A substrate heating apparatus is provided, including a base group including a plurality of bases, which are arranged substantially into a plate with a gap interposed between the bases, and which form a substrate mounting surface. A resistance heating element provided for at least one of the bases.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a substrate heating apparatus heating a substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In semiconductor manufacturing processes and the like, a ceramic heater including a disk-shaped ceramic base, in which a linear resistance heating element is buried, is widely used as a substrate heating apparatus.
As the method of heating a substrate, recent semiconductor manufacturing processes actively use non-contact type lamp heating using a halogen lamp or the like as well as the contact type heating using the ceramic heater. In the cases of using the lamp heater, the ceramic heater is often used together for supplementarily heating the substrate.
In the semiconductor manufacturing processes, to increase a production yield, it is required to equalize substrate surface temperature with high accuracy. The ceramic heater is therefore required to perform fine temperature adjustment according to an environment around the substrate. For example, a multi-zone heater, in which the inside of the ceramic base is divided into a plurality of zones and a suitable heating value is set for each zone has been examined (Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication No. 2001-52843). With the multi-zone heaters, a heating value is optimally adjusted according to locations in a substrate mounting surface. The Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication No. 2001-52843 has proposed a multi-zone heater in which the ceramic base is divided into nine zones each including a resistance heating element buried therein. In any one of the conventional multi-zone heaters, the plurality of resistance heating elements are buried in the single-piece base.
However, in the multi-zone heaters in which the heating value varies by location, hot and cold sections are locally formed in the conventional single-piece base. Accordingly, local stress is more likely to generate in the base with the resistance heating elements buried therein. The ceramic base, in particular, has a tendency to be more sensitive to tensile stress than to compressive stress. The peripheral parts of the hot and cold sections in which tensile stress generates are more likely to damage.
Not only the ceramic heater but also a substrate heating apparatus using metal or resin for the base on which a substrate is placed involves the problem of stress generation due to the difference in temperature settings by location.


A power combiner including a plurality of phasing transmission lines (122) supporting a set of amplifiers (103-105) coupled thereto, and a plurality of matching transmission lines (123-124). The set of amplifiers (103-105) have a selectable number of amplifiers between a minimum and a maximum value having gain levels between a minimum and a maximum value. Each of the matching transmission lines (123-124) is coupled to one of the phasing transmission lines (122) at one end and coupled to a common node (126) at the other end. Each of the matching transmission (123-124) lines has a characteristic impedance determined according to a function of the minimum and the maximum number of amplifiers in the set of amplifiers (103-105) and the minimum and maximum gain levels in the set of amplifiers (103-105).

Extended linear power amplifier systems have been proposed for use in cellular base stations. These systems include a number of linear power amplifier modules producing a corresponding number of output signals that need to be combined into a single high power signal before transmission. Such systems are typically used in communication systems such as in a base site of a radiotelephone system. In such systems, it is desirable that the number of linear power amplifier modules may be any number from a minimum number up to a maximum number of allowable amplifiers. In this manner, the amount of power output by the transmission unit of the base station may be adjusted by selecting the number of amplifiers to be used. In addition, it is desirable that the system provides adequate power amplification efficiency across the entire range of selected amplifiers, i.e. from the minimum number to the maximum number of amplifiers and that dissipations in the amplifiers due to reflected output power be kept to a minimum, particularly when the system contains a maximum of amplifiers.
However, conventional power combiners, such as Wilkinson type combiners, are only efficient when all of the available amplifiers are present, and rapidly become less efficient due to impedance mismatch and resistive circuit elements when less than the maximum number of amplifiers are selected. For example, a Wilkinson type 10:1 combiner will only be 10% efficient when a single amplifier is coupled to the combiner. This poor efficiency at less than maximum amplification is undesirable for extended linear amplifier applications A proposed device for addressing this problem is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,751, by Stedman et al., and incorporated by reference herein. Stedman et al. describes a power combiner having matching transmission lines of substantially equivalent length of one-quarter of a wavelength, and a characteristic impedance determined according to a function of the minimum and the maximum number of amplifiers in the set of amplifiers. Although the Stedman et al. patent does solve the above-mentioned problem, the solution results in a high level of reflected power to the amplifiers particularly when the maximum number of unequal gain amplifiers are used. This condition results in undesirable heating in the power amplifiers.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved power combiner that maintains a high efficiency across the entire range of amplifiers having differing gain values, that may be coupled to the combiner without degrading the useful bandwidth of the combiner and minimizes heating in the power amplifiers due to reflection created by the combining a maximum quantity of unequal gain amplifiers.

Power combiner for use in a radio frequency system and a method of constructing a power combiner


A multi-function peripheral imaging device for providing page description language (“PDL”) encapsulated image data is disclosed. The imaging device includes a processor for control of the imaging device and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The imaging device also includes a scanner in electronic communication with the processor and a printer in electronic communication with the processor. The multi-function peripheral imaging device includes a control panel for operation of the imaging device by a user. The control panel is in electronic communication with the processor for receiving user inputs. Executable instructions are included that are configured to implement a method for providing PDL encapsulated image data. An image is scanned using the scanner to produce image data. Document and page formatting inputs are obtained from the control panel. The image data is encapsulated in a page description language at the imaging device using the document and page formatting inputs for document formatting.

Computer and communication technologies continue to advance at a rapid pace. Indeed, computer and communication technologies are involved in many aspects of a person's day. For example, many devices being used today by consumers have a small computer incorporated within the device. These small computers come in varying sizes and degrees of sophistication. These small computers may vary in sophistication from one microcontroller to a fully-functional complete computer system. For example, small computers may be a one-chip computer, such as a microcontroller, a one-board type of computer, such as a controller, or a typical desktop computer, such as an IBM-PC compatible, etc.
Printers are used with computers to print various kinds of items including letters, documents, pictures, etc. Many different kinds of printers are commercially available. Ink jet printers and laser printers are fairly common among computer users. Ink jet printers propel droplets of ink directly onto the paper. Laser printers use a laser beam to print.
Printers are a type of imaging device. Imaging devices include, but are not limited to, physical printers, multi-functional peripherals, a printer pool, a printer cluster, a fax machine, a plotter, a scanner, a logical device, an electronic whiteboard, a tablet PC, a computer monitor, a file, etc.
Different kinds of computer software facilitate the use of imaging devices. The computer or computing device that will be used to print the materials typically has one or more pieces of software running on the computer that enable it to send the necessary information to the printer to enable printing of the materials. If the computer or computing device is on a computer network there may be one or more pieces of software running on one or more computers on the computer network that facilitate printing.
In imaging devices a user can typically perform a variety of imaging functions from various inputs to various outputs. Some of these functions, such as print and copy, allow the user to frame the output as a document. That is, the user is able to specify document formatting options either from the front panel or from a user interface on a host. Some possible document formatting options include such options as paper size, placement of pages, scale, orientation and pagination.
When an image is scanned the imaging device produces image data. Many graphics files are image data files. With image data there is no inherent concept of a document. Instead, the image data is an unframed image of arbitrary size based on an application viewer's interpretation of the images size (e.g., horizontal and vertical sizes) and resolution. Therefore, the viewer makes arbitrary decisions on how the images are viewed, such as scale and placement.
In certain computing environments, it would be desirable for a user to document frame an image output from an imaging device. Benefits may be realized by providing improved systems and methods for document framing imaging date.

Systems and methods for providing image data encapsulated in a page description language


A semiconductor memory device comprises: first lines; second lines; memory cells; a first and second select gate transistor; and a control circuit. The first lines are arranged with a certain pitch in a first direction perpendicular to a substrate and are extending in a second direction parallel to the substrate. The second lines are arranged with a certain pitch in the second direction, are extending in the first direction, and intersect the plurality of first lines. The memory cells are disposed at intersections of the first lines and the second lines. The first and second select gate transistors each include a first or second channel line that are connected to a lower end or an upper end of the second line and a first or second gate line. The control circuit controls the first and second select gate transistors independently.

In recent years, there has been proposed a ReRAM (Resistive RAM) that utilizes as a memory a variable resistance element whose resistance value is reversibly changed. Moreover, in this ReRAM, an even higher degree of integration of a memory cell array has been made possible by a structure in which the variable resistance element is provided between a sidewall of a word line extending parallel to a substrate and a sidewall of a bit line extending perpendicularly to the substrate. In the memory cell array of such a structure, a select gate transistor is connected to a lower end of the bit line, and each of the bit lines is selectively connected to a global bit line by this select gate transistor.
The semiconductor memory device according to the embodiments lowers power consumption.


A display device of the invention includes a liquid crystal display panel 1, an FPC 5, a box-formed storing case 4, and an FPC 7. The liquid crystal display panel 1 is provided with an ITO film 18 on its front side. The FPC 5 is attached to the liquid crystal display panel 1, has at least a ground line 5a, and is connected to an external device 40. The storing case 4 includes at least a rear side case (metal case) 3 electrically connected to the ITO film 18, as well as stores the liquid crystal display panel 1. The FPC 7 electrically connects the ground lines 5a of the FPC 5 and the rear side case 3. With the above-mentioned configuration, a display device can be provided wherein static protection on the front side of the display panel is easily provided.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device such as a liquid crystal display.
2. Related Art
As a related-art display device, a liquid crystal display which uses changes of the optical property of liquid crystal for displaying characters and/or images is known. Related-art liquid crystal displays include a vertical-electric-field-mode or lateral-electric-field-mode liquid crystal display.
Generally, related-art liquid crystal displays include a liquid crystal display panel having a structure in which a TFT and a CF substrates are placed facing each other and sandwiching a liquid crystal layer therebetween. The TFT substrate is a substrate onto which a thin-film transistor (TFT) is built on the surface thereof facing the CF substrate. The CF substrate is a substrate on which a color filter (CF) is formed on the surface thereof facing the TFT substrate. In a related-art vertical-electric-field-mode liquid crystal display, an electrode is formed each on the surface, facing the CF substrate, of the TFT substrate and on the surface, facing the TFT substrate, of the CF substrate, and the vertical electric field generated by the electrodes controls the alignment of liquid crystal molecules within the liquid crystal layer. In a related-art lateral-electric-field-mode liquid crystal display, an electrode is formed only on the surface, facing the CF substrate, of the TFT substrate, and the lateral electric field generated by the electrode controls the alignment of liquid crystal molecules within the liquid crystal layer. In the ways described above, in the related-art liquid crystal display, various characters and images are displayed by changing the optical transmittance by controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules within the liquid crystal layer.
It should be noted that in the aforementioned related-art lateral-electric-field-mode liquid crystal display, there is a disadvantage that an unintended electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer because of the generation of static electricity on one of the surfaces of the liquid crystal display panel (more specifically, on the side of the CF substrate on which an electrode is not formed). Thus, in the related-art lateral-electric-field-mode liquid crystal display, static protection is adapted to be provided on one of the surfaces of the liquid crystal display panel (more specifically, on the side of the CF substrate on which an electrode is not formed). (See, for example, JP-A-9-258203.)
JP-A-9-258203 discloses a lateral-electric-field-mode liquid crystal display wherein a transparent conductive film is disposed on the surface, opposite from the TFT substrate, of the CF substrate and the transparent conductive film is electrically connected to a metal case for storing a liquid crystal display panel. In JP-A-9-258203, static protection on one of the surfaces of the liquid crystal display panel (more specifically, on the side of the CF substrate on which an electrode is not formed) is provided by connecting a metal case to the ground potential. However, no specific method of how the metal case should be connected to the ground potential is described.
The aforementioned related-art lateral-electric-field-mode liquid crystal display is sometimes used for a head-up display mounted on a vehicle and the like. Generally in those cases, there is not an enough space available for static protection because the lateral-electric-field-mode liquid crystal display used in those cases is small, with the result that there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to provide static protection on one of the surfaces of the liquid crystal display (more specifically, on the side of the CF substrate on which an electrode is not formed) when a liquid crystal display panel used as a car mounted head-up display is small.


A control apparatus for an AC-AC direct converter. The control apparatus includes a calculator providing a phase command θ* of an output voltage of the converter, a calculator providing a q-axis current iq by using output currents iu and iw and the phase command θ*, a detector detecting a pulsation component contained in the q-axis current iq, a calculator providing a phase correction magnitude θcmp so as to decrease the pulsation component, and an adder/subtractor correcting the phase command θ* by using the correction magnitude θcmp. This apparatus can decrease the output voltage distortion and low frequency torque pulsation and can suppress the increase of an output current without weakening a magnetic flux, even when the converter is operated in an overmodulation region.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control apparatus for an AC-AC direct converter in which a multiphase AC voltage is directly converted into a multiphase AC voltage of any desired amplitude and frequency by turning ON and OFF semiconductor switching elements.
2. Description of the Related Art
A matrix converter has been known as an AC-AC direct converter of the type specified above. Hereinbelow, the matrix converter will be taken as an example, and the configuration and operation of a control apparatus for the matrix converter will be explained.
First of all, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a main circuit of the matrix converter. Referring to FIG. 8, letters R, S and T denote AC input terminals that are connected to a three-phase power system or the like (also input phases of the power system shall be denoted by the same letters), and letters U, V and W denote AC output terminals to which a load is connected (also output phases of the matrix converter shall be denoted by the same letters). Bidirectional switches Sru, Ssu, Stu, Srv, Ssv, Stv, Srw, Ssw and Stw, each of which is capable of controlling a current bidirectionally, are connected between the input and output terminals. The matrix converter does not include an energy buffer of large capacity, and it directly derives an AC input voltage by ON/OFF controlling semiconductor switching elements which constitute the bidirectional switches Sru, Ssu, Stu, Srv, Ssv, Stv, Srw, Ssw and Stw, thereby to obtain an AC output voltage having any desired amplitude and frequency.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control apparatus for the matrix converter. There are various conventional control schemes for the matrix converter. Among those conventional schemes, FIG. 9 shows an exemplary control scheme wherein the ON/OFF commands of the individual semiconductor switching elements constituting the matrix converter are created by supposing a system in which virtual rectifier 100 and virtual inverter 200 subjected to a PWM control are combined through virtual DC intermediate capacitor 300 as shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, letters S1r-S6r denote semiconductor switching elements that constitute the virtual rectifier 100, while letters S1-S6 denote semiconductor switching elements that constitute the virtual inverter 200.
Referring to FIG. 9, virtual rectifier command calculator 21 calculates input current command values ir*, is* and it* of the virtual rectifier 100, and virtual inverter command calculator 23 calculates output voltage command values vu*, vv* and vw* of the virtual inverter 200. Both the input current command values and the output voltage command values are respectively calculated by the same methods as in a conventional rectifier and inverter. Switching pattern calculators 22 and 24 respectively calculate the switching patterns (ON/OFF commands) of the individual switching elements S1r-S6r and S1-S6 constituting the virtual rectifier 100 and the virtual inverter 200, on the basis of the input current command values ir*, is* and it* and the output voltage command values vu*, vv* and vw*.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the virtual inverter command calculator 23, in which a general V/f constant control is applied. Referring to FIG. 10, when a frequency command f* is inputted, a d-axis voltage command value vd* and a q-axis voltage command value vq* of a d-q rotating coordinate system are calculated and outputted by V/f constant controller 231. In rotating coordinate transformation block 232, the voltage command values vd* and vq* are subjected to rotating coordinate transformations by using a phase command θ* that has been obtained by integrating the frequency command f* by phase calculator 233, whereby the three-phase voltage commands vu*, vv* and vw* are outputted.
In command synthesizer 25 of FIG. 9, the switching patterns of the virtual rectifier 100 and virtual inverter 200 are synthesized. For example, a state where the switching element S1r within the virtual rectifier 100 and the switching element S2 within the virtual inverter 200 are ON in FIG. 11 is a state where the R-phase on the input side and the V-phase on the output side are connected. This state corresponds to a state in which the bidirectional switch Srv connected between the R- and V-phases is ON in the matrix converter shown in FIG. 8.
The calculations of the following Equation 1 are executed on the basis of such an idea, whereby the switching pattern of the bidirectional switches Sru, Ssu, Stu, Srv, Ssv, Stv, Srw, Ssw and Stw of the matrix converter can be uniquely obtained from the switching patterns of the respective switching elements S1r-S6r and S1-S6 of the virtual rectifier 100 and virtual inverter 200.
                              [                                                                      S                  ru                                                                              S                  su                                                                              S                  tu                                                                                S                  rv                                                                              S                  sv                                                                              S                  tv                                                                                S                  rw                                                                              S                  sw                                                            Stw                                              ]                =                                                    [                                                                                S                                                                                1                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                1                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                4                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                4                                                                                S                                                                                2                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                1                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                5                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                4                                                                                S                                                                                3                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                1                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                6                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                4                                                                                S                                                                                1                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                2                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                4                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                5                                                                                S                                                                                2                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                2                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                5                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                5                                                                                S                                                                                3                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                2                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                6                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                5                                                                                S                                                                                1                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                3                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                4                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                6                                                                                S                                                                                2                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                3                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                5                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                6                                                                                S                                                                                3                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                3                                                                                +                                                                                S                                                                                6                                                                                r                                                                                S                                                                                6                                                                                ]                                    [                  Equation                                                              1                ]
The terms Sru, Ssu, Stu, Srv, Ssv, Stv, Srw, Ssw and Stw, and S1r-S6r and S1-S6 in Equation 1 indicate the switching functions of the corresponding bidirectional switches and switching elements designated by the same letters, and they become "1's" when the bidirectional switches or switching elements are ON, whereas they become "0's" when OFF. This control scheme can apply directly to the controls of the conventional rectifier and inverter, and is therefore easy to realize. A technique of this type is disclosed by Jun-ichi Itoh et al., Proc. IEEJ-D Society, Vol. 124, No. 5, pp. 457-463, 2004.
Meanwhile, the matrix converter shown in FIG. 8 switches a three-phase AC voltage directly by the bidirectional switches, thereby to output a three-phase AC voltage. Therefore, the range of the voltage that can be outputted by the PWM control (PWM permissible range) lies within the envelope range of six-phase AC as shown in FIG. 12. Accordingly, the range of the output voltage commands with which a desired output voltage is obtainable is 0.866 times a supply voltage at the maximum, as shown as a meshed part in FIG. 12.
Within the range that does not exceed 0.866 times the supply voltage, a distortion of the output voltage does not appear, and a sinusoidal wave can be outputted. However, because such a control for generating a sinusoidal wave output is performed continuously, sometimes it is necessary to raise an output current in order to increase, for example, the capacity of the apparatus, especially in the case of employing a motor as the load. Therefore, it is sometimes required to heighten the utilization factor of the supply voltage and to generate a voltage output in an overmodulation region in which the voltage output exceeds 0.866 times the supply voltage. However, when the voltage outputted from the matrix converter exceeds 0.866 times the supply voltage, the distortion appears in the output voltage as indicated by a bold line in FIG. 12, on account of the restriction of the PWM permissible range. This distortion contains, not only components which are odd-numbered harmonics of an output frequency, but also low frequency components peculiar to the matrix converter that are determined by an input frequency and an output frequency.
When a motor is connected to the matrix converter as the load of the matrix converter, the distortion of the output voltage brings about a pulsation of a torque that causes noise or destroys the motor. In particular, the torque pulsation ascribable to a low frequency component below the input frequency exerts a serious influence.
To overcome the above drawback, a conventional control method permits the motor connected as the load to operate only when it does not give rise to a distortion in an output voltage. In other words, in the overmodulation region where the output voltage exceeds 0.866 times the supply voltage, a magnetic flux is weakened in accordance with the input voltage of a power converter, thereby to suppress the output voltage. This technique is disclosed by Ikuya Sato et al., IEEJ-Semiconductor Power Conversion Society, Paper SPC-04-75, 2004, and by Japanese Patent Laid-Open number 5-260762 (Paragraphs [0010], [0012], and [0014]-[0020], FIG. 1, etc.).
When the prior-art technique disclosed by Ikuya Sato et al. or Japanese Patent Laid-Open number 5-260762 is employed, the distortion of the output voltage of the power converter can be suppressed to control the waveform thereof into a sinusoidal shape. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the nonuniform rotation of the motor and the occurrence of the noise. However, the weakening of the magnetic flux increases a torque current, and the increased torque current increases the loss of the motor that causes an abnormal overheating. Accordingly, the motor requires a larger capacity leaving a safety margin, which raises the cost of a system.


Various systems, mediums, and methods may involve a routing system. For example, the routing system may determine a user request for an item, possibly generated by the user's device, such as a smartphone device. The routing system may search for the item with a lead inventory system associated with one or more networks. The routing system may identify that the lead inventory system is out or out of stock with respect to the requested item. The routing system may also route the user request to one or more stocked inventory systems, possibly holding the requested item in stock. As such, the routing system may identify at least one stocked inventory system capable of providing the requested item from the inventory.

Numerous search requests for items are generated throughout any given day. For example, some search requests may be for items identified from various networks, such as marketplace networks around the world. Yet, based on searching for a requested item, various merchant inventories associated with the merchants networks may indeed be out of stock with respect to the requested item. Yet further, in some instances, some merchant inventories may actually have the requested item in stock, but the search may be misdirected and/or the item may be improperly tagged or marked, such that the requested item is unrecognized by the inventory system. Instead, the inventory system may recognize and/or identify the requested item as a different item. In such instances, the user requesting the item is disappointed because she cannot find the requested item and she must continue searching for the item. Further, the merchant offering the item may lose a sale and/or a transaction and further, the merchant incurs additional losses from the requested item taking up space in the inventory.
As demonstrated in the scenario above, there may be various inefficiencies associated with searching and/or identifying requested items. In addition, these inefficiencies may be proportionally increased based on the volume of requests for items generated by numerous users throughout any given day. As such, there is much need for technological advancements in various aspects of computer technology in the realm of computer networks and particularly with systems associated with inventories.
Embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages may be understood by referring to the detailed description herein. It should be appreciated that reference numerals may be used to illustrate various elements and features provided in the figures. The figures may illustrate various examples for purposes of illustration and explanation related to the embodiments of the present disclosure and not for purposes of any limitation.

Routing system configurations based on various inventories


A liquid crystal display device, and a fabricating method thereof, that is capable of providing uniform liquid cell gaps. A main seal defines a liquid crystal injection area. A first step coverage-compensating layer is provided between a substrate on which the main seal has been coated and the main seal. A plurality of dummy seals is arranged external to the main seal. A second step coverage-compensating layer having the same thickness as the first step coverage-compensating layer is provided between the substrate on which the dummy seals are arranged and the dummy seals. Accordingly, a main seal and dummy seals having the same thickness produce uniform liquid crystal cell gaps. The liquid crystal display device is beneficially made by a fabrication process employing four or five masks.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a liquid crystal display. More particularly, it relates to a liquid crystal display and to a method of fabricating that display.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, an active matrix liquid crystal display (LCD) uses thin film transistors (TFT's) as switching devices. Such displays are capable of producing high quality moving images. Since LCD's can be made relatively small, they have become widely used as displays for personal computers, notebook computer, office automation equipment such as copiers, and portable devices such as cellular phones.
Fabricating an active matrix LCD includes substrate cleaning, substrate patterning, alignment film formation, substrate adhesion, liquid crystal injection, packaging, and testing.
In substrate cleaning, a cleaner removes foreign substances from an upper substrate and from a lower substrate, both before and after patterning.
Substrate patterning involves providing an upper substrate and a lower substrate. The upper substrate has color filters, a common electrode and a black matrix. The lower substrate includes signal conductors, such as data lines and gate lines, and a thin film transistor (TFT) at the intersections of the data lines and the gate lines. The lower substrate also has pixel electrodes at pixel areas between the data lines and the gate lines.
Substrate adhesion and liquid crystal injection involves coating an alignment film on the lower substrate, rubbing the alignment film to provide for liquid crystal alignment, and adhering the upper substrate to the lower substrate using a sealant. A liquid crystal is then injected through an injection hole, which is then sealed. The sealant assists defining a space for the liquid crystal.
A dummy seal has been used to assist substrate adhesion and to provide for a uniform cell gap. This is described in more detail with the assistance of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional LCD device having a lower substrate 1, an upper substrate 2, and a main seal 3 on the lower substrate. Dummy seals 8A to 8D are also provided.
The main seal 3 defines a space for receiving a liquid crystal and for producing a picture display area 5. One side of the main seal includes a liquid crystal injection opening 4. The liquid crystal is injected through the liquid crystal injection opening 4. The dummy seals 8A to 8D are arranged outside the main seal 3. Those dummy seals have the same thickness as the main seal 3.
At the picture display area 5 the lower substrate 1 has data lines that receive video signals, and gate lines that receive scanning signals. The data lines and the gate lines perpendicularly intersect. At each intersection is a TFT that is used for switching a liquid crystal cell. A pixel electrode in the liquid crystal cell connects to the TFT. Further, the lower substrate 1 also includes data pads 6 that connect to the data lines, and gate pads 7 that connect to the gate lines. Those pads are formed outside of the main seal 3. The gate pads 7 apply scanning signals, in the form of gate pulses from a gate driving integrated circuit (IC), to the gate lines via gate links 10. The data pads 6 apply video signals from a data driving IC to the data lines via data links 9. The data pads 6 and the gate pads 7 typically connect to the data driving IC and to the gate driving IC, respectively, by a tape automated bonding (TAB) system that employs a tape carrier package (TCP), or by a chip on glass (COG) system having a circuit that is directly mounted on the substrate.
The upper substrate 2 includes a black matrix, color filters, and a common electrode (not shown). The black matrix is formed at interface areas between the liquid crystal cells so as to reduce optical interference between those cells. The color filters selectively transmit light having specific color bands so as to produce red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors.
In the conventional LCD panel shown in FIG. 1 although the dummy seals 8A to 8D are provided, the height of the layers formed on the lower substrate 1 vary. Referring now to FIG. 2, this variance is a result of differences in the number and the thicknesses of the layers under the main seal 3 and under the dummy seals 8A to 8D. This produces seal steps.
Along lines A-A′, F-F′, G-G′ and H-H′ in FIG. 1, the dummy seals 8A to 8D are formed only on the lower substrate 1. Those seals have a thickness of approximately 6000 Å.
At the gate link area along line B-B′ of FIG. 1, the lower substrate 1 has stacked layers each comprised of a gate metal layer 20, a gate-insulating layer 21, an active layer 22 and a passivation layer 23. The stacked layers have a thickness of approximately 10300 Å. Furthermore, an unstacked area exists between the stacked-layers. The main seal 3 is coated over the structures in the gate link area at line B-B′. The result is that the main seal 3 has an uneven top surface, which is higher than the top surface of the dummy seals along lines A-A′, F-F′, G-G′ and H-H′ of FIG. 1.
At the data link area 9 along line C-C′ of FIG. 1, on the lower substrate 1 are stacked layers, each comprised of a gate-insulating layer 21, an active layer 22, a source/drain metal layer 24 and a passivation layer 23. Those stacked layers have a thickness of approximately 9500 Å. Furthermore, an unstacked area exists between those stacked-layers. The main seal 3 is coated over the structures in the data link area at lines C-C′. The result is that the main seal 3 has an uneven top surface.
At the liquid crystal injection hole area along line D-D′ of FIG. 1, on the lower substrate 1 are a gate metal layer 20, a gate-insulating layer 21, a source/drain metal layer 24 and a passivation layer 23. Those layers have a thickness of approximately 10000 Å. The main seal 3 is coated over the structures in the liquid crystal injection hole area at lines D-D′.
At the lower area of the main seal 3 along line E-E′ of FIG. 1, on the lower substrate 1 are stacked layers, each comprised of a gate metal layer 20, a gate-insulating layer 21, a source/drain metal layer 24, and a passivation layer 23. Those stacked layers have a thickness of approximately 10000 Å. The main seal 3 is coated over the structures in the liquid crystal injection hole area at lines E-E′.
Accordingly, in the conventional LCD panel illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the stacked-layer thicknesses of the dummy seals 8A to 8D and the main seal 3 vary. Thus, a uniform force is not applied to the substrate after adhesion of the upper substrate 2 to the lower substrate 1. As a result, the spacing between the upper and lower substrates 2 and 1 is non-uniform. This can cause display quality deterioration.
Therefore, a liquid crystal display device, and a method of fabricating that liquid crystal display device, having a uniform cell gap would be beneficial.

Liquid crystal display device having more uniform seal heights and its fabricating method


A rear view mirror assembly is disclosed which incorporates an improved drive system utilizing electric servo motors for positioning of the mirror. The improved drive system includes a two piece housing within which a jacking nut is rotatably positioned and adapted to be driven by the electric motors. A resilient coupling is provided to retain the two piece housing in assembled relationship. The drive system is designed to be used with a wide variety of mirror designs.

This invention relates to a drive system for rear view mirrors in which the mirror position is adjusted using electric servo motors.
Such drive assemblies normally comprise a projecting jacking screw which is pivotally coupled to the rear surface of a mirror so as to effect angular movement of the mirror. An electric motor, via gearing which normally comprises a worm gear driving a spur wheel or jacking nut is used to move the jacking screw with respect to the drive assembly so as to adjust the orientation of the mirror. Normally, the jacking screw is threadably journalled with respect to the jacking nut, and forward or reverse operation of a motor will move the jacking screw in or out.
The mirror is normally pivotally coupled to a mounting plate via a ball and socket joint. Due to the geometry of such an arrangement, as the jacking screw moves in and out, there is always some small angular movement about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the jacking screw.
In order to allow for this axial movement, in a previous patent application (Australian Patent No. 602373 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,418) provides a means whereby both the jacking screw and jacking nut may rotate about an axis which is normal to their longitudinal axis. In the aforementioned patent application, the jacking nut is provided with an upper and lower spherical bearing surface which is journalled between respective upper and lower bearing surfaces. This allows axial movement of both the jacking nut and jacking screw. However one of the problems with this particular design is the careful control that must be exercised when assembling the various components to ensure that the jacking nut can freely move, while at the same time not being so loose so as to allow movement or vibration of the mirror surface.
In the previous abovementioned patent, this problem was overcome by one of the bearing surfaces comprising a spring member which ensured that, regardless of variation in manufacturing and assembly tolerances, a constant tension was applied to the jacking nut which was sufficient to prevent movement or vibration, while at the same time being free enough to allow the jacking nut to rotate.
In this previous specification, the drive assembly comprises a cover within which the electric motor was secured, and which provided a first bearing surface for the jacking nut, the upper bearing surface comprised a pressed metal component or spring member having resilient arms thereon, which was then placed on top of the jacking nut. This cover subassembly was then secured to a mounting plate and the resilient arms of the spring member abutted against the mounting plate surface thereby providing sufficient tension to securely hold the jacking nut.
Although this particular assembly proved to be quite satisfactory, the cover unit which normally housed two electric motors and associated drive mechanisms was a component that had to be individually designed for each particular mirror.
Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a discrete drive assembly which has a system of mounting which allows the one drive assembly to be used in any number of different mirror designs and configurations.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved means of pretensioning the bearing surfaces between which the jacking nut is journalled for rotation which is easier to assemble and of a simpler nature than the invention described in the earlier aforementioned patent application.
A further problem associated with the earlier drive assembly occurred when there was overrun of the electric motor. In this particular configuration, when the jacking screw was being retracted, if the motor was allowed to continue to run, then the mirror would eventually come against a stop, which resulted in the jacking nut being lifted upwardly against the spring member. Due to the design of the spring, when overrun occurred, the jacking nut could actually lift quite appreciably, such that the worm drive might become disengaged, and jamming of the jacking nut against the worm drive might occur.
In order to overcome this problem, the stiffness of the spring member was increased. Although this overcame the movement of the jacking nut, it also had the effect of increasing the load applied to the bearing surfaces which again increased the power requirement from the motor, and a higher more costly electric motor was required.
Therefore, it is a further object of this invention to overcome the abovementioned problem, and to provide a means whereby the jacking nut bearing surfaces are resiliently held together, while at the same time avoiding disengagement of the worm drive from the jacking nut should there be deformation of the resilient coupling means.
In its broadest form, the invention comprises a discrete drive assembly for a rear view mirror having a projecting jacking screw which is pivotally coupled to the rear surface of a mirror to effect angular movement of the mirror and an electric motor for effecting variation in the extent of protrusion of the jacking screw so as to adjust the orientation of the mirror, the discrete drive assembly comprising a housing formed in two parts comprising a base and a cover a first bearing surface formed on the inner surface of the base a second bearing surface formed on the inner surface of the cover which aligns with the first bearing surface when the base and cover are assembled together, a jacking nut positioned between the first and second bearing surfaces which is rotated by the electric motor for operating the jacking screw, the relative dimensions of the base, cover and jacking nut being such that there is clearance between the base and cover to permit the first and second bearing surfaces to abut against the jacking nut, and resilient coupling means holding the base and cover together with a force allowing the jacking nut to rotate relative to the first and second bearing surfaces.
Preferably, the resilient coupling means comprises a leaf spring having each end coupled to the base with an intermediate portion bearing against the cover so as to urge the two parts of the housing together.
The base of the discrete drive assembly may be provided with a securing means which is adapted to fix the base with respect to a mounting plate of a rear view mirror assembly. Preferably, the mounting plate is provided with a formed recess or aperture within which the discrete drive assembly is located. The securing means may comprise a plurality of tabs depending from the base with apertures therein, and the mounting plate may be provided with projections which engage the tabs. The projections may surround the aperture or recess into which the discrete drive assembly locates, and the tabs may be resiliently deformable such that upon insertion of the discrete drive assembly into the aperture or recess, the tabs bend away from the projections thereby allowing the projections to engage the apertures within the tab.
The aperture or recess in the mounting plate will be designed so as to prevent lateral movement of the discrete drive assembly within the plane of the mounting plate, and the clips may be designed so as to securely hold the discrete drive assembly with respect to the mounting plate.
The base may comprise a substantially planar element having clips which depend therefrom, and the cover may comprise a base portion with a peripheral side wall wherein the motor is secured to the cover. The cover may be provided with engagement means which are engaged by the clips, and the clips and engagement means may be designed so as to prevent the two parts of the housing separating while at the same time allowing some relative movement between the base and the cover.
Allowing relative movement between the base and cover is desirable, as it enables the first and second bearing surfaces to abut against the jacking nut while providing for a clearance between the base and cover. By providing for a small amount of relative movement between the engagement means and clips, a greater allowance in manufacturing tolerance can be accommodated. However, by allowing for some relative movement, the base and cover may be forced apart in the case of the motor being allowed to overrun.
Should this separation occur, which in this arrangement will be as the jacking screw is moving outwardly, then the clip and engagement means between the base and cover will allow some separation of these two parts. However, as the electric motor and the jacking nut are fixed with respect to the cover, the jacking nut cannot become disengaged from the worm drive of the electric motor. Accordingly, a much lighter resilient coupling means may be used to hold the cover to the base which therefore results in less friction between the first and second bearing surfaces and the jacking nut. This therefore means that less power is required from the motor, which might either increase the life of the motor or allow a much cheaper electric motor to be used.


The disclosed tunable (wavelength and/or focal length) laser typically is a surface emitting laser that comprises a multilayer structure that comprises the lower Bragg reflector and the active region. A layer of electro-optic material (typically liquid crystal material) is in contact with the top surface of the multilayer structure, and means are provided for applying a voltage across the layer of electro-optic material. In one exemplary embodiment, the layer is inside the laser cavity, making the laser wavelength tunable. In another exemplary embodiment the laser is a Z-laser that focuses the output radiation, with the multilayer structure comprising also the upper Bragg reflector. In this embodiment the layer of electro-optic material is outside the laser cavity, and the laser has tunable focal length. A still further embodiment is both wavelength- and focal length-tunable. Lasers according to the invention can be advantageously used in a variety of applications, e.g., in a wavelength division multiplexed and/or optically amplified optical fiber communication system.

Wavelength tunable semiconductor lasers are key components in many technological systems, exemplarily WDM optical fiber communication systems, and such lasers are known. For instance, P. R. Berger et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 59, p. 117 (1991) discloses a surface emitting laser (SEL) that utilizes the Peltier effect of the substrate to achieve thermally induced tuning. However, this effect allows only a relatively small tuning range (typically about 1 nm). A semiconductor laser having much larger (e.g., >10 nm) tuning range would be of significant technological interest.
Electro-optic tuning of lasers by means that comprise liquid crystal material is known. However, the prior art devices typically involve an external cavity, with a separate liquid crystal-containing element in the external cavity. See, for instance, J. R. Andrews, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 2(5), p. 334; H. Tsuda et al., IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 3(6), p. 504; H. Tsuda et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 61(17), p. 2006; and Qi Zhang et al., Optics Letters, Vol. 17(1), p. 43. Such light sources typically comprise a multiplicity of components in addition to the laser diode and thus typically would be inconvenient to use. This application inter alia discloses a simple, compact, wavelength-tunable semiconductor laser having a relatively large tuning range.

Article comprising a tunable semiconductor laser


An optical system is presented for use in a measurement system (100) for use in measurements of thin films of a workpiece (W), the system comprising an optical assembly (14), comprising illuminator assembly, a detector assembly, and a light directing assembly (FA-OF) for directing illuminating light to a plurality of measurement sites in the workpiece (W) arranged in an array of substantially concentric ring-like regions, such that an area defined by the measurement sites within one of the substantially concentric ring-like regions is substantially equal to that of the other substantially concentric ring-like region.

Several optical methods are currently used for measuring thickness of thin films in semiconductor workpiece (e.g. wafer) manufacturing, mainly based on spectrophotometry and ellipsometry. There are different configurations of optical measuring tools: in-situ, performing measurements during the processing; stand-alone (SA) tools having individual cassette-to-cassette load/unload means and integrated tools, installed within or adjacent to processing equipment for layer deposition (like CVD cluster tools of Applied Materials. USA) or for layer removal (like CMP polishers of Applied Materials, EBARA, SFI, etc.) Such integrated metrology tools provide accurate measurements of each wafer immediately after the processing, e.g. layer deposition/removal. The examples of such integrated metrology (IM) tools are NovaScan 840 of Nova Measuring Instruments, Israel, NanoSpec 9000 of Nanometrics, USA, etc.
Both SA and IM tools apply precise optical measurements, mainly based on spectral reflectometry, to the predetermined small measurement sites within the wafer's pattern structure. In order to reach this measurement site, the pattern recognition technique based on image acquisition and processing is applied accompanied by precise positioning and auto-focusing.
In order to measure the layer thickness distribution (uniformity) over the whole wafer, such pre-measurement cycle of pattern recognition, precise positioning and spectral measurement is repeated in number of measurement sites over the wafer, e.g. 25 points along the wafer of diameter=300 mm. Performance of entire measurement cycle, i.e. including pre-measurement cycle require significant amount of time and in some cases are the bottle-neck of the equipment run rate.
The main advantage of the above technique is the use of pre-determined measurement sites with known stack structure, so measurement data interpretation is done on a basis of accurate optical model of measured thin film structure, providing ultimate accuracy and repeatability of the film thickness determination.
In some case, it is more important to reach a maximal throughput (minimal measurement time) on account of some loss of measurement accuracy. For example, when the film thickness is relatively high (several thousands of Å) the accuracy and repeatability of single Å of existing IM tools may be not so needed. However, the higher measurement speed of several seconds for multiple measurements on wafer is very important.
For such cases so-called "large spot" measurement techniques are being developed. Systems using "large spot" do not require pattern recognition and precise positioning means. This technique is based on extracting useful average information about the top layer from mixed spectrum received from different parts of wafer pattern with different layer structures. Such techniques are disclosed for example the in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,872,633: 5,900,633 and PCT patent Application No. PCT/IL99/00466 (Publication. No. WO 00/12958)
Being limited in measurement accuracy and repeatability, such technique still is useful for some applications. The main advantage of this technique is high measurement speed because such procedures as wafer alignment; pattern recognition and precise positioning are not needed. Moreover, applying a relatively large spot of about 20 mm, the light intensity reaching the photodetector is high and the integration time of photodetectors needed for required SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) is very small about 1-2 orders of magnitude smaller than for "small spot" IM or SA tools, where the integration time for single measurement may be as large as 1 second or the like.
The main limitation of the "large spot" technique is its low spatial resolution. It is especially critical for cases of high non-uniformity within a relatively small wafer's area.
For example, after CMP processing of silicon oxide layer, a high non-uniformity of the film thickness, especially in the wafer edge areas is observed. Thus, large spot of about 20 mm and larger can not provide needed information, when resolution of about 1 mm is needed. Reducing the spot size to the level of 1 mm will deteriorate drastically the measurement accuracy and in many cases makes this measurement impossible because of too strong dependence of received spectrum on the pattern structure.
Thus, there is a need in the art for measurement technique providing advantages of "large spot" and "small spot" techniques.

Method and system for measuring thin films


A transmission (3) for an electrically driveable axle (1) of a motor vehicle has a drive input shaft (4) that can be driven by at least one electric machine (2, 12), for driving the axle (1) of the motor vehicle. The drive input shaft (4) is a hollow shaft with radially internal toothing (13) and can receive an electric machine coupling shaft (21) that can be inserted into the hollow shaft (4). The hollow shaft (4) has radially external toothing (22) that interacts with the radially internal toothing (13). A transmission of said type can be used universally, specifically for electric machines with different rotor shafts and/or for one or two electric machines.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a transmission for an electrically driveable axle of a motor vehicle. The transmission has a drive input shaft that can be driven by at least one electric machine for driving the axle of the motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known transmission for a motor vehicle has a drive input shaft that is rotationally conjointly connected to at least one rotor shaft of at least one electric machine so that the one or more electric machines can drive the drive input shaft of the transmission. The input shaft may drive an intermediate shaft, which in turn drives an output shaft. The output may be connected via articulated shafts to two wheels of the axle of a motor vehicle.
It is an object of the invention to make a transmission of the type mentioned above universally usable for electric machines with differently designed rotor shafts and/or for one or two electric machines.

Transmission for an electrically driveable axle of a motor vehicle

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft


A method for treating cystitis, in particular acute cystitis, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of a reagent selected from the group consisting of IL-1β inhibitors and MMP inhibitors, or proteins selected from ASC or NLRP-3. Diagnostic methods are also described and claimed.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and may be dangerous. The clinical presentation and severity varies, depending on the site of infection and molecular basis of disease. In acute pyelonephritis (APN), bacteria ascend into the renal pelvis, where they cause an intense mucosal inflammatory response with progression into the renal parenchyma. Symptoms include high fever, malaise, loin pain as well as poor feeding and irritability in infants. In acute cystitis, infection is localized to the urinary bladder, resulting in dysuria, frequency and supra-pubic pain, typically without systemic involvement. While the clinical entities of acute pyelonephritis and acute cystitis typically are quite distinct, the molecular determinants of clinical presentation and severity are largely unknown.
In acute pyelonephritis, a pathogen-specific TLR4 response is activated by P fimbriated E. coli, through ceramide release and the successive phosphorylation of the TICAM-1 (TRIF) and TICAM-2 (TRAM) adaptors, CREB-1, c-FOS and c-JUN activates IRF- and AP1-dependent transcription. Additional involvement of MyD88, TIRAP and NF-kB depends on the virulence repertoire of the infecting strain. Genetic studies in the murine UTI model have identified IRF3-dependent gene expression and mCXCR2-dependent neutrophil activation as determinants of bacterial clearance and tissue homeostasis. Infected Irf3−/− or mCxcr2−/− mice develop severe APN and tissue damage after one week and relevance for human APN susceptibility has been demonstrated, through disease-associated IRF3 and CXCR1 polymorphisms in APN prone patients.
The cause of acute cystitis susceptibility has not been defined, however and it is rapidly becoming a therapeutic enigma as antibiotic resistance is reducing the options for treatment to a minimum. Genetic markers of APN susceptibility show no association to acute cystitis, emphasizing the differences in pathogenesis and genetic control. Acute uncomplicated cystitis is characterized by localized inflammation and symptoms from the lower urinary tract, typically dysuria and urgency and frequency of urination. It occurs predominantly in girls and healthy women with normal urinary tracts and at least 60% of all females will report an episode during their lifetime. The recurrence rate is high, especially in a subset of patients, where recurrent cystitis episodes may cause chronic tissue damage and impact the quality of life. In addition, acute cystitis patents pose a highly significant challenge to the health care system.
The urinary bladder mucosa is often under microbial attack but does not always retaliate with such force, as in acute cystitis. In asymptomatic carriers, the epithelium remains fairly unresponsive, despite bacterial numbers well above 105 CFU/ml (9, 10). It is therefore challenging to understand, at the molecular level, how a state of exaggerated inflammation can be generated specifically in acute cystitis patients. Interactions of bladder cells with pathogenic bacteria have been shown to trigger an innate immune response, involving the epithelium and adjacent mucosal cells, such as mast cells and macrophages. Uroepithelial cells from women with recurrent cystitis have an increased density of receptors for adhering bacteria and bacterial persistence in intracellular communities has been studied as a reservoir of infection, but the molecular basis of susceptibility and disease has remained unclear.


An outer case connector portion, a gauge housing case, and the like for use with a pressure sensor, for example, are generally made of a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin. However, the resin physically causes curing shrinkage. Especially when a metal is insert molded with a resin, curing shrinkage of the resin generates a gap at the interface between the resin and the metal. By filling an anaerobic, high-permeability adhesive in the gap, hermetic sealing can be ensured and reliability can be enhanced. Inexpensive hermetic sealing and enhanced reliability are realized.

In the known structures disclosed in JP,A 6-3211 and JP,A 6-186104, when a metallic lead member is insert molded with, e.g., an organic resin material, a small gap generates at the interface between the resin and the metallic lead member due to resin's physical properties, i.e., the difference in coefficient of linear expansion between the resin and a metal and curing shrinkage of the resin itself occurred when the resin temperature is returned to room temperature after melting. In a pressure sensor, especially, hermetic sealing after insert molding of the pressure sensor is important from the viewpoint of ensuring satisfactory sensor characteristics. None of the above-mentioned publications, however, takes into consideration a hermetic sealing structure for reducing the small gap and providing positive sealing.
Also, JP,A 11-304619 and JP,A 2001-330530 propose the use of a protective material, such as a gel, for ensuring hermetic sealing when a metallic lead member is insert molded with, e.g., an organic resin material.

Pressure sensor, flowmeter electronic component, and method for manufacturing the same


A simple, approximate power optimization in connection with automatic large scale circuit design using a cell library is provided. The cell library of the present invention provides active region information for each cell, and preferably also provides conventional parameters such as cell physical area and cell performance information. Typically, several cells having differing parameters correspond to each cell function provided by the library. A cost function is defined which depends on active region information, and can also depend on physical area and performance. A cell design including cells selected from the library is optimized by substitution of functionally equivalent cells from the library to minimize the cost function. Minimization of active region area provides a simple way to approximately minimize power consumption. Optionally, a second optimization can be performed with a higher fidelity power model using the approximately power-minimized design as a starting point.

Design of large scale electrical circuits is frequently automated by provision of a library of standard cells for performing various circuit functions. Such functions can include, for example, logic functions such as AND2 (a 2-input AND gate) and OR4 (a 4 input OR gate). A standard cell library typically provides multiple cells having the same function (e.g., AND2) and differing in drive strength (e.g., AND2X1, AND2X2, etc.). Cells having higher drive strength generally consume more electrical power, but can be used to drive a larger load, or can be used to improve circuit speed. Design of a large scale circuit can often be regarded as a problem of selecting cells from a library in accordance with a circuit functional design, where the drive strength of each cell is automatically selected to optimize circuit design. For a large scale circuit, this design optimization problem is highly nontrivial.
Typically, performance (e.g., speed), power consumption and size (e.g., total physical area) are the variables of greatest interest for optimizing circuit design, and therefore such information is typically provided for each cell in a standard cell library. Although the physical area of a cell is a simple parameter to quantify, cell power consumption and cell performance are much more difficult parameters to accurately quantify. In particular, accurate calculation of power consumption is of particular concern, since hard design constraints tend to be applied to performance, leaving total circuit power consumption as a quantity to be minimized in design. Thus power consumption (e.g., as measured by battery life) has emerged as a key point of product distinction in competitive markets.
Accordingly, ever more elaborate models for large scale circuit power consumption have been under development for some time now, to provide improved agreement between calculated power consumption and actual power consumption. Actual power consumption can then be reduced by use of such an accurate model during design optimization. State of the art power modeling accounts for the state-dependence of power consumption, often by extensive simulation of expected typical state sequences. The dependence of power consumption on switching or toggling rate is also included in state of the art power modeling, and here also it is necessary to simulate input sequences or make assumptions about the inputs. Such models also account for both dynamic power consumption (i.e., power consumed during switching) and leakage power consumption (i.e., power consumed other than during switching).
For some applications, reduction of leakage power consumption is especially important. Such applications include mobile telephones, since these battery-powered devices are typically in standby most of the time, and in active use the rest of the time. Power consumption during standby is primarily leakage power consumption, while dynamic power consumption occurs during active use. The state-dependence of power consumption discussed above applies to dynamic power. For example, a region of a computer processor chip can have a different dynamic power consumption depending on which application a user is running (e.g., a word processing program or a game). Thus modeling of dynamic power consumption requires assumptions about typical use, and such models become increasingly inaccurate as the difference between actual use and assumed use increases. The state-dependence (if any) of leakage power consumption is typically negligible in practice.
However, such high-fidelity modeling of power consumption makes great demands on processing resources, and is therefore a major driver for total design time. Accordingly, it would be a significant advance in the art to reduce design time of power-optimized large scale circuit designs.

Automatic circuit design method with a cell library providing transistor size information


A second memory stores data in units of segments. An assignment control circuit sets up a buffer space as a logical address space. A buffer space is formed as a set of at least one segment. A state storage circuit stores association between a buffer space and segments as segment assignment information. An address conversion circuit refers to segment assignment information to convert a logical address into a physical address. A segment queue stores a free segment and a buffer queue stores a free buffer. The state storage circuit includes a plurality of register groups each of which includes a plurality of segment registers. A register group is associated with one of the plurality of buffer spaces. A range number identifying a range of logical addresses in the associated buffer space is set up in a segment register.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a memory management technology.
2. Description of the Related Art
In association with the development of highly-functional, low-cost electronic devices (e.g., central processing units (CPUs)), many embedded systems such as cell phones now include a highly-advanced operating system (OS). Various functions are required of an OS in accordance with the performance and usage of systems. Of these, memory management function represents a core function.
Due to the constraints in the size of housings and fabrication cost, the capacity of memories that can be built into a system is limited. The constraints are particularly rigorous in embedded systems so that efficient use of limited memory resources is called for. Also, many systems strictly require that a process be completed within a predefined period of time. In the case of systems with severe time requirements, overhead associated with memory management processes significantly affects the performance of the system as whole.


An electronic device such as a watch comprises a solar cell (14) and window portions (2, 6) which is located on the solar cell (14) and through which light is applied to the solar cell (14). The solar cell (14) is divided into a plurality of divided cells such that irradiated portions (14A to 14F) of the divided cells are equal in area, in consideration of the shapes, areas, and number of the window portions (2, 6) and the number of divisions of the solar cell (14).

A conventional electronic device with solar cell, e.g., an electronic watch with solar cell, is generally constructed so that a solar cell is located on the back of a dial in order to obtain high power generation efficiency. For example, a combination watch using a solar cell is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-82871. This combination watch has an analog block including a hand display, a liquid crystal cell as an electro-optical display, and a solar cell for photovoltaic power generation.
A construction of the combination watch disclosed in the aforesaid patent document will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.
The analog block, like a basic structure of a well-known three-hand-display watch, comprises a main plate 53 as a base, a step motor 54 as an electromechanical transducer, a hand display train 57 for transmitting rotation driving force from a rotor 55 that constitutes the step motor 54 to a hand 56, and an external switching mechanism 59 including a setting stem 58 for hand adjustment. A dial 62 is formed of a transparent plastic material such that digital display can be recognized from the display surface side of the watch and lest it hinder photovoltaic power generation.
A rotating shaft 56a of the hand 56 is located in the center of the watch and a power generation surface of a solar cell 52 occupies the entire display surface of the watch.
The solar cell 52 has a hole portion 52b into which the rotating shaft 56a of the hand 56 is evacuated and is divided in four by dividing lines. Since a single solar cell can produce so low a power generation voltage that it cannot fully charge a secondary cell, it is divided into a plurality of parts, which are connected in series to secure an appropriate satisfactory voltage. A window portion 52d defined by a power generation element-free portion 52c is formed in a part of a power generation surface 52a of the solar cell 52 that is based on a glass substrate, and the time of day can be displayed through a digital display 51a of a liquid crystal cell 51 that is located under the window portion 52d. A total-transmission dial 62 is located on the upper surface of the solar cell 52. It is formed of a transparent plastic material such that the digital display 51a can be recognized and lest it hinder photovoltaic power generation.
The combination watch with the configuration described above with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 has a problem that its appearance quality is damaged because the dividing lines and a plum color proper to the solar cell can be visually recognized with ease.
In this view, a multifunction watch with an improved appearance quality has been developed using a quadruple solar cell on which a partial-transmission dial formed with window portions is located. Its outline will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.
A dial 20 is of a metallic partial-transmission type and is formed having three window portions, including a time-of-day second display window 21, a chronograph hour display window 22, and a chronograph minute display window 23, a center hole 24, which is penetrated by a hand shaft, and a calendar display window 25. A group of hands 26 for time-of-day display and a group of hands 27 for chronograph display are arranged in predetermined positions on the individual display portions.
As shown in FIG. 19, a solar cell 30 is divided into four zones A, B, C and D by dividing lines 31 in the 3-9 o' clock direction and the 6-12 o' clock direction. These four zones A to D are equal in area. In the solar cell 30 having the dial 20 placed thereon, the respective areas of irradiated portions of four divided cells divided by the window portions 21, 22 and 23 (indicated by two-dot chain lines in the drawing) through which light is applied to individual parts correspond individually to a semicircular area 30A in the zone A, a semicircular area 30B in the zone B, an equivalently circular area 30C+30C in the zone C, and an equivalently circular area 30D+30D in the zone D, as indicated by hatching. Thus, the divided cells A and B are different from the divided cells C and D in irradiated portion area.
In the chronograph watch using the partial-transmission dial described above, as compared with the one using the total-transmission dial, the areas of the irradiated portions are so narrow that the plum color proper to the solar cell is not very conspicuous through the dial. Since the dividing lines that can be peered through the individual display windows 21, 22 and 23 are crisscrossed and obscured by printed figures and the like, moreover, they cannot damage the appearance quality very much. Above all, however, the respective irradiated portions of the four divided cells are different in area, so that the value of suppliable current varies between the divided cells A and B and the divided cells C and D. If the four divided cells are connected in series with one another as they are used with unbalanced suppliable current values, therefore, the divided cells A and B of which the irradiated portions have small areas are inevitably restricted to the suppliable current values. Thus, the solar cell fails to demonstrate its original capacity, so that its power generation efficiency is poor.


Grinding body separator in mills for comminuting and crushing deagglomerating solids, predispersed in liquids, which comprises circular rings provided with cross bores. The number of the bores decreases as a function of a decrease in diameter of the rings. The bores are equidistantly distributed on the rings. The diameter or the bores also decrease as a function of a decrease in diameter of the rings.

The referenced U.S. Main Patent teaches the already known mills described and, in particular, the filters or separators provided in said mills which retain the grinding bodies in the interior of the grinding chamber, but allow the exclusive passage of the already ground product. It is pointed out that the separators of screen or sieve type in general do not permit a very fine adjustment with the microballs and produce cloggings and obstructions, being and are moreover relatively complex and delicate to cleaning. This results in relatively high manual labor times and, in case of wear, in replacement costs. The repair for its utilization is economically not justified. The separators is the spilt or divided type imply a certain wear by having one part movable with respect to the other, thereby presenting a relatively complex disassembly and assembly, because the axle and other parts of the mill have to be disassembled for its cleaning, inspection, or replacement.
The type of mill for comminuting and crushing and deagglomerating solids, predispersed in liquids, to which is applied the separator, comprises a frame in which a fixed body or stator is disposed. In the interior of a jacket for cooling and for heating, respectively, of the product being treated, there is disposed a rotating body or rotor fixedly mounted to a shaft, disposed along the longitudinal axis of the mill and mounted on or projecting over a corresponding support and bearing means, disposed next to the frame of the mill. Said shaft exhibits inner conduits for cooling and heating means, respectively, of the rotor, and is caused to rotate by drive means with corresponding transmission and speed variations means, disposed next to the frame. The grinding chamber is delimited between said stator and said rotor. Grinding bodies are enclosed in said chamber where the grinding bodies are initially introduced into said chamber through a closable inlet of the stator. A likewise closable outlet is disposed in the lower part of the stator for the discharge. The grinding chamber is traversed by the product being treated--while the rotor rotates--based on impulse drive means of the cited product. Said means are moved by drive means and by transmission and speed variation means. The stator exhibits an inlet for the product to be treated, which is connected to the outlet of the impulse drive means and to an output of the already ground product. Separator means are disposed in said outlet area that prevent the exiting of the grinding bodies, but allow the passage of the ground product. Sealing means are disposed between the stator and the shaft to prevent the exiting of the product that circulates continuously and forcefully through the grinding chamber.
Said separator is characterized in that it is provided with a stepped support, which is preferably hollow and exhibits an ideal geometrical enveloping shape of a truncated cone. The steps of the support are formed by a series of circular superposed rings along parallel planes and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the separator. The series of rings exhibits a decreasing diameter from the larger basis of the support to its free end. Said series of rings is alternated with another series of short circular superposed cylinders. The centers of said short cylinders are disposed in said longitudinal axis of the separator and the diameters of said short cylinders are also decreasing as a function of the respective diameters of said rings. The larger base of the support comprises a flange and sealing means for its assembly in the corresponding mill in the outlet area of the already ground product. A series of circular rings is provided and exhibits a decreasing diameter from the larger base of the support to its free end. Each one of said rings is formed by an inner ring part and an outer ring part, both of which exhibit a quadrangular cross-section and are interconnected by bridges that delimit corresponding bores or cross-passages. Each ring is fitted in a respective step. The inner diameter of the inner ring corresponds to the outer diameter of the circular cylinder of the step in which it is mounted. The outer diameter of the outer ring part of each one of the rings following a larger ring, coincides with the inner diameter of the outer ring part of the ring on which it is juxtaposed. The thickness--measured in direction o the longitudinal axis of the separator--of the inner ring part of a ring is a little larger than the thickness of the outer ring part. A separation between each pair of juxtaposed rings--in the axial direction--is smaller than the smallest of the thicknesses or diameters of the grinding bodies to be retained in the grinding chamber. The outer ring part of each one of the rings, following a larger ring, delimits a space, with respect to the inner ring part of the ring on which it is juxtaposed, that is larger than the cited separation between each pair of rings. Preferably, there is detachably mounted on the larger base of the support a first circular ring part of quadrangular cross-section and of a larger outer diameter than the diameter of the larger ring o the series of rings. Said inner diameter coincides with the outer diameter of the outer ring part of the larger ring. There is further disposed, coplanarly or coaxially, a second circular ring part similar to the first one but smaller and practically equal to the inner ring part of the larger ring which is juxtaposed to it. The thickness of said second ring part--in axial direction--is a little greater than the outer ring part of the cited larger ring. A separation--in axial direction--between both is smaller than the smallest of the thicknesses or diameters of the grinding bodies. A conduit channel for the passage of the ground product towards the outlet of the mill through at least a longitudinal bore, disposed in the flange of the support, is delimited between said first and second circular rings. The unit formed by the series of rings and the second ring part is retained and fixed by a disk applied against the smaller ring and detachably fastened onto the smaller base of the stepped support of the separator. The outer diameter of said disk is equal to the inner diameter of the outer ring part of the smaller ring. Between the peripheral edge of this disk and the end facing the cited outer ring part of the smaller ring, there is delimited a separation equal to the separation between each pair of juxtaposed rings.

Apparatus for comminuting, crushing and disagglomeration of solids dispersed in liquids


A slidable and rotationally attaching unit configured to slidably and rotatably attach a movable housing on a supporting base so that a part of the movable housing is overlapped with the supporting base, the slidable and rotational attaching unit includes a base plate provided between the supporting base and the movable housing and attached to the supporting base; a plate cam provided between the supporting base and the movable housing and attached to the movable housing; a slide guide provided on a surface of the base plate facing the plate cam, the slide guide being formed by a slit or a groove along upper and lower directions in a standard pose that is a basic using state of the movable housing; a guide pin provided on a surface of the base plate facing the plate cam, the guide pin being positioned on an extended line of a lower end of the slide guide; and a connecting pin slidably and rotatably engaged with the plate cam so that the connecting pin prevents the plate cam from coming off from the slide guide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to slidably and rotationally attaching units and electronic devices, and more specifically, to a slidably and rotationally attaching unit so that a movable housing is slidably and rotatably attached to a supporting base whereby a part of the movable housing overlaps with the supporting base, and an electronic device using the slidably and rotationally attaching unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In electronic devices such as a mobile phone, an electronic organizer, or a personal computer, a thin type display housing having a display part has a configuration where the shorter side is at the top (for example, the mobile phone) or a configuration where the longer side is at the top (for example, a notebook personal computer). Accordingly, if the display housing is fixed with its shorter side at the top or with its longer side at the top, there is inconvenience when an operator sees a display screen or performs an input operation while seeing the display screen. In other words, at the time when the operator performs the input operation such as forming documents or tables and the operator sees the result of the input operation and an image on the display screen, depending on kinds of the input operations or display subjects, there is a case where a screen having a configuration where the shorter side is at the top is suitable or a case where a screen having a configuration where the longer side is at the top is suitable.
Accordingly, in the above-mentioned electronic device, the display housing is movable and may be rotated 90 degrees if necessary so that the display housing can be converted from having its shorter side at the top to having its longer side is at the top, and vice versa.
In the above-mentioned electronic device, a supporting base is rotatably provided at an end part of a base housing having an input part by a hinge. Alternatively, a desktop supporting base is provided separately from the input part or a personal computer main body. A part of the movable housing which is an input part is provided at the supporting base so as to be overlapped with the supporting base via a slidably and rotational attaching unit.
The following structure, for example, has been suggested as the attaching unit in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 8-63259. That is, an information device having a supporting base, a base plate provided at one side of a facing surface of a movable housing, and a movable plate provided at another side of the facing surface, is provided. A first guide groove and a second guide groove are formed in the base plate. The first guide groove is formed along upper and lower directions in a standard pose that is a basic use state (using state of a basic mode) of the movable housing. The second guide groove is formed along a horizontal direction under the first guide groove or curved slightly upward in a convex manner. A first projection guided to the first guide groove and a second projection guided to the second guide groove are formed in the movable plate. The first projection and the second projection are slidably guided to the corresponding guide grooves in a coming-off prevention state.
According to the above-mentioned electronic device, for example, when the second projection is situated at a left end part of the second guide groove and the movable housing is in a standard pose, namely a state where the movable housing is set with its longer side at the top, the second projection moves on the right along the second guide groove and the first projection moves upward along the first guide groove, by moving a left end lower part of the movable housing on the right. When the second projection reaches the middle point of the second guide groove, the movable housing is in a 45 degrees inclination pose in the middle position and the first projection reaches a maximum level.
After that, when the pose of the movable housing is changed so that the second projection further moves along the second guide groove in the right direction, the pose of the movable housing gradually changes so that the movable housing stands and the shorter side of the movable housing is at the top. When the second projection reaches the right end part of the second guide, the movable housing completely stands with the shorter side of the movable housing at the top.
The electronic device has switches configured to switch a display mode of the display part of the movable housing corresponding to poses of the movable housing at the same time when change of the pose of the movable housing is completed from the shorter side being at the top to the longer side being at the top, and vice versa.
The slidable and rotational attaching unit of the electronic housing has a curved configuration where the second guide groove is in a horizontal direction or bent in a mountain manner. Accordingly, the rotational operations of the movable housing are not smooth and the movable housing can be rotated 90 degrees in only a single direction.
For example, in folding type mobile phones and others, a rotational operation of the movable housing having the display part is done by the thumb of a hand of an operator while a base housing having a microphone part is held by the hand. However, the dominant hand differs by person. Hence, although it is preferable that the movable housing can be rotated in both right and left directions, it is not possible to make such a design in the conventional attaching unit.
In addition, if the movable housing can be rotated in only a single direction, the rotational direction should be indicated in a proper portion. If the rotational operation is done in a reverse direction in error, malfunction of or damage to the attaching unit may be generated.
Thus, the present invention seeks improvements such as smooth operation and degree of freedom in the design of the movable housing of the slidable and rotational attaching unit.

Slidably and rotationally attaching unit and electronic device