A semiconductor device includes a first temperature sensor module, a second temperature sensor module, a first temperature controller, and a second temperature controller. The first temperature sensor module includes a bandgap reference circuit that outputs a plurality of divided voltages, and a first conversion circuit that performs analog-to-digital conversion processing on one of the plurality of divided voltages to generate a first digital value. The second temperature sensor module includes a second conversion circuit that performs analog-to-digital conversion processing on the one of the plurality of divided voltages to generate a second digital value. The first temperature sensor controller converts the first digital value to a first temperature. The second temperature sensor controller converts the second digital value to a second temperature. The semiconductor device determines whether the first and second temperature modules operate normally based on a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly to temperature measurement in a semiconductor device.
As in-vehicle electronic systems, various information processing devices are mounted on vehicles. The information processing device provides a navigation function, an audio function, etc. A semiconductor device used in the information processing device has a function of monitoring temperature inside the semiconductor device in order to realize high speed processing.
Concerning monitoring of temperature, for example, Japanese unexamined Patent Application publication No. 2017-198523 discloses "a semiconductor device capable of measuring temperature and power supply voltage with high accuracy". The semiconductor device includes "a temperature sensor module 10 that outputs a non-linear digital value with respect to temperature and a substantially linear sensor voltage value with respect to the temperature, a storage unit 30 that stores the temperature, the digital value, and the sensor voltage value, and a controller 40 that calculates a characteristic formula using the temperature, the digital value, and the sensor voltage value stored in the storage unit 30, in which the temperature, the digital value, and the sensor voltage value stored in the storage unit 30 include absolute temperature under measurement of absolute temperature, the digital value at the absolute temperature, and the sensor voltage value at the absolute temperature" (see "ABSTRACT").

Semiconductor device and test method of semiconductor device


A rocker arm can comprise a forked outer arm assembly and a T-shaped inner arm assembly comprising an inner arm body comprising a valve side, a latch side, a bearing hole on the valve side, and a latch body on the latch side, the latch body comprising inner arm extensions extending away from the latch body. A pivot axle can connect the outer arm assembly to the inner arm assembly so that the inner arm assembly is configured to pivot with respect to the outer arm assembly. A latch assembly can comprise a latch configured to selectively extend to and retract from a latch seat on the latch body to selectively lock the inner arm assembly with respect to the outer arm assembly or unlock the inner arm assembly to pivot within the outer arm assembly.

Current switching roller finger followers ("SRFFs") comprise an outer arm surrounding an inner arm. The outer arm can be designed for the actuation techniques of the valve to which the SRFF is attached and it can be designed with or without slider pads or rollers depending upon the number of overhead cams acting on the SRFF. The inner arm can comprise a U-shaped arm. A roller bearing can be mounted between the arms of the U-shaped arm. The bottom of the "U" can comprise a surface for interfacing with a latch mechanism for locking and unlocking the inner arm with respect to the outer arm. Numerous other designs are part of the prior art.

Switching roller finger follower for valvetrain


An electrode of the present invention comprises a complex of at least one organic disulfide compound and at least one copper ion. The electrode maintains a high charging and discharging efficiency and has favorable charge and discharge cycle characteristic without losing a high energy density that is characteristic of the organic disulfide compound.

The present invention relates to a composite electrode including an organic disulfide compound to be used in electrochemical elements such as batteries, electrochromic display devices, sensors, and memories, and also relates to a method of producing the same.
Conductive polymer electrodes have been studied intensively since the discovery of conductive polyacetylene in 1971, because application of conductive polymers for the electrode material may result in desirable electrochemical elements, such as batteries that are light in weight and have a high energy density, electrochromic devices of large areas, and biochemical sensors utilizing microelectrodes.
Since polyacetylene is unstable and not practical as electrodes, other .pi. electron conjugated conductive polymers have been examined. As a result, relatively stable polymers, such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polyacene, and polythiophene have been found, and lithium secondary batteries utilizing these polymers for the cathode have been developed. An energy density of these batteries is considered to range from 40 to 80 Wh/kg.
Organic disulfide compounds have been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,048 as an organic material that can further enhance an energy density. The most simplified form of such compounds is represented by the formula M.sup.+ -.sup.- S-R-S.sup.- -M.sup.+, wherein R denotes an aliphatic or aromatic organic group, S indicates a sulfur atom, and M indicates a proton or metal cation. Such compounds are bonded to each other via S--S bonds by electrolytic oxidation, and form a polymer represented by M.sup.+ -.sup.- S-R-S-S-R-S-S-R-S.sup.- -M.sup.+.
The thus formed polymer is regenerated into the original monomers by electrolytic reduction. A metal-sulfur secondary battery prepared by combining a metal M that supplies and captures cations (M.sup.+) with an organic disulfide compound has been proposed in the U.S. patent mentioned above. This proposed metal-sulfur secondary battery is expected to have an energy density of not less than 150 Wh/kg, which is comparable to or even better than the conventional secondary batteries.
These organic disulfide compounds, however, have a problem; that is, repeated oxidation and reduction (i.e., charging and discharging) results in a gradual decrease of the electrode capacity. Oxidation (charging) of the organic disulfide compound yields a polydisulfide compound which is electrically insulating and has a poor ionic conductivity. The polydisulfide compound has poor solubility in electrolytes.
In contrast, organic disulfide monomers which are generated by reducing (discharging) the polydisulfide compound have high solubility in electrolytes.
Repeated oxidation and reduction accordingly causes part of disulfide monomers to be dissolved in an electrolyte and subsequently polymerized at a position apart from the original position in the electrode. Thus, the polydisulfide compound deposited apart from a conductive agent, such as carbon, is isolated from the electron/ion conductive network in the electrode and does not contribute to the electrode reactions.
Repeated oxidation and reduction increases the isolated polydisulfide compound and gradually lowers the capacity of the battery. The organic disulfide monomers having the high solubility actively move from the cathode to the separator, into the electrolyte, and even further to the anode. The battery with an electrode including an organic disulfide compound as the cathode accordingly has drawbacks, such as lowered charging and discharging efficiency and a shortened charge and discharge cycle life.

Electrode including organic disulfide compound and method of producing the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Caching mechanisms in which when a request to operate on particular identified network data is detected, the mechanism refers to a set of rules to determine whether to operate on a local copy of the identified network data, and whether to operate on the actual network data over the network. The set of rules are at least partially set by a human such as a user or network administrator, or perhaps by an application. The caching mechanism may optionally even block local read operations until the network data is synchronized with the remote copy of the network data. The mechanism may also block local write operations until synchronization is performed and/or the write operation is performed on the remote copy of the network data.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to network caching mechanisms; and more specifically, to network caching mechanisms in which policies govern caching conditions.
2. Related Technology
Computing technology has transformed the way we work and play. Computer networking, in particular, allows individual computers to communicate information between each other. Computer networks can be conglomerated together to allow for expansive communication. The Internet, for example, is a well-known global computer network that consists of amalgamations of smaller interconnected networks.
One primary use of a network is to allow users or applications to access remotely-stored information. Remotely-storing information (as opposed to locally-storing the information on the local computer system) is advantageous in that it allows many computer systems access to the information. In addition, the local computer system need not waste memory resources (e.g., disk space or system memory) retaining the information unless the local computer system specifically requests the information be downloaded. Accordingly, only remotely-stored items that are interesting enough to be downloaded occupy memory resources.
Although networks are useful, remotely storing information does have its disadvantages. For example, there is sometimes a significant degree of latency in networks. In other words, it can take some time between the time information is requested, and the time the information is received. Also, the network bandwidth is limited. For example, it can take notable time to download larger pieces of information from (and upload such information to) the remote site. If the information was locally stored, however, there would be relatively little latency and bandwidth involved with the read/write channel from and to local memory.
Network caching is a known technology that balances the benefits of remotely-storing information on a network with the benefits of locally-storing information on the local computer system. In particular, when remotely accessing information, a copy of the information is made and stored locally. That copy represents the state of the information as it existed at the time the copy was made. Accordingly, when requesting the information, the local computer system may obtain the information from the locally-stored copy, rather than from the remote location. This allows for fast access times and preserves network bandwidth.
However, if new changes are made to the remotely-stored information, the local copy will not change absent synchronization of the information. Accordingly, the local copy is said to have a certain degree of staleness. Although accessing the cached copy of the information is fast, there is typically no guaranty that the information is still accurate as compared to the information that is remotely-stored.
Conventional network caching mechanisms may generally be broken down into two categories. One category of caching mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 1 as off-line caching mechanism 100. In the off-line caching mechanism 100, the application 110 obtains a local copy of data 111A from an off-line store 112. A remote service 113 stores a remote copy of data 111B. At the time of the last synchronization, the local copy of the data 111A was the same as the remote copy of the data 111B. A synchronization mechanism 114 facilitates the occasional synchronization of the remote copy of the data 111B with the local copy of the data 111A.
The off-line caching mechanism is advantageous in that it allows the application 110 to communicate with a local off-line store 112. Accordingly, access to the data occurs relatively quickly. However, the application 110 has little control over when the synchronization mechanism 114 performs synchronization.
Another conventional model is illustrated in FIG. 2 as the transparent caching mechanism 200. In this model, the application 210 makes requests for the remote data 211B and intends to communicate directly with the remote service 213 to make that request. This request and the corresponding response are represented by bi-directional arrow 215. However, unbeknownst to the application 210, the requests are intercepted by a local cache 212, which determines whether a local copy of the data 211A is available and sufficiently fresh to provide to the application 210, instead of going to the remote service 213 for the remote copy of the data 211B. If the local cache 212 has such a copy of the data, the local cache 212 returns a response back to the application 210. If not, the request is allowed to proceed to the remote service 213, which ultimately provides the corresponding response.
The transparent caching mechanism 200 has an advantage in that the application 210 accesses accurate data most of the time since the request will be satisfied by providing a remote copy of the data 211B or by providing a local copy of the data 211A, which is usually relatively fresh. However, the application 210 does not know whether the data returned in the response is a local copy of the data 211A or a remote copy of the data 211B. Accordingly, the application 210 does not know whether the data is completely fresh, or whether there is some staleness. Different applications may have different needs for how fresh the data should be. For example, suppose that the local copy of the data 211A is two hours old, this may be sufficiently fresh for an encyclopedia application, but may be too stale for other applications such as, for example, a stock ticker application that needs stock information that is no more than 15 minutes old.

Caching mechanism using intervening network caching policies


In a UPnP network, a system and method have been provided for multicasting a byebye message by proxy. The method comprises: maintaining a list of available networked devices; maintaining a record of advertised UPnP elements; comparing the list of available networked devices to the record of advertised UPnP elements; and, multicasting a byebye message by proxy, for advertised UPnP elements associated with networked devices that are no longer available. The comparison of the list of available networked devices to the record of UPnP elements includes determining advertised UPnP elements in the record that cannot be cross-referenced to available networked devices. The method further comprises removing UPnP elements from the record in response to the comparison.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to UPnP communications and, more particularly, to a system and method for supplying a byebye notification for devices that fail to advertise when they leave a UPnP network.
2. Description of the Related Art
UPnP is a technology used for device and service discovery in a home network. UPnP takes a decentralized approach to service discovery. A networked device announces that it is present, when it is connected or becomes active. When initially connected, a search capacity for other networked devices and UPnP services is provided. However, a networked device is typically expected to search only when first connected, and otherwise depends on advertisements to become aware of new devices being networked, or known devices leaving the network. That is, networked devices are expected to announce when they enter the network (Notify with ssdp:alive) and leave the network or become unavailable (Notify with ssdp:byebye). However, it is possible for a device to be removed from the network without making a ssdp:byebye announcement. For example, when a device is powered off without going through a shutdown process. In this case the previous advertisement will eventually expire, because there is no re-advertisement by the removed device. The duration, for which an advertisement is valid, is transmitted with the advertisement, and is known as CACHE-CONTROL. UPnP specifies that this duration should be greater than 30 minutes (1800 seconds).
In wireless networks it is very common for a device to become disassociated from the network, if it moves outside the range of the access point (AP). In this case, the device is removed from the network without the ssdp:byebye message being sent. All other networked devices assume that the removed device is still available, and may attempt to access its services. The assumption that the removed device is available may result in a bad user experience. It is desirable to provide the byebye message if the removed device moves out of range of the AP and does not send the message. Even in a wired network, a similar problem may result when a device is powered down abruptly or the network cable is disconnected.
It would be advantageous if byebye advertisement could be supplied for a device that is removed from a network, if that device fails to make the advertisement itself.

System and method for UPnP discovery advertisement byebye by proxy


A mechanical transmission system (10) is provided with a detent mechanism (156/172, 186/196) for applying a selectively variable detent resistance to disengagement of an engaged gear ratio. To provide resistance to shift lever (31) induced jumpout when no intent to shift is sensed, a greater detent resistance is provided, and to provide improved shift quality upon sensing an intent to shift, a lesser detent resistance is provided. The mechanism also may be utilized to maintain the transmission in neutral.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to shift rail detent mechanisms for providing a selectively variable resistance to axial or rotational movement of a shift rail for minimizing the occurrence of jumpout. In a particular preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to such a detent mechanism for a lever-shifted transmission system having means to determine a driver intent to initiate or continue a lever shift and, upon sensing such an intent, to cause the detent mechanism to provide a decreased resistance to shift rail movement.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Manually shifted vehicular transmissions of the simple and/or compound types and of the synchronized, blocked and/or non-synchronized types are well known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,000,060 and 5,390,561, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The prior art manually shifted transmissions, especially as utilized for heavy-duty vehicles such as straight trucks and conventional (i.e., not cab-over-engine) tractor/semi-trailers, utilized a manually manipulated shift lever extending upwardly from a shift tower subassembly mounted directly on the transmission housing and interacted with a multiple-rail or single shift shaft shifting mechanism of the types shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,455,883; 4,550,627; 4,920,815 and 5,272,931, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
While such transmissions are widely used and commercially successful, they are not totally satisfactory, as under certain severe road conditions, the transmissions may experience shift lever-induced jumpout (i.e., unintended disengagement of a gear ratio). This situation usually is associated with transmissions utilized in relatively heavy-duty vehicles (i e., such as MVMA Class 5 and larger vehicles), which tend to have relatively long shift levers having relatively large shift knobs, often including master valving for controlling range and/or splitter shifts, at the ends thereof.
As is known in the prior art, shift rail detent mechanisms are used to maintain the shift rails in a fixed position to resist jumpout, such as shift lever-induced jumpout. Examples of such detect mechanisms may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,550,627; 4,614,126; 4,920,815; 5,000,060 and 5,350,561, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Shift lever detents are also useful to maintain a transmission in neutral when the engine is left running to keep the heater operational. Such mechanisms are not totally satisfactory, as the magnitude of resistance to shift rail movement needed to provide a significant resistance to jumpout or to resist accidental shifting from neutral, often objectionably increased the operator effort associated with a lever shift.
Partially automated mechanical transmission systems providing automatic assistance, such as automatic engine fuel control, for manual lever-shifted transmissions are known in the prior art, as may be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,593,580; 5,569,115; 5,571,059; 5,573,477 and 5,582,558, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, and to co-pending U.S. Ser. Nos. 08/649,829 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,790, 08/649,830 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,771, 08/649,831, now abandoned, and 08/666,164, all assigned to EATON CORPORATION, the assignee of this application. These systems utilize automatic engine fueling controls and/or range and/or splitter shift actuators, actuated by a driver indication of an intent to shift, allowing an old gear to be disengaged and a new or target gear to be engaged without requiring the driver to manipulate the clutch pedal (required only for vehicle launch and stop) or the throttle pedal.

Variable resistance shift rail detent assembly and shift control method employing same


A two-stage driver supplies current to a light emitting diode (LED) load. The driver includes a first stage and a second stage. The second stage is configured to generate a desired current through the LED load. The second stage has a flyback converter having a flyback transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding is turned on and off by a gating signal. An induced voltage in the secondary winding rings when a current in the secondary winding is discharged. The flyback converter is configured to turn on the primary winding only during a detected valley in the ringing of the secondary winding. If the primary winding is turned on during a detected valley different from the previous detected valley, a valley jump is detected and the switching frequency is adjusted.

A conventional single-stage flyback converter provides a low-cost solution for a class II LED driver. The flyback converter has a low component count, provides a high power factor (PF), has a low total harmonic distortion (THD), and has an isolated output. Control logic within the converter senses the output current through a plurality of LEDs and regulates the output current by controlling a semiconductor switch in a switching circuit. The control logic controls the switching of the semiconductor switch to cause the output current to have a magnitude corresponding to a dimmer control input. Such a conventional single-stage flyback converter has drawbacks. For example, the converter is operable only over a narrow voltage range and a narrow current range. The converter has a high 120 Hz current ripple. The converter may be unstable in a low dimming range, which may cause flickering. The leakage inductance of a flyback transformer in the converter has to be tightly controlled to avoid high voltage overshoot across the switching semiconductor. The control logic has to provide isolation to transfer a feedback control signal from a secondary side to a primary side, which have isolated ground references. These drawbacks limit the application of the single-stage flyback topology in LED driver applications.
Another drawback of flyback topologies is that switching the converter on when the voltage across a semiconductor switch is non-zero causes switching noise and switching losses. Gating during valleys in ringing that occurs when the current through a flyback transformer is discharged can help reduce switching noise and switching losses; however, gating can occur in different valleys in different switching cycles. Gating in different valleys is referred to as valley jumping or frequency hopping and can result in ripple in an output voltage driving an LED load

Dynamic valley sensing method for double flyback LED driver


A plural-panel, plural-layer armoring system including (a) an outer layer of elongate, side-by-side adjacent, laterally-interlocking, hardened-material armor panels having long axes substantially paralleling one another, and (b) a contacting, but not bonded-to, inner layer of elongate, side-by-side adjacent, closed-cell foam panels having long axes substantially paralleling one another and disposed at angles relative to the long axes of the armor panels.

This invention pertains to a plural-panel armor system. In particular, it pertains to such a system which includes an outer, or exposed, layer of side-by-side, hardened-material, elongate, ballistic armor panels, such as armor steel panels, and an underlying, contactively-engaged but not bonded, layer of side-by-side, closed-cell, extruded, elongate, polyethylene foam panels. The long axes of the panels in each of the two, respective layers preferably lie orthogonally relative to those of the panels in the other layer.
A particular kind of setting, namely, a military setting, has prompted the conception and reduction to practice of the present invention. This setting involves military troops and support personnel in a combat zone wherein housing, office space, etc. each takes the form of conventional, elongate, rectilinear shipping-container units having heights of about 8-feet, depths also of about 8-feet, and lengths of about 20-feet.
The present invention recognizes, with respect to such container units, the lack of adequate overhead (roof) protection from both blast and projectile type attacks (threat events)—events which threaten the safety of anyone inside one of these units. In particular, the present invention directs specific attention to a unique, layered, plural-panel armoring system, or armor system, which is intended, and has been found, to provide impressively adequate shielding, and thus protection, against overhead-incoming ballistic-projectile and blast events. Moreover, and as one will observe on reading the content of the disclosure herein, the proposed plural-panel armoring system of this invention, in addition to furnishing anti-ballistic-projectile and anti-blast protection, also offers features of both heat and sound insulation, and does so with materials which, importantly, do not add any attendant fire hazard.
These and other features and advantages offered by the present invention will become more fully apparent as the detailed description thereof which follows below is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


In various embodiments, a semiconductor component may include a semiconductor layer having a front side and a back side; at least one electronic element formed at least partially in the semiconductor layer; at least one via formed in the semiconductor layer and leading from the front side to the back side of the semiconductor layer; a front side metallization layer disposed over the front side of the semiconductor layer and electrically connecting the at least one electronic element to the at least one via; a cap disposed over the front side of the semiconductor layer and mechanically coupled to the semiconductor layer, the cap being configured as a front side carrier of the semiconductor component; a back side metallization layer disposed over the back side of the semiconductor layer and electrically connected to the at least one via.

Today, semiconductor components or chips are usually fabricated using slices of semiconductor material, referred to as wafers. Thin chips may represent a great challenge not only during fabrication in the front-end, as with decreasing thickness the wafers may become very damageable, easily break and bend strongly due to their low stiffness. Therefore, devices and processes may be desirable that allow for safe handling of thin semiconductor components or chips.

Semiconductor component with a front side and a back side metallization layer and manufacturing method thereof


Techniques for implementing access pattern-based distribution of key-value content in a distributed key-value store comprising a plurality of nodes are provided. In one set of embodiments, a node in the plurality of nodes can receive a request to create a key-value entry. The node can further determine whether the key-value entry is associated with a first (e.g., global) scope or a second (e.g., local) scope. If the key-value entry is associated with the first scope, the node can cause the key-value entry to be replicated on every node in the plurality of nodes. On the other hand, if the key-value entry is associated with the second scope, the node cause the key-value entry to be stored solely on that node.

A key-value store (KVS) is a type of database that stores information in the form of key-value entries (also known as key-value pairs). The key k in a key-value entry [k, v] is an identifier such as a number, string, etc. that uniquely identifies the entry and can be used to retrieve corresponding value v. The value v can be any type of data or metadata supported by the KVS. A typical KVS exposes PUT, DELETE, and GET operations to clients. PUT(k, v) creates a new key-value entry [k, v] or updates an existing entry if key k is already present, DELETE(k) deletes an existing key-value entry identified by key k, and GET(k) retrieves the value corresponding to key k.
KVSs can be distributed or non-distributed. A distributed KVS is configured to maintain key-value entries across a number of networked computer systems, referred to as nodes. Further, a distributed KVS allows clients to invoke key-value operations on any one of the nodes. In contrast, a non-distributed KVS is configured to store all if its key-value content, as well as consolidate all key-value processing, on a single computer system. Distributed KVSs are generally preferred over non-distributed KVSs for use cases and environments where scalability and fault-tolerance are important, such as enterprise environments, cloud infrastructures, and the like.
In existing distributed KVSs, all key-value content is either globally replicated across the nodes of the KVS such that each node maintains a copy of every key-value entry, or deterministically partitioned on a per-node or per-node group basis such that each node/node group maintains a subset (or "shard") of key-value entries in the KVS's key space. The global replication approach exhibits low latency for key lookups (i.e., GETs) because every lookup can be performed locally on the node that received the lookup request. However, due to the need to maintain a complete copy of the KVS's content at each node, the memory/storage cost for this approach is high. In contrast, the partitioned approach is more memory/storage efficient than global replication because each node only stores a subset, rather than the entirety, of the KVS's key-value content. However, with the partitioned approach every key lookup can potentially result in a network access to retrieve the requested key-value entry from a remote node, resulting in relatively high average latency per lookup.

Access pattern-based distribution for distributed key-value stores


Systems and methods can perform automatic computation developed using carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons and/or InSb p-n bilayer channel avalanche diodes and wires. Spin logic can provide improvements in speed, power, and area, promising to be a high-performance logic family for the next generation of computing. The systems and methods can replace CMOS, for example, for general computing applications.

Graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and spintronic logic have been suggested as replacements to silicon complementary logic as transistor scaling approaches its inherent limits. Carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene nanoribbon (GNR) logic circuits have been fabricated for the conventional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic family that take advantage of the fast switching speeds and high current density of low-dimensional carbon materials. Additionally, new logic families are enabled by spintronics, in which electron spin is manipulated along with electron charge to perform logical functions efficiently. Large leakage currents in graphene transistors have inhibited their use in the CMOS logic family, and spintronic circuit development has been hampered by the difficulty in cascading logic gates.


In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, an electro-optical device includes a peripheral circuit wiring arranged in a peripheral area located peripheral to a pixel area. The peripheral circuit wiring has overlapping portions that overlap vertical conduction terminals in plan view. The overlapping portions are arranged on a lower layer side relative to the vertical conduction terminals. An insulating film electrically insulates the overlapping portions of the peripheral circuit wiring from the vertical conduction terminals.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to electro-optical devices, such as liquid crystal devices, and electronic apparatuses, such as liquid crystal projectors, including the electro-optical devices.
2. Related Art
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-253990, an electro-optical device includes a pair of a counter substrate and an element substrate sealed together by a seal member with an electro-optical material sandwiched therebetween. In a peripheral area located around a pixel area on the element substrate, for example, vertical conduction terminals are arranged at four corners of the counter substrate and are arranged away from a seal area in which the seal member is arranged. In addition, conduction members, which are electrically connected to the vertical conduction terminals and which are arranged between the counter substrate and the element substrate so as to correspond to the vertical conduction terminals, are used so that electrical conduction between the pair of the counter substrate and the element substrate is enabled.
In the peripheral area on the element substrate, a peripheral circuit section for driving a plurality of pixel units arranged in the pixel area is provided. Furthermore, peripheral circuit wiring is arranged so as to extend from one end to the other end thereof, and the wiring is electrically connected to the peripheral circuit section at at least one of the one end and the other end thereof. On the element substrate, the peripheral circuit wiring is disposed away from portions in which the vertical conduction terminals are arranged.
Accordingly, with the configuration described above, since portions around the vertical conduction terminals in which the peripheral circuit wiring is arranged need to be designed as patterns taking arrangement of the vertical conduction terminals into consideration, a degree of freedom of design is limited. In addition, in the peripheral area on the element substrate corresponding to the corners of the counter substrate, since it is necessary to ensure an area in which the vertical conduction terminals are to be arranged and an area in which the peripheral circuit wiring is to be arranged, it is difficult to make the peripheral area on the element substrate smaller.
Since a width of a gap between the element substrate and the counter substrate should be uniform, the vertical conduction terminals are preferably arranged at the four corners of the counter substrate. If a configuration in which the vertical conduction terminals are arranged at any of the four corners of the counter substrate for arrangement of the peripheral circuit wiring is adopted, portions of the gap between the element substrate and the counter substrate in positions in which the vertical conduction terminals are arranged and portions of the gap between the element substrate and the counter substrate in positions in which no vertical conduction terminals are arranged are different from each other. Differences in the width of the gap may lead to deterioration of display.

Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus


The invention provides a transistor capable of achieving a higher speed although its construction is easy to manufacture without requiring wiring to intersect three-dimensionally even if unit elements of transistors are connected in parallel, and to provide an electronic device. The transistor can include common collector wiring provided on an insulating substrate, a first layer, which is provided on the common collector wiring which is made of an N-type semiconductor, a second layer, made of a P-type semiconductor, provided on the first layer low, a third layer, which is provided on the second layer and which is made of an N-type semiconductor, common base wiring, which is provided on the insulating substrate and which is connected to the second layer, and common emitter wiring, which is provided on the insulating substrate and which is connected to the third layer.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a transistor and an electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
A hetero-bipolar transistor (HBT), which is a device capable of amplifying a high-frequency signal on the order of Gigahertz, has a construction in which a collector layer, a base layer, and an emitter layer are layered in sequence on a semi-insulating semiconductor substrate. When the shape of this hetero-bipolar transistor (unit element) is increased, the output increases, but performance, such as operating speed, decreases. Therefore, usually, in order to form an amplification circuit capable of high speed and a large output, a plurality of hetero-bipolar transistors (unit elements) are formed on a substrate, and the plurality of the unit elements are connected in parallel, forming one amplification circuit as a whole. See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-326330.
However, since the hetero-bipolar transistor is a three-terminal device, if, by using wiring, attempts are made to connect in parallel terminals of a plurality of unit elements provided on the top surface of a substrate, a three-dimensional intersection occurs in the wiring in the conventional case. Since the intersection of this wiring act as a capacitance, which causes the characteristics to be deteriorated, complicated manufacturing measures, such as making the intersection by providing an air gap (air bridge), are necessary.
In order to avoid this situation, there is a method in which collector layers in all the unit elements are made continuous, and a common collector electrode is provided at only one place. However, in this method, since the resistance of the collector layers cannot be decreased sufficiently, it is difficult to realize a high-performance hetero-bipolar transistor.


The present disclosure is for an adjustable leash that can quickly and easily be converted to a restraining harness that helps to inhibit the unwanted movement of the dog or other animal walking on the leash. In some embodiments, the leash is adjustable without the use of any tools and can be adapted to fit quadrupeds of a variety of sizes.

Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to restraint devices for quadruped animals. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an adjustable leash that is easily adapted to restraining a quadruped, such as a dog, from excessively pulling or straining when walked on a leash.
Background
Various drawbacks exist for many types of existing harnesses and leashes for animals such as dogs or other quadrupeds. For example, leashes that attach solely to a collar, or other types of neck or head worn harnesses, if improperly used can cause injury and harm to the animal wearing the leash. Another drawback of existing body-worn harnesses is that they are relatively expensive and difficult to put on.
Another drawback of existing leashes and harnesses is that some quadrupeds, dogs in particular, are prone to try and lunge, run, tug, or strain against the leash. This is a more acute drawback when the dog is of a large, powerful breed and the person holding the leash is relatively small or overmatched compared to the dog. In this scenario, the dog ends up dragging or pulling the person along behind which is not a desirable or enjoyable result for the person, and is detrimental to the discipline and training of the dog. Other drawbacks also exist.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a relatively inexpensive and easy to use leash or harness that it easy to use and obviates many of the known drawbacks of existing products. It is further desirable, to provide a leash or harness that helps to inhibit a dog, or other animal, from lunging or straining against the leash.


Disclosed herein are a refrigerator includes an ice storage, a transfer member, a transfer motor coupled to the transfer member, and a controller configured to control the transfer motor to rotate the transfer member in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction, wherein the transfer member prevents the ice cubes stored in the ice storage from agglomerating by rotating in the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction. The controller warns a user of agglomeration of the ice cubes stored in the ice storage in response to no rotation of the transfer motor sensed.

In general, a refrigerator includes a storage room, and a cool air supply apparatus for supplying cool air to the storage room to keep food fresh. The refrigerator further includes an ice making apparatus for making ice cubes.
An automatic ice making apparatus includes an ice maker for making ice cubes, and an ice storage for storing ice cubes made by the ice maker.
In a direct cooling method among ice making methods for freezing water, a refrigerant pipe extends to the inside of an ice making room to freeze water, wherein the refrigerant pipe directly contacts with an ice making tray. In the direct cooling method, the ice making tray receives cooling energy from the refrigerant pipe by heat conduction.
Ice cubes made by the ice maker are transferred to an ice storage room of the ice storage, and stored in the ice storage room. When the ice cubes are stored in the ice storage room, the ice cubes may agglomerate due to sublimation generated on the surfaces of the ice cubes. In other words, the ice cubes stored in the ice storage room may agglomerate together.
If the ice cubes stored in the ice storage room agglomerate together, the ice cubes will not be easily discharged, which causes a user's inconvenience.


An improved device for providing the magic touch effect during a double repetition in an upright piano wherein the device comprises a plurality of keys swingably mounted on a keyboard frame and supporting a suitably inclined slanted drive element, which can be screw adjusted and is intercoupled to a slanted swinging arm that operates as a control lever that is pivoted to an abruptly clockwise downstream slanted main bridge having an escapement lever coupled to a butt roller of a hammer, pivoted to a first pillar element, that supports adjusting buttons for adjusting a first and second escapements. The main bridge assembly is coupled to a second pillar element, that is pivoted to the lever of the second escapement.

The invention relates to an improved mechanism for achieving the so-called magic touch effect during double repetition in an upright piano.
As is well known, upright pianos are not suitable to musically reproduce the so-called magic touch which, in actual practice, requires to provide a high level of energy as required to compact the harmonics of in the sounds produced by the piano strings when they are transitorily struck.
Prior approaches to achieve the above mentioned compactness have not been found as satisfactory, since they are very complex from a mechanic standpoint and unsuitable to produce the required harmonic characteristics.

Repetition action mechanism for an upright piano


Single and double density biopolymer foams, composite biopolymer foams including both single and double density foams, and methods of preparing these foams and composite foams are described. Also described are biocompatible constructs which include single or double density biopolymer foams and extracellular matrix particulates and methods of preparing these constructs. The foams, composite foams, and biocompatible constructs of the invention can be used in tissue repair and reconstruction.

Collagen sponges or foams have been used as hemostatic agents and more recently as scaffolds for tissue repair in vivo and as research tools in vitro for seeding various cell types to study cell functions in three dimensions. Collagen sponges have a low immunogenicity and consist of a naturally occurring structural protein to which cells can attach, interact with and degrade. In vivo, these sponges are bioabsorbable. However, sponges are usually crosslinked to provide the degree of wet strength and measured resistance to dissolution needed for many of the above-referenced uses. In general, aldehydic crosslinking of collagen sponges or foams reduces or degrades the normal binding sites to which cells and certain molecules secreted by cells attach. Further, collagen sponges, gelatin sponges or polyvinyl alcohol sponges lack biological activity typically present in the extracellular matrix environment of cells. However, because of their deficiencies, crosslinked collagen sponges induce little regeneration in vivo or serve poorly as histiotypic and organotypic models in vitro.
A need exists, therefore, for an improved biopolymer foam that overcomes or minimizes the above-mentioned problems.

Biopolymer foams for use in tissue repair and reconstruction


An electrical current sensing assembly comprises: a conductive input substrate with a generally planar contact surface; a conductive output substrate with a generally planar contact surface proximate and substantially parallel to the input substrate contact surface; a conductive current sense path extending from the input substrate contact surface to the output substrate contact surface with a sense path cross sectional area generally normal to electrical current flow; a conductive current bypass path extending from the input substrate contact surface to the output substrate contact surface with a bypass path cross sectional area generally normal to electrical current flow; and an electrical current sensing device proximate the current sense path for sensing electrical current passing through the current sense path; wherein the ratio of the current passing through the bypass path to the current passing through the sense path is proportional to the ratio of the bypass path cross sectional area to the sensing path cross sectional area to limit current in the sensing path to the measurement range of the current sensing device.

Aeronautical electric power generating and distributing systems require small electrical current sensing devices for tracking and regulating electrical power. However, the level of electrical current in such systems, often in the range of tens of amperes, is beyond the range of miniature current sensing devices. Therefore, it is necessary to implement current sensing assemblies that divide the electrical current into fixed ratio sense and bypass current paths, with the current in the sensing path limited to the sensing range of a selected miniature current sensing device.
A current sensing assembly representative of the prior art has a generally planar construction with a current sensing path and current bypass path that extends within the plane of the assembly. The ratio of their relative lengths determines the ratio of current divided between the sensing path and the bypass path. Although this type of construction provides satisfactory operation over a wide range of electrical power frequencies, it is too bulky for some applications due to the "footprint" of its generally planar current sensing path.


A tube reforming apparatus provides efficient mass production of reformed tube end portions. In a preferred embodiment, a tube reforming apparatus has a loading station, two heating stations, a forming station, and an unloading station. The loading station permits rapid loading of a series of laterally spaced apart tubes into clamping fixtures, and accurately meters a downwardly extending end portion of each tube. The heating stations permit accurate and evenly distributed heat to be applied to the end portions to make them pliable. The forming station reforms the end portions between a mating die pair, while compensating for any volume variation in the end portions. The unloading station automatically unloads the tubes from the clamping fixtures. Automation features of the apparatus permit these operations to be efficiently accomplished.

The present invention relates generally to reforming of end portions of tubes and, in a preferred embodiment thereof, more particularly provides an automated tube reforming apparatus and associated methods of manufacturing.
The reforming of end portions of tubes is well known in the art. In particular, where a tube is made of a thermoplastic material, it is well known to reform an end portion of the tube by heating the end portion to an elevated temperature and then reforming the end portion by imparting a desired shaped to it using a die or mating dies.
Disclosures of tube reforming apparatus and methods may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,509,252 to Baehr; 3,047,910 to Downs; 3,557,278 to Kuhlemann; 3,823,216 to Petzetakis; 3,899,565 to de Putter et al.; 4,345,956 to Cox et al.; 3,418,409 to Hesse et al.; 4,083,918 to Ronden et al.; 5,244,622 to Rumberger et al.; 4,219,525 to Greenspan; 3,986,810 to La Branch et al.; 4,404,159 to McFarlane; 4,028,037 to Dawson; 3,755,524 to McKay; 3,672,804 to Dalik; and 4,316,870, 4,446,084, and 4,525,136 to Rowley. However, none of these U.S. patents disclose a satisfactory method of automating a tube reforming process so that the process may be economically and safely carried out at a high rate of production.
Where heated air is used to heat tube end portions, high rates of production require that the tube end portions be quickly heated to a consistent, uniform, and reproducible desired temperature prior to reforming the tube end portions. Precise control of tube heating during an end portion reforming process is not disclosed in any of the above listed U.S. patents. Furthermore, none of the above listed U.S. patents discloses a satisfactory method of simultaneously heating multiple tube end portions to a desired temperature using heated air.
From the foregoing, it can be seen that it would be quite desirable to provide an automated tube reforming apparatus which permits multiple tube end portions to be quickly and consistently heated to an elevated temperature utilizing heated air, which is capable of simultaneously reforming multiple heated tube end portions, and which permits such operations to be accomplished at a high rate of production. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide such an automated tube reforming apparatus and associated methods of manufacturing.


The present invention is a storage element for controlling a logic circuit and a logic device having a plurality of storage elements. The storage element has a first and a second non-volatile memory cells connected in series at an output node. Each of the first and second non-volatile memory cells is for storing a state opposite to the other. A demultiplexer has an input, a switched input and two outputs. The output node is connected to the input of the demultiplexer. One of the outputs is used to control the logic circuit. The other output is connected to a bit line which is connected to a sense amplifier. Finally, the switched input receives a switch signal and outputs the signal from the output node to either the one output or the other output.

Integrated circuit designs and fabrication are well known in the art. More generally integrated circuits have been classified as one of two types: memory or logic (including processors). Memory circuits, such as volatile or non-volatile memories, store information. Logic circuits, such as AND gates, OR gates, NOR gates, NAND gates, inverters, XOR gates, XNOR gates, Multiplexers, processor, and look-up tables, process signals.
In certain applications, it is desired to combine memory circuits with logic circuits in a device. Thus, one type of device is a field programmable logic device, wherein connection of logic circuits may be altered based upon states stored in the associated memories. Typically, the memories are field programmable, i.e. the state of the memory can be programmed or erased, after the device has been manufactured (or is in the field). One class of memory is non-volatile memory, where the state of the memory is retained after the power supply is disconnected from the device.
Another potential application of a device having both memory circuits and logic circuits, wherein the states stored in the memory circuits is used to alter the connection of the logic circuits is where a manufacturer has designed a plurality of products all having the same basic design but with different specifications. Rather than manufacturing (and maintaining inventory of) the plurality of different devices, the manufacturer could design a basic device with different logic circuits that are activated depending upon the specification desired. In this manner inventory management is greatly improved.
The prior art discloses a non-volatile memory cell of the type having a floating gate for storage of charges. The memory cell has a first region and a spaced apart second region, with each region being of a first conductivity type with a channel region of the second conductivity type therebetween. The floating gate is spaced apart from a first portion of the channel region and is adjacent to the first region. A coupling gate is over the floating gate and is capacitively coupled to the floating gate. A control gate is adjacent to and spaced apart from the floating gate and the coupling gate. The control gate is spaced apart from another portion of the channel region and has a portion adjacent to the second region. An erase gate is over the first region and is spaced apart therefrom and spaced apart from the floating gate and the coupling gate. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,310, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
In the prior art it is also known to use two non-volatile memory cells connected in series to form a storage element to control a logic circuit. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,478. However, the cells are not of the same type and further, it is believed that such storage element is difficult to program/erase and verify.

Storage element for controlling a logic circuit, and a logic device having an array of such storage elements


The path selection and wavelength assignment to a selected path are performed by mapping the wavelength reach to the demand distribution (agile reach) resulting in a 50-60% increase in the network reach. The network reach is further increased (about 2.2 times) when on-line measured performance data are used for path selection and wavelength assignment. The connections may be engineered/upgraded individually, by optimizing the parameters of the entire path or of a regenerator section of the respective path. The upgrades include changing the wavelength, adjusting the parameters of the regenerator section, controlling the launch powers, mapping a certain transmitter and/or receiver to the respective wavelength, selecting the wavelengths on a certain link so as to reduce cross-talk, increasing wavelength spacing, etc.

Expansion of optical transport networks can be obtained by increasing the network capacity and/or reach. A higher network capacity is achieved by increasing the channel rate (time division multiplexing TDM) and increasing the density of channels in the respective transmission window, known as WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) and/or dense WDM (DWDM). The system reach, i.e. the distance between a transmitter and the next receiver, can be extended by optimizing the parameters of the transmission path.
However, optimizing the parameters of a transmission path is not a simple task. Optical signals suffer degradation along an optical path from such factors as loss, noise, inter-symbol interference, fiber dispersion, non-linearity of the elements and transmission medium, ambient temperature variations, etc.
A well-known solution to condition an optical signal is to use optical-electrical-optical (OEO) regenerators. Regeneration is the process of amplifying (correcting loss), reshaping (correcting noise and dispersion), retiming (synchronizing with the network clock), and retransmitting an optical signal. The regenerator design is channel-specific as the regeneration is performed in electrical format, so that the cost of the network increases dramatically as the channel density grows.
Emergence of optical amplifiers, which amplify all channels in the WDM signal by a certain gain in optical format (without OEO conversion), was essential in developing the D/WDM systems, as an optical amplifier may replace a number of regenerators, importantly reducing the cost of the network. Unfortunately, the optical amplifiers exhibit a wavelength-dependent gain profile, noise profile, and saturation characteristics. Hence, each optical channel experiences a different gain along a transmission link. The optical amplifiers also add noise to the signal, typically in the form of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), so that the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) decreases at each amplifier site.
Furthermore, due to the intrinsic material characteristics of the transmission medium (the fiber), the channels of a WDM signal undergo different distortions and losses along the same link/path. To add to this, the individual performance of the channel transmitters and receivers is also different, so that each channel has different initial waveform distortions, and a different detection quality.
To summarize, the transfer function of optical amplifiers, transmission medium and other active and passive optical components in the optical link/path is a function of wavelength. This wavelength dependency on path configuration and optical device specifications results in a variable performance of the co-propagating channels at the receiving terminal for equal optical launched power levels. In other words, 'not all wavelengths are created equal'. Experiments show that the ratio between the reach of the "best" and "worst" performing wavelengths can be more than 2:1.
Current transport networks are based on a WDM physical layer, using point-to-point (pt-pt) connectivity. As network flexibility is delivered electronically, termination of the photonic layer is necessary at each intermediate switching node along a path. In this type of network, channel allocation is fixed and link performance is optimized using span equalization.
There are numerous performance optimization methods applicable to traditional networks, all based on 'equalizing' a certain transmission parameter of the WDM signal, such as OSNR (optical signal-to-noise rate), BER (bit error rate), or Q-factor. It has been shown that the OSNR at the receiver can be equalized by adjusting the input optical power for all channels. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,922 (Chraplyvy et al.), issued on Jul. 6, 1993 to AT&T Bell Laboratories, provides for measuring the output SNRs and then iteratively adjusting the input powers to achieve equal SNRs. A telemetry path between the nodes provides the measurements obtained at one node to the other. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,115,157 (Barnard et al.) issued to Nortel Networks Corporation on Sep. 5, 2000, which discloses a method of equalizing the channels of a WDM link based on an error threshold level for each channel in the WDM signal, the threshold being set in accordance with the channel rate. The transmitter power is adjusted taking into account the attenuations determined for all channels, which attenuations are calculated according to the measured BER.
Lately, ULR (ultra long reach) networks attempt to extend the distance traveled by the WDM channels in optical format for reducing the regeneration costs. To this end, ULR networks use a variety of techniques such as hybrid Raman-EDFA amplification, dispersion management, gain tilt control, etc. These techniques combined with other proprietary reach-increasing methods, have resulted in ULR networks where channels may travel over 3,000 km without regeneration.
However, current engineering methods based on span equalization present numerous inherent disadvantages.
1. Electrical switch based flexibility-limits the reach of an optical channel to the distance between two consecutive switching nodes. Thus, channels that can travel farther are truncated by the geography of the network. Since the distance between most nodes is in practice under 1,000 km, only links that are over 1,000 km (i.e. approximately less than 20-30% of all links) can benefit of any reach optimization technique. On the other hand, the majority of connections (end-to-end signal paths) exceed the nodal spacing of 1,000 km. Truncation of 70% of the connections at the switching nodes significantly reduces the benefits of the ULR techniques.
2. Traditional point-to-point WDM networks perform span and link engineering based on the "worst case" rules. Thus, in addition to the reach truncation described at 1), performance of channels that can travel farther is further lowered to the performance of the weakest channel/s. This is clearly not the most advantageous way of using the network resources.
3. Point-to-point networks are deployed based on engineering estimates and component specified limits, rather than on measured data, which in many occasions significantly under/over approximate the real span/link performance capabilities. When over-estimated, a span/link must be re-engineered after an unsuccessful set-up attempt. When under-estimated, the equipment is used inefficiently.
4. To make-up for an eventual over-estimation, current estimates are complemented with a number of engineering margins that further limit the reach.
5. As a typical optical network is characterized by a different loss in each span depending upon the fiber type, fiber length, cabling and slicing losses, span equalization becomes a span-specific, complex operation. In addition, different network operators have distinctive losses and loss distribution requirements in their networks. All this results in a plurality of hardware variants for each section of a network, with the ensuing complexity in inventory management and additional costs.
There is a need to provide a WDM network with a method for reach-capacity optimization, which uses the network resources efficiently.

Wavelength assignment in an optical WDM network


A radio transmission apparatus includes a plurality of transmission antennas, a start symbol generating unit that generates a start symbol as a reference signal during the start of differential coding, a differential coding unit (a differential coding unit, a transmission-signal-power calculating unit, and a 1/square root operation unit) that subjects a transmission symbol, to which information bits are mapped, to differential coding and generates a symbol after differentiation, and a space-time coding unit that subjects the start symbol or the symbol after differentiation to space-time coding and generates signals to be transmitted from transmission antennas. The differential coding unit determines, on the basis of electric power of the start symbol or electric power of the symbol after differentiation generated last time, electric power of the symbol after differentiation generated in the current differential coding processing.

In a radio communication system, fading involved in movement mainly deteriorates radio communication quality. As a method of reducing the quality deterioration due to the fading, there is known a space-time coded transmission diversity system for arranging a plurality of antennas in a terminal or a base station to reduce a correlation of propagation path fluctuation of each of the antennas and suppressing a decrease in electric power due to fading making use of the difference in the propagation path fluctuation among the antennas. Patent literature 1 discloses a differential space-time coded transmission diversity in which coding based on differential coding, capable of following high-speed propagation path fluctuation compared with a synchronous detection system, is adapted to space-time coding by generating a symbol using, as a change amount on a phase space, transmission information corresponding to transmission bits among continuous symbols. In a radio communication system that performs synchronous detection according to a transmission line estimation result at a frame head, when a long-term frame is used, high oscillator accuracy or high frequency correction accuracy is requested. In the differential coding, information to be transmitted is present in the change amount on the phase space. Therefore, when the differential coding is applied, it is possible to relax oscillator accuracy or frequency correction accuracy.

Radio transmission apparatus, radio reception apparatus, and data transmission method


A metal halide fill for forming an ionizable fill comprises at least one inert gas, mercury and metal halides, comprising the constituents Na halide, Tl halide, Ca halide and halides of the rare earths. It also comprises Pb halide. This fill may be present in particular in the discharge vessel of a metal halide lamp which has an outer bulb.

To achieve warm-white luminous colors, U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,002 has disclosed a metal halide discharge lamp which contains a metal halide fill comprising the metals Na, Sc, Li, Dy and Tl with a warm-white luminous color. The color temperature is 3000 K.
Fills of this type comprising scandium have a poor maintenance, which means that the luminous flux drops considerably during the operating time. Moreover, the color rendering of scandium-based lamps is relatively poor, in particular in the red spectral region.
GB 1 316 803 has disclosed a metal halide lamp which uses a metal halide fill which as emitter uses one of the iodides of Tl, Sc, Ca, Cs, Dy, Na, Sn, La, Li and Ba. The buffer gas used is one of the metal iodides of Sb, As, Bi, In, Zn, Cd or Pb. The buffer gas is used in particular to set the electrical properties of the discharge. By contrast, there is no discussion of the buffer gases influencing the color rendering. Only fills comprising the buffer gases ZnI2 and CdI2 are specifically presented. In an exemplary embodiment comprising ZnI2 as buffer gas, optional small quantities of mercury are also taken into consideration as a second buffer gas.
US-A 2003/0141818 makes use of fills comprising halides of Ca and complex-forming halides of Al and/or Ga to improve the red rendering in lamps with color temperatures below 4000 K. Further components, in addition to mercury and noble gas, are halides of Dy, Ho, Tm, Na, Li, Cs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,268 uses fills comprising Ca iodide, thallium iodide and Sn iodide in elliptically shaped discharge vessels made from quartz glass in order to achieve a very good color rendering.

Metal halide lamp with fill comprising lead halide

OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung


A method of topology discovery and identification of switches enables a user to determine the topology of a N-stage switch network. The method includes ascertaining an intended topology of the N-stage switch network, creating a list of switch boards present in the N-stage switch network, and determining a switch board connection pattern. The method further includes classifying each of the switch boards as an outer switch board, or an inner switch board, and creating a list for each type of switch board, classifying each of the switch boards on the OB list as stage 1, stage 2, or unknown, classifying each of the switch boards on the IB list as stage 3 to stage N, grouping the stage 2 and stage 1 switch boards into sectors, and numbering each type of switch board, thereby obtaining a determined topology, and validating the determined topology by comparing it to the intended topology.

Communication networks are typically constructed using switching devices to provide end-to end connectivity between host computers. Often, such networks are created using switching devices, which are interconnected in some manner. Although each device included in a network has a physical identity, uniquely identifying each device based on the device's physical characteristics and location within the network is difficult. Logical identifiers, such as IP addresses, are defined to uniquely identify each device included in the network. A mechanism is used to map the physical devices to unique logical identifiers so that the defined identifiers can be used to refer to the physical devices. The type of logical identifier used depends on the type of network the physical devices connected. Often, different identifiers are used to identify the same device for different purposes.
A network that is used in high performance computing environments is constructed using switching elements, or switch boards, interconnected in a regular manner. Depending on the size of network, a varying number of switch boards are interconnected in multiple levels to form the network. The pattern of interconnection between the different levels of switches is regular and often unique for different size networks. In such networks, the switch boards need to be assigned logical board numbers to identify each switch board's position in the network topology. Such identifiers either can be assigned during the installation of the network, or may be determined by allowing the network to discover itself.
While network self discovery has advantages, the regularity of interconnection between stages poses a challenge to efficient discovery, particularly for networks with multiple intermediate stages of switches. An obstacle to network self discovery is the possibility of incorrect network wiring, or incorrect or incomplete network connections during installation.
High performance computing environments demand high reliability, high bandwidth, and low latency. Such requirements may be addressed by constructing multi-stage networks that provide multiple, distinct data paths between every pair of network endpoints, and by constructing the network so that each data path requires the same minimal number of hops. As computing demands continue to grow, networks with larger numbers of endpoints will be needed. One way for a network to support more endpoints while providing the desired bandwidth and latency characteristics is to construct switch networks with more stages of switches.
One existing method for determining the topology of a multistage network, with one intermediate stage of switches, involves a series of guesses based on the number of switch boards found in the network. Each switch board is compared to every switch board position in a theoretical topology to determine where the particular switch board is in the real topology. This method is not practical and sometimes not practicable when multiple intermediate stages are involved. Thus, there exists a need for a way to quickly discover the topology and identify the individual entities in a multi-stage network during self discovery.

Topology discovery and identification of switches in an N-stage interconnection network

International Business Machines Corporation


A still image producing apparatus in which a user selects one piece of information, and production of still images and music associated with the mood in time of the production is provided. A still image producing apparatus 100 comprises: an image feature extraction unit 102 which analyzes image data, so as to extract feature; a music feature extraction unit 106 which extracts a music feature quantity from music data; and a mapping process unit 109 which uses each feature, so as to respectively map image data and music data on each sensitivity map using two axes. The user selects, from the sensitivity map, via a menu input unit 111, a quadrant for music or images desired in a slide show. Thus, the slide show associated with the mood is automatically produced in a slide show generation unit 110.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a still image producing apparatus which records and produces digital images, in particular, to a still image producing apparatus having a slide show function for consecutively displaying a plurality of digital images.
(2) Description of the Related Art
As a conventional method for consecutively reproducing still images, there is a display method, called a slide show, for consecutively displaying still images per certain period of time. For example, the above mentioned slide show is realized by PC software such as a photo cinema and a movie shaker, and a camera cellular phone.
Here, the slide show means, a so-called digital picture story show in which a digital still image to be displayed is switched (i) per certain period of time or (ii) by a trigger such as a user's specification, as well as a slide projector. Also, in recent years, entertainment features in some applications have been improved, by adding (i) background music (BGM) and (ii) transitions such as fading, wiping and rotating when switching digital still images.
As an example of the conventional slide show apparatus, there is one which consecutively produces still images using a CD-ROM (for example, refer to Laid-Open Japanese Patent application No. 2001-103415, pp 3-5 and FIG. 1). FIG. 18 is a structure diagram of a conventional slide show apparatus 1800 described in the Laid-Open Japanese patent application No. 2001-103415.
In the slide show apparatus 1800, a CD-ROM 1806 is set in a CD-ROM reading unit 1805, and the activation of a slide show performing program 1806a is specified by an input specification unit 1802. An operation control unit 1801 reads in the slide show performing program 1806a, so as to function as a slide show performing unit. When performing a slide show, the operation control unit 1801 first reads in an order table 1806b, and extracts image files, from an image file group 1806c, in such order as predetermined in the order table 1806b, so as to cause a display unit 1803 to display the images. A hard disk 1804 saves various data according to need.
However, the conventional slide show reproducing apparatus only produces image files according to the order table. And, there is a problem that the above mentioned slide show is predictable, thus not interesting to a user. Also, another problem is that there are few variations in the image production. This is the same problem in the case where BGM is played along with the slide show.
Moreover, according to the conventional slide show reproducing apparatus, communication using images between slide show apparatuses is not considered at all. A slide show which supports recent networking is not provided, either.


A flight deck display system for an aircraft includes a processor architecture configured to receive aircraft instrument data, waypoint restriction information, and position data for the aircraft and, based upon the received data, generate image rendering display commands. The system also includes a display element configured to receive the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, to render a display that includes a perspective view of terrain and at least one waypoint marker corresponding to an approaching waypoint. The waypoint marker includes visually distinguishable characteristics that convey waypoint restriction information (e.g., altitude or airspeed constraint information that governs the waypoint).

Modern flight deck displays for vehicles (such as aircraft or spacecraft) display a considerable amount of information, such as vehicle position, speed, altitude, attitude, navigation, target, and terrain information. In the case of an aircraft, most modern displays additionally display a flight plan from different views, either a lateral view, a vertical view, or a perspective view, which can be displayed individually or simultaneously on the same display.
The lateral view, generally known as a lateral map display, is basically a top-view of the flight plan, and may include, for example, a top-view aircraft symbol, waypoint symbols, line segments that interconnect the waypoint symbols, and range rings. The lateral map may also include various map features including, for example, weather information, terrain information, political boundaries, and navigation aids. The terrain information may include situational awareness (SA) terrain, as well as terrain cautions and warnings which, among other things, may indicate terrain that may impact the aircraft. The perspective view provides a three-dimensional view of the vehicle flight plan and may include one or more of the above-mentioned features that are displayed on the lateral map, including the terrain information.
Altitude data may be displayed as a numerical value that indicates the present altitude in appropriate units, such as feet or meters. An altimeter tape is a graphical element that can be used to display altitude information on a flight deck display element in an easy-to-read manner. An altimeter tape is typically rendered as a small window having a scrolling numerical range dynamically displayed therein. As the altitude of the aircraft changes, the altitude scale of the tape dynamically adjusts such that the current altitude is displayed at a designated location, e.g., near the center of the window. Thus, if the aircraft is flying at a constant altitude of 6500 feet, the altitude scale will appear stationary, with the number 6500 centered in the window. If the aircraft begins to descend, the altitude scale will begin to scroll within the window, the number 6500 will migrate towards the top of the window, and lower elevation numbers will appear near the bottom of the window and begin migrating upwards.
An aircraft might be subject to certain altitude constraints, depending upon the flight plan, the geographic location of the aircraft, etc. For example, an aircraft may be restricted such that it must fly at or above a designated altitude when in one geographical region, at or below a designated altitude when in another geographical region, or between upper and lower altitude boundaries when in yet another geographical region. As another example, when landing, an aircraft will have a target altitude that is associated with the particular landing location.

System and display element for displaying waypoint markers with integrated altitude constraint information


A method for the additive construction of a structure for a component includes the following steps: providing a prefabricated component for the component on a building board, wherein the component has a separating plane, providing a powder bed from a base material for the structure, moving the building board closer to a coating device, aligning a processing surface and the separating plane of the component for preventing adhesion between the component and the coating device, and optically measuring a surface of the powder bed.

Generative or additive production methods comprise, for example, as powder bed method selective laser melting (SLM) or laser sintering (SLS), or electron beam melting (EBM).
A selective laser melting method is known, for example, from EP 2 601 006 B1. Additive manufacturing methods have proven particularly advantageous for complex or complicatedly or filigree-designed components, example labyrinth-like structures, cooling structures and/or lightweight structures. In particular, additive manufacture is advantageous because of a particularly short chain of process steps, since a step of production or manufacture of a component can be carried out directly on the basis of a corresponding CAD file.
Furthermore, additive manufacture is particularly advantageous for the development or production of prototypes which cannot be produced, or cannot be produced efficiently, by means of conventional subtractive or machining methods or casting technology.

Method for the additive construction of a structure and computer program product


A method and apparatus is disclosed for remotely and robotically installing an organic, monolithic, structural and non structural, circumferential and partial radius membranes in conduits, pipelines or passageways. The included apparatus has the mechanical function to manually or automatically center the liner dissipation device in any geometrical shape. The included apparatus possesses the remote controlled capability to manipulate centrifugal dissipation of the liner to afford consistent thickness on any shaped profile or flat surface of the pipe wall surface. The apparatus includes a manual or automatic mechanical scissoring device for elevation changes and a manual or automatic rotational table for shaft alignment. The apparatus includes a means of automated self alignment by way of proximity sensors. The pendulum oscillation bracketing incorporates a fluid driven motor assembly communicating with a bored shaft and integrates as many as two offset dissipation devices. The included apparatus has both fluid and electrical rotary unions to transmit fluids and current from fixed ports to a rotating shaft assembly. The included apparatus has a mechanical function facilitating cutting and retrieval of cured spray build up on the spray orifice. This method and apparatus will allow for continuous lining applications of any thickness in one pass, in conduits and passageways employing multi component liquid polymers with rapid mechanical properties formation.

1. Field of the Method and Apparatus
The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for installing structural, non structural, circumferential and non circumferential membranes to the interior surfaces of conduits and passageways and more specifically speaks about the ability to ensure the exact membrane thickness on all pre existing undulations or irregularities in the substrate of the conduit and passageways.
2. Description of Related Art
Prior art demonstrates numerous methods to rehabilitate pipelines, conduits and passageways from the inside in order to restore asset integrity. With general infrastructure within the US and around the world in a precarious state of decay, it has been the object of many to provide for a cost effective method to perform in situ-rehabilitation of these properties. In the global municipal arena, waste collection and water distribution systems are seriously compromised with failures creating community disturbances, commercial loss and environmental incidents. In the industrial sector, process lines and transmission lines carry volatile and dangerous materials. These lines are constantly at risk of failure due to age, neglect or lack of funds to replace or repair with traditional methods. The US EPA Clean Water Act of 1989 outlines mandatory restrictions and covenants imposed on municipalities to improve the conditions of their water and wastewater systems. The EPA Conference of Mayors report of 2007 surveys 1500 US Cities' infrastructure needs resulting in $15B in needed repairs and upgrades. The RSCA has also increased scrutiny on chemical processing facilities and pipeline transmission calling for proactive inspection and repair of millions of miles of pipe, conduit and passageway.
In situ repair methods incorporating a resin impregnated lining tube as described by Wood et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,561 and Kliest, U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,726 have demonstrated a good level of success in limited environments. In these cured-in-place (CIPP) materials, e.g., polyester, vinyl ester and even epoxy resin matrices, are combined with a tubular textile material, positioned within the deteriorated line section, forced into intimate contact with the interior surface of the pipe and allowed to cure. While these methods and associated apparatuses have proven viable, there are many instances and conditions where they are either not practical or unsuitable for difficult applications. Processing times are hours to days, restoration of service laterals is required and aggressive environments sometimes preclude their use. Labor and material costs are significant with CIPP processes but still considerably less than traditional construction methods. In order to address these short comings, others have attempted to design alternate systems incorporating automated application and high performance lining materials.
One of the common chemicals used in lining compositions is styrene. Styrene has a negative environmental footprint and is a suspected carcinogen. Other compositions include plasticizers and catalysts. These chemical continue to be released into pipe flow for years after the installation. Further it is a thermosetting resin. This resin shrinks causing an annulus which in turn lets infiltration back into the pipeline flow. Some pipe lining methods use hot water as an activating agent. This method requires large quantities of the heated water to be placed immediately proximate to the pipeline access. Creating this access often requires the removal of trees or disruption of vegetation.

Apparatus and method for lining large diameter pipe with an environmentally compatible impervious membrane


A system is provided for separating two audio channels recorded by an array of microphones. The system includes a calibration module for normalizing gain levels between a plurality of channels on each of a plurality of date frames, wherein each data frame is expressed in terms of time. The system further includes a delay parameter estimation module for accepting an output comprising the normalized channels, and estimating a delay parameter for a plurality of data frame sizes over a plurality of lag times, and sorting delays to generate corresponding source separated outputs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to processing audio data, and more particularly to audio source separation in anechoic environments.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
There is increased interest in using microphone arrays in a variety of audio source separation and consequently speech processing applications. Small arrays of microphones have improved on single microphone systems in speech separation and directional detection of sources for hands free communication and a variety of other speech enhancement and audio source separation applications. Blind or parametric source separation approaches have been applied to distinguish between input from different microphones but with limited success. Challenges such as reverberation, noise, and acoustical echoes still plague many approaches to blind separation of audio signals.
One method for automatically compensating for attenuation due to differences in the calibration of the microphones has been attempted, which implements a deconvolution stage on the order of about a thousand taps. This is computationally expensive and may be difficult to implement in real-time.
A mixing model has been proposed wherein a decorrelation criterion is determined for integer delays, therefore the approach assumes that the distance between the microphones is less than the distance from the sources. However, such assumptions about sources being far-field may not hold well, and thus the model may not be a good approximation of the environment. Another proposed refinement to the mixing model includes higher order tap coefficients. The overall model corresponds to a constrained physical situation.
Another set of related spatial filtering techniques are antenna array processing techniques. Such techniques assume information about the microphone array layout as a given. For example, a delay and attenuation compensation (DAC) separation approach does not necessarily make this assumption, however weaker information such as the distance or a bound on the distance between sensors can help during a parameter estimation phase.
Still other proposed techniques use robust beamforming. Adaptive beamformers assume a known direction of arrival. Beamforming can be applied to source separation to deconvolve source estimates. Various source separation approaches have attempt to combine independent component analysis (ICA) or blind source separation (BSS) and elements of a beamformer to improve the performance of ICA/BSS techniques. However, no known system or method exists for real-time source separation by delay and attenuation compensation.
Therefore, a need exists for a system and method of real-time source separation by delay and attenuation compensation in a time domain.

Real-time audio source separation by delay and attenuation compensation in the time domain


An assembly having plural valves is run into a wellbore having plural zones, where each of the valves is actuatable by dropping a valve-actuating object into the corresponding valve. The valves are successively actuating, in a predetermined sequence, to an open state. The zones are successively tested after actuating corresponding valves to the open state.

A wellbore can have a plurality of zones. For example, a formation that contains hydrocarbons can have multiple layers that have different characteristics. A wellbore that extends through such a formation will have multiple zones that correspond to the multiple layers.
After a wellbore has been drilled through the formation, the various layers of the formation are perforated by use of perforating guns. Following perforation, testing, such as drillstem testing, is performed. Drillstem testing (DST) is a procedure to determine the productive capacity, pressure, permeability, or extent (or some combination of these characteristics) of a hydrocarbon reservoir in each layer of the formation.
In many cases, testing of multiple zones in a wellbore may be required to be performed independently. To conduct these tests, the lower layer is perforated and then DST tools are run in the hole and that layer is flow tested. The test string is then removed, and a plug is set above the tested layer and below the next layer to be tested. The next layer is then perforated and tested. This is repeated until all of the layers of interest are tested. To flow the well for production, all of the plugs will be milled out. As a result, drillstem testing of multiple zones in a wellbore can be a lengthy process that can take up to several days, which can be costly in terms of labor and equipment costs. Also, lengthy drillstem testing also delays the completion of a wellbore.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Testing, treating, or producing a multi-zone well


An optical acoustic panel 100 for absorbing sound and providing a daylight appearance and a luminaire are provided. The optical acoustic panel 100 comprises a first side 114, a second side 104, a micro perforated foil 110 and a spacing structure 108. The first side 114 receives sound. The second side 104 is opposite the first side 114 and receives light. The micro perforated foil 110 comprises sub-millimeter holes 112, is light transmitting and is arranged at the first side 114. The sub-millimeter holes 112 are entrance holes of a cavity. The spacing structure 108 spaces the first side 114 at a predefined distance from the second side 104. The spacing structure 108 comprises a plurality of light transmitting cells 106. The light transmitting cells 106 comprise a light transmitting channel 118, a light exit window 122, a light input window 120 and a wall 116. The light transmitting channel 118 collimates a part of the light received at the second side 104 of the optical acoustic panel 100. The light transmitting channels 118 extend from the first side 114 towards the second side 104 and are filled with air. The light input window 120 is arranged at the second side 104. At least a part of the light exit window 122 being arranged at the first side 114. The wall 116 is interposed between the light input window 120 and the part of the light exit window 122. The wall 116 encloses the light transmitting channel 118. At least a part of the wall 116 being reflective or transmissive in a predefined spectral range for obtaining a blue light emission at relatively large light emission angles with respect to a normal to the first side 114.

Micro perforated foils are used in specific acoustic panels. The acoustic panels provide a sound absorbing effect based on Helmholtz resonant sound absorption when the micro perforated foils are used in combination with a space behind the micro perforated foil. Such acoustic panels are, for example, discussed in "Micro-Perforated Structures as Sound Absorbers—A review and Outlook", by Helmut V. Fuchs, Xueqin Zha, published in Acta Acustica united with Acustica, Volume 92, No 1, January 2006, pp 13-146. The micro perforated foil is a foil in which a plurality of relatively small holes is provided. When two micro perforated foils are used, the two foils have to be separated from each other by a spacing structure. The spacing structure is arranged to provide an air gap between the micro perforated foils. Relatively large panels may be created by combining a spacing structure that extends along a relatively large area with two micro perforated foils on both sides of the spacing structure. If the micro perforated foils are transparent or translucent, and the spacing structures do not obstruct the light, light may be transmitted through the acoustic panel, which results in an optical acoustic panel. The optical acoustic panel may be provided at any location in rooms or relatively large open spaces such that sound is absorbed and such that light emitted by a light emitter, or light received via a window, is not obstructed by the optical acoustic panel.
Although the known optical acoustic panels provide a relatively good sound absorption and provide a relatively good light transmission, the person present in the space in which the optical acoustic panel is provided mainly benefits from the acoustic characteristics of the optical acoustic panel compared to a situation without an optical acoustic panel. The optical characteristics of the optical acoustic panel influence the lighting conditions in the space to a limited extent.
Especially when the space in which the optical acoustic panel is provided does not contain windows through which daylight is received, the well-being of people who are frequently in the space is not positively influenced by the lighting conditions in the space. There is a need for means which influence the lighting conditions such that the persons, who are available in the space, experience the lighting conditions of the space as a lighting condition which is comparable to a situation in which daylight was received via a window or a skylight.


A finite state dictionary (200, 780) and method of production thereof by providing nodes (210–240) representing symbols stored in the dictionary; providing links (250–290) linking predetermined nodes; classifying each of the nodes; and associating with each node one of a plurality of formats selected in dependence on the node's classification. The node's classification is preferably representative of the node's probability of use. The plurality of predetermined formats preferably comprises: start of chain (210); heavy use (230); middle use (220); and light use (240). The probability of use of the nodes may be determined from a predetermined symbol probability analysis, or from a prior accumulation of statistics from use with corpora. This produces the advantage of increased run-time speed of dictionary look-up, and may reduce the dictionary's size.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to finite state dictionaries, and particularly, though not exclusively, to electronic linguistic dictionaries for use in data processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Finite state processing is the technology which dominates in the field of linguistics products related to dictionary look-up.
Finite state processing in application to natural and artificial (computer) languages processing appeared almost fifty years ago. Twenty years ago finite state processing had its rebirth in applications to natural language processing; during the last decade it has become by and large an industry standard for dictionary look-up. The main efforts in this field were concentrated on designing more and more complicated finite state nets for solving of specific problems, and on reducing the number of states in these nets to overcome the main inherited problem of the finite state processing approach—the prohibitively large amount of required memory. The gain in speed provided by this approach per se, combined with the steady increase of computer performance was sufficient for spell checking, hyphenation, and other linguistic applications, typical for word processors. Optimization of finite state nets for speed was considered only at the macro level of the topology of the nets.
Finite state processing involves computer representation of a 'net' made up of nodes and links between these nodes, also known as states and transitions. Current known dictionary tools use some predefined fixed format for representation of nodes and links. The oldest and most well-known of such methods is called TRIE structure (taken from the term 'reTRIEving'). This method provides fast run-time access, but requires considerable memory and therefore is not typically used for processing of natural languages.
The rise of text data mining and knowledge management, which to some extent was instigated by the pervasive spread of Internet/intranet technologies, makes new demands on the speed of text processing; these applications require high speed for tokenization, producing morphological identification, lemmatisation, and key word extraction.
A need therefore exists for a finite state dictionary and method of production thereof wherein the abovementioned disadvantage(s) may be alleviated.

Finite state dictionary and method of production thereof