In a method for checking tires of vehicles during driving, signals which provide information about an adhesion between the tire and the roadway in the vertical direction with respect to the roadway are detected by sensors provided at the tire. The signals are evaluated in an evaluation unit with respect to their amplitude, such that the amplitude characteristic for the detected signals can indicate a disturbance occurring at the tire. An occurrence of a disturbance is indicated on a display unit and is stored for diagnostic purposes.

The present invention relates to a method for checking vehicle tires during driving.
It is of utmost importance for driving safety that the tires of a motor vehicle be in good condition. Generally the tires are examined by appearance for their further future operational fitness during their seasonal change from summer to winter tires, and then are possibly exchanged for new tires. However, the tires are not always balanced when being changed. The result is that an imbalance appearing at the tire can impair driving safety. It can also occur that the operational fitness of a tire on a vehicle is impaired because of a braking which is too strong or from standing too long in one position; this impairment can possibly be rectified by balancing the tires.
From Stxc3x6cker, Jxc3x6rg, i.a.: Der xe2x80x9cIntelligente Reifenxe2x80x9dxe2x80x94Zwischenergebnisse einer interdisziplinxc3xa4ren Forschungskooperation [The xe2x80x9cIntelligent Tirexe2x80x9dxe2x80x94Intermediate Results of an Inter-disciplinary Research Cooperation] in ATZ Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift 97, 1995, 12, P. 824-832, it is known to equip a tire with an integrated force sensor by which it is possible to detect forces acting upon the tire in three directions, namely, the longitudinal or X direction, the transverse or Y direction and the vertical or Z direction. The signals derived from these detected forces can be supplied to an evaluation unit in which a desired evaluation of the signals is carried out.
The German Published Patent Application No. 196 20 581 describes a further device for ascertaining the rotational behavior of a vehicle wheel.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for checking vehicle tires during driving, by which a disturbance occurring at the tire can be detected.
The design approach of the present invention utilizes a signal detected by a tire sensor for determining a disturbance occurring at the tire, the amplitude characteristic of the signal being analyzed during one wheel revolution. The amplitude characteristic for the detected signal is advantageously analyzed repeatedly for a number of periods, one period corresponding to one wheel revolution. Furthermore, the analyzed amplitude characteristic can be compared to the amplitude characteristic of a signal produced by a sensor at another tire in order to give plausibility to the test results. The appearance of a disturbance at the tire, e.g. a tire imbalance, can be indicated by a display unit. The display unit can also then indicate advice and recommendations for the driver. In addition, upon detection of a disturbance at the tire, a signal can be supplied to the engine management in order to influence it.
The method of the present invention makes it possible in particular to detect a disturbance or a defect at a tire of a vehicle, for example, a tire imbalance, while driving. A vehicle driver can thereby reliably determine himself whether tires on his vehicle must be changed or balanced, since it can be indicated to him by a display unit.

Method for verifying tires of vehicles in the driving state


A method including determining that a device is connected to a first communication network; establishing, via the first communication network, a multimedia session with the device serving as a first endpoint of the multimedia session via the first communication network; determining that the device is connected to a second communication network while the multimedia session is ongoing, wherein the second communication network is different than the first communication network; requesting via the second communication network, in response to determining that the device is connected to the second communication network while the multimedia session is ongoing, that the first endpoint of the multimedia session be replaced with the device serving as a second endpoint of the multimedia session via the second communication network; and continuing, after the request that the first endpoint of the multimedia session be replaced, the multimedia session via the second communication network.

With the increased use of 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) LTE (Long-Term Evolution) based cellular data technologies, IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) has experienced a significant rollout. In addition to making use of IEEE standardized protocols such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), IMS was also designed to be access-agnostic. As a result, communication service providers have made IMS-based services available to other, non-cellular enabled, devices via the Internet, often using Internet-connected WiFi routers as access networks. While this makes available many interesting communication options on a wider range of devices, use of short range access networks can result in issues in maintaining multimedia sessions as a user moves from one access network to another.


A wireless terminal for receiving a health report from a wireless communication network comprising a group of network nodes communicating within the wireless communication network using a first communication technology employing a first frequency band includes: a first wireless interface for communicating according to a second communication technology employing a second frequency band; and a terminal control unit for receiving, via the first wireless interface, at least one health report with health data from at least a first node in the group of network nodes triggered by a health report sending condition being fulfilled in the wireless communication network.

Building/home automation devices are intended to enable energy efficient climate control, provide comfort and security to the residents of a house. Wireless alternatives such as Zigbee, Internet Engineering Task Force Internet of things (IETF IoT) stack is an attractive option for implementing communication in a home or residential automation system considering the ease of deployment and retrofitting to older buildings.
However connectivity of wireless links based on a wireless communication network using a communication technology such as IPv6 over Low power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6L0WPAN), Zigbee etc. can degrade due to interference, obstruction etc.
In order to improve user experience as well as to implement a more effective automation system, it is imperative that faults in the network are easily identified and connectivity is quickly restored. However many industrial networks such as 6L0WPAN and Zigbee based networks do not provide a solution for monitoring of wireless links which will enable quick detection of broken links. Furthermore, it is possible that a user of the automation system does not have the ability to communicate with the wireless communication network using the communication technology employed by the automation system.
There is therefore a need for addressing some or all of the above-mentioned problems.

Health report sending from a wireless communication network


Process for manufacturing of an integrated structure including at least one circuitry transistor and at least one non-volatile EEPROM memory cell with relative selection transistor, including at least a first stage of growth and definition of a gate oxide layer on a silicon substrate, a second stage of definition of a tunnel oxide region in said gate oxide layer, a third stage of deposition and definition of a first polysilicon layer on said gate oxide layer and on said tunnel oxide region, a fourth stage of growth and definition of an intermediate dielectric layer on said first polysilicon layer, a fifth stage of selective etching and removal of said dielectric intermediate layer in a region for said circuitry transistor, a sixth stage of ionic implantation of a dopant with a first type of conductivity in order to introduce said dopant into a channel region for said circuitry transistor in order to adjust its threshold voltage, a seventh stage of deposition and definition of a second polysilicon layer on said integrated structure, an eighth stage of selective etching and removal of said second polysilicon layer in a region for said memory cell, and of said first and second polysilicon layers in said region for said circuitry transistor in order to form said circuitry transistor, and a ninth stage of selective etching and removal of said intermediate dielectric layer and of said first polysilicon layer in said region for said memory cell, wherein during said fifth stage said intermediate dielectric layer is etched and removed also in a region that is destined to form a channel of said selection transistor, and said sixth stage of ionic implantation therefore allows to introduce said dopant into said channel region and therefore to increase the threshold voltage of said selection transistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an EEPROM memory cell comprising a selection transistor with threshold voltage adjusted by proper ionic implantation, and related manufacturing process.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A non-volatile EEPROM memory cell includes a polysilicon floating gate that is superimposed on a layer of gate oxide, superimposed in turn on a properly doped silicon substrate, and a control gate also of polysilicon, superimposed on the floating gate and electrically insulated from the latter by means of an intermediate dielectric layer (usually ONO, with a possible thin layer of overlaid polysilicon).
The logic state of the cell is determined by the quantity of charge contained in the floating gate of the transistor. Traditional non-volatile memories are programmed in two logic states, a writing one and a reading one, in order to store one bit per cell. With EEPROM memories, the quantity of charge is altered by the flow of charges by tunnel effect through a thin layer of silicon oxide (tunnel oxide) that is interposed between the semiconductor substrate and the floating gate of the transistor, in an active region.
In FLOTOX EEPROM type memories, the floating gate extends laterally even beyond the tunnel oxide region.
A selection transistor, arranged in series, that can be made in various forms, for example, can be made of two superimposed layers of polysilicon, laid over the gate oxide with or without an interposed intermediate dielectric layer, or having a single polysilicon gate, is associated with the memory cell. In case an intermediate oxide layer is present between the two polysilicon layers, the selection transistor is structurally similar to the memory cell, and in any case it must provide for some short-circuit between the two polysilicon layers in opportune zones of the device. Generally there are also present other transistors that are part of the external circuitry.
EEPROM type non-volatile memory cells, usually made up of memory cells that are arranged by rows and columns in a matrix structure, allow electrically modifying the information contained in a cell of the matrix in the programming stage, both during the writing stage and during the erasing stage.
In addition, the information contained in each single cell can be modified in an independent way from the other cells. This feature is achieved by means of a selection transistor that is put in series with the transistor in which the information is stored. The selection transistor enables a determined cell that must be programmed or read.
The aforementioned memory cells can be made with an optimization of the available area, thanks to the application of manufacturing techniques that allow the self-alignment of the control gates and of the floating gates. Examples of such manufacturing processes are given by U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,088 and by EP-0,255,159, that solve even the possible problems connected with the undesirable holes in the silicon substrate as a consequence of etching stages for the definition of the transistor gates.
In the advanced processes in which the dimensions of the entire memory structure are considerably reduced, the threshold voltage of the selection transistor, which depends on the length of the transistor itself, becomes quite low. All this can create problems since it can be difficult that the selection transistor is off when one wishes that the relative cell is not selected. In the case of EEPROM memories, for example, there can be problems during the programming stage of a memory cell, when it is necessary that the cells belonging to a same column, but that must not be programmed, are not selected and therefore that the relative selection transistors are securely off, otherwise quite high currents can flow with consequent leakage problems.
The problem can be solved with a circuitry solution, but it is quite complicated as the same circuitry becomes much more complex.
The most effective solution seems to be the introduction of an implantation stage of the selection transistor, in order to increase the threshold voltage and to avoid the aforementioned problems. Such implantation, in the current manufacturing techniques for EEPROM memory devices, involves the introduction of an additional dedicated operation in the manufacturing process.
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, there are shown four stages of a CMOS process with DPCC flow (Double Polysilicon in Short Circuit) for the manufacturing of an EEPROM type memory cell, including also the selection transistor, and of a transistor of the external circuitry, according to the known art. After the growth of a gate oxide layer 2 on a silicon substrate 1 and the definition of a tunnel area 3 in correspondence of the future floating gate, a lower polysilicon layer 4, an intermediate dielectric layer 5 (for example ONO) and a thin polysilicon layer 6 are deposited. At this point selective etching and removal of the thin polysilicon layer 6 and of the intermediate dielectric layer 5 below is carried out by means of a mask 15, that leaves the portion destined to the matrix cell covered, so as to eliminate the above mentioned layers in the regions of the memory device in which it is intended to provide transistors of the external circuitry (FIG. 1).
The next stage provides for an implantation of the circuitry transistors by means of a mask 16 in order to define their threshold voltage (Low Voltage Shift implantation). In the matrix there is no need for any mask since there is present the intermediate dielectric layer 5 which prevents the flow of the dopant (for example boron) (FIG. 2).
Subsequently an upper polysilicon layer 7 and a silicide layer 8 are deposited on the entire device, and then a selective etching by means of a mask 17 and a consequent removal are carried out. An etching of this kind affects the silicide layer 8, the upper polysilicon layer 7 and the thin polysilicon layer 6 in the matrix, while in the external circuitry it affects the silicide layer 8 and the two polysilicon layers 7 and 4, as there is no intermediate dielectric layer 5 as in matrix (FIG. 3).
At this point a self-aligned etching of the intermediate dielectric layer 5 and of the lower polysilicon layer 4 in the matrix is carried out by means of a double-resist mask 18, so as to define the memory cell, including the selection transistor.
In FIG. 5 there is shown a memory cell that is obtained through the aforementioned process stages, in which the floating gate transistor 20 and the selection transistor 21, making up the cell itself, can be observed, and in addition an external circuitry transistor 22 is present. The two polysilicon layers of the selection transistor are short-circuited in opportune regions of the device.
In a thus structured process flow, a possible implantation of the selection transistor in order to obtain an increase of the threshold voltage involves the introduction of an additional step with a proper dedicated mask.
An object of the present invention is to provide an EEPROM memory cell comprising a selection transistor that is implanted so as to obtain an increase of the threshold voltage.

EEPROM memory cell comprising a selection transistor with threshold voltage adjusted by implantation, and related manufacturing process


A parting or grooving tool includes a narrow support blade and a cutting insert removably securable in a recess formed by upper and lower jaws at the front portion of the blade. The inert is clamped into place by an actuator which engages in a slot that extends at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the recess such that the lower jaw is subjected to an elastic bending of such nature that a downwardly directed clamping force is exerted towards the upper surface of the cutting insert.

The present invention relates to a cutting tool for chip cutting machining of metallic workpieces, preferably for parting and grooving operations.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,021 discloses a cutting tool of the aforesaid type comprising a support blade the front portion of which is provided with a recess for receiving a cutting insert. The recess forms upper and lower jaws having a bottom support surface and an integral upper clamp surface which can be actuated so as to be brought into clamping contact with the cutting insert. The insert is clamped by means of the spring-load that arises from bending the upper jaw upwards in cantilever fashion upon insertion of the insert into the recess. In order to release the insert from the recess, a special tool is inserted into the recess at a location behind the insert and urge the clamp outwardly.
Such a clamping, however, has been found to be unstable under certain conditions, e.g., under the influence of large cutting forces and heavy vibrations.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool in which the insert can be clamped into its mating recess in a support blade by actuation of a clamping device of such nature that the insert can, with greater certainty, maintain its position in a clamped position even under the influence of large cutting forces and heavy vibrations in such tool.
It is another object to provide a toolholder which facilitates the clamping of inserts in various holders with mainly the same clamping force.
It is another object to improve the clamping ability towards the insert while minimizing the risk of tool failure.


A multilayer body is formed of a plurality of insulator layers that are stacked on top of one another. A coil is a helical coil provided in the multilayer body and includes a plurality of coil conductor layers that are superposed with one another so as to form a ring-shaped path when seen in plan view from a stacking direction and a plurality of via hole conductors that connect the plurality of coil conductor layers together. The path includes corners that project outward and corners that project inward. Each of the via hole conductors are provided at one of the corners, which project outward.

As an example of a known electronic component, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-165975 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1") describes a multilayer inductor. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a multilayer body 500 of the multilayer inductor described in Patent Document 1.
The multilayer body 500 of the multilayer inductor described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of insulator layers 502 having a rectangular shape that are stacked on top of one another. Outer electrode patterns 506 having an L-shape are provided at corners of the insulator layers 502. The plurality of outer electrode patterns 506 are superposed with one another so as to form outer electrodes. Coil conductor patterns 504 having a partially cut-away ring shape are formed on the respective insulator layers 502. The coil conductor patterns 504 are shaped so as to follow the shapes of the outer electrode patterns 506 in such a manner as to avoid making contact with the outer electrode patterns 506. The plurality of coil conductor patterns 504 are connected together through via hole conductors 505 so as to form a coil.


An apparatus and method for detecting the closure of one of several switches using a single input line of a detector is disclosed. The input line is also used to carry an audio-frequency signal when a recording switch is closed. The switches are connected to a network of resistors that cooperate with a pull-up resistor to form a voltage divider. The pull-up resistor is connected to the input line. The switches are closed to selectively switch resistors in the network out of the voltage divider to change the voltage on the input line. A detector reads the voltage on the input line and compares it with a set of predetermined values to determine which switch is closed. If a recording switch is closed, a microphone connected to the network of resistors converts sound to an audio-frequency signal onto the input line.

In the prior art, usually more than one input line of a microprocessor or microcontroller is required for the detection of closure of one of two or more switches. Generally, a keypad having n2 buttons or switches arranged in an n×n matrix will require 2N number of input/output lines for decoding switch closures on the keypad. For example a two-by-two keypad requires four input and output (I/O) lines for determining a key press and a three-by-three keypad requires six I/O lines. Such a matrix configuration works if the required number of I/O lines is available. However it is not always possible to provide the required number of I/O lines due to either space or cost constraints.
Examples of devices where cost and size are important design considerations are portable music playback devices such as CD players and more recently palm-sized personal computer (P/PC). As these devices are meant to be carried around, it is highly desirable to reduce the size of these devices. Reducing the number of I/O lines required is one way of achieving a smaller device.
Another factor which dictates that less I/O lines be used in such devices is the types of standard jacks available for connecting a pair of earphones to the device. Standard jacks are either of the three or four-pole types. A three-pole jack has three sections or poles, two of these poles are used for the left and right sound channels and the last pole for a ground (GND) connection. Such a three-pole jack suffices for connecting a pair of stereo earphones to the device. To support anything more than the pair of stereo earphones, more connections than what a three-pole jack can support are required.
For example, 4-pole jacks have become a standard part when remote controls are introduced. When used to play music, these devices are usually carried on the waist or in a bag rendering the control buttons on the device difficult to access. To increase usability, manufacturers of these devices have introduced a remote control which is attached to the wires connecting the earphones to the device. This remote control is small in size and has a few control buttons—play, stop, forward and reverse. When a user puts on the earphones, the remote control is conveniently located at chest level and therefore allows the user easy access.
With a recording device such as a P/PC, it will also be convenient to locate a microphone on the remote control. With the microphone added onto the remote control, more connections are required to the device. These connections would require jacks to have more than four poles, preferably five poles. However, five-poles jacks are currently non-standard and would have to be specially manufactured. Cost involved in tooling such a non-standard jack is prohibitive. One possible solution is to use two separate standard jacks to support the combination of the remote control, the earphones and the microphone. However, such a solution would impede the usability of the device and would require more space on the device than would a single jack.
From the foregoing, the prior art therefore has a need for an innovative method and apparatus for detecting the closure of one of a plurality of switches using one input pin. The method also uses the same input pin to receive an audio frequency signal after detecting that a particular recording switch is closed. With this apparatus, a standard four-pole jack will be sufficient for connecting a remote control, a pair of earphones and a microphone to an audio recording and playback device. It is advantageous to use such a four-pole jack as the device would then be able to operate with a pair of earphones that is attached to a standard three-pole jack.

Method and apparatus for detecting switch closures

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method for treating myocardium using at least one mechanical or electromagnetic energy functional device for forming a network of branched, interconnecting passages in a boundary between endocardium and myocardium, thereby enhancing blood flow into the treated zone, and a device for selectively treating ischemic myocardium tissue comprising a tube having proximal end and distal end, and at least one hollow lumen and defining an axis, at least two mechanical or electromagnetic energy functional devices disposed within the tube, the at least two mechanical or electromagnetic energy functional devices each having a distal end disposed adjacent the distal end of the central tube, and a deflecting member adjacent the distal portion of the central tube for deflecting the distal end of each of the at least two mechanical or electromagnetic energy functional devices away from the axis, for enabling treatment of selective areas of ischemic or hibernating myocardium tissue.

The present invention relates generally to interventional devices for medical procedures. More particularly, the invention relates to selective treatment of ischemic or infarcted myocardium, with mechanical and electromagnetic energy functional devices, for simulating extension of the boundary between myocardial and endocardial layers within the heart. The invention is particularly adapted for simulating extension of the endocardial layer into the myocardium and for treating hibernating tissue zones.
Transmyocardial Revascularization
In the treatment of heart disease, one method of improving myocardial blood supply is called transmyocardial revascularization (TMR), the creation of channels in the myocardium of the heart. The procedure using needles in a form of surgical xe2x80x9cmyocardial acupuncturexe2x80x9d has been used clinically since the 1960s. Deckelbaum. L. I., Cardiovascular Applications of Laser Technology, Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 15:315-341 (1994). The technique relieves ischemia by causing angiogenesis and allowing blood to pass from the ventricle through the channels either directly into other vessels communicating with the channels or into myocardial sinusoids which connect to the myocardial microcirculation.
In the reptilian heart, perfusion of the myocardium occurs via communicating channels between the left ventricle and the coronary arteries. Frazier, O. H., Myocardial Revascularization with Laserxe2x80x94Preliminary Findings, Circulation, 1995; 92 [suppl II]:II-58-II-65. There is evidence of these communicating channels in the developing human embryo. In the human heart, myocardial microanatomy involves the presence of myocardial sinusoids. These sinusoidal communications vary in size and structure, but represent a network of direct arterial-luminal, arterial-arterial, arterial-venous, and venous-luminal connections. This vascular mesh forms an important source of myocardial blood supply in reptiles but its role in humans is poorly understood.
This is confirmed by recent research and a recent article. A greater proportion of reptilian endocardium and myocardium is supplied with oxygenated blood from the left ventricle itself, as opposed to the coronary arteries. Reptilian endocardium is relatively thickerand more-sponge-like than human myocardium, deriving from the extensive network of sinusoids and large channels emanating from the left ventricle and richly innervating the myocardium, thereby providing an increased effective surface area for blood flow, also known as xe2x80x9cwashingxe2x80x9d, and transfer of oxygen and nutrients to the myocardium. In the research protocol, after explanation and instrumentation, alligator hearts were perfused via the coronary arteries as well as via xe2x80x9cwashingxe2x80x9d from the left ventricle. Using microspheres to estimate myocardial perfusion in the beating hearts, it was shown that although the epicardium was well perfused by the coronary arteries, a significant proportion of endocardial perfusion was from the ventricular chamber rather than the coronary arteries. Kohmoto, T. et al, Assessment of Transmyocardial Perfusion in Alligator Hearts, Circulation, Vol. 95, No. 6, Mar. 18, 1997.
Apparatus and methods for extending the thickness of endocardial tissue, and increasing oxygen and nutrient transport by washing of blood through the left ventricle, are virtually unknown. Conventionally, a process called transmyocardial revascularization is directed to forming a discrete number of spaced-apart channels, surgically from an epicardial surface through epicardium (TMR) or percutaneously through the left ventricle directly into myocardial tissue (PTMR). However, conventional TMR/PTMR does not create a dense pattern of stimulus injuries placed to simulate extension of the porous endocardium. TMR also does not focus treatment on the endocardial/myocardial boundary regions where ventricular washing flow via endocardium can enhance angiogenesis. Furthermore, treating hidden zones of hibernating, infarct-damaged or other types of tissue with a denser pattern of stimulation pathways is desirable and may be accomplished using the apparatus and methods for selective treatment of the endocardial/myocardial boundary.
Thus, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of use for selective myocardial revascularization, which overcomes the limitations of the prior art.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method especially adapted for selective treatment of hibernating tissue, infarct-damaged or other types of tissue best treated selectively.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus with one or more fiber optic laser delivery means for effecting selective treatment of the endocardial/myocardial boundary.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a catheter apparatus for placement within a heart chamber, organ aperture or other body opening, the apparatus having at least one lumen for guiding an energy delivery device or mechanical device to selected surfaces of the heart, heart chamber, organ aperture or other body opening for treatment thereon, particularly adapted for selective treatment of the endocardial/myocardial boundary.
Yet an additional advantage and object of the present invention is to provide a multiple channel type surgical or minimally invasive surgical apparatus for percutaneous, surgical or minimally invasive surgical use for creation of a plurality of stimulation zones or myocardial channels co-extending from a single epicardial, myocardial or endocardial point or position.
Another advantage and object of the present invention is to provide a surgical apparatus for performing selective treatment from an epicardial surface.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide an optimized amount of trauma or means of injury specific to or within a boundary, such as between endocardium and myocardium, or between infarct and non-infarct boundaries, naturally provided with ventricular blood via the highly vascularized endocardium.
Another advantage of the present invention is to treat boundary regions by minimizing or otherwise preventing undesirable and unnecessary lasing or other mechanical damage to existing endocardium, or epicardium, to gain access to the boundary region by piercing through the endocardium or epicardium to a depth which allows creation of the injury only at the selected boundary region.
In summary, the present invention is an apparatus for placement within a heart chamber, organ aperture, chest cavity or other body opening. The apparatus has at least one lumen for guiding an energy delivery device or mechanical device to selected surfaces of a heart or heart chamber for treatment thereon. The distal tip of the device has one or more functional devices extending therefrom, optionally having a deflection control mechanism therein. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with a fiber optic or other laser delivery means, mechanical intervention means, radio frequency device, microwave device, ultrasound device or fluid jets.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a transluminal catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one lumen with a handle portion at the proximal end and a treatment device deflecting mechanism, such as a ball or cone, at the distal end. One or more, preferably several, treatment devices can be advanced out the distal end of the lumen, and deflected by the ball or cone at an angle to provide a relatively dense multiple pattern of treatment points from adjacent a single site. By forming a large number of mechanical or energy incisions through the endocardium and in myocardium, i.e. in the endocardial/myocardial boundary, the treated myocardial area will have endocardium-like properties, including providing a greater surface area and higher efficiency of oxygen and nutrient transfer via blood washing of the untreated myocardium through the intact and densely profused endocardium which receives a large amount of oxygenated blood via the ventricle.
In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a surgical and minimally invasive surgical handpiece with advancement mechanism to allow insertion of an energy or mechanical device through the epicardial surface to a desired depth where deployment of multiple treatment devices can occur to create a relatively dense pattern of injury in several millimeters of myocardium adjacent a border with endocardium and into the endocardium.
A novel method of locating and treating zones of myocardial tissue, such as adjacent a boundary, which have been damaged by infarct or otherwise is also disclosed using described apparatus. Such hidden or hibernating zones are treatable by extending individual optical fibers or fiber bundles therein, so as to effectively create a dense pattern of injury from the ventricle through healthy endocardial tissue, or from the epicardium, into the hibernating zones. The method treats boundary regions by minimizing or otherwise preventing undesirable and unnecessary lasing or other mechanical damage to existing endocardium to gain access to the boundary region. Piercing tools are described to facilitate advancement to the selected boundary prior to creation of the injury.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.

Selective treatment of endocardial/myocardial boundary


A fuse device and method for fabricating the fuse device is disclosed. An exemplary fuse device includes a first contact and a second contact coupled with a metal-semiconductor alloy layer, wherein the metal-semiconductor alloy layer extends continuously between the first contact and the second contact. The metal-semiconductor alloy layer is disposed over an epitaxial layer that is disposed over a fin structure of a substrate.

Fuses are widely implemented in integrated circuit devices, particularly in integrated circuit memory devices, to provide discretionary electrical connections. For example, in dynamic or static memory chips, defective memory cells or circuitry may be replaced by selectively blowing (destroying) fuses associated with the defective circuitry while activating redundant circuitry. Fuses are also used for programming functions and codes in logic chips, as well as programming redundant rows of memory chips. To provide such discretionary electrical connections, fuses include a fuse element that is broken (blown) by using electrical current flowing through the fuse element, or an external heat source, such as a laser beam. An exemplary fuse element is a polysilicon fuse element, which provides desirable programming current (current that needs to flow through the fuse element to break the fuse element). However, as device technology nodes decrease and high-k/metal gate technology is implemented (where a gate dielectric and polysilicon gate electrode are replaced with a high-k dielectric and metal gate electrode, respectively), polysilicon fuse elements have been replaced by metal fuse elements, such as copper fuse elements, because polysilicon fuse element processing is not compatible with high-k/metal gate processing. Though copper fuse element processing is compatible with high-k/metal gate processing, copper fuse elements require a higher programming current than desirable, typically several times larger than polysilicon fuse elements. Further, copper fuse element characteristics can be modified during subsequent process development. Accordingly, although existing fuses and methods for fabricating fuses have been generally adequate for their intended purposes they have not been entirely satisfactory in all respects.

Fin-like field effect transistor (FinFET) based, metal-semiconductor alloy fuse device and method of manufacturing same

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.


A sense amplifier circuit includes a pair of data lines, a pair of inverters, and a data line charging circuit. Each of the inverters is connected to a respective one of the data lines. The data line charging circuit includes a transistor. The transistor has a source/drain terminal connected to one of the data lines and a gate terminal connected to the other of the data lines.

Static random access memory (SRAM) is commonly used in electronic devices. SRAM cells have the advantageous feature of holding data without a need for refreshing. SRAM cells may include different numbers of transistors, and are often accordingly referred to by the number of transistors, for example, six-transistor (6T) SRAM, eight-transistor (8T) SRAM, and the like. The transistors typically form a data latch for storing a data bit. Additional transistors may be added to control the access to the transistors. SRAM cells are typically arranged as an array having rows and columns. Typically, each row of the SRAM cells is connected to a word-line, which determines whether the current SRAM cell is selected or not. Each column of the SRAM cells is connected to a data line (or a pair of data lines), which is used for storing a data bit into a selected SRAM cell or reading a stored data bit from the selected SRAM cell. Sense amplifier circuits are connected to data lines and are used for sensing the value of a stored data bit read from a selected SRAM cell.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limied


A constructional toy comprising a plurality of elements which can be assembled together to form a variety of three dimensional structures. The elements include a triangular prism shaped brick element comprising a plurality of walls. The walls define a male mating side having a male engagement feature which extends from the brick. The walls also define a female mating side which defines a cavity configured for receiving an engagement feature of the same configuration as provided on the male mating side.

There are many commonly available constructional toys for children. They range in complexity to meet the developmental needs and abilities of children, whether for recreation or education. As well as promoting co-ordination skills, they help to encourage creativity and develop an understanding of basic mechanics.
Constructional toys for younger children tend to be simplistic, allowing for constructional elements to be joined end to end (i.e. uni-directional). Constructional toys for older children allow for more complex structures (for example, extending in multiple directions), but are inappropriate for younger children as they require dexterity and understanding beyond the ability of a younger child.
Young children may quickly exhaust the possibilities of the simpler constructional toys, but may be frustrated by the complexity of more advanced constructional systems. Thus a child may lose interest in such play, and hence lose an appreciation of engineering subjects as a whole.
Hence a constructional toy which may be used by children of different developmental stages, which provides a medium for creativity, enables continued development of their mechanical skills and understanding, is highly desirable.


Disclosed are some implementations of systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products for implementing, a stateful, contextual, and draggable widget. A widget application stores a state of the widget, a context of the widget, and coordinates of the widget. When a user navigates from one web page of a web site to another web page of the web site, the widget application reconstitutes the widget using the saved state, context, and coordinates of the widget.

"Cloud computing" services provide shared network-based resources, applications, and information to computers and other devices upon request. In cloud computing environments, services can be provided by servers to users' computer systems via the Internet and wireless networks rather than installing software locally on users' computer systems. A user can interact with social networking systems, email systems, and instant messaging systems, by way of example, in a cloud computing environment.
When a user interacts with a "cloud computing" service, the user may access a number of different web sites. Often, a web page of a web site will include a widget. A widget is an application that typically performs a specific function and provides an element of a graphical user interface (GUI) at a specific location within the web page. The widget generally provides a specific way for the user to interact with the widget.

Stateful, contextual, and draggable embedded widget


A low-pass filter (10) includes an input portion (100) inputting an electromagnetic signal, an output portion (120) outputting the electromagnetic signal, a high impedance transmission portion (140) electrically connected to the input portion and the output portion to transmit the electromagnetic signal therebetween, a first low impedance transmission portion (160) electrically connected to the input portion and an end of the high impedance transmission portion, and a second low impedance transmission portion (180) electrically connected to the output portion and another end of the high impedance transmission portion. The two low impedance transmission portions are arranged beside the high impedance transmission portion, and each of the low impedance transmission portions is triangular.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to signal filtering, and more particularly to a low-pass filter.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, when a wireless network product is working at high power, harmonic components of high frequencies are generated by the nonlinear properties of the active components, causing electromagnetic interference (EMI).
To solve this problem, the manufacturers of such wireless network products often use a filter to suppress the noise generated by the harmonic components. Features of an ideal filter are zero signal attenuation within a pass band, becoming infinite within a stop band, and transition as sharp as possible from the pass band to the stop band, providing the shortest possible distance between a transmission zero point and the stop band. In addition, increased transmission zero points improve performance of the filter in suppression of harmonic noise.
Referring to FIG. 4, a conventional low-pass filter 40 is shown. The low-pass filter 40 includes an input portion 400, an output portion 420 aligned with the input portion 400, a high impedance transmission portion 440 electrically connected to the input 400 and the output 420, a rectangular first low impedance transmission portion 460 electrically connected to the high impedance transmission portion 440, and a rectangular second low impedance transmission portion 480 parallel to the first low impedance transmission portion 460 and electrically connected to the high impedance transmission portion 440. The input portion 400 inputs the electromagnetic signal. The output portion 420 outputs the electromagnetic signal. The input portion 400 and the output portion 1420 have impedance values of approximately 50 ohms (Ω), respectively. The first low impedance transmission portion 460 and the second low impedance transmission portion 480 have the same length and width. An overall length of the low-pass filter 40 is 8.69 millimeters (mm), and an overall width of the low-pass filter 40 is 3.53 mm. An area of the low-pass filter 40 is 30.67 mm2.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between amplitude of insertion or return loss and frequency of an electromagnetic signal traveling through the low-pass filter 40. As shown in FIG. 5, only one transmission zero point is generated, such that the low-pass filter 40 is not effective in the suppression of harmonic noise.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to overcome the described limitations.


A primer detonation device includes a slide block and a rod. The slide block is configured to slide along an axis within a housing. The housing has a rear end and a front end. The rod is configured to slide within the housing relative to the slide block. A first moving device moves the slide block rearward from a slide block percussion position to a slide block misfire position after a misfire occurs. The first moving device also moves the rod rearward to a rod misfire position. A second moving device moves the slide block forward from the slide block misfire position to a slide block pre-percussion position without moving the rod. The slide block and the rod are locked together in an armed pre-percussion position.

The present invention concerns a device for artillery for detonation by percussion of a primer.
The present invention also concerns an artillery piece having a detonation device according to the first aspect of the invention.
Numerous types of devices for detonation by percussion of a primer are known. In general, a device of this kind has a percussion rod configured to slide axially inside a housing, in the percussion direction toward the front of the housing or in the opposite direction toward the rear thereof; means for causing the rod to move back toward the rear of the housing to its armed position against the action of a counteracting arming spring; means forming a lock, configured to come into engagement with complementary means for locking the rod in its armed position; means for displacing the means forming a lock so as to release the rod; and means for returning the rod to the locked armed position in the event of a misfire.
A device configured for installation on an artillery piece breech having a breechblock that is movable between the flanges of a breech ring is, for example, known. A device of this kind is rearmed by tensioning a spring at the opening of the breechblock after a munition is fired, the breechblock having for example a slider which pushes the percussion rod back to its armed position. The lock which keeps the rod in the armed position is disengaged from the rod by means of an actuator which actuates the lock directly or by means of a pivoting lever, in the case of a normal munition firing actuation.
In the event of a misfire, when the munition has not functioned, the arming spring must be tensioned manually and the lock must be disengaged manually. As a result, these time-consuming and delicate operations must be performed under poor safety conditions with a risk of sudden explosion since the munition is still in the barrel: specifically this involves uncoupling the actuator, hooking a firing lanyard into a rearming ring and passing the lanyard into a pulley to allow remote rearming, and lastly hooking that same lanyard into a hole in the lock or pivoting lever so the lock can be released and detonation can occur.
The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the known devices and propose a detonation device which makes it possible to rearm and perform a detonation in a single movement, performed remotely, with no operation .on the equipment, especially in the case of a misfire.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the device of the aforesaid type is characterized in that it also has a slide block configured to slide axially inside the housing; that the rod is itself configured to slide axially with respect to the slide block in response to or against the action of the counteracting arming spring which is arranged between the slide block and the rod; that the means forming a lock are mounted on the slide block or on the rod and are configured to lock the rod in the armed position with respect to the slide block; and that the device additionally has return means configured, in the event of a misfire, to bring the slide block and rod toward the rear into respective predetermined misfire positions, and means for displacing the slide block or the rod with respect to one another from said respective predetermined misfire positions so as to return the rod to its locked armed position with respect to the slide block.
The device according to the invention thus makes it possible to avoid all the dangerous and time-consuming operations required with the known device, and to return the rod to the armed position without presenting the slightest risk to the persons operating the artillery piece in question.
According to an advantageous version of the invention, the return means comprise elastic means acting between the housing and the slide block and configured to bring the slide block back into its predetermined misfire position with respect to the housing, and means of the slide block configured to come into engagement with complementary means of the rod in order to bring the rod back into its predetermined misfire position; the means for displacing the slide block or the rod with respect to one another comprise complementary meshing means mounted respectively on the housing and on the slide block or on the rod, configured to displace the slide block toward the front or the rod toward the rear of the housing when those means are actuated, the latter having a pinion mounted rotatably on the housing and in engagement with complementary means mounted on the slide block or on the rod, and the pinion being rotationally integral with a pulley on which is wound a lanyard allowing remote actuation of rotation of the pulley, as well as a retractable stop mounted on the rod or on the slide block and configured to come into engagement with a complementary configuration of the housing to prevent displacement of the rod toward the front or of the slide block toward the rear of the housing upon operation of the means for displacing the slide block or the rod with respect to one another, and complementary means of the slide block and of the rod to retract the retractable stop when the rod has arrived in its armed position with respect to the slide block.
According to a preferred version of the present invention, the means forming a lock are configured to lock the rod in the armed position with respect to the slide block when the rod is in its rear position with respect to the slide block, the pinion is engaged with complementary meshing means provided on the slide block, the misfire position of the slide block is its rear position with respect to the housing, the retractable stop is mounted on the rod; and the winding of the lanyard on the pulley and the arrangement of the pinion and the complementary meshing means of the slide block are such that pulling on the lanyard causes the slide block to be displaced toward the front of the housing.
The lanyard and pulley thus make it possible, after a normal rearming following firing of a munition, to advance the slide block and the rod toward the front of the housing until the means forming a lock disengage to release the percussion rod. In the event of a misfire, the lanyard and pulley make it possible to displace the slide block toward the front of the housing with respect to the rod, which is immobilized by the stop, until the slide block arrives in a position allowing operation of the means forming a lock, which returns the rod to the armed position with respect to the slide block, and to continue forward displacement of the slide block to cause a release of the percussion rod under conditions identical to those of normal operation of the device.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the artillery piece having a device for detonation by percussion of a primer is characterized in that it has a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
According to a preferred version of the invention, the artillery piece, having a breechblock that is movable between the flanges of a breech ring, is characterized in that the detonation device is fastened to the breech ring; and that the breechblock has means for causing the percussion rod to move back toward the rear of the housing to its armed position when the block moves from its closed-breech position to its open-breech position after a munition has been fired.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the detailed description below.


Ballistic resistant articles having abrasion resistance. Particularly, abrasion resistant, ballistic resistant articles and composites having a wax-based topical treatment.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to ballistic resistant articles having topical wax coatings.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ballistic resistant articles containing high strength fibers that have excellent properties against projectiles are well known. Articles such as bullet resistant vests, helmets, vehicle panels and structural members of military equipment are typically made from fabrics comprising high strength fibers. High strength fibers conventionally used include polyethylene fibers, aramid fibers such as poly(phenylenediamine terephthalamide), graphite fibers, nylon fibers, glass fibers and the like. For many applications, such as vests or parts of vests, the fibers may be used in a woven or knitted fabric. For other applications, the fibers may be encapsulated or embedded in a polymeric matrix material to form woven or non-woven rigid or flexible fabrics. Preferably each of the individual fibers forming the fabrics of the invention are substantially coated or encapsulated by the binder (matrix) material.
Various ballistic resistant constructions are known that are useful for the formation of hard or soft armor articles such as helmets, panels and vests. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,403,012, 4,457,985, 4,613,535, 4,623,574, 4,650,710, 4,737,402, 4,748,064, 5,552,208, 5,587,230, 6,642,159, 6,841,492, 6,846,758, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, describe ballistic resistant composites which include high strength fibers made from materials such as extended chain ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. These composites display varying degrees of resistance to penetration by high speed impact from projectiles such as bullets, shells, shrapnel and the like.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,623,574 and 4,748,064 disclose simple composite structures comprising high strength fibers embedded in an elastomeric matrix. U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,710 discloses a flexible article of manufacture comprising a plurality of flexible layers comprised of high strength, extended chain polyolefin (ECP) fibers. The fibers of the network are coated with a low modulus elastomeric material. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,552,208 and 5,587,230 disclose an article and method for making an article comprising at least one network of high strength fibers and a matrix composition that includes a vinyl ester and diallyl phthalate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,642,159 discloses an impact resistant rigid composite having a plurality of fibrous layers which comprise a network of filaments disposed in a matrix, with elastomeric layers there between. The composite is bonded to a hard plate to increase protection against armor piercing projectiles.
Hard or rigid body armor provides good ballistic resistance, but can be very stiff and bulky. Accordingly, body armor garments, such as ballistic resistant vests, are preferably formed from flexible or soft armor materials. However, while such flexible or soft materials exhibit excellent ballistic resistance properties, they also generally exhibit unsatisfactory abrasion resistance, which affects durability of the armor. It is desirable in the art to provide soft, flexible ballistic resistant materials having improved abrasion resistance and durability. The present invention provides a solution to this need. More importantly, it has been unexpectedly found that the presence of a wax coating significantly improved the ballistic penetration resistance of the ballistic resistant composites described herein against projectiles such as 9 mm full metal jacket bullets and 44 Magnum bullets.

Low weight and high durability soft body armor composite using topical wax coatings


A circuit control device includes two intermating foil pads separated from one another by a narrow gap having a maximum dimension of 0.006 inches. A circuit path having one side connected to one of the pads and a second side connected to the other of the pads is selectively closed and opened by solder application and removal operations. Interdigitated, triangular fingers which are intermated to form the device ensure the formation of acutely angled junctures along the gap to ensure solder bridging of the gap. Emergency control elements are coupled to the circuit control device to permit control of an associated circuit path if the circuit control device itself fails. In that event, an emergency control device is coupled to the emergency control elements to control opening and closing of the circuit path.

The present invention relates in general to devices for selectively opening and closing electrical circuits on a printed circuit board (PCB) and, more particularly, to a solder controlled device which presents an open circuit until initially soldered, for example by surface mount stencil print/reflow or through-hole wave solder processes, and thereafter can be opened by removing solder from the device and reclosed by reapplying solder to the device.
Many circuits embodied in printed circuit boards require temporary breaks or opens in one or more paths of the circuits. Currently, these breaks or opens are commonly provided by inserting switches or header/jumper devices into the circuit paths. Oftentimes, circuit breaks or opens are only required once or a limited number of times, for example for initial testing or installation of factory options on the circuit boards. For circuits requiring such a limited number of open/close operations, switches and/or header/jumper devices are overkill and add substantially to the cost of an assembled circuit board. In addition, if switches or two piece header/jumper devices are used, not only are they relatively expensive but there is a probability that the assembly person will forget to properly set the switches, fail to install the jumpers or will install the jumpers in the wrong position.
It is apparent that there is a need for a printed circuit board circuit control device which is inexpensive, reliable over a limited number of open/close operations and can be initially closed by means of conventional printed circuit board soldering operations. Preferably, the circuit control device would also provide emergency control elements which could be used to control closure of the circuit path in the event of failure of the circuit control device itself.

Printed circuit board circuit control device


A repositionable shelf-mounted handle spool assembly for cable routing includes a mounting bracket and a repositionable spool coupled thereto. The mounting bracket has a primary mounting plate and a shelf, having an opening, that is parallel to but spaced apart from the primary mounting plate. The repositionable spool includes a base having a stub for repositionably coupling with the opening in the shelf, a cylindrical shaft extending from the base, and a gate arm mounted perpendicularly to the cylindrical shaft. The base may be repositioned relative to the mounting structure via the stub.

1. Field of the Present Invention
The present invention relates generally to supporting and routing cable within an electronic equipment cabinet, and, in particular, to a utilizing a handle spool assembly within an electronic equipment cabinet to support and route cable.
2. Background
Frames and cabinets (sometimes collectively referred to hereinafter as "enclosures") for mounting and storing electronic components have been built in many different sizes and with many different proportions in order to best accommodate the components which they are designed to store. Components stored in these enclosures may include audio and video equipment and the like, but quite frequently include computer equipment and related peripheral devices. Regardless of the component type, each component typically requires an external power supply and a plurality of input and output cables, wires and the like (generally referred to hereinafter as "cables"). Some of these wires and cables are connected to other components in the same enclosure, and some of which extend out of the enclosure to either an adjacent enclosure or to a remote location, typically using either an overhead cabling system or an under-floor cabling system.
Apparatuses for routing cables and wires to and from the equipment are also well known. Cables are generally routed in the vertical direction to a point adjacent to the desired equipment and then routed in the horizontal direction to the desired equipment. A particular problem inherent in the use of enclosures of all kinds is the issue of how to route and otherwise manage the large quantities of cables that are often necessary for a particular enclosure.
One device that is used to route cable is a cable management spool. Currently available cable management spools typically require several components to facilitate structurally supporting cables and cable routing maintenance. Typically these systems fell into two categories, ones that use fasteners and require tools to install and adjust, and those that were of a tool-less, snap in design. The designs that required several parts (including mounting hardware) have an inherent cost penalty due to the cost of the parts, assembly, and adjustment labor. Although the minimal part count "snap-in" spool systems have been employed in the past, these systems typically incorporate a fixed finger position or do not incorporate an indexing feature to locate the spool arm in repeatable, known locations.
Unfortunately, available cable management spools do not afford a minimal part count while providing an indexing arm feature. It would be advantageous to minimize part count because the assembly of the system is would be greatly simplified and costs would be minimized. Further providing an indexing feature to control the angular position of the spool finger would promote a consistent look for an installation because the arm feature could be positioned consistently and repeatably.

Repositionable shelf-mounted handle spool assembly for cable routing


The present invention discloses steroid/thyroid hormone receptor DNA binding domain compositions that determine target gene specificity. The invention further discloses methods converting the target gene specificity of one receptor into the target gene specificity of another. Still further the invention discloses novel assays for identifying ligands for orphan hormone receptors. These assays are especially useful since they avoid the necessity of constructing chimeric genes and proteins in order to search for ligands that can activate a putative receptor.

The steroid/thyroid hormone receptors form a superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors that influence cell function and fate in eukaryotes. It is known that these receptors transduce extracellular hormonal signals to target genes that contain specific enhancer sequences referred to as hormone-response elements (HREs) (Evans 1988; Green and Chambon 1988). It is also known that each receptor recognizes its own HREs, thus assuring that a distinct response is triggered by different hormones.
Sequence comparisons and mutational analyses of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) have identified functional domains responsible for transcriptional activation and repression, nuclear localization, DNA binding, and hormone binding (Gigure, et al., 1986; Hollenberg, et al., 1987; Rusconi, et al., 1987; Picard and Yamamoto, 1987; Hollenberg and Evans, 1988; Oro, et al., 1988a). The DNA binding domain, which is required to activate transcription, consists of 66-8 amino acids of which about 20 sites, including nine cysteines (C.sub.1 to C.sub.9), are invariant among different receptors (FIG. 1A). The modular structure of members of this receptor superfamily allows the exchange of one domain for another to create functional chimera. This strategy was used to demonstrate that the DNA binding domain is solely responsible for the specific recognition of the HRE in vivo (Green and Chambon, 1987; Giguere, et al., 1987; Petkovich, et al., 1987; Kumar, et al., 1987; Umesono, et al., 1988; Thompson, et al., 1989) and in vitro (Kumar and Chambon, 1988).
By analogy with the proposed structure for Xenopus transcription factor TFIIIA (Miller, et al., 1985), the invariant cysteines are thought to form two "zinc fingers" for specific DNA binding. In a polypeptide encompassing the DNA binding domain of rat GR, it has been shown that each of two Zn(II) is coordinated in a tetrahedral arrangement by four cysteines (Freedman, et al., 1988). Involvement of these cysteines in Zn(II) coordination is also supported by the fact that eight out of nine cysteines, enough to chelate two Zn(II), are required for the receptor function revealed by point mutagenesis experiments (Hollenberg, et al., 1988; Severne, et al., 1988).
Functional models have been proposed in an attempt to coordinate research results with gene regulation mechanisms that function in vivo. As those skilled in the art will know, one such model for the DNA binding domain is "zinc finger model". (A predicted "finger" structure is presented in FIG. 1B; also see Severne, et al., 1988.) In this model, the first four cysteines (C.sub.1 to C.sub.4) chelate one Zn(II) to form Finger 1, which includes a loop of 13 amino acids between C.sub.2 and C.sub.3. Finger 2 is formed by the next four cysteines (C.sub.5 to C.sub.8), since function is retained when the ninth cysteine is changed to an alanine or serine (Severne, et al., 1988). Finger 2 has a loop of 9 amino acids, and is separated by a "Linker" of 15-17 amino acids from Finger 1. Both fingers are functionally required because neither hGR Finger 1 or 2 by itself is sufficient to retain DNA binding and transactivation function (Hollenberg, et al., 1988). This finger model is applicable to all members of the receptor superfamily, indicating a common mode of HRE recognition by a receptor DNA binding domain.
The HREs are structurally related but in fact are functionally distinct. Those for GR (GRE), estrogen receptor (ER) (ERE), and the thyroid receptors (T.sub.3 Rs) (TRE) have been characterized in detail; they consist of a palindromic pair of "half sites" (FIG. 1C) (Evans, 1988; Green and Chambon, 1988). With optimized pseudo- or consensus response elements, only two nucleotides per half site are different in GRE and ERE (Klock, et al., 1987). On the other hand, identical half sites can be seen in ERE and TRE, but their spacing is different (Glass, et al., 1988). Thus, at least two different means are used to achieve HRE diversity.
As the present invention discloses, functional characterization of mutant receptors carrying chimeric DNA binding domains has made it possible to dissect molecular determinants of target gene specificity for GR, ER, and TR. For example, as the present invention discloses, the identity of GR DNA binding domain can be converted into those of ER and TR by changing three and eight amino acids, respectively. The present invention also discloses that a single Gly to Glu change in the first "zinc finger" of the GR receptor produces a receptor with dual HRE (i.e., GRE and ERE) sequence responsiveness. These discoveries localize two structural determinants of target gene specificity and suggest a simple pathway for the co-evolution of receptor DNA binding domains and regulatory networks.
These discoveries also make it possible to convert one receptor into another, and to create engineered receptors that have desired HRE recognition features. They have also enabled the development of assays that are useful for identifying ligands for "orphan" hormone receptors. Such assays are especially advantageous because they eliminate the necessity of constructing chimeric genes and proteins in order to search for ligands that can activate the orphan receptors.

Hormone response element compositions and assay

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies


A device is disclosed for pulling the web backward through a thermal print station between prints. A web advance mechanism is adapted to move web in opposed forward and reverse directions past the print station. A core upon which a web supply roll is spiral wound with an end of the web extending from the roll to the print station rests on a support having a high friction inclined surface. The inclined surface is oriented such that (i) advancement of the web past the print station in the forward direction tensions the web resulting in rotation of the core such that it climbs up the inclined surface and (ii) advancement of the web past the print station in the reverse direction causes the tension in the web to relax, resulting in rotation of the core by gravity such that it rolls down the inclined surface, whereby slack in the web is taken up by the roll.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to apparatus having a web drive mechanism for advancing web from a supply roll, and more particularly to such apparatus that returns some of the advanced web back toward the supply roll, wherein there is provided an non-motorized rewind mechanism for the supply roll to remove slack.
2. Background Art
The present invention is particularly useful in printer apparatus wherein a web of dye donor is advanced from a supply roll, past a thermal printhead, to a motorized take-up roll. Referring to FIG. 1, a commercially available thermal printer 10 includes a printhead assembly 12, dye donor web supply and take-up rolls 14 and 16, respectively, a roller platen assembly 18, a pair of pinch rollers 20 and 22, a dye receiver medium transport guide 30, and a dye receiver medium supply 24.
Normal thermal printer operations include loading dye receiver medium, printing information upon the dye receiver medium and ejecting the finished print. Each of these operations is fully described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,458, which issued to H. G. Wirth on Jan. 5, 1993. Therefore only a brief description will be herein given of the illustrated embodiment of the thermal printer.
Printer operation begins with a loading phase, in which a sheet 28 of dye receiver medium advances from supply 24 along guide 30 to a gap between printhead assembly 12 and platen assembly 18. The leading edge of sheet 28 is held in the nip of rollers 20 and 22. Printhead assembly 12 moves toward platen assembly 18, pressing dye donor web 26 and the dye receiver medium against platen assembly 18 to form a sandwich for thermal printing.
Referring to FIG. 2, the printhead of printhead assembly 12 includes a plurality of heating elements 32, such as electrical resistors. When one of a plurality of switches 34 is closed, the associated heating element 32 is connected to a voltage potential source V.sub.S.
Dye donor web 26 comprises a leader portion followed by a repeating series of dye frames. The dye frames may be contiguous as shown or spaced by interframe regions, and, as shown in FIG. 3, each series includes in sequence yellow, magenta, and cyan dye frames. A single series is of course used to print one full-color image, comprising multiple color planes, on dye receiver medium 28.
As shown, there are two LEDs 36 and 38 which illuminate the dye donor web from above. LED 36 emits yellow light and LED 38 emits red light. Two photodetectors "A" and "B" are disposed below the dye donor web and receive light which passes through the dye donor web. Photodetectors "A" and "B" provide a signals for identifying the start of series and each individual color dye frame in such series. For a more complete discussion of this identification, reference is made to commonly assigned Reissue U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,260 to S. Stephenson.
FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically illustrate the position of the dye donor web frames before and after LED 36 (schematically shown in these figures) have detected the transition between a used and an unused dye frame 40 and 42, respectively. If the printer is powered down in the position of FIG. 5, and then powered up while the web is in the position of FIG. 5, the printer logic cannot be sure where the frame transition is. Since the web drive is unidirectional (arrow 44), the printer must advance the web forward until it sees the next web frame transition into the first (yellow) frame. Doing so will waste one series of donor frames.

Web supply with non-motorized automatic rewind for removing slack in the web


Systems and methods are provided for improved stability of audio amplifiers that incorporate external speaker connectivity. In one example, a system includes an audio amplifier circuit comprising two or more amplifier stages and a stability resistor and configured to receive an audio input signal, the audio amplifier circuit configured for at least two modes of operation, a first mode having a high input transconductance and the stability resistor is coupled to an output of the audio amplifier circuit, and a second mode having a lower input transconductance and the stability resistor is decoupled from the output of the audio amplifier circuit. The system further includes an amplitude detection circuit configured to provide a signal mode detection signal, an amplifier switching circuit configured to adjust a variable input transconductance of at least one of the amplifier stages, and a load switching circuit configured to couple and decouple the stability resistor at the output of the audio amplifier circuit.

Many modern devices such as laptop computers, computer tablets, MP3 players, and smart phones provide for headphone connectivity utilizing internal headphone amplifiers. Headphone amplifiers are known to be difficult to stabilize because the load impedance can vary dramatically based on variations in headphone implementations. For example, headphone impedance can vary from being very capacitive, to very inductive, or mostly resistive depending on the headphone model or headphone manufacturer. Due to miniaturization of modern devices and limitations in thermal dissipation caused by such miniaturization, current solutions to maintain performance in current headphone amplifiers are not always practical. Thus, there is a continued need to improve stability and noise performance of amplifiers to maintain high performance in modern devices that incorporate amplifiers, such as headphone amplifiers.

Stabilizing high performance audio amplifiers


A system for providing step-ahead computing may include a client and a server. The client may include a communication element, a user interface element and a processor. The communication element may be configured to receive a set of pre-computed actions. The set of pre-computed actions may be based on at least one possible future state of the client. The user interface element may be configured to receive a user input corresponding to a particular action. The processor may be in communication with the communication element and the user interface element. The processor may be configured to determine whether the set of pre-computed actions include an action corresponding to the particular action and to execute the action in response to a determination that the set of pre-computed actions include the action corresponding to the particular action. The server may include a processing element, a pre-computing element and a server side communication element. The processing element may be configured to receive an indication of a current state of the client. The pre-computing element may be in communication with the processing element and configured to determine the set of pre-computed actions based on the at least one possible future state of the client. The server side communication element may be in communication with the processing element and configured to communicate the pre-computed actions to the client.

The modern communications era has brought about a tremendous expansion of wireline and wireless networks. Computer networks, television networks, and telephony networks are experiencing an unprecedented technological expansion, fueled by consumer demand. Wireless and mobile networking technologies have addressed related consumer demands, while providing more flexibility and immediacy of information transfer.
Current and future networking technologies continue to facilitate ease of information transfer and convenience to users. One area in which there is a demand to increase ease of information transfer relates to the delivery of services to a user of a mobile terminal. The services may be in the form of a particular media or communication application desired by the user, such as a music player, a game player, an electronic book, short messages, email, etc. The services may also be in the form of interactive applications in which the user may communicate with a network device in order to perform a task or achieve a goal. The services may be provided from a network server or other network device, or even from the mobile terminal such as, for example, a mobile telephone, a mobile television, a mobile gaming system, a mobile computer, etc.
For many services in which provision of the service involves a two way communication of data between devices or applications, latency may be experienced as a time delay between the moment a data item is selected, for example, at a client device, and the moment that the selected data item is received at a server device. Finite channel capacity (e.g., bandwidth, data rate, etc.) of the communication link between the client and server devices may also limit responsiveness of data transfer between the client and server devices. For example, the channel capacity limits the amount of information that may be transmitted over a given time. As such, channel capacity limitations may also lead to latency.
Latency in data communication may provide a negative impact to user experience. For example, if a response to a user action is delayed for a noticeable period of time (e.g., greater than one second), the responsiveness of an application may be perceived as being degraded and the user may be disturbed by the delay. The effects of latency may be further compounded if the server device must fetch information from other servers in order to meet a client request. Given that composite web services and service mash-ups are becoming more common, the delays described above may become more problematic.
Efforts have been expended in order to reduce latency in client-server environments, but such efforts have often focused on shifting more resources to the client side. However, such a shift of resources may not always be possible or desirable. Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide an improved client-server communication environment, which may overcome the disadvantages described above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System, methods, apparatuses and computer program products for providing step-ahead computing


A stabilizer for passing through a restriction includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough; a rigid blade disposed on the tubular body; and a deformable blade disposed on the tubular body, wherein the deformable blade includes a geometric profile configured to preferentially bend the deformable blade in one direction when the deformable blade encounters the restriction, and wherein the deformable blade has a height greater than a height of the rigid blade. In one example, the deformable blade is offset from a radial axis.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a stabilizer for use in wellbore operations. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to a stabilizer having selectively deformable blades.
Description of the Related Art
Stabilizers are used to stabilize one tubular member inside a borehole or in another tubular member, e.g., to stabilize a first smaller casing in a second larger casing. Typically stabilizers are placed on the exterior of the inner casing and project outwardly therefrom. In many typical situations, the annular space between the outer circumference of the smaller casing and the inner circumference of the larger casing is sufficiently large that, with some force, a stabilizer on the inner first casing can be moved into the interior of the second outer casing.
In a variety of situations, the stabilizer may pass through a restriction in the wellbore that is smaller than the anticipated annular space. For example, the stabilizer may be required to pass through seal bores in a wellhead. As it passes through the wellhead, the radial stand-off force of the blades may damage the surface of the bores.
There is a need, therefore, for a stabilizer having selectively deformable blades.


A volatile memory device includes a refresh controller configured to control a hidden refresh operation performed on a first portion of memory cells while a valid operation is performed on a second portion of the memory cells. The volatile memory device is configured to perform a regular refresh operation in response to receiving a refresh command. The refresh controller is configured to generate refresh information using a performance indicator of the hidden refresh operation during a first part of a reference time. The volatile memory device is configured to perform a desired number of the regular refresh operation during a remaining part of the reference time based on the refresh information. The desired number of the regular refresh operation is an integer based on a difference between a target number of refresh operations during the reference time and a count value of the hidden refresh operation during the reference time.

Some example embodiments relate to a semiconductor memory device, and in particular, to a volatile memory device and an electronic device including a refresh information generator, an information providing method thereof, and/or a refresh control method thereof.
A semiconductor memory device refers to a device that stores data under control of a host device, such as a computer, a smartphone, a smart pad, etc. The semiconductor memory device includes a volatile memory device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static RAM (SRAM). As an example of the volatile memory device, a DRAM device performs a refresh operation periodically such that data stored therein is not lost. In general, to limit and/or prevent collision of data in the refresh operation, a memory device does not receive a write or read command.
To provide a high-capacity memory to a host, in general, the volatile memory device may be implemented in the form of a memory module. The refresh operation that is performed on a plurality of volatile memory devices included in the memory module is managed by the host and a memory controller.
However, according to a tendency for the high capacity and high integration of the memory module and the memory device, it becomes complicated for the host (and/or memory controller) to control the refresh operation for each memory device. Also, if the number of refresh commands increases, as described above, the efficiency in which data is processed may decrease because the memory device does not receive a write or read command.

Volatile memory device and electronic device comprising refresh information generator, information providing method thereof, and refresh control method thereof


The present invention discloses a method and a system of treating biomass wastes by biochemistry-thermochemistry multi-point interconnection. The present invention applies solid, gas and liquid products of the thermochemical treatment subsystem to the biochemical treatment subsystem and applies heat produced by the biochemical treatment subsystem to the thermochemical treatment subsystem, forming multi-point and two-way interconnection between the biochemical treatment subsystem and the thermochemical treatment subsystem, thereby increasing the yield and stability of energy gas of the biochemical treatment subsystem and reducing pollution and energy consumption of the thermochemical treatment subsystem respectively. The present invention is suitable for treating biomass wastes with high and low water contents at the same time, producing soil amendment, liquid fuel and biogas, having properties of low secondary pollution and significant reduction of greenhouse gas emission and so on. The bio-stability, humus content and nitrogen content of the solid product are as high as soil amendment, making it easy to store and transport.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to the field of environmental protection and comprehensive utilization of resource, particularly to a method and a system of treating biomass wastes by biochemistry-thermochemistry multi-point interconnection.
Description of Related Art
Biomass wastes include wastes produced by processing and consumption of a variety of biomass, such as the biodegradable part of municipal solid wastes like fruit and vegetable peels from kitchen and food residues, agricultural wastes like livestock manure and crop straws, industrial wastes like slaughterhouse wastes and brewing residues, and municipal sludge, etc. Biomass wastes are an important renewable source. Anaerobic digestion is a traditional biochemical technology to recycle biomass wastes. With anaerobic digestion technology, biomass wastes can be converted into green energy gas-methane, both producing energy source and reducing greenhouse gas emission, and digestion residues (including slurry and fiber digestate) containing nutrients such as nitrogen phosphorus and humus needed by plants can be used as fertilizer or soil ameliorant. As a matter of fact, however, treating biomass wastes with anaerobic digestion technology has a benefit much lower than expected, lying in: 1) organic acids and ammonia of high concentration are produced when easily biodegradable wastes (e.g., fruit and vegetable peels from kitchen, livestock manure) are being degraded. These metabolites inhibit the anaerobic digestion process when accumulated in the anaerobic digestion reactor, resulting in less efficient, unstable, or even failed anaerobic digestion, which needs a very long time to recover. 2) The anaerobic degrading rate of recalcitrantly biodegradable wastes (e.g., crop straws and ground litter with abundant lignocellulose) is relatively slow because of their high content of lignin and cellulose, and they need to be retained in the anaerobic reactor for a very long time. 3) Residues of anaerobic digestion need to be separated into slurry and fiber digestate by solid-liquid separation before further use. However, the solid-liquid separation is not efficient, wherein the solid content of the fiber digestate is only about 8%-25%, while the solid content of the slurry is often 3%-5%. This means if the slurry is drained to the municipal sewer system rather than applied to land directly, it needs to be further treated, and the treating cost of the slurry is quite high. 4) There are a large amount of degradable organic substances left in the fiber digestate due to uncompleted anaerobic digestion, making the digestate unstable, perishable, easy to turn rancid and have leachate, which needs to be further composted before land application. 5) A traditional way to use slurry and fiber digestate is applying them to earth, but, as organic fertilizer, their efficiency is not significant than chemical fertilizers in short term. Thus, they are much less competitive than the chemical fertilizers in the market. Moreover, the application of fertilizer is influenced by the planting season of crops, so a large space is needed to store slurry and fiber digestate. Particularly for biomass wastes produced in urban areas, slurry and fiber digestate produced after anaerobic digestion have to be transferred to places like suburb and countryside by long-distance transportation, which largely increases the cost and difficulty of transportation. Therefore, for sustainable development and promotion of biomass waste anaerobic digestion technology, it is desired to increase the efficiency and stability of the anaerobic digestion process, and to improve the dewatering performance, biochemical stability, storability, transportability and the like of the digestate.
Existing biochemistry-thermochemistry combined technology has only single-point and one-way connection, for example, adding charcoal (a kind of biochar) into an anaerobic digestion reactor according to a Chinese invention patent "Method using charcoal for promoting anaerobic digestion of sludge to produce methane" (Application number: 201310175120.0). Charcoal is added during the composting process as described in a Chinese invention patent "Use of charcoal as exogenous conditioning agent in sludge composting" (Application number: 201310077278.4). As described in a document "A new concept for enhancing energy recovery from agricultural residues by coupling anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis process" (F. Monlau et. al, Applied Energy, 148 (2015) 32-38), heat produced by methane of an anaerobic digestion unit is used for drying fiber digestates, and the dried digestates are used as the feed of a pyrolyzing unit.

Method and system of treating biomass wastes by biochemistry-thermochemistry multi-point interconnection


The semiconductor of the present invention includes the first lead electrode having a tip portion on which a plurality of semiconductor elements are arranged, a plurality of the second lead electrodes each having a tip portion located close to the tip portion of the first lead electrode, bonding wires for electrically connecting the semiconductor elements and the tip portions of the second lead electrodes with each other, and a mold resin for covering at least the tip ends of the first and second lead electrodes. Further, the invention is characterized in that the second lead electrodes are not arranged in a straight line in the plane common to the end surfaces thereof, and that the second lead electrodes are arranged in a straight line in a plane which is parallel to any of the end surfaces thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a remodeled version of an optical semiconductor device in which a plurality of semiconductor elements are arranged on the end surface of the tip portion of a lead electrode, and a connecting area for a bonding wire, i.e. a bonding area, is formed on the end surface of the tip portion of each of other lead electrodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1 and 2 show conventional LED lamps, which are a type of optical semiconductor device in which a plurality of semiconductor elements are arranged on the end surface of the tip portion of a lead electrode, and a bonding area is formed on the end surface of the tip portion of each of other lead electrodes.
The LED lamp shown in FIG. 1 includes three lead electrodes. One is a mount-use lead electrode 501 on the end surface of the tip portion of which a plurality of semiconductor elements, i.e. LED chips, are arranged, and the other two are bond-use lead electrodes 502 on the end surface of the tip portion of each of which a bonding area is formed. The mount-use lead electrode 501 is provided between the bond-use lead electrodes 502. Two LED chips 503 are arranged on the end surface of the tip portion of the mount-use lead electrode 501. Each of the LED chips 503 is connected to each of the bond-use lead electrodes 504 via a bonding wire 504. The bond-use lead electrodes 502 are arranged so that they locate both sides of the mount-use lead electrode at the angle of 180.degree. with respect to each other. With this structure, the bonding wires 504 are not in contact with each other, and the two LED chips 503 are separately operated.
On the other hand, the LED lamp shown in FIG. 2 includes four lead electrodes. One is a mount-use lead electrode 501 on the end surface of the tip portion of which a plurality of LED chips are arranged, and the other three are bond-use lead electrodes 502 on the end surface of the tip portion of each of which a bonding area is formed. Three LED chips are arranged on the end surface of the tip portion of the mount-use lead electrode 501, and each of the LED chips 503 is connected to each of the bond-use lead electrodes 502 via a bonding wire 504. The three bond-use lead electrodes 502 of this LED lamp are arranged so that the end surfaces of the tip portions thereof make a straight line. With this structure, the bonding wires 504 locate inevitably very close to each other, and sometimes come cross with each other.

LED lamp having particular lead arrangement