A novel user-friendly method of and system for integrating the use of a plurality of different communication techniques for over-the-Internet interfacing between a central server storing a plurality of different information topics and user identification information and a plurality of independent user computer stations which have selected common information topics and are widely geographically separated, for such purposes as information and dialog networking of schools and other groups with common topic interests, and enabling real-time intercommunication amongst such users and with the server, and including growing the information on the selected topics through Internet feedback to the server of user dialog and supplemental information relating thereto; the method creating a virtual common room atmosphere for all the users (such as the same virtual classroom) wherein, irrespective of the diverse geographical locations and actual distances of the varied user stations from one another and from the central server, real-time interactions are enabled amongst all simulating as if the users were all actually in the same room at the same time and participating together.

Numerous systems have evolved and are rapidly continuing to evolve for using the Internet as a fountain of information and contacts to impart information of all kinds to computer users, leaving it, however, up to the individual users and their individual resourcefulness or talents to ferrit out the sources of desired information, finding cross-referencing sources, discovering appropriate world-wide web pages, and discovering e-mail and databases and directories and other addresses and identifications. While amazing and exciting in its scope, this process is far from organized, is most time-consuming, with much trial and error and hit or miss, and is largely unintegrated and somewhat user-unfriendly and often discouraging.
Attempts have recently been started at least to simplify topic information and source identification with so-called "object" or icon ("button") selection as with code concepts such as Java (Web Page URL reference http://java.sun.com/doc/index.html). Individual companies have also come up with solutions that link selected communication media together (such as e-mail software and web-page software) in the form of a suite of applications, but still without enabling universal linking of all of the available services through a new interpretation of the universal functionality of such services and their interrelationships as provided by the present invention. For example, in connection with Volatac Iphone (http://www.pulver.com/vocaltec/), service is broken down by topics with limited voice and chat communication and enabling exchange of files over the Internet the topics being used primarily to enable temporal location of similar-interest parties but not for putting resources in a growing framework and adding to topic information resources.
The problem of totally organizing and integrating all the varied communication tools and archives therefor, however, and for the myriad of different possible informational topics of interest (such as the primary communication functions of e-mail, real-time communications and personal information gathering, web access, multi-media representations, custom software, instantaneous messaging, etc.) has, until the advent of the present invention, remained largely unsolved and even largely unapproached.
The present invention is believed to provide a breakthrough in this area, opening up for the first time, the possibility, for example, of completely user-friendly regional, national and global distance education and information-sharing and supplementing such information with individual user contributions to a growing information resource; and with communication with all of the "tools" of varied communication techniques--messaging, archiving and accessing functions all assembled and organized and integrated for user-friendly, self-contained universal use at each user computer station--providing the opportunity for the first real time simplified sharing and networking of, for example, all the similar schools of the land or the globe, or other common interest and facility groups over the Internet--regionally, nationally, and world-wide--and as distinguished from the teleconferencing technology approach.
As earlier stated, an important application of the methodology of the invention is to networking educational instructions and providing distance learning and interchange over the Internet. A brief review of this useage may thus be appropriate before describing preferred implementations.

Internet based distance learning system for communicating between server and clients wherein clients communicate with each other or with teacher using different communication techniques via common user interface


A computer-implemented method for assessing Internet addresses may include (1) identifying an Internet Protocol address, (2) identifying a plurality of files downloaded from the Internet Protocol address, (3) generating an aggregation of security assessments that relates to the Internet Protocol address and that may be based at least in part on a security assessment of each of the plurality of files, (4) determining a trustworthiness of the Internet Protocol address based at least in part on the aggregation of security assessments and (5) facilitating a security action based at least in part on the trustworthiness of the Internet Protocol address. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

People increasingly rely on the Internet for business and personal use. Unfortunately, the Internet has become a major vector for malware propagation. While Internet users may reduce the risk of encountering malware by only visiting reputable Internet sites, the ever-growing volume of Internet sites, including many niche sites, may mean that user wariness is impractical as a total solution.
Unfortunately, traditional attempts by security vendors to identify malicious Internet sites may also suffer from significant deficiencies. For example, some security vendors may track and analyze uniform resource locators to identify potentially malicious sites. However, malware distributors may constantly create new uniform resource locators with modified content, potentially frustrating any attempt to maintain comprehensive blacklists. Furthermore, techniques such as crawling web sites may not scale well and may be subject to evasion when a malicious uniform resource locator serves benign content to certain requestors (e.g., address ranges belonging to security vendors) and malicious content to others.
Accordingly, the instant disclosure identifies and addresses a need for additional and improved systems and methods for assessing Internet addresses.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for assessing internet addresses


An air filter includes a filter body configured to trap dust contained in air passing therethrough and a holding frame configured to surround an end edge of the filter body, and the holding frame is formed of a resilient material. The holding frame includes a first surface on a proximal end side in a direction of travel of air passing through the filter body, and a second surface on a distal end side in the direction of travel, and one of the first surface and the second surface is provided with a projecting portion.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an air filter and a projector.
2. Related Art
In the related art, a projector configured to introduce outside air into an interior thereof via an air-inlet port provided in an external housing and supply introduced air to objects to be cooled such as a light source apparatus or a light-modulating apparatus is known.
Air existing outside of the projector may include dust. When the dust is introduced into the interior of the projector, the dust may be adhered to optical components and hence images to be projected may be deteriorated, or components of the projector may have problems. Therefore, a configuration in which an air filter having a filter body configured to remove dust and a holding frame configured to hold the filter body is provided at an air-inlet port is known (for example, see JP-A-2010-122281.
However, if the holding frame is not in tight contact with an external housing, air may be introduced into the interior of the external housing through a gap between the holding frame and the external housing. In this case, dust contained in the air may disadvantageously be introduced into the interior of the external housing.

Air filter including a holding frame formed of a resilient material and projector


The envelope is always moved in a direction perpendicular to the fold of the flap thereof. In the course of the moving path the moving direction of the envelope is turned over by means of reverse roller 15, the flap is folded and the opening of the envelope is expanded while the envelope is being halted at the content-inserting portion. In this state the content such as a letter etc. is inserted from the expanded opening of the envelope. Then after the gummed flap is damped, the flap is folded and sealed. Thus, the movement of the envelope can be simplified and the enclosing and sealing apparatus can be reduced in size.

The present invention relates to an enclosing and sealing apparatus for enclosing a content, such as a letter being triple-folded, into a western type envelope, and more particularly relates to an enclosing and sealing apparatus which is reduced in size and is suitable for desk-top use in offices, and wherein a western type envelope of, for example, 10 inches width, is enclosed with a letter and thereafter sealed by wetting the gummed portion on the flap with water and adhering the flap thereon.
In a conventional envelope enclosing and sealing apparatus, an envelope is conveyed in a carriage path which is parallel to the fold of the flap thereof, and on that way, is pasted on its flap and then moved off said carriage path into a direction perpendicular thereto by means of a roller having a rotary shaft in parallel with the fold of the flap. In this step, the flap is folded outside in and applied to seal the opening portion. (For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 21840/1986.)
In thus constructed conventional envelope enclosing and sealing apparatus, an envelope is conveyed in a direction parallel to the fold of the flap thereof, then pasted and thereafter moved off in a direction perpendicular to the fold of the flap of the envelope, so that the conveyance of the envelope requires a large area in a plane of projection. For this reason, the conventional apparatus has a drawback that the apparatus becomes large.

Apparatus for inserting and sealing envelopes with temporary storage pocket


A method of fabricating a through-holed wiring board comprising a step of forming a through hole in a ceramic wiring board with a laser beam, and a step of removing an alteration layer, defined on an inner wall portion of the through hole by solidification after thermal melting, by sandblasting.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a through-holed wiring board by forming a through hole with a laser beam.
2. Description of the Background Art
In general, a through-holed wiring board is employed for packaging a hybrid IC or the like with high density. In relation to formation of a through hole in a ceramic substrate of alumina or the like, the following two methods are known in the art:
According to the first method, a through hole is formed in a green sheet, which in turn is fired. According to the second method, a through hole is formed in a fired substrate with a laser beam. In the first method, the cost is increased due to the requirement of a metal mold, and this method is unsuitable for fine wiring due to inferior positional accuracy of the through hole caused by contraction in firing. The second method utilizing a laser beam has no such problems, and is most widely employed at present.
In the second method, however, the through hole is formed by thermal energy of the laser beam, and hence the ceramic material is partially melted and thereafter cooled and therefore inevitably remains in the through hole in a vitreously solidified state which is specific to the ceramic material. Thus, an alteration layer which is solidified after thermal melting is defined in an inner wall portion of the through hole, with a number of cracks caused by thermal stress. When a metallized thick or thin film is formed on this alteration layer, therefore, this film is easily separated.

Method of fabricating through-holed wiring board


A toy vehicle has first, second and third wheels for movement over a surface. Each of the first, second and third wheels has a respective first, second and third axis of rotation that lies between the remaining two other axes of rotation such that the three axes of rotation are mutually adjoining. Each of the three axes of rotation crosses over the other two axes of rotation such that an angle is formed between each adjoining crossing pair of the axes of rotation where each angle is other than a multiple of 90 degrees. Each wheel is individually powered so that the toy vehicle can translate in any horizontal direction regardless of its facing direction. Two of the wheels can be realigned so their axes of rotation are collinear for conventional movement.

This invention generally relates to a three wheeled toy vehicle and, more particularly, to a three wheeled vehicle capable of transforming between multiple modes or configurations.
Toy wheeled vehicles are well-known. Three wheeled toy vehicles typically have two parallel axes with two wheels provided on one axis and one wheel provided on the other axis in a T-shaped configuration. Such vehicles translate forward and reverse and turn toward either lateral direction. However, known three wheeled toy vehicles often do not provide lateral translation, pure rotation or a combination of translation and rotation.
Holonomic vehicles have been developed that provide omni-directional motion. Holonomic or omni-directional motion is a robotics term regarding the degrees of freedom. In robotics, holonomicity refers to the relationship between the controllable and total degrees of freedom of a given robot (or part thereof). If the controllable degrees of freedom is greater than or equal to the total degrees of freedom then the robot is said to be holonomic. If the controllable degrees of freedom is less than the total degrees of freedom it is non-holonomic. Holonomic vehicles may move in any translational direction while simultaneously but independently controlling its rotational, orientation and speed about a center of its body. Holonomic vehicles have been developed that either have three or four wheels spaced equiangularly apart such that axes of rotation are mutually adjoining.
What is desired but not provided in the prior art, is a multi-mode three wheel toy vehicle that transforms between a holonomic configuration and a non-holonomic configuration. It is believed that a new toy vehicle providing features and performance of heretofore unavailable motion would provide more engaging play activity than already known vehicles.


A display device heat dissipating panel. A chassis is provided that has improved heat transferring characteristics as well as sufficient structural integrity, thereby decreasing the temperature in a front portion of the PDP. A plasma display panel that is attached to a chassis base. A driving circuit which drives the plasma display panel is mounted to the chassis base. The chassis base includes a first plate to which the plasma display panel is attached. A second plate is disposed to face the first plate and is adjacent to the first plate, the driving circuit being mounted to the second plate. A reinforcing member is disposed between the first plate and the second plate and connects the first and second plates.

A plasma display device displays images on a plasma display panel (hereinafter referred to as a PDP) using plasma generated by the discharge of gas.
Generally, the plasma display device includes a PDP, a chassis base to which the PDP is attached, and driving circuits that are mounted to the chassis base and drive the PDP.
Generally, the PDP may be attached to a front surface of the chassis through an attaching agent such as double-sided adhesive tape, and the driving circuits are mounted to a rear surface of the chassis base.
In such a plasma display device, the chassis base supports the PDP. Therefore, the chassis base is formed to have high structural resistance to bending or twisting.
While operating the plasma display device, significant heat is generated in the PDP and the driving circuits. Because the PDP and the driving circuits can be damaged by such heat, it is important to effectively dissipate such heat from the plasma display device.
In particular, because the chassis base contacts both the PDP and the driving circuits, the chassis base needs to be formed to effectively dissipate heat. Therefore, generally the chassis base may be made of material having good heat conductivity such as aluminum, and the chassis base is sometimes provided with a cooling fin.
In some prior art plasma display devices, the chassis base has been formed as a single plate attached to a rear surface of the PDP. In such a structure, there are difficulties in dissipating heat generated in the PDP and a large portion of the heat is discharged through a front portion of the PDP so that the temperature of the front portion of the PDP may rise excessively. This may cause inconvenience during use.
Furthermore, because the driving circuits are mounted to the chassis base, heat generated in the driving circuits cannot be effectively eliminated.

Display device and heat dissipating chassis therefor


Identity management is disclosed that allows authentication of a user for a third party by way of an encrypted token. A biometric signature can be requested for a user of a user device. In response, an encrypted token can be generated based at least in part on the biometric signature. The encrypted token can then be provided back to the user device, which can save the encrypted token to a secure location on the user device accessible by biometric authentication of the user on the user device. An authentication request can be provided from a third party which includes an encrypted token. A determination can be made regarding whether user identity can be confirmed based on the encrypted token. An indication of whether the user identity was confirmed or unconfirmed can then be communicated in response to the authentication request.

As e-commerce and electronic communications continue to grow so does the concern about consumer privacy and the threat of electronic theft and fraud. Current systems and communications use user ID's and passwords to provide means of security. These security measures, however, do not provide adequate privacy for consumers who wish to protect their privacy. In addition, these security measures do not provide adequate protection from online threats and third-party data breach for both consumers and financial institutions.


A rotating mixer for mixing drinks utilizes a tumbler-type container attached to a base and a rotatable whisk. The whisk is turned by rotatable gears, one of which is attached to a motor and one of which is attached to the base of the container. The motor is housed in a motor housing unit and is powered by batteries, or, alternatively, by an AC adapter. The motor housing unit includes a collar that is inserted into a sleeve in the bottom of the container base to provide a stable guide for aligning the motor gear and whisk gear. The detachable base also provides a stable platform for the container when it is not engaged with the motor housing unit. The detachable base may be a lightweight, yet sturdy, two-piece unit comprising a sleeve section and a coupling section. The motor housing unit fits into a tray which is adapted for use as a serving tray and which also functions as a battery recharger when plugged into an electrical outlet. The tray comprises holders for holding one or more containers.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to mixing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to improvements in free standing blender-type devices for mixing individual drinks and the like.
2. Background Art
Many drinks are made by combining several ingredients including fluids, powders and/or syrups. Manually stirring such drinks rarely produces a thorough combination. Instead, the heavier of the ingredients often concentrates at the bottom, while the lighter ingredients rise to the top. Shaking drinks may produce a more thorough combination than stirring, but still often fails to produce the desired result. Furthermore, since few containers are well adapted for either shaking or stirring, these tactics often increase spillage.
To address these problem, blenders and mixers of various sorts are sometimes used to more thoroughly combine ingredients added to a drink. Since blenders usually employ tight fitting lids, the problem of spillage is minimized. Furthermore, blenders mix their contents at faster speeds than stirring or shaking, thus producing a more thorough combination of the ingredients.
Blenders and other similar mixing devices have problems of their own however. Most blenders are larger than a single drink serving, thus necessitating that mixed contents be poured into separate containers (e.g., glasses) for serving. This creates the possibility of spillage as the drink or other fluid combination is poured from the blender or mixing device to a usually smaller container.
Furthermore, blenders separate the process of preparation from the processes of service and consumption. Thus, there is often enough lag time between mixing and consumption to allow the contents to settle and partially separate.
Blenders and other similar mixing devices also require the user to manually activate the blending mechanism. This may slow preparation time.
Finally, after the contents of the blender are transferred to another container, no further mixing can occur without re-transferring the drink back to the blender. Thus, even if a drink or other fluid mixture is immediately served after it is mixed, if it is not immediately consumed, some degree of settling and separation of the contents is bound to occur. This cannot be remedied without re-transferring the drink to the blender or other mixing device or resorting to another method for mixing drinks such as stirring or shaking.
Many blender-type mixing devices have been invented in attempting to address these problems. Among these are U.S. Pat. No. 1,762,353 to Robinson, U.S. Pat. No. 1,824,929 to Pritchard, U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,623 to Malz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,864 to Lee, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,286 to Purkapile and EPO 0 562 310 A1 issued to Schindlegger.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,762,353 to Robinson discloses a manually operable mixing device which provides a substantially cylindrical receptacle, with an open top and a blade-bearing agitator which is operable as a non-rotatable piston in the receptacle. The agitator consists essentially of a cover and a stem with a handle and a blade. The stem runs through a hole in the cover so that when the cover is in place on the receptacle the handle may be used to move the blade up and down, thus mixing the contents of the receptacle.
This device however, must be operated manually. Furthermore, once mixing is complete, the agitator and cover must be removed and the contents of the mixer transferred into serving containers. This increases spillage and necessitates additional clean-up because the blade and lower portion of the stem have been immersed in the contents of the receptacle and are very likely to drip when removed. Also, the step of transferring the contents from mixer to serving containers increases the likelihood of spillage.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,824,929 to Pritchard discloses a drink mixer which utilizes a tumbler or similar container for a mixing receptacle. The tumbler has a removable top with a central bearing orifice adapted to slidably receive the rod of the mixing device. On one end of the rod is a handle and on the other end of the rod is a mixing disc which may be dish formed.
Although this device provides for mixing contents within a container that may also be used for serving, thus eliminating the need for transferring contents from one container to another, it is still likely to create spillage when the mixing disc and cover are removed from the container. Because the mixing disc and the rod have been immersed in the contents of the container, spilling or dripping may occur when the rod and mixing dish are removed prior to serving the drink. Also, this device must be manually operated.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,623 to Malz et al. discloses a liquefier having a resiliently mounted motor and container. This liquefier device includes a base having an electric motor, and a container with cutting blades mounted on the bottom of its interior. Because of the motor, no manual operation is necessary. However, the problem of spillage still exists with this mixer because of the necessity of transferring the contents out of the container after mixing. Also, because the motor must be plugged in, portability of the device is limited.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,864 to Lee discloses a mixer unit which may be removably, sealingly affixed to the top of a receptacle containing the material to be mixed and the combination thereafter inverted during the mixing operation. Although this invention may be used with serving containers such as tumblers and it may be portable (i.e. battery powered), it still presents some problems. First, because the mixer unit is attached to the top of a receptacle, the receptacle must be inverted before the mixer unit functions properly. This creates a possibility of spillage because if the mixer is in any way improperly attached or if there is some sealing defect between the mixer unit and the receptacle, the contents of the receptacle will literally be dumped out when it is inverted. Second, even if no leakage or spillage occurs when the unit is inverted, there is likely to be some dripping or spilling when the unit is returned to its upright position and the mixing unit, which has been immersed in the contents during mixing, is removed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,286 to Purkapile discloses a liquid pitcher including a removable lid and a rotary and reciprocal shaft journaled in the lid and having an apertured grinding and mixing plate attached to one end of the shaft. The grinding and mixing plate includes a plurality of mixing holes, four equally spaced semicircular rim segments, and a set of grinding teeth located on the underside thereof facing a set of fixed grinding teeth located in a row on the bottom of the pitcher with the two sets of teeth being mutually facing and interfitting. The mixer plate can be rotated to grind up frozen concentrate or reciprocated within the container to mix liquids therein. The holes in the aperture plate provide a mixing action in both the rotary and reciprocating modes of operation.
This device, by its nature, necessitates transfer of its contents to serving containers after mixing. Because the pitcher is constructed so as to facilitate pouring (i.e. it has a spout, etc.), spillage will probably not be a large problem, but still could be possible. The pitcher is portable, but must be manually operated. Furthermore, if it becomes desirable to re-mix a drink, the lid, shaft and mixing plate must be removed and the drink would have to be added back to the contents of the pitcher. Neither of these actions are ideal as removing the lid, shaft and mixing plate increases the likelihood of spillage, and re-introducing the drink to the pitcher could result in spreading germs.
EPO 0 562 310 A1 to Schindlegger discloses a mixing apparatus having a container and a variety of different shaped whisks. The Schindlegger patent uses a rotary drive to rotate a whisk within the container for mixing the drink.
Each of the devices discussed above possesses desirable features and advantages. However, none of them adequately address all of the problems discussed above relating to mixing devices for mixing drinks and the like. The references discussed above are hereby incorporated by reference.


A spin-on filter unit for filtering liquids which may be readily disassembled and which utilizes a perforated center tube support disposed within a housing canister having both an open end and a closed end, a mounting head assembly which includes a bayonet connector mechanism adapted for releasable engagement with the open end of the housing canister, and a spring mechanism mechanism which acts upon the center support tube to urge the mounting head assembly bayonet connection mechanism into releasable engagement with the open end of the housing canister after rotation of the mounting head assembly about its center axis relative to the housing canister.

Disposable filtration cartridges for filtering fluids, such as engine oil, are well known in the art. Most of these filter cartridges utilize the well-known "spin-on, spin-off" connection construction. With these known constructions, however, the filter cartridge is permanently sealed in its housing and the entire filter including the housing, must be discarded and replaced after use because such a procedure is costly and wasteful and poses an environmental problem due to the difficulty associated with disposing of the spent filter cartridge.
To reduce the costs associated with replacing both the filter element and the support housing, and to minimize the environmental impact associated with that disposal, filters with removable filters have been developed. One such filter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,324. In that patent, a tubular metal support member is used in conjunction with the filter element to facilitate disassembly and replacement of component parts within large industrial filters. But the construction disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,324 is directed to large, high-cost industrial filters and fails to address the requirements of the lower-cost "spin-on, spin-off" construction and is therefor entirely silent with respect to how the filter cartridge and associated support are connected to, and supported by, the outer housing to facilitate ease of disassembly.
Other inventors have addressed the issue of how to easily remove a filter cartridge from the filter housing. In the system disclosed in published application WO96/09875, a spring-assist mechanism is used as part of the locking assembly which secures the filter within the housing but also provides for the disassembly from and the removal of, the cartridge from its canister housing. In that application, an annular filter is coupled with a closure plate upon which a spring element exerts an axial pressure in order to secure the filter in place within the canister.
Although the design disclosed in WO96/09875 utilizes stiffening support rings attached along the axis of the filter to support the pleated filter element, these rings do not support the filter against the axial force exerted by the spring or the local fluid pressures caused by the inward or outward flow of the liquid being filtered. This lack of such support is critical when delicate filter media is employed because the dangers of buckling, collapsing, or blow-through is much greater with this type of material. Ultimately, and owing to these dangers, the usefulness of the filter apparatus disclosed in WO96/09875 is questionable in many applications, involving the separation of fine particles.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a multi-media filtration system which utilizes a standard "spin-on, spin-off" design, and which is capable of separating the finest of particles, including particles at the micron and sub-micron level, yet provides the convenience of a reusable and remountable filter system adaptable to a filter head or block in which all of the components may be reused except for any disposable filter element.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a spin-on filter assembly that incorporates a reusable center tube support which serves to position the filter element within the filter housing and to support the filter media against the hydraulic pressures being asserted by the fluid being filtered so as to minimize buckling, collapse, or blow-through and to isolate the filter media from other internal forces.
Related objects and advantages of the present invention will also be apparent from review of the following description and appended claims.

Multi-media filtration system with reusable and demountable filter cartridge


A test structure and method for testing a semiconductor device are provided. The test structure including a first test pattern having a plurality of electrically separated metal patterns, a plurality of metal vias formed in opposite end portions of the respective metal patterns, and a second test pattern connected to the first test pattern through the metal vias. By using this structure, the presence, nature, and size of a metal failure can be detected by analyzing a resistance arising from the application of a test voltage to the first test pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a test structure and method for using the test structure during a semiconductor device manufacturing process. More particularly, the present invention relates to a test structure and related method for testing for metal failure in a semiconductor device. A claim of priority is made to Korean Patent Application No. 2003-42793, filed on Jun. 27, 2003, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multilevel metalization processes are used to form multi-layered metal patterns during the manufacture of a semiconductor device. Metal patterns are typically formed on a semiconductor substrate as well as the intermediate layers and components forming the semiconductor device. Indeed, metal patterns, as formed in the respective layers constituting a semiconductor device, are essential to the operation of the device. Thus, a metal failure, when occurring, is particularly troublesome. A metal failure occurs, for example, if a metal pattern is formed on a semiconductor substrate with an electrically shorted or open connection. Any number of problems in the complex manufacturing process required to produce a contemporary semiconductor device may be the cause of a metal failure. Nonetheless, manufacturing yield dramatically falls as the number of metal failures increases.
Conventionally, optical test (or inspection) equipment is used to check for manufacturing defects such as metal failures. Although such optical test equipment effectively detects manufacturing defects, it is incapable of distinguishing (or classifying) a particular defect amongst a broad range of possible defects. In particular, important defects directly resulting in a serious decline in manufacturing yield are not specifically identified by the conventional test equipment. Furthermore, the process of optically scanning for defects using conventional test equipment requires considerable time. Accordingly, it is generally impractical to inspect every portion of every semiconductor wafer during manufacture. Yet, if only selected portions of each semiconductor wafer, or portions of a selected batch sample are checked, many defects will go undetected and unsatisfactory yield will occur.

Test structure for detecting defect size in a semiconductor device and test method using same


A isoxazole compound represented by the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkoxy group, R.sub.1 is a group represented by the formula (2): ##STR2## (wherein A represents --NH-- or --O--, B represents a methylene group or a carbonyl group, m is 0 or 1, n is an integer of 1 to 12, X represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, Y represents a phenyl group which can be substituted with one or more halogen atoms, or a hydrogen atom), a group represented by the formula (3): ##STR3## (wherein Z represents a pyrimidinyl group), or a group represented by the formula (4): ##STR4## (wherein R.sub.2 represents a styryl group which can be substituted with one or more hydroxy groups); a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or a medical use thereof in a method of inhibiting lipoxygenase, inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase or inhibiting cyclooxygenase.

It is considered that leukotrienes produced by 5-lipoxygenase from arachidonic acid, and prostaglandins produced by cyclooxygenase from arachidonic acid are deeply concerned in a crisis of allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, inflammation, etc. Consequently it is desired to inhibit both 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase in order to strongly and properly inhibit various allergic diseases, inflammations and other diseases. The development of a drug inhibiting both enzymes is earnestly desired.

Isoxazole compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and medical uses thereof


In a device for positioning a tool in a working area wherein two spaced parallel horizontal guide tracks are provided and a guide slide is movably supported by each guide track, a coupler link is supported on each guide slide so as to be pivotable about a vertical pivot joint axis and the coupler links are joined to each other pivotably about another joint having an axis parallel to the vertical pivot joints of the coupler links, and a spindle extends from the other joint of the coupler links in alignment with the axis thereof so as to be linearly adjustable and is provided with a tool. The spindle with the tool is position-adjustable by linear movement of the guide slides along the tracks whereby the tool supported by the coupler links which are longer than the distance between the two guide tracks can cover also areas at opposite sides of the two parallel guide tracks.

As a rule, two-dimensional positioning systems are realized as a T- or H-structure. In this case, a portal is moved in an X-direction by a motor or even two motors, and a slide arranged in a movable manner on the portal and carrying the tool is positioned in a Y-direction by a further motor. Relatively large masses are to be moved in the process. The accelerations achievable are comparatively low, so that the working speed of such a system is accordingly also relatively low.
During the automatic fitting of printed circuit boards with components, for example, the tool in the form of a fitting head has to be moved at high speed over the working area. Positioning systems of the aforesaid type can no longer meet the desires for higher production rates.
There is also the fact that, in addition to the two coordinate directions X and Y, a lifting movement of the tool in the direction of a third coordinate direction Z and a rotation about this axis by an angle φ may also be required. For this reason, these two functions have to be integrated via additional subassemblies. This further increases the moving masses and possibly impairs the working area, which in the T- or H-structure is in any case smaller than the construction area.

Device for positioning a tool within a predetermined working area


A pump device for lubricant includes a pump main body; a cylinder part having an introduction port and a derivation port; a piston moving within the cylinder part; an actuator moving the piston forward to a 1st position to discharge a lubricant from the derivation port, backward from the 1st position to a 2nd position to suction the lubricant from the introduction port and further backward from the 2nd position to a 3rd position to stop the suction and discharge of the lubricant; and a driving control device controlling the actuator such that when the lubricant is supplied, the piston is moved from the 3rd position to the 1st position and moved between the 1st position and the 2nd position, and when the lubricant is not supplied, the piston is moved to the 3rd position and stopped.

Generally, as shown in FIG. 8, an injection molding machine for a resin or a metal has the following configuration. That is, a single piston which discharges lubricant by back-and-forth movement caused by compression and decompression of lubricant and a known single continuous flow valve V provided with one discharge port corresponding to this piston and discharge about 0.03 ml to 1.5 ml per shot are used, and these continuous flow valves V are provided at corresponding plural locations through a lubrication pipeline W, and lubricant is supplied from a lubricant pump device Sa to this lubrication pipeline W.
Since it discharges lubricant when actuated by compression and decompression of lubricant, the single continuous flow valve V is required to be decompressed. Accordingly, a lubricant pump Sa which can conduct decompression is used.
Conventionally, as the lubricant pump of this type, a device which supplies lubricant made of grease disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP-A-H06-137489) or Patent Document 2 (JP-B-H07-81676) is known.
This lubricant pump Sa is, as shown in FIG. 8, a plunger-type pump main body 100 provided with a cylinder and a piston and an electric motor 101 as the actuator which allows the piston to move back and forth and can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.
This pump main body 100 is driven when the electric motor 101 rotates clockwise, and suctions lubricant stored in a tank 102 and discharges it from a discharge port 104 through a discharge path 103. Between the tank 102 and the discharge path 103, a decompression path 105 is formed. In this decompression path 105, a decompression valve 106 which is driven by the electric motor 101 is interposed. The decompression valve 106 is closed when the electric motor 101 rotates clockwise, and opens when the electric motor 101 rotates counterclockwise. When the discharge port 104 is connected with the lubrication pipeline W, and at the time when lubricant is supplied to this lubrication pipeline W, the electric motor 101 is allowed to rotate clockwise to allow the piston of the pump main body 100 to move back and forth to compress the discharge port 104. On the other hand, at the time when lubricant to the lubrication pipeline W is not supplied, based on signals from a pressure switch 107 or the like, the electric motor 101 is allowed to rotate counterclockwise to open a decompression valve 106, whereby the discharge port is decompressed. In FIG. 8, numeral 108 is a relief valve.


A general purpose set theoretic processor is enhanced 1) by providing multi-function counters in stead of down-counters, 2) by internalizing the composite Boolean Logic function by introducing a two stage (two matrix) programmable composite Boolean Logic functionality wherein the first stage yields logical products of selected aggregation logic responses (or their complements) and the second stage yields logical sums of selected sets of those logical products, and 3) by providing internal selective re-initialization by means of a re-initialization routing matrix functionality that directs logical sums of Composite Boolean Logic sums of products to selected GPSTP cells to be re-initialized.

The present invention relates to improvements in a general purpose set theoretic processor (GPSTP) as hereinafter defined. A GPSTP is a systolic (i.e., stimulus-response) processor consisting of N Building Block Modules (BBM's) each of which is itself a systolic processor. The present invention affects each of the BBM's internally and has no effect on the overall structure. Each of the BBM's has two major components; a Recognition Network and an Aggregation Network. They are controlled by an external Stimulus-Response Sequencer. More specifically, a GPSTP as described in the co-pending patent application includes at least one GPSTP building block module that comprises three components, a Recognition Network, an Aggregation Network and a Sequencer. In operation in its so-called scan mode, the Recognition Network generates a substantially amplified response, such as a 1024 bit response, for every input quantum (e.g., byte.). The Aggregation Network has two components, an Aggregation Routing Matrix component and a Threshold Logic component. The Aggregation Routing Matrix directs selected bits of the Recognition Network to selected Threshold Logic Units in the Threshold Logic component where they are counted. The Sequencer provides control signals for the other components. A GPSTP as described in the co-pending patent application is an advance in overcoming barriers to solving problems in complex and difficult pattern recognition, such as face-recognition suitable for surveillance, detection and the like; in real-time, multiple anonymous-speaker, continuous speech, multiple-language understanding in noisy environments and in understanding threat related content (encoded or not); content recognition and retrieval of pertinent digital information in text, sound, graphics, and video domains in real-time; and in detecting equipment failure precursor behaviors. The applications are widespread and often specialized, rendering the need for improvements in the basic general purpose set theoretic processor.
First, the basic GPSTP as originally conceived provided for one-way counters to aggregate simple, fragmentary responses to elementary stimuli. However, such counters could only decrement from an initial value and generate an output signal if they reach zero. Such "down-counters" are useful merely as threshold logic devices. However, it has now been determined that there are many problems that require counting responses for other purposes for which "down counters" are ill-suited. Improvement is needed.
Second, adequate handling of Boolean Logic is not as simple as it might seem. Although threshold logic performs a great deal of what would otherwise be performed by the Boolean Logic, the sorts of problems addressed by the GPSTP require resolution of logic expressions employing numerous logical variables. The embodiment described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,392,229, envisions thirty two variables and employs a relatively straightforward approach: as a part of Reference Pattern compilation a canonical sum-of-products truth table is derived. The truth-table is loaded into a 232×1 bit random access memory (RAM) using the binary representation of the variables' truth-valuations as an index to store the truth-value of the expression. Evaluating the composite truth value of a stimulus response is a matter of using the binary representation of the truth-values of the response component variables to index the truth-value of the composite. This operation can be performed very rapidly and requires only one memory access. If the fastest memory available at a given point in time is used, then, for this configuration, there is no faster way at that given point in time.
However, there were practical limitations based on then-extant technology. The magnitude of 232: 232=4,294,967,295, four times the capacity of any memory chip available in early 2006, also four times the capacity of IC chips available to implement the GPSTP on a single chip. Given the state of the art, it was impossible to implement a GPSTP with on-board Composite Boolean Logic. Of the several unfortunate consequences of an external Composite Boolean Logic is that its outputs cannot easily be used by the GPSTP without degrading speed performance.
The third issue is intimately intertwined with the problems arising from external Composite Boolean Logic, so that it cannot be resolved if a way cannot be found to realize a GPSTP with on-board Composite Boolean Logic. This problem, for which a solution is described more fully hereinafter, is how to provide a mechanism for the GPSTP to re-initialize selected portions of itself when a set of stimuli is perceived by the GPSTP itself to signify a change of context. To appreciate the importance of being able to recognize and to act on changes in context as well as content, consider an application in which a GPSTP is used to recognize complex behaviors that precede system failures and signal control elements so they can prevent a system failure. One of many precursor patterns that must be concurrently monitored consists of 1) A frame formed by two triads of stimuli falling within individual limits in a given order: this frame forms a context in which the indicators of may occur. An indicator of looming failure is a string of stimuli with a series of ranges of values that must occur in a given order followed by a string of unknown length of stimuli whose values and order are of no significance followed by a series of stimuli with specific values but in any order. Moreover, a stream of stimuli meeting these criteria must occur within a frame. In order to avoid the satisfaction of only two of the three criteria occurring in one frame, and the third in another frame, the GPSTP must be able to re-initialize the cells participating in finding stimulus strings that meet the sets of criteria. However, the task of recognizing changes of context, boundaries, and frames is one that requires the same facilities as finding qualifying sequences within a context defining boundaries or frames. It would be unfortunate to have to perform context recognition in a host system rather than in the GPSTP concurrently with recognition of qualifying content.
These three issues provide opportunities for aggregation functionality improvement and are addressed by the present invention.

GPSTP with enhanced aggregation functionality


A bookmark device formed of plastic has a narrow, low-profile and elongated bookmark extension, with an enlarged, wider cap portion at its upper end. The cap portion provides a cap for a removable highlighter pen which comprises an enlarged head of the bookmark device with an internal reservoir holding highlighter fluid and a highlighter tip for marking text. In a preferred embodiment the cap and the highlighter head lie essentially entirely to one side of the plane of the bookmark extension, so that in use, the bookmark can always be oriented one way or the other between the pages of the book without increasing the profile of the book. In one embodiment the bookmark device can be part of a set of components including additional highlighter heads, for replacement purposes and for providing different highlighter colors. The device is conveniently used for highlighting while reading.

This invention is directed to a bookmark device, and particularly one in which the bookmark is combined with a highlighter pen.
Various combinations of bookmarks with other purposes have been known. Examples are shown in the following patents: Des. 190,556 (Heathman), Des. 317,175 (Dickson), Des. 322,811 (Isern), Des. 355,933 (Collins) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,846 (Knight). The design patents of Isern and Collins show bookmarks combined with felt-tipped markers, i.e., highlighter pens. The Dickson and Knight patents show bookmarks having some means for gripping a writing instrument. However, none of these prior patents shows a combined bookmark and highlighter pen having the advantageous construction, features and convenience of use of the present invention described below.


A semiconductor system includes a semiconductor memory device suitable for storing data, and a host suitable for controlling the semiconductor memory device in response to an external command signal, in which the semiconductor memory device includes a buffer block suitable for storing first data programmed under control of the host, and a main block suitable for storing the second data programmed under control of the host or a copy of the first data stored in the buffer block at a sudden power fail.

Field of Invention
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a semiconductor system and an operating method thereof, and more particularly, to a semiconductor system for restoring data when a sudden power fail is caused and an operating method thereof.
Description of Related Art
A semiconductor system includes a semiconductor memory device configured to store data, and a host configured to control the semiconductor memory device. The host transfers command signals, and addresses for program, read, and erase operations to the semiconductor memory device, and the semiconductor memory device performs the program, read, and erase operations in response to the command signals and the addresses received from the host. Accordingly, the host needs to have high reliability for control of the semiconductor memory device until a started operation is completed, and the semiconductor memory device needs to have high reliability for storage of data.
In the meantime, a sudden power fail may be caused during the operation of the semiconductor system. The sudden power fail means a phenomenon in which the supply of power is unexpectedly stopped. For example, an unexpected power supply stopping phenomenon, such as blackout, may be considered as the sudden power fail.
When the sudden power fail is repaired, the host needs to resume the operation, which was being performed, and the semiconductor memory device needs to wholly store programmed data and restore the data.

Semiconductor system and operating method thereof


Method and apparatus for generating and receiving an extended Vendor Specific Attribute (VSA) is disclosed. In one aspect, a extended format VSA may be generated containing at least a Vendor-Type field having a predetermined value and a Extended Vendor-Type field. A Vendor Specific Attribute packet generated and received in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure may have a field sequence of <Type> <Length> <Vendor-ID> <Vendor-Type> <Length> <Vendor-Extended-Type> <Value>, and may field lengths of Type=8 bits; Length=8 bits; Vendor-ID=32 bits; Vendor-Type 8 bits; Length=8 bits; Vendor-Extended-Type=32 bits; and Value=1 or more bytes.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates generally to data communications, and in particular, to a 32-bit vendor specific attribute extension to the RADIUS RFC.
2. The Prior Art
RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service) is a standards-based protocol for AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) and enables systems to securely determine the identity and privileges of a user and track that user's activities. As is known by those skilled in the art, RADIUS exchanges attributes between clients and servers in a Type, Length, Value (TLV) format.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art RADIUS packet 100. The packet 100 typically includes a Type field of 8 bits; a Length field of 8 bits for specifying the total length of the attribute; a Vendor-ID field of 32 bits; a Vendor-Type field of 8 bits; a second length field of 8 bits for specifying the length of the inner value; and an inner value field of 1 or more bytes.
The RADIUS protocol allows for extensions via the Vendor Specific attribute. This attribute is designated for Vendor Specific Extensions and is known as the Vendor Specific Attribute (VSA) and has a fixed outer type of 26. As is known by those of ordinary skill in the art, the RFC is an IETF document describing a standard protocol, for RADIUS it is #RFC2865. The RFC suggests that this attribute should accommodate a maximum of 255 possible Vendor-Types.
At the time of design of the protocol, 255 possible Vendor-Types was considered to be an adequate space and it was further thought that most of the attributes that are commonly needed by all Vendors would be introduced in the standard space (from 1–255 excluding Vendor Specific Type 26).
However, as the number of protocols utilized by Network Access Servers (NAS) has grown, the need for more extensions has also increased. As is known by those skilled in the art, extensions may be triggered by VSAs stored in the user profile of a given NAS. This widespread growth of the number of protocols supported by a NAS has led to the Vendor space being completely utilized.

32-bit vendor-extended-type vendor specific attribute


A metal etching system has an etching chamber defined by quartz walls. Coils provided around the quartz walls of the etching chamber are used to apply a high frequency electrical field to at least a portion of the etching chamber. Containment walls are provided around the coils. An endpoint detection system is provided for the etching system which includes an optical fiber which extends through the containment wall and the coils, with an end of the optical fiber disposed in fixed relationship to the quartz walls of the etching chamber. A fixture mounts the optical fiber in the containment wall. An air-tight seal, such as an O-ring compressed around the optical fiber and compressed against the containment wall, is provided to limit air flow along the optical fiber to the surface of the etching chamber walls. The O-ring or similar air-tight seal prevents air from flowing from outside of the containment wall to the surface of the etching chamber wall which would otherwise locally cool the etching chamber walls and cause material to deposit onto the chamber walls.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor processing and more particularly to systems for monitoring semiconductor processing steps.
2. Description of the Related Art
The manufacture of high density integrated circuit devices typically proceeds by repeating a sequence of processing steps which includes depositing a layer of material over a substrate, forming an etching mask on the surface of the deposited material, etching the deposited material to define a structure over the substrate, and then removing the etching mask. This sequence is repeated many times in the manufacture of a typical integrated circuit device. Due to the economics of the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, it is very desirable to minimize the time spent in individual processing steps and in the total time consumed for this sequence of processing steps. On the other hand, it is very desirable to complete each processing step in such a manner as to ensure that there are high yields from the manufacturing process. To this end, it has become increasingly common to incorporate systems for monitoring the progress of processing steps as an essential component of integrated circuit manufacturing equipment.
Etching processes are particularly amenable to the use of process monitoring techniques because of the often critical nature of the etching process and because of the presence of detectable byproducts of the etching process. A typical etching process is performed to remove the portion of a layer of deposited material that is exposed through the openings in an etching mask. Exposed material is generally removed using an anisotropic process to etch holes having substantially vertical walls aligned with the mask openings, with the etched holes extending all the way through the layer of deposited material. Material removed by the etching process is typically present in the etching chamber either within a gaseous end product of the etching process or as particulates. The progress of etching processes should result in changes in the composition of gases within the etching chamber during different portions of the etching process. For example, the fraction of chamber gases incorporating materials derived from the material being etched should increase as etching begins and should drop when the etching process is complete. Monitoring the presence within the etching chamber of reacted gas compounds incorporating the etched material can therefore provide an indication of the end of the etching process.
Different monitoring techniques are used for detecting the presence of gaseous byproducts of etching processes within the etching chamber or for otherwise monitoring the progress of a processing step. One of the more common process monitoring techniques is used to monitor the progress of plasma etching processes. Plasma etching processes can highly excite the elemental etched material (i.e., particulates) or the compounds incorporating reacted etched material so that these materials fluoresce or otherwise emit light at wavelengths that are characteristic of the etched material. By monitoring the intensity of fluorescence or characteristic emissions at these characteristic wavelengths, the etching process can be monitored. A drop in the intensity of fluorescence might, for example, indicate the completion of an etching process and so might be used as an endpoint detection tool.
Other process monitoring techniques are known. For example, instead of monitoring an emission that is characteristic of an etched material, light can be passed through the etch chamber to measure optical absorption on lines that are characteristic of the etched material or the byproducts of the etching process. An increase in absorption may be characteristic of the onset of etching and a decrease in absorption may be characteristic of the completion of etching. Still other techniques are know or could be used. Ellipsometric measurements are used to detect the thickness of films deposited onto workpieces and might be used to monitor the etching of thin, relatively uniform films. Reflectance measurements including reflectance spectroscopy can be used to detect the presence or absence of a film on the surface of a workpiece and so might be used for detecting the deposition of a film or removal of a film in an etching process. Each of these techniques could be used in an endpoint detection system.
A common feature of these process monitoring tools is the use of optical techniques to remotely sense the presence or absence of materials in the etching chamber. For at least some types of processing equipment, it is necessary to provide an optical path or optical viewing port to gain access to the processing environment to make such optical measurement techniques. Most processing systems are enclosed within chamber walls so that the processing chamber can be evacuated and provided with different gas environments as desired. While some of the processing chamber walls are formed from transparent materials such as quartz, it may be necessary to provide transparent windows through the chamber walls when optical monitoring is to be performed through walls that are not transparent. It may also be necessary to provide an optical path or viewing port through structures that are provided around the processing chamber. For example, in some plasma etching systems, the etching chamber is contained within electrical coils that are used for applying either a radio frequency (RF) electric field or a magnetic field to the interior of the etching chamber. An example of such a system is the Hitachi 308-ATE ECR Metal Etcher, which provides coils formed of hollow copper tubing around the quartz walls of the etching chamber. The copper coils are provided around the etching chamber to provide an RF field to the interior of the chamber, and completely surround parts of the chamber walls. To implement an endpoint detection system for this metal etcher, it is most convenient to provide an optical fiber through the coils to a fixed position adjacent the quartz chamber wall so that the fiber images at least a portion of the etching chamber. Sensing operations can then be performed through the optical fiber to facilitate operation of an endpoint detection system.


An assembly for driving and supporting a wheel has a wheel hub 20 and an outer joint member 31. The wheel hub 20 includes a flange 21 which connects the wheel 5 and the wheel hub 20 together. A constant velocity joint is rotatably supported on a wheel carrier 8 by a supporting means. The constant velocity joint is fixed for torque transmitting purposes and is rotatably supported about an axis by a rolling contact bearing 14 having two rows of rolling contact members 17, 18. Two inter-engaging sets of teeth 29, 29' secure the constant velocity joint to the wheel hub 20. The first set of teeth 29 moves axially in relation to the outer joint member 31 causing the second set of teeth 29' to be formed in a bore 33 within the outer joint member 31 during assembly.

This invention relates to an assembly for driving and supporting a wheel hub on a wheel carrier of a motor vehicle.
The invention relates to an assembly for driving and supporting a wheel of a motor vehicle, which comprises a wheel hub, a constant velocity joint and means for supporting the assembly on the wheel carrier of the motor vehicle. The wheel hub is associated with a flange for fixing the wheel. The constant velocity joint is fixed to the wheel hub for transmitting torque. The wheel hub is rotatably supported around a common longitudinal axis of a rolling contact bearing comprising two rows of rolling contact members supported by an outer bearing ring at the wheel carrier. The two rows of rolling contact members are tensioned relative to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis. An outer joint member secures the constant velocity joint to the wheel hub in a direction or rotation around the longitudinal axis by two inter-engaging sets of teeth. The outer joint member is secured along the longitudinal axis. Further, the rolling contact members are guided for rolling on axially spaced outer tracks of the outer bearing ring facing away from one another and on inner tracks facing one another. The first teeth set is arranged at the end, removed from the flange, and behind the bearing face, to receive the separate inner bearing ring. The first set of teeth comprises teeth extending parallel to the longitudinal axis.
Such an assembly is described in EP 0 610 782 A1 wherein the separate inner bearing ring is form-fittingly secured to the wheel hub. In the region adjoining the seat face for the inner bearing ring, the wheel hub comprises a set of teeth. The outer joint member of the connected constant velocity joint comprises a bore. Teeth are worked into the bore. The teeth of the outer joint member interlock with the teeth of the wheel hub. The outer joint member is axially secured to the wheel hub by a securing ring.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,607 describes a wheel bearing assembly wherein a first inner face is worked into a wheel hub near a flange. The outer joint member of a constant velocity joint comprises a second inner face and a journal which projects towards the flange of the wheel hub and extends into a bore in the wheel hub towards the flange. Underneath the flange, the wheel hub in its bore, comprises a bore part which increases conically in size away from the outer bearing ring and constant velocity joint. The wheel hub includes a set of hardened teeth which also expands conically in this bore part. After the outer joint member is fitted into the wheel hub, the journal end is plastically deformed such that material is displaced outwardly and reaches the empty spaces between the hardened teeth of the wheel hub. As a result, the outer joint member is fixed relative to the wheel hub, in both the axial direction and the direction of rotation around the longitudinal axis.
The disadvantage of such an arrangement and assembly method is that relatively high deformation forces are necessary to cause the material to flow into the gaps between the teeth. A further disadvantage is that the wheel hub has to be subjected to high radial forces. Further, it is essential to provide a relatively solid assembly, i.e. the assembly is relatively heavy because it needs a solid journal at the outer joint member of the constant velocity joint. Furthermore, it is necessary for the outer joint member to be produced from a relatively expensive material because it comprises an inner track, i.e. it has to be made of a rolling contact bearing steel, whereas traditionally, constant velocity joints are made of a relatively reasonably priced induction-hardenable or case-hardenable steel.
The known embodiments are also deficient in that relatively high axial deformation forces are generated when fixing the outer joint member relative to the wheel hub. There is a risk that the necessary pretension in the rolling contact bearing will not be observed with the required degree of accuracy.
DE 36 36 243 A1 describes a non-rotating connection between the inner bearing ring and the wheel hub of a wheel bearing constant velocity joint unit, wherein the inner bearing ring, prior to assembly, includes teeth. A portion of the wheel hub is a collar formed by coining to form-fit a connection between two parts. The inner ring includes teeth to be connected to teeth of the outer joint part of the constant velocity joint.

Method of assembling a wheel hub, a constant velocity joint and support means


An integrated test circuit, including a plurality of test structure elements, wherein each test structure element includes at least a supply line and a test line; a plurality of select transistors, wherein each select transistor is assigned to one corresponding test structure element, and wherein each select transistor includes a first controlled region, a second controlled region, and a control region, wherein the second controlled region of each select transistor is respectively connected to the supply line of the corresponding test structure element, so that each select transistor is unambiguously assigned to the corresponding test structure element; and a plurality of contact pads, connected to respective first controlled regions and control regions of the plurality of select transistors, such that each test structure element of the plurality of test structure elements can be individually addressed by the plurality of contact pads.

A general task in chip fabrication and in the manufacturing of an integrated circuit may be the scaling of the included structure elements to a smaller feature size. Reducing the feature size of the structure elements of a chip may lead to a reduced reproducibility, since the error tolerance during fabrication may become smaller, due to the small dimensions of the structure elements. As a direct result of the scaling, the number of structure elements on a single chip or a single die may increase. As a result, testing a structure element on a chip, the functionality of an integrated circuit, as well as finding a critical process parameter and the critical dimension of a structure element may become important, and hence, a test structure may be used, which may be arranged within an integrated test circuit or within a chip, e.g. a test chip. Since the number of test structure elements included in an integrated test circuit may be very large, e.g. larger than 100 or larger than 1000 or even larger, providing a likewise large number of contact pads for electrically contacting the test structure elements may be a problem, since typical test devices may only have a limited number of pins which can be connected to the contact pads. This limitation may be mainly caused by the use of large space consuming structures, which may be necessary for connecting a large number of pins with the corresponding contact pads compared to the small size of a test structure element within an integrated test circuit. The number of desired test structures (or test structure elements) may increase with increasing number of metallization layers included in an integrated circuit. Therefore, problems may occur regarding the electrically contacting of the individual test structure elements. Despite the fact that contact pads may be provided for every test structure element, the number of pins (e.g. spring-loaded pins, e.g. pogo pins) provided in a test device (e.g. provided in a so-called bed of nails tester) may be limited. Further, also the necessary space on a wafer (e.g. in a kerf region of a wafer) to form a large number of contact pads for a test structure may be limited.

Integrated test circuit and method for manufacturing an integrated test circuit


This invention appropriately regulates or controls a simultaneous communication between different communication methods. When a request of a voice communication is made with respect to a communication terminal 4 which is currently busy with a packet communication from a communication terminal 1, a voice incoming signal is generated at a voice line controller 20. Then, a communication terminal state request is output from the voice line controller 20. This is transmitted to a data base 30 through a data exchange device 21. Then, the data base 30 reads voice line memory AB, packet line memory PB and transmits the same as a communication terminal state response to the voice line controller 20 through the data exchange device 21. As a consequence, the voice line controller 20 can know the communication state of the communication terminal 4 and determines whether or not the voice communication circuit should be connected based on it.

Heretofore, a communication method available in a mobile communication is limited to a voice communication method. In such a voice communication method, there are provided line memory in a data base for controlling users' location information, so that a simultaneous communication (competition) can be regulated depending on "idle" or "busy" which the line memory indicates. In case the line memory indicates "idle", the receiver side is in a non-use state and therefore a communication is allowed. However, in case the line memory indicates "busy", the receiver side is in a used-state, therefore a communication is not allowed and busy tone is sent to the transmitter side, informing that the line is busy.
Incidentally, there is an increasing need for data communication as the recent information-oriented society develops. Specifically, there is a requirement for employing a packet communication as one method of data communication in the mobile communication.
However, it is only a simultaneous communication between voice communications which has heretofore been regulated. Accordingly, it was impossible to regulate a simultaneous communication between a voice communication and a packet communication. Also, it was impossible for the communication switching system to inform, through a communication method by which another communication is undergoing, the transmitter side about a fact that the incoming communication is regulated.

System and method for controlling voice and data communications


A gate valve has a relief passage to prevent excessive pressure buildup in the cavity of the body in the event of a fire. The gate valve has an upstream passage side and a downstream passage side that intersect the cavity. Seat rings are located at the intersection of the upstream and downstream passage sides with the cavity. A split gate moves between open and closed positions with the seat rings. A relief passage extends from the cavity to the upstream passage side. A frangible device locates in the relief passage to block flow during normal operation. If the pressure differential between the cavity and the upstream side exceeds a selected minimum, the frangible member breaks, allowing flow through the relief passage. This relieves pressure in the cavity.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to gate valves, and in particular to a rupture disk for preventing excessive pressure buildup in the cavity of a double block gate valve in the event of a fire.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Gate valves of the type concerned herein have a body with a cavity and are used in oil and gas well production. A flow passage extends transversely through the cavity. This results in an upstream passage side on one side of the cavity and a downstream passage side on the other side of the cavity. Seat rings are located at the intersection of the flow passage with the cavity. The gate valve has a gate, which will be moved by an actuator between the seat rings. The gate can be moved between a closed position, blocking flow through the flow passage, and an open position, allowing flow through the flow passage.
In one type of gate valve, the gate is split into two blocks, one of which engages the downstream seat ring and the other which can engage the upstream seat ring.
During normal operation, only the downstream gate block seats as it will be forced by upstream pressure against the downstream seat. Leakage from the upstream passage passes between the upstream seat ring and upstream gate block into the cavity of the housing. The upstream gate block seats against the upstream gate normally only in the event the valve is tested by applying downstream pressure to the valve when it is closed. In the test, higher pressure from the downstream passage presses the upstream gate block into sealing engagement with the upstream seat ring.
In the event of a fire, the valve will be closed either manually or automatically. The downstream gate block will seat against the downstream seat ring, blocking flow from the well. Fluid from the well at the upstream side will fill the cavity. As the heat of the fire heats the body of the valve, the pressure of the fluid in the cavity will increase. The upstream gate block will thus seal against the upstream seat ring. The pressure in the cavity could reach a level that is beyond the capability of the valve. This could result in rupturing of the valve body.


A printed antenna includes a smaller antenna member attached onto the circuit board, one or more greater antenna members attached onto the circuit board and electrically coupled to the smaller antenna member with conductive coupling members and coupled in series with each other, a feed-in terminal electrically coupled to the smaller antenna member, and a ground member attached onto the circuit board and spaced away from the feed-in terminal for a spaced distance for increasing the gain value and the frequency bandwidth of the printed antenna. The ground member may include one or more extensions located beside the feed-in terminal and the smaller antenna member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printed antenna, and more particularly to a single pole printed antenna including two or more antenna members coupled in series and having increased area for increasing the gain value and the frequency bandwidth.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical antennas comprise a radiating element for signal emitting and/or receiving purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,046 to Kaloi discloses one of the typical electric monomicrostrip dipole antennas including a ground plane attached to a bottom portion of a dielectric substrates, and a radiating element attached to an upper portion of the dielectric substrates for signal emitting and/or receiving purposes.
The radiating element may be formed into various kinds of shapes or contours. However, only one radiating element is provided and attached to the upper portion of the dielectric substrates, and the gain and the frequency bandwidth may not reach the required value or level.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,554 to Erkocevic discloses another typical antenna apparatus comprising two L-shaped intermediate frequency amplifiers attached to a ground plane for signal emitting and/or receiving purposes. However, the L-shaped intermediate frequency amplifiers include the same shape and area or contour such that the gain and the frequency bandwidth also may not reach the required value or level.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,613 to Schroeder et al. discloses a further typical planar phased array antenna comprising a number of diamond shaped hollow active members attached to a plate and conductive branches electrically connecting the hollow active members in mirror symmetrical pairs. However, similarly, the diamond shaped hollow active members include the same shape and area or contour such that the gain and the frequency bandwidth also may not reach the required value or level.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional printed antenna devices.

Chongli Gonyeh Chu, Chongli, Tauyan Hsien


A process for producing titanium slag which is low in radioactivity wherein molten titanium slag, produced by smelting ilmenite in the presence of a reductant in a DC electric arc furnace, is separated from molten iron, boron in an amount which is less than 2.5% equivalent B.sub.2 O.sub.3 of the slag is blended with the molten slag which thereafter is allowed to cool to form a glassy phase which contains the bulk of the radioactive elements of the slag before being crushed to particles below about 1 mm, whereafter the radioactive elements are leached to leave a titanium slag product which is low in radioactivity.

This invention relates generally to the production of titanium slag from ilmenite and is more particularly concerned with reducing the radioactive content in the slag product.
The removal of radionuclides from titanium bearing materials is of importance in the manufacture of feedstock for the titanium pigment industry. Titanium oxide pigments are produced from various titanium bearing materials such as rutile, ilmenite, titanium slag and synthetic rutile. The presence of radionuclides is common but is not acceptable to the pigment manufacturers because the radionuclides accumulate in the residue of manufacture and constitute a difficult disposal problem.
Various processes are used for upgrading titanium bearing pigment feedstock. These usually are based on the use of some means for removal of impurities such as iron, manganese, alkali elements and other minor elements. Some of these processes are effective in the removal of radionuclides even though the processes are not specifically designed for radionuclide removal. On the other hand in cases where the titanium bearing material is already substantially free of impurities the cost of these processes is an unnecessary expense. There is a need for a process which will not add substantial cost to the existing processes for converting titanium bearing materials to pigment feedstock.
Common processes involve the conversion of ilmenite to synthetic rutile and the conversion of ilmenite to titanium slag. These processes remove mainly iron but also small amounts of other elements. These processes do not however have the effect of removing radionuclides unless certain additional effort is applied for this purpose.
By way of example the specifications of South African patents Nos. 93/5922 and 93/5474 describe processes to upgrade titaniferous materials by removing impurities. These processes are designed to be compatible with the production of synthetic rutile and involve the removal of radionuclides. The processes can be applied to titanium bearing materials such as ilmenite or to the product of any process used to produce synthetic rutile, and can also be used as a replacement for some of the steps in the production of synthetic rutile.
The aforementioned processes provide for the addition of compounds which form a glassy phase during a heat treatment step. Impurities, particularly radioactive elements, migrate to the glassy phase. Subsequent leaching steps are effective in dissolving the radioactive elements out of the glassy phase. A typical additive to enhance the solubility of the glassy phase is borax but other components containing boron and oxygen may also be used. The heat treatment process together with the addition of borax can be conducted on ilmenite before conversion to synthetic rutile or titanium slag.
Under some conditions it is attractive to convert ilmenite to titanium slag. This has been done in some installations which make use of electric furnaces where coal or another reductant is used to convert ilmenite by reduction into iron metal and titanium slag. DC arc furnaces have also been used in this process. Any radioactivity present in the ilmenite will appear in the slag after reduction in the electric furnace.
The specification of South African patent No. 95/3046 teaches that borax can be added to titanium slag before roasting the mixture at about 1000.degree. C. The cooled slag is leached with alkali and acid and the silica content of the slag is reduced. A reduction in radioactivity is not mentioned but it is expected that this would occur because similar processes applied to other titanium bearing materials are effective.
If however this technique is used for radioactivity removal an additional roasting and leaching step must be applied either to the ilmenite before slag production or to the slag after its production.
If it is desired to produce titanium slag then it is preferable to produce a slag product which is low in radioactivity without the additional roasting process.
The specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,829,309 teaches that smelting of ilmenite to produce a borate-titanate slag can be conducted at 1200.degree. C., which is a much lower temperature than that used in an alternative known process of smelting ilmenite without fluxing. This process has been carried out in a rectangular AC furnace with six electrodes in line, although a DC arc furnace can be used in place of the AC furnace. The smelting action takes place at 1700.degree. C. and molten pig iron and titanium slag are tapped into ladles.
The aforementioned American patent discloses that the slag produced is leached with water to remove borate and the resulting slag is also leached with water to produce a feedstock to the pigment industry.
The process, which uses borax as a flux, has the following disadvantages:
(a) the slag is not of a very high grade--typically 70% to 80% TiO.sub.2. If the grade must be higher then the recovery rate of titanium from the slag phase is low. PA1 (b) the cost of the process is high. Firstly losses of borate are high and secondly, as taught by the patent, air blowing of the slag is necessary to oxidise the titanium. PA1 (a) smelting ilmenite in an electric arc furnace in the presence of a reductant to produce a slag, PA1 (b) adding a boron compound in an amount of from 0.5% to 2.5% equivalent B.sub.2 O.sub.3 to the slag, PA1 (c) cooling titanium slag which is tapped from the furnace, PA1 (d) crushing the cooled slag, and PA1 (e) leaching the crushed slag to dissolve radioactive elements in the slag into the leaching material. PA1 (I) prior to step (a) by adding the boron compound to the ilmenite; or PA1 (ii) during step (a) by introducing the boron compound into the furnace; or PA1 (iii) after step (a) by adding the boron compound to titanium slag while the slag is molten.

Van Der Colf; Jacobus Cornelius Gideon Kotze


The present disclosure provides a support device and a display apparatus. The support device includes: a support platform; a base disposed opposite to the support platform; and a plurality of superconducting magnetic levitation structures, each of the superconducting magnetic levitation structures including a superconductor and a magnet disposed oppositely; in each of the superconducting magnetic levitation structures, one of the superconductor and the magnet is disposed on the support platform, and the other is disposed on the base. The plurality of superconducting magnetic levitation structures are arranged to operate independently of each other without interference, and a repulsive force between the superconductor and the magnet of each of the superconducting magnetic levitation structures is set to be adjustable.

Currently, when a display device such as an electronic picture frame is placed, it is usually required to be supported on a support frame. However, this placement method is too traditional, and the user cannot view the display device and its display screen from multiple angles. For this reason, some manufacturers have begun to use the magnetic levitation method for levitated support of the display device.

CHONGQING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A brightness adjustment circuit for an electroluminescent display is provided. The brightness adjustment circuit is electrically connected to an electroluminescent panel and a power supply. The brightness adjustment circuit provides a feedback voltage to the power supply. The power supply provides a working voltage to the electroluminescent panel in response to the feedback voltage. The brightness adjustment circuit includes a circuit module and a switch or a circuit module and a voltage supply unit. The feedback voltage is modulated by operating the switch in accordance with a control signal or by a control voltage provided by a voltage supply unit.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a brightness adjustment circuit, and in particular, to a brightness adjustment circuit for an electroluminescent display.
2. Related Art
In the industry of flat-panel displays, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays have received a lot of attention in recent years due to its self-luminescence, high brightness, super-wide viewing angle, high response speed, low working voltage, and light weight. However, the electroluminescent displays only have a limited market to date. Various display manufacturers have been trying to find an optimal manufacturing method for improving the yield product properties in order to make them more popular.
The OLED display is a self-luminescent flat-panel display. Its light source is produced by converting from a current flowing through the OLED pixels. By adjusting the current, we can determine the maximum brightness of the panel. Different gray levels are defined by the coupled thin film transistors (TFTs). The display thus achieves full colors and multiple color levels.
The working voltage (Vdd or Vss) of each pixel unit of the OLED is supplied by an external source. The power consumption required by all the light-emitting units in the OLED panel is provided by this single power supply system. In the circuit design, all the working voltage input terminals Vdd of all the pixels are connected in parallel. Likewise, the terminals Vss are all coupled in parallel, before individually guiding them to the outermost edge of the panel and to the external power supply system via a flexible print circuit (FPC) or wires.
The external power supply is designed as a stable voltage source system. That is, it is designed to have a fixed voltage across its output terminals. This ensures that the output voltage does not vary due to an unstable input voltage or noise interference. The ordinary stable voltage source system uses a voltage feedback control means. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional feedback stable voltage power supply unit. The power supply unit 100 has a power supply 102 and a feedback circuit. The power supply 102 has a voltage output terminal Vout and a feedback terminal 108. The voltage output terminal Vout provides the work voltage (Vdd or Vss) required by the pixel units (not shown). The feedback circuit includes two resistors 104, 106 and is connected to the pixel units in parallel. One end of the resistor 104 is electrically coupled to the voltage output terminal Vout, and one end of the resistor 106 is electrically coupled to a reference voltage source. The feedback terminal 108 is electrically coupled between the resistor 104 and the resistor 106. The resistors 104, 106 have the effect of dividing the potential difference. The purpose is to produce a reference voltage (generally 1.25V) set for the system and feed it to the feedback terminal 108, monitoring the stability of the output voltage. When the reference voltage increases, the feedback terminal 108 sends out a signal to reduce the output voltage of the voltage output terminal Vout, bringing the reference voltage back to 1.25V. On the other hand, when the reference voltage decreases, the feedback terminal 108 sends out a signal to increase the output of the output voltage terminal Vout. In either case, the reference voltage is brought back to 1.25V.
However, the prior art shown in FIG. 1 only controls the stability in the brightness of the pixel units instead of adjusting the brightness. For solving problems in lifetime and residual images, some operating mode has to be provided to elongate the lifetime of the material and panel. For example, it is better not to have images with fixed positions and not to use high-brightness images for a long time. High brightness and continuous ON of the OLED are the primary reasons for shortening the panel lifetime. In view of the two consequences mentioned above, one can adopt the scheme of intermittent light-ups, e.g. 10 or 20 seconds. Afterwards, the brightness of the screen is reduced to one half or ⅓. This method can increase the panel lifetime without sacrificing its practical uses.
Therefore, a circuit that can adjust the brightness of the pixel units has been proposed in the prior art. Suppose the pixel units are required to switch among four different brightness modes, the feedback stable power supply unit has to provide a switch for four voltage outputs. A conventional method is to provide four different feedback resistor sets along with a channel switch for producing different output voltages. As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional power supply unit 200 that can adjust the brightness of the pixel units has a power supply 202 and a feedback circuit. The power supply 202 has a voltage output terminal Vout and a feedback terminal 204. The voltage output terminal Vout provides the working voltage (Vdd or Vss) required by the pixel units (not shown). In particular, Vdd is used on the pixel units driven by P-type metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors, whereas Vss is used on the pixel units driven by N-type MOS transistors. The feedback circuit includes four sets of serial resistors connected in parallel. Each set has two resistors in series and is connected with the pixel unit in parallel. The four sets of serial resistors include resistors 208, 210, resistors 214, 216, resistors 220, 222, and resistors 226, 228. One end of each of the resistors 208, 214, 220, 226 is electrically coupled to the voltage output terminal Vout, and one end of each of the resistors 210, 216, 222, 228 is electrically coupled to a reference voltage. The four sets of serial resistors 208 and 210, 214 and 216, 220 and 222, and 226 and 228 have connection points 212, 218, 224, and 230, respectively. The switch 206 and the feedback terminal 204 are electrically connected. The switch 206 can be electrically connected to the connection points 212, 218, 224, and 230. The four sets of serial resistors 208 and 210, 214 and 216, 220 and 222, and 226 and 228 can be designed to have different resistance values, so that the switch 206 provides different feedback voltages on the feedback terminal 204 when it is electrically connected to the connection points 212, 218, 224, and 230. The output of Vout of the power supply 202 is adjusted to change the brightness of the pixel units. However, the conventional design of the brightness adjustment circuit occupies a substantial area in the entire circuit. Therefore, how to effectively reduce its area is an important issue in the field.

Brightness adjustment circuit and electroluminescent display using the same


The present disclosure provides for a stylus having at least one switch located within the stylus body and activated by relative lateral motion between the stylus tip and the stylus body. Haptic or audible feedback may be provided to a user when a switch, or combination of switches, changes state. The stylus may also include an axial switch and an axial force sensor.

A stylus may be employed as a computer input device. Inputs generated by a stylus may include the x-y position of a stylus on a screen or drawing tablet and the contact force between the stylus and a surface. For instance, the x-y position may be employed to interface with a graphical user interface or a drawing application executed on a computer. The pressure applied to a stylus may be sensed by a sensor in the stylus.
An alternative computer input device is a computer mouse. A computer mouse provides x-y position input in addition to inputs from two or more buttons. The buttons may be clicked to select objects of a graphical user interface, or held down to move objects displayed on a screen or to draw lines, for example.
A stylus lacks button functions, while a computer mouse lacks the accurate positional control and force sensing of a stylus.
One prior approach to improving the functionality of a stylus is to add an axial force sensor or switch that responds to stylus contact force. However, this provides only a single control that cannot duplicate the functions of a computer mouse.
An alternative approach is to supply one or external buttons on the housing of the stylus. However, such buttons are not readily activated while the stylus is being moved, since a user must change their grip of the stylus to activate an external button.
It would be useful to provide a stylus with multiple controls that are convenient for use.