A method of depositing a thin film includes: repeating a first gas supply cycle a first plurality of times, the first gas supply cycle including supplying a source gas to a reaction space; supplying first plasma while supplying a reactant gas to the reaction space; repeating a second gas supply cycle a second plurality of times, the second gas supply cycle including supplying the source gas to the reaction space; and supplying second plasma while supplying the reactant gas to the reaction space, wherein the supplying of the first plasma includes supplying remote plasma, and the supplying of the second plasma includes supplying direct plasma.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of depositing a thin film.
(b) Description of the Related Art
As a circuit line width of a semiconductor device is reduced, the device is prone to failure due to heat occurring during a semiconductor process such as deposition of a film at high temperature. In order to solve problems caused by such heat, a low temperature process using plasma was suggested.
A semiconductor manufacturing process using plasma includes a thin film deposition process and an ashing process. Such a plasma process is classified into an in situ plasma process or a direct plasma process of directly generating plasma within a reaction space on a substrate in which a semiconductor process is performed and a remote plasma process of generating plasma outside of the reaction space and inducing the plasma to the reaction space.
In the in situ plasma process, plasma may be efficiently supplied, but in the in situ plasma process, when oxygen radical is used as a reactant gas, sub-layer oxidation, in which a sub-layer of layers that are deposited in the substrate is unnecessarily oxidized, may occur and thus, device characteristics may be deteriorated.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


Devices and methods compensate for perturbations in a stimulation signal caused by external conditions such as a magnetic field of an MRI machine so that stimulation therapy may continue in the presence of the external condition. Compensation for the perturbations during a stimulation pulse of a stimulation phase may be provided by using feedback within a stimulation current source. Perturbations during a recharge phase may be addressed by utilizing an active recharge at least when the external condition is present. Furthermore, compensation for perturbations during a recharge pulse of the active recharge phase may be provided by using feedback within a recharge current source. Passive recharge may be used instead of active recharge when the external condition is not present to preserve battery life of the stimulation device. The stimulation device may include a sensor to detect the external condition so that an appropriate mode of recharge may be chosen.

Electrical stimulation therapy may be used for various forms of treatment. For example, stimulation therapy may be provided to address neurological issues such as chronic pain, tremors, and the like. In such an example, an implantable stimulation device is typically located in one location of convenience and is connected to electrical leads that are routed to a stimulation site such as within the brain, the spinal column, within the pelvic region, or elsewhere. The electrical leads include electrodes that interface with the tissue at the stimulation site to deliver the stimulation signals from the stimulation device.
The electrical leads include electrical conductors that span the distance from the stimulation device to the electrodes at the stimulation site, and these electrical conductors are susceptible to receiving undesired currents from induced voltages within the body caused by external conditions because of the conductive loop created from the electrodes back to the conductive case of the stimulation device when configured for unipolar stimulation. High power level deposition may then occur at the electrodes. One particular example of this situation arises when the patient undergoes a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan. The MRI scan requires that a strong gradient magnetic field be presented to the body. Under conditions normally present when the stimulation device is actively providing unipolar stimulation signals, this magnetic field produced by the MRI machine induces voltage within the body that results in problematic currents on the leads.
The solution has been to deactivate the stimulation therapy during the MRI scan or require the stimulation to be bipolar only and to thereby present high impedances in the case to electrode path. The high impedance effectively attenuates the induced voltage and resulting current in the loop created by the leads to insignificant levels. However, the patient cannot receive unipolar stimulation therapy during this time, and this may be an unacceptable consequence, especially for life sustaining therapies.

Devices and methods to provide stimulation therapy in the presence of external conditions that induce undesirable perturbations


An edge detecting method and an edge detecting device detecting from a picture element group which is changing rapidly as compared with its surroundings an edge from within image data in which each picture element is composed of independent N numbers of dark and light data R, G, and B respectively, by calculating N sets of coefficients Wr, Wg, Wb corresponding to N numbers of dark and light data R, G, B respectively, and each picture element is judged whether it is an edge or not depending upon N numbers of dark and light data R, G, B and N sets of coefficients Wr, Wg, Wb.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an edge detecting method and an edge detecting device and conducts the edge detecting processing which plays a basic role especially on the image processing, and can be suitably applied to such as the special effect processing in the video production of television and motion pictures and the element recognition processing from the camera image in the FA (factory automation).
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, the edge detection has been a process to find the part where the picture element value is rapidly changing between dark and light images. And since normally sudden changes occur on the outline of the object, the contour of the object can be extracted from the pictorial image depending on the result of edge detection. Therefore, edge detection has been widely utilized as the most basic processing for obtaining information from the image on the object existing in that image.
In the color images, since dark and light image exist in every primary color (e.g., red, green, and blue), heretofore the edge detection has been conducted on each primary color and if the edge is detected on any color, that picture element is regarded as an edge of the color image. This will be explained referring to the image shown in FIG. 1A. This image is a round object shown in FIG. 1B which is placed in front of the background having a horizontal line shown in FIG. 1C.
In the case of this image, the dark and light image of three primary colors, red, green, and blue become like FIG. 2A, 2B, and 2C respectively. For example, in the case of red, the picture element value of the inside of area 1 shown by oblique lines is "1.0" and the picture element value of the inside of the remaining area 2 is "0". The same will be applied to green and blue. If the edge is detected on each dark and light image, since the edge on the part where the sudden change occurs, i.e., only the place where the picture element value changes from "1.0" to "0" can be obtained as the edge, edges like FIG. 3A, 3B, and 3C corresponding to FIG. 2A, 2B, and 2C will be obtained. If the edge is detected in any one of the colors, red, green, or blue, its picture element is considered as an edge, and the edge which can be ultimately obtained will be like FIG. 3D by combining these edges.
However, since the edge obtained as described above contains a horizontal line 4 in the background and a vertical line 5 of the inside of a circle besides a contour 3 of the circle to be aimed originally, recognition of the real contour by means of the computer becomes very difficult. Like this example, the problem that unnecessary parts are detected as edges occurs in the case where there are patterns or colors and changes in lightness exist in the object and background.
Since it is common that there exist patterns and colors and changes in lightness on the object to be aimed for extraction from the image background or from within an image, it is practically impossible to extract the contour from the optional image by means of the conventional device, and in practice the contour extraction by the computer has been conducted only under limited condition, such as in the case where the background is painted with a uniform color.
Various improvements have heretofore been developed to alleviate these problems based on experience. For example, when the edge was detected in either primary color, that picture element was not only regarded as an edge but the method has been modified taking great account of lightness changes. However, since the application of dark and light image of each primary color is fixed in advance, these cannot be applied to images which did not follow the law of experience, and they were insufficient for practical use as the edge detection accuracy.

Edge detecting method and edge detecting device which detects edges for each individual primary color and employs individual color weighting coefficients


A structure includes a wristwatch case; an inner frame arranged inside the wristwatch case and having an upper surface provided with a positioning fitting recess; a timepiece module arranged as being positioned inside the inner frame; and a parting plate which is provided with a positioning pin that is provided on a lower surface of the parting plate facing the upper surface of the inner frame, and that is fitted into the positioning fitting recess of the inner frame, thereby positioning the parting plate with respect to respect to the inner frame. As a result, in a state where the timepiece module is arranged and positioned inside the inner frame arranged in the wristwatch case, the positioning pin of the parting plate can be fitted into the positioning fitting recess of the inner frame. Accordingly, the parting plate can be accurately positioned with respect to the inner frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interior component positioning structure, timepiece, and interior component positioning method for use in an electronic device such as a wristwatch.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, an inner component positioning structure for wristwatches is known as described in Japanese Utility-Model Application Laid-Open (Kokai) Publication No. 60-061687. In this structure, a flange-shaped projecting section is provided on an inner peripheral surface of a wristwatch case at the same position in height as a timepiece module such that the flange-shaped projecting section projects toward the inside of the wristwatch case, a parting plate is arranged and positioned on an upper side of this projecting section, an inner frame is arranged and positioned on a lower side of the flange-shaped projecting section, and a timepiece module is arranged and positioned inside the inner frame.
In this inner component positioning structure for wristwatches, to position the parting plate and the inner frame inside the wristwatch case, a positioning hole is provided such that the positioning hole vertically penetrates through the flange-shaped projecting section provided on the wristwatch case, and a positioning projection of the parting plate is inserted from above into this positioning hole and a positioning projection of the inner frame is inserted from below into this positioning hole. As a result, the parting plate and the inner frame can be positioned inside the wristwatch case.
However, in this inner component positioning structure for wristwatches, the positioning projection of the parting plate and the positioning projection of the inner frame are inserted into the same positioning hole provided on the projecting section of the wristwatch case, whereby the parting plate and the inner frame are positioned with respect to the wristwatch case. In other words, the positioning projection of the parting plate and the positioning projection of the inner frame are positioned through the positioning hole. As a result, it is disadvantageously difficult to increase positioning accuracy.
Moreover, since the flange-shaped projecting section is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the wristwatch case at the same position in height as the timepiece module such that the flange-shaped projecting section projects toward the inside of the wristwatch case, the outer diameter of the timepiece module is disadvantageously limited.

Interior component positioning structure, timepiece, and interior component positioning method


A serpentine waveguide applicator for exposing a material to microwave energy for hearing, drying, or curing. A conveyor transports the material through aligned slots formed in facing sides at consecutive waveguide passes of the serpentine array. Each pass has a ridged waveguide structure with ridges in each corner of the otherwise rectangular waveguide. The ridges make the interior cross section of the waveguide passes cruciform and direct microwave energy away from the slots to reduce arcing, crosstalk, and leakage.

The invention relates generally to microwave heating, drying, and curing and, more particularly, to ridged serpentine waveguide applicators for heating, drying, or curing conveyed materials.
Serpentine applicators, in which slotted waveguides are arranged side by side and connected in series so that microwave energy flows in opposite directions in consecutive waveguides, are used to heat, dry, or cure materials conveyed through slots in the waveguides. In conventional rectangular serpentine waveguides, coupling between consecutive waveguides through the slots decreases the efficiency, uniformity, and controllability of the heating, drying, or curing of the material. Another problem is arcing at the corners of the slots, which pits the waveguide walls and causes unwanted reflections.
Thus, there is a need for a microwave applicator that can be used to heat, dry, or cure materials, such as fabrics, foams, or carpets, conveyed through the applicator.


A leveraged whole or universal life insurance plan is administered using a computer processing method to ensure lender security, accumulation of value to an employee, and minimum tax exposure. The employer borrows in installments to partly cover insurance premiums on a policy owned by the employee, and pays interest on the loan for the life of the plan. The employee also pays part of the premiums, and collaterally assigns the policy as security for repayment of the loan. As the insurance policy appreciates in value, premiums decrease. The employee can pay down the loan and eventually eliminate premium payments, or can borrow against the policy for tax-free retirement income. The excess of the death benefit over any loan principal remaining upon the death of the employee is a tax-free payment to the employee's beneficiaries. The computerized method includes storing parameters of insurance policies and loan agreements in a computer memory, over ranges of possible death benefits, cash values, loan principals, and incremental payments over a span of years. Employee factors are quantified and input to the computer processor, which is programmed to integrate the employee factors with the insurance and loan terms to select an integrated loan/insurance arrangement to schedule payments to meet maximum contributions and retirement and life expectancy expectations. The processor adjusts incremental payments from the employer and the employee to ensure sufficient collateral and to comply with tax regulations that are unfavorable to certain front-loaded payment schedules.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for processing certain financial and demographic data to define complementary terms for several related agreements, including an employer/employee agreement, a life insurance policy and a third party loan secured by the policy, and in so doing to apply certain revenue rules regarding permissible premium payment proportions and payment timing for adjusting a schedule of payments. The invention provides a convenient means to arrive at a workable tax-minimized arrangement for key employees to accumulate value with the assistance of their employers.
2. Prior Art
Life insurance is useful as an investment or savings tool as well as for its basic object of providing a death benefit payment to a beneficiary. This is true because a whole life policy develops a cash value. The cash value can be borrowed against, and any loans that are outstanding at the time of death can be settled from the death benefit. Such insurance is distinct from term insurance, which does not develop a cash value and is characterized by increasing premium rates as the insured person ages.
An employer may find it appropriate to provide group life insurance to employees as a benefit. For example, an employer may provide group term life insurance on employees, financing the coverage itself or paying experience-rated rates. An employer providing such insurance, either alone or in conjunction with an insurance company, can at the same time provide term insurance naming the employees' beneficiaries, and also obtain insurance on the employees under policies naming the employer as beneficiary, to minimize the possibility of undue financial burden should an unusually large number of insured employees die over a short time. If the employer takes out whole life insurance (known as corporate-owned life insurance) in such an arrangement, the employer can borrow against the cash value, should the need arise.
In general, the death benefit of an insurance policy is not taxable to the beneficiaries or to the estate of the insured. Internal Revenue Code Section 79, which concerns term life insurance, imposes imputed income on an employee with respect to company-paid insurance over a stated maximum ($50,000). This section reduces the extent to which conventional insurance arrangements as above may shelter income from taxes. As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,506--Brophy et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated, it may be desirable to combine a premium paying corporate life insurance plan with a voluntary employee group life plan. The premiums are split between the employer and the employee so as to provide a designated death benefit to the beneficiaries of the employee, while enabling the employer to invest funds in the cash value of the life insurance contract so as to help fund the group life benefits. As explained in the Brophy patent, there are a number of problems with attempts to make life insurance into a workable employee benefit plan having a cash value for the employee, while avoiding unnecessary taxation of either the employer or employee, as well as undue risk for the employer.
There are various investment and savings techniques, including life insurance, and the different techniques carry different tax implications. In a "split dollar" insurance plan, payments are made by both the employer and by the employee. Payments by the employer are tax deductible business expenses, but payments by the employee must be made from after-tax income. The death benefit is not taxable under the present Internal Revenue Code. The employee's contribution effectively is taxed because it comes from after-tax income, and as such resembles a savings plan without tax liability as to appreciation (i.e., if the difference between the death benefit and the amounts paid in is positive).
Comparing the tax consequences of various investment vehicles, there is no savings, investment and/or insurance technique that avoids taxation with respect to each of a contributing employer, employee and beneficiary. Investments in commodities that may appreciate, for example interest bearing accounts, mutual funds and the like, all are made from after-tax income. Appreciation income on liquidation of such investments is taxable (except perhaps in the case of municipal bonds). Qualified retirement plans, 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts accumulate untaxed income, but taxes are simply deferred. The accumulated value is taxable at the taxpayer's tax rate when money is taken out of the tax deferred account. In addition there are limits on the amount of income that can be accumulated in tax-deferred accounts. The employer also may be required to make the plan available equally to all employees in order for the plan to qualify for tax-deferred treatment. Thus, such accounts cannot be used as a means to compensate key employees.
Term life policies are characterized by increasingly higher premium rates as the insured ages. Whole life policies, on the other hand, normally have constant premiums but the premiums are substantially higher than term insurance premiums. During the life of the insured, the premiums paid in are invested by the insurance company. Income on paid-in premiums covers part of the death benefits payable, and also enable the insurance company to obtain a profit.
The cash value of a whole life policy increases with aging of the insured, and can be borrowed against. Conversely, it is possible to borrow money for use as payment of an insurance premium. It would appear that borrowing to pay insurance premiums would be financially quite unfavorable for the insured. The insured would need to encumber collateral to secure the loan, and would incur interest charges on the loan. At least the principal payments on the loan would be from after tax income. Such an arrangement would appear beneficial only to insurance companies in that additional policies could be sold. Insurance companies have attempted to market insurance products comprising a loan by the insurance company to the insured of at least a portion of the premiums payable on a policy, with the cash value of the policy and the death benefit providing collateral for the loan. Due to interest on the loan premium and payments from after-tax income, this "leveraged" insurance can be expected to have a poor overall rate of return when all factors are considered.
In any life insurance arrangement, the insurer calculates the appropriate premium payment as a function of mortality rates and the expected return on investments made with premiums paid in by all its insured persons, so that claims can be paid while earning a profit. In some plans the insured pays in more than the premium thus calculated, and the return on the investment of the excess (e.g., as interest) defrays part of the premium that would otherwise be payable. When an insurance policy is fully paid up such that the return on the insurer's investment of paid-in amounts covers all further premiums, the policy resembles a purchased annuity, a certificate of deposit or an interest bearing account.
There are Internal Revenue Service limits on the extent to which premiums can be borrowed or paid in early so as to enable investment of the premiums to provide a return, while retaining the favorable tax treatment of a life insurance death benefit. Over the first seven years of a policy, for example, at least four parts in seven of premiums due must be paid in rather than borrowed. Internal Revenue Service and court rulings also distinguish an insurance policy from a modified endowment contract or an annuity. To be considered an insurance policy, less than 73% of the premiums due can be paid in over the first four years. Rules and regulations also define the permissible net single premium (NSP), guideline level premium (GLP) and guideline single premium (GSP). Failure to comply with such regulations, promulgated under DEFRA or TAMARA, can cause an ostensible insurance policy to be treated as a taxable investment, or may change the order in which payments made or withdrawn are deductible. For example under TAMARA, proceeds of the policy can be considered taxable income first, and deductible basis last, changing from a first-in-first-out taxation order to a last-in-first-out order.
The DEFRA and TAMARA guidelines and similar regulations need to be observed to retain favorable tax treatment, but the rules are normally applied retrospectively. For example, the proportions of payments made are considered when the IRS conducts an audit or when an accountant assesses taxes that are due on activity during the previous year.
Various inter-related factors are involved in considering the possibility of borrowing to pay insurance premiums. These include at least: the rate of interest payable on any loan taken out to pay premiums; the cash value at any given time and the amount of the death benefit (which will provide collateral for the loan); employee borrowing against the insurance policy; the proportion of premiums borrowed vs. the proportion paid-in, as well as the timing when particular amounts are to be paid; the proportion applied from after-tax income (by an employee) vs. deducted as a business expense (by an employer); the return on insurance company investment of paid-in contributions to meet scheduled premiums as provided by the terms of the insurance policy and the effect of unscheduled premiums (i.e., prepaid premiums); the employee's tax rate; and, the legal rules and limitations designed to exclude endowments from favorable tax treatment.
All these factors vary with the circumstances. What is needed, and provided according to the present invention, is a data processing method that provides a practical insurance and investment product that meets the definitions of a proper insurance contract so as to qualify for favorable tax treatment, while ensuring that the investment of each of the parties is protected and not subject to undue risk. The object is to dovetail the terms of an insurance contract, a loan agreement and an employer/employee agreement, such that premiums are paid partly by the employer and partly by the employee, including via borrowed money, to provide for premium payments, to comply with IRS regulations and favorable tax treatment, and to permit the employee to accumulate value over a working career.
The method is accomplished by storing in a file a set of constants that characterize the terms of at least one and potentially several alternative available life insurance contracts and loan agreements, which can be the offerings of different companies. Variables are then stored in a second file to characterize the situation of one or more particular employees, including each employee's tax rate, and including insurance related information such as age and potentially also health status information (e.g., smoking or nonsmoking). Also stored in the variables file are an amount that an employer is willing to contribute, or a desired cash or death benefit value to the employee, or both. The terms of a loan to pay premiums on the insurance policy then are calculated so as to include unscheduled (prepaid) premiums sufficient to have the policy fully paid within a predetermined time period. A set of limiting rules are then applied and a division of payments is made between the employer and employee to result in a payment schedule. The calculations and limiting rules ensure compliance with the tax codes and ensure that the value of the policy will provide sufficient collateral to cover the loan through the term of the agreement. Complementary terms of agreement are thereby defined between or among the employer, the employee, the lender and the insurer. In this manner, an insurance policy can provide a vehicle for accumulating value in a tax-minimized, safe and legal manner.

Method for combining loan with key employee life insurance


A light bulb apparatus mounted within existing incandescent bulb sockets is comprised of a plurality of interconnecting printed circuit boards (PCBs). An outline shape of any individual PCB is defined in essentially two dimensions a shape or a size of which may vary from one PCB to another. A first portion of this apparatus is equivalent to light bulb cap and is shaped and sized to be fitted into a conventional incandescent bulb socket. At this portion, at least three PCB side edges are lined up against with an inner side wall of a bulb socket. At least one PCB has a tip edge. A second portion of this apparatus is equivalent to a conventional bulb's glass bulb, and a plurality of light emitting devices are mounted on surfaces of the said PCBs and are connected to the circuit laid on boards.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical lighting apparatus, and more particularly to a light bulb apparatus comprising a plurality of light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), incorporated with printed circuit boards (PCBs) for installation in a conventional incandescent light bulb socket. The present replacement light bulb includes compatible connector and electrical component as required for installation and operation in a conventional incandescent light bulb socket.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of different principles of electrical lighting have been developed over the years. Incandescent lighting was the first lighting principle to receive widespread use, and is still the most widely used lighting principle used to date. More recently, the principle of electrically exciting a gas to produce light emission from the gas, has been used to produce usable light in the form of fluorescent lighting fixtures and the like. Both principles require air tight enclosures to stop either atmosphere to get in or special gas to leak out.
Other principles of lighting have been developed more recently. Among these is the LED, or light emitting diode. Light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as "LEDs" throughout the present disclosure) operate generally as a conventional diode and they also emit light when electric current pass through at one direction. LEDs provide many advantages in lighting, where they may be employed. LEDs are relatively cool in operation, and do not produce any significant amount of heat as a byproduct of their operation. Moreover, they are quite efficient in comparison to other types of lighting principles. LEDs are available in a number of different colors, and the lighting intensity may be varied by means of a simple variable resistor or rheostat, unlike fluorescent lighting. However, even with recently developed "super bright" LEDs, the light output of a single LED is relatively weak in comparison to a conventional fluorescent light unit. Nonetheless, an assembly of a number of LEDs in a single unit or fixture, can provide an equivalent amount of light to an incandescent light bulb.
Accordingly, the present invention provides "drop-in" replacement light bulb units for incandescent light bulbs. The present replacement lighting units comprise various embodiments of Printed Circuit Boards (hereinafter referred to as "PCBs" throughout the present disclosure), each unit containing a plurality of LEDs. The light bulb units also provide support and contact points which make contact and hold securely in the conventional incandescent light bulb sockets found at every household incandescent light fixture. The present invention also includes the electrical components required to adapt the operation of an LED array to the electrical system of a household lighting fixture, with such electrical components being provided internally within the replacement light bulb unit as desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,679 issued on May 8, 2001 to Zhou Kui Zhang and Zhang Qi Xiang, titled "LED Light Bulb" describes a LED bulb uses LEDs to emit light and fits into a conventional bulb socket. However Kui's design uses conventional bulb cap and a conical base to support the PCB.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,132 issued on Mar. 23, 2004 to Kazuo Ishibashi, titled "LED BULB" describes an LED bulb comprises a printed circuit board fits inside a transparent or semi-transparent cover which encloses the printed circuit board formed into a bulb shape cage. However Ishibashi's design uses conventional bulb cap to connect to socket and a cover to define it bulb shape.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,756 issued on Aug. 8, 2006 to Fredric S. Maxik titles "Lighting element using electronically activated light emitting elements and method of making the same" describe a LED bulb comprises a flexible printed circuit board with surface mounted LEDs to be fit inside the space of light bulb. However Maxik's design uses conventional bulb cap to connect to socket and conventional glass bulb to keep its shape.

Light bulb with light emitting elements for use in conventional incandescent light bulb sockets


The invention described herein permits decorative or other lighting of a transparent or a translucent surface by placing a light source within a frame and contacting the light source with the transparent or translucent surface. The transparent or translucent surface may be eroded in one or more places to provide contrasting images on the transparent or translucent surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to decorative or other lighting of transparent or translucent surfaces by placing a light source within a frame.
2. Description of the Art Practices
U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,346 Sekiguchi et al., issued Dec. 7, 1997 describes an efficient economical process is provided to produce an impressive display with outstanding marketing and advertising appeal. In the process, multiple images are formed, such as on a central processing unit, the images are striped or manipulated, eliminating rows of pixels and replacing them with pixels from other images, and portions thereof are superimposed. The superimposed images can be printed on a viewable surface of the display. A lenticular lens, fresnel lenticular lens plate, lens with a textured surface, plate lens, ultraviolet cured resinous lens, lens with an undercut, cluster of anamorphic lenses, transparent rods, or grid, can be placed in front of the images to provide a special display which has the illusion of animation, morphing or movement as the angle of sight changes. The images can also be printed directly on the back surface of the lens to provide self-contained lenticular graphics. The special display can be used to provide: an attractive calendar, post card, decoding card, business card, bookmark, computer disc case, compact disc case, laser disc case, video cassette case, audio cassette case, display box, bag, insulating cup, lid, book, mural, picture frame, game piece, jewelry, button, shoe ornament, multi-faced hanging display, premium, award display, self-standing plaque, shelf header slide-in display, bumper sticker, pen, credit card, swinging display, wag, place mat, traffic sign, compact disc, laser disc, recordable disc, monitor, television screen, computer screen, flat screen panel display, and display with multiple rotating panels, as well as other products.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,686 Parker et al., issued Apr. 29, 1999 contains a disclosure of light distribution systems include a light emitting portion, a light source for supplying light to the light emitting portion and a power source for the light source. A sealed holder or pocket may be provided for the light emitting portion. The light emitting portion may be located on an upper portion of a shoe and include a raised or relieved area from which light is emitted. The light distribution systems may include an additional light source which is directional so it can be seen at a greater distance than the light emitting portion. An information display system may also be provided, including a liquid crystal display located on an upper portion of a shoe, and a motion sensor for controlling operation of the display.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,020 Kurokawa et al., issued Jul. 13, 1999 contains a description of a lighting apparatus 1 has a convex lens 11 arranged so that its optical axis is at an angle theta with respect to the normal of an observation portion 3a (e.g., a semiconductor substrate or the like), with a camera 5 arranged in the path of the reflected light rays. When a light-emitting portion 13 is arranged along the optical axis of the lens 11, a bright field illumination takes place. If a knob 29 is turned, the light-emitting portion 13 moves along a ball screw 25, thereby changing the illumination from a bright field illumination to a dark field illumination. When a knob 37 is turned, the light exiting the lens 11 will diverge if the light-emitting portion 13 is moved close to the lens 11, converge if the light-emitting portion 13 is moved far away from the lens 11, and be parallel if the light-emitting portion 13 is positioned at the focal point of the lens 11. By changing the position of the light-emitting portion 13 in this way, it is possible to change the illuminating angle and the illuminating angle distribution, and by adjusting the position of the light-emitting portion 13 in accordance with the optical characteristics of the object 3, it is possible to obtain a high contrast image. It is also possible for these adjustments to be carried out automatically by using an actuator, microcomputer or the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,089 issued Feb. 29, 2000 to Parker et al., discloses a light distribution system includes an area light emitting portion, a light source for supplying light to an input edge of the light emitting portion for conduction within the light emitting portion and emission therefrom, and a power source for the light source. A holder may be provided for the light emitting portion. The holder may be made of a flexible material to permit the holder to conform to a contoured surface such as the arm or other body part of a person. Also, a flexible band or belt may be provided for personal wear. The light distribution system may include an additional light source which is directional so it can be seen at a greater distance than the area light emitting portion. An information display system controlled by an interactive switch may also be provided for displaying selected information.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,343 issued to Recknagel et al., Feb. 29, 2000 Recites lighting system includes at least one light string having a plurality of independently controllable light modules, each emitting light in response to an activation signal uniquely associated with the light module. The lighting system preferably includes a controller coupled to the light strings for generating and transmitting activation signals to the light modules to independently control the lights of the light modules. Each of the light modules may include a multi-color lighting device for emitting light of different colors such that the controller may select colors of the light emitted from each one of the light modules. The lighting system may also include a plurality of address modules each associated with and coupled to one of the light strings and coupled to the controller so that the controller may transmit activation signals to the light modules of a specific light string by transmitting an address to which the associated address module will respond by enabling the light modules of the associated light string to respond to the activation signals transmitted with the address signal from the controller.
Light ropes useful in the present invention are available from sales@nsl-ltg dot com telephone 800–527–2923 or 303–926–1100, facsimile 800–527–4358 303–926–0011 and through http://www.nsl-ltg dot com/lightrope/lrope dot html.
To the extent that the foregoing patents and citations are relevant to the present invention they are herein incorporated by reference.


Some embodiments of the present invention include a method for determining a dense subset from a group of records using a graphical representation of the group of records, the graphical representation having nodes and edges, a node associated with a record from the group of records, an edge connecting two nodes associated with two related records, wherein a node is associated with a weight corresponding to a number of edges connected to the node, wherein a record is added to the dense subset based on its associated node having a highest weight and a density that satisfies a density threshold, the density being based on the content of the dense subset, and wherein the content of the dense subset is to be processed as including duplicate records.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.
Database systems may include databases that have millions of records. To maintain the efficiency and integrity of the databases, searches may be performed to identify and remove duplicate records. Comparison of records against all the other records one-by-one to determine duplication may be significantly time consuming and computing intensive. As such, database designers continuously try to develop techniques that can improve the performance of the database by identifying related or duplicated records.


Equipment for measurement of the contribution to frequency stability by a generating unit, especially for generating units based on power electronics. This equipment is to be installed between a generating unit and an electric power system. It emulates an electric power system undergoing a power unbalance, which manifests itself through a grid frequency swing.

Electric power systems are complex, nonlinear dynamic systems of great dimensions. Although its stability is a characteristic of the whole system, it is helpful to classify events that take them away from stable, viable operating conditions as different kinds of stability issues. One way of classifying stability issues is suggested by KUNDUR, P., PASERBA, J., AJJARAPU, V., et al. "Definition and classification of power system stability IEEE/CIGRE joint task force on stability terms and definitions", IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, v. 19, n. 3, pp. 1387-1401, August 2004. ISSN: 0885-8950. doi: 10.1109/TPWRS.2004. 825981, and shown in FIG. 1. The first level of classification, as rotor angle stability, frequency stability and voltage stability, considers the main system variable through which instability is observed. Further subdivisions may be made with respect to time scales of most relevant processes, analysis techniques and disturbance intensity.
Frequency stability issues may be sustained frequency oscillation, or a frequency deviation with too high an amplitude or rate of change, leading to tripping of system elements. They are basically caused by an inability to recover, without loss of load, from a condition of load-generation unbalance after a disturbance. Examples of such disturbances include tripping of loads or generating units, short circuits, loss of transmission lines and system islanding. This class of system stability is specially relevant in smaller EPS, such as isolated systems, microgrids and islanded systems that broke off from the main EPS due to a protection relay tripping.
Frequency stability can be subdivided in short and long term stability. Relevant processes for short term frequency stability include frequency based protections, either on loads or generators, such as trend relays and Under-Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS), electrical machines inertial responses, primary frequency controls and load-frequency response. These effects range from tens of milliseconds to seconds. Long term aspects of frequency stability may involve processes such as primary and secondary frequency control and protections and controls of boilers or reactors. These effects range from tens of seconds to minutes.
With the prospects of growing renewable energy sources (RES) based generation and distributed generation (DG), concerns over grid frequency stability are also growing. There is great interest in the literature in control strategies that mimic synchronous generators with the purpose of providing inertia to the system and stabilizing grid frequency.
Frequency inertia is related to the dynamics of the state variable that represents the generated voltage's frequency. In a rotating electrical machine, it is highly correlated with the rotating mass' moment of inertia. This rotating mass is composed of the machine's rotor and the turbine that moves it. A converter's control and physical parameters have similar influence in the voltage frequency's dynamics. Control strategies designed to operate with MPPT or constant power (active or reactive) injection are specifically designed to very quickly detect and adapt to grid voltage changes. This is done through fast PLLs, specifically so that even if frequency changes or voltage amplitude changes, injected power does not change.
The amount of kinetic energy stored in an electrical machine's rotor is directly related to its frequency inertia. That is, however, not the case with converters. A voltage source converter can operate for a certain DC link voltage range. The inertia in the sense of amount of energy stored for a given rated voltage level determines the disturbance magnitude required to take the converter out of its stable operation region. Therefore, a big capacitance leads to a sturdy converter, i.e. it has a large amount of stored energy and, more importantly, it requires a large amount of energy flow to take it out of required operating conditions.
These two concepts, frequency inertia and stored energy, are tightly bound in electric machines, but they're not explicitly tightly bound in power electronics converters. The stored energy in a converter is still coupled with its output voltage frequency (if it regulates its own DC link voltage), as a decrease in DC link voltage will cause the converter to transiently change its output voltage amplitude and frequency in order to change active power flow and restore rated DC link voltage. If the front end converter must emulate a synchronous generator, increasing injected power following a frequency drop, then a fast-acting back end converter would help in constituting a sturdy converter, as it would be able to quickly react to changes in stored energy. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of a converter's capabilities of providing inertia to the grid must take into account the prime mover's dynamics as well, and not only its own inertia. A larger frequency inertia can be emulated as long as we can keep the DC link voltage within operational levels, to which the following characteristics contribute:                the back end converter can quickly respond to the DC link voltage variations (implies dynamic requirements and the capacity of maintaining a power reserve);        high DC link voltage inertia, i.e. amount of stored energy (either higher DC link capacitance and voltage or presence of another ESS)        wide operational range for DC link voltage.
Inertia constants have been taken as an indicator of contribution to grid frequency stability as individual units' inertia constants compose the aggregated inertia constant used in a Load-Frequency Control (LFC) model. When neglecting primary frequency control, a system with aggregated inertia constant Hsys and load damping constant D changes frequency due to generation-load imbalance with a time constant given by τ=2H_sys/D.
However, one should not compare power electronics based generation's capacity to offer grid frequency support with synchronous machine based generation's considering only their inertia constants. RES and DG have the potential to provide faster primary frequency control, possibly comparable to a synchronous generator's inertial response. The Union for the Coordination of the Transmission of Electricity (UCTE), an association of Transmission System Operators (TSO) for the European interconnected EPS, allows for a maximum deployment time for primary control reserves between 15 and 30 s, depending on the size of the power reserve (UCTE Operation Handbook Appendix 1: Load-Frequency Control and Performance. UCTE, June 2004).
On the other hand, for wind power, the back end converter, which controls electric torque on the generator, may transiently increase extracted power from the turbine, slowing it down, to provide fast response to frequency deviations. This strategy has been called inertial control, being compared with the inertial response provided naturally by synchronous generators, and does not employ a mechanical governor system. The response time provided through this mechanism is therefore faster, depending on electromagnetic dynamics. Wind can also be curtailed, constituting a power reserve, and operated with the typical primary frequency control strategy. The speed of response, in this case, is comparable to hydroelectric machines and mechanical stress limitations may apply. For PV units, there is no rotational inertia and inertial control is therefore not possible. Curtailment, however, is possible and its use for primary frequency control can also achieve faster response times, as shown by MILLER, N., SHAO, M., PAJIC, S., et al. Western Wind and Solar Integration Study Phase 3—Frequency Response and Transient Stability (Report and Executive Summary). Technical report, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, Colo., 2014.
In the current scenario, it would be beneficial to be able to measure the quality of grid frequency support provided by a generating unit. For new generation technologies, the inertia constant does not seem to be a clear indication of such a characteristic. Being able to quantify the quality of grid frequency support provided by a generating unit allows for grid codes and utilities to demand good frequency response from RES and DG projects, for clients to compare converters and power generation solutions and for comparison of converter control strategies.
What is needed therefore is an equipment having a back-to-back converter whose grid side controls its DC link voltage, while the generating unit side generates three-phase, rated amplitude voltages whose frequency is given by a Load Frequency Control (LFC) model

Frequency stability contribution measurement equipment


In one general embodiment, a system includes at least one microsensor configured to detect one or more conditions of a fluidic medium of a reservoir; and a receptacle, wherein the receptacle encapsulates the at least one microsensor. In another general embodiment, a method include injecting the encapsulated at least one microsensor as recited above into a fluidic medium of a reservoir; and detecting one or more conditions of the fluidic medium of the reservoir.

Traces have typically been used to obtain information about a reservoir and/or about what is taking place therein. In particular, tracers may be used to label fluids that are injected into a specified reservoir in order to track fluid movement and fluid velocities, as well as monitor chemical changes of the injected fluid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,860, for example, teaches tracer chemicals for use in monitoring subterranean fluids, e.g. geothermal brines) and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,488 provides another method for utilizing tracer chemicals to determine flow patterns in subterranean petroleum and mineral containing formations using organonitrogen tracers, and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In recovery of petroleum or minerals from subterranean formations, especially by chemical flooding, it is desirable to know the flow patterns of the formation prior to injection of chemicals. Tracers are used in such reservoir engineering. The tracer is generally water soluble and inert to the solids and liquids present in the formation (e.g. it does not get absorbed onto the rocks; it does not partition into any oil phase which may be present; and it does not interact with the organics and minerals present in the formations).
Another common use for tracers is with regard to hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing is a well-established technique for stimulating production from a hydrocarbon reservoir. Typically a thickened, viscous fracturing fluid is pumped into the reservoir formation through a wellbore and fractures the formation. Thickened fluid is then also used to carry a particulate proppant into the fracture. The fracturing fluid is subsequently pumped out and hydrocarbon production is resumed. As the fracturing fluid encounters the porous reservoir formation a filtercake of solids from the fracturing fluid builds up on the surface of the rock constituting the formation. After fracturing has taken place a breaker (which is usually an oxidizing agent, an acid or an enzyme) may be introduced to break down this filter cake and/or to reduce the viscosity of the fluid in the fracture and allow it to be pumped out more effectively. Tracers may be used in connection with this hydraulic fracturing procedure, mainly to provide information on the location and orientation of the fracture, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,850. U.S. Pat. No. 3,796,883 describes a further use of radioactive tracers to monitor the functioning of a well gravel pack.
Additionally, tracers may be introduced into the reservoir using various known methods. For instance, tracers may be associated with a carrier material (e.g. particles) from which the tracer is released after the carrier material is placed in a subterranean reservoir and/or exposed to the contents therein. U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,683 describes using starch particles as a carrier for a variety of oilfield chemicals including tracers. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,032,662 and 7,347,260 also describe the association of a tracer substance with a carrier. U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2010/0307745 further describes the use of encapsulated tracers and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,147 discloses a procedure where, during the manufacture of a well, a plurality of different tracer substances are placed at respective locations along the length of a well penetrating a reservoir prior to completion of the well. When the manufacture of the well is completed and production commences, the individual tracers may be monitored in order to calculate the proportions of oil or gas being flowing into the well from the reservoir. U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,769 also provides that multiple tracers (associated with carrier particles) should be located at respective zones of a reservoir and/or injection well during completion of the injection well. Specifically, this patent describes dividing regions around wells in the reservoir into a number of zones/sections and immobilizing tracers on a filter, a casing or other such construction surrounding the injection well in different zones/sections.
Typically, tracers comprise distinctive chemicals, which may be detected in high dilution, such as fluorocarbons, dyes or fluorescers. Genetically coded material has also been proposed as a possible tracer (e.g. WO2007/132137 provides a method for detection of biological tags). However, modern tracers generally comprise radioactive isotopes (e.g. Society of Petroleum Engineers paper SPE 109,969 discloses the use of materials which can be activated to become short lived radioactive isotopes). Such radioactive isotopes may include potassium iodide, ammonium thiocyanate, dichromate, etc. Unfortunately radioactive isotopes are expensive and require special handling by licensed personnel because of the danger posed to personnel and the environment. Another drawback to using radioactive isotopes is the alteration by the radioactive materials of the natural isotope ratio indigenous to the reservoir, thereby interfering with scientific analysis of the reservoir fluid characteristics. The half-life of radioactive tracers also tends to be either too long or too short for practical use. In addition, certain radioactive isotopes, such as potassium iodide, may be limited to wet analyses type detection methods.
Accordingly, despite the importance of tracers in tracking the movement and/or characteristics of fluids in reservoirs, very few suitable tracers are presently available. Furthermore, of those that are available, little is known about their stabilities or behavior in specific environmental conditions.

Encapsulated microsensors for reservoir interrogation

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC


The disclosure relates to a stacked type power device module. May use the vertical conductive layer for coupling the stacked devices, the electrical transmission path may be shortened. Hence, current crowding or contact damages by employing the conductive vias or wire bonding may be alleviated.

Currently, the design of a commercialized power device module is that the device is arranged directly on the planar substrate having the heat dissipating effect and the electrical and signal connections of the device are achieved through wire bonding. Although such an arrangement may enhance heat dissipating efficiency, the area required by the module is also increased. Meanwhile, large amount of wire bonding may cause current crowding, which leads to the failure of the device module.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


In a normal mode, a logic test signal (LOGTEST), a RAM test signal (RAMTEST), and a shift mode signal (SM) are set to "0". A RAM core (91) is synchronously written and asynchronously read. In a logic test mode, the RAM test signal (RAMTEST) is set to "0", and the logic test signal (LOGTEST) is set to "1". In a RAM test mode, the RAM test signal (RAMTEST) is set to "1", and the logic test signal (LOGTEST) is set to "0". A scan path (3a) is used both as a scan path provided between logic portions (82, 83) in the logic test and as a scan path provided at the output of the RAM core (91) in the RAM test. The scan path provides a high area utilization efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scan path and, more particularly, to a scan path provided on the periphery of an asynchronous RAM core and a logic circuit.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a structure for performing a test technique using a scan test method wherein scan paths 1 to 3 are provided for a logic region 80 including three logic portions 81 to 83 and an asynchronous RAM core 91 surrounded by the logic region 80. In the scan test method, flip-flops (FFs) within a chip are replaced with scan flip-flops (SFFs) to form a scan path.
With reference to FIG. 16, for example, a serial scan-in signal SI1 which is test data is sequentially applied to the scan paths 1 to 3, and a test result is outputted in the form of a serial scan-out signal SO after the execution of the test. The scan paths 1 and 2 and the RAM core 91 constitute a RAM block 92.
FIG. 17 is a detailed circuit diagram of the RAM block 92. The scan path 1 comprises scan flip-flops 10 to 12, and the scan path 2 comprises scan flip-flops 20 to 22 and selectors 203, 213, and 223. Each of the scan flip-flops 10 to 12, and 20 to 22 includes a selector having a "0" input and a "1" input which are connected to an output thereof when a control signal is "0" and "1", respectively, and a flip-flop connected to the output of the selector.
FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of the scan flip-flop 10. The scan flip-flop 10 comprises a selector 101 and a flip-flop 102. Other scan flip-flops may be similar in construction to the scan flip-flop 10. All of the scan flip-flops 10 to 12, and 20 to 22 shown in FIG. 17 receive a shift mode signal SM serving as a control signal therefor.
During a normal operation, the shift mode signal SM is set to "0", and the scan flip-flops 10 to 12 and the scan flip-flops 20 to 22 function as normal flip-flops provided at the inputs and outputs of the RAM core 91, respectively.
However, the scan flip-flops 20 to 22 of the scan path 2 provided at the output of the RAM core 91 sometimes perform their substantial function and sometimes do not, depending upon the function of the selectors 203, 213, and 223 for selectively providing the outputs from the scan flip-flops 20 to 22 and the outputs from the RAM core 91. More specifically, the RAM block 92 performs a synchronous/asynchronous read operation in response to the value "1"/"0" of a test mode signal TEST provided as a control signal for the selectors 203, 213, and 223. The term "synchronous" used herein means "in synchronization with" a clock essentially required for operation of flip-flops and the like and not shown.
During a test operation (logic test) for the logic region 80, the shift mode signal SM and the test mode signal TEST are set to "1" to cause the scan flip-flops 10 to 12, and 20 to 22 to sequentially shift the scan-in signal SI1 (in a scan mode) until test data are stored in the scan flip-flops 20 to 22.
The test data are applied to the logic portion 82. Since the scan path 1 receives the outputs (test result) from the logic portion 81, the scan flip-flops 10 to 12 store the test result therein.
In this manner, all of the scan flip-flops 10 to 12, and 20 to 22 are used for the logic test. However, when the synchronous write operation and asynchronous read operation are required as the functions of the RAM block 92, the scan paths 20 to 22 do not perform their substantial function during the normal operation. Additionally, the use of the scan path 3 is not required for testing only the RAM core 91. These facts cause an area overhead in the scan flip-flops 20 to 22 or the scan path 3, resulting in a low area utilization efficiency.


A nitride layer with embedded hole structure can be used for fabricating GaN-based LED of high external quantum efficiency through epitaxial growth. The approaches can have advantages such as reducing the complexity chip process for forming hole structure, reducing impacts from the chip process on chip reliability, effective reduction of hole structure size and increase of device stability, crush resistance, and reliability. A fabrication method of an underlayer structure with embedded micro-hole structure is also provided.

Photoelectric devices, e.g., LED, made of nitride material system are widely applied in fields like solid display, lighting and signal light for the band gap of such material can cover entire visible light range. The non-toxic nitride material has such advantages as high luminance, low work voltage and easy for miniaturization. Therefore, replacement of traditional light source with GaN-based LED has become an irreversible trend. However, one of the keys to obtain nitride light emitting device of higher luminous efficiency lies in improvement of photoelectric conversion efficiency and extraction efficiency.

Nitride underlayer and fabrication method thereof

XIAMEN SANAN OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A mirrored memory for a data processing system. The memory system includes two device controllers and related disk drives for storing the mirrored data. Each of the disk drives is divided into logical volumes. Each device controller contains a plurality of reading processes and a correspondence table that establishes the reading process to be used in retrieving data from the corresponding disk drive. Each disk controller responds to a read command that identifies the logical volume by using the correspondence table to select the appropriate reading process and by transferring data from appropriate physical storage device containing the designated logical volume.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to digital data storage systems and more specifically to digital data storage systems that provide redundant storage by mirroring data.
2. Description of Related Art
Many approaches have been developed for protecting critical data stored in a digital data system against loss resulting from power failures or transients, equipment malfunctions and other causes. In one approach normal operations on a data processing system stop so that all of or selected portions of the stored data can be transferred to tape or other backup media thereby to backup the memory system by providing a "snapshot" of the memory system at the time of the backup. Each successive backup may then either copy onto the backup media the data in the entire system or only the data or files that changed since a prior backup. This approach is still used in many data processing systems. However, even in personal computer systems, the time to complete such a backup may require an hour or more. It may also take a significant time to restore the information, particularly if a storage system, such as a disk drive, fails completely.
While such approaches may be acceptable for providing redundancy in home and small office systems, in recent years there has arisen another category of data processing system that requires essentially full-time availability and that incorporates large memory systems. Such data storage systems often include plural disk controllers, each of which controls multiple disk drives or other storage systems. Conventional backup procedures simply can not be used with such systems without significant interruptions that can lead to unacceptable intervals during which the data processing system is not available for its normal operations.
In some such prior art systems files are written to a specific disk drive, as a primary disk drive, through its corresponding disk controller. Additionally the writing controls are modified to write the file to another disk, as a secondary disk drive, connected to the same or another disk controller. This provides full redundancy. However, the data processing system must perform two writing operations sequentially. Sequential writing operations can affect the operation of the data processing system. Each copy is stored randomly on each disk and can even become fragmented. This can produce intolerably long retrieval times. Moreover, in such systems all normal reading operations involve the primary disk drive. No attempt is made to read from the secondary disk drive unless a problem occurs in the primary disk drive.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,313 issued to Yanai et al., and assigned to the assignee of this invention, discloses an approach for providing data redundancy. The system includes at least one pair of disk storage devices. Each device has a plurality of generally identical data records. These are "mirrored" disks or storage media. Each medium includes position indicators for providing one or more indications of rotational position of each of the rotating data storage media with respect to its associated fixed position read/write mechanism. A position monitor receives the rotational position indications from each rotating data storage medium and computes and monitors the rotational position of each rotating storage medium with respect to its associated read/write mechanism. After receiving a request for access to one or more data records stored on the mirrored pair of rotating data storage media, the system computes projected data access times for retrieving the requested data record on each of the rotating data storage media and commands retrieval of the requested data record to the rotating data storage medium having the shortest projected data access time based upon rotational position in state of the respective data storage medium. Consequently unlike the previously discussed file copy systems, data can be read from either of the mirrored memories.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,784 issued to Sparks discloses another type of automated backup system in which separate logical buses couple a primary controller to a set of paired mirrored memories or shadowed primary data storage devices. A backup device controller attaches to one of the logical buses and a backup device. The primary controller writes data to both the primary data storage devices to produce mirrored copies. In a backup mode, the backup device controller transfers data that it reads from a designated one of the primary data storage devices to the backup storage device. After the backup is complete, the primary controller re-synchronizes the primary data storage devices so that data that has been written on the continuously operational data storage device is copied onto the designated data storage device. In an alternative embodiment separate logical buses couple the primary controller to at least a set of triplet or quadruplet mirrored or shadowed primary data storage devices. Triplet devices permit backup operation while retaining the redundancy characteristic of the mirrored storage devices. Quadruplet devices permit continuous backup operations of two alternating storage devices retaining the redundancy characteristic of mirrored storage devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,046 issued to Nunnelley et al. discloses a high capacity data storage system with a large array of small disk files. Three storage managers control (1) the allocation of data to the array, (2) access to the data and (3) the power status of disk files within the disk array. More specifically, the allocation manager controls, inter alia, the type of protection desired to include redundancy by mirroring. The access manager interprets incoming read requests to determine the location of the stored data. That is, the access manager determines which cluster or clusters in the data memories contain the requested data set and then passes that cluster list to the power manager. The power manager determines which disk files must be activated to fulfill the request.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,244 issued to Jacobson et al. discloses memory systems with data storage redundancy utilizing both mirroring and parity redundancy. The memory system places more critical data in the mirrored areas and less frequently accessed data in the parity area. Consequently the system effectively tunes the storage resources of the memory system according to the application or user requirements. Alternatively the tuning can be made on the basis of accesses to the data such that the mirrored areas store recently accessed data while the parity raid area stores the remaining data.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,922 issued to Polyzois et al. discloses a storage system using a process of alternating deferred updating of mirrored storage disks. Data blocks or pages to be written are accumulated and sorted into an order for writing on the disk efficiently. The individual disks of a mirrored pair are operated out of phase with each other so that while one disk is in the read mode the other is in the write mode. Updated blocks are written out to the disk that is in the write mode in sorted order. Read performance is provided by directing all read operations to the other disk, that is in the read mode. When a batch of updates has been applied to one disk of a mirrored pair, the mirrored disks switch their modes and the other disk, that had been in the read mode is updated.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,004 issued to Cox et al. discloses yet another redundant storage variant. A computerized data backup system dynamically preserves a consistent state of primary data stored in a logical volume of a disk volume management system. A file system command invokes a cloning of the logical volume thereby reserving a portion for shadow-paged blocks. A read/write translation map establishes a correspondence between unshadowed and shadowed pages in a reserved portion. Upon generating a read command for a page in a logical volume, a map search detects that a shadowed page is allocated to the shadowed page blocks corresponding to the page and effects the read. Backup occurs while the system is operating thereby facilitating reading from the non-shadow page blocks during such a backup.
In still another system, that has been utilized by the assignee of this invention, each of two mirrored individual disk drives, as physical disk volumes, are divided into blocks of consecutive tracks in order. Typically the number of tracks in each block is fixed and is not dependent upon any boundary with respect to any file or data stored on the blocks. A typical block size might include four tracks. Assume for explanation that the blocks were numbered consecutively: (i.e. 0,1,2, . . . ), block 0 would comprise tracks 0 through 3; block 1, tracks 4 through 7; etc. During each reading operation, the data system reads all data from odd-numbered blocks (i.e., blocks 1,3 . . . ) from the first mirrored physical disk drive and all the even-numbered blocks (i.e., blocks 0,2,4 . . . ) from the second mirrored physical disk drive.
However, when a read operation in the foregoing system recovers a data block that resides on consecutive blocks of tracks, for example, track blocks 1 and 2, the reading operation from the first physical disk drive must stop at track 7. Then the second disk drive must move its head to the appropriate track, track 8 on this example, to retrieve the next block. This interval, or "seek time", and a corresponding "latency", that represents the time required for the beginning of a track to reach a read/write head, determines the total access time. Whereas continuing the reading operation with the first disk drive might introduce a one-track seek time and one-revolution latency, switching to the second drive could involve an increase to a full maximum seek time and up to a one-revolution latency. Such a total access time will interrupt the transfer and can significantly affect the overall rate at which data transfers from the physical disk drives in some applications.
Other mirrored disk systems have used a "nearest server" algorithm to select one of the mirrored drives. In such a system, each read command initiates a process that determines which of two mirrored drives will be available first to begin a reading operation. The process can use any or all of several parameters, such as current head position to determine relative seek times, or whether one of the mirrored storage systems is then involved in some operation. This process is repeated for each read command.
Collectively the foregoing prior art discloses various approaches for minimizing the risk of data loss in a data processing system, particularly through the use of mirrored memory devices. This prior art also discloses various approaches for enabling reading operations from both physical disk drives in a mirrored pair. However, in these systems the decision on which of the mirrored pair will be used during a reading operation rests generally on the physical attributes of the disk drive rather than the data content of the drive. For example, the assignee's prior art system divides the physical drive into arbitrary blocks of contiguous disk tracks and then interleaves the reading operations according to the location of the data on a particular track. Another of assignee's system selects a particular one of the mirrored physical disk pairs based upon the time it will take to initiate an actual transfer. Still others make a determination based upon whether one or the other of the mirrored disk pair is involved in a backup operation or in a writing operation such that a reading or backup operation with one physical disk in the mirrored pairs causes the reading operation to occur from the other physical disk drive.
While these approaches generally provide some improvement in overall operations, experience demonstrates that these approaches can actually slow the effective transfer rate of a particular block of data as defined in a file or in a like block in other environments that are now becoming more prevalent in commercial applications. Moreover, once a particular approach is adopted for a physical disk drive, it applies to all the data on that physical disk drive. Consequently if a particular approach were selected based upon anticipated conditions associated with a particular application and the applications subsequently were to change, it is likely that performance for the new conditions would suffer. Further, a physical disk drive storing different data sets or files could have different requirements. For example, reading operations for one application might retrieve data for a large block of successive locations whereas another application might read data from small or incremental blocks taken from random locations. In such a situation, selecting a particular reading process optimized for one might not be optimal for another. However, it was still the approach to select one process for the entire physical disk drive even though less than optimal performance might be realized.

Redundant storage with mirroring by logical volume with diverse reading process


An optoelectronic apparatus has, a die having a mesa (103) with a surface emitting optical device and a metallized p-type contact (209), a planar pad (201) adjacent the mesa for Z-height registration with an optical bench, a first notch (206) having been provided by a first etch and having thereon a metallized n-type contact (208) that is coplanar with the p-type contact (209), a second notch having a side surface (204) having been provided by a second etch, the second notch to abut the optical bench along an x-axis, the first notch (206) extending to the second notch, and the die having side surfaces (207) to abut the optical bench along a y-axis, and the second notch extending to the side surfaces (207).

A light emitting device often utilizes a double heterostructure in which an active region of III-V semiconductor is sandwiched between two oppositely doped III-IV compounds. By choosing appropriate materials for the outer layers, the band gaps are made to be larger than that of the active layer. This procedure, well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, produces a device that permits light emission due to recombination in the active region, but prevents flow of electrons or holes between the active layer and the higher band gap sandwiching layers due to the differences between the conduction band energies and the valence band energies, respectively. Light emitting devices can be fabricated to emit from the edge of the active layer, or from the surface. Typically, the first layer of material, the substrate, is n-type Indium Phosphide (InP) with an n-type buffer layer, which, again, is Indium Phosphide normally. The active layer is often a quaternary material and is p-type. This active layer is, for example, Indium Gallium Arsenide Phosphide (InGaAsP) with a p-type cladding layer for example, again, Indium Phosphide disposed thereon. Such a structure is made to have light emission which is orthogonal to the plane of the layer of the active region, rather than from a direction which is parallel to the plane of the active layer, which is an edge emitting device.
One area of optoelectronics which has seen a great deal of activity in the recent past is passive alignment. Silicon waferboard, which utilizes the crystalline properties of silicon for alignment of optical fibers, as well as passive and active optical devices has gained a great deal of acceptance in the recent past. One technique for aligning an optoelectronic device to an optical fiber and other passive/active elements is the use of alignment pedestals for x, y planar registration and standoffs for height registration. By virtue of the sub-micron accuracy of photolithography, the etching of alignment fiducials has proven to be a viable alignment alternative. By effecting alignment in a passive manner, the labor input to the finished product can be reduced, resulting in increased performance at a reduction in labor input during the alignment process. One example of such a passive alignment scheme can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,108 to Armiento, et al., the disclosure of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein. The reference to Armiento, et al., makes use of an alignment notch on the chip of the device with alignment pedestals disposed on the silicon waferboard. This structure is for aligning an optical fiber array to an array of light emitting devices.
While the reference to Armiento, et al., is a viable approach to aligning an edge emitting device, there is a need in the industry to make use of surface emitting devices. An alternative approach to the structure disclosed in the reference to Armiento, et al. which does enable the passive alignment of surface emitting devices is as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/674,770 to Boudreau, et al., the disclosure of which is specifically incorporated herein by reference. While the reference to Boudreau, et al. makes use of a passive alignment member which is fabricated from silicon and is used to effect the alignment of an optoelectronic device which is either surface emitting or detecting, there is a need for alignment of the surface emitting/detecting device through precision notches directly on the device.
Accordingly, what is needed is an alignment technique for aligning a surface emitting/detecting optoelectronic device by way of alignment fiducials directly on the die of the device.

On-chip alignment fiducials for surface emitting devices


A system and method to transfer a cryogenic liquid from a station tank system to a recipient tank is provided. At least a part of said cryogenic liquid is stored at a first pressure higher than the pressure in said recipient tank and is cooled to a temperature below the equilibrium temperature for said first pressure. The cooled part of said cryogenic liquid is transferred to said recipient tank.

The invention relates to a system and method to transfer a cryogenic liquid from a station tank system to a recipient tank, wherein at least a part of said cryogenic liquid within said station tank system is stored at a first pressure higher than the pressure in said recipient tank.
Normally bulk liquid CO2 is distributed from various bulk storage tanks, located for example at the place of gas production, —to station tank systems at the customers. The pressure in the bulk distribution chain for liquid CO2, including bulk storage tanks, bulk transport tanks as trailers etc., is normally about 14 to 20 bar. The transport tank takes liquid from the bulk storage tank and delivers it to the station tank system, which means that the pressure in the station tank system will be close to or equal to the pressure in the transport tank.
Applications as for example cooling systems in food transports on trucks often use CO2 as the cooling medium. The CO2 recipient tanks mounted on the trucks, for such cooling systems, normally have an operation pressure of about 8 to 9 bar and with a corresponding equilibrium temperature of about −46° C. With a higher operation pressure in the recipient tank the tank would be heavier and more costly. Further, due to the reduced liquid density and less heat capacity per kg for CO2 at higher temperature and pressure, the cooling capacity per tank volume would be reduced and a larger tank must be used for the same capacity.
Since the recipient tanks are filled with liquid CO2 stored in the large station tank systems, it is then necessary to either reduce the pressure in the station tank or to reduce the pressure of the liquid CO2 when it is transferred from the station tank to the recipient tank. Presently the pressure is reduced before the inlet to the recipient tank by a pressure regulator. In the regulator the liquid CO2 expands and forms a mixture of gaseous and liquid CO2. Both gaseous and liquid CO2 are transferred to the recipient tank. The gaseous CO2 is vented to the atmosphere after passing a vent regulator at the vent outlet system of the recipient tank. This prior art method has the drawbacks that, on the one hand, the filling will take longer since a two-phase-fluid flows into the recipient tank and that, on the other hand, the gas losses are high. It is also not easy to measure the amount of liquid gas, which has been filled into and stays in the recipient tank.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a method to increase the filling speed and to reduce the gas losses at the transfer of a cryogenic liquid from a station tank to a recipient tank.
This object has been fulfilled by a method to transfer a cryogenic liquid from a station tank system to a recipient tank, wherein at least a part of said cryogenic liquid within said station tank system is stored at a first pressure higher than the pressure in said recipient tank which is characterized in that at least a part of said cryogenic liquid within said station tank system is cooled to a temperature below the equilibrium temperature for said first pressure and that said cooled part of said cryogenic liquid is transferred to said recipient tank.
The station tank system comprises one or more station tanks which are used to store the cryogenic liquid prior to delivering it to a recipient tank.
The expression "cryogenic liquid" shall in particular include liquid carbon dioxide. The main idea of the invention is to provide a system where a part of the stored cryogenic liquid is kept at a temperature near the temperature in the recipient tank. If no pump is used to transfer the liquid gas from the station tank to the recipient tank at least a part of the cryogenic liquid is preferably stored at a higher pressure than the recipient tank pressure. If a pump is used to transfer the liquid gas from the station tank to the recipient tank it is advantageous to store the cryogenic liquid at essentially the same pressure as in the recipient tank. In the later alternative the station tank system might comprise two tanks. The main advantage of the invention is that the gas losses, normally generated as a result of the decrease in temperature, i.e. decrease in pressure, can be reduced or completely eliminated.
Preferably the temperature of said cooled part of said cryogenic liquid differs from the temperature in said recipient tank as little as possible, preferably by no more than 5 K (5° C.).
According to a preferred embodiment the station tank system comprises a first and a second tank. Normally, the pressure in the first tank essentially exceeds the pressure in the recipient tank or the desired pressure in the recipient tank. A part of the cryogenic liquid is transferred from said first tank to the second tank where said cryogenic liquid is cooled down and kept at lower equilibrium pressure.
When the recipient tank shall be filled, the pressure in the second tank is increased by feeding gas from the first tank to the second tank. Then liquid cryogen is pushed by the pressure difference between the second tank and the recipient tank into the recipient tank. The liquid cryogen could also be delivered by a pump from the second tank to the recipient tank. The pressure in the second tank is then preferably equal to or just above the pressure in the recipient tank.
When liquid is transferred from the first tank to the second tank it is advantageous to return gas, resulting from the evaporation of cryogenic liquid in the second tank, back to the station first tank. Since the pressure in the second tank is normally lower than the pressure in the first tank, it is necessary to use a compressor to transfer the gas back to the first tank. The gas leaving the compressor is preferably cooled in a heat exchanger with the same gas before it enters the compressor. Thus the heat transferred to the first tank is minimized.
However, as a consequence of the heat created by the compressor when pumping gas back to the first tank, the pressure in the first tank will increase. In this case it is therefore advantageous to start a cooling machine to cool the gas phase in said first tank and to lower the pressure in the first tank to the desired value.
Preferably the temperature of the liquid gas in said second tank exceeds the temperature in said recipient tank by no more than 5° C., preferably the temperature of the liquid shall be equal to the normal operation temperature in the recipient tank. When it is necessary to refill the second tank with liquid from the first tank it is preferred to use, at the same time, a compressor to pump back gas from the second tank to the first tank. However, the time needed for filling the second tank is then limited by the compressor capacity. If a faster filling is necessary it is also possible to vent some gas from the second tank.
In some cases it might be advantageous to use a cooling machine to cool down and reliquify evaporated gas in the top space of the second tank, instead of using a compressor to return gas to the station tank and hence to lower the pressure in the second tank. However, for cost reasons the compressor solution is normally preferred. An important option to the described two tank solution is to use a pump. instead of a pressure difference to fill the recipient tank. The second tank can be kept at a stable low pressure and low temperature. Gas is only transferred from the first tank to the second tank in order to compensate for depressurization when larger amounts of liquid have been transferred from the second tank into the recipient tank.
An alternative to the two-tank-solution, i.e. the solution of using a second tank for storing a part of the liquid at an extra low temperature, is to create a strong stratification of the liquid in the station tank. In this case only one station tank for storing the cryogenic liquid is necessary. Of course it is also possible to use a station tank system with more than one station tank and to create one or more of these station tanks with the inventive stratification.
Liquid in the lower part of the station tank is subcooled, preferably by indirect heat exchange with a colder fluid, whereas the liquid in the upper parts of the station tank is in equilibrium with the pressure in the head space of the station tank. For example it is possible to subcool liquid CO2 stored in such a station tank by liquid nitrogen.
More preferred is a system where a cooling coil is placed in the lower part of the station tank and the cooling coil is cooled by expanding liquid from the station tank itself. The gas created by expansion and heated by the coil can then be pumped back to the top of the station tank again. The pressure in the station tank, i.e. the gas phase, will be in equilibrium with the surface temperature of the cryogenic liquid, whereas the bottom temperature in the station tank will be as low as can be achieved with help of the stratification. The degree of stratification is dependent on the geometry and insulation of the tank. This results in that the temperature in the station tank decreases from. the top to the bottom of the tank. In case cryogenic liquid shall be delivered to the recipient tank, only subcooled liquid from the bottom of the tank is fed to the recipient tank.
To avoid ice formation in the cooling coil due to the expansion a backpressure regulator might be placed downstream of the coil. Preferably all of said liquid withdrawn from the station tank is gasified during the expansion. To ensure that all liquid has totally changed into the gaseous state a temperature sensor is preferably placed downstream of the cooling coil and upstream of the pressure regulator. The temperature sensor checks that the temperature is above the equilibrium temperature for the pressure set by the pressure regulator.
The gas resulting from the expansion of cryogenic liquid from the station tank is, after it has been used as a heat exchange medium to cool the liquid in the lower part of the station tank, preferably compressed and returned to the station tank to minimize the gas losses. It is even more preferred to compress the gas to a pressure essentially exceeding the pressure in the station tank, cooling the gas and then cooling expanding the compressed cooled and liquefied gas into the station tank. At the expansion of the liquefied gas it converts into a mixture of cooler liquid and gas which cools and/or reliquefies gas in the headspace of the station tank.
The invention is particularly advantageous in the delivery of liquid CO2 from a station tank system to recipient tanks.
The invention will now be illustrated in greater detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings. It is obvious for the man skilled in the art that the invention may be modified in many ways and that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in the following examples.

Tank cooling system and method for cryogenic liquids


A generic queueing network model of a Web services environment is introduced. The behavior of a service is abstracted in three phases: serial, parallel and dormant, thus yielding a Serial Parallel Queueing Network (SPQN) model with a small number of parameters. A method is provided for estimated the parameters of the model that is based on stochastic approximation techniques for solving stochastic optimization problems. The parameter estimation method is shown to perform well in a noisy environment, where performance data is obtained through measurements or using approximate model simulations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application generally relates to performance modeling of a complex data processing system when information about the internal structure of the system, the flow of work within the system, and the capacities of resources in the system are not available and, more particularly, to a performance model that captures delay behavior in the actual system, without being too simplistic (e.g., a single server queueing model), or too complicated (e.g., a large queueing network or simulation model).
2. Background Description
Large data processing systems, such as Web serving systems, consist of a multitude of hardware and software components that interact in a complex way. Such components include several tiers of execution units, Web application environments, and databases. The continual management and optimization of system resources in such an environment requires systems performance models that are simple enough to solve, yet representative enough to capture, in a dynamic fashion, the salient performance features of the system. Today's models are either (1) too simplistic or coarse to be useful or (2) too detailed and thus do not lend themselves to dynamic optimization at the time scale (seconds) that is needed for the management of Web serving systems.
Performance modeling and evaluation includes building a queueing model of the computer system as a whole, characterizing the workload to the computer system, and analyzing the queueing model using a workload model to obtain performance measures. Modeling a computer system involves hardware components as well as software components. The hardware components include processing units (CPU), data storage units (RAM and disks), and communication channels. Such hardware components are resources shared by concurrent tasks executing in the system. When a task needs a resource that is not available, the task will wait in a queue until the resource becomes available. The interconnection of resources, along with their multiplicities, their capacities, and corresponding queueing disciplines form the basis for building a queueing model of the system hardware. In addition, there are software resources, such as threads of execution, database locks, and communication connections. Similar to hardware resources, tasks use software resources and queue for their usage if they are not available. Thus, there are queueing models of the system software. An overall system model combines both hardware and software components. The users of system resources, hardware or software, are tasks that get generated due to requests, as in an interactive workload, or due to job submissions, as in batch or long running workload. Different types of workload exhibit different behavior, as far as the amount of resources needed and the usage pattern of such resources are concerned.
The challenge in system performance modeling is to develop a model that is efficient to solve, and yet represents the system behavior and yield accurate performance predictions. At one end of the spectrum, a very simple model is a single server queueing system. In such a model, the single server represents the system as a whole, including hardware and software resources, as a single resource. The queue holds jobs that are waiting to use the system. A job stream constitutes the arrival process to the single server queue. The analysis of such a model is rather straightforward and several performance measures such as response time, waiting time, system utilization, and throughput are easily computed. However, such a simple model assumes that jobs line up to use one resource. Thus, parallelism in resource usage, system delays, contention for multiple resources, and cyclic usage of resources are not captured. The other end of the modeling spectrum is a detailed model that includes all resources, their queueing structures and interconnections. Such a detailed model is typically solved using simulation instead of analysis. The simulation time is usually long, and thus simulation can not be used when dynamically managing the system resources based on performance predictions. A viable approach is to reduce the detailed model to a queueing network model that may be solved numerically under various simplifying assumptions. There are many other analytic techniques such as matrix-geometric techniques and diffusion approximations.
A middle ground is to develop a generic model of the computer system that captures the serialization of tasks as they contend for a resource, the parallelism of tasks as they use multiple resources in parallel, and the inherent system delays due to communication and external processing. The model should provide for the cyclic behavior of tasks and the multiple usages of resources. Furthermore, the model should be easily extended to incorporate multiple types of tasks and work loads. There should be a simple method to estimate the parameters of the model, given high-level system measurements obtained by external monitors, rather than adding instrumentation with detailed level measurement probes to applications.

System for dynamic performance modeling of computer application services using a serial parallel queueing network (SPQN) modeler

International Business Machines Corporation