A ROM stores density conversion tables appropriate for a present apparatus to execute recording and standard density conversion tables. As a command is entered on a control panel, a CPU sets the optimum density conversion table in a RAM and again converts image data of 256 levels of gradation for a density adjustment. Resultant image data undergoes false halftone processing in an error diffusion circuit and is transmitted to the present apparatus or a destination recorder. When the record characteristic of the destination recorder is unknown, the standard density conversion table is used, so that no large difference occurs for recording.

This invention relates to an image information processing system in which recording or displaying changes depending on the display or record characteristics of the display destination as in a workstation, etc., connected to a network to which facsimile machines and printers are connected, and in particular to an image information processing system which enables good images to be displayed or recorded independently of such display or record characteristics.
If an image information processing system for recording monochrome binary image data, typified by a facsimile machine, binarizes read image information simply, it cannot reproduce a delicate tone of a halftone image such as a photograph although it can reproduce good line drawings. Then, hitherto, false halftone processing of artificially reproducing halftone, such as a dithering method or an error diffusion method, has been adopted if such an image information processing system needs to reproduce halftone. In the false halftone processing, light and shade are produced according to the occupation percentage of black pixels in a unit area; this is referred to as area gradation representation.
FIG. 16 represents the density of each unit pixel of an original document at 256 levels. An arrow 101 indicates a horizontal scanning direction as a placement direction of an image sensor (not shown) for an original document 102 and an arrow 103 orthogonal to the direction indicates a vertical scanning direction. The unit pixels correspond to record elements in the minimum units for display (the term "display" simply mentioned in the specification contains recording by a recorder as well as displaying on a display, but only recording by the recorder will be hereinafter referred to as record(ing) in principle.)
FIG. 17 represents one example of threshold values of a dither matrix. In the example, the dither matrix 110 has an 8.times.8 matrix structure in which 64 threshold values are set in total.
FIG. 18 represents a part of image data resulting from binarizing the image information of the maniscript shown in FIG. 16 using the dither matrix shown in FIG. 17. The image data 120 corresponds to data provided by putting the dither matrix 110 shown in FIG. 17 on the 8.times.8 unit pixel area in the upper left corner of the original document 102 in FIG. 16 and binarizing the densities of the unit pixels with the corresponding threshold values in the dither matrix 110. For example, for the unit pixel in the upper left corner, the image information density 67 and the threshold value in the dither matrix 110 corresponding thereto is 0, thus the unit pixel is converted into a black unit pixel 121. For the unit pixel 122 horizontally adjacent to the unit pixel 121, the image information density is 71 and the threshold value in the dither matrix 110 corresponding thereto is 128, thus the unit pixel is converted into white. Other pixel units are processed in a similar manner.
FIG. 19 shows an example of an error diffusion process pattern. In the error diffusion process pattern 130 in the figure, the unit pixel indicated by X is the current unit pixel 131 to be processed. The threshold density level is 128, a half of 256 gradations.
FIG. 20 represents a part of image data resulting from binarizing the image information of the original document shown in FIG. 16 using the error diffusion process pattern shown in FIG. 19. In the error diffusion technique, the current unit pixel 131 scans starting at the upper left corner of the original document 102 (FIG. 16) in order and binarization is performed to generate image data 140. First, for the unit pixel 141 in the upper left corner of the original document 102 shown in FIG. 16, binarization of density 67 with threshold value 128 is executed, resulting in a white pixel.
Since the density of the white pixel is 0 at the recording time, an error corresponding to density 67 occurs. Then, the error is distributed to the pixel units in the process pattern 130. At a 1/8 distribution place, 8.4 density occurs and at a 3/8 distribution place adjacent to the 1/8 distribution place, a 25.1 density error occurs. Likewise, the process pattern 130 moves on the original document 102 in such a manner that the respective unit pixels are scanned for each line in order, and binarization processing of the pixel units is performed. In the error diffusion technique, binarization is executed while occurring errors are added, thus finally no density error occurs.
By the way, FIGS. 18 and 20 assume that the black or white pixels in image data 120, 140 are rectangles of the same size and are placed with no gaps. However, the size of each unit pixel at the recording time varies from one recorder to another because of the recording system difference, etc., under the present circumstances.
FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate how image data provided by false halftone processing as shown in FIG. 18 or 20 is recorded by a recorder in different densities. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the size of a record dot 151 indicated by a black dot (.circle-solid.) is smaller than that of a unit pixel, in which case the black occupation area when area gradation representation is applied decreases relatively, thus the image is represented as a low-density image as a whole. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the black dot occupation percentage is about 17% and corresponds to the gradation of the eleventh level in 64 levels.
In contrast, in the example shown in FIG. 22, the size of a record dot 161 is larger than that of a unit pixel, in which case the black occupation area when area gradation representation is applied increases relatively, thus the image is represented as a high-density image as a whole. In the example shown in FIG. 22, the black occupation percentage becomes about 38% and corresponds to the gradation of the 24th level in 64 levels. Generally, laser printers tend to provide larger black dot diameters as shown in FIG. 22.
Even if the image data is subjected to the same false halftone process, if it is recorded by different recorders, it is represented at different densities; the image of the image data recorded by one recorder is represented almost in white and the image of the same image data recorded by another recorder is represented almost in black.
When the copy function of a facsimile machine is positively used or reading and recording of an image is performed by a single machine like a copier, of course, adjustments of threshold values in a dither pattern, for example, as shown in FIG. 17 can be carried out individually in response to the record characteristics of the recorder of the machine. Therefore, if such an image information processing apparatus comprises a recorder wherein there is a fear that the density may become low as a whole as shown in FIG. 21, for example, the threshold values are preset low, whereby the threshold level at binarization can be lowered and the whole density level can be enhanced. In contrast, if the image information processing system comprises a recorder wherein there is a fear that the density may become high as a whole as shown in FIG. 22, for example, the threshold values are preset high, whereby the threshold level at binarization can be raised and the whole density level can also be lowered.
However, for example, a present apparatus may read image information and send it to a recorder of another apparatus for recording the image information. Typically, image information read by one facsimile machine is sent to another facsimile machine for reproducing an image. In such a case, if compatibility between the two machines is poor, the image information reproduced by the receiving image information processing apparatus may become considerably dark or pale.
For example, the present apparatus may record with comparatively small record dots as shown in FIG. 21. In such a case, the present apparatus lowers the threshold level and intentionally increases the black area occupation percentage so that the density of the original document 102 as shown in FIG. 16 is reproduced intact. However, when the apparatus thus changing the threshold level and binarizing data sends the resultant image data to another image information processing apparatus, if the recorder of the receiving image information processing apparatus has a record characteristic as shown in FIG. 22, the image data processed darkly is recorded furthermore darkly.
In contrast, it is assumed that there is an image information processing apparatus comprising a recorder having a record characteristic as shown in FIG. 22. This image information processing apparatus reads an original document 102, processes an image slightly palely, and records the resultant image by a recorder of the apparatus, thereby adjusting the image density. However, assuming that image data prepared by such an image information processing apparatus is binarized and then the resultant data is sent to a recorder having a record characteristic as shown in FIG. 21, the image data processed somewhat palely in dithering is used to perform image reproduction processing palely more and more, thus the image is represented excessively palely.
In any case, the number of gradations of an image that can be reproduced is decreased and the image quality is degraded. For example, if optimization is executed in the recorder having the record characteristic as shown in FIG. 21, about 24 black record dots are required to output the 16th gradation. When image data in the state is transmitted to the recorder having the record characteristic shown in FIG. 22, the 36th gradation is recorded and a low density cannot be reproduced.


A computer-implemented method includes receiving a neural network model that includes a tensor operation, and dividing the tensor operation into sub-operations. The sub-operations includes at least two sub-operations that have no data dependency between the two sub-operations. The computer-implemented method further includes assigning a first sub-operation in the two sub-operations to a first computing engine, assigning a second sub-operation in the two sub-operations to a second computing engine, and generating instructions for performing, in parallel, the first sub-operation by the first computing engine and the second sub-operation by the second computing engine. An inference is then made based on a result of the first sub-operation, a result of the second sub-operation, or both. The first computing engine and the second computing engine are in a same integrated circuit device or in two different integrated circuit devices.

Artificial neural networks are computing systems with an architecture based on biological neural networks. Artificial neural networks can be trained using training data to learn how to perform a certain task, such as identifying or classifying physical objects, activities, characters, etc., from images or videos. An artificial neural network may include multiple layers of processing nodes. Each processing node on a layer can perform computations on input data generated by processing nodes on the preceding layer to generate output data. For example, a processing node may perform a set of arithmetic operations such as multiplications and additions to generate an intermediate output, or perform post-processing operations on the intermediate output.
A complex artificial neural network, such as a deep neural network, may include thousands or more of processing nodes and millions or more of parameters, and thus each inference may include massive computation. For example, in a ResNet-50 neural network, each inference may include about 8-billion arithmetic operations. Thus, the latency for making an inference may be long because the integrated circuits for implementing the neural network may include limited resources such that many operations (e.g., convolution or other tensor operations) may need to be performed in a serial fashion.

Dynamic processing element array expansion


An objective is to provide an information processing device that can be started up stably, and an information processing method. A configuration execution unit of an information processing device writes configuration data into an FPGA. A clock signal monitoring unit detects whether a clock signal supplied from a CPU to the FPGA is stable or not, on condition that a configuration is complete. A startup processing unit starts up the CPU and the FPGA on condition that the clock signal is stable.

To start up a system including an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) and a CPU (central processing unit), a configuration is performed first. That is, the FPGA reads out circuit information from a ROM (read-only memory) and configures a logic circuit inside the FPGA. After the configuration is completed, a wait signal to the CPU is cancelled and the CPU is started up.

Information processing device and information processing method


Disclosed is a head drum assembly of the video cassette recorder providing a lower drum, a motor which is mounted at the lower drum, ant upper drum rotating by the motor, a rotary transformer which is installed between the lower drum and the upper drum, and a plurality of head bases having one or more heads for reproducing the video signals from a magnetic tap and being integrally formed with the rotary transformer. The head bases and the rotary transformer are formed as one body by an insert molding. Advantages of the present invention are that assembling of the head assembly is easy, productivity is increased, and the manufacturing cost thereof is reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video cassette recorder (hereinafter, referred to as "VCR"), and more particularly to a head cassette assembly for a video cassette recorder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, a video cassette recorder is an apparatus for recording image and audio signs onto a magnetic tape and for reproducing the signals from the magnetic tape on which the signals are recorded. The video cassette reorder is provided with a main base, a driving system mounted on the main base for drawing the tape from a cartridge and for running the tape around the outer surface of the head drum accord to a predetermined route, and a head drum assembly for recording the video signals onto the tape and for reproducing the video signals from the tape on which the signals are recorded.
The head drum assembly includes an upper drum having a head for recording the video signals on the tape and for reproducing the video signals from the tape on which the video signals is recorded, and a lower drum which is positioned below the upper drum and is provided with a motor for rotating the upper drum. While the upper drum is rotated by the motor, the head records the video signals onto the tape and reproduces the video signals from the tape on which the video signals are recorded.
Generally, a rotary transformer for transmitting the video signals which are recorded/reproduced onto/from the tape to art external device is arranged in the lower drum. U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,426 (issued to Keum-Mo Kim on Dec. 3, 1996, entitled "Upper Head Drum Assembly including at least one Nut Cap" and assigned to the assignee of the present application) discloses one example of a head drum assembly.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional head drum assembly 100 which is similar to the head drum assembly disclosed in the above U.S. patent. As illustrated in the figure, the head drum assembly 100 is provided with a lower dram 120 fixed on the main base (not shown) and an upper drum 110 mounted on the lower drum 120. The upper drum 110 has head bases 112 at a lower surface thereof, and each of the head bases 112 has a magnetic head 114 on an upper surface thereof. At the lower surface of the lower drum 120, a motor 130 for generating the rotational force is installed, and a shaft 140 which transmits the rotational force of the motor 130 to the upper drum 110 is rotatably inserted into the upper dram 110 and the lower drum 120. A rotary transformer 122 is installed between the upper drum 110 and the lower drum 120. The rotary transformer 122 is provided with a rotor 122a which is connected to the upper drum 110 and is rotated together with the upper drum 110, and a stator 122b which is fixed on an upper portion of the lower drum 120.
The upper drum 110 is fixed by joining screws 111 at a plange 117 which is provided at the shaft 140. The upper drum 110 has second screw holes 116b for controlling the level of the head base's height, and has first screw holes 118b which penetrate from an outer surface to a lower surface of the upper drum 110 for joining the head bases 112 with the upper drum 110. The head bases 112 and the rotary transformer 122 are spaced apart from each other.
The plurality of the head bases 112 are fixed at the lower surface of the upper drum 110 by screwing the joining screws 118a into first screw holes 118b, and each of the heads 114 is attached to the upper surface of each of the head bases 112. The heads 114 record the video signals onto the tape and reproduce the video signals from the tape on which the video signals are recorded while the magnetic head are rotated together with the upper drum 110. The magnetic beads 114 are arranged at the upper drum 110 by a regular interval, desirably 180.degree., for recording and reproducing the video signals onto and from the track formed on the tape. The heights of the heads 114 are controlled by fixing screws 116a and the fixing screws 116a are inserted through the second holes 116b of the upper drum 110. The rotary transformer 122 transmits the video signals from the head 114 to an external device and/or from the external device to the head 114. The rotor 122a of the rotary transformer 122 is electrically connected to the head 114 by an electric wire 115.
The video signals reproduced by the heads 114 are transmitted to the external device via the stator 122b of the rotary transformer 122 from the rotor 122a of the rotary transformer 122 by an induction between the rotor 122a of the rotary transformer 122 and the stator 122b of the rotary transformer 122. Alternatively, the rotary transformer 122 transmits the video signals which are transmitted from the external device to the head 114 via the rotor 122a of the rotary transformer 122 from the stator 122b of the rotary transformer 122 by an induction between the rotor 122a of the rotary transformer 122 and tie stator 122b of the rotary transformer 122.
Accordingly, the heads 114 are electrically connected with an external device, for example an amplifier etc, while the heads 114 rotate together with the upper drum 110. However, in the conventional head drum assembly, each of head bases 112 has to be fixed to the upper drum 110, and thus the height of each of the treads 114 should be controlled independently. Therefore, as the number of the heads 114 increases, the time required for controlling the heights of the head bases 112 and for fixing the head bases 112 to the upper drum also increases. In addition, if the number of heads 114 increase, the cost of producing the head drum assembly also increases.

Head drum assembly of a video cassette recorder


A display panel and a display apparatus are provided. The display panel includes pixel circuits in a display region, a light-emitting device, and signal lines. The pixel circuits are electrically connected to the light-emitting devices, and the signal lines are electrically connected to the pixel circuits. The signal lines include constant voltage signal lines extending in a first direction and connected to a constant voltage terminal. The display region includes a first display region and a second display region. The constant voltage signal lines include first constant voltage signal lines located in the first display region and second constant voltage signal lines located in the second display region. A distance between two adjacent first constant voltage signal lines in the first display region is D1, and a distance between two adjacent second constant voltage signal lines in the second display region is D2, where D1≥D2.

In an electronic product, such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, a front camera, an infrared sensing element, and other photosensitive devices occupy space on the front of the product, affecting a screen-to-body ratio. With introduction of a full screen in the display field, major manufacturers are endeavoring to research in the full-screen field. It is commonly acknowledged that an under-screen photosensitive device solution is a favorable solution in which a true full screen can be implemented. For example, in an under-screen camera solution, a camera is disposed below a display region of a display screen, and the camera does not occupy space of a non-display region on the front of the electronic product. During application, a position of the camera can be displayed normally, and the camera receives light passing through the display screen for imaging. A display panel applied in the under-screen photosensitive device solution needs to be specially designed, so that light transmittance in a display region corresponding to a photosensitive device meets requirements.

WuHan TianMa Micro-electronics CO., LTD.


The invention provides novel tumor suppressor genes, methods for making and using these and related tumor suppressor genes and proteins and peptides, and nucleic acids encoding these and related tumor suppressor proteins and peptides.

Many cancers originate and progress by accumulating mutations in one or more genes. Such mutations which result in cancer formation can be in proto-oncogenes or in tumor supressor genes. Mutations in tumor supressor genes result in loss of function, and therefore act in a recessive fashion to wild-type genes. Oncogenes, in contrast, act in dominant fashion to wild-type alleles and, therefore, are not usually inherited through the germ lines. The tumor supressor genes, however, are found in inherited predispositions to cancer and are inherited as a dominant predisposition because of the high frequency of a second genetic event such as reduction in homozygosity[1].
Several tumor supressor genes have been identified. Examples include the Rb gene, which is involved in retinoblastoma and osteosarcoma; p53, which is involved in osteosarcoma and adrenocortical, breast and brain cancers; WT-1, which is involved in Wilms' tumor, nephroblastoma and neurofibromatosis; adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), which is involved in adenomatous polyposis; and deleted colorectal cancer (DCC), which is involved with a somatic mutation in the colon.
The negative regulation of cell growth is affected by tumor supressor proteins that regulate the cell cycle by different mechanisms[2]. The gene cloned and sequenced as described herein, p33.sup.IG1, represents a new tumor suppressor gene which is expressed in normal mammary epithelial cells, but expressed only at lower levels in several cancerous mammary epithelial cell lines.
Known applications of sequenced genes include use of the DNA sequence (or analogs thereof) or of RNA or amino acid sequences derived from these DNA sequences for diagnosis or treatment of the corresponding disease. Accordingly, p33.sup.IG1 is useful for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

DNA sequence encoding a tumor suppressor gene

University Technologies International Inc.


Disclosed is a method and a system for automatically managing probe mark shifts. A determination is made from test data as to whether a die on a wafer is defective. A probe mark check on the wafer is made to determine whether a probe mark is shifted. Necessary recovery action is performed in response to the probe mark being shifted. In the probe mark check, a plurality of probe mark positions are selected from the test data. A determination is then made as to whether at least one of the plurality of probe mark positions violates an engineering rule.

The present disclosure relates in general to integrated circuit manufacturing technology, and more particularly, to probe mark shifts in the integrated circuit manufacturing technology. The present disclosure also relates to a method and system for automatically managing probe mark shifts.
In integrated circuit manufacturing technology, testing is a final step for detecting defects generated during the integrated circuit fabrication process and determining the root causes of these defects. Prior to the packaging process, circuit probe testing is performed among the wafers to verify that each die meets product specifications. To ensure that circuit probes are correctly aligned, probe mark inspections may be performed to determine whether probe mark shifts occur. Probe mark shifts involve shifting of a probe mark on a pad, which indicates that the probe mark had exceeded the pad's safe scope. Currently, probe mark inspections are performed by operators, who inspect the wafers using a microscope. Another way probe mark shifts may be detected is based on customer complaints. When a complaint occurs, engineers analyze the log history of the probing tool and determine when a probe shift occurs and to what extent the dies are impacted.
With probe mark inspections being performed by operators, human errors may be introduced in the process, which affects test quality. In addition, test cycle time and yield is impacted. Detection of probe mark shifts based on the customer complaints also affects the overall service quality of the manufacturer and the need for operators and engineers increase the cost of production. As a result, the time to market, scrap ratio, and product quality are impacted. Therefore, a need exists for a method and system that automatically manage probe mark shifts and take corrective action, such that customer service quality may be improved.

Method and system for automatically managing probe mark shifts

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


Methods and apparatus provide for: a semiconductor wafer; at least one porous layer in the semiconductor wafer; an epitaxial semiconductor layer directly or indirectly on the porous layer; and a glass substrate bonded to the epitaxial semiconductor layer via electrolysis.

The present invention relates to semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) structures and methods for making same.
To date, the semiconductor material most commonly used in semiconductor-on-insulator structures has been silicon. Such structures have been referred to in the literature as silicon-on-insulator structures and the abbreviation "SOI" has been applied to such structures. Silicon-on-insulator technology is becoming increasingly important for high performance thin film transistors, solar cells, and displays, such as, active matrix displays. Silicon-on-insulator wafers consist of a thin layer of substantially single crystal silicon (generally 0.1-0.3 microns in thickness but, in some cases, as thick as 5 microns) on an insulating material.
For ease of presentation, the following discussion will at times be in terms of silicon-on-insulator structures. The references to this particular type of semiconductor-on-insulator structure are made to facilitate the explanation of the invention and are not intended to, and should not be interpreted as, limiting the invention's scope in any way. The SOI abbreviation is used herein to refer to semiconductor-on-insulator structures in general, including, but not limited to, silicon-on-insulator structures. Similarly, the SOG abbreviation is used to refer to semiconductor-on-glass structures in general, including, but not limited to, silicon-on-glass structures. The SOG nomenclature is also intended to include semiconductor-on-glass-ceramic structures, including, but not limited to, silicon-on-glass-ceramic structures. The abbreviation SOI encompasses SOG structures.
Various ways of obtaining SOI structures wafer include epitaxial growth of Si on lattice matched substrates. An alternative process includes the bonding of a single crystal silicon wafer to another silicon wafer on which an oxide layer of SiO2 has been grown, followed by polishing or etching of the top wafer down to, for example, a 0.1 to 0.3 micron layer of single crystal silicon. Further methods include ion-implantation methods in which either hydrogen or oxygen ions are implanted either to form a buried oxide layer in the silicon wafer topped by Si in the case of oxygen ion implantation or to separate (exfoliate) a thin Si layer to bond to another Si wafer with an oxide layer as in the case of hydrogen ion implantation.
The former two methods have not resulted in satisfactory structures in terms of cost and/or bond strength and durability. The latter method involving hydrogen ion implantation has received some attention and has been considered advantageous over the former methods because the implantation energies required are less than 50% of that of oxygen ion implants and the dosage required is two orders of magnitude lower.
Exfoliation by the hydrogen ion implantation method typically consists of the following steps. A thermal oxide layer is grown on a single crystal silicon wafer. Hydrogen ions are then implanted into this wafer to generate subsurface flaws. The implantation energy determines the depth at which the flaws are generated and the dosage determines flaw density. This wafer is then placed into contact with another silicon wafer (the support substrate) at room temperature to form a tentative bond. The wafers are then heat-treated to about 600 degrees C. to cause growth of the subsurface flaws for use in separating a thin layer of silicon from the Si wafer. The resulting assembly is then heated to a temperature above 1,000 degrees C. to fully bond the Si film with SiO2 underlayer to the support substrate, i.e., the unimplanted Si wafer. This process thus forms an SOI structure with a thin film of silicon bonded to another silicon wafer with an oxide insulator layer in between.
Cost is an important consideration for commercial applications of SOI structures. To date, a major part of the cost of the above-described method and structure has been the cost of the silicon wafer which supports the oxide layer, topped by the Si thin film, i.e., a major part of the cost has been the support substrate. Although the use of quartz as a support substrate has been mentioned in various patents (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,140,209 6,211,041, 6,309,950, 6,323,108, 6,335,231, and 6,391,740), quartz is itself a relatively expensive material. In discussing support substrates, some of the above references have mentioned quartz glass, glass, and glass-ceramics. Other support substrate materials listed in these references include diamond, sapphire, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, ceramics, metals, and plastics.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,564 discloses a process to obtain a single crystal silicon film on a substrate using a thermal process. A semiconductor material wafer having a planar face is subject to the following steps: (i) implantation by bombardment of a face of the wafer by means of ions creating a layer of gaseous micro-bubbles defining a lower region constituting the mass of the substrate and an upper region constituting the thin film; (ii) contacting the planar face of the wafer with a stiffener constituted by at least one rigid material layer; and (iii) a third stage of heat treating the assembly of the wafer and the stiffener at a temperature above that at which the ion bombardment was carried out and sufficient to create a pressure effect in the micro-bubbles and a separation between the thin film and the mass of the substrate. Due to the high temperature steps, this process does not work with lower cost glass or glass-ceramic substrates.
U.S. Patent Application No.: 2004/0229444 discloses a process that produces a SOG structure. The steps include: (i) exposing a silicon wafer surface to hydrogen ion implantation to create a bonding surface; (ii) bringing the bonding surface of the wafer into contact with a glass substrate; (iii) applying pressure, temperature and voltage to the wafer and the glass substrate to facilitate bonding therebetween; and (iv) cooling the structure to a common temperature to facilitate separation of the glass substrate and a thin layer of silicon from the silicon wafer. While this process has significant advantages over the other methods in the art, the ion implantation step introduces what may be significant costs into the process.
It has bee discovered, however, that a more economical approach to producing known and novel SOI structures may be achieved according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Glass-based semiconductor on insulator structures and methods of making same


A computer subsystem of a computer includes a CPU, RAM, display, storage device, input device(s), and a digital-audio generating IC. A CD-ROM subsystem of the computer includes a CD-ROM drive and CD-ROM control buttons for controlling CD-ROM drivers operation while playing audio CDs. An audio-interface IC of the CD-ROM subsystem couples a bus of the computer subsystem to the CD-ROM drive, and to the control buttons. The audio-interface IC, in one operating mode, relays commands and data between the bus and the CD-ROM drive. A second operating mode permits turning the computer subsystem off while the audio-interface IC autonomously responds to the control buttons and transmits commands to the CD-ROM drive for playing an audio CD.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to digital computers and, more particularly, to a digital computer adapted for low power operation while playing a CD-ROM.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Portable computers (i.e., notebook, laptop, palmtop and the like) from major original equipment manufacturers such as Toshiba, Compaq, Dell, IBM and others offer CD-ROM drives as either standard or optional devices. Notebook, laptop, palmtop computers are aimed at the mobile computer user who needs or wants to take work home from the office or on a business trip. An added benefit of CD-ROM equipped portable computers is the opportunity to enjoy periods of relaxation and pleasure by playing audio tracks from standard music CDs. In the ensuing discussion, the term notebook computer will be understood to apply also to laptop, palmtop and other portable, battery powered computers.
The Windows operating system's media player or third party audio application can play back standard audio CDs on a portable computer. However the simple function of playing an integral audio CD-ROM requires that the entire notebook system be powered for the duration of the audio play back. This causes excessive drain on the notebook's battery power system, unnecessarily consuming battery energy better saved for CPU intensive use such as word processing and spreadsheet analysis.
Conventional laptop and notebook computers typically have several power down modes. They can be powered down such that the CPU is almost completely off, with the state of the CPU saved on a hard drive. A very low power portion of the CPU or an auxiliary circuit (e.g. keyboard controller) is typically used to recognize when a key is pressed. The system then reactivates normal power to allow the CPU to retrieve the stored machine state from the hard drive thereby restoring the computer into an operating mode. Some well known power saving modes are called sleep mode, suspend mode and the like.
Consequently, a modern energy efficient computer will, over time, operate in several different power management regimes. For example, if a portable computer is being used in an office environment where electrical power consumption is an insignificant concern, then the computer user may want the computer to provide the highest performance and availability possible. Conversely, if the computer is being operated on battery power where there is no convenient source of electrical energy, then the computer user may want to choose a power management regime for the computer that will maximize the time the computer operates without recharging its batteries, even though performance and availability may be noticeably reduced.
To facilitate controlling electrical power consumption in personal computers, Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, and Toshiba Corporation have jointly established an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface Specification ("ACPI Specification"). The ACPI Specification Revision 1.0 of Dec. 22, 1996, Copyright 1996 Intel Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, establishes both a set of five (5) Global System States G3—Mechanical Off, G2/S5—Soft Off, G1—Sleeping, G0—Working, S4—Non-Volatile Sleep, and a set of four (4) Device Power States D0—Fully On, through D3—Off. The ACPI Specification defines the Global System States as follows.                G3 Electrical power is mechanically turned off.        G2/S5 Electrical power is turned on but the computer consumes a minimal amount of power by not executing either user or system computer programs, and the system's context is not preserved by hardware.        G1 Electrical power is turned on, the system's context is preserved by hardware or system software, but user computer programs are not being executed.        G0 Electrical power is turned on and user computer programs are executed. In the G0 state, devices such as hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives, floppy diskette drives, etc are dynamically turned on and off as needed.        S4 Electrical power may either be turned off, i.e. Global State G3, or turned on with the computer consuming a minimal amount of power, i.e. Global State G2/S5, while system context is preserved in a non-volatile storage file before entering either the G3 or G2/S5 state, thereby permitting the computer to be restored to its prior operating state, i.e. G1 or G0.
The ACPI Specification further defines Device Power States as follows.                D0 The device is completely active and responsive, and consumes the most electrical power.        D1 A lower power state that is defined for different types of devices which preserves more device context than the yet lower power state D2.        D2 An even lower power state than D1 that is again defined f or different types of devices, and which preserves less device context than state D1.        D3 Electrical power is fully removed from the device, device context is lost, and system software must reinitialize the device when it is turned on again.
The different computer operating modes and associated power management regimes described above are each characterized by a unique power demand (i.e., current drain) from the battery power supply. This is an important feature both in design of portable computer systems, and in marketing them as well. Great attention is focused on minimizing the power demand for each of the different Global and Device operating modes. Thus, the power demand characterizing each power management regime is a critical factor to be considered for portable computers, particularly one that includes a CD-ROM drive for playing audio CDs.
In implementing conventional computer power management strategies, a power management routine ("PMR") executed by the CPU must periodically monitor peripheral devices to assess whether a peripheral device's operation may be suspended. Similarly, if it becomes necessary to access a peripheral device whose operation has been suspended such as in Device Power modes D1–D3, the PMR must resume that peripheral device's operation. Generally, suspending the operation of a peripheral device and resuming its operation respectively require that the PMR executed by the CPU perform a unique sequence of operations in turning off electrical power to a peripheral device, and in turning electrical power back on. Writing a computer program that detects a need to execute a power-on or a power-off sequence of operations for a peripheral device is a cumbersome task.
Previous portable computers that include a CD-ROM use PMR functions to minimize battery drain. However, if CPU operation has been suspended to save electrical power, the computer can essentially do nothing. Therefore, in the minimal power drain mode, the CPU cannot use the windows operating system's media player or third party audio application to play audio CDs.
A significant power drain in portable computers occurs in the conventional LCD monitor. Typically, 60 to 70% of the power consumed by a notebook is consumed by the display. Thus even if a computer's devices, including even perhaps the CPU, were in a lower power state, i.e., one of the lower Device Power States D1–D3 for power savings during CD-ROM play only, the need to use the normal LCD to display CD-ROM status and the music playing status would itself impede significantly reducing power consumption.
For the reasons described above, it is apparent that a disadvantage of present portable computers for playing audio CDs is that some portion of the computer system must remain energized state to detect key actuation and then to restore power or activate a power restore function of the CPU and associated peripherals (e.g. hard drive, keyboard controller, display, etc.). At times when a portable computer is being used during travel, or when line power is otherwise unavailable, the user may wish to play some audio CDs. Given the limited battery life of most portables, e.g., 3 to 5 hours of use, the user may have to choose to forego using the CD-ROM capability for very long, out of fear that the notebook will not be functional for needed work or communication.

Low power CD-ROM player with CD-ROM subsystem for portable computer capable of isolating digital computer bus from CD-ROM drive


In one aspect, described herein are ultrathin films comprising an azlactone functionalized polymer and a primary amine functionalized polymer. Also described herein are ultrathin films including reactive, nonreactive, partially reactive/nonreactive, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and mixed hydrophobic/hydrophilic ultrathin films. In another aspect, described herein are methods for making surface attached and freestanding ultrathin films.

This invention is in the field of thin and ultrathin polymeric films. This invention relates generally to layer-by-layer assembly of ultrathin and reactive ultrathin films from polymeric materials.
Methods that permit the deposition or assembly of reactive polymer films on topologically complex substrates are useful for the patterning or chemical modification of surfaces of interest in a broad range of applications. Aqueous methods for the layer-by-layer deposition of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes on surfaces are used widely for the bottom-up assembly of nanostructured polymer films. These methods generally take advantage of multivalent weak interactions (e.g., electrostatic or hydrogen bonding interactions) between polyelectrolytes and oppositely charged surfaces and allow precise control over the thicknesses, compositions, and morphologies of thin films fabricated from a broad range of water soluble polymers. The stability of the resulting multilayered assemblies depends, in general, upon the nature of the multivalent interactions within the films and the extent to which these interactions can be disrupted by changes in environmental conditions (e.g., pH or ionic strength). It has been demonstrated that it is possible to enhance the stability of these supramolecular assemblies or modify their physical properties by chemically crosslinking the polyelectrolyte components of these films post fabrication.
Azlactone functionalized monomer and polymers are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,304,705; 5,081,197; 5,091,489 and 5,039,813 disclose azlactone functionalized monomers and synthetic methods for making azlactone monomers. Methods of making azlactone functionalized polymers from azlactone functionalized monomers are disclosed, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,358. Azlactone functionalized copolymers are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,933. The disclosure of these Patents are herein incorporated by reference.

Covalent assembly of ultrathin polymeric films


A transmitting device, a receiving device, and a communication method for transmitting and receiving data modulated on frequency subcarriers of an OFDM communication system. An OFDM burst includes a preamble part and payload data part, whereby the preamble includes a section of pilot symbols mapped onto every n-th frequency subcarrier and signaling data mapped onto the frequency subcarriers between the frequency subcarriers with the pilot symbols. A first channel estimation on the basis of the received pilot symbols is performed, the result of which is used to reconstruct the entire section of the received preamble as a training pattern for an accurate channel estimation, which is used for a channel equalization of the received payload part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transmitting device, to a receiving device and to a communication method for transmitting and receiving signals modulated on frequency subcarriers of an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) communication system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In bi-directional burst-oriented digital communication systems there is the need to synchronize a receiving device to a data burst coming from a transmitting device. This is true for wired as well as wireless communication systems. Generally, in order to perform signal detection, AGC (Automatic Gain Control) adjustment, frequency offset estimation, timing synchronization and channel equalization on the receiving side, preambles are used. A preamble is inserted either just before the payload data part of a burst or in the middle of a burst by a transmitting device and is processed on the receiving side in order to perform the mentioned functions.
In current burst oriented digital communication systems, in which a preamble is inserted just before the payload data part, the preamble can roughly be divided in three sections. The first section comprises information or symbols which are used on the receiving side for signal detection and automatic gain control as well as a coarse frequency and timing estimation. The second section comprises symbols and information used on the receiving side for channel estimation, fine frequency offset estimation and timing synchronization. The third section comprises information and symbols relating to additional signaling information such as the used modulation scheme, the packet length, service information and so forth. In OFDM communication systems, in which data or symbols are modulated on frequency subcarriers, the first section usually comprises some kind of auto-correlation pattern, i.e. pilot symbols which are modulated onto the frequency subcarriers, for example, sequences like CAZAC (Constant Amplitude Zero Auto-Correlation) are used. Hereby, the sequences with the pilot symbols are spread over the frequency subcarriers of an OFDM symbol, whereby all carriers in between the two modulated carriers with the pilot symbols are set to zero. The idea of these special pilot patterns is to get suited correlation patterns with high correlation maximums in order to achieve a first and coarse synchronization.
The automatic gain control information is usually placed before the auto-correlation pattern. In the second section, known OFDM symbols, i.e. training sequences or pilot patterns which are known to the receiver, are mapped onto the frequency subcarriers which allow a channel equalization as well as a fine frequency and timing synchronization. The third section comprising the additional signaling data, the specific content of which basically depends on the MAC (Media Access Control) architecture.
The general problem with preambles is that with increasing preamble length, i.e. increasing length of the various training and correlation patterns, the synchronization and channel estimation probability and liability gets better, on the other hand, the overall data throughput decreases since the ratio between the transmitted preamble data and the transmitted payload data is getting larger. Particularly, in a communication network with many active nodes and therefore a high number of data exchanges with many preambles, long preambles cause a significant decrease of the effective data rate.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a transmitting device, a receiving device and a communication method for transmitting and receiving signals modulated on frequency subcarriers of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing communication system, whereby bursts comprising a preamble part and a payload part are transmitted, in which the preamble part is as short as possible while still guaranteeing the secure synchronization on the receiving side.
The above object is achieved by a transmitting device for transmitting signals modulated on frequency subcarriers of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication system according to claim 1. The transmitting device according to the present invention is adapted to transmit OFDM bursts comprising a preamble part and a payload data part and comprises preamble generating means adapted to generate said preamble part with a section consisting of pilot symbols mapped onto every n-th frequency subcarrier and signaling data mapped onto the frequency subcarriers between frequency subcarriers with the pilot symbols. Hereby, n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . .
Advantageously, the pilot symbols form a cross-correlation pattern. In other words, the pilot symbols are known to the receiving side. Further advantageously, the preamble generating means modulates the signaling data of the mentioned section of the preamble part with a robust modulation scheme. Hereby, the robust modulation scheme is a modulation scheme in which symbols to be transmitted or mapped onto 2 or 4 constellation points of the modulation scheme. For example, the robust modulation scheme may be a BPSK or a QPSK modulation scheme. Alternatively, higher constellations with e.g. 8, 16, 32 or more constellation points can be used if the channel characteristics are good enough. Further advantageously, the preamble generating means provides the signaling data with a forward error correction in order to increase the probability of a correct decision at the decoder on the receiving side. Advantageously, the transmitting device of the present invention and its elements are adapted to transmit signals in a powerline communication system.
An example for such a forward error correction is the Viterbi code.
The above object is further achieved by a receiving device for receiving signals modulated on frequency subcarriers of an OFDM communication system according to claim 7. The receiving device according to the present invention is adapted to receive OFDM bursts comprising a preamble part and a payload data part, said preamble part comprising a section with pilot symbols mapped onto every n-th frequency subcarrier (n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . ) and signaling data mapped onto the frequency subcarriers between the frequency subcarriers with the pilot symbols, and comprises channel estimation means adapted to perform a first channel estimation on the basis of said received pilot symbols, the result of which is used to reconstruct the entire section of the received preamble as a training pattern for an accurate channel estimation and first channel equalization means adapted to use the result of the accurate channel estimation for a channel equalization of the received payload part.
Advantageously, the channel estimation means is adapted to perform said accurate channel estimation by comparing the training pattern with the received section of the preamble part. Further advantageously, the first channel estimation result provided by the channel estimation means on the basis of the received pilot symbols is supplied to a second channel equalization means adapted to perform a channel equalization on the received signaling data. Hereby, the equalized signaling data is advantageously used to reconstruct the entire section of the received preamble as said training pattern for said accurate channel estimation.
Advantageously, the receiving device of the present invention and its elements are adapted to receive signals in a powerline communication system.
The above object is further achieved by a communication method for transmitting and receiving signals modulated on frequency subcarriers of an OFDM communication system according to claim 11. In the communication method of the present invention, OFDM bursts comprising a preamble part and a payload data part are transmitted, said preamble part having a section consisting of pilot symbols mapped onto every n-th frequency subcarrier (n=1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . ) and signaling data mapped onto the frequency subcarriers between the frequency subcarriers with the pilot symbols, and whereby a first channel estimation on the basis of the received pilot symbols are performed, the result of which is used to reconstruct the entire section of the received preamble as a training pattern for an accurate channel estimation, which is used for a channel equalization of the received payload part.
Advantageously, the accurate channel estimation is performed by comparing the training pattern with the received section of the preamble part. Further advantageously, the first channel estimation result is used to form a channel equalization on said received signaling data. Hereby, the equalized signaling data is advantageously used to reconstruct the entire section of the received preamble as the training pattern for said accurate channel estimation. The term 'signals' is meant to encompass all kinds of payload data, symbols, information, training patterns, pilot symbols etc. which can be transmitted and received in a wireless or wired communication system.
The present invention bases on the idea to minimize the number of preamble symbols by merging parts of all of the signaling data from the third section of the known preambles into the channel estimation pattern of the second section of the preamble. This is achieved by replacing the training data or pilot symbols in the specific frequency plots (frequency subcarriers) of each of the training symbols with signaling data, preferably in a robust constellation pattern, then deciding the transmitted data pattern after a coarse channel estimation derived from the remaining training pattern and finally re-using the decided data pattern to reconstruct the full training pattern or symbol over all the frequency subcarriers of the section of the preamble. Combining the channel equalization and signaling information in the same section of the preamble significantly shortens the overall preamble length. It is to be noted that the length of the preamble can be made shorter the more stable or static the transmission in a communication channel is. The synchronization in static or quasi-static channels is much easier than in fast-changing transmission channels since the attenuation and the phase shift remain stable over a long period of time so that less synchronization information is necessary. Additionally, a static or quasi-static channel opens possibilities to shorten the preamble since the automatic gain adjustment is much easier than in fast-changing channels. Generally, the present invention is advantageous for static or quasi-static communication channels, as in most wired communication systems, specifically power line communication systems, DSL communication systems and so forth. For example, in a power line communication system, the transmission channels are quasi-static, since except in events like the switching of lights and the plugging or unplugging of devices the channel characteristics remain stable. The same is true for communication systems using the wired telephone network. On the other hand, also wireless communication systems may have quasi-static channel characteristics, such as e.g. WLAN communication systems. The present invention is therefore not restricted to wired communication systems, but can also be applied to wireless communication networks.

Transmitting device, receiving device and communication method for an OFDM communication system with new preamble structure


A particle inspection apparatus includes an irradiation unit configured to apply a light beam onto front and back surfaces of an object to be inspected, first and second detection units configured to detect scattering light from the surfaces, a calculation unit configured to conduct a particle inspection on the surfaces on the basis of outputs from the detection units, and a control unit configured to control the irradiation unit, the detection units, and the calculation unit. The irradiation unit can selectively apply the beam onto the front or back surface. The control unit causes the calculation unit to conduct the particle inspection on the inspection surface on which the light beam is selectively applied, on the basis of outputs made by the detection unit corresponding to simultaneous application and selective application of the light beam.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a particle inspection apparatus that detects a particle adhering to an object to be inspected, for example, an original.
2. Description of the Related Art
In exposure apparatuses, a circuit pattern used to manufacture a device, for example, a semiconductor device such as an IC or an LSI, a CCD, a liquid crystal panel, or a magnetic head (hereinafter generically named a "device") is provided on an original called a reticle or a photomask.
A pellicle serving as a protective cover is attached to an original so as to prevent a particle from adhering onto the original.
In a normal IC manufacturing process, a circuit pattern provided on an original, such as a reticle or a photomask, is transferred onto a resist-coated wafer by an exposure apparatus (stepper or mask aligner).
In this case, if a particle, such as a pattern defect or dust, is present on the original, the particle is also transferred simultaneously. This lowers manufacturing yields of ICs or LSIs.
Particularly when a circuit pattern is repeatedly transferred into multiple regions on a wafer by a step-and-repeat method using a reticle, if one harmful particle is present on the reticle, the particle is transferred onto the entire wafer. As a result, the yields of ICs and LSIs are lowered significantly.
Therefore, it is essential to detect the presence of a particle on the original in the IC manufacturing process. To this end, most exposure apparatuses incorporate particle inspection apparatuses.
A particle inspection apparatus conducts a particle inspection on an inspection region preset on the original around the start of pattern transfer in the exposure apparatus.
A particle inspection apparatus of the related art incorporated in the exposure apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B serving as schematic structural views.
A detection unit 20 includes a semiconductor laser 11, a condenser lens 13, half mirrors 14 and 22, and image sensors 19a and 19b.
The detection unit 20 is driven relative to a reticle 15 by a driving unit (not shown), and can detect a particle 17 over the entire surface of the reticle 15.
Inspection light 12 emitted from the semiconductor laser 11 is shaped into parallel light by the condenser lens 13, and is divided into two inspection light beams 12a and 12b by the half mirror 14. The inspection light beam 12b is then reflected by the half mirror 22.
Further, the inspection light beams 12b is applied onto the reticle 15 serving as an object to be inspected, and a pellicle 16 serving as a protective cover for a circuit pattern 23. The pellicle 16 is held on the reticle 15 by a pellicle frame 21.
When the particle 17 is present in an irradiation region irradiated with the inspection light beam 12b, scattering light 18 is generated and is received by the image sensor 19b provided in the irradiation region, so that the particle 17 is detected.
In the exposure apparatus whose installation space is considerably restricted, the particle inspection apparatus incorporated therein often inspects both a front surface and a back surface of the reticle 15 by using the half mirrors 14 and 22 that divide the inspection light 12 into the inspection light beams 12a and 12b, as in the particle inspection apparatus shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-83752 proposes a surface-state inspection method and a surface-state inspection apparatus in which ranks of particles are reasonably set according to actual properties of the particles, and which eliminate the necessities of cleaning a reticle and of replacing a pellicle and reduces the risk of missing a particle.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-15169 proposes a particle inspection apparatus that can precisely detect a particle, such as dust, adhering to a surface of a reticle or a pellicle, and a semiconductor-device manufacturing method using the inspection apparatus.
FIG. 7A shows a state in which a part 33 of the inspection light beam 12a entering the reticle 15 from an end of the reticle 15 is diffracted by the circuit pattern 23 and is incident as diffracted light 34 on the image sensor 19b.
FIG. 7B shows a state in which the influence of the diffracted light 34 appears in an output 25 from the image sensor 19b.
The part 33 of the inspection light beam 12a enters the reticle 15 from the end, reaches the circuit pattern 23 in a circuit pattern region 24 shown in FIG. 6, and generates the diffracted light 34 from the circuit pattern 23 on a side opposite the incident direction (a lower side of the reticle 15). When the diffracted light 34 enters the image sensor 19b, a particle scattering-light signal 26 and a pattern diffracted-light signal 27 appear in the output 25 of the image sensor 19b, and the diffracted light 34 is erroneously detected as the particle 17.
Intense diffracted light 34 that affects the particle inspection is generated by interference of the diffracted light 34 itself. For this reason, the direction in which interference light of the diffracted light 34 (hereinafter simply referred to as diffracted light) is generated is determined by, for example, the repetition pitch of the circuit pattern 23.
Hence, in the related art, the diffracted light 34 is prevented from entering the image sensor 19b by adjusting the positions of the image sensors 19a and 19b.
However, since the integration density of ICs has been increased and the circuit pattern has been diversified in recent years, it is difficult to avoid all diffracted light 34 by simply adjusting the positions of the image sensors 19a and 19b.
For this reason, the diffracted light 34 sometimes enters the image sensor 19b, and is erroneously detected as the particle 17.
When detection error is caused by the diffracted light 34, the reticle 15 is subjected to a cleaning process. This reduces the operating rate of the exposure apparatus.
While the inspection light beam 12a enters the reticle 15 from an upper end of the reticle 15 in the related art shown in FIG. 7A, the above also applies to cases in which the inspection light beam 12a enters from a front surface of the reticle 15 or a front surface of the pellicle 16.

Particle inspection apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method


A system and method for refreshing memory cells of a memory device includes storing each bit of a B-bit word in a different sub-array of a memory device. Each of the bits is associated with a bit position, and the memory device includes a plurality of sub-arrays. The system and method also include determining a refresh interval for a plurality of the bit positions based upon a relative importance of the plurality of the bit positions to a performance of a machine learning or signal processing task involving the B-bit word. The refresh interval is based upon a fidelity metric and a resource metric. The system and method further include refreshing the plurality of sub-arrays based upon the refresh interval determined for the plurality of bit positions, and dynamically updating the refresh interval for the plurality of bit positions upon receiving a new fidelity metric or a new resource metric.

Applicant provides the following description to assist the understanding of the reader. None of the information provided or references cited is admitted to be prior art.
Memory devices are used in a wide variety of applications for storing data. Depending upon the type of the memory device, data that is stored in those memory modules may need to be periodically refreshed to prevent data loss. However, present day mechanisms to refresh memory devices have limitations due to their configuration and the way they operate.

Granular refresh rate control for memory devices based on bit position


An asynchronous bridge includes a transmission unit and a receiving unit. The transmission unit receives a write valid signal and input data from a master circuit, outputs write addresses increment under control of the write valid signal, sequentially stores the input data in memory cells, as directed by write addresses, and then sequentially outputs the stored input data, as directed by read addresses. The receiving unit receives a read ready signal from a slave circuit, determines whether memory cells are valid, based on the write addresses and the read addresses, and then outputs a read valid signal and the input data, based on the determination.

One or more aspects of the inventive concept relate to an asynchronous bridge, and more particularly, to an asynchronous bridge capable of preventing occurrence of a critical path, a method of operating the asynchronous bridge, and a system on chip (SoC) including the asynchronous bridge.
A SoC is a highly integrated semiconductor technology whereby conventional complicated systems having various functions may be embodied as one system. Research has been actively conducted on development of SoC. in particular, a method of connecting circuits (also referred to herein as "IP") installed in a chip has emerged as a very important issue.
In general, a SoC includes a processor that controls the entire system, and various circuits controlled by the processor. By the term "circuit" we mean, a circuit, a logic unit, or a combination thereof that may be integrated in the SoC. Code may be stored in the circuit or the logic unit, for example.
The circuit may be a central processing unit (CPU); each of cores included in the CPU; a multi-format codec (MFC); a video module, e.g., a camera interface, a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) processor, a video processor, or a mixer; a three-dimensional (3D) graphic core; an audio system; a driver; a display driver; a volatile memory device; a non-volatile memory; a memory controller; a cache memory, or the like.
The circuit may be classified into a slave circuit that is operated only under control of a processor, and a master circuit that may request another slave circuit to establish data communication. in some cases, one circuit may act as both a slave circuit and a master circuit, for example.
Since circuits have different clock frequencies, various clock domains may be used in one SoC. In this case, data should be exchanged between the circuits having different clock domains.


The present disclosure relates to beam training sequence design methods and apparatus. One example method includes generating NT beam training sequences, where each beam training sequence includes a cyclic prefix and (2×N) Golay sequences, each Golay sequence is with a length of L, and the NT beam training sequences are orthogonal to each other, and sending the NT beam training sequences using NT transmit antennas, where each transmit antenna of the NT transmit antennas sends one beam training sequence of the NT beam training sequences.

In beamforming training, one or more antennas are configured between a transmit end and a receive end. A beam training sequence is sent between the transmit end and the receive end for channel estimation on a communication channel between the transmit end and the receive end. Then communication performance of the communication channel is determined by using a result of the channel estimation.
In the beamforming training, different beam training sequences are required to perform beamforming training in different communication channel scenarios (for example, different scenarios that are corresponding to different maximum delay spread of communication channels, different channel bonding quantities, and different quantities of antennas). However, an existing beam training sequence design method is applicable to very limited communication channel scenarios, and cannot satisfy various different communication channel training requirements in communications systems. As a result, the current beam training sequence design method has a limitation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Beam training sequence design method and apparatus


A universal replacement display shelf for refrigerated food cases that may be mounted to food cases having case mounting elements mounted with varying longitudinal spacings for mounting shelves on the food cases. The replacement shelf includes shelf mounting brackets having shelf mounting elements securable to the coacting case mounting elements fixed to the case. The shelf mounting brackets are longitudinally slidable to be adjustably securable to the replacement shelf in accordance with the spacing of the individual food case mounting elements and thereby universally applicable.

This invention relates to an improved Universally Replaceable, Display Shelf for Refrigerated Food Cases as utilized in present day food markets or the like. The principal type of refrigerated food cases under consideration is the open ended type of case that is designed and manufactured to store and display dairy, deli, meat or produce items or frozen foods. These food items are stored on a plurality of shelfs mounted to the food cases and may be readily removed from the shelves of the food cases by the food market's customers or employees without resorting to opening a food case door to obtain access to a desired food item. These refrigerated food cases are largely used by the supermarket industry. The major suppliers of this type of refrigerated food cases design the cases so that the shelves are not interchangeable so that a replacement shelf must be obtained from the specific manufacturer of the food case. The food market's purchasing department, must know the manufacturer of the food case and the specific model of case and the size of the shelf to be replaced to place an order for the desired shelf or shelves.
In present day supermarkets the refrigerated food cases in many of the markets originate from more than one supplier of refrigerated food cases. In fact, some markets have refrigerated food cases which are no longer being manufactured and sold by the original manufacturer, although the manufacturer may still be in the business. Other markets have such refrigerated food cases that have been refurbished resulting in the identification of the manufacturer and/or model number or the like have been either removed from the food case or covered over rendering it illegible. To further complicate the problem of shelf replacement for these food cases is the fact that the supermarket stores grow in number either due to expansion or new construction and/or acquisition of existing stores or an entire supermarket chain, the need to know the manufacturer and model number or type of each refrigerated food case in each individual market creates a larger and larger problem of inventoring the food cases for shelf replacement. Some of the supermarket food chains extend over a wide geographical area and even in multiple states so that a centrally located purchasing department without specific manufacturing information relating to the food cases or cases that require shelves to be replaced is faced with an enormous problem and usually has no inventory listing of the type of food case, etc. nor the time to take a store by store inventory for this purpose. At the present time, there is no known, replaceable shelf for refrigerated food case that can be used to replace the shelves for all the major manufacturers of these food cases without the need for specific manufacture's data on each food case in order to effectively replace these shelves in an efficient and expedient manner.

Universally replaceable display shelf for refrigerated food cases


A method for controlling at least one characteristic of a product of an industrial batch process. The method comprising the steps of creating a hierarchical knowledge tree describing the process. Following the creation of a knowledge tree a learning process occurs. This leads to the creation of a global model. During the execution of a batch process, the global model is applied to dynamically target subsequent phase parameters based on already executed phases.

This invention relates to a performance criteria in general, more particularly, to a system and method for automated process control of stages in articles manufacturing and most specifically to the integration of process control of separate manufacturing stages into a modular structure to yield a comprehensive goal oriented automated process control of the complete production line in a batch manufacturing process. This invention is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/633,824 by Goldman, et al. entitled "Strategic Methods for Process Control" filed Aug. 7, 2000; to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/689,884 by Goldman, et al. entitled "System and Methods for Monitoring Process Quality Control" filed Oct. 13, 2000; and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/731,978 by Goldman, et al. entitled "A Method and Tool for Data Mining in Automatic Decision Making Systems" filed Dec. 8, 2000, all of which are incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
Process control plays a fundamental role in attaining high yield of quality products. Among various process control methods, statistical process control (SPC) is well known. SPC relies on the observation of the deviation of a measurable process output parameter in the process from their statistically predicted distribution (e.g. by more than three standard deviations). SPC reveals trends towards a deterioration of a process as well as temporarily irregularities of parameters of a process.
All the aforementioned techniques suffer from inherent limitations resulting from the fact that their focus is the controlled variable, without linking the parameters, which influence the controlled variable. Thus, these techniques lack the ability to identify the combination of factors in a multi factorial process which is responsible for an observed deviation of an output of a process. Consequently, the process controlled by these methods can't be rectified on the fly, but rather can only be halted until the process engineer finds out the related problem.
To overcome this drawback, Goldman, et al in their patent application Ser. No. 09/689,884 entitled: "System and Method for Monitoring Process Quality Control" (hereinafter the POEM Application), described a method for an advanced process control (APC) which is essentially an on line monitoring and control of process parameters aimed to yield a robust process output having optimum statistical attributes (such as Cp and Cpk).
A modern production line comprises a great number of process stages performed in series by a diversity of manufacturing tools, thus a work piece which consist of an output of a first manufacturing tool is delivered as an input entity to a second manufacturing tool and so on until the product is finally shaped.
Furthermore, the term "manufacturing tool" represents a plurality of units performing the same process on various articles in parallel, e.g. a line of polishing machines in a microelectronic facility, each polishing one wafer at its time in accordance with the peculiar conditions of the machine, or a tool which can handle a plurality of items at once e.g. a diffusion oven which handles tens of wafers in a single run, or a plurality of inner units within a tool.
Until now, no quality control method did try to cope with the challenge that due to the "fact of life" that a production tool is not always tuned and therefore the designed nominal values of a process output carried out by this tool may vary within its tolerances in such a way that the final target will not be achieved. The present invention suggests a corrective action to be taken to "save" final target quality. This is achieved by a trade off mechanism which is based on a judicious combination of the deviating output with one or more other outputs which are deliberately diverted from their initially set target value.
Until now process control methods have been devised to control and optimize an output of a single stage in a multistage manufacturing process, and no attention was paid as to how the controlled parameters of a controlled first process affect an output of a subsequent second controlled process that follows (and functionally relies on the output of) the first stage. In addition, no attention was paid to the impact of subsequent stages output on previous stages outputs, with regard to the optimal values to be set as output targets.
The standard S88 defines hierarchical recipe management and process segmentation frameworks, which separate products from the processes that make them. The standard enables reuse and flexibility of equipment and software, and provides a structure for coordinating and integrating recipe-related information across the traditional ERP, MES, and control domains. S88 recipe control has a significant role in batch processes. Predictive control has been increasingly used in recent years in order to improve industrial processes including batch processes. There are some shortcomings to S88 that require improvement. Such improvements may lead to higher yields or higher average quality. FIG. 1 illustrates a S88 methodology in which three phases of a batch system are executed sequentially without any consideration for the results of other phases.
The S88 control recipe as it is implemented by using the SFC (or PFC) approach does not address data flow within inter-recipe execution. By looking at the SFC (or PFC) one can't tell which data item flows from where to where and what is its influence. Additionally S88 ignores inter recipe changes.
For example, the S88 does not have an in-built solution to compensate for deviations such as when at the end of a certain phase the temperature of the material is different then the target temperature. When this happens most users ignore such changes. The most popular way of dealing with changes is the golden batch approach: aping a process that leads to production of a serendipitously ideal batch.
As a result it is nowadays very difficult to have a global process control, which integrally combines all the various steps in a processes. The present invention fulfills this gap and provides other related advantages as is detailed below.

Method for dynamically targeting a batch process


A method and system for access to information using search engines is provided. A search engine is selected for executing a query based on search engine characteristic information and the query. The characteristic information for each search engine includes information representing searching capabilities of each search engine. Selecting a search engine further involves determining a similarity between the query and the characteristic information for each search engine, and selecting a search engine based on the similarities such that a search engine with the highest similarity may be selected for executing the query and returning search results.

With the proliferation of information available on the Internet and the World Wide Web (the Web), many users utilize the Web for access to desired information. There are multiple search engines, each of which has limitations. For example, Webmd.com is specialized in medical information, while Google.com is a general-purpose search engine. A user who seeks medical information can get better results using Webmd.com instead of Google.com. Conventional approaches to seeking relevant information on the Web are tedious and ineffective. One approach involves using a meta search engine, where a user generates search queries for the meta search engine to send to multiple predefined Internet search engines. This limits the scope of the search to the predefined Internet search engines, and is not focused on selecting specialized search engines that are likely to provide information relevant to the queries.
Another approach involves using a vertical search engine for a specialized search in a specific information domain (e.g., a vertical search engine for all health related information). A related approach involves a user selecting among a set of vertical search engines. These require the user to have knowledge of available vertical search engine capabilities, and to provide keywords that suit searching capabilities of such search engines. However, such approaches are limited to the type and amount of information describing search engines.

Method and system for selecting search engines for accessing information


A system and method for attaching a deck to a structure. The system includes at least one attachment plate provided with at least one fastening component. The fastening component extends into the at least one I-joist attachment piece attached to an I-shaped structure floor joist. A connecting component extends from the at least one attachment plate to the deck ledger.

Requirements for attaching a deck to a structure, such as a house, include having the attachment comply with the international residential code (IRC). The IRC requires a deck-to-house connection that is capable of withstanding a particular lateral and tension load, such as 1500 pounds.
To achieve the appropriate tension connection for such a load, some methods involve screwing metal connectors onto each side of the connection, e.g., one connector attached to the side of a deck joist and a corresponding connector attached to the side of a house joist. In such a method, a ½″ diameter threaded rod is generally threaded through each of the two paired metal connectors in order to connect the side of the deck joist to the side of the house joist (house floor joist) to ensure an adequate tension connection. This method requires the person installing the deck to have access to the interior of the house in order to install the steel connector onto the side of the house joist. Further, such a connection would require the installer to drill a hole into the house band board in order to pass the rod through the house band board so as to connect the steel connector to the deck joist.
In some other known attachment configurations, an attachment bracket of a deck ledger (deck rim joist) may be mounted to a concrete foundation of a house, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,552, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
In these configurations, the installer is generally required access to the house. In many practical situations, installer access to the house is difficult or undesirable, and can create inefficiencies in the construction process. Further, the installer may have to remove and later fix drywall on the house interior in order to make the house connection, which involves further inefficiencies.
Additionally, the orientation of the threaded rod or other connecting component in some of the related art configurations will create a thermal bridge between the exterior and interior of the house. This thermal bridge, especially in areas prone to significant temperature fluctuations, can create condensation on the steel connector and the threaded rod. This can lead to wood deterioration and/or formation of mold.
A system and method for attaching a deck to a structure is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/270,090, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Such a system includes at least one attachment plate provided with at least one fastening component. The fastening component is fastened to the structure ledger and extends into the end face of the floor joist of the structure.

Apparatus and method for attaching deck to structure


A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material includes an integrally formed dispensing tube extending from the container portion having an internal extension defined by one or more integral thermoformed walls extending from the bottom surface of the container and terminating proximate the base when the package is in a vertical position to facilitate sipping of a beverage from the container portion; alternatively, a straw is placed in the dispensing tube to reach the base of the package. In another embodiment, at least one integrally formed internal dividing wall extends from the sealed end of the dispensing tube and intersects an interior wall to define separate dispensing chambers, where the sealed ends of each of the dispensing chambers can be independently opened along a weakened transverse parting line and separated into separate dispensing channels along a longitudinal parting line.

The retail and food service industries are large-volume purveyors of beverages and other flowable food products such as syrups and condiments in a variety of container configurations that are sold to or provided for use by consumers. Many of these products can advantageously be sold as single-service packages for beverages, including water (both natural and flavored), ice teas, energy drinks, non-carbonated fruit-flavored drinks and concentrated drink mixes, to name just a few. In some cases, single-service packages of the prior art have a separate sealed port that allows the user to insert a separate rigid straw that is removably attached to the package; or the packaging utilizes various types of rigid valves, screw caps and/or other types of accessory opening devices that allow access to, and dispensing of the contents of the package by the user.
These types of prior art packages have several drawbacks. First, due to the complexity of multiple cast rigid plastic parts, high cost is associated with their production. Second, the cost of adding these parts during package formation and filling increases the overall cost of the package. Third, in the case of add-ons like separate straws, a common consumer complaint is the loss of, or damage to the straw.
In addition to providing consumers with a low cost, easy-to-use package for beverages, there are other instances where it may be necessary and/or beneficial to provide such packaging. For example, packaging of pre-measured quantities of liquid ingredients to be included in pre-packaged food and cake mixes would reduce the need for the consumer to store these liquids at home and would shorten the preparation time and utensils needed prior to cooking or baking the product. Other examples are single use, pre-measured liquid seasonings and sauces for use by campers, outdoor cooks and the military.
Another application is in the field of specialized pharmaceuticals where the compounding of preparations by a pharmacist at the time of dispensing or by medical personnel at the time of administration to the patient requires precise dosing of ingredients or other consumables because the compounded medicinal has a short shelf life. Industrial applications include light-weight, but robust packaging having an integral flexible dispenser for lubricants and greases required for servicing equipment in remote locations, as well as components used in preparing two-part epoxies and other polymer compositions that have a short pot life. This type of packaging has the additional advantage of ease of disposal of the empty package after the contents have been dispensed.
Flexible packaging that includes an integral dispensing tube that is suitable for transporting and permitting the user to withdraw or dispense a liquid or a flowable viscous substance through the dispensing tube and methods for their manufacture are disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,941 and related U.S. Pat. No. 8,430,266, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The flexible dispensing package of the '941 patent can advantageously be formed and filled with any desired dispensable liquid or flowable substance utilizing horizontal form-fill-seal ("HFFS") machines which are well known in the packaging industry. The construction, use and process of operation of HFFS equipment is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,465, the disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference. The container portion of the package is thermoformed and a top sheet is heat-sealed around the periphery to provide the fluid-tight flexible dispensing package. Various packaging machine manufacturers and distributors in the U.S. and outside of the U.S. have posted animations at their respective websites that illustrate a variety of prior art methods and systems for producing thermoformed packages, blister packs, and the like. A typical informational posting for such packaging machines is found at ulmapackaging.com.
The flexible dispensing package of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,941 are ideally suited for dispensing their contents when oriented vertically with the dispensing tube below the container portion so that gravity assists in causing the contents to be dispensed and flow through the tube after the sealed end is removed by the user. However, in its use as a single-serve beverage container where the consumer is accustomed to holding the container vertically and sipping the contents through a straw projecting up from the container, a problem exists in withdrawing all of the beverage from the package described in the '941 patent.
A further problem that arises in using the package of the '941 patent for beverages is how to withdraw substantially all of the liquid from the container portion without tilting the container portion up above the tube in order to drain the liquid from the container.
An additional problem presented by the package of the '941 patent is that its configuration does not lend itself to the customary retail supermarket setting of displaying the container on a horizontal shelf with the label or a principal display panel facing out to the prospective purchaser, and being stocked in a rank-and-file orientation for easy removal from, and for ease of efficiently restocking of the shelf.

Flexible container with integral extended internal dispensing tube in a stand-up configuration


A coolant pump system driven by an electric motor mounted in-line with the pump shaft to the pump housing. The system minimally includes a pump body having a bore therein, a coolant pump impeller, a pump shaft passing through the bore and having the impeller mounted on one end thereof, and a bearingless seal shaft assembly disposed in the bore which prevents coolant from leaking out of the body around the rotating pump shaft. The outer end of the pump shaft and the drive shaft of the electric motor preferably include a quick-disconnect coupler which allows the two shafts to be repeatedly coupled and uncoupled without damage and without tools. This coupling mechanism may take the form of a socket with bayonet slot on one shaft and mating pin on the other shaft that fits in the slot. A face-mounted electric motor is rigidly but removably bolted to the pump housing, and its drive shaft provides complete support for the pump shaft which rotates therewith. A double-ended drive may be used in the electric shaft motor if desired. allows a cooling fan assembly with integral clutch mechanism to be driven off one end of the motor shaft, while the coolant pump shaft is driven off of the other end of the motor shaft.

This application is generally related to the subject matter of commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,746,270 and 4,925,367, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to coolant pumping systems used with internal combustion engines in automotive vehicles, and in particular to electrically-driven impeller-type coolant pumping systems for use with internal combustion engines in automotive applications.
2. Description of Related Art
In conventional water pump systems used on automobiles, a drive belt and pulley are used to provide the drive rotation to the coolant pump shaft. The coolant may be of any suitable type, such as the commonly used mixture of water and anti-freeze. A gear or chain drive is sometimes used instead of a belt and pulley. A double set of bearings are typically provided in the pump casing to resist the large external side load forces generated by such a pulley, gear or chain drive. As is well known, when these side load forces are considered, the overall forces experienced by the pump shaft are inherently unbalanced. On account of the unbalanced force vector to the pump shaft, it is necessary to suitably strengthen the pump assembly, pump shaft and its ball bearings to handle expected loads and overloads. This adds to the cost and weight of the coolant pump.
The use of the aforementioned side-loaded drive systems also create an additional expense in that the crankshaft or camshaft of the vehicle must be extended through the engine block wall so that the master drive pulley or gear can be mounted on the shaft. The master drive pulley and belt or gears also add expense and weight to the vehicle's power plant. Passing the crankshaft or camshaft through the engine block wall also requires that appropriate measures be taken to seal the shaft bearing from environmental contamination such as moisture, dirt and dust, or acidic or salty water sprayed up from road surfaces. A common failure mode for water pumps is the failure or wear of the water pump bearing. Severe bearing wear often results in damage to the flexible coolant face seal assembly, which allows coolant to escape from the engine's cooling system, thus presenting further problems. If the pump bearings did not fail in the first place, many such failures of the flexible face seal assembly could be avoided, along with the resultant loss of engine coolant, and destruction of the pump shaft on account of scoring and galling.
Accordingly, it would be very beneficial to provide a direct-drive water pump system which solves most if not all of the foregoing problems, By "direct-drive" we mean a drive system that avoids applying external side loads to the pump shaft and bearing set which supports the pump shaft. It would also be useful to eliminate the need to extend the crankshaft or camshaft outside of the engine block to provide the rotational power required to drive the coolant pump. It would also be desirable to provide a new design for a coolant pump system which can be easily adapted to handle different pumping requirements. Finally, it would be useful to drive both the coolant pump and radiator cooling fan with the same direct-drive system.
In light of the foregoing problems with conventional pulley-driven coolant pumping systems, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a coolant pump arrangement for an internal combustion engine which is powered by an electric motor.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric-drive motor which is mounted directly to the coolant pump body, to eliminate the bearing assembly of the coolant pump.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coupling mechanism which allows the pump to be quickly coupled and uncoupled from the electric motor that drives it.
It is yet another object to provide a bearingless coolant pump with an in-line direct drive system which eliminates external side loads on the pump shaft.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a coolant pump system driven by an electric motor with a double-ended shaft so that the cooling fan can also be driven by the electric motor.