A method, apparatus, and machine readable storage medium is for management of an Inclusive Provider Multicast Service Interface (I-PMSI) tunnel for forwarding traffic for a given multicast flow is disclosed. Aspects of the method comprise: upon expiry of an S-PMSI_DELAY interval timer, switching the multicast flow from the I-PMSI tunnel to a Selective Provider Multicast Service Interface (S-PMSI) tunnel only if the number of active Source-to-Leaf (S2L) paths exceeds a defined first threshold of a number of S2L paths and otherwise resetting the S-PMSI_DELAY interval timer. Other aspects provide for switching the multicast flow from the I-PMSI tunnel to the S-PMSI tunnel only if the number of PE nodes associated with the S-PMSI tunnel interested in the multicast flow does not exceed a defined a second threshold. Other aspects, in the case of the S-PMSI tunnel being active, further comprise steps of switching the multicast flow from the S-PMSI tunnel to the I-PMSI tunnel if the number of S2L paths on S-PMSI in bypass exceeds a third defined threshold.

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) enables efficient delivery of a wide variety of differentiated, end to end services. Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) traffic engineering (TE) provides a mechanism for selecting efficient paths across an MPLS network based on bandwidth considerations and administrative rules.
In current implementations of Multicast Virtual Private Networks (MVPN) with Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) Point-to-Multipoint (P2MP), switching from Inclusive Provider Multicast Service Interface (I-PMSI) to Selective Provider Multicast Service Interface (S-PMSI) typically happens after a predefined switch-over delay interval (S-PMSI_DELAY as described in Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Request for Comment (RFC) 6513, hereby incorporated by reference) which does not ensure that all Source-to-Leaf (S2L) paths in the S-PMSI P2MP LSP are up before the switchover. This can lead to traffic loss for receiving Provider Edge (PE) routers having S2L paths which took a longer time to establish than the switch-over delay interval.
Secondly, if S-PMSI configuration is enabled then new S-PMSI P2MP LSPs will be signaled if all PE routers participating in the MVPN have active receivers. This causes extra states in the network core with no bandwidth conservation, which is generally considered the purpose of S-PMSI.
Therefore, improvements to management of S-PMSI resources are highly desirable.

System, method and apparatus for efficient management of S-PMSI resource in RSVP P2MP multicast networks


An optical compensation film composition is disclosed herein wherein the optical compensation film is stretched to yield a negative A-plate having a refractive index profile of nx<ny=nz. or a biaxial polymer film having a refractive index profile of nx<ny<nz, the film having been stretched from a film cast from a polymer solution comprising a solvent and a polymer having a moiety of

US Patent Application No. 2008/0239491 discloses a polymer film having positive birefringence greater than 0.002 throughout the wavelength range of 400 nm<λ<800 nm, wherein the film having been cast onto a substrate from a solution of a polymer having a moiety of
wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein OASU is a disk-like group or a mesogen, and wherein OASU is attached to the polymer backbone through a single covalent bond.
The most common polymer having a disk-like OASU is polystyrene, the solution-cast film of which generally has a birefringence of 0.001-0.002. It was disclosed in the '491 application that the birefringence of polystyrene could be increased by incorporating a birefringence-enhancing substituent (BES) such as bromo or nitro group onto the benzene ring. For example, poly(nitrostyrene) was reported to have a birefringence as high as about 0.016, while poly(bromostyrene) as high as about 0.007.
In contrast, the present inventors have unexpectedly discovered that the birefringence of the polystyrene film can be greatly increased by incorporating fluorine atoms onto the backbone of the polystyrene molecule. Such a polymer film has a birefringence as high as about 0.015-0.02. Moreover, the polymer film exhibits much improved mechanical properties over the polystyrene film. The high birefringence enables the casting of thin films onto a substrate to yield a compensation film having a desirable retardation, while the improved mechanical properties allow the preparation of free standing films with high strength, which can be stretched, rolled, and laminated.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Optical compensation films based on fluoropolymers

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are each independently hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, substituted alkyl groups, or halogens, wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is a fluorine atom, and wherein R is hydrogen or a substituent on the styrenic ring.


An exemplary printed circuit board testing method includes determining whether there is an open shielding box every a time interval. The method then transmits a first control signal including a first predetermined path to a robot when there is an open shielding box. Next, the method obtains an image captured by a camera and recognizes a unique identifier of a to-be-tested PCB in the obtained image. The method then determines a second predetermined path corresponding to the determined open shielding box, and transmits a second control signal comprising the determined second predetermined path to the robot. Next, the method closes the determined shielding box when a duration after transmitting the second control signal reaches a predetermined time, and controls a testing software to test the to-be-tested PCB, to generate a testing result corresponding to the unique identifier of the to-be-tested PCB.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to electronic devices, and particularly, to an electronic device capable of testing a printed circuit board (PCB) automatically.
2. Description of Related Art
A common PCB testing method of the radio frequency (RF) employs a number of shielding boxes to receive a number of PCBs to be tested (hereinafter to-be-tested PCBs). However, before testing, it needs an operator to find an open shielding box, carry the to-be-tested PCB into the open shielding box manually, and close the shielding box. Then, the operator must manually operate a testing button on the computer to start a processing of testing the PCB. And after the testing is completed, the operator must manually open the shielding box and carry the tested PCB out from the shielding box, which is time consuming and manpower consuming. Accordingly, there is a need for an electronic device to resolve the above problems.

Electronic device and printed circuit board testing method

Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


A burner has a port facing into a combustion chamber along an axis. A secondary fuel injector structure has secondary fuel injection ports that face into the combustion chamber at locations spaced radially outward from the burner port. A tertiary fuel injector structure has tertiary fuel injection ports that face into the combustion chamber in directions perpendicular to the axis at locations spaced axially downstream from the secondary fuel injection ports.

Certain industrial processes, such as heating a load in a furnace or generating steam in a boiler, rely on heat produced by the combustion of fuel and oxidant in a combustion chamber. The fuel is typically natural gas. The oxidant is typically air, vitiated air, oxygen, or air enriched with oxygen. Combustion of the fuel and oxidant in the combustion zone causes NOx to result from the combination of oxygen and nitrogen. It may be desirable to suppress the production of NOx.

The North American Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


Fabrics that have unique mechanical properties are comprised of fibers that have been reacted to provide carbon nanostructures covalently grafted to these fibers so that the entanglement and/or the reactive bonding between adjacent fibers creates a hierarchal structure reinforcement of the fabric. This entanglement and/or reactivity is also effective for developing reinforcement between plies of structural fabric composites in order to enhance inter-laminar shear strength and mechanical properties.

Ballistic Fabrics
High-strength textiles and fabrics are used in varied applications including body armor, high strength flexible polymeric composites, construction tensile fabrics such as used for military enclosures and general construction, sail cloth, parachute cloth and clothing. In most cases the functional performance of fabric used in these applications can be enhanced by increasing fabric inter laminar shear strength, tensile strength and/or penetration resistance. Improved performance is particularly advantageous when accompanied with significant weight reduction and/or lower cost.
Two prime examples suggest themselves. In the case of ballistic fibers, better protection at lower weight is a mandatory improvement. There have been new materials introduced that increase the strength and modulus of fabric armor in order to provide marginally improved protection including better projectile and stab resistance—at somewhat lower weight. However, significant improvement in all aspects requires a new paradigm of thought. Turning next to high-strength flexible composites made from high-strength fabrics and yarns, a particularly pervasive problem is managing inter-laminar shear strength so as to provide such equal improvement in mechanical properties as has now, circa 2016, been realized for solid carbon laminates. Making structural improvements in both (1) the mechanical properties of individual plies, as well as (2) inter ply linkage, would be desirable to significantly increase the properties of any and all flexible composites incorporating carbon structures. A manufacturing process that was simple and straightforward, and adaptable to roll to roll processing, could, if coupled with lighter weight (from using less material), provide a better performing flexible composite product at lower cost.
Soft Armor
It will be seen that one focus of the present invention is to provide an anti-ballistic fabric-based soft armor that is significantly more effective due to the hierarchal structures of nanostructured materials taken in such combination.
Various types of body armor have been used since records of war have been kept. Animal skins, wooden and metal shields, and metal suits of armor were among the first materials used to protect those engaged in combat. As weapons became more complex, so did the protective armor. Bullet proof vests were first available in the 1920s. Flak Jackets, made from ballistic nylon, were used in World War II primarily to protect the wearer from ammunition fragments, not against direct ammunition fire.
Early body armor was bulky, heavy, and uncomfortable to wear for any length of time. In the 1960s, new, fibrous materials began to arise on the market, and by 1970, DuPont's Kevlar® fiber (Kevlar® is a registered trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company) was introduced. This new class of spun fibers made it possible to weave a fabric that, when used in layers, could be made into armor. Due to the reduced weight and material flexibility, this body armor made from spun fibers could be worn for greater lengths of time and offered greater protection.
Today, many different types of body armor exist in many forms. Wearable armor is still, for the most part, made from woven fibers with options to add ceramic based composite plates depending on the tactical situation. Vehicles requiring ballistic protection largely rely on metal plating or composite panels. Although modern armor has improved over the years, there is still a need for lighter weight and more effective armor. Even with new fiber based materials, modern day soldiers can expect to carry as much as 40 pounds of armor. Additionally, the spun fiber systems suffer loss of efficacy in humid conditions and when in high temperature situations. The physics for hard and soft armor differ. In the case of hard armor (ceramic plates) the mechanism of effect lies in absorbing and dissipating the projectile's kinetic energy in local shattering of the ceramic plate and blunting the bullet material on the hard ceramic.
Any backing of high-strength cloth such as Spectra® fiber cloth (Spectra® is a registered trademark of Honeywell, Inc.) then spreads the energy of the impact to a larger area and stops the fragments, reducing the likelihood of fatal injury to the wearer. This is the same principle that is used for the ceramic tiles used for the armored cockpits of some military airplanes, and the anti-spallation liners used in modern armored personnel carriers.
Soft armor based on fabric has been in general use for anti-ballistic purposes for the past several decades. The original high strength fiber, Kevlar® fiber, was invented by DuPont in 1971 and was shown to bring high strength and toughness to composite materials which generated its application to armor. The Kevlar® fiber has a tensile strength of 3600 mPa and an elongation of 20% which illustrated the ability to stop high speed projectiles fired from pistols when woven into fabric and deployed in multiple layers, as taught in the original patent.
Further development in fiber technology enhanced anti-ballistic fabric with improved fiber and weaving and the development of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene spun and oriented fibers by Allied Chemical (Spectra fiber, now a Honeywell product) and DSM (Dyneema). These fibers showed higher tensile and elongation properties than Kevlar fiber. Fabrics made with these materials currently compete in the marketplace.
Neither of these materials are the ideal material as Kevlar is hydroscopic and loses strength in wet conditions. UHMWPE has a thermal issue and loses strength at high temperature. These materials currently share the soft armor market.
Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Soft Armor
The seminal work on reinforcing fabric armor with CNT was conducted by Lockheed Martin, Inc., and is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,877. Although the concept was exciting, it was never reduced to practice because the agglomeration of the nanotubes did not allow sufficient contact between the fibers and CNT, and effective surfactant or functionalization of the CNT was not disclosed.
Further development of CNT reinforced fabric was reported by Juvang Liu and associates in a 2009 paper Functionalization of Cotton with Carbon nanotubes appearing in J. Mater. Chem. This work showed that dipping cotton fibers and yarn into a CNT/solvent significantly improved the materials strength, flame retardant, and UV resistance. This was attributed to solvent swelling of the cotton, allowing CNT ingress into the fiber which became locked in place upon drying the cotton fibers.
In another 2009 Paper, O'Connell et al at Trinity College, University of Dublin, following the process developed by Liu et al (discussed above) for CNT reinforcement of cotton fabric, disclosed the technique of swelling the Kevlar fibers with N methyl Pyrrilidone while in the fabric with polar solvent and surfactant to provide contact and adherence of the CNT to the fibers of the Kevlar fabric and illustrated significant improvement of tensile strength and toughness. (+30% with no loss of elongation). This inventive work is subject of Patent WO 2007010517 1A. The principal drawback to commercialization of this technology is extremely long process time in solvent deemed unsafe by US EPA
The next major development occurred at the University of Maryland wherein a student group functionalized the carbon nanotubes with BPA, again based on previous work by Lui, and added the functionalized tubes to acid treated Kevlar fabric following the procedure pioneered by Lui and O'Connell for cotton. By heating and catalysis a CNT network around the fibers was realized which provided two major benefits: (1) higher strength and toughness, and (2) immobilization of the fabric by CNT following ballistic hits.
The drawbacks to this method are 1) weakening of the Kevlar fiber by the acid attack; and 2) the process does not allow complex nanostructures to form hierarchal structure to maximize properties.
The first commercial application of CNT reinforced soft armor was by Salt Lake City, Utah, based Amendment II Corporation. Although this product passed the requirements of The National Institute of Justice requirement for Level 2 armor, it was never been tested for NIJ Level 3.5, which is required for military procurement. Another soft armor producer, AR 500, is currently advertising a CNT reinforced Kevlar product that they state complies with NIJ Level 3.5 standard.
These products are made by coating the fabric with a solution of CNT in polymer which does not intercalate the CNT into the fibers of the fabric.
At the same time, a patent was applied for by the Founder of Amendment II, Richard Craig and University of Utah Researcher Agnes Ostafin claiming similar technology as WO 2007010517 1A, but with a claim that the method of production created a gradient of CNT across the fabric thickness which provided enhanced flexibility. This technology has not been commercialized as of 2016.
More recent research into the technique developed by Trinity College (WO 2007010517 Al) has been accomplished by Morgana Trexler and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University. By improving the NMP solvent swelling process and CNT insertion method they report a 35% higher strength, and, more importantly, show results of single fiber pullout strength that attributes the property enhancement to entanglement of the CNT on the fibers. Their testing also included ballistic test that illustrated significant performance enhancement v standard Kevlar.
Nanocomposites
This rapidly emerging technology of nanocomposites is based on the use of carbon and other nanomaterials in structural composites, used independently or in conjunction with existing advanced composite materials, to increase strength and toughness. These nanocomposites are currently replacing metal structural panels and components in aerospace, aeronautical, automobile applications.
Most commonly the nanomaterials are added separately to a binding resin, and are not integrated to the principal reinforcing fibers. However, forward looking research is looking to functionalize the carbon fiber to enhance bond strength to the polymer matrix.
Other work is based on catalytically growing CNT onto carbon fibers. The initial results of this work show attainment of significantly improved mechanically properties. Also, researchers are proposing covalent bonding of functionalized carbon nanotubes to functionalized carbon fiber.
Still other research has shown that utilizing both carbon nanotubes and graphene added separately has a synergistic effect on strength and modulus. An additive of mixed tubes and platelets develops twice the strength of same amounts of graphene or CNT added to the composite.
Advanced composite structures are constructed as laminated plies of the glass or carbon fiber fabric that has been impregnated with polymer resin. The weak point of this system, and the place of likely failure is at the shear plane between these plies (inter laminar shear). Methods to improve inter-laminar shear strength that are currently available include (1) three dimensional stitching of the fabric, and (2) adding a bond ply of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. These solutions are not ideal. The stitching process is weaker in the Z axis and is limited in the number of plies that can be combined.
In yet another attempted solution a ply of aligned CNT is inserted between the laminate fabric plies. This insert is designed to develop structural entanglement between the plies in which it is in contact, thus providing inter ply attachment. This technique amounts to a very expensive solution to this problem.

Fabric reinforced with carbon nanostructures to improve mechanical performance


A self-calibrating modulator apparatus includes a modulator having a controlled oscillator and an oscillator gain calibration circuit. The oscillator gain calibration circuit includes an oscillator gain coefficient calculator configured to calculate a plurality of frequency dependent oscillator gain coefficients from results of measurements taken at the output of the controlled oscillator in response to a test pattern signal representing a plurality of different reference frequencies. The plurality of frequency dependent gain coefficients determined from the calibration process are stored in a look up table (LUT), where they are made available after the calibration process ends to scale a modulation signal applied to the modulator. By scaling the modulation signal prior to it being applied to the control input of the controlled oscillator, the nonlinear response of the controlled oscillator is countered and the modulation accuracy of the modulator is thereby improved.

A voltage controlled oscillator (or "VCO") is a type of electrical oscillator that generates an oscillatory signal having a frequency that is dependent on a control voltage. VCOs play an important role in communication systems and other electronic systems. They are used in both analog and digital applications, and are essential components of radio frequency communications systems.
FIG. 1 illustrates how a VCO is configured in a polar modulation transmitter 100. The polar modulation transmitter 100 comprises an amplitude modulator 102 in an amplitude modulation (AM) path, a VCO 104 in a phase modulation (PM) path, and a power amplifier (PA) 106. The amplitude modulator 102 functions to modulate a direct current power supply signal Vsupply according to amplitude variations in an amplitude modulation (AM) signal received in an AM path. The resulting amplitude modulated power supply signal is supplied to a power supply port of the PA 106. Meanwhile, a phase modulation (PM) signal received in the PM path is used as a tuning voltage, Vtune, which modulates the VCO 104 to generate a constant-amplitude phase modulated carrier signal. The PA 106 is typically implemented as a switched-mode PA operating in compression. Accordingly, as the constant-amplitude phase modulated carrier signal is amplified by the PA, the amplitude information contained in the amplitude modulated power supply signal is superimposed on the signal at the output of the PA 106.
Modulating the VCO 104 with the PM signal can be effective for some narrowband applications. However, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in wideband applications the VCO 104 is incapable of providing a linear response over the entire PM bandwidth. The nonlinear response results in distortion of the polar modulation transmitter output signal, making it difficult or impossible to comply with communications standards specifications. It would be desirable, therefore, to have methods and apparatus for avoiding or countering VCO nonlinearities in communication applications, including wideband polar modulation transmitter applications.

Self-calibrating modulator apparatuses and methods


A method and a device for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular a motor vehicle having a plurality of cylinder banks are described, making it possible to eliminate fluctuations in a time trend in an output quantity of the internal combustion engine that may result due to differences in operation of different cylinder banks of the internal combustion engine. A characteristic value of the output quantity of the internal combustion engine is determined repeatedly over time. The thus formed time trend in the characteristic value for the output quantity of the internal combustion engine is filtered as a function of the operation of the cylinder banks.

Methods and devices for operating an internal combustion engine are already known. Such an internal combustion engine drives a motor vehicle, for example. Internal combustion engines having multiple cylinder banks are known. In such internal combustion engines, a value for the speed of the internal combustion engine is determined repeatedly over time.

Method and device for operating an internal combustion engine


A transition metal complex represented by the formula (1):

Many production methods of olefin polymers by using metallocene complexes have already been reported. For example, JP-A 58-19309 disclosed a method of producing olefin polymers using a metallocene complex and aluminoxane. However, such a method, in which olefin polymerization is carried out catalytically by using bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride and methylaluminoxane, had a problem of the low molecular weight of the obtained olefin polymer. To resolve the problem, JP-A 9-87313 disclosed polymerization using dimethylsilyl(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-phenoxy)titanium dichloride. In such polymerization, the catalytic activity is high, but there is still a need for further improvement in the molecular weights of polymers to be obtained.

Transition metal complexes, ligands, catalysts for olefin polymerization, and process for production of olefin polymers

Abstract: wherein M is a Group 4 transition metal, A is a Group 16 element, B is a Group 14 element, n is an integer of 0 or 1, R1, R2, R3 and R4 may be the same or different and each independently denotes a substituent selected from the group consisting of the groups (I) and (II):                group (I): hydrogen, alkyl and so on,        group (II): alkoxy, alkylthio and so on,provided that at least one of R1, R2, R3 and R4 is a substituent selected from group (II);R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, X1 and X2 may be the same or different and are each hydrogen, halogen, alkyl or the like; and a catalyst for olefin polymerization comprising said complex, an organoaluminum compound and a boron compound are provided.


A process and apparatus for the transfer out of a tight enclosure of a fluid solution contained in a polluted container (R1). The transfer is accomplished without removing the polluted container from the enclosure and without breaking the seal of the polluted container. After a clean container (R2) is placed in a receptacle (30) normally isolated from the remainder of the enclosure, the solution is transferred into the clean container (R2) vacuum by a needle. Transfer of the clean container out of the enclosure takes place pneumatically following rotation of a casing containing the receptacle.

The invention relates to a process for the transfer out of a tight enclosure of a fluid contained in a sealed container such as a jar sealed by a diaphragm, without removing the container from the enclosure and without breaking its seal. The invention also relates to an installation for performing this process.
In irradiated nuclear fuel processing plants, it is a standard practice to carry out at different points of the process sampling operations on the active solutions with a view to analyzing and measuring the said samples.
As described in FR-A-2 515 350, the sampling operations can, in particular, be performed in plastic jars, which are placed in containers known as sliders, whose special shape aids the transfer of the jars in tubes, under the action of pneumatic transfer means. Each jar is sealed by a perforatable diaphragm.
When the analysis chain belongs to a shielded chain within which takes place the removal of the samples, the jars containing the latter can be directly transferred into said analysis chain by the aforementioned pneumatic transfer means and without special precautions being taken.
However, when certain measurements or analyses are performed outside the shielded chain containing the samples, as could in particular be the case for certain radiometry operations or certain physical measurements concerning weakly active solutions, the transfer of the samples out of the shielded chain comes up against certain difficulties, particularly when the measurements to be performed require the transfer to take place without any dilution of the sample taken.
In particular, it is essential that the transfer of samples out of the shielded chain takes place under clean conditions, which is not the case with jars containing samples received within the shielded chain, bearing in mind the pollution existing in the latter. Moreover, the transfer of samples to the exterior of the shielded chain must be performable without polluting the samples and without the new clean environment receiving them being contaminated during transfer. It must also be possible to check that the samples in their new clean environment are not of an excessively irradiating nature, if it is wished to carry out the analyses without using glove boxes.

Process and installation for transferring out of a tight enclosure a fluid contained in a sealed container

Cogema Compagnie Generale Des Matieres Nucleaires


Disclosed is a substantially transparent recording sheet which comprises (a) a substantially transparent substrate; (b) a binder polymer coated on the substrate; and (c) particles of an antistatic component, said particles being present on at least the surface of the binder polymer coating.

The present invention is directed to transparent sheets suitable for receiving images. More specifically, the present invention is directed to transparent recording sheets particularly suitable for use in electrophotographic imaging processes. One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a substantially transparent recording sheet which comprises (a) a substantially transparent substrate; (b) a binder polymer coated on the substrate; and (c) particles of an antistatic component, said particles being present on at least the surface of the binder polymer coating.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,570 (Malhotra) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,407 (Malhotra), the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, disclose a transparency which comprises a hydrophilic coating and a plasticizer, which plasticizer can, for example, be from the group consisting of phosphates, substituted phthalic anhydrides, glycerols, glycols, substituted glycerols, pyrrolidinones, alkylene carbonates, sulfolanes, and stearic acid derivatives.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,749 (Matthew) discloses erasable coatings for xerography paper which comprise a pigment such as calcium carbonate in a binder such as an aqueous emulsion of an acrylic polymer. The erasability of the coating is improved by replacing at least 15 weight percent of the binder with a polyalkane or polyalkene wax, such as an aqueous emulsion of a polyolefin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,847 (Walker et al.) discloses a transparency for the formation of an adherent electrostatic image thereon which includes a polyester resin film sheet having an image-receiving coating of nitrocellulose, a plasticizer, a particulate material, and, preferably, an antistatic agent. The coating is applied to the film sheet from a solvent mixture of an aliphatic ester or an aliphatic ketone, and an aliphatic alcohol.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,619,279 (Johnston et al.) discloses a toner receiving member having available at an external surface a solid crystalline plasticizer to reduce the fusion power requirements when toner is fused to the receiving member. The external surface of the toner receiving member is substantially free of material plasticizable by the solid crystalline plasticizer. Typically a plasticizer such as ethylene glycol dibenzoate may be available on the surface of paper.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,337 (Mulkey) discloses a sheet material having a transparent backing coated with a layer containing a polymeric binder and particles of solid material which is insoluble in the binder. The refractive index of the solid material varies from that of the binder by at most.+-.0.6. The surface of the layer is ink receptive and, by printing on that surface, a transparency is obtained.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,412 (Johnston et al.) discloses an imaging process wherein an electrostatic latent image is developed with a thermoplastic resin toner on an imaging surface and the toner image is transferred to an image receiving surface carrying an amount of a solid crystalline plasticizer sufficient to lower the toner fusion requirements when the toner image is fused to the receiving surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,189 (Mayer et al.) discloses the formation of fused toner images on an imaging surface corresponding to an electrostatic field by depositing on the imaging surface in image configuration toner particles containing a thermoplastic resin, the imaging surface carrying a solid crystalline plasticizer having a lower melting point than the melting range of the thermoplastic resin and heat fusing the resulting toner image.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,225 (Malhotra) discloses a transparency suitable for electrographic and xerographic imaging which comprises a polymeric substrate with a toner receptive coating on one surface thereof comprising blends selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) and carboxymethyl cellulose; poly(ethylene oxide), carboxymethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose; poly(ethylene oxide) and vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer; poly(chloroprene) and poly(alpha-methylstyrene); poly(caprolactone) and poly(alpha-methylstyrene); poly(vinyl isobutyl ether) and poly(alpha-methylstyrene); poly(caprolactone) and poly(p-isopropyl alpha-methylstyrene); blends of poly(1,4-butylene adipate) and poly(alpha-methylstyrene); chlorinated poly(propylene) and poly(alpha-methylstyrene); chlorinated poly(ethylene) and poly(alpha-methylstyrene); and chlorinated rubber and poly(alpha-methylstyrene). Also disclosed are transparencies with first and second coating layers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,697 (Malhotra) discloses a transparent substrate material for receiving or containing an image which comprises a supporting substrate base, an antistatic polymer layer coated on one or both sides of the substrate and comprising hydrophilic cellulosic components, and a toner receiving polymer layer contained on one or both sides of the antistatic layer, which polymer comprises hydrophobic cellulose ethers, hydrophobic cellulose esters, or mixtures thereof, and wherein the toner receiving layer contains adhesive components.
While known materials and processes are suitable for their intended purposes, a need remains for improved transparent recording sheets. In addition, a need remains for transparent recording sheets particularly suitable for use in conjunction with electrostatic toners. Further, there is a need for transparent recording sheets containing anti-static components and exhibiting improved adhesion of an electrostatic toner image to the recording sheet surface. Additionally, there is a need for transparent recording sheets containing anti-slip components and exhibiting improved adhesion of an electrostatic toner image to the recording sheet surface. There is also a need for transparent recording sheets wherein both an anti-static component and an anti-slip component are contained in a single coating layer of the sheet. Further, there is a need for transparent recording sheets wherein the sheets exhibit superior transparency characteristics subsequent to formation of an image thereon.


A switch for switching packets from a plurality of sources. The switch includes a memory in which portions of packets are stored. The switch includes a transferring mechanism which transfers predetermined portions of a packet to the memory as the predetermined portions are received. A method for switching packets. The method includes the steps of receiving portions of a packet at a transferring mechanism of a switch. Then there is the step of transferring predetermined portions of the packet to a memory of the switch as the predetermined portions are received at the transferring mechanism.

Ordinarily, an entire packet is transferred at once, occupying an interface for as long as it takes to transfer the packet. Lengthy packets can monopolize an interface for relatively long periods of time. This can delay other packets which share the interface, affecting their QoS. It also increases the amount of buffer required at the input to shared interfaces to smooth out bursts caused by lengthy packets.
Instead of transferring an entire lengthy packet at once, it is transferred in fixed length segments followed by a single final segment of any length, termed Long Packet Handling. This puts a small bound on the maximum period any one packet can occupy an interface, reducing the effect it has on the QoS of packets belonging to other connections. This also reduces store-and-forward requirements because the Aggregator can begin forwarding a packet as soon as it receives a segment instead of waiting until it receives the entire packet. This simple form of segmentation and reassembly requires only as many contexts as there are sources.


A helmet (20) comprising a mechanism (28) to increase or decrease the internal volume thereof through the displacement of one or more portions (32) of the protective material (24) lining the helmet shell (22). The adjustment mechanism (28) is mounted on or adjacent the shell (22) of the helmet (20), from which project one or more connectors (30) which are operationally connected to the movable portions (32) of the protective material (24). When the adjustment mechanism (28) is activated, for example clockwise or counterclockwise, the connectors (30) are displaced, which causes the movable portions (32) of the protective material (24) to either be displaced away from the shell (22) of the helmet (20) or towards the shell (22) of the helmet (20) and thus allowing for a fine tuning of the fit of the helmet (20) on a player's head.

Helmets for various activities, including sporting activities and work in dangerous environments, often require a shell or protective surface. The range of shapes and sizes of a wearer's head may require a helmet to be made larger or smaller to fit. Furthermore, adjustment may be required depending on the activity, environmental conditions, appearance, or some other factor. In particular, the wearer of a helmet may want to have a tighter or looser fit, depending on circumstances, or may alternatively want to modify the fit, for example during play, or depending on the season, etc.
Adjustable helmets typically include two sections that are moved to lengthen the helmet. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,929 to Mattsson discloses an adjustable helmet wherein adjustment typically requires the use of a screwdriver to tighten and loosen a screw. Loosening of the screw permits the helmet to be adjusted, and tightening of the screw maintains the helmet in a particular configuration. This requirement for additional tools to adjust the helmet may make it difficult to adjust the helmet when proper tools are not available. Other helmets known in the art also have limitations making them difficult or otherwise inconvenient to use.
Accordingly, there is a need for alternative helmets.


By including a storing device that stores a plurality of memory access instructions decoded by a decoder and outputs the memory access instruction stored therein to a cache memory, a determiner that determines whether the storing device is afford to store the plurality of memory access instructions; and an inhibitor that inhibits, when the determiner determines that the storing device is not afford to store a first memory access instruction included in the plurality of memory access instructions, execution of a second memory access instruction being included in the plurality of memory access instructions and being subsequent to the first memory access instruction for a predetermined time period, regardless of a result of determination made on the second memory access instruction by the determiner, the calculation processing apparatus inhibits a switch of the order of a store instruction and a load instruction.

A processor serving as a calculation processing apparatus included in an information processing apparatus includes one or more processor cores.
A processor core includes an instruction cache, an instruction buffer, a decoder, a reservation station, calculation executor, and a load/store unit. The processor core performs the following process in executing an instruction.
In the instruction cache, one or more instructions are stored, and instructions read from the instruction cache are stored in the instruction buffer and are sequentially sent to the decoder. The decoder interprets the instruction and inserts the instructions to the reservation station.
The reservation station includes a Reservation Station for Execution (RSE) that accumulates calculation instructions and a Reservation Station for Address (RSA) that accumulates load/store instructions.
Insertion of an instruction from each reservation station to the calculator is determined by the reservation station. This insertion of an instruction is carried out in an out-of-order manner in which processable instructions are sequentially processed, not depending on the alignment order of the instruction, so that the efficiency in using the calculator is enhanced. A load instruction and a store instruction selected in the RSA are executed in an address generating calculator.
The RSA sends the number of a fixed point register (GPR) for data to be used in address calculation to the calculation executor. The data of the fixed point register referred to on the basis of the register number is sent to the address generating calculator and is used for execution of calculation. The output of the address generating calculator is an address of a memory to be accessed by a load instruction and a store instruction.
The RSA issues a request for loading or storing to the load/store unit concurrently with the timing when the address calculation is performed. Upon receipt of the request, the load/store unit executes loading or storing, storing the request into a Load & Store Queue (LDSTQ) that accumulates therein load instructions and store instructions. At the timing of issuing the request to the load/store unit, the RSA releases the entry that has stored the instruction and sends the notification representing the release to the decoder.
In cases where the executing load instruction is completed, the load/store unit stores the result of reading the memory into the fixed point register and then releases the LDSTQ. In cases where the load instruction is not completed due to, for example, a cache miss, the request is aborted and issued again from the LDSTQ.

Calculation processing apparatus and method for controlling calculation processing apparatus


A control system for a vehicle display, such as a CHMSL, includes a control system module having an OEM connector first portion pre-attached to input wires and OEM connector second portion pre-attached to output wires. In another example, a control system for a vehicle display includes a control system module having a control system module input adaptor for removably connecting the control system module to an OEM first connector portion and a control system module output adaptor for removably connecting the control system module to an OEM second connector portion. Control systems for a vehicle display can be inserted between an input system and a vehicle display without having to identify specific wire harnesses or wires, and without cutting any wires. Different adaptors can be used to insert a single disclosed control system between an input system and a vehicle display in multiple types and makes of vehicles.

Numerous electronic warning and alert devices have become part of our everyday lives and are largely taken for granted. In many cases, what were once new and novel warning and alert systems are now essential for the safety of the public. This is largely due to the fact that the public has come to expect these systems to be present and operating correctly. However, in a world of seemingly endless distractions, many well proven warning and alert systems can become ineffective and the warning provided can be lost in a virtual sea of visual and auditory distractions.
For instance, numerous types of vehicle displays and systems that employ relatively new technology have become standard features that are relied upon by not only vehicle owners and operators, but also by other vehicle operators and pedestrians for safety and situational awareness. For instance, Center High Mount Stop Lamps (CHMSLs), back-up cameras, message systems/displays, status systems/displays, and various forms of custom, safety, and special purpose lighting and displays have become well known and have been widely adopted, and even mandated by law in some cases. Consequently, some of these devices and systems are now simply expected, or mandated, to be present and are assumed/relied upon to be operating correctly by both vehicle owners/operators and others sharing the road. However as noted, some of these now well proven warning and alert systems have become ineffective and no longer provide sufficient warning.
As a specific example, at one time, traditional tail light-based brake lights were largely sufficient to attract the attention of drivers behind a vehicle and warn them that the vehicle ahead was applying the brakes; thereby providing the driver behind the vehicle an opportunity to apply their own brakes to avoid a rear-end collision. However, as traffic became less manageable, and more distractions were introduced on the average street or highway, these traditional tail light-based brake light systems were no longer considered capable of sufficiently catching other drivers' attention and providing adequate warning. As a result, in 1986, third brake lights, called Center High Mount Stop Lamps (CHMSLs) were mandated in the United States by the Federal Government. CHMSLs, as the name implies, are typically mounted in a rear window, or other rear facing location, of a vehicle and are designed to be at approximately the average eye level of a driver behind the vehicle. The concept behind CHMSLs is that a brake light at eye level is more likely to be seen/noticed than the lower mounted traditional tail light-based brake lights.
FIG. 1A shows a typical CHMSL 100. As seen in FIG. 1A, CHMSL 100 includes a front, or rear facing side 101 including a red lamp cover/lens 102 and a back side 103 including an OEM connector portion 122.
FIG. 1B shows a typical CHMSL, such as CHMSL 100 of FIG. 1A, mounted in a vehicle 107.
In operation a CHMSL 100, like the lower mounted traditional tail light-based brake lights, are electrically connected by wires and electronic sensors to the brake pedal of the parent vehicle.
FIG. 1C shows a simplified block diagram of the electrical connections and systems for a CHMSL system 110 including CHMSL 100. As seen in FIG. 1C, the brake pedal 111 of the parent vehicle is typically connected to some form of a brake pedal motion monitor 113 that detects motion 112 of the brake pedal 111. Consequently, in typical operation, when the brake pedal 111 is depressed by the driver, the motion 112 of the brake pedal 111 is detected by brake pedal motion monitor 113. This, in turn, causes switch 114 to apply CHMSL lamp supply power 115 to lamps (not shown) in CHMSL 100 by one or more power wires 116.
In this way, when brake pedal 111 is depressed, sufficient voltage and current from CHMSL lamp supply power 115 to power one or more CHMSL light bulbs is provided along one or more power wires 116 connecting the CHMSL lamp supply power 115 to the CHMSL 100 back side 103 at OEM connector portion 122. This then causes one or more light bulbs (not shown) in the CHMSL 100 to light up and/or illuminate at a higher intensity. In this way, when the brake pedal 111 is depressed by the driver, the CHMSL 100 comes on in a steady state, i.e., one or more lamps light red lamp cover/lens 102 for as long as the brake pedal 111 remains depressed. This serves to warn the drivers behind the parent vehicle that the brakes of the parent vehicle have been applied and the vehicle is slowing down. Consequently, the drivers behind the parent vehicle are alerted to apply their own brakes.
In this particular example, the one or more power wires 116 would run from the vehicles power supply, i.e., a battery, alternator, voltage regulator, etc. (often in the front of the vehicle) to the CHMSL 100 mounted at the very back of the vehicle. Consequently, the one or more power wires 116 often run close to the full length of the vehicle. Typically, the one or more power wires 116 connecting the brake pedal 111 to the CHMSL 100 are bundled with numerous other wires connecting various other vehicle systems in one or more "wire harnesses" running throughout the vehicle. These wires harness can include numerous wires connecting numerous vehicle sub-systems and components. In this particular example, the wire harness including one or more power wires 116 could run close to the full length of the vehicle. Consequently, wire harnesses can be quite complicated and difficult to work on.
FIG. 1D shows a typical wire harness 140.
Returning to FIG. 1C, typically, at either end of the one or more power wires 116 connecting the CHMSL 100 and the brake pedal 111 there are factory supplied, i.e., Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) connectors. These OEM connectors typically include two connector portions/parts, often called female and male connector portions/pairs, and are often proprietary to the OEM. One example of an OEM connector is any of the connectors produced by Tyco and/or similar connector manufacturers.
FIG. 1E shows two illustrative examples of OEM connector portion pair 121 and 122, forming OEM connector 120, and OEM connector pair 131 and 132, forming OEM connector 130.
As seen in FIG. 1E, OEM connector 120 includes OEM connector portion 121 which, in this specific illustrative example would be a "female" OEM connector portion and OEM connector portion 122 which, in this specific illustrative example would be a "male" OEM connector portion. OEM connector 120 is formed by inserting OEM connector portion 121 into OEM connector portion 122 thereby making an electrical connection between the wires connected to OEM connector portion 121 and the wires connected to OEM connector portion 122.
Similarly, as seen in FIG. 1E, OEM connector 130 includes OEM connector portion 131 which, in this specific illustrative example, would be a "female" OEM connector portion and OEM connector portion 132 which, in this specific illustrative example would be a "male" OEM connector portion. OEM connector 130 is formed by inserting OEM connector portion 131 into OEM connector portion 132; thereby making an electrical connection between the wires connected to OEM connector portion 131 and the wires connected to OEM connector portion 132.
FIG. 1F shows a simplified diagram of the use of OEM connectors to connect an input system, e.g., brake pedal motion monitor 113, to a vehicle display, e.g., CHMSL 100.
Referring to FIGS. 1C, 1E, and 1F, as seen in FIG. 1F, typically the input system, in this example brake pedal motion monitor 113 or switch 114, includes an OEM connector first portion, in this example OEM connector portion 121 that is a female OEM connector portion. In addition, at end 191, power wires 116 include an OEM connector second portion, in this example OEM connector portion 122 that is a male OEM connector portion. Consequently, OEM connector portion 121 and OEM connector portion 122, when connected, form an OEM connector 120 that electrically couples the input system, in this example brake pedal motion monitor 113 or switch 114, to power wires 116.
Likewise, at end 193 power wires 116 include an OEM connector first portion, in this example OEM connector portion 121 that is a female OEM connector portion. In addition, the vehicle display, in this example CHMSL 100, includes an OEM connector second portion, in this example OEM connector portion 122 that is a male OEM connector portion. Consequently, OEM connector portion 121 and OEM connector portion 122, when connected, form an OEM connector 120 that electrically couples power wires 116 to CHMSL 100.
As noted, there are numerous different types of OEM connectors, each requiring the use of compatible pairs of OEM connector portions. Which of the numerous types or OEM connectors is used with any given CHMSL system varies from vehicle type to vehicle type, vehicle make to vehicle make, and from vehicle model to vehicle model. In addition, as noted, many OEM connectors are proprietary to the vehicle manufacturer. Consequently, there is no one "universal" OEM connector.
Of note is the fact that any modification and/or repair of prior art CHMSL systems can be extremely difficult. This true for several reasons. First, accessing and/or removing the CHMSL housing and/or light is often difficult and complicated with significant space restrictions and often requires specialized tools and/or the removal of parts/systems around the CHMSL. In addition, even once the correct wire harness is accessed, identifying and accessing any individual wire in the wire harness can also be a challenge. This operation is also often complicated with significant space restrictions and therefore also often requires specialized tools and/or the removal of parts/systems.
In addition, the use of OEM connectors can also provide challenges in terms of parts/inventory maintenance, space restrictions, and the need for specialized tools.
FIG. 1G shows one example of the significant space restrictions that are typically encountered when trying to access a CHMSL system. Shown in FIG. 1G is an OEM connector portion 121 that is only accessible via hole 170. As seen in FIG. 1G, hole 170 measures a mere eighteen millimeters by fifteen millimeters. In addition, power wires 116 allow OEM connector portion 121 to extend outside hole 170 by only about an inch. Clearly this does not provide much access and working space and is a significant opportunity for human error. As a specific example, if OEM connector portion 121 and/or power wires 116 drop into hole 170, significant labor would be expended to retrieve OEM connector portion 121 and/or power wires 116, either by using special tools or by taking apart panels and other systems to access the lost OEM connector portion 121 and/or power wires 116.
In addition, identifying and accessing the correct wire harnesses, such as wire harnesses 140 is often also difficult. This operation is also often complicated with significant space restrictions and therefore also often requires specialized tools and/or the removal of parts/systems. In addition, even once the correct wire harness is accessed, identifying and accessing any individual wire in the wire harness can also be a challenge as can be readily seen in FIG. 1D.
Returning to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, for several decades, the addition of the CHMSLs to the lower mounted traditional tail light-based brake lights was considered an adequate solution for providing a stronger and more noticeable warning that a driver of the vehicle had applied their brakes. However, as even more traffic, and more distractions, such as cellular phones, more complicated dash board displays, and more electronic devices and features for a driver to interact with have emerged, even the addition of CHMSLs to the lower mounted traditional tail light-based brake lights now often fails to provide sufficient attention getting power, and therefore fails to provide the level of alert/warning needed on modern roads and highways.
To address these new conditions, methods and systems for providing more attention getting CHMSLs, and other warning systems and visual devices, have been sought. One potential improvement involves making existing CHMSLs more dynamic and noticeable to the human eye. For instance, a blinking or pulsing CHMSL has been found to be more effective at getting a person's attention than a more static, i.e., solid-on display CHMSL, such as traditional CHMSLs. These dynamic display CHMSLs have been found effective and can include other forms of dynamic displays such as, but not limited to, various changing patterns, incremental/bar-like displays, flashing displays, rolling displays, and even message/text-based displays. This is because the human vision system is optimized to detect motion/change, or perceived motion/change, in the surrounding environment far more readily than a static or stable feature. In short, a dynamically changing feature/alert catches human attention far more effectively than a static, or steady on, feature/alert. Consequently, it has been found that drivers and pedestrians, i.e., humans, are far more likely to notice, and to react to, perceived movement/change, such as pulsing displays, blinking displays, flashing displays, changing pattern displays, incremental/bar-like displays, rolling displays, or message/text-based displays, much better than they do to a steady state, such as a steady on red light.
Consequently, there is little doubt that a pulsing, blinking, flashing, changing pattern, incremental/bar-like, rolling, message/text-based or otherwise dynamic display CHMSL is far more effective at catching driver's attention than the currently used steady red on CHMSLs. It follows that a pulsing, blinking, flashing, changing pattern, incremental/bar-like, rolling, message/text-based or otherwise dynamic display CHMSL provides a better warning system and therefore safer driving conditions. As a result, it is arguable that virtually every person who drives a vehicle, and/or is otherwise on the road, would be safer in a world of pulsing, blinking, flashing, changing pattern, incremental/bar-like, rolling, message/text-based or otherwise dynamic display CHMSLs.
However, in order to provide a dynamic display CHMSL, dynamic display CHMSL control systems must be employed to cause the CHMSLs to dynamically change their displays. In short, a dynamic display CHMSL control system must be present between the brake pedal of the parent vehicle the CHMSL.
FIG. 2A is a simplified block diagram of some of the major components of a potential dynamic display CHMSL system 200, including a dynamic display CHMSL control system 210. As seen in FIG. 2A, like prior art system 100 of FIG. 1C, using system 200, the brake pedal 111 of the parent vehicle is typically connected to some form of a brake pedal motion monitor 113 that detects motion 112 of the brake pedal 111. Consequently, in typical operation, when the brake pedal 111 is depressed by the driver, the motion 112 of the brake pedal 111 is detected by brake pedal motion monitor 113. This, in turn, causes CHMSL lamp supply power 115 to be electrically coupled to one or more power wires 116 by switch 114.
However, in contrast to prior art system 100 of FIG. 1C, in order to provide a dynamic display CHMSL feature, when the brake pedal 111 is depressed by the driver and the motion 112 of the brake pedal 111 is detected, CHMSL lamp supply power 115 must be electrically coupled to dynamic display CHMSL control system 210 by switch 114 and one or more power wires 116. The dynamic display CHMSL control system 210 then regulates, or controls, the application of CHMSL lamp supply power 115 selectively and dynamically to provide power to the CHMSL 100. These modified power signals, e.g., the regulated and controlled CHMSL lamp supply power 115 application, are then provided to CHMSL 100 back side 103 at OEM connector portion 122 and cause one or more light bulbs in the CHMSL 100 to dynamically light up and/or illuminate at a higher intensity. In this way, when the brake pedal 111 is depressed by the driver, the CHMSL warning lights can be made to create a pulsing, blinking, flashing, changing pattern, incremental/bar-like, rolling, message/text-based or otherwise dynamically changing CHMSL display. By this process CHMSL 100 is transformed into a dynamic display CHMSL.
This can be a very effective attention getting/alert system. However, as seen above, the splicing in, i.e., insertion of the dynamic display CHMSL control system 210 is required in order to translate the static signal from the brake pedal 111 to a dynamic pulsing, blinking, flashing, changing pattern, incremental/bar-like, rolling, message/text-based or otherwise dynamically changing CHMSL display signal.
Currently, there is no Federal mandate for dynamic display CHMSLs. Consequently, dynamic display CHMSLs are not currently standard equipment on new cars. As a result, dynamic display CHMSLs would typically be available, if at all, only as an aftermarket added feature. This means the installation of a dynamic display CHMSL control system would be performed after the OEM CHMSL system, such as system 110 of FIG. 1C, is installed.
As noted above, any modification to an OEM CHMSL system, such as system 110 of FIG. 1C, is difficult at best due to the complications discussed above regrading accessing and/or removing the CHMSL housing and/or light, the often significant space restrictions, the need for specialized tools and/or the removal of parts/systems around the CHMSL, the difficulty identifying and accessing the correct wire harnesses and identifying and accessing the correct individual wire in the wire harness, and the need for numerous variants of often proprietary OEM connectors for the numerous types, brands, and models of vehicles and CHMSL units. For a more detailed discussion of these issues see the discussion above with respect to FIGS. 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, and 1G.
These factors represent significant issues when it comes to the installation of a dynamic display CHMSL control system, such as CHMSL display control system 210 in FIG. 2A. In essence, each potential installation of a dynamic display CHMSL control system 210, if at all possible, would be a labor-intensive job customized to each vehicle. Not only would this result in significant cost to install a dynamic display CHMSL control system, such as CHMSL display control system 210, but it would also result in a significant risk of human error and system damage.
As one illustrative example, like the example of FIG. 1C, the one or more power wires 116 would run from the vehicles power supply, i.e., a battery, alternator, voltage regulator, etc. (often in the front of the vehicle) to the CHMSL 100 mounted at the very back of the vehicle. Consequently, the one or more power wires 116 often run close to the full length of the vehicle. Typically, the one or more power wires 116 connecting the brake pedal 111 to the CHMSL 100 are bundled with numerous other wires connecting various other vehicle systems in one or more wire harnesses running throughout the vehicle. These wires harnesses can include numerous wires connecting numerous vehicle sub-systems and components. In this particular example, the wire harness including one or more power wires 116 could run close to the full length of the vehicle. Consequently, wire harnesses can be quite complicated and difficult to work on and the identification of the correct wires within a wire harness can be quite challenging. As an illustrative example, see FIG. 1D and the discussion above.
The installation of a dynamic display CHMSL control system 210 typically would involve identifying and accessing the correct the CHMSL wire harness, and also identifying and accessing the correct power wires 116. This, in and of itself, would represent quite an ordeal given the issues discussed above with respect to 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, and 1G and represent a significant opportunity for the introduction of human error.
However, even more problematic, once the hopefully correct power wires 116 had been accessed and identified, if they could be, these wires must be cut in order to insert, i.e., splice in, dynamic display CHMSL control system 210. This cutting would not only clearly represent an opportunity for the introduction of human error, but it also could void the manufacturer's vehicle warranty leaving the owner uncovered.
Further, once the hopefully correct wires had been cut, the dynamic display CHMSL control system 210 must then be hand "spliced" between the ends of the newly cut power wires 116. This would typically be done by direct soldering or using any one of the many known crimping and/or universal connection-based systems. Unfortunately, these prior art splicing methods would often result in less-than-ideal connections that could often be electrically unsound and/or not weather and operational "wear and tear" proof over the long term.
FIG. 2B shows two examples of prior art crimping and/or universal connection-based systems 211A and 21B that could be used to splice in dynamic display CHMSL control system 210. However, as noted, prior art crimping and/or universal connection-based systems 211A or 211B all too often fails to provide a strong and dependable electrical connection that is weather and wear and tear proof over the long term. In addition, even using prior art crimping and/or universal connection-based systems 211A or 211B, there is still the need to cut power wires 116 and therefore significant opportunity for the introduction of human error and voiding of vehicles warranties.
For these and many other reasons, the potential methods and systems for installing a dynamic display CHMSL control system 210 discussed above are far from ideal. This is extremely problematic for several reasons. First, because of the error prone nature of these methods and systems for installing a dynamic display CHMSL control system 210, many vendors, including car sales companies, aftermarket vehicle shops, and private owners would refuse to attempt the installation of dynamic display CHMSL control systems 210. This, of course, means that the vehicle owners, and other drivers/people on the road, would be denied the safety of these highly effective systems.
Second, because of the potential large cost involved with these methods and systems for installing a dynamic display CHMSL control system 210, many vehicle owners could not afford the installation of dynamic display CHMSL control systems 210, even if the service were offered. This also means that many vehicle owners, and other drivers/people on the road, would again be denied the safety of these highly effective systems.
In addition, because of the error prone nature of these methods and systems for installing a dynamic display CHMSL control system 210, and the possibility of the resulting modified CHMSL systems 200 failing during normal operational weather and wear and tear due to the spicing issues discussed above, there would be a significantly increased risk that the CHMSL 100 would fail completely, i.e., fail to light at all. This situation is arguably the worst of possibilities since a driver behind such a vehicle will assume that the CHMSL 100 will at least statically come on when the driver hits the brakes. Consequently, the driver behind the vehicle will assume no CHMSL 100 light means no brakes applied. However, given the failed CHMSL 100 of this scenario, this assumption could be incorrect and brakes may well be applied. The result is a situation where it would be safer to have no CHMSL 100 at all so that there is no assumption made by other drivers.
The result of the current situation discussed above is that the highly effective dynamic display CHMSL technology has not been widely adopted or employed. Consequently, the potential safety advantages of the wide-spread adoption of dynamic display CHMSLs have not been realized and untold numbers of preventable accidents have occurred, and will continue to occur, until a technical solution to the problems discussed above is provided.
While in the discussion above dynamic display CHMSLs, and dynamic display CHMSL control systems, were discussed as particular illustrative examples of vehicle displays and systems, those of skill in the art will readily recognize that other types of vehicle displays and systems suffer from the same or similar issues. For instance, control and/or power systems for back-up cameras, message system/displays, and various forms of custom, safety, and specialized lighting and displays face many of the same issues discussed above, i.e., the need for the installation of aftermarket dynamic display control systems.
What is needed is a technical solution to the long-standing technical problem of providing for the efficient, effective, and reliable way to install control systems for vehicle displays, such as dynamic display CHMSL control systems for dynamic display CHMSLs.

Method and system for installing a vehicle auxiliary device controller


The present invention provides compounds with imaging moieties for imaging a subject. The present invention also relates to systems, compositions, and methods for the synthesis and use of imaging agents, or precursors thereof. An imaging agent precursor may be converted to an imaging agent using the methods described herein. In some cases, a composition or plurality of imaging agents is enriched in 18 F. In some cases, an imaging agent may be used to image an area of interest in a subject, including, but not limited to, the heart, cardiovascular system, cardiac vessels, brain, and other organs.

Mitochondria are membrane-enclosed organelles distributed through the cytosol of most eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria are especially concentrated in myocardial tissue.
Mitochondrial complex 1 ("MC-1") is a membrane-bound protein complex of 46 dissimilar subunits. This enzyme complex is one of three energy-transducing complexes that constitute the respiratory chain in mammalian mitochondria. This NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase is the point of entry for the majority of electrons that traverse the respiratory chain, eventually resulting in the reduction of oxygen to water (Q. Rev. Biophys. 1992, 25, 253-324). Examples of inhibitors of MC-1 include deguelin, piericidin A, ubicidin-3, rolliniastatin-1, rolliniastatin-2 (bullatacin), capsaicin, pyridaben, fenpyroximate, amytal, MPP+, quinolines, and quinolones (BBA 1998, 1364, 222-235). Studies have shown that interrupting the normal function of mitochondria could advantageously concentrate certain compounds in the mitochondria, and hence in the mitochondria-rich myocardial tissue. Compounds that include an imaging moiety (e.g., 18F) can be useful in determining such a build-up of compounds, thereby providing valuable diagnostic markers for myocardial perfusion imaging. In addition, such compounds may find application for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).
CAD is a major cause of death in modern industrialized countries, and it has been found previously that assessments of regional myocardial perfusion at rest and during stress (exercise or pharmacologic coronary vasodilation) are valuable for noninvasive diagnosis of CAD. While myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has been shown to be superior in some embodiments as compared to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), widespread clinical use of PET MPI has been limited by the previously available PET myocardial perfusion tracers.
Several PET blood flow tracers, such as rubidium-82 (82Rb) chloride, nitrogen-13 (13N) ammonia, and oxygen-15 (15O) water, have been developed and validated for assessment of myocardial perfusion. 13N and 15O are cyclotron-produced isotopes with short half-lives. Therefore, their use is limited to facilities with an on-site cyclotron. Although 82Rb is a generator-produced tracer, its short half-life, the high cost of the generator, and the inability to perform studies in conjunction with treadmill exercise have made this tracer impractical for widespread use. Tracers that comprise 18F have, however, found application as imaging agents.

Compositions, methods, and systems for the synthesis and use of imaging agents


A recording and/or reproduction apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data onto and/or from a storage medium is disclosed. The recording and/or reproduction apparatus includes a recording and/or reproduction section for recording and/or reproducing data onto and/or from the storage medium, a communication section for communicating with an external apparatus, a memory for storing operation screen information corresponding to the recording and/or reproduction section, a transmission controller for controlling the communication section to transmit the operation screen information to the external apparatus, and a controller operable when the communication section receives operation information to the operation screen information displayed on the external apparatus for controlling the recording and/or reproduction section in accordance with the operation information.

This invention relates to a recording and/or reproduction apparatus and a recording and/or reproduction method for recording and/or reproducing at least image data.
In recent years, digital video cameras have been popularized widely.
One of known digital video cameras has a function of communicating with a personal computer apparatus through a data interface such as an IEEE 1394 interface.
In a system which includes a digital video camera and a personal computer apparatus connected to each other as described above, application software for a digital video camera is installed in the personal computer apparatus. The application software for a video camera allows the personal computer apparatus to fetch image data from the digital video camera side. The personal computer apparatus is further allowed to display and edit the fetched image. Also operation buttons and so forth for operating the video camera are displayed on a screen of the personal computer apparatus provided by the application software for a video camera. A user of the system can operate the displayed operation buttons and so forth to remotely control the digital video camera from the personal computer apparatus side.
In the environment of the system described above, an interface such as an IEEE 1394 interface is adopted. Therefore, a protocol for exclusive use must be used for data transfer in the system. Consequently, the user must prepare application software for exclusive use suitable for the video camera and install the application software into the personal computer apparatus. Further, where different personal computers employ different operating systems (OSs), different types of the application software for exclusive use described above must be prepared for the different operating systems.
Where a data interface such as an IEEE 1394 interface is adopted, the personal computer apparatus side must have a data interface function suitable for the IEEE 1394 as different from an alternative case wherein typically a public network is adopted.
At present, only limited personal computer apparatus have the IEEE 1394 interface function, and it is necessary to provide a personal computer apparatus which does not have the IEEE 1394 interface function typically with an interface board for the IEEE 1394 interface function.
In other words, if a system wherein a digital video camera and a personal computer can communicate with each other is implemented, then it allows more effective utilization of image data recorded by the digital video camera. At present, however, the system described has a problem in that it is poor in universal use from the reason described above and accordingly it is not easy to popularize.

Recording and/or reproduction apparatus and recording and/or reproduction method


A friction drive belt (B) includes short fibers (14) and carbon black (18) both scattered so as to be exposed at a surface of at least a contact part (13) of a rubber belt body (10) with a pulley. The short fibers (14) include short, high modulus fibers made of polymers having a main chain which does not contain an aromatic compound and having an initial tensile resistance, measured according to JIS L 1013, of equal to or greater than 100 cN/dtex, and the carbon black (18) contain large-particle-diameter carbon black having an iodine absorption, measured according to JIS K 6217-1, of equal to or less than 40 g/Kg, and/or a specific surface area, measured by nitrogen adsorption according to JIS K 6217-2, of equal to or less than 40 m2/g.

In a friction drive belt, such as a raw-edged V-belt or V-ribbed belt, in which a compression rubber layer forming a contact part of a belt body with a pulley is made of a rubber composition, it is a generally known technique to blend carbon black into the rubber composition used for the compression rubber layer.
For example, PATENT DOCUMENT 1 shows that a compression rubber layer of a V-ribbed belt is made of a rubber composition containing (A) 20-60 parts by weight of carbon black having a specific surface area, measured by nitrogen adsorption, of equal to or greater than 70 m2/g and a dibutyl phthalate absorption of less than 100 cm3/100 g, and (B) 15-55 parts by weight of carbon black having a specific surface area, measured by nitrogen adsorption, of less than 70 m2/g and a dibutyl phthalate absorption of less than 100 cm3/100 g per 100 parts by weight of rubber. The document describes that this composition of the compression rubber layer can improve the wear resistance, endurance, and quieter performance thereof.
PATENT DOCUMENT 2 shows that a compression rubber layer of a drive belt is made of an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer rubber composition which contains 50 or more parts by weight of carbon black per 100 parts by weight of rubber and in which the carbon black includes 30 or more parts by weight of large particle carbon black having an iodine absorption of equal to or less than 40 mg/g per 100 parts by weight of rubber. The document describes that this composition prevents the life of the drive belt from being shortened and allows the improved advantage of noise reduction to continue for a long time.
Furthermore, in a friction drive belt, it is also a generally known technique to blend short fibers into a rubber composition used for a compression rubber layer.
For example, PATENT DOCUMENT 3 shows that the amount of reinforcing short fibers blended into a compression rubber layer of a drive belt is 15-30 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of rubber, and the amount of short vinylon fibers blended into the compression rubber layer is 1-4 times greater than that of nylon fibers blended thereinto. The document describes that the above amounts of blended fibers can improve the dynamic fatigue life of the drive belt and further stabilize the friction coefficient thereof without reducing the processability of rubber.
PATENT DOCUMENT 4 shows that short nylon fibers, short vinylon fibers, and other fibers are blended into a compression rubber layer of a V-ribbed belt and the short fibers are arranged to protrude beyond the surface of the belt and increase in cross-sectional area. The document describes that this arrangement can prevent abnormal noise due to stick-slip phenomena.
PATENT DOCUMENT 5 shows that short aramid fibers and short non-aramid fibers are both blended into a compression rubber layer of a V-ribbed belt, and that some of only the short aramid fibers protrude beyond the surface of the belt while some of the short non-aramid fibers are exposed at the surface of the belt in order to prevent the protruding short aramid fibers from being embedded in the belt. The document describes that this can solve completely different problems, i.e., belt wear and slip caused due to an increase in the time during which the belt runs.
PATENT DOCUMENT 6 shows that soluble short fibers are blended into a compression rubber layer of a V-ribbed belt. This can reduce the belt slip ratio and attenuate noises during the belt run.
PATENT DOCUMENT 7 shows that short fibers of gellable polyvinyl alcohol subjected to an RFL treatment are blended into a compression rubber layer of a V-ribbed belt. The document describes that this can effectively prevent a reduction in the drive capability of the drive belt and abnormal noise both arising from slips of the drive belt upon exposure thereof to water.    PATENT DOCUMENT 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-183805    PATENT DOCUMENT 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-316812    PATENT DOCUMENT 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. H10-213184    PATENT DOCUMENT 4: Japanese Patent Publication No. H03-219147    PATENT DOCUMENT 5: Japanese Patent Publication No. H07-004470    PATENT DOCUMENT 6: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-314624    PATENT DOCUMENT 7: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-118661

Friction drive belt and automotive accessory drive belt transmission system using the same


A ring connection apparatus according to one embodiment is provided with: a frame receiver that receives frames to be transmitted to one of the plurality of ring networks from each of the plurality of networks; and a frame transmitter that transmits each of frames, a passing frame to be transmitted from a device to another device inside said one ring network and a crossing frame to be transmitted to a device in said one ring network from a device in another ring network different from said one ring network, to said one ring network within the range of a band, which is separately determined in advance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to data communication techniques and particularly to communication apparatuses that transmit data in ring networks and communication controlling methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
In communication apparatuses such as Layer 2 switches, in each unit of an input port or output port, bandwidth control is performed on data to be transmitted.
[Patent document 1] WO 2006/082652 pamphlet
In a ring network provided with a plurality of rings, a communication apparatus that connects the plurality of rings is often installed. A method, which is to be implemented in such a communication apparatus, of controlling bandwidth that takes into consideration the circumstances of a ring network provided with multiple rings has not been sufficiently suggested.

Communication apparatus and communication controlling method in ring network


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a plurality of measuring steps performed by a plurality of measuring equipment comprising the steps of; (a) determining the operational state of each one of the plurality of measuring equipment, (b) selecting and performing a measuring step from the plurality of measuring steps in accordance with the determination made in step (a), and repeating steps (a) and (b) until the plurality of measuring steps is completed.

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for semiconductor devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a manufacturing method for semiconductor integrated circuits having improved yield and utilizing a flexible process sequence.
In the following background discussion, problems with conventional semiconductor manufacturing methods are described with reference to an oxidation process. The oxidation process is basic to semiconductor manufacturing methods. Generally, the oxidation process is one wherein the surface of a wafer is exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere at high temperature to thereby form an oxide film having uniform thickness and stable physical properties.
Of central concern to all semiconductor manufacturing methods is the question of yield. Again, using the example of an oxidation process, yield is typically measured by a comparison between the number of wafers which successfully finish the oxidation process, and the number of wafers which begin the oxidation process. Physical parameters such as oxide film thickness and resistance must be measured and controlled during the course of the oxidation process to improve yield. Proper electrical operation of the ultimately formed semiconductor device depends on the oxide layer satisfying the particular physical parameters set forth in a production specification. Accordingly, much attention is paid to improving the yield by minimizing changes to a successful manufacturing process. Yet, flexibility in the manufacturing processes is also highly desirable.
FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a conventional method of forming and measuring an oxide film on a wafer. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional manufacturing method comprises the steps of; placing the wafer in a quartz crystal holder, or "boat," in a reaction source cabinet (step 10), forming an oxide film having a constant thickness on the wafer by reacting the wafer with oxygen (step 11), measuring the thickness of the oxide film (step 12), measuring the contamination particles in the wafer (step 13), measuring sheet resistance of the wafer (step 14), eliminating the contamination particles, or cleaning the wafer with a solution of sulfuric acid (step 15), and removing the wafer from the boat (step 16).
Thus, in the conventional manufacturing method, the measuring steps are sequentially performed in a fixed order. In other words, the steps of thickness measuring 12, the contamination particle measuring 13, and resistance sheet measuring 14 are performed in sequence. Accordingly, even though equipment for measuring contamination particles and equipment for measuring sheet resistance can operate independently, they are, nonetheless, used only after the oxide film thickness has been measured. Such sequential operation results in delay during the manufacturing process and utilizing equipment inefficiently.

Manufacturing method of a semiconductor integrated circuit


A search unit of a receiver synchronizer includes a search PN signal generator for generating PN signals for all PN phases in order to search the maximum power path; a search correlation unit which outputs a correlation value from sampling data and the PN signal; a data buffer for storing the correlation value; a path search unit for controlling a search the path using the correlation value received from the data buffer; a PN signal generator for outputting a PN signal to a DLL and a data demodulation correlation device; and a DLL switch for switching the PN phase to the phase of the maximum power path by controlling the PN signal generator as a result of the search for the path. The PN phase of the PN signal output to the DLL is constantly maintained in synchronization with the phase of the maximum power path.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a synchronizer to be incorporated into a receiver of a spread spectrum communication apparatus used in digital mobile radio communication.
2. Description of the Related Art
The conventional spread spectrum communication apparatus synchronizes with sampling data which is received and subjected to A/D conversion, searches data having the optimum phase and despreads the data having the optimum phase to demodulate the received data. For instance, a synchronizer of such a conventional spread spectrum communication apparatus is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a receiver synchronizer of the conventional spread spectrum communication apparatus, and FIG. 10 is a detailed block diagram of a search unit of the receiver synchronizer of the conventional spread spectrum communication apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9.
First, referring to FIG. 9, the configuration of the receiver synchronizer of the conventional spread spectrum communication apparatus will be described. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 designates an A/D converter for converting a received signal from an analog signal to a digital signal; 902, a DLL (Delay Lock Loop) for time tracking a PN (pseudonoise) signal so as to be in phase with it while sampling data output from the A/D converter is correlated with the PN signal; 903, a search unit for searching the data received through a path from which the maximum power is obtained (a path over which the received signal flows from a transmitter to a receiver or a signal received through this path), using the correlation result calculated from an output of a correlation device; 904, a sampling clock signal generator controlled by the DLL; and 905, a data demodulation correlation device for despreading the received data.
With reference to FIG. 10, the configuration of a receiver synchronizer of the conventional spread spectrum communication apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1001 designates a search PN signal generator for generating PN signals having all PN phases (phases of the pseudonoise signals); 1002, a search correlation unit for correlating the sampling data with the PN signal to output correlation data corresponding to the correlation; 1005, a data buffer for storing the correlation data output from the search correlation unit 1002; 1000, a path search unit which controls the search PN signal generator so as to search to select for the correlation data corresponding the maximum-power path from the data buffer 1005 and outputs the PN phase of the thus-searched correlation data; and 1003, a PN signal generator for outputting a PN signal to the DLL 902.
With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the operation of the receiver synchronizer of the conventional spread spectrum communication apparatus will be described. First, the DLL 902 is placed into an inoperative state, and the timing of the operating sampling clock signal generator 904, which controls the sampling timing of the A/D converter 901, is made constant. A received signal is sampled at predetermined timing by the A/D converter 901, and the thus-sampled received signal is input into the search unit 903.
The search correlation unit 1001 correlates the sampling data input to the search unit 903 with the PN signal output from the search PN signal generator 1001. The resultant correlated data is stored in the data buffer 1005. When the search results regarding all the PN phases is stored in the data buffer 1005, the correlation data obtained from the maximum-power path is searched to be selected from all data stored in the buffer (a searching operation).
A PN phase with respect to the maximum-power path is output to the PN signal generator 1003, and the DLL 902 is activated by the PN phase, thereby commencing a tracking operation (a tracking operation). Further, the PN signal output from the PN signal generator 1003 is output to the data demodulation correlation device 905, thereby commencing demodulation of data. After completion of the searching operation, the phase of the PN signal generator 1003 remains unchanged, and the time tracking of the path is carried out by use of the PN phase of the PN signal generator which is set at the time of completion of the searching operation (a synchronous period).
As described above, the receiver synchronizer of the conventional spread spectrum is arranged so as to synchronously track the path by operating only the DLL 902 without altering the phase of the PN signal generator 1003 after the completion of the searching operation. Accordingly, if the level of the path tracked by the DLL 902 is significantly reduced for reasons of e.g., fading, the DLL 902 comes out of synchronization with the path. If the DLL 902 comes out of synchronization with the path, it is impossible to demodulate the data. In order to demodulate the data, all the operations must be carried out once again from the first searching operation.

Synchronizer for receiver of spread spectrum communication apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device and a method of manufacturing the same. A LDMOS device may include a high voltage well formed over a substrate, a reduced surface field region formed thereover which may be adjacent a body region, and/or an isolation layer. An isolation layer may include a predetermined area formed over a reduced surface field region, may be partially overlapped with a top surface of a substrate and/or may include an area formed adjacent a high voltage well. A low voltage well may be formed over a substrate. A gate electrode may extend from a predetermined top surface of a body region to a predetermined top surface of an isolation layer. A drain region may be formed over a low voltage well. A source region may be formed over a body region and may have at least a portion formed under a gate electrode.

Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. Some embodiments relate to a lateral double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device and a method of manufacturing the same.
A MOS Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) may have relatively high input impedance compared to a bipolar transistor, providing an electrical benefit and/or a relatively simple gate driving circuit. A MOSFET may be a unipolar device having substantially no-time delay which may result from minority carrier storage and/or recombination while being turned off A MOSFET may be applied, for example, to switching mode power supply devices, lamp ballasts and/or motor driving circuits. A DMOSFET (Double Diffused MOSFET) may use planar diffusion technology.
A LDMOS transistor is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,150 to Colak. A LDMOS device may be applied to a VLSI process due to its relatively simple structure. LDMOS devices may have minimized technical features than, for example, DMOS (VDMOS) devices. However, Reduced Surface Field (RESURF) SLMOS devices may have maximized on-resistance (Rsp). FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a LDMOS device.
Referring to FIG. 1, high voltage well (HVWELL) 20 may be formed on and/or over p-type epilayer 10 which may be formed on and/or over a substrate. P-type body 30 may be formed on and/or over HVWELL 20. P+ region 74 and/or N+ source 70 may be formed on and/or over a surface of p-type body 30. N+ well 50 for Low Voltage (LV) may be formed adjacent isolation layer 40, and/or N+ drain 72 may be formed on and/or over N+ well 50. Gate dielectric layer 60 and/or gate electrode 62 may be partially overlapped with both a top of isolation layer 40 and source 70. Isolation layer 40 may be provided between drain 72 and source 70 to prevent an electric field from being concentrated on and/or over a region near a gate edge in a High Voltage (HV) device capable of outputting higher than approximately 30 V. Gate poly 62 may be lifted to use isolation layer 40 as a plate.
Electric currents may flow along a surface of a LDMOS device, which may minimize electric current driving efficiency. As shown in FIG. 1, when applying a relatively high voltage, an electric field may be concentrated on and/or over a region adjacent to a gate edge. To address electric filed concentration, a region near the gate edge may be corner-rounded but may be limited. As a result, a problematic disadvantage of device reliability and/or deterioration may occur.
Accordingly, there is a need for a LDMOS device and a method of manufacturing a LDMOS device that may minimize on-resistance and/or may acquire a relatively high breakdown voltage.

Lateral double diffused MOS device and method for manufacturing the same


An insulator material made from rice husks is provided for producing a bulk insulator, characterized by a density in the range from 200 through 250 kg/m.sup.3 in the packaged condition. A method for the manufacture of insulator material from rice husks as well as method for producing a bulk insulator from rice husks are also provided.

Greater quantities of rice husks are produced in rice-producing countries and are becoming serious waste disposal problem. Due to their chemical, biological and physical properties such as, in particular, their naturally low thermal conductivity as well as non-combustibility, rice husks are suitable for recycled use in the building trades. Thus, German Published Applications 3517778 and 3902023 disclose the employment of rice husks for insulating purposes.
Additionally, German Published Application 43 22 907 discloses that heated rice husks, preferably heated to 30.degree. to 60.degree. C., be injected into a hollow space of a building under pressure. An insulating fill of rice husks can thereby be achieved via a blower or the like in this way. Such bulk insulators, however, exhibit the disadvantage that they settle to a greater or lesser extent and thus create void spaces in the insulating layer that represent heat bridges and thus render an insulation less effective.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved insulating material fabricated from rice husks and an improved method of manufacturing insulating materials from rice husks that will result in a more effective insulation product made from recycled rice husks.

Insulator material made from rice husks for producing a bulk insulator, method for the manufacture thereof as well as method for installation thereof