A method of scheduling remotely located call center agents comprising the steps of connecting a call center client and a remotely located call center agent by telephonic and digital means. A posting server having a scheduling database is connected to a voice switch handling telephonic communications for the agent. A client-user terminal interface is utilized for posting one or more available time-slots in the scheduling database for accepting a customer-initiated telephone call. An agent-user terminal interface for displays the time-slots in the posting database to the agent who accepts one or more available time-slots through the agent-user terminal interface. The posting server then determines if the agent is authorized by the client to provide call center service and, if authorized, marks the time-slots accepted by the agent as unavailable.

The present invention relates generally to call-center telecommunications and more particularly to a system for scheduling remote call-center agents for a plurality of call center clients.
Call centers handle an increasing volume of telephonic inquiries for sales, information, customer support and other services. Typical call centers provide the ability to route a plurality of incoming, customer-initiated calls to call agents which provide sales, information, or support. An automatic call distributor (xe2x80x9cACDxe2x80x9d) is utilized to selectively route the incoming calls. An ACD generally refers to a device that receives incoming calls, answers with a taped announcement, holds the calls with background music or a message, then automatically assigns the call on a first come first serve basis to the next available call agent. However, newer ACD systems selective route the incoming calls based on various additional information such as the number of calls, the number of the caller, the geographic location of the caller, past caller data, and other relevant criteria. Once the ACD has evaluated the inbound caller""s information, if any, the ACD then searches for an available call agent to service the call. The number of agents within the call center is often limited by the office space available for the agents to operate. A frequent problem experienced by call centers is the situation where there too few call agents to handle the number of incoming customer calls. In those situations, the customer is frequently put on hold and made to wait until a call agent becomes available. However, many potential customers, when faced with an extended wait, may simply terminate the call before the call center has the opportunity to conduct a business transaction, thereby causing an economic loss. Additionally, customers calling for support or information may become disgruntled or unsatisfied with a business that is unable to provide a sufficient number of call agents to service the call in a timely manner.
For most applications, an agent requires both a voice and data connection. The agent audibly communicates with the customer through a typical telephone line connection and records whatever transactions take place through a computer terminal networked to the call center""s record system. Modern advancements in the field of electronics, computers and telecommunications have created standardized network protocols and hardware, yielding a constantly advancing global information infrastructure. Local area networks (xe2x80x9cLANsxe2x80x9d) based in a single geographic location have given rise to wide area networks (xe2x80x9cWANsxe2x80x9d) which efficiently interconnect information systems between large geographic distances. Both home and business computers currently sold offer integrated or optional components to communicate through standard networks including the Internet.
Many problems experienced in conventional call centers are rooted in the fact that operations are both physically and geographically confined. Large call centers may select a geographically attractive location only to find a limited workforce in that area. Large call centers typically pay for the training of their call agents and simultaneously experience a high turnover rate. Furthermore, should the customer initiated call exceed the capacity of the call center, physical expansion of the facilities is costly.
Hence there have been recent developments in the field of telecommunications to enable remote agents (sometimes called xe2x80x9chome agentsxe2x80x9d) to service overflow or regular customer initiated incoming calls. The benefits are obvious. Remote agents may work from home reducing the cost of maintaining large call center locations. The equipment and software needed to implement remote communications are widely available. Remote agents gain the benefit of forgoing commuting to a geographically distant office, avail themselves of flexible schedules, reduce the burden of reliance on child care or other similar circumstances. Furthermore, remote agent opportunities are particularly beneficial to persons with disabilities who may have special needs and require more flexible working conditions and schedules.
The present invention is directed to a system for coordinating, scheduling and evaluating a plurality of remotely located agents by a plurality of different call centers. The system provides a call center the ability to forecast and schedule its workload requirements utilizing home-based remotely located agents. Time slots are posted on the system so that remotely located agents may sign up for the available slots for accepting calls through a wide area network (xe2x80x9cWANxe2x80x9d).
An object of this invention is to provide a novel method for scheduling independent remotely located agents utilized by one or more call centers which share the remotely located agents.
Previous attempts have been made to provide scheduling and forwarding for call center agents such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,869 to Brooks et al. (the ""869 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,291 to Kepley (the ""291 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,780 to Sand (the ""780 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,093 to Trefzger (the ""093 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,345 to Otto (the ""345 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,260 to Shaio (the ""260 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,551 to Conn et al. (the ""551 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,903 to Kohler et al. (the ""903 patent); U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,780 to Leggett (the ""780 patent); all of which are incorporate herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,869 to Brooks et al. (the ""869 patent) describes a call-management method and system for distributing calls to ACD agents comprising a customer telephone, a public switch, a connection between the public switch and a PBX, a series of ACD switching circuits within the PBX connected to a dynamic skills-based router, an agent telephone connected to the ACD switching circuits, whereby the dynamic skills-based router stores data referencing an individual agent""s call handling capabilities. These capabilities may include technical knowledge, foreign language skills, or other such specialization. A skill level required for the call is evaluated and a priority level is placed on the call. The system attempts to correlate the skills needed with an appropriate agent in the database. However, if no agent with the appropriate skill level is available, then the system places the call in queue until the appropriate agent is available.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,291 to Kepley (the ""291 patent) describes a call-management system for a call center comprising a plurality of terminals attended by agents. A call management system is controlled by an administrator and determines the work schedules for a plurality of call center agents by communications via an ACD PBX to their terminals or by voice to their headsets. The call management system also monitors the agent""s adherence to the schedule for evaluation purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,780 to Sand (the ""780 patent) describes a work at home agent ACD comprising an ACD host switch, an agent switch, an intelligent agent workstation, a data network, a home agent server (xe2x80x9cHASxe2x80x9d), a host processor, and a management information system (xe2x80x9cMISxe2x80x9d), whereby call traffic routed through a PSTN is distributed by the ACD host switch to the agent switch and received by the workstation. The workstation receives voice signals from the agent switch and also transmits connection status, order processing, and other information via the data network to the HAS. The HAS transmits the data to a host processor which in turn communicates with the MIS which monitors the distribution traffic and controls the ACD host switch to optimize call distribution, particularly when caller traffic justifies maintaining an open voice path to the remote agent to reduce call setup time.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,093 to Trefzger (the ""093 patent) describes an integrated ACD and automatic dialer system comprising one or more inbound trunks connected to a plurality of universal agents by an inbound switch. The inbound switch is connected to an inbound controller which interfaces with a data processor to access pre-existing caller information. An interface server compares the call frequency of an outbound switch with the call frequency in the inbound switch and directs universal agents to handle outbound calls during periods when inbound calls are less frequent. Conversely, during peak times of incoming calls, universal agents will be assigned to handle the inbound calls.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,345 to Otto (the ""345 patent) describes an ACD system for both local and remote agents. A remote intelligent workstation receives voice calls from a switch and data from a data network. A home agent server monitors the remote agent activities. Data links carry event messages relating to the status of the workstation and application data such as order processing information. A logon connection is made by a data link to the server and the workstation connects to the server and determines whether the agent is logging on from a local or remote location. Both server and workstation confirm their respective availability and for accepting distributed inbound calls.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,260 to Shaio (the ""260 patent) describes a system for automatically handling incoming telephone calls based on telephony information and agent performance criteria comprising a public telephone network ultimately connecting a plurality of callers to a plurality of agents within the setting of a single client or employer. Callers are matched against a host database by the number dialed, incoming line, the number of the caller or other telephony data. This information is analyzed by a call router controlled by a manager console whereby agent performance may be evaluated based on sales, efficiency or other factors. Furthermore, the call router may be configured to direct the first callers to the highest performing agents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,551 to Conn et al. (the ""551 patent) describes a home agent telecommunication system comprising one or more home agents having a voice terminal and a compute terminal to access a transaction processing center. The transaction-processing center may comprise a catalog order facility, a travel reservation entity, a stock brokerage, or the like. A customer call is received by a LEC which is routed to a PSTN and received by a second exchange which serves the geographic area encompassed by the transaction processing center. The transaction processing center designates the home agent assigned to receive the call which is routed across a combined voice and data line. The perceived benefit of this system is that the home agent is not continuously connected to the transaction processing center on a line that may remain idle much of the time.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,903 to Kohler et al. (the ""903 patent) describes a system to route calls based on call-skill indicators that represent a particular need of the calling party. A call placed to the ACD is prioritized by first identifying the calls pending in a queue. If the caller at the head of the queue requires a certain skill, the system determines whether a call center agent possesses those skills. If the agent has the proper skills, the call is connected to that agent. However, if no agents are available with that skill level, the system evaluates whether the caller required a second skill. If an agent is found with the second skill, the call is connected to that agent. Thus, the system produces a loop to match the skills required by the caller, whether it is technical knowledge or language ability, to an agent with those required skills.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,780 to Leggett (the ""780 patent) describes a method for predicting the number of agents required to provide service for a call center. The system comprises a central computer connected to a management information system (xe2x80x9cMISxe2x80x9d) which forms part of an ACD. The MIS receives real-time data from the ACD and stores this data in the MIS database. Data is delivered to the force management system database of the central computer in fifteen minute intervals. Agent schedules are delivered from the central computer back to the MIS to enable the MIS to determine adherence to the schedules. The centralized computer is linked to a plurality of workstations organized as groups into management units having one or more supervisor workstations associated with each group of agents therein. Each of the workstations includes a video display, a keyboard for enabling entry of orders and information, and a control circuit for communications between the terminal and the central computer via a communications link. The teams of agents are organized into management units and a forecast of expected caller activity is generated. The forecast is generally determined by past data correlating the same times and days of the week to predict a calling pattern. Next, an allocation of resources between management units is executed whereby the central computer distributes the responsibility for answering calls according to the forecast.
However, none of the inventions in the prior art describe a scheduling system for remotely located call center agents acting as independent contractors for at least one or more call center clients. An advantage of the independent agent is his or her ability to set their own schedule. However, this schedule must correspond to the needs of the call center clients. Additionally, some remotely located agents are training to handle calls for certain call centers, while they are untrained in others. Call center clients generally require remotely located agents to be authorized and validated to handle call traffic. Furthermore, when a schedule of available time-slots is posted to a large pool of remotely located agents, an unscrupulous agent may sign himself up for more time-slots than he can possibly handle then simple work whatever time-slots he later chooses. This creates a problem wherein accepted time-slots are no longer available to other agents. If the agent accepting the time-slot does not work, then the system is unable to provide the proper capacity to handle caller traffic.
Another problem occurs when an agent who is signed up for a particular time-slot is unable to fulfill his or her commitment at the last minute may not be able to cancel although another remote agent is available to handle the time-slot.
Another problem occurs when caller traffic exceeds the level forecasted by the client. In these cases, a large number of remotely located agents who could not obtain a time-slot sit idle when, in fact, they could be utilized on short notice.
Consequently, there is a need in the art for a method to schedule remotely located call center agents based on forecasted call traffic by a call center client.
There is a further need in the art for a method to validate which agents are authorized to accept time-slots for any particular client.
There is a further need in the art for a method to provide a threshold limit to the total number of hours a remotely located agent can sign up for time-slots.
There is a further need in the art for a method for one agent to release a scheduled time-slot to another agent should the first agent be unable to fulfil his or her commitment.
There is a further need in the art for a method to audit compliance of an agent""s commitment to work scheduled time-slots.
There is a further need in the art for a communications method to notify idle agents of available time-slots due to non-compliance of a previously scheduled agent or unexpected caller activity.
The present invention solves significant problems in the art by providing a method of scheduling automatic call distribution (ACD) service to one or more remotely located agents trained to service calls for a plurality of client call centers, comprising the steps of connecting a call center client to one or more call center agents by telephonic and digital means and networking a scheduling server to the client and agents. The server provides access to a scheduling database to which the client posts one or more time-slots for accepting a customer-initiated call. Agents then reserve the time-slots to handle caller activity.
Generally described, the invention comprises the steps of connecting a call center client and one or more remotely located call center agent by telephonic and digital means. The telephonic means may comprises regular telephone service, ISDN, OPX or any other comparable technology. The digital connection may comprise ADSL, cable modem, ATM, ISDN, analog modem, or any other comparable technology. In a preferred embodiment, the method utilizes a client-server architecture wherein a scheduling server processes a scheduling database containing information on upcoming workload schedules and remote agent information. The server is preferably maintained by a third party network database which also provides access to the server for a plurality of client call centers, thereby lowering the costs to each individual client call center. The server is also linked to a voice switch handling telephonic communications for the agent. The preferred switch is a Nortell(copyright) DMS 100 providing the ability to silently monitor caller transactions as well as to determine when an agent is logged onto the system and handling call traffic.
A client-user terminal interface is provided for posting one or more available time-slots in the scheduling database for accepting a customer-initiated telephone call. The client then forecasts the quantity of call traffic expected for a period of time and then posts one or more time-slots in the scheduling database for remote agents to accept customer-initiated telephone calls.
The remote agent is also provided an agent-user terminal interface for displaying the time-slots in said scheduling database to said agent whereby the remote agent may accept one or more available time-slots. In a preferred embodiment, before each agent may accept a time-slot, the agent is validated to determine whether the agent is authorized by the client to provide call center service. This step insures that agents handling the call traffic are properly qualified and trained to process orders. Once the agent""s credentials have been validated, the time-slot is marked unavailable unless later released by the agent.
An additional step of validating the agent has not exceeded a preset threshold for accepting time-slots may be performed to insure that agents to not horde time-slots they do not intend to work. However, time-slot transferability may be provided for a first agent to release a reserved time-slot to a second agent to handle caller activity which insures that time-slots are covered in the event that the first agent unexpectedly becomes unable to work the time-slot.
In order to ensure that each agent complies with their scheduling commitments, a caller log may be maintained by monitoring the agent""s caller activity through the voice switch. The log is then referenced against the scheduling database and the compliance of the agent is stored in a user file.
When a large number of remote agents desire to schedule time-slots at the same time, a number of methods may be employed to insure the network is not overloaded and that time-slots are accessible to agents in a fair manner. One method comprises the step of providing a right-of-first-refusal to client-designated agents for said time-slots. For example, a group of particular remote agents may become known to the call center client as highly productive, reliable and professional. The call center client may wish these agents to have the first chance to secure an available time-slot. This right-of-first-refusal may be time limited wherein the preferred agents may have several hours or several days to accept the time-slots. Thereafter, any qualified remote agent may begin to accept the available time-slots.
An alternative method may be employed wherein remote agents who consistently work the same time-slot may be provided with a right-of-first-refusal in order to gain the reliability of those particular agents and to reward the agents with the security they will have that employment opportunity open to them on a regular basis.
Another alternative method may be employed, particularly when a large number of qualified agents aggressively attempt to secure open time-slots. For example, if a particularly lucrative array of time-slots open to a large number of remote agents, there is a danger that the scheduling server may be overloaded. Furthermore, it may become stressful to many agents if they are required to xe2x80x9cracexe2x80x9d for time-slots. Therefore, in order to provide a level playing field, a random selection of a subset of the qualified agents are provided a right-of-first-refusal to the time-slots. If any time-slots are left over after the first round, a second subset of agents are again randomly selected until all the time-slots are filled.
At times, call center clients may required additional remote agents to work on short notice. This may be a result of unexpected call volume or agents who signed up for time-slots who are not logged on. The increased call volume is determined by the calling queue at the voice switch. For example, should a preset number of customer callers be in a holding queue, the voice switch sends a socket message to the scheduling server. The scheduling server then may send a notification for any non-scheduled agent to handle calls. The notification may consist of email, interactive voice response messages, a terminal pop-up box or any similar means. Notification sent by email may delineate the time-slots open and prompt for a reply or simply note that the time-slots are available through the regularly used scheduling interface. A terminal pop-up box may comprise a standard message dialog box on the agent-user interface wherein the box appears modally to notify the user of available time-slots. Notification sent by interactive voice response may comprise a pre-recorded message delivered telephonically regarding the available time slots sent to each qualified idle agent. The agent is then prompted to depress a key on a touch-tone telephone to accept or decline. The depressed key registers a dual tone multi-frequency signal back to the scheduling server which processes the input accordingly. For idle agents not answering their telephone, the server assumes the agent declined.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to schedule remotely located call center agents based on forecasted call traffic by a call center client.
It is another object of the present invention to validate which agents are authorized to accept time-slots for any particular client and provide a threshold limit to the total number of hours a remotely located agent can sign up for time-slots.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method to release a scheduled time-slot to another agent should the first agent be unable to fulfil his or her commitment and to provide a method wherein one or more agents may gain preferred access to scheduling, or alternatively, randomizing access to scheduling to ensure every agent has an equal opportunity to work various time-slots.
It is another object of the present invention to audit compliance of an agent""s commitment to work scheduled time-slots and to notify idle agents of available time-slots due to non-compliance of a previously scheduled agent or unexpected caller activity.
An advantage of the invention is that client call centers have the ability to access a large pool of highly qualified remote agents and schedule them for anticipated call volume. Another advantage of the invention is that should call volume unexpectedly increase, additional agents may be notified and brought online to handle the calls without addition infrastructure costs and expense. Another object of the invention is that remote agents may conveniently schedule their work hours to accommodate their personal commitments and should circumstances inhibit their ability to work certain hours, the remote agents may release scheduled time-slots to each other without placing the scheduling burden on the client call center.


A lighting device including a circuit substrate; a plurality of light sources disposed on the circuit substrate; a reflection layer disposed on the circuit substrate, the reflection layer comprising a plurality of openings where respective light sources are located; a plurality of light regulating patterns disposed at an edge of the reflection layer and at an inclination with respect to the reflection layer, wherein corresponding light regulating patterns are disposed closer to the edge of the reflection layer at first areas aligned with the respective light sources than light regulating patterns at second areas between the first areas; and an optical sheet disposed on the light sources.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a planar lighting device and more particularly, to a planar lighting device including a light emitting device.
Discussion of the Related Art
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) which are one type of displays are used in a variety of monitors for televisions, notebook computers and desktops as well as cellular phones.
Such an LCD does not self-emit light, thus requiring a light-emitting device to light a liquid crystal panel so as to display image information.
A light emitting device of LCDs is bonded to a rear surface of a liquid crystal panel and is thus referred to as a backlight unit. This backlight unit forms a uniform surface light source and supplies light to a liquid crystal panel.
A light emitting diode (LED) has a structure in which an n-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a p-type semiconductor layer are stacked in a substrate and an electrode is formed on the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer. Regarding a principle of light generation by the light emitting diode, light of the light-emitting layer generated upon recombination between holes and electrons injected from respective semiconductor layers is discharged to the outside.
Such a light emitting diode constitutes a light emitting diode package which is used as a light source of a backlight unit (BLU).
Such a backlight unit provides a planar light source toward the liquid crystal panel, which is thus considered to be an example of a planar lighting device. The planar lighting device is considered to be a light source which uniformly emits light through a flat surface and has a relatively small thickness.
The planar lighting device improves luminous efficacy of a display device and accomplishes structural slimness thereof.
When the light emitting diode is used as a light source of a planar lighting device, the light emitting diode may be a side type in which light is diffused to a side direction or a direct type in which light is emitted in a front direction. A method for uniformly diffusing light emitted from the light emitting diode is required.


Engine management system for operation of a direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine, a source of gasoline and a source of an anti-knock agent. Gasoline and anti-knock agent are introduced into a proportioning valve that delivers a selected mixture of gasoline/anti-knock agent to a high pressure pump. At least one injector receives the selected mixture from the high pressure pump and delivers the mixture into a cylinder of the engine. The engine management system provides a rapidly variable mixture of directly injected anti-knock agent and gasoline which prevents knock as the engine torque increases.

This invention relates to engine management systems and more particularly to a fuel management system that uses a single nozzle direct injection system for directly injecting a rapidly variable ratio of an anti-knock agent and gasoline into a cylinder in order to prevent knock as the engine torque is increased. The anti-knock agents that can be used include ethanol and methanol.
On demand use of directly injected (DI) ethanol or other anti-knock agents in spark ignition engines that also employ gasoline direct injection is very attractive as a means to control knock and enable operation of the engine at much higher levels of torque/horsepower. Computer model calculations have shown that relative to port injection of gasoline and direct injection of the anti-knock agent, the direct injection of gasoline as well as the anti-knock agent can significantly reduce the amount of anti-knock agent required over a drive cycle. Typically, multiple sets of injectors would be required for separate injection of gasoline and an anti-knock agent. However, the use of multiple sets of injectors may be prohibited by available cylinder head space, is complex and therefore expensive.
In order to address the drawbacks of multiple injectors, the use of a single nozzle configuration is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,225,787, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This patent does not discuss, however, how to mix the gasoline and anti-knock agent outside of the injector, and in particular, that patent does not disclose means for mixing the gasoline and the anti-knock agent so as to minimize the cost of the system through the use of a single high pressure pump. It also does not discuss means to insure that adequate knock suppression will be provided during transient conditions as the engine torque increases. Because of the finite volume between a proportioning valve and the injector, and the finite rate of fuel consumption, there is a natural delay in adjusting the anti-knock agent to gasoline ratio that is injected into the cylinder. This delay, referred to as a "fuel composition adjustment delay", can result in knocking conditions when the engine operation changes from low torque to high torque. The reverse situation, when the engine operation changes from high torque to low torque does not result in increased tendency to knock and the fuel composition adjustment delay results only in slightly increased anti-knock agent utilization.
An object of the present invention is a fuel management system for operation of a direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine that eliminates the need for multiple injector sets when direct injection of an anti-knock agent is employed to prevent knock as the engine torque increases.

Single nozzle direct injection system for rapidly variable gasoline/anti-knock agents mixtures


A method and system for providing a magnetic element are disclosed. The method and system include providing first and second pinned layers, a free layer, and first and second barrier layers between the first and second pinned layers, respectively, and the free layer. The first barrier layer is preferably crystalline MgO, which is insulating, and configured to allow tunneling through the first barrier layer. Furthermore, the first barrier layer has an interface with another layer, such as the free layer or the first pinned layer. The interface has a structure that provides a high spin polarization of at least fifty percent and preferably over eighty percent. The second barrier layer is insulating and configured to allow tunneling through the second barrier layer. The magnetic element is configured to allow the free layer to be switched due to spin transfer when a write current is passed through the magnetic element.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict conventional magnetic elements 10 and 10′. Such conventional magnetic elements 10/10′ can be used in non-volatile memories, such as magnetic random access memories (MRAM). The conventional magnetic element 10 is a spin valve and includes a conventional antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer 12, a conventional pinned layer 14, a conventional nonmagnetic spacer layer 16 and a conventional free layer 18. Other layers (not shown), such as seed or capping layer may also be used. The conventional pinned layer 14 and the conventional free layer 18 are ferromagnetic. Thus, the conventional free layer 18 is depicted as having a changeable magnetization 19. The conventional nonmagnetic spacer layer 16 is conductive. The AFM layer 12 is used to fix, or pin, the magnetization of the pinned layer 14 in a particular direction. The magnetization of the free layer 18 is free to rotate, typically in response to an external magnetic field. The conventional magnetic element 10′ depicted in FIG. 1B is a spin tunneling junction. Portions of the conventional spin tunneling junction 10′ are analogous to the conventional spin valve 10. However, the conventional barrier layer 16′ is an insulator that is thin enough for electrons to tunnel through in a conventional spin tunneling junction 10′. Note that only a single spin valve 10 is depicted, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that dual spin valves including two pinned layers and two nonmagnetic layers separating the pinned layers from the free layer can be used. Similarly, although only a single spin tunneling junction 10′ is depicted, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that dual spin tunneling including two pinned layers and two barrier layers separating the pinned layers from the free layer, can be used.
Depending upon the orientations of the magnetization 19/19′ of the conventional free layer 18/18′ and the conventional pinned layer 14/14′, respectively, the resistance of the conventional magnetic element 10/10′, respectively, changes. When the magnetization 19/19′ of the conventional free layer 18/18′ is parallel to the magnetization of the conventional pinned layer 14/14′, the resistance of the conventional magnetic element 10/10′ is low. When the magnetization 19/19′ of the conventional free layer 18/18′ is antiparallel to the magnetization of the conventional pinned layer 14/14′, the resistance of the conventional magnetic element 10/10′ is high.
To sense the resistance of the conventional magnetic element 10/10′, current is driven through the conventional magnetic element 10/10′. Typically in memory applications, current is driven in a CPP (current perpendicular to the plane) configuration, perpendicular to the layers of conventional magnetic element 10/10′ (up or down, in the z-direction as seen in FIG. 1A or 1B). Based upon the change in resistance, typically measured using the magnitude of the voltage drop across the conventional magnetic element 10/10′, the resistance state and, therefore, the data stored in the conventional magnetic element 10/10′ can be determined.
It has been proposed that particular materials be used for the conventional magnetic element 10′. In such a conventional magnetic element 10′, it has been proposed that ferromagnetic materials from the group of Ni, Co, and Fe, their alloys such as CoFe, CoFeNi, and low-moment ferromagnetic materials such as CoFeBx (where x is between five and thirty atomic percent), CoFeC, CoFeHf, or analogous materials be used for the pinned layer 14′ and free layer 18′. For the conventional barrier layer 16′, it has been proposed that amorphous AlOx or crystalline MgO having (100) or (111) texture be used. For such structures, a large magnetoresistance, up to several hundred percent difference between the high and low resistance states, can be achieved.
Spin transfer is an effect that may be utilized to switch the magnetizations 19/19′ of the conventional free layers 18/18′, thereby storing data in the conventional magnetic elements 10/10′. Spin transfer is described in the context of the conventional magnetic element 10′, but is equally applicable to the conventional magnetic element 10. The following description of the spin transfer phenomenon is based upon current knowledge and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
When a spin-polarized current traverses a magnetic multilayer such as the spin tunneling junction 10′ in a CPP configuration, a portion of the spin angular momentum of electrons incident on a ferromagnetic layer may be transferred to the ferromagnetic layer. Electrons incident on the conventional free layer 18′ may transfer a portion of their spin angular momentum to the conventional free layer 18′. As a result, a spin-polarized current can switch the magnetization 19′ direction of the conventional free layer 18′ if the current density is sufficiently high (approximately 107–108 A/cm2) and the lateral dimensions of the spin tunneling junction are small (approximately less than two hundred nanometers). In addition, for spin transfer to be able to switch the magnetization 19′ direction of the conventional free layer 18′, the conventional free layer 18′ should be sufficiently thin, for instance, generally less than approximately ten nanometers for Co. Spin transfer based switching of magnetization dominates over other switching mechanisms and becomes observable when the lateral dimensions of the conventional magnetic element 10/10′ are small, in the range of few hundred nanometers. Consequently, spin transfer is suitable for higher density magnetic memories having smaller magnetic elements 10/10′.
Spin transfer can be used in the CPP configuration as an alternative to or in addition to using an external switching field to switch the direction of magnetization of the conventional free layer 18′ of the conventional spin tunneling junction 10′. For example, the magnetization 19′ of the conventional free layer 18′ can be switched from antiparallel to the magnetization of the conventional pinned layer 14′ to parallel to the magnetization of the conventional pinned layer 14′. Current is driven from the conventional free layer 18′ to the conventional pinned layer 14′ (conduction electrons traveling from the conventional pinned layer 14′ to the conventional free layer 18′). The majority electrons traveling from the conventional pinned layer 14′ have their spins polarized in the same direction as the magnetization of the conventional pinned layer 14′. These electrons may transfer a sufficient portion of their angular momentum to the conventional free layer 18′ to switch the magnetization 19′ of the conventional free layer 18′ to be parallel to that of the conventional pinned layer 14′. Alternatively, the magnetization of the free layer 18′ can be switched from a direction parallel to the magnetization of the conventional pinned layer 14′ to antiparallel to the magnetization of the conventional pinned layer 14′. When current is driven from the conventional pinned layer 14′ to the conventional free layer 18′ (conduction electrons traveling in the opposite direction), majority electrons have their spins polarized in the direction of magnetization of the conventional free layer 18′. These majority electrons are transmitted by the conventional pinned layer 14′. The minority electrons are reflected from the conventional pinned layer 14′, return to the conventional free layer 18′ and may transfer a sufficient amount of their angular momentum to switch the magnetization 19′ of the free layer 18′ antiparallel to that of the conventional pinned layer 14′.
Although spin transfer can be used in switching the magnetization 19/19′ of the conventional free layer 18/18′, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that a high current density is typically required. In particular, the current required to switch the magnetization 19/19′ is termed the critical current. As discussed above, the critical current corresponds to a critical current density that is approximately at least 107 A/cm2. One of ordinary skill in the art will also readily recognize that such a high current density implies that a high write current and a small magnetic element size are necessary.
Use of a high critical current for switching the magnetization 19/19′ adversely affects the utility and reliability of such conventional magnetic elements 10/10′ in a magnetic memory. The high critical current corresponds to a high write current. The use of a high write current is associated with increased power consumption, which is undesirable. The high write current may require that larger structures, such as isolation transistors, be used with the conventional magnetic element 10/10′ to form memory cells. Consequently, the areal density of such a memory is reduced. In addition, the conventional magnetic element 10′, which has a higher resistance and thus a higher signal, may be less reliable because the conventional barrier layer 16′ may be subject to dielectric breakdown at higher write currents. Thus, even though a higher signal read may be achieved, the conventional magnetic elements 10/10′ may be unsuitable for use in higher density conventional MRAMs using a high spin transfer switching current to write to the conventional magnetic elements 10/10′.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for providing a magnetic memory element that can be switched using spin transfer at a lower write current. The present invention addresses such a need.

MTJ elements with high spin polarization layers configured for spin-transfer switching and spintronics devices using the magnetic elements


A disc reproduction apparatus reading and reproducing data containing a plurality of chapters recorded on a disc-like recording medium includes an input unit for accepting an input of an instruction from a user and a control unit for controlling a reproduction operation in accordance with the instruction accepted through the input unit. The control unit reads information on the plurality of chapters recorded on the recording medium when information designating a first reproduction time period is accepted through the input unit. In addition, second reproduction time periods respectively corresponding to chapters are calculated based on the information on the plurality of chapters that has been read and the designated first reproduction time period. Then, digest reproduction is performed by reading at least part of the chapter recorded on the recording medium in accordance with the calculated second reproduction time periods.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a disc reproduction apparatus, and more particularly to a disc reproduction apparatus performing digest reproduction.
2. Description of the Background Art
Chapters are contained in data recorded on a disc such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). A technique to designate a reproduction time period by utilizing such chapters is available.
For example, Japanese Patent Laying Open No. 2001-76474 discloses a medium reproduction apparatus reproducing a medium in accordance with a reproduction time period set for each chapter. In addition, Japanese Patent Laying Open No. 2002-74912 discloses a program reproduction apparatus reproducing a chapter or a title and a section thereof bearing a designated number for a designated period of time, after a user sequentially designates the chapter or the title and the section thereof by the number provided thereto. In connection with such chapters, Japanese Patent Laying Open No. 2002-100109 discloses an information reproduction apparatus automatically stopping a reproduction operation when a number actually provided to a chapter or a title matches with a designated number thereof at the time of reproduction.
In addition, a technique to designate a reproduction time period without utilizing chapters or the like is also available.
For example, Japanese Patent Laying Open No. 2002-230950 discloses an optical disc recording and reproduction apparatus, in which a time period to be skipped, that is, a prescribed time period out of a reproduction time period of a video and audio signal recorded on an optical disc and a reproduction time period for reproducing the video and audio signal for a prescribed time period are set, and reproduction is performed in such a manner as alternately repeating skipping and reproduction. In addition, Japanese Patent Laying Open No. 2003-91975 discloses an information reproduction apparatus scanning and reproducing data for reproduction for each unit period, based on a designated unit period and a reproduction time period lasting for that unit period.
According to Japanese Patent Laying Open Nos. 2001-76474 and 2002-74912, however, the reproduction time period should be set for each chapter, which results in a troublesome operation. In addition, according to Japanese Patent Laying Open Nos. 2002-230950 and 2003-91975, it is difficult to grasp a total reproduction time period because the reproduction time period within a certain period is merely set.

Disc reproduction apparatus capable of digest reproduction


Polyoxometalate topical compositions for removing contaminants from an environment and methods of use thereof are disclosed. An embodiment of the polyoxometalate topical composition includes a topical carrier and at least one polyoxometalate, with the proviso that the polyoxometalate is not H5PV2Mo10O40; K5Si(H2O)MnIIIW11O39; K4Si(H2O)MnIVW11O39; or K5CoIIIW12O40. Another embodiment relates to a method for removing a contaminant from an environment, including contacting the polyoxometalate topical composition with the environment containing the contaminant for a sufficient time to remove the contaminant from the environment. An additional embodiment relates to a modified material for removing a contaminant from an environment, wherein the modified material includes (1) a material comprising a topical carrier, a powder, a coating, or a fabric, and (2) a metal compound including a transition metal compound, an actinide compound, a lanthanide compound, or a combination thereof, wherein the metal compound is not a polyoxometalate.

Decreasing the potential danger of contaminants from the environment has long been a significant issue. For example, the removal of offensive odors originating from cigarette smoke, sweat, exhaust gases, and rotten food in the work place, the home, and elsewhere would be quite beneficial to the public-at-large. Additionally, materials that can remove highly toxic contaminants, such as chemical warfare agents (CWAs), from the environment can ultimately reduce a soldier's exposure to the agent. Examples of materials that would be useful include creams, powders, coatings, and fabrics
Creams, also referred to as topical skin protectants (TSPs), have been developed to protect soldiers from the threat of dermal exposure to chemical warfare agents TSPs require an inert material which can be applied on the skin in a thin layer to form an antipenetrant barrier to CWAs or other contact irritants that will not interfere excessively with normal skin functions. A preferred TSP affords protection against CWAs and other toxic or irritating materials in all of the forms in which they might be encountered (e.g., liquid, aerosolized liquid and vapor). Perhaps the best-known vesicant CWA is 2,2′-dichlorodiethylsulfide (also known as "HD" or "sulfur mustard"), which was first used during World War I. Improved TSPs, however, are needed for protecting military personnel and civilians from percutaneous exposure to CWAs and protecting the skin from contact dermatitis arising from other sources as well
U.S. Pat. No 5,607,979 to McCreery discloses topical creams formed from about 35% to about 50% fine particulates of certain poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) resins dispersed in perfluorinated polyether oils having viscosities from about 20 cSt to about 350 cSt. The creams afford protection against chemical warfare agents such as sulfur mustard (HW), lewisite (L), sulfur mustard/Lewisite mixtures (HL), pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate (soman or GD), thickened soman (TGD), and O-ethyl-S-2-diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothiolate (VX). These creams, however, can only provide limited exposure to a CWA for a short period of time. Furthermore, the creams cannot convert the CWA to an inactive form, which will reduce the overall toxicity of the CWA.
Thus, there is a need for a material, which is also referred to herein as a support, that can remove a contaminant from the environment for an extended period of time The incorporation of a polyoxometalate (herein referred to as "POM") into a material such as a cream, coating, powder, or fabric, is one approach to removing a contaminant from an environment. Gall et al. (Chem. Mat. 8, pp. 2523–2527, 1996) disclose the immobilization of H5PV2Mo10O40 on carbon cloth in order to determine the ability of H5PV2Mo10O40 to remove sulfur containing compounds from toluene. Johnson et al. (Proc. ERDEC Sci. Conf. Chem. Biol. Def. Res., 1998, pp. 393–399) disclose suspending H5PV2Mo10O40; K5Si(H2O)MnIIIW11O39, K4Si(H2O)MnIVW11O39; or K5CoIIIW12O40 in a perflouropolyether barrier cream to determine the creams ability to detect the presence of mustard gas. Johnson et al., however, is not concerned with the removal of the mustard gas from the gas phase.
The prior art also discloses the incorporation of polyoxometalates into powders and coatings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,469 to Curcio et al. disclose a metal pigment composition suitable for the formation of a coating composition The coating composition is composed of a solvent, a metal pigment, at least one phosphosilicate pigment, and at least one heteropoly anion. The metal pigment particles possess increased stability against attack by water. Japanese patent application number 4054127 to Terumo Corp. discloses the use of heteropoly acid salts as anti-tumor agents. The heteropoly acid salts can be administered in the form of a powder or suspended in solution. Although the prior art discloses a number of different applications of polyoxometalate powders or coatings, the art does not disclose the use of a powder or coating containing a polyoxometalate to remove a contaminant from the environment.
In light of the above, it would be very desirable to have an article and a method of using an article for the removal of toxic and/or malodorous compounds without adding stoichiometric amounts of additives or compounds to the article. The present invention solves such a need in the art while providing surprising advantages. The present invention herein incorporates a polyoxometalate (POM) into a material such as a topical carrier, powder, or coating, which greatly increases the ability of the to remove a contaminant from the environment. The present invention also incorporates a metal compound, wherein the metal compound is not a polyoxometalate, into a in order to remove a contaminant from the environment.

Polyoxometalate materials, metal-containing materials, and methods of use thereof


In a method and magnetic resonance imaging apparatus wherein magnetic resonance signals are simultaneously received from an examination subject by multiple reception coils, a single, uninterrupted pulse sequence is executed which includes reference scans of the subject with a first sequence kernel that is optimized for coil sensitivity calibration, immediately followed by a series of accelerated image scans with a second sequence kernel, different from the first sequence kernel, that is optimized for imaging. Coil sensitivity maps for the respective coils are calculated from the data acquired in the reference scans, and an image of the subject is reconstructed by operating on the image data with a parallel reconstruction algorithm employing the calculated coil sensitivity maps.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method and magnetic resonance MR apparatus of the type employing multiple coils for obtaining magnetic resonance signals, and in particular to a method and apparatus for calibrating the sensitivities of those coils.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Magnetic resonance signals are received with multiple coils in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus in many types of magnetic resonance imaging sequences. These types of sequences are generally referred to as partially parallel acquisition (PPA) techniques, and include the known SMASH and SENSE sequences, as well as others. Details that are common to most PPA techniques are described in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/117,396, filed Apr. 5, 2002 ("Magnetic Resonance Imaging Method and Apparatus Employing Partially Parallel Acquisition," Griswold), now U.S. Pat. No. 6,841,998, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. In sequences employing PPA, an accelerated imaging acquisition is possible because magnetic resonance signals are being simultaneously received by multiple reception antennas (reception coils). The received signals are processed in parallel, however, it is important to have knowledge of the coil sensitivity of each reception coil in the processing of the received signals. Processing errors would occur if the signals were processed based on the assumption that all of the coil sensitivities are identical.
Currently, two methods are known for calibrating the coil sensitivities for this purpose.
In a first of these known methods, reference scans are performed in a separate measurement before the accelerated image acquisition. As schematically indicated in FIG. 1A herein, the reference scan can be a 2D reference scan conducted with the same slice orientation and position as each slice for which an image is to be obtained in the accelerated imaging. As shown in FIG. 1A, if images of two slices (Slice 1 and Slice 2) are to be obtained, a reference scan in this version is conducted preceding each accelerated imaging signal acquisition.
Alternatively, the reference scan can be a volume reference scan (3D reference) as indicated in FIG. 1B, and therefore a single volume reference scan can precede the respective accelerated imaging signal acquisitions for multiple slices.
A disadvantage associated with this method (both versions) is that the separation of the reference scan and the imaging scan in different signal acquisition measurements may cause coil sensitivity misalignment between the two types of scans, and thus artifacts may arise in the reconstructed images. Moreover, in real time magnetic resonance scans, the slice orientation and position may be adjusted interactively, and therefore it is not convenient, and may not be possible, to undertake a separate reference scan each time the slice is redefined. Data sharing between the reference scan or scans, and the imaging scans, introduces additional engineering workloads.
The second of the aforementioned known methods for calibrating coil sensitivities was developed to address these problems.
The second of these known methods for calibrating coil sensitivities is referred to as self-calibration. An example of this technique is AUTO-SMASH, as described in "V-D-AUTO-SMASH Imaging" Heidemann et al., Magnetic Resonance In Medicine, Vol. 45 (2001), pages 1066-1074 and "AUTO-SMASH: A Self-Calibrating Technique for SMASH Imaging," Jakob et al., Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine, Vol. 7 (1988), pgs 42-54. Self-calibration is schematically indicated in FIG. 2 herein. In an accelerated imaging scan, a small number of additional k-space centerlines are acquired, and these lines can be used as reference scans for coil sensitivity calibration as well for imaging scans, to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The reference scans and the accelerated imaging scans now share the same slice definition. The coil sensitivity information also is updated in each measurement to avoid the aforementioned coil sensitivity, misalignment problem. Nevertheless, there are several problems associated with self-calibration. First, the acquisition of additional k-space centerlines represents a substantial obstacle to improving data acquisition efficiently. Second, reference scans are limited by the imaging parameters that are defined for the accelerated imaging scans, such as field of view (FOV), bandwidth, etc. Third, the number of reference scans is limited so as to avoid any significant reduction in the actual acceleration factor due to the reference lines. Lastly, both the reference scans and the imaging scans must be conducted using the same type of magnetic resonance pulse sequence. This may compromise the coil sensitivity calibration, as shown in FIG. 3 herein.
FIG. 3 is a comparison between the coil sensitivity calibration using three types of sequences, namely spin-echo, FLASH, and TrueFISP. A total of 128 phase-encoding lines were measured for reference scans. A 100 Hz frequency offset was introduced to simulate the possible magnetic field inhomogeneity in the region of a human heart. The sensitivity of one coil element calculated using data from the spin echo sequence is employed as the "ideal" standard. The difference between the FLASH and spin echo sequence is shown as curve A. Curve B shows the difference between the TrueFISP and spin echo sequence. Clearly there is a much larger deviation in coil sensitivity calibrated by the TrueFISP sequence, which is more sensitive to the off-resonance effects than the FLASH sequence

Method and magnetic resonance apparatus for calibrating coil sensitivities


In order to reduce a temperature change of a fixing unit and to prevent a reduction of the life of a switching device for controlling the current supply of a heater of the fixing unit and to reduce flickering noises, an on/off control of the heater is executed in every predetermined period and the order of ON and OFF states of the heater is changed every period when the fixing unit is heated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control apparatus of a heat fixing unit of an image recording apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, the are a variety of image recording apparatuses in which a developing agent is pressurized with heat and is fixed by a fixing unit using a heat roller (fixing roller) having therein a halogen heater as a heating source. A temperature adjustment is executed so as to maintain a predetermined temperature by detecting a surface temperature of the heat roller.
On the other hand, the image recording apparatus of this kind use recording papers of various sizes and has a tendency toward higher and higher recording speeds. When a recording paper having a narrow width in the axial direction of the heat roller is used and the recording is successively performed, since the heat loss of a paper passing unit is larger than that of a paper non-passing unit, a temperature difference occurs between the paper passing unit and the paper non-passing unit of the heat roller. When recording is performed by using a recording paper of a wide width immediately after that, a fixing fluctuation occurs.
In order to avoid the fixing fluctuation, there is also an image recording apparatus which controls the fixing temperature so as to reduce the temperature difference by reducing a turn-on time of each heater by using two halogen heaters.
In case of executing the control in which the turn-on period is reduced by using the two halogen heaters like the above conventional apparatus, however, there are problems such that the life of a switching device is reduced by a rush current which flows at the time of turn-on of the heater and a flickering often occurs in illuminating equipment or the like connected to the same power source as that of the image recording apparatus due to the rush current.

Control apparatus of heat fixing unit of image recording apparatus


A method and apparatus for jointly estimating channels used to propagate desired and interfering signals received by a wireless receiver. A blind parameter estimator in the wireless receiver includes a forward parameter estimator and a backward parameter estimator that each include an equalizer and a channel estimator for generating forward and backward channel estimates, respectively, for the desired and interfering signal channels. In one embodiment, the blind parameter estimator includes independent forward and backward parameter estimators that generate independent forward and backward channel estimates, respectively, where a final channel selector selects the final channel estimates based on a comparison between error metrics associated with the forward and backward channel estimates. In another embodiment, the blind parameter estimator includes serial per-survivor processing forward and backward parameter estimators that uses the backward channel estimates as the final channel estimates for the desired and interfering signal channels.

The present invention generally relates to processing received wireless communication signals and particularly relates to using joint channel estimation to cancel interfering signals from a received wireless communication signal.
In response to an ever-increasing demand for wireless services, wireless providers continue searching for new ways to increase the capacity of current wireless networks. Because interference within a system limits capacity, one way to increase system capacity is to reject or cancel interference using digital signal processing techniques. Interference cancellation can be performed by jointly demodulating the desired and interfering signals. One type of joint demodulation requires the received signal to contain synchronized desired and interfering signals. When the desired and interfering signals are synchronized, the training symbol period of the interfering signal roughly overlaps the training symbol period of the desired signal. As a result, the joint demodulation process may exploit the overlapping training sequences present in the received signal to jointly estimate the desired and interfering signal channels.
However, the desired and interfering signals received by the wireless communication device are not always synchronized, e.g., in current Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) cellular radiotelephone systems like Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), and Digital-Advanced Mobile Phone Service (D-AMPS). As a result, the training sequence of the interfering signals does not overlap the training sequence of the desired signal, which negatively impacts the performance of the synchronized joint channel estimation process discussed above.
To address this problem, the wireless industry continues to explore methods of joint channel estimation that do not require the desired and interfering signals to be synchronized, and therefore, do not require knowledge of the training symbols associated with the interfering signal.

Iterative forward-backward parameter estimation


The same totem-pole switch configuration that is used for a data bus driver is suitable for switched-current power control on a processor. The switched-charge power converter has very fast dynamic response for changes in current, from no load to full load and back again in the time that it takes to turn a MOSFET on, then off again. For a number of reasons, the preferred location for the power control circuitry is on the processor die itself, or as close to it as possible. Switched-charge circuitry may be added, for very fast and accurate step changes in voltage.

Prior art power controllers for processors are usually buck converters, as shown in FIG. 1. They suffer from poor response. Multi-phase buck converters, as shown in FIG. 2, are a significant improvement, but they are still slow.
A switched-current power converter, as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,761, "Fast Transition Power Supply", issued 19 Sep., 2000, and shown (simplified) in FIG. 3 is much faster. A variant (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/709,484, "Switched-current Power Converter" filed 8 May, 2004 issued 27 Dec., 2005 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,982) having a plurality of switched-current sources is shown in FIG. 4. The plurality of current sources can be generated using one current source and a matrix transformer. The current can transition from zero to full load and back to zero very quickly, essentially the time that it takes to close, then open, solid-state switches. The above patent and patent application are owned by the same entity as the present invention, and they are incorporated herein by reference.
In the power converter of FIG. 4, the switches are located outside of the processor, though preferably they are very close to it.

Totem-pole power converter for processors


In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may include generating attenuation values associated with a set of multiple signals received by multiple receivers from a transmitted signal as a function of reception time and material velocity. The attenuation values may be stored in a memory and/or displayed on a display, perhaps in conjunction with a semblance map.

Acoustic well logging is a well developed art, and details of acoustic logging tools and techniques are set forth in A. Kurkjian, et al., "Slowness Estimation from Sonic Logging Waveforms", Geoexploration, Vol. 277, pp. 215-256 (1991); C. F. Morris et al., "A New Sonic Array Tool for Full Waveform Logging," SPE-13285, Society of Petroleum Engineers (1984); A. R. Harrison et al., "Acquisition and Analysis of Sonic Waveforms From a Borehole Monopole and Dipole Source . . . " SPE 20557, pp. 267-282 (September 1990); and C. V. Kimball et al., "Semblance Processing of Borehole Acoustic Array Data", Geophysics, Vol. 49, pp. 274-281 (March 1984), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
An acoustic logging tool may include an acoustic source (transmitter), and a set of receivers that are spaced apart from each other. An acoustic signal may be transmitted by the acoustic source and received at the receivers. Measurements can be repeated periodically as the tool is drawn up (or down) the borehole. The acoustic signal from source may travel through the formation adjacent the borehole to the receiver array, and the arrival times and perhaps other characteristics of the receiver responses are recorded. Received signals may include compressional wave (P-wave), shear wave (S-wave), and Stoneley waves. Received data may be processed to find formation characteristics, including slowness (the inverse of acoustic speed), from which pore pressure, porosity, and other formation property determinations can be made.
Typically, the processing involves digitizing the received signal at a desired sampling rate and then processing the digitized samples according to desired techniques. Examples may be found in the references cited above, as well as in articles such as A. R. Harrison et al., "Acquisition and Analysis of Sonic Waveforms From a Borehole Monopole and Dipole Source . . . " SPE 20557, pp. 267-282 (September 1990). In some tools, the acoustic signals may even be used to image the formation.
Traditional compensated bonding analysis may identify casing arrivals using the signals from two transmitters and two receivers, depending on the peak amplitude of first arrival signals. However, sensitivity to signal amplitudes may induce failure when the signals are weak. Detection of casing arrival signals may also require additional input from an operator, including gating setup and gain adjustments.

Attenuation mapping apparatus, systems, and methods


A synchronous electric machine includes a stator and a rotor. The stator is provided with teeth, which are wound around to establish electromagnetic fields. The rotor is provided with permanent magnets to generate magnetic fields, so that the rotor can rotate by interaction of the magnetic fields of the windings and the permanent magnets of the magnets. At least one pair of the permanent magnets is dislocated by a predetermined angle from positions where the permanent magnets is arranged at even pitch, and the predetermined angle being set to reduce electromagnetic excitation force acting on said teeth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a synchronous electric machine having a stator with windings and a rotor with permanent magnets so that the rotor can be rotatable in the stator by mutual interaction between electromagnetic fields of the windings and magnetic fields of the permanent magnets.
2. Description of the Related Art
A synchronous electric machine of this kind is disclosed in Japanese patent laying-open publication No. Hei 07-255159. This electric machine acts as an electric motor and includes a rotor with permanent magnets to generate magnetic fields and a stator with windings to establish electromagnetic fields. The magnets are arranged at an uneven pitch along a circumference of the rotor so that the magnets are dislocated forward and backward by 30 degrees in an electric angle from the positions where they are placed at an even pitch. Specifically, the number of pole pairs is set to be an even number, one of pole pairs is set at 330 degrees in the electric angle and the other of pole pairs is set at 390 degrees in the electric angle. This causes that electromotive powers generated in U-phase windings are, for example, different forward and backward in phase between the two windings, so that their combined electric power changes in a step configuration, not in a rectangular configuration, in the rise and drop of the electromotive power. This brings the waveform of the electromotive power in each-phase winding to have a sinusoidal-like configuration, which in turn the terminal voltages between the U-, V-, and W- phases also have sinusoidal-like configurations. The sinusoidal-like configuration improves its control characteristics and running efficiency.
The above known conventional synchronous electric machine, however, encounters a problem that it can not decrease vibration or high-frequency electromagnetic noise of the stator caused by electromagnetic excitation forces acting on teeth of the stator. Because the conventional electric machine allows for only improvement of the control characteristics and running efficiency, which requires the dislocated angle of the magnets to be set ±30 degrees in the electric angle and 15 degrees in a mechanical angle.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a synchronous electric machine which overcomes the foregoing drawbacks and can decrease electromagnetic excitation force acting on a stator and causing a high-frequency electromagnetic noise.


In a flash memory device, which can maintain an enhanced electric field between a control gate and a storage node (floating gate) and has a reduced cell size, and a method of manufacturing the flash memory device, the flash memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a pair of drain regions and a source region formed between the pair of drain regions, a pair of spacer-shaped control gates each formed on the semiconductor substrate between the source region and each of the drain regions, and a storage node formed in a region between the control gate and the semiconductor substrate. A bottom surface of each of the control gates includes a first region that overlaps with the semiconductor substrate and a second region that overlaps with the storage node. The pair of spacer-shaped control gates are substantially symmetrical with each other about the source region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flash memory device and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a split gate flash memory device having a self-aligned control gate and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Non-volatile semiconductor devices electrically store and erase data and can retain data even when power is turned off. Accordingly, non-volatile semiconductor devices enjoy widespread use in various fields, including portable electronics.
As one type of non-volatile memory device, a split gate flash memory device includes a floating gate (or a storage node) and a control gate that are separated from each other. The floating gate is electrically isolated from the external environment, and stores information using the characteristic that the current of a memory cell varies according to electron injection (writing) to the floating gate and electron removal from the floating gate (deleting). For example, electron injection to the floating gate is conducted by channel-hot electron injection (HEI), and electron removal from the floating gate is conducted by Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling through an inter-gate insulating layer that is present between the floating gate and the control gate.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional split gate flash memory device includes a floating gate 15 and a control gate 20, which are disposed between a source region 25a and a drain region 25b. The control gate 20 and the floating gate 15 share a portion of a substrate 10, that is, a channel region between the source and drain regions 25a and 25b, respectively, and the control gate 20 surrounds a sidewall and lies on a portion of a top surface of the floating gate 15.
By forming the control gate 20 in this manner, an electric field between the floating gate 15 and the control gate 20 is enhanced, and the problem of punch-through between the source and drain regions 25a and 25b can be solved. Such a split gate flash memory device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,108.
In the split gate flash memory device, as the control gate 20 is formed by an individual patterning process, an overlap area between the control gate 20 and the channel region varies from chip to chip, lot to lot, or wafer to wafer. Accordingly, cell threshold voltage and device characteristics vary from chip to chip, lot to lot, or wafer to wafer.
Further, since the control gate 20 and the floating gate 15 are formed on the same plane to share the channel region, the cell size of the split gate flash memory device is about 50% larger than that of a stack type flash memory device. Accordingly, it is more difficult to scale down the split gate flash memory device as compared to the stacked flash memory device.

Split gate flash memory device having self-aligned control gate and method of manufacturing the same


Selective dimming in a light emitting display device to reduce power consumption. The display device includes a display panel that includes a plurality of light emitting pixels. An image processor is configured to divide an image frame into a plurality of regions and to reduce pixel intensity levels in at least one region of the plurality of regions to generate an adjusted image frame. The at least one region corresponds to a background of the image frame. A display driver converts data for the adjusted image frame into control signals for controlling brightness of the light emitting pixels. The display device may be, for example, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device or other type of display device that includes light emitting pixels.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a light emitting display devices, and more specifically to using selective dimming to reduce power consumption of a light emitting display device.
2. Description of the Related Arts
In many electronic devices, the display is responsible for a significant portion of the power consumed by the device. For devices such as flat panel monitors, reducing the power consumed by the displays is important for complying with federal regulations, such as the Energy Star requirements set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For mobile devices that include displays, reducing the power consumed by the displays is also important for maximizing battery life.
Until now, one of the more popular displays technologies has been liquid-crystal display (LCD) technology. LCDs use a backlight in conjunction with a passive front display panel that controls the amount of light that is allowed to pass through the display panel. In LCD display devices, the pixels of the LCD panel only consume a small amount of power. The backlight is responsible for a bulk of the power consumed by a LCD display device and can be dimmed to reduce power consumption.
Recently, newer displays using light emitting technology, such as active light emitting diode (LED) displays and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays have begun to replace LCDs. Light emitting displays can include many (e.g. millions) of individual light emitting pixels, each of which emits a small amount of light when activated. Light emitting displays offer better color quality and viewing angles than LCDs and are generally more power efficient than LCDs due to the lack of a backlight. However, because light emitting displays include so many light emitting elements, they tend to consume a high amount of power when displaying white images and are thus relatively inefficient for use with computer based content such as web pages and word documents.

Selective dimming to reduce power of a light emitting display device


An electromagnetic shield is provided, for example for a printed circuit board. A shield lid fits onto a base structure having at least two, more typically four, opposing sidewalls. The lid includes a top portion and a lip extending downward from the top portion to cap the base structure. The lid includes at least one deformation inhibiting feature extending downward from the top portion, for placement near or against an interior portion of a sidewall, for example against an edge of a folded-over sidewall. The deformation inhibiting feature may include one or more half-dimples stamped into the lid. In response to an external force, the deformation inhibiting feature presses against its adjacent sidewall in order to brace the shield lid. This inhibits the base structure from deforming the lip due to outward pressure of a sidewall onto a portion of the lip, located opposite the deformation inhibiting feature.

Electromagnetic shielding, such as radiofrequency (RF) shielding, is commonly provided over circuitry components, for example provided on a portion of a printed circuit board (PCB). The conductive enclosure provided by such shielding helps to electromagnetically isolate the circuitry inside the enclosure from the environment outside. Electromagnetic shielding is particularly useful for devices having RF communication capabilities, for example in order to electromagnetically isolate RF components such as antennas and transmission lines from other components such as digital components.
Various models of electromagnetic shields for mounting to PCBs include separate sidewall and lid components, which can be known in the art as multi-part shields. With the lid is disengaged, the area enclosed by the sidewalls can be accessed, in order to populate circuits to the PCB, test, adjust and repair the circuits, and the like. The lid may then be removably or non-removably engaged with the sidewalls. This option can be attractive as it offers improved ease of access to the shielded components.
However, as the lid is not integrally formed with the sidewalls, various problems may arise if the shield is mechanically deformed, for example as illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, due to an unintentional drop or intentional drop test, the shield sidewalls may become permanently deformed. This deformation may introduce gaps between the sidewalls and the lid or allow the lid to move with respect to the sidewalls. This may allow RF leakage through the shield and spurious RF emissions, which may be undesirable and potentially may result in safety or performance issues.
Examples of existing multipart shields are described for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,552,261, 7,109,411, 7,623,360 and United States Patent Application Publication Nos. 2007/0139904, 2008/0080160 and 2011/0094791. However, these shielding solutions lack a desirable combination of structural integrity and simplicity. Furthermore, additional shielding solutions would advantageously provide for more choices during product design.
Therefore there is a need for an electromagnetic shield that is not subject to one or more limitations of the prior art.
This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present technology. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present technology.

Electromagnetic shield configured to inhibit deformation


Methods are presented for improving the lipoprotein cholesterol profile of a mammal. Methods are also presented for reducing or removing atherosclerotic lesions from a mammal that has such lesions. The methods comprise administering to the mammal a therapeutic amount of an M-CSF protein in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

Abnormal blood cholesterol levels increase an individual's risk of coronary heart disease. Cholesterol is transported in the body largely through the interaction of the lipoproteins. A great deal of attention has focused on the search for agents that safely and effectively reduce levels of lipoprotein and thus cholesterol in the blood. While blood cholesterol levels can be somewhat reduced through diet modifications, recourse to drug therapy is often required.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is caused by atherosclerosis which results from the formation of atherosclerotic plaques or lesions. These plaques are build-ups of cholesterol deposited in the arterial wall. The build-up occurs because cholesterol is insoluble in water and thus is not readily removed by the blood. "If cholesterol is to be transported safely in blood, its concentration must be kept low and its tendency to escape from the bloodstream must be controlled." M. S. Brown and J. L. Goldstein, Science, 232:34-47 (1986).
Initially, free cholesterol is bound to the surface of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and coupled to a fatty acid in an esterification reaction. The cholesteryl esters which are formed on the surface of HDL are subsequently encapsulated within low-density lipoproteins (LDL). The cholesteryl ester-containing LDL then enters certain cells through a lipoprotein-specific receptor-mediated-endocytosis. Once inside the cell, the esters are hydrolyzed back to cholesterol and put to constructive use in the formation of steroids and membranes, or it is biochemically modified for safe and efficient removal from the body.
Significantly above average levels of HDL have been associated with reduced risk of CHD, while significantly above average levels of LDL have been associated with increased risk of CHD.
The LDL is the most abundant cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein in the human body and carries about three-fourths of the total cholesterol of normal human plasma. Lowering plasma LDL levels will effect a reduction of serum cholesterol and so decrease the progression of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, because the HDL remove free cholesterol from the plasma and prepare it for encapsulation within the LDL an increased HDL/LDL ratio is generally accepted as representing an improved lipoprotein cholesterol profile.
The importance of maintaining a healthy overall lipoprotein cholesterol profile has recently been made evident. Recent studies suggest that heart disease can strike even individuals having safe levels of total cholesterol if their levels of HDL are low. Thus, not only high levels of LDL, but also low levels of HDL can be very dangerous.

Method for reducing atherosclerotic lesions in a mammal


An operating pedal device for an automobile, which is designed to suppress rearward movement of a depression portion of an operating pedal caused by rearward movement of a dashboard upon a frontal collision of the automobile. An operating member is opposed to a control lever forward-rearward swingably supported on a dashboard or a pedal bracket for supporting an operating pedal. The operating member is supported on a steering hanger beam in the rear of the control lever to swing the control lever forward in response to rearward movement of the dashboard upon frontal collision of an automobile. The operating pedal is provided with an engagement portion to be brought into engagement with the control lever upon forward swing of the control lever to force forward swing of the operating pedal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an operating pedal device for an automobile, in which an operating pedal having a depression portion at its lower end and forward-rearward swingably supported on a pedal bracket connected to a dashboard of a vehicle body is connected to an input rod of an actuating device mounted to a front surface of the dashboard. More particularly, this invention relates to an improvement in an operating pedal device for an automobile which is designed to suppress rearward movement of a depression portion of an operating pedal caused by rearward movement of a dashboard upon frontal collision of the automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent No. 3267182 (hereinafter, "Patent Document 1") discloses an operating pedal device for an automobile, which is designed to suppress rearward movement of a depression portion of an operating pedal caused by rearward movement of a dashboard upon frontal collision of the automobile. In this device, a pedal bracket is constructed to be plastically deformed upon reception of a shock load equal to or larger than a predetermined value, and an operating member having a high rigidity and fixedly mounted on a support member constituting a portion of a vehicle body is opposed to the pedal bracket in the rear of the pedal bracket so that the pedal bracket is plastically deformed by the shock load applied by the operating member in response to the rearward movement of the pedal bracket; thereby, suppressing the rearward movement of the operating pedal.
In the operating pedal device described in Patent Document 1, the pedal bracket is plastically deformed by the shock load applied by the operating member in response to the rearward movement of the pedal bracket the upon the frontal collision of the automobile. Therefore, such an operating pedal device has the following drawbacks: sufficient enhancement in rigidity of the pedal bracket for supporting the operating pedal is limited; increase in weight of the vehicle body is brought about by need for sufficiently increasing the rigidity of the support portion for supporting the operating member. Moreover, it is difficult to stabilize the plastic deformation characteristic of the pedal bracket.


An apparatus for space and terrestrial communication applications includes a Ka-band horn combined with a S-band cross-polarization cup. The S-band cross-polarization cup is placed around a neck of the Ka-band horn in a form of a collar.

A large diameter, dual frequency, circularly polarized reflector antenna with an as low as possible depth was required. Thus, the reflector F/D ratio (the focal length divided by the reflector diameter) required had to be close to 0.25, as that provides the overall minimum antenna depth, with the prime reflector focus near the aperture plane. The consequence is a relatively large primary reflector depth requirement, about equal to the overall antenna depth.
The current antenna invention is inspired by prior art, in particular the smaller Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) HGA, where the low frequency feed antenna is placed at the primary reflector feed, and the high frequency system includes a secondary reflector with the high frequency feed antenna placed at one of the foci of the secondary reflector. The secondary reflector, which is reflective over the high frequency band, is essentially transparent to the low frequency band, by means of a frequency selective surface (FSS) that also acts as a radome for the low frequency feed antenna.
The low F/D ratio required a low frequency feed antenna that has a relatively wide beam with low cross-polarization covering the full hemisphere, to fully illuminate the primary reflector. Current state of the art, such a s S-band feed antennas of the LRO HGA and the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM) HGA do not have wide enough beams. Although the latter has the desired low cross-polarization over a wide angular range, a feed antenna with a higher front to back ratio (i.e. the amount of radiation energy radiated forward versus the energy radiated backward) than either of these prior art could provide, was also desired.
The LRO antenna's secondary reflector was relatively small and of low curvature depth, which simplified fabrication of the FSS, as it could be approximated with two conical sections with minimal deviation from the desired curvature. For the current invention, a larger secondary reflector with a deeper profile was required, which could not be divided into just a few conical segments without significantly larger deviations from the ideal curvature.
The LRO HGA high frequency feed antenna employed a relatively expensive, corrugated horn antenna, with very few vendors prepared to take on the challenge of fabricating it, and who required long lead times. Other easier to fabricate prior art horn antennas include the Potter horn, but it has a narrower bandwidth, and typically higher sidelobes and cross-polarization.
Therefore, as the current antenna invention cannot be based directly on any prior art without introducing new modifications and inventions, there is a need for an alternative high gain antenna.

Shaped reflector dual S-band and Ka-band high gain antenna

United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA