This invention provides compositions and methods for rapid separation, isolation and purification of nucleic acids from biological samples using anionic exchange media. The method can utilize commercially available strong or weak anion exchanger materials with selected solutions of known ionic strength for adsorption and elution. The instant method is particularly advantageous as it permits the purification and identification of shorter fragments of nucleic acids from bodily fluids which, until now, had not been identified.

Modern molecular biology requires the isolation of nucleic acids from a variety of sources comprising complex nucleic acids mixture with other compounds such as proteins, lipids and other cellular constituents. Particularly important examples of such mixtures include soluble nucleoproteins, which consist of nucleic acid molecules of varying length, complexed with proteins, e.g., histones. These complexes can be released into the bloodstream as a result of the normal apoptosis or other forms of cell death. It has been shown that eventually they cross the kidney barrier (Tr-DNA/RNA) and can be detected in the urine (Umansky, S. R., et al. 1982, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 655:9-17; Lichstenstein, A. V., et al. 2001, Ann NY Acad Sci, 945:239-249; Umansky, S & Tomei, D. 2006 Expert Rev. Mol. Diagn. 6:153-163). Because they are soluble, and released from cells throughout the body they can be useful as indicators for the detection and monitoring of diseases and abnormal conditions which may be present in areas of the body other than where the fluid is obtained (Al-Yatama et al. 2001, Prenat Diagn, 21:399-402, Utting, M., et al. (2002), Clin Cancer Res, 8:35-40). Most of currently existing technologies can be designed for isolation of high molecular weight cellular DNA and RNA. These methods require several steps. First, cells must be lysed. Second, nuclease activity has to be inhibited to prevent degradation of the released nucleic acids. Third, the nucleic acids should be separated from proteins. This deproteinization step may include extraction with a variety of organic solvents, including phenol and/or chloroform, followed by precipitation with ethanol, (Maniatis et al., "Molecular Cloning. A Laboratory Manual" Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.). Another method for nucleic acids extraction can be based on their adsorption on silica from highly concentrated solutions of chaotropic agents with subsequent elution at a low ionic strength. These conventional methods suffer from the disadvantages of being time-consuming and laborious, and they can also involve the use of chemical reagents that are hazardous and/or toxic to the worker and/or the environment.
Purification of DNA and/or RNA from cell free nucleoprotein complexes may not require the cell lysis step. However, there is a large body of evidence showing that the cell free circulating nucleic acids in bodily fluids can be present in very low concentrations and are fragmented to the average size of 150-300 bp, which introduces additional requirements to a purification procedure. First, for a large specimen volume it can be technically difficult to perform phenol deproteinization, automation of the process is almost impossible, and use of extremely toxic phenol in clinical lab setting is impractical. Silica-based methods may be much more suitable for isolation of nucleic acids from diluted solutions. However, first, significant additional dilution of original nucleic acid solution can be necessary to get high enough concentration of a chaotropic agent, and DNA isolation from large volumes becomes a problem. Second, binding of single stranded and short nucleic acid fragments (less than 200 bp) to silica is not very effective, and they can be lost during purification.
Anion exchange media has also been used for the fractionation and isolation of nucleic acids, although the biological sample containing them is usually first been processed to free the nucleic acids from other cellular components (Yamakawa et al., Analytical Biochemistry, 24:242-250 (1996).
There remains an unmet need in the art for a novel method of isolating and preserving cell-free nucleic acids from body fluids wherein such method avoids multiple proceeding to free the nucleic acids from cellular material, provides nucleic acid sequences of various lengths, preserves the integrity of nucleic acids and is readily adaptable to high-throughput of samples for the diagnostic analysis.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Compositions, methods and kits for isolating nucleic acids from body fluids using anion exchange media


A transmission line circuit includes a line driver having first and second outputs coupled through a differential transmission line to first and second inputs of a line receiver. A first bias is provided between the first and second inputs of the line receiver. The second bias is applied between the first and second outputs of the line driver. As a result, the first and second biases substantially offset, and preferably cancel, each other. If the differential transmission line is not coupled to a line driver, the second bias associated with that line driver is not applied permitting the first bias to provide a relatively high noise margin.

Line driver-line receiver circuits are used for example in digital or pulse communications and typically employ a differential transmission line to couple differential, i.e., positive and negative, outputs of a line driver (sometimes called a line transmitter) and corresponding differential inputs of the line receiver. Noise can often be a problem in such configurations. For example, if all differential transmission pairs bundled in a cable are not coupled, signals from the open or unterminated line drivers can adversely impact the desired signaling on another differential transmission pair in the cable, especially on the open line receivers. Such an open transmission line can act as an antenna, picking up noise from adjacent transmission line pairs in the cable and elsewhere, and delivering that noise to the open line receivers. This noise can be detected as invalid data.
The present invention overcomes this and other types of noise detection using bias circuitry. First bias circuitry is coupled across the first and second inputs of a line receiver. This first bias circuitry provides sufficient bias to protect the line receiver from being affected by incoming noise, e.g., noise resulting from a line driver not being coupled to the transmission line. However, when the line driver is coupled to the transmission line, second bias circuitry is engaged to compensate for undesirable effects on data signals received in the first and second inputs of the line receiver caused by the first bias circuit, e.g., asymmetric data waveforms. Thus, the first and second bias circuitry offset one another, and preferably, cancel out the effect of the other.
In a specific, non-limiting example embodiment, the first bias circuitry includes a first resistor coupled to a first voltage and to a first input of the line receiver, and a second resistor coupled to a second input of the line receiver and to ground. The second bias circuitry includes a third resistor coupled between a second voltage and a second output of the line driver, and a fourth resistor coupled between the first output of the line driver and ground. The first and third resistors have substantially the same value. The second and fourth resistors have substantially the same value. The first and second voltages are substantially the same.
An example method in accordance with the present invention may be used in conjunction with a line driver having first and second outputs coupled through a differential transmission line to first and second inputs of a line receiver. A first bias is provided between the first and second inputs of the line receiver. A second bias is applied between the first and second outputs of the line driver. As a result, the first and second biases substantially offset, and preferably, cancel each other. If the differential transmission line is not coupled to a line driver, the second bias associated with that line driver is not applied permitting the first bias to provide a relatively high noise margin. This high noise margin is advantageous, for example, when the differential transmission line is one of plural differential transmission lines coupled to plural line receivers.
A non-limiting, example application of the present invention is in a radio base station. The base station includes a first unit that is configured to receive multiple transceiver units and is coupled to a cable that contains multiple corresponding differential transmission lines. Each transceiver unit includes a line driver coupled to one of the differential transmission lines. Each transceiver unit is associated with a bias circuit configured to apply a bias voltage across the first and second outputs of its associated line driver. The base station also includes a switch unit coupled to the cable which includes plural line receivers. Each line receiver includes first and second inputs coupled to one of the differential transmission lines in the cable. Each line receiver also includes another bias circuit that is configured to apply another bias across the first and second inputs. The line driver of each transceiver unit is coupled by one of the differential transmission lines to one of the line receivers. The bias circuit associated with the line driver compensates for the bias circuit associated with the line receiver. The bias circuit associated with the line receiver provides sufficient bias to protect the line receiver from incoming noise if a line driver is not coupled to the other end of the differential transmission line.
The present invention provides a number of advantages. First, and perhaps most significant, because a relatively high bias voltage can be applied across the inputs of the line receiver, a fairly high level of noise can be tolerated on the differential transmission lines without any transfer of invalid data from an open transmission line. Second, the high bias provided by the first bias circuit does not negatively impact the normal operation of the line circuit when a line driver is attached and transmitting data. As explained below, asymmetries in the data waveforms received on the positive and negative inputs of the line receiver are effectively eliminated by the second biasing circuit which offsets the bias provided by the first bias circuit. Third, the present invention is easy to implement with just a few simple resistors. Fourth, the invention is cost effective because there is no need to use shielded cables, transmission lines, and connectors that would otherwise be needed to avoid picking up noise and other distortion on open-ended transmission lines.

Apparatus and method for bias compensation in line circuits


System, method and program product for transcribing an audio file included in or referenced by a web page. A language of text in the web page is determined. Then, voice recognition software of the language of text is selected and used to transcribe the audio file. If the language of the text is not the language of the audio file, then a related language is determined. Then, voice recognition software of the related language is selected and used to transcribe the audio file. The related language can be related geographically, by common root, as another dialect of the same language, or as another language commonly spoken in the same country as the language of the text. Another system, method and program product is disclosed for transcribing an audio file included in or referenced by a web page. A domain extension or full domain of the web page and an official language of the domain extension or full domain are determined. Then, voice recognition software of the official language is used to attempt to transcribe the audio file. If the official language is not a language of the audio file, then a language related to the official language is determined. Then, voice recognition software of the related language is selected and used to transcribe said audio file. The related language can be related geographically, by common root, as another dialect of the same language, or as another language commonly spoken in the same country as the official language.

The invention relates generally to computer systems, and deals more particularly with program tools to gather web pages containing audio files of different languages and transcribe the audio files for a search engine repository or other use.
Web search engines such as "Google.com" and "Yahoo.com" are well known today. The user can specify key words for a search, and the search engine will search its repository of web pages and files for those web pages or files which include the key words. Alternately, the user can specify a subject category such as "golf", and the search engine will search its repository of existing web pages and files for those web pages or files which were previously classifed/indexed by the search engine into the specified subject category.
Periodically, content gathering tools, called web crawlers or spiders, send out requests to other web sites to identify and download their web pages for storage in the search engine's repository. The web crawler goes to an initial web site specified by an administrator or identified by some other means. Some crawlers identify every page at the web site by navigating through the web site, and then download a copy of every web page to a storage repository of a search engine. This type of web crawler does not filter the web pages; it does not conduct any key word searching of the web pages that it identifies and downloads. Other web crawlers search text within the web pages for those web pages containing key words. The web crawler then downloads to the search engine repository a copy of only those web pages containing the key words. The search engine may index the web pages downloaded by either or both types of content gathering tools. A subsequent user of the search engine can then request all web pages in certain categories or conduct a key word search of the web pages in the repository, as described above. Both types of content gathering tools, after completing their investigation into the initial web site, can go to other web sites referenced by the initial web site or identified by some other means.
Some web pages reference or include audio files, alone or associated with a video file. It is also known for a content gathering program, when encountering a web page referencing or including an audio file, to invoke voice recognition software to attempt to transcribe the audio file into text so that the audio file can be indexed and searched by key words. See "Speechbot: An Experimental Speech-Based Search Engine for Multimedia Content on the Web" by Van Thong, et al., published IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2002 pages 88-96. See also US 2003/0050784 A1 to Hoffberg et al. However, in some cases, difficulties have arisen in determining the language of the audio file, and therefore what voice recognition software to use and how to appropriately configure it for an accurate translation.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to determine a language of an audio file referenced by or included in a web page, so that the proper voice recognition software can be employed to transcribe the audio file.

System and method for transcribing audio files of various languages


A method of determining olfactory perception signature of a subject is disclosed. The method comprises: providing the subject with a plurality of physical odorant samples for sniffing; for each sniffed odorant sample, presenting to the subject, by a user interface, a set of odorant descriptors and a respective set of rating controls, and receiving ratings entered by the subject using the rating controls. Each rating is indicative of a descriptiveness of a respective odorant descriptor for the odorant sample, thereby obtaining a set of descriptiveness levels for the odorant sample. The method also comprises calculating, by a computer, relations between pairs of sets of descriptiveness levels corresponding to pairs of odorant samples, to provide a vector of relations, wherein the vector represents the olfactory perception signature of the subject.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to olfactory perception and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and a system for determining olfactory perception signature.
Odors are complex mixtures of chemical species, and so contain many constituent molecules. The biological olfactory system is a remarkable sensor having many olfactory cells or odorant receptors, but not very many different types of olfactory cells. The characterization of a scent or odor is typically through the combined response of many of the receptors.
Because any two individuals differ by ˜30% of their olfactory receptor subtype genome, this renders a potentially unique nose for each person. If one could capture this uniqueness with a perceptual test, a sort of perceptual olfactory fingerprint, this should then be informative on the underlying individual olfactory receptor subtype genome. The notion of a psychophysical test informing on underlying genes is of course well known from vision where color blindness charts inform about genes coding for different opsins in the retina.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,322 teaches methods and kits for determining olfactory perception. A test person's olfactory perception is evaluated and then determined by first providing the test subject with a palette of varying odors and fragrances, and then having that person describe, in full detail, each scent sample.
Background art includes Milinski M & Wedekind C (2001) Behav Ecol 12(2):140-149.

Method and system for determining olfactory perception signature


A photomask used in photolithography is characterized in that the photomask is provided with a transparent substrate having two opposite main surfaces and a light-shielding pattern formed on one main surface, that the other main surface includes a plurality of irregularly distributed concaves and convexes, and that a spacing and a height of the concaves and convexes are within a range from 50 to 1000 times a wavelength of light used in photolithography.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photomask used in photolithography which is one of the processes of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit, and more particularly, to a photomask which can contribute to the improvement of process latitude in photolithography.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an optical system of an optical stepper used in photolithography which is one of the manufacturing processes of a semiconductor device. The optical stepper is an apparatus for reduction-projecting a pattern of a photomask onto a semiconductor substrate. Such an optical stepper includes an illumination optical system from the pattern of the photomask to a light source, and a projection optical system from the pattern on the photomask to the semiconductor substrate. The pattern of the photomask is transferred to a whole semiconductor wafer in a step-and-repeat manner.
The stepper of FIG. 7 is provided with a mercury lamp 10 as a light source. KrF excimer laser can be used instead of the mercury lamp, if desired. A fly-eye lens 11 acts to approximate light radiated from a point light source 10 to light radiated from a planar light source. A stop is placed in a pupil (Fourier plane) 12 of the illumination optical system. A pattern of a photomask 1 is illuminated with light passing through a condenser lens 13. The light passing through the pattern of photomask 1 is focused on a semiconductor wafer 16 by a reduction-projection lens 14. A stop is also placed in a pupil 15 of the projection optical system.
FIG. 8 is a schematic cross section of a conventional photomask used in the optical stepper shown in FIG. 7. Photomask 1 includes a transparent substrate 2. Transparent substrate 2 has two main surfaces 2a and 2b smoothly polished and opposite to each other. A light-shielding pattern 3 is formed on one main surface 2a. Light-shielding pattern 3 can be formed, for example, of a Cr film or a complex film of a Cr film and a CrOx film.
When degree of integration of a semiconductor integrated circuit is enhanced, the improvement of resolution and of the depth of focus in photolithography is desired. If a wavelength of light used in photolithography is made shorter, resolution and the depth of focus may both be improved. In addition, resolution tends to be improved in proportion to an increase in a numerical aperture NA of the optical stepper. However, the depth of focus tends to be reduced in inverse proportion to the square of the numerical aperture NA. Accordingly, when a pattern is transferred with reduced depth of focus to a wafer having a difference in level, which is under the manufacturing process of the semiconductor integrated circuit, sufficient contrast can be obtained only at an upper level or a lower level of the wafer, resulting in low process latitude. Therefore, it is important to prevent reduction in the depth of focus, when the process latitude of the optical stepper is to be enhanced.
In order to achieve greater depth of focus without reducing resolution in the optical stepper, it is desired to make a coherence value .sigma. larger. The relationship between the coherence value .sigma. and the depth of focus is described, for example, in SPIE, Vol. 1927, pp. 310-319 (1993) by Yamanaka et al. The coherence value .sigma. is defined by the following equation (1) EQU .sigma.=NA.sub.1 /NA.sub.2 ( 1)
where NA.sub.1 is the numerical aperture of the illumination optical system and NA.sub.2 is the numerical aperture of the projection optical system.
The numerical aperture NA.sub.2 of the projection optical system is desired to be as large as possible in order to achieve improved resolution. The maximum numerical aperture NA.sub.2 of the projection optical system in the optical stepper is, however, about 0.6, due to the limitation of diameter and efficiency of a lens used. In the optical stepper, the numerical aperture NA.sub.2 of the projection optical system is maintained to a desired constant value. Accordingly, in order to achieve larger coherence value .sigma., the numerical aperture NA.sub.1 of the illumination optical system is required to be made larger. The numerical aperture NA.sub.1 of the illumination optical system is determined mainly by the size of the aperture in the stop placed in pupil 12.
In FIG. 9, an example of the stop placed in pupil 12 of the illumination optical system is schematically illustrated. The stop of FIG. 9 is used in the normal illumination, and includes a light-shielding circular plate 12A and a circular aperture 12a provided in the center thereof. Therefore, illumination light passes through aperture 12a in a stop 12A, and the value of the numerical aperture NA.sub.1 of the illumination system is determined mainly by the size of diameter of aperture 12a. In other words, the coherence value .sigma. can be increased by making aperture 12a in stop 12A larger. Thus, the depth of focus is improved by the increased value of .sigma., resulting in the improvement of process latitude upon projecting light on the semiconductor substrate. However, the increase in the diameter of aperture 12a in stop 12A is limited by diameter and efficiency of the lens used in the illumination optical system.
In recent years, off-axis illumination has been studied in order to achieve greater depth of focus in the optical stepper. The principle of the off-axis illumination is described, for example, in SPIE, Vol. 1927, pp. 103-123 (1993) by Luehrmann et al.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show examples of a stop used in pupil 12 of the illumination optical system in the off-axis illumination. The stop of FIG. 10 is used when a mask pattern including a plurality of equally spaced parallel lines are transferred to the semiconductor substrate. Then, the stop is placed such that a line linking the centers of two apertures 12b in stop 12B is perpendicular to the lines of the mask pattern. Four apertures 12c in point symmetry with respect to the center of light-shielding circular plate 12C are located in the stop of FIG. 11. This stop is used in the off-axis illumination for transferring a two-dimensional fine pattern.
As described above, since coherency of conventional illumination light is controlled by regular spacial positioning of the apertures in the stop, the effect of improving contrast of projected image is obtained for a specific pattern suitable for the regular spacial positioning of the apertures. However, it has adverse effects such as distortion of image and reduction of contrast on a pattern not suitable for the regular spacial positioning of the apertures.
FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relation between a line width transferred and the depth of focus in the off-axis illumination. In this graph, the abscissa indicates the line width and the ordinate indicates the depth of focus. Curve A indicates the depth of focus in the off-axis illumination using the stop shown in FIG. 10, while dashed curve P indicates the depth of focus in the normal illumination using the stop shown in FIG. 9. As understood from FIG. 12, in the off-axis illumination, greater depth of focus is obtained for a pattern having a specific line width. For a pattern having a different line width from the specific one, however, the depth of focus in the off-axis illumination is smaller than that in the normal illumination. The effect of the relation between positioning of the apertures in the stop used in this off-axis illumination and a mask pattern on the depth of focus is described, for example, in SPIE, Vol. 1927, pp. 190-213. That is, in the off-axis illumination, there is a problem that the depth of focus can be improved only for a specific pattern and not for all the patterns.


A double-stream stripping device, intended for the stripping of leaves from the vine, includes at least one stripping head (1) equipped with two counter-rotating drums (2) and (3), namely a first perforated (2a) drum (2) and a second drum (3) working in rotation with the first drum (2), a suction system (4) capable of creating negative air pressure in the first drum (2) and a system for driving drums (2) and (3) in rotation. The suction system includes two main suction openings and a turbine system and channeling elements (8, 9) making it possible to connect the latter to the main suction openings. Each open free end of the first drum is connected at one of the main suction openings in such a way as to create negative pressure, with a double air stream, constant and uniform, in the first drum, essentially over its entire length.

It is known that in the specific field of the vine, it is very important, and even crucial, to reduce the quantity of leaves present in the fruit-bearing zone of vine plants, and this is done several times per season for the purposes of promoting or achieving the following objectives:                The aeration of grape bunches to limit the appearance of rot and to accelerate their drying,        The exposure of grape bunches to the sun for accelerating and improving their maturation, in particular the coloring (thicker skin of the grape),        The penetration of phytosanitary treatments for improving their effectiveness,        Manual clearing or harvesting to ensure better visibility of bunches and a singularly reduced labor time,        If necessary, mechanical harvesting by a limitation of green waste in harvesting and the loss of juice due to the suction of leaves,        Having respect for the grape bunches regardless of their degree of maturation.
The stripping of vines has been done manually for many years and although this is still sometimes the case, it is currently generally done mechanically using machines provided for this purpose.
However, although these machines have made it possible to provide numerous solutions making it possible to facilitate the vine-stripping operations, they do not make it possible to ensure an optimal stripping quality to meet the above-mentioned objectives.
Such machines are described and illustrated in particular in the following documents.
The document WO 2005022985 has as its object a stripping device comprising a chamber whose proximal end rests on the plant carpet, and its opposite distal end comprises a turbine sucking in the leaves at the proximal end that are then clamped by two rollers driven by a counter-rotating movement, i.e., each rotating in a direction opposite to the one of the other roller, so as to exert an adequate force for detaching the leaf.
However, with a device of the type of the one described in the document WO 2005022985, the suction of the plant carpet is hampered by the presence of rollers that form a screen to the stream of air sucking in the leaves, which requires a significant suction power generating a high energy cost. In addition, with such a device, the grape bunches can be sucked in or damaged. In addition, all of the waste passes through the turbine, clogging the blades of the latter and reducing its suction yield.
The general technical principle used in a large majority of these machines thus relies on a suction of leaves by a suctioning-in air stream generated by, or associated with, a suction system from a single turbine, and then on a cutting and evacuation of the latter. Such machines are described in particular in the following documents:
The document FR 2 842 069 relates to a stripping machine intended for the selective stripping of the vine comprising at least one stripping head equipped with a rotating drum comprising a perforated cylindrical side wall made of a flexible and deformable material and connecting its two free ends to means for driving the latter in rotation, a suction turbine making it possible to generate a suctioning-in air stream through the perforated wall, and a deflector for channeling the air stream and whose shape is determined for optimizing the suction yield. The suction turbine is placed at one of the ends or on top of the drum along a shaft that is parallel to the shaft of the latter or vertical. With this stripping machine, the leaves are then flattened on the side wall of the drum and then directed to a cutting device making it possible to sever them close to the branch of the vine.
However, with a stripping machine of the type of the one described in the document FR 2 842 069, the position of the turbine does not make possible here a uniform suction and flattening of the leaves along the rotary drum.
The document FR 2 897 752 has as its object a stripping machine comprising a head equipped with two counter-rotating drums, namely a first perforated drum and a second drum working with said first drum that comprises suction means at one of its ends in such a way as to be able to suck in the leaves of the plant carpet with which it is in contact. The leaves are then clamped between the two counter-rotating drums and detached from their branches.
However, with a machine of the type of the one of the document FR 2 897 752, the suction of the leaves is not done uniformly from one side to the other of the drum, i.e., the suction at the end opposite to the one comprising the suction means is weaker, which does not make it possible to achieve an effective suction over the entire length of the first drum and, starting, an effective inlay of the vine leaves over the entire length of this drum. Thus, numerous leaves are not clamped or are poorly clamped between the two counter-rotating drums, which does not make it possible to ensure an optimal quality of the stripping.
In addition, with the systems of the prior art such as those that are the object of the above-referenced documents and that comprise a head equipped with drums, it is difficult to conceive making the stripping head reversible relative to its longitudinal shaft that is parallel to the drums, i.e., to be able to orient the latter in the opposite direction by inverting it, i.e., by making it pivot by 180°, from its basic position, in the plane containing its longitudinal shaft. Actually, taking into account the variable air suction over the height or along the perforated drum making possible the inlay of leaves, these systems cannot make it possible to achieve a uniformity of work when the stripping head is thus inverted or made to go backwards, relative to its longitudinal shaft that is parallel to the shafts of the drums, to carry out in particular stripping in an opposite vine row.


Method for changing a pillow in a pillowcase includes providing two members unattached to one another and each having opposed smooth surfaces, inserting the members at least partially into the pillowcase containing a pillow such that the members are each between a respective side of the pillow and an adjacent side of the pillowcase, and then causing relative movement between the pillowcase and the members until the pillow is at least partially outside of the pillowcase. Thereafter, the pillow is grasped and withdrawn from between the members and then without removing the members from the pillowcase, a new pillow is inserted between the members. Then, the individual causes relative movement between the pillowcase and the members until the new pillow is inside of the pillowcase; and withdraws the members from the pillowcase.

There are prior art apparatus that facilitate the changing of a pillow or pillowcase, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,673,446 (Moen et al.), and 6,839,923 and 7,007,324 (Blessman), and U.S. Pat. Appln. Publ. No. 2009.0144901 (Zorger).
Moen et al. discloses a pair of flexible poles connected at one end by a resilient rubber strip. At the other end of the poles, a spring-loaded retaining ball captures the pillow between the two poles. A ball-shaped handle is connected to an internal cable and when the ball is pulled, it releases the spring-loaded retaining ball allowing the device to come out while the pillow stays in the pillowcase.
Blessman discloses a flexible thin sheet of material that is sized and configured so as to attain a generally U-shaped configuration for insertion into a pillowcase, thereby creating a three-dimensional cavity through which a pillow can be inserted. The device can then be easily extracted from the pillowcase by merely sliding it out once the pillow is in place.
Zorger discloses a flexible apparatus that lays flat in a neutral condition. After the pillow is placed onto the apparatus, the apparatus is wrapped around the pillow to compress the pillow, and edges of the apparatus are engaged with one another to maintain the pillow in a compressed condition. The apparatus and compressed pillow are slid into a pillowcase, or the pillowcase is slid over the apparatus and compressed pillow, and the apparatus is then slid outwardly from the pillowcase, allowing the pillow to expand and fill the pillowcase.
Other prior art discloses apparatus that hold an enclosure in an open condition to enable insertion of objects therein, but not pillows into pillowcases. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,512 (Munn, II) discloses a substantially rectangular panel that may be removably inserted into a nonrigid container, which container is comprised of at least one container wall defining a container opening. The panel is formed from a material such as polyvinyl chloride foam board or high impact polystyrene, and defines a centered aperture through each of its width-defining edge portions and a pair of spaced-apart apertures through each of its length-defining edge portions. The panel is alleged to be able to be repeatedly bent and inserted into a nonrigid container so that, upon release, the container may be retained in an upright and open position for easy access, all without breaking or cracking and without damaging the container either during retention of the container or during its removal therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,841 (LaPoint et al.) discloses an insert apparatus that is used to insert items into pouches and comprises a bending region designed to bend along a length of the apparatus; a non-bending region coupled to the bending region, having a gripping space positioned along a length thereof; a first and second insert foot located on either side of the gripping space; and a transition zone, located between the bending and non-bending regions, where the bend in the bending region gradually flattens out to the non-bending region.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,139 (Dolan) discloses a trash bag support apparatus that includes a flexible and unitary body selectively adaptable between linear and arcuate positions for removably inserting into a trash bag and engaging with an inner surface thereof. The body has opposed end portions and a top portion integral therewith. Elongated leg portions having lower edge portions are integrally disposed with the top portion and extend downwardly therefrom for defining a plurality of channels therebetween. The edge portions define a uniform line of weakness below which the trash bag is unsupported by the apparatus.
Some of these apparatus have a relatively complicated structure while others are not very easy to use. It is therefore desirable to provide an apparatus that is simple to construct and can be easily used to change a pillow or pillowcase.

Method and apparatus for changing a pillow or pillowcase


An electronic device may include one or more microphones that monitor ambient noise and generate ambient noise data. The electronic device may include processing circuitry that receives the ambient noise data and compares the ambient noise data to a baseline ambient noise profile to detect changes in the ambient noise. Changes in the ambient noise may be caused by user gestures. The electronic device may compare the changes in the ambient noise to characteristic changes in ambient noise that are associated with user gestures to determine the user gesture made by a user. The processing circuitry may modify the operation of the electronic device based on the user gesture. An ambient noise input device may include surface features or movable components that cause the characteristic changes in the ambient noise. Ambient noise input devices may provide feedback to guide a user to provide input using ambient noise sensing.

This relates to electronic devices and, more particularly, to electronic devices with input-output circuitry for receiving user input.
Electronic devices such as cellular telephones, computers, and other devices often include input-output components that allow a user to provide input to the electronic device. For example, electronic devices may include touch sensors or buttons that allow a user to provide commands to the electronic device.
Challenges can arise in providing input-output circuitry for an electronic device. If care is not taken, providing an electronic device with the ability to detect different types of user input may increase the size and complexity of the input-output circuitry and the electronic device.

Electronic equipment with ambient noise sensing input circuitry


A qualification test method for a non-volatile memory includes determining a relation curve between the programming voltage and the lifetime of the memory cell. A programming voltage with respect to the memory array within the expected lifetime is estimated. According to the relation curve, the accelerating test voltage and the test time period corresponding to the programming voltage operated in the expected lifetime are computed out. The test is performed for the test time period under the accelerating test voltage. All the memory cells at the programmed state are tested to see if the original programmed state still remains. If the programmed state remains, the memory array is judged to have the life period. If the programmed state does not remain, the memory array is judged to have no the life period.

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application Ser. no. 90118850, filed Aug. 2, 2001.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a test circuit and method for a non-volatile memory. More particularly, the present invention relates to a qualification test method and circuit for a non-volatile memory with a trapping layer.
2. Description of Related Art
The non-volatile memory, such as flash EEPROM, usually has the gate structure with a control gate and a floating gate. The control gate is used to receive the activating control voltage of the memory cell, and the floating gate is used to store charges. In this structure, since the floating gate is usually a conductive body made of polysilicon, when the memory cell is programmed, the injected electrons to the floating gate would be distributed uniformly in the floating gate. Therefore, this kind of memory cell with the floating gate structure can only have one bit for memory. Afterward, it is proposed that the dielectric layer is used to replace the floating gate structure of the memory cell. Electrons can be locally confined by using the dielectric layer to confine electrons, whereby two bits in one memory cell can be achieved. This increases the capacity for the memory cell.
FIG. 1 is a cross-section view, illustrating a structure of a non-volatile memory cell, have a trapping layer with two bits. In FIG. 1, the substrate includes doped regions serving as a source region 18 and a drain region 16 for a memory cell. A gate structure is formed over the substrate. The gate structure can have a structure of oxide 10/nitride 12/oxide 14. The nitride layer 12 serving as a trapping layer is used to capture electrons. Here, the channel hot electron injection and the band-to-band hot electron injection, respectively, are used to program and erase the memory cell.
Since the trapping layer 12 is not a conductive body, when electrons are trapped inside, electrons are confined to a side of the source region or the drain region. That is, when programming voltage is applied on the gate and the drain region, and the source region is applied with a voltage of 0V, a large electric field would occur at edge of the gate electrode and drain region. The electrons are trapped in the trapping layer at edge of the drain region, and are confined at the local region. On the contrary, when programming voltage is applied on the gate and the source region, and the drain region is applied with a voltage of 0V, a large electric field would occur at edge of the gate electrode and source region. The electrons are trapped in the trapping layer at edge of the source region, and are confined at the local region. In this manner, the two bits of storage is achieved, as shown in FIG. 1 for the locations bit 1 and the bit 2.
The operation voltage sets for different actions are shown in table 1.
The threshold voltage Vt of this kind of memory cell can be increased after the electrons are injected into the insulating layer 12 (program state). However, after the memory cell passes the program/erase cycle (P/E cycle), the threshold voltage of the programming state would reduce as the retention time increases. The lowered threshold voltage would increase the leakage current, and even cause a failure of storing information in the memory cell. For example, for the usual situation that the state of xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d has a threshold voltage higher than a specified level, the state of xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d and state of xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d cannot be correctly distinguished due to the reduced threshold voltage. This means that the information stored in the memory cell cannot be correctly read out.
Thus, in order to assure the memory to work properly for a long period after the memory cell is fabricated and packaged, and then sent to the user. A test is necessary to be performed, so as to ensure that the product can still properly work without invalidity after a long period of retention time even if the threshold voltage is reduced.
The invention uses the physical phenomena for an insulating trapping layer in the non-volatile memory and provides an effective testing method associate with an apparatus. The invention is an accelerating test performed in a period of test time, and can judge whether or not the memory array can properly work in an expected lifetime.
The invention provides a qualification test method for a non-volatile memory. First, a relation curve between the programming voltage and the lifetime of the memory cell is determined. Then, a programming voltage with respect to the memory array within the expected lifetime is estimated. According to the relation curve, the accelerating test voltage and the test time period corresponding to the programming voltage operated in the expected lifetime are computed out. The test is performed for the test time period under the accelerating test voltage. All the memory cells of the memory array at the programmed state are tested to see if the memory cells still have the original programmed state after the test time period. If the programmed state of all the memory cells in the memory array remains, the memory array is judged to have the lifetime. If the programmed state of partial of the memory cells in the memory array does not remain, the memory array is judged to fail during its lifetime.
The invention further provides a qualification test circuit for a non-volatile memory, used to test a memory array, which includes multiple memory cells arranged in columns and rows. Each of the rows is connected to a word line driver, and each of the columns is connected to a bit line bias circuit. The qualification test circuit for a non-volatile memory includes a programming voltage testing control unit, coupled to the memory array, used to test the programming state for each memory cell.
By means of foregoing accelerating test method and circuit, the accelerating programming voltage is used to test all the memory cells with the expected testing time period. After the expected testing time period, the programming state for the memory cells is checked whether or not the programming state still remain. If it is, then the memory cells are qualified to be able to properly work under the actual programming voltage within the expected lifetime. The invention thereby achieves the objective for the qualification test.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Qualification test method and circuit for a non-volatile memory


A polarizing beam splitter for dividing a return light beam reflected by a magneto-optical record medium into two light beams polarized in mutually orthogonal directions, including a main body made of a birefringent crystal and having an incident surface upon which the return light beam is made incident and a reflection surface, and a reflecting member provided on the reflection surface of the main body and formed by a metal film or a stack of dielectric material films. Upon refraction by the incident surface of the main body, the incident light beam is split into ordinary and extraordinary light beams, which are then reflected by the reflection surface of the main body. An optic axis of the main body is set to be parallel with the reflection surface, the ordinary and extraordinary light beams are reflected as they are and emanate from the polarizing beam splitter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polarizing beam splitter for splitting an incident light beam into two light beams which are polarized in mutually orthogonal directions, and an optical pick-up head comprising a polarizing beam splitter for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a magneto-optical record medium.
2. Related Art Statement
There have been proposed various polarizing beam splitters such as Nicol's prism and Glan-Thompson's prism for dividing an incident light beam into two orthogonally polarized light beams. In these polarizing beam splitters, the two orthogonally polarized light beams are derived by means of a single refraction or a combination of a single refraction and a single reflection. Further, there has been proposed a Cotton prism in which an incident light beam is divided into two orthogonally polarized light beams by means of a single reflection.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a known Cotton prism. A prism 100 is consisting of a triangular prism made of a birefringent crystal whose optic axis A is coincided with an optical axis of an incident light beam I. The prism 100 is arranged with respect to the incident light beam I such that the incident light beam transmitted through an incidence surface 102 of the prism is made incident upon a reflection surface 101 of the prism at an incident angle of 45 degrees. Therefore, an optical axis of the light beam reflected by the reflection surface 101 becomes perpendicular to the optic axis A of the prism. Upon the reflection by the reflection surface 101, the incident light beam I is divided into two light beams, i.e. ordinary light beam O.sub.1 and extraordinary light beam O.sub.2. The prism 100 has different indices of refraction for the ordinary light beam O.sub.1 and extraordinary light beam O.sub.2, so that these beams are reflected into different directions and enamate from an exit surface 103 of the prism 100.
In the Cotton prism 100, the incidence light beam I should have a polarized component which is in a plane of incidence (P polarized component) and a polarized component which is perpendicular to the plane of incident (S polarized component). It should be noted that the plane of incidence is defined as a plane which includes the optical axis of the incident light beam and a normal to the reflection surface 101. When the incident light beam I includes these P and S polarized components, the P and S components are divided into the extraordinary light beam O.sub.2 and ordinary light beam O.sub.1, respectively. Therefore, when the incident light beam contains only the P polarized component or S polarized component, the incident light beam could not be split into two light beams. This often limits the application of the Cotton prism.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication Kokai Hei 5-203810, there has been proposed a polarizing beam splitter which can avoid the above mentioned drawback. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a construction of this known polarizing beam splitter. The polarizing beams splitter comprises a composite prism 110 including an azimuth rotator 111 and a birefringent crystal prism 112. An optic axis A of the birefringent crystal prism 112 is set to be substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of an incident light beam I and to be substantially parallel with optical axes of exiting light beams O.sub.1 and O.sub.2. The azimuth rotator 111 serves to rotate a polarizing direction of the incident light beam I, i.e. P polarized light beam by such an angle that a polarizing direction of the incident light beam impinging upon the birefringent crystal prism 112 is inclined by, for instance 45 degrees with respect to the optic axis A of the birefringent crystal. Therefore, both P and S polarized light components are made incident upon a reflection surface 113 of the birefringent crystal prism 112. Therefore, upon reflection at the reflection surface 13, the incident light beam is divided into two orthogonally polarized light beams, i.e. ordinary light beam O.sub.1 and extraordinary light beam O.sub.2. In this manner, this known polarizing beam splitter can divide the P polarized light beam I into the orthogonally polarized light beams O.sub.1 and O.sub.2.
In the known polarizing beam splitter shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the beam splitter is formed by cementing the azimuth rotator 111 and birefringent crystal prims 112 to each other, so that a manufacturing cost is liable to be increased. Moreover, it is required to align the optic axes of the azimuth rotator 111 and birefringent crystal prims 112 with each other, so that an adjustment is very cumbersome.

Polarizing beam splitter and optical pick-up head comprising the same


A Joule effect electric furnace for goldsmith, dental and the like melting processes comprises a graphite crucible which constitutes by itself an electric resistance element suitable for the Joule effect heating and is connected to an electric power supply.

This invention relates to a Joule effect electric furnace for goldsmith, dental, and the like melting processes.
The Joule effect electric furnaces currently in use employ, as a heating element, a resistor which may be formed from one of several alloys, such as nichrome or more complex alloys like "Kanthal", or even from wire platinum. The use of such alloys affords operating temperatures in the order of 1200.degree. C., whereas platinum raises these temperature capabilities to 1500.degree. C.
To achieve still higher temperatures, graphite resistors have been sometimes used which afford working temperatures in the 1800.degree. C. to 2000.degree. C. range, provided that they are operated under vacuum conditions, since at temperature levels exceeding 1200.degree. C., when operated in an air environment, graphite would wear out quite rapidly by releasing carbon dioxide.
In the above-described furnaces, the heating of the crucible containing the metal or alloy to be melted is carried out directly, i.e. the heat is transferred from the resistor to the crucible until the desired melting temperature is achieved. This construction makes the use of a heating chamber unavoidable, inside which chamber the resistor and crucible are positioned, the chamber requiring a lining of refractory material capable of withstanding the high operating temperatures involved. However, it is not infrequent for the chamber, when subjected to high temperatures, to become shorted owing to the reduction of the necessary refractories from oxide to metals, even where such refractories contain 80% alumina, which is the maximum amount allowable for preparing the refractory slurry.
A failure of the refractory requires considerably prolonged and expensive adaptational steps, which are of course to be carried out by skilled personnel, while the furnace operation must be discontinued for as long as one day, which is generally the time required for the refractory to dry completely.


A method of fabricating a membrane structure for a diffractive phased array assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a wafer having a body and at least a membrane layer and a backside layer disposed on opposite faces of the body, forming a grating pattern on a surface of the membrane layer, and forming a window through the wafer to expose a back surface of the membrane, thereby allowing light to pass through the membrane.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention is directed to a diffractive phased array assembly used as a beam steering device in an optical system, and to a method of fabricating and constructing such an assembly.
2. Description of Related Art
Diffractive phased array assemblies are used as beam steering devices in many optical systems such as bar code scanners, laser machining applications and laser printers, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,334 to Farn, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
A known diffractive phased array design used as a beam steering device in LIDAR (Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) applications is formed from 2-inch square silicon plates. The surfaces of these plates are patterned with complimentary microscopic grating features that are used to steer a monochromatic laser beam of a prescribed wavelength when the array plates are placed in intimate contact and one plate is transversely displaced with respect to the other.
In the current state of the art design, which is shown for example in FIG. 1, the plate thickness d is about 1-2 mm, the plate spacing g is approximately 1 μm and the depth of the grating features is approximately 0.5 μm. This design yields a theoretical 0th-order optical throughput that is close to unity and remains above 50% for angles θ as large as +/−20°. However, the throughput falls off dramatically for gap sizes that are greater than 1 μm.
The sensitivity of the optical throughput to the localized plate spacing significantly limits the usefulness of this state of the art design. Moreover, substrate imperfections such as warp and wedge non-uniformities can be significantly larger than 1 μm across the face of the plate, even for the highest quality material available. Additional warping can occur when the plates are mounted to a translation mechanism used to vary the output beam angle.
Applicant recognizes that the manufacturability of the state of the art assembly can be markedly improved by replacing one or both plates with membrane structures, as shown for example in FIG. 2, which illustrates one device in accordance with the invention. In such an instance, the substrate 210 is removed from the grating area 220, leaving only a membrane 225 of thickness d which could be on the order of the plate spacing, as explained in more detail below.

Membrane grating for beam steering device and method of fabricating same


An apparatus and method for use in diagnosing an evaporative emission canister collection and purge system. An EVAP system of a vehicle can be diagnosed through the use of a swellable adsorbent disposed in the system's canister. The swellable adsorbent is expandable upon adsorption of fuel vapors and contractible upon desorption. By sensing the expansion and contraction response, a diagnostic mechanism can determine whether the vapor collection and purge functions are operating properly.

This invention relates to a fuel vapor handling system. More particularly, the invention is directed to an apparatus and method for use in diagnosing the system. The subject of this application is related to the following copending patent application: Ser. No. 08/236,071, filed May 2, 1994, entitled Conductivity Sensor Diagnostic for Fuel Vapor Handling System, filed concurrently with this specification and assigned to the assignee of this invention.
Automobiles conventionally include a system directed to controlling the emission of fuel vapors generated by fuel carried in the vehicle's fuel system. These evaporative emission control systems, known as "EVAP" systems, are implemented as a collateral system to the fuel system. The diurnal and running loss vapors the EVAP system collects result primarily from ambient temperature excursions and from the cyclic operation and parking of a vehicle that results from the operator's use of the vehicle as transportation.
An EVAP system typically includes a vapor collection system with an adsorption mechanism to capture and store vapors generated by the fuel system. The EVAP system also includes a purge system to transfer the stored vapors from the adsorbent to the vehicle's engine for consumption in the normal combustion process. The purge system generally includes a purge valve that selectively opens a passage between the EVAP system and the vehicle's engine to effect a controllable rate of purge.
Conventionally, effective diagnosis of an EVAP system is generally provided through manual inspection of the system in response to noticeable engine performance degradation or noticeable fuel or vapor leakage. Periodic manual vacuum testing for leaks and purge valve functional checking provides additional effectiveness in diagnosing system operation.
Research has been conducted into developing on-board means for automatically diagnosing EVAP systems, capable of automatically detecting leaks in the system and determining whether the purge system is operating properly. Development of on-board automatic diagnostic systems has generally resulted in proposed systems related to mechanisms that close the EVAP system off from the atmosphere and then generate a positive or negative internal system pressure. By then measuring changes in the system pressure, the diagnostic mechanisms attempt to discern whether the evaporative control system is functioning properly.
Generally, sensitive diagnostic systems are proposed with precision pressure detection devices to work on small pressure differentials. To avoid unacceptable erroneous fault reporting, a pressure based diagnostic system must be able to discern that unexpected pressure gradients are a result of system malfunctions and not changing ambient conditions or other normal collateral effects. This tends to complicate and drive up the cost of a diagnostic mechanism. Accordingly, automatic EVAP diagnostic systems have proven difficult to implement.
Adsorption canister collection and storage system use in on-board refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) systems is known. ORVR systems are vehicle based systems directed to capturing fuel vapors generated by the transfer of fuel from a pump to a vehicle. ORVR systems have been proposed that are configured in a manner similar to an EVAP system including a storage canister and a purge system.

Swellable adsorbent diagnostic for fuel vapor handling system


A method for transmitting and receiving uplink signals using an optimized rank 3 codebook is disclosed. The optimized rank 3 codebook includes 6 precoding matrix groups, each of which has 1 variable having an amplitude of 1. Preferably, the optimized 4Tx rank 3 codebook has 12 precoding matrix, two precoding matrixes are selected from each the above 6 precoding matrix groups considering chordal distance and the number of precoding matrix.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless mobile communication system, and more particularly to a communication system based on a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) scheme.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
MIMO technology is an abbreviation for Multiple Input Multiple Output technology. MIMO technology uses a plurality of transmission (Tx) antennas and a plurality of reception (Rx) antennas to improve the efficiency of transmission and reception (Tx/Rx) of data. In other words, MIMO technology allows a transmission end or reception end of a wireless communication system to use multiple antennas (hereinafter referred to as a multi-antenna), so that the capacity or performance can be improved. For convenience of description, the term "MIMO" can also be considered to be a multi-antenna technology.
In more detail, MIMO technology is not dependent on a single antenna path to receive a message. Instead, the MIMO technology collects a plurality of data fragments received via several antennas, merges the collected data fragments, and completes total data. As a result, MIMO technology can increase a data transmission rate within a predetermined-sized cell region, or can increase system coverage while guaranteeing a specific data transmission rate. Under this situation, MIMO technology can be widely applied to mobile communication terminals, repeaters, or the like. MIMO technology can extend the range of data communication, so that it can overcome the limited amount of transmission data of mobile communication systems.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a general MIMO communication system.
Referring to FIG. 1, the number of transmission (Tx) antennas in a transmitter is NT, and the number of reception (Rx) antennas in a receiver is NR. In this way, theoretical channel transmission capacity of the MIMO communication system when both the transmitter and the receiver use a plurality of antennas is greater than that of another case in which only the transmitter or the receiver uses several antennas. The theoretical channel transmission capacity of the MIMO communication system increases in proportion to the number of antennas. Therefore, data transmission rate and frequency efficiency are greatly increased. Provided that a maximum data transmission rate acquired when a single antenna is used is set to Ro, a data transmission rate acquired when multiple antennas are used can theoretically increase by a predetermined amount that corresponds to the single antenna data transmission rate (Ro) multiplied by a rate of increase Ri. The rate of increase (Ri) can be represented by the following equation 1.Ri=min(NT,NR)  [Equation 1]
For example, provided that a MIMO system uses four transmission (Tx) antennas and four reception (Rx) antennas, the MIMO system can theoretically acquire a high data transmission rate which is four times higher than that of a single antenna system. After the above-mentioned theoretical capacity increase of the MIMO system was demonstrated in the mid-1990s, many developers began to conduct intensive research into a variety of technologies which can substantially increase a data transmission rate using the theoretical capacity increase. Some of the above technologies have been reflected in a variety of wireless communication standards, for example, a third-generation mobile communication or a next-generation wireless LAN, etc. The above-mentioned MIMO technology can be classified into a spatial diversity scheme (also called a Transmit Diversity scheme) and a spatial multiplexing scheme. The spatial diversity scheme increases transmission reliability using symbols passing various channel paths. The spatial multiplexing scheme simultaneously transmits a plurality of data symbols via a plurality of transmission (Tx) antennas, so that it increases a transmission rate of data. In addition, the combination of the spatial diversity scheme and the spatial multiplexing scheme has also been recently developed to properly acquire unique advantages of the two schemes.
In association with the MIMO technology, a variety of MIMO-associated technologies have been intensively researched by many companies or developers, for example, research into an information theory associated with a MIMO communication capacity calculation under various channel environments or multiple access environments, research into radio frequency (RF) channel measurement and modeling of the MIMO system, and research into a space-time signal processing technology for increasing transmission reliability and data transmission rate.
In a 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE) system, the above-mentioned MIMO scheme is applied to only downlink signal transmission of the 3GPP LTE system. The MIMO technology may also be extended to uplink signal transmission. In this case, a transmitter structure should be changed to implement the MIMO technology, so that a Peak power to Average Power Ratio (PAPR) or Cubic Metric (CM) characteristics may be deteriorated. Therefore, there is needed a new technology capable of effectively applying the MIMO scheme to uplink signal transmission.
Specifically, an appropriate number of precoding matrices are selected from a codebook for use in uplink rank 3 transmission, and at the same time it is necessary for the codebook to maximize a chordal distance between precoding matrices.

Uplink signal transmission and reception using optimized rank 3 codebook


The invention relates to conveyor apparatus, particularly for use in conveying large quantities of heavy bulky and/or dry materials over a long distance. Moreover, the apparatus of the invention may be constructed in out-of-the-way areas over deteriorated or difficult courses, such as rubble. This is achieved by the use of a tube-like elongated passage through which a plurality of joined conveyor cars pass. The elongated passage has openings in the bottom for receiving therealong spaced apart primary windings for a linear electric motor. The cars, in turn, have mounted in the bottom surface thereof the secondary of the motor. The apparatus includes air vents for accommodating air movements ahead of and behind the cars switching arrangements and provision for loading and unloading.

The invention relates to a conveyor with a conveyor train movable in a pipe by means of a linear motor drive, whereby the primary parts provided with coils are stationary, and the secondary parts are arranged on the conveyor train. Such conveyors can meet transport problems which, in difficult terrain, are only partially solved with conventional arrangements. For example, lines can be laid in riverbeds, in and/or on sand or rubble, in heavily settled urban areas, and in similar difficult areas.
Pipes are relatively easily handled, while at the same time they protect both material, as well as environment, and are therefore often used as means of transport for liquid and gaseous goods. However, if the goods delivered consist of solid granular material or piece goods, or if quantities delivered occur at irregular intervals, pipes alone do not meet the requirements. Therefore, additional transportable containers or a special conveyor system become necessary in the pipe. The usual hydraulic and pneumatic drives for this purpose are not economical for large quantities to be transported, heavy goods and long distances.
The magazine "Foerdern und Heben" (Deliver and Hoist), year of publication 20 (1970) No. 14, describes on pages 789 and 790 a conveyor with a linear motor arranged on top within the pipe to drive conveyor train cartridges which are guided along rails in the pipe. While it is true that this conveyor has a very good electric drive, due to the rails guiding the cartridge trains in the pipe, it is very involved and subject to breakdowns. The literature indicated also shows a belt conveyor arranged in the pipe, utilizing only a small portion of the pipe diameter.
It is, therefore, the object of this invention to provide a conveyor with conveyor trains driven by electro linear motors in a pipe which are simpler and more economical than heretofore. This is achieved by arranging the primary parts of the motor underneath the motor secondary with the latter attached to the bottom of the conveyor train. The conveyor train is stabilized against wobbling in the pipe by the fact that the center of gravity is located below the pipe center and, in addition, by utilizing the forces of attraction of the linear motor. Guide rails are, therefore, not necessary on a normal delivery line. This has not only advantages for safety in operation, as the conveyor train cannot get caught on any mounted parts, but also the arrangement permits a decrease in the pipe diameter corresponding to the throughput, since the pipes no longer have to be maintained by personnel from the inside. Therefore, lesser transport requirements may be met with the conveyor train in thin pipes. On account of the stationary arrangement of the primary motor parts, no sliding contacts are necessary, as is the case with trains with their own drive motors.
Utilization of the forces of attraction of the linear motor in connection with the center of gravity location below the pipe center as protection against wobbling encourages the construction of a light vehicle, consisting mainly of the motor secondary. These do not absolutely necessitate a tubular design but merely a slightly greater width than the iron package of the motor primary. Under the effect of centrifugal force in curves, a certain inclination of the train occurs despite the attraction forces of the linear motor. However, the vehicle also escapes the influence of the magnetic force, slows down and stabilizes again.
According to the invention, the motor primary lies flat, arranged in lower recesses and facing the secondary with their coils. Their sheet metal sections may be conformed to the curvature of the secondary part in a string fashion. The sheet metal sections are arranged in a string fashion. The sheet metal sections are arranged in a string and carry shared coils in their grooves. By fitting the primary parts to the secondary parts, the air gap is uniform and the degree of efficiency of the linear motor is high.
The distance between the individual primary sections along the path of travel is shorter than the length of the conveyor train provided with the secondary parts. Thus, at least one primary part is always effective. If the length of the train is about 300 m, for example, the motor primary sections are placed every 100 m. With inclines, the distances may also be shorter. They may also be provided with contact protection and designed so that in case of standstill of the conveyor train on the line caused by power failure, a momentary power line voltage increase to the .sqroot. 2-fold value becomes possible for twice the driving power.
As a further development of the invention, the conveyor train consists of individual connected parts supported in the pipe by means of support wheels or similar means, which are connected to each other via elastic clutches, or other adjacent elastic elements. The elasticity permits the passing of curves and switches and is not impaired by the secondary parts, which are joined together leaving only a slight distance. The advantage of this simple, light conveyor train is especially effective when the aluminum motor secondary parts--possibly supplemented by iron groundings which may form the basic frames for the parts and their wheels--are arranged as forms to receive further equipment for the vehicle. The adjacent front ends of the secondary parts and the iron groundings are rounded off, depending upon their approach during curves.
The carrier or tube for the goods delivered may also be an elastic pipe provided with a slot for loading and unloading on top, bound by sealing ridges, which are supported by annular springs placed at intervals and separable at the top. The slot for loading and unloading is slightly spread apart by a tool during loading, and by the delivered goods during unloading in an upside-down position, if the delivered goods lend themselves to trickling down, and if it is heavy enough. To this end, the conveyor train must drive onto a rail which has a 180.degree. spiral coil in travel direction, whereby the conveyor train is turned around with its opening pointing down. Unloading can also be done by means of suction or scooping by means of spoon-like tools at low speed without turning the conveyor train. Continuous quick loading and unloading reduces time and labor required, and reduces the length of the train for a specific problem.
As a carrier for delivered goods, the conveyor train may have an elastic conveyor belt which is divided into individual containers for delivered goods by delivered goods keepers, preventing sliding of the goods delivered on steep inclines. To prevent air stagnation before the conveyor train and suction or vacuum following the conveyor train, the pipe is provided with overflow apertures leading to a shared overflow pipe. These may in part be the initially mentioned recesses for the primary motor parts which are thereby provided with good cooling.
The conveyor train may have branch lines with swingable switches for joined pipes, or with an intermittent pipe which is brought before other pipes by bending it. These pipes may be provided with stops in order to correctly maintain the pipe alignment. In hexagonal arrangement of the pipes, six additional pipes may be connected with the main pipe. The swiveling pipe may also contain a primary part.
Several examples of the invention are represented on the drawings and explained as follows.


A method of beacon reception for a communication device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises starting to receive a beacon from an access point (AP) of the wireless communication system, determining whether a specific element of the beacon is received, and determining whether to receive only a portion of the beacon according to the specific element.

Wi-Fi has become a very important feature in modern electronic devices, including smart phones, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IOT) devices, notebooks, PCs, etc. Wi-Fi can provide the cheaper and faster internet experience than others. But for the long coverage and high throughput, Wi-Fi consumes more power. For longer battery life, many low power mechanisms are provided for different user scenarios.
To save power consumption, communication devices (e.g. Wi-Fi stations) generally keep in low power mode (e.g. Wi-Fi power saving mode (PSM)), and have to wake up to receive beacon for every 102.4 ms (i.e. beacon interval) by a target beacon transmission time (TBTT) timer, so that Wi-Fi stations (STAs) will not miss data sent from the access point (AP). In addition, a delivery traffic indication map (DTIM) bit is set by the AP in the beacon to notify a specific Wi-Fi STA of buffered data. Therefore, the Wi-Fi device turns the radio frequency (RF) antenna on for receiving buffered data from the AP when the DTIM bit of the beacon is set to "1", whereas the Wi-Fi device/STA does not turn the RF antenna on when the DTIM bit is set to "0".
Refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of current consumption of a Wi-Fi station in power saving mode according to the prior art. In FIG. 1, the Wi-Fi station in sleep period "A" does not perform beacon reception, consuming less current, and in wake-up period "F" performs beacon reception, which has the highest power consumption during the power saving mode. As shown in FIG. 1, the longer the beacon reception time (i.e. the period "F") is, the more the power consumption is. In addition, refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of a beacon service period F according to the prior art. In general, right after the TBTT timer expires, the beacon is transmitted from the AP. However, if the channel is busy, the beacon transmission will be delayed. Thus, the Wi-Fi station has to stay awake longer for receiving the beacon and therefore consumes more power. Moreover, if a length of the beacon is longer, the Wi-Fi station will spend more time on receiving the entire beacon, which also costs more power.
Accordingly, how to improve the power consumption in power saving mode is a very important target for battery life extension.

Method and communication device of beacon reception


A method determining a malfunction when a reception signal fluctuates at a receiver owing to malfunctions occurring on a leaky cable and its related devices. The method determines, among range bins correlating the reception signal with a distance from a feed end of a radio-wave radiation unit and a radio-wave reception unit, based on a correlation between a time-delay from a transmission time of a transmission signal until a reception time of the reception signal and a transmission path distance of the reception signal in the radio-wave radiation unit and the radio-wave reception unit, when, comparing the reception signal with the transmission signal with respect to the range bin corresponding to a far end, a level of amplitude reduction in the reception signal exceeds a predetermined ratio, that a malfunction is present in either the radio-wave radiation unit or radio-wave reception unit.

An intrusion detection system using a radio-wave radiation unit arranged in a cable form such as a leaky coaxial cable (hereinafter referred to as a "leaky cable") is based on the following principles.
For example, when a leaky cable is placed so as to enclose the perimeter of premises, the surroundings of the premises become a monitoring area. And, by generating an electric field around the leaky cable, when an intrusion object enters the premises thereacross, a domain of the electric field formed by the leaky cable is disturbed crosswise, so that a fluctuation of the electric field occurs owing to the intrusion object. By capturing the electric-field fluctuation, and also by detecting a position in which the electric-field fluctuation occurs, it is possible to find out the intrusion position.
Detection of an intrusion object according to the electric-field fluctuation is performed, for example, as follows.
With one end-point of a leaky cable for transmission being made as a feed end, a signal having pulse waves is inputted from the feed end and radiated from the leaky cable as a radio wave. While keeping constant space-intervals with the leaky cable for transmission, a leaky cable for reception is placed so that it receives a radio wave having been radiated from the leaky cable for transmission. As for the leaky cable for reception, a receiver is connected thereto at an end-point thereof, which is on the same side as the feed end of the leaky cable for transmission. By this receiver, a radio-wave signal received via the leaky cable for reception is received.
A signal through the medium of a radio wave that is radiated at a position near the feed end of the leaky cable and received thereat arrives fast at the receiver; a signal passing through a position away from the feed end and closer to the termination end arrives late at the receiver. Namely, a pulse wave that is a reception signal inputted into the receiver exhibits a waveform expanded in terms of time in comparison to the one having been transmitted.
While observing an envelope of the reception signal expanded in terms of time, when intrusion occurs, part of the envelope corresponding to the intrusion location exhibits an amplitude fluctuation. The presence of the intrusion object is detected from the amplitude fluctuation, and an intrusion position is traced from a location in which the envelope changes (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H10-95338

Intrusion-object detection system, method of detecting intrusion-object and method of detecting malfunction


There is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor laser including a two-dimensional photonic crystal. The method comprises the steps of growing an InX1Ga1−X1N (0<X1<1) layer on a gallium nitride-based semiconductor region in a reactor; after taking out a substrate product including the InX1Ga1−X1N layer from the reactor, forming a plurality of openings for a two-dimensional diffraction grating of the two-dimensional photonic crystal in the InX1Ga1−X1N layer to form a patterned InX1Ga1−X1N layer; and growing an AlX2Ga1−X2N (0≦X2≦1) layer on a top surface of the patterned InX1Ga1−X1N layer to form voids associated with the openings.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor laser.
2. Related Background Art
Patent Document 1 (International Publication No. 2006/062084) discloses a semiconductor laser. The semiconductor laser comprises an active layer sandwiched between a p-type cladding layer and an n-type cladding layer, and a photonic crystal layer is provided on the p-type cladding layer. The photonic crystal layer comprises a GaN epitaxial layer and portions made of a material having a smaller refractive index than that of GaN, and another GaN layer is formed over the photonic crystal layer.

Method of fabricating semiconductor laser


A razor having a handle, a head and a main blade housing assembly. The main blade housing assembly defines a first end, a second end and has at least one main blade mounted thereon. At least one first extension blade is mounted on a first extension blade housing assembly. At least one second extension blade is mounted on a second extension blade housing assembly. In a stored configuration at least substantially all of the first extension blade and second extension blade are both positioned between the main blade housing assembly's first end and second end. In an extended configuration at least substantially all of the first extension blade and the second extension blade extends beyond a first end and second end of the main blade.

A razor is a bladed tool used for the removal of unwanted body hair through the act of shaving. Many different types of razors exist. Razor have been in existence since before the Bronze Age. Currently, the types of razors include straight razors, disposable razor, and electric razors. The most common types of razors in current usage are the safety razor and the electric razor, though other kinds are still in use.
The razor industry is a very large industry. The worldwide market for Razor Blade is expected to reach 2.5 billion USD in 2024 according to a new GIR (Global Info Research) study. This industry and companies are continuously focusing on technological innovation, equipment upgrades, and process improvements, to reduce costs and improve quality.
One problem associated with shaving with modern razors is that many times the blades have a relatively small length. Because of the small length of the razor blades, the amount of time it takes to shave large surface areas may be cost and time prohibitive. For example, veterinarians may use razors for shaving the hair from animals before performing certain procedures.
For larger animals, such as giraffes, lions or bears, the hair removal process completed before a procedure may be a very time-consuming process. Significant increased amounts of time may increase the risk of harm to animals because emergency procedures may not be able to be performed sooner rather than later.
Another challenge with the short length of razors may be the amount of time required for a person to shave his or her body parts. In many countries and societies, women shave their legs for beauty and aesthetic purposes. Additionally, athletes may shave their bodies and legs to decrease drag. The amount of time it takes men and women to shave their legs may be time prohibitive. As a result, there exists a need for improvements over the prior art and more particularly for a more efficient way for women to shave their legs.


A method for operating a first user equipment (UE) includes establishing an application layer connection with a second UE, wherein the first UE and the second UE are indirectly coupled to each other by a communications network, detecting an occurrence of an event at the first UE, and sending a first notification of the event to the second UE over the application layer connection.

Wearable devices, such as smart watches, smart bands, smart eyewear, and the like, enable convenient ways for users to interact with information. The users can access information without having to continually search for and access their smart telephones, which may be difficult, such as when the smart telephone is in a pocket and the user is sitting down or driving. However, to reduce size and cost, as well as to increase battery life, the wearable devices generally have limited connectivity to services. Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods for delivering notifications to wearable devices.

System and method for delivering notifications


A method of solving a constraint-satisfaction problem with a data processor includes the steps of (a) providing a search tree structure (10) representing a plurality (N) of variables (X), the search tree structure having a plurality of levels; (b) searching (L) shallow levels of the search tree structure by employing a backtrack search method wherein (L) is less than or equal to a specified value H; and (c) searching (M) remaining, deeper, levels of the search tree structure by employing a lookahead search method. The step of searching (L) shallow levels of the search tree structure includes a step of binding a set of X.sub.1 through X.sub.H variables each to an element from its domain such that no constraints are violated. The step of searching (M) remaining, deeper, levels of the search tree structure includes the steps of, given the bindings for the set of variables X.sub.1 through X.sub.H, determining for each variable X.sub.i, H<i.ltoreq.N a list of feasible values any one of which could be assigned to X.sub.i ; and storing the lists of feasible values in a Feasible.sub.-- Value table data structure.

Many problems in Artificial Intelligence and combinatorial search applications are formulated as constraint-satisfaction problems. The solution of a constraint-satisfaction problem typically requires that an arbitrary set of constraints be satisfied. A search procedure is employed to enumerate all solutions that simultaneously satisfy all constraints on the problem. A prototypical constraint-satisfaction problem is known as the N-Queens problem and concerns the placement of N-Queens on an NxN checkerboard so that no Queen can take another.
Solution techniques that have been developed for this class of problems include the backtrack search algorithm. An example is found in a journal article entitled "Backtrack programming", Journal of the ACM, Vol. 12, 1965, pp. 516-524 by S. Golomb et al.
Variations of the backtrack search algorithm are found in the following journal articles: A. K. Mackworth, "Consistency in Networks of Relations", Artificial Intelligence, Vol. 8, pp. 99-118, 1977; R. M. Haralick and L. G. Shapiro, "The Consistent Labeling Problem: Part I", IEEE Trans. on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, Vol. 1, April, 1979, pp. 173-184; B. A. Nudel, "Consistent-Labeling Problems and Their Algorithms: Expected-Complexities, and Theory Based Heuristics", Artificial Intelligence (Special issue on Search and Heuristics), Vol. 21, pp. 135-178, 1983; E. C. Freuder, "A Sufficient Condition for Backtrack-Free Search", Journal of the ACM, Vol. 29, No. 1, 1982, pp. 24-32; and J. R. Bitner and E. M. Reingold, "Backtrack Programming Techniques", Comm. of the ACM, Vol. 18, pp. 651-656, 1975.
An important advantage of the backtrack search technique is that it is efficient in the use of memory space required to solve a problem. However, for many problems, a backtrack search technique can be inefficient in regards to required processing time.
One technique that is known to be efficient in the use of processing time for solving constraint-satisfaction problems is a lookahead search technique such as that known as the Forward Checker Algorithm described by R. M. Haralick and G. L. Elliott, "Improving Tree Search Efficiency for Constraint Satisfaction Problems", Artificial Intelligence pp. 263-313, 1980. However, this lookahead technique does not possess the memory usage efficiency of the backtrack search approach.
That is, at shallow levels of a search tree a lookahead search technique, such as the Forward Checker, expends a considerable amount of computation effort and time in the maintenance of memory data structures, such as keeping track of level-dependent lists of feasible values of variables. At deeper levels of the search tree, the backtrack search tends to be time inefficient for reasons described by Mackworth in the above referenced article "Consistency in Networks of Relations".
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a method for executing a search for all solutions to a constraint-satisfaction problem that includes both the memory usage efficiency of the backtrack search technique and the processing time efficiency of the lookahead search technique.

Hybrid backtrack/lookahead search technique for constraint-satisfaction problems

International Business Machines Corporation