An optical receiver is disclosed comprising an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA) that is coupled to a photodiode and transimpedance amplifier without filtering output light signal in the EDFA. Optionally, a clock/data regenerator can be coupled to the electrical output of the transimpedance amplifier for compensating for noise distortion and timing jitter for affecting the control loop feeding back for adjusting the electrical current into a pump laser of an optical pre-amplifier. Furthermore, the optical receiver of the present invention can also be implemented in a transponder.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of optical components, subsystems, systems, and more particularly to optical receivers.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical receivers continue to evolve in their designs by industrial trends, market opportunities and technological innovations. Cost reductions and dimension compactness serve as major driving forces in the design of optical systems after the fallout in the telecom industry. One key parameter in an optical receiver is the dynamic range in the level of the input light power signal. The electrical output signal is correlated to the intensity of the optical input signal where the intensity of the optical input signal can fluctuate in large in the input dynamic range.
One conventional solution uses an avalanche diode (APD) and electrical transducers combination in an optical receiver. A shortcoming in this type of optical receiver that uses an APD is the limit in gain and sensitivity, which reduces the dynamic range of the optical receiver.
Accordingly, there is a need to design an optical receiver that is cost effective and optimized in size while producing a wider dynamic range and higher sensitivity.

System and method for a compact optical receiver with wide dynamic range


A processing system including a processor and a peripheral wherein a configuration input of an address decoder or a device address input of a peripheral device which is not needed to set the peripheral's device address is used to increase the input capability of the processor. A data input signal is coupled to the configuration input or to the device address input such that the peripheral has a plurality of possible device addresses dependent on the state of the data input signal. The processor is configured to attempt communication with the peripheral by checking the plurality of possible device addresses of the peripheral until the peripheral gives a response to the processor. The device address to which the peripheral responds represents the state of the data input signal.

Microprocessor-based circuits are used in a large variety of applications to perform many different functions. For example, a microprocessor-based circuit can be used as a central processing unit in a computer or as a dedicated controller for a computer's input/output circuitry. An embedded microprocessor-based circuit can be used to control the operation of an appliance such as a water softener, refrigerator or microwave oven. Other applications of these versatile circuits will be apparent to a person of skill in the art.
Microprocessor-based circuits interface with "realworld" and internal system signals using input and output pins. Pins may be provided on the microprocessor itself, or on interface circuits in communication with the microprocessor. For example, a Z86C30 microprocessor provides 24 pins dedicated to input and output functions. However, as advances in integrated circuit design have made it possible to control more signal lines within a chip, the number of available input and output pins on integrated circuit packages has become a limitation on the design of microprocessor-based circuits. The pins available can determine the type of microprocessor that can be used for a given application and the number of interface circuits which must be provided, thereby affecting the number of features the circuit can provide as well as product cost.
Microprocessor-based circuits commonly include peripherals which provide communication and auxiliary functions (e.g., display drivers, interfaces, memories, A/D converters). A microprocessor typically communicates with peripherals over a multi-wire parallel or serial bus which may accommodate several peripherals. If only one peripheral is on a bus, a microprocessor can communicate with the peripheral with no ambiguity. However, if more than one peripheral is on a bus, the circuit must be designed to allow a microprocessor to unambiguously address a particular peripheral.
Several designs enable a microprocessor to address a particular peripheral over a bus. In one design, each peripheral on a bus is assigned a unique address. To communicate with a particular peripheral, the microprocessor specifies the peripheral's unique device address. An address decode circuit uses the unique device address to generate a signal to select or enable the desired peripheral. The selected peripheral can then communicate with the microprocessor. In addition, an address decode circuit may include configuration inputs which selectively change the device address of a particular peripheral. For example, configuration inputs could be used to change the device address of a memory device. The address decode circuit could use the configuration inputs to generate appropriate select signals to the memory device.
In another design, such as that of the "I.sup.2 C" bus (a standard serial interface used by a family of devices sold by companies such as Philips, Signetics, Exel and Microchip Technology), each peripheral type is assigned a unique device code (e.g., the unique device code of a non-volatile memory is 1010.sub.2). The pre-assigned device code is built into each peripheral and cannot be changed. To initiate communication with a peripheral on a bus with only a single peripheral of that type, a microprocessor specifies the peripheral's unique device code and only the desired peripheral will respond. However, to accommodate a bus with several peripherals of the same type, peripherals have several device address inputs which can be set by hardware to logic high or low (e.g., the 24C01A EEPROM has three device address inputs). The microprocessor initiates communication with a peripheral by specifying an address in addition to the device code and only the desired peripheral will respond.
It is possible for a microprocessor-based circuit to operate regardless of the state of configuration inputs which selectively change the device address of a particular peripheral, or for the circuit to use only one peripheral of a given type. For example, a circuit may allow a memory device to be accessed at different device addresses, or the circuit may use only a single EEPROM device. In these cases, the configuration inputs or device address inputs can be set to any state provided the microprocessor is programmed to access the peripheral at the correct device address. In this respect, the configuration inputs and device address inputs have no functional purpose in the circuit.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a processing system wherein configuration inputs and device address inputs not needed to set a configuration or a peripheral's device address are used to increase the input capability of a processor. It would also be desirable to provide a processing system wherein the configuration inputs to an address decoder or device address inputs to a peripheral device can be set to a logic high or low through the use of a switch, jumper wire, dual in-line package (DIP) switch, etc. and read by a microprocessor.

I/O bus expansion system wherein processor checks plurality of possible address until a response from the peripheral selected by address decoder using user input


An apparatus for allowing IEEE-1394-enabled devices to communicate with one another across an existing coaxial cable network in, for example, a house. Many houses have been “wired for cable” and have such a cable network in place. The network is, in its native state, unsuitable for IEEE-1394 communication. The apparatus allows processing signals from an IEEE-1394-enabled device for transmission across a coax. Signals received are converted and then provided to IEEE-1394 devices connected to the apparatus. One use for the apparatus is interconnecting audio/visual devices, for example high definition television receivers, DVD players, audio components and the like located in throughout a house to one another. DTCP encryption and decryption may be provided. The apparatus may be equipped with an optional SMI connector to allow communication over an optical fiber in lieu of the coaxial network. The apparatus is self-powered, deriving necessary power from the IEEE-1394 interface itself.

The IEEE-1394 standard defines a serial communication protocol also known as "Firewire". Over high quality optical fiber, IEEE-1394 allows devices to be separated up to 100 meters. Of course, with lower quality communications links, this distance is reduced. When introduced in the 1980s, the communication speed was approximately 100 megabits/second. Later versions defined in the IEEE-1394a and IEEE-1394b standards provide data rates of 200 and 400 megabits/second, respectively.
The use of IEEE-1394 interfaces for communication between electronic devices is already widespread and growing in popularity. This is particularly true in the home entertainment field where high definition television (HDTV) is rapidly gaining in popularity. To take full advantage of the high-quality picture of a modern HDTV, the set must be provided with a clean input signal. Optimum performance is obtained when a digital signal is provided directly to a digital video interface (DVI) or high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) of the television receiver. A DVI/HDMI interface allows transfer of uncompressed digital video signals, typically with high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) copy protection. An IEEE-1394 interface also allows transferring and inputting high quality digital video, and/or audio signals to devices equipped therewith.
As home theater has grown in popularity, a need to transfer high quality audio and/or video signals between different areas of a structure has emerged. Since high communication bandwidths are required to maintain, for example, HDTV video signal quality, creating such interconnections has heretofore been both technically challenging and expensive. However, for many years structures have been "wired for cable" (i.e., have networks of coaxial cable in place). Most in-place coaxial cable, however, is not suitable for networking multiple audio-video (AV) devices such as HDTV receivers, high quality DVD players, etc.


A method and device for inhibiting contamination of a workpiece during the heating of a workpiece by a contaminant. The method includes placing the workpiece in a first container, and, in a first step, filling the first container with a protective gas. The first container is placed in a second container, and in a second step, the second container, and hence the first container contained therein, is evacuated to create a vacuum inside the first and second containers so that during the first and second steps the partial pressure is reduced for the contaminants in the first container before the workpiece is heated.

There is a need within the aviation industry, for example, to heat-treat various types of workpieces. When various components, such as, for example, plates, are joined together by soldering, the components are heated in an evacuated oven. The oven is evacuated in order to create a vacuum in the oven and thereby lower the partial pressure for the unwanted chemical compounds which would otherwise react with the workpiece and cause contamination of the workpiece. Despite the fact that many vacuum ovens can have low pressures, they often have leaks in the construction which cause or permit air to filter or seep into the oven. For many types of materials, the pressure in such ovens is nevertheless sufficiently low for the oven to be able to be used to perform the heat treatment with the desired result. This means, however, that oven leaks often remain undetected and unsealed, since it is not profitable to try and obtain a better vacuum.
Workpieces made of highly contamination-sensitive materials, such as various titanium alloys, cannot, however, be heat-treated in such "leaky," and hence contaminated ovens. The properties of these materials are impaired even at relatively low partial pressures of certain contaminants, such as, for example, oxygen. Apart from the measures to increase pump capacity for evacuation of the oven or to make the oven as leak-tight as possible, an inert gas can be used to avoid contamination of the workpiece.
A related method is disclosed in DT 24 48 714 A1 which utilizes a protective gas. In this method, the partial pressures of unwanted gases are controlled by a flow of protective gas, such as argon, streaming continuously through the oven. The method does, however, have drawbacks. One drawback is that the purity of the oven atmosphere is determined by the purity of the protective gas. There are always contamination products present in a protective gas and these will be fed continuously to the oven together with the other gas. The oven is also required to be suitable for use of a protective gas, which means, in turn, that an existing oven may need to be modified; i.e., it is not possible to use just any vacuum oven, but rather the oven is required, for example, to have necessary gas connections. Moreover, a continuous flushing of the oven using a highly pure gas entails high gas consumption and for that reason involves substantial costs.

Method and device for inhibiting contamination of a workpiece


The turbine blade contains a casting having a blade leaf (1), blade foot (2) and, if appropriate, blade cover strip (3) and composed of an alloy based on a dopant-containing gamma-titanium aluminide.. This turbine blade is to be distinguished by a long lifetime, when used in a turbine operated at medium and high temperatures, and, at the same time, be capable of being produced in a simple way suitable for mass production. This is achieved in that, at least in parts of the blade leaf (1), the alloy is in the form of a material of coarse-grained structure and with a texture resulting in high tensile and creep strength and, at least in parts of the blade foot (2) and/or of the blade cover strip (3), provided if appropriate, is in the form of a material of fine-grained structure and with a ductility increased in relation to the material contained in the blade leaf (1).

1. Filed of the Invention
The invention starts from a turbine blade containing a casting having a blade leaf, blade foot and, if appropriate, blade cover strip and composed of an alloy based on a dopant-containing gamma-titanium aluminide. The invention starts, furthermore, from a process for producing such a turbine blade.
2. Discussion of Background
Gamma-titanium aluminides have properties which are beneficial to their use as a material for turbine blades exposed to high temperatures. These include, among other things, their density, which is low in comparison with superalloys conventionally used, for example where Ni-superalloys are concerned the density is more than twice as high.
A turbine blade of the type mentioned in the introduction is known from G. Sauthoff, "Intermetallische Phasen", Werkstoffe zwischen Metall und Keramik, Magazin neue Werkstoffe ["Intermetallic phases", materials between metal and ceramic, the magazine new materials]1/89, pages 15-19. The material of this turbine blade has a comparatively high heat resistance, but the ductility of this material at room temperature is comparatively low, and therefore damage to parts of the turbine blade subjected to bending stress cannot be prevented with certainty.

Turbine blade and process for producing this turbine blade


The invention relates to a flatware set for spaghetti. When spaghetti is eaten, the spaghetti threads are taken up onto the fork by turning the fork on its axis. In order to improve the spaghetti take-up, the fork (5) has the feature that the at least two teeth (8,9) extend substantially helically around a central axis of the fork. The fork teeth (8,9) then pick up the threads of spaghetti better. Despite a helical shape of the teeth (8,9), it is nevertheless possible to eat conveniently with this fork (5), since this fork (5) is pulled out of the mouth in a helical movement.

The invention relates to a flatware set for spaghetti.
When spaghetti is eaten the spaghetti threads are taken up onto the fork by turning the fork on its axis. The fork teeth then pick up the threads of spaghetti better. Despite a helical shape of the teeth, it is nevertheless possible to eat conveniently with this fork since this fork is pulled out of the mouth in a helical movement.
The invention also provides a flatware set with at least one spoon specially designed for the spaghetti meal and the like.
The invention further provides a flatware set which as a whole has an attractive appearance due to a high degree of uniformity of the essential flatware elements.
Finally, the invention provides a spaghetti server which is simple to manufacture.


A power supply has a transformer, a rectifier switch, a secondary-side controller and two diodes. The transformer includes a primary winding, a secondary winding, and a detection winding, inductively coupling to one another. The rectifier switch is connected in series with the secondary winding between two output power lines. The secondary-side controller is electrically coupled to two ends of the detection winding, for controlling the rectifier switch in response to two terminal signals at the two ends respectively. The two diodes are back-to-back electrically connected in series between the two ends, and a joint connecting the two diodes is electrically connected to one of the two output power lines.

The present disclosure relates generally to synchronous rectification of power supply, and, more particularly, to control methods and related apparatuses for synchronous rectification of power supply.
Power supplies are normally required to provide output power source with well-regulated voltage or current. Conversion efficiency, the ratio of output power to input power of a power supply, is usually an important factor that power supply designers concern.
A conventional flyback power supply uses a transformer to direct-current (DC) isolate a primary side from a secondary side. Switching of a power switch at the primary side causes voltage change across a primary winding of the transformer, and accordingly induces alternating-current (AC) voltage across a secondary winding of the transformer. Rectification of the AC voltage provides output voltage or current to supply power to a load at the secondary side.
The most instinctive way to rectify an AC voltage or current is employ a rectifier diode, which however consumes significant power during rectification because the necessity of forward voltage, 0.7V for example for a silicon-based PN junction diode. To reduce the power consumption of a rectifier diode and to increase power conversion, it is a common practice to replace the rectifier diode with a rectifier switch. A rectifier switch should be turned OFF to provide an open circuit between two terminals when the two terminals are negatively biased, and be turned ON to provide a short circuit between the two terminals when they are positively biased. Nevertheless, the timing of turning ON and OFF the rectifier switch is critical, because it concerns about not only conversion efficiency but also safety issues of a power supply. People skilled in the art always look for better ways or methods to precisely control the rectifier switch.

Power supplies with synchronous rectification


An article of manufacture is placed in cooperative relationship with a liquid-containing bottle, such as a wine bottle, to absorb liquid which runs down the neck of the bottle. The article comprises a length of flexible cord with opposite ends passed through closely spaced, laterally adjacent passageways of a retaining member to form a closed loop on one side of the retaining member and the cord extending to free ends on the other side. The closed loop is placed around the bottle neck and the retaining member, which is in frictional engagement with the cord, is moved to essentially remove slack from the closed loop. The retaining member then rests upon the bottle neck and the free ends extend down the bottle base. Weight members may be attached to the free ends of the cord after passing through the passageways.

The present invention relates to absorbing wine or other liquids which may run down the exterior surface of a bottle neck following pouring of the liquid from the bottle. More specifically, the invention relates to the combination with a bottle having a base and a neck portion of a liquid-absorbing material to essentially eliminate liquid from flowing past a position relatively high on the exterior surface of a bottle neck after pouring liquid from the opening at the top of the bottle neck.
Various means have been employed to absorb liquid on the exterior surface of a bottle, particularly liquid which may run down the surface of a bottle neck after pouring a portion of the bottle's contents into a glass and prior to pouring an additional portion or the remainder of the bottle's contents. Such situations arise most frequently in connection with the pouring of wine. A napkin or other cloth is often held or tied around the bottle neck to absorb droplets of wine which run down the outside of neck between pouring operations.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide novel and improved structure and methods of absorbing liquid which runs down the outside of a bottle after tipping the bottle to pour out a portion of its contents and returning the bottle to an upright position.
A further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive article for combination with a bottle to absorb liquid on the outside of a bottle, and which further adds visual appeal to the bottle.
Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

System and method for absorbing liquids on outside of bottle necks


Disclosed is a physical exercising machine including a high pulley station, a scissor grip, a thigh & knee machine and a rowing machine respectively mounted on a machine frame at the front, and a low pulley station and a stepping machine respectively mounted on the machine frame at the back, wherein the rowing machine is reciprocated as the thigh & knee machine is operated; the low pulley station is releasably coupled to the high pulley station in using the same counter balance mechanism.

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose physical exercising machine which is simple in structure and convenient in use, and which needs less installation space.
A variety of multi-purpose physical exercising machines have been proposed, and have appeared on the market. FIG. 1 illustrates a multi-purpose physical exercising machine according to the prior art which comprises a shoulder press 12 and a thigh and knee machine mounted on the machine frame 10 at the front, a scissor grip 16 mounted on the machine frame 10 at the back, and a set of weights 20 coupled to the shoulder press 12 and the scissor grip 16 by pulleys and cables. When using the shoulder press 12 or the thigh and knee machine 14 the user shall have to sit on a front seat 18; when using the scissor grip 16, the user shall have to sit on a back seat 181. This structure of multi-purpose physical exercising machine is complicated in structure, and its manufacturing cost is relatively high. Because many weights are used, much installation space is needed.
There is also disclosed a shoulder press and scissor grip switching device under Chinese Patent Publication No. 173,508, which allows the shoulder press and the scissor grip to be mounted on the same side and coupled to the common counter balance mechanism. However, this system provides only two systems for training the muscles of the shoulder and the chest.

Multi-purpose physical exercising machine


The invention relates to a subcutaneous infusion device comprising a housing; a flow channel within the housing; a cannula extending from the housing and being in flow communication with the flow channel; a connector for delivery of fluid into the flow channel; a guide means for guiding the connector with the needle into a correct position in relation to the housing; a base part where the housing is mounted pivotably in relation to this base part. By incorporating the housing pivotably in relation to a base part it is possible to pivote the housing to an increased angle in relation to the skin surface and hereby facilitate the mounting of the connector in the housing since there is now more space present for performing this operation. Hereby the handling of the device has been simplified.

The present invention relates to infusion devices for subcutaneous delivery of a medication or a therapeutic fluid by means of an external infusion system and more particularly to an infusion device having releasably connected means for delivery of the medication or the therapeutic fluid from the external infusion system.
Infusion devices are generally known in the art for delivering a medication or a therapeutic fluid to a subcutaneous site in a patient by means of a cannula inserted through the patients skin to the subcutaneous site. Such devices commonly comprise a tubular cannula extending from a housing adapted to receive the desired medication via disconnectable means for suitable connection to further components of the infusion system. The possibility of disconnecting the infusion set from the further parts of the infusion system is provided in order to improve the user comfort. The user is enabled to perform activities which do not allow the presence of a pump or the like, or which are hindered by the presence of a pump or the like. In the disconnected state only a part of the infusion set is worn by the patient. This allows for increased mobility. In order to provide such disconnectable means and still maintain a fluid-tight sealing towards the interior of the housing and the tubular cannula that prevents contamination of the infusion site, such devices are commonly provided with a self-sealing penetrable septum on either the housing or the disconnectable part and a hollow needle on the other part adapted to penetrate the septum. Upon withdrawal of the needle from the septum this provides a fluid-tight sealing towards the interior of the housing. The septum and the needle further provides a fluid-tight sealing between the housing and the connector means when medication or therapeutic fluid is delivered to the patient from the external infusion system. Subcutaneous infusion devices of this generally known type are known from e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,803 to Teissen-Simony and U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,143 to Fischell.
Due to the relatively small dimensions of such devices and due to the acute insertion angle in relation the skin surface the assembling of the housing and the connector is difficult as the fingers of the user get into close contact with the skin at the insertion site.
For these reasons there is a need for improvements in the infusion devices of the type mentioned in the foregoing, and particularly with respect to providing an infusion device which has improved properties of use and more particularly to an infusion device where the connector in a significant easier manner can be mounted on the housing of the infusion device. The infusion device according to the invention remedies the above mentioned disadvantages and provides further advantages which will become apparent from the following description.


Formation of elements of a vertical bipolar transistor is described, in particular a vertical npn transistor formed on a p-type substrate. Accordingly, an improved method not limited by constraints of photolithography, and an ensuing device made by such methods, is described. A temporary spacer (e.g., an oxide spacer) is deposited over a dielectric separation layer. The temporary spacer and dielectric separation layers are then anisotropically etched, forming a dielectric “boot shape” on a lower edge of the dielectric separation layer. An area within this non-photolithographically produced boot region defines an emitter contact window. Since the boot tip is formed through deposition and etching techniques, the emitter window is automatically aligned (i.e., self-aligned) with an underlying base region. Feature sizes are determined by deposition and etching techniques. Consequently, photolithography of small features is eliminated.

There is a need in the integrated circuit art for obtaining increasingly smaller devices without sacrificing device performance. The small device size requires small device regions, precise and accurate alignment between regions and minimization of parasitic resistances and capacitances. Device size can be reduced by putting more reliance on fine line lithography, but as discussed below, it becomes impractical or impossible to continue to reduce feature size and achieve the required greater increase in alignment accuracy. As lithography is pushed to the limit, yield and production throughput decrease.
Four governing performance parameters of a photolithographic system are limit-of-resolution, Lr, level-to-level alignment accuracy, and depth-of-focus, and throughput. For purposes of this discussion, limit-of-resolution, level-to-level alignment, and depth-of-focus are physically constrained parameters.
Typical photolithographic techniques are limited by physical constraints of the photolithographic system involving actinic radiation wavelength, λ, and geometrical configurations of the projection system optics. According to Rayleigh's criterion,
      L    r    =            0.61            λ        NA  where NA is the numerical aperture of the optical system and is defined as NA=n sin α, where n is the index of refraction of the medium which the radiation traverses (usually air for this application, so n≅1) and α is a half-angle of the divergence of the actinic radiation. For example, using deep ultraviolet illumination (DUV) with λ=193 nm, and NA=0.7, the lower limit of resolution is 168 nanometers (1680 Å). Techniques such as phase-shifted masks can extend this limit downward, but photomasks required in this technique are extremely expensive. This expense becomes greatly compounded with a realization that an advanced semiconductor process may employ more than 25 photomasks.
Along with the limit-of-resolution, the second parameter, level-to-level alignment accuracy becomes more critical as feature sizes on photomasks decrease and a number of total photomasks increases. For example, if photomask alignment by itself causes a reduction in device yield to 95% per layer, then 25 layers of photomask translates to a total device yield of 0.9525=0.28 or 28% yield (assuming independent errors). Therefore, a more complicated mask, such a phase-shifted mask is not only more expensive but device yield can suffer dramatically.
Further, although the numerical aperture of the photolithographic system may be increased to lower the limit-of-resolution, the third parameter, depth-of-focus, will suffer as a result. Depth-of-focus is inversely proportional to NA2. Therefore, as NA increases, limit-of-resolution decreases but depth-of-focus decreases more rapidly. The reduced depth-of-focus makes accurate focusing more difficult especially on non-planar features such as "Manhattan Geometries" becoming increasingly popular in advanced semiconductor devices.
Recently, techniques have been developed to make smaller scale transistors and related devices. One such method of making transistors is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,022 to Zdebel et al., assigned to Motorola, Inc. Here, a process is disclosed for fabricating improved integrated, circuit devices. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention integrated devices are fabricated by a process which produces small device areas without relying upon restrictive photolithography tolerances. The process uses four polycrystalline silicon layers to fabricate and contact the device regions, to achieve a relatively planar structure, and to reduce the size of device regions below normal photolithographic tolerances. The process uses a master mask to define the basic footprint of the device in combination with easy to align block-out masks in each lithography step. However, that process is still limited by requiring large implant areas. For example, a bipolar transistor base region still requires photomasks and photolithographic techniques for its production. An integrated circuit device, or even a single transistor or other electronic device fabricated by this method cannot be scaled down beyond a given point. Further, a high base-emitter capacitance resulting from use of this method severely affects device performance.
Additionally, in a conventional method for fabricating a bipolar device, an emitter window is directly opened without some means of providing an etch stop. This overetch produces a damaged region in the silicon and may result in excessive consumption of silicon underlying the contact. Further, formation of an oxide spacer without an etch stop presents manufacturing difficulties as timing and other recipe tolerances become overly stringent.
For at least the aforementioned reasons, integrated circuit manufacturers have been unable to sufficiently reduce a size of electronic devices while still maintaining high performance. In view of the desire for integrated circuits having higher device counts, smaller device sizes, and greater circuit performance, a need continues to exist for an improved process to manufacture the required devices without resorting to unrealistic and expensive photolithography requirements.
Accordingly, what is needed is a way to provide an improved process and structure for fabricating integrated circuit devices. Such a structure for producing integrated circuit devices would have devices with a reduced size with reasonable photolithographic tolerances.

Semiconductor device with a toroidal-like junction


The present invention is directed to a roof rack for mounting to a vehicle. The roof rack includes a rail secured between first and second stanchions. The first stanchion includes a cover and a base. The cover is releasably secured to the base by a plurality of fastener assemblies. One of the fastener assemblies is formed by a tongue of the base being disposed in a loop of the cover.

The present invention relates to roof racks for vehicles and more specifically to cover systems for such roof racks.
Conventionally, a roof rack for a vehicle includes at least two spaced apart parallel rails that extend laterally or longitudinally along a roof of a vehicle. Each of the rails is secured between a pair of stanchions that elevate the rail above the roof. Typically, each stanchion includes a base or stay that is secured to the roof by bolts, screws or other fasteners. In order to protect the fasteners and provide the stanchion with a pleasing exterior appearance, a cover is usually disposed over the stay and is attached thereto by screws, bosses, tabs, snap-fits or other types of fasteners. The cover may be laterally disposed over the stay, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,737, or the cover may be vertically disposed over the stay, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,279,368; 5,016,799; and 5,573,159.
Usually, the cover is secured relative to the stay at two longitudinally spaced apart locations, one location being positioned at the juncture of the stanchion and the rail, and the other being positioned at an end of the stanchion distal to the rail. An example of such a fastening system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,799, which discloses a cover having an end with a tongue extending therefrom that is received in a rail. An opposite end of the cover distal to the rail includes a plurality of tabs with shoulders that are engagedly received in slots of the base.
Another known base and cover system includes two attachment locations disposed at opposing ends of the stanchion, as well as a third attachment location that is positioned between the two end locations and toward a side of the stanchion. At the first attachment location, a tab of the cover is disposed in a rail, while at the second attachment location, one or more hooks on the cover engages an edge of the base. At the third attachment location, a tab extending from the cover is held by a spring member in the base. This base and cover system provides a more secure connection between the cover and the base than systems having only two longitudinally spaced apart attachment locations. In applications where the base and the cover have very low profiles, however, the force of the air stream flowing against the stanchion during movement of the vehicle may form a gap between the cover and the base on the side of the stanchion that is opposite to the third attachment point due to the thinness of the cover.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a roof rack cover attachment system and method that will prevent the formation of gaps between the cover and the base, even in applications where the base and the cover have low profiles. The present invention is directed to such a roof rack cover attachment system and method.

Roof rack cover attachment system and method


An electronic tag configured to be attached to a body part of an animal. According to a first aspect, the disclosure relates to an electronic tag configured to be attached to a body part of an animal. The electronic tag includes a circuit board, a battery holder, a protection cap and a casing. The battery holder is designed to hold a battery, wherein the battery holder is arranged on the circuit board. The protection cap provides a cavity, wherein the protection cap is arranged on top of the circuit board to accommodate the battery holder in the cavity. The casing includes an upper casing half and lower casing half arranged to encapsulate the circuit board and the protection cap in an interior space defined by the casing halves.

Electronic tags, are often attached to objects to help uniquely identify the object or to monitor a condition related to the object. Farmers often use electronic tags of this nature on livestock, such as pigs, cows, chickens and so forth. Wireless sensor devices of this nature also may be attached to wild animals, equipment, machines, or other items.
However, some animals, such as pigs, live in harsh environments. Also, some animals move around a lot and may e.g. shake their heads heavily. Hence, the electronics of the tags will experience occasions sudden shock impacts. Such shocks will in a lot of cases damage the electronics of the tags. In particular, battery holders for a coin cell batteries are typically sensitive and will not stand such shocks, but may break already after less than 100 shocks. Hence, the shocks need to be attenuated so that the amount of mechanical force and torque will not damage the soldering of the battery connector legs.
Today's solution is typically to use potting as assembly technique. Potting is a process of filling a complete electronic assembly with a solid or gelatinous compound for resistance to shock and vibration, and for exclusion of moisture and corrosive agents.
However, if we use potting, the battery will not be interchangeable with ease since the gelatinous compound typically completely covers the electronics.

Electronic tag for an animal comprising a protection cap


An on frequency repeater for wireless networks with feedback oscillation detection is disclosed. The on frequency repeater includes an automatic gain control loop which samples amplified signal envelope. The automatic gain control loop is monitored and a characteristic saw tooth pattern in the gain control loop indicating feedback oscillation is detected. A nonlinear gain expander circuit may be periodically activated to allow feedback oscillation detection in repeater applications employing linearized amplifiers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to radio frequency (RF) on frequency repeaters (OFR) which are used for re-transmission of RF signals from and to Base Stations (BTS) and User Equipment (UE). More particularly, the present invention is related to radio frequency repeaters used in wireless communication applications such as cellular based networks where signals must be retransmitted in order to enhance quality of service within such network.
2. Description of the Prior Art and Related Background Information
Most conventional on frequency repeaters are used in modern telecommunication systems in order to provide enhancement in coverage within a cellular network. In such networks, to preserve signal coverage in areas obstructed by terrain or man made obstructions, repeaters are used to re-transmit signals to and from BTS. Hence, the repeater operation and its performance provide for extended signal coverage not otherwise possible.
Even from the early days of Amplitude Modulation (AM) and later Frequency Modulation (FM) repeaters used in VHF business bands and in more recent cellular telephony, the repeaters have been mostly used in conjunction with Base Stations to achieve the extend coverage of BTS over obstructions such as hilly terrain and the like. On frequency repeaters are designed to solve coverage problems due to weak signals in outdoor and in some instances in indoor locations using balanced amplification of uplink and downlink signals.
In an on frequency repeater the repeater does not utilize frequency translation. In other words reception frequency and the transmission frequency, for example in downlink direction, are the same, while similarly, reception frequency and the transmission frequency for uplink direction are the same. For example, a repeater operating in UMTS band would receive downlink signals from the BTS in 2110 to 2170 frequency range, amplify them and retransmit toward UE, for example a mobile telephone. Similarly, in the uplink direction the repeater operating in UMTS band would receive uplink signals from UE in 1920 to 1980 MHz band, amplify them, and retransmit toward BTS. Conventionally the antenna in communication with the BTS is referred to as a donor antenna and the antenna used to re-transmit signals to UE's is referred to as a service antenna.
Since the repeater receives and transmits on the same frequency there is always a possibility that the repeater may oscillate due to a self induced radio signal feedback from transmitting to receiving antenna. Due to the bi-directional nature of an on frequency repeater the radio signal feedback may occur in either the downlink or uplink direction. Various methods have been proposed to attenuate the radio signal feedback and to sufficiently reduce the received portion of the transmission radio wave of repeater. Some of these methods utilize directional antennas, while other methods propose utilization of a plurality of antennas to reduce such feedback path.
One of the primary commissioning issues with on frequency repeaters is to provide sufficient radio frequency attenuation between the two repeaters' antennas so as to prevent a self induced radio signal feedback. Commissioning of the repeater requires careful placement and orientation of antenna's and ability to detect and mitigate feedback oscillation. Additionally, operation of an on frequency repeater in a wireless network must be oscillation free while being capable of detecting feedback oscillation, whilst operating with any combination of wireless signal formats such as but not limited to TDMA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA and others as well being oscillation free when no signals are present at either antenna.
Full time feedback oscillation detection is mandated due to changing operating circumstances, for example, the growth of trees in the vicinity of the wireless repeater may cause the multi path reflection and scattering of radio waves to vary significantly, therefore changing coupling between donor and service antennas of the repeater and cause it to oscillate. When the repeater oscillates, the output signal of the wireless repeater is conventionally hard limited to a predetermined output power level by an Automatic Gain Circuit (AGC) circuit.
An Automatic Gain Circuit (AGC) circuit is primarily used to limit output signal power of the repeater to predetermined power level. Since it is possible for UE, such as a mobile telephone, to be in near proximity of a repeater, the uplink communication radio wave signals may be of a sufficient level to cause distortion and thus cause harmful interference to adjacent services. Under these operational conditions, the repeater's output signal in the uplink path may increase, but due to action of the AGC will be kept at a safe, predetermined maximum output level. AGC is used to limit the output signal of the uplink, and coincidently downlink path, to a predetermined maximum output level.
The on frequency repeater (OFR) must be equipped with an AGC circuit capable of distinguishing between its feedback oscillation and input signals transmitted by numerous UE's. Many conventional AGC circuits utilize low pass filtered output control voltage which is directly proportionate to the detected signal envelope, whereas when the repeater oscillates the input signal levels increase rapidly until operational limits are reached. Conventional AGC circuits are only marginally able or insufficient to resolve the onset of oscillation and thus additional means must be employed to determine oscillatory condition.
Previous attempts to detect oscillatory condition in on frequency repeater focused primarily on received signal envelope detection and post filtering. This approach has severe limitations as it relies on inherent nature of received signal envelope. In one such example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,795, an AGC system is equipped with oscillation detecting circuit comprising a band pass filter (BPF) in addition to an envelope detector and a low pass filter. Due to the burst nature of TDMA telephony signals each frame in TDMA system is divided into a plurality of time slots allocated to mobile stations (UE's). The duration of the TDMA frame is 20 ms and the center frequency of the band pass filter is set to 50 Hz. Output of this band pass filter is applied to alternating current level detector which is used to establish presence of TDMA signal. If the repeater self oscillates, a BPF filter will block all signals since the oscillatory condition envelope is constant.
Accordingly, an improved method for detecting oscillation in an on frequency repeater is needed.

On frequency repeater with AGC stability determination


An apparatus and method are provided for die cutting both sides of paperboard sheets. The apparatus includes a die comprising a plurality of cutting knives projecting from a base, the cutting knives being set into a preselected pattern of grooves within the base. The die further includes a die blade mounted in the base, as well as an anvil, mounted in the base and oriented substantially parallel to the die blade. Securing elements secure at least one of the die blade and the anvil to the base. Manually-actuatable members are provided for adjusting the securing elements for selectively raising or lowering at least one of the selected die blade and the anvil. A back-up plate is provided to which the base is secured.

(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to dies for forming cardboard cartons, particularly those having a so-called "reverse cut score".
Methods and apparatus are now known for die cutting paperboard. In addition, tear strips have been produced in paperboard cartons and the like by die cutting the paperboard from opposite sides thereof to provide removable areas which are defined by relatively widely spaced-out creases extending into one surface of the board and more closely spaced-out creases extending in parallel side-by-side relation to the first creases and extending into the opposite side of the sheet. When the intermediate area is grasped, the paperboard splits from one cut crease to the other to permit removal of the defined area. Under normal circumstances, this die-cutting operation is done by first die cutting one side of the sheet and then die cutting the opposite side of the sheet in a separate operation. This method has been followed using cutting presses which were normally provided with a die which was engageable with one side only of the sheet.
Conventionally, dies for cutting and creasing paperboard blanks have been made by setting steel rules for cutting the paperboard in a predetermined pattern between individually cut wood blocks, which are held in a steel frame by wooden wedges with the edges of the rules extending above the blocks. Small blocks of sponge rubber, or synthetic cork were generally placed on each side of the cutting rule to push the board free of the knives on completion of the cutting stroke. The creasing rules, in most systems, are glued to the wooden blocks. Other systems of dies are known in which the steel rules are inserted into grooves cut by jig saw into a slab of plywood of 3/4 inch thickness in a predetermined pattern so that when the plywood die is brought to bear against the paperboard a blank of the desired configuration is stamped out.
In the formation of tear strips of the type employing a peripheral pair of die cut grooves in opposite sides of the paperboard, it was usual practice to have the die cuts or grooves extend approximately one-half of the thickness of the paperboard from either side thereof.
Patents exist directed to the scoring of sheet material. Canadian Patent No. 198,546 patented Mar. 23, 1920 by P.C. Simmons provided a blank cutting machine. In this patent, the sheet was supported above the cutting die, and the cutting block was reciprocated vertically with respect to the cutting die. The cutting die was mounted on a stationary bed, and was adjustably mounted on a carrier by means of a series of set screws. This was no suggestion of relative adjustable movement between the cutting die and the cutting block.
Canadian Patent No. 710,631 patented Jun. 1, 1965 by T. Coy provided a die structure. In that patent, the bed had a plateau which supported a male die having a peripheral shearing edge. The female die comprised a steel rule supported by a wood blank. On a downward stroke, the female steel rule blanked a shaped piece when the steel rule contacted the plateau. There was no suggestion of relative adjustable movement between the plateau and the female steel rule.
Canadian Patent No. 1,312,542 patented Jan. 12, 1993 by J. V. W. Memmott et al provided a method and apparatus for cutting sheets of material. In that patent, a cutting board was provided against which the cutting die cut the plies of sheets of material. There was no suggestion of relative adjustable movement between the cutting die and the cutting board.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,939,358 patented Jun. 7, 1960 by E. W. Pearson provided a ledger blade adjustment means for a shear machine. This patent taught a horizontal adjustment of the lower knife with respect to the upper knife, in order to adjust the clearance. This was brought about by adjustment of the table assembly which was accomplished by positioning, within the upper portion of each of the slots, a bearing block for altering the spacing between the abutment lug and the edge defined by the upper end of the slot. The bearing block was welded to the upper end of the abutment lug. A bearing pad engaged the upper edge of the slot in spaced relationship to the bearing block, with one or both opposing surfaces being angled slightly. A wedge was adapted to be driven between the bearing block and the bearing pad. Controlled movement of the wedge in making adjustments was necessary, as the movement at one end of the front wall must be duplicated at the other end with substantial accuracy. However, there was no suggestion of direct, infinitely-variable control of relative spacing of the anvil against which the die blade cooperated to provide a reverse score cut.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,809 patented Feb. 13, 1962 by R. Guyer et al (and its corresponding Canadian Patent No. 655,713 issued Jan. 8, 1963 to R. Guyer et al), provided apparatus for die cutting paperboard. The aim of the patentee was to provide an extremely accurate control of the depth of cut. To achieve such aim, the patentee provided an apparatus which included a fixed platen having a metal die cutting plate thereon, the plate having a flat outer surface. A lower die was provided which included die cutting edges which projected from the cutting plate. A movable platen cooperated with the fixed platen, and a wooden base was supported by the movable platen, the wooden base including a die cutting rule projecting therefrom. Metal inserts were provided in the die, the metal inserts being supported upon the movable platen against which die cutting edges which projected through the die cutting plate may operate. These inserts were so arranged that the exposed surface of the inserts were spaced from the surface of the die cutting plate by a distance which was substantially equal to the thickness of the paperboard being cut. As a result, over the specific areas of the die in opposed relation to the die cutting edges on the fixed platen, an extremely accurate control of the depth of cut was alleged to be obtained. However, there was no teaching of an infinitely-variable control since the control steps were limited to the finite thickness of the metal inserts.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,170,342 patented Feb. 23, 1995 by R. H. Dounee provided a method of making cutting dies. A one-piece metallic plate had a photographically-registered representation of the male scoring and cutting elements in extremely shallow relief on its upper surface. The main surface of the plate was chemically etched away so that the scoring and cutting elements stood in slight relief. A complementary one-piece metallic female die was also provided which included cutting elements and scoring elements which co-acted with those of the male die to form the scores and cut-lines of the finished carton blank. These elements were also photo-composed and in very shallow relief to the chemically-etched background surface of the metallic plate. The patentee taught that the vertical gap between the male and female die plates when the press was on impression was adjustable to about a percentage of the over-all thickness of the board, to range from a slight overlap. Such vertical gap was adjusted by adhesively securing the male scoring die plate to a base of suitable thickness, or by attaching a thin sheet of resilient material to the etched background of the female plate by double sided adhesive tape. Thus, there was no teaching of an infinitely-variable control of such vertical gap, since the control steps were limited to the finite thickness of the securing member.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,513 patented Dec. 20, 1966 by C. E. Palmer, provided apparatus for scoring sheet material. The patentee provided a die assembly including a rectangular frame within which scoring members and cutting blades were received, which were held in predetermined space relationship by wooden spacer elements. The frame assembly included scoring platen members and a cutting platen member. The scoring platen members were resiliently supported by the resilient support member and the cutting platen member was independently and rigidly supported by the metal blocks. Thus, while a depth control was provided, such depth control was by way of resilient supporting means. There was no teaching of an infinitely-variable control of the depth.


A hearing device has a behind-the-ear microphone arrangement that is not to be placed in the ear canal of the wearer. The microphone arrangement has a first microphone with an output. An electrical/mechanical output converter has a further microphone and a beam former unit with at least two inputs and an output. One beam former input is operationally connected to the output of the first microphone. The second beam former input is operationally connected to the output of the further microphone. The beam former output is operationally connected to an input of the output converter. The beam former unit together with the first and further microphones have a transfer characteristic for acoustical signals impinging on the first and further microphones to an electric signal at the output of the beam former. The amplification of the signal is dependent on the direction with which the acoustical signals impinge on the microphones and on the frequency of the acoustical signals. The direction measured from a reference direction of 0° with respect to the direction in which the wearer is facing, such that the outward direction of the ear canal is at about 90°. The transfer characteristic has the following features: a substantially constant amplification independent of the direction of impingement at a frequency of about 1 kHz and, for a direction of impingement of about 45°, a larger amplification than for a direction of impingement of about 135° at the frequency of about 5 kHz.

The present invention departs from needs which have been recognized at behind-the-ear hearing devices, thereby especially at behind-the-ear hearing aid devices. Nevertheless, although departing from such devices, the present invention may be applied to all hearing systems where there is applied a microphone arrangement not within the ear canal, thereby especially behind the pinna of an individual's ear, the output of which operationally acting on an electrical to mechanical output converter which is applied to the same and/or the other ear of the individual. The hearing device may be a device for increasing hearing capability or a hearing protection device.
Today's behind-the-ear hearing devices and thereby especially behind-the-ear hearing aid devices may controllably be enabled to operate in the so-called omnidirectional mode. The microphone arrangement which, for this mode, may consist of one omnidirectional microphone, provides per se for an omnidirectional transfer characteristic, which means that acoustical signals impinging on the microphone arrangement are converted to an electrical output signal with a predetermined constant amplification irrespective of the direction with which such acoustical signals impinge on the arrangement. Nevertheless, once applied adjacent to the top of or behind the pinna, the acoustical to electrical transfer characteristic becomes not anymore independent of the direction at which acoustical sources appear to the microphone due to the so-called head-related transfer function HRTF, which results in some degree from "shadowing" of the acoustical signals dependent where the acoustical signal source is located with respect to the microphone arrangement.
When an individual's ear acoustical reception characteristic is investigated per se, e.g. by means of a complete-in-the-canal hearing device, CIC, as a standard the following transfer characteristics are recognized:
When, according to FIG. 1, 0° direction is defined in the direction at which individual's head H faces and 90° direction is defined perpendicularly thereto in a direction pointing outwards of individual's right ear ER one recognizes at this right ear a transfer characteristic at a frequency f of 0.5 kHz of acoustical signals as shown in FIG. 2. As may be seen the acoustical signals from acoustical sources seen under an angle of 180° to 0° are considerably attenuated, which is predominantly caused by the shadowing effect of individual's head, i.e. by the HRTF. In directions symmetrically to the 90° directivity axis, i.e. at about 45° and at about 135°, the amplification is substantially equal.
In FIG. 3 as well as in FIG. 4 the respective transfer characteristics are shown for acoustical signals at 1 kHz and at 2 kHz.
In FIG. 5 the transfer characteristic is shown at 4 kHz. When comparing the transfer characteristics at 2 kHz, with that at 4 kHz, according to the respective FIGS. 4 and 5, one recognizes an increased directivity of the transfer characteristics at 4 kHz. In fact, departing approx. at frequencies of 2 kHz of the acoustical signals, the directivity of the pinna becomes effective. Nevertheless, as frequencies above 7 kHz are of no interest whenever speech understanding is addressed, with an eye on such speech understanding, it is important to note that the pinna provides for a beam forming effect in a frequency band of 2 kHz to 7 kHz, thus with a significant frequency at 5 kHz. The beam forming effect results in a higher amplification in 45° direction than in the 135° direction. Nevertheless, also for applications of the device, where at least not speech understanding is predominantly addressed, the 5 kHz frequency is significant for pronounced pinna directivity effect.
As was mentioned above, the transfer characteristics as exemplified by FIGS. 2 to 5 are transfer characteristics at respective acoustical signal frequencies of an individual's ear per se.
When applying to such individual a microphone arrangement not in the ear canal, e.g. behind the pinna, as is customarily done by applying a behind-the-ear hearing aid device, the directivity characteristic of the pinna becomes moot, whereas the HRTF-based characteristic as of the FIGS. 2 to 4 is still effective.
Thus, an intrinsically omnidirectional beam former with microphone arranged not in the ear canal, thus especially behind the pinna will establish a transfer characteristic with substantially equal amplification symmetrical to the 90° direction. The pinna-caused beam forming characteristic with an attenuation of signals impinging from 45° relative to such signals from 135° which according to FIG. 4 is about +6 dB is lost. It results therefrom that whenever the hearing device enabled or controllably switched in omnidirectional mode will not establish for a transfer characteristics which accords to natural beam forming of the ear at frequencies above 2 kHz and, with respect to speech understanding, in the relevant frequency band up to about 7 kHz, but will establish as shown in FIG. 5 by dashed lines a transfer characteristic as if no pinna was present.


A tray for serving beverages includes a first beverage support section, a second beverage support section, and a contoured arm rest member extending from the first beverage support section and the second beverage support section. The tray also includes at least one branch member extending from the first beverage support section and the second beverage support section. The tray further includes a base extending from the contoured arm rest member and the branch member. A handle extends from the base.

This invention relates generally to trays, and, more particularly, to trays for carrying beverages in containers such as glasses, cups, bottles, or cans.
In a crowded room it can be difficult for a server to navigate through the crowd or open a door while holding a plurality of beverages in both hands. Servers often hold and balance the beverages in one hand to leave the other free to avoid the obstacles encountered during transporting the beverages. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidents such as spills, clothing damage, slippery floors, and revenue loss.
Another area of difficulty for a server carrying beverages is in recording a customer's order. The server must either go to a server station to set down the drinks and return with a pad and a pencil, or set the tray down on a nearby table. Making multiple trips would waste the server and the customer's time, and setting the tray down on another customer's table would be unacceptable. Ideally, the server could take the customer's order while safely and securely carrying the beverages.


A load beam is attached to an actuator arm that is allowed to rock around a pivotal axis by a voice coil motor, etc., as a slider supporting member, the base end of a flexure is attached to the load beam with the free end thereof being left, a slider supporting member is attached to the top portion of the flexure, a slider on which a recording/reproduction head is installed is secured to the slider supporting member, and the slider supporting member is supported by a protrusion placed on the free end side of the load beam so as to be freely pivot thereon. Portions of the flexure corresponding to both of the sides of this protrusion are constituted by elastic hinge portions, each having a necked shape. A pair of thin-film piezoelectric elements are bonded to the flexure as displacement members. In a tracking compensation operation of the head, forces are exerted on the slider supporting member through the elastic hinge portion by extending and contracting operations of the pair of thin-film piezoelectric elements so that the slider is allowed to pivot around the protrusion of the load beam serving as the center of pivotal movements, together with the slider supporting member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a head supporting mechanism for supporting a recording/reproduction use head that makes an access to a recording medium in an information recording apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A head for recording/reproducing data on and from an information recording medium in an information recording apparatus such as a magnetic disk apparatus is installed on a slider that allows the head to float over the recording medium with a fine gap in between. A head supporting mechanism is used for supporting this head slider. The head supporting mechanism is attached to an actuator arm that is driven by a voice coil motor (VCM) serving as a driving source.
A suspension arm is attached to the actuator arm that is driven by the voice coil motor so as to freely pivot thereon, and the head slider is attached to the suspension arm. A fine-movement actuator utilizing a thin-film piezoelectric element is interpolated between the actuator arm and the suspension arm so that the suspension arm is allowed to pivot by driving the fine-movement actuator, thereby allowing the head on the slider to land on a track.
Great shifts such as a seeking operation of the head slider are carried out by controlling the voice coil motor, and the tracking compensation for landing-on a track is carried out by controlling the fine-movement actuator.
However, recent developments of high recording density in recording media and the resulting high-speed rotation of the recording medium have taken place so fast that it is sometimes difficult for the head supporting mechanism of the above-mentioned arrangement to follow the developments.
In the case of the head supporting mechanism having the above-mentioned arrangement, the entire suspension arm including the head slider is driven by the fine-movement actuator. However, the suspension arm is considerably long, and has a great mass with a great moment of inertia. For this reason, in the tracking compensation for positioning the head on a target track when the head is lifted off track, it is difficult to properly provide a high-speed response with high precision.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software includes operating system architecture that calls for different tasks to be broken down into software modules that are connected to one another by dynamic links or are composed of executable subroutines that have main dependence links to other parts of the operating system. Each of the modules is composed of object files or libraries that are represented by dynamic link libraries among themselves according to a number of dependence levels that are described in their respective attributes.

This invention pertains to a system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software, particularly for audiovisual reproduction systems that are triggered by the payment of fees, such as jukeboxes or other devices.
In the prior art, devices for remote loading of an operating system through a network are known such as, for example, from British Patent No. 2 231 180. The teaching of this patent application calls for loading a first computer, which is connected to a second computer via a network, by loading a subset of the operating system into the memory of the first computer, whereby the subset contains the commands that make it possible to copy files, create a directory, and format a disk, as well as allowing a connection to operate through the network so that this subset can then be used to transfer all of the operating system files from the second computer to the disk of the first computer.
In this type of remote loading, the purpose is to load the entire operating system and all of the operating system files. This thus limits remote loading either to tying up, for relatively long periods of time, telecommunications systems that are to carry out remote loading in the case of the operating system, or causes the relevant files to have to be updated frequently.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,278 a system is also known for remote loading to a terminal that is not equipped with a disk player.
From French Patent No. 2 682 786 another process is known for remote loading to a terminal that is not equipped with a hard disk.
Finally, European Patent No. 0 358 992 teaches a method for remote loading, via a network, of an operating system or of executable files to a computer that does not include a boot device or other devices that hold the executable program. A first minimum boot program is transferred initially, and then this minimum boot program executes itself, establishes a logical link to a disk of the server, and allows the querying computer to treat the server disk as a local boot device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software


A fluid delivery system may include a container that houses a medical fluid, a fluid pressurizing unit, and a fluid transfer set that transfers the medical fluid from the container to the fluid pressurizing unit. To validate the integrity and sterility of the fluid delivery system, the system may undergo testing protocols to evaluate the susceptibility of the system to pathogenic ingress, chemical degradation, and/or fluid cross-contamination between patient fluid delivery procedures. The testing protocols may help ensure that delivery system components used during multiple different fluid delivery procedures perform as well as if the components were replaced after each fluid delivery procedure.

Various medical procedures require that one or more medical fluids be injected into a patient. For example, medical imaging procedures oftentimes involve the injection of contrast media into a patient, possibly along with saline and/or other fluids. Contrast media can highlight features that would otherwise be less distinguishable from nearby tissue to help a clinician diagnose and treat a patient's medical condition. A patient is typically injected with contrast media before or during an imaging procedure and then exposed to radiation or electromagnetic energy to generate an image of the patient's body.
When used, contrast media is usually injected into a patient by an automated injection system. The automated injection system may include a pump, syringe, or other fluid delivery device operatively connected to a catheter. The catheter is placed into a vein or artery of a patient. During operation, the fluid delivery device operates to pressurize the contrast media and to inject the media into the patient at a predetermined rate and volume.
Contrast media for an automated injection system can be supplied in a container sized to provide multiple doses of contrast media to multiple different patients or a container sized to provide a single dose of contrast media to a single patient. For example, a powered syringe injector may use a pre-filled syringe that is filled with fluid at one facility and then shipped to another facility (e.g., an imaging suit) where it is installed on the powered injector. In this case, the syringe is used for a single injection on a single patient. Any contrast media remaining in the syringe after this single injection cannot be used for another patient and is thereby wasted.
Alternatively, a powered syringe injector may receive an empty syringe (e.g., in an imaging suite) that is filled with fluid from a multi-dose container in preparation for subsequent injection into a patient. The syringe in this application may or may not still only be used for a single injection on a single patient. However, the multi-dose container supplying fluid to the syringe and tubing connecting the container to the syringe may be used to fill multiple syringes for multiple different patients. Ensuring that contaminants do not enter the fluid supplied by the multi-dose container between syringe fillings or during syringe filling may be beneficial for the safe and efficient operation of the automated injection system.

Validation techniques for fluid delivery systems


The compositions and methods described herein relate to lentiviral vectors that can be used to generate virions/viruses that exhibit enhanced infectivity with respect to monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and dendritic cells (MDDC). Such compositions and methods further relate to production of virions/viruses that can be used as components of vaccines that effectively stimulate innate immune responses. In a particular embodiment, compositions and methods described herein relate to production of virions/viruses that can be used as components of human immunodeficiency-1 (HIV-1) vaccines administered to stimulate innate immune responses to HIV-1.

Unlike simple retroviruses, lentiviruses encode a set of accessory proteins (Nef, Vif, Vpr, Vpu, and Vpx), each of which play a specific role in virus replication and pathogenesis, much of which are directed at evasion of the host adaptive or innate immune response (28, 33, 35, 36, 41, 46). Specifically, Nef downregulates cell surface CD4 molecules and disrupts antigen presentation, and Vif and Vpu serve to counteract the host restriction factors, APOBEC3G and BST-2/tetherin, respectively. Although the roles of Vpx and Vpr are less well understood, they are thought to aid in evasion of a yet uncharacterized restriction to virus replication in macrophages and dendritic cells (3, 7, 10, 18, 20, 22, 24, 27, 51). Sharing significant sequence and structural homology, the two proteins appear to have arisen from the duplication of a common ancestral precursor gene (44). Both are produced late in the viral life cycle and localize to the nucleus (5, 12, 31). A Vpr gene is present in the genome of all known lentiviruses, while Vpx is restricted to HIV-2 and the SIV of sooty mangabey (SIVsm) and macaque (SIVmac). Interestingly, SIV of the African green monkey encodes only Vpr, but this protein has some characteristics of Vpx, sharing the same virion packaging determinant and effect on virus replication in macrophages (1, 9).
A distinguishing feature of Vpr and Vpx is that they are packaged into virions at significant levels (2, 23, 50). Packaging of Vpr and Vpx occurs as the virion assembles and is mediated by amino acid motifs in the carboxy-terminal Gag protein p6, such that deletion of p6 prevents incorporation of both Vpr and Vpx (31, 38, 47). The packaging of Vpr and Vpx is also virus-specific (25). HIV-1 will not package SIVmac Vpr or Vpx, nor will SIVmac package HIV-1 Vpr. By analyzing viruses with mutated or truncated p6, various groups have identified amino acid motifs in p6 that mediate Vpr and Vpx incorporation. The motif 41LXXLF44 (SEQ ID NO: 58) near the p6 carboxy-terminus was reported by Kondo et al. as the major determinant required for the packaging of Vpr (30). Subsequently, Zhu et al. (53) reported that mutation of that motif did not prevent Vpr packaging. Instead, in a virus deleted for amino acids 35-52, the 15FRFG18 motif near the amino-terminus of p6 was required. This discrepancy has not yet been resolved. In SIVmac, the Vpx packaging motif has also been mapped to the N terminal region of p6, specifically to a conserved 17DXAXXLL23 (SEQ ID NO: 60) motif (1). Packaging of SIVagm Vpr was also dependent on this motif, drawing a resemblance with Vpx.
Vpr and Vpx are important for virus replication and pathogenicity in vivo, as demonstrated in the rhesus macaque model, where Vpx-deleted SIVmac239 is attenuated and Vpx/Vpr-deleted virus is further impaired (17). In vitro, neither Vpr nor Vpx is required for SIVmac replication in activated CD4 T cells (3, 18, 19). However, in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and dendritic cells (MDDC), both proteins enhance SIVmac infection, although Vpr has a more modest effect. The presence of Vpx and Vpr in the virion suggests that they play a role early in virus replication. Vpr and Vpx were initially proposed to aid in nuclear import of the preintegration complex in infection of nondividing cells, a mechanism consistent with their karyophilic properties and their presence in the virion (5, 13). However, this view was challenged by the finding that HIV-1 deleted for Vpr maintained its ability to infect nondividing cells (48). Recently, a role for Vpx and Vpr in counteracting a restriction factor was suggested by the finding that both associated with an E3 ubiquitin ligase composed of damaged DNA binding protein 1 (DDB1), DDB1 cullen associated factor 1 (DCAF1), and Cullin 4A (Cul4A) (6, 21, 26, 39, 40, 42). By analogy with Vif, this finding suggested that Vpx and Vpr might act as substrate receptors that induce the ubiquitination of a host restriction factor (41, 43, 49). Evidence that Vpx plays a role in counteracting an MDM-specific host restriction was provided by somatic cell fusion experiments in which heterokaryons formed between MDM and COS were found to be nonpermissive for Vpx-deleted SIVmac (40). Furthermore, domain mapping of Vpx localized an activation domain at the amino-terminus that might serve as a binding site for the putative host restriction factor (21).
In studies investigating the mechanism by which Vpx promotes the infection of MDDC, Goujon et al. found that Vpx could facilitate infection when introduced into the target cell in trans (18, 20). For this, MDDC were exposed to virus-like particles (VLP) that contained Vpx and then were infected with Vpx-deleted SIVmac. The VLP dramatically enhanced the infectability of the cells. Additionally, Gramberg et al. found that VLP generated with a codon-optimized Vpx expression vector could boost the infection of MDM as much as 100-fold, while Vpr had little effect (21). In these cells, Vpx was found to relieve a block to infection at early reverse transcription or at uncoating. Interestingly, Vpx also dramatically enhanced HIV-1 infection of MDM and MDDC, even though the virus does not itself encode this accessory protein. Recently, Manel et al. used this property to achieve high levels of HIV-1 infected MDDC (32). The infected MDDC strongly induced innate immune defenses, resulting in the production of type-I IFN and upregulation of CD86. Surprisingly, the trigger that induced this response was not the in-coming virus but, rather, the newly produced Gag protein.
The citation of references herein shall not be construed as an admission that such is prior art to the present invention.

Chimeric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) with enhanced dendritic cell and macrophage tropism comprising the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) minimal Vpx packaging domain


A system implements and authorizes use of a user design. A non-volatile memory stores combined configuration data including first configuration data for implementing a user design and an authorization module, and second configuration data for implementing a generator of a check code. In response to a reset, a programmable integrated circuit loads the first configuration data to implement the user design and the authorization module. The implemented authorization module generates an activation code from an identifier when the check code is available from the non-volatile memory and enables the user design when the check and activation codes match. The programmable integrated circuit loads the second configuration data to implement the generator when the check code is not available from the non-volatile memory. The implemented generator erases the second configuration data from the non-volatile memory, generates the check code from the identifier, and stores the check code in the non-volatile memory.

Programmable logic devices (PLDs) are a well-known type of integrated circuit that can be programmed to perform specified logic functions. One type of PLD, the field programmable gate array (FPGA), typically includes an array of programmable tiles. These programmable tiles can include, for example, input/output blocks (IOBs), configurable logic blocks (CLBs), dedicated random access memory blocks (BRAM), multipliers, digital signal processing blocks (DSPs), processors, clock managers, delay lock loops (DLLs), and so forth.
Each programmable tile typically includes both programmable interconnect and programmable logic. The programmable interconnect typically includes a large number of interconnect lines of varying lengths interconnected by programmable interconnect points (PIPs). The programmable logic implements the logic of a user design using programmable elements that can include, for example, function generators, registers, arithmetic logic, and so forth.
The programmable interconnect and programmable logic are typically programmed by loading a stream of configuration data into internal configuration memory cells that define how the programmable elements are configured. The configuration data can be read from memory (e.g., from an external PROM) or written into the FPGA by an external device. The collective states of the individual memory cells then determine the function of the FPGA.
The developer of a user design often wants to limit usage of the user design to authorized use. However, an unauthorized user can read the configuration data for implementing a user design from an existing implementation of the user design. The unauthorized user can then use this configuration data to implement the user design in additional PLDs. Any unauthorized use impacts the investment return for the time consuming and difficult development of a user design.
The present invention may address one or more of the above issues.

Authorization of an implementation of a user design in a programmable integrated circuit


A light patterning system comprises an illumination system that supplies a beam of radiation having a certain wavelength (λ). An array of reflective pixels patterns the beam, wherein the array includes pixels having at least a first tilting mirror that is logically coupled to a second tilting mirror. In an embodiment, the first and second tilting mirrors are (i) substantially adjacent to each other; and (ii) offset in height from each other by a first mirror displacement. A projection system is included that projects the patterned beam onto a target. In alternate embodiment, the array of reflective pixels includes pixels having first through fourth tilting mirrors that are logically coupled to each other. The first through fourth tilting mirrors are (i) respectively offset in height from a reference plane by first through fourth mirror displacements, and (ii) are respectively arranged clockwise in a substantially square pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light patterning device and method of using same.
2. Background
A patterning device is used to pattern incoming light. A static patterning device can include reticles or masks. A dynamic patterning device can include an array of individually controllable elements that generate a pattern through receipt of analog or digital signals. Such dynamic patterning devices are sometimes referred to as maskless systems. Example environments for use of the patterning device can be, but are not limited to, a lithographic apparatus, a projector, a projection display apparatus, or the like.
Currently, arrays of individually controllable elements, sometimes referred to as spatial light modulators (SLMs), can include various types of micromirror arrays. Mirror types include, but are not limited to, flat tilting mirrors, single phase-step tilting mirrors, piston mirrors, or hybrid mirrors combining tilt and piston actions. When imaging with micromirror arrays as the object, the phase and intensity of the light reflected by each mirror are important parameters. In conventional arrays of individually controllable elements having tilting mirrors, a maximum amount of negative light (i.e., out-of-phase light) reaching the image plane is much smaller than a maximum amount of positive light (i.e., in-phase light) reaching the image plane. For instance, flat tilting mirrors can achieve an intensity modulation or grayscale anywhere between 100% positive phase intensity and 4.7% negative phase intensity. This limited negative phase intensity has proven to be a limitation in emulating certain types of conventional masks, such as phase shifting masks.
One method of improving intensity modulation or grayscale characteristics is to use single phase-step tilting mirror having, for example, a λ/4 height step and phase step of λ/2, where λ is an imaging wavelength. Such a mirror has been invented by Micronic Laser Systems of Sweden. This mirror can achieve a phase intensity modulation anywhere between +50% and −50%. Another method for improving intensity modulation characteristics is to use a dual phase-step tilting mirror, as is disclosed in a co-pending application Ser. No. 10/995,092, (Attorney Docket No. 1857.3290000), entitled "Pattern generator using a dual phase step element and method of using same," filed Nov. 24, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Generally speaking, however, the lithographic performance of tilting mirrors is strongly sensitive to mirror-to-mirror phase/height errors. Work undertaken by the inventors indicates height requirements at the 65 nm node are of the order of 1 nm, with statistical deviation of 1 sigma (i.e., one standard deviation). Current SLM technology does not allow such a level of mirror height control. State of the art SLM's exhibit errors that are at least four times larger than what is needed.
For these and other reasons, further alternative solutions are needed to improve intensity and phase modulation characteristics for an array of individually controllable elements, such as tilting mirrors. For example it would be beneficial to mimic arbitrary grayscale and phase independently to effectively emulate different types of lithographic masks, such as binary masks, attenuating phase-shifting masks (AttPSM), alternating phase-shifting masks (AltPSM), CPL and vortex masks.

Light patterning device using tilting mirrors in a superpixel form


In an optical information reading apparatus, a pickup unit has a predetermined reading position, and is configured to optically pickup information of a target when the information is located at the reading position. A marker beam irradiating unit includes a light beam source configured to emit a light beam. The marker beam irradiating unit includes a beam pattern forming lens arranged to allow the emitted light beam to enter thereinto. The pattern forming lens is configured to irradiate a marker beam based on the emitted light beam. The marker beam has a predetermined beam pattern composed of at least one linear beamlet to indicate the reading position of the pickup unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatuses for optically reading a target to which optically readable information, such as an information code, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code, is attached.
2. Description of the Related Art
Handheld optical information readers aim at reading information codes optically readable, such as barcodes, two-dimensional codes, or other similar codes. In this specification, a target itself or a target to which optically readable information is attached is collectively referred to as the "target".
For improving the usability of handheld optical information readers, handheld optical information readers that can read an information code positioned at a distance therefrom have been provided.
The handheld optical information reader has a handheld body case provided at its one end portion with a reading window. In addition, the handheld optical information reader also has a photodetector, such as a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) area sensor, an imaging optics with an imaging lens, and a reading unit composed of a light illuminating device, such as an LED (light emitting diode). The photodetector, the imaging unit, and the reading unit are installed in the body case, respectively.
In order to align the reading window (the photodetector) with the target, handheld optical information readers have been commonly provided with a marker beam irradiating unit using a laser diode (LD), an LED, or other similar light emitting devices. The marker beam irradiating unit is operative to irradiate a marker beam onto the target for indicating a reader's reading position, such as a field of view (FOV) of the photodetector, and/or the center position of the FOV, onto the target.
An example of such marker beam irradiating units is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,163. The disclosed marker beam irradiating unit uses, as a light source, an LD capable of emitting a marker beam with high-visibility, and a diffraction grating through which the emitted beam is irradiated onto the target as various designs thereon.
Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the marker beam irradiating unit 3 is placed on one side, such as an upper side, of a CCD area sensor 1 and an imaging optics 2. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the marker beam irradiating unit 3 consists of a laser diode 4, a collimation lens 5 disposed at the light emitting side thereof and coaxially aligned therewith, and a diffraction grating 6 disposed at the collimated light output side thereof and coaxially aligned therewith.
In the marker beam irradiating unit 3, a laser beam emitted from the laser diode 4 is collected by the collimation lens 5. The collected beam is transferred therethrough to enter a hologram plane of the diffraction grating 6. The incident laser beam is diffracted by the hologram plane so that the first-order diffraction beamlets and the second-order diffraction beamlets are irradiated from the hologram plane as a marker beam M with a predetermined beam pattern (diffraction pattern) onto a target R (see FIGS. 15 and 17).
For example, the diffraction pattern of the marker beam M consists of four L-shaped pattern elements corresponding to the four corner portions of a field of view V of the CCD area sensor 1 (see FIG. 15). In addition, the diffraction pattern of the marker beam M consists of a cross pattern element indicating the center of the field of view V.
However, because the diffraction beamlets, such as the first-order diffraction beamlets and the second-order diffraction beamlets, form the beam pattern (diffraction pattern) of the marker beam, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the diffraction beamlets are represented on the target R as dot-patterns. That is, the set of dot patterns form a linear pattern on the target R, which may cause the beam pattern on the target R to be smudged, and may deteriorate the visual effects of the beam pattern.
In addition, when scanning a one-dimensional code, such as a barcode, optical information readers with a marker beam irradiating unit can use a marker beam linearly extending in a horizontal direction as illuminating light for scanning the barcode.
Some optical information readers using a marker beam irradiating unit with such a diffraction grating, however, cannot use a marker beam emitted from the marker beam irradiating unit as the illuminating light for scanning the barcode.
Note that the collimate lens 5 has been commonly used as a collective lens for collecting the laser beam emitted from the laser diode 4. Collimate lenses have a function of transferring a laser beam collected thereby with a substantially horizontally prolate ellipsoid profile in its lateral cross section. This may deteriorate the efficiency of transferring the collected beam, causing a greater loss of laser beam.


In a resist reflow measurement key, and method of fabricating a fine pattern of a semiconductor device using the same, the resist reflow measurement key includes a first reflow key including a plurality of first pattern elements each having a first pattern with a first radius of curvature located on a first side of a first center line and a second pattern with a second radius of curvature located on a second side of the first center line, and a second reflow key including a plurality of second pattern elements each having a third pattern with a third radius of curvature located on a first side of a second center line and a fourth pattern with a fourth radius of curvature located on a second side of the second center line, the second reflow key being formed on a same plane of a substrate as the first reflow key.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a measurement key used in semiconductor device fabrication and a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a resist reflow measurement key used for measuring the flow of resist and a method of forming a fine pattern of a semiconductor device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to widespread demand for semiconductor devices having an increased processing speed and highly integrated memory devices for use in a wide range of electronic devices, there is a need to develop a circuitry product having a sub-micron size. To satisfy this need in highly integrated devices, efforts to develop an improved photoresist composition have been accelerated. Moreover, efforts to obtain a pattern having more precise dimensions to obtain, in particular, a pattern suitable for a structure having a minimum feature size have been accelerated. To fabricate highly integrated semiconductor devices successfully, it is necessary to form more precisely and finely a photoresist pattern widely used in etch and ion implantation processes. To realize these products, a sensitive photoresist is required. However, use of a sensitive photoresist is necessarily accompanied by an additional process, which is complicated.
In a semiconductor fabrication process using a single layer resist and a 0.13 μm process, ArF lithography technology is used. It is forecast, however, that greater precision and dimension control will be required for a process below 0.10 μm, which will be used in the future.
The wavelength of a light source for exposure directly influences the minimum resolution that can be obtained in an exposure apparatus. For instance, in forming a fine line and space (L/S) pattern, a g-line exposure apparatus has a resolution limit of about 0.5 μm and an i-line exposure apparatus has a resolution limit of about 0.3 μm. The recent trend, however, shows that the device design rule is approaching an L/S measurement value below about 0.2 μm. It is forecast that the allowable minimum feature size in a next generation device design rule will continue to decrease. In particular, in fabricating a highly integrated device that requires a small contact hole having a high aspect ratio in an L/S pattern having a fine critical dimension (CD), or a cell array region of a device, various processes to overcome the resolution limit of exposure apparatuses have been developed. A reflow process using heat is one example of such a process.
In a reflow process using heat, an initial photoresist pattern having formed therein a contact hole, which has a size larger than the CD of a final US pattern or the size of a contact hole to be formed, is first formed. Then, the formed photoresist pattern is heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the photoresist and is reflowed to form a fine pattern. The heating reduces the viscosity of the linked photoresist to reflow the photoresist. Thus, the CD of the US pattern or the size of the contact hole is reduced, thereby obtaining a desired fine pattern.
In the reflow process, the CD of the reflowed resist pattern is monitored at the after flow inspection (AFI) stage. The exposure dose is controlled on the basis of the CD value measured in the AFI stage. In the process of controlling the CD of the resist pattern in the aforementioned manner, the amount of time required to monitor the CD of the reflowed resist pattern in the AFI stage is very important because it influences the throughput of the whole exposure process.
Until recently, monitoring the CD of the reflowed resist pattern involved measuring the CD of the reflowed resist pattern using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the AFI stage. In other words, in applying the present reflow process using heat, the resist pattern, which is reflowed in the AFI stage, is monitored by an SEM and an exposure dose is controlled on the basis of the monitored result. Thus, it takes a significant amount of time to perform a process that can satisfy a desired CD size since the monitoring in the post-development baking (PDB) step, i.e., in the reflow step of the resist, depends only on the CD measurement using the SEM. As a result, performing the CD monitoring on the entire region of a wafer takes too long, thereby significantly reducing throughput as a size of the wafer increases.

Method of forming a fine pattern of a semiconductor device using a resist reflow measurement key