A transmission apparatus includes: an assigning unit to assign a number to a group of concatenation information of leading and dependent data which are multicast or broadcast; a retrieval unit to retrieve the concatenation information of the leading data corresponding to the dependent data, the leading and dependent data having the same number; a regeneration unit to regenerate concatenation information of the dependent data in accordance with the concatenation information of the leading data; a storage unit to store switch information of the leading data, the switch information representing a switch which switches output destinations of the leading and dependent data; an information retrieval unit to refer to the storage unit in accordance with leading data information included in the concatenation information of the dependent data so as to retrieve switch information of the dependent data; and a switching unit to switch the output destination of the dependent data.

As optical techniques have been developed, schema of optical paths suitable for DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplex) communication and an OTN (Optical Transport Network) employing a code error correction technique and the like have been standardized.
In the OTN, while a main stream of a communication core network is changed from audio to data, Ethernet (registered trademark) has been widely used, and therefore, common standards are also changed to cope with Ethernet. Furthermore, transmission capacity is also increased to 10 G, 40 G, and 100 G which is commonly standardized.
Note that, in general, a protection method which employs an LCAS (Link Capacity Adjustment Scheme), which effectively utilizes a band of a ring network system when a network failure has not occurred, and which conducts a protection process when a failure has occurred so that all data is supplied to a transmission destination and a ring apparatus which employs the protection method have been developed (refer to Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-359627, for example).

Transmission apparatus and switching method


The present invention discloses a method, system and article of manufacture for performing analytic modeling on a computer system by handling a plurality of predefined system criteria directed to a modeled computer system. The present invention provides means for the user of an analytic model to specify (i.e. enable) any number of predefined system criteria that must all be simultaneously satisfied. The modeling methodology uses a variation of the well-known Mean Value Analysis technique in its calculations. Response times, resource utilizations, and resource queue lengths are initially estimated for a small user arrival rate. An iterative method is used to gradually increase the user arrival rate by a constant value. For each iteration, response times, resource utilizations, and resource queue lengths are calculated. Then for all the criteria, which have been enabled, it is checked to see if the value limits specified for those criteria have exceeded. If not, the model calculation results are saved and next iteration is started. The model iterations continue with a gradually increasing user arrival rate until one or more of the modeling criteria are exceeded. At that time the model outputs the results from the previous iteration (i.e. the saved results where all the criteria were still satisfied), and the modeling calculations are finished. The model results may be used as input for further processing.

As e-business and its related requirements grow at "Web speed", a critical issue is whether the IT infrastructure supporting the Web sites has what it needs to provide available, scalable, fast, and efficient access to the company's information, products, and services. More than ever, CIOs (Chief Information Officers) and their teams struggle with the challenges to minimize downtime and network bottlenecks and maximize the use of the hardware and software that comprises their e-business infrastructure.
Although even with this growing complexity, typical IT infrastructures can be analyzed and related models can be developed to assist in predicting and planning how to meet future requirements, the results are not satisfactory. The predictions can become somewhat complex when, as is often the case, there is a number of performance criteria that must all be simultaneously met, while at the same time maximizing system throughput or the number of concurrent users supported by the system.
Capacity planning and performance modeling of complex computer systems generally require detailed information about the workload assumed to be running on those systems. For detailed performance studies of processors, a trace of the workload is typically used. This, combined with the right model of the processor hardware can be used to accurately estimate the average number of cycles used per instruction. Combining this with the processor cycle time leads to an accurate estimate for the processor MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second).
For higher-level system modeling where the user throughput rate is to be estimated, the processor MIPS rate is typically taken as an input assumption for the model. This, combined with the path length (i.e. number of instructions executed by a typical user) can be used to estimate the system throughput in terms of the number of users per second that can be served. Additional factors, such as the average number of network bytes transferred, or disk I/O operations done per user can also be factored into the calculations.
Given adequate information about the workload, a simple capacity planning can be done by calculating the number of users per second that corresponds to a chosen utilization of some system resources (i.e. processors, disks, network). Typical utilization targets might be 30% average processor utilization, or 50% average disk utilization. More detailed estimates that project the overall response time per user (factoring in queuing effects on various resources) can also be made using well known Mean Value Analysis techniques. This can be applied in an iterative fashion gradually increasing the user arrival rate to the system until the projected response time reaches to the predefined limit.
While these types of system analysis do not require detailed instruction traces, they still require path length, disk 10, and network data rates for the average user. Often times this information can be obtained from measurements or traces. However, for many studies of new workloads in the rapidly emerging world of web serving and e-Business, such data often does not exist due to the newness of the workloads, or because projections are needed for an application that has not yet been developed.
What is needed is a modeling technique for simultaneously satisfying multiple objectives of a computer system (i.e. system criteria) without requiring a detailed knowledge of the workload characteristics. The user of a system performance modeling tool embodying such modeling technique is allowed to specify any number of system criteria that must all be simultaneously met. Typical examples of such system criteria are: maximum allowed utilizations for various resources in the system, maximum overall response time, maximum number of users simultaneously in the system, and maximum average queue length at any resource in the system. The modeling technique may be used to find, for example, the maximum user arrival rate that meets all specified system criteria (i.e. objectives).

Method, system and article of manufacture for an analytic modeling technique for handling multiple objectives

International Business Machines Corporation


A device, method and system for sensing the temperature or temperature change of an environment. A typically in-vivo device includes an image sensor. The device may sense the dark current noise of the image sensor, and calculate the temperature or a temperature change of the image sensor.

In many circumstances it is important to measure the temperature inside a material body. Such circumstances may occur during industrial processes or exploration and analysis processes, such as in geophysical probing or in medical diagnostics and treatment of internal parts of the body.
Conventional thermometry and absolute thermometry are known methods for measuring temperature.
Conventional thermometry is based upon the temperature coefficient of properties of materials, such as resistance or mechanical expansion.
Absolute thermometry is a method which directly measures thermal energy of a sensor resistance. This method is based upon the known physical phenomenon of spontaneous thermal noise arising from the Brownian motion of ionized molecules within a resistance.
Thermal noise, which can be discussed in terms of thermal current, provides a direct measurement of temperature on a thermodynamic scale, thus the Boltzmann constant defines the temperature. The phenomenon of thermal noise is derived, for example, in the book: CCD arrays cameras and displays by Holst G. C., p. 128, 2nd edition, SPIE Press, 1998. A formula that may be used to define thermal current is, for example:<in2>=k T Cwhere k is the Boltzmann constant, T is the temperature of a sensor, and C is the capacitance of the sensor. Thus the magnitude of the signals produced by the thermal current is directly proportional to the square root of the temperature of the sensor. Experiments have indicated that the signal doubles with the increase of 7° C. (degrees Centigrade), which means that a resolution better than 0.1° C. is achieved.
In image sensors, the thermal current produced in an operating photodetector device, when no optical radiation impinges on the detector, is called "dark current". In CCD cameras dark current is basically charge which accumulates in the CCD pixels due to thermal noise. The effect of dark current is to produce an additive quantity to the electron count in each pixel.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,086 to von Thuna, U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,130 to Seppa et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,197 to Shepard et al. all describe devices for measuring the absolute temperature of a body material by receiving and analyzing the thermal noise of the body material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,784 to Bowen describes a method for noninvasive temperature measurement of th interior of a body using the acoustic thermal noise spectrum of the measured body.
None of these temperature measurement methods utilize an image sensor to measure the thermal noise of a body material.

Device, system and method for temperature sensing in an in-vivo device


An improved network and use of computer based capabilities in which a virtual disk server is employed to give a user portal device access to software object elements and a non-volatile memory. The user portal device includes a rudimentary stand-alone capability. To operate, the user portal device communicates with the virtual disk server and downloads the software object elements which form the operating correlation of objects, the user portal device communicates data and software object elements to the virtual disk server which stores the data and software object elements in its own non-volatile memory such as a disk drive apparatus.

This invention relates generally to computers and more particularly to computer based devices which are adapted for use on distributed network systems.
The World Wide Web (WWW) presents a user friendly face to the large quantities of information and community present on the Internet.
Currently, general purpose computer hardware and software are used to provide the user access to the WWW. The user employing this technology must be knowledgeable of many complex and technical factors that are not necessary if only WWW access is desired. Also, the user must pay for general purpose capabilities in his/her hardware and software that are unnecessary for WWW access.
The complexities and costs of current technical means of WWW access creates a knowledge and financial barrier to many who could benefit if a simple and inexpensive means of access were available.
It is clear that there is a need for a computer based device which capitalizes upon the strengths of the WWW and other distributed computer systems utilizing similar technologies.

User portal device for the world wide web to communicate with a website server


Microcapsules comprising an agglomeration of primary microcapsules, each individual primary microcapsule having a primary shell and the agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell, may be prepared by providing an aqueous mixture of a loading substance and a shell material, adjusting pH, temperature, concentration and/or mixing speed to form primary shells of shell material around the loading substance and cooling the aqueous mixture until the primary shells agglomerate and an outer shell of shell material forms around the agglomeration. Such microcapsules are useful for storing a substance and for delivering the substance to a desired environment.

Microcapsules are defined as small particles of solids, or droplets of liquids, inside a thin coating of a shell material such as beeswax, starch, gelatine or polyacrylic acid. They are used, for example, to prepare liquids as free-flowing powders or compressed solids, to separate reactive materials, to reduce toxicity, to protect against oxidation and/or to control the rate of release of a substance such as an enzyme, a flavour, a nutrient, a drug, etc.
Over the past fifty years, the prior art has concentrated on so-called "single-core" microcapsules. However, one of the problems with single-core microcapsules is their susceptibility to rupture. To increase the strength of microcapsules, it is known in the art to increase the thickness of the microcapsule wall. However, this leads to a reduction in the loading capacity of the microcapsule. Another approach has been to create so-called "multi-core" microcapsules. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,056 discloses a "multi-core" microcapsule having gelatine as a shell material. These microcapsules are formed by spray cooling an aqueous emulsion of oil or carotenoid particles such that the gelatine hardens around "cores" of the oil or carotenoid particles. Yoshida et al. (Chemical Abstract 1990:140735 or Japanese patent publication JP 01-148338 published Jun. 9, 1989) discloses a complex coacervation process for the manufacture of microcapsules in which an emulsion of gelatine and paraffin wax is added to an arabic rubber solution and then mixed with a surfactant to form "multi-core" microcapsules. Ijichi et al. (J. Chem. Eng. Jpn. (1997) 30(5):793-798) micoroencapsulated large droplets of biphenyl using a complex coacervation process to form multi-layered mirocapsules. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,219,439 and 4,222,891 disclose "multi-nucleus", oil-containing microcapsules having an average diameter of 3-20 μm with an oil droplet size of 1-10 μm for use in pressure-sensitive copying papers and heat sensitive recording papers. While some improvement in the strength of microcapsules may be realized by using methods such as these, there remains a need for microcapsules having good rupture strength and good oxidative barrier to the encapsulated substance, preferably in conjunction with high load volumes. Illustrative of this need is the current lack of commercially available 'multicore' microcapsules.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Encapsulated agglomeration of microcapsules and method for the preparation thereof


A data management system includes an information processing device and a data management device. The information processing device acquires an overall map from a storage in the data management device, estimates a location of the moving object at the time of capturing each of peripheral images that are determined to correspond to any of the key frame images which are stored in the storage among the peripheral images, and generate a local map representing each of the peripheral images which are determined as the key frame image. The management device updates a portion, corresponding to the local map, of the overall map stored in the storage based on the local map.

A specifying method of specifying an image-capture location of a landscape image using electronic map data is known. In the specifying method, the electronic map data includes arrangement location data indicating an arrangement location of at least a road among a road and a structure arranged on a map and shape data indicating a plane shape of at least the road among the road and the structure. The landscape image includes at least a road among a road and a structure adjacent to the road. Steps performed by a computer for the specifying method include acquiring the landscape image, analyzing the landscape image, and obtaining a predetermined feature quantity relating to an appearance in at least one of the road and the structure. The feature quantity at a plurality of predetermined evaluation locations on the map is extracted with reference to the electronic map data. Based on the obtained feature quantity and the extracted feature quantity, a candidate place of the image-capture location is estimated.
A host vehicle location detection system capable of efficiently detecting a host vehicle location while using a landscape image recognition technology is also known. The host vehicle location detection system includes a reference data database which stores image feature point data generated by extracting an image feature point from a captured image obtained by capturing an image of a landscape from a vehicle and reference data associated with an image-capture location of the captured image corresponding to the image feature point data. The host vehicle location detection system receives an actual image of the landscape captured by an in-vehicle camera and outputs matching data generated by extracting an image feature point from the actually captured image. The host vehicle location detection system acquires vehicle behavior data indicating an actual vehicle behavior which is a vehicle behavior of the vehicle. The host vehicle location detection system extracts preliminary reference data in which the periphery of the estimated vehicle location is used as the image-capture location from the reference data database, with the estimated host vehicle location of the vehicle as an extraction condition. The host vehicle location detection system narrows down the reference data from the preliminary reference data based on the actual vehicle behavior, and outputs the data as a matching partner candidate for the matching data. The host vehicle location detection system performs matching between the output reference data and the matching data and determines a location of the host vehicle based on the image-capture location associated with the reference data succeeded in the matching.
A vehicle location estimation device which may accurately detect an absolute location of a host vehicle is also known. The vehicle location estimation device detects the absolute location of the host vehicle with a predetermined accuracy and detects a relative location of a surrounding mark based on the absolute location of the host vehicle. The vehicle location estimation device estimates the absolute location of the mark with the smallest error based on the absolute location of the host vehicle and the relative location of the mark detected a plurality of times and estimates the absolute location of the host vehicle based on the absolute location of the mark and the relative location of the mark.
A road map updating system that sequentially updates road map data to more useful content is known. A vehicle side device of the road map updating system is mounted on a vehicle and creates and transmits a travel track. A map management device of the road map updating system includes a map data management server that stores center side road map data in an updatable manner, receives a travel track transmitted from the vehicle side device, and updates the center side road map data. The vehicle side device sequentially detects a current location of the vehicle. The vehicle side device sequentially determines whether or not a road on which the vehicle travels is a new road not included in the road map data. The vehicle side device transmits a peripheral image of the vehicle captured by an in-vehicle camera to the map management device if it is determined that the road is a new road.
A method of determining a posture of a camera relating to an actual environment is also known. At least one item or several items of information are used to determine at least one parameter of an environment situation of the camera, and a day, a year, weather, particularly rain, cloud, sunlight, and the like are used as the items. Data or parameters relating to an environmental condition are used to generate a model set for various different environmental conditions.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-173748, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-215055, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-303842, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-039687, and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2015-084229 are examples of related art.
For example, in a case where a location of a vehicle which is an example of a moving object is estimated, it is desirable to refer to a map of a peripheral region of the vehicle. Since the peripheral region of the vehicle in a real world changes from moment to moment, a location of the vehicle may not be accurately estimated even if the map is referred to. Accordingly, it is conceivable to hold a plurality of maps for each state of the peripheral region of the vehicle, but the amount of map to be held increases.
According to one aspect, a disclosed technique aims to reduce the amount of map representing a target region.

Information processing device, data management device, data management system, method, and program


In an example of a method for making a pulsatile delivery device, one type of charges are generated on a polymeric layer, and charges opposite the one type of charges are generated on a delivery layer including a film forming material and a predetermined substance dispersed throughout the film forming material. The charged polymeric and delivery layers are placed into contact to form a bi-layer structure. A stack with at least two bi-layer structures is formed so that the polymeric layers and the delivery layers are alternating throughout the stack. The stack is sealed so that one of the polymeric layers remains exposed.

Biological systems are sensitive to the location and timing of physiological signals and therapeutics. For example, to eliminate pain or to correct an endocrine disorder, a suitable drug should be delivered at specific time points and follow a certain pattern. Controlled release systems have been developed to achieve prolonged and sustained delivery of biological compound(s). However, there has been limited progress in controlled release systems to harness the spatiotemporal sensitivity of a patient to a biological compound in order to enable or optimize its therapeutic effect.
Different biological compounds may have different effects, depending on the dosage and delivery pattern or mode of administration. For example, the anabolic or catabolic action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) depends on the pattern of delivery. Generally, continuous delivery of PTH leads to catabolic effects (e.g., bone resorption), while pulsatile (intermittent) delivery of PTH results in anabolic effects on bone (e.g., improves bone micro-architecture, mineral density, and strength).
To achieve pulsatile delivery of a biological compound (e.g., of PTH), a variety of different platforms (e.g., micelles, liposomes, micro/nanoparticles, hydrogels, and microchips) have been used in controlled release systems. Based on the triggering mechanisms, these delivery systems can be classified as stimuli-responsive pulsatile release systems and self-regulated pulsatile release systems. In stimuli-responsive systems, carriers release the loaded biological compound when triggered by external stimuli, such as temperature, pH, light, enzyme, ultrasound, and electric or magnetic fields. These responsive systems can achieve pulsatile release, but are limited in that they have an initial burst release, an irreversible triggered release, a short time interval (seconds to minutes) release, or a short release duration. Moreover, the stimuli may not be suitable or desirable for patient use. In self-regulated release systems, the biological compounds are loaded in reservoirs sealed by a barrier material, which is usually composed of an erodible or biodegradable polymer. After the barrier material is eroded or degraded, the compounds are rapidly released from the inner reservoir. These systems are usually biocompatible and biodegradable, but multiple barriers or coatings may be required to achieve the desired multiple pulses of release. Multiple layers may, however, pose challenges with material properties and device fabrication technologies, often resulting in inconsistency.

Delivery devices and methods for making the same

The Regents of the University of Michigan


The system and method includes a manipulator for manipulating a surgical instrument relative to a patient's body and, a position sensor for sensing the position of the surgical instrument relative to the patient's body. The manipulator can be manually or computer actuated and can have brakes to limit movement. In a preferred embodiment, orthogonal only motion between members of the manipulator is provided. The position sensor includes beacons connected to the patient and manipulator or surgical instrument and, a three dimensional beacon sensor adapted to sense the location and position of the beacons. Redundant joint sensors on the manipulator may also be provided. The system and method uses a computer to actively interact with the surgeon and can use various different input and output devices and modes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to surgery and, more particularly, to a system and method for positioning, moving and locating surgical instruments for performing surgery on a patient.
2. Prior Art
Recent advances in medical imagining technology (CT, MRI, PET, etc.), coupled with advances in computer-based image processing and modelling capabilities have given physicians an unprecedented ability to visualize anatomical structures in live patients, and to use this information in diagnosis and treatment planning. The precision of image-based pre-surgical planning often greatly exceeds the precision of actual surgical execution. Precise surgical execution has been limited to procedures, such as brain biopsies, in which a suitable sterotactic frame is available. The inconvenience and restricted applicability of such a frame or device has led many researchers to explore the use of robotic devices to augment a surgeon's ability to perform geometrically precise tasks planned from computed tomography (CT) or other image data. The ultimate goal of this research is partnership between a man (the surgeon) and machines (computers and robots), that seeks to exploit the capabilities of both, to do a task better than either can do alone. Machines are very precise and untiring and can be equipped with any number of sensory feedback devices. Numerically controlled robots can move a surgical instrument through an exactly defined trajectory with precisely controlled forces. On the other hand, the surgeon is very dexterous. He is also quite strong, fast, and is highly trained to exploit a variety of tactile, visual, and other cues. "Judgementally" controlled, the surgeon understands what is going on in the surgery and uses his dexterity, senses, and experience to execute the procedure. However, the surgeon usually wants to be in control of everything that goes on. If the surgeon desires to increase precision within acceptable limits of time or with sufficient speed, he must be willing to rely on machines to provide the precision.
One potential problem with a robotic device is undesired motion. The most obvious way to prevent a robotic device from making an undesired motion is to make it incapable of moving of its own accord. Motor-less manipulators have been implemented in the past which use joint encoders to provide feedback to the surgeon on where his instruments are relative to his image-based surgical plan. European Patent Application 326,768A2 describes one such device. One important limitation of this approach is that it is often very difficult for a person to align a tool accurately in six degrees-of-freedom with only the use of positional feedback. Passive manipulators, permitting free motion until locked, have also been implemented in the past for limb positioning, tissue retraction, instrument holding, and other applications in which accuracy is not important. A three degree-of-freedom passive manipulation aid for prostate surgery has also been used clinically in the past.
In cases where only a single motion axis is required during the "in contact" phase of the surgery, a robot has been used in the past essentially as a motorized sterotactic frame. A passive tool guide is placed at the desired position and orientation relative to the patient. Brakes are applied and robot power is turned off before any instrument touches the patient. The surgeon provides whatever motive force is needed for the surgical instruments themselves and relies on his own tactile senses for further feedback in performing the operation. This approach ameliorates, but does not entirely eliminate, the safety issue raised by the presence of an actively powered robot in close proximity to to the patient and operating room personnel. Furthermore, maintaining accurate positioning is not always easy, since many robots tend to "sag" a bit when they are turned off or to "jump" when brakes are applied. Leaving power turned on and relying on the robot's servocontroller to maintain position introduces further safety exposures. Finally, this type of approach is limited to cases where a fixed passive guide suffices. The surgeon cannot execute a complex pre-computed trajectory by use of this approach, nor can he precisely relocate an instrument or body part from one place to another.
Over the past several years, researchers at IBM and the University of California at Davis developed an image-directed robotic system to augment the performance of human surgeons in precise bone machining procedures in orthopedic surgery, with cementless total hip replacement surgery as an initial application. This application inherently requires computer controlled motion of the robot's end-effector while it is in contact with the patient. Thus, considerable attention had to be paid to safety checking mechanisms. In-vitro experiments conducted with this system demonstrated an order of-magnitude improvement in implant fit and placement accuracy, compared to standard manual preparation techniques. A clinical trial on dogs needing hip replacement operations is presently underway.
It is the objective of the present invention to provide a new and improved system and method for augmentation of surgery.
Referring also to FIG. 11, there is shown a flow chart of the above described method. After the beacons are attached to the skull S, the sensor 122 measures the location of the beacons as indicated by bock 300. The surgeon moves the pointer 232 to various landmarks on the patient's skull S. The sensor 122 is able to sense the position of the pointer tip 234 to thereby sense the position of reference points on the patient's body as indicated by block 302. The computer 124 determines the position of the beacons relative to the sensed reference points as indicated in block 304. The sensor 122 tracks the movement of the beacons 224 as the piece I is moved as indicated by block 306. The computer determines the new position of the piece I relative to the other parts of the skull of the patient's body as indicated by block 308.

Signaling device and method for monitoring positions in a surgical operation

International Business Machines Corporation


A system for display for an augmented/virtual reality-based decision-making simulation includes a controller configured to receive input from a user, at least one of an augmented reality or a virtual reality device configured to display a simulated environment, a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores one or more computer-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: receive input by the user from the controller, indicating a selected scenario; display, on the at least one of the augmented reality or the virtual reality device, the selected scenario; receive input from the user, from the controller, to interact with the selected scenario; monitor one or more parameters associated with the execution of tasks in the selected scenario using the controller; and evaluate the user based on the monitored one or more parameters.

Obtaining practical experience in stressful situations in the past generally has involved basic models that often do not have any dynamic form of interaction. For example, training situations may use humans acting as injured individuals in mass trauma simulations with cards telling them what their respective injuries are and what to do. A problem with these simulations is that the injuries are static (such as a wound being simulated by liquid-soaked clothes possibly with make-up) with the actor providing additional feedback and information in response to the treatment received.
Therefore, a need exists for augmented reality or virtual reality decision-making simulations.

Systems and methods for augmented-or virtual reality-based decision-making simulation


The present invention provides a method for easily producing an (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]-pentanoic acid amide derivative useful for an intermediate for pharmaceutical products, particularly an inhibitor of a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) from easily available raw materials. In the present invention, (S)-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-hydroxypentanoic acid amide prepared from easily available raw materials leads a production of (R)-4-ethyl-1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-azetidinone to give (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]-pentanoic acid amide. Furthermore, (R)-4-ethyl-1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2-azetidinone is reacted with a carbamic acid ester to give an (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]-pentanoic acid amide derivative.

Conventionally, the following methods have been known as methods producing an (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]-pentanoic acid amide derivative.
That is, an amino group of (R)-2-amino-1-butanol is protected by a tert-butoxycarbonyl group, and then mesylation and/or cyanation of a hydroxyl group and protection release of an amino protecting group are successively carried out to produce (R)-3-aminopentanenitrile. Thereafter, the product is coupled with 4-(trifluoromethyl)chlorobenzene using a catalyst produced from palladium acetate and 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′-(N,N-dimethylamino)-1,1′-biphenyl to produce (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]-pentanenitrile. Then, this product is hydrated with concentrated sulfuric acid to produce (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]-pentanoic acid amide. Furthermore, the (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]-pentanoic acid amide is reacted with a chlorocarbonic acid ester in the presence of a base to be converted into an (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenylamino]-pentanoic acid amide derivative (WO 02/088069, WO 02/088085).
However, the method comprises a large number of steps, using a highly toxic sodium prussiate and even using very expensive palladium catalyst and phosphine ligand, and therefore, the method cannot necessarily be said to be industrially advantageous.

Method for producing (R)-3-[4-(trifluoromethyl) phenylamino]-pentanoic acid amide derivative


A wireless communication network exchanges wireless data with wireless communication devices and transfers device data indicating device locations and device status to a network server. A sensor system detects a trigger condition and responsively determines proximate wireless communication devices. The sensor system transfers indications of the trigger condition and the currently proximate wireless communication devices to the network server. The network server processes the device data, trigger condition, and proximate wireless communication devices to generate notice data indicating the trigger condition and to select at least one of the wireless communication devices for receipt of the notice data. The network server transfers the notice data to the selected wireless communication devices over the wireless communication network.

In wireless communication networks, wireless base stations communicate with wireless communication devices as their users move about. During this time, the wireless communication devices transition from off-net to on-net and from idle mode to active mode. The wireless communication networks generate usage data to characterize these wireless services, and the usage data indicates the device locations and the device status.
To extend the reach of wireless networks, small base stations have been developed for personal use. For example, a homeowner may install a small wireless base station to cover their property. The small base station communicates with proximate wireless devices in the residence—and can detect unknown devices that attempt to access the small cell. These same locations that have small cells may also have sensor systems to detect alarms, visitors, environmental conditions, and the like. These sensor systems may contact remote users over wireless networks to report various conditions, such as fires and intrusions.
Unfortunately, the ability to distribute this sensor data to remote wireless communication devices has not been efficiently and effectively integrated with the wireless networks and/or their affiliated small cell base stations.

Distribution of sensor data among a group of wireless communication devices


A gap film of a write element is provided between a first pole portion and a second pole portion. The second pole portion includes a third magnetic film and a fourth magnetic film. The third magnetic film is provided adjacent to the gap film and the fourth magnetic film is provided adjacent to the third magnetic film. The surface of the fourth magnetic film facing opposite the medium includes a first side adjacent to the third magnetic film and second sides extending outward from the first side. The second sides each incline toward the opposite side from the third magnetic film at an angle of less than 90xc2x0 relative to an extended line of the first side to eliminate recording bleed occurring due to leaked magnetic field.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film magnetic head, and more particularly to a combined type thin film magnetic head having a structure that exhibits improved areal density.
2. Discussion of Background
Most thin film magnetic heads employed in magnetic disk devices constituting computer storage apparatuses at present are the combined type that are provided with a thin film write element and a magnetoresistive (MR) read element. MR read elements, which are not dependent upon the speed relative to the magnetic disk, are capable of achieving a high degree of resolution. An MR read element includes a first shield film, a second shield film and an MR element. The first shield film and the second shield film are provided over a distance from each other via an appropriate non-magnetic insulator and the MR element is provided between the first shield film and the second shield film.
The write element, which is constituted of an inductive electromagnetic transducer, is laminated on the MR read element. An inductive thin film magnetic transducer to constitute the write element is provided with a first magnetic film which also functions as the second shield film for the MR read element, a second yoke, a gap film and a coil film supported by an insulating film and the like.
The front ends of the first magnetic film and the second yoke are respectively constituted of a first pole tip and a second pole tip that face opposite each other over the gap film having a very small thickness, and write operation is performed at the first and second pole tips. The first magnetic film and a second magnetic film are linked with each other so that their yokes complete a magnetic circuit at a back gap portion located on the opposite side from the first and second pole tips. The coil film is formed winding around the linking area of the yokes in a coil.
In order to support high recording density using this type of thin film magnetic head, the Quantity of data stored per unit area of the magnetic disk (areal density) must be increased. An improvement in the areal density is achieved by improving the performance of the magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic disk and increasing the frequency at the write circuit as well as by improving the capability of the write element.
In one of the means for increasing the areal density by improving the capability of the write element, the gap length between the pole tips is reduced. However, since a reduction of the gap length leads to a reduction in the recording magnetic field intensity between the pole tips, there is naturally a limit to the degree to which the gap length can be reduced.
In another means for increasing the areal density, the number of data tracks that can be recorded at the magnetic disk is increased. The number of tracks that can be recorded at a magnetic disk is normally expressed as TPI (tracks per inch). The TPI capability of a write element may be enhanced by reducing the size of the head that determines the width of the data tracks. The head size is normally referred to as the head track width.
In the case of a conventional thin film magnetic head in the prior art described above, since the first magnetic film at the write element is also employed as the second shield film of the MR read element, the width of the first pole portion cannot be reduced, and consequently, a rather large side fringing magnetic field is generated during a recording operation. This magnetic field is caused by a leak of magnetic flux from the second pole tip whose width is reduced to the first magnetic film whose width is not reduced. Such a side fringing magnetic field restricts the lower limit of width that can be achieved and limits the degree to which the track density can be improved. In addition, it degrades the off-track performance when track data that have been written are read by the MR element.
As a means for eliminating the problem discussed above, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 262519/1995 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 225917/1995 disclose a means for adjusting the width of the lower portion to the width of the second pole tip through ion beam milling.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,519 discloses a structure provided with a tapered portion between the zero throat point and an expanded portion at the first magnetic film and the second magnetic film.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,164 discloses a structure achieved by setting the width of the second yoke larger than the width of the second pole tip so that the two side surfaces of the second yoke in the widthwise direction project out from the two side surfaces of the second pole tip.
However, when the two side surfaces of the second yoke in its widthwise direction are made to project out from the two side surfaces of the second pole tip by setting the width of the second yoke larger than the width of the second pole tip, the magnetic field leaking through the edges of the pole tip in the widthwise direction increases to result in recording bleed due to the leaked magnetic field.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a separate type thin film magnetic head in which the yokes and the poles are separated.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a thin film magnetic head with which recording bleed occurring due to leaked magnetic field is eliminated.
In order to achieve the objects described above, the thin film magnetic head according to the present invention is provided with at least one write element. In the write element, which includes a first pole portion, a second pole portion and a gap film, the gap film is provided between the first pole portion and the second pole portion. The second pole portion includes a third magnetic film which is provided adjacent to the gap film. Consequently, by using the third magnetic film as a pole tip and setting the head size that determines the width of the data tracks to very small dimensions determined by the width of the third magnetic film to improve the TPI capability, high density recording is achieved.
A fourth magnetic film included in the second pole portion is provided adjacent to the third magnetic film. By using the fourth magnetic film as a yoke, the magnetic flux which is required for a write operation can be supplied to the third magnetic film constituting the pole tip from the fourth magnetic film. In other words, according to the present invention, a separate type thin film magnetic head in which the pole tip is separated from the yoke can be achieved.
According to the present invention, the surface of the fourth magnetic film facing opposite the medium includes a first side which is adjacent to the third magnetic film and second sides which extend outward from at least one end of the first side. Each second side inclines toward the opposite side of the third magnetic film at an angle less than 90xc2x0 relative to an extended line of the first side. Through this structure, any recording bleed occurring due to the leaked magnetic field generated through the edges of the fourth magnetic film can be eliminated.
In the thin film magnetic head according to the present invention, the second sides are normally provided at the two ends of the first side. The second sides should preferably incline at an angle equal to or greater than 45xc2x0.
According to the present invention, since the surface of the fourth magnetic film facing opposite the medium includes the second sides extending outward from at least one end of the first side, the width of the surface of the fourth magnetic film facing opposite the medium is set larger than the width of the surface of the third magnetic film facing opposite the medium, resulting in the fourth magnetic film projected out toward the outside relative to the third magnetic film at the two sides in the widthwise direction.
It is desirable that in the thin film magnetic head according to the present invention, the first pole portion include a first magnetic film and a second magnetic film. The second magnetic film is provided adjacent to the gap film, whereas the first magnetic film is provided adjacent to the second magnetic film. By combining this structure for the first pole portion and the structure of the second pole portion described earlier, a structure which is achieved by providing the first magnetic film, the second magnetic film, the gap film, the third magnetic film and the fourth magnetic film adjacent to each other in this order is realized. By adopting this structure, in which the second magnetic film and the third magnetic film among the four magnetic films, i.e., the first magnetic film to the fourth magnetic film, are employed as pole tips, the head size which determines the width of the data tracks can be set very small, determined by the widths of the second magnetic film and the third magnetic film to increase the TPI capability so that high density recording can be achieved.
In addition, the first magnetic film and the fourth magnetic film may be extended toward the rear from the pole portions to constitute yokes with the portions extended toward the rear. In this structure, a magnetic flux sufficient for a write operation is supplied from the first magnetic film and the fourth magnetic film constituting the yokes to the second magnetic film and the third magnetic film constituting the pole tips.
The thin film magnetic head according to the present invention normally includes an MR read element. In the MR read element, which includes a first shield film, a second shield film and an MR element, the first shield film and the second shield film are provided over a distance from each other with the MR element located between the first shield film and the second shield film. The write element is laminated on the MR read element. In this structure, the second shield film also functions as the first magnetic film of the write element to achieve a reduction in thickness.

Thin film magnetic head with interlayers of multi-layer poles widening to a constant width portion at a receded distance


An aeration tank used in a method of treating effluent includes a pipe for transporting the effluent from the source to the tank bottom and a discharge duct having a siphon effect for tapping off an overflow from the tank as more effluent is added from the source. An array of generally horizontal pipes is located in the tank having a series of exit holes along their length and connected to an air plenum at one side wall for feeding air into the end of each of the pipes, the pipes being arranged in columns one above another such that the air escapes from the pipes of the array through the holes to inject air into the effluent in the tank at positions spaced transversely, longitudinally and vertically. The pipes have flat upper discharge surfaces. Above each pipe is provided a collector channel which collects bubbles as they get too large and channels them to one end to be replaced by fresh small bubbles from a next above pipe.

Treatment of effluent for example sewage or waste from one or more homes requires careful attention to prevent ground contamination. Conventionally septic tanks are widely used in conjunction with a septic field. However these require extensive land use and thus can only be used in areas where sufficient land is available.
City sewage treatment plants are relatively expensive. Simple lagoons have become environmentally unacceptable.
Systems which utilize aeration of the effluent are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,041 (Rebori) issued May 1, 2001 and in U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,996 by the same inventor issued Apr. 29, 2003, both patents being assigned to Bio-Microbics Inc.
These systems utilize a primary tank for receiving the sewage material, an aeration tank in which the effluent is vigorously aerated and a storage tank prior to discharge of the treated material. Further details of this arrangement are shown in literature provided by the above company.
While these arrangements provide an effective treatment, the construction is relatively expensive utilizing a proprietary aeration system. Much of the remainder of the system is however well known and the disclosures of the above patents are incorporated herein by reference for information relating to the general field with which the present invention is concerned.


An integrated circuit testing device and method for verifying functionality of an integrated circuit semiconductor device employs an operation checking circuit at an input/output of an integrated circuit and a thermally sensitive resin layer applied on the operation checking circuit unit. A transistor is used as a heat generating element for identifying abnormalities determined during evaluation of the integrated circuits such that when an abnormality is detected, the transistor receives a large current flow causing heat to be dissipated which in turn causes a change in the color of the thermally sensitive resin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device equipped with a function for inspecting the native semiconductor integrated-circuit unit and also relates to a method for discriminating bad semiconductor devices from good ones.
2. Description of Related Art
In the conventional step of inspecting semiconductor integrated circuits, which are referred to hereafter simply as ICs, the following methods are adopted for discriminating bad products from good ones in accordance with results produced by the step of examination.
According to a first method, a predetermined array of IC chips made on the surface of a semiconductor wafer are measured by means of a prober or the like. Then, the surfaces of bad IC chips are coated with ink or the like. In a later step, bad products are discriminated from good ones in accordance with whether or not ink exists on the surfaces of the IC chips.
According to a second method, a predetermined array of IC chips made on the surface of a semiconductor wafer are measured by means of a prober or the like. Then, information on each IC chip indicating whether the IC chip is good or bad is recorded in communication media such as a floppy or hard disk. In a later step, only good IC chips are extracted for assembly in accordance with the good/bad information.
An example of a third method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Heil-21936. According to the third method, a thermally sensitive resin layer is formed on the surface of the semiconductor wafer. Then, the color of the surface of an IC chip, which is determined to be bad with the state of the semiconductor wafer kept as it is, is changed by a special heat generating apparatus external to the wafer. In a later step, bad products are discriminated from good ones in accordance with whether or not the surfaces of the IC chips have changed.
In the case of the first method, however, an ink mark or the like may stick to an adjacent good IC chip. In this case, the good chip will be regarded as a bad one by mistake. In addition, in the case of a semiconductor device such as the charge coupled device (CCD) and a linear sensor, for example, infinitesimal ink dust may be scattered and sticks to the surface of an adjacent IC chip. The dust is then detected at a measurement after the assembly step in which case the assembled product is regarded as a bad one.
In the case of the second method, an error may be generated in the relation associating IC chips with the good/bad information stored in the communication media. In this case, the communication media contains a data error and, in an automatic or manual assembly step based on the good/bad information, it is thus feared that a bad device may be mixed with good ones in the assembled products.
In the case of the third method, the special heat generating apparatus for changing the color of the thermally sensitive resin layer is required and it costs money and labor to maintain and operate the special heat generating apparatus.
An example of a method for solving the problems described above is disclosed by the person submitting this patent application in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei6-53292. According to this method, an operation checking circuit unit is provided on the input-output terminal unit of each IC chip. In the case of a bad IC chip, an excessively large voltage is applied to the operation checking circuit unit. The operation checking circuit unit is damaged by the voltage, changing the color of the surface of the IC chip. In a later step, bad products are discriminated from good ones in accordance with whether or not the surfaces of the IC chips have changed.
In the case of the method described above, however, in spite of the fact that the extremely large voltage is applied only to the operation checking circuit unit, thus, having no effect on the native semiconductor integrated-circuit unit, there is a problem that it takes time to destroy the operation checking circuit unit because elements such as transistors constituting the operation checking circuit unit need to be burned.

Semiconductor device and method for discriminating bad semiconductor devices from good ones


A carbon hard mask layer is applied to a substrate to be patterned by means of a plasma-enhanced deposition process in such a manner that it has a hardness comparable to that of diamond in at least one layer thickness section. During the production of this diamond-like layer thickness section, the parameters used in the deposition are set in such a manner that growth regions which are produced in a form other than diamond-like are removed again in situ by means of subsequent etching processes and that diamond-like regions which are formed are retained.

The production of semiconductor components often entails the requirement that in one process step patterning by etching must be carried out, in which the sections to be removed are formed at least in part by silicon oxide or silicon nitride. One example of this is the fabrication of semiconductor memory cells which have a trench capacitor and a select transistor. Whereas the trench capacitor on one side is electrically connected to the select transistor by a buried strap, on the other side of the trench capacitor an insulation region (STI, shallow trench isolation) is produced, by means of which the trench capacitor is electrically insulated from an adjacent memory cell. The STI insulation region is produced by means of a patterning step in which a surface section formed by a partial section of the trench capacitor previously produced is removed. This means that not only silicon but also silicon oxide has to be etched, since the trench capacitor in its upper section has an insulation collar of silicon oxide. Since there is generally a silicon nitride layer at the surface of the section to be removed, it is therefore necessary for it to be possible for the etching process to etch silicon nitride as well.
With regard to the production of STI insulation regions during the fabrication of the memory cells, reference is made, by way of example, to the German laid-open specifications DE 199 41 148 A1 and DE 199 44 012 A1.
In view of the lateral dimensions of the trench capacitor, which are of the order of magnitude of 100-200 nm, the said process for producing the STI insulation region imposes extremely high demands on the positional accuracy, dimensional stability and flank steepness of the etching process to be employed, since the flank which is to be produced for the recess to be etched has to be located within the trench capacitor on the side remote from the buried strap with an extremely low lateral positioning inaccuracy.
To produce ultra small structures on the semiconductor surface and also to maintain extremely low variations in the feature sizes over the chip, the wafer or the batch, it is necessary for the reflection of light of the exposure wavelength at the wafer surface (photoresist—substrate interface) to be suppressed as completely as possible in order to eliminate disruptive interference effects. This applies in particular to exposure wavelengths at and below 248 nm (193 nm, 157 nm) on account of the increasing reflectivity of the substrates. Furthermore, to obtain the maximum possible depth of focus during the exposure, the resist layer which is to be exposed must firstly be as thin as possible. However, in order for the pattern to be transferred, in particular in the case of contact holes, a sufficient mask thickness and/or a high etching resistance of the mask (mask selectivity) matched to the layer thickness to be etched is required.
This problem can be countered by means of the following processes which are known from the prior art and are all based on the use of an additional auxiliary layer.
EP 0 492 253 A1 describes a photopatterning process in which two photoresist layers are used. An upper, relatively thin photoresist layer (top resist), after patterning with a silicon-containing agent, is made resistant to dry etching in the oxygen plasma. In this subsequent dry-etching step, the pattern of the top resist is transferred, with the precise dimension of the mask used for the patterning and with vertical flanks, into a lower, relatively thick photoresist layer (bottom resist). On account of the chemical amplification of the patterned top resist, this process has become known as CARL (chemical amplification of resist lines). During the etching of the substrate, the bottom resist serves as the actual mask. The bottom resist itself then has to be removed in a special etching process, for example using O2 or SO2. In particular during the etching of contact holes with a very high aspect ratio, photoresist masks of this type have the significant drawback that it is not possible to control the polymers formed from the resist during the etch. This can lead to a considerable reduction in the etching process window for very small structures.
Furthermore, there are known processes in which the auxiliary layer used is what is known as a hard mask. In German patent DE 195 04 434 C1, a photoresist layer on a mask layer made from a silicon-containing dielectric is exposed in accordance with a predetermined pattern and patterned using solvent. The photoresist layer is used to transfer the pattern to the mask layer, using a modified anisotropic plasma etching process in which the chemical component of the etch is dominant. Then, the photoresist is removed and the patterned mask layer can be used as a mask for a dry etching process for patterning the substrate. Furthermore, similar processes are known, in which hard masks made from polysilicon are used. The polysilicon hard mask layer is in this case deposited in a furnace process at temperatures of between 600° C. and 700° C., which can give rise to problems as a result of the thermal load imposed on the circuit structures which have already been produced. One general problem of the hard mask materials which have just been referred to is that they have to be opened up in a dedicated etching step. A further drawback is that they are not generally suitable—as in the example of polysilicon—for use as antireflection coatings.
Hitherto, antireflection organic layers have been disclosed, which are applied to the surface of the wafer by spin-on processes prior to the actual coating with the photoresist to be exposed using a track. However, these layers cannot be used as hard mask layers, and the reflection can only be reduced to approx. 10%. Furthermore, inorganic oxynitrides which are applied using a CVD process are known for use as antireflection layers, but the reflection cannot be reduced to below 10%. At least for use in oxide etching processes, these layers are likewise not suitable for use as hard mask layers.
Furthermore, it is known from documents U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,378,316, 5,656,128 and EP 0 808 481 B1 to use a hard-mask layer formed from carbon to produce patterns by photolithography. In these documents, it is proposed that the carbon hard mask layer be deposited by a PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition) process, so that hydrogen can be deliberately incorporated into the carbon layer. In this process, it is customary to set pressures of approx. 1-10 Torr of the plasma in the reactor chamber and substrate temperatures of around 400° C. The PECVD deposition gives rise to a highly compacted antireflection coating which already has very good properties as a hard mask and the reflective indices of which can be set by means of the process. This allows a balance to be achieved between optical performance and etching resistance. Production of the carbon hard mask layer by means of the PECVD process gives good results, provided that the deposition can be performed on planar patterns. However, if the deposition has to take place on a topographic pattern which has holes, trenches or elevations, the PECVD process has the drawback that the carbon layer cannot be optimally introduced into the trenches and holes and also does not have a planarizing action. A further drawback is that in general the hard mask quality of the carbon hard mask layer increases with increasing hardness, i.e. an increasing diamond fraction, in the layer and with a decrease in hydrogen content, but the two criteria can only be realized to a limited extent using the PECVD process. For example, the diamond content of the layers deposited by PECVD is virtually zero and the hydrogen content cannot be reduced to below 15%.
Moreover, it is known from the above-cited U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,316 to pattern the carbon hard mask layer not directly by means of the photoresist, but rather by means of an interlayer made from SiO2. This has the advantage that the photoresist layer can be made thinner, so that it is possible to obtain a greater degree of freedom when setting the process conditions of the lithography used in the patterning of the photoresist.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,398 describes a patterning process with a chlorine-containing plasma using a hard mask. The hard mask material described is, inter alia, an amorphous carbon layer which is produced by a HDP (high density plasma) CVD process. The etching processes described in this document serve to produce and pattern electrically conductive materials, in particular (Al) interconnect materials. However, there is no more accurate description of how the process is to be managed to ensure that a carbon hard mask layer of high quality can be achieved.

Photolithographic patterning process using a carbon hard mask layer of diamond-like hardness produced by a plasma-enhanced deposition process


A volume management system includes a management server which includes a memory and a processor, the memory stores an area level indicative of released or unreleased, a priority level indicative of a priority for establishing a redundancy, a use status indicative of used or unused, and a state indicative of presence or absence of redundancies, for each of logic areas of a storage device. When there is a logic area whose capacity is insufficient among the logic areas of the storage, the arrangement performs a number of operations to allocate capacities of other logic areas to a logic area whose capacity is insufficient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a volume management system which provides an automatic configuration change of storage areas and the method thereof
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, where a user who is not aware of capacity shortage of a storage device writes in the storage device short in capacity, data inconsistency and process halt can occur. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly supervise the capacity of storage areas in a storage device and add or extend storage areas when necessary so as to prevent capacity shortage. In order to judge capacity shortage and respond to an abrupt capacity change in storage area, a system is employed which dynamically supervises possible capacity shortage and extends a storage area. In extending the storage area, it is necessary to allocate the previously prepared capacity.
In conventional methods, a timing for changing configurations such as extension of storage areas is decided according to the schedule decided by a user (for example, Patent Document 1) and the timing is decided where physical configurations are changed (for example, Patent Document 2).
The prior art described above is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publications JP 2003-337721A and JP 2004-334561A.


A method is provided for segmenting scanned image data in accordance with mixed raster content processing, further including windowing for purposes of extracting particularly classifiable objects, i.e., text, graphics or pictures. Application of predetermined parameter sets selected for more precise identification of the extracted objects are applied to the data for object extraction, object selection, color uniformity, and clustering for coloring similarity. A page background detection feature uses dual thresholding for segregating text (darker) areas from non-text (brighter) areas. Two histograms are created for the respective areas. Thresholds are generated from the two histograms and applied to the respective areas separately.

The present exemplary embodiments are directed to methods for image segmentation to produce a mixed raster content ("MRC") image with multiple extracted constant color areas ("MECCA"). MRC modeling is a powerful image representation concept in achieving high compression ratios while maintaining high-constructed image quality. MECCA modeling has the further advantages of relatively undemanding decomposition requirements and inherent text enhancement and noise reduction features. The MECCA model contains one background layer, N foreground layers, and N mask layers where N is a non-negative integer. While the background layer can be a contone bitmap, the foreground layers are restricted to constant colors. U.S. Ser. No. 10/866,850 entitled "Method for Image Segmentation to Identify Regions with Constant Foreground Color", filed Jun. 14, 2003 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, details a relevant MECCA modeling method.
To generate MRC/MECCA representation for an image, segmentation is required. The segmentation algorithm generally consists of four steps, namely object extraction, object selection, color clustering, and result generation. In the first step, text and other objects are extracted from the image. Next, the objects are tested for color constancy and other features to decide if they should be represented in the foreground layers. The objects that are chosen are then clustered in color space as the third step. The image is finally segmented such that each foreground layer codes the objects from the same color cluster.
Windowing is another concept in document image segmentation. Windowing partitions the page into different regions that are separated by background borders. Windowing first identifies the page background that separates different text objects and windows. The windows are classified as pictorial and graphical (called "composite"). The graphical windows are further recursively processed. The local background of a graphical window is detected. The text and windows (within a window) are separated by the local background. The windows (within a window) are classified. The process repeats until all the objects are separated.
There is a need for a windowing that can be applied as a part of MRC/MECCA segmentation. It extracts text and other details as the objects, which are the candidates that are to be coded in foreground layers.
Page background detection is typically a first step for scanned document image segmentation. The detected background can then be applied for separating different objects in the page including text characters, pictures and graphics. Page background detection may also be useful for applications like background enhancement. Most existing page background detection methods are based on global thresholding. Specifically, a threshold is first determined using some statistics extracted from a global histogram of the pixel intensities. The threshold is then applied to every pixel on the page. The above approach typically generates reasonable results, but it may fail in the text regions, and other regions where the background neighbors dark objects. Quite often, the background in the text (and darker) regions has a different statistic distribution than the one in the open white areas. It tends to be darker for many reasons, e.g. ICE (Integrated Cavity Effect) and JPEG ringing artifacts (some scanned images are lightly JPEG compressed to reduce file size and/or bandwidth, the ringing introduced may not be visible as the compression is light, but could be strong enough to change the page background detection results). Errors in background detection could be harmless for applications like background enhancement, but may introduce severe artifacts for other applications such as to segment for the MRC/MECCA model. If the threshold is globally lowered (hence more areas will be detected as background), the problem can be avoided. However, there is a risk to mis-classify the light non-background arrears, such as picture regions, as background. Local thresholding methods exist for separating text and background. They rely on local statistics to establish threshold. They can effectively extract text and other small details and thus are suitable for applications like OCR. But they are not able to find large objects like pictorial windows and are generally not applicable for page background detection. For example, for text on a color background, they typically classify them as "text" and "background", while in our case, both should be classified as "non-page background". In addition, local thresholding methods typically demand much more computation.
The segmenting of the data into either background or text is important because different compression algorithms are much more efficient for different kinds of images. For example, JPEG is a more efficient compression algorithm for pictures while other algorithms are especially designed for binary images like text. Using different compression algorithms for different portions of the scanned image data provides the advantage of a high compression ratio for the data with high quality image reconstruction.
Accordingly, there is a need for better segmenting of scanned image data that can more accurately identify background and text data within the scanned image data.

Method for image segmentation from proved detection of background and text image portions


According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a base, a sensor and a sensor circuit. The sensor is interposed between the base and the liquid crystal layer in a display area including pixels. The sensor outputs a sensing signal corresponding to light incident from alongside the liquid crystal layer. The sensor circuit includes a plurality of switching elements. The pixels include first to third sub-pixels. At least some of elements of the switching elements are arranged in each of areas where the first to third sub-pixels are arranged. A signal line for the sensor, which outputs the sensing signal, is placed on a same layer as a feeding line connected to the sensor.

In recent years, a display device having a built-in sensor that detects biological information, such as a fingerprint sensor and a vein sensor, has been developed. As this type of sensor, for example, an optical sensor using a photoelectric conversion element is used.
The optical sensor is provided in a pixel in the display device. Accordingly, the aperture ratio of the pixel is lowered and thus the display device is likely to decrease in its display quality.


A driving apparatus is used for simultaneously tensioning the jackbolts of a multi-jackbolt tensioner and includes a central drive gear mounted for rotation along a central drive gear axis. An annular array of spindles surrounds the central drive gear, each spindle independently mounted for rotation, with one spindle associated with one of the jackbolts. A socket on one spindle end is configured to receive one of the jackbolts. A spindle gear surrounds each spindle and is configured to rotate the spindle. The spindle gear is meshed with the central drive gear to be rotated by the central drive gear, wherein at least one spindle gear is offset along the central drive gear axis from at least another spindle gear. A slip clutch is positioned radially between each spindle gear and the associated spindle, wherein rotation of the jackbolts is up to a torque setting of the slip clutch during tensioning.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handheld apparatus for simultaneous tensioning the jackbolts of a multi-jackbolt tensioner and method of using same.
Background Information
Multi-Jackbolt Tensioner
A Multi-Jackbolt Tensioner (MJT) 10, such as sold under the Superbolt® brand, is generally used as a direct replacement for hex nuts, covered nuts, bolts, etc. of a size typically of 1″ or greater; a representative example of an MJT 10 is shown in FIG. 1. A conventional (nut based) MJT 10 spins onto existing bolt or stud (not shown) providing a distinct method to "bolt up the joint". The typical MJT 10 consist of three components, i) a hardened washer 12 (or similar surface) to provide a hardened, flat surface for the jackbolts 16 to "push" against; ii) an often round nut body 14 that spins onto the existing bolt or stud and seats against the washer 12 hand tight in the original positioning; and iii) an annular array of jackbolts 16 that thread through the nut body 14 and are used to tighten the joint in pure tension. As noted, technically this is a nut version of an MJT 10 and there is a bolt version in which the nut body 14 is replaced with a threaded bolt body 14 threading into a threaded receiver. There can be other specialized versions of MJTs 10, such as thrust collar types, which are all included in the broad definition of an MJT 10, the operational distinctions of which are not critical for this discussion, as the present method and apparatus are applicable for all MJTs 10.
MJTs 10 have been described as eliminating the need for high powered and unsafe tooling, which increases worker safety and has been described as especially beneficial in applications with awkward locations. An MJT 10 takes the high preload requirements in large diameter bolting and breaks it down into manageable torques using the jackbolts 16 threaded through the body 14. In operation of a nut version of an MJT 10, the hardened washer 12 is installed first. Then the nut body 10 is threaded onto the existing stud or bolt, generally hand tight against the washer 12. The jackbolts 16 are then tightened and thrust against the hardened washer 12 to tension the joint. Accurate preload is achieved on the stud by torquing the individual jackbolts 16. Further discussions on the construction, operation and other aspects of MJTs 10 are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,622,730, RE33,490, 4,927,305, 5,075,950, 5,083,889 and 6,112,396, which are incorporated herein by reference.
While MJTs 10 have eliminated the need for high powered tools they have introduced other issues to be addressed. For example, each jackbolt 16 of the MJT 10 must be separately tightened. In an application which implements multiple MJTs 10, the tightening of each jackbolt 16 can become time consuming, although not requiring high powered tooling. Consider a large assembly having ten bolts, each bolted using an MJT 10 with ten jackbolts 16, in this arrangement there are 100 individual jackbolts 16 to be tightened, each tightened to a designated tension.
Additionally, jackbolts 16 cannot be tightened in a manner that unbalances the nut body 14, thus they are often tightened in an alternating pattern, generally analogous to the well known "star pattern" used to tightened lug nuts of an automobile tire to prevent an unbalanced tire mounting. This specialized tightening method adds complexity to the tightening methodology for MJTs 10.
MJTs 10 provide a great advantage in many applications, however there remains a need to effectively and efficiently secure or tighten MJTs 10.
Multiple Fastener Drivers
It has been proposed to tighten multiple fasteners with a single tool. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,567, which is incorporated herein by reference, notes that machine tools with multiple spindles are used in assembly processes to tighten many fasteners at one time. These prior multiple spindle tools are quite often ineffective and such tools will often under-tighten one or more of the fasteners. This defect in multiple fastener tool design often leads to the inspector or the operator to use a separate tool to tighten the incorrect fasteners. In many instances, the manufacturer has resorted to using a single spindle nut runner in place of a multiple spindle tool. This solution results in a more time consuming operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,567 addresses this problem and discloses a single motor employed to drive a plurality of spindles with a gear arrangement placed between the motor and the spindles. The gear arrangement is comprised of a central gear, also known as a sun gear, and three planet gears fixed in a common carrier. In this design the central gear has a pitch circle smaller than the pitch circle of the planetary gears resulting in a minimal number of planetary gears that can be used, namely three planetary gears. Additionally each of the spindles has an input shaft and an output shaft and an adjustable in line reversible slip clutch is positioned between the input shaft and output shaft for each of the spindles. The design of U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,567 is not useful for MJT because the design is essentially limited to the three spindles as shown.
A review of proposed multi-fastener designs, and some related designs, may be beneficial for the present disclosure and understanding the advantages of the present invention. An alternative multi-fastener design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,069,882 which discloses a wrench for tightening a plurality of securing members that includes a plurality of rotatable spindles operable to transmit tightening forces to the securing members, and a transmission operable by a single drive to rotate the several spindles independently to tighten the members to the same degree of tightness. The transmission includes pinions associated with the spindles, and an element, rotated by the drive, operable to successively cooperate with pairs of substantially opposite pinions to partially rotate the same.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,781,682 discloses a torque wrench with multiple spindles that provides a steady torque for setting screw-threaded fastenings while allowing the drive to slip when the fastening is tight.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,673 discloses a two-speed nut runner that has a low torque clutch designed for disengagement at a predetermined, relatively low torque. A second high torque clutch automatically takes over the transmission of torque at a lower speed and higher torque while holding the low torque clutch in a fully released position by means of a piston that is placed inside the output shaft of the nut runner.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,254 discloses a tool for loosening and removing the lug nuts of an automobile and truck wheels with selectively positioned non-rotating stabilized sockets.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,337 discloses a hydraulic torque impulse tool having a power inertia drive member, a hydraulic fluid chamber, and a cam driven piston in the fluid chamber for reciprocating movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,105 discloses an automated nut driving apparatus having a plurality of motors for rotating respective ones of a plurality of drive shafts to respective sockets holding nuts. The nut driver includes a plurality of universal joints connecting the sockets and drive shafts while allowing the sockets to be tilted with respect to the drive shafts. Universal joints are movable axially with respect to the drive shafts to allow the sockets to be retracted under reactive forces produced when the nuts engage the wheel attachment bolts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,478 discloses an apparatus for tightening or loosening a plurality of bolts or other rotatable elements in which a drive socket and pair of reaction sockets are supported by an elongated beam member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,410 discloses a hydraulic torque impulse generator using a dual piston arrangement to provide impacts to a rotatable anvil. Automatic shut-off and control apparatus is provided for limiting the pressure without reversing the direction of the driving clutch cage. A pressure venting arrangement permits one impact per revolution.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,298 discloses an automatic wheel assembly line in which an array of fastener members is prepared, corresponding in number and geometric pattern to the array of co-acting fastener members on the vehicle hub and to the array of bolt holes on the wheel assembly. The assembly includes a source of fasteners, a feeder mechanism having an outboard face, means defining a plurality of fastener receptacles, means operative to transport fasteners and means to move the loaded fasteners.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,905 discloses a torque driver including a laterally displaceable gear support member to carry an output spur gear. A biasing assembly biases the output spur gear into engagement with a pinion to which is applied an input torque greater than a desired output torque limit for a threaded fastener such as a nut or screw. A coiled output linkage connects the output spur gear with a fastener adaptor which may be a socket for a nut. A gear tooth profile provides a separation force that overcomes the bias to limit torque at the desired torque limit. Multiple fasteners may be rotated simultaneously to a desired torque limit if additional output spur gears are provided. A gauged selector mechanism is provided to laterally displace multiple driver members for fasteners arranged in differing configurations. The torque limit is adjustable and may be set different for fasteners within the same fastener configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,644 discloses a torque wrench including a main housing with two or more preset torque devices which establishes a torque range. A drive shaft protrudes from the main housing and drives a drive gear disposed in the main housing in which when rotated, drives the geared torque devices positioned on either side of the drive gear. A helical spring connects two torque pistons and adjustably applies a regulated torque to the driven torque piston in response to movement of the drive torque piston.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,628,097 discloses a bolt-tightening tool for tightening two bolts at the same time. The bolt-tightening tool includes a first rotating shaft coupled with a motor shaft and a second rotating shaft coupled with a motor case. A first bolt is tightened with the first rotating shaft, while a second bolt is tightened with the second rotating shaft, whereby the first and the second bolts are tightened with a same amount of torque.
U.S. Published Pat. App. No. 2006-0169107 discloses a bolt tightening device which includes bolt tightening mechanisms, a torque input unit, a toothed belt and torque transmission units. The torque transmission units are provided with toothed pulleys and are integrated with the bolt tightening mechanisms. A toothed pulley is fixed to the torque input unit, and connected to all the toothed pulleys of the plural torque input units by the single toothed belt. Torque input to the torque input unit is transmitted to the bolt tightening mechanisms by the toothed belt, and used to simultaneously tighten, for example, seven bolts.
Thus the concept of a multiple fastener drivers, or multi-nut drivers, which simultaneously drive two or more fasteners, or nuts, is well known. However none of these existing designs are well suited for MJT application. The design of these prior art devices does not allow them to be adapted for conventional MJTs 10.
There is a need to provide a multiple nut driver that is designed to accommodate all of jackbolts 16 of an MJT 10, for simultaneous driving of all of the jackbolts 16. There is a need to have the jackbolts 16 of an MJT 10 to be driven to a designated torque with a multiple nut driver. There is need to have such a tool be hand held.

Method of simultaneously tensioning multiple jackbolts of a multi-jackbolt tensioner and handheld apparatus for performing same


The invention provides a method and system for analyzing a gas for the presence of a reactant compound via reaction of primary ions of a specific type. A source gas is introduced to a reaction chamber and ionized in this chamber. The pressure in the reaction chamber is adjusted to avoid the formation of protonated species and other impurities. The primary ions generated in the reaction chamber are transferred to a drift tube. The gas to be analyzed is diluted with a carrier gas and the resulting mixture is introduced into the drift tube. The ionization energy of the carrier gas is equal to or higher than the ionization energy of the primary ions. The product ions resulting in the drift tube from a reaction of the primary ions with the reactant present in the gas to be analyzed are then detected, for example using a mass spectrometer. Preferably, an existing PTR-MS setup is used to perform the method of the present invention.

In PTR-MS, as described, for example, in DE-A-195 49 144, a highly pure ion current which is substantially comprised of H3O+ ions is used for a chemical reaction with certain constituents of a sample gas through proton transfer reactions, in order to analyze subsequently the ions formed in the sample gas by means of mass spectrometry. To provide the ion current, H2O vapour is ionized in a first ionization region (via a hollow cathode discharge), thereby forming various ions, such as O+, OH+, H+, H2+, etc. Using a weak electric field, these ions are transferred to a second region. In the second region, the ions react with H2O present mainly through the following reactions:H2++H2O→H2O++H2 H++H2O→H2O++HO++H2O→H2O++O    and finallyH2O++H2O→H2O.H++OH
The reactions in the two regions thus finally lead predominantly to the production of H3O+ ions. In order to avoid H3O+.(H2O)N cluster ions, that may be formed through association reactions in successive collisions with neutral collision partners, the ions may be guided through an appropriate electric field that ensures that these cluster ions have sufficient kinetic energy so that the collisions are primarily dissociative. A drift tube may be used to apply the necessary energy to the clusters. In this way, a highly pure stream of H3O+ ions is achieved. Further means may be applied to decrease the amount of these cluster ions.
Also other ions may be produced using this method. For example, A. Jordan et al. demonstrated in Int. J. Mass. Spec. 286 (2009) 32-38 that a similar, slightly modified setup may also be used to generate highly pure NO+ and O2+ ions, respectively. In EP-A-1 566 829, some additional examples for possible reacting ions are given. With regard to the prior art, reference is further made to WO 2009/048739 A2 and U.S. 2007/102634 A1.
In order to analyze a sample gas by reaction with the primary ions, e.g. H3O+ ions, the sample gas is introduced into a drift tube reactor. For example, the drift tube may be connected to the outside for analyzing the surrounding air. Also, the drift tube may include an input port for introducing a sample gas into this drift tube. In the drift tube, depending on the type of primary ions used, either proton transfer, charge transfer or association reactions take place. However, no matter which type of primary ion is utilized, it is absolutely necessary that the primary ions only interact with the substances that are to be detected which are present in small traces compared to the carrier gas in the drift tube. For example, in case H3O+ is used, where a proton transfer only takes place for molecules having a higher proton affinity than water, the common constituents of air (N2, O2, CO, CO2, etc. with proton affinities lower than that of water) do not react with the primary ions. In this way, only the small amounts of impurities (having proton affinities higher than that of water) in the air will undergo proton transfer. This is also true for every other protonated primary ion having a higher proton affinity than common air compounds. In case charge transfer ionization is used, the ionization energy of the primary ion has to be lower than the ionization energy for common air compounds, if this is used as sample gas to be analyzed.
The product ions that are formed either via proton, via charge transfer or other ion molecule reactions can be analyzed by any type of mass spectrometer, for example those using quadrupoles or time-of-flight analyzers.
However, due to the limitations referred to above, it is not possible to use primary ions in a PTR-MS setup that allow to ionize (and thus detect) for instance substances with properties (proton affinities, ionization energies) similar to common air compounds. If, for example, a primary ion is used that would allow to chemically ionize N2, the majority of primary ions would react with this dominating compound of air and insufficient reagent ions would be available for the trace compounds, i.e. the reactant that is to be analyzed. As a consequence, important substance classes in common air, for example many traffic exhaust products like CO, NOx, etc., cannot be analyzed in a conventional PTR-MS setup.
There is therefore a need to provide a method and system capable for universal gas analysis. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a method that is capable for universal gas analysis in a PTR-MS setup, in particular without the limitation for molecules to be analyzed having a higher proton affinity (for proton transfer) or lower ionization energy (for charge transfer) than common air compounds.

Ionisation method for a universal gas analyzer


In a printing system, before transmitting print data to a printer, a personal computer transmits a virtual printing start command to the printer. When the data received by the printer is a virtual printing start command, the printer performs a virtual printing operation until the printer receives a virtual printing end command from the personal computer. At the virtual printing operation, procedures are similar to those of an actual printing operation. However, at the virtual printing operation, sheets are not conveyed nor is a developing agent, such as ink and toner, adhered to the sheets by a printing unit. For example, the received print data is developed into a memory as an image data. When an error occurs during the virtual printing operation, the printer provides error information to the personal computer. Then, the personal computer displays the error information via a dialog box to a user.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a printing system and a printing apparatus that perform a virtual printing operation based on print data.
2. Description of Related Art
There has been a printing apparatus, such as a printer, that performs printing onto a recording medium, based on print data received from a print data transmitting device, such as a personal computer. For the printing operation, the printing apparatus conveys a predetermined recording medium, such as sheets, by a sheet conveying mechanism, and applies a developing agent, such as ink or toner (black or a plurality of colors), onto the recording medium. The printing apparatus has a function of transmitting error information to the print data transmitting device in the case where an error occurs in the process of printing when being performed according to the received print data. When receiving the error information from the printing apparatus, the print data transmitting device performs processing for informing a user of the occurrence of the error during the printing operation, based on the error information.
For example, there may be a case where the printing apparatus becomes unable to store additional print data into memory. When such happens, the printing apparatus transmits a memory full error to the print data transmitting device. Then, the print data transmitting device displays a message, to the effect that a memory full error has occurred in the printing apparatus, on a display connected to the print data transmitting device, and/or transmits information of the occurrence of the memory full error to a user terminal connected to the print data transmitting device. Likewise, when the printing apparatus runs out of recording medium during the printing operation, the printing apparatus transmits a recording medium empty error and the print data transmitting device performs processing for informing the user of the lack of recording medium. As described above, the user becomes aware of the error that occurred in the printing apparatus during the printing operation on the recording medium.
However, there may be a case where the user is informed of the error while the sheet conveying mechanism is driven and a developing agent is adhered to the recording medium. In this case, the recording medium, to which the developing agent has been adhered before the error occurs, will be wasted.
It is assumed that, in a printing apparatus that prints print data by storing the print data in the memory by page, a memory full error occurs during attempted storage of print data of greater than a page in the memory. In this case, the printing of a page, during which the memory full error occurs, cannot be performed unless the memory of the printing apparatus is increased. Therefore, when this case happens, the user transmits the rest of the print data, which has not been printed, to another printing apparatus, which has sufficient free memory space, to print the print data.
When the page, at which the error occurs, and the rest of pages are printed by the other printing apparatus, consistency in a print result through the document is lost because the shape of fonts and objects, colors, and color density vary among the printing apparatuses. Therefore, in order to maintain print consistency, all of the pages of the document need to be printed again by a printing apparatus having sufficient memory space.
Especially, when the memory full error occurs while the last part (near the last page) of the print data is being stored, a plurality of sheets have already been produced containing the first part on the print data thereon. Therefore, if all of the print data is printed again by the other printing apparatus, the sheets, which have been already printed by the original printing apparatus with the print data, will be wasted.
The above situation may happen not only in a case where the memory full error occurs. There are other cases, for example, where print data cannot be interpreted due to a disparity in the printing program (emulation), where the printing apparatus runs out of recording medium of a desired size, where the number of sheets of recording medium remaining in the printer become low, and where the rest of print data is printed at lower resolution when it is determined that the memory is nearly full. The above situation also happens in a case where a buffer of an adhering unit overflows with data because print data is stored one after another in the buffer of the adhering unit even though the adhering unit has not yet outputted the print data (the buffer overruns), and in a case where the transmission of the developed print data to the adhering unit cannot be synchronized.

Printing system, printing apparatus, print data transmitting device, and program