)-Cu. It does not mention superconductivity.
European Patent Appln. 87100961.9, filed Jan. 23, 1987, published July 27, 1988 as 0 275 343. Bednorz, Mueller, and Takashige, "New Superconductive Compounds of the K.sub.2 NiF.sub.4 Structural Type, etc." In an example, La-Ba-Cu nitrates are precipitated as oxalates, recovered, and calcined. The invention covers broadly oxide of rare earth-alkaline earth-transition metal. T.sub.c =35.degree. K.
Chu, C.-W., PCT Int. Pub. No. WO88/05029, published 14 July 1988. Int. Appln. No. PCT/US87/02958, filed 9 November 1987. Four U.S. priorities beginning with U.S. Ser. No. 2,089, 12 January 1987. Various oxide combinations are ground together (e.g., ball-milled), pressed into pellets, and sintered to make superconductors. Table I gives T.sub.c 's of 91.degree.-98.degree. K. for eight 3-metal oxides, e.g., YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3, LaBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3, etc.
Ihara, Hirabayashi, and Terada, PCT Int. Pub. No. WO88/05604, Int. Pub. date 28 July 1988; Int. Appln. No. PCT/JP88/00050, Int. filing date 25 January 1988; first of five priorities, Japan, 27 January 1987, 62/17013. A solution of nitrates of, e.g., Ba (or Sr), Y, and Cu is precipitated with oxalic acid. The precipitate is calcined, pressed, sintered, and annealed in oxygen. Alternately dry solid powders (oxide, carbonate, or nitrate) are mixed, pressed, and sintered. T.sub.c as high as 54.degree. K.
Wu et al., Superconductivity at 93.degree. K. in a New Mixed Phase Y-Ba-Cu-O Compound System at Ambient Pressure, Physical Review Letters, 58, 908-910 (2 March 1987) discloses making the title compounds by solid state reaction of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3, and CuO.
Engler et al., Superconductivity Above Liquid Nitrogen Temperature: Preparation and Properties of a Family of Perovskite-Based Superconductors, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109, 2848-2849 (1987), mixes Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3, and CuO in a ball mill to give a 1:2:3 ratio of Y, Ba, Cu. The powder was heated in an alumina boat at 950.degree. C., and the resulting black powder was reground and heated again.
Wang et al., Comparison of Carbonate, Citrate, and Oxalate Chemical Routes to the High-T.sub.c Metal Oxide Superconductors La.sub.2-x Sr.sub.x CuO.sub.4, Inorg. Chem. 26, 1474-1476 (1987). This was the only reference we found using a carbonate precipitation technique. The precipitant was K.sub.2 CO.sub.3. According to the paper, it was necessary to wash the precipitate repeatedly, an obvious disadvantage in production work. Washing was necessary because potassium adversely affects superconductivity properties of the finished material. If we wash repeatedly, we remove barium, a highly detrimental loss in our process.
Superconducting oxides of mixed metals including Tl are reported with a T.sub.c in excess of 100.degree. K.
In preparing the system Tl-Ba-CuO, Z. Z. Sheng and A. M. Hermann "Superconductivity in the Rare Earth-Free Tl-Ba-Cu-O System Above Liquid Nitrogen Temperature," Nature, 332, pp. 55-58 (1988), first mixed and ground BaCO.sub.3 and CuO to obtain a product which they heated, then intermittently reground to obtain a uniform black Ba-Cu-Oxide powder, which was then mixed with Tl.sub.2 O.sub.3, ground, and heated, with formation of a superconducting material. It was noted that the Tl oxide partially melted and partially vaporized.
The superconductor system Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O was also reported in a paper by Sheng and Hermann, "Bulk Superconductivity at 120.degree. K. in the Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O System," Nature, 332, pp. 138-139 (1988). The authors reported "stable and reproducible bulk superconductivity above 120.degree. K. with zero resistance above 100.degree. K." According to the paper the composition was prepared by mixing and grinding together Tl.sub.2 O.sub.3, CaO and BaCu.sub.3 O.sub.4. The ground mixture was pressed into a pellet and heated in flowing oxygen. The result was cooled and found to be superconducting.
See also the paper by Hazen et al., "100.degree. K. Superconducting Phases in the Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O System," Phys. Rev. Lett., 60, pp. 1657-1660 (1988), which refers to two superconducting phases, Tl.sub.2 Ca.sub.2 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.10+ and Tl.sub.2 Ca.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8+, both with onset T.sub.c near 120.degree. K. and zero resistivity at 100.degree. K. Preparation included grinding together Tl.sub.2 O.sub.3, CaO, and BaCu.sub.3 O.sub.4 (or Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.5), followed by heating.
And see "Nota Bene" in High T.sub.c Update, Vol. 2, No. 6, p. 1, Mar. 15, 1988, further re properties of the Tl-Ca-Ba-Cu-O system.
Oxides of La-Sr-Co as cathodes for CO.sub.2 lasers are disclosed by N. Karube et al., "Sealed-off CO.sub.2 lasers with La.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x CoO.sub.3 oxide cathodes," Appl. Phys. Lett., 43, 1086 (1983); and N. Iehisa et al., "Performance Characteristics of sealed-off CO.sub.2 laser with La.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x CoO.sub.3 oxide cathode," J. Appl. Phys., 59, 317 (1986). However, the herein-described method of preparing such materials is believed novel.
Salutsky et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 72, 3306-3307 (1950); and Quill et al., Anal. Chem. 24, 1453 (1952) disclose precipitation of metal carbonates by heating aqueous solutions of the metal chloroacetates.
Kirk-Othmer, Ency. of Chemical Techn., 4, 843, 2nd Ed. (1964), discusses rare earth sources and describes didymium as a rare earth mixture that excludes Ce and Th.
British nomenclature appears to be somewhat different, in that didymium excludes lanthanum. According to British writer, R. J. Callow, The Rare Earth Industry, p. 46, Pergamon Press (1966), removal of cerium from a rare earth mixture leaves " . . . mainly lanthanum and didymium. In American practice it is called didymium at this stage." (We follow the American definition. See infra.).
From the technical viewpoint it may seem obvious that co-precipitated carbonates would provide enhanced homogeneity. However, the technical solution to the problem proved frustrating and was marked by an initial series of failures. We noted that the Wang et al. process, using potassium carbonate (or sodium carbonate) necessitated numerous washings and apparently left detectable amounts of alkali in the ceramic base even so. As noted, serial washings remove Ba, and would be unworkable in our process. Nor is it merely sufficient that the carbonate be derived from a cation that would burn off completely. For example, ammonium carbonate does not work, because a pH below 7 is required to prevent formation of copper tetraamine, but under these conditions bicarbonate ion is formed, with consequent formation of barium bicarbonate, which, being slightly soluble, disrupts the desired stoichiometry. Quaternary ammonium carbonates, on the other hand, form the desired metal carbonates simply and cleanly without troublesome side-formation of complexes or coordination compounds, with firm and precise retention of the intended stoichiometry; which do not interfere with filtration, or similar recovery operations; which do not introduce contaminants into the final product; and which result in homogeneous particles that do not require grinding. The reaction in the reaction mixture is, of course, ionic; that is, carbonate ions react with the respective metal ions to form the respective metal carbonate precipitate.
A composition having an approximate unit cell formula of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.z, where z is typically about 7, and various related materials, represents a particularly promising group of ceramics for superconducting applications. The compositions are typically formulated from precursors which can be mixed to provide the desired ceramic. In one formulation for these ceramic materials (see, e.g., Wu, Engler, Chu, opera cit) carbonate and/or oxide powders of the solid elements are mixed and raised to a temperature of about 1,000.degree. C., driving off volatile materials, such as carbon dioxide. The mixture is reground and reheated, ordinarily several times to improve the intimacy of the mixture, and then can be pelletized, sintered for several hours, and then gradually cooled to below 250.degree. C. This repeated regrinding tends to introduce impurities, as hereinafter discussed.

Manufacturing method for ceramics and products thereof


A chip module element having an array of capacitors, a planar interconnect structure coupled to the array of capacitors, and a multilayer circuit structure coupled to the planar interconnect structure. The planar interconnect structure includes a plurality of conductive elements (e.g., z-connections and conductive posts) electrically communicating the capacitors and the multilayer circuit structure. A plurality of conductive pins is coupled to the multilayer circuit structure. The array of capacitors is capable of being charged by providing an electrical current which passes from the pins, through the multilayer circuit structure, through the conductive elements, and to the capacitors. A method for making a chip module element comprising forming an array of capacitors, electrically testing the capacitors in the array to determine which capacitors are defective and which are acceptable, and storing data of the defective capacitors in an information storage medium. The method further includes forming an interconnect structure on the array of capacitors, wherein the interconnect structure includes a plurality of conductive elements, and wherein the conductive elements are electrically coupled to the acceptable capacitors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to embedded capacitors. More particularly, the present invention provides a structure and method for embedding capacitors in multi-chip modules.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A bypass capacitor safeguards a power system from signal induced fluctuation by supplying a reservoir of charge on multi-chip modules (MCMs) in close proximity to semiconductor chips. Currently high performance mainframe computers utilize hundreds of surface mounted LICAs (Low Inductance Capacitor Arrays) on MCMs in close proximity to semiconductor chips. These LICAs consume valuable area on MCMs and currently cost from approximately $3 to about $10 each.
As MCMs frequencies increase, parasitic series inductances in the LICAs increase and the utility of LICAs as bypass capacitors decreases. When the series inductance increases, the capacitors ability to rapidly supply charge to a semiconductor chip over a given distance diminishes. Furthermore, the distance from switching drivers at the center of a semiconductor chip is sufficiently far from the LICA capacitors that the flight time prevents these capacitors from attenuating the early switching noise at the high frequencies. As frequencies increase to xcx9c1 GHz the impedence of the parasitic inductance increases to the point that it dominates the LICA component performance. Thus, LICAs may have limited utility beyond a frequency of about 1 GHz.
Recognizing that the inductances and distances between the LICAs and a chip are greater than the inductances and thickness of thin film MCMs, a solution to the bypass capacitor problem at GHz frequencies is to embed thin film capacitors within thin film MCMs. Such a solution can provide high frequency ( greater than 1 GHz) performance and open up more area for additional active components on MCMs.
When using a buildup process to make an MCM, some defects in embedded thin film capacitor layers are likely to occur. Such defects could become power to ground shorts that render the MCM useless. In order to avoid such an occurrence, one would like to be able to test all capacitors prior to connecting them up to the subsequent build up layers. This is very difficult in build-up structures without having a separate mask available for every conceivable combination of good and defective capacitors. For a large number of capacitors, such a multi-mask approach becomes very impractical. Therefore, what is needed and what has been invented is a structure and method which overcome the foregoing difficulties.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for making a chip module element comprising forming an array of capacitors; electrically testing the capacitors in the array to determine which capacitors are defective and which are acceptable; and storing data of the defective capacitors in an information storage medium. The method further comprises forming an interconnect structure on the array of capacitors, wherein the interconnect structure includes a plurality of conductive elements (e.g., conductive posts and z-connections) and wherein the conductive elements are electrically coupled to the acceptable capacitors. The forming of an interconnect structure comprises forming the plurality of conductive elements using at least one of the following procedures: sputtering, electroless plating, or electrolytic plating. The forming of an interconnect structure may alternatively include laminating an adhesive bonding sheet on the array of capacitors; forming a plurality of apertures in the bonding sheet adjacent to the acceptable capacitors; and depositing a conductive material within the apertures. The forming of an array of capacitors may comprise forming an array of capacitors on a silicon substrate.
Embodiments of the present invention further provide a chip module element having an array of capacitors; a planar interconnect structure coupled to the array of capacitors; and a multilayer circuit structure coupled to the planar interconnect structure. The interconnect structure comprises a plurality of conductive elements (e.g., z-connections and conductive posts) electrically communicating the capacitors and the multilayer circuit structure. A plurality of conductive pins is coupled to the multilayer circuit structure. The array of capacitors is capable of being charged by providing an electrical current which passes from the pins, through the multilayer circuit structure, through the conductive elements, and to the capacitors.
These provisions together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the following description proceeds, are attained by the methods and chip module elements of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Structure and method for embedding capacitors in z-connected multi-chip modules


A game system (100) has plural game terminals (200) and a communication apparatus (300). The communication apparatus (300) receives an end notification indicating the end and a state of a play and stores a state data set (254) including a play data item indicating a result of the play and a time data item indicating a point in time corresponding to a point in time at which the end notification was received. The game terminal (200), by transmitting a state request, receives a state data set (254) stored in the communication apparatus (300) at that point in time and reads a play data item within the state data set after a delay period has passed since a point in time indicated by a time data item within the state data set, to output information corresponding to a state of a play indicated by the play data item.

There is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3496150, a technique involving a network-type game system provided with plural game terminals, in which game system, plural plays (game plays) of match-up games can be performed simultaneously. In the game system, an event that has occurred in a match-up is reported to a player playing another match-up, whereby players currently participating in another play can be made aware of the existence of another player other than the opponent of the player. In this technique, when an event occurs at a game terminal of a player currently participating in a play, this event is reported to a specific communication apparatus (server apparatus), which then reports the event to another game terminal to be notified. A game terminal to be notified is decided by the specific communication apparatus based on the content of an event to be reported.
If the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3496150 is to be implemented, it would be reasonable to use a push-based communication for notifying an event from a specific communication apparatus to a game terminal to be notified. In this case, the specific communication apparatus will have to centrally manage communication addresses of all potential game terminals that can be receivers of a notification. Accordingly, in a case in which the number of potential game terminals is large, i.e., in a case in which a large number of plays are performed simultaneously, the communication processing load at a specific communication apparatus will be excessive.
In the meantime, there is a network-type game system in which plural plays can be performed simultaneously, in which only one player participates in each play, and in which the result of each play is stored in a specific communication apparatus. Even in such a game system, it is important for a player currently participating in a play to be aware of the existence of other players. Accordingly, we now consider notifying each player participating in each play of the changes in states of plays in the overall game system. The changes in states of plays include, for example, a play having ended three minutes after the end of another play. In order to realize this, because it would be necessary to report the event of a play having ended to the game terminals of all players currently participating in all plays, the communication processing load at the specific communication apparatus will be excessive even if the technique described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3496150 is used.
On the other hand, in a general network-type game system, a game terminal serves as a client, and a specific communication apparatus serves as a server, whereby a pull-based communication is performed. If a game system adopting this type of pull-based communication is used to implement the technique according to Japanese Patent Publication No. 3496150, a specific communication apparatus will no longer have to centrally manage a large number of communication addresses. However, in this mode, because a game terminal that can a receiver of a notification will never know of an event that has occurred at another game terminal nor the game terminal itself having changed to a terminal to be notified, the game terminal will have to access the specific communication apparatus at a predetermined interval. Therefore, in a case in which there are a large number of plays that are simultaneously performed, the communication processing load at a specific communication apparatus will be excessive. Also, because in this mode, time intervals of notifications for plural events are unlikely to coincide with time intervals of occurrences for the plural events, it will be difficult to inform a player participating in a play of the accurate transition in a state of a play in a game system.

Game system, game apparatus therefor, communication apparatus therefor, computer program therefor, and data management method therefor


A press brake for bending a workpiece including a movable ram and a support beam. A punch is connected to the ram, and a die is connected to the support beam. The punch and the die are separated by a gap. The ram is configured to be driven towards the support beam to thereby close the gap between the punch and the die and deform the workpiece. The die includes a pair of die members extending in a longitudinal direction separated by a recess having a width in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The width of the recess is adjustable by moving the die members, which are releasably engaged with the support beam. The die members move horizontally to disengage from the support beam to thereby allow for lateral movement of the die members to adjust the width of the recess.

The application relates generally to press brakes and, in particular, a press brake that includes a structure and mechanism for adjusting the width of a die.
A press brake machine or device is used as a tool to make precise bends in metal parts. Generally, a sheet of metal is placed within the machine and positioned precisely using a gauge. A punch, which often has the shape of a "V", is placed against the metal sheet at the point where a bend is required. A punch is pressed into the metal sheet, which in turn is pressed into the die causing the sheet to bend. Frequently, the press brake machine is configured so that die and the punch are long enough to contact the entire length or width of the sheet.
A press brake machine may be configured so that a forming die mounted on a bed may be "U" or "V" shaped. The die may include a pair of dies or half dies, for example. The distance between the dies may be adjusted so that the bearing areas for the metal part or work piece being formed can be adjusted according to the forming requirements for the work piece.

Method and machine for bending metal including adjustable die


A novel method for characterizing nucleic acids. A nucleic acid is combined with a double stranded nucleic acid-specific dye to form a detectable complex between the dye and one or more double stranded structures within the nucleic acid. The combination is then exposed to varying temperatures and the fluorescence emission of the dye is measured to determine the melting temperature(s) for the double stranded structures. In some embodiments that melting temperature profile is then compared to melting temperature profiles generated for other nucleic acid(s) to discern differences between the compared nucleic acids.

Insights into secondary structure of nucleic acids have yielded powerful tools in mutation detection and organism identification. Several analytical techniques have been developed that take advantage of different secondary structures that exist between one sample and the next. Some of these techniques include Single-Stranded Conformational Polymorphisms (SSCP) (Orita et al., PNAS (USA) 86:2766–2770 (1989)), heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) (Espejo et al., Microbiology 144:1611–1617 (1998)), ribotyping (Grimont and Grimont, Ann. Inst. Pasteur Microbiol. 137B(2):165–175 (1989)) and post-PCR product identification by product melting temperature (Tm) (Ririe et al., Anal. Biochem. 245154–160 (1997)).
Secondary structure analysis methods focus on detecting nucleic acid characteristics that depend on how specific sequences interact with each other. In 1989, Orita et al. demonstrated that a single base pair deletion or alteration is detectable by analyzing single-stranded conformational polymorphisms evident in nucleic acid gel electrophoresis (Orita, et al. 1989). Essentially, she found that small differences in the primary nucleic acid sequence result in slightly different secondary structure conformations, which migrate differentially in an electrophoresis gel matrix. SSCP analysis is very sensitive and even more specific than restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods (Orita, et al 1989).
Similar to SSCP are Heteroduplex Mobility Assays or HMA. In HMA, the electrophoretic mobility of a non-perfectly matched DNA target-probe duplex is monitored (Espejo et al., 1998). The mismatching within the target-probe duplex causes secondary structure distortions resulting in mobility variations of the duplex. Differences in target sequences are therefore made evident by differential product migration in an electrophoresis gel matrix (Espejo et al., 1998).
Ribotyping is the identification of ribosomal nucleic acid gene restriction patterns observed by gel electrophoresis (Grimont and Grimont, 1989). Ribotyping takes advantage of the ubiquitous nature of ribosomes, the hypervariable regions found within their nucleic acid components and the specificity of restriction enzymes In this method, genes coding for rRNA, containing hypervariable regions flanked by conserved regions, are amplified using PCR and the DNA produced is subsequently enzymatically digested. Specific restriction enzymes are selected for restriction sites within the hypervariable regions. DNA cleavage by these enzymes results in small segments of DNA of varying lengths. Following enzymatic cleavage the DNA fragments are run on a gel and analyzed. A particular combination (pattern) of DNA segments is therefore indicative of the primary sequence. And if enzymes are chosen properly, each organism type will have a unique combination of restriction fragments (Grimont and Grimont, 1989; Van Camp, Curr. Microbiol. 27(3):147–151 (1993)).
Sequencing of ribosomal nucleic acids (rRNA) has identified many hypervariable regions surrounded by highly conserved regions (De Rijk et al., Nuc. Acids Res. 20 (Supplement):2075–2089 (1992); Edwards et al., Nuc. Acids Res., 17(19):7843–7853 (1989); Grimont and Grimont, 1989; Van Camp, 1993). Indeed, many universal primer sites, capable of amplifying DNA from a wide variety of organisms, have been identified and adopted for SSCP or ribotyping analysis (Van Camp, 1993; Weisburg et al., J. Bacteriol. 173 (2):697–703 (1991); Stubbs et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 37(2):461–463 (1999); Anthony et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 38(2):781–788 (2000); Rantakokko-Jalava et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 38(1):32–39 (2000); Widjojoatmodjo et al., J. Clin. Microbiol. 32(12):3002–3007 (1994)). Work performed by these research groups has found medically significant regions within the 16s and 23s genes that contain secondary structures within hypervariable segments. Van Camp and colleagues identified several universal primer sites which can be used to amplify hypervariable regions within the 23s gene (1993). The work done by Widjojoatmodjo demonstrates good species typing by SSCP with a small amplicon size, ranging from 108 bp to 300 bp (1994). And, Erik Avaniss-Aghajani et al. identified and tested a primer set "capable of amplifying the SSU [small subunit] rRNA from essentially all bacteria" for bacterial typing using ribotyping techniques (Biotechiques. 17(1):144–146, 148–149 (1994)).
In each of the analytical methods described above (SSCP, HMA and ribotyping), nucleic acid sequences are identified by secondary structural analysis. All three of these processes are highly sensitive to sequence variations and can be used to identify differences in nucleic acid sequences that exist between organisms. However, the assays all depend on gel electrophoresis, and ribotyping requires the additional step of enzymatic cleavage. Both gel electrophoresis and enzymatic cleavage are time-consuming post-amplification steps.
In another form of secondary structural analysis of nucleic acids, primary sequence variations are made evident by observing double stranded nucleic acid melting characteristics. Melting of nucleic acids refers to the conformational transition from a doublehelical state to a single-stranded state. The temperature at which half of the nucleic acid strands are in the doublehelical state and half are in the 'random coil' (single stranded) state is defined as the melting temperature (Tm). (Santa Lucia, PNAS (USA) 95:1460–1465 (1998)). The Tm of a given pair of nucleic acid strands therefore, is indicative of the stability of the strand to strand binding and depends on the strands' complementarity, sequence length, GC content and environmental conditions (Lewin, Genes V, Chapter 5, Oxford University Press and Cell Press: New York, (1994) pp. 109–126; SantaLucia, 1998).
The analysis of nucleic acid melting has been accomplished in many ways. Methods to observe and analyze nucleic acid denaturation transitions include: measuring the enthalpy change within a sample as it denatures by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) (Kulinski et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 19(9):2449–2455 (1991); Paner et al., Biopolymers 29:1715–1734 (1990); Volker et al., Biopolymers 50:303–318 (1999)), measuring the fluorescence of covalently attached pairs of fluorophores (Vamosi and Clegg, Biochemistry 37:14300–14316 (1998)), and monitoring the change in hyperchromicity of nucleic acids (Haugland, "In Vitro Applications for Nucleic Acid Stains and Probes", in Handbook of Fluorescent Probes and Research Chemicals, 6th ed., Molecular Probes Inc, Eugene OR (1996) pp. 161–174). DSC is a technique which was first used to measure the purity of a chemical. The process measures the heat evolved or absorbed during chemical reactions or transitions (Plato, Anal. Chem. 41(2):330–336 (1969)). Detailed analysis and development of theoretical models of nucleic acid transitions have been possible using DSC techniques (Paner et al., 1990). Kulinski observed different melting profiles of two plant 5S rRNA segments obtained from Lupin seeds and Wheat germ using DSC (Kulinski, 1991). Unfortunately, both optical (hyperchromicity) and DSC analyses requires a substantial quantity of nucleic acid, analysis is slow and usually only single samples can be studied at a time. And, the measure of fluorescence resonance energy transfer between paired fluorophors, as described in Vamosi and Clegg (1998), requires the covalent attachment of the fluorophors at termini of duplexed nucleic acid, which termini must be adjacent when the nucleic acid is duplexed for effective measurement.
Tm values of double stranded nucleic acids can also be observed by monitoring the fluorescence of double-stranded DNA-specific dyes combined with the nucleic acids (Wittwer et al., 1996). Double stranded-specific dyes are nucleic acid-binding fluorophors. Typically, the fluorescence of these dyes increases when bound to duplexed nucleic acids (Wittwer et al., BioTechniques 22:176–181 (1997)). Ririe et al. (1997) demonstrated that post PCR products can be differentiated by melting curve analysis using the double stranded nucleic acid binding dye SYBR® Green I. SYBR® Green I binds preferentially to double stranded nucleic acid (Haugland, 1996).
The process of Tm analysis does not require additional post-PCR handling. However, current applications using double stranded DNA-specific dyes, such as SYBR Green I, are not sequence specific and have not been used to differentiate organisms with one primer set. Furthermore, these dyes have only been used in the analysis of separate, complementary strands of nucleic acid.
In light of the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that there is a need for faster and simpler methods of analysis of single stranded nucleic acid. Such methods should be applicable to both identifying variations in a sequence, such as SSCP and HMA, and typing organisms, such as ribotyping.

Characterization of single stranded nucleic acids by melting analysis of secondary structure using double strand-specific nucleic acid dye


A sealing member and a preemptive system and a preemptive method of preventing or stopping a primary joint leak between a pipe and a pipe fitting by securing a sealing ring to the pipe and the pipe fitting to form a secondary joint that inhibits or prevent leakage between the primary joint between the pipe and the pipe fitting without knowing if the primary joint is faulty.

Water supply systems and particular underground irrigation systems are known in the art. Typically, an irrigation system includes a controller for turning the supply of water on or off, a check valve to prevent backflow and a set of sprinkler heads that connect to the water supply lines. The irrigation systems are designed to supply water at high pressure, which may be in excess of 150 psi, to the supply line and the sprinkler heads. Since the water in the irrigations systems is destined for delivery to the soil proximate the irrigation lines oftentimes small leaks at the fittings of the irrigation system may be ignored since it is time consuming and costly to cut out and replace leaking fittings. However, leaks in the underground irrigation system can cause unintended consequences since the leaks may cause a reduction in supply line pressure at the sprinkler valves thereby reducing the range of the sprinkler valves. In addition, leaks may cause soil erosion as well as over watering regions around the leak.
While proper installation of a system requires checking the underground lines for leaks prior to covering the underground lines not all the joint leaks around fittings may be detected. For example, the placement of soil around the irrigation pipes and the fittings may cause sufficient disturbance of the irrigation pipe with respect to the fitting so that secondary leakage may occur at one or more of the joints between the fittings and the underground irrigation pipe. The condition of secondary leaks is more likely to occur if the joint between the underground irrigation pipe and the fitting has not been properly formed, however, it may not be detected until stress is placed on the joint. To minimize or eliminate the problem of secondary irrigation leakage the irrigation system fittings may be leakproofed or reinforced during the installing process and prior to burial of the irrigation lines by securing a closed or split sealing ring proximate each of the fittings in the irrigation system. These type of secondary leaks may be more likely to occur if the fill soil contains rocks or other hard objects.
In other cases underground irrigation lines may be buried without checking for leaks since the water or power necessary to operate the system is not available during the installation process. In these cases it also prudent to place a closed or split sealing ring proximate each of the joints between the underground irrigation lines and the fittings.
In still other cases the system may be tested by subjecting the system to high pressure after the irrigation pipes and sprinkler heads are operative. During the testing process leaks may be observed. These type of leaks may be repaired without replacing the fitting by using a split sealing ring that can be placed around the irrigation pipe and abutted to a fitting to form a leakproof seal of the pipe to the fitting.
Sealing irrigation pipes to fittings may be done through the method of solvent welding connectors to supply lines in irrigation systems. In solvent welding a thermoplastic polymer fitting, such as PVC, is coated with a thin layer of solvent that for a short time dissolves the surfaces of the polymer fitting creating a viscous liquid film on the surface of the fitting. While the surface of the polymer fitting is in the dissolved or liquid state it is joined to a surface of a polymer pipe that also has a thin layer of solvent thereon which also creates a viscous liquid film on the surface of the pipe. While both the surfaces of the polymer fittings have a thin viscous film the fittings are brought together and held in position. As the viscous film solidifies or cures it creates a solvent welded joint between the two fittings. If for some reason the film does not cover the entire shared surfaces between the pipe and the fitting a leak may occur causing erosion as well as reducing the supply line pressure and thus reducing the range of the irrigation system.
Another type of water system where secondary leaks may occur after the water pipes have been covered and concealed is in water pipes used in residential and commercial buildings where the water pipes may not be subjected to working pressures until after the water pipes have been concealed by walls, floors or ceilings. Oftentimes such leaks can be disastrous since it is not only the replacement of the leaking joint that is required but the secondary damage caused to walls, ceilings, floors and equipment. In those cases joint reinforcement through use of a sealing ring for each of the joints between the fittings and the pipes provides assurances that the chances of building or the building contents being damaged from water escaping from by a failed joint between a pipe and a fitting are substantially eliminated.


A lattice matched silicon germanium (SiGe) semiconductive alloy is formed when a {111} crystal plane of a cubic diamond structure SiGe is grown on the {0001} C-plane of a single crystalline Al2O3 substrate such that a <110> orientation of the cubic diamond structure SiGe is aligned with a <1,0,−1,0> orientation of the {0001} C-plane. A lattice match between the substrate and the SiGe is achieved by using a SiGe composition that is 0.7223 atomic percent silicon and 0.2777 atomic percent germanium. A layer of Si1-xGex is formed on the cubic diamond structure SiGe. The value of X (i) defines an atomic percent of germanium satisfying 0.2277<X<1.0, (ii) is approximately 0.2777 where the layer of Si1-xGex interfaces with the cubic diamond structure SiGe, and (iii) increases linearly with the thickness of the layer of Si1-xGex.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductive structures made from silicon germanium. More specifically, the invention is a lattice matched silicon germanium semiconductive alloy having at least one graded index silicon germanium layer deposited thereon.
2. Description of the Related Art
Silicon germanium (SiGe) is an important semiconductive alloy used in Field Effect Transistors (FETs), High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs), Hetero Bi-polar Transistors (HBTs), Thermo-Electric (TE) devices, photovoltaic solar cells, and photon detectors. Typically, SiGe is grown on common silicon wafer substrates. However, the growth of thick (i.e., greater than tens of nanometers), high-quality (i.e., defect free) SiGe layers on a silicon substrate is difficult because SiGe has a larger lattice constant than silicon. This means that the SiGe layers close to the silicon substrate are strained while severe defects (e.g., threading dislocations, micro twins, cracks, delaminations, etc.) develop in the layers of SiGe that exceed the critical thickness of hundreds of nanometers because of the lattice mismatch. Thus, at best, only strained SiGe layers with very thin thicknesses (i.e., less than hundreds of nanometers) are utilized for high-quality electronic device fabrication.
Recently, methods for making thicker high-quality SiGe semiconductive alloys were disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/242,415, filed Sep. 27, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In this application, a lattice matched SiGe semiconductive alloy and method of fabricating same are provided. Briefly, the {0001} C-plane of a substrate of single crystalline Al2O3 (i.e., sapphire) is exposed and a {111} crystal plane of a cubic diamond structure SiGe is grown on the {0001} C-plane such that a <110> orientation of the cubic diamond structure SiGe is aligned with a <1,0,−1,0> orientation of the {0001} C-plane. A lattice match between the single crystalline Al2O3 and the cubic diamond structure SiGe is achieved by using a SiGe composition that is 0.7223 atomic percent silicon and 0.2777 atomic percent germanium. A strained layer can be grown on top of the lattice matched SiGe. The composition of the strained layer can be pure silicon, pure germanium, or a silicon germanium composition of the general form Si1-YGeY where Y is the atomic percent of germanium that satisfies the relationship 0.0<Y<1.0. However, the strained layer presents an abrupt transition on the lattice matched SiGe that causes
(i) misfit dislocations,
(ii) an electric potential barrier at the interface between the lattice matched SiGe and the strained layer,
(iii) an abrupt change in refractive index,
(iv) an abrupt bandgap change,
(v) generation of interfacial mid-bandgap states, and
(vi) abrupt strain build-up that tends to attract other atoms to thereby introduce impurities into the device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Graded index silicon geranium on lattice matched silicon geranium semiconductor alloy

The United States of America as represented by the Aministrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


The present invention relates to a process for preparing a supported catalytic material, wherein the said process comprises a step of heating a precursor of support material which has been impregnated with a mixture of chemical precursors, wherein the said mixture includes a nitrogen-containing reducing reagent as a precursor and a transition-metal-containing compound as a precursor.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are devices, which converts chemical energy of compounds into electricity using microorganisms. Like a chemical fuel cells they contains anodic and cathodic zones separated in most cases by ion exchange membrane. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is widely used cathodic reaction in fuel cells, which is enhanced by appropriate catalyst. Catalytic materials based on precious metals give the highest catalytic activity. However one of the limiting factors for commercialization of microbial fuel cells is the cost associated with precious metals.
In recent years, a variety of non-platinum catalysts for ORR have been identified and investigated. Among them cobalt or iron phthalocyanines are most investigated substances. These substances show comparable with platinum catalytic activity with respect to ORR. However such kind of catalysts is able to work in acid conditions only for the short time because of chemical reactions with acids. The heat treatment at high temperatures of these compounds was found as a way out from this situation. For example, heat treated iron(II) phthalocyanine can work in acids condition more than 1 year without loss of its activity. The well known non-platinum electrocatalysts are supported on high surface area of carbon materials. The heat treatment of metal-containing compounds together with nitrogen-containing compounds and carbon support makes possible the creation of special metal-nitrogen-carbon (M/N/C) complexes which possess catalytic activity with respect to ORR. At the moment there are several methods of fabrication of supported catalytic materials which use inexpensive precursors.
Regarding to a method of fabrication of supported catalytic material for ORR, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-038988, WO 2014062639 Al Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-196239, and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-37404 are known.

Process for preparing a supported catalytic material, and supported catalytic material

OKINAWA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL CORPORATION


A communication apparatus complying with the ITU-T Recommendations v.34 and control method thereof are disclosed. The communication apparatus predicts a timing at which reception of image data in an amount of the error frames sent from another communication device is terminated, based on the number of error frames which are not normally received when receiving image data from the another communication device through a primary channel. The communication apparatus controls to shift from the primary channel to a control channel in accordance with the predicted timing when the image data is received in an amount of the error frames on the primary channel from the another communication device.

(1) [The Spread of IP Networks/IP Telephones]
In recent years, Internet connection services which use ADSL/FTTH have spread in homes and small- to medium-sized offices. Also, in companies and Universities, etc., communization of information processing equipment by LAN and a transition from conventional private lines to VPN (Virtual Private Network: technology to create a private line over the Internet), etc., are planned. Behind such technology, IP networks and IP telephones that use the IP networks are becoming widespread. The IP telephones use technology to send a voice as IP packets (VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol). Because the IP telephones can execute voice calling over a cheap IP network/router without using expensive equipment such as a switching equipment, a large cost merit is being brought to users who make frequent long-distance calls.
(2) [The Increase of Facsimile Communication Over an IP Network]
As a background to the development and spread of the IP networks and IP telephones, in homes and of course also in companies, the number of facsimile terminals connected to an IP network is increasing, and facsimile communication over an IP network is increasing.
FIG. 1 is a diagram describing a connection between a general public switched telephone network, the Internet, and an IP network/IP telephone.
A communication path 100 indicates facsimile communication which traverses only a telephone station and a public switched telephone network. A communication path 101 connects a facsimile 103 with an ISP (Internet Service Provider) 108 via a VoIP router 107, and indicates a communication path which executes facsimile communication which passes through the Internet 109. Also, a facsimile 105 is connected to an IP network 111 such as a company private line or a VPN, etc., via a VoIP router 110, and it is possible to execute facsimile communication connecting to the public switched telephone network 113 through a VoIP gateway 112 (communication path 104). Also, a communication path 106 indicates transmission between facsimiles connected in the IP network 111. With these various connection configurations, facsimile communication through the IP network 111 can be realized.
(3) [Problems with Facsimile Communication Through an IP Network]
In facsimile communication over a conventional public switched telephone network, interruption of communication rarely occurred because the necessary band for communication over the transfer path was guaranteed. However, as facsimile communication over an IP network increases with the spread of IP network, these communication interruptions during facsimile communication will gradually increase.
In facsimile communication through an IP network, facsimile signals are divided into packets of audio signals and transferred, and on the receiving side, those packets are reassembled and the facsimile signal is obtained by assembling and decoding the audio signal. Because there is no guarantee of communication time in the IP network, and also because when the IP network is congested a band for an audio signal and a band for other data communication cannot sufficiently be taken, a line interruption due to loss of a frequency band or packet delay/loss can occur. With high communication volume, particularly when clumps occur during time periods when data communication is concentrated, such a line interruption can easily occur in an internal company network and the like.
(4) [The Cause for Degradation of Audio Quality in an IP Network]
Before an audio signal from a sending device arrives in a receiving device, A/D conversion, encoding, and packetizing are executed on the signal in the VoIP router (or the VoIP gateway between the public switched phone network and the IP network). Then, in the router in the IP network, routing relay/transfer is executed, and the audio signal is restored by executing packet assembly, decoding and D/A conversion in the VoIP router (or VoIP gateway) on the receiving side.
At this time, the communication speed of packets transferred in the IP network is not constant. For this reason, for a plurality of transferred packets, there is a difference in the timing at which each packet arrives at the VoIP on the receiving side due to network congestion and interruption of the IP network.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of differences in packet arrival timing and packet loss during communication over an IP network.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of packets sent from a facsimile 201 at constant intervals through a VoIP router being received by a facsimile 202 over an IP network 203. In this manner, if the difference in arrival timing of each packet is large and packet loss occurs in the IP network 203, a phenomenon that a signal wave sampled by the VoIP router on the sending side cannot be restored occurs. This has the effect of instantaneous interruption (temporary loss of audio signal) in the audio signal played back based on the received packets.
(5) [Effects of Degradation of Audio Quality on Facsimile Communication]
Instantaneous interruption of an audio signal caused by a difference in packet arrival timing or packet loss has an effect on facsimile communication. Facsimile communication is a communication method which executes a repetition of procedure transfer and image data transfer while establishing synchronization between the modem on the sending side and the modem on the receiving side. In a communication method in which such synchronization between the sending side and receiving side is necessary, a lack of a communication signal due to the instantaneous interruption causes loss of modem synchronization, and makes it difficult to maintain a procedure signal transmission state or continue communication of image data. In particular, when executing facsimile communication on a modem complying with ITU-T Recommendations V.34, occurrence of the instantaneous interruption has a large effect.
FIG. 3 is a diagram describing a time sequence of a process in which a facsimile communication ends with an error on the receiving side from the appearance of sending/receiving signals in the case of occurrence of instantaneous interruption of an audio signal due to an effect from an IP network during communication with a V.34 modem.
Because image data of V.34 communication is composed of continuous frames, if an instantaneous interruption occurs during reception of an image signal, image data of a frame cannot be received during the time from loss of synchronization of frame communication until resynchronization. Also, processing for resynchronization is complicated, and if an instantaneous interruption of a line signal longer than a certain amount of time period occurs, resynchronization is impossible, and as the modems diverge, normal reception of image data becomes impossible.
In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-255166 discloses technology to, if an error frame is detected and a valid frame cannot be received within a certain time period until the next correct frame is received, shift to a low-speed procedure and receive a low-speed command from the other side.
However, in the conventional technology, if an instantaneous interruption occurs again when an error frame is being resent, the modems diverge, and it becomes impossible to recognize the rear end of a primary channel on the receiving side. The rear end of a primary channel indicates a control signal for shift a communication channel from a primary channel for executing reception of image data to a control channel for executing transmission/reception of a sequence signal. In such a case, when the receiving side determines that a certain amount of time period has passed in a state in which the rear end of a primary channel has not been detected, a timeout error occurs and the process terminates with an error.

Communication apparatus and control method thereof


A base and auxiliary eyeglass system in which the auxiliary eyeglasses are not separated from the base eyeglasses but can be unfolded so as to exhibit a similar effect to the case of separating the auxiliary eyeglasses from the base eyeglasses, thereby reducing inconvenience in use of auxiliary eyeglasses in typical eyeglasses such as industrial eyewear, sunglasses, etc., which can rely upon auxiliary eyeglasses attached thereto. A magnetic material is inserted into one side of a base eye rim, and a magnetic material is inserted into one side of an auxiliary eye rim in such a manner as to correspond to the magnet material inserted into the one side of the base eye rim, so that each of the auxiliary eyeglasses can be folded and unfolded. As a consequence, the auxiliary eyeglasses can be unfolded without being separated from the base eyeglasses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of eyeglasses and more particularly, to a base and auxiliary eyeglass system using magnets in which a user can easily attach/detach the auxiliary eyeglasses to/from the base eyeglasses as well as fold/unfold the auxiliary eyeglasses in front of the base eyeglasses according to changes in external environment and his or her feelings, thereby reducing inconvenience in the use of auxiliary eyeglasses in conjunction with typical eyeglasses including sunglasses, convex glasses, etc., to which general auxiliary eyeglasses are attached.
2. Background of the Related Art
In general, widely used base eyeglasses with auxiliary eyeglasses are divided into two types. One type is constructed such that each of the base eyeglasses permits a magnet to be directly inserted into one portion of a lug thereof and each of the auxiliary eyeglasses permits another magnet to be inserted into one side thereof which is in contact with the one portion of the lug, so that a user can easily attach/detach the auxiliary eyeglasses to/from the base eyeglasses. The second type is constructed such that an auxiliary bridge for connecting the auxiliary eyeglasses is bent and caught by a base bridge for connecting the base eyeglasses, and then the auxiliary eyeglasses are fixed to the base eyeglasses by additional means.
The applicant of the present invention has filed many applications concerning eyeglasses. Among them, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2001-0075081 and Korean Utility Model Registration No. 266471 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
A base and auxiliary eyeglass system comprises base eyeglasses G having base eye rims E and a first bar 1 for horizontally connecting the uppermost portions of the base eye rims E, the first bar 1 having a base magnet 1m inserted into the central portion thereof. The auxiliary eyeglasses g have auxiliary eye rims e and a second bar 2 for horizontally connecting the uppermost portions of the auxiliary eye rims e, the second bar having a horizontal portion 2a and a bent portion 2b extending upwardly from the horizontal portion 2a so as to be orthogonal to the horizontal portion 2a. The horizontal portion 2a and the bent portion 2b have magnets 2m and 2mxe2x80x2 inserted thereinto, respectively, so that a user can easily attach/detach the auxiliary eyeglasses to/from the base eyeglasses and fold/unfold the auxiliary eyeglasses in front of the base eyeglasses. The utility model application has already been finally registered in Technical Evaluation in Korea.
In the prior art, the magnets are not directly inserted into the eye rims but rather the first and second bars act as guides for fixing the auxiliary eyeglasses to the base eyeglasses. Therefore, the second bar 2 and the first bar 1 are formed in the auxiliary eyeglasses and the base eyeglasses, respectively, as additional attachment/detachment means for attaching/detaching the auxiliary eyeglasses to the base eyeglasses and folding/unfolding the auxiliary eyeglasses. The system so constructed has problems in that its structure is complicated and there are restrictions in creative designs which are important in the eyeglass industry from an aesthetic point of view.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a base and auxiliary eyeglass system using magnets that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a base and auxiliary eyeglass system using magnets, which can easily unfold the auxiliary eyeglasses in front of the base eyeglasses without additional attachment/detachment means.
To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a base and auxiliary eyeglass system using magnets, including base eyeglasses each having a base eye rim and a base magnet insertion part horizontally protruding from one side of the base eye rim so as to allow a magnetic material to be inserted thereinto, and auxiliary eyeglasses each having an auxiliary eye rim and a magnet hinge part protruding from one side of the auxiliary eye rim in such a manner as to be correspondingly coupled to the base magnet insertion part, the magnet hinge part having a magnetic material inserted thereinto, the magnetic material of the magnet hinge part reacting to the magnetic material inserted into the base magnet insertion part when the auxiliary eyeglasses are folded and unfolded.

Base and auxiliary eyeglass system using magnets

1090-6, Soosung Bosung Apt. 108-205 Soosung-4-ga, Soosung-go


A variable stiffening device that include a first electrode structure and a second electrode structure. The first electrode structure includes an electrode extension that extends into a cavity defined between an electrode of the first electrode structure and an opposing electrode of the second electrode structure. The first and second electrode structures may be arranged in a load-bearing state by applying a voltage thereto to electrostatically attract the electrode to the opposing electrode to press the electrode extension within the cavity. Friction between the electrode extension and engaging surfaces defining the cavity prevent the electrode extension from slipping within the cavity, thereby maintaining a structural relationship among the components of the first and second electrode structures in response to an application of a load to the variable stiffening device.

Current variable stiffening devices use a variety of techniques to provide a device that is actuatable between a less rigid state and a more rigid state. These variable stiffening devices actuate based on the application of an external stimulus, such a temperature change or a pressure change. Some example variable stiffening devices use an external vacuum to compress layers of a device to place the device in a more rigid state. However, external vacuums require bulky equipment and operate at low efficiencies.
Accordingly, a need exists for improved variable stiffening devices that are low-profile and operate on-demand.

Load-bearing variable stiffening device comprising an electrode structure

TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.