A semiconductor integrated circuit has a memory collar including a memory cell configured to store a written data pattern and read and output the data pattern, and a register configured to store a failed data pattern, and a built-in self test circuit configured to write the data pattern in the memory cell, output expected value data, and decide whether to continue a test or suspend the test to output failure information to outside, based on a comparison result of the data pattern outputted from the memory cell and the expected value data and a comparison result of the data pattern and the failed data pattern.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit and a test system thereof.
Built-in self test (hereinafter, will be referred to as BIST) circuits are incorporated into semiconductor integrated circuits including memories, and the BIST circuits are used to conduct BISTs to identify the presence or absence of failures in memories and locate failures.
BIST circuits include a comparator BIST circuit which compares a data expected value equal to written data and data read from a memory and identifies the presence or absence of a failure, and a compressor BIST circuit which compresses, in the BIST circuit, data read from a memory and identifies the presence or absence of a failure by using the compression result.
The following will describe BIST operations in a conventional semiconductor integrated circuit including a comparator BIST circuit.
A BIST control circuit in the BIST circuit controls a data generator, an address generator, a control signal generator, and a result analyzer. A BIST target memory is included in a block called a memory collar, together with logical elements required for BIST operations.
The memory is fed with written data generated from the data generator, address data generated from the address generator, and a control signal generated from the control signal generator.
Data outputted from the memory is temporarily stored in a capturing register disposed on the output side of the memory. An output from the capturing register is compared by a comparator with a data expected value generated from the data generator, and the comparison result is held in a flag register. An output from the flag register is inputted to the result analyzer in the BIST circuit, and a final BIST result is outputted.
When conducting BISTs on a plurality of memories in a single BIST circuit, flag data from the memories is inputted to the result analyzer, the presence or absence of a failure is determined based on the overall BISTs, and then a final BIST result is outputted.
Further, when failure diagnosis is conducted with a BIST circuit to extract possible locations of failures in memories, output data is serially extracted from the plurality of memories to the outside and is observed by an external tester.
When using the aforementioned comparator BIST circuit, the capturing registers for capturing memory outputs in the memory collars and the flag registers for receiving outputs from the comparators in the memory collars are all serially connected. Moreover, the registers, an address register fed with an address from an address generating circuit in the BIST circuit, and the flag register of the overall BIST are all serially connected, so that a circular shift path is formed in the overall BIST circuit.
The shift path is used in failure diagnosis and register values are shifted out according to the timing of reading. Since the shift path is formed in a circulating manner, the circuit can recover to the suspended state of the BIST operation after the end of shifting-out.
After that, the BIST is restarted and register values are shifted out on the subsequent timing of reading. By repeatedly suspending the BIST operation, shifting out register values, and restarting the BIST operation, it is possible to read states in the memories. Based on obtained results, a fail bit map indicating the bit position of a failure in the cell array of the memory is produced and failure analysis is conducted.
However, such a conventional technique requires serial reading of all the BIST results and thus register values have to be shifted out also from memories other than the target of failure diagnosis. Therefore, BISTs conducted on a large number of memories in a single BIST circuit result in an extremely long failure diagnosis time.
Further, for example, when similar failed patterns consecutively appear, it is necessary to detect a failure, suspend the BIST operation, shift out a register value, and restart the BIST operation at each address, resulting in an extremely long failure diagnosis time.
Moreover, when BIST results are shifted out, the shift outputs are observed and compared with an expected value in the external tester. The observation and comparison are restricted because the operating speed of the external tester is lower than the operating speed (actual speed) of a semiconductor integrated circuit in an actual operation.
Therefore, it has been difficult to conduct failure diagnosis at the actual speed of the semiconductor integrated circuit and it has not been possible to detect possible failures which can be detected only by failure diagnosis at the actual speed.

Semiconductor integrated circuit and test system thereof


The surface cleaning apparatus is provided in self-propelled embodiments and in a trailer embodiment. The apparatus draws liquid from a supplied tank. Liquid is pressurized to approximately 4,000 psi, then directly to the surface to be cleaned. All cleaning and cleaning component functions are powered via the same fluid pumps via a supply manifold. Total width limitations dictated the design of the sidewalk capable apparatus.

Cleaning sidewalks and other narrow areas, especially those paved, has typically been done by limited equipment which requires a plurality of workers simultaneously occupied in cleaning efforts. Labor costs are therefore significant. The equipment typically involved is not sized for sidewalks and the like, but is instead designed for much larger areas. For this reason, traffic is often stopped or rerouted in order for such surfaces to be cleaned. Also, due to these problems, such surfaces are not often cleaned as thoroughly or as often as might be recommended. What is needed is a sidewalk cleaning apparatus that can be operated by one individual. What is further needed is repetitive cleaning mechanisms that overlap in order to assure cleanliness. A further desirable feature is sufficient liquid pressure to insure proper cleaning. The present apparatus provides these advantages.
The present apparatus further provides adjustable height cleaning components and spring loaded housings which move inwardly upon impact with extraneous objects.


A medicine cart (1) having excellent workability in filling and returning a medicine, comprising an upwardly opening cassette (10) storing a plurality of medicines (15a, 15b, 15c) arranged in a row in an upright state and a pressing member (47) pressing the rearmost medicine (15c) in the cassette (10) forward. An insert guide part (51) is formed at the pressing side end part of the pressing member (47) so that the medicine (15) can be inserted between the pressing member (47) and the rearmost medicine (15c). The pressing side end part of the pressing member (47) having a vertical front surface and an inclined upper surface (51), wherein both the vertical front surface and the upper surface (51) are in the shape of a concave circular arc.

As this type of a medicine cart, patent document 1 proposes a medicine storage device, in which a cassette inclined with the take-out side thereof facing downward stores a plurality of medicines arranged in a row in the upright state, the medicines are biased forward by a weight that contacts with a rearmost medicine, and the medicines are taken out one by one from an entrance provided in the corner of the front end of the cassette or the medicine taken out is returned therefrom.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-198194


The present invention relates to wetness indicator compositions that comprise at least one leuco dye and one color developer in a hot-melt adhesive matrix. Upon contact with water or with water-containing fluids, said wetness indicator compositions are apt to change their color from a colorless state to a colorful state or from a first colored state to a second colored state having a color different from the first one; in particular, from a first colorless, white, or translucent state to a second state having a visible color, or vice versa. The disclosed wetness indicator compositions can be used as wetness/fluid indicators in various applications, e.g. in packaging articles and in absorbent articles; in an absorbent mat or sheet or operatory cloth for medical use; in a wound dressing product; in an absorbent mat or sheet for food products.

In various fields of use and related articles, there is the need to signal to the user that a certain object or article, that is initially kept in a substantially dry state, has been in contact with liquid water or with water containing fluids or that it now contains water or aqueous fluids that were not initially present. Examples of similar applications may be certain foods that are preferentially packaged in a dry state and must be kept in such a state, certain chemicals or medical drugs that may be degraded by water or hygienic disposable absorbent articles that need to be changed when they are full of urine or of other aqueous body fluids.
All systems that can signal to a user the contact with water or the presence of liquid water or of water containing fluids, are here on the whole defined as "wetness indicators". For example the signal on which many wetness indicator systems work may be a change in color, from a first color that the wetness indicator shows in the initial, substantially dry state of the article on which it is applied, to a second different color in the wet state.
One of the two different colors between which the appearance of the wetness indicator changes upon contact with water or aqueous fluids can be a white or substantially colorless state. In certain fields of use and related articles, especially an initially (in the dry state) white or substantially colorless wetness indicator may also be a preferred choice, obviously provided that said indicators are then apt to change their appearance to a visible color once they get in contact with a water containing liquid; typical examples are food packaging or hygienic absorbent articles. In both these exemplary cases, an initial white or substantially colorless appearance of the wetness indicator composition is generally connected, in the perception of most users, to concepts like "hygiene" "cleanliness" or "well preserved", thus being much more liked by consumers.
Wetness indicator compositions may therefore comprise a colorant adapted to change in appearance, i.e., appear, disappear and in general change its initial color, etc., upon contact—together with the article to which the wetness indicator composition is associated—with liquid water or with fluids containing water as their main component. For example, in the case of hygienic absorbent articles, said fluids containing water as their main component are physiological body fluids such as urine, runny bowel movements, menses, etc. and the change of color appearance indicates here the need for the user to change the already exhausted disposable hygienic absorbent article. In other applications, e.g. in packaging water sensitive food or medical drugs, the change of color appearance may show that the product has not been preserved in the correct way and therefore the need of discarding the same.
However the active colorant mostly used as wetness indicator compositions for hygienic absorbent articles have an initial highly colorful state; in particular in most cases they are yellow in the initial dry state, i.e. before being contacted by water or physiological fluids, while change to a different color, e.g. blue or purple, when wetted.
Therefore, in above said applications, there is a continuing need for wetness/fluid indicators that can provide a variety of final wet color options, in presence of water, while starting preferably from a colorless/white initial dry state of the wetness indicator. There is also a continuing need for novel technical ways to incorporate such wetness indicators to the articles to which they are associated, that may offer improvements in manufacturing processes related to said application.
The object of the present invention is therefore to offer a wetness indicator composition according to a new concept, apt to simultaneously satisfy both the above mentioned market needs.
In particular, a first object of the invention is to provide a wetness indicator composition that, in the anhydrous state, is colorless or white and that in the wet state instead shows a strong and bright color.
A second object of the invention is then to provide a wetness indicator composition that may simplify and improve the application process of the composition into various articles with which it may be associated, in particular by providing said composition with: a good adhesion strength onto the widest variety of substrates used in the articles to which it must be associated, especially paper, cardboard and plastic of all possible kinds; a very high adhesion speed; an excellent storage stability over time without giving rise to undesired color changes; said composition being also preferably free from any flammable, volatile or toxic solvents.

Wetness indicator compositions comprising leuco dyes


This disclosure relates to immunogenic compositions comprising mutant Streptococcus pneumonia pneumolysin (PLY) proteins. Nucleic acids, polypeptides encoded thereby, compositions containing the same, methods for using such nucleic acids, polypeptides and compositions are also provided.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important pathogen, causing invasive diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteraemia. Even in regions where effective antibiotic therapy is freely available, the mortality rate from pneumococcal pneumonia can be as high as 19% in hospitalized patients. In developing countries, in excess of three million children under the age of five years die each year from pneumonia, of which S. pneumoniae is the most commonly identified causative agent. S. pneumoniae also causes less serious, but highly prevalent infections such as otitis media and sinusitis, which have a significant impact on health-care costs in developed countries. Otitis media is especially important in young children, while sinusitis affects both children and adults.
Currently, licensed anti-pneumococcal vaccines are based on formulations of various capsular polysaccharide antigens derived from highly prevalent strains. Serotypes that most commonly cause invasive pneumococcal infection appear to differ somewhat in various regions of the world. In North America in the pre-vaccination era, serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F were the seven most common serotypes causing invasive disease in children aged ≦5 years of age (Butler, et al. J. Infect. Dis. 171 (4): 855-889 (1995)). These serotypes were reported to be responsible for 70-88% of invasive disease in these children and accounted for 100% of S. pneumoniae with high-level penicillin-resistance.
Two types of pneumococcal vaccines are in clinical use: the 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (23-PPV) and the 7-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV7) (Siber, et al. Pneumococcal Vaccines: The Impact of Conjugate Vaccine. Washington D.C.: ASM Press; 2008). The polysaccharide antigens in 23-PPV elicit a T-cell-independent immune response, resulting in poor immunologic memory. Additionally, while 23-PPV confers 60-80% protection against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in adults and the elderly, immunity wanes substantially after 5 years and it is poorly immunogenic in children≦2 years of age. Robust T-cell responses with immunologic memory is observed in young children vaccinated with PCV7 (Prevnar®, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) Prevnar 13 (PCV13), which includes the serotypes of PCV7 and serotypes 1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F, and 19A was recently recommended for approval by a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on vaccines and related biological products. Studies are also underway on a ten-valent vaccine (Synflorix, GSK) containing polysaccharides of ten pneumococcal serotypes (1, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F) conjugated to a carrier protein.
Despite their resounding success and significant public health impact, anti-pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have also had some well known shortcomings, including the complexity of conjugate vaccine production, which increases manufacturing costs. More important, however, is the finding that polysaccharide-based conjugate vaccines protect only against infections caused by bacteria that express the particular capsule-type represented by the vaccine. This is a problem in regions such as Latin America, Asia and Africa, in which the serotypes represented by PCV7 are responsible for much less invasive disease than elsewhere in the world (Black, et al. In: Plotkin S A, et al. eds. Vaccines, 5th Edition. WB Saunders. Chapter 23 (2008); Garcia, et al. Rev. Panam. Salud. Publica. 19(5):340-8 (2006); Lagos, R. Pediatr. Infect. Dis. J. 21 (12): 1115-23 (2002)). This need may be addressed by the new generation of conjugate vaccines, the 10- and 13-valent PCV vaccines (PCV-10 and PCV-13), currently in development and/or licensure stage.
Regional issues (e.g., limited serotype coverage, the potential for replacement disease with non-vaccine serotypes, capsular switching, carrier-induced suppression, and manufacturing and supply constraints are understood by those of skill in the art to present significant problems in vaccinating worldwide populations. It is known that S. pneumoniae is antigenically and clonally diverse (Hanage, et al. Infect. Immun. 73(1):431-5 (2005)), with a single pneumococcal serotype typically including a number of genetically divergent clones. Pneumococcal proteins are known to be much more conserved between serotypes and have thus been considered as potential vaccines.
Pneumolysin has been reported to be an intracellular protein that causes a variety of toxic effects in vivo when released upon lysis of pneumococci. The protein is highly conserved in both amino acid sequence and antigenicity among clinical isolates, thus satisfying some basic criteria for its use as a vaccine antigen (Paton, et al. Infect. Immun. 40(2) 548-52 (1983); Lock, et al. Microb. Pathog. 5(6): 461-67 (1988)). However, it has inherent hemolytic properties, and mutants have therefore been developed and studied for their potential as vaccines. Historically the most commonly studied pneumolysin mutant is PdB, containing a single amino acid change, Trp433Phe (Paton, et al. Infect. Immun. 59(7):2297-304 (1991); Lu, et al. Infect. Immun. 77(5): 2076-83 (2009); Ogunniyi, et al. Infect Immun. 75(1):350-7 (2007); Berry, et al. Infect. Immun. 63(5): 1969-74 (1995); Berry, et al. Infect. Immun. 67(2): 981-85 (1999)).
Other PLY mutants, including ΔAla146 with a deletion of amino acid 146, and ΔAla146R147, have been recently described (Kirkham, et al. Infect. Immun. 74(1): 586-93 (2006)). Both ΔAla146 and ΔAla146R147 were shown to lack haemolytic activity against human erythrocytes. Alum-adjuvanted ΔAla146 was also shown to be as protective as alum-adjuvanted wild-type PLY.
Although there were differences in the mouse strains used, the S. pneumoniae serotypes used and the routes of immunization, compilation of results from these studies using sepsis models have indicated that PdB or ΔAla146 prolong survival of mice when compared with placebo control groups. In the pneumonia model, immunization of mice with PdB yielded a significant decrease in numbers of pneumococci in the lungs of infected mice compared to a placebo control (Briles, et al. J. Infect. Dis. 188(3): 339-48 (2003)). Moreover, in most of these findings, PdB was found to provide a superior protection against a wide variety of strains when used in combination with other virulence factors such as PspA, PspC or PsaA (Lu, supra; Ogunniyi, supra; Berry (1995), supra). Although the PdB mutant provided significant protection in some models, it had the drawback of possessing residual hemolytic activity. However, as mentioned above, ΔAla146 provided both protective immunity and a lack of haemolytic activity.
While several mutant PLY vaccines have been developed, there is a clear need in the art for additional mutants that are both protective and lack haemolytic activity. One such mutant, PlyD1, is described herein. The data presented herein shows that PlyD1 lacks hemolytic activity, generates neutralizing antibodies that inhibit hemolysis by PLY in vitro, and is protective in certain animal models.

The Kingdom of The Netherlands, Represented by The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport, On Behalf of The Minister, The National Institute of Public Health and The Environment


Techniques for processing changes in a cluster database system are provided. A first instance in the cluster transfers a data block to a second instance in the cluster before a redo record that stores one or more changes that the first instance made to the data block is durably stored. The first instance also transfers, to the second instance, a block change timestamp that indicates when a redo record for the one or more changes was generated by the first instance. The first instance also separately sends, to the second instance, a last store timestamp that indicates when the last redo record that was durably stored was generated by the first instance. The block change timestamp and the last store timestamp are used by the second instance when creating redo records for changes (made by the second instance) that depend on the redo record generated by the first instance.

A cluster database system comprises multiple nodes, each of which executes one or more database server instances that share the same storage where database files reside. Each instance reads and modifies data blocks in the instance's own memory cache and synchronizes reads from and writes to the shared storage with other instances through a synchronization mechanism. Changes to data blocks are made within transactions that read and modify the data blocks. Transactions generate redo records (collectively "redo") for changes made to data blocks. A single redo record may indicate one or more changes. Each instance causes redo records to be written to one or more durable log files that are separate from the log files of each other instance. A data block is written from volatile memory to the shared database after the redo up to and including the last change to the data block is written to storage in order to guarantee that the database does not contain changes not reflected in the redo.
Redo for changes that are made to a data block follow the order in which the changes are made on different instances in a cluster. The order may be guaranteed by assigning a global (i.e., for all the instances in the cluster) sequence number or timestamp for each change, which is also contained in each redo record. During recovery, redo log files from different instances are merged based on the respective timestamps of the different redo records to create an ordered redo stream for each data block.
One approach to enforce the order of redo for a data block is to delay the inter-instance transfer of a data block until all redo for that data block is written to persistent storage. This approach guarantees that if the source instance crashes after the data block is sent, there would be no lost redo that comes before the redo for changes made on the destination instance.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Data transfers between cluster instances with delayed log file flush


A C-clamp for mounting stage accessories has four angled body portions, with one body portion being bent to provide a first acute angle .phi. between the first and second body portions, and a second acute angle .theta. between the second and third body portions, and an approximately right angle .alpha. between the third and fourth body portions. The C-clamp has threaded holes in the first body portion and in the fourth body portion, respectively. The first acute angle is greater than the second acute angle. A tightening bolt in the first threaded hole is positioned to compress a pipe against the second and third body portions. Consequently, the tightening bolt can securely fasten the clamp onto support pipes of various sizes. A mounting bolt is inserted into the second threaded hole either to fasten the C-clamp to a support structure such as a ceiling joist so that the clamp can be used to support a pipe, or to fasten a stage accessory such as a flood light, spot projector or curtain to a pipe. Thus, one type of clamp can be used not only on a range of pipe sizes, but also both to support the pipe and to fasten stage accessories to the pipe.

In stage or theater arrangements, pipes are used for supporting a variety of stage accessories. This permits stage accessories such as lighting fixtures or curtains to be conveniently rearranged as different productions are presented. According to conventional practice, one type of clamp has been used to suspend a pipe from a wall or ceiling, and a second type of clamp has been used to mount stage accessories on the pipe. Further, different size clamps (of both types) have been required for use with different size pipes. Generally, theaters use support pipes ranging from 1 inch to 21/4 inches I.D., with the O.D. being about 1/4 inch greater than the I.D.


The invention relates to a device which aims to improve safety and reliability in a remote engine starting and stopping device for construction machines. A starting signal for starting an engine is transmitted to a construction machine from a transmission which is separate from the construction machine. The starting signal is received by a receiver on the construction machine. When the starting signal is received by the receiver, an engine starting device is driven for starting of an engine on condition that an operating lever for a working machine being on a neutral position is detected by a neutral position detection. As a result, a danger of the working machine coming into motion in an unmanned state is avoided for improvement of safety. Further, if the engine having worked is detected by a working condition detection after an engine starting device is driven by the engine start, the engine is made to work until a predetermined period of time elapses after a point of time when the detection is effected. As a result, warm-up is performed for a preset time after a point of time when the engine is actually made to work, so that reliability in unmanned operation is improved.

Remote engine starters in which an electromagnetic wave is sent to an automobile by a transmitter, this is received by a receiver in the automobile, and the automobile engine is started by driving a self-starter motor in response to this received signal are already well known for automobiles (automatic vehicles).
Such a remote engine starter enables the engine to be started to perform warm-up operation before setting out on a busy morning without needing to go to the location of the automobile itself; this is convenient and saves time.
Wheel loaders and similar construction machines are often employed in severe natural environments such as extreme cold. There is therefore a particularly great demand in such cold regions for the ability to start the engine so that warm-up operation can be completed before going to the site of the construction machine.
However, the mode of operation and work performed by the operator in a construction machine differ from that of an ordinary automobile. Furthermore, while ordinary automobiles mainly employ gasoline engines, construction machines use diesel engines.
Consequently, if the remote engine starters that are employed in automobiles were to be applied without modification to construction machines, there would be a risk that safety might be impaired in that the working machines of construction machines should not be in motion unattended, as well as reduced reliability in that there would be no positive indication as to whether the diesel engine had actually been started or stopped.

Remote engine starting and stopping device for construction machine


A system and method for personalized search ranking may use a user's feedback to immediately reorder search results for this particular user so as to improve click-through rate. Upon receiving a query including one or more words, a search engine may identify a list of search results and display the search results on a search result page. A machine-learning module may collect information about a user's browsing activities on the result page, update estimates of relevance of the search results, and reorder the search result list to personalize it for the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to Internet search, and more particularly to ordering of search results.
2. Description of Related Art
A search engine may allow users to search for web pages or other materials accessible over the Internet with one or more search terms. After receiving from a user a query including one or more words, a search engine may identify web pages that may be related to the words, and display on a result page information about the web pages as a list of search results, e.g., a link to a web page containing the word(s). The search results may be ranked according to their relevance to the words, with the most relevant search result being positioned at the top of the list. The relevance may be determined according to search engine algorithms of a search engine service provider.
There can be millions of search results returned for an Internet search. The list of search results may go on for a number of result pages, and each result page may expand over several screens. Whether a search result is clicked on or not depends on whether and where it was displayed. For example, web users tend to click on search results near the top of search result pages more often. The bottom result on a search result page is typically clicked on substantially less often than is the top result, even if the actual content of the bottom result is more relevant to a search.
In addition, when different people type in the same query to a search engine, they often mean different things. For example, the query "apple" may refer to the fruit or the company of the same name. If the order of returned search results is not right for a particular user and his query, the user may ignore search results which are more relevant to his search but are placed in less prominent positions, resulting in a low click-through rate.
Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a system and method which may personalize the order of search results to decrease the bias introduced by position effects and increase the click-through rate.


A data recorder constructed in the form of a hand set (10) with an actuating mechanism function switch (14) and a time switch clock coupled to an audible signal transmitter with a time setting means, the reset key or the reset function is inhibited until after the data recall, in which each data recording is storable with a presettable time at which the audible signal transmitter is activated by means of a timing circuit, and/or wherein the data recording is individually inhibited until its recall againt an inadvertent reset so that the recorder can be employed as an appointment scheduler.

According to the DE-A-24 10 445, an alarm clock, more particularly in the form of an alarm wrist watch, is already known which, apart from the watch drive in the watch case, additionally possesses a loudspeaker which is connected to a sound generating means as well as with pertinent switching means. A diaphragm supported on the watch case serves for this, on which a coil in the form of a cylindrical ring is attached, which is surrounded by a cylindrical permamanent magnet rigidly mounted on the case. A miniaturized tape recorder with an endless tape spool or a radio receiver is provided as sound generating means.
Also known are dictating machines for magnetic tape casettes, which are designed as hand sets and which are adjustable with the aid of a sliding switch for different function sequences. According to the DE-U1-80 32 508.2, it has already been proposed to minimize this device still further so that it corresponds substantially to the magnetic tape recorder casette and the sliding switch is disposed on the narrow longitudinal side. Moreover, this device possesses a digital clock, into which a time of the day can be inputted at which a wake-up signal is triggered in the sound amplifier of the device. This wake-up signal triggers, at the same time or with a pre-set brief delay, via a further sign output of the digital clock the drive of the device for a slow forward run for the reproduction of a text recorded on the magnetic tape via the loudspeaker. In this way the dictating machine is intended to also serve as an audible notebook.
The DE-A-32 43 438 A1, too, deals with an electronic clock or watch which solves the technical problem that the emitted alarm or wake-up tones are intended to enable the user to remember a specific event. The message or note is reproduced in the form of a speech signal, which is possible by the use of digital-analog converters in conjunction with appropriate filtering circuits.
The DE-A-38 829 A1 proposes a miniaturized dictating machine combined with or integrated into the same, whose keyboard may be additionally constructed as a cordless telephone and/or computer.
The devices proposed up to now can generally be divided into two groups, the one of dictating machines and the one of clock wakeing up functions. A clock or watch emitting an alarm signal at a preset time does, however, not reveal what the wake-up signal is meant to remind of. The clock or watch according to the DE-A-32 43 438 A1 does take remedial action here, it is true, in that the alarm signal is the reproduction of a speech recording, however, this reproduction is always unsatisfactory when it takes place on an unwanted occasion, such as e.g. during lectures or conferences.
That is why it is the technical problem of the present invention to develop further or to provide a data recorder of the known type to the effect that it can be employed as an appointment scheduler.


A nanotip capacitor and associated fabrication method are provided. The method provides a bottom electrode and grows electrically conductive nanotips overlying the bottom electrode. An electrically insulating dielectric is deposited overlying the nanotips, and an electrically conductive top electrode is deposited overlying dielectric-covered nanotips. Typically, the dielectric is deposited by forming a thin layer of dielectric overlying the nanotips using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. In one aspect, the electrically insulating dielectric covering the nanotips forms a three-dimensional interface of dielectric-covered nanotips. Then, the electrically conductive top electrode overlying the dielectric-covered nanotips forms a three-dimensional top electrode interface, matching the first three-dimensional interface of the dielectric-covered nanotips.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to integrated circuit (IC) fabrication and, more particularly, to a nanotip capacitor and a method for fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the fabrication of nanowires has been explored, due to its potential importance as a building block in nano, microelectromechanical (MEM), and nanoelectromechanical NEM device applications. For example, researchers associated with Charles Lieber of Harvard University have reported the synthesis of a variety of semiconductor nanowires made from materials such as silicon (Si), Si-germanium (SiGe), InP, and GaN, for use in building nano-computing system. Other groups have also reported using templates structures to grow metallic nanowires made of materials such as Ni, NiSi, Au, and Pt. Metallic nanowires can be used as interconnections and the sharp tips of the nanowire make them effective for field emission purpose. For example, ZnO nanowires are potentially useful as a light emission element. However, metallic nanowires are fragile, and it is difficult to efficiently fabricate electrical devices from nanowires.
Nanowires can potentially be used in the fabrication of capacitors. There are several methods known to increase the capacitance per unit area of a conventional capacitor electrode. Some methods are: increasing the dielectric constant of the insulator between the electrodes, roughening the electrodes to increase their effective surface area, and using arogel-based supercapacitors. Arogel-based supercapacitors have very large energy storage capability, but the fabrication process is not compatible with conventional silicon (Si) integrated circuit (IC) processes. Additionally, three-dimensional electrodes can be formed, alternately spacing top and bottom electrode fins. However, these structures are difficult to efficiently fabricate.
It would be advantageous if capacitors could be fabricated with nanotip electrodes, forming cost-effective three-dimensional capacitors with ultra high capacitance.
It would be advantageous if the above-mentioned nanotip capacitors could be fabricated in-situ with silicon integrated circuit processes, without additional equipment or chemistry.


A light emitting diode package, a light source module and a backlight unit including the same are provided. A plurality of light emitting diode packages are arranged on a printed circuit board without interference therebetween, by forming lines therein.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a light emitting diode package, and more particularly, to a light emitting diode package capable of reducing a size of a light source module by forming an additional line therein, a light source module and a backlight unit including the same.
2. Background of the Disclosure
Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device has a small thickness, a light weight, and low power consumption. Due to such advantages, the LCD device is applied to a large television, etc., as well as a monitor, a notebook computer and a portable phone. Such LCD device includes a liquid crystal (LC) panel configured to display an image using an optical transmittance of liquid crystal molecules, and a backlight unit disposed below the LC panel and providing light to the LC panel.
The backlight unit includes a light source module configured to generate light to be provided to the LC panel. A light source of the light source module may include a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), a Flat Fluorescent Lamp (FFL), a Light Emitting Diode (LED), etc.
The LED has characteristics of high light-emitting efficiency, long lifespan and low power consumption. Due to such characteristics, the LED is used as a light source of the light source module of the backlight unit. The LED is fabricated in the form of packages in which light emitting chips have been mounted, and is used as a light source of the light source module.
FIG. 1A is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a light emitting diode (LED) package in accordance with the related art, and FIG. 1B is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ in FIG. 1A.
With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the related art LED package 1 includes a lead frame 6 composed of two leads separated from each other, i.e., an anode lead 6a and a cathode lead 6b; and a LED chip 4 mounted on one surface of the lead frame 6.
The LED chip 4 is connected to the anode lead 6a and the cathode lead 6b of the lead frame 6, by a wire 5 formed of gold (Au), silver (Ag), etc.
The lead frame 6, the LED chip 4 and the wire 5 are enclosed by the case 2 formed of opaque resin, etc. Part of the anode lead 6a and the cathode lead 6b of the lead frame 6 is exposed to outside so as to be mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown).
The LED chip 4 enclosed by the case 2 is covered by a sealant 3 formed of transparent resin.
FIG. 2 is a view schematically illustrating a light source module in accordance with the related art.
As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of LED packages 1 are mounted on a printed circuit board 11, to thus constitute a light source module 10.
The plurality of LED packages 1 are implemented in the form of groups, which are called chains. In the related art light source module 10, an odd-numbered LED package 1 and an even-numbered LED package 1 among the plurality of LED packages 1 mounted on the printed circuit board 11 are arranged in groups with two chain structures.
That is, the light source module 10 has a plurality of LED packages 1 mounted on the printed circuit board 11 in groups with a first chain structure and a second chain structure. Each group is connected to lines formed at the printed circuit board 11, i.e., power supply lines 13a, 13b and connection lines 14a, 14b.
The first chain structure is composed of a first LED package 1 connected to the first power supply line 13a of the printed circuit board 11, a third LED package 1 connected to the first LED package 1 by the first connection line 14a, and a fifth LED package 1.
The second chain structure is composed of a second LED package 1 connected to the second power supply line 13b of the printed circuit board 11, and a fourth LED package 1 connected to the second LED package 1 by the second connection line 14b.
That is, the plurality of LED packages 1 having the first chain structure, and the plurality of LED packages 1 having the second chain structure are mounted on the printed circuit board 11 so that electrodes thereof can alternate each other in polarity. For instance, the first LED package 1 having the first chain structure has electrodes (+), (−), and the third LED package 1 connected to the first LED package 1 through the first connection line 14a has electrodes (−), (+). Further, the fifth LED package 1 connected to the third LED package 1 through the first connection line 14a has electrodes (+), (−). Under such configuration, the plurality of LED packages 1 having the first chain structure are connected to one another in serial.
The second chain structure is implemented in the same manner as the first chain structure. The first chain structure and the second chain structure are implemented in parallel.
In the related art light source module 10, as the number of chain structures of the LED packages 1 is increased, a width (D) of the printed circuit board 11 is increased.
For instance, in order to connect the plurality of LED packages 1 having the second chain structure to one another, in a state where the plurality of LED packages 1 having the first chain structure have been connected to one another through the first connection line 14a, the second connection line 14b should be formed at an upper end or a lower end of the LED package 1 having the first chain structure. Under such configuration, the width (D) of the printed circuit board 11 is increased.
Further, as the number of the chain structures of the LED packages 1 is increased, the printed circuit board 11 of the light source module 10 has a multi-layered structure. Accordingly, lines are formed even on a rear surface of the printed circuit board 11. Lines formed on a front surface of the printed circuit board 11 are connected to lines formed on a rear surface of the printed circuit board 11, through holes 15. As the number of chain structures is increased, the number of lines formed on the rear surface of the printed circuit board 11, and the length of the lines are increased.
The light source module 10 is accommodated in a side wall of an accommodating container (not shown) of the LCD device. As the LCD device becomes slim, the printed circuit board 11 of the light source module 10 has a limited width.
That is, in the related art light source module 10, as the number of chain structures of the LED package 1 is increased, the width (D) of the printed circuit board 11 is increased. To solve such problem, the printed circuit board 11 having a multi-layered structure is used. However, in this case, production cost of the light source module 10 is increased.

Light emitting diode package, light source module and backlight unit including the same


A method of establishing and updating a master node in a computer network by scoring each node in the network as a function of its physical attributes, designating the highest scoring node as the master node, sending a periodic message by the master node with its score and a request for non-master node scores, sending a message by a non-master node to the master node requesting relinquishment of master node status if the non-master node has a higher score, relinquishing master node status to a non-master node with a higher score and returning to the third step, and declaring by a non-master node that it is a master node if it has not received a message from the previously designated master node in a user-definable period of time and returning to the third step.

Individual computers (commonly referred to as nodes) may be electronically connected together into a cluster to form a unified, powerful computing network. One node (commonly referred to as a master node) is selected to coordinate the activities of the non-master, or slave, nodes in the network. A master node typically initiates actions and controls decision making of non-master nodes in a network. The master node also tasks non-master nodes. A master node may malfunction, or a node may be added to a network that is more suited to be the master node than the designated master node. Therefore, there is a need for a method of establishing and updating a master node in a computer network.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,608, entitled "RING NETWORK WITH TEMPORARY MASTER NODE FOR COLLECTING DATA FROM SLAVE NODES DURING FAILURE," discloses a device for and method of a slave node acting as a temporary master node if it does not receive a command message from the permanent master node. The permanent master node is assigned priority zero, whereas the slave nodes are assigned values one to four. If a slave node does not receive a command message from the permanent master node then it acts as a master node by assigning values one to four to nodes it considers slave nodes and sending out command messages to supposed slave nodes. The temporary node repeats this process until it receives a response from a node with a higher priority. The present invention does not allow slave nodes to assign priority values to other nodes, and does not allow slave nodes to send command messages as does U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,608. U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,608 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,950,855, entitled "MASTER NODE SELECTION IN CLUSTERED NODE CONFIGURATION," discloses a device for and method of selecting a primary master node and a secondary master node (i.e., a master node pair) from an optimal combination of node pairs, where the optimal combination is found by searching for the maximum total availability potential of the network. The availability potential is a sum of participation indexes of a node pair minus a hamming distance between the node pair, where the hamming distance is the number of node groups the node pair do not share in common. If a master node pair does not exist in a node group then a master node is selected. The present invention does not calculate a hamming distance, sum participation indices to arrive at an availability potential, or determine an optimal combination from the availability potential as does U.S. Pat. No. 6,950,855. U.S. Pat. No. 6,950,855 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,648, entitled "RESOLVING MULTIPLE MASTER NODE CONFLICTS IN A DDB," discloses a device for and method of selecting a master node by a global administrator. If the security of the global administrator is breached then other users may select master nodes. If there is a conflict between master nodes then the most recently selected master node is selected as the master node. The present invention does not require a global administrator, does not allow others to select global nodes if the security of a global administrator is breached, and does not resolve conflicts between master nodes by selecting the most recently selected master node as does U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,648. U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,648 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 20050125501, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING MASTER NODE OF RING NETWORK," discloses a device for and method of setting a master node of a ring network, having adjacently connected nodes situated on rightward and leftward lines of a bi-directional transmission channel. The master node selected is one that has a number of interposed nodes counted from the leftward line that is either equal to or one less the number of interposed nodes counted from the rightward line. The present invention does not count the number of interposed nodes from either a leftward line or a rightward line and does not use such a result to choose a master node as does U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 20050125501. U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 20050125501 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 20070101016, entitled "METHOD FOR CONFIRMING IDENTITY OF A MASTER NODE SELECTED TO CONTROL I/O FABRIC CONFIGURATION IN A MULTI-HOST ENVIRONMENT," discloses a method of determining the root, or master node, when it is in doubt. The method is to compare the identification fields of the two nodes in question and determining that the master node is the one with the higher number in its identification field. The present invention does not compare the identification fields of two nodes in question to determine that the master node is the one with the higher number in its identification field as does U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 20070101016. U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 20070101016 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.

Method of establishing and updating master node in computer network

The United States of America as represented by the Director National Security Agency


Disclosed is a method for realizing batch-based traceability for pork based on a QR code. Based on the QR code, user information is added to a web address carried by the QR code to realize the traceability for the pork. The method includes: 1) registering basic information of pigs in breeding and brokering processes; 2) printing an initial traceability QR code of a carcass in a slaughtering process; 3) adding user information to the initial traceability QR code in a selling process, and updating the user information to the traceability system; and 4) scanning the traceability QR code to recall data of the traceability system in a catering process to achieve transparent information. The pork and pork products are traced from production process to the selling process.

Safety of pork and pork products have always been a focus of the food safety, and people have conducted in-depth research on solving food safety problems at the source. In existing techniques, traceability information of involving users cannot be easily recorded for storage in the whole selling process of the pork, and the pork cannot be well traced after it is cut. In this application, information of the involving users is added to the structural web address carried by the QR code of the pork, so that traceability information can be updated to the system via internet for storage and management when the involving users carry out a simple operation, i.e. scanning the QR code. The consumers scan the QR code to obtain more detailed traceability information of the pork.

Method for realizing batch-based traceability for pork based on QR code


The present solution provides quality of service (QoS) for a stream of protocol data units via a single transport layer connection. A device receives via a single transport layer connection a plurality of packets carrying a plurality of protocol data units. Each protocol data unit identifies a priority. The device may include a filter for determining an average priority for a predetermined window of protocol data units and an engine for assigning the average priority as a connection priority of the single transport layer connection. The device transmits via the single transport layer connection the packets carrying those protocol data units within the predetermined window of protocol data units while the connection priority of the single transport layer connection is assigned the average priority for the predetermined window of protocol data units.

A single transport layer connection between a remote display client and a server may be used for all communications. One remote display client is an ICA client. In ICA protocol the communication latency requirements may formulated in terms of "virtual streams or channels" which are assigned priorities. A high priority virtual channels may expect to have low communication latency. For example it may be desirable to maintain low latency for GUI interactions to improve human perceived responsiveness. To achieve this, GUI interaction events may be sent in the high priority virtual channel, while bulk data transfers (file copy for example) may be sent in the low priority channel.

Systems and methods of QoS for single stream ICA


Method for adapting a relationship stored in an electronic control unit, between a moment transmittable by a clutch, and a control variable for controlling an actuation unit of the clutch, which clutch is arranged in an automated motor vehicle drive train with a torque detection device arranged between the clutch and a transmission with a steplessly changeable transmission ratio for producing an output parameter dependent upon a detected moment and the momentary transmission ration of the transmission, by which method the moment transmitted by the clutch is calculated from the momentary transmission ratio and the value of the output parameter, and in an operating condition of the clutch in which the transmittable and transmitted moment of the clutch are equalized, the transmitted moment is coordinated with the control variable as an updated transmittable moment.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for adjusting a relationship, which has been stored in an electronic control unit, between a torque transmittable by a clutch, and a control variable for controlling an actuation unit of the clutch. The clutch is contained in an automated motor vehicle drive train including a torque detection device arranged between the clutch and a transmission having a steplessly variable transmission ratio, to produce an output parameter from which the torque transmitted by the clutch can be calculated.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automated motor vehicle drive trains, especially those with a steplessly variable transmission, for example a belt-driven conical pulley transmission, are gaining increasing interest because of the possible gain in comfort and the reduced fuel consumption that is attainable.

Method and apparatus for adapting a clutch torque

LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG


An engine ECU performs a program including the steps of calculating an amount of the fuel required to be discharged from high-pressure fuel pumps (the required discharge amount), determining whether one high-pressure fuel pump can be stopped, and if not, determining whether the required discharge amount exceeds a maximum possible discharge amount of one high-pressure fuel pump of smaller capability, and if not, causing the two high-pressure fuel pumps to discharge the fuel in approximately equal amount, or if so, causing the high-pressure fuel pump of smaller capability to discharge the fuel of the maximum possible discharge amount and causing the high-pressure fuel pump of larger capability to discharge the fuel of the amount obtained by subtracting the discharge amount of the high-pressure fuel pump of smaller capability from the required discharge amount.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device of a high-pressure fuel system of an internal combustion engine that includes fuel injection means (in-cylinder injector) for injecting a fuel into a cylinder at a high pressure, or an internal combustion engine that includes, in addition to the above fuel injection means, fuel injection means (intake manifold injector) for injecting a fuel into an intake manifold or an intake port. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technique for controlling a high-pressure fuel system having a plurality of high-pressure fuel pumps.
2. Description of the Background Art
An engine having a first fuel injection valve (in-cylinder injector) for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber of a gasoline engine and a second fuel injection valve (intake manifold injector) for injecting a fuel into an intake manifold, and changing a fuel injection ratio between the in-cylinder injector and the intake manifold injector in accordance with the engine speed or the load of the internal combustion engine is known. A direct injection engine having only a fuel injection valve (in-cylinder injector) for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber of a gasoline engine is also known. In a high-pressure fuel system including the in-cylinder injector, the fuel having its pressure increased by a high-pressure fuel pump is supplied via a delivery pipe to the in-cylinder injector, which injects the high-pressure fuel into a combustion chamber of each cylinder of the internal combustion engine.
Further, a diesel engine having a common rail fuel injection system is also known. In the common rail fuel injection system, the fuel having its pressure increased by a high-pressure fuel pump is stored in a common rail, and injected from the common rail into a combustion chamber of each cylinder of the diesel engine according to opening/closing of an electromagnetic valve.
To obtain the fuel of a high pressure in such internal combustion engines, a high-pressure fuel pump is used which has a cylinder driven by a cam provided at a driveshaft that is connected to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 10-274075 discloses a cylinder injection internal combustion engine provided with cam-driven fuel pumps, which prevents variation in fuel amount among the cylinders due to discharge pulsation caused by the cam-driven fuel pumps. The cylinder injection internal combustion engine includes first and second cam-driven high-pressure fuel pumps that each perform suction and discharge of a fuel with a reciprocating motion of a plunger, slidably arranged in a pump housing, driven by a cam. The first high-pressure fuel pump is provided with a first discharge part that discharges the fuel at a first discharge timing. The second high-pressure fuel pump is provided with a second discharge part that discharges the fuel at a second discharge timing that has a desired phase difference Θ with respect to the first discharge-timing. Fuel injection valves include a first injection valve group that is branched on the downstream of the high-pressure fuel pumps and is supplied with the fuel at the first discharge timing, and a second injection valve group that is supplied with the fuel at the second discharge timing. With a pump speed reduction ratio represented by J and the number of cylinders of the engine represented by K, the number Y of cam crests at the cam part is set to satisfy Y×J=K/4, and phase difference Θ is set to satisfy Θ/J=720/K.
According to this cylinder injection internal combustion engine, the very simple configuration of providing two cam-driven high-pressure fuel pumps and setting the number of cam crests as well as the phase difference between the two high-pressure fuel pumps makes it possible to synchronize the pump pulsation cycles with the fuel injection cycles of the fuel injection valves, even in an engine having a large number of cylinders of which application is difficult. Accordingly, even in the event of large fluctuations of the fuel pressure due to the pump pulsation, the fuel injection pressure at the time of fuel injection becomes approximately equal among the cylinders, and the fuel of an approximately equal amount is injected from each cylinder. This also suppresses variation in air-fuel ratio among the cylinders.
Japanese Patent National Publication No. 2003-532833 discloses a fuel amount control system for an internal combustion engine having a particularly large combustion chamber or for an internal combustion engine having more than four cylinders, which ensures highly reliable fuel supply to a combustion chamber. The fuel amount control system includes a fuel reserve tank, at least one pre-feed pump, a high-pressure fuel pump device provided with at least two high-pressure fuel pumps for delivering a fuel from a low-pressure area to at least one high-pressure accumulator, a control device for controlling an injection pressure formed within the high-pressure accumulator, and a plurality of fuel injection valves for injecting the fuel from the high-pressure accumulator into a plurality of combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine. The fuel amount control system has a single fuel circuit for controlling the amounts of the fuel to be supplied to the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine. The high-pressure fuel pumps are all arranged in this fuel circuit, and the fuel circuit controls the high-pressure fuel pumps independently from each other using a single pressure control circuit commonly provided.
In this fuel amount control system, only one fuel circuit, rather than a plurality of fuel circuits, is provided for controlling the amounts of the fuel supplied to every combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine, and the high-pressure fuel pumps of the high-pressure fuel pump device are all arranged in this fuel circuit. The control device of the fuel amount control system controls the high-pressure fuel pumps independently from each other via one common pressure control circuit. There is only one high-pressure accumulator arranged in the fuel circuit. The injection pressure of this high-pressure accumulator can be controlled with the single pressure control circuit. As such, a fuel amount control system ensuring highly reliable fuel supply to the combustion chambers can be implemented inexpensively with a particularly simple configuration.
However, although Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 10-274075 and Japanese Patent National Publication No. 2003-532833 both disclose configuration of a high-pressure fuel system with a plurality of (two) high-pressure fuel pumps, they fail to disclose how to control the plurality of high-pressure fuel pumps in a cooperative manner so as to obtain a desired discharge pressure.

Control device of high-pressure fuel system of internal combustion engine


Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for improving the treatment of wastewater in a dispersal drainage trench by facilitating the direct aeration of wastewater passing through a drainage unit.

The present invention is directed generally to the improved use of air for drainage. More specifically, the present invention is directed to incorporating and directing passive or active aeration into drain field products placed in soil dispersal trenches, or into conduits to increase the residence time and surface area in order to better treat wastewater and effluent, and improving the flow characteristics of the effluent in the line by recirculating the wastewater and effluent flow from the terminal end of the field back downstream in the process.
The use of low-pressure piping to assist in septic drainage fields is known. In such known arrangements, pipes were often customized on-site. The low pressure piping typically delivered effluent under pressure from the lift station to the drainage field. Pretreatment of the wastewater leaving the septic tanks are also known. Such pretreatment allows the effluent to be further broken down before passing the effluent into the drainage field. These low-pressure systems also employ drainage field lines that terminate in the field. That is, there is no recirculation of the effluent. The effluent being treated reaches the drainage field and is released to the environment. However, such lines are easily affected by effluent clogging in the lines due the relative low pressure used in the lines, along with the inadequate treatment of the effluent in the line.
Drip irrigation systems are also known. While greater pressure is used initially in these lines, the tubing and emitters drop the effective pressure in the line to a minimal pressure at the point of drip. Further, such drip irrigation is largely used in agricultural applications rather than wastewater treatment. Because of the low pressure involved, pretreatment of the effluent leaving the septic tank is required since the effluent can easily clog the lines without pretreatment. A higher pressure alternative that reduces line clogging, while eliminating the need to separately pretreat the wastewater would be highly advantageous.
Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU's) are also known. These systems contain a volume of effluent to which air is added via a compressor and some type of air stone or bubbler, etc. This creates an aerobic environment that allows beneficial bacteria to thrive in the suspended water column and digest the organics in the effluent. Because the volume of water is great compared to the amount of air that can be supplied via the compressor and bubblers, the compressors must run continuously thus consuming large amounts of energy. A more efficient means to dissolve oxygen into the effluent while eliminating the need for an energy consuming compressor would be highly advantageous.

Micro diffusion of oxygen for treatment and dispersal of wastewater in a drain field


An antenna assembly comprises an elongate antenna element (11) mounted in a support (5) and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A helical antenna element (12) in electrical contact with the helical element is carried at one end of the elongate element. The coupling between the feed point and the antenna in the retracted and extended positions allow the same matching circuitry to be used in both conditions. The invention provides a compact and convenient dual antenna arrangement ideally suited for use in a portable cellular radio telephone.

The invention relates to an antenna assembly having a retractable antenna comprising a helical antenna element carried by an elongate antenna element which may be applied, for example, to a portable radio and, in particular to a hand portable radio telephone.
Retractable antennas are of particular benefit in portable radio telephones as they enable the telephone to be conveniently carried by a user when the antenna is in the retracted position while providing appropriate operating characteristics in both the retracted and the extended positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,576 describes an antenna for a portable cellular telephone comprising a helical coil at the base of a retractable elongate radiating element. The retractable element which extends through the helical coil, has non-conductive portions at its two ends whereby the elongate element is capacitatively coupled to the helical coil, and in the retracted position the elongate element is substantially decoupled therefrom. The helical coil is fixedly mounted on the housing of the radio transceiver.
Another type of retractable antenna is described in copending patent application No. 9115134.0 entitled Retractable Antenna with Helical End. In the antenna disclosed in this application the helical element is carried by the elongate element. Antennas of this type provide for satisfactory performance with the antenna retracted for stand-by operation with better sensitivity and range performance during normal use with the antenna extended.
To provide the proper matching, the elongate element and the helical element are electrically isolated. This enables matching networks to be provided to ensure that the characteristic impedance to the feed point is the same when the antenna is retracted and extended. The matching network includes a coaxial feed that supplies both the extended and the retracted antenna, the elongate antenna providing the central conductor of the coaxial feed when in the retracted condition. In this solution there are currents flowing within the case of the portable telephone when the antenna is retracted which create stray fields that might interfere with correct circuit operation.
In addition to the unwelcome currents flowing in the case, ensuring electrical isolation between the helical and elongate element is wasteful of resources in that the additional gain that the helical portion of the antenna could provide in the extended position is not utilised. The electrical isolation would normally be created by an air gap between the two elements. This can also create a weakness in the antenna at the junction between the component elements making it less robust when extended.


A 3-dimensional (3D) display apparatus and a 3D display method thereof are provided. The 3D display apparatus includes: a display unit which outputs a plurality of image frames; a synchronization signal processor which generates a synchronization signal corresponding to the image frames; a controller which acquires period information of first and second sequences of the synchronization signal and determines whether the synchronization signal has been stabilized, according to change information of the period information; and a communicator which determines time information of the stabilized synchronization signal according to the determination result and transmits shutter control data, which is generated based on the time information, to 3D glasses.

1. Field
Apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a 3-dimensional (3D) display apparatus and a 3D display method thereof, and more particularly, to a 3D display apparatus which displays a 3D image and a 3D display method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Efforts to develop a 3-dimensional (3D) display apparatus have accelerated for a further realistic watching. Therefore, a 3D image signal, which is mainly watched in a theater, may be watched in a household by using a general display apparatus such as a television (TV).
A 3D display apparatus is classified into a glasses type and a non-glasses type according to whether glasses are to be worn by a user or viewer. The non-glasses type corresponds to a method of converting an image signal into a multifocal image and outputting the multifocal image so that a user feels a 3D effect without glasses.
The glasses type corresponds to a method by which if a display apparatus alternately outputs a left eye image and a right eye image, a user recognizes the left eye image with the left eye and the right eye image with the right eye and thus feels a 3D effect due to a displacement between the left and right eye images.
The method that corresponds to the glasses type of apparatus may be classified into a shutter glasses method and a polarized method.
The shutter glasses method refers to a method by which shutters of glasses are switched so that a left eye glass is turned on when a left eye image is output and a right eye glass is turned on when a right eye image is output. The polarized method refers to a method by which a polarized direction of light outputted from a display apparatus alternately shifts at 0° and 90° for a user who wears glasses having different polarized directions.
The shutter glasses method adopts glasses which are more expensive than the polarized method but is mainly adopted for use in conjunction with a household TV.
In the shutter glasses method, an infrared (IR) method is used to provide an image of a 3D display apparatus and transmit a synchronization signal which is to synchronize on-off operations of left and right eye glasses of 3D glasses.
Therefore, noise is inserted into a synchronization signal through three wavelengths of a signal transmitted by a fluorescent lamp or by another home appliance which transmits an IR signal, such as a remote controller, and thus shutter glasses frequently malfunction due to the inserted noise.
Also, if a wrong timing value is read or a 3D synchronization jitter occurs due to noise occurring due to a channel change or an input source change of a 3D display apparatus when generating a synchronization signal, the shutter glasses method does not include a method of correcting the wrong timing value or the 3D synchronization jitter.
Accordingly, a method of effectively filtering a 3D synchronization jitter occurring in a synchronization signal generated by a 3D display apparatus to drive 3D glasses according to a stabilized synchronization signal is required.

3D display apparatus for use in synchronization with 3D glasses and 3D display method thereof


In a swather formed by a tractor and attached header for cutting standing crop to form a swath, reel speed and optionally draper speed are controlled relative to ground speed by a control system including a manually operable input and display available to the operator. The control system acts to calibrate” the control output so that the control module has a secondary reference point as to how the PWM valve should function in the event of a speed sensor failure. Instead of using the speed sensor signal as a reference, the control system now compares the set point with the stored table (which may in one example provide 256 values) containing the PWM voltage/current values. These values correspond to a set of actual speed sensor values taken during the profiling procedure, plus extrapolated values equalling 256 points.

Crop harvesting machines, like windrowers and combines use various driven elements to effect the cutting and harvesting systems including a cutting system and commonly a reel. The speed of the cutting system is generally variable to accommodate different crop conditions and different harvesting speeds. The reel is used to lift crop that is down & lodged so the cutting mechanism has good access to the plant (not leaving any seeds or desirable plant material behind) and to push the crop into the header for conveying to the windrow discharge. For maximum efficiency (effectively raise the plants, minimize seed shatter, minimize wear on mechanical parts and minimize power required to drive the reel), it is highly desirable that the reel run at the right speed and that the operator has full control of the reel speed for all crop and ground speed conditions.
Reel speed controlled relative to vehicle ground speed has been used on combines for some time to assist the operator to obtain the right speed without excessive input from the operator (which causes fatigue).
Speed sensors are commonly used to provide feedback to a control system and or the machine operator via a digital display. The operator can then monitor and control the operating speed of the item by means of a switch or potentiometer. Using the knife drive speed sensor as an example, the system would normally function as follows:
The operator has a digital readout of the operating speed and through keypad entry on the dash display, the desired speed/rpm of the knife can be set. Once the desired speed has been programmed into the display, the control module continually reads this speed signal and compares it to the desired set point. The control module then outputs a PWM control signal which is used to drive a PWM controlled hydraulic valve. In turn the hydraulic valve varies the flow to the knife drive motor and thus controls the speed of operation. When there is a predetermined amount of deviation from the set point, the control module programming determines how much voltage or current change (+/−) is required in the PWM valve drive signal to bring the actual speed back the desired speed. As long as a signal is being received from the speed sensor, the control module can adjust the output to control the speed. However, if the speed sensor fails, the control system has no way to dynamically determine how to correct the speed when a change is required. The operator could still input a different set point, but the control module would not know how much of a PWM control signal is required to maintain the desired set point.

Crop cutting header with speed control of driven element using valve profiling


A light emitting diode bulb includes a lampshade, a lamp housing, a heat sink, a driving circuit, light emitting diode modules and a lamp cap. The lamp housing is connected to the lampshade and includes a cup-shaped casing and a heat conduction part. The heat conduction part is disposed in the cup-shaped casing. The heat sink is disposed in the lampshade and includes a heat-dissipating shell and a heat-dissipating frustum. The heat-dissipating shell covers the heat conduction part. The heat-dissipating frustum includes a top surface, a bottom surface and four side surfaces. The heat-dissipating frustum includes an axis vertical to the bottom surface. An included angle between the axis and each of the side surfaces is smaller than 90 degrees. The light emitting diode modules are adhered to the top surface and the side surfaces and connected to the driving circuit. The lamp cap is connected to the driving circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bulb, and more particularly to a light emitting diode bulb.
2. Description of Related Art
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have advantages of small size, low driving voltage, long service life and environmental protection. Therefore, light emitting diode bulbs have gradually replaced conventional tungsten bulbs and have been used widely. In order to remove heat generated from the light emitting diode bulb in operation, a common way is to dispose a radiator in the light emitting diode bulb. The heat dissipates to the external atmosphere through contacting a surface of the radiator with the external atmosphere. Furthermore, in order to improve the heat-dissipating function, many radiators are set with heat dissipating fins to increase the area of the surface of the radiators contacting with the external atmosphere.
However, it is difficult to manufacture and assemble such radiators. addition, the radiators can achieve the object of dissipating heat, but they typically don't have an electric and heat insulation function, so that users often get an electric shock or are scalded while taking the radiators. Moreover, the size of the radiator is big, which not only increases the overall volume of the bulb, but also affects the appearance of the bulb. Additionally, although the light emitting diode bulb basically has an illumination function, the light output of which is small and thus has limited applicability.
Hence, a light emitting diode bulb with larger light output range and a superior heat-dissipating function is needed to overcome the foregoing problems.


A self-timed memory array is disclosed, in which segmentability and metal-programmability are supported while minimizing layout space. Self-timing row decoder circuits are placed at the top and bottom of the array adjacent to respective I/O blocks. A self-timing signal is routed from the top (resp. bottom) of the array to a point halfway down (resp. up) the memory array and then back to a self-timing row decoder at the top (resp. bottom) of the array. The same approach may also be used to account for the bitline wire delay from the bottom (resp. top) of the array to the sense amplifiers in the I/O block. Further flexibility in wire routing is provided by eliminating metal routing layers from unneeded memory cells, and a programmable gate array may be used to allow an arbitrary word size to be chosen for the memory.

1. Technical Field
The present invention is directed generally toward a method and apparatus for implementing a self-timed static random-access memory in an integrated circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are two basic types of semiconductor random-access memory (RAM) circuits in common use. Static random-access memory (SRAM) stores data by way of a feedback circuit. Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) stores data as electrostatic charge on a capacitor. In general, RAM circuits are configured in two-dimensional arrays of individual memory cells, with each memory cell storing one bit. A word of data may be accessed from one or more memory circuits by addressing the cells that store the data by row and column addresses and reading or writing data to or from the addressed cells. In a typical SRAM array, each memory word is stored in a separate row and addressed by asserting a "word line," while the individual bits of each word are read from and written to the memory array using "bit lines." In a typical single-port memory array, all bit lines for a particular bit position are connected together. For example, all memory cells representing bit position 4 of a word typically share common bit lines, but have separate word lines. The generic term for word lines and bit lines is "address lines," as address lines are used for addressing individual memory cells.
Memory circuits may be single-port or multi-port memory circuits. Single-port circuits are capable of allowing access to a single memory location (i.e., one cell or a group of cells at a single memory address). Multi-port circuits allow two or more memory addresses to be accessed concurrently. Specifically, a "port" is a set of related address lines that together are sufficient to perform one memory access at a particular point in time. Thus, a single-port memory cell, which only has one port, is capable of supporting only one access at a time, while a dual-port memory cell, which has two ports, is capable of supporting two simultaneous memory accesses. Higher-order multi-port cells (e.g., three-port, four-port, etc . . . ), which support larger numbers of simultaneous accesses, are also possible.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a typical six-transistor single-port complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) SRAM circuit 100 as known in the art. SRAM circuit 100 is perhaps the most common circuit topology for a single-port SRAM. SRAM circuit 100 includes a flip-flop circuit, which is formed by cross-coupling two logic inverters formed by transistors Q1-Q4, and two pass-gate transistors (also called access transistors) Q5 and Q6.
Specifically, PMOS (p-channel MOS) transistor Q3 and NMOS (n-channel MOS) transistor Q1 form one CMOS inverter and PMOS transistor Q4 and NMOS transistor Q2 form another CMOS inverter. Referring to the inverter formed by transistors Q3 and Q1, the gates of transistors Q3 and Q1 are connected together to form an input node 110 to the inverter. The sources of transistors Q3 and Q1 are connected together to form an output node 112 of the inverter. The drain of transistor Q3 is connected to positive supply rail Vdd 106, making transistor Q3 the "pull-up" transistor of the inverter. The drain of transistor Q1 is connected to negative (or "low") supply rail Vss 108, making transistor Q1 the "pull-down" transistor of the inverter. Transistors Q4 and Q2 are similarly configured as a CMOS inverter. In SRAM circuit 100, the CMOS inverter formed by transistors Q4 and Q2 is cross-coupled with the CMOS inverter formed by transistors Q3 and Q1. Thus, node 110, which is the input node of the inverter formed by transistors Q3 and Q1, forms the output node of the inverter formed by transistors Q4 and Q2, and node 112, which is the output node of the inverter formed by transistors Q3 and Q1, forms the input node of the inverter formed by transistors Q4 and Q2.
Nodes 110 and 112 are referred to as the "internal nodes" of SRAM circuit 100. For the purposes of this document, the term "internal node" is defined as a data-storing node in an SRAM circuit. In the case of circuit 100, nodes 110 and 112, because they form part of the feedback loop of the cross-connected CMOS inverters (transistors Q1-Q4), are data-storing nodes and are, therefore, "internal nodes," for the purposes of this document.
Pass-gate transistors Q5 and Q6 are MOS transistors configured as switches. The gates of transistors Q5 and Q6 are connected to word line 102. The source and drain of pass-gate transistor Q5 are connected between bit line 104 and node 112. The source and drain of pass-gate transistor Q6 are connected between inverse bit line 106 and node 110. Pass-gate transistors Q5 and Q6 are turned on when word line 102 is selected (i.e., raised in voltage) and connect bit lines 104 and 106 to the flip-flop formed by transistors Q1-Q4. When pass-gate transistors Q5 and Q6 switch bit lines 104 and 106 into connection with internal nodes 110 and 112, the data stored by memory circuit 100 becomes available on bit line 104, and the complement of that data becomes available on inverse bit line 106, so reading from memory circuit 100 becomes possible. To write data to memory circuit 100, word line 102 is selected, the data to be stored is asserted on bit line 104, and the complement of that data is asserted on inverse bit line 106. Since transistors Q1-Q4 form a bistable circuit (i.e., a circuit with two stable states), asserting the new data on bit lines 104 and 106 results in putting this bistable circuit into the stable state associated with the stored data. When word line 102 is no longer asserted, transistors Q1-Q4 maintain the same stable state, and thus store the written data until power is no longer available from power supply rails 108 and 109.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how a typical SRAM memory array 200 is configured from individual memory cells. Memory array 200 is a single-port memory array (i.e., it consists of only single-port memory cells and supports only one memory access at a time), although multi-port memory arrays are also common. In memory array 200, words are arranged in rows, and bit positions are arranged in columns. For instance, word line 202 enables access to all of the bits in the memory word represented by that row, while word line 204 enables access to all of the bits in the succeeding memory word in the memory space provided by memory array 200.
Each column in memory array 200 represents a bit position within a word. Thus, bit line 206 and its complement bit line 208 represent a particular bit position, while bit line 210 and its complement bit line 212 represent the succeeding bit position. Note that all of memory cells corresponding to a particular bit position are connected to the same word lines. Thus, each individual memory cell in memory array 200 is accessed by row and column.
In "system on a chip" (SoC) applications, where a complete system of components is manufactured on a single integrated circuit (IC), SRAM arrays, such as that depicted in FIG. 2, may serve any of a variety of functions. The six-transistor SRAM cell depicted in FIG. 1 (memory circuit 100) is regarded as being the most common SRAM cell currently in use in industry, since the six-transistor SRAM cell is fast and also suitable for high-density applications, where space in the IC layout is at a premium.
Since memory cells are typically implemented in a two-dimensional array, such as that depicted in FIG. 2, there will generally be some form of wire-length-related delay or latency between the time that a word line is strobed for a read operation and the time that the desired data appears on the bit lines at the periphery of the array (where the data can be latched or otherwise used). Self-timed memory circuits are often used to address this problem. In a typical self-timed memory circuit, a self-timed row decoder circuit is located at the top of the memory array so as to mimic the wire delay from the memory's control block (at the bottom of the array) up to the top row decoder of the memory. In the typical case, the self-timed row decoder circuit drives a signal that is allowed to propagate from the top of the array to the bottom of the array, where the sense amplifiers for the memory array are located. In this way, the maximum wire delay experienced by the data signals being read from the memory would be estimated, since the top row of memory cells would have the highest amount of wire delay from the perspective of the sense amplifiers at the bottom of the array.
In some applications programmability, or at least simplicity of the design process, becomes a priority. When rapid turnaround time or ease of manufacturing is needed, a "programmable" IC, which provides a standardized, generic set of components, such as logic gates or memory cells, can be "programmed" to implement the desired functionality. Thus, rather than laying out each individual transistor circuit in the design, a designer can simply make or break connections between the standard, generic components in the IC to achieve the desired result. Many devices that are called "programmable" may be programmed using some sort of programming apparatus, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) programmer device. Another form of "programming" is "metal programming," in which one or more metal layers in the layout of an IC are used to form connections between standard components. "Metal programming" is useful for implementing IC designs that are to be commercially manufactured. In general, metal programming allows the designer the convenience of designing a circuit using a programmable device as a basis for the design, but "metal programming" is also rather conducive to mass manufacture, as the "programmed" part of the IC can simply be implemented as a layer in the usual fabrication process, rather than by having to "burn" the programmed part into the IC using a special programmer device.
In the design of metal-programmable memories, the self-timed architecture can restrict the number of ways in which the memory can be broken up. FIG. 5 is an example of a memory array design that illustrates this problem. In FIG. 5 a contiguous 512-by-512 array of memory cells with 2 input/output (I/O) blocks 504 and 506 (i.e., with two sets of sense amplifiers and related read/write circuitry) at the top and the bottom is segmented horizontal boundary line at a location of choice between the top and bottom of the array so as to form two adjacent memory arrays 500 and 502. Each of I/O blocks 504 and 506 operates only on its respective part of the original 512-by-512 memory array (i.e., on memory array 500 and memory array 502, respectively). This requires that self-timing row decoders 508 and 510 be located at the boundary line separating row decoder regions 507 and 509, which are the row decoders for memory array 500 and memory array 502, respectively. If a design calls for dividing the memory cell array in many areas by only changing metal routing layers, then self-timed row decoders and associated dummy bit cells (for reading the self-timing signals) must be placed in numerous places. This requires that free layout space be reserved at all of the locations in which a possible breakpoint or boundary line in the memory array can be located. This can use up a tremendous amount of layout area if many different possible breakpoints are desired.
Thus, a need exists for a self-timed memory circuit that allows a memory array to be broken into multiple segments without reserving large portions of layout space within the array for self-timing circuitry.


The object of this invention is an improved method for biospecific multiparameter assay method based on the use of different categories of microparticles as solid support for different bioaffinity reagents. This invention allows the use of microparticles of small size and with very moderate monodispersity and conventional short decay time fluorescent labels for labelling the biospecific reactants. The high sensitivity of this method is based on the use of confocal excitation and detection, or alternatively, two-photon excitation for measurement of the biospecific reaction. The identification of the category of the microparticle is based on the use of fluorescent or Raman scattering indicators associated with the microparticles representing different analytes.

Certain multiparameter biospecific assay methods have been introduced earlier. It has been common practice to use multiple labels to label biospecific reagents and to perform the separation of the signals on the basis of their different emission spectra. In most cases, however, the known multiparameter methods are based on the use of a solid support where the biospecific reagents can be immobilized at separate and optically distinguishable areas, or that are based on the use of artificial microparticles as a solid support. Some of the methods are reviewed below:
1. A method, in which various biospecific probes are attached to a matrix, which is formed by small areas on a planar solid support, is described in the patent PCT WO 84/01031. In this method, after the reaction and the wash, the signals from the photoluminescent labels in each area are measured separately, for example, using a laser scanning microscope.
2. A method, in which the identification of the analyte category is based on the color of the microparticles, which are used as a solid support and which is achieved by optically measuring the light absorption of the particle to be analyzed (J. G. Streefkerk et al. Protides Biol. Fluids 24 (1976) 811-814 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,863).
3. A method, in which the identification of the analyte category is performed by optically measuring the absorption of the dye inside the particle, the refractive index or the size of the particle to be analyzed (U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,863).
4. A method, in which the identification of the analyte category is based on the use of different particle sizes and in which the identification is performed by optically measuring the diameter of the particle to be analyzed (T. M. McHugh et al., Journal of Immunological Methods 95 (1986) 57-61).
5. A method, in which the microparticles are identified by means of fluorescent dyes that are mixed or impregnated within the particles, and the biospecific signal is measured from the fluorescence intensity of another fluorescent dye, such as FITC (EP 126450, GOIN 33/58).
6. A method, in which a dye emitting short decay time fluorescence (decay time a few nanoseconds), is used for the identification of microparticles, and a dye emitting long decay time fluorescence (decay time from 10 microseconds to 2 milliseconds), is used for measuring the analyte concentrations, and in which a time resolved fluorometer is used for the discrimination of the short and long life time fluorescence (U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,545).
7. A method, in which a dye emitting short decay time fluorescence (decay time a few nanoseconds), is used for the identification of the microparticles, and a molecule which generates chemiluminescence or bioluminescence (decay time several seconds), is used to measure the analyte concentrations, and in which the fluorescence and luminescent signal can effectively be separated from the fluorescence because they are excited and they emit light at different times (FI-patent 89837).
8. A method, in which a dye emitting short decay time fluorescence (decay time a few nanoseconds), is used for the identification of the microparticles and a dye emitting phosphorescence, (decay time from 10 microseconds to 2 milliseconds), is used to measure the analyte concentrations, and in which a time resolved fluorometer is used for the discrimination between the short decay time fluorescence and the long decay time phosphorescence (FI-patent 90695).
9. A method, in which dyes emitting long decay time fluorescence, such as fluorescent chelates of lanthanide ions Tb, Dy, Eu and Sm, are used for the identification of the microparticles and for measurement of the biospecific signal (FI-patent application 931198).
A common problem in many multiparameter assays mentioned above is that the signal of photoluminescent label, which indicates the analyte category, and the signal from the photoluminescent label, which measures the concentration of the biospecific probe, interfere with each other. This is a problem that significantly restricts the dynamic range of the measurement of the analyte concentration. This interference may become particularly significant when measuring low analyte concentrations and when a wide dynamic range is required for the measurement of the biospecific signal. In methods 6, 7, and 8 referred to above, interference is eliminated by choosing such photoluminescent labels for the measurement of the biospecific reaction and identification labels which have substantially different emission decay times. In methods 1, 2, 3 and 4 the analyte is identified using an alternative method rather than using a photoluminescent label. In methods 5 and 9, the identification method of the analyte essentially restricts the dynamic range of the measurement.
Another problem associated with methods 6, 7, 8 and 9 mentioned above is the long measurement time, caused by the long decay time (T1/2=1 millisecond) of the fluorescent and phosphorescent labels. This problem is caused by the saturation of the excited states of the labels, which restricts the intensity of the exciting light to such a low level that a measurement time of up to one second is needed for each microparticle. Likewise, the measurement of the signals from labels that are based on chemiluminescence, bioluminescence and electroluminescence, also take at least one second.