An artificial hair piece includes an independent extension of synthetic human hair secured at one end to a stretchable, twistable, and foldable elastic loop or band. The opposite end of the extension can either be free or can be gathered and tied or otherwise bound. The elastic loop can be used to secure gathered actual hair of a user into, for example, a ponytail. The hair extension can then be wrapped around the elastic loop to hide it from view and give the impression that the hair extension is securing the ponytail in place. The hair extension can be selected to match one or more characteristic of the user's own hair.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hair styling, and in particular, to devices and methods of adding artificial hair pieces to a person's own natural hair, for example, in securing, wrapping, and styling pony tails.
B. Problems in the Art
A currently popular, but long used, hair style is the pony tail. The person's hair is gathered and secured by a rubber band or other looped elastic device at a location at or near the person's head, all as is well-known.
There are actually many variations of pony tails or similar hair configurations. For example, the place of gathering and securing the pony tail (hereafter referred to as the "base" of the pony tail) can be at the lower back of the head, or in the back of the head but quite high on the head. Another example is "pig tails" or double pony tails, usually spaced laterally towards opposite sides of the back of the head. Therefore, for purposes of this description, the term pony tail is intended to mean traditional pony tails and any similar or analogous hair configuration where actual hair is gathered and secured at a base near the head in a gathered configuration then extends either freely, braided, or otherwise away from the base.
As mentioned, the pony tail is secured most times by a rubber band or elastic member. To secure and maintain the pony tail, the elastic or rubber band must be wound tightly around the hair. Since the rubber band or elastic member is usually a loop, the hair gathered for the ponytail is most times first threaded through the loop, the loop is twisted to form another loop (the first loop surrounding the gathered hair) and the outer end of the gathered hair is threaded back through the second loop, and so on until the base of the pony tail is tightly secured. As a result, the band or elastic is usually visible.
Some people cover the elastic with a ribbon, bow, or other ornamentation. There are devices that attempt to combine the securing function of elastic with an ornamental aspect. An example is called a "scrunchie", which basically consists of an elastic material in a loop covered with a decorative elastic or gathered loose fitting cloth-like material. Even though the device must be wrapped like a rubber band is wrapped around the pony tail, when in place it is usually more appealing than simply a rubber band or elastic loop. Many times a smaller rubber band or elastic loop must first be used to secure the pony tail and the decorative scrunchie is then placed over it.
An alternative and presently increasingly popular way to cover the band or elastic is to use some of the person's own hair. There are different ways to do so, but one way to do so is described and shown at page 169 of MODERN SALON magazine, May 1997 issue. After the pony tail is created, by use of an elastic band (and possibly a hair pin), a narrow section of the person's own hair from the base of the ponytail is pulled out, saturated with hair spray and wrapped around the elastic band. It is sprayed again with hair spray and secured in place, by one or more hair pins, for example. The person's own hair, therefore, conceals the elastic securing the base of the pony tail and makes an appealing style. The arrangement also gives the illusion that the person's own hair was used to create and secure the pony tail.
The above method is fairly time-consuming. It also requires the use of substantial hair spray. Furthermore, although the hair will perfectly match because it is the user's own, that part of the hair used to wrap the elastic must be manipulated, stretched and styled into a tightly wound configuration, which risks damage to the hair. It also treats that portion of the hair much differently than adjacent portions. Therefore, when not worn as a wrap around the base of the pony tail, it may look different than other adjacent portions of the person's hair. In addition, it is desirable to exhibit the maximum thickness of hair in the pony tail, and this method detracts from the visible volume in the pony tail by the amount of hair used to create the wrap at the base.
A variety of devices are commercially available to be used generally with hair styling. For example, the Tristar "HAIRDINI" (Tristar of 1616 Duke Street, Laureldale, Pa. 19695) is a flexible apparatus with foam faces that can be shaped to hold and configure hair in various fashions. The "HAIR BAND-IT", available from Hair Band-It, P.O. Box 210428, Bedford, Tex. 76095, a current hair styling device bearing a patent number of U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,230, appears to be a tool that can assist a person to wrap their own hair around the elastic of their pony tail.
Revlon, Miami Lakes, Fla. 33014, markets a device called Revlon "SPARE HAIR" which appears to use an internal wire spine covered by artificial hair which could allow a user to wrap the artificial hair around the elastic creating the pony tail. It can also be used to add hair at any place on the user's head, if desired. The internal wire spine has flexible wire hooks at either end to assist in securing the device to the person's head. One use shown in advertising for "SPARE HAIR", is to wrap the elastic of a pony tail. Because it uses artificial hair, the user must match the artificial hair to the user's desired hair style and/or color. Also, the user must first secure the pony tail and then manipulate the wire spine and wire hooks, which is not easy or convenient.
However, none of the above-mentioned devices function both as the elastic to create the pony tail (i.e. bind the pony tail) and to create the look that the pony tail is wrapped in the person' own hair. Therefore, a need has been identified in the art. It would be advantageous to have the capability of creating and securing a pony tail and also wrap the elastic with what appears to be the user's own hair. Such a solution would not only be quick, but would not subject at least a portion of the user's hair to the trauma and stress of using it to create the wrap. Furthermore, it would be easier to change hair styles and give more options for hairstyles. This would eliminate substantial amounts of preparation time. Normally, a good job of wrapping the elastic with one's own hair requires a trip to the hair salon, which involves substantial time and cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 541,125 to Simonson is entitled "Hair Structure" and discloses one or more rings of what he calls elastic or flexible material such as very thin spring steel, or brass, or whale bone. Hair is sewed, or tied, or secured to entirely enclose and conceal the foundation, i.e. the ring or rings. The ring or rings are in turn secured in a parting of the user's hair close to the head by pins or placed over a knot of the user's hair. The user's own intact hair is then dressed in with the artificial hair to create a foundation and appearance of fuller hair or more volume in the user's hair.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,741 to Dvorak is entitled "Hair Wrap Device" and discloses a fabric sheet having an elastic band attached to one end. The elastic band is secured around a user's pony tail. The fabric wrap hangs down in the direction of the pony tail, is wrapped around it, and secured by what are called lace members. Neither of the above patents discloses or suggests an integrated elastic loop/artificial hair combination for securing and wrapping the base of a pony tail. Simonson's ring would not operate if it where an elastic loop that is flexible, foldable, twistable, and stretchable. Its ring is a foundation, a base or support, over which the artificial hair and the user's intact hair are laid and dressed. Dvorak has no teaching of use of artificial hair, but rather is limited to a cloth wrap along a substantial length of the user's pony tail, secured by laces.
It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of wrapping the elastic of a pony tail or similar hair arrangement with hair, and more specifically, artificial hair or other than the user's own hair, that improves over or solves the problems and deficiencies in the art.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention include an apparatus and method which:
1. is economical to manufacture. PA0 2. is durable over repeated and long use. PA0 3. is quick and easy to use without assistance. PA0 4. is adaptable to a variety of hair styles, characteristics, and uses. PA0 5. is non-complex in structure and use.
These and other objects, features, and advantages will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification and claims.

Apparatus and method for securing pony tail


A cockpit access security system controls changes to a record of personnel authorized to access the cockpit by reference to the state of the aircraft as determined by a plurality of on-board sensors indicating the state of particular aircraft subsystems.

Different means are known for ensuring that only authorized personnel may gain access to the cockpit from the cabin of an aircraft. Biometrically actuated locks or flight controls are known, as are passcode or card access systems (U.S. Pat. No. 7,376,494). It is also known to provide a security access system that interacts with a land-based control system to allow selective locking out of persons (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,915,986).
Such systems are nonetheless subject to limitations, including the possibility of hacking of the system to change the biometrics, the passcode or the passcard authorization. Hacking may be from within the aircraft or may be land-based where the security system interacts with a land-based supervisory or control system.
Restricting entry to the cockpit to authorized personnel is desirable, but it is a further object of the present invention to prevent the locking out of authorized personnel from inside the cockpit. For example, a co-pilot may seek to lock the pilot out of the cockpit in flight when the pilot leaves the cockpit temporarily, or an unauthorized person may gain access to the cockpit while passengers are boarding and lock the cockpit from the inside. Specially designated authorized personnel should typically have access regardless of whether the door has been locked from either side of the door, except in exigent circumstances.
A cockpit access security system should also accommodate changes in authorized personnel that are coincident with flight crew changes. Preferably means are provided for unregistering authorized personnel even if they are no longer present on the aircraft, as personnel may forget or omit to unregister their access authorization before leaving the aircraft. Unregistering should be fairly simple and only done in safe circumstances.
These and other objects will be better understood by reference to this application as a whole. Not all of the objects are necessarily met by all embodiments of the invention described below or by the invention defined by each of the claims.


A fuse used for redundancy function in a semiconductor device includes a pair of fuse terminals formed as a common layer with top interconnect lines by using a damascene technique, and a fuse element made of refractive metal and bridging the fuse terminals. The fuse element is formed as a common layer with the protective cover films covering the interconnect lines.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device having a fuse and, more particularly, to an improvement of the structure of the fuse element in a fuse.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Most of semiconductor devices such as a DRAM or SRAM have fuse blocks for use in redundancy circuits. When a defect is found in a memory cell during a product test, the defective memory cell is replaced with a redundancy memory cell by cutting an associated fuse element while irradiating the fuse element with a laser beam.
The fuse block is also used in a multi-mode semiconductor memory device such as DRAM, wherein a plurality of control circuits are provided each for effecting one of a plurality of operational modes such as a static column mode or a high-speed phase mode. One of the control circuits is selected for effecting a specified operational mode, after fabrication of the semiconductor device, by cutting the fuse elements other than the specified fuse element, whereby the other control circuits are inactivated.
Along with the increase of demand for higher integration and finer patterning of semiconductor devices, a multi-level interconnect structure is increasingly used wherein a plurality of interconnect layers are alternately stacked with a plurality of interlevel dielectric layers, and connected together by using via plugs embedded in the dielectric layers. The multi-level interconnect structure includes a fuse block including a plurality of fuses each having a pair of terminals and a fuse element, which are formed on an underlying dielectric film and covered by an overlying dielectric protective film. The underlying dielectric film is generally formed as a top interlevel dielectric layer on which the top interconnect layer is formed.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional structure of the fuse block such as described in Patent Publication JP-A-11-17011. The fuse block, generally designated by numeral 10, has a plurality of fuses each including a pair of fuse terminals 18A and 18B and a fuse element 12, which are formed on an underlying dielectric film 14 as a common layer with interconnect lines such as signal lines 16A, 16B and 16C. Depiction of the overlying protective film is omitted therein for simplification purpose. The fuse element 12 has a smaller thickness and bridges the fuse terminals 18A and 18B having a larger thickness, which is comparable to the thickness of the interconnect lines.
Each of the fuse terminals 18A and 18B and the interconnect lines 16A, 16B and 16C has a two-layer structure including an aluminum (Al) body film 20 and a TiN protective film, whereas the fuse element 12 is implemented by a single layer of the TiN film. The TiN film 12 has a lower reflectance and thus a higher absorbance compared to the Al film, and is readily fused by a laser beam having a relatively lower energy level.
The fuse structure is fabricated as detailed below. Referring to FIG. 2A, an Al film 22 is formed on an underlying interlevel dielectric film 16 overlying a semiconductor substrate 100. The Al film 22 is patterned to form interconnect lines 20 including fuse terminals 18A and 18B, as shown in FIG. 2B, followed by depositing a TiN film 24 on the entire surface including the surfaces of the interconnect lines, as shown in FIG. 2C. The TiN film is then patterned to form a two-layer structure of the interconnect liens 20 as well as the fuse elements 12 each connecting the pair of fuse terminals 18A and 18B together.
With the trend for reduction of the chip size of the semiconductor device, the occupied area for the interconnect lines and the fuse structure as well as the line space between the fuses and between the fuse terminals should be reduced. The reduction of the occupied area for the fuse structure has some problems.
First, the reduction of the line space reduces the allowable positioning margin of the etching mask used for patterning the TiN film, thereby generating defects in the fuse terminals and the interconnect lines.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of the defects caused by the reduction of the positioning margin. In FIG. 3A, a misalignment occurs between the etching mask 26 and Al films 20 of the interconnect lines, and accordingly the Al film 20 is slightly etched after the patterning to cause reduction of the effective sectional area for the interconnect lines, as shown in FIG. 3B, thereby increasing the electric resistance of the interconnect lines.
Second, the reduction of the line space raises the aspect ratio during the patterning step for the TiN film, wherein the aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the line thickness to the line space. The higher aspect ratio is likely to cause, as shown in FIG. 4, an incomplete etching of the refractive metal film 24 at the gap between the Al films 20A and 20B of the interconnect lines, thereby generating a short circuit failure therebetween.


Method and apparatus for applying liquids to foliage with a roller and adjustable spray nozzle apparatus. A large heavy roller is pulled or pushed across a field of plants, thereby forcing the plants very close to the ground. A height adjustable applicator nozzle directly following the roller can be adjusted very close to the compacted plants. The combination of an adjustable roller and adjustable applicator nozzles allows the fluid to be released very near the plants, thereby increasing the amount of fluid transferred to the plants' surface and lowering the amount of fluid sprayed into the atmosphere. This reduces the amount of fluid required to treat a given area. The result of the invention is a savings in the cost of fluids, improved effectiveness of the treatment and an improved environmental impact where the selected fluid has a negative environmental impact.

The maintenance of vegetation often includes spraying the foliage with fluids including nutrients, fertilizers, fungicides, herbicides, pesticides and the like. Spraying foliage with chemical herbicides is often used as a means for controlling unwanted vegetation growth. Spray applications are extensively used in various areas with a consequent loss of effectiveness. The disadvantage with such an operation is that a considerable amount of the fluid can be lost through spray drift and over spray. A spray is generally somewhat non-selective and a proportion of the spray will not be applied to the foliage and may instead affect unintended areas and/or plant species. Consequently, there is a significant wastage with such type of application, and a concomitant loss in effectiveness for purposes intended. Additionally, there is an increasing concern with the practice of using sprays containing herbicides and other noxious fluids because of the potential environmental impacts from over spray and spray drift. It is apparent that other means of applying the fluids which will minimize such impacts and increase effectiveness would have a general acceptance.

Combination foliage compaction and treatment method and apparatus

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture


A process is provided for catalytically reducing imines, oximes, hydrazones and related compounds. Moreover, there is provided a process for the catalytic asymmetric reduction of imines, oximes, hydrazones, and the like, using enantiomerically enriched catalysts, to provide chiral amine reaction products which are enriched in one enantiomer. Catalytic asymmetric reduction can also be carried out using an achiral precatalyst in combination with a. The U.S. Government has rights in this invention pursuant to NIH Grant Number GM 34917.

The present invention relates to processes for catalytically reducing and/or transforming imines, oximes, hydrazones, and the like, and for the catalytic asymmetric reduction of such compounds.
Reactions which reduce imines, oximes, hydrazones and the like, often are commercially quite significant, as they can be used in the large scale preparation of pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. Thus, the safety and economy of the reduction reactions are important considerations. Processes which safely and economically produce amines are of great interest since these compounds are widely used as pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. Moreover, many pharmaceutically active amines are optically active compounds, and effective processes for generating amines enriched in a desired enantiomer are thus needed. Currently utilized methods of producing enantiomerically enriched amines rely upon the use of expensive late transition metal catalysts and potentially hazardous reagents.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide safer and more economical processes for reducing compounds such as imines, oximes, hydrazones and the like.
It is thus an object of the invention to provide a safer and more economical process for catalytically reducing compounds such as imines, oximes, and hydrazones. Another object is to provide such a reaction where the end product of the reaction is effectively and conveniently isolated. A further object is to provide safe and economical processes for preparing chiral amines, enriched in one enantiomer, by the catalytic asymmetric reduction of imines, oximes, hydrazones, and the like. Other objects will be apparent upon reading the disclosure which follows.

Catalytic asymmetric and non-asymmetric reduction of times and oximes using metal catalysts


A communication system includes translation modules that provide address hopping to secure packet-based communications. A transmitting translation module modifies source and/or destination addresses of communicated packets and a receiving translation module resolves each modified source and/or destination address into the original source and destination addresses for the packets.

To overcome many limitations of traditional telephony networks, customers are increasingly turning to packet-based solutions as an alternative. However, while providing many advantages, packet networks may offer less protection against third party interference when compared with other telephony networks. To provide security during packet-based calls, some have proposed and implemented encryption techniques. However, encrypting communications can require relatively large amounts of processing power.

Address hopping of packet-based communications


A method of operating a fuel cell cogeneration system comprises the steps of cooling a fuel cell by circulating an internal heat transfer medium through the fuel cell while the fuel cell is generating electric power, storing an external heat transfer medium in a heat utilization portion, detecting remaining calories of the heat utilization portion by a first detector provided at the heat utilization portion, increasing a temperature of the fuel cell to an operating temperature by carrying out a first temperature increasing operation, and increasing the temperature of the fuel cell to the operating temperature by carrying out a second temperature increasing operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel cell cogeneration system.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a construction of the conventional fuel cell cogeneration system (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-042841, page 3 to 6, FIG. 1).
Turning to FIG. 16, the fuel cell cogeneration system comprises a fuel cell 1 configured to generate an electric power using a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, a fuel processor 2 configured to generate the fuel gas by subjecting a material to a steam reforming reaction and a shift reaction, a fuel-gas humidifier 5 configured to humidify the fuel gas to be supplied to the fuel cell 1, an air supply device 6 configured to supply air as the oxidizing gas to the fuel cell 1, and an oxidizing-gas humidifier 7 configured to humidify the air.
The fuel cell cogeneration system further comprises a cooling pipe 8 through which antifreezing fluid is sent to the fuel cell 1 to adjust a temperature of the fuel cell 1, a pump 9 configured to circulate cooling water, and a heat exchanger 12 configured to exchange heat generated in the fuel cell 1 with an external heat transfer medium (e.g., city water). With this construction, the external heat transfer medium which has exchanged heat with the fuel cell 1 flows in a direction and is stored in a heat utilization means 16 such as a tank that recovers heat from the fuel cell 1, and during start of the fuel cell 1, a heat transfer controller 17 flows the external heat transfer medium from the heat utilization means 16 to the fuel cell 1 in a reverse direction so that the heat recovered by the heat utilization means 16 is transferred to the fuel cell 1 through the heat exchanger 12.
Like the conventional fuel cell cogeneration system, the use of the hot water stored in the heat utilization means as the heat for heating the fuel cell 1 during start, is optimal in terms of reduction of the start time and energy use efficiency. However, since consumers typically consume hot water regardless of the amount of hot water remaining within the heat utilization means, the hot water may run out with use when the hot water stored in the heat utilization means is running short. Especially when the heat utilization means is not internally equipped with a backup hot water supply device for ensuring the hot water, consumers are incapable of consuming the hot water. This presents a serious inconvenience.

Fuel cell cogeneration system, method of operating


Disclosed is a 2-pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer having optionally substituted methylol groups, and a process for producing the 2-pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer having methylol groups, the process comprising reacting a 2-pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer with an aldehyde.

Polyamide 4 has a feature of being synthesized from biomass. Specifically, a monomer, 2-pyrrolidone, used as a raw material therefor can be obtained from γ-aminobutyric acid that is made by decarboxylating glutamic acid, which is industrially manufactured by fermenting biomass (i.e., glucose). Polyamide 4 has excellent thermal and mechanical properties because of the strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds due to its macromolecular chain structure comprising short methylene chains. Further, among polyamides, only polyamide 4 is biodegraded by microorganisms in the natural environment, e.g., activated sludge, seawater, and soil. The polymerization mechanism involves bonding of an initiator to form propagation species, and the macromolecular design of polyamide 4 is therefore easy.
Polyamide 4 was synthesized for the first time in 1956 by William O. Ney et al. by using metallic potassium as a basic catalyst and an acyl group-containing compound as an activator, to thereby cause ring-opening polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone to proceed by an activated monomer mechanism (PTL 1). Based on this technique, new technologies pertaining to new catalytic systems, polymerization procedures, copolymerization with ε-caprolactam and the like were continually developed from the 1950s through the 1990s with the aim of increasing the molecular weight, controlling polydispersity, and simplifying the manufacturing process (NPL 1 to 5). Generally, such technologies were intended to manufacture linear polyamide 4 as a commodity material to fabricate fibers and films by melt processing, which is economically advantageous. Although some of the research led to a technology development whereby melt spinning of polyamide 4 became possible, its commercialization was hampered by drawbacks, such as insufficient strength and difficulty in molding.
For overcoming these drawbacks, PTL 2 teaches that polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone by using a basic polymerization catalyst and a carboxylic acid compound produces a uniquely structured 2-pyrrolidone polymer containing structures derived from the carboxylic acid compound, and that the physical properties, such as thermal stability and moldability, of the thus-obtained 2-pyrrolidone polymer can be controlled and improved.
Taking advantage of the ease of macromolecular design, the present inventors used a polyfunctional initiator (1,3,5-benzene tricarbonyl trichloride etc.) as disclosed in PTL 2 to develop polyamide 4 having a 3-branched structure. The development of 3-branched polyamide 4 led to success in achieving a tensile strength higher than that of linear polyamide 4 of an equivalent molecular weight (approx. Mw 100×103) due to the tangled molecular chains made by introducing the branched structure. Moreover, specimens of 3-branched polyamide 4 were made by injection molding for the purpose of evaluating the basic physical properties of the specimens, such as heat resistance and strength. As a result, the specimens of 3-branched polyamide 4 exhibited performance equivalent to or better than that of polyamide 6, which is a typical engineering plastic.
PTL 3 reports that when carrying out polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone, copolymerization with ε-caprolactam was performed using a basic polymerization catalyst and an initiator that has a structure with two or more branches to control the macromolecular chain structure and the macromolecular chain composition, thereby enabling modification of the physical properties (i.e., mechanical properties and thermal properties).

2-pyrrolidone polymer or copolymer having modified physical properties, and manufacturing method for same

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


An apparatus for altering the operating clock frequency of a computer system comprises an input port, a plurality of output ports, and instructing means coupled together by a bus. Latching means and gating means are coupled to CPU and the output ports to control the clock signal received. The input port receives a change frequency signal. In response, the CPU executes the instructions from the instructing means to store the contents of the CPU's internal registers into memory. The CPU then generates a frequency select signal and a reset signal that resets itself. The latch means stores and outputs the frequency select signal to the gating means. The gating means uses the frequency select signal to output one of a plurality of different frequency clock signals received at its select input as the operating clock input of the CPU. The CPU thereafter operates under the newly gated clock signal. After the CPU reset is complete, the CPU reloads its internal registers with the information stored within the memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer systems and more particularly to a method and apparatus for changing the operating clock speed of the system during doze modes to minimize power consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the popularity of portable and laptop computers has steadily grown. As a result, computer manufacturers have worked diligently to improve the design and the performance of these computers. Portable and laptop technology has now advanced to a stage where the performance of the portable computers is approximately equal to that of the larger desk top computers. Some portables are capable of operating at a clock speed of 25 MHz or even higher.
Although they perform like desk top computers, portable computers suffer from one inherent disadvantage. Because they are portable, they must be operated under battery power, which means that power conservation is a major concern. One method for saving power is to simply reduce the operating clock speed of the system, but most users demand full performance from their systems so reducing the operating clock speed does not seem to be a desirable method for saving power.
It is not necessary for a computer to always operate at its highest clock speed, however. There are periods, called "doze modes," during which the central processing unit is not executing any instructions. During these periods, the clock speed of the processor may be altered without adversely affecting the operation of the computer. Prior attempts have been made to alter the operating clock speed of a processor but these methods involved changing the clock speed dynamically, that is, on-the-fly without interrupting the processor. However, the prior art methods cannot be implemented in applications where timing paths are critical, such as computer systems using INTEL 80486 series CPUs. Therefore, there exists a need for a method and apparatus for changing the operating clock speed of a computer system which is more generally applicable.

Method and apparatus for changing the operating clock speed of a computer system


An optical wavelength router separates even and odd optical channels from an input WDM signal. The input beam is first converted into a pair of orthogonally-polarized beams. One of the beams is reflected by a mirror, while the other is reflected by a Fabry-Perot resonator (or etalon). The group delay of the reflected beams is strongly dependent on wavelength. The beams reflected from the resonator and mirror are combined and interfere in a birefringent element (e.g., a beam displacer or polarized beamsplitter) to produce a beam having mixed polarization as a function of wavelength. The polarized components of this beam are separated by a polarization-dependent routing element to produce two output beams containing complementary subsets of the input optical spectrum (e.g., even optical channels are routed to output port A and odd optical channels are routed to output port B).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of optical communications systems. More specifically, the present invention discloses an optical wavelength router for wavelength division multiplex (WDM) optical communications.
2. Statement of the Problem
Wavelength division multiplexing is a commonly used technique that allows the transport of multiple optical signals, each at a slightly different wavelength, over an optical fiber. The ability to carry multiple signals on a single fiber allows that fiber to carry a tremendous amount of traffic, including data, voice, and even digital video signals. As an example, the use of wavelength division multiplexing permits a long distance telephone company to carry thousands or even millions of phone conversations on one fiber. By using wavelength division multiplexing, it is possible to effectively use the fiber at multiple wavelengths, as opposed to the costly process of installing additional fibers.
In wavelength division multiplexing techniques, multiple wavelengths can be carried within a specified bandwidth. It is advantageous to carry as many wavelengths as possible in that bandwidth. International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Draft Recommendation G.mcs, incorporated herein by reference, proposes a frequency grid which specifies various channel spacings including 100 GHz and 200 GHz. It would be advantageous to obtain 50 GHz spacing. Separating and combining wavelengths with these close spacings requires optical components which have high peak transmission at the specified wavelengths and which can provide good isolation between separated wavelengths.
One technique which has been developed to accomplish the demultiplexing of closely spaced wavelengths is to cascade a series of wavelength division demultiplexing devices, each device having different wavelength separating characteristics. A typical application involves cascading an interferometric device such as an arrayed waveguide device having a narrow spacing of transmission peaks (e.g., 50 GHz) with a second interferometric device which has a coarser spacing and correspondingly broader transmission peaks (e.g., 100 GHz spacing). The cascade of devices provides the required separation of wavelengths by subdividing the wavelengths once in the first device, typically into a set of odd and even channels, and then separating wavelengths in the subsets in following devices in the cascade.
Arrayed waveguide, fused biconical taper, fiber Bragg grating, diffraction grating, and other interferometric wavelength demultiplexing devices can be constructed to have the appropriate characteristics for the first or second stage devices in the cascade. However, traditional interferometric devices have the characteristic that as the spacing of the channels is decreased, the transmission peaks become narrower, and are less flat over the wavelength region in the immediate vicinity of each peak than a device with wider channel spacings. As a result, when using a traditional device in the first stage of a cascade, the transmission peaks may not have a high degree of flatness, and any drift or offset of a wavelength from its specified value may result in significant attenuation of that wavelength. In addition, the isolation between wavelengths is frequently unsuitable with conventional interferometric devices and can result in unacceptable cross-talk between channels.
With increasing numbers of wavelengths and the close wavelength spacing which is utilized in dense wavelength division multiplexing systems, attenuation and cross-talk must also be closely controlled to meet the system requirements and maintain reliable operations. As an example, 40 or 80 wavelengths can be generated using controllable-wavelength lasers, with transmission signals modulated onto each laser. It is desirable to be able to demultiplex these channels. Although the lasers can be controlled and the wavelengths stabilized to prevent one channel from drifting into another, there is always some wavelength drift which will occur.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a wavelength division demultiplexing device which tolerates wavelength drift, maintains a high degree of isolation between channels, and is able to separate large numbers of wavelengths.
3. Prior Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art interferometer that shares some of the basic principles employed in the present invention. An input laser beam is split into two beams by a beamsplitter 10. One beam propagates toward a mirror 14 and is reflected back by this mirror. The other beam propagates toward a resonator 12 and is also reflected back. The resonator 12 is a Fabry-Perot cavity (or etalon) with a partially-reflective front mirror and a totally-reflective back mirror. The resonator 12 reflects substantially all of the incident optical power back regardless of wavelength, but the group delay of the reflected light is strongly dependent on wavelength. The two reflected beams from the mirror 14 and from the resonator 12 interfere at the beamsplitter 10 and the resulting output is split into two beams, one at output A, and the other in a different direction at output B. The two output beams contain complementary subsets of the input optical spectrum, as shown for example in FIG. 2. Such a wavelength router concept has been proposed by B. B. Dingle and M. lzutsu, xe2x80x9cMultifunction Optical Filter With A Michelson-Gires-Tournois Interferometer For Wavelength-Division-Multiplexed Network System Applications,xe2x80x9d Optics Letters, vol. 23, p. 1099 (1998) and the references therein.
The two output ports A and B divide the spectral space evenly with alternating optical channels being directed to each output port (i.e., optical channels 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. are directed to output port A, while channels 2, 4, 6, etc. are directed to output port B). This function has sometimes been called an optical interleaver.
4. Solution to the Problem
The present invention address the problems associated with the prior art using a polarization-based interferometer to implement an optical interleaver capable of separating closely spaced optical channels with minimal cross-talk.
This invention provides a method and apparatus for optical wavelength routing in which an input beam is converted to a pair of orthogonally-polarized beams. A split-mirror resonator has a front mirror with two regions having different reflectivities, and a reflective back mirror spaced a predetermined distance behind the front mirror. Each of the orthogonally-polarized beams is incident on a corresponding region of the front mirror of the resonator. A portion of each beam is reflected by the front mirror, while the remainder of the beam enters the resonator cavity where it is reflected by the back mirror back through the front mirror. The group delay of each reflected beam is strongly dependent on wavelength. The two reflected beams from the resonator are combined and interfere in a birefringent element (e.g., a beam displacer or waveplates) to produce a beam having mixed polarization as a function of wavelength. The polarized components of this beam are separated by a polarization-dependent routing element (e.g., a polarized beamsplitter) to produce two output beams containing complementary subsets of the input optical spectrum (e.g., even optical channels are routed to output port A and odd optical channels are routed to output port B).
Alternatively, the split-mirror resonator can be replaced by a mirror and Fabry-Perot resonator. In this embodiment, one of the orthogonally-polarized beams is reflected by the mirror, while the other is reflected by the Fabry-Perot resonator.
These and other advantages, features, and objects of the present invention will be more readily understood in view of the following detailed description and the drawings.

Compact tunable optical wavelength interleaver


A solid-state imaging device which includes a color filter having excellent color reproduction, a manufacturing method thereof and a camera are provided.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device, a camera and so on which uses the solid-state imaging device, and in particular to a color filter included in the solid-state imaging device.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the range of application for solid-state imaging devices such as digital still cameras, digital video cameras and cellular phones has been expanding rapidly and coloration technology has become essential technology in any field.
FIG. 1 is a diagram which shows part of a cross section structure (more specifically, three unit pixels) of a conventional solid-state imaging device 6. As shown in FIG. 1, the pixel portion of the solid-state imaging device 6 has a structure in which a P-type semiconductor layer 602, an inter-layer insulation film 604, a color filter 606 with a multi-layer film structure and a micro-lens 607 are laminated sequentially on an N-type semiconductor layer 601. Note that a photodiode 603 is formed on a side of the inter-layer insulation film 604 in the P-type semiconductor layer 602, and a light shielding film 605 is formed on the inter-layer insulation film 604.
Incident light on the solid-state image device 6 is collected by the micro-lens 607 and, after being separated into specific colors by the color filter 606, enters the photodiode 603 (see for example, Patent Document "International Pamphlet Publication No. 05/069376").
Color separation is realized using the color filter, and a page of image data can be generated by accumulating the above photoelectrically converted signal in all of the unit pixels (see for example, patent documents "Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-311310", "Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-180621" or "International Pamphlet Publication No. 05-069376").
In order to protect pixel units and circuit units, normally a tri-silicon tetra-nitride film is formed as a barrier film (known as a "protection film") in the solid-state imaging device. Subsequently for example by composing the color filter in the solid-state imaging device by layering a silicon oxide nitride film and a tri-silicon tetra-nitride film, incident light reflection can be controlled (see for example, Patent Document "Japanese Patent Publication No. "2000-252451").
Conventionally, improvement in image quality has always been in demand, and increases in the amount of pixels and color reproducibility are also in demand.
However, there is the problem that an adequate color reproducibility cannot be obtained by the conventional solid-state imaging device 6. The problem is explained below by making use of the drawings.
FIG. 5C is a diagram which shows a conceptual structure of the color filter 606 included in the conventional solid-state imaging device 6. Additionally, FIG. 5D is a diagram which shows the color separation characteristic of the color filter 606.
In the conventional color filter 606 shown in FIG. 5C, the transmission band for blue (a property curve 424) is narrow and the color reproducibility is poor in the same way as the color separation characteristic is shown in FIG. 5D. In other words, there is the problem that although the structure of the conventional color filter 606 can be thinned, an adequate color reproducibility cannot be obtained.
Further, sometimes when a multi-layer film interference filter which includes a protection filter (see for example Patent Document "International Pamphlet Publication No. 05-069376") is used as the color filter (generally, the color filter is formed using laminated film of low refractive index material and high refractive index materials, however a protection film such as a barrier film is formed outside the color filter), the protection film produces adverse effects for the color filter (see for example Patent Document "International Pamphlet Publication No. 05-069376").
In addition, when a set wavelength of the color filter is not appropriate for the film thickness of the barrier film, "interference" is generated and the color separation characteristic (also known as the transmission spectra) for the incident light is affected. In addition, there is a large effect on the position and color separation characteristic of the barrier film.
Further, when a planarizing layer and so on is formed using Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP), there is the problem that the color separation characteristic will vary due to the increase in film thickness variation.

Solid-state imaging device, manufactoring method thereof and camera

Abstract: A color filter in a solid-state imaging device 1 having an optical film thickness of approximately ¼ of a set wavelength λ, being sandwiched by a third layer and a fourth layer which are spacer layers in which only 3 layers are laminated and which consist of two types of layers (first layers and a second layer) with different refractive indexes, and further, having a structure that is sandwiched by a film, a first layer, which has a film thickness approximately equal to the above λ/4. Between the two types of layers having different refractive indexes, the first layers are composed of high refractive index material, and the second layer is composed of low refractive index material. The third layer and the fourth layer have an optical film thickness according to the light which passes through, and the material film thickness of the entire color filter also differs for each color of light.


A processing device comprises an instruction execution unit and track and combing logic to combine a plurality of transactions into a single combined transaction. The track and combine logic comprises a transaction monitoring module to monitor an execution of a plurality of transactions by the instruction execution unit, each of the plurality of transactions comprising a transaction begin instruction, at least one operation instruction and a transaction end instruction. The track and combine logic further comprises a transaction combination module to identify, in view of the monitoring, a subset of the plurality of transactions to combine into a single combined transaction for execution on the processing device and to combine the identified subset of the plurality of transactions into the single combined transaction, the single combined transaction comprising a single transaction begin instruction, a plurality of operation instructions corresponding to the subset of the plurality of transactions and a single transaction end instruction.

Mutual exclusion (mutex) locks are the traditional primitive used to provide atomicity in software execution. For example, a set of threads performing indirect updates on a storage array can be parallelized using locks. The overhead for grabbing a lock can be very large compared to the real work being done, however, making execution of certain code using the locks too slow in practice. Another option to provide the atomicity is to parallelize the code using transactions. In this case, the acquiring and release of the lock is replaced with transaction begin and transaction end instructions. Transactions may have lower overhead than locks, making this transactional parallelization more reasonable. In conventional systems, however, hardware support for transactions typically still carries significant overhead. Thus, even using transactions, parallelization of the code is usually not very fast.


An on-line sparging sampling system and method sparges polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds from aqueous discharge. The system comprises a network of tubular members that are interconnected to each other to define a fluid passage, in which the network of tubular members comprises an inlet for influent aqueous discharge into the network of tubular members and an outlet for discharge of aqueous discharge from the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system; a sparger disposed in the network of tubular members, in which the sparger is disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the aqueous discharge so that aqueous discharge flows by the sparger, the sparger providing inert non-reactive gas to the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system; and at least one analytic device connected to the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system for analyzing volatile organic compounds in the aqueous discharge. The aqueous discharge forms an aqueous discharge portion and a headspace during flow through the network of tubular members. The sparger provides the inert non-reactive gas to flow through the aqueous discharge portion. The inert non-reactive gas partitions volatile organic compounds from the aqueous discharge portion to the headspace. Thus, polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds can be analyzed by the at least one analytic device.

The invention relates to sampling and monitoring systems and methods. In particular, the invention relates to on-line sparging sampling and monitoring systems and methods.
Typically, a sampling system is used to monitor manufacturing processes, in which the sampling system may include analyzing capabilities. The sampling system should obtain a representative sample with minimal operations and time. While such sampling systems have been used in industry, these sampling systems may experience analytical problems, some of which may be attributed to sampling system features and mechanics.
Manufacturing processes may produce by-products, which need monitoring, such as by sampling and analyzing. A manufacturing process may produce volatile organic compound (VOCs) by-products at a process discharge, such as, but not limited to, an aqueous discharge. Typically, VOCs can comprise mixtures of polar and non-polar hydrocarbons. VOCs can pose analytical problems for conventional monitoring and sampling systems. Polar and non-polar hydrocarbons generally require two different and distinct processes for sampling from an aqueous discharge. Non-polar VOCs, such as, but not limited to, benzene, toluene, and aliphatic hydrocarbons including hexane, are generally sampled with a purge-and-trap method and analyzed by gas chromatography (gc). However, polar VOCs, including but not limited to acetone, methanol, and other alcohols, are typically sampled by sparging or dynamic headspace sampling and analyzed by gas chromatography. Alternatively, polar VOCs can be sampled by direct injection gas chromatography (gc).
If a monitoring system requires collection of samples (often known as xe2x80x9cgrab samplesxe2x80x9d), time delays between the actual sampling operation and the analyzing of the samples often occur. These time delays may be so long that the value of a sample is diminished because the by-product sample may not be reflective of actual and real-time by-products. Thus, the time delay is undesirable.
Further, the aqueous discharge being monitored may often contain sediment and particulates. Conduits in conventional sampling systems may be configured too narrowly and be constricted so that fouling and blockage by sediments or particulates often occurs and interrupts monitoring. Thus, filtering of influent aqueous discharge is needed. The filters in conventional monitoring systems need to be cleaned and replaced, which is both inefficient and un-economical.
Improvements and advancements have been proposed for sampling systems. For example, advancements have been made in on-line sampling systems including, but not limited to, sample validation techniques, modular designs, new sampling system materials, probe enhancements including fiber-optic probes, enhanced membrane technology, and re-designed valves and filters. These on-line sampling system advancements have been useful. However, if these on-line sampling system advancements are applied to old sampling system technology, analytical problems may still arise since the sampling system is limited by the old sampling system technology of the on-line sampling system.
Therefore, improvements in on-line sampling technology are needed to keep up with current process analyzer technology. Further, a sampling system that is able to sample and monitor polar and non-polar VOCs is needed. Furthermore, a sampling system that is able to sample and monitor without delays, which are associated with some conventional sampling systems, is needed
An aspect of the invention provides on-line sparging sampling system and method that sparges polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds from aqueous discharge. The system comprises a network of tubular members that are interconnected to each other to define a fluid passage, in which the network of tubular members comprises an inlet for influent aqueous discharge into the network of tubular members and an outlet for discharge of aqueous discharge from the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system; a sparger disposed in the network of tubular members, in which the sparger is disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the aqueous discharge so that aqueous discharge flows by the sparger, the sparger providing inert non-reactive gas to the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system; and at least one analytic device connected to the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system for analyzing volatile organic compounds in the aqueous discharge. The aqueous discharge forms an aqueous discharge portion and a headspace during flow through the network of tubular members. The sparger provides the inert non-reactive gas to flow through the aqueous discharge portion. The inert non-reactive gas partitions volatile organic compounds from the aqueous discharge portion to the headspace. Thus, polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds can be analyzed by the at least one analytic device.
Another aspect of the invention sets forth a method for on-line sparge sampling by sparging polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds from aqueous discharge using an on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system. The method comprises providing a network of tubular members that are interconnected to each other to define a fluid passage; providing an inlet for influent aqueous discharge into the network of tubular members and an outlet for discharge from the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system; disposing a sparger between the inlet and the outlet of the aqueous discharge; flowing aqueous discharge by the sparger; providing inert non-reactive gas from the sparger to flow through the aqueous discharge in the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system; flowing the inert gas through the aqueous discharge; forming a aqueous discharge portion and a headspace in the network of tubular members during aqueous discharge flow through the network of tubular members; monitoring and analyzing the sparged aqueous discharge in the on-line sparging sampling and monitoring system for volatile organic compounds using at least one analytic device; and partitioning volatile organic compounds from the aqueous discharge portion to the headspace so that polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds can be analyzed.
These and other aspects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, where like parts are designated by like reference characters throughout the drawings, disclose embodiments of the invention.

On-line sparging sampling and monitoring systems and methods


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with plural semiconductor chips is provided. The method includes the step of attaching a second semiconductor chip to a first surface of a supporting member in a manner such that a third set of electrodes are wirelessly connected to the supporting member at positions outwardly from an opening of the supporting member. The method also includes the step of mounting a first semiconductor chip to the second semiconductor chip in a manner such that the main surfaces of the first and second semiconductor chips face each other while a first set of electrodes of the first semiconductor chip are wirelessly connected to a second set of electrodes in the opening of the supporting member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked in the direction of thickness, and a method for making the same.
2. Background Art
There is known a type of semiconductor device in which a plurality of semiconductor chips are stacked and sealed in a resin package for drastically increased circuit mounting density. Such a semiconductor device is called "chip-on-chip" type because of the stacking arrangement in which one of the chips is mounted on another.
FIG. 29 shows an arrangement of a prior art chip-on-chip semiconductor device. As understood from the figure, in this arrangement, a plurality of semiconductor chips 9a–9c are stacked successively on a surface of a substrate 90. According to such an arrangement, an area occupied by the semiconductor chips 9a–9c on the surface of substrate 90 is small, advantageously increasing the mounting density of the semiconductor devices.
However, the prior art has following problems.
Specifically, when the plurality of semiconductor devices 9a–9c are stacked, respective electrodes 94a–94c are elevated accordingly to higher locations. As a result, the electrodes 94c of the highest semiconductor 9c are located disadvantageously high (height difference Ha), away from the surface of substrate 90 formed with terminals 92 to which the electrodes 94a–94c are to be connected via respective pieces of wire 93.
Under such a situation, it is sometimes difficult to make a proper connection between the electrode 94c and the terminal 92 because of the big height difference Ha. Specifically, in a conventional wirebonding machine, a capillary can perform a proper bonding only within a vertical range of ±300 μm away from its baseline height. Sometimes, however, the height difference Ha is greater than the upper limit (i.e. greater than the baseline height added with +300 μm), making impossible to use the wirebonding machine for the wirebonding operation. In addition, when the height difference Ha is large, as shown in FIG. 30, the capillary 95 has to be significantly tilted when the capillary 95 presses the wire 93 to the electrode 94c or the terminal 92. Under such a circumstance, there develops a space S between a tip portion of the capillary 95 and the electrode or the terminal, making impossible to properly bond the wire 93. As a result, according to the prior art, it is difficult to properly bond an end of the wire 93 to the electrodes 94a–94c or the terminal 92, and there is a significant risk of causing a faulty connection at the location where the wire is bonded.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device with plural semiconductor chips


An apparatus and method for mounting electrical devices in a housing at an angle relative to the ground is provided. The apparatus comprises a housing having a top, bottom, and sides, each of which may be open, closed or ventilated. One or more electrical devices are located in the housing and are oriented at an angle relative to the horizontal ground. The electrical devices may be silicon controlled rectifiers that serve as a power bridge between an exciter and a power generator. A method for mounting electrical devices in a housing at an angle relative to the horizontal ground is also provided.

The present invention relates generally to cooling systems for electrical equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a unique angled mounting system for heat-generating electrical devices.
Electrical devices have found broad application in industrial systems. Such devices may be used in any system that provides or handles high levels of electricity, and may comprise anything from a simple resistor or fuse to a complex computer-controlled solid state device. Some electrical devices, such as Silicon Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs) produce a substantial amount of heat when they are in operation. In many cases, the heat level is minimal, but in some cases the heat produced causes degradation in the performance of the electrical devices that leads to measurable, and often valuable, losses.
The need often arises in power generation facilities to convert an alternating current (AC) of electricity into a direct current (DC) of electricity. For example, generator systems that provide AC electricity for industrial or consumer use typically require a source of DC electricity to excite the electromagnetic field of the main generator unit. This DC electricity is often provided by another AC generator, called an exciter, which may be mounted on the same shaft as the main generator unit. The AC output of the exciter must be converted into DC electricity before being introduced to the main generator unit. A device called a power bridge is often used to accomplish this AC to DC conversion, and power bridges are often comprised of a bank of SCRs.
SCRs are solid-state devices that provide flexible, reliable, and very fast control over voltages and currents. SCRs are silicon-based thyristor units, often having no moving parts, and which are typically shaped like a section of a cylinder or puck. Several SCRs (often six) may be arranged into a power bridge to provide AC-to-DC power conversion. The SCRs in a power bridge may be operated by sophisticated electronic systems that can be tailored to accommodate a great variety of electrical system hardware or power output requirements. Modern power generation systems rely very heavily on SCR-based power bridges to provide a reliable and consistent supply of electricity to consumers.
SCR power bridges are desirably arranged in a modular rack system. Rack-mounted SCRs are easily removed, repaired, replaced, or otherwise serviced, and the cost of constructing power systems is reduced by using modular rack assemblies. Furthermore, a rack-mounted system can be easily retrofitted with newer components, or such a system can be easily added to an existing power generation unit. Rack systems are also typically more compact than other SCR power bridges. Rack systems also provide a safety benefit in that the rack may be encased in a housing that prevents accidental contact with the electrical devices, and may be provided with lockout equipment that helps ensure that the power is off when the cabinet is opened.
As noted before, SCRs, like many other electrical components used in industrial applications, produce heat during their operation. The heat produced by SCRs may cause the SCRs or the surrounding equipment to fail or to operate at a reduced performance level. In order to prevent such overheating, the SCRs must be cooled. Prior art has proposed various methods for cooling SCRs. In a typical arrangement, the SCRs are encased in heat sinks comprising heat-conducting vanes. The heat sinks operate solely by free conduction of heat to the ambient air, or air may be forced over the vanes to provide additional convection cooling of the SCRs.
The overheating problem may be exacerbated when SCRs are placed in a modular rack mounting system. Many previously known rack systems mount the SCRs in a horizontal position. In another typical arrangement, the SCRs are mounted vertically on a flat surface or framework. In order to conserve space, the SCRs are usually mounted in columns having several SCRs mounted directly above or below one another.
Known SCR mounting systems, such as those discussed above, are problematic in that they fail to provide even cooling to all of the SCRs. Cooling air tends to rise through the rack, contacting several SCRs as it passes through the system. The air heats up as it rises, providing the upper SCRs less cooling benefit, and thereby reducing the performance of the upper SCRs.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus for holding electrical devices that provides consistent and even cooling of all of the electrical devices. It would also be desirable for such an apparatus to accommodate various sizes of electrical devices in a compact space. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus to hold electrical devices such that the electrical devices may be easily removed, repaired, replaced, or otherwise serviced.
The present invention overcomes the problems discussed above, and provides additional advantages, by employing an apparatus for mounting heat-generating electrical devices. The apparatus has a housing with a horizontal bottom, a horizontal top, and vertical sides extending vertically between the bottom and the top. Inside the housing are one or more heat-generating electrical devices, which are releasably mounted within the housing. The electrical devices are oriented at an angle relative to the bottom of the housing. In various embodiments of the invention, the mounting angle of the electrical devices may be selected to promote cooling, improve serviceability, provide a space-saving benefit, or to provide other benefits.
In one embodiment the electrical devices are three pairs of silicon controlled rectifiers. Each pair of silicon controlled rectifiers is mounted on an insulated mounting platform (xe2x80x9cplatformxe2x80x9d). Each is mounted in the housing at an angle, and the three platforms are arranged in a vertical stack. The housing also has ventilation openings in at least one of the bottom, top, and sides.
The present invention also consists of a method for mounting electrical devices in a housing such that the electrical devices are oriented at an angle relative to the bottom of the housing.


The composition of the present invention comprises (1) a biologically effective amount of an extract of a plant of the genus Eucalyptus as an active ingredient, and (2) a biologically acceptable carrier or diluent, and is effective for inhibiting or preventing obesity (increase in weight), lipid storage disease, hyperlipemia, arteriosclerosis, or thrombosis, and is also effective for inhibiting or reducing an amount of triglyceride or an amount of cholesterol in blood. Therefore, the composition of the present invention is used in the form of drugs, food products, food additives, animal feeds, and additives for animal feeds.

Obesity is one of risk factors of various diseases such as arteriosclerosis. Therefore, it is strongly required to inhibit, ameliorate or prevent obesity. Obesity is a state where excess lipid is stored in the body. One of causes for lipid storage in the body includes, for example, excess ingestion of carbohydrate. When ingested in the body, carbohydrate contained in food products and beverages is generally digested by a digestive enzyme to exclusively form a monosaccharide, which is absorbed into the body through the enteric canal. The monosaccharide is converted into lipid in the lipid cells to form an adipose tissue. It is considered that various pathologies are caused by intraperitoneal storage of visceral lipid among these adipose tissues.
In case a large amount of saccharides such as fructose are ingested in the form of sucrose, portion of the saccharides promotes the synthesis of fatty acid in the liver and also enhaces the esterification of fatty acid. As a result, a large amount of triglyceride (triacyl glycerol, neutral lipid) is produced.
The liver converts triglyceride into a very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and secretes it in blood serum. In that case, when a large amount of triglyceride is produced, an ability capable of producing lipoprotein of the liver does not follow so that triglyceride is stored in the liver and fatty liver progresses, thus entering into cirrhosis soon.
An increase in secretion of VLDL causes hyperlipemia. Hyperlipemia is also caused by a reduction in insulin sensitivity (insulin resistance) due to excess ingestion of carbohydrate and deteriorates disease conditions. An increase in VLDL concentration in blood is also a major cause for arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis causes thrombosis and is also one of factors for various circulatory system diseases such as cerebral infarction and cardiac infraction.
As described above, excess ingestion of saccharides causes obesity, thus causing various diseases. Therefore, there has hitherto been developed an anti-obestic agent, which can inhibit, ameliorate or prevent obesity by inhibiting any pathway leading to obesity.
Typical anti-obestic agent includes a carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitor, and an α-glucosidase inhibitor, for example, "Acarbose" (manufactured by Bayer Yakuhin, LTD.) has widely been used as a drug.
However, since a conventional anti-obestic agent is a chemically synthesized product, users feel uneasy in view of safety on administration. It could not sufficiently respond to requirements for inhibition or amelioration of obesity in a dairy life. It is particularly advantageous for inhibition, amelioration and prevention of obesity if an anti-obestic action can be imparted to food products and beverages, which are ordinarily ingested.
Therefore, various anti-obestic agents derived from natural substances such as plant have been suggested. For example, diet food products and beverages, containing an extract of Gymnema Indorum as a plant native to India is described in Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. Hei 5-252897. A weight control agent containing an oolong tea saponin and an oolong tea fiber is described in Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. Hei 9-227996. A carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitor containing an extract of Ephedra Herb used as a Chinese herbal remedy is described in Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. Hei 9-2963. An anti-obestic agent containing a seed coat extract of Tamarindus indica L. of the legminous family as an active ingredient is described in Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. Hei 9-291039.
However, an anti-obestic agent having a safe and higher anti-obestic action has been required. Furthermore, there has also been required an active ingredient derived from natural substances, which is also superior in action of inhibiting lipid storage, action of reducing a concentration of triglyceride and action of reducing a concentration of cholesterol in blood.


A printing machine has a subassembly couplable therewith and being insertable therein. The subassembly includes a rotor mounted in a mounting which allows, in addition to a rotation of the the rotor about a first axis, a pivoting of the rotor about at least one second axis which is oriented at an angle to the first axis.

The invention relates to a printing machine with a subassembly couplable therewith and insertable therein.
A prevailing problem in printing machines is the recoupling of washing bars to a drive assigned to the printing machine after they have been removed temporarily from the printing machine for maintenance purposes. The washing bars are pushed through an aperture into the printing machine transversely to the printing direction. During the process, the pressman stands near the aperture which is formed in the operating side of the printing machine. The pressman has to push the washing bar into the printing machine with great care, because it is not possible for the pressman to monitor the coupling operation visually. The connecting elements for coupling are located on the drive side of the printing machine, the connecting elements being located opposite the aperture and, during coupling, being concealed by the washing bar in the viewing direction of the pressman. Damage to the connecting elements is not ruled out entirely, even when the pressman endeavors to push the connecting elements into engagement with one another very carefully.
The published German Patent Document DE 42 33 953 A1 describes a printing machine corresponding to the generic type mentioned in the introduction hereto. In the described printing machine, the subassembly is formed by a washing bar and a rotor of a dirty-cloth spindle of the washing bar. The dirty-cloth spindle is rotatable about the central axis thereof and is pivotable, together with the washing bar, about a pivot axis oriented parallel to the central axis. A drive for stepwise rotating the dirty-cloth spindle is arranged on a suspension device which is pivotable, together with the washing bar, about the pivot axis. Fastened to the suspension device is a guide body, whereon the washing bar is capable of being moved into the printing machine. The guide body is provided with an arm, to which there is fastened one clutch half of a clutch which serves for coupling the dirty-cloth spindle automatically to the drive when the washing bar is being moved in. The rigid connection of the clutch half to the guide body ensures that, when the washing bar is being pushed in, the other clutch half, which is fastened to the latter, always meets the clutch half, which is fastened to the arm, in an exact position relative to the latter. In the described printing machine, also, coupling therefore presents comparatively few problems, because the two clutch halves are arranged in axial alignment with one another.
For specific reasons, however, it is desirable to adopt a different construction from that described above. In particular, with regard to increasing the stability of the guide body, the latter should not be fastened to the suspension device, but instead, to the printing machine stand. In this possible construction, therefore, the suspension device would be movable relative to the guide body. Although the stability of this construction would be comparatively high, there would be a problem, inherent in the design, that, due to production tolerances, the position of the suspension device relative to the guide body may be slightly different whenever the washing bar is pushed in. The pressman, when pushing the washing bar in, would therefore have to manipulate it with particular care until the clutch halves are suitably aligned with one another without causing damage to one another. For reasons of economic production, too, there is a desire to adopt a different construction from that described in the published patent document, by making it possible to do away with the clutch quite completely, and to enable the coupling of the washing bar to the drive via other connecting elements.
The published European Patent Document EP 0 795 401 A1 describes a subassembly couplable to a printing machine and being in the form of a washing device with a washing brush. Arranged on a machine stand is a first clutch part operatively connected to a second clutch part which is arranged on the movable subassembly. The first clutch part arranged on the machine stand is freely movable and compensates for any possible bearing offset of the second clutch part which is arranged on the subassembly. The two somewhat platelike clutch parts accommodate supply lines for washing medium and water. The device is suitable for the releasable connection of supply lines of this type, but not for connecting a rotor to a drive, and therefore cannot make any contribution to solving the problem outlined hereinabove.
Further prior art is described in the published German Patent Document DE 197 37 783 A1.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a printing machine with a subassembly couplable to and being insertable into the latter, wherein a guide provided for pushing in the subassembly is can be fastened to the printing-machine stand, and is user-friendly for the pressman, particularly with regard to avoiding damage to connecting elements during coupling.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a printing machine with a subassembly couplable therewith and being insertable therein, the subassembly comprising a rotor mounted in a mounting which allows, in addition to a rotation of the rotor about a first axis, a pivoting of the rotor about at least one second axis which is oriented at an angle to the first axis.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the at least one second axis is oriented obliquely or at an inclination to the first axis.
In accordance with an alternative feature of the invention, the at least one second axis is oriented perpendicularly to the first axis.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the mounting is a pendulum bearing.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the printing machine includes a drive external to the subassembly, for rotating the rotor, the subassembly, when being pushed into the printing machine, being couplable with the drive.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the rotor is drivable by the drive via a releasable drive connection including a first connecting element fastened to the subassembly, and a second connecting element external to the subassembly.
In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the mounting and the first connecting element are disposed at opposite ends of the subassembly.
In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the first connecting element is arranged coaxially with the rotor and is connected so as to be fixed against rotation relative to the rotor.
In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the second connecting element is fastened to an adjusting part of the printing machine, the adjusting part being movably connected to a stand of the printing machine.
In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the connecting elements are two gear members of the drive connection for rotating the rotor, the gear members being axially offset with respect to one another.
In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the subassembly includes at least one centering device for orienting the adjusting part and the subassembly during insertion of the subassembly into the printing machine.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the subassembly is a cleaning device, and the rotor is a cleaning roller of the cleaning device.
Thus, the subassembly of the printing machine according to the invention includes a rotor pivotable about at least one pivot axis which does not extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor. When the subassembly is being pushed into the printing machine, therefore, a pivoting movement of the rotor about the at least one pivot axis compensates for a possible position offset which exists between two connecting elements serving for coupling the subassembly to the printing machine. For example, the mounting of the rotor may be constructed as a cardan joint which connects the axis of rotation and the pivot axis to one another. The mounting may also be a ball joint, for example, if the rotor is rotated only seldom and slowly about the axis of rotation thereof.
Preferably, the axis of rotation extends essentially in the push-in direction of the subassembly and the rotor is simultaneously pivotable about various, preferably more than two, pivot axes which likewise do not extend parallel to one another, nor does each thereof extend parallel to the axis of rotation. For example, the rotor and the axis of rotation thereof are pivotable about at least two pivot axes, each of which is oriented perpendicularly or obliquely, i.e., inclined, to the axis of rotation. Consequently, the rotor is advantageously pivotable in a vertical pivoting direction so as to compensate for a vertical position offset between the connecting elements, and in a horizontal pivoting direction so as to compensate for a horizontal position offset between the connecting elements.
Preferably, the axis of rotation is intersected by one or each of the pivot axes at one point. One or each of the pivot axes also can neither extend parallel to the axis of rotation nor lie in a common plane therewith and, therefore, be offset, and perpendicular to the axis of rotation or askew to the axis of rotation.
In an embodiment which is advantageous in terms of the arrangement of a first connecting element at the drive-side and freely movable end of the rotor, the mounting is a pivot bearing, wherein the operating-side end of the rotor is mounted. The pendulum bearing allows pivoting movements of the rotor about an infinite number of pivot axes extending perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the rotor, with the result that, as viewed in the radial direction of the rotor, any possible offset of the connecting elements relative to one another can be compensated for. Preferably, the pendulum bearing is formed as a rolling bearing, wherein the pivoting movements of the rotor into the positions oblique to or else into the position parallel to the push-in direction are made possible by a corresponding shaping of rolling bodies. Such a rolling bearing may, for example, be a self-aligning roller bearing or a self-aligning ball bearing. The self-aligning bearing may, however, also be formed as a sliding bearing, wherein the pivoting or swinging movement of the axis of rotation so as to compensate for the position offset is made possible by at least one convexly curved sliding surface and, if necessary or desirable, additionally a concavely curved sliding surface paired therewith. The pendulum bearing may also be an elastic bearing which has a bearing shell formed of an elastomeric material or an intermediate layer of elastomeric material arranged between two bearing bushings
In an embodiment which is advantageous with regard to the lightweight construction of the subassembly, a drive for rotating the rotor is arranged separately from the subassembly on the printing machine, and the subassembly is connectible to this drive via the connecting elements when the subassembly is being pushed into the printing machine. The pressman, when inserting the beam-like subassembly into the printing machine and when removing the subassembly therefrom, only has to lift a subassembly which is comparatively light without the drive, in order to couple the rotor to the drive fixed to the machine, or uncouple the rotor from the drive fixed to the machine. This makes it easier for the pressman, especially because the subassembly is often somewhat bulky and difficult to handle because of the length thereof which corresponds approximately to the format width of the respective printing machine.
In a further embodiment which is advantageous as regards coupling and uncoupling the subassembly without a tool, the rotor and the drive have interposed between them a releasable drive connection which consists of a first connecting element assigned to the subassembly and of a second connecting element assigned to the printing machine. The drive rotates the rotor via the drive connection. When the subassembly is pushed into the printing machine the first connecting element fastened to the subassembly is brought into positive connection with the second connecting element fastened to the printing machine and when the subassembly is drawn but of the printing machine said first connecting element is brought out of positive connection with said second connecting element.
In an embodiment which is advantageous with regard to the design of the mounting as a pendulum bearing with a small pivot angle of the rotor about the pendulum axis, one end of the rotor is mounted in the mounting and the first connecting element is arranged at the other end of the rotor. Very slight pivoting of the axis of rotation of the rotor out of its initial position is therefore sufficient to compensate the position offset of the connecting elements relative to one another and to displace the first connecting element into the correct position relative to the second connecting element.
In an embodiment which is advantageous in terms of the releasable drive connection as an integral part of a wheel mechanism connecting the drive to the rotor, the center axis of the first connecting element corresponds to the axis of rotation of the rotor and the latter is positively connected to the first connecting element fixedly in terms of rotation in the direction of rotation.
In an embodiment which is advantageous with regard to the displacement of the subassembly within the printing machine in the direction perpendicular to the push-in direction of the subassembly, the second connecting element is assigned to an adjusting part, via which the subassembly can be displaced and which is mounted movably in the printing machine stand. For example, the adjusting part is a pivoting lever which is mounted in the printing machine stand and is capable of being coupled to the subassembly and on which the second connecting element is mounted and about the pendulum bearing of which the subassembly is pivotable and which moves and carries the subassembly during pivoting. A displaceable adjusting part may, in other cases, also be an adjusting part which is displaceable perpendicularly to the pushed-in direction.
In an embodiment which is advantageous in terms of dispensing with a special clutch as the releasable drive connection between the drive and the rotor, the releasable drive connection is formed directly by two gear members of a gear connecting the drive to the rotor, the center axes of the two gear members not being arranged coaxially in alignment with one another. The center axes may run at an angle, for example at a right angle to one another if the wheel mechanism is a bevel wheel gear and the two gear members are two bevel wheels. Preferably, the center axes are arranged so as to be offset and parallel to one another. This is the case when the positive and releasable drive connection consists of two spur-toothed gearwheels which are brought into engagement with one another when a subassembly is pushed in and out of engagement when the subassembly is drawn out, in that the gear wheel arranged on the subassembly is displaced axially parallel to the gear wheel arranged via the displaceable adjusting part on the machine stand.
In an embodiment which is advantageous with regard to a preorientation of the subassembly and of the displaceable adjusting part relative to one another prior to the making of the positive connection between the connecting elements, the subassembly and the adjusting part are in each case assigned a centering element, the positions of the centering elements corresponding to one another. It is thereby possible for the connecting elements to be oriented relative to one another in two steps, in a first step, when the subassembly is being pushed in, a correct position of the adjusting part and the subassembly relative to one another being produced by the centering elements coming into positive connection with one another, and, in a second step, when the subassembly is pushed in further, a precision orientation of the first connecting element according to the second connecting element being carried out.
Preferably, the subassembly is a washing device and the rotor is the rotating brush roller of the latter. The already mentioned advantages of the invention and of its developments are also obtained when the subassembly is a machining or indenting module and the rotor is a tool cylinder or numbering cylinder or a driven shaft of the module.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a printing machine, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:


A base station that includes a memory for storing computer readable code and a processor operatively coupled to the memory is provided herein. The processor is configured to transmit, to a terminal apparatus, information associated with communication delays predicted for communication between the base station and the terminal apparatus. The terminal apparatus acquires the information associated with the communication delays from the base station.

Remote operating technologies are known which allow an operator present in a remote location to operate a vehicle so as to move the vehicle. In remote operation, suppressing communication delays between an operator apparatus operated by the operator carrying out remote operation and a terminal apparatus equipped in a vehicle is desired.
A cellular wireless communication network in which a communication area has been deployed throughout an area may be used for the communication of vehicle driving control, such as remote operation. However, since the terminal apparatus equipped in the vehicle moves in accordance with the movement of the vehicle, it may be difficult to maintain the connection via a single base station. Thus, the terminal apparatus may carry out a handover process for switching a connection from a connected base station to another base station in a timely manner in order to maintain the connection to the network and/or the connection to the operator apparatus.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Base station, communication system, communication method, and program


A power up detecting system for generating one of a first power up detecting signal and a second power up detecting signal as the final power up detecting signal, according to power provided by a power supplier. The power up detecting system comprises: a power up detecting module, controlled by a control signal to generate the first power up detecting signal in a first mode and to generate the second power up detecting signal in a second mode, wherein a voltage level of the first power up detecting signal is transited when the power reaches a first predetermined voltage value, and the voltage level of the second power up detecting signal is transited when the power reaches a second predetermined voltage value; where the first predetermined voltage value is higher than the second predetermined voltage value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power up detecting system, and particularly relates to a power up detecting system having more than one trip points.
2. Description of the Prior Art
DRAM devices may have problems such as devices outputs logic values 0 or 1 when not intended during power supply ramp if the power up detecting circuit's trip point is set too low. The power up detecting circuit is utilized to detect the voltage value of the power provided by a power supplier, to generate a power up detecting signal PD. The trip point means the point that the power up detecting signal PD transits from a logic value 0 to a logic value 1 due to that the voltage value of the power up detecting signal PD reaches a predetermined voltage value Vpre, as shown FIG. 1.
Accordingly, if the trip point is set too low, logics of the circuitry may not correctly operate before the power up detecting signal PD trips. However, devices which run on an supply voltage than it ideally would, because the device must be able to function at much lower voltages in order to be tested for low voltage margin.