Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof that can reduce RC delay within the semiconductor device. Embodiments provide a semiconductor device including: a first interlayer dielectric layer formed over the a semiconductor substrate, a first metal wire and a second metal wire formed over the first interlayer dielectric layer, a second interlayer dielectric layer formed over the first and second metal wires, and a phase change material layer formed between the first and second metal wires.

With development of semiconductor technology, various types of problems are being generated. With microminiaturization of semiconductor devices, the requirements for the electrical properties of semiconductor devices are increasingly exacting, and new processes or design changes are required.
As semiconductor devices are downsized, one of the problems most notably appearing may be RC delay when an external electrical signal is transmitted to a transistor. The RC delay characteristics may be naturally generated during a process of manufacturing the semiconductor devices and as an example thereof, parasitic resistance or parasitic capacitance may be used. Parasitic resistance and parasitic capacitance are often inevitably generated in a semiconductor device using oxide and metal. Therefore, research for reducing parasitic resistance and parasitic capacitance is ongoing.
For example, as methods for solving the problem, a wiring process using copper (Cu) and processes using an ultra low-k material are being proposed. However, since the materials also have parasitic resistance and parasitic capacitance, they do not constitute a permanent solution.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing RC delay in a semiconductor device. Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of metal wires 11, 12, and 13 are formed on a predetermined layer and an IMD as an interlayer dielectric layer is formed between the metal wires.
In this case, during transmission of an electrical signal in the semiconductor device, the metal wires 11, 12, and 13 each show resistance characteristics, and the IMD shows capacitance characteristics. Accordingly, since resistance and capacitance are connected, the problem of a delayed transmission of the electrical signal persists.


An embodiment of the present invention discloses a display apparatus comprising: a display panel having a first side and a second side in opposite to the first side; a first polarizer arranged on the first side of the display panel; and a second polarizer arranged on either of the first side and the second side of the display panel, wherein an angle between a direction of a light transmission axis of the second polarizer and a direction of a light transmission axis of the first polarizer is adjustable.

Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of display, in particular, relates to a display apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
With the development of the science and technology, entertainment becomes more and more plentiful. The conventional entertainment may include, for example, viewing an image and a video, playing a game and so on.
In the prior art, a display apparatus provided for the people to view an image and a video and to play a game, such as TV, a computer, or a video game console only shows an intuitive picture which has nonadjustable brightness, colors and contrast.


A method for forming a light-emitting device of the present application comprises providing a wafer; forming a first plurality of light-emitting elements on the wafer; providing a first connection structure to connect each of the first plurality of light-emitting elements; and applying a current flow to one of the first plurality of light-emitting elements for testing at least one electrical property of the light-emitting element while no current flow is applied to the remaining of the first plurality of light-emitting elements.

The light-emitting diode (LED) is a solid state semiconductor device, which has been broadly used as a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer and an active layer. The active layer is formed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer. The light-emitting device generally comprises III-V group compound semiconductor such as gallium phosphide, gallium arsenide, or gallium nitride. The light-emitting principle of the LED is the transformation of electrical energy to optical energy by applying electrical current to the p-n junction to generate electrons and holes. Then, the LED emits light when the electrons and the holes combine.
When the LED is used for display apparatus or the like, typical usage conditions are approximately 1 V to 4 V for the drive voltage and approximately 20 mA for the drive current. With the recent development of the short-wavelength LEDs which uses a GaN-based compound semiconductor and commercialization of solid light sources of full color, white color, etc., application of the LEDs for illumination purposes has been considered. When the LED is used for illumination, there may be cases in which the LED is used under conditions other than the above-described conditions of 1 V-4 V of drive voltage and 20 mA of drive current. As a result, steps have been taken to enable a larger current to flow through the LED and to increase the light emission output. Generally, because of the requirements of light intensity and light efficiency of the LED, a high voltage LED is formed by electrically connecting two or more light-emitting elements.
During the fabrication processes of the high voltage LED, some manufacture deviations such as incoming materials, equipment malfunction or process excursion may happened, and that cause one or more light-emitting elements of the high voltage LED having different electrical bins.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional high voltage light-emitting device 1. The high voltage light-emitting device 1 comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements 10, 12, and 14 electrically connected with each other through a connection structure 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the high voltage light-emitting device 1 comprises fifteen light-emitting elements arranged in three columns 1a, 1b, and 1c. The first column 1a comprises one light-emitting element 10 and four light-emitting elements 12 connected in series in a first direction. The second column 1b comprises five light-emitting elements 12 connected in series in a second direction. The third column 1c comprises one light-emitting element 14 and four light-emitting elements 12 connected in series in the first direction. The first direction and the second direction are opposite. Each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 10, 12, and 14 comprises a semiconductor stack comprising an n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, and an active layer formed between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. The high voltage light-emitting device 1 further comprises a first electrode 100 formed on the light-emitting element 10 and a second electrode 140 formed on the light-emitting element 14. The first electrode 100 and the second electrode 140 are formed for wire bonding or flip chip type bonding. The polarities of the first electrode 100 and the second electrode 140 are different from each other. During the electrical test, the first electrode 100 and the second electrode 140 can correspond to a pair of external electrodes (not shown) such as probes. As shown in FIG. 1, the high voltage light-emitting device 1 further comprises an electrical finger structure 10a formed on the light-emitting element 10, an electrical finger structure 14a formed on the light-emitting element 14, and an electrical finger structure 12a formed on each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 12. The number of the light-emitting elements 12 formed between the light-emitting element 10 and the light-emitting element 14 is increased based on the desired quantity of light of the high voltage light-emitting device 1.
During the electrical test, a current from the probes is injected into the high voltage light-emitting device 1 through the first electrode 100 and the second electrode 140. The current injected from the first electrode 100 and the second electrode 140 spreads out in the light-emitting element 10 and the light-emitting element 14 through the electrical finger structures 10a and 14a respectively. The current further spreads between the plurality of light-emitting elements 12 via the electrical finger structure 12a and the connection structure 11.
In the conventional electrical test, a pair of probes contacts the first electrode 100 and the second electrode 140 correspondingly to test the electrical yield and electrical properties of the high voltage light-emitting device 1. The electrical properties can be reverse leakage current and forward voltage. Nevertheless, the conventional electrical test measurement can only get the overall electrical yield and electrical properties of the high voltage light-emitting device 1, and the electrical properties of each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 10, 12, and 14 are difficult to identify. If there is an electrical defect in one of the plurality of light-emitting elements 10, 12, and 14 during the fabrication processes, the electrical defect may degrade the reliability of the high voltage light-emitting device 1.

Method for forming light-emitting device


A process for the industrial scale manufacture of 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-alkylnipecotinate esters by the addition of 4-fluorophenylmagnesium halide in tetrahydrofuran to 3,4-unsaturated-3-piperidine esters.

4-(4-Fluorophenyl)-N-alkylnipecotinate esters of general formula A represent key intermediates in the synthesis of 4-arylpiperidine-based compounds. It is noteworthy that 4-arylpiperidine is an important structural motif in many biologically active compounds (M. Engelstoft and J. B. Hansen, Acta Chemical Scandinavica, 50, 1996, pp. 164–169).

An example is (−)-menthyl (3S,4R)-trans-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-methylnipecotinate hydrobromide (1) which is a key intermediate in the synthesis of paroxetine. Paroxetine (Paxil®) is a highly effective chiral pharmaceutical that is useful for the treatment of depression and obsessive compulsive disorder.

The use of this compound for this purpose was disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,912,743 and 4,007,196 whereby 4-fluorophenylmagnesium bromide was added to arecoline. The resulting adduct was epimerized and the methyl ester functionality hydrolyzed, activated using thionyl chloride, esterified using (−)-menthol, and salt formation using hydrobromic acid to provide compound 1, as depicted in Scheme 1, which was further elaborated to paroxetine using standard procedures.

The procedure disclosed in these patents for the key Grignard conjugate addition step was based on a procedure developed by Plati et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 2,546,652 and Journal of Organic Chemistry, 22, 1957, pp. 261–265) for the reaction of phenylmagnesium bromide in diethyl ether with arecoline, also in diethyl ether. Thus, a major deficiency of this process, and likewise the processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,912,743 and 4,007,196, was the diethyl ether in both the arylmagnesium bromide reagent and the reaction media. Diethyl ether is a highly flammable solvent which is undesirable to use industrially. According to patents by Ward [(U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,233) and Ward et al. (WO 01/17966A1 and WO 01/29032A1)], the use of other ether solvents conventionally used in Grignard reactions, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) or diisopropyl ether, furnished little, if any, of the desired 1,4-conjugate addition product, with the main by-product arising from 1,2-addition of the Grignard reagent on the ester grouping. From an industrial perspective, a multistep transformation in which one step resulted in, "little if any of the desired product" (for instance <10% yield) would be prohibitively expensive. Compounding this deficiency, if this process were to be used for the synthesis of paroxetine, is the fact that the low yielding step occurs at a rather late-stage in the paroxetine process, thereby necessitating the processing of large volumes of intermediary products in order to reach the Grignard reaction step. Also, disclosed in the Ward patent was the observation that when performing the reaction using the process described by Plati et al., the reaction mixture purportedly generated thick unstirrable gels.
These deficiencies were purportedly overcome by Ward by the use of a reaction solvent mixture which was non-wholly ether, as utilized by Plati et al. As well, the Ward patents purport that the use of organometallic compounds in place of the Grignard reagent also overcame these deficiencies. However, in all examples in the Ward patents, the Grignard reagent used was always a 2M solution of 4-fluorophenylmagnesium bromide in diethyl ether. Specifically, in examples 2, 3, 4 and 5 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,233, the weight percentage of diethyl ether introduced by the 4-fluorophenylmagnesium bromide in diethyl ether reagent relative to the total reaction volume was about 23 to 31% range. Therefore the disadvantage of having a process which necessitated diethyl ether, with all of the disadvantages associated with this solvent, largely remained. In example 1 of the same patent, the diethyl ether is removed from the 2M 4-fluorophenylmagnesium bromide reagent prior to the addition to arecoline by co-distillation with toluene. However, this requires an extra process operation and, again, does not avoid the use of diethyl ether on an industrial scale.
Similar reactions have also been utilized for transformations of this type. For instance, Murthy and Rey in U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,689 disclose the stereoselective addition of 4-fluorophenylmagnesium bromide to various 3,4-unsaturated-3-piperidine esters, amides and N-enoylsultams in toluene. Xu and Trudell (J. Heterocyclic Chem., 33, 1996, pp. 2037–2039) also described the addition of various arylmagnesium bromide reagents, including 4-fluorophenylmagnesium bromide, to R-(−)-anhydroecgonine methyl ester substrates in dichloromethane. The disadvantage in both of these publications is that a solution of the aryl Grignard reagent in diethyl ether was employed.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a process which utilizes solvents other than diethyl ether to arrive at yields greater than "little if any" of the desired product.
It is therefore also another object of the invention to provide a process that is easy to perform and incorporates solvents that are less flammable and/or less toxic relative to solvents used as reaction media in the prior art.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a process which results in substantially no gels being formed, even on scale up to industrial quantities.
Further and other objects of the invention will become apparent to a person reading the following.

Preparation of 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-alkylnipecotinate esters, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-arylnipecotinate esters and 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-aralkylnipecotinate esters


A method of reducing complexity in a Viterbi decoding algorithm used in intersymbol interference channels is provided. The method includes the steps of identifying a survivor path for an input symbol, making a hard decision about a polarity of the input symbol based on the identified survivor path, identifying a plurality of dominant error events for which the opposite polarity would be determined for the input symbol, measuring a penalty metric value based on the identified survivor path for each of the plurality of dominant error events, choosing a dominant error event having a least penalty metric value from the identified plurality of dominant error events, and calculating an approximation to a logarithmic likelihood ratio for the input symbol based on the survivor path and the chosen dominant error event.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a soft-output decoder for controlled intersymbol interference channels, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for reducing complexity in a soft output Viterbi decoding algorithm used in partial response channels, such as those used to model magnetic recording channels.
2. Description of the Related Art
Transmission of digital data is inherently prone to interference that may introduce errors into the transmitted data. Error detection schemes have been suggested to determine as reliably as possible whether errors have been introduced into the transmitted data. One such scheme is known as convolutional coding.
Convolutional codes have been introduced to allow receivers of digital data to correctly determine the transmitted data even when errors may have occurred during A transmission. The convolutional codes introduce redundancy into the transmitted data and pack the transmitted data into packets in which the value of each bit is dependent upon earlier bits in the sequence. Thus, when a few errors occur, the receiver can still deduce the original data by tracing back possible sequences in the received data.
Optimal decoding is often a very complex task, and may require large periods of time, which are not usually available. In order to overcome this problem, iterative decoding techniques have been developed. Rather than determining immediately whether a received bit is a zero or a one, the receiver assigns each bit a value on a multi-level scale representative of the probability that the bit is a one. A common scale is the logarithmic likelihood ratio (LLR). The LLR represents each bit by some integer in an interval such as, for example, {−32,31 }. In this example, the value of 31 signifies that the transmitted bit was a one with very high probability, and the value of −32 signifies that the transmitted bit was a zero with very high probability, whereas the value of 0 indicates indeterminacy as to whether the transmitted bit was a zero or a one.
Data represented on the multi-level scale is referred to as "soft data". Iterative decoding is usually soft-input/soft-output; i.e., the decoding process receives a sequence of inputs corresponding to probabilities for the bit values and provides as output corrected probabilities which take into account the constraints of the code. Generally, a decoder which performs iterative decoding uses soft data from former iterations to decode the soft data read by the receiver. The iterative decoding is carried out for a plurality of iterations until it is believed that the soft data closely represents the transmitted data.
Decoding techniques for convolutional codes are very well known in the literature at and are the subject of many patents. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,182,261; 6,161,209; and 6,145,114, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition, several commonly assigned copending patent applications relate to this subject matter. These include U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/730,597, filed on Dec. 7, 2000, and entitled "Address Generator for IDPC Encoder and Detector and Method Thereof"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/730,752, filed on Dec. 7, 2000, and entitled "LDPC Encoder and Method Thereof"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/730,603, filed on Dec. 7, 2000, and entitled "LDPC Detector and Method Thereof"; and U.S. patent application No. 09/730,598, filed on Dec. 7, 2000, and entitled "Parity Check Matrix and Method of Forming Thereof", the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a block diagram of a data transmission system as described in more detail in commonly assigned copending application "Address Generator for IDPC Encoder and Decoder and Method Thereof", filed on Dec. 7, 2000 and assigned application Ser. No. 09/730,957, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In general as shown therein, a digital data transmission system comprises a transmitting section 300′ for transmitting user data to receiver 500′ via communication channel 401.
The operation of transmission section 300′ will now be explained. Prior to processing by transmitting section 300′, input or user data maybe encoded with an error correcting code, such as the Reed/Solomon code, or run length limited encoded (RLL) or a combination thereof by encoder 302. Addresses for the parity equations of linear block code encoder 304 are generated by address generator 328 in accordance with an index of the bits of data, the index being determined by address generator 328. Address generator 328 is responsive to counter 730 under the control of controller 740. Controller 740 synchronizes counter 730 to the output of encoder 302 so that counter 730 can provide a count of the number of bits in a codeword output by encoder 302 and a count of the number of codewords.
Linear block code encoder 304 utilizes the user data and address from address generator 328 to provide the parity bits to multiplexer 306. Linear block code encoder 304 is preferably implemented as a low-density parity-check code (LDPC) encoder as described in commonly assigned, copending patent application entitled "LDPC Encoder and Method Thereof", filed on Dec. 7, 2000 and assigned application Ser. No. 09/730,752, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The parity data from linear block code encoder 304 is combined with the data encoded by encoder 302 by multiplexer 306 for input to channel transmitter 310. Preferrably, the combined data consists of series of a pair parity bits followed by 40 bits of user data. This constraint is established by encoder 302.
Transmitter 310 transmits the combined user and parity data from multiplexer 306 typically as an analog signal over communication channel 401 in the channel domain. Communication channel 401 may include any wireless, wire, optical, magnetic and the like.
Receiver 500′ comprises an analog to digital converter 502 to convert the data transmitted on communication channel 401 to a digital signal. The digital signal is input to soft channel decoder 504, which provides soft or probabilistic information of the detected data to soft linear block decoder 506. Soft channel decoder may be implemented as a Soft Viterbi Detector or the like, and address generator 530 may be constructed similarly as address generator 328 in transmission section 300′. The soft information output by soft channel decoder 504 remains in the channel domain and is decoded by soft linear block code decoder 506, in accordance with the address of the parity equations generated by address generator 530. Address generator 530 is responsive to counter 735 under the control of controller 745. Controller 745 synchronizes counter 735 to the output of soft channel decoder 504 so that counter 830 can provide a count of the number of bits in a codeword output by soft channel decoder 504 and a count of the number of codewords.
Soft linear block code decoder 506 operates in combination with soft channel decoder 504 and address generator 530 in an iterative fashion. Soft linear block code decoder is preferably implemented as a low-density parity- check code (LDPC) decoder as described in commonly assigned, copending patent application entitled "LDPC Decoder and Method Thereof", filed on Dec. 7, 2000 and assigned application Ser. No. 09/730,603, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
After the iterative process has completed, the output of soft linear block code decoder 506 is passed on for further processing to decoder 508. Decoder 508 is implemented to perform the reverse operations of encoder 302 or correct for any data errors.
One type of communication channel for which soft-output decoding of convolutionally encoded data is often employed is the controlled intersymbol interference (ISI) channel. One special class of controlled ISI channels that is commonly used is that of the partial response (PR) channels, which are used to model magnetic recording channels. Because of the redundancy inherent in a convolutional code and the iterative nature of the decoding process, the decoding method used may be highly complex, and therefore consume an unacceptably high level of computing resources. Accordingly, there is a need for a new soft-output decoding method having reduced complexity while continuing to yield low bit error rates for PR channels.

Soft-output decoding method and apparatus for controlled intersymbol interference channels


Disclosed is a compact, non-contacting device for collecting samples, and particularly minute quantities of bio-agents or particulates, from a surface. The device vibrates a region of a target surface containing the sample and collects the sample on an electrically charged pin array. The sample can be later released to a detector or other instrumentation for subsequent analysis.

The present exemplary embodiment relates to the collection of bio-agents and particles. It finds particular application in conjunction with collecting minute sample amounts of bio-agents, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiment is also amenable to other like applications.
In the biosciences, the detection of miniscule concentrations of bio-molecules, e.g. protein (complexes), viruses, spores, cells, etc., is of high importance. Examples include the detection of low-abundance proteins for understanding cell function or the detection of harmful bio-agents, e.g. toxins, viruses, microbes, spores, parasites, etc., that can pose a risk even at very low concentrations.
The anthrax-by-mail attacks at several US Postal Service (USPS) mail-processing centers in October 2001 resulted in heightened interests in methods to collect and test suspected samples. High flow rate air filtration systems capable of processing hundreds of liters of air per minute were installed in many of these centers. Samples collected on filters are analyzed using portable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) DNA. However, suspicious samples on exposed equipment surfaces are still collected with cotton or polyester swabs and then deposited in test tubes for subsequent PCR analysis. The detection problem is often complicated by low signal to noise measurements as ancillary material, such as dirt, grease or even cotton fibers from the swab used for collection, act to cover up the signature of the anthrax sample; leading to frequent failed assays or intolerable false-positive rates. Accordingly, there is a need for a non-contacting device to collect such samples. And, in the interests of convenience and usability of such a device, it would be beneficial if the device were relatively small and portable.


The present invention is directed toward a device for biometric authentication. The device comprises an infra red signal transmitter, signal receiver, memory module, and processing module. The signal transmitter transmits infrared energy toward a user. The infrared energy is partly absorbed and partly reflected by the user""s body. The infra red signal receiver collects partly reflected infrared energy. The memory module stores the data, and the processing module processes and compares the reflected infrared energy and stored data for use in biometric authentication.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for activating a device or authenticating a participant in a transaction using histological and/or physiological traits. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus employing histological and physiological biometric markers that are substantially unique to an individual in order to permit an individual to activate a device, participate in a transaction, or identify him or herself.
The computer industry has recognized a growing need for sophisticated security systems for computer and electronic devices. The security systems prevent unauthorized use and authenticate or identify individuals through electronic means. The biometric authentication industry has developed in response to this need. Biometrics is the measurement of quantifiable biological traits. Certain biological traits, such as the unique characteristics of each person""s fingerprint, have been measured and compared and found to be unique or substantially unique for each person. These traits are referred to as biometric markers. The computer and electronics industry is developing identification and authentication means that measure and compare certain biometric markers with the intention of using the markers as biological xe2x80x9ckeysxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cpasswords.xe2x80x9d
Biometric markers presently used by the industry for authentication and identification include the use of measurements of unique visible features such as fingerprints, hand and face geometry, and retinal and iris patterns, as well as the measurement of unique behavioral responses such as the recognition of vocal patterns and the analysis of hand movements. The use of each of these biometric markers requires a device to make the biological measurement and process it in electronic form. The device may measure and compare the unique spacing of the features of a person""s face or hand and compare the measured value with a value stored in the device""s memory. Where the values match, the person is identified or authorized.
Several types of technologies are used in biometric identification of superficial anatomical traits. For example, biometric fingerprint identification systems may require the individual being identified to place their finger on a visual scanner. The scanner reflects light off of the person""s finger and records the way the light is reflected off of the ridges that make up the fingerprint. Hand and face identification systems use scanners or cameras to detect the relative anatomical structure and geometry of the person""s face or hand. Different technologies are used for biometric authentication using the person""s eye. For retinal scans, a person will place their eye close to or upon a retinal scanning device. The scanning device will scan the retina to form an electronic version of the unique blood vessel pattern in the retina. An iris scan records the unique contrasting patterns of a person""s iris.
Still other types of technologies are used for biometric identification of behavioral traits. Voice recognition systems generally use a telephone or microphone to record the voice pattern of the user received. Usually the user will repeat a standard phrase, and the device compares the measured voice pattern to a voice pattern stored in the system. Signature authentication is a more sophisticated approach to the universal use of signatures as authentication. Biometric signature verification not only makes a record of the pattern of the contact between the writing utensil and the recording device, but also measures and records speed and pressure applied in the process of writing.
Each of the prior art systems has a number of disadvantages. For example, fingerprint data bases may raise significant privacy issues for those whose information is entered in the system. Hand and facial geometry recognition systems may require large scanners and/or expensive cameras. Voice recognition devices have problems screening out background noise. Signature recognition devices are subject to variations in the behavior of the individual. Retinal devices may require users to place their eye close to or on a scanning device, exposing the user to potential infection.
Another disadvantage of the prior art to biometric authentication is the limited number of biometric markers that are unique to each individual and that are practical for implementing in computer and electronic devices. Because the biometric patterns used in the prior art to authenticate a person are potentially completely unique to each person, the differences that distinguish one person from another person may be subtle. It may require a high degree of electronic sophistication to read and differentiate between the various unique aspects of the biometric marker. If the biometric marker is used to identify an individual from a large group of individuals, the computer memory storage and processing capability may also have to be sophisticated, and therefore, may be expensive.
Another disadvantage of prior art is that with relatively few truly unique biometric markers, it is likely that use of those markers, such as a fingerprint, would be widespread. The widespread use of just one or two types of markers increases the likelihood that an unauthorized person could, by chance or otherwise, be improperly granted access. If an unauthorized person were improperly given access, that individual may have access to numerous secured devices or accounts. This is the same problem that exists when a person chooses the same password for all his accounts or electronic devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,484 to Fowler et al. discloses a fingerprint imaging apparatus for use in an identity verification system. The system uses light, which is reflected off the finger through a system of mirrors to a linear photo diode ray. The fingers rotated mechanically in order to scan the entire fingerprint.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,267 to Shore discloses an identification device that uses a beam of collimated light to scan the fingerprint. The light beam is then imaged onto a linear ray of photo-responsive devices. The information is processed to provide a set of signals containing fingerprint information.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,149 to Rice discloses a device for detecting the position of subcutaneous blood vessels such as by using the reflection of incident radiation off of a user""s skin. The measured pattern is then compared with a previously determined pattern to verify the identity of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,186 to Eguchi et al. discloses another method for detecting data an uneven surface such as a finger, namely a fingerprint, using a light source illuminating the uneven surface through a transparent plate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,484 to Jensen discloses an apparatus for automatic scanning of a fingerprint using an optical scanner. The user slides his finger across a scanning surface and an optical scanning system generates an electrical signal as a function of the movement of the finger across the optical scanning surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,950 to Colbert et al. discloses a method and apparatus for authenticating and verifying the identity of an individual based on the profile of a hand print using an optical scanner.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,803 to Kito et al. discloses a fingerprint collating system employing a biological detecting system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,817 discloses an apparatus for detecting and identifying a biological object by projecting a light beam onto the object and detecting the reflective light using an optical detector. The change in the wave length characteristics of the light beam can be compared to a previously determined pattern.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,025 discloses a system for generating data characteristics of a rolled skin print using an optical device that can convert reflective light beams into an electronic signal and generate digital data representative of the image of the skin print.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,288 to Faulkner discloses a biometric measuring apparatus that uses silhouette and light images to measure a person""s hand features. The features are converted to electronic data and stored and later compared for identification purposes.
Some biometric authentication systems combine biometric measurements with conditions behavior such as signature writing styles and voice patterns or intonations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,486 to Grippey discloses a signature verification system utilizing a hand held writing implement that produces data regarding a person""s fingerprint pattern and their hand written signature.
Other biometric authentication systems include means for verifying physiological activity. These means for verifying physiological activity are primarily to prevent an unauthorized person from using dead tissues as a means for circumventing the authentication process. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,950 to Osten et al. discloses a personal biometric authentication system wherein inherently specific biometric parameters are measured and recognized and at least one non-specific biometric parameter is recognized and compared with physiological norms. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,439 to Lapsley et al. discloses an antifraud biometric scanner that determines whether blood flow is taking place in the object being scanned and whether such blood flow is consistent with that of a living human.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide a method and apparatus for biometric authentication and activation that does not exclusively rely upon the measurement of superficial anatomical structure and/or behavioral responses. It would also be advantageous to provide a biometric authentication system that is relatively inexpensive and portable. It would be a further advantage to provide a biometric authentication system that can use but does not require the use of truly unique biometric markers. It would also be advantageous to provide a method and apparatus for biometric authentication that can use a single technology to measure multiple, varied biometric markers.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for identification and authentication using physiological and histological biometric markers. The biometric markers of the present invention are substantially unique to each person, but not necessarily totally unique. The biometric markers of the present invention are not merely measurements of superficial anatomical structure or behavioral traits, but instead utilize or alternatively include measurements of physiological traits of the various systems of the human body and/or are histological traits associated with tissues of the human body. The present invention also contemplates the use of internal biometric markers that are not representative of any particular traits but are a composite of various physiological and/or histological traits. While the biometric markers of the present invention may be entirely unique to each person, markers that are not entirely unique but that are substantially unique may be used in the authentication process. In using substantially unique biometric markers, the present invention also allows a wide variety of biometric characteristics to be employed in a relatively compact and inexpensive device. The present invention employs biological markers that are substantially unique that remain relatively consistent from measurement to measurement and that preferably are capable of being measured without physically invasive procedures.
The present invention provides for the use of a layering technique. The layering technique can enhance the security capabilities of the present invention. Layering is a technique, which employs the use of more than one biometric marker for authentication. Where multiple biometric markers are used to authenticate a transaction, the odds that an unauthorized individual will replicate the authorized person""s biometric profile may decrease with the addition of another biometric characteristic to the authentication process.
The present invention may also avoid some of the privacy issues and other disadvantages associated with prior art biometric markers by employing unique physiological or histological biometric markers. For example, use of a physiological marker such as arterial blood pressure is less likely to raise the types of privacy issues associated with the use of fingerprints, does not require expensive scanning equipment, is not subject to behavioral variability, and does not raise issues of undesirable and potentially infectious contact with sensitive tissues.
The use of physiological and histological markers allows the devices in which such a biometric system is used to be both secure and readily manufactured and marketable. Because of the variety of ways in which the physiological markers can be measured and the variety of markers that can be used in the system, the present invention allows for greater flexibility and variability in the design of the device. Prior art systems rely upon the measurement of superficial anatomical structure thereby limiting the application of the associated system. For example, it is in many circumstances financially and technologically impractical to develop a facial or hand recognition system for portable devices such as laptops or PDAs. Contrary to the current trend in the biometric industry, the present invention does not limit the types of markers used to superficial anatomical structure or complex behavioral activity and thus expands the potential applications.
The present invention provides for the use of histological traits of various human tissues. Various kinds of human tissue, such as epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue, have characteristics which are substantially unique to each person. For example, the depth of the various layers of epithelial tissue from a given point on the skin surface may be a substantially unique histological trait that can be used as a biometric marker. The density of a particular kind of connective tissue, such as bone density, may be a substantially unique histological trait that can be employed in a biometric authentication system. Likewise, the light absorption characteristics of muscle tissue could be a substantially unique histological trait as could the electrical resistance of nervous tissue. The examples given, which are hypothetical and are not intended to be limiting, demonstrate that histologically based biometric markers provide advantages not found in the prior art and in particular, can be used to improve security and increase the variety of applications for which biometric markers are used.
In the same way that histological markers increase both the marketability and security of biometric systems, physiologically based biometric markers also provide advantages for the present invention. Physiological markers do not require the scanning or mapping of anatomical structure. Neither do they require the analysis of volitional acts, as are required with voice or signature analysis. Physiological markers are based upon nonvolitional, physiological processes and phenomenon that occur in the body. These markers include physiological processes associated with, but not limited to the (integumentary) system, the skeletal system, the muscular system, the pulmonary system, the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the sensory system, the nervous system, the digestive system, the urinary system, the endocrine system, and the reproductive system. Included in the physiological biometric markers are those activities associated with the various physiological systems that occur automatically or, in other words, are non-volitional. All of these systems and related subsystems provide traits that can be measured in a variety of ways to provide substantially unique biometric markers for the present invention.
Physiological and histological biometric markers may be measured in common units such as spacial measurements of length, area, and volume. Frequency is also another type of measurement that can be practically applied to histological and physiological biometric markers. However, the present invention provides for the monitoring of biometric markers in a variety of other additional ways. The relative motion of particles and fluids can be measured in terms of velocity, acceleration, volumetric flow rate or angular velocity, and angular acceleration. Physical interaction such as force, surface tension, pressure, viscosity, work, and torque are other possible measurements. The physiological and histological markers may also be based upon energy or heat related characteristics such as power, heat quantity, heat flux, volumetric heat release, heat transfer coefficient, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity. Likewise, measurements, such as electric quantity, electromotive force, electric field strength, electric resistance, and electrical capacities, could provide biometric markers, depending upon the tissue or physiological process being monitored. Magnetic related characteristics, such as magnetic flux, induce, magnetic permeability, magnetic flux density, magnetic field strength, and magneto-motive force could be used. Other potential measurements may include luminous flux, luminance, illumination, radio nucleotide activity, radioactivity, temperature, and absorbed dose and dose equivalent, and amount of substance (mole).

Method and apparatus for histological and physiological biometric operation and authentication


Methods and apparatuses for configuring logging of a deployment of an enterprise component are described herein. In one embodiment, in response to a request for deploying an enterprise component, a logging configuration process extracts logging configuration information from a logging configuration file associated with the enterprise component and configures the logging for the respective enterprise component being deployed. The logging configuration file is designed exclusively for configuring logging of the enterprise component. Thereafter, the deployment information of the enterprise component is logged based on the extracted logging configuration information when the enterprise component is deployed. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Logging is employed within virtually all data networks. "Logging" refers generally to recording network-related and/or application-related information in response to one or more predefined network/application events. For example, when an end-user opens a TCP connection to a server, or unsuccessfully attempts to gain access to network resources (e.g., by attempting to log in to a particular server), this information is typically recorded as an entry within a log file. Similarly, if a variable within an application rises above a specified threshold value, a log entry indicating the value and the date and time that the threshold value was exceeded may be stored within a log file. Logging techniques may be employed to record any specified network/application event. Network administrators may then review the log files to identify security issues and/or troubleshoot network problems.
Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) is a tool commonly used in software development today for developing enterprise applications. Generally, J2EE reduces the costs and complexity associated with developing multi-tier enterprise services. Another advantage of J2EE is that it can be relatively rapidly deployed and enhanced as the need arises. J2EE is currently used in many large-scale application development projects for these reasons.
As application development projects grow larger, logging becomes increasingly more important and complicated. Logging can be a very useful debugging tool to isolate problems, for example, by tracking each stage of the application being evaluated. Typically, logging is configured via a logging configuration file. The logging configuration file typically shared by multiple components being deployed. As enterprise applications increase in size and scope, the logging configuration file becomes more complicated and difficult to manage, resulting in a lack of scalability when deploying large numbers of application components.

Log configuration and online deployment services


Provided is a micro-fluidic heating system, which comprises a micro-fluidic control element for providing a chamber, a flow path and a valve, and a main body for heating the inside of the chamber in contact with the micro-fluidic control element, wherein the micro-fluidic control element consists of an upper substrate for providing the chamber, the flow path and the valve, and a lower substrate as a thin film bonded to the upper substrate, and the main body consists of a membrane in which heating means and suction holes are formed, and support member for supporting the membrane, and the heating means is partially in contact with the lower substrate of the chamber to heat the inside of the chamber, so that thermal transfer efficiency becomes maximized and temperature of each chamber may be independently controlled in the case of configuration having chambers arranged in array.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a micro-fluidic heating system applied in a micro automatic analysis system, and more particularly, to a micro-fluidic heating system that can be fabricated with a low cost and can be used as disposable applications and has fast heating and cooling speeds.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In general, a micro automatic analysis system such as a bio sensor, a bio chip, a High Throughput Screening (HTS) system, and a combinatory chemistry system requires a micro-fluidic control system having a heating function. Such a micro-fluidic control system requires a function of heating or cooling a single chamber or a plurality of chambers within the system in a short time.
To that end, methods for forming multi-layered flow patterns and integrating a plurality of chambers and heaters within a micro-fluidic control element have been researched (See U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,830; 3 Jun. 2003). However, when the heater is integrated in the micro-fluidic control element, the micro pattern for forming the heater and a temperature sensor should be formed within the element and its value should be compensated, which requires a lower portion of the chamber of the micro-fluidic control element to be formed as a membrane so as to enhance thermal transfer performance. As a result, a processing cost disadvantageously becomes increased.
A micro-fluidic control system is also proposed, which includes a micro-fluidic control element and a main body that are integrated together while having separated heating function (See Liu et al., "DNA amplification and hybridization assys in integrated plastic monolithic devices", Analytical chemistry, Vol. 74, No. 13, pp. 3063-3070). This system uses a peltier element having a high thermal mass as a heater, wherein the lower portion of the chamber of the micro-fluidic control element is made thick to have a thickness of 200 μm, which causes the thermal transfer speed to be decreased to degrees of 7.9° C./s in heating and 4.6° C./s in cooling.
A micro-fluidic control element comprising a membrane type heater and a single chamber has been proposed (See Lee et al., "Submicroliter volume PCR chip with fast thermal response and very low power consumption", Proc. Of MicroTAS 2003, pp. 187-190, 2003. 10. 5). The micro-fluidic control element has a small heat transfer coefficient and uses a thin membrane of about 2 μm, so that it has a fast speed for heating and cooling to a degree of 60° C./s to 80° C./s. However, as the heating function is included in the micro-fluidic element for single use, which causes its fabrication process to be complicated.
An assembly has been proposed, wherein the heater and the single chamber are separated, and a contact portion on the side of the single chamber in contact with the heater is formed as a film, and the heater in a main body is formed as a thin thermal plate to enhance thermal transfer efficiency (See WO Publication No. 98/38487(1998. 9. 3), Chang Ronald et al., "Heat exchange, optically interrogated chemical reaction assembly"). In such a structure, the whole portion in contact with the micro-fluidic control element of the main body is used as a thermal plate, which fails to locally heat or cool only the chamber in a case of integrated micro-fluidic control element. Furthermore, the thermal plate is fabricated by a conventional machine processing method, so that the element has an increased thermal mass due to the thickness and size of its thermal plate, which fails to have fast heating and cooling speeds compared to the element fabricated by a surface micromachining process.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


An endoscopic infusion needle device includes a catheter within which an injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube, and a distal stopping structure is provided on distal portions of the catheter and the injection tube. In one embodiment, the stopping structures include a rigid elongate skeletal structure occupying a portion of the annular space between the tube and the catheter, and an annular band on the tube which resides within the skeletal structure. The skeletal structure fits tightly within the cannula, allows irrigation fluid to pass through the annular space between the tube and the catheter to exit the distal end of the catheter, prevents the annular band from escaping through the proximal end or the distal end of the skeletal structure, and maintains the tube in substantial axial alignment with the catheter. The annular band is located such that when the tube is moved proximally, the distal end of the injection needle is safely housed within the skeletal structure when the annular band is stopped by the skeletal structure; and, when the tube is moved distally, the distal end of the needle extends approximately 4-6 mm beyond the distal end of the skeletal structure when the annular band is stopped by the skeletal structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to endoscopic medical devices. More particularly, the invention relates to an endoscopic infusion device having a needle which is movable within an outer tube from a first position to a second position.
2. State of the Art
Endoscopic infusion needle devices are used in the treatment of various digestive disorders to control bleeding or potential bleeding lesions in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and colon. The state of the art devices include a relatively long catheter, typically having an overall length of about 200 cm, within which an inner injection tube having a distal injection needle is slideably disposed. A proximal actuating handle is coupled to the catheter and the injection tube for moving one relative to the other. Fluid access to the injection tube is typically provided via a luer connector on the handle. In addition, a second luer connector is usually provided on the handle for introducing a saline irrigant into the annular space between the catheter and the injection tube.
Endoscopic infusion needle devices are typically delivered to an injection site through the lumen of an endoscope. In order to protect the lumen of the endoscope from damage, the handle of the infusion needle device is manipulated to withdraw the distal injection needle into the lumen of the catheter before inserting the device into the endoscope. This is important to prevent exposure of the sharp point of the injection needle as the device is moved through the lumen of the endoscope. When the distal end of the infusion needle device is located at the injection site, its handle is again manipulated to move the injection needle distally out of the lumen of the catheter. When advanced to the most distal position, the exposed portion of the injection needle should be approximately 4-6 mm in length. The injection procedure is often preceded by washing the site with saline in order to clear the field of view before piercing the injection site with the needle. The saline wash is delivered via the annular space between the catheter and the injection tube. After the injection site has been pierced, a sclerosing agent or vasoconstrictor composition is delivered through the injection tube and the needle into the injection site. The procedure may be performed at several injection sites before the injection needle device is removed from the endoscope. Between injections, however, the needle is withdrawn into the catheter to prevent inadvertent punctures or needle pricks.
The state of the art endoscopic infusion needle devices all suffer from similar design problems which are related to the movement of the needle into and out of the catheter. For example, it is difficult to assure that the injection needle will remain within the catheter when it is withdrawn, or to assure that the injection needle will not puncture the wall of the catheter during movement of the device through the endoscope. The reason for these problems is related to the dimensions of the device and the often tortuous path provided by the lumen of the endoscope. As mentioned above, the desired relative movement of the needle and the catheter is only on the order of 10 mm, whereas the overall length of the device is on the order of two hundred times that amount. Thus, the movement of the proximal ends of the catheter and the injection tube by an amount on the order of 10 mm cannot assure that the distal ends of the catheter and the injection tube will move exactly the same amount without requiring exacting tolerances. This issue is exacerbated by the tortuous path taken through the endoscope by the device. This tortuous path also causes the injection needle to be deflected relative to the axis of the catheter such that the sharp point of the needle touches the inner wall of the catheter. As the device is moved through the endoscope, it is thereby possible for the injection needle to puncture the catheter wall, rendering the device inoperative, and possibly damaging the lumen of the endoscope.

Endoscopic infusion needle having dual distal stops


A suspension travel adjustment mechanism comprises a housing containing a fluid, and a shaft extending through the housing. A piston is coupled to the shaft to define an upper chamber and a lower chamber within the housing. A fluid passageway extends between the upper chamber and the lower chamber. A mechanism is used for selectively opening and closing the fluid passageway from outside of the housing permit the fluid to flow between the upper chamber and the lower chamber when the fluid passageway is opened.

This invention relates generally to the field of two wheel vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to two wheeled vehicle suspension systems and releasable wheel clamping systems.
The use of front and full suspensions in two wheeled vehicles has become widespread. For example, motorcycles have long had suspension systems. In recent years, front and full suspension systems in mountain bikes have become almost standard equipment. One pioneering effort to create such suspension systems was spearheaded by Rockshox, Inc. as described generally in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,971,344; 5,186,481; 5,456,480; and 5,580,075, the complete disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. Another successful suspension system for a two wheeled vehicle is described in copending U.S. applications Ser. Nos. 09/502,272 and 09/502,746, both filed Feb. 11, 2000, the complete disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.
This invention provides another type of suspension for two wheeled vehicles. The invention also relates to the releasable coupling of a wheel to the fork of a two wheeled vehicle.


In order to provide a driving mechanism for a photosensitive drum which is capable of reducing deformation of the shaft of the photosensitive drum caused by loads when transmitting a driving force, a drive transmission course 51 is diverged to at least two courses in a drive transmission system 42 for transmitting the drive force from a drive motor 41 to the photosensitive drum 25. Specifically, the last stage of the drive transmission course 51 is engaged with a passive member 47 provided to the drum shaft 25a at two or more points to connect and link the drive force, thereby diverging the directions of loads to several directions, by which irregular movements of the photosensitive drum or vibration caused by the deformation of the shaft is eliminated.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a driving mechanism for a latent image holding member thereof such as a photosensitive drum, on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by image exposing, which is then developed and transferred to a transfer material.
2. Description of Related Art
Image forming apparatuses which form an image in a manner described above include a facsimile machine, copying machine, printer and other various appliances. In such image forming apparatuses, a latent image is formed on the latent image holding member (photosensitive drum) by exposing it with a laser beam or a light reflected from an original. As for the driving mechanism regarding such image formation, it is desired to drive the photosensitive drum to evenly rotate as its basic function, because irregularity in rotation of the photosensitive drum when exposing the image causes unevenness in pitches of the image and adversely affects the quality of the image. Such effects are more notable in a digital exposure by a laser beam. Further, for forming a color image by superimposing a plurality of images, irregular rotation of the drum causes a severer problem as each color image cannot be accurately registered.
Conventionally, it has been devised to reduce the variation in speed of the driving mechanism in a rotational direction in order to decrease irregularity in rotating movements of the photosensitive drum.
In a general method of driving a photosensitive drum, a drive force is usually transmitted to only one end of the photosensitive drum. This causes deflection of the drum shaft by a load exerted in one direction to one end of the drum, generating a frictional force in the bearing which is the sources of irregular rotation of the drum. The vibration of the shaft is also the cause of the adverse effects to image formation on the photosensitive drum.
The problem caused by the deformation of the shaft may be countered by shortening the length of the shaft, increasing the diameter of the shaft, or reducing the load to the shaft, any of which has though only limited effects due to the restrictions in designs.
It is also assumed that the irregular rotation is ascribable to the impact when the gears come to engagement which generates vibration, as well as the vibration generated in every one cycle of rotation caused by eccentricity of the gears. Conventionally, it has been tried to reduce such components of vibration by increasing the accuracy in dimension of the gears or by providing a flywheel to the drum shaft.
Also a known method is providing a brake to the drum and controlling the torque of the brake. FIG. 1 shows one example of a conventional apparatus for such brake controlling method. A stepping motor 81 is driven by a motor drive circuit 83 according to the commands from a motor controlling circuit 82. The motor drive circuit 83 is connected to a load measuring circuit 84 by which the variation in loads to the stepping motor 81 is continuously measured. A photosensitive drum 85 is driven by the stepping motor 81 via a gear system 86, and is provided with an electromagnetic brake 87 at one extended end of a rotating shaft 85a thereof. Load measuring signals are transmitted from the load measuring circuit 84 to a brake controlling circuit 88 based on which the electromagnetic brake 87 is controlled via a brake driver 89 by feedback control. In this prior art apparatus, when the gear system 86 is made eccentric by a cleaner blade (not shown) or the like contacting with the drum 85, causing variation T.sub.1 in the load to the drum as shown in FIG. 2, the drive torque T applied by the stepping motor 81 is stabilized to be a fixed rate T.sub.0 by applying biased torque with the electromagnetic brake 87 in accordance with the amount of variation T.sub.1. More specifically, the torque T applied by the electromagnetic brake 87 is augmented as shown in FIG. 3 by increasing the electric current I supplied to the electromagnetic brake 87 when the load is decreased (T.sub.a as shown in FIG. 2). Conversely, when the load is increased (T.sub.b in FIG. 2), the electric current I is less applied to the electromagnetic brake 87 in order to reduce the torque T.
As the demand for quality of image has been sharply increased, these problems as described above cannot be any more solved by fabricating the gears more precisely in dimension, due to the limits of machining capacity. The impact generated by engagement between the gears or the vibration generated in every cycle of rotation can be reduced by providing a flywheel to the drum shaft. However, this has no effects at a low frequency area where the additional flywheel causes resonance.
As for the brake controlling method, a follow-up control of an electromagnetic brake provided to the photosensitive drum can be made at the low frequency area but not at the high frequency area. This is because the vibration caused by the engaging actions of the gears at the high frequency area cannot be eliminated with feed back control which has an inevitable time lag. Also, such a complicated control causes the increase in production cost of apparatus.

Image forming apparatus and driving mechanism for image holding member


A probabilistic landmark navigation system is arranged to obtain from one or more image sensors one or more terrain images of a target terrain to be traversed by a vehicle. The terrain images are characterized by multiple individually non-distinctive terrain features without distinctively identifiable landmark features. The non-distinctive terrain features in the one or more terrain images are compared to map database information to make a non-temporal probabilistic determination of absolute location coordinates to associate with the non-distinctive terrain features. Then a navigation path is determined for the vehicle across the target terrain based on the absolute location coordinates.

Current landmark-based navigation arrangements conduct navigational sightings using one or more imaging devices (e.g., a camera, radar, or other imaging sensors), as shown in FIG. 1A, looking only at distinctive and easily identifiable major landmarks such as buildings, crossroads, airport runways, etc. For example, navigational images may be taken from a vehicle at altitude looking down at a target terrain to be traversed by the vehicle to produce two-dimensional imagery of distinctive landmarks and ground features. The distinctive landmark features in the navigational images are then compared (in an automated system) to existing limited size imagery map data that characterize the same distinctive landmark features, and obtain a relatively easy high-confidence navigational solution for the imager position and orientation. As shown in FIG. 1B, the reliance on distinctive landmark features results in relatively few image matches for a given distance traveled.
However, for operations in areas with featureless terrain or no distinctive landmarks—such as when flying over a jungle canopy, over desert, over ice, etc., or similarly for that matter, moving on the ground in a desert or inside a jungle, on foot or in a vehicle, the existing image matching approach using distinctive landmark features alone is not sufficient. Another example is moving, hovering and the like at low altitude where the field of view of an imaging camera may not be great enough to cover at least one recognizable landmark feature at any given time. These challenging navigational situations with few if any distinctive landmarks or ground features available for navigational image matching may result in unreliable navigation performance over time, or in the worst case, an outright inability to navigate at all.

Probabilistic landmark navigation (PLN) system

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.


A method and system for scheduling the use of a computer system resource using a resource planner and a resource provider is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a resource is scheduled for use by a plurality of consumer entities. Each consumer entity may request the commitment of a share of the resource. The method and system utilizes representations of resource usage policy, present commitments of shares of the resource, and present commitments of specified amounts of the resource over specified period of time. The method and system first receives a request from a consumer entity for the commitment of a specified share of the resource. In response, the method and system determines whether the specified share of the resource should be committed to the requesting consumer entity. This determination is based on the representations of resource usage policy and present commitments of shares of the resource. If it is determined that the specified share of the resource should be committed to the requesting consumer entity, then the method and system modifies the representation of present commitments of shares of the resource to commit the specified share of the resource to the requesting consumer entity. The method and system then schedules the use of the resource by the plurality of consumer entity based on the modified representation of present commitments of shares of the resource.

Conventional resource management strategies for real-time application programs have been unsatisfactory. A "real-time application program" is an application program that must execute in a predictable and timely fashion in order to operate properly. Many current efforts to provide resource management for real-time application programs may only manage a static set of resources. In other words, the resource set may not change during the course of operation of the system. Another limitation of many conventional resource management strategies is that they only accommodate one type of resource (i.e., the resources must be homogeneous). An additional limitation of many conventional resource management strategies is that they rely upon the resource or the application program to determine which application program should be allocated a resource and what quantity of the resource should be allocated. Another conventional approach has been to rely upon human experts to correctly assign priorities to tasks within the system. Unfortunately, such human experts typically cannot accurately assign priorities for a dynamic mix of real-time application programs.
The process of determining which threads to execute at which times is generally termed "scheduling" a computer system's CPU. Conventional CPU scheduling is an example of an unsatisfactory conventional resource management strategy for real-time application. A typical conventional scheduling strategy is to divide the processor time resource into "time slices" having a uniform length. At the expiration of a time slice, a conventional scheduler identifies a thread to execute during the next time slice. In a balanced allocation scheme, each ready thread receives one time slice in turn, so that the processor time is divided evenly among the ready threads. In a weighted allocation scheme, each thread specifies the percentage of total processor time it is to receive. The scheduler then uses an accounting process to keep track of the number of time slices each thread has received, and assigns the next time slice to the thread that is furthest from having received its specified percentage. Such time slice scheduling has two significant disadvantages. First, such time slice scheduling can be inefficient because it involves frequent reassignments of the processor. On the other hand, even the weighted allocation scheme does not take into account thread processor requirements finer than the overall percentage of processor time that must be used to successfully schedule multiple threads having significant processor time demands.
The way in which scheduling is performed can significantly impact a user's perception of whether individual threads are performing adequately. Modern multimedia applications, for example, often require substantial processor time, and appear to proceed slowly or jerkily if they do not receive it. To ensure adequate performance, conventional multimedia applications and other real-time applications typically secure exclusive use of the processor, to the exclusion of any other existing threads.
A hardware device connected to a computer system typically interacts with the computer system by raising an assigned one of a set of device interrupts. The computer system typically responds to the interrupt by executing an interrupt handling routine corresponding to the raised interrupt. In conventional operating systems, this device interrupt handling is typically performed preemptively by, when a device interrupt occurs, suspending the normal scheduled processing of threads while executing the interrupt processing routine. As a result, time-critical threads can be suspended for significant periods of time when their execution coincides with device interrupts.

Method and system for scheduling the use of a computer system resource using a resource planner and a resource provider


A solid-state image capture element includes a pixel, which receives light of one of a pair of light beams which pass through iris regions of different locations on a photographic lens, and a pixel which receives light of the other, in a pair of said pixels. The pair of pixels are positioned shifted from one another in a direction which intersects the x-axis which is the phase difference direction. The pair includes a plurality of first pairs and second pairs which respectively have mutually inverse location relations with respect to the pixels and the pixels therein. The first pair and the second pair are alternately positioned in either the phase difference detection direction or the direction which is orthogonal thereto.

In recent years, as a solid-state image-capture element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor and the like has been made to have a high resolution, demands for an information device having an imaging function such as a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and the like sharply increase. In the meantime, the information device having the image-capture function is referred as an imaging device.
Incidentally, regarding a focus control method of detecting a distance to a main subject and focusing on the subject, there are a contrast AF method and a phase difference AF (Auto Focus). Since the phase difference AF method can detect a focus position at higher speed and with higher precision, compared to the contrast AF method, it is adopted in various imaging devices (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
FIG. 15 is a plan pictorial view of a general sensor that is used in the phase difference AF method.
The sensor shown in FIG. 15 has a first line on which pixels G1 having an optical opening a eccentric leftwards are arranged in a row direction and a second line on which pixels G2 having an optical opening a eccentric rightwards are arranged in the row direction.
In the sensor shown in FIG. 15, a case is considered in which a black line c extending in a vertical direction is put on pixels of 2 lines×4 columns in the middle and the black line c is in focus, as shown in FIG. 16. It is assumed that an output signal of the pixel covered by the black line c is "0" and an output signal of the pixel not covered by the black line c is "1". A graph that is formed by plotting the output signals of the pixels at the respective column positions is shown at the lower of FIG. 16. As shown in the graph, it is determined that a signal waveform of the pixels G1 and a signal waveform of the pixels G2 are completely matched and there is no phase difference. Like this, the sensor shown in FIG. 15 can correctly calculate phase difference information for the black line c extending in the vertical direction.
However, in the sensor shown in FIG. 15, when a black line d obliquely extending is put on, as shown in FIG. 17, false detection that there is a phase difference between the signal waveform of the pixels G1 and the signal waveform of the pixels G2 is made even though the black line d is in focus.
It is assumed that an output signal of the pixel of which the opening a is covered by the black line d is "0" and an output signal of the pixel of which the opening a is not covered by the black line d is "1". A graph that is formed by plotting the output signals of the pixels at the respective column positions is shown at the lower of FIG. 17. As shown in the graph, a deviation occurs between a signal waveform (the dashed-dotted line) of the pixels G1 and a signal waveform (the solid line) of the pixels G2. For this reason, it is determined that there is a phase difference, even though the black line d is in focus. Like this, the sensor shown in FIG. 15 may falsely detect the phase difference information for the black line d extending in the oblique direction.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.: 2011-128302A
The invention has been made keeping in mind the above situations, and an object of the invention is to provide a solid-state image-capture element capable of maintaining phase difference detection precision, irrespective of a direction along which an edge of a subject extends, an imaging device having the same and a focus control method of the imaging device.

Solid-state image capture element, image capture device, and focus control method


Electrostatic discharge (ESD) structures having a connection to a through wafer via structure and methods of manufacture are provided. The structure includes an electrostatic discharge (ESD) network electrically connected in series to a through wafer via. More specifically, the ESD circuit includes a bond pad and an ESD network located under the bond pad. The ESD circuit further includes a through wafer via structure electrically connected in series directly to the ESD network, and which is also electrically connected to VSS.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) events are a common issue in semiconductor devices. For example, an ESD event to one or more pins of an integrated circuit package can damage or destroy the semiconductor device. More specifically, ESD-related failures can be exhibited in a number of ways such as, for example, junction leakage, short, or burn-out; dielectric rupture; resistor-metal interface rupture; and resistor/metal fusing, to name a few. These failures are especially true in sensitive devices such as, for example, a MOS device which has thin gate oxides.
There are three predominant ESD models for integrated circuits. These models include the Human Body Model (HBM), the Charged Device Model (CDM), and the Machine Model (MM). The HBM simulates the ESD event when a person charged to a positive potential or negative potential contacts an integrated circuit which is at a different potential. The CDM, on the other hand, simulates the ESD event that occurs when a device charges to a certain potential, and contacts with a conductive surface at a different potential. The MM simulates the ESD event that occurs when a part of an equipment or tool comes into contact with a device at a different potential.
To prevent ESD occurrences, ESD devices are formed with and connected to semiconductor devices in order to protect the devices. The ESD devices operate to absorb an electrostatic discharge and bring it to ground to avoid damage to or destruction of the semiconductor device. However, ESD devices are typically very large devices that utilize valuable space on a chip. In current technology, this poses an issue since such chip space is at a premium, especially in 90 nm nodes and less. Also, known ESD devices have a tendency to fail due to thin underpass connection during ESD events.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described hereinabove.

Electrostatic discharge structures and methods of manufacture

International Business Machines Corporation


A take off ground effects compensated angle of attack system includes a radio altimeter and/or timer, a pitch angle system and a flight control computer. The radio altimeter generates a signal which is indicative of the aircraft's altitude from 0 i.e., weight off wheels to an altitude of ½ the wing span of the aircraft. The angle of attack system simultaneously generates a signal which is indicative of the aircraft's angle of attack without compensation for ground effects. Therefore, a ground effects signal of from 1½° to 0° is generated and added to the angle of attack signal as the aircraft climbs from 0 ft. to an altitude which is equal to ½ the wing span of the aircraft. The ground effects signal is added to the angle of attack signal to provide a ground effects compensated angle of attacks signal which is then fed to the flight control computer or display.

A method for generating a ground effect compensated aircraft body angle of attack signal is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,968 of Orgun et al. As disclosed therein, the method includes converting an aircraft pitch rate correction alpha vane signal to a free air body angle of attack signal that is collaborated to the type of aircraft that employs the method for the two conventional landing flap settings. The free air body angle and attack signal is processed to obtain an alpha vane correction signal that represents ground effects compensation that would be required at zero altitude (touchdown). The zero altitude alpha vane correction signal is then multiplied by an altitude scaling signal and converted to a ground effect compensation signal that is applicable to the then current altitude of the aircraft. The ground effects compensation signal is summed with the free air corrected body angle of attack signal to provide the ground effect compensation angle of attack signal to provide the ground effect compensated body angle of attack signal of the patented device.
It is well known that the coefficient of lift increases with increases in angle of attack over a given range. However, if the angle of attack is increased beyond a given point, the lift coefficient is reduced. In such cases, the aircraft may become unstable or stall. It has also been recognized that aircraft during takeoff and climb out maneuvers are flown at relatively high angles of attack in order to maintain the proper lift force. However, in order to avoid unsafe conditions, a safety margin is provided for angle of attack and the aircraft is operated at less than its maximum performance characteristics.
It is now believed that there may be a large commercial market for a ground effects compensated angle of attack system that will allow a pilot to operate an aircraft at or near its maximum performance characteristics during takeoff i.e., during the first fifty or so feet of altitude. There should be a demand for such systems because they result in more efficient operation of the aircraft, ability to accommodate changing conditions and avoid obstacles. It is presently believed that the use of a ground effects compensated angle of attack method and system are particularly important during a takeoff maneuver when an aircraft is at its maximum loading.
Further, the ground effects compensated angle of attack system in accordance with the present invention can be manufactured and sold at a competitive cost, are reliable, durable and readily installed and serviced on an aircraft. Such system may also be readily added or retrofitted to many aircraft.

Ground effects compensated angle of attack command system and method


An improved abrasive slurry delivery apparatus and associated method of using same that permits repeated and/or extended use of the apparatus in a subterranean wellbore, and reduces abrasive wear during fracturing operations while increasing pump rate and proppant mass delivery capabilities. In a preferred embodiment, an abrasive slurry delivery apparatus has a tubular crossover member with an internal flow passage and sidewall outlet openings formed with or without removable inserts formed from abrasive resistant materials. The internal flow passage is eccentrically offset to enlarge the effective flow cross-section, provide for tool passage clearance and to increase wall thickness for protection of a return flow passageway. The sidewall opening is positioned such that the opening is isolated from the secondary flow passageway.

The present inventions relate generally to tools used in subterranean wells and, in a preferred embodiment thereof, more particularly provide a slurry delivery apparatus for use in formation fracturing operations.
Further, the present inventions relate to improvements in prior art slurry delivery tools and methods of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,691, entitled Abrasive Slurry Delivery Apparatus and Methods Of Using Same, which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
As is explained in the above referenced patent, oftentimes, a potentially productive geological formation beneath the earth""s surface contains a sufficient volume of valuable fluids, such as hydrocarbons, but also has a very low permeability. xe2x80x9cPermeabilityxe2x80x9d is a term used to describe that quality of a geological formation that enables fluids to move about in the formation. All potentially productive formations have pores, a quality described using the term xe2x80x9cporosity,xe2x80x9d within which the valuable fluids are contained. If the pores are not interconnected, the fluids cannot move about and, thus, cannot be brought to the earth""s surface.
When such a formation having very low permeability, but a sufficient quantity of valuable fluids in its pores, is desired to be produced, it becomes necessary to artificially increase the formation""s permeability. This is typically accomplished by xe2x80x9cfracturingxe2x80x9d the formation, a practice which is well known in the art, and for which purpose many methods have been conceived. Fracturing is achieved by applying sufficient pressure to the formation to cause the formation to crack or fracture, hence the name. The desired result being that the cracks interconnect the formation""s pores and allow the valuable fluids to be brought out of the formation and to the surface.
A conventional method of fracturing a formation begins with drilling a subterranean well into the formation and cementing a protective tubular casing within the well. The casing is then perforated to provide fluid communication between the formation and the interior of the casing. A packer is set in the casing above the well treating equipment to isolate the formation from the rest of the wellbore. In some environments, it is preferable to use a packer of the type that is set using a ball-seat configuration. Dropping a ball through the well tubing to a seat in the tubing string located at the packer sets these packers. The ball acts as a temporary check valve-closing seat, permitting pressure within the tubing string to be increased at the packer to hydraulically set (install) the packer. After the packer is set, tubing pressure is increased further to a point where the ball seat fails and allows the ball to fall down the tubing string to reopen the tubing at the packer. Some fracturing equipment contains internal components made from corrosion resistant material such as carbide or ceramic which cannot tolerate impact with a ball being projected downhole when the seat fails. Some have no space for receiving and storing the ball. In those situations, the ball must be removed by reversing the flow in the well, to flow the ball from the well, rather than by failure of the seat. The process of reverse flow to remove the packer set ball is a time consuming and expensive process, which should be avoided.
In some applications, the tubing string installed with the packer includes perforating equipment located below the fracturing equipment. One type of perforating equipment uses explosive charges that are conventionally actuated by dropping a weighted bar through the tubing string. If the fracturing equipment contains fragile internal components, the weighted bar actuating system cannot be used.
After the packer is set, hydraulic pressure is applied to the formation via tubing extending from the packer to pumps on the surface. The pumps apply the hydraulic pressure by pumping fracturing fluid down the tubing, through the packer, into the wellbore below the packer, through the perforations, and finally, into the formation. The pressure is increased until the desired quality and quantity of cracks is achieved and maintained. Much research has gone into discerning the precise volume and rate of fracturing fluid and hydraulic pressure to apply to the formation to achieve the desired quality and quantity of cracks.
The fracturing fluid""s composition is far from a simple matter itself. Modem fracturing fluids may include sophisticated manmade proppants suspended in gels. xe2x80x9cProppantxe2x80x9d is the term used to describe material in the fracturing fluid which enters the formation cracks once formed and while the hydraulic pressure is still being applied (that is, while the cracks are still being held open by the hydraulic pressure), and acts to prop the cracks open. When the hydraulic pressure is removed, the proppant keeps the cracks from closing completely. Thus, the proppant helps to maintain the artificial permeability of the formation after the fracturing job is over. Fracturing fluid containing suspended proppant is also called xe2x80x9cslurry.xe2x80x9d
A proppant may be nothing more than very fine sand, or it may be a material specifically engineered for the job of holding formation cracks open. Whatever its composition, the proppant must be very hard and strong to withstand the forces trying to close the formation cracks. These qualities also make the proppant a very good abrasive. It is common for proppant to form holes in the protective casing, tubing, pumps, and any other equipment through which slurry is pumped.
Particularly susceptible to abrasion wear from pumped slurry is any piece of equipment in which the slurry must make a sudden or significant change in direction. The slurry, being governed by the laws of physics and fluid dynamics including the principles of inertia, tends to maintain its velocity and direction of flow, and resists any change thereof. An object in the flow path of the slurry, which tends to change the velocity or direction of the slurry""s flow will soon be worn away as the proppant in the slurry incessantly impinges upon the object.
Of particular concern in this regard is the piece of equipment attached to the tubing extending below the packer, which takes the slurry as it is pumped down the tubing and redirects it radially outward so that it exits the tubing and enters the formation through the perforations. That piece of equipment is called a crossover. Assuming, for purposes of convenience, that the tubing extends vertically through the wellbore, and that the formation is generally horizontal, the crossover must change the direction of the slurry by ninety degrees. Because of this significant change of direction, few pieces of equipment (with the notable exception of the pumps) must withstand as much abrasive wear as the crossover.
In addition, the crossover is frequently called upon to do several other tasks while the slurry is being pumped through it. For example, the crossover typically contains longitudinal circulation ports through which fracturing fluids, that are not received into the formation after exiting the crossover, are transmitted back to the surface. Space limitations in the wellbore dictate that the circulation ports are not far removed from the flow path of the slurry through the crossover. If the crossover is worn away such that the slurry flow path achieves fluid communication with the circulation ports in the crossover, the fracturing job must cease. Once stopped, the fracturing job cannot be recommended or completed. Hence, it is very important that the crossover does not fail while the job is in process. If the fracturing job is not halted after the crossover fails, the slurry will enter the circulation ports in the crossover and travel back to the surface without delivering the proppant to the formation.
For the above reasons and others, the crossover has commonly been considered a disposable piece of equipment, usable for only one fracturing job, or worse, less than one fracturing job. Even when it survives a fracturing job, it is usually sufficiently worn that no further use may be made of it. This is unfortunate because the crossover is also typically one of the most expensive pieces of equipment used in a fracturing job due to its high machining and material costs. Further, customers are now demanding fracturing jobs with high flow rates, high pressures, higher volumes, and higher density proppant. All of this increase wear on the crossover increases the likelihood of crossover failure during the fracturing job.
Attempts have been made to provide a solution for these problems. One involves making the crossover out of extremely hard and abrasion wear-resistant materials. This has proven to reduce the rate of abrasion wear of the crossover.
It is, however, enormously expensive to make an entire crossover out of a sufficiently wear-resistant material. No economic advantage is actually achieved by this solution over the disposable crossover made of less wear-resistant, but much less expensive, materials.
Another proposed solution is to utilize surface treatment of less expensive alloy steels to achieve a wear-resistant crossover surface. Methods such as carburizing, nitriding, etc., which produce a high surface hardness, do indeed slow the abrasion wear rate of the crossover at less expense than using exotic materials. However, as soon as the hardened surface layer has been breached, the crossover begins to wear away rapidly. For this reason, surfacehardened crossovers are also not sufficiently durable for the newer high flow, high pressure fracturing jobs. The extra expense of surface-hardening a disposable crossover makes this solution uneconomical as well.
Other proposals involve placing replaceable protective sleeves or liners of wear or corrosive resistant materials in the crossover. These sleeves are placed in the areas subjected to abrasion such as the central tubing passageway. However, as previously pointed out, the better corrosive resistant materials are brittle and subject to impact damages from contact with packer setting balls and perforator activator bars. This potential for damage limits the use of these crossovers. Further protective sleeves take up space in the internal flow path, reducing the flow capacity and tool passage ability of the crossover.
Another area of concern concerning abrasion wear during fracturing jobs is the protective casing lining the wellbore. Since the crossover typically directs the slurry flow radially outward, the casing is directly in the altered slurry flow path. Unintended, misplaced holes in the casing are to be avoided, since it is the casing which provides the only conduit extending to the surface through which all other conduits and equipment must pass.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that it would be quite desirable to provide an improved slurry delivery apparatus, which does not have the economic disadvantages of the solutions, enumerated above, but which allows repeated use thereof. It would also be desirable to provide a slurry delivery apparatus that has a full bore internal passage to increase flow capacity and tool clearance. In addition, it would be desirable to locate replaceable wear resistant components out of the main passageway and out of potential tool damaging areas. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a slurry delivery apparatus and associated methods of using same.
In carrying out the principles of the present invention, in accordance with an embodiment thereof, an abrasive slurry delivery apparatus and method of using same are provided, which apparatus and method are specially adapted for utilization in formation fracturing operations in subterranean wellbores.
In broad terms, an abrasive slurry delivery apparatus and method is provided which includes a first tubular structure having a flow inlet communicating with an internal flow passage through which a pressurized, abrasive slurry material may be axially flowed in a downstream direction. The internal flow passage is positioned eccentrically within the tubular structure, to form a thickened axially extending wall section. An axially extending bypass flow passage formed in the thickened wall section, and an axial portion of the tubular structure having a side wall section, with an outlet opening therein through which an abrasive slurry material may be outwardly discharged from the internal flow passage. The outlet opening being circumscribed by a peripheral edge portion of the side wall section, and protective means for shielding the peripheral edge portion of the side wall section from abrasive slurry material being discharged outwardly through the outlet opening, with or without the protective means of abrasive resistant ported inserts removably or permanently mounted in the side wall flush with or recessed from the internal flow passage. It is preferable but not required that these outlet openings will be aligned such to promote maximum volume with equal distribution of flow throughout the length of the crossover with specific spacing, number and size of the ports. These outlet holes shall encompass the entire surface area (radially) with the possible exception of that area left for the bypass return ports.

Abrasive slurry delivery apparatus and methods of using same