A cache coherence manager, disposed in a multi-core microprocessor, includes a request unit, an intervention unit, a response unit and an interface unit. The request unit receives coherent requests and selectively issues speculative requests in response. The interface unit selectively forwards the speculative requests to a memory. The interface unit includes at least three tables. Each entry in the first table represents an index to the second table. Each entry in the second table represents an index to the third table. The entry in the first table is allocated when a response to an associated intervention message is stored in the first table but before the speculative request is received by the interface unit. The entry in the second table is allocated when the speculative request is stored in the interface unit. The entry in the third table is allocated when the speculative request is issued to the memory.

The present invention relates to multiprocessor systems, and more particularly to performing a speculative request in a cache coherent multi-core microprocessor system.
Advances in semiconductor fabrication technology have given rise to considerable increases in microprocessor clock speeds. Although the same advances have also resulted in improvements in memory density and access times, the disparity between microprocessor clock speeds and memory access times continues to persist. To reduce latency, often one or more levels of high-speed cache memory are used to hold a subset of the data or instructions that are stored in the main memory. A number of techniques have been developed to increase the likelihood that the data/instructions held in the cache are repeatedly used by the microprocessor.
To improve performance at any given operating frequency, microprocessors with a multitude of cores that execute instructions in parallel have been developed. The cores may be integrated within the same semiconductor die, or may be formed on different semiconductor dies coupled to one another within a package, or a combination of the two. Each core typically includes its own level-1 cache and an optional level-2 cache.
In order to reduce the average latency associated with a coherent read request, a technique commonly referred to as speculative read may be used. In accordance with this technique, concurrently with searching for the requested data in the caches, a speculative read request is also issued to the memory. If the requested data is stored in any of the caches, the speculative read is cancelled. If the requested data is not stored in any of the caches, the speculative read is confirmed and the data identified by the confirmed request is transferred from the memory to the requesting core.

Speculative read in a cache coherent microprocessor


At least one wafer is embedded in a carrier to eliminate or at least reduce edge effect. The wafer reconfiguration is designed to improve a quality not only for spin coating process but also for electric plating process. An edge bead is formed on top of the carrier instead of being formed on top of the wafer so that a full top surface of the wafer can be active to the fabrication of chips and therefore more chips are yielded for a single wafer. The backside of the wafer is not contaminated by the coating according to the present invention. Further, dummy circuits can be made on top of the carrier so that electric plating uniformity for full area of a wafer can be improved.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to wafer reconfiguration, especially for a wafer embedded in a carrier to eliminate or at least reduce edge effect to provide improvement not only for spin coating process but also for electric plating process.
Description of Related Art
FIGS. 1, 2A˜2B show a prior art
FIG. 1 shows that U.S. Pat. No. 8,192,555 discloses a spin coating process for spreading photoresist onto silicon wafers. FIG. 1 shows that a photoresist dispenser 12 is configured on top; photoresist 108 is dispensed on a top surface of a wafer 10. The wafer 10 is mounted on a vacuum chuck 101. A spindle 102 is configured on bottom of the vacuum chuck 101 to spin the wafer 10 during spin coating process.
FIG. 2A shows that the spin coating procedure makes an edge bead 107 be formed on top at the peripheral of the wafer 10. Further, the photoresist 108 quite often wraps around the wafer 108 contaminating the backside 1072 of the wafer 108 as well.
FIG. 2B shows that the edge bead 107 is then removed in a later process. A circular peripheral area 105 of the wafer 10 is exposed. The Edge Bead Removal (EBR) process leaves uniform thickness of photoresist coating across the wafer 10 except for the circular peripheral area 105. The uniform photoresist coating allows for proper focus of light onto the coated wafer during a photolithography process to design the microelectronic circuits. However, the edge bead removal (EBR) reduces the active area of a wafer and hence reduces chip yields. FIG. 2B shows that an active area 106 smaller than a full top surface of the wafer 10 can be used for the fabrication of chips. FIG. 2B shows the backside photoresist contamination of the wafer 10 has been removed also. The backside photoresist removal takes additional time and cost.

Wafer reconfiguration during a coating process or an electric plating process


According to this invention, a weighted transducer for a surface acoustic wave filter includes first and second overlap transducer fingers. The first overlap fingers are formed on a surface of a piezoelectric substrate and have overlap widths continuously changed in a propagation direction of a surface acoustic wave. The second overlap transducer fingers are alternately adjacent to the first overlap transducer fingers in a longitudinal direction of the fist overlap transducer fingers, formed on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate to be electrically connected to each other in parallel and reverse-biased, and have overlap widths of the second overlap transducer fingers continuously changed in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave. A sum of the overlap widths of the first and second overlap transducer fingers is always set to be constant in the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave.

The present invention relates to a weighted transducer applied to a surface acoustic wave filter.
In general, an SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) filter is an element used for obtaining filter characteristics as follows. An IDT (interdigital transducer) which is obtained by properly weighting an excited intensity therein is arranged in a piezoelectric substrate surface, and an SAW is transmitted and received by the IDT. As a characteristic feature of the SAW filter, amplitude and phase characteristics can be arbitrarily and independently designed.
As a conventional weighted transducer used for a surface acoustic wave filter of this type, an apodized method is mainly used. As shown in FIG. 2A, according to the apodized method, overlap widths between transducer fingers 21 and 22 are locally changed in proportion to a weighting function. Note that reference numerals 23 and 24 denote bus bars to which the transducer fingers 22 and 21 are respectively connected.
As another arrangement of the weighted transducer used for the surface acoustic wave filter of this type, a withdrawal method is used in the same manner as described above. As shown in FIG. 3A, according to the withdrawal method, although an overlap width W between transducer fingers 31 and 32 is constant, the density of the transducer fingers 31 and 32 having the overlap width W is proportional to a weighting function. Note that reference numerals 33 and 34 denote bus bars to which the transducer fingers 32 and 31 are respectively connected.
FIGS. 2B and 3B show a surface acoustic wave energy distribution 25 in the apodized method and a surface acoustic wave energy distribution 35 in the withdrawal method, respectively. In FIGS. 2B and 3B, reference symbols L represent distances from the bus bars 24 and 34, respectively.
However, the above weighted transducers have drawbacks respectively inherent thereto and have been selectively used depending on applications. That is, in the apodized method shown in FIG. 2A and 2B, a weighting function can be faithfully represented by the overlap width W, and the filter characteristics of a portion having a small weighting function, i.e., a portion having a narrow overlap width W are easily degraded by an error caused by a diffraction effect. The energy distribution 25 excited from the transducer is not uniform due to the transverse distribution of weighting functions and causes a weighting loss.
In addition, in the withdrawal method shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, although the excited energy distribution 35 is uniform, since weighting functions are expressed by a change in density caused by the presence/absence of the overlap width W between the transducer fingers 31 and 32 connected to the bus bars 34 and 33, respectively, a quantization error is larger than that of the apodized method, and desired characteristics cannot easily be obtained.

Weighted transducer for surface acoustic wave filter


Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with using a preamble with at least two polarity transitions to communicate over a power line channel are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a communication signal on a communication channel for communicating with a remote device. The communication channel is a power line channel that carries electric power transmissions. The apparatus also includes a transmission logic configured to control the transmitter to generate at least two polarity transitions in a preamble of the communication signal.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor(s), to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Narrow-band low-rate communications have wide application. For example, narrow-band low-rate communications can be used with a power line channel to provide communications using existing power delivery infrastructure (e.g., home electrical lines). While using existing power delivery infrastructure for communications simplifies certain aspects of a communication system, other difficulties arise when using a power line channel for communications. For example, a power line channel can include impulsive noise, which often interferes with portions of a communication used to detect packet boundaries. Thus, using narrow band low-rate communications over a power line channel can result in decreased data throughput due to a decreased ability for a receiving device to detect packets.

Preamble for communication in power line channel


A method for promoting growth of bone, periodontium, ligament, or cartilage in a mammal by applying to the bone, periodontium, ligament, or cartilage a composition comprising platelet-derived growth factor at a concentration in the range of about 0.1 mg/mL to about 1.0 mg/mL in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier and a pharmaceutically-acceptable solid carrier.

Growth factors are proteins that bind to receptors on a cell surface, with the primary result of activating cellular proliferation and/or differentiation. Many growth factors are quite versatile, stimulating cellular division in numerous different cell types; while others are specific to a particular cell-type. Examples of growth factors include platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factors IGF-I and II), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). PDGF is a cationic, heat stable protein found in a variety of cell types, including the granules of circulating platelets, vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, macrophage, and keratinocytes, and is known to stimulate in vitro protein synthesis and collagen production by fibroblasts. It is also known to act as an in vitro mitogen and chemotactic agent for fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, osteoblasts, and glial cells.
Recombinant human PDGF-BB (rhPDGF-BB) has been shown to stimulate wound healing and bone regeneration in both animals and humans. It is approved in both the United States and Europe for human use in topical applications to accelerate healing of chronic diabetic foot sores. Recombinant hPDGF-BB has also been shown to be effective either singly or in combination with other growth factors for improving periodontal regeneration, i.e., regrowth of bone, cementum, and ligament around teeth (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,316, incorporated herein by reference).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Platelet-derived growth factor compositions and methods of use thereof


A predetermined ID code is set in a server, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is configured on an electronic device. A tag ID code of the RFID tag is received by a reader and then is transmitted to the server. The server is used to compare the tag ID code and the predetermined ID code. When the tag ID code is the same as the predetermined ID code, the server is arranged to transmit an enable signal to grant the access of the electronic device. When the tag ID code is different from the predetermined ID code, the server is arranged to send a disable signal to deny the access of the electronic device.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for protecting the hardware and data of an electronic device by a server and an RFID tag.
2. Description of Related Art
All kinds of electronic devices change with each passing day, developed to be lighter, thinner and smaller. Unfortunately, these thinner and smaller electronic devices are easily stolen by others. A conventional security mechanism is generally to set a password in the electronic device in advance, and require password inputting or fingerprint identification to prevent the thief from using the electronic device or accessing data stored in the electronic device. However, the thief may execute the reset function of the electronic device, sacrificing the data stored inside but regaining the use of the electronic device. In other words, the conventional security mechanism is possibly able to protect the data stored in the electronic device from being divulged, but seems incapable of preventing the stolen or lost electronic device from being used by others.
In another aspect, these thinner and smaller electronic devices have become an unspoken worry in the information security issue. For example, a research and development department usually sets up a restricted area in the company, where entry and exit of the staff and electronic devices are monitored to prevent divulgence of the confidential research and development data. However, persons having ulterior motives can smuggle thinner and smaller portable electronic devices, such as notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile disks, recorder pens or digital cameras, into the restricted area, forming a loophole in information security.

Radio frequency identification security system and method


In a battery locking unit of a mobile terminal capable of increasing space usability of a terminal body and simplifying battery detachment operation by installing a battery locking unit on a cover, the locking unit consists of a battery installed at the rear of a terminal body; a cover attached/detached to/from the rear of the rear body by a sliding method and protecting the battery; and a locking unit installed at a certain side of the cover, locking the cover to the terminal body by restricting the sliding movement of the cover and releasing the locking of the cover by a pressing operation of a user.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this non-provisional patent application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-0019761, filed on Apr. 11, 2002 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-0029264, filed on May 27, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery and a battery locking unit of a
mobile terminal, and in particular to a battery and a battery locking unit of a mobile terminal capable of detaching/attaching a battery from/to a terminal body easily and increasing space usability of a mobile terminal.
2. Background of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the conventional mobile terminal, and
FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the mobile terminal in FIG. 1 taken along the line I-I.
In the conventional mobile terminal, a battery 104 is attached to the rear of a terminal body 102, and a locking unit for locking the battery 104 is installed in the terminal body 102.
As depicted in FIG. 2, the locking unit consists of a hook 106 installed at the rear of the terminal body 102 so as to be movable up and down; a spring 108 installed between the hook 106 and the terminal body 102 for providing a certain elastic force to the hook 106; and a locking groove 112 formed at the upper surface of the battery 104 and locking the hook 106 so as to be engaged with the hook 106.
The hook 106 consists of a handle portion 114 projected outwardly so as to be handled by a user; a spring installation portion 116 at which the spring is installed; and a locking protrusion 110 locked to the locking groove 112 of the battery 104.
In the conventional battery locking unit of the mobile terminal, when the battery 104 is mounted onto the rear of the terminal body 102 and is pushed upwardly, the locking groove 112 of the battery 104 is inserted-locked into the locking protrusion 110 of the hook 106. Herein, by the elastic force of the spring 108, the locking groove 112 of the battery 104 is locked to the locking protrusion 110 of the hook 106, and accordingly the battery 104 is fixed to the terminal body 102.
In that state, as depicted in FIG. 3, in order to separate the battery from the terminal body 102, if the user pulls the handle portion 114 in an A direction, the locking groove 112 is separated from the locking protrusion 110. Afterward, when the user pulls the battery in a B direction, the battery 104 is separated from the terminal body 102.
However, in the conventional mobile terminal, because the locking unit for locking the battery is installed in the terminal body, a space for installing the locking unit is required, and accordingly space usability of the terminal body may be lowered.
In addition, in the locking unit, in order to release the locking of the battery, the user has to separate the battery from the body with one hand while pulling the handle portion of the hook, and accordingly it is intricate.
The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

Battery and battery locking unit of mobile terminal


A slide-out system for a recreational vehicle has a slide block that is form fit with a sliding connection to a track so as to vertically and laterally support a slide-out room relative to the stationary portion of the vehicle. The room is driven in and out by a rack and pinion drive and a synchronizing screw is provided at at least one end of the drive shaft so that two spaced apart slide-out units can be synchronized relative to one another and to ease disassembly of the shafts and motor drive unit.

Slide-out systems in recreational vehicles have become extremely popular. A well-known and successful slide-out system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,918 which issued Jun. 2, 1998. This is a system in which two spaced apart telescoping rails support the slide-out room and are moved in and out by a rack and pinion system in which two pinion gears connected by a shaft mesh with two racks, one for each telescoping rail, and rollers are provided on opposite sides of each rack to support the rail. The pinions are powered by an electric motor operating through a gear box reduction.
This type of system is well suited to a heavy-duty application. A lighter-duty system, however, is required in some applications that still gives appropriate support, laterally and vertically, and sufficient driving force and stability, and also provides lighter weight, a lower profile, and which is less expensive. In addition, the system should be easy to install, adjust, and service.


This invention prevents leakage of cooling medium from a cooling passage in the interior section of a slot of a stator. Coils are housed in the slot of the stator core. The openings of the slot are covered in order to form a cooling passage in the slot. An end plate is disposed on the end of the stator. The stator core and the end plate are integrated by winding coils through the outer side of the end plate. A cylindrical member which projects along the inner peripheral face of the stator from the end of the stator is formed by resin molding to be integrated with a section of the end plate. A ring-shaped space which introduces cooling medium is formed on an outer peripheral side of the cylindrical member and is connected with the cooling passage.

This invention relates to a rotating electrical machine (a motor or a generator, or a motor/generator) which has a cooling mechanism.
Tokkai Hei 4-364343 published by the Japanese Patent Office in 1992 discloses a rotating electrical machine which uses an inner section of a slot of a stator as a cooling passage. In this rotating electrical machine, components which generate heat such as the stator coils or the stator can be directly cooled by coming into direct contact with a cooling medium, for example a cooling oil, which flows in the slot. When forming the cooling passage, a mold is disposed in the inner section of the slot and on the inner periphery of the stator. A resinous material is injected in order to fill the space defined by the stator core and the mold. The resinous material hardens and covers the slot opening.
Since the conventional example of a rotating electrical machine displays poor sealing characteristics between the stator core and the resinous material, the cooling medium may leak from the juncture of the stator core with the resinous material. Leakage of cooling medium from the inner peripheral surface of the stator towards the rotor increases friction during rotation of the rotor and therefore adversely affects the rotating efficiency of the rotating electric machine.
It is therefore an object of this invention to improve the sealing characteristics of the resinous material with respect to the stator core.
In order to achieve above object, this invention provides a rotating electric machine comprising: a rotor; a stator including a stator core having teeth, a coil being wound around each of the teeth, a slot formed between adjacent teeth, and an end plate being disposed on the end of the stator core and made from a material which is different from the magnetic material constituting the stator core; the end plate being integrally joined with the stator core by winding the coil through the outer side of the end plate; a case for housing the rotor and the stator; and a cylindrical member which projects along the inner peripheral surface of the stator from the end plate; the cylindrical member being formed by a resinous material to be integrated with a section of the end plate.
In the rotating electric machine, a cooling passage is formed in the slot by a closing plate for closing the slot opening and a ring-shaped space for introducing a cooling medium is defined by the outer peripheral side of the cylindrical member, an end face of the stator, and the case; the ring-shaped space being connected to the cooling passage.
The details as well as other features and advantages of this invention are set forth in the remainder of the specification and are shown in the accompanying drawings.


A computer-implemented touch screen call interface includes announcing an incoming telephone call on a mobile device touch screen display, connecting to the call and displaying a slidable panel on the display while locking the display from inputs other than unlocking inputs, receiving a user selection moving the slidable panel away from a position that covers one or more selectable controls, and unlocking the display for selection of the selectable controls while the slidable panel stays in a position that leaves the selectable controls uncovered.

People spends hours at a time with their electronic devices—computers, telephones, music players, and the like. They like best those devices that are intuitive to use and whose interactions best meet their expectations regarding how machines should work. They interact with electronics through inputs and outputs from the devices, where the outputs generally are provided audibly and/or on a flat graphical display screen, and the inputs may occur via touch screens, joysticks, mice, four-directional keypads, and other such input mechanisms.
Fine distinctions in user interfaces can make a world of difference in a user's experience with a device. User interface options may be reduced for mobile devices, where full-sized keyboards or no keyboards at all are available. In such situations, intuitive interaction may be at a premium. The importance of such interaction may be even more pronounced with mobile devices, where the user needs to interact with a device using a single hand.


In a computerized method, speech signals are analyzed using statistical trajectory modeling to produce time aligned acoustic-phonetic units. There is one acoustic-phonetic unit for each portion of the speech signal determined to be phonetically distinct. The acoustic-phonetic units are translated to corresponding time aligned image units representative of the acoustic-phonetic units. An image including the time aligned image units is displayed. The display of the time aligned image units is synchronized to a replaying of the digitized natural speech signal.

For some computer applications, it is desired to dynamically time align an animated image with audio signals. For example, most modem computers are commonly equipped with a "sound-card." The sound card can process and reproduce audio signals such as music and speech. In the case of speech, the computer can also dynamically generate a facial image which appears to be speaking, e.g., a "talking head."
Such an audio-visual presentation is useful in speech reading and learning applications where the posture of the mouth is important. Other applications can include electronic voice mail, animation, audio visual presentations, web based agents seeking and retrieving audio data, and interactive kiosks, such as automated teller machines. In these applications, the facial image facilitates the comprehensibility of the audible speech.
An important problem when time aligning the audio and visual signals is to make the audio-visual speech realistic. Creating a realistic appearance requires that the speech be accurately synchronized to the dynamically generated images. Moreover, a realistic rendering should distinctly reproduce, to the finest level of detail, every facial gesture which is associated with every portion of continuous natural speech.
One conventional synchronization method uses a "frame-by-frame" technique. The speech signal is analyzed and aligned to a timed sequence of image frames. This technique lacks the ability to resynchronize in real time to perform what is called "adaptive synchronization." As a result, unanticipated real time events can annoyingly cause the synchronization to be lost.
In another technique, the dynamic images of a "talking head" are adaptively synchronized to a speech signal, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/258,145, "Method and Apparatus for Producing Audio-Visual Synthetic Speech" filed by Waters et al. on Jun. 10, 1994. There, a speech synthesizer generates fundamental speech units called phonemes which can be converted to an audio signal. The phonemes can be translated to their visual complements called visemes, for example mouth postures. The result is a sequence of facial gestures approximating the gestures of speech.
Although this technique allows a tight synchronization between the audio and visual signals, there are certain limitations. The visual images are driven by input text, and not human speech. Also, the synthetic speech sounds far from natural, resulting in an audio-visual dichotomy between the fidelity of the images and the naturalness of the synthesized speech.
In the prior art, some techniques are known for synchronizing natural speech to facial images. In one technique, a coarse-grained volume tracking approach is used to determine speech loudness. Then, the relative opening of the mouth in the facial image can be time aligned to the audio signals. This approach, however, is very limited because mouths do not just simply open and close as speech is rendered.
An alternative technique uses a limited speech recognition system to produce broad categorizations of the speech signal at fixed intervals of time. There, a linear-prediction speech model periodically samples the audio waveform to yield an estimated power spectrum. Sub-samples of the power spectrum representing fixed-length time portions of the signal are concatenated to form a feature vector which is considered to be a "frame" of speech. The fixed length frames are typically short in duration, for example, 5, 10, or 20 ms, and bear no relationship to the underlying acoustic-phonetic content of the signal.
Each frame is converted to a script by determining the Euclidian distance from a set of reference vectors stored in a code book. The script can then be translated to visemes. This means, for each frame, substantially independent of the surrounding frames, a "best-fit" script is identified, and this script is used to determine the corresponding visemes to display at the time represented by the frame.
The result is superior to that obtained from volume metrics, but is still quite primitive. True time-aligned acoustic-phonetic units are never realized. The technique does not detect the starting and ending of acoustic-phonetic units for each distinct and different portion of the digitized speech signal.
Therefore, it is desired to accurately synchronize visual images to a speech signal. Furthermore, it is desired that the visual images include fine grained gestures representative of every distinct portion of natural speech.

Automated speech alignment for image synthesis


A docking post includes a tubular housing having a front wall, including an elongate slot directed through the front wall longitudinally aligned relative to the housing and parallel to the housing axis, with the housing having a rear wall mounted to an associated mooring post. A first tube is mounted within the housing, having a securement ring thereon, with a second tube positioned below the first tube having a length adjusted to accommodate a predetermined length between a boat water line and a boat securement cleat. A third buoyant tube is mounted below the second tube to effect displacement of the first and second tube relative to rising and lowering tides and water level relative to the tubular housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to boat docking apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved boat docking post wherein the same is arranged to accommodate water fluctuation relative to an associated boat member.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Docking systems of various types, such as indicated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,979,453 and 4,940,021 are available in the prior art relative to the docking of boats. The instant invention provides for the ease of mounting and securement of a docking post that accommodates rising and lowering tides relative to the post and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


Pulse-echo ranging system are used in level measurement applications for determining the distance to a target object by measuring how long after transmission of a pulse an echo pulse is received. An echo profile (17) is generated and then processed to determine the temporal position of the echo pulse on a temporal axis.

Pulse-echo ranging systems, also known as time-of-flight ranging systems, are commonly used in level measurement applications for determining the distance to an object (i.e. reflective surface) by measuring how long after transmission of a pulse the echo or reflected pulse is received. Such systems typically use ultrasonic pulses or pulse microwave (radar) signals in form of bursts of acoustic or electromagnetic energy.
Pulse-echo ranging systems generally have a transducer serving the dual role of transmitting and receiving the pulses, and a signal processor for detecting and calculating the position or range of the object based on the transit times of the transmitted and reflected pulses. The transducer employed in an acoustic pulse-echo ranging system typically includes an electro-mechanical vibrating element that functions as both a transmitter and a receiver. The transducer of a microwave pulse-echo ranging system typically includes a microwave transmitter/receiver antenna. Using the same transducer for transmitting as well as receiving is advantageous because the transducer will exhibit the same gain, directional characteristics etc. in both transmit and receive modes.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,169,706 and 6,298,008 describe methods of pulse-echo measurements in which a profile of the return echo signal is digitized, stored in memory and the stored echo profile is analyzed to determine the temporal position of the echo on a temporal axis, thus determining the distance to an object. In most conventional applications, the leading edge of the echo profile is located by identifying a point on the leading edge that is a certain level above the valley and below the peak of the echo profile. It is also known to use the trailing edge, the peak or the center of mass of the echo profile, especially when the leading edge is masked by another echo or distorted by the ring-down oscillations of the transducer. The ring-down results from stored energy being released by the transducer after excitation, and is particularly acute when the echo pulse has a low amplitude relative to the ring down pulses of the transducer, and also when the reflective surface is close to the transducer (near range).
It has turned out that the peak portion and the trailing edge of the echo profile are susceptible to be affected by the measurement environment and the target object itself, which makes it difficult to properly locate the echo arrival time and thus decreases the accuracy of measurement. For example, when monitoring the level of a liquid with a low dielectric constant, such as gasoline, in a tank, the echo pulse from the liquid level is harshly distorted by a strong echo coming shortly afterwards from the bottom of the tank. The lower the liquid level is, the more the echo from the level will get fused with the echo from the bottom.
Another example which requires a high accuracy of measurement is open channel monitoring, in which the measured level is used to calculate a flow volume in an open channel or pipe.

Method for processing an echo profile and a pulse-echo ranging system

Abstract: Based on the fact that the peak portion and the trailing edge of the echo profile are susceptible to be affected by the measurement environment and the target object itself, the accuracy in determining the echo arrival time is increased, by the steps of fitting a branch of a parabola (19) to a selected portion of the leading edge (18) of the echo profile (17) and determining the temporal position of the fitted parabola (19) on the temporal axis.

Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments, Inc.


An orthokeratological procedure is provided that prevents or retards relaxation of corneal tissue back to the original anterior curvature of the cornea. The procedure comprises applying a stabilizing agent that comprises fibril associated collagens with interrupted triple helices (FACITs) and/or small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans (SLRPs) to the stabilize corneal tissue in a preselected shape.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to chemical compositions suitable for maintaining corneal curvature resulting from an orthokeratology procedure, and methods for making and applying the chemical compositions to a cornea for retaining the corneal curvature after undergoing orthokeratological therapy.
2. Description of the Related Art
Structure and composition of a human cornea: The cornea is the first and most powerful refracting surface of the optical system of the eye. Production of a sharp image at the retinal receptors requires that the cornea be transparent and of appropriate refractive power. The refractive power of the cornea depends primarily on two factors: its curvature and its refractive index. When the cornea is misshapened or the axial length of the eye is too long or short, or the lens of the eye is functioning abnormally, various vision related problems, such as myopia, astigmatism, hyperopia, or the like, can result. Eyeglasses or contact lenses are necessary to correct the problems. Eyeglasses correct the refractive errors by refracting the light with a lens before it reaches the cornea and to change the angle at which light enters the cornea. Contact lenses correct refractive errors of the eye by replacing the misshapened cornea with a front curve of a contact lens which is calculated to render the eye emmetropic. When the lens is taken off, however, the cornea is still misshapened or defective and refractive errors still remain.
The cornea contains 75% to 80% water on a wet weight basis. Of the remaining 20% to 25% solids, most are collagen, or other proteins, and glycosaminoglycans. Corneal fibrils, which form the skeleton of the corneal stroma, are neatly organized and present the typical 64 to 66 nm periodicity of collagen. The physicochemical properties of corneal collagen, however, do not significantly differ from those of tendon and skin collagen. Like collagen from these other sources, corneal collagen has high nitrogen, glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline contents. In boiling water or acid, corneal collagen is converted to gelatin, and collagen can be dissolved by proteolytic enzymes such as collagenase, pepsin, or papain.
Orthokeratology procedure: Orthokeratology is a nonsurgical procedure to improve refractive errors of the eye, and is an alternative to, e.g., laser eye surgery. Specifically, orthokeratology is a therapeutic procedure to reshape the curvature of a patient's cornea. A conventional orthokeratology procedure involves the use of a series of progressive contact lenses that are intended to gradually reshape the cornea and produce a more spherical anterior curvature. The process may involve the fitting of three to six pairs of contact lenses, and it has traditionally taken approximately three to six months to achieve optical reshaping. This procedure has been proven to reduce or eliminate myopia and astigmatism, hence improving natural vision and producing emmetropia (a state where vision experiences zero refractive error, or where no correction is necessary). Recent improvement in orthokeratology lens designs make it possible to achieve emmetropia much more rapidly. In many cases, this may be accomplished with a single night's wear of a single pair of end result lenses.
A problem with orthokeratology is that reshaped corneal tissue keeps a memory of its original curvature, and tends to relax and return to the original curvature after the lenses are removed. Therefore, when an orthokeratology patient reaches maximum results, retainer contact lenses are prescribed for full-time or part-time wear to stabilize the results. The retainer contact lenses have typically been made of rigid gas permeable material. Orthokeratology patients increasingly wear retainer contact lenses during the night to obtain the desired results quickly, and enjoy almost emmetropic vision during their daytime activities. A disadvantage of such a modality is that it requires the wearing of retainer lenses every night in order to keep the cornea from regressing to its former shape.
Corneoplasty: A related procedure directed to solve this problem uses a corneal softening agent to temporarily soften the cornea so that it can be more easily reshaped to a desired configuration to produce emmetropia. The corneoplasty procedure is a three-step process performed in one visit or over a period of several weeks. The three-step process includes: first, applying the softening agent to the cornea to soften corneal tissue; second, placing a rigid contact lens over the cornea to render the eye emmetropic; and third, applying a stabilizing agent. The cornea would then reshape and conform to the desired configuration dictated by the rigid contact lens. Administration of the corneal softening agent helps correct larger refractive errors in a shorter period of time.
However, it has been found that it is difficult to accurately place the. shaping contact lens with respect to the axis of vision to control the reshaping of the corneal tissue. In some unsuccessful applications, corneoplasty has induced astigmatism or double vision due to errors caused by misplacing the shaping contact lens. In addition, because all three steps are performed in one visit, the patient lacks an opportunity to react to the result of reshaped corneal tissue. The patient cannot "try and see" or change his/her mind during the process.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved method for performing an acuity correcting procedure that enables the patient to quickly reach emmetropia, while retaining the option of reverting back to his prior level of vision, e.g, to make the procedure be reversible up until the patient chooses to have the correction made permanent. Furthermore, there is a need for compositions and methods for making and applying the composition that stabilizes the cornea matrix. The compositions need to be able to stabilize the corneal curvature resulting from the orthokeratology procedure so that an orthokeratology patient can dispense with wearing rigid retainer contact lenses, dispense with applying a softening agent, and yet retain the opportunity to regress to the original corneal curvature up until the patient is convinced that they want the correction made permanent.

Composition for stabilizing corneal tissue during or after orthokeratology lens wear

The Bruce H. DeWoolfson Irrevocable Family Trust


A marine vehicle with at least one hydrofoil at the lower hull of such marine vehicle, and at least one drive element for retracting a pair of hydrofoils mounted side-by-side on both sides of the symmetry axis of the hull of the marine vehicle. When hydrofoils are in the retracted position, the marine vehicle is converted to a conventional marine vehicle.

Hydrofoils are carriage wings provided at the lower hull of marine vehicles for carrying the hull over the water so as to prevent or minimize the water contact of the underwater hull surface, resulting in a reduction of drag forces originating from the craft's water contact thereby speeding up the craft, reducing fuel consumption, and providing stable travel
Conventionally, hydrofoils are statically mounted at the lower surface of hulls, meaning that hydrofoils can not be retracted that would convert such craft to a conventional craft having a flat hull i.e. without hydrofoils. The disadvantage of known marine vehicles therefore is the incapability of optionally effecting hydrofoils in a marine vehicle.

Retractable hydrofoil for marine vehicles


A unique heat transfer is disclosed for use on specific merchandising articles for a specific event. The heat transfer would be used to promote an event and would be used as a ticket to that event. The heat transfer comprises printed matter applied to a base material. The base material would be part of a clothing article, such as a t-shirt, cap, sweatshirt, garment, accessory etc. The printed matter would be visually recognizable information incorporating text, pictures, numbers, bar codes, and QR codes. The visually recognizable information can be printed with ultraviolet-curable inks, or other suitable inks. Once the heat transfer is applied to the clothing article, user would use the clothing article as a ticket to the event. The heat transfer on the clothing article would be scanned and the unique bar code and/or QR codes would be used to identify the user's seat location and other identifying details.

The present invention relates generally to heat transfers for use on specific merchandising. In a variety of different events, such as concerts sports games, fairs, etc., it is important to have an admission ticket, and/or to provide other types of identifying information. However, conventional admission tickets tend to be small in size which allows the ticket to be lost and/or misplaced easily. Furthermore, paper is the typical medium used as a base material for a ticket, with the printed matter on the ticket formed by inkjet printing or by other conventional printing technologies. However, if the paper ticket is used under adverse conditions, such as wind or rain, the ticket can be destroyed. Conventional admission tickets may also be subject to counterfeiting due to their printing methods and ease of replication. Depending on the event, additional personal information is sometimes needed from the user and this information is required to be retrieved rapidly. However, due to increased concerns in the way in which personal information is handled, incorporating this type of personal information on a ticket or other public item is not appropriate.
Thus, there is a need for a device that incorporates an admission ticket or other similar entry device or key, and that allows the ticket not to be easily lost or destroyed in adverse conditions, prevents against counterfeiting, as well as can be loaded with a user's personal information without disclosing the information to the public.
The present invention discloses a unique heat transfer for use on specific merchandising articles for a specific event. The heat transfer would be used to promote an event and would be used as a ticket/entrance to that event. Typically, the heat transfer is applied to an article of clothing, such as a t-shirt. A user would use the t-shirt as a ticket to gain entrance to the event. The heat transfer on the shirt would be scanned and the unique bar code and/or QR (quick response) codes would be used to identify the user's seat location and other identifying details, such as personal information. Thus, the user would not need a paper ticket to be admitted into the event, and the user would not be worried about the ticket being destroyed due to wind or rain, or other adverse conditions. In addition, the user is provided with an authentic article or souvenir from the particular event which may provide additional incentive to the consumer to purchase the article to which the code is applied or otherwise affixed.

Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, LLC


A steerable antenna and method of steering a radio frequency wave received by and/or transmitted from the antenna. The antenna includes a tunable high impedance surface and at least one end-fire antenna disposed on said surface. The method includes varying the impedance of the tunable high impedance surface.

The present invention relates to conformable, flush-mounted antenna which produces end-fire radiation along the surface, and which is steerable in one or two dimensions.
The prior art includes a pending application of D. Sievenpiper, E. Yablonovitch, xe2x80x9cCircuit and Method for Eliminating Surface Currents on Metalsxe2x80x9d U.S. provisional patent application, serial No. 60/079,953, filed on Mar. 30, 1998 which relates to a high-impedance or Hi-Z surface.
It is also known in the prior art to place a conformable end-fire antenna or array on a Hi-Z surface. It has been shown that the Hi-Z material can allow flush-mounted antennas to radiate in end-fire mode, with the radiation exiting the surface at a small angle with respect to the horizon.
The Hi-Z surface, which is the subject matter of U.S. patent application serial No. 60/079,953 and which is depicted in FIG. 1a, includes an array of resonant metal elements 12 arranged above a flat metal ground plane 14. The size of each element is much less than the operating wavelength. The overall thickness of the structure is also much less than the operating wavelength. The presence of the resonant elements has the effect of changing the boundary condition at the surface, so that it appears as an artificial magnetic conductor, rather than an electric conductor. It has this property over a bandwidth ranging from a few percent to nearly an octave, depending on the thickness of the structure with respect to the operating wavelength. It is somewhat similar to a corrugated metal surface 22 (see FIG. 1b), which has been known to use a resonant structure to transform a short circuit into an open circuit. Quarter wavelength slots 24 of a corrugated surface 22 are replaced with lumped circuit elements in the Hi-Z surface, resulting in a much thinner structure, as is shown in FIG. 1a. The Hi-Z surface can be made in various forms, including a multi-layer structure with overlapping capacitor plates. Preferably the Hi-Z structure is formed on a printed circuit board (not shown in FIG. 1) with the elements 12 formed on one major surface thereof and the ground plane 14 formed on the other major surface thereof Capacitive loading allows the resonance frequency to be lowered for a given thickness. Operating frequencies ranging from hundreds of megahertz to tens of gigahertz have been demonstrated using a variety of geometries of Hi-Z surfaces.
It has been shown that antennas can be placed directly adjacent the Hi-Z surface and will not be shorted out due to the unusual surface impedance. This is based on the fact that the Hi-Z surface allows a non-zero tangential radio frequency electric field, a condition which is not permitted on an ordinary flat conductor. In one example, a flared notch antenna was placed on a Hi-Z surface, such that the metal shapes making up the antenna are oriented parallel to the surface, as shown in FIG. 2. The antenna exhibits end-fire radiation, in which the radio waves are emitted with the electric field being tangential to the surface, in the form of a leaky TE surface wave.
The radiation pattern for the flared notch antenna on the Hi-Z surface is shown in FIG. 3, along with the pattern for a similar antenna on a flat metal surface. On the Hi-Z surface, the radiation is emitted at 30 degrees to the horizontal, compared to 60 degrees on the metal surface. This suggests that by changing the surface impedance, one can steer a beam in elevation over a range of at least 30 degrees. Tunable impedance surfaces can be made using a variety of mechanical and/or electrostatic techniques, as described in the two patent applications identified above.
It has been determined that the angle at which radiation leaves or is received by an antenna placed about 2.5 cm above a Hi-Z surface depends upon the impedance of the surface. As described in the two U.S. patent applications identified in the immediately preceding paragraph, this surface impedance can be tuned in real time using a variety of techniques. When used with an end-fire array antenna, the antenna can be steered in two dimensions. The antenna is conformable and aerodynamic and can be readily incorporated into the outer skin of an aircraft or other vehicle. Such an antenna can be flush mounted on the exterior walls or rooftops of buildings to provide scanning over a wide angle. Additionally, conformable flush-mounted antennas are useful for automobiles for the reception of cellular signals, personal communication service (PCs) voice and digital data, collision avoidance information, or other data.
In general terms the invention provides a steerable antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a radio frequency wave, the antenna comprising a tunable high impedance surface; and at least one end-fire antenna disposed on said surface.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of steering a radio frequency wave received by and/or transmitted from an antenna, the method comprising: providing a tunable high impedance surface; disposing at least one end-fire antenna on said surface; and varying the impedance of the tunable high impedance surface.

End-fire antenna or array on surface with tunable impedance


Provided is an optical modulator capable of forming an optical gap easily and accurately without having to perform underetching to the sacrifice layer. An optical modulator includes a first substrate provided with a first concave portion in which the bottom part becomes a moving part, and a movable reflection film being formed on the moving part; and a second substrate provided with a second concave portion having a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the first concave portion at a position facing the first concave portion, and a fixed reflection film being formed on the bottom part of the second concave portion; wherein the depth of the first concave portion prescribes the movable range of the movable reflection film, and an optical gap is prescribed based on the spacing between movable reflection film and the fixed reflection film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to technology for modulating light to be transmitted and, in particular, it relates to an optical modulator employing coherent optical modulation and the manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical modulator is a device for generating the required optical power, color and the like in the passing light by changing optical parameters such as the transmission factor, refractive index, reflection factor, degree of deflection and coherency of light in the optical system according to the modulating signal. For example, with an optical modulator employing the interference of light, light waves having different optical paths are superposed with a movable reflection film in which the position thereof changes minimally pursuant to a modulating signal so as to change the intensity and color of light with the interference of both waves. With this kind of coherent optical modulator, a mechanism for accurately displacing the position of the movable reflection film becomes necessary.
For instance, with the optical modulator described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-174721 (JP '721), an optical gap is formed by providing a sacrifice layer between the substrate (fixed reflection film) and movable reflection film, and thereafter removing this sacrifice layer via underetching.
Further, with the optical modulator described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,039, an optical gap is formed by using a substrate in which one face of a silicon wafer is oxidized and a silicon layer is further affixed to the face to which the oxidized layer has been formed, and performing underetching with this oxidized layer as the sacrifice layer.
Nevertheless, with the method described in JP '721, since the initial spacing of the optical gap will be prescribed based on the thickness of the sacrifice layer, there are cases where this initial spacing will show variations depending on the forming conditions of such sacrifice layer. Thus, fluctuations will also arise in the electrostatic force working between the drive electrode (fixed electrode) formed on the side of the fixed reflection film, and the movable reflection film, and it will become difficult to stabilize the drive. Further, with this method, the working process will become complicated since the processes of deposition and sacrifice layer etching are repeated.
Moreover, with the optical modulators described in the above prior art, they both form the optical gap by removing the sacrifice layer via underetching. In order to perform underetching to the sacrifice layer and to release the moving part forming the movable reflection film, it is necessary to form a release hole in the moving part for introducing the etching solution into the sacrifice layer. Thus, the area to which the electrostatic force works to drive the moving part will decrease, and the drive voltage will increase. In addition, when the optical gap is reduced, there are cases where sticking phenomenon will occur due to the surface tension of the etching solution between the movable reflection film and the fixed reflection film upon releasing the moving part.
Therefore, in order to overcome the foregoing drawbacks, a constitution that does not require the underetching of the sacrifice layer is being sought.

Optical modulator and manufacturing method of optical modulator


There is provided a “navigation apparatus”, a “route search method”, and a “program” which provide routes meeting the actual requirements and preferences of respective drivers. The navigation apparatus 1 according to the present invention including a function of carrying out a route search to a set destination, and then providing a route guidance according to a search result, includes a route search processing section 26 that searches for routes based on predetermined search conditions specific to a user in predetermined first areas, and searches for routes based on predetermined recommended search conditions in second areas different from the first areas. In addition, the route search processing section 26 distinguishes between the first areas and the second areas reflecting travel histories of a vehicle, search conditions set previously, and registered contents.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus, a route search method, and a program.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there have been proposed navigation apparatuses which provide a function of carrying out a route search to a destination, and then subsequently providing a route guidance based on a search result. On the above navigation apparatuses, the route search is carried out using search conditions which minimize the time required to arrive at the destination from the present location, search conditions which minimize the distance along a route from the present location to the destination, search conditions which minimize the toll required for the travel from the present location to the destination, and the like.
A navigation apparatus according to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. H9-126801 is provided with means which, upon there being a plurality of roads such as expressways, urban expressways, and local roads, including prefectural roads and the like close to a desired transit location, allows a user to select from them so as to guide to a user selected location.
A navigation apparatus according to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2000-304561 searches for a guide route from a start point to an end point based on the priorities of a plurality of variable search conditions so as to allow a selection of a desired route faster.
However, there is a problem in that a route search cannot be carried out according to the actual requirements and preferences of respective drivers according to a route search method based on fixed search conditions as in the navigation apparatuses disclosed in the above patent documents.


A circuit for coupling a LIC driver to a IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan implementation includes a logic circuit that converts the data and oe signals of the IEEE 1149.1 specification to test "q.sub.-- up" and "q.sub.-- dn" signals meeting the requirements of the LIC driver. These test "q.sub.-- up" and "q.sub.-- dn" signals are selectively provided to the LIC driver during boundary scan testing of the output driver. In a further refinement, the logic circuit also converts functional q.sub.-- up and q.sub.-- dn signals provided by the circuit under test to the data and oe signals of the IEEE 1149.1 specification. The logic circuit allows the widely used IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan standard to be used with LIC drivers. The resulting compatibility simplifies the testing and use of the LIC drivers, and provides a new boundary scan standard for use with LIC drivers that is compliant with the IEEE 1149.1 standard.

Many complex circuits use boundary scan testing techniques to test the output buffers of the circuit. For circuits using conventional two-state or three-state CMOS output buffers, designers commonly use the boundary scan implementation defined in the IEEE Standard Test Access Port and Boundary-Scan Architecture IEEE Std 1149.1-1990 and IEEE Std 1149.1a-1993 (referred to herein as the IEEE 1149.1 Specification or Standard), which is incorporated herein by reference. As is well known, a boundary scan implementation allows for testing of interconnects in a board environment by loading or "scanning in" test patterns into a series of interconnected boundary scan registers (BSRs). Each test pattern loaded in the BSRs provides a different set of control and data signals to the output drivers. The responses of the output drivers to the test patterns can be captured by an adjacent circuit on the board and scanned out. To run a functional test vector, an input test pattern is scanned in through the BSRs. After one or more clock cycles, the response of the circuit can then be captured in the BSRs and either scanned out or monitored at the output pads.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a portion of a circuit 100 using a conventional boundary scan implementation for I/O drivers that have three-state drivers (TSDs). The circuit 100 includes a conventional TSD 102 serving as an output driver, having an output lead connected to an I/O pad 104. The I/O pad 104 is also connected to an input lead of an input driver 105, which drives any signal received from the I/O pad 104 to other portions (not shown) of the circuit 100 in the conventional manner. The circuit 100 also includes conventional BSRs 106 and 107, which are interconnected to form part of a "scan chain" for loading test patterns and scanning out capture data. The BSR 106 includes a capture, shift and update stage (CSUS) 108 that has an output lead connected to an input lead 111 of a two-input multiplexer 112. The other input lead 113 of the multiplexer 112 is connected to receive a fcn.sub.-- oe signal provided by another portion (not shown) of the circuit 100. The multiplexer 112 has an output lead 114 connected to the output enable lead of the TSD 102.
Similarly, the CSUS 110 has an output lead connected to an input lead 115 of another two-input multiplexer 116. The other input lead 117 of the multiplexer 116 is connected to receive a fcn.sub.-- data signal provided by another portion (not shown) of the circuit 100. The multiplexer 116 has an output lead 118 connected to an input lead of the TSD 102.
In operation during the boundary scan mode, the CSUSs 108 and 110 are loaded with a test pattern in the conventional manner (see the aforementioned 1149.1 specification). The test pattern is predetermined so that the CSUS 108 is loaded with a value for enabling or disabling the TSD 102, as desired. Thus, the CSUS 108 provides a bsr.sub.-- oe signal to the multiplexer 112. Similarly, the CSUS 110 is loaded with a desired value for the data signal to be provided to the input lead of the TSD 102. Thus, the CSUS 110 provides a bsr.sub.-- data signal to the multiplexer 116. The multiplexers 112 and 116 receive a mode signal via a line 120 that causes the multiplexers 112 and 116 to select the bsr.sub.-- oe and bsr.sub.-- data signals. A test access port (TAP) controller according to the 1149.1 specification typically provides this mode signal. Accordingly, the TSD 102 is controlled as desired by the test pattern loaded into the BSRs to test one of the various functions of the I/O driver. The output signal provided by the TSD 102 could then be monitored at the I/O pad 104 and compared to the expected result. Other test patterns may then be loaded to test other functions of the I/O drivers.
To test the input portion of the I/O driver, a test signal can be externally provided to the I/O pad 104. The driver 106 then drives the test signal to the rest of the circuit 100 (not shown). The response of the circuit 100 can then be captured in the BSRs. The capture data can then be scanned out from the BSRs and compared to the expected response. In this example, the CSUS 108 and 110 receive capture data through input leads 122 and 124, respectively.
During the functional mode, the mode signal is configured to cause the multiplexers 112 and 116 to select the fcn.sub.-- oe signal and the fcn.sub.-- data signal instead of the bsr.sub.-- oe and bsr.sub.-- data signals. Of course, the fcn.sub.-- oe and fcn.sub.-- data signals are generated by the circuit 100 during normal functional operation. Consequently, the multiplexers 112 and 116 provide the fcn.sub.-- oe and fcn.sub.-- data signals to serve as the data and oe signals received by the TSD 102.
However, some high performance circuits such as, for example, microprocessors, have to use other types of drivers for improved performance. One type that can be used is a linearized impedance control type (LIC) driver. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an example of a portion of a circuit 200 including a LIC driver 202. Note, like reference numbers are used throughout the drawings for elements that has substantially similar structure and function. The LIC driver 202 includes a pull-up unit 204 and a pull-down unit 206. The pull-up unit 204 is connected to receive a q.sub.-- up signal via an input lead 208. Similarly, the pull-down unit 206 is connected to receive a q.sub.-- dn signal via an input lead 210. The LIC 200 can provide the functionality (i.e., a logic zero, logic one and high impedance state) of a conventional CMOS TSD through appropriate control of the logic levels of the q.sub.-- up and q.sub.-- dn signals, as summarized in Table 1 below.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ q_up q_dn LIC out ______________________________________ 0 0 0 0 1 Z 1 0 Illegal 1 1 1 ______________________________________
The "Z" in Table 1 indicates a high impedance state. As is well known in the art of LIC drivers, the q.sub.-- up and q.sub.-- dn signals must be generated so that the q.sub.-- up signal is not at a logic one level at the same time the q.sub.-- dn signal is at a logic zero level.
It is appreciated that the q.sub.-- up and q.sub.-- dn signals of the LIC driver are not equivalent to the data and oe signals of a conventional CMOS TSD. That is, the oe and data signals cannot simply be replaced by the q.sub.-- up (or q.sub.-- dn) signals in an I/O driver using a LIC driver. Thus, circuits using boundary scan implementations according to the IEEE 1149.1 specification cannot be used with circuits having LIC drivers. However, because the IEEE 1149.1 standard is widely used in the industry, here is a need for a system that allows LIC drivers to be used with boundary scan implementations according to the IEEE 1149.1 specification.

Boundary-scan circuit for use with linearized impedance control type output drivers


The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which exhibits improved color reproducibility, high definition and a high numerical aperture by minimizing a change of a total area of color filter non-forming regions even when a position of a color filter is displaced. A color filter forming region and the color filter non-forming regions are formed within a lighting region which is visible to a viewer in the inside of one pixel. Further, in the inside of one pixel, a first side of the lighting region includes both of the color filter forming region and the color filter non-forming region, a second side of the lighting region which faces the first side in an opposed manner includes both of the color filter forming region and the color filter non-forming region, the first side assumes the color filter non-forming region at a region which faces the color filter forming region of the second side in an opposed manner, and the second side assumes the color filter non-forming region at a region which faces the color filter forming region of the first side in an opposed manner.

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device which includes a color filter forming region and color filter non-forming regions in the inside of a lighting region which is visible to a viewer within one pixel.
Since a liquid crystal display device is thin, light-weighted and exhibits the low power consumption, the liquid crystal display device is used as a display device of electronic equipments in a broad range covering a notebook type personal computer, a word processor, an electronic notebook, a mobile phone, a camera built-in video recorder and the like. Different from a cathode ray tube or a plasma display device, the liquid crystal display device is not self-luminous and displays an image or the like by controlling a light quantity of light incident from the outside. Further, by providing a plurality of color filters as light control elements to the liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display device can perform a color image display of multi-colors. A most popularly used liquid crystal display device is a so-called transmissive type liquid crystal display device which arranges an illumination source which is referred to as a backlight using a fluorescent tube, a light emitting diode or the like on a back surface thereof and displays images by controlling a quantity of light which passes through the liquid crystal display device out of light emitted from the backlight.
However, in this transmissive type liquid crystal display device, the power consumption attributed to the backlight occupies an approximately half of the total power consumption and hence, when the portable type electronic equipment is driven by a battery, this power consumption attributed to the backlight is a major factor which shortens the use time of the liquid crystal display device. Further, when the transmissive type liquid crystal display device is used in a bright environment such as the outdoors, an ambient light reflects on a surface of a display region and hence, it is difficult to recognize a display image.
As a liquid crystal display device which is always used in a portable manner in a bright environment such as the outdoors, there has been known a so-called reflective type liquid crystal display device which does not usually use a backlight, includes a reflection film and controls a reflection light of an ambient light from surroundings of the liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal layer. Further, there has been also known a semi-transmissive and semi-reflective type (hereinafter also referred to as "partial transmissive type") liquid crystal display device which performs a transmissive type display and a reflective type display using semi-transmissive and semi-reflective films. Still further, there has been also known a liquid crystal display device which forms openings in color filters for enhancing the brightness.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view for explaining the constitution of a vicinity of one pixel of a conventional liquid crystal display device, wherein FIG. 9(a) is a plan view, FIG. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A–A′ in FIG. 9(a), and FIG. 9(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B–B′ in FIG. 9(a). The liquid crystal display device includes a large number of pixels which are arranged in a matrix array and also includes color filters of plural colors on either one of a pair of substrates. A liquid crystal layer (not shown in the drawing) is inserted into a gap defined between the pair of substrates which are laminated to each other. FIG. 9 shows only one substrate SUB1 on which the color filters are formed, wherein a light shielding film (a black matrix) BM, color filters CF and an overcoat layer OC are formed in this order.
Further, inside the light shielding film (so-called the black matrix) BM which is provided for enhancing the contrast of the pixel, a lighting region BA which is visible to a viewer is formed in one pixel. Then, in the inside of the lighting region BA, a color filter forming region CFA and opening portions of the color filter CF which constitutes a color filter non-forming regions CFN are formed.
Here, in the description of this specification, "lighting region which is visible to a viewer in one pixel" indicates a portion which substantially contributes to a display as viewed from the viewer within the pixel region. For example, when the pixel region is covered with a light shielding film as viewed from the viewer, an opening region of the light shielding film corresponds to the lighting region. When the light shielding film is not provided, a region where a pixel electrode is formed corresponds to the lighting region. However, in case of a lateral electric field method (an IPS method), the lighting region not only includes a region where the pixel electrode is formed but also portions in which liquid crystal is driven by a lateral electric field around the region and contribute to a display. With respect to a reflective-type liquid crystal display device, a partial transmissive type liquid crystal display device or the like in which a light shielding film is covered with reflective electrodes or the like, regions inside regions where the reflective electrodes are present correspond to the lighting regions. Here, in case of the partial transmissive type liquid crystal display device, transmissive regions which constitute opening portions of the reflective electrodes are also included in the lighting region.
As another conventional techniques which provide color filter forming regions and color filter non-forming regions, there has been known the technique in which the color filters are formed on only one sides of opening portions a light shielding portion of a reflective type liquid crystal display device (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Hei10(1998)-288706 (patent literature 1)) and the technique in which color filter non-forming regions are formed in consideration of the misalignment (the positional displacement) of one substrate having color filters and another substrate in the reflective type or the partial transmissive type liquid crystal display device (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2000-29012 (patent literature 2)).
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view for explaining the pixel structure of a conventional reflective type liquid crystal display device which is disclosed in the patent literature 1. As shown in FIG. 10, in this reflective type liquid crystal display device, the color filters CF are formed only at one sides of the opening portions (corresponding to lighting regions BA) of the light shielding film BM and each lighting region BA (opening portion) is divided into a color filter forming region CFA and a color filter non-forming region CFN. This structure brings about an advantageous effect that the brightness is enhanced due to the provision of the color filter non-forming regions CFN.
Further, the patent literature 1 also discloses the liquid crystal display device in which, by taking the positional displacement of the color filters CF into consideration, the color filters CF are formed such that the color filters CF cover both ends, that is, left and right ends (in the drawing) of the respective lighting regions BA so that color filter openings which constitute color filter non-forming regions CFN are formed at the center or the like of the lighting regions BA. This structure is substantially equal to the structure shown in FIG. 9 in the technical concept.
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view for explaining another pixel structure of the conventional liquid crystal display device which is disclosed in the patent literature 2. In the reflective type or partially transmissive type liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. 11, the misalignment of the color filter CF is taken into consideration at the time of providing the color filter non-forming regions CFN in the inside of one pixel. The color filter CF having a narrower width than the lighting region BA is formed at the center thus forming the color filter forming region CFA at the center of the lighting region BA and forming the color filter non-forming regions CFN at both ends, that is, at left and right ends. In this case, even when the misalignment of the color filter CF occurs, the total area of the color filter non-forming regions CFN is fixed or constant.
FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view for explaining still another pixel structure of the conventional liquid crystal display device disclosed in the patent literature 2. In this liquid crystal display device, the color filter CF has a cruciform and the color filter non-forming regions CFN are arranged at four corners. Also in this case, even when the misalignment of the color filter CF occurs, the total area of the color filter non-forming regions CFN is fixed or constant.

Color filter forming region of first side entirely corresponds to color filter non-forming region of second side, and color filter non-forming region of first side entirely corresponds to color filter forming region of second side


An iterative detection and decoding method in a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system includes detecting entire MIMO nodes to generate soft decision values; decoding a first soft decision value among the soft decision values; determining whether to perform an iterative detection and decoding by measuring reliability of the decoded first decoding signal; generating a soft decision value by performing a redetection of a MIMO node containing the soft decision value, when the decoded soft decision value is iteratively detected and decoded; and decoding a second soft decision value among the soft decision values.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) system, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for reducing a recalculation of a soft decision value in a MIMO system using an iterative detection and decoding scheme.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the rapid growth of mobile communication markets, various multimedia services for the wireless environment are in demand. In order to provide multimedia services in wireless communication systems, the development of technology to support a large capacity of transmit (TX) data and the high speed of data transfer are in progress. Therefore, the most urgent problem is to find methods that can efficiently use the limited frequencies in wireless communication systems. To solve the problem, wireless communication systems require new transfer techniques using multiple antennas. One of the new transfer techniques is a MIMO system using multiple antennas.
The MIMO system uses multiple antennas at a transmitter and a receiver. Compared with a system using a single antenna, the MIMO system can increase channel capacity in proportion to the number of antennas without additional frequency allocation or additional transmission power allocation.
MIMO technologies are classified into a spatial diversity scheme, a spatial multiplexing scheme, and a combination scheme of the spatial diversity and the spatial multiplexing. The spatial diversity scheme can obtain a diversity gain corresponding to a product of the number of TX antennas and the number of receive (RX) antennas, improving the transmission reliability. The spatial multiplexing scheme can increase the data rate by simultaneously transmitting a plurality of data streams.
When the spatial multiplexing scheme is used in the MIMO system, mutual interference occurs between the transmitted data streams. Therefore, the receiver detects signals using a maximum likelihood (ML) considering the influence of interference signals, or detects signals after interference cancellation. Examples of an interference cancellation scheme include a Zero Forcing (ZF) scheme and a Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) scheme.
However, the ML receiver has a drawback in that the complexity increases in proportion to the square of the number of TX antennas and the length of a codeword. Therefore, research on reception algorithms has been conducted which can reduce the calculation complexity of the receiver and obtain performance close to the ML receiver.
In addition, the MIMO system uses an iterative detection and decoding (IDD) scheme in which a turbo principle is applied to a MIMO receiver. In the MIMO IDD scheme, a single coder is concatenated with a channel coder and a MIMO coder. Thus, a MIMO detector of the MIMO receiver detects a signal received through an antenna and outputs the detection signal to a channel decoder. The channel decoder improves a bit performance by decoding the detection signal output from the MIMO detector and feeds back the decoded signal to the MIMO detector. The MIMO detector again generates a detection signal using the feedback signal. The MIMO receiver iteratively performs the above-described procedures. Examples of the MIMO IDD scheme include a list MIMO scheme and a turbo blast scheme. The two schemes have the same IDD scheme as the spatial multiplexing scheme of the transmitter, but are different in terms of the detection of the MIMO signal.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional MIMO IDD receiver.
Referring to FIG. 1, when a signal is received, a MIMO detector 101 detects the received signal and generates a first soft decision data which is sent to a channel decoder 105 by deinterleaver 103. The soft decision information is a log likelihood ratio (LLR) value.
The channel decoder 105 decodes each bit using the first soft decision data as priori information and calculates a second soft decision value. That is, the channel decoder 105 corrects an error by decoding the first soft decision data. The second soft decision value calculated by the channel decoder 105 is fed back to the MIMO detector 101 by interleaver 107 and is used as the priori information for the IDD. By repeating the above-described procedures, the reliability of the received bits can be improved.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an iteration process of the conventional MIMO IDD receiver.
Referring to FIG. 2, the MIMO IDD receiver detects a received ith MIMO node in step 201. That is, the MIMO IDD receiver generates a log likelihood ratio (LLR) value, which is a soft decision value of the ith MIMO node. "i" denotes an index of the MIMO node and its initial value is "1".
In step 203, the MIMO IDD receiver determines if all the received MIMO nodes are detected. That is, the MIMO IDD receiver determines if the index i of the detected MIMO node is equal to a total number (NMIMO) of the MIMO nodes.
When all the received MIMO nodes are not detected (i≠NMIMO), the MIMO IDD receiver increases i by 1 in step 205 and returns to step 201 to generate an LLR value of an (i+1)th MIMO node.
When all the received MIMO nodes are detected (i=NMIMO), the MIMO IDD receiver proceeds to step 207 to deinterleave LLR values of the detected MIMO nodes. Thus, the MIMO nodes are rearranged.
In step 209, the MIMO IDD receiver decodes a jth decoding node among the deinterleaved LLR values. That is, the MIMO IDD receiver corrects an error by decoding the jth decoding node. "j" denotes an index of the decoding node and its initial value is "1". The decoding node indicates the LLR value.
In step 211, the MIMO IDD receiver determines if all the decoding nodes are decoded. That is, the MIMO IDD receiver determines if the index j of the decoded decoding node is equal to a total number (Ndecoder) of the decoding nodes.
When all the decoding nodes are not decoded (j≠Ndecoder), the MIMO IDD receiver increases j by 1 in step 213 and returns to step 209 to generate an LLR value of an (j+1)th MIMO node.
When all the decoding nodes are decoded (j=Ndecoder), the MIMO IDD receiver proceeds to step 215 to determine if the number (N) of decoding iterations up to this point is equal to a preset total number (Niteration) of decoding iterations. That is, the MIMO IDD receiver determines if it has performed the total number of decoding iterations. "N" is an index representing the total number of the decoding iterations and its initial value is "1".
When the MIMO IDD receiver has not performed the total number of the decoding iterations (N≠Niteration), it proceeds to step 217 to increase the number (N) of the decoding iterations by 1 and returns to step 209. At this point, the MIMO IDD receiver initializes the index (j) of the decoding node to "1".
When the MIMO IDD receiver has performed the total number of the decoding iterations (N=Niteration), the MIMO IDD receiver determines if it has performed the IDD in step 219. That is, the MIMO IDD receiver determines if a current number (k) of IDDs is equal to a preset number (NIDD) of IDDs.
When the MIMO IDD receiver has not performed the total number of IDD iterations (k≠NIDD), it proceeds to step 221 to increase the current number of the IDD iterations by 1.
Then, the MIMO IDD receiver returns to step 201. At this point, the MIMO IDD receiver initializes the index (i) of the MIMO node, the index (j) of the decoding node, and the index (N) of the IDD iterations to "1".
When the MIMO IDD receiver has performed the total number of the IDD iterations, it terminates the algorithm.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the iteration process in the conventional MIMO IDD receiver.
Referring to FIG. 3, the MIMO detector 101 of the MIMO IDD receiver generates the soft decision values of the received MIMO nodes and transmits the generated soft decision values to the channel decoder 105 in step 301. In step 303, the channel decoder 105 decodes the soft decision values N times based on the received soft decision values and feeds back the decoded soft decision values to the MIMO detector 101.
Then, the MIMO IDD receiver repeats the above-described procedure as many times as the designated number of the IDD iterations.
As described above, the MIMO IDD scheme recalculates the soft decision value by feeding back the soft decision values calculated from the separated detector and decoder, thereby improving the performance of the MIMO system. However, because the IDD scheme calculates as many LLR values as the size of the coding blocks of the detector and decoder in each iteration, the complexity of the system increases as a total number of iterations increases.
In addition, when the iteration is performed, the detection of the MIMO nodes is performed and the decoding nodes are decoded using the detected soft decision values. The decoded soft decision values are used to detect the MIMO nodes. Then, these procedures are iteratively performed. Therefore, the conventional MIMO IDD receiver has a problem in that the transmission continuity of the soft decision values is degraded and the MIMO IDD performance convergence speed is lowered.

Iterative detection and decoding apparatus and method in MIMO system


An inkjet print head and method of fabricating the same. The inkjet print head includes: a substrate having an ink-feed hole, an interlayer dielectric layer formed around the ink-feed hole on the substrate, at least one metal layer formed on the interlayer dielectric layer, and an anti-moisture part formed between the ink-feed hole and the at least one metal layer to prevent ink moisture in the ink-feed hole from contacting the at least one metal layer. The inkjet print head and the method of fabricating the same are capable of preventing problems such as de-lamination between layers, electrical short-circuit, circuit malfunction, and corrosion of a metal interconnection layer, since it is possible to prevent penetration of ink moisture from layers having absorbent characteristics into the metal interconnection layer, a logic region, or a pressure driving part. Therefore, it is possible to improve the lifespan and reliability of the inkjet print head as well as to increase productivity and reduce manufacturing cost by increasing yield.

1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to an inkjet print head and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to an inkjet print head mounted on an inkjet printer to eject ink in fine droplets and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional inkjet print head ejects fine droplets of ink onto a surface of a recording medium through a nozzle to obtain a desired image. The inkjet print head is generally classified, depending on a pressure generating element, as a thermal head type for generating bubbles using heat applied to the ink through an electro-thermal transducer or a piezoelectric head type for generating bubbles in the ink using pressure applied to the ink through an electro-mechanical transducer.
Regarding the thermal head type, current is applied to a heat resistor to heat the ink to a temperature of hundreds of degrees in order to boil the ink, thereby generating the bubbles. As the bubbles expand, the ink that is temporarily stored in an ink chamber is pressurized and is ejected through the nozzle.
A thermal inkjet print head typically has several hundreds of densely integrated nozzles in order to increase dots per inch (DPI).
The thermal inkjet print head is manufactured by forming a plurality of layers on a silicon substrate. Specifically, a logic region for controlling current supplied to the heat resistor used to operate the inkjet print head is formed on a wafer, and then an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer, a metal interconnection layer, and an intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer are sequentially deposited on the logic region. Thereafter, an ink-feed hole and a nozzle are formed to extend through the layers, thereby completing the inkjet print head.
In this process, the interlayer dielectric layer should have a high degree of flatness since it is formed directly on the logic region. For this reason, conventional interlayer dielectric layers are generally made of boron phosphorus silicate glass (BPSG) having a high viscosity.
Since the BPSG has moisture absorption properties and the interlayer dielectric layer has an end that is typically exposed to the ink-feed hole to be in direct contact with the ink, the BPSG tends to absorb moisture from the ink. As a result, problems such as interface de-lamination, corrosion and electrical short-circuit of the metal interconnection layer and the heater, device malfunction in the logic region, etc., are generated. Such problems deteriorate characteristics of the inkjet print head and shorten its lifespan.

Inkjet print head and method of fabricating the same


A method is disclosed for associating and displaying qualitative information with points of interest in a graphical map. In one embodiment, a method comprises the computer-implemented steps of displaying a geographical map; displaying in the map, concurrently, icons identifying one or more points of interest at graphical locations in the map corresponding to geographical locations of the points of interest; and concurrently displaying, over the map, for each of the points of interest, qualitative information associated with the associated point of interest. Each of the points of interest is associated with one or more datasets, and different qualitative information is displayed for different datasets.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Travel map software programs for use with personal computers are useful for locating places and points of interest when the addresses of the places and points of interest are known. Such programs also can provide driving or routing directions between identified locations. The industry has seen a major emphasis placed on tying GPS sensors into these programs to provide the user with in-vehicle navigation information. However, both the PC-based and the in-vehicle navigation programs are poorly suited for locating points of interest when either the specific street address, or the exact name of the place of interest, is unknown.
For example, in many systems, points of interest can only be seen, or be fully identified, by zooming in to view the map at a street level and scouring the map for the points. The points of interest either disappear or loose recognizable characteristics if the map is viewed at higher, zoomed-out, levels. Unfortunately, this approach is extremely tedious to use for identifying a particular points of interest. For example, a user seeking a particular category of restaurant, without knowing the specific street address or exact name, may have to view dozens of streets at a fine level of detail before concluding that the locality does not have a restaurant in the category.
Many existing the map programs provide search functions. With the search functions, a user can look for a point of interest based on a portion of the complete name of the points of interest, without providing or knowing the full street address. For example, a search query of the form "STARBUCKS" will yield a list of locations of Starbucks coffee houses. However, such searches often can yield a long listing of stores, restaurants or other matching points of interest consisting of the name of each point of interest and a street address at which the point is located. Often these are listed alphabetically. If the user is familiar with the geographic area of interest to the user, then the user might recognize the location of one of the points in the list. If the user is unfamiliar or visiting a particular geographic area, thought, then the user may be unable to determine whether a particular point of interest in the list is close to the user's location. Browsing though the list, selecting one of the listings, displaying a map that contains the selected point, and determining if the region around the point is familiar or can be located, can be a time consuming and frustrating ordeal.
An additional problem with current map systems is that they do not provide qualitative information about certain kinds points of interest. For some points of interest, additional information can be very helpful in qualifying whether a visit or further investigation is appropriate. For example, consider golf courses. Knowing the type of course (e.g., public or private), the number of holes, the fees, the degree of difficulty, etc., is essential in deciding whether to play a particular course. Having a map display that shows only the course name, address and phone number (termed "telephone book information" or "white pages information" herein), does not provide enough information to make an informed decision on whether to further pursue a candidate point of interest.
No currently available map programs do a respectable job locating golf courses. One reason is that golf course names do not follow any particular naming convention. A course name may contain the words "golf course," "golf club," "country club," etc. Some country clubs do not have a golf course. In addition, golf course addresses are often vanity addresses, e.g., One Golf Club Drive. Many of these addresses refer to private roads that are not mapped and do not appear on geo-coded systems that are used in the map programs.
Other kinds of points of interest are difficult to locate using current map programs because of the lack of qualitative information. For example, a mapping program might be able to find the location of a vineyard or a winery, but the user must consult other resources to find the hours of operation, whether the location has wine tasting, whether a tasting charge applies, etc.
Based on the foregoing, there is a clear need for an improved travel mapping program that can quickly deliver enhanced Point of Interest (POI) information. It would be useful to have information beyond the name, address, and phone number data that are typically provided. There is also a need for a better, more effective means of locating points of interest, and the aforementioned enhanced information, eliminating timely and sometimes fruitless searches.

Displaying points of interest with qualitative information