A computer implemented process and system for providing a scan insertion process having a reduced set of constraint driven compiler optimizations that provide an efficient and effective optimization for design for test implementations. The present invention includes a three tiered effort performance optimization process within a scan insertion process; a first tier operates to perform a set of optimizations (size design) only on elements of the design added for design for test (DFT). The second tier offers the first tier and performs the size design optimizations across all of the design while the third tier offers the second tier with sequential optimizations, circuit size downs, and another size design. Each higher user-selectable tier offers more complex optimizations and consumes additional processing time. An option to perform design constraints optimization (max fanout, max signal transition, and max capacitance) is also available. By utilizing a reduced set of performance optimizations, the present invention offers a post scan insertion compile technique that is fast enough to be practically used on chip level netlists. Hierarchical compilations for DFT are therefore allowed. Since the modified scan insertion procedure can operate in conjunction with a TR compiler of the present invention, the modified scan insertion procedure breaks loopback connections and generates proper scan chains. The scan insertion process of the present invention is compatible with netlists that contain a mixture of scan cells and non-scan cells.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of logic synthesis for integrated circuit devices. More particularly, aspects of the present invention relate to an HDL compiler and a scan insertion process used for test implementations designed for circuit synthesis.
(2) Background of the Related Art
Complex integrated circuits are designed with the use of computer aided design (CAD) tools. Specifically, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field programmable gate array (FPGA) circuits can be designed using a variety of CAD tools. The development of ASICs and FPGA circuits with the aid of CAD tools is referred to as electronic design automatic or EDA. Design, checking and testing of large scale integrated circuits are so complex that the use of programmed computer systems are required for realization of normal circuits. This is partly because the integrated devices are inherently complex and partly because the circuit design needs to be decomposed into simpler functions which are recognized by the CAD tool. It is also partly because considerable computation is required in order to achieve an efficient layout of the resultant network. The result of the computerized design process is a detailed specification defining a complex integrated circuit in terms of a particular technology. This specification can be regarded as a template for the fabrication of the physical embodiment of the integrated circuit using transistors, routing resources, etc.
Integrated circuit designs can be represented in different levels of abstraction, such as the register transfer level (RTL) and the logical level, using a hardware description language (HDL), also called high level design language. Two exemplary forms of HDL are Verilog and VHDL. The integrated circuit can be represented by different layers of abstractions (e.g., behavioral levels, structural levels and gate levels). An RTL level is an intermediary level of abstraction between the behavioral and structural levels. HDL descriptions can represent designs of all these levels.
The behavior levels and RTL levels consist generally of descriptions of the circuit expressed with program-like constructs, such as variables, operators conditional loops, procedures and functions. At the logic level, the descriptions of the circuit are expressed with Boolean equations. The HDL can be used along with a set of circuit constraints as an input to a computer implemented compiler (also called a "silicon compiler"). The computer implemented compiler program processes this description of the integrated circuit and generates therefrom a detailed list of logic components and the interconnections between these components. This list is called a "netlist." The components of a netlist can include primitive cells such as full-adders, NAND gates, NOR gates, XOR gates, latches and D-flip flops, etc. and their interconnections used to form a custom design.
In processing the HDL input, the compiler first generates a netlist of generic primitive cells that are technology independent. The compiler then applies a particular cell library to this generic netlist (this process is called mapping) in order to generate a technology dependent mapped netlist. The mapping process converts the logical representation which is independent of technology into a form which is technology dependent. The mapped netlist has recourse to standard circuits, or cells which are available within a cell library forming a part of the data available to the computer system.
Compiler programs and mapping programs are well known in the art and several of these systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,497, by Altheimer et al.
An important part of the logic synthesis process involves designing for testability. Programs that aid in the testability process of logic synthesis are called design for test (DFT) processes. As part of DFT, it is known to take the mapped netlist generated from a compiler and add and/or replace certain memory cells and associated circuitry with special memory cells that are designed to allow the application of test vectors to certain logic portions of the integrated circuit. The act of applying test vector is called stimulation of the design and the special memory cells and associated circuitry are referred to as DFT implementations. Issues concerning controllability deal with facilitating the application of the test vectors to the circuitry to be tested. The same memory cells can be used to capture the output of the circuitry for observation and compare this output to the expected output in an effort to determine if circuit (e.g., manufacturing) defects are present.
The portions of an integrated circuit that are designed to perform its intended or expected operational function are called its "mission mode" circuitry while the portions added to the integrated circuit to facilitate testability are called "test mode" circuitry or DFT implementations. The resultant circuit therefore has two functional modes, mission and test.
An exemplary flow chart diagram of a typical logic synthesis process, including a DFT process, is shown in FIG. 1. The processes 200 described with respect to this flow chart is implemented within a computer system in a CAD environment. High level design language (HDL) descriptions of the integrated circuit enter at block 201. Also accompanying the HDL 201 is a set of performance constraints 205 applicable to the design which typically include timing, area, power consumption, and other performance related limitations that the compiler 225 will attempt to satisfy when synthesizing the integrated circuit design. Constraints 205 can also include non-performance related constraints such as structural and routing constraints. Compiler 225 consists of a generic compiler 203 (also called an HDL compiler, RTL synthesizer, or architectural optimizer) that inputs the HDL 201 description and generates therefrom a technology independent or "generic" netlist 207 which is also dependent on the constraints 205. As discussed above, the netlist 207 is a list of technology independent components or operators and the interconnections between them.
The generic netlist 207 is then input to a design compiler 209 that includes a computer implemented logic optimization procedure and a mapping procedure which interfaces with a technology dependent cell library 230 (e.g., from LSI, VLSI, TI or Xilinx technologies, etc.). The cell library 230 contains specific information regarding the cells of the specific technology selected such as the cell logic, number of gates, area consumption, power consumption, pin descriptions, etc., for each cell in the library 230. Logic optimization procedure of block 209 includes structuring and flattening procedures. The mapping procedure of block 209 generates a gate level mapped netlist 211 that is technology dependent having cells specifically selected to satisfy the constraints 205. This gate level netlist 211 consists at this point of "mission mode"circuitry.
At block 212 of FIG. 1, DFT process 213 performs a particular test insertion process (here a scan) to implement testability cells or "test mode" cells into the overall integrated circuit design. In this process 213, memory cells of the mapped netlist 211 are replaced with memory cells that are specially designed to apply and observe test vectors or patterns to and from portions of the integrated circuit. In one particular DFT process, these memory cells specially designed for test are called scannable memory cells. The test vector patterns can be derived from combinational or sequential automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) processes depending on whether or not a full or partial scan is performed by the scan insertion process 213. Process 213 also performs linking groups of scannable memory cells into scan chains so that the test vectors can be cycled into and out of the integrated circuit design. The output of the scan insertion process 213 is a scannable netlist 215 that contains both mission and test mode circuitry.
A problem occurs in the prior art process of FIG. 1 in that the scan insertion process 213 does not take into account its impact on the mission mode design. Specifically, the addition of the testability cells (scannable cells), and interconnections there between (chaining resources), and the addition of other dedicated connections required for operation of the scan chains (e.g., scan clock routing and scan enable signal routing) can cause the overall design to violate one or more of the defined constraints 205.
Therefore, a second compile process 217 of FIG. 1 (full or incremental compile) is invoked by the prior art process 200 in order to more effectively optimize the scannable netlist 215 to the constraints 205. An incremental compile 217 does not process all existing structure as in a full compile, it only applies high level logical optimization to the unmapped portions of the design. Those unmapped portions are then mapped using a technology dependent library. During a process iteration, an incremental compile 217 always processes to decrease the circuit cost. However, although this second compile process 217 is only an incremental compile process, it applies mapping optimizations iteratively on the entire scannable netlist 215. As a result, processing time to perform the second compile process 217 can be on the order of weeks given conventional CAD technology and circuit complexity.
Alternatively, many prior systems utilize a full compile as the second compile process 217. The full compile process is similar to process 225 in that the full compile process at 217 applies mapping and logic optimizations to the entire design, not just the unmapped portions.
After the second compile process 217 of FIG. 1 completes, a scannable netlist 219 is again generated that contains the testability cells but that may or may not meet the original performance constraints 205. Therefore, at block 221, the prior art then performs a test to determine if the scannable netlist 219 meets the constraints 205. If the netlist 219 meets the constraints, then at block 235, other circuit synthesis procedures continue until the integrated circuit design can be fabricated onto a substrate and tested.
However, as is often the case, the addition of the testability cells by the scan insertion process 213 does not allow the second compile process 217 to meet constraints 205 without a design modification to the original HDL program 201. In such case, the overall process 200 flows from block 221 back to the HDL 201 where the architect modifies the HDL program 201 so that the addition of the testability cells and other resources will eventually satisfy, when possible, the given constraints 205 after the incremental compile step 217 is again executed.
The prior art process 200 of FIG. 1 has several disadvantages. It is disadvantageous to execute a second substantial compile process 217 in an attempt to match the testability cells and linking resources to the given set of constraints. Although this process can be an incremental compile step in that much of the gate level connections are not removed, mapping optimization portions of this compile process still operate in an iterative fashion over the entire design. The addition of this second compile process, using conventional technology, delays the overall integrated circuit synthesis process by as much as one to two weeks. Even after this long delay, there are no guarantees that the incremental compile process 217 will generate a scannable netlist satisfying the constraints 205. In this case, a time consuming task of returning to the HDL for redesign is required. This process involves the chip architect designers once more and, therefore, it is unclear under the prior art system when a designer can sign off on his or her work in the design process.
What is needed is a system that can reduce the time required to perform circuit synthesis while providing effective DFT processes. The present invention offers such advantageous functionality.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a time efficient design synthesis system operable within a computer implemented CAD system that includes effective DFT processes. It is further an object of the present invention to provide the above with the elimination of the second substantial compile process that is used in the prior art. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide the compile process with information relating to the impact of testability cells and resources to the overall design so that this information can be accounted for during the initial compilation phase. It is further an object of the present invention to provide specific aspects of the initial compile process to a modified scan insertion process so that the added testability cells and resources can be processed to likely meet the constraints without requiring a substantial second compilation process. To this end, it is an object of the present invention to provide optimization procedures in a modified scan insertion procedure that operate only on the test cells and resources. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention not specifically recited above will become clear within discussions of the present invention herein.

Constraint driven insertion of scan logic for implementing design for test within an integrated circuit design


An energy harvester comprising: a microbial fuel cell comprising an anode; and a pump comprising a flexible diaphragm that is configured to be flexed by an ambient, renewable energy source such that with each flexing of the diaphragm nutrient-rich media is pumped past the anode.

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) power outputs are typically limited by diffusion-driven transport of anode reactants. Some sources have reported order of magnitude power increases when sediment pore water is pumped about the anode to achieve a much higher flux of nutrients. (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 8,148,019 to Tender et al.) Though the benefits of active pore water transport for MFCs have been explored, there have been no practical means to operate these pumps without requiring more power than that produced by the MFCs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A high strength porous polymeric material manufactured by a compression process is disclosed. The material results in a network of interconnected collapsed pores, which forces thin overlapping walls and passages to be created. The network provides permeable access for fluid migration throughout the material. The strength and/or permeability are advantageous for medical devices and implants.

The present invention relates to surgical devices for stabilizing and/or fusing adjacent bone structures, and, more particularly, to surgical devices for stabilizing and/or fusing the spine and for implantation between the vertebrae, including the intradiscal space. Generally, this invention concerns internal fixation devices, particularly spinal fusion and related implants.
Spinal degenerative diseases (e.g., stenosis, disc disease, spondylosis, etc.) trauma, aging, or a herniated disc can cause compression in the spine thus applying pressure to the nerve roots and/or spinal cord. The compression produces progressive pain, loss of movement and sensation, and sometimes, permanent disability. Spinal fusion is among the standards of care for surgical decompression and stabilization of the spine. Fusion, known also as arthrodesis, is accomplished by the formation of an osseous bridge between adjacent motion segments. The goals of spinal surgery include relieving spinal cord/nerve compression, promoting spinal fusion, increasing stability, maintaining spinal alignment, and restoring disc height. Ideally, reconstructive surgery would result in total spinal fusion with an excellent clinical outcome.
For over 40 years, removal of the problematic disc and fusion of the adjacent vertebrae has been the common treatment for degenerative diseases. The classical surgical procedure is discectomy and interbody fusion with an iliac crest autograft with or without internal fixation. A discectomy typically requires the removal of a portion or the entire intervertebral disc. Different types of grafts (e.g., autograft, allograft, or synthetic ceramics) are used to fill the disc space.
Unfortunately, the use of bone grafts presents several disadvantages. Autogenous bone, which contains matrix molecules and living cells such as osteoblasts that facilitate fusion, is the ideal bone graft; however, postoperative pain is often greater at the harvest site than the surgical site. Additionally, autografts removed from a patient may not yield a sufficient quantity of graft material. Harvesting bone is also associated with high rates of harvest site morbidity and can increase the risk of infection and blood loss. Alternatively, allografts obviate the need for bone harvesting, but have inconsistent mechanical properties. Allografts can also transmit diseases or cause infections, and they have unpredictable and slow fusion rates. Autografts and allografts alone may not provide the stability required to withstand spinal loads and are subject to collapse or failure due to a lack of strength.
In the mid-1970's, Bagby found the clinical results of harvest site morbidity to be unacceptable. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,269, he describes the "Bone or Bagby Basket" to eliminate bone graft harvesting and promote bone fusion. Due to the drawbacks of traditional fusion techniques, his initial invention was important and innovative, and it has continually been improved in both design and material selection. These interbody fusion devices are designed to stabilize the vertebral bodies, hold osteogenic material, and promote early stabilization and fusion. The rigidity and structural design of the devices must be able to support the axial loads in the spine. Commercially available spinal interbody fusion devices are made of stainless steel, titanium alloy, carbon fiber, or allograft bone. Often, these devices have void spaces or perforations to allow bone ingrowth.
While carbon fiber and metal interbody fusion devices offer strength advantages, they have several disadvantages. Metal interbody fusion devices are a permanent foreign body and are difficult to remove during revision surgery. Due to the difference in mechanical properties of bone and metal, the main concern of metal interbody fusion devices is stress-shielding, which may cause bone resorption or osteopenia. Although these devices have demonstrated an ability to facilitate fusion, a sufficient fusion is not always achieved between the bone grafts housed within the cage and the vertebral endplates. Achieving a complete bony union in the middle portion of the cage has been particularly problematic. Clinical fusion outcomes may be difficult to assess with metallic interbody fusion devices due to the artifacts and scattering during postoperative CT or MRI scans. Often a complete bony union cannot be seen, making fusion results unreliable. Carbon fiber cages are radiolucent and have properties, such as modulus of elasticity, similar to bone; however, they are also a permanent foreign body. Long-term results with metal and carbon fiber interbody fusion devices are unknown due to the relatively recent development of the implants. Metal cages have been known to fatigue and will eventually fail if a solid bony fusion is not achieved. Over time, metal and carbon fiber cages may migrate or have significant subsidence into the vertebral bodies.
Gjunter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,169) describes a porous (i.e., 8 to 90% porosity) material made of a nickel-titanium alloy. The pores form a network of interconnected passageways that permit fluid migration through the material. The material may be used for biomedical implants or non-medical applications. Kaplan (U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,861) and Zdeblick et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,091) discuss a similar porous material made of a carbon-tantalum composite that could be used to create an implant device. The elasticity of the porous materials is similar to live bony tissue; however, most of the disadvantages associated with carbon fiber and solid metal internal fixation devices still apply to the porous nickel-titanium and carbon-tantalum alloy materials. For example, the porous metal implants remain permanently implanted in the body.
To avoid the disadvantages of metal and carbon fibers devices, bioresorbable materials have been used for years as sutures, bone plates, screws, pins, and other medical devices. A few advantages of bioresorbable implants include biocompatibility, predictable degradation, and complete resorption via natural pathways by the body over a period of time. Polymers are advantageous over other bioresorbable materials, such as ceramics, because they have high toughness and are highly reproducible. The toughness significantly reduces the danger of polymers failing by brittle fracture. Bioresorbable polymers can be formed into spacers, wedges, threaded cages, and a variety of other shapes (e.g., spinal interbody fusion devices).
Bioresorbable implants are transparent to x-rays, and therefore allow, for example, postoperative clinical assessment of a bony union, thereby overcoming one disadvantage of metallic implants. They can perform all the requirements of an interbody cage by providing immediate stability, maintaining foraminal distraction, restoring disc height, and allowing bone ingrowth and fusion. Bioresorbable interbody fusion devices can be produced that provide sufficient strength retention (up to 12 months or longer) in order to allow fusion to occur, then resorb after they are no longer needed. They have the compressive strength to withstand and carry the spinal axial loads; however, they have a modulus of elasticity similar to bone, which limits stress-shielding. Bioresorbable implant devices may feature or contain osteogenic material to attract bone and cells to the implant. Additionally, the bioresorbable devices may be hydrophilic and/or porous. Porous, hydrophilic devices promote the migration of fluid material into the implant, thus allowing a wide variety of tissue ingrowth. The porous bioresorbable implants are fully capable of being replaced by the patient's own bone growth.
Lynch (U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,303), McKay (U.S. Pat. No. 6,346,123) and Webb (U.S. Pat. No. 6,503,279) all describe bioresorbable, porous ceramic materials that may be used in medical implants. McKay and Webb specifically describe an intervertebral fusion device. Due to the brittle nature of ceramic materials, particularly as degradation occurs, the disclosed materials may not withstand the axial loads or cyclic loading of the implant site (e.g., spine) without fracture, collapse, and ultimately device failure.
McKay (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,702,449 and 6,039,762) describes a spinal cage with an inner core of porous biocompatible material, preferably porous ceramic, which allows tissue ingrowth, and an outer body that can withstand compressive loads. The porous biocompatible material may protrude from the outer shell to permit contact with the vertebral bodies. The implant design with the resorbable inner core does not allow for the use of a bone graft within the device. A high strength outer shell may provide sufficient support; however, it brings concomitant property mismatch with natural bone. Bioceramics as used to form the outer shell are brittle and may fracture under high spinal loads.
Moumene and Serhan (U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,201) disclose a fusion cage with a structural bioresorbable layer disposed upon the outer surface of a non-resorbable support. The purpose of the non-resorbable support is to act as a scaffold for the bioresorbable layer and to hold a bone graft or osteogenic material. The bioresorbable layer would resorb over time, gradually increasing the loading on the bone graft and fusion cage. If the bioresorbable layer and bone graft degrade before fusion can occur, the non-resorbable support may cause stress-shielding. Depending on the thickness of the bioresorbable layer, complete degradation of the layer may cause a great decrease in disc space height. The non-resorbable support will remain a permanent foreign object in the body.
Gresser et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,241,771 and 6,419,945) describes a spinal interbody fusion device composed of 25-100% bioresorbable material. The device is composed of a resorbable polymer that can produce acidic products upon degradation and includes a neutralization compound to decrease the rate of pH change as the device degrades. In order to withstand the maximum physiologic loading, of at least 10,000 N (the maximum expected lumbar load), the disclosed device must be reinforced with fibers. The device is not porous, consequently limiting bone ingrowth. Similar to metal interbody fusion devices, the device may have void spaces to hold osteogenic materials, such as bone grafts or other osteogenic material. The disclosed device will slowly degrade and lose strength over time with complete resorption predicted to occur by one year. Clinically, complete fusion and bony union may take longer than one year in unstable patients. If fusion of the endplates through the disk space does not occur, the short-term resorption of the device may lead to collapse of the disk space.
Bioresorbable interbody spinal fusion devices offer solutions to disadvantanges related to bone grafts and metal and carbon fiber cages. Autografts require bone graft harvesting, which causes postoperative pain and morbidity at the harvest site. Allografts put the patient at risk for infection or transmitted diseases. Metal and carbon fiber cages remain permanent foreign bodies. Metal cages can cause stress-shielding and make fusion assessment difficult. They may also migrate from the implantation site or subside into the vertebral bodies. A need exists for an interbody spinal fusion device that achieves a successful fusion and bony union while avoiding drawbacks associated with the use of metal and carbon fiber devices or bone grafts.

Compressed porous materials suitable for implant


Medical instruments are provided having end effectors and end effector actuator apparatus which are rotatable relative to the end effectors. The instruments generally include a tube which is typically coupled to the end effectors via a clevis around which the end effectors pivot, a push rod extending through the tube and coupled to the end effectors, and an actuator apparatus engaging the tube and the push rod with the actuator apparatus including a handle which surrounds and rotatably engages the proximal end of the tube, and a lever arm which pivotally engages the handle and is coupled to the push rod such that pivotal movement of the lever arm relative to the handle effects axial movement of the push rod relative to the tube and pivotal movement of the end effectors. In order to alternatively fix or allow rotation of the actuator apparatus relative to the tube and end effectors, the tube is provided with a plurality of peripherally spaced apart recesses in a portion thereof, and the handle is provided with a resiliently biased contact element which is coupled to an electrode and which when seated in a recess restrains rotation of the outer tube about the longitudinal axis, but which can be unseated by a sufficient relative rotational force. To decouple rotation of the push rod from the lever arm, a generally spherical push rod engaging element is provided in a cylindrical bore of the lever arm.

The present invention broadly relates to endoscopic surgical instruments. More particularly, the invention relates to disposable endoscopic instruments having end effectors and actuation means for effecting movement of the end effectors where the end effectors are rotatable relative o the actuation means.
The endoscopy and laparoscopy procedures have recently become widely practiced surgical procedures. The endoscopy and laparoscopy procedures involve incising through body walls (e.g., such as the abdominal wall) for examining, viewing and/or operating on the ovaries, uterus, gall bladder, bowels, appendix, etc. Typically, trocars are utilized for creating the incisions. Trocar tubes are left in place in the abdominal wall so that the endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical tools may be inserted through the tube. A camera or magnifying lens is often inserted through a relatively large diameter trocar tube (e.g. 10 mm diameter) which for the laparoscopy procedure is generally located at the navel incision, while a cutter, dissector, extractor, or other surgical instrument is inserted through a typically smaller diameter trocar tube (e.g. 5 m diameter) for purposes of manipulating and/or cutting the internal organ. Sometimes it is desirable to have several trocar tubes in pace at once in order to receive several surgical instruments. In this manner, organ or tissue may be grasped with one surgical instrument, and simultaneously may be cut or stitched with another surgical instrument; all under view of the surgeon via the camera in place in the navel trocar tube.
During a laparoscopic or endoscopic procedure, in order to properly grasp or cut tissue or an organ, it is sometimes desirable to rotate the end effectors of the endoscopic/laparoscopic tool. In fact, sometimes it is desirable to rotate the end effectors without moving the handle position of the tool. Generally, however, with the tools of the prior art, rotation of the end effectors can only be accomplished by rotating the handles of the tools; i.e., rotation of the end effectors of the end effectors relative to the handles or actuation means is impossible. To the extent that tools with end effector rotation are available, the tools tend to limit rotation to a few set positions, which does not permit the practitioner to obtain an exact desired position, and the tools tend to be of complex construction which undesirably adds to the cost of the instrument.
The endoscopic and laparoscopic tools of the prior art are primarily reusable stainless steel tools. Between each use of a stainless steel tool, the tool must be soaked, scrubbed, and disinfected. The usual procedure is then to dry the tool, wrap it, and put it in a steam autoclave. The tool is kept sterile until just prior to use when it is removed from the autoclave and unwrapped in the locale of the sterile field of use.
While reusable endoscopic and laparoscopic tools have functioned well for their intended purpose, the process of sterilizing the tool is problematic. Small pieces of tissue or organ often become lodged in the end effectors, and much labor is required to ensure that complete sterility is obtained and maintained. In addition, over time, sharp instruments such as a scissors get dull and must be discarded. However, prior to use of a particular instrument, the surgeon is not able to discern the state of the instrument and whether the instrument will satisfy the surgeon's requirements.
The alternative to reusable endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical tools are disposable tools. However, the complicated construction of endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical tools has typically dictated that the tools be expensive.

Endoscopic surgical instruments having stepped rotatable end effectors


Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for inputting data into a primary application. A keyboard utility may be rendered on a user interface of a client computing device for inputting data into a primary application. Information may be obtained from a secondary application. A view may be generated using the information obtained from the secondary application. The view may be displayed as the keyboard utility on the user interface of the client computing device. In aspects, the keyboard utility is linked to the secondary application. In some cases, the secondary application is a calendar application.

Conventionally, mobile devices (including but not limited to Personal Digital Assistants, tablets, mobile phones, and/or the like) which lack physical keyboards, provide users with on-screen keyboard applets. The keyboard applets allow users to input data into input fields, including but not limited to messages (e.g., emails, SMS messages, blog and/or social media posts, web forms, and/or the like).
Keyboard applets, however, often only allow users to input textual data and/or icons into these input fields. Users cannot use keyboard applets to input more complex data (such as non-textual data from mobile applications) into input fields. The input field, in conventional methods, must authorize the user to separately open the other mobile application, to link a user's account with the input field, and/or the like, to allow the user to input other forms of data. This can require users to switch between and submit data from a large number of applications to provide data to an input field. This can also limit the type of information a user can readily provide to an input field using the keyboard applet. Switching between applications is also time consuming and can cause loss of message drafts and other technical issues while retrieving data from other applications.

Keyboard utility for inputting data into a mobile application


Described is a technology by which a server automatically configures itself for adding to an existing network. Upon connection to the network, the server obtains settings including existing subnet and gateway IP addresses from a DHCP assigned IP configuration (e.g., a router). The server uses the settings to automatically configure itself to dynamically provide addresses similar to the previous scope to clients. In one implementation, the server software sets its network card to a static IP address state while the server is configured, and thereafter sets the network card to a dynamic state. The router is disabled during server configuration, and re-enabled thereafter, whereby the server DHCP service instead of the router DHCP service assigns the addresses. The server may also attempt to automatically connect to the Internet.

Adding a server to an existing network has heretofore required a manual process to configure the internal network and connect to the Internet. The process, typically performed via a wizard or applet, requires that the end user or server administrator have knowledge of the existing infrastructure in order to set up the connection to the local area network (LAN), and knowledge of how to access the Internet.
For example, an end user or a server administrator is required have knowledge of available IP (Internet Protocol) addresses on their network, subnet masks, gateways and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) servers. Such knowledge is beyond the sophistication level of many individuals that would otherwise be interested in adding a server, e.g., to a small business network and even to a home network.

Automatic configuration of client and server networking


A clamping assembly includes a body defining a retaining area and at least one coupling element. The body further includes a first leg having an adjustable engagement member and a second leg positioned at an angle less than 90° relative to a horizontal axis. The clamping assembly further includes a rod having a first end coupled to the at least one coupling element of the body. The rod is operative to drive the body in a direction toward the first leg in response to a force directed toward a second end of the rod.

Many products and manufacturing processes require the use of chemicals. Chemicals, specifically liquid and gaseous chemicals, are typically stored and transported in containers that are equipped with valves, which couple to pipes or hoses that allow the chemicals to be dispensed into and out of the containers. These containers may also be equipped with fuse valves that comprise a threaded portion holding a solid plug. The solid plug is comprised of a material which melts at a certain temperature in order to release built up pressure inside the container to prevent explosions. Such containers vary in size and may include one-ton containers as well as railway tank cars used in trains. The valves are surrounded by a protective housing, which prevents the valves from being sheared off should a container be dropped or the tank car become derailed in a train accident. The protective housing includes several holes positioned around the circumference of protective housing that allow the pipes or hoses connected to the valves to pass through. The storage and transport containers are configured specifically for the chemical that they will contain. As such, the valve arrangement and even the size of the protective housing will differ between containers. Damage to a valve may cause leakage of the chemicals from the container leading to environmental contamination.
Currently, kits are sold that enable a leaking valve (or fuse plug) to be temporarily plugged, sealed, or capped to avoid such hazardous conditions until valve, or pressure relief device (or fuse plug) replacement can be performed. Some of these kits are tailored specifically to the type of container on which they will be used. For example, a Chlorine Institute Emergency Kit-C would need to be used to plug a leaking valve on a chlorine rail car. Setting up or installing the kits onto a chemical container requires that all hoses and pipes be removed from the valves, including the valves that are not damaged.
The kit generally comprises a containment assembly, which includes two or more coupling elements that couple the containment assembly to the holes of the protective housing or other preexisting feature positioned on the chemical container. A bridge member is attached to the two or more coupling elements and has a drive member. The drive member applies a downward force onto a hood, which covers the leaking valve and prevents chemical contamination of the surrounding environment. The downward force applied to the hood causes the bridge to lift up, which engages the coupling elements, thereby exerting an opposing force. The opposing force secures the hood and the containment assembly in place.
However, only being able to couple to preexisting holes or other features on the protective housing greatly limits the positioning of the containment assembly and can cause increased strain on the bridge as it is always required to span the entire diameter of the protective housing. Moreover, the multiple heavy components make assembly and disassembly of the containment assembly difficult and time consuming. Other kits provide a more universal containment assembly that can be used with multiple types of chemical containers. However, these assemblies also require that all hoses and pipes to be removed from the valves during use, including the valves that are not damaged. The coupling elements are also configured to engage preexisting holes in the protective housing thereby, limiting the positioning of the bridge and increasing bridge strain. Furthermore, the heavy components of this type of apparatus make assembly and disassembly difficult and time consuming.
The foregoing background describes some, but not necessarily all, of the problems, disadvantages and shortcomings related to current container clamps and related containment assemblies. There is a general and pervasive need in the field to provide a container clamp that is universally compatible with various types of containers, easy to install, and with superior gripping ability.


Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and device for migrating data. The method comprises identifying cold data in a primary storage system. The method further comprises, in response to determining that the cold data is in a non-compression state, obtaining the cold data from the primary storage system via a first interface, the first interface being configured for a user to access the primary storage system. The method further comprises obtaining, in response to determining the cold data is in a compression state, the cold data in the compression state from the primary storage system via a second interface that is different from the first interface. The method further comprises migrating the obtained cold data from the primary storage system to a secondary storage system.

A tiering system typically includes a primary storage system and a secondary storage system. The primary storage system usually includes storage devices with higher access performance, higher prices and limited storage spaces while the secondary storage system includes storage devices with lower access performance, lower prices and larger storage spaces than the primary storage system.
Migrating data between the primary storage system and the secondary storage system is a common operation in the tiering system. Usually, data movement includes migration and recall. The migration generally includes migrating cold data from the primary storage system to the secondary storage system so as to increase the storage spaces of the primary storage system and to achieve cost effectiveness. The recall generally includes data transfer in an opposite direction to that of the migration, that is, in response to a request for data stored in the secondary storage system, transferring data from the secondary storage system to the primary storage system. Therefore, how to achieve much faster performance during data migration and recall becomes a hotspot for research.


A printing intaglio (100A), (100B) is a printing intaglio for use in intaglio printing, the printing intaglio having a surface which has a plurality of first recessed portions (12) that form a pattern to be printed, wherein at least one of the plurality of first recessed portions has a plurality of minute recessed portions (16p) inside the first recessed portion, and when viewed in a direction normal to the surface of the printing intaglio, a two-dimensional size of the plurality of minute recessed portions is not less than 10 nm and less than 500 nm.

Banknotes, securities, personal identification certificates (e.g., passport), and labels and warranty cards for brand name products are required to deter counterfeiting and that can be easily authenticated. For example, it is well known that banknotes have holograms and/or watermarks or have various other features, such as being produced by intaglio printing which is capable of printing fine lines. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an intaglio-printed material which has an anti-counterfeiting effect and which can be easily authenticated and an authentication method (also referred to as "authenticity determination method" or "authenticity discrimination method") for the intaglio-printed material.
In recent years, in the field of anti-counterfeiting techniques (including techniques oriented to deterring of counterfeiting and easy authentication (the same applies to the following description)), application of an antireflection technique which utilizes the principles of a so-called moth-eye structure has been studied. The antireflection technique which utilizes the principles of the moth-eye structure includes forming over a substrate surface a microscopic uneven pattern in which the interval of recessed portions or raised portions is not more than the wavelength of visible light (λ=380 nm to 780 nm). See Patent Documents 4 to 6. The refractive index for light that is incident on the substrate is continuously changed along the depth direction of the recessed portions or raised portions, from the refractive index of a medium on which the light is incident to the refractive index of the substrate, whereby reflection of the visible light band, for example, is suppressed. Applying such a moth-eye structure and its optical characteristics to anti-counterfeiting techniques has been studied.
Patent Document 3 discloses a security sheet that can be authenticated (including, for example, polymer banknote) which has a moth-eye structure and an authentication method of the security sheet. The security sheet of Patent Document 3 has a multilayer structure consisting of a base layer which is made of a transparent resin and a printing layer in which characters, symbols, figures, and the like, are printed. The security sheet has a window in part of the printing layer, and a film which has a moth-eye structure over its surface is further provided so as to overlap the window. It is disclosed that, due to the optical characteristics of the moth-eye film, the security sheet can be authenticated, and hence, counterfeiting of the security sheet can be prevented. It is also disclosed that it can be determined by observing the window whether or not the security sheet of Patent Document 3 is a counterfeit.

Printing intaglio, printing intaglio manufacturing method, print-making method, and print


Photosensors may be formed on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. An optical refraction layer having a first refractive index may be formed on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. A grid structure including openings is formed over the optical refraction layer. A masking material layer is formed over the grid structure and the optical refraction layer. The masking material layer may be anisotropically etched using an anisotropic etch process that collaterally etches a material of the optical refraction layer and forms non-planar distal surface portions including random protrusions on physically exposed portions of the optical refraction layer. An optically transparent layer having a second refractive index that is different from the first refractive index may be formed on the non-planar distal surface portions of the optical refraction layer. A refractive interface refracts incident light in random directions, and improves quantum efficiency of the photosensors.

The present disclosure is directed to semiconductor devices, and specifically to a backside illuminated complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and methods of forming the same.
Semiconductor image sensors are used to sense electromagnetic radiation such as visible range light, infrared radiation, and/or ultraviolet light. Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors (CIS) and charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors are used in various applications such as digital cameras or embedded cameras in mobile devices. These devices utilize an array of pixels (which may include photodiodes and transistors) to detect radiation using photogeneration of electron-hole pairs. A backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor is an image sensor that is configured to detects light impinging on a backside of a semiconductor substrate. CMOS circuitry for detecting and processing photogenerated signals may be formed on a front side of the semiconductor substrate.

Backside refraction layer for backside illuminated image sensor and methods of forming the same

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited


A method of encoding samples in a digital signal is provided that includes receiving a plurality of samples of the digital signal, and encoding the plurality of samples, wherein an output number of bits is adapted for coding efficiency when a value in a range of possible distinct data values of the plurality of samples is not found in the plurality of samples.

In many signal processing applications, it is desirable to transmit and/or store a digitized signal such that the exact original signal may be recovered. It is also desirable to reduce the number of bits needed to represent the signal in order to maximize the amount of data that can be handled during the transmission and/or storage process. Lossless compression techniques may be used to achieve this goal. Many techniques exist for lossless compression including Huffman coding, run-length coding, and predictive coding. Each of these coding techniques may provide comparatively better compression for certain classes of signals. However, improvements in lossless compression of digital signals are desirable.

Adaptive encoding of a digital signal with one or more missing values


The present invention is directed to a polymeric article comprising a blend of (a) a first polymeric component; (b) a second polymeric component, the second polymeric component including an α-olefin multiblock interpolymer present in the amount of about 20 percent or less by weight of the second polymeric component; and (c) at least one reinforcement material; wherein the concentration of the second polymeric component is greater than about 20 wt. % based on the total concentration of the first polymeric component and the second polymeric component. The polymeric articles desirably have one or more of the following characteristics: a soft touch feel, a low gloss appearance, or a high surface durability.

Much effort has been put into developing polymeric compositions that exhibit desirable properties, lower costs, or both. For some applications, it is desirable to improve one or more of the following: the tactile characteristics of the polymeric articles, the low gloss surface appearance, or the durability characteristics, For instance, vehicle passengers contact various automotive interior articles and it is desirable to employ a material for these articles that has a soft touch tactile sensation and is durable and withstanding frequent touching and scratching. Among the ways to impart a soft touch feel, low gloss appearance and high surface durability is to use a multi step process applying a secondary layer of functional material on top of a molded article through overmoulding, painting or other technique. Other ways to impart a soft touch feel, low gloss appearance and high surface durability is a modification of a thermoplastic material to suit the desired properties.
Examples of prior polymeric compositions and processes of forming those compositions are discussed in: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,300,419; 6,949,605; 6,498,214, U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0288393, and WIPO Publication 2007/025663A1 all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0010616, PCT Application Nos. PCT/US2005/008917 (filed on Mar. 17, 2005), and PCT International Patent Application Publication Nos. WO2006/102155A2 (filed Mar. 15, 2006), WO2006/101966A1 (filed Mar. 15, 2006), WO2006101932A2 (filed Mar. 15, 2006), and WO2006102155A2 (filed Mar. 15, 2006), all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in there entirety, describe block (i.e., blocky) copolymers of a lower α-olefin (LOA) and a second α-olefin (i.e., LOA/α-olefin interpolymers such as ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers) which may be soft thermoplastics and blends with polypropylene having improved mechanical properties.
PCT International Patent Application Publication No. WO2003/040201 A1 (filed on May 6, 2002), published US Patent Application No. 2003/0204017 (filed on May 5, 2002), European Patent No. 0495099 (filed on Dec. 12, 1989), European Patent Application No. 129368 (filed on Jun. 5, 1984) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,157 (issued on Feb. 25, 2003), U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,692 (issued Jun. 11, 2002), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,236 (issued Dec. 21, 1993) all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in there entirety, describe linear or substantially linear ethylene polymers (S/LEP) which may be soft thermoplastics and polymeric blends including a S/LEP.
International Patent Application Publication WO 03/040201 A1 filed on May 6, 2002, published US Application No. 2003/0204017 filed on May 5, 2002, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,157 issued on Feb. 25, 2003, all of which are incorporated by reference, describe polypropylene elastomers which may be soft thermoplastics, and polymeric blends using a propylene elastomer.
Still, it remains desirable to provide a polymeric composition, particularly, a shaped thermoplastic polyolefin composition that can exhibit a relatively soft-touch feel and withstand the conditions encountered in vehicle interior applications, such as substantially low gloss, mar resistance, scratch resistance, low temperature ductility, dimensional stability, or any combination thereof. It would be particularly attractive to accomplish this without the need to use relatively high cost or highly processed (e.g., grafted) polymers, specialty fillers or agents, or other additional or alternative relatively costly ingredients, processes, multi-layered structures (such as coatings) or the like while still maintaining desirable characteristics.

Polymeric compositions and processes for molding articles


The present invention includes a piston valve for charging and discharging a first fluid chamber. The piston valve includes a piston shaft and a ring comprising a seal element. The piston shaft has a first end and a second end with the first end including a counter bore having at least one vent. The ring is disposed within a cylinder and the seal element is disposed intermediate the piston shaft and the ring. The piston valve may be used for intensification purposes such as in a high pressure high temperature hydraulic cartridge.

The invention relates to a piston valve for charging and discharging fluid in a fluid chamber. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the piston valve is used in a high pressure high temperature environment, (HPHT) specifically HPHT press apparatuses. For example, such presses are useful in the superhard materials production industry. Some examples of superhard materials high pressure high temperature presses produce and sinter include cemented ceramics, diamond, polycrystalline diamond, and cubic boron nitride. HPHT press apparatuses typically require significant structural mass to withstand the ultra high pressures essential to synthetically form superhard materials. Various press designs are known in the art of superhard materials production and have employed assorted concepts to contain the immense reaction forces that are required to process superhard materials. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,918,699 and 3,913,280 disclose a tie-bar frame press design. Generally, the tie bar press relies on press mass largely to prevent press rupture during press cycle in which bending moments of the tie bars become great. In conventional tie-bar press systems, the length and diameter of the piston cylinders are proportional to the overall size of the press, and the hydraulic fluid must be pumped to the press at pressures ca. 10,000 p.s.i. or more which require specially made high-pressure pumps, hoses, and fittings. The high internal pressures of a reaction cell required to produce superhard materials necessitates a large amount of force applied to reaction cell faces. Because the piston cylinders of a tie bar press design generally operate jointly and at the same pressures thus producing the same force on a reaction cell, only equilateral polyhedron type reaction cells are possible.
A modern HPHT press apparatus comprises a unitary frame and six removeable high-pressure cartridges. A cartridge for a prior art unitary frame press apparatus comprises a low-pressure chamber and a high-pressure chamber joined by a cylindrical passageway. A "T" shaped intensifying piston having an axial through bore is disposed in the passageway with its large diameter end in the low-pressure chamber and its small diameter end in the high-pressure chamber. The area differential of the two ends provides the intensification ratio of the piston. A hydraulic fluid manifold encloses the low-pressure chamber, and a main piston encloses the high-pressure chamber. A dagger having an axial through bore and having an outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the piston's axial through bore, is attached to the manifold and inserted through the bore of the intensifying piston. The dagger extends from the manifold through the low-pressure chamber and the cylindrical passageway. The dagger also provides a fluid path between the manifold and the high-pressure chamber. As the piston moves along the dagger path through the passageway and into the high-pressure chamber, it pressurizes the fluid in the high-pressure chamber behind the main piston. By changing the diameter of the intensifying piston's axial through bore, and the corresponding outside diameter of the dagger, the area of the piston's small end is also changed, and the intensification ratio altered. Accordingly, the fluid pressure within the high-pressure chamber may be increased or decreased in order to accommodate a desired application.
The dagger in the prior art apparatus requires the use of high pressure seals and a manifold check valve to control the fluid pressure in the high pressure chamber, which may be over 40,000 psi. In time the seals degrade and the check valve is prone to contamination and failure creating a hazardous condition in the operation of the press.
The prior art presses are often classified by the tonnage of pressure they are capable of exerting on a reaction cell, the container which is inserted into the press reaction chamber that houses the sintering raw material for transformation under high pressures and temperatures into superhard materials. For example, a 3000-ton multi-axis press typically is capable of producing approximately 700,000 psi. on each face of a cubic reaction cell. During the press cycle, the reaction cell is usually subject to ultra high compressive forces and temperatures; the pressure inside the cell must reach 35 kilobars or more to produce superhard materials such as polycrystalline diamond. Simultaneously, an electrical current is passed through the cell's resistance heating mechanism raising the temperature inside the cell to above 1000° C. After the reaction cell is subject to high pressures and temperatures for a set period of time, it is quickly cooled. Pressure is then released on each side of the cell and the cell is removed from the internal reaction chamber.
The amount of compressive forces a high pressure high temperature press can exert on a given reaction cell and consequently the maximum reaction cell size and payload, are limited by the reaction forces the press can endure without catastrophic rupture. Most often, the size and mass of the press determines its threshold capabilities for tonnage before catastrophic rupture occurs. For example, the weight of a tie-bar press with a tonnage rating of 3000 tons may exceed 60 tons. The weight of a 4000-ton tie bar press may exceed 100 tons. Moreover, large tonnage press types as described above are often expensive to construct and its efficiency is typically proportional to the duration of its cycle and volume of its payload. Therefore, in general, the smaller the press mass and the shorter the duration of the pressing cycle, and the larger the reaction cell with concomitant enlarged payload volume, then the higher the economy and efficiency of the multi-axis press. Essentially, the greater reaction forces a press design can withstand at a given mass in conjunction with decreased energy consumption per cycle and increased reaction cell payload, then the manufacture of superhard materials becomes more economically viable.


The subject matter disclosed in this specification pertains to a method for detecting cells with elastic cell membranes. A plurality of cells are fixed to an impedimetric transducer and osmotic stress is applied. Those cells with elastic membranes, including cancer cells, undergo a volume change which is detected by the impedimetric transducer.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to method for detecting cancerous cells. Detection and assay of cancer cells are normally pursued by labeling the cells with biomarkers. However, biomarkers for specific cancers vary dependent on patients, races, health history, and the like. There are no universal biomarkers available for the diagnostics. Another current limitation on cancer cell detection is to target cancer cells in different aggressiveness. There are no specific biomarkers to screen the grade of cancer cells and many times positive diagnostics appears even though cancers are low grade and low risk. It would therefore be desirable to provide an alternative method for detecting cancerous cells that address at least some of these shortcomings.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Method for detecting cells with elastic cell membranes

Research Foundation of the City University of New York


A test system includes a circuit assembly having an IC and an external circuit. The IC includes test circuitry used to observe data indicative of target resistances in the external circuit. The test system evaluates the data to determine target resistance values. A first embodiment measures two output voltages responsive to a time varying reference voltage. The two output voltages can be used to determine resistance values in the external circuit. A second embodiment enables logic contention on the IC, controllably fixes a pull-down element on the IC, and controllably sweeps a pull-up element on the IC until the voltage at a node between the pull-down and pull-up elements and coupled to an external circuit exceeds a reference voltage.

Modern printed circuit assemblies continue to have a greater density of attached parts. As both the density and number of parts per circuit board increases, the number of interconnected nodes to be tested rises exponentially, but the physical access to those nodes decreases. The addition of daughter cards and sub-assemblies further compounds the problem. As circuits and circuit assemblies increase in complexity, the cost of testing these circuits and circuit assemblies, e.g., an arrangement including a motherboard and one or more daughter boards, increases as well.
Steady increases in the performance requirements of printed circuit assemblies have further complicated test hardware. For example, input/output (I/O) data interfaces often now use passive elements (such as termination resistors and coupling capacitors) to satisfy the signal integrity requirements of high-frequency data signals. Some circuits use surface mount passive devices that can be difficult to place and solder correctly given their compact size. As a result, keeping up with test requirements is expensive, particularly when it is not possible to physically access nodes to be tested (for example, when the node exists on a printed circuit board trace that is on a surface obscured by other components or boards or when the node comprises a solder joint intended to couple a small (in size) surface mount resistor). Such nodes often either are not tested at all or are tested using indirect access methods, which typically have long test times and less than ideal resolution.
Less than complete test verification of circuit assembly nodes results in uncertainty regarding the ultimate operation of the circuit assembly in its intended device. The greater number of nodes not verified increases the uncertainty of whether the circuit assembly will meet all performance expectations when in operation.
Thus, there is a need for improved systems and methods for verifying expected conditions, which address these and/or other shortcomings of the prior art.

Testing target resistances in circuit assemblies


A stopper for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water. The drain has an inlet, an outlet and a substantially cylindrical throat between the inlet and outlet. A control means is provided for selectively feeding control fluid under hydraulic pressure to the cylindrical throat whereupon an expandable bladder located within the cylindrical throat selectively expands in fluid communication with the control fluid to block the drain and thus act as a stopper.

The present invention involves a stopper device for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water which employs a bladder rather than convention mechanical linkages. Such devices are more convenient to use than stoppers of the prior art and have the additional benefit that stoppers of the present invention comply with requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Specifically, the stopper device of the present invention is capable of selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water and thus acts as a stopper for the drain which is capable of being manipulated by someone who is handicapped and thus incapable of actuating a traditional mechanical stopper of the prior art.
Typical lavatories employ a pop-up linkage for mechanically blocking the drain thus acting as a stopper to selectively retain waste water. This linkage consists of four intersecting sharp abrasive surfaces that are not in any way shielded or covered. Such an assembly fails to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act as Section 4.19.4 of the Act mandates that xe2x80x9cthere shall be no sharp or abrasive edges or elements under lavatory.xe2x80x9d
Further, in order to actuate the typical pop-up linkage as described above, one is required to generally reach beyond the normally provided water service control handle to grasp a vertically extending rod and to pull the rod upwards until the linkage acts to seat a stopper within the drain opening to which it is appended. Although the typically provided pop-up assembly is usable by the average person, even with the above-noted non-complying linkage, it would fail to comply with other requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Specifically, Section 4.27.4 of the Act requires that controls and operating mechanisms be operable with one hand and do not require tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist for actuation. The Act further provides that the force required to activate controls shall be no greater than five pounds per square foot. The typical pop-up linkage employed universally in the current plumbing trade meets none of these requirements. Many disabled individuals are incapable of grasping a vertically extending rod while providing sufficient grasping and pulling effort to successfully seat a stopper within a drain pipe through the linkage so provided. Further, even for lavatories having the mandated clearance for wheelchair access, the above noted linkage and its characteristic sharp edges can cause injury to a user.
In addition to the pop-up linkage found in lavatories, the trip lever employed in bath tub installations and basket strainers used in sinks also fail to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Specifically, the bath tub trip lever which moves up and down controls water accumulation in the tub. Section 4.20.5 of the Act states, in part, that xe2x80x9call controls must be located at the foot of the tub, near the front edge of the wall, and below the grab bar . . . xe2x80x9d Current trip levers are never so located; but the present invention can be so situated to meet the requirements of the Act. As to sink basket strainers, the Act states, in part, in Section 4.27.4, that actuation is limited to xe2x80x9c5 lbs max. force.xe2x80x9d Certainly, as to a sink full of water, more than 5 lbs. force is required to remove the strainer basket against the retained water pressure in order to free the drain for waste water release. The present invention can also make sink drain assemblies compliant with the Act. Specifically the ADA looks to a xe2x80x9cclosed fistxe2x80x9d as the standard for operating a sink. It is noted that current kitchen sinks require that baskets be pulled from the drain opening to release waste water. Thus, current kitchen drains would not comply with ADA requirements but the present invention would.
As noted above, the Act also prohibits linkages having sharp edges and corners from extending below a wall-hung seat assembly for those who are wheelchair-bound may very well injure their knees and legs when the wheelchair is brought proximate to the wall-hung sink.
In addition to, the first time, providing a stopper device which complies with the requirement of the Americans With Disabilities Act, it was an object of the present invention to provide a drain stopper which presents to a user a more elegant approach to selectively blocking the passage of waste water from a sink or tub facility.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stopper device for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water which is capable of being employed by the disabled and which, as a consequence, meets the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
These and further objects will be more readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims.
The present invention is directed to a stopper device for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water. The drain is provided with an inlet, an outlet and a substantially cylindrical throat between the inlet and outlet. Means are provided for selectively feeding control fluid under pressure from a pressurized fluid source to the cylindrical throat. An expandable bladder or inner tube-shaped expandable member is provided located within the cylindrical throat and in communication with the control fluid wherein the bladder is sized and positioned such that selective actuation of the means for selectively feeding control fluid causes the bladder to expand upon receipt of the control fluid in turn causing the drain to selectively block the passage of water therethrough.


A current detection method for a direct-current (DC) to three-phase alternating-current (AC) converter can utilize only a single DC sensor to detect and calculate the three-phase alternating currents. The method can detect a direct current value of one phase at each of six different gate states of three pairs of transistors in the DC to three-phase AC converter by means of the DC sensor. In the two-level pulsewidth modulation control, the control signal includes a plurality of carrier periods each being subdivided into three intervals. The three pairs of transistors are switched to the zero state in one interval of each carrier period, and to two different gate states respectively in the two other intervals. The method can detect two current values of different phases respectively in the two other intervals of each carrier period, and then calculate the current value of the other phase in accordance with the principle that the sum of the three-phase currents is always equal to zero.

The present invention relates generally to a current detection method for a converter, and particularly to a current detection method for a direct-current (DC) to three-phase alternating-current (AC) converter. The method can utilize only a single DC sensor to detect and calculate the three-phase alternating currents.
Conventional converters typically have protection means for detecting over-current and over-load conditions, and for protecting the converters from damage when such conditions occur. In conventional DC to three-phase AC converters, a DC sensor and two AC sensors have to be used in order to detect the over-current and three-phase alternating currents respectively. With reference to FIG. 1, the basic circuit of a general DC to three-phase AC converter is shown. As shown in the drawing, the converter converts a DC source E into three-phase alternating currents T, S, and R which are then connected to a load (not shown), such as an induction motor. The basic circuit includes six transistors Q.sub.1 to Q.sub.6, and a driver 10 controlling the ON/OFF states of the transistors Q.sub.1 to Q.sub.6 to achieve the conversion purpose. The basic circuit further must include a DC sensor 14 for detecting the over-current to actuate a control device 12 to protect the converter, and two AC sensors 16 and 18 to detect the load currents. The sensors 14, 16, and 18 are very expensive, and thus comprise a large part of the cost of the converter.

Current detection method for DC to three-phase converters using a single DC sensor

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A gas turbine moving blade having a cooling medium flow path constructed so that a concave spherical surface (C) is formed on a inside surface of an end portion of the cooling medium path (B) formed in a blade root portion. A hollow pipe (6) is provided in the cooling medium flow path between the blade root portion and a disc. The hollow pipe has a convex spherical surface (D) at one end thereof which engages the concave spherical surface (C) and the other end of the pipe has a convex spherical surface (F) which engages an inside surface of a cooling medium path (E) formed in the disc. The hollow pipe (6) provides communication between the cooling medium path (B) on the blade side and the cooling medium path (E) on the disc side. A supporting structure (7, 8, 9) is provided for holding the hollow pipe in the communicating position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooling arrangement in a gas turbine moving blade in which the blade is cooled by a cooling medium supplied from an interior of a rotor into a cooling medium flow path.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional gas turbine moving blade structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows a gas turbine using air as the cooling medium, and illustrating an example of introducing cooling air into the gas turbine moving blade.
As indicated by arrows, cooling air flows through a cooling air pipe 51, passes through a hole 53 in a rotor disc 52, and then flows into a hollow moving blade 54 so as to cool the blade. Meanwhile, reference numeral 55 denotes a combustor and reference numeral 56 denotes an axial compressor. FIG. 4 shows an example of the moving blade having an internal cooling path.
Cooling air entering from a bottom portion of a blade root 71 flows in the direction indicated by the arrows so as to cool the moving blade. That is, cooling air entering from a leading edge side 72A flows in a cooling air flow path having a plurality of cooling fins 73 forming a turbulence promoter so as to cool the moving blade. Finally, the air flows out from a hole A on a blade top portion having a thinned tip portion 74 so that the air merges with the main gas flow.
On the other hand, in the direction indicated by arrows, cooling air entering from a trailing edge portion 72B flows in a cooling air path having a plurality of cooling fins 73. The air cools a blade trailing edge through pin fins 75. Then, the cooling air flows out from a plurality of holes B provided on the blade trailing end so that the cooling air merges with the main gas flow. Further, reference numeral 76 denotes a blade platform.
As described above, the conventional blade is constructed so that cooling air, transferred from the disc to the blade root, is used for cooling the moving blade and is finally discharged into the main gas flow.
In the aforementioned conventional structure, because the cooling air after cooling the moving blade is discharged into the main gas flow, the cooling air is a negative factor in terms of thermal efficiency of the turbine.
Further, in the air-cooled gas turbine, it is possible to enhance thermal efficiency by intensifying the sealing between the main gas flow and the interior of the rotor so as to block a back-flow of hot gas from a sealing portion and to minimize the amount of cooling air flowing into the main gas flow. Thus, an effective structure is that in which only the necessary amount of cooling air is fed to the moving blade so as to cool the blade while other air is fed to the sealing portion.
In recent years, steam has been more often used as the cooling medium instead of cooling air in order to raise the efficiency of the gas turbine. However, in such steam cooling, because extraction steam from a steam turbine composing a combined cycle, steam from a waste heat boiler or the like is used, and a complete elimination of leakage of cooling steam into the gas turbine is necessary for the reasons of the steam cycle such as supply of demineralized water, prevention of lowering of plant thermal efficiency and the like.
Thus, it is important that the cooling medium path is closed-relative to the outside so that only a supply port and a recovery port are provided thereby facilitating production thereof. Thus, the cooling medium path is generally designed so that the cooling medium is supplied from an axial end on the discharge side of the gas turbine rotor and is recovered at the axial end.
In both air cooling and steam cooling, it is important that the moving blade is adequately cooled without allowing the cooling medium to escape. Then, although it is absolutely necessary that in either air cooling or steam cooling, the cooling medium is adequately recovered, the conventional cooling medium path does not have an appropriate structure for reliably recovering the cooling medium.
Another problem associated with the conventional cooling medium path structure concerns a transfer position of the cooling medium between the disc and the blade root, that is, appropriate sealing performance at this location has not been secured due to the internal pressure of the cooling medium, the difference in thermal expansion between the disc and the blade root, the centrifugal force and the like.

Cooling medium path in gas turbine moving blade


An electronic endoscope system includes an electronic endoscope, and a video processor. The video processor transmits a clock signal to the electronic endoscope in order to generate a driving signal for driving a CCD provided therein. The clock signal transmitted from the video processor has a sinusoidal waveform, and the electronic endoscope has a circuit which generates the driving signal based on the clock signal transmitted from the video processor. The driving signal is a periodical signal having a rectangular waveform. Further, a signal transmission line, which transmits the driving signal from the circuit to the CCD, is inserted into and wound around a ferrite material.

The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope system including an electronic endoscope and a video processor connected to the electronic endoscope.
Conventionally, the electronic endoscope includes a solid-state image pickup device, such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), to capture an image of an affected part or the like. The electronic endoscope further includes a driving circuit for driving the solid-state image pickup device. Since the driving circuit must be substantially matched with characteristics of the solid-state image pickup device, each electronic endoscope includes a driving circuit that is adjusted for the image pickup device provided in that electronic endoscope.
The video processor which is connected with the electronic endoscope sends clock pulses required for generating driving signals in the driving circuit of the electronic endoscope. However, the clock pulses must have a relatively high frequency (e.g., 8 MHz) which may constitute a noise source. The noise generated may not be reduced by grounding because, in order to protect a patient, circuits in a medical instrument, such as the electronic endoscope system, cannot be grounded.
When noise is produced, the noise forms a capacitive coupling with ground or with ungrounded metal components, and the like, and the noise may radiate outside of the electronic endoscope or out of a cable connecting the electronic endoscope with peripheral equipment. In such a case, the cable may function as an antenna, producing an adverse influence on images displayed using the electronic endoscope system itself, and/or cause malfunctions.


A mechanism for guiding and controlling the clearance of slides of single or multiple slide mechanical presses. A novel gib mount assembly with at least one substantially flat bearing surface is utilized adjacent a portion of a slide to control clearance and undesired movement of the slide while sealing press lubrication oil from the area of the press where products are produced. Between the bearing surface of the gib mount and slide is created a squeeze seal oil film region to assist in controlling the clearance therebetween. One or more vacuum pressure regions are created about the boundaries of the oil film region to suction and capture any oil escaping from the oil film region thereby preventing oil contact with the stamped parts or products.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mechanism for guiding slides of single or multi-slide mechanical presses.
2. Description of the Related Art
A gib is a mechanism in stamping or drawing press to adjust a reciprocating slide in a direction substantially normal to its reciprocating movement. Prior presses have had gibs that utilized wear plates along the outside edges of the slide and other press portions to control the clearances between the slide and press frame, in single slide presses and between one slide and another in a multi-slide press. These gibs have been used to adjust the running clearance of the slide.
Prior gibs have contained elastomeric seals to seal between the gib mounting surface and slide to prevent lubrication from passing from the gib, down the slide, and on to the parts being stamped on the press. Other ways of preventing oil from contacting product included sheet metal gutters and the like.
Known problems with elastomeric seals are that at times they do not seal properly and leak. Actually, for proper operation of these types of seals, normally a small amount of lubrication, (one or two drops) must pass by the seal to thereby cause the seal to fully seal against further leakage. In some production environments, such as food beverage containers, i.e., soft drink cans, beer cans, and like, even these one or two drops of lubrication contacting the formed cans is unacceptable. Leakages of lubrication fluid necessary for proper elastomeric seal operation have caused scraping of entire production runs of such beverage cans with an associated large cost.
Maintenance requirements on elastomeric or O-ring seals on these gibs is necessary since the seals have rubber or flexible wiper portions that mechanically wear over time. This mechanical wear causes the seals to eventually fail and leak. Removal and replacement of these seals necessitate the press to be placed off-line and disassembled to obtain service access to the gib mount assembly and elastomeric seal seat.
Depending on the number of slides a press has and its particular type of guiding, i.e., four point, six point, eight point, and others, the press may have varied numbers of these gib assemblies. The more gib assemblies with elastomeric seals, the higher the likelihood of a lubrication leak and the more need of service.
Other problems with gibs and associated seals is use of O-rings as seals. These seals required circular or annular mounts to seal i.e., locations without sharp corners. This necessitated that the areas sealed against need to be cylindrical shaped, rod shaped, or at least some shape with a curved or circular cross-section. These types of O-ring seals could not seal at interior or exterior corners since the seal would have to be slit and attached to another seal at the discontinuous point of the corner.
What is needed in the art is a gib mechanism for a press that seals against lubricant leakage without using elastomeric seals that eventually leak.


The invention is directed at a method and system of detecting defects in a transparent media such as a piece of glass. The method comprises the steps of transmitting light from a light source towards the transparent media and then detecting defects in the transparent media by scanning the light as it is reflected or passes through the transparent media. The method and system may operate in any one of a dark field mode, a bright field mode for scanning or a bright field mode for inspecting.

Modern, high performance flat panel displays are mostly based on Liquid Crystal (LC) technology and are often referred to as Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs). Flat Panel Displays (FPDs) and LCDs use glass as both a substrate and a cover sheet with a thin LC layer encapsulated in-between the two sheets of glass. The glass sheets used in the manufacturing of FPDs are quite large as indicated in the table below (glass dimensions are in mm):
Gen 5Gen 5.5Gen 6Gen 71000 × 12001300 × 15001500 × 18001800 × 20001200 × 13001500 × 18501850 × 21001600 × 19001870 × 22001900 × 2200
In particular, TV and computer FPD screens contain a large number of picture elements, i.e. pixels, with the typical pixel size for a computer screen FPD being 80×240 μm. Pixels are formed by a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) pattern, which is deposited on the substrate in multiple photo-lithography steps. Defects as small as 15×15 μm in the glass substrate, in particular pits, disrupt the TFT deposition process resulting in defective pixels or a defective TFT array. These glass defects, in the substrate or cover glass, may adversely affect the transmission of light through the finished FPD resulting in an unacceptable FPD product and adversely effect the TFT patterning process resulting in shorts, open circuit or electrically defective thin film transistors.
Some examples of glass defects include a pit which is a small indentation in the glass; an inclusion or embedded foreign particle, such as platinum, stainless steel, silica or a gas bubble; an adhesion chip, such as a glass chip fused with the glass surface and not removable by washing; a scratch; and edge chip; or a distortion, such as a localized refractive index non-uniformity or a localized error of flatness/thickness which introduces an undesirable lens like effect to the substrate. These defects vary in shape, and may range in size from ˜15×15 μm to a few hundred microns.
The discovery of defects in a final inspection of FPD panels is troublesome, due to the high material and labour costs of manufacturing a defective FPD. Therefore, it would be beneficial for the glass manufacturer to inspect the glass prior to shipping it to FPD fabrication plants.
Known methods of inspecting large, flat, non-patterned media typically fall into two main categories: (a) imaging systems using an imaging element, such as a charge coupled device or CCD, with pixels of a smaller size than required by the inspection resolution (object plane resolution) and an imaging lens to provide optical magnification to match the camera pixel size to a desired object plane resolution or (b) laser scanners using a laser beam focused down to the spot size corresponding to the desired object plane resolution and a single detector.
Prior art related to the category imaging methods includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,633,377 entitled Dark View Inspection System for Transparent Media; U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,357 entitled Glass Inspection System including Bright Field and Dark Field Illumination; U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,412 entitled Method and apparatus for determining optical quality; U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,198 entitled Method of Inspecting Moving Material; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,123 entitled Surface Defect Inspection System and Method. Typically, for web inspection, line scan CCD cameras are used with the camera pixel size ranging from 7 μm to 13 μm. Cameras of 7 μm pixel size and 8 kilo-pixels (8192) resolution are commercially available. In order to achieve a desired defect detection accuracy of 15×15 μm, the object plane resolution of the imaging system should be at least 20×20 μm yielding a lens magnification of 20 μm/7 μm=2.85. If the object plane size is 2,000 mm, the total number of pixels in the object plane is 2,000 mm/20 μm=100,000 and thus the required number of cameras is 100,000/8 kpixels=13. When taking into consideration the expense of thirteen 8 k CCD cameras, the total cost of the inspection systems based on line scan cameras is very high.
Moreover it is difficult and costly to provide CCD camera system with a lens that does not limit the camera pixel resolution, in particular for a large CCD sensor size of 0.007 mm×8,192=57.4 mm. If an ideal diffraction limited lens is used with the 8 k camera, the required F-number would be 3.3, which is on the boundary of practicality to design the lens with an image plane size of 57.4 mm, F-number of 3.3 and optical point spread function (PSF) of 7 μm across the entire field of view—even for monochromatic light application. In practice the lens PSF limits the imaging system performance by limiting the resultant optical resolution. Conversely if one attempts to apply a 13 μm pixel size camera, the required F-number for an ideal lens would be 5, which is less demanding. Due to silicon die size limitations, these types of cameras are typically only available with a 2 k (2024) pixel resolution. In this case, to cover the object plane of 2,000 mm one would require 50 cameras, making an inspection system prohibitively expensive. Therefore, when using small CCD pixel size, optics limit the resultant imaging system resolution and when using large CCD pixel size, the result is a prohibitively large number of cameras.
Prior art related to the laser scanning methods includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,079 entitled Method of and Apparatus for Detecting Defect of Transparent Sheet as Sheet Glass. The limiting performance-cost product of a typical CCD based optical imaging system can be overcome by utilizing an optical scanner.
One disadvantage of using optical scanners for LCD glass inspection is a scanning speed limitation imposed by the scanner mechanics. Another disadvantage is that, in order to maintain a web speed of 100 mm/s, multiple scanners are required. Furthermore, a single optical scanner is unable to cover a glass width of 2000 mm. Therefore, multiple scanners are required, which increases the cost of the inspection system.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a novel method and apparatus for inspecting flat media.

Optical inspection of flat media using direct image technology


Methods and apparatuses for static memory cells. A static memory cell may include a first pass gate transistor including a first back gate node and a second pass gate transistor including a second back gate node. The static memory cell may include a first pull down transistor including a third back gate node and a second pull down transistor including a fourth back gate node. The source node of the first pull down transistor, source node of the second pull down transistor, and first, second, third, and fourth back gate nodes are electrically coupled to each other to form a common node.

Field
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to memory circuits, and more particularly to static random-access memory (SRAM) bit cells with write-assist circuits.
Background
As semiconductor technology scales down, an increasing number of transistors can be integrated into a single chip. Fluctuation of the threshold voltage (Vth), however, increases with technology scaling due to random dopant fluctuation (RDF), line edge roughness (LER), and short channel effects (SCE), which affect small-geometry devices to a greater degree because the threshold voltage can affect individual transistors within a cell. As a result, it is more difficult to analyze the results of using one cell on a semiconductor chip as opposed to a different cell on the same chip.
In particular, as static random-access memory (SRAM) is one of the components in a system-on-chip (SoC) and occupies a large portion of the SoC, an SRAM cell is typically designed using very small transistors for a high integration density. Thus, the stability and write ability of the SRAM gradually degrade, and it is very challenging for SRAM to achieve a sufficient yield in smaller technologies, such as 22 nm technology and beyond, with planar bulk metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs).
Extremely thin silicon-on-insulator (ETSOI) materials are attractive candidates for 22 nm and beyond technology nodes to resolve the problems of planar bulk MOSFETs. FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an ETSOI structure with a back-gate.
A transistor 100 is shown with a source 102, gate 104, and a drain 106 that create changing electric fields that control current flow between the source 102 and drain 106 in a channel 107. A buried oxide (BOX) layer 108 electrically isolates the source 102, the gate 104, and the drain 106 until the proper voltages are placed on the source 102, the gate 104, and the drain 106 contacts to create electrical fields under the gate 104. The gate 104 is insulated from the channel 107 by an insulator layer 109 that allows for current flow. A back-gate 110 is controlled by a well contact 112, which is also electrically coupled to a substrate 114; the back-gate 110 can be used to more precisely control the electrical fields between the source 102 and the drain 106 to open the channel 107. Vth is the threshold voltage specified to create the proper electrical fields across the gate 104, which allows current to flow between the source 102 and the drain 106 in the channel 107.
Random dopant fluctuation (RDF) is the major contributor to the Vth variation, and the extremely thin silicon-on-insulator (ETSOI) material reduces the RDF by using an undoped channel underneath the gate 104. Further, the ETSOI material provides a better short channel control than planar bulk MOSFETs due to the thin channel 107 body. In addition, ETSOI devices with a thin BOX layer 108 can control the Vth by changing the back-gate voltage via the well contact 112, which is similar to body bias in planar bulk MOSFETs, where the substrate voltage is controlled. The leakage current (i.e., current that flows between the source 102 and the drain 106 of the planar bulk MOSFETs) however, drastically increases due to the p-n junction leakage current (between the substrate 114 and the source 102/drain 106) when a forward body (substrate 114) bias is applied. Such a forward bias provides enough of an electric field to the channel 107, which allows current between the source 102 and the drain 106, even when the channel 107 is designed to be closed. Such leakage current in the planar bulk MOSFET body bias approach limits the body bias voltage range that is used to control the RDF and other Vth issues.

SRAM read preferred bit cell with write assist circuit

Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation Yonsei University