In a laser apparatus: an adhesion surface and a first reference surface making a first predetermined angle with the adhesion surface are formed on an attachment part, and a mounting surface and a second reference surface making a second predetermined angle with the mounting surface are formed on a fixing member which is directly or indirectly fixed to a main body and arranged to adhesively hold the attachment part. In a method for assembling the laser apparatus: a first angle between the second reference surface and a reference direction is measured; the orientation of the attachment part is adjusted while measuring a second angle between the first reference surface and the reference direction; and the attachment part is adhesively fixed to the fixing member when the second angle is equal to an angle predetermined based on the first angle and the first and second predetermined angles.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser apparatus in which one or more optical components (including, for example, a condensing lens) and one or more holders for the one or more optical components are directly or indirectly fixed to a main body by adhesion. The present invention also relates to a method for assembling the above laser apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some known types of laser apparatuses optically combine a plurality of laser beams in a single optical fiber, and output a high-power laser beam by inputting the plurality of laser beams into the single optical fiber. For example, such laser apparatuses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,995,912 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-134641. The disclosed laser apparatuses are basically constituted by one or more semiconductor lasers which emit a plurality of laser beams, a single optical fiber, and an optical condensing system which condenses the plurality of laser beams, and couples the condensed laser beams to the optical fiber.
In the above laser apparatuses, the dimensions of the optical components including collimator lenses and a condensing lens (which constitute an optical condensing system) and the holders (which hold the optical components) are normally very small. Conventionally, in order to fix the above small parts to the main body of the laser apparatus, fixing structures using an adhesive are widely used, for example, as indicated in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-134641.
However, in the conventional structures in which small optical components and holders are fixed to a main body of an apparatus as mentioned above, the positions in which the optical components and holders are fixed are likely to be inclined from desired positions.
The above problem is explained in detail below by taking as examples laser apparatuses in which semiconductor lasers, an optical condensing system, and a near-end portion of an optical fiber on the light-entrance side are arranged in a package.
In the first example of the laser apparatus, the near-end portion of the optical fiber is fixed in such a manner that the core axis of the near-end portion is parallel to the bottom surface of the package, a holder having a rectangular parallelepipedic shape and being arranged to fix a lens is fixed on the bottom surface of the package, and a condensing lens is adhesively fixed on the upper surface of the holder in such a manner that the core axis of the near-end portion of the optical fiber coincides with the optical axis of the condensing lens. The condensing lens is a truncated lens having a shape obtained by cutting out a portion of an axisymmetric round lens with planes parallel to the optical axis of the condensing lens, and a surface of the condensing lens exposed by cutting with a plane becomes an adhesion surface. Thus, the condensing lens is fixed to the upper surface of the holder in such a manner that the adhesion surface of the condensing lens is in contact with the upper surface of the holder.
In order to make the optical axis of the condensing lens coincide with the core axis of the near-end portion of the optical fiber when the above condensing lens is adhesively fixed, it is necessary that the optical axis of the condensing lens be parallel to the bottom surface of the package. It may be considered that the optical axis of the condensing lens will be set parallel to the bottom surface of the package by simply pressing the condensing lens against the upper surface of the holder (i.e., by letting the adhesion surface of the condensing lens fit the upper surface of the holder) when the upper surface of the holder is parallel to the bottom surface of the package.
However, according to research carried out by the present inventors, it has been found that sometimes the optical axis of the condensing lens may not become parallel to the bottom surface of the package even when the adhesion surface of the condensing lens fits the upper surface of the holder. This is because the orientation of the condensing lens can vary according to the direction and distribution of the pressing force and the like when the condensing lens is pressed against the upper surface of the holder. Although the inclination of the condensing lens fixed in the above manner is slight, the slight inclination of the condensing lens causes misalignment between the optical axis of the condensing lens and the core axis of the near-end portion of the optical fiber, so that the input efficiency of the laser beams which is condensed by the condensing lens and enters the optical fiber is reduced.
In the above first example in which the problem occurs, a holder is fixed on the bottom surface of the package, and the condensing lens (as an optical component) is adhesively fixed to the holder. On the other hand, in the second example of the laser apparatus, a holder to which an optical component is to be fixed is fixed as a submount to a mount which is fixed to a bottom surface of a package. In the second example, the holder can also be adhesively fixed with an inclination from the fixed mount for a reason similar to the first example. For example, in the case where the holder as the submount has a rectangular parallelepipedic shape, and a side surface of the holder is adhesively fixed to a vertical surface of the fixed mount, and an optical component such as a lens is fixed on the upper surface of the holder, it may be considered that the upper surface of the holder becomes level when the side surface of the holder is adhesively fixed to the vertical surface of the fixed mount in such a manner that the side surface (as an adhesion surface) of the holder fits the vertical surface (as a mounting surface) of the fixed mount. However, the side surface of the holder can be fixed to the mounting surface of the fixed mount with an inclination from the mounting surface of the fixed mount for a similar reason to the aforementioned first example.
In the above examples, the problems arise in the laser apparatuses in which a plurality of laser beams enter a single optical fiber and are optically combined. However, even in other laser apparatuses, similar problems can also occur, i.e., an adhesion surface of an optical component such as a lens or a holder for fixing an optical component can be fixed to a mounting surface of a member arranged on the main body side of each laser apparatus with an inclination from the mounting surface.

Laser apparatus and method for assembling the laser apparatus


A hydrogen storage tank includes a tank main body, partition sections, and a hydrogen flow pipe. The hydrogen flow pipe prevents MH powder from passing through and permits hydrogen to pass through. The tank main body includes a hollow body portion having openings on opposite ends. Dome portions are joined to opening ends of the body portion. Partition sections are provided in the body portion so that first retaining chambers, which retain the MH powder, are defined in the body portion. Extended portions, which serve as second partition members, are provided in the dome portions to divide the space in the dome portions into second retaining chambers, which retain the MH powder.

A hydrogen storage tank that retains powdered hydrogen absorbing metal (hereinafter, referred to as MH) has been proposed. In the hydrogen storage tank, the MH absorbs hydrogen for storage, and the hydrogen is released from the MH when in use. However, in such a hydrogen storage tank, if the MH is retained in the tank without being held, the MH settles and may be partially compacted. If the MH absorbs hydrogen and expands in this state, an excessive stress is locally generated in the tank and cause adverse effect on the tank.
Thus, a hydrogen storage tank 6 as shown in FIG. 4 has been proposed. The tank 6 is formed by a tank main body 1, which includes a tubular body portion 2 and dome portions 3, which are respectively attached to the opposite ends of the body portion 2. The space in the body portion 2 is divided into retaining chambers 4 by partition members 5 located in the body portion 2. In the hydrogen storage tank 6, MH 7 is separately retained in the retaining chambers 4, and separately settles in the retaining chambers 4. This prevents partial compaction of the MH 7 in the body portion 2.
An MH container as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has also been proposed as one type of hydrogen storage tank that prevents partial compaction of the MH. A honeycomb structure that includes cells filled with the MH is inserted in the container, and shock absorbers are provided at the upper and lower ends of the honeycomb structure. An aerofin is wound around the outside of the container. In the container, the MH is prevented from moving to one side by the honeycomb structure and the shock absorbers.
Patent Document 2 further proposes a pressure container liner configured by a tubular first liner component and a pair of second liner components, which close the openings at the opposite ends of the first liner component. A reinforcement wall is provided in the second liner components.
When a hydrogen storage tank is used as a fuel tank for a hydrogen engine or a fuel-cell vehicle, the size of the tank needs to be reduced while maintaining the amount of hydrogen that can be supplied. To do so, it is required to increase the proportion of a hydrogen filled region (MH filled region) in the hydrogen storage tank. The proportion of the hydrogen filled region (MH filled region) means the proportion of the region that can be filled with hydrogen (MH) in the entire internal region of the hydrogen storage tank. In the hydrogen storage tank that includes the dome portions 3 provided on opposite ends of the tubular body portion 2 as shown in FIG. 4, the space S in the dome portions 3 may be filled with the MH to increase the proportion of the hydrogen filled region. In this case, however, the MH filling the space S in the dome portions 3 settles, and could be partially compacted at the bottom of the dome portions 3. If the MH expands in the compacted state, an excessive stress is locally generated.
Also, in the MH container disclosed in Patent Document 1, shock absorbers are provided at the upper and lower ends of the honeycomb structure to prevent the MH to move to the ends of the container. Thus, the ends of the container cannot be filled with the MH. Thus, the proportion of the MH filled region cannot be increased in such an MH container.
Furthermore, in the pressure container liner disclosed in Patent Document 2, the reinforcement wall provided in the second liner components is a member provided to increase the pressure capacity against the force that acts in the lengthwise direction of the pressure container liner. That is, the reinforcement wall is not provided in order to divide the space in the second liner components. Thus, in the pressure container liner, it is not taken into consideration that when the second liner components are filled with the MH, the MH in the second liner components may settle and become partially compacted.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-100926    Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-61474


The present invention is directed to a skimmer basket lifting tool that enables a user to engage and remove a skimmer basket for cleaning without having to contact the debris accumulated within the basket. The skimmer basket lifting tool comprises a lifting handle which has both a proximal and a distal end, a base portion, including an attachment point for engaging the distal end of the lifting handle, and a pair of opposed skimmer basket crossbar engagement elements extending downward from the base portion. The opposed crossbar engagement elements are oriented such that rotation of the base portion, following insertion of the base portion into a skimmer basket housing, results in reversible engagement of the opposed crossbar engagement elements with the skimmer basket crossbar. This reliable, reversible engagement enables the skimmer basket to be lifted from the skimmer basket housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a tool and method for removing or replacing a swimming pool skimmer basket.
2. Discussion of Background Information
Maintaining the cleanliness of a swimming pool is a continuous maintenance task. One method for removing the debris that collects in the pool involves using a skimmer net attached to an extension pole. Typically, many pools utilize a skimmer basket, disposed within a skimmer basket well to filter the water. Filtration occurs as pool water is pumped through the perforated pool skimmer basket before returning to the pool. Over time, the skimmer basket collects filtered debris, reducing the efficiency of the filtration process. Returning the system to peak efficiency requires removal, emptying and cleaning of the skimmer basket. Removing the skimmer basket manually is a task which many find to be offensive. The skimmer basket and the surrounding skimmer basket housing are often filled with twigs, leaves and other debris, and frequently contains insects and animals such as frogs or even snakes. Some of these animals are alive, but others are in various stages of decay.
Various tools have been proposed in the art for the removal of pool skimmer baskets. Although presumably effective for their intended purpose, these tools fail to allow a user to effectively and reliably secure a skimmer basket crossbar for effective removal of the skimmer basket. For example, one prior art embodiment contains non-opposing hooks that are designed to engage a skimmer basket crossbar during basket removal. This non-opposing hook configuration results in unreliable engagement of the skimmer basket crossbar. For example, devices that utilize non-opposing hooks are prone to engaging only one hook with the skimmer basket crossbar. Such engagement is inherently unreliable and leads to spillage of the filtered debris back into the filtered water during lifting. Moreover, even when the non-opposing hooks of the prior art tool both engage the skimmer basket crossbar, off center alignment can cause the skimmer basket to tip, spilling the basket contents back into the filtered pool water.
Other prior art devices disclose opposed engagement members, but require a user to place his or her hand in the debris-filled water to engage and lift the basket reliably without dumping the basket contents into the clean pool water. These devices lack a means for carefully engaging the hooks to avoid spilling the contents of the skimmer basket during the lifting process.
Therefore, a need exists for a tool that securely and reliably engages the crossbar of a pool skimmer basket so that the basket may be removed for cleaning without dumping the filtered debris back into the clean pool water and without requiring the user to touch the skimmer basket or the skimmer basket housing.

Device and method for lifting a pool skimmer basket


In a moving picture coding apparatus, a first determining section determines whether the parameter is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold and a first measuring section, for each divided blocks, measures time duration while the first determining section is determining that the parameter is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold. After that, a second determining section determines whether the time duration comes up to a predetermined condition. Then, a coding control section forcibly sets intra-coding for a block, if the second measuring section determined that the time duration has come up to the condition.

The basic band-type compression and coding scheme for moving pictures includes predictive coding and transform coding. The high-efficiency coding is enabled utilizing known statistical characteristics of video signals, i.e., a correlation found existing between inter-picture pixels, and between intra-picture pixels. The predictive coding is utilizing the correlation in a time domain, and the transform coding is utilizing the correlation in a frequency domain.
The predictive coding is a scheme for coding a differential signal with a predictive picture derived by motion compensation prediction. The transform coding is a scheme for transforming pixel-based screen blocks into the frequency domain by Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), and a transform coefficient of the resulting frequency components is quantized for transmission. Such a transform coefficient is hereinafter referred to as DCT coefficient. The recently-popular scheme is the combination of these two types of coding. For example, in ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector) recommendation H.261 and H.263, or MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) as a working group of ISO (International Organization for Standardization) for picture compression, coding is performed for every 16-by-16 pixel block. Such a pixel block is hereinafter referred to as a macroblock.
In a moving picture coding device on the transmission end, coding is performed using motion compensation prediction, and thus a frame memory stores pictures being more or less different from original pictures. In this sense, after a predetermined length of time, the difference from the original pictures is increased, and eventually stored is picture data that is considerably different from the original pictures. If the resulting macroblock picture data is used for motion compensation of any neighboring blocks, the erroneous data is spread out in the neighborhood.
The prediction coding is a scheme for transmitting only a predictive error signal, and by accumulating the predictive error signal in a moving picture decoding device on the transmission-destination end, reproducing a picture signal. With such a configuration, if any coding error occurs in the transmission path, the erroneous picture data is input into a frame memory in the moving picture decoding device on the reception end. As a result, the original picture data stored in the frame memory is corrupted. Such picture corruption does not occur only to the original picture data in the frame memory but to any other subsequently incoming picture data because variable length data becomes out of sync. Therefore, in the moving picture decoding device, even if the subsequently incoming data is free from error, the correct picture data cannot be decoded and reproduced until the error effects are reset follows:
In consideration thereof, a conventional method has been proposed in which a differential value is derived between a predictive picture and a current picture for every macroblock. In the method, any macroblock with the differential value being a specific reference value or larger is refreshed by intra coding, and to any macroblock with the differential value being smaller than the reference value, inter coding is performed. In such a method, the macroblocks are refreshed every time any change of the reference value or more is observed in the picture motion so that picture quality deterioration can be prevented relatively in the early stages. As an example, refer to Patent Document 1 (JP-A-2001-169286; paragraphs of 0012 and 0013).
The problem here is that, with such conventional refreshing, if any transmission error is found in a specific macroblock during intra coding, the macroblock is not refreshed for a long time unless the picture in the macroblock is observed with any motion of the reference value or more. As a result, picture deterioration caused by the transmission error remains for a long period of time.
For the purpose of solving such a problem, another method is proposed in which every macroblock is unconditionally refreshed at regular intervals. The problem with this method is that intra coding is large in data amount for coding. Therefore, as described above, if refreshing is unconditionally performed to every macroblock, the coding efficiency is considerably reduced.

Moving picture coding apparatus utilizing a DCT coefficient for performing intra-coding


Uniting bands in the form of heat-sealable labels which bear encoded information are applied to exposed photographic films to join the films end-to-end. The encoded information is decoded by a reader before the labels are applied to the films to thus ensure that the hot sealing member which is used to apply labels cannot destroy or distort encoded information prior to decoding. Decoded information is used for the application of corresponding information to envelopes for exposed and developed films and for the prints of images of the respective film frames.

The invention relates to a method of and to an apparatus for manipulating webs of photographic material, and more particularly to improvements in methods of and in apparatus for splicing webs of photographic material end-to-end by means of uniting bands in the form of labels which are provided with encoded information. Still more particularly, the invention relates to a method of and to an apparatus for joining the webs end-to-end by means of labels and for applying decoded information to other objects, particularly to envelopes for exposed and developed photographic films and accompanying prints.
Published European patent application No. 0 212 134 discloses a method of joining webs of photographic material end-to-end by means of labels which are provided with encoded information denoting serial numbers or customer numbers. The labels are applied to the trailing ends of successive films of a long series of films and to the leaders of next-following films so that each label establishes a splice between the respective films. Information which is encoded on the labels is decoded subsequent to application of labels to the films, and the thus decoded information is transmitted to a printer or perforator which applies the same information to a customer envelope, namely an envelope which is to receive the respective film and the corresponding prints. The strip of coherent films which are joined by labels is transported through a developing machine and thereupon through a printer which makes reproductions of images of film frames on photographic paper. Such reproductions must be introduced into envelopes, together with the respective films. The application of decoded information to envelopes (normally again in encoded form) is intended to ensure that each envelope will receive a proper film and the corresponding prints.
As a rule, the labels are sealed to the films by heat. This creates problems because the encoded information is often distorted as a result of heating so that it cannot be readily decoded or is decoded in a misleading way. For example, the bars of a bar code are likely to be distorted to such an extent that the information cannot be decoded at all or, if decoded by a standard reader, the decoded information is misleading and can cause introduction of exposed and developed films and corresponding prints into wrong envelopes to be a cause of numerous customer complaints. Distortion of a single bar of a bar code can cause the application of an incorrect serial number, order number or customer number to an envelope with the aforedescribed consequences.
Monitoring of decoded information can result in detection of incorrect information on the envelopes. However, the steps of correcting the error are time-consuming and necessitate a lengthy interruption of the normally fully automated operation. The main reason is that the labels with distorted information thereon are already applied to the films and removal of labels with distorted information thereon is a time-consuming operation which often entails damage to the films. The removed label must be replaced with a fresh label which involves additional expenditures in time.

Apparatus for reading and processing encoded information of uniting bands for webs of photographic material


A tee-nut fastener which includes a nylon locking ring located distally from the entrance to a passageway ensures proper fastening upon coupling with a threaded stud. The tee-nut is used use in combination with a track for efficient delivery. The track comprises an upper guide spaced apart relatively farther than a lower guide. The process for making the tee nut uses a cold heading process. The tee-nut includes a flange having an upper portion and a lower portion. A shank extends perpendicularly from the upper portion and a head extends oppositely from the shank and perpendicularly from the lower portion. The flange includes at least two teeth extending in the direction of the shank and a passageway through the shank, flange and head. The passageway includes a bore countersunk at both ends thereof, a cavity, and threads therein. A locking ring resides in the cavity and is relatively thin compared to the length of the teeth to ensure that the tee-nut is not extricated from a substrate in which the prongs or teeth are embedded upon coupling with a threaded stud.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,461 to McKarge, Jr. discloses a locking tee-nut (T-nut) 10 for securely fastening a threaded element such as a threaded bolt to a structure. FIG. 1 is a front view of a prior art tee-nut illustrated in combination with a caster 50. The tee-nuts 10 are used to secure the frame of the caster to the substrate. The device includes a cylindrical nut body 20 with a threaded bore 22 extending therethrough. The bore 22 has at least one resilient locking ring 40, 42 mounted within an annular groove 25 provided on the inner surface of the bore. A radial flange 30 extends radially from one end of the nut body and includes at least one securing tooth 32 extending therefrom toward the other end of the nut body. Reference numeral 21 denotes the outer surface of the body and reference numeral 28 is an annular lip. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art tee-nut of FIG. 1.
The McKarge, Jr. tee-nut is not easily fed through a track delivery system due to the geometry of the teeth 32. It is, therefore, desirable to have a tee-nut which is reliably guided by a track and which includes the feature of a nylon locking ring for securing a stud which interengages the tee-nut.
Additionally, the tee-nut of McKarge has the disadvantage in that it may be dislodged from the substrate during assembly when a threaded member is inserted into the tee-nut because of the location of the resilient locking ring 40. In other words as the bolt 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is inserted into the tee-nut the teeth 32 may come loose by the force of the bolt pushing the locking ring 40 and the entire tee-nut out of the substrate 2. Additionally, the McKarge tee-nut has the disadvantage of short teeth or prongs 32 which are easily extracted from the substrate 2. In other words the teeth or prongs 32 are relatively short in relation to the locking ring 40. The other locking ring 42 does not solve the problem of pushing the tee-nut out of the substrate because the locking ring 40 is engaged by the bolt 1 before the bolt ever reaches the locking ring 42. Additionally, locking ring 42 also does not solve the problem even if locking ring 40 is not used because the teeth of McKarge are not long enough to prevent extraction of the tee-nut from the substrate. The locking ring 42 of McKarge is about the same length as the teeth 32 of McKarge.
The tee-nut of McKarge will require an external force to hold the tee-nut in engagement with the substrate.
These and other problems are solved by the instant invention as set forth hereinbelow.

Hopper fed tee-nut having counterbore with nylon lock


A semiconductor device and its manufacturing method which not only can solve the problem that a memory cell size determines a write/erase speed of memory cell transistors but also can increase the write/erase speed while preventing the reduction in the reliability of an insulating film between a control gate and a second-layer floating gate. Since the insulating film under a second-layer floating gate has irregularity, the second-layer floating gate itself has irregularity, whereby its surface area and hence the write/erase speed is increased. Further, since the insulating film under the second-layer floating gate has irregularity, protrusions on the surface of the second-layer floating gate are rounded. Therefore, the degree of electric field concentration is reduced, whereby the reliability of the insulating film between the control gate and the second-layer floating gate is prevented from being lowered.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor storage device and its manufacturing method and, particularly, to a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device and its manufacturing method.
2. Description of Related Art
FIGS. 17-30 show a process for forming a memory cell portion of a conventional semiconductor device, particularly a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device.
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, device isolation regions 102 are formed on the main surface of a p-type silicon substrate 101.
As shown in FIG. 19, after the main surface of the p-type silicon substrate 101 is cleaned, a tunnel oxide film 103 of about 100 xc3x85 in thickness is formed by thermal oxidation in areas other than above the device isolation regions 102. A phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 104a of about 1,000 xc3x85 in thickness is formed on the surface of the tunnel oxide film 103 by low-pressure CVD, and then a silicon nitride film 105a of about 1,000 xc3x85 in thickness is deposited on the phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 104a.
Then, as shown in FIG. 20, after a resist (not shown) is formed in a desired pattern on the silicon nitride film 105a by photolithography, first-layer floating gates 104b are formed by etching the phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 104a and the silicon nitride film 105a by using the resist as a mask. Silicon nitride films 105b are formed on the respective first-layer floating gates 104b. After the resist is removed, nxe2x88x92 regions (diffusion regions) 106 are formed by implanting phosphorus ions at energy of 50 eV at a dose of 2xc3x971013 cmxe2x88x922.
Then, as shown in FIG. 21, a thick silicon oxide film 107 of about 2,000 xc3x85 in thickness is deposited by low-pressure CVD.
Then, as shown in FIG. 22, sidewalls 108 of silicon oxide films are formed on the first-layer floating gates 104b by anisotropic etching. Then, annealing is performed at about 900xc2x0 C. in a nitrogen atmosphere. Then, n+ regions (diffusion regions) 109 are formed under the tunnel insulating film 103 by implanting arsenic ions at energy of 50 eV at a dose of 5xc3x971015 cmxe2x88x922.
Then, as shown in FIG. 23, a thick silicon oxide film 110 of about 4000 xc3x85 in thickness is deposited by CVD.
Then, as shown in FIG. 24, the silicon nitride films 105b on the respective first-layer floating gates 104b are exposed by etching back the silicon oxide film 110 by dry etching.
Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the silicon nitride films 105b on the respective first-layer floating gates 104b are removed by using a heated phosphoric acid.
Then, as shown in FIG. 26, the silicon oxide film 110 and the sidewalls 108 are etched back by dry etching.
Then, as shown in FIG. 27, a phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 111a of about 1,000 xc3x85 in thickness is deposited on the etched-back silicon oxide film 110 and sidewalls 108 by low-pressure CVD. Then, a resist 112 is formed in a desired pattern on the phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 111a by photolithography.
Then, as shown in FIG. 28, second-layer floating gates 111b are formed by etching the phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 111a by using the resist 112 as a mask.
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 29, a silicon oxide film 113 of about 200 xc3x85 in thickness is deposited on the second-layer floating gates 111b and the silicon oxide film 110 by low-pressure CVD.
As shown in FIG. 30, a phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 114 is deposited on the silicon oxide film 113 and then a silicon oxide film 115 is formed on the phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 114. After a resist is patterned by photolithography, the silicon oxide film 115 and the phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 114 are patterned. The resist is then removed. Then, after a resist is formed in a peripheral circuit portion by photolithography, floating gate electrodes 111c of memory transistors are formed from the phosphorus-doped polysilicon films 111b and etched first-layer floating gates 104c are formed by etching the silicon insulating film 113, the phosphorus-doped polysilicon film 111b, and the first-layer floating gates 104b by using the silicon oxide film 115 in the memory cell portion as a mask.
Subsequently, n-channel transistors and p-channel transistors are formed in the peripheral circuit portion.
Then, a boron-phosphorus glass layer 121 of about 10,000 xc3x85 is deposited on the silicon oxide film 115 by CVD. After the boron-phosphorus glass layer 121 is burnt and tightened by performing a heat treatment at about 850xc2x0 C. for about 30 minutes in a nitrogen atmosphere, a resist (not shown) is formed in a desired pattern on the boron-phosphorus glass layer 121 by photolithography. After contact holes are formed by etching the boron-phosphorus glass layer 121 using the resist as a mask, an aluminum-silicon-copper (Alxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Cu) alloy film 122 is deposited by sputtering. Then, after a resist (not shown) is formed in a desired pattern by photolithography, an Alxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Cu wiring 122 is formed by etching the Alxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94Cu alloy film 122 by using the resist as a mask.
In the above conventional nonvolatile semiconductor device, information (data) is stored in the memory cell transistors depending on whether electrons are injected in or released from the first-layer floating gates 104c and the second-layer floating gates 111c. In a state that electrons are injected in the first-layer floating gate 104c and the second-layer floating gate 111c, the threshold voltage of a memory cell transistor has a large value Vthp. This state is called a programmed state. In this case, data xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d is stored in the memory cell transistor. Since electrons accumulated in the first-layer floating gate 104c and the second-layer floating gate 111c do not disappear semi-permanently as long as they are left as they are, the stored data is also held semi-permanently.
In a state that electrons are released from the first-layer floating gate 104c and the second-layer floating gate 111c, the threshold voltage of a memory cell, transistor has a small value Vthe. This state is called an erased state. In this case, data xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d is stored in the memory cell transistor. Data xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d that is stored in a memory cell transistor can be read out by detecting one of the programmed state and the erased state. Certain stored data may be defined as either xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d; it is also possible to make a definition that data xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d is stored in the programmed state and data xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d is stored in the erased state.
In the programmed state, a high voltage Vpp (usually about 20 V) is applied to the control gate 114 and the n-type diffusion layer 109a and the silicon substrate 101 are grounded. Because of the grounding, electrons are generated in the channel that is formed between the n-type diffusion layers 109a and 109b. The electrons generated in the channel tunnel through the energy barrier of the tunnel insulating film 103 and are injected into the first-layer floating gate 104c and the second-layer floating gate 111c. As a result, the threshold voltage of the memory cell transistor increases to the large value Vthp.
At the time of erasing, a high voltage xe2x88x92Vpp (usually about xe2x88x9220 V) is applied to the control gate 114 and the n-type diffusion layer 109a and the silicon substrate 101 are grounded. Because of the grounding, electrons are released from the first-layer floating gate 104c and the second-layer floating gate 111c to the silicon substrate 101 by the tunneling phenomenon. As a result, the threshold voltage of the memory cell transistor decreases to the small value Vthe.
Each memory cell of the above conventional nonvolatile semiconductor storage device consists of a capacitor C1 that is composed of the control gate 114, the silicon oxide film 113, the second-layer floating gate 111c, and the first-layer floating gate 104c and a capacitor C2 that is composed of the second-layer floating gate 111c, the first-layer floating gate 104c, the tunnel oxide film 103, and the silicon substrate 101. The capacitances of the capaacitors C1 and C2 are represented by C11 and C22, respectively. When the voltage Vpp is applied to the control gate 114, the potential difference between the second-layer floating gate 111c/first-layer floating gate 104c and the silicon substrate 101, that is, the potential difference between both ends of the tunnel oxide film 103, increases and the electron tunneling probability increases as the capacitance C11 becomes larger. The increased electron tunneling probability increases the write/erase speed.
The capacitance C11 is in proportion to the surface area of the second-layer floating gate 111c. In the conventional nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, the surface area of the second-layer floating gate 111c is restricted by the memory cell size. This causes a problem that as the memory cells are miniaturized, the capacitance C11 decreases and the write/erase speed of the memory cell transistors lowers.
To solve the problem that the write/erase speed of the memory cell transistors lowers, another conventional nonvolatile semiconductor storage device (e.g., one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-106442) employs the following measure. That is, to increase the write/erase speed of the memory cell transistors, the surface area of the second-layer floating gate 111c is increased by forming irregularity, that is, many minute spherical crystals, on the surface of the second-layer floating gate 111c.
However, the above conventional measure that is taken to increase the write/erase speed of the memory cell transistors results in a problem that electric fields are concentrated on the protrusions on the surface of the second-layer floating gate 111c and the reliability of the silicon oxide film 113 that is the insulating film located between the control gate 114 and the second-layer floating gate 111c is thereby lowered, whereby the storage device is rendered not suitable for practical use.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems in the art, and an object of the invention is therefore to provide a semiconductor device and its manufacturing method which not only can solve the problem that the memory cell size determines the write/erase speed of the memory cell transistors but also can increase the write/erase speed while preventing the reduction in the reliability of the insulating film between the control gate 114 and the second-layer floating gate 111c.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type; device isolation regions formed on a main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a tunnel insulating film formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate except for the device isolation regions; a first-layer floating gate formed on the tunnel insulating film; diffusion regions having a second conductivity type formed at both ends of the first-layer floating gate; an insulating film having irregularity formed over the diffusion regions having the second conductivity type and the device isolation regions; a second-layer floating gate having irregularity formed on the insulating film; and a control gate formed on the second-layer floating gate, wherein the insulating film formed under the second-layer floating gate and on the first-layer floating gate and the insulating film formed on the device isolation regions, respectively, have raised portions.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: forming device isolation regions on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type; forming a tunnel insulating film on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate except for the device isolation regions; forming a first-layer floating gate on the tunnel insulating film; forming diffusion regions having a second conductivity type at both ends of the first-layer floating gate; forming an insulating film having irregularity over the diffusion regions and the device isolation regions; forming a second-layer floating gate having irregularity on the insulating film; and forming a control gate on the second-layer floating gate, wherein the insulating film located under the second-layer floating gate and on the diffusion regions having a second conductivity type and the insulating film on the device isolation regions, respectively, are formed to be convex.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type; device isolation regions formed on a main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a tunnel insulating film formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate except for the device isolation regions; a first-layer floating gate formed on the tunnel insulating film; diffusion regions having a second conductivity type formed at both ends of the first-layer floating gate; an insulating film formed over the diffusion regions having a second conductivity type and the device isolation regions; island-like Si3N4 portions formed on the insulating film; a second-layer floating gate having a roughened shape and formed on the Si3N4 portions; and a control gate formed on the second-layer floating gate.
The above and other objects, effects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof


A hole in a metal and composite stack is cold worked. An interference is formed between a cold working tool and the metal layers results in a radial force that is applied only to the metal layers.

1. Field
The present disclosure generally relates to cold working of holes in metal, and deals more particularly with a method and tool for cold working holes in a stack of metal and composite layers.
2. Background
It is sometimes necessary to form fastened joints between composite and metal members. For example, in the aircraft industry, metal splice elements may be used to join together sections of a composite fuselage frame. Similarly, metal shear ties may be fastened to composite outer skins.
Potential metal fatigue around holes in fastened metal structures can be reduced by "cold working" the holes. One method of cold working involves placing a split sleeve in the hole, and drawing a mandrel through the sleeve. The use of a split sleeve allows for one-sided processing and shields the hole from frictional forces generated by the high interference of the mandrel. Drawing the mandrel through the sleeve expands and causes a radial plastic flow of material in the metal structure surrounding the hole, placing the material in tension. After the mandrel is removed, an annular zone of residual compressive stresses is present in the structure surrounding the hole that may extend up to one diameter beyond the edge of the hole.
Problems are presented however, when cold working a hole formed in a stack of metal and composite layers. Expansion of the split sleeve during the cold working process may result in undesirable deformation of the composite layers surrounding the hole, and/or produce composite residue that builds up on the split sleeve. One solution to this problem involves disassembling the stack, cold working the holes in the metal layers, and then reassembling the layers into the stack. This solution, however, is time-consuming, labor intensive and may not be practical in some applications.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and tool for cold working holes in a composite and metal stack without disassembling the stack and which may be performed from one side of the stack.

Cold working holes in a composite and metal stack


This invention provides a rotary engine and the type engine design method. This engine mainly has two nested rotors and a cylinder body. This invention publicizes in detail about the rotary engine movement principle and the work mechanism. This type engine can the automatic control compression ratio, the running rate be high, Structure simple and so on many kinds of merits.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an engine, and more particularly to a rotary engine comprising a plurality of rotors and its design method.
2. Description of Related Arts
Most conventional combustion engines utilize a plurality of pistons or rotaries for converting power. A major disadvantage of these kinds of conventional combustion engines is that their compression ratio is fixed and cannot be adjusted according to the circumstances in which the engines are used.
Moreover, conventional combustion engines are usually bulky in size and require the use of large flywheels. Furthermore, the mechanical structures of these conventional combustion engines are usually very complex and it is usually very difficult to perform routine maintenance work or repair on them.
On the other hand, conventional rotary engines also have a number of disadvantages. Their compression ratios are also fixed and cannot be adjusted. Moreover, traditional rotary engines have very high fuel consumption.
In order to resolve these disadvantages, two-rotor engines have widely been developed to substitute traditional combustion engines. Prior US patents include:
Pat. No. and Filing DateTitleU.S. Pat. No. 3,985,110 (Jan. 20, 1975)Two-Rotor EngineU.S. Pat. No. 6,257,196 (Sep. 07, 1999)Rotary Disc EngineU.S. Pat. No. 5,433,179 (Dec. 02, 1993)Rotary Engine with Variable Compression RatioU.S. Pat. No. 5,622,149 (May 15, 1995)High-Power Rotary Engine with Varaiable Compression RatioU.S. Pat. No. 6,293,775 (Jul. 15, 2000)Small Robust Rotary Internal CombustionEngine having High Unit Power and LowManufacturing CostsU.S. Pat. No. 6,289,867 (Mar. 10, 2000)Rotary Engine
Chinese patent applications include 03136330.9 and 200410049459.7 wherein 200410049459.7 is the prior Chinese patent application claimed by the present application.
These patent applications have made efforts to obtain some breakthrough improvement to rotary engine technology.

Rotary engine with two rotors and its design method


A circuit and a method for interpolative delay is provided. The circuit includes a delay locked loop with interpolation delay. The delay locked loop includes a differential inverter, an interpolation circuit, and a differential compare circuit. The differential inverter is coupled to receive a differential clock signal and coupled to provide an inverted differential clock signal. The interpolation circuit is coupled to receive both the clock signal and the inverted clock signal, and to provide an interpolated clock signal having a first delay relative to the clock signal. The differential compare circuit is coupled to receive the inverted clock signal and coupled to provide a non-interpolated clock signal having a second delay relative to the clock signal. The second delay corresponds to a full delay of the differential inverter and the first delay corresponds to a predetermined fraction of the full delay.

1. Field
The present invention relates generally to delay locked loops and more specifically to delay lines in delay locked loops.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices, such as, for example, digital signal processors, microcontrollers, memory devices, and other input/output devices often require the use of multiple delayed clock signals. Several techniques have been used to generate multiple delayed clock signals, however, many of these techniques do not meet the timing requirements of high-end electronic devices. For example, multiple rate clock generators (MRCG) may use 32 tap delay lines running at a clock rate of up to 1 GHz, requiring less than 30 picoseconds per tap delay. Standard buffer delay lines or custom cells used in processes using standard voltage threshold transistors often do not satisfy this requirement.
Other multiple rate clock generators often utilize an inverter chain with alternative positive and negative logic to increase clock generation speed. However, the inverter chain may introduce uneven phase shift due to asymmetrical rise/fall propagation delay of the inverter chain in conjunction with alternative logic polarity (alternative NOR and NAND usage).
Therefore, the need exists for an improved electronic system design that generates multiple delayed clock signals.
Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

Circuit and method for interpolative delay


A discharge unit (30) and a heat exchanger (20) are disposed in an air passageway (15). In the discharge unit (30), a rod-like discharge electrode (31) and a plate-like counter electrode (32) are disposed perpendicular to the flow of air, and lie along the heat exchanger (20). Upon application of voltage to both the electrodes (31, 32), streamer discharge is performed between the electrodes (31, 32), whereby an active species capable of decomposition of a component to be processed is produced.

Air conditioners for household use for providing air conditioning to indoor spaces have been known in the past. It is well known that many of such air conditioners have an air purifying function.
For example, JP-A-2003-65593 discloses a room air conditioner of the so-called "wall type" having an air purifying function. This air conditioner is provided, in its casing, with an air passageway through which air to be treated flows. In the air passageway are disposed a corona discharge part for decomposition of airborne odorous and harmful components (hereinafter referred to as the "component to be processed"), and a heat exchanger for conditioning of air. The corona discharge part includes a pair of electrodes and a power supply for application of pulse voltage of several KV to both the electrodes.
Upon introduction of air to be treated into the casing by operation of an air blower, the thus introduced air passes through the corona discharge part. In the corona discharge part, the voltage has been applied to both the electrodes and corona discharge is taking place between the electrodes. This consequently produces, in the corona discharge part, a radical or the like used for decomposition of the component to be processed present in the air, in other words the airborne component is decomposed by the radical. The thus purified air is conditioned in temperature to a predetermined level in the heat exchanger, thereafter being supplied through an outlet opening into an indoor space.


A hydrocracking process is disclosed. The hydrocracking process comprises hydrocracking a hydrocarbon feed stream in a hydrocracking reactor in the presence of a hydrogen stream and a hydrocracking catalyst to produce a hydrocracked effluent stream. The hydrocracked effluent stream is separated in a separator to provide a vapor hydrocracked stream and a liquid hydrocracked stream. The liquid hydrocracked stream is fractionated to provide a naphtha stream, a kerosene stream having a T90 temperature of about 204° C. (399° F.) to about 238° C. (460° F.), a diesel stream having a T90 temperature of about 360° C. (680° F.) to about 383° C. (721° F.) and an unconverted oil stream. The kerosene stream, the unconverted oil stream, and a portion of the diesel stream is recycled to the hydrocracking reactor for hydrocracking.

Hydroprocessing can include processes which convert hydrocarbons in the presence of hydroprocessing catalyst and hydrogen to more valuable products. Hydrocracking is a hydroprocessing process in which hydrocarbons crack in the presence of hydrogen and hydrocracking catalyst to lower molecular weight hydrocarbons. Depending on the desired output, a hydrocracking unit may contain one or more fixed beds of the same or different catalyst. Typically, hydrocracking process is employed to crack hydrocarbon feeds such as vacuum gas oil (VGO) to diesel including kerosene and gasoline motor fuels. Hydrocracking can be achieved in one or more stages. Usually, in a hydrocracking process, a hydrocracked effluent is fractionated which produces various fractions including an unconverted oil. A portion of the unconverted oil is recycled back to the reactors with hydrocracking catalyst without value addition or recovery.
Naphtha is primarily used as a petrochemical feedstock for aromatic complexes and naphtha crackers and producing more valuable petrochemical products. When operating at high naphtha yield refiners face problems such as reduction in the diesel yield. In a hydrocracking unit, the heavy naphtha product yields can be maximized at a higher severity i.e. lower recycle cut point. As the recycle cut point is lowered, there is a reduction in the diesel yields. The diesel produced in such conditions for typical feeds is a very light product and is similar to kerosene. Therefore, refiners face a loss in terms of lower diesel yield or a lower specific gravity and lower boiling diesel product.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide new hydrocracking apparatuses and processes for providing diesel product meeting the fuel specification while producing requisite naphtha for producing more valuable petrochemical products. Also, there is a need for an alternative approach to maximize yield of naphtha from such processes. Other desirable features and characteristics of the present subject matter will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the subject matter and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the subject matter.

Process for hydrocracking a hydrocarbon feed stream


A vertical roller mill includes a housing, a chute that supplies materials to be grinded to a center portion of the housing, a grinder that is provided below the chute and grinds the materials to be grinded, an exhaust pipe that is provided above the grinder, a transport mechanism that forms an air flow for transporting, to the exhaust pipe, grinded materials grinded by the grinder, and a flow-constricting flow path provided between the grinder and the exhaust pipe and narrows a flow path area for the air flow, in which the flow-constricting flow path is formed between a first flow-constricting ring provided in the center portion of the housing and a second flow-constricting ring provided to protrude from the housing toward the center portion of the housing.

For example, a biomass mill disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a vertical roller mill. Fuel for boilers has mainly been coal, but recently woody biomass, which is renewable and has a lower environmental impact, has been investigated as fuel in order to reduce carbon dioxide. To use woody biomass as fuel for boilers, there is a need to grind woody biomass, which is hardened into a pellet shape, to a size at which the woody biomass can be burned by a burner.
The biomass mill disclosed in Patent Document 1 is based on a coal roller mill for grinding coal, and is configured to grind woody biomass at low cost without great remodeling or a great change in equipment thereof. In the case where woody biomass is grinded, since the woody biomass is lighter than coal and is fibrous in which fibers are intertwined mutually, the woody biomass is raised while swirling inside the housing, and therefore the woody biomass tends to remain in a housing.
For this reason, in the biomass mill disclosed in Patent Document 1, a flow-constricting cone that has a circular head portion is provided around a chute that is configured to supply the woody biomass, to form, between the circular head portion and a housing, a flow-constricting flow path that reduces a flow path area for an air flow that is ejected from the outer peripheral of a grinding table, and thereby the velocity of the air flow is increased to improve the exhausting performance of the woody biomass.
The vertical roller mill is also disclosed in Patent Documents 2 to 5.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2013-184115
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2011-251222
Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2016-087544
Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H10-180126
Patent Document 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2013-158667


In a retransmission control method, a transmitting-side apparatus manages an acknowledgement information reception window and the transmitting-side apparatus does not perform the window control processing and the retransmission control processing of a packet on the basis of the acknowledgement information for a sequence number of the packet which is included in the acknowledgement information received from the receiving-side apparatus, when the sequence number takes a value outside a range of the acknowledgement information reception window.

In 3GPP, which is an organization that sets standards for third generation mobile communications systems, a study collectively termed as LTE (Long Term Evolution) has been conducted for achieving a drastic improvement of transmission speed and reduction of transmission delay in a radio access network (RAN); and formulation of standard specifications of the elemental technologies related to the study has been in progress.
As shown in FIG. 5, the radio access network (E-UTRAN: Evolved Universal Terrestrial RAN) in an LTE mobile communication system is configured of a mobile station UE (User Equipment) and a radio base station eNB (E-UTRAN Node B). This system is configured in such a way that the mobile station UE and the radio base station eNB communicate with each other via a radio link (RL).
Moreover, each of the mobile station UE and the radio base station eNB is configured to terminate an RLC (Radio Link Control) sublayer, a MAC (Medium Access Control) sublayer and a physical (PHY: Physical) layer.
In addition, a transmitting-side apparatus (mobile station UE or radio base station eNB) is configured to perform RLC processing, MAC processing and PHY processing sequentially for data to be transmitted and then to transmit the data as radio signals from a radio unit.
Meanwhile, a receiving-side apparatus (mobile station UE or radio base station eNB) is configured to extract the transmitted data by performing PHY processing, MAC processing and RLC processing sequentially for the radio signals received by a radio unit. Here, the data to be transmitted includes user data (U-plane data) generated by an application or the like used by the user, and control data (C-plane data) used in controlling the mobile communication system, such as RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling and NAS (Non Access Stratum) signaling.
Moreover, this system is configured in such a way that RLC retransmission control processing is performed between the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus and the RLC sublayer of the receiving-side apparatus, and that HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) retransmission control processing (MAC retransmission control processing) is performed between the MAC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus and the MAC sublayer of the receiving-side apparatus.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1, a description will be given of window control and retransmission control processing in the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus on the basis of acknowledgement information from the RLC sublayer of the receiving-side apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, when a transmission trigger #1 of a STATUS-PDU (acknowledgement information) occurs, firstly, the RLC sublayer of the receiving-side apparatus transmits a STATUS-PDU (ACK=10) to the MAC sublayer of the receiving-side apparatus in accordance with a current RLC-data-PDU reception state, the STATUS-PDU being for notifying an RLC-data-PDU expected to be received next.
Here, the RLC sublayer of the receiving-side apparatus is configured to transmit the STATUS-PDU (ACK=10) in a state where an RLC-data-PDU with a sequence number #10 is received without detection of a loss.
Secondly, the MAC sublayer of the receiving-side apparatus transmits the STATUS-PDU (ACK=10) to the MAC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus by using HARQ retransmission control processing.
Thirdly, the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus updates the lower limit value and the upper limit value of a transmitting-side window to "11" and "522", respectively, in accordance with the STATUS-PDU (ACK=10) received from the MAC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus. Here, the window size of the transmitting-side window is assumed to be "512".
Moreover, since the lower limit value of an acknowledgement information reception window managed by the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus is equal to the lower limit value of the transmitting-side window, the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus updates the lower limit value of the acknowledgement information reception window to "11" as well in accordance with the STATUS-PDU (ACK=10) received from the MAC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus.
On the other hand, the upper limit value of the acknowledgement information reception window managed by the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus is set to a value of the latest sequence number of a packet transmitted to the MAC sublayer from the RLC sublayer in the transmitting-side apparatus. Thus, the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus does not update the upper limit of the acknowledgement information reception window even when receiving the STATUS-PDU (ACK=10).
Next, when a transmission trigger #2 of a STATUS-PDU (ACK=100) occurs, the aforementioned mobile communication system operates in the same manner, and the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the transmitting-side widow are updated to "101" and "612", respectively. Furthermore, the lower limit value of the acknowledgement information reception widow managed by the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus is updated to "101".
Here, in an IMT-2000 mobile communication system, as shown in FIG. 2, the transmitting-side apparatus is configured in such a manner that the MAC sublayer performs reordering processing for received RLC-PDUs (actually, MAC-PDUs to which the RLC-PDUs are mapped) including STATUS-PDUs (acknowledgement information), and then transmits the STATUS-PDUs (acknowledgement information) in the order of the sequence numbers to the RLC sublayer.
Accordingly, when the communication state is normal, the sequence number of a packet included in the STATUS-PDU (acknowledgement information) received by the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus is always assured to be a value within the range of the acknowledgement information reception window managed by the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus.
Then, if the sequence number of a packet included in a STATUS-PDU (acknowledgement information) received by the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus takes a value outside the range of the acknowledgement information reception window managed by the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus, the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus determines that the communication state is abnormal and thus initiates RLC reset processing.
Here, since the RLC sublayer of the transmitting-side apparatus does not transmit an RLC-PDU (data packet) until the RLC reset processing is completed, it is to be noted that initiation of the RLC reset processing notably degrades the communication quality.    Non-Patent Document 1: RLC Specification of IMT-2000: 3GPP TS 25.322 V6.9.0 (2006-09)    Non-Patent Document 2: LTE Stage 2 Specification: 3GPP TS 36.300 V8.0.0 (2007-03)

Window control and retransmission control method and transmitting-side apparatus


A radio access node such as a master eNB determines that a UE can support operation on a given radio band combination comprising a first radio band operating with a first RAT such as E-UTRA and a second radio band operating with a second RAT such as 5G. The node uses a performance capability of the UE to obtain at least a second configuration for the second radio band operating with the second RAT, then configures the UE with the interworking configuration that comprising a first configuration to operate on the first band with the first RAT and a second configuration to operate on the second band with the second RAT. The node may determines that the UE can support such operation from a UE message identifying the band combination and carrying an indicator of the performance capability of the UE on at least the second RAT.

Acronyms used herein are listed below following the detailed description. The LTE radio access technology is commonly known as 4G and is deployed worldwide. While LTE continues to be improved such as via LTE-Advanced and HD voice, the 3GPP is developing a radical new RAT currently referred to as New Radio (NR) or 5G to meet ever increasing demand for wireless communications by increasingly varying types of user equipments. The 5G system may operate on multiple frequency bands, for example the mmWave frequency band, generally 6 GHz and higher (even up to 100 GHz), and is targeted to serve enhanced mobile broadband and massive machine-type communications with ultra-reliability and ultra low latency.
The stand-alone 5G system is targeted to be fully operational by 2020. In the interim it is expected to be deployed in various forms alongside the existing LTE infrastructure as a non-standalone technology. In this regard there is a need for a tight interworking between LTE and 5G systems where the 5G system is used in conjunction with LTE. One of the 3GPP's stated goals for this interworking is to keep LTE and 5G as independent as possible to allow parallel evolution of the different technologies, in part to better ensure networking equipment from different manufacturers will operate compatibly. FIG. 1A illustrates conceptually an example of such an interworking radio environment. There is an eNB 20 that is the radio access node operating with LTE technology and nearby there is a gNB 25 operating with 5G technology. In practice the gNB may be implemented as one or multiple remote radio heads operating in conjunction with a baseband unit located up to several kilometers away. The 5G infrastructure is not yet fully operational so the gNB 25 is operating in cooperation with the eNB 20, sharing information on what is currently termed a Xn interface which may be wired or wireless. There are many ways the eNB and gNB can cooperate to serve a UE. In one example the gNB is operating essentially as a secondary cell SCell for a given UE on a 5G frequency band and the eNB is serving that same UE as its primary cell PCell on a LTE frequency band. In another example the eNB hands over the UE to the gNB and the interworking ensures the gNB can continue handling the services the eNB is currently providing it. In another example gNB operates as a primary radio access point for a given UE, where the 5G RAN can: either independently operate with 5G Core (with mobility and interworking support with other RATs e.g. 4G, 3G, 2G) as indicated in the FIG. 1C or operate with 4G Core working in tandem with a 4G network (i.e. in the tight interworking mode (TI)), FIG. 1B.
If we assume the UE 10 is being served by the eNB 20 then the eNB 20 will know the UE's LTE capabilities, but it is not yet decided how or even if to coordinate that knowledge of the UE's LTE capabilities from the eNB 20 to the gNB 25. But since the eNB 20 and gNB 25 need to communicate via an interface to establish join operation for a UE, it is assumed that some interworking between the eNB 20 and gNB 25 exists. At this stage of development, it is not yet clear how either node knows whether tight interworking should be attempted for a given configuration, especially because the working assumption that the LTE and 5G systems are not required to understand/comprehend each other's capabilities means that neither can estimate a priori what is the expected performance of the UE operating under the other system. While the UE is under the eNB 20, the performance of the UE within the eNB 20 can be estimated from the UE feedback, but the eNB 20 may not know a priori what the UE performance under eNB 20 and gNB 25 would be since the eNB 20 doesn't know which NR configuration would be utilized. Further, in the above assumption the eNB is the serving cell meaning the eNB would typically choose its configuration before the gNB chooses its configuration. Since the eNB is not required to comprehend the gNB configuration, it is not clear how the eNB could decide whether the chosen gNB configuration fits the desired UE performance.
In wireless local area networks (WLANs) there is interworking with LTE and it has been suggested to introduce a throughput estimation metric for that scenario, in which either the WLAN access point estimates the UE's throughput and indicates it to the eNB (see for example document R2-165423 by Intel Corporation entitled Considerations for additional WLAN metrics [3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #95; Gothenburg, Sweden; 22-26 Aug. 2016]) or the UE itself measures its WLAN throughput and indicates this to the eNB (see for example document R2-167528 by Nokia, Alcatel-Lucent and Shanghai Bell entitled Throughput estimation measurement for WLAN [3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #96; Reno, USA; 14-18 Nov. 2016]).
With conventional LTE carrier aggregation the PCell is in charge of the overall configuration and there are no issues with the SCell coordination since all SCells are also operating with LTE and the PCell ensures the UE capabilities are not exceeded. In LTE when a UE is capable of dual connectivity operation, it is assumed the serving eNB (or LTE master node/MeNB) is able to comprehend the full capabilities of the UE, including the expected UE operation within the secondary node (or LTE SeNB), since everything happens within the LTE system. However, in the LTE-5G case the 5G capabilities of the UE are not relevant to the 4G eNB and the 4G eNB does not need to comprehend at least most of them; ideally the LTE eNB would not be required to be updated in hardware or software in order to interpret the 5G capabilities which may change rapidly in the early years of 5G adoption. With LTE DC, the secondary eNB (the primary SCell or PSCell which acts as the PCell for the SeNB) is allowed to choose its own configuration (within the limits imposed by the master eNB/MeNB or PCell), but the master eNB still always comprehends the entire secondary eNB configuration and can therefore judge whether the configuration given by any given secondary eNB provides the expected performance.
Embodiments of these teachings resolve the above issues by providing an interworking framework by which the LTE and 5G access nodes, or the access nodes of any two different RATs for that matter, can exchange information by which they can assess whether a tight interworking relation between them is appropriate for a given UE.

Performance indicator for interworking radio access technologies


The present invention enables provision of a service in which a distribution method of content is changed depending on a location of a mobile station. Specifically, if a user of mobile station MS is located in a country where the usage of content is not permitted, content server CS detains the content temporarily, and after confirming that the user has moved to a country where the usage of the content is permitted, sends the detained content to mobile station MS of the user. When detaining the content, content server CS checks whether an expected date of the user moving to a country where the usage of the content is permitted is within a distribution period of the content, and if so, detains the content.

The present invention relates to a technique for distributing content to a mobile station using a roaming service.
In the last several years, so-called roaming services have been provided for fixed-line phones and, more recently, for mobile phones also. A roaming service provides to a user communication services of a carrier to which the user subscribes, via network facilities of another carrier, the carriers having a business agreement to tie up their services. Especially, a cross-border roaming service (hereinafter, "international roaming service") provides an advantage in that a user of a mobile phone, who is located in a foreign country, can receive communication services provided by a carrier in his/her country, via network facilities of a carrier of the foreign country. Methods of appropriately providing communication services to a user via an international roaming service have been proposed in Japanese unexamined patent publication No. H05-236074 and Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 2004-236182
In parallel with improvement of international roaming services, mobile phones are increasingly being used mainly for non-voice communication rather than voice communication. In fact, mobile stations that enable access to a WWW (World Wide Web) server via the Internet for downloading of content and for reproduction/output of the content, are commonly used, and content providers provide various content distribution services.
Contents provided by a content provider include music, electronic books, cartoon images etc., and most contents are protected by copyright. Therefore, a content provider must sign a license agreement with a copyright holder and pay a usage fee, to be allowed to provide a content distribution service.
As coverage by international roaming services increases, it is likely that a user of a content distribution service will be able to receive the service anywhere in the world. While this will be convenient for users, it has a potential to cause copyright problems. For example, certain content may be permitted to be distributed under a contract in Japan, but not in other countries. However, by using an international roaming service, a user of a mobile phone located in a foreign country will be able to receive the content.
A further problem of international roaming services is that communication fees are high. For this reason, some users prefer not to receive a content distribution service in a foreign country. However, if a user uses a push-type information service, in which content is automatically provided to a user without his/her request, or a pseudo-push-type information service, in which a mobile phone automatically requests and obtains content without a user's command, the user may unintentionally receive content.
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances, and enables provision of a service in which a distribution method of content is changed depending on a location of a mobile station.

Distribution method and distribution management device


A tire shape detecting apparatus includes a projector that applies a plurality line light beams in a continuously joined manner, from a direction different from the detection height direction (Z-axis direction) in one light section line, or that applies one line light beam in a condensed manner in the line length direction thereof in order that the one light section line may be formed on the one line Ls on the surface of the tire; and a camera for picking up images of the plurality of line light beams applied to the tire surface in the direction in which the principal ray of each of the plurality of line light beams performs specular reflection with respect to the tire surface, or in the direction in which the principal ray of the condensed one line light beam performs specular reflection with respect to the tire surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention related to an apparatus and method for picking up an image of line light applied to the surface of a relatively rotating tire, and for performing shape detection of the tire by the light-section method based on the picked-up image, to thereby detect the surface shape of the tire.
2. Description of the Related Art
The tire has a structure such that various materials such as rubber, chemical fibers, and steel cords are laminated. If there are nonuniform portions in the laminated structure, when air is charged, convex portions referred to as bulges, or concave portions referred to as dents or depressions occur in portions having a relatively low resistance to pressure. Tires causing shape defects such as the aforementioned bulges or dents must be omitted from a shipping object upon being subjected to inspection, from the viewpoint of safety or the viewpoint of the elimination of nonconforming appearance.
Conventionally, the inspection of a tire for shape defects has been made by detecting the surface heights at a plurality of points by means of a contact-type or noncontact-type point measurement sensor while rotating the tire by a rotator, and by detecting the surface shape of the tire based on a distribution of the surface heights. However, in the shape defect inspection based on the shape detection of the tire using the point measurement sensor, the shapes of all faces to be detected for shape defects in the tire cannot be comprehensively detected due to restriction on the number of arranged sensors and restriction on the inspection time. This raises a problem that omission of detection for shape defects is prone to occur.
On the other hand, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-138654 discloses a technique for picking up an image of slit light (line light) applied to the surface of a rotating tire, and for performing shape detection of the tire by the light-section method based on the picked-up image, to thereby detect the surface shape of the tire. According to this disclosed technique, it is possible to comprehensively (continuously) detect all faces to be detected (sidewall faces or a tread face of the tire) for shape defects in the tire, thereby allowing the omission of detection for shape defects to be prevented. Here, the term "tread face" refers to a portion of the outer surface of the tire, the portion making contact with a road; and the term "sidewall face" refers to a side portion of the outer surface of the tire, the side portion being located between the tread face and the face of a bead portion, and not making contact with the road.
As shown in the above-described patent document also, in general, when the shape detection is performed by the light-section method, in order that one light section line (a portion to which light is applied, on one line) may be formed on the detection object (sidewall face or the like of the tire), the one line light beam is applied from the detection height direction (direction of the surface height to be detected) in one light section line, and scattered/reflected light beams are captured by a camera arranged in a specific direction to thereby pick up an image of the linear line light.
Meanwhile, the tire surface (especially sidewall faces) is not only of black color but also is highly glossy, and the percentage of the line light applied to the tire surface being scattered/reflected is relatively low. Also, since the tire surface (especially sidewall faces) has a mountain-like shape on the whole, it is necessary to stop down the aperture of a camera in order to obtain a required depth of field.
Therefore, in the surface shape detection disclosed in the foregoing patent document, in order to obtain a clear image of the line light applied to the tire surface, it is necessary to increase the intensity (light quantity) of the line light, or to reduce the image-pickup rate of the camera (i.e., decrease the shutter speed) to thereby increase the exposition time.
However, increasing the intensity of the line light has caused a problem that the tire, which is black and prone to absorb light, may suffer a thermal failure. Furthermore, using a high-power light source (typically, a laser light source) requires a cooling apparatus, thereby resulting in an upsized apparatus, an increased cost, and deteriorated maintenance.
Moreover, when attempting to pick up images of line light beams in the circumferential direction of a rotating tire with a sufficient spatial resolution within a limited time period permitted for a product inspection, undesirably, it is not possible to reduce the image pickup rate (number of image pickups per unit time) of a camera to an image pickup rate low enough to obtain clear images of the line light beams.
For example, the inspection time permitted for a shape defect inspection is about 1 second. Also, in the shape detection of the tire by the light-section method, in order to mutually distinguish the image of line light and the character inscribed on the tire surface from each other, it is necessary to perform an image pickup with a fine spatial resolution of not more than the line width (about 1 mm) of the character. To meet these requirements of the inspection time and the spatial resolution, the image pickup must be performed at 2000 frames per second regarding tires for a passenger car, and 4000 frames per second regarding larger tires for a truck or a bus. However, when performing an image pickup at an image pickup rate as high as 4000 frames per second, the technique disclosed in the foregoing patent document cannot achieve clear images of line light beams.

Apparatus and method for detecting tire shape


It is an object of the invention to provide an MEMS microphone having a directionality. A card type MEMS microphone according to the invention comprises a substrate having a first through hole and a second through hole, an MEMS chip in which a space formed by a diaphragm electrode and a silicon substrate is mounted in a position to surround an outlet of the first through hole and which serves to convert a sound signal propagated to the diaphragm electrode into an electric signal, and an acoustic resisting member mounted in a position covering the first through hole at a substrate surface on an opposite side to a side on which the MEMS chip is mounted, and the substrate has a terminal for transmitting an electric signal output from the MEMS chip to an electronic apparatus and takes a shape of a card which can be attached to and removed from the electronic apparatus, and the second through hole is a hole which a sound signal passes to be propagated to the diaphragm electrode around the substrate.

As one of microphones which have conventionally been used in an information communicating terminal such as a portable telephone, an electret condenser microphone (ECM) using an organic film can be taken. The ECM is a microphone for disposing an electret causing a polymer material to have an electric charge on one of electrodes of a condenser and converting a change in an electrostatic capacity fluctuating corresponding to a sound pressure into a voltage change.
As one of characteristics of the microphone, a directionality can be taken. For example, a "non-directionality" (an omnidirectionality) having no directionality, a "unidirectionality" which easily catches a sound in a specific direction, an "ultradirectionality" which causes a directionality to have a narrower angle, and a "bidirectionality" which greatly catches a sound source in two forward and backward directions. The microphone is designed to have a specific directionality depending on uses.
FIG. 12A is a view showing a sectional structure of an ECM having a unidirectionality. As shown in FIG. 12A, in a microphone 100, a diaphragm 11 such as a metal conductor, a fixed electrode 12 having an electret film 13 formed thereon, and a printed circuit board 18 having a circuit element mounted thereon are disposed in a case 17 having a first sound hole 15A. An interval between the diaphragm 11 and the fixed electrode 12 is held by a spacer 14, and a back air chamber 16 is formed between the fixed electrode 12 and the printed circuit board 18. Furthermore, the case 17 has a second sound hole 15B formed on an opposite side to the first sound hole 15A. The diaphragm 11 is obtained by deposing aluminum on a film, for example.
The electret film 13 is a substance which is generally charged permanently (charge held) irrespective of an external electric field, and FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene fluorinated ethylene propylene resin) to be a fluororesin is used.
In the microphone 100, when the diaphragm 11 is vibrated at a sound pressure, an electrostatic capacity of a plate capacitor constituted by the diaphragm 11 and the fixed electrode 12 is changed and converted into a voltage change, and the voltage change is output from the microphone 100 through an amplifying circuit.
More specifically, a sound made on the second sound hole 15B side first enters through the sound hole 15B and reaches a back side of the diaphragm 11 (an indirect sound). The same sound turns around and also reaches a surface side of the diaphragm 11 with a slight delay (a direct sound). An obstacle (an acoustic resisting member) is put from the second sound hole 15B to the back side of the diaphragm 11 so that the indirect sound is delayed to arrive in phase with the direct sound. Consequently, the sound is offset as the same amount of energy generated on the surface and the back of the diaphragm 11 at the same time and is not electrically output.
On the other hand, a sound made on the first sound hole 15A side is first transmitted to the surface side of the diaphragm 11. Referring to the subsequent turn toward the back side, the arrival is further delayed due to the delay caused by the turn and the delay caused by the obstacle. Based on the time difference, the energy is not offset but is output electrically. Accordingly, the microphone 100 has a single forward directionality.
Thus, the ECM serves to convert the change in the electrostatic capacity fluctuating corresponding to the sound pressure into the voltage change. By providing a hole on a case, it is possible to design a directionality. In recent years, however, a reduction in a mounting cost has been demanded with a further reduction in a size and a thickness in the ECM. In the conventional ECM, an electret material to be an organic material which is less resistant to heat is used as described above. Therefore, the ECM cannot deal with surface mounting through a solder reflow and is to be attached to a substrate through a connector provided in the ECM so that a high cost is required for a connector component.
Therefore, there has been proposed a small-sized microphone (MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) microphone) using a micromachining technique for practically using a semiconductor technology. FIG. 12B shows a sectional structure of the MEMS microphone.
As shown in FIG. 12B, an MEMS microphone 200 has a diaphragm electrode 23 and an electret film 24 formed on a silicon substrate 21 through a first insulating layer 22. A fixed electrode 26 provided with a sound hole 27 is formed thereon through a second insulating layer 25. Moreover, a back air chamber 28 is formed on a back face of the diaphragm electrode 23 by etching of the silicon substrate 21.
The diaphragm electrode 23 is formed of conductive polysilicon and the electret film 24 is formed by a silicon nitride film or a silicon oxide film. Moreover, the fixed electrode 26 is formed by laminating the conductive polysilicon and the silicon oxide film or the silicon nitride film.
In the MEMS microphone 200, when the diaphragm electrode 23 is vibrated at a sound pressure, an electrostatic capacity of a plate capacitor constituted by the diaphragm electrode 23 and the fixed electrode 26 is changed and is fetched as a voltage change.
In the MEMS microphone 200, thus, an electret material to be an inorganic material is used. Therefore, it is possible to implement reflow mounting which cannot be carried out in a conventional ECM, to decrease the number of components and to reduce a size and a thickness (see Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2001-245186 Publication


An autoloader for positioning cassettes relative to a storage phosphor reader (i.e. stimulable phosphor). A capacitive sensor located at one or more cassette retaining sites of the autoloader senses the presence of a cassette at the site.

It is convenient to handle a storage phosphor within cassettes that protect the storage phosphor from extraneous light and damage. This is particularly the case for storage phosphors in which the latent x-ray image stored in the storage phosphor is read by photo electrically detecting an emitted x-ray image formed by scanning the storage phosphor with stimulating radiation. An example of such a storage phosphor reader is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 979,970, filed Nov. 23, 1992, commonly assigned, inventors Rogers and Dhurjaty. It is desirable to retain the storage phosphor within a cassette except during actual processing. Such a storage phosphor cassette is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 800,799, filed Nov. 27, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,333 entitled "X-RAY CASSETTE HAVING REMOVABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC ELEMENT" by Jeffrey C. Robertson, which is incorporated herein by reference. A hooked extractor can be used with the storage phosphor cassette to move a storage phosphor plate to and from a storage phosphor reader for processing. It is desirable to provide an apparatus to automate the presentation of such cassettes to such an extractor so that a number of cassettes could be processed in succession without attention from an operator. It is also desirable that such an apparatus be able to accurately position cassettes sequentially to simplify removal and reinsertion of the storage separate from the storage phosphor reader to permit interchange of units and reduce repair times.
In a storage phosphor reader/storage phosphor cassette autoloader system, it is desirable that the autoloader have several loading sites, a read site, and several unloading sites. Since cassettes of different sizes can be accommodated at each site, it is desirable to provide a sensor which is capable of sensing different size cassettes. It is also desirable that a cassette sensor be provided which does not result in weakening of the autoloader positioning belts, such as might be necessary if photosensors are used to sense cassettes through holes or cutouts in the belts. It is also desirable that the cassette sensor be reliable, maintenance free, inexpensive and relatively simple.
There is thus a problem in a storage phosphor reader/storage phosphor cassette autoloader system in providing a cassette sensor that is reliable, inexpensive, maintenance free and simple.

Storage phosphor cassette autoloader having cassette sensor