A signal indicative of a distance from a first element to a second element, such as the end face of a piston from the end wall of its cylinder, is generated by providing an optical imager carried on a housing that is fixed on the end wall with the optical imager pointed to the end face. An image processor is arranged to identify image components, such as the end nut on the piston, from the acquired images of the first element. From the location of the nut the processor can identify the location of the outer edge of the circular end face and can determine the area of the end face in the image by counting pixels within the area. From the measured area as it appears in the image the distance can be calculated. The end face is illuminated by a light source shining through a light pipe passing through a drilled hole in the end wall. Characteristic markings can be applied on the end face for measuring distance when the nut is too close to be visible.

The present invention is primarily concerned with detection of the relative positions of a piston and cylinder of a hydraulic or similar cylinder so that a value can be provided to a control system using the cylinder of the current location of the piston in the cylinder and thus the current location of an object controlled by that cylinder. However many of the principles disclosed herein can be used in detection of the distance between any two elements and the present application is therefore not limited to hydraulic cylinders.
The provision of a value representing displacement of a cylinder can be used in a system controlling the cylinder for many different end uses and purposes. One such purpose is for safety to ensure that the cylinder and theus the object is not moved to a specific location in dangerous circumstances such as when a door is open. Another such purpose is to provide interaction between different functions so that another element is controlled in dependence upon the specific location of a cylinder and thus the object, such as to maintain a bucket level as an arm is raised, for which function the location of the arm must be known.
The current technology used to measure hydraulic cylinder stroke position requires a hole be drilled the length of the cylinder shaft or the piston rod (gun drilling) and the sensor installed within. Repair, replacement or retrofit with this type of sensor is not practical as a serviced part. This arrangement is expensive and ineffective so that it has not yet met significant commercial success.
Some attempts have been made to use techniques using reflected sound waves and resonant frequencies but this technique is temperature dependent thus requiring temperature detection and compensation calculations so that the technique has not lead to any success.
In Published US Application 2002-0064300 of the present Assignees published May 30, 2002 there is described a method for detecting relative displacement between an object such as a slow moving vehicle and an illuminated surface which is normally the ground surface illuminated by an infrared light source so as to provide an output indicating the displacement or a velocity calculated from the displacement. The method includes providing an array of CCD or similar elements each arranged to receive light from a portion of a field of view and to provide an output responsive thereto. The method involves selection of a reference image and repeatedly comparing the reference image of the surface with each successive image by calculating the convolution integral of the signals using a fast Fourier transform to obtain a probable displacement value. The reference image is maintained as long as possible until a "Q" factor falls below an acceptable minimum, or until a predetermined time elapses or until a predetermined displacement is measured. The displacement values obtained from the comparisons can be filtered by discarding some values if they are outside an expected range of probable values.

Optical sensor to measure the relative positions of two elements such as the stroke position of a hydraulic cylinder


An elevator system and a method for reducing total power in an elevator system are provided. The elevator system includes at least one elevator without counterweight for moving people and/or goods. The elevator without counterweight comprises a power converter unit, an elevator motor, a traction sheave, a set of hoisting ropes and an elevator car. The elevator system also includes means for storing mechanical energy and discharging an energy storage.

The power required by the hoisting machine of an elevator varies depending on factors including load, speed, traveling direction and phase of the operating cycle of the elevator. It is advantageous to keep the power requirement as small as possible to minimize both the size of the hoisting machine and the required mains connection size. A traditional solution designed to minimize the power needed to move an elevator car is to provide each elevator in the elevator system with a counterweight, which typically is so dimensioned that its mass corresponds to about 50% of the mass of the elevator car with full load. When the elevator is driven in the heavier direction, i.e. when an elevator car with a load above 50% is driven upwards or an elevator car with a load below 50% is driven downwards, the main direction of power transfer is from the electricity network towards the elevator motor. The largest instantaneous power is needed at the beginning of the operating cycle as the speed of the elevator car is being accelerated. When the elevator is driven in the lighter direction, the potential energy of the elevator car-counterweight combination is reduced, and the elevator motor converts mechanical energy into electric energy. The power generated when the elevator is being driven in the lighter direction or braked can be either dissipated in separate resistor packs or it can be fed back into the electricity network. Solutions are also known according to which in elevator groups comprising several elevators the power generated by one elevator can be utilized for driving other elevators comprised in the same elevator group in the heavier direction. However, supplying the power thus generated to other elevators in the elevator system requires that the starting order and traveling directions of elevators loaded in different ways be optimized so as to ensure that the energy flows in the system are in balance at each instant. This is not possible in all operating situations in the elevator system, in which case the power generated may have to be dissipated in resistors or in some other similar way. Another prior-art solution is to use energy storages in conjunction with the hoisting machines of an elevator system to allow the electric power produced by the elevator system to be stored so that it will be later available to the elevators comprised in the system. For example, specification US2003/0089557 A describes a system in which the power taken by an elevator system from the electricity network can be reduced by connecting supercapacitors and batteries to the power supply equipment of the elevator system. In this system, supercapacitors are used to smooth out instantaneous power peaks at the beginning of the operating cycle, and batteries are needed to reduce the required average power.
Using a counterweight in conjunction with each elevator car takes up building space that could often be advantageously used for other purposes. By omitting the counterweight, it is possible e.g. to accommodate a larger elevator car in an elevator shaft of a given size than in the case of elevators with counterweight. New efficient hoisting machine solutions have made it possible to increase the power of the elevator hoisting machine without unreasonably increasing the size of the hoisting machine, and the use of elevators without counterweight is gaining ground. In elevator systems having no counterweight, the power requirement of an elevator traveling in the heavier direction is greater than in counterweighted elevator systems. Correspondingly, when the elevator car is moving downwards, an elevator without counterweight produces more energy than a counterweighted elevator does. Large power transfers between the electricity network and the elevator system increase the requirements regarding the power supply as both the rated power and the harmonics content of the voltage and current is increased. Filters provided in the mains inverter of elevator systems are expensive when designed for high powers. It may also happen that the internal electric network of the building can not receive the power produced by elevators without counterweight, in which case the voltage in the internal electric network of the building will rise. When a building is to be provided with several elevators, as an elevator group or otherwise, the connection power required by the elevators easily increases to a level that makes it unreasonable to use elevators without counterweight in the building, although they offer a significant space saving.
By connecting energy storages to the electricity supply of the elevator e.g. in the manner indicated by specification US2003/0089557, a proportion of the energy produced by an elevator without counterweight during downward travel can be stored for later consumption. However, as the power generated by an elevator without counterweight is considerably greater than that produced by a counterweighted elevator, the size of supercapacitors needed to store the energy produced would increase significantly in the case of an elevator without counterweight, so the energy storage would be expensive and take up a large space. Furthermore, the service life of supercapacitors is limited, typically about 30 000 hours, and, due to leakage currents, they are particularly well suited only for short-term storage of energy. Optimization of elevator running schedules and prior-art electric energy storage solutions can not be regarded as offering an optimal solution for minimization of the size of the electric network connection of non-counterweighted elevator systems.
Specification U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,456 discloses an elevator system comprising one elevator and including a flywheel for storing the energy of the elevator.
Specification U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,375 discloses a hoisting equipment that comprises a flywheel used as an energy storage. The hoisting equipment according to this specification comprises one hoisting device. Moreover, the equipment comprises a flywheel and a motor and a power converter for controlling the flywheel.
In addition, specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,117 discloses an elevator system in which energy produced by one elevator is stored in a flywheel. The control apparatus controlling the elevator motor in this system is a Ward Leonard drive.
If the use of an elevator's energy storage is limited to one elevator, implementing an energy storage in an elevator system comprising a plurality of elevators will be complicated in practice. In that case each elevator needs a separate energy storage as well as separate equipment for the transfer of energy between the elevator motor and the energy storage.


A system for managing files over a network comprises a first computer hosting managed folders and files and one or more second computers. The first computer comprises database management software, server software such as server pipe software, and a first unique token. The second computer comprises a software module adapted and configured to be integrated into application software, client software such as client pipe software, and a second unique token. The computers communicate in part using the server and client software to establish a secure session for file access and transfer between the first and second computers.

Network appliances, such as a network attached storage (NAS) device, have been available for a while, but most if not all of these do not provide access to documents in a secure and protected manner or allow for rapid location and retrieval of such files. Instead, the NAS devices enable multiple computers to share the same storage space at once. Thus, these NAS devices implement a data-centric storage model but are more concerned about disk storage space availability than they are about file management.
Enterprise content management (ECM) systems, on the other hand, provide a formalized means of organizing and storing an organization's documents and related content. ECM is an umbrella term covering document management, web content management, search, collaboration, records management, digital asset management (DAM), work-flow management, capture and scanning
Enterprise content management, as a form of content management, combines the capture, search, and networking of documents, usually together with digital archiving, document management, and workflow. As part of ECM systems, a document management system (DMS) is used to track and store electronic documents and/or images of paper documents, including a versioning capability (history tracking) The primary reason for a DMS over a file sharing system such as an NAS is to improve the sharing and auditing of business documents.
A problem is that as users continue to use their computer systems, the numbers of files created, accessed, modified, and lost grows. The benefits of data file management systems are well known but many, if not most, of the ECM document management systems are expensive, complicated, or both and most of the NAS devices are not adapted to provide true document management.


An information processing device includes a detecting unit configured to detect a motion of a subject included in an image generated by an imaging device including multiple phase difference detecting pixels which generate a signal arranged to perform focus determination by phase difference detection, and multiple image generating pixels which generate a signal arranged to generate an image; and a determining unit configured to determine thinning-out processing when reading out a signal from the imaging device, according to the detected motion of a subject.

The present technology relates to an information processing device, and specifically relates to an information processing device which can perform thinning-out processing at an imaging device, and an information processing method thereof and a program causing a computer to execute this method.
In recent years, there have been spread imaging apparatuses such as digital still cameras and so forth which image a subject such as a person or the like to generate an imaged image, and record this generated imaged image. Also, as these imaging apparatuses, in order to simplify a user's imaging operations, there have widely been spread imaging apparatuses which have an auto-focusing (AF) function arranged to automatically perform focus (focal point) adjustment during imaging.
As such an imaging apparatus, for example, there has been proposed an imaging apparatus which performs auto-focusing using a contrast detecting method wherein multiple images are imaged while shifting the focal position, and a focal position having the highest contrast is taken as a focused focal position. Also, there has also been proposed an imaging apparatus which perform auto-focusing using a phase difference detecting method wherein light passed through an imaging lens is pupil-divided to form a pair of images, and an interval between the formed images is measured (phase difference is detected), thereby determining the position of the imaging lens.
Further, there has also been proposed an imaging apparatus which includes both of the contrast detecting method and phase difference detecting method. As such an imaging apparatus, for example, there has been proposed an imaging apparatus wherein both pixels of a pixel which pupil-divides light passed through an imaging lens (phase difference detecting pixel) and a pixel for generating an imaged image (image generating pixel) are provided to one imaging device (e.g., see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-134389).

Information processing device, information processing method, and program


A high swing interface output stage integrated circuit for interfacing a data communications device with a data bus which may operate at voltage ranges outside the supply voltage of the interface circuit. An output terminal of the integrated circuit is coupled to a positive supply rail of the circuit through a substrate NPN transistor, and to a ground rail through first and second NMOS FETS. A third MOS FET also formed is coupled between the common connection of the first and second NMOS FETS and the gate of the second NMOS FET for holding the second NMOS FET off in the event of the voltage on the output terminal being driven below the ground voltage of the circuit. Other NMOS and PMOS FETS in the circuit control the operation of the circuit for determining the high and low states of the voltage on the output terminal. The interface circuit presents either a high impedance or a current limiting impedance to the output terminal in the event of the output terminal voltage being driven outside the supply voltage of the circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high swing interface output stage integrated circuit for interfacing a device with a data bus which operates at voltages outside the power supply voltage of the interface circuit and which may be shared by other devices which may operate at power supply voltages outside the power supply voltage of the interface circuit. The invention also relates to a method for providing such a high swing interface output stage integrated circuit.
2. Prior Art
Output stage interface circuits for interfacing devices namely, data communications devices, for example, computers with a data bus operating under transmission standards such as RS485, RS422, R5232 and CANbus are known. Such standards operate at a relatively wide range of output terminal voltages; for example, RF485, specifics operation, at an output terminal voltage up to +12 volts and down as low as -7 volts, and indeed some transmission standards operate at voltage ranges greater than these.
A conventional interface circuit for interfacing a device with a data bus comprises a CMOS circuit, of the type illustrated in FIG. 1. Supply rails V.sub.dd and GND of the interface circuit of FIG. 1 are connected to a bus output terminal OUT through a PMOS FET P1 and an NMOS FET N1, respectively. Input signals on the gates of the MOS FETS P1 and P2 alternately operate the MOS FETS for determining the respective high and low states of the output terminal OUT in response to high and low states of input signals. While such an interface circuit is adequate for interfacing a device with a data bus provided the data bus is operating at an output terminal voltage within the power supply voltage V.sub.dd of the interface circuit, these interface circuits are unsuitable where the output terminal voltage of the data bus is outside the supply voltage of the interface circuit. On the output terminal voltage of the interface circuit being driven outside the supply voltage, the source and drain of the relevant MOS FET P1 or N1 reverse, and a parasitic diode Dp between the well and the drain of that MOS FET P1 or N1, provides a conductive path through the MOS FET P1 or N1 between the output terminal OUT and the corresponding supply rail V.sub.DD or GND. This causes either sinking of current from the data bus into the interface circuit, or sourcing of current from the interface circuit into the data bus, either of which causes corruption of data on the data bus, and may cause damage to the interface circuit.
Since many data communications devices, in particular, laptop computers operate at relatively low voltage power supplies, for example, at or below 5 volts, and in many cases, as low as 3 volts, there is a need for an interface output stage for interfacing such low voltage devices with a data bus operating at output terminal voltages well outside the range of the power supply of the low voltage device. Additionally, since many transmission standards require a relatively high differential output swing voltage, such an interface output stage integrated circuit must also be capable of providing a relatively high differential output swing voltage, even when operating at relatively low voltages, such as 3 volts. The transmission standard RS485 requires a differential output voltage of 1.5 volts to be developed across a differential load resistor of 54 ohms, while the RS422 transmission standard requires an output terminal voltage of 2 volts (single-ended) developed across a load resistor of 100 ohms.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,314 discloses an interface output stage integrated circuit which while operating at a relatively low supply voltage, can develop a relatively high swing output terminal voltage. The circuit of the prior art U.S. specification also presents a high impedance to the output terminal in the event of the output terminal being driven to a voltage outside the supply voltage of the circuit when the circuit is powered and not active. The circuit of U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,314 achieves this by having three P channel devices, namely, three PMOS FETS formed in a common well on the substrate of the integrated circuit, and three N channel devices, namely, three NMOS FETS formed in another common well on the substrate. Two of the PMOS FETS and two of the NMOS FETS are coupled in series between the output terminal and the supply voltage rail and the ground rail, respectively, of the output stage. The third NMOS FET and the third PMOS FET are coupled between the common connection of the other two corresponding first and second FETS and the gates of the second corresponding FETS. The common connection of each set of three FETS is connected to the corresponding common well of the three FETS. The third FETS hold the second FETS off in the event of the output terminal voltage being driven above or below the voltages on the supply and ground rails when the circuit is powered up and inactive, for providing high impedance between the output terminal and the respective supply and ground rails.
While the circuit of U.S. Pat. No. 5,414,314 permits the output terminal to be driven by the bus to a voltage above or below the supply voltage of the output stage when the output stage is powered up and inactive, it suffers from a number of disadvantages. Firstly, it is formed by a CMOS process, which needless to say, increases the number of process steps in the fabrication of the integrated circuit. Secondly, the circuit of the U.S. prior art specification tends to be temperature dependent. The differential output voltage of the circuit falls off relatively rapidly with a rise in temperature of the output stage. Thus, in order to meet a particular differential output voltage at high temperatures, the PMOS and NMOS FETS of the prior art circuit must be of relatively large size. This requires the provision of a relatively expensive die, and furthermore, the large size FETS are redundant at lower temperatures. This is a significant disadvantage.
There is therefore a need for an interface output stage integrated circuit for interfacing a device with a data bus, which is suitable for operating at a relatively low supply voltage, and is capable of developing a relatively high swing output voltage. The interface circuit should prevent excessive sinking of current from the data bus, or excessive sourcing of current from the circuit to the data bus in the event of the output terminal being driven to a voltage outside the supply voltage of the circuit. Additionally, the interface circuit should overcome the problems of known prior art devices, and in particular the number of processing steps required in the fabrication of the integrated circuit should be minimised, and the interface circuit should be relatively temperature independent, and should be relatively inexpensive to fabricate.

High swing interface output stage integrated circuit for interfacing a device with a data bus


A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverage from one or more beverage units. Each of the beverage units includes a respective beverage unit outlet, and a respective support structure supporting beverage and orienting the respective beverage unit outlet. The dispenser includes a refrigerator in which the beverage unit(s) are receivable; a respective inlet, within the refrigerator, for each of the beverage units; at least one a dispensing outlet for dispensing beverage into drinking vessels; one or more fluid paths from the inlet(s) to the dispensing outlet(s); a guide arrangement co-operable with the support structure(s) to guide the beverage unit(s) so that each respective beverage unit outlet co-operates with its respective inlet to form a respective dry break connection through which beverage is conveyable on route to the dispensing outlet(s) via the fluid path(s).

In some establishments wine is sold by the glass. This process is notoriously inefficient. Wine bottles are bulky whereas frequently space is limited in such establishments. Wine deteriorates once exposed to oxygen thus once a bottle of wine has been opened for the service of a single glass the remainder of the bottle starts to deteriorate and if it is not sold promptly must be thrown out. Wastage is common.
Different wines have different ideal service temperatures and small deviations from the ideal temperature can have a significant detrimental effect on the drinker's enjoyment of the beverage. As such wine bottles are often stored in temperature controlled cabinets.
The inventors have observed that some of these cabinets are energy inefficient and subject the wine to fluctuating temperatures whereas a stable temperature profile is preferred.
The service areas in many wine serving establishments can be very busy during peak times. It would be highly desirable to provide a more convenient means for the service of wine to ease the burden on service personnel.
Dual zone refrigerators are known in contexts other than beverage dispensing. They typically include a higher-temperature zone located underneath a lower-temperature zone and fluidly connected by a vent through which cold air can fall into the higher-temperature zone. Typically the evaporator of the refrigeration mechanism acts on the lower-temperature zone whilst a separate heating apparatus is operated in the lower-temperature zone to maintain the temperature within that zone.
Typically the heating apparatus is activated and deactivated in response to the temperature in the higher-temperature zone passing a threshold temperature. The inventors' studies have shown that this arrangement is inefficient as the evaporator and the heater tend to work against each other and also results in an unstable temperature profile in the higher-temperature zone.
It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way before the priority date.


Ethylbenzene hydroperoxide suitable for epoxidizing an olefin using a heterogeneous titanium catalyst is provided by the sequence of:. a) flashing acids containing ethylbenzene peroxidase to reduce the temperature thereof to 170.degree. F. or lower, PA1 b) contacting the flash bottoms with aqueous base and separating a base contaminated deacidified hydroperoxide stream from an organics contaminated aqueous stream, PA1 c) removing organics from the organics contaminated aqueous stream by extraction with ethylbenzene, PA1 d) separating base from the base contaminated deacidified hydroperoxide stream by water extraction, and PA1 e) stripping water from deacidified water extracted hydroperoxide stream.

The production of oxirane compounds such as propylene oxide by the catalytic reaction of an olefin and an organic hydroperoxide is a process of great importance which is practiced on a large scale in the industrial world. U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,635 is the basic patent covering this process.
In one version of the process, an insoluble solid heterogenous catalyst is used; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,342. A disadvantage of the use of the heterogeneous catalysts, as contrasted with the use of soluble homogeneous catalyst systems, has been the tendency for the solid catalyst to deactivate over time resulting in a loss both of productivity and reaction selectivity. A potential advantage of the use of the heterogeneous catalysts would be decreased problems associated with the disposal of metal containing waste streams.
The problems of solid catalyst deactivation, especially as they relate to high volume continuous commercial processes, have been the subject of extensive studies. It has been found that the production of a hydroperoxide such as ethyl benzene hydroperoxide which can be used in the solid heterogeneous catalyzed epoxidation of olefin can be improved by an aqueous base treatment whereby the process shows greatly reduced deactivation of the solid catalyst. However, the aqueous stream resulting from such treatment presents its own disposal problems; the present invention provides a treatment to remove impurities from such aqueous streams.


An electrostatic discharge circuit includes six transistors. A power supply voltage node is coupled with a gate and a drain of a first transistor and connected to a source of a second transistor and a drain of a fifth transistor. A source of the first transistor is coupled to a ground voltage node and connected to a gate of a third transistor and a gate of a fourth transistor. A gate of the second transistor is connected to the drain of the first transistor. A source of the third transistor is connected to the drain of the second transistor and a gate of the fifth transistor. A drain of the fourth transistor is connected to a drain of the third transistor. A source of the fourth transistor and a source of the sixth transistor are connected to the ground voltage node.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a problem in the electronics industry that requires a long-term improvement in technology.
Common electrostatic discharge models include human body model (HBM), machine model (MM), and charged device model (CDM). In the HBM, a human body with charges discharges to a device, causing damage to the device. In the MM, a charged device discharges to the device, causing damage to the device. In the CDM, the charged device discharges directly to the ground. A discharge time of the charged device model is relatively fast, which is less than 10 ns. Thus, a relatively fast electrostatic discharge protection circuit is needed to quickly respond to the electrostatic phenomenon and discharge the electrostatic current in time.
However, a response time of existing electrostatic discharge protection circuit is relatively long, and a response speed of the electrostatic discharge protection circuit needs to be improved.

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (ShenZhen) Corporation

Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation


A data communication method in which the data frame transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side and the feedback frame transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side use a common format jointly, and in which if there is no substantial data to be transported by the feedback frame on the reception side, the feedback frame is transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side without changing the format of the feedback frame and lowering the reception rate. The common format includes at least the transmission data length, the transmission data, the data frame number and the repeat request frame number, and is added with the error detection code for all the data. If there is no substantial transmission data to be transported by the feedback frame on the reception side, then the feedback frame is arranged such that data unrelated to feedback information including at least the transmission data length, the transmission data and the data frame number within the feedback frame, is substituted with a predetermined fixed pattern, and thereafter an error detecting code for all the data is added thereto. Then, the feedback frame is transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data communication method (wireless digital communication method) in which error control is carried out based on an automatic repeat request system.
2. Background of the Invention
As an error control method in data communication, there has been proposed an error control method in an automatic repeat request (ARQ: Automatic Repeat Request or Automatic Request for Repetition) system. According to the error control method based on the automatic repeat request system, if a data frame transmitted from a transmission side to a reception side contains an error, the data frame is again transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side on the basis of the repeat request issued from the reception side to the transmission side.
Various methods have been proposed as the error control method of the automatic repeat request system. Now, a prior art example of an automatic repeat request error control method of a selective repeat (hereinafter referred to as SR) system will hereinafter be described. The selective repeat request system theoretically requires a buffer memory having an unlimited capacity. Thus, such a system is not employed normally, but its improved type is utilized. An automatic repeat request error control method of a primitive SR system will hereinafter be described for making the explanation easy.
Initially, an example of an arrangement of an ARQ frame in which a data frame and a feedback frame have an identical format will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The ARQ frame includes a transmission data frame length A of 16 bits, for example, transmission data B of 584 bits, for example, a transmission data frame number C of 8 bits, for example, and a repeat request frame number D of 8 bits, for example, and the frame is further added with an error detecting code E of 16 bits, for example. This error detecting code E serves for detecting an error which can be contained anywhere in the data.
The transmission data length A can take a value of the data amount of the transmission data B, e.g., values from 0 to 584 in a bit unit. In this case, the data amount thereof is 584 bits. The transmission frame number C indicates a frame number of a frame to be transmitted, and hence the number can be a number from 1 to 255. The repeat request frame number D is utilized in a feedback frame to be transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side, and it indicates a frame number of a frame that is expected to be received next on the reception side, i.e., the earliest frame number that has not been received yet.
The error detecting code E is arranged as a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy check) based on an advice of an ITU (International Telecommunication(s) Union)--T (16 bits). The CRC is effective for detecting an error contained in a region of 624 bits, i.e., the region from the transmission data length A to the repeat request frame number D.
Now, a manner for transmitting an ARQ frame based on the SR system when the transmission frame can be transmitted with failure will be described with reference to FIG. 2 below. As shown in FIG. 2, rectangular frames, each having a numeral written therein, arrayed on the transmission side depict transmission frames, and each numeral written therein designates a frame number. Rectangular frames arrayed on the reception side depict repeat request frames, and each numeral written in each of them also designates a frame number. Although a data frame is originally transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side, there is no data frame originally transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side.
Operations carried out on the transmission side are as follow:
(1) A transmitter on the transmission side transmits transmission frames 1, 2, 3 continuously. PA1 (2) A feedback frame of a repeat request frame number, 2 is received from the reception side. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frame 1 is correctly received on the reception side. A transmission frame 4 is transmitted next. PA1 (3) A feedback frame of a repeat request frame number, 3 is received. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frame 2 is correctly received on the reception side. A transmission frame 5 is transmitted next. PA1 (4) A feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 3 again is received. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frame 3 does not correctly reach the reception side. Therefore, the transmission frame 3 is again transmitted. PA1 (5) A feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 3 is again received. Thus, it is also determined that the transmission frame 3 does not correctly reach the reception side. However, since the transmission frame 3 has been already retransmitted, a transmission frame 6 is transmitted next. PA1 (6) A feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 3 is again received. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frame 3 does not correctly reach the reception side. However, since the transmission frame 3 has been already retransmitted, a transmission frame 7 is transmitted next. PA1 (7) A feedback frame of a repeat request frame number, 6 is received. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frames 3, 4, 5 correctly reached the reception side. PA1 (1) When a receiver on the reception side receives the transmission frame 1 correctly, the feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 2 is transmitted as a repeat request frame. PA1 (2) The transmission frame 3 is received incorrectly. The repeat request frame number, 3 is transmitted with the feedback frame. PA1 (3) The transmission frames 4, 5 are correctly received. Since the transmission frame 3 has not been received, the feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 3 is transmitted. PA1 (4) The transmission frame 3, which is again transmitted as the retransmitted frame, is correctly received. Since the transmission frame 5 has been correctly received so far, a feedback frame with the repeat request frame number, 6 is transmitted as a frame that is expected to be received next on the reception side. PA1 (1) The transmission frames 1, 2, 3 are transmitted continuously. PA1 (2) The feedback frame of a repeat request frame number, 2 is received from the reception side. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frame 1 correctly reached the reception side, and the transmission frame 4 is transmitted. PA1 (3) The feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 3 is received. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frame 2 correctly reached the reception side, and the transmission frame 5 is transmitted. PA1 (4) A feedback frame of the repeat request number, 4 is not received. Thus, it is presumed that the transmission frame 3 did not correctly reach the reception side, and hence the transmission frame 3 is again transmitted. PA1 (5) A feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 5 is received. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frames 3, 4 have correctly reached the reception side. Therefore, the transmission frame 6 is transmitted. PA1 (6) A feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 6 is received. Thus, it is determined that the transmission frame 5 has correctly reached the reception side, and the transmission frame 7 is transmitted next. PA1 (1) The transmission frames 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are correctly received. The feedback frames of repeat request frame numbers, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are respectively transmitted. PA1 (2) The transmission frame 3 is again correctly received. Since the transmission frame 3 has been already received, the received transmission frame 3 received in an overlapping fashion is discarded. The feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 6 is transmitted.
Operations carried out on the reception side are as follow:
When the receiver receives the transmission frame 2 correctly, the feedback frame of the repeat request frame number, 3 is transmitted as a repeat request frame.
As described above, according to the error control method of the automatic repeat request system based on the SR system, the transmitter on the transmission side is transmits data frames continuously until it receives the feedback frame indicating that a frame reached the reception side incorrectly. If the transmitter receives information indicative that the frame has reached incorrectly, then it transmits the data frame again. In this manner, the communication system is controlled to recover erroneous data transmission from the transmission side to the reception side.
While in the above case described with reference to FIG. 2, it is assumed that the feedback frame can be transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side without failure, the feedback frame naturally can be transmitted with failure in the actual transmission path, i.e., a space through which electric wave propagates. Now, a manner of the ARQ transmission based on the SR system when the feedback frame is incorrectly transmitted will be described with reference to FIG. 3.
Operations carried out on the transmission side are as follow:
Operations carried out on the reception side are as follow:
As described above, according to the SR system of the prior art example, when the feedback frame fails to be transmitted, leading to the presumption that the corresponding transmission frame is incorrectly received on the reception side, the data frame is transmitted in an overlapping fashion from the transmission side to the reception side in spite of the fact that the data frame has been correctly transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side.
In this case, the ARQ frame is arranged as a full duplex communication system as described above. Therefore, the system is requested to permit data transmission not only from the transmission side to the reception side but also from the reception side to the transmission side at any time. Accordingly, the data frame transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side and the feedback frame transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side have a common format. Therefore, even if there is no transmission data to be transmitted from the reception side with the feedback frame, upon transmission from the reception side to the transmission side, extra information (redundant portion of data) such as "transmission data length", "transmission data", "transmission frame number" and so on have to be included in the feedback frame for maintaining the frame arrangement described with reference to FIG. 1. This leads to a drawback that the reception rate at the transmission side is lowered, resulting in lowering of throughput.
In general, a communication protocol is designed to permit the full duplex communication to be executable. However, in actual practice, communication is often accomplished in a half duplex fashion, i.e., data delivery confirmation is effected in a step-by-step fashion, and hence it is not always necessary to transport data by the feedback frame from the reception side at any time. Therefore, it is undesirable to lower the throughput in spite of the fact that the feedback frame is not always requested to transport transmission data.
Further, in a data communication method in which the data frame transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side and the feedback frame transmitted from the reception side to the transmission side have an identical format, when transmission data to be transported by the data frame or the feedback frame is much shorter (LB.sub.x is taken as its data length) than a predetermined data length (LB.sub.0 is taken as the length which derives from the format), reception rate is lowered upon transmission with the predetermined data length LB.sub.0 maintained as it is.

Data structure, data communication method, apparatus and communication terminal apparatus


In a DRAM, first and second P channel MOS transistors are connected in series between an output node of an NOR gate of an input buffer and a power supply line. The first P channel MOS transistor receives at its gate an external signal /EXT and the second P channel MOS transistor receives at its gate an inverted signal of an output enable signal OEM. In a data output period, the signal OEM attains to the "H" level and the second P channel MOS transistor is rendered conductive, and therefore, even when power supply potential Vcc lowers in the data output period, the output node can be sufficiently charged, and an internal signal /INT can be generated stably.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an input circuit for a semiconductor memory device and, more particularly, to an input circuit for a semiconductor memory device for generating an internal signal in accordance with an external signal changing from a first logical potential to a second logical potential at a certain time point, and for applying the internal signal to an internal circuitry.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, at various control signal input terminals of a dynamic random access memory (hereinafter referred to as a DRAM), an input buffer for converting an externally applied control signal /EXT to an internal control signal /INT and for applying it to an internal circuitry has been provided.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a conventional input buffer 80 for a DRAM.
Referring to FIG. 8, input buffer 80 includes an NOR gate 81, an inverter 82 and a P channel MOS transistor 83. One input node 81a of NOR gate 81 receives an external signal /EXT, and the other input 81b is connected to a line 71 at the ground potential GND (hereinafter referred to as the ground line).
NOR gate 81 includes, as shown in FIG. 9, P channel MOS transistors 91 and 92 connected in series between power supply line 70 and output node N81, and N channel MOS transistors 93 and 94 connected in parallel between output node N81 and ground line 71. MOS transistors 92 and 93 have their gates connected to one input node 81a, and MOS transistors 91 and 94 have their gates connected to the other input node 81b. Since the other input node 81b of NOR gate 81 is grounded, NOR gate 81 operates as an inverter consisting of MOS transistors 92 and 93 with respect to external signal /EXT.
Inverter 82 receives an output from NOR gate 81 and outputs an internal signal /INT. P channel MOS transistor 83 is connected between a line of a power supply potential Vcc (hereinafter referred to as the power supply line) 70 and an input node of an inverter 82, and receives at its gate an output from inverter 82. Inverter 82 and P channel MOS transistor 83 constitute a half latch circuit.
When the external signal /EXT falls from an inactive "H" level to an active "L" level, the output from inverter 82, that is, internal signal /INT falls from the "H" level to the "L" level, P channel MOS transistor 83 is rendered conductive and internal signal /INT is latched at the "L" level. When external signal /EXT rises from the active level of "L" to the inactive level of "H", internal signal /INT rises from "L" level to "H" level, P channel MOS transistor 83 is rendered non-conductive, and the half latch is canceled.
Since the conventional input buffer 80 is structured as described above, when data output from DRAM is started and power supply potential Vcc lowers temporarily while the external signal /EXT is at the active level of "L", the potential at output node N81 of NOR gate 81 lowers, and the output from inverter 82, that is, the level of internal signal /INT rises slightly. This may result in a malfunction of an internal circuitry which is controlled by the internal signal /INT.

Input circuit of semiconductor memory device for generating an internal signal in accordance with an external signal and for applying it to an internal circuitry


A holder for a surgical knife blade has a holder body, a slide member supported slidably by the blade storage barrel, an attaching finger formed in part of the slide member to attach the surgical knife blade, a slide operating piece integrally formed with the slide member, a lock hook member that prevents the slide member from sliding, locking concave grooves disposed in a slide guide edge of the holder body which guides the slide member slidably and engaging in the lock hook member, and a lever device, coupled to the slide member, for supporting the lock hook member while biasing the lock hook member toward the locking concave groove. The locking concave grooves are formed in an attachment position where the surgical knife blade is attached to the attaching finger in the slide member. In a storage position, the surgical knife blade is stored in the storage barrel.

Conventionally, as a surgical knife used in surgical operations, there have been known two types that a handle portion to be grasped when used and a blade edge portion at the front end of the handle portion are formed integrally, and that a knife blade and a holder are formed separately while the knife blade is attached to the front end of the handle when used. The latter type of knife such that the handle and knife blade are manufactured and supplied separately and incorporated when used is widely used. When such a knife is a knife for work, the knife blade is exchanged with a new knife blade according to the wearing state of the blade edge. Meanwhile, when such a knife is a surgical knife, the knife is used as disposal equipment while a used knife blade is discarded and exchanged with a new knife blade. Conventionally, in the case where a knife blade is attached to an attachment portion such as a slit or the like provided at the front end portion of the holder body grasped when used, a user holds a knife blade with one hand and fingers to attach, while holding the attachment portion of the holder body to fix using the other hand and fingers or using a device such as a forceps or the like.
However, since the surgical knife is formed particularly acutely, there is a risk of injury such as hurt and the like when the surgical knife is attached or detached, and it is required to attach and detach the surgical knife safely and easily. Therefore, in the case of the surgical knife, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure where a case-shaped guard is provided in a surgical knife blade, and fitted and attached to a handle, and the internal knife blade is caused to protrude outside the guard with an operational slider provided on the handle side when the surgical knife blade is used after being attached. Accordingly, the guard with the internal knife blade is attached and fixed to the handle to be used, and the knife blade is removed from the handle together with the guard and discarded after being used. The publication describes sterilizing the guard to distribute, and thereby preventing infection when the guard is attached to the handle and used.
Patent Document 1: JP 2003-504145


A method of controlling an amount of a material discharged via a discharge nozzle from a container containing the material by applying a high pressure gas via a gas line system to an inside of the container. A reference pressure is detected which is of a gas confined in a restricted space having a predetermined volume in the gas line system. A high pressure is detected which is of a gas applied to the inside of the container. A residual amount of the material in the container is measured based upon the reference pressure and the high pressure. Both an optimum pressure level of the high pressure gas and an optimum pressure-applying time, during which the high pressure gas is applied to the inside of the container, are computed with reference to the residual amount of the material in the container so as to adjust both the high pressure and the pressure-applying time to an optimum pressure level and an optimum pressure-applying time thereby keeping a constant discharge amount of the material through the discharge nozzle.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for precise discharge determination, and more particularly to a method and a system for precise discharge determination for discharging a material such as resin at a constant discharge amount by utilizing an air pressure applied to the inside of a container containing the material to be discharged.
In the processes for fabricating a semiconductor device, a semiconductor chip is bonded to a lead frame. Prior to bonding the semiconductor chip onto the lead frame, it is necessary to have previously supplied a predetermined amount of adhesive onto the lead frame. The semiconductor chip is placed on the adhesive which has already been applied on the lead frame before the semiconductor chip is press-bonded to the lead frame. If the amount of the adhesive applied on the lead frame is insufficient, this results in an insufficient adhesive strength. If, however, the amount of the adhesive applied on the lead frame is excessive, the adhesive is spread to the periphery of the semiconductor chip. To avoid those problems, it is required to precisely control the amount of the adhesive to be applied onto the lead frame. For this purpose, there was proposed a discharge determination system for discharging a predetermined amount of the adhesive. The typical discharge determination discharge system is an air-pressure discharge determination system wherein pressured air is supplied into a container having contained the adhesive to cause the adhesive discharged via a discharge nozzle. This air-pressure discharge determination system is so designed as to enable easy control of the amount of the adhesive discharged by controlling the air pressure and the discharge time.
If a volume of the container containing the adhesive is not so high as compared to the amount of the adhesive discharged one time, this results in that the volume of air in the container is increased by discharge of the adhesive whereby the discharge pressure in the container is gradually reduced even though the air pressure applied into the container and the discharge time remain unchanged. As a result, the amount of the adhesive discharged becomes somewhat small.
In order to settle the above problems with a slight reduction in the amount of the adhesive, it was proposed that waveforms of the air pressure applied into the container containing the adhesive are detected for finding a difference between an integral value of the detected pressure waveforms and an integral value of the predetermined reference pressure waveforms so that the discharge condition is adjusted to compensate that difference. This technique is disclosed in the Japanese patent application No. 5-67057.
In the above discharge system, it is required to preliminarily obtain the reference pressure waveform by discharging as a test all of the adhesive from the container under the same condition as those intended to be selected. For this reason, such preliminary discharging test for obtaining the reference pressure waveform has to be carried out every time when the kinds and amount of the adhesive to be practically used are different. This complicated processes would be inconvenient for the user. Particularly if the volume of the container for containing the adhesive is large, then a long time is taken to completely discharge all of the adhesive stored in the container and such operation would be inefficient.
If accidentally any part of the air pressure system becomes inoperable, the pressure waveform of the actual discharge of the adhesive may largely differ from the reference pressure waveform. In this case, however, such accident might not be detected and thus the normal control of the discharge condition could never be made, for which reason it is no longer possible to make a proper control of the amount of the adhesive discharged, resulting in a large number of inferior products being produced.
Further if variation over time in electrical properties such as drift appears on the electric device such as amplifier or analog-to-digital converter provided in the discharge system, such variation might not be detected and thus the normal control of the discharge condition could never be made, for which reason it is no longer possible to make a proper control of the amount of the adhesive discharged, resulting in a large number of inferior products being produced.
In the above circumstances, it had not been required to develop novel method and system for precise determination discharge of the adhesive, which are capable of keeping the precise determination discharge by automatic compensation to any change of the discharge conditions such as the kind and amount of the adhesive and to variations of the discharge amount caused by any accident having appeared on the apparatus or by variation over time in electrical properties such as drift appears on the electric device such as amplifier or analog-to-digital converter provided in the discharge system.

Method and system for precise discharge determination


A display may include a body having a first peripheral edge, a second peripheral edge, a third peripheral edge, and a fourth peripheral edge, the body may further include a first fold line defining a first panel and a second panel, a second fold line defining a first flap, a third fold line defining a second flap, a first notch disposed along the first or the second peripheral edge between the first fold line and the second fold line, and a second notch disposed along the first or the second peripheral edge between the first fold line and the third fold line, wherein, when folded, the third peripheral edge is aligned within the first notch and the fourth peripheral edge is aligned within the second notch to define an angle between the first panel and the second panel.

Placard advertising is well known in the art as an effective way to advertise products at point-of-sale, in retail aisles, and other similar locations. For example, many manufacturers and retailers desire to take advantage of the attention of consumers as they browse coolers, freezers, shelves, and the like. As another example, many manufacturers and retailers desire to take advantage of the attention of consumers as they use "pay at the pump" systems, such as those seen at gas stations, particularly since consumers equipped with a credit card have little or no reason to enter the convenience store accompanying the gas station. The use of placard advertising at such locations may provide an enticement to bring the consumer into the store or purchase additional retail items. Use of dispensing devices to provide coupons or other marketing materials in conjunction with the placard advertising may provide additional enticement to the consumer.
One disadvantage to such placard advertising is that if adequate time and care is not provided, the advertising display can appear misaligned and sloppy, which detracts from the otherwise professional appearance of the retail establishment. Another disadvantage is the limited space typically available for such displays, particularly when displays are mounted to cooler or freezer doors or shelving within aisles of a store where they can be damaged or torn down by passing costumers or when mounted to outdoor structures where wind and weather can detach the display.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue with research and development efforts in the field of advertising and displays.


Disclosed are a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a structure of a semiconductor device. A method of forming a passivation film of a semiconductor device comprises the steps of forming metal wires on a semiconductor substrate, forming a buffer oxide film being a first passivation film on the metal wires, wherein the buffer oxide film can mitigate damage by plasma, forming a high density plasma film being a second passivation film on the buffer oxide film, and forming a third passivation film on the second passivation film. According to the present invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the leakage current between a select source line and a common source line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device and a structure of a semiconductor device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of forming a passivation film of a semiconductor device and a structure of a passivation film of a semiconductor device in which the leakage current between a select source line and a common source line can be reduced significantly.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Generally, a semiconductor memory device is classified into volatile memory devices in which stored information is lost as the supply of power is stopped, and non-volatile memory devices in which information continues kept even when the supply of power is stopped. The non-volatile memory devices include an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory and the like.
The flash memory devices are classified into a NOR type and a NAND type depending upon the configuration of a cell. A cell array region of the NAND type flash memory is composed of a number of strings. One string is connected to 16 or 32 cells. Each string includes a string select transistor, a plurality of cell transistors and a ground select transistor, all of which are serially connected. A drain region of the string select transistor is connected to a bit line and a source region of the ground select transistor is connected to a common source line.
In this NAND type flash memory device, a high density plasma (hereinafter, referred to as 'HDP') film is used as a passivation film. The HDP film is formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method so that between-metal-wires is insulated. However, when the HDP film is deposited by the CVD method, a plasma charge infiltrates into the semiconductor device through the metal wires. This causes the leakage current between the select source line and the common source line to occur over a reference value (for example, 5×10−12 A). As between-the select source line and the common source line is isolated by an insulating film, it is required that the leakage current of over a given reference value be not generated. Practically, the leakage current of over a given reference value is not generated in a wafer on which up to a metal wire process is performed. After the HDP film formation process is performed, however, a large amount of the leakage current is generated.

Passivation film of semiconductor device


A method and apparatus for conversion of signals from a first type of image sensor to a second type of camera control unit is presented. A first interface is provided for enabling electrical communication between the conversion module and an image sensor, the image sensor being interchangeable between a Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) and a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor. A second interface is provided for enabling electrical communication between the conversion module and a camera control unit (CCU). Also provided is conversion circuitry in communication with the first interface and the second interface, the conversion circuitry receiving signals of a first type from the first interface, converting the signals of a first type to signals of a second type and providing the signals of a second type to the second interface.

Endoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to analyze the interior of a body cavity or interior surfaces of an organ by inserting a tubular member into the body cavity through a minimal incision. A conventional endoscope (sometimes referred to herein simply as a "scope") is generally an instrument with an image sensor for visualizing the interior of a body cavity. A wide range of applications have been developed for the general field of endoscopes including, but not necessarily limited to; arthroscope, angioscope, bronchoscope, choledochoscope, colonoscope, cytoscope, duodenoscope, enteroscope, esophagogastro-duodenoscope (gastroscope), laparoscope, laryngoscope, nasopharyngo-neproscope, sigmoidoscope, thoracoscope, and utererscope (hereinafter referred to generally as "endoscope"). The advantages of endoscopic surgery include smaller surgical incisions and less soft tissue damage. As a result, there is significantly less discomfort and pain for the patient as well as a decrease in recovery time.
As part of forming an image of the surgical site, the endoscope includes an image sensor. Endoscopes may also incorporate a light source and one or more tubular members for observation or operation within the body, such as a working channel for passing diagnostic, monitoring, treatment, or surgical tools through the endoscope. An endoscopic system typically includes an image sensor (e.g. a camera) coupled to a camera control unit (CCU). The CCU captures and processes video signals from the image sensor for display on a monitor, as well as for transfer to existing recording and printing devices. The image sensor typically communicates with the CCU by way of a cable.
Image sensor processing circuitry is configured for either a Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor. CCU circuitry is typically hard wired for the specific type of sensor it was designed to work with. It is not possible with commercial systems to interchange a CCD sensor into a CCU designed to work with a CMOS sensor or to interchange a CMOS sensor into a CCU designed to work with a CCD sensor. A CCD sensor output is an analog signal whereas a CMOS sensor output is typically a digital signal. The different types of sensors require considerably different support and interface circuitry. The additional complexity of developing a CCU that would handle both types of sensors has prevented this from becoming commercially feasible.

Method and apparatus for conversion of signals from a first type of image sensor to a second type of camera control unit


The present invention, provides a flow cytometry apparatus for the detection of particles from a plurality of samples comprising: means for moving a plurality of samples comprising particles from a plurality of respective source wells into a fluid flow stream; means for introducing a separation gas between each of the plurality of samples in the fluid flow stream; and means for selectively analyzing each of the plurality of samples for the particles. The present invention also provides a flow cytometry method employing such an apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flow cytometry apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Flow cytometry is used to characterize cells and particles by making measurements on each at rates up to thousands of events per second. The measurement consists of simultaneous detection of the light scatter and fluorescence associated with each event. Commonly, the fluorescence characterizes the expression of cell surface molecules or intracellular markers sensitive to cellular responses to drug molecules. The technique often permits homogeneous analysis such that cell associated fluorescence can often be measured in a background of free fluorescent indicator. The technique often permits individual particles to be sorted from one another.
However, a deficiency with conventional flow cytometry is that it does not allow for the analysis of multiple samples consisting of multiple cells or particles in a rapid manner, a fact that has limited the uses of flow cytometry in drug discovery. For example, the industrial standard for high throughput drug discovery is 100,000 samples per day. Because of its low throughput, flow cytometry has generally not been considered applicable to high throughput screening in drug discovery.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Flow cytometry for high throughput screening


A container apparatus including a loudspeaker enclosure means along with a separate compartment means for alternative purposes and means to provide immediate, temporary sound attenuation of enclosure walls around a loudspeaker for ease of transporting whereby a form fitting cushion filled with sound attenuation materials is installed around the enclosure to dampen vibrations due to the firing of the loudspeaker.

1. Field Of Invention
This invention relates to the general field of audio loudspeaker enclosures. The invention is more particularly related to free standing, loudspeaker enclosures for use in interior and exterior locations. It is even more particularly related to loudspeaker enclosures made of relatively light weight, thin walled construction. The invention is even more particularly related to a container apparatus with separate compartments for loudspeaker enclosures and a compartment to enclose along with a means to store temporary, heavy density, loose-granular, sound attenuation materials. Further the invention is even more particularly related to means to increase the portability of a loudspeaker enclosure and increase its acoustic performance. In addition, the invention is even more particularly related to an apparatus which combines a loudspeaker enclosure with a container for various uses.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
There is much prior art in the general field of loudspeaker enclosures. There has been prior art which cites the existence of freestanding loudspeaker enclosures for interior and exterior locations. There has even been prior art which cites various means of attenuating the resonant sound vibrations of the material surfaces which enclose loudspeakers. There has even been prior art which cites the existence of loudspeaker enclosures with multiple compartments. There has even been prior art which cites the combination of a loudspeaker enclosure with a container for plant materials. Referring further to this prior art entitled "Hanging Planter Pot Speaker Enclosure" U.S. patent application Ser. No. 754,596 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,063,387, while this art might suggest the use of a loose sound attenuation material used in conjunction with a speaker enclosure there is no soil material described nor a method cited which specifies the makeup or relative weight /density of soil material. Continuing further, this prior art is not physically shaped to use soil to attenuate the vibration of the of the loudspeaker enclosure brought about by the rear firing of the speaker driver. None of this prior art is particularly directed to the inventive combination. Until the present invention there has been no loudspeaker enclosure apparatus cited as being of relatively light weight materials with a secondary chamber wherein sound attenuation material can be filled into a cushion which can then be placed against the exterior of the loudspeaker enclosure to dampen the resonant vibration of the enclosure walls and can also be removed and emptied to allow for ease of transporting. And further, there has not been a double-walled loudspeaker enclosure wherein sound attenuation material can be filled around the outside of the loudspeaker compartment or removed for transport. In addition there has been no prior art which combines a free standing and multi-use-container together with a loudspeaker enclosure. In this respect the prior art is inapplicable to and does not contemplate the within invention.


An organic light-emitting display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate that face each other; an organic light-emitting device that is disposed between the first and second substrates and includes a pixel electrode separately formed in each pixel, a common electrode facing the pixel electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer disposed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode; and an electrode unit and at least one wiring unit that are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the electrode unit including at least one thin-film transistor for transmitting a light-emitting signal to the pixel electrode and at least one capacitor, wherein an optical property modification layer obtained by modifying an optical property of at least one of the electrode unit and the wiring unit is formed on a surface of the at least one of the electrode unit and the wiring unit.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to an organic light-emitting display device, and more particularly, to an organic light-emitting display device that may minimize the reduction in contrast caused by reflection of external light.
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic light-emitting display devices, which are self-emitting display devices, have advantages of wide viewing angles and fast response times. However, the organic light-emitting display devices have disadvantages in that if the organic light-emitting display devices display images in an external light environment, the external light is reflected by metal materials for constituting electrodes and wires in the organic light-emitting display devices, thereby reducing contrast.
In general, in order to minimize the reduction in contrast, a polarization plate, which is expensive, may be used. However, the use of such a polarization plate may increase costs, reduce a transmittance because light emitted from a light-emitting layer is blocked, and reduces brightness.
In order to minimize the reduction in contrast, a black matrix may be formed on electrodes or wires. However, the use of such a black matrix may require an additional masking process to form the black matrix, which makes a manufacturing process complex.


A new and distinct variety characterized by large, red-colored seeded grapes that ripen in late July, approximately six weeks earlier than Red Globe (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787), when grown in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The grapes of this new variety are produced on strong stems and branches and are well adapted to commercial handling.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of grape which will hereinafter be denominated as 'Sheegene-5' and more particularly as a grapevine which produces a large, red-colored seeded grape that matures during late July in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California. The new invention resembles 'Red Globe' (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,787).


A tunable CMOS OTA is provided, which improves the transconductance linearity with a simple circuit configuration. This OTA is comprised of (a) a differential input pair of first and second MOSFETs, (b) a first resistor connected to sources of the first and second MOSFETs, (c) a current source/sink for supplying/sinking a variable driving current to the differential input pair, and (d) an output circuit for the differential input pair. A differential input voltage is applied across gates of the first and second MOSFETs to generate a first pair of differential output currents. The current flowing through the first resistor is proportional to the applied differential input voltage. The first pair of differential output currents are applied to drains of third and fourth MOSFETs of the output circuit, respectively, thereby generating a first bias voltage at the drain of the third MOSFET and a second bias voltage at the drain of the fourth MOSFET. The first and second bias voltages generate a current flowing through the second and third resistors, which is proportional to the applied differential input voltage. A differential output current of the OTA is derived from the difference between the second pair of differential output currents flowing through the third and fourth MOSFETs of the output circuit, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA) comprised of Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETS) and more particularly, to a tunable OTA capable of tuning its transconductance and having the Complementary MOS (CMOS) structure, which is preferably formed on a CMOS semiconductor integrated circuit (IC).
2. Description of the Prior Art
A differential amplifier circuit having an improved transconductance linearity within a comparatively wide input voltage range has been known as an "OTA". When the transconductance is changeable, the OTA has been termed a "tunable OTA".
An example of the conventional tunable CMOS OTAs is shown in FIG. 1, in which a MOSFET is used as a common source resistor for a source-coupled differential pair of MOSFETs. This example is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,901 issued in 1995.
As shown in FIG. 1, two n-channel MOSFETs M137 and M138 constitute a balanced, input differential pair of this OTA, in which gates of the MOSFETs M137 and M138 are applied with two input signals inp and inm through lines 179 and 174, respectively. Thus, a differential input signal (inm-inp) is applied across the gates of the MOSFETs M137 and M138.
Sources of the MOSFETs M137 and M138 are coupled together through an n-channel MOSFET M143 serving as a variable resistor. The sources of the MOSFETs M137 and M138 are connected to a source and a drain of the MOSFET M143 at nodes 186 and 188, respectively. A gate of the MOSFET M143 is applied with a control signal con through a line 175, so that the source-to-drain resistance of the MOSFET M143 is changed or controlled by the control signal con.
Three p-channel MOSFETs M131, M132, and M133 whose sources are coupled together and whose gates are coupled together constitute constant current sources for driving the MOSFETs M134, M137 and M138, respectively. Three n-channel MOSFETs M134, M135, and M136 constitute current mirror circuits; the MOSFETs M135 and M136 constitute constant current sources for driving the MOSFETs M142 and M141, respectively.
A bias signal pb is commonly applied to the coupled gates of the MOSFETs M131, M132, and M133 through a line 170, thereby supplying the same constant driving currents I.sub.0 to the MOSFETs M137 and M138 of the input differential pair, respectively.
Two p-channel MOSFETs M144 and M145 constitute a power down circuit for the MOSFETs M137 and M138 of the input differential pair. Sources of the MOSFETs M144 and M145 are coupled together to be connected to the sources of the MOSFETs M131, M132, and M133. Gates of the MOSFETs M144 and M145 are commonly applied with a power down signal pd through a line 176. Drains of the MOSFETs M144 and M145 are connected to drains of the MOSFETs M141 and M142, respectively. Gates of the MOSFETs M141 and 142 are connected to the drains of the MOSFETs M137 and M138 of the input differential pair, respectively.
Two output signals outp and outm are derived through the gates of the MOSFETs M139 and M140, respectively.
(N+1) n-channel MOSFETs M139 and M146(1) to M146(n) whose sources are coupled together and whose gates are coupled together constitute an output circuit for the MOSFET M139. The same n output currents 179(1) to 179(n) are derived from the drains of the M146(1) to M146(n), respectively.
Similarly, (n+1) n-channel MOSFETs M140 and M147(1) to M147(n) whose sources are coupled together and whose gates are coupled together constitute another output circuit for the MOSFET M140. The same n output currents 181(1) to 181(n) are derived from the drains of the M147(1) to M147(n), respectively.
In the conventional tunable CMOS OTA shown in FIG. 1, the MOSFET M143 provided between the sources of the input-pair MOSFETs M137 and M138 serves as a source-degeneration resistor for the input differential pair. Therefore, the transconductance of this OTA is able to be changed by changing the source-to-drain resistance of the MOSFET 143 using the control signal con applied to its gate.
Next, the operation principle of the conventional tunable CMOS OTA shown in FIG. 1 is explained below.
The currents flowing through the input-pair MOSFETs M137 and M138, which are produced by the constant current source formed by the MOSFETs M132 and M133, are equal to I.sub.0. Therefore, the input-pair MOSFETs M137 and M138 are driven by the same constant currents I.sub.0, respectively. Thus, the following equation (1) is established EQU V.sub.GS137 =V.sub.GS138 (1)
where V.sub.GS137 and V.sub.GS138 are gate-to-source voltages of the MOSESTs M137 and M138, respectively.
Therefore, if the differential input signal (inm-inp) is defined as a differential voltage V.sub.i, the differential input voltage V.sub.i is level-shifted without any change and is applied across the source and drain of the MOSFET M143. In other words, the differential input voltage V.sub.i is directly applied across the source and drain of the MOSFET M143.
Thus, drain currents I.sub.D139 and I.sub.D140 of the MOSFETs M139 and M140 are expressed as the following equations (2a) and (2b) using the driving current I.sub.0 and a drain current I.sub.D143 of the MOSFET M143. EQU I.sub.D139 =I.sub.0 +I.sub.D143 (2a) EQU I.sub.D140 =I.sub.0 -I.sub.D143 (2b)
As clearly seen from FIG. 1, a gate-to-source voltage of the MOSFET 139 is equal to gate-to-source voltages of the MOSFETs M146(1) to M146(n) . Similarly, a gate-to-source voltage of the MOSFET 140 is equal to gate-to-source voltages of the MOSFETs M147(1) to M147(n) Therefore, the following equations (3a) and (3b)are established EQU I.sub.D139 =I.sub.D146 =I.sub.0 +I.sub.D143 (3a) EQU I.sub.D140 =I.sub.D147 =I.sub.0 -I.sub.D143 (3b)
where I.sub.D146 denotes the output currents 179(1) to 179(n) outputted from the MOSFETs M146(1) to M146(n), and I.sub.D147 denotes the output currents 181(1) to 181(n) outputted from the MOSFETs M147(1) to M147(n).
Since the transconductance of the conventional CMOS OTA shown in FIG. 1 is expressed as (I.sub.D146 /V.sub.i) or (I.sub.D147 /V.sub.i), it is seen from the equations (3a) and (3b) that the transconductance is determined by the drain current I.sub.D143 of the MOSFET M143. The drain current I.sub.D143 of the MOSFET M143 is changeable by changing the source-to-drain resistance (i.e., equivalent resistance) of the MOSFET M143, which is changed by a tuning voltage V.sub.con applied to the gate of the MOSFET M143 as the control signal con.
Accordingly, the transconductance of the conventional CMOS OTA shown in FIG. 1 is tunable by changing the equivalent resistance of the MOSFET M143 using the tuning voltage V.sub.con.
The MOSFET M143 serving as the equivalent resistor is operating in the linear or triode region. Therefore, supposing that the channel-length modulation and the body effect can be ignored, the drain current I.sub.D143 of the MOSFET M143 is given by the following well-known expression (4a). ##EQU1##
In the expression (4a), V.sub.DS143 is the source-to-drain voltage of the MOSFET M143, V.sub.GS143 is the gate-to-source voltage thereof, V.sub.TH is the threshold voltage thereof, and .beta. is the transconductance parameter thereof.
The transconductance parameter .beta. is defined as ##EQU2## where .mu. is the mobility of a carrier, C.sub.ox is the gate-oxide capacitance per unit area, and W and L are a gate width and a gate length of each MOSFET, respectively.
As described above, the source-to-drain voltage V.sub.DS143 of the MOSFET M143 is equal to the differential input voltage V.sub.i. Thus, the following equation (4b) is established. EQU V.sub.DS143 =V.sub.i (4b)
Also, supposing that the differential input voltage V is generated by two input voltages [(V.sub.i /2)+V.sub.R ] and [(V.sub.i /2)-V.sub.R ] using a reference voltage V.sub.R, the gate-to-source voltage V.sub.GS143 of the MOSFET M143 is expressed as the following equation (4c). ##EQU3##
By substituting the equations (4b) and (4c) into the equation (4a), the drain current I.sub.D143 of the MOSFET M143 is given by the following equation (5). ##EQU4##
In the equation (5), although the term 2.beta.(V.sub.con -V.sub.GS138 -V.sub.TH).vertline.V.sub.i .vertline. is a linear term with respect to the amplitude of the differential input voltage V.sub.i, i.e., .vertline.V.sub.i .vertline., the term [2.beta..vertline.V.sub.i .vertline..sup.2 ] is a nonlinear term with respect to .vertline.V.sub.i .vertline.. If the amplitude .vertline.V.sub.i .vertline. of the differential input voltage becomes large, the effect of the nonlinear term will be unable to be ignored, resulting in degradation of the transconductance linearity of the conventional tunable CMOS OTA shown in FIG. 1.
As explained above, with the conventional tunable CMOS OTA shown in FIG. 1, the linearity of the transfer characteristic of the differential input pair of the MOSFETs M141 and M142 is badly affected by the nonlinear resistance of the MOSFET M143 serving as the source-degeneration resistor. Consequently, the transconductance linearity is not satisfactory.
OTAs are essential functional blocks in analog signal processing. In recent years, the need for tunable OTAs capable of tuning the linear transconductance has been becoming stronger and stronger.

Tunable CMOS Operational Transconductance Amplifier


A head drum assembly is provided with a pair of oilless bearings installed within a bore of a stationary drum. Each of the oilless bearings is of a general donut-shaped configuration. A cross section thereof is provided with an external circular shape portion, an upper and a lower bearing surfaces. The upper and the lower bearing surfaces define an inner bore of the oilless bearing into which a rotating shaft are received, and slantly extend from the pair of planar portions, respectively, meeting at an apex in equal angles.

A tape recorder, such as a video cassette recorder or a video camera, includes a head drum assembly containing a video head which is used to either record or play back the video portion on or off a magnetic tape, a rotary drum, a stationary drum and a pair of transformers.
In FIG. 1, there is shown one of the prior art head drum assemblies, which consists of a rotary drum 10 and a stationary drum 11 which are mounted around an upper and a lower portions of a supporting shaft 12, respectively. As shown, the rotary drum 10 is closely fitted around the supporting shaft 12 rotatably supported by the stationary drum 11 via a pair of ball bearings 13a and 13b installed on a bore 11b of a boss 11a. For the installation of the ball bearings 13a and 13b, a pair of bearing seats 11c and lid are formed on an upper and a lower portions of the bore 11b, respectively, which must be accurately sized after a machining process.
Further, a rotor and a stator transformers 14 and 15 are mounted on the head drum assembly, with a predetermined separation therebetween in order to transmit signals between the rotary and the stationary drums 10 and 11. At least two video heads 16 are attached on the rotary drum 10; and a driving motor 17 including a rotor 18 and a stator 19 is positioned under the stationary drum 11.
The head drum assembly constructed in this manner, however, is not easy to assemble, due mainly to the way the ball bearings are installed within the bore of the stationary drum. That is, it is somewhat difficult to precisely align the axis of such bearings with each other or with other parts of the assembly by using a conventional method in which a mandrel or a sizing bar is employed, when the bearings are installed within the head drum assembly.

Head drum assembly having an oilless bearing designed to facilitate its installation within the same


A method of operation of a hybrid navigation system includes: providing a peer-to-peer communication controller for communicating with a first vehicle; linking a second peer-to-peer communication controller for communicating between a second vehicle and the first vehicle; providing a communication and navigation controller for monitoring a regional network for the first vehicle or the second vehicle including storing saved route information; and preparing a first route history file for transferring from first vehicle to the second vehicle including providing the first route history file from the saved route information for displaying in the second vehicle when the regional network is not available.

Today navigation aids are everywhere. Many people rely heavily on navigation instructions to get them efficiently from one point to another. The invention and implementation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) has helped countless people maneuver through congested highways and large cities. Many parcel delivery companies utilize navigation services in their vehicles, based on the GPS, to locate destination addresses.
Since the navigation system has become popular as a route identification tool, it has proliferated to the point that many personal autos are manufactured with a standard navigation system included. Many of these standard systems provide approximate location identification which in most cases has been sufficient to meet the needs of the driving public.
A navigation system may also be implemented in a mobile telephone by using an internal GPS receiver to obtain the mobile telephone's location. Geographic data for both the mobile telephone's location and the destination may be obtained from a geographic database. Accordingly, navigational assistance may be provided to the user of the mobile telephone using geographic data about the mobile telephone's location and a destination location.
Additionally, the telephone may have an integrated database, or an access to an external database, storing address listings of both commercial and residential locations with telephone numbers tagged to the rows as a primary key. Thus, allowing the user of the telephone to input a telephone number as destination information, the address corresponding to that telephone number may be the destination location to which the user is traveling.
Many users of the navigation systems require additional information aside from how to get to their destination. Some users seek identification of on-route restaurants, gas station location, repair service location, or hotel accommodations. As the users become more dependent on the services provided by the navigation system, being without those services can be devastating. In some areas the transmission of navigation service information may be blocked by geographic structures, such as mountains or forests, or in large cities the buildings may prevent continuous operation of the navigation system.
As the users find new ways to take advantage of the flexibility and utility of today's navigation systems, reliability and availability become even more important. A service that becomes unavailable due to interference or geographic features will just tend to frustrate the general public and prevent adoption of the service.
Thus, a need still remains for a navigation system with non-network update that can provide reliable and available destination and services information.
In view of the ever increasing reliance on navigational aids and services, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be found for these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Hybrid navigation system with non-network update and method of operation thereof


An oligomer having di-phenylethynyl endcaps is disclosed. The capped oligomer has the formula:D-A-D

The present disclosure relates generally to difunctional end-capped oligomers, and more particularly to oligomers with di-phenylethynyl endcaps.
Only a few of the thermosetting resins that are commonly used today in fiber-reinforced composites generally can be used in high-temperature applications. These high-temperature thermosetting resins are undesirable in many applications because they often form brittle composites that have relatively low thermal stabilities.
Recently, chemists have sought to synthesize oligomers for high-performance, high-temperature advanced composites suitable for aerospace applications. Most formulations for high-temperature polymer-matrix composites have monofunctional endcaps which limit the degree of crosslinking that can be attained. There is a need for high-performance composites to exhibit solvent resistance, be tough, impact resistant, strong, and be easy to process. There is also a need for oligomers and composites that have thermo-oxidative stability, and can be used at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time.
While epoxy-based composites are suitable for many applications, they are inadequate for applications which require thermally stable, tough composites that are expected to survive for a long time in a hot, oxidizing environment. Recent research has focused on polyimide composites to achieve an acceptable balance between thermal stability, solvent resistance, and toughness for these high-performance applications. Still the maximum temperatures for use of the polyimide composites, such as those formed from PMR-15, can only be used at temperatures below about 600-625° F. (315-330° C.), since they have glass-transition temperatures of about 690° F. (365° C.). PMR composites may be usable in long-term service (50,000 hours) at about 350° F. (170° C.). They can withstand temperatures up to about 600° F. (315° C.) for up to about five hundred hours.
PMR-15 prepregs, however, suffer significant processing limitations that hinder their adoption because the prepreg has a mixture of the unreacted monomer reactants on the fiber-reinforcing fabric, making them sensitive to changes in temperature, moisture, and other storage conditions, which cause the prepregs to be at different stages of cure. Aging these PMR prepregs even in controlled environments can lead to problems. The reactants on the prepreg are slowed in their reaction by keeping them cold, but the quality of the prepreg depends on its absolute age and on its prior storage and handling history. And, the quality of the composite is directly proportional to the quality of the prepregs. In addition, for some formulations like PMR-15, the PMR monomers may be toxic or hazardous (especially methylendianiline or MDA in PMR-15), presenting health and safety concerns for the workforce. Achieving complete formation of stable imide rings in the PMR composites remains an issue. These and other problems plague PMR-15 composites.
The commercial long-chain polyimides also present significant processing problems. AVIMID-N and AVIMID-KIII (trademarks of E. I. duPont de Nemours) resins and prepregs differ from PMR-15 because they do not include aliphatic chain terminators which PMR-15 uses to control molecular weight and to retain solubility of the PMR-15 intermediates during consolidation and cure. Lacking the chain terminators, the AVIMIDs can chain-extend to appreciable molecular weights. To achieve these molecular weights, however, the AVIMIDs (and their LaRC cousins) rely on the melting of crystalline powders to retain solubility or, at least, to permit processing. It has proven difficult to use the AVIMIDs in aerospace parts because of their crystalline melt intermediate stage.
Imides and many other resin backbones have shown surprisingly high glass-transition temperatures, reasonable processing parameters and constraints for the prepregs, and desirable physical properties for the composites by using soluble oligomers having difunctional caps, especially those with nadic caps. Linear oligomers of this type include two crosslinking functionalities at each end of the resin chain to promote crosslinking upon curing. Linear oligomers are "monofunctional" when they have one crosslinking functionality at each end. Most formulations for high-temperature polymer-matrix composites (HTMPCS) have monofunctional endcaps with the exception of chemistries that contain dinadic endcaps described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,079.
It is known that dinadic- and nadic-endcapped materials react at lower temperatures than phenylethynyl-endcapped materials, which can limit some of the chemistries that are possible for HTPMC formulations because they will react too rapidly at the point of minimum viscosity, thereby reducing the available processing window for fabricating parts where liquid-molding processes such as resin transfer molding, resin film infusion, and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding are desired.
All currently available phenylethynyl-endcapped materials have monofunctional endcaps. Thus, the degree of crosslinking is limited. It has been shown that difunctional endcaps provide polymers with significantly higher mechanical properties than those with monofunctional endcaps, particularly in aerospace-grade epoxies. It would be desirable to provide phenylethynyl-endcapped materials having this multi-functionality for use in new, more-processable materials suitable for high-temperature composites.

Abstract: wherein

Abstract: D is a di-phenylethynyl endcap; and

Abstract: A is an oligomer selected from the group consisting of imidesulfone; ether; ethersulfone; amide; imide; ester; estersulfone; etherimide; amideimide; oxazole; oxazole sulfone; thiazole; thiazole sulfone; imidazole; and imidazole sulfone.