A circuit board includes a first group of layers located close to a top side of the circuit board, and a second group of layers located close to an underside of the circuit board. Signals which are fed to input and output contact terminals on the top side of the circuit board are passed along at least one of the layers of the group. Signals which are fed to input and output contact terminals on the underside of the circuit board are passed along at least one of the layers of the second group. The contact-making holes for connecting the input and output contact terminals to the layers of the first and second groups are preferably formed as blind contact-making holes.

In a semiconductor memory module, for example an FBDIMM (fully buffered dual in-line memory module), as set forth in FIG. 1A, semiconductor memory components B are arranged on both sides on a circuit board MP. The semiconductor memory components are driven by a control component SB. The control component and also the semiconductor memory components have a ball grid array housing BGA.
FIG. 1B shows a first surface, for example the top side of an FBDIMM. The control component, which contains a hub chip HC that drives the semiconductor memory components, is arranged in the center of the circuit board MP. The semiconductor memory components are situated on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the hub chip on the circuit board in two rows arranged parallel to one another.
FIG. 1C shows a second surface, for example the underside BOT of the FBDIMM of FIG. 1A. Here, too, the semiconductor memory components are arranged in two rows. Four memory chips ECC equipped with an error correction circuit for correcting memory errors are situated in the center of the underside of the circuit board MP. As on the top side as well, in each case four semiconductor memory components in two rows are arranged on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the four ECC memory chips.
In the case of the planar FBDIMM design illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, precisely one memory chip is situated in each of the semiconductor memory components. The memory chips may contain DRAM (dynamic random access memory) memory cells, by way of example.
FIG. 2 shows a simplified illustration of a detail from a memory cell array SZF that is present on each of the memory chips SP. Within the memory cell array SZF, DRAM memory cells SZ are arranged in matrix-like fashion along word lines WL and bit lines BL. A DRAM memory cell comprises a selection transistor AT and a storage capacitor SC. In order to read out an item of information from the memory cell or in order to write an item of information to the memory cell, the selection transistor AT is switched into the on state by a corresponding control signal on the word line WL. The storage capacitor SC is connected to the bit line BL in low-resistance fashion. Consequently, via the bit line BL, the charge state of the storage capacitor can be read out in the case of a read access or a charge state can be stored in the storage capacitor in the case of a write access.
In order to carry out read and write accesses to the memory cells of the memory chip, the hub chip HC is driven by a memory controller. The control signals of the memory controller are fed to the FBDIMM memory module via a first and second bus. For this purpose, the first bus is connected to input and output contact terminals E1 and A1 on the top side TOP of the circuit board MP. The second bus is connected to input and output contact terminals E2 and A2 on the underside BOT of the circuit board MP. Each of the two buses can transmit control signals to the hub chip and also receive them from the hub chip.
If, in contrast to the planar FBDIMM design illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a so-called "stacked" FBDIMM memory module design is used, then in each case two memory chips (dual stacked) or four memory chips (quad stacked) are arranged in stacked fashion within the semiconductor memory components. In this embodiment, only one respective row having semiconductor components is situated on the top side and the underside of the semiconductor memory module. In the case of such a "stacked" memory module design, in accordance with a standardization, the signals fed to the input contact terminals E1 are fed to the hub chip HC via conductor tracks running on the surface TOP of the circuit board MP. Correspondingly, the signals fed from the hub chip to the output terminals A1 on the top side TOP are also fed via conductor tracks running on the top side of the circuit board MP.
By contrast, the input signals which are fed to the input contact terminals E2 on the underside BOT of the circuit board are fed via short conductor tracks on the underside of the circuit board to a contact hole (plated through hole) running through the circuit board. Via the plated through hole, the input contact terminals E2 are connected to conductor tracks running on an inner layer of the multilayer circuit board MP. The conductor tracks are led through a further plated through hole in the region of the hub chip to the top side TOP of the circuit board, from where they are led to the hub chip via a short conductor segment on the top side of the circuit board.
The signals which are fed from the hub chip to the output terminals A2 on the underside BOT of the circuit board are likewise fed to a further plated through hole via a short conductor segment on the top side of the circuit board. They are passed through the further plated through hole as far as an inner layer of the circuit board and then run via a conductor track on the inner layer of the circuit board as far as a further plated through hole, through which they emerge again on the underside BOT of the circuit board, from where they are fed to the output contact terminals A2 via a short conductor segment on the underside of the circuit board.
Such feeding of signals from the memory controller to the hub chip and from the hub chip to the memory controller is not possible, however, in the case of an FBDIMM in the planar design. FIG. 3 shows a detail from the top side TOP of the FBDIMM of FIG. 1B. The illustration shows the hub chip HC and the memory chips SP arranged in two rows on the left-hand side of the hub chip. Furthermore, arranged at the edge of the memory card are the input contact terminals E1 and the output contact terminals A1, to which the first bus is connected, which connects the FBDIMM memory module to the memory controller.
On account of the small space available, only some of the conductor tracks RXL1 leading from the input contact terminals E1 to the hub chip HC and only some of the conductor tracks TXL1 leading back from the hub chip HC to the output contact terminals A1 can run on the top side TOP of the circuit board. The remaining input and output contact terminals are led to the hub chip, and are led from the hub chip again to the output contact terminals, via conductor tracks running on inner layers of the multilayer circuit board MP. For this purpose, the input and output contact terminals are connected via short conductor segments to plated through holes extending from the top side TOP as far as the underside BOT of the circuit board. Via these plated through holes, the input and output contact terminals are connected to the conductor tracks internally in the circuit board. Situated in the region of the hub chip are further plated through holes, through which the conductor tracks are led from the inner layers to the surface TOP again, from where they are led directly to the hub chip.
FIG. 4 shows a cross section through the multilevel circuit board (multilayer circuit board) MP. The circuit board has a top side TOP and an underside BOT, between which a plurality of inner layers are arranged one above another. A layer L1 and L2 belong to a group G1 of layers which are arranged close to the top side TOP of the circuit board. A layer Ln−1 and Ln belong to a group G2 of layers which are arranged close to an underside BOT of the circuit board.
The circuit board MP has two continuous contact-making holes V1a and V1b in the region of an input contact terminal E1 and an output contact terminal A1 on the top side TOP of the circuit board, the contact-making holes extending from the top side TOP of the circuit board to the underside BOT of the circuit board. Two further continuous contact-making holes V2a and V2b are arranged in the region of an input contact terminal E2 and an output contact terminal A2 on the underside of the circuit board, the contact-making holes likewise extending from the top side TOP to the underside BOT of the circuit board. Alongside the continuous contact-making holes in the region of the input and output contact terminals, two further continuous contact-making holes V5a and V5b also exist, which likewise extend from the top side TOP to the underside BOT of the circuit board. The hub chip HC is arranged in the region of these two continuous contact-making holes.
An input signal RX1 fed from the memory controller via the first bus is applied to the input contact terminal E1 on the top side TOP of the circuit board. The input signal RX1 is fed via a conductor track RXL1 to an input terminal HCE1 of the hub chip HC. The conductor track RXL1 runs from the input contact terminal E1 via a short conductor segment on the top side of the circuit board as far as the continuous contact-making hole V1a and then runs within the continuous contact-making hole V1a as far as the layer L1. The conductor track RXL1 is then led along the layer L1 and led to the continuous contact-making hole V5a through which it passes to the top side TOP of the circuit board to the input terminal HCE1 of the hub chip. A conductor track RXL2, which connects the input contact terminal E2 on the underside of the circuit board to the input terminal HCE2 of the hub chip, likewise runs in the region of the layer L1. An input signal RX2, which is fed to the input contact terminal E2 from the memory controller via the second bus, is present at the input contact terminal E2 on the underside BOT of the circuit board. Consequently, only lines carrying input signals RX1 and RX2 that pass from the memory controller to the hub chip run on the layer plane L1.
At an output terminal HCA1, the hub chip generates an output signal TX1, which is fed via a conductor track TXL1 to the output contact terminal A1 on the top side TOP of the circuit board. The conductor track TXL1 runs through the continuous contact-making hole V5b as far as the layer plane Ln, on which the conductor track TXL1 is led as far as the continuous contact-making hole V1b. The conductor track TXL1 is led through the continuous contact-making hole V1b to the top side TOP of the circuit board again, and is led from there to the output contact terminal A1. The output contact terminal A1 is connected to the first bus, via which the output signal TX1 is fed to the memory controller. The first bus is thus formed as a bidirectional bus.
A further output terminal HCA2 of the hub chip is connected via a conductor track TXL2 to the output contact terminal A2 on the underside BOT of the circuit board. The conductor track TXL2 is led from the output terminal HCA2 of the hub chip through the continuous contact-making hole V5b likewise as far as the layer plane Ln, along which the conductor track TXL2 is led further as far as the continuous contact-making hole V2b. The conductor track TXL2 is led through the continuous contact-making hole V2b to the underside BOT of the circuit board. The output signal TX2 passes via a short conductor segment to the output contact terminal A2, which is connected to the second bus for transmitting the output signal TX2 from the hub chip to the memory controller. The output signals TX1 and TX2 from the hub chip to the memory controller thus run via conductor tracks on the inner layer Ln of the circuit board. The second bus is formed as a bidirectional bus since it transmits both input signals RX2 and output signals TX2 between the hub chip and the memory controller.
A "routing" of conductor tracks as shown in FIG. 4 results in a high degree of signal crosstalk, however, which is additionally intensified by using continuous contact-making holes, which represent a high inductance. However, the essential cause of the crosstalk is due to the fact that the signals which are sent from the memory controller to the hub chip are transmitted via conductor tracks in a layer plane that is arranged close to the top side TOP of the circuit board, and all the signals which are sent from the hub chip to the memory controller run on conductor tracks in a layer plane that is arranged close to the underside BOT of the circuit board. In particular, one problem is that the input signal RX2, when passing through the contact-making hole V2a, has to cross a plurality of reference planes internally within the circuit board before it passes from the underside BOT to the layer plane L1. Likewise, the output signal TX1 has to cross a plurality of reference planes internally within the circuit board via the continuous contact-making hole V5b before it reaches the layer plane Ln.

Circuit board for reducing crosstalk of signals


A wheel bearing apparatus includes a roller bearing, an inner shaft having an outer circumferential surface to which an inner ring of the roller bearing is installed, a coupler ring attached to an end portion of the inner shaft, and a caulked portion provided in an end portion of the inner shaft so as to fix the coupler ring and the roller bearing to the inner shaft so as to be immovable in an axial direction of the inner shaft. An outer diameter of the coupler ring is set smaller than a diameter of a shoulder portion of the inner ring. Alternatively, a protruding portion is provided in any one of opposing end surfaces of the coupler ring and the inner ring, whereby the coupler ring is arranged away from a seal member. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid an interference of the coupler ring with the seal member.

As a wheel bearing apparatus for a part-time 4WD vehicle which can be switched between a two-wheel drive (2WD) mode and a four-wheel drive (4WD) mode, there has been known a structure which can selectively couple a drive shaft (an axle) connected to an engine to a wheel and cancel the coupling, that is, can selectively allow and shut off a transmission of a driving force from the drive shaft to the wheel (refer, for example, to Patent Documents 1 and 2).
In the wheel bearing apparatus mentioned above, a roller bearing for rotatably supporting an inner shaft (a hub shaft) with respect to a suspension apparatus is installed to an outer circumference of the inner shaft to which the wheel is attached. A center of the inner shaft is provided with a center hole to which a drive shaft is inserted. The drive shaft is rotatably supported to the inner shaft by a needle bearing press fitted into the center hole. Further, the wheel bearing apparatus is provided with a coupler ring receiving the transmission of the rotation from the drive shaft via a clutch member. The coupler ring is fixed to an end portion in a vehicle inner side (an opposite side to a side in which the wheel is attached) of the inner shaft, and has a spline in an outer circumferential surface. If the clutch member rotating in synchronous with the drive shaft is engaged with the outer circumferential spline of the coupler ring, the drive shaft and the inner shaft are operationally coupled, and the transmission of the driving force from the drive shaft to the wheel is allowed. On the other hand, if the clutch member is not engaged with the outer circumferential spline of the coupler ring, the operational coupling between the drive shaft and the inner shaft is cancelled, and the transmission of the driving force from the drive shaft to the wheel is shut off.
In the wheel bearing apparatus mentioned above, a spline is formed in an inner circumferential surface of the coupler ring and the inner side end portion of the inner shaft. The coupler ring and the inner shaft are coupled so as to be integrally rotatable, on the basis of the spline engagement between the coupler ring and the inner shaft. The coupler ring is fixed to the inner shaft in an axial direction by caulking the inner side end portion of the inner shaft and plastically deforming the end portion radially outward. The shaft end caulking mentioned above is executed by pressing a caulking jig against the inner side end portion of the inner shaft from the vehicle inner side in a state of bringing a vehicle outer side end surface of the inner ring of the roller bearing into contact with a flange portion side surface of the inner shaft, and bringing an end surface of the coupler ring into contact with the vehicle inner side end surface of the inner ring. Accordingly, the coupler ring and the inner ring are reliably fixed to the inner shaft, and a suitable preload is applied to the coupler ring and the inner ring. Since two wheels corresponding to coasting wheels at a time of traveling in the 2WD mode do not rotate a drive system (an axle shaft, a differential, a propeller shaft or the like) in the case of using the wheel bearing apparatus, it is possible to achieve an improvement of a fuel consumption, a reduction of a vibration and a noise, an improvement of a durability of driving parts.
In the wheel bearing apparatus mentioned above, the end surface of the coupler ring is pressed to the end surface of the inner ring of the roller bearing. Accordingly, there is a risk that the end surface of the coupler ring comes into contact with the seal member provided in the roller bearing. If a deformation is generated in the seal member on the basis of the contact of the end surface of the coupler ring, a function of the seal member for preventing a foreign material from making an intrusion into the inner portion of the bearing is lowered. Further, there is a case that a burr at a time of forming the spline is left in the end surface of the outer circumferential spline in the end surface of the coupler ring, in a state of being attached thereto. Accordingly, in the case that the end surface of the outer circumferential spline of the coupler ring comes into contact with the seal member, such an interference that the burr presses the seal member may be generated.
Further, in the wheel bearing apparatus mentioned above, the shaft end caulking is executed by pressing the caulking jig to the inner side end portion of the inner shaft from the vehicle inner side. Accordingly, a bulge in a radial direction is generated in the inner shaft on the basis of the shaft end caulking. The bulge mentioned above can be generated in an inner circumferential side in addition to an outer circumferential side of the inner shaft. If the bulge is generated in the inner circumferential side of the inner shaft, that is, an inner wall of the center hole is bulged, a needle bearing is deformed at a time of press fitting the needle bearing to the center hole so as to assemble. Alternatively, the needle bearing which is previously arranged within the center hole is deformed. In the case that an inscribed circle diameter of the needle bearing becomes smaller due to the deformation of the needle bearing, an overload in a radial direction is applied to the drive shaft. As a result, a rotation of the drive shaft is obstructed, thereby causing a deterioration of the fuel consumption and a deterioration of the durability of the needle bearing and the drive shaft.
Further, in the case of the shaft end caulking, it is not easy to accurately apply a preload having a desired magnitude to the bearing. This is because the pressure applied to the end portion of the inner shaft for caulking the end portion of the inner shaft is also dispersed to the radial direction of the inner shaft. Further, the reasons include the fact that the coupler ring is interposed between the caulked portion and the bearing. In other words, it becomes complicated to control the preload for accurately applying the preload having the desired magnitude to the bearing and a lot of manufacturing processes are required. Further, in order to further improve a steering feeling at a time of traveling the vehicle, there is required a further improvement of the rigidity in the wheel bearing apparatus.    Patent Document 1: Japanese National Phase Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-507683    Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2000-351336


In the optical recording element of the invention, alignments of long thin pits inclined in various directions with respect to the track direction are formed on the tracks and information is recorded therein according to the different inclines of the pits, thereby performing higher-density and larger-volume recording without reducing the spacing between each pit and the track pitch. The invention also discloses an optical data retrieval system for use with the above optical recording element, which scans the pit alignments with a laser beam spot, detects the inclines of the pits by obtaining the distribution of the intensity of reflected light which is caused by light diffraction at the pits, and plays back information in accordance with the inclines. Therefore, not only can the substantially same structure as that of a standard type optical data retrieval system be applied to the invention without making any complicated change, but also cross-talk is less likely to be produced in the read out signals.

Optical disks functioning as an optical recording element from which information is played back with a light beam have been already known as a high density and high storage capacity recording medium. Of these optical disks, optical disks used only for the playback of information such as optical ROM disks are particularly widely known. In an optical ROM disk, application software for a computer and various data are already stored in the form of pit alignments on the disk. A data retrieval system for use with such an optical ROM disk is designed such that the presence/absence of a pit is detected by scanning the pit alignments with a laser beam which is used as a light beam; the presence/absence of a pit is electrically represented by a binary signal; and stored information is played back in accordance with the binary signal.
More concretely, as shown in FIG. 9(a), when a laser beam spot scans the alignment of pits 42 formed on a track 43 on an optical disk 41, the intensity of reflected light decreases as the laser beam enters the pit 42 due to light diffraction. The electric output of a read-out signal is changed in accordance with the presence/absence of the pits 42, namely, it decreases when the laser beam scans the pit 42, and increases when the laser beam scans the flat area where no pit 42 is formed, as shown in FIG. 9(b). The output of the signal is converted to a binary code with a predetermined threshold value to obtain a binary signal as shown in FIG. 9(c).
In the conventional optical disk 41, information recorded by the pit 42 is represented by 0 or 1 and therefore the information volume thereof is not more than 1 bit. In order to enable optical disks to perform higher-density recording and have higher storage capacity, the length of the smallest pits has to be shortened to reduce the spacing between each pit, or the track pitch has to be reduced. This, however, requires an improvement in the frequency characteristic of the optical head to a considerable extent and causes more cross-talk in reading out signals. In other words, the use of an optical disk in which the pit spacing and track pitch are reduced in order to achieve higher-density and large-volume recording, has the disadvantage of overloading the optical disk data retrieval system used for driving such a disk.

Optical retrieval system for encoding pit angular data and optical recording element therefor


A flow-rate measurement device includes a first transducer and a second transducer which are provided in a fluid flow path to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal, a timer unit which measures a propagation time of the ultrasonic signal propagating between the first transducer and the second transducer, and a flow-rate calculation unit which executes a unit measurement step a predetermined number of times and calculates a flow rate of a fluid flowing in the fluid flow path on the basis of the propagation times measured the predetermined number of times, the unit measurement step being an operation in which a direction of transmission to reception between the first transducer and the second transducer is switched and the timer unit measures the propagation times of the ultrasonic signal in both directions. The flow-rate calculation unit measures a flow rate value of the fluid by a precise measurement step in which the unit measurement step is executed a plural number of times to calculate the flow-rate and an exploratory measurement step in which the unit measurement step is executed a smaller number of times than the number of executions in the precise measurement step to calculate the flow rate.

In the related art, a flow-rate measurement device using a so-called sing-around method, which repeats transmission/reception between two transducers multiple times to increase measurement resolution, has been suggested.
Hereinafter, an example of a flow-rate measurement device of the related art which is applied to a household gas meter will be described with reference to FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a flow-rate measurement device using a sing-around method of the related art. As shown in FIG. 6, the flow-rate measurement device includes first transducer 42 and second transducer 43 which are provided in fluid path 41, measurement unit 44, control unit 45, and calculation unit 46. First transducer 42 which transmits (sends) an ultrasonic wave and second transducer 43 which receives the transmitted ultrasonic wave are arranged to be opposite to each other in the flow direction of a fluid flowing in fluid path 41. Measurement unit 44 measures the propagation time of an ultrasonic wave which propagates between first transducer 42 and second transducer 43. Control unit 45 controls measurement unit 44. Calculation unit 46 calculates the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the fluid path 41 on the basis of the result of the measurement of measurement unit 44.
Hereinafter, a method which calculates the flow rate of the fluid flowing in fluid path 41 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the sound speed is referred to as C, the flow velocity of the fluid is referred to as v, the distance between first transducer 42 and second transducer 43 is referred to as L, and the angle between the propagation direction of the ultrasonic wave and the flow direction is referred to as θ.
The propagation time when an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from first transducer 42 arranged on the upstream side of fluid path 41 and is received by second transducer 43 arranged on the downstream side is referred to as t12. The propagation time in the reverse direction of the fluid flow when an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from second transducer 43 arranged on the downstream side of fluid path 41 and is received by first transducer 42 arranged on the upstream side is referred to as t21.
At this time, the propagation time t12 and the reverse propagation time t21 are obtained by the following expressions.t12=L/(C+v cos θ)  (Expression 1)t21=L/(C−v cos θ)  (Expression 2)
Next, if (Expression 1) and (Expression 2) are modified, the flow velocity v of the fluid is obtained from (Expression 3).v=L·(1/t12−1/t21)/2 cos θ  (Expression 3)
The cross-sectional area of fluid path 41 is multiplied to the value of the fluid velocity obtained by (Expression 3) to obtain the flow rate of the fluid. At this time, the term in parentheses of (Expression 3) may be modified as (Expression 4).(t21−t12)/t12·t21  (Expression 4)
While the denominator term of (Expression 4) substantially has a constant value regardless of change in the flow velocity of the fluid, the numerator term of (Expression 4) substantially has a value proportional to the flow velocity of the fluid.
Accordingly, in order to accurately measure the flow velocity of the fluid, it is necessary to measure the difference between the propagation time t12 and the reverse propagation time t21 with satisfactory accuracy. That is, it is necessary to obtain a minute difference in the propagation time as the flow velocity of the fluid becomes lower. For this reason, when measuring the difference between the propagation time t12 and the reverse propagation time t21 singly, measurement unit 44 should have performance so as to execute a measurement, for example, with time resolution of nanosecond (ns) order.
However, it is usually difficult to realize time resolution of nanosecond (ns) order. For example, even if the time resolution of nanosecond (ns) order is realized, there is a problem in which power consumption increases due to high-speed processing.
Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problem, usually, a flow-rate measurement device has been developed in which transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is first repetitively executed a plural number of times to repetitively measure the propagation time by measurement unit 44, and the average value of the propagation times measured by measurement unit 44 is obtained, thereby realizing necessary time resolution. That is, if the time resolution of measurement unit 44 is TA and the number of repetitions of the transmission/reception of the ultrasonic wave is M, measurement unit 44 is consecutively operated during a repetitive measurement, and thus the time resolution of the propagation time can be set to TA/M. Therefore, it is possible to realize the measurement of the propagation time with high accuracy when the pressure in fluid path 41 is stable.
However, when the flow-rate measurement device is applied to, for example, a gas meter which measures the flow rate of gas to be supplied as an energy source to home, there is an inherent problem which is called a pulsation phenomenon. The pulsation phenomenon is, for example, the phenomenon in which, as in an air conditioner using a gas engine which is called a GHP (Gas Heat Pump), the pressure in an ambient gas supply pipe fluctuates in synchronization with the rotation of the gas engine.
When the pulsation phenomenon occurs, even if a gas appliance is not used, gas moves in the gas supply pipe in synchronization with fluctuation in pressure. As a result, there is a problem in that the flow-rate measurement device detects the flow rate as if gas flows in the gas supply pipe.
Accordingly, as a method which suppresses the influence of the pulsation phenomenon, for example, a method described in PTL 1 has been suggested. According to the method of PTL 1, first, the number of repetitions M of the measurement is suppressed to the minimum number of times such that measurement accuracy can be maintained. Next, the number of repetition M of the measurement is set as a single measurement unit, a measurement interval is shortened, the measurement unit is executed N times consecutively for a comparatively long time little by little. The flow rate is calculated using the results of the measurement consecutively measured the N times, thereby reducing the influence of pulsation. At this time, in particular, if the measurement interval is sufficiently shorter than a pressure fluctuation period due to pulsation, it is possible to capture the phase state of the flow-velocity fluctuation waveform of the fluid evenly. The measured flow rates are averaged, thereby detecting the real flow velocity (flow rate) of the fluid with the fluctuation component due to pulsation removed.
However, when the above-described measurement method is constantly continued, while the influence of pulsation can be reduced, there is a problem in that power consumption increases.
Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problem, for example, a method described in PTL 2 has been suggested. According to the method of PTL 2, in order to reduce power consumption, the number of measurements N is controlled in accordance with fluctuation in the flow rate of the fluid. Specifically, a measurement method has been suggested, in which, when the fluctuation in the flow rate of the fluid is small and it can be determined that there is no pulsation, the number of measurements N is reduced, and when fluctuation in the flow rate of the fluid is large and there is pulsation, the number of measurements N increases.
In the configuration of PTL 2, however, when pulsation does not occur, while power consumption can be reduced, there is no disclosure about a measurement method which reduces power consumption according to the magnitude of the flow rate of the fluid.
That is, for example, as in a gas meter which has a battery or the like as a drive source, in order to effectively use a limited amount of power resources, first, when there is no pulsation, power consumption is suppressed. When there is no influence on an integrated flow rate, that is, there is no fluid flow, there is a need for a method which suppresses the frequency of the flow-rate measurement operation, thereby reducing power consumption of the entire flow-rate measurement device.    PTL 1: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2002-350202    PTL 2: Japanese Patent No. 3427839

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A document management system including a document manager connected to a document storage, and a backup coordinator connected to the document manager and adapted to: continuously receive a plurality of notifications from the document manager, each including information describing a change in a document stored in the document manager's document storage; and for each notification in the plurality of notifications: select a backup agent from a plurality of backup agents connected to the backup coordinator; send a backup request to the backup agent including the information, for the purpose of updating a copy of the document stored in a backup storage connected to the backup agent; wait for an acknowledgement message from the backup agent; and send another backup request to another backup agent selected from the plurality of backup agents upon a failure to receive the acknowledgement message within an identified amount of time after sending the backup request.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a system and method for managing documents and, more specifically, but not exclusively, to a system and method for managing big data on document based Not Only Structured Query Language (NoSQL) databases.
The term NoSQL databases relates to a variety of approaches to storage and retrieval of data that is modeled in means other than tabular relations used in traditional relational databases. Some formats used to model data in these approaches include documents, key-value pairs, columnar formats and graph formats. NoSQL databases are increasingly used when working with large sets of distributed data, for example in big-data and real-time web applications, where data sets are so large or complex that traditional storage and data processing application software is inadequate to deal with them.
Data resiliency is an ability to recover data after a failure. Data resiliency has become important to an increasing amount of businesses and organizations. Data loss due to cyber-attacks, human errors, hardware and software failures and natural disaster may lead to significant financial costs to a business and might hurt an organization's reputation. Two measures of data resiliency are a maximum allowable amount of time, known as Recovery Time Object (RTO), required to recover data after a failure such that a business regains availability and functionality, and a maximal amount of time, known as Recovery Point Objective (RPO), for which data may be lost following a failure and recovery. Data resiliency solutions aim to minimize both RTO and RPO.

Managing big data on document based NoSQL databases

International Business Machines Corporation


A planetary-gear-type multiple-step transmission including a stationary member, an input rotary member, an output rotary member, and first and second transmission units. The first transmission unit transmits a rotary motion from an input rotary member to the second transmission unit through first and second intermediate transmitting paths such that a speed of the rotary motion transmitted through the second intermediate transmitting path is lower than that of the rotary motion transmitted through the first intermediate transmitting path. The second transmission unit constitutes first, second, third, fourth and fifth rotary elements, each of which is provided by at least one of sun gears, carriers and ring gears of three planetary gear sets. The first rotary element is selectively connected to the second intermediate transmitting path, while being selectively connected to the stationary member. The second rotary element is selectively connected to the first intermediate transmitting path. The third rotary element is selectively connected to the first intermediate transmitting path, while being selectively connected to the stationary member. The fourth rotary element is connected to the output rotary member. The fifth rotary element is selectively connected to the second intermediate transmitting path.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a planetary-gear-type multiple-step transmission interposed between a drive power source and drive wheels of a vehicle such as an automobile.
2. Discussion of Related Art
For vehicle, there is widely used a planetary-gear-type multiple-step transmission which is equipped with a plurality of planetary gear sets, as disclosed in JP-2002-206601A, JP-H08-105496A, JP-2000-199549A, JP-2000-266138A, JP-2001-82555A, JP-2002-227940A, JP-2002-295609A and JP-2956173B2. In such a planetary-gear-type multiple-step transmission, a plurality of predetermined speed ratios or operating positions (gear positions) are selectively established by connecting elements of the planetary gear sets through coupling devices such as clutches and brakes. For example, in a transmission disclosed in JP-2002-206601A, a total of twelve forward drive positions are established by using four planetary gear sets.
The planetary-gear-type multiple-step transmission is desired to be not only simple in construction and small in size and to provide a large number of operating positions and a wide range of speed ratio, but also to provide speed ratios that change in geometric progression or nearly geometric progression. In the multiple-step transmission disclosed in JP-2002-206601A, however, the speed ratios of the respective operating positions do not change in geometric progression, thereby resulting in a poor maneuverability in the transmission. In the transmission of JP-2002-206601A, for example, a ratio step between the speed ratio of the sixth-speed position and the speed ratio of the seventh-speed position is 1.050 (=1.391/1.325), which is considerably smaller than the other ratio steps between other adjacent speed positions (see FIG. 5 of the publication of Japanese Patent Application). That is, in this transmission, the ratio steps between adjacent speed positions considerably change, rather than being substantially uniform. Such a problem might be solved by increasing number of planetary gear sets to be incorporated in the transmission. However, the increase in the number of planetary gear sets leads to an increase in an overall length of the transmission, thereby possibly reducing a degree of freedom in installation of the transmission on a vehicle, while increasing number of coupling devices required for connecting elements of the planetary gear sets.

Planetary-gear-type multiple-step transmission for vehicle


A high integration memory array architecture of the present invention includes a memory cell array including memory cells arranged in a predetermined configuration, and selection transistors having different threshold voltages so as to select a memory string of the memory cell array. By applying a proper bias voltage to the selection transistors, specific memory strings can be selected, so that operations for the memory array can be performed without intervening with adjacent memory cells.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a memory device, and more particularly, to a memory array for a non-volatile memory device and a method of operating the memory array.
2. Description of the Related Art
Erasable and programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), Flash EEPROM, etc., are non-volatile memory devices, which maintain stored data even when a power supply is stopped.
Recently, non-volatile memory devices using a non-conductor that can locally trap charges have been the subject of publications because they have a simple fabrication process and can procude a more highly integrated memory chip using photolithography-etching compared with conventional non-volatile memory devices using a floating gate. A representative example of non-conductors capable of trapping charges is a silicon nitride layer. Typically, an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer, in which a silicon nitride layer is sandwiched between two oxide layers, is used as a charge storage layer for the non-volatile memory devices.
A prior art non-volatile memory device using ONO layer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,334 issued to Alan T. Mitchel et al. FIG. 1A is a schematic sectional view of a non-volatile memory device as disclosed by Alan T. Mitchel in U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,334, and FIG. 1B is an equivalent circuit diagram of FIG. 1A. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, reference numeral 1 represents a substrate, reference numeral 3 represents an ONO layer of oxide-nitride-oxide, reference numeral 5 represents a gate, and reference numeral 7 represents source/drain regions.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the non-volatile memory device includes the ONO layer 3 (including an oxide layer 2a, a nitride layer 2b, and another oxide layer 2c) and the gate 5 sequentially stacked on the substrate 1, and is a single bit non-volatile memory device 6 which expresses either logic '0' or logic '1' depending on whether a charge trapped in a nitride layer 2b of the ONO layer 3 exists or not. However, a memory device that can express two or more states to increase the information storage capability without increasing the size of the memory device is desirable.
In actual application, non-volatile memory devices are often used in a large memory array. Since the semiconductor industry requires a high integration of semiconductor devices that can store more information in a smaller-sized package, it is necessary to package many memory cells in a memory array. Further, the memory array should be fabricated as small as possible. For this purpose, Richard M. Fastow et al. discloses a memory array 900 shown in FIG. 2 in U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,083. In the memory array 900, Richard M. Fastow et al. discloses a virtual ground structure which does not use a common source line for all transistors constituting the memory array 900.
Referring to FIG. 2, the virtual ground structure by Richard M. Fastow et al. includes a memory cell array 904, word lines 1001, 1003, 1005, bit lines 802, 804, 806, 810 and selection transistors 840, 842, 846, 848. The bit lines are connected to memory cells in a row direction, and the selection transistors are connected to the bit lines alternatively at an upper portion and a lower portion of the memory array 904. The selection transistors 840 and 842 in odd columns are connected to each other while sharing a drain 828, and the selection transistors 846 and 848 in even columns are connected to each other while sharing the drain 829. In the aforementioned virtual ground structure, source or drain of a selected memory cell is activated (or accessed) by properly biasing the selection transistors.
However, the memory array structure 900 shown in FIG. 2 may cause a neighbor cell effect, which is caused by a non-selected memory cell in a read operation and results in deterioration in the sensing margin. For example, it is assumed that bit information stored in a memory cell 101 is read. For this purpose, when 5 V is applied to the word line, 2.5 V is applied to the bit line 806, and the ground voltage (0 V) is applied to the bit line 802, memory cells 103 and 105, at both sides of the selected memory cell 101, are turned on so that all the memory cells to which the selected memory cell 101 pertains, i.e., all the memory cells in a direction of the selected word line 1003 are basically turned on. Thus a voltage applied to the drain and source of the selected memory cell 101 or an output voltage therefrom may be adversely influenced. Accordingly, a new memory array structure that can secure a reliable operation is required. To accomplish a high integration that can store more information in a smaller sized package, it is required that the size of memory cells packaged in a memory array should be small so that more information bits can be stored in the same memory cell size.
To this end, a variety of two bits non-volatile memory devices are introduced. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,192 assigned to Boaz Eitan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,706,599 assigned to Michael Sadd et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,633 assigned to Seiki Ogura et al., or the like disclose two bit non-volatile memory devices.
FIG. 3A is a sectional view schematically showing a memory device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,192 to Boaz Eitan et al., and FIG. 3B is an equivalent circuit diagram of FIG. 3A. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, reference numeral 21 represents a substrate, reference numeral 23 represents an ONO layer, reference numeral 22a represents an oxide layer, reference numeral 22b represents a nitride layer, reference numeral 22c represents an oxide layer, reference numeral 25 represents a gate, and reference numeral 27 represents source/drain regions. Unlike the non-volatile memory device of FIG. 1A, the non-volatile memory device to Boaz Eitan et al., is characterized in that the nitride layer 22b of the ONO layer 23 has two positions of charge trap regions 24L and 24R. Charges are selectively and independently stored in the charge trap regions 24L and 24R of the nitride layer 22b. This non-volatile memory device uses a channel-hot-electron (CHE) to inject electrons into the charge storing nitride layer 22b and injects hot-holes (HH), generated in a band-to-band-tunnel (BTBT) method, into the charge trap region so as to remove the electrons injected into the charge trap regions 24L and 24R. This non-volatile memory device injects charges into the charge trap regions 24L and 25R selectively and independently by applying a proper bias voltage to the gate 25, source 27, drain 27, and substrate 21 of the memory device, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 3B, the non-volatile memory device of FIG. 3A can be represented by three transistors 26L, 26C, and 26R having respective channels Ls1, Lc, and Ls2 and connected in series. Threshold voltages of the memory devices, i.e., the memory transistor 26L having the channel Ls1 and the memory transistor 26R having the channel Ls2, are varied depending on the amount of charges injected into the charge trap regions.
Similarly to the memory device of FIG. 1A, this non-volatile memory device is advantageous in that it can have a simple structure with relatively low fabrication costs, thereby allowing an inexpensive memory chip to be realized. However, since one gate 25 has to control the three transistors 26L, 26C, and 26R, an applied operation voltage is severely limited, so that a signal difference, i.e., the sensing margin characteristic, between bit information of the memory device, logic '1' and logic '0', is lowered. In particular, for highly integrated devices, the device size is decreased making the distance between the drain 27 and the source 27 smaller. In other words, the charge trap regions 24L and 24R become adjacent to each other. Since the charges stored in the insulation nitride layer 22b are laterally diffused and gradually moved toward the channel direction of the device, the effective distance between the two charge trap regions 24L and 24R becomes narrower, and at the worst, the two charge trap regions 24L and 24R are physically connected to each other, so that a phenomenon occurs where the two different bit informations cannot be differentiated from each other. This problem is very serious in that it is counterproductive to the scaling down to accomplish low prices and high device density.
FIG. 4A is a sectional view schematically showing the non-volatile memory device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,706,599 to Michael Sadd et al., and FIG. 4B is an equivalent circuit diagram of FIG. 4A. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, reference numeral 31 represents a substrate, reference numeral 33 represents an ONO layer, reference numeral 32a represents an oxide layer, reference numeral 32b represents a nitride layer, reference numeral 32c represents an oxide layer, reference numeral 35 represents a gate, and reference numeral 37 represents source/drain regions. Unlike the non-volatile memory device of FIG. 3A, the non-volatile memory device of FIG. 4A is characterized by having a nitride layer 32b of the ONO layer 33 that can store charges in physically separated regions. According to this non-volatile memory device, although the device size is decreased, two different charge trap regions 34L and 34R are not electrically connected by a diffusion of charges. Although the structure of FIG. 4A has an advantage in that the device size is further scaled down while maintaining the same operation characteristics as those of the non-volatile memory device of FIG. 3A, this non-volatile memory device still has to control three transistors 36L, 36C, and 36R using one gate 35 like the device of FIG. 3A. Therefore, an applied operation voltage is rigorously limited, so that a signal difference, i.e., the sensing margin characteristic, between bit information of the memory device, logic '1' and logic '0', is lowered.
FIG. 5A is a sectional view schematically showing the memory device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,633 to Seiki Ogura et al., and FIG. 5B is an equivalent circuit diagram of FIG. 5A. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, reference numeral 41 represents a substrate, reference numeral 43 represents an ONO layer, reference numeral 42a represents an oxide layer, reference numeral 42b represents a nitride layer, reference numeral 42c represents an oxide layer, reference numerals 45L and 45R represent a control gate, reference numeral 47 represents source/drain regions, and reference numeral 49 represents a select gate. This non-volatile memory device includes the control gates 45L and 45R, which are disposed at both sidewalls of the select gate 49 and independently controllable, and the ONO layer 43 having charge trap regions 44L and 44R respectively disposed below the control gates 45L and 45R. The select gate 49 between the control gates 45L and 45R is insulated by an oxide layer 42g from the substrate 41 and insulated by an oxide layer 42s from the control gates 45L and 45R. Since the non-volatile memory device can be formed using a process for forming a sidewall of a MOS transistor, it has an advantage that the control gates 45L and 45R are physically formed in a nano-scale size to decrease the overall size of the device. Also, since the independent control gates 45L and 45R are formed in the respective charge trap regions 44L and 44R and the select gate 49 can be separately controlled, optimal voltages can be applied to the respective gates. As a result, a signal difference, i.e., sensing margin characteristic, between bit information of the memory device, logic '1' and logic '0', is enhanced.
However, in the prior art non-volatile memory device, the number of gates to be controlled is high, which complicates a peripheral circuit needed to operate and control the devices. Also, since the role of the select gate 49 is not necessarily needed according to the charge injection method (program/erase mechanism), it has an additional structure that may prevent optimal scaling down of the device.
Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a low price, high density, and highly reliable non-volatile memory device.

Memory array architecture for a memory device and method of operating the memory array architecture


An infrared subwavelength metasurface lens implements slit width modulation focusing of infrared light into a subwavelength region located within a silicon substrate. The lens includes a metasurface deposited on a surface of the silicon substrate, where the metasurface has multiple discrete copper elements separated by uniformly distributed slits of different widths. The device may also implement refractive index modulation by filling different slits with silicon or air. The infrared subwavelength metasurface lens may be coupled with a thermoelectric generator to form a thermoelectric infrared harvesting device.

According to the diffraction theory, when light passes through a subwavelength aperture, it diffracts in all directions and has weak transmission. This puts a limitation on the smallest feature size that could be achieved in integrated to photonic circuits or systems. However, in 1998, Thomas Ebbesen found that an opaque screen perforated with a number of subwavelength holes transmitted more light than what was expected from the total area of the holes. This phenomenon was referred to as extraordinary optical transmission (EOT).
Subsequent studies showed that the phenomenon could be attributed to the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Following the discovery of this phenomenon, many subwavelength optical devices and metasurfaces were made such as the plasmonic lens. Different phase modulation approaches have been used to make subwavelength focusing lenses at visible wavelengths. Those techniques include depth modulation, width modulation, refractive index modulation of the filling material, both width and refractive index modulation, and initial phase modulation.
Research efforts have primarily been limited to studying the plasmonic effect in the visible range and building structures that can manipulate light in this range. Although it would be desirable to produce such devices in the mid-infrared range, it has remained a challenge to transfer the knowledge acquired in visible plasmonics to the mid-infrared domain because the materials used for focusing at visible wavelengths have an unsuitable response at mid-infrared wavelengths (2-20 μm.) Although the mid-infrared range covers a large wavelength domain, there is still a need for a material platform to enable plasmonic focusing devices in the infrared range (700 nm to 1 mm).

Infrared subwavelength focusing in silicon and energy harvesting devices


A kick scooter at least includes a vehicle frame, an upright arm, a handle, a front wheel, left and right bearing bars, a flexible linkage mechanism, left and right rear wheels, and left and right footboards. The upright arm and the left and the right bearing bars are assembled to the vehicle frame. The handle and the front wheel are respectively mounted to an upper end and a lower end of the upright arm. The flexible linkage mechanism is coupled between the upright arm and the left and right bearing bars to provide the left and right bearing bars with swinging torques. The left and right rear wheels as well as the left and right footboards are respectively disposed at positions near rear ends of the left and right bearing bars. Centers of gravity of the left and right footboards are located between the left and right rear wheels.

a) Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a kick scooter, and more particularly to a kick scooter having a simple structure and convenient usability that provide a user with a maximum driving force and a maximum velocity of movement.
b) Description of the Related Art
A conventional three-wheel kick scooter chiefly includes an upright control arm and a pair of vehicle frames. The upright control arm includes a handle at an upper end thereof and a front wheel at a lower end thereof. The vehicle frames are disposed with left and right rear wheels at ends thereof, respectively. By treading both feet on left and right footboards of the kick scooter and swinging a user body left and right, a vehicle body of the kick scooter is driven to move forward. Three points of contact are formed by the front wheel and the rear left and right wheels, allowing a user securely step on the left and right footboards. By incorporating twisting of the handle or the body, the upright control arm can be swung left and right. As such, by further respectively applying downward forces on the left and right footboards, the front wheel is propelled to roll forward along a zigzag path to perform a forward motion.
Although the conventional kick scooter above achieves sliding movements as well as exercise for a rider on the kick scooter, through theoretical applications based on machinery mechanics and practical design verifications, the kick scooter may yet be further improved to offer more enhanced performance. For example, referring to FIG. 1, left and right rear wheels 11 and 12 are respectively mounted to rear ends of bearing bars 15, and force receiving positions at which a rider treads on left and right footboards 13 and 14 are respectively at upper parts of the left and right rear wheels 11 and 12. When the rider alternatively applies downward forces F1 and F2 on the left and right footboards 13 and 14, as a left fulcrum 111 and a right fulcrum 121 are respectively formed between the left and right rear wheels 11 and 12 and the ground in contact, a counterclockwise rotary torque is produced at the left footboard 13 due to the moment generated (by an arm d1×the force F1). Similarly, a counterclockwise rotary torque is produced at the right footboard 14 due to the moment generated (by an arm d2×the force F2). At this point, first of all, since the force receiving positions of the left and right footboards 13 and 14 are at the upper parts of the left and right rear wheels 11 and 12 in a way that the left and right footboards 13 and 14 are near the left and right fulcrums 111 and 121 of the left and right rear wheels 11 and 12, the moment generated is smaller on account of a shorter moment arm. Thus, the left and right footboards 11 and 12 cannot be provided with a large rotary torque and a lower overall treading efficiency is obtained.
Secondly, the moment exerted on the left footboard 13 causes a counterclockwise rotary torque and the moment exerted on the right footboard 14 also causes a counterclockwise rotary torque. Owing to the counterclockwise rotary torques exerted on the left and right rear wheels 11 and 12 and frictions generated by the counterclockwise rotary torques against the ground, the downward treading forces may be diminished. Because of the above reasons, the downward treading forces of the rider are diminished, which reduces the efficiency of the downward treading forces and hinders the rider from obtaining a greater velocity of movement.


A door hinge system for supporting a vehicle door on a vehicle body is provided that allows the door to moved between (a) a fully closed position wherein the door is positioned in covering relation with respect to a door opening in the vehicle body, (b) a fully opened position wherein the door is moved out of the covering relation and is positioned substantially alongside the vehicle body, and (c) an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions wherein the door is moved out of the covering relation and extends generally outwardly away from the vehicle body. The hinge system includes a pair of hinge assemblies, which each include (a) a body mounting structure configured to be mounted to the vehicle body, (b) a door mounting structure configured to be mounted to the vehicle door, and (c) a dual pivot swing arm.

Some automobiles have need of a door that may swing open greater than 90°. A specific example is a truck with an extended cab. Rear doors for an extended cab are generally appreciably narrower than front doors and as such, may need to be swung open close to 180° in order to facilitate loading bulky items and people into the extended area of the cab. Hinges that allow for close to 180° of movement are generally not constructed to rigidly restrain movement of the door slightly past the fully open position. In the case of a rear door on a truck, movement of the door past a 180° position may cause contact of the door against the bed of the truck. Contact between these structures usually affects damage to at least one and probably both of them.
It is also preferable for the rear door to have an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions to prevent the need to move the door the entire distance of travel to the fully open position in order to enter the vehicle and then to again move the door the entire distance of travel in order to close the door. Additionally, once a passenger has entered and is situated within the vehicle, it is generally difficult for that passenger to then move the door toward and into the closed position from the fully open position, since this operation requires the passenger to reach outwardly and rearwardly of the door opening and then affect an outwardly directed closing force on the door. Furthermore, passengers may utilize the rear door, when in the intermediate position, as a handle or support to facilitate entering and exiting the vehicle, especially when the vehicle is relatively high from the ground.
To solve this problem, previous designs of hinges for this type of door have called for an intermediate position, which prevents the door from moving therepast toward and/or into the fully open position. These hinges however have had a primary disadvantage. Usually only one hinge per door was provided with stopping structure to provide the intermediate position so that the user need not manipulate two latch mechanisms (as would be present if two hinges each having a stopping structure were used) to release the door from the intermediate position. However, since only one of the hinges is provided with stopping structure, upon rapid opening of the door to the intermediate position, or applying a force on the door once in the intermediate position (such as a passenger leaning or steadying themselves on the door, or a wind gust), the door may undergo flexural loading about the hinge with the stopping structure. This may cause warpage of the door and of one or both of the hinges. Once the door and/or hinge(s) are warped, proper operation and/or sealing of the door (against the vehicle body when closed) is seldom achievable.
A previous type of hinge, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,127, includes a door mounting bracket, a body mounting bracket, and an intermediate member pivotally connected to each bracket at respective ends thereof. The hinge of the '127 patent provides to a door mounted thereto 180° of pivotal movement sequentially about two axes. However, the hinge of the '127 patent fails to provide an intermediate position of the door wherein the door is prevented from further pivotal movement past the intermediate position towards the fully open position. As disclosed, the hinge of the '127 patent provides a spring bias of the door in the fully open position. An extension spring is connected between the intermediate member and the door mounting bracket. The spring is arranged to go into an over-center orientation upon achieving the fully open position relative to the pivot axis provided between the door mounting bracket and the intermediate member to thereby bias the intermediate member into the fully open position. As such, the door is predisposed to move into the fully open position and requires, in order to close the door, the passenger to apply sufficient force on the door to overcome the spring bias retaining the door in the open position. Applying sufficient force to overcome this spring bias on the door may prove to be difficult, especially from a position within the vehicle, as described above.
The present invention avoids these limitations by providing a door hinge system for supporting a vehicle door on a vehicle body so that the vehicle door is movable to a fully closed position, a fully opened position, and an intermediate position between the fully open and fully closed positions. The hinge system of the present invention comprises a pair of hinge assemblies. Each of the hinge assemblies comprises a body mounting structure configured to be mounted to the vehicle body, a door mounting structure configured to be mounted to the vehicle door, and a dual pivot swing arm. The swing arms are respectively pivotally connected to the body mounting structures for relative pivotal movement about a first axis and are also respectively pivotally connected to the door mounting structures for relative pivotal movement about a second axis. Each of the hinge assemblies includes a swing arm latch, which is movable between a latched position and a released position. The latches are normally in the latched positions thereof. At least one of the hinge assemblies provide a stop surface, which is positioned such that, when the door and body mounting structures are mounted to the vehicle door and body, respectively, movement of the vehicle door towards the fully open position is limited to pivotal movement about one of the first and second axes by the latches being in the latched positions thereof. The vehicle door then is stopped at the intermediate position by the stop surface so that movement of the latches to the released positions thereof and subsequent pivotal movement of the vehicle door about the other of the first and second axes is required to enable the door to be moved from the intermediate position to the fully open position. The hinge system also includes a single manually operable release member operatively connected to each of the latches. The release member is manually movable to affect movement of each of the latches from the latched positions to the released positions thereof.


A method and apparatus 100 for correcting tire nonuniformity is disclosed. The invention is particularly suited for correcting tread runout and connicity problems for large off-road tires. Multiple measurements are taken in multiple circumferentially spaced planes which enable data to be fed into a computer which predicts an optimal profile to correct tire non-uniformities using preset rules. A virtual template directs correction of the tire profile.

In large off the road tires, such as are used in construction or agriculture, the treads are formed of large tread elements often described as lugs or bars. In the manufacture of such tires the outside diameter or peripheral surface of the tread often times is not uniform within a circumferential plane relative to the distance as measured from the tire's axis of rotation. Assuming a tire was mounted onto a rim and the rim was perfectly centered on an axis of rotation, then a perfectly molded tire should have a constant radial distance measured from the axis to any location on the outer peripheral surface within any circumferential plane perpendicular to the tires axis. Unfortunately, the method of manufacturing tires results in many non-uniformities such that the radial distance from a tread elements outer surface can vary widely. In large tires this condition is commonly referred to as radial runout. Radial Runout creates a first harmonic vibration as the tire rotates. This results in harsh lug impacts that vibrate the vehicle and the driver. Correcting this problem can dramatically eliminate almost all of the first harmonic vibrations.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,402 the problem was addressed by finding a high spot on the tire and then shifting a rim disk relative to the rim toward the location of the maximum radial runout by a distance half the amount, thereby minimizing the amount of runout. This prior art method while being a great field expedient did not truly correct the tires condition but simply masked the problem. The tires runout conditions are not limited to one high spot and one low spot across the entire tread width. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,402 the equatorial center plane in the crown of the tire was the only circumferential plane measured. The movement of the rim disk quite frankly could only address one worst-case condition at a time. Accordingly the best that could be achieved was a minimizing of the problem.
In a more complex analysis of the tires tread profile it is well known that variations in the tire profile can occur anywhere between the tread shoulders. Accordingly the tires entire lateral profile should be considered when looking for radial runout conditions.
Wada, et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,406 describes an apparatus and a method for detecting the tread profile of a tire mounted about an X axis comprising a non contact Y detection means movable parallel to the X axis for measuring the distance at a right angle between such means and the peripheral surface of the tread. The method is applied to the measurement of a profile of a tire when the X and Y data are divided into groups for the crown and shoulder portions of the tire respectively. The method also includes computation of radial runout of the tire using regular rotation position data output corresponding to particular X and Y values for rotation of the tire.
While Wada appreciates the problem of measuring a test tire for the profile of the tread, this has little useful value if corrective measures are not taken. In small tires such as passenger or light truck tires subtle design changes can be made to minimize runout. In some cases tires can be force grinded to take down high spots.
In large tires such as agricultural tires the use of force grinding can be used, however, the appearance is usually very noticeable. Secondarily, the amount of material that needs to be grinded is substantially larger than is commonly required in smaller tires. This can be time consuming but more importantly the rubber dust created in grinding operations requires more sophisticated material handling and removal systems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable way to inspect a tire, even a large agricultural or off-road tire, for radial runout.
It is a further object of the present invention to correct for the runout condition in a fast and reliable manner while minimizing the amount of tread rubber that is required to be removed.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a like new polished rubber finish on the tire after correcting for radial runout.

Method and apparatus for correcting tire nonuniformity


A speech coding system robust to frame erasure (or packet loss) is described. Illustrative embodiments are directed to a modified version of CCITT standard G.728. In the event of frame erasure, vectors of an excitation signal are synthesized based on previously stored excitation signal vectors generated during non-erased frames. Specifically, the decoder generates and stores samples of a first excitation signal in a memory, and then, in response to a signal indicating a frame erasure, the decoder synthesizes a second excitation signal based on the previously stored samples. In particular, the second excitation is synthesized by correlating a first subset of the stored samples with a second subset thereof, identifying a set of stored excitation signal samples based on the correlation, and synthesizing the second excitation signal based on the identified samples. Finally, the decoder then filters the second excitation signal to synthesize a signal reflecting human speech.

Many communication systems, such as cellular telephone and personal communications systems, rely on wireless channels to communicate information. In the course of communicating such information, wireless communication channels can suffer from several sources of error, such as multipath fading. These error sources can cause, among other things, the problem of frame erasure. An erasure refers to the total loss or substantial corruption of a set of bits communicated to a receiver. A frame is a predetermined fixed number of bits.
If a frame of bits is totally lost, then the receiver has no bits to interpret. Under such circumstances, the receiver may produce a meaningless result. If a frame of received bits is corrupted and therefore unreliable, the receiver may produce a severely distorted result.
As the demand for wireless system capacity has increased, a need has arisen to make the best use of available wireless system bandwidth. One way to enhance the efficient use of system bandwidth is to employ a signal compression technique. For wireless systems which carry speech signals, speech compression (or speech coding) techniques may be employed for this purpose. Such speech coding techniques include analysis-by-synthesis speech coders, such as the well-known code-excited linear prediction (or CELP) speech coder.
The problem of packet loss in packet-switched networks employing speech coding arrangements is very similar to frame erasure in the wireless context That is, due to packet loss, a speech decoder may either fail to receive a frame or receive a frame having a significant number of missing bits. In either case, the speech decoder is presented with the same essential problem--the need to synthesize speech despite the loss of compressed speech information. Both "frame erasure" and "packet loss" concern a communication channel (or network) problem which causes the loss of transmitted bits. For purposes of this description, therefore. the term "frame erasure" may be deemed synonymous with packet loss.
CELP speech coders employ a codebook of excitation signals to encode an original speech signal. These excitation signals are used to "excite" a linear predictive (LPC) filter which synthesizes a speech signal (or some precursor to a speech signal) in response to the excitation. The synthesized speech signal is compared to the signal to be coded. The codebook excitation signal which most closely matches the original signal is identified. The identified excitation signal's codebook index is then communicated to a CELP decoder (depending upon the type of CELP system, other types of information may be communicated as well). The decoder contains a codebook identical to that of the CELP coder. The decoder uses the transmitted index to select an excitation signal from its own codebook. This selected excitation signal is used to excite the decoder's LPC filter. Thus excited, the LPC filter of the decoder generates a decoded (or quantized) speech signal--the same speech signal which was previously determined to be closest to the original speech signal.
Wireless and other systems which employ speech coders may be more sensitive to the problem of frame erasure than those systems which do not compress speech. This sensitivity is due to the reduced redundancy of coded speech (compared to uncoded speech) making the possible loss of each communicated bit more significant. In the context of a CELP speech coders experiencing frame erasure, excitation signal codebook indices may be either lost or substantially corrupted. Because of the erased frame(s), the CELP decoder will not be able to reliably identify which entry in its codebook should be used to synthesize speech. As a result, speech coding system performance may degrade significantly.
As a result of lost excitation signal codebook indicies, normal techniques for synthesizing an excitation signal in a decoder are ineffective. These techniques must therefore be replaced by alternative measures. A further result of the loss of codebook indices is that the normal signals available for use in generating linear prediction coefficients are unavailable. Therefore, an alternative technique for generating such coefficients is needed.

Linear prediction coefficient generation during frame erasure or packet loss


A method for making chips shots with a novel golf club having a club head positioned at a one hundred degree angle to an elongate club shaft. The golfer stands beside a golf ball while facing a target hole so that the ball is close to an exterior side of the golfer's dominant foot. The golfer's dominant arm is held straight by his or her side and the golfer's dominant hand grasps the elongate shaft. The golfer's other arm reaches across the golfer's chest and grasps the elongate shaft near its upper end. A back swing, forward swing, and follow through are then made in a motion much like the motion made when tossing a hand-held golf ball toward a target hole with an underarm throw.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates, generally, to methods for playing the game of golf. More particularly, it relates to a method for chipping around the green. It also relates to a club having utility in performing the steps of the method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A chip shot differs from a putt in that a chip shot causes a golf ball to leave the ground when the ball is struck. After an initial flight through the air, the ball then falls to the ground and rolls.
Most beginning golfers have a difficult time learning how much strength they should put into a chip shot. Golf instructors commonly instruct their students to use as much strength as they would use if simply holding a golf ball in their throwing hand and then tossing the ball with an underarm throw toward the hole from a standing position facing the hole.
This well-known instructional technique has value because it demonstrates the ball flight and speed required for a good chip shot. Some of the value is lost, however, when an actual chip shot is made because the golfer must stand at a right angle to the target hole and must strike the ball with a golf club.
It is very difficult to translate into a chip shot the strength used in tossing a hand-held ball toward a hole while facing the hole. In part, this is true because more muscles are involved when addressing a golf ball with a club in the conventional way than when simply making an underarm toss. Moreover, making a conventional golf chip shot requires a somewhat unnatural use of muscles.
What is needed, then, is an improved method for teaching golfers how much strength to use when hitting chip shots.
A golf club that enables execution of the new method is also required.
However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art how the needed improvements could be provided.


A hybrid authentication device that has a keypad, a display, an electronic communications interface and a processor and memory that can be removable, such as a Subscriber Identity Module. The device can operate in a stand-alone mode, in which a user enters a personal identification number and challenge using the keypad, and the device generates a response. The device can also function as a smartcard, and can be electronically coupled to an external device using the communications interface.

A token is a physical device that can be used for authenticating a user. For example, the SecurID token is manufactured by RSA Security, Inc. of Bedford, Mass. The SecurID token displays a unique code generated by the RSA SecurID or AES industry-standard hash algorithm in combination with the unique symmetric key contained in the token. Augmented by an internal clock, the algorithm generates a new authentication code every 60 seconds for the programmed life of the token. The RSA SecurID PINPad Card (SD520) permits the user to enter his Personal Identification Number ("PIN") via a 10-digit numeric keypad that is contained on the card. The code displayed is a hash-encrypted combination of the PIN and the current authenticator code. To be authenticated, the user provides the authentication code displayed on the SecurID token to an RSA ACE/Server. The ACE/Server already stores the PIN and symmetric key of each PINPad card and includes software that can generate the same authenticator codes as are generated by the tokens. If the authentication code from the token matches that generated by the ACE/Server for the given 60 second time period, then the user is authenticated by the ACE/Server.
Another type of token uses a challenge and a response to authenticate the user. The user receives a challenge from a server. The challenge can be a series of numbers resembling a telephone number. The user activates the token with a PIN and enters the challenge using a keypad on the token. The token applies a predetermined algorithm known by the server to the challenge, and generates and displays to the user a response. The user provides the response to the server, which internally generates its own version of the response, based upon it's preexisting knowledge of a key in the token, the PIN and the authentication code generation algorithm. If the user response provided to the server matches the anticipated response generated internally by the server, then the user is authenticated.
Hardware tokens such as the SecurID and the challenge-response token (hereinafter, "stand-alone hardware tokens") provide authentication, but cannot provide information to another party (such as the authenticating server) beyond that which can be entered by a user. For example, the SecurID token cannot provide a public key to the server. Likewise, the processing capability of stand-alone hardware tokens are oriented entirely towards generating a time-based or challenge-response authenticator. They cannot, for example, verify the signature of a message by using another's public key. The cannot securely store and provide sensitive information (e.g., a user's credit card number, medical information, etc.) because they cannot communicate electronically with another entity.
RSA also manufactures "software tokens." RSA SecurID Software Tokens use the same algorithms as RSA SecurID hardware tokens. Instead of residing within the plastic case of an RSA SecurID hardware token, the symmetric key is stored in a tamper-resistant fashion on a user's desktop, laptop, PDA, Smart Phone or Smart Card.
For example, the RSA SecurID software token for the Ericsson R380s cellular telephone is designed to authenticate valid network users. The RSA SecurID software for the Ericsson R380s generates a unique, unpredictable access code for secure network access. As for other RSA tokens, this code is combined with the user's secret PIN to create a dynamic code that is verified by the RSA ACE/Server software protecting the network. This constitutes a two-factor authentication system, where access to the network requires that the user prove he knows a given secret (such as a PIN) and also that he has a given item, such as a hardware or software token. Software tokens are generally only as secure as the platform on which they are installed. For example, if any tamper-resistant measures that may be applied to the memory of the Ericsson R380s can be breached, then the software token may subject to unauthorized modification. This could subvert the security of the software token, e.g., lead to the unauthorized disclosure of a secret key.
Yet another type of token is a smartcard. A smartcard can include a tamper-resistant processor and memory that can store a credential of the user, along with means to electronically communicate with another entity. An example of such a credential is a private key and a certificate associated with the user of the smartcard. The certificate can include the public key that corresponds to the user's private key; a user identifier; an expiration date; and other information. A smartcard can also store sensitive information (e.g., user medical information) with safeguards against unauthorized disclosure. A smartcard can communicate electronically by having electrical contacts suitable for connecting with a receiving device (a smartcard reader). A smartcard can also communicate with another device via wireless technology, e.g., over radio frequency waves. A smartcard can be used to authenticate a user by inserting it into a reader, or activating a wireless smartcard to communicate with a device. The receiving entity can require the user to input a shared secret, such as a PIN, to provide assurance that the user is utilizing his own smartcard, and not a stolen one. The smartcard (and by extension, its owner) can then be electronically authenticated by the receiving device.
A smartcard has more processing and storage capability than a stand-alone hardware token, but does not include a keypad. A user can provide input in conjunction with smartcard by connecting the smartcard to a reader that has a keypad. But there is no standalone keypad on the smartcard itself. The smartcard and reader combination lacks the portability of a smartcard alone or a stand-alone token.


Ultralow expansion titania-silica glass. The glass has high hydroxyl content and optionally include one or more dopants. Representative optional dopants include boron, alkali elements, alkaline earth elements or metals such as Nb, Ta, Al, Mn, Sn Cu and Sn. The glass is prepared by a process that includes steam consolidation to increase the hydroxyl content. The high hydroxyl content or combination of dopant(s) and high hydroxyl content lowers the fictive temperature of the glass to provide a glass having a very low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), low fictive temperature (Tf), and low expansivity slope.

Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) is an emerging lithography technology for the 22 nm node and beyond for MPU/DRAMs [MPU—Micro Processing Unit & DRAM—Dynamic Random Access Memory). The scanners needed to support EUV lithography have been developed and are currently in use on a limited scale to demonstrate the potential of this new technology. Key components of EUVL scanners include reflective optics for directing and controlling exposure light from an EUV source to enable patterning of features on silicon wafers. The reflecting optic elements typically include a substrate with a series of coating layers. Due to the short wavelength of EUV exposure light (e.g. 13.5 nm) and the high powers needed for high throughput processing of wafers, significant heating of the reflecting optic elements can occur. In order to avoid distortions in the patterns transferred to the wafers, it is necessary for the reflecting optic elements to maintain constant performance over a wide range of temperature. The requirement for temperature-stable performance has motivated the development of low thermal expansion materials for use as substrate materials for optics in EUVL scanners.
Initially, glass-ceramic materials were considered as substrate materials for EUV optics. Glass-ceramic materials, however, proved to be inadequate and have been replaced by low expansion titania-silica glass (such as ULE® glass from Corning Incorporated). The advantages of ULE® titania-silica glass include polishability to an extremely flat finish, low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and dimensional stability over a range of temperatures. The roadmap for semiconductor technology calls for ever decreasing feature sizes and ever increasing demands on lithography systems. In order to meet the challenges needed to advance the capabilities of lithography systems, it is necessary to develop new materials for scanner optics that are increasingly insensitive to thermal effects.


A closed type cable or the like protection and guide device that reduces noise generation due to the generation of sliding contact sound during operation prevents entry of fine chips and wear powders of metal into the cable or the like protection and guide device. Scattering of contact wear powders, which are generated by sliding contact between components of the cable or the like protection and guide device, into the operation space can be prevented and a maintenance of the device is reduced. A cable or the like is included in a flexible support to be protected and guided from a fixed end side mounting member toward a movable end side mounting member and the entire outer surface of the flexible support except for an inlet and an outlet of the cable or the like is covered with a heat resistant tubular cloth cover.

When a movable section of a machine tool, civil engineering machinery, a conveyance device or the like is in motion, the other end is connected to a fixed section which includes a control device or an operating terminal or the like which controls the operation of the movable section. A cable or hose, which supplies and transmits electric power/electric signals or hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure, follows the movable section in an exposed manner and forcible torsion or tensile force is generated so that the cable or hose is not only damaged but also the outer appearance thereof is distorted. Thus there has been proposed a cable or the like protection and guide device which guides the cable or hose and protects it.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a conventional cable or the like protection and guide device 500 includes, protects and guides a cable or the like C by flexibly connecting a number of inner frames 510. Each inner frame comprises an inner frame body 511 in which the cable or the like holding space 511a is formed inside, an opening/closing lid body 512, an outer frame 520 comprising an upper side outer frame 521 and a lower side frame 522. Lower side frame 522 is removably provided on a connected portion between the inner frames 510. Upper side outer frame 521 and lower side frame 522 are fitted into each other for surrounding an upper opening end surface 511d which abuts on the adjacent upper opening end surface on an flexional outer circumferential side to hold a straight extended position, and a lower opening end surface 511e which abuts on the adjacent lower opening end surface on an flexional inner circumferential side. While the device circulates (moves) it holds a predetermined flexional position so that connecting gaps S between adjacent inner frames 510 are respectively closed. See Japanese Patent Publication No. 3349148.

Closed type cable or the like protection and guide device


A downhole impact generator (60) is adapted to be moved to a target location within a wellbore (68) for transmitting a jarring force to a well tool (72) positioned in the wellbore (68). The downhole impact generator (60) includes a downhole power unit (62) having a moveable shaft (66) and a jarring tool (64). The jarring tool (64) is operably engageable with the well tool (72) and is operably coupled with the moveable shaft (66) of the downhole power unit (62) such that when the jarring tool (64) is operably engaged with the well tool (72), linear movement of the moveable shaft (66) energizes the jarring tool (64) such that a jarring force can be transmitted by the jarring tool (64) to the well tool (72).

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, its background will be described with reference to retrieving a well tool that was previously installed within a well, as an example.
After drilling a well that intersects a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing reservoir, a variety of well tools are often positioned in the wellbore during completion, production or remedial activities. For example, temporary packers are often set in the wellbore during the completion and production operating phases of the well. In addition, various operating tools including flow controllers such as plugs, chokes, valves and the like and safety devices such as safety valves are often retrievably positioned in the wellbore.
In the event that one of these well tools that has been previously installed within the wellbore requires removal, a pulling tool attached to a conveyance such as a wireline, a slickline or the like is typically run downhole to the location of the well tool to be removed. The pulling tool, which may include a fishing nose and latching assembly, is coupled to a fishing neck on the installed well tool. Thereafter, the well tool can be released from the wellbore and retrieved to the surface.
It has been found, however, that over time a well tool installed within the wellbore may become stuck in the wellbore and may require an impact or jarring force to be applied thereto in order to dislodge the well tool from its stuck position. In addition, it has been found that certain retrieval operations place significant demands on the integrity and strength of the conveyance, particularly in wells that are deep, deviated, inclined or horizontal due to the cumulative weight of the conveyance and frictional effects.
Accordingly, prior art retrieval tools can only apply a limited amount of force to directly dislodge a stuck well tool or to actuate a jarring tool such that an impact can be delivered to dislodge the stuck well tool. Therefore, a need has arisen for a downhole impact generator that can generate an impact to exert a jarring force on a stuck well tool such that the stuck well tools can be dislodged. A need has also arisen for such a downhole impact generator that will produce the necessary jarring force to dislodge well tools that have been installed and become stuck within deep, deviated, inclined or horizontal wellbores. Additionally, a need has also arisen for such a downhole impact generator that can be used to provide multiple impacts to dislodge stuck well tools. Further, a need has also arisen for such a downhole impact generator that will produce the necessary jarring force to dislodge well tools without requiring force to be generated via the conveyance.

Downhole impact generator and method for use of same


A battery, a regenerative generator, a capacitor capable of storing power generated by the regenerative generator, and a DC/DC convertor capable of allowing an output current to flow up to a specified permissible limit value are provided. The capacitor is connected to a first circuit portion connecting the regenerative generator and the DC/DC convertor. The battery is connected to a second circuit portion connecting the DC/DC convertor and electric loads. Thereby, power from the capacitor is supplied to electric loads by way of the DC/DC convertor until the output current of the DC/DC convertor reaches the specified permissible limit value, whereas power from the battery is supplied to the electric loads after the output current of the DC/DC convertor has reached the specified permissible limit value. A specified electric load is turned OFF when the power from the battery is supplied.

The present invention relates to a power-source control apparatus for a vehicle which is equipped with a regenerative generator conducting deceleration regeneration, and in particular to a power-source control apparatus for a vehicle which can provide a stable power supply even when a load of electric devices is high.
Recent years, a vehicle which has a function of regenerating deceleration energy at the time of deceleration of the vehicle and utilizing the regenerated energy as a power supply to electric devices, in addition to improving combustion of an engine, reducing vehicle weight, and so on, in order to improve the fuel efficiency (gas mileage) has been put to practical use.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0097577 A1, for example, discloses a vehicle power supply system which comprises a main power source for power supply to a starter and general electric devices, which is comprised of a normal battery, an auxiliary power source for a regenerative power storage to store power generated by an alternator, which is comprised of a Li (Lithium) ion battery, and a DC/DC convertor and a switch which are provided between the main power source and the auxiliary power source to control power charge/discharge.
In the system described above, however, since the battery of the main power source may deteriorate through its frequent charge/discharge, it may be necessary that the charge of the battery is restricted and a burden of the auxiliary power source is increased. Further, there is a problem in that if the amount of power storage of the auxiliary power source is small, a sufficient amount of power may not be supplied to the electric devices.
Accordingly, it is considered that a capacitor having a high capacity with a relatively high storage voltage (25 V) is used as a regenerative power storage means which does not improperly deteriorate through its frequent charge/discharge, but has a sufficient power-storage amount.
However, in a case in which the above-described capacitor having the high capacity is used, even when the load of the electric devises is high and the output of the capacitor is sufficient, if a capacity (output current) of the DC/DC convertor provided between the electric devices and the capacitor is short, the sufficient power may not be supplied to the electric devices. Accordingly, it may be necessary that the capacity of the DC/DC convertor is made higher according to the maximum electric load of the electric devices. This may cause problems of a cost increase as well as a large size.
Herein, it may be considered that the power supply from the battery is additionally conducted in order to supply the sufficient power to the electric devices, restraining the capacity of the DC/DC convertor. However, if a remaining capacity of the battery becomes too low, that is—the battery is excessively discharged, there is a concern that problems of the battery being dead or the battery's deterioration may occur.

Power source control apparatus for vehicle