When switching to a forward running is made while a vehicle is running in a reverse direction, a switching to the forward running condition is made at an early time to thereby prevent the deterioration of the durability of the hydraulic engaging element due to slipping. For that purpose, when a vehicle speed (V) has exceeded a predetermined value (YVa) in a reverse range (R) and also when the vehicle speed (V) has never fallen below the predetermined value (YVa) in a neutral range (N), a reverse signal (FREV=1) is outputted. If FREV=1 at the time of switching to the forward range, the relationship between the vehicle speed and the speed stage (speed change map) is set to one (a reverse-running-measure speed change map) which is different from that at an ordinary time, to thereby determine the speed stage to be established. Then, a low speed stage is established even at a relatively high vehicle speed. Switching is thus made at an early time to the forward running condition with a large torque to be transmitted via the low speed stage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control apparatus for a hydraulically operated vehicular transmission having a plurality of speed stages to be established by a selective operation of a plurality of hydraulic engaging elements. In this specification, the term "vehicular transmission" means a transmission for a vehicle such as a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
In this kind of apparatus, there are conventionally provided a vehicle speed detecting means for detecting the vehicle speed, and a speed stage determining means for determining the speed stage to be established in the forward range or position (or forward running range or position) depending on the vehicle speed, to thereby perform speed changing in the forward range. In concrete, there is prepared a speed change map in which is set the relationship between the vehicle speed and the speed stage. A speed stage to be established is thus determined from the speed change map by using the detected vehicle speed as a parameter.
The means for detecting the vehicle speed detects only the rotational speed of a wheel and does not detect the direction of rotation thereof. Therefore, also when a switching is made to the forward range while the vehicle is running at a high speed in the reverse range, a judgement is made that the vehicle is running at a high speed, thereby establishing a high speed stage. In this case, the switching is made from the reverse running to the forward running by a torque transmission via a high speed stage. However, since the transmitted torque to the driving wheels becomes small in the high speed stage, it takes time to switch from the reverse running to the forward running. During this period of time, the hydraulic engaging element keeps on slipping, with the result that the durability of the hydraulic engaging element is deteriorated.
In view of the above point, the present invention has an object of providing a control apparatus in which, when a switch is made to a forward range while running in the reverse direction, the switching to the forward running condition can be made at an early time to thereby prevent the hydraulic engaging element from deteriorating in durability.

Control apparatus for hydraulically operated vehicular transmission


A method of processing a signal having characteristics and received from a telephone line is presented. The method includes defining a frame by measuring a plurality of samples from the signal over a predetermined period. Additionally, linear prediction coding coefficients of a selected group from the plurality of samples are determined. Further, the variance of the linear prediction coding coefficients are determined and the variances compared to a reference variance. A heuristic rule is applied to a selected characteristic of the signal to determine if the signal comprises a voice signal.

Communications between individuals have become an important and extensive part of contemporary society. As a result, technology has accelerated in order to produce numerous ways for individuals to communicate with one another. For example, telephone systems have become much more elaborate, facsimile machines have proliferated, computer networks are more extensive and cellular telephone systems are commonplace.
One particularly advantageous communications medium is phone message delivery. In particular, phone message delivery typically includes a system whereby a person may call the system and leave a voice message. Thereafter, the voice message is delivered to a second person who is the intended recipient of the voice message. This type of messaging system permits one person to communicate a voice message to a second person through the convenience of leaving a message without having to speak live or simultaneously with the intended recipient of the message.
One key problem or underlying complication in voice message delivery systems, however, has been an accurate and reliable delivery of the voice message to the intended recipient. In particular, certain voice message systems operate such that a voice message is stored and the intended recipient is later called in order to deliver the message to that person. Once the intended recipient answers the call, the voice message is delivered. As a result, the system must include an accurate subsystem which can detect when the intended recipient, or some answering person, has answered the phone so that the message may be delivered to that person. Thus, this system must be able to distinguish various different types of signals which it may receive in response to its efforts to contact the intended recipient of the voice message. For example, when the system tries to contact the recipient person, it may receive a ring signal, a busy signal, a clicking on the phone line or various other types of signals rather than receiving the voice response of the intended recipient. Accordingly, the subsystem must be able to distinguish these various systems from the voice of the recipient so that the message is not inadvertently delivered when it should not be.
One previous method for detecting a voice signal on the telephone line is based on Fourier analysis. Under this analysis, a telephone system places a telephone call to the intended recipient in order to deliver the voice message. The system monitors the telephone line signals received once the call is placed. In particular, the system observes eight channels of frequency components to determine whether the signals on the line represent a human voice or other possible signals which may be encountered on a telephone line. This method has been developed with the assumption that a human voice has no consistency over several 32 millisecond frames in frequency components, while non-voice signals such as a ring, busy or reorder signal do have consistency. Therefore, after taking a Fourier transform of the incoming signal, a consistency test is performed. Thereafter, based on the analysis of the consistency test, the Fourier prior art system determines whether the received signal is a human voice or some other signal.
The Fourier transform method and process, however, have been shown to perform poorly, particularly when the incoming signal has substandard quality associated with it. For example, for older telephone exchange systems, various static or clicks on the system may cause erroneous analysis under the Fourier transform system. As another example, even though there are specifications for ring signals from the Bell Telephone System, ring signals frequently violate the specifications. As a consequence, the existing Fourier method often misclassifies a ring signal as a human voice, or vice versa. In the instance where a ring signal is misinterpreted as a human voice, the system may attempt to deliver the voice message when in fact there is no human at the receiving end of the line to receive it. Naturally, this erroneous delivery prevents the actual intended recipient from ever receiving the message and, therefore, may have devastating consequences.
From the above, it may be appreciated that a need has risen for a telephone signal classification and phone message delivery system which corrects the problems or substantially reduces those associated with prior art systems.

Telephone signal classification and phone message delivery method and system


An apparatus for the automated synthesis of molecular arrays. A jetting device is employed along with a reaction chamber to dispense reagents used in the synthesis onto the substrate. A positioning system moves the substrate from the jet to the reaction chamber. A controller controls the movement of the substrate and the application of the reagents so that the synthesis is carried out according to a pre-determined procedure. The apparatus will synthesize nucleotides in an array of micron-size spots according to a pattern selected by the operator immediately prior to synthesis.

Chemical arrays find a variety of applications for the development of new physiologically active compounds, in diagnostics, as well as in other applications. The arrays provide a large number of different compounds in a relatively small space. For a proper array, each compound must have a uniquely defined area, which does not impinge on other areas and allows for detection of an event of interest. To provide arrays which can be used successfully, there are many constraints.
To produce arrays one must be able to reproducibly perform reactions at a particular site without affecting adjacent sites. The reaction should approximate stoichiometry in producing the desired product. Since many of the reactions are performed stepwise, any failure during the synthesis will result in the wrong product. One must be able to define the site at which the reaction occurs in a rapid and efficient manner. Each step in the process should provide for a reproducible result and not interfere with the next stage or the reaction at a different site.
Since the arrays should provide for a large number of different compounds, the process requires many steps. With oligonucleotides, each monomer addition involves a plurality of steps, so that the synthesis at each site will involve the number of steps for each addition multiplied by the number of monomers in the oligonucleotide. In order to be able to produce arrays of oligonucleotides efficiently, it is important to develop automated systems which provide for the accurate placement of reagents, efficient reaction, close packing of different compounds and the indexing of individual oligonucleotides with a particular site in the array. There is, therefore, a great interest in developing systems which will provide for rapid, accurate production of arrays of compounds, where the compounds are synthesized in situ, and the arrays have a high density and clear separation between sites. The apparatus must provide for assurance of the efficient synthesis and the ability to identify the product at a particular site.
In the past, preparation of these arrays was a slow, unreliable process. Moreover, where attempts have been made at automation, a lengthy, pre-synthesis preparation of masks was necessary, and undesirably large quantities of costly reagents were employed.

Apparatus for the chemical synthesis of molecular arrays


A method for generating MR (magnetic resonance) images of a moving object with a repeating motion pattern at comparable motion states, wherein for at least one motion state, a set of MR data which is completely encoded for producing an MR image is provided from a plurality of successive individual MR measurements. The method is characterized in that at least one contiguous region of successive data points is used as indicator within the individual MR measurement, wherein this contiguous region is identically repeated for all individual MR measurements within the respective MR measuring sequence relative to irradiated RF (radio frequency) pulses and switched gradients. This provides reliable allocation of the recorded MR data with the associated motion states, wherein completely encoded sets of MR data can be determined within an optimum time.

The invention concerns a method for generating MR (magnetic resonance) images of a moving object having a repeating motion pattern in comparable motion states, wherein a fully encoded set of MR data for producing an MR image is provided from a plurality of successive individual MR measurements for at least one motion state, the time period between the individual MR measurements being shorter than a repetition rate of the motion pattern, and wherein at least one data point from each individual MR measurement is used as an indicator for the comparability of several motion states.
Methods of this type for imaging moving objects are disclosed in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, MRM 13 (2005).
High-resolution MR images of moving objects must be recorded, in particular, for clinical applications. These are mainly recordings of the heart or abdominal region, wherein the object to be imaged moves relative to the magnetic field generated by the MR apparatus due to heart beat and breathing. The detection of a 2- or 3-dimensional image requires repeated application of imaging pulse sequences with different phase encoding gradients and reconstruction of the image. Due to a continuous motion pattern of the object which usually involves a plurality of motion states, the individual MR signals are recorded in different motion states. This can produce artefacts, such as ghostings, distortions and deterioration of the resolution in the reconstructed image.
This problem is conventionally solved by triggering the times of the individual measurements to comparable motion states of the object using external sensors. However, this requires more time, in particular, when several individual motions of different frequencies overlap. With this method, a particular flank of the trigger signal, which characterizes a certain motion state of the object, must always be waited for. The spin system could therefore be in different relaxation states which, in turn, produces different signal strengths.
Another approach which avoids external trigger signals is the "back projection" method. An indicator is recorded with full rephasing of the spins without using a phase encoding gradient, such that the echo maximum is recorded as the indicator. Since the motion pattern of the object can result in amplitude fluctuations of the indicator signal, a certain size of the amplitude can be associated with a corresponding layer of the object to be imaged. However, this method cannot be applied to 2D-FT methods due to spin dephasing. Another disadvantage is the fact that only one point, i.e. the echo maximum, serves as the indicator. This can cause inaccuracies in the determination of the motion state.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,552,541 B2 describes a method for correcting disturbing influences on the MR signals of a substance disposed in the measuring volume of an MR apparatus, wherein an RF excitation pulse is irradiated onto the substance, and a time-dependent MR signal generated thereby is detected and digitized in a phase-sensitive manner. A temporal behavior of the phase of the MR signal related to a predetermined reference phase of a reference signal is determined from the temporal behavior of the detected and digitized MR signal, is digitized and used to determine one or several correction or control values. In this method, almost any measuring point is used to determine the magnetic field deviation and for control. This ensures great control accuracy.
It is the underlying purpose of the invention to propose a method for generating MR images of a moving object which reliably allocates the recorded MR data with the associated motion states, thereby determining completely encoded MR data sets within an optimized period of time.

Method for producing MR (magnetic resonance) images of a moving object using navigator signals


A composition and method for simultaneously lightening and coloring hair. The composition generally consists of three components, specifically, a bleaching composition, an oxidizing composition and a dyeing composition. The composition preferably lightens hair color by a plurality of levels and simultaneously deposits tones that are attractive and long lasting. In a preferred embodiment, the bleaching composition is a powder composition based on silicate and/or carbonate salts and/or persulfate salts of ammonium, potassium or sodium. The persulfate bleaching composition can be ammonia-free, if desired. The oxidizing composition is preferably an anhydrous hydrogen peroxide solution, or another source of oxygen. The bleaching composition can be mixed with the oxidizing composition to form an anhydrous creme that is applied to the hair.

2. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the coloring of hair, and in particular to a composition and method for simultaneously lightening and coloring hair in a single step using one or more basic dyes.
3. Description of the Related Art
Melanin is a pigment which provides hair with its natural color. Melanin can be found in granular form in the cortex of hair follicles. There are two general classes of melanin pigments: eumelanins and pheomelanins. Eumelanins are brownish-black in hue, while pheomelanins are reddish-orange in hue. Darker hair typically has a higher concentration of eumelanins, while reddish hair typically has a higher concentration of pheomelanins. Light blond hair typically has a low concentration of both pigments.
Dark hair color can be lightened by applying a bleaching agent to the hair to attack and destroy the melanin granules. The bleaching agent typically includes a hydrogen peroxide solution. The hydrogen peroxide solution can be used alone, or in combination with anhydrous powders such as silicate and/or carbonate salts or persulfate salts of ammonium, potassium or sodium. The mixture of hydrogen peroxide and anhydrous powder is beneficial if stronger bleaching is desired, such as, for example, when lifting brown or darker hair to a pale blonde color.
During hair bleaching, pheomelanins are typically more difficult to destroy than eumelanins. As a result, dark hair tends to take on a reddish or orange tone when bleached due to the pheomelanin pigment remaining in the hair. In order to neutralize this reddish or orange tone, colorants or dyes are typically applied to the hair either during or after bleaching.
It is known that certain basic dyes can be combined with a bleaching mixture such that when the combination is applied to the hair, the hair is bleached and toning or coloring is imparted to the hair in a single step. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,177 to Orr teaches that the basic azo dyes listed in Table 1 below have been found to effectively color bleached hair. The listed dyes have been found to be stable in the bleach mixture and capable of depositing the desired amount of tone on the hair.
TABLE 1Functioning One-Step Dyes under U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,177Toning ability/Stability (5 beingDyeChemicalClassC.I. #highest)Basic Blue41Azo111543Basic Blue67Azo451754Basic Brown1Azo210002Basic Brown4Azo210102Basic Red18Azo110855Basic Red22Azo110554Basic Red46Azo5Basic Red104Azo5Basic Violet35Azo4Basic Yellow45Azo2Basic Yellow57Azo2Basic Yellow67Azo2
The Orr patent also teaches that certain other basic azo dyes, for example Basic Blue 54, are not effective as one step colorants, as they are generally unstable in the bleaching mixture and/or ineffective in depositing tone or coloring on the hair.
The dyes listed in Table 1 only represent certain particular shades of the respective colors. As a result, these particular dyes may not produce the desired shade or tone when applied to a person's hair, either alone or in combination with other dyes. This is particularly true when the person's hair has been bleached to a very pale blond shade, such that the tone that results from application of dye is particularly noticeable.
Additionally, even if one or more of the listed dyes in Table 1 provides the desired tone, the dyes may not exhibit the desired colorfastness or purity properties. Further, the dyes may be prohibitively expensive. In addition, it may be necessary to use a selected dye in large amounts or at very high concentrations to achieve the desired tone or colorfastness, which may result in diminished stability of the dye in the bleaching solution.
It would be advantageous to provide a composition and method for hair lightening and coloring in a single step that produces the desired toning and stability characteristics when used in limited amounts and/or at high concentrations in a person's hair. It would also be advantageous to provide a composition and method for hair lightening and coloring that provides the desired shade of color to a person's hair while also being generally stable in a bleach solution and effective in depositing tone on the hair for an extended period of time.
Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no composition and method for hair lightening and coloring in a single step that: provides desired toning and stability characteristics when used in limited amounts and/or at high concentrations; and provides a desired shade of color to hair while being generally stable in a bleach solution and effective in depositing the tone on the hair for an extended period of time. Therefore, the art has sought a composition and method for hair lightening and coloring that exhibits desired toning features and stability, particularly when used in limited amounts and at high concentrations; and provides a desired shade of coloring to hair while being generally stable in the bleach solution and effective in depositing the tone on the hair for an extended period of time.

Composition and method for simultaneously lightening and coloring hair


A voltage generation apparatus may include an external voltage sensing circuit configured to generate a first start signal and a second start signal by sensing the magnitude of a first external voltage and the magnitude of a second external voltage. The voltage generation apparatus may include an internal voltage sensing circuit configured to generate a voltage generation signal by comparing an internal voltage with a target voltage. The voltage generation apparatus may include a voltage pumping circuit configured to be activated in response to the first start signal, configured to perform a pumping operation based on the voltage generation signal, and configured to generate the internal voltage. The voltage generation apparatus may include a voltage regulating circuit configured to be activated in response to the first and second start signals, and configured to generate the internal voltage based on the voltage generation signal.

1. Technical Field
Various embodiments generally relate to a voltage generation apparatus, and more particularly to a voltage generation apparatus configured to include a voltage pump and a voltage regulator for generating an internal voltage.
2. Related Art
Electronic devices may include a voltage generation circuit configured to generate an internal voltage based on two or more external voltages. The voltage generation circuits can generate the internal voltage based on respective external voltages. If several voltage generation units generate one internal voltage, there may be needed at least two units for sensing the magnitude of internal voltage. However, a through-current flows among external voltages, resulting in the occurrence of unnecessary power consumption.


An apparatus for feeding items of laundry to a mangle having loading clamps (27) arranged on conveyors (20) having endless toothed belts (21), the loading clamps (27) being driven in circulation, and if the respective toothed belts (21) are assigned a plurality of the loading clamps (27), the cycle times can be reduced.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding items of laundry to a laundry-treatment arrangement, in particular a mangle, having a feed conveyor, having a spreading arrangement which is arranged upstream of the feed conveyor and has at least two spreading clamps which can be displaced transversely upstream of the feed conveyor, and having at least one loading station upstream of the spreading arrangement, the at least one loading station having a loading location, which is arranged at a lower level than the spreading clamps and at least one conveying arrangement, which slopes up obliquely to the higher-level spreading clamps and has at least one loading clamp.
Apparatuses of the type mentioned here serve for feeding items of laundry mechanically to a mangle or some other laundry-treatment arrangement. An item of laundry is introduced by hand into loading clamps by way of opposite corners of one edge. The loading clamps transfer the item of laundry to spreading clamps. The item of laundry is spread out by the spreading clamps. Each spread-out item of laundry hanging on the spreading clamps is then deposited, with the spread-out front edge in front, on a feed conveyor or on a depositing strip and is transferred from the latter on to the feed conveyor. From the feed conveyor the item of laundry is then fed, in a spread-out state, to the mangle or some other laundry-treatment arrangement.
2. Related Art
In order for it also to be possible for large items of laundry to be spread out by the spreading clamps such that they hang freely, it is necessary for the spreading clamps to be arranged at a correspondingly high level. In order that the operator need not raise the item of laundry to the extent where it can be fitted into the loading clamps in the state in which it hangs down freely, it is known from EP 0 554 205 B1 to arrange the loading clamps on carriages which can be displaced on upwardly sloping rails to higher-level spreading clamps. Once the item of laundry has been moved off on the rails and transferred to the spreading clamps, by the carriages bearing the loading clamps, the empty loading clamps have to be moved back again along the rails, into the bottom loading position. The operator thus has to wait at the respective loading station until the empty loading clamps have moved back again into the bottom loading position. This reduces the throughput of the known apparatus.

Apparatus for feeding items of laundry to a laundry-treatment arrangement, in particular a mangle


A television (TV) tuner includes a first mixer for mixing a received RF signal with a first local oscillator signal to produce an intermediate frequency signal, a second mixer for mixing the intermediate frequency signal with a second local oscillator signal for producing an in-phase baseband output signal, a third mixer for mixing the intermediate frequency signal with a third local oscillator signal for producing a quadrature-phase baseband output signal, the third local oscillator signal being the second local oscillator signal phase delayed, and a single phase locked loop (PLL) coupled to the first mixer and the second mixer unit for generating the first local oscillator signal and the second local oscillator signal according to a selected channel in the received RF signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to television tuners, and more particularly, to a television tuner having a single phase-locked loop used to process a received RF signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One of the most significant costs in television manufacturing is the cost of the tuner. Furthermore, with the increasing desire to integrate TV functions into personal computer (PC) systems and other electronic devices, the cost of the tuner needs to be reduced. TV tuners may be fabricated on circuit boards and then installed in personal computer systems, thereby allowing the PC to function as a television set. These tuners convert a radio frequency television signal into a baseband (or low frequency) video signal, which can then be passed on to other elements in the PC for video processing applications.
FIG. 1 shows an integrated television tuner 100 as disclosed by Rotzoll in U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,035. The television tuner 100 includes an on-chip circuit 102 in addition to an external off-chip band-pass filter 104. The on-chip circuit 102 includes an adjustable low-noise amplifier (LNA) 106, a first mixer 108, a second mixer 110, a second intermediate frequency amplifier 112, a plurality of first voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) 114, a first phase-locked loop (PLL) 116, a second VCO 118, and a second PLL 120.
The adjustable LNA 106 amplifies a selected channel in a received RF signal (RF_in), and the first mixer 108 mixes the result with a first local oscillator signal LO1 to up-convert the selected channel to a constant frequency at a first intermediate frequency signal IF1, which is typically at 1220 MHz. To perform this task at a plurality of different selected channel frequencies, the first local oscillator signal LO1 must have a wide frequency range to allow different channels at different frequencies to be up-converted. Thus, a plurality of VCOs 114 must be used. Each VCO has a smaller frequency range and therefore a smaller resulting lower phase noise. The first PLL 116 is used to select the appropriate VCO and to control the frequency of the selected VCO to thereby generate the first local oscillator signal LO1.
The resulting first intermediate frequency signal IF1 is filtered by the off-chip band-pass filter 104 then mixed by the second mixer 110 with a second local oscillating signal LO2 to produce an output signal, which is typically a second intermediate frequency signal at 44 MHz. The second PLL 116 is used to control the frequency of the second local oscillator signal LO2, which is typically set to 1176 MHz. As the mixer 110 would also mix an image signal located at 1132 MHz with the second local oscillator signal LO2 (1176 MHz) to produce an output signal at 44 MHz, the first intermediate frequency signal IF1 is first filtered by the off-chip band-pass filter 104 to partly remove the image signal. Furthermore, the second mixer 110 is implemented as an image rejection type mixer to further prevent the image signal from appearing in the output signal IF2 and degrading the performance of the television tuner 100. Additionally, because the output signal IF2 of the television tuner 100 is not at baseband, an additional frequency conversion stage is needed (not shown). This additional frequency conversion stage requires at least one additional mixer, a third VCO, and a third PLL to control the frequency of the third VCO.
The use of the off-chip band-pass filter 104, the special image rejection mixer for the second mixer 110, and the multiple PLLs to control the frequencies of each local oscillator signal significantly increases the cost and the complexity of the television tuner 100. Accordingly, a need exists for a television tuner not having these requirements in order to reduce the cost and simplify the design.

Television tuner and method of processing a received RF signal


The invention relates to a cable run element comprising a plurality of links (2) connected in a chain-like manner which are arranged in a starting position, in particular with freely suspended cable run element (1), along a straight line,                wherein all links (2) are pivotable relative to one another with respect to their respectively adjacent links (2) in the same swivel plane (99),        wherein a number of links (2) have two parallel plates (4) extending parallel to the swivel plane (99) of the cable run element (1) and forming a receptacle (46) for a cable to be run between them,        wherein a number of links (2) have guide elements (3) for running a cable in the receptacle (46),        wherein connecting elements (5), which connect the links (2) that are pivotable relative to one another are provided in an end region (43) of the parallel plates (4),        and wherein counterweights (6) are arranged in an end region (44) of the parallel plates (4) opposite the end region (43) on at least two links (2),        so that the center of gravity (9) of the cable run element (1) lies in its starting position and/or in its freely suspended position in the receptacle (46) between the guide elements (3) and the opposite end regions (44).

The invention relates to a chain-like cable run element.
Cable run elements of this type are used primarily for laying cables in waste water pipes.
Cables are commonly understood to be flexible objects which have a considerably longitudinal extension, e.g. such as ropes, plastic pipes or the like, with an essentially constant cross section.
There is generally the problem in the prior art that, when laying cables in waste water shafts, the cable and a cable robot must be inserted into the channel through a vertical shaft. Usually, the manhole extends vertically to a sewer pipe that extends essentially horizontally, so that there is an edge when the shaft opens into the channel. There are difficulties when inserting a cable into the channel via the shaft, since the run of the cable in the region of this edge is made more difficult by a great resistance due to friction and deflection and, in such a case, the cable is perhaps damaged.
Some devices for introducing cables are known from the prior art which are screwed together with the shaft and the channel by complicated and error-prone mechanisms. Assembling a device of this type is definitely expensive and, in particular, leads to a great loss of time and requires extensive installation work.


Contact charging is performed using a charging inlet and a charger, and non-contact charging is performed using a power transmission unit and a power reception unit. An ECU controls charging power by the contact charging and charging power by the non-contact charging such that the sum of the charging power by the contact charging and the charging power by the non-contact charging does not exceed a predetermined limitation. When the sum of electric power receivable by the contact charging and electric power receivable by the non-contact charging exceeds the predetermined limitation, the ECU controls the charging power by the contact charging and the charging power by the non-contact charging to limit one of the contact charging and the non-contact charging which is less efficient.

International Publication No. 2010/131348 (PTD 1) discloses a vehicular charging device capable of performing both of so-called plug-in charging (conductive charging) which charges a vehicle-mounted power storage device by transmitting electric power from a power supply apparatus to a vehicle through a power line, and non-contact charging (inductive charging) which charges the power supply apparatus by transmitting electric power from the power supply apparatus to the vehicle through an electromagnetic field in a non-contact manner. In the vehicular charging device, a power reception terminal for the plug-in charging is configured to be capable of being electrically connected to an alternating current (AC) power source outside the vehicle. A charger is configured to convert AC power input from the power reception terminal into a predetermined direct current (DC) voltage. A non-contact power reception unit is configured to receive electric power from the AC power source in the non-contact manner by magnetically coupling to a power transmission unit of the AC power source. Here, the non-contact power reception unit is connected to a power conversion circuit of the charger.
With such a configuration, at least a portion of a power element constituting the power conversion circuit is commonly used for the plug-in charging and the non-contact charging. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced when compared with a case where a charger for the plug-in charging and a charger for the non-contact charging are provided completely separately. Therefore, according to the vehicular charging device, both of the plug-in charging and the non-contact charging can be performed while suppressing cost increase (see PTD 1).

Vehicular power reception device, power supply apparatus, and electric power transfer system


A data-processing circuit includes first and second cooperating processors where one of the processors context switches between applications without running an operating system. In one implementation, the first processor operates under the control of an operating system to switch back and forth between executing a first application or portion thereof and executing a second application or portion thereof. And the second processor operates in a stand-alone mode to switch back and forth between the first application or a portion thereof and the second application or a portion thereof. In another implementation, the first processor runs a single application or portion thereof but no operating system, and the second processor operates in a stand-alone mode to switch back and forth between different applications or different portions of the same or different applications. Such a data-processing circuit allows multiple processors to run multiple applications and/or portions thereof “simultaneously” while at least one of the processors is operating in a stand-alone mode to reduce or eliminate operating-system overhead.

A data processor can often run an operating system that allows the processor to "simultaneously" run multiple application programs, i.e., applications. For example, an Intel Pentium® processor can run a Microsoft Windows® operating system, which allows the processor to simultaneously run applications such as MS Word® (word processor), Netscape Navigator® (web browser), and Adobe Acrobat® (image reader). Specifically, because the processor can typically execute the code of only one application at a time—in this sense, "simultaneous" is a misnomer—the operating system controls the processor such that the processor executes the code of one application for a first time period, the code of another application for a second time period, and so on, and then repeats this sequence. Because the time periods are relatively small (typically on the order of milliseconds (ms)), it appears to a user that the processor is running more than one application at the same time, hence the term "simultaneous." The processor's execution of the code of one application and then the code of another application is often called context switching because the processor, under the control of the operating system, switches from running the one application to running the other application. Furthermore, the processor may facilitate context switching by the operating system. For example, the instruction set of the processor may include specialized context-switching instructions that the operating system can use to, e.g., save the data generated by one application before switching to the other application. Furthermore, the processor may include circuitry for handling interrupts that initiate a switch from one application to the other.
Similarly, in a data-processing circuit that includes multiple data processors, each processor can run a respective operating system that allows the processor or a group of cooperating processors to "simultaneously" run multiple applications in the above-described manner. Such a data-processing circuit is further described below in conjunction with FIG. 1.
Unfortunately, because a data processor typically cannot run multiple applications "simultaneously" without also running an operating system, a processor that operates in a stand-alone mode, i.e., without running an operating system, typically cannot run multiple applications "simultaneously".
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional data-processing circuit 10, which includes two processors 12 and 14 that run their own operating systems so that together they can run multiple applications "simultaneously". In addition to the cooperating processors 12 and 14, the circuit 10 includes memories 16 and 18. The memory 16 includes a section 22 and sections 241–24n for respectively storing the code of the operating system and the code of the applications or portions of the applications run by the processor 12. The memory 16 also includes a section 26 for storing data generated by the processor 12 while it executes the operating-system and/or application code. Similarly, the memory 18 includes a section 28 and sections 301–30n for respectively storing the code of the operating system and the code of the applications or portions of the applications run by the processor 14, and a section 32 for storing data generated by the processor 14.
In operation, the processors 12 and 14 cooperate to "simultaneously" run multiple applications programs, and are under the control of the operating systems stored in the memory sections 22 and 28, respectively, during all of the time periods discussed below.
During a first application-running period, the processor 12 executes a portion of the first-application code stored in the memory section 241 and the processor 14 executes a portion of the first-application code stored in the memory section 301. Although the processors 12 and 14 may execute the same portion of the first-application code, they typically cooperate more effectively by executing different portions of the code. For example, if the first application is an image-encoding program, then the processor 12 might execute a portion of the code that encodes image data and the processor 14 might execute a portion of the code that generates an encoded bit stream from the encoded image data. Consequently, to use memory efficiently when the processors 12 and 14 execute different portions of an application's code, the memory section 241 may store only the portion of the code that is executed by the processor 12, and the memory section 301 may store only the portion of the code that is executed by the processor 14. The processor 12 stores in the memory section 26 any data that it generates while executing its portion of the first-application code; likewise, the processor 14 stores in the memory section 32 any data that it generates while executing its portion of the first-application code.
During a context-switching period, the processors 12 and 14 prepare to switch from executing the respective portions of the first-application code stored in the memory sections 241 and 301 to executing respective portions of the second-application code stored in the memory sections 242 and 302. One or both of the operating systems respectively being run by the processors 12 and 14 initiate the context-switching period on its/their own or in response to a signal, such as an interrupt request, that one or both of the processors process. As a result of this initiation, the processor 12 performs one or more context-switching tasks such as loading its program counter (not shown) with a value that points to the memory section 242. Also, if during subsequent time periods the processor 12 might overwrite the data it stored in the memory section 26 during the first application-running period, the processor saves this data to another memory location where it will not be overwritten. In addition, the processor 12 may restore to the memory section 26 data that it generated and saved during a prior execution of the application code—here the second-application code—that it is preparing to execute. Likewise, the processor 14 performs one or more such context-switching tasks such as loading its program counter (not shown) with a value that points to the memory section 302, saving data from the memory section 32 to another memory location, and restoring previously saved data to the memory section 32. The context-switching period typically ends once the processors 12 and 14 have finished executing their context-switching tasks.
During a second application-running period, the processor 12 executes a portion of the second-application code stored in the memory section 242 and the processor 14 executes a portion of the second-application code stored in the memory section 302. As discussed above, although the processors 12 and 14 may execute the same portion of the second-application code, they typically cooperate more effectively by executing different portions of the code. For example, if the second application is an image-decoding program, then the processor 12 might execute a portion of the code that decodes image data and the processor 14 might execute a portion of the code that parses the received encoded bit stream. Consequently, to use memory efficiently, the memory section 242 may store only the portion of the second-application code that is executed by the processor 12, and the memory section 302 may store only the portion of the second-application code that is executed by the processor 14. The processor 12 stores in the memory section 26 any data that it generates while executing its portion of the second-application code; likewise, the processor 14 stores in the memory section 32 any data that it generates while executing its portion of the second-application code.
The processors 12 and 14 continue switching back and forth between the first and second applications (and any other applications that the processors 12 and 14 are simultaneously running) until instructed to stop. Furthermore, although not discussed, the processors 12 and 14 typically execute respective portions of the operating-system code during operating-system-running periods that occur between the application-running and context-switching periods discussed above.
Still referring to FIG. 1, the processors 12 and 14 typically incur relatively large levels of overhead to run the respective operating systems. Specifically, running an operating system typically requires a relatively large percentage of a processor's processing time and a large amount of random-access memory (RAM).
Consequently, to reduce or eliminate this operating-system overhead, it is sometimes desirable to run one or both of the processors 12 and 14 in a stand-alone mode. For example, running the processor 12 in a stand-alone mode often allows it to devote more of its processing time to the applications stored in the memory sections 241–24n and frees up the memory section 22 to store another application or data. This technique is particularly useful if one of the applications is so time intensive that the processor 12 cannot run both the application and the operating system, or if the memory 16 is too small to hold an operating system and multiple applications.
But unfortunately, the processors 12 and 14 typically cannot run multiple applications "simultaneously" without also running respective operating systems and thus incurring the above-described operating-system overhead.

Data-processing circuit and method for switching between application programs without an operating system


Natural teas for taking off the effects of drink and getting rid of or curing the hangover. The teas can be prepared by using as the main raw materials extracts of leaves, stems or roots of alder and mountain ash or powders obtained by direct pulverization of leaves, stems or roots thereof, and optionally mixing the above extracts or powders with antidotal crude herb medicines including an extract of fructus ligustic fruit and an extract of radix puerariae at various mixing ratios. The effects of the teas for curing hangover are produced by taking the teas before or after drinking.

The inventors were interested in making natural and vegetal preparations for curing the hangover. After several tens of tests by using alders and mountain ashes, growing in Sosan, a region in Korea, inventors succeeded in making natural teas consisting of only vegetal ingredients, which are capable of curing the hangover, when taken before or after taking alcoholic drinks. The teas according to the present invention include extracts coming from leaves, stems, or roots of alder and mountain ash and further extracts coming from herb medicines being known to have functions of protecting the liver in the human body or detoxicating.
The hangover or the aftereffects of the heavy drink is thought to be influenced by toxic ethyl alcohols and/or acetaldehydes being accumulated in the liver from heavy alcoholic drinking. The hangover continues for hours due to the harmful effect of toxic ethyl alcohol and/or aldehyde on the liver, which causes the metabolism of the body to be deactivated, resulting in fatigue and exhaustion feeling of the whole body, feeling of having gas in the vowels, and vomiting.
Under a normal metabolism relating to ethyl alcohols in human body, the ethyl alcohols are absorbed into the stomach or the small intestines and thereafter, transferred to the liver through blood vessels. Alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver cells catalyzes the oxidation of ethyl alcohols to acetaldehydes, which in turn are decomposed into acetic acids by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in the same cells. The resulting acetic acids are transferred to muscle and adipose tissues of the body and eventually converted to CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. Further, there are two types of acetaldehyde dehydrogenases: I--type one catalyzing the oxidation process of low concentrations of acetaldehydes and II--type one starting to activate the oxidation process only on high concentrations of acetaldehydes. Unfortunately, it is usual that Oriental people are lacking or short of the II--type acetaldehyde dehydrogenases and accordingly the oxidation of acetaldehydes is not so well activated that acetaldehydes and/or ethyl alcohols may not be decomposed and remain in the liver. The acetaldehydes and/or ethyl alcohols exceedingly accumulated in the liver disturb the normal metabolism and result in hangover. For diminishing or curing hangover, some herb or chemical medicines have been evaluated and used individually or in a group for hangover cure drinks.
A variety of herb medicines have been used for curing hangover and many liquid cures including such herb medicines are on the market. Those drinks may be taken alone before or after drinking, or mixed with strong alcoholic drinks to be taken. However, those beverages have some problems: one is to do more harm than good for curing the fatigue, feeling of having gas in the vowels, vomiting, or stomachache, and the other is the high price owing to the expensive medicinal herbs contained therein.
An object of the present invention is to provide natural teas or beverages which are capable of curing the hangover.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such hangover cure drinks with a low price.

Natural teas for taking off the effects of drink and process for the production thereof


Methods and systems are provided for controlling coolant flow through parallel branches of a coolant circuit including an AC condenser and a charge air cooler. Flow is apportioned through each of an air-conditioning condenser, a charge air cooler (CAC), and a transmission oil cooler (TOC) of the coolant circuit to maintain an estimated transmission oil temperature (TOT) below a threshold. The TOT is estimated from a torque converter slip ratio.

Vehicle systems may include multiple coolant loops for circulating coolant through distinct sets of engine components. The coolant flow may absorb heat from some components (thereby expediting cooling of those components) and transfer the heat to other components (thereby expediting heating of those components). For example, a high temperature coolant loop may circulate coolant through an engine to absorb waste engine heat. The coolant may also receive heat rejected from one or more of an EGR cooler, an exhaust manifold cooler, a turbocharger cooler, and a transmission oil cooler. Heat from the heated coolant may be transferred to a heater core (for heating a vehicle cabin), and/or dissipated to the atmosphere upon passage through a radiator including a fan. As another example, a low temperature coolant loop may circulate coolant through a charge air cooler. When required (such as when cabin air conditioning is requested), coolant in the low temperature loop may be additionally pumped through the condenser of an air conditioning (AC) system to absorb heat rejected at the condenser by a refrigerant of the AC system. Heat from the heated coolant may be dissipated to the atmosphere upon passage through another radiator including a fan. One example of such a vehicle coolant system is shown by Ulrey et al. in US20150047374. Another example coolant system is shown by Isermeyer et al. in US20150040874. Therein a heat exchanger enables heat exchange between a charge air cooling coolant circuit and a refrigerant circuit of the condenser.
However the inventors herein have identified potential issues with such coolant systems. As one example, if coolant flow through the transmission oil cooler (TOC) is underestimated, the coolant system can boil over. In particular, in engine systems including an automatic transmission, the coolant (e.g., in the high temperature coolant loop) flowing through the transmission oil cooler is used to cool transmission oil that is tapped from the torque converter. This is due to the oil being the hottest at this location on account of the viscous action of the torque converter. Based on the oil temperature, a valve of the TOC is actuated to divert transmission oil for heat exchange with the coolant system. However, the oil temperature is estimated at the oil sump which may be significantly cooler than the actual temperature of oil coming out of the torque converter, such as when the torque converter is holding a grade or slipping, or during transmission shifts. If the coolant flow is adjusted based on the sump oil temperature, the actual coolant flow may be lower than the required coolant flow, causing coolant to boil over. In addition to degrading the transmission, this can also cause degradation of all engine components sharing coolant with the transmission via the coolant loop, such as the AC system, the charge air cooler, the cylinder head, etc.
In one example, the above issues may be at least partly addressed by a method comprising: adjusting flow of coolant through each of an air-conditioning condenser, a charge air cooler (CAC), and a transmission oil cooler (TOC) of a coolant circuit to maintain an estimated transmission oil temperature (TOT) below a threshold, the TOT estimated based on a torque converter slip ratio. In this way, transmission temperatures may be better maintained while sharing coolant with other engine components.
As an example, each of a condenser of an AC system and a CAC may be coupled to distinct branches of a coolant circuit downstream of a proportioning valve, coolant directed into the circuit via a coolant pump. The condenser may be further coupled to a refrigerant circuit of the AC system, while the coolant circuit may be further coupled to an oil circuit of a transmission at a transmission oil cooler (TOC) via a transmission valve. The oil circuit may include a sump from which oil is drawn and flowed through a transmission, a torque converter, and the TOC. A temperature sensor coupled to the sump may be configured to provide an estimate of transmission oil temperature (TOT) at the sump. During conditions when heat may be generated at the torque converter, such as when the torque converter slip ratio is higher than a threshold, the controller may adjust coolant flow through the TOC based on a TOT estimate that is inferred based on operating conditions at the torque converter instead of the TOT estimate measured by the temperature sensor. Alternatively the controller may compare the two TOT estimates and use the higher of the two to adjust coolant flow through the TOC. As such, during these conditions, the cabin cooling demand and the engine cooling demand may be significantly lower than the cooling demand at the TOC. The controller may then adjust the pump output as well as a position of the proportioning valve to provide a target coolant flow rate through the coolant circuit components, including the TOC, to provide the required cooling. In this way, by adjusting the coolant distribution through a TOC based on torque converter conditions, including a slip ratio, coolant boiling may be better averted. By relying on an inferred TOT estimate, the need for additional temperature sensors for regulating coolant boiling issues is reduced, providing component reduction benefits. Also, by using an existing fuel efficient coolant pump for TOT control, vehicle electrical power consumption is reduced, providing additional fuel economy benefits. Overall, engine cooling performance is improved.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Methods and systems for control of coolant flow through an engine coolant system


An antenna assembly includes an electrical device (20) and an antenna coating (10). The electrical device includes a circuit board(22), an insulative cover (11) and a connection portion (24) pivotally interconnecting the circuit board and the insulative cover. The antenna coating is formed on the insulative cover and substantially covers the connection portion, thereby establishing electrical connection with the circuit board via the connection portion. By pivotally rotating the insulative cover on the electrical device, the antenna performance can be improved. Because the antenna coating is directly formed on the insulative cover of the electrical device, the antenna assembly has a simple structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna assembly, and in particular to an antenna assembly having a simple structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Following the development of communication technology, especially the development of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Bluetooth and HomeRF, etc., many electronic devices have the function of wireless telecommunication in close range. To achieve the function, an antenna is used in an electronic device for receiving and transmitting signals.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,837, issued to Spiegel et al. on Nov. 26, 2002, discloses a conventional antenna assembly mounted in an electrical device. The conventional antenna assembly comprises an insulative substrate carrying antenna element and an insulative base portion supporting the substrate. The substrate defines a plurality of holes to respectively engaging with posts formed on the base portion, thereby being securely mounted on the base portion. The base portion comprises a plurality of fasten portions to be mounted on a circuit board of the electrical device. The antenna assembly comprises a contact electrically interconnecting the antenna element and the circuit board. However, because the substrate must form the holes to engage with the posts of the base portion, the antenna assembly has a complicated structure. The substrate and the base portion must be separately fabricated and then are mounted together, resulting a complicated manufacture and assembly process.
Hence, an improved antenna assembly is desired to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of existing antenna assembly.


Disclosed herein is an ink-jet recording process which comprises applying a first liquid at least containing a water-soluble resin having at least one carboxyl group or anhydride thereof, or sulfonic group per molecule to a recording medium and then applying an ink at least comprising water, an organic solvent, a dye, an alkali-soluble resin and an alkali to the portions where the first liquid has adhered, thereby forming an image. An ink set and an instrument for use in such a process are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ink-jet recording. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ink set, an ink-jet recording process and a recording apparatus, by which high-quality color images can be formed on plain paper.
2. Related Background Art
Ink-jet recording is a method in which recording is conducted by ejecting droplets of an ink and then applying the droplets to a recording material such as paper. In particular, according to the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 61-59911, 61-59912 and 61-59914 by the present applicant, in which an electrothermal converter is used as an ejection-energy supply means to apply thermal energy to an ink so as to generate bubbles, thereby ejecting droplets of the ink, formation of a high-density multi-orifice head can be realized with ease, and high-resolution and high-quality images can be recorded at high speed.
However, the conventional inks used in ink-jet recording generally comprise, as a principal component, water, and include additionally a water-soluble high boiling solvent such as glycol for the purpose of preventing drying and clogging, and the like. When such an ink has been used to conduct recording on plain paper, there have been disadvantages that the ink penetrates into the interior of the recording paper, resulting in failure to achieve sufficient image density, and moreover, unevenness of image density occurs, which appears to be attributed to the uneven distribution of the filler and size on the surface of the recording paper. In particular, when color images are intended to form, a plurality of inks of different colors are overlapped one after another before they are fixed. Therefore, color bleeding and uneven color mixing have occurred at portions of boundaries between images of different colors (hereinafter referred to as "bleeding" simply), resulting in failure to obtain satisfactory images.
As means for solving the above-described problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-65269 discloses the use of inks comprising a compound capable of enhancing their penetrability, such as a surfactant, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-66976 discloses the use of inks comprising, as a principal component, a volatile solvent. However, the former method has involved a disadvantage that although the penetrability of the inks into recording paper is improved, and the bleeding can be prevented to some extent, the image density and the brightness of images are lowered because the inks penetrate deeply in the recording paper together with coloring matter. In addition, since the wettability to the surface of the recording paper is also improved, the inks tend to spread, resulting in reduction of resolution and occurrence of feathering. Therefore, such a method has not been preferred. In particular, this problem is noticeable when black-colored characters are expressed. On the other hand, the latter method is liable to cause clogging due to the evaporation of the solvent in a nozzle of a recording head in addition to the above-described disadvantages. Such a method has therefore not been preferred.
Further, there have been disclosed methods of applying a liquid, which can make the quality of images better, to recording paper prior to the jetting of a recording ink. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-29971 discloses a method in which a liquid containing an organic compound having two or more cationic groups per molecule is applied to recording paper, and recording is then conducted with an ink containing an anionic dye. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-9279 discloses a method in which an acidic liquid containing succinic acid or the like is applied to recording paper, and recording is then conducted with an ink. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-63185 discloses a method of applying a liquid, which insolubilizes dyes, to recording paper prior to recording. All these methods intend to improve the fixability, waterproofness and the like of images recorded owing to the deposition of the dye itself in the ink. Although all these methods have been able to prevent bleeding to some extent, they have been poor in coverability on paper fibers in the recording paper because the dye is deposited unevenly on the recording paper, resulting in an image in which white voids are conspicuous. In addition, the rub-off resistance of the image formed has also been poor. Therefore, the image has come off when rubbed with a finger, and the recording paper has been smeared. Accordingly, these methods have not been preferred.


An etching method of the present invention includes a first and a second process. In the first process, pattern widths of a pre-patterned mask layer are increased by depositing plasma reaction products on sidewalls of the mask layer. In the second process, a layer to be etched is etched by using the mask layer as a mask having increased the pattern widths. Therefore, mask layers having different pattern densities exist in the same wafer and pattern widths of mask layers patterned through a photolithography process are uneven according to pattern densities, each pattern width of the mask layers can be made uniform. Accordingly, the pattern widths of the layer can be made uniform over an entire wafer.

In order to manufacture a semiconductor device, an etching process of forming desired fine patterns on a film formed on a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter referred to as a "wafer") is performed. In the etching process, a photolithography technology is employed to form fine pattern circuits. Specifically, a photoresist material is uniformly coated to a layer to be etched and dried, first. Thereafter, in an exposing step, a photoresist film is exposed to a light having a predetermined wavelength, and the fine pattern circuits are transferred thereto.
For example, in case where the photoresist material is of a positive type, the portions of the photoresist film, onto which the light has been irradiated, are removed by developing, thus forming a patterned mask layer. Subsequently, by performing a plasma etching process using the mask layer as a mask, the layer to be etched is etched into a desired pattern.
In a conventional exposure processing, if a light irradiated onto a photoresist film is diffusely reflected on an interface between the photoresist film and an under film, the light reaches regions of the photoresist film where it is not supposed to, thus possibly preventing a desired pattern form being obtained. In light of a current trend toward the fineness of circuit patterns and, particularly, its corresponding change of a light source from a KrF excimer laser (248 nm) to a short wave ArF excimer laser (193 nm), this phenomenon has been a problem. Accordingly, a film structure, in which a bottom anti-reflection coating (BARC) for absorbing an exposure light is placed below the photoresist film, has been generally employed. FIG. 11A shows an example of a film structure of a conventional semiconductor device 10, and FIGS. 11B and 11C illustrate manufacturing processes thereof.
As shown in FIG. 11A, an insulating layer 14 made of a silicon oxide film, a conductor layer 16 made of a polycrystalline silicon, and a hard mask layer 18 made of a TEOS (TetraEthyl OrthoSilicate) film, are placed on a wafer 12. In addition, a BARC 20 and a mask layer 22 that is made of a photoresist material are placed on the hard mask layer 18.
Exposure and developing are carried out on the mask layer 22 by using an exposure and developing devices, and as shown in FIG. 11B, the mask layer 22 is formed into a specific pattern. Then, the BARC 20 is selectively etched away by using a patterned mask layer 22 as a mask and performing a plasma etching process through the use of a specific processing gas, as shown in FIG. 11C.
Subsequently, the hard mask layer 18 is selectively etched away by using the mask layer 22 and the BARC 20 as masks (not shown). After the hard mask layer 18 is patterned as described above, an ashing is carried out to remove the mask layer 22 (and the BARC 20). And, the conductor layer 16 is selectively etched away by using the hard mask layer 18 as a mask. Thereafter, the semiconductor device 10 is finished through several processes.
Yet, it cannot be said that pattern densities of circuit patterns, which are transferred onto the mask layer 22 in a photolithography process, are uniform over an entire wafer. As shown in FIG. 12, the patterned mask layer 22 may include a first and a second region, i.e., reg1 and reg2, where patterns in the first region are disposed closer to each other (the pattern density is high) than those in the second region (the pattern density is low), and widths of the patterns in the first region differ from those in the second region. If a difference in the pattern density of the mask layer 22 exists, sidewall shapes of the BARC, which is etched using each patterned mask layer 22 as a mask, may lack uniformity between the first and the second region, i.e., reg1 and reg2. The unevenness in the sidewall shapes of the BARC is hindrance to the fineness of the circuits. To address this problem, an attempt has been made by an invention disclosed in reference 1.
[reference 1] PCT International Publication 03/007357
However, in case where the difference in the pattern density of the mask layer exists, pattern widths in the patterned mask layer may be uneven due to the uneven pattern density despite the fact that lines in the mask-layer-patterning photo mask have identical width (pattern width) in the photolithography process.
For example, as shown in FIG. 12, while a mask layer 22-1 pertaining to the first region reg1 having a high pattern density may be patterned at a pattern width L1, a mask layer 22-2 pertaining to the second region reg2 having a low pattern density may be patterned at a pattern width L2 (<L1). Namely, the mask layer 22-1 is patterned at a width wider than that for the mask layer 22-2. Contrary to the configuration shown in FIG. 12, however, it is also possible that the mask layer 22-1 is patterned at a width narrower than that for the mask layer 22-2.
As described above, if the BARC 20 is selectively etched using the mask layers 22-1 and 22-2 of different pattern widths as masks and the etching process is performed on the hard mask layer 18 and its lower layers, deviations occur in the critical dimensions (CDs) of the circuit patterns. Thus, it is very difficult to make the performance of the semiconductor device uniform over the entire wafer.
Further, even though there is no deviation in the pattern widths of the patterned mask layer and the pattern widths are uniform, pattern density may still change the pattern width from a design value. Recently, a fine dimension level patterning, which is difficult to realize in the photolithography technology, is required. In any case, it is extremely difficult to meet the design value using the conventional technology.

Etching method and computer storage medium storing program for controlling same


Provided is a motor including: a rotor, a stator, a first and second bearing, a support member, a housing including a first flat part and a cylindrical part, and a bearing holder. The cylindrical part includes: a first inner circumferential surface inside which is provided the stator; a second inner circumferential surface, a distance from the second inner circumferential surface to a central axis being greater than a distance from the first inner circumferential surface to the central axis, and the second inner circumferential surface contacting an outer circumferential surface of the bearing holder; and a stepped surface, connecting the first and the second inner circumferential surfaces, and contacting a lower surface of the bearing holder. The housing further includes a riveting part located on the second inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part and fixing the bearing holder to the second inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical part.

Currently, in order to fix a busbar holder to a motor housing, press processing (such as riveting) may be performed with a pin or the like on an upper surface of a bearing holder. A recess and a pressing part are provided on the bearing holder after the press processing.
The inventors found that, since the recess and the pressing part are provided on the upper surface of the bearing holder, it would be necessary to provide the recess and the pressing part radially and circumferentially separated from a through hole that allows a coil wire to pass therethrough. As a result, the design is limited. In addition, as motors are reducing in size, there is limited space on the upper surface of the bearing holder for the recess and the pressing part.
It should be noted that the Background section is only to provide a clear and complete description of technical solutions of the disclosure and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art. The technical solutions should not be considered well-known to those skilled in the art only because they are described in the Background section.


A process for preparing artificial bone is described which comprises: (i) preparing a mixture of a finely divided bio-compatible ceramic powder, an organic binder and a pore-forming agent in an inert liquid to form a body and causing at least some of the pore-forming agent to align along a common axis; (ii) optionally shaping the resulting body; (iii) allowing the pore-forming agent to form a porous structure in the body; (iv) heating the shaped body to a temperature sufficient to fix the porous structure and; (v) further heating the body to eliminate residues of organic binder and pore-forming agent and to fuse it.

Commercially available synthetic bone grafts are usually made of calcium phosphate ceramics (the main inorganic materials of human bone) and have a porous structure similar to the human cancellous bone. Many of them are actually derived from animal (young bovine) or marine (sea coral) life. They are intended to offer an interconnected macroporous structure and provide intensive osteoconductivity to regenerate and heal the host bone tissue. However, none of them offer the biomechanical and osteointergrative properties equivalent to the gold standard of autograft.
These synthetic bone grafts usually come with an interconnected macroporous structure, typically of 100˜500 μm diameter, which provides a framework for the host bone to regenerate while reducing healing time. The pore size of the porous structure is crucial for the osteoconductivity. According to the in vitro and in vivo experiments, the proper pore size for bone tissue ingrowth is around 200˜300 μm. If the pore sizes are smaller than 100 μm the bone tissue may accumulate on the surface without osteoingrowth. After the implant, the bone graft should be slowly degraded and replaced by the growing bone. It should result in bone replacement at the site of defective bone by the recipient's own osteogenic activity. However, degradation requires the bone substitute materials to be microporous, with pore diameter from 1˜5 μm. The dissolution process of the "degradable" bone graft occurs in two steps: extracellular dissolution of the necks among sinterized particles, and intracellular phagocytosis of the particles isolated in this way. The first step becomes impossible in annealed bioceramics bulk and very difficult in those porous synthetic bone grafts with a thick connected wall because there are no small necks that the cells can attack.
Commercially available synthetic bone grafts usually have a random distribution of pore sizes and no observable preferred orientation of the inter-connected porous structure. The structure has the potential to prevent vascularisation after a period of time in vivo and the middle of the bone graft usually remains bone free. Although most of the commercial bone grafts have a similar chemical composition to the mineral phase of the living bone, the graft is not suitable for large scale application or as the permanent replacement since nutrients cannot flow through the synthetic porous bone graft after the surgery.

Porous synthetic bone graft and method of manufacture thereof


Provided is a package structure including a circuit board, a plurality of first contact pads, a plurality of metal pillars and at least one chip. The first contact pads are disposed on the circuit board. The chip is disposed on one portion of the first contact pads. The metal pillars are disposed on the other portion of the first contact pads, where the chip is surrounded by the metal pillars. A method for manufacturing the package structure is also provided.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a semiconductor structure and a method for manufacturing the same, and particularly relates to a three-dimensional package structure and a method for manufacturing the same.
Description of Related Art
In recent years, in order to increase applications of printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB is fabricated into a multi-layer circuit structure according to many techniques. A method for fabricating the multi-layer circuit structure is to construct a build-up structure by using copper foils or other suitable conductive materials and prepreg (PP) or other suitable dielectric materials, and repeatedly laminate the build-up structure for stacking on a core layer, so as to form the multi-layer circuit structure, by which an internal wiring space of the multi-layer circuit structure is increased. The conductive material on the build-up structure can construct a conductive circuit according to a required circuit layout, and blind holes or through holes of the build-up structure can be filled with a conductive material for conducting each of the layers. In this way, the number of the circuit layers of the multi-layer circuit structure can be adjusted according to an actual requirement, and the multi-layer circuit structure can be manufactured according to the above method.
However, since the prepreg or the other suitable dielectric material is relatively soft, a warpage issue of the multi-layer circuit structure is probably encountered during the manufacturing process thereof. When the above PCB is applied to a package-on-package (POP) structure, the POP structure may also have the warpage issue, by which a yield of the POP structure is decreased.

Package structure and method for manufacturing the same


A bodyboard for riding ocean surf is provided which includes a layer of stiffening material beneath the outer skin of the board in selected regions of the board. The stiffening material is in the form of one or more layers of open-weave or open pattern, crosshatched fiber mesh laminated into the semi-rigid foam which makes up the majority of the board's interior. The stiffening material is preferably located adjacent the bottom skin of the board in order to resist or inhibit creasing of the planing surface on which the board rides. The board retains sufficient flexibility for maneuvering and for comfort, while resisting bottom skin damage due to stresses exerted on the board in use. Alternative embodiments of the invention include using stiffening mesh beneath the side rails of the board and using one or more additional layers of stiffening mesh in selected regions between the foam core and the outer skin of the bodyboard.

The invention relates generally to sporting goods and recreational products, and more particularly to a bodyboard for use in riding ocean surf.
Bodyboards are flotation amusement devices for riding waves. They are similar to surfboards, with the major differences being that bodyboards are shorter, lighter and generally more flexible than surfboards. In form, a bodyboard is a contoured, elongated, foam plank having a plastic bottom skin, which is generally slick and shiny to enhance planing on the surf, and a top riding surface of foam or plastic.
Bodyboards are traditionally ridden in a prone or procumbent position, with one arm extending forwardly for gripping the nose end of the board and the other arm positioned in a trailing manner for gripping a side edge. In this position, the rider can push or pull against the front or side edges, bending or twisting the board to assist in maneuvering. The rider's legs, which trail the board, also help with steering and maneuvering.
The stiffness or flexibility of a bodyboard greatly influences its riding and control characteristics. Some bodyboards are manufactured like surfboards, with a very stiff core and a hard outer skin. Such hard, inflexible bodyboards are difficult to maneuver because, lacking flexibility, the rider cannot adjust the shape of the board. In general, very stiff bodyboards tend to be the most expensive models, but are not favored by the more skilled bodyboard riders. Stiff bodyboards do have the advantage of being sturdy and not easily susceptible to breakage, although they can potentially injure the rider or others if the board happens to collide with a person in the surf.
Far more popular among experienced bodyboard riders are relatively flexible boards which generally have a core made of semi-rigid foam. Such flexible, bendable bodyboards permit the rider to adjust the drag characteristics of the board by bending the nose upwardly or twisting the board to facilitate maneuvering. Flexible boards are increasingly popular among riders who wish to perform the numerous maneuvers and tricks which make bodyboarding the fast-paced, exhilarating sport it has become. Tricks such as the "el rollo," "belly spinners," and others involve daring and precise maneuvers mandating that the rider have complete control over the board. In addition to being maneuverable, flexible boards also can be safer to ride in heavy surf because they are softer and less likely to cause injury should the board break loose and collide with the rider or others.
Flexibility in bodyboard design is relative, meaning the flexible boards are comparatively more flexible than ultrastiff boards. Yet, even the flexible boards are stiff enough to retain their shape and cannot be bent or folded beyond a certain point without damage to the board structure. In general, a flexible bodyboard will be flexible enough for the rider, exerting a reasonable force with his arms and body, to twist a four-foot long board perhaps four-inches or so from its original shape and alignment. With a very stiff bodyboard, or a surfboard, a person of normal strength cannot twist or bend the board structure even by that amount. Consequently, even with a soft, bendable or flexible bodyboard, the board remains a relatively stiff device to which only subtle changes in shape are made by the exertions of the rider.
Flexible or bendable bodyboards are susceptible to creasing or breakage, making them more fragile than the stiff bodyboards. Because they are less rigid, softer bodyboards are more likely to be flexed beyond the critical compression point, at which permanent creases form. Typically, a board is damaged when the rider is thrown upon the board in heavy ocean surf after losing control. The flexible foam core then will bend far enough to crease the hard, shiny bottom surface, which alters the planing characteristics of the board permanently, making it sluggish and comparatively "dead." Once the bottom skin has been creased, the board often becomes unusable for high performance bodyboarding activities and the board must be replaced.
The trade-off in bodyboard design is to achieve the flexibility necessary for maneuvering without making the board too fragile or delicate for the rough and tumble of bodyboarding activity. Ideally, the bodyboard should be both flexible enough to perform popular bodyboarding maneuvers yet be strengthened against creasing or breakage. In addition, any strengthening of the bodyboard structure should be accomplished without adding excessive weight or otherwise adversely changing the size, shape or ride characteristics of the board.
It would be advantageous to provide a relatively flexible bodyboard which is lightweight and maneuverable but which is stiffened in selected regions to inhibit creasing of the board. I would also be advantageous for the stiffened board to retain sufficient flexibility to avoid the solid, very stiff feel of a surfboard or other relatively inflexible surf riding device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a bodyboard that is flexible, yet is stiffened in selected regions of the board to inhibit creasing or breakage of the board.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a stiffened bodyboard which includes a layer of fiber mesh stiffening material laminated into the board structure to stiffen the board by a selected amount.
It is another object of the invention to provide a bodyboard stiffened with a layer of fiber mesh embedded within the internal foam structure of the board, wherein the mesh fibers are encapsulated within the surrounding foam, to retain flexibility while reinforcing the bodyboard.
Accordingly, the invention provides a bodyboard in the form of an elongate, substantially planar board having a semi-rigid foam core and having an outer skin which includes a top skin for supporting a rider extending over the upper surface of the core and a bottom skin for planing on water extending over the lower surface of the core. The improvement of the present invention comprises an expanse of stiffening material extending over selected regions of the board between the foam core and the outer skin. In one preferred embodiment, the stiffening means is in the form of an expanse or layer of stiffening material disposed between the bottom skin and foam core of the board. The stiffening layer is preferably fiber mesh with an open crosshatched pattern. The mesh is laminated between adjacent foam layers which are joined to one another through the openings in the mesh. The mesh preferably extends over the entire bottom surface of the board, although it could be applied in selected regions only, if desired. Alternative embodiments of the invention include applying a stiffening fiber mesh layer adjacent the top skin of the board. Yet another alternative embodiment includes applying a fiber mesh stiffening layer adjacent the side rails of the board.


A power steering assembly and method of retrofitting therefore includes a housing having a cavity defined therein. A drive member extends axially into the cavity and a first piston and a second piston are received in the cavity for axial reciprocation therein. The first and second pistons define at least in part first and second pairs of chambers. The first pair of chambers receive fluid under pressure to move the first and second pistons toward one end of the housing to rotate the driven shaft in a first direction. The second pair of chambers receive fluid under pressure to move the first and second pistons toward the other end of the housing to rotate the driven shaft in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Modern day automotive vehicles generally have power steering systems that reduce the input force required to turn or steer a vehicle. Though the power steering systems generally enable the operator to relatively easily turn a steering wheel, occasionally, various factors inhibit the operator's ability to turn the steering wheel. For example, if the load on the wheels of the vehicle is increased, particularly over the wheels of the vehicle that turn, such as by attaching a plow or blade to a front end of the vehicle, the assist provided by the power steering system may be inadequate. This may be exacerbated at slow vehicle speeds. In another example, if the operator is driving the vehicle off road, particularly over undulating or soft terrain, the assist provided by the power steering system of the vehicle may be inadequate or undesirably low. Accordingly, when a vehicle is frequently used under such challenging driving conditions it may be necessary or desirable to replace the vehicle power steering system with a new power steering system having an increased output torque. This can prove costly and extremely difficult or undesirable for many reasons, including, but not limited to, space constraints and nonconforming components.

Power steering assist apparatus and method of retrofitting


A method for obtaining information related to services within a certain area using a mobile communication device includes downloading a menu of services based on a coarse determination of the position of the mobile communication device, where each service in the menu is associated with a telephone number. The associated telephone number is used to connect to a networked based server that stores information related to a plurality of services. Once the menu of services and associated telephone numbers is downloaded, a subscriber can select one of the services in order to obtain information related to the service using the associated number.

When a mobile subscriber is traveling, especially when traveling in an unfamiliar area, it can be useful for the subscriber to be able to obtain information related to local shops, or services such as weather reports, traffic reports, etc. In particular, it would be very useful if the mobile subscriber could obtain such information using their mobile communications device. Mobile communications devices have become quite ubiquitous and therefore, provide a convenient platform by which to obtain such information.
Presently, the capability to push information to a mobile communication device from a networked based system through the wireless communication infrastructure exists. Similarly, the ability to access information and pull it from a networked based system using a mobile communication device also exists. What is lacking in conventional systems is the ability to manage and control what information is received by the mobile communication device. Further, the methods for pushing or pulling information mentioned above typically depend on some type of web based service. Such services, however, can be costly and service can vary from area to area. Use of such services also requires that the mobile communication device include some form of browser application to access the web based service. Use of such programs can tax the already limited resources of the mobile communication device. Further, because of display limitations, viewing the information can be inconvenient and/or inefficient.
Location determination on mobile electronic devices can be accomplished through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. Some mobile communication device implementations include Assisted GPS (A-GPS.) In an A-GPS systems many of the calculations necessary to determine position are performed remotely, as apposed to on the mobile communication device. Alternatively, many mobile wireless communication devices can perform all calculations typically performed on a standalone GPS receiver.

Systems and methods for obtaining location based information using a mobile communication device


A silicon-germanium non-formation region not formed with a silicon germanium layer and a silicon-germanium formation region formed with a silicon germanium layer are provided in a silicon chip, an internal circuit and an input/output buffer are arranged in the silicon-germanium formation region, and a pad electrode and an electrostatic protection element are arranged in the silicon-germanium non-formation region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device manufacturing method, and, more particularly to a semiconductor device and a semiconductor device manufacturing method suitable for application to a semiconductor device having silicon germanium layers mounted together on a silicon substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In some manufacturing processes of semiconductor devices such as a bulk complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), driving force of a field-effect transistor is improved by forming an active region in a silicon germanium layer by adding germanium to a silicon substrate (see Study on High Performance (110) PFETs with Embedded SiGe, Okamoto, S.; Miyashita, K.; Yasutake, N.; Okada, T.; Itokawa, H.; Mizushima, I.; Azuma, A; Yoshimura, H.; Nakayama, T.; Electron Devices Meeting, 2007. IEDM 2007. IEEE International, 10-12 Dec. 2007, Page(s): 277-280).
However, when a silicon germanium layer is formed on a silicon substrate, a breakdown voltage of a PN junction decreases, a junction leak current increases, or a forward diffusion current remarkably increases. When a silicon germanium layer is formed in source/drain regions by an epitaxial growth, a PN junction is formed at a position very shallow from an original silicon surface before performing the epitaxial growth. Therefore, a junction leak increases. Consequently, although the method of forming a silicon germanium layer on a silicon substrate is useful to increase speed of a field-effect transistor, this method has a problem of decreasing capacity of an electrostatic protection element, and increasing a leak current during a normal operation, for the electrostatic protection element that includes a PN junction diode and the like.
Furthermore, the method of using a silicon germanium layer particularly contributes to increase driving force of a P-channel field-effect transistor. Therefore, when a load transistor of a static random access memory (SRAM) includes a P-channel field-effect transistor, there are the following problems. An operation of pulling down a bit line at a data writing time is interrupted by the load transistor. As a result, a write margin of the SRAM decreases, and a junction leak of a bit cell unit of the SRAM also increases.


The invention is directed to a valve system comprising of moving parts therein. The valve system is designed to be resistant to the effects of low temperatures which otherwise tend to compromise the correct operation of the moving parts of the valve system. The inventor has cleverly got around this problem by designing a valve in which the moving parts thereof are positioned inside the contents of a tank. The contents of the tank ensure that the moving parts are less vulnerable to fluctuations in temperature outside the tank. Consequently, the invention provides reliable valve operation during freezing weather.

A valve is typically made up of moving parts that are often susceptible to changes in temperature leading to valve failure. There is a need for a valve system designed to be resistant to the effects of low temperatures which otherwise tend to compromise the correct operation of the moving parts of the valve system.
U.S. Publication Number 20120006829 discloses an improved refrigerator is provided with a freeze tolerant valve for the water tank assembly in the refrigerator. The valve includes a body with an internal plastic spool which minimizes the volume of water within the valve, and which provides a space in the valve to accommodate freezing water in the valve. The valve will not crack or fail in the event of a temperature control problem in the refrigerator which results in frozen water within the valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,370,040, which discloses a valve resistant to cold weather (see column 1, lines 40-47). The ′040 valve is a tank valve for use in conjunction with storage tanks (col. 1, lines 5-9).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,534 discloses a solar water heating system for heating water in a solar panel and storing it in a water storage tank includes a pump which circulates the water in the system, from the water storage tank through the solar panel and back to the water storage tank; a freeze protection means permits water to bleed off from a location between the solar panel and water storage tank when the pump is off to maintain a flow of water through said solar panel and connecting parts thereof which are located in an area where freezing can be encountered. The ′534 system provides an automatic freeze protection without the need for electrical power and involves the use of a thermally operated freeze valve 30 which can be set to open as the temperature at that point approaches freezing, say for example, 40° F. to open the valve 30 and permit water to flow therefrom at an outlet 38. When this happens, water from the water storage tank 2 is forced through conduit means 10 (including pump 14), solar panel 20 and a portion of conduit means 22 and outlet 38 of valve 30. However, the ′534 patent does not state that the freeze valve 30 has moving parts that are located in storage tank 2.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,266 describes a freeze-proof water valve for supplying secondary water under pressure in freezing ambient conditions to a snow making apparatus having primary water spray nozzles and secondary water spray nozzles. The valve housing is provided with an interior primary water chamber with a water inlet and a primary water outlet for continuous passage of primary water under pressure therethrough for delivery to primary water spray nozzles on the snow making apparatus. A valve body is mounted within this valve housing within the primary water chamber for flow of water there-around from the housing inlet to the primary outlet to prevent freeze-up of the valve body when in the off position. The valve body is movable between an on position and an off position whereby water from the primary chamber is directed to a secondary outlet when the valve is in the on position for feeding water to the secondary water spray nozzle or nozzles. Water in the primary chamber is shut off from this secondary outlet and water in this secondary outlet is directed instead to a water drain outlet for discharge when the valve is in the off position.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.