An apparatus for the production of a multiple width fiber strip consisting of crimped interlaced filaments and having several zones extending in longitudinal direction of the fiber strip as well as at least one predetermined tear line (4) extending in longitudinal direction of the fiber strip, wherein the tear strength (daN) of the fiber strip, referred to the total denier (dtex) is at least about 1.7.times.10.sup.-4 daN/dtex, has a pair of transport rolls (8,9) for jointly transporting the supplied bands (1,2) and a crimping chamber (10.1, 10.1, 11, 12, 13, 14) which is arranged downstream of the pair of transport rolls (8, 9).

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing multiple width, fiber tow strips, namely in particular, multiple width filter tow strips consisting of interlaced filaments, a method for producing these fiber strips, and an apparatus for carrying out this method.
By a filter tow strip is to be understood a fiber strip which is composed of interlaced filaments or fibers. The filaments of the filter tow strip being similar to a non-woven fabric or web consist for example of cellulose acetate. The filter tow strip is crimped or curled by a so-called crimping machine or curling device (stuffer box) and is then compressed to a bale, to be ready for further processing to cigarette filters for rod-shaped smoking articles. The entire manufacture from the starting product cellulose to the filter tow strip packed in the bale is known e.g. from "Die Herstellung von Rhodia Filter Tow" Technische Information 1-01, Rhone-Poulenc Rhodia AG, Freiburg, January 1993. The known filter tow strips show uniform interlacing of the filaments over the entire width of the strip and have a substantially constant weight over their length.
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,230 granted to Ettore Luzzatto describes generally a method and apparatus for the production of non-woven fabrics with interlaced and crimped filaments or fibers. A plurality of filaments is produced by a conventional extruder comprising a spinneret whose nozzles are in alignment and closely spaced apart so that the filaments of this plurality are closely adjoining to one another. This close side-by-side relationship among the several filaments, which lie in a single plane, could, however, be obtained in the not immediate neighborhood of the spinneret output end but somewhat distant therefrom.
The plurality of filaments, wherein the filaments retain this condition of coplanarity, parallelism and side-by-side relationship, is sent into and through a mechanical crimping device, wherefrom the plurality emerges at a given speed and in a crimped condition. The filaments under these conditions could exhibit physically ascertainable undulations or even a mere tendency towards assuming an undulate trend. In view of the side-by-side relationship among the individual filaments, the crimping effect sets up a number of points of localized contact among adjacent filaments, even assuming that many points of contact might have possibly been given rise to upstream of the crimping device.
The formation of these points of contact or interlacing of the filaments, where the individual filaments adhere and are initially being interlocked has, obviously, a mere casual nature on a microscopical scale and is regular only from a statistical point of view. As a matter of fact in view of the regular relative arrangement of the filaments of the plurality at the input of the crimping device, and also on account of the regular way in which the conventional device mechanically acts upon filaments and yarns being fed therethrough, it has been ascertained that the points of contact are distributed, with a surprisingly advantageous statistical distribution, on the plane containing the plurality of crimped filaments. These points of contact are prevailingly formed in that the filaments which, at the output of the crimping device are undulated in planes perpendicular to the plane of the plurality, and which are parallel and susceptible of being closely approached to one another, do not stay physically in said closely approached planes and, by being displaced, they come into mutual contact.
In order that the most favourable conditions for the formation of numerous regularly distributed points of contact may be achieved, it is advantageous that the known crimping device impart to the individual filaments undulations having an amplitude which is considerably wider than the interspace between closely adjoining filaments present in the plurality of filaments at the input end of the device.
In the DE 1 435 438 filed by Eastman Kodak Company in 1963 a method for introducing a continuous strip of cellulose acetate filaments into a crimping apparatus is described, which produces a tow from which cigarette filters could be produced. The known crimping apparatus (stuffer box) comprises a pair of transport rolls for catching the strip and for squeezing the strip of filaments therebetween in order to achieve an interlaced structure of the filaments of the strip, and a crimping chamber with a clapper gate unit for crimping the strip output of the pair of transport rolls by intermittent upsetting or compressing the strip.
The patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,769 to Greve et al. describes a method and apparatus for banding tows of filamentary material. Greve states that the known pneumatic banding devices are incapable of reliably converting the tow into a layer of uniform thickness, width and density because the accumulations of filaments in certain strip-shaped portions of the running tow are not spread apart in the same way as the thinner strip-shaped portions of the tow. Streams of air which pass through the tow flatten and increase the width of the tow, but their equalizing or homogenizing action is far from uniform. The object in the Greve's patent is to provide a method of banding a running tow of filamentary material in such a way that the width of the banded tow is more uniform and the orientation of filaments in the banded tow is more satisfactory than in known tows.
Greve's method consists of the steps of transporting the tow lengthwise to the nip of two advancing rolls along an elongated path and in a predetermined direction, directing a plurality of discrete streams of pressurized gaseous fluid, for instance transversely against the running tow so that each stream contacts and expands laterally a discrete strip-shaped portion of the tow, monitoring the permeability of such strip-shaped portions of the running tow, and adjusting the expanding action of the respective streams when the monitored permeability, that is the density of the strip-shaped portions deviates from a predetermined optimum value. The tow which consists of filamentary filter material is transported in a lengthwise direction by means of two rollers. The filaments of the tow are normally crimped and are movable relative to each other. The width of the running tow normally varies from increment to increment or at irregular intervals. Since the number of filaments in the tow is normally constant, the thickness and density of neighbouring strip-shaped portions of the untreated tow vary from portion to portion. The strip-shaped portions extend lengthwise of the tow i.e., in substantial parallelism with the marginal portions of the tow, and each strip-shaped portion is caused to move past a discrete banding device. Greve's apparatus comprises six neighbouring banding devices which respectively comprise plenum chambers forming a tow which extends transversely of the lengthwise direction and adjacent to a selected portion of the elongated path for the tow. The upper walls of the plenum chambers are adjacent to the underside of the running tow and are respectively provided with pairs of orifices which discharge streams of air against the strip-shaped portions of the tow. The streams expand the strip-shaped portions laterally and equalize the distribution of filaments so that the tow is converted into a wide layer in which the orientation of filaments is substantially uniform and the density of each laterally expanded strip-shaped portion matches or closely approaches a predetermined optimum value. Consequently Greve describes a monowidth fiber strip, that is the known tow having only one part.
The patent document U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,650 issued to Muller et al, describes an apparatus for producing tobacco product filter rods. Muller uses a paper web which has a multiplicity of rib-like deformations, which run parallel in the longitudinal direction, in the direction of movement, and are of a denser fibre structure, and also longitudinal zones, located between the former zones, having a highly fibrillated structure and a multiplicity of unconnected longitudinal grooves. The paper web is first fed to equipment which essentially consists of two embossing rollers which are arranged with their axes parallel and with the distance between the axes being adjustable. The two rollers have projecting ribs on their surfaces respectively, these ribs extending around the entire surface of the rollers and running parallel to the axes of the rollers. The two rollers have a cross-section with projecting ribs that are absolutely identical and the rollers are driven together in such a way that they rotate at the same surface speed.
The document GB 2 265 298 A, published on Sep. 29, 1993 describes a method of and a machine for making filters for rod-shaped smokers'products. Two or more tows of fibrous filter material are simultaneously advanced along neighbouring paths through several processing units into a rod forming unit to be converted into filter rods which are ready to be subdivided into filter rod sections of unit length or multiple unit length. At least one of the processing units is designed to simultaneously treat all of the tows, and at least one of these units is designed to treat the tows independently of each other, such independent treatment renders it possible to eliminate differences between the characteristics of the ultimate products or to intentionally impart to products obtained from different rods different characteristics such as density and/or the resistance to the flow of tobacco smoke. The plural tows can be withdrawn from a single source storing a discrete bale for each tow, a common bale for several tows or a bale having an integral tow of multiple unit width which is subdivided by separating means into several narrower tows not later than at the time of entering the unit or units which are designed to individually treat each tow on its way toward the rod forming unit. The tows can be advanced side-by-side in a common plane or in several planes above each other.
When using one integral tow of multiple width the separation into several narrower tows does provide quite strong fluctuations of the denier or titer of the narrower tows. These fluctuations affecting the quality, especially the pressure drop and weight, of the produced filter rods are difficult to avoid by the known apparatus.

Multiple width fiber strip and method and apparatus for its production


A red blood cell containing composition is presented which has reduced potassium ion leakage after irradiation in a virus photoinactivation process. The irradiated red blood cell containing composition comprises red blood cells, a photosensitizer, and sufficient vitamin E or derivatives thereof to prevent potassium leakage. Preferred photosensitizers are aluminum phthalocyanines, AlPcS.sub.4 or Pc5. A preferred vitamin E derivative is Trolox.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an improved process for rendering a cell-containing composition substantially free of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses contained therein without substantial disruption or inactivation of cells contained therein and without significant loss of labile proteins or other valuable biological components also contained therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Viral inactivation of cell-containing compositions by treatment with irradiation, e.g., UV or visible light, a photosensitizer compound and, optionally, one or more quencher compounds has been described in the applications and patents mentioned above, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Such treatments are known to cause K.sup.+ leakage from red cells. See, e.g., J. van Steveninck et al., 1985, "The influence of cupric ions on porphyrin-induced photodynamic membrane damage in human red blood cells", Biochim. Biophys. Acta., 821: 1-7.
Irradiation is used in other contexts involving cell-containing compositions, for example, ionizing radiation, e.g., .gamma.-irradiation or X-irradiation, to prevent graft-versus-host disease in immunodeficient patients. For this particular purpose, collected red cells increasingly are being stored for variable periods in transfusion service inventories following irradiation. Other reports of elevated K.sup.+ in irradiated, stored RBC, have recently surfaced. See, for example, Elaine K. Jeter et al., 1991, "Effects of irradiation on red cells stored in CPDA-1 and CPD-ADSOL (AS-1)", Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci., 21: 177-186; and A. M. Ramirez et al., 1987, "High potassium levels in stored irradiated blood", Transfusion, 27: 444-445. For blood centers offering red cell irradiation, prolonged storage following irradiation may expose selected patient populations to a significant K.sup.+ load following transfusion.
It also is known that morphological deformations of erythrocytes are induced by hematoporphyrin--a photosensitizer compound--and light. See, for example, Bruria Lev et al., 1993, "Morphological Deformations of Erythrocytes Induced by Hematoporphyrin and Light", Lasers in the Life Sciences, 5: 219-230. Specifically, hematoporphyrin-bound cells displayed a marked reduction in membranal negative-charges and sialic acid residues on their cell membranes.

Red blood cell composition containing vitamin E or derivatives thereof which exhibits reduced potassium ion leakage after a photoinactivation process


A method of and equipment for performing radio communication (7) between a fixed radio access unit (5, 10, 13, 15) and a remote portable radio telecommunication unit (8) arranged for operating in accordance with a predetermined radio communication standard, such as Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), in a plurality of radio communication environments such as in the home (2), in the office (3) and/or in the public domain (4). For each radio environment (2, 3, 4) operational parmeter settings are obtained associated with system operation efficiency and communication quality of a particular environment (2, 3, 4). Radio communication (7) is performed with the operational parameter settings selected in accordance with the applicable radio environment (2, 3, 4).

Wireless telecommunications systems, such as the well-known cellular and cordless telephone and data transmission systems, typically provide duplex radio communication between fixed radio access units, also called radio base stations or radio fixed parts, and remote portable radio communication units, also called portable parts. Each fixed radio access unit provides a number of radio communication channels in a geographically limited area, called a cell. Typical coverage areas are picocells (range of a few meters), nanocells (range up to 50 m) and microcells (range 10 to 400 m).
Typically, each radio access unit provides a number of radio communication channels available to the users in a cell. While moving across the coverage or service area of a radio telecommunication system, once the remote portable radio communication unit leaves the coverage area of a radio access unit, a call in progress is handed over from one radio access unit to the other dependent on a so-called handover threshold.
Channel selection and channel occupation during handover is a proces which involves a considerable amount of signalling load, whereas the speech or data transmission quality can be adversely affected if no proper channel can be selected and occupied. In the latter case, a call in progress can be severely distorted by a number of mutes or even be dropped.
International patent application WO 96/06512 discloses an improved handover procedure in a cellular mobile radio communication system, comprising a number of base stations organized into a cell structure wherein the cells are arranged in at least two layers in a hierarchical manner. There is disclosed a systematic way of passing between layers by a roaming portable radio communication unit, providing suitable handovers upwards and downwards through the cell hierarchy.
In the home or residential domain, radio communication is typically performed between a single fixed radio access unit or home base station and a few portable radio communication units, such as portable radio telephones and/or portable data equipment. The radio access unit connects to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), for example.
Business radio communications systems, such as Business Cordless Telecommunications (BCT) systems, are capable of serving hundreds or even thousands of portable radio communication units by a plurality of fixed radio access units spread across (large) offices, production halls, etc. The radio access units operatively connect to a Central Interface Unit (CIU) or Radio Exchange (RE) which, in turn, connects to a Private Automatic Branch eXchange (PABX), the PSTN or the ISDN, for example.
Outdoor communications services, such as Cordless Terminal Mobility (CTM), for example, cover a whole town or city. Microcell coverage is provided by a large amount of fixed radio access units positioned across the town or city. Next to, or instead of, fixed radio access units serving such relatively small cells, fixed radio access units providing service to macrocells having a range of 1 to 5 km are applied with CTM.
Radio communications systems typically operate according to a radio communications standard, such as the pan European Global System for Mobile telecommunications (GSM), the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) and other standards, designated AMPS, D-AMPS, ETACS, NMT, PHS, etc. Principal transmission techniques used are TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).
In particular with the availability of outdoor services, such as CTM, users will desire to use one and the same portable telecommunication unit (e.g. a portable telephone) at home, in the office and/or on the street.
An ever lasting concern with portable radio communication equipment is, however, its scarce battery power. It will be appreciated that, for being able to use one and the same portable communication device throughout the several radio environments, attention has to be paid to a reduced battery consumption, in order to maximize stand-by and operation times of the device.

Method of and equipment for performing radio communication in a plurality of radio communication environments


A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an integrated circuit and at least one connection pad, and at least one external connection electrode electrically connected with the connection pad. A first sealing material is provided on the semiconductor substrate around the external connection electrode, each impurity concentration of an Na ion, a K ion, a Ca ion and Cl ion contained in the first sealing material being not greater than 10 ppm. A second sealing material is provided on at least one of a lower surface and a peripheral side surface of the semiconductor substrate, a total impurity concentration of an Na ion, a K ion, a Ca ion and a Cl ion contained in the second sealing material being not smaller than 100 ppm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device packaged into a chip size and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention is an improvement to the type of semiconductor devices having a conventional chip size and a configuration in which a semiconductor substrate has a lower surface carrying an integrated circuit and a plurality of connection pads connected with the integrated circuit, and being covered with a first sealing film. The upper surface and peripheral side surfaces of the semiconductor substrates are covered with a second sealing film. A wiring is provided on an upper surface of the second sealing film to be electrically connected with the connection pads, a columnar electrode is provided on each connection pad portion of the wiring and a periphery of the columnar electrode is covered with a third sealing film in order to increase a protection effect for an environment, e.g., dust, humidity, a mechanical damage and others as disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-332643. In this case, the first to third sealing films are formed of an organic material such as an epoxy-based resin or a polyimide-based resin.
In the conventional semiconductor device, the wiring is provided on the upper surface of the second sealing film which covers the upper surface and the peripheral side surfaces of the semiconductor substrate, and the third sealing film covers the periphery of the columnar electrode provided on each connection pad portion of the wiring. Therefore, the wiring comes into contact with the second and third sealing films, and the columnar electrode is brought into contact with the third sealing film. Since an organic material such as an epoxy-based resin or a polyimide-based resin which is a material of the second and third sealing films contains impurities such as an Na ion, a K ion, a Ca ion and Cl ion, a high concentration of the impurities can be a factor which provokes corrosion of the wiring or the columnar electrode or short circuit between these members. In order to avoid such an inconvenience, each impurity concentration of the Na ion, the K ion, Ca ion and the Cl ion in an organic material such as an epoxy-based resin or a polyimide-based resin which is a material of the second and third sealing films must be greatly decreased to 10 ppm or lower, thereby increasing a sealing material cost.

Semiconductor device packaged into chip size and manufacturing method thereof


A method for drilling a tunnel in rock which utilizes a drilling apparatus comprising a drill head having tools therein and at least one conveying tube is disclosed. The method utilizes roller units which support the conveying tube to transmit the forward driving force from a power unit at the rear end of the apparatus to the drill head.

Previously known from the applicant's earlier invention No. FI-891706 is a method of driving a drilling apparatus forward, wherein the drilling apparatus is forced from the working pit into the tunnel by means of protecting tubes, the driving power unit being in the working pit. The same method is also known from the publication GB-2 157 344.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,441 discloses how the drill head is driven forward by means of a protecting tube provided with an internal spiral system which steers excavated material towards the tunnel opening.
Driving the drill head forward by means of protecting tubes, which are to be installed in the tunnel, is applicable to drillings in normal and watery terrains, wherein a protection tube is often an absolute necessity because of landslippage. It is quite clear that driving the drilling apparatus forward by means of protecting tubes is also advantageous since protecting tubes must be forced into the tunnel anyway. On the other hand, a protection tube is not usually needed when drilling into rock, in which case this method is not applicable.
Using a rotating tube for driving an apparatus forward is also applicable for tunnel drilling, but in this case, tee protecting tube is fitted with rotating elements in the rocky wall and the other end of the protecting tube needs at least one great thrust bearing. The joints between the protection tubes, which are arranged sequentially, must be lap joints. In addition, in this case, the directional stability is not the best possible.

Method and apparatus for drilling a tunnel


A telecommunications device permits a user to perform several communication related tasks concurrently. The telecommunications device includes a user input device, a display having a tools portion and a windows portion, and a processing element. The processing element includes an element configured to represent the communication related tasks as objects in the tools portion, an element configured to launch different ones of the communication related tasks based upon selection of corresponding ones of the communication related task objects by the user via the user input device, and an element configured to change the window portion based on the user selection without changing the tools portion.

This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications equipment, and more specifically to the field of a multitasking graphical user interface for a telecommunications equipment that facilitates multiple communication related tasks to occur simultaneously while allowing a user to switch from task to task with ease.
Traditional communication systems, such as wireline telephones, cellular telephones, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), required a user to halt one communication-related task before proceeding to the next one. Although some of these communication systems offered limited multitasking by permitting voice communication concurrently with another communication related task, this operation prevented efficient multitasking by requiring that one of the communication related tasks be voice communication.
Another limitation of traditional cellular telephones that prevents efficient multitasking is the limited size of their displays and the use of text based and menu driven user interfaces. The inclusion of soft keys and scrolling lists have been insufficient to simplify user interaction to allow for efficient multitasking.
One conventional telephone uses menus to enable a user to interact with the system. Separate, distinct applications handle each type of communication task. For example, a fax application processes incoming and outgoing faxes, a Short Messaging Service (SMS) application handles incoming and outgoing short messages, and a telephone application handles incoming and outgoing voice calls. The telephone provides hard keys to enable the user to toggle between applications.
This type of telephone, however, suffers from a number of drawbacks. First, when a user presses one of the application hard keys, the corresponding application display completely overwrites the display, burying any opened application display. This technique does not allow the user to monitor the status of other opened applications, nor does it permit the user to see the interaction between applications.
Additionally, message handling is cumbersome because these telephones are menu driven and contain separate applications for different message types. To perform different types of communication tasks, the user must follow a series of menus that causes specific applications to be executed.
Therefore, a need exists to permit easy access to different communication tasks in a minimal number of steps while permitting the user to monitor the status of and toggle between communication tasks with ease.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method and system of providing data calls to a subscriber having a data network, such as an integrated services digital network (ISDN), connected to a network switch to enable communication with another party at a fixed rate are disclosed. The methodology discovers a data calls system that enables data calls to be placed over trunk lines for communication with a subscriber having an ISDN with a dedicated ISDN line connected to a network edge switch forming a trunk line of the ISDN in communication with a central office. A plurality of base stations are adapted to make and receive data calls using the ISDN over the trunk line. A billing apparatus charges each subscriber a fixed or flat rate per service period for data calls using the trunk line, for the plurality of stations, regardless of the number of calls using the base stations during the service period.

Traditionally, United States policies for providing telecommunications services and for billing for such services have required independent billing with regard to the content of the communication. Regulatory and social factors which have influenced separate treatment of such calls are defined as the different economic and/or social values of data calls as contrasted with voice calls. However, pressures exists to minimize charges for minimum local services and to insure that even high usage local services remain within the economic means of the customers, particularly the elderly and the poor.
A partial solution to this problem has been implemented in some cases by examining the destination number of telephone calls as part of the bill calculation process; this process then distinguishes calls known on the basis of the called number to be data calls from other calls and therefore gives such calls appropriate billing treatment.
Another problem, however, has been that many of the current telephone network providers are designed for voice calls, which average five minutes or less per call; and therefore, the network providers bill on a per minute charge rate. With more and more people using telephone lines for data services, the per minute charges for switching data traffic to provide the online services has become very expensive. Additionally, some existing fixed rate data services have offered a much higher fixed rate charge for providing online telecommunications services and use of vertical services, such as special transmission facilities or stations.
A need exists for a system and method to provide data calls to a subscriber using an integrated services digital network (ISDN) for telecommunications and for providing the service over trunk lines for billing at a fixed or planned rate per service period to avoid per minute charges.
A need exists for recognizing data calls and configuring a data calls system so that different affordable charges and/or flat rate charging per service period can be applied to such telecommunications that might use vertical services, such as special transmission facilities or base stations.
The embodiments meet these needs.


In a golf ball having at least a set of large and small diameter dimples, the large and small diameter dimples are of the same cross-sectional shape in their lower portion. A master model is prepared by feeding a cutter into a hemispherical surface of a master block to different depths while rotating the cutter, thereby forming a set of large and small recesses, respectively, wherein the large and small recesses have the same cross-sectional shape. The master model having plural types of dimples can be briefly fabricated and has increased freedom of design. Using the master model, a golf ball featuring uniform and densely distributed dimples can be manufactured.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a golf ball providing an increased carry. It also relates to a master model and a mold for use in the molding of such golf balls.
2. Prior Art
Golf balls are conventionally manufactured by molding. Normally a plurality of dimples are formed in golf balls for improving aerodynamics thereof. Then the golf ball-forming mold on the cavity surface thereof must be provided with a plurality of protrusions corresponding to the dimples.
Such a golf ball mold is often prepared by reversing a master model having recesses corresponding to the protrusions. The master model having recesses, in turn, is typically prepared by a method as shown in FIG. 7. There are furnished a metallic master block of hemispherical shape 11 and a cutter 12. While the cutter 12 is rotated about its axis, the cutter 12 is fed into the hemispherical surface of the master block 11 to a certain depth from a reference position, thereby machining a recess in the master block 11. With a fixed quantity of feed, recesses (or dimples) of the same diameter and depth are machined. Japanese Patent Application Kokai (JP-A) No. 55364/1994 discloses a method for forming recesses by electric discharge machining instead of a cutter.
When it is desired to provide a master model with plural types of recesses (dimples) having different diameter, depth and/or cross-sectional shape, the above-mentioned prior art methods for forming master models must use plural types of cutters. Cutters must be replaced many times before all types of recesses are formed. The frequent cutter replacement is cumbersome and adds to the cost. There is a demand for improvement in this respect.
For golf balls, there is always a demand for improving the aerodynamics, especially distance.

Golf ball mold, master model and method of making the mold and model


An electrical connector includes an insulating body, having a plurality of receiving slots running through the insulating body; a plurality of terminals respectively received in the receiving slots; and a plurality of solder balls, in which each of the solder balls is disposed corresponding to each terminal and each receiving slot. Each terminal includes a base, a first retaining portion formed by extending downwards the base, a second retaining portion and a third retaining portion formed by bending and extending two side surfaces of the first retaining portion, and a groove formed at one end of the first retaining portion away from the base.

FIG. 1 shows an electrical connector currently widely used in the field for electrically connecting a chip module to a circuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulating body 1, where a plurality of receiving slots 11 runs through the insulating body 1, a plurality of terminals 2, in which each of the terminals 2 is correspondingly disposed in one of the receiving slots 11, and a plurality of solder balls 3, respectively disposed in one of the receiving slots 11 and correspondingly contacting one of the terminals 2. Each of the terminals 2 includes a base 21, a first retaining portion 22 formed by extending downwards the base 21, a second retaining portion 23 and a third retaining portion 24 formed by bending and extending two side surfaces of the first retaining portion 22, and a retaining space 25 formed together by the first retaining portion 22, the second retaining portion 23, and the third retaining portion 24. The second retaining portion 23 and the third retaining portion 24 are distributed in symmetry to the first retaining portion 22, the solder ball 3 is received in the retaining space 25, and both the second retaining portion 23 and the third retaining portion 24 contact the solder ball 3.
However, the terminal 2 has some defects in the structure thereof which result in several problems mainly as follows.
First, the second retaining portion 23 and the third retaining portion 24 apply retaining forces to the solder ball 3, and the retaining forces generate arms of the retaining forces of the second retaining portion 23 and the third retaining portion 24 to retain the solder ball 3. However, limited lengths of the second retaining portion 23 and the third retaining portion 24 result in undesirable lengths of the arms of the retaining forces of the second retaining portion 23 and the third retaining portion 24 to retain the solder ball 3, thus causing great strength and limited elasticity of the second retaining portion 23 and the third retaining portion 24, so that at the time of inserting the solder ball 3, a large pressure is required to insert the solder ball 3.
Second, during the soldering, surface tension of the solder ball 3 is reduced and the surface thereof is deformed, but the second retaining portion 23 and the third retaining portion 24 do not have enough elasticity to effectively retract and extrude the solder ball 3, thereby resulting in unreliable soldering, such as missing soldering or poor soldering.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

Electrical connector with stable retaining terminals


Even in a high pressure discharge lamp causing temperature difference between electrodes when an AC current is supplied, the temperature difference is eliminated to suppress the arc movement, thereby suppressing flickering caused thereby during stable lighting.

A high pressure discharge lamp lighting device for use in a light source device for back light, for example, of a liquid crystal projector is adapted to light up the lamp by converting a current supplied from a DC power source to a rectangular current at a predetermined lighting frequency thereby switching the lighting polarity of the high pressure discharge lamp.
FIG. 13 shows an existent lighting device 31 for a high pressure discharge lamp in which a DC power outputted from a DC power source 2 is inputted to a chopper circuit 3 and a control circuit IC converted into an appropriate DC current by controlling the duty ratio of a switching device 4 by a PWM control circuit 32 is inputted to a full-bridge circuit 5.
In the full-bridge circuit 5, paired transistors TR1, TR1, and Tr2, TR2 are alternately conducted by a full-bridge control circuit 33 at a frequency, for example, of about 100 Hz to form a lamp current IL comprising a low frequency rectangular wave form relative to a high pressure discharge lamp L started by an ignitor circuit 6 thereby lighting up the high pressure discharge lamp L.
By the way, a super-high pressure mercury lamp has been used in recent years instead of a high pressure mercury lamp as a light source such as for a liquid crystal projector.
Since the super-high pressure mercury lamp has an extremely high vapor pressure during lighting (about 106 Pa or higher), arc discharge is concentrated to the center of the discharge tube and both brightness and temperature are high, it has a merit of forming continuous spectrum, having color of light approximate to white, favorable color rendition and high emission efficiency.
However, in the existent high pressure discharge lamp lighting device of lighting only by the low frequency rectangular wave, since arc means can not be controlled in a super-high pressure mercury lamp, the amount of light entering the light receiving portion changes greatly by the arc movement and, when used to a liquid crystal projector, it causes a problem that the change of the screen illuminance increases to result in flickering on the screen.
Particularly, along with reduction in the size and the weight of liquid crystal projectors, reduction in the size and increase in the illuminance have been progressed for the reflection mirror of the light source and the size of the liquid crystal device as the photoreceiving portion is also reduced correspondingly, so that this results in a significant effect of flickering on the even for an identical amount of arc movement.
Flickering in a high pressure discharge lamp is formed due to the movement of the arc spot as a trigger point from which electrons are emitted when an arc directing from a cathode to an anode is generated.
Generally, in a case where the electrode temperature is uniform, a position for the nearest inter-electrode distance (protrusion formed at the top end of the electrode, etc.) constitutes an arc spot and, in a case where the distance is constant as in a parallel plate electrode, a position for the highest temperature constitutes the arc spot.
Accordingly, in a case of intending to control the arc spot, it may be considered that flickering can be suppressed by forming a high temperature portion locally on the electrode to fix the arc spot in a state where there is no temperature difference between the electrodes.
As a countermeasure, the present applicant has proposed a lighting device for a high pressure discharge lamp by supplying an AC lamp current upon lighting up a high pressure discharge lamp, of supplying a rectangular short period current at a frequency higher than that of a rectangular standard period current at a predetermined lighting frequency for one period instead of the standard period current, on every polarity inversion of the standard period current, and supplying a lamp current with the current value for the short period current higher than the standard period current. When a high pressure discharge lamp was lit up by the device, the arc spot is fixed and flickering on the screen could be suppressed.
[Patent Document 1] JP-A No. 2001-244088
That is, in a case of lighting a high pressure discharge lamp by AC, it is lit with opposing two electrodes being switched to a cathode and an anode alternately, and electrons projecting out of the cathode collide against the anode to generate discharge and the temperature of the anode hit by the electrons increases higher than that of the cathode.
Accordingly in a case of supplying the lamp current as described above, since an AC current is supplied under the identical condition between the electrodes and each of the electrodes is switched between the cathode and the anode in the same manner, temperature on each of the electrodes rises in the same manner, the temperature difference is not caused and, in addition, a high temperature portion is formed locally on the electrode to fix the arc spot.
However, high pressure discharge lamps or super-high pressure discharge lamps having a function of adding high value such as a light control function and an optional power fluctuation change have been manufactured recently, and it has been found that flickering can not be controlled effectively in such high pressure discharge lamps even when the lamp current as described above is supplied.
It is considered that a temperature difference is caused between the electrodes due to the structure of the electrode, the structure of the discharge lamp, effects caused by the reflection mirror, position for accessory equipments, and heat capacity or heat conduction property of them even when an AC current under identical condition is supplied between the electrodes.
As a result, the arc spot is not fixed tending to cause flickering, as well as a difference is caused to the amount of deformation due to deposition of metal vapors to the electrode surface or the abrasion of the electrode to result in the difference for the distance between the electrodes, thereby resulting in a problem that the control for the arc spot is made more difficult in a case of AC lighting.
In view of the above, the present inventor has made various experiments and, as a result, found that the electrode temperature can be kept constant by controlling the lamp current and, thus, the flickering can be moderated.
That is, in a case where the temperature difference is caused between the electrodes when a current is supplied under the same conditions between the electrodes, it has been found that a lamp current may be supplied to an electrode on a lower temperature such that the electrode functions as the anode for longer time and further that different optimal values are present for the ratio of time depending on the type of the high pressure discharge lamp respectively and the optimal values are equal so long as the type of high pressure discharge lamps is identical.
Further, it has been found that the flickering can be suppressed more effectively depending on the type of the high pressure discharge lamp by setting the ratio of time to an optimal value and using a ramp wave of gradually increasing or decreasing the current value before and/or after the polarity inversion of the short period current.

Lighting device and a lighting method for a high pressure discharge lamp

Abstract: The lamp current is formed into a current waveform including a standard period current supplied at a predetermined standard period and a short period current of a period shorter than the same and, on every one-half period of the standard period current, formed into a current waveform by supplying the short period current inverting the polarity from the identical polarity to the opposite polarity in the next one-half period for 1 period, in which the duty ratio before and after the polarity inversion of the short period current and the duty ratio before and after the polarity inversion side can be decided automatically by the duty ratio.


Techniques are described with respect to facilitating client ergonomic support. An associated method includes receiving a plurality of posture datapoints associated with multiple clients and constructing a machine learning knowledge model based upon the plurality of posture datapoints in order to identify a plurality of predefined ergonomic support design elements. The method further includes receiving client-specific posture datapoints associated with a first client and analyzing, via the machine learning knowledge model, the client-specific posture datapoints in view of the plurality of posture datapoints in order to select an initial ergonomic support design element among the plurality of predefined ergonomic support design elements. The method further includes facilitate printing of the initial ergonomic support design element for a seat component associated with the first client. In an embodiment, the method further includes providing at least one ergonomic refinement to the first client based upon ergonomic sensor data.

The various embodiments described herein generally relate to addressing client ergonomic support. More specifically, the various embodiments describe techniques of facilitating client ergonomic support via a machine learning knowledge model.
Certain individuals may need ergonomic support beyond what is provided by a given seat component. Specifically, a seat component may not adequately address posture issues and/or medical conditions associated with an individual. Additionally, a seat component may not adequately address ergonomic support at certain pressure points of an individual. Furthermore, a seat component may not adequately address respective individual preferences or needs in terms of comfort or functionality.

Facilitating client ergonomic support via machine learning


An integrated circuit device is provided with a power supply voltage generator therein. This voltage generator is configured to respond to an operating mode control signal by generating first and second power supply voltages at equivalent voltage levels when the operating mode control signal designates a normal mode of operation within the integrated circuit device. The power supply voltage generator is also configured to reduce the first and second power supply voltages to unequal lower voltage levels when the operating mode control signal designates a power saving mode of operation within the integrated circuit device. The power supply voltage generator may also generate a third power supply voltage at a constant level during both the normal and power saving modes of operation.

Integrated circuit devices may utilize dynamic voltage scaling techniques to reduce power consumption therein during certain modes of operation. As illustrated by FIG. 1, a conventional integrated circuit device 100 (e.g., a flash memory device) may include an operating voltage generating unit 110 (e.g., a power supply voltage generator) and an operating unit 115. The operating unit 115 includes a plurality of operating sections/circuits that may perform distinct integrated circuit functions. These operation sections include first, second and third operating sections 120, 130 and 140, respectively. Each of these operating sections 120, 130 and 140 is powered by a power supply signal VREF, which may be reduced from one voltage level (e.g., 1.2 Volts) to a lower voltage level (e.g., 0.8 Volts) when a power saving mode of operation is entered during dynamic voltage scaling. Unfortunately, controlling all operating sections in an equivalent manner during dynamic voltage scaling may result in less than optimum performance in one or more of the operating sections. Accordingly, there exists a need for improved dynamic voltage scaling techniques for large scale integrated circuits having operating sections with different operating characteristics.

Integrated circuit devices that support dynamic voltage scaling of power supply voltages


Equipment for producing shaft information consists of a housing, a base, a first cover, a sliding guide with a code carrier and an electronic circuitboard with a sensor for detection of a code on a code carrier and electronic circuits for evaluation of the detected code. The housing has channels of different functions. The sliding guide can be inserted into a sliding guide channel. On movement of the lift cage the code carrier slides in the sliding guide past the sensor.

Equipment for producing shaft information has become known from patent specification EP 0 792 833 B1. A steel strip spanning the entire transportation height serves as a carrier for magnets which mark specific travel regions, such as, for example, the entry region to the story, of a lift cage. Several tracks for arrangement of the magnets are provided at the steel strip. A reading device, with magnet switches is arranged at the lift cage, moves relative to the steel strip when the lift cage is travelling, and guides the strip by means of guides arranged at a U-shaped carrier. Two guides are respectively provided at the carrier limbs, wherein each guide has a groove for guidance of the steel strip.
It is disadvantageous that the reading device and the steel strip of such known equipment are of bulky construction and accordingly consume space in the lift shaft. Moreover, the steel strip can leave the guide grooves or jam in the guide grooves.
Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art, and fulfils the object of new and improved equipment which securely guides a code carrier for producing shaft information.


A vehicle window-mounted advertising sign for secure attachment of the advertising sign solely to the window and not requiring interface or support from the vehicle window frame. An upper window attachment includes an inner window surface mount arm which extends over the vehicle window and terminates in an inner window surface interface, combined with an outer window surface arm terminating in an outer surface interface, which when mounted on the vehicle window, impart both an inward and an outward force on the respective window surfaces, thereby securing the advertising sign to the window. Further in combination therewith is an angular adjustment feature which allows the angle of the advertising sign relative to the vehicle to be easily adjusted in an articulating manner to maintain optimum visibility and angle of the advertising sign.

Since the late 1980s, vehicle-mounted advertising signs have been used by various businesses, particularly the pizza and other fast food businesses, for advertising and increasing notoriety and name recognition. The use of these signs can be particularly beneficial for businesses that deliver products to their customers, such as pizza delivery services, to make potential customers aware of the business, its presence in the area and that the business offers a delivery service.
Advertising signs have generally been mounted to vehicles by securing the sign to the roof of the vehicle or securing the sign by positioning it between a window and the window frame, and then rolling the window completely up. An example of one of these types of signs is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,994, issued to Elmer.
Vehicle window-mounted advertising signs have generally used one or more suction cups to attach to the outer surface of the window, a brace and a hook portion to pass across the top of a vehicle window. In order for the prior window-mounted advertising signs to be securely fastened to the vehicle window while the vehicle is moving, the window must be completely rolled up such that the advertising sign is pinched between the window and the window frame of the vehicle. The window thereby pinched the hook portion of the mounting brace between the window and the door frame, thereby securely holding the sign to the vehicle, providing the necessary securement while the vehicle was moving.
With changes in automotive design such as frame-less windows and with changes in the angle or slope of the windows, existing sign braces and mechanisms for attaching the advertising sign to the window of the vehicle have become less effective or cannot be used on certain types of vehicles and windows.
Furthermore, even when existing window-mounted advertising signs are used, the driver of the vehicle is generally unable to roll the window down while the vehicle is moving because the advertising sign would not be sufficiently secure to be sure the sign would not come off when the vehicle is moving at higher vehicle speeds.
The need for effective and secure attachment of advertising signs to vehicle windows without the need to pinch part of the means to attach the sign to the vehicle between the window and the window frame has been recognized, but has not heretofore adequately been fulfilled by prior known attachment means.
Advances in vehicle design and shaping have further created varying and exaggerated angles at which windows are sloped. When a window-mount advertising sign is at a fixed angle relative to the means by which it is attached to the vehicle, while the vehicle windows are at varying angles, the advertising signs end up at varying slopes and angles relative to the ground and the effect of the advertising is diminished. Prior window-mounted advertising signs have utilized a mechanical screw mechanism which the operator must turn and which gradually changes the angle of the sign.
The need for an angularly adjustable window-mounted advertising sign which can more easily be adjusted by the operator merely grabbing the sign and manipulating it, but which is secure on the vehicle from wind forces while moving, has thus been recognized, but has not been adequately fulfilled.
FIG. 1 shows a rear view of a prior art window-mounted advertising sign mounted between the vehicle window and the vehicle frame member 3, including a vehicle door 1, a vehicle window 2 with an inner window surface 2a and an outer window surface 2b, upper window frame 3, brace 4, a support 5, an advertising member 6 and a suction cup 7. The upper portion of the brace 4a must be pinched between the window 2 and the upper window frame means 3 in order for the advertising sign to be secure while the vehicle is moving.
The forenamed recognized needs have not heretofore been sufficiently fulfilled by existing vehicle-mounted advertising signs.
The present invention solves the problems associated with the inability to mount advertising signs on vehicle windows unless the window is of a certain type or rolled completely up by providing a means by which the signs can be securely mounted to the window and need not necessarily be pinched between the window and the window frame.
The present invention fulfills this recognized need in a way that has the advantage of allowing advertising signs to be mounted merely on the window of the vehicle without the requirement that the window be completely rolled up and has the further advantage of being mountable on vehicles having different types of window frames and frameless windows.
The present invention solves the problems associated with varying angles and slopes of vehicle windows in a way that allows the advertising sign portion to be easily adjusted by the operator to accommodate the angle or slope of any vehicle window while still maintaining an upright and presentable advertising sign. The present invention provides for easy manipulation of the advertising sign by physically handling it and adjusting its relative angle in a relatively quick and simple way without the need to make slower mechanical adjustments.


A portable PSA oxygen generator that includes first and second filters for filtering inside air; a fan motor for passing through the air; a third filter for filtering the air intaken through the fan motor; a compressor assembly for compressing the air supplied; an oxygen concentrator for adding/eliminating oxygen to/from the compressed air supplied from the compressor assembly to generate the highly concentrated oxygen; an oxygen tank for storing the oxygen generated in the oxygen concentrator; an oxygen filter for filtering oxygen exhausted; a nitrogen filter for filtering and exhausting nitrogen; a pressure sensor installed inside the oxygen tank and outputting a signal indicating an internal pressure state; a failure alarming circuit made of buzzer connected with the pressure sensor in series, and a light emitting diode; a timer for limiting an operation time; an oxygen sensor for estimating the concentration of the oxygen exhausted through the oxygen filter; a control knob for controlling the concentration of the oxygen; a micro computer connected with the timer, the oxygen sensor and the control knob; and a driving circuit for switching with a signal generated in the micro computer and outputting a control signal to the fan motor which absorbs air.

Conventionally, electrolysis or chemical reaction is used for generating oxygen. But, these methods are unstable and inconvenient to manage. There, clean oxygen is concentrated and separated by repeating adsorbing and eliminating oxygen of 21% in the air through the PSA Process. An example of this is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,807.
This device includes an air separation device in the housing for separating oxygen from the air inside the aircraft, a self-contained compressed air supply in the housing including a compressor operatively connected to the air separation device and a brushless DC motor for driving the compressor; and a circuit for connecting the D-C motor to the aircraft electrical power source including converting the A-C voltage and current on board the aircraft to D-C voltage and current for operating the motor. The device can supply oxygen with a set current value easily operated and selected by a user.
But, with the above conventional invention, it is not easy to control the concentration of oxygen. And the cited invention does not provide a solution to the polluted air.


The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for use in implementing security systems. Some embodiments provide methods that receive a remote alarm message broadcast across an external power line communication (PLC) network at a first internal PLC security system coupled with the external PLC network from a remote second internal PLC security system coupled with the external PLC network with the remote alarm message comprising an alarm identifier of a local alarm message from the remote second internal PLC security system, and trigger a local alert at the first internal PLC security system indicating that the remote alarm message has been received across the external PLC network.

Electronic security systems for buildings and dwellings have been around for decades. Typically, security systems generate an audible noise in the event of a breach or transmit a communication, typically over a telephone line, to a remote security center. The generation of an audible alarm provides notification to neighbors and/or neighboring buildings.
Additionally, some security systems provide direct connections between neighboring residences to notify neighbors. Hardwired connections between security systems in neighboring residences are often prohibitively expensive due to the need to run new wiring between the residences and limited by physical considerations such as distance between the residences. Wireless connections can be unpredictable and prone to limited coverage.

Power line communication network security system


Polymer matrix composites have a through-thickness-thermal conductivity whose value is realized in applications such as composite spaceborne electronics enclosures where heat dissipation is entirely dependent on thermal conduction to a heat sink. The technique involves interlaminating a high thermal conductivity pitch fiber/epoxy and a low thermal conductivity carbon fabric epoxy within a sandwich of copper foil outer plies. Once the copper is laminated on the surface, it is etched from areas not exposed to the heat. A hole may be drilled transversely through the laminated composite and the walls of the space defining the opening are copper plated. The high thermal conductivity of the copper allows heat transfer from the heat source through the opening to the high thermal conductivity fibers which then transfer the heat to a heat sink.

1. Field of the Invention:
The invention relates to a technique for locally increasing the surface heat spreading and through-thickness thermal conductivity of graphite/epoxy laminates. More particularly, the spreading of heat and the heat exchange efficiency of a composite matrix is achieved by employing high thermal conductivity fibers and low thermal conductivity fibers alternately arranged in a stacked configuration.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The polymer matrix composite through-thickness thermal conductivity in a composite becomes particularly important in applications such as composite space electronics enclosures where the heat dissipation is entirely dependent on thermal conduction to a heat sink. The spreading of heat at the composite surface and subsequent localized conduction in the through-thickness direction down to high thermal conductivity fiber is thought to be the key to designing a light weight, thermally efficient enclosure. Consequently, there exists a need for lightweight, thermally conductive electronics enclosures for spaceborne applications. However, the thermal conductivity of most carbon fabric/epoxy composites is very low (1-2 W/m.degree.K) compared to aluminum (180 W/m.degree.K) and copper (390 W/m.degree.K).
Authorities list the thermal conductivity of uni-directional graphite/epoxy (Hercules AS-1/3502) as 6.3 W/m.degree.K (longitudinal direction), 1.1 W/m.degree.K (transverse direction) and 0.77 W/m.degree.K (through thickness direction). Other authorities predict the in-plane thermal conductivity for 35% fiber, plain weave graphite/epoxy as 1.5 W/m.degree.K and 0.25 W/m.degree.K in the through thickness direction. Pitch fiber (AMOCO P-120 or K1100) epoxy composites have a longitudinal thermal conductivity of, respectively, 360 W/m.degree.K and 500 W/m.degree.K in uni-directional laminates. However, the through-thickness thermal conductivity is still low, on the order of 1-2 W/m.degree.K. Also known is the use of chemical vapor deposition of diamond coatings with a thermal conductivity of 1800-2000 W/m.degree.K to increase the surface conductivity in microelectronics. Differences in processing temperatures and techniques apparently render the diamond approach as unlikely to be suited for polymer matrix composites.
Low conductivity in the through-thickness direction of uni-directional pitch fiber composites thus poses problems in any design that requires a thermal path to a high thermal conductivity fiber, particularly where large amounts of heat are input over small areas. As one approach, introducing metal particles into the matrix will increase the through-thickness conductivity throughout the composite; however, the weight density of the metallic composite over a polymer matrix composite is greatly increased. Locally increasing the through-thickness thermal conductivity and then allowing the high thermal conductivity fibers to spread and orient the heat flow to a sink appears to be an optimal solution to this problem.

Heat sink for increasing through-thickness thermal conductivity of organic matrix composite structures


A new and distinct selection of trailing Lantana which shall be referred hereinafter as Lantana sellowiana cultivar `Mongen`. Lantana sellowiana cultivar `Mongen` differs distinctively from other Lantana sellowiana plants by its unique variegated leaves and slower growth habit.

This invention relates to a new and distinct selection of Lantana sellowiana, LINK & OTTO native to South America and a member of the Verbenaceae family. Lantana sellowiana cv. `Mongen` was not a result of a specific breeding program. My selection was found as a branch mutation on a vegetatively propagated Lantana sellowiana plant. I discovered this branch in October 1993 at Montrovia Nursery Company at 18331 E. Foothill Boulevard. Azusa, Calif. Selection was based on the attribute of the variegated foliage. My new plant has been asexually reproduced by cuttings since the discovery in 1993 at Monrovia Nursery at 18331 E. Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, Calif. Had this chance branch mutation not been discovered and propagated, it may have been lost to mankind. It is unlikely these particular select and favorable attributes of this plant could be conveyed to progeny through sexual reproduction in the next generation. However, through extensive propagation by rooting of the plant it has been established that the novel exceptional characteristics of this plant are stable and reliably passed on to clonal specimens through asexual reproduction.


Circuits, systems, and methods for protecting an integrated circuit having independently-powered circuit sections from electrostatic discharge events. The integrated circuit generally comprises an ESD control line, a first circuit having a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) device coupled to a first positive voltage rail, a first negative voltage rail, and the ESD control line, the first ESD device configured to activate an ESD control signal on the ESD control line when an electrostatic discharge occurs, and a second circuit having a second positive voltage rail, a second negative voltage rail, and a second ESD device, coupled to the second positive voltage rail, the second negative voltage rail, and the ESD control line, the second ESD device configured to shunt current between the second positive voltage rail and the second negative voltage rail when the ESD control signal is activated. The present invention advantageously protects integrated circuits having independently-powered circuit sections from electrostatic discharge events without adding redundant power and/or ground pads by sharing ESD shunting capacity between circuit sections during an ESD event.

It is generally recognized that integrated circuits are susceptible to damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD). Such damage generally occurs when current and/or voltage ratings of devices in an integrated circuit are exceeded. Progress in VLSI technology today has resulted in smaller and smaller integrated circuit geometries in integrated circuits. With scaled-down device dimensions, shallow junction depths, thinner gate oxides, lightly doped drain (LDD) structures, and the use of salicide process technology, integrated circuits generally become more susceptible to ESD damage. This becomes more severe when the integrated circuit consists of multiple independently-powered circuit sections (e.g., sections of the integrated circuit having isolated power rails).
The Human Body Model (HBM) is a commonly used model for characterizing the susceptibility of an electronic device to damage from ESD. The model is a simulation of the discharge which might occur when a human touches an electronic device. The Machine Model (MM) is an alternative ESD model representing a discharge similar to the HBM event from a charged conductive object, such as a metallic tool or fixture. The Charged Device Model, in contrast, represents a transfer of charge from an ESD protection device. A CDM event can be more destructive than an HBM event for some devices. Although the duration of the discharge is very short (e.g., often less than one nanosecond) the peak current can reach several tens of amperes. Generally, the ESD robustness of integrated circuit devices should exceed 2 kV for HBM ESD events, 200V for MM events, and/or 500V for CDM events. It is often desirable to design integrated circuits that can satisfy these requirements with some margin of safety.
In advanced VLSI integrated circuit devices, power lines may be separated to avoid noise coupling and to reduce ground bouncing for high-performance circuit operation. However, it has been shown that integrated circuits with separated power pins and separated power lines may be more sensitive to ESD damage. For example, FIG. 1 shows a conventional ESD protection scheme in a mixed signal integrated circuit 100. Circuit 100 includes independently-powered circuit sections (e.g., input/output circuits) 110 and 140. Each circuit 110 and 140 has separate power lines. For example, circuit 110 includes first independent positive power rail (VDDIO_I) 111 and first independent negative power rail (VSSIO_I) 112. Similarly, circuit 140 has second independent positive power rail (VDDIO_II) 141 and second independent negative power rail (VSSIO_II) 142. Circuits 110 and 140 may receive their power from pads 113, 115, 143, and 145 (e.g., pins or ball bond for coupling to a power source that is external to the integrated circuit).
Each independently-powered circuit in this example has its own ESD protection devices in I/O buffers, RC shunts in power and ground pads, diodes and back-to-back diodes. The combination of ESD devices generally forms a complete route to shunt ESD current away from internal circuits during an ESD event. For example, in circuit 110 bond pads 113, 114, and 115 each represent a single I/O, power, or ground pad. For I/O pad 114, an output transistor (Mn_I) 116 and driver transistor (Mp_I) 117 act as ESD protection devices. Driver transistor 117 has its gate pulled high, drain coupled to I/O pad 114, and source and bulk both tied to the local power line 111. Output transistor 116 has its gate pulled low, drain coupled to I/O pad 114, and source and bulk both tied to local power line 112. Output transistor 116 thus forms a drain-bulk diode coupled between I/O pad 114 and negative power rail (VSSIO) 112, and driver transistor 117 forms a drain-bulk diode coupled between I/O pad 114 and positive power rail (VDDIO) 111. These two diodes also conduct current during ESD event. Some implementations may include additional ESD diodes 117 and 118. Output transistor 116 may commonly comprise a grounded gate NMOS (GGNMOS), also configured to be a breakdown device. The drain, bulk and source regions of output transistor 116 may form a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) device.
During an ESD event, the parasitic BJT may turn on and shunt the current to its source, in this case the negative power rail 112. Generally, a well-designed breakdown device will, during an ESD event, shunt the current sooner than a PFET transistor as long as the power lines are floating. This generally occurs because the gain of an n-type transistor is greater than a p-type transistor due to the lower diffusitivity of holes in NMOS. However, for simplicity, both GGNMOS 116 and ESD diodes 117 and 118 are shown in FIG. 1. I/O pad 144 of independently-powered circuit 140 has similar protection.
The independently-powered circuits also generally have ESD protection for each power and/or ground pad. For example, in independently-powered circuit 110, power pad 113 and ground pad 115 have RC-triggered shunt devices 119 and 120 across power lines 111 and 112. RC shunt devices 119 and 120 generally provide a low impedance path for ESD current to be shunted away from positive power rail (VDDIO) 111 to negative power rail (VSSIO) 112.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a detailed RC shunt device 120 is shown. During an ESD event, the RC circuitry generally pulls the intermediate node 123 low and in turn biases the gate of transistor 122. Transistor 122 is typically an NMOS device having total device width (W) of more than 1000 μm. When the gate of transistor 122 is biased at a voltage above a certain threshold, the transistor will turn on and create a short between power lines 111 and 112 to shunt the ESD current. Many factors must be considered when designing an RC-triggered shunt circuit. The combination of resistor 121 and capacitor 124 generally determines the period during which the RC shunt will be active during an ESD event. However, resistor 121 and capacitor 124 must also be selected such that, during normal operation (e.g., in the absence of an ESD event), the voltage at node 123 is high enough to keep inverter 125 tied low, so that transistor 122 remains turned off. Typical RC shunt delays are in the range of 1 to 5 micro-seconds (μs). The delay has much different magnitude from the rate of power ramping, which usually falls in the millisecond (ms) range. Accordingly, a circuit designer would not configure the RC shunt to have a delay near the millisecond range, to avoid a false triggering of the RC shunt device during a ramp of the power supply. Furthermore, in inverter 125 a PFET transistor 126 is generally much larger than the NFET transistor 127, in order to facilitate fast activation of the shunt device 120 when an ESD event occurs.
An ESD event may occur across any two pins in an IC device (e.g., whether they are input, output, power or ground pins). For example, an ESD event may occur between I/O pad 114 and I/O pad 144 of FIG. 1, with a positive charge at I/O pad 114 and a negative charge at I/O pad 144. A low impedance path must exist to shunt the ESD current away from the internal circuits (e.g., internal circuits 130 and 160) in order to avoid damage resulting from the ESD event. Generally, the ESD protection scheme shown in FIG. 1 employs power busses such as global positive power rail (VDD) 101 and independent positive power rails (VDDIO) 111 and 141, and ground busses such as global negative power rail (VSS) 102 and independent negative power rails (VSSIO) 112 and 142, to carry the ESD current. In this event, an ESD current enters the circuit at I/O pad 114 and flows through diode 117 to power line 111. The sudden change of voltage at power line 111 will trigger the RC shunts 119 and 120 to create a substantially instantaneous short between power line 111 and ground line 112. The ESD current then flows through this less resistive path created by the sudden short from power line 111 to ground line 112. The ESD current may then flow from independent ground line 112 to global ground line 102 through back-to-back diodes 103, then from the global ground line 112 to second independent ground line 142 in independently-powered circuit 141. The ESD current may then complete the circuit by flowing through diode 148 to I/O pad 144, where the ESD current exits the chip.
In order to protect the internal circuit from ESD damage, the voltage drops along the ESD current carrying path should be maintained below a breakdown voltage Vbreakdown of the gate oxide and silicon junctions of the devices in the path. The total voltage drop for the above-described ESD event between I/O pad 114 and I/O pad 144 is the sum of the threshold voltages for entering diode 118 and exiting diode 148 (typically 0.7V each), IR voltage drops across the RC shunt devices (typically 6V), threshold voltage for back-to-back diode 103 (typically 0.7V each) and the IR voltage drop across power supply and ground substrates when the ESD current flows through the parasitic resistance at the power busses.
Usually the global positive power rail (VDD) 101 and the global negative power rail (VSS) 102 busses are configured as a continuous ring around the IC. Therefore, the total protection of devices across global power lines is the sum of all the shunt devices connected to the VDD and VSS power ring. This raises the threshold for ESD damage to occur across VDD and VSS. However, as shown in FIG. 1, there are cases where the chip may be separated into independently-powered circuits (e.g., because some parts of the chip require "clean" power supplies, some of the supplies have low noise immunity, and some power supplies generate noise during normal operation, especially clock pins connected to an external power supply).
By separating power lines, noise coupling and other problems as described above can be reduced. However, separating the power lines may reduce protection from ESD events. Mixed signal integrated circuits having multiple independent power lines may be more susceptible to ESD damage, especially in sections of the integrated circuit where few power pads are used. As shown above, RC-triggered shunt devices (e.g., RC shunt device 120 of FIG. 2) are generally coupled to power pads (e.g., power pads 113 and 115). Thus, when there are relatively few power pads in a section, there is generally less capacity for shunting ESD current from supply to ground.
Referring now to FIG. 3, integrated circuit 300, having independently-powered sections 310 (Section I), 320 (Section II), and 330 (Section III), is shown. Independently-powered section 310 has multiple I/O pads 311, multiple power (VDDIO) pads 312, and multiple ground (VSSIO) pads 313. Thus, section 310 is generally adequately protected because the multiple power pads provide multiple RC shunt devices 314 and 315 in parallel, facilitating the shunting of an ESD current when an ESD event occurs at I/O pads 311.
Independently-powered section 320 has only one I/O pad 321 accompanied by one power pad 322 and one ground pad 323. Thus, in independently-powered section 320, there may be only two RC shunt devices 326 and 327 connecting power line 324 and ground line 325. Any ESD current that enter at I/O pad 321 would flow through diode 378 to power line 324, then trigger RC shunt devices 326 and 327 to shunt the ESD current to ground line 325. By having multiple RC shunts as in sections 310 and 330, the IC can surpass HBM 2 kV requirements, because multiple parallel shunts may activate at substantially the same time to shunt the ESD current. This reduces the IR voltage drops across the shunts by 30% to 50% compared to the 2 RC shunt devices 326 and 327 in section 320. Thus, section 320 is relatively susceptible to ESD damage because it has a relatively high total IR voltage drop (e.g., because it has fewer parallel RC shunt devices), so that the total voltage drop is more likely to exceed Vbreakdown.
One solution to this problem is to add multiple power pads to a section to increase the section's protection from ESD events. However, as integrated circuit technology progresses with decreasingly small scales, such an approach may require 10 or more power and ground pads to protect one or two isolated I/O pads. Thus, this approach becomes increasingly impractical as it consumes relatively large areas of a semiconductor die, increasing the cost of manufacturing the integrated circuit devices.
Therefore, it may be beneficial or advantageous to protect integrated circuits having independently-powered circuit sections from electrostatic discharge events without adding redundant power and/or ground pads.

Circuits, systems, algorithms and methods for ESD protection


A method for creating diagnostic files that includes receiving an error notification indicating that an error has occurred in a particular system section of a system that has a plurality of system sections. The error notification includes information about the error. A diagnostic file that includes a summarized error report of the particular system section is created based on the information included in the error notification. The diagnostic file is saved.

The present invention relates generally to computers, and more specifically, to reducing the footprint of core files in storage constrained environments.
A core file is a file that contains a memory image of a process. Many operating systems have the capability of saving a core file when an application abends. The core file is an important part of diagnosing a cause of the abend, since the data which the application was accessing at the time is in the core file, along with information about which part of the application was running at the time of the abend.
In environments where process memory space usage exceeds the amount of storage space or transmission bandwidth, storing a complete image of the memory is not practical. Examples of these environments include 64 bit processes using terabytes (TBs) of data in random access memory (RAM), mobile devices, embedded devices, and large cache based systems. Mobile and embedded devices connect to servers over a network, and when an error occurs the device needs to get the core information and hence the core files to the server quickly in case the error degrades or eliminates the network connection. Large cache based systems include mobile networks where large amounts of data are cached at the network edge, but there is little storage available and a limited amount of bandwidth. One approach is to compress the resultant core file and this can save some space but may be costly in terms of processing time. Another solution is to omit areas of the address space, but this has the downside of possibly leaving out memory that is needed.

Reduced footprint core files in storage constrained environments

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and apparatus for training a system to assess the identity of a person through the audio characteristics of their voice. The system inserts an audio input (10) into an A/D Converter (20) for processing in a digital signal processor (30). The system then applies Neural network type processing by using a polynomial pattern classifier (60) for training the speaker recognition system.

The present invention pertains to speaker recognition system and more particularly to discriminative speaker recognition systems.
Modern methods in digital signal and speech processing have made it possible to assess identity of an individual through audio characteristics of individuals voices. This speaker recognition process makes possible the recognition of each individual from the voice of the person speaking. The end result is the capability to identify the person with a unique identifier or name of the individual.
A typical system for speaker recognition extracts audio features from speech. It then applies a pattern classifier to the features to perform the recognition. The pattern recognition system is either unsupervised or supervised (discriminative).
Previous state of the art methods for discriminative recognition training required large amounts of data transferring and computation for classifying a speaker.
Unsupervised classifiers model the features of an individual person or speaker without reference to features of others. Discriminative pattern classifiers, in contrast, are trained to discriminate between different speakers.
In general, supervised classifiers are more accurate than unsupervised classifiers because they focus on many specific differences between various speakers.
A drawback of supervised classifiers is that they traditionally require large amounts of computation capability to adequately train the processor to recognize a speaker.
Accordingly, it is advantageous to have a means of implementing discriminative speaker recognition that is less complex and less costly than previous methods.

Method and apparatus for training a speaker recognition system


This invention relates to a compound of Formula I, a method for its preparation and its use in the preparation of a compound of Formula II

Tetrahedron Letters, 1999, 40, 2605–2606 discloses preparation of 1-phenyl-3-bromopyrazole-5-carboxylic acid derivatives involving generation of a reactive bromonitrilimine intermediate. Cycloaddition of this intermediate with an acrylic ester gives a l-phenyl-3-bromo-2-pyrazoline-5-carboxylate ester, which can be subsequently oxidized to the desired 1-phenyl-3-bromo-2-pyrazole-5-carboxylate ester. Alternatively, cycloaddition with a propiolate ester gives the 1-phenyl-3-bromo-2-pyrazole-5-carboxylate ester directly.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,153,654 discloses condensation of certain optionally substituted aryl (e.g. phenyl or naphthyl which are optionally substituted with lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halogen) hydrazines with certain fulmaric or maleic esters to provide 3-pyrazolidinone carboxylic acid derivatives.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications 9-316055 and 9-176124 disclose production of pyrazole carboxylic acid ester derivatives and pyrazoline derivatives, respectively, which are substituted with alkyl at the 1-position.
J. Med. Chem. 2001, 44, 566–578 discloses a preparation of 1-(3-cyanophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-carboxylic acid and its use in preparing inhibitors of blood coagulation factor Xa.
The present invention provides technology useful for conveniently preparing 3-halo-5-carboxylate-1-aryl-substituted dihydro-1H-pyrazoles and pyrazoles.

Substituted dihydro 3-halo-1H-pyrazole-T-carboxylates, their preparation and use

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, R3, X and n are as defined in the disclosure.

Abstract: This invention also discloses preparation of compounds of Formula III

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, R6, R7, R8 and n are as defined in the disclosure.

Abstract: Also disclosed are certain intermediates of Formula 4 for the preparation of compounds of Formula I

Abstract: wherein X is N and R2, R3 and n are as defined in the disclosure.


A video decoder and method for supporting a prediction mode for predicting blocks of a video is configured to predict each of the blocks by extrapolating a neighborhood of the respective block into the block along a direction which varies across the respective block.

All relevant video coding standards, like AVC/H.264 or HEVC/H.265, follow the so-called hybrid approach as shown, for example, in FIG. 1, where predictive coding is combined with transform coding of the prediction residual. For generating the prediction signal, two possible modes are supported by these standards, namely INTRA prediction and INTER prediction. In AVC/H.264, the decision between these two modes can be made at macroblock (16×16 luma samples) level, and in HEVC/H.265 at Coding Unit (CU) level, which can be of varying size. In INTRA prediction, sample values of already reconstructed neighboring blocks of the current block can be used for generating the prediction signal. How this INTRA prediction signal is formed from the neighboring reconstructed sample values, is specified by the INTRA prediction mode. In INTER prediction, already reconstructed frames (in coding order) can be used for generating the prediction signal. For INTER prediction, in both AVC/H.264 and HEVC/H.265, either uni or bi prediction is used. For uni prediction, the prediction signal is a shifted and interpolated region of a so-called reference picture. The used reference picture is specified by the reference index and the location of the (possibly interpolated) region within the reference picture is specified (relatively to the current block) by the motion vector. The motion vector itself is predictively encoded relatively to a motion vector predictor, such that only the motion vector difference has to be actually encoded. In HEVC/H.265, the motion vector predictor is selected by transmitting a motion vector predictor index. In both AVC/H.264 and HEVC/H.265, motion vectors can be specified with an accuracy of a quarter pel (qpel). The process of generating such an (interpolated) prediction signal is also called motion-compensated prediction. In bi prediction, two motion-compensated prediction signals are linearly superposed (typically using a factor of 0.5 for both constituent prediction signals). Therefore, for bi-prediction two reference indices and motion vector differences (and motion vector predictor indices, in HEVC/H.265) have to be transmitted.
In order to simplify the encoding of contiguous areas having the same motion characteristics, HEVC/H.265 supports the so-called MERGE mode, where prediction parameters (i.e., reference indices and motion vectors) of either locally neighboring or temporally co-located blocks can be re-used for the current block. The SKIP mode of HEVC/H.265 is a particular case of MERGE, where no prediction residual is transmitted.
As an example, an intra-picture estimation/prediction of the hybrid video codec of FIG. 1 based on rectangular blocks of size, e.g., W×H as shown FIG. 2 performs as explained below.
The sample values of the current block 2 are predicted using reconstructed sample values of previous coded blocks in the same picture, i.e., reference samples 4. Usually, reference samples 4 are adjacent samples left (side) and above of the current block 2.
Prediction modes describe different processes for calculating/deriving the predicted sample value at a specific position in the current block 2 from sample values of one or more reference samples 4, for instance Planar, DC and Angular prediction modes in HEVC. These modes can be grouped into those for homogeneous regions (Planar and DC prediction modes) and those for directional structures (Angular prediction mode). The intra encoding process consists of choosing or estimating the intra prediction mode, which is transmitted to the decoder in the data stream.
The angular prediction process consists of continuing/copying the reference samples 4 into the current block 2 with a given direction or angle. FIG. 3 shows an example of the different supported directions. These are grouped into two categories, namely horizontal (H) and vertical (V) angular prediction, where horizontal mainly uses the left (H) and vertical mainly uses the above (V) reference samples 4.
The samples of the block are predicted in a line-by-line order. Therefore, rows and columns are swapped for horizontal angular prediction. Now, the line of reference samples 4 is typically on top of the block, such that every line can be filled with a shifted version of the reference samples. The shift or offset value is determined by the prediction direction.
As shown in FIG. 4, for the sample, i.e., the area to be predicted, at position (x,y) the corresponding reference sample position isxr=x+α·y with offset
  α  =                    Δ                          x          D                            3                2              ∈                  [                              -            1                    ,          1                ]            .      In FIG. 3, the values of ΔxD are shown next to the H and V labels, e.g., in the range from −32 to +32. In most cases, xr is not an integer position and therefore the value of sample (x,y) results from interpolating two (or more) reference sample values.
The development of modern video codecs tends towards larger block sizes in combination with non-square (e.g., rectangular) block shapes. Regarding intra-picture prediction and especially the angular prediction mode described above, this might be inefficient. A close prediction of the real signal of a larger block is only possible, if the signal continues linearly in the exact direction of the angular mode over quite a few numbers of rows/columns without any larger deviations.
One obvious solution of this problem is to split the block into smaller blocks, each with an individually adapted angular prediction direction and each with an individual residuum as shown in FIG. 5. However, this solution tends to result in higher signaling costs and smaller instead of larger blocks, and therefore, as a result it causes decreasing the coding efficiency.
As mentioned above, the available and supported prediction modes of now a days video codecs are already pretty effective in terms of keeping the prediction residual low at a reasonable amount of prediction side information that may be used in order to control the prediction using these prediction modes. However, there are some deficiencies to further improve the coding efficiency using the available prediction modes, and therefore, it would be favorable to further increase the coding efficiency of block-based predictive video codecs.

FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.


An implant for occluding a left atrial appendage may include an expandable framework including a body portion and a disk portion, wherein the expandable framework is configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, and an occlusive disk element disposed within the disk portion. The disk portion may include a first disk portion integrally formed with the body portion, and a second disk portion movably attached to the first disk portion by at least one hinge member.

The left atrial appendage is a small organ attached to the left atrium of the heart. During normal heart function, as the left atrium constricts and forces blood into the left ventricle, the left atrial appendage constricts and forces blood into the left atrium. The ability of the left atrial appendage to contract assists with improved filling of the left ventricle, thereby playing a role in maintaining cardiac output. However, in patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, the left atrial appendage may not properly contract or empty, causing stagnant blood to pool within its interior, which can lead to the undesirable formation of thrombi within the left atrial appendage.
Thrombi forming in the left atrial appendage may break loose from this area and enter the blood stream. Thrombi that migrate through the blood vessels may eventually plug a smaller vessel downstream and thereby contribute to stroke or heart attack. Clinical studies have shown that the majority of blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation originate in the left atrial appendage. As a treatment, medical devices have been developed which are deployed to close off the left atrial appendage. Of the known medical devices and methods, each has certain advantages and disadvantages. There is an ongoing need to provide alternative medical devices and introducers as well as alternative methods for manufacturing and using medical devices and introducers.

Left atrial appendage implant with sealing disk