A method for forming an isolating layer in a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a first material layer on an active layer having a major axis and a minor axis, forming a second material layer in a form of sidewall at sides of the first material layer in a direction of the major axis, and conducting field oxidation using the first and second material layers as masks to form the isolating layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a method for forming an isolating layer in a semiconductor device.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, during the fabrication of a semiconductor device, an active region having actual cells formed therein and a device isolating region for isolating the cells formed in the active region are formed on a semiconductor substrate. As the trend of high density semiconductor device packing continues, the securing of the active region with an accurate profile within the limited area of the substrate becomes increasingly important in semiconductor device fabrication. The most widely used technique in isolating the devices is the local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS) method.
A conventional method for forming a device isolating layer in a semiconductor device will now be explained with reference to the attached drawings. FIGS. 1a.about.1d are sectional views showing the steps of a LOCOS process.
Referring to FIG. 1a, a buffer oxide film 2 is formed on a semiconductor substrate (P-sub) 1, and a non-oxidizable nitride film 3 is formed on the buffer oxide film 2. As shown in FIG. 1b, a photoresist 4 is coated on the nitride film 3 and patterned to leave the photoresist 4 only on an active region, thereby defining the active region and the device isolating region. Then, the nitride film 3 and the buffer oxide film 2 are selectively removed using the patterned photoresist 4 as a mask. impurities (B.sup.+) having the same conductivity type as that of the semiconductor substrate 1 are injected into the device isolating region having the nitride film 3 and the buffer oxide film 2 removed therefrom. As shown in FIGS. 1c and 1d. a field oxide film is formed as a device isolating layer 5 in the device isolating region using the nitride film 3 as a mask. The nitride film 3 is then removed. During the formation of the device isolating layer 5, bird's beaks occur where the field oxide film 5 encroaches underneath the nitride film 3. As a result, the bird's beaks thus formed cause a non-uniform profile of the semiconductor substrate 1 in major and minor axis directions of the active region. For example, steps are formed along the major axis direction.
The steps formed during the formation of the device isolating layer 5 on the semiconductor substrate 1 will now be explained. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing directions of the bird's beak formation during the formation of the device isolating layer 5, and FIGS. 3a and 3b are sectional views of the semiconductor substrate 1 after an oxide film cleaning.
Referring to FIG. 2, during the formation of the field oxide film 5, a bird's beak effect occurs when the field oxide film 5 encroaches underneath the nitride film 3 in the active region. Here, when the width of the active region is not the same in all directions, i.e., the major and minor axis directions, the different widths of the mask, i.e., the nitride film 3, causes the non-uniform profile of the active region as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. The reason is that even though one bird's beak is formed in the minor axis direction, multiple bird's beaks are formed in the major axis direction. To compensate for this reduction of the active region by the abnormal growth of the field oxide film 5, the portion of the field oxide film 5 encroaching into the active region is removed by an oxide film cleaning. The oxide film cleaning is not a selective removal of the field oxide film 5, but an etch back of the field oxide film 5.
In the conventional process for forming a device isolating layer, expansions of the field oxide film in major and minor axis directions through the bird's beak effect are different. Therefore, in order to secure an active region, an oxide film cleaning (mostly in the major axis direction) is conducted to remove the portions of abnormally grown field oxide film. This causes partially different heights ("a" parts in FIG. 3b) in the active region along the major axis direction. In other words, where the oxide film is removed by the oxide cleaning, the height is reduced. The reduced height from the removal of the abnormally grown field oxide film portions, i.e., the portion which is lower than the active region, causes the degradation of N.sup.- --N.sup.-, N.sup.+ --N.sup.+, and P.sup.+ P.sup.+ junction space characteristics and the formation of humps. This in turn results in degradation of the device performance.

Method for forming isolating layer in semiconductor device


A passive acoustic system and a method of utilizing the passive acoustic system in a subsurface borehole are discussed. The method includes disposing the passive acoustic system in the borehole, the passive acoustic system including at least one passive acoustic resonator, and monitoring a frequency of an acoustic signal at the at least one passive acoustic resonator. The passive acoustic system includes a protective tubing, a fiber optic cable disposed within the protective tubing, a fluid layer between the fiber optic cable and the protective tubing, and at least one passive acoustic resonator, the at least one passive acoustic resonator representing an area within the protective tubing having a known geometry, wherein the fluid layer affects a frequency of an acoustic signal obtained from the at least one passive acoustic resonator.

In downhole exploration and production, a variety of sensors and measurement devices may be deployed in various wells to characterize aspects of the environment. Exemplary sensors determine temperature, pressure, and density values. Some sensors can help to identify and characterize formations. Among the types of sensors are acoustic sensors. Typically, an acoustic signal is emitted downhole, and the received reflected signal is processed to obtain information.

Passive acoustic resonator for fiber optic cable tubing


Methods and systems are provided for generating colorized previews of selected document templates. Upon selection of a desired color scheme, each document template represented by a collection of displayed document template previews is colorized according to a user-selected color scheme to provide the user with a preview of the collection of document templates colorized according to the user's desired color scheme prior to selection of one of the displayed templates for actual use. The colorized document templates are converted to bitmap format and are displayed to the user to allow the user to select a particular template colorized according to the user's selected color scheme.

With the advent of the computer age, computer and software users have grown accustomed to user-friendly software applications that help them write, calculate, organize, prepare presentations, send and receive electronic mail, make music, and the like. Mode word processing applications, for example, allow users to create and edit a variety of useful documents. Modem desktop publishing applications, for another example, allow users to create a variety of useful documents and presentations such as newspapers, newsletters, brochures, advertisement layouts, stationery, and the like.
Many software applications, such as word processing applications and desktop publishing applications, allow users to select a document template from a collection of pre-prepared templates for use in preparing a document such as a brochure, flyer, advertisement sheet, sign, business card, and a variety of other helpful and useful documents. Many such applications allow users to customize documents by applying user-selected color to portions of the document. For example, a user may select a color scheme containing the colors green and blue, and a border around a particular document may be colored blue and a background may be colored green.
Prior systems often display a collection of templates where each template includes one or more fields defined for colorization, if desired. Typically, these fields are colored with one or more default colors to allow a user to visualize the collection of templates with added colorization. When the user selects one of the templates for use, the selected template is then displayed or opened in the editing application and the collection of templates is dismissed. The user may then select a desired color scheme for application to the selected template in place of the default color scheme. Unfortunately, if a user decides that a different template is preferable, the user must dismiss the selected and displayed template, return to the displayed collection of templates, select a different template for opening in the application, and apply the desired color scheme to the second selected template. Such a back-and-forth selection/colorization process is cumbersome and limits the user's ability to fully appreciate and evaluate the breadth of available templates.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system for providing colorized previews of available document templates where a user can preview the application of a selected color scheme to a number of available document templates prior to selection of a particular document template for use. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present invention has been made.


A trunk interface for an ISDN system which uses two different carriers of CEPT and T1. The trunk interface is for use in an apparatus in order to interface with a central office exchange or the other PABX. The trunk interface includes a DIP switch, a primary rate transceiver and a frame aligner in order to support the CEPT and T1. carriers. The trunk interface communicates with the high order level of the system through a serial port of a D channel controller, so that a microprocessor without a special communication module can be utilized in the trunk interface.

The present invention relates to a trunk interface for the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) system which uses the North American Standards (which will be referred to as the T1, hereinafter) system together with the Conference of European Post and Telecommunications Administrations (which will be referred to as the CEPT, hereinafter) system and, in particular, to a trunk interface which is equipped to an ISDN Private Automatic Branch Exchange (which will be referred to as the PABX, hereinafter), a Network Termination 12 (which will be referred to as the NT12, hereinafter) or similar apparatus for interfacing with the official exchange which provides ISDN services or the other PABX at the primary rate through trunk lines.
According to recommendations of the CCITT, there are two kinds of systems in the primary rate ; one is CEPT system having the transmission rate of 2.048 Mbps and the other is T1 system having the transmission rate of 1.544 Mbps. In the CEPT system, one multiframe consists of 16 frames of which each frame consists of 32 channels and the channel No.16 of each frame except 0th frame is used a signalling channel and the others are used as B or D channels (30B+1D). On the other hand, in the T1 system, one multiframe may consist of either 12 frames or 24 frames of which each frame consists of 1 framing bit(F) and 24 channel (23B+lD). As the above-mentioned, the two systems are different from each other in aspects of bit rate and frame alignment formation. And clocks offered to the respective system are also different from each other.
For these reasons, a conventional trunk interface for the primary rate is usually constructed in order that it supports only one system of the CEPT or the T1.
Moreover, the most part of he conventional trunk interface separates receiving informations of 30B+1D (CEPT) or 23D+1D (T1) into B channel informations and D channel informations, and it transmits the B channel informations to a switch matrix of the system which has the trunk interface and the D channel information to a high order level of the system which has the trunk interface. Also the conventional trunk interface joins the B channel informations from the switch matrix and the D channel informations from the high order level together, and it transmits the informations of 30B+1D (CEPT) or 23B+1D (T1) to the other exchange.
Accordingly, the conventional trunk interface must utilize a microprocessor which has serial channels such as High Level Data Link Control / Synchronous Data Link Control (HDLC/SDLC) in order to transmit the D channel informations extracted by a D channel controller to the high order level and receive the D channel informations from the high order level, otherwise it must utilize a special communication module which is controlled by microprocessor in order to communicate with the high order level of the system.
Therefore, the trunk interface of the prior art has several problems, that is to say, the selection of the microprocessor is restricted within narrow limits, the cost of production comes high because the trunk interface has to be endued with a microprocessor having the special functions or additionally a special communication module, and the load of the microprocessor is increased because the microprocessor directly take part in the control of D channel communication.

Trunk interface for the ISDN system using two different signalling systems

Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.


A communication system configured to provide at least two policy controlled data sessions on a data carrier is disclosed. The communication system comprises means configured to provide control such that at least two data sessions on a data carrier are policy controlled by means of a policy controller entity.

Field of the Invention
This disclosure generally relates to data sessions, and in particular to control of data sessions that may be simultaneously provided for a user equipment. The user equipment may have data sessions, for example, with a plurality of service applications.
Description of the Related Art
A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user equipment and/or other nodes associated with the system. Establishment of a communication session enables a user to be provided with various services. The communication may comprise, for example, communication of voice, video or other audio and/or image data, multimedia or any other data. A session may, for example, comprise a two-way telephone call or multi-way conference session or connection between a user equipment and an application function, for example an application server (AS), such as a service provider server or a proxy.
A communication system typically operates in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the communication system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. For example, the standard or specification may define if the user, or more precisely, user equipment is provided with a circuit switched service and/or a packet switched service. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection may also be defined. In other words, a specific set of "rules" on which the communication can be based on may need to be defined to enable communication by means of the system.
Signalling is an example of a function that is commonly defined in an appropriate communication protocol or protocols. Signalling between various entities associated with a communication session is typically required in order to control the communication session. Control is typically required for the set-up of the communication session and also later on during communication on the established communication session.
Communication media between two or more parties may be provided by fixed line and/or wireless communication interfaces. Examples of fixed line systems include a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a local area network (LAN) and any other data network provided by means of fixed connections between the nodes thereof. The wireless communication may be provided, for example, by means of a mobile communication system or wireless local area networks (WLANs). Mobile communication system refers generally to any telecommunications systems which enable a wireless communication when users are moving within the service area of the system. An example of a typical mobile communication system is a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN).
A mobile communications network can provide an access network providing a user with a wireless access to external networks, hosts, or services offered by specific service providers. The user may need to have a subscribership with the mobile communications system in order to be able to use the services of the mobile system. The mobile subscription information of the subscriber may indicate parameters such as parameters regarding the quality of service (QoS) the subscriber is entitled to receive, priorities, service restrictions, security, authentications, and so on.
An access point or gateway node of the mobile communication network provides further access to external networks or external hosts. For example, if the requested service is provided by a service provider located in another network, the service request is routed via a gateway to the other network and the service provider.
Various user equipment (UE) such as computers (fixed or portable), mobile telephones and other mobile stations, personal data assistants or organizers, and so on may be used for accessing services via a communication system. Mobile user equipment, typically referred to as a mobile station (MS), can be defined as a means that is capable of communication via a wireless interface with another device such as a base station of a mobile telecommunication network or any other station. The increasing popularity of Third Generation (3G) communication systems will, in all likelihood, significantly increase the possibilities for accessing services on the packet data networks via mobile user equipment (UE) as well as other types of UE.
The term "service" used above and hereinafter will generally be understood to broadly cover any service or goods which a user may desire, require or be provided with. The term also will generally be understood to cover the provision of complementary services. For example, but not exclusively, the term "service" will be understood to include browsing, downloading, email, streaming services, Internet Protocol (IP) multimedia (IM) services, conferencing, telephony, gaming, rich call, presence, e-commerce and messaging, for example, instant messaging.
A more detailed example of a wireless packet switched communication system will now be described with reference to general packet radio service (GPRS). The GPRS operational environment comprises one or more subnetwork service areas, which are interconnected by a GPRS backbone network. Each subnetwork may comprise a number of packet data service nodes (SN). In this specification the service nodes will be referred to as serving GPRS support nodes (SGSN). Each of the SGSNs is connected to radio networks, typically to base station systems and/or radio access networks by way of base station controllers (BSC) and/or radio network controllers (RNC) in such a way that they can provide a packet service for mobile user equipment via several base stations. The intermediate mobile communication network provides packet-switched data transmission between a support node and mobile user equipment. The subnetworks are in turn connected to an external data network, e.g. to a packet data network (PDN), via GPRS gateway support nodes (GGSN). The GPRS thus allow transmission of packet data between mobile user equipment and external data networks.
A packet data protocol (PDP) context may be established to carry traffic flows over the packet switched communication system. A PDP context typically includes a radio access bearer provided between the user equipment, the radio network controller and the SGSN, and switched packet data channels provided between the serving GPRS service node (SGSN) and the gateway GPRS service node (GGSN). A session between the user equipment and other party would then be carried on the established PDP context. A PDP context can carry more than one traffic flow, but all traffic flows within one particular PDP context are treated the same way as regards their transmission across the network. This requirement regarding the similar treatment is based on PDP context treatment attributes associated with the traffic flows. These attributes may comprise, for example, quality of service and/or charging and/or filtering attributes.
A policy controller entity, for example a policy decision function (PDF), can be provided for controlling the transport layer of a PDP context. The policy decision function (PDF) may be provided by any appropriate controller entity. The PDF and GGSN are commonly arranged to communicate information to enable co-operation between the GPRS bearer level and the IMS level of the communication system. The PDF may be used for storing attributes for the purposes of functions such as the Quality of Service, filtering of data packet in the GGSN and so on.
A session related set of binding information generated by a policy decision function (PDF) and sent to the GGSN via the user equipment (UE) can be used to verify that the PDP context operations requested by the user equipment comply with the preceding negotiation during the set-up or modification of the PDP context. As a result of the verification, the PDF authorizes for example QoS parameters for the GGSN.
However, since a gateway node may connect the user to a number of data networks, it is possible to apply policy control to other services than services provided by a network, for example by an Internet Protocol Multimedia System. The application servers or other application functions may reside in different networks than the network associated with the used policy decision function. Nevertheless, a user equipment may have several simultaneous sessions with different application functions. When a user equipment multiplexes several application session in one PDP context, the same policy decision function should be used for policing all related session to avoid complications in the gateway. In certain standards control of a data carrier by a number of policy controller entities is even prohibited. A problem in here is that if simultaneous sessions use different application functions, there is no mechanism how a connection might be provided between these application functions and the policy decision function already assigned for one of the data sessions. Consequently, the sessions cannot be multiplexed in the same data carrier, such as a PDP context.

Controlling data sessions in a communication system


A network behavioral metric is extracted from a communication network based on a relevancy of the metric to network behavior by identifying a network metric x that is defined as a random variable that represents a quantitative measure of a network behavior accumulated over a period of time, selecting a network feature, generating a metric disintegration model for the network metric x comprising at least one normal behavior probability distribution function for the metric x for each value of the network feature, respectively, and at least one abnormal behavior probability distribution function for the metric x for each value of the network feature, respectively, increasing a number of the values of the metric x that indicates normal network behavior and/or abnormal network behavior based on the metric disintegration model, and selecting a network metric x as a behavioral metric based on a relevancy η of the network metric x to the network behavior. Embodiments for tracking network behavioral changes are also provided.

The dramatic increase in the number of network attacks and the degree of innovation that the attack methodologies use are evidence that existing network security mechanisms alone may not be enough to protect a network. Lack of attack correlation mechanisms before, during, and after the attacks may provide an excellent safeguard for the attack to be mysterious and for the attackers to remain anonymous. In addition to this challenge, CIOs and CSOs are demanding actionable intelligence to help their security teams pursue an effective forensic analysis of any abnormal behavior in their networks while it is underway regardless of whether or not the exact type of abnormality has been seen before. Such a demand coupled with the dynamic behavior of the network and the dramatic increase in network connectivity, complexity, and activities, has introduced several challenges for effective network security and forensic systems. A Network Behavior Anomaly Detection (NBAD) system that understands the network behavior and dynamically adapts to the changes in the network behavioral patterns has become one of the main contributing solutions to the given problem. The problem can be perceived from two different perspectives. The first perspective is related to the real time detection of potential abnormal network behavior. The second perspective is related to reduction of the data set the network forensic analysis will use for the identification of the abnormality source and the reconstruction of the abnormal patterns.
As the number of metrics that can be collected from the network can vary, the ability to select the right set of metrics that reflect the network behavior may introduce a major challenge in architecting an NBAD system. In addition, the ability to rely on a solid classification model to distinguish between the normal and the abnormal network behavior is another dimension of the given problem.

Methods, systems, and computer program products extracting network behavioral metrics and tracking network behavioral changes


Method of developing a model of a circuit design including the steps of generating four different path-tracing runs, creating four arcs from the four different path-tracing runs, and combining the four arcs into two separate models. Also, a method of adjusting timing of a clock signal provided to a first block and a second block where data signals travel via a first path from the first block to the second block and data signals travel via a second path from the second block to the first block and the time for the data signals to travel the first path is greater than the time for the data signals to travel the second path. The clock signal provided to the second block relative to the clock signal provided to the first block is delayed by an amount that is a function of the difference between the time for the data signals to travel the first path and the time for the data signals to travel the second path.

This relates to the design of integrated circuit (IC) chips and more particularly to the design of IC chips having on the order of 10,000,000 gates.
Multi-million gate chip designs require hierarchy to be achievable in manageable and predictable schedules. Ensuring that timing will converge to a chosen goal requires early timing budgets, abstraction of simplified block routing and timing models, and proper margins along several axes.
The challenge for on-schedule physical implementation of multi-million gate chips starts with early floor planning and partitioning, and continues throughout the design flow with appropriate abstraction and approximations to get the most benefit out of all work expended. In particular, to achieve timing closure, each stage of the process must include sufficient margin and the overall project must focus on moving onwards to avoid getting stuck with spending too much time on premature optimizations. As a design closes in on tapeout, several different issues must converge simultaneously, and a useful concept is to incrementally relax added margins towards the desired target goals.
True Hierarchy
Improvement in the flat capacity of CAD tools still doesn't obviate the need for a hierarchical flow for top-end designs. A "truly hierarchical" flow supports making replicated instances of blocks that share a single abstraction each of their logic, timing, routing, and port location models. If different instances must end up having separate models anyway, then much of the advantage of hierarchy is lost. The point is that replicated block instances be used as truly identical objects so that the various design and analysis tasks done at a block level do not have to be repeated for each instance.
Another important characteristic of a truly hierarchical design flow is the containment of complexity by choosing an approach and algorithms such that no tool must see all of the flattened data except for final physical DRC/LVS (Design-Rule-Check/Layout-Versus-Schematic) mask checking.
In particular, the physical routing, parasitic extraction, and static timing analysis steps need to be separated such that top-level runs use only abstractions of instantiated blocks without seeing the full transistor, gate, or polygon databases within each of the blocks. This divide-and-conquer approach is essential to truly limit the amount of data seen by any one run and to ensure that virtual memory usage and job runtime stay reasonable.
Floorplanning and Partitioning
Partitioning of a design serves to break it into manageable pieces that can benefit from the parallelized effort of the individuals in a team. The goal is to allow separable progress of the work both for individual blocks and concurrently at the top-level. Another reason why flat approaches fail to provide timing convergence is because there is no good way to benefit from parallel work if final timing or routing is bottlenecked through single large runs. Instead, partitioning allows multiple people and licenses to be applied effectively. A good goal is to seek "equalized pain" between blocks and their parent in a hierarchical design, so that the block size is small enough that the effort of routing and timing closure at a block level is about the same as the effort required for their parent.
If some of the blocks are so large that they are much more difficult than their parent, then the overall projects' closure will be aided by cutting those blocks into smaller pieces, and "pushing" some of the complexity of their connections into the parent. Conversely, if the parent jobs for routing, extraction, or timing are too large, then it is worth encapsulating and pushing downwards some of the complexity by combining blocks or introducing another level of hierarchy. A good metric for the use of hierarchy is the "hierarchical re-use factor", which is the ratio of the number of block instances to the number of block types. Although very design dependent, a good partitioning should seek a re-use of around 3 to 4, which averages out so that some blocks are replicated many times while some unique blocks have only one instance.
Another good principle in choosing the granularity of partitioning is to ensure that no individual run takes more than 20 hours. By using a hierarchical divide-and conquer to cut and partition so that each individual computer job for routing, extraction, and timing completes in less than a day, based upon the speed of computers available to the design team, progress can be assured. Work must not become irrelevant by the time it completes. Further, for many reasons, there are huge project risks in depending upon any job that would take multiple days of runtime to complete because it might never complete due to power failures or program bugs that don't become apparent until too late. By abstraction and partitioning of blocks so that individual runs take a day or less, forward progress and valuable iterations proceed with reasonable cycle times for a few days per turn, including designer time to analyze results.
Given today's tools, we have found that a good rule-of-thumb for block size is to seek blocks that have about 150K placeable instances, or around 400K gates (nand2 equivalent standard gates). Even though tools could support blocks several times this size, it is less optimal for the overall project because individual blocks with 1M gates just take too long in runtime for all steps, and are too close to failing completely due to lack of real or virtual memory, even on machines with many gigabytes of memory.
Port location assignment is part of overall floorplanning and partitioning. As early judgment is important, a powerful concept is to use a linear "signal velocity" metric that allows top-level timing before the actual placement of repeaters. By assuming good repeaters will be inserted later, floorplanning tuning can proceed without getting lost in the wire resistance capacitance effects that scale quadratically with the length of wires without repeaters. For a given technology and wire width and spacing to neighbors, there is an optimal spacing between repeaters for long wires, and a corresponding idealized velocity of signals traveling down a wire that has perfectly positioned repeaters.
By de-rating the idealized velocity (for example, by cutting it in half), a design team can choose a velocity that will have enough margin for the realities of non-ideal repeater locations, non-ideal actual wire paths due to routing congestion, and fan-out prior to the next repeater along each branch. A top-level timing analysis can then combine the input arrival times and departure times of each block's ports with a timing of the parent's signals using the de-rated signal velocity on the Manhattan (x+y) distance pairwise between each output port and every input port it drives. In this way, top-level timing budgets and wirelengths can be driven to meet design goals and to prevent wires that have to cross the full chip, since this would take several clock cycles at today's frequencies.
Abstraction
One of the classic traps that some design approaches fall into, even after doing the hard work of partitioning and floorplanning, is to then choose analysis methods that don't preserve the isolation between parent and child in the hierarchy. For example, detailed capacitance abstraction shouldn't attempt to combine parent and child data, to "see" the wires above or below. Instead, it is better to simplify by crafting the extraction flows to just assume worst-case conditions do exist. For minimum capacitance values, this means assuming no wires, and for maximum capacitance values, assuming "gridded-sheets" of wires spaced at the routing pitch, in the preferred direction of each appropriate metal layer. While modeling solid-sheets of metal would be even more conservative, it is overkill, since the reality in the routed environment will be, at worst, the full-density grids of wires at the routing pitch.
Another classic trap that makes hierarchy less effective is the handling of the timing of the signals crossing the hierarchical boundaries. The quality of separation is lost if the child timing depends on how much load is applied to a signal by a parent, or if the parent timing depends upon how much internal routing is put on a wire before it gets to an output port.
We have found that the hierarchical abstraction can be strengthened by adding a buffer at every input and output port of every block, and placing that buffer physically very close to the port location. Even if a buffer is unneeded for other reasons, the isolation between parent and child nets is worth the negligible area cost to aid in timing convergence by being able to separate parent and child timing.
Complementary Timing Analysis
In modern 0.18 micron or smaller technology, minimum-pitched wires are taller than they are wide, and this means that cross-coupling to neighboring signals can often be in excess of 50% of a wire's total capacitance. The effect of simultaneous switching cannot be ignored, but it is also unrealistic to seek a precise determination of when every coupling combination can occur over the range of process spread. Therefore, safe and successful timing convergence requires conservative choices that bound delay calculation by minimum and maximum values rather than hopelessly seeking to find a single "exact" value.
Even after making conservative choices for the handling of cross-coupling, it is still important to add additional margin to account for the effects on timing of many other factors such as process spread, variations in dielectric thickness or permittivity, on-chip process tilt, on-chip variation in power-supply voltage-drops, and inaccuracies in extraction and transistor characterizations. Continuing with the theme of bounded minimum and maximum capacitance values, multiplicative margin can be added with respect to the nominal values, making good equations for Ceff, min and Ceff, max as follows:Ceff.min=(1−x)*(Cvss.vdd+0*Ccoupling)  (1)Ceff.max=(1+x)*(Cvss.vdd+2*Ccoupling)  (2)The value of x can be chosen as desired, typically in the range of 0.05 to 0.10, where the margin introduced is, in effect, 2x. Remember, that since many of the otherwise-not-explicitly-counted factors are individually 10% effects, this margin is very much needed. Similar multiplicative margins are also suitable to apply to the wire resistance parasitics to account for the process variation in wire thickness and width, and for the on-chip localized temperature variations due to self-heating.
The minimum and maximum resistances and capacitances for every net allow us to calculate minimum and maximum delays for every net which can be backannotated using .sdf files into timing analyses. In a register (edge-triggered flop) based design, think of every setup and hold check as determining the results of a race ending at the receiving register. Both sides should be viewed as complementary duals of each other, where every setup check is based upon using the maximum delays through the launching register and combinational logic up to the receiving register, and the exact same paths with minimum delays are used for a hold check.
Furthermore, the paths used for these checks need to include the clock trees going back to the point of reconvergence between the parts of the clock distribution tree feeding the launching and receiving register. Thus, ordinary setup and hold checks also validate the quality of the clock distribution tree, emphasizing local skew instead of global skews, and allow for the possibilities of using "useful skew", as well as not penalizing bad skew where it wouldn't make any difference to the affected set up or hold checks anyway.
This rigorous and safe approach to clock tree analysis allows a much lower-power clock distribution scheme using tall clock trees with limited average fan-out, rather than the overkill of more common short-fat solutions that sometimes expend a third of the switching capacitance of the chip just in distributing a core clock.
Where hold checks do show violations with respect to a chosen added amount of margin, delay elements can be inserted. Sometimes, because of the conservative handling of minimum and maximum delay calculations, it can be a tricky balancing act to add delay elements in just the right way to fix the hold violations without degrading the setup paths too much. A useful concept is to write scripts that search the nets selected by fan-in cones of each receiving register input that has a hold violation (using minimum delay calculations) for the upstream point with the maximum setup slack (under the maximum delay calculations), and insert the delay buffer into that net. Often this means the hold-fix delay element must be inserted at a point that is adjacent to neither the launching register's output nor the receiving register's input, which is where most simplistic hold-fix algorithms usually would have placed them.
In the later stages of timing closure, the actual results from block level static timing analysis runs can be used to create models of the blocks that are used as objects in a top-level static timing analysis run. Of course, replicated instances will only need a single timing model for the block type, consistent with the choice that timing analysis of the blocks is not complicated by the instance-specific wires of overlying routing in the parent.
Moreover, since the paths leading from input ports to receiving registers, and the paths leading from final launching register up to output ports will have both minimum and maximum delays, both types of delay arcs need to be represented in the models constructed by use in the parent. Even though no commercial flow does this automatically, internal scripts can be written to combine these arcs into block level models so that timing analysis at a parent level can use the same duality for all setup and hold checks.
Closure
Adding sufficient margins early allows a design to converge with only a handful of iterations for each block type and for the top-level. By taking a conservative design style with full complementary checking of both sides of every setup and hold race, success is built into the process rather than risking being bitten by unaccounted-for coupling or noise issues found only after the silicon returns. The conservative delay calculation metrics discussed in this article also mean that there is upside that can be expected.
By choosing to base the delay calculations on worst-case values, a typical process spread will actually produce most parts well above the timing predicted by the worst-case model. Plus, the extra multiplicative timing margins built in by the factor x in equations (1) and (2), are also an additional upside factor between the "guaranteed" goal stated at tapeout and the actual attained clock frequencies proven by testing of the finished packaged parts across environmental conditions.


Techniques described enable creation of a single log containing information from both server-side and client-side logs. A logging service receives page requests and other data from a user operating a computing device. These page requests are then stored in a server-side log. The logging service also receives interactions made by the user on a displayed page. These interactions are then stored in a client-side log separate from the server-side log. The logging service then converts a format of the data in the client-side log and merges the client-side and server-side logs to form a single log. A service provider may then analyze this single log to track how this and other users navigated the pages associated with the page requests.

Service providers operating websites and the like often employ logs to determine and track how users navigate and consume pages associated with a provider's website. For instance, a service provider may maintain a server log that tracks pages viewed by consuming users. Unfortunately, these users often interact with the pages in ways that are transparent to the server log. However, this transparent interaction information may be helpful to the service provider as the provider strives to increase an efficacy of the website.
For at least the above-identified reasons, there is a need for improved approaches to determine how users navigate and consume pages such as webpages.

Merging client-side and server-side logs


An output buffer circuit, which minimizes or prevents output delay of output signal and degradation of slew rate while suppressing overshoot and undershoot, is provided. In a first time period when an input signal to a gate of an N-channel output transistor changes from ‘L’ level to ‘H’ level, the gate is connected to an output terminal through a capacitor element so that the overshoot is suppressed. In addition, the output buffer circuit stores negligible electrical charge in the capacitor element prior to the first time period, which results in minimal delay in outputting a buffered signal and degradation of slew rate while suppressing undershoot when the input signal changes from ‘H’ level to ‘L’ level in the first time period.

Exemplary embodiments of this invention relate to output buffer circuits and electrical systems including output buffer circuits.
Generally, a semiconductor integrated circuit includes an output buffer circuit that outputs a signal produced by the semiconductor integrated circuit through an output terminal. Various techniques are proposed to suppress overshoot and undershoot that may be generated in the signal outputted by the output buffer circuit.
FIG. 6 shows a conventional output buffer circuit in which overshoot and undershoot are suppressed.
An output buffer circuit 100 shown in FIG. 6 includes a P-channel output transistor 11 having a source S to which VDD potential is supplied and a drain D connected to an output terminal 22. Output buffer circuit 100 also includes an N-channel output transistor 12 having a source S to which GND potential is supplied and a drain D connected to output terminal 22.
Output buffer circuit 100 further includes capacitor elements 19 and 20, each having a first terminal connected to output terminal 22.
Further, output buffer circuit 100 includes inverters 17 and 18. Inverter 17 controls P-channel output transistor 11 by changing the potential of a gate G of P-channel output transistor 11. Inverter 18 controls N-channel output transistor 12 by changing the potential of a gate G of N-channel output transistor 12. In output buffer circuit 100 thus constructed, overshoot and undershoot are suppressed as further explained below.
Initially, an input signal A is assumed to be in 'L' level. Accordingly, both inverters 17 and 18 output 'H' level signals, and both node N1 (e.g., gate of P-channel output transistor 11) and node N2 (e.g., gate of N-channel output transistor 12) are in 'H' level. Because 'H' level signal is supplied to each of gates G of P-channel output transistor 11 and N-channel output transistor 12, P-channel output transistor 11 and N-channel output transistor 12 are in OFF- and ON-states, respectively. Accordingly, an output signal B1 at output terminal 22 is in 'L' level.
Then, input signal A changes from 'L' level to 'H' level. As a result, levels of both nodes N1 and N2 change to 'L' level. Accordingly, P-channel output transistor 11 and N-channel output transistor 12 change to ON- and OFF-states, respectively, and output signal B1 changes from 'L' level to 'H' level. Here, because capacitor element 19 is provided between output terminal 22 and node N1, overshoot generated when output signal B1 changes to 'H' level is fed back through capacitor element 19 to node N1. As a result, the overshoot is suppressed.
Next, input signal A changes from 'H' level to 'L' level. As a result, both nodes N1 and N2 change to 'H' level. Accordingly, P-channel output transistor 11 and N-channel output transistor 12 change to OFF- and ON-states, respectively, and output signal B1 changes from 'H' to 'L' level. Here, because capacitor element 20 is provided between output terminal 22 and node N2, undershoot generated when output signal B1 changes to 'L' level is fed back through capacitor element 20 to node N2. As a result, the undershoot is suppressed.
A CMOS output buffered circuit that utilizes such technique to suppress overshoot and undershoot is proposed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,000 to Naghshineh.
However, the technique disclosed in Naghshineh is deficient for the following reasons.
During a period when input signal A is in 'L' level, node N1 is in 'H' level, and output signal B1 is in 'L' level. Thus, a voltage corresponding to the difference between 'H' and 'L' levels is applied between the terminals of capacitor element 19. Accordingly, electrical charge corresponding to the voltage is stored in capacitor element 19. Thereafter, although node N1 starts to change from 'H' level to 'L' level when input signal A changes from 'L' level to 'H' level, a time to discharge the charge stored in capacitor element 19 is required before node N1 changes to 'L' level. As a result, change of the level of node N1 from 'H' to 'L' level is delayed during the time required to discharge the charge stored in capacitor element 19. Similarly, although node N2 starts to change from 'L' to 'H' level when input signal A changes from 'H' to 'L' level, a time to discharge the charge stored in capacitor element 20 is required before node N2 changes to 'H' level. As a result, change of the level of node N2 from 'L' to 'H' level is delayed during the time required to discharge the charge stored in capacitor element 20.
Accordingly, the timing of output signal B1 is delayed, and the slew rate of output signal B1 is degraded.

Output buffer circuit and system including the output buffer circuit


The present invention relates to a process for the selective preparation of acetaldehyde, characterized in that acrolein and one or more ammonium salts dissolved in water are reacted continuously under high pressures and at temperatures of 300-400° C.

The present invention relates to a process for the selective and continuous preparation of acetaldehyde from acrolein.
A considerable proportion of acetaldehyde is used for the preparation of acetic esters. For example, ethyl acetate is prepared in a rearrangement reaction with aluminium alcoholates as a catalyst (Claisen-Ti{hacek over (s)}{hacek over (c)}enko reaction). A substantial proportion is also used with formaldehyde for the production of pentaerythritol, an intermediate in the production of alkyl resins and plasticizers and emulsifiers. Furthermore, acetaldehyde is an intermediate in the preparation of butadiene starting from acetylene via acetaldol and its hydration product 1,3-butanediol. The formation of the acetaldol, which can be dehydrated to give crotonaldehyde, takes place by aldol addition of acetaldehyde. The reaction of acetaldehyde with nitrogen compounds to give pyridine and derivatives thereof is becoming increasingly important. Thus, 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine is prepared in a liquid-phase reaction from acetaldehyde and ammonia. Addition of formaldehyde or acrolein leads to the formation of pyridine and alkylpyridines. Acetaldehyde is further used in the production of peracetic acid, in the oxidation with nitric acid to give glyoxal or glyoxalic acid and in the addition reactions with hydrocyanic acid to give lactonitrile, a precursor of acrylonitrile, and acetic anhydride to give ethylidene diacetate, an intermediate in the vinyl acetate process [Eck2007].
According to the prior art, acrolein can be prepared, inter alia, from the dehydration of glycerol, which occurs as the "waste product" in relatively large amounts in biodiesel production, in near-critical and supercritical water of the addition of acids [Wat2007] or salts [Ott2006]. In the reaction of the resulting acrolein with ammonium salts, acetaldehyde is obtained in high yields.
It is known that acetaldehyde is obtained with a yield of 26% in the dehydration of glycerol in supercritical water at 500° C. and 34.5 MPa and with a residence time of 90 s [Ant1985]. A free radical mechanism by dehydration of the glycerol to 3-hydroxy-propionaldehyde and homolytic cleavage of this intermediate to give acetaldehyde and formaldehyde is assumed for the stated conditions. An alternative mechanism via homolytic cleavage of acetol can be ruled out. The selectivity with respect to acetaldehyde is lower under near-critical water conditions at 360° C. and the same conditions. Addition of sodium hydrogen sulphate as acidic catalyst merely leads to an increase in the yield of acrolein, which presumably results from the acid-catalysed dehydration of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde.
It is furthermore known that acetaldehyde forms as a by-product with the dehydration of glycerol in near-critical water at between 300 and 350° C. and 34.5 MPa by addition of 0.005 M sulphuric acid [Ant1987]. The reaction of a 0.5 M glycerol solution at 325° C. and with a residence time of 39 s leads to a molar yield of acetaldehyde of only 5%. A retro-aldol reaction starting from acrolein via 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde is assumed as a reaction mechanism, formaldehyde additionally forming and decomposing into hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide under the stated conditions. This assumption was confirmed by the use of an equimolar amount of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde and the cross-aldol reaction to give acrolein. The reaction of a dilute acetaldehyde solution under non-catalytic or alkaline conditions leads mainly to the formation of crotonaldehyde. Furthermore, acetaldehyde can be obtained as the main product by acid-catalysed dehydration from ethylene glycol. The dehydration of a 0.5 M ethylene glycol solution at 385° C. and 34.5 MPa and with a residence time of 29 s leads to a molar acetaldehyde yield of 40%. A disadvantage is the corrosive property of the sulphuric acid, especially in near-critical water.
Further investigations into the dehydration of polyols under supercritical water conditions (385° C., 34 MPa, 20-45 s residence time) are also known [Ram1987]. The acid-catalysed reaction of a 0.5 M ethylene glycol solution leads to a maximum acetaldehyde yield of 41% with 45 s residence time. Hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and ethylene can be identified as by-products in small amounts. In the dehydration of glycerol in the near-critical range, acetaldehyde is obtained with a maximum yield of 12% at 350° C. and with a residence time of 25 s and addition of catalytic amounts of sulphuric acid. The back-reaction or cross-aldol reaction of acetaldehyde with formaldehyde to give acrolein leads to an acrolein yield of 22%, based on formaldehyde. Crotonaldehyde, which is formed by aldol reaction of acetaldehyde, is detected as a further liquid product. The aldol reaction can be slowed down by addition of acids.
The results of the reaction of glycerol without addition in the near-critical and supercritical water in a temperature range of 250-475° C., at pressures of 25, 35 or 45 MPa and with residence times of 32-165 s and different starting concentration of glycerol are likewise known [Büh2002]. Lower temperatures and higher pressures and longer residence times lead to higher relative selectivities, based on acetaldehyde, the maximum conversion of glycerol being relatively low at 31%. Two competing reaction paths are described for the reaction of glycerol. Ionic reaction steps are preferred at higher pressures and/or lower temperatures, whereas free-radical reactions take place at lower pressures and/or higher temperatures. Acetaldehyde can be formed by both routes and is the main product under all conditions. The reaction mechanisms described for the formation of acetaldehyde differ here from the reaction routes assumed to date. The complete reaction model and the kinetic parameters of the reaction of glycerol can, after optimization, be adapted to the measured data obtained.
It is furthermore known that acetaldehyde forms in the homogeneously catalysed dehydration of ethylene glycol in near-critical and supercritical water [Ott2005]. Thus, acetaldehyde can be obtained with a yield of 10% with addition of catalytic amounts of zinc sulphate to a dilute ethylene glycol solution. By using 20 mM sulphuric acid as a catalyst, the yield can be increased to about 80% at 400° C. and 34 MPa and with a residence time of 15 s. Moreover, zinc sulphate catalyses the subsequent reactions of acrolein from the dehydration of glycerol. For an aqueous 1% (g g−1) acrolein solution, the conversion is 62% at 360° C. and 34 MPa and with a residence time of 120 s. Liquid reaction products cannot be found. Once again, the corrosiveness of the sulphuric acid under the stated conditions is disadvantageous.
In addition, it is known that acetaldehyde is obtained in the dehydration of very dilute aqueous glycerol solutions without addition or addition of sulphuric acid under the near-critical and supercritical conditions in a batch or flow-tube reactor [Wat2007]. The maximum yield of acetaldehyde is about 23% for the continuous dehydration of a 0.05 M glycerol solution at 400° C. and 34.5 MPa and with a residence time of 20 s and addition of 5 mM sulphuric acid. The yields without catalyst are significantly lower. The low starting concentrations of glycerol in combination with the use of sulphuric acid as a catalyst are disadvantageous.

Process for the selective preparation of acetaldehyde from acrolein and one or more ammonium salts dissolved in water


Systems and methods for providing a guaranteed batch pool are described, including receiving a job request for execution on the pool of resources; determining an amount of time to be utilized for executing the job request based on available resources from the pool of resources and historical resource usage of the pool of resources; determining a resource allocation from the pool of resources, wherein the resource allocation spreads the job request over the amount of time; determining that the job request is capable of being executed for the amount of time; and executing the job request over the amount of time, according to the resource allocation.

There are several related art implementations for scheduling optimizations for distributed computing systems. For example, related art implementations provide algorithms for optimizing scheduling to improve fairness, user satisfaction, and utilization. Related art implementations can also utilize deep learning to improve the packing of tasks with multiple resource requirements.
Another advancement in the related art involve budget based scheduling. Related art implementations can involve schedulers for workflows with deadline and/or budget guarantees using genetic algorithms. Other related art implementations may attempt to allocate resources based on the user Quality of Service (QoS) constraints, namely deadline and budget.
Related art implementations have also involved dynamic cloud implementations. In an example related art implementation, there is a service level agreement (SLA) aware platform for resource management. There are related art implementations that involve a learning system that can make explicit Service Level Objectives (SLOs) based on historical data of periodic jobs and enforces such SLOs using scheduling algorithms.

Systems and methods for provision of a guaranteed batch


A clamping circuit including: a subtracter for subtracting a clamping correction voltage from an input analog voltage signal; A/D converter for converting an analog voltage signal from the subtracter into a digital voltage signal of M bits; a potential difference detection circuit for detecting a potential difference between a digital voltage signal outputted from the A/D converter and a previously set clamping voltage; D/A converter for converting a digital signal of N (N<M) bits within the digital signal of M bits representing a potential difference outputted from the potential difference detection circuit into an analog signal; an adjusting voltage generation circuit for generating an adjusting voltage based on a potential difference outputted from the potential difference detection circuit and a threshold voltage set with respect to the potential difference; and an adder for adding together an output from the D/A converter and an adjusting voltage outputted from the adjusting voltage generation circuit to generate the clamping correction voltage.

The present invention relates to clamping circuits for clamping input signals in the process of analog-to-digital conversion (A/D conversion), and more particularly relates to a clamping circuit and digital camera system mounting the clamping circuit where imaging signals in a video equipment such as digital camera using a solid-state imaging device such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) are processed so that the signals become clamped to a digitally set value after A/D conversion.
Being developed in recent years among video equipment using an imaging device such as solid-state imaging device are digital cameras, etc., where analog image signals are converted into digital image signals so as to be stored for example to a memory. Of the image signals treated in such a video equipment, DC component is sometimes lost or DC component itself may fluctuate in the process up to their inputting into a digital signal processing circuit for example when a capacitance coupling amplifier is used to amplify image signals. In such a case, signals are different in pedestal level (blanking level: reference potential) between dark frame (black level) and bright frame, resulting in such disadvantages as that a portion to be displayed theoretically as white in a frame becomes gray or that change in contrast occurs in a frame. For this reason, the image signals as they are cannot be subjected to various correction or be accurately treated in a digital signal processing.
In video equipment, therefore, black level, i.e., pedestal level must be fixed before the digital signal processing. In digital cameras using a solid-state imaging device such as CCD, a portion of an invalid imaging area 102 occurring on the periphery of an effective imaging area 103 of a solid-state imaging device 101 as shown in FIG. 1 is totally concealed from light as portion for such a black level. An accurate DC component with a smaller error is regenerated from image signals with using the concealed-from-light optical black (OB) portion 104. The regenerated DC component is then superimposed on image signals to forcibly fix a reference black level, i.e., pedestal level.
A prior-art feedback clamping circuit for effecting regeneration process of such a DC component is disclosed for example in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication Hei-6-46287.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the prior-art feedback clamping circuit disclosed in the above publication. The feedback clamping-circuit includes: a differential amplifier 201; A/D converter 202; a first register 203; a subtracter 204; an adder 205; a second register 206; D/A converter 207; and a timing generator 208.
The differential amplifier 201 clamps analog image signals inputted into the differential amplifier by inputting a correction potential to an inversion input section of the differential amplifier 201. The A/D converter 202 converts the analog image signals clamped at the differential amplifier 201 into digital signals. The first register 203 retains black level (pedestal level) for the clamped digital image signals at timings given from the timing generator 208.
The subtracter 204 detects an error between the pedestal level retained at the first register 203 and a previously set normal pedestal level. The adder 205 adds together the error in potential that is detected at the subtracter 204 and a correction potential computed at the processing at the last time to update correction potential. The second register 206 retains the updated correction potential at timing from the timing generator 208. The D/A converter 207 converts the updated new correction potential into an analog signal and feeds it back to the inversion input section of the differential amplifier 201 as a clamping potential for input analog image signal.
The operation of the above described prior-art feedback clamping circuit will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3C. FIGS. 3A to 3C are timing charts showing signal waveforms for explaining operation of the prior-art feedback clamping circuit. The horizontal direction in FIGS. 3A to 3C represents timing axis and the vertical direction represents signal axis. FIG. 3A indicates an image signal (signal A) at the pedestal level of which DC component has been lost; FIG. 3B indicates a clamping timing signal (signal B); and FIG. 3C indicates a set signal (signal C).
First, when an analog image signal (signal A of FIG. 3A) without having DC component is inputted to the differential amplifier 201, the input analog image signal is clamped at the differential amplifier 201 by means of a level correction potential transmitted from D/A converter 207 and is provided as output. The clamped analog image signal is converted into a digital signal at A/D converter 202 and is outputted to an outputting section, usually a digital signal processing section (not shown) and to the first register 203.
When the clamped digital image signal is inputted to the first register 203, a pedestal level of the input digital image signal is extracted/retained by means of a clamp timing signal corresponding to the timing of pedestal (blanking) of the digital image signal and is provided as output. The clamp timing signal is the signal (signal B of FIG. 3B) which is generated at the timing generator 208 and is transmitted respectively to the first register 203 and to the second register 206.
Next, when the pedestal level outputted from the first register 203 is inputted to the subtracter 204; a previously set normal pedestal level is subtracted from such pedestal level at the subtracter 204. The result of subtraction at the subtracter 104 is a data indicating an error between the pedestal level of the input digital image signal and the previously set normal pedestal level (set value shown in FIG. 2).
Further, when the above error data is inputted to the adder 205, the adder 205 adds together the error data and a correction potential from the second register 206 that has been given to the differential amplifier 201 through D/A converter in the processing of last time, and outputs the result as a new correction potential. At this time, if an overflow occurs of the correction potential output value from the adder 205, a maximum value thereof is outputted, while a value of zero is outputted if it is a minus.
The new correction potential outputted from the adder 205 is inputted to the second register 206, and it is updated and retained for one horizontal period by a set signal (signal C of FIG. 3C) that is delayed from the clamp timing signal (signal B of FIG. 3B) and is generated at one timing during a horizontal blanking interval. The set signal is inputted to the second register 206 from the timing generator 208 so that the correction potential outputted from the second register 206 is updated every time when the above described clamp timing signal is generated. The new correction potential outputted from the second register 206 is converted into an analog signal by D/A converter 207 and is inputted to the differential amplifier 201. The input analog image signal without having DC component is thereby clamped to a new correction potential, i.e., receives a DC component.

Clamping circuit and digital camera system having the clamping circuit


A structure of mounting a grommet according to one embodiment includes: the grommet with: a cylindrical portion for covering a wire harness inserted into a panel hole formed at a panel; and a cylindrical portion provided at an end portion of the cylindrical portion and adhered tightly to the panel in such a manner as to cover an edge portion of the panel hole. When the grommet is mounted to the panel, the cylindrical portion is disposed on a room inside, and the wire harness and the cylindrical portion are upwardly inclined.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure of mounting grommet, in particular, relates to a structure of mounting a grommet fitted to a panel provided at an automobile and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, when inserting a wire harness including a plurality of electric wires to a panel (mounted body) serving as a partition between a room outside, on an engine room side, and a room inside in a vehicle such as an automobile, the wire harness is inserted via a grommet into a panel hole (opening portion) formed at the panel, to thereby maintain sealability (water-proof) between the room outside and the room inside.
In general, the grommet of this type is provided with: a small diameter cylindrical portion covering the plurality of wire harnesses bonded by a tape; and a large diameter cylindrical portion provided at a distal end of the small diameter cylindrical portion and adhered tightly to the panel in such a manner as to cover an edge portion of the panel hole. Further, a part of the plurality of wire harnesses bonded by the tape is tightened with a tightening metal fitting together with the small diameter cylindrical portion, thus filling a liquid-solidifying water-stopper agent between a group of electric wires of the wire harnesses in the small diameter cylindrical portion (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-243533). The above filling of the liquid-solidifying water-stopper agent makes it difficult for the water content to enter into the grommet, thus enabling to reliably improve sealability.


A system that automatically obtains Web page-specific scripts to save and restore the state of a Web page. When a user bookmarks or copies a Web page URL to the clipboard, a function is called to create a page state file that is stored together with the current URL to create a bookmark. When the bookmark is loaded or pasted into the location bar of the Web browser, the system reads the URL and page state file, and loads but does not yet display the Web page indicated by the URL of the bookmark. The system then locates the Restore Page State function in the loaded Web page's script, and executes the Restore Page State function on the page state file, resulting in modification to the DOM (Document Object Model) representation of the Web page and display of the Web page to the user based on the modified DOM.

As it is generally known, Internet bookmarks ("bookmarks") are stored Web page locations, typically in the form of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs). Bookmarks are a feature modern Web browsers, and allow convenient cataloging of and access to Web pages. For example, bookmarks are provided through the "Favorites" feature in Microsoft®'s Internet Explorer Web browser. Existing systems have provided bookmark setting and retrieval features in the Web browser user interface. In addition to bookmarking features provided in Web browsers, many external applications exist for bookmark management.
Social bookmarking systems have been developed that allow users to store bookmarks such that they are not tied to one specific computer or Web browser. Web-based bookmarking services enable users to save bookmarks on a remote Web server as part of a structure referred to as a "folksonomy". Such shared bookmarks can then be accessed by all or a group of users. Examples of existing social bookmarking systems include del.icio.us, Google™ bookmarks, Yahoo® Bookmarks and Microsoft Windows® Live Favorites.
With the advent of AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) and sophisticated DHTML (Dynamic HTML) techniques to manipulate the Web page content on client computer systems, a significant issue arises with regard to providing stable bookmarkability of content that may be dynamic rather than static during a user session. While a Web page may have a single non-changing URL stored in the Web browser, the content in many Web sites is asynchronously changed and replaced using the widely adopted back-channel communication routine called XMLHttpRequest. Accordingly, when the user sets a bookmark he may only be able to capture the starting URL of the Web site instead of the exact content state he is currently viewing. Users therefore will desire a way to bookmark a dynamic Web page in a way that allows them to restore a specific content state, and to further have the ability to share the bookmark from within the Web browser using simple and familiar cut and paste actions.
Some attempts have been made to address these problems, but have only been partially successful. Applications like Google Maps address Web browser bookmarkability by providing a link on a Web page that the user must click on to manually update the URL stored in the Web browser to a serialized version of the application state. If the user does not click on this link, then later reuse of the URL stored in the Web browser will not reload the expected state. Significant drawbacks of this technique are that it requires that the user be aware of the need to click the link on the page before copying or bookmarking the URL, and that an underlying AJAX/DHTML Web application is able serialize its state into a single URL.
Backbase AJAX Engine (utilized by the Backbase on-line developer forum) is an existing technique that records application state within the Web browser URL without manual intervention by the user. When navigating the Backbase developer forum, the current URL loaded into the Web browser is updated with a hash identifier that represents the current state. For example, the following URL:
http://www.backbase.com/#forum/messageThread.html%3Fforum=1&thread=1264[4]
indicates that the user is viewing forum 1 and thread 1264. If the above URL is copied and e-mailed to another user, when the other user clicks on the URL the site http://www.backbase.com is loaded into the Web browser, and the AJAX library initialized. On page load, the AJAX library retrieves the hash part of the URL and performs the necessary actions to render the desired state. This solution eliminates the need for manual user intervention, but still requires that the application state be serialized in the URL. As in any solution requiring application state serialization in the URL, sensitive data may be exposed in the resulting URL, even over an HTTPS connection. Additionally, this type of solution is limited by the fact that URLs can only be as large as 2 k characters.
Dojo is a JavaScript library that handles "Back" and "Forward" Web browser button events. Through Dojo intercepting these events, the developer is allowed to specify in JavaScript what the desired action should actually be. One major weakness of this approach is that these functions are in JavaScript, and so the burden of persisting state is on the JavaScript author. If the Web browser leaves the DHTML page, all JavaScript objects are reset when the Web browser returns (i.e. by way of the Back button), and state must therefore be stored elsewhere. In addition, this framework provides minimal assistance for bookmarkability. Dojo allows the developer to specify what value should be put in a hash statement after an AJAX call so the developer can encode application state for later reloading, as in the above described Backbase approach.
The Really Simple History (RSH) framework adds some additional support beyond Dojo by using Web browser forms to address the transient nature of JavaScript objects. This approach provides will persistence when the Web browser navigates away from the application and then back again, but still cannot support cross-browser sessions, sending or saving of bookmarks, or social bookmarking (i.e. del.icio.us).
The AJAX Massive Storage (AMASS) system addresses the cross-browser session limitations of the RSH using a Flash applet to store the hash data, but still does not provide for sharing of bookmarks with others through copy and paste.
For the above reasons and others it would be desirable to have a new system for providing stable bookmarkability of Web pages that addresses the above described shortcomings of existing systems.

Method and system for providing sharable bookmarking of web pages consisting of dynamic content

International Business Machines Corporation


A heat exchanger for use with a heat source for heating a vaporized liquid includes a housing composed of at least two essentially cuboid chambers that lie opposite one another and are connected to one another by at least one inclined pipe and has an arrangement for filling the housing with a vaporized liquid to an adjustable level. Preferably, a plurality of pipes are provided, which are arranged in vertically-extending planes, with the pipes of adjacent planes sloping in opposite directions.

The present invention is directed to a heat exchanger which includes a heating source for heating vaporized liquid.
In a heat exchanger having a heat source for heating vaporized liquid, a housing is filled with the liquid, which is generally water. This housing has an optimally large surface in order to guarantee a good heat transfer. Often, the water in the heat exchanger is subjected to a force circulation in order to prevent mechanical stresses that may occur due to a temperature difference and also in order to expel vapor bubbles, which are formed during heating, from the liquid. Such vapor or gas bubbles will reduce the heat transfer, which is the greatest given a complete degree of filling of the heat exchanger with the liquid.

Rational Grosskuechentechnik Service GmbH


A steamer for steaming hair curlers comprises an oblong tank having an open top which is closed by a lid. A pair of latches are captured for slight movement on opposite sides of the lid and engaged under steps defined on opposite sides of the tank. The lid carries a pair of depending electrodes which are protected within a perforated enclosure fixed to the lid. A power cord is connected between the electrodes for applying electrical energy to the electrodes which generates steam when the electrodes are emersed in an electrolyte in the tank.

The present invention relates in general to steamers utilizing two electrically powered electrodes which are emersed into an electrolyte, in particular, salt water, and which thereby generate steam. In particular, the invention relates to a steamer used specifically for impregnating a hair curler with steam.
U S. Pat. Nos. 3,759,271 and 4,453,554 both to Caruso, disclose curlers including cores surrounded by foam rubber sleeves which are adapted for receiving steam to heat and moisturize the curlers in preparation for curling hair.
A commercial product marketed by Celeste Company, Inc. and incorporating the Caruso inventions, includes a steamer comprising a cylindrical tank having a top covering which carries a pair of electrodes that are emersed into the tank. All electrical connections are made to the top so that steam generation is instantaneously stopped when the top is removed from the tank.
No mechanism is provided for firmly fixing the top to the tank so that a constant danger of spilling exists.


An on-vehicle generator mounting device includes: a stay provided with a first insertion hole; a front side mounting leg and a rear side mounting leg of the generator, both being disposed on two ends of the stay; a second insertion hole provided through one of the mounting legs; a cylindrical bush fitted movably into a fitting hole provided through the other of the mounting legs; a clamp nut disposed at the other mounting leg to be adjacent to and coaxially with the bush, so as not to turn within said aperture but with a gap in a radial direction therebetween; and a bolt inserted through the second insertion hole, first insertion hole and bush, the bolt being screw-engaged with the clamp nut. An end of the clamp nut protrudes outward of said aperture beyond an outer surface of the other mounting leg. The clamp nut screw-engaged with the bolt fixing the generator is prevented from corroding due to anti-freezing agent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an on-vehicle generator mounting device and, more particularly, to a structure of a device for fixing and mounting an on-vehicle generator onto an engine of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an example of conventional on-vehicle generator mounting device, for example, a "mounting device for an on-vehicle generator" is disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Publication (unexamined) No. 54747/1989.
Specifically, this Japanese Utility Model Publication (examined) No. 54747/1989 discloses "an on-vehicle generator mounting device including: a stay attached to an engine of a vehicle and having an insertion hole for mounting the generator onto an engine of the vehicle; a front bracket side mounting leg and a rear bracket side mounting leg of the generator both located on two sides of the stay; an insertion hole provided through one of the mounting legs; a cylindrical mounting-span-adjusting bush movably fitted into a fitting hole provided through the other mounting leg; a clamp nut accommodated in the other mounting leg adjacent to and coaxially with the mounting-span-adjusting bush, so as not to turn and get out, with a gap in radial direction; and a bolt inserted through the insertion hole of the other mounting leg, through the insertion hole of the stay and through the mounting-span-adjusting bush, the bolt being screw-engaged with the clamp nut.
Thus, the Japanese Utility Model Publication (examined) No. 54747/1989 discloses "anon-vehicle generator mounting device" in which a clamp nut is fitted into a mounting leg, which is fitted to and holds a mounting-span-adjusting bush of a generator, in such a manner as to be adjacent to the mounting-span-adjusting bush concentrically, unable to turn and get out, with a gap in radial direction.
It is a recent trend that an on-vehicle generator is reduced in weight under the need of lightweight vehicle.
Accordingly, in the field of an on-vehicle generator, front bracket and rear bracket made of aluminum have been popularly employed.
As a clamp nut for mounting the on-vehicle generator onto a stay (for example, hexagon nut), carbon steel material is generally employed.
To prevent the clamp nut from rotating and getting out, in the mentioned conventional on-vehicle generator mounting device, a hexagonal hole is provided through a mounting leg on the front bracket side or rear bracket side so that a part of a hexagonal part coaxially adjacent to a mounting-span-adjusting bush of the clamp nut (normally a hexagonal nut of carbon steel) is in contact with the mounting-span-adjusting bush.
In such a conventional structure, there is a possibility that an aqueous solution of calcium chloride sprayed on the road to act as an anti-freezing agent (snow-removing agent) infiltrates between the hexagonal portion of the clamp nut of carbon steel and the hexagonal hole (hexagonal cylinder part) provided through the mounting leg of aluminum.
Since ionization tendency is different between carbon steel and aluminum, when the aqueous solution of calcium chloride remains for a long time between the hexagonal portion of the clamp nut of carbon steel and the hexagonal hole (hexagonal cylinder part) provided through the mounting leg of aluminum, bimetallic corrosion (contact corrosion with dissimilar metal) and/or crevice corrosion may take place.
When aluminum, being one of the dissimilar metals remains on the surface of the carbon steel in contact therewith, the dissimilar metal comes to corrode due to battery action between the metals. As a result, it is often the case that transfer of rust due to such bimetallic corrosion oxidizes the carbon steel.
That is, when a portion of the mounting leg (hexagonal cylinder part) made of aluminum, being one of dissimilar metals, remains in contact with surface of the clamp nut (carbon steel metal), the dissimilar metal corrodes due to battery action between metals, and the resulting rust corrodes the clamp nut.
In the above-mentioned conventional on-vehicle generator mounting device, once the hexagonal part of the clamp nut rusts, the hexagonal shape finally comes to be round due to corrosion, loosing the contact face between the hexagonal part of the clamp nut and the hexagonal hole (hexagonal cylinder part) provided through the mounting leg. As a result, a problem exists in that the generator is rendered unable to be mounted and removed due to slip of the mounting bolt with which the clamp nut is screw-engaged.
Moreover, because of a complete tubular shape (for example, cylindrical shape) of the mounting-span-adjusting bush, another problem exists in that the aqueous solution of calcium chloride remains in the cylindrical portion of the mounting-span-adjusting bush, resulting in serious corrosion.


Biological nutrient removal (BNR) in wastewater treatment to remove carbonaceous substrates, nutrients and phosphorus, has recently become increasingly popular worldwide due to increasingly stringent regulations. Biological fluidized bed (BFB) technology, which could be potentially used for BNR processes, can provide some advantages such as high efficiency and compact structure. This present invention incorporates the fixed-film biological fluidized bed technology with the biological nutrient removal in a twin liquid-solid fluidized bed, which has achieved the simultaneous elimination of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, in a very efficient manner and with very compact space requirements. The BNR-LSFB has two fluidized beds, running as anoxic/anaerobic and aerobic processes to accomplish simultaneous nitrification and denitrification and to remove carbonaceous substrates, nutrients and phosphorus, with continuous liquid and solids recirculation through the anoxic/anaerobic bed and the aerobic bed. The new BNR-LSFB system is not only an excellent alternative for conventional activated sludge type BNR technologies but is also capable of processing much higher loadings and suitable for industrial applications.

Fluidization technology has been developed for close to one century from its first application to coal gasification by Winkler in the 1920s [1]. Since then, fluidized beds have been used for many different applications such as gas-solid, liquid-solid, and gas-liquid-solid contactors and to carry out a variety of different processes as chemical and biological reactors.
The application of fluidized beds to the biological wastewater treatment processes originated from observations of denitrification, made whilst using activated carbon to remove organic compounds from chemically treated sewage in a fluidized bed [2]. Since then, biological fluidized beds (BFBs) have been investigated for carbon oxidation, nitrification, denitrification and anaerobic treatment, for a wide variety of waters and wastewaters [3, 4, 5, 6]. In contrast to conventional biofilm reactors, in which media are fixed, the media immobilized on particles in a BFB are suspended in upflowing wastewater. Hence, BFBs have the advantages of increased liquid-solid interfacial area, enhanced contact between liquid and media, and increased liquid flowrate, as well as enhanced contact between gas and liquid if gas is present.
Biological fluidized beds are usually liquid-solid fluidized beds or gas-liquid-solid fluidized beds when air is added to the system for aerobic process. Fluidization of liquid-solid systems is controlled by the liquid flow rate [7, 8]. For a given liquid-solid system, the bed is initially fixed when liquid flow rate is lower than the minimum fluidization velocity. When liquid velocity exceeds the minimum fluidization velocity, the operation of the bed is transferred into the conventional or particulate liquid-solid fluidization regime (PFR). In a liquid-solid conventional or particulate fluidized bed (PFB), solid particles are nearly uniformly suspended in the liquid and are therefore in good contact with the liquid phase, with excellent interfacial mass transfer due to the continuous movement of the particles in the liquid and the drag exerted by the liquid. With a further increase of the liquid velocity, some particles begin to be transported out of the bed. At this time, the fluidized bed is in the transition from the particulate fluidization regime to the fast fluidization regime [7, 8, 9, 10].
When the liquid velocity is sufficiently high, normally when it is higher than the terminal velocity of the particles in the bed, large quantity of particles are transported out of the bed. At this point, the bed has entered the fast fluidization regime (FFR) (sometimes, also referred to as the circulating fluidization regime) to form a fast fluidized bed (FFB). (Sometimes, FFB is also referred to as a riser fluidized bed or simply riser, but the term riser may also be broadly used for any fluidized bed with a net solids upflow which is the definition we will adopt here in this application). Fast fluidized bed normally provides even higher liquid-solid mass transfer efficiency and higher liquid throughput than particulate fluidized bed. In FFB, as the particles are constantly carried out of the bed (normally from the top) by the upflowing liquid, more particles need to be fed into the FFB (normally at or near the bottom) to maintain a liquid-solid suspension. These particles fed into the FFB bottom may be fresh particles or particles from an upstream process in cases where the particles only need to go through the FFB once.
In cases where the particles should remain in the FFB for an extended period of time, particles flowing out from the top of the FFB should be recirculated back to feed into the bottom of FFB. Such recirculation may be through a standpipe for particle downflow or a conventional PFB where there is a net particle downflow, but can also be realized by other means. When such particle recirculation is realized through a particulate fluidized bed (PFB) with net particle downflow, the entire system including the FFB and the PFB forms a particle flow loop which is often referred to as a circulating fluidized bed (CFB).
In the case of gas-liquid-solid (three-phase) fluidized bed, air or other gases is injected into the bed, normally at or near the bottom of the bed. This applies to either a FFB or a PFB, or both. Gas passes through the bed as rising bubbles while interacting with the liquid and solid particles. Similar transitions occur from the fixed bed, to a conventional particulate gas-liquid-solid (three-phase) fluidized bed, and then to a fast gas-liquid-solid (three-phase) fluidized bed [11-13]. In a conventional particulate three-phase fluidized bed with bubbles flowing upwards, there are actually more than just one fluidization regime (such as dispersed bubbling and coalescing bubbling regimes) but for simplicity we will just refer them collectively as particulate fluidization regime (PFR) and the corresponding particulate three-phase fluidized bed as particulate fluidized bed (PFB).
The advantages of biological fluidized beds (BFBs) may be utilized to increase the efficiency of wastewater treatment processes. Traditionally, the most conventional and widely used design for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment is the activated sludge (AS) process, which employs a primary clarifier, an aeration tank, and a secondary clarifier. In such a process, nitrogen is merely converted from the more toxic ammonia form to nitrates and phosphorus removal is achieved by chemical addition. The process is classified as a suspended-growth system in which microbes responsible for treatment are in suspension. "Fixed-film" bioreactors have some advantages over the conventional activated sludge process. In fixed-film bioreactors, bacterial films are immobilized on an attachment media rather than remain in suspension. Due to the immobilization of biomass on media, the loss of biomass by shearing is the only mechanism for the escape of biosolids in the bioreactor effluent. The sloughed biomass is mostly decaying biomass that has good settling characteristics and can be readily separated from the liquid [14]. The most salient advantage of fixed-film vis-à-vis suspended growth systems is higher biomass densities per unit volume, resulting not only in more compact bioreactor sizes but also better ability to handle shock organic loadings as well as mitigate inhibition and toxic impacts. Other advantages include enhanced retention of biosolids, and better sludge settling characteristics which may affect other things such as the sizing of secondary clarifiers. The most commonly used fixed-film processes in wastewater treatment are trickling filters, and rotating biological contactors (RBCs) [15]. Anaerobic filters [16] and aerated biological filters [17] are also used, albeit less frequently than trickling filters and RBCs. When the biofilm is immobilized on particulate solid carriers in fluidized bed, the advantages of BFBs, such as increased liquid-solid interfacial area and enhanced contact between liquid and media, can be utilized to further increase the efficiency of the fixed-film bioreactors [18]. It should be noted that such biological fluidized bed fixed-film bioreactors are all operated in the conventional particulate fluidization regime, with relatively low liquid velocities.
These processes (suspended growth and fixed-film bioreactors including fixed-film BFB), however, can only achieve secondary effluent quality and additional treatment is required for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) removals. To address the above problem and in response to increasingly stringent effluent nutrient criteria as a result of deteriorating surface water quality, biological nutrient removal (BNR) processes have become increasingly popular recently [19]. In BNR processes, nitrogen and phosphorus can be removed simultaneously [20, 21]. A typical BNR process is shown in FIG. 1. These BNR processes are essentially suspended growth systems, which employ a combination of anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic suspended growth biological reactors with or without primary clarification. BNR processes involve diverse microbial groups and utilize the ability of selected microbes, known as phosphorous accumulating organisms (PAO) to undertake luxury phosphorus uptake, whereby some of the phosphorus stored in the cells is released during anaerobic conditions to be followed by a greater phosphorus uptake during aerobic conditions. Furthermore denitrifying bacteria that can elicit oxygen from nitrates reduce the organic loading to be treated aerobically.
BNR processes are known to offer several advantages over the more conventional activated sludge processes, namely superior effluent quality, a significant reduction in aeration energy requirements (likely due to utilization of formed nitrates to remove organic matter), improved sludge settling characteristics, a reduction in sludge quantities (likely due to lower bacterial yields in the anoxic tanks), and the elimination/minimization of chemical sludge. Although BNR activated sludge systems require more process controls as compared to conventional activated sludge systems, advances in process controls and data logging capabilities have significantly reduced human requirements and thus both systems now require comparable operator attendance. Consequently these BNR processes offer significant savings in both capital and operation/maintenance cost, in addition to the advantages of BNR over conventional activated sludge systems and their ability to meet stringent total nitrogen and phosphorus effluent criteria.
On the other hand, however, the reliability of the activated sludge BNR process in response to influent changes both in terms of quantity and characteristics (i.e. COD—Chemical Oxygen Demand, N, P, COD/P and COD/N ratios) have been questioned to the extent that many BNR plants have standby chemical dosing systems for P removal. Incomplete denitrification and low food to microorganisms (F/M) ratio have been observed to cause filamentous bulking conditions in BNR activated sludge systems [22, 23]. In some cases, external sources of carbon may be required to achieve P and N removal, because of low concentrations of readily biodegradable organics.
In view of the aforementioned shortcomings of the suspended growth BNR processes, there is a need to develop more effective BNR wastewater treatment processes. It would be ideal if the BNR concept can be combined with the fixed-film BFB process so that advantages of both processes can be utilized simultaneously. So far, no BFBs (without the combination with BNR) have accomplished effective phosphorus removal without using some chemical methods [24, 25]. To the best of our knowledge, a reliable BFB fixed-film BNR process that simultaneously achieves biological phosphorus and nitrogen removal has not been developed. Although nitrogen removal by simultaneous nitrification-denitrification has been accomplished in biological filters [26] by alternating oxic and anoxic conditions within the filter, very low nitrogen removal efficiencies (˜20% influent nitrogen) have been achieved.
It would be very advantageous to provide a high-efficiency biological fluidized bed for simultaneous removal of carbon, nitrogen and phosphate. However, one of the key difficulties is how to arrange the three different processes, anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic processes, in an integrated fluidized bed system.

Liquid-solid fluidized bed waste water treatment system for simultaneous carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous removal