A method and apparatus is disclosed for testing integrated circuit interconnect and measuring the value of passive component interconnecting the IC's. Each IC includes both analog and digital circuitry and is provided with a test access port and boundary scan architecture for selectively connecting components to an analog test bus and for testing for the integrity of interconnections. When connected with the test bus, a constant current is supplied to the component and the resulting voltage developed across the bus is used for identifying the value of the component. In a second embodiment each IC includes a pair of buses which permits measurement of the impedance of the switches connecting the components to the test bus.

A printed circuit board and system level interconnect test is a high priority need in industry. This is particularly so in the automotive industry where many different phases of electronic activity, from IC design to vehicle warranty and customer service, are present and thus involve several areas of testing and diagnostics. At the IC level a significant amount of testing of mixed-signal devices is required. In order to meet the electronic test and diagnostic needs of the automotive industry, the Design-for-Testability (DFT) real estate (both pin count and silicon) must be kept to a minimum in order for the cost to justify the benefits.
The extended period of vehicle warranty requires significant field test and diagnostic capability, and hierarchial testing concepts are required, beginning at the integrated circuit (IC) level and extending to the discrete components on mixed-signal boards and peripheral analog elements in control systems. The increasing trend to integrate greater capability into IC's, resulting in embedded complexities, has significantly reduced the effectiveness of the present in-circuit testing methods at the board level via a "bed of nails" interface. There is therefore a need to provide a "virtual in-circuit" testing at all levels over an analog test bus.
IC, subsystem and system level DFT approaches should entail structures that provide a means for testing for analog drift trends at critical locations within the IC's, PC boards and systems. Data paths to failure under harsh operating conditions are required to establish appropriate warranty data. Pertinent data feedback over the life of the product to all levels of the process would enhance continuous improvement and project future requirements amidst increasing complexities.

Method and apparatus for testing integrated circuits in a mixed-signal environment


Provided is an optical apparatus that is capable of switching between a state in which the optical apparatus can reflect light and a state in which the optical apparatus can output light and suppressing deterioration of display quality of a light reflection image. The optical apparatus includes: a light emitting device having a light emitting surface; an absorption type polarizing plate disposed opposite to the light emitting surface of the light emitting device; a liquid crystal optical element disposed between the light emitting device and the absorption type polarizing plate; a reflection type polarizing plate disposed between the light emitting device and the liquid crystal optical element; and an adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the reflection type polarizing plate that faces the light emitting device.

Japanese Patent No. 3419766 discloses an apparatus capable of switching between a state in which it can function as a mirror (also referred to as a state in which it can display a mirror image or a state in which it can reflect external light (mirror function)) and a state in which it can function as a display device (also referred to as a state in which it can display a predetermined image or a state in which it can emit display light (display function)). The apparatus includes a display device configured to display a predetermined image, an absorption type polarizing plate disposed opposite to the display device, a liquid crystal optical element disposed between the display device and the absorption type polarizing plate, and a reflection type polarizing plate disposed between the display device and the liquid crystal optical element.
Depending on the fixing method of the reflection type polarizing plate, the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3419766 can have a greatly decreased display quality of a mirror image.


A system for detecting potential for infection includes a wound dressing and an electronics component. The wound dressing includes a temperature sensing layer and a cover layer comprising a substrate and a backing layer. The electronics component includes a power source, an electronic control unit (ECU), and a communications interface positioned within a housing and removably coupled to the temperature sensing layer of the wound dressing. The electronics component is configured to receive a plurality of temperature readings from the temperature sensing layer, and provide an indication of potential infection of the wound based the plurality of temperature readings. In various embodiments, each of the plurality of temperature readings corresponds to a temperature of an area around a wound. Methods for preventing infections using the system are also described.

Surgical site infection is a major postoperative complication that can increase the cost of patient care and lead to readmission of the patient. If recognized early, treatment of surgical site infection is typically more effective.
Accordingly, a need exists for systems that monitoring surgical sites and can recognize signs of surgical infection.

Systems for recognizing temperature as a sign of surgical infection and methods of using the same


Technology is provided for digital optical disc magazines. The disc magazine includes a cabinet, at least one disc drive positioned within the cabinet, and a plurality of drawers disposed in the cabinet. A plurality of disc trays are disposed in the plurality of drawers and each disc tray includes a plurality of disc locations. A bi-directional disc pusher is supported on a gantry between adjacent drawers and is positionable along the adjacent drawers proximate a selected target disc location corresponding to one of the plurality of disc locations. A robotic gripper is positionable adjacent the target disc location and operative to grip a disc pushed at least partially from the target disc location by the disc pusher and to transport the disc to the disc drive.

Existing digital optical disc storage systems usually include 10 to 12 discs in a cartridge. Typically, the system cycles through each disc in the cartridge to find the disc of interest. Accordingly, existing storage systems are inefficient and have limited capacity for a given rack space.
The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not necessarily affect the scope or meaning of the claimed embodiments. Further, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments. Moreover, while the disclosed technology is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the embodiments described. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.


At the time of registration, an image processing apparatus registers color information (R, G, B) from a host computer as permanently registered information in a buffer and as temporarily registered information in a table in accordance with a command from the host computer. The data registered in the buffer also is registered in the table and is used as internal data until initialization is performed. At the time of initialization, the data registered in the table is initialized with the exception of the data that has been registered from the buffer, if the command is indicative of a soft reset. In case of a hard reset, all of the data in the table is initialized.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image processing apparatus and, more particularly, to an image processing apparatus having memory means, which is referred to as a color table, color palette or the like, for storing information relating to color.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional color recording apparatus such as a color printing apparatus disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/602,697 filed on Oct. 24, 1990, has a memory means for storing information relating to color, which is referred to as a color table, color palette or the like.
In the conventional apparatus of this kind, the contents of the memory means referred to as the color table or color palette for storing information relating to color always is initialized by an initializing command from a host computer or by a reset operation performed at a control panel. As a consequence, even if the contents currently stored in the memory means have been registered personally by the user, the information relating to color must be re-registered whenever initialization is performed, or the contents that have been stored must be saved temporarily in another area before initialization. This constitutes a drawback in the conventional apparatus.

Image processing apparatus having a memory for storing information relating to color


A security system (10) includes an alternating electric current powered motion sensor assembly (30), and a direct electric powered security module (31) incorporating a storage device (63). A digital camera includes a digital camera mechanism (50) associated with the security module (31), and a digital camera lens (51) associated with the motion sensor assembly (30). Wiring (20) coupled between the motion sensor assembly (30) and the security module (31) provides alternating current to the motion sensor assembly (30) and the security module (31). A transformer (61) converts the alternating current from the wiring (20) to direct current electric and supplies the direct current to the security module (31). The digital camera mechanism (50) is responsive to activation of the motion sensor assembly (30) detecting motion in a vicinity (12) of the motion sensor assembly (30) activating the camera lens (51) to make digital imagery of an area in the vicinity (12), receiving the digital imagery made by the camera lens (51) over the wiring (20), and storing the digital imagery in the storage device (63).

Security is the condition of being protected against danger or loss. In the general sense, security is a concept similar to safety. The nuance between the two is an added emphasis on being protected from dangers that originate from outside. Individuals or actions that encroach upon the condition of protection are responsible for the breach of security.
There is an immense literature on the analysis and categorization of security. Part of the reason for this is that, in most security systems, the "weakest link in the chain" is the most important. The situation is asymmetric since the defender must cover all points of attack while the attacker can simply identify a single weak point upon which to concentrate their efforts.
Premises security describes measures that prevent or deter attackers or intruders from accessing a home or business. Due to the importance people assign to premises security for protecting their possessions and loved ones from potential intruders, skilled artisans have developed numerous security systems design to provide various measures of security in and around vicinities of buildings including homes and businesses. Although existing security systems are adequate, they are expensive, difficult to install, often require the services of specialized offsite security monitoring stations, and are not easily scalable or adaptable to meet changing security needs. Given these and other deficiencies in the art, the need for continuing improvement in the art of premises security is evident.


A process for preparing formaldehyde by oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol comprises passing a gas mixture (i) comprising. a) from 0.1 to 50% by volume of methanol, PA1 b) from 0.1 to 30% by volume of oxygen, PA1 c) from 0 to 50% by volume of nitrogen oxide and PA1 d) from 0 to 60% by volume of water at from 150 to 800.degree. C. through a phosphorus-doped silver catalyst fixed bed (a) and applying from 0.01 to 100 ppm by weight of phosphorus, based on the phosphorus-doped silver catalyst fixed bed, in the form of a finely divided phosphorus compound having a melting point or decomposition temperature of more than 500.degree. C. (phosphorus compound P) to the phosphorus-doped silver catalyst fixed bed (a) per kg of methanol which is passed through in the form of the gas mixture (i) per cm.sup.2 of the cross-sectional area of the phosphorus-doped silver catalyst fixed bed (a).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for preparing formaldehyde by oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol.
2. Description of the Background
Processes for preparing formaldehyde by oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol over a catalyst fixed bed made up of silver crystals are generally known (cf. Ullmanns Enzyklopadie der technischen Chemie, 3rd Edition, Urban und Schwarzenberg, Munich/Berlin, 1956, Volume 7, pages 660 to 663).
Advantageous effects which occur when using phosphorus compounds as promoters for the oxidation of methanol to give formaldehyde in the presence of a silver catalyst are also known from CN-A-85100530, DE-A-4022603 and JP-A-38227/83.
EP-A-0 467 169 describes the preparation of formaldehyde by oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol over a catalyst fixed bed which is made up of layers of silver crystals containing a pulverulent phosphorus-containing salt as promotor. This phosphorus-doped silver catalyst fixed bed is prepared by bringing it into contact with a phosphorus compound prior to the commencement of the formaldehyde preparation.
However, these processes are still capable of improvement because the catalyst continuously loses activity during use for the formaldehyde preparation, which is reflected in a decreasing yield. For this reason, the catalyst has to be replaced and regenerated after a relatively short time, for which purpose the formaldehyde preparation process has to be interrupted. Since the replacement of the catalyst fixed bed and the measures associated with the resumption of the formaldehyde preparation process are time-consuming and laborious, the economics of the process depend on how frequently this replacement has to be carried out.

Process for the preparation of formaldehyde


A surgical instrument for being endoscopically or laparoscopically inserted into a surgical site for simultaneous stapling and severing of tissue includes force adjusted spacing between an upper jaw (anvil) and a lower jaw (staple cartridge engaged to an elongate staple channel) so that the height of staple formation corresponds to the thickness of the tissue, yet does not exceed the height range that may be accommodated by the length of the staples. In particular, resilient structures are formed into an E-beam firing bar that includes a cutting surface (knife) that severs tissue between a top pin that engages the anvil and a middle pin and lower foot that engage the lower jaw. The resilience responds to the force exerted by clamped tissue to vary the spacing.

Endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical instruments are often preferred over traditional open surgical devices since a smaller incision tends to reduce the post-operative recovery time and complications. The use of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures has been relatively popular and has provided additional incentive to develop the procedures further. In laparoscopic procedures, surgery is performed in the interior of the abdomen through a small incision. Similarly, in endoscopic procedures, surgery is performed in any hollow viscus of the body through narrow endoscopic tubes inserted through small entrance wounds in the skin.
Laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures generally require that the surgical region be insufflated. Accordingly, any instrumentation inserted into the body must be sealed to ensure that gases do not enter or exit the body through the incision. Moreover, laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures often require the surgeon to act on organs, tissues and/or vessels far removed from the incision. Thus, instruments used in such procedures are typically long and narrow while being functionally controllable from a proximal end of the instrument.
Significant development has gone into a range of endoscopic surgical instruments that are suitable for precise placement of a distal end effector at a desired surgical site through a cannula of a trocar. These distal end effectors engage the tissue in a number of ways to achieve a diagnostic or therapeutic effect (e.g., endocutter, grasper, cutter, staplers, clip applier, access device, drug/gene therapy delivery device, and energy device using ultrasound, RF, laser, etc.).
Known surgical staplers include an end effector that simultaneously makes a longitudinal incision in tissue and applies lines of staples on opposing sides of the incision. The end effector includes a pair of cooperating jaw members that, if the instrument is intended for endoscopic or laparoscopic applications, are capable of passing through a cannula passageway. One of the jaw members receives a staple cartridge having at least two laterally spaced rows of staples. The other jaw member defines an anvil having staple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the cartridge. The instrument includes a plurality of reciprocating wedges which, when driven distally, pass through openings in the staple cartridge and engage drivers supporting the staples to effect the firing of the staples toward the anvil.
Recently, an improved "E-beam" firing bar was described for a surgical stapling and severing instrument that advantageously included a top pin that slides within an internal slot formed in the upper jaw (anvil) and has a middle pin and bottom foot that slides on opposite sides of a lower jaw of an end effector, or more particularly a staple applying assembly. Distal to the middle pin, a contacting surface actuates a staple cartridge held within an elongate staple channel that forms the lower jaw. Between the contacting surface and the top pin, a cutting surface, or knife, severs tissue clamped between the anvil and the staple cartridge of the lower jaw. Since both jaws are thus engaged by the E-beam, the E-beam maintains a desired spacing between the jaws to ensure proper staple formation. Thus, if a lesser amount of tissue is clamped, the E-beam holds up the anvil to ensure sufficient spacing for the staples to properly form against an undersurface of the anvil. In addition, if a greater amount of tissue is clamped, the E-beam draws down the anvil to ensure that the spacing does not exceed the length of the staple such that ends of each staple are not sufficiently bent to achieve a desired degree of retention. Such an E-beam firing bar is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/443,617, entitled "Surgical Stapling Instrument Incorporating an E-Beam Firing Mechanism", filed on May 20, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
While an E-beam firing bar has many advantages for a surgical stapling and severing instrument, often it is desirable to sever and staple tissue of various thicknesses. A thin layer of tissue may result in staples that only form loosely, perhaps requiring the need for bolstering material. A thick layer of tissue may result in formed staples that exert a strong compressive force on the captured tissue, perhaps resulting in necrosis, bleeding or poor staple formation/retention. Rather than limiting the range of tissue thicknesses that are appropriate for a given surgical stapling and severing instrument, it would be desirable to accommodate a wider range of tissue thickness with the same surgical stapling and severing instrument.
Consequently, a significant need exists for an improved surgical stapling and severing instrument that incorporates a staple applying assembly (end effector) that adjusts to the amount of tissue that is clamped.

Surgical stapling instrument having force controlled spacing end effector


An apparatus at a fixed portion (102) of a communication system controls utilization of software (398) in a portable communication device (122) that includes a transceiver (302) for communicating with the fixed portion. The portable communication device receives (604) a request for utilization of the software. In response, the portable communication device seeks (612) a usage authorization for utilizing the software by generating (614) an external authorization request (428) that includes at least one of a size (396) of the software, a software name (394), a secure checksum, and an address (313) identifying the portable communication device, and by communicating (616) the external authorization request to the fixed portion. The secure checksum is a secure cyclic redundancy check of the software for which the portable communication device is requesting usage authorization, and is generated (624) by the portable communication device from a secure polynomial (311) stored in the portable communication device and separately by the apparatus from a same secure polynomial (230) stored in the apparatus. The portable communication device disallows (640) the utilization of the software, in response to the usage authorization being unobtainable.

In the past, paging devices were limited to alpha-numeric and voice paging. With technology improvements in circuit integration and more efficient communication protocols that provide two-way communication, paging devices have grown in sophistication and services provided. With today's technology improvements, paging devices are expected to acquire more sophisticated functions such as electronic mailing services, spread sheet applications, investment finance services such as stock market charts, quotation requests, purchase and sale transactions, etc. These services require sophisticated software applications and/or hardware modules to be operated in the paging device. Paging devices using sophisticated services such as these will require a means for registration and licensing to prevent unauthorized use of processes, including software applications and hardware modules. In prior art devices registration has been accomplished by mailing a signed certificate with a purchase receipt of a software application or hardware module. This form of registration, however, does not prevent an unscrupulous user from using pirated software applications and/or unauthorized hardware modules.
Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus for controlling utilization of a process added to a portable communication device. Preferably, the method and apparatus should serve as a mechanism to prevent unauthorized use of software applications and hardware modules.

Apparatus for controlling utilization of software added to a portable communication device


A FM-CW radar system comprises a frequency modulated continuous wave digital generator that produces both in-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) outputs to orthogonally oriented transmitter antennas. A linearly polarized beam is output from a switched antenna array that allows a variety of I-and-Q pairs of bowtie antennas to be alternately connected to the transmitter and receiver. The receiver inputs I-and-Q signals from another bowtie antenna in the array and mixes these with samples from the transmitter. Such synchronous detection produces I-and-Q beat frequency products that are sampled by dual analog-to-digital converters (ADC's). The digital samples receive four kinds of compensation, including frequency-and-phase, wiring delay, and fast Fourier transform (FFT). The compensated samples are then digitally converted by an FFT-unit into time-domain signals. Such can then be processed conventionally for range information to the target that has returned the FM-CW echo signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to radar and ground penetrating radar imaging methods, and more particularly to radars that linearly sweep through frequencies and synchronously detect return signals affected by time-of-flight delays to target objects.
2. Description of Related Art
Frequency modulated (FM) continuous wave (CW) radars transmit a sweep frequency that is mixed with a return echo to produce a beat frequency. The beat frequency output from the mixer is a function of both how fast the CW output is sweeping in frequency and how far the return echo had to travel from the transmitter to the target and back to the receiver. A faster FM sweep of the CW signal increases the scale of the beat frequency product. Given a linear sweep, e.g., a sawtooth, and a fixed distance to the radar target, then the beat frequency will be a steady tone. The bandwidth of that tone determines the resolution of the radar.
The beat frequency tone represents the range of the target in the frequency domain. Traditional radars launch radio frequency (RF) pulses that are delayed in their echo returns in time by how far they had to fly out and back. So traditional radars produce range signals in the time domain. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) is typically used to convert FM-CW radar frequency-domain range signals to time-domain range signals so they can be conventionally processed.
Yukinori Yamada describes an FM-CW radar in U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,917, issued Sep. 19, 2000. An array antenna, beat signals, and Fourier transform process are used to Fourier transform data from each beam angle. Such radar determines the range to an object near the antenna array.
Yukinori Yamada describes another FM-CW radar apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,339 B1, issued Sep. 3, 2002. The transmitted signal used is a frequency modulated continuous wave. A beat signal is generated from mixing transmitted and received signals, and this is the A/D converted. A switch is used to select various antenna elements in an array. A digital signal processor executes a digital beam-forming operation to detect the target from the beat signals.
The phase delays imparted by electronic FFT devices are not constant and vary with frequency. In order to get a accurate conversion between the frequency and time domains, the FFT output needs to be appropriately phase compensated. But to do this, the frequency of the signal being processed must be known to apply the appropriate correction. In FM-radar, the frequency of the return echo signal is unpredictable because it depends on the unknown range to the target. Prior art has neither recognized this source of error nor have there been any solutions proposed in conventional radar implementations.


A cartridge can be loaded and unloaded in a video camera body (11). A cartridge case (11) of the cartridge has therein a recording/reproduction mechanism unit including a pair of reel bases, tape reels supported by the reel bases, respectively and a rotating head drum (17) around which a magnetic tape (17) is wound for achieving recording and reproduction actions. The cartridge case (30) is provided with an I/O terminal substrate (30) to be electrically connected to the video camera body. The magnetic tape extracted from the tape reel is wound around the rotating head drum, and as a result they are integrated with one another.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and a detachable cartridge having recording/reproduction mechanism which are preferable for use in a video camera and the like for public welfare purpose, and more particularly to an electronic apparatus and a cartridge in which the mechanical unit can be largely simplified and dimensional accuracy of the recording/reproduction mechanism can be relaxed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since conventionally such a recording/reproduction apparatus in which a magnetic tape is wound around a rotating head drum in a helical fashion and information is recorded in the magnetic tape by running the magnetic tape together with the rotating head drum rotating at a high speed and the recorded information is reproduced by scanning the information by the rotating head drum has been widely prevailed.
In the aforementioned recording/reproduction apparatus, the magnetic tape can be loaded and unloaded relative to the rotating head drum. Generally, a cassette system in which the magnetic tape is wound around a tape reel is employed. Thus, the recording/reproduction apparatus is compatible with other apparatus so as to obtain a proper signal when information recorded in the magnetic tape is reproduced with a different apparatus of the same format. For this reason, the mechanism unit of the recording/reproduction apparatus requires a high dimensional accuracy, and particularly the tape must be wound accurately around the rotating head drum during running thereof.
To enable the magnetic tape to be loaded and unloaded together with the cassette relative to the rotating head drum, such a mechanism for extracting the magnetic tape from the cassette and winding it around the rotating head drum and further a mechanism for winding up the magnetic tape in the cassette are also required, and in addition a special motor for driving this mechanism unit is required.
By the way, the aforementioned recording/reproduction apparatus has been developed recently at a surprising speed and reduction in the size of components composing the recording/reproduction apparatus has been accelerated every year. Thus, they can be produced at lower cost because of the trend of reduction in size of the recording/reproduction apparatus and changes in material for use. For example, because the rotating head drum and various motors can be produced in smaller size and at cheaper prices, reduction in size of the recording/reproduction apparatus and lower cost thereof can be realized.

Electronic apparatus and removable cartridge having integrated rotating head drum I/O terminal to be electrically connected to said electronic apparatus


The present invention provides a robot apparatus is capable of moving autonomously, flexibly responding to a motion of conforming to an external moving subject that may typically be the user of the robot apparatus and conforming to the motion of the moving subject, and also capable of modifying the conforming relationship with the moving subject. The robot apparatus is capable of moving autonomously, and comprises an input section that inputs an image or sound of an external moving subject, a plurality of motion generating sections that generate a plurality different motions in response to the image or sound input by way of the input section, conforming to the motion of the external moving subject, a motion expressing section that integrally expresses one or more than one motions out of the plurality of motions generated by the plurality of motion generating sections, and a control section that controls the number of motions integrated by the motion expressing section and the ratio of the motions to be integrated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a robot apparatus capable of moving autonomously and a method of controlling the motion thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a robot apparatus capable of moving autonomously, conforming to a motion of an external moving subject that may typically be as a user of the robot apparatus and also to a method of controlling the motion thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A mechanical apparatus that is electrically or magnetically driven to move and act like a man (living thing) is called a "robot". In Japan, robots became popular in the late 1960s but many of them are industrial robots such as manipulators and carrier robots designed to realize unmanned automated production lines in factories.
Recently, developments of utility robots that can operate as men's partners to support human activities in various different scenes in living environments of human being are under way. Unlike industrial robots, such utility robots are provided with the ability of learning by themselves a number of techniques necessary to adapt themselves to different people with different personalities in various scenes of living environments of human being and also to various environments. For example, "pet type" robots designed by imitating the physical mechanism and motions of tetrapodal animals such as dogs and cats and "humanoid" robots designed by imitating the physical mechanism and motions of men who are creatures of erect bipedalism are being put to practical use. Unlike industrial robots, such robot apparatus can move in various different ways because of their entertaining capabilities and hence they are also sometimes referred to as entertainment robots.
One of the most important themes in the technological development of such entertainment robots is the necessity of pursuing a scheme that can keep the user away from being bored. However, since boringness to men has not been elucidated yet, it is obviously difficult to prepare a scheme that can keep the user away from being bored. Therefore, techniques for preparing many schemes for attracting the user's interest are being devised and employed currently.
Schemes for making a robot apparatus to move, conforming to the voice and the motion of the user have been proposed (see, inter alia, Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-246174 and Non-Patent Document 1: Masato Ito, Jun Tani, "On-line Imitative Interaction with a Humanoid Robot Using a Mirror Neuron Model", IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (2004, in press).

Robot apparatus and method of controlling the motion thereof


The invention is embodied in an articulated pawl. This pawl is designed to reliably drive a take-up reel on a tape and reel component feeder. By always engaging teeth on the reel, the pawl is prevented from skipping teeth during the return phase of the reel drive cycle. The addition of an articulated arm on the pawl prevents the pawl from skipping teeth on the reel during the drive phase of the reel drive cycle. The articulated arm ensures that either the tooth on the base of the pawl or the tooth on the articulated arm engages a tooth, or both engage teeth, on the reel during the drive phase. This invention ensures the positive and repeatable rotation of the take-up reel.

This invention relates to a drive system used to rotate a take-up reel on a component feeder. In particular, this invention is manifested in an articulated pawl used to drive teeth on a take-up reel.
Surface mount technology is widely used in the electronics industry today. The need to put ever more components on smaller and smaller circuit boards has driven the industry to develop smaller components and to place them closer together. Many of the electronic components today are too small to be easily handled and placed by hand.
The electronics industry has developed many new machines to handle and place these small components. One such device is a pick-and-place machine. This machine is a robotic device that picks up a component, generally by suction, and places it with great precision at a desired location on a printed circuit board. The components are fed into the pick-and-place machine by a peripheral mechanism known as a feeder.
Components are loaded on the feeder a variety of ways, including on tape-and-reel. In the tape and reel system, components are held inside a tape sandwich. The lower part of the tape typically is composed of pockets, and components are placed in the pockets to isolate the components from each other. A cover layer of tape is applied over the pockets, thereby trapping the components inside the pockets. The tape sandwich, containing the components, is many feet long and is wound around a reel and looks like a lumpy roll of masking tape.
This reel of tape and components is loaded onto the feeder and the feeder strips the top layer of tape off, thereby exposing a component. A pick and place machine picks up the exposed component and places it onto a printed circuit board. The feeder continues to feed components in this manner to the pick-and-place machine as required.
FIG. 1 shows a simplified tape and reel feeder. A reel of tape 102 is unrolled along a support 106. The tape 104 is guided by the support 106 to the initial roller/guide 108. The top layer 110 is stripped off of the tape 104 and wound around a take-up reel 112 by the rotation of the reel 112. After the top layer 110 is removed, a component 114 is exposed on the bottom layer 116 of the tape 104. The take-up reel 112 normally has teeth around the periphery and is driven by a pawl (not shown).
The Fuji IP1 is a typical pick and place machine which uses typical tape and reel feeders used by the electronics industry and operates essentially as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows part of the drive system for the Fuji tape take-up reel. The take-up reel 202 has saw-tooth-shaped teeth 204 around the periphery. A spring-loaded drive pawl 206 is mounted on a vertical arm 208, which is connected by a spring 210 to a horizontal reciprocating arm 212. A vertical drive bar 214 is in sliding engagement with the horizontal arm 212.
In a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 2, the pawl 206 is held in the most rearward position by the vertical arm 208. The vertical arm 208 is moved into the rearward position by the movement of the reciprocating arm 212 and the drive bar 214. A pneumatic actuator (not shown) drives the vertical drive bar 214 rearward (pawl retracted) and forward (pawl advanced).
As the pawl 206 is retracted from a forward position, it slides over the back side 216 of the saw tooth shaped teeth 204 until the most rearward position is reached. A friction brake (not shown) prevents the take-up reel from moving during the retraction of the pawl 206.
To drive the take-up reel 202, the drive arm 214 is pulled forward, thereby forcing the reciprocating arm 212 forward. As the arm 212 is forced forward, the vertical arm 208 is pulled forward by a spring 210. The forward movement of the arm 208 forces the front edge 218 of the pawl 206 into engagement with the front edge 220 of the tooth 222. As the vertical arm 208 moves forward, the pawl 206 forces the tooth 222 forward, thereby rotating the take-up reel 202.
FIG. 3 shows the pawl 206, arms 208 and 212, and the drive bar 214 in a forward position. The cycle of forward and rearward movement of the drive bar 214 is continued as each new component is presented to the pick and place machine.
The prior art take-up reel system suffers from two main deficiencies. The first deficiency occurs during the retract phase of the drive cycle. The pawl does not always skip the same number of teeth and a difference of up to two teeth between successive retract cycles is common. This is a result of the tip of the pawl coming to rest on the tip of a tooth of the take-up reel, causing the pawl to "bounce" over a tooth rather than coming to rest between teeth as shown in FIG. 4. Because the pawl does not skip the same number of teeth on each retract cycle, the amount of top layer tape stripped off is indeterminate and may not be enough to expose a component fully on the bottom layer of the tape sandwich. If the top layer of tape is not stripped off the component, the pick-and-place machine will misfeed and require operator intervention.
The second deficiency is also manifested during the retraction of the pawl. At the end of some retract cycles, the pawl tip is supported on the top of a tooth, as shown in FIG. 5. As the pawl is driven forward, it does not engage the teeth properly, if at all. While the pawl is spring-loaded such that the tip of the pawl is forced down and into contact with the teeth, the force is insufficient to prevent missed teeth when the pawl is advanced at high speed. The spring force cannot be increased significantly, otherwise as the pawl will not slide over the back side of the teeth on the retract cycle and the reel will be rotated backwards. Hence, the pawl skips teeth during the forward drive cycle.
Because of the unreliability of the pawl design, misfeeds of the pick-and-place machine are common. Every misfeed requires an operator to manually intervene so production can continue. This intervention is inconvenient and expensive. Since a company that uses pick-and-place machines typically has a large number of the feeders, a major redesign, or replacement, of the feeders to fix the pawl misfeed problem would be expensive for the company.
With the above in mind, there exists a need in the electronics industry for a low cost and reliable take-up reel drive mechanism which can be retrofitted onto existing equipment.

Undirectional ratchet utilizing an articulated pawl


The present invention provides a semiconductor device which comprises a lead frame including a die pad having one or two or more openings, a substrate mounted over the die pad so as to expose a plurality of semiconductor chip connecting second electrode pads from the openings of the die pad, a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted over the die pad and the substrate, bonding wires that connect chip electrode pads of the semiconductor chip and their corresponding semiconductor chip connecting first and second electrode pads of the substrate, and a sealing portion which covers these and is provided so as to expose parts of leads.

The present invention relates to a lead frame and a semiconductor device using the lead frame, and particularly to a multichip package in which a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on a die pad are sealed, and a manufacturing method thereof.
As to a semiconductor device, i.e., a package in which semiconductor chips are sealed, various package forms have been proposed.
As one of such package forms, there is known a lead frame, i.e., a so-called a multichip package using a lead frame.
As one example of the multichip package using the lead frame, there has been known a multichip package equipped with a lead frame having a die pad, a plurality of first bonding pads electrically connected to bonding pads of plural chips respectively, a plurality of second bonding pads and a signal position converter fixed to the die pad (refer to a patent document 1 (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2001-007277)).
In the present multichip package, the first bonding pads and leads of the lead frame are respectively electrically connected to one another via internally wired conductive wires in a one-to-one correspondence.
Further, the second bonding pads and the leads of the lead frame are respectively electrically connected to one another by wire bonding.
As another example of the multichip package using the lead frame, there has been known a multichip package including a plurality of bare chips stacked on at least one of opposed first and second main surfaces of a substrate, a spacer disposed between the two bare chips of these bare chips, which are positioned adjacent to each other vertically, and inner leads which are disposed on both sides in the horizontal direction with the substrate interposed therebetween and connected to their corresponding pads of each bare chip by bonding wires (refer to a patent document 2 (Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2006-294795)).
In the present multichip package, the bonding wires which connect the pads of the bare chip on one end side of the spacer to their corresponding inner leads are disposed so as not to contact the bare chip on the other end side of the same spacer.
The conventional package referred to above always requires higher performance, higher functionality and higher-density packaging.
In the conventional multichip package having the above-described configuration, the mounting of the substrate onto the die pad is performed by ensuring a closed circular bonding or adhesion area having a width of about 2 mm at a peripheral end edge of a substrate mounting area of the die pad, applying an arbitrary and suitable adhesive or bonding material known to date to the bonding area and bonding them to each other.
A multichip package in which a storage type semiconductor chip like, for example, a flash memory chip is sealed in plural form, has been disclosed in the patent document 2 referred to above.
There are often instances where a further increase in capacity is required for the multichip package with the storage type semiconductor chips encapsulated therein in particular.
In such a case, the outer size of each sealed semiconductor chip is often made larger. In order to accommodate such an upsized semiconductor chip, there is a need to realize a further increase in the capacity of the multichip package. There is a case in which there is a need to cause a package size to remain unchanged upon the increase in the capacity of the multichip package.
In order to realize such a need with respect to the configuration disclosed by the patent document 1, for example, there is a need to expand the exclusively-possessed area of each opening at the die pad greater.
When, however, one attempts to make the exclusively-possessed area of the opening greater at the die pad's configuration disclosed in the patent document 1, the following problems might occur.
That is, it is difficult to ensure a bonding or adhesion area required to bond the die pad and the substrate to each other at the die pad. Since the strength of junction between the die pad and the substrate mounted thereto falls short as a result thereof, there is a fear that the reliability of the package is impaired.
In order to ensure the adhesion area, there is a need to make the exclusively-possessed area of the entire die pad greater. As a result, the volume of a sealing portion must be more increased. That is, a further increase in the size of the entire package is unavoidable in this case.
Further, since the strength of the die pad per se falls short when the exclusively-possessed area of each opening is enlarged without expanding the flat or planar size of the die pad, there is a fear that distortion and deformation occur in the lead frame at a package manufacturing process in particular. As a result, unexpected deformation occurs in, for example, a form of bonding between the die pad and the substrate, a form of bonding between each semiconductor chip and the substrate and the connection of each bonding wire. Hence, there is a fear that factors for the reliability of the package, such as the strength of the package and its electric characteristics are impaired.

Lead frame, semiconductor device using same and manufacturing method thereof


An object of this invention is to provide a communication apparatus capable of maintaining the secrecy of data received in a memory box when forwarding the data. To achieve this object, when data received in a memory box designated by a sub-address/password signal is to be forwarded, data to which a password is added by a system corresponding to a forwarding destination (an e-mail terminal or a facsimile apparatus) is forwarded.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication apparatus and, more particularly, to a communication apparatus having a facsimile function capable of connecting to a LAN.
2. Related Background Art
A communication apparatus is conventionally known which has a facsimile function capable of connecting to a LAN in addition to an existing communication line such as a public services telephone network (PSTN). A communication apparatus of this type can output communication data, received via a public services telephone network (PSTN), onto a recording paper sheet and can also store the data in a predetermined memory (to be referred to as a memory box hereinafter) from which the stored data can be extracted from a terminal on a LAN. A document received in a memory box for which a predetermined password is set is treated as a secret document. This document is extracted by using the password set for the memory box.
Unfortunately, after being extracted data once regarded as a secret document is treated as a commonly extracted received document when it arrives at a user, losing its secrecy. To solve this problem, it is possible to impose limitations so as not to allow saving of a secret document extracted by an information processing terminal on a LAN, and to allow only reading of the document. If this is the case, however, the data of a secret document cannot be saved, and this impairs the user friendliness. Also, if documents are kept stored in a receiving apparatus, a memory box becomes full.
The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and has as its object to provide a communication apparatus capable of maintaining the secrecy of data received in a memory box when forwarding the data.

Communication apparatus, communication method, and storage medium


The present invention provides substrates having a plurality of micro-locations on its surface. Each micro-location has an effective dose of an ion beam treatment such that the plurality of the micro-locations exhibit an affinity to a compound that is different from the affinity of the remainder of the substrate surface to that compound. The substrates of the invention can be utilized to form microarrays of biological molecules, such as oligonucleotides or peptides. Such microarrays can find a variety of applications. For example, they can be employed in large scale hybridization assays in many genetic applications, such as mapping of genomes, monitoring of gene expression, DNA sequencing, genetic diagnosis, and genotyping of organisms.

The present invention provides substrates on which a microarray of molecules, such as a microarray of oligonucleotides, can be formed, and further provides methods for generating such microarrays.
Microarrays of hundreds or thousands of biological compounds are widely utilized for biological analysis. Tiny droplets, each containing a different known reagent, usually distinct polynucleotide or polypeptide biopolymers, such as, known DNA fragments, can be deposited and immobilized in a regular array on a solid substrate, such as a glass microscope slide. The array of reagents can be exposed to an analyte solution containing unknown target sequences, for example, complementary DNA (cDNA) fragments, pre-labeled with fluorescent or radioactive chemical labels. Under certain conditions, binding reactions or hybridizations occur between a polynucleotide sequence in the array and a complementary sequence in the analyte. Subsequent optical or radiosensitive scanning procedures can be used to determine those position(s) in the microarray at which hybridization reactions have occurred, thereby identifying the complementary compounds present in the solution.
Various methods for immobilizing synthesized oligonucleotides or peptides on a substrate surface via chemical reactions are known. Such methods typically attach linking groups to a substrate surface at pre-defined locations, and connect known nucleotide or amino acid sequences to these linking groups, in order to create microarrays. One drawback of such methods is that the oligonucleotides or peptides in the microarrays are immobilized in particular configurations, which may inhibit optimal interactions between target sequences in test samples and the immobilized oligonucleotides or peptides.
Another known method of generating microarrays utilizes agarose gel pads placed at predefined locations on a flat surface. In one application of such microarrays, oligonucleotides of a known length and sequence are placed within each gel pad along with a test sample containing the target sequence. Each gel pad provides a three-dimensional environment in which the oligonucleotides and the target sequence in the test sample can react.
In many of the known methods for forming microarrays, the interactions between the immobilized molecules and their complementary counterparts can be hindered by the presence of linking groups, and/or the specific orientations of the immobilized molecules. Further, even in microarrays that utilize three-dimensional gel pads, although the oligonucleotides are not immobilized, the interactions between the oligonucleotides within the gel and the test sample are not optimal because they occur within the confines of a gel pad rather than in an aqueous solution.
In addition, conventional microarrays have limited densities largely as a result of the shortcomings of the methods utilized for generating them. For example, fixation of reagents on a substrate to form a microarray can require the presence of large bulky protective groups that often limit the density of the array. Likewise, when agarose gel pads are employed for forming a microarray, there is an upper limit for the density of gel pads on a substrate.
Accordingly, a need exists for microarrays in which optimal biological reactions can occur between reagents deposited in, or on, a micro-location of the array and a target molecule in a test sample. A need also exists for microarrays having higher densities of micro-locations suitable for containing reagents for biological reactions.


An automobile air conditioning system including a fan unit for generating an air flow. The air flow is directed to the passenger compartment of the automobile through a first air duct which is provided downstream of the fan unit. A second air duct branches from the first air duct which extends over and in parallel to the first air duct. A filter is provided between the first and second air ducts for cleaning the air flow to the second air duct from the first air duct through the filter. Further, the air conditioning system is provided with means for selectively directing the air flow from the fan unit to the passenger compartment through the first air duct or through the first and second air ducts.

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a duct arrangement for a filter, which is used in an automobile air conditioning system, for removing smells from the air.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 57-172817 describes an automobile air conditioning system which comprises a deodorization filter for removing odors and dust from the air within the passenger compartment. The deodorization filter comprises an energized charcoal for removing odorous substances such as Nox and CH, which are contained in exhaust gas from automobiles and are introduced into the passenger compartment. In addition to the malodor, such substances are bad for the health of passengers within the passenger compartment. The deodorization filter is provided downstream of an evaporator within an air duct. A damper assembly is arranged within the air duct to switch the air between normal mode, in which the air from the evaporator directly distributed into the passenger compartment without passing through the deodorization filter, and deodorization mode, in which the air from the evaporator passes through the deodorization filter for removing the odorous substances. When the deodorization mode is selected, the air, which has passed through the evaporator, is directed to the deodorization filter.
In the air system of JPP '817, the deodorization filter in the air duct hinders the air flow to increase the flow resistance during the normal mode, which results in decrease in the flow rate, increase in noise of the air flow, and increase in power consumption of the fan motor.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications (Kokai) No. 4-271916 and No. 5-2718 describe an automobile air conditioning system which comprises main and by-pass air ducts and a deodorization filter, which is provided in the by-pass air duct, for removing odors and dust from the air within the passenger compartment. Provided within the main air duct is a valve or a door for switching the air flow between the main and by-pass air ducts. The deodorization filter is provided within the by-pass air duct to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction air flow in the main air duct. Thus, the deodorization filter and the by-pass air duct which encloses the deodorization filter extend outwardly from the main air duct into the passenger compartment of the automobile.
The invention is directed to solve the prior art problems described above, and to provide an air conditioning system improved to minimize the space required for installation as well as the flow resistance during the normal mode.

Air conditioning system for an automobile


Compounds which are the reaction product of allicin and ACE-inhibiting compounds are useful in treating hypertension, elevated triglycerides, and elevated insulin.

Captopril (D-3-mercapto-2-methylpropanoyl-L-proline) and related azetidine and proline derivatives are competitive inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) that block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Captopril and its derivatives are used as antihypertensive agents in treating most forms of hypertension (U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,889, Ondetti et al, 1977; Thind, 1990; Cushman et al, 1991. Migdalof et al. 1984; Materson et al, 1994)
Captopril contains a free sulfhydryl group and is quite stable in aqueous solution. However, in the blood or plasma of mammals, including humans, it is rapidly oxidized to its disulfide dimer and is involved in other disulfide exchange reactions. Captopril was found to bind covalently but reversibly to plasma proteins, cysteine, and glutathione (Migdalof et al, 1984)
Unfortunately, rather high doses of captopril are required to reduce blood pressure. This phenomenon may be because most of the captopril is used up in reactions with serum protein, to reduce —S—S bonds in proteins, and to form the mixed disulfide of protein-captopril. Thus, only a small amount of free captopril, or captopril recycled from the mixed disulfide with proteins, glutathione, and cysteine, remains for inhibiting ACE. Therefore, larger amounts of captopril are required as compared with other non-thiol containing ACE inhibitors. This may explain the discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo activity of captopril.
It has recently been shown that allicin (dithiosulfinate), a product of crushed garlic, which the present inventors prepared semi-synthetically (international patent WO 97/39115), also possesses antihypertensive properties. Other studies reported the remedial effects of allicin on cardiovascular risk factors, mainly on serum cholesterol, triglycerides levels, as well as lipoprotein balance, streak formation, and thrombogenesis in animals and in humans (Augusti et al, 1974; Eilat et al, 1995; Lawson, 1998; Abramovitz et al, 1999). Lipid lowering effect is one of the earliest established properties of garlic preparations, which also have a hypotensive effect as shown by Loeper et al (1921), which effect was confirmed by others in humans (Damrau, 1941; Petkov, 1979) and in animals (Chanderkar et al, 1973; Banerjee, 1979; Malik et al, 1981; Foushee et al, 1982; Ruffin et al, 1983; Auer et al, 1990; Aqel et al, 1991).
Two possible mechanisms for the action of allicin have been suggested. One involves the antioxidant activity of allicin, while the other mechanism is that the particular structure of allicin, as activated disulfide, makes it a good candidate for interaction with the SH groups of proteins and low molecular weight thiols. Allicin, which is a very reactive compound, also disappears within a few minutes after being mixed with blood, due to its fast penetration through cell membranes, and its reaction with free thiol containing compounds, mainly reduced glutathione (GSH). From studies conducted by the present inventors, Rabinkov et al (1998) and Miron et al (2000), it appears that the active principal of allicin is the allylmercapto moiety (AM), which blocks thiol containing enzymes or reacts as a very efficient antioxidant.

Allylmercaptocaptopril compounds and uses thereof


A shielding apparatus for an electronic component includes a first insulative encapsulant surrounding at least a portion of the component and a second encapsulant surrounding said first encapsulant and having conductive particles dispersed therein for absorbing ionizing radiation.

The present invention relates generally to radiation shielding and, in particular, to an apparatus for shielding an electronic component against space environment radiation.
Advances in commercial off-the-shelf microelectronics offer lower cost, reduced weight, i.e., smaller lift vehicles, and increased availability for military and commercial satellite systems. To take advantage of commercial off-the-shelf devices, the significant issue of radiation tolerance must be addressed. The effects of the natural space radiation environment on electronics can be divided into two main categories:
1) Total ionizing dose irradiation is caused by trapped electrons and protons in the earth's magnetosphere. This phenomena creates charge build up in the oxide and other materials used to process semiconductor devices, affecting circuit operating performance, leakage current, and other parametric and functional characteristics. The total ionizing dose is dependent on the altitude of a satellite. Even prolonged operation in a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) can present significant problems for non-hardened devices, which can fail at radiation levels less than 10 krads. A minimum total ionizing radiation requirement of 30 kreds is typical for LEO satellite hardness. Third world nuclear threats are also of concern for LEO environments. Low yield fission weapons can release a substantial amount of ionizing radiation (electron cloud) in the LEO Van Allen Belts, causing premature degradation and failure due to accumulation of total dose radiation from beta electrons. PA1 2) Single Event Upset (SEU) is caused by the impact of heavy ions from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) or solar energetic particle (SEP) events. This phenomena will deposit charge in semiconductor devices, causing devices to upset, burnout or latchup. Protection against this type of radiation requires specialized rad-hard processes and designs in the fabrication of devices, or system-level error detection, correction and/or recovery methods. Shielding is not effective against this type of radiation.
Current approaches for hardening ICs against total dose radiation involve: (1) design and process modifications to achieve radiation hardening in the semiconductor devices, or (2) shielding of microelectronic packages, card assemblies, or satellite skins with metal of sufficient thickness to absorb the radiation. For example, it has been proposed to shield a group of circuit boards by placing a tantalum skin around them. It has also been proposed to shield individual chips by placing a first piece of tungsten over the chip and a second piece below the chip. The first approach results in a significant cost increase for the ICs, and limits the availability to a few suppliers of radiation hardened ICs. The second approach results in a significant increase in the weight of the system, as well as increased costs relative to conventional packaging approaches. The use of shielded IC packages is also limited to expensive, military qualified, ceramic packages. Thus, a need exists for a low cost, lightweight method of enhancing the radiation tolerance of ICs for a variety of space environments. Ideally, this method can be universally applied to a variety of ICs and packaging approaches.


Wire bond packages which mount encapsulated semiconductor chips, such as plastic ball grid array (PBGA) packages providing for the mounting of so-called flip-chips. The chips are overlaid with heat spreading perforated cap wherein the perforations are filled with an adhesive to prevent delamination caused by mismatches in the coefficients of thermal expansion, resulting in contractions which cause the entire package arrangement to warp, leading to delamination between an encapsulant and cap and resulting in failure of connect joints and the ball grid arrays.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to organic laminate chip carrier packages which mount encapsulated semiconductor chips, such as plastic ball grid array (PBGA) packages providing for the mounting of so-called flip-chips, and wherein the chips are usually overlaid with a heat spreading cap designed to balance the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and the stiffness of a substrate which is exposed on sides opposite of the chips, in order to compensate for mismatches in the coefficients of thermal expansion, and resulting in contractions which cause the entire package arrangement to warp, leading to delamination between an encapsulant and cap and resulting in failure of connect joints and the ball grid arrays.
The concept of compensating for any mismatches in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and resultant contraction which are encountered between the various components of a wire bond or flip chip package or module including encapsulated semiconductor chips mounted on substrates, and with heat sinks supported on the chips in the form of caps in order to reduce heat-induced warpage tending to separate the components and leading to failures of the electrical connects and ball grid arrays adversely affecting the functioning and reliability of the packages has been widely addressed in the technology and industry. Nevertheless, notwithstanding the considerable efforts expended in order to solve the problems which are encountered, the utilization of the heat-spreading caps or heat sinks has only been partially successful in maintaining the relative flatness of the components and avoiding warping, inasmuch as the heat-spreading cap only balances the thermal dissipation above the substrate directly above the chip. The foregoing difficulties are encountered due to package warping as a result of thermal stresses generated, in that the normally utilized epoxy adhesives which cement the chip and cap to the substrate may not match the coefficients of thermal expansion of the substrate. One of the possible failure mechanisms is delamination of the epoxy interface between the chip and the cap as a result of thermally induced thermal stresses. Also, the tendency of the epoxy adhesive to absorb or desorb moisture may readily cause additional expansion and contraction and result in further warpage of the entire module structure, leading to an operative failure of the arrangement.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
At this time, various types of structures have been employed in the technology which concern themselves with the provision of means for dissipating heat which is generated during the operation of the module, and to avoid thermal expansions and contractions which would conceivably cause the module to warp, leading to operative failure and/or reduction in the service life thereof.
In particular, the semiconductor chips have been equipped with superimposed heat sinks in the form of so-called caps or covering structures which are adhesively fastened thereto; for example, such as through the interposition of an epoxy adhesives or the like, and wherein the caps extend generally above the areas defined by the surface extent of the chips. Such caps are normally constituted of a heat-conductive material, such as steel or copper. Other types of caps may incorporate multiple layers of different materials or have fins formed thereon providing enlarged surface areas for dispersing and dissipating heat, whereas other structures may have the caps extending beyond the confines of the chip and be suitably shaped to theoretically optimize the rate of heat dissipation from the module arrangements.
Alcoe et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,043, which is commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application, discloses an electronic package incorporating a flexible substrate, stiffener and semiconductor chip. In that instance, there are provided a plurality of strain relief structures at various locations about the package so as to prevent surface wrinkling associated with large differences in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) between the various package elements. Although this provides for a heat dissipation structure, there is no disclosure of a unique cap design analogous to that contemplated by the present invention.
Tokuno et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,847 discloses a multichip module including a metallic cover plate fastened by means of a support pillar to a substrate, and wherein the plate is constituted of a heat conductive material, preferably such as copper or other suitable metal, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy.
Marrs U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,037 discloses a heat sink in the form of a cap or cover structure arranged above semiconductor chip which is mounted on a substrate, and which includes a plurality of holes adapted to be filled with a suitable filler material facilitating the dissipation of heat in a generally uniformly dispersed manner across the surface of the chip while maintaining the essential rigidity or stiffness of the heat sink or cap.
Baska et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,344 discloses a heat-dissipating apparatus including spaced fins for absorbing heat generated by an electronic device.
Liberty et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,868 is directed to a thermally conductive interface material of a polymeric binder and one or more thermal filters so as to form a heat sink for an electronic component.
Caletka et al U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,093 discloses a thermally enhanced and mechanically balanced flip chip package and method of forming the package. However, unlike the present invention, the description of recesses in this patent resides in the context of peripheral steps, and further non-flat; i.e. varying thickness cross-section. This patent does not teach nor suggest the use of small-sized apertures to promote adhesion, but rather promotes adhesion by enrichment of surface chromium and use of silane coupling agents rather than small-sized apertures.
Other types of structures which have been employed as heat sinks and which are arranged above encapsulated semiconductor chips and fastened thereto with the intermediary of epoxy adhesives, which may include heat conductive greases, including cap configurations incorporating pluralities of holes in varying specified sizes and arrays, and also scallops formed along the edges of the caps extending over the edge portions of the chips located therebeneath so as to allow for improved degrees of heat dissipation therefrom.
Although the foregoing types of cap or cover construction forming heat sinks are adapt in dissipating heat from the semiconductor chips and ball grid arrays, so as to reduce or possibly eliminate warpage encountered between the various electronic package components; in effect, the substrate mounting the semiconductor chips and the caps or cover structures forming the heat sink mounted above the chips to reduce warpage and potential failure of the ball grid arrays and the entire package modules, pursuant to the invention further improvements in design and construction would still further enhance the degree of heat dissipation through the caps so as to assist in eliminating warpage between the components and improve upon operational reliability, while increasing the service life of the package module or arrangement.
In order to improve upon the current state-of-the-art in the design and construction of cap structures which will extensively reduce or obviate delamination thereof from an adhesive or dielectric material bonding the cap structure to a chip; in effect, improving the interfacial adhesion therebetween, the cap structure is provided with a multiplicity of small-sized perforations forming increased surface areas for the bonding and creating of mechanical interlocking means between the components. The perforations which are provided in the cap structure, the latter of which is preferably of a flat or planar configuration, and wherein the perforations extend therethrough or at least partially thereinto, may be formed through a photolithography process and chemical etching.
An important advantage derived by the provision of a multiplicity of small apertures, which may be either in the form of straight uniformly dimensioned perforations, tapered holes, reversely tapered holes, blind holes or scalloped holes or recesses facing towards the adjacent chip surface, resides in that the numerous small holes or perforations considerably increase the surface areas for bonding in the absence of significantly reducing the mechanical stiffness and strength of the cap structure.
Another advantageous aspect of the inventive perforated cap structure may be ascertained in that, although the primary function resides in preventing warpage by balancing the extents of the thermal expansion of the superimposed layers of the components, it also serves a function as a heat spreader. In effect, the cap structure possesses some thermal conductivity, and may thus be imparted the properties of a thermally conductive member aiding in the dissipation of heat from the package or module.
In particular, pursuant to the invention, there is contemplated the provision of a novel heat-dissipating cap structure mounted above an encapsulated chip of an electronic package, wherein the cap preferably extends beyond the edges or confines of the chip, and may be essentially constituted of a flat or planar plate structure. Preferably, pursuant to one inventive aspect, the cover or caps is constituted of an extensively perforated metallic material of non-woven construction imparting a somewhat mesh-like characteristic thereto which will improve resistance to delamination between the encapsulant, such as an epoxy and the cap, causing only a slight reduction in the bending stiffness of the cap while concurrently maintaining the in-plane stiffness of the cap to an essentially high degree.
Pursuant to another aspect of the invention, it is also possible to contemplate that the heat-dissipating cap may be constructed with a plurality of perforations forming adhesive-filled holes or interstices arranged along the edge regions of the chip, and with other perforations of selectively varying sizes and patterns being optionally dispersed over the other surface regions of the cap, and optionally with selectively smaller and/or larger sized perforations of other types being dispersed over the cap area extending over the chip surface structure.
According to another embodiment of the invention, it is possible to provide the cap with perforations or recesses in the form of scallops and the like facing towards the surface of the chip, and which only partially extend through the thicknesses of the cap, thereby enabling the partially-through perforations and/or scallops to be at least partially filled with epoxy adhesive or bonding material so as to assist in the mechanically locking interconnection between the cap structure and the chip. Such scallops or partially-through extending blind perforations may be arranged around the perimeter or edge regions of the chip, or other suitably selected areas over the cap surface, as required by particular physical applications in order to facilitate an enhanced adhesive connection between the various package components while concurrently maintaining the strength of the cap, and thereby prevent any delamination-causing warpage taking place between the components of the package or module.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel perforated cap structure for reducing warpage encountered between the components of a semiconductor package module caused by different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) among the various module components.
A more specific object resides in the provision of a novel heat-dissipating perforated, mesh-like cap structure for an encapsulated semiconductor chip package structure wherein the cap is formed of a metallic material.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for reducing the warpage of components of a coupled cap ball grid array or flip chip package so as to reduce interfacial stresses through the provision of a novel perforated cap structure providing for enhanced mechanical interlocking through an adhesive filling the perforations, and compensating for different coefficients of thermal expansion between the various components.
Still another object is to provide a method for reducing the warpage of flip chip or ball grid array semiconductor packages having coupled cap-chip structures through the formation of uniquely configured perforations in the cap which enable the enhanced mechanical interlocking between the components in that the perforation from increased surface areas by bonding through an adhesive encapsulant.

Flip chip package with improved cap design and process for making thereof

International Business Machines Corporation


A wave energy converter has a shell, a pendulum pivotally positioned in the shell, a magnet thereon, a variable inductor positioned in the shell, a pendulum adjustor for changing a center of gravity of the pendulum, a motion sensor positioned in the shell, a position sensor connected to the pendulum, a rotation sensor connected to the pendulum, and a controller connected to the motion sensor and the position sensor and the rotation sensor. The pendulum has a magnet thereon. The magnet of the pendulum oscillates adjacent the variable inductor. The variable inductor can adjust the inductive capacity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy. More particularly, the present invention the relates to apparatus that convert energy provided by waves in a body of water into electricity. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatuses utilizing magnetic induction.
2. Description of Related Art
Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
With rising oil prices, more and more efforts are being made to find alternative energy sources. Alternative energy sources include biomass (such as biodiesel), geothermal energy, solar energy, wind energy, and wave power. Wave power is a form of renewable energy. Therefore, wave power is a very desirable alternative to non-renewable sources, such as oil and coal. The apparatus that harness the energy of waves are commonly referred to as wave energy converters (WECs). The technology for wave power energy conversion is in the early stages in that much research and development is going into technology relating to the conversion of wave energy to electricity.
A WEC is device that converts the mechanical energy of the waves of a body of water, such as the ocean, into electrical energy. The electrical energy is typically in the form of electricity. The obvious benefit of utilizing the motion of waves for the production of electrical energy is the abundance of ocean waves, the low cost of converting wave energy into electrical energy, extremely low emissions in such conversion, and very little environmental impact of devices that perform such a conversion.
Many attempts to harness wave energy have yielded varying degrees of success. For example, several foreign companies have engineered and fielded new WEC concepts. Most of the companies involved in bringing these various concepts to market are located in Europe where mandates for sustainable renewable energy supplies follow the Kyoto Accord for reduction in carbon emissions. Several European nations are signatories to the Kyoto Accord and therefor have set forth various goals for implementing new power generating technologies, including onshore and offshore wind farms, WECs, and subsea turbine devices utilizing stable ocean and river currents. European nations lead the United States in the pursuit of alternative energies. For example, the Norwegian classification authority (Det Norske Veritas) has guidelines for the design and construction of WECs. Therefore, there is a need for the development of WECs in the United States.
In order to fully maximize the use of wave power, a WEC must adapt to the prevailing wave environment. That is, the apparatus must adapt to the transient amplitude, frequency, and phase of the waves of a body of water. One problem associated with WECs is that to adapt to the transient nature of waves, the apparatus of the WEC must change a mass, stiffness or damping characteristic. Many WECs are not equipped to respond to the changes in waves. The ability of a WEC to respond to transient waves requires additional components and complexity, which further compounds the potential maintenance and reliability issues of a WEC.
Another problem associated with current WECs is that the parts that convert wave energy to electrical energy are exposed directly to the environment. Therefore, these parts are subject to corrosion and disrepair. Thus, there is a need for a WEC that protects the energy-converting parts from the environment.
Various patents have been issued relating to WECs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,823, issued on Dec. 11, 2007 to Stewart et al., discloses a wave energy converter having two elements intended to be placed in a body of water. The two elements are able to move relative to each other in response to forces applied to the wave energy converter by the body of water. At least one of the two elements is a wave energy absorber. A mechanism is connected between the two elements so as to extract energy from the wave energy converter for producing output electric energy as a function of the movement between the two elements. Another mechanism is connected between a source of energy and one of the two elements. The mechanism senses and determines the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of one of the two elements relative to the other for selectively and actively supplying energy to one of the two elements so as to cause an increase in the displacement and velocity of one of the two elements relative to the other.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,291,904, issued on Sep. 18, 2001 to Carroll, discloses an open-ended tube that is mounted in a fixed, vertical orientation within a body of water. The top and bottom ends of the tube are positioned at preselected depths relative to an average water level. The tube-top open end is disposed at a first depth approximately equal to, but not less than, the maximum preselected wave amplitude so that the top end is always submerged. The tube-bottom open end is disposed at a depth where the energy level associated with preselected waves of maximum wavelength is small. Water flows into and out of the tube in response to pressure variations caused by passing waves. A piston is disposed within the tube for converting the water flow to useful energy.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,352,073, issued on Apr. 1, 2008 to Ames, discloses an ocean wave energy converter that has a generator with a rotating inner rotor surrounded by a counter-rotating outer rotor for generating electricity. A reciprocating drive rod drives the inner rotor on the downstroke of the drive rod and the outer rotor on the upstroke of the drive rod through a gear-driven driveshaft with clutches. A buoy is attached to an end of the drive rod whereby the undulation of the ocean waves relative to the buoy reciprocates the drive rod between the upstroke and the downstroke positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,298,054, issued on Nov. 20, 2007 to Hirsch, discloses a wave energy conversion system that includes a base substantially connected to a wave-medium floor, a tidal platform connected to the base, and a tidal float connected to the tidal platform. An axle is connected to the tidal platform with an inductive coil positioned within the axle such that an axis of the inductive coil is parallel to the axle. A magnetic sleeve includes a magnetic sleeve opening such that the axle passes through the magnetic sleeve opening. A float member is connected to the magnetic sleeve. A moving wave causes displacement of the float member. The float member causes the magnetic sleeve to move relative to the inductive coil and to generate electrical energy within the inductive coil.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,795, issued on Apr. 30, 1996 to Epstein et al., discloses an electrical energy generator that has a cylindrical stator, a cylindrical liner of a piezoelectric material in concentric contact with the stator, and an armature rotatable about the liner. In one embodiment, as the armature rotates, the armature squeezes successive portions of the liner against the stator for alternately compressing and decompressing the liner portions for causing them to generate electrical energy. In another embodiment, the armature causes alternating stretching and destretching of successive portions of the liner between spaced-apart portions of the stator for causing the liner portions to generate electricity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,338, issued on May 31, 1988 to Boyce, discloses an apparatus for extracting energy from the waves on a body of water that includes an assembly having a buoyancy sufficient for maintaining the assembly afloat in the water. The apparatus has a series of structures mounted on the assembly that have generally upwardly-oriented beams that have upper ends connected at least indirectly to one another. A pendulum drive shaft is suspended by a cable from the upper end of the beams. Each structure has a pulley at the upper ends of the beams through which a continuous loop of the cable passes so as to suspend the pendulum drive shaft and permit the pendulum drive shaft to rotate. A ratcheted pulley mounted at the lower end of each of the beams has a second continuous loop of cable passing therethrough. The second continuous loop of cable also loops around the pendulum drive shaft causing the pendulum drive shaft to rotate as it swings by rolling within the loop of the second cable which is anchored by the ratcheted pulley. The second cable is prevented from turning by the ratchet during the forward swing of the pendulum.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,875, issued on Jan. 8, 1985 to Rowe, discloses a buoy generator that has a hollow buoy having inner and outer surfaces, a winding mounted to the buoy parallel to the inner and outer surfaces, a magnetized member freely disposed in all dimensions within the hollow buoy for unrestricted rolling on the inside surface of the hollow buoy whenever the hollow buoy has any rolling movement, and a mechanism connected to an end of the windings for rectifying current flow therefrom. Upon mooring the buoy in the water, the flux lines of the magnetized roller cut the winding when there is water motion. Electrical current is provided by the winding to the rectifying mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,334, issued on Dec. 27, 1983 to Jacobi et al., discloses a wave motion powered electrical generator configured for installation in a buoy. The generator has an inverted pendulum with two windings formed at the free end thereof. The windings are aligned to articulate between two end stops. Each stop is provided with a magnetic circuit. As the loops thus pass through the magnetic circuit, electrical current is induced which may be rectified through a full-way rectifier to charge a battery. The buoy itself may be ballasted to have its fundamental resonance at more than double the wave frequency with the result that during each passing of a wave at least two induction cycles occur.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,023, issued on Sep. 28, 1982 to Sachs et al., discloses a mechanism for generating power from wave motion on a body of water. The mechanism includes a buoyant body which is adapted to float on a body of water and to roll and pitch in response to the wave motion of the water. A gyro-wave energy transducer is mounted on the buoyant body for translating the pendulum-like motions of the buoyant body into rotational motion. The gyro-wave energy transducer includes a gimbal that has first and second frames. The first frame is pivotally mounted to the second frame. The second frame is pivotally mounted to the buoyant body. A gyroscope is mounted to the first frame for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the first and second frames. A generator is coupled to the gyroscope for maintaining a controlled rotational velocity for the gyroscope. Transferring members are associated with one of the first and second frames for transferring torque of one of the first and second frames to the gyroscope.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,047, issued on Feb. 23, 1982 to deAlmada, discloses an apparatus for harnessing the energy derived from the undulatory motion of a body of water that includes an assembly having a buoyancy sufficient for maintaining it afloat in the water, a first structure substantially following multidirectional undulatory motions of the water, and a second structure mounted in the assembly for free movement in a plurality of planes with respect to the first structure. The second structure is displaceable by gravity and by forces derived from the motions of the first structure. A device is connected to the first and second structures for generating a pressure output in response to the force derived from the relative motions between the first and second structures. An arrangement is coupled to the pressure output of the device for utilizing, at least indirectly, the energy derived from the pressure output.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,143, issued on May 5, 1981 to Ng, discloses an energy conversion device which utilizes the natural movements of ocean waves to produce electrical energy. The apparatus is contained in a tank which is adapted to float near the surface of the water and tilt from side-to-side about a pivot point located below the tank, thereby simulating a pendulum-like movement. A sinker weight is employed to produce the appropriate movement of the tank and maintain the floating tank in balance at the ocean surface. The pendulum motion of the tank is used to roll gravity wheels in the tank in such manner that shafts associated with the gravity wheels are caused to rotate. Electrical generators are operatively connected to the rotating shafts for producing electrical energy from the mechanical rotational energy of the shafts as the tank tilts from side to side with the wave motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,260,901, issued on Apr. 7, 1981 to Woodbridge, discloses a system for converting the mechanical energy in the wave motion of a body of water into electrical energy. A frame is fixed with respect to the wave motion of the water. A flotation element is buoyantly supported by the water and constrained to follow only the vertical component of the wave motion. The motion of the flotation element is transferred to an electrical generating device which includes a device for producing electromagnetic flux and electrical coils. The motion of the flotation element causes relative motion between the flux-producing device and the electrical coils thereby generating an electromotive force. A positioning subsystem is provided for moving the electrical generating device relative to the flotation element when the average depth of the body of water changes so as to maintain a symmetrical relative motion between the flux-producing device and the electrical coils.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,991, issued on Feb. 24, 1981 to Wood, discloses an apparatus for generating power from the motion of a wave on a body of water that utilizes a spine formed by buoyant sections that are joined end-to-end and are ballasted so as to cause the sections to assume a predetermined position in calm water. Adjacent sections are joined in a manner enabling the sections to pivot more easily about at least one non-vertical axis when the sections are in the predetermined position. When the apparatus is subjected to wave motion the surge component of the wave motion is converted to vertical motion of the spine. Prime movers are mounted on the spine so as to rock relative to the spine under the heave component of wave motion, and under the vertical motion of the spine. The rocking motion of the prime movers is utilized to produce energy.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,630, issued on Aug. 29, 1978 to Hendel, discloses a wave-powered electric generator. The generator includes a buoyant envelope tethered to a fixed point relative to the sea bottom. The buoyant envelope is water and air-tight. One or more stators and one or more elements moveable by the force of inertia are positioned within the stator. The buoyant envelope is a rectifier for rectifying the electric energy generated by the moveable element. A power transmission mechanism supplies the generated and rectified electric energy to a power station. In a preferred embodiment, a conductive fluid is employed as a moveable element. The fluid is passed through a concentrated magnetic field.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,251 issued on Oct. 3, 1972 to Last et al., discloses an electric generator for deriving electrical energy from oscillatory motion such as that of buoys, vehicles and animals. The generator has a stator and an armature coupled together by a spring mechanism. The coupling generates current when bodily movement of the generator causes, by inertia effects, relative movement of the armature and stator.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that improves power generation.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that protects critical system components from direct contact with the ocean and its surrounding environment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that reduces long term maintenance costs.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that reduces inactivity due to adverse environmental conditions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that utilizes a permanent magnet.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that can be placed in any body of water having waves.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that utilizes magnetic induction to convert wave energy into electrical energy.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that maximizes energy conversion for various wave frequencies.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that maximizes energy conversion for various wave sizes.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a wave energy converter that varies inductive capacity.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.


A method and system for accelerated decryption of a cryptographically protected user data unit, wherein a transmitter initially generates a cryptographic key that is provided with a related key identification. The transmitter then performs asymmetrical encryption of the generated cryptographic key using a public cryptographic key and encryption of at least one user data unit using the generated cryptographic key. The encrypted user data unit, the asymmetrically encrypted cryptographic key and the related key identification of the cryptographic key are transported to a receiver that decrypts the received asymmetrically encrypted key using a private key, if verification of the received related key identification of the cryptographic key indicates the cryptographic key is not present in a decrypted state in the receiver. The receiver then decrypts the received cryptographically encrypted user data unit using the cryptographic key in the receiver or with the cryptographic key decrypted using the private key.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to data encryption and, more particularly, to a method and system for accelerated decryption of cryptographically protected user data units, and more particularly for the accelerated decryption of hybrid encrypted data.
2. Description of the Related Art
When transporting data from a transmitter to a receiver over a transmission channel, these data are in many cases transmitted in encrypted form to prevent unauthorized third party access to the data. Various encryption methods are known, in particular asymmetrical and symmetrical encryption methods. In a conventional hybrid encryption method, an asymmetrical encryption is combined with a symmetrical encryption. In this case, a generated session key is firstly asymmetrically encrypted using an asymmetrical encryption method, and buffered. Using a symmetrical encryption method, the user data that is actually to be transmitted is then encrypted using the generated unencrypted session key and following buffering is transported over the transmission channel to a receiver. Decryption occurs accordingly on the part of the receiver. The use of a hybrid encryption method means that, firstly, the user data are encrypted using an asymmetrical encryption method, where this allows asymmetrical key management, and, secondly, the high performance and the low demands on the computing power for encryption and decryption of the user data, due to the symmetrical encryption method used, are utilized. The asymmetrical key management uses key pairs which consist of a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. Owing to the asymmetrical key management the public key, which is used in the asymmetrical encryption method, does not need to be kept secret. The use of the symmetrical encryption and decryption method for the user data leads to increased data rates in comparison to asymmetrical encryption methods with a comparable security level of the key lengths used.
In conventional hybrid encryption methods, the public key portion of the hybrid encryption method represents a performance bottleneck in many practical applications. This applies in particular in the case of software implementations of cryptographic methods, such as in the case of embedded systems, microcontrollers and smart cards. For this reason in conventional systems, which use hybrid encryption methods, special hardware, such as long-number arithmetic logic units, crypto processors or hardware multipliers, is used in many cases to accelerate the public key calculations or asymmetrical encryption and decryption. The public key operations or calculation steps performed during the course of asymmetrical encryption and decryption are complex and require high computing power and are time consuming.

Method and system for the accelerated decryption of cryptographically protected user data units