A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided. Measured torque values are used during a torque phase of the upshift to correct an estimated oncoming friction element target torque so that transient torque disturbances at an oncoming clutch are avoided and torque transients at the output shaft are reduced.

A step-ratio automatic transmission uses multiple friction elements for automatic gear ratio shifting. A ratio change from a low gear ratio to a high gear ratio occurs in a synchronous clutch-to-clutch upshift as one friction element is engaged and a second friction element is disengaged. One friction element may be referred to as an off-going clutch (OGC). It is released while a second friction element, which may be referred to as an oncoming clutch (OCC), engages to create the upshift. The upshift event is divided into a preparatory phase, a torque phase and an inertia phase. During the preparatory phase, the OCC actuator is stroked to prepare for its engagement, while the OGC torque-holding capacity is reduced to prepare for its release. During the torque phase, the OCC torque is raised in a controlled manner while the OGC is still engaged or allowed to slip at a controlled slip rate.
Simultaneous engagement of the OCC and release of OGC in a conventional transmission upshift may result in a momentary activation of two torque flow paths through the gearing. During the torque phase, the lower gear speed ratio from input to output is maintained. However, as the OCC gains torque capacity and the OGC loses it, more of the input torque is routed through higher gear path until, when the OGC no longer has any capacity, all of the torque is routed through the higher gear path, which has a lower torque ratio. Thus, in the small timespan of the torque transfer, the input torque goes from being multiplied by a higher amount to a lower amount before the inertia of the subsequent speed change raises the output torque again. This momentary dropping and subsequent rise of output torque is known as the "torque hole." This is perceived by a vehicle occupant as an unpleasant shift shock. The inertia phase begins when the OGC is released or has no significant torque capacity.

Clutch torque trajectory correction to provide torque hole filling during a ratio upshift


A welding electrode apparatus has a base member and a locking ring for clamping a consumable electrode tip to the electrode base. The base and the tip are predominantly made of copper, or a copper alloy. The base member has a first end that is threaded to fit a welding head that supplies electric current; and an electrically conductive second end to which the electrode tip is mounted. The second portion has an externally facing, axially extending cylindrical wall. A circumferential groove is formed in the wall. The locking ring has a quick-disconnect feature in the form of an array of spring-loaded stainless steel ball bearing detents that deflect to ride upon the cylindrical wall, and spring inwardly to seat in the circumferential groove.

In automated processes, such as in the automotive industry, nuts and studs may be welded to body components, such as formed steel and aluminum alloy sheet members, prior to assembly. The nuts and studs are typically welded to the sheet at specified locations. The head of the welding electrode has a limited life, for many reasons. Typically the electrode tip is made of a copper alloy and is consumed over time, as the repeated heating and cooling of the tip degrades the tip. Especially where the nuts and studs are fed to the welding electrode heads automatically, it is not desirable to weld the nuts in the wrong location or upside down.


A light emitting diode (LED) assembly with a vented printed circuit board is disclosed. A printed circuit board assembly may include a plurality of LED modules disposed in an array with a multilayered substrate and a plurality of vents. The multilayer substrate may include a thermal cooling layer which is in thermal communication with the LED modules for heat dissipation. The multilayer substrate may include one or more electrical power layers in electrical communication with the LED modules for energizing the LEDs. The multilayered substrate may have an external insulating layer that includes a plurality of fluid apertures configured for fluid communication with the thermal cooling layer.

Light-emitting diodes (LEDS) have been used for signs and other types of illuminated displays for many years. As a byproduct of operation, display assemblies having LEDs generate heat as electric current flows through the devices. The heat must be dissipated or removed to prevent overheating. Cooling a display assembly is important in order to preserve its functionality and efficiency. Furthermore, display assemblies when used in outdoor environments may be exposed to wind forces that affect loading on the assemblies. One approach for cooling an LED display assembly is shown in PCT publication WO2004019657. The publication generally shows a coolant fluid which cools LEDs using a mesh design.


A semiconductor device includes a circuit section having an output impedance which changes in accordance with a switching signal for switching between drive capabilities, and transforming an input signal into an output signal in accordance with the output impedance, a reference voltage generating section generating a reference voltage in accordance with the switching signal and the input signal, and a comparing section comparing a voltage of the output signal to the reference voltage.

1. Field
The present application relates to a semiconductor device and a method for controlling the semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-258505, a typical direct-current (DC)-test circuit is discussed which performs a DC test (an electric characteristics test) that is performed when a multiple-pin large scale integrated circuit (LSI) chip is to be shipped. The typical DC-test circuit includes the following elements: means for simultaneously inputting the same expected-value signals to a plurality of output buffers of an LSI chip; means for comparing output signals of the output buffers to a reference value to obtain a comparison result; means for generating one signal that can detect even one malfunctioned output buffer among many output buffers from the comparison result; and means for outputting the generated signal to an LSI tester from one terminal. The LSI tester detects whether or not the DC test has been normally performed by comparing input signals to a test signal.
In a typical DC test circuit, one signal is generated based on the comparison-result signal obtained by comparing the output signals of the output buffers to the reference value, when even one malfunctioning output buffer exists among the output buffers, indicating that the malfunctioned output buffer is detected. The one signal is output to the LSI tester, and the LSI tester detects whether the DC test has been normally or abnormally performed. Regardless of the number of pins, such as output pins of the LSI chip, the LSI tester performs the DC test using at least one monitor pin.
In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publications No. 2001-15684 and No. 2004-88641, technologies for performing operation tests on semiconductor circuits are discussed.

Semiconductor device and method for controlling thereof


A method for maintaining, without using alcohol, a uniform film of dampening fluid on a lithographic printing press dampening roller. Said roller comprises a resilient surface with grooves helically formed about the roller surface. Said roller is positioned in a pressure indented relation to a smoothly finished transfer roller having a hydrophilic surface, creating an area of differential pressure along said grooves at the point of contact, or nip, between the rollers. Upon rotation of the rollers, excess water is transferred to the low pressure regions near the grooves of the nip and then to the end of the roller where it is returned to the dampening fluid pan.

Heretofore it has been standard procedure for lithographic printing presses to use dampening fluid which preferably comprises a mixture of water and water soluble, volatile, organic liquid such as alcohol, esters, ketones and similar compounds which are compatible with, and receptive to, oil-based ink. Commercial grade isopropyl alcohol is preferably employed because of its economy and ready availability. Such material is molecularly compatible with ink because the vehicle of the ink is organic material and the dampening fluid containing alcohol is organic material.
It has been found that mixing 10 to 25% alcohol with water works satisfactorily for most lithographic printing operations. Dampening fluid containing alcohol is quickly absorbed in the inking system because it is ink compatible and rides on and into the surface of ink coated form rollers in a uniformly thin layer and evaporates quickly. Upon evaporation, alcohol does not cause oxidation as does water and, furthermore, it provides a cooling agent for the rollers running in contact. There are numerous other important reasons for using alcohol.
Recently, concern has developed that evaporation of alcohol may damage the environment. However, if alcohol is not mixed with the dampening fluid, then "ridging" occurs whereby water rings are formed on the chrome roller resulting in unwanted lines and "ghosting" on the final printed sheets.
"Ghosting" is the variation in the color of the printed image on the sheet resulting from an improper ink-water balance on the surface of the printing plate. An improper ink-water balance may result from the accumulation of excess ink in streaks on inker form rollers in areas corresponding to non-image areas on the printing plate. A similar phenomena results when "water streaks" in a non-uniform film of dampening fluid on the chrome roller are transferred to the dampener form roller which causes "ridging" or streaking on the plate and the printed sheet.

Metering roller for a lithographic printing press


Cercis ‘Pink Pom Poms’ is a new and distinct variety of redbud tree that has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety including (1) ease of asexual propagation using chip budding, (2) semi-upright growth habit; (3) foliage with glossy green color; (4) bright purple-violet double flowers produced in abundance during the spring; and female structures that are essentially sterile, resulting in no seed pod set.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Cercis (redbud) grown as an ornamental tree for home and commercial landscapes. Redbud is typically grown as a small tree for its attractive purple flowers that are borne in the spring, and sometimes for its interesting foliage color (purple, variegated, or golden leaf forms).
This new and distinct variety of redbud resulted from a formal breeding program established by the inventors in Raleigh, N.C., United States. One of the objectives of the breeding program was to develop a double-flowered form of redbud that exhibited the foliage character and growth habit of the Texas redbud (small, glossy leaves and semi-upright growth habit). 'Pink Pom Poms' originated as a first generation descendant from open-pollinated seed collected in fall 2005 from a single tree of the double-flowered cultivar 'Flame' redbud, growing in a field setting in a commercial plant nursery in Belvidere, Tenn. Seed production on 'Flame' is highly unusual, as the double-flower trait is typically associated with female sterility. Adjacent to the 'Flame' tree was a tree of the cultivar 'Oklahoma'. The foliar and flower characteristics of 'Pink Pom Poms' are highly suggestive that the pollen parent of 'Pink Pom Poms' was 'Oklahoma'. 'Oklahoma' (unpatented) was released in late 1964, and is classified as a form of Cercis canadensis var. texensis. 'Flame' (unpatented) is a double-flowered form of eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) discovered in 1905 in Illinois. Both parents are available in commerce.
The seeds resulting from the 2005 seed collection from 'Flame' were germinated in a greenhouse in Raleigh, N.C. in the winter of 2006. The resulting 278 seedlings were planted in a field in Jackson Springs, N.C., in spring 2006. Many of these plants flowered in summer 2008. From these 278 seedlings, one plant, designated NC2008-1, was selected for its glossy green leaf color, double flowers, attractive reddish-purple flower color, and semi-upright growth habit. This original plant demonstrated characteristics identical to those subsequently expressed in other plants of 'Pink Pom Poms' when propagated by chip budding. This single plant is the subject of the present invention 'Pink Pom Poms'.
The distinguishing traits of 'Pink Pom Poms' are its distinctive green glossy leaves, attractive purple-violet double flowers that are borne in abundance, semi-upright growth habit, and female structures that are essentially sterile. "Essentially sterile" is used because no seed pods have been observed to date; however, applicants do not preclude the possibility that a seed set may be observed on rare occasions. The cultural requirements for 'Pink Pom Poms' are well-drained soil, full sun, and moderate moisture. 'Pink Pom Poms' exhibits no serious pest or disease problems known to the inventors.
The closest comparison known to the inventors is the cultivar 'Flame' (unpatented), the female parent of 'Pink Pom Poms'. 'Flame' is currently the only double-flowered cultivar of redbud in commerce. Leaves and flowers of 'Pink Pom Poms' differ from 'Flame'. The leaves of 'Pink Pom Poms', have a distinct glossy appearance typical of its 'Oklahoma' pollen parent, whereas the leaves of 'Flame' have a dull green appearance. Flowers of 'Pink Pom Poms' are bright purple-violet (RHS N80A) in color, as compared to the purple color (RHS N78D) of 'Flame'. 'Pink Pom Poms' differs from its parent, 'Oklahoma', in having double flowers, compared to the single flowers of 'Oklahoma'. 'Pink Pom Poms' is also essentially female sterile, producing no seed pods, as compared to moderate female fertility and seedpod production of 'Oklahoma'. 'Pink Pom Poms' is clearly distinct from its parents, 'Flame' and 'Oklahoma'.
The first asexual propagation of 'Pink Pom Poms' was conducted in Belvidere, Tenn. in August, 2008 in Belvidere, Tenn. 'Pink Pom Poms' has subsequently been propagated in the same location in years 2010 and 2011. In all cases, the original plant selection was propagated asexually by chip budding in late summer onto Cercis canadensis rootstock. Such budded trees heal rapidly, and resume normal growth the following spring after budding. Five plants derived from chip budding of the variety in 2008 were established in test plots in Jackson Springs, N.C. in February, 2010. During all asexual propagation, the characteristics of the original plant have been maintained. Plants derived from chip budding exhibit characteristics identical to those of the original plant, and no aberrant phenotypes have appeared.
Performance evaluation of the original plant and budded trees for 8 years and 4 years, respectively, in Jackson Springs, N.C. demonstrate this variety to be relatively consistent in its characteristics even under the different growing conditions associated with yearly climatic variation.
Plants of the new variety are vigorous after establishment in the field, more so than most cultivars of redbud. The original plant is 4.1 meters in height after 8 years of growth, an average of 0.51 meters of growth per year. Plants are semi-upright in growth habit. Flowering typically occurs on previous season's growth in the second year after budding. The flower is double, and shows a bright purple-violet flower color. Flowering usually begins in early April in Jackson Springs, N.C., and typically continues through mid to late April, depending on weather conditions. An individual flower persists for about 10 days, depending on the temperature. 'Pink Pom Poms' is essentially female sterile. In 8 years of evaluation, no seedpods have ever been produced on the original tree or chip-budded trees. This is considered an important asset in landscape settings.
'Pink Pom Poms' is distinguished from other related known cultivars based on the unique combination of traits including high vigor, semi-upright growth habit, glossy leaf character, abundant production of double flowers having a bright purple-violet color, and female structures that are essentially sterile.


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a UE access method, including: a UE receiving information of supported type(s) of respective cell of a base station broadcasted by the respective cell, wherein the information of the supported type(s) of the respective cell comprises UE type(s) supported by the respective cell; and the UE comparing the type of the UE and the UE type(s) supported by the respective cell, and selecting a cell supporting the type of the UE and transmit an RRC connection setup request message to the selected cell, wherein the RRC connection setup request comprises the type of the UE. The present disclosure further provides several other UE access methods and devices. According to the present disclosure, the method and device which can select different access network of different types for different types of users, the user requirement is met and the network utilization ratio is increased.

Modern mobile communications tend to provide multimedia services for users with high transmission rates. FIG. 1 shows a system structure of System Architecture Evolution (SAE) according to the prior art, in which:
User Equipment (UE) 101 is a terminal device used for receiving data. Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) 102 is a radio access network, including an eNodeB/NodeB which provides an interface for the UE to access the radio network. Mobility Management Entity (MME) 103 is responsible for managing mobility context, session context and security information of the UE. Serving Gateway (SGW) 104 is mainly used for providing a user plane function. The MME 103 and the SGW 104 may be in a same physical entity. Packet data network Gateway (PGW) 105 is responsible for charging, legal listening and other functions. The PGW 105 may also be in the same physical entity with the SGW 104. Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF) 106 provides QoS policies and charging rules. Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 108 is a network device for providing route for data transmission in a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 109 is a home sub-system of the UE, and is responsible for protecting user information such as current location, serving node location, user security information and packet data context of the user device.


A thin film transistor (TFT) with a self-aligned lightly-doped region and a fabrication method thereof. An active layer has a channel region, a first doped region and a second doped region, in which the first doped region is disposed between the channel region and the second doped region. A gate insulating layer formed overlying the active layer has a central region, a shielding region and an extending region. The shielding region is disposed between the central region and the extending region, the central region covers the channel region, the shielding region covers the first doped region, and the extending region covers the second doped region. The shielding region is thicker than the extending region. A gate layer is formed overlying the gate insulating layer, covers the central region and exposes the shielding region and the extending region.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a thin film transistor (TFT), and more particularly to a thin film transistor with a self-aligned lightly-doped region and a fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thin film transistors (TFTs) are used in a variety of integrated circuits, and in particular, as a switching device in each pixel area of liquid crystal display (LCD) and OLED display. According to the materials used, a TFT is classified as either an amorphous silicon TFT or a polysilicon TFT. Compared with the amorphous TFT, the polysilicon TFT has the advantages of high carrier mobility, high integration of driving circuits, small leakage current and higher speed operation, and is often applied to high-speed operation applications, such as a static random access memory (SRAM). One of the major problems of these TFTs is the OFF-state leakage current, which causes charge loss in LCDs and high standby power dissipation in SRAMs. Seeking to solve this problem, conventional lightly doped regions have been used to reduce the drain junction field, thereby reducing the leakage current.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional diagrams showing a conventional method of forming a lightly doped region on a poly-Si TFT.
In FIG. 1A, a polysilicon layer 12 is formed on a predetermined surface of a transparent insulating substrate 10, and then a gate insulating layer 14 is formed on the polysilicon layer 12. Next, using a patterned photoresist layer 16 as a mask, a heavy ion implantation process 17 is performed to form an N+ doped region 18 on the polysilicon layer 12, thus serving as a source/drain region.
In FIG. 1B, after removing the patterned photoresist layer 16, a gate layer 20 is patterned on the gate insulating layer 14 to cover a part of the undoped regions of the polysilicon layer 12. Next, using the gate layer 20 as a mask, a light ion implantation process 21 is performed to form an N− doped region 22 on the undoped region of the polysilicon layer 12. The N− doped region 22 serves as a lightly doped region, and the undoped region of the polysilicon layer 12 underlying the gate layer 20 serves as a channel region.
The above-described method uses the patterned photoresist layer 16 to define the source/drain region, and uses the gate layer 20 to define the lightly doped region. With regard to the limitations of the exposure technique, a problem of photo misalignment easily occurs and may lead to a shift of the gate layer 20, resulting in a shift of the lightly doped region. Also, since two steps of ion implantation processes 17 and 21 are required, the shift problem is worsened, and the complexity of the process, the production cost, and the process time are increased. Moreover, the length of the channel region may vary due to shifting of the lightly doped region, thus the scale reducibility of the polysilicon TFT and the electric performance of the channel region are not reliable.
FIGS. 2A to 2C are cross-sectional diagrams showing another conventional method of forming a lightly doped region structure on a poly-Si TFT. In FIG. 2A, a polysilicon layer 32, a gate insulating layer 34 and a gate layer 36 are successively formed on a transparent insulating substrate 30. Then, using a first photoresist layer 38 as a mask, the gate layer 36 and the gate insulating layer 34 are etched to expose a predetermined region of the polysilicon layer 32.
Hereinafter, the method of forming the LDD (lightly doped drain) structure is used in N-MOS poly-Si TFT applications. In FIG. 2B, after removing the first photoresist layer 38, the gate layer 20 is used as a mask, and a light ion implantation process 39 is performed to form an N− doped region 40 on the exposed region of the polysilicon layer 32.
Next, in FIG. 2C, a second photoresist layer 42 is formed to cover the top and the sidewall of the gate layer 36 and the gate insulating layer 34, thus covering a portion of the N− doped region 40 laterally adjacent to the gate layer 36. Finally, using the second photoresist layer 42 as a mask, a heavy ion implantation process 43 is performed to form an N+ doped region 44 on the exposed area of the N− doped region 40. Thus, the N+ doped region 44 serves as a source/drain region, the remaining portion of the N− doped region 40 serves as an LDD structure, and the polysilicon layer 32 underlying the gate layer 36 serves as a channel region.
The above-described method prevents the shift of the LDD structure from the shift of the gate layer 36 caused by the photo misalignment. The shift of the second photoresist layer 42 and two steps of the ion implantation processes 39 and 43, however, still worsen the shift problem of the LDD structure.

Thin film transistor and fabrication method thereof


Aqueous solutions of partial hydrolysates of algae, optionally labelled with stable isotopes, are used as growth media for cells.

Many medical and research applications exist today for compounds labelled with stable isotopes. For example, in the areas of structure determination and the elucidation of metabolic pathways, deuterium, .sup.13 C or .sup.15 N-labelled macromolecules can play essential roles. Labelling with stable isotopes has been used in determining the structure of recombinant proteins (see, for example, Torchia, D. A., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110:2320 [1988]) and the structure and metabolism of polysaccharides from such microorganisms as Streptococcus species and Pseudomonas species (see Wessels, M. R., et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262:8262 [1987] and Knirel, Y. A. et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 166:189 [1987]). Labelling with stable isotopes also has been used in determining the structure and biosynthesis of antibiotics (see, for example, Beutler, J. A., et al., J. Natl. Proc. Acad. Sci. 51:562 [1988]) and in the biosynthesis of labeled tracers, such as amino acids (see Walker, T. E. and R. E. London, Appl. Env. Microbiol. 53:92 [1987]).
A practical and convenient way in which to label compounds and macromolecules produced by various microorganisms is to culture the microorganism in a growth medium which contains one or more nutrients labelled with the stable isotope of interest. For example, perdeuterated glucose, which is available commercially, is an excellent substrate for preparing perdeuterated E. coli. The high cost of perdeuterated glucose, however, is such that its use is not viable for inexpensive commercial, large-scale media for culturing cells. Accordingly, other labelled substrates capable of supporting growth of desired microorganisms, plant cells and mammalian cells have been sought.
One focus of the investigation has been on algal-based growth media. The terms "algae" and "algal-based" are used herein to denote microalgae, unless otherwise noted. Algal-based growth media have been found to be excellent sources of nutrients for bacteria, able to support rapid growth. Algae grow photosynthetically, with CO.sub.2 as the sole carbon source and H.sub.2 O as the sole source of hydrogen for cellular material. Several species of algae, such as Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus obliquus, have been shown to grow in 99.9% D.sub.2 O (defined herein as pure D.sub.2 O) with inorganic salts and CO.sub.2 as the source of carbon. Under these conditions, deuterium replaces all of the hydrogen in the algae. See, for example, Taecker, R. G., et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng. 13:779 (1971). Algae also can grow using 99.9% .sup.13 CO.sub.2 as their carbon source (Behrens, et al., Journal Applied Phycology, [1989]) or using Na.sup.15 NO.sub.3 or K.sup.15 NO.sub.3 in place of NaNO.sub.3 or KNO.sub.3, respectively, as their nitrogen source. As algae are rich in proteins and carbohydrates, algae grown under such conditions incorporate .sup.2 H, .sup.13 C or .sup.13 N uniformly as the corresponding component in the cells. See, for example, Crespi, H. L. et al., Nature 184:729 (1959).
The first report in the literature of the development of algal-based growth media for culturing and labelling heterotrophic organisms with stable isotopes was by Blake et al., J. Pharm. Sci. 50:425 (1961). Their general procedure for the production of a deuterated-algal-based growth medium involves slurrying deuterated algae with deuterium oxide and then adding the slurry to boiling deuterium oxide to rupture the algal cell walls and release the cellular components. The solution then is cooled and centrifuged, and the residue is extracted with a mixture of methanol and petroleum ether to remove pigments and lipids. The insoluble fraction is dried, then hydrolyzed by refluxing with 1N deuterium chloride for 24 hours. The solution is filtered, the residue discarded, and the hydrolysate then is treated with silver carbonate to remove chloride. The solution is centrifuged and the supernatant is passed through an ion exchange column. The column is washed to remove the nonionic fraction, primarily glucose and mannose. The ionic fraction, comprised primarily of amino acids, then is removed from the column by eluting with 1N HCl.
Although the hydrolysate obtained using this procedure has proved to be a useful medium for culturing and labelling various organisms, further improvements have been sought. The procedure has not been used to make a commercial product, thus researchers wishing to use algal-based growth media must prepare their own growth media from purchased labelled raw materials. Also, the procedure developed by Blake et al. is disadvantageous in that it is expensive, time-consuming and gives inconsistent results according to different laboratory practices. Furthermore, efforts to culture cells of various microorganisms on media prepared in accordance with this procedure often have been unsatisfactory; cell growth has been very limited. Accordingly, it would be highly advantageous to have ready to use, characterized and labelled algal-based growth media that can be inoculated directly by the researcher.
It is an object of this invention to provide a labelled algal-based growth medium that can be used directly by researchers to culture and label various cells and the compounds and macromolecules they produce.
It is a further object of this invention to produce an algal-based growth medium that can support efficient cellular growth.
Further objects of this invention will become apparent from reading the following description of the invention.

Media for cell growth and method for making them


An embodiment of the present invention relates to a semiconductor device having a multi-channel and a method of fabricating the same. In an aspect, the semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate in which isolation layers are formed, a plurality of trenches formed within an active region of the semiconductor substrate, and a channel active region configured to connect opposite sidewalls within each trench region and having a surface used as a channel region.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device having a multi-channel and a method of fabricating the same and, more particularly, to a multi-channel semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, in which the number of channels can be increased by changing the shape of an active region.
In general, a semiconductor device performs such operations as writing and reading data by enabling current to flow through channels. Conventionally, the channel formed within the active region of the semiconductor memory device has had a single two-dimensional structure. However, as the degree of integration of semiconductor devices increases, a channel length and width become limited in size, and the electron mobility decreases due to an increase of channel doping. Thus, it becomes difficult to secure a sufficient channel current.
To solve the problems, a semiconductor device having a multi-channel has been fabricated. In order for a semiconductor device to have a multi-channel, the device has been fabricated to have a three-dimensional structure, such as a bulb recessed gate (BRG), a recessed cell array transistor (RCAT) and a fin field effect transistor (FinFET). The semiconductor device having the three-dimensional structure can have two or three channels. Thus, more operating current can flow through the semiconductor device when compared with semiconductor devices of a two-dimensional planar structure.
However, as the degree of integration of semiconductor devices increases, higher current drivability is required. To solve this problem, a larger number of channels have to be formed.

Semiconductor device having multi-channel and method of fabricating the same


Physical documents may be edge marked and the edge markings used to index and retrieve them from their storage locations. A method of managing a physical document, wherein the physical document includes at least one sheet of material, includes marking an edge of the at least one sheet of material with indicia arranged to form a code identifying the sheet of material, storing the physical document in a storage location, indexing the physical document by associating the code with the storage location, and storing the indexing information in a computer-based information retrieval system. A method of retrieving a physical document stored in a storage location, includes obtaining a code associated with the physical document, wherein the physical document includes at least one sheet of material having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface and an edge extending between the first surface and the second surface and peripherally about the sheet of material, the edge having indicia arranged thereon to form the code identifying the sheet of material, and information recorded on at least one of the first and second surfaces of at least one of the sheets of material, using a scanning device to scan the storage location for the code, and when the output of the scanning device indicates the location of the code, retrieving the physical document.

This invention relates generally to encoded sheet material, and more particularly to methods for managing encoded sheet material having information recorded thereon.
Despite the publicity about the paperless office, paper remains an important media in today""s working environment. Many efforts have been made to integrate paper documents with computer-based information systems. These efforts generally involve two scenarios. The first scenario involves scanning an existing physical document to create a digital copy, assigning a digital file name and then managing the digital copy as any other digital file. The second scenario involves creation of a physical document from an existing digital document or file such as by printing. To aid in the integration process, a barcode or a Dataglyph may be printed or otherwise attached to a physical document. Dataglyphs are generally less visually disruptive than barcodes. Both barcodes and Dataglyphs provide a means for the computer to grasp intentionally printed information on the paper document. Since both are generally applied at the time the information is recorded on the sheet of paper (but may be applied later through the use of an adhesive label), both generally appear on the same face of the sheet of paper as the recorded information.
At the organization level, many documents, such as contracts, reports, files, technical documentation, etc., have to be physically stored for legal, administrative or operational reasons. Attention must be paid to their indexing and classification in order to keep document retrieval cost at an acceptable level. One solution is to physically attach a barcode or Dataglyph to an existing paper document and scan the document into the computer-based information system.
Having a record of a paper document in a computer-based information system does not solve the problem of knowing where the actual paper document is located. Even if location information is stored at the time the paper document is input into the system (such as when the barcode or Dataglyph is read by the computer-based information system), the paper document may have been moved when a user retrieved it and later replaced it.
Most paper documents in offices do not contain barcodes or Dataglyphs and are not part of a computer-based information system. Most offices have piles of document on shelves, desks and the like that are classified in an ad-hoc and personal manner. Finding a document in one of these ad hoc filing systems often means browsing through several piles to find a particular document.
The verification that a paper or hard copy version of a document is an original, as opposed to a copy or imitation, is important in many businesses and legal transactions. Examples include contracts, stock certificates, bank notes, premium bonds, etc. Verification of authenticity of an original document has become harder to perform since modem techniques enable the production of high quality copies which are frequently difficult to detect from the original. Even if an original paper document included a barcode or Dataglyph on the face of the document, any copy of the paper document will also include the same barcode or Dataglyph.
Much work has been done in order to verify the integrity of the content of a hardcopy document as well as its origin (this is referred to as authenticating a document). Verifying the content and origin (authenticating) of a hard-copy document consists of making sure that its content was not tampered with, and that it really originates from the supposed source. This prevents manipulation of the content of a document, while true (i.e. not manipulated) copies remain possible. Originality check is concerned with discriminating copies from the original hardcopy document. The problem of originality is closely related to the problem of authentication because in most cases where originality is important, the content is also important. However, in some cases the originality of a sheet of paper itself is important, independently of its content. Consider for instance the case of a sheet of paper being circulated to collect signatures for a petition. When it comes back, the originator expects to have the original sheet (and not a possibly manipulated copy).
The use of edge marking of sheet materials has been proposed for various applications. U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,417 to Copham, Method of Encoding Stacks of Printed Materials, describes a process for using edge markings to identify one customer""s order for form checks from another customer""s. During manufacture of a sheet of checks, a coded image is provided at the cutting boundaries of the stock sheets, so that when the checks are cut from the stock, an identification code appears on the checks when viewed from the edge. The edge-visible code is obtained by cutting the paper precisely where marks are located. A different code is provided for each customer to enable workers to look at the stacked check books at the edge to determine if another customer""s checks were erroneously placed.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/222,920 filed Dec. 30, 1998, Encoded Sheet Material and Sheet Processing Apparatus Using Encoded Sheet Material, which is assigned to the same assignee as this application, describes pre-marking of edges of paper reams/stacks (during manufacture) with information related to the paper""s physical properties (e.g. its weight, color). This encoded information is read and used by printers (and other recording devices which record information on the faces of the sheet material) when selecting paper from paper trays.
An encoded sheet material, according to the invention, includes a sheet of material having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface and an edge extending between the first surface and the second surface and peripherally about the sheet of material, the edge having indicia arranged thereon to form a code uniquely identifying the sheet of material. A system for managing an encoded sheet of material includes a code reader operative in conjunction with an encoded sheet of material for reading an edge code; wherein the encoded sheet of material has a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface and an edge extending between the first surface and the second surface and peripherally about the sheet of material, the edge having indicia arranged thereon to form a code uniquely identifying the sheet of material; a sheet processing apparatus for reading information from and/or writing information to at least one of the first and second surfaces of the encoded sheet material; and a processor in communication with the code reader and the sheet processing apparatus for associating the information with the edge code.
By providing each sheet of material with a unique edge identifier, any information that may be recorded on the sheet of material may be associated with that sheet of material. By placing the unique identifier on the edge, both surfaces are available for recording information. The edge marking can be made with a visible or an invisible ink. If the recording device includes an edge reader coupled to a processor with a memory, whenever a user makes a copy of an electronic file, the recording device reads the edge marking on each sheet of material used, and the processor associates that sheet of material with the electronic file. This association can be stored in memory. This feature is useful for tracking or monitoring physical copies of an electronic file. Additional information or metadata may also be associated with the electronic file.
The association information may be stored and used for other purposes, such as monitoring the number of copies made of a particular file, for monitoring the location of the copies and for monitoring the number of sheets of material used. The association information can be made or updated at any time. For example, if an electronic file is printed on a sheet of material with a unique edge marking, that association may be made and stored in a memory at the time of printing or later. If that recorded sheet of material is used to make a photocopy, an edge reader in the copier can make an association of the read edge marking of the xe2x80x9coriginal hard copyxe2x80x9d with the edge marking of the sheet of material used to make the photocopy. This information may be stored in memory and can be used to update the association information with the original electronic file and create a new association for the xe2x80x9coriginal hard copy.xe2x80x9d
Retrieving information associated with a sheet is accomplished by reading its edge identifier and querying the infrastructure to retrieve this information, given the identifier. Preferably, sheets of material are pre-marked at production time. If pre-marked at production time, each sheet can be given a code identifying the ream to which it belongs as well as uniquely identifying that sheet. The code can include a portion identifying the ream, manufacturer, and other information that a user might require. Some reams of sheet material may be specially coded with special visible and/or invisible inks and used as special bond paper for financial instruments, for example. Indeed, some organizations may wish to reserve special reams of material.
Edge-readers can either be embedded in the recording devices (such as printers, facsimile machines, photocopiers, shredders, etc.) or affixed in work places (e.g. desktops). The edge readers are coupled to a computer or network where the read association information may be read and/or written. The edge readers enable the automatic association of printed-sheet  less than - greater than  document. Users may also use any sheet of a document either to obtain related service by passing the sheet through an edge-reader, or to establish an association in a similar way.
Documents in paper form are largely used in almost all businesses. Documents are frequently stored in an ad-hoc manner (e.g., on personal shelves in an office) or formally (e.g., legal or contractual documents are stored in filing cabinets, etc. in banks, administration offices, etc.). Document classification and retrieval is often problematic and costly. The method of the invention provides computer support to these two tasks, without disrupting the user""s normal work practice, and requires less effort. The invention enables documents to be automatically indexed in place (i.e., in their normal storage area) and retrieved by obtaining storage information from a computer-based system.
The encoded sheet material of the invention may be used to index and manage physical documents. Indexing and managing physical documents generally involves four steps. First, the physical documents must be indexed, which often includes generating some form of unique identifier. Then the physical documents must be inserted in the storage area, i.e., in accordance with some classification scheme. Retrieving the stored physical document involves searching through the storage area using the classification scheme. Finally, after use, the document must be re-inserted into the storage area, which location may be different from the original location.
Physical documents may be edge marked and the edge markings used to index and retrieve them from their storage locations. A method of managing a physical document, wherein the physical document includes at least one sheet of material, includes marking an edge of the at least one sheet of material with indicia arranged to form a code identifying the sheet of material, storing the physical document in a storage location, indexing the physical document by associating the code with the storage location, and storing the indexing information in a computer-based information retrieval system. A method of retrieving a physical document stored in a storage location, includes obtaining a code associated with the physical document, wherein the physical document includes at least one sheet of material having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface and an edge extending between the first surface and the second surface and peripherally about the sheet of material, the edge having indicia arranged thereon to form the code identifying the sheet of material, and information recorded on at least one of the first and second surfaces of at least one of the sheets of material, using a scanning device to scan the storage location for the code, and when the output of the scanning device indicates the location of the sheet of material having code, retrieving the physical document.
The invention provides a computer-implemented system for the indexing, storage and retrieval of paper document from piles, filing cabinet, shelves and more generally from document storage areas where document edges are visible. By using a robust code, such as a large barcode on the edge of the documents, which is visible (to the particular scanning device) on the edge of the documents, physical documents may be input into a computer-based system and located for retrieval. In addition to storing the edge codes and location information, images of the storage area (shelves, piles, etc.) may also be stored in the computer-based system. Documents can be located by scanning the storage location for the document""s edge code or by accessing the computer-based system and retrieving the storage location.
Since each sheet of paper holds a unique identifier (preferably) pre-marked on its edge at production time, indexing is automatic; the pre-marked edge codes constitute the minimal required index. However, this does not preclude the use of other forms of indexing, in addition. Since the physical documents can be easily retrieved (by scanning stacks of files for their edge codes), storage of physical documents becomes as simple as stacking documents as they arrive. However, any other classification scheme can also be used. Documents must be stacked so that the edge codes can be read. Physical document retrieval is computer or network supported; the computer or network indicates via an output device where the document is located. For example, the computer may display an image of the storage area where the document is located. Re-insertion of a physical document is equally simple.
An original document is one from which a copy, reproduction or translation is made. In the case of a contract, the original contract is the one (or ones in the case of duplicate originals) with the original signatures affixed to it. Originality goes to a document""s content as well as physical integrity (i.e., the particular sheets of paper used). Authenticity of a document goes to the integrity of the information, i.e., whether the information conforms to the information in the original. An authorized copy of an original document is authentic if it conforms to the original so as to reproduce essential features. The invention enables the authentication of originals as well as copies. The invention provides a method of authenticating the sheets of paper (material) on which documents are recorded as well as authenticating the information on the sheets of material.
A method of creating an authenticatable sheet of material, according to the invention, includes measuring at least one physical property of the sheet of material; marking an edge of the sheet of material with indicia arranged to form a unique code identifying the sheet of material, wherein the sheet of material includes a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface and an edge extending between the first surface and the second surface and peripherally about the sheet of material; and recording the measured physical property in a measure database indexed by the edge code. To verify the validity or authenticity of a sheet of material, the edge code is read, the same physical property is measured and the measured value is compared with the previously stored value extracted from the measure database. If the two are substantially equal, the sheet of material is authentic.
The use of edge codes and physical property measures can be used to authenticate a document, i.e., a sheet of material on which information has been recorded, and verify its originality. A method of creating an authenticatable physical document which includes information recorded on a surface of the sheet of paper includes using the edge code with the information to generate an encryption hash, digitally signing the encryption hash and recording the digitally signed encryption hash on a surface of the sheet of material. If a physical property has been measured and indexed in a measure database, the originality of the sheet of material can be verified as well. A digital signature does not hide the content of the information, but is used primarily to guarantee the identification of the sender of the information and its integrity. For added security, the encryption hash may be encrypted rather than just digitally signed.
Verifying the authenticity of a sheet of material involves reading the digitally signed hash on the document, decrypting it, generating a new hash from the edge code and a portion of the information. The two encryption hashes are then compared. If they are equal, the document is authentic. Additionally, the edge code can be used to determine if the sheet of material is original, by measuring the physical property and comparing its value to the value stored in the measure database.

Method for indexing and retrieval of physical documents


To provide a sliding member that exhibits excellent durability and is free of lead. A swash plate for a compressor as the sliding member of the invention contains a base material having on the surface thereof a sliding layer constituting at least a sliding surface, on which shoes slide. The sliding layer contains a first layer that contains an amorphous hard carbon (diamond-like carbon) film containing Si (DLC-Si film) and is formed on the base material, and a second layer that is formed on the first layer and contains polyamideimide (PAI) containing a solid lubricant such as MoS2.

The present invention relates to a sliding member.
A swash plate for a compressor is disclosed in JP-A-10-205442, JP-A-11-13638, JP-A-11-193780, JP-A-2001-280236 and JP-A-2002-5013 as an example of a conventional sliding member. The swash plate contains a base material having formed on the surface thereof sliding layers constituting sliding surfaces, on which shoes slide.
The swash plates disclosed in JP-A-10-205442, JP-A-11-13638 and JP-A-11-193780 employ a sliding layer containing a first layer formed on the base material and a second layer formed on the first layer. The base material of the swash plate is ordinarily formed of an iron material, such as spheroidal graphite cast iron (FCD) or bearing steel (SUJ2). The swash plate has the first layer formed of Sn formed by plating, Cu—Sn—Pd formed by thermal spraying or the like, and the second layer formed of polyamideimide (PAI) containing MoS2.
JP-A-2001-280236 and JP-A-2002-5013 disclose a swash plate having a sliding layer containing an amorphous hard carbon (diamond-like carbon (DLC)) film formed on the base material. JP-A-2001-280236 also discloses that the DLC film may contain silicon (Si).
The swash plate is used in a swash plate compressor. The swash plate compressor contains a housing having formed therein cylinder bores, a crank chamber, a suction chamber and a discharge chamber, pistons being reciprocably housed in the each cylinder bore and comparting compression chambers in the each cylinder bore, a driving shaft being driven with an external driving source and being supported rotatably with the housing, and a swash plate being provided inside the crank chamber and converting the rotational movement of the driving shaft to a reciprocal movement of the pistons through each pairs of shoes in contact with front and rear surfaces of the swash plate. An ordinary swash plate is a single member and is rotatable along with the driving shaft in a state where the front and rear surfaces thereof is inclined with respect to the driving shaft. The shoes are each in a substantially hemispherical shape, and the substantially flat surfaces of the shoes are in contact with the front and rear surfaces of the swash plate.
In the swash plate compressor having the structure, the driving shaft is rotated with the external driving source to rotate the swash plate, whereby the pistons are reciprocated in the cylinder bores. According to the operation, the swash plate compressor sucks refrigerant from the suction chamber and compresses the refrigerant in the compression chambers, followed by discharging the refrigerant to the discharge chamber.
The swash plate compressor is used with an evaporator, an expansion valve, a condenser and piping to constitute a refrigeration circuit of a vehicle or the like, thereby attaining air-conditioning in a vehicle interior or the like.
The environment, under which a sliding member is used, is becoming severer owing, for example, to high-speed driving of a swash plate compressor, and there is a demand for a sliding member that is capable of exhibiting excellent sliding property as compared to a conventional product. A swash plate free of lead in a sliding layer is also demanded in view of protection of natural environments. Taking the demands in consideration, the inventors have confirmed the following phenomena associated with the conventional swash plate.
The second layer formed of PAI containing MoS2 in the conventional sliding layer may be peeled off upon long-term use due to unavoidable foreign matters that may present in the crank chamber of the swash plate compressor. The first layer, which is formed of Sn or Cu—Sn—Pb by plating or thermal spraying, is exposed thereby, and is demanded to attain improvement in durability under poor lubrication conditions.
The conventional sliding layer formed of a DLC film exhibits excellent sliding property as compared to the first layer formed of Sn or Cu—Sn—Pb by plating or thermal spraying since the DLC film shows a low friction coefficient under poor lubrication conditions, but under conditions where substantially no lubricating oil is present, the sliding layer slides directly on shoes as counterparts, which brings about possibility of deterioration in durability.
Under the circumstances, the inventors have investigated that a DLC film is used as the first layer of the sliding layer, and PAI containing MoS2 is used as the second layer.
However, the sliding layer is insufficient in adhesion of the second layer. As a countermeasure, the surface of the base material may be roughened for improving the adhesion of the second layer on the first layer formed of a DLC film. In the case where the second layer is peeled off upon long-term use, however, hard protrusions may attack the shoes to impair the sliding property of the shoes with respect to the swash plate, whereby there are problems including sticking of the shoes to the piston, which brings about possibility of deterioration in durability of the swash plate compressor.


An apparatus and method for estimating an initial frequency offset in a mobile communication system in which a user equipment (UE) performs initial cell search in order to identify a Node B with which the UE can exchange data is provided. The apparatus comprises a memory for storing a plurality of pulse duration modulation (PDM) hypotheses and storing the PDM hypotheses therein; a step#1 cell searcher for performing a step#1 cell search on each of the PDM hypotheses through a primary synchronization channel and outputting the cell search result to the memory; and an initial frequency offset estimator for determining an initial frequency offset estimation value from the cell search results for the PDM hypotheses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an asynchronous mobile communication system. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for estimating an initial frequency offset.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile communication systems can typically be classified into synchronous systems and asynchronous systems. The synchronous systems have mainly been adopted in the United States, while the asynchronous systems have been mainly adopted in Europe.
With the recent rapid growth of the mobile communication industry, future mobile communication systems capable of supporting not only voice service but also data and image services are attracting public attention, and standardization work on the future mobile communication systems is being conducted. However, the United States and Europe which are adopting different mobile communication systems are each independently carrying out separate standardizations. The European future mobile communication system is one of the new standards and is known as a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS).
Typically, in order to search for a Node B (or base station transceiver subsystem (BTS)), a user equipment (UE; or mobile station) comprising a mobile communication system requires the performance of frequency offset estimation and compensation for a carrier frequency. Frequency offset estimation and compensation greatly affect a Node B search time and call quality. The term "frequency offset" refers to a frequency variation occurring when a carrier frequency received from a Node B varies according to various factors (e.g., Node B signal distortion or a Doppler frequency) due to a channel environment, and a UE performs frequency offset estimation and compensation in order to match a transmission/reception frequency of the UE with a transmission/reception frequency of a Node B by removing the frequency offset.
For example, if a carrier frequency is 2.14 GHz, a carrier frequency Fr that a UE receives becomes 2.14 GHz+Δfr as a specific frequency offset Δfr is added to the carrier frequency 2.14 GHz generated in a transmission side. Therefore, the UE can normally restore a received signal by estimating and compensating for the frequency offset Δfr. Generally, the frequency offset Δfr is a value in which a frequency distortion Δfdrift—in—BTS in a Node B and a Doppler frequency ΔfD are reflected.
Frequency offset estimation by a UE is performed through an automatic frequency controller (hereinafter referred to as "AFC"). An operating principle of the AFC is to correct a frequency of a received signal by comparing a received signal's frequency Fr with a carrier frequency in which an estimated specific frequency offset Δfr is reflected and continuously compensating for a difference. A detailed implementation method will be described below.
The AFC has two limitations: it cannot trace all frequency offsets because of the limited loop bandwidth, and it must know a cell scrambling code and its timing. In other words, it can operate after completion of a cell search. However, in an asynchronous mobile communication system, because it is not possible to know a cell scrambling code before acquiring a cell, the AFC cannot be used. Therefore, estimating a frequency offset before performing cell search is required, and a temperature-based frequency estimation method used in a UE supporting a synchronous mobile communication system can be used as a method for estimating an initial frequency offset. With reference to FIG. 1, a description will now be made of a temperature-based initial frequency estimation method according to the prior art.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a frequency offset estimation apparatus in an asynchronous mobile communication system according to the prior art. Referring to FIG. 1, the frequency offset estimation apparatus can comprise a first multiplier 101, a low pass filter (LPF) 103, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 105, a second multiplier 107, a frequency difference detector (FDD) 109, a temperature sensor 111, a memory 113, a controller 115, an accumulator 117, a pulse duration modulator (PDM) 119, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 121 and a frequency multiplier 123.
The FDD 109 divides an output signal of the second multiplier 107 into I-channel symbols and Q-channel symbols, and detects a frequency difference by performing a specific operation (e.g., I(n)Q(n−1)−I(n−1)Q(n)) on current symbols and previous symbols. In general, a frequency difference detected through the above operation is output after detection results for 4 symbols are reflected (i.e., accumulated).
The controller 115 selects an output value from the FDD 109 and a value read from the memory 113, and outputs the selected value to the accumulator 117. As stated, in an initial state, because the AFC does not normally operate, the controller 115 reads as an initial frequency offset a value stored in the memory 113 instead of the output value of the FDD 109 and outputs the read value to the accumulator 117.
More specifically, the temperature-based frequency estimation method according to the prior art estimates an initial frequency offset by measuring a temperature by means of the temperature sensor 111 and by reading a frequency offset corresponding to the measured temperature from a table stored in the memory 113, in which relationships between temperatures and frequency offsets are stored. Therefore, the controller 115 receives an ambient temperature value of the voltage controlled oscillator 121 from the temperature sensor 111, reads a frequency offset corresponding to the measured temperature based on the relationships between temperatures and frequency offsets, previously stored in the memory 113, and outputs the read frequency offset to the accumulator 117. The accumulator 117 accumulates a currently received value to add to a previously stored value, and outputs the accumulated value to the PDM 119. The PDM 119 generates a pulse corresponding to an initial frequency offset generated according to the temperature, and outputs the generated pulse to the voltage controlled oscillator 121.
The voltage controlled oscillator 121 generates a specific oscillation frequency according to the pulse value output from the PDM 119. The oscillation frequency output from the voltage controlled oscillator 121 is subject to frequency multiplication in the frequency multiplier 123, generating a carrier frequency (i.e., radio frequency). An output of the frequency multiplier 123 is multiplied by a received signal in the first multiplier 101.
If an initial frequency offset is estimated in this manner by the initial frequency offset generated according to a temperature, estimation of a next frequency offset is performed by an AFC through the above-stated AFC operation. Meanwhile, in the initial frequency offset estimation process, because the AFC does not normally operate as stated above, the controller 115 selected the value read from the memory 113. However, when the AFC normally operates by the initial frequency offset estimation, the controller 115 selects the output value of the FDD 109. That is, as a loop of the AFC continuously performs a normal operation, although a received frequency is changed, it is possible to trace the changed frequency offset.
For the voltage controlled oscillator 121, an oven controlled temperature compensated crystal oscillator (OCTCXO) or a voltage controlled temperature compensated crystal oscillator (VCTCXO) is used as a reference frequency generator.
Meanwhile, in the asynchronous mobile communication system, the temperature-based frequency estimation method used in the synchronous mobile communication system can be used as a method for estimating an initial frequency offset before completion of a cell search. As stated, the temperature-based frequency estimation method estimates an initial frequency offset by measuring an ambient temperature of a place where the VCTCXO operates and by reading a frequency offset corresponding to the measured temperature from a table in which a relationship between temperatures and frequency offsets are stored.
However, because such a method estimates an initial frequency offset based on a table in which relationships between temperatures and frequency offsets are stored, an extra memory for storing the relationships is required, a unique table must be set up for each VCTCXO used in each UE, and the table must be changed after a run time of the VCTCXO. Actually, the VCTCXOs, though they are the same model made by the same company, show considerably different characteristics, and the characteristics vary undesirably over time.
In addition, although an initial frequency offset is estimated based on a value stored in the table in order to compensate for an influence of temperature, an initial frequency offset between a frequency transmitted by a Node B and a frequency generated by a UE to receive a signal transmitted by the Node B can show a considerably large value. Actually, in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) asynchronous system, when a Doppler frequency is taken into consideration, an initial carrier frequency offset is about 7.5 KHz and a system clock frequency offset is about 100 Hz.
When an initial frequency offset is considerably large, an AFC fails in frequency offset compensation and a long time is required until a frequency offset is compensated. That is, a very long time is required until a frequency offset is corrected because after a step#3 cell search is performed with an initially estimated frequency offset, if the cell search failed, an accurate frequency offset is detected by reading another frequency offset from a table in which relationships between temperatures and frequency offsets are stored and repeating the step#3 cell search for the read frequency offset. This causes call failure or a deterioration in call quality.

Apparatus and method for estimating initial frequency offset in an asynchronous mobile communication system


A powertrain is provided having an engine operable in a reverse direction so that a reverse mode is provided through an electrically variable transmission without relying on pure electric or series electric operation, and without the addition of a dedicated reverse gear. A method of controlling such a powertrain is also provided.

Hybrid automotive powertrains have typically used pure electric or series electric operation to provide reverse torque at a transmission output member. Pure electric operations utilize battery power to power a motor which is controlled to turn a transmission member, such as a gear, in a direction resulting in reverse rotation of the output member. In series electric operation, engine power allows one motor to operate as a generator that provides electricity to power a second motor which in turn drives a transmission member in a direction to provide a reverse rotation at the output member. Vehicle reverse performance, particularly for steep grades and long distances at high or low temperatures, is therefore limited by battery or motor behavior in both of these types of powertrains. Utilizing the engine, rather than motor power, to provide reverse, in either a fixed ratio mode or an electrically variable mode, typically requires the addition of one or more gears dedicated for use in the reverse mode, thereby adding length to the transmission and decreasing efficiency due to clutch drag and spin losses.

Hybrid powertrain with reversing engine and method of control


A liquid crystal lens element having a lens function is provided, which is small sized without having moving part, and which can stably carry out correction of spherical aberration containing a power component corresponding to focal point change of incident light.

As examples of an optical recording medium (hereinafter referred to as "optical disk") having an information recording layer formed on a surface of light-incident side, and a transparent resin covering the information recording layer, e.g. optical disks for CD and optical disks for DVD are widely used. Further, in an optical head device for writing and/or reading an information to/from the optical disks for DVD, one employing a laser diode of 660 nm wavelength band as a light source and an objective lens having a NA (numerical aperture) of from 0.6 to 0.65, are employed.
Heretofore, an optical disk for DVD commonly used (hereinafter referred to as "single layer optical disk"), has a single information recording layer and a cover layer of 0.6 mm thick. However, in recent years, in order to increase information amount in each optical disk, an optical disk (read-only type or readable-writable type) having two information recording layers (hereinafter referred to as "double layer optical disk") has been developed, and in the double layer optical disk, information recording layers are formed at positions corresponding to cover thicknesses of 0.57 mm and 0.63 mm in the light-incident side.
Thus in a case of writing and/or reading to/from a double layer optical disk by using an optical head device having an objective lens optimally designed to have zero aberration for a single layer optical disk, when a cover thickness is different, a spherical aberration is generated according to the difference of the cover thickness and convergence of incident light to an information recording layer is deteriorated. In particular, in a case of double-layer optical disk of writing type, deterioration of convergence corresponds to decrease of converging power density, which causes a writing error, such being a problem.
In recent years, in order to improve recording density of an optical disk, an optical disk having a cover thickness of 0.1 mm (hereinafter it is also referred to as "optical disk for BD") is also proposed. Further, an optical head device for writing an information to such an optical disk, employs a laser diode emitting laser light of 405 nm wavelength band and an objective lens having a NA of 0.85. However, also in this case, with respect to a double layer optical disk of recording type, a spherical aberration generated corresponding to the difference of the cover thickness, causes a writing error, such being a problem.
Heretofore, as means for correcting a spherical aberration caused by the difference of the cover thickness of e.g. the above-mentioned double layer optical disk, a method of employing movable lens group or a liquid crystal lens, has been known.
(I) For example, in order to carry out correction of spherical aberration by using a movable lens group, an optical head device 100 shown in FIG. 16 for writing and/or reading an optical disk D, has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
The optical head device 100 comprises a light source 110, an optical system 120 of various types, a photo-acceptance element 130, a control circuit 140 and a modulation/demodulation circuit 150, and further, a first and a second movable lens groups 160 and 170. Further, the first movable lens group 160 includes a concave lens 161, a convex lens 162 and an actuator 163, which exhibits a focal-length variable lens function that a power of the movable lens group 160 is continuously changeable from positive (convex lens) to negative (concave lens) by moving the convex lens 162 fixed to the actuator 163 in an optical axis direction.
By disposing the movable lens group 160 in an optical path to an optical disk D, it becomes possible to correct a spherical aberration containing a power component and to adjust a focal point of incident light to an information recording layer (not illustrated) of the optical disk D having a different cover thickness.
However, in the case of employing the movable lens group 160, there has been a problem that the size of the optical head device 100 becomes larger since the pair of lenses 161 and 162 and the actuator 163 are required, and the mechanical design for the movement becomes complicated.
(II) Further, in order to correct a spherical aberration caused by the difference of cover thickness of an optical disk, an optical head device employing a liquid crystal lens 200 as shown in FIG. 17, has been proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 2).
The liquid crystal lens 200 has a construction that it comprises a substrate 230 having a flat surface on which a transparent electrode 210 and an alignment film 220 are formed, a substrate 260 having a curved surface symmetric about an axis and having a surface shape S(r) represented by the following formula being a sum of powers of a radius r:S(r)=a1r2+a2r4+a3r6  (1)
wherein r2=x2+y2                 a1, a2, a3; constanton which a transparent electrode 240 and an alignment film 250 are formed, and a nematic liquid crystal 270 sandwiched by the substrates 230 and 260.
In the liquid crystal lens 200, when a voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 210 and 240, alignment of molecules of the liquid crystal 270 changes and the refractive index of the liquid crystal 270 changes. As a result, a wavefront of transmission light changes in accordance with refractive index difference between the substrate 260 and the liquid crystal 270.
Here, the refractive index of the substrate 260 equals to the refractive index of the liquid crystal 270 when no voltage is applied. Accordingly, when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal, transmission wavefront is not changed from that of incident light.
On the other hand, when a voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 210 and 240, a refractive index difference Δn is generated between the substrate 260 and the liquid crystal 270, and a distribution of optical path difference of transmission light corresponding to Δn×S(r) is generated (refer to Formula (1) for S(r)).
Accordingly, it is possible to correct an aberration by fabricating the surface shape S(r) of the substrate 260 so as to correct a spherical aberration caused by the difference of cover thickness of an optical disk D, and by adjusting the refractive index difference Δn according to applied voltage.
However, in the case of liquid crystal lens described in FIG. 17, since the refractive index change of the liquid crystal 270 in response to applied voltage is at most about 0.3, it is necessary to increase the concave-convex height of S(r) to generate a large optical path difference distribution Δn×S(r) corresponding to a power component for changing a focal point of incident light. As a result, the layer of liquid crystal 270 becomes thicker, which causes problems that driving voltage increases and response becomes slower.
To cope with this problem, in order to reduce thickness of liquid crystal layer, it is effective to correct only spherical aberration requiring minimum amount of aberration correction, except for power component. However, when the substrate 260 is fabricated to have a surface shape S(r) so as to correct only spherical aberration, if the optical axis of an objective lens for converging incident light on an information recording layer of an optical disk, and the optical axis of the liquid crystal lens are not aligned to each other, a coma aberration is generated which causes a problem that convergence to the information recording layer is deteriorated and writing or reading is prevented.
(III) By the way, in order to develop a substantial lens function capable of changing also a power component corresponding to focal point change of incident light without increasing the thickness of liquid crystal layer, a liquid crystal diffraction lens 300 shown in FIG. 18 is also proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 3).
In the liquid crystal diffraction lens 300, a transparent electrode 320 is formed on one side of a substrate 310 on which a predetermined saw-tooth-shaped relief is formed, and the transparent electrode 320 and an opposing electrode 330 sandwich a liquid crystal layer 340. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes 320 and 330, substantial refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 340 for extraordinarily polarized light changes from an extraordinary refractive index ne to an ordinary refractive index no. Here, "substantial refractive index" means an average refractive index in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer.
Provided that the refractive index of the substrate 310 having the saw-tooth-shaped relief structure is designated as n1, and the wavelength of incident light is designated as λ, by forming the saw-tooth-shaped relief grooves so as to have a depth d satisfying the following equation:d=λ/(ne−n1)maximum diffracting efficiency is obtained at the wavelength λ when no voltage is applied, and thus, a diffraction lens is formed. Further, even if the wavelength λ of incident light is changed, application voltage can be adjusted so as to produce the maximum diffraction at the wavelength λ.
In the liquid crystal diffraction lens 300 having such a construction, since it is only necessary to fill the grooves of the saw-tooth-shaped relief with the liquid crystal layer 340, the liquid crystal layer 340 can be thinner than the liquid crystal 270 shown in FIG. 17 which is a type of liquid crystal to be used for the above-mentioned liquid crystal lens 200 to correct spherical aberration containing a power component.
However, in the liquid crystal diffraction lens 300, since the transparent electrode 320 is formed on the saw-tooth-shaped relief surface, the transparent electrode 320 tends to be disconnected at edge portions. Further, if the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 340 is reduced, the transparent electrode 320 and the opposing electrode 340 tend to form a short circuit.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-115127
Patent Document 2: JP-A-5-205282
Patent Document 3: JP-A-9-189892

Liquid crystal lens element and optical head device

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens element which changes a focal length of light transmitted through a liquid crystal 16 according to the magnitude of the voltage applied to the liquid crystal 16 sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates 11 and 12, which comprises transparent electrodes 13 and 14 provided on the respective transparent substrates 11 and 12 for applying a voltage for the liquid crystal 16, and a concave-convex portion 17 having a saw-tooth-shaped cross-sectional shape having a rotational symmetry about an optical axis and formed on one surface of the transparent electrode 13 with a transparent material, wherein at least concave portions of the concave-convex portion 17 are filled with the liquid crystal 16 so as to change the substantial refractive index of the liquid crystal 16 according to the magnitude of applied voltage.


A method and apparatus for high-pressure pasteurization utilizes a basket (40) for holding food packages (95). The basket (40) is transported on a cart (60) from a loading station (90), to the high-pressure pasteurization processing apparatus (10) and back to an unloading station (100). Two robots (17, 18) are utilized to reduce cycle time of the high-pressure pasteurization vessels (11).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to high pressure pasteurization and more specifically to a method and apparatus for use while utilizing high pressure pasteurization for food products.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Consumers desire high quality, minimally processed foods with fresh characteristics and little to no additives. High pressure pasteurization ("HPP"), also known as high hydrostatic pressure processing or ultra-high pressure processing, is being used to pasteurize foods at elevated pressures of approximately 30,000 to 130,000 pounds per square inch ("psi") for a specified temperature and time. The pressure is applied through a pressure medium such as a liquid or a gas. Under these conditions, HPP has been found to be effective in inactivating many pathogenic microorganisms commonly found in foods. As compared to canned foods or pasteurized juices and milk, HPP significantly reduces the process temperature and time, which results in foods with improved characteristics such as better retention of freshness, flavor, texture, color, and nutrients.
HPP is based on the Le Chatelier principle which states that a system at equilibrium adjusts when subjected to a stress and that actions that have a net volume increase will be retarded and actions that have a net volume decrease will be enhanced. HPP utilizes isostatic or hydrostatic pressure which is equal from every direction. Isostatic compression transfers pressure instantly and uniformly throughout the pressure medium providing a non-thermal process alternative for the pasteurization of temperature-sensitive foods. Foods suspended in the pressure medium are assumed to follow the isostatic principle. The basis for using the HPP process as a pasteurization method is based on the assumption that the product also follows the isostatic rule, which states that isostatic pressure is instantly and uniformly transmitted throughout the pressurized medium and the enclosed food product, regardless of size, shape or physical state of the food.
During HPP, foods are subjected to pressures up to 130,000 psi, and the pressure destroys pathogenic microorganisms by interrupting their cellular functions. Within a living bacteria cell, many pressure sensitive processes such as protein function, enzyme action, and cellular membrane function are impacted by high pressure resulting in the inability of the bacteria to survive. Small macromolecules that are responsible for flavor, order, and nutrition are typically not changed by pressure.
HPP is gaining in popularity within the food industry because of its capacity to inactivate pathogenic microorganisms with little to no heat treatment, resulting in the retention of most of the nutritional and sensory characteristics of fresh foods without sacrificing shelf-life of the foods.
One of the advantages of HPP is that pressure transmission is relatively instantaneous and uniform, and HPP is not controlled by product size and is effective throughout the foods. HPP also offers several advantages over traditional thermal processing including reduced process times, minimal heat damage, and retention of freshness, flavor, texture, color, and nutrients.
To date, the process for HPP has been on a much smaller scale than is typically needed for processing large quantities of food. The present invention addresses this problem and provides for a new method and an apparatus for use during the high pressure pasteurization.

Method and apparatus for material handling for a food product using high pressure pasteurization


A manufacturing process that includes spray-drying a liquid composition based on liquid residues derived from a chemical extraction of clinker to form a material with a high specific surface area. Also, a material based on clinker residues having a high specific surface area ranging from 200 m2.g−1 to 900 m2.g−1 and a mesopore size ranging from 2 nm to 50 nm. Further, the use of a material having a high specific surface area for the absorption of pollutants species.

At the present time in France, incineration is the second most common method for disposing of household waste. Treatment of waste by incineration is a process applied not only to household waste but also to industrial waste.
The incineration process gives rise to a reduction in the volume and mass of solid waste, but this reduction is merely apparent. Specifically, incineration generates fumes (5000 m3 per tonne of burnt waste), solid residues and liquid effluents (treatment of the fumes, quenching of the clinker, etc.).
The solid slag collected at the bottom of incinerator furnaces after waste combustion is known as household waste incineration clinker (HWIC) and/or industrial waste incineration clinker (IWIC). It is composed of ash (in the form of granules), various incombustible materials (mixture of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, glasses, silica, alumina, limestone, lime, etc.), unburnt materials and water. Since each tonne of incinerated waste produces 250 kg to 300 kg of clinker, this represents for France alone an annual production of about 3 million tonnes of clinker.
Due to certain physical characteristics of clinker, notably its good load-bearing capacity, a large proportion has been upgraded in road engineering, notably in substitution for natural aggregates. In France, for example, more than 2 million tonnes of clinker are applied essentially as road sub-layer. However, due to the presence of pollutant elements such as heavy metals and dioxins, the composition of clinker is environmentally problematic.
Indeed, water originating from the trickling of rainwater or from percolation may lead to the dispersion of the pollutants and thus contaminate the surrounding soils and water tables.
In order to limit the environmental impact of clinker, it is necessary to determine its leaching rate and also the leaching rate of materials containing same. To this end, the decree of Nov. 18, 2011, relating to the road-engineering recycling of nonhazardous waste incineration clinker introduced additional constraints, for instance the increase in the number of substances to be taken into account, the lowering of the majority of the pollutant thresholds or the reinforcement of the traceability of these substances. These restrictions thus limit the upgrading of clinker in the road engineering sector, thus leading to an increase in storage at the refuse dump.
Another way for upgrading clinker concerning dry ground clinker is based on the process of chemical extraction and notably of upgradeable elements such as silicon, calcium, iron and aluminum.
This upgrading may be envisioned along two axes, the upgrading of SiO2 in the glass industry and/or in the SiO2 production industries, on the one hand, and the upgrading of the elements Ca, Fe and Al in the metallurgical industry, on the other hand.
Although the solid residues from solid/liquid extraction tests form potentially upgradeable solid precursors, the liquid residues, i.e. washing leachates, containing upgradeable elements, must be processed (e.g. neutralization) in order to be able to be upgraded.
After considerable research, the Applicant has, to its merit, developed a novel process for manufacturing material with a high specific surface area from liquid residues derived from the chemical extraction of clinker, thus making it possible to propose novel routes for the upgrading of said liquid residues.

Process for manufacturing a material with a high specific surface area


A pre-baited consumer bait station for rodents which is gnaw resistant and has other design features to make the bait station resistant to rodenticide access by children, dogs, other pets, domestic animals, and nontarget wildlife. An injection molded translucent cover is permanently locked to a base about the cover's edges and center by elastic actuated hooks which engage receptacles on the base. The cover forms a labyrinth joint with a peripheral wall of the base. Double walls on exterior portions of the peripheral wall strengthen the walls where they form part of a closely confining bait receptacle which surrounds a bait block on portions of all sides. Circuitous internal passageways limit access to the bait. An interior wall extends to support the cover center.

The present invention relates to rodent bait stations in general and rodent bait stations for consumer use in particular.
Rodenticides can be particularly effective in treating infestations of rodent pests. Bait stations provide an effective mechanism for isolating the rodenticide from children, dogs, other pets, domestic animals, and non-target wildlife. Because the bait associated with the rodenticide can be attractive to non-targeted species, it is desirable to limit access to the rodenticide to dogs, for example, which can devote extended time to gaining entry to a container. Bait stations should not only obstruct the physical entry of the non-targeted species into the station, but also make it difficult for a pet to gain access to the interior by chewing or gnawing on the station. The bait station should also limit the access of children to the bait within.


An active medical device that is able to detect and treat ventiliatory activity disorders during sleep. This device measures the patient's respiratory activity, delivers a signal of the ventiliatory activity of the patient, analyzes the ventiliatory activity signal, and detects the occurrence of hypopneas. The analysis includes calculating at regular intervals a sliding average of the signal of ventiliatory activity, comparing the values of the successive sliding averages thus calculated, and detecting an occurrence of an hypopnea when, for two successive sliding averages, the difference between the averages crosses a predetermined threshold of comparison. When the device is one that also delivers cardiac stimulation pulses, it is advantageously envisaged to modify an operating parameter, in particular the stimulation rate based on the detected hypopnea, to treat the hypopnea.

In this context, one device already proposed allows one to diagnose various respiratory disorders, such as apnea, revealing a pathology known by the name of Syndrome of Sleep Apnea ("SSA"). Such an apnea is defined as a respiratory pause of a duration longer than ten seconds, and occurring during a phase of sleep of the patient. SSA can also be defined by a significant recurrence of hypopneas. One can also detect disorders revealed by a periodic and abnormal variation of the respiratory profile, where phases of hyperventilation alternate with either phases of normal breathing or phases of hypoventilation, a disorder known by the name of "Periodic Breathing ("PB"), or respiratory pause phases (a disorder known by the name of "Cheyne-Stokes dyspnea" or "Cheyne-Stokes breathing", or Cheyne-Stokes Respiration ("CSR")). The various alternate phases each have a duration of a few respiratory cycles to a few tens of respiratory cycles, i.e., of a few seconds or tens of seconds, and in some circumstances in excess of a minute.
Cardiac pacemakers including means for measuring the respiratory activity of the patient, more precisely the minute-ventilation (i.e., the product of the respiratory frequency by the ventiliatory amplitude) are known from, for example, European Patent Publication EP-A-0 493 222 and its corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,702, assigned to the assignee hereof Ela Médical. However, the minute ventilation parameter is disclosed in that document to control the frequency of application of the stimulation pulses, but not to carry out an analysis of the ventilation able to detect some particular disturbance occurring during sleep.
The starting point of the invention lies in the observation of the existence of respiratory disorders occurring during sleep, the symptoms of which are neither respiratory pauses nor periodic variations of the ventilatory profile. These disorders can nevertheless-induce, in particular, an oxygen desaturation of the blood that is likely to cause the patient to wake up, and further, especially, a transitory sinusal tachycardia intended for compensating the desaturation. Those disorders are called "hypopneas" (as defined below).

Detection and the treatment of ventilatory disorders during sleep for an active implantable medical device, in particular a pacemaker


An apparatus providing process water used for making or processing a fiber suspension includes a multi-compartment tank with a top, a bottom wall, and a plurality of exterior sidewalls. Each compartment has an inlet positioned near the top, an outlet positioned near the bottom wall, and at least one intervening wall common with an adjacent compartment. Each intervening wall has a height defining an overflow weir whereby the compartments are arranged with sequentially decreasing maximum fluid levels. Each intervening wall also has a backflow device positioned near the bottom wall. The backflow device is selectively openable to allow flow from one compartment to an adjacent compartment in a direction opposite to a flow direction over the corresponding overflow weir.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making or processing a fiber suspension used in a paper-making machine, and, more particularly, to an apparatus providing process water used for making or processing the fiber suspension.
2. Description of the Related Art
A paper-making machine typically receives a fiber suspension, such as a wood fiber suspension, at the wet end thereof. The fiber suspension is discharged with a known cross-sectional profile across the width of the machine onto a forming fabric. The fiber suspension is drained, pressed and dried to ultimately form a paper web as an end product. Typically, the fiber suspension is treated in a plurality of steps known as "stock preparation" so that a fiber suspension with known physical properties may be supplied to the wet end of the machine. One such treating process involves the use of a "pulp washer" which washes the fiber suspension using a plurality of showers which extend across the width of the fiber suspension. The showers utilize one or more different grades of process water and fresh water. The process water may be segregated into different grades having different respective contamination levels. Different grades of process water may be suitably used for different parts of the pulp washing operation. Since a pulp washer utilizes the plurality of showers at different locations therein to effect the pulp washing process, it is of course necessary to ensure that an adequate supply of process water is available.
What is needed in the art is an apparatus for supplying an adequate amount of process water with a contamination level at or below a predetermined level.

Apparatus and method for providing process water used for making or processing a fiber suspension

Voith Sulzer Paper Technology North America, Inc.