A semiconductor integrated circuit device in which connections within and between logic unit cells can be efficiently made is provided. Logic unit cells each including a plurality of basic cells are extended in an X-direction. To form one logic unit cell, second-layer wiring regions for making connections within the logic unit cell are formed in the X-direction, i.e., the extending direction. If there are five Y-coordinate channels, the second-layer wiring regions are formed only at one Y-coordinate channel. Second-layer wiring regions for connecting logic unit cells are also formed in the X-direction, and can be situated at any of the remaining four Y-coordinate channels.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to semiconductor integrated circuit devices and methods of producing the same, and, more particularly, to a wiring pattern of a wiring layer in a semiconductor integrated circuit device having aligned basic cells and logic unit cells each made up of basic cells.
In recent years, the number of gates has been increasing even further in a master-slice-type semiconductor integrated circuit device (gate array) having aligned basic cells or in a complex LSI in which basic cells do not coexist with a standard cell, a CPU core, or an analog circuit. Because of this, logic unit cells made up of basic cells are formed as many as possible in the center of such a semiconductor integrated circuit device. Such logic unit cells are connected to one another.
As the number of logic unit cells arranged in the center of a semiconductor integrated circuit device has become larger, the wiring pattern for connecting the logic unit cells has become more complicated. Because of this, the wiring operation is becoming more and more time-consuming and troublesome. Also, a large number of basic cells are often left unused, while each semiconductor integrated circuit device is becoming larger in size.
2. Description of the Related Art
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of basic cells 52 in a lattice arrangement in X and Y directions are formed in the center of a conventional semiconductor integrated circuit device 51. Each of the basic cells 52 has a rectangular shape, with its long side being xcex1 and its short side being xcex2 in FIG. 1.
Each of the basic cells 52 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a P+-type diffused region 53, an N+-type diffused region 54, and gate electrodes 55 made of polycrystalline silicon. In each of the basic cells 52, p-channel MOS transistors 56 and 57, and n-channel MOS transistors 58 and 59 are formed as shown in FIG. 3.
To form a logic unit cell such as a NAND circuit or a flip-flop, a plurality of basic cells 52 are used to retain a necessary number of transistors 56 to 59. The basic cells 52 arranged in the X-direction are connected to form a logic unit cell 61 shown in FIG. 4. Here, the X-direction is an extending direction.
To form the logic unit cell 61, connections within each basic cell 52 and between the basic cells 52 are made by first-layer wiring regions (a lower wiring layer). In a case where the first-layer wiring regions are not enough to form the logic unit cell 61, second-layer wiring regions (an upper wiring layer) 71 are used. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, such second-layer wiring regions 71 are formed in the Y-direction within each logic unit cell 61.
In a case where one logic unit cell 61 is connected to another logic unit cell 61 disposed in the Y-direction as shown in FIG. 5, second-layer wiring regions (the upper wiring layer) 76 extending in the Y-direction in each logic unit cell 61 are used. Such second-layer wiring regions 76 are employed so as to extend the logic unit cells 61 in the Y-direction.
The number of basic cells 52 included in each of the logic unit cells 61 varies from one another. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the positions of the second-layer wiring regions 71 formed in the X-direction in the lower logic unit cell 61 scarcely coincide with the positions of the second-layer wiring regions 71 formed in the X-direction in the upper logic unit cell 61. Also, the short side xcex1 of each basic cell 52 extends in the X-direction, and is too short to match the positions of the second-layer wiring regions 71 and 76 in the X-direction.
As a result, the second-layer wiring regions 71 hinder formation of the second-layer wiring regions 76 for connecting the logic unit cells 61 in the Y-direction. To avoid this, the logic unit cells 61 are shifted from each other in the X-direction, as shown in FIG. 4. However, by shifting the logic unit cells 61 from one another, idle spaces 80 are created, and the basic cells 52 existing within the idle spaces 80 are left unused. Accordingly, it is necessary to add more gates for those unused basic cells 52, resulting in a larger semiconductor integrated circuit device.
Furthermore, it is time-consuming and troublesome to design the wiring pattern in such a manner that the second-layer wiring regions 71 formed within each logic unit cell 61 do not hinder the formation of the second-layer wiring regions 76 for connecting the logic unit cells 61 in the Y-direction.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit device in which the above disadvantages are eliminated.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit device in which connections within each logic unit cell and between logic unit cells can be easily made without leaving any basic cell unused, and a method of producing such a semiconductor integrated circuit device.
The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a semiconductor integrated circuit device comprising: basic cells in a lattice arrangement, with one direction being an extending direction; logic unit cells each including the basic cells in the extending direction; and second-layer wiring regions formed in the extending direction within each of the logic unit cells, the second-layer wiring regions in the extending direction being fixed in predetermined positions.
Accordingly, the second-layer wiring regions for connecting the logic unit cells in the extending direction can be formed in positions other than the predetermined positions for the second-layer wiring regions within each of the logic unit cells. Thus, more flexibility can be allowed in forming the second-layer wiring regions for connecting the logic unit cells in the extending direction. Accordingly, idle spaces, i.e., the number of unused basic cells can be reduced, thereby achieving higher integration in the semiconductor integrated circuit device.
Also, the positions of the second-layer wiring regions for connecting the logic unit cells do not include any the predetermined positions, so as not to interfere with the second-layer wiring regions for making connections within each logic unit cell. Thus, the workability in designing the wiring pattern in the semiconductor integrated circuit device can be improved.
In the semiconductor integrated circuit device of the present invention, a plurality of second-layer wiring regions may be formed within each logic unit cell. In such a case, order of priority is set on the formation positions of the second-layer wiring regions within each logic unit cell. Accordingly, the second-layer wiring regions are formed in the order of priority. In this manner, it is easy to determine which formation positions are already occupied or not from the order of priority. The second-layer wiring regions for connecting the logic unit cells are formed in positions other than the formation position determined to be occupied. Thus, the workability in designing the wiring pattern in the semiconductor integrated circuit device can be greatly improved.
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Semiconductor integrated circuit device and method of producing the same


A valve extension tool is configured to operate a hand wheel of a valve. The valve extension tool includes a handle configured for operation by a first operator and a pipe assembly connected to the handle. The pipe assembly includes a proximal pipe segment connected to the handle, a crank connected to the proximal pipe segment and configured for operation by a second operator, and a distal pipe segment connected to the crank. In addition, the valve extension tool includes a front pipe segment connected to the distal pipe segment of the pipe assembly. Further, the valve extension tool includes a joint connected to the front pipe segment, wherein the joint is configured to engage a hand wheel of a valve.

In applications such as oil refineries, power plants, and gas operations, valve hand wheels are frequently operated to open or close valves on pipelines or tanks. In some circumstances, it may be difficult for an operator to reach the valve hand wheel. For example, some valve hand wheels are located on a sidewall of a large tank at a higher height than the operator. In other samples, the valve hand wheels are located in a narrow space that the operator can not get into. In those cases, it may be difficult for the operator to reach or operate the valve hand wheel with his hands.
In some other circumstances, there may be a fire at or near the valve and operators or firefighters need to close the valve to cut off the gas or oil feeding the fire. However, the temperature of the valve hand wheel may be heated to a high temperature due to the fire making it difficult for operators or firefighters to grasp the valve hand wheel. Additionally, flames from the fire may make it difficult for operators or firefighters to even get close to the valve hand wheel. Safety protocols may require the operators or firefighters to maintain a certain distance from a fire source while trying to operate the hand wheel to close the valve.
Therefore, a valve extension tool that assists operators or firefighters in operating valve hand wheels may be desirable. A valve extension tool could help open or close valve hand wheels that are hard to reach or that are located in a narrow space. Further, a valve extension tool could help to close a valve hand wheel in dangerous scenarios, e.g., in a fire emergency, while keeping the operators a safe distance from the fire and avoiding direct contact with the valve hand wheel.


An amorphous robot includes a compartmented bladder containing fluid, a valve assembly, and an outer layer encapsulating the bladder and valve assembly. The valve assembly draws fluid from a compartment(s) and discharges the drawn fluid into a designated compartment to displace the designated compartment with respect to the surface. Another embodiment includes elements each having a variable property, an outer layer that encapsulates the elements, and a control unit. The control unit energizes a designated element to change its variable property, thereby moving the designated element. The elements may be electromagnetic spheres with a variable polarity or shape memory polymers with changing shape and/or size. Yet another embodiment includes an elongated flexible tube filled with ferrofluid, a moveable electromagnet, an actuator, and a control unit. The control unit energizes the electromagnet and moves the electromagnet via the actuator to magnetize the ferrofluid and lengthen the flexible tube.

Robots are electromechanical devices that perform work tasks automatically or autonomously. Robots are used in a host of applications, many of which present unique design challenges. For instance, complex surface-roving robots generally referred to as "rovers" may be used in space exploration missions as well as in Earth-based search and rescue operations. Controlled via remote link, rovers can employ an array of sensors to collect and analyze soil samples, measure the atmospheric composition and weather conditions, and collect high-resolution imagery of the surface terrain over an extended period, often in relatively inhospitable operating environments. NASA's Mars Pathfinder rover Sojourner and the more recent twin Mars Exploration rovers Spirit and Opportunity are examples of some space exploration rovers.
Once deployed on a surface, conventional rovers are typically propelled along a surface. In particularly sandy or loamy soil environments such as the lunar or Martian surfaces, conventional propulsion devices may become fouled and stuck. Rovers may therefore avoid exploring certain terrain features, or they may be programmed to follow a less than optimal route. Likewise, in some Earth-based roving applications, miniature rovers may be used to search through unstable piles of rubble or confined areas that are inaccessible to human search teams. Conventional rover designs may be less than optimal in these applications due to certain design limitations that may cause the rovers to become irretrievably stuck in the rubble or other difficult to navigate surface features.

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A method includes detecting a cache miss. The method further includes, in response to detecting the cache miss, traversing a plurality of linked memory nodes in a memory storage structure being used to store data to determine if the memory storage structure is a binary tree. The method further includes, in response to determining that the memory storage structure is a binary tree, prefetching data from the memory storage structure. An associated machine readable medium is also disclosed.

A data structure, or memory storage structure, is a way of storing data in a computer so that it may be accessed efficiently. The choice of the data structure often begins from the choice of an abstract data type. A well-designed data structure allows a variety of critical operations to be performed, using as few resources, both execution time and memory space, as possible. Data structures are implemented using the data types, references, and operations on them provided by a programming language.
Different types of data structures are suited to different kinds of applications, and some are highly specialized to certain tasks. For example, binary trees may be used in implementations of in-memory databases. A binary tree is a tree data structure in which each node has at most two children. Typically the child nodes are called left and right.

Methods for prefetching data in a memory storage structure


A condom prophylactic against AIDS infection coated with acidic polysaccharides is provided which has an antiviral action and a method of the manufacture thereof. The acidic polysaccharides can be polysaccharides, protein-bound saccharides and glycolipids such as extracts from sea-weeds, extracts from Procaryomycota and Eucaryomycota, carrageenan and so on which have acidic groups such as sulfuric acid group in a portion of polysaccharides. A condom is coated with a solution of said acidic polysaccharides, and optionally with a lubricant. AIDS infection can be prevented without side effect by using a condom of the present invention.

The spread of AIDS infection has become a quite serious problem in the whole world and, especially in Asian countries, AIDS infection is wide spread.
Recently, also in Japan, the number of Japanese infected with AIDS virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/HIV) is increasing rapidly and the situation is the same for foreign residents in Japan. Heterosexual contact become a main infection route and is more common then homosexual contact. Thus AIDS infection is entering into a new phase and usage of a condom is definitely recommended for sexual contact.
The Notice Collection of Laws related to AIDS Countermeasures (Indispensable to AIDS countermeasures) 1992 edition, supervised by the Infectious Diseases Control Division of the Health Service Bureau of the Ministry of Welfare and Health, published by the Japanese Foundation for AIDS Prevention.
But a condom is used as formless, it sometimes happens that a condom is punctured depending on the manner to use it.
And there is a risk of spontaneous falling off of a condom from a penis during time passing as in an inserted state after sexual contact. Present inventors have been searching for material useful for the preventions of AIDS infection through a main infection route, found out that a condom coated with acidic polysaccharides having an antiviral action can be safely used for the prevention of AIDS infection.
Coating an anti-AIDS agent on a condom can double-block AIDS infection and therefore is quite useful for the prevention of AIDS infection.

Condom coated with acidic polysaccharides


A defect detection device for detecting a defect of data recorded on a recording medium includes a waveform state detection part generating information representing a state of a waveform of a reproduced signal from the recording medium based on soft decision results obtained in process of reproducing the data in accordance with a maximum likelihood decoding algorithm corresponding to partial response, and a defect determination part determining the defect of the recorded data based on the information generated in said waveform state detection part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to data defect detection using soft decision result, and more particularly to a defect detection device for a data reproduction apparatus such as an optical disk unit or a magnetic disk unit, the defect detection device detecting a defect of recorded data based on a reproduced signal from a recording medium and a data reproduction apparatus including the same. The present invention also relates more particularly to a data defect detection method based on a reproduced signal from a recording medium and a data reproduction method based on such a data defect detection method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, as information is recorded on a recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk at a higher density, more efforts have been made to increase a data transfer rate in the reproduction system of the magneto-optical disk. As a method of performing high-speed information reproduction with high accuracy from such a magneto-optical disk recorded with information at high density, a recording and reproduction method according to PRML (Partial Response Maximum Likelihood) is proposed.
According to this PRML recording and reproduction method, a magneto-optical disk is recorded with a signal with a partial response (PR) waveform, and a reproduced signal from the magneto-optical disk is sampled in synchronism with a predetermined clock signal so as to obtain sampled values. Data having maximum likelihood is reproduced from the sampled values (quantized data) in accordance with a maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm such as the Viterbi decoding algorithm.
With respect to a data reproduction apparatus based on the above-described PRML recording and reproduction method, such as a magneto-optical disk unit, it is proposed to detect a variation in the direct current level of the reproduced signal and feed back the variation level to information for data demodulation, such as expected values or sampled values employed for maximum likelihood decoding. Thereby, data is reproducible with high accuracy from sampled values of a reproduced signal even if the reproduced signal varies in its direct current level.
In such a data reproduction apparatus as described above, if recorded data includes a defect resulting from a physical defect of a recording medium, such as a flaw or adhesion of dust, or from a defective operation in writing the data to the recording medium, the data is prevented from being properly reproduced from sampled values of a reproduced signal affected by such a defect. Therefore, it is important to detect such a defect of the recorded data.
Further, in a data reproduction apparatus in which the level variation of a reproduced signal is fed back to information used for data demodulation, it becomes an issue how to control the feedback of the variation level to the information for data demodulation in a defect-containing part and the other normal part of recorded data.

Data defect detection using soft decision result


In at least one embodiment, an electronic system and method includes a controller to control a switching power converter in at least two different modes of operation depending on whether the controller detects a dimmer or not and/or whether a load requests more power than either of the two operational modes can provide. In at least one embodiment, the controller detects whether a dimmer is phase cutting an input voltage to a switching power converter. The controller operates the switching power converter in a first mode if the dimmer is detected, and the controller operates the switching power converter in a second mode if the dimmer is not detected. The controller also transitions between operating the switching power converter in the first mode and the second mode if a status of detection of the dimmer changes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of electronics, and more specifically to a system and method that provides multi-mode flyback control for a switching power converter.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many electronic systems utilize switching power converters to efficiently convert power from one source into power useable by a device (referred to herein as a "load"). Some facilities, such as homes and buildings, include light source dimming circuits (referred to herein as a "dimmer"). Dimmers control the power delivered to a load, such as a lamp having one or more light sources. Dimming saves energy and, in a lighting installation, also allows a user to adjust the intensity of the light source to a desired level.
A switching power converter is controlled by a controller. For systems that are not intended for use with dimmers, the controller provides power factor correction for displacement and distortion so that the phases of an alternating current (AC) supply voltage and an average input current to the switching power converter are approximately in-phase (power factor displacement) and the current shape follows the shape of the supply voltage (power factor distortion). For systems that include dimmers and constant current loads, the controller controls the switching power converter to provide a constant, average input current to the load without regard to power factor correction.
FIG. 1 depicts an electronic system 100 that converts power from voltage supply 102 into power usable by load 104. Load 104 is a constant current load that includes, for example, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). A controller 106 controls the power conversion process. Voltage source 102 can be any type of voltage source such as a public utility supplying a 60 Hz/110 V input voltage VN in North America or a 50 Hz/220 V input voltage VIN in Europe or the People's Republic of China, or a DC voltage source supplied by a battery or another switching power converter. The dimmer 103 phase cuts the supply voltage VSUPPLY, and the full-bridge rectifier 105 rectifies the phase-cut supply voltage to generate a rectified phase-cut input voltage VIN to the flyback-type switching power converter 110. In at least one embodiment, the dimmer 103 is a triac-based dimmer.
The controller 106 provides a pulse width modulated (PWM) control signal CS0 to current control switch 108 in a flyback-type, switching power converter 110 to control the conversion of input voltage VIN into a primary-side voltage VP and secondary voltage VS. When the switch 108 is non-conductive, i.e. "off", the primary voltage VP is N times the secondary voltage VS, i.e. VP=N·VS, and "N" is a ratio of turns in the primary-winding 114 to the turns in the secondary-winding 118. The switch 108 is, for example, a field effect transistor (FET). When control signal CS0 causes switch 108 to conduct, a primary-side current iIN flows into a primary-winding 114 of transformer 116 to energize the primary-winding 114. When switch 108 conducts, the diode 120 is reverse biased, and the secondary-side current iS is zero. When control signal CS0 opens switch 108, the primary voltage VP and secondary voltage VS reverse the indicated polarities, and diode 120 is forward biased. When diode 120 is forward biased, the secondary side current iS flows through the diode 120 to charge capacitor 122 so that an approximately constant current and direct current (DC) voltage VLD is provided to the load 104. Since the dimmer 103 is present, the controller 106 controls the input current iIN as a constant current.

Multi-mode flyback control for a switching power converter


Systems and methods are disclosed for data transmission through a recipient's skull bone. In one aspect of the present technology there is provided a bilateral system, comprising a first mechanical stimulator configured to transmit first data through vibrations of a skull of a recipient, and a sensor device configured to receive the first transmitted data.

1. Field of the Technology
The present technology relates generally to bilateral hearing prostheses, and more particularly to data transmission through a recipient's skull bone.
2. Related Art
Hearing loss, which may be due to many different causes, is generally of two types, conductive and sensorineural. Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear, or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Conductive hearing loss occurs when the normal mechanical pathways for sound to reach the cochlea are impeded, for example, by damage to the ossicles. Individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss typically have some form of residual hearing because the hair cells in the cochlea are undamaged. As a result, individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss typically receive a prosthetic hearing device that generates mechanical motion of the cochlea fluid. For example, acoustic energy may be delivered through a column of air to the tympanic membrane (eardrum) via a hearing aid residing in the ear canal. Mechanical energy may be delivered via the physical coupling of a mechanical transducer (i.e. a transducer that converts electrical signals to mechanical motion) to the tympanic membrane, the skull, the ossicular chain, the round or oval window of the cochlea or other structure that will result in the delivery of mechanical energy to the hydro-mechanical system of the cochlea.
Individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss typically receive an acoustic hearing aid, referred to as a hearing aid herein. Unfortunately, not all individuals who suffer from conductive hearing loss are able to derive suitable benefit from hearing aids. Furthermore, hearing aids are typically unsuitable for individuals who suffer from single-sided deafness (total hearing loss only in one ear). Hearing aids commonly referred to as "cross aids" have been developed for single sided deaf individuals. These devices receive the sound from the deaf side with one hearing aid and present this signal (either via a direct electrical connection or wirelessly) to a hearing aid which is worn on the contra lateral (or, in other words, the ipsi lateral or opposite) side of the recipient's head. Unfortunately, this requires the recipient to wear two hearing aids. Additionally, in order to prevent acoustic feedback problems, hearing aids generally require that the ear canal be plugged, resulting in unnecessary pressure, discomfort, or other problems such as eczema.
As noted, hearing aids rely primarily on the principles of air conduction. However, other types of devices commonly referred to as bone conducting hearing aids or bone conduction devices, function by converting a received sound into a mechanical force. This force is transferred through the bones of the skull to the cochlea and causes motion of the cochlea fluid. Hair cells inside the cochlea are responsive to this motion of the cochlea fluid and generate nerve impulses which result in the perception of the received sound. Bone conduction devices have been found suitable to treat a variety of types of hearing loss and may be suitable for individuals who cannot derive sufficient benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc., or for individuals who suffer from stuttering problems.

Data transmission through a recipient's skull bone


To provide a region detecting method capable of setting a proper threshold independently of a photographing condition and moreover, quickly and accurately detecting a specific region, which uses an image data storing section 10 for storing a sample image 12 and a purposed image 11, a first computing means 1 for obtaining the extraction-region-identifying threshold data for a plurality of sample images including a common extraction region but having average color values different from each other in accordance with a genetic algorithm and generating a threshold table 8 for the average color values, a second computing means 2 for adaptively computing the extraction-region-identifying threshold data for the purposed image 11 in accordance with the average color value of the purposed image and the threshold table 8, and a third computing means 3 for detecting an extraction region in accordance with the threshold data computed by the second computing means 12.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a region detecting method and a region detecting apparatus for detecting a predetermined region to be extracted from a purposed image, particularly to a region detecting method and a region detecting apparatus for extracting the face of a person from a photographic image or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an image processing method is proposed which automatically extracts a specific region from a photographic image. Particularly to extract a face region of a person, the method is widely used to count personal images. As an image processing technique for these personal images is developed, it is requested not only to perform accurate recognition but also to quickly retrieve the face region and moreover identify a person.
As the above-mentioned face-region detecting method, the following methods are proposed: a method for using a threshold for determining the face region from a purposed image and detecting the face region in accordance with the threshold and a method for deciding the region of a face by using a neural network and thereby extracting a skin color.
However, the method for using the threshold of a skin color for determining the face region from a purposed image and detecting the face region in accordance with the threshold has the following problems. Although high-speed retrieval can be made, it is difficult to decide a threshold, when a skin color is included in background colors. Not only erroneous recognition occurs but also the recognition rate depends on the race of the individual. Thus, erroneous recognition occurs depending on the photographing conditions for an object, and the recognition rate can be lowered.
However, the method for deciding the region of a face by using a neural network and thereby extracting the skin color has a problem that a lot of time is required for recognition when attaching importance to accuracy but the recognition rate extremely lowers when attaching importance to speed because there is a trade-off relation between improvement of the recognition rate and time required for retrieval.
Thus, the inventor of this application proposed a method for detecting a lip and then starting retrieval of the position of a face when the skin color around the lip can be confirmed by paying attention to a lip whose color information does not greatly depend on a race for extraction of a face and using the feature that a skin color is present around the lip in "A Detection Method of Face Region in Color Images by Using the Lip Detection Neural Network and the Skin Distinction Neural Network" in The Transactions of The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, 2001, Vol. 121-C, No. 1, pp. 112-117. However, because the above method is a method for determining a lip/skin color one pixel by one pixel by using a neural network, the method also has problems that it takes a lot of time to obtain a high recognition rate and it is difficult to apply the method to a dynamic image or practically use the method.

Region detecting method and region detecting apparatus


A hyper-media system includes a storage device for storing a hyper-media document. The system includes a plurality of application processing units (APU) for conducting individualized processing in reference to the hyper-media document in accordance with the individual program of the APUs. A common processing unit is also provided for conducting and managing the processing of common attributes of the hyper-media document, which attributes are common among all of the processing performed by the APUs. A procedure management unit allocates various kinds of procedures for the hyper-media document to the common processing unit and the APUs. Both the common processing unit and each of the plural APUs include navigation processing which includes the functions of node management, link management and navigation management execution. Navigation processing specific to individual APUs thus provides enhanced flexibility in processing and in permitting use of the contents of one APU by another APU.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hyper-media system which enables one hyper-media document to be used by a plurality of application processing units in different modes, as well as allowing flexible navigation processing for a hyper-media document.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hyper-media systems deal with various kinds of data such as image data including motion picture and still picture, text data, and voice data. Such systems are implemented with hyper-media architecture provided with a function of executing navigation processing for tracing links between nodes with respect to a hyper-media document. FIG. 8 shows structure of a conventional hyper-media system. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the conventional hyper-media system includes a common processing unit 110 for conducting management and processing of common attributes in a hyper-media document, an application processing unit 120 for conducting inherent processing with respect to a hyper-media document and a storage device 130 for storing a hyper-media document.
The common processing unit 110 includes a node management unit 111, a link management unit 112 and a navigation management unit 113. The node management unit 111 has a function of registering, searching for and deleting various kinds of data including image, text and voice as nodes in the hyper-media architecture. The link management unit 112 has a function of creating a link between two nodes by using a node identifier obtained through the node management unit 111 and registering, searching for and deleting the link. The navigation management executing unit 113 manages a node identifier of a node being referred to by a user and has a function of controlling the node management unit 111 to read appropriate nodes and controlling the link management unit 112 to read a link to be traced in response to an instruction given by a user. The navigation management executing unit 113 has a further function of obtaining node data from the node management unit 111 based on a node identifier of the node to which the link is traced and presenting the obtained node data to a user.
A plurality of the application processing units 120 exists in the hyper-media system, each being formed by an API (Application Programming Interface) for calling the function of the common processing unit 110. Each application processing unit defines the type of data to be stored as a node or a link and stores a hyper-media document in the storage device 130 through the node management unit 111 and the link management unit 112 of the common processing unit 110. With the selection of a node by a user with respect to a read hyper-media document, the application processing unit notifies the navigation management executing unit 113 in the common processing unit 110 of the selection of the node to obtain and output node data of a node to which the link is to be traced.
Navigation processing by the navigation management executing unit 113 such as tracking of a link between nodes is mainly conducted by reading a hyper-media document in which a link whose semantic attribute is set in advance is described and executing a procedure correlated to the semantic attribute of the link.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a conventional navigation processing of this kind. With reference to the figure, upon designation of a part defined as a node in the hyper-media document by the operation such as mouse click (Steps 901, 902), a link identifier correlated with the designated part is obtained by the link management unit 112 (Step 903). Then, a node identifier of a node to be linked with the link specified by the link identifier is obtained by the node management unit 111 (Steps 904, 905). Conducted thereafter are processing for referring to other part of the hyper-media document, that is, individual processing according to a type of data, updating of a node identifier being referred to (node identifier of a current node), and output of node data of a new current node (Steps 906-908).
Thus, the conventional hyper-media system executes navigation processing correlated with a predetermined semantic attribute (inherent semantic attribute) of a link.
Hyper-media document navigation processing by the above-described conventional hyper-media system, however, has a drawback that the processing lacks facility because semantic attributes correlated with a link are so fixed that one hyper-media document can not be used by a plurality of application processing units in different modes.
In addition, since application processing units constituting a conventional hyper-media system is each provided with no function of controlling navigation processing (function implemented by node management means, link management means and navigation management executing means) and counterpart functions of the common processing units are limited, it is impossible to conduct navigation processing coping with flexible processing such as processing inherent to each application processing unit and use of contents of one application processing unit by other application processing unit.

Hyper-media system including plural application processors which execute navigation processing for hyper-media document


A network manager automatically sends certain requests in response to selected events generated by network devices. When a device generates an event, the network manager can send stop requests to the device; send different event requests to the device; or send the same event request to the device, but over a different path. The stop request is sent to cut down on network management traffic. The different event requests can be sent to determine why the event was generated by the device in the first place. The same event request can be sent over a different path to determine whether a problem exists with the device itself or with the path to the device.

Today, large numbers of personal computers and workstations are being interconnected with devices such as file servers, print servers, modems and hubs to form local area networks, metropolitan area networks and wide area networks. These networks allow the personal computers and workstations to share information and valuable resources among each other. Now more than ever, individuals and companies depend on networks to conduct business and to communicate with people around the world. Indeed, the network has become the computer.
Most networks use a network manager and some type of network management protocol such as Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). Among its management tasks, the network manager automatically monitors the health of the devices on the network. This can be done by sending an event request to an agent of the device. Each event request directs one or more agents to monitor a device attribute against error conditions. If the error conditions are satisfied, an event is generated. In addition, an event report is generated that returns the value of the device attribute to the network manager. For example, the network manager sends an SNMP event request to a workstation. The event request specifies the attribute sysUpTime (which indicates the length of time a device has been running), the relational "Less Than" and a threshold (e.g., 1). Such an event request might be sent to determine if the workstation is operational. If sysUpTime is greater than the threshold, the workstation is deemed operational. However, if sysUpTime is less than the threshold, an event is generated. In response, the network manager sounds an alarm, sends an e-mail message, displays visual effects or takes some other action indicating that the workstation is down.
However, these actions are all signaling actions. They reveal nothing about why the workstation was not operational. Did a port test fail? Was disk availability above a threshold? Was the CPU usage too high? A general event request for an attribute such as sysUpTime does not give the exact details. Thus, the network administrator must take the time to request data from the device and/or visually inspect the device.
Not only can the event requests and reports be unrevealing, but they can be problematic as well. For example, an event request can require sysUpTime to be monitored at regular intervals of 60 seconds. If the workstation is down for a lengthy period of time, the attribute will be polled a total of 60.times.24 times each day, and 1440 event reports will be returned from the device each day. This results in unnecessary network management traffic and an unnecessary source of distraction for the network administrator.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system that efficiently monitors a network of computing devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and system that efficiently monitors a network of computing devices through the use of event requests.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a network management method and system that ascertains the nature of an event through the generation of one of more additional event requests.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a network management method and system that stops the generation and transmission of redundant events.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and system that provides an alternate route for transmitting event requests to one or more network devices.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and system as described above that minimizes network traffic.
Other general and specific objects of this invention will be apparent and evident from the accompanying drawings and the following description.

System and method for advanced event request management for networks


A video processing device (100) for processing 3D video is coupled to a 3D display device (120). The device receives the 3D video data according to a high resolution interlaced 3D format. A video processor (106) generates a 3D display signal according to a display format. 3D display capability data indicates at least one interlaced 3D display format accepted by the 3D display device, the interlaced 3D display format having a lower resolution than the high resolution interlaced 3D format. The device has a storage unit (21, 31) for storing the 3D display capability data and 3D conversion capability data. The 3D conversion capability data indicates a capability of the video processing device for interlaced down conversion for enabling a selection mechanism to control the processing of the 3D video information by selecting the interlaced 3D display format and the interlaced down conversion. Advantageously the user is provided with the best possible 3D view.

Various sources of 3D video information are well known. For High Definition movie publishing, the Blu-ray disc system is widely used. Initially the BD-ROM audio-visual application format only contained support for 2D video. Various video coding options are included in the system, which are all supported by BD-ROM compliant playback devices. One of the supported video codecs is AVC (also known as ISO/IEC MPEG-4 Part 10 and ITU-T H.264). Recently the Blu-ray video distribution system was extended with stereoscopic 3D capabilities based on the Stereo High profile of MVC (Multiview Video Coding), an extension of AVC. The Blu-ray Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) extension is currently restricted to progressive video. Two progressive video modes are defined for BD3D: 1080 line mode at 24 (actually 23.976) frames per second ("1080p24") and 720 line mode at 50 or 60 (actually 59.94) frames per second. For S3D, the video stream is composited of a so-called independent view and a dependent view. The independent view is AVC compliant and can potentially be decoded by BD players that are not designed to decode the full BD3D (MVC) video stream. Background information on the Blu-ray Disc Read-Only Audio Visual Application format can be found in a White Paper published by the Blu-ray Disc Association: http://www.blu-raydisc.com/assets/Downloadablefile/BD-ROM-AV-WhitePaper_110712.pdf An overview of the BD3D extension is described in section 6, while details can be found in Annex A of this White Paper.
The MVC format and the way it has been applied in Blu-ray enable the disc author to create S3D Blu-ray discs such that they can be played as 2D video on players that do not support stereoscopic playback, or in the case that the connected display does not support 3D display. To be able to select either 2D playback or S3D playback, the playback program information contains branches with playback instructions and settings for both options. The playback program has access to a set of 32-bit Player Setting Registers and Playback Status Registers (referred to as PSRs) that can be used to adapt e.g. playlist selection or playback options. For the extension of the Blu-ray format with S3D capabilities, additional PSRs were defined, including a PSR to indicate display capabilities. These display capabilities include a field to contain the horizontal display size, a bit to indicate whether or not glasses are required for stereoscopic display and a bit to indicate if the display is capable of displaying stereoscopic content. The playback program can for instance read the bit that indicates the stereoscopic capability of the display and select either the 2D or the S3D branch depending on the value.
A 3D video processing device like a BD player or set top box may be coupled to a 3D display device like a TV set or monitor for transferring the 3D video data via a display signal on suitable interface, preferably a high-speed digital interface like HDMI. High definition pixel data is transmitted along with audio from the source to the destination device. In addition to that, HDMI can carry data in both directions, e.g. for control purposes and to exchange status information. There is a possibility for the so-called EDID (Extended Display Identification Code), which allows a display to show its capabilities to a source device like a BD player. These EDID capability parameters include the various combinations of spatial resolutions and frame rates supported by the display.
The 3D display device receives a 3D display signal via the interface and provides different images to the respective eyes of a viewer to create a 3D effect. The display device may be a stereoscopic device, e.g. for a viewer wearing shutter glasses that pass left and right views displayed sequentially to the respective left and right eye of a viewer. However, the display device may also be an auto stereoscopic display that generates multiple views; different views being perceived by the respective eyes of a viewer not wearing glasses.
The invention is focused on the specific type of interlaced video data. Traditionally interlaced video data signals transfer even lines and odd lines of a video frame in two separate sets, usually called fields. Also for 3D video data various interlaced 3D display formats have been proposed, for example in the HDMI standard version 1.4a. The relevant part relating to 3D is described in the document "High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Specification Version 1.4a, Extraction of 3D Signaling Portion" of Mar. 4, 2010, available from http://www.hdmi.org/, which document describes the respective high resolution and lower resolution interlaced 3D formats as discussed further below.
When HDMI was extended to support 3D formats, two methods were defined to transmit stereoscopic (2-view) 3D. One method is to use the existing 2D format and to squeeze the two views (left and right) of stereoscopic video into the 2D format. Within this method there are 2 options: the side-by side configuration and the top-bottom configuration. The other method is to double the number of video lines of an HDMI video frame and to transmit the 2 full HD views subsequently (L first) in this single HDMI frame. The latter method is called "frame packed".
HDMI defines a number of mandatory 3D formats. There are only 2 mandatory frame packing formats: 1080p24 and 720p50/60. These coincide with the Blu-ray S3D progressive video formats. The side-by-side and top-bottom formats do not provide a full resolution per eye quality, but they match 3D formats selected by broadcasters in various countries, having the advantage that existing AVC decoders designed for Full HD can be used to decode "frame compatible" (side-by-side or top-bottom) 3D video signals. These frame compatible formats include interlace video modes, as for broadcasting interlaced video is widely used.
US2009/0284652 describes a video processing system (VPS) that receives a plurality of video inputs and specifically tailors them to meet the audio/video format requirements of a plurality of recipient video devices. The VPS may query the recipient devices to obtain the audio/video format requirements of the video devices. Reformatting may involve transcoding the input signals to produce output video formats as needed. Multiple VPS may exchange information regarding their conversion capabilities, and an appropriate VPS may automatically be selected.


A non-volatile memory device, related memory system, and program method for the non-volatile memory device are disclosed. In the method, memory cells in a memory cell array are accessed through a plurality of word lines by applying a program voltage to a selected word line, wherein the selected word line is not adjacent to an outmost word line, applying a first reduced pass voltage to word lines adjacent to the selected word line, and applying a second reduced pass voltage to the outermost word lines.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device and more particularly to a flash memory device.
Semiconductor memories are vital components in digital logic systems, such as computers and consumer electronics. Therefore, advances in the fabrication of semiconductor memories including process enhancements and technology developments through device scaling to higher densities and faster operating speeds improve the overall performance of digital logic systems.
Semiconductor memory devices may be characterized as volatile memory devices, such as Random Access Memory (RAM) devices, or non-volatile memory devices. In RAM devices, digital data is stored by either setting up the logic state of a bi-stable flip-flop in the case of static random access memory (SRAM) devices, or by charging/discharging a capacitor in the case of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device. In either case, the data is retained in memory only so long as the power is applied to the device. However, once power is no longer applied, stored data is lost from volatile memories.
In contrast, Non-volatile memories, such as Mask Read-Only Memory (MROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), and Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), are capable of maintaining stored data in the absence of applied power. The non-volatile memory data storage mode may be permanent or reprogrammable depending upon the fabrication technology used to implement the device.
A combination of volatile and non-volatile operating modes are available in certain hybrid devices such as the non-volatile SRAM (nvSRAM). These memory devices are particularly well suited for use in systems that require a fast, programmable, non-volatile data storage capability. In addition, dozens of special memory architectures have evolved which contain some additional logic circuitry to optimize their performance of memory devices for application-specific tasks.
The incorporation and use of MROM, PROM, and EPROM devices in contemporary applications have proved difficult given the unique conditions necessary to erase and/or data within these devices. On the other hand, the EEPROM is capable of being electrically erased or written to, and as such has been successfully incorporated into many products. Indeed, the application of EEPROMs (e.g., flash memory) has widened recently to include auxiliary memories or system programming memories requiring continuous updates. In particular, so-called flash memory exhibits a higher degree of integration than other types of EEPROM and is thus advantageous in the implementation of large auxiliary memories.

Non-volatile memory device and program method


A method for automatic Pole-Zero adjustment in a radiation measurement system, the method including steps of: receiving a plurality of pulses from a radiation detector; for each of the plurality of pulses, synthesizing a multiple-peak pulse shape; and using the amplitude measurement of individual peaks in each of the multiple-peak pulse shapes to adjust the pole-zero of the radiation measurement system.

Radiation measurement systems (Radiation Spectrometers) are used to obtain radiation spectra or counting information of radiation (charge particles, photons, neutrons) that interact with a radiation detector. The signal from the radiation detector is a short current pulse that delivers a very small charge. This charge is converted to a voltage pulse using charge-sensitive preamplifier. Preamplifiers that are based on resistive-feedback produce pulses with short rise time and slow exponential decay—an exponential tail pulse. The exponential tail pulse passes through a pulse shaping network that produces short pulses with good signal-to-noise ratio. The first stage of the pulse shaping network performs differentiation in order to produce a pulse with shorter decay time than the pulse from the preamplifier. FIG. 1 shows a typical arrangement to differentiate the signal from the preamplifier.
The radiation detector (10) produces short current pulse I(s) (12) that is sensed by the preamplifier (20). The preamplifier has an amplifier (18) and feedback network of resistor (16) with value Rp and capacitor (14) with value Cp. The output of the preamplifier (20) is an exponential tail pulse vp(s) (22). The exponential tail pulse (22) pass through an CR differentiator (30) with capacitor (24) and resistor (26) with values Cd and Rd respectively. The combined response of the preamplifier (20) and the CR differentiator (30) then will result in a differentiated pulse vd(s) (28) with an undesirable undershoot. The differentiated pulse can be represented as an exponential tail pulse with decay time constant equal to the Cd*Rd minus a fraction of the preamplifier exponential tail pulse with decay time constant Cp*Rp. In other words, despite of the differentiation the long tail is still present in the differentiated pulse (28).
The undershoot of the differentiated pulse (28) can cause a significant spectral distortion, especially at high counting rates. Therefore, the goal of Pole-Zero Compensation is to remove the undershoot from the differentiated pulse. This goal is easily achieved by adding a fraction of the exponential tail pulse (22) to the differentiated pulse (28). FIG. 2 shows a classic Pole-Zero Compensation circuit using manual adjustment. The attenuator (32) is fed with the same signal as the CR-differentiator—the exponential tail pulse (22). The attenuator (32) is manually adjusted (trim pot, variable resistor) to provide an attenuated tail pulse G*vp(s) (34). G is the attenuation coefficient and it is bounded between zero and one −0<G<1. The differentiated pulse (28) and the attenuated tail pulse (34) are added together by the analog adder (40). The analog addition can be done using passive resistive networks or active, amplifier based, summing circuit. The Pole-Zero exponential pulse v(s) (38) is delivered at the output of the analog adder (40). Depending on the value of G there are three possible categories of shapes for the Pole-Zero exponential pulse (38).
FIG. 3 shows cases of Overcompensated (60), Compensated (62), and Undercompensated (64) Pole-Zero exponential pulses. At the proper setting of G, the attenuated tail pulse (34) will completely compensate for the undershoot of the differentiated pulse (28), resulting in single time-constant (Cd*Rd) Pole-Zero exponential pulse (Compensated Pole-Zero Pulse). When G is greater than the optimum compensating value, the Pole-Zero exponential pulse will exhibit an overshoot (Overcompensated Pole-Zero Pulse). When G is less than optimum compensating value, the Pole-Zero exponential pulse will exhibit an undershoot (Undercompensated Pole-Zero Pulse).
When the Pole-Zero exponential pulses pass through linear pulse shaper (analog or digital), the overshoot/undershoot features are also present in the resulting shaped pulses. FIG. 4 illustrates shaped pulses resulting from Pole-Zero exponential pulses. An Overcompensated Pole-Zero pulse (60) will cause an Overcompensated Shaped Pulse (70) that will exhibit a longer decaying tail. A Compensated Pole-Zero pulse (62) will cause the fastest recovery to the baseline of the Compensated Shaped Pulse (72). The undershoot of the Undercompensated Pole-Zero pulse (64) will propagate to the Undercompensated Shaped Pulse (74).
The automatic Pole-Zero compensation uses digitally controlled attenuator (52) as shown in FIG. 5. The attenuation coefficient G is proportional to a digital value D (50). By changing the digital value (50), one can control the digitally attenuated tail pulse G*vp(s) (54). The digitally controlled attenuator (52) could be a digitally controlled potentiometer, amplifier with digitally controlled gain or multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC).
The automatic compensation of the Pole-Zero requires means to determine (estimate) whether the Pole-Zero is properly compensated, overcompensated or undercompensated. U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,400 (FIG. 6) uses analog boxcar average (82) connected to the output of pulse shaper (80). A comparator that is a part of the control circuit (84) examines the output of the Boxcar Average (82) and decides in which direction to change the digital value D (50). The condition for overshoot or undershoot is determined by examination of the baseline of pulse shaper (80) after each shaped pulse. U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,363 extends the same technique into the digital domain. In both cases, the correct determination of the Pole-Zero state depends on the DC offset of the baseline. The DC offset of the base line causes errors that limit the accuracy of the automatic pole-zero compensation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,192 (FIG. 7) uses a gated integrator (90), operating in the analog domain, to determine the compensation state of the Pole-Zero network. The conditions for overshoot or undershoot is determined by examining the slope of the flat part of the gated integrator pulse. The slope is determined from two amplitude measurements performed by an ADC (92). A Control Circuit (94) increments or decrements the digital value (50) when the slope is negative or positive respectively. As in the previous two cases the accuracy is affected by the DC offset of the baseline of the pulse shaper (80). A DC baseline offset will cause a non Pole-Zero related slope at the output of the gated integrator (90). To eliminate the effects of the baseline DC offset and the detector charge collection time on the automatic Pole-Zero compensation a new method and apparatus were developed.

Method for pole-zero adjustment in radiation measurement systems


A precision weighing device is provided formed with a balance having a bridge element, which realizes a parallel guidance between a load receptor and base body by means of force-transmitting levers arranged in advantageously inside the bridge's structure. A balance is made insensitive to corner loads with a spaced-apart arrangement of two bridge elements having the features herein.

Precision weighing technology demands increasingly high measurement resolution and precision, while at the same time requiring that balances handle ever-broadening measurement ranges. Thus, products with markedly differing weights and spatial dimensions are to be weighed in continuous operation, sometimes at very high transport speeds.
Monolithically constructed weighing cells with integrated lever transmissions operating according to the principle of electrodynamic force compensation are known for use in precision balances. Such systems with single transmission are usable only up to a weight of roughly 30 kg. To extend the measurement range, a stronger magnet system can be chosen, along with the associated high costs, or the transmission ratio of the lever mechanism can be increased. In the case of multiple transmissions, however, the resolution of the measurement system that can be picked up at the final lever decreases. Moreover, the production of monolithic multiple transmissions is technically elaborate and often not possible at all, due to the small amount of installation space available.
Also, the parallel rod connections between the stationary bases and the load receptors usually provided for monolithic weighing cells cannot be used due to their low load-bearing capacity. The torques that act on the parallel rod construction in the case of an eccentric load on the load receptor are particularly difficult to manage and negatively influence the accuracy of the balance. A spatial enlargement of the parallel rod construction is expensive and increases the difficulty of producing undercuts between the parallel rods, which must be wider in this case.
What is needed is a way to provide a precision balance in order to be able to weigh materials having a wide variety of different weights and dimensions with high resolution and measurement precision, with simultaneous insensitivity to torques.

Wipotec Wiege- und Positioniersysteme GmbH


A composition based on a polypropylene homopolymer and/or copolymer for preparing caps for carbonated drinks has enhanced properties of rigidity and leak-tightness without the need for using additional seals. The composition includes: 85.65 to 97.87 parts of a polypropylene homopolymer and/or copolymer; 1.5 to 12 parts of an ethylene-octene and/or ethylene-methyl acrylate elastomer, and an additive selected from 0.3 to 1.2 parts of a lubricating and/or sliding agent; 0.05 to 0.3 parts of a nucleation agent; 0.08 to 0.25 parts of an antioxidant and/or antistatic agent, and 0.2 to 0.6 parts of an antistatic agent. The polypropylene polymer is selected from a polypropylene homopolymer and has an isotacticity greater than 94% and a MFR of 0.5-7 g/10 min, and/or the polypropylene copolymer is selected from a heterophasic copolymer (ethylene-propylene) and has an isotacticity greater than 88% and a MFR of 0.5-7 g/10 min and/or mixtures of same.

The present invention relates to an improved composition based on a polypropylene homopolymer and/or copolymer for manufacturing and/or producing caps for carbonated drinks having enhanced properties of rigidity and leak-tightness without the need for using additional seals made of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (EVA) polymers or other polymers such as polyethylene polymers and to the method for the manufacture thereof, in particular for the use thereof in the industry of carbonated drinks and soft drinks and/or with any type of container that requires a cap.
Currently, caps without seal made of polypropylene or polyethylene are used only for capping bottles for water with satisfactory results given that they have no leaks; however, these types of caps without polypropylene and/or polyethylene type seal (liner) cannot be used with carbonated products due to the carbon dioxide gas that has been added to the soft drinks; this is because the cap does not resist the pressure of the pressurized liquid inside the vessel; in order to solve this problem, the improved composition according to the invention includes: a polypropylene homopolymer and/or copolymer; an ethylene-octene and/or ethylene-methyl acrylate elastomer, and an additive selected from a lubricating or sliding agent, a nucleation agent, an antioxidant, an antistatic agent and/or a mixture of same; it provides the flexibility necessary to give the cap the softness, rigidity (strength) and leak-tightness so that the pressure does not overcome the cap causing the loss of carbon dioxide gas that has been added to the sodas.
Currently, polyethylene and polypropylene caps are also known that are provided with a type of seal (liner) for capping bottles of carbonated drinks and/or sodas; however, the associated process is more expensive, since it involves the use of two materials, one for the cap and the other for the seal, in addition to integrating the seal with the cap. This represents a problem as it increases the production costs.
Polyethylene caps are also known that do not have a type of seal (liner) for capping bottles of carbonated drinks and/or sodas; however, to prevent leaks, the design of the shape of the internal flange of the cap and the cap itself had to be greatly changed; satisfactory results have been obtained with this modification in preventing leaks, but unfortunately the production time for each one the caps has increased; as it is, the improved composition of the present invention solves this problem as well, as it results in the obtention of caps without seals and is associated with an increase in the production thereof.
The improved composition of the present invention also solves this problem as it results in the obtention of caps without seals. The seals that have already been used are of the poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (EVA) type (liner); upon elimination of the seal from the caps, the caps now are cleaner since they are made of a single material.
The document KR20130034119 (Abstract) describes a PAC type medical container with draw off ring (cap) for reducing the product defects and for facilitating the use by maintaining the openability with less change in the force it takes to open it after high-temperature sterilization. The cap-type ring is manufactured according to the following process steps: —injection molding of 40-60% by weight of polypropylene and 40-60% by weight of elastomer, and sterilization at 121 degrees Celsius or higher. It has a percentage of change (%) of the openability before and after the sterilization process that satisfies the following equation 1: Os1=openability of the cap before the sterilization process (kgf). Os2=openability of the cap after the sterilization process (kgf). However, this composition is different from the composition of the present invention, and in addition, the product obtained (cap) has different properties of use, and as a result it is not detrimental to novelty or inventive step.
The document CN102453279 (Abstract) relates to a polypropylene composition for the production of a bottle cap for a carbonated drink. The composition includes the following substances: 30-60 parts of a polypropylene homopolymer with an isotacticity greater than 99% and a MFR of 1-30 g/10 min; 30-60 parts of the block of a polypropylene copolymer with a MFR of 1-15 g/10 min; 4-20 parts of polyethylene with a density of 0.955-0.968 g/cm3 and a MFR of 1-15 g/10 min; 5-15 parts of polyolefin elastomer; 0.05-0.2 parts of nucleation agent, and 0.3 to 1 part of sliding agent. The product has excellent rigidity and a satisfactory resistance to impact and stress. However, this composition is different from the composition of the present invention, since the percentages of each one of the components are different and, in addition, it includes 4-20 parts of polyethylene with a density of 0.955-0.968 g/cm3 and a MFR of 1-15 g/10 min; this document also mentions that if all the components are not in the composition, the resulting product has unsatisfactory properties (comparative Examples 1, 2 and 3); the product obtained (cap) using this composition has different properties of use from the cap of the present invention, and as a result it is not detrimental to novelty or inventive step.
The document CN101792558 refers to an internal cap material for transfusion bags and to a method for preparing and applications of same. The preparation method includes the following steps: uniformly mixing 30-70 parts of polypropylene, 0-30 parts of polyethylene, 10-40 parts of elastomer, 2-8 parts of flow modifier and 0.5-2 parts of antioxidant, adding while mixing in an extruder at 130-180° C. at the speed of 30-70 rpm; extrusion at the speed of 200-500 rpm; cooling with water, drying, granulation so as to obtain the internal cap material for transfusion bags, wherein the melting index of the internal cap material at 190° C. and under the pressure of 2016 g is 5-15 g/10 min. The internal cap material has the advantage of high tenacity and a satisfactory radiation tolerance. The internal cap material for transfusion bags can be processed by injection molding directly for preparing the internal stoppers for transfusion bags. The yellowing index of the internal cap subjected to radiation with respect to 25 kg using gamma rays is less than or equal to 10, and the rate of rupture of the transfusion cap kit after perforation with a transfusion contact pin can be less than or equal to 2%. However, this composition is different from the composition of the present invention, since the percentages of each one of the components are different, and in addition the product obtained has different properties of use, and as a result it is not detrimental to novelty or inventive step.
The document JP2010222032 relates to a cap lining, which allows retort processing and is characterized by gas barrier properties, sealing capacity or similar properties, and is used to produce a cap and a capped bottle. The liner of the cap 5 provided within the cap 1 and the seal of the mouth of the bottle are formed by polypropylene resin and the hydrogenation of rubber made of a conjugated diene styrene block copolymer, that is to say a polystyrene elastomer obtained by kneading styrene styrene-ethylene-butylene or ethylene styrene-propylene styrene with a MFR of 0.01 g/10 min (200 [degree] C. 5 kg) or lower and polybutene with a viscosity of 40-280 mm2/S at 100° C. The cap lining contains 10 to 65% by weight of polybutene. However, this composition is different from the composition of the present invention, since the percentages of each one of the components are different, and in addition the product obtained has different properties of use, and as a result it is not detrimental to novelty or inventive step.
The document JP2008019003 relates to a polypropylene stopper that does not result in whitening including when the cap is made from a colored polypropylene that includes a dye (except for white), and having performances including moldability, workability, opening pluggability, resistance to impact, or similar properties. The polypropylene stopper is made from a resin composition which includes 70-95% by weight of a homopolypropylene and 5 to 30% by weight of a modifier consisting of a polyolefin-based elastomer and has a bending modulus of 800 to 2000. However, this composition is different from the composition of the present invention, since the percentages of each one of the components are different, and in addition the product obtained has different properties of use, and as a result it is not detrimental to novelty or inventive step.
The document MX2007010929 relates to vulcanized thermoplastics cured with peroxide, which include a thermoplastic (polypropylene) and an isomonoolefin-multiolefin elastomer such as butylene rubber. More particularly, the invention relates to vulcanized thermoplastics cured with peroxide, in which the elastomer includes at least 3.5 mol % of a multiolefin for the purpose of facilitating the curing with peroxide. The vulcanized thermoplastics according to the present invention are useful in the preparation of molded articles for applications requiring high purity, such as condensor caps, medical components and fuel cell components. However, this composition is different from the composition of the present invention, since the percentages of each one of the components are different, and in addition the product obtained has different properties of use, and as a result it is not detrimental to novelty or inventive step.

Enhanced composition based on a homopolymer and/or polypropylene copolymer for manufacturing carbonated beverage caps


The present invention is drawn to a gene comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide composed of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; a gene expression product produced through expression of the gene; a recombinant expression vector including the gene; a host cell (transformant) harboring the recombinant expression vector; a protein composed of an amino acid having an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; a therapeutic or preventive composition for hypoglycemia containing as an active ingredient the above-mentioned gene or protein; and an antibody capable of binding to the protein. Through use of the gene or an expression product thereof of the present invention, it is possible to elucidate the pathology of diabetes and develop drugs for treatment and prevention of diabetes via a new action mechanism.

GFAT is an important enzyme catalyzing the conversion of fructose-6-phosphate into glucosamine-6-phosphate, which in a living organism is the rate-determining step in the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway. Recently, McKnight et al. have disclosed a human GFAT gene containing 681 amino acid residues (McKnight, G. L., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 267, 25208–25212 (1992)). Thereafter, Nishi et al. disclosed a novel human GFAT gene (U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,713).
Inhibitors of GFAT activity are thought to promote uptake of glucose into cells and to lower blood glucose level. Therefore, the inhibitors are expected to find use as drugs for treating diabetes. Uptake of glucose into cells is promoted by insulin, and the glucose in the cells is metabolized by the glycolytic pathway, whereby ATP is accumulated as an energy source. However, when uptake of glucose is excessive, fructose-6-phosphate, which is a glucose metabolite, enters the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway. Fructose-6-phosphate in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway is converted into glucosamine-6-phosphate by the action of GFAT.
Metabolites of glucosamine-6-phosphate have been reported to prevent glucose transporters from transferring to cell membranes, resulting in suppression of uptake of glucose into cells (FASEB J., 5, 3031–3036 (1991); Diabetologia, 38, 518–524 (1995); J. Biol. Chem., 266, 10155–10161 (1991); J. Biol. Chem., 266, 4706–4712 (1991); and Endocrinology, 136, 2809–2816 (1995)).
Within the glucose metabolism pathway, the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway is considered to play a role as a feedback mechanism with respect to excessive uptake of glucose. In the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway, GFAT is important as a rate-determining enzyme. GFAT activity is known to be generally high in patients suffering non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus, and GFAT activity is reported to be one of the causes of high blood glucose levels (Diabetes, 45, 302–307 (1996)).
In addition to human GFAT (J. Biol. Chem., 267, 25208–25212 (1992): U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,713), mouse GFAT, yeast GFAT, and Escherichia coli GFAT have been reported. These GFATs are highly homologous to human GFAT. However, at present, the presence of novel GFAT that is specific to skeletal muscle, which is an important tissue for glucose metabolism, is not known.
Isolation of a novel GFAT gene exhibiting GFAT activity enables elucidation of the regulatory function of GFAT in the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway. Isolation of a GFAT gene that is specifically expressed in a tissue such as skeletal muscle enables further elucidation of the glucose metabolism mechanism in the tissue. In addition, discovery of specific candidate compounds exhibiting an inhibition activity against a GFAT protein, the protein being an expression product having an amino acid sequence encoded by such a GFAT gene, could lead to development of a hypoglycemic drug having a novel action mechanism and contributing to prevention and treatment of diabetes.
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to isolate such a novel GFAT gene, particularly a GFAT gene which is specifically expressed in skeletal muscle.


A signal transmission connection for a tool string used in exploration and production of natural resources, namely: oil, gas, and geothermal energy resources. The connection comprises first and second annular elements deployed in cooperative association with each other. The respective elements comprise inductive transducers that are capable of two-way signal transmission between each other, with downhole components of the tool string, and with ground-level equipment. The respective inductive transducers comprise one or more conductive loops housed within ferrite troughs, or within ferrite trough segments. When energized, the conductive loops produce a magnetic field suitable for transmitting the signal. The second element may be rotational in drilling applications. The respective elements may be fitted with electronic equipment to aid and manipulate the transmission of the signal. The first element may also be in communication with the World Wide Web.

Generally, this invention relates to the transmission of a signal in association with all or part of a tool string used in drilling oil, gas, and geothermal wells and for all or part of a tool string used in a production well. More particularly, this invention relates to a connection apparatus comprising fixed and rotating inductive transducers that are in communication with each other, a network of downhole inductive transducers along the tool string, and with ground-level equipment, including the World Wide Web.
For more than 50 years proposals have been made for transmitting an electronic signal along the length of the tool string used in the exploration and production of useful hydrocarbons and subterranean energy sources, namely oil, gas, and geothermal energy sources. These proposals have not met with commercial success for reasons associated with the numerous technological obstacles that must be hurdled in order to achieve efficient and reliable connections across the hundreds of tool string components that are required to successfully reach and acquire the underground energy resources. For example, a tool string for an oil well is likely to require hundreds of approximately 30-foot drill pipe segments interconnected at tool joints. In addition to the drill pipe, a series of heavy-weight drill pipe and drill collars may be required to give stability to the string. Moreover, such tools as swivels, reamers, jars, pumps, motors, perferators, turbines, mud-pulse sirens, directional drilling subs, and drill bits are also required in the makeup of a modern-day tool drill string. Each of these tools requires special adaptation for signal transmission in the harsh subterranean environment, which is characterized by high temperatures, vibrations, rotational accelerations, invasive and abrasive fluids, and dynamic stresses associated with suspending a million pounds of drill string components from the surface drill rig.
In a production well similar obstacles are present. A production well may also comprise hundreds of lengths of the interconnected casing and production pipe segments as well as pumps and motors for delivering oil, gas, or geothermal energy resources to the surface. Additionally, high temperatures, fluids and corrosive gases mixed with abrasive particles combine to make the production environment an equally harsh environment for electronic components.
In response to these obstacles, the applicants have invented a network system for signal transmission downhole. The linking element in this system is an inductive transducer which does not rely on rotational orientation and direct contact in order to transmit a signal from one jointed component to another. The inductive transducer is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 6,392,317, and PCT Application No. 75114A1, both incorporated herein by this reference. The inductive transducer comprises inductive rings that when brought into close proximity with each other, and energized, are capable of producing a shared magnetic field suitable for transmitting the signal from one component to the other. The rings comprise a conductive, insulated wire loop housed within an insulating and magnetically conductive ferrite trough, or groove. In practice, the transducers are coupled as closely together as possible, so that the transducer can be modeled as a transmission line transformer having both capacitive and inductive properties. As a convenience for manufacturing and assembly, the ferrite trough may consist of closely spaced apart ferrite segments. The inductive transducers are normally located at each end of the downhole tool and connected by a coaxial cable or some other conductor means. Additionally, the transducers may be connected to data-gathering sensors and transmitting links at predetermined locations along the tool string in aid of exploration and production of subterranean resources. Such links also serve as signal enhancement stations for error correction and boosting as the signal journeys along the downhole network.
Since a fixed and rotational connection is required to transmit the data to and from the operating tool string, the top-hole swivel has been selected for adaptation by the applicants for signal transmission to and from the downhole network. The top-hole swivel is a key surface-mounted drill rig component in the tool string. It functions as the entry point for drilling fluids and as a load transfer point between the drill string and rig. In some cases it has been used as a data gathering point for logging the well and for monitoring drill string dynamics. When adapted for signal transmission, the swivel becomes the interface between the outside world and the downhole signal transmission network of inductive transducers. Hence, this application presents a top-hole swivel fitted with inductive transducers that are adapted for signal transmission to and from the downhole network.

Signal connection for a downhole tool string


An electro-hydraulic control system is provided for a transmission with a torque-transmitting mechanism that has a dual area piston. When pressurized fluid is provided to a first of the two piston areas, the position of a spring-biased shift valve controls whether pressurized fluid communicates with the second piston area. A solenoid valve in fluid communication with the shift valve is energizable to direct pressurized fluid to the shift valve to urge the shift valve to the unstroked position to which the spring also urges. The shift valve may also be urged by pressurized fluid to the stroked position, but only when the solenoid valve is not energized. The spring maintains the shift valve in the unstroked position when pressurized fluid is directed to the shift valve to act both against and with the spring.

Dual-area apply pistons have two piston areas to which pressurized fluid may be individually fed in order to engage a torque-transmitting mechanism. During operating conditions in which a high torque capacity is required, such as in a low range or a starting gear to handle stall torque, both piston areas are fed pressurized fluid. Because pressurized fluid is thus applied over a greater area, a larger force is applied to engage the torque-transmitting mechanism, resulting in a larger torque capacity (also referred to as clutch capacity). During operating conditions in which less torque capacity is required, such as when operating in higher speed ratios, only one of the piston areas is fed pressurized fluid, thus engaging the torque-transmitting mechanism, but at a lesser torque capacity and with a faster fill time of the clutch cavity. Typically, a dual-area piston requires the use of two separate trim systems to direct pressurized fluid to each separate piston area fill cavity (i.e., each fill cavity typically requires a separate, dedicated solenoid valve and trim valve that direct pressurized fluid to the fill cavity when the solenoid valve is energized).

Electro-hydraulic control system for transmission with dual-area piston for torque-transmitting mechanism


An apparatus includes a monolithically-constructed transmission member that defines a lumen along a longitudinal axis. The transmission member includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is configured to be coupled to an ultrasonic energy source. The second portion is configured to contact a bodily tissue to transfer ultrasonic energy from a first portion into the bodily tissue. The third portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion and defines a cross-sectional moment of inertia that is less than at least one of a cross-sectional area moment of inertia of the first portion or a cross-sectional moment of inertia of the second portion.

The embodiments described herein relate generally to a device used in conjunction with an ultrasonic ablation device and, more specifically, to a transmission member configured to transfer ultrasonic energy to a bodily tissue from an ultrasonic energy source.
Known ultrasonic energy transmission systems are used in many different medical applications, such as, for example, for medical imaging, to disrupt obstructions and/or ablate bodily tissue. In known ultrasonic energy transmission systems for tissue ablation, ultrasonic energy is transferred from an ultrasonic energy source through a transducer horn and then a transmission member, such as a wire, to a distal head. Ultrasonic energy propagates through the transmission member as a periodic wave thereby causing the distal head to vibrate. Such vibrational energy can be used to ablate or otherwise disrupt bodily tissue, for example, a vascular obstruction, a kidney stone or the like. To effectively reach various sites for treatment of intravascular occlusions or regions within the urinary tract, such ultrasonic transmission members often have lengths of about 65 cm or longer.
Known ultrasonic transmission members are constructed to be flexible enough to be passed through various bodily lumens, but also with sufficient strength to transmit ultrasonic energy to the distal tip (e.g., to ablate vascular or urinary obstructions). A stronger, more durable transmission member allows for greater transmission of energy but may not be flexible or thin enough to be advanced through the vasculature to a desired treatment area. A thinner transmission member can be more flexible but is less durable and more susceptible to breakage.
In an attempt to find a balance between strength and flexibility, some known ultrasonic transmission members are tapered along a longitudinal axis of the transmission member such that the diameter of the distal end portion decreases to allow greater flexibility. For example, some known transmission members can include a diameter at the proximal end that is greater than a diameter at a distal end. Moreover, some known transmission members can include a distal tip or "head" that is welded to the reduced diameter section, and which is positioned adjacent the tissue to be treated. Such transmission members can be prone to breakage at or near the distal end of the transmission member where the cross-sectional area of the transmission member becomes smaller and/or at the discontinuous region where the two pieces are joined. Similarly stated, such breakage is generally caused by stress concentration due to transverse vibrations and fatigue. Thus, one difficulty related to transmission of ultrasonic energy through a relatively long transmission member of known design is premature wear and breakage of the transmission member.
Furthermore, the coupling of the distal head to the distal end of the transmission member results in a discontinuity between the transmission member and the distal head due to, for example, weld material, adhesive material, or the like. Such discontinuities can produce reflections of the ultrasonic wave and result in losses of ultrasonic energy. To overcome the energy losses and inefficiency in energy transfer due to reflections or the like, some known systems increase the level of ultrasonic energy transferred through the transmission member. Similarly stated, some known systems apply a high level of energy at the proximal end portion to overcome the inefficiencies of the transmission member (e.g., at the distal end). However, the increase in the ultrasound energy transferred through the transmission member can increase stress on the transmission member and, consequently, can result in premature fatigue and breakage. In addition to the loss of transmission efficiency, known transmission members constructed of multiple pieces are expensive and can be complicated to manufacture.
Thus, a need exists for an improved apparatus and methods for transferring ultrasonic energy from an ultrasonic energy source to a bodily tissue.

Apparatus and methods for transferring ultrasonic energy to a bodily tissue


A security system incorporating a reasoning system and security rules and processes. Transponders may be triggered and sensed from a distance to identify both items and individuals. These sensed identifiers are processed by the reasoning system to determine whether each identified item is authorized to be removed from or brought into a secured location by the identified individual. The system modifies and optimizes its rules and processes based on assessments of security events. The security system enforces these security rules and receives feedback from authorized security personnel. A learning system is configured to modify existing rules or create new rules in conformance with the feedback from the authorized security personnel.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of security systems, and in particular to security systems that adaptively create and modify security rules and parameters based on prior events.
2. Description of Related Art
Security systems are common in the art. With the advent of computers and data base systems, inventory security systems are also becoming prevalent. PCT patent application WO 97/15031, xe2x80x9cArticle Inventory Tracking and Control Systemxe2x80x9d, published Apr. 24, 1997, discloses a system wherein each inventoried article is uniquely identified via a xe2x80x9cmarkerxe2x80x9d. Users associated with the secured facility are also uniquely identifiable, via for example an identification card with a magnetic strip containing a unique identifier. The user places the inventoried article into a xe2x80x9ccheckout/check-inxe2x80x9d device, along with the user""s identification card. If the user is authorized to remove the device from the secured facility, the xe2x80x9cmarkerxe2x80x9d is switched to an inactive state. In a retail environment, the user is granted authorization to remove the device after a debit is registered to an account that is associated with the user""s identification, such as a user""s credit card account. Each egress from the secured facility contains a sensor for active markers. If an inventoried item""s marker has not been inactivated, by the check-out/check-in device, the sensor will detect the active marker, and an alarm event is triggered to prevent the unauthorized removal of the item. In like manner, a user can return an inventoried item to the secured facility by presenting the item to the check-out/check-in device. When the inventoried item is checked in, the device reactivates the item""s marker, and updates a database file to reflect the user""s return of the inventoried item. A typical application of the system includes an automated check-out/check-in process for a lending-library, a video rental store, and so on. U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,061, xe2x80x9cARTICLE REMOVAL CONTROL SYSTEMxe2x80x9d, issued Nov. 14, 1989, operates similarly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,634, xe2x80x9cITEM REMOVAL SYSTEM AND METHODxe2x80x9d, issued Mar. 23, 1999, and incorporated by reference herein, provides a less intrusive system that uses radio-ID tags that are attached to people and items. A database associates each identified item with one or more people who are authorized to remove the item. When an item is detected at an exit without an authorized person, an alert is generated. The system also interfaces with inventory control systems, and can provide the capabilities discussed above, such as an automated check-in, check-out system.
In the prior art systems, the database of authorizations for each secured item in the inventory must be kept up to date. Because of the overhead that is typically associated with maintaining an inventory security system, the rules and processes that are enforced are relatively static and simple. Such a system may be well suited for a library or retail environment, wherein a convenience is provided relative to a conventional manned check-out station, but the same system may not be well received in an environment that is not normally secured.
In an office or laboratory environment, for example, employees are not typically subjected to security processes, even though theft of property does occur in these environments. This lack of security may be based on a reluctance to demonstrate a lack of trust to the employees; it may be based on the logistic difficulties, such as exit queues, caused by requiring each employee to check out inventoried items each time the items are removed from the secured facility; it may be based on the anticipated annoyances that false alarms may trigger; and so on. Similarly, in many large organizations, or large facilities, it may be infeasible to attempt to map each identified item in the facility with a set of the individuals who are authorized to remove the item.
It is an object of this invention to ease the task of automating a security system. It is a further object of this invention to minimize the intrusion of security processes on monitored individuals. It is a further object of this invention to facilitate a dynamic modification of security processes invoked by a security system.
These objects and others are achieved by providing a security system that incorporates a reasoning system and security rules and processes that are designed to be as unobtrusive as the situation permits. Two independent aspects or the system facilitate the enforcement of rules and processes in an unobtrusive manner. First, transponders that can be triggered and sensed from a distance are preferably used to identify both items and individuals. These remotely sensed identifiers are processed by the reasoning system to determine whether each identified item is authorized, or likely to be authorized, to be removed from, or brought into, a secured location by the identified individual. Second, the system continually modifies and optimizes its rules and processes based on assessments of security events. An initial set of rules is created for the security system that, generally, prohibit the removal of secured items from the secured location, except that certain individuals are authorized to remove specified items from the secured location. Thereafter, the security system is configured to enforce these security rules and processes, and to receive feedback from authorized security personnel regarding the efficacy of the enforced security rules and processes. Coupled to the security system is a learning system that is configured to modify existing rules or create new rules, in conformance with the feedback from the authorized security personnel. By dynamically adjusting the security rules and processes, the intrusion of the security system on the monitored individuals is substantially reduced, and the system continues to be optimized based on feedback.

Object proximity/security adaptive event detection