An LED illumination dimming circuit comprises a capacitor connected to the first output terminal at a first end thereof and to the second output terminal at a second end thereof; a coil connected to the second end of the capacitor at a first end thereof; a switch element connected to a second end of the coil at a first end thereof; a resistor connected to a second end of the switch element at a first end thereof and to the ground terminal at a second end thereof; a diode connected to the power supply terminal at a cathode thereof and to the second end of the coil at an anode thereof; and a controlling circuit that controls an operation of the switch element with a switch controlling signal.

There is an LED illumination dimming circuit 100A that controls dimming of an LED element, such as those described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2009-123681 and 2012-59662 (FIG. 5).
The LED illumination dimming circuit 100A includes a resistor "R1", a bipolar transistor "Q1" having a collector connected to a cathode of an LED element 4 having an anode connected to a power supply 2, a constant current circuit 6 connected between an emitter of a bipolar transistor "Q1" and a ground, and a microcomputer 5 that controls the bipolar transistor "Q1" and the constant current circuit 6 in response to a dimming signal output from a dimmer 1 (FIG. 5).
In a constant current control in a current critical mode, the LED illumination dimming circuit 100A controls the bipolar transistor "Q1" to lower a peak current to achieve dimming (linear dimming).
However, in the constant current control in the current critical mode, if the conventional LED illumination dimming circuit 100A described above lowers the peak current to achieve dimming (linear dimming), the switching frequency of the bipolar transistor "Q1" increases.
The increase of the switching frequency poses various problems, such as an increase of noise and a decrease of the efficiency.
The switching frequency may be lowered when dimming is not performed. However, the switching frequency cannot be lowered below an audio frequency, so that the actual dimming range is limited.
In addition, if the switching frequency is lowered when dimming is not performed, the size of components, such as a transformer, undesirably increases.
Furthermore, the conventional LED illumination dimming circuit 100A described above needs to have a signal terminal for receiving a signal that prescribes an on width in which the bipolar transistor "Q1" is turned on and a signal terminal for receiving a signal that prescribes an off width in which the bipolar transistor "Q1" is turned off.
That is, the conventional LED illumination dimming circuit 100A described above needs to have a plurality of terminals.

LED illumination dimming circuit and LED illumination dimming method

Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


Heretofore, it was necessary to individually locate an optical switch, an optical switch control circuit, and the like, before and after an optical transceiver that performs optical protection. As a result, costs and the space for implementation increase, and a delay in services is also caused, which were the problems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical add-drop multiplexer, and optical network equipment using the same, and more particularly to transmission of optical information by use of optical fibers.
2. Description of Related Art
The wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical transmission method is a very effective method for increasing the capacity of optical fiber communications. In this method, a plurality of optical signals whose wavelengths differ from one another are multiplexed into one optical fiber to transmit information. An optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) is a kind of transmission equipment placed at each node in an optical fiber network that carries a wavelength division multiplexed signal. The optical wavelength add-drop multiplexer uses a technology by which from a WDM signal that is transmitted through an optical fiber, only an optical signal having a necessary wavelength is branched (dropped) to receive the optical signal, and an optical signal to be transmitted from this node is inserted (added) into the WDM signal. In the optical wavelength add-drop multiplexer, most WDM signals transmitted through an optical fiber can be passed through as light without converting the WDM signals into electric signals. The optical wavelength add-drop multiplexer, therefore, has an advantage of being able to reduce, to a large extent, the number of optical transceivers required for each node. Above all, the reconfigurable optical wavelength add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) uses an optical switch, or the like, and thereby can change, if necessary, a wavelength that is added/dropped at each node. The reconfigurable optical wavelength add-drop multiplexer attracts a great deal of attention because the configuration of transmission equipment is flexibly changed in response to the future growth of a network to provide wavelength paths. Its typical configuration is described in the catalogue titled "Configurable OADM Module" by Suntech, Mar. 2003, page 1. It is to be noted that hereinafter this equipment is referred to as "optical add-drop multiplexer" for the sake of simplicity.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a typical conventional optical add-drop multiplexer 140. A wavelength division multiplexed signal, which is transmitted from other wavelength division multiplexed optical transmission equipment such as an optical add-drop multiplexer, is inputted into an optical add-drop multiplexer 140 through an input WDM optical fiber line 101. This is an example in which optical signals corresponding to eight wavelengths are wavelength division multiplexed. An optical wavelength demultiplexer 102 demultiplexes the wavelength division multiplexed signal into different through signal paths 104-1 through 104-8 that correspond to wavelengths λ1 through λ8 respectively. After that, the demultiplexed signals are wavelength division multiplexed by an optical wavelength multiplexer 110 again, and this wavelength division multiplexed signal is then transmitted from an output WDM optical fiber line 111 to other optical transmission equipment. Usually, an AWG (arrayed waveguide grating) device, a device in which a tandem connection between dielectric multi-layer film and an optical fiber grating is made, and the like, are used as the optical wavelength demultiplexer 102 and the optical wavelength multiplexer 110.
2×2 optical switches 141-1 through 141-8 used for switching to an add-drop state of an optical signal are located in the middle of the through signal paths 104-1 through 104-8 respectively. Each of the 2×2 optical switches can make switching between two states, a through state and the add-drop state. The through state is a state in which, as shown in the example of the 2×2 optical switch 141-1, an optical signal corresponding to each wavelength (for example, λ1), which is inputted from the input WDM optical fiber line 101 into each through signal path through the optical wavelength demultiplexer 102, is output to the output WDM optical fiber line 111 through the optical wavelength multiplexer 110 as it is. The add-drop state is a state in which, as shown in the example of the 2×2 optical switch 141-2, an optical signal corresponding to each wavelength (for example, λ2), which is inputted from the input WDM optical fiber line 101 into each through signal path through the optical wavelength demultiplexer 102, is dropped into the drop signal output optical fiber 108-2, and at the same time an optical signal corresponding to the wavelength λ2 inputted from the add signal input optical fiber 109-2 is connected to the through signal path 104-2, and is then output to the output WDM optical fiber line 111 through the optical wavelength multiplexer 110. To be more specific, if the optical switch 141-N is in the through state, an optical signal corresponding to the wavelength λN inputted from the input WDM optical fiber line 101 is passed through the optical add-drop multiplexer ("through"). On the other hand, if the optical switch 141-N is in the add-drop state, the optical signal corresponding to the wavelength λN is branched and extracted by the optical add-drop multiplexer ("drop"), and at the same time a new optical signal is added ("add"), and is then output to the output WDM optical fiber line 111.
Incidentally, one of the important functions of a wavelength division multiplexed optical network using OADM, and the like, is an optical protection function. This technique is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-244796. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration example of the conventional optical protection. This example relates to an optical 1+1 method in which a path of an optical signal having the wavelength λ1 is duplexed with active and backup signal lines, the path being provided between the node 124-1 and the node 124-2 in the ring network. In the event that a failure occurs in the active signal line, switching to the backup side is made on the receiving side. The optical network has a configuration in which three nodes 124-1 through 124-3 are connected to one another by use of two optical fiber lines, a clockwise active WDM optical fiber line 120 and a counterclockwise backup WDM optical fiber line 121. The conventional active-side optical add-drop multiplexers 143-1 through 143-3 and the conventional backup-side optical add-drop multiplexers 144-1 through 144-3 are located in the nodes 124-1 through 124-3 respectively. Here, the conventional active-side optical add-drop multiplexers 143-1 through 143-3 are connected to the active WDM signal line 120; and the conventional backup-side optical add-drop multiplexers 144-1 through 144-3 are connected to the backup wavelength path 121. The optical add-drop multiplexers in the nodes 124-1, 124-2 communicate with each other by adding or dropping a signal having the wavelength λ1.
If the optical protection is not used, an optical signal is transmitted by use of only the active WDM optical fiber line 120 without using the backup signal line 121, a 1:2 optical coupler 128, and a 2×1 optical switch 142 shown in the figure. To be more specific, the optical transmitter 125-1 is connected to the add signal input optical fiber 109-1-1 of the active-side optical add-drop multiplexer 143-1, whereas the optical receiver 126-2 is connected to the drop signal output optical fiber 108-2-1 of the active-side optical add-drop multiplexer 143-2. An optical signal is passed through the path 122-1 of an active optical signal having the wavelength λ1, and is transmitted clockwise from the node 124-1 to the node 124-2 before the optical signal is received there. At the same time, the optical transmitter 125-2 is connected to the add signal input optical fiber 109-2-1 of the active-side optical add-drop multiplexer 143-2, whereas the optical receiver 126-1 is connected to the drop signal output optical fiber 108-2-1. An optical signal is passed through the path 122-2 of an active optical signal having the wavelength λ1, and is transmitted clockwise from the node 124-2 to the node 124-1 through the node 143-3 in a through state, before the optical signal is received at the node 124-1. However, in the above conditions, if a failure 132 such as fiber cut occurs in the optical signal path, it becomes impossible to use the path 122-1 of the active optical signal. As a result, communications from the node 124-1 to the node 124-2 are disabled.
The optical protection is a function of quickly recovering a signal line when such a failure occurs. In this conventional example, the backup WDM signal line 121 through which an optical signal passes in a reverse direction is prepared. In the transmission-side node (for example, 124-1), an optical signal which is output from the optical transmitter 125-1 is branched into two by the 1:2 optical coupler 127-1. The branched optical signals are inputted into both the active-side add signal input optical fiber 109-1-1 and the add signal input optical fiber 109-1-2 of the backup-side optical add-drop multiplexer 144-1 respectively. In the backup-side WDM optical fiber line 121, this optical signal is transmitted counterclockwise along the path 123-1 of a backup optical signal having the wavelength λ1, and is passed through the node 124-3, and then arrives at the node 124-2 where the optical signal is output from the drop signal output optical fiber 108-2-2 of the backup-side optical add-drop multiplexer 144-2. A 2×1 optical switch 142-2 is located immediately before the optical receiver 126-2. The 2×1 optical switch 142-2 selects either an optical signal of the active-side drop signal output optical fiber 108-2-1 or that of the backup-side drop signal output optical fiber 108-2-2, and then inputs the selected optical signal into the optical receiver 126-2. The 2×1 optical switch 142-2 usually selects the active-side optical signal. However, if a failure 132 occurs and thereby the active-side optical signal 122-1 is interrupted, the optical switch control circuit 145-2 usually quickly switches the 2×1 optical switch 142-2 to the backup signal line side within several tens of milliseconds in response to a failure signal 107-2, and then inputs into the optical receiver 126-2 the optical signal passing through the path 123-1 of the backup optical signal so that the optical signal is not interrupted. Also for the signal line through which an optical signal passes from the node 124-2 to the node 124-1, the optical protection function is implemented completely in the same manner.

Optical add-drop multiplexer, and optical network equipment using the same

Abstract: For the purpose of solving the above problems, the present invention provides a simple optical protection method used in an optical add-drop multiplexer.

Abstract: Add switches 105-1 through 105-N and drop switches 103-1 through 103-N for optical signals corresponding to each wavelength in an optical add-drop multiplexer 100 are made controllable independently of one another. Add switches and drop switches of the active-side and backup-side optical add-drop multiplexers are switched by optical switch control circuits 106-1 through 106-N respectively to make a detour around a failure so that the optical protection is achieved.

Hitachi Communication Technologies, Ltd.


A method of reducing trash recirculation into the fiber formation stream of an open-end spinning machine yarn formation station in an open-end spinning machine of the type having a movable trash belt which collects trash removed from sliver during yarn formation, the spinning machine having a predetermined, relatively high, conventional trash belt speed "X", and a predetermined optimum trash brush rotational speed "Y". The method includes the steps of moving the trash belt at a low speed "Z" determined by the type of trash contained in the fiber, the type of yarn being spun and the type of fabric to be formed from the yarn, but in no event more than 50 percent of the conventional trash belt speed "X", and rotating the trash brush at optimum speed "Y" without regard to the speed "Z" of the trash belt.

This invention relates to an independently-controlled brush for cleaning a variable-speed trash belt for an open-end spinning machine and a method of cleaning the trash belt of an open-end spinning machine. As described below, careful control of the rate of movement of the trash belt improves both machine efficiency and yarn quality. While doing so, it has been recognized that maintaining relatively high cleaning brush speed is desirable for maintaining a high level of belt cleaning efficiency.
In the open-end spinning process the fibers to be spun into a yarn on the machine are removed from a sliver supplied to the machine, separated, and then spun into a yarn in the rotor or other yarn-producing mechanism. Each machine contains numerous adjacent stations. The opening of the sliver into individual fibers occurs in opening devices of varying types which reside in upstream fiber-flow proximity to the rotor. Typically, an opening roller having spikes or sawteeth on its circumference rotates in the opening device. It is these spikes or sawteeth that comb or tease the fibers out of the sliver.
At the input end of the station the sliver is drawn from a sliver can or bobbin into the opening device by a feed roller. An intake opening guide plate is pressed against the feed roller with a predetermined spring force. The trash contained in the sliver, which may include dust, seeds, insect fragments and neps, is forced out of the sliver by the opening roller and is physically separated from the fibers.
Trash content varies in type and quantity depending on where the cotton was grown, the growing season and the price of cotton. Heavy trash, sometimes known as "pepper trash", usually comprises crushed cotton seeds, plant stems, and any other hard raw material which might be processed in the early cleaning stages of the cotton. Usually, some quantity will remain up through carding. Medium trash comprises pulverized leaves, dirt and twigs. Light trash is made up of dust, short and immature fibers, smaller variations of both heavy and medium trash and other natural impurities.
The density of the trash is relatively high in comparison with the density of the fibers. The trash therefore gains greater kinetic energy than the fibers as the fibers and trash are carried into the radial outer region of the gap between the opening roller and housing wall. This tends to separate the trash from the fiber by centrifugal force as the trash moves outwardly at a greater rate and with greater energy than the fibers.
A discharge opening is located below the opening roller through which the trash falls. The trash is collected on a moving endless trash belt which is intended to carry the trash to one end of the machine, where a cleaning element, such as a brush roller, removes the trash from the belt. The cleaned belt rotates continually, so that each area of the belt alternates through successive trash-accumulating and trash-cleaning cycles.
Ideally, the belt has a fibrous nap to which the trash clings until it reaches the trash removal area at one end of the machine. However, after a relatively short period of time the nap on the belt becomes worn and progressively less able to physically retain the trash on its surface along the length of the machine. Vibration, air currents and other conditions can therefore cause some of this loose trash on the belt to be sucked back into the discharge opening or other access opening of a downstream station as the trash is carried along the length of the machine towards the trash removal area.
Reintroduction of trash into the fiber stream can cause the yarn to break or form slubs, which is usually sensed by stop-motion devices on the machine. At this point, the yarn must be pieced up either manually or automatically. This clearly reduces machine efficiency by stopping the output of yarn from the station until piece-up is completed. Even smaller trash which does not cause the yarn to break decreases the quality of the yarn by reintroducing trash into the yarn.
It has been noticed in the mill environment that during times of belt stoppage due to malfunction, machine efficiency increased somewhat, but to applicants' knowledge the reason for this was not appreciated. Applicants also believe that for a time the trash belt of a Schlafhorst SE-9 was manually stopped by overriding safety circuits in recognition that machine efficiency increased somewhat. To applicants' knowledge, this practice was abandoned because operators either forgot to stop the belts at the proper intervals or, after stopping them, forgot to restart them.
In addition, applicants are aware of at least one machine that was equipped for a short period of time with a single phase to three phase AC inverter which was capable of varying the trash belt speed, but which did not work satisfactorily, was not supported by the machine manufacturer, was removed and its use abandoned.
Previous applications of applicant, Ser. Nos. 08/711,879 and 08/898,453, disclose a method of increasing yarn quality and machine efficiency by either slowing the trash belt speed or operating the trash belt intermittently. The Schlafhorst open-end spinning machines on which the invention is practiced drives both the trash belt and trash brush off of a single drive motor. Thus, in slowing the trash belt to achieve the advantages which are the subject of these earlier applications, the speed of rotation of the trash brush is also slowed.
It has been discovered by further mill studies and quality reviews that yarn quality and efficiency can be further increased by maintaining the brush speed of rotation at a predetermined high level even as the speed of the trash belt is lowered. Thus, this application discloses independent control of the trash belt and trash brush in order to optimize the efficiency of both.
The invention according to this application represents a satisfactory and cost-effective solution to the problems described above. The practice of the invention can be varied within wide parameters to take into account mill conditions, sliver quality and trash content, machine and trash belt age and condition. Empirical use of the invention permits optimized operation of the open-end machine and high quality yarn without increased cost. Operation of the trash brush at a relatively high speed not only cleans the trash belt more efficiently, but keeps the trash belt properly refurbished by maintaining the nap of the trash belt in a raised condition. As trash falls onto the raised nap of the trash belt, it tends to be grabbed by and cling to the trash belt until removed by the brush, as described below.

Independently controlled-brush motor for open-end spinning machine and method


The disclosed invention includes an apparatus and method for detecting radiation in a detector. The radiation to be detected ionizes the atoms in the intrinsic silicon lattice of the detector to produce a small signal of freed elections. The small signal is then amplified by avalanche multiplication in a self-limiting manner by preventing the amplified electrons from traveling through a resistive layer, thereby reducing the electric field to limit the avalanche multiplication. An imaging system incorporating the new detector design is also disclosed.

This invention relates generally to an improved radiation detector and more specifically to a radiation detector with self-limiting amplification properties.
Semiconductor solid-state radiation detectors have long been used in nuclear medicine, science and industry. Such devices are useful in detecting radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or neutron beams.
Solid state detectors generally operate utilizing a process known as ionization. During ionization, radiation that impinges into the detector will cause valance electrons and holes (more generally referred to as charge carriers) to be freed in the detector. The number of freed charge carriers will depend on the energy of the impinging radiation, and therefore this energy can be measured. The freed charge carriers create a small electrical signal indicative of when and where an ionization event has occurred within the detector, and the energy thereof.
Prior art solid state detectors generally consist of two types, both of which suffer from inherent operational problems. In widely-accepted detectors of the first type, the small electrical signals produced by the freed charge carriers are sensed without being amplified within the detector. Because these small signals are generally very weak, they must be subsequently amplified in order to produce an electrical signal suitable for subsequent processing. However, subsequent amplification introduces additional noise, therefore hampering the detection of relatively low-energy ionization events.
In detectors of the second type, the small signals produced by the freed charge carriers are amplified within the detector itself through a process called avalanche multiplication. In avalanche multiplication, an electron (or hole) freed from a first atom is accelerated within the detector material (e.g., a crystalline silicon lattice) by an electric field produced by an external electrical bias applied to the detector material. If the electron gains enough energy by this acceleration, it can then impinge upon a second atom and free an electron from it, thus producing two freed electrons (and holes). This process continues in an exponential fashion until many freed charge carriers are produced. Thus, through avalanche multiplication, the initial small signal produced by the initial ionization event is intrinsically amplified within the detector and produces a stronger signal better suited for use in subsequent signal processing. While one of ordinary skill will understand the basic principles of avalanche multiplication as it applies to radiation detectors, the reader is referred to S. M. Sze, "Physics of Semiconductor Devices," John Wiley & Sons, pp. 99-108 (1981), which is incorporated herein in its entirety, for further clarification. Because avalanche multiplication is a fast, low noise method for amplifying a small signal produced by an ionization event, detectors using avalanche multiplication may be superior for certain applications.
However, intrinsic amplification by avalanche multiplication is not without its drawbacks. The exponential generation of charge carriers by avalanche multiplication makes it very difficult to control. This presents a serious drawback in that: 1) due to the stochasticity of the process, it is difficult to know to what extent an initial small signal will be subsequently amplified using avalanche multiplication, and 2) the detector may be damaged if the avalanche multiplication cannot be controlled. Moreover, traditional p-i-n detectors (i.e., wherein an intrinsic, undoped semiconductor is situated between a p-doped semiconductor and an n-doped semiconductor) using avalanche multiplication require undesireably high biasing voltages (e.g., hundreds of Volts). Moreover, such devices are difficult to fabricate in a manner that will provide a suitably high spatial resolution of detected radiation.
The disclosed detector improves upon the prior art in a manner which alleviates the foregoing problems by presenting a novel detector design which uses a self-limiting avalanche multiplication mode of operation.

Semiconductor radiation detectors with intrinsic avalanche multiplication in self-limiting mode of operation

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System


Described herein are compounds and processes that can be used to prepare polymer-based films, particles, gels and related compositions, and processes for delivery of agents, and other uses.

Medicine traditionally utilizes pharmacologic agents or surgical interventions for the treatment of disease. Specific targeting or localization of pharmacologic or biological agents to desired organs and tissues is a complex challenge. For example, cancer is a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States (Jemal et al., CA Cancer J. Clin., 56:106-130, 2006). Current methods of cancer treatment include chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and surgical resection. As evidenced by high rates of cancer recurrence and low survival, treatments of conditions such as cancer often remain relatively ineffective.
Other diseases and conditions which utilize drug delivery technologies include immunological applications, pain control, wound healing, infectious disease, transplants, and the development of vaccines. Potential drug candidates often present solubility, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic considerations. Thus, there is a widespread need for targeted and sustained delivery of therapeutic agents.
Certain polyesters, polycarbonates, and polyamides are biodegradable polymers with low toxicity and degradation properties. Such polymers include poly(e-caprolactone), poly(p-dioxanone), poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(amino acids), and most notably poly(glycolic acid) and poly(lactic acid) (see, e.g., Agrawal et al., Biomaterials, 13:176-182, 1992; Attawia et al., J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 29:1233-140, 1995; Heller et al., Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev., 54:1015-1039, 2002; Miller and Williams, Biomaterials, 8:129-137, 1987; and Athanasiou et al., Arthroscopy, 14:726-737, 1998). These polymers are used in a variety of applications including the delivery of therapeutic agents. However, physical properties of the aforementioned polymers are often limited by monomer selection, polymerization techniques, and post-polymerization modifications. Properties of interest include thermal transition temperatures, bulk strength, flexibility, elasticity, degradation, crystallinity, and hydrophobicity. When polymers are utilized for in vivo applications, the physical properties of the material affect host response. Hence, a need exists for polymers and delivery systems with desired characteristics that are effective for treatment of diseases and conditions.


Systems and method relating generally to data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for data synchronization and detection.

Various data transfer systems have been developed including storage systems, cellular telephone systems, and radio transmission systems. In each of the systems data is transferred from a sender to a receiver via some medium. For example, in a storage system, data is sent from a sender (i.e., a write function) to a receiver (i.e., a read function) via a storage medium. The effectiveness of any transfer is impacted by an ability to recover the originally provided data. Such recovery often involves detection of a sync-mark that indicates a location and timing of user data to be recovered. In some cases, the sync mark cannot be properly recovered resulting in data losses.
Hence, for at least the aforementioned reasons, there exists a need in the art for advanced systems and methods for data processing.

Systems and methods for end of fragment marker based data alignment

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) PTE. LTD.


A method for making a snack product includes the step of mixing ingredients for the dough with water in a low shear environment using a low shear mixing apparatus to form a dough agglomerate. The ingredients can include a major ingredient, such as potato flakes, corn or grain, and minor ingredients including emulsifier, sugar, salt, leavening and a modified starch having a high affinity for water. During the mixing step the dough agglomerate forms with wetted areas of the major ingredient which are surrounded by wetted high water affinity starch and minor ingredients. The method also includes the step of chopping the dough agglomerate into clumps of a desired size, sheeting the dough agglomerate into a dough sheet, forming the dough sheet into snack pieces, and then cooking the snack pieces.

Snack food manufacturers are constantly developing fabricated snack products which satisfy the demands of consumers, and which can be manufactured consistently with low costs. Most fabricated snack products are made from dough compositions containing starch based materials. For example, dried potato, or grain flour (e.g., corn, wheat, oats, rice) is often used in combination with raw starch, pregelatinized starch, oil, emulsifier, and flavorings to form a dough.
The composition and mixing of the dough affects both the organoleptic properties of snack products, and also the physical characteristics of snack products. One physical characteristic that is undesirable in snack products is excessive bubbling and expansion. This characteristic makes a snack product prone to breakage prior to consumption, and produces an uneven crispness, crunchiness and mouthfeel during consumption. One factor that contributes to excessive bubbling and expansion is the breakdown and release of starch during mixing of the dough. During mixing, the dough absorbs mechanical energy, and this energy can break down starches, and other ingredients as well.
The present disclosure is directed to a method and a system for making a snack product in which a dough agglomerate is formulated to include a mixture of intact flakes of ingredients that have not been altered by shear forces, air, and water. The dough agglomerate can be used to make an expanded snack product with a controlled density and texture, but without excessive expansion and bubbling.

Method and system for making a snack product using a dough agglomerate


The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, a peripheral circuit unit configured to perform a program voltage applying operation, a first verifying operation, and a detrap voltage applying operation with respect to the plurality of memory cells, and a control logic unit configured to issue at least one command to the peripheral circuit unit to determine whether to perform the detrap voltage applying operation based on a result of the first verifying operation performed following the performance of the program voltage applying operation.

1. Technical Field
Various embodiments relate to an electronic device, and more specifically, to a semiconductor device and a method of operating the same.
2. Related Art
Semiconductor memory devices are memory devices implemented using a semiconductor materials, such as for example, silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium arsenide (GaAs), indium phosphide (InP), or the like. Semiconductor memory devices are typically classified as volatile memory devices or as non-volatile memory devices.
A volatile memory device is a memory device where the data stored in the volatile memory device is lost when power to the memory device is cut off. Examples of volatile memory devices include a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), and the like. A non-volatile memory device is a memory device in which the data stored in the non-volatile memory device is retained maintained when the power to the memory device is cut off. Examples of non-volatile memory devices include a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, a phase-change RAM (PRAM), a magnetic RAM (MRAM), a resistive RAM (RRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), or the like. A flash memory is typically classified as a NOR type or a NAND type memory device.
A flash memory may also be classified as either a two-dimensional semiconductor device where a string is horizontally formed on a semiconductor substrate or a three-dimensional semiconductor device where the string is vertically formed on the semiconductor substrate.
A three-dimensional semiconductor device is a memory device is typically used to overcome limitations of a degree of integration in the two-dimensional semiconductor device, and includes a plurality of strings vertically formed on the semiconductor substrate. Each of the plurality of strings includes a drain select transistor, memory cells, and a source select transistorserially connected between a bit line and a source line.

Semiconductor memory device and method of operating the same


An imaging device includes an imager 7 which images an X-ray image generated by X-ray irradiation; an X-ray detector 90 which detects X-ray irradiation and outputs a detected signal showing the result of the detection; an EP-ROM 93a storing an offset value of the X-ray detector 90; and a signal processor 61 which generates reference information for acquiring a start timing of imaging by the imager 7 from the detected signal based on the offset value stored in the EP-ROM 93a.

Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an X-ray imaging device (X-ray image forming apparatus) which images an X-ray image of teeth, etc., of an examinee by using an image sensor including a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices). This image sensor includes, in addition to the CCD for imaging an X-ray image, a monitoring photodiode (X-ray detector) for detecting an X-ray irradiation timing. Based on an output signal from the X-ray detector, a trigger signal showing the start or the end of X-ray imaging is generated. In detail, when the value of the output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, a trigger signal showing the start of X-ray imaging is generated.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Examined Patent Application No. 3335350


A control system includes a joystick and a computer. The joystick includes a joystick body, a cover hingedly coupled to the joystick body and movable between an open position and a closed position, and an input located on the joystick body. The input is exposed by the cover when the cover is in the open position and concealed by the cover when the cover is in the closed position. The computer is programmed to enter a first mode in response to the cover moving from the open position to the closed position, to enter a second mode in response to both the cover moving from the closed position to the open position and the input being activated, and to remain in a same of the first and second modes in response to the cover moving from the closed position to the open position without the input being activated.

Some vehicles are autonomous vehicles. A computer can be programmed to operate such a vehicle independently of the intervention of a human driver, completely or to a lesser degree. The computer can be programmed to operate the propulsion, brake system, steering, and/or other vehicle systems. In an autonomous mode, the computer controls the propulsion, brake system, and steering without input from a human driver; in a semi-autonomous mode, the computer controls one or two of the propulsion, brake system, and steering and a human driver controls the remainder; and in a nonautonomous mode, a human driver controls the propulsion, brake system, and steering.


A fundamental or subharmonic optically injection locked oscillator is coupled to a phase locked loop circuit. The injection locked oscillator has two single stage HEMT amplifiers with parallel feedback from the drain of a second transistor to a gate of a first transistor. A feedback resonant network controls the oscillator frequency. A microwave/millimeter wave source modulates a laser diode and the signal from the laser diode is then transmitted via an optical fiber to a PIN photodetector diode. The signal from the photodetector diode is injected into the oscillator at an nth subharmonic of the oscillator frequency. The feedback network may consist of a microstrip gap resonator with two tuning varactors at the ends of the resonator. The phase locked loop includes a balanced mixer used as a phase detector to compare the nth harmonic of the signal from the photodetector diode to the sampled output of the oscillator. The output of the mixer is applied to the varactor diodes after being filtered, and a voltage reference is added to the filtered signal to prebias the varactor diodes to the desired frequency of operation.

It is known that the frequency of an oscillator can be locked to the frequency of variations in the intensity of light in an optical signal injected into the active circuit by either direct or indirect illumination of the active element. For any given amount of modulated light intensity, there is a given bandwidth of frequencies (.DELTA.f), called the locking bandwidth, to which the oscillator can be locked. The phase and frequency coherency of these modules can be efficiently obtained by subharmonic injection locking of the local oscillators (LO) via a fiber optic link. The local oscillator can be parametrically stabilized to a reference signal using the nonlinearity of both optical (lasers, electro-optic modulators) and electronic devices (such as HEMT, FET, HBT) in a fiber optic fed phased array architecture. More specifically, laser and FET nonlinearities create harmonics of the reference signal close to the oscillation frequency of the local oscillator, which results in the fundamental injection locking of the local oscillator and which also results in the subharmonic injection locking with respect to the synchronizing frequency reference.
As those skilled in the art will know, the locking range and noise behavior of subharmonic injection locked local oscillators are highly dependant on the oscillator device nonlinear behavior and the parameters of the feed back network. Therefore, even though the injection locked oscillator will provide frequency synchronization, the initial frequency detuning between the free running oscillation and the synchronizing signal will cause an unwanted phase shift of +/-.pi./2 over the locking range.
Using a directly modulated laser diode, FET oscillator locking has been demonstrated at frequencies up to 15 GHz. See Higgins, "Direct Optical Subharmonically Injection Locked MESFET Oscillators," Microwave and Optical Technology Letters, Vol. 6, No. 1, January, 1993. Higher locked frequencies are possible, however, the narrow locking range attainable render the method impractical. See Mizuno, "Microwave Characteristics of an Optically Controlled GaAs MESFET," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. MTT-31, pp. 596-600, July 1983; de Salles, "Optical Control of GaAs MESFETS," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. MTT-31, pp. 812-820, October 1983; and Gautier et al, "Optical Effects of the Static and Dynamic Characteristics of GaAs MESFET," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. MTT-33, pp. 819-822, September 1985, respectively. Also see Esman et al, "Optical Phase Control of an Optically Injection-Locked FET Microwave Oscillator," IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, Vol. 37, No. 10, October 1989.
These optically injection-locked oscillators are attractive prospects for airborne and space communications, radar, imaging and surveillance applications since the locking signal can be distributed using light weight optical fiber. The growing availability of wide-bandwidth laser diodes has further stimulated interest in this injection locking technique. However, the potential applications for this injection locking technique, such as phased array radar and microwave power combining, require not only frequency-locked (coherent) sources but also individual source phase control. Thus, optical techniques for phase control have been generally limited to optically controlled varactors and to fiber stretching and fiber length switching techniques. These techniques suffer from a number of drawbacks, including limited phase shifts, discrete phase shifts, slow response, moderate to prohibitive insertion loss, high voltage requirements, and small phase modulation bandwidths, as well as the size and weight of the additional components required.
Therefore, there exists a need to provide for a synchronized optically controlled microwave/millimeter wave oscillator which serves as a single component for the front end of a microwave transmission system that can act as a stable oscillator, mixer and a phase shifter. The present invention fulfills these needs.

Subharmonic optically injection locked oscillator

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


A weighing machine has a weighing conveyor with a conveyor belt supported by a load cell and uses a digital filter to eliminate high-frequency components of weight signals from the weighing conveyor. In order to improve accuracy of measurement, operating conditions of the digital filter are set with regard to the length of the object to be weighed. Alternatively, time required for the object to be completely on the conveyor belt may be calculated or the timing for the zero-point adjustment for the load cell may be adjusted accordingly.

For measuring the weight of a target object such as a packaged product, it has been known to make use of a so-called weighing conveyor with a conveyor belt supported by a load cell serving as a weight detecting means. At one end of the weighing conveyor is a feed-in conveyor belt from which a packaged product is delivered. After its weight is measured, it is discharged onto a discharge conveyor belt and, if necessary, a selection mechanism is activated.
One of the problems associated with prior art weighing machines of this type has been that the result of measurement was severely affected by the length of the target object in the direction of its transportation (hereinafter simply referred to as its length). This problem has come to exist in the following three stages.
Firstly, a weight detecting means thus structured is directly subjected to the vibrations of the conveyor which it supports. As a result, the oscillatory load from the conveyor belt is added to the weight of the target object, and a correct weight value cannot be obtained by a direct measurement. For this reason, output signals from the weight detecting means are passed through a low pass filter for removing the components with relatively high frequencies caused by the aforementioned vibrations.
Since a low pass filter has an extremely large time constant, however, a stable output therefrom cannot be obtained until a certain length of time elapses after a target object is brought onto the weighing conveyor. In the case of a target object which is elongated in the direction of its transportation (hereinafter referred to as a long object), the entirety of the object can remain on the conveyor only for a short time, and an error is likely to occur if there is only a brief period of time available for the measurement.
In view of the problems of this type, Japanese Patent Publication Tokkai 60-79227 disclosed a weighing machine having a speed detector for the weighing conveyor such that the frequency band of the low pass filter can be adjusted according to the speed signal outputted from the speed detector. Such a weighing machine is capable of selecting an optimum frequency band for a given speed of the weighing conveyor, but there still remains the problem of measurement errors when objects of different lengths are to be weighed.
Secondly, since an error is more likely to occur in the measurement of a long object, a method has been considered whereby moment-by-moment weight data are prevented from being taken between the time when the target object reaches the weighing conveyor and the later time when the low pass filter begins to output stable weight data. In other words, a detector for the target object is provided on the object-receiving side of the weighing conveyor, and weight data are taken or not taken according to the detection signals from this detector. Such a detector usually comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element placed near the weighing conveyor such that the reflected light from the target object or the screening of the light thereby may be detected. In the case of an odd-shaped target object, that is, if its top surface has protrusions and indentations, a single object may screen the light twice while passing by such a detector, and the outputted signals may indicate that two objects have passed. This will cause an error in establishing the reference time for data processing and result in incorrect measurements.
In order to overcome this difficulty, it has been known to enter from a data input means, such as a keyboard, a so-called detection inhibiting time period during which, after a detection signal is outputted from the target object detector, signals from this detector are prevented from being accepted.
If the length of the target object or the conveyor speed is varied, however, a new value of the detection inhibiting time period must be determined by measuring the length of the target object and dividing it by the belt speed, and the value thus determined must be entered through the keyboard.
Thirdly, a weighing machine of this type is adapted to keep determining an initial load value such as the weight of the conveyor, even when it is not loaded with any target object to be weighed. When there is no target object, such an initial load value is stored as the zero-point value, and the true weight of a target object is obtained by subtracting this zero-point value from the measured weight value. For this reason, it is extremely important for a weighing machine of this type to detect a no-load condition, and many methods for this purpose have been considered such as the method of monitoring the waveform of the signals from the weight detecting means in order to detect a no-load condition or that of using a timer to preliminarily set a time interval during which a no-load condition may be expected to have been established.
According to the former method, a zero-point adjustment circuit is activated after a no-load condition is detected. Thus, there is a time delay between the detection of a no-load condition and the actual start of a zero-point adjustment procedure, and this gives rise to a problem of reduced operating efficiency. By the latter method, on the other hand, the user cannot adjust to changes in the length of the target object or to the belt speed of the weighing conveyor. Thus, the timer would be set for a longer period than necessary in order to be on the safer side, and this also results in wasted time. In summary, there always remained a problem of reduced work efficiency for the weighing machine because of the waste of time between when a zero-point adjustment becomes possible and when an automatic zero-point adjustment procedure is actually started.
The present invention is for the purpose of eliminating these problems and its object is to provide a weighing machine of which the operation is not affected by changes in the length of the target object.

Weighing machine with weight detecting conveyor


To provide a liquid composition with which a catalyst layer and a polymer electrolyte membrane will hardly be broken at the time of their formation and a method for producing the liquid composition; and a method for producing a membrane/electrode assembly by which a catalyst layer and a polymer electrolyte membrane will hardly be broken at the time of their formation.

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell is, for example, a stack of a plurality of cells, each comprising a membrane/electrode assembly sandwiched between two separators. The membrane/electrode assembly comprises an anode and a cathode each having a catalyst layer, and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode.
The polymer electrolyte membrane in the membrane/electrode assembly is formed, for example, by applying and drying a liquid composition containing a polymer having ion exchange groups, water and an organic solvent. Further, the catalyst layer in the membrane/electrode assembly is formed, for example, by applying and drying a catalyst layer-forming coating liquid having the liquid composition and a catalyst mixed.
However, the catalyst layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane containing the polymer having ion exchange groups are fragile and are readily broken. Particularly in a case where the polymer having ion exchange groups is a polymer having structural units based on a perfluoromonomer having an ion exchange groups and structural units based on a perfluoromonomer having a 5-membered ring, the catalyst layer and the polymer electrolyte membrane are readily broken (Patent Document 1).

Liquid composition, method for producing it, and method for producing membrane/electrode assembly

Abstract: A liquid composition comprising a polymer having ion exchange groups, water and an organic solvent, wherein                the average secondary particle size of the polymer having ion exchange groups is from 100 to 3,000 nm, and        the primary particle size parameter represented by the product of the average primary particle size (nm) and the ion exchange capacity (meq/g dry resin) of the polymer having ion exchange groups, is from 12 to 20.


A pneumatically driven deburring device having a housing and a pneumatic motor mounted therein which is adapted to receive and drive a deburring tool. A pivot bearing is mounted within the housing adjacent the pneumatic motor. A motor support is held within the pivot bearing and extends therefrom where the motor support connects to the pneumatic motor. An air inlet is disposed adjacent the pivot bearing and is communicatively connected thereto. Air for driving the pneumatic motor is directed through the air inlet, and through a hollow portion of the motor support to where air is directed into the pneumatic motor. Because the motor support is supported or contained within the pivot bearing, it follows that the motor support articulates with the pivot bearing and hence the pneumatic motor moves with the articulating motor support.

Deburring tools have long been utilized in robotic systems to perform repetitive tasks. These deburring tools are capable of performing a wide variety of deburring functions such as deburring the edges of machined and cast parts.
For the most part, conventional deburring tools utilized in commercial and industrial applications include a pneumatic motor and hence are pneumatically driven. In robotic systems, it is common to provide a source of compressed air that is directed to a tool changer. When a deburring tool is connected to the tool changer, the compressed air is directed from the tool changer through an air hose to the deburring tool. In many cases, because of the configuration of the deburring tool and the type of pneumatic motor utilized, air is supplied through a sidewall of the tool.
There are situations where it would be desirable to provide an axial feed of compressed air to a deburring tool. For example, deburring tools can be mounted on conventional machine systems such as a CNC machine. These types of systems and machines generally include a source of compressed air. In many cases, the compressed air supplied by machine systems such as CNC machines is directed downwardly through a drive shaft that is actually utilized to drive a connected tool.
In the case of a deburring tool, providing an axial feed of compressed air is somewhat challenging. This is because the pneumatic motor housed within the deburring tool is provided with a compliance feature that allows the motor to move with respect to the housing during deburring operations. For example, in cases where the compliance function is carried on a front portion of the deburring tool it will follow that the base or back of the pneumatic motor will be required to move with respect to the back of the housing of the deburring tool. Thus in directing an axial feed of compressed air into and through the back of the deburring tool, it is required that the compressed air be channeled in such a fashion that the air is directed to the pneumatic motor and at the same time that the structure utilized to channel the compressed air be maintained sealed.

Pneumatically driven deburring tool having an articulated air joint


In an automatic thin-film measuring apparatus, the zero point of a precision balance is corrected according to directions from a data processing unit before and after the weight of a semiconductor substrate is measured, the surface temperature of the semiconductor substrate laid on a pan of the precision balance is measured, and the weight of the semiconductor substrate is measured when the surface temperature reaches a predetermined value. Furthermore, the cycle of variations in the zero point is found when the zero point is corrected, and the weight measurement of the semiconductor substrate is conducted during an integer multiple of the change cycle. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the precision of the weight measurement and its reproducibility and to shorten the measurement time without being influenced by low-frequency vibrations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic thin-film measuring apparatus, and more particularly to an automatic thin-film measuring apparatus which measures the difference in weight of a semiconductor substrate before and after a thin film is formed thereon, and finds the thickness of the thin film.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typically, the thickness of a thin film formed on a semiconductor substrate is found based on the weight of the thin film. In this method, assuming that the thin film is uniform in thickness on the semiconductor substrate, the weights of the semiconductor substrate before and after the thin film is formed are measured, and the weight of the thin film is found based on the difference between the weights. Subsequently, the thickness of the thin film is found by dividing the weight of the thin film by the surface area of the semiconductor area (the area where the thin film is formed) and the specific gravity of the thin film.
A conventional thin-film measuring apparatus using such a method is illustrated in FIG. 9. In this thin-film measuring apparatus, the thickness of a thin film is measured by a measurement method shown in FIG. 10.
Referring to FIG. 9, a semiconductor substrate 6 is set on a pan 3 in a manual precision balance 11 by which the weight of the semiconductor substrate 6 is measured. In the precision balance 11, weight measurement is started in response to the actuation of a measurement start switch 12, and a measured value is displayed on a display portion 13 and transmitted to a data processing unit 7.
The conventional thin-film measuring apparatus has the above construction, and the measurement procedures thereof are conducted as follows. First, the semiconductor substrate 6, on which a thin film has not yet been formed, is laid on the pan 3 of the precision balance 1 with tweezers or the like, and an unillustrated door is shut by the operator. Then, the measurement start switch 12 is pressed when a measured weight value becomes stable, weight measurement is performed (Step S38). The measured weight value is transferred to the data processing unit 7 and stored as data on pre-formation measurement (weight measurement before a thin film is formed) (Step S39). Then, the semiconductor substrate 6 is taken out of the precision balance 11 with tweezers or the like.
Subsequently, the semiconductor substrate 6 on which a thin film has been formed is set on the pan 3 of the precision balance 11 with tweezers or the like, and the door is shut. The pre-formation measurement has been conducted on the semiconductor substrate 6. When a measured weight value becomes stable, the measurement start switch 12 is pressed, thereby starting weight measurement (Step S40). The measured weight value is transferred to the data processing unit 7 and stored as data on post-formation measurement (weight measurement after the thin film formed) (Step S41). The semiconductor substrate 6 is then taken out of the precision balance 11 with tweezers or the like. The weight of the thin film is found by subtracting the measured weight value in the pre-formation measurement from the measured weight value in the post-formation measurement in the data processing unit (Step S42), and the thickness of the thin film formed on the semiconductor substrate 6 is obtained by dividing the weight by the surface area of the semiconductor substrate 6 and the specific gravity of the thin film (Step S43).
In the thin-film measuring apparatus described above, the weight measurement of the semiconductor substrate 6 requires the use of human hands, the indicated value (for example, expressed in a digital number in seven figures) of the precision balance 11 may be changed due to vibrations and so on applied to the precision balance 11 when the semiconductor substrate 6 is set on the pan 3 or when the door is shut, and the measurement start switch 12 is turned on and the indicated value is read before the indicated value is stabilized. The measured value varies depending upon the timing of actuation of the measurement start switch 12 by the operator. For example, the measurement change rate in the use of the conventional precision balance 11 is approximately .+-.5% when a semiconductor substrate of approximately 25 g in weight (6-inch substrate) is used in the above thin-film measuring apparatus.
If the weight measurement is performed in a state where the semiconductor substrate 6 is not cooled to the room temperature, for example, at approximately 60.degree. C., convection arises in the precision balance 11 and reduces measurement precision. Furthermore, the measurement precision is reduced by low-frequency disturbances resulting from the building and other apparatus. In addition, since the conventional thin-film measuring apparatus cannot be incorporated into a FA (factory automation) system, it is impossible to automate the measurement.


A system processes user queries. The system may generate a list of query patterns of a first type. The system may also receive a user query and determine whether the received query is a query of the first type based at least in part on the list of query patterns.

Networks, such as the Internet, have become an increasingly important part of our everyday lives. Millions of people now access the Internet on a daily basis to shop for goods and services, obtain information of interest (e.g., movie listings, news, etc.), and communicate with friends, family, and co-workers (e.g., via e-mail or instant messaging).
Currently, when a person wishes to purchase a product or simply find information on the Internet, the person enters into his/her web browser a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) pertaining to a web site of interest in order to access that particular web site. The person then determines whether the product or information of interest is available at that particular web site.
When the person does not know where to go to find, for example, a desired product, the person may "search" for web sites that sell the product using a search engine. For example, suppose a person wishes to purchase a laser printer via the Internet. The person may access a web site that includes a conventional search engine. The person may enter one or more terms relating to the product, such as "laser printer," into the search engine to attempt to locate web sites that sell that product. Searching for products or information of interest in this manner has become very popular. As such, companies often desire to have their web site(s) listed very highly in search results, thinking that a highly visible listing will result in increased sales.
Many techniques exist that allow companies to obtain a highly ranked listing. For example, some search engines allow companies to buy certain search terms. If a search query is received with those search terms, then the company that has purchased those search terms may be ranked more highly than other companies offering the same product. In other situations, a company may attempt to "trick" the search engine into listing the company's web site more highly. For example, if the search engine gives greater weight in ranking results to words used in the domain name associated with web sites, a company may attempt to trick the search engine into ranking the company's listing more highly by including desirable search terms in the domain name associated with the company's listing. As an example, assume that company A sells laser printers. Company A may attempt to use a domain name that includes the words "laser printers" so that a search engine may rank the company's listing more highly. As a result, a person searching for laser printers may not be presented with an unbiased set of results.
Therefore, there exists a need for systems and methods for improving the ranking of search results.

Systems and methods for detecting commercial queries


A tool for positioning and installing an electrical utility box which comprises a block member having a vertical slot in the rear wall which compressively receives the side wall of an electrical utility box and positions the box for attachment to a stud with a predetermined outset from the face of the stud in accordance with the thickness dimension of the finished wall.

In wood frame building construction the common practice for installing electical outlet boxes is to nail the box to a stud with a projection beyond the stud which will meet the dimension of the outside surface of the finished wall, usually what is refered to as sheetrock or wall board, which may vary in thickness. The same is true with respect to metal studs in commercial and industrial buildings except that screws are used to secure the boxes to formed metal or other non-wooden studs.
Therefore, the electrician or his helper installing the boxes must correctly position the boxes in accordance with the specified thickness of the finished wall, as well as the usual heights for boxes for switches and boxes for female wall plugs.
In recent years the use of plastic outlet boxes with diagonally directed securing nails or screws has grown. However, when nails or screws are diagonally directed the direction of the nails tends to move the box from a predetermined position and it is difficult to maintain the position of the box with respect to a stud and the thickness of the wall to be installed.
In some cases wooden studs do not have square corners, that is a portion of a corner is missing due to a knot or other abnormality in the wood when it is milled. This may occur at the heights where boxes are conventionally installed.
A tool embodying the invention is constructed to hold a box against a side surface of a stud for attachment thereto even though the corner of the stud is not square.
Many tools have been proposed for the positioning of electrical utility boxes as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,956,798; 2,962,281; 2,990,172; 3,751,026; 3,875,669; 3,954,717; 4,12,941; 4,181,295; 4,635,372; 4,750,271; 4,850,115; 4,888,879; 4,901,447; and 5,072,523.
However, most of these tools have been of fabricated construction and none of these tool types have been known to have been acceptable to installers.
Accordingly the present invention is intended to provide a tool for installing an electrical utility box which is of new and improved construction and which is simplified in use.
An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved tool for locating and installing an electical utitility box.
Another object of this invention is to provide a tool for locating, positioning and installing an electrical outlet box which tool is of simplified construction and easy for an installer to use.
A further object of this invention is to provide a tool of the type described which is very durable in construction and will stand up and be serviceable after many uses in any environment.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a tool for positioning and holding an electrical outlet box against a stud for attachment thereto even though the stud may have abnormalities at the corner where the box is to be installed.

Tool for installing electrical outlet boxes


A billiard cue chalk holder (1) having a closed bottom (6), an open top (2), side walls (3) and a magnet (6) secured to the bottom (6). A chalk block (11) can be inserted into the open top (2) and held in a pressure fit between the side walls (3) of the holder. The chalk holder (1) with the chalk block (11) can then be attached by magnetic attraction to almost any metal surface, such as a plate under a billiard table or a key chain. The chalk holder (1) can also be combined with a belt or shirt clip (14) so it can be attached to a player's belt or shirt pocket during play. The belt clip (14) to which the chalk holder (1) is attached may also contain optional accessories, such as knife (20) for trimming and/or a rasp (21) for filing a tip of a cue stick. This invention prevents the loss of the chalk and eliminates the mess associated with keeping chalk on the billiard table.

This invention relates to devices for holding billiard cue chalk blocks, and more particularly to a combination device for magnetically holding chalk for attachment to a table, a belt clip or other metal surface, having optional accessories such as a rasp and utility knife.
When playing pool or billiards it is necessary to put chalk on the tip of the pool or billiard cue in order to increase friction between the tip of the cue stick and the ball; otherwise the cue tip will slip when it hits a ball, thereby producing an inaccurate strike. Billiard chalk normally comes in square blocks which, for the sake of convenience, are usually kept on the billiard table during play. Unfortunately, keeping the chalk block on the table results in chalk dust getting all over the billiard table, causing a unsightly mess. However, if the chalk block is kept elsewhere then often times the players have to hunt for the chalk, thereby breaking their concentration and delaying play. Also, when billiard cues become worn it is often necessary to file or trim the tips of the cues. Thus, in addition to a chalk holder, there is a need for a combination chalk holder with rasp and utility knife.
The prior art includes numerous billiard chalk holders, but none like the present device. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,770 by Bond, Sr., issued Sep. 4, 1990, discloses a pool cue chalk holder having a clip attached to the clothing using Velcro for removably securing it to the clip. On the other hand, the present invention uses magnetic attachment means and contains a holder for the chalk block. Another U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,728 by Haddock, issued Sep. 10, 1991, teaches a chalk holder that has a middle clip with serrated scuffing service which is attachable to clothing and is designed to hold the chalk holder by magnetic means. However, the Haddock patent contains a magnet in the clip itself and not in the holder for the chalk block. Thus, unlike the present invention, which contains a magnet in the chalk holder itself, the Haddock chalk holder could not be used independently of the clip. U.S. Pat. No. 965,444 by Dahl, issued Jul. 26, 1910, shows a billiard cue chalk holder that fits over a finger like a ring. Other billiard cue chalk holders also attach the chalk to a player's hand by a ring-like device, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,243 by Langan, issued Nov. 29, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 744,935 by Pejchar, issued Nov. 24, 1903; and U.S. Pat. No. 639,427 by McLarty, issued Dec. 19, 1899. Other patents involving chalk holders include Canadian Patent 694,637 by Rodrique, issued Sep. 22, 1964, showing a spring-mounted chalk holder and U.S. Pat. No. 2,628,096 by Bell, issued Feb. 10, 1953.
In summary, although there are many billiard cue chalk holders in the prior patented art, none is exactly like the present invention as will become even more readily apparent from a detailed description of the present invention hereinafter.


This invention relates to a carrier and method of packaging containers into a unitized package that includes a generally continuous plastic sheet having a plurality of container apertures extending longitudinally in adjacent pairs. A container is positioned within each container aperture and the plastic sheet is separated along central lines of weakness and peripheral lines of weakness, resulting in multiple unitized packages of exactly three containers arranged in a generally triangular configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a carrier for unitizing three containers.
2. Description of Prior Art
Conventional container carriers are often used to unitize a plurality of similarly sized containers, such as cans, bottles and/or similar containers that require unitization. Plastic ring carriers having a plurality of container apertures are one such conventional container carrier.


In a system and an associated method, for data transmission in a computed tomography device, having a data acquisition unit in which measurement data are acquired, converted into a bit stream, and communicated to a transmitter apparatus on a rotating part of the computed tomography device, wherein the transmitter transmits the bit stream to a stationary part of the computed tomography device, and having a receiver apparatus on the stationary part that receives the bit stream from the transmitter apparatus and communicates it to an image reconstruction unit that further processes the bit stream communicated by the receiver apparatus for the reconstruction of the image, the transmitter apparatus and the receiver apparatus each have an error recognition module that monitors the bit stream for errors and signals recognized errors to an error processor that determines the number and rate and/or duration of the recognized errors and stores these in a log data file for an evaluation. Errors thus can be recognized in real time and can be used for error diagnosis without the use of an additional testing tool.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data transmission system, as well as a method for monitoring data transmission in a computed tomography (CT) device or in an X-ray device that can be used for tomography, having a data acquisition unit in which measurement data are acquired, converted into a bit stream, and communicated to a transmitter apparatus on a rotating part of the computed tomography apparatus or the X-ray device, the transmitter then transmitting the bit stream to a stationary part of the computed tomography apparatus or of the X-ray device, and having a receiver device on the stationary part that receives the bit stream from the transmitter apparatus and communicates it to an image reconstruction unit that further processes the bit stream communicated by the receiver device for image reconstruction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In medical imaging technology, computed tomography apparatus often are used in which a very large amount of measurement data is simultaneously acquired, communicated to an image reconstruction unit, and further processed in order to reconstruct the desired images. The data transmission system required for this must be capable of high-speed transmission, due to the large amount of measurement data that occurs per time unit, and must also ensure a maximally error-free transmission between the rotating part of the computed tomography apparatus (the gantry) and the stationary part. Similar requirements exist in the case of C-arm X-ray devices. Such X-ray devices, or other X-ray devices capable of tomography, are subsumed under the term "computed tomography device" below.
Various technologies are known for the data transmission between the rotating part and the stationary part.
The known technologies can be divided into transmission technologies using capacitive coupling and those using optical coupling. In transmission using capacitive coupling, the signals are transmitted from a transmitter fastened to the rotating part to an antenna situated on the stationary part. Thus, German OS 100 07 601 specifies an apparatus for data transmission in which a waveguide is used as a transmitter. For the data transmission, the data are modulated onto a carrier signal and are coupled into the waveguide. An antenna situated in a particular geometrical fashion relative to the waveguide receives the carrier signal in contactless fashion, so that after demodulation of the carrier signal the data are available at the stationary part. In the application depicted in this publication, the waveguide is fastened along the periphery of the C-arm of a C-arm X-ray device, and the antenna is fastened to the mount of this C-arm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,696 specifies an apparatus for signal transmission between elements that are moved relative to one another, in particular in a computed tomography apparatus, in which as a transmitter a circular strip conductor is situated on the periphery of the gantry, and as a receiver a short segment of a strip conductor is provided on the stationary part in the immediate vicinity of the transmission line. The data transmission takes place in the same manner as in the reference cited above.
In signal transmission using optical coupling, the transmission of the data takes place via an optical interface. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,584 specifies an apparatus for signal transmission, in particular for a computed tomography apparatus, in which on the stationary part there is fashioned a ring that runs around the rotational center and is made of an optical waveguide at the output point of which there is situated a demodulator. On the rotating part, opposite the optical waveguide a light source is fastened, the intensity of which is modulated with the data that are to be transmitted. The modulated light signals are constantly coupled into the optical waveguide ring during the relative movement due to this geometrical arrangement, and are received by the demodulator, which extracts the data by demodulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,033 discloses a signal transmission apparatus in which a ring made of an optically conductive material is fastened on the rotating part of a computed tomography apparatus as a part of a transmission apparatus that also radiates the coupled-in light perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The data to be transmitted are coupled into this ring by modulation of a light source, and are received at the stationary part via an optoelectrical detector. Due to the annular construction of the transmitter apparatus, here as well reception of the data by the receiver is possible during almost every phase of rotation.
Independent of the data transmission technology used, a computed tomography device has a data acquisition unit that converts the measurement data obtained from the multiplicity of detector channels into a bit stream, which generally is serial, and communicates this bit stream to a transmitter device on the gantry. The transmitter device transmits the serial bit stream to a receiver device on the stationary part of the computed tomography device, which in turn forwards this bit stream to the image reconstruction unit, in which the bit stream generally is first again demultiplexed and subsequently further processed for image reconstruction. This data connection between the data acquisition unit and the image reconstruction unit is relatively complex due to the numerous components involved, so that transmission errors that may occur can be diagnosed only with difficulty. This is true both for the design and integration phase and for the manufacturing phase of the system; in each of these phases it is difficult to test the quality of the data connection and to identify determinate points in the data transmission chain. Additionally, when data transmission errors occur in the clinical environment it is very difficult and time-intensive, and thus expensive, for service personnel to discover the faulty components in the data chain. In computed tomography devices, the testing of data transmission is made more difficult by the fact that during the operation of the computed tomography device the gantry rotates continuously, so that it is almost impossible to couple test devices to the data acquisition unit as a source of data.
In order to test the quality of data connections, from communication technology the acquisition and evaluation of the bit error rate (BER) is known, which indicates the number of bits transmitted with errors in relation to all the bits communicated in a predetermined interval. For testing data transmission systems, special measurement devices are available for determination of the bit error rate; these devices are known as BERT (Bit Error Rate Tester) systems. These test systems contain a bit pattern generator that sends a predefined bit sequence via the data transmission system, and an error analysis unit that analyzes the transmitted bit sequence. A reference clock pulse is transmitted via a direct connection between the bit pattern generator and the error analysis unit in order to correctly read out the obtained bit sequence. FIG. 3 shows, as an example, such a test system 22, with a bit pattern generator 23 and an error analysis unit 24, for testing a data transmission system 26. The error analysis unit 24 enables the acquisition of the number of errors during the data transmission, the classification of the errors, and the determination of the position of the errored bit within the data stream, so that from these data conclusions can be made concerning the cause of the errors. Examples of such an error analysis can be found in the following publications: G. M. Foster and T. Waschura, "Beyond Bit Error Ratio B Gain New Insight from Studying Error Distributions," Agilent Technologies Technical Paper, Literature No. 5988-8037EN, Sep. 26, 2002, 8 2002 Agilent Technologies, http://literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5988-8037EN.pdf, and "An Introduction to Error Location Analysis B Are All Your Errors Truly Random?," Agilent Technologies Application Note 1550-2, Literature No. 5980-0648E, April 2000.
Such a known test system cannot be used in computed tomography devices, because the data acquisition unit as a data source and the image reconstruction unit as a data receiver are continuously rotating relative to one another. Most available test systems contain the bit pattern generator and the error analysis unit in the same housing, so that a physical separation of them is not possible. Even if the bit pattern generator were provided separately, it would be practically impossible to fasten it to the rotating gantry, due to the small space available and the resulting disturbance to the mechanical equilibrium. In addition, in a computed tomography device there is only one high-speed connection between the rotating part and the stationary part, so that no separate connection is available for the communication of the reference clock pulse. A further problem is presented by the complex transmission chain in a computed tomography device, in which first a parallel data stream is converted into a serial bit stream, the data are coded in order to integrate the clock signal into the data stream, the serial bit stream is transmitted between a continuously rotating part and the stationary part, the contained clock signal is extracted in order to sample the data using the extracted clock signal, and finally the serial data stream is converted back into parallel words. For the testing of such a transmission chain, parallel test systems are necessary, requiring a very expensive and complex interface to the test system.
For this reason, heretofore service personnel in the clinical environment have approached the problem of finding the cause of data transmission errors in computed tomography devices simply by successively exchanging individual components. This trial and error technique is very time-intensive and expensive, because all parts that can be exchanged must be kept available. In addition, this technique is useless in the case of causes of error that occur from an outside source, for example errors that occur due to interference between external sources of disturbance and the transmission between the transmitter apparatus and the receiver apparatus of the computed tomography device.

Method and system for data transmission in a CT device, with integrated error monitoring and diagnosis


A semiconductor element wherein only one of two mutually adjacent electrodes has a split pattern that is formed on the same layer as the other electrode. The split electrode is connected to a wiring layer provided on a separate layer. When the semiconductor element is a MOSFET, the mutually adjacent electrodes are provided on a source diffusion layer and a drain diffusion layer. Specifically, they serve as a source electrode and a drain electrode, respectively. The split electrode is connected to the source diffusion layer or drain diffusion layer through a single contact hole. This allows the parasitic capacitance in the semiconductor element region to be easily reduced even when the semiconductor element, such as a MOSFET, which comprises the semiconductor integrated circuit is miniaturized.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit, and particularly it relates to the structure of a connecting portion for an insulated gate field effect transistor of a semiconductor integrated circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor elements such as insulated gate field effect transistors (hereunder, MOSFETS) in semiconductor integrated circuits are miniaturized or highly densified in order to achieve higher integration and higher speed of semiconductor integrated circuits. Multilayer wiring is also employed to achieve higher densification of semiconductor integrated circuits.
The reduction of gate lengths occurring with miniaturization of MOSFETs has led to increased driving power for active elements, and accelerated speed for semiconductor integrated circuits. However, the parasitic capacitance is also increased, constituting a major hindrance to higher speeds of semiconductor integrated circuits. A well-known instance is increased parasitic capacitance occurring between wiring layers connecting a plurality of semiconductor elements, which results in reduced signal transmission speed and crosstalk between wiring layers (the phenomenon of signal noise between adjacent wiring layers) due to such parasitic capacitance. In the case of semiconductor elements such as MOSFETs with a microlevel structure, the increase in parasitic capacitance in the MOSFET is considerable.
The structure of a conventional MOSFET will now be explained with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an inverter with a CMOS structure, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cross-section of FIG. 11 through line I-I.
As shown in FIG. 1, there are formed a P-channel MOSFET 101 serving as the inverter loader and an N-channel MOSFET 102 serving as the inverter driver. The P-channel MOSFET 101 comprises a gate electrode 103, and a source diffusion layer 104 (104a) and drain diffusion layer 105 sandwiching the gate electrode 103. Here, the source diffusion layer 104 (104a) is connected to a source electrode 107 through a plurality of source contact holes 106, and the drain diffusion layer 105 is likewise connected to a drain electrode 109 through a plurality of drain contact holes 108. Similarly, the N-channel MOSFET 102 comprises a gate electrode 103, and a source diffusion layer 110 (110a) and drain diffusion layer 111 sandwiching the gate electrode 103. The source diffusion layer 110 (110a) is connected to a source electrode 113 through source contact holes 112, and the drain diffusion layer 111 is likewise connected to a drain electrode 115 through drain contact holes 114.
The drain electrodes 109 and 115 of the P-channel MOSFET 101 and the N-channel MOSFET 102 are thus both connected to the wiring layer 116 via throughholes (not illustrated). Also, the source electrode 107 of the P-channel MOSFET 101 is connected to power source wiring (not illustrated) while the source electrode 113 of the N-channel MOSFET 102 is connected to GND wiring (not illustrated).
The cross-section will now be explained with reference to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the gate electrode 103 is formed on the surface of a semiconductor board 117 via source diffusion layers 104 and 104a and a gate insulating film 118. The source diffusion layers 104 and 104a are each connected to the source electrode 107 through a source plug 119, and the drain diffusion layer 105 is connected to the drain electrode 109 through a drain plug 120. The drain electrode 109 is also connected to the wiring layer 116 through a throughhole plug 121. Here, the source plug 119 and drain plug 120 are both composed of semiconductors filling the contact holes. Similarly, the throughhole plug is made by a semiconductor filling the throughhole.
When a MOSFET of this type of inverter is miniaturized, the distance X between the source electrode 107 and the drain electrode 109 and the distance Y between the gate electrode 103 and the drain plug 120 are both shortened.
According to the conventional technique described above, it is impossible to avoid the problem of parasitic capacitance mentioned above. This problem of parasitic capacitance will now be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4.
FIG. 3 shows the distance X between the source electrode 107 and the drain electrode 109 on the horizontal axis, and the parasitic capacitance value per unit length of the drain electrode 109 on the vertical axis. Here, the interlayer insulating film between the source electrode and drain electrode is a silicon oxide film. As clearly seen in FIG. 3, a smaller distance X results in a larger parasitic capacitance value. It is seen that when the distance X between the source electrode and drain electrode is below 1 xcexcm, a particularly notable increase in the parasitic capacitance value occurs.
FIG. 4 shows the distance Y between the gate electrode 103 and the drain plug 120 (contact hole) on the horizontal axis and the parasitic capacitance value per unit length of the gate electrode on the vertical axis. As seen in FIG. 4, a smaller distance Y results in a larger parasitic capacitance value. In this case, the increase in the parasitic capacitance value is particularly notable when the distance Y is below 0.2 xcexcm.
Thus, the increase in parasitic capacitance in a MOSFET region is considerable in the case of miniaturization of the MOSFET structure accompanying high integration or high speed modification of the semiconductor integrated circuit. This problem becomes more notable when the design dimensions of the semiconductor integrated circuit are reduced.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit in which the parasitic capacitance of the semiconductor element region can be easily reduced even when the semiconductor element of the semiconductor integrated circuit, and particularly a MOSFET, is miniaturized.
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to the present invention comprises: a semiconductor element having electrodes and a wiring layer formed on a separate layer from said electrodes. Only one of two mutually adjacent electrodes of the semiconductor element is divided into a plurality of portions that are formed on the same layer as the other electrode, and said divided parts are connected to said wiring layer.
When the semiconductor element is a MOSFET, the mutually adjacent electrodes are formed on a source diffusion layer and a drain diffusion layer. That is, they serve as the source electrode and drain electrode, respectively. The divided portions (split electrodes) are connected to the source diffusion layer or drain diffusion layer through a single contact hole. A silicide layer is also formed on the surface of the source diffusion layer or drain diffusion layer.
The electrodes and the wiring layers may be made of the same type of metal material, a candidate metal material being an aluminum-based metal film. Alternatively, the electrodes and the wiring layers may be formed of different metal materials, with the electrodes formed of an aluminum-based metal film and the wiring layers formed of a tungsten film.
Drain electrodes of a P-channel MOSFET and an N-channel MOSFET which constitute an inverter may be formed in a split manner. Namely, the drain electrode may be divided into a plurality of portions.
By thus dividing or splitting one of the electrodes constituting the semiconductor element, it is possible to reduce the parasitic capacitance produced between the mutually adjacent electrodes. When the semiconductor element is a MOSFET, it is also possible to reduce the parasitic capacitance produced between the gate electrode and the contact plug connecting the source or drain diffusion layer and the electrode. In addition, the parasitic capacitance is reduced and the operating speed of the semiconductor integrated circuit is improved. This effect is even more notable with the semiconductor element is miniaturized.


Various embodiments are directed to securely generating and managing passwords using a near-field communication (NFC) enabled contactless smart card. For example, a secure password may be generated by generating a random number via a random number generator of the contactless smart card and converting the random number to one or more human-readable characters. In another example, a secure cryptographic hash function of the contactless smart card may generate a hash output value, which may be converted to one or more human-readable characters. The human-readable characters may be used as the secure password or it may be transformed to add more layers of security and complexity.

A brute-force cracking attack is a commonly employed hacking technique, which may be used by a hacker to break into a computer, an e-mail account, an online banking account, an application, a website, or the like by manually guessing passwords. Thus, a strong, complex password may be essential for protecting a user from identity or financial theft.
A conventional password manager may assist in generating and retrieving complex passwords and may store such passwords in an encrypted database or may be calculated on demand. The conventional password manager may be a locally installed software application, an online service accessed through a website portal, or a locally accessed hardware device that serves as a key. Typically, conventional password managers require a user to generate and remember one "master" password to unlock and access any information stored in their databases.
Conventional password managers, however, are problematic in several ways. First, users may not always have in their possession the devices that run the password managers. Second, the randomness of a password generator used by the password manager may not be verifiable. Third, the password manager, no matter how strong, is only as effective as the user-created master password that protects it.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Secure password generation and management using NFC and contactless smart cards


A method and system for providing online health monitoring and accumulating data from patients worldwide, wherein a database for storing a plurality of health statuses of a plurality of users is established, wherein the database is centrally-accessible from the Internet; data corresponding to a health statistic of a user is received from the user, the data being generated by a health monitoring device; the health statistic is analyzed to determine a health status from the health statistic; the health status is stored in the database; and a population statistic is updated based on the health status and the plurality of health statuses. Such monitoring is particularly useful for both diagnosing and prescribing preventive medical treatment, and is particularly suited for the field of cardiovascular health care.

Hypertension, commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases in humans. Each year, cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, aneurysm, strokes and atherosclerosis, result in the deaths of tens of thousands of adults in the United States alone.
Hypertension does not manifest itself with symptoms that are readily detectable to its victims. A person who forgoes regular examinations may not realize they have hypertension until it produces one or more of the varieties of life-threatening and/or fatal cardiovascular diseases listed above.
The real tragedy with hypertension is that it is readily treatable by non-invasive means such as medication, physical exercise and a combination of the two. Furthermore, any physiological damage caused by hypertension is largely reversible after detection via the same non-invasive treatments when the condition is detected early and, perhaps, with certain surgical procedures when the condition is not detected early. In any event, detection of the condition provides the key to both saving lives and lowering health care and social costs arising from the prevalence of hypertension.
Recognizing this, the United States government, the health insurance industry, hospitals, physicians and health organizations, such as the American Heart Association, spend millions of dollars annually to raise public awareness, fund research, as well as to detect and treat hypertension. However, recent studies suggest that over 35% of people suffering from hypertension today may be unaware that they are potential victims.
An additional problem arises in that there are no provisions for creating or accessing large databases of current patient data relating to hypertension or other health conditions. Such a database could, among other things, aid researchers in identifying particular groups of people who may be prone to hypertension and could help track the progress of efforts to reduce fatalities resulting from this condition.
There is, therefore, a need for an apparatus and method that would more readily raise individual awareness of hypertension, identify both potential candidates for treatment and those afflicted with the condition, as well as provide a centrally-accessible database available to researchers and physicians for monitoring both individuals and the population at large.

Method and apparatus for online health monitoring