The invention relates to a device enabling at least two substances to be stored separately, to be mixed together, and the resulting mixture to be dispensed, said device being of the type comprising a receptacle and at least one removable shutter suitable for separating, inside the receptacle, two chambers for respectively containing said substances prior to first use of the device, the device further including a pushbutton for moving on first use to cause said shutter to be removed or torn and to put the two chambers into communication with each other. The device comprises a gasket including a portion fixed to the receptacle and a deformable portion made of an elastically-deformable material suitable for deforming when the pushbutton is depressed so to accompany the movement thereof while simultaneously constituting a sealed barrier between the inside of the receptacle and the pushbutton.

French patent application 2 290 366 discloses a device enabling two substances to be stored separately, to be mixed together, and the resulting mixture to be dispensed, that device comprising a necked receptacle containing one of the substances and a perforated plate made of a semi-rigid plastics material such as polyvinyl chloride, containing the other substance and disposed on the neck of the receptacle.
A pushbutton is provided to tear off a tab closing the perforated plate and to enable the substance contained therein to fall into the receptacle and be mixed with the other substance.
Also known, from French patent application FR 2 722 765 in the name of the Applicant company, is a device comprising a receptacle and a removable shutter placed inside the receptacle for separating two chambers respectively containing the two substances prior to first use. On first use of the device the shutter is removed or torn by means of a pushbutton so as to put said chambers into communication and enable said substances to be mixed together. On each occasion that the pushbutton is depressed, it is also advantageously used to establish a pressure rise within the receptacle and the expulsion of a predetermined quantity of the mixture. A return spring enables the pushbutton to be returned to its initial position when the user releases it. Typically, since at least one of the two substances is a liquid, it is necessary for the pushbutton to move in sealed manner relative to the receptacle so as to avoid any leakage. Sealing is obtained by the pushbutton being an exact fit in a cylindrical portion of the receptacle, and, if necessary, sealing is reinforced by the presence of a sealing skirt surrounding said cylindrical portion. A tamperproofing ring can prevent the pushbutton being moved so long as the ring is present on the receptacle. Such a device has rather a large number of component parts and it is therefore relatively expensive to manufacture and to assemble.

Device for separately storing at least two substances, for mixing them together, and for dispensing the mixture obtained thereby, and a method of manufacture


A friction wheel singler for singling bank notes includes a singler roller 1 with grooves 2, and retaining wheels 14 cooperating with the grooves 2. The retaining wheels 14 have friction areas 14a and sliding areas 14b such that both a sliding area 14b and a friction area 14a cooperate with each groove 2 of the singler roller 1. Such a friction singler is particularly suitable for longitudinal singling of narrow bank notes and prevents skewing of the sheet to be singled during the singling process.

There are different technical concepts for singling stacks of sheets such as bank-note bundles so that the singled bank notes can be supplied to a testing sensor system which determines the authenticity, qualitative nature, denomination or other characteristic properties of the bank notes.
The present application deals with the concept of friction singlers. In a friction wheel singler, the friction elements of a singler roller for example act on the surface of a bank note of a bank-note stack, the thus contacted bank note being conveyed in a transport direction due to friction by rotation of the singler roller while the other bank notes of the bank-note stack are held back by a retaining device. The retaining device and the singler roller to this end form a singler gap through which the bank note is conveyed. The singler roller has grooves extending in the transport direction of the bank notes to be singled and capable of being slightly engaged by the retaining device. The engagement depth is adjustable.
To make sure the bank note contacted by the singler roller is conveyed and the other bank notes of the bank-note stack are held back, the singler roller must exert on the bank note in the singler gap a singling force or feed force that is greater than the retaining force exerted on the bank note by the retaining device on the opposite side of the singler gap. The retaining device can be realized for example as a retaining roller or retaining pad or runner, which can be mounted either rigidly or so as to rotate against the transport direction.
To adjust the ratio of feed force to retaining force to a desired fixed value, the singler roller can be provided with friction elements whose friction linings have a considerably higher coefficient of friction than the corresponding friction linings of the retaining device, the ratio of friction being for example about 2:1.
It has proved disadvantageous in this procedure that the different friction materials of the singler roller and the retaining device partly have very different operating behavior, for example with respect to resistance to environmental influences, moisture absorption, temperature coefficient, aging and wear resistance. This can lead to different service lives and influences the ratio of friction, which can lead to singling errors including a multiple pick, by which more than one sheet is grasped and conveyed by the singler roller.
For avoiding these problems, a friction wheel singler was developed wherein the same friction material, or friction material with the same coefficient of friction, is used for singler roller and retaining device (DE 100 08 135 A1). To make sure the singler roller force acting on the sheet material to be singled is sufficiently greater than the force exerted by the retaining device despite the use of substantially the same friction material for retention and singling, it is provided that the contact area between the sheet material and the friction elements of the singler roller is substantially greater than the contact area between the sheet material and the friction areas of the retaining device. This is obtained by the retaining roller engaging adjacent circumferential grooves of the singler roller alternately with a material of high coefficient of friction ("friction area") and with a material of low coefficient of friction ("sliding area"). If the coefficient of friction of the sliding areas of the retaining device is negligibly low, a ratio of coefficients of friction of about 2:1 again results because the friction materials of the retaining device and the singler roller are otherwise the same.
The friction wheel singler according to DE 100 08 135 A1 is particularly suitable for transverse singling of bank notes, by which bank notes are singled with their longitudinal edge leading. When the friction wheel singler is used as a longitudinal singler, by which bank notes are singled with their narrower transverse edge leading, bank notes are occasionally skewed during singling, however, which can lead to jamming in the singler gap or to a jam in the subsequent transport path.

Device for separating sheet-type products


A method for one-way coupling an input signal to an integrated circuit on a semiconductor chip with the integrated circuit electrically isolated from the input signal comprises forming a MOS isolation coupler on the semiconductor chip by a CMOS process. The MOS isolation coupler comprises an inductor coil for generating a magnetic field in response to an input signal applied to terminals thereof. A MAGFET having a split drain formed by respective drain portions is formed on the semiconductor chip below the inductor coil, so that a current difference is induced between the drain currents in the drain portions which is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field generated by the inductor coil resulting from the input signal. The MAGFET is formed prior to the inductor coil. An oxide isolating layer is provided over the MAGFET, and the inductor coil is formed on the oxide layer. The depth of the oxide layer is sufficient for providing the desired amount of electrical isolation, while at the same time locating the inductor coil sufficiently close to the MAGFET so that the magnetic field generated by the inductor coil, extending axially through the inductor coil cuts the channel of the MAGFET substantially perpendicularly.

Isolation couplers for electrically isolating circuits, one from another are known. In general, such isolation couplers can be classified into four separate categories, namely, transformer-based isolators, capacitively coupled isolators, magneto-sensitive (e.g., Hall effect, MR, GMR and similar) isolators and opto-coupler-based isolators. Many such couplers are not suitable for use in integrated circuit applications because they require external circuit components, suffer from disadvantages relating to size and cost, and require complicated hybrid assembly or packaging arrangements. One attempt to provide an integrated magneto-sensitive isolation coupler which would to some extent be compatible with integrated circuit technology is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,883 of Muller, et al. The coupler of Muller, et al comprises a magnetic field source and a magnetic field detector, which are electrically isolated from each other by a dielectric medium located between the magnetic field source and the magnetic field detector. The magnetic field source is provided by a flat or planar inductor coil which receives an input signal and in turn generates a magnetic field in response to the input signal. The detector is located beneath the flat inductor coil and is provided by two carrier-domain-magnetometers which sense the magnetic field and output a signal corresponding to the input signal to the inductor coil in response to the magnetic field generated by the inductor coil. The inductor coil and the two carrier-domain-magnetometers are formed on the same integrated chip, and the carrier-domain-magnetometers are electrically isolated from the inductor coil by the dielectric medium, which is provided by a dielectric layer. However, a disadvantage of the isolation coupler of Muller, et al is that carrier-domain-magnetometers (like the field-receiving elements of many other magneto-sensitive isolators) are unsuitable for use in modern standard MOS processes. In order to implement the isolation coupler of Muller, et al in such MOS processes, substantial and costly changes and additional processing steps are required to the MOS processes. This is undesirable, since any changes or additions to standard MOS processes, and in particular to standard CMOS processes are relatively costly, and in general, introduce inefficiencies into the processes.
There is therefore a need for a method for one-way coupling an input signal to an integrated circuit on a semiconductor chip with the integrated circuit electrically isolated from the input signal, particularly such a method as is suitable for implementation in a standard MOS process.
The present invention is directed towards providing a method for one-way coupling an input signal to an integrated circuit on a semiconductor chip with the integrated circuit electrically isolated from the input signal.

Method for one-way coupling an input signal to an integrated circuit


A new and distinct Chamelaucium cultivar named ‘UMBRELLA’ is disclosed, characterized by a large quantity of late blooming, medium sized, pink colored flowers. The new variety is a Chamelaucium, normally producing cut flower stems, or as a garden or container plant.

The new Chamelaucium cultivar is the product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Nitzan Nir, in Kfar Hess, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Chamelaucium varieties for ornamental commercial applications. The new variety was selected as a hybrid seedling from the breeding program at a commercial nursery in Kfar Hess, Israel.
The seed parent is the unpatented variety referred to as Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Hot Pink'. The pollen parent is the unpatented, variety referred to as Chamelaucium uncinatum 'Early Violet'. The new variety was discovered in April of 2009 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from previously mentioned crossing, in a commercial nursery in Kfar Hess, Israel.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar has been performed by vegetative cuttings. This was first performed at a commercial nursery in Kfar Hess, Israel in February of 2010 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A dynamic random access memory includes memory cells arranged in rows and columns on the substrate and a plurality of connecting pillars, each associated with a memory cell. A bit line extends above the main area of the substrate and connects to each memory cell of a column. A first word line connects a first set of alternate memory cells of a row by a first subset of the plurality of connecting pillars. The first word line includes first parts arranged offset relative to the first subset of connecting pillars. A strip-shaped second part extends above the main area and adjoins the first parts of the first word line. A second word line connects to a second set of alternate memory cells of the row by a second subset of the connecting pillars. The second word line includes first parts arranged between mutually adjacent first word lines and offset from the second subset of the connecting pillars. Both the first and second word lines thus overlap but do not cover the connecting pillars. A strip-shaped second part extends above the main area in the first direction and adjoins the first parts of the second word line. The second part is above the first word line and the bit line.

The invention relates to a DRAM cell arrangement and a method for fabricating it.
Generally endeavors are made to produce a DRAM cell arrangement with an ever higher packing density. For a DRAM cell arrangement in which the information is stored in the form of a charge on a storage capacitor, the problem arises of producing the storage capacitor on a small area but nonetheless providing it with a sufficiently high capacitance in order that the signal of the charge is not submerged in background noise when the information is read out.
K. Hoffmann, xe2x80x9cVLSI-Entwurf: Modelle und Schaltungen [VLSI Design: Models and Circuits]xe2x80x9d (1996), pages 411 to 415 describes a DRAM cell arrangement having so-called folded bit lines. On account of comparable bulk resistances and coupling capacitances, the background noise of bit lines which are arranged close together is similar. In a DRAM cell arrangement having folded bit lines, the signal of a bit line which is connected to a storage capacitor to be read is compared with a signal of an adjacent bit line, which only comprises the background noise. Since the two bit lines are adjacent to one another, part of the background noise can thus be filtered out. Consequently, such a differential reading method makes it possible to read out a smaller charge, which produces a smaller voltage change on the bit line. A minimum capacitance of the storage capacitor required for reading out the information is smaller than in the case of a DRAM cell arrangement having so-called open bit lines, i.e. without folded bit lines. A word line which addresses the memory cell to be read must not be connected to any memory cell connected to the adjacent bit line, in order that the signal of the adjacent bit line only comprises background noise. In the case of the DRAM cell arrangement described, a memory cell comprises a transistor and a storage capacitor, which are arranged next to one another. A first word line and a second word line are arranged above the memory cell. Mutually adjacent memory cells along the word lines are alternately connected to the first word line and the second word line. To that end, the transistors and the storage capacitors of the memory cells are arranged in such a way that a transistor and a storage capacitor of different memory cells are alternately arranged next to one another along the word lines. The bit lines run transversely with respect to the word lines.
T. Ozaki et al., xe2x80x9c0.228 xcexcm2 Trench Cell Technologies with Bottle-Shaped Capacitor for 1 Giga-Bit DRAMs,xe2x80x9d IEDM (1995) 661, describes a DRAM cell arrangement having open bit lines. A memory cell comprises a planar transistor and a storage capacitor connected in series therewith. Two planar transistors having a common source/drain region are arranged between two respective storage capacitors whose storage nodes are arranged in depressions in a substrate. In order to increase the capacitance of the storage capacitor, firstly an upper region of the depression is produced, the sidewalls of which region are provided with an oxide. Afterward, the oxide is removed at the bottom of the depression and the depression is deepened further, thereby producing a lower region of the depression. The lower region of the depression is widened by a wet etching process, with the result that a cross section of the lower region of the depression is larger than a cross section of the upper region. By virtue of the widening of the lower region of the depression, the surface area of a capacitor dielectric which covers areas of the depression is enlarged, and the capacitance of the storage capacitor is thus increased.
EP 0 852 396 describes a DRAM cell arrangement in which, in order to increase the packing density, a transistor of a memory cell is arranged above a storage capacitor of the memory cell. Active regions of the memory cells are in each case surrounded by an insulating structure arranged in a substrate. A depression is produced in the substrate for each memory cell, a storage node of the storage capacitor being arranged in the lower region of the depression and a gate electrode of the transistor being arranged in the upper region of the depression. An upper source/drain region, a channel region and a lower source/drain region of the transistor are arranged one above the other in the substrate. The lower source/drain region is connected to the storage node at a first sidewall of the depression. The insulating structure adjoins a second sidewall, opposite to the first sidewall, of the depression, with the result that the storage node does not adjoin the substrate there. A capacitor electrode of the storage capacitor is formed by the ad diffusion of dopant into the substrate. As in the publication by T. Ozaki et al. (see above), a lower region of the depression is widened in this case, too. A bit line adjoins the upper source/drain region and runs above the substrate. The gate electrode is insulated from the substrate and from the bit lines by a gate dielectric and the insulating structure. The gate electrode adjoins a word line running above the bit line.
The invention is based on the problem of specifying a DRAM cell arrangement which has folded bit lines, whose word lines and bit lines can be produced with high electrical conductivity and which can, at the same time, be fabricated with a high packing density. Furthermore, the intention is to specify a method for fabricating it.
The problem is solved by means of a DRAM cell arrangement in which memory cells are arranged in columns which run parallel to a y-axis and rows which run parallel to an x-axis, in a substrate. The memory cells of a column are connected to a bit line which runs above a main area of the substrate. The memory cells of a row are alternately connected to a first word line and a second word line. Furthermore the memory cells each comprise a pillar-shaped connection structure. First parts of the first word line are each arranged offset in the y-direction, i.e. in the positive direction along the y-axis, with respect to one of the connection structures of the memory cells to which the first word line is connected, with the result that this connection structure is overlapped from above but not covered. A second part of the first word line is strip-shaped, runs above the main area and essentially parallel to the x-axis and adjoins the first parts of the first word line from above. Sidewalls of the first word line are provided with insulating spacers. First parts of the second word line are arranged between the spacers of mutually adjacent first word lines of the memory cells. The first parts of the second word line are each arranged offset oppositely to the y-direction, i.e. in the negative direction along the y-axis, with respect to one of the connection structures of the memory cells to which the second word line is connected, with the result that this connection structure is overlapped from above but not covered. A second part of the second word line is strip-shaped, runs above the main area and essentially parallel to the x-axis, adjoins the first parts of the second word line from above and is arranged above the first word line and the bit line. The first word line and the second word line overlap the row.
The problem is furthermore solved by means of a method for fabricating a DRAM cell arrangement, in which memory cells are produced in columns which run parallel to a y-axis and rows which run parallel to an x-axis. A pillar-shaped connection structure is in each case produced for the memory cells. Bit lines are produced which are respectively connected to the memory cells of a column. A first insulating layer is applied over the connection structures of memory cells. First contact holes are produced in the first insulating layer, which uncover parts of each second connection structure of the memory cells of a row in such a way that the first contact holes are arranged offset in the y-direction with respect to the connection structures. Conductive material is deposited, with the result that the first contact holes are filled with first parts of first word lines. A second insulating layer is deposited. The conductive material and the second insulating layer are patterned, thereby producing strip-shaped second parts of the first word lines, which run essentially parallel to the x-axis, adjoin the first parts of the first word line from above and are covered by the second insulating layer. Sidewalls of the first word lines are provided with insulating spacers. The first insulating layer is etched selectively with respect to the second insulating layer and the spacers, with the result that parts of the remaining connection structures are uncovered in such a way that second contact holes are produced, which are arranged offset oppositely to the y-direction with respect to the connection structures. Conductive material is deposited, with the result that the second contact holes are filled with first parts of second word lines, which are arranged between the spacers of mutually adjacent first word lines. The conductive material is patterned, thereby producing strip-shaped second parts of the second word lines, which run essentially parallel to the x-axis, adjoin the first parts of the second word lines from above and are arranged above the first word lines and the bit lines.
Materials having high electrical conductivities, such as e.g. WSi, TiSi, MoSi, CoSi, TaSi, are preferably deposited above a semiconductor substrate since, on the one hand, they cover edges formed e.g. by depressions in the semiconductor substrate poorly, i.e. non-uniformly, and, on the other hand, they should be arranged at a distance from the semiconductor substrate in order to avoid contamination of the semiconductor substrate. Moreover, mechanical strain or damage, caused by the deposition, of a surface of the substrate is thereby avoided. Since both the bit lines and the second parts of the first word lines and of the second word lines run above the substrate, they can contain materials having high electrical conductivities. Furthermore, the bit lines and the word lines can be produced at the same time as gate electrodes of transistors of a periphery of the DRAM cell arrangement by patterning a layer or a layer sequence made of conductive materials with the aid of a mask by means of etching. In this case, the bit lines and the word lines have a so-called planar construction.
Since the memory cells of a row are alternately connected to the first word line and the second word line, and the bit lines in each case connect the memory cells of a column to one another, there are no two memory cells which are connected to mutually adjacent bit lines and are simultaneously connected to the same word line. The DRAM cell arrangement consequently has folded bit lines.
The DRAM cell arrangement can have a high packing density since only the spacers, which can be fabricated with thin horizontal cross sections, i.e. cross sections parallel to the main area, laterally isolate the first word lines from the second word lines.
The bit lines and the word lines can be produced after the fabrication of the memory cells. This is advantageous since the production of the bit lines and word lines from metals is made possible, after the application of which process steps at high temperatures, which can lead for example to the contamination of other parts of the DRAM cell arrangement, are avoided. By way of example, a layer sequence comprising Ti, TiN and W can be patterned for the purpose of producing the word lines and the bit lines.
The production of the word lines is insensitive to alignment inaccuracies with regard to the connection structures. The extensive self-aligned contact-connection of the connection structures by the word lines enables the DRAM cell arrangement to have a high packing density. The alignment of photoresist masks for producing the first word lines and the second word lines merely has to guarantee that the connection structures are partially overlapped, since etching is effected selectively with respect to the spacers and the second insulating layer during the production of the second word lines, with the result that contact holes for the second word lines cannot be produced in and adjoining the first word lines. The alignment inaccuracy preferably amounts to up to a third of the width of the connection structures.
On account of the insensitivity to alignment inaccuracies, the DRAM cell arrangement can be produced with a high packing density. The first word lines preferably have a width equal to the minimum feature size F that can be fabricated in the technology used for fabricating the DRAM cell arrangement. The same applies to the second word lines, to distances between mutually adjacent first word lines, to distances between mutually adjacent second word lines and to the widths of the connection structures. The bit lines can likewise have a width and distances from one another which amount to F. Accordingly, in a plan view of the DRAM cell arrangement, the first word lines and the second word lines can be arranged alternately without a spacing directly next to one another or in an overlapping manner. The memory cell can be fabricated with an area of 4F2.
The connection structures can project above the main area of the substrate. In this case, sidewalls of the connection structures are provided with further insulating spacers between which first parts of the bit lines adjoin. Second parts of the bit lines are arranged between the first parts of the bit lines and have a larger width than the first parts of the bit lines. The bit lines adjoin the main area and in each case run between connection structures which are adjacent to one another in the x-direction. This has the advantage that the bit lines can be produced in a largely self-aligned manner between the connection structures. To that end, an insulation is produced which surrounds the connection structures provided with the further spacers. With the aid of a strip-shaped mask whose strips run parallel to the columns and which each overlap connection structures of memory cells of a column, trenches are produced in the insulation, etching being effected selectively with respect to the spacers and the first insulating layer. Afterward, conductive material is deposited and removed until the insulation is uncovered, with the result that the bit lines are produced in the trenches, and that the bit lines not overlapping the connection structures. This is advantageous since otherwise the effective cross section of the connection structures would be reduced, which would in turn result in a reduction in the overlap of the connection structures with the word lines.
It lies within the scope of the invention for a memory cell to comprise a transistor and a storage capacitor connected in series therewith.
In order to increase the packing density, it is advantageous if the transistor is configured as a vertical transistor, with the result that an upper source/drain region is arranged above a channel region and the channel region is arranged above a lower source/drain region of the transistor.
In order to further increase the packing density, it is advantageous if the transistor and the storage capacitor are arranged one above the other.
It lies within the scope of the invention for the upper source/drain region to be connected to the bit line. The connection structure is connected to a gate electrode of the transistor.
A depression may be provided for the memory cell in the substrate, a storage node of the storage capacitor being arranged in the lower region of the depression and the connection structure being arranged in the upper region of the depression. Areas of the lower region of the depression are provided with a capacitor dielectric. The storage node is electrically insulated from the connection structure. In the upper region of the depression, at least a first sidewall of the depression is provided with a gate dielectric. A part of the connection structure is arranged at least on the first sidewall and can act as a gate electrode of the transistor. The upper source/drain region is arranged on the main area of the substrate and adjoins two depressions that are adjacent to one another in the x-direction.
In order to produce such a DRAM cell arrangement, after the application of a capacitor dielectric, the depressions are filled with conductive material up to a middle height. To that end, the conductive material can be deposited, planarized by chemical mechanical polishing and then etched back as far as the middle height. Afterward, uncovered parts of the capacitor dielectric are removed, with the result that areas of the depressions are provided with the capacitor dielectric only up to the middle height. Afterward, the depressions are filled further by conductive material up to an upper height, which is situated in the lower region, with the result that the conductive material adjoins the substrate between the middle height and the upper height. The conductive material in the depressions forms the storage nodes. A gate dielectric is produced in such a way that it covers the storage node. As an alternative, firstly insulating material is applied to the storage node and the gate dielectric is grown subsequently. The connection structure is then produced in the upper region of the depression. The gate dielectric or the insulating material isolates the connection structure from the storage node.
It lies within the scope of the invention for the depression to be produced in a layer sequence, with the result that the lower source/drain region, the channel region and the upper source/drain region are produced from layers of the layer sequence.
The lower source/drain region is preferably produced by dopant diffusing from the storage node Abetween the upper height and the middle height into the substrate by means of a heat-treatment step. As a result, the lower source/drain region only adjoins a depression, with the result that channel regions of different transistors are electrically connected to one another. This is advantageous since floating body effects are avoided in this way.
It is advantageous to apply a mask prior to the removal of the uncovered parts of the capacitor dielectric above the middle height, which mask covers second sidewalls, opposite to the first sidewalls, of the depressions. As a result, the capacitor dielectric is preserved on the second sidewall, with the result that the storage node adjoins the substrate only at the first sidewall between the middle height and the upper height. The distance between the second sidewall and the first sidewall of mutually adjacent depressions can be reduced in this case without leakage currents arising between the associated storage nodes. The packing density of the DRAM cell arrangement can thus be increased. After the production of the storage nodes, uncovered parts of the capacitor dielectric which are arranged on the second sidewalls above the upper height can be removed.
The upper source/drain region can be produced by patterning a doped layer of the substrate, the layer adjoining the main area. The patterning is effected on the one hand by the production of the depressions. On the other hand, isolating structures are produced between upper source/drain regions that are adjacent to one another in the y-direction. The isolating structures can be produced by producing further trenches in the substrate, which run parallel to the rows and are arranged between the depressions. The further trenches are subsequently filled with insulating material.
The upper source/drain region can alternatively be produced by carrying out an implantation after the production of the depressions and isolating structures.
The depressions can be produced in a self-aligned manner between the isolating structures by producing the isolating structures and then etching the substrate with the aid of a strip-shaped mask selectively with respect to the isolating structures, strips of the mask running transversely with respect to the isolating structures.
In order to prevent a gate electrode of a depression from driving a transistor of the adjacent depression, it is advantageous if insulating structures which are thicker than the gate dielectric are arranged on the second sidewalls of the depressions. In order to increase the packing density, it is advantageous here if the insulating structures are arranged in the upper regions of the depressions instead of in the substrate. In order to produce the insulating structures, firstly the connection structures may be produced by producing the gate dielectric and then depositing conductive material and patterning it with the aid of a mask which covers the second sidewalls of the depressions. The connection structures are arranged on the first sidewalls of the depressions and do not completely fill the depressions. The insulating structures are produced by depositing insulating material and etching it back.
It is advantageous if the capacitor dielectric has a first part, which covers areas of the lower regions of the depressions up to a lower height, which lies below the middle height, and a second part, which is thicker than the first part and covers areas of the depressions between the lower height and the middle height. Depending on the conductivity types chosen, a pnp junction or an npn junction is formed by the lower source/drain region, the substrate and the capacitor electrode, which junction, driven by the storage node, can cause leakage currents. Thus, if the capacitor dielectric is particularly thick between the capacitor electrode and the second source/drain region, the storage node no longer drives the junction and leakage currents are avoided. To that end, after the production of the depressions, the first part of the capacitor dielectric is applied over the whole area. The depressions are filled by conductive material up to a lower height, which lies below the middle height. Uncovered parts of the first part of the capacitor dielectric are subsequently removed. The second part of the capacitor dielectric is firstly applied over the whole area and removed by anisotropic etching from a surface of the conductive material. The depression is filled further by the deposition of conductive material up to the middle height. The procedure may then continue in the manner described above.
A capacitor electrode of the capacitor is arranged in the substrate and adjoins the capacitor dielectric. The capacitor electrode may be configured as a doped substrate layer common to all of the capacitors. The doped layer may be produced e.g. by epitaxy or implantation prior to the production of the memory cells. As an alternative, a dopant source is introduced in the depressions, from which source dopant diffuses into the substrate, and forms the doped layer there, in a heat-treatment step.
The dopant source is e.g. arsenic glass. After the production of the depressions, the arsenic glass is deposited, with the result that areas of the depressions are covered. The lower regions of the depressions provided with the arsenic glass are filled with e.g. photoresist. Uncovered arsenic glass is subsequently removed. It is advantageous to grow a protective oxide after the removal of the photoresist. The protective oxide prevents arsenic from evaporating during the subsequent heat-treatment step during which arsenic diffuses from the arsenic glass into the substrate. The capacitor electrode is produced as an arsenic-doped part of the substrate which surrounds the lower regions of the depressions.
It is advantageous if the first sidewall is plane in the upper region and the area of the lower region is curved. The growth of the gate dielectric produced by thermal oxidation depends on the orientation of the first sidewall relative to the crystal structure of the substrate. If the first sidewall is plane, the gate dielectric can grow homogeneously since a plane area, in contrast to a curved area, has a defined orientation relative to the crystal structure. Control characteristics of the transistor in which the gate dielectric has a homogeneous thickness correspond to those of conventional planar transistors and have a particularly high subthreshold transconductance. If a part of the capacitor dielectric is grown by thermal oxidation on an area having an edge, the oxide turns out to be particularly thin on the edge. It is therefore possible for leakage currents to arise in the region of the edge. Therefore, it is advantageous if the capacitor dielectric is produced on an area having no edges. Even if the capacitor dielectric is produced by depositing material, edges in the area have a disadvantageous effect since field distortions occur at the edges and can reduce the breakdown voltage of the capacitor.
It lies within the scope of the invention for the upper region to have an essentially rectangular cross section which is larger than a cross section of the lower region, which is essentially circular or elliptic. To that end, after the production of the upper regions of the depression, auxiliary spacers are produced on the depressions by depositing material and anisotropically etching it back. The auxiliary spacers are rounded by an isotropic etching process, with the result that uncovered parts of bottoms of the depressions have a circumference without corners. The lower regions of the depressions are subsequently produced by anisotropic etching selectively with respect to the auxiliary spacers.
In order to increase the capacitance of the storage capacitor, it is advantageous if the lower region of the depression is subsequently extended by isotropically etching the substrate, with the result that its cross section is enlarged. This enlarges the area of the lower region on which the capacitor dielectric is arranged, with the result that the capacitance of the storage capacitor is increased.
A method is described below which prevents the situation where, on account of the finite selectivity of etching processes, an upper area of the isolating structures lies below the main area after the production of the depressions. Prior to the production of the isolating structures, a lower layer made of a first material is applied on the main area and an upper layer made of a second material is applied over the lower layer. The isolating structures are subsequently produced, the first material being used to fill the further trenches. An upper area of the isolating structures lies above the main area but below an upper area of the lower layer. By depositing and planarizing the second material until the lower layer is uncovered, auxiliary structures made of the second material are produced above the isolating structures. Afterward, the depressions are produced with the aid of the strip-shaped mask by firstly etching the first material selectively with respect to the second material, with the result that the upper area of the isolating structures lies above the main area in an unchanged manner, since the auxiliary structures protect the isolating structures. The depressions can subsequently be produced by etching uncovered parts of the substrate, the isolating structures and the lower layer serving as mask. In this case, on account of the finite selectivity of the etching process, the isolating structures and the lower layer are removed whose upper areas do not lie below the main area on account of the sufficient thickness of the lower layer after the production of the depressions.
The substrate may contain silicon and/or germanium and is preferably monocrystalline in order that the gate dielectric can be produced by thermal oxidation.
The bit lines and the word lines may be constructed in a multilayer manner. By way of example, it is possible to provide in each case a lower layer made of doped polysilicon and, above that, a layer made of a material having better electrical conductivity, e.g. silicide or metal.
An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.


An ultraviolet starting aid is formed in a metal halide arc discharge lamp by forming a cavity in a press seal portion of an arc tube. An electrode is provided in the cavity which either extends external to the press seal, or the electrode may be a portion of molybdenum ribbon used in the press seal.

This invention relates to an ultraviolet radiation starting source for an arc discharge lamp.
High pressure metal halide arc discharge lamps typically comprise an arc tube which encloses an ionizable fill material and two electrodes at opposing ends of the tube. To reduce the time it takes to start the lamp, a starter electrode may be disposed inside the arc tube near one of the main electrodes, as shown in Freese et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,761. A discharge can be initiated between the starter electrode and one of the main electrodes at a voltage that is much lower than the voltage required to ignite an arc between the two main electrodes. The ultraviolet radiation from this discharge produces photoelectrons which enhance gas breakdown and discharge formation in the arc tube between the two main electrodes.
Zaslavsky et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,915, issued Apr. 4, 1989, discloses a UV enhancer which is separate from the arc tube. The '915 patent, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a UV enhancer which typically has a borosilicate glass envelope enclosing an ionizable fill material and a single electrode. The single electrode has a getter which can remove certain gases when the envelope heats and outgasses. When energized, the UV enhancer produces ultraviolet radiation which illuminates the path between the main electrodes within the arc tube, thus decreasing the time for generating a high intensity arc discharge.
The starter electrode approach and the separate UV enhancer each require additional parts and manufacturing steps. The extra parts and steps add to the lamp manufacturing cost.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved starting source for an arc discharge lamp.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a starting source which has fewer components than prior art devices.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a starting source which is easy to manufacture.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a starting source which efficiently couples radiation to the interior of the arc tube.


A magnetoresistive sensor element is provided, having a magnetoresistive layer system which, in top view, is at least regionally striated. The sensor element operates on the basis of the GMR effect and is constructed according to the spin valve principle, the striated layer system featuring a reference layer having a direction of magnetization substantially uninfluenced by a direction of an outer magnetic field acting on it. During operation, the sensor element provides a measuring signal which changes as a function of a measurement angle between the component of the field strength of the outer magnetic field lying in the plane of the layer system, and the direction of magnetization, and from which this measurement angle is able to be ascertained. In addition, observed in a top view of the striated layer system, the angle between the direction of magnetization in the absence of the outer magnetic field and the longitudinal direction of the striated layer system is set in such a way that in response to an influence of the outer magnetic field having a defined field strength, which is selected from a predefined work interval, the angle error of the layer system, as a function of this angle and the field strength, is minimal.

Because of their enlarged measuring range of 360° and enlarged signal amplitudes and thus lower susceptibility to interference compared to AMR angle sensors, magnetoresistive sensor elements based on the GMR (giant magneto resistance) effect according to the so-called spin valve principle are increasingly being utilized for angle detection in motor vehicles. To that end, the sensor system has a field-generating magnet and an angle sensor, or more generally a magnetoresistive sensor element, positioned in proximity thereto, the direction of the magnetic field acting on this sensor element being detected.
The design of magnetoresistive sensor elements on the basis of the spin valve principle differs from GMR sensor elements or GMR multilayers, which have an alternating sequence of ferromagnetic and non-magnetic thin layers, to the effect that as a rule, only two ferromagnetic thin layers are provided that are separated by a non-magnetic intermediate layer. The direction of the magnetization of one of these two ferromagnetic layers is then fixed (pinned) by a coupling of this layer to an anti-ferromagnetic layer. The other layer, the so-called free layer or detection layer, in an outer magnetic field is able to freely rotate the direction of its magnetization, so that an angle, variable via the direction of the outer magnetic field, sets in between the direction of the magnetization in the detection layer and the direction of the magnetization in the pinned layer, i.e., the so-called reference layer. The electrical resistance of the sensor element is moreover a function of this angle, so that this angle can be determined by measuring the electrical resistance.
Alternatively, a layer system having an anti-ferromagnetic layer, a ferromagnetic layer situated thereon, a non-magnetic layer on it, and a ferromagnetic layer thereon, is also suitable for fixing the direction of the magnetization of the reference layer, the non-magnetic layer between the two ferromagnetic layers imparting an anti-ferromagnetic coupling between them. Such a layer system is known as an artificial anti-ferromagnet.
To permit implementation of an angle sensor having magnetoresistive layer systems operating on the basis of the GMR effect and constructed according to the spin valve principle, it is beneficial to interconnect a plurality of such magnetoresistive layer systems in two Wheatstone bridge circuits, one bridge being rotated by 90°, for example, compared to the other with respect to the direction of the magnetization in the reference layer. In an outer rotating magnetic field, for instance, this leads to a phase shift in the output signals of both bridges. One speaks here of a "cosine" bridge and a "sine" bridge according to the dependence of the output signal of the two bridges on the outer magnetic-field direction. Each of the individual Wheatstone bridges is further made up of magnetoresistive layer systems in the form of four single resistors, which pairwise have a direction of magnetization in the reference layer of, for example, 180° relative to each other.
Published international patent document WO 00/79298 provides an overview of the design of magnetoresistive layer systems that are constructed according to the spin valve principle and operate according to the GMR effect. Also described in this patent document is the interconnection of magnetoresistive layer systems in the form of two Wheatstone bridge circuits rotated by 90° relative to each other, as well as the structure of a magnetoresistive layer system having an artificial anti-ferromagnet for setting a fixed direction of the magnetization of the reference layer of the layer system.
Measuring errors due to two intrinsic effects occur when working with magnetoresistive layer systems that operate on the basis of the GMR effect and are constructed according to the spin valve principle.
Thus, the detection layer or free layer has a certain anisotropy on one hand, and on the other hand, a residual coupling with the reference layer or pinned layer, i.e., it does not optimally follow the outer magnetic field with respect to its direction. Moreover, one also observes that the direction of the magnetization of the reference layer does not remain completely unchanged when an outer magnetic field acts on it. In this respect, a slight change in the direction of the magnetization of the reference layer also frequently occurs in response to the influence of an outer magnetic field, which invalidates the measuring result.
An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetoresistive sensor element having a reduced angle error compared to the known art, and a method for reducing the angle error of a magnetoresistive sensor element, to thus permit use of this magnetoresistive sensor element as a particularly precise angle sensor, e.g., in motor vehicles.

Magnetoresistive sensor element and method for reducing the angular error of a magnetoresistive sensor element


A screw-released roller brake including an input drive assembly, an output drive assembly, a plurality of locking sprags, a mechanical tripper nut for unlocking the sprags, and a casing therefor. The sprags consist of three dimensional (3-D) sprag members having pairs of contact surface regions which engage respective pairs of contact surface regions included in angular grooves or slots formed in the casing and the output drive assembly. The sprags operate to lock the output drive assembly to the casing to prevent rotation thereof in an idle mode of operation. In a drive mode of operation, the tripper is either self actuated or motor driven and is translated linearly up and down against a spline and at the limit of its travel rotates the sprags which unlock while coupling the input drive assembly to the output drive assembly so as to impart a turning motion thereto in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to mechanical brake/clutch devices and more particularly to sprag type locking devices which operate between a drive member and a reaction member.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Over-running one-way roller and ball locking techniques are well known and have been used extensively for many years. Moreover, roller-locking sprags in one form or another are also well known. Such devices wedge between rotation members with great force when the brake is undergoing large loads which is in the form of torques. To release such a device when it acts as a brake under load, the sprags must be pried loose. This has been a prevalent and general limitation in all types of roller locking devices.
A typical roller locking brake mechanism is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,941 entitled, "Roller Locking Brake" which issued to John M. Vranish, the present inventor, on Apr. 14, 1992. There a roller locking brake structure includes a roller locking/lifting ring, a housing, a set of conical locking rollers, a striker ring and a drive disc. The roller locking/lifting ring includes respective V-shaped locking cam surface segments for each locking roller which is in the form of a truncated cone and provides a force and torque reaction surface for forces and torques generated in the braking process.
An electromagnetic brake and clutch mechanism using roller locking devices is also shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,261 entitled, "Electromagnetic Brake/Clutch Device" issued to John M. Vranish on Jan. 4, 1994. There a dedicated magnetic solenoid unlocks a plurality of cammed rollers which prevent rotation of a drive shaft. Such a structure, however, has inherent limitations. For example, the solenoid has a limited stroke and the tolerances on the stroke are frequently critical. Also, the strength of the solenoid is typically weak near the beginning of its stroke where the strength is most needed. Furthermore, magnetic windings and the core associated with the solenoid are typically heavy and occupy valuable space. Also the solenoids typically require considerable current spike which complicates the electronic circuitry associated therewith.
More recently, a three-dimensional (3-D) roller locking sprag has been developed. Such a structure is shown and disclosed in the above cross-referenced application, U.S. Ser. No. 08/280,979 (GSC 13,617) and provides an improvement in sprag type devices which effectively doubles the sprag locking angle without increasing contact stresses associated with the sprags.

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A wireless communication system and a wireless communication device capable of performing communication by each transmission signal without mutual interference, when a plurality of transmission signals of different communication systems or the same communication systems exist within the same frequency band. The system includes a first wireless communication device, a second wireless communication device, a third wireless communication device, and a fixed band-pass filter and a variable band-pass filter in the third wireless communication device. The first wireless communication signal includes control information indicating a variable pass band in the variable band-pass filter, and the control information is given to the variable band-pass filter, thereby allowing the first wireless communication signal to be selectively passed through the variable band-pass filter, while removing the second wireless communication signal.

According to a working group of W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) which is known as a third-generation mobile telephone communication system, a standard is established in June of 2007, and LTE (Long Term Evolution), namely, Super3G service is scheduled to be introduced from 2009 at the earliest. This Super3G service proposes a technique that other communication system having good frequency utilizing efficiency (such as OFDM: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) is also mixed in the same frequency band (for example, 2 GHz band), in addition to the present W-CDMA system.
However, a technique of allowing each transmission signal of a plurality of communication systems to coexist within the same frequency band, as is indicated in the description, "10.Possibility for simplified co-existence between operators in adjacent bands as well as cross-border co-existence" of the non-patent document 1 as described below, involves a problem.
Note that as is described in "11.1.1 Downlink bandwidth capabilities" of the non-patent document 2 as described below, it is agreed that in the Super3G service, a reception frequency width of mobile equipment, being a wireless communication device, is at least 10 MHz.
Non-patent document 1: TSG-RAN WGs Meeting on UTRA UTRAN LT evolution REV-05047 Tokyo, Mar. 7 and 8, 2005
Non-patent document 2: TSG-RAN WG1#44 R1-060733 Denver, Colo., USA, Feb. 13-17, 2006
In a conventional communication system, for example in the W-CDMA, a maximum frequency width of a signal in 2 GHz band is set at 20 MHz. Therefore, in 2009 when the Super3G service is scheduled to be introduced, it is necessary to achieve coexistence of signals of different communication systems within the maximum frequency band, by reducing a use band of a W-CDMA signal within 20 MHz, being the maximum frequency width, and inserting a signal of other communication system (such as an OFDM signal) into this reduced band.
Incidentally, according to the conventional W-CDMA wireless communication device, isolation between wireless communication systems is achieved by using a BPF (Band-pass filter) through which the signal of the maximum frequency width (namely 20 MHz) which is allowable in this wireless communication system is passed, or by using indexes such as an Adjacent Channel Leakage power Ratio:ACLR and an Adjacent Channel Selectivity:ACS.
Here, even in a case where a bandwidth of a signal (such as an OFDM signal) of other communication system introduced in the LTE is set at, for example 5 MHz, the reception frequency width of the mobile equipment, being the wireless communication device, is set to be at least 10 MHz in the Super3G service, as described above. Therefore, when the bandwidth of the signal of other communication system is set at 5 MHz, there is a problem of an interference of the adjacent W-CDMA signal of 5 MHz in the aforementioned 10 MHz. Namely, when a plurality of transmission signals of different communication systems exist within the same frequency band, there is a problem of interference in some cases.
Also, by future introduction of LTE, when the ratio of W-CDMA within the maximum frequency width is reduced, and a plurality of transmission signals of other communication systems (such as OFDM) having good frequency utilizing efficiency exist within the maximum frequency width, there is also a possibility of interference of the transmission signals of the same communication systems.

Wireless communication system and wireless communication device


Apparatuses, systems and methods are provided for creating an interactive journaling experience for a user. The user is provided with apparatuses or systems which assist the user in generating a journal by providing interactive features such as suggestions, supportive statements, questions, instructions, and entertainment to enhance and develop the user's writing ability and interest in the journaling process.

Diaries and journals are used to record daily events and observations and to transcribe personal thoughts, dreams, emotions and travels through life. The word "journal" is derived from the words "journey" and "day." As one experiences each day, a journal can help to record the journey. Thus, journal writers have a ready made personal history recorded for themselves and future posterity.
In addition, the act of writing about feelings and emotions has been found to have personal benefits. Writing can allow the journal writer to express sadness, release anger, confront fear and examine wounds. Many doctors and psychologists suggest journal writing in the healing process because of the known health benefits of putting feelings on paper. A journal is also a place to express joy, produce a sense of accomplishment, explore talents, interests, passions, ask oneself questions and discover dreams.
Journal writing can also be of particular benefit to children and young adults. Children learn by writing and journal writing provides a medium to practice the skill of handwriting, vocabulary usage, grammar and spelling, to name a few. In addition, fluency grows from writing regularly and the fluency formed from frequent journal writing extends to other types of writing. Thus, journal writing becomes the source for more extended writing.
Older children may use journal writing to find out more about themselves. As they record their thoughts and feelings, children will be more absolute in their concept of self, their belief systems, and their self confidence. Creative energies may also be unleashed through journal writing. Creativity is an often untapped and underutilized aspect of the human capacity. Children will often be surprised at just how much creative energy they possess when given the chance to express it. Journal writing can also provide a temporary escape from the trials of the world. The pages upon which children record their thoughts do not judge, and the recording process is an avenue whereby children can take control.
Traditionally, diaries and journals are books which provide plain pages for writing. The books may be hardcover, soft cover, hardbound, or spiral bound. The pages may be blank or lined. Various decorations may be present to appeal to the user or to provide inspirations. More recently, electronic journal writing has become popularized. Electronic journals are typically computerized versions of traditional diaries and journals. Instead of manually writing on a sheet of paper, the user types into a word processing program. Such computerization may assist in manipulating the text and/or sorting the information in a more efficient manner. Electronic journals may also be posted on the internet in the form of weblogs or "blogs" for private or public viewing.
However, regardless of the decorations on a journal page or the excitement of setting up a public weblog, traditional and electronic journals are often left blank or abandoned by the user. Often this is due to "writer's block" wherein the user is has a psychological inability to begin or continue work on a piece of writing. This may be due to fear, waning interest or the inability to think of something to write about. This may be particularly true for children who are just beginning the process of expressing thoughts and ideas in written form. Children may particularly desire assistance in formulating their journal writing, maintaining focus and attention to the generation journal entries, and maintaining interest in continuing to write in the journal.
Embodiments of the invention address the above problems and other problems, individually and collectively.


A method for canceling interference in multimedia broadcasts and a communication terminal for the same are provided. The method and the communication terminal reduce interference caused by a pilot channel to improve the reception quality of broadcast signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multimedia broadcasts, and more particularly, to a method for canceling interference of multimedia broadcasts and a communication terminal for the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A signal transmitted using Code Division Multiplexing (CDM) typically arrives at a receiver over a multipath channel. When signals are received over multipath channels, inter-channel or inter-signal interference occurs due to factors such as power difference between the channels. On the other hand, when signals are received over single-path channels, no inter-channel or inter-signal interference occurs since the channels do not affect each other. A number of interference cancellation techniques have been introduced to cancel such multipath channel interference.
Recently, multimedia broadcasts have been introduced and implemented. Multimedia broadcasts can be defined as digital broadcasts that can provide audio, video, and data services with high quality sound and images and high quality stationary and mobile reception. Digital Multimedia Broadcasts (DMBs), which have also been introduced, are divided into terrestrial and satellite DMBs depending on whether a terrestrial or satellite band is used to transmit the DMB signals.
When CDM is used to transmit a broadcast signal, the broadcast signal arrives at a broadcast terminal over a multipath channel. A transmitter transmits channels after coding and multiplexing the channels using orthogonal codes allocated to the channels. One example of orthogonal codes are Walsh codes.
Although channels have been described above as the subject of coding, multiplexing, and transmission, it is actually broadcast signals that are the subject to coding, multiplexing, and transmission. However, since expressions such as "to code channels", "to multiplex channels", and "to transmit channels" are commonly used, the terms "channels" and "signals" in the following description are used synonymously to describe the subject of coding, multiplexing, and transmission.
When CDM is used for broadcast signal transmission and a number of Walsh codes are used as orthogonal codes for the CDM transmission, a channel or signal that is coded using a Walsh code '0' is a pilot channel over which a pilot signal is transmitted. Channels coded using the remaining Walsh codes are CDM channels over which broadcast signals are transmitted.
The pilot signal transmitted over the pilot channel includes channel information such as channel gain and phase information and also includes information required for decoding, such as interleaving type or Fast Error Correction (FEC) information. The pilot channel uses higher power than CDM channels over which broadcast signals are transmitted since the pilot channel transmits more important information than CDM channels. For example, the pilot channel uses transmission power that is 3 dB higher than CDM channels. Because the pilot channel uses higher transmission power than CDM channels, information required for decoding, such as channel information, may be more accurately estimated from the pilot channel.
However, the pilot channel may cause interference with CDM channels since the pilot channel uses higher transmission power than CDM channels. Therefore, although the information required for decoding, such as channel information, can be more accurately estimated by increasing the transmission power of the pilot channel, the high transmission power of the pilot channel reduces the reception quality of broadcast signals that are received over CDM channels.

Interference cancellation method and communication terminal for the same


A multi-channel information item selection apparatus for outputting selected items when requested, has a plurality of frequently-requested information items, such as items of music, moving or still pictures, etc., stored in a first storage apparatus having a relatively high read-out speed, and a plurality of less frequently requested items stored in a second storage apparatus having a relatively low read-out speed, e.g. an appropriate speed for subsequent audio or video reproduction processing of the items. Items that are read out from the first storage apparatus are temporarily loaded into regions of a buffer memory at high speed and thereafter read out at the lower speed via a switch circuit to the respective requesting locations, so that a plurality of frequently-requested items can be simultaneously read out in parallel from the buffer memory. Items read out from the second storage apparatus are transferred directly through the switch circuit to the requesting locations. Efficiency of overall operation with low amounts of delay in responding to requests can thereby be achieved, by using a relatively low-capacity high-speed storage apparatus in combination with a relatively high-capacity low-speed storage apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information item selection apparatus whereby selected items of information are supplied to various users in response to respective requests issued by the users.
The term "information" is used herein in a general sense, to include for example audibly reproduced music, speech, still or moving pictures, text, etc. The term "item of information" is used herein .in a broad sense, to include the concept of a single item of a single type of information, such as an audibly reproduced music item (piece of music), and also to include the concept of a specific combination of two or more items of respectively different types of information, for example a predetermined combination of an audibly reproduced music item and an accompanying static or moving picture or text video display.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, various types of information item selection apparatus have been envisaged for selecting, from among a large number of stored items of information, specific items that are to be supplied to users in response to requests that are issued by the users. With one type of prior art information item selection apparatus, information items are distributed to a number of information centers and stored therein, and are thereafter supplied from the centers to the users in response to respective requests. An important requirement for an information item selection apparatus in general is that the system should be capable of supplying information items to the users from the centers at high speed, using simple processing (in order to ensure that the system can be implemented at low cost), even under a condition in which a plurality of users are simultaneously inputting requests. However with such a prior art single-layer system, there will be a mixture of information items for which there is a high average frequency of requests from the users, and information items for which there is only a low frequency of requests. Thus it is difficult to execute processing efficiently, to thereby achieve the desired low cost of hardware for implementing the system.. Moreover it is necessary to store large amounts of information at each of the information centers.
One system that has been proposed in the prior art to overcome the above problems, whereby information items can be supplied in accordance with respective requests from a plurality of users, is proposed in Japanese patent Application No. 1-285177. That system has a multi-layer configuration, whereby information items which have the highest frequency of requests from the users are stored in a lowermost layer, the information items having the next-highest frequency of reqest are stored in a next-higher layer, and so on successively, with information items being stored in respective layers of the system in accordance with the frequency of requesting the items. When such a concept is applied to a large-scale information item selection apparatus which is configured with a large number of lower layers, with the number of information items stored in these layers being very large, then processing can be rapidly executed even when requests are received simultaneously from a large number of users. In such conditions, the system is effective. However when such a concept is applied to a system having only a small number of lower layers, where the total volume of information items and the general scale of the system is relatively small, then it becomes difficult to achieve a high speed of response when requests are received simultaneously from a number of different users. In such conditions, the processing efficiency is poor.
Moreover, such a system presents problems with respect to complexity of management. Specifically, when an item increases in popularity, and so has to be transferred to a lower layer of the system, that layer may already be full, in which case it will be necessary to delete from that layer some item which has fallen in popularity (i.e. has a lower frequency of requests). Thus, overall system control becomes complicated, due to the need to manage such transfers between layers and deletions of items.
A second problem which arises with a prior art information item selection apparatus is as follows. One area of application of such information item selection units is that of entertainment. An example of such an entertainment application is a so-called "karaoke" system using a multi-channel information item selection apparatus whereby a number of users can access a central unit, where the term "central unit" as used here signifies an apparatus in which are stored a large number of music items or combined music and video items, and which is responsive to request signals sent from users for transferring selected items to the users. Each of the users is provided with an individual terminal unit which is coupled to receive signals from the central unit. The term "user terminal unit" as used here signifies an apparatus which operates on signals sent from the central unit to provide the item to the user (i.e. to audibly reproduce music items and to display any video items) and which is provided with a switch which can be actuated by the user to issue request signals to the system central unit for desired items. Each terminal unit is also provided with a microphone which is connected to the music reproduction means, so that the user can sing while accompanied by the music (or music and and video items). The video items can include for example the words for a song which is the currently reproduced music item. The video and audio items are usually stored at the system central unit on special compact disks which have both music and video recorded thereon, the combination being sometimes referred to as "Compact Disk Graphics", or CDG, with specific disks being selected, and specific tracks on the disk then selected, by means of a compact disk autochanger apparatus which operates automatically. Thus with such a system, the CDG apparatus of the central unit is used in common by a plurality of users.
In the following, for brevity of description, the term compact disk, or CD will be used as a general term for a compact disk which has only music items recorded thereon and also for a CDG disk having both music and video items recorded thereon, and the term CD autochanger will be used in general for both an autochanger apparatus which is used to play conventional music-only CDs and for an autochanger which is used to play CDG disks.
To minimize the delay in responding to requests that are issued from a number of users simultaneously, with such a prior art "karaoke" system, a plurality of autochanger units can be used in parallel, so that while a compact disk (CD) is being played on one unit the system can be playing one or more other CDs, or loading a CD onto another autochanger unit.
Another type of entertainment application of a information item selection apparatus is that of providing television or other video/audio programs (e.g. shopping information, etc.) to various rooms of a hotel, as requested by the guests.
However with such a system, due to the fact that the facilities of the system central unit are being used in common by a plurality of users, there will frequently occur a condition in which a user issues a request for a particular information item which is currently unavailable, e.g. which is recorded on a CD that is currently being played in response to a previous request from another user. Moreover, even if a number of CD autochangers are operated in parallel at the system central unit there will frequently occur a condition in which no autochanger is currently available to service a request from a user. It is therefore desirable that such a system be provided with means for generating audible and/or visible messages at the user terminal units, to indicate that such a condition has occurred, i.e. to notify the user that there will be a short waiting interval before the request is serviced. It is also desirable to be able to display messages for various other reasons, for example in the case of a "karaoke" system that is installed in a bar or club, messages to notify the users of the closing time and opening time of the establishment, and so on.
One method of generating such messages is to use a voice synthesizer technique, by reading out data stored in a semiconductor memory and converting that to audio form. In the case of messages that are to be displayed visibly at the user terminal units, these can be stored in a video random access memory (RAM), e.g. as sets of mosaic characters, which are read out and supplied to the user terminal units when required. However each of these methods has the disadvantage of providing a much lower degree of audio or video reproduction quality than is normally provided at the user terminal units.
It is not practicable to record such messages on a CD to be played by an autochanger unit when required, since as described above there will be many occasions on which there will be no autochanger currently available.

Information item selection apparatus producing multi-channel output signals


Soft bodied flexible resilient supple plastic fishing lures have a multitude of closely spaced interconnected thin longitudinal fins that automatically produce fishing attracting sounds, motions, and light reflections when the lures are moved through the water. The lure bodies store energy when the lures are retrieved and then release the stored energy so as to produce game fish attracting motions when the retrieving ceases.

This invention relates to fishing tackle, and more particularly to artificial fishing lures. A fishing lure having a soft supple body feels more lifelike to game fish than a fishing lure with a hard body. This causes a game fish that strikes the soft bodied lure to hold the soft lure in its mouth longer than the fish would hold a hard lure. When the fish holds the soft lure longer, it gives the fisherman more time to feel the strike and set the hook in the fish's mouth. But fishing lures with soft bodies usually do not automatically come with the type of action that attracts game fish and then causes them to bite. The fisherman has to manipulate the rod and reel with an action that causes soft lures to move in a way that induces fish to strike. Most fishermen lack the skill and patience required to move the rod and reel in ways that cause soft bodied lures to have an action that consistently catches fish. Also, prior art soft bodied lures ordinarily feel dead to a fish that has taken a lure into its mouth because the lure does not struggle to escape like a live creature would. The game fish will not bite down on the dead feeling lure as hard or as long as it would on a lure that feels like it is alive and struggling to escape.


A wireless switching circuit includes a charging capacitor, a voltage converter, an infrared sensor unit, a single chip microcomputer (SCM), a zero trigger circuit, and a thyristor. The charging capacitor is used to store and supply power. The voltage converter is used to convert alternating current (AC) voltage into direct current (DC) voltage to charge the charging capacitor. The infrared sensor unit is used to output control signals according to sensed infrared signals. The SCM outputs a trigger signal according to the control signals from the infrared sensor unit. Input ends of the zero trigger circuit are connected to the SCM to receive the trigger signal. An anode and a cathode of the thyristor is connected to a power supply line for the socket. A control end of the thyristor is connected to an output end of the zero trigger circuit.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a wireless switching circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
Users often use remote devices to turn off electronic equipment. The electronic equipment will still consume power when in a standby mode. A good way to save power is to unplug a power plug of the electronic equipment, which is not efficient.
Therefore, there is room for improvement in the art.

HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.


The invention relates to a simple and rapid method for identifying mutations in a gene of interest indicating an alteration in the reading frame of the proteins derived therefrom. The inventive method more particularly relates to the use of said method for scanning the animal population.

The basis for each evolutionary development is a natural mutation rate via which the genome experiences spontaneous changes. Although the majority of these mutations do not in any way affect essential functions, a certain percentage can nevertheless have serious consequences, such as the occurrence of or predisposition to develop diseases which are passed on to the offspring (hereditary diseases). If such mutations are recessive, this does not result in any disadvantages to the individual affected as the allele or its product will still fulfil its biological role. In each new generation of a population, therefore, recessive mutations occur generally without any far-reaching change to the phenotype. Only where there is interbreeding with a second heterozygotic individual with a mutation in the same gene, are negative effects on the offspring to be expected.
Induced mutations, caused for example by the targeted use of chemicals and/or radiation, have proved extremely helpful in the genetic analysis of biological and also medical problems. If one parent is exposed to mutagenic reagents, the following F1 generation includes heterozygotic offspring who are mutation carriers, but usually do not have a changed phenotype. Only a complicated interbreeding pattern continuing into the F3 generation allows the phenotypes of these recessive mutations to be evident in homozygotic individuals. In view of the complex and time-consuming state-of-the-art processes to determine mutations of this kind, there is a need for a simpler process.
A process for detecting nonsense mutations has already been described in EP 0 872 560 whereby by means of homologous recombination a construct is produced which contains the gene to be tested downstream of a promoter and, in the same reading frame with the gene to be tested, contains a so-called reporter gene. At the expression of the reading frame, a fusion protein is formed which contains the reporter gene function. This can be detected via phenotype properties, such as resistance to antibiotics, enzymes which can be detected by appropriate processes or the ability of cells containing the construct to grow on certain culture mediums.
A disadvantage of this process however is that in an initial stage, screening must be carried out on the successful recombination of the gene fragment to be tested with the vector. Only in a second stage can the presence of the reporter function then be proven. A further problem with this process lies in the detection of heterozygotic mutations which, due to the detection of phenotypical properties, such as the enzyme activity derived from the gene product of the reporter gene, are subject to huge fluctuations, which means that in the end no reliable statement is possible. In accordance with the disclosed process, mutations are noticeable only by the absence of positive colonies. In comparison with a wild-type individual, heterozygotically mutated individuals only show a twofold difference in the number of positive colonies whereby statistically-based variations have a considerable adverse effect on the conclusions which can be drawn from the process with regard to the presence of heterozygotic mutations.

Method for identifying reading frame mutations


Pads remotely control the operation of vehicles. In each pad, (a) at least a first control provides for the addressing of one of the vehicles, (b) second controls provide for the movement of the addressed vehicle and (c) third controls provide for the operation of members (e.g. pivotable bins) in the selected vehicle. Each pad provides a carrier signal, preferably common with the carrier signals from the other pads. Each pad modulates the carrier signal in accordance with the operation of the pad controls. The first control in each pad provides an address distinctive to the addressed vehicle and modulates the carrier signal in accordance with such address. Each pad sends the modulated carrier signals to the vehicles in a pseudo random pattern, different for each pad, with respect to time. Each vehicle demodulates the carrier signals to recover the address such vehicle. Each vehicle then provides a movement of such vehicle and an operation of the members in such vehicle in accordance with the modulations provided in the carrier signal by the operation of the second and third controls in the pad addressing such vehicle. Each vehicle is controlled by one of the pads for the time period that such pad sends control signals to such vehicle within a particular period of time from the last transmission of such control signals to such vehicle. Thereafter such vehicle can be addressed by such pad or by any other pad.

Various types of play systems exist, and have existed for some time, in which vehicles are moved on a remotely controlled basis. However, such systems generally provide one hand-held unit and one remotely controlled vehicle for operation by the hand-held unit. Examples of a vehicle in such a system are an automobile or an airplane. Furthermore, the functions of the remotely controlled unit, other than movement along a floor or along the ground or in the air, are quite limited.
Other types of play systems involve the use of blocks for building structures. These blocks often include components in the blocks for providing an interlocking relationship between abutting blocks. In this way, elaborate structures can be created by users with creative minds. However, such structures are generally built by hand.
Tests have indicated that there is a desirability, and even a need, for play systems in which vehicles are remotely operated to perform functions other than to move aimlessly along a floor or along the ground. For example, tests have indicated that there is a desirability, and even a need, for a play system in which the remotely controlled vehicles can transport and manipulate elements such as blocks to construct creative structures. There is also a desirability, and even a need, for play systems in which a plurality of vehicles can be remotely controlled by elements such as switches in hand-held pads to compete against one another in performing a first task or to cooperate in performing a second task such as building a miniature community through the transport and manipulation of miniature blocks. Such a desirability, or even a need, has existed for a long period of time, probably decades, without a satisfactory resolution.
Application Ser. No. 08/580,753 filed by John Crane on Dec. 29, 1995, for a REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR OPERATING TOYS and assigned of record to the assignee of record of this application provides a play system for use by people of all ages with youthful minds. It provides for a simultaneous control by each player of an individual one of a plurality of remotely controlled vehicles. This control is provided by the operation by each such player of switches in a hand-held unit or pad to control the movement of an individual one of a plurality of remotely controlled vehicles and the performance of different functions (e.g. the movement of blocks or marbles) by such remotely controlled vehicle. Each of the remotely controlled vehicles in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753 can be operated in a competitive relationship or a cooperative relationship with others of the remotely controlled vehicles. The vehicles can be constructed to grasp, lift and transport elements such as blocks or marbles and to deposit such elements at selectively displaced positions.
In one embodiment of the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753, switches in pads control, when manually closed, the selection of toy vehicles and the operation of motors for moving the vehicles forwardly, rearwardly, to the left and to the right and moving upwardly and downwardly (and rightwardly and leftwardly) a receptacle for holding transportable elements (e.g. marbles or blocks).
When sequentially and cyclically interrogated by a central station, each pad in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753 sends through wires to the central station signals indicating the switch closures in such pad. Such central station produces first binary signals addressing the vehicle selected by such pad and second binary signals identifying the motor control operations in such vehicle. Thereafter the switches identifying in such pad the motor control operations in such selected vehicle can be closed without closing the switches identifying such vehicle.
The first and second signals for each vehicle in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753 are transmitted by wireless by the central station to all of the vehicles at a common carrier frequency modulated by the first and second binary signals. The vehicle identified by the transmitted address demodulates the modulating signals and operates its motors to move the vehicle in accordance with such demodulation. When a vehicle fails to receive signals through the central station from a pad for a particular period of time, the vehicle selected by such pad becomes available for selection thereafter by such pad or by another pad. Furthermore, such pad can thereafter select that vehicle or another vehicle.
A cable in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753 may couple two (2) central stations (one as a master and the other as a slave) to increase the number of pads controlling the vehicles. Stationary accessories (e.g. an elevator) connected by wires to the central station become operative when selected by the pads. The wires carry power to the central station in the system disclosed and claimed in application Ser. No. 08/580,753.

System for, and method of, controlling the operation of toys


Methods, systems, and devices, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for transferring a robot customer service to a human customer service are provided. One of the methods includes: obtaining conversation characteristics from at least one round of conversations between the robot customer service and a customer; obtaining state characteristics of the customer; inputting the conversation characteristics and the state characteristics into a confidence score evaluation model to obtain a confidence score evaluation value; and when the confidence score evaluation value meets a robot-to-human intervention condition, transferring the customer to the human customer service. The confidence score evaluation model is a machine learning model, comprising a linear sub-model input with the conversation characteristics and a deep neural network sub-model input with the state characteristics.

With the development of the Internet, virtual robots based on artificial intelligence have been used more and more widely in customer services provided by the enterprises. A robot providing customer service does not need to rest and can respond to customers' questions in a faster and more standardized manner, communicating with customers using voice conversation or text chats and releasing human customer service representatives from answering a large number of repeated questions.
For some unconventional customer questions, a robot customer service may not usually provide the customers with satisfactory answers. Currently, the most commonly used architecture of customer service centers is the coexistence of the robot customer service and the human customer service. By default, a customer is served using the robot customer service first, and is transferred to a human customer service representative if the robot customer service is unable to solve the customer's problems. Whether a robot-to-human intervention point (i.e., the time point when the robot customer service is replaced by the human customer service) occurs appropriately has a significant influence on the operation efficiency of the customer service center and the satisfaction degree of customers.

Method and apparatus for transferring from robot customer service to human customer service


Described herein are systems and methods utilizing application-specific access to a virtual private network (“VPN”). A method may comprise receiving, from an application executing on a device, a request for a network data flow to a private network, comparing identification information associated with the application against a set of rules stored on a memory of the device, wherein the set of rules identifies conditions for the application to be authorized to access the private network, and establishing a connection for the network data flow upon the identification information satisfying the conditions for the application to access the private network.

Virtual private networks ("VPNs") provide users with a secure and restrictive private network within a public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet. A VPN may allow for a host computer to send and receive data across shared and/or public networks, as if the host computer is an integral part of the private network with all the functionality, security and management policies of the private network.
The VPN connection across the Internet is technically a wide area network ("WAN") link between the sites. More specifically, a VPN may be established using virtual point-to-point connections via dedicated connections, encryption, or any combination thereof. From a user perspective, the extended network resources are accessed in the same way as resources available from the private network. To prevent disclosure of private information, VPNs typically allow only authenticated remote access and make use of encryption techniques. For instance, VPNs operate by using the shared public infrastructure while maintaining privacy through security procedures and tunneling protocols. Accordingly, by encrypting data at the sending end and decrypting it at the receiving end, these tunneling protocols send the data through a "tunnel" that cannot be "entered" by data that is not properly encrypted. An additional level of security may encrypt not only the data, but the originating and receiving network addresses, as well.

Systems and methods for application-specific access to virtual private networks


A vehicle steering wheel for equipment with an integrated gas bag restraint system includes a foam-sheathed steering wheel body. The hub part of which comprises a rear-side cavity for receiving a folded gas bag together with a pressurized gas source. A face cover which is a component of the foamed sheathing of the steering wheel body comprises a foam-sheated strengthening structure integrally connected to the hub part.

From DE 44 23 963 A1 a vehicle steering wheel is already known which has a simple configuration since the face cover for the gas bag module insertable in the hollow hub part is an integral component of the foamed sheathing of the steering wheel body, thus eliminating the need for separate manufacture and assembly of the cover.

Vehicle steering wheel for equipment with an integrated gas bag restraint system


A system and method for producing and using a protected optical media is described. One feature provides for a compact disc containing digital rights management protection to prevent unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials. Another feature provides for secure copying, storage, transfer, and playback of digital audio content from a protected compact disc or computer storage. Yet another feature provides for a versatile optical media that can be used in both traditional audio compact disc players and in computer CD-ROM drives without risking the security of the content on the media or preventing purchasers from having a robust content experience.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the distribution of protected digital audio data. More particularly, the invention relates to the creation and use of a protected audio compact disc.
2. Description of the Related Art
The compact disc continues to be a very popular media type for distributing digital audio content. However, in recent years, technologies have developed, such as compact disc-read-only memory ("CD-ROM") drives and the Moving Pictures Expert Group ("MPEG"), audio layer 3 ("mp3") data format, which allow quick copying of the audio data contained on most compact discs into formats that can be easily shared over the Internet to thousands of people. These technologies allow non-paying users to access and distribute the audio content cheaply and with virtually no limitations. This reduces the incentives to produce the audio content and threatens a social cost as fewer content producers are willing to take the risk of theft by releasing their work for sale on compact disc.
Existing systems, such as one developed by Macrovision, attempt to solve this problem by incorporating technology onto audio compact discs that prevents the discs from being read by a computer CD-ROM drive but yet still allows them to be read by traditional audio compact disc players. While this technology does help prevent rampant copying of compact discs, it has the unfortunate effect of preventing audio content purchasers from accessing their legally-acquired audio content through their computers. With existing systems, if the audio data cannot be read by a computer, it cannot be used for allowed purposes, such as storage on the computer's hard drive for backup or playback purposes or transfer to a portable digital audio device. With the increased usage of computers and portable audio devices, limitations such as these can severely hurt the commercial viability of such a protected CD.
What is needed is a system that prevents unlicensed copying of audio data from a CD, but that still allows authorized forms of computer-related access to purchasers.

System and method for distributing protected audio content on optical media