A light detection and ranging system is provided for improving imaging accuracy and measurement range. The light detection and ranging system may comprise: a light source configured to emit a multi-pulse sequence into a three-dimensional environment, in which the multi-pulse sequence comprises multiple light pulses having a temporal profile; a photosensitive detector configured to detect light pulses returned from the three-dimensional environment and generate an output signal indicative of an amount of optical energy associated with a subset of the light pulses; and one or more processors electrically coupled to the light source and the photosensitive detector, and the one or more processors are configured to: generate the temporal profile based on one or more real-time conditions; and determine one or more parameters for selecting the subset of light pulses.

Light detection and ranging (Lidar) technology can be used to obtain three-dimensional information of an environment by measuring distances to objects. A Lidar system may include at least a light source configured to emit a pulse of light and a detector configured to receive returned pulse of light. The returned pulse of light or light beam may be referred to as echo light beam. Based on the lapse time between the emission of the pulse of light and detection of returned pulse of light (i.e., time of flight), a distance can be obtained. The pulse of light can be generated by a laser emitter then focused through a lens or lens group. The returned pulse of light may be received by a detector located near the laser emitter. The returned pulse of light may be scattered light from the surface of an object.
The aforementioned light pulses may be used to detect obstacles within the field of view. In some situations, a dynamic range of the detector, signal-to-noise ratio or contrast ratio of the detected signal may be limited by stray light. Stray light in a Lidar system can be caused by various sources. For instance, transmission light may contaminate or interfere with the receiving of returned light pulses by the detector. Such contamination or interference may cause difficulties in recognizing the close distance echoes. For example, a small portion of emitted pulses (stray light) may be directly received by the detector such as Avalanche Photo Diode (APD) within the Lidar system, resulting in the detection circuit of the highly sensitive APD entering the nonlinear saturation region. When the detection circuit is saturated, the amplification of the waveform trailing of the stray light can be greater than the amplification of its top pulse, rendering an increase in the pulse width of the stray light pulses in the detection circuit. This may lead to the undesirable result that the laser pulse echo signal reflected by the near-field obstacle is submerged in the delayed waveform trailing of the stray light, and the location information of the near-field obstacle cannot be determined resulting in a measurement blind zone.

Systems and methods for light detection and ranging


In a wire saw, it is an object to reduce the variance in width of cut slices of a work as well as the degree of coarseness of the cut slices. A plurality of machining rollers 13 and 14 are arranged in parallel at prescribed intervals, and a large number of circular grooves 13a and 14a are formed on the outer periphery of each of the rollers. In an axial direction of the machining rollers 13 and 14, a plurality of supply reels 23, take-up reels 24 and wires 15A, 15B are arranged. The wires 15A, 15B supplied from the supply reels 23 are wound on the circular grooves 13a ad 14a of the plurality of machining rollers 13 and 14 so that they are travelled between the plurality of rollers 13 and 14, and taken up by the take-up reels 24. The work 20 is cut/sliced by a lapping operation of abrasive grains contained in the slurry which are supplied on the respective sets of wires 15A and 15B which travel between the plurality of machining rollers 13 and 14 in a longitudinal direction over respective halves of the rollers.

The present invention relates to a wire saw used to cut an ingot-shape work of brittle material such as semiconductor material, magnetic material, ceramic, etc. simultaneously into a plural of sheets each having a prescribed thickness, and a work slicing method using it.
In a previously known wire saw of this kind, plural rollers for machining are arranged in parallel at prescribed intervals, and on the outer periphery thereof, plural strips of circular grooves are arranged with a prescribed pitch. A supply reel and a take-up reel in a pair, separated from the above machining rollers, are arranged oppositely to each other. A strip of wire supplied from the supply reel is wound on the circular grooves of each roller and travelled among these rollers. Thereafter, it is wound by the take-up reel. A slurry containing free abrasive grains is supplied to the wire travelling among the plural machining rollers so that the work is sliced into wafers each having a prescribed thickness by the lapping operation of the abrasive grains. Thus, the wafers are cut out.
In the above conventional wire saw, however, a strip of wire is continuously wound from the circular groove at the one end to that at the other end on the outer periphery of each machining roller. Therefore, the wire is shifted successively from the circular groove at the one end of the roller to that at the other end thereof in accordance with the rotation of the machining roller. Then, the wire is gradually abraded to become thin so that the thickness of the sliced work varies between the inlet side of the machining roller and the outlet side thereof.
When the wire becomes gradually slender during the shift of the wire from the one end of the roller to the other end thereof, the application degree of free abrasive grains for the wire is reduced. Thus, the cutting capability is gradually reduced from the one end of the machining roller to the other end thereof. The cutting plane of the work becomes gradually coarse.
The slicing speed of the work inclusive of the travelling speed of the wire must be set in accordance with the low cutting capability of the wire at the other end of the roller. Therefore, the slicing speed of the work cannot be accelerated so that it takes a long time to cut/slice the entire work.
In addition, in a wire saw developed recently, in order that a large number of wafer sheets are cut out simultaneously, the wire is likely to be thick and long. For the machining of the long work, the length of the machining roller in an axial length must be large to increase the number of the circular grooves. In this case, a single wire cuts out a large number of wafers so that the abrasion degree of the wire is further increased. Thus, the variation in the cutting thickness of the work, cutting capability and coarseness of the cutting plane becomes worse remarkably between the one end of the roller and the other end thereof.
Further, since the wire saw developed in recent years is required to cut a long work into many wafers simultaneously, the machining roller having longer lengths in the axial direction have been employed. However, if the machining roller becomes too long, when the work is cut/sliced, it becomes hot due to friction between the machining roller and wire. This may provide great thermal distortion in the roller, and a large fluctuation in the pitch of the circular grooves. The work cannot be cut into wafers each having a prescribed thickness with a high precision.


A method and device for generating a clock signal accurately synchronized with a wobble signal including jitter even if there are manufacturing differences between voltage controlled oscillators. The clock signal generation device includes a voltage controlled oscillator for generating a clock signal corresponding to each of a plurality of oscillation characteristics. The clock signal generation device applies a test voltage to a voltage controlled oscillator with a voltage control device and sequentially identifies a plurality of oscillation characteristics set for the voltage controlled oscillator. The clock signal generation device selects one of the identified oscillation characteristics that has a frequency range with a generally middle part in which the frequency of a wobble signal is located and has a smaller gain.

The present invention relates to a method and device for generating a clock signal synchronized with an input cycle signal.
In the prior art, a clock signal generation device is incorporated in, for example, an optical disc device capable of recording data to a recordable type optical disc, such as a digital versatile disc-recordable (DVD-R), to generate a recording clock signal used as a reference when recording data. The clock signal generation device normally includes a phase lock loop (PLL) circuit. A recording process is performed based on the recording clock signal generated by the clock signal generation device. Data recording is accurately performed in accordance with the rotation speed of the disc using the recording clock signal.
The recording clock signal is generated based on a wobble signal, which has a predetermined cycle and which is generated from the slight wobble of a guide groove (pregroove) formed on substantially the entire optical disc, or an LPP signal, which is generated from land prepits (LPPs) arranged at predetermined intervals along a track. In the optical disc device, when reproducing the data recorded on an optical disc, a reproduction clock signal may be generated to perform processing in accordance with the rotation speed of the optical disc.
Fluctuations in the rotation of the disc or tilting of the disc may produce jitter. Such jitter would shift the wobble signal in the direction of the time axis. Thus, the jitter may affect and shift the clock signal, which is generated from the wobble signal. As a result, the recording and reproduction of data may not be performed in a satisfactory manner. Accordingly, in the prior art, the gain of the PLL circuit is minimized to suppress the influence of jitter. Especially, in a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that configures a PLL circuit, an oscillation characteristic capable of generating the clock signal required by the optical disc device while minimizing the gain is set based on simulations conducted beforehand. The clock signal is generated based on the oscillation characteristic.
The setting of the oscillation characteristic of the voltage controlled oscillator in accordance with a minimized gain reduces the influence of jitter. However, there is a possibility that the required clock signal cannot be generated when voltage controlled oscillators have manufacturing differences. In other words, the use of a voltage controlled oscillator having a low gain oscillation characteristic narrows the applicable frequency band. Thus, if a deviation occurs in the oscillation characteristic due to manufacturing differences, when there is a request for the generation of a clock signal having a frequency corresponding to, for example, four times the disc rotation speed, there is a possibility that the voltage controlled oscillator cannot generate a clock signal with the required frequency. As a result, the setting of the oscillation characteristic of the voltage controlled oscillator in accordance with a minimized gain makes it difficult to cope with manufacturing differences. This may, in turn, reduce the recording and reproduction quality.
The problem caused by manufacturing differences between voltage controlled oscillators is not limited to a clock signal generation device incorporated in an optical disc device and may also occur in any clock signal generation device that generates a clock signal synchronized with a cycle signal including jitter.

Method and device for generating clock signal


The present technology relates generally to fibre optic cables their manufacture and uses in the field of optical measurements including biochemical laboratory instrumentation for measuring properties of samples on microtitration plates and corresponding sample supports. The technology has also applications in various laser technologies. A fibre optic cable has an active surface with a determined form provided at a first optical interface at the first end of the cable. The first end of the cable is fused into an exemplary circular form, the fused cable end including fibre ends both within the active surface and outside the active surface. At the opposite, second end of the cable, those fibres which have their first ends at the determined active surface area, are used for forming a second optical interface. It is possible to have high transmission efficiency in optical interfaces where other than circular cross section of the light beam exists.

Fibre optic cables are widely used in optical instruments. They are practical means for guiding light for illumination and light to be measured. Fibre optic cables usually consist of a large number of thin fibres, to make the cable flexible. Each fibre usually has a cladding which is made of material with a lower refractive index than the core material of a fibre. The cladding enables total reflection at the interface between the core and the cladding of the fibre. The number of fibres and the diameter of fibres depend on application. The number of fibres is often in the range of 50-500, and the diameter of each fibre is often in the range of 50-600 μm, but numbers and diameters of fibres beyond these ranges are also quite possible. In many applications it is important to achieve small transmission loss of light. When light is applied at an end of a fibre optic cable, only part of the light enters the fibres. One reason for the losses in the optical interface is that part of the applied light enters the spaces between adjacent fibres at the surface of the cable end. This space between the individual fibres can be reduced by fusing the ends of the fibre optic cable. The fusing is usually done by heating and pressing the bundle of fibres. Initially the fibres have circular cross sections, which become hexagonal when the fibre bundle has been fused. In order to avoid interspaces between the fibres, it is useful to avoid using attachment glue or cement in fusing.
In the fusing it is necessary to apply a pressure on the fibre bundle in order to remove the hollow spaces between fibres and to achieve a cable end with small loss of light intensity. It is useful to use a constant pressure to each point of the transversal outline of the bundle. When the bundle has a circular outline, the bundle will remain its form during the fusing, which leads to a homogeneous optical interface with no aberration in the arrangement of the fibre ends. There are several methods for applying a constant pressure to circular fibre bundles of varying sizes. However, providing a fused bundle end with some other than circular outline would require special tools, which are designed for a specific bundle which has a determined diameter and determined number of fibres with determined diameters and materials. Also, achieving high homogeneity and other optical characteristics for a fused, non-circular bundle would be difficult if not impossible. Fusing can also be made by applying cohesive agent in between the fibres, but then the aim of removing the interspaces between the fibres is not at all achieved.
In many applications where optic cables are used, the object to be illuminated is not circular but has some other form, such as rectangular. Also, when light is received into an optic cable, the light source/emission source may have a non-circular form. Such situations are often encountered e.g. is the field of optical measurement equipment used in clinical laboratories. Basic operating principles of optical measurement of clinical samples are next briefly described.
The routine work and also the research work in analytical biochemical laboratories and in clinical laboratories is often based on different tags or labels coupled on macromolecules under inspection. The typical labels used are different radioactive isotopes, enzymes, different fluorescent molecules and e.g. fluorescent chelates of rare earth metals.
The detection of labels can be performed by utilizing its natural biochemical function, i.e. to alter the physical properties of molecules. In immunoassays colourless substances are catalysed into colourful substances or non-fluorescent substances are catalysed into fluorescent substances.
The colourful substances are measured with absorption, i.e. photometric measurement. In the photometric measurement the intensity of filtered and stabilized beam is first measured without any sample and then a sample inside a well of a sample plate is measured. The absorbance i.e. the absorption values are then calculated.
The fluorescent measurement is generally used for measuring quantities of fluorescent label substance in a sample. The most photoluminescence labels are based on molecular photoluminescence process. In this process optical radiation is absorbed by the ground state of a molecule. Due to the absorption of energy the quantum molecule rises into higher excited state. After the fast vibrational relaxation the molecule returns back to its ground state and the excess energy is released as a photon.
A further commonly used measurement method is chemiluminescence measurement where emission is due to a chemical reaction, and emission of a substance is measured from a sample without excitation by illumination. Thus a photoluminometer can also be used as a chemiluminometer.
The typical instruments in analytical chemical research laboratories are the different spectroscopic instruments. Many of them are utilizing ultraviolet (UV) visible or near infrared (NIR) region of electromagnetic spectrum. The instruments are most often multi-label plate readers, but they may also be may be spectrophotometers or spectrofluorometers. Such instruments may have one or two wavelength dispersion devices, such as monochromators. With a controllable dispersion device it is possible to perform the measurements throughout the required optical spectrum. To achieve efficient and accurate measurements of small samples, it is often necessary to maximize the intensity of excitation light at the sample, and to maximize the optical acquisition efficiency of the emission signal received from the sample.
A monochromator generally has a dispersive component and an input aperture and an output aperture for input and output light beams respectively. The output aperture also serves to select the light beam of determined wavelength from the light spectrum. An end of an optical cable can be coupled to an input aperture at a monochromator side wall. An end of another optical cable can be coupled to an output aperture at a monochromator side wall. The dispersive component spreads the light in different angles as a function of the wavelength of light, and therefore the transmittance band as a function of wavelength has round slopes if the monochromator has circular apertures. However, a narrow transmittance band with steep slopes would usually be desirable. In order to achieve a narrow transmittance band the aperture should be narrow. Therefore it is useful to use a slit as an aperture, wherein the slit is rectangular with the width smaller than the height. In order to reduce the attenuation of the light beam, it is also useful to have an input aperture of the same form as the output aperture.
A monochromator can potentially have a narrow transmittance band with steep slopes, and it is also possible to have stepless adjustment of the band pass wavelength, which is not possible with optical filters. However, due to the interface problems the transmission efficiency of the monochromator may low and the transmittance band as a function of wavelength is wide and has round slopes. Therefore optical filters are often used instead of monochromators in optical instruments.
Optical measurement instruments may also have other locations where a circular cross section of the transferred light beam is not suitable. For example, sample wells may have a rectangular shape, and light sources, such as flash lamps, may have a non-circular light emitting area.
There are also several other applications than optical measurement instruments where a circular cross section of a light beam is not suitable. For example, efficient lasers are used in industrial machining and welding purposes. The laser beam is generally guided from the laser source to the object via fibre optic cables. The light beam received from the end of the optic cable is directed to the surface of an object, wherein the beam has circular cross section. When the laser beam is moved along the object, the treated area forms a line on the object. When the laser beam has a circular cross section, less energy is applied to the edges of the treated line than to the centre of the treated line. However, it is often required to treat the object homogeneously within the whole treated area. For example, this is the case when removing oxides from metal surfaces with laser. Such a homogeneous treatment is not possible or it is complicated with a laser beam which has a circular cross section.

Fibre optic cable and method for producing the same


A method for loading and unloading of dry bulk freight containers vertically, and a device in the form of an improved intermodal dry bulk freight container for vertical loading and unloading. Standardized corner locks may be used and dimensions may be selected so as to provide a standardized cargo container.

In order to reduce the cost, time and manpower of long distance shipping, the cargo container is commonly used. Such containers are standardized shapes and sizes and usually have standardized handling devices such as standardized grips, hooks, tie downs and so on that allow shippers, handlers, stevedores, longshoreman, truckers and others to handle numerous containers quickly, almost regardless of the actual contents of the containers.
Normally, such containers are built to specifications issued by various authorities: international use of containers built to these specifications is one of the key ingredients of the modern free trade system, for without such standards, fast handling would be almost impossible.
Perhaps the foremost authority for issuance of such standards is the ISO or International Standards Organization, which issues numbered standards directives. For example "ISO 1496/IV" is one standard for cargo containers, "ISO 1161" another standard for the corner locks of such containers and so on. The Association of American Railroads has similar standards on the same topic, for example AAR M-930. These standards most importantly relate to dimension, but also relate to weatherability, strength and other issues.
Shipping of bulk powders can be a surprisingly aggravating proposition, even when such standardized cargo containers are utilized. Firstly, they are collectively amorphous so entirely closed containers are necessary. Powders and dry particulate matter in general tend to behave in a fashion that allows such bulk powders as food products (e.g. Grain, Flour, Sugar, Dextrose, Starch, Cake Mixes, Cocoa, Coffee, Enzymes, Nutrients, Feeds, Pet Foods, Seeds, Spices, et al.) Chemicals, (e.g. Sodium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Lime, Urea, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, cements, adhesives, compounds, et al.) Minerals, (e.g. Clays, Fuels, Soils, Stone, et al.). However, such bulk dry particulates or powders usually have an angle of repose, even if a small one, that is there is some angle from the horizontal at which a bulk powder or particulate will rest without flowing, unlike true liquids. Thus, shipping containers for bulk powders tend to have non-flat bottoms. In commonly seen schemes, the container may be subdivided into several smaller compartments, each one with its own "chute" section on the bottom surface of the horizontal container. There are, however, disadvantages to such designs.
One disadvantage is that the numerous small chutes normally used decreased cargo capacity of the container. Switching to one large chute on the bottom side of the container would merely exacerbate this problem under the dictates of simple geometry.
Flow problems also arise: the typical dry particulate matter has a degree of friction which tends to impede or even block flow, while the typical container is not arranged so as to permit the easy discharge of such bulk particulate matter. These problems and other problems stem from the fact that there is no large vertical drop possible within a normal container. The typical standardized container is a matter of 8 feet to 9.5 feet in height (roughly 2400 to 2900 millimeters). This cannot be increased without defeating the entire purpose for having standardized cargo containers.
Pockets or irregularities in such containers also cause retention of portions of the bulk cargo, forcing manual cleaning of the container to finish the unloading of the cargo, or even worse, posing the risk of contamination of the next cargo.
Various types of bulk cargo containers are known, and have various defects.
Those made of inherently strong materials such as heavy gauge steel plate are excessively heavy in relation to the cargo to be carried, not to mention excessively expensive to manufacture. But containers having internal frames tend to provide numerous catch basins or pockets requiring manual cleaning as described above. Containers having external frames eliminate this problem at the cost of reducing the cargo capacity of the container by the depth of the framework on all sides (because of course the framework must fit within the dimensional standards of the container and therefore the "external" frame is actually inside the edges of the container envelope, thus forcing the container itself to sit within the frame). Containers have been made of fiber reinforced plastic materials (sheets of somewhat flexible material of great strength) with external frames have been tried with limited success: potentially decreased weight but potentially decreased durability.
Various examples may be considered. U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,983 B1 issued Jun. 11, 2002 to McDonald et al for BULK CARGO CONTAINER is an example of one such. It uses a conventional horizontal container and a conventional vertical flow path: bulk materials are loaded from above through doors 138, 140 and 142 and unloaded from beneath through discharge openings such as 116.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,372 issued May 9, 2000 to McDonald et al for HOPPER BOTTOM TRAILER shows much the same thinking at work: a conventionally horizontal container, possibly subdivided into compartments or cells and a conventional top-in and bottom-out flow path for the bulk materials handled.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,974 issued Oct. 5, 1999 to Kee et al for INTERMODAL BULK CONTAINER teaches a container vessel of aluminum within a rigid outer frame with hoppers extending out the bottom of the device and domed aluminum sealing the ends. Hoppers within the shell are once again to be filled from the top and emptied from the bottom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,222 issued Jun. 25, 1996 to Toth et al for DRY BULK PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL CONTAINER WITH EXTERNAL FRAME SUPPORT teaches exactly that, once again in a substantially horizontal mode.
All of these devices attempt to overcome the friction of the bulk cargo they carry in fairly standard ways. One method is to apply pressure to the air or gaseous atmosphere within the container, i.e. blowing into it, so as to aid the "liquification" of the bulk product and speed flow out through bottom hoppers. This method might allow loading from the bottom as well. The result is a great deal of "plumbing" at the bottom of the device which tends to increase cost and time of manufacture. In addition, the handling facilities at which the container loads and unloads must be equipped to provide such an air pressure differential and having suitable couplings to link to the container's "plumbing" system. Another common solution is to provide relatively highly angled (steep) sided hoppers at the bottom of the vessel, once again however simple geometry dictates that this solution reduces the cargo capacity of the container.
It would be greatly desirable to provide a method of gravity feed of the contents of a bulk cargo container and yet achieve good flow, without overly compromising cargo capacity, and while allowing the additional use of the various devices listed above if desired.

Intermodal bulk dry particulate cargo container and method

Abstract: The present invention teaches that an intermodal dry bulk freight container may be loaded in either the customary horizontal orientation of such devices, or in a vertical orientation in which one end is opened and elevated. In particular, however, such a container may advantageously be emptied by elevating it into the vertical orientation. The method of the invention is thus to provide only a single hopper and yet allow one hopper to empty the entire container, as well as providing a more efficient gravity feed of bulk cargo as it is off loaded.

Abstract: The present invention furthermore teaches an intermodal dry bulk freight container suitable for this method of operation. In the presently preferred embodiment, the container is loaded conventionally via hatches on the top of the container when it is in a horizontal orientation, but is unloaded via a single hopper located at the lower end when the container is raised into the vertical orientation.


A pressure sensor assembly for measuring the pressure between a windshield and a windshield wiper. The pressure sensor assembly includes a support structure, a strain gage and a bearing member. The support structure supports the wiper spaced apart from the windshield. The strain gage is coupled to the support structure for providing pressure measurement data corresponding to the amount of strain in the support wall due to the pressure applied by the wiper toward the windshield. The bearing member is fixedly secured to the support structure to minimize friction between the pressure sensor assembly and the windshield.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sensing device for sensing pressure between a windshield wiper and a windshield. More particularly, the invention relates to a sensing device that can measure pressure between the wiper and windshield under both static and dynamic conditions.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the development of windshield wiper designs, it is desirable to test the performance of a wiper by determining the pressure applied by the wiper on a windshield. Thus, it remains desirable to provide a sensor design that facilitates a measurement of pressure between the wiper and the windshield. It is also desirable to provide a sensor that allows the measurement of pressure between the wiper and the windshield under both a static condition, wherein the wiper is held in one position on the windshield, and a dynamic condition, wherein the wiper moves along the windshield.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


This invention is directed to a vaccine and a method for using the vaccine to protect a feline from influenza virus infection. The vaccine comprises one or more antigens from one or more H3, N8, H7 or N7-type influenza viruses.

Respiratory infections in animals, characterized by coughing or other symptoms, have been recognized for a long time. Such infections may be particularly common when non-vaccinated animals are housed in high-density circumstances. They are known to be caused by, for example, herpesvirus, calicivirus or influenza viruses, with and without other organisms that can affect or complicate such respiratory infections. Such conditions generally have not been directly mortal, although they can lead to more severe infections and death.
Influenza viruses known to infect one family of animals are not typically capable of infecting other families of animals. However, a respiratory disease has recently been observed infecting racing greyhounds, which resulted in the death of a number of dogs. In January of 2004, Dr. Cynda Crawford reportedly began investigating greyhound deaths at a racetrack in Jacksonville, Fla., where 24 greyhounds contracted the disease and 8 died. Dr. Crawford reported that the dogs, having no natural immunity to the virus, were all infected if they were exposed to the virus, and 80% of the infected dogs developed symptoms. She also reported the virus to be an H3N8 flu, which is closely related to an equine flu strain. See New York Times.com, Sep. 22, 2005. See also, Crawford, P. C., et al., "Transmission of Equine Influenza Virus to Dogs," Science, 310, pp. 482-85 (Oct. 21, 2005).
U.S. Patent Application No. 60/673,443, filed Apr. 21, 2005 and Ser. No. 11/409,416, filed Apr. 21, 2006, and international patent application no. PCT/US2006/015090, filed Apr. 21, 2006 (published as WO06/116082), (all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety) also describe Dr. Crawford's work with equine influenza viruses that infect canines. U.S. Patent Application No. 60/779,080, filed Mar. 3, 2006 (and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) describes the use of equine influenza viruses as vaccines against influenza in canines.
There is a need for vaccines and methods for protecting any given species of animal from influenza viruses that can infect other species of animals. The following disclosure describes vaccines and methods that are generally suitable for addressing this need.

Feline influenza vaccine and method of use


A detector system that can analyze multiple samples with a single detector. The detector may contain a portal with a first opening and a second opening. A first sample is obtained from the first opening and a second sample is obtained from the second opening. The openings are coupled to a single detector that can analyze both samples.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of detection apparatus used to screen individuals for the presence of explosives and other chemical entities.
2. Background Information
The growing concern over security in public venues has led to development of new technologies capable of rapidly detecting the presence of illicit and hazardous materials. One of the lead organizations in this effort is the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), who is responsible for ensuring safety of air travel and has invested significantly in developing technologies to combat the potential for attacks by explosive devices.
Two types of detectors are used for screening baggage and people. Explosive detection systems (EDSs) detect bulk explosives hidden in checked baggage and frequently operate using dual x-ray tomography. Explosives trace detectors (ETDs) detect vapor or particles of explosives that are contaminated on people and the surface of baggage. ETDs are also used to resolve alarms from EDSs. Currently ETDs are used on a selective basis to screen for personal items and carry-on bags, but not for directly screening individuals. The lack of a capability to screen for explosives hidden on an individual is arguably the greatest vulnerability in aviation security. Though most of the attention for explosives threat detection is focused on aviation security, in fact security is an issue for many venues including other types of transportation, buildings, ports, stadiums, military base and field operations, and in general any high traffic environment.
Several portal concepts using ETDs have been developed and tested. The most promising are based on non-intrusive (non-contact) removal of particles from clothing, followed by high-flow collection of the particles on the surface of a mesh or substrate, and then thermal desorption into an ETD. For examples Linker et al. disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,268 a portal device that uses air jets to dislodge particles from a person and a downward flow of air to entrain and carry the particles to a concentrator device. Another portal method was disclosed by Settles in U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,499, which involves a passive method of particle collection relying on the upward flow of air around people due to thermal conductivity in what is called the human thermal plume (HTP). Jenkins et al disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,572 a similar method that uses air jets to assist the upward flow of the HTP. Each of these portal methods involves a flow of particle and vapor laden air and uses a concentration device that removes the target particles and vapor from the large volume of air by collecting them onto a mesh or substrate. The target particles and vapor are then thermally desorbed and mixed with a low volume flow of gas that leads to a chemical analyzer. Another portal method was disclosed by Bromberg et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,314 and, which unlike the above non-contact portals, uses samplings tubes that make contact with individuals to efficiently collect particles and vapor.
A two-stage concentrator for vapor/particle detection was disclosed by Linker and Brusseau in U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,545. Their device enables concentrating particles from a high-volume gas flow to a sufficiently low-volume gas flow to be coupled efficiently to a detector. The first stage of the concentrator contains a metal mesh for collecting particles and vapor that are entrained in the high-volume gas flow. The desorbed vapors from the first-stage concentrator are collected on the second-stage concentrator and provided to the detectors with a low-volume gas flow.
The chemical detectors used in all of the portals mentioned above use some form of ETDs including ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), mass spectrometry (MS), and gas chromatography/chemiluminescence (GC/CL) detectors.
An important characteristic of a personnel screening portal is that it operate sufficiently fast so as not to significantly impede the flow of people going through it. Current portals operate with a sampling interval of about 10-15 s from one person to another. This is much longer than the interval of about 4-6 s for which standard metal detectors are capable. Methods to improve the sampling interval of a vapor/particle detecting portal are highly desirable.
Another important characteristic of a portal is that it have reasonable upfront and recurring costs per unit. Given the large number of passenger lanes in U.S. and international airports (about 3000 each) and limited available budgets, inevitable compromises are made with regard to cost and the number of units that can be deployed. Solutions that reduce the cost per passenger screened would allow greater distribution of deployed screening portals.


A side roller moves up and down and a substrate transport device including the same prevents a substrate from being broken due to a foreign material decreasing wear of the side roller by transportation of the substrate. The side roller improves a yield of a transportation process.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a side roller and a substrate transport device including the same.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Substrate transport devices are devices that transport substrates such as a wafer for manufacturing a semiconductor, or a glass substrate for manufacturing a flat panel display. The device for transporting the glass substrate for manufacturing a flat panel display includes a substrate side supporting member that supports the side of the substrate at the time of transporting the substrate.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Side roller and substrate transport device including the same


A control channel transmission/reception method and an apparatus for transmitting/receiving control channels using a resource allocation scheme applicable regardless of reference signal transmission or whether the reference signal is transmitted in distributed transmission mode or localized transmission mode are provided. The control channel transmission method includes mapping a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) to Resource Elements (REs) of a Resource Block (RB) for transmitting a control channel, mapping the control channel to the REs numbered with numbers of predetermined number of Resource Element Groups (REGs) in a frequency-first ascending order cyclically, with the exception of the REs to which the DMRS is mapped, and transmitting the DMRS and the control channel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control channel transmission/reception method and apparatus of a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving control channels using a resource allocation scheme that is applicable regardless of reference signal transmission or whether the reference signal is transmitted in a distributed transmission mode or a localized transmission mode.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, the control channels include a User Equipment (UE) control channel and a relay control channel. The UE control channel is a control channel using a Common Reference Signal (CRS) which is transmitted as segmented in the time domain and distributed across the entire band. A control channel (e.g., a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH)) is mapped to a plurality of Control Channel Elements (CCEs), and a CCE comprises a plurality of Resource Element Groups (REGs). The control channels are interleaved in unit of REG and multiplexed across the entire band.
The relay control channel is the control channel transmitted on a specific frequency band (e.g., a Physical Resource Block (PRB)), and supports both the CRS-based transmission scheme and a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS)-based transmission scheme. Similar to PDCCH transmission, the control channel multiplexing supports both the REG-based distributed transmission and a PRB-based localized transmission with the notification to the relay through higher layer signaling.
In contrast to the localized transmission which is performed using both the CRS-based transmission scheme and the DMRS-based transmission scheme, the distributed transmission is performed only in distributed transmission mode. In contrast to the CRS-based transmission in which the relay performs channel estimation and channel feedback based on CRS, the DMRS-based transmission is performed in such a way that the channel estimation is performed based on DMRS while channel feedback is performed based on the CSI-RS.
Accordingly, when the CSI-RS is transmitted in the localized transmission mode, the resource amount for control channel in a PRB reduces as much as the CSI-RS. In the distributed transmission mode, because no CSI-RS is transmitted, the control channel is transmitted on the REGs at predetermined positions of a plurality of PRBs.
The Enhanced PDCCH (E-PDCCH) is the channel designed for transmitting the control channel at a specific frequency region as the relay control channel and transmitted only with DMRS in any of the distributed and localized transmission modes. Because E-PDCCH supports the DMRS-based distributed transmission unlike the relay control channel, E-PDCCH is always required to transmit CSI-Reference Signal (RS) for E-PDCCH. Accordingly, when CSI-RS exists in a PRB, the available resource of the PRB varies depending on whether the transmission is performed in the distributed transmission mode or the localized transmission mode.
Therefore, a need exists for a resource allocation method for control channel transmission in both the distributed transmission mode and the localized transmission mode.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving control channel in wireless communication system


A power conversion apparatus is equipped with grommets each of which hermetically seals between one of a coolant inlet tube and a coolant outlet tube of a cooler. Each of the grommets has a sealing protrusion and is fit in a cut-out formed in an end of a side wall of a casing with the sealing protrusion pressed against an inner wall of the cut-out. The installation of each of the grommets is achieved by inserting the grommet through the cut-out in a direction from outside to inside the casing so that a portion of the grommet protrudes from the wall into the casing. The visual perception of such protrusion made by an assembly worker, therefore, enables the assembly worker to determine whether the grommet has been installed in place in the cut-out to establish a desired hermetical seal or not.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a power conversion apparatus equipped with electronic components such as semiconductor modules, and more particularly to such a power conversion apparatus equipped with a grommet inserted into a wall of a casing to establish a hermetic seal.
2. Background Art
Usually, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles are equipped with a power conversion apparatus such as an inverter or a DC-DC converter.
The power conversion apparatus is known which is equipped with electronic components such as semiconductor modules which make up a power converter circuit, a cooler which works to cool the electronic components, and a casing in which the electronic components and the cooler are disposed.
The cooler includes a coolant inlet pipe and a coolant outlet pipe. The casing has formed therein cut-out portions through which the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe pass. Elastic grommets are fit in the cut-out portions to hermetically seal air gaps between the coolant inlet pipe and the casing and between the coolant outlet pipe and the casing for avoiding the entry of water into the casing.
Japanese Patent First Publication No. 2011-86761, assigned to the same assignee as that of this application, discloses the above type of power conversion apparatus equipped with a casing and grommets with protrusions on outer peripheries thereof. Specifically, each of the protrusions is in the shape of an annular ring extending on the entire circumference of a corresponding one of the grommets. Each of the grommets is disposed in one of cut-out portions of the casing with the protrusions pressed against an inner surface of the cut-out portion of the casing, thereby hermetically sealing between a corresponding one of the coolant inlet pipe and the coolant outlet pipe and the casing.
The installation of the grommets in the casing is achieved by putting the grommets in the cut-out portions of the casing from openings of the cut-out portions. If each of the grommets is viewed from the opening of the cut-out portion, it is impossible to visually perceive the whole of the protrusions of the grommet, in other words, it is difficult to check whether the protrusions of the grommet are correctly pressed in contact with the inner wall of the cut-out portion to establish a desired hermetic seal therebetween.

Power conversion apparatus with grommet inserted into casing


A detector module is for CT and/or PET and/or SPECT examinations, and includes a number of measuring channels. Each measuring channel includes a direct converter for directly converting incident measuring radiation into analog electric signals, a pulse generator connected to the direct converter, for generating counting pulses as a function of the received electric signals, and a counting device that counts the received counting pulses over a prescribable time period and outputs the result. Arranged between the counting device and the pulse generator is an externally drivable changeover unit that can be used to switch over between the counting device and an event detector that registers and outputs for each received counting pulse the time and the associated measuring channel or an item of location information assigned to this measuring channel. The present detector module is of simple design.

Examinations are carried out with the aid of computed tomographs in many problem areas in medicine. In this case, the computed tomograph includes an X-ray source and a detector module, opposite the X-ray source, with a number of measuring channels that are formed by individual detector elements. For the purpose of spatially resolved detection of the X-radiation, the detector elements are generally arranged next to one another in one or more rows. Findings relating to the distribution of material within the object to be examined can be obtained from the spatially resolved measurement of the attenuation of the X-radiation by the object to be examined located between the X-ray source and detector module.
Known on the one hand, for detecting X-radiation are detectors having indirect converters that are assembled from a scintillator material with a downstream photodetector. The scintillator converts the incident X-radiation into optical radiation that is subsequently detected by the photodetector. The number of photons produced per X-ray quantum is generally approximately proportional to its quantum energy in this case. This technique uses integration over the electric signal received by the photodetector over a prescribed time interval. The intensity of the received X-radiation is then yielded by dividing the value integrated by the detector by the mean quantum energy, to be determined stochastically, per X-ray quantum.
Also known for detecting X-radiation are specific semiconductor materials in which the incident X-radiation generates charge carriers directly. The number of the charge carriers generated in these direct converters per X-ray quantum is generally approximately proportional to its quantum energy in this case.
A counting method is also known for computed tomographs instead of integration over the analog electric signal received by the converter. Thus, DE 102 12 638 A1 exhibits a detector module for a computed tomograph that has a number of detectors or measuring channels which detect the X-radiation on the basis of direct converters. Each converter is connected to a pulse generator for generating counting pulses as a function of the received electric signals. The pulse generator relays the pulses to a counting device that counts the received counting pulses over a prescribable time period and outputs the result.
In this configuration, the electronics of the detectors have substantially fewer analog parts than the electronics of conventional detectors. The electronics provided can therefore be smaller, more cost-effective and more noise-immune. The detector module represented in this printed publication further includes a threshold logic unit composed of a number of parallel-connected comparators as part of the pulse generator, each of the comparators being assigned a counter in the counting device in order to be able to count X-ray quanta of different energy independently of one another. The detection of the incident X-radiation is enabled in this way with regard both to intensity and to the quantum energy of the individual X-ray quanta.
In addition to computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET) has also become increasingly widespread in medical diagnostics of recent years. Whereas computed tomography is concerned with an anatomical imaging technique, PET permits, for example, the visualization and quantification of metabolic activities in vivo.
Positron emission tomography utilizes the particular properties of positron radiators and positron annihilation for the purpose of quantitative determination of the functioning of organs or cell zones. The patient is administered appropriate positron radiators in this case before the examination. During decay of a positron radiator, a proton is converted into a positron, a neutron and a neutrino. However, the positron is not directly detected, since its range is limited to a few mm. In the patient's tissue, the positron is braked by scattering processes at the shells of neighboring atoms and is captured by a shell electron.
Annihilation produces two gamma quanta that fly apart in opposite directions. The energy of the two gamma quanta is 511 keV in each case on the basis of the law of conservation of energy and impulse. If the gamma quanta of two opposite detector elements is measured within a specific time, the location of the annihilation is established at a position on the connecting line between these two detector elements. This is utilized for generating images in PET.
A combined measurement using both CT and PET techniques is desired in many instances on the basis of the different information the two techniques return. Thus, for example, the article by T. Beyer et al., entitled PET/CT-Tomographie mit neuem PET-Detektormaterial für ultraschnelle Bildgebung in der klinischen Onkologie [PET/CT tomography with the aid of new PET detector material for ultrafast imaging in clinical oncology], electromedia 70 (2002), pages 167–172 discloses a combined PET/CT tomograph which can be used to produce complementary PET and CT images in a short time in a single examination. The detector modules for computed tomography and for positron emission tomography are mounted in the same installation in this case such that images produced with the aid of the two techniques can be registered exactly and without any problem. US 2003/0004405 A1 also discloses a combined PET and X-ray CT tomograph that can be used to take CT and PET pictures of an object to be examined directly one after another. The two detector modules, the detector module for CT and the detector module for PET, are mounted in this case on a common support inside the gantry.
The two abovementioned printed publications indicate that so far CT detectors and PET detectors have been implemented using different technologies. The detector modules for CT systems are generally based on integrating detectors, for example having GdOS or CdWO scintillators. By contrast, PET systems operate with counting scintillator detectors based on BGO and LSO.
At first glance, the measuring requirements differ greatly between the systems. Computed tomography must process very large quantum currents, the time resolution being in the region of from 200 μs to 600 μs in this case. By contrast, PET makes use of a coincidence measurement. This requires a high time resolution which is, for example, approximately 300 ns given the use of BGO and approximately 30–50 ns given the use of LSO, while the quantum fluxes are smaller by orders of magnitude than in the case of computed tomography. Instead of an X-ray tube, a positron emission tomograph makes use in the body of the patient of the decaying radionuclides at functional key groups, for example at tumor cells, as radiation source.
As already explained, upon decay of the nuclides, two gamma quanta are emitted in opposite directions. In the case of PET the detector module must generally cover the greater part of the gantry arc length for the purpose of detection. It is subdivided into detector elements having a side length of a few mm. Each detector element, also designated as a measuring channel in the present patent application, generates upon detection of a gamma quantum an event record that specifies the time and the detection location, that is to say the corresponding detector element.
These information items are transmitted to a fast logic unit and compared. If two events coincidence within a maximum time period, it is assumed that there is a gamma decay process on the connecting line between the two associated detector elements. As in the case of CT, the PET image is then reconstructed using a tomography algorithm, that is to say the so called back projection.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,331 B1 describes a combined PET and CT detector module that is mounted on a support inside the gantry of a combined PET and CT installation. The individual detector elements of the detector module respectively include a scintillator crystal with a downstream photodetector. LSO is used as scintillator material, in the way known from positron emission tomographs.
The photodetector is connected, on the one hand, to an event detector that registers all the reception events, and, on the other hand, to an integration unit that integrates over the received signal. The detector module operates in three operating modes.
In a first operating mode as PET detector, it outputs an item of information relating to the time and the location of a reception event via the event detector. In a second operating mode, the detector module operates as a standard CT detector in the case of which the signal received by the photodetector is integrated with the aid of the integration unit. In a third operating mode, individual events are counted in the CT operation in order to obtain a CT image therefrom.
In the course of the dead times of the indirect converter (scintillator crystal and photodetector), this third operating mode can be used only given very small quantum fluxes of the X-radiation, and so it is generally necessary to switch over to this second operating mode in the integration unit given the quantum fluxes customary for CT. The implementation of such a detector module remains, however, complicated since, in addition to the event detector there is also a need for the integration unit for CT measurements.

Detector module for CT and/or PET and/or SPECT tomography


An image processing system includes a plurality of document holders for supporting original documents and having identification data, a setup apparatus for determining setup conditions relating to the original documents, and an image processing apparatus for processing an original image on determined setup conditions. The setup apparatus and image processing apparatus are interconnected through a communication line for transferring the setup conditions determined by the setup apparatus to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus selects the setup conditions corresponding to the identification data, from the setup conditions transferred from the setup apparatus.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image processing system and image processing method for processing images on setup conditions, the system including an image processing apparatus such as a prepress scanner, and a setup apparatus or apparatuses for setting the setup conditions.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In scanning and reading an original document with an image processing apparatus such as a prepress scanner, setup conditions regarding significant parts of the original, e.g. highlight points, shadow points and tone curves, are set in advance in order to reproduce the original image in a desired state.
However, the original cannot be scanned to read information therefrom during an operation to set the setup conditions to the image processing apparatus. This results in a low operation rate of the image processing apparatus, impairing efficiency of image processing.
In order to improve the operation rate of the image processing apparatus, a setup apparatus has been developed for determining setup conditions in a separate process. The setup conditions determined with this type of apparatus are manually written on a special sheet of tables categorically listing the setup conditions, printed on computer printout paper, or stored in a magnetic storage such as a magnetic disk. The setup conditions recorded in this way are taken along with the original to the image processing apparatus. Then, the setup conditions are set to the image processing apparatus by manually operating a dial or keys of the image processing apparatus or by causing the image processing apparatus to read data from the magnetic storage, which is followed by scanning of the original.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Publication Laying-Open No. 1987-243477 discloses a scanner which reads identification data from a document holder, reads setup data corresponding to the identification data from a magnetic disk, and carries out image processing.
The setup apparatus has heretofore been used in the above mode, in which the setup conditions determined are recorded on paper or a magnetic storage such as a magnetic disk, and handled with the original as a set. However, this use mode involves the trouble of ensuring that the setup conditions and original are always kept together such as by filing them in a single vinyl case. Moreover, the conventional practice is inefficient in that, since the setup conditions are transferred to the scanner by means of a data recording medium in an "off-line" connection, time is lost in recording the conditions on the special sheet or changing the media.
Further, when two or more setup apparatuses are used in combination with an image processing apparatus and data are transferred off-line therebetween, a plurality of magnetic disks are used to store setup conditions and this requires an irksome operation to change the disks.

Image processing system and image processing method


A memory access circuit is provided. The memory access circuit includes a latch circuit, a feedback reset circuit, and a gate latch circuit. The latch circuit receives a high level input signal and outputs a first signal. The feedback reset circuit generates a second signal and a reset signal according to the first signal. The gate latch circuit generates a pre-charge signal and an enable signal according to the first signal and the second signal. The memory is accessed according to the pre-charging signal and the enable signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to memories, and more particularly to memory access circuits.
2. Description of the Related Art
When an external circuit reads data stored in a specific memory cell, a bit line corresponding to the specific memory cell must first be charged to a high level. A word line corresponding to the specific memory cell is then enabled according to an address of the specific memory cell, and data stored in the specific memory cell is then loaded to the bit line. An output circuit then latches onto the data on the bit line and outputs the data to the external circuit. Thus, allowing the external circuit to obtain the data stored in the specific memory cell.
Meanwhile, because bit lines of the memory must be charged in advance (referred to as pre-charging), a pre-charge signal PRE is required to trigger the charge. In addition, because word lines of the memory must be enabled to select specific memory cells from the memory, an enable signal EN is required to trigger the selection. Pre-charging of the bit lines must be earlier than selecting of the word lines to ensure that voltages of the bit lines are raised to a target level before data is output from specific memory cells to the bit lines. FIG. 1 shows an ideal relationship between a pre-charging signal PRE and an enable signal EN. The rising time, T1, of the pre-charging signal T1 must be earlier than the rising time, T2, of the enable signal EN. In addition, the falling time, T3, of the pre-charge signal PRE must be later than the falling time, T4, of the enable signal EN. In other words, the duration D1 should cover the duration D2 to prevent memory access in error.


A system for determining a heading of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a magnetometer configured to generate a magnetic heading output signal, and one or more rate gyros configured to generate a gyro angular rate output signal. The system may further include a controller configured to determine a magnetometer heading rate based on the magnetic heading output signal and a gyro heading rate based on the gyro angular rate output signal. The controller may calculate a difference value between the magnetometer heading rate and the gyro heading rate. If the difference value is above a difference threshold value, the controller may calculate an integration value between the magnetometer heading rate and the gyro heading rate, report a positive magnetometer error state if the integration value is above an integration threshold value, and report a negative magnetometer error state if the integration value is below the integration threshold value.

Vehicle navigation systems often calculate the heading of the vehicle based on a number of heading readings, including magnetic headings determined by a magnetometer, and heading rates determined by rate gyros. Calculating a heading of the vehicle based on data received from multiple sources (e.g., magnetometers, rate gyros, gyrocompasses, and the like) may improve the accuracy and reliability of a navigation system. However, exterior or induced magnetic fields may cause magnetometers to exhibit a certain degree of error. Accordingly, magnetometers are sensitive to disturbances from objects which may affect magnetic fields, such as rebar in a runway and other ferrous objects. These magnetometer disturbances and heading errors may be problematic to aircraft in a landing phase of a flight, especially during decrab and roll-out landing procedures. These problems are magnified in the case of autonomous vehicles. During these landing phases, heading accuracy is extremely important to prevent side load on the landing gear, and to maintain the runway centerline during roll-out. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system and method that cure one or more of the issues identified above.

System and method for magnetometer monitoring


An exercise apparatus comprised of a base, a plurality of walls, and a user area, said user area being comprised of a sitting portion and a bending portion, wherein said bending portion is above the sitting portion when a user is seated on said sitting portion, wherein said base is formed by said walls; and wherein said walls, sitting portion, and bending portion to an opening.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to exercise equipment and more particularly exercise equipment for use in Pilates related movements and exercises.
2. General Background
Physical exercise is beneficial to human health in many ways. Improved circulation, increased immunity, greater physical strength, endurance, as well as sharpened mental alertness are just a few of the many health benefits of exercise. Resistance and flexibility training exercises help develop muscle tone while providing other valuable health benefits.
In the early part of the last century, an effective, low impact form of exercise was developed. This "new" exercise system introduced by Joseph Pilates drew upon yoga and ancient exercise techniques. The system, known today by many as the "Pilates" method, incorporates spring tensions and an emphasis on precise, smooth, flowing movements, and total body conditioning achieved through proper body alignment, concentration, and breathing. Although Mr. Pilates originally developed the system to rehabilitate bedridden soldiers, the method is used by many persons today, including expectant mothers, as a primary exercise technique as well as to rehabilitate.
3. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous devices have been developed to allow users to perform individual flexibility and resistance training. Some devices have been developed that allow the user to perform resistance exercises while standing on a flat base. Other devices allow training from a horizontal or prone position. Still other devices allow flexibility training from a seated position by use of a convex barrel device. While convex barrels offer the user an increased number of exercises and help develop increased flexibility, the devices currently available fail to provide the necessary stability for performing these exercises for many populations and fail to maintain the user in the proper exercise position. What is advantageous and necessary is a safe, lightweight, Pilates Barrel Exercise device that will remain stable during a variety of exercises and will help maintain the user's body in the proper position.
The exercise equipment of the present invention is a two-part mainframe comprised of parts that may rest on top of the other on a suitable surface or joined to each other by a coupling device, or nested when stored.
In one embodiment, the first of the two parts, the main body, is comprised of a short sitting ledge coupled to an arched or convex shaped back. The second of the two parts, the rocking portion, is a base capable of nesting inside the first part while not in use, and is further comprised of non-skid ribbing. This rocking portion may be turned over so as to be in a boat hull shaped position. In this position, the user may perform "rocking" movements and exercises. In the preferred embodiment, the main body and rocking portion are very strong and capable of being safely used by persons of various heights and different body weights. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the main body and rocking portion are constructed so as to provide significant wall strength that will withstand repeated use. Therefore, the present invention will accommodate different body sizes. Since this exercise equipment is expected to be used by adults of various weights and heights, adaptation through additional larger parts is unnecessary. It is believed that the equipment will be made available in only two sizes, so that the equipment may be manufactured as cost-efficiently as possible. Therefore, the shape and design of the equipment, provides stability, ease of use, and great sales potential.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprised of a base and a rocking portion, said base being comprised of a plurality of walls, and a user area, said user area being comprised of a sitting portion and a bending portion, wherein said bending portion is above the sitting portion when a user is seated on said sitting portion, wherein said base is formed by said walls; and wherein said walls, sitting portion, and bending portion form an opening.


A new technique for generating mixtures of oligonucleotides in a single automated synthesis is taught. The method can be used to prepare mixed oligonucleotides ideally suited for creation of useful mixtures of oligo- or polypeptides or proteins. Additionally, the technique enables insertion and/or substitution and/or deletion of a nucleotide sequence at one or more sites. For protein mutagenesis, a trinucleotide can be inserted or substituted at codon boundaries. The invented technique makes possible the encoding of all possible single amino acid insertions, or any desired mixture of substitutions and insertions.

Methods of preparing DNA of mixed composition are becoming increasingly important in the study of biomolecular function as well as in the search for substances with new and useful properties. As DNA synthesis technology improved in the early 1980's, it became feasible to perform multiple syntheses as a means of generating mixtures of oligonucleotides. In principle, large and diverse collections could be made in multiple syntheses. In practice, several investigators realized that large numbers of oligonucleotides could be generated in a single synthesis by coupling mixtures of mononucleotides, instead of unique monomer building blocks. The complexity of the resulting collection or "library" of oligonucleotides is determined by the number of monomers coupled, and the number of sites at which mixtures of monomers are introduced.
Oligonucleotides of mixed composition are increasingly being used in protein mutagenesis for the study of structure and function. By expressing DNA sequences of mixed composition, a corresponding library of mutant proteins is generated. Allied with appropriate screening techniques, such libraries can be searched for substances with altered properties, and are therefore useful in the study of biomolecular function. The most general class of mutagenesis methods employs oligonucleotides based on the sequence of the wild-type gene, and incorporating modifications that will eventually give rise to any desired amino acid sequence changes. These methods were recently reviewed in the August 1991 issue of Current Opinion in Structural Biology.
Virtually all genetic studies of protein structure and activity employ substitution mutations: one or several amino acid side chains are replaced, but the length of the protein and the spacing of residues are conserved. In order to facilitate the generation of large numbers of substitution mutations in a single experiment, a number of prior art techniques have been developed (for review, see Botstein, D. & Shortle, D. (1985) Science 229, 1193-1201 and Zoller, M. J. (1991) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 1, 605-610), the most popular of which involve the chemical synthesis of complex mixtures of oligonucleotides which are used either as mutagenic primers for DNA synthesis (see Hermes, J. D., Parekh, S. M., Blacklow, S. C., Koster, H., & Knowles, J. R. (1989) Gene 84, 143-151) or as mutagenic duplex fragments for ligation to restriction fragments (see Matteucci, M. D. & Heynecker, H. L. (1983) Nucl. Acids Res. 11, 3113-3121). To generate the required single amino acid substitutions, each monomer used for oligonucleotide synthesis is "doped" with small amounts of the three non-wild type mononucleotides. In principle, this method can provide every possible nucleotide substitution in a gene segment in a single experiment. Since the distribution of nucleotide substitutions will follow Poisson statistics, two mononucleotide replacements in the same codon will be relatively rare at levels of doping that give one or just a few amino acid substitutions per mutant gene. Consequently, for practical purposes, this strategy for generating mixtures of mutagenic oligonucleotides can be expected to yield only one third of all possible amino acid substitutions, with the types of amino acid substitutions induced at a particular position being determined by the sequence of the wild-type codon. It should also be noted that prior art monomer doping of oligonucleotides cannot be used to induce other types of changes in DNA sequence, such as insertions or deletions.
A related application of mixed DNA synthesis uses vast collections of diverse oligonucleotides in processes directed at discovering substances with new and useful properties. Libraries of peptides (Cwirla, S. E., Peters, E. A., Barrett, R. W., & Dower, W. J. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87, 6378-6382), RNA (Tsai, D., Kenan, D., & Keene, J. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 89, 8864-8868) and DNA (Bock, L., Griffin, L., Latham, J., Vermaas, E., & Toole, J. (1992) Nature 355, 564-566), all of which were generated from collections of oligonucleotides prepared by mixed monomer synthesis, have been screened to locate molecules which bind to particular target substances. In this approach, the utility of peptide libraries is critically dependent on the way in which the oligonucleotide mixture is generated. This arises because of the degeneracy of the genetic code: amino acids are not represented by equal numbers of trinucleotide codons, some amino acids being encoded by only one codon, some by as many as six. Therefore, although oligonucleotides prepared from equal mixtures of all four monomers may contain each of the 64 trinucleotides, the encoded amino acids are represented unevenly, and "stop" codons are unavoidably generated. As a result, amino acids which are encoded by the largest number of codons are over-represented at the expense of those encoded by only one or two codons. By way of example, if a particular type of mutation is desired (for example substitution of only hydrophobic amino acids), the resulting library will contain a high proportion of undesired species. This drawback is particularly critical as the number of positions at which substitutions are made increases.
In an attempt to improve the efficiency of synthesizing mixed DNA sequences for preparation of peptide and protein libraries, schemes have been introduced in which monomers are mixed in a rational manner. For example, Youvan has calculated optimal mixtures of monomers for specifying particular subsets of amino acids (Arkin, A. P., & Youvan, D. C. (1992) Bio/Technology, 10, 297-300). Use of these mixtures increases the proportion of desired amino acids in a peptide or protein library. It does not, however, preclude generating undesired substitutions arising from particular combinations of monomers. Even with this method, the desired substitutions are usually a fraction of those introduced at each site. Consequently, as the number of sites altered increases, the proportion of desired mutants in the library decreases.
In recognition of the problems associated with the use of mixtures of monomers, Huse has described a method (disclosed in WO 92103461) in which DNA synthesis is performed so as to emulate multiple syntheses. This is achieved by carrying out the synthesis on multiple solid supports which can be mixed and re-divided when necessary. In this way, diverse mixtures of oligonucleotides can be made using monomers, and the problems associated with the degeneracy of the genetic code avoided. The method has two disadvantages: (i) for each synthesis, labour intensive dividing and re-mixing of support material is required, and (ii) the total number of different sequences which can be synthesized is limited by the number of physically separable supports used in the synthesis, which is typically of the order of 108.
In summary, existing methods of synthesis of multiple DNA sequences suffer several disadvantages:
1. Although every possible nucleotide substitution can be generated using oligonucleotides doped with mixed monomers, contiguous two and three mononucleotide substitutions are extremely uncommon. This is disadvantageous with regard to protein mutagenesis since each amino acid in a protein is specified by three contiguous nucleotides, and this strategy can efficiently generate only approximately one third of all possible amino acid substitutions for each wild-type amino acid in a single synthesis.
2. No strategy involving the synthesis of mixtures of oligonucleotides, as taught by the prior art, allows for the generation of mutant proteins with insertions of one or more codons at more than a single site in the synthesized oligonucleotide.
3. The degeneracy of the genetic code means that any mixture of mononucleotides used in mixed DNA synthesis unavoidably gives oligonucleotides containing undesired codons or does not provide all desired codons. This problem becomes critical as the number of positions at which mixtures are introduced increases.
4. Methods which simulate multiple syntheses are labour intensive, and the diversity of sequences which can be generated is limited by the number of physically separable supports used.
The present invention provides solutions to these problems and enables the preparation of mixed oligonucleotides with a multitude of applications in modern molecular biology. For example, mixed oligonucleotides prepared according to the present invention can be used to generate genes encoding peptide and/or protein libraries. Additionally, trinucleotides are useful in preparing degenerate primers for the polymerase chain reaction. The invention is particularly useful for protein mutagenesis; single-stranded mutagenesis primers and double-stranded "cassettes" encoding any combination of amino acids can be readily prepared by applying the method disclosed herein. The present invention also enables substitution, insertion, and deletion mutagenesis.
The method relies on the use of pre-synthesized oligonucleotides and additionally, specially protected mono- and oligonucleotides, which are compatible with the most efficient methods of DNA synthesis. Trinucleotide building blocks have been used previously in DNA synthesis (see, for example, Hirose, T., Crea, R., & Itakura, K. (1978) Tet. Lett., 2449-2452; Miyoshi, K., Miyake, T., Hozumi, T., & Itakura, K. (1980) Nucl. Acids Res., 8, 5473-5489) when stepwise coupling yields were low and it was more desirable to incorporate the largest possible oligonucleotide blocks at each step. This earlier work differs from the present invention as (i) it relied on inefficient and outdated phosphodiester chemistry and would therefore not allow multiple couplings, (ii) it was not directed at generating diverse and useful collections of mixed oligonucleotides, and (iii) it did not enable insertion and deletion mutagenesis.

Synthesis of diverse and useful collections of oligonucleotidies


A data processing device and method are provided. The data processing device includes a code storage unit storing an original code to be translated into a machine language code, a code analyzer analyzing the original code stored in the code storage unit, a register allocator allocating a predesignated register for a command included in the original code based on the result of analysis, and a code executor executing a machine language code generated using the allocated register.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing device and method, and more particularly, to a data processing device and method capable of minimizing compiling time.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of computers, a virtual machine is a term used by Sun Microsystems, Inc., a developer of the JAVA (a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.) language and the execution environment therefor, and is software serving as an interface between a compiled JAVA binary code and a microprocessor (or a hardware platform) actually executing a command of a program. When a JAVA virtual machine is provided on a single platform, any JAVA program called a bytecode can be executed on the platform. JAVA is designed to allow application programs to be executed on any platform without having to be reconstructed or compiled in conformity with the platform.
JAVA programming languages have proliferated rapidly since they were published in the middle of 1990's but were disadvantageous in that their codes have a slow operating speed compared to the codes composed by other programming languages such as C or C++. In order to overcome this disadvantage, two techniques applicable to a conventional interpreter-based JAVA virtual machine have been previously proposed: one is a dynamic code generation technique such as a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler and the other is a static code generation technique such as an Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compiler.
The JAVA platform basically comprises a JAVA virtual machine and JAVA classes. Class files are composed of information associated with data structures of the classes, including field information, method information, and so on. Execution codes of a method are formed of the bytecode, independent of hardware or an operating system.
As shown in FIG. 1, such JAVA virtual machine includes a JAVA virtual machine runtime 10, an operating system layer 20, a hardware layer 30, a class loader 40, an execution engine 50 and a garbage collector 60. The virtual machine runtime manages necessary resources such as memory, threads, and networks using interface with lower layers, i.e., the operating system layer 20 and the hardware layer 30. The class loader 40 converts a class corresponding to a program module written in JAVA into a form that can be executed by the JAVA virtual machine and loads the converted class onto memory. The execution engine 50 executes an execution code of a JAVA class. The garbage collector 60 collects unnecessary memories among memories used during the execution of an application and returns them to the JAVA virtual machine runtime 10 to be reused.
On the basis of the execution engine, the conventional JAVA virtual machine can be classified into an interpreter-based JAVA virtual machine, a JIT compiler-based JAVA virtual machine, a JAVA virtual machine using the interpreter-based and JIT compiler-based JAVA virtual machines, an AOT compiler-based JAVA virtual machine, and so on.
The interpreter-based JAVA virtual machine interprets the bytecodes of the method intended for execution one by one, thereby performing an application.
The JIT compiler obtains a machine language code dependent on the current JAVA platform by compiling the bytecodes, and then executes the machine language code to conduct an application.
Although the JIT compiler provides better performance than the interpreting method, compiling time is included in application execution time since compiling is performed at a method execution time. To overcome this disadvantage, an AOT compiler performs compiling before the application execution begins because compiling time is regarded as part of the method execution time.
FIG. 2 illustrates a method of translating a bytecode into a machine language code using a compiler.
In operation S10, the compiler analyzes the bytecode and collects data needed to generate the machine language code.
Here, the data needed to generate the machine language code includes a type of command obtained by analyzing the bytecode and a use frequency of the command.
In operation S20, the compiler allocates a register for the command based on the collected data. In operation S30, the compiler generates the machine language code.
In operation S40, the machine language code is recorded in predetermined memory and then is executed.
When the compiler generating the machine language code as described above, compile performance is greatly influenced by the manner of allocating a register on which an operation is performed fastest within a processor.
In detail, local register allocation or global register allocation is performed according to a type of command. The local register allocation is performed in units of basic blocks while the global register allocation is performed in units of methods.
In other words, a register is allocated for a basic block in the local register allocation and is allocated for a method in the global register allocation.
A command for loading onto a register and a command for moving to a memory must be respectively added to the front and the back of each of the basic block and the method. Accordingly, performance is decreased with respect to a stack slot beyond a register allocation unit, i.e., the basic block or the method when the local register allocation or the global register allocation is used.
Korean Patent Publication No. 2001-0104687 discloses a hardware JAVA accelerator which implements a part of a JAVA virtual machine in hardware to accelerate system operations related with JAVA bytecodes. The disclosed hardware JAVA accelerator accelerates an operating speed but does not prevent performance from decreasing with respect to a stack slot beyond a register allocation unit, i.e., a basic block or a method during compiling.

Data processing device and method using predesignated register


Disclosed is a method of forming a copper wiring in a semiconductor device. A copper barrier metal layer and a copper seed layer are sequentially formed along the surface of an interlayer insulating film including damascene patterns. In a state that a wafer is then loaded onto an electrical plating apparatus in which a copper plating solution is filled and a negative (−) power supply is also applied to the wafer, copper is plated so that the damascene patterns are sufficiently filled, thereby forming a copper layer. Next, the copper layer is polished in the plating solution by means of the electro-polishing process by changing the negative (−) power supply to the positive (+) power supply. Due to this, the surface of the copper layer is flat over the entire wafer. Thereafter, a chemical mechanical polishing process is performed until the surface of the interlayer insulating film is exposed, thereby forming copper wirings within the damascene patterns. As such, an uneven surface of the copper layer plated by the electroplating method is etched in the plating solution, thus making flat the surface of the copper layer and thin the thickness of the copper layer. It is thus possible to prevent a dishing phenomenon or an erosion phenomenon in a subsequent chemical mechanical polishing process. Therefore, the process margin of the chemical mechanical polishing process could be increased and process characteristics could be improved.

1. Technical Field
A method of forming copper wiring in a semiconductor device is disclosed. More particularly, a method of forming copper wiring in a semiconductor device capable of preventing a dishing phenomenon or an erosion phenomenon occurring on the surface of the copper wiring when the copper wiring is formed in damascene patterns by polishing the copper layer using a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, as the semiconductor industry shifts to ultra large-scale integration (ULSI), the geometry of semiconductor devices is narrowed to a sub-half-micron scale. The circuit density is increased improve performance and reliability. Thin copper films can improve reliability of the semiconductor device since they have a higher melting point than aluminum and thus have a higher resistance to electromigration (EM). Further, thin copper films can increase the signal transfer rate due to their low resistivity. Accordingly, when forming metal wirings in semiconductor devices, thin copper films have been used as an interconnection material useful for integration circuits.
Today, available methods of burying copper include a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method, a reflow method, a chemical vapor deposition method (CVD) method, an electroplating method, an electroless-plating method, and the like. Of them, the electroplating method and the CVD method, which have good copper burial characteristics, have been preferably used.
A damascene scheme has been widely used by which a via contact hole to which a lower layer will be electrically connected and a trench where a metal wiring will be located are simultaneously formed in the process of forming the copper wirings in the semiconductor device, while using copper as the material for the metal wiring. At this time, an insulating material of a low dielectric constant is used as an interlayer insulating film on which the damascene patterns will be formed.
In order to form copper wirings in damascene patterns having a via contact hole and a trench, copper is buried within the damascene patterns by the above method. The buried copper layer is then polished by means of the CVD process, thereby isolating it from a neighboring copper wiring.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a method of forming the copper wirings in the semiconductor device using the electroplating method according to a first embodiment of the prior art will be described.
An interlayer insulating film 11 is formed on a substrate 10. A plurality of damascene patterns 12 having different densities from the interlayer insulating film 11 are then formed by means of a damascene scheme.
Next, a copper barrier metal layer 13 and a copper seed layer 14 are sequentially formed along the surface of the interlayer insulating film 11 including the plurality of the damascene patterns 12. At this time, the copper bearing metal layer 13 may be formed using one of ionized PVD TiN, CVD TiN, MOCVD TiN, ionized PVD Ta, ionized PVD TaN, CVD Ta, CVD TaN and CVD WN. Further, the copper seed layer 14 may be formed using various methods but is preferably formed using an ionized PVD method. A wafer on which the copper seed layer 14 is formed is loaded onto the electroplating apparatus in which a copper plating solution to which organic additives of two types called an accelerator and a suppressor are added is filled. With a negative (−) power supply applied to the wafer, copper is plated until the damascene patterns 12 are sufficiently filled, so that a copper layer 15 is formed.
Thereafter, the copper layer 15, the copper seed layer 14 and the copper barrier metal layer 13 are sequentially polished by means of chemical mechanical polishing process until the to surface of the interlayer insulating film 11 is exposed. Copper wirings are thus formed within the plurality of the damascene patterns 12.
In the above first embodiment, the organic additives of the two types called the accelerator and the suppressor are added to the copper plating solution in order to sufficiently fill the damascene patterns 12. During the electroplating process, a phenomenon occurring due to a reciprocal action of these additives, i.e., a "bumping phenomenon" or "sloping phenomenon" occurs at portions where the damascene patterns 12 are densely formed, as shown in FIG. 1. At this time, the thickness of the copper layer 15 at the portions where the bumping phenomenon occurs becomes unnecessarily thicker than other portions. IF the chemical mechanical polishing process is performed in this state, there is a problem that a "dishing" phenomenon or an "erosion" phenomenon may occur on the top surface of the copper wiring.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a semiconductor device for explaining a method of forming the copper wirings in the device using the electroplating method according to a second embodiment of the prior art. The purpose of the second embodiment is to propose a solution for solving the problems encountered in the first embodiment.
It should be noted that the method of forming the copper wirings according to the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment. Therefore, the same processes of the second embodiment to those of the first embodiment will not be explained but other portions different from the first embodiment will be explained.
In FIG. 2, a reference numeral '20' indicates a substrate, a reference numeral '21' indicates an interlayer insulating film, a reference numeral '22' indicates a damascene pattern, a reference numeral '23' indicates a copper barrier metal layer, a reference numeral '24' indicates a copper seed layer, and a reference numeral '25' indicates a copper layer.
In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a copper electroplating process is performed by adding a third additive called a leveler to the copper plating solution to which the organic additives of the two kinds called the accelerator and the suppressor are added. By adding the third additive called the leveler, the bumping or also sloping phenomenon occurring at the portions where the damascene patterns 22 are densely formed is less severe than in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2. Though the bumping phenomenon in the second embodiment is less severe than in the first embodiment, the portions where the damascene patterns 22 are densely formed are unnecessarily thicker than those where the damascene patterns 22 are not densely formed. This presents a problem with respect to the subsequent chemical mechanical polishing process. Further, the amount of the additives increase due to addition of another organic additive. Accordingly, there is a problem that physical characteristics such as an electrical characteristic, etc. are degraded since a problem that the organic impurity may be introduced within the copper wirings is increased.

Method of forming copper wiring in a semiconductor device