According to one embodiment of the invention, an acoustic mirror structure situated in a bulk acoustic wave structure includes a number of alternating low acoustic impedance and high acoustic impedance layers situated on a substrate. Each high acoustic impedance layer includes a first mole percent of a primary metal and a second mole percent of a secondary metal, where the first mole percent of the primary metal is greater than the second mole percent of the secondary metal, and where the secondary metal causes each high acoustic impedance layer to have increased resistivity. According to this exemplary embodiment, the second mole percent of the secondary metal can cause only a minimal decrease in density of each high acoustic impedance layer. The increased resistivity of each high acoustic impedance layer can cause a reduction in electrical loss in the bulk acoustic wave structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally in the field of semiconductor fabrication. More specifically, the invention is in the field of fabrication of bulk acoustic wave structures in semiconductor dies.
2. Background Art
Bulk acoustic wave structures, which can be used in frequency control or filtering applications, can include a piezoelectric layer and an acoustic mirror structure. The acoustic mirror structure, which can include a number of alternating low and high acoustic impedance layers, can be used to trap acoustic energy in the piezoelectric layer. In the acoustic mirror structure, the level of acoustic reflectivity at the interface between a low and a high acoustic impedance layer determines the number of alternating low and high acoustic impedance layers the acoustic mirror structure requires to achieve a desired level of acoustic reflectivity. By way of background, the level of acoustic reflectivity at an interface between two layers is determined by the difference in each layer's acoustic impedance. Also, a denser layer generally has higher acoustic impedance than a less dense layer. Thus, the level of reflectivity between low and high acoustic impedance layers in the acoustic mirror structure can be increased by decreasing the density of the low acoustic impedance layers and increasing the density of the high acoustic impedance layers.
In a conventional acoustic mirror structure in a bulk acoustic wave structure, silicon dioxide, which has a very low density, can be used in low acoustic impedance layers and metal, which is a readily available high density material, can be used in high acoustic impedance layers. For example, tungsten, which is easy to deposit, relatively inexpensive, and has a high density, is a typically used metal in high acoustic impedance layers in conventional acoustic mirror structures. However, high density metal such as tungsten also have relatively low resistivity, which can impose or worsen undesired RF parasitic paths detrimental to device function including stray capacitances and image currents in the high acoustic impedance layers of the acoustic mirror structure due to its close proximity to the device's signal path. These induced parasitics can cause an undesirable increase in electrical loss in the bulk acoustic wave structure. Additional loss in bulk acoustic wave structures can be caused by scattering of acoustic waves at non-smooth interfaces between the layers of the structure, and acoustic viscosity seen by the waves traveling through the layers. Each of these sources of loss can also be reduced by proper choice of composition of high acoustic impedance layers.
Although insulators such as aluminum nitride or tantalum oxide can be used in high acoustic impedance layers in conventional acoustic wave structures, these insulators generally have a much lower density than high density metals, such as tungsten. As a result, conventional acoustic wave structures that use insulators in high acoustic impedance layers typically require more additional low and high acoustic impedance layers to achieve a desired level of acoustic reflectivity, which undesirably increases manufacturing cost. It is also the case that non-optimal choices for high and low impedance layer materials will reduce the observed electromechanical coupling of the bulk acoustic wave structures and as such reduce the bandwidth of filters in which they are used.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an acoustic mirror structure for bulk acoustic wave structures, where the acoustic mirror structure includes high acoustic impedance layers comprising a high density material that does not cause increased electrical loss in the bulk acoustic wave structures.

Acoustic mirror structure for a bulk acoustic wave structure and method for fabricating same


2-dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide which is obtained by control of the alignment of nanostructure during growth of tungsten carbide through control of the degree of supersaturation and a method for fabricating same are disclosed. The method for fabricating 2-dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide employs a chemical vapor deposition process wherein a hydrogen plasma is applied to prepare 2-dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide vertically aligned on a nanocrystalline diamond film. The chemical vapor deposition process wherein the hydrogen plasma is applied includes: disposing a substrate with the nanocrystalline diamond film formed thereon on an anode in a chamber, disposing a surface-carburized tungsten cathode above and at a distance from the substrate, and applying the hydrogen plasma into the chamber.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to 2-dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide and a method for fabricating same. More particularly, embodiments relate to 2-dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide of various shapes, particularly tungsten carbide of nanowall structure, obtained by control of the alignment of nanostructure during growth of tungsten carbide through control of the degree of supersaturation and a method for fabricating same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nanostructured materials have attracted great interest in various nanotechnology applications due to their outstanding physical and chemical properties. Great efforts have been directed to the synthesis of specifically aligned nanostructured materials to exploit their properties varying with their geometrical alignment. Recently, vertically aligned 2-dimensional nanostructures, so-called nanowalls, of carbon, zinc oxide (ZnO) and cobalt oxide (Co3O4) have been reported. Further, it is known that NiO nanowalls are electrochemically superior to NiO nanoparticles.
Due to high aspect ratio, short diffusion length for mass and charge transport and high in-plane continuity on a substrate, nanowall structures are ideal for lithium batteries, energy storage media, field electron emitters, and so forth.
Tungsten carbide (WC) has been widely adopted in various fields due to high melting point, superior hardness, low friction coefficient, high oxidation resistance and superior electrical conductivity. Recently, it was reported that nanostructured tungsten carbide has platinum (Pt)-like catalytic properties in chemisorption of hydrogen and oxygen. Hence, it has a potentially of replacing the expensive platinum catalyst.
Currently, there are few researches on the synthesis of nanostructured tungsten. Synthesis of nanometer-sized WC needles on a tungsten tip by catalytic deposition (T. Arie, S. Akita and Y. J. Nakayama, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., 1998, 31, L49) was the first report and synthesis of WC nanotubes by thermal decomposition and synthesis of WC2 nanowires by thermal annealing of WCx films under nitrogen atmosphere were reported.
However, the nanostructured tungsten carbide materials fabricated by these methods have 1-dimensional structures. Vertically aligned 2-dimensional nanostructures of tungsten carbide, i.e. nanowall structures of tungsten carbide, have not been reported to date.

Method for fabricating two dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide

KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


A circuit for programming an antifuse coupled between a first node and a second node includes at least one transistor for supplying a programming potential VPP to the first node. A first transistor has a source coupled to a third node switchably coupleable between a potential of VPP/2 and ground potential, a drain, and a gate. A second transistor has a source coupled to the drain of the first transistor, a drain coupled to the second node, and a gate. Programming circuitry is coupled to the gate of the first transistor and the gate of the second transistor and configured to in a programming mode apply a potential of either zero volts or VPP/2 to the gate of the first transistor and to apply a potential of VPP/2 to the gate of the second transistor. The first and second transistors have a BVDss rating of not more than about VPP/2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to programmable integrated circuits. More specifically, the present invention relates to a circuit and method for supplying programming potentials to programmable devices at voltages larger than BVDss of programming transistors.
2. Background
User-programmable devices are known in the art. Such devices include, for example, field programmable gate arrays (FPGA's). To implement a particular circuit function in an FPGA, the circuit is mapped into the array and the appropriate programmable elements are programmed to implement the necessary wiring connections that form the user circuit.
Programmable elements such as antifuses are programmed by placing a programming-voltage potential across them that is sufficient to disrupt a normally high-resistance antifuse layer disposed between two antifuse electrodes to create a low-resistance connection between the two electrodes. The programming voltage potential is steered to the antifuse by programming transistors disposed on the integrated circuit.
As integrated circuit devices scale, the voltages that are applied to circuits are lowered, which necessitates the lowering of voltages used to program non-volatile devices on integrated circuits. In the case of antifuses, this means an ever thinning of films such that manufacturability, as well as leakage and breakdown voltage become difficult to control or tolerate.
Referring first to FIG. 1, an example prior-art arrangement for programming antifuses is shown in schematic diagram form. Any of antifuses 10, 12, 14, and 16 may be programmed by turning on the appropriate ones of transistors 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, to appropriately supply the potentials VPP and ground, as is known in the art. Transistor 30 is turned off to protect the output of inverter 32 when VPP is applied to track 34 or is present on track 34 through an already programmed one of the other antifuses.

Circuit and method for supplying programming potential at voltages larger than BVDss of programming transistors


This invention provides an iterative concatenated code decoding circuit that allows a circuit size to be reduced and the error correction capability to be improved. A encoded data received through a transmission path from a first stage inner decoder is decoded, in which the decoded data is output to a first stage deinterleaver, and a first stage inner code syndrome coefficient corresponding to the decoded data is output to a second stage inner decoder. A first stage deinterleaver makes the deinterleaving of the decoded data, and outputs the deinterleaved data to a first stage outer decoder. The first stage outer decoder decodes the deinterleaved data and outputs the decoded data to a first stage interleaver, in which the first stage inner code modification syndrome coefficient is derived and output to a second stage inner decoder. The first stage interleaver makes the interleaving of the decoded data, and outputs the interleaved data to the second stage inner decoder.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an iterative concatenated code decoding circuit and an encoding/decoding system using the circuit. And more particularly relates to an iterative concatenated BCH (Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem) decoding circuit, in which two codes called the inner and outer code are concatenated.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The concatenated BCH (Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem) decoding circuit can improve the error correction capability by applying iterative decoding scheme, as shown in FIG. 12.
In FIG. 12, the input data Din is firstly encoded by an outer encoder 100. The encoded data Denc-outer is interleaved by an interleaver 200, and then encoded by an inner encoder 300. The encoded data Denc-inner output from the inner encoder 300 is output to a transmission path 400.
The encoded data Drev with the errors added through the transmission path 400 is decoded by an inner decoder 500, and the errors are corrected. The decoded data Ddec-inner is deinterleaved by a deinterleaver 600, and then decoded by an outer decoder 700, and the errors that are not corrected by the inner decoder 500 are corrected.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the conventional N-times iterative concatenated BCH decoder. The encoded data Drev received through the transmission path, not shown, is decoded by a first stage inner decoder 500-1. The decoded data Dinner-1 is deinterleaved by a first stage deinterleaver 600-1, and then decoded by a first stage outer decoder 700-1. The decoded data Douter-1 is interleaved again by a first stage interleaver 200-1, and then decoded by a second stage inner decoder 500-2.
The decoded data Dinner-2 is deinterleaved again by a second stage deinterleaver 600-2, and then decoded by a second stage outer decoder 700-2. The decoded data Douter-2 is interleaved again by a second stage interleaver 200-2. The above operation is iterated by N times to correct the transmission errors gradually.
FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the conventional BCH decoder. The BCH decoder comprises a syndrome calculating section 10, an error locator polynomial deriving section 20, an error location calculating section 30, a received code-word storing section 40, and an error correcting section 50.
To explain BCH decoding principle, BCH(255, 215) code is considered as an example. This code has 5 bits error correction capability per one code-word.
The syndrome calculating section 10 calculates the coefficients Si for a syndrome polynomial S(z) that is defined by the expression,S(z)=S1z+S2z2+ . . . +S10z10  (1)
The syndrome coefficients Si are defined by the expression,
                                                                        S                i                            =                              Y                                                  (                                      α                    i                                    )                                                                                =                                                Y                  0                                +                                                      Y                    1                                                                          α                    i                                                  +                                                      Y                    2                                                                          α                                          2                                            i                                                                      +                                                      Y                    3                                                                          α                                          3                                            i                                                                      +                …                +                                                      Y                    254                                                                          α                                          254                                            i                                                                                i                =                1                            ,              …                                                                        ,              5                                                          (        2        )            where Y(x) is a received polynomial and α is a primitive element.
Each coefficient of the received polynomial Y(x) corresponds to each bit of the encoded data Drev received through the transmission path. If the received polynomial Y(x) contains no error, the syndrome coefficients become all zero.
The error locator polynomial deriving section 20 derives an error locator polynomial σ(z), employing the Euclid's algorithm, and outputs it to the error location calculating section 30. The error locator polynomial σ(z) is represented by the expression,σ(z)=σ0+σ1z+ . . . +σ5z5  (3)
The error location calculating section 30 calculates an error location from the error locator polynomial.
The Chien search algorithm, which evaluates the error locator polynomial σ(z) at all field elements of GF(256) can be used to find error locations and values. If σ(αi) is a root of error locator polynomial σ(z), the power of the root indicates the error locations of the received code polynomial Y(x).
The error correcting section 50 corrects the received code-word stored in the received code-word storing section 40 on the basis of an error location input from the error location calculating section 30 and outputs the corrected code-word to the outside.
In the related-art techniques, the BCH code having the comparable coding ratio for the inner code and the outer code is employed. This BCH code was described in T. Mizuochi et al., "Transparent multiplexer featuring super FEC for optical Transport networking" (SubOptic 2001, P4.2.3, 2001) and Omar AIT SAB, "FEC contribution in submarine transmission systems" (SubOptic 2001, P4.2.6, 2001).
In the conventional iterative concatenated BCH decoding circuit as described above, if an average error number of the received code-word is greater than or equal to the number of correctable bits, the errors are hardly corrected with the BCH code. Since the outer decoder has a coding ratio comparable to that of the inner decoder, the outer decoder can hardly correct the errors when the inner decoder can hardly correct the errors.
Moreover, in the conventional iterative concatenated BCH decoder, the outer decoder and the inner decoder having the comparable coding ratio must be made the same circuit configuration, resulting in a problem that the circuit size becomes large. In particular, the circuit size is increased owing to the Euclid's algorithm or the Chien search algorithm.

Iterative concatenated code decoding circuit and encoding/decoding system using the same


A data migration method and system is provided. The system includes a central control node, a first shard storage space associated with a first agent node, a second shard storage space associated with a second agent node, and a data backup subsystem. The data backup subsystem stores chunks of the first shard storage space and chunks of the second shard storage space. The central control node sends a data migration command to the first agent node. The first agent node obtains a to-be-migrated first chunk by using the data backup subsystem. The first agent node sends the to-be-migrated first chunk to the second agent node. The second agent node imports the to-be-migrated first chunk into the second shard storage space.

Since development of Internet websites, a conventional relational database has many problems related to processing of a web 2.0 pure dynamic website that has hyperscale and high-concurrent social networking services (SNS), and the problems are hard to overcome. However, a non-relational database (Not Only Structured Query Language, NoSQL) rapidly develops due to features of the database. The NoSQL database may resolve a challenge resulted from a large-scale data set, and especially, resulted from big data application.
MongoDB is a distributed NoSQL database, and is intended to provide an extensible high-performance data storage solution for network application. However, migration solution of the native MongoDB has at least the following technical defects: (1) In an existing migration solution of the native MongoDB, on-line real-time data migration is adopted. This needs reading a chunk on a source data shard. Normal read/write of the MongoD by a user can be affected during reading the chunk. Consequently, the user fails in reading/writing the chunk. (2) In the migration solution of the native MongoDB, data migration is limited by the distributed lock and is a single-thread process, and the data migration efficiency is very low.

TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED


An adjustable hydraulic valve lifter has a lifter body and an internal cylindrical body. The lifter body has a first longitudinally cylindrical internal bore and a first substantially closed lower end, and the internal cylindrical body is axially slideable and rotatable within the first longitudinally internal bore, forming a first oil chamber. A first spring is positioned to bias the internal cylindrical body away from the lifter body. A first oil flow path permits the flow of oil into the first oil chamber through a first check valve. An oil outlet in the lifter body adjacent the first substantially closed lower end allows oil to escape from the first oil chamber as controlled by an oil control recess in an outer surface of the internal cylindrical body.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to valve lifters, and more particularly to an adjustable hydraulic valve lifter.
2. Description of Related Art
The following art defines the present state of this field:
Aoyama, U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,995, teaches a hydraulic valve lifter mechanism that includes a second chamber in a manner similar to the present invention. Oil in the second chamber is regulated with a piston and an oil-reserving chamber. Under the right circumstances, the oil-reserving chamber will allow oil to escape from the second chamber. When oil pressure applied to the first chamber is decreased as the engine speed lowers, the plunger moves toward the first chamber to allow the second chamber to communicate with an oil-reserving chamber through a hole. The amount of valve lift in a medium oil pressure range depends on the degree of closing of this hole by the plunger which is moved together with the cylinder head by the rotating cam.
Butler, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,241, teaches an expandable hydraulic tappet having a variable exit valve for use in an internal combustion engine to selectively vary timing by altering the effective profile of a camshaft. The tappet expands to extend the drive train between the camshaft and a camshaft operated mechanism by enlarging and filling an internal hydraulic chamber with a non-compressible hydraulic fluid via an inlet port and inlet valve. The fluid is retained in the tappet chamber until a predetermined pressure is attained, when an exit valve opens to exit the pressurized fluid from the chamber at a predetermined rate. The exit valve (94) preferably includes a bore having a predetermined (stepped) configuration to provide one or more exit flow rates and also dampen valve operation. An exit valve control means responds to the pressure within the hydraulic chamber to open and close the exit valve and vary the flow rates as desired.
R. C. Shunta, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,274, teaches a push rod and rocker mechanism having a variable stroke hydraulic tappet interposed between the push rod and cam. The tappet has a plunger drivably abutting the push rod and drivable in turn by a piston-like inner member by resting on a column of hydraulic fluid contained in an outer cylinder like member which drivably engages the cam. The hydraulic fluid is supplied under adjustably controlled pressure from a pump to a port in the outer member which is open only between lift strokes of the tappet, i.e. during the dwell and lower portions of the cam lift cycle.
Other similar examples are shown in the following references: Yagi, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,085 (valve operating device), Rhoads, U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,298 (rollerized timing valve lifter), Aoyama, U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,210, Rhoads, U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,731, Rhoads, U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,597, Bruton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,898, Rendine, U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,921, B. C. Skinner, U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,231, Rhoads, U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,268, and Rhoads, U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,867.
The above-described references are hereby incorporated by reference in full.
The prior art teaches hydraulic valve lifters that are to some degree adjustable. However, the prior art does not teach an adjustable hydraulic valve lifter that can be continuously adjusted during operation to accommodate various different operating conditions using the mechanism described herein. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.


A hard-coated material having a substrate coated with a wear resistant and easily removed film is provided. The film comprises laminated alternately in succession, a lower layer-A having a composition of formula TivM1-v(CxNyOz) and an upper layer-B having a composition of formula TivCrwM1-v-w(CxNyOz). At least two lamination units are provided and the ratio in thickness of a singularity of the layer-B to a singularity of the layer-A is at least 2. The thickness of a singularity of the layer-A is within the range of 0.1 to 3μm both inclusive, the thickness of a singularity of the layer-B is within the range of 1 to 10μm both inclusive, and the total thickness of a plurality of the layers-B is at least 5 μm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a material having a hard coating film formed on a substrate surface thereof, and more particularly a hard-coated material to be used as an item such as a cutting tool, a sliding component part, or a metal die for molding.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a hard coating film made of such a substance as TiN (nitride of Ti), TiC (carbide of Ti), TiCN (carbonitride of Ti), TiAlN (complex nitride of Al and Ti), or TiAlCrN (complex nitride of Ti, Al and Cr) is formed on a substrate made of cemented carbide, cermet, or high-speed tool steel for enhancing the wear resistance thereof in the fabrication of cutting tools to be used for such purposes as meal cutting, drilling and end milling, metal dies to be used for such purposes as press molding and forging, and jigs and tools to be used for such purposes as punching and blanking.
For example, in Patent Document 1 indicated below, there is disclosed a hard-coated material to be used as a cutting tool, which is provided with a hard coating film having a component composition represented by the formula (Ti1-a-b-c-d, Ala, Crb, Sic, Bd)(C1-eNe), wherein 0.5≦a≦0.8, 0.06≦b, 0≦c≦0.1, 0≦d≦0.1, 0.01≦c+d≦0.1, a+b+c+d≦1, and 0.5≦e≦1 (where variables a, b, c, and d denote the atomic ratios of Al, Cr, Si, and B respectively, and variable e denotes the atomic ratio of N; the same shall apply hereinafter).
Patent Document 1:
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-071611
The conventional hard coating film mentioned above has the following disadvantage, however.
In the current metal working by using a cutting tool or jig such as noted above, machining operations are performed at higher speed with higher surface pressure for increasing productivity, and there is a growing trend toward the use of a smaller amount of lubricant in consideration of friendliness to the environment. It is particularly noteworthy that hard coating films are subject to significant wear in today's practice of metal working in which steel workpieces having higher strength are processed.
In the use of a cutting tool or jig such as noted above, when a hard coating film formed on a substrate thereof wears to a certain extent, the hard coating film is selectively dissolved and removed from the substrate by an electrochemical method for the purpose of re-forming a new hard coating film on the substrate. Thus, the substrate having a new hard coating film can be recycled. However, in a situation where a relatively thick hard coating film has been formed on a substrate, it takes a considerable period of time to remove the hard coating film from the substrate, giving rise to a disadvantage in working efficiency. In particular, where a CrN-based coating film featuring superior corrosion resistance has been formed on a substrate for providing sliding wear resistance, it is rather difficult to remove the CrN-based coating film from the substrate, causing a hindrance to substrate recycling.

Material with hard coating film formed on substrate surface thereof


Devices and methods for administering a medication in fluid form, the systems and methods including a basal flow path and a bolus flow path in parallel to the basal flow path. The bolus flow path includes an inlet check valve, a first outlet check valve downstream of the inlet check valve, and a piston pump disposed between the inlet check valve and the first outlet check valve. The piston pump is configured to prevent partial dosing of a bolus dose.

Insulin pumps may provide a user with constant basal delivery and bolus dosing of medicament (e.g., insulin). Bolus dosing can be activated by the user at any time, but is typically initiated during mealtime. Current bolus dosing systems and methods may have performance, user interface, and manufacturing issues. For example, the valves of a bolus delivery system may become stuck or leak, doses may not be delivered, or the delivered dose may be incorrect (e.g., partial dosing, which is undesirable, or the bolus delivery system may have difficulty accurately delivering microliter doses). Moreover, current systems may fail to reset, preventing the administration of future bolus doses.
Furthermore, for most if not all drugs (e.g., insulin) the bolus delivery system should not have a failure mode in which the reservoir contents may flow directly into the patient. In addition, material selection for pump components may be a concern in need of addressing. For example, the wetted materials of construction of the pump need to be suitably compatible with the medicament.

Devices and methods for providing a bolus dose in a microfluidic circuit of a pump


A backlight assembly having improved strength and a display device having the backlight assembly are provided. The backlight assembly includes a light source supplying light and a fixing member receiving the light source. A deflection preventing portion having a predetermined width is formed on a surface of the fixing member in a direction crossing a diagonal on the surface of the fixing member.

(a) Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a backlight assembly having improved strength and a display device having the backlight assembly, and more particularly to a backlight assembly in which strength of a fixing member is improved by forming beads on a surface of the fixing member and a display device having the backlight assembly.
(b) Discussion of the Related Art
There has been increased demand for small and light display devices with better performance, due to, at least in part, further development of semiconductor technologies.
Among such display devices, a liquid crystal display (LCD) has small size, small weight, and low power consumption. As a result, liquid crystal display devices have been used as a substitute for the existing cathode ray tubes (CRTs). LCDs are used for almost all information processing apparatuses which require a display device.
In a liquid crystal display device, a specific molecular alignment of liquid crystal cells is changed into another molecular alignment by applying a voltage, and a change in optical characteristics of liquid crystal cells, such as birefringence, optical rotary power, dichroism, and optical scattering, is converted into a visual change. That is, information is displayed by using the optical modulation of the liquid crystal cells.
The display devices, such as liquid crystal display devices, are applied to digital televisions having a large size. The display devices applied to such large-sized products have very small thickness when compared with their areas. As a result, the large display devices are sensitive to external impacts.
Methods for improving a structure of a display device are needed to address the sensitivity to impact. For example, in the display device with increased size, strength reinforcement in the diagonal direction, as well as strength reinforcement in the horizontal and vertical directions is desired to prevent twisting of the display device.

Backlight assembly with improved strength and display device having the same


Disclosed is a disposable fitted protective device that may be manufactured of antibacterial, ant-microbiodical and hypoallergenic material for bedding and furniture comprising an impermeable layer bonded to an absorbent fibrous layer. Each of the sides is folded to form spaced apart walls with the sides fastened together, such as sown or bonded, at the corners with the impermeable material positioned on the interior side. The washable incontinence device for bedding, furniture cushions and pillow covers is comprised of cotton or cotton poly blend surface with an absorbent layer of poly rayon or poly with a waterproof vinyl or elastic type material sewn, bonded or laminated barrier back that is machine washable and reusable with elastic for fit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to protective devices and, more specifically, to a disposable fitted protective device that may be manufactured of antibacterial, anti-microbiodical and hypoallergenic material for bedding and furniture comprising an impermeable layer bonded to an absorbent fibrous layer. Each of the sides is folded to form spaced apart walls with the adjacent sides fastened together, such as sown or bonded, at the corners with the impermeable material positioned on the interior side. Along the peripheral edge of the corners an elastic strap is fastened, such as sown or bonded, whereby the aperture formed thereby is smaller than the material surface area between the spaced apart walls. Therefore, when the fitted protective element is placed to encompass an article's sides and top surface, the elastic tensions the material on the underside of the article to prevent displacement from the selected positioning. The disposable element may be degradable and/or biodegradable.
Additionally, the invention provides for an additional element wherein said incontinence device is a washable product that will be constructed to fit mattresses, seat cushions, and pillows. The washable/reusable incontinence device for bedding, furniture cushions and pillow covers is comprised of cotton or cotton poly blend surface with an absorbent layer of poly rayon or poly with a waterproof vinyl or elastic type material sewn, bonded or laminated forming a barrier back, with elastic for fitment.
Furthermore, the present invention provides for a machine washable incontinence device, thereby reusable, for bedding, furniture cushions and pillow covers comprised of a fabric surface that may be manufactured of antibacterial, anti-microbiodical and hypoallergenic material with an inner absorbent layer and an integral waterproof barrier back having elastic positioned along the hem for fitment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other protective device designed for bedding. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 596,842 issued to Borwell on Jan. 4, 1898.
Another patent was issued to Kaufmann on Jul. 30, 1929 as U.S. Pat. No. 1,722,429. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 2,585,861 was issued to Small et al. on Feb. 12, 1952 and still yet another was issued on Dec. 4, 1962 to Kintner as U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,321.
Another patent was issued to Hyde et al. on Dec. 10, 1963 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,113,326. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,867 was issued to Sisson on Nov. 2, 1976. Another was issued to O'Connell on Jul. 4, 1978 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,943 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 25, 1985 to Svensson as U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,474.
Another patent was issued to Moretz et al. on Oct. 5, 1993 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,320. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,296 was issued to Mansour on Feb. 14, 1995. Another was issued to Colby on Dec. 30, 1997 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,617. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,523 was issued to Lindberg on Aug. 4, 1998. Another was issued to Dilloway on Nov. 11, 1987 as UK Patent No. 2 189 993 and still yet another was issued on Jan. 28, 1998 to Noftsier et al. as UK Patent No. 2 315 224.


A driving assist system for vehicle comprises a state recognition device that detects vehicle conditions of a subject vehicle and a traveling environment for vehicle surroundings; a risk potential calculator that calculates a risk potential for vehicle surroundings based on detection results of the state recognition device; a risk change estimator that estimates change in risk felt by a driver; a correction device that corrects a calculation equation for calculating the risk potential at the risk potential calculator based on estimation results of the risk change estimator; and an operation reaction force controller that controls operation reaction force generated at a vehicle operation equipment based on the risk potential calculated using the calculation equation corrected by the correction device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drive operation assist system for a vehicle, for assisting operations carried out by a driver.
2. Description of Related Art
Systems that assist driver operations include the system disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. H10-166889. This system changes operation reaction force of an accelerator pedal based on inter-vehicle distance between a preceding vehicle and a subject vehicle. Warning is given to a driver by increasing reaction force of the acceleration pedal as the distance between vehicles decreases.


A method of operating a graphical user interface of a computing device is disclosed. The method comprises displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) element on the touch sensitive display screen. The method further comprises in response to receiving touch input data indicative of a one-touch gesture mapping the one-touch gesture to a corresponding GUI element function. The method further comprises in response to receiving touch input data indicative of a multi-touch gesture, mapping the multi-touch gesture to the corresponding GUI element function. The method further comprises transforming display of the GUI element on the touch sensitive display screen based on the corresponding GUI element function.

A mouse has been implemented to allow a user to provide input to a computing device to control presentation of a display screen. This form of input evolved in later generations of computing devices to produce a paradigm where one-touch gestural input was used to provide input to control presentation of a touch sensitive display screen. Later still, a paradigm where multi-touch gestural input was used to provide input to control presentation of a touch sensitive display screen was produced. The existence of plural different types of user input paradigms created generations of users that are most comfortable using one type of user input paradigm. In order to produce a product that works for different generations of computing devices, previously developers have selected to implement one type of user input paradigm in their product. This causes confusion in users that are comfortable with a type of user input paradigm other than the one used in the product, which results in frustration with the product and less use of the product.

Manipulation of graphical elements via gestures


A cartridge includes: a rotation body; and an electrode member. The electrode member is configured to supply the rotation body with electric power from an external electrode provided outside of the cartridge. The electrode member includes: a contact portion; and an urging portion. The contact portion is configured to be contacted by the external electrode. The urging portion is in a shape of a coil formed by winding a wire rod and configured to urge the contact portion toward the external electrode such that the contact portion is pivotally moved about the urging portion.

There is known, as an image forming apparatus, a printer detachably provided with a cartridge having a developing roller.
Further, there is known, as a cartridge detachably mounted to such a printer, a developing cartridge provided with an electrically-conductive member electrically connected to a contact portion provided in a main casing in order to apply developing bias to a developing roller.
Such a developing cartridge is inserted into the main casing to bring the electrically-conductive member into pressure contact with the contact portion by its resilient force to thereby connect the electrically-conductive member and the contact portion.

Cartridge provided with coil-shaped electrode member


An operational status display for a nerve stimulator is located remote from the nerve stimulator. In one embodiment the display comprises a stand-alone discrete component that can be placed as desired by the nerve stimulator needle. In another embodiment, the display comprises an integral part of the nerve stimulator needle. The display can be alphanumeric or can comprise one or more discrete signal lights or other visual indicia. Color can be used to provide information regarding levels (intensity) of current, or the energy being provided to the needle and/or being delivered to the patient. In some embodiments these displays also provide information regarding the presence or absence of current and/or the polarity of the electricity then being provided to the nerve stimulator needle.

Anesthesiologists often use nerve stimulation to localize a desired nerve or nerves prior to administration of a local anesthetic (Von Perthes is generally credited with providing the original description of using peripheral nerve stimulators for regional anesthesia in 1912). Nerve stimulation typically utilizes electric current to elicit visible muscle twitches as a result of stimulation of the nerve or nerves to thereby confirm proximity of the needle to the nerve. This technique relies generally upon two phenomena. First, that many nerves, when properly stimulated by electric current, will cause a corresponding substantially predictable movement (such as a twitch) of a portion of the patient's body (in particular, muscle contractions resulting from stimulation of the nerve(s)). Second, that the amount of electric current required to cause the desired muscle movement will vary predictably with distance between the tip of the needle that sources the electric current and the nerve.
Stimulation typically begins with a higher intensity current (such as, for example, 1.5 to 2.0 milliamperes). Upon observing the anticipated muscle movement (thereby indicating that the needle is positioned within a given distance from the nerve, the current is reduced and the process repeated until the current has been reduced to a predetermined range (such as 0.2 to 0.5 milliamperes), thereby indicating that the needle is within a clinically relevant distance from the nerve to best facilitate the anesthesia of the nerve after introduction of a local anesthetic via the needle. When conducting this kind of procedure, it is important to avoid contacting or piercing the nerve with the needle as this can cause injury to the nerve. Generally, stimulation of the nerve with low current intensity (e.g., less than 0.5 milliamperes) indicates an intimate needle-nerve relationship and advancing the needle closer to the nerve after the stimulation is achieved at less than 0.5 milliamperes caries a risk of contacting or piercing the nerve.
The procedure typically requires two people. One person handles manipulation of the needle and observes the patient's response while the second person operates the remote peripheral nerve stimulator apparatus and visually monitors the current delivered. In particular, the latter person controls the amount of current being applied via the needle (as well as other parameters that pertain to the current being provided). For a variety of good reasons (e.g., lack of space, difficulty of placing the stimulator on the patient, preserving the sterile field, and so forth) the remote peripheral nerve stimulator itself is usually located at a certain distance away from the patient and the person manipulating the needle. The person manipulating the needle therefore must manage a consider degree of cognitive loading; they must physically manipulate the needle in a careful fashion while also observing the anticipated muscle response and also while remaining cognizant of the present amount of current being delivered via the needle. This person typically keeps verbally informing the person performing the block of the intensity of the current being delivered, so that the person performing the block does not have to frequently shift their gaze from the procedure to the display on the nerve stimulator and thus be distracted from the procedure. This can still require, in many instances, a considerable amount of frequent gaze shifting and/or repositioning by the person performing the procedure, particularly when the current gauge (or other indicator) on the nerve stimulator apparatus is located some distance away from the needle operator. Not surprisingly such physical and mental challenges give rise to a situation where errors are more likely to occur. These errors can be a direct result of the need for gaze alteration and distraction and typically include unwanted needle movement during gazing, which in turn may result in failure to anesthetize the nerve or piercing the nerve when the needle is inadvertently pushed deeper or pulled back more superficially from its original location. In addition, even when a single person performs the block and manipulates the stimulator at the same time (rare, but possible by use of a remote controller of the nerve stimulator, such as a foot pedal), the need to constantly shift one's gaze between the patient, needle, procedure, and the display on the nerve stimulator can still be very distracting.
The above approach is encumbered with other concerns and issues as well. For example, it is possible for the needle operator to insert the needle into the patient and to begin to manipulate it before the nerve stimulator apparatus operator has begun to provide current to the needle. It is also possible for the supply of electric current to fail during the procedure, such that the needle operator continues to manipulate the needle while unaware of this condition. Such conditions can result in discomfort and/or harm to the patient and/or an unsuccessful procedure. As another example, it is possible for the cord that couples the nerve stimulator apparatus to the needle to be improperly coupled to one or the other device or to become partially or fully disconnected during the procedure. This can result in either a complete failure to deliver current to the needle or a partial failure (where, for example, only a portion of the indicated current is actually being delivered to the needle). It is also possible for miscommunication to occur between the operator of the needle and the person operating the nerve stimulator, resulting in decisions made by the person operating the needle being inconsistent with the actual present electric current intensity.
Nerve stimulator devices typically have at least one indicator to represent the operational status of the machine. Light emitting diode meters, liquid crystal displays, flashing diodes, gauges of various types, and audible beeps, for example, have all been used to monitor current availability and/or to signal a malfunction. Such remotely placed indicia, unfortunately, doesn't always adequately serve the operator who manipulates the needle. Tight operating quarters and physical remoteness of the nerve stimulator machine can make it difficult for the needle operator to accurately view such visible displays, as can the required physical positioning and posturing of the needle operator during a given procedure. Furthermore, audible alerts are easily confused with other ordinary sounds of the operating theater (for example, patients receiving a nerve block are usually monitored by pulse oximetry which is also typically accompanied by an audible beeping sound).
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are typically not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

Nerve stimulation functionality indicator apparatus and method


A grommet assembly includes a bolt assembly that has a head portion. A grommet includes a tapering bolt opening for accepting the bolt assembly. A projecting portion extends from a body portion and has an overhang adjacent a distal end. The bolt opening at least partially defines a radial gap between the grommet and the bolt assembly. The head portion of the bolt assembly is spaced from the distal end of the projecting portion by an axial gap.

This disclosure relates to a grommet or isolator for a machine, such as a motor or a compressor, to dampen vibrations when the machine is in operation that provides vibration isolation and reduces structure-borne noise and, the grommets also prevent excessive deflection of displacement of the compressor and attached refrigerant tubing sub-system (i.e., to prevent any leaks or cracks) during shipping and transit.
More specifically, the disclosure relates to an isolator for the compressor of an outdoor HVAC unit that can be used to isolate the compressor from other components of an outdoor HVAC unit when the unit is in operation. Many machines, particularly those that are capable of generating vibrations, are mounted to a housing with rubber pads or feet. Operating an outdoor HVAC unit, such as an air conditioning unit or a heat pump, can result in significant noise which is at least partially the result of vibrations generated by components of the outdoor HVAC unit, such as the compressor and cabinetry panels. Therefore, there is a need to reduce transmitted vibrations produced during operation of the outdoor HVAC unit in order to reduce noise and prevent damage to other components in the outdoor HVAC unit as a result of transferred vibrations.


A solenoid includes a pole member of a magnetic material, the pole member including a pole end portion having a pole surface, an armature adapted for movement relative to the pole member between first and second positions and a coil assembly for positioning the armature relative to the pole member. A magnetic shunt structure, which is located adjacent to a pole surface of the pole member, includes at least one magnetic shunt member of a magnetically permeable material, bridging at least a portion of the air gap between the pole face and the armature face, when the armature is spaced apart from the pole member, to provide a low reluctance magnetic flux path between the pole member and the armature, increasing the attractive force between the armature and the pole member. The shunt member can be configured as a ring, as a washer, or as a combination of both a ring and a washer.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to solenoids, and more particularly, to solenoids including a magnetic flux shunt member for providing a low reluctance magnetic flux path between an armature and a pole member, for example, of the solenoid as the armature is driven to and away from a full stroke position.
Electromagnetic actuators include a solenoid coil for moving an armature relative to a pole member or an end wall of a case of the actuator, for example, in carrying out a control function. When the armature is to be driven toward the pole member, initially, a large air gap will exist between opposing faces of the armature and the pole member. The air gap provides a high reluctance path for magnetic flux produced by the solenoid coil for driving the armature toward the pole member. The high reluctance results in a reduced magnetic force, particularly at the full stroke position for the armature. Consequently, a relatively large attractive force must be produced to move the armature toward the pole member. In known actuators, producing a greater force generally requires increasing the size of the solenoid coil, and resulting in a larger size for the solenoid package.
Both the response time of the actuator and the turn-on threshold are a function of the amount of attractive force produced by the device. The amount of force which can be generated by electromagnetic actuators is related to the relative sizes of the magnetic pole and the armature, the number of turns of solenoid coil and the current that is applied to the solenoid coil. The solenoid coil size generally determines the dimensions of the device because the solenoid coil is wound on the magnetic pole. Thus, methods of maximizing the attractive force generated by such devices are usually directed to optimizing the magnetic circuit of the device.
The operating efficiencies of actuators can be increased to some extent by improving the magnetic flux coupling between the magnetic pole piece and the armature. Arrangements for improving such magnetic flux coupling in proportional actuators are disclosed in copending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/205,920 of James R. Ward and Derek Dahlgren, which was filed on Dec. 4, 1998, and which is assigned to the assignee of the present application. This application, Ser. No. 09/205,920, is incorporated herein by reference. The application discloses a proportional actuator which includes a saturation tip formed on the movable armature of the actuator for directing magnetic flux through a pole piece to the armature. The saturation tip bridges the air gap that exists between the opposing surfaces of the armature and the pole piece when the armature is spaced apart from the pole piece. The actuator includes a step-wound coil which provides a region of increased diameter for accommodating the saturation tip, allowing this working diameters of the armature and the pole piece to be increased for a given size actuator, with a corresponding increase in the attractive force produced by the magnetic circuit of the device actuator.
Maximizing attractive force is an important factor in latching solenoids. Most known latching solenoids use flat face to maximize the attractive force. Another technique for improving magnetic flux coupling, and thus attractive force, between a magnetic pole piece and armature of a latching solenoid is to provide a conical shape for the armature to concentrate the flux and thereby increase the attractive force. However, the use of a conical shape results in a smaller area for latching in latching solenoids. Thus, it would be desirable to minimize the effect of the air gap for magnetic flux to cross as the armature is being driven to the latched position.
The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention. With this invention, there is provided a solenoid including a member of a magnetic material including a pole face, an armature of a magnetic material and having an armature face opposing the pole face, and a coil assembly for positioning the armature relative to the member. The armature is adapted for movement relative to the member between first and second positions, with the armature face being spaced apart from the pole face, defining an air gap when the armature is in a first position and the armature face engaging the pole face when the armature is in a second position. The solenoid further includes a magnetic flux shunt structure located adjacent to the pole face. The magnetic flux shunt structure includes at least one magnetic shunt member of a magnetically permeable material which is configured and arranged to shunt at least a portion of the air gap when the armature is in the first position to provide a low reluctance magnetic flux path between the member and the armature. The armature is movable relative to the magnetic shunt member. In one embodiment, the magnetic flux shunt structure is configured as a ring. In another embodiment, the magnetic flux shunt structure is configured as a flat washer-like member.
In preferred embodiments, the shunt member is a free floating with respect to a magnetic pole member and the armature. That is, the shunt member is not fixed or attached to the magnetic pole member or to the armature. Rather, the shunt member is positioned in relationship with the armature by an element of a non-magnetic material which can be a bobbin of the solenoid winding or a separate element, for example.
The free floating shunt member eliminates the need for tight concentricity tolerances and the need for a bearing such as that which is required for a fixed shunt ring, such as that disclosed in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/205,920, referenced above. The independent shunt member allows the flatness of the pole member to be easily maintained to facilitate the obtaining optimum latching forces. In the actuators disclosed in the above-reference application, in which the shunt ring can be part of the pole member, for example, optimum operation relies on the flatness at the bottom of a counter bore in either the pole member or the armature, which is much more difficult to maintain than when the pole surface is formed by machining a flat surface that does not include an outwardly projecting annular portion encompassing the pole surface. In addition, the separate shunt ring allows the pole member and/or the armature to be made of a material that is different from the material of the shunt member. For example, in one preferred embodiment, the shunt member is of a soft material which provides for improved pull-in force from the unlatched to the latched position. The armature and the pole member can be of hardened material which provides for improved residual latching forces in the latched position.
The magnetic flux shunt structure results in greater magnetic attractive force at relatively long strokes and tends to equalize the attractive force over the length of the stoke. Accordingly, for a given size package, a larger magnetic force is obtained for the solenoid including a magnetic flux shunt structure as compared to that produced for a comparably sized solenoid without the magnetic flux shunt structure. Alternatively, a comparable force can be provided using a lower level of current for energizing the solenoid winding, allowing the use a smaller package, as compared with a comparably sized solenoid that does not include a magnetic flux shunt structure. Moreover, because a larger force is provided, the solenoid can use a stiffer bias spring, if desired.
Another advantage provided by the magnetic flux shunt structure of the present invention is that the surface areas of the pole face and of the armature face can be maximized as compared to a comparably sized solenoid that does not include a flux shunt structure.
Yet another advantage provided by the magnetic flux shunt structure is minimization of the air gap for magnetic flux to cross as the armature is being driven from the first position to the second position.
In some preferred embodiments, the solenoid is a latching solenoid, the latching mechanism being either residual magnetism or a permanent magnet in the magnetic flux path. In such application, the solenoid can include a guide member for isolating the armature from the magnetic flux shunt structure. The guide member eliminates side loading which could cause the armature to become misaligned with the flat pole face, resulting in reduction of the latching force.
Other advantages and features of the invention, together with the organization and the manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements have like numerals throughout the drawings.


A semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate, on which an impurity diffusion layer is formed in a cell array area; a gate wiring stack body formed on the cell array area, in which multiple gate wirings are stacked and separated from each other with insulating films; a gate insulating film formed on the side surface of the gate wiring stack body, in which an insulating charge storage layer is contained; pillar-shaped semiconductor layers arranged along the gate wiring stack body, one side surfaces of which are opposed to the gate wiring stack body via the gate insulating film, each pillar-shaped semiconductor layer having the same conductivity type as the impurity diffusion layer; and data lines formed to be in contact with the upper surfaces of the pillar-shaped semiconductor layers and intersect the gate wirings.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electrically rewritable and non-volatile semiconductor memory device (EEPROM), more particularly relates to such a device that multiple memory cells are stacked on a semiconductor substrate to constitute a NAND cell unit, and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A NAND-type flash memory is known as one of EEPROMs. In the NAND-type flash memory, multiple memory cells are connected in series in such a manner that adjacent two cells share a source/drain diffusion layer, thereby constituting a NAND cell unit. By use of this cell array arrangement, the unit cell area is smaller that that of a NOR-type one, and it is easy to increase the capacitance.
Further, since the NAND-type flash memory uses tunneling current for writing data, the consumption current is smaller than that of the NOR-type one, which uses hot-carrier injection. Therefore, it is possible to make a page capacitance defined as a simultaneously written cell range large, whereby it becomes possible to perform high-speed write/read.
To make the storage density of a unit area higher with the conventional structure, in which memory cells are formed in a single layer, it is in need of progressing the miniaturization or using a multi-level storage scheme. However, there is a limit for miniaturization. The increase of memory density based on the multi-level storage scheme also has a limit defined by data reliability.
By contrast, to make a NAND-type flash memory highly integrated, there has already been provided such a scheme as to stack memory cells on the semiconductor substrate (for example, refer to Patent Document 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-85938). However, there are some problems in the disclosed method in this document as follows.
First, the channel regions and source/drain regions of memory cells in the NAND cell unit are formed to have different conductivity types from each other like that in the conventional, planar type NAND cell unit. Therefore, as the NAND cell unit is more miniaturized, the short-channel effect will become larger.
Second, in case the number of stacked memory cells is increased, i.e., the height of the memory cell unit (unit length) is enlarged, the aspect ratio also is increased. It will not only injure the process reliability but also cause the memory cell's operation delay.
Third, to achieve such a structure that a floating gate and a control gate are stacked in perpendicular to the side wall of a semiconductor pillar, it is necessary to repeatedly bury a highly resistive dielectric film for every memory cell formation process. Therefore, the number of processes is increased in proportion to the number of memory cells, and it leads to reliability reduction.
Another NAND-type flash memory, which has a possibility of solving the above described problems, has already been provided prior to the above-described Patent Application (refer to Patent Document 2: Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-93083). In this Document 2, there is disclosed a NAND-type flash memory with vertical memory cells stacked, in which a gate wiring stack structure is previously formed, and semiconductor activation layers are formed opposite to the sidewalls of the gate wirings, respectively, with gate insulating films interposed therebetween.
However, in the Patent Document 2, after having patterned the gate wiring stack body and prior to the silicon layer formation, the source diffusion layer of NAND cell units (NAND strings) is formed by a selective diffusion method. This is because of that in case of p-type of channel bodies, and n-channel type of NAND cell units, it is in need of making the p-type silicon layer contacted with the p-type substrate. However, according to this method, the select gate transistor formed at the lowest portion of the silicon layer becomes to have an offset gate structure, in which the source diffusion layer is formed as separated from the gate edge. There is not provided a measure for avoiding such the problem. If as it is, it is impossible to achieve a desired operation of a NAND-type flash memory
Further, in the Patent Document 2, a polycrystalline silicon film is used as word lines and select gate lines. Therefore, there is a limit for making the resistance of the word lines and select gate lines low, and it is difficult to achieve a usual NAND-type flash memory.

Semiconductor memory device and method of fabricating the same


A ball return tube for connecting openings of a ball nut to circulate balls comprises tube end portions for being coupled to the openings of the ball nut, and a tube body connecting the tube end portions so that the balls can pass through the tube body. The ball return tube is constructed in first and second tube portions fixedly joined together by structures included in a first projection protruding from a first surface of the tube body. The ball return tube further comprises one or more of a second projection protruding from a second surface of the tube body in a direction toward the ball nut, a third projection protruding from a lateral side surface of the tube body, and a fourth projection protruding from the tube open end portions so that the projections can be coupled to corresponding recesses of the ball nut.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate in general to the field of ball nut and screw assemblies, and more particularly, to a ball return tube connected to a ball nut for repeatedly circulating balls.
Ball nut and screw assemblies are widely used in industry for translating linear motion into rotary motion or vice versa. Thus, they are employed in actuators in various applications including machine tools, aircraft controls, and so on. Another major field of use in the steering of automotive vehicles. The ball nut and screw assemblies typically include a ball return tube for returning balls from one end to another end of a ball nut. Commonly, the ball return tube is secured by a clip screwed or attached to the ball nut, which may increase complexity and cost of assembling the ball nut and screw assembly.
It is with respect to these and other general considerations that the following embodiments have been described. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background.


A stringed instrument bridge comprising: a bridge body; a receiving surface that is generally flat and horizontal; a first angled member abutting a first side of the receiving surface, the first angled member having a first angled surface with a first threaded hole; a second angled member abutting a second side of the receiving surface, the second side on an opposite side from the first side, the second angled member having a second angled surface with a second threaded hole; a step block attachable to the receiving surface; the step block comprising a plurality of steps; a plurality of saddles, each saddle configured to sit on one of the steps; a first wedge lock, the first wedge lock having a first slotted screw hole, the first wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the first angled member via a first screw configured to engage the first slotted screw hole and the first threaded hole; a second wedge lock, the second wedge lock having a second slotted screw hole, the second wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the second angled member via a second screw configured to engage the second slotted screw hole and the second threaded hole; wherein when the first and second wedge locks are loosely attached to the first and second angle members, the saddles may be adjusted into an adjusted position with respect to the step block; and wherein when first screw is tightened and the second screw is tightened, the first and second wedge locks fixedly hold the saddles in the adjusted position. A stringed instrument bridge comprising: a bridge body; a receiving surface that comprises a plurality of steps; a bottom surface opposite the receiving, the bottom surface having a concave curve configured to allow the bridge body to attach to the top surface of a stringed instrument, where the top surface is curved; a first angled member abutting a first side of the receiving surface, the first angled member having a first angled surface with a first non-threaded hole; a second angled member abutting a second side of the receiving surface, the second side on an opposite side from the first side, the second angled member having a second angled surface with a second non-threaded hole; a first integral spacer extending from the bottom surface, the first integral spacer having an opening that is coincident with the first non-threaded hole; a second integral spacer extending from the bottom surface, the second integral spacer having an opening that is coincident with the second non-threaded hole; a plurality of saddles, each saddle configured to sit on one of the steps; a first wedge lock, the first wedge lock having a first slotted screw hole, the first wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the first angled member via a first screw configured to engage the first slotted screw hole and the first non-threaded hole; a second wedge lock, the second wedge lock having a second slotted screw hole, the second wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the second angled member via a second screw configured to engage the second slotted screw hole and the second non-threaded hole; at least one non-threaded slotted hole located in the bridge body and configured to align with at least one hole spacing on a stringed instrument; wherein when the first and second wedge locks are loosely attached to the first and second angle members, the saddles may be adjusted into an adjusted position with respect to the receiving surface; and wherein when first screw is tightened and the second screw is tightened, the first and second wedge locks fixedly hold the saddles in the adjusted position. A stringed instrument bridge comprising: a bridge body; a receiving surface that comprises a plurality of steps; a first angled member abutting a first side of the receiving surface, the first angled member having a first angled surface with a first threaded hole; a second angled member abutting a second side of the receiving surface, the second side on an opposite side from the first side, the second angled member having a second angled surface with a second threaded hole; a plurality of saddles, each saddle configured to sit on one of the steps; a first wedge lock, the first wedge lock having a first slotted screw hole, the first wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the first angled member via a first screw configured to engage the first slotted screw hole and the first threaded hole; a second wedge lock, the second wedge lock having a second slotted screw hole, the second wedge lock configured to attach to the bridge body at the second angled member via a second screw configured to engage the second slotted screw hole and the second threaded hole; an integral tailpiece attached to one side of the bridge body, the tailpiece having a plurality of string holes configured to hold the end of a string above each of the plurality of steps; wherein when the first and second wedge locks are loosely attached to the first and second angle members, the saddles may be adjusted into an adjusted position with respect to the receiving surface; and wherein when first screw is tightened and the second screw is tightened, the first and second wedge locks fixedly hold the saddles in the adjusted position; and wherein the bridge body is configured to mount flat to the top of a stringed instrument.

A number of adjustable bridges, both in string height and intonation, exist for both electric and acoustic stringed instruments. However, they use screws, cams, and other means to allow adjustment resulting in numerous components, screws and hardware. Often these components, screws and other hardware rattle, come loose or are otherwise ill fitting resulting in a loss of sustain, tone and clarity of notes on one or more strings along with extraneous noises.
Some bridges use a set screw that squeezes the saddles together in order to tighten loose saddles, but these bridges utilize many other components and hardware that can be ill fitting, rattle or otherwise come loose. Further, the set screw tends to push the alignment of the saddles off to one side resulting in misalignment of the saddles and strings relative to the neck, also known as lateral movement. The set screw also does not mechanically hold the saddles as solidly or rigidly as often desired. Another bridge uses adjustable cams for string height. However, the strings are not exposed over the top of the bridge and results in difficulties muting the strings with your palm while playing.
Thus there is a need for a stringed instrument bridge that overcomes the above listed and other disadvantages.


Embodiments of systems and methods for providing power to one or more loads are provided. According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a power supply system for providing power to one or more loads. The power supply system may include at least one inverter having inverter input terminals and inverter output terminals, wherein the inverter input terminals may be electrically connectable to a source power supply. The power supply system may also include at least one isolation transformer having isolation transformer input terminals and isolation transformer output terminals, wherein the isolation transformer input terminals may be in electrical communication with the inverter output terminals of one or more inverters. The power supply system may additionally include at least one load having load input terminals, wherein the load input terminals may be in electrical communication with the isolation transformer output terminals of the one or more isolation transformers.

Many devices, such as wind turbines or other turbine generators, may include power converter systems, such as to drive switching devices. Switching devices may be utilized to deliver power at a fixed frequency, for instance, such as to a power grid, or when driving high speed electric machines or high speed, high power electric motors. In some instances, high speed, high power electric motors may be utilized in industrial applications to power pumps, fans, blowers, or compressors. In addition, high speed, high power electric motors that operate at variable speed are increasingly required in a range of industrial, mining, and drilling activities. Further, the activities often require a relatively high degree of reliability. In operations such as crude oil pumping from remote global locations where access to pumping stations is difficult and time consuming, reliability of motor operation is necessary to prevent dangerous, costly, and extended outages.
A relatively high speed, high power electric motor may receive power from a source power supply. In many applications, the power signal that is output from the source power supply may be passed through a power converter prior to being input into the high speed, high power electric motor. A power converter system may be used to convert an input current or voltage, which may be a fixed frequency alternating current, a variable frequency alternating current, or a direct current, to an output current at adesired output frequency and voltage level. A converter system can include several power semiconductor switches such, as insulated gate bipolar transistors ("IGBT"), integrated gate commutated thyristors ("IGCT" or "GCT"), metal oxide semiconductor controlled thyristors ("MCT"), triacs, power transistors, field effect transistors ("FET"), or metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors ("MOSFET") that are switched at certain frequencies to generate the desired converter output voltage and frequency. Example semiconductor switches as described can be utilized to provide switched current paths to deliver power from the input, or power source, which may be at one frequency and voltage, to the output or load, which may require a different frequency and/or voltage. The input power may be converted to a high frequency alternating current prior to delivery to the semiconductor switches.
Relatively simple, sturdy, and reliable power converters are requisites for such high speed, high power motor operations. Converters, including multiple, individual components, may have an increased likelihood that any one individual component switch may randomly fail, driving down system reliability. Adding elements to the converters, such as snubber circuits for semiconductor switches, further increases the number of components that may fail. Moreover, in many existing solutions, multiple power converters are combined in parallel to drive the load or loads. Each power converter may drive one or multiple semiconductor switches and other peripheral components. When multiple power converters are combined as a single system, current solutions have a large number of individual components, driving down the reliability and increasing system costs.
Accordingly, there exists a need for improved power supply systems. There exists a further need for power supply systems that reduce the number of components, increasing reliability and reducing costs thereof.

Systems and methods providing a power converter


The present invention relates to the use of novel nucleotide sequences for the M and N region peptide of the ferret coronavirus and derivative products for the diagnosis and treatment of epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE) in ferrets.

In early 1994 a mysterious disease cropped up among domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) and spread quickly, particularly in the show circuit. It was originally called "the greenies," but its official name is "epizootic catarrhal enteritis" (ECE). Early symptoms of the disease are vomiting followed by lethargy, diminished food intake, and a "drowsy" appearance. However, the disease is usually characterized by the sudden onset of bright green or yellowish diarrhea. The disease is believed to damage the mucosa (the delicate intestinal lining which is instrumental in absorbing nutrients and water into the body) resulting in diarrhea and excess mucous production. In severe cases there may be deep ulcerations and bleeding into the intestinal lumen. Stools can range from bright green, loose and slimy to dark red, black and tarry (possibly indicative of the presence of blood in the stool). This variation can make accurate diagnosis difficult. Additionally, mouth and stomach ulcers form in many, but not all, of the infected ferrets. Death of the afflicted animal is not uncommon. This disease is highly contagious and can be transmitted without direct contact. Currently, the disease costs ferret breeders and owners millions of dollars a year in health care costs and lost revenue.
Currently, there is no diagnostic test for ferret ECE. Instead, diagnosis is generally a process of exclusion of other disorders, i.e., differential diagnosis. Furthermore, there is no specific treatment for ECE in ferrets. Most ferrets with ECE are treated as though they have a non-specific gastrointestinal ailment by any of a number of treatment regimes. Such treatments include supportive measures such as oral, SC, or IV administration of fluids and electrolytes and oral administration of antimicrobials. If malabsorption develops, oral administration of prednisone and provision of highly digestible nutritional supplements have been tried with some success. However, the efficacy of the treatments vary from each other and from animal to animal making adequate treatment of the disease difficult often time with unsatisfactory results.
As can be seen from the foregoing, what is needed is a test for the accurate diagnosis of ECE and new methods of treatment of this disease.

Compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of epizootic catarrhal enteritis in ferrets

The Board of Trustees Operating Michigan State University


A new and distinct Lavender cultivar named ‘DOWPHSCNT’ is disclosed, characterized by short, compact plants. Plants produce unique short, wide flower spikes, uniform inflorescence and very compact plant form. The new variety is a Lavandula, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

The new Lavandula cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors, Simon Charlesworth and Fiona Wilson, in Kent, the United Kingdom. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Lavender varieties for ornamental commercial applications.
The parent variety is the, unpatented commercial variety Lavandula 'Abrialii'. Plants of the parent variety were treated to induce mutation. Cuttings from the treated plants were selected, propagated and plants observed for noticeable differences from the parent variety.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by vegetative cuttings. This was first performed in Kent, the United Kingdom during 2009. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in multiple successive generations.


An anti-escape socket and plug arrangement used in a POS (Point of Sales) system is disclosed to include an anti-escape socket, which has a face panel, an insertion hole and multiple screw holes in the face panel, a base panel, a socket body at the base panel corresponding to the insertion hole, and a retaining block at the socket body, and an anti-escape plug, which has a plug body positioned in the insertion hole of the face panel and connected to the socket body, a hook, which is provided at the plug body and hooked on the retaining block to lock the anti-escape plug to the anti-escape socket, and tie screws respectively threaded into the screw holes to enhance the connection between the anti-escape plug and the anti-escape socket.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a socket and plug arrangement for use in a POS (Point of Sales) system and more particularly, to an anti-escape socket and plug arrangement, which prevents disconnection of the plug from the socket.
2. Description of the Related Art
During the use of an informative or electronic control system, accidental disconnection of power supply or signal transmission may cause loss of data or result in a catastrophe. When data is loss, the file must be built up again. According to conventional informative and electronic control system designs, the power or signal transmission plug may accidentally be disconnected from the associating power or signal transmission socket by an external object or during delivery.
FIG. 6 shows a power plug system according to the prior art. According to this design, the power plug system comprises a metal casing A1, a first cover plate A2, which is affixed to one end of the metal casing A1 and has a center mounting hole A21 and two locating holes A22 at two sides of the center mounting hole A21, a second cover plate A3 affixed to the other end of the metal casing A1, a printed circuit board A6 mounted inside the metal casing A1, a power input member A4, which is mounted in the center mounting hole A21 at the first cover plate A1 and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board A6 and has two mounting through holes A41 at two sides, a power output member A5, which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board A6 and extending out of the second cover plate A3, two mounting screws A8 respectively mounted in the mounting through holes A41 at the power input member A4 and threaded into the locating holes A22 at the first cover plate A2 to affix the power input member A4 to the first cover plate A2, and a power cable A7, which is connected to city power supply and has a connector A71 detachably connected to the power input member A4. According to this design, the connector A71 may be disconnected from the power input member A4 easily when the power cable A7 is stretched accidentally.


The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence similarity to GDNFR and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Membrane-bound proteins and receptors can play important roles in, among other things, the formation, differentiation and maintenance of multicellular organisms. The fate of many individual cells, e.g., proliferation, migration, differentiation, or interaction with other cells, is typically governed by information received from other cells and/or the immediate environment. This information is often transmitted by secreted polypeptides (for instance, mitogenic factors, survival factors, cytotoxic factors, differentiation factors, neuropeptides, and hormones) which are, in turn, received and interpreted by diverse cell receptors or membrane-bound proteins. Such membrane-bound proteins and cell receptors include, but are not limited to, cytokine receptors, receptor kinases, receptor phosphatases, receptors involved in cell-cell interactions, and cellular adhesin molecules like selectins and integrins. For instance, transduction of signals that regulate cell growth and differentiation is regulated in part by phosphorylation of various cellular proteins. Protein tyrosine kinases, enzymes that catalyze that process, can also act as growth factor receptors. Examples include fibroblast growth factor receptor and nerve growth factor receptor.
Membrane-bound proteins and receptor molecules have various industrial applications, including as pharmaceutical and diagnostic agents. Receptor immunoadhesins, for instance, can be employed as therapeutic agents to block receptor-ligand interactions. The membrane-bound proteins can also be employed for screening of potential peptide or small molecule inhibitors of the relevant receptor/ligand interaction.
Efforts are being undertaken by both industry and academia to identify new, native receptor or membrane-bound proteins. Many efforts are focused on the screening of mammalian recombinant DNA libraries to identify the coding sequences for novel receptor or membrane-bound proteins.
The present invention is a GDNFR homologue. GDNFR molecules are cell surface receptors capable of binding trophic factors such as Glial cell line-derived Neurotrophic Factors (GDNF) and neurturin. The GDNFR family of receptors may be useful in treating neuronal disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimers or neuronal injury.
We herein describe the identification and characterization of novel polypeptides having sequence similarity to GDNFR, designated herein as PRO34128 polypeptides.


A securitization structure for raising capital, where notes issued under the structure are backed by a plurality of real property assets. The structure includes one or more asset holders that hold a plurality of real property assets. The structure also includes one or more issuers that issue notes to noteholders, wherein the notes are supported by the real property assets including cash flows therefrom, but where the noteholders do not have the benefit of a material amount of security interests in the plurality of real property assets, wherein at least one title insurance policy exists for the benefit of noteholders with respect to one or more of the plurality of real property assets that are not subject to a security interest for the benefit of the noteholders, and wherein the noteholders have the benefit of a security interest in the equity interests of the one or more asset holders that are pledged as security for the notes.

Entities, for example those having significant interests in real property, may use CMBS (commercial mortgage backed securities) structures or other ABS (asset-backed securities) structures, to raise capital. Such pre-existing structures have secured the issued securities (notes) by at least requiring mortgages on the real property for the benefit of the noteholders. In the event of default on the notes, such mortgages enable the noteholders to foreclose on the underlying real property pursuant to their senior security interests in such real property. In addition, lender's title insurance policies may be available in respect to real properties that are subject to mortgages, further protecting the noteholders. In a structure such as the foregoing, an entity owning a large number of properties would need to establish a large number of mortgages, entailing a significant expenditure of resources in terms of time and cost. An improved structure for securitizing a large number of real property assets is therefore desired.

Systems and methods for securitized financing of assets


A cabinet wherein air sucked from an inlet opening 4d of a shelf board combined inlet duct 4 by drive of an air purification unit 3 is passed through the shelf board combined inlet duct 4 and introduced into the inside of a case 3a, and by a dust collection filter 32 and an odor eliminating means 33. Air forced into the shelf board combined outlet duct 5 through the air duct 10 is exhausted through an outlet opening 5d of the shelf board combined outlet duct 5, and air curtain is formed along the opening of the storage section 11 of a cabinet 1. Therefore, air in the storage section 11 of the cabinet 1 is circulated and purified, while getting caught in a circulating airflow including the air curtain.

Storages such as the movable shelf, the fixed shelf, the cabinet, the showcase, the closet, the shoe box, and the storeroom described above are widely used in libraries, cultural properties depositories, archives, museums, storerooms, warehouses, hospitals, basement storages, art museums, shops, department stores, supermarkets, public rest rooms, and the like.
As the storage described above, it is well known that there is an open type storage having a structure that the opening of the storage section for at least taking the stored object in and out is always opened or a closed type storage having a structure that a door for opening and closing the opening is disposed.
However, the open type storage does not have the door, compared to the closed type storage, so that the extra space for opening and closing the door is not necessary, and the door does not interfere with taking the stored object in and out. On the other hand, through the opening of the storage section normally opened, particles such as fungus spores, bacterium, pollen, dusts, and dead bodies of ticks floating in the air, and harmful insects such as moths and spiders easily invade in the storage section.
While the closed type storage described above can prevent the invasion of the particles, harmful insects, or the like described above from the opening of the storage section by closing the door to some extent, even in the storage, it is difficult to prevent the invasion of the particles, harmful insects, or the like described above into the storage section at opening and closing of the door or taking the stored object in and out.
Furthermore, the closed type storage shuts out the exchange of the air in the storage section and fresh air by closing the door, so that the air in the storage section is easily polluted.
Therefore, the conventional type of storages have problems that, by the effect of particles or harmful insects invaded through the opening of the storage section or polluted air in the storage section, the quality of the stored object in the storage section is reduced, and furthermore, air or the stored object in the storage section produces bad smell.
The object of the present invention is to provide storage with air purification function that can prevent the invasion of particles, harmful insects, or the like from the opening of the storage section and pollution of air in the storage section.
Another object of the present invention is to provide storage with air purification function that can purify the air in and around the storage.


A motor driving circuit is provided, which selects a Hall sensor or a Sensor-less controller to achieve the phase commutation of a magnetic pole of a motor through a hall positive terminal and a hall negative terminal of a hall control device. When the hall positive terminal and the hall negative terminal receive a first hall signal and a second hall signal generated by the Hall sensor, the motor driving circuit selects the Hall sensor and then accordingly drives the motor. When the hall positive terminal and the hall negative terminal are floating, or one of them receives a high-voltage, the motor driving circuit selects the sensor-less controller and then accordingly drives the motor. Accordingly, the motor driving circuit can select different sensing devices to achieve the phase commutation of the magnetic pole of the motor according to the motor characteristics.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a motor driving circuit, in particular, to a motor driving circuit which selects a Hall sensor or a Sensor-less controller to achieve the phase commutation of a magnetic pole of a motor.
2. Description of Related Art
A motor is constituted by a stator and a rotor disposed opposite to each other. The rotor can rotate with respect to the stator to operate the motor by the magnetic force and magnetic field change. The magnetic field change represents the phase commutation of the magnetic poles of the motor.
The Hall sensor is used to carry out the phase commutation in the present motor driving method. More specifically, the Hall sensor senses the positions of the magnetic poles of the motor (or the magnetic field change) so as to determine the position of the rotor. Then, the Hall sensor accordingly generates a phase switching signal to control the switch of the coil current in the stator, thereby achieving the phase commutation. With the miniaturization of the motor technology, the volume of Hall sensor has gradually decreased. However, the accuracy of the miniature Hall sensor easily suffers from temperature, noise, or other factors to influence the reliability of the commutation control. As such, the conditions and environment of where a motor is applied becomes further limited.
Another motor driving method utilizes the sensor-less controller to achieve the phase commutation of the magnetic pole of the motor. The Sensor-less controller adopts a digital signal processor (DSP) with a complex algorithm (e.g., field oriented control (FOC) and direct torque control (DTC)), and peripheral circuit to achieve the optimization control. Using the sensor-less controller can decrease time and labor cost of getting the accurate position of the sensor, and has lower cost. However, when the operation speed of the motor is lower or stops, the sensor-less controller does not adapt to the starting state because the sensor-less controller cannot measure the counter-electromotive force, initial angle, or measures the less counter-electromotive force, etc. When the motor does not have the design of an additional starting mechanism to assist the motor operating to medium-high rotational speed, the sensor-less controller cannot achieve the phase commutation of the magnetic pole of the motor.
If the motor driving circuit could select the hall sensor or the sensor-less controller to achieve the phase commutation of the magnetic pole of the motor, the motor driving circuit could select a suitable sensing device according to the motor characteristics.