A transmission control system is proposed for reducing thermal load on engaging elements (2, 3, 4, 5) in a gearbox (1) during the starting operation. The gearbox (1) has an input shaft (7) and an output shaft (9) and at least two engaging elements or clutches (2, 3, 4, 5) each of which is allocated to a gear and comprises a first clutch half (21, 31, 41, 51) which transmits the force coming from the direction of the input shaft (7) onto a second clutch half (22, 32, 42, 52) which in turn transmits the force in the direction of the output shaft (9). Transmission elements (11, 12, 13) and shafts (7, 8, 9, 23, 33, 40, 50) are mounted between the input shaft (7) and a first clutch (2, 3) and/or between the first clutch (2, 3) and a second clutch (4, 5) and/or between the second clutch (4, 5) and a further clutch or the output shaft (9). The engaging elements (2, 3, 4, 5) are actuated via an actuation system (17) by a regulation and control unit (14) which receives system status data from sensors in such a way that at least two of the engaging elements (2, 3, 4, 5) are actuated simultaneously during the starting operation.

In the transmissions known from the practice which are capable of making the starting operation possible without special starting elements, such as a fluid clutch, a converter, or a separate starting clutch, the engaging elements that slip during the starting operation are exposed to high thermal loads. The clutch has to absorb the complete power loss or frictional energy particularly when the starting operation is effected via a single engaging element or a single clutch. This high load requires a correspondingly sturdy design of the clutch, which disadvantageously entails the need of larger space, greater weight of the engaging elements and elevated production costs.
DE 38 12 327 has disclosed a process for adjusting a double-clutch transmission and a double-clutch transmission of a motor vehicle. The double-clutch has one input shaft and one output shaft which can be interconnected by spur-toothed gear pairs selectively meshable. One first clutch and one second clutch are provided in which the halves of the first clutch are non-rotatably connected with the input shaft and the halves of the second clutch with a shaft or a hollow shaft surrounding the shaft. Engaging means serve to actuate the clutches in order to drive in one gear the force flow between input and output shafts via the clutch, the shaft, the gearshift sleeves and a first set of gear pairs or, in an adjoining gear via the second clutch, the hollow shaft, gearshift sleeves and a second set of gear pairs. When starting the motor vehicle, one appertaining clutch and one appertaining gearshift sleeve of one gear, and the outer clutch and one gearshift sleeve of another gear allocated to the other clutch are simultaneously actuated. Then when the output speed of the clutch of one of the gears reaches the input speed thereof, the force flow is interrupted in the gear.
For the friction or friction work of the starting clutch or starting clutches for a double-clutch transmission in which both input clutches are used for starting, this known process or this double-clutch transmission constitutes a possibility of reducing the thermal load. The proposed process does offer the advantage that the considerable energy produced on the friction surfaces when starting, which is converted to heat in the clutches, has not been absorbed by only one engaging element but is distributed between two engaging elements. But the distribution takes place uniformly and independently of the temporary operating condition of the clutch so that it can result in an overheating and thermal overstress of a clutch which, for example, already has greater wear phenomena than the other clutch.
In addition, it is disadvantageous that the process can be used only in double-clutch transmissions in which the input shaft and the output shaft are interconnected by spur-toothed and selectively meshable gear pairs.
It is further disadvantageous that the process is inadequate or only limitedly adequate mainly for transmissions with a serial arrangement of the engaging elements.
Another considerable disadvantage of this process is that, prior to terminating the starting operation, one clutch that must not be engaged for the subsequent travel has to be disengaged. By opening the engaging element or the clutch, or by actuating the gearshift sleeve, the positive engagement for the gear ratio after starting is thus undesirably interrupted.

Transmission control system for reducing thermal load on engaging elements


Devices, systems, and methods for applying a bioactive coating to an exterior surface of an implant are disclosed. In some embodiments, the bioactive coating may be applied to the surfaces of the implant within the operating room at the time of implantation. In one embodiment, the implant may be a temporary spacer used to temporary replace an implant in a patient suffering from an infection. The temporary spacer being, for example, an antibacterial material for fighting the infection. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a mold of the implant, and providing the bioactive coating within the mold. The method may further include inserting the implant into the mold so that the exterior surface of the implant contacts the bioactive coating, and then removing the implant from the mold.

It is commonly known to coat medical implants with one or more bioactive coatings. For example, it is known to coat the surfaces of an implant with a bioactive coating such as, for example, an antimicrobial coating, an antibacterial coating, a hydrogel, a paste, etc. The bioactive coating containing one or more biological compounds such as, for example, antimicrobials, antibiotics, growth factors, etc.
However, one problem with coated implants is that the lifespan of the coating may be shorter than the lifespan of the medical implant. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a device, system, and/or method for applying a coating to the implant when needed, for example, in the operating room.
One known approach for applying a coating to the implant in, for example, the operating room is to use a syringe with a small spreader attached to the nozzle of the syringe to allow medical personnel to slowly dispense the coating over the required surfaces of the implant.
For a number of reasons, it would be beneficial to utilize a device, system, and method for applying a coating to the implant in, for example, the operating room that is faster and more accurate. As such, a need remains for further improvements in this technological field. The present disclosure addresses this need.

Methods for applying a bioactive coating onto a surface of an implant


A conductive structure in a silicon wafer for preventing plasma damage. The wafer includes a plurality of dies and a plurality of scribe lines between the dies. The semiconductor substrate of this wafer further includes a plurality of patterned conductive layers. The conductive structure comprises of a plurality of ground wires and a plurality of contacts. The ground wires are distributed inside the scribe lines and are positioned at least in the uppermost conductive layer. The contacts are used for connecting the ground wires and the semiconductor substrate electrically. When other conductive layers other than the uppermost conductive layer also contain ground wire connections, the ground wires in different conductive layers are electrically connected by plugs.

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 89122536, filed Oct. 26, 2000.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a protective structure on a silicon wafer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a conductive structure on a silicon wafer for preventing plasma damage.
2. Description of Related Art
In integrated circuit (IC) manufacture, the dimensional requirement of each device are getting smaller while the aspect ratio of etching or gap filling is getting higher. Consequently, high-density plasma has to be used in dry etching or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) (for example, plasma-enhanced CVD or high-density plasma CVD). For example, plasma density has increased from a former value of 109xcx9c1010/cm3 to a current value of about 1011xcx9c1012/cm3.
However, as plasma density rises, any non-uniform charge distribution frequently can lead to arcing. Arcing is an electrical phenomena that results when electric charges jump from a region of high plasma density to a region of low plasma density through a silicon wafer so that electric potential in these regions are equalized. Since the electric potential and current density involved in each arcing process is very high, path inside the wafer through which the current runs may cause serious damages. Therefore, methods of preventing direct arcing through a wafer despite using high-density plasma in various processes are critical to success in semiconductor manufacturing.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a conductive structure in a silicon wafer for preventing plasma damage. The wafer includes a plurality of dies and a plurality of scribe lines between the dies. The semiconductor substrate of this wafer also includes a plurality of conductive layers. The conductive structure comprises of a plurality of ground wires and a plurality of contacts. The ground wires are distributed inside the scribe lines and are positioned at least in the uppermost conductive layer. The contacts are used for connecting the ground wires and the semiconductor substrate electrically. When other conductive layers other than the uppermost conductive layer also contain ground wire connections, the ground wires in different conductive layers are electrically connected by a plurality of plugs.
This invention also provides a method of manufacturing a conductive structure capable of preventing plasma damage in a silicon wafer. First, a plurality of contacts electrically connected with a semiconductor substrate is formed in a plurality of scribe lines. The conductive layers on the scribe lines are patterned when conductive patterns re formed in the die section. Ultimately, ground wires that are electrically connected o the contacts are also formed. Furthermore, if a plurality of ground wire layers is
required, the plugs that links with a previous ground wires are formed concurrently with the step of forming necessary plugs in the die section. Moreover, the next layer of ground wires is formed in the scribe lines when the next conductive layer is patterned inside the die section. The ground wires in the upper layer and the ground wires in the lower layer are electrically connected through the plugs.
The conductive structure on the wafer has several functions. When a plasma semiconductor process is carried out, the ground wires provide electrical paths for the flow of current so that uneven electrical charge distribution of the plasma can be equalized. In addition, the ground wire, the contact and the plug that links up the ground wires of different layers are electrically connected together with the semiconductor substrate so that the whole structure is effectively grounded. In other words, excess charges above the wafer can be channeled away through the semiconductor substrate.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Wafer conductive structure for preventing plasma damage


A hand-held interactive entertainment device which winds and unwinds a lighter-than-air balloon on a tether by applying pressure to the device.

Balloons are used for various purposes, including for entertainment, advertising, display, and for decorations at parties or other occasions. Lighter-than-air balloons are typically filled with helium, but may be filled with any lighter-than-air gas in order to allow such balloons to float in air. The balloons may be made from a variety of materials, including natural or synthetic rubber, polyester, metallized polyester, nylon, or metallized nylon.
Lighter-than-air balloons are sometimes tethered by a string or ribbon to a weight. A variety of balloon weights have been developed. Such weights typically include a weight of predetermined weight, a length of ribbon, and sometimes a means to attach the balloon to the ribbon. Examples of such weights are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,989,093 and 6,076,758 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0197084. There remains a need, however, for balloon weight systems having improved functionality.

Interactive entertainment device for lighter-than-air balloons


A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor panel includes the steps of forming a first metal pattern on an insulating substrate; depositing an insulating layer and a semiconductor layer including an impurity-doped layer over the insulating substrate having the first metal pattern sequentially; forming a photoresist pattern on the semiconductor layer, wherein the photoresist pattern includes a first portion facing the channel region of TFTs, a second portion that is thicker than the first portion, and a third portion having no photoresist; etching the semiconductor layer with the photoresist pattern as an etch mask; reducing the thickness of the photoresist pattern layer till the first portion of the photoresist pattern is removed; removing the impurity-doped layer exposed at the channel region; and forming a second metal pattern on the patterned semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor (TFT) panel.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to minimize the space required by display devices, researches have been undertaken into the development of various flat panel display devices such as LCD display devices, plasma display panels (PDP) and electro-luminescence displays (EL). Particularly, in the case of LCD display devices, liquid crystal technology has been explored because the optical characteristics of liquid crystal material can be controlled in response to changes in electric fields applied thereto.
At present, the dominant methods for fabricating liquid crystal display devices (LCD) and panels are methods based on amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film transistor (TFT) technologies. Using these technologies, high quality image displays of substantial size can be fabricated by using low temperature processes. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, conventional LCD devices typically include a TFT panel, a color filter panel and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween.
FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of a conventional method of forming a TFT panel, and FIGS. 2a-2e are sectional views illustrating a portion of a TFT panel manufactured by the conventional method of FIG. 1.
A conventional method for manufacturing a TFT panel will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2a-2c. First, a first metal layer is sputtered on a transparent glass substrate 200 to a predetermined thickness (step 101). In FIG. 2a, the first metal layer is etched by a first photolithography process to form a gate electrode 202 and a gate line (not shown) on the substrate 200 (step 102). Then, an insulating layer (e.g., SiN, layer) is deposited on the entire surface of the substrate having the gate electrode 202 and the gate line (not shown) thereon to form a gate insulating layer 204. An amorphous silicon layer 206 and an impurity-doped amorphous silicon layer 208 (e.g., n+ amorphous silicon layer), are then sequentially deposited on the gate insulating layer 204 to form an amorphous semiconductor layer 210 (step 103). Next, as shown in FIG. 2b, the amorphous semiconductor layer 210 is patterned by a second photolithography process with a photoresist pattern 211 with substantially uniform thickness, resulting in an amorphous semiconductor pattern 212 on the TFT portion of the substrate 200 (step 104).
Then, a second metal layer such as Cr is sputtered on the entire surface of the gate insulating layer 204 and on the amorphous semiconductor pattern 212 to a predetermined thickness (step 105). As shown in FIG. 2c, the second metal layer is then patterned by a third photolithography process using a photoresist pattern 220 to form a data line (not shown), a source electrode 216 and a drain electrode 214 on the TFT portion of the substrate, wherein the source electrode 216 and the drain electrode 214 are separated by a channel portion 218 (step 106).
In FIG. 2d, the impurity-doped amorphous silicon layer 208 at the channel region 218 is etched by using the source and drain electrodes 216 and 214 as an etch-protect mask (step 107). Then, as shown in FIG. 2e, the photoresist pattern 220 is removed.
A passivation layer (not shown, e.g., SiNx layer) is then formed on the entire surface of the above structure to a predetermined thickness (step 108). The passivation layer is then patterned to expose parts of the drain electrode 214 using a fourth photolithography process (step 109). After forming an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) layer as a transparent conductive layer on the entire surface of the structure having the passivation layer pattern thereon (step 110), the ITO layer is patterned by a fifth photolithography process (step 111).
The steps 104 and 107 described above can be conducted by an etching equipment of the same type, but the intervening steps 105 and 106 are conducted by equipments different from the etching equipment used in the steps 104 and 107. Therefore, the etched product of the step 104 must be transported out of the etching equipment to the processing equipments of the steps 105 and 106, and then the processed product of the step 106 is transported back to the etching equipment for performing the step 107. It is desirable to perform the steps 104 and 107 sequentially because of the cost and lengthy time required for the additional transportation described above. Furthermore, the etching process of the step 107 may cause corrosion of the second metal pattern.
The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved method for manufacturing a TFT panel that overcomes, or at least reduces the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a TFT panel which allows the patterning processes of the semiconductor layer and the impurity-doped layer to be conducted sequentially thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and increasing the productivity.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a TFT panel which resolves the above-mentioned corrosion issue of the second metal pattern.
In the manufacturing method of a thin film transistor panel of the present invention, a first metal pattern including at least a gate line with a gate electrode is formed on an insulating substrate such as a transparent glass substrate. Next, a gate insulating layer is deposited over the gate line. A semiconductor layer which comprises an amorphous silicon layer and an impurity-doped layer, e.g., an n+ amorphous silicon layer, is formed on the gate insulating layer.
Thereafter, a photoresist pattern is formed on the semiconductor layer. The photoresist pattern includes a first portion facing a channel region, a second portion that is thicker than the first portion, and a third portion having no photoresist. The semiconductor layer is etched by using the photoresist pattern as an etch mask to expose the gate insulating layer under the third portion of the photoresist pattern. Then, the thickness of the photoresist pattern layer is reduced, for example, by O2 ashing, until the first portion of the photoresist.pattern is removed so as to expose the impurity-doped layer at the channel region. Then, the impurity-doped layer exposed at the channel region is removed by etching. Finally, a conductive pattern layer with source and drain electrodes, i.e., the second metal pattern, is formed over the patterned semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer, wherein the drain and source electrodes are separated by the channel region.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the photoresist pattern is provided by the following steps. First, a photoresist film is formed on the semiconductor layer. Next, a mask with a predetermined pattern having at least a slit is placed on top of the photoresist film and the photoresist film is exposed to a light. Finally, the exposed photoresist film is developed to obtain the photoresist pattern with the thinner first portion formed corresponding to the slit of the mask.
In the manufacturing method of a thin film transistor panel of the present invention, the patterning processes of the semiconductor layer and the impurity-doped layer are performed sequentially. Therefore, the patterning steps described above can be conducted by the same etching equipment so as to skip the additional transportation between different equipments thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and increasing the productivity.
Furthermore, the impurity-doped layer is patterned before forming the second metal pattern so as to prevent the second metal pattern from being corroded by the etchant used in the patterning process thereby resolving the corrosion issue described above.

Method for manufacturing thin film transistor panel


Time of Flight ranging using double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR) is a conventional method of ranging with ultra-wideband (UWB) radios and has been shown to have ranging accuracies on the order of tens of centimeters. This approach requires several transmissions for each range measurement, which does not scale well for multi-agent robotics because of the bandwidth needed for ranging measurements. This disclosure proposes a latent model for clock frequencies using a factor graph that enables greater consistency of clock synchronization and increases the rate of useful range measurements. This model is an effective and robust improvement to conventional DS-TWR that can leverage shared information from a network of robots. An increase in the rate of range measurements of 232% was obtained as compared to DS-TWR with the same hardware and transmission rate, and with a mean square error of range measurements of 20 cm.

Ultra-wideband (UWB) radios are readily accessible and of interest for robotics applications where standard techniques for localization such as GPS may fail. Multi-agent robotics systems benefit from distance measurements made with UWB radios between agents or objects of interest.
To make accurate range measurements, radio packet time-of-arrival (ToA) must be measured precisely and accurately. The use of UWB radios enables high precision ToA measurements, but the poor frequency stability of commodity oscillators results in low-accuracy ToA measurements, which leads to high range measurement error. This accuracy problem could be addressed by purchasing a larger, more expensive, and higher power consumption oscillator, but this isn't feasible for all systems. Instead, existing methods lower the ranging rate to perform oscillator calibration measurements.
In this disclosure, a UWB ranging approach is presented that requires fewer oscillator calibration measurements by estimating changes in clock frequency. This approach improves ranging rate, extends the accuracy and fidelity of localization schemes, scales with large sensor networks, and can result in lower power consumption of nodes in the system.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Latent oscillator frequency estimation for ranging measurements

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN


An image sensor module includes: a sensor IC having light receivers arranged in a main scanning direction; a lens unit configured to form an image on the sensor IC with light transferred from a read target; a first light source unit having a first output surface extending along the main scanning direction and outputting a first linear light extending along the main scanning direction from the first output surface toward the read target, the first output surface being placed at a position spaced apart from the lens unit in a sub-scanning direction; and a second light source unit having a second output surface extending along the main scanning direction and outputting a second linear light extending along the main scanning direction from the second output surface toward the read target, the second output surface being placed between the lens unit and the first output surface in the sub-scanning direction.

FIG. 44 illustrates an example of a conventional image sensor module that may be utilized in an image reading apparatus (not shown). The image sensor module 901 illustrated in FIG. 44 includes a case 91, two light source units 92 and 93, a lens unit 94, and a sensor IC (Integrated Circuit) 95. The light source unit 92 is installed at a lower portion of the case 91 and includes a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). The light source unit 93 is installed at an upper portion of the case 91 and includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) chip. Above the case 91, a read target 890′ is transferred in a sub-scanning direction y. From the two light source units 92 and 93, linear lights extending along a main scanning direction are irradiated toward the read target 890′.
Positions of the two light source units 92 and 93 are substantially the same in the sub-scanning direction y, but different in a thickness direction z. Thus, incident angles of the linear lights from the two light source units 92 and 93 that reach the read target 890′ are different from each other. Reflected lights from the read target 890′ are collected on the sensor IC 95 via the lens unit 94. In a conventional image reading apparatus, which may include the image sensor module 901 for example, light emission timing of the light source units 92 and 93 are set to be different from each other, and thus the sensor IC 95 obtains data under different states, such as obtaining data under a state where the read target 890′ is irradiated only by the light source unit 92 and data under another state where the read target 890′ is irradiated only by the light source unit 93.
FIG. 45 illustrates another example of a conventional image sensor module. The image sensor module 902 illustrated in FIG. 45 includes a case 91, a lens unit 94, a sensor IC 95, a light source unit 96, a substrate 97, and a light transmission plate 98. The case 91 extends along the main scanning direction and accommodates therein or supports thereby the remaining elements. The light source unit 96 outputs linear lights extending along the main scanning direction toward the read target 890′. The lens unit 94 collects reflected light from the read target 890′ on the sensor IC 95. The sensor IC 95 is mounted on the substrate 97 and has a photoelectric conversion function.
In some cases, it is necessary to discriminate between different types of light, e.g., ultraviolet (UV) light versus visible light. In some cases, a filter, such as a UV filter may be used to prevent, a certain type of light from reaching the sensor IC 95. However, if a UV filter is used as the preventive measure, an appropriate UV filter installation space is necessary in the case 91 and the UV filter needs to be integrated such that it is prevented from being improperly deformed or distorted.
FIG. 46 illustrates a schematic block diagram showing an image sensor module in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are divided into six blocks 910 to 960 to execute a reading operation. The image sensor module 903 illustrated in FIG. 46 includes a signal processing unit 970 installed on, e.g., a sheet of substrate. The signal processing unit 970 is configured to process signals from the six blocks 910 to 960. In the image sensor module 903, the reading operation is executed in parallel with respect to the six blocks 910 to 960, and the signal processing unit 970 converts analog output signals from the blocks 910 to 960 into digital signals and transmit the same to the controller 980.
According to the configuration of the image sensor module 903, lengthening a read width cannot be effectively achieved by adding more blocks. Since the signal processing unit 970 is configured to process signals from the six blocks 910 to 960, the signal processing unit 970 is required to be re-designed according to the new number of blocks. Therefore, such situations often cannot be effectively accommodated in conventional image sensor modules due the lack of flexibly of current functionality, and requires the specification of the image sensor module 903 to be modified, which would take a long time to development.
Therefore, there is a need for an image sensor module that is customized to address one or more of the limitations described above.

Image sensor module for image reading apparatus with improved reading flexibility


Monitoring of any conventional telephone conference in which a requisite set of conference attendees respectively at a corresponding set of telephone stations are connected into a telephone conference. In association with the telephone conference, a communication network with user access via a plurality of data processor controlled interactive display stations for displaying received network documents available from sources on the network in which there is an interactive display station associated with each of said set of telephone stations with a displayed document including an indicator representing each attendee having means for indicating whether the attendee's telephone station is connected into the conference, and means for indicating whether the attendee is speaking. During telephone conference initiation, there is placed on-call each telephone station initially connecting into the conference and there is an implementation for calling said on-call telephone stations into the conference when a quorum of said requisite attendees has connected into the conference.

The past decade has been marked by a technological revolution driven by the convergence of the data processing industry with the consumer electronics industry. The effect has, in turn, driven technologies that have been known and available but relatively quiescent over the years. A major one of these technologies is the Internet or Web related distribution of documents. The Web or Internet, which had quietly existed for over a generation as a loose academic and government data distribution facility, reached "critical mass" and commenced a period of phenomenal expansion. With this expansion, businesses and consumers have direct access to all matter of documents and media through the Web.
Also, because of this extensive access of businesses and consumers to the Internet or Web (used interchangeably herein), it is highly likely that anyone who might be asked to participate in a telephone conference would also have access to the Web. Such demographics has led the industry to seek applications in which the Web could be used in telephone conferencing. The present invention considers one such potential application.
The use of telephone conferencing in commerce and industry has undergone some changes that were not anticipated a decade ago. At that time, the trend appeared to be toward teleconferencing between sets of high technology studios each with groups of people and closed circuit television therebetween. While some of these set ups are still quite active, the business world appears to have moved back to a more basic and less expensive telephone conferencing in which individuals and remote telephone stations, each with either single attendees or conferees or groups of people over speaker phones participate in the telephone conference. This rather basic telephone conferencing has been proliferating world-wide driven by the economic and terrorist fear curtailment of travel.
While this form of telephone conferencing has been used quite effectively to save time and money, participants, i.e. conference attendees, have encountered some problems. First, during the initiation of the telephone conference, time is wasted as the participants connect on one by one until the quorum of requisite attendees is connected. Then, when several people are talking over the lines during the same time period, it is hard for each attendee to know who is who. Likewise, it is hard for the conference host or any other interested party to know when a required attendee has disconnected.

Monitoring telephone conferences through a network of computer controlled display terminals, each associated with a telephone station and displaying a user-interactive monitoring page

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods and systems for providing flexible financing are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a business card product with a customer activated credit line extension for accommodating large ticket purchases where the credit line extension may be linked to other business loan/lease products so that balances may be transferred to a customer's preferred financing product (or products). The purchases may be considered secured or unsecured loans/leases that may be capitalized as well as appreciate and depreciate in value. The purchases may include various types of revenue producing property, such as computer, office equipment, office furniture, copiers, farm equipment, and other types of revenue producing property.

Small businesses experience constant cash flow challenges. For example, a small business' ability to make purchases or conduct in other transactions may be subject to the timing of receivables and payables. Large ticket purchases can be especially challenging. Such large ticket purchases may include computers, equipment, inventory, office space, furnishings and other items.
When consumers (e.g., small businesses) attempt to make large purchases, one option is a merchant finance plan. Merchants offer financing at the point of sale, which is more convenient; however, the rates that are offered to consumers are oftentimes less favorable. The consumer may feel pressured at the point of sale to agree to the merchant finance plan. As a result, the consumer is left with no choice but to accept the less favorable rates to complete the purchase. The point-of-sale experience can be time-consuming and frustrating. Another option may involve obtaining pre-approved financing from a financial institution before each large purchase is made. However, this requires a great deal of planning and makes last minute purchases difficult. Consumers may also attempt to use multiple credit cards (business cards and personal cards) to balance multiple large purchases. However, this becomes difficult to manage with varying interest rates and other restrictions.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a method and system for providing flexible financing which overcomes the above-described inadequacies and shortcomings.

Method and system for providing flexible financing


A process for the manufacture of alkylene glycol by the hydration of alkylene oxide using a soluble catalyst that permits the separation of the reaction product into an alkylene glycol product stream and a recycle stream without the significant precipitation of the soluble catalyst from the recycle stream.

Alkylene glycols, in particular monoalkylene glycols, are of established commercial interest. For example, monoalkylene glycols are being used in anti-freeze compositions, as solvents and as base materials in the production of polyalkylene terephthalates e.g. for fibers or bottles.
The production of alkylene glycols by liquid phase hydrolysis of alkylene oxide is known. The hydrolysis is performed without a catalyst by adding a large excess of water, e.g. 20 to 25 moles of water per mole of alkylene oxide, or with a smaller excess of water in a catalytic system. The reaction is considered to be a nucleophilic substitution reaction, whereby opening of the alkylene oxide ring occurs, water acting as the nucleophile. Because the primarily formed monoalkylene glycol also acts as a nucleophile, as a rule, a mixture of monoalkylene glycol, dialkylene glycol and higher alkylene glycols is formed. In order to increase the selectivity to monoalkylene glycol, it is necessary to suppress the secondary reaction between the primary product and the alkylene oxide, which competes with the hydrolysis of the alkylene oxide.
One effective means for suppressing the secondary reaction is to increase the relative amount of water present in the reaction mixture. Although this measure improves the selectivity towards the production of the monoalkylene glycol, it creates a problem in that large amounts of water have to be removed for recovering the product.
Considerable efforts have been made to find an alternative for increasing the reaction selectivity without having to use a large excess of water. Usually these efforts have focused on the selection of more active hydrolysis catalysts. The use of homogeneous catalysts can be particularly beneficial in the hydration of alkylene oxide if they can easily be separated from the reaction product. However, the use of catalysts in homogeneous reaction systems generally pose a problem when the reaction product is separated by distillation due to the low solubility of the catalyst compounds in the glycol product. The low solubility of the catalyst can result in the precipitation thereof during the separation of the reaction product.
An important step in the manufacture of alkylene glycol by the catalytic hydrolysis of alkylene oxide is the separation of the water, catalyst and reaction by-products from the alkylene glycol reaction product. It is thus necessary for the homogeneous catalyst used in such a process to have properties which permit the easy separation of the alkylene glycol from the other components of the reaction product.
Accordingly, there is a need to develop a process that uses an active but selective alkylene oxide hydration catalyst having solubility characteristics which permit easy separation of the alkylene glycol reaction product and other components of the reaction product for reuse in the hydration reaction.
Other aspects, objects, and the several advantages of the invention will become apparent in light of the following disclosure.

Process for the production of alkylene glycols using homogeneous catalysts


A ratchet socket spanner includes a handle having a driving head at one end; the driving head having a penetrating hole for receiving a socket; the driving head having a receiving groove; the receiving groove serving for receiving a teethed block; a socket having a stepped structure formed by a first end portion and a second end portion; the first end portion being wholly received in the penetrating hole; a periphery of the first end portion having ratchet teeth which is engageable with the teethed block in the receiving groove; an inner side of the first end portion being formed with a first engaging portion; the first engaging portion serving for movably receiving a push unit; the push unit being retained in the penetrating hole; the second end portion protruding out of the penetrating hole; an inner side of the second end portion being a second engaging portion.

In the prior art, the ratchet socket spanner is formed by a ratchet spanner and a socket. In use the socket is engaged to the ratchet spanner. There are various kinds of sockets for fitting different kinds of screw devices. Thus, the ratchet spanner is engaged to different sockets according to the screw device to be driven.
However the prior art ratchet socket spanner has the following disadvantages. Firstly, there are many sockets being engaged to the ratchet spanner. Thereby, it is necessary to detach and attaché the sockets frequently so that the teeth of the ratchet spanner and sockets are easy to wear and thus the engagement of the socket and the ratchet spanner is loose. In use, the force cannot be effectively transferred to the screw device. It is possible the ratchet spanner slides along the outer surface of the socket so that the force is not transferred to the driving object. Moreover if it is desired to drive an object in a deep place, it may be that several sockets must be serially connected. These sockets are connected one by one. The connection of different sockets is performed by a C ring in one socket to clamp another socket. However it is difficult to withdraw one socket from another socket, especially as the user's hand is oiled. As a whole, the prior art design is not an ideal one and it necessary to be improved.


A mincer device includes a housing having an orifice for rotatably receiving a shaft and a barrel which is secured to the shaft and which has an engaging hole. A Rotor is coupled to the shaft for rotating the shaft and the barrel. A casing has a chamber for rotatably receiving a screw and has one end for engaging into the housing and includes a chute extended upward for receiving a seat to be minced. The screw has an engaging end for engaging with the barrel and for allowing the screw to be driven by the shaft. The mincer device may include one or more casings of different screws for allowing the user to easily change the casings of different screws.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a seat mincer, and more particularly to a seat mincer combination having one or more mincer devices that may be easily selected and attached to the mincer body according to the user's need.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical seat mincers comprise a mincer body having a screw rotated by a motor in order to since the meat. However, the screw or the mincer device may not be selected and replaced with another one.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional seat mincers.

Meat mincer combination having a mincer device replaceable structure


A containment valve with two butterfly valves at the juncture of a first port and a second port with the two valves pivoting on a common transverse axis. The ports may be coupled and uncoupled between a coupled mode and an uncoupled mode. In the uncoupled mode one butterfly valve body locks the first port shut and the other butterfly valve body locks the second port shut to isolate the contents of the ports, such as chemical dust. Each butterfly valve body has a circumferentially moveable annular locking ring moveable between a first position and a second position. In one position the locking ring locks the butterfly valve body shut when the ports are in an uncoupled mode. In the other position the locking rings hold the two ports in the coupled mode. A spring biased pin lock prevents inadvertent rotation of the annular locking ring. Annular ribs and grooves are provided on the mating faces of the butterfly valve bodies. The ports are hermaphroditic about both the X-axis and the Y-axis.

The present invention relate generally to valves, and more specifically relates to butterfly valves which may be coupled and uncoupled without exposing the content of the valves to the outside environment.
Valves are used in material handling such as to regulate the flow of powder in conduits and in and out of containment vessels. In certain applications, it is important to isolate the material from the outside environment. For example, in chemical industries and pharmaceutical industries it may be necessary to isolate a material from the environment to maintain the purity and sterility of the material, to protect the outside environment from toxic or other harmful effects of the material, or both. However, some applications require not only regulation of flow through the valve, but also the ability to separate the conduit and/or containment vessel while maintaining the integrity of the system. This may be especially desirable where chemicals being handled are granular or in the form of a powder.
One prior device is disclosed in Soviet Inventor's Certificate No. 905,149 which shows two spring-biased elliptically shaped butterfly valves which are forced open upon coupling of two conduits. Another device is shown in Brazilian Patent No. PI 8705947A which discloses a three-stage valve used in powder transfer. Another device is shown in Soviet Inventors Certificate No. 644,676 which discloses a valve controlled coupling member with two butterfly valve halves with their axis of rotation at 90.degree. with respect to the direction of flow through the valve and with elastomeric seals. U.S. Pat. No. 3,106,223 discloses a disconnectable coupling with two valve halves on an axis 45.degree. across the port with elastomeric sealing rings and with a bayonet coupling between different ports.
The present invention provides advantages over these prior devices while maintaining a relatively simple design which is interchangeable with corresponding valve halves, and is readily cleaned and sterilized and assembled by the operator.

Containment valve that allows contamination free transfer


A process and apparatus for the commercial sterilization of thin-walled, high-profile plastic containers, which are hermetically sealed with an easy-peel aluminum foil/plastic-coated lid stock material. The apparatus is a rack of molds, each mold having a recessed groove to support the lip of the plastic container and a mold lid having a rigid portion covering the lid and a resilient portion inside the rigid portion to permit the lid of the plastic container to expand in a controlled manner during sterilization. The rigid portion of the mold lid can be angled to fit the contour of the expanded container lid.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to equipment and processes for thermally processing food products, and more particularly concerns apparatuses and processes for thermally processing food products hermetically sealed in plastic containers, especially thin-walled, high-profile plastic containers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The thermal processing of sealed, food-filled, thin-walled, high-profile plastic containers presents some unique problems not previously encountered with rigid metal containers. Since most plastic materials currently approved for contact with food tend to lose their structural definition (shape) as temperatures increase above 170 degrees Fahrenheit, maintaining a balance between the internal pressure inside the plastic container and the external pressure on the plastic container inside the sterilizer during the sterilization process is very critical for maintaining the shape of the container and for insuring that the seal remains intact. If pressure imbalance between the internal pressure inside the plastic container and the external pressure on the outside of the plastic container become too great during thermal processing, the container bulges and/or panels. This is a major problem in the industry, since a bulged or panelled container is not sold, but rather is rejected by the food packer and thrown away.
One method of producing acceptable food-filled plastic containers with good seals is to constantly monitor for pressure differences between the pressure inside the plastic container and the pressure outside the plastic container in the processing vessel which occur during thermal processing, and then to correspondingly adjust the processing controls to balance these pressures.
Such a method of balancing the pressures inside and outside the plastic container require: (a) different pressure profiles for different food materials, since different foods usually have different thermal expansion properties; and (b) longer ramping pressure profiles during the heating cycle and the cooling cycle of the sterilization process, which significantly reduces the production capacity (throughput) of the processing unit during production.
This method of thermally processing foods packed and sealed in plastic containers by balancing pressures inside and outside the sealed, food-filled plastic container is currently used with varying degrees of success by food processors, and the best results using this method are achieved with low-profile plastic trays and thick-walled plastic cups which, for the most part, are still being closed with a metal lid using the conventional double-seam seal.
Under the known technology, cup-like plastic containers that are closed either by conduction or induction sealing using a thin foil lidding material require overpressure during the sterilization process not only to preserve the container shape but to prevent the lid from bursting at the seal track. Since the foil lid does not use a double-seam seal, it is very susceptible to rupturing if the internal pressure inside the container is not compensated for during thermal processing.
Since the amount of air in the sealed, food-filled plastic container has an effect on the internal pressure inside the plastic container, a foil or plastic lid material which, is either preformed or shaped during the closing step, is used to eliminate any headspace between the product and the lid. Forming the lid in this manner creates a condition in the package known as a "hydropack" which allows the internal pressure to be accurately calculated during the sterilization cycle. The drawback with this method is that it requires the use of expensive lidding material and slower sealing speeds.
Further, since fill weights tend to vary to some degree during the filling of food products into the plastic containers, the amount of headspace in the container and, correspondingly, the amount of internal pressure created in the container during thermal processing varies from container to container. Thus, the pressure profile used for a particular thermal processing cycle does not compensate for all the variations in fill weights and headspace of each container being processed, and therefore a certain percentage of the containers are distorted (e.g., bulged or panelled walls or ruptured seals) during the thermal processing.
Material redistribution and shrinkage may also occur during thermal processing at elevated temperatures, particularly plastic containers having a plurality of layers in its walls. Further, if not controlled, rippling of the walls of the plastic container may occur during thermal processing at elevated temperatures, which also causes package distortion.
Moreover, the known technology for thermally processing sealed, food-filled plastic containers is very complex, relying on sophisticated process controls and equipment for balancing pressure inside the plastic container with the pressure on the plastic container outside the plastic container to preserve the seal and to limit distortion of the plastic container. Further, the known technology does not effectively thermally process sealed, food-filled, thin-walled, high-profile plastic containers, since thermal processing of such containers using the known technology usually results in some distortion of the containers.
In summary, there are a multitude of problems that are associated with the thermal processing of sealed, food-filled plastic containers at elevated temperatures, and these problems include:
flexibility of plastic at elevated temperatures; PA0 elaborate and long processing cycles; PA0 expensive lidding material; PA0 slow sealing operations with preformed lids; PA0 distorted containers due to pressure imbalances; PA0 material redistribution and shrinkage; PA0 material cost for plastic; PA0 limited selection of thermal processing equipment.

Mold apparatus for thermally processing a rimmed, sealed, food-filled, plastic container


A storage controller determines a presence of an indication from an Input/Output (I/O) enclosure that the I/O enclosure will perform a shutdown after a predetermined amount of time. The storage controller determines whether the I/O enclosure provides a last path to data stored in a storage device. A request is transmitted to the I/O enclosure to perform either an orderly shutdown or abort the shutdown, based on the whether the I/O enclosure provides the last path to the data stored in the storage device.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a method, system, and computer program product for managing shutdown and substitution of I/O enclosures.
2. Background
In certain storage system environments, a storage controller (or a storage controller complex) may comprise a plurality of storage servers that are coupled to each other, where one or more of the storage servers may comprise a plurality of processing nodes or servers. The storage controller allows host computing systems to perform input/output (I/O) operations with storage devices controlled by the storage controller.
An I/O enclosure that includes I/O adapters may be used to provide a communication path among the storage controller, the storage devices, and the host computing systems. In certain situations, a plurality of I/O enclosures may be maintained to provide redundancy in the storage system environment.
In many situations the storage system environment may have hardware or software problems that may need to be resolved. Various mechanisms are available for recovery to help resolve software and hardware problems. Such recovery mechanisms may include suspension of I/O, software threads, software components, etc., in the storage system.

Method, system, and computer program product for managing shutdown and substitution of I/O enclosures

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


Embodiments of the present invention disclose an image capturing method and device, so as to capture different types of biometric characteristic image information rapidly by using a device that can be integrated easily. The method according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an image capturing device, and the method includes: turning on a first supplementary lighting source when it is detected through a range sensor that there is an object in a first capturing distance, the first supplementary lighting source being a light source for supplementarily lighting a first biometric characteristic; acquiring first biometric characteristic image information through an imaging element; turning on a second supplementary lighting source when it is detected through the range sensor that there is an object in a second capturing distance, the second supplementary lighting source being a light source for supplementarily lighting a second biometric characteristic; and acquiring second biometric characteristic image information through the imaging element. When acquiring an image, the imaging element cooperates with a corresponding supplementary lighting source, so as to acquire high-quality biometric characteristic image information. Moreover, the image capturing device uses one imaging element and avoids using multiple imaging elements, thus facilitating integration of the device.

The biometric identification technology is widely applied in various fields. Various biometric identification apparatuses have appeared. Moreover, apparatuses that perform combined authentication by using multiple biometric characteristics have emerged gradually. The apparatus is referred to as a multi-modal biometric identification apparatus. The multi-modal biometric identification apparatus can capture multiple biometric characteristics.
An existing measure is to capture multiple biometric characteristics by using multiple image apparatuses respectively, so as to acquire different types of biometric characteristic image information.
For example, capturing of a palm image and a face image is implemented by using two devices or implemented in a time-sharing manner by using two Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors (CMOSs) installed on the same device.
Each image capturing device or CMOS needs to be connected to a control unit separately to capture images. Alternatively, multiple CMOSs for image capturing are connected to a control unit in a time-sharing manner through switching, so as to capture images.
In the existing capturing method, multiple imaging devices are used to capture different types of biometric characteristic image information or multiple CMOSs are switched to capture different types of biometric characteristic image information in a time-sharing manner. As a result, the capturing time is too long, and many device components are adverse to device integration.

Method and system for imaging acquisition


The present converter for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion comprises a pair of rotors counter-rotating in axial alignment, said rotors having rotor magnets and auxiliary rotor magnets fastened thereon, and a pair of rods moving reciprocally in opposite directions relative to one another along the axis of rotation of the rotors, said rods having rod magnets and auxiliary rod magnets fastened thereon, wherein at least some of the rotor magnets and/or the rod magnets are arranged such that their poles are disposed on several concentric cylindrical working surfaces simultaneously.

There is a two-stroke engine with a contactless magnetic converter of reciprocating motion to rotary motion [1], [2], which consists of:                a pair of rotors rotating opposite to each other, with rotor magnets fixed on the specific rotors,        a pair of rods moving reciprocally opposite to each other along the axis of rotation of the rotors, with rod magnets attached to the specific rods,        a framework and bearings,        poles of the same polarity of the rotor magnets, facing the rods and located along the lines on cylindrical working surfaces that have at least one local maximum and one local minimum in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor,        these lines are such that when the poles of the magnets of one rod reach the areas of local maxima of those lines of one rotor at the extreme point of their movement, the poles of the other rod magnets also reach the extreme point of their movement, but in the areas of local minima of those lines of the same rotor.
The disadvantage of this converter is that specific interaction magnet power of the rotor magnets and rods is not large. This is explained by the small interaction area of the poles and leads to the bulkiness of the engine and high specific cost of the magnets in terms of engine power. Each magnet of the rotor or rod is engaged into the force interaction with only one of its poles, since only one pole is placed on the cylindrical working surface.
Known converters of reciprocating motion to rotary motion [3], [4], [5], [6] also use the interaction of reciprocating rod magnets and wave-like rotating rotor magnets. However, even in these examples magnets extended in the radial direction have small interaction surface with each other, and as a result, low efficiency.
It should be emphasized that all known analogues have only two cylindrical working surfaces on which power is transferred from the rod to the rotor, namely, one cylindrical working surface of the rod and one cylindrical working surface of the rotor. These surfaces limit the air gap between the rod magnets and the rotor magnets.

Converter for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion, and motor, generator unit, and vehicle


A conveyor is described. The conveyor includes a conveyor frame that includes a slot defined on a first portion of the conveyor frame and a notch defined on a second portion of the conveyor frame. Further, the conveyor includes a stanchion configured to be mounted on the conveyor frame. In this regard, the stanchion comprises a hook adapted to pass through the slot of the conveyor frame and a surface that defines an aperture, the aperture adapted to enable a bolt to pass through the stanchion and insert into the notch in the second portion of the conveyor frame.

Generally, in material handling environments like, but not limited to, distribution centers, warehouses, inventories, or shipping centers, a material handling system, can convey, handle, sort, and organize various type of items (e.g. cartons, cases, containers, shipment boxes, totes, packages, and/or the like) at high speeds on a conveyor. In some examples, conveyors can include a roller conveyor bed, or a conveyor belt mounted between two sides of a conveyor frame. In some examples, the conveyor can correspond to a shoe sorter that can comprise, or rail guides mounted between the two sides of the conveyor frame. Typically, to mount various components and/or assembly (e.g., but not limited to, a safety panel, a drive pulley, a divert unit, etc.) the conveyor frame is designed to include one or more slots, apertures, and/or mounting members. To this end, mounting one or more components on the conveyor frame has associated challenges.

Conveyor with a stanchion for mounting an equipment on the conveyor


An information processing apparatus includes first electronic circuit and one or a plurality of second electronic circuits. The first electronic circuit has a first buffer for storing information, and is configured to execute predetermined first information processing by reading out information from a memory connected via a first transmission path, and write the information processed by the first information processing into the memory. The one or plurality of second electronic circuits have a second buffer for storing information, and are connected to the first electronic circuit via a second transmission path different from the first transmission path, and the one or plurality of second electronic circuits are configured to execute second information processing different from the first information processing. The first electronic circuit is configured to execute the first information processing, using the second buffer of the second electronic circuit that is in an unused state and the first buffer.

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus including a plurality of electronic components having buffers used for information processing.
An information processing apparatus such as a scanner or a copier has a plurality of electronic circuits for executing various image processes for image data read from a document sheet. For example, an information processing apparatus having an image reading portion for reading image data of the front side and the back side of a document sheet simultaneously has an electronic circuit for executing image processing for image data of the front side read by the image reading portion and an electronic circuit for executing image processing for image data of the back side read by the image reading portion. Specifically, each electronic circuit has a buffer for storing image data, and reads out image data from a memory connected via a transmission path such as a bus and stores the image data into the buffer. Then, the electronic circuit performs image processing for the image data, stores the resultant image data into the buffer, and writes the image data processed by the image processing into the memory. It is noted that an electronic circuit having buffers of two systems of an active system and a standby system is conventionally known.


An X-ray detector is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the invention, the X-ray detector includes at least two adjacently arranged detector elements, to each of which a high voltage is applied in order to detect incident X-rays. In this case, two adjacent detector elements are coupled to one another by way of a protection circuit, designed to limit a voltage difference between the two adjacent detector elements to a voltage value which is non-critical with regard to the formation of a flashover between the two detector elements.

X-ray detectors for the acquisition of X-rays, in particular quantum-counting X-ray detectors, have a sensor layer which is sensitive to X-rays and which is coupled to an evaluation electronics unit. The sensor layer is conventionally formed from a semiconductor material (for example amorphous selenium, a gallium arsenide or cadmium telluride compound or the like). Upon the incidence of X-rays, electron hole pairs (charge carriers of negatively or positively charged charge) are formed in the sensor layer. The charge carriers in turn each form a positive and negative space-charge cloud.
On account of an electrical voltage applied to the sensor layer the charge carriers are separated from one another and move in each case to the oppositely charged electrodes (arranged on the surface of the sensor layer). As a result of the current caused hereby an (electrical) signal is generated in the evaluation electronics unit which is proportional to the energy of the absorbed X-rays. Notwithstanding this, in the case of a quantum-counting X-ray detector individual X-ray quanta (photons) and where applicable the individual quantum energies thereof are detected.
In order to achieve a sufficiently fast transport of the charge carriers (the space-charge clouds) right through the sensor layer, voltages of approximately −300 V to more than −2,000 V—depending on the thickness of the sensor layer—are applied to the sensor layer (corresponding to an electrical field strength of approximately −10 kV/mm).
Large-area X-ray detectors are required in particular for computed tomography systems. The manufacture of continuous sensor layers having an edge length of several tens of centimeters is however technically very complex and has high associated costs. In order to nevertheless be able to produce large-area X-ray detectors as cost-effectively as possible, a plurality of comparatively small (single) detector elements having the structure described above are arranged side by side. The detector elements typically have a sensor area of between 1 and 4 cm2. In order to achieve as high an image quality (in particular a high resolution) as possible the detector elements are moreover arranged at as small a spacing as possible of for example approx. 0.1-05 mm from one another.
A fault situation can occur during operation of the X-ray detector in which the voltage of a detector element deviates from its normal operating voltage. Such a fault situation is present for example in the event of a defect in the voltage supply associated with the detector element or in the evaluation electronics unit. In this case the operating voltage drops significantly at regular intervals, mostly to a voltage value of 0 V. A fault situation can however also occur in the form of a voltage fluctuation, in particular as a result of an overvoltage, where in the latter case the actual voltage of a detector element significantly exceeds the operating voltage. In both fault situations a voltage difference arises between the faulty detector element and the or each (immediately) adjacent detector element. If the voltage difference exceeds a critical voltage value, a (spark) flashover can occur between the two adjacent detector elements. The sensor layer of both detector elements (as well as the evaluation electronics unit thereof) can be destroyed by the flashover. The danger of spark flashovers in the event of a fault is promoted in this situation in particular by the minimal spatial spacing of the detector elements from one another.


A high density film adapted for nanochip package comprises three redistribution layers. A bottom redistribution circuit has a plurality of first bottom pads adapted for a nanochip to mount; and has a plurality of first top pads. The density of the first bottom pads is higher than the density of the first top pads. A middle redistribution circuit has a plurality of second bottom pads electrically coupled to the first top pads; and has a plurality of second top pads. The density of the second bottom pads is higher than the density of the second top pads. A top redistribution circuit has a plurality of third bottom pads electrically coupled to the second top pads; and has a plurality of third top pads. The density of the third bottom pads is higher than the density of the third top pads.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a high density film adapted for a nanochip to pack, especially for a high density film without having any interposer like through silicon via (TSV) or through glass via (TGV) therein.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a prior art substrate for IC package
FIG. 1 shows a prior art substrate for IC package disclosed in US2014/0102777A1 which has an embedded silicon interposer 20. The silicon interposer 20 has four later sides 206. A molding compound 22 wraps the silicon interposer 20 around the four lateral sides 206. A plurality of via metal 200 is made through the silicon interposer 20. An insulation liner 201 is made between the through via 200 and the silicon interposer 20 for an electrical insulation there-between. A top redistribution layer 21 is made on top of the silicon interposer 20 with a plurality of metal pad 210 exposed on top. The plurality of metal pad 210 on top is provided for accommodating an IC chip (not shown) to mount. A circuit built-up layer 25 is made on bottom of the silicon interposer 20 with a plurality of metal pad 220 configured on bottom. A plurality of solder ball 4 is configured and each solder ball 4 is configured on bottom of a corresponding bottom metal pad 220.


An improved ceiling hanger system includes an anchor that is secured to a support structure. A hanger wire is mounted to the anchor. A spring clip is mounted to the hanger wire. A hanger hook is mounted to or integral with the spring clip and engages a support rail for a drop or suspended ceiling.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a hanger system for use in supporting a suspended or drop ceiling. More specifically, the invention concerns an apparatus adapted to engage and adjustably support a ceiling rail.
2. Reference to Related Art
Suspended or drop ceilings are found in office buildings and homes throughout the country and around the world. Such ceilings typically include a plurality of tiles that are supported by a grid of support rails. The rails are themselves supported by a plurality of hanger wires that are affixed at one end to anchors that are secured in an overhead support structure (e.g., the building frame, masonry, ceiling, etc.). An opposite end of each wire is mounted to a support rail. Specifically, the opposite end of each hanger wire is threaded through apertures in the support rail and then wrapped or twisted at least three times (by hand) back around the body of the hanger wire. This wrapping (or twisting) step is performed to ensure that the support structure (rails, wires, etc.) for the ceiling will conform to existing ICBO (now ICC—International Code Council)(see also UCB and ASTM) code standards. The wrapping of the hanger wire also allows the wire to swivel and such that it may conform to any direction that it wishes to assume. This type of prior art system is clearly shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,012,624 and 5,363,525.
An alternative to the traditional hanger system is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,979,715 and 5,364,053. In each of these references, a loop is formed on the free end of the hanger wire. An anchor, such as a flat head screw, is passed through the loop and secured to the overhead support structure. The head of the screw has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the loop such that the head of the screw serves to support the suspended hanger wire.
In addition to the above-discussed hanger systems, the prior art also discloses a variety of fastener systems. One known type of fastener system is the T-slot fastener. This type of fastener, which typically uses a T-shaped male head portion and a slotted female portion, is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,502,192 and 4,524,495. A variation on the T-slot fastener system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,171, which discloses a hanging pot suspension system.
After a grid or network of support rails is installed, ceiling panels are placed into the grid to complete the ceiling.
The existing method of wrapping each wire back around itself is obviously labor intensive. Not only is the installer of the ceiling required to wrap the hanger wire around itself at least three times, he or she is also often required to make fine adjustments in the height of the grid after all the hanger wires are in place. Naturally, a process of wrapping and unwrapping a hanger wire (or more particularly a series of hanger wires) to make fine adjustments to the height of a grid of support rails only increases the amount of labor (and cost) involved in any ceiling installation operation.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a ceiling hanger system that not only dispenses with the need to wrap the wire back around itself, but also allows the user to quickly and accurately make fine adjustments to the system once in place.


A method for shaping dry preform material prior to resin infusion is disclosed. The starting material to be shaped is a preform blank (e.g. flat sheet) of dry, fibrous material. The shaping process is a vacuum forming process that relies on controlling the vacuum pressure and deformation speed to produce a shaped preform with three-dimensional configuration. The purpose of the shaping process described herein is to enable an automated process to replace the conventional hand lay-up operation.

In recent years, the use of fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials has become more prevalent in industries such as aerospace and automotive. These composite materials exhibit high strength as well as corrosion resistant properties in harsh environment. In addition, their light-weight property is particularly advantageous when compared to similar parts constructed from metals.
Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have been traditionally made from prepregs, which are formed of fibres impregnated with a curable matrix resin, such as epoxy. The resin content in the prepreg is relatively high, typically 20%-50% by weight. Multiple plies of prepregs may be cut to size for laying up, then subsequently assembled and shaped in a molding tool. In the case where the prepreg cannot be easily adapted to the shape of the molding tool, heating may be applied to the prepregs in order to gradually deform it to the shape of the molding surface.
More recently, fiber-reinforced polymer composites are made by utilizing liquid molding processes that involve resin infusion technologies, which include Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), Liquid Resin Infusion (LRI), Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM), Resin Infusion with Flexible Tooling (RIFT), Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion (VARI), Resin Film Infusion (RFI), Controlled Atmospheric Pressure Resin Infusion (CAPRI), VAP (Vacuum Assisted Process), Single Line Injection (SLI) and Constant Pressure Infusion (CPI) amongst others. In a resin infusion process, dry bindered fibers are first arranged in a mold as a preform and then injected or infused directly in-situ with liquid matrix resin. The term "bindered" as used herein means that a binder has been applied. The preform typically consists of one or more layers (i.e., plies) of dry, fibrous material that are assembled in a stacking arrangement where typically a powder, veil or film binder is utilized to maintain the desired geometry prior to resin infusion. After resin infusion, the resin-infused preform is cured according to a curing cycle to provide a finished composite article. Resin infusion is used not only to manufacture small, complex-shaped parts but it is also now used to manufacture large parts of aircrafts such as the entire wing.
In resin infusion, the fabrication of the preform to be infused with resin is a critical element—the preform is in essence the structural part awaiting resin. Hand layup has typically been used in the past to create composite preforms with detailed geometries. However, this is considered a time consuming operation with high risk of part-to-part variation. Thus, there remains a need for improvements in the fabrication of dry fibrous preforms for subsequent resin infusion.


A feed device for feeding fibers during the production of fiber-reinforced plastics materials has a multi-shaft screw machine for the lateral guidance of the fibers into a preparation system for producing fiber-reinforced plastics materials. The multi-shaft screw machine comprises a housing, a plurality of housing bores penetrating one another as well as screw shafts, which are rotatably drivable and are arranged therein, and a feed opening. A suction mechanism, which produces an airstream sucking in the fibers, is provided to suck the fibers through the feed opening into the housing bores. The fibers are filtered by means of a filter mechanism out of the airstream. In order to ensure a long service life, the filter mechanism has a plurality of flow channels, which have a widening cross section in a flow direction.

A feed device for feeding chips and short-cut fibers into an extruder for producing fiber-reinforced plastics materials is known from DE 102 01 869 A1. The feeding takes place by a mixer by means of a two-screw auxiliary extruder, which opens laterally into the extruder and conveys the short-cut fibers into the extruder. The short-cut fibers are sucked via a downpipe and a mixer by means of an airstream into the auxiliary extruder. For this purpose, a fan, which produces the fiber airstream, opens below the screw shafts into the housing of the auxiliary extruder. The fiber airstream is separated by a screen, the air being sucked out of the housing of the auxiliary extruder. To clean the screen, compressed air is fed below said screen via a line, the line being closable in the direction of the fan by the fed compressed air by means of a check valve.

Feed device for feeding fibers during the production of fiber-reinforced plastics materials

SKZ-KFE gGmbH Kunstsoff-Forschung und-Entwicklung


A gastro-electric stimulation system includes an INS for producing an electrical stimulation signal, at least one medical electrical lead, and at least two electrical contacts. The medical electrical lead has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being connected to the INS and the distal end being adapted for placement in or near a patient's stomach or appropriate nerve or nerve portion. The electrodes are disposed near the distal end of the medical electrical lead, and the electrodes are electrically connected through the medical electrical lead to the INS to receive the electrical stimulation signal and convey such signal to the selected electrode implant position. The electrical stimulation signal is provided in an amount and manner adapted to decrease the pH of the gastric acid in the patient's stomach and/or to increase the amount of gastric acid produced thereby.

The present invention relates to medical devices used to electrically stimulate the digestive system, and more specifically to devices employed to electrically stimulate portions of the digestive system and/or the vagus nerve to increase the acidity of gastric acid secretions and/or increase the amount of gastric acid secretions produced by the stomach.
The medical device industry produces a wide variety of electronic and mechanical devices for treating patient medical conditions. Depending upon a patient's medical condition, medical devices may be surgically implanted or connected externally to the patient. Physicians use medical devices alone or in combination with drug therapies and surgery to treat patient medical conditions. For some medical conditions, medical devices provide the best, and sometimes the only, therapy to treat a medical condition and restore an individual to a more healthful condition and a fuller life. One type of medical device applied to treat conditions receptive to neurological therapy is an implantable neurostimulator (hereafter "INS"). An INS applies an electrical signal to the nervous system to create a response such as reducing patient pain or influencing a body organ, and may also be employed to apply an electrical signal to the enteric nervous system.
The digestive system is composed of the digestive tract, accessory organs and the enteric nervous system, and functions to prepare food for absorption and use by the body. The enteric nervous system is the digestive system's nervous system, and it functions to both receive and transmit information. This system receives neurological information from the digestive system through afferent nerves, and issues instructions through efferent nerves. Gastric myoelectrical activity is described by Kenneth Koch et al. in Electrogastrography, "An Illustrated Guide To Gastrointestinal Motility," 2nd Ed., pp. 290-307 (1993). The vagus nerve contains both afferent and efferent nerves and provides nervous system connectivity between digestive system organs, including between the stomach and brain. The gastric frequency of a patient is generally about 3.0 cycles per minute. The enteric nervous system is believed to exert some control over gastric acid secretion functions.
Hypochlorhydria is the underproduction of hydrochloric acid (HCl) by the stomach. HCl acid is responsible for two important functions: (1) breaking down complex proteins directly, and (2) working as an activator for the enzyme pepsin, which further breaks down protein. Due to similarities between the symptoms of gastric hyperchlorhydria and hypochlorhydria, patients with underlying hypochlorhydria often receive inappropriate therapy for hyperchlorhydria. Morihara, et al., suggest that 40% of the population over the age of 50 is hypochlorhydric. In these patients, drugs and dosage forms which require an acidic environment for dissolution or release may be poorly assimilated (Russell, et al). Typical therapies for hypochlorhydria includes supplemental HCl ingestion (Betaine HCl). Compliance and correct dosing—especially in elderly patients—may be difficult.
Green and Graham report that hypochlorhydria is often concomitant with a number of other gastrointestinal disorders. There is a close association between gastritis, gastric carcinoma, Heliobacter pylori infection and hypochlorhydria in the elderly.
Grundy and Scratcherd achieved maximal secretion at 10 Hz using 500 microsecond "supramaximal" stimulation. They noted that this effect disappeared as stimulation frequencies were increased beyond 30 impulses/second. Tashima, et. al increased gastric acid output from 2.3+/−0.4 micro-equivalents/5 minutes to 8.8+/−1.4 micro-equivalents/5 minutes in male Sprague-Dawley rats when stimulating the peripheral end of the left vagus nerve with square-wave pulses (PW=2 ms, f=3 Hz, amplitude=0.5 mA). While many journal articles use low-rate vagal stimulation to increase acid output, the primary intent is often to test another physiologic process (i.e. the effects of low-rate vagal stimulation in a diabetic rats, or the effects of a novel anti-secretory agent when low-rate stimulation is used as the secretagogue).
The gastro-intestinal tract has an extensive nervous system of its own called the enteric nervous system. There are two main plexuses in the enteric system:                (1) An outer plexus—called the myenteric plexus—that lies between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers, and;        (2) An inner plexus—called the submucosal plexus—that lies in the submucosa.
The myenteric plexus primarily controls the gastrointestinal movements, and the submucosal plexus mainly controls gastrointestinal secretion and local blood flow. The sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers connect with both the plexuses, and can further activate or inhibit gastrointestinal function (see FIG. 5a).
More than a dozen neurotransmitters have been identified in the gastro-intestinal tract. Acetylcholine (a parasympathetic neurotransmitter) typically excites gastrointestinal activity and norepinephrine (a sympathetic neurotransmitter) typically inhibits gastrointestinal activity.
The cranial parasympathetic fibers extensively innervate the stomach, and are transmitted almost entirely in the vagus nerves that run proximal to the esophagus. The sympathetic fibers to the gastro-intestinal tract originate in the spinal cord between segments T-5 and L-2. Stimulation of these fibers result in an inhibitory effect by norepinephrine which can block movement of food through the gastro-intestinal tract.
Many afferent sensory nerve fibers arise in the gut. These nerves can be stimulated by (1) irritation of the gut mucosa, (2) excessive distention of the gut, or (3) presence of specific chemical substances in the gut. Almost 80% of nerve fibers in the vagus bundle are afferent rather than efferent. These fibers transmit afferent signals into the medulla, which in turn initiates many reflex signals that control gastro-intestinal functions. As such, stimulation of the vagus nerve may directly affect the gastro-intestinal tract through efferent nerve capture or through a more circuitous route involving the medulla.
As shown in FIG. 5b, the wall of the stomach is lined with billions of single-cell mucous glands. These cells extrude mucous directly onto the epithelial surface to act as a lubricant and prevent auto-digestion. There are also two types of tubular glands that exist, the oxyntic glands and the pyloric glands. The oxyntic glands secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) and the pyloric glands secrete the hormone gastrin. The oxyntic glands are located on the inside surfaces of the body and fundus of the stomach, and the pyloric glands are located in the antral portion of the stomach. Gastrin and histamine are potent stimulants for acid release by the parietal cells in the oxyntic glands; the parietal cells secrete a highly acidic solution that contains about 160 millimoles of HCl per liter. A synthetic form of gastrin known as pentagastrin is composed of the terminal four amino acids of natural gastrin plus the amino acid alanine. It has all the same physiological properties as natural gastrin.
It has been shown that relatively slow stimulation of the vagi (4-8 Hz) induces maximal acid secretion in cats (Sjodin, 1975). Pharmaceutical companies frequently use this model to test acid-suppressing drugs. Grundy and Scratcherd, however, found that higher rate electrical stimulation (120 Hz) of the vagus nerve significantly reduced acid production versus basal output in ferrets. In their experiment, they performed a bilateral vagotomy in the neck and stimulated the thoracic vagi via a left thoracotomy. The stimulation regime they applied was "physiologic" (a taped replica of natural vagal activity), "burst" (60 or 120 Hz, 500 microsecond pulse width), or "continuous" (6 Hz). Their data showed that continuous low-rate stimulation increased acid output relative to the "taped" physiologic stimulation, while burst stimulation significantly decreased acid output.
Some prior art publications relating to the present invention are as follows:    Kenneth Koch et al., "An Illustrated Guide To Gastrointestinal Motility," Electrogastrography, 2nd Ed., pp. 290-307 (1993).    Kenneth Koch et al., "Functional Disorders of the Stomach," Seminars in Gastrointestinal Disease, Vol. 7, No. 4, 185-195 (October 1996).    Kenneth Koch, "Gastroparesis: Diagnosis and Management," Practical Gastroenterology (November 1997).    Babajide Familoni et al., "Efficacy of Electrical Stimulation at Frequencies Higher than Basal Rate in Mayine Stomach," Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Vol. 42, No. 5 (May 1997).    Babajide O. Familoni, "Electrical Stimulation at a Frequency Higher than Basal Rate in Human Stomach," Digestive Diseases and Sciences, Vol. 42, No. 5 (May 1997).    Grundy, D. and Scratcherd, T., "Effects of stimulation of the vagus nerve in bursts on gastric acid secretion and motility in the anaesthetized ferret," J. Physiol., 333: 451-461, 1982.    Sasaki, N., et al., "Selective action of a CCK-B/gastrin receptor antagonist, S-0509, on pentagastrin-, peptone meal- and beer-stimulated gastric acid secretion in dogs," Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther., 14: 479-488, 2000.    Sjodin, L., "Gastric acid responses to graded vagal stimulation in the anaesthetized cat," Digestion, 12(1): 17-24, 1975.    Physician's Manual, NeuroCyberonics Prosthesis, Bipolar Lead, Model 300, September, 2001.    U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,104 to Wernicke et al. for "Treatment of Eating Disorders by Nerve Stimulation."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,988 to Wernicke et al. for "Treatment of Endocrine Disorders by Nerve Stimulation."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,480 to Wernicke et al. for "Treatment of Eating Disorders by Nerve Stimulation."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,344 to Douglas for "Percutaneously placed electrical gastrointestinal pacemaker INSy system, sensing system, and pH monitoring system, with optional delivery port."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,872 to Cigaina for "Process and Device for Treating Obesity and Syndrome Motor Disorders of the Stomach of a Patient."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,730 to Terry for "Treatment of motility disorders by nerve stimulation."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,691 to Chen for "Gastro-intestinal pacemaker having phased multi-point stimulation."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,385 to Mittal for "Crural diaphragm pacemaker and method for treating esophageal reflux disease."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,994 to Bourgeois for "Method and apparatus for electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,070 to King et al. for "Techniques for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue."    U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,906 to Barreras et al. for "Implantable, modular tissue INS."    U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,249 to Familoni for "Apparatus for sensing and stimulating gastrointestinal tract on-demand"    U.S. Pat. No. 6,097,984 to Douglas for "System and method of stimulation for treating gastro-esophageal reflux disease."    U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,423 to Bardy for "Apparatus and method for treating chronic constipation."    U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,496 to Meadows et al. for "Parameter context switching for an implanted device."    U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,325 to Mann et al. for "Directional programming for implantable electrode arrays."    U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,511 to Mintchev for "Gastrointestinal electrical INS having a variable electrical stimulus."    U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,199 to Kobosev for "Electrical Gastro-Intestinal Tract INS."    U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,227 to Meadows et al. for "Rechargeable spinal cord INS system."    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 165589 for "Gastric Treatment and Diagnosis Device and Method."    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003 014086 for "Method and Apparatus for Electrical Stimulation of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter."    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 116030 for "Electrical stimulation of the Sympathetic Nerve Chain."    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 193842 for "Heartburn and Reflux Disease Treatment Apparatus."    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 103424 for "Implantable Medical Device Affixed Internally within the Gastrointestinal Tract."    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 198470 for "Capsule and Method for Treating or Diagnosing the Intestinal Tract."    PCT Patent Application WO 0089655 for "Sub-Mucosal Gastric Implant Device and Method."    PCT Patent Application WO 0176690 for "Gastrointestinal Electrical Stimulation."    PCT Patent Application WO 02087657 for "Gastric Device and Suction Assisted Method for Implanting a Device on a Stomach Wall."    PCT Patent Application WO 0238217 for "Implantable Neuromuscular INS for Gastrointestinal Disorders."
All patents and technical papers listed hereinabove are hereby incorporated by reference herein, each in its respective entirety. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate readily upon reading the Summary of the Invention, Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and Claims set forth below, at least some of the devices and methods disclosed in the patents and publications listed hereinabove may be modified advantageously in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages, which will now become more readily apparent by referring to the following specification, drawings and claims, are provided by the various embodiments of the present invention.

Gastro-electric stimulation for increasing the acidity of gastric secretions or increasing the amounts thereof


A fuzzy inference system and its method of operation. The system comprises an inference unit (30) of pipeline architecture, a control unit (20) for controlling the operation of the inference unit, and a host computer (10) for supervising the entire operation. A plurality of inference rule groups (referred to as rule cells) each for controlling an object to be controlled are stored in a rule memory (22) of the control unit (20). The rule cell is composed of a number of path codes. The path code includes object data to be processed and operation codes. The operation codes are to control each of processing/operation sections (31 to 35) of the inference unit (30). After the host computer has set a rule cell address for designating a rule cell in the rule memory (22) to a rule cell address register (23) in order to execute an inference, when a path address counter (24) is started, path addresses are outputted from the counter (24) in sequence, so that path codes within the designated rule cell are read and supplied to the inference unit in sequence. The inference unit executes a fuzzy inference by a pipeline processing method on the basis of the supplied path codes. Timing signals are fed to each of the processing/operation sections (31 to 35) from a controller (21). When an inference end signal is applied to the host computer via the controller, the host computer reads the inference results from an output buffer (35), designates a succeeding rule cell for executing a succeeding inference, and starts the path address counter (24) again.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuzzy inference (or approximate inference or reasoning) system.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional fuzzy inference systems have so far not been able to switch inference rule groups at high speeds when inferences are being executed. Therefore, a high-speed inference system has executed the inference processing in accordance with a rule group corresponding to a single task.
In spite of the fact that an ordinary binary-type computer can execute so-called multitask processing, no inference system which can execute multitask processing has been so far realized. Since many objects to be controlled do not necessarily require high speed inference processing, a high speed inference system, cannot use all of its capabilities.
On the other hand, pipeline processing methods have been adopted for conventional binary computers as a method of realizing high speed operation, through utilizing a special architecture. However, since control codes for controlling pipeline processing and the object data to be processed are frequently supplied to the pipeline processing system at different timings, a waiting time often results in the processing means based on the delay between the pipeline control code and the object data. In addition, since the control codes and object data to be processed are supplied externally, these codes and data may not be supplied at the appropriate timings for the process. Further, the waiting time often occurs in the pipeline system when the time at which the processed result is outputted, is delayed. The above-mentioned problems may thereby arise when an inference system is used in a pipeline architecture or format.
In fuzzy inference systems, a number of membership functions are determined in accordance with an inference rule group. Therefore, when input values are given, function values of the membership functions corresponding to input values (the degree to which the input values belong to the membership functions and referred to as adaptability or truth values) can be obtained. In conventional fuzzy inference systems, however, since the membership functions are fixedly set to the hardware construction or the function values of the membership functions are stored in a memory unit, it is difficult to alter, without undue time and labor, the fixedly determined membership functions or to improve the tuning flexibility in the membership functions. Further, when various membership functions required for inference processing are stored in a memory unit, the sheer amount of data in the memory unit will become increasingly large.
When the inference system is adapted to a pipeline control architecture, it becomes extremely important to supply data suitable for that architecture. It also is necessary to construct the system in such a way that the reduction in waiting time can be optimized to increase throughput.
Methods of transforming arithmetic operation programs executed by a microcomputer into data suitable for pipeline control processing are well known. An example of such a method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 64-66734. However, this method cannot transform rule groups that are usable for fuzzy inference processing into a data form that is suitable for a pipeline architecture. This is because, in contrast to microcomputer instructions, fuzzy rules are different from each other in the number and sort of input variables for the antecedent and therefore are not suitable for the pipeline architecture which is based on uniform instructions. As a result, a problem exists in applying and adapting fuzzy inference processing to a pipeline architecture in order to improve the inference speed.

Data forming method for a multi-stage fuzzy processing system