Embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to permit development and validation of a device driver or a device application program by using improved virtual devices. Such improved virtual devices may facilitate driver development without use of physical devices or hardware prototypes. In various embodiments, advanced validation of a device-driver combination may be permitted that would be difficult to achieve even with a physical device. Certain embodiments also may detect inconsistencies between virtual and physical devices, which may be used to improve drivers and device application programs and increase compatibility of such drivers and device application programs with physical devices.

Computer systems, such as smartphones, personal digital assistants, tablets, netbooks, laptops, and desktops, typically include a processor, communication unit such as a bus, power supply, and, optionally, a housing unit. Often, computer systems are configured to function with peripheral devices, which are termed "devices" for purposes of this application.
Devices may be categorized by the position of each relative to a housing unit. For example, internal devices—called also "integrated devices"—generally are stored inside or integrated with the housing unit. Such integrated devices may include an internal hard drive, CD-R drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, sound card, network card, video adapter, or an internal modem. External devices, on the other hand, generally are stored outside of the housing unit and may include a printer, scanner, monitor, touchscreen, keyboard, or pointing devices such as a mouse, gaming controller, or joystick.
Devices may be categorized also by function. For example, storage devices may include an external hard drive, flash drive, disk drive, or any other device configured to permit information storage. Input devices may include keyboard, pointing devices such as a mouse, gaming controller, or joystick, digital camera, webcam, barcode reader, microphone, fingerprint scanner, or any other device configured to permit input of information into the computer. Output devices may include display devices such as a monitor, segment display such as a digital clock display, television set, or tactile electronic display, audio output devices such as speakers or headphones, printers, or any other device configured to permit information output from the computer.
Many devices are configured to provide an output that is perceivable by a user. For purposes of this application, a "perceivable output" may include any perceptible output from the device including, for example, that which is viewable on a display, a touchable button, a light, or stored information. Other perceivable outputs may be input from one device—e.g., a keyboard or a mouse—and perceived as an output on a display device—such as a monitor or a touchscreen.
Computer systems may use hardware, software, or both to manage the resources of the computer system. Software used to manage a computer system's resources is termed an "operating system." When a user seeks to use a device with a computer system, the operating system may not have the information necessary to communicate with that device. Because of the plethora of devices available to connect with computer systems, it would be impractical to include the information necessary for communicating with every device in every operating system. Accordingly, a software program—called a "device driver" or "driver"—allows the device and operating system to communicate with each other. Generally, at least one driver is available for every type of device. At times, a driver may be developed for each of multiple operating systems (e.g., Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Android, Linux, BSD, etc.). When the driver permits communication between the operating system and a physical device, the device can perform its function to generate a perceivable input/output.
Drivers also may be used to facilitate communication between the operating system and an application program. An application program—also referred to herein as an "app"—may be configured to permit the user to perform a specific task. Popular apps may include word processing programs, image editing programs, game programs, database management programs, and document management programs. Certain apps may be configured for use specifically with a device. Such an app is termed a "device application program" for purposes of this application.
Conventionally, a driver or an app utilizing a device through the driver could not be developed until the physical device, or at least a stable prototype of the physical device, was completed. Clearly, such a delay in the development and validation of the driver further delays offering of the product for sale. At times, developers begin designing drivers based on predictions of the physical device. When the physical device becomes available, draft versions of the driver often require substantial revisions, which results in a largely inefficient process.
To shorten the development cycle, systems have been built to enable earlier development of a driver. One such approach includes using an early prototype such as a Field-Programmable Gate Array ("FPGA prototype") for driver development. However, such prototypes can delay the start of driver development until the register transfer level ("RTL") design of the device is generally finished. Also, an FPGA prototype may differ significantly from the physical device. As a result, the driver developed to work with that prototype may need significant revision in order that it can function with the physical device.
In addition, known approaches for testing an FPGA prototype, or even the physical device, during driver development permit only limited observation of the internal conditions of the prototype or device. Also, prototypes and physical devices generally do not permit recording events that occurred, for example, before an error, and are difficult to control without a time-consuming and labor-intensive bootstrapping process.
Another approach to enable the development of a driver involves the utilization of virtual machines and virtual devices. A "virtual machine" is a software program configured to simulate the operation of certain hardware or operating system with minimal access to the actual hardware or operating system in the host computer system. In certain embodiments, a virtual machine is a simulated computer system operating within, but generally isolated from, a physical computer system.
A "virtual device" is a software program configured to simulate the operation of or function as a physical device without access to the physical device or a prototype of the physical device. In various embodiments, a virtual device may be configured to have the same functional restrictions and other restrictions as physical devices. In various embodiments, a virtual device may be presented as a virtualized replacement of a physical device.
Virtual devices may operate within an environmental infrastructure such as a virtual machine or an operating system. When functioning in a virtual machine, a guest operating system may interact with a virtual device as if it is a physical device. This requires no change to the driver stack of the guest operating system. In contrast, when functioning in a non-virtual operating system, an operating system may be extended to allow loading of a virtual device as if it is a physical device. This involves changing the driver stack of the operating system. An example of this approach is the Device Simulation Framework ("DSF"), which allows introduction of virtual devices that model and simulate Universal Serial Bus ("USB") devices in an operating system.
While certain virtual devices are known, such virtual devices have not been optimized for device simulation and driver development. Specifically, certain known virtual devices are too simple to permit development of a driver that consistently functions with the physical device. Other known virtual devices are too complex to create an efficient simulation. For example, certain virtual devices permit observation, tracking, and control of the device, but often result in excess performance overhead and cause the simulation to operate slowly.
In addition, known virtual devices use concrete execution of software code. In other words, to achieve a certain task, a program may execute instructions that include one or more if-then statements (e.g., if A, then B; if not A, then C). In concrete execution, the developer must predetermine which choice the program will make at each decision point. Accordingly, to simulate each physical device behavior, a developer must explicitly specify concrete values and choices or supply run-time scripts for each device behavior. Such virtual devices render it difficult to conduct comprehensive exploration of possible device behaviors and simulation of the possible concurrency in device-driver interaction.
Other known device simulations are not configured to operate in virtualization environments such as DSF and a Quick EMUlator ("QEMU") virtual machine. Such simulations include those generated from device designs at different stages within the development process, for example, transaction-level ("TL") designs in SystemC or SystemVerilog, register-transfer-level ("RTL") designs in Verilog or VHDL, and gate-level ("GL") designs as net-lists.
In addition, methods for preparing testing protocols for known virtual devices and the co-developed drivers typically must be generated manually and/or on a case-by-case basis, which is time-intensive and cost-prohibitive.
Clearly, there is a demand for a system and methods for constructing virtual devices that incorporate various levels of detail from a device design, developing a driver or application program with improved performance, preparing automated testing protocols for validating a driver, driver-device combination, or application program, and verifying conformance between virtual devices and their real counterparts, where such system and methods are configured to maximize the smooth integration of the resulting driver or application program with a physical device.

System and methods for generating and managing a virtual device

Oregon State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Portland State University


An RRAM circuit includes word lines, bit lines, source lines, memory cells, and a sense module. Each of the memory cells includes a resistor and a transistor. The resistor alternates between a high impedance and a low impedance, and is coupled to one of the bit lines. The transistor is controlled by one of the word lines and coupled between the resistor and one of the source lines. The sense module includes a switch and a sense amplifier. The switch is controlled by an output signal and coupled to one of the bit lines. The sense amplifier compares the data voltage, which is generated by a current flowing through the switch and the resistor, and a reference voltage to generate the output signal. The switch is turned off when the data voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and is turned on otherwise.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates generally to circuits and read methods of RRAM, and more particularly to circuits and read methods for reducing the read disturbance voltage level on bit lines.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, new nonvolatile memory devices, such as a resistance random access memory (RRAM), have been proposed. A unit cell of the RRAM includes a data storage element which has two electrodes and a variable resistive material layer interposed between the two electrodes. The variable resistive material layer, i.e., a data storage material layer, has a reversible variation in resistance according to whether a filament, a conductive path or a low resistive path is formed through the resistive material layer by the electrical signal (voltage or current) applied between the electrodes.
However, current RRAM has big concerns with read disturbance. If the bit line voltage level is higher than a certain voltage (e.g. 0.3V, depending on the process) in read operation, the RRAM memory cell's resistance value is changed and it causes the read operation to fail. To reduce read disturbance, we need to keep the bit line voltage level as low as possible. However, if the bit line voltage level is too low, the read access time could be extended.


A tip member for an exposed pin end on a chain-type power transmission belt. The tip member has a body defining a first surface to be engaged with a cooperating pulley and a pin-receiving opening in the body defined by a surface of the body. The body surface has a concave portion for guiding pivoting of the pin bearing against the concave surface portion, a tapered inlet portion for guiding a pin end into an operative position within the pin-receiving opening, and a transition portion at least partially between the concave surface portion and tapered inlet portion.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to chain-type power transmission belts and, more particularly, to a connection between pulley-engaging tip members and pins which connect a plurality of link plates together to produce an endless, flexible belt configuration.
2. Background Art
It is known to use endless power transmission belts to operate infinitely variable speed changers in the automotive industry. Rubber V-belts, metal chain-type belts and metal belts have all been used for this purpose.
One known type of metal chain-type belt is defined by a plurality of link plates interconnected by pins to define an endless, articulated configuration. V-blocks are interposed between adjacent pins and have tapered surfaces for engagement with cooperating pulleys. Exemplary chain-type power transmission belts of this type are shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication Nos. 57-22442, 59-226729, and 59-226730.
In another known construction for a chain-type power transmission belt, link connecting pins project beyond the side surfaces of the outermost link plates and directly engage cooperating pulley surfaces. The pulleyengaging surfaces of the pins are tapered to conform to the inclination of the engaged pulley surfaces. Exemplary belts of this construction are disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Publication No 63-37846. Typically, this type of power transmission belt permits the use of a large diameter pin to provide the required pulley contacting area.
Another known construction for a chain-type power transmission belt is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 63-219937. In this structure, the link-connecting pins project from both sides of the belt. A freely movable tip member is attached to the pin portions that are exposed at the belt sides. The tip members define surfaces to drive and be driven by cooperating pulleys. Preferably, each tip member is connected to be universally movable relative to the pin end. As the tip members engage with and disengage from a pulley, they reorient to keep the pulley-engaging tip member surfaces in substantially facial engagement with the cooperating pulley surface.
This type of belt is desirable, and attempts are being made to commercialize the same, in high load environments. More particularly, the tip members are connected to the pins so as to be universally pivotable relative thereto within a prescribed angular range. As the belt initiates contact with, or separates from, a pulley surface with a high load applied to the belt, the longitudinal and lateral forces applied by the pulley to the tip members reorient the tip members, most commonly by rotation, to cause a facial contact between the tip members and pulley surfaces and thereby distribute impact forces over a substantial surface area.
The face-to-face contact between the pulley surface and tip members prevents noise generation that would otherwise occur with a more localized contact region between the belt and pulley as the tip members are driven against and separated from the pulleys in use. Also, because the tip members reorient, there is no skewing of the belt as might occur with misaligned tip members and pulley surfaces. This avoids the generation of unwanted system vibrations.
This relative movement between the tip members and pins, while accounting for a positive drive characteristic and minimizing noise generation, does introduce a wear problem between parts.
Typically, the tip member is constructed with a spherical opening for reception of a correspondingly configured head of a pin. A tapered surface, converging towards the spherical surface, guides the pin head into the spherical opening during assembly and also avoids interference between the tip member and pin as the tip member reorients. The tapered surface and spherical surface blend together at an edge having a restricted diameter that prevents withdrawal of the spherical head of the pin. It has been found that, over time, repeated pivoting of the tip member in use causes the pin to wear the edge at the juncture of the tapered and spherical surfaces. Excessive wear may allow the pin to fully separate from the tip member with obviously adverse consequences. Even before separation, there may be unwanted play between the pin and tip member due to wear.


A method and apparatus and computer program product for calibrating a Phase Lock Loop (PLL) that reduces a PLL lock time for subsequent calibrations to thereby improve an overall system time and latency. The system and method for calibrating obviates effect of Process, Voltage and Temperature to achieve a faster PLL lock.

Traditionally, any electronic system or apparatus which has an internal phase-locked loop will try first achieving the lock before doing any other calibration. To achieve a lock, the apparatus or system initiates a PLL Calibration engine which will try to find the best solution for the frequency band.
This frequency band information even though readily available which can be loaded to get a faster PLLLOCK is not recommended as the simulation result of the frequency band may not match with real hardware due to the process variations. The PLL typically takes a few milliseconds to achieve the lock.
In case of subsequent system reset, the PLL(s) must undergo re-calibration and achieve the lock after iterating through the frequency bands which will consume the time (the aforementioned few milliseconds).
It would be highly desirable to avoid this PLL lock time of the aforementioned few milliseconds when implementing a subsequent PLL calibration.

System and method to speed up PLL lock time on subsequent calibrations via stored band values


This embodiment provides an optical fiber head in which a lens can reliably be fixed to a case body by a simple configuration, and therefore the optical fiber head can easily be produced at low cost. The optical fiber head includes a light projecting fiber, a light projecting lens, and a case body accommodating and holding the light projecting fiber and the light projecting lens. A blocking unit in which an opening is formed, a light projecting lens inserting hole, and an optical fiber inserting hole are provided in the case body. The light projecting fiber is fixed to the case body while a leading end surface of the light projecting fiber abuts a rear end surface of the light projecting lens, so that the light projecting lens is fixed to the case body by being sandwiched between the blocking unit and the light projecting fiber in an axial direction.

The optical fiber head properly controls a ray of light exiting from or being incident on a leading end surface of the optical fiber using a lens. In the optical fiber head, the leading end portion of the optical fiber and the lens are held by a case body, so that the leading end portion of the optical fiber and a rear end surface of the lens are disposed so as to be opposed to each other.
Conventionally, the lens is generally fixed to the case body by press-fitting or bonding. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-160668 discloses the optical fiber head in which the lens is fixed to the case body by the press-fitting.
However, in the case that the lens is fixed to the case body by the press-fitting, it is necessary to strictly manage dimensional accuracy of the lens or the case body, and unfortunately production cost increases. Additionally, in the case that the lens is fixed to the case body by the press-fitting, a stress is applied to an outer circumferential surface, which serves as a reflection surface, of the lens, and there is a risk of having no small adverse effect on an optical property.
On the other hand, in the case that the lens is fixed to the case body by the bonding, it is necessary to perform work to apply and cure a bonding agent, which results in a problem in that assembly work becomes troublesome to increase the production cost. In order to sufficiently ensure a holding force of the case body to the lens, it is necessary to strictly manage an application amount or a curing condition of the bonding agent, which also increases the production cost.


A catalyzed interconnect for an SOFC electrically connects an anode and an anodic current collector and comprises a metallic substrate, which provides space between the anode and anodic current collector for fuel gas flow over at least a portion of the anode, and a catalytic coating on the metallic substrate comprising a catalyst for catalyzing hydrocarbon fuel in the fuel gas to hydrogen rich reformate. An SOFC including the catalyzed anodic inter-connect, a method for operating an SOFC, and a method for making a catalyzed anodic interconnect are also disclosed.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have demonstrated great potential for future power generation with high efficiency and low emission. Due to relatively high operating temperature and stable electrolyte material, SOFCs can be operated with the hydrocarbon reformate fuel containing higher carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide content than other types of fuel cell systems. Furthermore, the SOFCs can be integrated with a gas turbine to further enhance the overall system efficiency through co-generation.
At present, an SOFC stack generally requires an upstream, separate reforming process when hydrocarbons such as natural gas, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and the like, are used as fuel for the SOFCs. External reforming converts hydrocarbons into a mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, etc., which is also known as reformate. The reformate is subsequently fed into the anode side of the SOFC stack and is converted to electric energy through the electro-chemical reaction at the surface of the electrode.
Types of reforming processes include catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX), autothermal reforming (ATR) and steam reforming (SR). Such external reforming processes invariably add volume, cost and operating complexity into the total SOFC power generation system. Moreover, they often consume additional energy in the process of converting hydrocarbons. For example, CPOX and ATR processes require mixing oxidizing gas with hydrocarbons so that a portion of the hydrocarbons is oxidized to generate sufficient heat for the overall catalytic process. External steam reforming is an endothermic process and requires a heat source, which is typically a separate combustor that consumes additional fuel. Alternatively, the thermo energy released from an SOFC stack can be utilized to drive the SR reaction through a costly heat exchanger. Ideally, the hydrocarbon reforming process should be carried out inside the SOFC stack through so-called "internal reforming."
SOFCs typically operate at above 700° C. which is a suitable temperature for steam reforming. Heat generated through electro-catalytic oxidation over electrodes and ohmic resistance over electrolyte in an SOFC can be utilized to drive the reforming reaction. Therefore, the internal reforming process does not need a costly external device.
There are several challenges currently existing in the internal reforming approach. The first one is a lack of catalytic surface area for sufficient reforming activity. The current practice in internal reforming relies on the heterogeneous reaction occurring on the anode side of an SOFC. The mixture of hydrocarbons and steam react catalytically at the surface of the anode to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide, followed by the electro-catalytic oxidation with oxygen anions. Since the anode in an SOFC usually consists of low surface area cermet material as the result of the type of metal oxide used and high temperature preparation, the catalyst area by anode alone is not sufficient for the reforming need.
The second challenge in internal reforming is the formation of carbonaceous deposit over the surface of the anode, which normally contains nickel. This is the result of dehydrogenation polymerization occurring at elevated temperature. This problem is compounded when liquid hydrocarbon fuels are used. The carbon formation blocks fuel passage to active sites in the anode and results in performance decay of SOFC. New anode materials replacing nickel with ceria and copper are being developed to avoid carbon deposition while promoting direct hydrocarbon oxidation. However, low activity of copper and complexity of fabrication will probably limit the practical application of these anode materials. Another way to reduce carbon formation on an SOFC anode is to add steam into the hydrocarbon fuel to remove carbonaceous deposit through steam reforming. However, since an Ni-ZiO2 based anode is not optimized for steam reforming reaction, a high steam to carbon ratio is needed to make the process effective. Therefore, a method that could significantly improve steam forming efficiency inside an SOFC stack with no carbon deposit on the anode surface is highly desirable.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,329 discloses a method of forming an SOFC anode layer with high porosity and added precious metals to improve the catalytic surface area and reactivity for internal reforming. Such a method has intrinsic drawbacks as (a) it substantially increases the cost of an SOFC due to the usage of precious metals and (b) it increases the chance of carbonaceous deposit formation directly over the porous anode thus hinders the fuel mass transfer for effectively electro-oxidation. It is therefore desirable to develop method of internal reforming that will not be costly and will not generate carbon deposit blockage over the anode surface.
Interconnect plates with intermetallic compositions such as NiAl or Ni3Al which can catalyze steam reforming of hydrocarbons were disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,655. This method requires fabrication of the bipolar interconnection plate by mixing the nickel and aluminum powders with ceramic filler, followed by high pressure compression and high temperature treatment. Such a method will produce intermetallic bipolar plate with higher surface area usable for internal fuel reforming. There are, however, disadvantages of this method such as (a) a high pressure compression method that requires expensive equipment and added energy cost for the production, (b) a ceramic filler in the intermetallic composite that causes increase of the electric resistance, and (c) severely deactivated internal reforming activity due to the surface carbon deposit since the majority of the catalytic surface is embedded inside of the interconnection plate. It is therefore desirable to develop a new type of interconnection plate with catalytic reforming activity which can be made through low cost production method. It is further desirable to develop the catalyzed interconnection plate with high electric conductivity so that the catalytic function will not be easily affected by carbon formation.

Solid oxide fuel cell with internal reforming, catalyzed interconnect for use therewith, and methods


A method of driving a print head and an image forming apparatus employing the same are provided, wherein recording elements of the print head are divided into n groups and are driven to print an image on a medium, wherein recording elements from the respective n groups, that is, one recording element from each of the n groups, are simultaneously driven and a driving order of the recording elements is arranged such that printing positions of the recording elements in each group form a plurality of oblique lines as a medium is fed. Accordingly, the plurality of recording elements, which are divided into a plurality of phases, are non-sequentially driven and therefore, the power consumption due to the driving of the recording elements and degradation of print quality can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of non-sequentially driving a plurality of recording elements of a print head, which are divided into a plurality of phases, and an image forming apparatus employing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an image forming apparatus converts a document which a user makes using an application program, or an image which a user obtains using a digital camera or the like, into encoded data and outputs the data to media in a visible form.
Thermal transfer printing devices, which are used to obtain a high quality printed image, form an image by heating an ink ribbon in contact with a medium with a thermal print head and transferring an ink to the medium, or form an image by applying heat to a medium on which an ink layer is formed to reveal a predetermined color in response to the heat.
The thermal print head comprises a plurality of heaters, each having a predetermined resistance R. The plurality of heaters apply heat generated due to a predetermined applied voltage VHD to the medium, and print an image. Therefore, to obtain a high-quality printed image, the number of heaters of the thermal print head needs to be increased.
Power consumed in one heater due to the applied voltage VHD is calculated by Equation (1) below.
                    P        =                              VHD            2                    R                                    (        1        )
Therefore, as the number of heaters increases to obtain a high quality printed image, more power is consumed in a thermal print head.
Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method for reducing power consumption of an increased number of heaters provided to achieve high quality printed images in a thermal print head.

Method of driving print head and image forming apparatus employing the same


A method for making bags of synthetic material in which a tubular foil web of synthetic material is advanced in steps corresponding to the length of one bag. A continuously heated pair (11) of welding jaws grips the tubular foil web (3) of synthetic material prior to cutting and fixes the web in position. The tubular foil web (3) is then cut by means of the transverse cutting knife (10) before the heat of the pair (11) of welding jaws is completely transferred to the tubular foil web (3) of synthetic material. Then the heat is completely transferred to weld the bottom seam of the bag.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention refers to a method for making bags of synthetic material, in which a tubular foil web of synthetic material is advanced respectively in steps corresponding to the length of one bag and cut by means of a transverse cutting knife, and in which a bottom seam is welded by means of a continuously heated pair of welding jaws.
2. Description of Prior Art
A method of this kind is already known from the German laid-open patent 32 04 492. In accordance with this prior art, the tubular web of synthetic material is slightly stretched after being advanced by one bag length and then is severed by lowering a severing knife holder to which the transverse cutting knife is mounted and which is arranged above the tubular foil web of synthetic material. After severing the web, the latter is gripped by the continuously heated pair of welding jaws arranged in direct vicinity to the transverse cutting knife, and the bottom weld seam is formed. However, in conducting this method it is to be observed that the foils of the tubular foil web of synthetic material, lying on top of each other, are slightly crimpled after being severed by means of the transverse cutting knife so that the foils no longer lie flat on top of each other. When the welding jaws are moved into contact with such crimpled tubular foil web of synthetic material, it is often observed that the bottom seam produced by means of the welding jaws is not perfectly made. It can even happen when one layer of foil is no longer gripped by the welding jaws due to a stronger crimpling effect so that at this place, the formed bottom seam is faulty. But even when the welding jaws grip all layers of the tubular foil web of synthetic material, the quality of the formed bottom weld seam is reduced due to the crimpling.

Method for making bags of synthetic material


Techniques are provided for verifying an electronic financial transaction. In certain implementations, verifying an electronic financial transaction includes generating a user interface including a security code, the user interface associating different portions of the code with different parts of a user input device, and associating at least one code portion with a user input device part having visual indicia dissimilar to the visual representation of the code portion. Verifying an electronic financial transaction also includes detecting activation of the user input device in a manner that generates a code, and determining whether the generated code corresponds to the security code.

The use of memory-containing cards for electronic commerce is becoming more and more commonplace. A common example of such cards is the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. Unfortunately, as more data is stored on such cards and/or more functions are performed using such cards, their attractiveness to criminals has only continued to grow.

Verification of electronic financial transactions

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The invention provides a connection structure between an optical element and an optical fiber, which makes it possible to inexpensively secure optical transmission between the optical element and the optical fiber. A connection structure of an optical element and an optical fiber of the present invention including an optical element including an optical surface, an optical fiber, and a connecting part coupled to an end surface of the optical fiber and the optical surface.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a connection structure between an optical element and an optical fiber, and a connection method of coupling an optical element and an optical fiber. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an optical module and an optical transmission unit including the connection structure.
2. Description of Related Art
The related art includes developments in optical communication technologies to service high-speed and large-amount data transmission in the information and communication technology sector. In related art optical communications, an electrical signal is usually converted into an optical signal, which is transmitted through optical fibers. Then, the optical signal received is converted into an electrical signal. Such a converting operation from the electrical signal to the optical signal and then from the optical one to the electrical one is performed by optical elements. For implementation of optical communications by such a converting method, it is needed to precisely align the optical fiber and the optical element for the purpose of reducing optical loss.
However, an optical surface (i.e., a plane of incidence or an emitting plane) of the optical element generally has a fine structure and a diameter of the optical fiber is minute in size. Therefore, accuracy is required for the alignment between the optical element and the optical fiber.

Connection structure between optical element and optical fiber, connection method thereof, and optical module


An object of the present invention is to enable the convergence of the discharge path length of an ignition plug to a target value irrespective of the condition in a cylinder in an ignition control system for an internal combustion engine equipped the ignition plug that can change the discharge path length. To achieve the object, in the present invention, in an ignition control system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a changing device that changes the path length (or discharge path length) of a spark discharge occurring in the discharge gap of the ignition plug, an actual discharge path length or the path length of a spark discharge that actually occurs in the discharge gap is detected, and the changing device is controlled in such a way that the detected actual discharge path length converges to a target discharge path length.

Patent document 1 discloses a technology in which, in an internal combustion engine equipped with an ignition plug that can change the location (or length) of an arc (or an electric discharge path) generated in the discharge gap by generating a magnetic field in the discharge gap, the length of the arc is made shorter when the engine load is high, and the length of the arc is made longer when the engine load is low.
Patent document 2 discloses a technology in which, in an internal combustion engine equipped with means for detecting combustion ions (ions generated by combustion) present in the discharge gap of an ignition plug, a determination as to whether or not fuel is ignited is made based on the result of detection of combustion ions, and electrical energy supplied to the ignition plug is adjusted in accordance with the result of discrimination.
Patent document 3 discloses a technology in which the length of time over which electric power is supplied to a ignition plug is changed in accordance with the engine operation state of an internal combustion engine.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-317621
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-280229
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-291519

Ignition control system for internal combustion engine


A high coupling factor transformer and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding is adjacent to the primary winding. The secondary winding and the primary winding induct with each other. The primary winding includes a plurality of first protruding portions, and the secondary winding includes a plurality of second protruding portions. The first protruding portions stretch to the secondary winding without electro-contact, and the second protruding portions stretch to the primary winding without electro-contact.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transformer and a manufacturing method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a high coupling factor transformer and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Some application circuits, such as radio frequency circuits, voltage controlled oscillator circuits, and mixer circuits, generally have one or more transformers. With the present trend developing lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller electronic products, transformers in an electronic circuit are usually implemented in an integrated circuit. In the application of a transformer, the coupling factor k is quite an important parameter in circuit design. A high k value means a high energy (or signal) conversion rate, which also means that the energy (or signal) loss can be reduced.
FIG. 7 illustrates the layout of a general transformer. Referring to FIG. 7, the conventional transformer 700 is a planar transformer. Generally speaking, in order to avoid the coupling effect between the transformer and the devices of the IC, the transformer is usually disposed far from the substrate. For example, if eight metal layers are composed in the manufacturing of the transformer 700, a primary winding 710 and a secondary winding 720 are normally disposed at the eighth metal layer M8. FIG. 8A illustrates the characteristic of the coupling factor k of the transformer in FIG. 7. FIG. 8A is a measurement result of the frequency ranged at 0˜20 GHz obtained from the primary winding 710 and the secondary winding 720 of the transformer. The outer diameter of the transformer 700 is 250 um, and the width of the windings and the distance between the windings are respectively 9 um and 1.6 um. FIG. 8B illustrates the characteristic of the coupling factor k of the transformer in FIG. 8A when the frequency is ranged between 0˜3.5 GHz. It is clear from FIG. 8B that the coupling factor k is about 0.745 when the working frequency of the transformer 700 is 1 GHz.
Furthermore, other various types of transformers have been disclosed in different documents for improving the coupling factor k value. For example, the implementations of various transformers are disclosed in Implementation of High-Coupling and Broadband Transformer in RFCMOS Technology published in Journal of Solid-State Circuit, Vol. 52, No. 7, page 1410-1414, July 2005, Stacked Inductors and Transformers in CMOS Technology published in Journal of Solid-State Circuit, Vol. 36, No. 4, page 620-628, Apr. 2001, Ultra-Low-Voltage High-Performance CMOS VCOs Using Transformers Feedback published in Journal of Solid-State Circuit, Vol. 40, No. 3, page 652-660, Mar. 2005, 11-GHz CMOS Differential VCO With Back-Gate Transformer Feedback published in Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, Vol. 15, No. 11, page 733-735, Nov. 2005, A 1-V Transformer-Feedback Low-Noise Amplifier for 5-GHz Wireless LAN in 0.18-μm CMOS published in Journal of Solid-State Circuit, Vol. 38, No. 3, page 427-435, Mar. 2003, of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE); Paper No. FA8.6, entitled A Fully Integrated CMOS 900 MHz LNA utilizing Monolithic Transformers, of the International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC98); and U.S. Patent Publication No. 4,816,784, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6,577,219, U.S. Patent Publication No. 6,608,364, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 6,927,664.

High coupling factor transformer and manufacturing method thereof


A flexible carbon fiber decorative veneer may include a veneer panel assembly with a face layer formed from a carbon fiber material, a backing layer formed from a flexible fleece, and an adhesive configured to attach the face layer to the backing layer through activation via at least one joining process. The backing layer may be configured to prevent light from passing through voids or interstitial spaces in the carbon fiber material of the face layer when the backing layer is attached to the face layer via the adhesive. The flexible carbon fiber decorative veneer may be configured for use on an aircraft interior structure, the base structure for which being fabricated from an aviation honeycomb layer and a back panel. The veneer panel assembly may be configured to conform to a radius of at least 0.25 inches on the aircraft interior structure.

Decorative veneer may be applied to aircraft cabin interior structures or components in aviation environments. The aircraft cabin interior structures or components may include flat surfaces and curved surfaces. The decorative veneer backer may need to conform to the curved surfaces. Modifying the decorative veneer to conform to the curved surfaces, however, may cause voids or interstitial spaces to form which allow light and/or adhesive to pass through the surface of the decorative veneer. In addition, the decorative veneer may need to meet aviation guidelines and/or standards defined for aircraft cabin interior structures or components installed in the aviation environments.


A slider mounted CPP GMR or TMR read head sensor is protected from electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage and from noise and cross-talk from an adjacent write head by means of a balanced resistive/capacitative shunt. The shunt includes highly resistive interconnections between upper and lower shields of the read head and a grounded slider substrate and a low resistance interconnection between the lower pole piece of the write head and the substrate. The capacitances between the pole piece and the upper shield, the upper shield and the lower shield and the lower shield and the substrate are made equal by either forming the shields and pole piece with equal surface areas and separating them with dielectrics of equal thicknesses, or by keeping the ratio of area to insulator thicknesses equal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to magnetic read and write-heads and more particularly to a method of eliminating electrostatic discharge (ESD), cross-talk and noise during their operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
A magnetic data recording hard disk drive employs a plurality of electromagnetic transducers, a typical one of the prior art being schematically shown in FIG. 1. In a state-of-the-art disk drive, each transducer (1) further consists of a read-head (2) and a write-head (4). The shielded read head (2) typically includes a sensor (13) whose operation is based on the giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect and it is extremely sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). As we shall discuss below, three different configurations of sensors are in use, the current-in-plane (CIP) configuration, the current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) configuration and the tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) configuration.
The write-head (4) is typically an inductive coil (coil cross-sections shown as (16)), which is fairly immune to ESD. The read head is typically protected from stray electromagnetic fields during operation by an upper shield (8) and an under-shield (10). The lower pole of the write head (18) can also serve to insulate the read head from noise produced by the write head. If the read head is a CIP head, a first dielectric layer, D1 (11) insulates the under-shield from the CIP element (13), and second dielectric layer, D2 (15) insulates the element from the upper shield (8). In the CIP configuration, the sense current for the read head is introduced on the lateral sides of the read head. In the CPP or TMR configurations, in both of which the sense current is introduced through the top and bottom surfaces, the shields may be formed directly contacting the upper and lower surfaces of the element and may actually serve as electrodes to introduce and extract the sense current. The dielectric layers D1 and D2 would be absent in the CPP or TMR configuration.
The shields, dielectric layers and GMR sensor structure are sequentially formed on a substrate (20), also called a slider substrate. The combined read/write-head (transducer) is typically encapsulated in an alumina deposit (12) and conducting leads (not shown) pass through the encapsulation and are connected to conducting pads on a terminal strip (14) on its surface. An undercoating layer of alumina (5) separates the lower surface of the lower shield (10) from the substrate (20) and a dielectric spacer layer typically formed of the alumina encapsuation material (6) separates the upper surface of the upper shield (8) from the lower surface of the write head pole (18). In the present invention the thicknesses of these layers will be important in determining coupling capacitances between the shields and the substrate.
The slider substrate (20) basically forms a wear-resistant ceramic carrier for the transducers (1). The write head's magnetic poles (18) and the read head's GMR sensor element (13), emerge at a surface of their encapsulating alumina deposit (12) which is co-planar with the surface (22) of the slider substrate, called its air-bearing surface (ABS). The surface of the slider is commonly protected by a highly wear-resistant carbon overcoat (COC) (21). As is shown further, each slider substrate (20) is mounted on a stainless steel suspension (23) using a conductive adhesive (24), the combination of (20) and (23) forming a head-gimbals assembly (HGA). The conducting adhesive electrically connects the slider to the suspension and to ground.
The read head ((2) in FIG. 1) may be formed in any of several GMR configurations. A common configuration is the current-in-plane (CIP) configuration, in which the sense current is injected at lateral edges of the sensor and flows along the direction of the planar surfaces of the magnetic layers. Another configuration is the current-perpendicular-to-plane (CPP) configuration, in which the sense current is injected through the upper surface of the sensor in a direction perpendicular to the planar surfaces of the magnetic layers. Yet another read head variation is the tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) device, in which the active magnetic layers are separated by a dielectric layer sufficiently thin so as to allow a tunneling current to pass.
GMR devices are susceptible to noise, cross-talk from the write head and electrostatic discharge damage (ESD). The cross-talk is a result of the closeness of the write and read heads and the ESD damage is a result of the thinness of the read head layers. To protect the device from such discharge, a mechanism is required that will bleed accumulated charge from the sensor and its surrounding elements before the accumulated amount is sufficient to initiate the discharge. Referring to prior art FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic illustration of an ABS plane view of a GMR sensor of CIP configuration (13) positioned between an upper shield (8) and a lower shield (10) and separated from the slider substrate (20) by insulation (12). Rectangular boxes (50, 55) symbolize sensor current input and output to the lateral edges of the sensor in accord with its CIP configuration. A lower pole (18) of an inductive write head is shown above the upper shield and is also insulated from the shield by a dielectric layer (6). A connection (30) between the lower pole and upper shield allows charge drainage from pole to shield. A connection (40) from lower shield to substrate, which is itself grounded to the suspension (not shown), contains a resistance of approximately 20 kOhm. The upper shield is directly connected to the lower shields which are connected to each side of the CIP sensor through resistances (60,65) of approximately 2 kOhm each. The shields can discharge to the substrate or the suspension or when connected to the read head preamplifier. This configuration is found to provide adequate ESD protection to the CIP GMR sensor as shown.
CPP GMR sensors and TMR sensors also need a current drainage path to prevent ESD, but the arrangement of FIG. 2 would not be appropriate. If the sensor (13) of FIG. 2 were a CPP configured sensor, the upper and lower shields (8,10) would actually be in electrical contact with the current input (and output) ends of the sensor, which are its upper and lower surfaces. Thus, the two resistors (60,65) would be in parallel with the actual read element, whose resistance ranges from 50 Ohms (CPP) to 1000 Ohms (TMR). This would either force most of the draining charges through the sensor, or would shunt the read-back signal from the sensor through the resistors and away from the read-back circuitry. Neither of these are desirable results.
Referring to prior art FIG. 3, there is shown the equivalent schematic circuitry associated with a CPP GMR or TMR type read head. There is no ESD preventative circuitry shown in this figure because, as noted above, circuitry analogous to that in FIG. 3 would be inappropriate. The sensor element (13) is between upper and lower shields (8, 10) which receive sense current from input and output (50,55), the current passing vertically between upper and lower shields. As is further indicated in the figure, capacitative coupling (28) exists between the lower write head pole (18), the upper and lower shields (8,10) and the slider substrate (20), which produces an undesirable degree of cross-talk between the write head and the read head and between the substrate and read head. This capacitative coupling is a result of the planar shields, pole and the dielectric insulative material between them and the slider substrate. This capacitative coupling is much less of a problem for the CIP configuration of FIG. 3 because of the symmetric and balanced configuration of the CIP leads. In the CPP configuration the capacitance between the pole and the first lead is different than that between the pole and the second lead. Similarly, the capacitance between the substrate and the first lead is different than that between the substrate and the second lead. In the CPP structure all the capacitances to the first and second leads are similar due to the way the structure is laid out.
The prior art teaches several approaches for eliminating ESD in both disk drives and tape drives that incorporate GMR and MR read sensors. Of particular note is Tabat et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,728,082) who teaches a magnetoresistive transducer that includes at least one bleed resistor that couples the assembly to a substrate. While Tabat does not specifically note the GMR configuration of the sensor, he shows a sensor shield connected by a high resistance to a substrate. Tabat does not mention the associated problem of capacitative coupling induced noise and cross-talk between the read head and write head, although he notes the fact that the read head shields couple capacitatively to the substrate. Neither does Tabat teach a shunting scheme that eliminates noise and cross-talk caused by capacitative coupling between the read head and write head at the same time it eliminates ESD.
Lam et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,373,660) teach a method for protecting an MR read head from electrostatic discharge by connecting a resistor between various connection pads incorporated within the head gimbal assembly.
Denison et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,598) discloses a magnetoresistive head for reading a tape that is protected from ESD by a resistive connection between a shield and a ground. Unlike the present invention, there is no associated write head and no capacitative coupling between the head and its surroundings.
Yuan et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,205) teaches the protection of a read head sensor by recessing it from the surface to be read by a dielectric layer. The method is, therefore, mechanical rather than electrical.
Unlike the prior art cited above, the present invention proposes a resistive/capacitative shunting scheme for slowly bleeding off accumulated electrostatic charge on shields surrounding a CPP GMR and TMR sensor and from the pole structures of an adjacent magnetic write head. In addition, by combining shunting resistors with a proper choice of capacitative coupling between the shields, pole piece and substrate, the combined resistive/capacitative shunting scheme will also alleviate the problem of noise and cross-talk produced by capacitative coupling between the shields, pole and substrate that otherwise exists without the shunting scheme of the present invention.

Method for protecting a slider mounted CPP GMR or TMR read head sensor from noise and ESD damage


A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. In the method, a first hard mask layer is formed on a stepped structure. The first hard mask layer has a level top surface and thickness sufficient to etch the structure. A second hard mask pattern is formed on the first hard mask layer. The first hard mask layer is etched using the second hard mask pattern. Size dispersion of the patterns may be reduced by the first hard mask layer.

The inventive concepts described herein generally relate to methods for fabricating semiconductor devices.
In order to meet superior performance and low cost that users desire, there has been a demand for increasing integration density of semiconductor devices. In the case of a semiconductor memory device, its integration density is a main factor for deciding the prices of products, and thus, a demand for higher integration density has increased. In the case of a conventional two-dimensional or planar semiconductor memory device, its integration density is mainly decided by the area that a unit memory cell occupies, and thus, its integration density is significantly affected by the level of technique for forming fine patterns. However, since ultra high-cost equipment is needed for fine patterns, the integration density of the two-dimensional semiconductor memory device is increasing but remains relatively expensive and/or restrictive.
In recent years, three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices, including three-dimensionally arranged memory cells, have been proposed to overcome the above limitations. However, for mass production of three-dimensional semiconductor memory devices, there has been a need for process technology that is capable of reducing manufacturing cost per bit of a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device more than that of a two-dimensional semiconductor memory device and/or implementing reliable product characteristics.

Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device


Described is a process for the alkoxylation of alcohols with I, Cl, or CH3CO2 endgroups, using alkylene epoxides in the presence of boron based catalysts.

Alcohol alkoxylate containing materials have been used in a wide variety of industrial applications, for example as nonionic surfactants, additives, and conjugates for biologically-active molecules. They are typically prepared by the reaction of an alcohol with an alkylene epoxide such as ethylene oxide (i.e. oxirane) or propylene oxide (i.e. 2-methyoxirane) in the presence of one or more catalysts.
Known catalyst systems and processes for the alkoxylation of alcohols include Lewis acids such as boron trifluoride or silicon tetrafluoride, alone in combination with metal hydrides, fluorides, alkyls or alkoxides. Such acidic materials also catalyze side reactions such as dimerization of alkylene epoxides to form highly undesirable dioxanes during the alkylalkoxylation. For this reason many processes use strongly basic catalysts to alkoxylate alcohols. However, some alcohols are not stable to strong base. For instance, halohydrins, XCR2CR2OH (X=halogen), are well known to form epoxides in the presence of base and are used for this purpose synthetically to convert olefins to epoxides.
Alcohol alkoxylates wherein the alcohol group bears a reactive functional group are of interest in several applications. They are useful for the synthesis of new molecules and materials bearing one or more alkoxylate chains such as novel surfactants and metal ligating agents. As another example, the binding of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to biological molecules (peptides, proteins), known as "PEGylation", is used to modify the physical and solution properties of those molecules to enhance their pharmaceutical properties.
Alkoxylates useful for these synthetic reactions are substituted with a functionalized alcohol group at only one end of the alkoxylate chain. However, known methods for the preparation of such mono-alkoxylates involve multistep procedures and require tedious separations. A one-step alkoxylation of an appropriately substituted alcohol would present a significant advance. However, the functional groups commonly used to bind PEGs to other molecules undergo ready reaction with base, especially the strong alkoxide bases required to catalytically alkoxylate alcohols. For a one-step process to be successful the functional group must be unreactive towards the alkoxylation catalyst.
There exists a need therefore for catalysts suitable for the selective alkoxylation of functionalized alcohols

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Alkyl alkoxylates containing unique end groups


Techniques manage spare extents based on a dynamic window. In particular, in response to determining that the number of spare extents in a source storage device of a plurality of storage devices is lower than a predetermined threshold, a source extent is selected from the source storage device, and the source extent is an extent in a created stripe included in a storage system. Based on a set of extents other than the source extent in the stripe, a set of storage device sequences respectively associated with the set of extents are determined. A destination extent is identified from a plurality of spare extents in the set of storage device sequences. Data in the source extent is migrated to the destination extent. Accordingly, load balancing of the spare extents in each storage device of the storage system may be ensured.

With the development of data storage technologies, various data storage devices have been capable of providing users with higher and higher data storage capacities. While data storage capabilities are improved, users also have increasingly high demands for data reliability and extendibility of storage systems. At present, various data storage systems based on Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) have been developed to improve data reliability. When one or more disks in a storage system fail, data in the failed disks may be reconstructed from data on other normally operating disks.
A Mapped RAID has been developed at present. In this Mapped RAID, disk is a logical concept and may include a plurality of extents. A plurality of extents included in a logical disk may be distributed on different physical storage devices in a storage system. For a plurality of extents in one stripe of the Mapped RAID, the plurality of extents should be distributed on different physical storage devices, so that when a physical storage device where one of the plurality of extents is located fails, a reconstruction operation may be performed to recover data from physical storage devices where other extents are located. A spare storage space (including one or more spare extents) may be reserved in each storage device for a recovery operation.
To facilitate the management of the plurality of storage devices in a storage system, a plurality of storage devices can be divided into at least one group in accordance with a grouping threshold (including an upper limit threshold and a lower limit threshold), as proposed currently. Stripes in a user storage system may be created based on the storage devices in each group. Since the spare storage space in the storage devices can only be shared within a group, when the recovery operation is required, the spare storage space in a certain group may be insufficient and the spare storage space in another group may be barely used. At this moment, how to use the storage space in the storage devices as efficiently as possible has become a technical problem.

Method, device, and program product for managing spare block based on dynamic window


An apparatus for a kitchen appliance for handling items to be processed includes a static housing part having an upper axial face, and a rotating ring element having a lower axial face which rests on the upper axial face of a static housing part in the presence of an annular gap there between. The upper axial face and/or the lower axial face and/or the rotating ring element is hereby constructed such as to effect a radial conveying of items being processed in the annular gap.

An apparatus and facility of the type mentioned in the introduction are known from the publication DE 10 2008 040 937 A1. The apparatus for dicing foodstuffs described there comprises a cylindrical bowl, which is provided to be positioned on a food processor. The food processor has an upward projecting drive shaft, which during operation penetrates the bowl in the region of a central, sleeve-type cutout. Positioned on the upper edge of the bowl is a housing part, which accommodates both the rotating cutting tool and the static cutting grid. The housing part can be closed off with a cover, which has an upward projecting feed shaft for feeding in items to be processed in the region of the cutting grid. The drive shaft of the food processor is let into a coupling facility of the cutting tool with a form fit in the upper region of the cutout to transfer the torque.
The housing part is configured in the manner of a circular disk and provided with an eccentrically disposed, approximately rectangular opening for the passage of the items to be processed, which tapers conically in the lower region. The similarly rectangular cutting grid can be positioned flush with the upper face of the housing part on supporting ribs provided in the tapering part of the opening. Also present in the center of the housing part is an essentially cylindrical hole, which is vertical in the operating position, parts of its lateral surface transitioning into the opening. For this reason the cutting grid has a notch, which follows the lateral surface. The hole is provided to accommodate the sleeve-type coupling facility of the cutting tool, which is configured as open at the bottom for positioning on the drive shaft of the food processor. At the top the cutting tool is provided in the region of the coupling facility with a peripheral collar and a pin, which are disposed coaxially to one another and to the rotation axis of the drive shaft. The cutting tool is supported in a radially rotatable manner on a downward projecting annular projection of the cover both by way of the lateral surface of the coupling facility in the hole and by means of collar or pin.
The cutting tool is also equipped with a ring element, which is aligned coaxially to the rotation axis, running round the entire periphery in the region of its outer periphery, and is connected to the upper part of the coupling facility by way of two cutting blades that extend horizontally and are located opposite one another. Ring element and coupling facility together therefore form a blade support for the cutting tool. The cutting blades are usually angled so that the items being processed, which are cut transversely into slices by the cutting tool, are driven during its rotation through the cutting grid due to the wedge effect and cut longitudinally there. Support facilities in the form of hook-type locking elements are distributed in a regular manner on the housing part along the outer periphery and can each be pivoted at their lower end about a vertical rotation axis aligned tangentially to the outer periphery of the housing part.
When the apparatus is brought into operation, the coupling facility is pushed into the hole, until the lower axial face of the ring element rests on the upper face of the housing part. The opened ring elements are then pushed by a pivoting movement directed toward the center of the housing part with their upper horizontal arms over the upper axial face of the ring element, until they rest against one another. Such apparatuses for chopping items to be processed and food processors equipped therewith have proven effective in practice. However it is possible, when processing items that have a particular tendency to catch, for the items being processed to collect in the annular gap between the static housing part and the rotating ring element of the tool and produce unwanted friction, which can result in a power loss for the food processor and a thermal stress on the axial faces of housing part and tool as they move relative to one another.
A further apparatus for handling items to be processed, in particular for dicing fruit and vegetables, is known from the German utility model document DE 203 14 247 U1. It consists of a dicing grid disposed in a fixed position in the processor body and a blade rotating parallel thereto. The blade is configured in the manner of a bar and has two blade bodies, which are disposed with mirror symmetry to one another and are connected to the drive shaft of the apparatus. Together with the dicing grid the blade bodies form a wedge-type gap that narrows as the blade rotates and generates the axial force required to cut the items to be processed in the dicing grid. The corresponding counterforce is absorbed by a support facility in the form of two support rollers tapering conically toward the dicing grid, which are disposed in the region of the dicing grid over which the blade bars first pass at the level of the outer periphery of the blade. The outer periphery of each blade body, which is shaped to complement the conical support rollers, runs into the roller once per rotation during operation of the apparatus, said roller absorbing the axial reaction forces directed away from the dicing grid and acting on the blade and diverting them to the processor body. This prevents a non-permissible bending of the blade, which may result in an uneven processing result and contact between the blade and the feed shaft. The conical rollers can be set in their axial position relative to the machine body by way of a clamping facility.
This apparatus has no outer annular blade support, so caught items being processed cannot produce friction in an annular gap. However it has the disadvantage that the blade bodies run against the conical lateral surface of the support rollers during each rotation, which can increase the noise emission of the apparatus. There is also a risk that when the blade bodies run into the support rollers, elements of the items being processed can get between these and the outer periphery of the blade. If the support rollers are set incorrectly, the blades or support facility may be subject to greater wear or even damage.


Certain embodiments of the disclosure may include systems, methods and apparatus for operating and validating a compressor. According to an example embodiment of the disclosure, a method is provided for validating compressor operation. The method can include receiving compressor operating parameter data from a plurality of sensors; and adjusting a portion of a variable flow area downstream of a compressor discharge to achieve a desired compressor pressure ratio.

Compressors are typical power generation components for conventional power generating stations. Effective testing and validation of a compressor can increase the efficiency and productivity of the overall power generating station. In conventional power generating stations, validating a compressor can be an expensive and time consuming process wherein the compressor's operation must be evaluated over a wide range of operational test points.

Systems and methods for operating and validating a compressor


Methods aiding in the diagnosis of certain neuropathies are disclosed, in which the titer of antibodies to a disulfated heparin disaccharide is assessed in a test sample from an subject. Also disclosed are apparatus and kits that can be used in the methods of the invention.

Distinction between potentially treatable immune motor neuropathies and other disorders of lower motor neurons depends partly on electrodiagnostic evaluations and serum antibody testing. Nerve conduction testing showing motor conduction block at non-entrapment sites along the length of nerves, especially in distal regions, is widely recognized as a marker of the treatable syndrome, multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). In addition, serum IgM binding to GM1 ganglioside is common in, and has specificity for, multifocal and other immune motor neuropathies. Testing for IgM anti-GM1 antibodies is especially helpful when electrodiagnostic findings of demyelination are equivocal or negative.
Electrophysiological testing, and testing for IgM anti-GM1 antibodies are not however dispositive of neuropathy in a given subject. For example, in most studies the sensitivity of IgM anti-GM1 antibody testing for MMN ranges from only 30% to 50%. Testing for additional antibodies, including IgM binding to GM2 and GalNAc-GD1a gangliosides, can add some sensitivity, but many patients with immune motor neuropathies have no identified associated serum autoantibody. Accordingly, a need remains for improved methods of diagnosing neuropathy, particularly motor neuropathy, as the cause of clinical symptoms in a subject. Because immune motor neuropathies are potentially treatable, a correct differential diagnosis against certain less treatable alternative diagnoses is especially important. A need therefore remains for improved methods for differentially diagnosing such motor neuropathies, thus to promote more timely treatment.

Antibodies to disulfated heparin disaccharide in the diagnosis of neuropathy


A method of calibrating a sensor such as a photodetector, and device capable of employing that method, are disclosed. The method includes shining light upon a photosensitive device of the photodetector, receiving a first signal from an operator, and increasing a gain of the photodetector. The method also includes discontinuing the shining of the light upon the photosensitive device after the gain has been increased, receiving a second signal from an operator, and decreasing the gain so that the gain is not excessive.

A variety of types of sensors exist for application in a wide variety of situations. Among these sensors are, for example, photodetectors/photosensors, infrared sensors, laser sensors, microwave sensors, proximity sensors, ultrasonic sensors, inductive sensors, magnetic sensors, among others. Many of these sensors operate by sensing/receiving analog signal inputs. The sensors in turn typically process these analog signal inputs in various ways.
In particular with respect to photodetectors, for example, such devices are employed in a wide variety of applications for a wide variety of purposes. In some embodiments, a light signal is provided by a light emitting device at one position and a photodetector is employed at another position to detect whether that light signal has been interrupted or not, either because the light signal is being turned on and off or because something has cut or interrupted the light path between the light emitting device and the photosensitive device. Photodetectors implemented in this manner can be utilized in a variety of applications such as industrial conveyor systems, in which it typically is necessary to detect whether items being conveyed have passed into or left a given region along the conveyor system, or in industrial systems that are designed to determine whether particular conditions are or are not met (e.g., light curtains).
In many applications, information is conveyed from a light emitting device to a photodetector by rapidly switching or pulsing the light emitting device on and off so. Depending upon the circumstance, this pulsed signal can take the form of a square wave, the form of an AC (or effectively-AC) signal, or some other form. Based upon the frequency of the pulsing, the duration of the pulses, the magnitude of the pulses, the duty cycle, and a variety of other factors (e.g., possibly, the color of the light being transmitted), a variety of information can be transmitted to the photodetector. The coding of this information can involve, for example, amplitude-modulation, frequency-modulation, phase-modulation, polarity-modulation.
Due to the many uses of photodetector circuits, such circuits have become ubiquitous. To reduce the circuits' size and cost, the circuits have increasingly been implemented in the form of integrated circuits rather than out of discrete components. Despite such size and cost improvements, however, conventional photodetector circuits nevertheless suffer from certain inadequacies. First, to the extent that the pulsed or AC information received by the photodetector contains information that is of interest, it is necessary that the AC information be recoverable. Yet conventional recovery circuits, such as conventional rectification or peak detection circuits, typically utilize diodes or transistors that have significant forward-conductive voltage drops (e.g., 0.7 Volts) across them. Consequently, the resulting signals output by those recovery circuits include an undesirable offset. Further, to the extent that such recovery circuits provide an output signal that represents both the positive (e.g., positive with respect to a neutral level of the AC signal) and the negative (e.g., negative with respect to the neutral level) swings of the received signal, discontinuities are created at the cross-over points between the positive and negative portions of the output signal as a result of the forward-conductive voltage drops.
Additionally, regardless of the aforementioned issues relating to the forward-conductive voltage drops within recovery circuits, conventional photodetectors have additional inadequacies. In particular, it is common that the AC signals received by photodetectors include a DC offset. This offset, which can be magnified during propagation within the photodetector circuit, can significantly distort the resulting output signal. Although some conventional photodetector circuits employ DC offset removal circuitry to address this problem, conventional removal circuitry typically involves the use of bypassing or decoupling capacitors that are too large for practical implementation on integrated circuits. Consequently, conventional photodetector circuits having DC offset removal circuitry, when implemented on integrated circuits, typically require discrete capacitors coupled to the integrated circuits. The use of these discrete capacitors increases manufacturing costs and can impact robustness.
Further, to the extent that any DC offset may have been introduced into the signal received by the photodetector circuit itself rather than introduced as part of the input to the photodetector circuit, conventional DC offset removal circuitry fails to eliminate such DC offsets. Thus, even though conventional DC offset removal circuitry does ameliorate the DC offset problem (albeit through the use of discrete capacitors), such conventional circuitry cannot by its nature eliminate all DC offsets.
Still another disadvantage associated with conventional photodetector circuits generally is that it can be relatively difficult in practice for technicians to calibrate the circuits. Photodetector circuits commonly are implemented in situations where it is important that the circuits be capable of differentiating between high and low levels of light corresponding effectively to "on" or "off". During setup of the photodetector circuits, the circuits are exposed to levels of light intended to be representative of levels that are likely to be experienced in practice, and the gain or amplification of the circuits is then adjusted/calibrated so as to arrive at an output signal that is representative of the light exposure. The calibration process should result in an amplification level that provides a strong output signal but at the same time does not excessively exaggerate unwanted signal components, particularly noise.
A common conventional practice for conducting this calibration is for a technician to hold down a button for a specific period of time during the calibration process to, where the period of time determines the eventual amount of gain. For example, by holding down the button for an amount of time lower than a threshold, the amplification might be set to one level and, by holding down the button for an amount of time higher than the threshold, the amplification might be set to a second, different level. While this procedure has been used in practice, the procedure has proven to be somewhat unreliable, since the amount of gain is dependent upon the skill of the technician performing the adjustment, for example, upon the ability of the technician to hold down the button for an appropriate amount of time. As a result, it is sometimes if not often difficult to achieve consistency in the calibration of photodetectors, particularly insofar as calibrations can be performed differently by different technicians.
In view of the above, it would be advantageous if a new photodetector could be developed that addressed one or more of the inadequacies associated with conventional photodetectors. In particular, it would be advantageous if a new photodetector circuit could have an AC recovery circuit that successfully recovered AC information from an introduced signal without introducing significant distortions into that information due to diode-type voltage drops within the AC recovery circuit. It also would be advantageous if a new photodetector circuit could be designed that was capable of lessening or entirely eliminating DC offsets introduced to the photodetector circuit in the signals input thereto, where such DC offset removal circuitry could be more easily implemented on integrated circuits without the use of large, discrete capacitor components. It further would be advantageous if such DC offset removal circuitry not only served to reduce or eliminate DC offsets introduced by the signals input to the photodetector circuits, but also served to reduce or eliminate additional DC offsets introduced by internal operation of the photodetector circuits themselves. It additionally would be advantageous if the calibration process of photodetector circuits could be improved to reduce the difficulty with which technicians perform the process and improve the repeatability of the calibration process. It would likewise be advantageous if similar deficiencies to those discussed above with respect to photodetectors found in other types of sensors could similarly be ameliorated or eliminated.

Sensor with improved gain-setting capability


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing content. One of the methods includes providing a plurality of image content items to an application interface of a client device for presentation; receiving a user selection of a particular image content item of the plurality of presented image content items; and responsive to the selection, providing a combination of native content and third party content associated with the selected image content item, wherein the native content includes a close up view of the selected image content item and the third party content includes a third party webpage.

This specification relates to providing content for display on a user device.
Conventional mobile applications can present content to users in a user interface of a mobile device. This content can include content associated with third party web content. Typically, selection of this content results in execution of a separate browser session that opens the associated third party web content.


A route calculation system includes: a route selection probability calculation unit that calculates a route selection probability of each route; a weighting parameter acquisition unit that acquires at least two kinds of weighting parameters representing degrees of influences of at least a route traveling distance and a route traveling time on the route selection probability; a weighting parameter selection unit that selects at least two kinds of weighting parameters corresponding to a specified set of a starting point and ending point combination related to a combination of a departure point and a destination; and a recommended route calculation unit that calculates a recommended route based on at least two kinds of link costs including a link traveling distance and a link traveling time and based on the at least two kinds of weighting parameters corresponding to the specified set of the starting point and ending point combination.

Data collected by a probe car has been used in searching a recommended route for a vehicle when it travels on a road. The probe car is a vehicle that includes on-board various devices such as various sensors and a communication device, collects data such as vehicle location, travel speed, travel distance, route information (hereafter, referred to as "probe data") and transmits the collected probe data to a predetermined server. In many cases, the probe car used is a commercial vehicle such as a taxi or a truck, or a private car. In recent years, it has become possible to collect probe data by executing an application programmed to collect probe data with a multi-functional mobile phone (smartphone) and transmit the collected probe data to a server.
On the other hand, a route search technology for providing an optimal route to a destination is a basic function of a navigation device. Such a technology commonly uses a method of calculating a route along which the amount of time required or traveling distance from the departure point to the destination is minimal. However, such a recommended route may include a road that is not used by the local people, such as a narrow road or a road having poor visibility. This causes a desire for a route that is selected taking into consideration not only time and distance but also comfort and safety.
Patent literature 1 discloses a method of executing a route search by detecting a crossing, at which many vehicles branch off, as a main branching node, based on a plurality of pieces of travel history data obtained from the probe data, preparing a probe section having the main branch node as an ending point, and executing a route search using this probe section. According to the teaching of the Patent literature 1, constructing road links based on the driver's actual travel records naturally results in selecting a series of road links that follow any road link, along which the driver has traveled, as a recommended route, and thus enables preparing and providing a recommended route which reflects the know-how concerning route selection by the driver who has traveled similar road areas.
Patent literature 2 discloses a technology for searching a route, which involves classifying a plurality of pieces of travel history data obtained from probe data by categories including driver information, vehicle information, purpose of travel, setting a link cost by calculating, by category, ratios of links along which travels are made assuming that a plurality of pieces of travel history data classified into the same category are treated as the pieces of the travel history data relative to drivers having the same liking in route selection, and searching a route with placing priority to the link along which the drivers having the same liking have traveled. Patent literature 2 states that a driver uses the route selection know-how of other drivers who have the same purpose or liking as that of the driver, he can get a route which is created in consideration of his liking.

Route calculation system, navigation device, and route calculation method


A skylight system uses multiple stationary tilted reflectors aimed in different compass directions, including inverted pyramidal or wedge geometry to enhance the light output of a skylight using a conventional horizontal penetration into the building. The reflectors are made of very low cost metallized polymer film, and configured to maximize the useful lumen output of the skylight over the whole day and over the whole year. The skylight system furthermore improves the light distribution under the horizontal penetration by directing more light vertically into the working space beneath the roof penetration rather than horizontally onto walls and into the building occupants' eyes, creating glare and discomfort.

Conventional horizontal skylights suffer from poor sunlight collection when the sun is low in the sky, i.e., when the sun's elevation angle is small. This poor low-sun-angle performance leads to poor lighting in the wintertime in most moderate latitudes, and to poor lighting early and late in the day in all locations. Previous attempts to solve this problem have sometimes used expensive tracking reflectors above the skylight penetration into the building, or sometimes used fixed reflectors or prismatic lenses above the skylight penetration with less than adequate performance.
Embodiments of the skylight described herein use multiple stationary tilted reflectors aimed in different compass directions, including inverted pyramidal or wedge geometry to enhance the light output of a skylight using a conventional horizontal penetration into the building. The reflectors are made of very low cost metallized polymer film, and configured to maximize the useful lumen output of the skylight over the whole day and over the whole year. Thus, the light distribution under the horizontal penetration is improved by directing more light vertically into the working space beneath the roof penetration rather than horizontally onto walls and into the building occupants' eyes, creating glare and discomfort.
FIG. 1 illustrates the summer and winter sun and the angle of incident upon the transparent dome 4 (FIG. 3). The angle of incident of the summer sun with respect to level ground or the horizon is shown as θs. θs is shown generally, but may represent of a metric of the summer sun, such as an average daytime angle, an average peak angle, peak angle etc. Similarly, θw is the angle of incident of the winter sun with respect to the horizon. θw may also be representative of some metric of the winter sun. As noted above, in some cases it may be advantageous to capture the winter sun while shading the summer sun.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of the angle of incident during the day. As shown, θe is the angle of the sun in the evening, for example 4 pm, whereas θm is the angle of the sun in the morning at for example 10 am. The values used for θe and θm may as described above be chosen as averages, peaks, or corresponding to or biased to specific times. θe and θm need not be the same. FIG. 2 also shows the angle of the midday sun θmd. In warmer climates the midday sun may unnecessarily heat the interior of the building or provide excessive glare and thus it may be advantageous to limit the light during these periods.
Embodiments of the skylight described herein include multiple stationary tilted reflectors aimed in different compass directions, including inverted pyramidal or wedge geometry, to increase the daily and annual light output of a skylight using a conventional horizontal roof penetration. The multiple stationary reflectors are oriented and tilted to provide not only higher light output over more hours of the day and year, but also more downwardly aimed light into the working space beneath the roof penetration. Thus, both the quantity and quality of the natural lighting inside the building are improved. The greater quantity of daylight saves more energy for conventional electrical lighting, improving the economics of the skylight, and the better quality of the light improves working conditions for the occupants of the building. In addition, reducing summer time or midday sun also has the advantages of reducing cooling cost and excessive glare.
The disclosed subject matter presents a novel skylight for providing natural lighting to the interior of a building. The skylight includes a transparent dome rising above a roof of the building and having a light passage at one end to allow light into the interior of the building from the exterior of the building. A first stationary and tilted reflective surface faces a first compass direction and additional stationary and tilted reflective surfaces each face a respective compass direct, where the first compass direction and the respective compass directions are not the same, but each have of the first and additional surfaces have a common vertical component. The reflective surfaces of the skylight are within the transparent dome.
The disclosed subject matter also presents a novel device for passively providing light from a source external to a building to an interior of a building. The device includes a transparent dome projecting into the exterior of the building with a light passage from the interior to the exterior of the building. In the transparent dome, a plurality of fixed reflective surfaces are positioned, each reflective surface defined by a vector normal to their reflective surface having an azimuth direction, and an angle with respect to the horizon. The vectors associated with the fixed reflective surfaces are different from each other vector.
The disclosed subject matter also includes a novel method for providing natural lighting to the interior of a building. The method includes providing a skylight with a plurality of reflectors aimed in different compass directions and a light passage to the interior of the building. The plurality of reflectors are tilted to direct light below a threshold angle of incident with the horizon into the light passage and to prevent light above a second threshold angle of incident from entering the light passage; and fixed in place prior to the installation of the skylight. The skylight is installed above the light passage and light below the threshold is directed into the light passage and light above the second threshold is prevented from entering the light passage by the plurality of reflectors.
These and many other advantages of the present subject matter will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains from a perusal of the claims, the appended drawings, and the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

Skylight having multiple stationary tilted reflectors aimed in different compass directions including inverted pyramidal or wedge geometry


4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines with activity antagonistic of the PAF-"acether" of formula (I) are described, in which R is a saturated alkyl chain C1-2; R' is a saturated or unsaturated C1-16 lineal, branched or cyclic chain that can be interrupted by an oxygen atom and can also represent a 2-(N-morpholine) ethyl group; n is 2 or 3, X is oxygen, sulphur or SO2; Ar represents an aromatic ring that cannot be phenyl when X=S and n=2. The compounds (I) can be prepared (a) by reaction of (II) with (III) and with (IV); or (b) by reacting (V) with (VI) and (IV); or (c) by reaction of (VII) with (VI). In these formulas the different radicals have the meaning given above.. Compounds of formula (I) are used for the treatment of pathologic states and disorders in which the PAF-"acether" participates, being used, for example, in treatment of inflammatory processes, psoriasis, glomerulitis, transplant rejection, acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, states of shock and allergies Likewise it is used for the treatment of pathologic states and disorders in which it is necessary to stimulate the cellular immunity such as in immunodeficient syndromes and other situations in which the defense capacity is reduced. ##STR1##

Some 1,4-dihydropyridines having an aliphatic group at position 4 of the ring, show a strong PAF-antagonistic activity not described until now (German Patent DE 3,801,717, 24th May 1989).
Surprisingly, the modulation of the side-chain at position 3 of the said ring has led to new molecules with antagonistic activity of the PAF receiver, having greater specificity, power and a much longer duration of the effect than those described in the aforementioned patent.
The chemical structure of the PAF-"acether was identified as 1-O-hexadecyl/octodecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocoline. This compound is a phospholipidic autacoid and a mediator of extremely potent inflammatory reactions liberated by several types of cell, human tissues and experiment animals. These cells are mainly basophile, eosinophile and neutrophile granulocytes, tissue macrophages and monocutes of the peripheral blood, platelets, glandular epithelium cells, endothelial cells and neuronic tissue. The PAF-"acether" is powerful inducer of the systemic aggregation and hypotension. This effect is due to its capacity of promoting the peripheral vasodilatation, but also influences its action over pulmonary circulation and the heart, since it produces diminution of the miocardic contractility and coronary flow. Another effect of the PAF-"acether" is that of inducing bronchoconstriction at doses 100 times lower than histamine. It has also been described that the PAF-"acether" and thus, PAF-"acether" antagonists directly and indirectly regulate the lymphocyte function.
Due to all these effects, the PAF has been described as the main mediator of immunological and inflammatory illnesses.
On this basis, specific inhibitors of biosynthesis and/or the effects of the PAF-"acether" could represent a new class of therapeutic agents, especially in pulmonary illnesses like bronchial asthma, allergic pneumonitis and adult respiratory distress, in which some PAF-"acether" antagonists have reduced or abolished anaphylactic reactions and hypersensitiveness, endotoxic shock and gastric ulcers. Also, the participation of the PAF-"acether" has been demonstrated in a series of pathologic states of an immunoallergic nature like inflammatory processes, psoriasis, glomerulonephritis and transplant rejection.
Some Ca++ antagonists also present PAF antagonistic properties, as is the case with Diltiazem and Gallopamil. However, not all the Ca++ channel blocking agents have this activity. So, the 1,4-dihydropyridines, like Nifedipina, only show a very weak activity, since the concentrations needed to obtain an effect are 1,000,000 higher than those inhibiting calcium flow in other cells and, at least, 1,000 times greater than the specific antagonists of the PAF-"acether".
The invention, therefore, is referred to a series of new 1,4-dihydropyridines corresponding to formula (i) with antagonistic activity of the PAF-"acether", to the pharmaceutical compositions that contain them and their methods of preparation: ##STR2## where: R is a saturated alkyl chain of C1-C2 like methyl or ethyl
R' is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain of C1-C16, lineal, branched or cyclic, such as methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tertiary-butyl, n-hexyl, n-hexadecyl, allyl, 1-undecenyl and cinnamyl. It can also be interrupted by an oxygen atom, like 2-methoxyethyl or tetrahydrofurfuryl and can also represent the 2-(N-morpholine) ethyl grouping PA1 n is a number that can be 2 and 3 PA1 X defines an oxygen atom (O), or sulphur (S), or a SO2 grouping PA1 Ar represents an aromatic ring such as phenyl except in those compounds having X=S and n=2. It also represents a substituted phenyl group such as 4-nitrophenyl, 4-acetylaminophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3-dimethyl-aminophenyl, 4-biphenyl, 4-phenoxyphenyl, 4-benzylphenyl, 4-benzyloxyphenyl. It can also represent the 1-naphthyl and 2-naphthyl groups.
The pharmacological activity of compounds of formula (I) have been established as is indicated later on.
The compounds can be obtained using known methods already described in the literature:

1,4-dihydropyridine compounds with PAF-antagonistic activity