A system, apparatus and method for controlling temperature of an integrated circuit in a chip tester is disclosed. Embodiments include supplying a chilled fluid to a cold plate at a first flowrate, where the first flowrate is associated with a first valve setting based on at least a desired temperature setpoint and an applied power. Embodiments may determine a change in applied power and modify the chilled fluid flowrate in response to a change in testing conditions to a second flowrate associated with a second valve setting associated with at least the desired temperature setpoint and the changed testing conditions. This feed forward loop may be supplemented by a feedback loop that includes modifying the energy supplied to a cold plate heater in response to a comparison of a current temperature and the temperature setpoint. The valve may be a proportional control valve or the like.

High performance processor chips, which are also known as microchips or integrated circuits (ICs), are often tested and subsequently sorted based on their performance and matched to a given class of machine. Individual chips are tested prior to installation on modules in machines in order to identify chip failures, allowing higher machine manufacturing productivity and improving product quality. Test equipment developed to support performance, productivity and quality is usually required to meet functional test limits defined by several boundary variables such as chip/module voltage, clock speed, power dissipation, and temperature.
Chip testers such as functional or non-functional testers may detect chip failures during testing at different operating temperatures. Chips are typically tested at operating temperatures they might encounter in the field so that failures are eliminated before the chip reaches the customer. Additionally, testing chips at particular operating temperatures may facilitate determining particular failure modes. For example, chip testing often requires the chips to be cooled to low temperatures in order to find certain possible failures, including temperatures as low as −20 degrees Celsius (C.). Some early use failures which might not have normally occurred until after reaching a customer may be found during testing at elevated temperatures. As an example, a faulty interconnection on a chip can be detected by testing at either low or high temperatures. In this example, two conductors may touch each other with sufficient force that an electrical connection is made even though the parts are not mechanically interconnected. Such a part may pass tests and reach a customer, but will likely fail at a higher frequency rate than is acceptable. If a chip is tested at these temperatures, this marginal interconnection may separate and thereby identify the faulty part.
The performance of a chip also often varies based on the operating temperature of the chip, making temperature control of the chip an integral part of chip testing. Accurate temperature control over a wide range of temperatures during chip testing processes allows verification of whether a processor functions at all, as well as it how it performs. For example, accurate temperature control allows a chip tester to determine whether a processor of a chip functions at a particular temperature and more specifically how many of its processor cores function at that temperature. Testing with precise control over the chip temperature and local temperature distribution also allows more precise determination of chip speed, helping to minimize the guardband (i.e., extra margin) that is put into the acceptance criteria for a good chip, allowing an increase in the manufacturing yield. Another benefit of accurately controlling the temperature of a chip during testing is more precise determination of power dissipation of the chip during product level conditions. Precise determination of power dissipation facilitates directing higher power chips to products that have greater power supply and cooling capacity while directing lower power chips to products with less capacity. This may increase chip yield as all chips are not required to function to the more restrictive conditions of less capable systems.
Failure to precisely control thermal conditions during chip testing may result in finding fewer faults, having to increase the guardband on sorted speed, and reduced ability to determine power dissipation. These failures may result in lower chip yields, lower customer satisfaction, higher warranty costs, and overall decrease in efficiency in chip production. These problems are exacerbated as chips become more and more powerful, as more powerful chips often require more precise temperature control due to their higher frequency, higher leakage, and higher power dissipation. There is, therefore, a need for an effective and efficient system to control temperatures in a chip tester system. There is an even greater need for such a system as chips become more and more powerful and require more accurate temperature control.

System, apparatus and method for controlling temperature of an integrated circuit under test

International Business Machines Corporation


A gas separator for separating a multiphase medium containing a gas and a liquid includes a tubular basic unit having a longitudinal axis, an intake for a gaseous medium, a liquid outlet and a gas outlet. The tubular basic unit has an intake region and a discharge region. The gas separator includes, between the intake region and the discharge region, a weir having a guiding surface, over which the medium can flow to form a shallow water region. The gas contained in the medium can escape from the medium in the shallow water region and be led away from the gas separator through the gas outlet. The disclosure is also directed to an apparatus for registering flow of at least one component of a multiphase medium.

Flow measurement of two-phase flows in pipelines. Flow measuring devices are, in general, designed for measuring single phase fluids. When the fluid to be measured is two-phase (droplets in a gas or bubbles in a liquid), this leads to an increased measurement uncertainty or makes measurement completely impossible.
Fundamentally, separators, e.g. gas separators, are known from the state of the art, especially U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,620,221 B1, 5,507,858 A, 3,960,525 A, for the removal of gas from gas-liquid media. In such case, various structural solutions, for example, perforated plates and the like, are applied.

Gas separator and apparatus for measuring flow of one or more components of a multiphase medium, especially a natural gas-water mixture


Provided are a thin film transistor (TFT) capable of increasing ON current and decreasing OFF current values, a TFT substrate having the polysilicon TFT, a method of fabricating the polysilicon TFT, and a method of fabricating a TFT substrate having the polysilicon TFT. The polysilicon TFT substrate includes a gate line and a data line defining a pixel region, a pixel electrode formed in the pixel region, and a TFT including a gate electrode connected to the gate line, a source electrode connected to the data line, a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode, and a polysilicon active layer forming a channel between the source and drain electrodes. The polysilicon active layer includes a channel region on which the gate electrode is superposed, source and drain regions connected to the source and drain electrode, respectively, and at least two lightly doped drain (LDD) regions y formed between the source region and the channel region and between the drain region and the channel region. The LDD regions have an impurity concentration different from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor of a liquid crystal display panel, and more particularly, to a thin film transistor capable of increasing ON current and decreasing OFF current values, a thin film transistor substrate having the same, and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus typically displays an image via liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix format on a liquid crystal display panel controlling light transmissivity in response to a video signal. Each of the liquid crystal cells uses a thin film transistor (TFT) as a switching element for independently providing a video signal. The TFT uses an amorphous silicon layer or a polysilicon layer as its active layer. When a polysilicon layer is used as the active layer of the TFT, a driving circuit requiring a high response speed can be used for the liquid crystal display panel because electric charge mobility of polysilicon is approximately a hundred times greater than that of amorphous silicon.
FIG. 1 roughly illustrates a conventional LCD panel using a polysilicon TFT. Referring to FIG. 1, the LCD panel includes an image display part 96 including a liquid crystal cell matrix, a data driver 92 for driving data lines 4 of the image display part 96, and a gate driver 94 for driving gate lines 2 of the image display part 96.
The image display part 96 has liquid crystal cells LC arranged in a matrix format to display images. Each of the liquid crystal cells LC has a TFT 30 connected to a corresponding gate line 2 and data line 4. The TFT 30 charges a video signal from the data line 4 in the liquid crystal cell LC in response to a scan signal of the gate line 2. The liquid crystal cell controls light transmissivity in a manner such that liquid crystals having dielectric anisotropy respond to the charged video signal for representing gray scales.
The gate driver 94 sequentially drives the gate lines 2. Moreover, the data driver 92 provides a video signal to the data lines 4 when the gate lines 2 are driven.
The above-described LCD panel is constructed in such a manner that a TFT substrate on which the TFT 30 of the liquid crystal cell LC, the data driver 92 and gate driver 94 are formed is bonded to a color filter substrate on which a common electrode and a color filter are formed, with a liquid crystal layer being disposed therebetween.
A conventional TFT is decreased in size as the resolution of the LCD panel employing the TFT is increased. However, there are certain difficulties associated with conventional TFT's such as when the size of a conventional TFT is reduced, the channel length of the TFT is also decreased, resulting in the reliability of the TFT being deteriorated as well. For example, with conventional TFT's, a hot carrier stress in a gate insulating layer is generated when electrons are accelerated from a source region to a drain region, thereby reducing electron mobility. Further, a depletion region is formed in the vicinity of the drain region of the active layer due to an electric field formed between gate and drain electrodes so as to change an energy band within the LCD apparatus. Moreover, the above depletion region further increases as the electric field between the gate and drain electrodes increases, thereby resulting in a high electric field being applied between the gate and drain electrodes to generate gate induced drain leakage (GIDL). GIDL refers to the occurrence of an increase in current caused by band tunneling of electrons.
Due to the above described GIDL and hot carrier stress, a conventional polysilicon TFT substrate generates a typical short channel effect that decreases a source/drain breakdown voltage and a threshold voltage and also increases swing of the LCD apparatus.

Thin film transistor and method of fabricating thin film transistor substrate


Methods and apparatus relating to use and/or provision of a rake piezo actuator are described. In one embodiment, a piezo patch may be coupled to a plurality of blades (e.g., to cause the blades to oscillate and provide air flow between fins of one or more heat sinks). Other embodiments are also described.

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of electronics. More particularly, an embodiment of the invention relates to dual direction rake piezo actuator.
Integrated circuit (IC) devices may generate heat during operation. Excessive heat may cause damage to IC devices. To cool IC devices, some implementations may use axial fans. Such fans may, however, increase manufacturing costs, increase power consumption, increase overhead (hardware and software) associated with fan speed control, reduce the available footprint in a computer for other components (e.g., due to the size of axial fans), increase noise, etc.


A paperboard pallet is provided that includes first and second cardboard stringers positioned substantially parallel to each other. A space is formed between the first and second stringers. At least a first deck board is attached to and positioned substantially perpendicular to the first and second stringers. Both the first and second stringers include a notch on their top sides. Each notch on the top side of the first and second stringer is sized to receive the first deck board, and is located so a first side of the first deck board in each notch in the top side of the first and second stringers is located substantially flush with the first end of the first and second stringers.

Conventional pallets are typically made of wood or plastic. Wood pallets consist of a plurality of spaced apart wood boards or stringers that are sandwiched between a plurality of spaced apart deck boards. These deck boards generally run parallel to each other and perpendicular to the stringers. When all the deck boards and stringers are nailed together, a secure platform is created that accommodates cargo, product, and other materials. In such wood pallet designs, spaces exist between the upper and lower deck boards that sandwich the stringers. These spaces are sized to accommodate forklift blades so that the products or materials setting on the pallet can all be lifted at one time when the forklift lifts the pallet.
The present disclosure is directed to a pallet made of cardboard or paperboard. Illustratively, the pallet may be made of corrugated cardboard. In one embodiment, a pallet may be made of cardboard stringers and deck boards. The stringers may be made of a composite of corrugated cardboard strips laminated together with glue to create a lightweight rigid structure. Similarly, the deck boards may be made from laminated strips of cardboard. The paperboard pallet provides a lightweight, high strength, solution for packing and/or warehousing product where a strong pallet is necessary but wood cannot be used because of issues such as insects in the pallet wood. For example, the food industry requires much of its packaged food product be stored and shipped on pallets, but insects in wood pallets pose a contamination risk. A paperboard pallet solution serves the pallet need, but does not have the issue with insects that a natural wood has.
Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a paperboard pallet. The paperboard pallet comprises first and second stringers positioned substantially parallel to each other. Each of the first and second stringers is made of a plurality of bonded sheets of cardboard. A space is formed between the first and second stringers. Each of the first and second stringers has a top side, an underside, and a first end, wherein the underside is located opposite the top side. At least a first deck board attached to and positioned substantially perpendicular to the first and second stringers. Both the first and second stringers include a notch on their top sides. Each notch on the top side of the first and second stringer is sized to receive the first deck board, and is located so a first side of the first deck board in each notch in the top side of the first and second stringers is located substantially flush with the first end of the first and second stringers. Both the first and second stringers include a notch on their undersides. Each notch on the underside of the first and second stringer is sized to receive a second deck board, and is located so a first side of the second deck board in each notch of the underside of the first and second stringers is located substantially flush with the first end of the first and second stringers.
In the above and additional embodiments, the paperboard pallet may further comprise: the cardboard being corrugated cardboard; a third stringer located in the space formed between the first and second stringers, which creates a second space in addition to the first space, wherein the space and the second space are each sized to receive forklift fork; both of the first and second stringers have a second end located opposite the first end; a second deck board, wherein the second deck board is positioned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first deck board; a second notch on the top side of each of the first and second stringers, wherein each second notch on the top side of the first and second stringers is sized to receive the second deck board; and the second deck board being fitted in the second notch on the top side of each of the first and second stringers, wherein the deck board is substantially flush with the topside of the first and second stringers.
Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure provides a paperboard pallet that includes first and second stringers positioned substantially parallel to each other; each of the first and second stringers being made of a plurality of bonded sheets of cardboard; a space being formed between the first and second stringers; each of the first and second stringers has a side, a top side, and an underside; and a cardboard sheet wrapped around the side, the top side, and the underside of each of the first and second stringers.
In the above and additional embodiments, the paperboard pallet may further comprise: openings formed in the cardboard sheet over the space and adjacent the first and second stringers; a third stringer located in the space formed between the first and second stringers, which creates a second space in addition to the first space, wherein the space and the second space are each sized to receive a forklift fork; the cardboard sheet is corrugated cardboard; the cardboard sheet has first and second ends, wherein the cardboard sheet wraps around the side, the top side, and the underside of each of the first and second stringers, and an underside of the third stringer; the first end of the cardboard sheet attaches to the first side of the third stringer, and the second end of the cardboard sheet attaches to the cardboard sheet; and the second end of the cardboard sheet attaches to the first end of the cardboard sheet.
Additional features and advantages of the paperboard pallet will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the paperboard pallet as presently perceived.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the paperboard pallet and method of making, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the paperboard pallet and method of making in any manner.


Data to be transferred from a BUS1 (IEEE 1394 or USB) is encrypted by a second encryption process (DES) and the encrypted data is written to an external SDRAM through an external terminal of a data transfer control device. The encrypted data that has been written to the SDRAM is read through the external terminal, and the thus-read encrypted data is transferred to a BUS2 to which an HDD is connected. Encrypted data transferred from the BUS1 is decrypted by a first decryption process (DTCP), and is written to a small-capacity SRAM within the data transfer control device. The thus-written decrypted data is read from the SRAM and encrypted by the second encryption process. Paths that bypass the second encryption (or decryption) are also provided.

The present invention relates to a data transfer control device, an electronic instrument, and a data transfer control method.
It has recently become popular to distribute digital audio-visual (AV) data by digital broadcasting or over the Internet. Together with the spread of this digital distribution of AV data, there have been increasing demands for digital recording/reproduction devices (electronic instruments) that are capable of recording the thus-distributed data efficiently.
A high-speed serial bus such as one in accordance with IEEE 1394 or the universal serial bus (USB) 2.0 is used for the transfer of AV data. A digital recording/reproduction device (electronic instrument) that records AV data is preferably provided with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) that is capable of storing large volumes of data at high speed.
For that reason, the demand is increasing for a data transfer control device that can transfer data at high speed between a high-speed bus in accordance with IEEE 1394 or USB 2.0 and a storage medium such as an HDD.
The AV data might require copyright protection, depending on the contents thereof. It is therefore preferable that a data transfer control device that transmits AV data is also capable of protection with respect to the confidentiality of such AV data.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Data transfer control device, electronic instrument, and data transfer control method


Absorbent structures comprising a topsheet, a backsheet with an absorbent core between the topsheet and the backsheet are described. The absorbent structures further comprise a support strip that provides a contractive force that causes at least a portion of the support strip and at least a portion of the topsheet to become decoupled from the absorbent core. Alternative embodiments of the absorbent structure include laterally extending flaps and an abbreviated undergarment.

Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and incontinence pads are devices that are typically worn in the crotch region of an undergarment. These devices are designed to absorb and retain liquid and other discharges from the human body and to prevent body and clothing soiling.
It is desirable to provide absorbent articles that reduce the risk of leakage of bodily fluids that can result in soiling of clothing or bedding. It is also desirable to provide such absorbent articles with excellent body fit such that the absorbent article conforms to a female wearer's anatomy. For example, it is particularly desirable that at least a portion of such an absorbent article fit comfortably within female wearer's interlabial crevice while, at the same time, fitting into the wearer's gluteal groove. It is further desirable that such absorbent articles maintain such conformity (i.e. reliable body contact) throughout the full range of wearer motions as a means for reducing such leakage. It is still further desirable that such absorbent articles be conveniently disposable.
One means the art has used to respond to such needs has been to provide stretchable absorbent articles. For example, providing stretchability to catamenial products has been contemplated by the art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,371,668, issued to Johnson on Mar. 5, 1968, is directed to a sanitary napkin employing a nonwoven fabric with a cover said to have machine direction elasticity. The described fabric comprises a nonwoven web of fibers having a plurality of elastic means, in extended condition, secured to the web. Upon their release, the fabric contracts in the length direction and is characterized by a plurality of substantially parallel buckled areas said to have improved bulk. While this improved bulk may provide an improvement in body contact over a catamenial product lacking such buckled areas, the buckles do not readily conform to a female wearer's anatomy. For example, it is unlikely that the Johnson device would conform, even partially, to a female wearer's interlabial crevice.
Another absorbent article that uses stretch to provide improved contact with a wearer's body is described in PCT Application No. WO 95/20931 published in the name of Osborn, et al. on Aug. 10, 1995. The absorbent articles described therein include sanitary napkins, pantiliners and the like. Such absorbent articles are described as comprising at least some extensible components. Preferably, the topsheet, the backsheet and the absorbent core are all extensible or are provided with extensible regions. While such absorbent articles provide improved contact with a wearers body, as exemplified by the Lift results described in the above mentioned PCT Application, there is a continuing need to provide even better body contact and body conformity throughout the entire range of wearer motions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,498, issued to Fahrenkrug, et al. on May 2, 1995 describes an absorbent garment having a fluid pervious inner layer, an outer layer, an absorbent structure disposed between the inner and outer layers, and a plurality of elastomeric strands located between the inner and outer layers, at least one of the strands being positioned between the inner layer and the absorbent structure and at least one of the strands being positioned between the absorbent structure and the outer layer. In a relaxed state the strands are said to cause the absorbent structure to be gathered. Such gathers are said to allow the garment to expand longitudinally The positioning of the strands is also said to cause the absorbent garment to have a pocket configuration. One embodiment of the Fahrenkrug, et al. device is also provided with attachment means for fitting around the hips of a wearer. While such a structure may allow a catamenial pad to follow wearer movement better than a catamenial pad that is attached to an undergarment, the pocket configuration may not reliably contact a wearer's pudendal region with a resulting risk of leakage and staining.
Another means used by the art to provide more intimate contact between an absorbent article and a wearer's body is to allow various portions of the absorbent article to separate, while the absorbent article, as a whole, remains a unitary structure. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,906, issued to Osborn, III, et al. on Apr. 16, 1991 describes a sanitary napkin having a topsheet that is joined to an absorbent core. The topsheet and the associated core are decoupled from the backsheet so that the topsheet and the backsheet can separate in the "z" direction. The topsheet and the backsheet are joined at one transverse end to form a hinge. The opposite end is free to rise. An interliner joined to the absorbent core may be provided. The interliner constrains flow of bodily discharges toward the backsheet While such structure allows the topsheet and the core to be decoupled from the backsheet with a resulting improvement in response to wearer movement, improvements are needed to provide better conformity to the various shapes of portions of a wearer's pudendal region.
Similarly, PCT Application WO 94/02098, published in the name of Osborn, III, et al. on Feb. 3, 1994, describes a menstrual short with a catamenial pad assembly connectable thereto. The catamenial pad assembly comprises an absorbent member and a cinch member. The cinch member biases (lifts) the absorbent member into a wearer's gluteal groove and against her perineum. While this system of menstrual short and catamenial pad assembly provides improved body contact and wearer comfort when compared to other menstrual undergarments, such as Japanese menstrual shorts, the entire catamenial pad is lifted and, as a result, the pad may not fully conform to a wearer's body.
The sanitary napkin described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,278, issued to Visscher on Jun. 28, 1994 also describes a liquid pervious spacing structure positioned between the absorbent core and the topsheet thereof The spacing structure responds to lateral compressive forces from a wearer's thighs by moving the topsheet upward and away from the absorbent core. While such a sanitary napkin provides improved body contact, it depends on lateral compressive forces from a wearer's legs to move the topsheet upward. When such compressive forces are reduced or absent, such as when a wearer's legs are spread, the separation between the topsheet and the absorbent core is reduced, possibly reducing body contact.
Yet another device where portions of the absorbent article separate is described in PCT Application WO 96/12458, published on May 2, 1996 in the names of Endres, et al. The device described therein is a diaper comprising a garment shell and a liquid control member. The garment shell comprises a backsheet layer, an absorbent assembly disposed on the backsheet layer and a liquid permeable bodyside layer bonded to the backsheet layer about the periphery of the garment shell so the absorbent assembly is sandwiched between the bodyside layer and the backsheet layer. The liquid control member has two opposing stationary zones with an elasticized zone therebetween. The liquid control member is disposed on the bodyside layer and joined thereto at each stationary zone with the elasticized zone being unattached. The illustrated liquid control member comprises a liquid permeable material, spaced apart lateral barriers, and elastic members joined to the lateral barriers. An alternative embodiment (not shown) can comprise a single elastic member that is desirably formed of a liquid permeable material. While such structures may provide improved body contact, they would fail to provide the conformity to a female wearer's anatomy that can result in reduced leakage.
While all of the above mentioned devices, in some degree, are aimed at improving body contact, there is still a need for improvements in body fit and responsiveness to wearer motion. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an absorbent structure with improved contact with a female wearer's pudendal region. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide comfortable interlabial fit while, at the same time, providing comfortable gluteal groove fit. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent structure that can reliably maintain body contact throughout a full range of wearer motions. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an absorbent article which can be worn in place of a wearer's undergarments and can be readily disposed of when the absorbent capacity of the article is reached; eliminating the need to treat soiled undergarments.

Absorbent structures having decoupled topsheet and topsheet support strip


In a computer network system, a user-defined file modification request is communicated to a primary server, which communicates the request to a secondary server. The file modification request is saved in a non-volatile storage media associated with the primary server, and the file modification request is executed and saved in a non-volatile storage media associated with the secondary server.

The present invention relates generally to the field of data replication techniques for computer operating systems, and in particular, to an apparatus and method providing real-time back-up of data changes occurring in open or newly edited files.
A network is a collection of computers connected to each other by various means, in order to share programs, data, and peripherals among computer users. Data on such systems should be periodically copied to a secondary "backup" media, for numerous reasons; including computer failure or power shortage that may damage or destroy some or all of the data stored on the system.
The standard approach to backing up data is to perform "full backups" of files on the system on a periodic basis. This means copying the data stored on a given computer to a backup storage device. A backup storage device usually, but not always, supports removable high-capacity media (such as Digital Audio Tape or Streaming Tape). Between full backups, incremental backups are performed by copying only the files that have changed since the last backup (full or incremental) to a backup storage device. This reduces the amount of backup storage space required, as files that have not changed will not be copied on each incremental backup. Incremental backups also provide an up-to-date backup of the files, when used in conjunction with the full backup. There are several commercial software products available to facilitate such backup operations, such as Cheyenne's ARCServe, Palindrome's Backup Director, Symantec's Norton Enterprise Backup, Legato's NetWorker for NetWare, and Arcada's Backup Exec for NetWare.
The problem with this technique is that the data stored to the backup media is only valid at the exact time the backup is performed. Any changes made after one incremental backup, but before the next, would be lost if there was a failure on the file storage media associated with the computer. Moreover, since the backup process on a large system can take several hours or days to complete, files backed up to the beginning of a tape may have been modified by the time the backup completes.
Another disadvantage of this approach is that with most systems, all files to be copied to backup storage media must be closed before a backup can be performed, which means that all network users must log off the system during the backup process. If files remain open during the backup process, the integrity of the backup data is jeopardized. On a network with hundreds or thousands of users, this can be a time-consuming process. In organizations that require full-time operation of a computer network, this approach is not feasible.
To address the problem of backing up open files, techniques have been developed to ensure that no changes are made to a file while it is being backed up. One product that utilizes such an approach is the St. Bernard Open File Manager, licensed by Emerald Systems Corporation. While a file is being copied to backup storage media, the original contents of the data to be overwritten are stored in a "pre-image cache", which is a disk file allocated specifically for this product. Reads from a backup program are redirected to the pre-image cache if the requested data has been overwritten. Otherwise, the backup read is directed to the original file on disk. Related files on a disk can be "grouped", so that changes to all files in the group are cached using the technique described above, whenever any one file in the group is being backed up. One problem with this approach is that the resulting backup is still only valid until a change is made to any one of the files on the system.
More recently, several approaches have been developed to backup the data on a computer system in real-time, meaning the data is backed up whenever it is changed. In such known methods, a full backup of the primary storage media is made to a backup media, then incremental backups of changed data is made whenever a change is made to the primary storage media. Since changes are written immediately to the backup media, the backup media always has an updated copy of the data on the primary media. A second hard disk (or other non-volatile storage media) that is comparable in size and configuration is required for this method.
One such approach is to perform "disk mirroring", such as is available on Server Fault Tolerance (SFT) II from Novell. In this approach, a full backup of a disk is made to a second disk attached to the same central processing unit. Whenever changes are made to the first disk, they are mirrored on the second disk. This approach provides a "hot-backup" of the first disk, meaning that if a failure occurs on the first disk, processing can be switched to the second with little or no interruption of service. A disadvantage of this approach is that a separate hard disk is required for each disk to be backed up, doubling the disk requirements for a system. The secondary disk must be at least as large as the primary disk, and the disks must be configured with identical volume mapping. Any extra space on the secondary disk is unavailable. Also, in many cases errors that render the primary disk inoperable affect the mirrored disk as well.
SFT III from Novell introduced the capability to mirror transactions across a network. All disk I/O and memory operations are forwarded from a file server to a target server, where they are performed in parallel on each server. This includes reads as well as writes. If a failure occurs on the source server, operation can be shifted to the target server. Both the source and target servers must be running Novell software in this backup configuration, and a proprietary high-speed link is recommended to connect the two servers. As NetWare is a multi-tasking environment, the target server can be used for other limited functions while mirroring is being performed. A disadvantage of this approach is that since all operations are mirrored to both servers, errors on the primary server are often mirrored to the secondary server. As with SFTII, local storage on both the source and target servers must be similarly configured.
Standby Server by VINCA uses the network mirroring capability of NetWare, and provides a mechanism to quickly switch from the source server to the target server in the event of a failure. VINCA's Standby Server 32 with Autoswitch, adds automatic switching between servers on failure, and allows the operator to take advantage of NetWare's 32-bit environment. Communication between the source and target servers is accomplished via a dedicated, proprietary interface. While the source and target server do not have to be identical, identical partitions are required on the local file system of each server.
Most disaster recovery procedures require that a periodic backup of the system be stored "off-site", at a location other than where the network is being operated. This protects the backup data in the event of a fire or other natural disaster at the primary operating location, in which all data and computing facilities are destroyed. Baseline and incremental techniques can be used to perform such a backup to removable media, as described above. A disadvantage of the "mirroring" approaches to real-time backup is that the target server or disk cannot be backed up reliably while mirroring is being performed. If a file is open on the target server or disk, as a result of a mirroring operation, it can not be backed up to a separate backup storage device. The result of this limitation is that all users have to be logged off of the system before such a backup can take place.
These foregoing approaches introduce some degree of fault-tolerance to the computer system, since a failure on the primary storage media or computer can be tolerated by switching to the secondary storage media or computer. A disadvantage common to all of these techniques is that there is a one-to-one relationship between the primary and secondary storage media, thereby doubling the hardware resources required to implement mirroring. Even if only a small number of data files on a server are considered critical enough to require real-time replication, a separate, equivalent copy of the server or hard disk is still necessary. If critical files exist on several computers throughout the network, mirroring mechanisms must be maintained at each computer. None of these approaches provides a method for mirroring between multiple computers.
In many network configurations, there are mary different types of computers connected as workstations and file servers. In many cases, different operating systems are used on different nodes on the same network. Some examples are: Novell Netware (Versions 3.x,4.x); Windows NT; Unix (System V, BSD); and OS/2. When centralized backup of the various servers is required, files from each of the servers must be copied over the network to a centralized backup server, where they can be stored to a backup storage device. None of the existing real-time backup systems provide the capability to back up data between servers that are running different operating system software.


A system matches accounts based on attributes of the accounts, and scores the matched account pairs based on a probability of the matched accounts being duplicate accounts. The system can utilize the matched and scored account pairs to determine duplicate accounts, and terminate at least one of the accounts in a duplicate account pair.

1. Field of the Invention
Implementations described herein relate generally to account maintenance, and, more particularly, to identifying, scoring, and terminating duplicate accounts.
2. Description of Related Art
Customers of a company may attempt to open multiple accounts for a variety of reasons. For example, customers may open multiple accounts for personal bookkeeping reasons, because they forgot about an existing account, for an improper purpose (e.g., violating a company policy), etc. One example of using multiple accounts for an improper purpose may be using automated means (e.g. bots) to register for multiple email accounts for the transmission of "spam." Spam may include electronic junk mail or junk newsgroup postings (e.g., generally email advertising for some product sent to a mailing list or newsgroup). In addition to wasting the recipient's time with unwanted email, spam also consumes network bandwidth.
Another example of using multiple accounts for an improper purpose may be penny stock scams. For example, in the most common penny stock scheme (e.g., the pump and dump), a small group of speculators will accumulate a large number of shares in a penny stock. Once their positions are in place, they will release positive financial information (e.g., through spam) that may drastically affect people's perception of the stock. The intent is to get small time investors to start trading irrationally. The news is almost always false, but before this is discovered, the price of the stock often skyrockets and the original speculators exit with large profits.

Duplicate account identification and scoring


An insulated gate bipolar transistor assembly (10) in accordance with the invention includes an insulated gate bipolar transistor die (32) having gate, at least one emitter and collector electrodes and first and second opposed surfaces; a heat conductive electrically insulative substrate (30) thermally coupled to the first surface for conducting heat away from the first surface of the die and having contacts for conducting electric current between the gate electrode and a gate terminal (16) and a collector electrode and a collector terminal (18) of the assembly; a first heat radiator (12) thermally coupled to the substrate for radiating heat flowing from the first surface of the die through the heat conductive insulative substrate; a heat conductive electrical insulator (46) having first and second surfaces with the first surface being thermally coupled to the second surface of the die and a plurality of apertures (51) aligned with the emitter electrode (44) of the die; an emitter contact (52) disposed on the second surface of the heat conductive insulator having a plurality of spring contacts (54) extending through the apertures of the insulator for conducting electric current between the emitter electrode and an emitter terminal of the assembly; and a second heat radiator (62) which is electrically insulative and thermally coupled to the emitter contact for radiating heat flowing from the second surface of the die through the emitter contact.

The IGBT is a high power switch having an insulated gate for controlling the conductivity states of a bipolar transistor. The IGBT has diverse applications for switching high amperage currents flowing between a power supply and an electric load. The Assignee of the present invention has developed VSCF (variable speed constant frequency) electric power generating systems for use in airframes which generate three phase 400 Hz. current with the use of a three phase inverter having IGBT power switches. The IGBTs in a VSCF electric power generating system are configured in a three phase inverter which are switched between on and off states to generate three phase displaced squarewaves occurring at the fundamental frequency of 400 Hz. which are phase displaced by 120.degree.. The DC electric power for generating the inverter is produced by three phase rectification of a three phase alternator which is driven from a power takeoff from a propulsion engine of the airframe or a power unit such as an APU.
It is highly desirable that the three phase inverter utilizing IGBTs in a VSCF electric power generating system have the highest possible current switching power rating and the highest possible reliability. Current designs of IGBTs are limited by the temperature of operation. An IGBT assembly in a three phase inverter used in a VSCF system must be able to withstand repeated thermal cycling which stresses the assembly with a high rate of thermal expansion caused by the repeated heating and cooling of the assembly during operation.
Current designs of IGBTs utilized in three phase inverters in VSCF systems dissipate the heat of switching through the bottom of the case of the IGBT assembly and semiconductor die through a heat radiator which may be a heat sink such as a copper molybdenum base plate. The base plate is thermally coupled to a beryllium oxide substrate which has a high thermal conductivity and which is electrically insulative on which IGBT semiconductor die is mounted. The power rating of the IGBT is limited by the thermal conductivity between the IGBT die and the beryllium oxide substrate and copper molybdenum base. The current designs of IGBTs are limited in power by not dissipating substantial heat through the top surface of the assembly.
Compression bonded bipolar power transistor assemblies utilize heat radiators which radiate heat from the top and bottom of the assembly.
Current IGBTs rely upon wire bonds between electrode terminals and the electrodes of the IGBT and/or metallization between the electrode terminal and the electrode which is disposed on the surface of the beryllium oxide. In current designs of the IGBT, such as those manufactured by Advanced Power Technology, a wire bond is utilized between a gate terminal and the gate electrode of the IGBT die. Current designs of IGBTs also use metallization disposed on the surface of the beryllium oxide substrate between the collector electrode of the semiconductor die and a collector terminal which is soldered to the beryllium oxide substrate at the point of attachment to metallization running to the collector electrode. Current designs of IGBTs also electrically connect the emitter terminal to the emitter electrode with wire bonds.
The use of wire bonds in IGBTs creates reliability problems for high power applications when large currents flow through the wire bonds between external assembly terminals and internal power electrodes such as the emitter. The use of a wire bond to complete the electrical connection between the emitter terminal of a IGBT housing and the emitter electrode creates reliability problems which are caused by excessive heat or strain produced by high current flow. Excessive emitter current can result in the wire bond fusing which creates a high resistance contact. Additionally, the repeated thermal cycling caused by the turning on and off of IGBTs in a three phase inverter such as in a VSCF electric power generating system produces severe thermal stress which can cause a strain induced failure of the wire bond.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,741 discloses a method of manufacturing a package for a high power integrated circuit. The '741 patent discloses the use of wire bonds to connect external electrodes to power electrodes of the semiconductor chip.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,103 which is assigned to Advanced Power Technology, discloses a IGBT of the type which has been utilized by the Assignee in VSCF electric power generating systems.


A support apparatus includes a first member and a second member. Each member has a first and a second portion. The first portions of the members are spaced apart and the second portions of the members are interconnected. The first member is a ribbed member in a first orientation and the second member is a ribbed member, identical to the first ribbed member, attached to the first ribbed member in a second orientation inverted from the first orientation.

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to a support member for a computer chassis.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Many different chassis are used in information handling system. These chassis support many different components. The various chassis include for example, computer chassis, storage chassis and server chassis. Storage and server chassis enclosures often "bow" or "sag" in rack mount applications due to thin sheet metal construction and dense electronics packaging. Maximizing internal chassis volume is critical, and reducing overall chassis height to offset bowing sacrifices precious internal chassis volume. Therefore, a support member of improving structural integrity without consuming large amounts of internal chassis volume is needed.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a support member for an information handling system absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above.

Low-profile box channel support beam configuration


A method and computer-readable medium for displaying group call status information and participant status information for a group call are provided. Users participating in a dispatch group session (call) are provided with details about the group itself (group status) and the users participating in the group (participant status). When changes are made to the group call, the group call status information and the participant status information may be updated and displayed in real time.

Some wireless communication networks, such as the iDEN network owned and operated by Sprint Nextel Communications, Inc., can provide two different types of voice communications services, i.e., interconnect and dispatch. An interconnect communication is what is conventionally considered "cellular communications," while a dispatch communication is commonly known as a walkie-talkie or push-to-talk (PTT) type of call such as Nextel's service identified by the trade name Direct Connect.
Dispatch calls can be private calls or group calls. A dispatch private call is between two dispatch stations and a dispatch group call is between more than two dispatch stations. A talk group is a number of different communication stations which can be joined into a single communication session by dialing a single call identifier (i.e., a predetermined group call) or by selecting a group of invitees and dialing a dispatch call (i.e., an ad hoc group call). Existing systems and interfaces provide only a limited set of data regarding dispatch group calls that does not meet many customer demands. The present invention overcomes the limitations of this small set of data.
Qualcomm Incorporated provides a dispatch communication service known as QChat for use in 3G CDMA networks, for example. QChat uses standard voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies, in which voice information is sent in a digital form in data packets over IP-based data networks. QChat allows end users to set up ad hoc group calls from a handset. To make an ad hoc group call, a user selects all of the invitees from a user interface on the handset and presses a dispatch call button to initiate the call.
One problem with the current QChat system for providing in-call status is that the user must request participant status information. Without such a request, participant status will not be provided to participants in a group call. Another problem in the current QChat system is that only the originator of the group call and the current talker on the group call are indicated to the other participants. Thus, there is no indication of who the other participants in the group call are. Also, the group and participant status information are not updated during the group call in the current QChat system.

Method and computer-readable medium for in-call status for dispatch group calls


The present disclosure discloses a pilot signal configuration method in a wireless communication system and an associated wireless network node. The method comprises allocating a dedicated pilot signal to a User Equipment (UE) within a combined cell. The method further comprises selecting, from all Transmit-Receive Points (TRPs) within the combined cell, at least one TRP in the proximity of the UE for transmission of the dedicated pilot signal to the UE. The present disclosure further provides a pilot-signal-based reception method in a wireless communication network and an associated UE.

The number of smart phones, wireless-enabled tablets and laptop computers in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks is growing rapidly. It is important for network operators to evolve their networks in terms of capacity and coverage so that positive user experience can be sustained.
Deployment of low-power nodes (LPNs) is seen as a powerful tool to achieve the goal. A network consisting of traditional macro NodeBs and LPNs is referred to as a heterogeneous network. Two use-cases for heterogeneous network deployment that may be envisioned are coverage holes ad localized traffic hotspots. Deployment of LPNs as a complement to a macro network then aims at improving coverage and capacity, respectively.
In the heterogeneous network deployment, an LPN can either form a separate cell (such as, a pico cell or a micro cell) by itself or be one of the spatially separated Transmit-Receive Points (TRPs) in one logical cell. The former case is referred to as separated-cell scenario, while the latter case is referred to as combined-cell (or shared-cell) scenario.
As compared with the separated-cell scenario, signalling reception and interference handling for the combined-cell scenario are much easier. Moreover, for the combined-cell scenario, no handover is needed between the different TRPs in the same combined cell, ensuring a more smooth mobility procedure and easing the Radio Network Controller (RNC) load.
However, according to the prior-art transmission scheme for the combined-cell scenario, all TRPs within a combined-cell transmit the same physical channel. This adversely limits the system capacity of the combined cell.
At Technical Specification Group-Radio Access Network (TSG-RAN) meeting #56, a study item (SI) was initiated on Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Heterogeneous Networks for 3rd Partnership Project (3GPP) Rel-12 [1]. There exist more opportunities for 3GPP Rel-12 to include value-added features to further improving the performance of Heterogeneous Networks.

Pilot signal configuration method, associated wireless network node, pilot-signal-based reception method and associated user equipment


A miniature high resolution plasma display suitable for integration on a semiconductor chip in combination with other circuitry is comprised of two crossed sets of conductors which are arranged on a first substrate to form an array of crosspoints. The two conductors at each crosspoint are a preselected distance apart and separated by a hollow cavity. An array of vertical tubes in a second substrate is spaced so as to correspond to the array of crosspoints. The second substrate is supported in alignment with the first so that the open end of the tubes oppose the cavity at each crosspoint. The tubes and cavities are filled with a pressurized gas and the assembly is sealed with a transparent, electrically conducting coverplate. When a voltage greater than or equal to the Paschen minimum firing voltage is applied across the cavity at a crosspoint, a plasma is created. Ions in the plasma spread from the cavity into the tube in response to a voltage that is applied to the cover plate. The charged particles in the plasma combine within the tube to generate light.

Plasma displays have been known since the late 1960's. A plasma display encloses a gas or mixture of gases between crossed and spaced conductors. The crossed conductors define a matrix of cross over points, arranged as an array of miniature picture elements (pixels) or lamps which provide light. At any given pixel, the crossed and spaced conductors function as opposed plates of a capacitor, with the gas serving as the dielectric. When a sufficiently large voltage is applied, the gas at the pixel breaks down into a plasma of electrons and ions which glow as the electrons and ions in the plasma combine in the local region of that pixel. The discharge, if not within the visible spectrum (e.g., ultraviolet light), may be converted to visible light by use of phosphors.
The voltage required to illuminate a given pixel is governed by Paschen's Law. Under Paschen's Law, the voltage at which a gas breaks down into a plasma, the so-called spark or firing voltage, is related to the product of the pressure of the gas, p (in mm Hg), times the distance d (in cm), between the electrodes. By scanning the conductors (for example sequentially) with a voltage sufficient to cause the pixels to illuminate, and repeating the process at least 60 times per second, a steady image can be perceived by the human eye.
Plasma displays are typically large scale devices. Conventional miniature displays are manufactured using liquid crystal display (LCD) technology. LCD's have been successfully fabricated at high pixel densities but, unlike plasma displays, the LCD pixels themselves are not self-illuminating. Instead, LCD displays require auxiliary lighting from behind to illuminate the pixels. Furthermore, it is difficult to fabricate LCD displays on a transparent substrate that permits back lighting. Thus, conventional high-resolution miniature LCD arrays are first fabricated on one substrate and then the entire LCD array structure is "transferred" from to a second transparent substrate. A separate back light must also be provided, along with an external interface to connect the miniature LCD array to the control circuitry. Further, an LCD display requires a separate driver for each pixel. This increases the area each pixel requires on the substrate and thus reduces the maximum pixel density.
The present invention solves problems in the art by providing a self-illuminated miniature high-resolution plasma display that can be integrated and operated on a single semiconductor substrate using conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques.


A terrestrial flight telephone system comprises a number of air stations which communicate on a common frequency with a ground station. The ground station can handle calls from a number of air stations in respective slots of sequential frames defined by the ground station. Accurate synchronisation is critical to the functioning of the system and drift in an oscillator of the air station, which controls the timing of transmissions from the air station, is corrected by signals received from the ground station.

The present invention relates to a terrestrial flight telecommunications system and a method of operating same, and more particularly it relates to synchronising an air station with a ground station.
Terrestrial flight telephone systems are being developed for commercial airliners to enable passengers on those airliners to communicate with the public switched telephone network (PSTN). These systems, some of which are already in service on a trial basis, operate in a manner similar to a cellular mobile telephone system, in that each aircraft comprises what is termed an "air station" which communicates with a selected one of a plurality of ground stations, one way in which the selection process could be made being described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/688,159, filed Jul. 29,1996, entitled "A Telecomununications System". An example of such a terrestrial flight telecommunications system is found in the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) entided "Radio Equipment and Systems (RES) Terrestrial Flight Telephone System (TFTS) Part 2: Search Services, Radio Interface" published as prETS300 326-2, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by way of reference.
A complete description of a terrestrial flight telephone system is beyond the scope of this specification and the reader is referred to the above cited ETSI document for a detailed description of such a system. This invention is concerned with one particular aspect of such a system, namely, maintaining synchronisation between an air station aboard at aircraft and a ground station. The reason why this synchronisation is necessary arises as a result of it being necessary to have a time division multiple access (TDMA) system which permits a number of air stations to simultaneously use a particular ground station on a common frequency. This is achieved by the ground station defining sequential frames, each frame contining a number of time slots, one or more of those time slots being assigned to each respective air station. This in turn requires very accurate control of the transmission of signals from the air stations to ensure that they arrive in the appropriate time slot, for any drift in one transmission time will interfere with signals associated with an adjacent slot.
The above referred to ETSI document discloses in detail one way in which a number of air stations can be synchronize to a common ground station, and as an understanding of this is necessary in order to appreciate the present invention, a summary of this will now be provided with reference to FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1 there is illustrated a schematic timing diagram which enables synchronisation to be achieved between a ground station and a number of air stations in a time division multiple access (TDMA) terrestrial flight telephone system (TFTS). The ground station (GS) has a clock signal common to a number of ground stations and the clock signal defines network time to which everything is ideally synchronize. In each frame defined by the ground station the ground station transmits a synchronisation signal. This is received by the receivers of air stations (AS) on an aircraft within the cell as illustrated in FIG. 1. The time of receipt will depend on the Lime propagation ground to air (TPGA) determined by the distance between the ground station and the respective air station.
Consider now air station 1 having a receiver RX. Immediately on receiving the digital sync word from the ground station air station 1 itself transmits a sync word which is received by the ground station at a time T equal to twice TPGA. The ground station determines the value of TPGA and transmits this information to the air station by a radio control channel (RCCH) which is comprised in one slot in each frame.
Air station 1 receives from the ground station the TPGA and a slot assigned to it in which the ground station will receive subsequent transmissions from that air station. The air station then transmits data (TX.sub.1) to be received in that slot, advancing the transmit slot by a time TPGA such that the data arrives in synchronism with the assigned receive slot at the ground station.
The air station comprises an on-board oscillator and having received both the TPGA and a synchronisation signal from the ground station uses the oscillator to generate an image of network time in the air station. Of course, as already discussed the synchronisation signal does not arrive synchronize with the network clock but differs by a time equal to TPGA. TPGA in turn varies with the distance of the aircraft from the ground station. However, having known the TPGA at initialisation (he air station is able to track TPGA by comparing the time of arrival of subsequent synchronisation signals with the image network time generated by the oscillator. The updated TPGA is used to control the time of subsequent transmissions so that they arrive at the ground station in their allocated slots of subsequent frames.
To maximise traffic density the "dead time" between slots needs to be minimised, but this in turn is dictated by the ability of all air stations and ground stations to be in absolute synchronisation. Absolute synchronisation does not exist due to various factors such as noise, and more importantly drift in the air station oscillators and therefore drift in the air station's image of network time. Drift in the ground station is not a problem as the ground station can be synchronised to network time by a global positioning system or some other means. Also ground stations can have more accurate oscillators being located in a less hostile environment, and also costs of the ground station oscillators is of less concern due to the limited number compared to the potential number of air stations.
The system compensates for "short term" oscillator drift in the air stations, (that is drift which occurs during the period the call is to be transmitted between a ground station and an air station or vice versa), by monitoring at the ground station the time at which transmissions from a particular air station are received relative to the allocated slot. Then at a set time period, for example every ten seconds, the signal from the ground station to the air station is substituted with a RCCR correction signal which advises whether or not the air station needs to advance or retard its transmissions to maintain synchronisation with the ground station. This known system works so long as the oscillator frequency is within a predetermined range. If the oscillator frequency moves outside that range the air station will be so far out of synchronisation by the time it receives a correction signal that it may not be able to receive the correction signal, or the correction applied may not be able to keep up with the rate of drift. This will not only cause the transmission between the ground station and that air station to fail but it may also interfere with transmissions by other air stations using that ground station and could cause these to fail also.
The drift rate of the oscillator can be calibrated prior to installation, but the "long term" drift rate may exceed acceptable limits after a period in service, for example ten years. This long term drift can be addressed by servicing the air station at regular intervals, having a service engineer check the oscillator drift rate and trim the oscillator if necessary. Alternatively it may be possible to obtain oscillators which are sufficiently stable for the 10 year life expectancy of an air station. Such oscillators have not yet been identified by the inventor the problem being that more accurate oscillators use larger crystals, and in an aircraft environment the larger crystal will be subjected to more stress than a smaller crystal resulting in further inaccuracies. More accurate oscillators are also more expensive.


An input latch circuit of a semiconductor device includes a setup time adjusting unit configured to selectively delay a clock signal and a hold time adjusting unit configured to selectively delay an input signal. The input latch circuit also includes a latch unit configured to latch an output signal of the hold time adjusting unit according to an output signal of the setup time adjusting unit. The input latch circuit changes and delays the clock signal and the input signal by cutting a fuse within the setup time adjusting unit and the hold time adjusting unit without requiring a change to a circuit in order to adjust a setup time and a hold time.

The present invention relates generally to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a technology for adjusting a setup time and a hold time using external manipulation such as fuse cutting.
A latch circuit refers to a circuit that maintains a signal inputted to a semiconductor device for a given period of time.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an input latch circuit according to the conventional art. FIG. 2 is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the input latch circuit shown in FIG. 1.
The input latch circuit according to the conventional art comprises a plurality of PMOS transistors P10˜P14, a plurality of NMOS transistors N11˜N15, and inverters I11 and I12.
The latch circuit performs a latch operation according to an input signal LAT_IN and a clock signal CLK. FIG. 2 illustrates how the latch circuit is synchronized with respect to a rising edge of the clock signal CLK to latch the input signal LAT_IN.
The input signal LAT_IN transits to a high level when the clock signal CLK is at a low level. The PMOS transistors P11, P14, P12 and the NMOS transistors N11, N12, N14 are turned on so that nodes LAT1, LAT1B are at a high level.
While the input signal LAT_IN maintains the high level, the clock signal CLK transits to a high level. The NMOS transistor N15 is then turned on so that the node LAT1 transits to a low level. As a result, an output signal LAT_OUT is outputted and maintains a high level. The PMOS transistor P12 is turned on so that the node LAT1B maintains the high level. The PMOS transistor P13 is turned off.
The input signal LAT_IN and the clock signal CLK then transit to a low level. The PMOS transistor P14 is turned on to transit the node LAT1 to a high level. As a result, the output signal LAT_OUT is transits to a low level. The PMOS transistor P11 is then turned on to maintain the node LAT1B at the high level.
As shown in FIG. 2, the latch circuit receives data using the clock signal CLK and requires receiving a signal before the clock signal CLK transits levels. Even after a phase of the clock signal CLK changes, the signal input must continue for a given period of time.
A setup time (Ts) refers to a time period in which a signal must be inputted before the clock signal CLK transits levels. A hold time (Th) refers to a time period during which the signal input is maintained after the clock signal CLK transits levels.
If the setup time and the hold time are not maintained for a given time in the latch circuit, the input data is not latched an error is generated as a result. Accordingly, the setup time and the hold time must be properly adjusted when they are incorrectly set. In order to adjust the setup time and the hold time, the structure of the circuit supplying the input signal LAT_IN and the clock signal CLK to the latch circuit must be changed in the conventional semiconductor device.
However, if the circuit is changed, a great deal of time is required until the circuit may be applied to a final wafer. As a result, it takes a large amount of time to develop a device.

Input latch circuit having fuses for adjusting a setup and hold time


A method of making a stable emulsified personal care product by (i) forming an anhydrous silicone mixture which includes a silicone such as a silicone oil or a silicone gum, the mixture further including a first silicone oxyalkylene copolymer, and a second silicone oxyalkylene copolymer; (ii) forming an aqueous based pre-emulsified personal care product; and (iii) adding the anhydrous silicone mixture directly to the pre-emulsified personal care product without further emulsification.

This invention is directed to personal care products for application to the skin which contain certain silicone skin conditioning agents in combination with certain silicone surfactants. When blended together in accordance with the teaching of the present invention, the silicone skin conditioning agents and the silicone surfactants can be added directly to aqueous based pre-emulsified personal care products without further emulsification.
The use of silicones in personal care products for the skin has been increasing dramatically since about 1976. Because of their unique properties, silicones have become a major ingredient in a number of personal care products. This growth can be attributed to several factors, among which are (i) their ability in providing excellent emolliency and lubricity which softens and moisturizes the skin; (ii) their provision of water repellency; and (iii) their capability in allowing the formation of thin films on the skin in order that no greasy or sticky feeling is imparted to the skin from the personal care product.
However, one of the principal hindrances to the use of silicones is their limited solubility in water and other polar media. This has been viewed as a problem by some formulators who require higher solubility. One solution has been to produce an emulsion of water and the silicone. This solution, however, has certain disadvantages in that an emulsifier with the proper solubility has to be found, the oil and water phases of the emulsion have to be prepared in separate containers, and then the two phases must be combined under high shear using Eppenbach mixers or colloid mills. This emulsion procedure entails what has been viewed by some to be unnecessary added time and expense, which ideally could be avoided.
The present invention seeks to provide a more simplified approach to the problem, and in which emulsification of the silicone prior to its addition into the personal care product is not required, and yet in which stable personal care products can be obtained.

Silicone containing personal care products


A sealed contact device having a small number of components and high productivity. In the sealed contact device a ring-shaped flange portion extending laterally from a lower opening edge part of a metallic case is welded and integrated with an upper surface of a plate-shaped yoke to form an internal space and a stationary contact and a moving contact are opposed to each other in the internal space so as to enable approach/separation. A ring-shaped projection provided along a lower surface of the ring-shaped flange portion is integrated with the upper surface of the plate-shaped yoke by resistance welding.

A conventional sealed contact device is disclosed, for example, which includes a contact component 100 having a stationary contact and a moving contact disposed in an internal space which formed by welding/integrating a flange portion 22 extending laterally from a lower opening edge part of a metal cap 20 with an outer peripheral frame portion 14 on an upper surface of a metal base 10 (see Patent Document 1). In particular, when using a resistance welding technique, a projection 16 provided on an upper surface of the outer peripheral frame portion 14 is bonded to the flange portion 22 of the metal cap 20 and then integrated by means of the resistance welding.

Sealed contact device and method of manufacturing the same


The invention relates to a method for determining a key KD for clipping a subject moving against a colored background, the said key making it possible to separate the color space into three regions, a first region defining a volume representing the colored background, a second region defining a volume representing the subject and a third region defining a transition region between the colored background and the subject, where the device and method defines the volume representing the colored background in the form of a cone of aperture angle .alpha. whose axis of symmetry (W) passes through the achromic and zero-luminance point of the color space and a point representing the color of the colored background. The invention also relates to any type of electronic apparatus implementing the abovementioned device and method, such as video mixers or autonomous devices for clipping and overlaying video images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method for determining a key used to clip a subject moving against a colored background in such a way as to be able to overlay the subject onto a new colored background. Thus, the device and method relate to any electronic device that incorporates the inventive device and method such as, for example, video mixers or autonomous devices for clipping or overlaying video images commonly referred to as "chroma-keyers". Such electronic devices or apparatuses are used, for example, in television studio equipment.
2. Discussion of the Background
Conventional systems use a clipping key to demarcate a subject video (i.e., a source image having a subject moving over a colored background) that is to be clipped from a source image as closely as possible so as to preserve the greatest detail of the subject. Examples of such details include individual hairs on a person's head, transparency of a person's glasses, or smoke from a cigarette.
The clipping key is used to distinguish between the colored background of the subject video and the subject itself. Employing the clipping key first requires that a color-luminance space (i.e., a color space) be defined so that a volume within the color space can be defined as containing the colored background. Once the volume is defined, the subject may be extracted from the colored background in order to overlay the subject against a new background.
FIG. 1 represents a conventional approach for defining a volume of the colored background in the color space. In FIG. 1, each pixel M(n) of index n of the colored background is represented by luminance component, yn, a red color difference chrominance component, crn, and a blue color difference chrominance component, cbn, of the pixel M(n). For convenience, in what follows, the color difference chrominance components will be referred to as chrominance components. Mean values y0, cb0, cr0 of each component of the colored background may then be written as follows: ##EQU1## where N is the number of pixels of the colored background corresponding to an acquisition window pointing at all or part of the colored background.
In the plane (CB, CR), the calculation of euclidian distance .rho..sub.n of a pixel of index n from the point cb0, cr0 is given by the relation: ##EQU2##
Two thresholding operations, one in the plane (CB, CR) and the other along the axis Y then make it possible to define the region of discrimination between background and subject. Thus, any point whose luminance value is between the extreme values ymin and ymax and whose euclidian distance is less than a value .rho..sub.1 belongs to the colored background 1.
Similarly, any point whose luminance value is between the values ymin and ymax and whose euclidian distance .rho..sub.n is greater than a value .rho..sub.2, itself greater than .rho..sub.1, belongs to the subject 3. Finally, any point whose luminance value is between the values ymin and ymax and whose euclidain distance .rho..sub.n is between .rho..sub.1 and .rho..sub.2 belongs to an intermediate transition region 2.
Adjustment of the contents of the image proves to be difficult with such a volume approach and the cylindrical shape of the volume described in FIG. 1 has numerous drawbacks. For example, it is difficult to process overly strong variations in the luminance of the colored background without affecting the luminance of the subject. Similarly, pixels repre senting a shadow cast by the subject cannot be incorporated into the volume of the colored background. It follows that any processing of the shadow proves to be impossible.

Device and method for determining a key for clipping a subject moving against a colored background


A security device for securing a male contact of a cable plug within a female port. A base has a receptacle configured to receive a boot. The base and the boot house a female and a male electric contacts. The boot and the receptacle have complimentary threads enabling the boot to be screwed into the receptacle. A movable pin resides within the boot. The receptacle has a channel adapted to receive the pin. The pin and the channel align when the boot is fully screwed into the receptacle, and the pin enters the channel, thereby securing the boot within the receptacle. In this configuration, the male contact is within the female port. A magnet key is used to retract the pin to release the boot.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to merchandise anti-theft devices. More specifically, it relates to a security device with a magnet-based release mechanism for securing an electrical connection between two electrical contacts.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Retailers often prefer to present their merchandise to consumers in a way that allows the consumers to touch, inspect, and otherwise interact with the products at a display counter. Many electronic gadgets are relatively expensive and in high demand, which creates a serious threat of theft. Retailers often face a dilemma of wishing to interactively display their merchandise to attract customers and increase sales, while, at the same time, safeguarding the merchandise against theft.
To reduce likelihood of theft while allowing potential purchasers to experience full functionality of an electronic gadget, it is often necessary for the product to be electrically connected via a wire to an electrical source, another electronic device, or an anti-theft alarm module. Safeguarding integrity of this wired electric connection may be paramount for enabling proper functionality of the device, securing the device against theft, and ensuring consumer safety. At the same time, authorized personnel must be able to quickly disconnect and reconnect the wired connections of the displayed devices. Accordingly, what is needed is a security device for safeguarding a wired electrical connection against unauthorized tampering, while enabling the authorized personnel to swiftly unplug the connected wire when the need arises.

Security device with a magnet-based release mechanism


A diaphragm valve includes a valve body and a compressor which is actuatable by a valve stem for operating a diaphragm and has an outer circumference which is formed with at least one axial groove. The compressor is guided by an intermediate piece in axial direction and restrained by the intermediate piece against rotation. The intermediate piece has an inside wall which is formed with at least one axial guide nose for engagement in the groove of the compressor.

The present invention relates, in general, to a diaphragm valve for liquid and/or gaseous fluids.
Nothing in the following discussion of the state of the art is to be construed as an admission of prior art.
A diaphragm valve of a type involved here includes a valve body, a compressor which can be actuated by a valve stem for operating a diaphragm. The compressor is guided by an intermediate piece in axial direction and restrained by the intermediate piece against rotation. The compressor has two guide lands which radially jut out from the otherwise circular circumference of the compressor, for guidance in respective grooves in the wall of an intermediate piece of the diaphragm valve. The wall of the intermediate piece is reinforced radially outwards in the area of the grooves, thereby creating necessarily bulges or ribs about the otherwise cylindrical outer circumference of the intermediate piece. The presence of such bulges or rib renders the required cleaning operation of the intermediate piece, especially when sterile valves are involved, complicated. A further drawback of this type of diaphragm valve is the absence of any pressure that can be applied onto the diaphragm and the valve body in the area of the grooves in the intermediate piece for guiding the compressor. The presence of the grooves also results in a breach in the application of a contact pressure, so that the fluid-tightness of this type of diaphragm valve cannot be ensured in this area, and there is also an added risk that the diaphragm becomes damaged by the radially outwardly projecting lands on the compressor.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved diaphragm valve to obviate prior art shortcomings.

GEMÜ Gebrüder Müller Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG


Proposed is dispensing technology capable of reliably spotting a biological sample on a solid phase. A head chip applies a voltage pulse between a diaphragm and separate electrodes based on a drive control signal output from a head driver IC, and discharges a solution containing protein filled in a pressurized chamber as a result of the elastic deformation of the diaphragm. A drive pulse generation circuit generates a drive voltage pulse and supplies this to the head chip in order to discharge a solution containing protein from the head chip. The drive current detection circuit detects a drive current flowing between the diaphragm and separate electrodes. Since the waveform of the detected drive current and the peak current value and so on differ in the case where the discharge status is normal and in the case where it is abnormal, a defective discharge can be discriminated by detecting such change.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to dispensing technology for spotting a biological sample such as protein or nucleic acid on a solid phase, and particularly to improved technology suitable in preparing a microchip.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pursuant to the advancement in biotechnology, human genome has been decoded, and genetic research is making a transition to the stage of structural analysis and functional analysis of protein. For instance, in the research of medicine or the like, research concerning proteomics; that is, how proteins relate to medical conditions as well as the development of chemicals capable of suppressing the working of such proteins, is becoming increasingly important. In this type of proteomics research, employed is a protein chip in which various proteins are spotted on a substrate. As a preparation method of such a chip, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H11-187900, known is a method of discharging a solution containing various proteins from an inkjet head and spotting this on a solid phase.

Dispensing device, dispensing method and method of detecting defective discharge of solution containing biological sample


Disclosed is an azapeptide derivative represented by the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein A represents a direct bond, an .alpha.-amino acid or a residue of a dipeptide; R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group for a terminal amino group; R.sup.2 represents a phenyl group or a phenyl group substituted by one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl group, halogen atom, hydroxyl group which may be protected, nitro group, amino group which may be protected and perhalo lower alkyl group; and R.sup.3 represents a hydroxyl group or a protective group for a terminal carboxyl group,. and a salt thereof, and an agent for curing nervous inflammation of respiratory apparatus, asthma and bronchospasm comprising the azapeptide derivative represented by the formula (I) or a salt thereof as an active ingredient.

This invention relates to a novel azapeptide derivative which is an antagonist of a receptor of neurokinin A (NKA) which is a tachykinin neuropeptide, and a salt thereof.
As transmitters of primary sensory nerves, there has been known the tachykinin family in which peptides have the C-terminal sequence (-Phe-X-Gly-Leu-Met-NH.sub.2). As said neuropeptides derived from mammals, there have been known neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP) and neurokinin B (NKB) shown below (Kimura, S., et al., Proc. Japan Acd., 59B, pp. 101 to 104 (1983)).
NKA: His-Lys-Thr-Asp-Ser-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met-NH.sub.2 PA1 NKB: Asp-Met-His-Asp-Phe-Phe-Val-Gly-Leu-Met-NH.sub.2 PA1 SP: Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH.sub.2 PA1 peptide I: [Tyr.sup.5, D-Trp.sup.6,8,9, Arg.sup.10 ]NKA(4-10) PA1 peptide II: [Tyr.sup.5, D-Trp.sup.6,8,9, Arg.sup.10 ]NKA(3-10) PA1 peptide III: Ac-Leu-Asp-Gln-Trp-Phe-Gly-NH.sub.2 PA1 Dutta, A. S., et al., J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trancs. 1 (1975) p. 712 PA1 Pinnen, F., et al., J. C. S. Perkin I (1993) pp. 819 to 824 (Boc-AzPhe-ONp)
These peptides exhibit excitation activities in central and peripheral nervous systems and exhibit analogous physiological activities such as constriction of smooth muscle (other than blood vessels), vasodilation, stimulation of endocrine and exocrine glands, exudation of plasma and immunity-inflammation in non-nervous tissues (Perow, B., Pharmacol. Rev., 35, p. 86 (1983), Yukio Takano, Taiyu Kamiya, Yakugaku Zasshi 108, p. 201 (1988), Maggio, J. M., Ann. Rev. Neurosci. 11, p. 13 (1989)).
It has been known that among them, NKA coexists with SP to exhibit potent activities of inducing contraction of respiratory smooth muscle in asthma, sthenia of secretion of respiratory mucosa and edema of respiratory mucosa (Lundberg, J. M., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. 303, p. 9 (1990), Barnes, P. J., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. 303, p. 67 (1990)). Also, NKA has been known as a substance having a potent constriction activity even in tissues other than respiratory tracts, for example, bladder, stomach and intestines. Thus, an antagonist of NKA has a possibility as an agent for curing bronchial asthma, gastrointestinal hyperkinesis and incontinence of urine.
As a compound having a NKA antagonistic activity, there have been reported peptide derivatives having 6 or more amino acid residues, such as
(Br. J. Pharmacol., 100, pp. 588 to 592 (1990), Japanese Provisional Patent Publication No. 17098/1991).
In general, it is estimated that a long chain peptide derivative is susceptible to enzymatic degradation and has poor absorption property and transition property in tissues. Thus, as compound which is more useful as a medicine, a compound having a low molecular weight and a compound having enzyme resistance have been demanded.


A structure includes a surface coat layer of which the thickness on a bump such as a weld bead and a weld spatter or an edge portion, possibly formed on the surface of a base, is not greatly different from the thickness on a flat portion. The structure therefore has excellent properties including heat insulation properties and electrical insulation properties. The structure includes a base that is made of a metal, and has a flat portion and at least one of a bump and an edge portion on a surface; and a surface coat layer that is formed from an amorphous inorganic material and particles of a crystalline inorganic material, and covers the surface of the base, the surface coat layer including a first coat portion covering the flat portion and a second coat portion covering the at least one of a bump and an edge portion.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure and a paint for forming a surface coat layer.
Discussion of the Background
A catalytic converter is provided in the path of an exhaust pipe to treat toxic substances contained in exhaust gas discharged from an engine.
It is necessary to maintain the temperatures of exhaust gas, an exhaust pipe through which the exhaust gas passes, and the like at temperatures suitable for catalytic activation (hereinafter, also referred to as catalyst activation temperatures) in order to improve conversion efficiency of toxic substances by a catalytic converter.
In a conventional exhaust gas purifying system, the temperature of the catalytic converter at the start of the engine is lower than the catalyst activation temperature, and thus the catalyst fails to provide its functions. It has therefore been difficult to completely prevent toxic substances from being discharged at the start of the engine.
For this reason, it is required to raise the temperature of an exhaust pipe connected to an engine to the catalyst activation temperature in a short time after the start of the engine.
JP 2008-69383 A, JP 2009-133213 A, and JP 2009-133214 A each deal with the above problem by providing a structure that includes a base made of a metal and an inorganic material surface layer made of crystalline and amorphous inorganic materials. The inorganic material surface layer has lower heat conductivity than the base but has a higher infrared radiation rate than the base.

Structure and paint for forming surface coat layer