A semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device by which peeling off of a sealing resin and a wire from each other can be practically suppressed are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a main face wire, a semiconductor element that is conductive to the main face wire, a sealing resin having resin side faces directed in a direction crossing a thickness direction, the sealing resin sealing the main face wire and the semiconductor element, a through-wire that is conductive to the main face wire and having an exposed rear face exposed from the substrate, and a column conductor that is conductive to the main face wire and having an exposed side face exposed from the resin side faces. The column conductor is supported from the opposite sides thereof in the thickness direction by the substrate and the sealing resin.

Together with downsizing of electronic equipment in recent years, downsizing of semiconductor devices used in electronic equipment is in progress. Therefore, a semiconductor device of what is generally called a Fan-Out type has been proposed. The semiconductor device of the type mentioned above includes a semiconductor element having a plurality of electrodes, an insulating layer that covers a rear face of the semiconductor element on which the plurality of electrodes are formed, and a plurality of wires formed on the insulating layer such that they are electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes and positioned outside the semiconductor element. The proposed semiconductor device can achieve downsizing of a semiconductor device and can flexibly cope with a shape of a wiring pattern of a wiring board on which the semiconductor device is mounted.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-239740 discloses a semiconductor device as an example of such a Fan-Out type semiconductor device as described above. The semiconductor device includes a rectangular die pad, a plurality of leads arranged around the die pad, a semiconductor chip mounted on the die pad, and a sealing resin that seals the semiconductor chip. The plurality of leads are wires that electrically connect the semiconductor chip and the outside of the semiconductor device. In a manufacturing method of the semiconductor device, a semiconductor chip is mounted on each of a plurality of die pads in a lead frame on which the die pads and a plurality of leads arranged around each of the die pads are formed. Then, all of the semiconductor chips on the lead frame are collectively sealed with resin. Then, a dicing saw cuts the resin and the lead frame along dicing lines set in advance, to separate the leads from the lead frame and thereby obtain individual semiconductor devices. In such semiconductor devices, a lower face of the leads and a cut face of the leads cut by the dicing saw are exposed from the sealing resin.

Semiconductor device in which peeling off of sealing resin from the wire is suppressed


High-frequency limiter and switch-limiter circuits having reduced insertion loss and improved recovery time are disclosed herein. The high-frequency switch-limiter includes at least one input port and a high-frequency signal path between the input port and a common arm. An input diode generates a first bias current in response to incidence upon the input port of high-energy signals in excess of a predefined power level. A set of protection diodes reflects the high-energy signals upon being switched to an ON state by a portion of the first bias current or by a second bias current, with the protection diodes being disposed to reflect signal energy propagated by the high-frequency signal paths when in the ON state and to pass signal energy propagated by the high-frequency signal paths when in an OFF state. Switching of the protection diodes between the ON and OFF states is expedited by modifying the impedance of a bias network included within a driver network, wherein the driver network is disposed to generate the second bias current in response to a switch control signal.

Microwave and millimeter wave circuits are extensively employed in, for example, high-frequency satellite communication and radar systems. Receive networks in these and other high-frequency systems generally include sensitive microwave components, such as mixers and low-noise amplifiers, for detecting transmitted microwave or millimeter wave signals. In order to protect these components from high-power signals (e.g., radar jamming signals) incident on a receive antenna, power-limiting circuits are often interposed in series between the antenna and the receiver. Microwave and millimeter wave limiters are designed to present a characteristic transmission line impedance with minimal insertion loss when signals of ordinary magnitude are being received by the antenna. In contrast, high-power signals impinging on the antenna cause the limiter to approximate a short circuit, thereby preventing damage to sensitive components within the receiver.
In high-frequency systems having an array of antenna input ports, switches are used to select or distribute microwave signals. Microwave switches may be employed to, for example, couple a main signal path or "common arm" to the limiter circuit associated with a particular antenna. Each antenna input port is typically followed by the cascade connection of a limiter circuit and a switching element. The term switch-limiter is often used to describe such a cascade connection.
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a conventional limiter circuit driven by a Schottky diode D1 positioned proximate a high-power input port. The input port will generally be in communication with an antenna, and also serves as the origin of a high-frequency signal path P. The signal path P will typically be realized as microstrip or stripline, with the diode D1 and a bypass capacitor C2 being coupled to the signal path P by a quarter-wave coupler Q. The position of the quarter-wave coupler Q relative to the signal path P may be varied so as to adjust the coupling between the diode D1 and the signal path P. Since the diode D1 is turned on in response to high-frequency signal energy of known power, the coupler Q may be positioned such that the diode D1 is actuated when signal energy in excess of a predefined power impinges upon the input port. In this way the limiter may be calibrated so as to present a short-circuit to signal energy of predetermined magnitude received by the input port.
More specifically, when a high-power pulse exceeding the requisite magnitude appears at the input port the diode D1 is turned on by high-frequency signal energy supplied thereto by the coupler Q. Upon being turned on the diode D1 generates a DC bias current, which is supplied to PIN diodes D3, D4 and D5 through a bias structure. The bias structure includes resistor R1, RF choke inductor L1 and capacitor C3. Since the bias current turns on diodes D3, D4 and D5, several high-frequency short circuits are created between the signal path P and ground. In this way the high-power pulse is reflected first by the short circuits at parallel-connected PIN diodes D3 and D4, while diode D5 reflects pulse energy able to bypass diodes D3 and D4 along signal path P. Attenuation of high-power signals between the input port and the protected output port will generally be maximized by spacing diode D5 from diodes D3 and D4 by a quarter-wavelength of the center frequency transmitted by the path P.
As is evident from FIG. 1, the bias current supplied by diode D1 to diodes D3, D4 and D5 when a high-power pulse is incident upon the input port depends upon the magnitude of R1. Large values of R1 allow a relatively greater percentage of the bias current from the Schottky diode D1 to be supplied to the diodes D3, D4, and D5, while smaller values of R1 result in increased dissipation of bias current. Accordingly, power-handling capability is improved by augmenting the resistance R1 such that the bias current generated by diode D1 is predominantly used to energize the diodes D3, D4 and D5.
The advantages of Schottky driven limiters such as that shown in FIG. 1 include high power-handling capability (e.g., 2 kW for a 1 .mu.s pulse or 50 W continuous-wave), an adjustable limiting threshold provided by coupler Q, and the absence of a requirement that the parameters of the PIN diodes D3, D4 and D5 be matched.
Unfortunately, Schottky limiters are known to have relatively long recovery times, where recovery time is defined as the time required for the limiter to return to a low-loss state subsequent to the end of a high-power pulse. Upon cessation of the high-power pulse, diode D1 turns off and terminates the supply of bias current to diodes D3, D4 and D5. This allows the PIN diodes D3, D4 and D5 to return to a non-conducting (i.e., "insertion-loss") state after residual charge stored in the intrinsic regions thereof is removed. While in the insertion-loss state the diodes D3, D4, and D5 appear essentially as open-circuits to signal energy propagating along the path P, and hence allow low-power signals to pass between the input and protected ports. However, diodes D3, D4 and D5 behave as open circuits only after the residual charge stored within each is completely removed subsequent to the diminution, or "limiting", of a high-power pulse. It follows that the diodes D3, D4 and D5 undesirably reflect a portion of low-power signal energy for a characteristic "recovery" time subsequent to incidence of a high-power pulse, thereby undesirably increasing overall insertion loss (i.e., signal attenuation).
As may be appreciated by referring to FIG. 1, the recovery time required for the diodes D3, D4 and D5 to return to the insertion loss state following incidence of a high-power pulse is inversely proportional to the magnitude of R1. Hence, small values of R1 shorten recovery time, while large values of R1 increase recovery time. However, small values of R1 result in larger fractions of the bias current from diode D1 being diverted to ground, thereby reducing the power-handling capability of the PIN diodes D3, D4 and D5. As a consequence, designers of conventional limiters are typically forced to strike a compromise between power-handling and recovery time when selecting the resistance value of R1.
As noted above, the conventional limiter of FIG. 1 is typically cascaded in series with a high-frequency switching circuit in order to form a switch-limiter circuit. Since switching circuits also generally include a pair of quarter-wave spaced diodes, such composite switch-limiter circuits will often incorporate at least four PIN diodes connected in shunt with the high-frequency signal path. Unfortunately, this redundancy undesirably increases the insertion loss of conventional switch-limiter circuits, which in turn tends to limit the range of the antenna system in which the switch-limiter is disposed.

High-frequency limiter and switch-limiter circuit having improved recovery time


A polysilicon film and the like are patterned to form n− diffusion layers on a silicon substrate. Subsequently, an outer edge of an Al2O3 film is made retreat to be smaller than that of a gate electrode by performing isotropic etching of the Al2O3 film, using a solution of sulfuric acid with hydrogen peroxide. A silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, the polysilicon film and the like are hardly removed although the solution of sulfuric acid with hydrogen peroxide exhibits higher etching rate to the Al2O3 film, enabling almost exclusive etching of the Al2O3 film at a high selectivity ratio. Subsequently, another polysilicon film is formed so as to fill spaces formed after the retreat of the Al2O3 film under the silicon oxide film. Subsequently, a sidewall insulating film is formed by remaining portions of the later polysilicon film in the spaces by performing RIE, oxidation, or the like of the later polysilicon film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device suitable for a multi-value flash memory of which charge storage layers are spatially separated, and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there has been such a limitation in a multi-value flash memory that electron injection during write operation in a memory cell of MONOS (Metal/Oxide/Nitride/Oxide/Semiconductor) structure is possible only in the regions at both ends of a gate; thereby electrons which are injected into traps of a nitrided film are accumulated. These accumulated electrons cause a shift in a threshold voltage of a cell transistor. As a result, an electric current value of the cell transistor during read operation may vary to "1" or "0(zero)" in terms of information.
Generally, in such an element structure, such electrons as injected and held in a source side of the cell transistor largely affect the shift of the threshold voltage of the cell transistor. Therefore, it is possible to obtain two bits of information, which is represented as four values: "00", "01", "10", and "11", in one memory cell by conducting read operation of the state of accumulated electrons of both ends of the gate twice at the source and at a drain by turns.
In a memory cell of conventional structure, there is placed a charge storing film, commonly a silicon nitride film, over the whole area of the gate, thereby charge redistribution may occur. The charge redistribution may vary the shifting amount of the threshold voltage and concurrently rewrite information of the other side of the gate, resulting in further readout error.
Accordingly, such an approach has been developed in order to prevent the charge redistribution that a charge storage layer is electrically divided into portions, and charge storing layers formed at both ends of the gate and a control gate are so formed as in a self-aligned manner. In this approach, charge is to be stored at both ends of the gate of the charge storage layers, so that charge redistribution is prevented by forming a separation oxide film.
In the prior art, when such a separation oxide film is formed, first, an oxide film as a material film of the separation oxide film, an oxide film for an ONO film, and a polysilicon film (polycrystalline silicon film) for a gate electrode are formed sequentially on a tunnel oxide film. After that, the polysilicon film and the two oxide films are processed to take shape of a gate by anisotropic etching such as RIE (reactive ion etching) or the like. In the course of the process, overetching is conducted to the oxide films thereby an outer edge portion of the oxide film, which is used as the material film of the separation oxide film, is made retreat, so that the separation oxide film is formed.
A prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-168219.

Semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof


An engine control system for a vehicle engine includes an engine control module (ECM) that enters a modified sleep mode when the vehicle key switch is turned to the "off" position. In the modified sleep mode, all non-essential operating tasks normally executed by the ECM are disabled to place the ECM in a mode of reduced power consumption. In addition, various communications interrupts are disabled, except for interrupts associated with at least one external data transmission device. During the modified sleep mode, priority for communications with the external device are highest to permit external communication to and from the ECM using the external device. In this modified sleep mode, the vehicle operator or engine technician can download or upload data to and from the ECM memory. The ECM includes a sleep mode task module that is maintained during the modified sleep mode. The sleep mode task module controls a sleep mode termination timer (SMT timer) that counts the time the ECM is in the modified sleep mode. The SMT timer is reset for each communication between the ECM and the external device. Upon expiration of the SMT timer, the ECM transfers to a power down mode, after flushing volatile data caches to non-volatile memory.

The present invention concerns a method and system for data communication with a microprocessor while the microprocessor is in a low-power or "sleep" mode. More specifically, the invention relates to an engine control module for an internal combustion engine that has a sleep mode when the engine is turned off.
In recent years, the control of internal combustion engines has branched away from the traditional mechanical linkage and analog approaches to an electronics or microprocessor based system of controls. In a typical vehicle, the operation of the engine is controlled by an engine control module (ECM) which receives a variety of input signals and output signals monitoring and controlling various components of the engine. For example, the ECM can send signals to a fuel system for controlling the amount of air and/or fuel sent to the engine cylinders. In addition to sending control signals, the ECM also receives signals from various sensors at the engine and drive train. For example, the sensors carry signals indicative of engine speed, fuel and air flow, intake and exhaust pressure, engine temperature, and the like. The ECM uses data related to the signals to calculate various engine operating parameters based upon algorithms contained within the ECM.
In addition, the ECM retains data in memory showing a complete history of the engine performance and operating parameters. For example, the ECM calculates and stores data for engine torque, horsepower, load factors, fuel consumption, duty cycles, cylinder firing times and the like. This information is stored in the ECM to be downloaded at predetermined intervals in the engine life. The downloaded information can be analyzed at a site away from the vehicle to evaluate the engine performance and make recommendations for servicing of the engine.
In contrast to the prior mechanical linkage and analog systems of the past, the electronic controllers and ECMs of the modern engine must be continuously connected to an electrical power source, such as the vehicle battery. Like most microprocessors, the typical engine control module maintains an internal clock, for example, that can maintain date and time of day information. This internal clock operates whether or not the engine and vehicle are being operated. Thus, the ECM usually requires its own hardwired power supply. In addition, the ECM and associated electronic components have generally high input power requirements. While the vehicle is operating, the alternator can easily provide for the power requirements of the ECM and associated components. However, these power requirements reduce fuel economy in proportion to the amount of engine output power that goes into driving the vehicle alternator. At the other end of the spectrum, when the vehicle is not operating, the ECM must draw its power from a storage battery.
In either circumstance, whether the vehicle is operating or idle, it is prudent and usually necessary to conserve the amount of electrical energy consumed by the ECM and its associated components. Consequently, the modern ECM, like the typical personal computer or microprocessor, has a "sleep" mode in which the ECM operates on reduced power. For example, the sleep mode of an ECM can terminate power to all elements of an ECM other than the real time clock. In another example, passenger vehicles that utilize automatic door lock transmitters must power the door lock receivers in the sleep mode to receive a door unlock signal from a transmitter. Since the energy requirements of components of this type are minimal, a vehicle can be maintained in a sleep mode for quite awhile on a typical vehicle storage battery without draining the battery. Similarly, when the engine is operating and the vehicle is on the road, certain portions or functions of the ECM can be directed to the sleep mode to conserve electrical power usage in real operating time. In that instance, software within the ECM determines what essential elements retain electrical power and which elements are disabled to reduce power consumption.
In a typical vehicle, the ECM is placed into the sleep mode when the key switch is turned to the "off" position. In many such systems, the ECM downloads data from volatile memory into non-volatile or flash memory immediately before entering the sleep mode. In these systems, the ECM exits the sleep mode, or returns to normal powered operation, when the key switch is turned to the "on" position, such as when the operator is starting the vehicle engine, or to the "auxiliary" position in which electrical power is provided without starting the engine. Software within the ECM runs through a power up protocol to enable the previously disabled components and initiate normal operation of the ECM. Since solid state electronics are utilized in these ECMs, the entry into and exit from the sleep mode happens in a matter of seconds.
One drawback with the sleep mode of any processor is that it is deaf to any communication other than certain external signals used to force the ECM out of the sleep mode. For example, some passenger vehicles with remote keyless entry transmit a signal to a vehicle sensor that sends a wake up signal to the ECM. In vehicles of this type, the keyless entry signal from the hand held transmitter turns on the ECM and causes it to unlock the doors, turn on the interior lights and begin the initial steps of a start up protocol. Beyond this capability, existing vehicle ECMs have no ability to transmit and receive information concerning engine operation and performance.
This detriment is most prominent in the use of heavy duty vehicles and equipment. In one example, a land mining site utilizes several heavy duty loading vehicles and hauling trucks to convey mined material from the mine site. In this arena, several vehicles are used to provide a continuous flow of material away from the mine site to a construction site, for example. As the hauling vehicles return, they queue up in a ready line at the mine site to await a new load of mined material. In order to preserve fuel and prevent engine overheating, the hauling vehicles are shut down at the ready line until the next load of material is available.
However, in this situation, the continuous activity of the engines requires that they be frequently monitored to discover and address developing problems in engine performance. Thus, the mine site operator will typically take readings of data from the ECM for evaluation while the vehicle is sitting in the ready line. In this circumstance, the vehicle engine must be kept running until the data is extracted. Moreover, in some cases, after the data has been analyzed certain parameter changes in the ECM may be required, which would necessitate a further transmission of data to the ECM. If the engine is shut off, it enters the typical sleep mode in which data communication is not permitted. Thus, the mine site operator is faced with the choice of keeping the engine running with all of the risks inherent with that option, or shutting the engine off and thereby eliminating any chance of recovering performance data from the engine.

Method and system for communication with an engine control module in sleep mode


The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for protecting neurons or for preventing and treating ischemic neuronal diseases comprising the extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc extracted with water, low-alcohols or their mixture or acetylshikonin separated therefrom as an effective ingredient. The extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et. Zucc or acetylshikonin separated therefrom of the present invention has neuronal protective effect, so that it not only interrupts the development of ischemic neuronal diseases but also is very safe, indicating that the extract or acetylshikonin can be used as a medicinal drug for prevention and treatment of degenerative brain disease caused by neuronal apoptosis such as stroke, apoplexy, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Pick's disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and further can be developed as functional health food.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for protecting neurons or for preventing and treating ischemic neuronal diseases, more precisely a pharmaceutical composition for protecting neurons or for preventing and treating ischemic neuronal diseases comprising a plant extract or a single compound extracted therefrom which is effectively used for the treatment of degenerative brain diseases caused by neuronal apoptosis as an effective ingredient and functional health food comprising the same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Nerve system is largely composed of neurons and neuroglia cells, and the neuroglia cells take 90% of the total brain cells in number and take 50% of the total brain in volume. The neuroglia cells in central nervous system are composed of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia. And microglia cells are inflammatory cells that take 5-10% of the total brain cells and have been confirmed to be macrophage like immuno-functional cells which are activated when brain damage, including degenerative brain disease and stroke, occurs by some reasons even though their role in brain under normal conditions has not been disclosed yet (Minghetti L, et al., Prog. Neurobio. I. 54(1), pp 99-125, 1998). Unlike normal cells, the activated microglia cells exhibit active phagocytosis and vigorous proliferation, so that they induce expressions of various genes such as cytokine, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-s (COX-2), suggesting that they generate various inflammation mediators (Dawson V L, et al., J. Neurosci., 13, pp 2651-2661, 1993). There have been so many proofs reported saying that such inflammation mediators generated as the above are one of the reasons that cause degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke and dementia (wood P L, et al., Neurol. Res., 17, pp 242-248, 1995).
The inflammation mediators generated by the activated microglia cells produce nitric oxide (NO) (Feldman P L, et al., Chem Eng. News., 12, pp 26-38, 1993). Nitric oxide is generated by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and this enzyme can be classified into constitutive NOS (cHOS) that produces nitric oxide for normal physiological functions including neurotransmission, blood clotting and blood pressure control; and inducible nitric oxide that is specifically induced under special circumstances. Generation of constitutive NOS (cNOS) depends on calcium (Ca2+) and calmodulin (CaM) and only small amount of cNOS can be generated within a short period of time by a certain stimulus. On the other hand, the generation of inducible NOS (iNOS) is quite independent and iNOS is not activated under the normal conditions but once its expression is induced by the stimulus of lipopolysaccharides, iNOS can be mass-produced for a certain period of time and thus iNOS produces inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (INF-gamma), interleukin-1beta, cancer necrosis factor-alpha, etc. (Mayer B., et al., FEBS Lett, 288, pp187-191, 1991). Excessive nitric oxide generated by inducible NOS and inflammatory cytokine generated aftermath lower blood pressure significantly by extending blood vessels in sepsis patients, make inflammation worse by accelerating biosynthesis of inflammation mediators such as prostaglandins by activating COX-2, and is deeply involved in the development and progress of brain diseases resulted from neuronal apoptosis and aggravated inflammation.
It has been an urgent request therefore to develop a safe novel neuroprotective agent with fewer side effects that can inhibit significantly the expressions of inflammatory cytokines causing brain disease and making inflammation worse. And it is also requested to establish a specialized medicine market for neuroprotective agents.
Acetylshikonin used in this invention is a naphtoquinone compound extracted and isolated from Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc, an oriental herb medicine which has long been used for the treatment of dermatitis in Korea and China.
Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc (gromwell) is a perennial plant. Its root contains acetylshikonin, shikonin, alkannan, isobutyrylshikonin, beta/beta-dimethylacrylshikonin, beta-hydroxyisovalerylshikonin, and teracryishikonin, and the purple color of the root is attributed to acetylshikonin. Shikonin or acetylshikonin has functions of inhibiting edema, promoting granulation growth and accelerating wound healing, in particular boosting regeneration of destroyed or damaged cells by burn or ulcer. These compounds also have antimicrobial activity against bacteria or virus and exhibit a strong capillary permeability. In addition, these compounds have been known to have functions of improving blood circulation and reducing blood sugar and anticancer activity as well (Jung B S and Shin M K, Hyangyak daesajeon, 1998, pp 891-892). However, there has been no reports in association with the therapeutic effect of the extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc or acetylshikonin on brain disease by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine and preventing neuronal apoptosis.
Therefore, the present inventors investigated in this invention the effect of the extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc and acetylshikonin separated therefrom on inflammatory cytokine by various biochemical experiments, examined the possibility of interruption of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokine by molecular biological approaches and further investigated the mechanism of the extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc and acetylshikonin for protecting neurons particularly from ischemic neuronal apoptosis by using animal models with local brain ischemia.
As a result, the extract of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc of the present invention extracted by water, low-alcohol or their mixed solution and acetylshikonin separated and isolated from the extract inhibited expressions of various inflammatory cytokines including inducible nitric oxide synthase in vitro, and thereby the inventors confirmed the mechanism of the extract and acetylshikonin to interrupt over-production of nitric oxide and to protect neurons from apoptosis caused by brain ischemia by using rats with local brain ischemia induced by middle cerebral arterial occlusion. In conclusion, the present inventors completed this invention by confirming that acetylshikonin has an activity of protecting neurons and a function of inhibiting neuronal apoptosis by investigating the therapeutic effect and therapeutic mechanism of acetylshikonin for ischemic brain diseases.

Pharmaceutical composition for protecting neurons comprising extract of lithospermum erythrothizon SIEB. ET. Zucc or acetylshikonin isolated therefrom as an effective ingredient

Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation of Kyunghee University


An apparatus for concealing a light emitting video display mounted to a vertical surface by reflecting incident ambient light in mirror-like fashion. The apparatus includes a perimeter structure, which is positioned adjacent to the vertical surface about the video display. The perimeter structure has a front opening for enabling visual access to the video display. A beam-split film is disposed within the front opening, and has the characteristics of partial transmission of the light emitted by the video display and partial reflection of the incident ambient light. A fan is disposed to circulate air adjacent to the video display, and a light baffle is disposed about the perimeter structure for enabling circulation of ambient air through the perimeter structure while preventing the transmission of ambient light into the perimeter structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to video display concealment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a decorative apparatus and method for concealing a flat panel video display, which employs a one-way mirror and with forced ventilation cooling.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flat panel televisions and displays are becoming increasingly common, and will gradually replace virtually all cathode ray tube televisions and displays. Flat panel televisions and displays are frequently hung on a wall, in a fashion reminiscent of paintings and photographs. During the time when a television or display is turned on and active, this techniques works quite satisfactory because the flat panel display is viewed in a manner similar to viewing a painting or photograph. However, when the television or display is not active, the appearance of the blank screen is not aesthetically pleasing. The blank display screen renders an unaesthetic element in an environment that may otherwise be aesthetically decorated. This undesirable aspect of flat panel televisions and displays increases in proportion to the size of the viewable area of the display. Essentially, the larger the viewable area, the larger the blank space it presents in its environment when not active.
Some individuals invest a significant amount of effort and investment in decorating their homes in a particular style, including furniture, artwork, wall coverings, fixtures, and so forth. Similarly, businesses and retail stores invest in a particular decor that meets the needs or desires of their owners and customers. The presence of a large flat panel television or display is desirable while such a device is active, however, when not active, the large blank screen can interfere with an intended decor. It may then be desirable to disguise or conceal the television or display in some manner. However, concealment can be problematic in that it can interfere with access to the television or display when needed, and, concealment can interfere with the proper ventilation and cooling during operation of the device. It can also be cumbersome to reveal and conceal such items from time to time, as it is needed for viewing.
There are certain concealment coverings known in the art. It is known in the art to retract or hide the objectionable item when not in use. An example of this approach is a television screen that retracts into a furniture or fixture, and is only extended into view when the user desires view the screen. A retractable cover approach has been applied to concealment as well. A cover with a painting or photograph imprinted on it can be extended to cover a television or display when not in use, and can be retracted to reveal it when desired. However, the concealment cover itself must be decorated in some fashion, and this lead to the need for consumers to make a choice on decoration. This approach also dictates a need for a mechanism to retract and extend such a cover. Thus, there is a need in the art for an apparatus and method for providing a convenient and attractive way to conceal a flat panel television or display when not in use, and render the screen viewable when needed, which does not require a decorated cover, does not require a mechanical system to cycle during operation, and which does not interfere with the ventilation and thermal operation of the television of display that is concealed.

Mirrored decorative video display concealment and cooling apparatus and method


In some examples, an oscillatory pumping system comprises: one or more active piston, a fluid, and two motors. The one or more active piston is disposed in a channel fluidically coupling two fluid chambers. The passive piston has a frequency response operable to counteract a vibratory displacement. The fluid is disposed in the channel and the two fluid chambers. The two motors couple to the one or more active piston. The two motors are operable to selectively change the frequency response of the passive piston based on oscillating the one or more active piston.

Aircraft include mechanical components that produce vibrations during operation. This vibration can be treated with tuned mass absorbers, dampers, or isolators. An absorber counteracts vibrations based on inertia of an object such as a mass being out-of-phase with the vibration and is conservative in that it converts kinetic energy into potential energy and vice versa without dissipating the energy. While tuned mass absorbers may help to mitigate such vibrations they are often heavy and add more weight to an aircraft. A damper includes structural damping, which dissipates energy to reduce the vibrations based on converting the energy to heat. An isolator is a "tuned" device that reduces the vibration transmissibility from the vibrating body to the isolated body about a tuned frequency.

Oscillatory pumping system for liquid vibration isolator


A via structure includes a barrier layer disposed between a via plug and an insulating layer surrounding a via hole to impede diffusion of conductive material from the via plug into the insulating layer. The barrier layer is deposited to cover the via side wall after the via hole is formed. The via hole is then filled with a via plug comprised of a conductive material such as copper that is amenable for fine line metallization with submicron and nanometer dimensions. The diffusion rate of copper through the barrier layer is significantly slower than the diffusion rate of copper through the insulating layer surrounding the via hole. With such an impedance of copper diffusion into the insulating layer, the insulating integrity of the insulating layer is preserved.

A long-recognized important objective in the constant advancement of monolithic IC (Integrated Circuit) technology is the scaling-down of IC dimensions. Such scaling-down of IC dimensions reduces area capacitance and is critical to obtaining higher speed performance of integrated circuits. Moreover, reducing the area of an IC die leads to higher yield in IC fabrication. Such advantages are a driving force to constantly scale down IC dimensions.
Thus far, aluminum has been prevalently used for metallization within integrated circuits. However, as the width of metal lines are scaled down to smaller submicron and even nanometer dimensions, aluminum metallization shows electromigration failure. Electromigration failure, which may lead to open and shorted metal lines, is now a commonly recognized problem. Moreover, as dimensions of metal lines further decrease, metal line resistance increases substantially, and this increase in line resistance may adversely affect circuit performance.
Given the concerns of electromigration and line resistance with smaller metal lines and vias, copper is considered a more viable metal for smaller metallization dimensions. Copper has lower bulk resistivity and potentially higher electromigration tolerance than aluminum. Both the lower bulk resistivity and the higher electromigration tolerance improve circuit performance.
However, copper is a mid-bandgap impurity in silicon and silicon dioxide. Thus, copper may diffuse easily into these common integrated circuit materials. For example, a copper plug within a via hole may contact the insulating layer surrounding the via hole. Because copper may easily diffuse into the insulating layer, this diffusion may degrade the performance of integrated circuits. Nevertheless, use of copper metallization is desirable for further scaling down integrated circuit dimensions because of the lower bulk resistivity and the higher electromigration tolerance.

Via with barrier layer for impeding diffusion of conductive material from via into insulator


A new asymmetrically damped tensioner is provided utilizing a bearing-ramp clutch. During normal operation, the bearing-ramp clutch enables the tensioner arm to pivot in a first direction to take up belt slack with negligible frictional damping applied to the motion of the tensioner arm. When the tensioner arm pivots in a second direction, away from the belt, however, in a condition commonly known as wind-up, the bearing-ramp clutch locks against a fixed internal surface and creates a frictional damping force that is applied to the tensioner arm. This frictional linkage provides asymmetric frictional damping to the tensioner to limit movement in the second direction to mitigate wind-up.

It is common for a belt tensioner to have a means to dampen movement of the tensioner arm caused by belt tension fluctuation. The required magnitude of this damping depends on many drive factors including geometry, accessory loads, accessory inertia, engine duty cycle and others. For instance, drive systems that have higher torsional input or certain transient dynamic conditions may require higher damping to sufficiently control tensioner movement. Although higher damping is very effective at controlling arm movement, it can also be detrimental to other critical tensioner functions (e.g. slow or no response to slack belt conditions). In addition, variation or change in damping that occur as a result of manufacturing variation, operating temperature and component break-in or wear can also cause the tensioner to be unresponsive.
Timing belt systems have benefited from the use of asymmetric damping to address this problem. An asymmetrically damped tensioner provides damping when additional belt tension is encountered, but is free to respond to slack belt conditions. Although asymmetric functionality may not be required for all other front end accessory drive tensioners, the potential for increased service life, solving other transient dynamic system problems including belt slip during a 1-2 gear shift, or simply making the tensioner less sensitive to damping variation make it a desirable design option.
One current solution to this problem uses a viscous linear damper mechanism, such as a shock absorber, attached to a pivoting arm. Asymmetric damping is achieved through, for example, check valves and different orifice sizes in the shock absorber. This solution, however, tends to be expensive and requires more packaging space than a conventional tensioner. Other solutions use wedges that increase damper friction during wind-up or spring loaded self-energizing brake shoe elements. These designs, however, tend to be complex with many small parts to assemble.
One-way clutch mechanisms have been proposed, for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,583,962 and 6,422,962, for timing belt tensioners for the purpose of preventing or limiting back travel to prevent tooth jump. These "ratcheting" tensioners, however, lack the ability to relieve belt tension sufficiently when not required. Other timing belt tensioner proposals including, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,665 and 6,375,588, use a one-way device coupled to a viscous damper. Although these devices offer good functionality, retention of the viscous fluid throughout the service life can be difficult. Yet another design disclosed in U.S. Patent App. Publication 2003/0008739, uses friction generated by the clamping action of a wrap spring clutch to provide damping.
The aforementioned tensioner designs are not ideal. Accordingly, a new tensioner design is desired.

One-way clutched damper for automatic belt tensioner


A touch panel and a display apparatus include a backlight apparatus serving as a supporting substrate, a transparent protective plate that is arranged spaced apart from the backlight apparatus and includes an operating surface on an opposite side of the backlight apparatus; a plurality of vibrators for vibrating the transparent protective plate; and a resilient supporting member arranged between the backlight apparatus and the transparent protective plate to support the transparent protective plate and extend and contract diagonally across a thickness direction of the transparent protective plate.

Recently, it is popular for mobile information apparatuses such as smartphones and tablet PCs to be equipped with touch panels which provide a tactile sensation by vibrating. Further, the touch panels as described above are increasingly mounted on various consumer appliances including home appliances such as microwaves, televisions, and lighting equipment, as well as various industrial equipment such as automated teller machines, automatic ticket machines, and vending machines.
A typical conventional technology is described in, for example, PTL 1 set forth below. PTL 1 discloses a tactile sensation providing apparatus equipped with a panel such as a touch panel. This tactile sensation providing apparatus includes a tactile sensation providing unit configured to provide a tactile sensation by vibrating, and a pressure controller configured to control air pressure in a space located on an opposite side of a tactile sensation providing surface of the tactile sensation providing unit when the tactile sensation providing unit vibrates. Here, the pressure controller includes a pressure control vent.


The present invention includes a mobile phone enclosure which provides a user access to the features of the mobile device within a protective enclosure further providing at least one appearance enhancing device. Such an enclosure may comprise a brush and/or comb and may provide at least one storage area for the appearance enhancing device. Such a protective enclosure may be for an electronic device having interactive controls and may comprise a protective shell substantially surrounding said electronic device when the electronic device is disposed in said shell, the electronic device being insertable in and removable from said shell by hand and having at least one opening in the shell substantially aligned with the interactive controls when the electronic device is disposed in the protective shell, and having at least one appearance enhancement device removably disposed within the bounds of the shell.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the enclosure of a mobile device, and, more particularly, to a mobile device enclosure having associated therewith at least one device for the manipulation of hair.
Background of the Invention
Mobile phone ownership is a ubiquitous fact of life. By the end of this year, it is estimated that the number of mobile phone in the world with exceed the actual number of inhabitants—meaning there will be roughly 7.3 million mobile devices. Reliance on these devices vary, but the use of multiple offered services, beyond that of simply making a phone call, is almost a universally accepted fact for each user of a mobile device.
To protect the value of these mobile devices, most users will separately purchase a cover to protect the phone from dirt and scratches. Similarly, mobile phone covers may provide some protection to a phone when dropped and may even provide for extra battery storage, for example. However, mobile phone cases do not generally offer non-mobile device related functionality. Although some examples of such functionality include the provision of a pocket to hold items, such as, for example, credit cards, none provide a functionality sufficient to affect the user's appearance.
Thus, there exists a need for a mobile device cover which may provide both protection of the mobile device and functionality related to the appearance of the user.


A traction drive system for a vehicle includes a housing, a high-speed motor, a motor controller, a transmission, a cooling system, and a lubricating oil system. The housing defines a motor cavity, an electronics cavity, an oil cavity, and a cooling fluid cavity. The cooling fluid cavity is thermally coupled to each of the motor, electronics, and oil cavities. The high-speed motor is substantially within the motor cavity and coupled to a lubricating oil system fluidically coupled to the oil cavity. The motor controller includes electronics within the electronics cavity. The transmission is mechanically coupled to the high-speed motor and coupled to the lubricating oil system fluidically coupled to the oil cavity. The cooling system is fluidically coupled to the cooling fluid cavity and configured to cool the high-speed motor, the motor controller, and the lubricating oil system.

An electric drive system may be used for propulsion of an electric vehicle. A conventional electric drive system contains various drive components including a motor that provides electric drive power, a transmission that converts the electric drive power to a desired speed and torque, and a motor controller that controls the motor to put the desired electric drive power. Design of an electric drive system includes selection of the various drive components based on desired specifications, such that the resulting drive system includes an assembled combination of the various drive components in which the combined functions of the various components operate to produce the desired speed and torque. As such, each of the components of an electric drive system may be designed with accessory systems and structural characteristics directed toward the respective component. For example the various components may be subject to substantial amounts of heat load. To remove this heat, each of the components may include thermal designs and cooling circuits for heat rejection.


A gaming system of the present invention includes: a plurality of gaming machines; and a common display device connected to the gaming machines, each of the gaming machines, comprising: a display device for displaying a plurality of symbols; a controller, which performs processes of: (a) executing a base game in which symbols arranged on the display device are rearranged after a gaming medium has been betted, and thereafter a payment is made in accordance with the rearranged symbols; (b) counting number of times of executing the base game; (c) causing the display device to display a countdown effect image stored in a memory, while the counted number of times of executing the base game reaches a second predetermined value after reaching a first predetermined value; and (d) transferring the base game to a free game executed without betting a gaming medium, in a case where the number of times of executing the base game reaches the second predetermined value; and a communication interface for notifying to the common display the controller-counted number of times of executing the base game, the common display device, comprising: a communication interface for receiving notification from each of the gaming machines; a memory for storing a countdown effect image for each of the gaming machines; and a controller, which performs processes of: (a′) judging whether or not there exist a plurality of gaming machines at which number of times of executing the base game reaches the first predetermined value, based upon the number of times of executing the base game, which is notified from each of the gaming machine; and (b′) preferentially displaying a countdown effect image for a gaming machine with a smaller number of times of executing the base game, which is to be executed until a transfer to the free game.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gaming machine with a common display device and a control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in gaming facilities in which gaming machines such as slot machines are installed, players can enjoy games by inserting a variety of gaming mediums such as coins and cashes. Each of the gaming machines is designed so as to pay out a payment according to a winning prize (game outcome) that takes place in the progress of a game.
In a casino in which a plurality of slot machines are installed, there is a so called "jackpot" from which, after part of the credit consumed in each of the slot machines has been reserved, if the amount of the reservation reaches a predetermined amount of money, a large amount of payout is made such that a payment is not paid out to any of the slot machines in an ordinary hit (see Published US Patent Application No. 2003/073486, for example). In such slot machines, in the ordinary case, a hit takes place at each of the set probabilities, and players conduct games while anticipating the hit. By means of lottery other than that of the ordinary hit, which is based upon each of the probabilities set in the slot machines, a jackpot hit will take place on any of the slot machines with a predetermined timing.
The conventional gaming machines include those in which, if a gaming medium loss reaches a predetermined amount, a return is given to players who are performing games. The gaming machines having such a return function are characterized in that a countdown effect is rendered by a predetermined period that took until the return is performed. These machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,820,459 and 6,695,697, for example.
However, the countdown effect is rendered until the abovementioned return is given, according to the number of times of executing games, etc., in individual gaming machines. This countdown effect is rendered irrespective of other gaming machines. In the conventional gaming machines, therefore, there is no possibility of raising the players' spirit of rivalry such as a spirit of competing against one another for the number of times of executing games. Further, these gaming machines entail a problem insofar that the players gradually lose their interest or concern relevant to the play of games while they perform the games for a long time.
The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned circumstance. It is an object of the invention to provide a gaming system and a control method of the gaming system which arouses the players' spirit of rivalry and continues their interest or concern relevant to the play of games.

Gaming system with common display and control method of gaming system


A current sensing system, comprising at least one magnetic tunnel junction device placed adjacent to a current carrying conductor electrically connected to a battery of a vehicle. The magnetic tunnel junction device is configured to measure a magnetic field around the conductor. A monitoring device is operatively connected to the magnetic tunnel junction device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to receive the magnetic field measurement and determine an estimate of the current flowing through the conductor.

In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) have entered a new era of much greater consumer acceptance. Compared to gasoline-powered cars, the reduced dependence on oil and lower emissions make them an attractive choice for the future of the transportation industry. The electric power in an EV is provided by a large series/parallel interconnection of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. To ensure reliable and efficient operation of the batteries and early fault diagnosis, it is essential to have a simplified solution for predicting the health of various sub-systems in the vehicle. While, on one hand, the leakage current (a few milliamperes) between parallel connected batteries can point to inefficient impedance matching, on the other hand, a sharp spike in current (a few 100s of Amperes) through the wires can be an indication of a short-circuit path requiring immediate user attention. Hence, it is critical to have a unified solution which can non-invasively measure both DC and AC currents over a wide-range with a high-resolution.
There are several current measurement techniques proposed for EV/HEV applications each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The shunt method is one of the most rudimentary methods of measuring the current where the voltage drop across a resistor in series with the battery is used to calculate the current. Companies such as Texas Instruments and SENDYNE have proposed shunt sensor designs for automotive applications with galvanic isolation between the processing unit and the current sensing circuit. However the shunt implementation is invasive and result in significant power loss during high current operation. Hall Effect sensors are also popular in current measurement applications owing to their low cost and the galvanic isolation they provide. However these sensors are very sensitive magnetic fields and can be easily affected by stray fields inducing significant errors in small current measurements. Hall Effect sensors designed to measure small currents (<10 A) accurately must be shielded from stray fields and are invasive. Current transformers and Rogowski coils are current transducers that can operate in a wide frequency range. These devices are non-invasive, but can only measure AC currents, and hence cannot be used in EV/HEV applications. Another non-invasive technology for current measurement is the flux-gate current sensor. This sensor can measure down to low currents (˜50 mA) with a good dynamic range. However, flux-gate current sensors can be costly and bulky due to their complex magnetics and can have high self-heating due to large quiescent currents. Therefore, improvements are needed in the field.


An image processing apparatus which converts a color region in an input color image into predetermined images corresponding to colors. The apparatus has a discriminator for discriminating the colors in the input color image, a converter for converting the color regions in the color image into the predetermined images corresponding to the colors discriminated by the discriminator, and a generator for generating the predetermined images and character images representing the colors corresponding to the predetermined images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for converting a color region in an input color image into a predetermined image corresponding to the color.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus capable of identifying a plurality of colors from each other, and reading these colors, transmits color information if a receiving facsimile apparatus can record a plurality of colors. However, if a receiving facsimile apparatus can only record a single color (e.g., black) (to be referred to as a monochrome facsimile apparatus hereinafter), the facsimile apparatus transmits binary information reflecting only the lightness of the read color information.
For this reason, when color original information is transmitted to a monochrome facsimile apparatus, the receiving apparatus cannot identify colors even though the transmitting apparatus faithfully reads a color image on a color original.
For example, assume that a color original, on which an upper circular graph is classified by five colors, i.e., red, blue, green, pink, and yellow, the five colors used in the circular graph are actually presented in a lower comment portion, and item names (product names in this case) corresponding to these colors are added to the colors, as shown in FIG. 8, is transmitted to a monochrome facsimile apparatus. In the case of the color original shown in FIG. 8, the receiving apparatus records red, blue, and green as black since they have low lightness, and records pink and yellow as white since they have high lightness, as shown in, e.g., FIG. 9. Therefore, although a group of red, blue, and green, and a group of pink and yellow can be discriminated from each other, red, blue and green, and pink and yellow in these groups cannot be distinguished from each other. As a result, information of the circular graph cannot be correctly recognized.
When the color original shown in FIG. 8 is transmitted to the monochrome facsimile apparatus in a halftone mode, since the same color information in the circular graph and the comment of the graph is recorded by a single tone pattern, the correspondence between the circular graph and the comment portion can be read, and information of the circular graph may be correctly recognized.
However, when a color original, on which the comment of the graph in FIG. 8 is made by a text, as shown in FIG. 11, is transmitted in the halftone mode, the receiving apparatus records the information, as shown in FIG. 12. For this reason, even when the comment text includes color names, the correspondence between the colors and the tone patterns in the circular graph cannot be determined, and information of the circular graph cannot be correctly recognized.
The above-mentioned problems occur not only when color information is transmitted to a monochrome facsimile apparatus but also when a facsimile apparatus which can read seven colors, i.e., black, red, blue, green, pink, yellow, and purple transmits information including blue, green, pink, yellow, and purple to a facsimile apparatus which can record two colors, i.e., black and white.

Image processing apparatus having the ability to transmit recordable information at the receiver


An end-to-end multimodal gait recognition method based on deep learning includes: first extracting gait appearance features (color, texture and the like) through RGB video frames, and obtaining a mask by semantic segmentation of the RGB video frames; then extracting gait mask features (contour and the like) through the mask; and finally performing fusion and recognition on the two kinds of features. The method is configured for extracting gait appearance feature and mask feature by improving GaitSet, improving semantic segmentation speed on the premise of ensuring accuracy through simplified FCN, and fusing the gait appearance feature and the mask feature to obtain a more complete information representation.

Gait recognition is an emerging biometric recognition technology for identity confirmation through pedestrian walking posture. Compared with face recognition, fingerprint recognition and iris recognition, the research of gait recognition starts relatively late. Due to its advantages of non-contact, long distance and being not liable to be affected by camouflage, recognition can be achieved without active cooperation of the object to be recognized. It can be widely used in smart cities, smart transportation and other fields, as well as the scenarios such as looking for suspects and the like.
In recent years, since the deep neural network is applied widely, gait recognition has made great progress. The prior gait recognition methods based on deep learning can be divided into two categories: the template-based method and the sequence-based method, both of which extract pedestrian gait mask features from segmented mask images for recognition. Since the above two methods both extract the pedestrian gait mask features from the manually segmented mask image for recognition, the segmented mask image may lose some useful information for gait recognition, resulting in that the end-to-end gait recognition cannot be achieved.

End-to-end multimodal gait recognition method based on deep learning


Methods of delivering laser energy for medical procedures or industrial processes using an optical fiber having a core formed of a highly transmissive silica-based glass core and an outermost cladding layer of silica-titania glass.

The use of energy delivered by optical fibers in medical procedures and industrial processes is known. The desired effects caused by the energy can be thermal, photodisruptive or photo-chemical.
In many medical procedures, energy delivered by optical fibers is used for its thermal effect. That thermal effect is dependent upon the specific way the energy delivered by the optical fiber is transferred to thermal energy in the tissue. One laser used in medical procedures is the carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) laser whose wavelength at 10.6 .mu.m makes it opaque to cellular water. The CO.sub.2 laser is therefore totally absorbed by water and rapidly converted to thermal energy over a very short distance (<100 .mu.m).
Recently, Nd:YAG laser systems, coupled to silica fibers with either sculptured or bare tips or with sculptured sapphire tips, have shown great benefits as surgical tools when used for certain procedures. Using these laser systems with a bare fiber, photocoagulation to tissue depths of 4 to 5 mm in tissue can be attained in a non-contact mode. In a contact mode, incision and cauterization of the nearby tissue can be achieved.
These two capabilities, though providing the surgeon with new and powerful tools in performing procedures that are very close to being hemostatic, have as yet to be integrated into a full spectrum of optical fiber surgical systems. At one extreme, only photocoagulation can be achieved in a non-contact mode while at the other extreme only incision can be achieved in a contact mode. Between these two extremes, there is a range of combined and controlled photocoagulation and incision that would be highly desirable, and a fiber optic system that could provide this full-spectrum capability would provide the surgeon with a broad range of new surgical capabilities to meet the specific needs of a broad range of surgical procedures.
The most common optical fiber material used for the delivery of energy at the present time is silica glass. Indeed, the same glass chemistry presently used in typical optical fibers for laser surgery is also used in telecommunication optical fibers. These optical fibers are capable of transmitting light energy through very small diameters and they can be threaded to almost any part of the body creating little or no damage to surrounding normal tissue. As a result, fiber optic delivery systems are useful in conjunction with endoscopic procedures and catheter-based delivery systems.
Common silica fibers can be highly effective in photocoagulating tissue in a non-contact mode. However, when common silica fibers come into contact with tissue or blood there is significant thermal-mechanical damage to the fiber and disruption of energy transmission. Because of the absorption of light energy at the tissue contact surface, the fiber tip is rapidly heated to high temperatures thereby destroying the tip. The effect on the surrounding tissue is variable and has an unpredictable tissue damage pattern.
The thermal-mechanical breakdown of the optical fiber that follows the use of the fiber in a contact mode also typically result in contamination of the incisional site with silica glass fragments in addition to preventing further photocoagulation due to absorption of energy by the degraded tip. These fragments may present a bio-hazard as their effect on tissue has not been fully studied. Perhaps more importantly, the use of a technique for precise laparoscopic dissection that creates a variable tissue effect with significant lateral coagulation is less than optimal.
Attempts have also been made to provide optical fibers which, for example, have sapphire contact tips or infrared absorbing materials at their tips to control the dispersion of energy from the tip and/or the thermal-mechanical breakdown. These attempts have not met with success because, even though they may be specifically designed for contact applications, all of the fibers suffer from the same thermal and/or chemical degradation described above for the silica fiber tips.
As a result, although known optical fibers can provide adequate performance when used in non-contact applications to accomplish photocoagulation or other photo-chemical effects, the reality facing surgeons is that contact between the fiber tips and tissue is extremely difficult to avoid due to the close quarters in which these devices operate. After the initial contact and degradation occurs, the performance of the fiber can no longer be accurately predicted. If predictable characteristics are required, a new fiber tip must be created, either by cutting and polishing a new tip or by replacing the entire fiber. Both of these options increase the cost of the procedure and increase the time need to complete it.
One approach to address these problems was developed by one of the inventors of the present application and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/209,002, filed on 10 Mar. 1994, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes the use of an optical fiber having a core of silica glass doped with titanium dioxide. That particular material provides an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion. As a result, optical fibers made with sufficient amounts of titania (typically 6-8%) do not suffer from the thermal expansion degradation effects described above for fibers constructed of other materials.
Those fibers are, however, difficult to produce in that the preforms should be pulled into fibers in an air or oxygen atmosphere to maintain the titanium in the doped preform in its highest (Ti.sup.+4) oxidation state. If an air or oxygen atmosphere is not used, then the resulting fibers may contain significant amounts of reduced titanium (Ti.sup.+3) which absorbs energy in the visible and near infrared regions. As a result, those fibers suffer from a loss in performance when used with the significant numbers of medical lasers operating in the visible/near infrared regions.
Another disadvantage of optical fibers with silica-titania cores is that, although they transmit significant amounts of energy, they are not as efficient as typical silica glass cored fibers. In general, silica-titania glass cored fibers transmit only about t 75-80% of energy in part because the commercially available preforms are not designed for use in fiber optics. In contrast, the rate of transmission of typical silica glass cored fibers is at least about 95%.
Optical fiber systems currently used for medical procedures, silica or otherwise, remain useful as photocoagulating or incisional tools only so long as they are used in non-contact procedures. Given the close nature of the environments in which these devices operate, however, contact and the resulting degradation are difficult, if not impossible, to avoid. Furthermore, the use of silica-titania glass fibers addresses the thermal degradation problems, but suffers from other disadvantages.
In addition to the methods of medical treatment useful using optical fibers, many industrial processes relying on thermal effects produced by laser energy delivered by optical fibers for cutting, brazing, welding, soldering, ablation, marking and other industrial processes. Many of those processes expose the optical fiber tip to thermal energy that results in thermal/chemical degradation of the tip similar to that found in the medical procedures described above. In some instances it may be desirable to place the fiber tip in contact with the materials being processed, but that option may not be available because of the damage it would cause to the fiber tip. The problems of thermal degradation may, in fact, be more acute in industrial processes due to the typically higher energy levels associated with industrial lasers.
One attempt at preventing or controlling degradation of optical fiber tips in industrial processes including shrouding them to provide a positive pressure environment to prevent contact between the tips and the materials being heated. Such approaches, however, increase the cost and complexity of systems incorporating optical fiber delivery systems.
As a result, there is a need for an optical fiber that provides predictable operating characteristics in thermal either a contact or non-contact mode, can transmit significant amounts of energy, and can be manufactured using existing fiber technology.

Methods of using silica-titania clad fibers

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.


A bilateral optical transmission system for pulse information disclosed which can accommodate variations in the relationship between the down-link signal transmission rate and the up-link one. A single bilateral optical transmission line is laid between first and second positions. A transmission pulse train with pulse transmission time slots set therein at fixed time intervals is provided onto the transmission line from the first position. A return pulse train is retransmitted from the second position to the first position over the bilateral optical transmission line. The return pulse train is obtained by gating the transmission pulse train with up-link information pulses from the second position to the first position in synchronization with up-link pulse transmission time slots for the transmission of the up-link information pulses so that at least one predetermined transmission time slot in each unit transmission period defined by a predetermined number of pulse periods in the transmission pulse train is used as the up-link pulse transmission time slot. At the first position, at least one time slot other than the up-link pulse transmission time slot in each unit transmission period is used as at least one down-link pulse transmission time slot for the transmission of down-link information pulses from the first position to the second position.

The present invention relates to a bilateral optical transmission system and an optical transceiver for pulse information which are used in an optical access system for optical subscriber communication or optical CATV employing a high density wavelength-multiplexing system.
One possible scheme that has been proposed to economically implement an optical access system is a single cable transmission system which transmits both up- and down-link optical signals over one optical fiber as disclosed in, for example, (P. J. Duthie, M. J. Wale, I. Bennion, and J. Hankey, "Bidirectional Fibre-Optic Link Using Reflective Modulation," Electronics Letters, vol. 22, no. 10, pp. 517-518, 1986. In FIG. 15 there is schematically shown a configuration of a single cable bilateral transmission system. Assume that the transmission rates from a central office to a subscriber and from the latter to the former are 560 and 34 Mb/s, respectively.
A 560 Mb/s optical signal is sent out from an optical transmitter 501 of the central office to a fiber optic transmission line 503 via a directional coupler 502. At the subscriber side a portion of the optical signal transmitted thereto is provided via an optical coupler 504 to an optical receiver 505, where it is demodulated. The remainder of the transmitted optical signal is fed to an optical modulator 506, and the 560 Mb/s down-link optical signal is envelope-modulated using information of the transmission rate 34 Mb/s, thereafter being provided via the directional coupler 504 onto the transmission line 503. At the central office side, the up-link optical signal is separated by the directional coupler 502 from the transmitted signal and is received by an optical receiver 507. The optical receiver 507 extracts only the 34 Mb/s signal by an integration circuit. This system is predicated on a condition that the transmission rate of the down-link signal is higher than that of the up-link signal.
Turning next to FIG. 16, a description will be given of an example which employs a wavelength multiplexing system in an access network from the central office to subscribers. Let it be assumed that to subscribers 301 to 304 are assigned wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 to .lambda..sub.4 (the number of subscribers in this example is four), respectively. Optical signals of wavelengths .lambda..sub.1 to .lambda..sub.4 from optical transmitters 311 to 314 of the central office are multiplexed by an optical coupler-splitter 315 and then provided onto one fiber 316. The optical signals are split, by an optical coupler-splitter 318 in a node 317 placed near the subscribers, into signals each corresponding to one subscriber, thereafter being received by optical receivers 321 to 324 of the subscribers via optical fibers 331 to 334. Such a network is commonly called a passive double star (PDS) network. As regards a message from the subscriber, for example, 301 to the central office, an optical signal of the wavelength .lambda..sub.1 sent out from an optical transmitter 325 is transmitted over an optical fiber 341 to the node 317, where it is wavelength-multiplexed by an optical coupler-splitter 319 with optical signals from other subscribers transmitted over optical fibers 342 to 344, and the thus wavelength-multiplexed optical signals are transmitted to the central office over one fiber 329. In the central office, the multiplexed optical signals are split by an optical coupler-splitter 330 into signals of the respective wavelengths, which are fed to individual optical receivers 351 to 354.
In the optical access system employing the wavelength multiplexing scheme, the wavelengths are usually spaced 1 to 2 nm apart. The oscillation wavelength of a semiconductor laser as a light source undergoes a temperature change of 0.1 nm/.degree.C. even if it is a distributed feedback laser. If the temperature of the optical transmitter placed in the subscriber's home varies 20.degree. C., the oscillation wavelength will change by a value of 2 nm. When the wavelength of the optical transmitter 325 of the subscriber 301, initially set at a wavelength .lambda..sub.1 as shown in FIG. 17(a), changes to a wavelength .lambda..sub.1 ' due to a change in the ambient temperature of the optical transmitter 325, a crosstalk to adjacent channels will occur even if the wavelength characteristics of the optical coupler-splitter 319 placed in the node 317 of the network and the optical coupler-splitter 330 of the central office do not vary as shown in FIGS. 17(b) and (c). To avoid this, it is necessary to stabilize the wavelength of the optical transmitter placed in the subscriber's station. In many cases, a Peltier element is used for temperature control of the light source in a quest to stabilize its wavelength.
The optical coupler-splitter of the node is mounted on a conduit or mast, and it is considered that freedom from maintenance is a precondition for the design of an economical system. Even if the wavelength of the optical transmitter 325 of the subscriber 301 is stabilized at a wavelength .lambda..sub.1 as depicted in FIG. 18(a), the wavelength characteristic of the optical coupler-splitter 319 in the node 317 may sometimes shift by a value .alpha..lambda. due to adverse environmental conditions as shown in FIG. 18(b). Even if the optical coupler-splitter is formed of quartz glass, its wavelength characteristic undergoes a temperature change of 0.01 nm/.degree.C. owing to the temperature dependency of the refractive index of quartz glass. A 100.degree. C. temperature change (for example, an operating temperature of -40 to 65.degree. C. is required outdoors) will cause a wavelength change of 1 nm. That is, .DELTA..lambda.=1 nm. This influence is serious in the high density wavelength multiplexing system. Provided that the wavelength characteristic of the optical coupler-splitter at the central office side is such as shown in FIG. 18(c), the optical signal (a) of the wavelength .lambda..sub.1 from the optical transmitter 325 of the subscriber 301 is intercepted owing to the characteristic (b), and hence it does not reach the central office. Even if the optical signal is allowed to pass through the optical coupler-splitter 319 of the node 317 by changing a wavelength of the light source of the optical transmitter 325 to a value .lambda..sub.1 +.DELTA..lambda., the optical signal is inhibited from the passage through the optical coupler-splitter 330 at the central office side, and hence it does not reach the optical receiver 351 of the central office.
No proposals have been made so far on a method for controlling output -wavelength from a light source in an optical network in which the wavelength characteristics of optical coupler-splitters and optical filters vary due to an ambient temperature change and on a wavelength multiplexing optical access system utilizing the method.
The traffic speed or transmission rate from the subscriber to the central office differs greatly for each subscriber. It is difficult to deal with this problem by the prior art as the transmission rate of the up-link signal approaches the down-link transmission rate. For example, when the subscriber is a TV station which distributes TV signals, the transmission rate of the down-link signal is lower than the transmission rate of the up-link signal, with which the prior art cannot cope. The optical access system needs to meet every subscriber's requirement about the transmission rate.
In ordinary optical access systems using the passive double star (PDS) scheme, optical coupler-splitters are provided in nodes at the central office side and at midpositions in the transmission lines for the up-link optical signal from the subscriber to the central office as well as for the down-link optical signal from the central office to the subscriber. Even if such optical coupler-splitters exhibit the same wavelength characteristic when placed in the same environment, their wavelength characteristics change when they are disposed in different environments. In such a situation, the wavelength multiplexing communication may sometimes be impossible; this problem becomes more severe in higher density wavelength multiplexing communications. The control function, which the optical transmitter of the subscriber is required to possess so as to overcome the problem, is not only control for wavelength stabilization of a light source but also wavelength control while monitoring variations in the wavelength characteristic of the network. This puts a heavy burden on the subscriber's terminal and hence inevitably raises its cost.

Bilateral optical transmission system and optical transceiver for pulse information


A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named xe2x80x98Eckalysaxe2x80x99, characterized by its inflorescences with large horizontally-orientated bright red-colored flower bracts; dark green-colored leaves with red-colored petioles; uniform and mounded plant habit; early flowering; and good post-production longevity.

Euphorbia pulcherrima.
The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant, botanically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd., and hereinafter referred to by the name xe2x80x98Eckalysaxe2x80x99.
The new Poinsettia a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Encinitas, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new Poinsettia cultivars having flower bracts with desirable colors, uniform plant habit and excellent post-production longevity.
The new Poinsettia orginated from a cross made by the Inventor of the Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. cultivar Eckabia, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,229, as the female, or seed, parent, with the Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. cultivar 559, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,773, as the male, or pollen, parent. The cultivar Eckalysa was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Encinitas, Calif., in December, 1996. The selection of this plant was based on its attractive flower bract colors and good plant form and substance.
Asexual reproduction of the new Poinsettia by terminal cuttings taken at Encinitas, Calif., since January, 1998, has shown that the unique features of this new Poinsettia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of xe2x80x98Eckalysaxe2x80x99. These characteristics in combination distinguish xe2x80x98Eckalysaxe2x80x99 as a new and distinct cultivar:
1. Inflorescences with large horizontally-orientated bright red-colored flower bracts.
2. Dark green-colored leaves with red-colored petioles.
3. Uniform and mounded plant habit.
4. Early flowering, natural season flower maturity date is December 1 for plants grown in Encinitas, Calif.; response time, about 9 weeks.
5. Good post-production longevity.
Plants of the new Poinsettia can be compared to plants of the female parent, the cultivar Eckabia. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Encinitas, Calif., plants of the new Poinsettia differed primarily from plants of the cultiavr Eckabia in the following characteristics:
1. Plants of the new Poinsettia were more vigorous and less compact than plants of the cultivar Eckabia.
2. Leaves of plants of the new Poinsettia were darker green than leaves of plants of the cultivar Eckabia.
3. Plants of the new Poinsettia flowered about one week earlier than plants of the cultivar Eckabia.
Plants of the new Poinsettia can be compared to plants of the male parent, the cultivar 559. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Encinitas, Calif., plants of the new Poinsettia differed primarily from plants of the cultivar 559 in the following characteristics:
1. Plants of the new Poinsettia were broader than plants of the cultivar 559.
2. Plants of the new Poinsettia had shorter leaf petioles than plants of the cultivar 559.
3. Flowers bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia were larger than flower bracts of the cultivar 559.
4. Plants of the new Poinsettia flowered about one week earlier than plants of the cultivar 559.


A memory cell incorporating a chalcogenide element and a method of making same is disclosed. In the method, a doped silicon substrate is provided with two or more polysilicon plugs to form an array of diode memory cells. A layer of silicon nitride is disposed over the plugs. Using a poly-spacer process, small pores are formed in the silicon nitride to expose a portion of the polysilicon plugs. A chalcogenide material is disposed in the pores by depositing a layer of chalcogenide material on the silicon nitride layer and planarizing the chalcogenide layer to the silicon nitride layer using CMP. A layer of TiN is next deposited over the plugs, followed by a metallization layer. The TiN and metallization layers are then masked and etched to define memory cell areas.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to semiconductor circuit devices and methods for making such devices. More particularly, this invention relates to semiconductor memory cells that incorporate a chalcogenide element and to methods for making chalcogenide memory cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
A diode array is a well known memory system used in semiconductor memory devices. The individual diodes in a given array are typically addressed via digit and word lines. In previous diode array memory systems, the individual memory cells were limited to just two memory or logic states: high or low. However, the number of possible logic states for a given memory cell may be increased by connecting a programmable resistor in series with the selected diode. By selectively altering the resistance of the progammable resistor, the diode may be changed to different logic states that correspond to the changed resistance levels. The number of permissible logic states in such systems is limited generally only by the number of different resistance levels that may be reliably set in the programmable resistor.
One possibility for such a programmable resistor is a chalcogenide element. By applying an external stimulus to the chalcogenide element, the internal structure of the chalcogenide material may be modified. The structural modification results in a new resistance level for the chalcogenide material. The chalcogenide material is ovonic in that the observable structural/resistance change exhibited is a variation of the Ovshinsky Effect, and is a function of the current which is applied to the chalcogenide element through the diode.
In the formation of a typical chalcogenide element, a layer of nitride, such as silicon nitride, is disposed over a lower electrode of carbon or TiSi.sub.x. A small pore is formed in the nitride layer, exposing a small area of the lower electrode. A layer of chalcogenide material is deposited on the nitride layer, filling the pore. A layer of carbon is deposited over the chalcogenide layer to form an upper electrode. A TIN layer is disposed over the upper electrode. The chalcogenide layer, upper carbon layer, and TiN layer form a stack that is masked and etched to remove the stack constituents, except in the vicinity of the pore. A passivation layer is placed over the stack and etched to form a contact hole leading to the TiN layer. Finally, a metallization step is performed.
Present techniques for forming the chalcogenide element in a diode array usually involve four separate masking steps: small pore formation, chalcogenide element stack formation, contact layer, and metallization.
There are several disadvantages associated with the present technique for incorporating a chalcogenide element. To begin with, there is an inherent tendency for the chalcogenide stack to dislodge from the nitride layer, causing electrical failure. This lifting problem is due to the rather poor adherence to silicon nitride exhibited by many chalcogenide materials. Second, there are certain difficulties associated with the stack etch step. Due to their physical and chemical nature, the etching of many chalcogenide materials is presently a process that is difficult to control. Finally, the sheer number of masking steps required make the process relatively uneconomical.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the foregoing disadvantages.

Method of making memory cell incorporating a chalcogenide element


A UPS control circuit and a UPS is provided. The UPS includes a rechargeable battery and a UPS control circuit connected with the rechargeable battery. The UPS control circuit includes an input filtering circuit, a rectification circuit, an inversion circuit, a static transfer switch, an output filtering circuit, a control circuit, and a multipurpose DC/DC circuit connected between the rechargeable battery and an output terminal of the rectification circuit. The multipurpose DC/DC circuit is controlled by the control circuit. In a battery mode, the rechargeable battery supplies an input voltage to the inversion circuit via the multipurpose DC/DC circuit. In a mains power mode, the rechargeable battery is charged by an output voltage of the rectification circuit via the multipurpose DC/DC circuit. Therefore, no independent charging circuit is needed to charge the rechargeable battery, causing a simpler circuit structure and a lower cost, and providing greater value to the customer.

Generally, the designs of conventional UPSs can be classified into the following two categories.
UPSs with isolation generally use flyback conversion, or in some cases two-switch forward conversion.
UPSs without isolation may use a buck circuit as a step-down converter, or a buck-boost circuit as a step-down/step-up converter.
These conventional UPSs are designed with separately arranged chargers. In a UPS, the charger is an independent component regardless of how it is connected to the UPS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a first conventional UPS. As shown in FIG. 1, the UPS includes an input filtering circuit 1, a rectification circuit 2, an inversion circuit 3, a static transfer switch 4, an output filtering circuit 5, a control circuit 6, an auxiliary circuit 7, an DC/DC circuit A, a rechargeable battery B and a charging circuit C. Specifically, the input filtering circuit 1, the rectification circuit 2, the inversion circuit 3, the static transfer switch 4 and the output filtering circuit 5 are connected sequentially; and the output terminal of the input filtering circuit 1 is connected with the input terminal of the static transfer switch 4. The charging circuit C is connected between the rechargeable battery B and the output terminal of the input filtering circuit 1. The DC/DC circuit A is connected between the rechargeable battery B and the output terminal of the rectification circuit 2. The DC/DC circuit A, the rectification circuit 2, the inversion circuit 3 and the static transfer switch 4 are all controlled by the control circuit 6. Moreover, the rechargeable battery B powers the auxiliary circuit 7. In a mains power mode of the UPS, the rechargeable battery B is charged, by the mains power via the input filtering circuit 1 and then the charging circuit C. In a battery mode of the UPS, the rechargeable battery B is discharged, via the DC/DC circuit A to supply an input voltage to the inversion circuit 3.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a second conventional UPS. As shown in FIG. 2, the second UPS differs from the first UPS in that: the charging circuit C is connected between the rechargeable battery B and the output terminal of the rectification circuit 2. Similarly, in a mains power mode of the UPS, the rechargeable battery B is charged, by the mains power via the input filtering circuit 1, the rectification circuit 2 and then the charging circuit C; in a battery mode of the UPS, the rechargeable battery B is discharged, via the DC/DC circuit A to supply an input voltage to the inversion circuit 3.
As can be seen, in the conventional UPSs, the rechargeable battery B is charged using an independent charging circuit C, causing a complex circuit structure and a higher cost.

UPS electricity supply control circuit and UPS electricity supply


An arrangement for measuring a rate of rotation using a vibration sensor, being excited and measured by means of capacitive drive elements, and the rotation of said sensor in an axis, excited by a rotation in another axis by means of the Coriolis force, being measured by means of capacitive measuring elements. Excitation voltages can be supplied to the fixed electrodes of the drive elements, the frequency of said voltages corresponding to the resonance frequency or the subharmonic of the resonance frequency of the vibration sensor. An alternating voltage having a first measuring frequency which is higher than the excitation frequency can be supplied to capacitive elements for measuring the excited vibration. Alternating voltages having a second measuring frequency higher than the excitation frequency are supplied to the fixed electrodes of the measuring elements can be supplied to drive elements causing a vibration excitation in a direction on the basis of the excitation voltage, being in antiphase with the excitation voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an arrangement for measuring a rate of rotation using a vibration sensor. Vibration that is perpendicular to a first axis is excited and measured with the aid of capacitive drive elements, and the rotation about a second axis, which is excited by rotation in a third axis under the action of the Coriolis force, is measured with the aid of capacitive measuring elements, the capacitive elements each being formed by fixed electrodes and by electrodes which can be moved with the vibration sensor, the movable electrodes being jointly connected to a fixed connection.
2. Description of Prior Art
Rate of rotation sensors are used, for example, in safety systems for motor vehicles. A vibration sensor in the form of a gyroscope has been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,668. In this case, the rotational vibration is excited with the aid of electrostatic drives. The output signal and a signal for regulating the drives are likewise obtained electrostatically, by means of capacitance measurements with the aid of supplied AC voltages. In this case, the amplitude of the AC voltage supplied to the drive is considerably greater than that of the signals obtained from the change in capacitance, with the result that, in particular, the output signal to be processed further in order to determine the rate of rotation is subject to considerable interference. This impairs the measurement accuracy.

Arrangement for measuring a rate of rotation using a vibration sensor