A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell array of data-rewritable non-volatile memory cells or memory cell units containing the memory cells, and a plurality of word lines each commonly connected to the memory cells on the same row in the memory cell array. In write pulse applying during data writing, a high voltage for writing is applied to a selected word line, and an intermediate voltage for writing is applied to at least two of non-selected word lines. The beginning of charging a first word line located between the selected word line and a source line to a first intermediate voltage for writing is followed by the beginning of charging a second word line located between the selected word line and a bit line contact to a second intermediate voltage for writing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data-rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory device. It also relates to an electronic card with the non-volatile semiconductor memory device mounted thereon. It further relates to an electronic device that employs the electronic card. The non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes, for example, an NAND-type EEPROM.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrically erasable programmable EEPROM has been known in the art as one of semiconductor memories. For example, an NAND-type EEPROM including NAND cells has received attention because it can be highly integrated. Each NAND cell includes a plurality of serially connected memory cells, each of which is the unit of one bit memory. The NAND-type is utilized, for example, in a memory card to store image data output from a digital still camera.
A memory cell in the NAND cell-type EEPROM has a MOSFET structure that includes a floating gate (charge storage layer) and a control gate stacked on an insulator film formed over a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of memory cells are serially connected such that adjacent ones share a source/drain to configure a NAND cell, which is connected as a unit to a bit line. Such NAND cells are arrayed in matrix to configure a memory cell array. The memory cell array is integrally formed in a p-type well (or p-type substrate).
NAND cells arranged in the column direction of the memory cell array are commonly connected at one end (drain side) to a bit line via respective selection gate transistors and connected at the other end (source side) to a common source line via respective selection gate transistors as well. Control gates of memory transistors are commonly connected as a word line (or control gate line) and gate electrodes of selection gate transistors as a selection gate line in the row direction of the memory cell.
Such the NAND cell-type EEPROM operates as follows.
Data writing is shown in FIG. 12. As shown, after write data is input, operations of write pulse applying and write-verify are repeated, and when completion of writing is detected immediately after the write-verify operation, the data writing is finished.
Data writing is performed sequentially from a memory cell located farthest from a bit line contact, that is, a memory cell located closest to a source line. In write pulse applying (see FIG. 6), a high voltage VPP (=approximately 18 V) is applied to a control gate of a selected memory cell. An intermediate potential VM (=approximately 10 V) is applied to the control gate of a memory cell located closer to the bit line contact than the selected memory cell. A voltage of 0 V or a supply voltage VCC is applied to the bit line depending on the data. In this case, the supply voltage VCC is applied to the selection gate on the bit line contact side, and 0 V to the selection gate on the source line side. When 0 V is applied to the bit line, its potential is transmitted to the channel in the selected memory cell. In this case, a difference in voltage between the selected word line and the channel in the selected memory cell is as large as VPP. Accordingly, electrons are injected from the channel of the selected memory cell into the floating gate by tunnel current to shift the threshold of the selected memory cell to a positive value. This state is regarded as "0", for example.
When the supply voltage VCC is applied to the bit line, the voltage at the selection gate on the bit line contact side is equal to VCC. Accordingly, VCC−Vtsg is transferred to the channel in the NAND cell to bring it into a floating state (Vtsg is the threshold voltage of the selection gate transistor). Thereafter, the word line is charged up to VPP, VM. On charging up to VPP, VM, the capacitive coupling between the word line and the channel in the NAND cell boosts the voltage at the channel in the NAND cell from VCC−Vtsg to Vboost (approximately 8 V) (see FIG. 11). In this case, the difference in voltage between the selected word line and the channel in the selected memory cell is as small as VPP−Vboost. Accordingly, electron injection can not occur and thus the threshold makes no change and holds a negative value. This state is regarded as "1".
Data erasing is performed simultaneously to all memory cells in a selected NAND cell block. Namely, all word lines (that is, control gates) in the selected NAND cell block are kept at 0 V, and a high voltage VERA (=approximately 22 V) is applied to the p-type well (or p-type substrate) to bring the bit lines, the source line, and all word lines and all selection gate lines in non-selected NAND cell blocks into a floating state. Accordingly, in every memory cell in the selected NAND cell block, electrons are released from the floating gate to the p-type well (or p-type substrate) by tunnel current to shift the threshold voltage to a negative value.
Data reading is performed by detecting whether current flows in the selected memory cell on condition that the control gate of the selected memory cell is kept at 0 V. In addition, other word lines (that is, control gates of memory cells) and selection gates are set at an intermediate voltage for reading, VREAD, slightly higher than the supply voltage. (Generally, a voltage level equal to or lower than 2-times VCC and having a value of 5 V or below is employed).
A conventional timing example of write pulse applying to the above NAND cell-type EEPROM is shown in FIG. 6. An other known conventional example of write pulse applying is described as writing operation in JP-A 10-283788.
The use of conventional data writing methods may cause no problem on the reliability of products. Recently, however, a further improvement in the reliability of data writing is desired, and the further improved reliability leads to an improved product yield.
On data writing, an erroneous write failure may occur in a memory cell to be "1"-WRITE (a failure associated with erroneous write of "0" data when VPP is applied to the selected word line during write pulse applying). In order to achieve a further improvement in the reliability against such the failure, it is effective to elevate the Vboost voltage level. The higher the Vboost voltage level, the lower the risk of the erroneous write failure can be reduced, which is caused from the electron injection into the floating gate by tunnel current. Therefore, it is desirable to employ such data writing in products that can elevate the Vboost voltage level more than the operation shown in FIG. 6 or the above JP-A 10-283788.

Non-volatile semiconductor memory device having non-selected word lines adjacent to selected word lines being charged at different timing for program disturb control


An edible composition comprising a mixture of at least two herbs selected from the group consisting of Syzygium cumini, Gymnema sylvestre, Momordica charantia and Solanum melongena. Preferably, the composition comprises a mixture of Syzygium cumini and Momordica charantia. A mixture of Syzygium cumini, Gymnema sylvestre and Momordica charantia is particularly preferred. The herbal mixtures are useful as dietary supplements and are especially useful for lowering the glucose level of the blood in mammals, particularly humans suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is an insidious disease for which there is presently no cure. Mammals afflicted with diabetes mellitus will, unless the glucose level in the blood is controlled, ultimately suffer heart attacks, strokes, loss of eyesight, loss of limbs and ultimately may die as the result of this disease.
Humans who suffer from this disease will usually have blood glucose levels in two principal categories, i.e. those who have glucose levels of higher than 150 and are thus termed "insulin-dependent" and those with glucose levels of 110-140 who are termed "non-insulin dependent".
Insulin-dependent diabetics must have insulin administered to them in a very rigorous, disciplined manner and must have snacks between meals since it is necessary to maintain the proper level of insulin in the bloodstream, i.e. undesirable side effects are experienced if the insulin level is too high and the disease will continue unabated if the insulin level is too low. In addition, a disciplined diet is required and if the patient is unwilling or not able to accept insulin injections, pharmaceutical preparations such as "Diabinase", "Orinase", "Glynase", "Glucophage", etc. must be taken. All in all, the insulin-dependent patient is constantly on the narrow edge of either too much or insufficient medication and frequently is not able to tolerate such medication because of its side effects.
The non-insulin dependent diabetes sufferer must follow a disciplined program of diet and exercise to avoid the necessity of taking medication to control blood glucose levels. However, many non-insulin dependent diabetes sufferers experience difficulty in conscientiously following such program and will ultimately fall into the insulin-dependent category sooner or later.
There is a long-felt need for an herbal composition, i.e. a natural, holistic edible composition, which will serve as a hypoglycemic agent and maintain blood glucose levels below the levels obtainable by insulin administration. Such need has especially been true in respect to heavy-set persons as well as those who suffer side effects when taking insulin or synthetic hypoglycemic preparations as well as by those whose life styles are such that they are unwilling or unable to adhere to a rigorous exercise/diet program throughout their lives.

Herbal compositions and their use as hypoglycemic agents


A backside illuminated imaging sensor includes a vertical stacked sensor that reduces cross talk by using different silicon layers to form photodiodes at separate levels within a stack (or separate stacks) to detect different colors. Blue light-, green light-, and red light-detection silicon layers are formed, with the blue light detection layer positioned closest to the backside of the sensor and the red light detection layer positioned farthest from the backside of the sensor. An anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer can be inserted in between the red and green light detection layers to reduce the optical cross talk captured by the red light detection layer. Amorphous polysilicon can be used to form the red light detection layer to boost the efficiency of detecting red light.

Many semiconductor imaging sensors today are frontside illuminated. That is, they include imaging arrays that are fabricated on the frontside of a semiconductor wafer, where light is received at the imaging array from the same frontside. However, frontside illuminated imaging sensors have many drawbacks, one of which is a relatively limited fill factor.
Backside illuminated imaging sensors are an alternative to frontside illuminated imaging sensors and address the fill factor problems associated with frontside illumination. Backside illuminated imaging sensors typically include imaging arrays that are fabricated on the front surface (or frontside) of the semiconductor wafer, but receive light through a back surface of the wafer. However, to detect light from the backside, the silicon wafer on the backside is relatively thin. Color filters and micro-lenses can be included on the back surface of the wafer in order to improve the sensitivity of the backside illuminated sensor. The thickness of the wafer may also be reduced in order to improve the sensitivity to light (especially lower wavelengths). However, higher sensitivity typically results in higher optical crosstalk. That is, as the semiconductor wafer is thinned, light can more easily pass through the wafer and light intended for one pixel might be reflected within the image sensor to other pixels that were not intended to receive the light. Thus, improving sensitivity and reducing optical crosstalk can improve the signal quality of a backside illuminated sensor.

Backside illuminated imaging sensor with vertical pixel sensor


Performance of the high resistance resistor, which is polysilicon, is improved by treating the surface of the polysilicon layer in mixed signal integrated circuits for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) broadband service application. This treated surface of the polysilicon layer will prevent ions in the resistor from out-diffusion when performing an annealing step after forming the resistor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a method for forming a high resistance resistor in mixed signal integrated circuits (IC), and more particularly to a method for forming mixed signal IC with improved high resistance resistor by treating the surface of polysilicon layer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Because resistors, particularly high resistance resistors, integrated into mixed signal IC (integrated circuits) are usually used in telecommunication applications, they have been used in the mixed signal IC for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) broadband service application in recent decades. The high resistance resistors can reduce power consumption in a standby state of the devices used in broadband applications.
A conventional method for forming the high resistance resistor in mixed signal IC is performed by implanting low dosage ions into polysilicon, and is set forth below and explained by reference to FIGS. 1A to 1H.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a substrate 110 is provided with a P well 111 and an N well 112 formed therein. An isolation region 115 is formed by a conventional CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) process, as is shown in FIG. 1B. A portion of this polysilicon layer 120 is used for the bottom electrode of the capacitor on the isolation region 15 and another portion is used for the resistor on the N well 112.
Then, a polysilicon layer 120 is deposited on the substrate 110 using a conventional CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) process, as is shown in FIG. 1B. A portion of this polysilicon layer 120 is used for the bottom electrode of the capacitor on the isolation region 15 and another portion is used for the resistor on the N well 112.
Next, referring to FIG. 1C, a blanket ion-implantation 130 is performed to adjust the resistance of the polysilicon layer 120. The implanted dopants may be phosphorous or boron. Because high resistance is needed in the circuits, the doping dosage of this implantation is relatively low compared with the electrode of the capacitor.
Referring to FIG. 1D, a resistor patterned photoresist layer 140 is formed on the polysilicon layer 120 to block the following blank implantation 131 step. Because this implantation step 131 is used to reduce resistance of the bottom electrode of the capacitor, the patterned photoresist layer 140 is used to prevent the resistor region in polysilicon layer 120 from the implantation 131.
Then the patterned photoresist layer 140 is stripped, and the polysilicon layer 120 is annealed, as shown in FIG. 1E. The annealing step follows the above implantation steps 130 and 131 such that dopants in the polysilicon layer 120 can diffuse uniformly, and the photoresist layer 140 has to be stripped before annealing.
Having finished the annealing step, a second photoresist layer 141 is deposited on the polysilicon layer 120, as shown in FIG. 1F. This photoresist layer 141 comprises two patterns, which one is resistor pattern over the N well 112 and another is bottom electrode pattern over the isolation region 115. Then, the polysilicon layer 120 is etched by using the photoresist layer 141 as a mask to form a resistor 121 and a bottom electrode 123 of a capacitor, as shown in FIG. 1G.
Referring to FIG. 1H, having finished the resistor 121, a dielectric layer 118 and another polysilicon layer 125 are sequentially deposited on the bottom electrode 123 to form a capacitor. Moreover, a metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor 150 is formed in and on the P well 111. The transistor 150 comprises source/drain regions 151, source/drain extension regions 152, a poly gate electrode 153, a gate oxide layer 154, and spacers 155.
However, both out diffusion generated in the step of FIG. 1E or over-deepened implantation generated in the step of FIG. 1C reduce the resistor""s quality and reliability.
In accordance with the present invention, a main object of this method is to form an improved high resistance resistor in mixed signal integrated circuits that substantially increases reliability and quality during the formulation of the resistor.
It is another object of this invention that the treated surface polysilicon layer prevents diffusion in the annealing step to obtain reliable resistor.
It is a further object of this invention the treated surface polysilicon layer prevents over-deepened implantation.
In one embodiment, a method for forming a high resistance resistor in mixed signal integrated circuits is provided. The method includes first providing a substrate. Then, a polysilicon layer is deposited on the substrate. As a key step of this invention, the surface of the polysilicon layer is treated using a plurality of gases to form a diffusion barrier layer on the polysilicon layer, wherein the gases comprise N2O, O2, NO, and N2. In this invention, two methods for forming this amorphous layer are provided, including one using a plasma treatment, and another using a rapid thermal process (RTP). Then, ions are implanted into the polysilicon layer to adjust the resistance of the polysilicon layer. Next, the polysilicon layer is annealed, and the polysilicon layer is patterned to form the resistor on the substrate.

Method for forming improved high resistance resistor by treating the surface of polysilicon layer


The present invention relates to a blower for the production of a mist or the like (e.g. a smoke, a fog, etc.). The blower comprises a conduit means able to convey liquid carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and a support means, said conduit means having an inlet means suitable for introducing liquid CO.sub.2 therewithin and an outlet means able to discharge liquid CO.sub.2 to the atmosphere so as to form a mist or the like, said inlet means being fixed to said support means, characterized in that, said outlet means is rotatably coupled to said inlet means, said outlet means being rotatable about a first axis of rotation.

The present invention relates to a blower for the production of mist or the like (e.g. a smoke, a fog, a vapour, etc.).
Blowers for the production of a mist, smoke, vapour and the like have been used during stage performances or during the production of films, videos etc. in order to generate a desired aesthetic atmosphere.
Known types of blower devices have consisted of outlet means provided with a discharge element, (such as a discharge horn), which is directly and rigidly fixed to a source of liquid CO.sub.2. For example, such a mist may be produced by using a discharge horn which is rigidly connected to a liquid CO.sub.2 source via a (high pressure) hose or the like; because of the high pressures involved it has been known to fix the discharge horn to the high pressure hose. This latter type of system is only able to eject or discharge the mist or vapour (e.g. white mist) in essentially a single direction i.e. it is unidirectional. A high pressure hose may be bent but only to a minor angle after which the flow of CO.sub.2 is pinched off by the collapse of the hose. A rigid pipe of course cannot be bent at will i.e. immediately on the spot without significant effort. Such non-directional systems are not very attractive.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a device or system from which an artificial mist or the like may be expelled or discharged, at will, in a range of directions.
It would, in particular, be advantageous to have a device or system able to point a discharge horn or the like at will over a range of directions.

Blower for the production of a mist or the like


A cat carrier includes an enclosure, tray, grate, and latch. The enclosure has a front opening, and first and second holes. The tray is slidable within the enclosure, between extended and storage positions. The grate is joined to the tray, with a portion extending in proximity to the front opening of the enclosure when the tray is in the storage position. The latch has a handle, and first and second latch wires spring biased in opposite directions, with distal ends respectively received into the first and second holes, when in the storage position, to redundantly latch the tray the enclosure, so it cannot be undone by a cat housed in the carrier. The first and second latch wires each include finger graspable loops configured to be actuated by a thumb and forefinger, while pulling on the handle with the remaining fingers to single-handedly slide the tray out the enclosure.

A portable pet carrier has been known to, and used by, pet owners for many years, as shown, for example, by the "Animal Shipping Crate" of U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,761 to Gregory, and the "Combination Shipping and Living Compartment for Animals" taught by U.S. Pat. No. 3,390,417 to Swinney.
Advancements have been made to such carriers, particularly for transporting cats, as shown for example by U.S. Pat. No. 8,925,491 to Glover, which is for a "Cat Carrier with Destabilizing Floor." The Glover cat carrier includes an outer housing formed of an upper shell and a lower shell, which housing slidably receives an insert, into which the cat may be placed. The insert includes a rear barrier wall that extends up toward the upper interior of the upper shell to prevent the cat from hopping backwards and being a trapped in an area behind the insert, when it is being pulled out by the pet owner. The front of the insert includes a front panel with a handle that may be rotated to unlatch the insert from the housing, and permit the insert to be slid outwardly.
The Glover cat carrier has some problems for the pet owner. First, cats are very smart and very capable, and are known to rotate door knobs to unlatch and open doors that would otherwise keep them in a confined space. Videos available online document such abilities of cats. In addition, manufacturing of the Glover carrier includes a number of inefficient assemblies and assembly sequences.
The apparatus disclosed herein improves upon these problems and other aspects of the Glover cat carrier.
It is noted that citing any reference within this disclosure, i.e., any patents, published patent applications, and non-patent literature, is not an admission regarding any determination as to its availability as prior art with respect to the herein disclosed and claimed apparatus.

Cat carrier with sliding tray and cat-resistant latch


A solar cell including a semiconductor body with a multijunction solar cell and an integral bypass diode, and a pair of vias extending between the upper and lower surfaces, forming determined on the lower surface and electrically coupling the anode of the bypass diode with the conductive grid on the upper surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of solar cell semiconductor devices, and particularly to integrated semiconductor structures including a multijunction solar cell and an integral bypass diode.
2. Description of the Related Art
Photovoltaic cells, also called solar cells, are one of the most important new energy sources that have become available in the past several years. Considerable effort has gone into solar cell development. As a result, solar cells are currently being used in a number of commercial and consumer-oriented applications. While significant progress has been made in this area, the requirement for solar cells to meet the needs of more sophisticated applications has not kept pace with demand. Applications such as satellites used in data communications have dramatically increased the demand for solar cells with improved power and energy conversion characteristics.
In satellite and other space related applications, the size, mass and cost of a satellite power system are dependent on the power and energy conversion efficiency of the solar cells used. Putting it another way, the size of the payload and the availability of on-board services are proportional to the amount of power provided. Thus, as the payloads become more sophisticated, solar cells, which act as the power conversion devices for the on-board power systems, become increasingly more important.
Solar cells are often fabricated in vertical, multijunction structures, and in horizontal arrays, with the individual solar cells connected together in a series. The shape and structure of an array, as well as the number of cells it contains, are determined in part by the desired output voltage and current.
When solar cells in an array are all receiving sunlight, or are illuminated, each cell in the array will be forward biased and will be carrying current. However, if any of the cells are not illuminated, because of shadowing or damage, those shadowed cells are still in the array circuit and may be forced to become reversed biased in order to carry the current generated by the illuminated cells. This reverse biasing can degrade the cells and can ultimately render the cells inoperable. In order to prevent reverse biasing, a diode structure in parallel with the solar cells in a single multijunction cell is often implemented.
However, when the solar cell is not receiving sunlight, whether because of shading by a movement of the satellite, or as a result of damage to the cell, then resistance exists along the cell path. As solar cells exist in an array, current from illuminated cells must pass through shaded cells. If there were no diode, the current would force its way through the cell layers, reversing the bias of such cells and permanently degrading, if not destroying the electrical characteristics of such cells.
If the cell contains a diode, however, the current can be offered an alternative, parallel path, and the shaded cells will be preserved. The problem with this concept has been the difficulty in creating a diode that is relatively easy to manufacture and which uses a very low level of voltage to turn on and operate.
The purpose of the bypass diode is to draw the current away from the shadowed or damaged cell. The bypass diode becomes forward biased when the shadowed cell becomes reverse biased. Since the solar cell and the bypass diode are in parallel, rather than forcing current through the shadowed cell, the diode draws the current away from the shadowed cell and completes the electrical current to maintain the connection in the next cell.
If a cell is shaded or otherwise not receiving sunlight, in order for the current to choose the diode path, the turn on voltage for the diode path must be less than the breakdown voltage along the cell path. The breakdown voltage along the cell path will typically be at least five volts, if not more. In an implementation utilizing a Schottky bypass diode. The Schottky contact requires a relatively small amount of voltage to "turn on", about 600 millivolts. However, in a multijunction solar cell with a germanium substrate, to pass through the Ge junction the bias of the Ge junction must be reversed, requiring a large voltage. Reversing the bias of the Ge junction requires approximately 9.4 volts, so nearly ten volts are needed for the current to follow the diode path. Ten volts used to reverse the bias of the Ge junction is ten volts less than otherwise would be available for other applications.
Since a solar cell is fabricated as a vertical, multijunction structure, one electrical contact is usually placed on the top surface of the cell, and the other contact on the bottom of the cell, to avoid internal interconnections which may affect reliability and cost. A variety of designs are also known in which both contacts are placed on one side of the cell, and as represented in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/109,616 of the instant assignee. The presence of a bypass diode in an integrated solar cell presents another complication, since a connection must be made from both the multijunction solar cell and from the bypass diode on the top surface of a first cell to the bottom surface of the adjoining cell in the array.
Prior art interconnection arrangements for solar cell arrays have utilized an electrical contact to the top layer of the wafer to contact the anode of the bypass diode, and to the bottom surface of the adjoining cell. Although such an arrangement is generally satisfactory for most applications, there are certain applications in which present more stringent design requirement with both terminals of the solar cell and the bypass diode on the same side of the cell are required. Prior to the present invention, solar cell solar celldesigns have not been able to meet such design requirements.

Via structures in solar cells with bypass diode


Removing a generator core (10) from a frame (24) includes removing electrical and mechanical connections between the core and components external to the frame; installing a lift support assembly (34, 38, 42, 46) outboard of the core at each of an exciter end and a turbine end of the frame; installing a pilot shaft support assembly (50, 70, 73) between an inner surface of a core bore (10D) and an outer surface (40A) of a pilot shaft (40) at each of the exciter end and the turbine end of the frame; installing the pilot shaft through the first and second pilot shaft support assemblies and the core bore, the pilot shaft supported by the lift support assembly at the exciter end and the turbine end; decoupling the core and the frame; and activating a force-producing device (90) to slide the core out of the frame.

The generator stator core is the largest monobloc component in a turbine-generator set. The stator core comprises thousands of thin steel laminations (also referred to as "punchings") stacked horizontally and clamped together to form a cylindrical stator core disposed within a generator frame. Each lamination defines a central opening and thus when stacked an axial opening extends through the core. The laminations are held together by a plurality of axial through-bolts that extend from end-to-end through the core.
A rotor is disposed within the central opening and mechanically rotated by a rotating turbine. The rotor is responsive to an electrical current such that rotation generates electric current in stator windings. The stator current is supplied to a plurality of main and neutral electrical leads mounted to the generator frame then to electrical loads through a transmission and distribution system.
Core laminations or punchings are stacked vertically at the factory. After stacking is complete the core is maneuvered into a horizontal orientation or retained in the vertical orientation and loaded into the generator frame. In lieu of stacking individual punchings, a plurality of bonded laminations (referred to as a "donut") can be vertically stacked to form the core.
Steady-state and transient forces generated during normal operation and transient conditions impose substantial forces on the stator core. These forces can distort the core geometric shape, cause the laminations to vibrate, and damage the core, rotor and/or frame. Also, mechanical fatigue caused by these forces can lead to premature failure of the generator.
To avoid these effects, the generator frame is fixed to a stable support such as the floor of a power plant and the stator core is solidly affixed to the generator frame. Two different attachment techniques and corresponding attachment components are employed to affix the core to the frame.
Keybars are used in one attachment technique. These long, axial members are disposed along an outer circumference of the stator core, specifically within slots along the outer circumference. The radially inwardly facing surface of each keybar is held within a slot by a geometrically capturing interfacing shape (for example a dovetail shape). A radially outwardly facing surface of each keybar is attached to the stator frame using various intermediate hardware components.
One such intermediate attachment component comprises a resilient spring bar. Several spring bars are distributed circumferentially around an interior surface of the frame and each spring bar extends axially through the frame. A first surface of each spring bar is attached to radially inwardly facing generator frame ribs and an opposing second surface of each spring bar is attached to a key bar mounting block or plate. The key bar block or plate is attached to the keybar. Thus the keybars are not attached directly to the generator frame but instead are attached through the spring bars.
The end of each keybar (both the exciter end and the turbine end) comprises a threaded portion for receiving a threaded nut and washer. The nuts are tightened to provide a clamping force to the stator core.
A second common attachment technique employs attachment hardware referred to as building bolts. A building bolt is a long, axial rod having one surface attached to the outer circumference of the stator core through a geometrically capturing interface, and an opposing surface welded to a plurality of generator frame ribs. Each building bolt includes a threaded portion at both the turbine end and the exciter end.
The building bolts are installed and attached to the frame ribs prior to insertion of the stator iron. The stator core iron (in the form of individual laminations also referred to as punchings or a plurality of bonded laminations referred to as donuts) is then stacked on the building bolts. A nut is tightened to provide a clamping force to the stator core.
FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of a prior art electric generator 8 and a stator core 10 mounted within generator frame 12. Only certain pertinent components of the frame 12 are illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 further illustrates a plurality of spring bars 15 distributed around a circumference of the core 10. A first surface of each spring bar 15 is attached to a plurality of frame rings 13 by a fastener 19. The frame rings 13 are in turn welded to an inside surface of the generator frame 12.
Each spring bar 15 extends an axial length of the core 10. At a plurality of axially-distributed core locations a second surface of each spring bar 15 is attached to a key bracket or key block 20 using fasteners 18. Each key block 20 spans a width of a keybar 22 and a plurality of key blocks 20 are axially distributed along each keybar 22.
The keybars 22 are fixedly captured with the core 10 by a geometrically capturing interface with a groove defined in an outer surface of the core 10. The keybars 22 and the core grooves are shaped such that the keybars 22 are captured within the groove by the geometric capture feature, such as the illustrated dovetail shape. A fastener 7 is tightened to provide additional forces to secure the keybar 22 to the core 10. Thus the core 10 is connected to the generator frame by serial coupling of the keybars 22 geometrically retained within core grooves, the key blocks 20 and the spring bars 15.
Stator windings (also referred to as stator bars, but not illustrated) are disposed within winding slots 21. Through-bolts (not shown) extend axially through openings 23. The through-bolts and mating nuts (neither illustrated in FIG. 1) cooperate to exert inwardly-directed axial clamping forces on core end plates and the laminations that comprise the core 10.
As those skilled in the art are aware, several techniques and apparatuses are known for removing a stator core from a generator frame. According to one technique, first the rotor and the stator windings are removed. Where sufficient space and lifting capability are available (at the factory for example or at certain field locations), the generator frame is rotated into a vertical position using a crane or other hoisting device coupled to a lifting plate affixed to a first axial end of the core. Hydraulic jacks are then placed on a supported surface and extended vertically upwardly through the frame face to contact the core end plate at a second axial end of the core. By removing the fasteners 18, the keybars 22 are separated from the spring bars 15, separating the core 10 from the frame 24. The jacks are then activated to apply a vertically upward force to assist the crane or other hoisting device to vertically remove the core from the frame.
When vertically lifting the stator core, care must be taken to avoid damaging either the core or the generator frame by inadvertent contact during the lifting process. Given the relatively large diameter, axial length and weight of the stator core, and the relatively small radial clearance with the generator frame a small yaw of the stator core during the hoisting operation may cause an inadvertent impact with the frame. Cranes, hoists and similar heavy moving equipment are expensive to purchase or lease, require logistics planning to have them available on site when needed and further require skilled operating engineers.
To remove the core while maintained in a horizontal orientation, the rotor and stator windings are removed. The punchings (or donuts) are individually removed while the core-to-frame attachment components remain in place (i.e., the keybars or the building bolts), effectively piecewise simultaneously removing and disassembling the core from within the frame.
After the core is removed, a new core or a refurbished core is installed, again according to a piecewise process. First the punchings or donuts are individually installed on the key bars or building bolts. The remaining core iron components (i.e., interlaminar loading members, through bolts, end plates and finger plates (a steel structure that transfer the axial core clamping load directly to the stator punchings, the finger plates have a surface profile that mimics the surface profile of the punchings) are installed to complete the core.
Then the windings, including winding bars, winding slot components, parallel rings and end winding support structures are installed. This installation process is conventionally done with the core in a horizontal orientation.
As can be seen from this description, and as known by those skilled in the art, the piecewise removal and installation of a stator core is a time and labor intensive operation.

Method and apparatus for removal and replacement of a wound stator core


A method of fabricating a DRAM capacitor includes the step of forming an insulated layer and an etching stop layer successively on a substrate having a device structure. A contact window is formed within the etching stop layer and the insulated layer. A conductive layer is formed on the etching layer to fill in the contact window and patterned to serve as a lower electrode of the capacitor. A highly doped dielectric layer is then formed on the lower electrode and a thermal process is performed to diffuse the dopants inside the highly doped dielectric layer into the surface of the lower electrode. The dielectric layer is removed. A capacitor dielectric layer and an upper electrode are successively formed on the lower electrode to complete the fabrication of the capacitor.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of fabricating a capacitor, and more particularly to a method of fabricating a 3-D capacitor of dynamic random access memory (DRAM).
2. Description of the Related Art
The lower electrode and the upper electrode of DRAM capacitor normally use polysilicon to serve as conductive material. However, the V.sub.bias applied on the upper electrode easily causes holes to form between the lower electrode and the capacitor dielectric layer. The holes compensate N-type impurities originally doped inside the polysilicon layer serving as a lower electrode. Consequently, a depletion region is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode, thus forming an additional dielectric layer. In other words, the thickness of the overall dielectric layer is thickened, the surface of the capacitor dielectric layer is decreased and the charge storage capacity of the capacitor is reduced.
The depletion effect can be reduced by increasing the surface doping concentration of the lower electrode. In the traditional method, an ion implantation step is performed on the lower electrode, thereby implanting ions into the lower electrode to increase the surface doping concentration of the lower electrode. However, it is difficult for this method to solve the depletion problem occurring on the sidewall of the capacitor if a high, 3-D, stacked capacitor or a selective Hemisphere Grain (HSG) is used. This is because the implanted ions can barely reach the sidewall of the capacitor under the limitations of the implant angle and the shadowing effect. Therefore, the ion implantation to increase the surface doping concentration cannot thoroughly solve the depletion problem. In addition, the doping concentration on the lower electrode is not uniform, which leads to an unstable charge storage capacity of the capacitor. As a result, the reliability of the capacitor is reduced.


A scrubber for separation of liquid phase and any other constituents from a fluid now that in substance includes a gas. The scrubber is formed as a standing vessel with round cross section, with an outlet for liquid from the bottom and an outlet for gas from the top. The scrubber is distinguished in includes a fluid inlet that either is tangentially oriented relative to the inner wall of the scrubber or equipped with a deflection plate, such that introduced fluid is directed tangentially horizontal or with a small downward slope along the inner wall of the scrubber, into and through a fluid way arranged as a downwards directed spiral within the scrubber, along the inner wall, from a level over or at the inlet to a level at or close to the outlet for liquid, with an opening for gas escape inwards toward the center of the scrubber. The scrubber according to the invention results in very low liquid entrainment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention regards separation of liquid from gas. In particular, the present invention regards a scrubber with beneficial properties.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of known installations function to separate fluids of different density by use of a cyclone principle. The principle works by the deflection of a compounded fluid flow for example along the inner wall of a vessel, whereby the heavier constituents move to the outside of the curved fluid flow and are accumulated towards the inner wall of the vessel, after which the heavier constituents as a result of gravitation can be directed to a reservoir or outlet in the bottom of the vessel. The lighter constituents will be concentrated in the center area of the vessel, after which they can be taken out through an outlet beginning in the center area of the vessel.
Some examples of cyclones that can be used for separation of fluids of different density can be found in patent publications NO 308199 and NO 144128, which regard hydrocyclones. The publications teach separation of fluids in the form of liquids, or even liquids with contents of solid constituents, which are fluids of relatively high viscosity. For fluids of high viscosity it is essential to avoid unnecessary pressure loss, which problem is described in the publications.
Pressure loss is also an essential problem with respect to separation of liquids and/or particles from a fluid flow that in substance comprises gas. This is described in patent publication NO 176309, which discloses a device for separation of liquid and/or particles from a high pressure gas flow. In this publication, on page 1, lines 32-38, it is set forth: "The gas density is a very important parameter with respect to the efficiency of a centrifugal gas separator. In general the collection efficiency and also the pressure loss of a centrifugal separator achieve the most preferable values when the flow through the separator is an ideally arranged centrifugal flow on which no other flow such as turbulence and secondary flows have influence."
The device according to NO 176309 comprises a cylindrical vessel with an in substance vertical axis, equipped with: an upper compartment to which gas is fed; an intermediate compartment comprising a number of vanes that are arranged in spiral around the axis; a lower compartment for separation of gas and liquid and/or particles and a coaxial gas outlet pipe extending upwards from the lower compartment through the intermediate compartment and upper compartment, around which spiral formed vanes have been provided; which device is distinguished in that each spiral formed vane is comprising a lower part with a constant slope and a part with a slope that increases gradually in upward direction.
The vanes of the above mentioned device bring the gas into rotation, and the vanes are arranged on the coaxially arranged gas outlet pipe.
In patent publication GB 1119699 an inlet is described that is directed downwards, in contrast to the conventional vane inlet (Schepentoeter) that is directed outwards. The inlets are significant for how the flow is distributed into the scrubber.
Despite devices as those mentioned above, a demand still exists for improvements, in particular with respect to a device that in agreement with the above has most beneficial properties when the flow through the separator is an ideally arranged centrifugal flow on which no other flow such as turbulence and secondary flows have influence. The objective of the present invention is to provide a device that is contributing to meet the above mentioned demand.


A problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a carbonaceous material suitable for a negative electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries (e.g., lithium ion secondary batteries, sodium ion secondary batteries, lithium sulfur batteries, lithium air batteries) having high charge/discharge capacities and preferably high charge/discharge efficiency as well as low resistance, a negative electrode comprising the carbonaceous material, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising the negative electrode, and a production method of the carbonaceous material. The present invention relates to a carbonaceous material having a nitrogen element content of 1.0 mass % or more and an oxygen content of 1.5 mass % or less obtained by elemental analysis, a ratio of nitrogen element content and hydrogen element content (RN/H) of 6 or more and 100 or less, a ratio of oxygen element content and nitrogen element content (RO/N) of 0.1 or more and 1.0 or less, and a carbon interplanar spacing (d002) observed by X-ray diffraction measurement of 3.70 Å or more.

Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries such as lithium ion secondary batteries have high energy density and excellent output characteristics and are therefore widely used in small portable devices such as mobile phones and notebook computers. In recent years, the batteries are also increasingly applied to in-vehicle use for hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, etc. For a negative electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery, nitrogen-containing non-graphitizable carbon capable of being doped (charged) and dedoped (discharged) with lithium in an amount exceeding the theoretical capacity of 372 mAh/g of graphite has been developed (e.g., Patent Documents 1, 2, 3), and used.
Nitrogen-containing non-graphitizable carbon can be obtained, for example, by using a phenol resin as a carbon source and amine as a nitrogen source, or using a resin having an amine group such as an aniline resin as a carbon source, and performing a heat treatment. However, when nitrogen-containing non-graphitizable carbon is produced by using these raw materials, a step of fixing the nitrogen element is required for increasing a nitrogen element content, which reduces the productivity, and the fixing step tends to increase oxygen and hydrogen element contents as well.
The nitrogen element in the carbonaceous material acts as a lithium ion storage site, has smaller adsorption/desorption energies as compared to when lithium ions are stored in voids and defect portions between carbon layers and between carbon crystals, and therefore allows efficient ionic migration, which tends to lead to lower resistance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Carbonaceous material for negative electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery negative electrode, non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and production method of carbonaceous material


A driving torque controlling system by which a vehicle can drive with safety and certainty while maintaining an appropriate posture without dissatisfying the will of a driver very much. The driving torque controlling system comprises a control signal selecting section which selects, in response to a predetermined change-over condition, one of control signals from a turning control unit for setting an aimed driving torque in response to a magnitude of lateral acceleration applied to the vehicle during turning of the vehicle and a slip control unit for setting an aimed driving torque in response to an amount of slip of a driving wheel of the vehicle. A torque controlling unit receives a selected control signal from the control signal selecting means and reduces the driving torque of the vehicle in response to the received control signal independently of operation by a driver of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a driving torque controlling system for a vehicle wherein driving torque of an engine is reduced rapidly in response to a magnitude of lateral acceleration which may be produced upon turning of the vehicle or to an amount of slip of a driving wheel upon acceleration of the vehicle in order to assure safe running of the vehicle.
2. Description of Background Art
When the condition of a road on which a vehicle is driving varies suddenly or when a vehicle is driving on a slippery road having a low coefficient of friction such as, for example, a snowy road or a frozen road, it frequently occurs that a driving wheel of the vehicle rotates slipping or in vain.
In such an instance, it is very difficult even for a skilled driver to adjust the amount of operation of an accelerator pedal to control the output power of an engine skillfully so that the driving wheel may not rotate slipping or in vain.
Similarly, a vehicle which is driving on a curved road is acted upon by centrifugal force corresponding to lateral acceleration of a direction perpendicular to the driving direction. Accordingly, when the driving speed of the vehicle on the curved road is excessively high, it may exceed a limit of gripping force of a tire to cause lateral slipping of the body of the vehicle.
In such an instance, in order to reduce the output power of the engine appropriately so that the vehicle can drive with safety with a turning radius corresponding to the curved road, particularly when no exit of the curved road can be found out or where the radius of curvature of the curved road decreases gradually, a very high driving technique is required.
With conventional vehicles having a so-called under-steering tendency, it is necessary to gradually increase the steering amount in accordance with an increase of lateral acceleration acting upon the vehicle. However, if such lateral acceleration exceeds a particular value peculiar to the vehicle, then the steering amount increases suddenly, which makes desired turning driving difficult. It is well known that such tendency is prominent particularly with vehicles of the front engine front drive type which have a strong understeering tendency.
From such circumstances, several improved driving torque controlling systems have been proposed, and in an exemplary one of such systems, a slipping condition of a driving wheel is detected and, if a slip of the driving wheel takes place, the output power of the engine is reduced compulsorily independently of an amount of operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver. In another exemplary one of the improved driving torque controlling systems, lateral acceleration of the vehicle is detected and, before a turning limit across which it is difficult for the vehicle to turn is reached, the output power of the engine is reduced compulsorily independently of an amount of operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver. Due to such driving torque controlling systems, the driver can select, when it is considered necessary, one of driving of the vehicle in which the driving torque controlling system is used and normal driving in which the output power of the engine is controlled in response to an amount of operation of the accelerator pedal.
In one of such vehicle driving torque controlling systems, a rotational speed of a driving wheel and another rotational speed of a driven wheel are detected and, considering a difference between the rotational speeds as an amount of slip of the driving wheel, the driving torque of the engine is controlled in response to such slip amount. Another vehicle driving torque controlling system controls the driving torque of the engine in response to an amount of yawing (hereinafter referred to as yaw rate) or the like of the vehicle.
In the case of the latter means, since yawing and so forth of the vehicle which are produced mainly during high speed quick turning of the vehicle have a tendency that the amounts thereof increase suddenly as the speed of the vehicle increases and the turning motion of the vehicle becomes quick, a yaw rate is detected by means of a vibration sensor, an acceleration sensor or the like, and the driving torque of the engine is reduced when the yaw rate exceeds a predetermined level.
Where such driving torque controlling system is employed, it is also possible to reduce a shock and so forth during a gear shifting operation of an automatic transmission.
When the driving safety of a vehicle is considered, it is desirable for the vehicle to include thereon a driving torque controlling system which detects a slipping condition of a driving wheel and compulsorily reduces, when a slipping condition of the driving wheel takes place, the output power of the engine independently of an amount of operation of the accelerator pedal by a driver and another controlling system which detects lateral acceleration of the vehicle and compulsorily reduces, before it becomes difficult or impossible for the vehicle to turn, the output power of the engine independently of an amount of operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver.
However, no conventional vehicles include both of an output controlling system which compulsorily reduces, when a slipping condition of a driving wheel takes place, the output power of the engine independently of an amount of operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver and another output controlling system which compulsorily reduces, before it becomes difficult or impossible for the vehicle to turn, the output power of the engine independently of an amount of operation of the accelerator pedal by the driver. Accordingly, in case a slip of a driving wheel takes place and simultaneously the vehicle is likely to become difficult to turn, it is a problem how much the driving torque of the engine should be reduced in order to permit the vehicle to keep its posture properly and drive with safety and certainty without failing to satisfy the intention of the driver much.

Engine torque controlling device responsive to the acceleration of the vehicle and slippage of the wheels

Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


A radiosurgery and radiotherapy system to provide diagnostic imaging and target localization via a patient 3-D mapping means such as a CT scanner or MRI, patient positioning via a four degree of freedom of motion table, and a stereotactic Cobalt 60 therapy unit incorporating multiple sources to therapeutically irradiate a target is provided. Methods of radiosurgery and radiotherapy utilizing the system are also provided. A combination of radiation source configuration, 360 degree rotational characteristics of the therapy unit, and table movement will allow any size and shape of target to be irradiated to therapeutic levels while decreasing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. A radiation beam catcher which captures greater than 80% and preferably greater than 90 percent of the radiation from the radiation sources is also provided.

This invention relates in general to an apparatus and methods for controlling the administration of radiation to a patient, and more particularly, to stereotactically directed radiation apparatus and radiation therapy and surgery performed by the apparatus.
The use of a computerized tomographic (CT) scanner or a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system has been generally used to aid in diagnostic procedures or to aid in planning placement of a patient prior to the patient receiving radiation. The patient was then removed from the CT or MRI unit and radiation therapy was performed on a secondary system physically removed from the scanning facility. The employment of a second apparatus was due to the fact that the radiation levels necessary for radiation therapy were incompatible with the levels required for diagnostic procedures. The secondary radiation (scatter) from the treatment system required that it be placed in a separate, shielded room. Attempting to successfully reposition the patient in the secondary device, along with potential physiological changes which may occur in the patient, can cause considerable problems in insuring a successful outcome with minimal danger to the patient.
Radiation therapy has generally been practiced utilizing either a Cobalt 60 radioactive source (1.2MeV energy) or a linear accelerator with electron energies ranging typically from 4.0 to 20 MeV. Most existing radiation therapy technology provides radiation from a single focal point. Custom shielding blocks, and beam shapers are necessarily utilized in most treatments to deliver a uniform dose to the target without overdosing the surrounding area of healthy tissue. The radiation field size which is emitted from the device is typically controlled through movable collimators. This type of system has several severe limitations; the dose delivered to the area surrounding the target site receives as much or more radiation as the target itself. The limiting factor in treating tumors in many instances is the radiobiological effect, e.g., tissue damage, which may be delivered to the surrounding healthy tissue. In many cases, radiation therapy will be more effective if higher doses of radiation can be directed to the target site without subjecting the surrounding area to toxic amounts of radiation. Current practice typically incorporates laser positioning systems to determine patient location prior to treatment. This positioning is confirmed and recorded by placing a tattoo on the patients skin. The accuracy of this procedure requires that a treatment "margin" be included to compensate for the following types of factors: a) mislocation of a patient; b) growth of the target during the treatment program (which may take up to six weeks); and c) physiological movement of the position of the target between treatments (several days can elapse between treatments). Also, in treatments to date patients are administered radiation in a static modality, and the patient is not moved during the administration of radiation during treatment.
Current technology for therapy systems requires that external shielding, typically 24-60 inches of reinforced concrete, be utilized to prevent generalized exposure to the scattered radiation present in the treatment room. The requirement for this shielding has restricted treatment rooms to locations in facilities which can support the resulting high floor weight loadings.

Radiation therapy and radiation surgery treatment system and methods of use of same


A contact assembly for a medical device and, more specifically, to a header contact assembly for achieving electrical contact with an in-line IPG lead utilizing a contact structure such as a “toroidal spring in groove” device.

Medical devices have been implanted in patients to perform a variety of tasks. For example, programmable pulse generating systems are used to treat chronic pain by providing electrical stimulation pulses from an epidural electrode array placed near a patient's spine. Such Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) is useful for reducing pain in certain populations of patients. SCS systems typically include one or more electrodes connected to one or more connectors of an External Pulse Generator (EPG) or an Implanted Pulse Generator (IPG) via leads. In the case of an EPG, the lead must be connected to the EPG via an exit from the body. The pulse generator, whether internal or external, generates pulses that are typically delivered to the dorsal column fibers within the spinal cord through the electrodes which are implanted along or near the dura of the spinal cord. In a typical situation, the attached leads exit the spinal cord and are tunneled around the torso of the patient to a subcutaneous pocket where the IPG is implanted, or the wires exit the patient for connection to the EPG.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,537,474 and 6,895,876, incorporated herein by reference, disclose a connector solution for an implantable pulse generator (IPG) utilizing a coiled spring inside a contact block. The ends of the spring are welded together yielding a torus shape through which the in-line lead is inserted. The spring coils cant to conform to the contact ring of an IPG lead, thus making electrical contact. Each coil which contacts both the lead and the block forms a separate redundant electrical contact.
However, more accurate positioning of seals and electrical contact locations than are current available would be desirable. Furthermore, it would be useful to provide IPG devices with multiple lead ports that have contact stacks that are assembled as a single unit, and tested in a single fixture before final assembly of the IPG, to determine that all channels have electrical continuity to inserted pin(s) that represents a connection end of a stimulation lead.

Contact assembly for implantable pulse generator and method of use


The embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for accomplishing trick modes. This is achieved by assigning samples within a track to sample groups, wherein all samples within a sample group belong to one temporal level and by allowing the client to access one temporal level independently of lower temporal levels. In this way, the flexibility for the client regarding play out of different frame rates is increased which can result in a lower bandwidth utilization.

There is an increased interest in Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP) streaming of media, in particular video. This has evolved beyond simple progressive download to give two new features: adaptivity and live content. The way this is achieved is that the content is partitioned into multiple segments, or files, each corresponding to a small interval of content, for example 10 seconds of content. The client is provided with a manifest file also known as a Media Presentation Description, (MPD) which lists the different segments and where to fetch them and the client fetches them one by one. The split into different segments/files that are fetched via a standard web protocol like HTTP, is also said to be cache-friendly, or Content Distribution Network (CDN) friendly, since it does not require any state in the server or cache, in contrast to streaming servers based on protocols like Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).
3GPP has recently standardized a solution for HTTP Streaming called Adaptive HTTP Streaming (AHS) in Release 9 of PSS. An extended version is called 3GP-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) and is currently being specified in Release 10. The Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) is currently standardizing Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) based on 3GPP AHS.
The AHS and DASH solutions, as well as other solutions for HTTP streaming use two different types of files that are fetched by the client from the server. The first type is a manifest describing the session, and in particular the different variants of the content that are available. In AHS and DASH the manifest is an MPD file and provides information about the different periods, and then the segments of the different representations of the media inside a period. The second type is the media itself, which is contained in media files. In AHS and DASH these are ISO (International Organization for Standardization) file-format based, and consist of initial segments and media segments.
In order to quickly navigate in a media it is common to allow for trick modes and alternate playout rates by fast forward or rewind, i.e., to play a representation of the media stream faster at a higher speed or even backwards. This way a user can visually search through the stream and start normal playback at a wanted position.
The simplest method of "fast forward" is to playback a stream at faster than its original rate. This method has the drawback of requiring a lot of processing power, as well as an increased download rate if the content is on a remote server. For example, to be able to fast forward at 10× speed, ten times the decoding complexity would be needed. FIG. 1 shows fast forward where the speed is two times the normal speed.
A simplified method of fast forward is to play back only the I-frames or more precisely, the Random Access Points (RAPs), i.e. the key frames. This reduces the complexity a lot depending on the distance between the I-frames. By decoding every second I-frame, it is possible to make a still faster trick-mode, but it is not easy to make a trick-mode corresponding to a fractional image distance, if the video is not encoded using temporal levels. FIG. 2 shows the jumping between I-frames to enable fast forward.
Another drawback of this solution is the high overhead (bandwidth demand) of this solution. The complete stream (all frames) must be sent to the receiver who filters and discards the "unwanted" frames (majority of frames).
The frames also referred to as samples can be divided into temporal levels. All samples within one temporal level can only depend on samples within the same temporal level or on samples within lower temporal levels. An example of a video codec that supports temporal levels is H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC), which is the state of the art of video coding standards. It is a hybrid codec which takes advantages of eliminating redundancy between pictures (using B and P pictures) in addition to redundancy within pictures.
H.264 supports several ways of restricting dependencies between pictures such that subsets of independent frames can be extracted from the bitstream and decoded without using any of the remaining pictures of the stream. One can for instance extract I frames, which in the case of a fixed Group of Pictures (GOP) structure will appear regularly in the media stream. Other options are to exploit hierarchical B and/or P pictures to extract a temporal level of the media stream.
An example of temporal scalability coding structure is shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 pictures (I, P and B) are indexed with their level 0, 1, 2 or 3. It is shown that samples within one temporal level only depend on samples within the same temporal level or on samples within lower temporal levels.
Accordingly, different fast forward (ff) speeds (times normal playout) can be obtained as follows:
ff x8 is achieved by using pictures of level 0,
ff x4 is achieved by using pictures of levels 0 and 1,
ff x2 is achieved by using pictures of levels 0, 1 and 2,
normal playback corresponds to all levels 0, 1, 2 and 3.
3GPP and MPEG base their HTTP Streaming delivery formats on the 3GP file format and the MP4 file format, respectively, which in turn are based on the ISO base media file format.
The file structure of a 3GP or MP4 file is object-oriented and a file is formed by a series of objects called boxes. The structure of a box is inferred by its type. Some boxes only contain other boxes, whereas most boxes contain data. All data of a file is contained in boxes.
A file can be divided into an initial movie metadata part, contained in a movie box of type 'moov', and a number of incremental movie fragments, contained in movie-fragment boxes of type 'moof'. Each movie fragment extends the movie (multimedia presentation) in time. The movie box and the movie fragment boxes are meta-data boxes containing the information needed by a client to decode and render the media presentation. The actual media data is stored in media-data boxes of type 'mdat'. All these boxes ('moov', 'moof', and 'mdat') are top-level boxes, i.e. contained by the file only and not by any other boxes.
For 3GP-DASH and MPEG DASH, segmented versions of 3GP and MP4 files are used. There are two main types of segments:
Initialization segment: contains a movie box ('moov') but no movie fragments. Media segment: contains one or more movie fragments ('moof') and corresponding media-data in media-data boxe(s) ('mdat') but no movie box.
As described above for HTTP Streaming, a client first needs an MPD, which includes pointers to relevant initialization and media segments. HTTP streaming is then initialized by a client by downloading an initialization segment (or several, in case parallel representations are used for e.g. audio and video). After that the client continues the HTTP streaming session by downloading media segments as described in the MPD.
Pictures are stored as access units in the file format. By default they appear in decoding order in a bitstream. FIG. 4 shows an example where access units are stored in their default bitstream order in a move fragment. There are three temporal levels (0, 1 and 2).
FIG. 4 shows access units with different temporal levels in a fragment in decoding order: I(0), P(4), B(2), B(1), B(3), P(8), B(6), B(5), B(7), etc. The numbers in parentheses denote presentation order, i.e. the order the frames are rendered on the screen: I(0), B(1), B(2), B(3), P(4), B(5), B(6), B(7), P(8), etc. I(0), P(4), P(8), . . . , P(36) are in temporal level 0; B(2), B(6), . . . , B(34) are in temporal level 1; B(1), B(3), B(5), B(7), . . . , B(33), B(35) are in temporal level 2.
If a client wants to download only the samples belonging to a certain temporal level, it needs to issue several HTTP GET byte-range requests in order to avoid downloading more data than necessary. For instance, if the client wants to download temporal level 0, it needs to download access units I(0), P(4), P(8), etc., corresponding to fast forward x4. For ff x2, temporal levels 0 and 1 would be needed, i.e. access units I(0), P(4), B(2), P(8), B(6), etc.

Client, a content creator entity and methods thereof for media streaming


A method and system for automating exploration and production of subterranean resources, using data collected from exploration and production activities, including drilling rig data and/or the like is described. The method and system include the use of a knowledge representation containing representation of uncertainty in the exploration and production operations.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
In oilfield applications, the drilling process can be impeded by a wide variety of problems. Accurate measurements of downhole conditions, rock properties and surface equipment allow many drilling risks to be minimized and may also be used for detecting when a problem has occurred. At present, most problem detection is the result of human vigilance, but detection probability is often degraded by fatigue, high workload or lack of experience.
Merely by way of example, in oilfield applications, some limited techniques have been used for detecting the occurrence of one of two possible rig states using a single input channel. In one example, a technique may be used to automatically detect if a drill pipe for drilling a hydrocarbon well is either "in slips" or "not in slips". This information may be used to gain accurate control of depth estimates, for example in conjunction with activities such as measurement-while-drilling (MWD) or mud logging. To tell whether the drill pipe is "in slips," the known technique generally only uses a single input channel of hookload data measured on the surface. Another example of making a determination between two possible rig states is a technique used to predict if the drill bit is "on bottom" or "not on bottom." Again, this method makes use of only a single input channel, namely block position, and is only used to detect one of two "states" of the drilling rig.
In the oilfield industry there is a need to automate process/applications and to monitor the automated processes and applications. This automation and monitoring may require monitoring of one or more streams of data and interpretation of the data.
In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

System and method for automating exploration or production of subterranean resource


In a status detector for a power supply, a power supply, and an initial characteristic extracting device for use with the power supply, a measuring unit obtains measured values of at least current, voltage and temperature of the electricity accumulating unit. A processing unit executes status detection of the electricity accumulating unit by using the measured values and the characteristic information of the electricity accumulating unit which is stored in a memory unit. A discrepancy detecting unit detects the presence of a discrepancy away from a theoretical value when a result of the status detection is changed over a predetermined threshold or reversed with respect to the measured values. A modifying unit modifies the characteristic information depending on the detected discrepancy.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a status detector for a power supply, a power supply, and an initial characteristic extracting device for use with the power supply, each of which is suitable for detecting the status of a battery (accumulator).
2. Description of the Related Art
In power supplies, decentralized power storages, and electric vehicles using electricity accumulating units such as a lithium secondary battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, a lead-acid battery, and an electric double-layer capacitor, a status detector for detecting the status of each electricity accumulating unit is employed to ensure safe and effective use of the electricity accumulating unit. The status of the electricity accumulating unit includes, e.g., the state of charge (SOC) or the remaining capacity indicating to what extent the unit is charged or how much dischargeable charges remain, and the state of health (SOH) or a deterioration level indicating how far the unit is deteriorated or run down. In order to detect those states of the electricity accumulating unit, it is also required to know characteristic information (such as internal DC resistance) of the electricity accumulating unit beforehand.
SOC (State Of Charge) of a power supply used in portable equipment, electric vehicles, etc. can be detected by integrating current discharged from the fully charged state and calculating a ratio of the amount of charges remaining in the electricity accumulating unit (i.e., the remaining capacity) to the amount of maximally chargeable charges (i.e., the fully charged capacity). In many of the electricity accumulating units, however, because the fully charged capacity is changed depending on SOH (State Of Health), temperature, etc., it is difficult to accurately detect SOC, taking into account those changes depending on time and environment as well.
To overcome such a difficulty, there are known techniques as follows. For example, JP-A-10-289734 (Patent Document 1) discloses that an initial battery characteristic is modified in accordance with a temperature modification coefficient computed based on a battery temperature and a deterioration modification coefficient computed based on a battery deterioration, and the remaining capacity of a battery is computed based on not only the modified battery characteristic, but also a discharge current and a terminal voltage during discharge.
Also, JP-A-11-218567 (Patent Document 2) discloses that a deteriorated battery characteristic is computed by modifying an initial battery characteristic based on respective relations to a temperature modification coefficient, an internal resistance deterioration modification coefficient, and a capacity deterioration modification coefficient.
JP-A-2000-166105 (Patent Document 3) discloses that the state of charge is detected based on a charge or discharge current, the state of accumulated electricity is detected based on a voltage, and the state of charge is controlled in accordance with the detected results.
JP-A-2000-166109 (Patent Document 4) discloses that an electromotive voltage is determined from a charge or discharge current and a voltage, and a charge characteristic is computed based on the relationship between the electromotive voltage and the charge characteristic.
Further, JP-A-2001-85071 (Patent Document 5) discloses that a temperature of each of combined battery modules is estimated based on a voltage between respective two terminals and a current flowing through each terminal.

Status detector for power supply, power supply, and initial characteristic extracting device for use with power supply


A developing unit includes a developer bearing member that rotates and bears a developer including a toner and a carrier. A controller switches between a first mode and a second mode based on information which influences a toner charging amount. In the first mode, the developer bearing member rotates during a predetermined operation period from a command of an image forming operation until start of forming the electrostatic latent image. Meanwhile, in the second mode, a total number of rotations of the developer bearing member during the predetermined operation period is smaller than that in the first mode.

Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or multi-function printer having a plurality of functions, in which an electro-photographic system or an electrostatic recording system is used.
Description of the Related Art
Hitherto, in an image forming apparatus configured to form an image by a toner such as an electro-photographic type image forming apparatus, a two-component developing system using a two-component developer that is composed of mainly mixing the toner and a carrier is widely used. In the image forming apparatus, the two-component developer is borne onto a developing sleeve which is a developer bearing member, and the toner in the two-component developer is supplied to a photosensitive drum which is an image bearing member. A surface of the photosensitive drum is charged to a predetermined charge potential, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing the surface. In addition, by applying a predetermined development voltage to the developing sleeve, the toner which is charged to the same polarity as charge polarity of the photosensitive drum is adhered to the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed.
Here, it is desirable that a difference (Vback) between a potential (Vd) on the photosensitive drum of a non-image portion in which the electrostatic latent image is not formed, and a value (Vdc) of a DC component of the development voltage applied to the developing sleeve, is controlled to be within a predetermined range. That is, "carrier adhesion" occurs in which the carrier in the two-component developer borne on the developing sleeve is adhered to the photosensitive drum when Vback is large, and on the contrary, a so-called "fogging" occurs in which the toner is adhered to the non-image portion of the photosensitive drum when Vback is small. In particular, since there is a possibility that the surface of the photosensitive drum is damaged when the carrier adhesion occurs, in the related art, Vback is controlled to suppress the occurrence of the carrier adhesion.
It is desirable that the relationship of Vback is maintained when the voltage falls when application of each voltage is stopped in response to completion of image formation, and when the voltage rises when application of each voltage is started in response to start of the image formation. In particular, in the case where the voltage falls, in order to reduce the carrier adhesion to the photosensitive drum, a development voltage and a charge voltage fall after rotation of the developing sleeve is stopped. Here, after the rotation of the developing sleeve is stopped, when Vback is applied between the developing sleeve and the photosensitive drum, there is a case where a phenomenon occurs in which the toner in the developer on the developing sleeve is adhered to the developing sleeve due to the influence of an electric field. When the toner adhesion to the developing sleeve occurs, a belt-like image (abnormal image) is generated at a sleeve pitch in the next output image. Therefore, JP-A-2010-134205 suggests controlling Vback in order to reduce the toner adhesion to the developing sleeve.


An object of the present invention is to provide an optical waveguide device and an optical waveguide module having the function to multiplex/demultiplex or couple/decouple optical signals and particularly to provide an optical waveguide device and an optical waveguide module for realizing low optical loss, reducing wavelength dependence and ensuring easier shape management in the manufacturing and inspection processes. The optical waveguide device and optical waveguide module are provided with a substrate, one or more first waveguides, a plurality of second waveguides, and a slab waveguide for connecting the first waveguides and the second waveguides. At a region where the second waveguides are connected to the slab waveguide, a plurality of waveguide paths are provided for respectively connecting the second waveguides. Width of the waveguide paths is constant. The width of the separation gap between waveguide paths progressively increases as it becomes further away from the slab waveguide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical waveguide device used for optical communication and an optical waveguide module modified from the same optical waveguide device. Particularly, the present invention relates to an optical waveguide device and an optical waveguide module having the functions for multiplexing/demultiplexing or coupling/decoupling optical signals to reduce optical loss thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
In optical communication, further expansion of transmission capacity is expected. Accordingly, a wavelength division multiplexing optical transmitting method has widely been used because of its comparatively easier expandability in the transmission capacity. In recent years, further improvement in the degree of wavelength multiplexing is requested in the wavelength division multiplexing optical transmitting method. As a key device to realize such method, an optical multiplexing/demultiplexing element has been proposed. An arrayed waveguide grating type optical multiplexing/demultiplexing element is formed in a passive structure to enable multiplexing/demultiplexing of a plurality of wavelengths. This element is characterized in low loss, high extinction ratio, and narrow-band pass.
A basic structure of a general arrayed waveguide grating of the related art is illustrated in FIG. 1. This general type arrayed waveguide grating of the related art is constituted by forming, on a substrate 51, a input waveguide array 52, an output waveguide array 53, a channel waveguide array (diffraction gating) 54, a first slab waveguide 55 for connecting the input waveguide array 52 and the channel waveguide array 54, and a second slab waveguide 56 for connecting the channel waveguide array 54 and the output waveguide array 53. The channel waveguide array 54 is set in its length to become sequentially longer with the predetermined difference ΔL in lengths of the waveguides. In this array waveguide grating, the wavelength multiplexing optical signals λ1 to λm (m is a positive integer) inputted from an end of the input waveguide array 52 are divided into optical signals λ1, λ2, . . . , λm of every wavelength and are then outputted from the end of the output waveguide array 53 in the opposite side. On the contrary, the optical signals λ1, λ2, . . . , λm of every wavelength inputted from the end of the output waveguide array 53 is multiplexed into the wavelength multiplexing signals λ1 to λm and are then outputted from the end of the input waveguide array 52 in the opposite side.
As explained above, the optical communication based on the wavelength multiplexing optical transmitting system is requested in these years to satisfy the requirements such as higher wavelength multiplexing rate, higher transmission rate, and longer transmission distance. Accordingly, the array waveguide grating has been expected to realize increase in the transmission distance and further reduction in transmission loss in view of improving capability for multiplexing/demultiplexing of optical signals.
An example of the technique for assuring low loss of an array waveguide grating, which has been proposed in the related art such as the U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,618 (particularly, FIG. 7), is illustrated in FIG. 2. The array waveguide grating of the related art is respectively provided with transition regions 71, 72 immediately adjacent to the boundary between the channel waveguide array (diffraction grating) 760 and the first slab waveguide 710 and to the boundary between the channel waveguide array 760 and the second slab waveguide 720. These transition regions 71, 72 are formed through orthogonal intersection of waveguide paths a1 to an (n is a positive integer) to the channel waveguide array 760.
Structures of the optical couplers in the related art are illustrated in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C. FIG. 3A shows a structure of an ordinary star coupler. This star coupler is formed in the structure attained by cutting the structure of the array waveguide grating of FIG. 1 explained above at the center thereof. This single composition does not have the function for multiplexing/demultiplexing wavelength multiplexing optical signals but the function to coupling or decoupling optical signals. This star coupler is also requested to realize low optical transmission loss like the array waveguide grating explained above. FIG. 3B shows a structure attained by implementing the low loss technique which has been proposed as the related art for such a star coupler. In the case of this structure, a transition region 202 is provided immediately adjacent to the boundary between the output waveguide array 206 and the slab waveguide 200 like the array waveguide grating explained above. In addition, the similar low loss technique is also proposed for a splitter. Structure of this splitter is illustrated in FIG. 3C. This splitter is also provided with a transition region 302.
These transition regions are formed, as illustrated in FIG. 4, through orthogonal intersection of waveguide paths a1 to an to the waveguide array. Width W(ax)x=1 to n of the waveguide path is wide immediately adjacent to the slab waveguide but progressively decrease as it becomes further away from the slab waveguide. Meanwhile, the period Λ in formation of the waveguide path is constant.
In more practical, the width W(ax)x=1 to n of the waveguide path gradually decreases to W(an): 2 μm from W(a1): 18 μm as it becomes further away from the slab waveguides 710, 200. On the other hand, a separation gap between the adjacent waveguide paths (width of separation) W(sx)x=1 to n progressively increases to W(sn): 18 μm from W(s1): 2 μm as it becomes further away from the slab waveguides 710, 200. The relationship among the width W(ax) of the waveguide path, the separation gap W(sx), and the period Λ for arrangement of the waveguide paths satisfy the formula (1). The period Λ is 20 μm.W(ax)+W(sx)=Λ, x=1 to n  (1)
The channel waveguide array 760 (or the output waveguide array 206) is different to a large extent from the slab waveguides 710, 200 in the distribution of electric field of the light to be propagated (mode profile). Therefore, matching error of mode profile is generated in the area immediately adjacent to the boundary. Such matching error will cause an optical coupling loss. Accordingly, such matching error can be eased by eliminating abrupt change in the mode profile. As a result, optical coupling loss can be decreased.
In this related art, transition regions 71, 202 are provided. Width of these waveguide paths W(ax) progressively decreases as it becomes further away from the slab waveguides 710, 200. Therefore, the mode profile is changed step by step to avoid abrupt change thereof. Accordingly, matching error of mode profile is eased and optical coupling loss is lowered.
In this related art, it is explained that the period Λ is not required to be a constant and the width of the waveguide path is not required to be linearly decreased. However, it is explained that essential condition to attain the merits of the invention is that the width W(ax) of the waveguide path progressively decreases as it becomes further away from the slab waveguide.
As explained above, in the related art proposes realized low optical loss, the waveguide paths are provided at a part of the channel waveguide array immediately adjacent to the slab waveguide as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thereby, optical coupling loss is lowered. However, such optical coupling loss may be reduced than that in the ordinary array waveguide grating illustrated in FIG. 1 but a problem rises here, in which it is difficult to attain large reduction effect. The reason is that the waveguide path changes to narrow path from wide path as it becomes further away from the slab waveguide. The waveguide path has the effect to capture again the scattering light leaked between waveguides into the waveguide array. However, at the wider part of waveguide path, radiation of light from the waveguide array to the outside thereof through the waveguide path also occurs simultaneously. This phenomenon triggers the event that the scattering light captured by the waveguide path does not stay at the waveguide array and is radiated again to the outside of waveguide array via the waveguide path. As a result, a problem occurs here, that the scattering lights captured cannot be coupled within the waveguide array. Therefore, the structure of the array waveguide grating of the related art illustrated in FIG. 2 has a limit in the effect in realization of low loss.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the waveguide paths are formed in the equal period in the structure of the related art. As a result, only the specific wavelength easily receives adverse effect. Accordingly, it may occur that the characteristic changes depending on every specific wavelength. Moreover, width of the waveguide path progressively decreases as it becomes further away from the slab waveguide. Therefore, an additional problem occurs here, in which shape management of each waveguide path becomes difficult in the manufacture and testing.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3A to 3C, a similar problem is also generated in the low loss technique for star coupler and splitter of the related art.

Optical waveguide device and optical waveguide module


An apparatus for verifying a custom IC including a test pattern generating unit for generating a test pattern for verifying a function of the custom IC. The test pattern is output to a master IC and a test IC. The apparatus further includes a comparing unit connected to receive operation signals output from the master IC and the test IC for comparing the operation signals to see if the operation signals are agreed with each other and for generating a comparison signal based on a comparison result, a judging unit connected to receive the comparison signal for judging if there is any abnormality in the test IC and for outputting a judged signal based on a judged result, and a computer connected to receive the judged signal for displaying the judged result of the test IC.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for verifying a custom IC (Integrated circuit), and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for verifying functions of a custom IC used in a safety protection system and so on of a nuclear power generation facility.
2. Description of the Background
In recent years, applications of semiconductor integrated circuits are extending in various fields, and at the same time, demands for each application field are also expanding variously. In apparatuses provided in safety protection systems of nuclear power generating facilities, such custom ICs as PLD (Programmable Logic Device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) are used. A high reliability is demanded for these custom ICs, and for its verification, the simulation using a software and the functional test with custom ICs mounted are so far conducted (Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Disclosure (Kokai) No. Hei 3-209849
The method for verifying a custom IC so far available as described above has problems that a long time is required for the verification test for the custom IC and the verification efficiency is poor for the custom IC as a circuit component.

Apparatus and method for verifying custom IC


A training method and a training system for a machine learning system are provided. The method includes allocating training data to a plurality of working machines; dividing training data allocated by each working machine into a plurality of data pieces; obtaining a local weight and a local loss function value calculated by each working machine based on each data piece; aggregating the local weight and the local loss function value calculated by each work machine based on each data piece to obtain a current weight and a current loss function value; performing model abnormality detection using the current weight and/or the current loss function value; inputting a weight and a loss function value of a previous aggregation to the machine learning system for training in response to a result of the model abnormality detection being a first type of abnormality; and modifying the current weight and/or the current loss function value to a current weight and/or a current loss function value within a first threshold in response to the result of the model abnormality detection being a second type of abnormality, and inputting thereof to the machine learning system for training.

Nowadays, providing good service to users is a goal that all Internet companies hope to achieve. To this end, most companies use machine learning to capture user preferences and habits and provide personalized services. For example, each website can use a machine learning system to collect online behavioral data of users, and provide different search results to users of different genders/ages, in order to provide services according to preferences of the users to the greatest extent.
The machine learning system described above can collect a large number of user behavior data, such as user browsing/clicking/purchasing/top posting/posting comments on posts, etc., and using some machine learning algorithms to train the machine learning system offline. After obtaining a predictive model, the predictive model is placed on an online system to provide services to users. For example, a recommendation system can recommend different products to different users based on the users' past behavior logs (such as including logs of yesterday and without 2 weeks from yesterday), after learning preferences of the users.
This way of using past user behavior data to perform training offline and obtain a model is called offline learning. However, under normal circumstances, user behavior and interests may change significantly within one day. Since a log generated by a user in an offline learning system cannot be immediately added to the system for training, offline learning obviously cannot capture this change.
Online learning means that a model continuously updates the model itself as new training data is received, and therefore can achieve better results. The accuracy of online learning is relatively high, but since a time period of data collection is relatively short, the model is prone to be influenced by the noise in the data, which makes the training of the model unstable. At the same time, since the online learning adopts a method of asynchronous update model, the training data continuously flows into the model, and the model is constantly updated and learning. The training of the model is often stuck due to certain uncontrollable issues, and a failure in the training occurs, which results in a failure to produce a usable model, thus affecting online services, and damaging the user experience.

Training method and training system for machine learning system