A radio receiver's digital matched filter (52') is intended to match a pulse-shaping filter (23) in the transmitter whose signals it receives. However, the clock signal on which the matched filter's timing is based is generated by a receiver clock (58') that is independent of the transmitter clock (56) and that is subjected to no timing adjustment to bring the two clock signals into synchronism. So as to ensure that the matched and pulse-shaping filters work together as a Nyquist filter, therefore, a timing-recovery circuit (60') senses the timing offset in the matched filter's output, and a coefficient generator (80) adjusts the matched filter's coefficients in such a manner that the filter itself imposes the delay needed for the required timing relationship between the filters.

The present invention concerns radio receivers used for digital communication. It has particular, although not exclusive, applicability to matched filters used in such receivers.
Digital symbol transmission over the narrow-band channels allocated, for instance, to cellular-telephone traffic imposes stringent filter requirements on the transmitters and receivers used for such communication. The stringency is a result of the need to extract symbols from the transmitted signals without suffering errors that could result from intersymbol interference.
Such requirements can be understood by reference to FIG. 1, which depicts a typical transmitter and receiver employed for digital communication. The example system is of a type that might be used to implement the IS-54 standard proposed for North American cellular-telephone communication. A handset microphone 10, for instance, produces an analog signal that front-end-processing circuitry 12 converts into digital form, encoding it in ways not relevant to the present invention. The result is a bitstream that a .pi./4-shifted differential quadrature phase-shift-keying ("DQPSK") modulator 14 receives in two-bit pairs. Modulator 14 generates a complex-number output dictated by that bit pair in accordance with the DQPSK scheme. Specifically, the complex output is one of eight points equally spaced about the unit circle in the complex plane, and each of the four possible input bit pairs represents a different angle shift from the previous modulator output, the four possible shifts being plus or minus .pi./4 and plus or minus 3.pi./4.
Analog modulators 16 and 17 modulate in-phase and quadrature components, respectively, of a carrier that a source 18 generates, and respective bandpass filters 19 and 20 pass the desired sum or difference components of the resultant signal. If the analog version of the raw modulator-14 output were applied directly to the amplitude modulators 16 and 17, the abrupt phase changes would cause the spectrum of the resultant signal to be much wider than is allowed for single-channel cellular-telephone communication. Digital filters 21 and 22 therefore subject the two DQPSK-modulator outputs to low-pass filtering before the resultant signals are converted to analog form in digital-to-analog converters 23 and 24 and used to modulate respective carrier components. Accordingly, when an adder 25 combines the two thus-modulated carrier components, the bandwidth of the resultant signal is within limits. An amplifier 28 increases that signal's power for transmission over an antenna 30.
An unfortunate but unavoidable result of the filtering that filters 21 and 22 perform is a "smearing" of the sharp pulse outputs of the modulator 14; the filter's response to each such pulse is significant for many symbol periods. Generally, therefore, the output signal at any given time contains contributions from the responses to several input symbols: there is inter-symbol interference.
At the receiver end, a receiving antenna 32 applies its output to a receiver front end 34, whose intermediate-frequency output is mixed in (typically, but not necessarily, analog) mixers 36 and 38 with respective intermediate-frequency signals, produced by a source 40, that are equal in frequency but 90.degree. out of phase with each other; i.e., the intermediate-frequency signal is mixed with a complex sinusoid. Low-pass filters 42 and 44 extract the baseband results of the mixing process, respectively producing in-phase and quadrature components.
We interrupt the receiver description at this point to observe that, although the preceding receiver components are, of course, typical, a receiver, as we use that term here, may be a device used in the transmitter itself to extract symbols from the transmitted signal for certain feedback purposes such as predistortion adjustment. For present purposes, therefore, a receiver does not necessarily include an antenna and related front-end components, although most receivers to which the present invention is applicable will include them.
The outputs of filters 42 and 44 are analog signals, which respective analog-to-digital converters 46 and 48 convert to digital form to produce respective data streams that so-called matched filters 50 and 52 filter digitally. A decision device 54 then determines, from the levels in the matched-filter outputs, what symbols the DQPSK modulator 14 initially produced, and it thereby determines what the modulator's inputs were. The decision device typically would also reverse the front-end processing performed by circuit 12.
Although the segregation between digital and analog processing and between in-phase and quadrature sections described above is typical, the conversion to the digital domain can in principle be performed earlier in the processing chain, before the processing is bifurcated into parallel in-phase and quadrature sections. For instance, a single analog-to-digital converter could convert receiver 34's intermediate-frequency output directly to digital form, and the mixing with the complex sinusoid could be performed in the digital domain. In that case, there would ordinarily be no need for elements corresponding to low-pass filters 42 and 44 separate from the matched filters 50 and 52, which themselves perform a low-pass function.
As was mentioned above, inter-symbol interference results from the pulse-shaping process that filters 21 and 22 perform. Although the resultant "smearing" of the incoming pulses is unavoidable, judicious selection of filter parameters enables the receiver to avoid the confusion that this interference would otherwise cause. Specifically, filters 50 and 52 form "Nyquist filters" with pulse-shaping filters 21 and 22, respectively, in the transmitter. A Nyquist filter is one whose impulse response has zero crossings at delays equal to all non-zero numbers of symbol times. There is thus a point in each symbol time at which the responses of the filter to all of the input pulses except the current one are zero, and if the outputs of the matched filters 50 and 52 are "sampled" only at those times, the effects of inter-symbol interference can be avoided.
(For the sake of convenience, we refer to filters 50 and 52 as "matched" filters because as a practical matter they conventionally are the same as the pulse-shaping filters 21 and 22 and thus match those filters' impulse responses. In principle, however, they need not be the same, so we use matched filter here to mean filters used in producing the Nyquist response, regardless of whether their characteristics are the same as those of the transmitter's pulse-shaping filters.)
The Nyquist-filter approach, which is the one that typically is employed to extract the symbols despite intersymbol interference, naturally depends on accurately approximating ideal Nyquist filters. Among other things, this means that the relative timing of the digitally implemented transmitter and receiver filters must be proper. The transmitter timing is based on a transmitter clock 56, while that of the receiver is based on a separate, independent receiver clock 58. The relative timing between the filters therefore will tend to drift unless appropriate countermeasures are taken.
To prevent such drift receivers of this type conventionally employ a timing-recovery circuit 60 to measure the timing error so that appropriate compensation can be performed. One type of timing-recovery circuit receives the output of one of the matched filters 50 and 52 and digitally correlates it with a complex sinusoid whose frequency is half that of the symbol frequency. This sinusoid is produced by a source 62 timed by the receiver clock 58. For the IS-54 scheme, in which the symbol frequency is 24.3 kHz, the frequency of the complex sinusoid is 12.15 kHz. The source 62 applies its output values to a digital multiplier 64, which multiplies these complex values by the real-value output of, say, matched filter 52 and applies the result to a digital low-pass filter 66.
The output of this low-pass filter 66 is a complex number representing the amplitude a d phase of the 12.15-kHz component present in the output of filter 52. Because of certain aspects of the higher-level encoding performed in the front-end processor 12, this component is ordinarily significant in the resultant signal, and, averaged over time, it indicates the relative timing between the sample times and the symbol times in the filter output and thus whether the phase of the clock is that required to minimize intersymbol interference. Accordingly, an averaging circuit 68 determines the average value of this component, which is then used for timing adjustment.
As those skilled in the art will recognize, various of the digital elements, such as the filters 46 and 48, the multiplier 64, etc., are typically implemented in a common digital signal-processing circuit. Therefore, most of the digital elements do not individually add significantly to the size, cost, or power requirements of the receiver. But a significant addition can be caused by the use of, say, a variable-frequency oscillator for adjustment of the clock phase in response to the recovered timing offset. This is particularly disadvantageous in a cellular-telephone receiver, in which space and power consumption are at a premium.
Rather than employ such a circuit, therefore, a typical receiver employs a fixed clock 58 whose output is not directly used for timing but instead is applied to a sample-pulse generator 70 that includes a tapped delay line so as to impose a variable delay between clock 58 and the circuits that require the timing signals. The tap output used as the sample pulse is selected in accordance with the output of averaging circuit 68. That is, if the phase is proper, the tap remains the same, but it is advanced or retarded if the phase is improper. As a result, the sample-pulse generator adjusts for the clock phase difference so as to ensure that the matched filters 50 and 52 form respective Nyquist filters with the pulse-shaping filters 22 and 23.
The use of a variable-delay-line type of pulse generator 70 yields space advantages over, say, a variable-frequency oscillator, but it still requires extra space. Moreover, the timing resolution that it can achieve is ordinarily not as good as that of a variable-frequency oscillator; it can achieve only discrete values of delay, and the number of delay values is limited in a reasonable-sized tapped delay circuit.

Receiver having an adjustable matched filter


An in-line connector for a hose is provided with an automatic release mechanism which allows the connector to uncouple when a predetermined level of tension is applied to the connector through the hose.

In the handling of high pressure fluids it is known to provide hose connectors that include an internal shut-off or check valve. The check valve closes automatically on decoupling of the connector in order to prevent the leakage of gas or liquid from the disconnected coupling. Auto-shut off connectors are useful as well on high pressure air lines to prevent such lines from thrashing when disconnected.
Examples of patents that have issued for this class of connector includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,077 to Batchen, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,977 to Fink and Husky. Various commercial models previously in use include the HANSEN Coupling made by the Hansen Coupling Division of Tuthill Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, TOMCO connectors by Tomco Division of C.S.P. Inc. of Willowick, Ohio and HOFMANN connectors by Hofmann Engineering Co. Inc. of Burr Ridge Ill.
In the Hansen design, which is typical, a male portion of the connector, called hereafter the "plug", is held in place within a female portion of the connector, called the "female coupling", by radially located steel balls. These balls are contained in a race around the inner circumference of the female coupling. The steel balls partially inter-fit into a complementary groove formed on the outer circumference of the plug, once the connector portions are assembled. The steel balls are radially displaceable within their race, but are held in an advanced, groove-engaging, locking position by an outer locking/release ring.
This outer ring is displaceable longitudinally, and carries an inner groove into which the steel balls may be displaced, once this groove is aligned with such balls. Adjacent the groove, an inner locking surface on the ring holds the balls in their advanced, locking position within the race when advanced to overlie the balls.
The locking/release ring is biased by a spring to advance along the connector until the locking surface overlies the steel balls. By overcoming this bias, i.e. by displacing the locking/release ring, the groove may be aligned with the steel balls to effect engagement and disengagement of the coupler portions.
The Hansen coupling requires manipulation to effect engagement of the coupling. That is, the locking/release ring must be displaced manually to allow the steel balls to recede within their race while coupling is effected. Other connectors provide for automatic engagement upon insertion of the plug into the female coupling.
In the field, connectors of the Hansen type have been rendered into auto-disengaging couplings that disconnect under tension developed by pulling on the line leading to the connector. This has been effected by anchoring the release ring to a stationary object by a linkage, such as a chain. Tension on the line causes the connector to move with respect to the release ring. Upon sufficient displacement of the connector with respect to the release ring, release is effected.
In the Hansen connector, the steel balls, which serve as a latch means, are continually subject to a pressure, arising from the tendency of the connector portions to separate. This pressure, if it were not for the presence of the locking/release ring in its appropriate position, would displace the steel balls and effect release of the coupling.
The Hansen-type coupling is relatively insensitive to line pressure as the thrust on the steel balls is partially absorbed by the race, and the frictional resistance between the locking/release ring and the steel balls is correspondingly reduced. Nevertheless, some resistance exists, and this residual resistance is proportional to line pressure.
Another type of connector in this field is that manufactured by S. A. Des Etablissements Staubli of France. This device, depicted in European Patent Application 82420113.1 and published as EP-0-077-734-A1, shows a connector wherein a transverse activating pin provides a double latching action for release of the connector. The focus of this patent is on the double latching action.
In both the Hansen and Staubli type connectors a single internal check valve, biased to close by a spring, may be provided. This check valve can be contained within a female portion of the connector, but could alternately or also be located in the male or plug portion. In all cases a probe carried on the opposing portion of the connector, when assembled, holds the check valve open.
The Staubli connector differs from the Hansen connector in that engagement of the connector does not require any manipulation of a locking ring or the like. Instead, engagement is effected by the mere application of insertion pressure on the plug into the female coupling whereby a bayonet-like engagement is effected. The barb-equivalent on the plug portion of the Staubli connector is a ring with a bevelled forward edge and a perpendicular rearward side. This rearward side engages with and is held in place by a first latching portion of the transverse activating pin, once the connector is assembled.
The double latching effect arising on uncoupling in the Staubli connector is achieved by a second latch portion on the activating pin that stops the withdrawal of the male plug portion of the connector after partial disconnection occurs. This interruption of the disengagement process allows the check valve to close and the line carrying the plug, which lacks its own check valve, to depressurize without thrashing. Release of the second latch allows full withdrawal to be effected.
The Staubli connector is manually operated. However, its feature of reliance on a transverse activating pin to effect decoupling can be adapted to provide a tension-activated auto-disengaging connector. Such a tension-activated connector is useful particularly where compressed gas is being pumped into a vehicle holding tank, as where cars are fueled by compressed natural gas. On occasion an operator may decide to move the vehicle, forgetting to manually disconnect the coupling on the fluid feed line. By providing a tension-activated coupler the risks of having a ruptured fluid line are eliminated.
The activating pin in the Staubli connector differs from the locking/release ring in the Hansen type connector in that the Staubli connector requires that pressure be applied to the activating pin or actuator so that unlatching of the connector may be effected. Because the barbed ring on the plug is held by a latch that is displaced transversely, there is no tendency for line pressure to disengage the latch. A positive displacement of the actuator by application of actuating pressure is necessary in order to cause the latch to disengage.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a tension-activated auto-disengaging coupler that contains an actuator for the latch that is biased by a spring to resist actuation but contains a means that will automatically effect disengagement when a predetermined tension is applied to the coupling.
The invention is its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this Specification.

High pressure gas line breakaway connector


Integrating reference material directly into an application program, so that the information can be presented to a user. An application program initiates a request for information, such as a request for a definition of a word, an address, material related to the subject matter of a document, updated information or information tailored to a particular user. The request for information includes any necessary identifiers, such as a language identifier, key words, a unique identifier or a user identifier. A reference engine receives the request for information and selects the appropriate reference material source. The reference material source can be part of the system running the application program or can be external to the system. The reference engine accesses the appropriate reference material source and obtains the requested information. The information is returned to the application program which presents the information to the user in a manner that is helpful to the user.

Application programs are commonly used to create and edit documents. For example, a word processing program can be used to create a text document, a spreadsheet program can be used to create a spreadsheet, and a graphics program can be used to create a graphical presentation. To assist the user in creating and editing documents, various functions or tools have been integrated into the application programs. For example, a word processing program typically includes a spell checker, a grammar checker and a thesaurus. Originally, many of the functions ran in the foreground. Now, many of the tools run in the background.
Typically, some level of user interaction is needed to correct errors, such as spelling errors. For example, a spell checker presents a user with several choices of correctly spelled words if the spell checker detects a misspelled word, but cannot identify a single correctly spelled word to replace the misspelled word. In this situation, the user must indicate the correctly spelled word using a dialog box or menu. It would be more convenient if the user could determine the correct spelling of a word without having to use a dialog box or a menu. Thus, there is a need for integrating a dictionary into an application program to assist a user in looking up the definition or spelling of a word.
When a user creates a document, the user may include information in the document from an external source. For example, if a user is creating a letter, the user can include the recipient's address by copying the address from an electronic address book. Similarly, if the user wants to include a quote from a news article, the user can access a copy of the news article on the Internet and then copy the quote into the document. In most instances, the user must use a separate program, such as an electronic mail program or a browser program, to obtain the information. By requiring the user to use a separate program, the flow of the user's work is interrupted. Thus, there is a need for providing information to a user that does not require the user to access another program to obtain the information. In addition, the information should be able to be easily integrated into the document so that the user's writing process is not interrupted.
There are times when information that has been included in a document needs to be updated. For example, if the document is a letter that includes an address for the recipient, then the address needs to be updated if the recipient moves. Typically, this update is performed manually, if at all. Often times, the user forgets that the recipient has moved. Thus, there is a need for recognizing that information in a document has changed and for automatically updating the information.
In addition, some information is specific to the user. For example, if directions are provided to a location, the directions are dependent upon the starting location of the user. To provide directions for a particular user, the starting location of the user must be provided or a number of alternative directions must be provided so that the user can select the appropriate directions. If the user needs directions to several locations, then the user typically must provide the user's starting location for each set of directions. Thus, there is a need for considering individualized information in obtaining information that does not require the user to repeatedly provide the individualized information.

System and method for integrating reference material in an electronic document


An aerosol generator for producing fine droplets in large quantities is used in an apparatus which can produce small particles having a high degree of crystallization and large surface area. The aerosol generator includes a chamber having a porous filter and a solution, and air is supplied to an upper side of the filter. A low pressure driving force, such as by a vacuum, is supplied to the chamber below the filter to generate droplets. A pyrogenetic reactor dries and pyrolyzes the droplets produced by the aerosol generator to give ultrafine particles and an ultrafine particle collector collects the ultrafine particles obtained by the pyrogenetic reactor. The low pressure driving force moves the droplets through the pyroletic reactor.

As the electronics industry progresses, a lot of fine droplets under submicron size have been required in various worked materials, ceramic materials and alloys. In particular particles of nanometer size which have a low sintering temperature and high reactivity owing to large surface area, have been widely applied in the preparation of advanced materials, since it eases the preparation of inexpensive highly qualified materials. Accordingly, studies on the development of an apparatus for producing ultrafine particles have been actively carried out, since ultrafine particles having a size of submicron or below are essentially required in the preparation of various worked materials, ceramic materials and alloys as mentioned aboves.
The ultrafine particles of nanometer size have been prepared by the following methods conventional in the art.
Fine droplets can be produced by an aerosol generator, and dried and pyrolyzed to give homogeneous fine particles of submicron size, by the spray pyrolysis method. According to the spray pyrolysis method, the size of the particles is controlled primarily by the concentration of the solution employed in the method, i.e., fine particles are prepared with a solution of low concentration, which, in turn, decreases productivity of the particles. In addition to this, the spray pyrolysis method has revealed some shortcomings that: ultrafine particles of nanometer size can be produced by the decomposition of large particles, only when the solution of some solutes causing highly exothermic reaction is used; ultrafine particles thus prepared are very cohesive; and, the apparatus employed therein is operated with a low reproducibility.
Fine droplets can also be prepared with a proper solution by an aerosol generator, which are deposited on a substrate to form thin layers employed in the preparation of semiconductor, etc. The said method has an advantage that a thin layer of multicomponents can be prepared with a high growth rate, when compared with the conventional CVD(chemical vapor deposition) method, while properties of the thin layer thus prepared depend largely on the characteristics of the droplets.
On the other hand, aerosol etching method in which fine droplets are sprayed by aerosol generator and accelerated under a low pressure to strike substrate being etched, has been suggested in the art. It possesses advantages of both the conventional dry-etching method and the wet-etching method in which chemical etching is carried out with an etching solution. However, needs have continued for the development of apparatus to generate fine droplets of small size, since the efficiency of the aerosol etching method depends on the size and distribution of droplets generated by an aerosol generator.
As a consequence, to accomplish the preparation of ultrafine particles and thin layers, and the efficient etching in the preparation of semiconductors, etc., more improved aerosol generators producing fine droplets massively have been suggested in the art, some of which are disclosed in the following references:
SU 1,407,570 describes an apparatus generating droplets employing a nozzle under a high pressure. The said apparatus has a simple structure and generates a large number of droplets, the size of the droplets thus generated, however, has a size larger than about 10 micron. Thus, it has not been used widely in the preparation of thin layer and ultrafine particles whose size is submicrons or below. Moreover, it has revealed some disadvantages in that high pressure is essentially required and the size of droplets can not be modulated.
Lang, R. J. reported an apparatus generating droplets by ultrasonic spray(see: Lang, R. J., Journal of Acoustical Society of America, 34(1):6-9(1962)). The aerosol generator can produce droplets of micron size to be used effectively in the preparation of ultrafine particles and thin layers, and aerosol etching, however the said prior art aerosol generators are proven to be less satisfactory in the sense that it can not produce a large number of droplets, and whose size can not be modulated, and it may be influenced by surface tension of the solution, etc.
On the other hand, Meesters, G. M. H. et al. teaches an apparatus which produces droplets of micron size by generating a strong electric field in a solution passing through a nozzle employing taylor cone(see: Meesters, G. M. H. et al., Journal of Aerosol Science, 23(1):37-49(1992)). However, the aerosol generator has revealed some shortcomings that it can not produce a large number of droplets, and whose size can not be modulated, while requiring substantial energy and high pressure.
In addition to the aerosol generators mentioned above, vibrating orifice and electrospray, etc. have been suggested in the art, however, they require high pressure, can not produce a large quantity of droplets, and have difficulty in modulating the size of droplets, which naturally limits their practical applications to industry.
Under the circumstances, there are strong reasons for exploring alternative apparatus producing a large quantity of ultrafine particles of submicron size under a lower pressure to prepare finer particles while the productivity is not decreased.

Aerosol generator and apparatus producing small particles

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


A check valve assembly mounted for engagement with a valve seat includes a flapper valve and a lever arm. The flapper valve includes a bracket pivotably mounted along a first hemisphere of the valve seat, a valve plate mounted to the bracket along a region generally spaced from a periphery of the valve plate, and a mounting assembly adjustably joining the valve plate to the bracket. The flapper valve has a closed position with the valve plate in sealing engagement with the valve seat about the periphery of the valve plate. The lever arm is pivotably mounted to the valve seat along a second hemisphere of the valve seat opposite the first hemisphere. The lever arm includes a lever surface disposed for moving contact with an engagement surface of the bracket and a biasing means for biasing the lever surface toward contact with the engagement surface.

This invention relates to check valves for backflow preventers.
Backflow preventers, examples of which can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,878,515, 4,044,787 and 3,918,477, are principally used for preventing contamination of a public water distribution system by preventing backflow or back-siphonage of contaminated water into the system. Usually, the backflow preventer assembly is installed in a pipeline between a main supply line and a service line that feeds an installation, e.g. hotels, factories or other institutions, or even a multi or single family residence. A backflow prevention assembly typically includes two check valves permitting flow only in the direction from the main supply line to the service line.


A misfire detector prevents catalysts from being heated to damaging high temperatures. The misfire detector for a multi-cylinder engine includes a fuel cut control to stop supplying fuel to misfiring cylinders, a control to prevent a fuel feed back control and a fuel learning control and to initialize the correction values of both the fuel feed back control and the fuel learning control, and a retard control to retard the ignition timing based on the extent that misfire occurs or the air-fuel ratio. The retard control can be replaced by a throttle opening control for misfire to limit the throttle opening angle. The retard control can also be replaced by an engine or vehicle speed control to limit the engine or vehicle speed below a predetermined engine or vehicle speed, respectively, irrespective of the throttle position.

In an engine mounted on a vehicle, there may be caused misfires due to unstable combustion of the fuel in a combustion chamber due to various factors such as lean mixture of the air-fuel ratio by driving under lean combustion, a malfunction of ignition systems or fuel systems, and a failure of components of the engine. When misfire of the engine occurs, unburned gas flows to the catalyst in the exhaust system and burns which causes a rise in catalyst temperature that detriments the performance or damages the catalyst. For this reason, some engines are provided with misfire detectors to detect the misfire and control the fuel.
Examples of prior detectors are disclosed in the following references: JP Laid-Open No. H05-10180; JP Laid-Open No. H09-217642; JP Laid-Open No. 2000-265893; and JP Laid-Open No. 2002-138894.
In prior misfire detectors for the multi-cylinder engine, "fuel feedback control prevention" and "fuel cut" are chosen based on the rate of misfire so as to protect the catalyst from the high temperature or damage (for example, see JP Laid-Open No. H05-10180).
Also, there is another prior misfire detector for the multi-cylinder engine in which fuel feedback control is stopped based on the misfire rate and the fuel cut, or halt of fuel supply, is performed to protect the catalyst, and the driver is informed of short of fuel due to the misfire so as to reduce cost for repair (for example, see JP Laid-Open No. 2002-138894).
Further, there is fuel control while the fuel cut is performed to protect the catalyst.
Here, control of the prior misfire detector for the multi-cylinder engine is explained below. Referring to FIG. 13, a control program for the misfire detector for the multi-cylinder engine starts in step 502. Rate of misfire is calculated for each cylinder in step 504. Then a determination is made in step 506 as to whether the rate of misfire is more than or equal to a criteria A by which to judge whether the catalyst may be damaged.
Rate of misfire is calculated for every 200 engine revolutions for each cylinder, including the cylinder for which the fuel cut is performed due to the misfire. For a V-type engine, the rate of misfire is calculated for each cylinder bank. The rate of misfire is determined from a table depending on the engine speed and the engine load.
The determination is made in step 506 as to whether the misfire rate is more than or equal to the damaging criteria A. In this step, the cylinder for which the fuel cut should be performed (fuel cut cylinder) is determined through a determination process for the fuel cut cylinder as shown in FIG. 14. In order to determine the fuel cut cylinder, a determination program starts in step 602. In step 604, the misfire rate for each cylinder is calculated by dividing the number of misfires by the number of ignitions (for every 200 revolutions of engine speed). Then a determination is made in step 606 as to whether the rate of misfire is more than or equal to the damaging misfire criteria A. Further, another determination is made in step 608 as to whether the number of misfires for each cylinder SIKCYLi (wherein i is a cylinder number) is greater than a set rate B (e.g. 30%) of the number of misfires of all cylinders for every 200 revolutions of engine speed.
If both of the determinations in steps 606 and 608 are "YES", then the misfire cylinder is determined in step 610 and the determination process ends in step 612. If either the determination in step 606 or 608 is "NO", then the process returns to step 604.
If the misfire cylinder is determined and the determination in step 506 is "YES", a fuel feed back control (F/B) for the fuel cut cylinder is halted and is initialized in step 508. In this initialization of the fuel feed back control, the correction value is set at zero or a default value.
Then, in step 510 a learning control to learn the quantity of fuel feed back for the cylinder for which the fuel cut should be performed is prevented. The correction value of learning is initialized to an unlearned state in step 512. In this initialization of the learning control correction value, the correction value is set at zero or a default value. Also, the learning control is set at the initial state as in the state at start of the engine or the state at which a battery is changed.
Then the fuel cut for the misfire cylinder is performed in step 514. Increase in the fuel supply to the cylinders for which the fuel cut is not performed is prevented in step 516, and the process returns to step 504. In this fuel increase prevention process, the fuel increases for acceleration, enrichment, and other conditions are prevented.
In the calculation of the misfire rate after the implement of the fuel cut for the misfire cylinder in step 514, the calculation of the misfire rate in step 504 includes the cylinder for which the fuel cut is performed, and a determination is made in step 506 as to whether the calculated misfire rate is more than or equal to the criteria A by which to judge whether the catalyst may be damaged.
If the determination in step 506 is "YES", the processes in steps 508–516 are performed. In contrast, if the determination in step 506 is "NO", the effect of the misfire on the catalyst is not significant, so that the fuel cut for the misfire cylinder is canceled in step 518, the fuel feed back control is resumed in step 520, the learning control is resumed in step 522, the fuel increase control prevention is canceled in step 524, and the process returns to step 504.
At this time, the process in step 518 to cancel the fuel cut for the misfire cylinder may be replaced by a condition based on set engine speed and set engine load, instead of the damaging criteria A (FIG. 5).
According to the above-mentioned prior control, the fuel cut control, the fuel feed back prevention control, the fuel learning prevention control, and the fuel increase prevention control are performed when misfire occurs to prevent a rise in the catalyst temperature. However, the air-fuel (A/F) ratio becomes lean and results in undesirable engine knocking, as shown in a time chart in FIG. 15. At this time, no ignition timing control is performed to prevent the knocking.
Moreover, even if the fuel cut control, the fuel feed back prevention control, the fuel learning prevention control, and the fuel increase prevention control are performed when the misfire occurs, the vehicle speed can be increased by depressing a throttle pedal in case the misfire frequency is low or the engine has a large piston displacement. This results in not only a bad influence on the engine and the catalyst but also emission of the exhaust gas in a large amount in the ambient, since the normal appropriate control for exhaust gas is not performed.

Misfire detector for multi-cylinder engine


A coating composition which imparts anti-reflective and anti-fog properties to substrates coated therewith. The coating composition utilizes an inorganic metal oxide in combination with particular anionic surfactants. The coating compositions are particularly useful in the manufacture of disposable surgical masks and face shields.

There are numerous instances where optically clear articles would be enhanced if the tendency of the articles to cause glare or to be obscured by the formation of a fog on a surface of the article could be reduced. For example, protective eyewear (goggles, face shields, helmets, etc.), ophthalmic lenses, architectural glazings, decorative glass frames, motor vehicle windows and windshields may all reflect light in a manner that causes an annoying and disruptive glare. Use of such articles may also be detrimentally affected by the formation of a moisture vapor fog on a surface of the article.
Glare is the undesirable reflection of light from a surface upon which the light is incident. In general, glare may be reduced by increasing the amount of light transmitted by the article, thereby reducing the amount of light which is available for reflection. Alternatively, the article surface can be modified (e.g., roughened, embossed, etc.) to cause the light to be reflected from the article more randomly and, therefore, with less glare.
Coatings which significantly increase the percent transmission of light and provide articles having very low reflection ("anti-reflective coatings") are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,333 to Lange et al. (also assigned to 3M) discloses anti-reflective coatings of silica particles. The coating solution contains colloidal silica particles and optionally a surfactant ("Triton.TM. X-100" and "Tergitol TMN-6") to improve the wettability of the coating solution. U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,158 (Taniguchi et al.) discloses an anti-reflective coating using a gas phase treatment technique. The coating may optionally contain additives as surface controlling agents, such as silicone type surfactants. Various other types of anti-reflective coatings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,366,516; 3,301,701; 3,833,368; 4,190,321, 4,271,210; 4,273,826; 4,346,131 and 4,409,285; by Cathro et al. in "Silica Low-Reflection Coatings for Collector Covers by a Dye-Coating Process," Solar Energy, Vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 573-579 (1984); and by J. D. Masso in "Evaluation of Scratch Resistant and Anti-reflective Coatings for Plastic Lenses," Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Technical Conference of the Society of Vacuum Coaters, Vol. 32, p. 237-240 (1989). None of these anti-reflective coatings produce a durable anti-fog coating.
In general, fog formation occurs under conditions of high humidity and high temperature or at interfacial boundaries where there is a large temperature and humidity difference. Coatings which reportedly reduce the tendency for surfaces to "fog up" (i.e., anti-fogging coatings) are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,212,909 to Leigh discloses the use of ammonium soap, such as alkyl ammonium carboxylates in admixture with a surface active agent which is a sulfated or sulfonated fatty material, to produce an anti-fogging composition. U.S. Pat. No. 3,075,228 to Elias discloses the use of salts of sulfated alkyl aryloxypolyalkoxy alcohol, as well as alkylbenzene sulfonates, to produce an anti-fogging article useful in cleaning, and imparting anti-fog properties to various surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,522 to Zmoda, discloses the use of surfactant combinations comprising derivatives of decyne diol as well as surfactant mixtures which include ethoxylated alkyl sulfates in an anti-fogging window cleaner surfactant mixture.
Japanese Patent Kokai No. Hei 6[1994]-41335 discloses a clouding and drip preventive composition comprising colloidal alumina, colloidal silica and an anionic surfactant.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,909 (Taniguchi et al.) discloses a cured anti-fogging coating film which comprises polyvinyl alcohol, a finely divided silica, and an organic silicon compound, the carbon/silicon weight ratio apparently being important to the film's reported anti-fogging properties. Various surfactants, including fluorine-containing surfactants, may be used to improve the surface smoothness of the coating.
Other anti-fog coatings incorporating surfactants are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,803,552; 3,022,178 and 3,897,356. "Anti-fog Antistat Eases Processing Problems," Modern Plastics, October 1988, discusses antistat agents, including alkyl sulfonates, and anti-fog agents for use in plastic films. Furthermore, American Cyanamid Industrial Chemical Division markets "Aerosol.TM. OT Surface Active Agent" (dioctylsodium-sulfosuccinate), which is advertised as useful to prepare an anti-fog composition for direct application to glass.
None of the above-described coatings which reduce the tendency for an article to fog have anti-reflective properties. Furthermore, in general, the anti-fog compositions of the prior art rely on high solution concentrations (e.g., in excess of 0.2 percent, and typically in concentrations in excess of 5 percent by weight) of surfactant and other organic additives to provide an anti-fog effect. When used at such high concentrations, the surfactants and other organic additives would interfere with and significantly reduce the anti-reflective properties provided by porous coatings, such as metal oxides.
Face masks and shields which are described as having anti-fog and anti-glare properties are known. For example, the "SHIELDMATE" by IREMA U.S.A. Ltd. of Chicopee, M. A. is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,294 (Borek). The hospital face mask is described as including a transparent plastic eye shield coated with any suitable anti-fogging, anti-glare silicone agent, such as a dimethylsiloxane polymer.
World Patent Application No. 89/10106 (Russell) discloses a surgical mask/face shield combination. The face shield is coated with an anti-fog coating, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,073. These coatings are made by combining, for example, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a surfactant, and a curable isocyanate functional prepolymer. Additionally, Infection Control Products, Inc., markets the "AGAFAR.TM. Adjustable Flip-Up Face Shield" which is advertised as being anti-glare, anti-fog and anti-reflective. However, none of these products utilize a porous coating and none display an increase in transmission of visible light through the coated article of more than 2 to 3 percent greater than the uncoated article. It is understood that an increase in percent transmission corresponds to a decrease in percent reflection, provided the sample is transparent (i.e., non-light-absorbing and not hazy). Accordingly, a need exists for a coating composition which will impart anti-fog properties to a substrate coated therewith, while increasing the percent transmission, and correspondingly decreasing the percent reflection, of incident light through the substrate, such that the substrate is truly "anti-reflective."

Coating composition having anti-reflective and anti-fogging properties


A hole saw includes a depth stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the hole saw into a workpiece. The blade of the hole saw includes a plurality of slots, one of which is used to receive the depth stop. The depth stop is mounted to the blade by positioning a portion of the depth stop within the slot and sliding the depth stop from an unsecured position to a secured position. Once in the secured position, a locking member is moved within the depth stop to secure the depth stop in place. In use, the blade is advanced through the workpiece until the depth stop contacts the proximal surface of the workpiece.

Hole saws have been used by tradesman for drilling holes in paneling and the like for a number of years. In particular, electricians routinely use hole saws made from a tubularly-shaped saw blade to drill holes into electrical boxes made out of sheet metal to allow the ingress and egress of wires. After the hole is drilled, the slug which has been cut away, often remains lodged in the blade. Typically, these hole saws have at least one oval-shaped slot located on the side of the blade. The slot has a longitudinal axis that is parallel with the direction of drilling. This slot allows the user to slip a tool such as a screw driver into the slot behind the slug and force the slug out of the blade.
Many times, these hole saws are used when wires are already present within the box. This presents the danger that some of the wires already present will be cut or otherwise damaged during the hole cutting operation as the hole saw penetrates the panel. The cut or damaged wires present an electrical hazard once the wires are energized. As a result of this need, many hole saws have been developed to provide some means for limiting the penetration of the blade and therefore greatly reducing the possibility of damaging existing wiring within the electrical box.
One example of such a hole saw is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 1,522,102 which discloses a hand-powered boring drill whose drilling depth is controlled by a surface found on the bottom of the component that serves as the handle for the saw. This hole saw has disadvantages including that the stop requires four screws for attaching it to the hole saw, that the components are larger and more expensive than necessary, and that it is not adapted to be driven by an electrical drill as is now standard in the industry.
Another hole saw that has control of the drilling depth is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,705,049 which discloses the use of a collar that is located about the circumference of the hole saw and is held in place by a locking member that impinges upon the outside circumference of the hole saw. However, this hole saw has the disadvantage that different sized collars for hole saws of different diameters are needed. This increases the cost and complexity of the overall system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,685 discloses a hole saw that has a plastic or metal collar that is attached to the circumference of the hole saw by welding or adhesive. This hole saw also has the disadvantage that different sized collars are needed for different diameters which increases the cost and complexity of the overall system. Furthermore, the attachment of the stop collar is permanent, preventing removal when it is desired to allow deep penetration of the hole saw.
For these reasons, there still exists a need for a hole saw that has a depth stop that is easy to attach to the hole saw, that can be used with hole saws of differing diameters, that can be easily detached from the hole saw when desired, that allows the removal of a slug that is trapped within the inner circumference of the hole saw, and that can be inexpensively manufactured.


A level shifter, with body-biased circuits, is provided for applying in a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). The body-biased circuits are configured to bias the bodies of the input terminal transistors of the level shifter so that the threshold voltages of the input terminal transistors are adjustable. This level shifter is capable of operating at a high frequency with low power consumption while a low-level signal is inputting.

To drive all the electronic elements within a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), the TFT-LCD requires a level shifter to shift from an input voltage level, which may come from a computer-like device, to an output voltage level. Because the threshold voltage of TFTs is larger than that of CMOSs, most TFT-LCDs of prior art utilize a detection circuit to avoid bad performance of the level shifter caused by excessive-low input voltage.
FIG. 1 shows a level shifter of prior art. With reference to FIG. 1, the basic structure of the level shifter includes a shift circuit 32, a first detection circuit 27, and a second detection circuit 29. The shift circuit 32 includes a pair of input transistors, a first transistor 2 and a second transistor 4, and a pair of load transistors, a third transistor 6 and a fourth transistor 8. The first detection circuit 27 includes a fifth transistor 10, a first input terminal 18, and a first current source 14. The second detection circuit 29 includes a sixth transistor 12, a second input terminal 20, and a second current source 16. The input signals of the first input terminal 18 and the second input terminal 20 need complementary voltage levels. The fifth transistor 10 and the sixth transistor 12 are configured herein to detect the threshold voltages of the first transistor 2 and the second transistor 4 respectively to maintain that the operations of the first transistor 2 and the second transistor 4 are in an appropriate mode. Accordingly, the level shifters can perform as expected.
FIG. 2 shows another level shifter of prior art. The basic structures illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are identical except for different gate connections of the third transistor 6 and the fourth transistor 8. FIG. 3 shows a further improved level shifter of prior art, which is identical to the level shifter illustrated in FIG. 1 except the addition of a seventh transistor 13. With the seventh transistor 13 and its specific connection way, the level shifter in FIG. 3 can, without the second input terminal 20, perform the functions of level shifters in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
The operation frequency of TFT-LCDs has been increasing due to ever-increasing amount of data that needs to be processed during its transmission. However, the always-active status of the first transistor 2 and the second transistor 4 limits the speed improvement of the aforementioned level shifters. Besides, the aforementioned level shifters have two DC routes which go from the current sources (the first current source 14 and the second current source 16) to ground via the detection transistors (the fifth transistor 10 and the sixth transistor 12). These two DC routes result in unnecessary power consumption while the power supply 30 is supplied regardless whether the level shifters are operating or not because the connections of the fifth transistor 10 and the sixth transistor 12 require this constant power supply.


Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I), methods of using the compounds as immunomodulators, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. The compounds are useful in treating, preventing or ameliorating diseases or disorders such as cancer or infections.

The immune system plays an important role in controlling and eradicating diseases such as cancer. However, cancer cells often develop strategies to evade or to suppress the immune system in order to favor their growth. One such mechanism is altering the expression of costimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules expressed on immune cells (Postow et al, J. Clinical Oncology 2015, 1-9). Blocking the signaling of an inhibitory immune checkpoint, such as PD-1, has proven to be a promising and effective treatment modality.
Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), also known as CD279, is a cell surface receptor expressed on activated T cells, natural killer T cells, B cells, and macrophages (Greenwald et al, Annu. Rev. Immunol 2005, 23:515-548; Okazaki and Honjo, Trends Immunol 2006, (4):195-201). It functions as an intrinsic negative feedback system to prevent the activation of T-cells, which in turn reduces autoimmunity and promotes self-tolerance. In addition, PD-1 is also known to play a critical role in the suppression of antigen-specific T cell response in diseases like cancer and viral infection (Sharpe et al, Nat Immunol 2007 8, 239-245; Postow et al, J. Clinical Oncol 2015, 1-9).
The structure of PD-1 consists of an extracellular immunoglobulin variable-like domain followed by a transmembrane region and an intracellular domain (Parry et al, Mol Cell Biol 2005, 9543-9553). The intracellular domain contains two phosphorylation sites located in an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif and an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based switch motif, which suggests that PD-1 negatively regulates T cell receptor-mediated signals. PD-1 has two ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2 (Parry et al, Mol Cell Biol 2005, 9543-9553; Latchman et al, Nat Immunol 2001, 2, 261-268), and they differ in their expression patterns. PD-L1 protein is upregulated on macrophages and dendritic cells in response to lipopolysaccharide and GM-CSF treatment, and on T cells and B cells upon T cell receptor and B cell receptor signaling. PD-L1 is also highly expressed on almost all tumor cells, and the expression is further increased after IFN-γtreatment (Iwai et al, PNAS2002, 99(19):12293-7; Blank et al, Cancer Res 2004, 64(3): 1140-5). In fact, tumor PD-L1 expression status has been shown to be prognostic in multiple tumor types (Wang et al, Eur J Surg Oncol 2015; Huang et al, Oncol Rep 2015; Sabatier et al, Oncotarget 2015, 6(7): 5449-5464). PD-L2 expression, in contrast, is more restricted and is expressed mainly by dendritic cells (Nakae et al, J Immunol 2006, 177:566-73). Ligation of PD-1 with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 on T cells delivers a signal that inhibits IL-2 and IFN-γ production, as well as cell proliferation induced upon T cell receptor activation (Carter et al, Eur J Immunol 2002, 32(3):634-43; Freeman et al, J Exp Med 2000, 192(7): 1027-34). The mechanism involves recruitment of SHP-2 or SHP-1 phosphatases to inhibit T cell receptor signaling such as Syk and Lck phosphorylation (Sharpe et al, Nat Immunol 2007, 8, 239-245). Activation of the PD-1 signaling axis also attenuates PKC-θ activation loop phosphorylation, which is necessary for the activation of NF-□B and API pathways, and for cytokine production such as IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF (Sharpe et al, Nat Immunol 2007, 8, 239-245; Carter et al, Eur J Immunol 2002, 32(3):634-43; Freeman et al, J Exp Med 2000, 192(7):1027-34).
Several lines of evidence from preclinical animal studies indicate that PD-1 and its ligands negatively regulate immune responses. PD-1-deficient mice have been shown to develop lupus-like glomerulonephritis and dilated cardiomyopathy (Nishimura et al, Immunity 1999, 11:141-151; Nishimura et al, Science 2001, 291:319-322). Using an LCMV model of chronic infection, it has been shown that PD-1/PD-L1 interaction inhibits activation, expansion and acquisition of effector functions of virus-specific CD8 T cells (Barber et al, Nature 2006, 439, 682-7). Together, these data support the development of a therapeutic approach to block the PD-1-mediated inhibitory signaling cascade in order to augment or "rescue" T cell response. Accordingly, there is a need for new compounds that block PD-1/PD-L1 protein/protein interaction.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Heterocyclic compounds as immunomodulators


According to one embodiment, an ink jet head includes a discharge section, a control section that has a first receiving section, a setting section, a second receiving section, and a determination section, and a voltage applying section. The first receiving section receives setting data for setting a command code value corresponding to a command. The setting section sets the command code value with respect to the command based on the setting data received by the first receiving section. The second receiving section receives command data including the command code value. The determination section determines the command indicated by the command code value included in the command data that is received by the second receiving section based on the command code value set by the setting section. The voltage applying section applies a voltage to the actuator based on the command that is determined by the determination section.

A control circuit such as IC for controlling the drive of an ink jet head detects reception of a start bit command containing a command code value as a signal of starting data transfer. The control circuit detecting the reception of the start bit command operates according to a command corresponding to the command code value. In the control circuit of the related art, there is a problem that the command code value is fixed.


An information processor is provided with: two chip sets that are each provided with a serial controller, these chip sets being the interface between a CPU and an input/output device; a selector for switching the connection routes between the serial controllers and the input/output device when a fault occurs in one of the chip sets; and a service processor for causing output data of the serial controller of the working chip set to be supplied to the output device and data from the input device to be supplied to each of the two serial controllers when a fault has not occurred in the chip sets, and when a fault occurs in either one of the chip sets, causing only the output data of the serial controller of the normal system to be supplied as output to the output device and data from the input device to be supplied to only the serial controller of the normal system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processor, and more particularly to an information processor that is provided with a serial controller for controlling serial data transfer.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a countermeasure against faults, information processors often feature a construction that is provided with a fault analysis means or reserve devices in addition to normally required devices. For example, an improvement in the reliability as an information processor can be obtained by providing a duplex structure for the CPU, memory unit, or memory controller for controlling data transfer between the CPU and memory unit and then switching to the reserve standby system in the event of a fault in the working system that is used in normal operation.
As another example of an information processor having greater reliability, one known construction is provided with a service processor for collecting information such as fault detection information or log-out data at the time that a fault occurs and then analyzing the site of the fault.
Of the information processors of this type in the prior art, constructions in which the operation of the CPU is controlled by a serial console are still prone to the problem that, if the serial console is included at the point of incidence of a fault, messages or data that are issued from that serial console may be lost despite the duplex configuration of the CPU or memory unit.
In addition, if a fault occurs at a serial controller that is provided in a serial console, this serial controller being the I/O interface between the CPU and input/output device, this fault may constitute an SPoF (Single Point of Failure) and may halt the operation of the entire information processor.


An apparatus for masking an article with masking material is disclosed. The apparatus generally includes a spray head connected to a primary channel which forms a passage for the masking material. This channel has two sections, the first of which terminates in a junction with the spray head and is angled from the second section. In addition, the apparatus has at least one secondary channel which forms an air passage and is attached to the primary angled channel.

This disclosure generally relates to an apparatus, a system, and a method for masking articles, and more particularly, to an apparatus, a system, and a method for masking articles of complex geometry not conducive to traditional spray masking.
Generally, it is known to mask and coat articles in order to protect them from degradation and wear during operation. Existing apparatuses dedicated to this task are limited by the geometry of the parts which they attempt to mask, since they typically have a sprayer connected directly and immovably to a large, blunt spraying mechanism. For this reason, it is difficult to mask parts with complex geometries prior to the coating process.
Specifically, high pressure compressor vanes are known to be exposed to extreme temperatures and pressures during the course of their operation. In order to reduce the amount of degradation and wear, the parts are typically coated with a protective material. The process of applying such a coating involves rapidly heating the material and accelerating the material at the part. This process can be damaging to the part and thus, masking with an ultraviolet (UV) curable material prior to coating is common practice.
During the masking process, a masking material is sprayed out of a central channel and air is sprayed out of at least one secondary channel. Combining the jet of air with the jet of masking material causes the atomization of the masking material, which improves the adhesion of the masking material to the substrate.
After the article has been masked, the coating material is heated and accelerated toward the partially-masked substrate. The masked surface is protected from the harsh effects of the coating process.


A mobile device includes a trigger having a molded component defining the outer shape of the mobile device, and a rod-like body fixed to the molded component at one end. A housing has a hole into which the rod-like body is inserted. Guide walls guide movement of the rod-like body in the direction in which the rod-like body is inserted into or pulled from the hole. A sensor detects that the trigger has been operated in the direction in which the rod-like body is pulled from the hole. An alarm device is activated in response to detection of the operation of the trigger by the sensor. The trigger has sheet-metal members fixed to the molded component and guided by the guide walls by their being moved in contact with the guide walls in the direction in which the rod-like body is inserted or pulled.

1. Field
An aspect of the invention relates to a mobile device that has, for example, a housing and a trigger serving to activate an alarm device which is a buzzer and forming the outer shape of the device together with the housing.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of mobile devices such as mobile phones and handheld video game machines has increased greatly recently. While these mobile devices incorporate more sophisticated functions, the device size and weight are further reduced. Mobile devices incorporating a security buzzer, especially for children and women, are also in demand.
For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-102006 discloses a configuration in which a security buzzer is integrated with a mobile phone. Although not a security buzzer, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-270726 discloses a structure for covering the sound emitting hole of a ringer with a waterproof seal. Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 8-154117 discloses a structure for covering the speaker of a cell phone with a water-shedding sheet.
Mounting the buzzer such as a security buzzer in a small space and enabling it to function while satisfying the waterproof function have become problems when the buzzer is incorporated in a mobile device such as a mobile phone.
A trigger of the security buzzer is operated suddenly with a strong force in many cases. The trigger may be susceptible to a considerably strong force in an unexpected direction. Even in such a case, the buzzer must be securely activated and prevented from malfunctioning. In addition, highly reliable operability is required.


An information processing system continues communication without affecting the operation of an application when a communication line is disconnected due to a communication error. When the application sends a communication connection request to another system, an MS Manager portion connects the application via a communication line. An MS portion sends a control handle, instead of a communication line handle, to the application. When the application sends data, the MS portion changes the control handle appended to the data to the handle of the actual communication line. When data is received from another system, the MS portion changes the handle of the actual communication line to the control handle and passes the control handle to the application. When the communication line is disconnected due to an error, the MS Manager portion connects the application to the other system via another communication line. The MS portion re-sends data not yet received by the other system if there are any.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an information processing system, with a communication function, which does not affect the operation of an application even if communication is disconnected due to a failure.
2. Description of Related Art
For an information processing system such as a notebook personal computer, electronic pocket-notebook, or hand-held terminal, which has a communication program or a communication unit installed in it, it has become more popular for a user to send data over a wireless communication line as mobile telephones have become more popular. In this case, the user starts an application in the information processing system starts a communication program, and then connects a communication line to the information processing system, using a mobile telephone via a communication unit, for communication with another information processing system.
In a situation in which the quality of wireless communication is poor, for example, when data is sent from a mobile telephone while the user is in a vehicle or when the communication quality changes dynamically due to interference or external noises, the communication line sometimes becomes disconnected. If such a failure occurs before all the data is sent, the user must start the application and the communication program again in order to connect the communication line to the information processing system. This applies also to wire communication, such as a LAN, in which communication quality is relatively reliable and therefore an application does not anticipate that communication will be disconnected before all the data has been sent. When a connection is disconnected in such a case, the application is terminated prematurely and does not send data. This means that the user must repeat the same operation again from the beginning. In particular, a user who has been using a database or electronic mail must type the user ID and password again. This operation is very troublesome.
One known method for recovering from a communication line disconnection is described in "Using Network PDA" in Nikkei Communication No. 222.
In this method, an application program is modified so that data to be sent is stored in a spool area within a sending system before communication starts. The communication program also sends data from the spool area to a receiving system. The communication program in the receiving system also stores received data in its spool area. The application program in the receiving system references the spool area to obtain data. When communication is disconnected, for example, due to a failure, the communication program automatically reconnects the communication line to the information processing system, eliminating the need for the user to repeat the operation.

Information processing system, communication method, and recording medium


A mobile communication method according to the present invention includes: notifying, from a MAC-e functional unit 10, to a first mobile station UE through a first E-AGCH, a transmission rate for the EUL in the first mobile station UE, in a 2 ms interval; notifying, from the MAC-e functional unit 10, to a second mobile station UE through a second E-AGCH, a transmission rate for the EUL in the second mobile station UE, in a 10 ms interval; notifying, from the MAC-e functional unit 10 to a MAC-hs functional unit 20, the number of the first E-AGCH and the number of the second E-AGCH, in each sub-frames; and determining, at the MAC-hs functional unit 20, a transmission power for a HS-PDSCH, based on the respective numbers of the first E-AGCH and the second E-AGCH.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication method, a mobile communication system, and a radio base station, in which a high speed uplink packet communication and a high speed downlink packet communication are performed between the radio base station and a mobile station.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a mobile communication system as shown in FIG. 1, an enhanced uplink (EUL)/a high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) defined by the 3GPP is adopted as a high speed uplink packet communication, while a high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) defined by the 3GPP is adopted as a high speed downlink packet communication.
In such a mobile communication system, an E-DCH absolute grant channel (E-AGCH), an E-DCH relative grant channel (E-RGCH), and an E-DCH hybrid ARQ indicator channel (E-HICH) are established as downlink channels (EUL control channels) from a radio base station NodeB to a mobile station UE.
In addition, in the mobile communication system, a high speed physical downlink shared channel (HS-PDSCH) and a shared control channel for HS-DSCH (HS-SCCH) are established as downlink channels (HS channels) from the radio base station NodeB to the mobile station UE.
Furthermore, in this mobile communication system, a dedicated physical channel (DPCH), a common pilot channel (PCPICH), and a common control physical channel (PCCPCH) are established as downlink channels (non-HS channels) from the radio base station Node B to the mobile station UE.
With reference to FIG. 2, description will be given for an example of a method that determines a transmission power for the HS-PDSCH, in the mobile communication system applying the HSDPA.
Firstly, a MAC-hs functional unit of a radio base station NodeB calculates a power variation margin Pmargin in each sub-frame (TTI: Transmission Time Interval), by use of the following equation 2:Pmargin=(α−1)×(PnonHS−PPCPICH−PPCCPCH)  (Equation 1),where αis a margin coefficient for a dedicated channel, PnonHS is a measured value of a total transmission power in the non-HS channel, PPCPICH is a measured value of a transmission power in the PCPICH, and PPCCPCH is a measured value of a transmission power in the PCCPCH.
Secondly, the MAC-hs functional unit of the radio base station NodeB calculates the transmission power PHSPDSCH in the HS-PDSCH in each sub-frame (TTI), by use of the following equation 2:PHSPDSCH=Ptotal−PnonHS−Pmargin−NHSSCCH×PHSSCCH  (Equation 2),where Ptotal is an upper limit of the transmission power that can be assigned to a downlink channel, NHSSCCH is the number of the set HS-SCCHs, PHSSCCH is the transmission power in each HS-SCCH.
On the other hand, in a mobile communication system in which both EUL and HSDPA are applied, EUL control channels (specifically, E-AGCH, E-RGCH, and E-HICH) are additionally established as downlink channels, in addition to the channels shown in FIG. 2.
These EUL control channels do not always transmit information. Instead, the information is transmitted when receiving an instruction from a MAC-e functional unit (EUL functional unit) of the radio base station NodeB.
Here, two possible methods will be shown as the methods for determining, at the MAC-hs functional unit of the radio base station NodeB, the transmission power PHSPDSCH in the HS-PDSCH, in consideration of the transmission power in the EUL control channels.
A first method is that the MAC-hs functional unit determines the transmission power PHSPDSCH in the HS-PDSCH in each sub-frame (TTI) always after surely reserving the transmission power required for transmitting the information through the EUL control channels.
Specifically, the MAC-hs functional unit calculates the transmission power PHSPDSCH in the HS-PDSCH in each sub-frame (TTI), by use of the following equation 3:PHSPDSCH=Ptotal−PnonHS−Pmargin−NHSSCCH×PHSSCCH−PE-AGCH (fixed)−PE-RGCH (fixed)−PE-HICH (fixed)  (Equation 3),where PE-AGCH (fixed) is the transmission power (fixed value) required for transmitting the information through the E-AGCH, PE-RGCH (fixed) is the transmission power (fixed value) required for transmitting the information through the E-RGCH, and PE-HICH (fixed) is the transmission power (fixed value) required for transmitting the information through the E-HICH.
However, in this method, the transmission power for transmitting the information through the EUL control channels is always reserved even though the information is not always transmitted on the EUL control channels. This reserved radio resources are wasted, thereby causes a problem of reducing the transmission power that can be assigned to the HS-PDSCH as the transmission power PHSPDSCH.
Meanwhile, a second method is that the MAC-hs functional unit measures the transmission power in the EUL control channels, and thereafter determines the transmission power PHSPDSCH in the HS-PDSCH in each sub-frame (TTI).
Specifically, the MAChs functional unit calculates the transmission power PHSPDSCH in the HS-PDSCH in each sub-frame (TTI), by use of the following equation 4:PHSPDSCH=Ptotal−PnonHS−Pmargin−NHSSCH×PHSSCCH  (Equation 4),where PnonHS includes measured values of the transmission power in the E-AGCH, the E-RGCH, and the E-HICH.
However, in this method, the measurement results may largely differ from the transmission power actually used (actual transmission power), due to a delay in reflecting the measurement results and an averaging of measured times for the transmission power in the EUL control channels. Accordingly, Pmargin has to be set large to some extent, and this also causes a problem of reducing the transmission power that can be assigned to the HS-PDSCH as transmission power PHSPDSCH.
In particular, since the E-AGCH requires a large transmission power, it is difficult to adjust the measurement results for the transmission power in the E-AGCH, to the actual transmission power, in accordance with the change in the number of the set E-AGCHs, that is changed from moment to moment.

Mobile communication method, mobile communication system, and radio base station


A skin exfoliating tool and kit is provided wherein the tool includes an applicator wand and a drying tray. The wand features a gripping handle, a platform projecting circumferentially outward from the handle and a pliable pad attached to the platform. The wand nests in the drying tray, the latter being formed with a cavity for receiving the pad, the cavity being defined by a floor and an open mouth. The tray has at least one drainage orifice adjacent the floor. The kit incorporates the exfoliating tool in combination with a skin exfoliating composition that is formulated with abrasive particles in a carrier vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a tool and kit for exfoliating skin, particularly for microabrasion of the dermis.
2. The Related Art
Exfoliation of skin can be accomplished through abrasive cosmetic compositions, mechanical implements and combinations of these procedures. The process can impart a fresh and healthy appearance in addition to removing dull layers of dead skin.
Recently products have entered the market particularly focusing upon microdermabrasion. La Prairie sells a microdermabrasion system featuring a cream formulated with "natural diamonds", "freshwater pearls" and "crystal quartz". The cream is sold with three specially designed applicators, one for use on the face and two for the body. These applicators employ plastic handles and a massage pad attached thereto. Other products such as the Vita-K Microdermabrasion kit packages a resurfacing cream, a bottle of smoothing serum and a battery operated mechanical massage brush with two attachments.
Although many of the products being marketed are effective exfoliating systems, those which use implements can be subject to microbiological contamination. There are many sources of contamination, particularly in situations where a wetted pad is improperly dried. Moist enclosed environments tend to allow for the growth of microorganisms.
An object of the present invention is to provide a tool and kit that avoids the problem of microbiological contamination.

Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.


A thin film transistor substrate that includes a substrate, a lower gate electrode arranged on the substrate, a semiconductor layer arranged on the substrate and overlapping the lower gate electrode, the semiconductor layer including a channel region interposed between a source region and a drain region, and an upper gate electrode arranged on the substrate and overlapping the semiconductor layer, the upper gate electrode being arranged on an opposite side of the semiconductor layer than the lower gate electrode, wherein at least one of the lower gate electrode and the upper gate electrode is perforated by an aperture to reduce a parasitic capacitance between the upper and lower gate electrodes.

Field of the Invention
A double gate thin film transistor substrate having reduced parasitic capacitance between the two gate electrodes and an organic light-emitting display apparatus that includes the same.
Description of the Related Art
An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes two electrodes and an organic emission layer disposed between the two electrodes, and emits light as electrons injected from one electrode and holes injected from the other electrode combine in the organic emission layer to form excitons that emit energy.
Such an organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, each including an organic light-emitting diode that is a self-emission device, wherein a plurality of thin-film transistors and at least one capacitor for driving the organic light-emitting diode are also arranged in each of the pixels.

Thin film transistor substrate and organic light-emitting display using the same


Disclosed are bisbenzazole compounds capable of emitting strong fluorescence, with the compounds having at particular positions specific substituent groups, such as alkoxy, aryloxy, dialkylamino, diarylamino or N-arylamino groups, to ensure high stability in organic photoluminescence elements. For example, bisbenzazole compounds show below are disclosed. ##STR1##

It is disclosed by Tang et al. in JP-A-59-194393 and JP-A-63-264692 that compounds having a benzazole skeleton are of usefulness as an electron transfer compound and a luminous compound in the electron injection and transport zone of an internal junction organic electroluminescence element, or they are useful for a host material doped with a luminous substance. The term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application". While the benztriazole skeleton-containing compounds as disclosed in those patents are desirable from the viewpoint of emitting strong fluorescence, they are insufficient in stability of vacuum deposition film and electron transferability. Accordingly, the stability of elements utilizing such compounds is far from being practical.


A sensor arrangement includes a sensor having a first terminal and a second terminal, and an amplifier having an amplifier input for applying an input signal and an amplifier output for providing an amplified input signal, the amplifier input being coupled to the second terminal. A quantizer having a quantizer input and a quantizer output is configured to provide a multi-level output signal on the basis of the amplified input signal and a feedback circuit having a feedback circuit input coupled to the quantizer output and a feedback circuit output coupled to the first terminal. The feedback circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter configured to generate an analog signal on the basis of the multi-level output signal, the analog signal being the basis of a feedback signal provided at the feedback circuit output, a feedback capacitor coupled between the feedback circuit output and an output of the digital-to-analog converter, and a voltage source coupled to the feedback circuit output.

A capacitive sensor may be used as a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) microphone sensor. Such a sensor can be incorporated into an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) system, which provides the sensed information as digital information. The analog-to-digital converter system may use sigma-delta modulation, which is a method for encoding analog signals into digital information. Here, only the signal change is encoded, rather than the absolute value. A sigma-delta modulator comprises a feedback loop for this purpose.
In a conventional sensor interface topology, which may comprise a capacitive MEMS sensor, a downstream preamplifier and an analog-to-digital converter circuit, the sensor is not arranged within a feedback loop.
E. Bach, "A 1.8V True-Differential 140 dB SPL Full-Scale Standard CMOS MEMS Digital Microphone Exhibiting 67 dB SNR", ISSCC 2017, session 9.5 shows a MEMS microphone front-end which uses an input buffer amplifier followed by a resistive digital-to-analog converter for sigma-delta feedback. The sensor is not coupled within the feedback loop.
Dingkun Du, Kofi Odame, "A microphone readout interface with 74-dB SNDR", Analog Inter Circ Process (2014) 81: 241-252 describes an interface topology wherein the MEMS sensor is arranged outside the feedback loop.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,438,261 B2 relates to a capacitance-to-digital converter and method for providing a digital output signal, which shows how a capacitance can be measured by repeatedly charging and discharging a capacitive sensor in a switched capacitor configuration.
EP 2675188 B1 relates to a sensor arrangement and a method for generating an amplified sensor signal wherein a capacitive sensor is put into the feedback path of an analog (i.e. continuous level) amplifier loop to provide an amplified sensor signal.
Considering the digitisation process of a MEMS microphone sensor signal, it is a desire to comply with demands for low noise, low power consumption and high dynamic range in order to process large audio signals with low distortion.


End tooling for forming easy open can ends has cooperatively-engageable upper and lower tooling defining a plurality of stations. Each station has appropriate punches and dies for progressively converting shells indexed by conveyor into easy open can ends. The tooling is adapted to convert ends of multiple diameters. The punch caps and die caps at each station have cylindrical bodies sized to engage and align a turned edge of a shell. The caps also have one or more arcuate grooves in the end face thereof for receiving the turned edge of ends having a diameter smaller than that of the cap.

This invention relates to presses used to form can ends, and particularly easy-open ends. The ends are used to close food and beverage containers or cans.
Ends are formed in a press equipped with a progressive die. The die has upper and lower tooling defining a plurality of stations. Each station has appropriate punches and/or dies for forming the end. The ends are carried or indexed from station to station by a conveyor belt. The ends are held on the belt by a vacuum box. A ram carries the upper tooling in a reciprocating motion into and out of cooperative engagement with the lower tooling. Details of the press structure are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,140, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The food and beverage containers on which the ends are used come in a wide variety of diameters. Naturally the ends must also be formed to match these multiple diameters. In the past, end tooling has been designed to produce only a single diameter end. If a different size end was needed, all of the tooling had to be changed to accommodate the new size. This was a time consuming operation during which, of course, no ends are produced. The down time is such that small runs of limited production sometimes could not be justified. The owner of a press would sometimes forego a small order than accept the down time needed to run a small job.
The present invention is directed to end tooling which accommodates several or multiple diameters without the need for changing all of the tooling.


A memory device including a reference voltage (VREF) generator and method for operating the same to improve memory sensing margin, and extend operational temperature range and life of the device are disclosed. Generally, the device further includes an array of non-volatile memory cells divided into a plurality of blocks, a sensing circuit coupled to the array to receive and compare memory signals therefrom to the VREF to read data from the cells. The Local reference voltage generator is configured to provide one of a number of reference voltages to the sensing circuit based on which of the blocks is being read. The array can be divided based on row and column addresses of cells in the blocks. Where the cells include 1T1C ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) cells, and the reference voltages are selected based on a lowest P-term or highest U-term of the cells in the block being read.

Integral Memory devices using an array of non-volatile memory (NVM) cells adopting single-ended sensing, such as a 1T1C (1 Transistor 1 Capacitor) architecture, provide high memory densities. An NVM memory cell stores data either as a charge, such as in silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) type charge-trapping NVM cells, or as a polarization state of a ferroelectric capacitor in a ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) cell. In single-ended sensing/read, data stored in the cell is read by comparing a reference voltage to a voltage developed on a bitline of the cell due to the charge or polarization state of the cell. Based on the comparison result of the bitline voltage or current to the reference, the NVM cell is considered either programmed or erased. For example, a 1T1C F-RAM cell is shown in FIG. 1. The cell 100 includes a ferroelectric capacitor 102 having a first plate connected to a plateline (PL) and a second plate coupled to a bitline (BL) through a transistor 104 controlled be a wordline (WL). Data is written to the cell by applying an electric field by charging plates on either side of ferroelectric capacitor 102, forcing atoms inside the ferroelectric capacitor into the up or down orientation (depending on the polarity of the charge), thereby storing a P-term or a logical '1,' or a U-term or logical '0.' In another embodiment, logical/binary states of "P-term" and "U-term" may be revered. In single-ended sensing, the cell 100 is read by applying a read voltage between the plateline PL and bitline BL, or pulsing the plateline, and operating the transistor 104. A "P-term" or "U-term" voltage will be outputted via the bitline BL, which is then compared to a reference voltage (VREF) using a sense amplifier 106 in the memory device.
The reference voltage (VREF) is developed by performing a margin sweep of an array of memory cells to determine the expected bitline voltage from reading programmed cells (P-terms) and erased cells (U-terms). In one embodiment, VREF may be selected to lie between a highest measured U-term (U0) voltage and a lowest measured P-term (P0) voltage of the entire memory array so that when the memory cell 100 is read, the resulting bitline voltages above the reference are recognized as programmed and voltages below as erased. FIG. 1 shows an example margin sweep of an F-RAM memory array showing statistical variation of bitline voltage (memory signal) from reading P-terms and U-terms. The difference between the lowest P-term (P0) and highest U-term (U0) represents the overall sensing margin (U-margin+P-margin).
FIG. 2 is a plot illustrating margin sweep of memory signal from memory cells in an F-RAM array showing statistical variations in P-terms and U-terms voltages (bitline voltages) for different cells in an array of cells in a NVM and an effect on overall sensing margin for the NVM. Referring to FIG. 2 it is seen one problem with conventional NVM devices adopting single-ended sensing using a global VREF applied through a reference bitline (Ref. BL) to all or a number of cells in the device, such as an array of 1T1C F-RAM cells, is statistical variations of P-term and U-term values for individual cells. In FIG. 2 each black dot between 0 and about 55 millivolts (mV) represents the unprogrammed or U-term for one cell. The U margin 202 for the NVM device represents the difference in voltage between VREF and a highest or worst case U-term (U0) for one or more cells in the NVM device. Similarly, each black dot between about 180 and 200 mV represents the programed or P-term for one cell. The P margin 204 for the NVM device represents the difference in voltage between VREF and a lowest or worst case P-term (P0) for cells in the NVM device. These statistical variations are particularly problematic for the P-Margin, as retention loss and other time dependent factors are observed to cause more degradation of the P-term (P0 shifts downward) than for the U-terms.
A further problem with memory devices using an array of 1T1C cells in an F-RAM array arises from a temperature dependence of the P-terms and U-terms. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the temperature dependence of P-terms and U-terms of memory cells where VREF is set at 21 mV above the worst case U-term (U0) or about 83 mV. Referring to FIG. 3, it is seen that a P-margin (the difference between the worst case P-term (P0 302) and VREF) decreases as the temperature of the NVM device increases. For example, at 0° C. the NVM device has a P-margin of about 57 mV, while at about 125° C. the P-margin has dropped to about 22 mV. Exacerbating this temperature dependence is a time dependent degradation in which the temperature dependent P0 302 shifts over a lifetime of the NVM device from an initial, higher voltage to a lower voltage. This time dependent degradation at a particular temperature is represented in FIG. 3 by vertical bars 302. For example, the lifetime of the NVM device the P0 302 at 0° C. can decrease from a high of about 155 mV to about 128 mV or from a P-margin of about 72 mV to about 45 mV. This time dependent degradation combined with temperature dependence can cause the P-margin go to effectively zero at higher operating temperatures leading to an early end-of-life. End-of-life occurs when there is no longer a sufficient P-margin between P0 302 at the highest expected operating temperature and VREF for the state of the memory cell to be reliably determined by a read operation.
Referring again to FIG. 3 it is noted that a worst case or highest U-term (U0 306) is also subject to temperature dependence and time dependent degradation. However, both factors have been observed to cause less degradation of the U-terms (U0 306) than for the P-terms (P0 302).
Finally, it will be understood that since the range of P-term and U-term values for individual cells is the result of statistical variation, and that because it is expected that there will be greater observed variation for larger arrays, reduced margins of the worst-case memory cells will limit a size of the array if a single global VREF is adopted for the entire array.
Accordingly, there is a need for a memory device including an array of 1T1C NVM cells and methods of operating the same, to optimize margins between a VREF, and P-terms and U-terms to enable memory devices having larger arrays, improve reliability and yield, and to extend an operating life of the device.

Local reference voltage generator for non-volatile memory


A method of manufacturing for a secondary battery. The secondary battery is configured to include an electrode group in a battery package. The electrode group includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The manufacturing method includes: (a) measuring a first voltage drop amount of the secondary battery with the passage of time in a state in which a compression force in a direction parallel to a lamination direction of the electrode group is applied to the electrode group via the battery package; (b) measuring a second voltage drop amount of the secondary battery with the passage of time in a state in which the compression force is released; and (c) detecting a small short circuit of the secondary battery by comparing the first voltage drop amount and the second voltage drop amount.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a manufacturing method for a secondary battery.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, secondary batteries which can be recharged and repeatedly used are widely used. A process of manufacturing such secondary batteries includes an inspection process for detecting a defective battery (for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-352864 (JP 2002-352864 A)).
In general, a secondary battery has, as a base element, an electrode group including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. In the electrode group, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are completely separated from each other by the separator so as not to be in electrical contact with each other. However, in some cases, foreign matter is mixed in the electrode group due to various reasons in the secondary battery manufacturing process, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode come in contact with each other via the foreign matter. Such a phenomenon is called a small short circuit and causes various performance degradations such as a reduction in capacity.
When foreign matter is mixed in the electrode group, a reduction in performance may occur even when the reduction in performance is not exhibited at the beginning of use. The reason for an occurrence of such an event can be thought of as follows. For example, when foreign matter is present on the electrode, a part in which the distance between the electrodes is small is locally generated due to the foreign matter. In such a part, a current is easily collected upon charging and discharging, and thus when charging and discharging are repeated, a short circuit path is gradually formed and reaches a small short circuit. That is, it can be said that a secondary battery having foreign matter mixed therein includes a small short circuit.
Accordingly, the secondary battery having foreign matter mixed therein should be eliminated as a defective product. However, in many cases, even when foreign matter is mixed in the electrode group, a short circuit which affects battery characteristics is not reached immediately after the completion of the secondary battery. Accordingly, the short circuit is not easily detected by an initial capacity inspection or voltage inspection.
Various methods have been proposed to detect the small short circuit. For example, JP 2002 352864 A discloses a method of detecting a small short circuit by performing charging and discharging of a secondary battery under a predetermined condition and by then measuring a change in battery voltage during leaving.

Manufacturing method for secondary battery