An object is detected in comparison between an input image from an image pick-up device having a zoom mechanism and a template image stored in a manner that a first image within a view field of the image pick-up device is stored as a first as the template image, a power of the zoom mechanism to be changed is recorded, a second image to be detected is picked-up from the image pick-up device. Then, a size of either one of the template image and the second image is changed on the bases of the changed power of the zoom mechanism, and a template matching is performed between the template image and the second image to detect the object. This process makes it possible to track an object within the view field.

The present invention relates to a monitor apparatus using an image pickup unit, or in particular to an object tracking method for automatically detecting an object intruding into an imaging field or image pickup field from a video signal inputted from the image pickup unit and automatically tracking the motion of the detected object and an object tracking apparatus for automatically adjusting the imaging direction (central direction of an image) in accordance with the detected motion of the object.
A video monitor apparatus using an image pickup unit such as a television camera (referred to as a TV camera) has been widely used. As one of the monitor systems using such video monitor apparatuses, a manned monitoring system may be referred in which system an intruding object such as a man or an automotive vehicle entering the monitor field is detected or tracked by a human monitor while watching the image displayed on the monitor. However, apart from such a manned monitoring system, an automatic monitor system using a video monitor apparatus has been in demand, in which an intruding object is automatically detected from the image inputted from an image input unit such as a camera, the motion of the object is automatically tracked and a predetermined announcement or alarm action can be taken.
For realizing such an automatic monitor system, the first step is to detect an intruding object in the view field by a so-called subtraction method or the like. The subtraction method is executed to take the steps of comparing the input image obtained by an image pickup unit with a reference background image prepared in advance (i.e. an image not including the object to be detected), determine the brightness (or intensity) difference for each pixel, and detect an area with a large difference value as an object. The part of the input image (referred to as a partial image) corresponding to the position of the intruding object detected in this way is registered as a template, so that a position associated with the maximum degree of coincidence with the template image is detected in the sequentially inputted images. This method is widely known as the template matching, and is described in detail, for example, in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,033.
Ordinarily, in the case of tracking an object (for example, an object detected by the subtraction method) using the template matching, the partial image at the position of the object detected by the matching process is sequentially updated as a new template image because the template matching follows the change of the posture of the object. This process will be now described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.
FIG. 1 is a diagram useful for explaining the flow of the process of detecting an object intruded into the view field by the subtraction method and registering the detected object as an initial template image so that it may be used for the template matching.
In FIG. 1, numeral S01 designates an input image, numeral S02 a reference background image, numeral S03 a difference image between the input image S01 and the reference background image S02, numeral S04 a binarized image of the difference image S03, numeral S05 a subtraction processing unit, numeral S06 a binarization processing unit (Th), numeral S07 a man-like object in the input image S01, numeral S08 a man-like difference image in the difference image S03 corresponding to the man-like object S07, and numeral S09 a man-like object (man-like binarized image) in the binarized image S04 corresponding to the man-like difference image S08. Further, numeral S10 designates a circumscribed rectangle of the detected man-like object S09, numeral S11 an extraction processing unit (CL) of extracting a specified area from the input image S01, numeral S12 an extracted image constructed of the extracted area (template image), and numeral S13 a template image.
In FIG. 1, first, the input image S01 of e.g. 320×240 pixels is inputted from a camera E01 into an intruding object monitor apparatus E05. Then, in the subtraction processing unit S05, the brightness difference between the input image S01 and the reference background image S02 prepared in advance is calculated for each pixel thereby to acquire the difference image S03 in which the calculated difference of each pixel is assumed to be the brightness value thereof. At the same time, the man-like object S07 in the input image S01 appears in the difference image S03 as a man-like difference image S08.
Next, in the binarization processing unit S06, the brightness value of each pixel of the difference image S03 having the difference value less than a predetermined threshold (for example, 20) is set to "0", while the brightness value of each pixel not less than the threshold is set to "255" (assuming that one pixel includes 8 bits in this specification) thereby to obtain the binarized image S04.
In the process, the man-like object S07 picked up in the input image S01 is detected as a man-like object S09 in the binarized image S04 (Sketch of the object detecting process using the subtraction method).
In FIG. 1, furthermore, the circumscribed rectangle S10 of the man-like object S09 detected by the subtraction method is detected. Then, in the extraction processing unit S11, an area represented by the circumscribed rectangle S10 is extracted from the input image S01. The extracted image is registered as the template image S13 in the extracted image S12 (Sketch of the process of registering the initial template image).
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams useful for explaining in an prior art the flow of the process of detecting where of the input image the intruding object registered in the template image using the template matching is located. In FIG. 2A, numeral M01 designates the extracted image obtained by the subtraction method (corresponding with the extracted image S12 in FIG. 1). In FIG. 2B, numeral M02 designates an input image obtained by the image pickup unit E01 and numeral M03 a template image.
Numeral M05 designates one of the dotted areas in the input image M02 and represents the position of the template image M03. Numeral M06 designates one of the dotted areas in the input image M02 and represents a search area of the template matching. Further, dx and dy represent the widths of the search area (in which dx represents the horizontal direction and dy the vertical direction). The widths dx and dy are set according to the amount of the apparent motion (the motion on the image) of the object to be tracked. For example, the widths dx and dy may be set as dx=50 pix and dy=15 pix.
The template matching is a process of searching the portion of the maximum degree of coincidence with the template image M03 in the search area M06 of the input image M02. As this coincidence may be used an index called the normalized correlation obtained from the following equation (1).
                              γ                                (                          x              ,              y              ,              u              ,              v                        )                          =                                            ∑                              i                =                0                                            W                -                1                                                                                ∑                                  j                  =                  0                                                  H                  -                  1                                                                                {                                                            f                                                                    (                                                                              x                            +                            i                                                    ,                                                      y                            +                            j                                                                          )                                                              -                                                                  f                                                                          (                                                      x                            ,                            y                                                    )                                                                    _                                                        }                                                                  {                                                            g                                                                    (                                                                              u                            +                            i                                                    ,                                                      v                            +                            j                                                                          )                                                              -                                                                  g                                                                          (                                                      u                            ,                            v                                                    )                                                                    _                                                        }                                                                                ∑                                              i                        =                        0                                                                    W                        -                        1                                                                                ∑                                                  j                          =                          0                                                                          H                          -                          1                                                                                {                                                                              f                                                                                (                                                                                x                                  +                                  i                                                                ,                                                                  y                                  +                                  j                                                                                )                                                                                -                                                                                f                                                                                (                                                                  x                                  ,                                  y                                                                )                                                                                _                                                                                }                            2                                                                                ∑                                          i                      =                      0                                                              W                      -                      1                                                                                ∑                                              i                        =                        0                                                                    H                        -                        1                                                                                {                                                                        g                                                                                (                                                                                u                                +                                i                                                            ,                                                              v                                +                                j                                                                                )                                                                          -                                                  g                                                                                (                                                                                u                                +                                i                                                            ,                                                              v                                +                                j                                                                                )                                                                          -                                                                              g                                                                                (                                                              u                                ,                                v                                                            )                                                                                _                                                                    }                                                                                2                                                          (        1        )
In the equation (1), f( ) designates the input image, go the template image, (x, y) the coordinates in the search area M06 of the input image (called the matching area), and (u, v) the coordinates in the upper left (uppermost left portion) of the template image M03, in which in all figures the origin (0, 0) is located in the upper left (uppermost left) portion of the image. Further, W designates a width of the template image (horizontal length), and H a height of the template image (vertical length). Moreover, in the equation (1), {overscore (f( ))} and {overscore (g( ))} represent the average brightness value of the input image and the average brightness value of the template image, respectively, which are represented by the equations (2) and (3).
                                          f                                      (                              x                ,                y                            )                                _                =                              1            WH                                                        ∑                              i                =                0                                            W                -                1                                                                                ∑                                  j                  =                  0                                                  H                  -                  1                                                                                f                                                  (                                                            x                      +                      i                                        ,                                          y                      +                      j                                                        )                                                                                (        2        )                                                      g                                      (                              u                ,                v                            )                                _                =                              1            WH                                                        ∑                              i                =                0                                            W                -                1                                                                                ∑                                  j                  =                  0                                                  H                  -                  1                                                                                g                                                  (                                                            u                      +                      i                                        ,                                          v                      +                      j                                                        )                                                                                (        3        )
The normalized correlation r(x, y, u, v) represents the degree of coincidence between the brightness value distribution of the area with the width W and the height H, in which the position (x, y) of the input image f(x, y) is the upper left (uppermost left) coordinates (for example, M05 in FIG. 2B), and the brightness value distribution of the area with the width W and the height H, in which the position (u, v) of the template image g(u, v) is the upper left (uppermost left) coordinates (for example, M03 in FIG. 2A). In a case where the brightness value of each pixel of the input image f( ) is equal to that of the corresponding each pixel of the template image g( ), the normalized correlation is 1.0. The template matching is a process of detecting the portion of the maximum coincidence with the template image g( ) in the input image f( ).
That is, with the position (u, v) of the template image go as a reference position, as the position (x, y) is being changed in the range of u−dx≦x<u+dx, v−dy≦y<v+dy, the corresponding position (x, y) to the maximum normalized correlation r(x, y, u, v) represented by the equation (1) is searched.
Apart from the normalized correlation, as the degree of coincidence may be used the average absolute value of the difference of the brightness value of each corresponding pixel between the area with the width W and the height H in which the position (x, y) of the input image f( ) is the upper left (uppermost left) coordinates and the area with the width W and the height H in which the position (u, v) of the template image g( ) is the upper left coordinates.
In this instance, in a case where the brightness value of each pixel of the input image f( ) is equal to that of each corresponding pixel of the template image g( ) the average absolute value is made to be zero (0). As the difference of the brightness value of each corresponding pixel between the input image f( ) and the template image go is made larger, the average absolute value is made larger, (which means the degree of coincidence is made lower).
In the instance of FIG. 2B, the man-like object to be tracked is at the position of M04. The template matching process is executed to detect the area M07. Since this area M07 is detected at the position where the man-like object on the template image M03 coincides with the man-like object on the input image M02, the video monitor apparatus determines that the man-like object to be detected is inside the area M07. That is, it is understood that the intruding object is moving from the area M05 to the area M07. In this case, the movement of the intruding object may be represented by an arrow M08 connecting the center of the area M05 with the center of the area M07.
In turn, with reference to FIG. 3, the description will be oriented to the exemplary process of tracking an intruding object within a view field by applying the template matching described with reference to FIG. 2 into the sequentially inputted images. FIG. 3 is a diagram useful for explaining the process of tracking an object by sequentially performing the conventional template matching method.
In FIG. 3, numerals T01a, T02a, T03a and T04a designate extracted images at time points t0−1, t0, t0+1 and t0+2, respectively. Numerals T01c, T02c, T03c and T04c designate template images at time points t0−1, t0, t0+1 and t0+2, respectively. Numerals T01b, T02b, T03b and T04b designate input images at time points t0, t0+1, t0+2 and t0+3, respectively, numeral T05 a template matching processing unit (MT), T06 a template image updating unit (UD). In this figure, the time point t0+n means that the time is apart from the time point t0 by n frames, in which the processing time of one frame is 100 msec, for example.
The matching processing unit T05 compares the template image of the extracted image with the input image, detect the portion of the maximum degree of coincidence with the template image in the input image, and obtain the positions T01e, T02e, T03e and T04e of the intruding object to be tracked at time points t0, t0+1, t0+2 and t0+3 (template matching).
The template image update unit T05 specifies the image of the portion of the maximum degree of coincidence detected by the matching processing unit T04 as the position image of a new intruding object and replaces the extracted image and the template image using the position image, thereby updating the template image.
Then, the description will be oriented to the template matching process and the template image updating process along time points t0−1, t0, t0+1, t0+2 and t0+3 with reference to FIG. 3.
First, the template matching process is executed by using the template image T01c obtained at time point t0−1 and the input image T01b obtained at time point t0. In the first processing frame, the template image T01c is matched to the partial image S13 of the input image S01 corresponding to the position of the circumscribed rectangle of the man-like object S09 detected by the subtraction method.
The template matching processing unit T05 detects the position image T01e of the intruding object T01d by the template matching described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
The template image update unit T06 updates the extracted image from T01a to T02a by using the input image T01b having a new position image (template) T01e as the extracted image and also updates the template image from T01c to T02c on the basis of the position image T01e of the intruding object. By executing this kind of process at time points t0, t0+1, t0+2 and t0+3 respectively, it is understood that the intruding object within a view field is moved in the sequence indicated in the position images T01e, T02e, T03e and T04e.

Object tracking method and apparatus using template matching


A dry-stackable masonry brick having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and opposing side surfaces. The brick is provided with a plurality of channels, which extend along the top, bottom and one side of the brick. The channels are configured and arranged so that they are able to receive a projection from one or more adjacent bricks in an interlocking relation. The brick may be positioned on either of the opposing sides in a vertical orientation, with the bottom side up, or even with the rear surface facing forwardly. The front and rear surfaces of the brick may be provided with different surface treatments to increase the number of differently configured walls that may be constructed. Moreover, the front and rear surfaces may be provided with marginal areas that are configured so that they are able to receive and retain filler material. Thus, when a plurality of bricks is assembled together into a structure and filler material is applied to the marginal areas, the structure creates the impression that it has been constructed using conventional masonry techniques and technologies. One or more bricks may be operatively connected to a suitable support or substructure by the use of one or more fastening elements, which are configured to engage a brick via one or more of its channels and/or its projection.

Masonry bricks have been used in construction for many years. They are durable, strong, able to resist large compressive forces, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. They are widely used in many applications, but are most often used in building foundations and as load bearing walls. Typically, masonry units are joined together into a unitary structure using mortar or cement. As will be understood, this is not a simple or quick procedure, and there are many steps have to be taken before even the first brick is laid. For example, a site has to be prepared, footings that have to be planned, framed-up and poured, masonry bricks have to be delivered to the site, and mortar has to be mixed and transported to various locations at the worksite during construction. Moreover, specialized training and skills are required to assemble the bricks into a structure. Traditionally, this has been the province of bricklayers and masons. As one may well imagine, the above-mentioned steps add to the time and cost needed to assemble a structure and, unfortunately, this tends to offset the initial low cost of material. An advantage and a drawback to such a construction is that once completed, the structure is more or less permanent. Changes or alterations after-the-fact can be extremely difficult and expensive, and imperfections or mistakes are usually left as is.
There are instances, however, where it might not be possible to obtain or use mortar, or where skilled, trained workers are not available, or even where there is a limited budget. Alternatively, there might also be instances where it is not desirable or advantageous to assemble a permanent structure, or where future changes or reconfigurations are anticipated.
There is a need for a masonry brick that can be operatively connected to other masonry bricks without the use of mortar or cement. There is also a need for a masonry brick that permits a structure formed therefrom to be easily modified or disassembled without having to destroy the structure. And, there is a need for a masonry brick whose use does not require special skills or training.


A motor vehicle includes a primary unit and a secondary unit, i.e. the engine and gearbox respectively. The clutch release bearing includes a sliding manoeuvring element carried by the secondary unit and carrying a ball bearing, the outer ring of which carries a housing which is so conformed as to define the actuating element of the clutch release bearing that engages with the clutch diaphragm, typically through a standard main coupling member carried by the diaphragm. The actuating element is formed with an engagement recess in which is fitted an intermediate coupling member coupling the actuating element to the main coupling member, while the manoeuvring element of the clutch release bearing is of generally tubular shape.

In the above mentioned United States patent specification, the clutch release bearing includes a manoeuvring element which is subjected to the action of a declutching fork. The bearing also includes a housing and an actuating element which is part of the housing, for acting on the fingers of a clutch diaphragm. The housing is carried on the ends of the clutch diaphragm fingers, by means of a coupling member. The actuating element of the housing is in the form of a sleeve which passes through the diaphragm. The clutch release bearing also includes a ball bearing which is fixed to the housing and which has an outer ring and an inner ring in the usual way. It is the outer ring that is fixed to the housing, the inner ring of the ball bearing being so conformed that it can be coupled disconnectably to the declutching fork through the manoeuvring element of the clutch release bearing. The manoeuvring element is movable in straight line movement along a guide tube.
This manoeuvring element includes pivoting hooking fingers. There is thus provided a clutch release bearing assembly in which the clutch release bearing is provided with a casing which is part of a primary unit of an associated apparatus such as a motor vehicle (the primary unit being for example the engine of the vehicle), in which the said primary unit includes the clutch, with the manoeuvring element of the clutch release bearing being part of a secondary unit of the same apparatus. This secondary unit typically comprises the gearbox of the vehicle, with its input shaft.
One consequence of the form of construction just described is that the ball bearing and the manoeuvring element are comparatively complicated, while the hooking fingers are liable to perturb the sliding movement of the manoeuvring element along its guide tube. In addition, since the clutch release bearing is largely carried by the clutch release mechanism, it is necessary, during assembly of the clutch release bearing by snap-fitting, to perform a large relative movement of the secondary unit of the apparatus with respect to its primary unit, in order to enable the input shaft of the gearbox to be inserted. In addition, before assembly, both the ball bearing and its housing are liable to be damaged as a result of mis-handling.

Clutch release bearing for a clutch of the pull-off type, especially for motor vehicles


A synthetic impedance telecommunication line driver has no electrical energy-dissipating elements in series with its output, and synthesizes its output impedance in accordance with current fed back from an output current (mirror) sensing circuit. This allows the driver to realize substantially reduced power requirements for driving a telecommunication line, such as, but not limited to a DSX-1 line. The driver includes an operational amplifier having a first polarity input coupled through an input resistor to an input port, to which a signal voltage to applied to an output port is coupled. A second polarity input of the amplifier is coupled to a reference voltage. A feedback resistor is coupled between the amplifier output and its inverting input. An output current-dependent current source, such as a current mirror coupled in circuit with the output node, generates a current as a small fraction k of the output current. This mirrored fraction of the output current is fed back to an input of the amplifier, and enables the output impedance Zout of the driver to be defined in terms of the mirror current ratio k and the value of the driver amplifier's feedback resistor.

For optimum efficiency, a telecommunication line driver should contain no dissipative elements in series with its output. Prior to the introduction of synthetic drivers, this meant not matching the driver's output impedance to that of the line. Until recently, this has not been a problem in a T1 DSX environment, as the terminating end was well matched to the line impedance, and the line impedance was homogeneous as a result of strict control of the type of cable being used. However, as customers of telecommunication equipment have become less careful about controlling the impedance of DSX-1 cross-connect cables in central office installations, the line impedance mismatch problem cannot be ignored.
As shown diagrammatically in the 'classical' circuit architecture of FIG. 1, the driver-to-line impedance mismatch problem has been conventionally addressed by terminating the output 11 of a line driver amplifier 10 with a line-coupling output resistor 13, whose value Ro is set equal to the impedance Rt (e.g., 100 ohms or more) of the line 15. Unfortunately, the power utilization efficiency is very poor, as the resulting voltage divider formed by the output resistor 13 and the line impedance 15 dissipates (wastes) half of the line driver's output power in the output impedance 13.
One approach to reducing this power dissipation problem is to synthesize the driver's output impedance in accordance with the value of a much smaller resistor, and simulate the line-matching impedance by the judicious use of positive feedback. A typical set of synthetic impedance parameters may reduce the value of the output resistor to only a fraction (e.g., one-fourth) of its normal value, and (electronically) synthesize the remaining portion (e.g., three-fourths) of the output impedance. In the case of a one-fourth/three-fourths split, the output voltage swing of the driver amplifier can be reduced from twice to only five-fourths the desired output voltage. In the ideal case, the amplifier power supply rails can be reduced to five-eighths of the supply differential for a classic driver.
It is not uncommon for circuit implementations of synthetic output impedance drivers to employ some form of relatively complex cross-coupling network or other feedback arrangements. As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 2, a synthesized impedance driver may be modelled as containing a voltage source Vm and an output impedance formed of two parts: 1—a synthetic resistance Rsyn, and 2—a physical output resistance Rphy. The voltage swing produced by the amplifier is Va, and the voltage swing across a load resistance RL (relative to a ground reference) is VL. For the case of reducing the physical resistor to one-fourth of its normal value, then Rphy=25% of RL and Rsyn=75% of RL. Therefore, the driver voltage source Vm must be able to provide a voltage swing of 2VL. As pointed out above, the actual voltage Va at the output node of the amplifier need only swing to 5/4 VL.
In some applications, Va must swing to a voltage greater than 5/4 VL. For example, if the value of the load resistor RL is increased substantially, Va must swing to almost 2VL. While this may cause clipping, it has the benefit of reduced output current with the increased output voltage swing. As such, a synthetic impedance line driver might also be required to swing to 2VL, just as in the case of the classical line driver. In this case, however, the synthetic driver is delivering zero or minimum current, while the classic driver is delivering its maximum output current.
The U.S. Pat. to Joffe et al, No. 5,856,758, assigned to the assignee of the present application and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, describes an improved efficiency, positive feedback-based line driver circuit architecture that reduces the required output signal amplitude excursion required for driving the line, enhances linearity, and allows the line to be driven from amplifiers which run with a lower supply voltage, and thus results in lower power dissipation. In the Joffe et al patent, the value of the output resistor is dramatically reduced so as to enable the amount of power dissipated across the driver's output resistor to be much smaller than the one-half value of a classical driver; yet, due to positive feedback, the effective electrical output impedance seen at the line driver's output node is matched to the line impedance.

Telecommunication line driver having synthesized output impedance derived from output current sensing circuit


This disclosure pertains to techniques for intelligent selection of a currency preference for a user and conversion of monetary values to the preferred currency for transactions entered into by the user. The conversion is performed using a firm exchange rate that is derived from a market exchange rate, but guaranteed for a period of time during which the transaction is anticipated to be completed.

Electronic commerce continues to expand rapidly, with a vast and growing population of people going online to shop and purchase goods and services. Within that population are customers who reside in different countries from the merchant. These "cross-border" customers often face several inconveniences and cost issues while shopping cross border, such as increased shipping cost, increased transportation/customs time and confusion, and additional costs related to paying in their non-local currency. For instance, customers who have foreign denominated credit or debit cards, or other payment methods, often have to convert mentally from the merchant's currency to their own currency prior to making any purchase decisions. However, currency exchange rates are not static, but are in movement throughout each trading day. So, the exchange rate commonly fluctuates while the customer is evaluating a purchase and may continue to fluctuate during the purchase process. The customer may not know the true cost of the transaction until receiving a credit/debit card or banking statement from their financial institution.
Also, cross-border transactions typically lack an additional level of transparency because financial institutions generally charge an additional fee for converting the currency for the customer after an online purchase is made. Thus, when making a purchase online, customers are usually uncertain as to the exact conversion rate, any surcharges applied by a credit card company, and any surcharges applied by the customer's bank.
Accordingly, there is a need to improve the cross-border shopping and transaction experience in electronic commerce.

Intelligent and firm currency conversion


The present invention provides a method for treating symptoms of diabetes in a diabetic subject which comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent which inhibits binding of advanced glycation endproducts to any receptor for advanced glycation endproducts so as to treat chronic symptoms of diabetes in the subject.

Throughout this application, various publications are referenced by author and date. Full citations for these publications may be found listed alphabetically at the end of the specification immediately the claims. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art as known to those skilled therein.
Ineffective healing of wounds is a serious problem in diabetes, contributing to increased morbidity (Reynolds, 1985; Galloway and Shuman, 1963; and Pearl and Kanat, 1988). The reparative response in wound healing is orchestrated by multiple cellular elements which work together in many ways, including infiltration of the lesion by inflammatory effector cells. Subsequent to this, fibroblastic elements together with inflammatory effector cells provide antibacterial mechanisms and promote removal of necrotic tissue, as well as laying down of new connective tissue. A fundamental disorder of glucose metabolism might perturb these complex and interactive protective processes. Previous work has suggested that cellular dysfunction in diabetic wound healing involves defective neutrophil function (Bagdade et al., 1978; Nolan et al., 1978; and Mowat and Baum, 1971), delayed infiltration of the wound with inflammatory cells (Greenhalgh et al., 1990 and Fahey et al., 1991), decreased production of collagen (Goodson and Hunt, 1977 and Goodson and Hunt, 1986), and diminished activity of endogenous growth factors, such as basic fibroblast growth factor (Giardino et al., 1994), which could provide a basis for the slower formation of granulation tissue and wound closure.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for treating symptoms of diabetes

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


The present invention relates to a method, system, computer program product, or apparatus that schedules and executes events within a network in real-time. An event processor contacts one or more event schedulers, and it receives back from them event schedule updates. It then calculates the time when each event is to occur from information contained in the received scheduling information for each event. Next, it places event scheduling information contained in the received scheduling information for each event, plus the calculated occurrence time of the corresponding event, into an event queue. Finally, at the time when each event is to occur, as indicated by examination of the calculated times in the event queue, the event processor sends out event firing messages to event processors that are named in the received scheduling information for each event.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of event scheduling, and more particularly to a method, system, computer program product and apparatus for scheduling and executing events in real-time in a web environment and in similar environments.
2. Description of the Related Art
Systems today that feature event scheduling and triggering or firing require that an event be processed at a specific point in time throughout several computer applications. Some operating systems and programming languages have mechanisms that can schedule and trigger or fire such events and notify or launch software tasks when the event time arrives. All of these processes are machine specific in that the objects or tasks that are to be called back generally lie within the physical and unique environment of a particular machine. The callback or notification is always directly back to the process that has scheduled the event. If the scheduler on such a machine is currently busy or has become too busy to take on any additional workload, a newly scheduled event may not be handled properly.
There are several problems with such traditional event handling systems. First, they are not sufficiently and reliably available. Since the whole event scheduling and processing system is contained within a single machine, if that machine were to go off-line or down for any reason, then all of the event scheduling and processing is terminated until that machine is brought back online. Secondly, they are not readily scalable. If an increase in demand occurs beyond the capabilities of an individual machine, the entire machine may have to be replaced. And third, such systems are specific to particular operating systems having specific timers and schedulers and accordingly are not uniform over an enterprise that includes different types of machines having different operation systems.

Method and apparatus and program for scheduling and executing events in real time over a network

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


When an audio stream signal is transmitted, the bit stream information for determining the surround mode and special-use mode, including karaoke use, is sensed from the signal at a mode sensor. After the surround mode has been sensed, the audio data is converted by a decoder into a front left, front center, and front right main audio signals and a back left and back right surround audio signals in the surround mode, which are converted into analog signals and outputted to the corresponding speakers. When the special-use mode has been sensed, by using the central main audio signal of the front left, front center, and front right main audio signals and back left and back right surround audio signals converted at the decoder, a normally used first-type accompanying sound selectively made unused, for example, guide melody, is generated. In addition, by using the back left and back right surround audio signals, a normally unused second-type accompanying sound selectively used, for example, vocals, is generated. The first- and second-type accompanying sounds, together with the front left and front right main audio signals, are reproduced selectively. Consequently, a system that transmits surround sound using a plurality of channels can maintain compatibility with a surround system easily, when the plurality of channels are applied to special use, such as karaoke, not being restricted to surround use.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an audio system, its reproducing apparatus, and its recording medium, and more particularly to an audio system that easily maintains compatibility with a surround system when in a system that transmits or records (hereinafter, transmits) surround audio using a plurality of transmission channels, the plurality of channels are used for special purposes, (e.g. such as karaoke), which are not limited to surround, a reproducing apparatus for reproducing audio signals from the system, and a recording medium made according to an allocating method complying with the standard for surround.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional surround system, for example, a Dolby surround system AC-3 proposed by Dolby Laboratories, is such that when 5-channel surround audio signals are recorded on a recording medium, such as an optical disk the audio signals are reproduced by a reproducing apparatus compatible with the surround system at three speakers in front of the listener and two speakers behind the same listener. Such conventional systems use this speaker arrangement to form a sound field around the listener giving the feeling of being at a live performance. In addition, the surround system can reproduce audio signals suitable for a 2-channel audio system. The 2-channel audio system converts 5-channel audio signals into 2-channel audio signals using a process known as down-mixing. Based on the 2-channel audio signals, stereo sound is reproduced at the two speakers positioned in front of the listener.
Conventional systems that provide surround reproduction and stereo reproduction of the 5-channel surround audio signals are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively. In surround reproduction, 5-channel audio input signals L, C, R, LS, and RS are transmitted to speakers 8L, 8C, 8R, 8LS, and 8RS at the front left, the front center, and the front right, the back left and the back right, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1A. The respective speakers reproduce sound based on the signal input thereto. As described above, in the reproducing system with 5-channel speakers, the sound volume can be adjusted channel by channel. In addition, reproduction can be stopped in any or all channels.
On the other hand, in stereo reproduction, the five input signals L, C, R, LS, and RS undergo down-mixing at a down mixer Dmix. During down-mixing, the input signals are converted into 2-channel audio output signals Lo and Ro, which are then supplied to the front left and front right speakers 8L and 8R: Each of the two speakers 8L and 8R reproduce sound based on the signal input thereto. The down mixer Dmix includes a circuit that down-mixes 5-channel audio input signals L, C, R, LS, and RS as described hereinafter.
The 2-channel audio output signals Lo and Ro, which are obtained by down-mixing and supplied to the front left and front right speakers 8L and 8R, are normally expressed as: EQU Lo=L+0.7C+0.7LS EQU Ro=R+0.7C+0.7RS
When 5-channel audio signals are converted into 2-channel audio signals, simple down-mixing may provide unnatural 2-channel reproduction depending on the nature of the 5-channel audio signals. For instance, there may be a case where absence of the surround-channel audio signals LS and RS results in natural reproduction. For this reason, the conventional down mixer Dmix uses a circuit controlled by a control signal Cont to selectively turn on and off the addition of the surround channel audio signals LS and RS, as shown in FIG. 2. To prevent a sense of incongruity from being introduced into the sound field in reproduction, the control signal Cont is not manipulatable by the user. As a rule, the user cannot enter the control signal Cont into the down mixer arbitrarily. Generally, the control signal is determined on the transmission side or the recording side and recorded on an optical disk or a like recording medium. When down-mixing is performed, the audio signals transmitted via a plurality of transmitting channels are reproduced at output channels, where the number of output channels is smaller than the number of transmitting channels. During conventional down-mixing the user cannot change the conversion coefficients including the mixing ratio.
In recent years, in Japan and many other foreign countries, karaoke systems have become very popular, where the user himself or herself sings with background music. Although various karaoke systems have been proposed and those with various functions have been developed, a multi-functional karaoke system that can sufficiently comply with the demands of users has not yet been realized. Similarly, there have been various special demands in systems such as karaoke, for example, when of special reproduction uses, such as a rendering of a particular musical instrument may be reproduced in addition to karaoke.
In systems such as karaoke, to comply with the demands of the users appropriately, it has been necessary to prepare as many audio programs as there are demands and to pre-record data for each audio program on a recording medium. Such systems are problematic since they require a tremendous recording capacity. To reduce memory requirements, a surround sound system has been considered. However, since conventional surround sound systems have not taken into account special applications including karaoke, it is difficult to simply apply such special applications to a surround sound system. Thus, in conventional surround sound systems used for special applications such as karaoke, some improvements are needed. Specifically, when down-mixing is conducted, the audio signals transmitted via a plurality of channels are reproduced at a number of output channels fever than the number of transmission channels. Because the user cannot change the conversion coefficients including the mixing radio once conventional down-mixing is effected, it is necessary to allocate channels, taking into consideration how to handle both those audio signals normally reproduced and those audio signals not normally reproduced. As described above, to provide special applications including karaoke which comply with the various demands of the users, it is necessary to combine a conventional surround sound system with a special system (i.e., a karaoke system) and it is necessary to consider the compatibility between them.

Audio system which not only enables the application of the surround system standard to special playback uses but also easily maintains compatibility with a surround system


The present invention is directed to a shift locking apparatus for blocking a shifting movement unless a special operation is conducted such as the depression of a foot brake by an operator, when a shift lever of an automatic transmission is moved from a specified shift position of a parking "P" and the like to another shift position, wherein when releasing of the shift lock is conducted by an electrically operated actuator such as a solenoid, the shift lock can be released by use of a key for a vehicle even in a condition where the electrically operated actuator is not used. The operation of a key cylinder by use of the key of the vehicle by the operator causes the shift lock to be released, ensuring that the operator can move the shift lever to any other shift position, thereby permitting the vehicle to be moved even if there is some trouble such as electrical trouble.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a locking apparatus for a shift lever of an automatic transmission, and particularly, to a locking apparatus for a shift lever of an automatic transmission, in which the locking of the shift lever can be released manually.
2. Description of the Related Art
The shift lever of the automatic transmission is of a construction in which the shift lever is brought out of engagement with a detent plate by the movement in the shift lever axial direction of a detent pin mounted on the shift lever, thereby permitting a shifting operation. A known shift lever locking apparatus in which the shift lever can be operated only under a specific condition such as during a braking operation or the like including one in which the detent pin is restrained by a solenoid (see Japanese Utility Model Application Laid open No. 176253/84). In such a shift lever locking apparatus, when the shift lever is in a parking range (P range), engagement of the detent pin with a plunger of the solenoid causes the shifting movement of the shift lever to be restrained, while enabling the withdrawal of a key from an ignition key-insertion cylinder. Therefore, in a state in which the key has been withdrawn from the cylinder (i.e., in an engine-stopped state), the movement of the detent pin is prevented by the solenoid, and the shift lever is fixed in the P range. If an ignition switch is in an "on" position, the solenoid is excited, so that the solenoid plunger is pulled into the solenoid to permit the movement of the detent pin, thereby ensuring that the shift lever can be freely shifted.
Apart from such an apparatus, there is also known a locking apparatus for a shift lever, which is designed so that the solenoid is energized when a braking operation is conducted.
In this locking apparatus for a shift lever of an automatic transmission, the provision of a manual releasing member for forcibly moving the solenoid plunger manually to release the restraint of the shift lever ensures that the vehicle can be moved even when there is trouble with the electrical system of a vehicle or when the vehicle is being repaired under a condition where the power source has been disconnected. However, it is desirable that the manual releasing member cannot be operated except when necessary.

Locking apparatus for shift lever of automatic transmission


Disclosed herein are systems and method for preventing malware reoccurrence when restoring a computing device using a backup image. In one exemplary aspect, a method may identify, from a plurality of backup images for a computing device, a backup image that was created most recently before the computing device was compromised. The method may mount the backup image as a disk and scanning the disk for malicious software. The method may disable all ports and services on the computing device to prevent unauthorized network connections and service launches. The method may restore data to the computing device from the mounted disk. The method may update software on the computing device and applying latest patches, and reopen the ports and restart the services on the computing device subsequent to updating the software and applying the latest patches.

Anti-virus software can generally detect an infection of a system, and remove or remediate all the infected data. In order to restore the data, however, the antivirus software must ensure that the restored data is extracted from the backup copy that was made just prior to the occurrence of the malicious software attack. For safe remediation, "clean" and trustworthy backups must be identified in the chain of regular user backups, and this clean backup must not be affected by the malware attack. After a computer system has been cleaned from viruses/malware, the vulnerability may persist because the necessary operating system updates were not made earlier. Because of this, immediate re-infection is possible and must be avoided.
Concurrently, data that has been changed or added since this backup was created must also be restored in order to minimize data loss. Therefore, the antivirus software and backup software must work together to find a backup that was created at a time closest to the moment when the malware attack was detected. This ensures that the system restores the latest copy of the data that is not infected by a virus and other malicious software.
Data changes often in large organizations and companies, thus significantly complicating this problem. Furthermore, the number of backups is quite large because hundreds or thousands of servers have their data backed up often. Even one or two days of difference between the backup and the attack can significantly affect the relevance of data files, documents, databases and the like.

System and method of preventing malware reoccurrence when restoring a computing device using a backup image


Methods and apparatus for components according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with reaction bonded silicon nitride (RBSN). In one embodiment, a missile radome comprises a wall defining the radome body, including a base and a tip. The wall may comprise a core and one or more skins adjacent the core, such as in a sandwich configuration. The core and the skins may have different densities. The radome wall may be configured to transmit wideband RF signals. The RBSN may be extruded to form the radome.

Many systems and structures perform under varying, and often extreme, conditions. For example, systems exposed to high heat conditions must perform their functions at high temperatures. Such extreme temperatures or other conditions are common for certain aircraft, such as high-speed airplanes, missiles, and spacecraft. Hypersonic missiles travel through the atmosphere at speeds in the Mach 5-7 range or higher, which may expose missile elements to stagnation temperatures of approximately 1400° C. or more for several minutes.
Performance of aircraft elements may be limited by such high temperatures. Radomes present exemplary design issues for such high temperature applications. Missile radome performance may be limited by temperature, as well as waveband transmittance, material, process maturity, and affordability. Radomes, thermal protection systems (TPS), and aircraft leading edges require high temperature capability over sustained periods, all-weather durability, and electrical and/or thermal performance characteristics at a reasonable cost.
Further, as missile systems assume multiple roles and become more autonomous, missile seekers need to detect, discriminate, and track a larger variety of targets. Targets may be detected at dissimilar frequencies, employ various forms of jamming and/or countermeasures, and reside in operational environments with differing amounts of clutter. Broadband radomes may allow multiple sensors for broadband detection, as well as more effective narrowband seekers, for example by allowing use of multiple seeker combinations without changing the radome and/or future use of alternative seekers without redesigning and replacing the radome itself.
Numerous and complex design considerations affect radomes, especially high-speed broadband radomes. Electrical properties include transmission loss, sidelobe degradation, boresight error, bandwidth, and polarization. Aerodynamic factors may comprise drag, heating and ablation, while mechanical concerns include weight, shock resistance, vibration, impact resistance, and material static strength. Material selection may affect dielectric loss, operating temperature, strength, impact resistance, and manufacturing tolerances. Also, RF signature, IR signature, and optical observance factors play a role in design. From an environmental standpoint, rain erosion, hail/bird impacts, static discharge, lightning strikes, temperature, moisture, fluids/fungus, and thermal shock are all factors that should be evaluated. Cost considerations can also affect the design and deployment of a radome, including costs associated with development, fabrication facilities, and testing.

Methods and apparatus for high performance structures


Embodiments of the invention comprise a new device and technique to realize an improved throughput of a BARC layer furnace deposition device. This improvement is achieved by providing for a higher flow rate of NH3 during the BARC deposition process. Also, this improvement may be achieved by reducing the temperature gradient of the BARC layer furnace deposition device to approximately 715-750xc2x0 C. For example, approximately a 1-10% blend of NH3 in at least one of Argon, Nitrogen, and Helium is utilized. By diluting the NH3, a higher flow rate may be utilized in the furnace deposition device, thus allowing for an increased load uniformity of the BARC layer thickness, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and reflectivity characteristics. Also, the NH3 depletion is reduced and preferably eliminated due to the higher flow rate of the diluted NH3. Further, this diluted NH3 allows for a reduced DCS requirement, thus reducing maintenance requirements, exhaust component contamination and allowing for a lowering of the particulates. The diluted NH3 is preferably supplied at approximately 200-500 SCCM, and the DCS flow rate is reduced to approximately 100-150 SCCM, at a pressure of approximately 200-350 mTorr.

The present invention relates generally to an integrated circuit (xe2x80x9cICxe2x80x9d). More specifically, this invention relates to the fabrication of an integrated circuit having an improved method and apparatus for an increased throughput furnace nitride bottom anti-reflective coating (xe2x80x9cBARCxe2x80x9d) process.
The present invention applies particularly to the fabrication of logic devices and integrated circuits. Some examples of integrated circuits include an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory device, and a complementary metal oxide silicon (xe2x80x9cCMOSxe2x80x9d) type device. An exemplary device may comprise a field-effect transistor (xe2x80x9cFETxe2x80x9d) containing a metal gate over thermal oxide over silicon (xe2x80x9cMOSFETxe2x80x9d), as well as other ultra-large-scale integrated-circuit (xe2x80x9cULSIxe2x80x9d) systems.
Integrated circuits are utilized in a wide variety of commercial and military electronic devices, including, e.g., hand held telephones, radios and digital cameras. The market for these electronic devices continues to demand devices with a lower voltage, a lower power consumption and a decreased chip size. Also, the demand for greater functionality is driving the xe2x80x9cdesign rulexe2x80x9d lower, for example, into the sub-half micron range. The sub-half micron range may comprise, e.g., decreasing from a 0.35-0.25 micron technology to a 0.18 micron or a 0.15 micron technology, or even lower.
In fabricating a conventional circuit cell, polysilicon is preferably used for a conductive layer formation. The conductive layer is utilized to form a gate structure. In defining a conventional gate structure, polysilicon is first deposited upon a substrate. Next, a BARC layer is formed over the polysilicon. Then a photoresist layer is spun onto the BARC layer.
In order to form the conventional BARC layer, an Si-rich Nitride process is utilized to deposit the BARC layer in a furnace environment. However, for the conventional BARC process, a full furnace load cannot be utilized due to a process variation from the top to the bottom of the furnace deposition device. Thus, an inefficiency is caused in the production of semiconductor devices, because the full physical capacity of the furnace deposition devices cannot be utilized.
For example, in a conventional furnace deposition, a pressure of 100-600 mTorr is utilized. A conventional gas flow comprises ammonia (xe2x80x9cNH3xe2x80x9d) at a flow rate of 10-30 SCCM and Dichlorosilane (xe2x80x9cDCSxe2x80x9d) (SiH2Cl2) at 300-450 SCCM. Conventionally, the furnace deposition experiences a temperature in a first or top zone of 750-770xc2x0 C., a second or center zone temperature of 720-730xc2x0 C., and a third or bottom zone of 700-720xc2x0 C. Conventionally, the top, center and bottom zones comprise approximately equal volumetric divisions of the furnace deposition device.
Because of the relatively low concentrations of NH3 utilized in the conventional BARC layer furnace deposition process, it is relatively difficult to obtain a uniform quality of the semiconductor devices if the entire furnace device is loaded, i.e., if the entire volume available is utilized or filled with a complete load of semiconductor devices, or wafers, to be coated with a BARC layer.
For example, if the device is utilized at a full load rate, then the thickness, the refractive index (xe2x80x9cRIxe2x80x9d), the extinction coefficient (xe2x80x9ckxe2x80x9d) and the reflectivity are degraded. Also, the temperature gradient across the furnace deposition device causes problems with the uniformity of these factors and thus causes problems with uniformity of the deposition of the BARC layer across all of the full load of wafers. Thus, a reduced load is run in the device so as to avoid the extremes of temperature, e.g., in the upper portions of the top zone and lower portion of the bottom zone. This reduced load, in turn, allows for a more uniform deposition of the BARC layer.
One solution conventionally practiced is to utilize a high, i.e., an excessive, flow rate of DCS in order to attempt to maintain load uniformity. However, utilizing these excessive DCS flow rates may cause, for example, a buildup of more byproducts on the exhaust components. Thus, not only is a full load not presently able to be utilized within the furnace deposition devices, but when nearly a full load is utilized with excessive flow rates of DCS, the maintenance requirements of the exhaust components becomes a problem. Also, with excessive DCS, an increased problem with particulates is encountered.
What is needed is a device and method for improving the throughput of a BARC layer furnace deposition device. What is also needed is a device and method for improving the ability of the BARC layer furnace deposition device to operate with a relatively reduced DCS flow. What is also needed is a device and method for improving the ability of the BARC layer furnace deposition device to operate with a reduced temperature gradient across the furnace device. What is also needed is a device and method for improving the maintenance and/or reducing the exhaust components and/or reducing the particulates of a BARC layer furnace deposition device.
Embodiments of the present invention are best understood by examining the detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the drawings. However, a brief summary of embodiments of the present invention follows.
Briefly described, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a device and a method that provides for an improved throughput of a BARC layer furnace deposition device. This improvement is achieved by providing for a higher flow rate of NH3 during the BARC deposition process. Also, this improvement may be achieved by reducing the temperature gradient of the BARC layer furnace deposition device to approximately 715-750xc2x0 C.
For example, NH3 diluted in at least one of Argon, Nitrogen, and Helium, e.g., approximately a 1-10% blend of NH3 in Ar, may be utilized. By diluting the NH3, a higher flow rate may be utilized in the furnace deposition device, thus allowing for an increased load, and uniformity of the BARC layer thickness, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and reflectivity characteristics.
Also, the NH3 depletion is reduced and preferably eliminated due to the higher flow rate of the diluted NH3. Further, this diluted NH3 allows for a reduced DCS requirement, thus reducing maintenance requirements, exhaust component contamination, and also allows for a lowering of the particulates. The diluted NH3 is preferably supplied at approximately 200-500 SCCM, and the DCS flow rate is preferably reduced to approximately 100-150 SCCM, at a pressure of approximately 100-600 mTorr and may also be supplied within a more narrow range of 200-350 mTorr.
Other arrangements and modifications will be understood by examining the detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the drawings.

Method and apparatus for an increased throughput furnace nitride BARC process


A dual spin valve (SV) sensor is provided with a longitudinal bias stack sandwiched between a first SV stack and a second SV stack. The longitudinal bias stack comprises an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer sandwiched between first and second ferromagnetic layers. The first and second SV stacks comprise antiparallel (AP)-pinned layers pinned by AFM layers made of an AFM material having a higher blocking temperature than the AFM material of the bias stack allowing the AP-pinned layers to be pinned in a transverse direction and the bias stack to be pinned in a longitudinal direction. The demagnetizing fields of the two AP-pinned layers cancel each other and the bias stack provides flux closures for the sense layers of the first and second SV stacks.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to spin valve magnetic transducers for reading information signals from a magnetic medium and, in particular, to a dual spin valve sensor with a longitudinal bias stack between first and second spin valve stacks of the dual sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computers often include auxiliary memory storage devices having media on which data can be written and from which data can be read for later use. A direct access storage device (disk drive) incorporating rotating magnetic disks is commonly used for storing data in magnetic form on the disk surfaces. Data is recorded on concentric, radially spaced tracks on the disk surfaces. Magnetic heads including read sensors are then used to read data from the tracks on the disk surfaces.
In high capacity disk drives, magnetoresistive (MR) read sensors, commonly referred to as MR sensors, are the prevailing read sensors because of their capability to read data from a surface of a disk at greater track and linear densities than thin film inductive heads. An MR sensor detects a magnetic field through the change in the resistance of its MR sensing layer (also referred to as an "MR element") as a function of the strength and direction of the magnetic flux being sensed by the MR layer.
The conventional MR sensor operates on the basis of the anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) effect in which an MR element resistance varies as the square of the cosine of the angle between the magnetization in the MR element and the direction of sense current flowing through the MR element. Recorded data can be read from a magnetic medium because the external magnetic field from the recorded magnetic medium (the signal field) causes a change in the direction of magnetization in the MR element, which in turn causes a change in resistance in the MR element and a corresponding change in the sensed current or voltage.
Another type of MR sensor is the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor manifesting the GMR effect. In GMR sensors, the resistance of the MR sense layer varies as a function of the spin-dependent transmission of the conduction electrons between magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic spacer layer and the accompanying spin-dependent scattering which takes place at the interface of the magnetic and nonmagnetic layers and within the magnetic layers.
GMR sensors using only two layers of ferromagnetic material (e.g., Ni—Fe) separated by a layer of nonmagnetic material (e.g., copper) are generally referred to as spin valve (SV) sensors manifesting the SV effect.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art SV sensor 100 comprising end regions 104 and 106 separated by a central region 102. A first ferromagnetic layer, referred to as a pinned (or reference) layer 120, has its magnetization typically fixed (pinned) by exchange coupling with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer 125. The magnetization of a second ferromagnetic layer, referred to as a free (or sense) layer 110, is not fixed and is free to rotate in response to the magnetic field from the recorded magnetic medium (the signal field). The free layer 110 is separated from the pinned layer 120 by a nonmagnetic, electrically conducting spacer layer 115. Hard bias layers 130 and 135 formed in the end regions 104 and 106, respectively, provide longitudinal bias fields for stabilizing the free layer 110. Leads 140 and 145 formed on hard bias layers 130 and 135, respectively, provide electrical connections for sensing the resistance of SV sensor 100. In the SV sensor 100, because the sense current flow between the leads 140 and 145 is in the plane of the SV sensor layers, the sensor is known as a current-in-plane (CIP) SV sensor. IBM's U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,590 granted to Dieny et al., incorporated herein by reference, discloses a SV sensor operating on the basis of the GMR effect.
Another type of GMR sensor is an antiparallel (AP)-pinned SV sensor. The AP-pinned SV sensor differs from the simple SV sensor in that an AP-pinned structure has multiple thin film layers instead of a single pinned layer. The AP-pinned structure has an antiparallel coupling (APC) layer sandwiched between first and second ferromagnetic pinned layers. The first pinned layer has its magnetization oriented in a first direction by exchange coupling to the antiferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer. The second pinned layer is immediately adjacent to the free layer and is antiparallel exchange coupled to the first pinned layer because of the minimal thickness (in the order of 8 Å) of the APC layer between the first and second pinned layers. Accordingly, the magnetization of the second pinned layer is oriented in a second direction that is antiparallel to the direction of the magnetization of the first pinned layer.
The AP-pinned structure is preferred over the single pinned layer because the magnetizations of the first and second pinned layers of the AP-pinned structure subtractively combine to provide a net magnetization that is much less than the magnetization of the single pinned layer. The direction of the net magnetization is determined by the thicker of the first and second pinned layers. A reduced net magnetization equates to a reduced demagnetization field from the AP-pinned structure. Since the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling is inversely proportional to the net magnetization, this increases exchange coupling between the first pinned layer and the antiferromagnetic pinning layer. The AP-pinned SV sensor is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,185 to Heim and Parkin which is incorporated by reference herein.
Another type of magnetic device currently under development is a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device. The MTJ device has potential applications as a memory cell and as a magnetic field sensor. The MTJ device comprises two ferromagnetic layers separated by a thin, electrically insulating, tunnel barrier layer. The tunnel barrier layer is sufficiently thin that quantum-mechanical tunneling of charge carriers occurs between the ferromagnetic layers. The tunneling process is electron spin dependent, which means that the tunneling current across the junction depends on the spin-dependent electronic properties of the ferromagnetic materials and is a function of the relative orientation of the magnetizations of the two ferromagnetic layers. In the MTJ sensor, one ferromagnetic layer has its magnetization fixed, or pinned, and the other ferromagnetic layer has its magnetization free to rotate in response to an external magnetic field from the recording medium (the signal field). When an electric potential is applied between the two ferromagnetic layers, the sensor resistance is a function of the tunneling current across the insulating layer between the ferromagnetic layers. Since the tunneling current that flows perpendicularly through the tunnel barrier layer depends on the relative magnetization directions of the two ferromagnetic layers, recorded data can be read from a magnetic medium because the signal field causes a change of direction of magnetization of the free layer, which in turn causes a change in resistance of the MTJ sensor and a corresponding change in the sensed current or voltage. IBM's U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,958 granted to Gallagher et al., incorporated in its entirety herein by reference, discloses an MTJ sensor operating on the basis of the magnetic tunnel junction effect.
FIG. 2 shows a prior art MTJ sensor 200 comprising a first electrode 204, a second electrode 202, and a tunnel barrier layer 215. The first electrode 204 comprises a pinned layer (ferromagnetic pinned layer) 220, an antiferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer 230, and a seed layer 240. The magnetization of the pinned layer 220 is fixed through exchange coupling with the AFM layer 230. The second electrode 202 comprises a free layer (ferromagnetic free layer) 210 and a cap layer 205. The free layer 210 is separated from the pinned layer 220 by a nonmagnetic, electrically insulating tunnel barrier layer 215. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the free layer 210 has its magnetization oriented in the direction shown by arrow 212, that is, generally perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the pinned layer 220 shown by arrow 222 (tail of an arrow pointing into the plane of the paper). A first lead 260 and a second lead 265 formed in contact with first electrode 204 and second electrode 202, respectively, provide electrical connections for the flow of sensing current Is from a current source 270 to the MTJ sensor 200. Because the sensing current is perpendicular to the plane of the sensor layers, the MTJ sensor 200 is known as a current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) sensor. A signal detector 280, typically including a recording channel such as a partial-response maximum-likelihood (PRML) channel, connected to the first and second leads 260 and 265 senses the change in resistance due to magnetization changes induced in the free layer 210 by the external magnetic field.
Two types of current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) sensors have been extensively explored for magnetic recording at ultrahigh densities (≧20 Gb/in2). One is a GMR spin valve sensor and the other is a MTJ sensor. Two challenging issues are encountered when the CPP sensor is used for ever increasing magnetic recording densities. First, the GMR coefficient may not be high enough to ensure adequate signal amplitude as the sensor width is decreased and second, magnetic stabilization of the sense layer can be difficult due to the use of insulating layers to avoid current shorting around the active region of the sensor. A dual CPP sensor can be used to provide increased magnetoresistive response to a signal field due to the additive response of the two sensors. IBM's U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,238 granted to Baumgart et al. discloses a dual CIP SV sensor. However, sensor stability still remains a major concern.
There is a continuing need to increase the GMR coefficient and reduce the thickness of GMR sensors while improving sensor stability. An increase in the GMR coefficient and reduced sensor geometry equates to higher bit density (bits/square inch of the rotating magnetic disk) read by the read head.

Method for manufacturing a dual spin valve sensor having a longitudinal bias stack

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B. V.


A digital data recording apparatus, which can record the exact acquisition time of data, a sampling data identification method thereof, and a program for identifying sampling data, are provided. A CPU 11 reads out the program of a first conversion formula. The CPU 11 uses the first conversion formula to convert a time series of detection temperature data into a time series of actual oscillation frequencies f″ of a reference clock signal. At a subsequent step, the CPU 11 calculates the respective normal sampling timings employing the current time as a reference time by dividing a time series of count values by each of the actual oscillation frequencies f″ corresponding to the respective count values.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a digital data recording apparatus, a sampling data identification method thereof, and a program for identifying sampling data.
2. Description of the Related Art
A seismometer for monitoring ground tremors at a certain monitoring point and an apparatus for recording earthquake motion waveforms thereof are already known. In this case, the recording apparatus receives an analog signal, which corresponds to the ground motion at the aforementioned monitoring point, from the seismometer provided at that point. In addition, the recording apparatus also generates timing data that is synchronized with sampling time obtained by dividing a reference clock signal produced by an oscillator (for example, a quartz crystal oscillator). The recording apparatus then subjects the analog signal from the sensor to A/D conversion at a timing that is synchronized with the sampling time in order to produce digital data. The recording apparatus then records this digital data together with the aforementioned sampling time. Since this recorded digital data and sampling time are, for example, used to identify the location of the hypocenter of an earthquake or to estimate the subsurface structure of locations to which seismic waves were transmitted or the like, it is necessary to know the exact sampling time at which each piece of digital data was sampled.
However, since the oscillation frequency of a reference clock signal, which defines the timing that is synchronized with the sampling time, may deviate from an oscillation frequency for generating an exact time, there is a problem that in some cases the exact sampling time can not be recorded.
Technology that attempts to solve this problem is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent No. 2004-29037 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent No. 2002-122447.

Digital data recording apparatus, sampling data identification method thereof, and program for identifying sampling data

National University Corporation Nagoya University


Novel conditioning polymers containing (meth)acrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, meth(acrylic acid) or 2-(meth)acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and, optionally, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 alkyl (meth) acrylate and the use thereof in a cosmetically acceptable medium for the treatment of a keratin-containing substrate are disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel ampholyte polymers, polymer compositions and methods for using such polymers and compositions in personal care applications. In general terms, the polymers and polymer compositions of the present invention are believed to be useful in the treatment of keratin-containing substrates. Keratin substrates include, but are not limited to, animal and human hair, skin and nails.
More particularly, the instant invention relates to polymer compositions and methods for treating keratin in which a cosmetically acceptable medium is used which contains at least about 0.01% by weight of an ampholyte polymer comprising acrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride or methacrylamido-propyltrimethyl ammonium chloride; acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanol sulfonic acid or 2-methacrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid; and, optionally, an alkyl (meth)acrylate. Preferably, the cosmetically acceptable medium is a hair care product such as a shampoo, conditioner, styling product or rinse, or a skin care product such as a cleaner, lotion or cream.
The surface properties of keratin are of interest in cosmetic science, and there has been a long-standing desire to discover ingredients which will beneficially affect the topical and bulk condition of keratinous substrates, such as hair. For example, such ingredients must have adequate adherent properties, so that they are not only adsorbed initially, but are also retained on exposure to water. This property is referred to as "substantivity", i.e., the ability of a material to be adsorbed onto keratin and to resist removal by water rinse-off.
Hair is composed of keratin, a sulfur-containing fibrous protein. The isoelectric point of keratin, and more specifically of hair, is generally in the pH range of 3.2-4.0. Therefore, at the pH of a typical shampoo, hair carries a net negative charge. Consequently, cationic polymers have long been used as conditioners in shampoo formulations, or as a separate treatment, in order to improve the wet and dry combability of the hair. The substantivity of the cationic polymers for negatively charged hair along with film formation facilitates detangling during wet hair combing and a reduction in static flyaway during dry hair combing. Cationic polymers generally also impart softness and suppleness to hair.
When cationic polymers are added to shampoos (or to skin care products such as cleaning compositions)containing anionic surfactants, formation of highly surface active association complexes generally takes place, which imparts improved foam stability to the shampoo. Maximum surface activity and foam stability, or lather, are achieved at near stoichiometric ratios of anionic surfactant: cationic polymer, where the complex is least water soluble. Generally, cationic conditioners exhibit some incompatibility at these ratios. Compatibility gives a commercially more desirable clear formulation, while incompatibility leads to a haze or precipitation, which is aesthetically less desirable in some formulations.
Hair fixative properties such as curl retention are believed to be directly related to film forming properties of cationic polymers, as well as to molecular weight, with performance generally increasing with increasing molecular weight. However, the fixative properties conferred by cationic polymers generally tend to have a reciprocal relationship to other conditioning properties, i.e., good curl retention usually means that properties such as wet compatibility will suffer, and vice versa.
Surprisingly, it has been found that the instant ampholyte polymers, which comprise: a) acrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (APTAC) or methacrylamidopropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC); b) acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid (MAA), 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPSA) or 2-methacrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (MAMPSA); and c) optionally, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 straight or branched alkyl acrylate or methacrylate; are generally useful in cosmetic formulations and provide particularly improved conditioning properties to hair products. Aside from improved conditioning, as measured by combability, substantivity, flyaway and/or feel, these polymers at the same time may improve, but are generally not detrimental to, hair fixative properties such as curl retention.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an effective amount of an ampholyte polymer containing AA, MAPTAC and methyl acrylate moieties is added to an anionic surfactant-containing hair or skin care product, preferably a hair care product. Thus, the polymer compositions of the present invention can be used in, inter alia, shampoos, conditioners, rinses, coloring products, bleaching products, setting lotions, blow-drying lotions, restructuring lotions, perms and straightening products.
Aside from hair care uses, skin and nail conditioning products are desired which function to improve properties such as retention of moisture, softening of the skin, attraction of air moisture, retardation of water loss, feel and reduction of skin irritations caused by contact with cosmetic ingredients. Examples of such products include detergents, lotions and soaps.
Generally, two broad areas of skin care products have been recognized as skin conditioners: emollients and humectants. Emollients generally provide improved moisture retention in the skin and plasticization/softening of the skin. Common commercial emollients are mineral oil; petrolatum; aliphatic alcohols, such as stearyl alcohol; lanolin and its derivatives; glycol stearate; and fatty acids, such as triethanolamine oleate. Humectants generally attract moisture, retard evaporation of water from the skin surface, and plasticize/soften skin. Common commercial humectants include glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitols, and polyethylene glycols.
A desirable skin conditioner should impart at least some of the attributes of an emollient or a humectant, as well as provide improved lubricity and feel to the skin after treatment and/or reduce skin irritation caused by other components in the conditioner such as, for example, soaps, detergents, foam boosters, surfactants, and perfumes. It is known by those skilled in the art that cationic polymers may be employed as skin and nail conditioners.
At times, it is also desirable that the ingredients of skin and nail care products have adequate adherent properties, so that they are not only adsorbed initially, but are also retained on exposure to water. This property, as in hair care applications, is referred to as "substantivity", i.e., the ability of a material contacted with the keratin of skin or nails to resist removal by water rinse-off. Generally, pH's typical of use conditions, skin and nails carry a net negative charge. Consequently, cationic polymers have long been used as conditioners in nail and skin care formulations. The substantivity of the cationic polymers for negatively charged skin and nails leads to film formation that facilitates lubricity, moisturizing and feel. Two commercially used cationic polymers are Merquat.RTM. 550 (Commercially available from Calgon Corporation), a copolymer of acrylamide and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, and Polymer JR.RTM. (Commercially available for Union Carbide), a quaternary nitrogen-containing hydroxyethyl cellulose.
The skin and nail conditioning properties of lubricity, moisturizing and feel, are related to the film forming properties of the cationic monomers, as well as to molecular weight, with performance generally increasing with increasing molecular weight.
The conditioning property improvements of the instant polymers and polymer compositions are believed to be applicable to skin and nail care products. Further, It will be appreciated that fragile or brittle nails may be strengthened or hardened, and the appearance of the nails improved, as a result of the use of the instant ampholyte polymers.
2. Brief Description of the Background Art
Keratin conditioning additives generally are of three primary types: cationic polymers, proteins or protein derivatives, and fatty quaternary ammonium compounds. Commonly used cationic polymers include: quaternary nitrogen-containing hydroxyethyl cellulose compounds, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and dimethylamino-ethylmethacrylate, and amino functional polydimethyl-siloxane. Hydrolyzed animal protein has been frequently used as a keratin conditioner. Also used are natural products such as collagen and casein. Suitable quaternary ammonium compounds include such products as stearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.
Conditioning additives comprising copolymers of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride and other monomers are well known; see, e.g., EP 308189 (with acrylamide)and EP 0 308 190 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,071 (with hydroxyethyl cellulose). The use of such polymers in cosmetics is also described in Sykes et al., Drug Cosmet. Ind., 126(2), 62, 64, 66, 68,136 (1980). Amphoteric betaines have also been employed in cosmetic compositions; see GB 2,113, 245 which discloses use of betainized dialkylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylate together with a cationic polymer.
The use of polymers of dimethyidiallylammonium chloride (DMDAAC) in the treatment of keratin is also known. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,175,572 and 3,986,825. U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,218 discloses DMDAAC-based ampholyte terpolymers containing acrylamide for hair care applications, while U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,809 discloses DMDAAC-based ampholyte terpolymers containing acrylamidomethylpropyl sulfonic acid for hair care uses.
While the use of various combinations of cationic, anionic and/or nonionic polymers as additives for hair, skin and nail conditioning compositions has been suggested heretofore, there has been no appreciation that a significant improvement in conditioning properties could be obtained by employing an ampholyte polymer of the type described herein.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,458 discloses hair conditioning polymers containing alkoxylated nitrogen salts of sulfonic acid which may also include additional monomers that may be neutral, anionic and/or cationic. While these include acrylamide, acrylic acid and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, there is no suggestion of the ampholyte polymers of the present invention.
EP 0 353 987 discloses polymers for water-rinsable personal care products including conditioning shampoos, comprising a cationic monomer including dimethyidiallylammonium chloride, a monomer that carries a pendant group A.sub.n R where n is 0 or a positive integer, A is ethyleneoxy and R is a hydrocarbyl group of 8 to 30 carbon atoms, and optionally a nonionic and/or an anionic monomer. However, there is no suggestion of the ampholyte terpolymers of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,374 discloses compositions suitable for treating hair comprising a cationic polymer including poly(dimethyidiallylammonium chloride), and an anionic latex, but there is no suggestion of the ampholyte terpolymers of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,849 discloses compositions suitable for treating keratin comprising at least one cationic polymer including poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), and at least one anionic polymer containing vinylsulfonic groups, optionally copolymerized with acrylamide. The cationic polymer may be an amphoteric polymer as defined, but none of these combinations suggest the ampholyte terpolymers of the present invention.
EP 0 080 976 discloses aqueous hair-cosmetic compositions containing a surface active polymeric acrylic-based quaternary ammonium salt, a monomeric or oligomeric ammonium salt, and a surface active nonionic, anionic or zwitterionic component. The ampholyte polymers of the present invention are not suggested.
DE 4401 708 Al discloses the use of low molecule weight MAPTAC/acrylic acid polymers in cosmetic applications. The high molecular weight (i.e., greater than 100,000) polymers of the instant invention are not disclosed or suggested.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,631 discloses a method of imparting lubricity to keratinous substrates such as skin or hair by contacting said substrates with a salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPSA) having a molecular weight of from 1-5 million. See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,422. The ampholyte polymers of the present invention and their unexpected advantageous properties are not suggested.
The ampholyte polymers of the present invention and compositions containing such polymers are novel because of their unique structure, molecular weight, conditioning properties, and their general advancement of the state of the keratin conditioning art. The polymers of the present invention afford conditioning properties which are a surprising improvement over those possessed by the keratin conditioning additives in the prior art described above. Thus, for hair care, properties such as detangling, wet compatibility, wet feel, dry feel, sheen, static flyaway control, and/or curl retention are improved while, for skin and nail care, properties such strength and appearance, retention of skin moisture, softening of the skin, attraction of air moisture, retardation of skin water loss and/or, feel and reduction of skin irritations caused by contact with detergents, soaps and the like are improved.

Ampholyte polymers for use in personal care products