The present invention is embodied in a method and apparatus for sensing the logic state of a flash memory cell utilizing a current mode sense amplifier circuit that is less susceptible to noise. The sense amplifier consists of a controlled current source with mirroring, an integrator and a comparator. In the sensing phase, a cell with a stored low logic level will cause a first current to flow. The first current will be mirrored by a second current. The second current is integrated and compared against a reference voltage to determine the logic state of the cell. By integrating and comparing the mirrored current, the sense amplifier circuit is less susceptible to spurious signals caused by noise.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic circuit for sensing the logic state of a memory cell, and in particular to a sense amplifier and associated circuitry for reading data from a flash memory circuit that operates in a current mode.
2. Description of the Related Art
Common types of non-volatile memory, such as EPROM (Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and Flash memory use a charge on a memory cell's floating gate to control the threshold voltage (Vt) of the memory cell and thereby indicate the binary state of the cell. Typically, such memory cells have two possible binary states, one (e.g. "0") indicated by a high threshold voltage and one (e.g. "1") indicated by a low threshold voltage. Gathering electrons on a memory cell's floating gate increases the cell's threshold voltage and is referred to as writing or programming the memory cell. Erasing a memory cell removes the electrons from the floating gate and reduces the threshold voltage.
A Flash memory is an integrated circuit that includes an array of electrically programmable and electrically erasable memory cells. A basic flash memory cell 100 is shown in FIG. 1A. Flash memory cell 100 includes an access transistor 110 and a double-polysilicon storage transistor 120. Storage transistor 120 has a floating polysilicon gate 122 that is isolated in silicon dioxide and capacitively coupled to a polysilicon control gate 124. Storage transistor 120 also has a region of silicon dioxide between the floating gate 122 and a drain 126 that is thin enough to permit electrons to tunnel to and from floating gate 122 when the proper bias voltages are applied to the terminals of storage transistor 120.
As shown in FIG. 1A, storage transistor 120 is programmed by grounding its source 128, applying approximately 5 to 6 volts to its drain 126, and connecting its control gate 124 to a programming voltage Vpp that is high relative to the operating voltage Vcc. A typical value for Vpp is 12 volts, while a typical value for Vcc is 5 volts. With storage transistor 120 biased by the application of Vpp, electrons travel through the tunnel oxide to the floating gate 122, leaving the floating gate 122 with a net negative charge. This net negative charge shifts the threshold voltage Vt of storage transistor 120 in the positive direction to a voltage that is greater than Vcc.
As shown in FIG. 1B, storage transistor 120 is erased by grounding control gate 124 and applying a relatively high voltage (e.g., 12 volts) to the source 128. This bias allows electrons to tunnel away from the floating gate 122 through the tunnel oxide to be carried away by the large positive voltage on source 128. The loss of electrons on the floating gate 122 shifts the threshold voltage Vt of storage transistor 120 in the negative direction to a voltage that is less than Vcc.
When erasing storage transistor 120, it is possible to remove too many electrons from floating gate 122, resulting in excess positive charge on floating gate 122. This condition is commonly known as "over-erase." Access transistor 110 is provided to prevent storage transistor 120, in the event that storage transistor 120 is over-erased, from conducting as a result of excess positive charge on floating gate 122.
After flash memory cell 100 is programmed or erased, the state of the storage transistor may then be "read" by determining whether the storage transistor conducts when access transistor 110 is turned on by application of a voltage to the gate of access transistor 110. If the storage transistor 120 is programmed, i.e., there is a net negative charge on floating gate 122, storage transistor 120 will not conduct when access transistor 110 is turned on since the threshold voltage Vt is a voltage greater than Vcc. If, on the other hand, the storage transistor is erased, i.e., there is no charge on floating gate 122, storage transistor 120 will conduct when access transistor 110 is turned on since the threshold voltage Vt is less than Vcc.
As shown in FIG. 1C, sense amplifier 150, coupled across the series connected access transistor 110 and storage transistor 120 of cell 100, determines whether storage transistor 120 conducts based upon the current that flows through the sense amplifier 150. A signal corresponding to the state of cell 100, i.e., either a logic high or a logic low, as read by the sense amplifier 150 is output on line 152.
However, there are problems with the conventional current mode sense amplifiers used to sense whether the storage transistor 120 conducts or not, i.e., whether there is any current flow. Since the amount of current that will flow if the cell 100 has been erased is relatively small, the sense amplifier must be sensitive enough to determine whether the threshold current indicating the cell 100 is erased has been exceeded. This increased sensitivity makes the sense amplifier subject to possible erroneous readings caused by noise signals. A spurious noise signal may cause minute currents to flow into sense amplifier 150 during a read operation, causing the sense amplifier 150 to erroneously determine that cell 100 has been erased. Thus there exists the need for a current mode sense amplifier that provides increased immunity to noise signals to prevent erroneous readings.


[Problem] To enable three-dimensional measurement with good precision.

When performing a three-dimensional measurement with a camera (a monocular camera), such as SLAM, it is necessary to capture images of one marker at different angles from two or more image capturing positions while moving the camera. FIG. 5 is a typical view that shows an instance of a way of capturing images of the marker from two image capturing positions. Reference numerals D1 and Dn in FIG. 5 show the image capturing positions when capturing images of the marker, and F1 and Fn show ranges where images can be captured with one pixel of imaging element (CCD) of the camera.
In such an image capturing, it is known that the longer a distance Lmax between one image capturing position D1 and the other image capturing position Dn (when capturing three or more images, the distance is one between two image capturing positions furthest in these positions, and is referred to as "the baseline length" in the specification) is, the better a measurement accuracy is (see non-patent related document 1). That is, in a case where images of one marker are captured from two image capturing positions D1 and Dn as shown in FIG. 5, a range where image capturing is possible with an imaging element 1 pixel has a spatial expanse as shown with reference numbers F1, Fn, and its intersection has a sector shape (diamond-shape) as shown with a reference number G. In the intersection G having a sector shape, a position of an upper intersecting point H1 is computed in some cases, and a position of a lower intersecting point H2 is computed in the other cases. And, it is generally known that the smaller a distance J between the upper and lower intersecting points H1 and H2 is, the better accuracy of the position measurement is. It is also generally known that in order to shorten the distance J between the upper and lower intersecting points H1 and H2, the baseline length Lmax is made longer and the above-mentioned sector shape is made a laterally elongated shape (horizontally flat).
On the other hand, it is theoretically sufficient that the images of one marker are captured from two positions in the above-mentioned three-dimensional measurement. But, in order to reduce influences of noises (a shift of pixel designation for an object to be measured), the image capturing from more positions, such as ten positions, is desired.
That is, it is better to make the baseline length Lmax longer when capturing images of each marker, and to obtain many images in the above-mentioned three-dimensional measurement.

Position measurement device and position measurement method

Abstract: [Solution] When three-dimensional measurement is to be performed with good precision using SLAM or the like, images of marks M1, M2, M3, M4 must be captured from various directions by a single-lens camera. In the present invention, directions of imaging by a camera are displayed as sectors C1, C2, C3, C4. For example, it is understood that whereas sectors C1 and C4 have a large central angle and imaging therein is performed from a wide range of directions, sectors C2 and C3 have a small central angle and imaging therein is performed from a narrow range of directions. A photographer seeing such a display can perform additional imaging, and images can therefore be obtained from a wide range of directions, and three-dimensional measurement can be performed with good precision.

KYUSHU UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION


In a cache coherency control method of a multi-processor system comprising a plurality of cache systems of identical configuration-after "method", for quickly determining consistency of a data block designated by a cache coherency request issued by other cache system a multi-processor system using the same, systems have identical configuration and each of the cache systems includes a history table for storing an address included in an access request flowing over a shared bus and a history table control circuit. The history table control circuit determines whether an address of a received access request is stored in the history table, and when the address is stored in the history table, suppresses the operation of a cache control circuit for the access request, and alternatively when the address is not stored in the address table, conducts the operation of the cache control circuit for the access request.

The present invention relates to cache coherency control method and multi-processor system using the same.
Recently, the construction of a multi-processor system has becoming popular in order to improve a data processing throughput of a computer system. In the multi-processor system it is common that each of the processors separately owns a cache system. When a plurality of cache systems are provided, a plurality of copies of the same data naturally exist among those systems and it becomes necessary to maintain coherency of the cache data among the plurality of processors. A minimum unit of information which is the subject of storage management is handled as one block between the plurality of cache systems and main memories connected thereto, and the data is transferred by block unit. The maintenance of the cache coherency is attained by invalidating the same cache block as that held by other cache or updating the same cache block into latest data written into its own cache when one processor conducts a write operation to its own cache.
A protocol for maintaining the coherency of the cache data among a plurality of processors is commonly referred to as a cache coherency protocol. It includes the following two systems. First one is called as a directory system in which information items on each block of a main memory are managed at one point in the system. In this system, a logically single directory which describes the status of all blocks on the main memory is provided, and a particular cache on which a copy of each block is stored and a state thereof are recorded in the directory. The directory is, in many cases, implemented in a physically distributed form on the main memory but it is logically singly managed. When the cache system executes the writing to one block, it first refers to the management table to determine if the block has been copied to any other block, and then notifies the writing to the cache system having that block. When the cache system is notified the writing, it operates to maintain the cache coherency.
However, in this directory system, the directory is always referred to before the cache access. As a result, a time from the issuance of a process request to the completion of the process (latency) increases.
A second system is referred to as a snoop system. In this system, all caches hold information on blocks owned by themselves and always monitor a shared bus connecting each cache system and a main memory. In the snoop system, a cache system which conducts a write operation sends the intent of the writing to the shared bus. Other cache systems detect the writing information from the shared bus and determine whether their own systems own that block or not. If it owns, the cache system conducts the control to maintain the cache coherency. In the snoop system, since it is necessary that all cache systems are connected to the shared bus, it is not suitable for a large scale multi-processor system but the latency is shorter than that of the directory system because the determination of the ownership of the copy is conducted parallelly by the individual cache systems and it has been adopted in a number of multi-processor systems.
A coherency protocol in the snoop system is classified into two, write invalidate and write multicast depending on an operation in the writing, and a number of systems including modification thereof have been proposed. "Computer Architecture", Chapter 8, by Henecy and Paterson, discloses cache coherency protocols in a number of multi-processor systems. Many of articles referred to in that reference are found in "The Cache Coherence Problem In Shared Memory Multiprocessor: Hardware Solutions", IEEE Computer Society Press. A cache coherency protocol which is implemented in recent microprocessors is a protocol in Intel Pentium microprocessor. This is disclosed in "Pentium Processor Architecture and Programming", Chapter 18, Intel Japan Co., Ltd. In the Pentium microprocessor, a cache block is managed in four states, Modified, Exclusive, Shared and Invalid (so-called "MESI-values").
The cache coherency protocol of the multiprocessor system by the MESI algorithm includes one adopted by an IBM PowerPC microprocessor. Detail of this system is described in "Power and PowerPC", Chapter 9, Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, Inc. FIG. 2 shows a cache coherency control operation by this protocol.
In FIG. 2, "Invalid" indicates that no effective data is present in the cache block. "Shared" indicates that the same data as that of a main memory (clean data) is present in the cache block but a copy of that data is present in other cache. Namely, it indicates that the clean data of the cache block is shared (or sharable) by other cache. "Exclusive" indicates that the same data as that of the main memory (clean data) is present in the cache block and a copy of that data is not present in other cache. "Modified" indicates that data which may possibly be different from that of the main memory is stored in the cache block and a copy of that data is not present in other cache. When a data is written into the cache block, the written data becomes dirty data which may possibly be different from that of the main memory. Thus, in "Shared", "Exclusive" and "Modified", unlike "Invalid", an effective data to be referred to is present in the cache block.
When a read request is issued from a processor to a cache system, the cache system responds to the reception of the request to first refer to a cache tag memory to determine a state of the block. If the state of the block is "Modified", "Exclusive" and "Shared", it is determined as cache hit and the content of the cache memory is read and sent to the processor. The state of the cache block is left unchanged. On the other hand, if the state of the block is "Invalid", it is determined as cache miss and a read request transaction is issued to the shared bus. Other cache systems snoop the read request transaction from the common bus to check states of their own caches, and if the block is "Modified", "Exclusive" and "Shared", it changes to "Shared". If the block is "Modified", the Modified data is written back to the main memory as the latest data. Thus, the data of the block coincides with the data in the main memory. The data written back to the main memory is read to the shared bus and transferred to the requesting cache system. The requesting cache system sends the received data to the processor and stores the data as "Shared". In order to improve the latency in reading data, the Modified data may be directly transferred to the requesting cache system concurrently with writing it in the main memory.
When a write request is issued from a processor to a cache system, the cache system responds to the reception thereof to first refer to the cache tag memory to determine the state of the block. If the state of the block is "Modified" and "Exclusive", it is determined as cache hit and data is written into the cache block and the block state is changed to "Modified". If the state is "Shared" or "Invalid", it is determined as cache miss and a write request transaction is issued to the shared bus. Other cache systems snoop the write request transaction to check the states of their own caches, and if the block is "Modified", "Exclusive" and "Shared", it changes to "Invalid". If the block is "Modified", the Modified data is written back to the main memory. The data written back to the main memory is read to the shared bus and transferred to the requesting cache system. The requesting cache system merges the received data with the data contained in the write request and stores it as "Modified".
The cache coherency protocol by the MESI algorithm has thus been described. In implementing the cache coherency protocol of the snoop system, a problem of a throughput of the shared bus first occurs. As a performance of the processors connected to the shared bus is improved and as the number of processors connected increases, a throughput required increases more and more. It is thus necessary to improve the implementation throughput of the shared bus while reducing the requested throughput from the processor and the cache system. The improvement of the implementation throughput of the shared bus may be commonly attained by using a high speed operation clock and extending a data width. If the implementation by the bus is not feasible, it may be attained by using an interconnecting network which functions in the same manner as the bus. The reduction of the required throughput from the processor or the cache system is, in many cases, attained by increasing a cache capacity of the cache system or improving the cache structure.
However, those approaches need a large cost.
A second problem in implementing the snoop system is a shortage of throughput relating to the status determination in the snoop. A write operation notice flowing over the shared bus includes an address of the block but in order to determine a state in the cache of the block corresponding to the received address, it is necessary to refer to the cache tag memory which stores tags of blocks held therein. Namely, the cache system conducts the reference to the cache tag memory each time of the access request from other cache system. However, the cache system conducts the reference to the cache tag memory during the data supply service to the processor, in addition to the reference described above. Since the state of the cache block in the cache tag memory which is referred to by both sides should be logically singly managed, the access to the cache tag memory is usually conducted exclusively. The switching of the access causes the shortage of the throughput.
In the prior art, in order to solve the shortage of the throughput, duplicate of the cache tag is provided and the access from the shared bus first refers to the duplicate tag.
However, since it is common to use very high speed memory elements for the cache tag memory for storing the cache tags, the duplication of the cache tag memory is against the cost performance. Further, when a large capacity cache is adopted to increase the hit ratio, the capacity of the cache tag also increases. This is also a factor to impede the duplication.
As described above, an invalidate request is issued to invalidate a block owned by other cache system when a processor conducts a write operation to its own cache. A prior art method to reduce the invalidate request is disclosed in JP-B-6-64553 "Stack Control Circuit", in which a cache system has a plurality of stacks for temporarily storing invalidate requests (specifically, addresses of blocks to be invalidated) received from other processors, compares invalidate addresses among stacks, and when the invalidate addresses coincide, one of them is deleted to reduce the multiple invalidate process to the same address.
However, in this prior art method, since the duplication of the invalidate requests stored in the stacks is detected to reduce the invalidate process therebetween, the reduction can be attained only for the invalidate requests having close reception times. Namely, it is not effective unless the same invalidate request is repeatedly issued in a short time. When the stack capacity is increased to extend the stay time, the duplicate detection effect may be enhanced but the invalidate requests are delayed. When the cache system owns the dirty data and it is notified to the requesting system, the transfer of the latest data is also delayed. Since this delay directly affects the access latency, the holding of a plurality of invalidate addresses in the stacks is a significant loss in performance.
Other prior art technique for reducing the invalidate request is disclosed in "Issues in Multi-Level Cache Designs", 1994 IEEE International Conference On Computer Design: VLSI in Computer and Processors (ICCD '94). In this article, a table called an invalidate history table for recording invalidate requests is introduced. A technology disclosed in this article is briefly explained with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 12 shows a four multi-processors (multi-processors 0.about.3) each having a primary cache of 32K-byte capacity and a 4M-byte secondary cache connected to each of the multi-processors. As shown in FIG. 12, the cache systems are in a double hierarchy. FIG. 13 shows an example of a history table for sequentially recording the invalidate requests (invalidate addresses) issued by the respective primary caches. The history table is loaded in a tag memory of the secondary cache. FIG. 13 shows the history table as well as an address register for storing a given invalidate address, a secondary cache tag table, a secondary cache hit determination circuit for comparing addresses (tags) stored in the secondary cache tag table with the address stored in the address register to determine the hit, and a history table hit determination circuit for determining the hit on the history table.
When an invalidate address is issued from the primary cache, the history table is referred to, and if it hits, it is determined that the invalidation has already been made and the request is deleted. When a first invalidate request to a block is issued, the address of the block is not yet registered in the history table and, in this case, the address is registered in the history table and the invalidate request for that address is issued to all other primary caches.
By this arrangement, the invalidate requests to other primary caches other than the first one request are eliminated and the process for the invalidate request in other primary caches is reduced.
However, in this prior art technology, the states of all primary caches connected to the secondary cache are centrally managed by the history table. For example, when a coherency request from a primary cache is issued, the history table of the secondary cache is first referred to, and if it does not hit, the coherency request is transferred to the corresponding primary cache. Namely, in the prior art technology, it is nothing but the arrangement of a directory of the directory system as viewed from the primary cache in the secondary cache. In this method, the transfer is conducted twice and the access latency for the coherency request increases.

Cache coherency control method and multi-processor system using the same


The present invention relates to a closure device (10) for closing a liquid pouch, comprising: a base body (12) formed as a one-piece element, comprising a flat flange edge (14) for connecting the base body to the liquid pouch, and a portal structure (16) with a main section (18), a first valve section (20) and a second valve section (22), wherein the first valve section comprises a first opening (24) that is accessible from the outside and that is designed for inserting and withdrawing a fluid, and the second valve section comprises a second opening (26) that is accessible from the outside and that is designed for inserting and withdrawing a fluid; a first valve element (28) that is arranged within the first valve section for reversibly closing the first opening, and a second valve element (44) that is arranged within the second valve section for reversibly closing the second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are arranged parallel to the flange edge. The invention further relates to a liquid container comprising a liquid pouch and a closure device (10).

In so-called bag-in-box packages a fluid is packed in a liquid pouch that in most cases consists of a composite film material (for example aluminum/HDPE or polyethylene). This liquid pouch is then placed in an outer packaging such as a carton or a wooden box. Withdrawal of the fluid is carried out through a withdrawal device that can for example be designed as a tap for manual withdrawal of the fluid. Another field of application of liquid pouches is the area of automated beverage dispensers. For soft drinks (Coke, lemonade etc.), for example, a syrup is mixed with water and carbonated so that it can be withdrawn in a drinkable form. In most cases, the syrup is supplied in a liquid pouch.
For filling in and withdrawing a fluid the liquid pouches must comprise openings. The opening is closed with a closure device that allows for the liquid pouch to be closed after filling and to be opened to withdraw fluid. In known approaches, a closure device is used in most cases that has an open lower part that is welded to the liquid pouch and an upper part that can be attached to the lower part. After filling has taken place through the lower part, the upper part is attached to the lower part so that the liquid pouch is closed.
However, this application of two-part closure devices has several disadvantages. On the one hand, sterilization or disinfection of the closure device during filling is complex and time-consuming. On the other hand, manufacturing a two-part closure device is comparatively complex and expensive, not least because more material is needed. Moreover, it is comparatively labor-intensive to fill the pouch through the lower part and subsequently assemble the lower and upper parts.
In order to improve the known approach of using two-part closure devices, DE 10 2015 014 372 A1 in this connection discloses a closure device with a closing bung designed as a flange component. The disclosed closure device is provided with a clamping flange just like the usual bung. Portals at the closure device fulfil the filling possibilities that have so far been provided by the bung hole. No longer is a closure device removed from a bung to fill a container, but filling material is brought into the container through the closure device itself via portals, which results in a closed filling and withdrawal system.


Disclosed is an antenna assembly including a substrate, and a wireless charge antenna pattern on the substrate. The wireless charge antenna pattern has a sectional surface including a plurality of inner angles in which two inner angles are different from each other. The antenna assembly includes a wireless communication antenna pattern formed on the substrate and provided at an outside of the wireless charge antenna pattern. The wireless communication antenna pattern has a plurality of inner angles at a sectional surface thereof, and a plurality of angle values of the inner angles provided at the sectional surface of the wireless communication antenna pattern correspond to a plurality of angle values of the inner angles provided at the sectional surface of the wireless charge antenna pattern, respectively.

A wireless power transmission or a wireless energy transfer refers to a technology of wirelessly transferring electric energy to desired devices. In the 1800's, an electric motor or a transformer employing the principle of electromagnetic induction has been used and thereafter attempts have been performed to transmit electrical energy by irradiating electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves or lasers. Actually, electrical toothbrushes or electrical razors, which are frequently used in daily life, are charged based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The electromagnetic induction refers to a phenomenon in which a voltage is induced so that a current flows when a magnetic field is varied around a conductor. Although the electromagnetic induction technology has been rapidly commercialized while focusing on small-size devices, the power transmission distance thereof is short.
Until now, the long-distance transmission using the electromagnetic induction, the resonance and the short-wavelength radio frequency have been used as the wireless energy transfer scheme.
However, a typical antenna assembly embedded in a terminal has a thin thickness and the manufacturing process of the antenna assembly is complicated.

Antenna assembly and method for manufacturing same


A color printer of the type that prints color images by sequentially transferring from a photosensitive drum toner images of different colors in color registration to each other on a recording sheet being circulated by a conveyer belt, the color printer having an improved color registration capability. In order to avoid influences of variations in printer constants, such as elongation and contraction of the conveyer belt due to accumulated changes and temperature variations, etc., the position of the formation of a plurality of toner images of different colors on the recording medium is controlled with high precision by controlling the position or timing of formation of two successive toner images of different colors by detecting the recording sheet circulation period during the formation of the toner image of each color or by detecting the recording sheet circulation period directly preceding it.

The present invention relates to a color printer and in particular to improvement of color registration capability of a color printer, by means of which a color image is obtained by forming repeatedly toner images of different colors in improved color registration on a recording medium.
In a color printer, by means of which a color image is obtained by forming repeatedly toner images of different colors in color registration on a recording medium, color images are printed out of color registration unless the position of conveyance of the recording medium can be detected with high precision for the formation of the image of each color.
In particular, a color printer utilizing the electronic photographic technique is so constructed that a color image is obtained on a recording sheet by forming a toner image of a first color on a photosensitive body or photo-sensitive drum or the like, which image is transferred to the recording sheet and then forming a toner image of a second color on the photo-sensitive body, which image is transferred to the recording sheet in registration with the image of the first image. Images of a third, a fourth, etc. color are transferred thereon as needed in same way). Consequently, recording sheet conveying means should be able to convey a recording sheet repeatedly with a high precision, and control means should detect the conveyance position of the recording sheet with a high precision to form the toner image of each color.
For this reason control means, which detects the recording sheet conveyance position by linking an encoder with a driving motor in the recording sheet conveying means and which controls the toner image formation position on the basis of the result of the detection, and control means, which effects the rotation control of the photosensitive body and the conveyance control of the recording sheet in synchronism with a fundamental clock signal, have been proposed.
Such control means are disclosed e.g. in JP-Utility Model-A-Sho 63-155147 and JP-A-Sho 62-195687.
However, the control by such prior art control means has a problem in that it is difficult to form the toner images of different colors at the precise position, which gives rise to the formation of toner images out of color registration.
That is, by the technique disclosed in JP-Utility Model-A-Sho 63-155147 stated above, the conveyance position of the recording sheet is detected only indirectly, and it is impossible to eliminate the generation of out-of-color registration due to accumulation of changes the relative relation between the rotary encoder and the recording sheet conveying surface and variations in the temperature, which reduces the detection 63-155147 In particular, in a system, in which the recording sheet conveying means is constituted by one or a plurality of rotating roller axes, around which belt-shaped means is wound, and a recording sheet is adhered thereon by static electricity, negative pressure of air, etc., such insufficient color registration is caused by the fact that the peripheral length of the belt-shaped means varies due to environmental variations in the temperature or the humidity, accumulated deviations, exchanges during maintenance, etc. On the other hand, by the technique disclosed in JP-A-Sho 62-195687, no attention is paid concerning the timing control of the generation of image data, and therefore it is difficult to form the toner images repeatedly at the precise position.

Color printer using circulation period to control registration of images


The present invention is in the field of optical components, more particularly, polymeric optical components, even more particularly, thermo-optical components, electro-optical components or passive components. The present invention pertains to an optical component having an at least penta-layered polymer structure on a substrate comprising:. A) a low refractive index lower cladding layer, PA1 B) a core-matching refractive index lower cladding layer, PA1 C) a core layer, PA1 D) a core-matching refractive index upper cladding layer, and PA1 E) a low refractive index upper cladding layer.. With this specific layer structure an optimum traversal confinement can be obtained, which results in less loss of light and an improved switching efficiency.

Both thermo-optical and electro-optical components are known. The working of thermo-optical components is based on the phenomenon of the optical waveguide material employed exhibiting a temperature dependent refractive index. Polymeric thermo-optical components generally comprise a polymeric three-layer structure on a substrate. The three-layer structure comprises a low refractive index lower cladding layer, a high refractive index core layer, and a low refractive index upper cladding layer. On top of the upper cladding layer heating elements are provided (usually metal strips) to heat the polymeric cladding material, in order to change the refractive index for switching. The working of electro-optical devices is based on the phenomenon of the non-linear optically active material employed exhibiting an electric field dependent refractive index. Polymeric electro-optical components in general also comprise a polymeric three-layer structure. The three-layer structure comprises a low refractive index lower cladding layer, a non-linear optically active, high refractive index core layer, and a low refractive index upper cladding layer. On top of the upper cladding layer electrodes are provided to apply an electric field to the non-linear optically active material to change the refractive index for switching.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,471 discloses a three layered structure as described above, which is additionally provided with a reinforcing layer on both sides.
EP 642 052 claims a polymeric thermo-optic device comprising a polymeric guiding layer sandwiched between two cladding layers of lower refractive index than the guiding layer, wherein the upper cladding layer (carrying the heating element) has a lower refractive index than the lower cladding layer (contacting the substrate to which the three layered structure is attached).
The known optical components still suffer from extensive light loss; moreover, in the thermo-optical components the switching speed is not optimal, while in the electro-optical components the switching efficiency leaves much to be desired.
The present invention alleviates these problems.


Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting the beginning of a flush volume. A blended fluid is output by a fluid blending apparatus and pumped into a wellbore. The blended fluid transitions from a first composition to a second composition. A blending signal comprising time-varying data relating to characteristics of the blending apparatus or measured from sensors associated with the blending apparatus is received. Based on a first portion of the blending signal corresponding to the first composition, a calibration profile is generated. Based on the calibration profile and a second portion of the blending signal corresponding to the second composition, a transition indicator corresponding to a change in the blended fluid from the first composition to the second composition is determined. Based on the transition indicator, a flush signal indicating the beginning of a flush volume being output by the blending apparatus and pumped into the wellbore is generated.

In fracturing operations, one or more perforations are made in a well casing or wellbore surface and into a formation of interest. Through these perforations, fracturing fluid flows into the formation and opens one or more fractures. In order to keep these induced fractures open during and/or following the fracturing treatment, a proppant is also commonly injected into the well. The most common proppant is sand that has been sieved into a desired size for a given fracturing treatment, although other proppants can include sintered bauxite and ceramic proppant. Once a suitable amount of proppant has been injected into the well (but not necessarily into the fractures), a flush stage is initiated to further displace the proppant to a desired depth in the wellbore to ensure that the proppant remains near the perforations and is not overflushed, which can lead to degraded production and/or increased expenditures. The flush stage can be alternatively or additionally initiated in order to clean out the wellbore for an end customer or operator of the wellbore, such that the fractured wellbore is delivered in a clean fluid filled state.
A desired flush volume can be calculated for the flush stage based on various well and fracturing treatment parameters, thereby avoiding any overflushing and related undesired effects. However, for this calculation to be useful, a correct determination must first be made of when the fluid from the downhole blender has transitioned from a proppant laden state to a clean state. Such a process is commonly known as marking flush, i.e. marking the point at which the desired flush volume will be measured from.
Conventional approaches rely upon radioactive densometers (also known as radioactive or nuclear densitometers), which comprise a radioactive source, placed adjacent to the fluid line from the downhole blender, and a detector, calibrated and placed on the other side of the fluid line, opposite the radioactive source. These devices operate on the principle that the density of a fluid is inversely proportional to the count rate of the detector. In the context of initiating a flush stage, as the proppant concentration changes, the detected fluid density will also change, e.g. a lower proppant concentration corresponds to a lower fluid density.
However, these radioactive densometers represent an additional component that must be transported to and installed at a fracturing site, and moreover, require special handling and are subject to various regulatory environments of the jurisdiction(s) in which they are employed.

Marking the start of a wellbore flush volume


A tool has a tool body which defines a first seat into which is secured an anvil. The anvil and the tool body define a second seat into which a backup plate is located. The backup plate has a longitudinally extending groove which is used to locate a form tool cutting insert. A first clamp assembly exerts a clamping force on the insert and backup plate against the anvil in a first direction. A second clamp assembly exerts a clamping force on the insert and backup plate against the anvil in a second direction, the second direction being approximately 90.degree. to the first direction. The insert has a cutting surface of a predetermined configuration on two opposite sides such that indexing of the cutting insert 180.degree. will position the opposite cutting surface in the machining ready position. The backup plate has a complementary predetermined configuration to support each of the cutting surfaces of the insert. The clamping of the insert and backup plate against the anvil in two directions approximately 90.degree. apart, enables a more accurate positioning of the insert and reduces the need for running set-up parts after each insert change or indexing.

The use of forming tools to generate various surface configurations in rotating workpieces has generally been known for many years. One conventional type of forming tool uses a cutting insert having a cutting edge which is formed in a prespecified configuration. The insert is forced against an object that is moving at a high speed relative to the cutting tool in order to generate a complementary surface configuration in the workpiece. The forming tool of this type is generally mounted in a movable tool holding assembly so that the tool is movable toward and away from a rotating workpiece along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis of the workpiece. The use of indexable and replaceable inserts in the form tool increases the life of the tool itself and also reduces the overall expense of using the tool. Instead of periodically replacing the tool in its entirety, the insert is simply indexed or replaced. This reduces both maintenance costs and down time since the tool need not be removed or resharpened.
An important element for this type of cutting tool is the arrangement for mounting and retaining the cutting insert on the tool. When using an indexable insert tool, the system or structure for mounting and retaining the indexable insert must accommodate the indexability feature. The cutting insert is placed under extreme forces during a machining operation, and it must be securely fastened to the cutting tool so that the insert will not move relative to its holder. Yet, the insert must be easy to remove from the tool for indexing or replacing, and the mounting system should operate to minimize the chance that the insert will be mispositioned on the tool when the insert is indexed or replaced. The mounting system for the insert must resist wear caused by flying material, e.g. metal, that is cut from the object being machined, and it should be relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
When using a pattern type forming tool, precise and secure positioning is particularly important. The pattern type forming tool is secured to a machine, such as a screw machine or a CNC turning center, and the machine is adjusted once in order for the pattern to be cut into the object in a desired position. Thereafter, the machine need not be readjusted, but the insert must remain in its proper position within tolerances. The machining process places changing forces on the insert depending on the pattern of the insert. For example, the left side of the insert may first engage the object being machined; then, as the machining operation continues, the right side may engage sometime thereafter, so that the force distribution and torque in the cutting insert are abruptly changing. In this type of process, the positioning and securing system for the cutting insert must be able to withstand abrupt changes in stress while reliably maintaining the insert in its proper position.
The cutting tool of the present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing a mounting and retaining system that creates a secure lock between the cutting insert and the cutting tool. The mounting and retaining system is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and the insert is easy to either index or replace.


A breathing mask with a mask interior, through which the respiration air flows, and with a detection device with an indicator for indicating the presence of a toxic substance having penetrated into the breathing mask, is to be improved such that the indicator can be activated when the breathing mask has been put on. To accomplish this task, the detection device (1), which gas-tightly surrounds the indicator (6), has an operating means (5), which can be operated from the outside (21) of the mask, and with which the indicator (6) can be brought into contact with the respiration air in the mask interior (22) when the breathing mask has been put on.

A breathing mask of this class has become known from German Patent No. DE-PS 962,313. An indicator, which indicates whether the filter insert attached to the mask still retains toxic gases to a sufficient extent, is arranged on the breathing mask in the visual range of the mask user. The indicator is applied to a support and is freely exposed to the gas present in the interior of the mask.
The prior-art indicator is intended preferably for detecting exhaustion of the filter, and displays a color reaction when toxic substances have penetrated into the interior of the mask. In a first embodiment, the support with the indicator is arranged directly on the inside of the mask window, and in a second embodiment, individual windows are provided in the area of the mask body, and the support with the indicator is arranged under these windows. Together with the indicator on the support, the windows form a detection device for the toxic substance.
One disadvantage of the prior-art detection device is that toxic substances may reach the indicator even before the breathing mask is put on. However, it is necessary for certain applications, e.g., during the testing of breathing masks, to activate the indicator only after the mask has been put on, in order for the color reaction not to take place under the effect of possible toxic components already present in the ambient atmosphere.
A dosimeter with an indicator layer exposed to the substance to be detected has become known from Canadian Patent CA-A 1,271,399. The indicator layer is covered with a strip that can be peeled off, which is to prevent the substance to be detected from reaching the indicator layer. The strip is peeled off before use, as a result of which the indicator layer will be exposed to the substance to be detected.
The prior-art dosimeter is used such that it is always directly accessible, i.e., the strip covering the indicator layer can be pulled off by the user immediately before putting into operation. Activation of such a dosimeter in a room not accessible to the user is not disclosed in this document.

Breathing mask with an indicator signalling penetration of a toxic substance into the mask


A hydraulic control system of a friction device where fail-safe is required is provided with one oil pressure switch and one pressure changeover valve. The pressure changeover valve is switched by auxiliary oil pressure based on an operation of the oil pressure control valve. When an auxiliary port communicates with an input port and the pressure changeover valve is switched to the filling determination side, the oil pressure switch is turned on and “filling determination” can be carried out. When the auxiliary port is disconnected from the input port, the pressure changeover valve is switched to the fail-safe determination side. The oil pressure switch is supplied with the same driving oil pressure as of the friction device and “fail-safe determination” can be carried out from the on/off state of the oil pressure switch.

(Related Art 1: Mechanical Fail-Safe)
As a hydraulic control unit equipped with an oil pressure control valve that generates a driving oil pressure corresponding to the displacement position of a pressure control valving element, there are know those equipped with a "fail-safe." This fail-safe is used to avoid a problem that two hydraulically controlled objects are simultaneously supplied with driving oil pressure. (Refer to Patent Document 1, for example.)
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique to avoid a problem that multiple friction devices (examples of hydraulically controlled objects) are simultaneously supplied with driving oil pressure in the hydraulic control unit of an automatic transmission.
The automatic transmission includes multiple friction devices, such as a clutch and a brake. The automatic transmission appropriately actuates any friction device according to a vehicle running state (including the state of operation by an occupant) to attain a gear stage corresponding to the vehicle running state. Some automatic transmissions pose a problem when multiple friction devices are simultaneously engaged.
Here, friction devices that pose a problem when simultaneously engaged will be designated as first friction device CL1 and second friction device CL2; and oil pressure control valves that respectively generate driving oil pressure in the first and second friction devices CL1, CL2 will be designated as first oil pressure control valve CTR1 and second oil pressure control valve CTR2. Pilot valves for controlling the operation of the first and second oil pressure control valves CTR1, CTR2 will be designated as first pilot valve P1 and second pilot valve (not shown). (Refer to FIG. 30A)
The art disclosed in Patent Document 1 is so constructed that a fail-safe valve (changeover valve) J1 actuated by oil pressure is used to achieve "fail-safe (prevention of double engagement)" by mechanical operation.
Specifically, the art is implemented as illustrated in FIGS. 30A and 30B. That is, the fail-safe valve J1 is actuated by part of driving oil pressure supplied from the second oil pressure control valve CTR2 to the second friction device to block the oil passage running from the first pilot valve P1 to the first oil pressure control valve CTR1. (Refer to FIG. 30B) The actuation of the first oil pressure control valve CTR1 is thereby prohibited. (The first friction device CL1 is brought into a pressure exhaust state.)
The reference alphanumeral J2 found in FIG. 30A denotes a damper valve for absorbing fluctuation (so-called judder) in pilot oil pressure supplied from the first pilot valve P1 to the first oil pressure control valve CTR1.
(Problem Associated With Related Art 1)
The technique to use the fail-safe valve J1 to achieve fail-safe (prevention of double engagement) has an advantage that the technique can be implemented at a reduced cost because the cost of the fail-safe valve J1 is low.
However, this technique involves a problem. The engagement of the first friction device CL1 can be prohibited when the second friction device CL2 is engaged; however, the engagement of the second friction device CL2 cannot be prohibited when the first friction device CL1 is engaged. As mentioned above, the degree of freedom in designing an automatic transmission is reduced, and the low degree of freedom is detrimental in, for example, the recent trend to increase in the stages of automatic transmissions.
(Related Art 2: Electrical Fail-Safe)
Consequently, there have been proposed techniques to use respective oil pressure switches to electrically detect the engagement states of multiple friction devices to achieve "fail-safe." (Refer to Patent Document 2, for example.) The "engagement state of a friction device" refers to a state in which torque transmission is carried out when the friction device is a clutch and a state in which torque braking is carried out when the friction device is a brake.
In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, a first oil pressure switch SW1 and a second oil pressure switch SW2 are provided as illustrated in FIG. 31. The first oil pressure switch SW1 is turned on when driving oil pressure supplied to the first friction device CL1 reaches a predetermined oil pressure (threshold value). The second oil pressure switch SW2 is turned on when oil pressure supplied to the second friction device CL2 reaches a predetermined oil pressure (threshold value). TCU (Transmission Control Unit: control device) 100 controls a second pilot valve and the second oil pressure control valve CTR2 so that the following is implemented: the second friction device CL2 is brought into a pressure exhaust state when the first oil pressure switch SW1 is turned on (when the first friction device CL1 is engaged). The TCU controls a first pilot valve P1 so that the first friction device CL1 is brought into a pressure exhaust state when the second oil pressure switch SW2 is turned on (when the second friction device CL2 is engaged).
The first and second oil pressure switches SW1, SW2 are switched according to driving oil pressure supplied to the first and second friction devices CL1, CL2. When a threshold value is set so that turn-on/off of the first and second oil pressure switches SW1, SW2 is switched in the course of shifting (in the course of reengagement), the following takes place: the range in which the first oil pressure switch SW1 is turned on and the range in which the second oil pressure switch SW2 is turned on are lapped over each other, which leads to erroneous determination.
To cope with this, threshold values for turn-on/off of the first and second oil pressure switches SW1, SW2 are set to a lightly higher value to prevent the following from taking place: the first and second oil pressure switches SW1, SW2 are simultaneously turned on in the course of normal shifting (in the course of reengagement). (This slightly higher value is a pressure value obtained in a state in which the first and second friction devices CL1, CL2 are engaged. This value will be hereafter referred to as "engagement detection threshold value.")
For this reason, the first or second oil pressure switch SW1, SW2 does not serve any purpose other than carrying out the determination of fail-safe (determination of whether a friction device is engaged or disengaged).
(Related Art 3: Detection of Electrical Filling End Time)
To enhance the accuracy of automatic transmission shift control, there is demand for the detection of the filling end time of each friction device. The "filling of a friction device" refers to an operation to supply driving oil pressure to the hydraulic servo of a hydraulic actuator until immediately before a friction device starts to engage. (The time immediately before a friction device starts to engage is equivalent to a position where a piston of the hydraulic actuator starts to press against a frictional engagement portion, such as multiple discs.)
With the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, however, the filling end time of the first or second friction device CL1, CL2 cannot be detected with the first or second oil pressure switch SW1, SW2. This is because the threshold values for the first and second oil pressure switches SW1, SW2 are set to an "engagement detection threshold value."
To cope with this, the measure illustrated in FIGS. 32A to 32C can be taken. That is, the state of communication between an input port and an oil pressure switch SW is changed according to the displacement position of the pressure control valving element in an oil pressure control valve CTR. Then the displacement position of the oil pressure control valve CTR is detected from the on/off state of the oil pressure switch SW. Thus the filling end time of the friction device CL is detected by switching of the oil pressure switch SW.
More specific description will be given. As illustrated in FIG. 32B, the oil pressure control valve CTR is so provided that the communication between the input port and the oil pressure switch SW is blocked only when the friction device CL is filled. The oil pressure control valve CTR is so provided that the oil pressure switch SW is turned off only when the friction device CL is filled.
As illustrated in FIG. 32C, the oil pressure switch SW transitions from off to on when the displacement position of the pressure control valving element is as predetermined (filling end position), and the TCU 100 can thereby detect the filling end time of the friction device.
However, the oil pressure switch SW does not serve any purpose other than detecting the filling end time of the friction device CL.
(Related Art 4)
There is demand for the provision of the function of "electrical fail-safe" described in the above section of Related Art 2 and the function of "detection of electrical filling end time" described in the above section of Related Art 3.
To provide the two functions, it is required to separately provide an oil pressure switch SW for detecting the engagement state of a friction device CL and an oil pressure switch SW for detecting time when the friction device CL is filled.
The oil pressure switch SW requires connector cost, wiring cost, and the like in addition to the cost of the oil pressure switch SW itself.
The oil pressure switch SW for detecting the engagement state of the friction device CL does not serve any purpose other than the determination of fail-safe. The oil pressure switch SW for detecting the filling end time of the friction device CL does not serve any purpose other than detecting the filling end time of the friction device CL.
To install both the function of "electrical fail-safe" and the function of "detection of electrical filling end time," a cost is increased and cost performance is significantly impaired.
(Summary of Related Arts)
To provide the following functions according to the related arts, one oil pressure switch SW is required for each function: "driving pressure detection" function for detecting the state of generation of driving oil pressure outputted from an output port (for example, the engagement state of a friction device CL); and "time detection (switching state detection)" function for detecting the displacement position of a pressure control valving element (for example, the filling end position in the displacement position of the pressure control valving element). As a result, a problem of significantly increased cost is incurred    [Patent Document 1] JP-A-9-303547    [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2001-116134


There is provided a disk drive including first and second sliding members (69, 71) made to slide in synchronization with each other, a sliding-member movement driving mechanism (70) to move the first sliding member (69) and have the second sliding member (71) slide in synchronization with the sliding of the first sliding member (69), and a shock absorbing mechanism (83) interposed between the first and second sliding members (69, 71). The shock absorbing mechanism (83) includes a shock absorbing member (84) to absorb a difference in movement between the first and second sliding members (69, 71), caused by an external force to the optical disk brought into or to outside a housing (3) through a disk slot (21) in a direction opposite to the direction in which the optical disk (2) is loaded or ejected when the first sliding member (69) is moved by the sliding-member movement driving mechanism (70).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a disk drive that makes write and/or read of information signals to and/or from an optical disk, and more particularly to a slot-in type disk drive into or from which an optical disk can be directly introduced or ejected through a disk slot.
This application claims the priority of the Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-320300 filed on Sep. 11, 2003, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Well-known conventional optical disks include purely optical type disks such as a CD (compact disk) and DVD (digital versatile disk), and magneto-optical type disks such as a MD (Mini Disk). Also, a variety of disk drives are available for use with such types of optical disks, respectively.
The disk drives include different types. In one of the typical types, a disk is settable directly onto a turn table which will be exposed and accessed from outside with a lid or door provided on a device housing being opened. In another typical disk drive, a disk is settable onto a disk tray which is moved horizontally into or out of a device housing, and the disk is automatically settable in place onto an internal turn table with the disk tray being brought deeper. In a still another typical type, a disk is settable directly onto a turn table provided on a disk tray. With these types of disk drives, however, it is necessary to open and close the lid or door, bring the disk tray into or out of the device body or place the disk onto the turn table.
In addition, there is known a so-called slot-in type disk drive into which a disk, once inserted through a disk slot formed at the front side of a device housing, is automatically settable on a turn table. In this disk drive, a disk introduced through the disk slot is caught between a pair of guide rollers located opposite to each other and which are rotated in opposite directions. Thus, the disk can be brought into place in the housing (disk loading) through the disk slot, and can also be brought out of the housing through the disk slot (disk ejection).
There have been demands for smaller, lighter and thinner structures of portable type electronic devices such as a notebook-sized personal computer or the like in which a disk drive of the above-mentioned type and thus for correspondingly smaller, lighter and thinner structures of such a disk drive.
In the above-mentioned slot-in type disk drive, however, since the pair of guide rollers is larger than the diameter of the disk, the width of the entire disk drive will be larger. Also, since the disk is caught between the pair of guide rollers, the thickness of the disk drive will be larger. Therefore, the conventional slot-in type disk drive cannot be designed more compact and thinner.
To solve the above problem, there has been proposed a slot-in type disk drive designed to load a disk by bringing, into place in a device housing, an optical disk inserted through a disk slot by means of a plurality of pivot arms pivotable in cooperation with each other in a plane parallel to the optical disk, and eject the disk by bringing the optical disk through the disk slot to outside the device housing (cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Nos. 167209/1996 and 2003-16710, referred to herein as "patent document Nos. 1 and 2", respectively).
However, in such a slot-in type disk drive, if the disk is forcibly pushed into the housing when bringing the disk to outside the housing through the disk slot, an external force applied in a direction opposite to the disk ejecting direction will possibly damage the pivot arms and mechanisms to drive the pivot arms inside the housing. Also, if the disk is forcibly brought to outside the housing when bringing it into the housing through the disk slot, an external force applied in a direction opposite to the direction disk loading direction will possibly damage the pivot arms and mechanisms to drive the pivot arms inside the housing. Further, such external forces, if applied to the disk, will possibly interfere with the mechanisms inside the housing to damage the disk.
Furthermore, the disk drive disclosed in the patent document No. 2 includes a base having a turn table surface on which a disk is to be placed. After a disk is introduced into the housing, the base is elevated and the disk is mounted on the turn table surface while being forced to a convexity formed on a top plate. In this disk drive, however, if the top plate of the housing is low in rigidity, the disk will not possibly be appropriately chucked on the turn table surface during disk chucking.
Furthermore, the disk drive disclosed in the patent document No. 2 for example includes a pair of guides that guide an optical disk introduced from the disk slot while limiting the optical disk from being directed vertically and horizontally. However, in the disk drive is used with an optical disk formed from two disk substrates joined, with an adhesive, to each other such as a DVD for example, the pair of guides cannot smoothly bring, into the housing, the optical disk once introduced through the disk slot (disk loading operation) and also to outside the housing through the disk slot (disk ejecting operation) without being adversely affected by the adhesive, if any, coming out from the periphery of the optical disk.
Furthermore, in such a slot-in type disk drive of a thin structure, an optical disk being introduced through the disk slot may possibly have the signal recording layer (lower side) damaged due to contact with any component in the housing, which however depends on an angle at which the optical disk is introduced.
For example, the disk drive disclosed in the patent document No. 2 includes a base having a turn table surface on which a disk is to be placed. The base is elevated to place a disk once brought in the housing onto the turn table surface (disk chucking). On this account, there is provided in this disk drive disk insertion guides which guide the disk while limiting the angle in which the disk is introduced in order to prevent the disk introduced from the disk slot from touching the base.
However, in case such guides are provided, the base has to be elevated to a position above the turn table surface when chucking the disk. Therefore, the entire device has to be designed thicker for such an elevation of the base.
Furthermore, the disk drive disclosed in the patent document No. 1 for example, requires a pair of disk introduction arms, right and left, to insert an optical disk as well as a pair of disk ejection arms, right and left, to eject an optical disk. So, the disk drive includes an increased number of parts. The disk drive cannot be designed have a more compact, lightweight and thinner structure.
On the other hand, in the disk drive disclosed in the patent document No. 2, an optical disk is loaded and ejected by two or three oscillating members. However, pins of the oscillating member abutting the periphery of an optical disk become non-uniform in position and pressing operation depending upon the location and pivoting direction of the oscillating members when the optical disk is positioned in relation to the spindle motor. To solve this problem, the disk drive needs new disk positioning members and guides.


A wireless communication system is provided which supplies an only necessary font to a wireless client and avoids incorrect display on the wireless client. A wireless communication gateway server receives language information from the wireless client, and supplies a required font to the wireless client. The font is determined based on the language information by using a user control server including user information database and a font server including a plurality of fonts.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a wireless communication system and a method changing a language to be displayed in a wireless client and, in particular, to a method of changing a language to be displayed in a system which uses the Internet from the wireless client.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art, a wireless communication gateway server which resides between an information source server connected to the Internet and a wireless network, at first, temporarily stores data to be sent to a wireless client such as a wireless communication device (terminal). Then, the server sends the data to the wireless client so that a buffer memory of the client does not overflow, by monitoring a state of the buffer memory. This is done so as to avoid instability of communication due to decrease of a bandwidth, a delay, or an interrupted wave of the Internet and the wireless network.
The wireless client sends an identifier ID) used to authenticate a user and attribute information of a client to the wireless communication gateway server, before commencement of an internet connection service.
The attribute information of the client may be CC/PP (Composite Capability/Preference Profiles) optionally prescribed by W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) and UAPROF (User Agent PROFile) optionally prescribed by WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) forum. Therefore, the information may include an area of display part of the client, the number of pixels, a foreground color, an input device, a font, and character codes used to display or input.
The wireless client is required to be light, less electric power consumption, and low price. Therefore, it is desirable to avoid unnecessary electric power consumption and to have a minimum amount of memory and a minimum configuration of display device.
However, nowadays, the client is required to display many languages and input using many languages since an Internet service is used not only in Japan but also in other countries. Also, even a country or a region has many official languages.
Further, some of carriers and providers are characterized in that pictographs or pictograms are provided to users. However, these pictographs or pictograms are different for each carrier (provider) and are not interchangeable.
In the prior wireless communication system, if a font used to display information of the information source server is not coincident with a font stored in a font memory of the Wireless client when information stored in the information source server connected to the Internet is sent to the wireless communication gateway server via the Internet and the information is further sent from the wireless communication gateway server to the wireless client via a wireless network, a problem occurs that correct characters are not displayed and user of the wireless client can not read the characters correctly.
To recognize the characters correctly, it is necessary to identify a language used in the wireless communication gateway server and change the font to a proper font. In this case, the wireless communication gateway server is required to simultaneously perform font changing processes for a plurality of wireless clients, therefore, the load on the gateway server is increased.
On the other hand, if the wireless client stores a plurality of fonts in the font memory, even an unused font may be stored and therefore the font memory can be used efficiently. It is also uneconomical to store a plurality of fonts. Also, the carrier and the provider may provide a special font such as pictograms specific to a user, in this case the wireless client is needed to change a font according to the carrier/provider.

Wireless communication system and method of changing language to be displayed in wireless client


A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant named ‘PAS1020307’, characterized by its white-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, moderately vigorous, mounded-trailing growth habit, is disclosed.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant botanically known as Calibrachoa×hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'PAS1020307'.
The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Elburn, Ill. during February 2012. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Calibrachoa cultivars with unique flower coloration and mounded-trailing growth habit.
The new Calibrachoa cultivar is the result of cross-pollination. The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Calibrachoa×hybrida breeding selection coded N7734R, not patented, characterized by its white-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, prostrate growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar is the proprietary Calibrachoa×hybrida breeding selection coded N7606R, not patented, characterized by its white-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, compact-mounded growth habit. The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during July 2012 in a controlled environment in Elburn, Ill.
Both parents have a degree of homozygosity such that the progeny of the cross N7734R times N7606R are phenotypically uniform and essentially identical to 'PAS1020307'. Accordingly, phenotypically identical 'PAS1020307' can be produced by sexual reproduction as well as asexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since July 2012 in West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.


Method of searching for a variation in capacitance of a capacitive sensor, includes a phase of searching for variation in capacitance and, when a capacitance variation has been detected, a phase of verifying the variation in capacitance. The search phase includes a recurrent step of searching for variation in capacitance including steps of measuring the duration of a first measurement sequence and determining, according to the measured duration, whether a first predefined detection criterion for variation in capacitance is verified. The verification phase includes steps of measuring the duration of a second measurement sequence and determining, according to the measured duration, whether a second predefined detection criterion for variation in capacitance is verified. The first measurement sequence has a reference duration less than that of the second measurement sequence, and the verification phase includes, when the second detection criterion is not verified, a step of updating the first detection criterion.

These days, many motor vehicles incorporate capacitive sensors. In particular, it is known for a capacitive sensor to be integrated into the handle of a (side or trunk) door of a motor vehicle in order to search for the presence of said motor vehicle users hand in the proximity of said handle. Once the hand is detected, an authentication protocol by radio means is, for example, implemented between the motor vehicle and a key of said motor vehicle, carried by the user. In the event of successful authentication by radio means, the door of the motor vehicle is, for example, automatically unlocked, without the user having had to manipulate said key.
Conventionally, searching for the presence of the users hand in the proximity of the handle equipped with an inductive sensor takes place by searching for a variation in the capacitance of the capacitive sensor. What happens is that the presence of a hand in the proximity of the capacitive sensor causes a variation in the capacitance thereof, more particularly an increase in said capacitance of said capacitive sensor.
For example, it is known to measure the duration of a predefined sequence of charges/discharges of the capacitive sensor with a current of predefined constant intensity. For example, the capacitive sensor is charged until the voltage at its terminals reaches a predefined value Vmax, then discharged until the voltage at its terminals reaches a predefined value Vmin, then charged again until the voltage at its terminals reaches the value Vmax, etc.
The sequence of charges/discharges comprises a predefined number of such successive charges/discharges. Since the charges/discharges of said capacitive sensor take place with a current of predefined constant intensity, the duration of the sequence of charges/discharges depends in principle only on the capacitance of said capacitive sensor. Accordingly, by recurrently measuring the duration of said sequence of charges/discharges, it is possible to detect the presence of the users hand in the proximity of the handle when the measured duration of the sequence of charges/discharges increases significantly.
In principle, the greater the number of charges/discharges in the sequence of charges/discharges the more sensitive the capacitive sensor. Accordingly, it is possible, by increasing the number of charges/discharges in the sequence of charges/discharges, to increase the range of the capacitive sensor (distance from which the users hand can be detected) and/or to reduce the probability of a false alarm (probability of detecting the presence of a hand in the absence of a hand in the proximity of said capacitive sensor) for a given range.
The number of charges/discharges in the sequence of charges/discharges is generally predefined so as to ensure that the range of the capacitive sensor is greater than a predefined minimum range and, for this minimum range, a probability of false alarm less than a maximum predefined probability.
However, it is understood that the more the number of charges/discharges in the sequence of charges/discharges increases, the greater the electrical consumption of the capacitive sensor.
For reducing the electrical consumption of the capacitive sensor, it is known to choose the number of charges/discharges in the sequence of charges/discharges so that the predefined minimum range is ensured, but with a probability of false alarm which may be greater than the predefined maximum probability. Searching for variation in capacitance of the capacitive sensor is then broken down into two phases: a phase of searching for variation in capacitance and, when a variation in capacitance has been detected, a phase of verifying said variation in capacitance.
During the search phase, the duration of the sequence of charges/discharges is measured. When a detection criterion is verified, e.g. when the measured duration is much higher than a reference duration of said sequence of charges/discharges in the absence of a hand in the proximity of said capacitive sensor, the verification phase is executed. The verification phase comprises several successive sequences of charges/discharges, closely spaced in time and identical to the sequence of charges/discharges of the search phase, of which the durations are measured. The same detection criterion is evaluated for each of the durations measured, and the detection of variation in capacitance is confirmed when said detection criterion is verified for each of the durations measured during the verification phase. It is understood therefore that the verification phase, due to the fact that it is based on several consecutive evaluations of the detection criterion, enables the probability of false alarm to be significantly reduced.
In order to further reduce the electrical consumption of the capacitive sensor, it is also known to gradually reduce the frequency of the sequences of charges/discharges during the search phase (standby mode of the capacitive sensor), to the detriment, however, of the responsiveness with which the capacitive sensor may detect the presence of a hand.
However, there is still a need to reduce the electrical consumption of the capacitive sensor during the search phase. This is because a capacitive sensor in a motor vehicle handle spends much more time in searching for the presence of a hand than in actually verifying the presence of a hand. In addition, when the motor vehicle is stopped, the electrical consumption of the capacitive sensor is directly taken from the motor vehicle battery.

Method for searching a capacitance variation of a capacitive sensor of a motor vehicle


Systems, devices, controllers and methods for providing a DC (direct current) motor controller for ceiling fans, that can include retrofitting a DC motor controlled ceiling fan with a single remote control device. Another embodiment is for providing a DC motor controller for ceiling fans, that can include retrofitting a DC motor controlled ceiling fan with a single remote control device within the ceiling fan with a WiFi control device within the ceiling fan. Other embodiments can include using combinations of a wireless remote controller with a smart phone and with mechanical switches and/or with hardwired wall mounted controls, and the like.

Generally, conventional ceiling fans are run by AC (alternating current) powered motors with pull chains. While popular, conventional AC motors can have low efficiency and require increased power consumption. Most ceiling fans have controls for operation at different speeds, which results in increased power consumption and poor efficiency.
Running AC (alternating current) motors over extended periods of time can result in the motors heating up and potentially reducing the lifespan of the insulating materials in the motor. Ceiling fans require long periods of being run, which further exasperates the heating problem results from running AC motors which can lessen the lifespan of the ceiling fan.
DC (direct current) motors typically run cooler than AC motors and are up to three times more efficient, run quieter, and have longer lifespans than AC motors. Over the years attempts have been made to try to incorporate ceiling fans with DC motors. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,615,898 to Chang and U.S. Pat. No. 7,652,439 to Tang.
Traditionally DC motor controllers have typically been remote controlled devices and not pull chain controlled which is also mentioned in the prior art, as shown in Tang '439. The problem with a pull chain controlled fan is that it leaves the end user with no way to add on a remote-control device.
Chang '898 requires the use of an elaborate DC motor comprising a unique motor made of a permeable material and integrated by a secondary production process that can be costly when used with a ceiling fan system.
Tang '439 describes a "Changeover Device of Pull Cord Control and Wireless Remote Control for a DC Brushless-Motor Ceiling Fan", title, having two embodiments. The first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 requires two separate wireless units. Wireless unit 413 connected to the pull cord-control unit and a second wireless receiving-and-sending apparatus 61 for receiving control signals from a wireless controller 62. Additionally, this embodiment as seen in FIG. 52 shows the use of the wireless controller 61 has separate power lines coming into the unit (see upper extending lines) compared to separate power lines (see upper extending lines) passing into the top of extension tube 20. Thus, Tang' 439 requires two wireless controllers and requires separate power lines to run the wireless control unit which are separate from the power lines supplying power to the fan motor.
Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.

DC motor controller for ceiling fan motor and lights


A suspension for supporting a head slider over a media surface. The suspension includes a load beam, a base plate interface region, and a base plate. The load beam has a proximal end, a distal end and longitudinal centerline. A localized stiffening portion is raised above the load beam, and is connected to the load beam by rounded side edges. The base plate interface region is coupled to a proximal end of the load beam, and provides a pre-load bend. Finally, base plate is coupled to the base plate interface region such that the base plate is coupled to a side of the base plate interface region that is opposite the media surface.

Computers generally require a media in which digital data can be stored and retrieved. Magnetizable (hard) layers on discs have proven to be a reliable media for data storage and retrieval. However, other types of disc drives, such as optical disc drives, are also frequently used. Disc drives that read data from and write data to hard discs have become popular components of computer systems.
Disc drives typically include a track accessing arm. The track accessing arm usually includes a head assembly, a load beam, an actuation component to move the track accessing arm, and a read/write head and slider supported by the head assembly. The head slider or slider usually has an air-bearing surface which includes rails and cavity between the rails to help the slider fly.
To access a memory location or data block on a hard disc, the read/write head is positioned above the surface of the disc while the disc rotates at an essentially constant velocity. By moving the read/write head radially over the rotating disc, all memory location on the disc can be accessed. This is typically referred to as "flying" because the head is coupled to a slider that is aerodynamically configured to hover over the surface of the disc on a cushion of air.
In a conventional disc drive, multiple discs are coupled to and rotate about a spindle. Each of the discs has two substantially flat surfaces that are capable of storing data. Typically these discs are stacked in a parallel relationship with each other. The sliders and heads are designed to move within the space between adjacent discs while flying close to the disc surface. The slider is coupled to the distal end of a thin, arm-like structure called a suspension gimbal assembly (SGA), which is inserted within the space between two adjacent discs. This SGA is made of materials and thickness so as to be somewhat flexible and to allow a measure of vertical positioning as the head hovers over the surface of the rotating disc.
Typically, SGAs are mounted and supported by an actuator arm. The actuator arm is selectively positionable by a rotary actuator assembly over a selected data track or data block of the disc to either read data from or write data to the selected data block. Historically, this actuator assembly has assumed many forms, with most disc drives of the current generation incorporating an actuator of a type referred to as a rotary voice coil actuator. Typically, the rotary voice coil actuator consists of a pivot attached to a drive housing of the disc drive. A shaft is mounted and set such that its central axis is normal to the plane of rotation of the disc. An actuator housing is pivotally mounted to the pivot shaft and supports a coil which is supported in a magnetic field generated by an array of permanent magnets.
When controlled direct current is applied to the coil, an electromagnetic field is formed which interacts with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet that is in proximity to the coil. This causes rotation of the actuator housing in accordance with the well-known Lorentz relationship. As the actuator housing rotates, the read/write head is moved radially across the data tracks on the disc. Control of the movement of the head from track to track on the disc surface is commonly accomplished through the use of the closed loop servo system. When an access command is sent to the disc drive, a comparison is made between the current position of the head relative to the disc and the location of the desired data transfer on the disc. If the head is currently positioned over the desired track, the disc drive simply waits for the correct circumferential location to rotate under the head, and then begins the requested data transfer. If however this transfer is to take place at a location other than the present position of the actuator, servo control system determines both the distance and direction that the actuator must move in order to bring the head over the target track. Based on this determination, servo control system applies controlled direct current to the coil of the actuator voice coil motor, which causes the actuator to move from the current track location to the desired target track.
When the disc assembly is rotated at high speed, the air adjacent to the spinning disc or discs moves as well. This moving air, as it passes by the actuator and the fixed structures surrounding the disc assembly, can cause undesirable vibrations and windage losses in the disc drive, due to turbulence and friction. These flow disturbances can cause the disc, read/write heads, and actuators to vibrate, making precision tracking operations difficult. Windage losses require more power to be used in order to rotate the disc. Further, windage losses and vibration increase dramatically as the rotational speed of the discs in the disc drive increase. These external vibrations may excite the load beam and gimbal spring at their respective resonant frequencies, thus any input motion or external vibration may be amplified substantially, thus causing unstable fly characteristics and misalignment of the read/write head relative to the disc surface.
Currently, discs are rotated at 10,000 and 15,000 revolutions per minute (RPM) in a high performance disc drive. It is anticipated that rotational speeds of the discs will continue to increase in future designs. This will further amplify the existing problems of windage and vibration. Furthermore, track density or the number of tracks per inch on the surface of the disc is anticipated to increase since there is continued pressure in the industry to add storage capacity to disc drives. As tracks become smaller, vibrations become more problematic as accurate tracking of the head slider becomes more difficult.
The turbulent airflow generated by the two rotating platters or discs influence the SGA such that higher non-repeatable runout excitation is observed on internal heads. Internal heads are those read/write heads that are attached to the actuator and positioned between the two discs. That is the head slider has a disc both above and below the head slider when viewed in profile. Further, the turbulent air causes communication between the two Suspension Gimbal Assemblies because of their close proximity to each other. A common solution to reduce this effect has been to increase the disc spacing. However, as the form factors of hard disc drives decrease it is becoming increasingly difficult to increase the disc spacing when both high capacity and high performance are desired. Therefore it is desirable to have a suspension gimbal assembly that reduces the effects of windage while conserving valuable Z-height space.
Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions to one or more of these and/or other problems, and offer other advantages over the prior art.

Aerodynamically shaped load beam having reduced windage and reduced off-track PES


An exposure apparatus which transfers a pattern formed on a mask onto a photosensitive substrate placed in proximity to the mask, the apparatus including an illumination optical device which illuminates the mask with an energy beam, a mask holding device which holds a periphery area of a pattern area of the mask from above, and makes a force at least within a plane parallel to a predetermined plane act on the mask and a substrate holding device which moves along the predetermined plane holding the substrate.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to exposure methods and exposure apparatuses, and device manufacturing methods, and more particularly to an exposure method and an exposure apparatus by a proximity method used in a lithography process for manufacturing microdevices (electron devices) such as a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display device and the like, and a device manufacturing method including the lithography process.
Description of the Background Art
For example, when manufacturing a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display device, or a printed-circuit board and the like in a photolithography process, a proximity exposure apparatus is used which illuminates a photomask or a mask and the like (hereinafter collectively called a "mask") with an exposure light and exposes a pattern of the mask onto a substrate on which a photosensitive material is coated that is placed in proximity with the mask (for example, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,806).
However, in the conventional proximity exposure apparatus, because the gap (clearance) between the pattern surface of the mask and the surface of a photosensitive layer formed on the substrate by the photosensitive material was minimally around 30 μm, resolution was poor, therefore, the conventional proximity exposure apparatus cannot possibly be used for line widths under 64 nm which is the practical minimum line width of semiconductor devices today, such as, for example, when forming a critical pattern having a line width of 32 nm on a substrate and the like.
In order to resolve a pattern having a line width under 32 nm, exposure should be performed by a double-patterning method using the latest liquid immersion type ArF scanner (scanning stepper), or by using an electron beam or an X-ray (especially an SOR light: synchrotron orbital radiation light) lithography technique.
The liquid immersion type ArF scanner which supports the double-patterning is costly. Further, the electron beam lithography can control pattern forming of a nanometer order with high precision, and also has an advantage of being able to directly draw the pattern on a wafer without using the mask. However, on the contrary, because the electron beam lithography has low throughput and is costly, the electron beam lithography has a disadvantage of still being far from the mass-production level.
Further, in the lithography using the electron beam or the X-ray, a photoresist has to be developed according to the exposure method, and there still are many problems related to sensitivity, resolution, etching resistance and the like.
Therefore, as a method for solving such problems, recently, a method of forming a fine pattern has been proposed (for example, refer to U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,732), in which a near-field light leaking out from an aperture sufficiently smaller than a wavelength of a light that is irradiated serves as a light source to perform exposure and development of the photoresist. According to this method, space resolution of a nanometer order can be obtained, regardless of the wavelength of the light source.
However, in the exposure method disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,732, which substantially employs a contact method, although liquid intervenes between a mask and a substrate, it is actually difficult to avoid damage of the mask, decrease in yield and the like. Because conventional masks are costly, such damages have to be prevented as much as possible. In addition, in this method, because there is no projection optical system, it was difficult to cope with deformation of the mask, such as, for example, deformation of a pattern on the mask (warp, magnification change) caused by thermal deformation of the mask, and decrease in overlay accuracy could not be prevented. This point was also similar in the conventional proximity exposure apparatus.

Exposure apparatus including a mask holding device which holds a periphery area of a pattern area of the mask from above


A multi-level memory cell having a bottom electrode, a first dielectric layer, a plurality of memory material layers, a plurality of second dielectric layers, and an upper electrode is provided. The bottom electrode is disposed in a substrate. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate and has an opening exposing the bottom electrode. The memory material layers are stacked on a sidewall of the first dielectric layer exposed by the opening and are electrically connected to the bottom electrode. The second dielectric layers are respectively disposed between every adjacent two memory material layers and are located on the sidewall of the first dielectric layer. The upper electrode is disposed on the memory material layers. A manufacturing method of the multi-level memory cell is further provided. A multi-bit data can be stored in a single memory cell, and both the process complexity and the cost are reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a multi-level memory cell and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Memory devices developed based on semiconductor techniques, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), and non-volatile memory, have taken a major part in today's semiconductor industry. These memories have been broadly applied to personal computers, mobile phones, and networks and have become one of the most indispensable electronic products in our daily life.
The demand to memories having low power consumption, low cost, high access speed, small volume, and high capacity has been increasing drastically along with the widespread of consumable electronic products and system products. Among existing memories, the memory which records data by changing the resistivity of a variable-resistance layer is one of the most focused memory devices.
In a resistive random access memory (RRAM), the state of a variable-resistance layer is changed by applying a current pulse and a conversion voltage, so as to switch between a set state and a reset state according to different resistances. The digital data "0" and "1" is recorded in the memory according to the set and reset states corresponding to different resistances.
However, the conventional RRAM cannot be served as a multi-level memory. Additionally, because memory devices are made very small, the process complexity and cost thereof are greatly increased. Thus, how to reduce the surface area of an integrated circuit so as to increase the integrity of a memory and reduce the cost thereof is to be resolved.

Industrial Technology Research Institute