A waterproof or water-resistant membrane cover for the acoustic transducer array of a sodar system. The membrane is placed over each transducer of the array. The membrane may be spaced from the array, with a structure such as a frame used to hold the membrane in place relative to the array.

Sodar systems employ sound waves to detect atmospheric phenomena such as wind speed. A monostatic sodar operates by transmitting directional sound pulses and detecting reflected signals from a single apparatus; bistatic systems have separate transmitters and receivers. Phased-array monostatic sodars employ groups of acoustic transducers to emit and receive sound beams in different directions by electronic means. This is accomplished by varying the phase of transmitted signals from the individual transducers comprising the array and by varying the phase of the sampling process such that the transducers detect the signals reflected back from the atmosphere. The array itself remains physically motionless in operation. This approach is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,594, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The phased array approach has the benefit that the directional power density of transmitted signals, and the directional sensitivity of the array to received signals, have a primary beam width which is extremely narrow compared to what is possible with a single transducer, and which can, with appropriate electronics, be oriented in a variety of directions.
Monostatic sodar systems typically use an array of transducers arranged in a rectangular grid packing arrangement such that the transducers are aligned in rows and columns, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,594 patent. These arrays are operated so that they emit three sequential beams, one normal to the plane of the array, and two tilted in altitude relative to the array and 90 degrees from one another in azimuth. The rectangular grid packing arrangement, with circular transducers, leaves about 27% of the array as open space, which results in non-uniformity of sound pressure across the array, leading to potential measurement errors. Also, this inherently reduces the maximum intensity of the sound pressure, which reduces the array accuracy and sensitivity. Further, the use of asymmetric sound beams results in asymmetric sensing, which causes measurement and calculation errors.
Phased arrays ideally produce controllably aimed, sharply delineated directional cones of sound when transmitting, and equivalently shaped cones of sensitivity when receiving. In reality such arrays suffer from deficiencies. For example, the cones are not perfectly delineated by a well-defined boundary; intensity gradually drops as the angle off the main beam axis increases. Also, the cones are not perfectly shaped, but deviate from perfectly circular contours of equal sound intensity centered on the main beam axis. Further, sound transmission and reception is not entirely within the intended cones, but includes intensity outside of the intended cone of both a directionally focused and a quasi-omnidirectional nature.
The amount of sound energy radiated in undesired directions can be minimized by several techniques, including optimizing the number and physical arrangement of the individual transducers. Unfortunately it is understood that the phased array approach in and of itself cannot create a perfect directional beam. Using a practical number of transducers, the array inevitably emits sound in transmit mode, and is sensitive to sound in receive mode, in a number of directions other than the desired beam direction. For example, one or more side lobe beams are generated. Such side lobes are not as strong in transmission or sensitive in reception as the main beam, but are intense enough to degrade the performance of the sodar. These side lobes are predicted by theoretical modeling, and their existence is confirmed by experimentation.
Also, the main beam intensity does not abruptly, or even monotonically, drop to a background level as the angle of measurement deviates from the beam center axis. Instead, intensity drops to a first null, then increases somewhat from this null to a higher level, then drops to a second null, and so on. This results in the main beam being surrounded by one or more annular "rings" of sound, at angles to the main beam axis. These annular rings are also intense enough to degrade the operation performance of the sodar. Like the side lobes, these annuli are also predicted by theoretical modeling and confirmed by experimental measurement.
Further, additional signal intensity is spread out at varying small levels in all directions, likely consisting of complex combinations of the side lobes and the annular rings, as well as imperfections due to variations in transducer sensitivity, geometric accuracy of the sensor array, and variations or imperfections of other aspects of the sodar system.
Practical phased-array sodars are usually surrounded by an open-ended enclosure. Enclosures implemented in prior designs are typically fabricated from flat panel materials. Such enclosures can perform adequately as windscreens for the transducer. However, they do little, if anything, to limit the intensity of off-axis transmission and reception for the broad range of angles which are neither in the direction of the desired beam nor nearly horizontal.
The housing is sometimes lined with open-cell foam to further reduce unwanted sounds. Sound absorbing open-cell foam sheets are commonly used in recording studios, nightclubs, and other indoor applications where echo reduction is desirable. Such foams attenuate incident sound by slowing down the vibrating air within by friction. With the right combinations of density, openness, and morphology, a broad frequency spectrum of sound energy can be absorbed. The foam surface can also contribute to echo reduction by dispersing reflected sounds. Effective dispersive surfaces can range in feature size, depending on sound wavelength, from microscopic roughness to repeating shapes several inches across.
The two most common foams used for sound absorption are open cell melamine and open cell reticulated polyurethane. Both types are very susceptible to rapid degradation from weathering, especially from ultraviolet exposure, dampness, and temperature extremes. Such plastics can be made in weatherable forms, but not types that are both weatherable and useful for sound absorption. The acoustically effective foams expose large surface areas of delicate microstructure to weathering, which can lead to rapid deterioration. Protectively coating the foam surface blocks air passage, which compromises the higher frequency sound absorption desired in sodar operation.
Sound absorption material in a sodar housing benefits sodar operation in several ways. For one, it reduces the emission of stray (off-axis) acoustic energy outside of the desired sodar pulse direction. Also, it attenuates acoustic "ringing" or "reverberation" inside the enclosure following the emitted pulse. Further, it attenuates ambient and otherwise off-axis sound energy before it arrives at the transducer array in "listen" mode.
The reduction of unwanted sound, by absorption and/or blocking, benefits the operation of sodar systems by increasing signal-to-noise ratios in a process where the signals—the reflections of emitted sounds off of atmospheric turbulence and thermal gradations—are very faint. Sound emission in unwanted near-horizontal directions may be objectionable to neighbors in some locations. Reducing such unwanted emissions as a fractional ratio of the sound emitted in the desired, upward, direction has the additional benefit that stronger sound emissions in the desired direction may be possible than would otherwise be the case without effective sound absorption and blocking. This can further improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the returned signals.
The most obvious operational orientation of the array in the wind measurement application would be horizontal, as shown with array 1000 in sodar enclosure 1010, FIG. 12, as the sound beams must be transmitted in a near-vertical pattern. In this configuration the sound mirror 1020 is omitted. This orientation has, however, the serious deficiency of being subject to precipitation or windblown debris accumulating on the array and its individual transducers. Such accumulation will at best compromise system performance; at worst it may destroy the individual transducers. A practical modification of the horizontal arrangement, also used in the prior art, is to orient the array vertically or nearly vertically as shown with array 1000a, aimed at a flat, angled, surface (sound mirror) 1020 which reflects the sound beams in the desired skyward directions. This arrangement reduces the problems presented by precipitation and falling debris by making it possible to shelter the array to a considerable degree. Even with these improvements, there is a high likelihood that precipitation and debris could be blown into the array. Testing shows that raindrops will splatter off of mirror 1020, and may enter the interior cavities of the transducers. The transducers would likely exhibit reversible performance degradation as a result of such exposure, and may still exhibit long term degradation of performance or failure from this exposure. Additionally, such an array may present an attractive site for wasps, bees, or other nesting insects, which would seriously degrade system performance.

Waterproof membrane cover for acoustic arrays in sodar systems


An optical axis of a telephotographic camera for picking up an enlarged image of an iris is placed between guide unit for guiding a subject K into a range in which an iris image can be picked up and direction indication guide unit for indicating the direction in which the subject K is to be directed. If the subject K wears glasses, the face direction of the subject K is changed as indicated by the direction indication guide unit so that an image of illumination light from an iris lighting fixture on the lens, etc., of the glasses of the subject K does not overlap the iris image.

This invention relates to an iris image pickup apparatus for picking up an iris image used for individual identification, etc., of a security system and in particular to an iris image pickup apparatus suited for efficiently picking up a good iris image that can be used for iris authentication processing.
If a subject wears glasses, illumination light glares on the picked-up image of the iris used for authentication processing and the percentage of the illumination light image overlapping the iris image is raised, lowering the authentication rate of the iris. Then, a conventional iris image pickup apparatus in a related art is designed for preventing such lowering the authentication rate of the iris.
For example, as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. H10-5195, when illumination light for picking up an iris image is applied to an eyeball, whether the iris image is good or NG is determined based on the amount of illumination reflected light (when the subject wears glasses, the reflected light amount is much) and if the iris image is determined a bad image (the reflected light amount is much and the illumination light glares on the glasses), illumination is applied to the eyeball from another incidence angle and again an image of the eyeball is picked up as the illumination light is applied, and whether the image is good or NG is determined in a similar manner. After this, the procedure of applying the illumination light to the eyeball at various incidence angles and determining whether the iris image is good or NG is repeated until a good image is provided (an image with less reflected light amount is provided).
In the conventional iris image pickup apparatus described above, the illumination incidence angle is changed one after another and picking up an image is repeated until a good iris image with no illumination light glaring on the iris part is provided, and thus it may take a long time until a good iris image is provided; this is a problem. To prevent the illumination light from glaring on the iris part, the interval from the camera to the lighting fixture must be taken wide; this is also a problem.
Further, with the conventional iris image pickup apparatus, when an image is picked up is not known and thus the probability that an iris image pickup failure will occur due to a blink of the subject is high, and there is a possibility that the whole time taken for authentication may be prolonged as the number of times an image is picked up is increased; this is a problem.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Devices and/or computer-implemented methods to facilitate a cross-resonance operation in a dispersive regime of a qubit frequency space are provided. According to an embodiment, a device can comprise a first qubit having a first operating frequency and a first anharmonicity. The device can further comprise a second qubit that couples to the first qubit to perform a cross-resonance operation. The second qubit having a second operating frequency and a second anharmonicity. A detuning between the first operating frequency and the second operating frequency is larger than the first anharmonicity and the second anharmonicity.

The subject disclosure relates to a quantum device facilitating a cross-resonance operation, and more specifically, to a quantum device facilitating a cross-resonance operation in a dispersive regime.
Fixed-frequency quantum bits (qubits), which have systematically demonstrated longer coherences, chiefly rely on the cross-resonance interaction for performing two-qubit gates. The speed, fidelity, and performance of the cross-resonance gate has so far been believed to be superior in the straddling regime, where the energy levels of the two qubits cross each other like two combs.
A problem with existing quantum technologies that implement the cross-resonance gate is that they operate the cross-resonance gate in the straddling regime, which leads to gate errors due to large static ZZ interactions and especially due to frequency collisions (e.g., often uncontrolled frequency collisions). The narrow spacing between the qubits (e.g., between operating frequencies of the qubits) that perform the cross-resonance gate in the straddling regime leads to many common frequency collisions and/or frequency crowding.
Another problem with such existing quantum technologies that implement the cross-resonance gate in the straddling regime is that they are not scalable because multi-qubit architectures lead to more gate errors due to greater static ZZ interactions and frequency collisions with spectator qubits (e.g., adjacent qubits) that further limit cross-resonance gate fidelity. A chief problem for scaling is that the current levels of control in Josephson junction fabrication are insufficient to mitigate the frequency crowding problem in such existing quantum technologies that implement the cross-resonance gate in the straddling regime. Systems with more than several hundred qubits appear infeasible with the current approach, due to the high chance of collisions caused by the narrow spacing of the qubit spectra.

Quantum device facilitating a cross-resonance operation in a dispersive regime

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A mixer for tuning to an intermediate frequency signal, an intermediate frequency amplifier provided at a rear stage of the mixer, an intermediate frequency tuning circuit interposed between the mixer and the intermediate frequency amplifier for tuning to the intermediate frequency signal, and a trap circuit interposed between the mixer and the intermediate frequency amplifier for attenuating the signal of an adjacent channel are comprised. By connecting a first switch means to the trap circuit in parallel to turn on the first switch means, the RF characteristic at an input port of the intermediate frequency amplifier or an output port of the mixer can be observed, without being influenced by the trap circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-000867 filed on Feb. 26, 2004, herein incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to an intermediate frequency circuit suitable for a television tuner.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional intermediate frequency circuit is shown in FIG. 3. A first capacitor 44 and a first inductor 45 are connected in parallel between a pair of input ports 411, 412 of an intermediate frequency input circuit 41, and an intermediate tap of the first inductor 45 is connected to a power supply terminal 415. A parallel-connected circuit composed of a second capacitor 46 and a second inductor 47, a fourth capacitor 50 and a first resistor 51 are connected in series between one input port 411 and one output port 413, and a parallel-connected circuit composed of a third inductor 48 and a third capacitor 49, a fifth capacitor 52 and a second resistor 53 are connected in series between the other input port 412 and the other output port 414.
In addition, a collector of one transistor 54 in a frequency mixing circuit 42 is connected to one input port 411, and a collector of the other transistor 55 therein is connected to the other input port 412.
A base of one transistor 56 in an intermediate frequency amplifying circuit 43 is connected to one output port 413, and a base of the other transistor 57 therein is connected to the other output port 414.
The parallel-connected circuit composed of the first capacitor 44 and the first inductor 45 is tuned to an intermediate frequency, the parallel-connected circuit composed of the second capacitor 46 and the second inductor 47 forms a trap circuit which parallel-resonates at an intermediate frequency component of an upper-side adjacent channel, and the parallel-connected circuit composed of the third inductor 48 and the third capacitor 49 forms a trap circuit which parallel-resonates at an intermediate frequency component of a lower-side adjacent channel.
Further, an intermediate frequency signal output from the frequency mixing circuit is input to the intermediate frequency input circuit 41 through a pair of input ports 411, 412. In the intermediate frequency input circuit 41, the intermediate frequency signal is tuned by the parallel-connected circuit composed of the first capacitor 44 and the first inductor 45, unnecessary intermediate frequency component of the upper-side adjacent channel is removed by the parallel-connected circuit composed of the second capacitor 46 and the second inductor 47, and unnecessary intermediate frequency component of the lower-side adjacent channel is removed by the parallel-connected circuit composed of the third inductor 48 and the third capacitor 49.
Subsequently, the intermediate frequency signal is output to one output port 413 through the fourth capacitor 50 and the first resistor 51 and to the other output port 414 through the fifth capacitor 52 and the second resistor 53. The intermediate frequency signals from the pair of the output ports 413, 414 are input to the intermediate frequency amplifying circuit 43 (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-196961(FIG. 4)
Generally, the RF characteristic of a television tuner (the transfer characteristic up to the frequency mixing circuit 42) is observed by connecting a detector having a low impedance to the intermediate frequency input circuit 41 so that the characteristic of the intermediate frequency input circuit 41 does not appear. However, the RF characteristic is still influenced by the parallel resonance circuit (trap circuit) provided for removing the intermediate frequency component of the adjacent channel.

Intermediate frequency circuit of television tuner


An X-ray tube 1 includes spacer 8 which is cylindrical so it does not block electrons 80 directed from a grid electrode 72 toward a focusing electrode 25, and which has one end 8b fixed to the grid electrode 72 and the other end 8c abutting against the focusing electrode 25. The distance between the grid electrode 72 and focusing electrode 25 is set to a predetermined distance by the spacer 8.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an X-ray tube for generating X-rays.
2. Related Background Art
An X-ray tube has an electron gun comprised of a cathode, heater, grid electrode, and the like, a focusing electrode, and an anode target in a high-vacuum sealed housing (tube). The cathode is heated by the heater to emit electrons from the cathode. The electrons are focused through the grid electrode and focusing electrode to become incident on the anode target to which a high voltage is applied, thereby generating X-rays.
In the assembly of the X-ray tube, the position (position in the electron traveling direction) of the electron gun is determined by inserting the electron gun in the housing to oppose the focusing electrode integrated with the housing, and the lid portion which is opposite to the cathode of the electron gun is fixed to the housing, so that the housing is sealed.
In the X-ray tube, an electron beam from the electron gun must be focused to about 10 xcexcm on the anode target so that predetermined X-rays are obtained. In order to obtain this predetermined focal diameter, the distance between the focusing electrode and the grid electrode of the electron gun must be set to a predetermined distance highly precisely.
In the X-ray tube described above, when the electron gun is inserted in the housing to oppose the focusing electrode, the housing is closed with the lid portion of the electron gun, and accordingly the actual distance between the grid and focusing electrodes cannot be measured or inspected. It is therefore very difficult to set the distance between the grid and focusing electrodes to the predetermined distance highly precisely by positioning adjustment of the electron gun, and positioning adjustment of the electron gun takes a very long period of time. For example, if the grid electrode is displaced by about 100 xcexcm from the predetermined distance, the predetermined focal diameter (about 10 xcexcm) cannot be obtained.
It is an object of the present invention to solve the problems described above and to provide an X-ray tube in which the grid electrode can be positioned in the axial direction (direction along which electrodes line up) precisely and easily, so that an improvement in quality and reduction in assembly cost can be realized.
In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, there is provided an X-ray tube in which a cathode is heated in a housing sealed in vacuum to emit electrons, and the electrons are focused on an anode target through a grid electrode and a focusing electrode, thereby generating X-rays, characterized by comprising a spacer with one end fixed to the grid electrode and the other end abutting against the focusing electrode, the spacer being formed cylindrical so the electrons directed from the grid electrode toward the focusing electrode can pass therethrough.
In the X-ray tube according to the present invention, because of the presence of the spacer formed cylindrical so it does not block the electrons directed from the grid electrode toward the focusing electrode, and with one end fixed to the grid electrode and the other end abutting against the focusing electrode, the distance between the grid electrode and focusing electrode is set to a predetermined distance. The grid electrode can accordingly be positioned in the axial direction (direction along which electrodes line up) correctly and easily. As a result, an improvement in quality of the X-ray tube and reduction in assembly cost can be realized.
Also, in order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, there may also be provided an X-ray tube in which a cathode is heated in a housing sealed in vacuum to emit electrons, and the electrons are focused on an anode target through a grid electrode and a focusing electrode, thereby generating X-rays, characterized in that the grid electrode has a plate-shaped base portion with an opening, at a center thereof, through which the electrons pass, and a cylindrical portion integrally molded with the base portion from the same material as that of the base portion, formed cylindrical so the electrons directed from the opening toward the focusing electrode can pass therethrough, and having one end abutting against the focusing electrode.
In the X-ray tube according to the present invention, the distance between the base portion of the grid electrode, which has the opening through which the electrons from the cathode pass and forms a microelectron lens for obtaining a predetermined focal point, and the focusing electrode is set to a predetermined distance by the cylindrical portion of the grid electrode, which is formed cylindrical so as not to block the electrons directed from the opening of the base portion toward the focusing electrode and integrally molded with the base portion so the end thereof abuts against the focusing electrode. Therefore, the base portion (microelectron lens) of the grid electrode can be positioned in the axial direction (direction along which electrodes line up) correctly and easily. As a result, an improvement in quality of the X-ray tube and reduction in assembly cost can be realized.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.


A system and method are provided for processing directory service operations. The system includes a client device communicatively coupled to one or more directory servers. Each directory server includes a communications interface, a storage mechanism, and an evaluation module. According to an exemplary embodiment, the storage mechanism is a non-persistent storage mechanism which increases read and write performance. When a directory server receives a directory service operation, it determines whether it is capable of processing the operation, and if so, processes it with respect to its non-persistent storage mechanism.

Directory services are commonly used to manage identities, policies, security information, and network resources. A directory service typically organizes electronic content and runs on a directory server. The directory service is the interface to a directory which holds information about objects that are to be managed by the directory service.
Directories differ from databases in several ways. A primary difference is that information in a directory is generally read more often than it is written. Still, information has to at times be written to directories. Additionally, data in a directory is accessed using one or more directory service protocols. A client requesting from a directory need not know which physical device stores the data. There is an ongoing need to increase directory read and write performance without sacrificing consistency and reliability.
Past attempts to increase read and write performance have resulted in increased complexity of operations and increased cost. Previous attempts at increasing read performance have included the use of various caching techniques. However, in a mixed read/write environment, read performance still suffers in order to maintain consistent information. Caching as well as turning off transaction logging has been used in attempts to increase write performance. However, these techniques do not ensure reliability because information may be lost in the event of a power failure or other service interruption.
The inventor has determined that it would be desirable to provide a system and method to increase both read and write performance of existing systems without sacrificing consistency and reliability.

System and method for efficient directory performance using non-persistent storage


The purpose of the present invention is to provide a specific wound healing accelerator effective for accelerating healing of wounds, particularly of wounds in the oral cavity, or a composition which includes the wound healing accelerator. This wound healing accelerator including a specific polyphenol is easy to handle and is capable of accelerating would healing even by contact for a short time.

Periodontal disease is an oral disease spreading across the world and one of major causes of tooth loss. Although some active ingredients can be mentioned against such a wound as to include periodontal disease, a demand still exists for compounds capable of accelerating wound healing.
Examples of the compounds that show the accelerating action of wound healing include agents, as an active ingredient, such as an extract from aloes or the like, an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory agent, kallikrein, adenine, nicotinic acid, allantoin, vitamin A, zinc, a cAMP derivative (Patent Literature 1) and exogenous collagen (Patent Literature 2). In the conventional technique, the improvement of a formulation, etc., to improve the absorbability of such active ingredients had been actively practiced, however, recently, as various findings on the skin histology become clear, attempts to use epidermal growth factor (EGF) for postoperative wound healing have been made (Patent Literature 3).
When an agent is orally administered, a portion of the administered agent acts on the affected area, thereby making it difficult to obtain a sufficient effect and further leaving concern over the manifestation of side effects. Therefore, agents such as an external preparation, which act directly on the skin, are desired for therapy. Few wound healing accelerators, however, are available as an external preparation, and this makes skin wound healing difficult.
At present, as a wound healing accelerator which is commonly used for an external preparation, solcoseryl ointment containing as a main ingredient a calf blood extract, Actosin ointment containing as a main ingredient bucladesine sodium which is a cAMP derivative, and Fiblast spray containing as a main ingredient bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor), are known. It is, however, required for therapy to apply such an accelerator to the affected area for a long time, and side effects, such as irritation/aching, redness, itching and the increase of exudation, have also been reported. Many of specific polyphenols as disclosed in the present specification, for example, proanthocyanidin and chlorogenic acid which are abundant in grapes and coffee, respectively, abound in familiarity with eating, and can constitute one characteristic feature of being highly safe even upon ingestion. In addition, it takes a certain extent of time for the above drugs to show the effect on fibroblasts, and the action of various growth factors (TGF-β, IL-1α and PDGF) including bFGF that the present inventors had previously tested became detectable on a fibroblast wound model (in vitro) after 24 hours of treatment (Non Patent Literature 1). Thus, any drug or the like to reveal its effect after several minutes of treatment has not been reported.
On the other hand, it has been known that a polyphenol acts as an antioxidant and has a suppressing effect on oxidative damage at inflamed sites in local tissues which are caused by reactive oxygen species produced by inflammatory cells such as neutrophils. A polyphenol is used for an external dermatologic agent, an agent for use in the oral cavity and the like (Patent Literatures 4-9 and Non Patent Literatures 2 and 3). However, it has not been confirmed that any specific polyphenol can accelerate wound healing.


In a semiconductor process, a seamless tungsten plug is formed in an inter-layer dielectric by forming the inter-layer dielectric from multiple oxide layers having different wet etch rates, from lowest wet-etch rate for the lowest layer to highest wet-etch rate for the highest layer, forming a hole or trench in the inter-layer dielectric using a dry etch process, reconfiguring the hole or trench to have sloped side walls by performing a wet etch step, and filling the hole or trench with tungsten and etching back the tungsten to form a seamless tungsten plug.

Vertical connection between silicon device area and a metal line or between metal lines in a multilevel interconnect scheme of a semiconductor device is commonly achieved using tungsten (W). A hole is etched in the interlayer dielectric which is then filled with metal, commonly tungsten. This provides a vertical connection between metal interconnect lines, or between the silicon device area and the 1st layer metal. The latter is also referred to as a contact (CT) W plug. In a typical prior art approach the deposition of the tungsten is followed by an etch back process in the form of a dry etch or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, so that wafer surface tungsten can be removed, while tungsten in the contact is retained. In a CMP step a polishing pad rotates against the wafer surface while a slurry removes the metal overlying the wafer surface. In the prior art approach of forming a CT tungsten plug, a vertical CT profile is created. However, a tungsten seam unfortunately forms naturally during the tungsten deposition, and the etch back process enlarges or enhances the seam.
This is illustrated in the sectional view of FIG. 1, showing two prior art tungsten plugs 100 extending through an interlayer dielectric (ILD) 102 to connect to metal 1 layer 104. The seams 110 are clearly visible in the sectional view of FIG. 1.

Method of fabricating a tungsten plug in a semiconductor device


A technique for testing interconnections between electronic components is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for testing interconnections between electronic components. The method may comprise sending a command from a test controller to a plurality of electronic components via a first communication path, wherein the command comprises an instruction for one or more of the plurality of electronic components to transmit a recognizable data pattern to the test controller via a second communication path. The method may also comprise isolating a failure in the first communication path based upon the recognizable data pattern not being transmitted to the test controller via the second communication path.

In the manufacturing of electronic equipment, it is beneficial to test the proper operation of the manufactured electronic equipment in order to maintain an expected level of quality. Testing may be performed on individual electronic components, subsystems, and complete systems. The testing of subsystems and systems typically involves testing interconnections between electronic components. However, problems may be encountered when trying to perform such testing.
For example, testing of subsystems and systems typically requires that there be two-way communication between a test controller and one or more electronic components to be tested. By connecting a test controller and multiple electronic components together in a serial chain, the test controller may communicate with (e.g., test) each of the multiple electronic components without requiring a large number of interface connections on either the test controller or the multiple electronic components. However, if a break occurs at some point along the serial chain, the test controller will not be able to communicate with (e.g., test) any electronic components that are located on the opposite side of the break from the test controller. In such a case, the test controller will typically not be able to easily isolate the fault (i.e., the break), and thus more extensive testing may be required, which can be labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive.
One solution to the above-described fault isolation problem was developed by the Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) and is described in Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Standard 1149.1 (IEEE Standard Test Access Port and Boundary-Scan Architecture). That is, IEEE Standard 1149.1 describes test logic that can be included in integrated circuits to provide standardized approaches to testing interconnections between integrated circuits after they have been assembled on a printed circuit board (PCB), and testing the integrated circuits themselves. The test logic includes a boundary-scan register and other building blocks and is serially accessed through a dedicated multi-pin test access port (TAP).
While IEEE Standard 1149.1 describes a fairly robust solution to the above-described fault isolation problem, it also results in significant increases in die area, pad loading, and pin count. Also, as data rates increase, boundary-scan register loads in accordance with IEEE Standard 1149.1 become very impractical. Furthermore, other methods (e.g., write/read comparison, calibration, wire test, etc.) already exist to test high-speed links in a system.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a technique for testing interconnections between electronic components which overcomes the above-described inadequacies and shortcomings.

Technique for testing interconnections between electronic components


A method and device aids in monitoring at least one turbine engine in an aircraft. The method includes determining a value illustrating a thermomechanical state of the turbine engine, and comparing the determined value with at least one threshold. The method also includes displaying in the cockpit of the aircraft, at least one indication related to the operation of the turbine engine, according to this comparison. As a result, conditions that could result in mechanical degradation or failure of the turbine engine are identified for a crew of the aircraft.

It is known that, under some operating conditions, the stoppage of a turbine engine such as a turbojet or a turbopropeller can result in a turbine mechanical lock, due to a differential expansion between stator and rotor elements. This phenomenon is known as "core lock" or "rotor lock". This lock makes it impossible to re-start the engine: upon a flight, in the case of an abrupt shutdown, but also on the ground, in the case of too an early shutdown after landing or for fuel saving purposes, running is sometimes performed with a reduced number of engines.
Beyond the "core-lock" effect, the present invention is also of interest as regards protection against thermomechanical fatigue effects. When subjected to intensive and frequent thermal cycles, metal parts of the engine components actually undergo thermomechanical type stresses which may lead to cracks in the metal structure of the engine components. Cracks initiated within the compressor or turbine disks for example can propagate and result in the breaking thereof. The high speeds of rotation of these elements, as well as their big size, can result upon breaking thereof in significant damage to the propulsive system, to the aircraft or to the environment, because the energy level being induced is then very high.
The engine shutdown phases represent significant exposures to the thermomechanical fatigue phenomenon, if engine shutdown precautions, consisting in waiting several minutes with an engine maintained at an idle speed before shutting down, are not applied.
In the case of the engine being stopped by an abrupt shutdown, for example caused by an aerodynamic distortion, a temporary fuel deprivation or on a crew command, the air used for cooling mechanic parts of the turbine does not flow any longer sufficiently within the engine. If the aircraft travel speed is low, the "windmilling" engine driving (engine rotation under the effect of the air speed penetrating it, by a "windmill" effect) engine driving is too low or absent. Then, the differential expansion and contraction between the turbine rotor, stator and casing are such that these parts can come into mechanical contact and can make it impossible to re-start the windmilling engine, or even with the assistance of the starter. The differential heat expansion and contraction can have effects in the radial/longitudinal direction. If there is no contact and no rotation possible, re-starting an engine which has been shut down without waiting for a sufficiently long period at idle can result in vibrations or frictions at the end of the rotating parts, generated for example by a so-called "rotor bow" phenomenon where the shaft bearing the compressor stages and the turbine as well as the fixed structure consisting of the stators and the casing are bowed between the two ends thereof. Starting under an excessive "rotor bow" and a contact with the compressor vanes can initiate cracks in the latter.

Method and device for monitoring a turbine engine of an aircraft


The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia Lam seed designated as 41-49 RZ, which has leaves with a hollow main vein, broad base leaves, and exhibits resistance against downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel), currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri), corky root (Sphingomonas suberifaciens) and lettuce mosaic virus (LMV). The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia Lam plant produced by growing the “41-49 RZ” seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 41-49 RZ.

Romaine lettuce should provide a product at harvestable stage, which is acceptable to the processing industry and/or consumers. Therefore the harvestable product should not have tipburn, and it should have a dark green outer leaf color. Further it should be sufficiently headed, and as a result of this heading provide sufficient yellow-colored heartleaves.
Romaine lettuce is brought to the market in the form of wholehead, hearts, single leaves, or cut leaf pieces. For the purpose of wholehead and heart production it is very important that the leaves are wide enough to overlap and maintain head integrity. It also important that core internodes and petioles are short enough to give a closed base. The closed base and overlapping head leaves are reducing the product surface resulting in less wilting and a longer shelflife. This is desired by traders, retailers and consumers.
Lettuce can be attacked by many diseases and pests, such as downy mildew (Bremia lactucae), Lettuce Mosaic Virus (LMV), corky root (Spingomonas suberifaciens), and aphids. These problems have to be controlled by growers at high costs. Especially the currant-lettuce aphid Nasonovia ribisnigri is causing problems in lettuce, as it has the unique feature of multiplying deeply hidden in the heart of the lettuce plant. In the heart it cannot be reached by most insecticide treatments against aphids. Pesticides are used to control against these pests and diseases and they form a risk for the grower using them, as well as their residues are reducing the confidence of the potential consumers in the healthiness of the product.
Citation or identification of any document in this application is not an admission that such document is available as prior art to the present invention.


A system for processing performance prediction decisions includes one or more processors configured to execute one or more program modules. The modules are configured to receive, via the one or more processors, a prediction for an account at a prediction timestamp. The modules are also configured to identify, via the one or more processors, a prediction rule using attributes from the prediction. Responsive to the prediction rule having a network trigger associated therewith, the modules are configured to retrieve, via the one or more processors, a network trigger time associated with the network trigger, compare, via the one or more processors, the prediction timestamp to the network trigger time, and apply, via the one or more processors, a prediction decision based on the comparison of the prediction timestamp and the network trigger time. Applying the prediction decision includes determining a confidence level that a communication associated with the prediction will occur by a given time.

Computer performance many be affected by several factors. One such factor is the speed of the central processing unit ("CPU"). The speed of the CPU (or clock speed) is the frequency at which the processor executes instructions, or the frequency by which data is processed by the CPU. Another factor is the size of the random access memory ("RAM") and/or hard disk. RAM and/or hard disk may be used to store data that the computer is currently using (e.g., performing operations and/or otherwise processing). Generally, a large RAM size will mean faster computer performance, and a smaller RAM size will result in slower computer performance. Another factor is hard disk speed. Hard disk speed is defined as the rate at which material and content can be read and written on it. Generally, the higher the speed of the hard disk, the faster the performance of the computer, and vice versa. Other factors, such as the number of applications being run on a computer, the type of data being processed, and/or the size/speed of other computer components (e.g., graphics cards, etc.) may also affect performance.
Additionally, when transferring data between (or via a series of) computers, performance (on a network scale) may also be affected by several factors. These factors may include the number of devices on the network, the bandwidth of the transmission medium, the type of network traffic, network latency, and the number of transmission errors. Thus, when predicting when communications across networks will be completed, the system may need to base predictions on both computer performance and network performance, as well as numerous factors for each.

System and methods for prediction communication performance in networked systems


A method of arranging the transmission of packet data in a system comprising a mobile terminal, a wireless local network and a mobile network that includes end-to-end service related parameters that are signalled via a separate signalling element. A resource authorization identifier is transmitted to the mobile network via the local network. Authorization is requested from the signalling element on the basis of the resource authorization identifier. A tunnel between the mobile terminal and the mobile network is bound to the end-to-end data flow of the mobile terminal on the basis of an authorization from the signalling element and tunnel identification information identifying the tunnel.

The invention relates to the transfer of packet-switched data in a system comprising a mobile terminal, a wireless local network and a mobile network.
Packet-switched data transmission services have been developed for mobile terminals. GPRS services (General Packet Radio Service) are widely used in terminals supporting the GSM radio technology and packet-switched services of the 3GPP system (Third-Generation Partnership Project) based on the WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) radio technology are also based on GPRS. PDP contexts are generally logical connections on which IP data are transferred from a mobile station to a boundary node (GGSN) in a GPRS/3GPP network and vice versa. Different PDP contexts may be provided with different quality of service (QoS) properties, thereby enabling optimal transmission of time-critical or error-critical data, for instance. In addition, an IP multimedia subsystem IMS is designed in the 3GPP system for providing various IP multimedia services to 3GPP mobile stations (UE; User Equipment). The IMS utilizes PDP contexts for data transfer to or from a mobile station. The IMS includes functions that enable the negotiation of an end-to-end session on the application plane using the SIP protocol (Session Initiation Protocol), the features of the session being for instance the codecs used, the termination points and the quality of service (QoS). For arranging the negotiated end-to-end quality of service also in the 3GPP network, a service based local policy (SBLP) is applied. The IMS includes a call session control function (CSCF), which includes a PDF function (Policy Decision Function) for authorizing quality of service resources (bandwidth, delay, etc.) for an IMS session based on SIP-layer SDP information (Session Description Protocol).
Besides access via the conventional access networks of the PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) networks, such as the BSS (Base Station Sub-system) of the GSM, a need has also risen to allow access to the services of a PLMN by local networks primarily targeted at providing high speed data transmission in a limited area, such as in an office building. WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) technologies are very popular today and standardization work has been done in 3GPP to define WLAN-3GPP interworking. This interworking may include the usage of 3GPP subscriber management procedures, such as authentication and charging procedures, as well as data transmission via the 3GPP core network for mobile terminals in a WLAN network. The basic concept is to provide a 3GPP subscriber with access via a WLAN network, also when roaming abroad. 3GPP specification TS 23.234 "3GPP system to Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) interworking", version 6.0.0, March 2004, defines the system description for WLAN-3GPP interworking.
For WLAN interworking, the 3GPP network is provided with some new network elements or entities. A WLAN Access Gateway (WAG) is a gateway via which the data to/from the WLAN Access Network is transferred to provide the MS with 3G PS based services. A Packet Data Gateway (PDG) is a network element providing access for WLAN roaming mobile terminals to external IP networks, including those supporting 3GPP PS (Packet-switched) domain-based services. An AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting) server may provide authentication and charging services for WLAN roaming mobile terminals.
It is desirable that end-to-end QoS negotiation also be provided for mobile terminals roaming in WLAN networks. The above-mentioned 3GPP specification TS 23.234 defines on page 29 that the PDG performs the functions of a service-based local policy enforcement point (PEP) and communicates with a policy decision function to allow a service-based local policy. QoS interworking information may be obtained from the policy decision function. IETF RFC (Request For Comments) 2753 "A Framework for Policy-based Admission Control", R. Yavatkar et al., January 2000, describes a framework for providing policy-based control and a client-server protocol for communication between a policy server (PDP; Policy Decision Point) and its client (PEP). However, the 3GPP specification TS 23.234 does not disclose how to arrange the adoption of the policy for the terminal in the WLAN-3GPP interworking system.

Transfer of packet data in system comprising mobile terminal, wireless local network and mobile network


A heated wiper mechanism, arranged to prevent ice from building up on the articulated wiper arm structure of a vehicle windshield wiper carrying a flexible strip (1), the heater mechanism including an electrically supplied, heat radiating wire (9) supported on said windshield wiper, the heat radiating wire (9) being an integral, closed loop electrical resistance wire enclosed by a flexible tubing and being supported at a level near an upper, backside portion of the strip (1) for radiating heat to the articulated wiper arm structure. The wire (9) is supported by saddle-shaped clips (13) engaging the sectional profile of the backside portion of the strip (1) and reaching, with opposing free ends of the clip, on both longitudinal sides of the strip for holding the heated wire (9) in snap lock attachment.

This invention relates to improvements in windshield wipers and particularly to a heater mechanism for use in combination with conventional windshield wipers to prevent ice and snow from building up on the wiper during winter driving conditions.
Driving in winter conditions, specifically in falling snow at temperatures below or near the freezing point, often causes the problem of snow and ice building up and thus stiffening the wiper arm mechanism. In the conventional windshield wiper, a flexible rubber strip is attached to an articulated wiper arm designed to accommodate to the curvature of the windshield. The conventional wiper arm of a personal transport vehicle typically includes a main beam that is pivotally linked to a mover arm, driven by a motor for reciprocating, pivotal movements on a motor shaft. A secondary wiper beam is pivotally linked to each end of the main beam, each said secondary beam pivotally carrying a rubber strip holder in each end of the secondary beam. The rubber strip holder is typically arched and attaches with the ends thereof to a metal rail, clamped about the profiled backside of the rubber strip. Thus, the conventional wiper arm mechanism typically includes seven (7) pivot joints, and eight (8) attachment points with the flexible rubber strip.
The ability of the wiper rubber strip to accommodate to the windshield curvature in order to clear the glass surface from snow, ice and water is thus crucially depending on the flexibility of the wiper arm. It is therefore of major importance that the pivot joints and attachments are kept free from ice, that would severely affect and reduce this flexibility, and thus the operation of the wiper.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,166 (Bell) there is disclosed a windshield wiper having a heated wire supported on each side of the wiper rubber strip. Electricity is supplied to resistance wire elements via connections arranged at the wire ends, near the lower end of the wiper arm. The heated wires are arranged in metal clips that are clamped to the backside of the rubber strip, the clips carrying the wires in close relation to the sliding contact edge of the rubber strip. The object of the heated wires of U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,166 is to radiate heat to be received by the windshield glass, and thus keeping the surface free from ice. To achieve this object, the heated wires are separately supported by clamps or connectors formed to secure the heated wire in close relation to the external glass surface, which is accomplished by forming the clamps with smooth riding surfaces that are in sliding contact with the glass surface.
The heated wiper of U.S. Pat. No. 3,034,166 is thus not designed for, nor effective for heating and thawing the pivot joints and attachments of the articulated wiper arm. Another obvious drawback of the cited heated wiper is the potential risk of the connector elements scratching the windshield glass. Yet another drawback of the cited wiper is the location of the power connections at the lower end of the wiper arm, so that the connected power leads are unduly exposed in the lengths thereof.
An object of this invention is to provide a heater mechanism that is attachable to a conventional windshield wiper for radiating heat to the mechanical joints and attachments of the articulated wiper arm in order to prevent ice and snow from building up and thereby reducing it""s flexibility and ability to accommodate to the curvature of the windshield.
Another object is to provide a heater mechanism that is readily installed on a conventional windshield wiper without affecting or reducing it""s flexibility and ability to accommodate to the curvature of the windshield.
Yet another object is to provide a heater mechanism that is readily installed on a conventional windshield wiper by being snapped into connector elements reaching out from opposite sides of the wiper to secure the heater mechanism at a level near the backside portion of the wiper rubber strip.
These and other objects are met in a heater mechanism for a windshield wiper as defined by the appended claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the heater mechanism are defined in the subclaims.
A heater mechanism for a windshield wiper is disclosed, wherein an integral, electrically supplied heat radiating wire is arranged to run about the length of the wiper, from a longitudinally central area along a first side of the wiper and turning around a first end, along a second side of the wiper and turning around an opposite, second end back to the longitudinal center of said first side of the wiper. The heated wire is electrically supplied through connectors attached to the wire in said central area of the wiper, where also the wiper main beam is pivotally supported on a mover arm. Power supply leads are guided along said mover arm into the body of the vehicle.
The heated wire is supported by saddle clips that are formed to engage the upper, backside portion of the flexible wiper strip. The clips are formed to receive the profile of the strip, and by snapping on to the strip, the clips extend on both sides thereof so as to carry the heated wire at a level near said backside portion of the strip. On both sides of the wiper, the clips are formed in the ends thereof for a snap lock attachment of the heated wire.


A silicon polymer material, which has a silicon polymer backbone with chromophore groups attached directly to at least a part of the silicon atoms, the polymer further exhibiting carbosilane bonds. The film forming composition and resulting coating properties can be tailored to suit the specific exposure wavelength and device fabrication and design requirements. By using two different chromophores the refractive index and the absorption co-efficient can be efficiently tuned. By varying the proportion of carbosilane bonds, and a desired Si-content of the anti-reflective coating composition can be obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel silicon-based compositions and the use thereof. In particular, the invention concerns novel film forming compositions that have properties suitable for anti-reflective coatings used in lithographic fabrication of semiconductor devices. The present invention also concerns methods of producing anti-reflective coatings on substrates.
2. Description of Related Art
There is a constant demand for decreasing the size of various features in semiconductor devices, e.g. integrated circuits (ICs). This demand creates challenges for the manufacturing processes. Photolithography is an example of a technique commonly used for the production of such devices and in particular for creating the patterns that define structures in ICs. In a lithographic process, a layer of a photoresist material is deposited on a substrate. The photoresist layer is selectively exposed to radiation, such as ultraviolet-light or electrons, and an exposure tool and mask are used for producing the desired selective exposure. The patterns in the resist are then created when the wafer undergoes a subsequent "development" step. The areas of resist that remain after development serve to protect the substrate regions which they cover. Locations from which resist has been removed can be subjected to a variety of subtractive or additive processes that transfer the pattern onto the substrate surface.
Generally, the substrate surfaces commonly used are highly reflective. The light-waves used in the exposure propagate through the photoresist film down to the substrate, and are reflected back up through the photoresist. This causes off-normal reflection effects and standing wave effects. These effects give rise to significant and critical variations in the dimensions of the patterns, and several techniques have been developed to suppress them, including the use of anti-reflective coatings (in the following also abbreviated "ARC"s) fitted below or above the resist layer. Methods that reduce reflectivity at the resist interfaces can provide line width control with minimal loss of resist performance. For example, anti-reflection coatings can be used to dampen the reflections. The reflections are suppressed either by attenuating the light that passes through the ARC, or by matching the index of refraction of the ARC to the resist system at the exposure wavelength employed such that destructive interference of the light passing through the ARC occurs. The use of ARCs has become essential for allowing optical-lithography to be used in fabrication of features smaller than 0.5 μm. The ARC layer needs to fulfil several properties, such as a predetermined extinction coefficient (k, ability to absorb energy of the radiation) at the used exposure radiation, refractive index (n), film thickness, dry and wet etching properties (compositional property), adhesion, process and material compatibility and stability of final material.
There is a need for new materials that will provide a combination of good optical properties and sufficient thermal and mechanical durability and strength.

Carbosilane polymer compositions for anti-reflective coatings


Provided is a technology for efficiently manufacturing 1,3-butadiene from 1,4-butanediol or 3-buten-1-ol in a reaction condition with a high conversion rate. A catalyst for manufacturing 1,3-butadiene, contains: ytterbium oxide as an active component for generating 1,3-butadiene from 1,4-butanediol or 3-buten-1-ol. In addition, a manufacturing method of 1,3-butadiene, includes: a step of obtaining a fluid containing 1,3-butadiene by bringing at least one of 1,4-butanediol and 3-buten-1-ol into contact with the catalyst for manufacturing 1,3-butadiene.

A main manufacturing method of 1,3-butadiene that is used in a raw material of synthetic rubber, or the like is naphtha cracking in which 1,3-butadiene is manufactured as a co-product of ethylene by pyrolysis of naphtha. In addition, a single production process such as an oxidative dehydrogenation process of butene and a dimerization process of ethanol or acetaldehyde is also known.
A process for manufacturing 1,3-butadiene from 1,4-butanediol that can be manufactured from a biomass-derived raw material by a fermentation method or the like, or 3-buten-1-ol that is obtained by the dehydration of 1,4-butanediol has been variously developed as a single production process having a small environmental load.
However, the presence of a catalyst that is capable of advancing a reaction for generating 1,3-butadiene at a high selection rate, in a reaction condition with a high conversion rate, has not been found yet (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Here, in Patent Document 1, a manufacturing process including a first dehydration step of obtaining unsaturated alcohol from 1,3-butanediol, and a second dehydration step of obtaining 1,3-butadiene by dehydrating crotyl alcohol and 3-buten-2-ol that are distilled and separated from the unsaturated alcohol is described. Then, it is described that a catalyst to which ytterbium oxide (Yb2O3) is added to zirconia, as a dopant, may be used as a catalyst used in the first dehydration step.
However, in Patent Document 1, it is clearly stated that a by-product is generated due to the manufacturing of 1,3-butadiene using 1,4-butanediol as a raw material, and thus, a yield is not improved, and a technology for manufacturing 1,3-butadiene from 3-buten-1-ol is not described.

Catalyst for manufacturing 1,3-butadiene, manufacturing method of catalyst, and manufacturing method of 1,3-butadiene


A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel having liquid crystal cells in a matrix array at crossings of data lines and gate lines, a data drive circuit for providing data signals to the data lines, a gate drive circuit for providing gate signals to the gate lines, and a timing controller for receiving video data and timing signals, for checking a frame frequency of the video data in real-time to detect changes in the frame frequency, and for outputting a gate timing control signal to control the gate driving circuit in response to changes in the frame frequency and a data timing control signal for controlling the data driving circuit, wherein the gate timing control signal controls black data insertion percentage in a frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the invention relate to a display, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display and method of driving the same. Although embodiments of the invention are suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for preventing a flicker phenomenon of a liquid crystal display driven while driving with a black data insertion method.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Active matrix type liquid crystal displays display a moving picture using a thin film transistor (TFT) as a switching element. The active matrix type liquid crystal displays have been implemented televisions as well as display devices in portable devices, such as office equipment and computers, because of the thin profile of an active matrix type liquid crystal displays. Accordingly, cathode ray tubes (CRT) are being replaced by active matrix type liquid crystal displays.
A blur phenomenon occurs in which a moving picture displayed on the screen of a liquid crystal display is not clear and blurry because of hold characteristics of the liquid crystal material. As shown in FIG. 1, the CRT provides data to cells by causing a phosphor to emit light for a very short period of time so as to display an image in an impulse drive manners. On the other hand, the liquid crystal display, as shown in FIG. 2, displays an image in a hold drive manner by supplying data to liquid crystal cells during a scan period and by holding data charged to the liquid crystal cells during the remaining field period (or a frame period).
Because the CRT displays the moving picture in the impulse drive manner, as shown in FIG. 3, a perceived image which a viewer perceives as clearer. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, in the liquid crystal display, light and darkness of a perceived image which a viewer feels are not clear and blurry because of the hold characteristics of liquid crystals. A difference between the perceived images of the CRT and the liquid crystal display is caused by an integral effect of an image temporarily held in eyes following a movement. Accordingly, even if the liquid crystal display has a fast response time, the viewer watches a blurry image because there is a difference between the movement of the eyes and a static image of each frame. A black data insertion (BDI) method has been proposed so as to improve the motion blur phenomenon. In the black data insertion method, after video data is written on the screen, the liquid crystal display is driven in an impulse drive manner by supplying black data to the screen.
As an example of the black data insertion method, a screen is division-driven by dividing the screen into a plurality of blocks, and each block is driven by going through a data voltage write operation, a data hold operation, and a black data insertion operation in the order named. In the related art black data insertion method, a black data insertion percentage is fixed irrespective of a frame rate. The black data insertion percentage, as shown in FIG. 5, is defined by a rate of 1-frame period occupied by a black data insertion period in terms of percentage.
Since the related art black data insertion method fixes the black data insertion percentage irrespective of the frame rate, a flicker phenomenon in which a display screen appears to flicker occurs when the frame rate changes. For example, it is assumed that there is a liquid crystal display in which three frame frequencies of 50 Hz, 60 Hz, and 75 Hz are supported and a black data insertion percentage is fixed at 30%. As shown in FIG. 6, because a black data insertion period is about 3.99 ms at the frame frequency of 75 Hz (13.33 ms), a flicker level is low to the extent that a viewer does not recognize the flicker phenomenon. However, because black data insertion percentage is fixed at 30%, a black data insertion period increases to 6.0 ms when the frame frequency falls to 50 Hz. Accordingly, the related art black data insertion method generates the flicker phenomenon when the frame frequency is decreased.

Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same using black data insertion method responsive to changes in frame frequency to prevent flicker


A printed circuit board (PCB) drilling apparatus that greatly increases the speed, accuracy and depth of the drilling process as well as increasing the life of the drill bits by decoupling the reactionary forces encountered in the positioning and drilling functions of the apparatus in the x, y and z axes from the components that accomplish the positioning, measuring and drilling of the stacked printed circuit boards. The part of the apparatus that moves and drills as well as the feedback position sensors are mounted to a set of vibration isolation pads that absorb the vibrations that would disturb the feedback sensors. Additionally, the force frame of the apparatus that experiences the reactionary force movements are decoupled from the metrology frame of the apparatus that house the feedback sensors, also increasing the throughput and accuracy.

There is a huge industry developed around the demand to drill multiple, spaced holes (through or non-through) in substrates such as electronic wafers, thin film electronics, organic packaging substrates, glass, silicon wafers, sapphires or the like. These holes or patterned drillings may be used for electrical connections, filtration, cytology, bioassays, chemotaxis, or particle monitoring and have diameters that commonly lie in the micron range. Not only must the holes be identical to each other in diameter but also must be placed at precise locations and with the right geometry with respect to the substrate or adjacent holes.
Generally, such drilling machines see movement in all three axes simultaneously. The substrate is positionally moved in the horizontal x axis beneath a drill that plunges in the z vertical axis after the drill has been positionally moved in the Y horizontal axis atop the substrate by a gantry unit. Drilling is initiated once the substrate is in the proper position as indicated by a set of metrology positioning sensors on the machine and at least one pressure foot has secured the PCB substrate on the x axis table to the z axis drill unit. This positioning prior to drilling occurs extremely rapidly by computer control, cycling up to thousands of times per minute. Pursuant to Newton's third law of motion, each of these three positioning or drilling movements creates a reactionary force in the structure of the PCB substrate drilling machine. Since it is this machine that metrology positioning sensors are coupled to, the settling time or lag for the PCB substrate to be positioned within the acceptable ranges of the feedback sensors is slowed by the effects of the reactionary forces, thus slowing the positioning process and adding slight inaccuracies in the positioning and eventual placement of the holes in the PCB.
Prior art PCB substrate drilling systems rely on the use of a massive, heavy machine base to minimize these reactionary forces coupled with light moving masses, however, these reactionary forces still inherently reside in the machine and serve to limit the speed and accuracy at which the machine can function. When drilling micro holes or vias of 100 microns or less in diameter at a rates higher than 15 cycles per second, the positioning accelerations increase to meet the point to point positioning commands and the disturbances that are injected into the heavy machine base cause the settling time at the end of each positioning to become longer thus cancelling out any move time reduction gained by the improved acceleration of the lighter moving masses. Additionally, the sensors operate with moderately large settling windows (in the 0.1 micron range) in the x and y axes. These prior art solutions that increase the mass of the machine base (reaction mass) and make the moving masses lighter do not completely address the root cause of the problem—that the unitary base design supports both the metrology system and the drilling system.
Henceforth, a PCB substrate drilling machine with improved accuracy and speed, faster and deeper drilling depth (increased PCB substrate stack heights), longer drill bit life, less drill bit breakage and a higher machine throughput would fulfill a long felt need in the substrate drilling and surface patterning industry. This new invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems and accomplish this.

Drilling apparatus with a decoupled force frame and metrology frame for enhanced positioning


An image forming apparatus includes a four line CCD which produces RGB data and K data that are read out selectably, and a selector which selects whether to output the RGB data that is provided from the four line CCD. The image forming apparatus also includes a storage part which stores a plurality of patterns, and a judgment part that produces a judgment signal based on a comparison of the RGB data and the plurality of patterns stored in the storage part.

To prevent improper copying of documents, it is known for an image processing system to detect a specific original and prohibit copying based on that detection. An example of such an image processing system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,112 to Funada et al. The Funada et al. system judges whether input color image information is a predetermined image, and prohibits copying depending on the judgment. This judgment is always performed on a document being copied, which can waste system resources where certain documents or copy processes are not capable of producing counterfeits.
The Funada et al. system, like other conventional color image processing systems, includes a 3-line CCD sensor for detecting colors in an original image. The 3-line sensor generates color information for red, green and blue (RGB) data. Typically, the RGB data is converted or translated into cyan, magenta and yellow (CMY) data. Neither the RGB data nor the CMY data identifies any black data in the original image. To identify the black data, another translation is performed on the CMY data to obtain CMY and black (K) data. Systems like that of Funada et al. have been designed and configured to process images based on the generated RGB data. They have not, however, been designed or configured to process images based on a 4-line CCD sensor generating both RGB data and K data.
One parameter involved in image processing is increasing or decreasing a zoom level of the document being copied. To increase or decrease the zoom level in the reproduced document, adjustment is made both in the main scanning direction, i.e., the direction in which the carriage scanner travels, and the sub-scanning direction, i.e., the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The carriage scanner is the element that moves a lamp to illuminate the document being copied. In conventional systems, the adjustment in the main scanning direction is done by adjusting the speed of the scanner carriage, and the adjustment in the sub-scanning direction is effected through image processing algorithms.
In some image processing systems, the zoom level can vary significantly from the regular zoom level of 100%. The range can be from, for example, a low zoom level of 50%, to a high zoom level of 200%. With steps of 1% between each zoom level, the scanner carriage must be capable of a significant number of speed adjustments. This significant number of speed adjustments greatly raises the cost for motor control of the scanner carriage, and makes them complicated. It would therefore be desirable to have a zoom level adjustment system that reduces the cost and complexity of the motor control of the scanner carriage.

System and method for processing documents with four-line CCD sensor


A system and method for enhancing the contrast within an image. An enhanced image can be generated in a real-time or substantially real-time manner from an initial image. The pixel values of the initial image can be used to populate a histogram or otherwise serve as the basis for subsequent processing. A valley can be identified within the range of pixel values for use as a stretch metric used by a stretch heuristic to expand the contrast of the pixel values in the initial image by expanding the range of pixel values associated with the pixels in the histogram. In some embodiments, the initial image is first divided into image regions that are each associated with individualized processing. A bilinear interpolation step can then be performed to smooth the integrated image after the individualized processing is used to stretch the pixels within the individual image regions.

The invention relates generally to systems and methods for enhancing images (collectively the "system"). More specifically, the invention relates to systems for enhancing the contrast within an image.
There are many contexts in which human beings and/or machines are impeded by low-contrast images.
The ability of a human being to safely operate a vehicle or other type of machine can be substantially impeded by a relatively dark environment. Night time driving is substantially more difficult and dangerous than day time driving. Only 28% of driving occurs at night. However, night time driving is responsible for over 62% of pedestrian fatalities. Standard headlights on a "low beam" typically illuminate approximately 60 meters ahead of the vehicle. At a speed of 60 miles per hour, a driver has approximately three seconds to react to a visible obstacle. Further complicating the visibility of the driver is the glare of headlights from one or more vehicles traveling in one or more directions.
There are many other contexts in which human beings are impeded by poor visibility in dark (e.g. low contrast) environments. Whether the task is navigation, the operation of equipment, or simply observation, human beings can be adversely impacted by an inability to view "contrast" in their surroundings.
Difficulties associated with low contrast environments are not limited to human beings. Sensors and the various machines that rely on those sensors can also be negatively impacted by relatively dark environments. There are numerous examples in the known art where automated processing is performed in response to information obtained from various image-based sensors. Security applications, industrial robots, automated vehicles, military devices, and other applications involving automated machines utilizing images captured from various sensors are often impeded by low contrast/poor visibility environments.

System and method for enhancing an image


Provided are a vehicle instrument, a display method, and a vehicle speed monitoring display system. The vehicle instrument includes a display panel including an indicator structure used together with a scale on the dial for reading; a dial exposed by the display panel; and an actuating mechanism connected to the display panel and configured to control a movement of the display panel relative to the dial. The vehicle instrument has a first state, in which the display panel and the dial are in a first positional relationship, the display panel displays a first pattern region, and the first pattern region and the dial are in a second positional relationship; and a second state, in which the display panel and the dial are in a third positional relationship, the display panel displays the first pattern region, and the first pattern region and the dial are in the second positional relationship.

Currently, display instrument boards used in vehicles are usually manufactured with an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display screen having a relatively long service life and high reliability. The instrument manufactured with the OLED display screen has a high contrast ratio and a good display effect while achieving an integrated design with car body in such a manner that the display screen can be visually hidden when no display is needed.
As sub-pixels of three colors (RGB) in the OLED display screen have different service-life decay curves, and a burn-in of the screen may occur when displaying the same pattern for a long period, resulting in display abnormality. In addition, the OLED display screen, as an electronic display screen, may cause display failure when it encounters an accidental impact during the vehicle travel. If the above-mentioned display abnormality occurs during the vehicle travel, the driver cannot read the instrument parameters normally, leading to a certain safety hazard.

Vehicle instrument, display method of the same, and vehicle speed monitoring display system


A system and method for automatically establishing a wireless network between multiple units in a locomotive consist. A leading locomotive may transmit through the MU cable a ping signal to a remote unit that is directly or indirectly connected to the leading locomotive. When the remote unit replies to the ping, the leading locomotive may transmit through the MU cable network setup information to the remote unit. The remote unit may automatically setup its network controls using the data provided by the leading locomotive to communicate with the leading locomotive through a wireless network.

A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. Generally, a locomotive carries no payload of its own, and its sole purpose is to move the train along the tracks. In contrast, self-propelled payload-carrying vehicles may be referred to as motor coaches or railcars.
Locomotives can be operated as single traction engines to pull or push strings of non-powered cars that together form a train. The locomotive power required to get a train from one point to another depends on various sources of resistance that need to be overcome. These resistances include the length of the train, drag from bearing friction, rail/wheel deflection, head wind, terrain, etc.
Continuous sources of drag can prevent the operation of a train at a desired speed. Additionally, propelling a train up steep grades or on slippery rail can exceed a single locomotive's power or the amount of tractive effort it can supply. A trailing locomotives may be connected to what could be considered the "lead" locomotive to provide the additional horse power or torque to push or pull a train.
A "locomotive consist" is a group of two or more locomotives. The locomotive consist as indicated earlier includes a lead locomotive and one or more trailing locomotives that are mechanically coupled and could be electrically coupled.
The mechanical coupling could be accomplished with a "coupler" and the electrical connection could be accomplished using the 27-pin control plug, cable and receptacle. The power and braking systems could use this control plug, cable and receptacle for communication so that the group of locomotives function together as a single unit. This 27-pin conductor cable is often referred to in the industry as the MU cable in that it physically connects multiple locomotives/units together. This connection could allow the lead locomotives to communicate to trailing units. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) specifies which functions are assigned to which pins. MU cables have been used since the 1930s to link the control systems which originally primarily consisted of relays and analog circuitry, typically communicating a simple ON/OFF state.
With advances in technology and computing devices, this basic link is no longer adequate. The ability to communicate more information, bi-directionally, and at a faster rate allows for the implementation of new processes and applications such as fuel management, advanced diagnostics, redundancy of components at a consist level, etc.
There are a number of ways to create an intra-consist network. Communication may be accomplished by adding high-speed network cables to the locomotives, or wirelessly. A wireless connection has various advantages, including retrofitting relatively easily existing locomotives, and providing a communication means between locomotives that are part of the consist but that are not electrically connected using the MU cable.
As of yet, establishing a communication network between units of a locomotive consist required the intervention of an operator. The operator would manually configure computers in each of the units by supplying each computer with the data required to connect to the network, including a password, a key code, and/or various parameters required for network communication. This process is time consuming, inefficient and prone to human errors.
The networked inter-locomotive communication systems in the prior art require considerable user intervention for setting up a network, and they are unable to automatically restore themselves in the event of an interruption.
There is a need for an intra-consist networked communication systems and methods that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings.

Automatic wireless network synchronization of a physically connected locomotive consist


According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording head includes a main pole, a trailing shield opposing the main pole with a write gap therebetween, and a high-frequency oscillator between a distal end portion of the main pole and the trailing shield configured to produce a high-frequency magnetic field. The high-frequency oscillator includes a lower end surface facing the recording medium and an upper end surface substantially parallel to the lower end surface. The width of the lower end surface in a track-width direction is smaller than that of the upper end surface.

A disk drive, such as a magnetic disk drive, comprises a magnetic disk, spindle motor, magnetic head, and carriage assembly. The magnetic disk is disposed in a case. The spindle motor supports and rotates the disk. The magnetic head reads data from and writes data to the disk. The carriage assembly supports the head for movement relative to the disk. A head section of the magnetic head comprises a recording head for writing and a reproduction head for reading.
Magnetic heads for perpendicular magnetic recording have recently been proposed in order to increase the recording density and capacity of a magnetic disk drive or reduce its size. In one such magnetic head, a recording head comprises a main pole configured to produce a perpendicular magnetic field, return or write/shield pole, and coil. The return pole is located on the trailing side of the main pole with a write gap therebetween and configured to close a magnetic path that leads to a magnetic disk. The coil serves to pass magnetic flux through the main pole.
To improve the recording density, a high-frequency magnetic field assisted recording head is proposed, in which a spin-torque oscillator for use as a high-frequency oscillator is disposed between the main pole and trailing shield such that a high-frequency magnetic field from the oscillator is applied to a magnetic recording layer. Drive current is supplied to the high-frequency oscillator, and magnetization of a generating layer is generated with sufficient amplitude. In this way, a large high-frequency magnetic field can be produced such that a stable recording/reproduction characteristic can be achieved.
A greater high-frequency magnetic field intensity is required to achieve a higher recording density and more stable recording/reproduction characteristic, and a higher drive current is required for this purpose. If the drive current is increased, however, the high-frequency oscillator is gradually degraded, so that it may become difficult to achieve a stable recording/reproduction characteristic, in some cases.

Magnetic recording head, head gimbal assembly with the same, and disk drive


A table mechanism for lifting and lowering a table top through a parallel link mechanism. In the table mechanism of the invention, which does not cause an increase in costs even when an initial position of the table top is set low in spite of having a cover for coversing side surfaces of a parallel link mechanism, there is given a difference of elevation in the fitting position of the parallel link mechanism on the sides of the table top and of the floor in combination with front and rear links.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement of a table mechanism for lifting and lowering a table top by use of a parallel link mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Turning to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a typical example of a conventional table mechanism for lifting and lowering a table top through a parallel link mechanism. FIG. 4 is a view showing a concept of the table mechanism for use with a computerized tomograph. Referring again to FIG. 4, a table mechanism 1 is arranged such that a table top 2 is supported on a link mechanism 5 composed of two parallel links 3 and 4 parallel with each other. The table mechanism 1 is so installed as to be substantially orthogonal to a front face of a gantry 6 in the longitudinal direction. One ends of the two links 3 and 4 are rotatably fitted to a base 7, while the other ends thereof are rotatably fitted to a table top supporting unit 8. The link mechanism 5 driven by a driving mechanism 9, with its inclination being varied, behaves to lift and lower the table top while being held in parallel with a base 7. Solid lines and one-dotted lines respectively indicate two kinds of states of the table top 2, the link mechanism 5 and the driving mechanism 9, which are developed as a result of such moving operations. More specifically, the solid lines indicate a state of the table mechanism 1 (hereinafter referred to as an imaging position) when inserting a cradle 10 into an gantry opening 11, while the one-dotted lines show a state of the table mechanism (hereinafter referred to as an initial position) when mounting a subject for examination. The table top 2 is situated lowest in the initial position, which is preferably as low as possible to facilitate mounting of the subject. Side surfaces of the link mechanism are covered with an adequate cover in terms of security and appearance. FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting a conventional example of a cover for covering the side surfaces of the link mechanism. The cover is composed of a plurality of cover pieces 12 and fitting plates 13 and 14, provided on the table top and on the base, for rotatably securing both ends of the cover pieces. Each of the cover pieces 12 assumes a substantially rectangular shape having a nearly equal length to that of the link 3 or 4. Spacings at which the cover pieces 12 are secured are set taking widths thereof into consideration. Namely, the spacings are set so that the cover pieces adjacent to each other cover the side surfaces of the parallel link mechanism 5 with no gap while being invariably overlapped with each other. As a result, the side surfaces of the parallel link mechanism 5 are covered with the cover pieces 12 in the imaging position or in the initial position. Turning to FIG. 6, there is schematically illustrated an array of the cover pieces 12. To be specific, the rectangular cover piece 12 having a width W is secured in such a manner that a stopping part 12a conceived as a corner of the rectangle is spaced a distance L away from a base surface 15. The distance L is so set that a corner 12c of the cover piece 12 does not touch the base surface 15. As is obvious from the Figure, if the initial position is made lower than before at the thus set distance L, it is required that the cover piece width W be smaller than in the previous case. If the cover piece width W is diminished, a greater number of cover pieces are needed for covering the side surfaces of the link mechanism. Consequently, there arises a problem of being costly due to an increase in the number of cover pieces when actualizing a device incorporating a link mechanism providing a lower initial position.


Methods and compositions are provided for intra-pericardial administration of anti-microtubule agents, suitable for use in treating or preventing a variety of diseases of the pericardium, heart, or, coronary vasculature.

Restenosis is a form of chronic vascular injury leading to vessel wall thickening and loss of blood flow to the tissue supplied by the blood vessel. It occurs in response to vascular reconstructive procedures, including virtually any manipulation which attempts to relieve vessel obstructions, and is the major factor limiting the effectiveness of invasive treatments for vascular diseases. Restenosis has been a major challenge to cardiovascular research for the past 15 years. According to 1994 estimates (U.S. Heart and Stroke Foundation), over 60 million Americans have one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. These diseases claimed approximately 1 million lives in the same year (41% of all deaths in the United States) and are considered the leading cause of death and disability in the developed world.
The present invention provides compositions and methods for intrapericardially delivering an anti-microtubule agent so that disease within the pericardium, heart, or coronary vasculature (e.g., restenosis, primary stenosis, or, atherosclerosis) may be treated or prevented. These compositions and methods address the problems associated with the existing procedures, offer significant advantages when compared to existing procedures, and further provides other, related advantages.

Intrapericardial delivery of anti-microtubule agents

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals & Advanced Research Tech


An apparatus includes a magnetic head having an array of transducers. The apparatus is configured to read and/or write to a magnetic recording tape according to a format. The format specifies a number of active channels, locations of data tracks on the magnetic recording tape, and a contiguous spare area on the magnetic recording tape. The format also specifies backward compatibility with a second format. The second format specifies a smaller number of active channels than the number of active channels specified by the format. A product includes a magnetic recording tape and a cartridge memory. The cartridge memory has data stored therein specifying the aforementioned format.

The present invention relates to data storage systems, and more particularly, this invention relates to products and apparatuses having and/or compatible with a tape format having a contiguous spare area.
In magnetic storage systems, data is read from and written onto magnetic recording media utilizing magnetic transducers. Data is written on the magnetic recording media by moving a magnetic recording transducer to a position over the media where the data is to be stored. The magnetic recording transducer then generates a magnetic field, which encodes the data into the magnetic media. Data is read from the media by similarly positioning the magnetic read transducer and then sensing the magnetic field of the magnetic media. Read and write operations may be independently synchronized with the movement of the media to ensure that the data can be read from and written to the desired location on the media.
An important and continuing goal in the data storage industry is that of increasing the density of data stored on a medium. For tape storage systems, that goal has led to increasing the track and linear bit density on recording tape, and decreasing the thickness of the magnetic tape medium. However, the development of small footprint, higher performance tape drive systems has created various problems in the design of a tape head assembly for use in such systems.
In a tape drive system, magnetic tape is moved over the surface of the tape head at high speed. Usually the tape head is designed to minimize the spacing between the head and the tape. The spacing between the magnetic head and the magnetic tape is crucial and so goals in these systems are to have the recording gaps of the transducers, which are the source of the magnetic recording flux in near contact with the tape to effect writing sharp transitions, and to have the read elements in near contact with the tape to provide effective coupling of the magnetic field from the tape to the read elements.
A continuing goal in tape drive systems is effectively managing placement of tracks on tape. In particular, track density is nearly doubling every generation to achieve an approximately 40% per year growth in cartridge capacity within each product family. Another goal is to manage head and electronics designs as channels are added to allow data rate to keep pace with the growing number of data tracks. For example, ongoing goals include using fewer, more integrated ASICs, a least possible number of head channels, and elimination of multiplexing.

Products with tape formats having one or more spare areas and apparatuses configured for use with such products

International Business Machines Corporation