A control lever for heavy machinery includes a proximity sensor for reducing the likelihood of inadvertent activation of the heavy machinery components. The proximity sensor is disposed adjacent an operating position of the control implement and detects when an operator""s hand is in an operating position on the control implement in accordance with a capacitance of the operator""s hand. The sensing circuit outputs an activate signal to a controller circuit for controlling the heavy machinery components when the operator""s hand is in the operating position on the control implement. As a consequence, the operator is not required to perform excessive operations to effect control of the heavy machinery and has both hands available for machine operation.

The present invention relates to a control lever for heavy machinery and, more particularly, to a control lever for heavy machinery including a safeguard against inadvertent operation using near-proximity sensing.
Many types of equipment utilize joysticks, twist grips, paddles and other types of hand-operated levers for controlling machine motion. Because of the potential consequences of accidentally or inadvertently operating a lever, it may be advisable for manufacturers to provide safeguards against such events. These safeguards are typically achieved by requiring the operator to perform a sequence of movements or selections that indicate the operator""s intent to control the machine before the lever will cause machine motion. Although a single additional activity has been common, some regulations are now requiring two levels of safeguard against unintended motion.
Conventional types of mechanisms that reduce the likelihood of inadvertent motion used in the industry include foot switches, enable switches, trigger switches and the like. These switches are used in combination to achieve two-level safeguards when required. Each of these mechanisms, however, has disadvantages.
A foot switch works well in that both of the operator""s hands are free to perform other functions. A foot switch, however, is not practical if the control console, which incorporates the hand levers, must be moved from place to place for convenience of operation or security. Moreover, the foot switch is an electromechanical device, subject to mechanical and environmental failure and tampering.
An enable switch must be continuously held on with one hand while the control is being operated with the other, or must be momentarily selected to activate a timing circuit to provide power to the lever-operated controller. The continuous-hold type switch has a major disadvantage in any type of equipment where both hands are used to perform multiple simultaneous functions. The momentary contact type switch has a disadvantage of requiring a compromise in the length of time that the controls are enabled after pressing the switch.
A trigger switch is built into a hand lever and is activated by gripping a lever handle. Because releasing the switch normally turns off all power to the controller, the machine and its components may come to an abrupt stop if the switch is released. Therefore, the operator must retain a firm grip on the trigger switch while at the same time controlling machine motion in several directions. The resulting operation may be awkward and tiring for the operator.
A mechanical lock may be incorporated into a lever assembly that is designed to automatically snap into the locked position when the lever is released. The lock must then be moved out of the locked position to allow the lever to be moved from its neutral position. A disadvantage of mechanical locks is that the control lever often must survive use in harsh environmental conditions, with parts including small springs and sliding pieces of a locking mechanism that may stick in the unlocked position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide equipment for guarding against unintended motion of a hand-operated control lever for heavy machinery without the disadvantages of foot switches, enable switches, trigger switches, mechanical locks and the like. Unintended machine motion may be caused by a variety of circumstances, including an operator brushing against a lever with his back turned, by catching a lever with a tool belt, or by a piece of material falling on the lever, etc. With an operator""s hand properly placed on or around the lever, it can be assumed that the operator intends to operate the machine. Thus, by sensing, without contact, the presence of an operator""s hand in a proper operating position on the control lever, a guard against inadvertent motion can be provided without requiring additional efforts on the part of the operator.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a control lever for heavy machinery includes a control implement and a proximity sensor disposed adjacent an operating position of the control implement. The control implement is coupled with a controller circuit that effects control and operation of the heavy machinery. The controller circuit drives components of the heavy machinery according to movements of the control implement. The proximity sensor includes a sensing circuit communicating with the controller circuit that detects an operator""s hand in an operating position on the control implement in accordance with a capacitance of the operator""s hand. The sensing circuit outputs an activate signal to the controller circuit when the operator""s hand is in the operating position on the control implement, thereby reducing the likelihood of inadvertent activation of the heavy machinery components.
The proximity sensor is preferably embedded in the control implement, spaced from an exterior surface of the control implement at least 0.1xe2x80x3. Alternatively, the proximity sensor may be disposed covering the control implement. In yet another alternative, the proximity sensor is molded in a self-skinning urethane foam grip of the control element.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of reducing the likelihood of inadvertent operation of heavy machinery includes (a) providing a control implement coupled with a controller circuit that effects control and operation of the heavy machinery, with the control circuit driving components of the heavy machinery according to movements of the control implement; (b) disposing a proximity sensor adjacent an operating position of the control implement, the proximity sensor including a sensing circuit communicating with the controller circuit; and (c) detecting an operator""s hand in an operating position on the control implement in accordance with a capacitance of the operator""s hand, and outputting an activate signal to the controller circuit when the operator""s hand is in the operating position on the control implement.

Control lever for heavy machinery with near-proximity sensing


A method of configuring a memory cell array block includes dividing a first unit logic block into sub-array blocks and assigning a portion of the sub-array blocks to a second unit logic block, wherein the memory cell array block corresponds to the portion of the sub-array blocks and the second unit logic block, and the portion of the sub-array blocks and the second unit logic block share a peripheral circuit. The first unit logic block may be divided into the sub-array blocks based on a unit of a word line and/or a unit of a bit line. The peripheral circuit may include a row decoder, a column decoder, a sense amplifier and/or an equalize/precharge circuit. A related addressing method, a memory cell array block and semiconductor memory device are also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly to a method of configuring a memory cell array block of a semiconductor memory device, and a method of addressing the memory cell array block.
2. Description of the Related Art
As semiconductor memory devices have increased capacity, memory cell arrays of the semiconductor memory devices have increased accordingly. Therefore, it is very important to divide memory cell arrays into memory cell array blocks of an appropriate size.
When the size of the memory cell array is increased along a word line, a resistance-capacitance (RC) delay may be increased and an area of a decoder may also be increased because an output stage of the decoder for driving the word line needs to have an increased capacity. In addition, power consumption may be increased due to driving of the word line.
When the size of the memory cell array is increased along a bit line, capacitance of the bit line may be increased so that a voltage change of the bit line in a read operation is decreased due to charge sharing, causing difficulty in detecting data accurately. In addition, RC delay may be increased so that a speed of detecting data is decreased. Furthermore, as a length of the bit line is increased, power consumption of a sense amplifier is increased accordingly.
Therefore, to overcome the above-described problems, the memory cell array may be divided into memory cell array blocks of which word lines and bit lines have appropriate lengths, and each of the memory cell array blocks is coupled to an associated peripheral circuit such as a row decoder, a column decoder, a sense amplifier, etc.
However, when the memory cell array is divided into a plurality of memory cell array blocks, the number of required peripheral circuits such as the row decoder, the column decoder and the sense amplifier is increased, resulting in increased chip size. Therefore, the size of the memory cell array block needs to be appropriately determined so as to achieve the smallest possible chip size.
In a conventional memory cell array, the memory cell array block is assigned to a size of a block having a power-of-two number of memory cells. For example, in order to increase the size of a row block including 28 word lines, the size of the row block may be increased to a row block including 29 word lines. This is because there exists a limitation in the bit number of the address for selecting a word line so that the memory cell array block needs to have as many word lines as a corresponding bit number of the address. Similarly, in order to decrease the size of a row block including 29 word lines, the row block can be decreased to a row block including 28 word lines.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating row blocks of a conventional semiconductor memory device.
Referring to FIG. 1, each of the row blocks 110, 120, 130 and 140 of the conventional semiconductor memory device includes 2K word lines.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are block diagrams illustrating a conventional method of configuring a memory cell array block.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the row blocks 110 and 120 of the row blocks 110, 120, 130 and 140 shown in FIG. 1 are merged into a row block 211, and the remaining row blocks 130 and 140 are merged into a row block 212. Each of the row blocks 211 and 212 is twice the size of each of the row blocks 110, 120, 130 and 140 in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 2B, the row blocks 110, 120, 130 and 140 shown in FIG. 1 are divided into eight row blocks 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227 and 228, each of which includes 2K−1 word lines. Each of the row blocks 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227 and 228 is half the size of each of the row blocks 110, 120, 130 and 140 in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, in order to increase or decrease the size of the memory cell array block, the size of the memory cell array block is necessarily increased or decreased by a power of two according to the conventional art. However, as the memory cell array block includes a plurality of memory cells, adjusting the size of the memory cell array block by a unit of a power of two may not be sufficient to achieve a desired chip size or a desired transmission characteristic of a signal. That is, when the block size is decreased to one half, the chip size may be significantly increased although the transmission characteristic of the signal may be improved, and when the block size is increased to twice itself, the transmission characteristic of the signal may be greatly affected although the chip size may be decreased.

Method of configuring memory cell array block, method of addressing the same, semiconductor memory device and memory cell array block


A spectral scanning microscope and a method for data acquisition using a spectral scanning microscope are disclosed. A computer system is provided that encompasses a memory and a database. In combination with the computer system and/or the database, a continuous wavelength subregion that serves to illuminate the specimen can be selected from a continuous wavelength region using the spectral selection means. Also in combination with the computer system together with the spectral selection means, a detection band can be selected from the detected light beam.

The invention concerns a method for data acquisition using a spectral microscope. The invention further concerns a spectral microscope.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,870 discloses an arrangement for generating a broadband spectrum in the visible and infrared spectral region. The arrangement is based on a microstructured fiber into which the light of a pump laser is coupled. The pump light is widened in the microstructured fiber as a result of nonlinear effects. Photonic band gap material or "photon crystal fibers" or "holey fibers" are also used as microstructured fibers. Embodiments as so-called "hollow fibers" are also known.
Arc lamps are known as broadband light sources, and are used in many fields. U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,822 "XENON PHOTOGRAPHY LIGHT," which discloses a xenon arc lamp for illumination in photography, may be cited here as an example.
German Patent Application DE 100 06 800.6 discloses an apparatus for selecting and detecting at least one spectral region of a spectrally spread light beam (SP module). Provided in the spread-out light beam are selection means which are embodied as slides, so as thereby to direct portions of the spread-out light beam to various detectors. The signals of the detectors are then used for image generation. DE 100 06 800.6 does not disclose actuation of the slides in such a way as to make possible rapid and reliable detection of a specific spectrum.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,024 discloses a method for classifying chromosomes. In the detection of chromosome defects, the chromosomes are equipped with five different fluorescing dyes. The chromosomes can be unequivocally classified based on the attachment of the dyes to them. From a comparison with a reference, conclusions can be drawn as to the genetic defects that are present. Since the chromosome emits a characteristic spectrum as a result of the dyes attached to it, an unequivocal determination is thus possible. The method presented here is particularly suitable for determining the spectra of the individual chromosomes, but is not designed for application to fluorescence measurements using a spectral scanning microscope.

Spectral microscope and method for data acquisition using a spectral microscope


An infrared sensor device includes at least one sensor element formed in a semiconductor substrate, an SOI wafer that defines a gap below and around the sensor element, and a suspension device that is configured to suspend the sensor element in the SOI wafer. The sensor element is substantially arranged below the suspension device, thereby achieving a high sensitivity, low thermal capacity, low thermal coupling to the substrate and a high image refresh rate.

The disclosure relates to an infrared sensor device and a method for producing an infrared sensor device.
Pixel structures produced by surface micromachining are known in the prior art. By way of example, WO 9325877 discloses thin metal lines embedded in passivation layers composed of SiO2 or SixNx with a bolometer film resistor likewise embedded in passivation layers, which are connected in an arrangement which together with a reflection layer at a suitable distance forms a λ/4 absorber.
WO 2007147663 discloses the production of thermally insulating cavities by bulk micromachining, above which cavities sensor elements suspended on arms that are as long and thin as possible are then produced by structuring of the Si or SOI membrane.
Furthermore, an IR sensor array based on an SOI pixel technology with all-round passivation is known. In this IR sensor array, the small suspension arms are arranged between pixel and column or row wiring. The pn junction extends as far as the surface.

Infrared sensor device and method for producing an infrared sensor device


The present invention permits further miniaturization and shortening of a surface acoustic wave device while avoiding the influence of the surface acoustic wave device on the inductance value and performance index (Q value) of the spiral inductor. The chip on which the spiral inductor is formed is flip-chip mounted in a package together with another surface acoustic wave device chip. The package is provided with a hermetically sealed lid. A conductor pattern is formed on a face of the package that opposes the spiral inductor. Further, the overlap between the region of the spiral inductor and the conductor pattern is 7% or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a surface acoustic wave device that comprises a chip on which a spiral inductor is formed.
2. Description of the Related Art
A surface acoustic wave device is employed in high-frequency circuit components of cellular phones or other miniature wireless devices, such as in splitters (duplexers) that are connected to a transmission/reception common antenna, for example. In this case, a surface acoustic wave device is constituted such that a SAW filter, which uses a surface acoustic wave element, and a phase shift circuit for separating the transmission and reception frequency bands or a phase matching circuit are mounted in a common package for the sake of miniaturization.
Proposals for further miniaturizing and shortening the height of such a surface acoustic wave device and a variety of proposals for enhancing the characteristics of the phase shift circuit or phase matching circuit to be used in the splitter have been made (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Nos. H10-126213, 2001-127588, and H8-32402, for example).
The invention that appears in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. H10-126213 forms a phase matching circuit in a multilayered structure and implements miniaturization of the splitter by means of a SAW filter cavity structure that is mounted on the multilayered structure. Further, the invention in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2001-127588 proposes a structure in which an integrated circuit element is mounted on an upper substrate on the opposite side to the base substrate that does not meet the demands to facilitate fabrication and afford additional miniaturization and shortening of conventional structures in which two transmission/reception filters and an integrated circuit element that constitutes a peripheral circuit such as a phase matching circuit are commonly disposed on a base substrate.
In addition, the invention that appears in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. H8-32402 provides a solution for the occurrence of a characteristic variation that is caused by a parasitic capacitance produced between the surface of a matching inductance substrate and the lid of the package and for the generation of loss deterioration in a structure in which the surface acoustic wave element and matching inductance are stored in the same package. Therefore, the parasitic capacitance is suppressed by separating the mounted lid and the surface of the matching inductance substrate housed in the package by a distance of 0.5 mm or more.
In the process of examining additional miniaturization and shortening of a surface acoustic wave device that comprises a chip on which a spiral inductor is formed, the present inventors discovered that, in the case of a constitution in which a chip on which a spiral inductor is formed is flip-chip mounted on a cavity substrate face, the influence on the inductance value and performance index (Q value) of the spiral inductor of the distance of the metal (conductor) pattern disposed on the cavity-substrate face facing the spiral inductor and the amount of overlap of the metal (conductor) pattern and therefore discovered a specific distance for the metal (conductor) pattern disposed on the cavity substrate face and a specific amount for the overlap with the metal (conductor) pattern in order to obtain the preferred characteristics.


A low density aluminum based alloy useful in aircraft structure for fuselage sheet or light-gauge plate applications which has high strength, high fracture toughness and high corrosion resistance, comprising 2.7 to 3.4 weight percent Cu, 0.8 to 1.4 weight percent Li, 0.1 to 0.8 weight percent Ag, 0.2 to 0.6 weight percent Mg and a grain refiner such as Zr, Mn, Cr, Sc, Hf, Ti or a combination thereof, the amount of which being 0.05 to 0.13 wt. % for Zr, 0.1 to 0.8 wt. % for Mn, 0.05 to 0.3 wt. % for Cr and Sc, 0.05 to 0.5 wt. % for Hf and 0.05 to 0.15 wt. % for Ti. The amount of Cu and Li preferably corresponds to the formula Cu(wt. %)+5/3 Li(wt. %)<5.2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to aluminum alloys, and in particular, to such alloys useful in the aerospace industry suitable for use in fuselage applications.
2. Description of Related Art
In today's civil aircraft industry, and in particular for fuselage applications, there is a strong incentive to reduce both weight and cost. The fuselage of a commercial transport aircraft is subject to a complex set of loads, depending on the phase of operation (take-off, cruise, maneuvering, landing . . . ) and environmental conditions (gusts, headwinds, . . . ). Furthermore, different parts of the fuselage are subject to different loadings. In spite of this complexity, it is possible to distinguish major design selection criteria that determine the weight of the structure, some impacting total weight more than others.
For example, compression and shear-compression resistance are extremely important design criteria, since the heaviest fuselage shells are loaded by compression. In order for a new material to allow weight reductions of these compressively loaded shells, this new material should have high Young's modulus, high 0.2% proof stress (to resist buckling) and low density.
A second important design criterion is residual strength of longitudinally cracked shells. Aircraft certification regulations require damage tolerant design, so it is common practice to consider large longitudinal or circumferential cracks in fuselage shells, proving that a certain level of tension can be applied without catastrophic fracture. One known material property governing design here is the plane stress fracture toughness. Any single critical stress intensity factor, however, provides only a limited view of fracture toughness. The development of an R-Curve is a widely recognized method to characterize fracture toughness properties. The R-curve represents the evolution of the stress intensity factor for crack growth as a function of crack extension, under monotonic loading. The R-curve enables the determination of the critical load for unstable fracture for any configuration relevant to cracked aircraft structures. The values of stress intensity factor and crack extension are effective values as defined by ASTM E561. The length of the R-curve—i.e. maximum crack extension of the curve—is an important parameter in itself for fuselage design. The generally employed analysis of conventional tests on center cracked panels gives an apparent stress intensity factor at fracture [KC0]. KC0 does not vary significantly as a function of R-curve length, especially when the R-curve slope is close to the slope of the curve relating the applied stress intensity factor to the crack length (applied curve). However in a real airframe structure such as a panel with attached stiffeners, when a crack progresses under a non-broken stiffener, the applied curve drops due to the bridging effect of the stiffener. In this case a local minimum of the applied curve can occur for a crack length larger than the initial considered crack length plus crack extension under monotonic loading. As such, larger loads at unstable fracture are then allowed for long R-curves. It is thus of interest to have longer R-curve, even for identical conventionally determined critical stress intensity factors.
For products with identical mechanical properties, lower density is clearly beneficial for air frame weight. A third important design criterion is thus material density. Moreover, large parts of the fuselage are not so heavily loaded and the weight of the design is limited by a certain limit generally called "minimum gauge". The concept of minimum gauge corresponds to the thinnest gauge practicable for manufacturing (particularly handling of panels) and repair (patch riveting). The only way to reduce weight in minimum gauge design is to use a lower density material.
Other important factors affecting material selection include propagation of cracks under fatigue loading, either under constant amplitude loading or with variable amplitude (because of maneuvers and gusts, especially in the longitudinal direction, but also around the wing, in all directions).
Currently, the fuselages of civil aircraft are for the most part made from 2024, 2056, 2524, 6013, 6156 or 7475 alloy sheet or thin plates, clad on either surface with a low composition aluminum alloy, such as a 1050 or 1070 alloy, for example. The purpose of the cladding alloy is to provide sufficient corrosion resistance. Slightly generalized or pitting corrosion is tolerable, but corrosion must not penetrate to attack the core alloy. There is a trend to try using unclad materials for fuselage design, for cost reduction. Corrosion resistance, and particularly resistance to intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion cracking is thus an important aspect of properties of suitable fuselage panels.
As stated above, the only way to reduce weight in some cases is to reduce the density of the materials used for construction of the aircraft. Aluminum-lithium alloys have long been recognized as an effective solution to reduce weight because of the low density of these alloys. However, the different requirements cited above, namely, having a high Young modulus, high compression resistance, high damage tolerance and high corrosion resistance, have not been met simultaneously by prior art aluminum-lithium alloys. In particular, obtaining a high fracture toughness with these alloys has proven to be difficult. Prasad et al, for example, state recently (Sadhana, vol. 28, Parts 1&2, February/April 2003 pp. 209-246) that "Al—Li alloys are prime candidate materials to replace traditionally used Al alloys. Despite their numerous property advantages, low tensile ductility and inadequate fracture toughness, especially in the through thickness-directions, militates against their acceptability". Today, Al—Li alloys have been limited to very specific military applications such as high temperature resistance materials, improved cryogenic fracture toughness materials for aerospace applications, and certain parts in helicopters and military aircraft fuselage parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,359 (Martin Marietta) describes a family of alloys based upon aluminum-copper-magnesium-silver alloys to which lithium has been added, within specific ranges and which exhibit superior ambient- and elevated-temperature strength, superior ductility at ambient and elevated temperatures, extrudability, forgeability, weldability, and an unexpected natural aging response. The examples describe extruded products. No information is provided on toughness, resistance to fatigue crack or resistance to corrosion. In a preferred embodiment, the alloy includes an aluminum base metal, from 3.0 to 6.5% of copper, from 0.05 to 2.0% of magnesium, from 0.05 to 1.2% of silver, from 0.2 to 3.1% of lithium, from 0.05 to 0.5% of a grain refiner selected from zirconium, chromium, manganese, titanium, boron, hafnium, vanadium, titanium diboride, and mixtures thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,339 (Martin Marietta) is a continuation in part of the '359 patent mentioned supra. It additionally discloses the use of similar alloys as welding alloys or weld alloys.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,910 (Martin Marietta) describes aluminum-base alloys containing Cu, Li, Zn, Mg and Ag which possess highly desirable properties, such as relatively low density, high modulus, high strength/ductility combinations, strong natural aging response with and without prior cold work, and high artificially aged strength with and without prior cold work. The alloys may comprise from about 1 to about 7 weight percent Cu, from about 0.1 to about 4 weight percent Li, from about 0.01 to about 4 weight percent Zn, from about 0.05 to about 3 weight percent Mg, from about 0.01 to about 2 weight percent Ag, from about 0.01 to about 2 weight percent grain refiner selected from Zr, Cr, Mn, Ti, Hf, V, Nb, B and TiB2, and the balance Al along with incidental impurities. The '910 patent discloses how Zn additions may be used to reduce the levels of Ag present in the alloys taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,359, in order to reduce cost.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,003 (Martin Marietta) discloses a method for the production of aluminum-copper-lithium alloys that exhibit improved strength and fracture toughness at cryogenic temperatures. Improved cryogenic properties are achieved by controlling the composition of the alloy, along with processing parameters such as the amount of cold-work and artificial aging. The product is used for cryogenic tanks in space launch vehicles.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,165 (Reynolds) discloses an aluminum-based alloy useful in aircraft and aerospace structures which has low density, high strength and high fracture toughness of the following formula: CuaLibMgcAgdZreAlbal wherein a, b, c, d, e and bal indicate the amount in wt. % of alloying components, and wherein 2.8<a<3.8, 0.80<b<1.3, 0.20<c<1.00, 0.20<d<1.00 and 0.08<e<0.46. Preferably, the copper and lithium components are controlled such that the combined copper and lithium content is kept below the solubility limit to avoid loss of fracture toughness during elevated temperature exposure. The relationship between the copper and lithium contents also should meet the following relationship: Cu(wt. %)+1.5 Li(wt. %)<5.4. Special stretching conditions, between 5 and 11% have been applied. Examples are limited to a thickness of 19 mm and zirconium content superior or equal to 0.13 wt %.
US 2004/0071586 (Alcoa) discloses an Al—Cu—Mg alloy including from 3 to 5 weight percent Cu, from 0.5 to 2 weight percent Mg and from 0.01 to 0.9 weight percent Li. According to this application, toughness properties of alloys having additions of from 0.2 to 0.7 weight percent Li are significantly improved compared to similar alloys containing either no Li or a greater amount of Li.
There is a need for a high strength, high fracture toughness, and especially high crack extension before unstable fracture, high corrosion resistance Al—Li alloy for aircraft applications, and in particular for fuselage sheet applications.

High fracture toughness aluminum-copper-lithium sheet or light-gauge plate suitable for use in a fuselage panel


The present invention concerns an electronic assembly with a heat sink in particular for a discharge lamp control module for a motor vehicle headlight.

In a first prior art presented by the present applicant, in particular in the application EP 1.087.652, a description has already been given of an improvement to electronic assemblies with heat sink. In such assemblies, a relatively rigid printed circuit or card is associated, by means of a heat-conducting material, with a metallic piece or sole plate which makes it possible to discharge the thermal energy dissipated on the substrate of the printed circuit. In particular, in this first prior art, the metallic sole plate has a stud for fixing to the printed circuit through a drilling therein so that, when the stud is deformed by means of a tool during assembly, the printed circuit and the sole plate are fixed to each other, on the one hand, and a thermal coupling of the printed circuit and metallic sole plate by means of the heat-conducting and electrically insulating material is effected, on the other hand.
Unfortunately, this first prior art introduces several problems. In particular, between the printed circuit and the aluminium radiator, a material with two components, one of which is based on silicone with a filler whilst the other is a screen based on glass fibres, is compressed in a controlled or mastered fashion. The function of the first material is to produce heat conduction. The function of the second material is to effect electrical insulation. More particularly, the dual-component material fills the empty space between the metallic sole plate and the printed circuit.
The electrical earthing between the metallic sole plate and a provided conductive part of the printed circuit is provided by riveting the printed circuit to the sole plate by means of the aforementioned stud.
As a result the use of such a dual-component material is complex and has a high cost during mass production. In a second prior art, the electrical insulation function is provided by raising the printed circuit with respect to its radiator, by a sufficient value to guarantee electrical insulation or thermal conduction through the layer of glass fibres. The hot zones of the printed circuit receive a thin single-phase multilayer adhesive on the bottom face. A layer of copper is provided for thermal conduction whilst a layer of the "Kapton" type is provided for electrical insulation. Contact between the printed circuit on the one hand and the radiator on the other hand is provided solely in the hot zone by a thermal paste which is not electrically insulating and which fills the empty space between the radiator and the printed circuit. This paste makes it possible in particular to achieve a compensation for the geometric tolerances of the mechanical parts. The positioning of the printed circuit is provided by the centring studs on the radiator. Its holding and fixing are provided by the crushing of elastomeric pads fixed in the cover of the module. The cover makes it possible to execute a support for the printed circuit on the face of the housing. The electrical earthing is provided by tin balls which are crushed on a conductive part, provided for this purpose, of a printed circuit when the cover of the module is crimped on its body proper.
In a third prior art, the electrical insulation is also provided by a layer of air. However, the hot areas of the printed circuit benefit from thermal dissipation by means of a dual-component material as in the first prior art. The printed circuit is fixed to the radiator by a screw and the solution of electrical earthing is once again executed by means of tin balls.
All these three aforementioned prior arts therefore propose solutions with a high cost. Because of the dissociation of the heat conduction and electrical insulation functions in particular, there are many parts and also many assembly techniques. There are therefore no possible optimisations of the manufacturing process.
Contrary to this, the invention concerns an electronic assembly with a heat sink that comprises essentially a printed circuit and a housing that can serve for the thermal conduction and/or for the electrical insulation and which comprises a complex interface layer.

Electronic assembly with a heat sink in particular for a discharge lamp control module for motor vehicle headlights

Abstract: The electronic assembly with heat sink comprises essentially a printed circuit and a housing able to serve for thermal insulation and/or for electrical insulation and which comprises a heat sink. The heat sink is interposed between at least one face of the printed circuit and a face of the housing, the said heat sink extending over a major part of the face of the printed circuit and comprising an adhesive face for securing it to the printed circuit on the one hand and an adhesive face for securing it to the face of the housing on the other hand.


A control device for controlling a charging switch in a switching regulator with an inductance, a filter capacitance and a diode comprises a clock generator for providing an operating clock, an output voltage detection means and an inductance current detection means, as well as a comparator for comparing the detection signals generated by the two detection means. The charging switch is switched on by an event in the clock and switched off when the comparator determines a predetermined relation between the two detection signals. The voltage detection signal is formed to have an inverted curve in relation to the detected output voltage, such that when the output voltage to be detected increases the detection signal falls and vice versa. Thus, a stable and simple regulation of the output voltage across a current locked loop is possible, where no filtering of an actual value has to be performed. Thus, a stable current locked loop with simple structure is obtained in a wide range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to switching regulators and particularly to controlling the charging switch of a switching regulator with an inductance, a filter capacitance and a diode.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 8 shows a known down converter with a simple switch, such as, for example, shown in "Halbleiter-schaltungstechnik" U. Tietze, C. H. Schenk, Springer-Verlag, 9. Auflage, 1989, illustration 18.37 on page 564. The down converter in FIG. 8 comprises a ring-like circuit with a coil 400, a capacitor 402 and a diode 404. Further, the down converter or switching regulator, respectively, in FIG. 8 comprises a charging switch 406 as well as a control not shown in FIG. 8, which is formed to control the charging switch 406 such that the output voltage of the switching regulator, indicated by USR in FIG. 8, is maintained on a defined level or in a range around the defined level, respectively.
The circuit shown in FIG. 8 comprises a determined number of nodes, which will be discussed below. A pole of an input voltage source U0 is connected to a first input node 410 of the circuit, while another potential of the input source U0 is connected to a second input node 412. The second input node 412 is typically the ground node. A first output node 414 is also referred to as first output rail or positive output rail, while a second output node 416 is also referred to as second output rail or negative output rail, respectively, when the convention shown in FIG. 8 is used for the output voltage of the switching regulator USR. On the one hand, the switch 406 is connected between the first input node 410 and a first intermediate node 418. Further, the diode 404 is connected between the first intermediate node 418 and the second input node 412, such that the anode of the diode is connected to the second input node 412, while the cathode of the diode is connected to the first input node 418. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the capacitor 402 is connected between the first output node 414 and the second output node 416. According to the configuration of the network of diode, coil and capacitor shown in FIG. 8, the coil is connected between the first intermediate node 418 and the first output node 414.
Below, the functionality of the circuit shown in FIG. 8 will be discussed. As long as the switch 406 is closed, UD is equal to the negative input voltage U0. If it opens, the inductor current IL maintains its direction, and the amount of UD sinks, until the diode becomes conductive, which means to about 0 potential. The time curve of the coil current results from the law of induction, according to which the voltage at the coil is equal to the product of inductance L of the coil and the derivation of the coil current according to time. During the switch-on time, which means when the input voltage U0 is applied to the diode 404, the voltage U0−USR is applied to the inductor. During the switch-off time taus of the switch 406, the voltage UL=−USR is applied to the inductor. Therefore, an amount of current change ΔIL results, which is as follows:ΔIL=1/L·(−USR)·Δtaus=1/L(U0−USR)teinFrom this balance, the output voltage can be calculated again, which is defined as follows:USR=[tein/(tein+taus)]·U0=tein/T·U0=p·U0.In the previous equation, T=tein·+taus=1/F is the oscillation period and p=tein/T is the so called duty cycle. As expected, it can be seen that the arithmetic average of UD results as output voltage. Typically, the inductance L of the coil 400 is chosen such that the minimum current is not undershot, as is known in the art. Further, it is known that by increasing the clock frequency, the inductance can be reduced. Further, with too high frequencies, the effort for the switching transistor and the control circuit increases. Additionally, dynamic switching losses increase in proportion to the frequency.
The capacitor 402 determines the ripple of the output voltage. Generating the switching signal for switching the charging transistor 406 is usually performed by a pulse width modulator and a regulator with voltage reference. In particular, a reference voltage providing a set value is supplied to a subtracter, to which the current output voltage USR is also supplied as actual value. The output signal of the subtracter is supplied to a variable gain amplifier, feeding a comparator, to which, on the other hand, a signal generated by a saw tooth generator is supplied. The output signal of the comparator is the control signal for the switch 406 in FIG. 8. The variable gain amplifier is typically a PI variable gain amplifier. The same increases its output signal for so long until the difference at the output of the subtracter becomes 0, which means until the output voltage USR is equal to the set output voltage. Typical ranges for dimensioning the coil are in the millihenry range (e.g. 2.7 mH), while typical values for capacitors are in the three-digit micro Farad range (e.g. 100 μF), when switching frequencies in the range of 50 kHz are used.
Switching regulators shown in FIG. 8 are to provide a suitable voltage supply to a subsequently connected circuit, such as an ASIC. The voltage supply consists normally of one or several constant direct voltages of, for example, +5 V or ±15 V. Frequently, the same is not available in the desired form from the start and has to be generated first by, for example, a switching regulator shown in FIG. 8 that can be supplemented by a downstream linear regulator to remove the ripples of the output voltage. Usually, a rectifier is at the input side of the switching regulator shown in FIG. 8 which generates the input voltage U0 from the alternating current or three-phase current net (230 V or 400 V), respectively, of the power station.
Thus, in deviation from the switching regulator shown in FIG. 8, other regulators exist, with a transformer, a rectifier, a smoothing capacitor and possibly a linear regulator for voltage stabilization. However, the transformer is difficult to produce and thus expensive. Further, it requires a lot of space. A further disadvantage of the transformer is its frequency-depending working range. This is, for example, limited to the network frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, respectively. If the frequency deviates, this also causes a deviation of the output voltage of the transformer. The voltage transfer does not work with a direct voltage at the input.
If the transformer is omitted and only rectifier, smoothing capacitor and linear regulator are used, a lot of energy in the form of heat is lost. Additionally, sufficient cooling of the linear regulator has to be provided, which is again very expensive and requires space. All this is avoided by using a switching regulator instead of the linear regulator, as illustrated with regard to FIG. 8. By the significantly better efficiency, little energy in the form of heat is lost and thus the effort for the cooling is significantly lower. As has already been discussed, the switching regulator requires an inductor (the inductance 400 in FIG. 8), which is relatively expensive in the production. However, the same has only one winding and is thus simpler to produce than a transformer having two windings. Above that, the inductor can be minimized by selecting a higher operating frequency, which also works for transformers.
Many known switching network parts, such as the switching network part shown in FIG. 8, are problematical in some regard. Normally, the input voltage range is limited to a ratio of UE,max/UE,min≦5, which can be seen from catalogs of different providers. This range is too low for some applications and should be increased to a ratio of about 20:1.
The voltage supply of the regulator itself is either performed via a separate voltage source or is generated from the input voltage, which means an additional voltage regulator and thus additional effort.
Further, for a flexible usage, it is intended to be able to select the input voltage significantly higher than the maximum allowable operating voltage of the regulator itself, without using additional voltage regulators for generating this operating voltage.
Additionally, when applying the input voltage, a possibly fast controlled starting of the switching regulator should be ensured. This so called starting-delay should be as small as possible, particularly for time-critical applications.
As has already been discussed, the switching regulator of the down converter type shown in FIG. 8, which is also referred to as buck converter in the art, is based on, the fact that the charging switch 406 is switched on to charge the positive output node 414 against the negative output node 416, and then switch the switch off again, which means to open it, so that the output voltage does not exceed a set value range determined by the average of the finally resulting output voltage USR. Possibilities of regulating the switch are basically filtering the output voltage to obtain an average of the output voltage without ripples, and then controlling the charging switch based on the filtered output voltage by a set/actual comparison. Alternatively, there is also the possibility to regulate the switching regulator based on the current flowing through the coil 400, since the current flowing through the coil 400 is connected to the output voltage, since the output voltage is controlled by charging the node 414 of the capacitor 402. Thus, current regulators exist, which detect the current through the coil 400, filter the current value to obtain an average current value, and which then control the charging switch 406 based on the set/actual comparison due to the filtered current average.
Different regulation concepts are described in DE 19814681 A1, DE 19505417 A1, DE 19933039, EP 0759653 or EP 0664596. Thus, DE 19814681 A1 shows, for example, a current mode switching regulator with a first regulating means for voltage regulation and a second regulation means for load current regulation, each having two inputs and one output, wherein a reference signal can be supplied to a first input of the first regulation means and an output signal of the current mode switching regulator to a second input as a variable, and wherein the output of the first regulating means is coupled to a first input of the second regulator means. Further, a power switch controllable by a control signal of the second regulating means is provided, whose load path is disposed between a first pole with a first supply potential and a second pole with a second supply potential. An inductor means is disposed in series to this load path. Further, an integrator is provided, which generates a regulating signal sampling a load current by time integration of the inductor voltage falling at the inductor means, which is coupled into a second input of the second regulating means as variable. The voltage falling at the inductor inductance is integrated over time by the integrator to detect the current through the inductor.
DE 19933039 A1 discloses an apparatus for generating a regulating signal for a direct voltage converter. The apparatus for generating the regulating signal comprises a voltage regulator and a current regulator. A limiter is provided between the voltage regulator and the current regulator, which serves for limiting the output signal of the voltage regulator. The limiter comprises an input terminal, across which a determinable limit signal for the current set value can be input.
It is a problem of set value regulators operating with a fixed set value, that this set value has to be compared with an actual value. Normally, the set value exists as fixed value, which means as direct signal, while the actual value constantly varies fast, which is an inherent property of the switching regulator, since the ripples of the output voltage as well as the ripples of the output current occur systematically by opening and closing the charging switch. Thus, in these known regulator concepts, an actual value of either the voltage or the current has to be filtered, to obtain a filtered actual value having a direct voltage characteristic, such that a set/actual comparison can be performed at all with the set value present in the "direct current characteristic".
By this filtering, an additional time constant is introduced in the locked loop. Additionally, there is the problem that the current locked loop becomes unstable with higher pulse width ratios. Typically, known current locked loops run only stable up to a pulse width ratio of 50%. With larger pulse width ratios, such a switching regulator becomes instable. This means that a change of the output voltage can no longer be reasonably compensated. For avoiding this instability already at the pulse width ratio of 50%, which means for increasing the pulse width ratio range across 50%, normally, circuits are provided, for example circuits overlaying a saw tooth-shaped voltage across the current limit value predetermined by the voltage regulator to countereffect this instability effect. Thereby, a current locked loop can also be stabilized for pulse ratios of more than 50%. However, this means increased switching effort, since the saw tooth curve has to be generated and laid over the current set value. Further, the switching effort for the filter for filtering the current actual value curve has to be considered. Thus, known concepts have a double disadvantage, since they require a filter for filtering the current value curve, and further require a stabilizing circuit, partly caused by this filter, to realize pulse width ratios of more than 50%.
These additional switching parts have the effect that switching regulators becomes more expensive, particularly when they are to be designed integrably, which is not least caused by the fact that any additional component in an integrated circuit increases the rejection probability for the whole integrated circuit.
Even when such a known switching regulator is not designed in integrated design, the additional switching parts still have to be designed and realized, which can cause cost increases.

Control device for controlling a charging switch in a switching regulator and method for controlling a charging switch

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.


A storage device may include a one time programmable (OTP) memory including a plurality of OTP cells and configured to store OTP key values in the plurality of OTP cells, and an erase instruction circuit that is detachably mounted on the storage device and connected to a first node of the OTP memory. When the erase instruction circuit is removed from the storage device, the OTP memory may be configured to receive the erase instruction signal having a first logic level at the first node and permanently erase all the OTP key values stored in the plurality of OTP cells by programming the plurality of OTP cells to an identical OTP key value in response to the erase instruction signal having the first logic level.

The inventive concept relates to a one time programmable (OTP) memory, and more particularly, to a device that controls access to data stored in a memory by controlling signals input to an OTP cell array.
An OTP memory may store data in a plurality of OTP cells that may each have an unprogrammed state or a programmed state. An OTP cell does not lose programmed data even when a power source is cut off, and a programmed OTP cell cannot be reprogrammed, that is, irreversible. For example, an OTP cell may include a fuse or an antifuse, and may be electrically programmed. The OTP memory is used for storing information in various applications.

OTP memory and storage device including the same


A small twin spool gas turbine engine with a bearing support arrangement in which the bearings are dampened by O-rings secured between the bearing races and the support structure, the bearings are arranged in series so that a cooling air can be passed through the bearings to prevent overheating, and the bearings are dry lubricated. The aft end of the engine includes high speed and low speed ball bearings supported with preload springs to add additional damping capability. The end bearing support assemblies form a cooling air path for the cooling fluid to flow through a passage within one of the guide vanes, through the bearings and a hole in the low pressure turbine rotor disk and out the exhaust of the engine. A snorkel tube extends into the bypass air channel drawing air for the bearings, and has a slanted opening preventing dirt particulates from entering the bearing cooling passage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a small twin spool gas turbine engine, and more specifically the cooling of the rear end bearings.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
In a gas turbine engine, the rotor shaft or shafts is supported for rotation by at least two bearings which include a forward or compressor end bearing and an aft or turbine engine bearing. Both radial and axial loads must be absorbed by the bearings. It is typical in the larger gas turbine engines of the prior art to use a ball bearing in the compressor end and a roller bearing in the turbine engine. The ball bearing can absorb both radial and axial loads and therefore acts as the thrust bearing for the rotor shaft. Because of the high temperatures that occur in the turbine end, the rear bearing must be capable of allowing axial displacement between the outer race support housing for the bearing and the bearing itself. This is why roller bearings are used in the turbine end. However, roller bearings only provide radial load absorption and no axial load. If a roller bearing is subject to an axial load, the rollers will start to rotate and then wobble during rotation of the bearing. This is a very undesirable situation and usually will result in the bearing blowing itself apart.
In a small gas turbine engine of bellow around 300 pounds thrust, the turbine end of the engine is exposed to very hot temperatures. The turbine end bearings are usually cooled by an external supplied cooling fluid such as a wet lubricant. Using a wet lubricant to provide cooling for the bearing requires a wet lubricant reservoir and the pumping and delivery system to circulate the liquid lubricant. This takes up additional space and adds weight to the engine. For a small gas turbine engine, this could add double the size and weight of the overall engine.
A typical gas turbine engine, especially of the small size as in the present invention, the rear end bearings would be cooled by sealing these bearings in a compartment that is filled with a wet or liquid lubricant. Or, some small engines pass fuel through the bearings to produce lubrication and cooling, and then discharge the unburned fuel out from the engine. In these engines, a lubricant is required to be stored in the engine until the engine is used. For a missile that uses this type of engine, long time storage is a problem because the fuel or lubricant cannot be held for long before it degrades.

Small gas turbine engine with unmixed exhaust


A solid state image sensing device has a plurality of photo sensing elements arranged in a two-dimensional fashion at pixel units pixel unit in the horizontal and vertical directions. Each of the plurality of photo sensing elements is formed of a vertical selection transistor whose gate electrode is connected to a horizontal selection line and whose source electrode is connected to a vertical signal line. A photoelectric conversion element is provided under a channel region of the vertical selection transistor. A high concentration impurity is buried in lower portions of the source electrode and the channel region. When a voltage is applied to the source electrode, a signal charge which is subjected to a photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element is reset. Reset noise, Vth irregularity, smear component and the surface dark current can be reduced and blooming is suppressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid state image sensing device or CCD image sensing device and more particularly to a current output amplification type solid state image sensing device having an amplification function at every pixel thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art, as a current output amplification type solid state image sensing device, there have been proposed an AMI (Amplified MOS Intelligent) type solid state image sensing device having an amplifier circuit assembled in a unit pixel thereof, a CMD (Charge Modulation Device) type solid state image sensing device in which each pixel is formed of a MOS photo transistor and so on.
Of the current output amplification type solid state image sensing devices, the AMI type solid state image sensing device has the problems of reset noise and threshold voltage (Vth) irregularity, while the CMD type solid state image sensing device, there are the problems of a blooming and surface dark current.


A rolling cover for a spa or a pool, which can be a rolled-up into generally cylindrical configuration, and an unrolled into a generally flat configuration. The rolling cover includes a flexible top cover, a flexible sealed insulation bag, a bag support structure, a top cover support structure and a cover tightening arrangement. Further, a spa including the rolling cover.

Hot tubs, also commonly referred to as spas, are increasing in popularity. Covers are typically provided with most spas for the purpose of retaining the heat in the water and preventing debris from falling into the water when the spa is not in use.
Most covers are hard, bulky, and heavy, which makes them difficult to handle when covering and uncovering the spa. In addition, although most of these covers are generally flat when new, they can sag or warp over time, which allows rainwater, dirt, leaves and the like to collect on top of them. Standing water on a spa cover presents a safety hazard to young children who can drown in a puddle of water. Sagging and warping of the cover can also create gaps between the cover and the spa, which allow heat to escape from the spa water and allow debris to enter the spa water. This, in turn, results in higher operational costs, as more energy is used to keep the spa water heated and filtered, more chemicals are used to treat the dirtier water, and filter maintenance is more frequently required.
Accordingly, an improved cover is needed which addresses the deficiencies of conventional covers.


An arrangement and method for producing an adhesive-bound, printed item composed of a number of printed products. A circulating conveyor includes a conveying track and a plurality of space-apart conveying units driven along the conveying track, wherein along a first conveying section of the circulating conveying printed products are gathered into loose book blocks in the conveying units which are positioned transverse to the conveying direction and in a reclined position that is inclined counter to the conveying direction. The circulating conveyor includes an additional conveying section to which the book blocks are supplied from the first conveying section for being conveyed to an adhesive binder. The additional conveying section is operative to accelerate the conveying units so that a divisional spacing between the book blocks is increased, and to pivot the conveying units so that the book blocks are moved to an upright position.

The invention relates to a method for producing an adhesive-bound printed item composed of several printed products, for which the printed products are gathered into loose book blocks along a first conveying section of a conveying track for a circulating conveyor and are then supplied with the aid of a following conveying section to an adhesive binder. The invention furthermore relates to an arrangement for realizing said method.
With known methods used in the print processing industry for the adhesive binding of printed products to form printed items, the individual printed products are first gathered to form loose book blocks inside a gathering machine and are subsequently transferred to the conveying clamps of an adhesive binder. The transfer from the gathering machine to the adhesive binder among other things involves the function of taking over the gathered loose book blocks, which move at the speed and with the orientation of the gathering machine, and to transfer these book blocks to the adhesive binder at the speed of the adhesive binder.
According to one known machine of the above type, the book blocks are conveyed inside the gathering machine in the direction of the book block spine, meaning inside a channel with a V-shaped cross section that is inclined slightly toward the back folds. The book blocks are transferred while positioned in a vertical plane to the adhesive binder, which is also moving in a longitudinal direction, wherein the back folds of the book blocks are directed downward. In the gathering machine, the book blocks are normally conveyed form-fittingly and transferred with the aid of pushers attached to chains, which push along the book blocks. If the book blocks in the transfer region do not require any optional processing, for example vibrating, adding sections and gluing on end sheets, wire-stitching, printing, and the like, the book blocks only need to be moved from a slightly inclined position to an upright position during the conveying in the longitudinal direction of the spine. In the event that the gathering machine stops, the adhesive binder can continue the processing of the remaining book blocks inside the adhesive binder with the aid of a transfer element, which transfers the book blocks from the gathering chain of the gathering machine to a conveying chain for the intake area of the adhesive binder. The transfer element can furthermore be used to compensate for speed differences resulting from differences in the divisional spacing between the gathering machine and the adhesive binder. This solution is quite simple, but has the disadvantage that the printed products are conveyed in the direction of their greatest length. As a result, the spacing between successive book blocks of necessity increases and the conveying speed becomes relatively high. The conveying speed can thus form the maximum possible production speed. Above all, this is true for the channel region of the gathering machine in which air turbulence is generated as a result of the conveying operation, which then generates buoyancy forces in the uppermost printed products of the loose book block and can lift these off the book block. Another disadvantage manifests itself when the gathering machine is stopped because the loose book blocks shoot forward toward the next pusher as a result of their kinetic energy, thereby losing their orientation which can result in poor products or machine breakdowns.
According to a further known machine of the above type, the book blocks are gathered and conveyed inside a vertical channel, thus making it possible to omit the movement for putting the book blocks in the upright position. However, the aforementioned features and disadvantages apply in this case as well.
According to the disclosure in European Patent Application 0 675 005 B1, the loose book blocks are conveyed inside the adhesive binder while positioned transverse to the longitudinal spine direction. It is therefore conceivable to gather the printed products in the gathering machine while positioned transverse to the longitudinal direction and to subsequently transfer these to the adhesive binder moving in the transverse direction. As a result, the conveying speed can be reduced while the production speed is maintained, as compared to a conveying in the longitudinal direction of the spine. This solution has the disadvantage of a complicated design for the adhesive binder because a relative movement between the processing tools and the book blocks is necessary for some processing operations in the longitudinal spine direction.
According to another known machine, the printed sheets are gathered along a conveyor belt while positioned transverse to the longitudinal direction of the spine in an overlapping flow and are deposited one above the other. The individual book blocks are then separated out of the overlapping flow just prior to being transferred to an adhesive binder moving in the longitudinal direction. As disclosed in European Patent Application 1 528 023 A1, the book blocks can be transferred to laterally moving compartments following the separation and can be pivoted to the upright position, so that the book block spines are oriented in a downward direction. The book blocks can then be transferred with the aid of a 90° translational deflection to a conveyed flow moving in the longitudinal direction of the spine. This solution combines the advantages of a gathering machine, moving transverse to the longitudinal direction of the book block spine with the advantages of an adhesive binder moving in longitudinal direction of the spine. The disadvantage of this method, however, is that thicker book blocks, book blocks having a smaller format, and book blocks with a rigid content such as a CD-ROM, cannot be processed. The method furthermore restricts the positions that can be occupied by smaller printed products within a book block.

Method and arrangement for producing an adhesive-bound printed item composed of several printed products


Outflow of heat generated by a linear motor to the outside is suppressed. A linear motor according to the present invention is a linear motor used in a vacuum atmosphere, including a stator, a movable element movable relative to the stator, and a metal film formed on the surface of at least one of the stator and the movable element. This decreases the emissivity and reduces the outflow of heat by radiation from the linear motor.

Conventionally, the structure of a linear motor used in a vacuum atmosphere is basically identical to that of a linear motor used in an atmospheric atmosphere.
The linear motor has a stator and movable element. The stator has a plurality of coils and a jacket which covers the coils and in which a refrigerant is supplied to cool the coils. When a current flows to the coils, the movable element moves relative to the stator. When the current flows to the coils, the coils generate heat. The heat is recovered by the temperature-controlled refrigerant flowing in the jacket.
In a conventional linear motor, the surface of the magnet of the movable element is coated with an epoxy resin for rust prevention. The jacket of the stator is made of a PEEK material or ceramic material to prevent an eddy current from being generated when the stator moves relative to the magnet of the movable element.
When the linear motor is used in a vacuum atmosphere as in a case wherein the linear motor is used by an electron beam exposure apparatus, the following technical problems arise.
(1) When heat enters a structure making up the linear motor or a structure around the linear motor, in the atmospheric pressure, the heat is released to the air, whereas in the vacuum atmosphere, the heat is released by only radiation. Accordingly, in the vacuum atmosphere, the temperature rise of the structure becomes larger than that in the atmospheric atmosphere. Consequently, the structure that receives heat tends to thermally deform. For example, when this linear motor is used by a precision positioning apparatus used in the vacuum atmosphere, the deformation of the structure caused by the temperature change causes deformation of a position measuring mirror or the like, leading to degradation in positioning precision.
(2) In the conventional linear motor, the jacket of the stator is made of a resin material or ceramic material. In particular, when the jacket is made of a ceramic material, it is difficult to degrease it. If fats and fatty oils attach to the jacket during machining or assembling the linear motor, the degreasing process is difficult. In the vacuum atmosphere, the water or oil content must be avoided from attaching to the structure in view of degassing. Therefore, in the linear motor used in the vacuum atmosphere, degassing of the fats and fatty oils attaching to it becomes an issue. Also, close attention must be paid so the fats and fatty oils or the like do not attach to the linear motor during machining or assembling.
(3) Furthermore, when the refrigerant for recovering the generated heat is supplied inside the jacket, for example, if a refrigerant such as a fluorine-based inert refrigerant with high insulating properties is used, static electricity is generated by friction of the refrigerant and jacket, and the jacket tends to be electrically charged easily. In an electron beam exposure apparatus that uses a linear motor in the vacuum atmosphere, when the structure of the jacket or the like is electrically charged, the charges influence exposure. For this reason, electric charges of the structure must be reduced.

Linear motor, stage apparatus, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method


Communication systems and methods are provided allowing a single mode mobile terminal to support mobile assisted signal strength measurement operations in both a fixed frequency reuse based communication network and an adaptive channel allocation based communication network. Candidate base station signal strength measurements are requested by a fixed frequency reuse type network, measured by the mobile terminal and provided to the fixed frequency reuse type network which is seeking to identify a strongest signal for mobile assisted handover operations. In addition, interference signal strength measurements are requested by an adaptive channel allocation type network, measured by the mobile terminal and provided to the adaptive channel allocation type network by the mobile terminal. No redundant circuitry is required in the mobile terminal. Instead, the mobile terminal executes the same operations using the same hardware regardless of whether the requested measurement is of a candidate signal strength or an interference signal.

A third generation mobile telecommunications network 1 as presently proposed for the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is shown in FIG. 1. It comprises a mobile terminal 2 that can be in communication with a public and coordinated mobile telephone network such as a UMTS radio access network (UTRAN) 4. The UTRAN 4 comprises a Radio Network Controller (RNC) 5 and one or more so-called "Node B" 3 each of which includes a base transceiver station. The UTRAN 4 is connected to a core network 6 which comprises two pathways: a voice message pathway via a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 7 and Gateway MSC (GMSC) 9 providing a connection to other voice networks 10 such as a public telephone network or other mobile telephone networks (PLMN), as well as a data pathway via a Serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 11 and a Gateway GSN (GGSN) 13 to other data networks 14 such as the Internet. The core network 4 also comprises a Home Location Register (HLR) 15 for storing subscriber information and a reference to the location of mobile terminals 2 when used in combination with a Visiting Location Register (VLR) 8, each of which is associated with an MSC 7.
Third generation mobile telephone networks such as UMTS allow handovers between different systems, e.g. from UMTS to GSM and vice versa. Handover between systems can be necessary because, for instance, the GSM or UMTS network does not have the necessary geographical coverage—e.g. a mobile terminal moves out of the coverage area of one system into another, or because of congestion on one system, that is for load balancing, or to provide a different service, e.g. from UMTS to GPRS to provide specific data services.
To provide the necessary information for making the handover decision, the mobile terminal is able to make measurements of surrounding radio transmitters. Typical measurements are:                intra-frequency measurements on downlink physical channels at the same frequency or frequencies as the mobile terminal is using,        inter-frequency measurements on downlink physical channels at a frequency or frequencies that differ from the mobile terminal is using,        inter-system measurements on downlink physical channels belonging to a different radio access system,        traffic volume measurements on uplink traffic load,        quality measurements of quality parameters,        internal measurements of mobile terminal transmission power and received signal level,        measurements for implementation of Location Services, e.g. time of arrival information of various radio sources which may be used to provide a location for the mobile terminal.In addition the mobile terminal requires supplementary information such as cell information which allows the mobile terminal to monitor the various signals mentioned above. The mobile terminal sends measurement reports when certain criteria are met, e.g. periodically or event driven. The results of the measurement may be sent in a measurement report. Each measurement report is sent with a measurement identity number.
Inter-system handover from UMTS to GSM and vice-versa for FDD outdoor systems are shown schematically in FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively. With reference to FIG. 2, a mobile terminal 2 is shown in communication with a UMTS radio access network (UTRAN) 4. The UTRAN 4 requests a measurement report either via a system information block (SIB type 11 or 12) on a broadcast channel or via a measurement control message on a dedicated channel. In these messages the UTRAN 4 provides the cell parameters of neighboring cells including those in other systems. These parameters are required to be able to perform measurements on candidate cells. The mobile terminal 2 provides the measurement report to UTRAN 4 on a dedicate channel. Based on the report a network element of the UTRAN 4 such as a Radio Network Controller (RNC) decides on the handover. The RNC sends a resource reservation request through to the target base station system (BSS) 16 of the GSM system via the relevant Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 17. BSS 16 sends a resource reservation acknowledgement and a GSM handover command to the RNC of the UTRAN 4. Subsequently, the RNC sends a handover from UTRAN command with the GSM handover command piggybacked on it. The mobile terminal 2 the changes to GSM and sends a handover access message to the base station transceiver of the target BSS 16. After handover is complete the BSS 16 initiates release of the radio resources in the UTRAN network, 4.
The reverse procedure is shown schematically in FIG. 3. Due to the similarity between UMTS and GSM, this procedure is similar to the one described with reference to FIG. 2. However, as the UTRAN handover command may be bigger than can be piggybacked in GSM, a pre-configuration mechanism is use, i.e. a reference number, each for a pre-defined set of UTRAN parameters.
The above described system handovers require close co-operation between the two systems. In particular, each system is subject to change, such as changing cell sizes, cell frequency allocations, number of cells. This information is communicated from on system to another via the Operation & Maintenance System (OMS). Two systems in which system information is exchanged between the relevant OMS will be called "coordinated systems". This level of co-ordination however becomes increasingly difficult to implement as the number of alternative systems increases. The number of possible system handovers explodes rapidly, specially when multi-mode mobile terminals are used. A non-exhaustive list of systems follows which have different Radio Access Technologies (RAT's) and which might be relevant for a system change between any two: UMTS Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), UMTS Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multicarrier CDMA, GSM, GPRS/GSM, EGPRS/UTMS (GERAN), CDMA 2000, DECT, HIPERLAN/1 or /2, BLUETOOTH, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex) Local Area Networks. These radio access networks have different frequency ranges, different data rates, different modulation methods, etc. A testbed for such a multi-network has been described in "First step toward an IP-based VHE" by Morand et al., 3G Mobile Communication Technologies, 26–28 Mar. 2001, Conf Publication No. 477 IEE London. The networks considered were LAN, WLAN, UMTS and PSTN. Handover is managed by Mobile IP. Mobile IP is a protocol that provides address mobility on an IP network such as the Internet i.e. seamless transparent access to the Internet providing solution for the mobile nodes to move and attach anywhere on the Internet. However, it does not specify how a wireless message redirection or handover is to be carried out.
The present methods of dealing with change from one RAT to another require extensive knowledge to be available as to the protocols and parameters of the other candidate systems a mobile terminal might use.
The article "Blind radio access technology discovery and monitoring for software defined radio communication systems: problems and solutions", Vardoulias et al., pages 306–310, 3G Mobile Communication Technologies, 26–28 Mar. 2001, Conf. Publication No. 477, IEE London describes some details of software defined reconfigurable mobile terminals capable of detecting and monitoring alternative RAT's which are net necessarily coordinated with a public mobile telephone system. However, a network organization in which these terminals may work is not discussed.
It is an object of the present invention to provide systems, apparatus and methods to allow a change of RAT even between uncoordinated radio access networks.

System and method for message redirection between mobile telecommunication networks with different radio access technologies


Request bits estimation for a Wyner-Ziv codec is described. In one aspect, and prior to communicating Wyner-Ziv parity bits to a Wyner-Ziv decoder, an estimated total number of parity bits to send to the Wyner-Ziv decoder are determined. This estimated number of parity bits allows the Wyner-Ziv decoder to reconstruct a frame of different coded content using the Wyner-Ziv parity bits such that the reconstructed frame will meet particular quality criteria. This estimated number of parity bits is determined independent of a request-bits feedback loop between the Wyner-Ziv coder and the Wyner-Ziv decoder. The estimated number of parity bits is communicated to the Wyner-Ziv decoder for reconstruction and presentation of the frame to a user.

Wyner-Ziv's theorem on source coding with side information available only at the decoder provides for an asymmetric video codec, where individual frames are coded separately in view of the side information, but decoded conditionally. Without such decoder provided side information, a Wyner-Ziv coder is unable to estimate the number of Wyner-Ziv bits to send to the decoder. This is because the number of Wyner-Ziv bits depends on a correlation between an input frame and a corresponding side information frame, which has not been able to be estimated at the coder. As a result, and without additional information being provided to the coder, rate allocation at the coder is typically not accurate. In view of this, conventional Wyner-Ziv source coding schemes typically employ a feedback loop between the coder and decoder for the decoder to request additional refinement bits from an coder to enhance decoded video quality. FIG. 1 shows a conventional Wyner-Ziv codec that implements a conventional request bits feedback loop 102 between the decoder and the encoder. Through this feedback loop 102, the decoder sends the coder the needed number of bits. However, such a feedback loop often results in unacceptable latency of video playback during real-time video streaming operations.


A user's preference structure in respect of alternative “objects” with which the user is presented is captured in a multi-attribute utility function. The user ranks these competing objects in order of the user's relative preference for such objects. A utility function that defines the user's preference structure is provided as output on the basis of this relative ranking. This technique can be used to assist a buyer in selecting between multi-attribute quotes or bids submitted by prospective suppliers to the buyer.

Auction software often allows bidders (for example, suppliers) to specify multiple attributes associated with their bids, such as quality, terms and conditions, etc. Consequently, bidders can differentiate themselves by factors other than price.
Weighting factors enable buyers to rate the relative importance of attributes that may be associated with bids. A buyer can specify weighting factors for each attribute using a sliding scale, in which the user can choose from various options such as "do not care", "important", "more important", "very important", and "most important".
There also exists software for performing "Request for Quotes" (RFQ). Some software permits complex configuration and bill-of-material relationships. Suppliers can specify quotes having ranges of attributes, and price variations for terms and conditions. In some cases, a buyer can post a RFQ, and the software automatically (i) searches supplier's rules (predefined and stored in a database), (ii) calculates a best offer for each supplier, and (iii) ranks all offers according to criteria that are most important to a buyer.
In some existing RFQ software, buyers (that is, users) can specify the weighting factors of each attribute explicitly. However, these softwares demand a thorough knowledge/perception about the attributes from a user. On the other hand, rest of the software accept input from a user about the order (partial or full) on the items or bids and extract the weighting factors (utilities) of the attributes from the specified order.
In software that accepts an ordered list (full or partial) of items/bids from a user, the utility function of the item/bid is expressed as a parametric function of the attributes. There exist a number of investigations concerning techniques for representing the utility function of the bids/items having multiple attributes and subsequent techniques for the parametric model fitting on the ordinal data sets (that is, ordered set of items). In general, such an approach may be classified as belonging to multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT).
In multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT), parametric utility functions can be classified according to different levels of complexity. Types of parametric utility function include multilinear, multiplicative, and additive models. Solutions to the problem of evaluating attributes are proposed for additive models only, the utilities for individual attributes are considered to be independent. For additive utility functions, evaluation of the utility function, and subsequent ranking of the objects, is performed by assessing the weights of the attributes by formulating the problem as a linear programming task.
There are two primary limitations associated with the existing tools described above.
First, users' preference structures are represented by what is essentially a linear additive utility function, namely a weighted sum of utility functions for individual attributes. For example, if attributes associated with a bid are price and quality, then a relevant utility function for the buyer, U(price, quality), is defined as U(price, quality)=w1×U(price)+w2×U(quality). In this expression, U(price) and U(quality) are respectively the buyer's individual utility functions for price and quality.
Second, individual attribute utility functions are assumed a priori. In the example above, U(price) and U(quality) are assumed to be known, and the buyer effectively specifies weights w1 and w2 by indicating the relative importance of the respective attributes on a sliding scale, such as that described above.
In view of the above observations, a need clearly exists for representing a user's preferences when selecting between competing alternatives.

Determining utility functions from ordenal rankings

International Business Machines Corporation


The heat-induced current that flows from the bushing on the outside into the electrostatic shield tube is recirculated to the conductive bushing by dividing the bushings into inside and outside insulating bushings in a concentric circle and a conductive bushing sandwiched by these insulating bushings with respect to the heat-induced current that flows as a result of the heat that has been transmitted from the coil bobbin to the electrostatic shield tube, and connecting the electrostatic shield tube and conductive bushing with a separate conductive member.

When measuring microcurrent, it is necessary to primarily prevent leakage current from the pattern or the strip line on the measurement path, as well as leakage current from the relay on the measurement path. The reed relay cited in Japanese Patent (Kokai) 2001-14994 that uses a coil bobbin structure with which offset current attributed to heat-induced current and flowing to the reed relay is interrupted and that can be used for measurements on the order of femtoamperes (fA; 10−15 A) is a reed relay for microcurrent. The reed relay in FIG. 5 of JP (Kokai) 2001-14994 is shown in FIG. 6 of the present Specification. The structure of this reed relay will be described. A reed switch 501 is held inside electrostatic shield tube 503 by bushings 502a and 502b, which are made from a strong insulating material, and this electrostatic shield tube 503 is placed in the hollow cylinder part of coil bobbin 504. The area of contact between coil bobbin 504 and electrostatic shield tube 503 is such that space 509 is formed between the inside wall of coil bobbin 504 and the outside wall of electrostatic shield tube 503 by making projections 508a and 508b at the open ends of the hollow part of coil bobbin 504. Thus, joule heat that has been generated by coil 505 that is coiled around coil bobbin 504, virtually is not transmitted to electrostatic shield tube 503. As a result, it is possible to reduce the offset current that flows between relay terminals 517a and 517b and the respective bushings 502a and 502b, while, in the conventional type of the reed relays, the heat induced current is passed between bushings 502a and 502b and electrostatic shield tube 503 by transmitting joule heat to bushing 502a and 502b.
Nevertheless, developments in measurement technology have led to a need for a reed relay with which the measurement of even smaller currents is possible.
Japanese Patent No. (Kokai) 8[1996]-279314 relating to dielectric absorption of bushings and Japanese Patent (Kokai) 2[1990]-68829 relating to leakage current and thermo-electromotive force are other technologies for reed relays for microcurrent.
The present invention provides a reed relay with which offset current in microcurrent measurement is further reduced. The present invention also provides a reed relay which reduces the offset current flowing between the reed switch and bushing that is attributed to heat-induced current blowing between the bushing and the electrostatic shield tube. Still the present invention provides a structure with which charge transfer from heat-induced current from the bushing to the electrostatic shield tube in a reed relay is canceled.

Reed relay having conductive bushing and offset current canceling method therewith


Method of regulating an internal combustion engine in order to reach presettable nitrogen oxide emission values of the internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine is supplied at least some of the time with a first fuel and at least some of the time with a second fuel, the quantity of the first fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine per unit of time being controlled according to a preset control actual value or kept constant and the quantity of the second fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine per unit of time to reach a presettable nitrogen oxide emission value being regulated according to at least one recorded engine parameter.

The present invention relates to a method of regulating an internal combustion engine, in particular with a lean operating mode, in order to reach presettable nitrogen oxide emission values of the internal combustion engine. The invention also relates to a corresponding regulator and internal combustion engine.
It is already known from EP 0 259 382 B1 to operate an internal combustion engine for driving an electric generator with constant nitrogen oxide emission values, by regulating the mixture pressure before the inlet valves of the cylinders according to the electric output delivered by the generator. The target value of the mixture pressure in the intake before the inlet valves is taken from a characteristics field which shows the dependency of the mixture pressure on the delivered electric output with constant emission values. The measured actual value of the pressure before the inlet valves is then regulated, via an adjustment of the fuel-to-air ratio in a gas mixer, to its target value determined via the characteristics field. The characteristics field used for this is produced by gauging at least two operating points with identical NOx emission values. It is possible, through this previously known method, that an internal combustion engine can very precisely observe the desired emission values in a wide output range. The system known from the named European patent has the advantage that there is practically no wear and ageing of sensitive sensors.
A further improved system according to the preamble is presented in the European patent application EP 1 225 330 A2, in which the regulation scheme known from EP 0 259 382 B1 has been supplemented by an ignition point adjustment in order to provide, in every operating condition, a regulation reserve for rapid reaction to load changes. This regulation also serves to always run the internal combustion engine with an optimum degree of efficiency.
Each of the previous regulation methods is designed only for operation with one fuel type. However, there are also internal combustion engines—principally stationary—which are operated with two different fuel types. No regulation method with which the reaching of presettable nitrogen oxide emission values is assured is known to date for such engines.


An indexing value may be determined, transparently with respect to a requester, based on a desired plaintext item of data and a cryptographic key. The indexing value may be used to access an entry in an indexing structure to obtain a corresponding database entry which includes a non-deterministically encrypted ciphertext item. In another embodiment, an indexing structure for a database may be accessed. Positions of items of the indexing structure may be based on corresponding plaintext items. References related to the corresponding plaintext items in the indexing structure may be encrypted and other information in the indexing structure may be unencrypted. A portion of the indexing structure may be loaded into a memory and at least one of the encrypted references related to one of the plaintext items may be decrypted. The decrypted reference may be used to access a corresponding non-deterministically encrypted data item from the database.

Companies use database systems to store and search data used in various aspects of their businesses. The data may include as many as several million records, at least some of which the companies wish to keep private, such as, for example, customer information. Such information may be of value to others who may have a malicious intent. If a company's adversary was able to obtain such private information, the adversary could create problems for the company, its customers, or both.
One common method used to protect valuable information in a database and to comply with privacy regulations or policies is encryption. However, use of encrypted data in a database raises other issues, such as, for example, how to permit authorized access to the data by existing applications and how to find particular items of the data without decrypting all of the data and performing a linear search.
Existing database systems solved the above-mentioned problems by using what can be called deterministic encryption. In such database systems, an item of plaintext will always be encrypted to the same ciphertext when using the same encryption key. Examples of deterministic encryption include use of block ciphers in electronic codebook (ECB) mode or use of a constant initialization vector (IV). Because deterministic encryption always encrypts the same plaintext to the same ciphertext when using a given cryptographic key, data patterns may be recognizable, resulting in information leakage. This is especially a problem when data to be encrypted is too large to fit into a single block, which may be 8 or 16 bytes in length, depending on which block cipher algorithm is used.


Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-based data compression employing implicit variable-length distance coding is disclosed. Distances in LZ-based data compression length and distance blocks are implicit variable-length encoded during data compression to avoid padding encoded distances with extra bits (e.g., trailing 0's) that require fewer bits for storage than the number of bits needed to store maximum distance length. This reduces distance bit lengths in compressed output data to further reduce data size. During data compression, a distance table is generated that contains entries each having an assigned base and a number of extra bits to be read in compressed data during data decompression. In this manner, during data decompression, the entries in the distance table can be consulted to determine the number of bits in the variable-encoded distance in the compressed data to be read since the encoded distances can be encoded in the compressed data in fewer bits and without bit padding.

I. Field of the Disclosure
The technology of the disclosure relates generally to data compression techniques, and more particularly to Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-based data compression techniques.
II. Background
Data compression is used in processor-based systems to reduce data size. Reducing data size can reduce memory needed to store a given amount of data. Reducing memory size can thus also lower the area needed for memory circuits in an integrated circuit and lower costs of the integrated circuit as a result. Reducing memory size can also reduce static energy by reducing on-chip retention power needed to retain data in memory. Data compression can also reduce the amount of data transfer bandwidth needed for reading data from and writing data to memory, thus increasing performance and reducing dynamic energy expended in transferring data.
One technique used to compress data is Lempel-Ziv (LV)-based compression. LZ-based compression is a lossless data compression technique. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an input data block 10 before compression, and after being compressed into an output data block 12 using an LZ-based compression technique. As shown in FIG. 1, the LZ-based compression captures a repeated data pattern 14R (e.g., AABC) of data 14 in the input data block 10 to be compressed. The captured repeated data pattern 14R in the input data block 10 is reduced to a reduced size length and distance block 16 (e.g., [4, 12]) from the current point that the repeated data pattern 14R appeared elsewhere in the input data block 10. In this manner, when the output data block 12 is decompressed, the length and distance block 16 can be replaced with the true pattern (e.g., AABC) at the distance and length in the output data block 12 to recreate the uncompressed input data block 10.
Huffman coding can be applied on top of LZ-based compression to achieve improved compression ratio. In Huffman coding, the length and distance blocks in an LZ-based compression output data block can be reduced in size by replacing the length and distance blocks with a specific prefix code that is not otherwise used in the original data to reduce the encoding of distances. Data patterns that are more frequently repeated are assigned the smallest prefix codes, with less repeated data patterns being assigned larger prefix codes, and so on, to reduce the size of the prefix codes coded in the output data. For example, a Huffman prefix code may be a value from '1' that can be stored in 1-bit to a very large number (e.g., 4096) that requires multiple bits to be stored. In Huffman coding, a Huffman tree is generated from the exact frequencies of distance for length and distance blocks in the compressed data to store the correlated assigned prefix codes used in encoding the distances. The Huffman tree may be large in size if the number of unique distances present in the LZ-based length and distance blocks is large. Thus, when decompressing data that was compressed and Huffman-coded, the Huffman tree is consulted to decode the prefix codes encoded in the length and distance blocks back to distances to provide the original LZ-based length and distance blocks. The LZ-based length and distance blocks are then decoded during decompression to recreate the original compressed data in the output data.
While Huffman coding can result in further reduction in data size of LZ-based compressed data, Huffman coding can be costly in terms of power consumption and latency. Additional latency is involved in assigning and storing prefix codes for length and distance blocks during data compression in the Huffman tree, and retrieving length and distance blocks from prefix codes from the Huffman tree during data decompression.