A side vehicle-body structure of a vehicle comprises a rear frame, a roof side rail, a rear wheelhouse, a C pillar, and a suspension housing reinforcement which interconnects the C pillar and the rear wheelhouse in a vertical direction, wherein the suspension housing reinforcement comprises a front suspension housing reinforcement which extends downward from a lower end portion of the C pillar along an extension direction of the C pillar and connects to an upper portion of the rear wheelhouse and a rear suspension housing reinforcement which is positioned in back of the front suspension housing reinforcement, extends rearward and downward from a rear portion of the C pillar and/or a rear portion of the front suspension housing reinforcement, and connects to the upper portion of the rear wheelhouse.

The present invention relates to a side vehicle-body structure of a vehicle.
A structure in which a rear wheelhouse is connected to a vehicle-body constituting member which is positioned above the rear wheelhouse via a reinforcing member extending in a vertical direction is known as the side vehicle-body structure of the vehicle. The rear wheelhouse is provided with a suspension housing which is supported at its upper end portion, to which a vibration load of the vertical direction is inputted from the suspension through the suspension housing. A vertical-directional rigidity of the rear wheelhouse is so improved by the reinforcing member (hereafter, referred to as a suspension housing reinforcement) that vibration input from the suspension can be resisted properly.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open publication No. 2009-83826 discloses a side vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which comprises plural suspension housing reinforcements. Specifically, one of the plural suspension housing reinforcements is formed by a C pillar which is connected to a roof side rail at its upper end portion, and the other suspension housing reinforcement is formed by a wheelhouse extension which is connected to a beltline portion at its upper end portion.
In the structure of the above-described patent document, while the above-described one of the plural suspension housing reinforcements is formed by the C pillar which is a vehicle-body skeleton portion (a frame, a cross member, a pillar and so on), the above-described other suspension housing reinforcement (wheelhouse extension) is not formed by the skeleton portion nor connected to the skeleton portion. Accordingly, the support rigidity of the rear wheelhouse by means of the other suspension housing reinforcement is lower than that by means of the C pillar.
Meanwhile, the rear wheelhouse tends to be easily deformed upward in a vehicle rear collision by a collision load which is inputted through a rear frame and directed forward, which may cause a decrease, in the vertical direction, of a rear-portion cabin space which is positioned adjacently, in a vehicle width direction, to the rear wheelhouse. It is desired to suppress the upward deformation of the rear wheelhouse in order to prevent the decrease, in the vertical direction, of the cabin space in the vehicle rear collision.
Herein, it may be considered to connect the plural suspension housing reinforcements to the skeleton portion of the vehicle body, respectively, as countermeasures. However, this may improperly cause increasing in size of the suspension housing reinforcement.


A device includes: a cache memory configured to store a first list and a second list, and a processor. The first list includes one or more entries that include any one of data pieces in a storage device and information indicating a location of the data piece on the storage device, and the second list includes one or more entries that include information indicating a location of an already discarded data piece on the storage device, the already discarded data piece having been included in an entry that has been evicted from the first list. The processor counts a count number of entries including data pieces updated and being consecutive from an eviction target entry when updating data piece of an entry in the first list, and writes data of a target entry in the storage device and discards the data from the cache memory based on a certain rule.

Conventionally, there has been known a technique of improving the access performance to storage devices by using cache memories that can be accessed at higher speed than the storage devices. Moreover, an operation, what is called a write back, has been also known in which when a write request to a storage device is received, data is written in a cache memory without being written in the storage device, and the updated data on the cache memory is written in the storage device in a spare time such as an idle time of processing by a central processing unit (CPU). Moreover, a technique, what is called cache replacement policies, has been also known in which when a cache memory is full and unable to additionally store new data, data that is most unlikely to be used afterward is predicted, the predicted data is discarded, and the new data is added instead.
As known related prior art, there is a technique of adjusting a heat metric threshold in accordance with caching efficiency of a present state of a secondary data storage cache; and rejecting candidate data provided to the secondary data storage cache whose heat metric is less than the heat metric threshold, for example. Moreover, there is another technique in which multiple blocks consecutive on a disk are set as one group, and when a group including a block that is updated only on a cache memory is present, the multiple consecutive blocks in the group are written back onto the disk by one access.
As examples of the related prior art, known are Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2014-535106 and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 05-303528.

Information processing device, method of controlling a cache memory, and storage medium


Correct motion estimation is performed by preventing an adverse effect due to the variation of lighting conditions when a motion estimation is performed in a motion image device. The method for estimating a motion by dividing an image frame represented by a luminance signal into a plurality of predetermined size blocks and detecting the most similar block in a previous frame with a block in a current frame and producing a corresponding movement distance as a motion vector, includes the steps of: producing a mean value of the luminance signal with regard to a block of the current frame; producing a mean value of the luminance signal with regard to a block to which a motion estimation of the previous frame is applied; compensating the luminance signal of the block to which the motion estimation of the previous frame is applied such that the two mean values have the same level; and selecting a block having the minimum sum of differences between luminance signals of each pixel, with regard to the block of the current frame and the block to which a motion estimation of the previous frame is applied, and producing the movement distance between these as a motion vector. Thus, a correct motion estimation can be made even when the light source is varied or a luminance signal is varied due to the moving of an object.

The present invention relates to a motion estimating method in motion image coding, and more particularly, to a method for performing a correct motion estimation by preventing the adverse effects due to variations in lighting conditions.
A motion image coding system has actually been developed from a differential pulse code modulation (DPCM) system to a motion compensated interframe coding (MCIC) system, and has recently been extended to a model based coding (MBC) system or an object oriented coding (OOC) system.
While only a predicted error is transmitted in the DPCM system, motion information with a predicted error is transmitted in the MCIC system. In the case of MBC or OOC, motion information and shape information with a predicted error can be transmitted.
The coding by the MCIC system is generally performed in units of blocks having a predetermined size (for example, the size of one block is 4.times.4 pixels). A motion vector of each block and an error signal between a target image and a reconstructed image obtained by motion compensation, are transmitted.
In coding by the OOC system, a background is separated from an object and the motion of the object is analyzed so as to produce parameters. Here, the background represents the region where no motion exists between adjacent frames, and the object represents the region where a motion exists between adjacent frames.
In a conventional motion estimator, a full search method, a three-step search method and other methods have been used for generating a motion vector. In full searching, a block which is most similar to a block of the current image, is searched in a predetermined search window of the previous image, and then the distance between the current block and the searched block is determined as a motion vector (x,y).
The three-step search has the advantage that quick searching can be performed, but has the disadvantage that an inaccurate motion vector is produced compared with the full search method. Therefore, the full search method is used much more often.
However, an accurate estimation by these methods is difficult to obtain if a luminance signal is changed even by a simple two-dimensional motion of an object. Also, if a light source is changed with no motion, an inaccurate motion vector may be produced. The generation of this inaccurate motion vector results in a large amount of error data in an encoder according to the MCIC system, thereby increasing the quantity of data to be encoded. In addition, in an encoder according to the MBC system, the number of groups is increased and the number of intra-blocks is increased, thereby increasing the quantity of data to be encoded.

Adaptive motion estimation method of a luminance signal


A technique for providing generic code for manipulating a structured object stored on a data store connected to a computer. Initially, an encoded identifier is received. The encoded identifier is decoded to identify a location within the structured object. When data is to be stored, data is stored at the identified location. When data is to be retrieved, data is retrieved from the identified location.

1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates in general to database management systems performed by computers, and in particular, to providing generic code for manipulating data of a structured object.
2. Description of Related Art.
Databases are computerized information storage and retrieval systems. A Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) is a database management system (DBMS) which uses relational techniques for storing and retrieving data. Relational databases are organized into tables which consist of rows and columns of data. The rows are formally called tuples. A database will typically have many tables and each table will typically have multiple tuples and multiple columns. The tables are typically stored on random access storage devices (RASD) such as magnetic or optical disk drives for semi-permanent storage.
RDBMS software using a Structured Query Language (SQL) interface is well known in the art. The SQL interface has evolved into a standard language for RDBMS software and has been adopted as such by both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Standards Organization (ISO). The SQL interface allows users to formulate relational operations on the tables either interactively, in batch files, or embedded in host languages, such as C and COBOL. SQL allows the user to manipulate the data.
The definitions for SQL provide that a RDBMS should respond to a particular query with a particular set of data given a specified database content, but the method that the RDBMS uses to actually find the required information in the tables on the disk drives is left up to the RDBMS. Typically, there will be more than one method that can be used by the RDBMS to access the required data. The RDBMS will optimize the method used to find the data requested in a query in order to minimize the computer time used and, therefore, the cost of performing the query.
Traditionally, a RDBMS stored simple data, such as numeric and text data. In a traditional RDBMS, the underlying storage management has been optimized for simple data. More specifically, the size of a record is limited by the size of a data page, which is a fixed number (e.g., 4K) defined by a computer developer. This restriction in turn poses a limitation on the length of columns of a table. To alleviate such a restriction, most computer developers today support a new built-in data type for storing large objects (LOBs) or binary large objects (BLOBs).
Large objects, such as image data, typically have a structure that is not recognized by the RDBMS. Thus, information stored in structured binary large objects (BLOBs), such as images, video, or audio, has traditionally been accessed via application programs. If these BLOBs were stored in a database, then the application developer writes a set of user defined functions (UDFs) that retrieve the information stored in these structured BLOBs or the application developer writes an application that extracts the structured large object (LOB) and then accesses the information. Both of these approaches require the application programmer to write specific code to access the information in the structured BLOB.
There is a need in the art for an improved technique for accessing structured data.
To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing generic code for manipulating data of a structured object stored on a data store connected to a computer.
According to an embodiment of the invention, a structured object stored on a data store connected to a computer is manipulated. Initially, an encoded identifier is received. The encoded identifier is decoded to identify a location within the structured object. When data is to be stored, data is stored at the identified location. When data is to be retrieved, data is retrieved from the identified location.

Generic code for manipulating data of a structured object

International Business Machines Corporation


An attribute display system includes an acquisition means configured to acquire specifying information that specifies a plurality of images selected by a user from among a plurality of images presented to the user, each of the plurality of presented images being associated with attributes being text information depicting appearance shown in the images, a counting means configured to acquire attributes associated with the images specified by the specifying information and count images associated with the acquired attributes, and a display control means configured to display frequency information indicating magnitude of counts for at least a plurality of attributes with larger counts among the attributes for which the number of images is calculated by the counting means.

A system that searches for objects desired by a user and presents them to the user has been used. In such a system, searches are made based on attributes indicating features of objects. As such a system, a system for hairdressers to search for hairstyles desired by clients is known (for example see Patent Literature 1). In this system, when search criteria such as a hair length, a hair color and a style are entered, images of hairstyles that match the criteria are retrieved from a database, and the retrieved images are displayed as a list. In this system, attributes such as a hair length, a hair color and a style are tagged in advance to each of images stored in the database, and the images having the attributes that match the entered criteria are retrieved and displayed.

Attribute display system, attribute display method, and attribute display program


A stop wrench is provided and includes a handle receiver and a base. The handle receiver includes an outer wall and a back plate. The handle receiver is configured to receive a handle of a first stop valve within the outer wall. The handle abuts the back plate when fully in the handle receiver. The base is attached to the handle receiver and extends from the back plate. The base is configured to be rotated via a tool. Rotation of the base rotates the handle receiver, which in turn rotates the handle to open or close the first stop valve.

The background description provided here is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Stop valves (sometimes referred to as "shut-off valves" or "cut-off valves") are used, for example, under sinks, behind toilets and in a variety of other plumbing implementations to connect water supply systems to faucets, toilets, refrigerators, water filtration systems, dishwashers, etc. via water supply lines. The stop valves typically include an inlet that is often connected to a copper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), iron, cross-linked polyethylene, or other type of water supply line and one or more outlets connected to braided or rigid supply lines. The inlets and outlets of the stop valves may be connected to various types of water supply lines. As another example, the water supply lines may be formed of plastic. There are various types of stop valves including straight stop valves, angled stop valves, multi-turn stop valves, quarter or half turn stop valves, etc.
There are two main categories of stop valves referred to as general purpose stop valves and tamper resistant stop valves. General purpose stop valves include a handle for opening and closing the stop valves. The handles are typically oval-shaped and/or have a shape similar to a cross-section of a prolate spheroid (or elongated sphere). The handles are held on to broach splines of stems of the stop valves via respective screws. The handles are used to turn the stems, which in turn opens and closes the stop valves.
The tamper resistant stop valves typically do not include a handle and require a special key or flat-head screw driver to open and close the valves. Tamper resistant stop valves are often used in hospitals, restaurants, hotels, businesses and/or other places to prevent unauthorized actuation of the stop valves.
Calcium build-up and/or corrosion can occur in stop valves over time, which causes the stop valves to stick and thus be difficult to open and close. As a result, it can be difficult to turn the handle of a general purpose stop valve and a key of a tamper resistant stop valve. To turn the handle of a general purpose stop valve, a pipe wrench, pliers or channel locks are often used in an attempt to turn the handle. The handles however are not designed to handle the torque that can be applied using a pipe wrench, pliers and channel locks, which results in the handles bending, deforming, breaking, stripping and becoming unusable. When this occurs, the handles and/or the entire stop valves need to be replaced.

Stop wrenches and adaptors for stop valves


A data transfer apparatus includes a data transmitting portion, a destination point recording portion, an arrival time calculating portion, a required transfer rate calculating portion, and an occupied transfer rate calculating portion. The data transmitting portion transmits the pieces of untransmitted data to the respective mobile terminals through the communication line in accordance with the respective occupied data transfer rates calculated by the occupied transfer rate calculating portion.

1. Field of the Invention
An aspect of the invention is related to a data transfer apparatus, a data transfer method and a recording medium having a data transfer program recorded thereon, by which pieces of untransmitted data are extracted from a plurality of contents as transmission targets and transmitted to a plurality of mobile terminals through a transmission line, respectively.
2. Description of the Related Art
With advances such as smaller size and higher function of terminals such as portable phones, personal computers or PDAs in recent years, and the development of wireless network technology, various content which could be used heretofore only in a wired environment have been used easily also in a mobile environment such as the outdoors or travel destination. For example, digitization of paper manuals and storage of these digitized manuals into a server unit have been conducted in a maintenance service of a company. Thus, when a worker uses a mobile terminal to access the server unit to download contents from the server unit to the mobile terminal, the worker can acquire necessary contents easily from travel destination. As a result, it is not necessary for the worker to carry a large amount of paper manuals with him/her anymore.
On the other hand, as the size (data capacity) of contents to be downloaded increases, download time from the start of download to the end of download increases. That is, the worker cannot use the contents unless the download is completed. For example, in a maintenance service of a company, the worker needs to go to a customer's place and repair a product as soon as the worker accepts a customer's request to repair the product. If the worker cannot depart before completion of the download, however, this leads to lowering of quality of the maintenance service. In addition, even if the worker started the download after arrival at the customer's place, the download would take a long time. Consequently, the start of the work repairing the product would be late, causing a lowering of quality of the maintenance service.
Therefore, there has been known a technique in which a worker neither departs after completion of a download nor starts the download after arrival at a destination. The worker, rather, starts the download during the worker's travel, in order to complete the download before arriving at the destination. Specifically, the worker first registers travel schedule information about a departure place, a travel destination, a travel start time, a travel means, etc. into a distribution center in advance. The distribution center calculates an estimated time of arrival based on the registered travel schedule information. The distribution center calculates a distribution time based on the estimated time of arrival and distributes contents to a mobile terminal at the time point when the current time just coincides with the distribution time in accordance with a timer. Thus, the worker can use the contents as soon as the worker arrives at the destination.
Such a technique has been disclosed, for example, in JP-A-2001-298775, JP-A-2003-158777 and JP-A-2004-193995.
In the related-art method, however, only the timing for starting distribution of the contents is controlled. Accordingly, in the case where, for example, the moving velocity of the mobile terminal increased during download, there was a possibility that the download would not be completed when the user of the mobile terminal arrived at the destination. In addition, in the case where, for example, another mobile terminal started downloading during the download, there was a possibility that the download would not be completed when the user of the mobile terminal arrived at the destination, because part of a total bandwidth of a communication line had been already spent by the other mobile terminal's download.

Data transfer apparatus, data transfer method, and recording medium having data transfer program recorded


A casting mold for a low-pressure casting apparatus can be opened and closed and is closed to form therein a cavity which is filled with molten metal to form a cast product. The casting mold includes an upper mold of metal, a lower mold of metal and a sand mold which is disposed between the upper and lower molds and forms a part of the cavity. A top wall of the cavity is formed by a lower surface of the upper mold, at least a part of a side wall of the cavity is formed by the sand mold so that the upper mold contacts with the molten metal filled in the cavity in a larger area than the lower mold.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for low-pressure casting, and more particularly to those which facilitate automation of the casting step.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Low-pressure casting has been wide used for mass production of, for instance, cylinder heads of automotive engines. In the low-pressure casting, molten light metal such as aluminum alloy held in a tightly enclosed vessel is cast in a cavity in a mold under a relatively low pressure of inert gas or air applied to the surface of the molten metal.
Generally the mold employed in such low-pressure casting is of metal and comprises a lower mold, an upper mold which is moved up and down toward and away from the lower mold and a pair of slide molds which are disposed between the upper and lower molds to be movable left and right and are slidably engaged with the upper and lower molds. When these molds are closed, a cavity having a shape conforming to the shape of a product to be cast is formed.
In such a casting mold, since the cavity is entirely surrounded by metal walls, molten metal cast in the mold is robbed of a large amount of heat upon contact with the cavity wall and especially the molten metal cast in a part of the cavity which defines a thin part of the product is very quickly cooled.
As a result, molten metal cannot be fed deep into the cavity or flow marks can be generated on the surface of the product. Further the mold can expand due to heat of the molten metal and the cavity can be partly narrowed, which can result in short molding and/or products with defects due to residual gas in the cavity.
When a sand mold having a small specific heat is used instead of the metal mold, temperature drop of the molten metal and short molding can be minimized. However since a pressure is applied to the molten metal during casting and solidifying step, the sand mold can be broken or moved. Accordingly, this approach cannot be applied to casting of precision products.
In order to overcome these problems, a novel method of low-pressure casting and a novel structure of a casting mold have been proposed, for instance, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63(1988)-72466.
In the method of low-pressure casting, the cavity is formed by a sand mold, and the sand mold is supported by metal molds. Then molten metal is cast in the cavity and is held under a pressure.
The structure of the casting mold comprises a sand mold forming a cavity, metal molds supporting the sand mold, and a gas discharge passage which communicates with the sand mold through the metal molds and discharges gas in the cavity.
However in the method and the structure of the casting mold, since the cavity is wholly formed by the sand mold, the cast product remains on the lower mold held in the sand mold after the casting mold is opened with the upper mold moved upward and the slide molds moved away from each other.
Therefore, a troublesome work and a long time are required to remove the cast product and the sand mold from the lower mold. Further the sand scattered over the upper surface of the lower mold when the sand mold is removed from the lower mold must be cleared off the lower mold, which takes a long time. These problems prevents shortening of the casting cycle and obstructs automation of the casting step.

Method of and apparatus for low-pressure casting


An intramedullary alignment rod for properly orienting and supporting a cutting guide or tool has a complex geometry which includes at least two differently sized sections, the smaller of which is at the proximal end of the rod. The complex geometry of the rod maximizes the rigidity of the rod while avoiding the trauma of an interference fit, and facilitates stabilization of the intramedullary rod in the medullary canal.

The present invention relates generally to the preparation of the end of a bone to receive an implant, and more particularly to an instrument to facilitate the resection or shaping of the end of a bone.
In preparing a bone to receive an implant, it has been recognized that resection or shaping tools must be properly oriented with respect to the bone so that the implant to be secured to the resected or shaped surface of the bone fits properly and can provide the requisite support, freedom of movement, durability, stability, etc. While this is true of implants for virtually every joint of the human body, particular attention has been dedicated to the knee joint since the knee joint must be capable of supporting the weight of the human body and withstanding substantial shock and pounding, as well as having freedom of movement.
In preparing a knee joint to receive a total knee implant, the distal end of the femoral bone and the proximal end of the tibial bone must be prepared to receive the components of the knee implant. Since proper orientation and fit of the knee implant will provide for the best performance for the knee implant, the end of the femoral and tibial bones must, in most cases, be resected, shaped, or otherwise prepared with reference to the skeletal arrangement of the bones, the size and shape of the bones and the condylar surfaces, etc. Thus, the cutting or shaping guides used to facilitate the shaping of the end of the femoral and tibial bones must be properly oriented and secured to provide accurate and reproducible cuts. Such cutting or shaping guides are often secured on rods or other means which provide proper alignment and/or orientation.
With regard to the preparation of the distal end of the femoral bone, it is necessary to properly orient the cutting block or other guide with respect to the mechanical axis of the femoral bone, the mechanical axis being defined by a line drawn between the center of the femoral head, which sits in the hip socket, and the center of the intercondylar notch (between the condyles at the distal end of the femoral bone). In order to prepare the distal end of the femoral bone so that the knee prosthesis provides the requisite support, freedom of movement, durability, stability, etc., the cutting block must be oriented so that the distal cut at the distal end of the femoral bone is 90.degree. to the mechanical axis of the femoral bone. Thus, it has been recognized that the mechanical axis of the femoral bone must be identified or otherwise taken into account prior to preparing the distal end of the femoral bone.
One method of properly orienting a cutting block or guide at the distal end of the femoral bone is to utilize preoperative and/or intraoperative radiographs to facilitate the identification of the mechanical axis. Another method, which might be used in conjunction with radiographs, is to use an external alignment rod which is placed in line with the femoral head and the center of the intercondylar notch. One of the shortcomings of this method is that the femoral head is difficult to locate externally.
It has also been recognized that the anatomical axis of the femoral bone, defined by a line beginning in the intercondylar notch and extending along the center of the femoral shaft, has a relationship to the mechanical axis of the femoral bone. In particular, because of the cantilever arrangement of the femoral head, the anatomical axis of the femoral bone is offset from the mechanical axis of the femoral bone by a certain degree, typically having a magnitude of 5.degree. to 8.degree., though it is recognized that the angle of the offset may be outside of this range for particularly short or particularly tall individuals or due to a deformity in the femoral bone.
In view of the relationship between the anatomical axis and the mechanical axis of the femoral bone, it naturally followed that rather than identifying the mechanical axis of the femoral bone, the mechanical axis can simply be taken into account by utilizing the anatomical axis of the femoral bone, which can be approximated more easily than the mechanical axis. One method of properly orienting a cutting block or guide to make the distal cut on the femoral bone is to utilize a long external alignment rod whereby the surgeon places the external alignment rod parallel to the femoral shaft in both the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral planes. The surgeon would then know approximately where the mechanical axis of the femoral bone would lie so that the cutting block or guide could be arranged, with the appropriate angular adjustment, to make the distal cut with respect to the approximated mechanical axis. Of course, since the bone itself could not be seen during external orientation of the alignment rod with the femoral shaft, and particularly when operating on obese patients, there may be some error in properly orienting the cutting block or guide, or the holding means therefor. The use of an intraoperative radiograph may improve such external orientation, but the surgical procedure then becomes more time-consuming, tedious, and is still subject to error.
Accordingly, it was recognized that the use of an intramedullary alignment rod inserted into the medullary canal of the bone could be used to take into account the mechanical axis of the femoral bone without having to identify such mechanical axis beyond a preoperative radiograph to determine or approximate the angle between the mechanical axis and the anatomical axis. Such an intramedullary alignment rod is a properly oriented means for holding the cutting guide. Of course, some surgeons may still choose to use any one or both of the above-described methods of taking intraoperative radiographs and using an external alignment rod to check alignment of the cutting guide and/or the intramedullary rod.
The use of intramedullary alignment rods has been widespread. Examples of such intramedullary alignment rods are that which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,203 to Androphy, the IM rod of the Multiflex Total Knee System by the Surgical Products Division of 3M Company, the IM rod of the R.M.C. Total Knee System by Richards Manufacturing Co., Inc. and that which is disclosed in the paper entitled, "Knee Replacement Using the Insall/Burstein Total Condylar Knee System" by John Insall, M.D. and Albert H. Burstein, Ph.D. for the New York Society for the Relief of the Ruptured and Crippled. As the above-cited examples reveal, several different expedients have been used in connection with intramedullary alignment rods to orient the cutting guide with respect to the mechanical axis of the femoral bone. For instance, in the Androphy patent, the intramedullary rod includes a long portion which extends into the medullary canal of the femoral bone and a short external portion which extends from the long portion at a 90.degree. angle and on which a cutting block can be provided. The cutting block on the short external portion can then be rotated so that the cutting block is oriented to guide the distal cut at 90.degree. to the mechanical axis of the femoral bone. In the 3M Multiflex Total Knee System, the rod is bent at a preselected angle so that the bent portion which extends externally of the femoral bone is approximately in line with the mechanical axis of the femoral bone. A cutting and/or drilling guide can then be placed on the bent portion so that a distal cut guide surface on the cutting block is 90.degree. to the bent portion, and consequently to the mechanical axis. The rod of the R.M.C. Total Knee System is similar to that of the 3M Multiflex System. In the article regarding the Insall/Burstein Total Condylar Knee System, a long IM rod is shown and discussed for use in the tibia where the rod extends from the proximal end almost to the ankle. In addition to the above systems, the use of a straight alignment rod has also been proposed whereby the hole in the cutting block which is to be supported on the straight alignment rod is bored at a preselected angle to the distal cut guide surface, and all other guide surfaces on the cutting block are referenced from the distal cut guide surface.
Because of the anatomical shape of the medullary canal of the femoral bone, tapering from wide to narrow and having a degree of curvature, those in the art have considered the use of longer intramedullary alignment rods to more accurately approximate the anatomical axis of the femoral bone. In a paper entitled, "Alignment of Total Knee Components", by Richard S. Laskin, M.D., published in the January 1984 issue of Orthopedics, Dr. Laskin describes his experience with various alignment systems. In this paper, Dr. Laskin not only concluded that the degree of accuracy in utilizing an intramedullary alignment rod far surpassed the degree of accuracy obtained by using either the method of identifying the mechanical axis by locating the femoral head or the use of the external alignment rod where the external aspect of the femoral shaft is used for reference, but also concluded that a longer intramedullary alignment rod provided more accurate results than a shorter intramedullary alignment rod.
Since the femoral canal tapers from a relatively wide portion at the distal end to the isthmus, typically considered to be the narrowest portion of the medullary canal in cross-section, though it may vary, and since the anatomical axis of a femoral bone is believed to pass along the center of the femoral shaft, it has been postulated that the isthmus provides the most accurate approximation of the anatomical axis of the femoral bone; even though the isthmus itself is curved in many cases, and it is difficult to precisely define the same. However, even at the time of the 3M Multiflex System and the Richards R.M.C. System, it was thought that an intramedullary alignment rod which approaches the isthmus, which in most cases will have a length and is not a single point in the canal, and does not necessarily extend through the isthmus would suffice to provide proper orientation of the intramedullary alignment rod for supporting a cutting guide in appropriate relation to the mechanical axis, as taken into account by the approximation of the anatomical axis of the femoral bone. If there were any error in the approximation of the anatomical axis by reason of the rod not extending into and/or through the isthmus, such error would be considered insignificant in properly orienting the cutting block with respect to the mechanical axis; especially since even rods which do extend into and/or through the isthmus might result in error for a variety of reasons, including the rod did not extend through the center of the canal or the canal itself simply did not provide the best approximately of the anatomical axis.
Others have taken the approach that to provide the most accurate approximation of the anatomical axis of the femoral bone, it is necessary not only to extend into and through the isthmus, but also to provide a close fit within the isthmus. Thus, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,177 to Whiteside, a method is taught whereby the surgeon is to first ream the medullary canal with a reamer having a diameter which approximates the diameter of the isthmus, followed by the use of an intramedullary alignment rod which has an extramedullary portion which is set at a preselected angle to the intramedullary portion. The intramedullary portion must be long enough to extend into and through the isthmus, and must have a large enough diameter (larger than the reamer) such that it is bound by the cortical bone which forms the isthmus. Accordingly, an "interference fit" results to purportedly provide the proper orientation as well as stability of the alignment rod.
The interference fit taught in the Whiteside patent is undesirable since it requires a reaming step in which a reamer is inserted past the isthmus of the femoral bone such that the axis of the reamer hopefully coincides with the anatomical axis of the femoral bone. The use of the reamer is intended to follow the normally curved medullary canal of the femoral bone and cut any portions of the cortical bone which might be in the way. Such reaming is not only time consuming and requires additional effort on the part of the surgeon, but more importantly, it causes a disturbance in the medullary canal and the cortical bone surrounding the medullary canal. In fact, such an interference fit of the rod might cause a fat embolism which even fluting on the rod could not prevent. Still further, the reamer used in the procedure taught by Whiteside could very well cut into the cortical bone surrounding the canal, thereby possibly redefining the shape of the canal and possibly the isthmus of the canal. The alignment rod in Whiteside is fit into the medullary canal after the reamer is removed, the alignment rod being bound by cortical bone. One must also be careful in utilizing the rod which is larger than that which has been reamed since too tight a fit in the canal could cause the bone to shatter upon insertion of the rod.
The present invention obviates the above shortcomings while providing a rigid alignment rod which facilitates proper orientation and stability of a tool guide or tool for preparing the end of a bone.

Anatomically matching intramedullary alignment rod


A semiconductor memory device configured to apply a temperature-compensated word line voltage to a word line during a data read operation includes a memory cell array including a plurality of word lines, a plurality of non-volatile memory cells connected to the word lines, and a word line voltage application unit configured to apply a temperature-compensated read voltage to a selected word line and to apply a temperature-compensated pass voltage to at least one unselected word line during a read operation.

1. Field
Embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a semiconductor memory device, more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device configured to apply a temperature-compensated word line voltage to a word line during a data read operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variation in a threshold voltage Vth of a flash memory cell may occur due to a variation in temperature.
Accordingly, during a verification read operation or a normal read operation, a temperature-compensated read voltage is applied to a selected word line to compensate for the variation in the threshold voltage relative to the temperature to obtain data information stored in a memory cell.
When a temperature compensation operation is not performed, error bits may increase, causing failures.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a variation in a threshold voltage of a memory cell according to a variation in temperature in a typical semiconductor memory device.
Memory cells connected to an arbitrary word line WLa may include programmed memory cells. The programmed memory cells may have threshold voltages, which are characterized by a threshold voltage distribution denoted by a solid curve L1, at a default temperature. In this case, the threshold voltages of the memory cells characterized by the threshold voltage distribution L1 may be determined by a read voltage V1 during a normal read operation, and by a verification read voltage V2 during a verification read operation.
The threshold voltage distribution L1 may be changed into a threshold voltage distribution denoted by a dotted curve L2, due to a variation in temperature from the default temperature. In this case, threshold voltages of memory cells characterized by the threshold voltage distribution L2 may be determined by a temperature-compensated read voltage V1′ during a normal read operation, and by a temperature-compensated verification read voltage V2′ during a verification read operation.

Semiconductor memory device for and method of applying temperature-compensated word line voltage during read operation


An information processing apparatus includes first and second wireless communication interfaces and circuitry. The first wireless communication interface performs wireless communication with a wireless-communication mediation device according to a first wireless communication method. The second wireless communication interface performs, using communication information, wireless communication according to a second wireless communication method. The circuitry acquires, via the first interface, creation information required to create the communication information; creates the communication information including the acquired creation information and determination information indicating whether communication information deletion is to be performed; newly creates, when the wireless communication according to the second wireless communication method has been disconnected, communication information including the creation information in the communication information being former communication information and the determination information indicating that the communication information deletion is to be performed, and sets the newly created communication information instead of the former communication information; and deletes the set communication information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a computer program product.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is conventionally known a technique that enables an information device to connect to a network through wireless communication to perform information processing. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-96495 discloses an electronic conferencing system including a conference server and a plurality of terminals, in which the terminals are connected to a network via access points through wireless communication.
For example, when a terminal is connected to a network via an access point through wireless communication, a profile indicating a setting for connecting to the network is installed in the terminal. However, the conventional technique does not include a mechanism to delete an installed profile using basic software (such as an operating system (OS)) or the like of the terminal when the terminal is disconnected from the network. Accordingly, while a profile is remaining without being deleted, a terminal once having connected to the network can connect to the network unconditionally (automatically) when entering again a connection range of the network even after having separated from the network. Therefore, sufficient network security cannot be ensured.

Information processing apparatus and computer program product, configured to delete communication information, based on determination information


Various embodiments of a compensated photonic device structure and fabrication method thereof are described herein. In one aspect, a photonic device may include a substrate and a functional layer disposed on the substrate. The substrate may be made of a first material and the functional layer may be made of a second material that is different from the first material. The photonic device may also include a compensation region formed at an interface region between the substrate and the functional layer. The compensation region may be doped with compensation dopants such that a first carrier concentration around the interface region of function layer is reduced and a second carrier concentration in a bulk region of functional layer is reduced.

For photonic devices utilizing multiple materials/layers, such as germanium-on-silicon (Ge-on-Si) photodiode or gallium arsenide on silicon (GaAs-on-Si) photodiode, these upper layers' (Ge, GaAs, etc.) lattice constants are largely different from that of the substrate layer (Si). As a result, various defects and dislocations (such as threading and misfit dislocations) can be observed inside these upper layers, which may include defect energy states in these upper layers, especially in the interface region between different materials/layers. Moreover, these defects in upper layers can behave as acceptor-like dopants and have an effective carrier concentration. For example, the carrier concentration (caused by defects) around the interface region of Ge-on-Si is typically in the range of 1015˜1018 cm−3. Because of the existence of defect-induced carrier concentration, the affected region is more difficult to be depleted (compared to intrinsic material) and it requires a higher bias voltage to be applied for photodiode or avalanche photodiode operation. For high speed devices capable of operating at a speed of 25 GHz or beyond, such higher applied bias is undesirable and unacceptable. Moreover, a high applied bias tends to cause high electric field, which may likely lead to high leakage current.

Compensated photonic device structure and fabrication method thereof


An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The data corresponds to card data which corresponds to at least one financial account. The record data is read by a reader and compared to stored data to authorize use of the machine. A financial transfer corresponding to the account may be carried out once use is authorized based on correspondence of the record data. A printed record of transactions is printed by the machine. Record data may alternatively be received by a reading device of the machine from a mobile device of a user, such as a cell phone.

Automated transaction machines include automated banking machines. A common type of automated banking machine is an automated teller machine ("ATM"). ATMs may be used to perform transactions such as dispensing cash, accepting deposits, making account balance inquiries, paying bills, and transferring funds between accounts. ATMs and other types of automated banking machines may be used to dispense media or documents such as currency, tickets, scrip, vouchers, checks, gaming materials, receipts, or other media. While many types of automated banking machines, including ATMs, are operated by consumers, other types of automated banking machines may be operated by service providers. Such automated banking machines may be used by service providers to provide cash or other types of sheets or documents when performing transactions. For purposes of this disclosure, an automated banking machine or ATM shall be construed as any machine that is capable of carrying out transactions which include transfers of value.
Automated banking machines may benefit from improvements.

Automated banking machine with noncontact reading of card data

Diebold Self-Service Systems division of Diebold, Incorporated


There is disclosed a laminar thermal imaging medium comprising a pair of sheet members and at least a layer of image-forming substance confined therebetween in laminar relation thereto, said laminar thermal imaging medium being actuatable in response to intense image-forming radiation for production of an image in said image-forming substance, said medium material having a tendency toward stress-induced adhesive failure at the interface therein having the weakest adhesivity, and such tendency being reduced by a polymeric stress-absorbing layer in close proximity to said interface, said polymeric stress-absorbing layer being capable of absorbing physical stresses applied to said laminar thermal imaging medium.

This invention relates to a thermal imaging medium for the recordation of information. More particularly, it relates to a laminar imaging medium having improved resistance to stress-induced delamination.
The provision of images by resort to media which rely upon the generation of heat patterns has been well known. Thermally imageable media are particularly advantageous inasmuch as they can be imaged without certain of the requirements attending the use of silver halide based media, such as darkroom processing and protection against ambient light. Moreover, the use of thermal imaging materials avoids the requirements of handling and disposing of silver-containing and other processing streams or effluent materials typically associated with the processing of silver halide based imaging materials.
Various methods and systems for preparing thermally generated symbols, patterns or other images have been reported. Examples of these can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,961 (issued Nov. 4, 1952 to J. Groak); in U.S. Pat. No. 3,257,942 (issued June 28, 1966 to W. Ritzerfeld, et al.); in U.S. Pat. No. 3,396,401 (issued Aug. 6, 1968 to K. K. Nonomura); in U.S. Pat. No. 3,592,644 (issued July 13, 1971 to M. N. Vrancken, et al.); in U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,376 (issued Jan. 4, 1972 to D. A. Newman); in U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,041 (issued Dec. 2, 1975 to M. Miyayama, et al.); in U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,578 (issued Oct. 31, 1978 to K. J. Perrington, et al.); in U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,412 (issued June 5, 1979 to K. S. Deneau); in Great Britain Patent Specification 1,156,996 (published July 2, 1969 by Pitney-Bowes, Inc.); and in International Patent Application No. PCT/US87/03249 of M. R. Etzel (published June 16, 1988, as International Publication No. WO 88/04237).
In the production of a thermally actuatable imaging material, it may be desirable and preferred that an image-forming substance be confined between a pair of sheets in the form of a laminate. Laminar thermal imaging materials are, for example, described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,924,041 and 4,157,412 and in the aforementioned International Patent Application No. PCT/US87/03249. It will be appreciated that the sheet elements of a laminar medium will afford protection of the image-forming substance confined therebetween against the effects of abrasion, rub-off and other physical stimuli. In addition, a laminar medium can be handled as a unitary structure, thus, obviating the requirement of bringing the respective sheets of a two-sheet imaging medium into proper position in the printer or other apparatus used for thermal imaging of the medium material.
In a laminar thermal imaging medium comprising at least a layer of image-forming substance confined between a pair of sheets, image formation may depend upon preferential adhesion of the image-forming substance to one of the sheets. Typically, such a laminar medium material will be designed such that the image-forming substance will be preferentially adherent to one of the sheets, before thermal actuation of regions of the laminar medium, and preferentially adherent to the other sheet in actuated or "exposed" regions. Accordingly, separation of the sheets of the laminar medium material, in the case where there has been no thermal actuation or "exposure", provides a layer of image-forming substance on the one sheet to which it is preferentially adherent. Separation of the sheets, of the medium material, in the case where the medium is exposed to radiation over its entire area and sufficient in intensity to reverse the preferential adhesion, provides the layer of image-forming substance on the opposite sheet.
Inasmuch as a laminar thermal imaging medium of the aforedescribed type will be designed such that the image-forming substance is preferentially adherent to only one of the sheets before and until thermal actuation, the laminar medium material may exhibit an undesirable tendency to delaminate upon subjection to handling, cutting or other stress-inducing conditions or operations. For example, it may be desirable to form a laminar medium from a pair of endless sheet or web materials and to then cut, slit or otherwise provide therefrom individual film units of predetermined size. A reciprocal cutting and stamping operation used for the cutting of individual film units may create stress influences in the medium, causing the sheets to separate at the point of weakest lamination--typically, at the interface where, upon thermal actuation, the preferential adhesion of the image-forming substance would be reversed. Individual film-sized units cut from a web of laminar material may, during handling in a printer or imaging apparatus, or as a result of a user flexing or otherwise torturing the film unit, delaminate in an undesired and premature fashion.

Laminar thermal imaging mediums, containing polymeric stress-absorbing layer, actuatable in response to intense image-forming radiation


A catheter is configured to be introduced into and indwelled in a body lumen. The catheter includes a lumen and a deformable region that extends parallel to the lumen of the catheter in an axial direction. The catheter is bendable. The deformable region is configured to be located on an inner side of a curved section when the catheter is bent. At least a portion of an outer surface of the catheter is covered with a surface lubricating layer. A less lubricious portion is on the outer surface of the catheter at the deformable region. The less lubricious portion is less lubricious than the surface lubricating layer, and the surface lubricating layer and the less lubricious portion are disposed at the same position in the axial direction of the catheter.

In recent years, vascular lesions have been treated by actively using a catheter because the surgical invasion is very small. In the manual operation of using a catheter for treatment, the catheter is delivered to the vicinity of a target area to perform diagnosis or treatment on the target area. Therefore, the catheter needs to have excellent operability (i.e., be easily maneuverable by an operator) so that the catheter can be quickly, reliably, and selectively inserted into a vascular system which has narrow and complicated patterns. The catheter also needs to have excellent indwelling ability so that the catheter can be fixed (i.e., held securely in place) in the vicinity of the target area when the diagnosis or the treatment is performed. In addition, the catheter needs to offer a wide choice of catheter inserting portions, to reduce a diameter of the catheter to reduce the burden on a patient, facilitate and improve operability for inserting the catheter or the like, and particularly to minimize an outer diameter of the catheter as much as possible while maintaining a constant inner diameter.
For example, a micro-catheter is used to perform the diagnosis or the treatment on the target area by administering or injecting various therapeutic drugs, contrast agents, or the like used in vascular embolization, or the micro-catheter is used to perform embolization on the target area by filling a blood vessel with an embolus material. The micro-catheter has to be selectively introduced into the target area while being moved forward inside a peripheral blood vessel which has many bifurcated portions, which meanders in a complicated manner, and whose diameter is narrow, such as approximately 3 mm or smaller. Therefore, it is desirable to use a micro-catheter having operability which enables the micro-catheter to be inserted into the narrow blood vessel, and having the indwelling ability which enables the micro-catheter to be fixed to an arrangement position in the vicinity of the target area when the contrast agent or the like is used in the vicinity of the target area.
For example, the catheter disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2001-218851 (corresponding to US 2002/0022825 A1) includes a coil having a reinforcing effect embedded into a wall of a flexible and tubular catheter main body. According to the catheter disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2001-218851 described above, in order to improve the operability for inserting the catheter, an outer surface of the catheter main body is covered with a hydrophilic polymer material for lubricating the outer surface (e.g., see Paragraphs [0077] to [0081]). According to the catheter disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JP-A-2001-218851, the outer surface is covered with this hydrophilic polymer material. Therefore, the catheter can be smoothly inserted into the target area inside an abdominal organ (for example, a liver) or the like, even if the catheter is inserted into the peripheral blood vessel which has many bifurcated portions, which meanders in a complicated manner, and whose diameter is narrow, such as approximately 3 mm or smaller.


A diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a refueling indicator module and a diagnostic module. The refueling indicator module selectively indicates when a refueling event occurs. The diagnostic module selectively diagnoses a fault in a fuel door position sensor when the fuel door position sensor indicates that a fuel door is in one of an open position for less than a first predetermined period when the refueling event occurs and a closed position for greater than a second predetermined period when the refueling event occurs.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Internal combustion engines combust a mixture of air and fuel to generate torque. The fuel of the air/fuel mixture may be liquid fuel and/or vapor fuel A fuel system is used to supply liquid fuel and/or vapor fuel to the engine. A fuel injector provides the engine with liquid fuel drawn from a fuel tank. A vapor purge system provides the engine with fuel vapor drawn from a vapor canister.
Generally, liquid fuel is contained within the fuel tank. In some circumstances, the liquid fuel may vaporize and form fuel vapor. The vapor canister stores the fuel vapor. The purge system also includes a purge valve and a vent valve (i.e., a diurnal valve). Operation of the engine causes a vacuum (low pressure relative to barometric pressure) to form within an intake manifold of the engine. Selective actuation of the purge valve and the vent valve then allows the fuel vapor to be drawn into the intake manifold via the low pressure, thereby purging the fuel vapor from the vapor canister.

Fuel door sensor diagnostic systems and methods


A device for emitting bubbles in a vehicle wash facility includes a plenum supported with respect to the ground. The plenum includes an air inlet with a first area and an air outlet with a second area. The plenum air outlet is in communication with at least one foaming chamber. The foaming chamber includes a generally planar media element disposed therein. The foaming chamber includes a spray jet located therein, which is in communication with a source of chemical. The spray jet configured to emit a chemical onto the generally planar media element. The device also includes a plurality of nozzle portions in communication with the foaming chamber for emitting bubbles therefrom.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to a device for emitting bubbles as may be used in a vehicle wash system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates a device for a vehicle wash system that emits bubbles in a fashion that they can be forcibly transmitted or propelled to a vehicle exterior or other component.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Soap and foam are widely used in vehicle wash facilities. Recently bubblers or bubble arches have been introduced for coating a portion of a vehicle exterior with bubbles. Current bubbling arches operate such that the "bubbles" are formed then conveyed to the vehicle exterior solely based on gravitational forces. These bubbling arches have limitations, including an inability to uniformly distribute the "bubbles" across the exterior surface of the vehicle. As such, the soap that is part of the foam may not contact the entire exterior surface of the vehicle to be treated. This can result in the vehicle exterior not being sufficiently cleaned as well as the perception in the mind of the vehicle operator that the vehicle exterior is not being sufficiently cleaned.
Also, while these current devices are self-referred to as bubblers, they really only generate foam, which is a fluid consisting of very small bubbles. The generation of these very small bubbles or foam requires the utilization of a large amount of chemical, which can be very expensive. Additionally, the foam generated by these devices has a very heavy appearance and is thus not aesthetically attractive.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a device that emits bubbles, such as for use in a vehicle wash process that overcomes the disadvantages and limitations that exist with these current devices.

Vehicle wash component for emitting bubbles


An interferometer (18 or 40) is used to identify trace constituents in a plasma during processing semiconductor devices such as transistors. Light emissions collected from the processing chamber (10) are collimated by lens (14) and transmitted to the interferometer (18 or 40) which selectively allows therethrough particular wavelengths of light which are characteristic of the excitation emissions of certain atoms such as sodium and copper. The light intensity at the selected wavelengths is sensed by a photomultiplier tube (30). In one embodiment, the interferometer (18) is a Fabry-Perot type interferometer and the separation of the plates (20 and 22) which form the Fabry-Perot etalon is controlled using a piezoelectric driver (26). A signal processor (34) correlates the sensed light emissions from the photomultiplier tube (30) with the selected wavelength that is determined by the piezoelectric driver (26). In another embodiment, the interferometer (40) is a narrow bandpass interferometric filter which is tiltable with respect to the collimated incident light from the processing chamber (10). Tilting a narrow bandpass interferometric filter (42) with respect to incident light changes the path length through the filter (42) and allows for the selective transmission of certain wavelengths of light. By rapidly tilting the narrow bandpass interferometric filter (42) at a rate between 5-300 Hz with respect to the incident light, a narrow range of wavelengths on the order of 3 nm can be scanned.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to solid state device manufacturing and, more particularly, to an interferometric optical emission detection system used for trace constituent contamination monitoring and endpoint detection.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sodium (Na) and other alkali metals are unwanted impurities which adversely affect the operation of transistors and other solid state devices. Sodium is a mobile ion and will cause the gate of a transistor to turn on and off at different voltages. Variable operation of the gate will, in turn, cause inconsistent operation of other devices such as memory chips and the like. Sodium contamination of transistors can result from human contact with chemicals and tools used in device manufacturing (i.e., sodium ions can be transported from a person's body onto a processing tool simply by the person touching the tool), impurities present in processing reagents such as photoresist, from the manufacture and storage of these processing reagents, by the sodium which is naturally present in the atmosphere corrupting the processing plant environment (i.e., fog, mist, and rainwater seepage can carry sodium ions from the atmosphere into a processing plant), or by other means. Field Effect Transistors (FETs) are four orders of magnitude more sensitive to alkali metals than bipolars; therefore, sodium contamination is a particular concern in FET processing.
Sodium emission, as well as other trace constituent emissions, can be detected optically. Most of today's optical emission detecting systems used in transistor processing can be categorized as either monochromators with photodiode array detectors or as scanning monochromators with a photomultiplier detector. These types of optical emission systems are available from the following companies: Tracor-Northern, Plasma-Therm Analytical, Xenix, and EG&G PAR. One problem with these types of optical emission systems is that they offer low resolution detection; often greater than 1 nm and sometimes as poor as 10-20 nm. Low resolution detection results in insufficient wavelength dispersion and convolution of the desired emission signal with unwanted background and other emissive interferences. Because of this, low resolution detection also provides low sensitivity for trace species detection against the intense background emission of plasma processing tools. This is further compounded by low light throughput which is typical of conventional monochromators.
As a result of the low sensitivity of conventional optical emission systems, the usual method used for detecting sodium impurities in FETs is by electrical measurement at the end of the chip fabrication process. Clearly, it would be advantageous to have some means which is sensitive enough to detect trace levels of an impurity such as sodium ion before a large number of chips have been damaged. Ideally, potential processing problems could be identified when unacceptable levels of sodium are detected during the fabrication of FETs, and the processing could be halted temporarily to clean the tools and/or check the sodium levels in the processing reagents.
Proper etching endpoint detection is also a major concern in transistor manufacturing. One prior art method of determining the endpoint of material removal is simply timing the etch process according to the rate of material removal. To use a timed etch procedure, it is necessary to empirically determine the time at which all of the desired material has been removed, but the underlying layer has not been etched significantly. Timing is not an ideal procedure for determining the proper etching endpoint because it is indirect and the consequences of improper etching are significant. Underetching will cause a degradation of the gain of the transistor, while overetching will result in a degraded contact between the intrinsic and extrinsic base regions.
Optical emission detection has been proposed as a means for detecting the endpoint at which an etching operation should be halted. A monochromator or bandpass filter can be used to select wavelengths of light at which a desired optical emission will occur. High spectral resolution is always preferable to low spectral resolution for monitoring and analysis of plasma species because, with sufficiently high resolution, it is possible to minimize interference from other emitting plasma species. Moreover, if light throughput is held constant, peak height will increase relative to the background as spectral resolution is improved. Accordingly, high spectral resolution can provide considerable advantages in sensitivity for etch endpoint detection and in the identification of weakly emitting plasma species such as in sodium ion contaminant analysis. Unfortunately, the usual methods for obtaining high spectral resolution, e.g., narrowing monochromator slits or utilizing larger monochromators, have practical limits for use in transistor manufacturing applications. When the slits of a monochromator are narrowed, higher resolution is achieved; however, the light throughput is significantly reduced and, thus, the overall sensitivity is reduced. Using larger monochromators is unacceptable because they would require costly clean room space and are generally impractical for manufacturing applications.
Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is a newer technique used in transistor manufacturing for identifying trench etch endpoints and can be used to identify trace constituents. For example, U.S. Pat. 4,675,072 to Bennett et al. discloses an LIF system used to detect and control the reactive ion etch (RIE) through of a given layer in a wafer by detecting a large change in the concentration of a selected minor species from the wafer in the etching plasma. Although LIF is generally used for monitoring major species, LIF may be used to detect trace Na ion contaminants during etching; however, Na only fluoresces at the excitation wavelength of 588.996 nm or 589.593 nm and since scattered laser light is a severe limitation on the sensitivity of LIF, the presence of Na may not be easily detected because of unavoidable interference from scattered laser light off the tool walls and windows. Furthermore, methods to reduce scattered laser light, such as the use of Brewster angle windows and light baffles, are impractical for use on commercial etch tools. LIF may also be used to detect trace copper atoms which appear in aluminized lines as a means to detect an etch endpoint. However, copper atoms will exhibit fluorescence at 324.775 nm which is a wavelength that would require frequency doubling of the dye laser; a process generally regarded as infeasible for manufacturing applications because more powerful lasers are required for this task and a skilled laser operator would be required.
Several laser interferometer techniques are now in standard practice for optically detecting line widths and etch endpoints. U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,001 to Sternheim et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,084 to Heimann et al. are directed to etch monitoring using laser interferometric methods whereby the thickness of the region being etched is simultaneously monitored. U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,694 to Betz et al. discloses a laser interferometry process which uses the reflected laser beam. U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,446 to Nagy et al. discloses a method, using a monitor wafer which is correlated to the endpoints of the working wafer, for detecting the endpoint of the etch of an epitaxially grown silicon whereby a laser is used to measure the etch rate of the monitor wafer by measuring the reflected light off the oxide layer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,981 to Chen et al. is directed an impedance monitoring technique for plasma etching wherein endpoints are detected by an impedance change of the plasma; however, the Chen et al. reference does disclose that laser interferometry is well established in the art and points out that the laser measures the thickness of the film removed as the etch process proceeds. U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,304 to McNeil et al. discloses an apparatus for ion etching which utilizes an interferometer for surface monitoring. The methods described in Chen et al. and McNeil et al. are generally insensitive to the precise wavelength of the detected light. Before the invention thereof by the applicants, interferometers have not been used in solid state device manufacturing for detecting trace emitting species in a complex background spectra.
Furthermore, several techniques for controlling interferometers are now in common practice. U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,248 to Papuchon et al. discloses an interferometer used for optical filtering. U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,573 to Wijntjes et al. discloses a dynamic mirror alignment control which utilizes an interferogram for analyzing sample materials wherein a closed loop servo motor is used to maintain position orientation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,486 to Evans discloses the use of mirrors in a Fabry-Perot interferometer used to change the bandwidth of the Fabry-Perot interferometer. The applicants invention describes completely new methods for using and controlling interferometers in transistor manufacturing.

Plasma constituent analysis by interferometric techniques

International Business Machines Corporation


During a garbage collection process for a non-volatile memory device of a storage device, an adaptive copy-back method selectively performs either an external or an internal copy-back operation in view of certain performance conditions for a storage device. The external copy-back operation is performed when a number of error-corrected bits per unit size of read data exceeds a given threshold value, and the internal copy-back operation is performed when the number of error-corrected bits does not exceed the threshold value.

The inventive concept relates to methods of operating a storage device. More particularly, the inventive concept relates to adaptive copy-back methods for selectively performing copy-back operations in consideration of storage device performance. The inventive concept also relates to storage devices operating in this manner.
Advances in the design, manufacture and operation of non-volatile memory devices has enabled, for example, the replacement of the conventional hard disk drive (HDD) with the solid state drive (SSD). The SSD typically arranges a plurality of non-volatile memory devices according to a plurality of channels. The data storage space provided by the non-volatile memory devices of the SSD must be routinely managed to ensure efficient storage of data. Such management includes a so-called "garbage collection" process.
The garbage collection process essentially reallocates (or recycles) available memory space into larger and more useful memory blocks by consolidating a number of smaller or fractured memory blocks. One or more copy-back operations are required to perform the garbage collection process. Unfortunately, a data access bottleneck to a buffer memory in the SSD may occur when non-volatile memory devices associated with multiple channels seek to simultaneously perform copy-back operations as part of overlapping garbage operations. This bottleneck may dramatically reduce performance of the SSD.

Adaptive copy-back method and storage device using same


Technology disclosed herein may involve a computing system that (i) generates (a) a first feature map based on a first visual input from a first perspective of a scene utilizing at least one first neural network and (b) a second feature map based on a second visual input from a second, different perspective of the scene utilizing at least one second neural network, where the first perspective and the second perspective share a common dimension, (ii) based on the first feature map and a portion of the second feature map corresponding to the common dimension, generates cross-referenced data for the first visual input, (iii) based on the second feature map and a portion of the first feature map corresponding to the common dimension, generates cross-referenced data for the second visual input, and (iv) based on the cross-referenced data, performs object detection on the scene.

The computational field of visual search involves the task of processing an image or other visual input, to identify a given object within that image. Visual search has many applicable fields, just a few of which may include: security screening, facial recognition, optical character recognition, etc.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate these as well as numerous other aspects in reading the following disclosure.
The drawings are for illustrating example embodiments, and the inventions are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A display system for vehicle data provides a smooth and responsive display of vehicle data even when the data is transmitted on an irregular basis by extrapolating from the previously received data when data is not received in a given interval. The invention allows display data to be preempted by higher priority data in a shared communications system.

The present invention relates to vehicle instrumentation including speedometers and tachometers, and in particular to a display system allowing for the smooth display of changing but irregularly transmitted data.
Driver display data that was once transmitted as analog voltages (e.g., fuel level) or mechanically (e.g., road speed) is now transmitted as digital words in serial fashion on a digital communications network within the vehicle. The digital words representing data from different sources may be interleaved to be transmitted on a single cable ("time multiplexed") thereby substantially reducing wiring weight and costs. Display devices may be attached to this network to receive and display data related to their function. Such displays may include those providing numeric outputs ("digital displays") or those having a moving pointer ("analog displays").
Efficiencies in circuitry may be obtained if several vehicle sensors communicate with a single network interface card. The interface card converts data from the sensors to the proper format for transmission on the network and handles the necessary network protocols.
Often a network interface card will process both engine control data such as that from oxygen, air mass and fuel flow sensors, as well as driver display information from speedometer and tachometer senders. During certain times of rapidly changing engine conditions, such as during acceleration, the transmission of higher priority engine control data may interfere with the regular transmission of driver display information. This can result in a "stepping" or jerkiness in the operations of displays such as the speedometer or tachometer, which are also receiving rapidly changing data.

Step-less vehicle display allowing irregular update intervals


An instant messaging system provides instant message communication between computers, including multi-user computers. The system provides multiple concurrent instant message user logins on a multi-user computer, one of the multiple concurrent instant message user logins being a registered buddy of a user of a second computer. The second computer is provided an indication that the registered buddy is one of multiple concurrent instant message user logins on a multi-user computer. The user of the second computer can send a message appropriate to be viewed on the multi-user computer. A video display may be rendered concurrently with the multiple concurrent instant message user logins. Instant messages are rendered over a portion of the video display. As a result, the instant messaging can operate smoothly with multi-user computers, protecting the privacy of instant messaging while minimizing the disruptiveness of instant messaging to accommodate shared use of a multi-user computer.

Instant messaging is a computer communication tool in which two users communicate with each other privately in real time over a computer network. Successive messages in the sequence of communications between the users are displayed automatically when received at each user's computer. A user will commonly have a list of "friends" or "buddies" who are other users with whom the user exchanges instant messages. When a user logs in, an instant messaging system will typically notify the user of which "friends" or "buddies" are also logged in and available for instant messaging.
Instant messaging is distinguished from email in that the former is received in a closed state and must be opened to be read by the user, while instant messaging arrives open and immediately readable. Instant messaging is distinguished from computer chat, bulletin boards, and message boards in that instant messaging relates to private communications between just two users rather than the public communication between multiple participants characteristic of online chat and boards.
Instant messaging is typically used in situations in which two users are communicating with each other from two separate computers or instant messaging devices (e.g., handheld computers, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, etc.). Privacy of the communications is based upon the inherent user-to-user nature of instant messaging communication and the solitary use by each user of his or her computer device.
With convergence of computing and entertainment applications, some personal computers are being adapted to provide multi-user (e.g., home entertainment) functionality as well as conventional personal computer functionality. For example, these computers are adapted to display television programs or play music or videos (e.g., from DVDs) to multiple simultaneous viewers or users, in addition to operating conventional personal computer programs and applications. An example of one such personal computer application or function is instant messaging.
In some instances, combining instant messaging with multi-user computer operation can allow groups of users at different multi-user computer to share a common viewing experience (e.g., watch a movie or sporting event) while simultaneously communicating with each other. A problem can arise, however, because the multiple users viewing a multi-user computer undermine the one-on-one privacy that is usually inherent in instant messaging. As a result, the privacy of messages sent to a multi-user computer for viewing by a particular user can be undermined, and sensitive or private information can be inadvertently displayed to multiple users.
Accordingly, the present invention includes an instant messaging system that provides instant message communication between computers, including multi-user computers. Multi-user computers combine multi-user entertainment functionality with digital or computer functionality and may have any of a variety of implementations, including a personal computer with media capabilities (e.g., video or audio), a video game console, a cable television set-top box, etc.
In one implementation, the system provides multiple concurrent instant message user logins on a multi-user computer. If one of the multiple concurrent instant message user logins is a registered buddy of a user of a second computer then the second computer is provided an indication that the registered buddy is one of multiple concurrent instant message user logins on a multi-user computer. As a result, the user of the second computer is notified of the lack of privacy at the multi-user computer and can send a message with a topic and language that are appropriate to be viewed by multiple users.
In another implementation, a video display, such as a movie or television programming like a sporting even, is rendered on the multi-user computer concurrently with the multiple concurrent instant message user logins on the multi-user computer. Instant messages are rendered over a portion of the video display in a manner that in unobtrusive to the multiple users. As a result, the instant messaging of the present invention can operate smoothly with multi-user computers, protecting the private nature of conventional instant messaging while minimizing the disruptiveness of instant messaging to accommodate shared use of a multi-user computer.
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Instant messaging for multi-user computers


A system and method of using metrics to control throttling and swapping in a message processing system is provided. A workload status of a message processing system is determined, and the system polls for a new message according to the workload status. The message processing system identifies a blocked instance and calculates an expected idle time for the blocked instance. The system dehydrates the blocked instance if the expected idle time exceeds a predetermined threshold.

An entity may use a software application, such as a web service, to automate various processes and to interact with other entities in a distributed environment, such as the Internet or World Wide Web, or a corporate intranet or wide area or local area network. To ensure that such interactions are accomplished successfully, one or more protocols should be in place for carrying messages to and from participants, and specific applications should also be in place at each participant's end. Such interactions are message-driven. For example, a buyer sends a purchase order to a seller. The seller then checks its inventory to determine if it can provide the ordered items. If so, the seller sends an acknowledgement back to the buyer with a price. Finally, the buyer accepts or rejects the seller's offer (and/or possibly places another order). As evident in this example, each participant's application reacts to the receipt of messages.
Many such interactions and processes may take place at a given time. In addition, the same interaction may be carried out at the same time between different parties. For example, the buyer may send several purchase orders to different sellers. Thus, at any given time multiple instances of each interaction and/or an instance of many different processes may need to be processed. A conventional system for processing such messages may become overburdened when messages arrive too quickly for the system to handle, or when too many interactions or other processes are occupying resources without making progress toward completion.
An example of a situation where a message processing system may become overburdened is when the arrival rate of messages becomes too great. In such a situation, the system expends a large percentage of available resources on servicing the arrival of the messages—such as determining to which instance each message belongs, whether the message requires the creation of a new instance, and so forth—which leaves few resources available to actually process the messages. A system in such a state is said to be "thrashing." In addition, a large amount of processing power is typically required to process a message, which complicates the issue of handling a large number of arriving messages. For example, when processing a message the system may need to update one or more database entries based on the message, transmit one or more messages, and so forth. Therefore, as the processing power required to process a message increases, the number of incoming messages required to overburden the message processing system decreases. When a system receives a greater number of messages than it can adequately process, the system can produce errors, loose data, or may simply become very slow and/or unresponsive. For example, in the above buyer/seller scenario, the transaction may be delayed, the messages with the buyer's and/or seller's instructions may be lost or corrupted, and/or the entire transaction aborted as a result of the system's inability to adequately process the messages.
A conventional message processing system that experiences such overburdening issues is also especially vulnerable to "denial of service" computer attacks. In such attacks, a hostile party transmits a very large number of messages to a particular message processing system. The system becomes overwhelmed when attempting to process the messages, and as a result the process(es) the system is supposed to be running are adversely affected or interrupted entirely.
Accordingly, and in light of the above shortcomings, what is needed is a system and method for throttling, or controlling the arrival rate of new messages, and selectively moving work that is already being processed into secondary storage. More particularly, what is needed is an agent that retrieves a new message and directs such a message to its instance. Even more particularly, what is needed is a controller that uses feedback from the instance state to control instance swapping to optimize performance of the message processing system.

Use of metrics to control throttling and swapping in a message processing system


The present invention discloses a multiple users cooperative communication (MUCC) method and system. The main idea of the present invention is as follows: through multiple users cooperative communication between APs, data to be sent to a UE by an eNB may be sent to a support AP at first, and then the support AP sends the data to the UE; and when the support AP is in a poor network environment, the eNB may send the data to other APs near the support AP, and finally forward the data to the support AP through one or more times of forwarding between other APs. The present invention has a multiuser diversity gain without increasing the complexity and power consumption of the UE; furthermore, a laying cost of wired backhaul can be reduced and reliability and transmission efficiency of MUCC can be improved.

With the rapid development of the mobile communication technologies, there have been various types of mobile communication systems at present, for example, a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, a General Packet Radio Service (General Packet Radio Service, GPRS) network, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) network, a CDMA-2000 (Code Division Multiple Access) network, a time division-synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) network, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, and so on. In addition to voice communication services, these mobile communication systems can also provide data communication services. A user may upload and download various kinds of data by using data communication services provided by these mobile communication systems. Among these communication systems, with respect to the means of communication for single-user equipment, the throughput rate or reliability of data transmission of a user equipment will drop sharply once the network environment of the user equipment is degraded.
To solve the above problem, a concept of multiple users cooperative communication (MUCC) is proposed. For the MUCC, data sent to a user equipment (UE) by an evolved NodeB (evolved Node B, eNB) may be sent to other UEs near this UE, and then the data is forwarded to the target UE through the short-distance communication technology between UEs. By using MUCC, when sending data to UE, the eNB may select a UE having the best channel conditions from several UEs to deliver data, thereby achieving an effect of multiuser diversity. However, the MUCC may also cause the problems that overhead on macro-network air interface links of a UE cannot be saved, and complexity and power consumption of the UE is increased, and the like.
The above defects of the MUCC are particularly important for small data transmission. Therefore, in view of characteristics of the small data transmission, another form of the MUCC is derived: MUCC Form 2. In the MUCC Form 2, a UE and an eNB do not communicate with each other directly. Data sent by the eNB to all benefited UEs are forwarded by a support UE. A UE providing support for a benefited UE may be a super E5 (a super E5 refers to a special terminal particularly for supporting another UE) or a common terminal Forwarding by the support UE may increase the edge coverage of the eNB and improve the spectrum efficiency of some hot spots. Technologies similar to MUCC Form 2 further include pico, and relay, and the like. However, they have the following defects: MUCC Form 2 loses a multiuser diversity gain, and when the macro-network link of a common support UE become worse, all UEs connected to this support UE will be affected; the backhaul (backhaul link) of a small station in the pico needs to be installed with fixed network lines, and the laying cost of optical fibers and other wired backhaul is high; and, although a common support node in the relay and MUCC Fond 2 supports wireless backhaul, it is likely to form a bottleneck for the backhaul.
In conclusion, the existing MUCC technology has problems of having a complicated structure, high power consumption, low reliability of communication.

Multiple users cooperative communication method, and related device and system


The memory device includes a plurality of memory chips of a certain capacity assembled in a single package and sharing input/output pins, the memories being selectable and singularly enabled one at the time by appropriate external commands coherently with the currently addressed memory location. The device uses only one external enable/disable logic command applied through a single dedicated pin. Each of the memory chips has a number of additional input/output pads equal to 2*n, where 2n is the number of memory chips contained in the device, and a dedicated circuit that generates an internal enable/disable command, as a function of logic inputs corresponding to the logic states of the additional pads and the external enable/disable command.

To realize a high density memory device, for example of 128 Mbit, a possible approach includes assembling a plurality of memories (chips) of a certain size inside a single package, for example two memory chips of 64 Mbit each. The so obtained memory has a storage size equal to the sum of the sizes of the single memory chips. The advantage of this approach is that it is not necessary to re-design a new integrated device.
This approach is largely used by manufacturers of memory devices. For sake of simplicity, the assembling of a twin stacked memory is described. The so-called "twin stacked" memory is realized by assembling two memory chips or memories, generally identical, in a single package, bonding together the connection lines to the input/output pins of each memory in common on the array of input/output pins of the mounting frame of the package. According to known practice, the external enabling commands (commonly called chip enable or CE_N) are applied through distinct pins for commanding separately the two memories.
FIG. 1 depicts a classic structure of a "twin stacked" device. The bus of external addresses APD and DQPAD and the control signals OE_N, WE_N, RP_N are connected in common for constituting the equivalent array of input/output pins of the device. By contrast, the CE_N pins are multiple, that is each one is dedicated to a respective memory, and depending on the configuration of logic signals applied to them, four different combinations are possible, that may be selected by the user through dedicated external commands. The user may select one or the other of the two memories by lowering the respective logic "chip enable" command (CE), or place both memories in stand-by by forcing both "chip enable" commands to a high logic level.
There is a risk of both commands accidentally switching low, thus activating in parallel both memories. In any case, the system must manage a plurality of "chip enable" commands specific for the distinct memory chips contained in the packaged device.

Memory device composed of a plurality of memory chips in a single package