Semiconductor structures may include a stack of alternating dielectric materials and control gates, charge storage structures laterally adjacent to the control gates, a charge block material between each of the charge storage structures and the laterally adjacent control gates, and a pillar extending through the stack of alternating oxide materials and control gates. Each of the dielectric materials in the stack has at least two portions of different densities and/or different rates of removal. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating such semiconductor structures.

Semiconductor memory devices may be classified into volatile memory devices and nonvolatile memory devices. In contrast to volatile memory devices, nonvolatile memory devices, such as flash memory devices, retain stored data even when power is removed. Therefore, nonvolatile memory devices, such as flash memory devices, are widely used in memory cards and in electronic devices. Due to rapidly growing digital information technology, there are demands to continuingly increase the memory density of the flash memory devices while maintaining, if not reducing, the size of the devices.
Three-dimensional (3D)-NAND flash memory devices have been investigated for increasing the memory density. The 3D-NAND architecture includes a stack of memory cells having a plurality of charge storage structures (e.g., floating gates, charge traps or the like), a stack of alternating control gates and dielectric materials, and charge blocking materials disposed between the charge storage structures (mostly referred to by example as floating gates hereinafter) and the adjacent control gates. An oxide material, such as silicon oxide, is conventionally used as the dielectric material. The charge blocking material may be an inter-poly dielectric (IPD) material, such as oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) material.
FIG. 1 shows a semiconductor structure 100 that may be further processed to form a 3D-NAND flash memory device. The semiconductor structure 100 includes a stack 110 of alternating control gates 108 and dielectric materials 105 over a material 103 to be used as control gate of a select device, such as a select gate source (SGS) or a select gate drain (SGD), a plurality of floating gates 400, a charge blocking material (411, 412, 413) positioned between the floating gates 400 and adjacent control gates 108, and a channel material 500 extending through the stack 110, the control gate material 103, a dielectric material 102, and a portion of a source 101. The source 101 could be formed in and/or on a substrate (not shown), such as a semiconductor substrate comprising monocrystalline silicon. Optionally, the semiconductor structure 100 may include an etch stop material 104. Although not depicted here, in other embodiments, the depicted material 101 may form or be part of a bit line (e.g., instead of a source). The control gates 108 each has a height of L1. The floating gates 400 each has a height of L2. Due to the presence of the charge blocking material (411, 412, 413) around the discrete floating gate 400, the height L2 of each discrete floating gate 400 is approximately half the height L1 of an adjacent control gate. For example, the height of the floating gate in the direction of current flow (e.g., in a pillar of a string of the memory cells) may be approximately 15 nm compared to the height of an adjacent control gate, which is approximately 30 nm. In addition, the floating gate is not aligned with the adjacent control gate.
During use and operation, a charge may get trapped on portions of the IPD material, such as on portions of the IPD material that are horizontally disposed between a floating gate and adjacent dielectric material. When the IPD material is an ONO material, the charge may get trapped in the horizontal nitride portions of the IPD material that are not between the control gates and the floating gates. Trapped charge can migrate along the IPD material, such as through program, erase or temperature cycling. The presence of the IPD material creates a direct path for programming/erasing into the nitride material of the IPD material and degrades cell program-erase cycling. Such charge trapping or movement can alter the threshold voltage (Vt) of the memory cells or degrade incremental step pulse programming (ISPP) relative to memory cells that do not have such charge trapping in the nitride. Charge trap jeopardizes the controllability of the channel characteristics and the reliability of the 3D-NAND flash memory device.
To minimize charge trap in the horizontal IPD portions, it is desirable to reduce the amount of the horizontal IPD portions, such as by increasing the height of a floating gate relative to the height of an adjacent control gate. In addition to reducing the undesirable charge trap, increasing the height of floating gate in the direction of current flow through the channel may offer a higher degree of channel conductance modulation (e.g., a higher on/off ratio), a reduced cell noise (e.g., a larger floating gate), and a reliability gain. The attempts to increase the height of floating gates to about the same as that of adjacent control gates require the addition of numerous deposition/dry/wet etch steps, resulting in a complex and rather costly fabrication process. Furthermore, these additional deposition/dry/wet etch steps often associate with an undesirable increase in the critical dimension.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to have a fabrication process for forming the floating gates having a height approximately the same as the height of adjacent control gates that utilizes relatively few additional acts and without jeopardizing other properties and performances of the fabricated structure.

Methods of fabricating semiconductor structures


This invention is a device and a process for controlling the emission of volatile organic components. The invention is useful on gaseous or vapor-containing streams containing a minor amount of organic material, particularly on fairly dilute streams or those containing only a few parts per million of the organic material. The device is useful in adsorbing organics as might be found emanating from paint spray booths, restaurants, print shops, dry cleaners, furniture manufacturers, and bakeries.. The device may be two-stage including an adsorber and a catalytic oxidation reactor or may be of such a configuration that the same bed is used both as the adsorber and catalytic oxidation reactor. In the former configuration, a first stage contains an electrically conductive adsorbent bed, potentially comprising an adsorbent placed on a conductive support of fibers, foil, or other structure. The adsorbent removes the organic from the gaseous stream as that stream passes through. When the adsorbent is loaded with volatile organic, a voltage is applied to the conductive support and the adsorbed organic material is desorbed. The stream containing the desorbed organic is passed through a catalyst bed where a catalyst (which may also be on a conductive support) oxidizes the volatile organic to a harmless material which may (perhaps after other treatment) be emitted to the atmosphere.

Many industrial and commercial operations create exhaust streams which contain toxic or odorous organic compounds. Examples of such operations include paint spraying, plastic molding, gluing, rendering, and chemicals manufacturing. Commercial facilities such as restaurants, printing shops, cleaners, and bakeries also produce gas streams which when emitted to the atmosphere might be undesirable under increasingly stringent environmental laws. As concern about these hydrocarbon emissions grows and regulatory restrictions become more prevalent, the need for devices and processes to control the levels of volatile organic materials released into the atmosphere becomes more acute.
When the concentrations of volatile organics in an exhaust stream are high or when the emission sources are a part of a large industrial complex, control technologies have been developed to remove these materials from the streams. Sophisticated and large conventional thermal catalytic or scrubbing systems are the norm for removing volatile organic materials from waste streams containing high concentrations of organics. However, when the concentration of organics in the stream is quite low, large volumes of gas must be handled to capture the relatively small amounts of volatile organics. Additionally the packed beds of adsorbent used in the conventional technology require large gas handling devices to push the gas through those beds. These facts contribute to the high costs of conventional systems and the fact that many of them are not cost effective. In any event, such devices are disclosed in the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,930,803 to Winter shows a process and an apparatus for purifying a gas flow having combustible and vaporous or gaseous impurities. The air or gas flows through an adsorption filter. The adsorption filter may contain a material such as activated charcoal, silica gel, or zeolite. When the impurity level in the adsorption filter reaches a predetermined level of impurities, the impurities are desorbed in counterflow by a hot inert gas generated through the stoichiometric combustion of hydrocarbons. The desorbate which is carried away by the inert gas is then subsequently burned with additional air or with oxygen.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,460 to Winter discloses a process and apparatus similar to that found in Winter '803. This document, however, shows an improvement in which a protective gas generator is used to produce an inert gas which is then introduced into the adsorption zone prior to the introduction of hot inert gas. This protective gas limits the potential for the presence of an explosive mixture in the adsorption zone as the hot gas is introduced.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,553 to Nowack shows an industrial painting method and system having a washer, dry-off oven, spray booth, and bake oven. Solvent paint vapors from the spray booth are concentrated in a filter which is subsequently degassed by a flow of hot air from the dry-off oven. The degassed vapors are then admixed with the atmosphere of the bake oven. The bake oven atmosphere is continuously circulated to the washer and passed through the burner of the washer to incinerate solvent vapors. The gases produced by the incineration are carried to the dry-off oven to form the atmosphere there. The principal exhaust from the overall system is from the dry-off oven and is substantially free of solvent vapors and is of a fairly low temperature. The filters used to adsorb the solvent contaminants from the air may be carbon, silica gel, activated alumina, molecular sieves, and certain clays. Activated carbon is preferred. The solvent vapors are released from the filter by a countercurrent flow of heated air.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,164 discloses a process for recovering various volatile organic and inorganic impurities from gases using an adsorber which contains two layers of a fibrous activated carbon configured in the form of a cylinder. The cylindrical carbon layers are separated from each other by in insulating wall. The residual solvent in the air is adsorbed as it passes through the fibrous activated carbon. The solvent is desorbed by use of a low pressure steam flow or other inert gas while concurrently applying an electric current to the carbon fiber adsorption bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,852 to Schweitzer et al. discloses a method and apparatus for separating and recovering volatile solvents (such as that found in the exhaust of dry-cleaning machinery, metal degreasers, installations for cleaning electronic parts, solvent baths, etc.) by passing the exhaust gas alternatively through one of two beds of molecular sieve packings capable of adsorbing water vapors contained therein and through one of two beds of molecular sieve packings composed of a material suitable for adsorbing the solvent vapors contained therein. Heated air or inert gas is passed through the beds not in use to desorb the water vapor and solvent vapors and thereby regenerate the molecular sieve packings. The water and solvent are then condensed for ultimate recovery as liquids.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,494 to Hayes discloses a process for removing volatile organic compounds from air by passing the air through a bed of a divinylbenzene beads. The beads adsorb such materials as gasoline, benzene, chlorinated solvents, various alcohols, esters, acid gases, and the like. The beads are regenerated by passing a heated gas through the bed at a temperature as high as 290.degree. C.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,311 to Dingfors et al. shows a method and an apparatus for removing various organic substances, primarily solvents, from industrial ventilation air contaminated with such substances. In the process, air containing the solvent is passed through an adsorbent comprising macroporous polymeric particles in a fluidized bed. The particles are fed continuously to the bed and then are fed continuosly to a desorption column. In the desorption column the solvent is desorbed from the adsorbent by the use of heated air. The desorbed material is drawn off to a cooler.
None of these patents suggest a process or a device in which an electrically conducting adsorbent or catalyst support is solely utilized to remove hydrocarbon contaminants from a highly dilute gaseous source.
Another choice for volatile organics removal is a continuous combustion unit to destroy the organics by oxidation or combustion at high temperature. At the level of volatile organics found in many waste streams, the heat from the combustion reaction is simply not sufficient to sustain the high temperatures necessary to destroy the organic material. Thus, unless the gas stream is already quite hot, a combustion unit requires additional energy input (most often by burning a fuel) for operation. This additional fuel requirement makes operating costs high and renders this option unattractive for small operations or dilute organic sources.
Although the use of activated carbon beds or cartridges is known in certain industries as a suitable approach for adsorbing small amounts of volatile organics as the stream passes through the beds, methods for regenerating the bed are difficult and often create an environmental hazard when releasing the organic from the bed. The cartridges are simply often discarded. Where steam stripping or thermal cycling is used, the energy costs are high. Typical of such devices are:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,274,755 to Montagnon et al. discloses a process in which a volatile solvent used in a dry-cleaning or de-greasing operation is absorbed from a vent stream using a carbon or charcoal bed. The solvent is said to be a chlorinated hydrocarbon. The carbon bed is regenerated by use of steam sparging in the direction opposite to the flow of the solvent-laden air.
Kokai 52-65,175 issued to Mitsui Kikinzoku Kogyo K.K. describes a process and an apparatus for treating a waste gas stream to remove low concentrations of combustible gases. The waste gas is passed through an adsorption zone which, in the example, is said to be a bed of activated carbon. In that example, toluene was removed from a gas stream. Some amount of combustible gas is apparently expected to pass through the activated carbon bed and into the following oxidation reactor. The oxidation reactor is then able to handle the lower concentration of the combustible component. Apparently this process has the effect of smoothing the concentration of the combustible component to a nearly constant level throughout the flow of the gas stream from the upstream batch reaction contemplated in the Kokai.
Again, neither of these documents utilizes a source of heat in which the adsorbent and the catalyst are found on an electrically conductive, heat-producing support.
Disclosures which do utilize a voltage differential in an adsorption process include the following.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,652 to Lowther discloses a system and process for regenerating an adsorbent bed of a dielectric absorbent particles by applying to those particles a high voltage electrical field (e.g., 0.2 to 500 Kv/cm) to separate substantially all of the adsorbed moisture as molecular water. The voltage may be applied either as a direct current or a low frequency pulsing or AC current (0-1000 Hertz). The advantages are said to be that the amount of time and energy required in regenerating the bed are less than for conventional regeneration procedures.
Kokai 54-160,589 issued to Toho Beslon K.K. suggests an adsorption/desorption unit made up of fibrous activated carbon. The active carbon is in the form of fiber mat containing discrete metal fiber heaters within the mat. The gas containing the offending hydrocarbon is passed through the carbon mat and is adsorbed onto the individual fibers. When the capacity of the mat is reached, an electric current is passed through the discrete metal wires included in the mat so as to raise the temperature of the carbon to 100.degree. C. or 150.degree. C. The heating causes the adsorbed material to desorb. In the example, an air flow containing trichloroethylene was treated using the process. The process had an overall recovery efficiency of 85%.
In summary, none of the noted disclosures show a process or device in which an adsorber and a catalytic oxidation reactor utilize an electrically conductive adsorbent bed or oxidation bed variously to raise the temperature of the adsorbent to desorb the hydrocarbon or to raise the temperature of the catalyst to support the oxidation reaction.
Our invention permits the use of low cost equipment. The energy costs are low. For many variations of the invention, the pressure drop across the bed or beds is low and the required gas-moving or gas-handling equipment is, by comparison, not expensive. The low pressure drop allows installation of the bed in existing exhaust blown vent systems.

Self-contained system for controlling gaseous emissions from dilute organic sources and a process for using that system


A hollow golf club head comprises a face portion whose front face defines a club face for striking a golf ball, a crown portion intersecting the club face at the upper edge thereof, and a sole portion intersecting the club face at the lower edge thereof, wherein at least one of the crown portion or the sole portion is made of a rolled steel at least partially, and a rolling direction of the rolled steel is in the range of from 0 to 20 degrees with respect to a front-back direction of the head.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a golf club head which can improve its durability and the repulsion performance.
2. Background Art
A hollow golf club head with a face portion made of rolled steel is proposed. The face portion normally includes a center part having a great thickness and a peripheral part having a smaller thickness. The club head mentioned above improves a repulsion performance without deteriorating strength of the face portion.
As a result of various experiments, the inventors of the present invention have found that a durability, a repulsion performance and a ball hitting feeling of a club head can be improved by using a rolled steel having the rolling direction along a front-back direction of the head in at least a part of a crown portion or a sole portion of a hollow golf club head.


A device for inspecting the underside of a vehicle includes a carriage supported by four swivable wheels and a forwardly extending arm with a light source and upwardly extending camera on a forward portion thereof. A second arm extends rearwardly and upwardly from a rear portion of the carriage and includes a video monitor for viewing an image generated by the video camera and a control unit. The device also includes a video transmitter for sending a picture from the camera to a remote location and three 12 volt batteries for powering the device.

An increase in drug smuggling and terrorist activities have led to a demand for increased inspection of motor vehicles namely cars and trucks that travel from one country to another as well as those entering secure areas. As a result of the increase in terrorism, more and more hotels, hospitals, office buildings, etc. are erecting security barriers and limiting access to their facilities and inspecting those vehicles before the vehicles are permitted to enter the premises.
At many facilities, motor vehicles are inspected by checking the interiors of the vehicle, inspecting under the hood i.e. the engine compartment, trunk and using an inclined mirror to look under the outer periphery of the vehicle. At some facilities, inspectors use mirrors on an elongated handle that can be manipulated to allow minor movements.
For example, a U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,792 of Ibrahim displays a pole-type vehicle inspection apparatus having a motorized mirror capable of universal rotation about two axes. As disclosed, the device has a handle, a pole and a foot with a rotatable mirror mounted on the foot. The mirror is attached to the foot by a pivot shaft about which the mirror is capable of 2 degrees of rotational freedom in order to turn the plane of the mirror at various angles with respect to the foot. Rotation about the pivot shaft is actuated by an electric motor in the foot. The motor is inter-connected with a toggle switch in the handle. Pushing the switch in a particular direction causes the mirror to rotate in that direction. The inspector can place the foot of the device under the vehicle with a pole at an attitude that is chosen to be comfortable. Thereafter, the mirror may be rotated with the switch so as to direct the line of sight at various points under the vehicle body without having to readjust the pole for each angle of view.
A more recent approach to a remote inspection device is disclosed in a U.S. Patent of Rzyski, U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,849. The Rzyski patent discloses a remote inpection devise that includes an elongate housing, camera means and power supply for powering the camera means and video display. The camera means operates in the invisible light spectrum, preferably the infrared (IR) spectrum. The camera means creates an image of an object which is transmitted to the video display for producing a visible light image of the object to be evaluated.
Notwithstanding the above, it is presently believed that there is a need and a potential market for an improved inspection device in accordance with the present invention. There should be a demand because such devices provide a more thorough or more detailed examination of the underside of a vehicle, are less stressful to use and provide better illumination for an inspection. Further, the improved inspection device in accordance with the present invention can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost, are durable, easy to use and easily serviced and maintained. In addition, the devices incorporate rechargeable batteries, an indicator that warns a user of a low charge on the battery and are waterproofed in order to be useful in wet weather conditions.


A device employing multiple counterweights for enhancing rotation movement. The device employs a horizontally disposed counterweight coupled to a vertically offset second counterweight by an adjacent sprocket. The sprocket times the counteracting weights to provide a single rotational direction whose inertia is maintained by a flywheel. The device has a 6:3:1 ratio resulting in a near continuous rotational movement upon the operational movement of the first and second counterweight. A generator may be coupled to the device providing a ancillary source of power.

Counterweights are commonly used as counterbalances for rotating items. For instance, the drive shaft of an automobile employs counterweights for smooth rotational movement of the drive shaft at high revolutions. Similarly, the wheels of the automobile may employ counterweights to eliminate vibration during high speed revolution. Alternatively, a counterweight may be used to offset the weight of an item, such as a bridge. In these applications, the counterweights enhance control of the item by creating a fulcrum point across which the item is balanced.
Flywheels are a tool used with rotational items that assists in correcting system inefficiencies. A flywheel is typically formed from a massive amount of material that, once rotated, maintains a momentum of inertia. Automobile engines rely on flywheels to maintain momentum once the engine has started rotational movement. With the rotational movement enhanced by the flywheel, typically balanced by a counterweight, engine inefficiencies can be overcome thereby providing a steady engine torque. The mass of the flywheel provides rotational inertia which allows the flywheel to absorb and release energy with no noticeable variation in rotational speed.
Thus, counterweights and flywheels have typically been used in an effort to maintain the enhance the operation of a drive system in a manner so as to inhibit the inefficiencies thereof. However, what is lacking in the art is the teaching of a device using counterweights and flywheels to enhance rotational movement.

Device for enhancing rotational movement


A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor (52) includes a substrate (62) a movable element (58) spaced apart from the substrate (62), suspension anchors (66, 68, 70, 72) formed on the substrate (62), and compliant members (74) interconnecting the movable element (58) with the suspension anchors. The MEMS sensor (52) further includes fixed fingers (76) and fixed finger anchors (78) attaching the fixed fingers (76) to the substrate (62). The movable element (58) includes openings (64). At least one of the suspension anchors resides in at least one of the multiple openings (64) and pairs (94) of the fixed fingers (76) reside in other multiple openings (64). The MEMS sensor (52) is symmetrically formed, and a location of the fixed finger anchors (78) defines an anchor region (103) within which the suspension anchors (66, 68, 70, 72) are positioned.

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors are widely used in applications such as automotive, inertial guidance systems, household appliances, protection systems for a variety of devices, and many other industrial, scientific, and engineering systems. Such MEMS sensors are used to sense a physical condition such as acceleration, pressure, or temperature, and to provide an electrical signal representative of the sensed physical condition. Capacitive-sensing MEMS designs are highly desirable for operation in high acceleration environments and in miniaturized devices, due to their relatively low cost.
FIG. 1 shows a top view of a prior art MEMS capacitive accelerometer 20 which is adapted to sense acceleration in an X direction 24 (that is, acceleration parallel to a major planar surface of the device). Accelerometer 20 includes a movable element 26, sometimes referred to as a proof mass or shuttle, suspended above an underlying substrate 28. Suspension anchors 30 are formed on substrate 28 and compliant members 32 interconnect movable element 26 with suspension anchors 30. Pairs of fixed fingers 34 are attached to substrate 28 by fixed finger anchors 36, and a sense finger 38 extending from movable element 26 is positioned adjacent to fixed fingers 34. Sense gaps 40 are thus formed between each side of sense fingers 38 and corresponding fixed fingers 34. In a structure of this type, when movable element 26 moves in response to acceleration in X direction 24, capacitances 42 and 44 between the moving sense fingers 38 and the fixed fingers 34 change. MEMS accelerometer 20 is provided with electronic circuitry (not shown) which converts these capacitive changes to signals representative of acceleration in X direction 24.
Many MEMS sensor applications require smaller size and low cost packaging to meet aggressive cost targets. In addition, MEMS sensor applications are calling for lower temperature coefficient of offset (TCO) specifications. TCO is a measure of how much thermal stresses effect the performance of a semiconductor device, such as a MEMS sensor. A high TCO indicates correspondingly high thermally induced stress, or a MEMS device that is very sensitive to such a stress. The packaging of MEMS sensor applications often uses materials with dissimilar coefficients of thermal expansion. Thus, an undesirably high TCO often develops during manufacture or operation. In addition, stresses can result from soldering the packaged semiconductor device onto a printed circuit board in an end application. These stresses can result in the deformation of the underlying substrate 28, referred to herein as package stress. For example, deformation of substrate 28 can result in displacements, represented by arrows 46, of suspension anchors 30 and fixed finger anchors 36. Displacements 46 induced by package stress cause changes in sense capacitances 42 and 44, thus adversely affecting capacitive accelerometer 20 output.
For the typical architecture of capacitive accelerometer 20, transducer output can be approximated by the difference between capacitance 42 and capacitance 44. Transducer output will not be affected in this architecture if displacements 46 cause both capacitances 42 and 44 to change by the same magnitude and direction. Thus, the output of MEMS sensor 20 may not be affected if the displacement of movable element 26 is substantially equivalent to the average displacement of fixed fingers 34 in the sense direction, i.e., X direction 24.
However, substrate 28 may undergo some non-linear displacement due to package stress. A component of the non-linear displacement may be non-linear displacement variation, or non-uniform stretching, across a surface of substrate 28 in X direction 24. This non-linear displacement variation is represented in FIG. 1 by dashed straight lines 48. Another component of the non-linear displacement may be non-linear in-plane deformation, or curvature, of substrate 28 in X direction 24. This in-plane "curvature" across the surface of substrate 28 is represented in FIG. 1 by dashed curved lines 50. In-plane curvature 50 represents the condition in which the top and bottom edges of capacitive accelerometer 20 are displaced by a similar amount in X direction 24, but the center region of capacitive accelerometer 20 is displaced by a different amount. Non-linear displacement variation 48 and in-plane curvature 50 result in the displacement of movable element 26 that is not substantially equivalent to the average displacement of fixed fingers 34 in the sense direction, i.e., X direction 24.
Packaging stresses can be reduced by coating the transducer die with an elastomer (sometimes referred to as a "dome coat"). However, such coatings complicate the manufacturing process and lead to an undesirably larger MEMS sensor. Furthermore, as the size of MEMS sensors decrease, a stress isolating dome coat cannot readily be used.
Thus, what is needed is a low cost, compact, single die transducer that can sense along one or more axes, that is less susceptible to thermally induced package stress gradients, and that does not require the use of a dome coat or other features designed to reduce packaging stress.

Semiconductor device with reduced sensitivity to package stress


A recording apparatus having a buffer to store recording data associated with a recording area in a scanning direction of a recording head divided into a plurality of areas. The buffer stores the recording data in units of the divided areas. The recording apparatus includes a signal generation unit configured to output a signal according to a position of the recording head, a transfer data generation unit configured to generate transfer data transferred to the recording head based on the signal output from the signal generation unit, and a pattern data generation unit configured to generate predetermined pattern data. The transfer data generation unit includes a first input section for receiving the recording data read from the buffer and a second input section for receiving the pattern data generated by the pattern data generation unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, and more particularly to discharge pattern generation.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ink jet recording apparatus of a serial type forms an image by moving a carriage having a recording head mounted thereon in a main scanning direction that is different from a paper feeding direction, and discharging inks from nozzles of the recording head.
Such recording apparatus typically includes a printing buffer (recording buffer) for holding recording data to be transferred to the recording head. As to a memory capacity of the printing buffer, an amount sufficient for holding all data to be recorded in at least one main scanning direction is typically provided (printing buffer of 1 band).
For example, when recording is carried out in an 8-inch width at resolution of 600 dpi in a main scanning direction and a recording head has 128 nozzles arranged at 600 dpi in a subscanning direction, a printing buffer necessary for one main scanning may require a memory capacity of 76800 bytes per color.
In order to realize high quality image, a multidroplet method is available. In the multidroplet method, plural amounts of each color ink are discharged while one kind of a discharge amount is conventionally permitted per color. Alternatively, a multicoloring method is also available which adds photocyan (PC) and photomagenta (PM) to four basic colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K) to improve a gray scale of a photo-image. Accordingly, a memory capacity necessary for the recording apparatus tends to increase.
Moreover, in order to realize a high printing speed, attempts have continuously been made to reduce the number of scanning times necessary for printing one page by increasing the number of nozzles of each color. This also tends to increase a memory capacity of the printing buffer.
An increase in printing buffer size leads to a cost increase of a printer. However, in association with an increase in number of host apparatus (host computers) put into a market and a reduction in its price, there has been a trend in price reduction of ink jet recording apparatus in the market. Especially, a price reduction has been conspicuous in a low-end ink jet recording apparatus. To realize the price reduction, a memory size of an ink jet printer is reduced so that the price can be lowered. For example, there is a method that reduces a printing buffer size such that it is smaller than an amount of data associated with one main scanning direction.
For example, there has been a proposal to reduce printing buffer size by controlling main scanning to start before data input of one main scanning amount is completed in a buffer (JP A 11-259248). There has also been a proposal to carry out a recovery control when data transfer from a host apparatus to a recording apparatus is not in time because of an increase in processing load or the like caused by multitask processing of a CPU in the host apparatus (JP A 2003-305903).
An ink jet printer typically incorporates a function of printing a nozzle check pattern to enable a user to check a status of the nozzles arranged in the recording head.
In the case of a printer capable of securing a printing buffer of one band, a process is started when a predetermined command is sent from the host apparatus or nozzle check pattern printing is confirmed by a predetermined key operation. In other words, a paper feeding operation is executed, a bit pattern of nozzle check patterns necessary for one scanning is rasterized on the printing buffer, and carriage scanning is started.
When the recording of one scanning is finished, paper feeding is carried out at a predetermined conveying rate. After an end of the paper feeding, a next bit pattern necessary for one scanning is rasterized on the printing buffer of one band, and carriage scanning and paper feeding are carried out as described above. Pattern rasterization, carriage scanning, and paper feeding of a bit pattern necessary for one scanning are repeated by a predetermined number of times in the printing buffer and, after recording of a last nozzle check pattern is finished, a sheet is discharged to finish the nozzle check pattern printing mode.
In a normal recording operation (recording mode), data is stored in the printing buffer based on received data sent from the host apparatus. Recording is carried out using the data stored in the printing buffer. On the other hand, in the nozzle check pattern printing operation (mode), recording data may be generated in the printing buffer using a pattern stored in a ROM based on a control code of the ROM disposed in the recording apparatus. Then, a recording operation is carried out using this recording data. Accordingly, the generation process of recording data is much different between the two modes.
In a case of nozzle check pattern printing in a printer incapable of securing a printing buffer of one band, recording is carried out by transmitting a nozzle check pattern from the host apparatus to the printer. Specifically, the nozzle check pattern is incorporated as a print file into a printer driver beforehand and, when printing of the nozzle check pattern is selected from a maintenance tab of the printer driver, the print file is transferred to the printer (JP A 2004-102445).
However, the above technology is based definitely on a premise that the printer driver is successfully installed in the host apparatus, and the host apparatus and the printer are connected to each other.
Because of such a premise, a user of the printer is required to set the host apparatus to be in a power-ON status to print the nozzle check pattern. Then, the user is required to check installation of the printer driver. This is inconvenient for the user, imposing time and labor burden on the user. If the user cannot correctly use the printer driver, even when the host apparatus is operating, the user may not be able to print the nozzle check pattern.


A tent with a retractable fly and a method for selectively adjusting the fly from inside the tent is disclosed. The tent includes a shell, a frame configured to support the shell, and a sheet adjustably coupled to the tent. The sheet may adjust between a substantially extended position and a substantially retracted position by a person inside of the tent. The method includes providing a cord having a first end attached to the fly and a second end disposed inside the tent, and actuating the position of the fly by adjusting the length of cord disposed inside the tent.

The present invention relates to canopy structures such as a tent and various other shelters. In particular, the present invention relates to the tent having a retractable fly.
Tents and various other shelters come in a variety of sizes, shapes and configurations and are used to provide portable, temporary shelter during activities such as camping or other recreational activities. Typically, tents include a fabric shell and a framework of elongate poles to support the shell.
Shelter against precipitation is typically provided by water repellent or water-resistant material that forms the shell. However, during the appropriate weather conditions, water repellent or water-resistant material may cause condensation to collect on the inside of the tent. Such condensation causes discomfort to the occupants, dampness to clothing and gear, and a potential for growth of mildew.
In an attempt to overcome the shortcomings of such material, the use of xe2x80x9cbreathablexe2x80x9d material, or vents made of screen or mesh may be employed. However, such configurations have limited water repellant characteristics and are difficult to seal.
It is well known to attach a protective, water-repellant or water-resistant covering (commonly known as a xe2x80x9cflyxe2x80x9d) to a tent to offer additional protection from outdoor elements (e.g., rain, snow, bugs, etc.) and ventilation to its occupants. In a general sense, such known applications provide protection from outdoor elements and ventilation. When flies are employed, the shell may include venting without having to provide water repellant seals.
Although such flies are commonly used, such flies have several distinct drawbacks. Such known configurations are typically characterized either by their lack of adjustability or inconvenience. As a result, such known applications are generally not well suited for situations where egress of tent to make positional adjustments to the fly is not desirable or is inconvenient. First, for example, a camper must exit the tent when he or she wishes to adjust the flyxe2x80x94a significant drawback when it is raining, when there are a lot of insects, etc. Second, known ways of adjusting flies comprise inefficient steps. Several known flies require several repetitive steps to adjust a fly to a desired position. Third, even when adjustable, the flies of such tents are not used as intended because of their inconvenience and therefore the benefits of such xe2x80x9cadjustabilityxe2x80x9d are not realized by the user.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a tent having a fly that is moveable between a substantially extended position and a substantially retracted position, that provides a water repellant or water resistant protection from the elements, that allows for the interior of the tent to be ventilated, that provides the occupants with a xe2x80x9cskylightxe2x80x9d or window to enjoy the outdoors, that allows and encourages use and engagement of such vents and skylights, and that has an actuation interface which is operable from inside the tent in a manner that facilitates use and enjoyment.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a tent with a fly adapted to be substantially extended or retracted (i.e. closed or opened) without the user having to exit the tent. It would also be advantageous to have a tent with fly that includes a portal that allows for ventilation and/or viewing that may be uncovered by adjustment of the retractable fly. It would further be advantageous to have a retractable fly that requires a minimum amount of assembly.
The present invention relates to a tent system. The tent includes a tent having a shell and a frame configured to support the shell. The tent system also includes a sheet adjustably coupled to the tent. The sheet may adjust between a substantially extended position and a substantially retracted position by a person inside of the tent.
The present invention also relates to a tent system. The tent system includes a tent including a shell and a frame adjacent the shell. The tent system also includes a sheet coupled to the shell, and means for adjusting the sheet between a substantially extended position to a substantially retracted position.
The present invention further relates to a method for selectively adjusting a fly from inside a tent relative to an underlying shell. The method includes providing a cord having a first end attached to the fly and a second end disposed inside the tent, and actuating the position of the fly by adjusting the length of cord disposed inside the tent.
The present invention further relates to a covering for a tent having a shell and a frame configured to support the shell. The covering includes a sheet adjustably coupled to the tent. The sheet may adjust between a substantially extended position and a substantially retracted position by a person inside of the tent.
The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments.


Provided is a monitoring apparatus including an acquisition unit that acquires first time-series data which is time-series data of a measured value and/or a feature amount regarding an electrical device group, and a registration and updating unit that, when a difference in values between a pre-state-change data value which is any one of a data value at a first point in time in the first time-series data and a statistic of a plurality of data values from a point in time earlier than the first point in time by a predetermined period of time to the first point in time and a post-state-change data value which is any one of a data value at a second point in time later than the first point in time and a statistic of a plurality of data values from the second point in time to a point in time later than the second point in time by a predetermined period of time satisfies a predetermined condition, stores a feature amount extracted from any waveform data of a total current consumption, a total power consumption, and a total input voltage of the electrical device group corresponding to the pre-state-change data value and the post-state-change data value which satisfy the predetermined condition, in a feature amount storage unit.

In recent years, systems, called home energy management systems (HEMS), which perform energy management of housing have been provided for electricity users of general households. The HEMS is a system that utilizes a sensor or an information technique. According to the HEMS, information indicating electricity use conditions in each household can be provided to each household. As a result, power saving and a reduction in electricity charges are promoted, and thus an energy saving effect is expected to be obtained. Such efforts have expanded and started to be applied to areas such as office floors, buildings, and stores.
Incidentally, in the related art, a technique for detecting operating states of individual electrical devices in households and the like and also providing the information thereof has been proposed. According to the technique, it is possible to instantaneously ascertain an operating state (type of electrical device being in operation, or the like) of an electrical device in each household. The related art is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 7.
Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for ascertaining the power consumption of individual electrical devices by including dedicated power consumption measurement devices in the individual electrical devices.
Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a technique for estimating operating states of individual electrical devices without directly measuring the power consumption of the electrical devices. Specifically, a technique is disclosed in which a measurement sensor measuring a power supply current, a power supply voltage, and a feature amount such as a calculated value, for example, a statistic obtained from the power supply current and the power supply voltage is installed in a power trunk line portion such as a switchboard, and it is estimated which electrical device is operating, using feature amounts (reference information) of individual electrical devices, which are stored in advance, during the operation thereof and measurement results of the measurement sensor.
Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for generating feature amounts (reference information) which are necessary for the estimation of operating states of individual electrical devices mentioned above. Specifically, a technique is disclosed in which predetermined pieces of data (current consumption and the like) are individually measured by operating the electrical devices one by one, and feature amounts are extracted from the pieces of measured data of the electrical devices and are saved.
Patent Document 5 discloses a technique for detecting an operating state of an electrical device with a high level of accuracy without needing to learn a combination of operating states of electrical devices.
Patent Document 6 discloses a technique for specifying an electrical device being used and managing the usage state of the electrical device without causing a change on the electrical device side and without adding a function.
Patent Document 7 discloses a technique for mechanically extracting a feature amount for classification which statistically coincides with an operator's intention of performing classification according to a general procedure only by allowing the operator to designate a general intention for classification.

Monitoring apparatus, monitoring method, and storage medium


Systems and methods for a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a first outer layer and a first device layer comprising a first set of MEMS devices, wherein the first device layer is bonded to the first outer layer. The system also comprises a second outer layer and a second device layer comprising a second set of MEMS devices, wherein the second device layer is bonded to the second outer layer. Further, the system comprises a central layer having a first side and a second side opposite that of the first side, wherein the first side is bonded to the first device layer and the second side is bonded to the second device layer.

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) can acquire motion information for determining navigational information like position, heading, and attitude. For example, IMUs are used in high performance applications such as vehicle or air plane navigation, and lower performance applications such as aircraft attitude and heading recognition, personal navigation, or missile guidance. In some applications that incorporate IMUs there is limited space for the placement of an IMU. As a typical IMU provides motion information by using three gyroscopes, three accelerometers, and supporting electrodes and interconnects, it is challenging to integrate an IMU into applications with limited space while maintaining desired performance.

Systems and methods for a three-layer chip-scale MEMS device


A suspended ceiling system utilizing main runners with cross runners, said main runners and cross runners having an inverted-T configuration with a web with flanges extending from opposite sides thereof and a plurality of metal panels. Each of the metal panels is provided with a suspension arrangement adjacent a pair of opposite edges to enable hanging the panel from flanges of adjacent main runners to conceal the runners. The suspension arrangement is such that space is provided to enable disassembling a panel from the system without disturbing adjacent panels. The panel may be provided with a stop arrangement which would prevent unintentional disengagement of the suspension arrangement from a flange of the main runner.

The present invention is directed to a metal panel used in a suspended ceiling structure and to an accessible concealed ceiling system utilizing the panel.
It is known to provide a suspended ceiling system which utilizes a plurality of parallel-extending main runners and has a plurality of cross runners extending between the main runners to form openings which will receive a panel. Each of the runners has an inverted-T configuration, which, preferably, has a bead connected by a web portion to two outwardly-extending flanges. The flanges are used to support the panels. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,325, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Instead of laying the panels on the flanges, it has also been proposed to have the panels shaped as a ship lap tile which has one edge provided with a rabbet or recess to enable it to lay on the flange of a runner while the other edge has a groove or kerf and is provided with a portion to extend under the flanges of the runner so that when assembled, the runners are not visible.
It has also been proposed to shape a metal panel to be suspended from the inverted-Ts in a manner similar to the ship lap tile. This arrangement is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,564.
In the first suspended ceiling system mentioned above, the panels are laying on the flanges and, thus, can be easily raised to gain access to any space above the suspended ceiling. With a ship lap tile, these can be raised at one side and then shifted to enable their removal to gain access to a space above the system. Also, some of the metal panels, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,564, can be removed. However, some of the structures disclosed in that patent are such that to remove a panel in the middle of a ceiling requires removal of all panels from one side back toward the center position. In order to gain access to the space above the ceiling, which space may include plumbing for a sprinkling system or air ducts for ventilation, it is desirable that any individual panel can be removed to enable access at a given spot.

Metal panels for accessible concealed ceiling system


An image forming apparatus and process cartridge employed in same which, when contact charging processing is implemented employing a brush roller, suppresses the generation of localized excessive discharge and suppresses a state of localized excessive discharge on a photosensitive drum surface. Charging means is configured from a brush roller in the surface of which a brush is formed, drive means for rotationally driving the brush roller, and a power source for applying a prescribed charging voltage to the brush roller, and uniformly charges the surface of the latent image carrier by bringing the brush roller into contact with the surface of the latent image carrier. The outer diameter of the latent image carrier is in the range 16 [mm] or more and 34 [mm] or less, the outer diameter of the brush roller is in the range 6 [mm] or more and 24 [mm] or less, and the outer diameter of the latent image carrier and the outer diameter of the brush roller are set so that the sum of the outer diameters thereof is 40 [mm] or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copier, a printer and facsimile device that uniformly charges the surface of a drum-shaped latent image carrier using charging means, develops the latent image formed on the surface of the charged latent image carrier to produce a visible image, and then finally forms this visible image on a recording material, and a process cartridge employed in same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The conventional charging means used in this type of image forming apparatus is a non-contact charging device such as a scorotron charger that charges the surface of a photosensitive drum that serves as a latent image carrier without contact therewith. However in order to generate discharge, non-contact charging devices generate the discharge products ozone and NOx which are known to create a variety of undesirable outcomes. For this reason, attention has switched in recent years to contact-type charging devices that generate a negligible amount of these discharge products.
In known contact-type charging devices the charging process is implemented by bringing of a contact charging member such as a charging roller or charging brush having a flat surface or a fixed-type or rotating-type charging brush into contact with a photosensitive drum surface. In these contact-type charging devices affixing material such as the toner affixed to the photosensitive drum surface is likely to affix to the contact charging member causing a drop in charging capacity over time. Of the contact charging members described above, from the viewpoint of the comparatively small drop in charging capacity that occurs over time, the rotating-type charging brush (brush roller) is the most useful. A known example of an apparatus that employs a roller of this type is described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H11-84798. The image forming apparatus described in this gazette implements the charging process while a charging roller brush, serving as the brush roller, is rotationally driven in a counter direction to the surface movement direction of the photosensitive drum surface.
However, there is a drawback inherent to the implementation of a charging process based on the use of a brush roller such as this in that localized excessive discharge is likely to occur when, following contact with the photosensitive drum surface, the brush tip is separated from the photosensitive drum surface. The occurrence of this localized excessive discharge creates a problem of localized excessive discharge in a corresponding position on the photosensitive drum surface. This problem creates a condition whereby, as a result of the fact that, for example in so-called negative-positive developing, the electric potential of the areas of excessive discharge are unable to be lowered sufficiently even after exposure, the toner does not affix to these areas resulting in the generation of white spots on the image.
Technologies relating to the present invention are also disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3,399,933, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. S61-081666 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. H04-096080.

Image forming apparatus and process cartridge employing the same having brush roller charger


Memory requests for information from a processor are received in an interface device, and the interface device is coupled to a stack including two or more memory devices. The interface device is operated to select a memory device from a number of memory devices including the stack, and to retrieve some or all of the information from the selected memory device for the processor. Additional apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed.

Information used by a processor is often stored in a memory system that includes a storage device and a cache memory. The processor will request information that is retrieved either from the cache memory or the storage device. The cache memory stores much less information than the storage device, but has a much shorter latency than the storage device. Latency is the time between initiating a request for information in a memory system and the moment the information is retrieved. The read operation is faster when there is a lower latency.
Retrieving the information directly from the cache memory substantially reduces latency for the processor. When the processor runs a particular software application, input/output (I/O) patterns in the information used by the processor tend to repeat. There is a good chance that information obtained from the storage device will be retrieved again. The cache memory stores information most recently accessed by the processor. When the processor requests information that is in the cache memory, the slower storage device does not need to be accessed and the information is retrieved directly from the faster cache memory. The cache memory reduces the number of times that information is retrieved from the storage device. The cache memory improves the performance of the memory system by reducing an average latency for information requested by the processor.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Stacked memory devices, systems, and methods


A method of dispensing carbonated beverage comprises the step of providing a beverage dispensing system (12) comprises a pressure chamber (24), which chamber accommodates a collapsible beverage container (48) made of a flexible material. The collapsible beverage container includes a beverage space, a head space, a dispensing device (76), a tapping line (18), and an interruption valve (40). The method further comprises the step of maintaining a first elevated pressure within the pressure chamber (24), which acts on the collapsible beverage container (48) for crumpling the collapsible beverage container (48) at a container crumpling pressure and establishing a second elevated pressure, the first elevated pressure being equal to the sum of the second elevated pressure and the container crumpling pressure. The method still further comprises the step of operating the dispensing device (76) from the non-beverage dispensing position to the beverage dispensing position.

Beverage dispensing systems are typically used in beverage dispensing establishments for efficiently dispensing large quantities of beverage. Typically, beverage dispensing systems are used to dispense carbonated alcoholic beverages such as draught beer and cider. However, also non-alcoholic carbonated beverages such as soft drinks may be dispensed using a beverage dispensing system. Beverage dispensing systems are mostly for professional users such as in establishments like bars, restaurants and hotels, however, increasingly also for private users such as in private homes.
Professional beverage dispensing systems typically dispense beverage provided in large beverage containers. Such beverage containers may hold 20-50 liters of beverage for a professional beverage dispensing system for allowing typically 50-100 beverage dispensing operations before needing to exchange the beverage container. Conventional beverage containers are made of solid materials such as steel and re-filled a number of times. Recently, beverage containers have been made collapsible and for single use only due to hygiene concerns when refilling solid beverage containers. An example of a beverage dispensing system using collapsible beverage containers is the DraughtMaster™ system provided by the applicant company. Such beverage dispensing systems using collapsible beverage containers typically have the beverage container installed in a pressure chamber. Some examples of prior art beverage dispensing systems follow below:
In WO 2007/019848, a beverage dispensing system is described. The beverage dispensing system comprises a pressure chamber, which is adapted to accommodate a beverage container of collapsible material.
In WO 2009/024147, a module for a modular beverage distribution system is disclosed. Each system comprises a frame, a pressure chamber and connectors for receiving pressure fluid and for supplying the pressure fluid to the pressure chamber and to the neighbouring module. The system has a separate rinsing line. By using a specially designed discharge valve, alternatively rinsing fluid or beverage may enter the tapping line. Rinsing fluid is provided from a separate pressurized reservoir. The discharge valve includes safety features for avoiding mixing rinsing fluid and beverage.
In WO 2010/029122, a method of cleaning the tapping line of a beverage dispensing system is disclosed in which a cleaning and flushing cartridge for internal use is described. The cleaning and flushing cartridge is installed in the pressure chamber similar to a beverage container and dispensed similar to a beverage.
WO 2010/060946 and WO 2011/117192 both relate to a method of cleaning the tapping line of a beverage dispensing system in which a cleaning and flushing cartridge for external use is described. The cleaning and flushing cartridge is installed outside the pressure chamber and has a pressure fluid source connected. The rinsing and flushing fluid is dispensed similar to a beverage.
WO 2010/060949 relates to a beverage dispensing system having a first and a second detector for generating a control pressure. The method comprises evaluating the control pressures from the control pressure outputs of detectors for determining the operational mode of the beverage dispensing system.
In WO 2010/020644, a method of installing a collapsible beverage container in a beverage distribution unit is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of positioning the collapsible beverage container in a sloped position, pivoting the collapsible beverage container in a rotational motion around a support surface and sliding the collapsible beverage container on the support surface.
When using long dispensing lines, a significant amount of beverage will remain in the tapping line when the beverage container is empty. In order to avoid that this beverage flows backwards through the tapping line, it is contemplated that a non-return valve may be used in the tapping line. Further, in order to prevent dripping, a spring loaded valve may be used. An example of a beverage dispenser including a plurality of valves is DE 296 04 703 U1, in which an electrical liquor dispensing system is disclosed. The tapping line has a non-return valve and a spring loaded lid. The liquor is propelled from a container through the tapping line by an electrical pump and explicitly not by pressurized gas.
When dispensing beverage from the beverage dispensing system using a collapsible beverage container, a pressure fluid, typically a gas, is allowed to enter the pressure chamber. During the dispensing of beverage from the pressure chamber, the pressure fluid acts on the collapsible beverage container and forces the beverage out of the pressure chamber while simultaneously crumpling the collapsible beverage container. The volume of the crumpled collapsible beverage container is thereby reduced corresponding to the amount of the dispensed beverage. The collapsible beverage container is made of flexible and preferably disposable materials such as thermoplastic materials.
The interior of the collapsible beverage container is divided into a beverage space constituting carbonated beverage and initially occupying the majority of the interior of the beverage container and a head space filled with gas, primarily constituting CO2 gas.
While performing a dispensing operation, the force applied to the beverage container by the pressure in the pressure chamber causes the beverage to flow out of the beverage container and into a tapping line. The tapping line leads to a dispensing device which may be located at a distant location such as one floor above the pressure chamber. The dispensing device typically has a tapping valve and a tapping handle for allowing an operator to control the tapping valve and thereby the beverage dispensing operation. The operator, such as a bartender or barmaid, uses the tapping device to control the rate of beverage dispensing.
A problem often observed when the beverage space of the beverage container is empty or almost empty is that the gas of the head space starts entering the tapping line. Such gas will result in gas bubble formation in the tapping line. The presence of gas bubbles in the tapping line will cause excessive frothing and aeration of the carbonated beverage at the tapping valve of the dispensing device. The carbonated beverage dispensed will thus be very foamy and will have a less than optimal taste and appearance. Typically, this beverage therefore has to be disposed of. This is also an indication for the bar employee to exchange the empty and crumpled collapsible beverage container with a new collapsible beverage container filled with beverage.
However, gas will still remain in the tapping line even after the beverage container has been exchanged. This will result in excessive foaming also for the first one or two servings of carbonated beverage. This beverage must be disposed of as well. Thus, the total loss of beverage may amount to 2-4 servings for each beverage container, i.e 1-2 at the beginning of each container and 1-2 at the end of each container, resulting in a loss of about 10% of the beverage included in a typical 20 liter collapsible beverage container.
In case a modular beverage dispensing system is used, i.e. a system wherein a single tapping line is fed from a multitude of collapsible beverage containers, the problem is even larger since the beverage spaces of the different collapsible beverage containers may be empty at different times, resulting in even more beverage lost.
The object of the present invention is thus to dispense beverage while preventing that any gas from the head space is entering the tapping line.

Method of dispensing carbonated beverage, a beverage dispensing system and a collapsible container


A vehicle brake mechanism having a foot pedal and hand lever brake controls engagable by the operator and coupled with a generally transversely extending shaft pivotable in response to the operator engaging the brake controls, left and right linkages coupled between respective vehicle brakes and the transverse shaft, and shiftable generally with the transverse shaft for applying respective vehicle brakes. Left and right equalizer mechanisms are coupled between the transverse shaft and respective linkages for generally equalizing and balancing the forces applied to each vehicle brake. The linkages include a rod. Each equalizer mechanism includes a pair of outer levers extending from the transverse shaft for pivotal motion therewith, a spacer slidably carried on the rod and abutable with the lever as the lever pivots with the transverse shaft, a compression spring compressed between the spacer means and a first washer means coupled with the rod, a second washer coupled with the rod and abutable with the spacer when the outer lever has not pivoted from a brake disengaged position. The transverse shaft is pivotally coupled with the vehicle at two laterally spaced locations.

This invention relates to brake linkages which extend between vehicle brakes and operator controls such as foot pedals or hand levers.
Conventional vehicles typically provide a single brake which is linked to a single brake control. A parking brake is often provided for locking the control or a portion of the linkage in an engaged mode.
It is known to provide right and left respective brakes which can be used for steering the vehicle. Typically each side brake has an independent linkage to a pedal or control which is independently operable to steer the vehicle by braking one side. A latch is often provided for coupling the pedals together to thereby cause both brakes to be applied together. However, inaccuracies in the lengths of the independent linkages, and wear in the various parts and brakes can cause the brakes to be applied at different rates such that the vehicle still executes at least a slight turn. These conventional mechanisms typically do not equalize the forces applied to the respective brakes.
Another type of brake mechanism provides right and left brakes which are each independently coupled via tension cables or rods to the lateral ends of a horizontal shaft. As the shaft is pulled, both tension cables are pulled, thereby applying both brakes. When the operator engages the brake control, the shaft is pulled and will also pivot slightly about a vertical axis to take up any slack or difference in length of the left and right tension cables. The pivotal motion of the shaft about the vertical axis thereby first compensates for linkage slack or length differences, and then applies the left and right brakes generally equally. When one of the linkages extending between one of the vehicle brakes and the shaft becomes disengaged, the shaft can pivot excessively about its vertical axis when the control is engaged, and the other side brake may thereby be rendered inoperative.
It would be desirable to provide a brake mechanism which equalizes the brake force applied to right and left vehicle brakes, and which is adjustable to compensate for manufacturing inaccuracies or wear over time. It would also be desirable to provide a brake mechanism which is engagable by either a hand lever or a foot pedal. It would be desirable for such a hand lever to be operative to engage a parking brake feature, and for the foot pedal to be operatively engagable to assist the operator in applying the parking brake. It would further be desirable for such a mechanism to allow the portion of the linkage which extends to one side brake to remain operative if and when the linkage to the other side brake becomes disengaged and inoperative.


An information record medium (1: DVD) has a record track recorded with record information to be reproduced by an information reproducing apparatus (S2). The information reproducing apparatus is provided with a read device (80), and performs a reproduction while moving the read device along the record track at a predetermined reading linear velocity. The record information is divided into a plurality of first data groups (30: VOBU), each of which is a unit able to be accessed by the information reproducing apparatus, recorded on the record track. Lowest reading rate information (212) indicates a minimum requirement of a reading rate for the information reproducing apparatus to reproduce a reproduction unit, which comprises at least one of the first data groups and which is to be reproduced by the information reproducing apparatus such that a sequential logical meaning of the reproduction unit is continuous. The lowest reading rate information is recorded on the record track at one portion (LI, 11, 41) different from another portion where the record information is recorded.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information record medium such as an optical disk of a high recording density type, which is capable of recording information such as video information, audio information and the like at a high density, and which is represented by a DVD (Digital Video or Versatile Disk). The present invention also relates to a recording apparatus for recording the information onto the information record medium, and a reproducing apparatus for reproducing the information from the information record medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, as a data compressing technique to effectively utilize the memory capacity of an information record disk such as an optical disk for recording video information and the like, a variable rate system such as the MPEG 2 (Moving Picture Experts Group 2) method and the like is proposed. In general, in case of reducing the information amount by use of the compressing technique, the information amount after compression is not constant due to the property of the original signal and the like. This variable rate system is not a system which compress the information at a constant rate in case of recording the information after compression onto the record medium, but is a system which records the information after compression onto the record medium while compressing the information by a data or information compression rate, which is set as a rate appropriate and variable from scene to scene, by use of mutual relationships between the units of data or information successively recorded and reproduced, such as the units of video data related to one scene and the like.
In order to reproduce the data or information, which is recorded by this type of variable rate system and which information amount required for the reproduction (per unit time) is changed, from the record medium, there may be proposed two methods as following.
As a first method, there is a method of changing a linear velocity at a read position of an optical pickup for reading out the information in the reproducing apparatus with respect to a record portion of the information record disk (hereinbelow, it is referred to as a "reading linear velocity") at the time of reproducing the information, in accordance with the information amount after compression of the information record disk. The time change of the information amount after compression, which is read out per unit time at the time of reproducing the record information (hereinbelow, it is referred to as an "information rate"), and the time change of the rotation number of the disk i.e. the reading linear velocity at the time of reproduction according to this first method are shown in FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 17, according to this first method, the data reading rate i.e. the reading linear velocity (or the rotation number) is changed in accordance with the information rate from time to time so as to always obtain the information rate required for the reproduction by the reproducing apparatus. In FIG. 17, the difference between the information rate, which is actually reproduced in accordance with-the reading linear velocity (indicated by a dashed line), and the information rate of the record information after compression (indicated by a solid line), is corresponding to a loss at the time of reproduction due to various factors such as a reproduction of additional information and the like. As a result, since the data amount obtained through the optical pickup and the data amount required for the reproduction are almost coincident to each other, it is possible to reduce the size (i.e. the memory capacity) of a track buffer of the reproducing apparatus. Further, it is possible to restrain the consumption of the electric power, since the rotation number of the spindle motor for rotating the disk can be reduced to be a level of minimum requirement. Furthermore, a special control, such as a switching control for switching the stand by or waiting condition and the reproducing condition of the optical pickup and the like, is not necessary.
As a second method, there is a method of setting the data reading rate i.e. the reading linear velocity to match the upper limit of the information rate required for the reproduction (i.e., so as to be able to reproduce even in case of the upper limit) as shown in FIG. 18, and rotating the spindle motor at a speed to make this data reading rate constant. As a result, the frequency of the read out clock is made constant, so that it is enough to prepare just one PLL (Phase Lock Loop) circuit of normal type for the demodulation of the data.
However, according to the aforementioned first method, since the frequency of the read out clock is always changed, a special PLL circuit is required for the demodulation, the control of such a special circuit becomes complicated, and the rotation control of the spindle motor becomes also complicated, resulting in that this first method is not practical.
On the other hand, according to the aforementioned second method, since the data amount used for the demodulation is greatly changed, it is necessary for the optical pickup to repeat the reproducing condition, in which the optical pickup successively read out the information, and the stand by condition, in which the optical pickup is standing by on a same track, so that the control of the optical pickup becomes complicated. Further, since the difference between the data amount read out from the optical pickup and the data required for the demodulation is so large that it is necessary to install the reproducing apparatus with a track buffer of large size (i.e. large memory capacity). Furthermore, since the motor is always rotating in accordance with the highest speed, the power consumption is also increased. Therefore, especially in case of a portable player, the life of the buttery is shortened, resulting in that the convenience in usage is certainly degraded.
On the other hand, a proposal and a development are being made as for the DVD, as an optical disk in which the memory capacity is improved by about ten times without changing the size of the optical disk itself as compared with the aforementioned conventional CD. As for the DVD, it is expected that the information can be compressed and recorded by the aforementioned variable rate system. However, there is no proposal or development made as for a DVD technique to solve the problems owned by the aforementioned first and second methods. Further, in the technical art of the DVD, the actuality is such that a person having an ordinary skill in this art does not even recognize the problem or subject itself which happens at the time of applying the compression technique, such as the variable rate system, with respect to the DVD, which has the large memory capacity.

Information record medium, apparatus for recording the same and apparatus for reproducing the same


A radio network control method that allows uplink signals transmitted by a mobile station to be received by two or more selected base station radio systems and then combined, thus providing receiver diversity. The method requires measurement of radio link qualities of the OFDM signals passing between mobile station and base station radio system. The method is selectively applied to individual mobile stations and for each mobile station to a selection from the available base station radio systems—the selection being based upon the relative and/or absolute measurements of radio link qualities.

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed standards for a cellular communications system, referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE). LTE is based on transmission using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) signals.
An OFDM signal comprises a plurality of subcarriers, each of which is modulated to carry a transmission symbol. Data for transmission is divided into a plurality of parallel streams, one for each subcarrier. The transmission symbol for each subcarrier is generated by modulating the data using a conventional modulation scheme. Advantageously, OFDM simplifies channel equalisation, by adapting the modulation scheme applied to each sub carrier according to the narrowband propagation conditions for that subcarrier.
In cellular systems, such as LTE, base stations provide radio coverage for individual geographical areas known as cells. In fact, a base station typically comprises multiple co-located radio systems, each of which provides coverage for a different geographical area. Since the antenna of one of these radio systems usually has a directional radiation profile, limited to a well-defined angle, the radio systems are considered to provide coverage to a sector.
A mobile station generally communicates with one radio system at a time. Once communication with a radio system is established, which involves the serving radio system allocating resources to the mobile station, the radio system provides the mobile station with data. In OFDM systems, the allocation of resources can include the subcarriers, symbols timings and antennas used to communicate with the mobile station. This allocation, which is made for both uplink and downlink, can be important to optimise the data capacity available for communication between the base station radio system and the mobile station.
As the mobile station moves it can transfer its service between radio systems, in a process known as handover. In some circumstances, the mobile station can communicate with more than one radio system. The mobile station uses signals transmitted by the radio systems to identify the most appropriate one. It is desirable to make most efficient use of the allocations for each mobile station when communicating with base station radio systems.


The coding apparatus comprises an adaptive codebook storing excitation signals as vectors, a synthesis filter for forming a synthesis signal, referring to the vectors stored in the adaptive codebook, a similarity computation circuit for computing a similarity between the synthesis signal obtained by the synthesis filter and a target signal, and a coding scheme determining circuit for deciding one coding scheme from a plurality of coding schemes respectively having coding bit rates different from each other, on the basis of the similarity obtained by the similarity computation circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coding apparatus for coding speech signals or the likes at a high efficiency, and particularly, to a coding apparatus suitable for variable rate coding.
2. Description of the Related Art
Coding of speech signals at a high efficiency and a low bit rate is an important technique for effective use of electric waves and reduction communication costs in the field of communication using movable devices such as car telephones and the likes and domestic communication in a company. In recent years, a variable rate communication system using a code division multiple access (CDMA) method has been planned in the United States of America, and expects for multiple channels and high quality services which make the best use of the characteristics of a variable rate have increased. In addition, the variable rate speech coding is a method which realizes effective use of stored media, since effective bit distribution can be achieved by variable rate speech coding, from view points of application of stored systems, in accordance with the characteristics of speech. On this background, studies and developments in the variable rate speech coding have been actively made.
With respect to a fixed rate, a CELP (Code Excited Linear Prediction) method has been known as a speech coding scheme capable of high quality speech synthesis at a bit rate of 8 kbps or less. However, the CELP method is a main trend in the field of a variable rate. In this case, among a plurality of types, e.g., four types of coding bit rates, one bit rate is selected for every fixed frame length, and coding is performed by the CELP method optimized to comply with the selected bit rate. In addition, where the coding bit rate is as low as 1 kbps, a vocoder system using a random noise scheme for a drive signal is adopted in some cases, and generally, a different coding scheme is used for every one bit rate. In variable rate coding, the superiority of the method is decided, depending on how the average bit rate can be decreased, while achieving target quality, and therefore, a method for selecting a coding scheme for every frame is significant. With respect to this demand, following two methods have been proposed in prior art techniques.
As a first method, for example, there is a QCELP method by A. Dejaco et al (reference 1: "QCELP: The North American CDMA Digital Celtular Variable Rate Speech Coding Standard", Proc. of the IEEE Workshop on Speech Coding for Telecommunications, PP5, 6, Oct., 1993). This method adopts a system in which a frame power is extracted as a characteristic amount, and an encoder is selected on the basis of the characteristic amount. In addition, a VRPS method by E. Paksoy et al (reference 2: "Variable Rate Speech Coding with Phonetic Segmentation", Proc. ICASSP 93, PPI I-155 158, April 1993) adopts a system in which an encoder is selected on the basis of the weighting sum value of seven characteristic amounts including a low frequency speech energy, a zero-cross ratio, and the likes.
Although the coding system select methods as described above attain a merit that the methods can be realized by relatively less calculation amounts, decoded speech does not always achieve target quality defined by SNR or the like, but sometimes results in low quality. Further, on condition that background noise is added to an input signal, extraction of characteristic amounts cannot be properly carried out, so that proper selection results are not sometimes appropriate. This sometimes leads to deterioration in quality of synthesized voices.
As a second method, there is an FS-CELP (Finite State-CELP) method (reference 3: "Finite State CELP for variable rate speech coding", IEE Proc.-I, vol. 138, No. 6, PP603-610, Dec. 1991).
Although the encoder select method of this reference attains a merit in that an encoder is selected such that target quality is achieved, all the encoders previously prepared must be carried out, so that there is a problem in that the calculation amount is extremely large.
In addition, a hybrid method combining the first and second methods as described above is reported by L. Cellario et al. (reference 4: "Variable Rate Speech Coding for UMTS", Proc. of the IEEE Workshop on Speech Coding for Telecommunications, PPI-2, Oct. 1993). In this hybrid method, firstly, encoders are restricted by using characteristic amounts obtained by analyzing an input voice, and secondly, the encoders thus limited respectively perform coding, thereby to finally select an encoder which minimizes the cost function. Although an intermediate solution between the first and second methods can be obtained in this method, a plurality of encoders must be operated, and therefore, there remains a problem in that the calculation amounts become large.
As has been described above, in the one of the conventional methods in which an input signal is analyzed to extract a characteristic amount and an encoder is selected in accordance with the characteristic amount, a decoded voice does not always attain target quality and sometimes results in degradation in quality. In case where an input signal is added with background noise, extraction of characteristic amounts cannot be properly achieved, so that a proper encoder cannot be selected, thereby resulting in degradation in quality of synthesized voices. The other method in which all the prepared encoders are used to perform coding to select the encoder which minimizes the cost function and the hybrid method combining the former two methods led to a problem that the calculation amount is extremely large.
In addition, in conventional CELP coding, if the quantization bit rate is decreased, the number of quantization bits is decreased, making it difficult to express changes in pitch period and pitch waveform. In addition, since pitch information is greatly damaged in a coding step, the degree of recovery of the pitch information is limited even if recovery processing of pitch information is performed with use of a post filter in the decoding side.
Further, if coded data transferred with a transfer path code added is directly stored or transferred without changes, redundant bits relating to a transfer path code completely unnecessary for storing or transferring of the data are stored or transferred together, so that there is a problem that efficiency in use of a storing apparatus or a transfer path is decreased.
Furthermore, there is a problem that compression coding data which is unnecessary for transfer or storage is stored, depending on the method of compression coding of data and the specifications of a reproducing apparatus, and therefore, efficiencies in use of a recording medium and a transfer path are decreased.
Further, unnecessary coding data such as transfer path codes and compression codes as described above is decoded for every reproduction of data, the circuit scale of a reproducing apparatus and power consumption is increased.

Coding apparatus having adaptive coding at different bit rates and pitch emphasis


Disclosed is method for restoring catalytic activity to a hydroprocessing catalyst that has become spent due to its use or to the deposition of carbon thereon. The method includes a carbon reduction step whereby carbon is removed from the spent hydroprocessing catalyst in a controlled manner to within a specifically defined concentration range. Following the carbon removal step, the resulting catalyst, having a reduced concentration of carbon, is subjected to a chelation treatment whereby the resulting carbon-reduced catalyst is contacted with a chelating agent and aged for a time period necessary for realizing the benefit from the controlled carbon reduction step. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst resulting from the chelation treatment is subjected to a sulfurization treatment involving the incorporation of elemental sulfur therein and contacting therewith an olefin.

This invention relates to a method of restoring catalytic activity to a spent hydroprocessing catalyst, the resulting hydroprocessing catalyst and its use in a hydroprocessing process.
International publication number WO 01/02092 discloses a process for regenerating a used additive-based catalyst. The regeneration step is carried out by contacting the used additive-based catalyst with oxygen at a temperature of no more than 500° C. The resulting regenerated catalyst more preferably has below 1 wt. % carbon content before it is subjected to a rejuvenation step by being contacted with an organic additive. The method of the publication is limited to additive-based catalysts, and the publication does not recognize a need to control the concentration of carbon on the regenerated catalyst to within a specific range in order to obtain a better benefit from its rejuvenation. In fact, this publication suggests that it is best for the carbon content of the regenerated catalyst to be as low as possible before it is undergoes the rejuvenation treatment. This publication does not disclose that its catalyst rejuvenation step requires the organic additive to remain on the catalyst for an aging period prior to drying.
European patent application publication EP 0 541 994 A1 discloses a process for regenerating a hydrogenation catalyst, comprising a support, a Group VI metal and a Group VIII metal, and having coke deposited thereon, by controlling the oxidative burning of the coke so as not to reduce the residual coke content to less than 0.5 weight percent and to control it within the range of from 0.5 to 10.0 weight percent. This publication notes that too severe oxidation conditions can negatively change the pore structure, surface area, and active sites of the catalyst. The publication does not provide experimental data that compares the activity of regenerated catalyst with the activity of the fresh catalyst, but it only presents comparative data for certain physical properties of the two catalysts. Also, nothing is disclosed concerning revitalization of a spent catalyst using chelating agents and the relationship between carbon removal and a chelation treatment.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,066 B1 discloses a process for improving the activity of a catalyst by treatment thereof with a chelating agent. It is noted that the treatment method can also be used to improve the activity of a spent catalyst. Exemplary data presented in an example show that a used catalyst that has been both regenerated and then treated with ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) has better improved relative volumetric activity (RVA) than the used catalyst that has only been regenerated. There is no mention of carbon levels that are on the used catalyst, or the regenerated catalyst, or the regenerated and treated catalyst.
There is an ongoing need to find better methods for restoring the activity of catalysts that have lost activity due to their use, particularly, when the catalyst is a spent high activity hydrotreating catalyst.

Method of restoring catalytic activity to a spent hydroprocessing catalyst, a spent hydroprocessing catalyst having restored catalytic activity, and a hydroprocessing process