Provided is a technique of securing reliability of a gate insulating film, as much as in a Si power MOSFET, in a semiconductor device in which a semiconductor material having a larger band gap than silicon is used, and which is typified by, for example, an SiC power MOSFET. In order to achieve this object, in the in the SiC power MOSFET, the gate electrode GE is formed in contact with the gate insulating film GOX, and is formed of the polycrystalline silicon film PF1 having the thickness equal to or smaller than 200 nm, and the polycrystalline silicon film PF2 formed in contact with the polycrystalline silicon film PF1, and having any thickness.

Conventionally, a power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) using a silicon substrate (Si substrate) (hereinafter, referred to as a Si power MOSFET) has been mainly used in power MOSFET's, which are one type of power semiconductor devices.
However, a power MOSFET using a silicon carbide substrate (hereinafter, referred to as a SiC substrate) (hereinafter, referred to as a SiC power MOSFET) can achieve a high withstand voltage, and low loss as compared to the Si power MOSFET. The reason is that the silicon carbide (SiC) has a larger band gap as compared to silicon (Si), thus has a high dielectric breakdown withstand voltage, and as a result, capable of securing the withstand voltage even when thinning a drift layer. In other words, since the drift layer is thinned and the dielectric breakdown withstand voltage can be secured even when the drift layer in the SiC power MOSFET is thinned, it is possible to reduce on-resistance of the SiC power MOSFET. Thus, more attention has been given to the SiC power MOSFET in the field of power-saving and/or environmentally-conscious inverter techniques.
A basic structure of the SiC power MOSFET is the same as that of the Si power MOSFET. That is, a drift layer of a first conductivity type is formed on a substrate made of SiC, and a well region of a second conductivity type is formed in a part of the drift layer. Further, a source region of the first conductivity type is formed in a part of the well region, a gate insulating film is formed on a substrate surface of a region called a channel which extends from the source region, via the well region, to the drift layer, and a gate electrode is formed on the gate insulating film. For operation as a transistor, a potential of a top surface of the channel is controlled via the gate insulating film by controlling a potential of the gate electrode, and channel current, that is, current flowing from the source region, via the well region, to the drift layer is controlled.
Here, in general, polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) and silicon dioxide (silicon oxide: SiO2), which are already proven to be advantageous in the Si power MOSFET, are frequently applied as materials for the gate electrode and the gate insulating film in the SiC power MOSFET as described in Patent Document 1.
In this manner, since the materials proven in the Si power MOSFET, that is, the silicon oxide and the polycrystalline silicon are used in the gate insulating film and the gate electrode in the SiC power MOSFET, it has been expected that the reliability equivalent to that in the case of the Si power MOSFET is maintained.
However, it has been known that it is difficult to achieve the same level of reliability as that in the case of forming the silicon oxide on the Si substrate in the silicon oxide formed on the SiC substrate, and a so-called extrinsic breakdown, in which dielectric breakdown is caused at voltage lower than the original dielectric withstand voltage, is generated with a high probability, for example, as described in Non-Patent Document 1.
The reason why the extrinsic breakdown is frequently generated in the silicon oxide formed on the SiC substrate is that there are many defects in the SiC substrate as compared to the Si substrate. Thus, a technique of forming a highly reliable silicon oxide film on the SiC substrate having many defects has been actively studied, for example, as indicated in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3. However, it has not been reported, so far, that the reliability of the gate insulating film is achieved in the SiC power MOSFET as much as the Si power MOSFET.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same


In an foreign body detection apparatus, an optical signal detection unit irradiates a light spot onto a surface of an object to be inspected while scanning the surface by employing the light spot in a predetermined direction, and receives a reflected beam from the surface of the inspected object to generate a photodetection signal corresponding to the light intensity of the reflected beam. A foreign body detection unit generates a foreign body detection signal appearing with respect to a leader and a trailer in the scanning direction of a foreign body adhering to the inspected object from the photodetection signal. The foreign body detection signal is obtained, for example, as a difference signal between the photodetection signal and a delayed photodetection signal with a predetermined delay time. A foreign body discrimination unit generates a foreign body discriminating signal indicating a region in which the foreign body is present from the foreign body detection signal.

In recent years, demands for an increase in information recording density on an optical disk recording/reproducing device (to be referred to as an "optical disk apparatus" unless otherwise noted hereinafter) using a phase change recording medium, a pigmentary change recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, an optical recording medium (to be referred to as an "optical disk" unless otherwise noted hereinafter) such as a read-only medium on which data is recorded in advance with concavo-convex or the like, an increase in density of pixels on an electronic imaging device such as a CCD (imaging element), a liquid crystal panel, or an organic EL panel, and an increase in miniaturization rate and integration density on a semiconductor integrated circuit have been high. From this background, efforts to miniaturize devices such as the optical disk apparatus, the electronic imaging device, and the semiconductor circuit to achieve higher integration are actively made.
However, with the advance of miniaturization of these devices, important technical problems have arisen for realizing integration higher than conventional integration by detecting and removing a foreign body such as a stain, dust, an oil film, or a scratch. In manufacturing or use of a product, a foreign body adhering to the device causes a decrease in manufacturing yield or product performance. For this reason, accurate detection of a foreign body has become important.
In particular, in the optical disk apparatus, a foreign body adhering to the surface of an optical disk is a disincentive factor of an increase in information recording density. More specifically, in the case where recording marks are reduced in size by using a short-wavelength light source such as a blue laser to increase a recording bit density, when even a foreign body which does not cause any problem on a compact disk adheres to an optical path of a light beam, the following problem arises. Therefore, the optical disk apparatus having a high information recording density cannot be easily put into practical use.
When a light beam is irradiated on a recording layer of an optical disk to form recording marks on the recording layer, the light beam is affected by light shielding, refraction, reflection, or the like depending on the optical characteristics of a foreign body adhering to the optical disk surface to cause the positions and sizes of the recording marks to vary. The influence of the variations increases as a light beam spot diameter and a recording mark length decrease. Thus, recording marks having high reliability and a high information recording density cannot be easily formed at high accuracy.
When a light beam is irradiated on the recording layer and the track layer of a phase change recording medium or a pigmentary change recording medium to read recording marks, the light beam is similarly affected by light shielding, refraction, reflection, or the like depending on the optical characteristics of a foreign body adhering to the surface of the optical disk, and thus, the recording marks and tracks cannot be correctly read. As the recording marks and tracking pitches are decreased in size, the influence of the foreign body increases. Therefore, recording marks having a high information recording density cannot be easily read at high accuracy.
The optical disk apparatus is expected to be developed in a new market as a large-capacity recording device with a small size, a light weight, and a low price. However, an optical disk apparatus with an increased capacity by increasing an information recording density has poor recording/reproducing reliability against a foreign body. Thus, when the optical disk apparatus is mounted on an apparatus or a system such as a computer apparatus, a computer system, a computer network system, a vehicle such as an automobile, a train, a ship, or an airplane, and an image complex apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Function Product) which require recording/reproducing reliability, the reliabilities of the apparatuses and the systems are disadvantageously deteriorated.
In order to solve the above problem, an optical disk apparatus having a means for detecting a foreign body adhering to the surface of an optical disk is conventionally proposed.
FIG. 34 shows an example of such an optical disk apparatus, and is a schematic view of a stain detection device for an optical disk disclosed in a patent document JP6-223384A. A light radiated from a semiconductor laser light source 5 is converged on the surface of an optical disk 100 through an object lens 7, and the reflected light is received by a light-receiving element 53 having two divided regions A and B through a ¼ wavelength plate 51 and a polarized beam splitter 6. The light intensities of the lights received in the regions A and B are converted into voltages through I-V conversion circuits 54a and 54b, and the voltages in the regions A and B are added to each other by a sum signal reproducing circuit 55 to generate a sum signal voltage. On the other hand, the sum signal voltage calculated from the theoretical reflectance of the optical disk is set as a reference voltage of the optical disk which is free from stain. The sum signal voltage is compared with the reference voltage. When the sum signal voltage is lower than the reference signal voltage, a warning is given, or the operation is stopped.

Method and apparatus for detecting foreign body on object surface, and optical disk apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A digital pre-modulation filter with a finite impulse response having the value k(t)=h(t).multidot.w(t), where h(t) represents an impulse response of the type that is customary for a modulator, for generating in response to data signals an angle-modulated carrier signal having a substantially constant amplitude, and w(t) represents a window function by which the impulse response of the pre-modulation filter is truncated softly. It turns out to be possible to reduce the disturbing effects with respect to the power spectrum caused by such a soft truncation and cancel them with respect to the phase of the angle-modulated carrier signal. Thereto, according to the invention the impulse response k(t)=A{g(t)+x(t)}.multidot.w(t) is selected where A is a correction factor which is usually equal to one, g(t) is the untruncated impulse response of the filter, x(t) is a constant c.sub.c or a time-dependent correction function which in a preferred embodiment has such a variation that for example ##EQU1## for any integer value of i.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pre-modulation filter with an overall impulse response having the value k(t)=f(t).multidot.w(t), where f(t) represents the impulse response of the filter, and w(t) represents a window function determining a finite width of the overall impulse response.
2. Related Art
A pre-modulation filter of this structure, in which f(t) represents the untruncated impulse response g(t) of the pre-modulation filter, is known from the U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,821.
As described in the above Patent such a pre-modulation filter is used in combination with a modulator of a transmitter for transmitting an angle-modulated carrier signal of a substantially constant amplitude. Such a transmitter is generally intended to transmit binary data signals at a given symbol rate 1/T to a receiver through a transmission channel having a limited bandwidth.
In systems for transmission over radio links the modulation techniques should exhibit the most efficient use of the bandwidth of an available transmission channel. Even if a modulation technique resulting in an angle-modulated carrier signal of a continuous phase is used, the spectrum of this angle-modulated carrier signal will, nevertheless, generally be wider than that of the equivalent baseband signal. Limiting this spectrum by means of a channel filter is an unattractive solution for radio communication systems, since the practical implementation of such a channel filter having accurately prescribed amplitude and phase characteristics and usually a very small relative bandwidth in the radio frequency range, is extremely difficult and requires a high transmission power. In addition, numerous systems are of the multi-channel type, in which the carrier frequency to be transmitted is to be able to assume a relatively large number of different values. Therefore, the spectrum of the angle-modulated carrier signal in radio communication systems is generally restricted by means of pre-modulation techniques.
A further requirement on modulation techniques for radio communication systems is the fact that the corresponding detection techniques should result in an error chance as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio, which degrades as little as possible with respect to the error chance for optimum baseband transmission of the relevant data signals.
As further explained in the above Patent, such a pre-modulation filter can be considered to be a cascade arrangement of an encoding circuit and a low-pass filter. Such an encoding circuit has a partial response. Such a response can simply be described as a polynomial with the aid of the (algebraic) delay operator D for a delay over a symbol interval T, where D.sup.k represents a delay over k-symbol periods and I=D.sup.0 is an identity operator. For further details about such polynomials reference is made to an article by P. Kabal et al, entitled "Partial-Response Signalling", published in IEEE trans. Commun., Vol. COM-23, No. 9, pp. 921-924, September 1975.
As appears from the above U.S. Patent it holds for several of such polynomials that the phase .phi.(t) of the angle-modulated signal that develops at the output of a modulator which is combined with such a pre-modulation filter, exhibits a smooth and gradual variation as a function of time. This implies that the efficiency of the available frequency spectrum is improved because the power outside the frequency band of the spectral main lobe is decreased considerably. For all the cases considered in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent it was assumed that the low-pass filter fulfils the Nyquist criterion I or III, depending on whether the modulator for which this filter is intended is a phase modulator or a frequency modulator. The Patent also states that it is practically advantageous to realise a pre-modulation filter as a digital transversal filter. In this respect it is observed that despite the finite duration of the impulse response of a digital transversal filter, its transfer function is a good approximation of the transfer function that is desired. The effect of such a restriction of the duration of the impulse response on the power density spectrum of a modulator output signal is illustrated graphically. The variation in the provided graphs implies that a rectangular window function is utilized.
However, in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent, there is no further discussion of the attendant consequences of the use of truncation of the impulse response of such a filter with respect to the variation of the phase .phi.(t) of the angle-modulated signal that is generated at the output of the modulator. The effect of the power density spectrum is also compared exclusively on the basis of the width to which the impulse response is restricted.
In an article by F. de Jager et al., entitled "Tamed Frequency Modulation, A Novel Method to Achieve Spectrum Economy in Digital Transmission", published in IEEE Trans. Commun., Vol. COM-26, No. 5, pp. 534-542, May 1978, attention is paid to a modulation technique of the type commonly referred to as TFM. Such a modulation technique can be characterized by a specific partial-response polynomial F(D) having the value F(D)=(1+D).sup.2. This article describes the implementation of such an encoding technique in combination with different truncation lengths 3T, 5T and 7T as they are provided by a low-pass filter in which a transfer function of the type commonly referred to as Racos (raised cosine) is incorporated. In this article the effect of the different truncation lengths on the spectral power density is considered.
A generalization of the modulation techniques described in the above literature is presented in an article by D. Muilwijk, entitled "Correlative Phase Shift Keying-A Class of Constant Envelope Modulation Techniques", published in IEEE Trans. Commun., Vol. COM-29, No. 3, pp. 226-236, March 1981. In this article various modulation techniques of the type commonly referred to as CORPSK are described and analysed. However, there is no further discussion of the effect which truncation of the impulse response has on the angle-modulated signal with substantially constant amplitude developed at the output of an associated modulator.


A bottom pole layer and a top pole layer respectively incorporate pole portion layers. Cross sections of the pole portion layers and a gap layer parallel to the top surface of a substrate are of the same shapes. The aggregate of the pole portion layers and the gap layer includes a first portion having a width W that defines the track width, and a second portion having a width greater than the width W of the first portion. L/W falls within a range of 2 to 5 inclusive, where L is the distance from a medium facing surface to the interface between the first portion and the second portion. S/(W×L) falls within a range of 5 to 40 inclusive, where S is the area of the cross section of the aggregate parallel to the top surface of the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin-film magnetic head incorporating at least an induction-type electromagnetic transducer and a method of manufacturing such a thin-film magnetic head, and to a head gimbal assembly including a thin-film magnetic head, and a hard disk drive.
2. Description of the Related Art
Performance improvements in thin-film magnetic heads have been sought as a real recording density of hard disk drives has increased. Such thin-film magnetic heads include composite thin-film magnetic heads that have been widely used. A composite head is made of a layered structure including a write (recording) head having an induction-type electromagnetic transducer for writing and a read (reproducing) head having a magnetoresistive (MR) element for reading.
A write head comprises: a bottom pole layer and a top pole layer including magnetic pole portions opposed to each other and located in a region on a side of a medium facing surface, that is, a surface facing toward a recording medium; a write gap layer provided between the pole portion of the bottom pole layer and the pole portion of the top pole layer; and a thin-film coil at least part of which is disposed between the bottom and top pole layers and insulated from the bottom and top pole layers.
To enhance the recording density of the write head, it is particularly required to reduce the pole width that defines the write track width and to improve writing characteristics. However, if the pole width is reduced, the writing characteristics, such as an overwrite property that is a parameter indicating an overwriting capability, are reduced. Consequently, the smaller the pole width, the greater improvements in writing characteristics are required. To enhance the recording density of the write head, it is also required to suppress 'side erase' that is a phenomenon in which, when data is written on a specific track, data contained on an adjacent track is erased.
Thin-film magnetic heads are manufactured through semiconductor producing techniques. Therefore, a plurality of thin-film magnetic heads are manufactured at one time out of a single wafer. If an effective write track width is reduced down to 0.3 μm or smaller, for example, it is difficult to reduce variations in pole width of the thin-film magnetic heads manufactured out of the single wafer.
As disclosed in the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 11-353616 (1999) and the U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,959, for example, one of the techniques known for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head having a reduced pole width is to divide the top pole layer into a pole portion layer that defines the pole width and a yoke portion layer having a greater width. Another technique for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head having a reduced pole width is a technique for trimming the pole portion as disclosed in the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 11-353616 and the U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,959, too. This technique is to etch the write gap layer and at least a portion of the pole portion of the bottom pole layer close to the write gap layer, using the pole portion of the top pole layer as a mask, and to thereby align the sidewalls of the pole portion of the top pole layer, the write gap layer and at least the portion of the pole portion of the bottom pole layer. Dry etching is used for this etching.
Still another technique for manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head having a reduced pole width is to make the pole portion of the bottom pole layer, the write gap layer and the pole portion of the top pole layer have the same plane geometries as disclosed in the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 6-28626 (1994) and the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 6-314413 (1994). Through this technique, the pole portion of the bottom pole layer, the write gap layer and the pole portion of the top pole layer may be consecutively formed by plating through the use of a single photoresist frame.
A technique disclosed in the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application 2001-118214 is to form an insulating layer for defining the throat height on the layer underlying the bottom pole layer and then form a photoresist frame, and to form the pole portion of the bottom pole layer, the write gap layer and the pole portion of the top pole layer by plating through the use of the photoresist frame. The throat height is the length (height) from the medium facing surface to the point at which the space between the two pole layers starts to be created.
To control the pole width by using the technique for trimming the pole portion as disclosed in the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 11-353616 and the U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,959, the pole width is controlled by dry etching. Therefore, there arises a problem in this case that variations in pole width of a plurality of thin-film magnetic heads manufactured out of a single wafer are increased.
In contrast, as disclosed in the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 6-28626 and the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 6-314413, to form the pole portion of the bottom pole layer, the write gap layer and the pole portion of the top pole layer through the use of a single photoresist frame, the pole width is controlled by photolithography. In this case, variations in pole width of a plurality of thin-film magnetic heads manufactured out of a single wafer are made smaller, compared to the case in which the pole width is controlled by dry etching. If the photoresist frame is formed on a flat surface, the frame is formed with accuracy. As a result, if the pole portion of the bottom pole layer, the write gap layer and the pole portion of the top pole layer are formed through the use of the photoresist frame formed on the flat surface, variations in pole width are made much smaller.
According to the thin-film magnetic head manufactured through the techniques disclosed in the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 6-28626 and the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Heisei 6-314413, the throat height is equal to the distance between an end located in the medium facing surface and the other end of the aggregate of the pole portion layer of the bottom pole layer, the write gap layer, and the pole portion layer of the top pole layer. Consequently, according to this thin-film magnetic head, if this distance is long, the throat height is great, too. As a result, it may be impossible to generate a magnetic field sufficient for writing from the medium facing surface. On the other hand, if the above-mentioned distance is short, the area in which the pole portion layer and the yoke portion layer of each of the top and bottom pole layers are in contact with each other is reduced. As a result, it is impossible to supply a sufficient magnetic flux from the yoke portion layers to the pole portion layers. Consequently, it may also be impossible to generate a magnetic field sufficient for writing from the medium facing surface.
If the technique disclosed in the Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application 2001-118214 is used, the area in which the pole portion layer and the yoke portion layer of the top pole layer are in contact with each other is increased while the throat height is reduced. Through this technique, however, the photoresist frame is not formed on a flat surface but formed on a surface having a difference in level created by the insulating layer for defining the throat height. As a result, it is difficult to form the photoresist frame with accuracy. Therefore, this technique has a problem that it is difficult to reduce variations in pole width when the pole width is reduced down to 0.3 μm or smaller, for example.

Thin-film magnetic head with gap and pole portion layers having cross sections of the same shapes and predetermined parameter ranges


The invention provides methods for altering the expression profile of a cell to convert the cell from one cell type to a desired cell type. These reprogrammed cells may be used in a variety of medical applications for treating a mammal in need of a particular cell type.

In general, the invention features methods for converting cells into a desired cell type and methods for administering these reprogrammed cells to a mammal for the treatment or prevention of disease.
Despite having essentially the same genome, different classes of somatic cells in a particular mammal have distinctive phenotypes due to the different combinations of genes that they express. These different expression profiles allow cells to perform certain functions, such as the secretion of a hormone or cartilage.
Because many diseases and injuries are caused by damage to a particular class of cells, methods are needed to produce cells of a desired cell type that may be used to replace these damaged cells. Preferably, these replacement cells have the same genotype as the damaged cells.


A wear-indicating tire includes a tread section that is formed of a plurality of visually different plys that present a visually different effect as the tire tread wears down. The sidewall section of the tire also includes a pattern or that cooperates with the visual signal from the tire tread section to provide an overall aesthetic appearance that is pleasing.

A land vehicle wheel includes a hub which is rotatably mounted on the vehicle, and a tire mounted on that hub. Rims, weights and inflation valves and the like can also be included in such a wheel. The tire includes a tread section which contacts a roadway surface, and a sidewall section which connects the tread section to the hub.
As is well known, tire treads are subject to wear, and if such wear is excessive, the tire may become dangerous. Thin and worn tire treads may make a vehicle difficult to handle, especially on snow or ice, even if the tire does not become subject to a blow-out. Blow-outs, by the very nature thereof, are extremely dangerous.
For this reason, it is important for a vehicle operator to be aware of the state of the tread wear of the tires on his vehicle at all times. Accordingly, there have been several means and methods proposed in the art for determining the state of a vehicle tire tread. These means and methods range from simply placing a penny in the tread to rather sophisticated gauges. There are even signals built into the tread itself to indicate such wear.
Such methods and means, while somewhat effective, have several drawbacks which inhibit the full commercial success of such devices and methods. Principal among such drawbacks is the failure thereof to automatically make the state of tread wear fully evident. The gauges must be applied, and thus tread wear may not be noticed until a mechanic or other such professional specifically inspects the tire; indicators are not pronounced enough to be readily apparat, and, again, may go unnoticed until a mechanic or the like specifically inspects the tire for tread wear.
Therefore, there is a need for a tire tread wear indicator that will automatically make the state of tread wear apparent enough so that this indication is pronounced and noticeable.
However, in many situations, the state of tread wear should not be made noticeable in a manner that destroys the overall aesthetics of the land vehicle. For example, if the land vehicle is an expensive automobile, the owner of that automobile does not want attention diverted from the automobile to the tires if such tires do not, themselves, enhance the aesthetic effect of the vehicle.
Thus, not only is there a need for a means of making tire tread wear automatically noticeable, there is a need for such a means as will accomplish such result in an aesthetically pleasing manner that can be integrated into the overall aesthetics of the land vehicle on which the tire is mounted.


In one aspect, the present subject matter discloses a seal including a substrate material. The substrate material has a first portion having a first abradability and a second portion having a second abradability, the first abradability being different from the second abradability.

Rotating labyrinth seals have a wide variety of uses and one such use is to effect sealing between plenums at different pressures in gas turbine engines. Such seals generally include two principal elements, i.e., a rotating seal and a static seal or shroud. The rotating seal, in cross section parallel to the axial length of the engine, frequently has rows of thin tooth-like projections extending radially from a relatively thicker base toward the static seal or shroud. The static seal or shroud is normally formed from a thin honeycomb ribbon configuration. These principal elements are generally situated circumferentially about the axial length of the engine and are positioned with a small radial gap therebetween to permit assembly of the rotating and static components. The purpose of the labyrinth seal arrangement is to minimize gas path leakage out of the primary gas path and to segregate different stages of the compressor which are at different temperatures and pressures.
To a significant extent, engine efficiency depends upon minimizing this gas leakage around rotating components by controlling the gas flow to maximize interaction between the gas stream and the components in the primary gas path. The effectiveness of the turbine engine varies directly with the proportion of gas that impinges upon the blades of the rotating member. Closer tolerances between the rotating and static seals achieve greater efficiencies. The fabrication process to obtain these close tolerances is extremely costly and time-consuming.
When the gas turbine engine is operated, the elevated temperatures of operation cause the opposed static and rotating seals, such as those in the rotating labyrinth seals, to expand in a radial direction toward each other. The rotating labyrinth seals expand radially and rub into the shroud, creating frictional contact between the thin projections of the rotating seal and the shroud. During the rub, there is high thermal compression, with resultant high residual tensile stress after the rub. This frictional contact causes elevation of seal teeth temperatures in excess of 2,000° F. with resulting possible damage to one or both seal members. For example, rotating tips may crack and break off, significantly impairing the seal efficiency and operation of the engine.
The thin, honeycomb ribbon construction of the shroud is used to reduce the surface area on which the seal teeth rub while reducing the weight of the structure, and helps to minimize the heat transferred into the rotating seal, while also providing the required strength. In addition, the rotating labyrinth seal teeth tips are constructed so as to be thin, in order to thermally isolate them from the supporting base or shell structure. However, excessive heat from deep rubs (even into the honeycomb) during engine start-up and during engine excursions can damage the rotating knife edge seals, negatively affecting durability and engine efficiency and providing a leak path for the flow of gases. Furthermore, material transfer can occur which also degrades the seal characteristics. Cutting into even low-density honeycomb cells can still cause rotary seal tooth damage, leading to premature part retirement.
While much effort has been directed at improving the rotating structure of the seal arrangement, there is a continuous need for improved designs for rotating labyrinth seal structures including improvements directed to the static structure to increase both service life and engine operating efficiencies.

Modification of turbine engine seal abradability


An apparatus for inspecting a printed circuit board device, the device including at least one component mounted on a circuit board, the apparatus comprising an object carrier for carrying the printed circuit board device, imaging means for imaging along an optical axis so as to receive light reflected from surfaces of the device when placed on the object carrier within a field of view of the imaging means, and light projecting means for projecting light toward the object carrier in an oblique direction with respect to the optical axis of the imaging means for illumination of said surfaces of the device. The light projecting means includes a substantially dome-shaped structure incorporating a plurality of light elements for producing and projecting the light. Said plurality of light elements includes light elements of different light characteristics and light elements of different orientations of projection for creating a predetermined illumination pattern on said surfaces of said printed circuit board device. The dome-shaped structure is composed of an assembly of a plurality of structural rings, each incorporating an array of said light elements and being fitted together in an replaceable manner to form said ring assembly, thereby enabling to vary said light pattern by replacing one or more of said structural rings that are incorporating light elements of predetermined light characteristics and predetermined orientation of projection by different structural rings incorporating light elements of different light characteristics and orientation of projection than said predetermined ones.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting a component or a printed circuit board device.
Apparatus for inspecting a printed circuit board device enables a variety of features of a printed circuit board device to be inspected including, for example, the quality of solder joints and the placement and different features of the components. During inspection of solder joints, defects can be detected and categorized into defect types, such as solder bridging or shorting, no solder, insufficient solder, de-wetted solder, void in solder, excessive solder, and tombstoning. The types of defects which can occur in the placement and with regard to the features of components include amongst others wrong orientation or polarity of the component, misalignment of the component, missing component, incorrect component type, wrong component value, wrong component marking, and inverted component.
There are major differences between the visual appearance of solder joints and the visual appearance of components. Typically, solder joints are highly reflective (shiny) and posses certain distinguishable three-dimensional shapes, whereas the visual appearance of components is characterized by large variations in color, surface texture, shape, and height. Components also tend to include identification markings, which can vary widely, to represent features such as polarity, orientation, value, part number and so on. Some polarity identifications are represented by a color, a bar, a dimple, or characters. Laser marking is an increasingly popular method of generating identification markings on components.
In prior art apparatus for inspecting a printed circuit board device, various colors will correspond to images produced at different elevations relative to the printed circuit board under inspection to produce a mapping which constitutes a three dimensional representation of a two dimensional image providing a significantly enhanced image for visual inspection purposes. By analyzing the smoothness of the transitions from one topographical zone to the next, a measure of solder wetting can be made. By detecting aberrations or secondary shapes, voids, blow holes and pinholes may be detected. Thus, significant information may be developed by performing weighted calculations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,868 discloses a substrate inspection apparatus comprising light projecting means including a plurality of ring-shaped sources for directing light of different hues to a part obliquely from one direction at different angles of incidence, first imaging means including a color camera for imaging reflected light from the surface of a portion to be inspected by hues on the center line of each of the right-shaped light sources in a position directly over the part. There is no provision to independently control each of the light sources.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,473 describes a soldering inspection system wherein light is irradiated on a soldered part at different incident angles by a light emitting means to collect information indicative of three-dimensional configuration of the soldered part and discriminate whether or not the configuration is acceptable. The three-dimensional configurational information can be obtained with light irradiated at least from two positions mutually of different angles with respect to the soldered part. The inspection is thereby made from a quantitative viewpoint.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,065 discloses a printed circuit board inspection device including a lighting system for use with a series of cameras associated with the inspection device, the lighting system being essentially domed in configuration and incorporating a plurality of selectively controllable light emitting diodes for developing desired lighting patterns. The light emitting diodes are arranged within the domed fixture to form an array of defined latitudes and longitudes and are capable of selective activation to develop the particular lighting patterns which are desired. This permits acquisition of images useful in developing a "topographical display" of the acquired image, which is useful in enhancing the subsequent inspections which are to be performed. The domed fixture is integrally formed and has a predetermined arrangement of light elements of different light characteristics and orientations of projection for creating a predetermined illumination pattern. Therefore, different models of domed fixtures need to be manufactured for different applications, and the whole domed fixture has to be replaced for another application.

Dome-shaped apparatus for inspecting a component or a printed circuit board device


A diaphragm 1 for a centrifugal compressor having a rear surface 2 configured to at least partly face an impeller 3, the rear surface 2 having a first portion 2a defining at least in part a diffuser 4 and a second portion 2b facing the impeller 3; the diaphragm has a duct 5 provided with an inlet 6 and an outlet 7, the outlet 7 being located on the second portion 2b of the rear surface 2, the inlet 6 being located on the rear surface 2 at a point where the static pressure is higher with respect to the static pressure at the outlet 7.

A compressor is a machine which accelerates the particles of a compressible fluid, e.g., a gas, through the use of mechanical energy to increase the pressure of that compressible fluid. Compressors are used in a number of different applications, including operating as an initial stage of a gas turbine engine. Among the various types of compressors are the so-called centrifugal compressors, in which the mechanical energy operates on gas input to the compressor by way of centrifugal acceleration which accelerates the gas particles, e.g., by rotating a centrifugal impeller through which the gas is passing. More generally, centrifugal compressors are part of a class of machinery known as "turbo machines" or "turbo rotating machines".
Centrifugal compressors can be fitted with a single impeller, i.e., a single stage configuration, or with a plurality of impellers in series, in which case they are frequently referred to as multistage compressors. Each of the stages of a centrifugal compressor typically includes an inlet conduit for gas to be accelerated, an impeller which is capable of providing kinetic energy to the input gas and a diffuser which converts the kinetic energy of the gas leaving the impeller into pressure energy. Impellers can be shrouded or unshrouded. The present disclosure refers to shrouded impellers.
The compressor also comprises one or more balance drums, namely elements that generates opposite and balancing trust respect to the overall one generated by the impellers, and by a thrust bearing, namely an element that compensates the residual axial thrust. Both these elements are generally attached to the shaft.
With more detail, a centrifugal compressor stage comprises both rotating and static components. The static components separate zones at different pressure level. Indeed, a variable number of static diaphragms are placed between the impellers, between the inlet plenum and the first impeller or after the last one, and are fixed to the casing. The diaphragms define, among themselves, ducts that channel the working fluid between the impellers. Therefore the shape of the diaphragms affects considerably the fluid dynamics inside the compressor.
With more detail, the diaphragm has a rear surface which partly faces the front surface of an impeller. Also, the diaphragm has a front surface that partly faces the rear surface of another impeller or the inlet plenum if it is in front of the first impeller. It is to be noted that, according to the present disclosure, the term "diaphragm" designates all of the possible structural components that can take the place of a diaphragm, for example inner casing or casing that combine the structural and channeling role. More generally, the term diaphragm designates any of the statoric components of the compressor which are either between impellers, in front of the impeller of the first stage or behind the impeller of the last stage.
A problem which is relevant in the state of the art is the behavior of the working fluid in the gap between the impeller shroud and the diaphragm. In this area the fluid generates a flow from the exit (high pressure) to the inlet (low pressure) of the impeller. In other words, there is a recirculation of working fluid across the impeller shroud. A seal placed on the impeller eye, namely the lower diameter of the external side of the shroud, has the purpose to limit such recirculation.
Seals can be used between certain rotating and static elements to reduce undesirable leakage within the centrifugal compressor. For example, labyrinth seals or honeycomb seals can be used as internal seals at, for example, a balance piston and an impeller eye (or each impeller eye in a multi-stage centrifugal compressor). Generally, labyrinth seals use grooves and lands to provide a difficult flow path for a fluid, while honeycomb seals use hexagonal shaped cells to resist the flow of the fluid. Both types of seals allow for a small gap (or an equivalent feature) between a rotating surface and a static surface. Various seal designs have been implemented since the inception of turbo machines.
Since the fluid flowing in the diaphragm/shroud gap has passed through the rotating vanes of the impeller it has a velocity with a tangential component, called "swirl" in the technical field, which has the same rotation sense of the impeller.
This flow generates several undesirable effects. Specifically, the swirled flow produces a radial pressure gradient on the external surface of the shroud that increases the natural axial trust of the impeller towards its inlet. This leads to an increment of the size of the balance drum and of the thrust bearing size. Both these actions increase the required adsorbed power of the compressor.
Also, the swirl reduces the rotor-dynamic stability (measured as logarithmic decrement) of the compressor potentially till negative values. In this extreme case the compressor cannot operate.
The swirl is sometime reduced with devices known as "swirl brakes". These are small winglets that reduce the swirl at the inlet of the seal on the impeller eye.
The swirl brakes effectiveness has some limit, so the problem is reduced but not eliminated.


Provided are a deposition apparatus and a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display (OLED) apparatus, which are capable of reducing manufacturing time and manufacturing costs of the OLED apparatus. The method includes: turning a substrate such that a deposition surface of the substrate faces upward; depositing a first deposition layer on a deposition surface of a first donor mask while the deposition surface of the first donor mask faces downward; arranging the first donor mask and the substrate such that the first donor mask is above the substrate while the first deposition layer faces downward and the deposition surface of the substrate faces upward; depositing, on the deposition surface of the substrate, a part of the first deposition layer of the deposition surface of the first donor mask; and turning the substrate such that the deposition surface of the substrate faces downward.

1. Field
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a deposition apparatus and a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display (OLED) apparatus, and more particularly, to a deposition apparatus and a method of manufacturing an OLED apparatus, wherein manufacturing processes and manufacturing costs of the OLED apparatus may be reduced.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, an organic light-emitting display (OLED) apparatus is a display apparatus that includes organic light-emitting device in a display region. The organic light-emitting device includes a pixel electrode, a counter electrode opposing the pixel electrode, and an intermediate layer disposed between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode and including an emission layer. While manufacturing the OLED apparatus, any method may be used to form the emission layer, such as a deposition method or an inkjet printing method.
However, generally, in such method or apparatus for manufacturing the OLED apparatus, several operations are performed while forming the intermediate layer including the emission layer, and thus manufacturing costs and manufacturing time may increase.

Deposition apparatus and method of manufacturing organic light-emitting display apparatus


An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit, an image compression unit and an inspection data generating unit. The image pickup unit captures an image and generates image data. The image compression unit compresses the image data in accordance with an image compression method selected from a first image compression method and a second image compression method, and generates compressed image data. The inspection data generating unit generates inspection data necessary to inspect whether the compressed image data is modified. A generation method of the inspection data is varied according to the selected image compression method. The inspection data generating unit adds first data and second data to the compressed image data. The first data indicates the generation method of the inspection data and the second data indicates a location of the compressed image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus (such as a digital camera) for recording inspection data (data to inspect whether image data is modified or not) for image data of a picked-up image together with the image data onto a recording medium.
2. Related Background Art
Some currently available digital cameras employ recording methods including a JPEG method and a RAW method. The JPEG method is a recording method for adjusting image data of a picked-up image according to plural image adjustment values, compressing the adjusted image data according to a JPEG compression method in conformity with the ISO/IEC 10918-1 standard, and recording JPEG image data obtained by compression together with its additional data. The RAW method is a recording method for compressing image data of a picked-up image according to a lossless compression method, which is an image compression method causing no image deterioration, and recording RAW image data obtained by compression together with its additional data.
In the case where image data of a picked-up image is added with inspection data necessary to inspect whether the image data is modified or not, a generation method of inspection data may preferably be selected according to the recording method adopted for the image data. For example, RAW image data is generally larger in data amount than JPEG image data, so that it is desirable that a generation method of inspection data intended for the RAW image data be faster in processing speed than a generation method of inspection data intended for the JPEG image data.
However, no currently available digital cameras can attain to select the generation method of inspection data according to the recording method of image data.
If the currently available digital cameras are arranged to enable the selection of the generation method of inspection data according to the recording method of image data, it is necessary to notify an inspection device of the generation method of inspection data. In addition, it is necessary to notify the inspection device of a location of data for which inspection data is intended.
However, the currently available digital cameras are capable of neither notifying the inspection device of the generation method of inspection data, nor notifying the inspection device of the location of data for which inspection data is intended.


A turbine blade damper seal assembly includes a seal and a damper that both abut a radially outermost non-gas path surface. The seal is fabricated from a plastically deformable material and nests within a recess of the damper. The damper is fabricated from a rigid material that absorbs vibrational energy generated during operation. The recess within the damper provides for both the damper and the seal to be positioned at the radially outermost non-gas path surface.

This application relates generally to a turbine seal and damper assembly and specifically to a nested seal and damper assembly.
Conventional gas turbine engines include a turbine assembly that has a plurality of turbine blades attached about a circumference of a turbine rotor. Each of the turbine blades is spaced a distance apart from adjacent turbine blades to accommodate movement and expansion during operation. The blades typically include a root that attaches to the rotor, a platform and a blade that extends radially outwardly from the platform.
Problems arise when hot gases penetrate below the platform of the turbine blades. Hot gases flowing over the platform are prevented from leaking between adjacent turbine blades by a seal. This is done because components below the platform are generally not designed to operate for extended durations at the elevated temperatures of the hot gases. The seal is typically a metal sheet nested between adjacent turbine blades on an inner surface of the platform. The seal is typically flexible so as to conform to the inner surface of the platform and prevent the intrusion of hot gases below the platform of the turbine blade. Typically, the seal is disposed against a radially outboard inner surface of the platform of the turbine blade.
In addition to the seal it is common practice to include a damper between adjacent turbine blades to dissipate potentially damaging vibrations. A damper is typically sized to provide sufficient mass and rigidity to dissipate vibration from the turbine blade. Vibrations from the turbine blade are transmitted through frictional contact between the damper and an inner surface of the turbine blade platform. Dampers provide the maximum benefit and dampening when positioned at a radial outermost part of an inner surface of the platform.
Disadvantageously, both the damper and the seal perform to the maximum benefit when positioned against the inner surface of the platform. As appreciated, it is only possible to position either the seal or the damper immediately adjacent the inner surface.
A currently proposed solution provides a single part that performs as both the seal and as the damper. Such a device provides for the desired location of both the damper and the seal. However, the material properties of the seal and the damper are compromised to accommodate the separate functions. That is the seal material is not as flexible as desired in order to provide the dampening properties required and the damper material does not provide the most beneficial dampening properties in order to provide some flexibility for the seal. The compromise between favorable dampening properties and favorable seal properties yields less than desirable performance for both functions.
Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a seal and damper assembly utilizing the most beneficial material for each function while providing the most beneficial placement of the damper and seal.

Turbine blade nested seal damper assembly


A unique, lockable or closable, reusable product holding and displaying container system which virtually eliminates breakage of fragile products is achieved by providing a product holding supporting base and a ramped, sloping product support surface cooperatively associated therewith and extending upwardly from the base. By employing the present invention, each of the products distributed and retained in the container system is maintained in a side-by-side, contacting relationship, angularly disposed relative to the supporting base, with the angle defined by the ramped, support surface. In this way, each product is in direct, contacting, engagement with each adjacent product, with each product fully supported in this position. As a result, no product is placed in a position wherein unwanted stress or breakage points exist which would otherwise cause the fragile product to be broken.

One of the problems which manufacturers of various products must consistently face is the type of container in which the products are to be placed for sale and distribution to the customers. Although the products being distributed to consumers is widely diverse, manufacturers and/or distributors of consumable or edible products, particularly baked goods, face unique problems in the selection of a suitable container.
Typically, manufacturers wish to have their products retained in a sealed or securely locked container to prevent spoilage or tampering, while also incorporating a product holding zone which is transparent, to allow the consumer to see the product being purchased. In addition, the container must also be inexpensive, preferably formed of recyclable material, and reusable. Generally, prior art containers are formed by employing either entirely or, in part, thin plastic material which is thermoformed or vacuum-formed into the desired shape, since both of these processes provide products which are inexpensive.
Typically, the size and shape of products sold in container systems of this general nature are widely varied. However, the container systems employed by most manufacturers for similar products tend to be substantially identical in form and construction. In this regard, prior art systems for fresh baked goods usually comprise a two-piece container or a one-piece container formed in a clamshell-type structure wherein one container piece is affixed to the other container piece along one edge, forming a pivot interconnection between the two cooperating pieces. At least one of the remaining three free edges of the clamshell structure incorporates lock means for securely affixing the two members together once the desired product has been positioned therein.
In the two-piece containers, one member comprises a base or product holding member which cooperates with a second member that overlies or peripherally surrounds and encloses the base. Generally, both one-piece and two-piece containers are quite popular and are used for a wide range of products including bakery items.
One advantage of these one-piece or two-piece containers is the ability to incorporate a lock or closure system which allows the container to be reused, thereby enabling the consumer to store unused portions of the product in the container after the container has been opened. As a result, these types of containers are extremely popular and have gained wide acceptance by manufacturers, distributors, and customers.
In both the one-piece and two-piece constructions, container systems have been developed for retaining a plurality of similar shaped, fragile products. These containers are most particularly suited for securely retaining and storing bakery items, particularly fragile bakery products such as cookies.
In dealing with fragile products, such as cookies, special care must be exercised in order to prevent unwanted breakage of the product during transportation to the retail outlet, as well as handling by both the retail outlet and the consumer. In order to reduce breakage of fragile products, most container systems employ a product holding member which allows all of the products to be placed in one or two continuous rows with each product in direct abutting contact with substantially the entire adjacent product. In this way, movement of any single product relative to an adjacent product or the holding member itself is reduced and unwanted breakage is substantially controlled.
Although the retention of fragile products, such as cookies, or other bakery products, in substantially continuous, elongated rows is preferred for reducing breakage, this construction is limited to certain types of products and cannot be universally employed for all such products. In particular, bakery products, and specialty items, particularly edible consumer products, are incapable of being sold in elongated continuous rows due to many consumer factors.
One such pertinent factor is the requirement by many consumers that the product be visible in its substantial entirety prior to purchase. As a result, not only must the container be completely transparent, in order to allow the products retained therein to be completely visible to the consumer, but the products are preferably displayed in an angularly disposed, product overlying, generally shingled configuration. In this way, optimum visibility of each product is provided in order to satisfy this consumer desire.
Although this angularly disposed, shingled, visual display is preferred by consumers, manufacturers have found that displays of this nature are disadvantageous due to breakage of the fragile products which often occurs. Since products displayed in this manner employ one or more products at one end of the slanted row of product as the means for achieving the angular relationship, products overlying each other at different angular relationships, forms breakage or stress points along the contact zones.
Consequently, during normal transportation, distribution, as well as storage at home by the consumer, the movement of the container with the products retained therein, causes the fragile products to arcuately flex and pivot about the stress points, breaking the fragile product in the container. As a result, when such breakage occurs in the retail outlet, consumers avoid purchasing such products due to their damaged condition. As a result, added costs are incurred since these products are ultimately returned to the manufacturer or discounted for sale.
Although this problem exists with most containers of this type and has produced substantial objections by consumers, prior art containers have been incapable of eliminating the inherent problems.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a product holding and displaying container system which prevents fragile baked products from being broken, while also being completely reusable by the consumer after purchasing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a product holding and displaying container system having the characteristic features described above which can be repeatedly opened and closed by the consumer with ease, assuring storage of the product whenever desired, without damaging the product.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a product holding and displaying container system having the characteristic features described above wherein a support system is integrally formed in the container to prevent the products from being damaged.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a product holding and displaying container system having the characteristic features described above which is inexpensive to manufacture and can be made entirely from recyclable material.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a product holding and displaying container system having the characteristic features described above which is completely disposable when the product has been entirely used.
Other and more specific objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

Product holding and displaying container


The present invention relates to the technical field of electronic products, and provides a linear vibration motor. The linear vibration motor comprises a motor housing, a stator, a vibrator, and two elastic supports for suspending the vibrator within the motor housing, for supporting the vibrator and for providing elastic restoring forces, wherein the elastic supports are located at two ends of the vibrator in a vibration direction respectively. Each of the elastic supports is made up of a plurality of elastic sheets whose one ends are fixedly connected in sequence, which are arranged side by side and which have C-shaped openings respectively. Each of the elastic supports comprises a first connection point fixedly connected to the vibrator and a second connection point fixedly connected to the inner wall of the motor housing. Therefore, the polarization phenomenon of a vibration block is reduced when the vibration feedback to a user's touch operation is realized, the noise is reduced, and the stability and the reliability of the entire linear vibration motor are improved.

At present, with the rapid development of portable consumer electronics, consumers are increasingly favoring electronic products that are more lighter and thinner and have a better tactile experience. The linear vibration motor is generally used as an execution mechanism for tactile experience and functions for system vibration feedback. The development trend of thinner and lighter electronic products determines that elastic supports must also be improved towards a flat profile.
Linear vibration motors mostly achieve overall vibration through elastic supports. The elastic supports are mostly springs or elastic sheets. The elastic supports in the form of the springs or the elastic sheets are mainly designed based on a space inside each linear vibration motor, and are different in shape and connection manner respectively. However, the design structures of the elastic supports commonly available on the market are unreasonable, which results in that the elastic supports easily cause stress concentration during the vibration process, resulting in plastic deformation, polarization, and relatively large noise, thereby affecting the user experience and use.


First and second store instructions that target one or more locations in a cache memory are identified. A determination is made whether the cache memory is busy. In response to a determination that the cache memory is busy, the operations specified by the first and second store instructions are merged into a single store operation that subsumes store operations specified by the first and second store instructions. Thereafter, the single store operation is performed.

1. Technical Field
The technical field of the present specification relates in general to a method and system for data processing and in particular to a processor and method for storing data to a memory within a data processing system. Still more particularly, the technical field relates to a processor and method for store gathering through merging store instructions.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical state-of-the-art processor comprises multiple execution units, which are each optimized to execute a corresponding type of instruction. Thus, for example, a processor may contain a fixed-point unit (FXU), a floating-point unit (FPU), a branch processing unit (BPU), and a load-store unit (LSU) for executing fixed-point, floating-point, branch, and load and store instructions, respectively.
When a store instruction is retrieved from memory for execution by a processor, the instruction is first decoded to determine the execution unit to which the instruction should be dispatched. After the store instruction is decoded, the store instruction is dispatched to the LSU for execution. Execution of a store instruction entails calculating the effective address (EA) of the memory location to which the data associated with the store instruction is to be written. After a store instruction has finished, that is, the EA of the store instruction has been calculated, the store instruction is completed by committing the data associated with the store instruction to a store queue from which the data will be written to the specified memory location.
In order to reduce the number of cycles required to store and retrieve data, processors are often equipped with an on-board upper level data cache. Such upper level data caches permit data accesses to be performed in as little as a single cycle. Because of the minimal data latency associated with data accesses to cached data, only a small performance inefficiency results from multiple consecutive stores to the same doubleword in memory. However, in data processing system configurations without caches or in which store instructions are cache-inhibited or write-through, performance inefficiency arises from multiple consecutive stores to the same doubleword due to the additional latency of bus accesses.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an efficient method and system for storing data to memory within a data processing system which minimize the number of cycles required to perform multiple store accesses to the same doubleword.

Processor and method for store gathering through merged store operations

International Business Machines Corporation


An electronic stringed instrument having a first pickup device and a second pickup device. When any one of the strings is picked at a picking position between the first pickup device and the second pickup device, vibrational waves propagate from the picking position toward both sides of the string. When the advancing waves pass the first and second pickup devices, the first and second pickup devices output electrical signals. A time difference between the electrical signals provided by the first and second pickup devices is calculated to determine the picking position. Note tone color and other tonal parameters are controlled based on the picking position.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a stringed instrument type electronic musical instrument (hereinafter referred to as an electronic stringed instrument) in which the string vibrations are converted to electrical signals and tones are generated based on the electrical signals. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a guitar synthesizer.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical electronic musical instrument in the form of a stringed instrument has strings. The electronic musical instrument of this type has a pickup device that detects string vibration and converts the vibration to electrical signals. The electronic musical instrument further includes an analog-to-digital converter that converts the electrical signals to digital signals that are digitally processed. The electronic musical instrument generates various musical tone data including data for pitch of each of the electrical signals, data for an envelope of vibration of each of the strings, data for starting time and attenuation of vibration of each of the strings and the like, based on the corresponding digital signals. Tones are generated based on the detected musical tone data. For example, such an electronic musical instrument is currently sold as a guitar synthesizer.
In the manner described above, a pitch and an envelope of each of the strings of the guitar synthesizer are detected and a musical tone is generated based on the detected pitch and envelope. Although the pitch and the envelope are typical parameters of string vibration, the guitar's original expression cannot be created merely by the pitch and the envelope of string vibration. In other words, the detected pitch and envelope alone do not generate a tone that is characteristic of the guitar.
For example, it is appreciated that a tone color generated by a string of the guitar varies depending upon where the string is picked. The closer to the bridge of the guitar a player picks the string, the more higher level overtones are generated, with the result that the tone color becomes "harder". On the other hand, the closer to the central area of the string and the farther from the bridge a player picks the string, the fewer higher level overtones are generated, with the result that the tone color becomes "soft". A tone generated based on the detected pitch and envelope alone does not reflect these characteristic features of the guitar.
Other conventional pitch detection methods are also used for detecting a pitch representative of a frequency of string vibration. For example, in the zero-cross detection method, the position at which an amplitude value of a waveshape intersects with a reference level value (the zero-cross point) is detected, and a time separation between two zero-cross points that corresponds to a cycle of the waveshape is measured. In still other conventional pitch detection methods, a cycle of a waveshape is obtained by calculating a self-correlation function of the waveshape, or by detecting a separation between peak values of the waveshape.
The above-described pitch detecting methods have both advantages and disadvantages. For example, when a string of a guitar is picked, the string starts vibrating. It is appreciated that the vibration of the string typically has a complicated waveshape during a period immediately after the string is picked. This starting period of the waveshape is called an attack portion and contains many higher level overtones. Therefore, it is difficult to detect the correct pitch during the attack portion and an erroneous pitch detection often occurs if pitch is detected during the attack portion.
In order to prevent an erroneous pitch detection, pitch detection may be delayed until the waveshape stabilizes to a specified level. However, in this case, since a pitch is not detected for some time after the string is picked, generation of a tone is delayed. As a result, a performer may feel that the tone generation is disordered and the delayed tone generation may adversely interfere with musical performance of the performer. For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application SHO 55-87196 describes a pitch detection method in which key-on data is outputted only when the same pitch is detected in two cycles. As a result, generation of a tone is delayed.

Electronic stringed instrument using phase difference to control tone generation


An apparatus suitable for adaptation and use either as an exterior foundational base shroud or an interior decorative baseboard. In either case, the apparatus may be used to conceal and protect electrical, communications, or other conduit. The apparatus is suitable for use with a variety of standardized structural panels and may be manufactured through the extrusion process.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,678, issued to Hesser on Dec. 20, 1994, teaches an improved structural panel in which a light-weight structural material is enclosed between two portions of sheet metal and the combinant panel is further strengthened by reinforcing steel bars which are housed and enclosed within the structural panel sheets.
When uniform structural panels are used to construct all or significant portions of a building, it is useful to formulate a standardized means of framing and positioning the various structural panels. A building will only be as strong as its weakest member. Accordingly, it is important to position and frame the structural panels with framing members which are capable of securing and holding the various portions of such building or structure and will also allow the flexibility of providing a variety of building accessories or options.
Aluminum is a useful material for constructing such building frame members. Aluminum has high strength properties for structural metal applications, has a high resistance to corrosion, is easily fabricated, is reasonably light weight, can be welded or mechanically fastened together, and otherwise has properties making it acceptable as a building material. For instance, it does not become permanently magnetized in the presence of a permanent magnetic field.
Aluminum is also desirable for other reasons. For instance, it is easy to work with and fabricate frame members from aluminum. This is because the appropriate alloys or blends of aluminum can be produced by an extrusion process. Extruding is a very efficient and reliable way to fabricate such building components and is desirable.
Standardization is also very helpful in this regard. There are a variety of building components which lend themselves to standardization. For instance, a typical house will have a pitched roof which extends from eave members along opposite sides through a pitched roof to a ridge top. Additionally, a building will normally have an interior baseboard. Most buildings, whether residential or commercial, will also have a need for conduits and passageways through which electrical, communications, and other wiring or cabling may be passed. Finally, most buildings will require a series of windows or other openings along exterior walls. Accordingly, it is helpful to be able to develop standardized apparatus which may be appropriate to each of these purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,811, issued to Keith, on Nov. 11, 1976, teaches both a roof panel that is light-weight and structurally strong and also a means of fastening such a roof panel together with nut-and-bolt-type fasteners which are tightened between pairs of structural panels through a protruding-accessory design to hold the frames of the two panels in close proximity with each other and then covered with a shroud. The apparatus taught by Keith can easily be seen to interrupt the continuity of the surface of one or the other side of each pair of structural panels.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,373, issued to Eschbach, et al, on Jan. 25, 1977, teaches extrusions for partitions, walls, and enclosures which provide a general "C" frame. Included within the Eschbach patent are a variety of clip-on type connections, which include enclosed shrouds, which are useful in clamping and assembling such structural component panels of a temporary nature, such as the shell of a vehicle. The components of Eschbach are generally capable of manufacture with the extrusion process, but generally do not teach a means and apparatus of securely anchoring a more permanent type building, such as a house, to the foundation nor accommodating it with means of delivering conduit for electricity, communications lines, or other utilities.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,555, issued to Henges, on Apr. 8, 1980, teaches another means of linking structural panels which are of a solid-core type. Such includes interlocking frame members. In particular, Henges teaches a corner structure and a means and apparatus of pivoting or providing angled relationships between such structural panels.
The apparatus taught by Henges does not provide for any decorative aspect, nor for the area near the foundation of a wall through which conduit for electrical and communications lines may be passed.
What is not provided in the prior art is an apparatus for serving as the baseboard for an interior wall for a foundational shroud for an exterior wall for a permanent building manufactured of interlocking structural panels. It would also be helpful to have such a baseboard or foundational shroud which can be removed or clipped into place in order to install, remove, or service electrical or communications lines and to conceal and protect such lines from sight or from the elements.

Extruded building frame and baseboard combination member


A method and system is provided for correcting fueling commands. For example, the method and system may calibrate an engine operating in a steady-state mode by determining a plurality of accuracy errors associated with a fueling rate based on a plurality of sensor measurements. The method and system may determine fueling rate correction data during on-line operation of the engine based on the plurality of accuracy errors. The on-line operation of the engine may comprise operating the engine in a transient mode at a first period of time and a steady-state mode at a second period of time. The method and system may control at least one fueling valve during operation of the engine using a corrected fueling command. The corrected fueling command is based on the fueling rate correction data.

In power generation systems, the engine combusts fuel provided by the fuel system using an oxidant, such as oxygen, to provide energy that drives the generator. Specifically, an engine controller (e.g., an electronic control module (ECM)) monitors a plurality of system operating parameters via various sensors and interprets a subset of the monitored parameters, such as engine speed, mass air flow rate, etc., to determine the fueling command that indicates desired amount of fuel to be injected. Fuel is then metered by the fuel system based on the fueling command and mixed with air stream aspirated by the engine. The air/fuel mixture is then transported through the air intake and finally ignited by sparks in power cylinders to generate power through its combustion.
Ideally, the actual fueling resulting from the fueling commands should maintain the lambda (i.e., the air to fuel ratio normalized by the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio) of the mixture at its target to achieve varying engine operation requirements. However, uncertainties in generating fueling commands in various operating conditions as well as uncertainties in the fuel system, and other factors may result in actual fueling varying from its desired amount.
Typically, the errors in actual fueling are absorbed and accounted for using a closed-loop lambda control in which the lambda target is compensated by a closed-loop controller, such as a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. The closed-loop lambda controller measures the lambda via a lambda sensor and then generates a compensated lambda target through the comparison between the desired and measured lambda. The compensated lambda target, typically deviated from the original target, is used to cancel out the errors in actual fueling such that lambda can still be maintained at its original target in steady state even with fueling uncertainties.
However, in some examples, the measurements from the lambda sensor may be unavailable and thus lambda control only relies on a feed-forward control manner. For example, lambda measurements are typically unavailable during cranking (e.g., starting the engine) as the sensor requires time to warm up before it can provide an output. In the feed-forward control examples, the lambda target may be generated by pre-calibrated look-up tables and might not be compensated by the closed-loop controller. As a result, the uncertainties in fueling may result in steady-state errors in lambda tracking, and thus either preventing the engine from starting on time or, in the worst case, not starting at all. In this regard, there remains a need for providing systems and methodologies to address these and other shortcomings of the uncertainty-induced fueling errors, especially in feed-forward lambda control scenarios.

Method and system for correcting errors in fueling commands


A system and method for maintaining operational states of vehicle remote actuators during failure conditions is described. The system controller determines if the actuator controller is operating properly by monitoring an enable line and initiates a safe mode of operation if the actuator is not operating properly.

1. Subject Matter of the Invention
The invention relates to system and methods for maintaining operational states of vehicle remote actuators during failure conditions.
2. Description of the Known Art
Vehicles, such as automobiles, have a variety of passive and active safety systems protecting the occupants of the vehicle if the vehicle is involved in a collision. Active safety systems work to prevent accidents; they selectively actuate controllers that assist the driver in steering and braking the automobile to help prevent accidents. If the controllers are not operating properly, they can degrade the ability for the driver to control the automobile, which may lead to an accident.
Prior art solutions generally utilize a single electronic control unit for processing signals and controlling actuation. This relies on a single electronic control unit to failsafe itself by cross checking its control and signals. This electronic control unit typically will contain additional logic to make sure it is operating properly. This logic can become quite complex because the electronic control unit is often the only system processing this information in this context and relies on self-checks to insure proper operation.
Further objects, features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent to persons skilled in the art after a review of the following description, with reference to the drawings and claims that are appended to and form a part of this specification.

System and method for maintaining operational states of vehicle remote actuators during failure conditions


A method for preventing the formation of cellular gamma prime in nickel-based superalloys comprises the steps of: casting a nickel-based superalloy into a desired article; subjecting the cast article to hot isostatic pressing at a temperature in excess of 2000° F. at a pressure greater than 15,000 psi to close internal pores in the cast article; and avoiding any formation of the cellular gamma prime in the cast article.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for preventing the formation of cellular gamma prime in cast nickel-based superalloys.
(2) Prior Art
In cast nickel-based superalloys, the cellular gamma prime precipitate is clearly undesirable. The cellular form of gamma prime, shown by the circled sites in FIG. 1, is not broadly known. In some cast nickel-based superalloys, it has been observed after hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Once formed, the gamma prime precipitate is difficult to dissolve as compared to the cuboidal form of gamma prime, which is familiar and essential for good performance under high temperature and stress. Creep rupture testing for material containing just low levels of cellular gamma prime have shown significant reductions in life. FIG. 2 illustrates these reductions in life.
Thus, there is a need for a method for preventing the formation of cellular gamma prime in cast nickel-based superalloys.

Method for preventing formation of cellular gamma prime in cast nickel superalloys


The memory device includes a first logic element which is supplied with a first power supply voltage, and inverts a polarity of a potential of an input terminal to output the potential with the inverted polarity from an output terminal, a second logic element which is supplied with a second power supply voltage supplied through a different path from the first power supply voltage, and inverts a polarity of a potential of an input terminal to output the potential with the inverted polarity from an output terminal, a first memory circuit connected to the input terminal of the first logic element, and a second memory circuit connected to the input terminal of the second logic element. The input terminal and the output terminal of the first logic element are connected to the output terminal and the input terminal of the second logic element, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a memory device and a semiconductor device including the memory device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor elements of semiconductor devices such as central processing units (CPUs) has been downsized to increase operation speed and integration degree, and now transistors with a channel length of approximately 30 nm are manufactured. On the other hand, downsizing semiconductor elements leads to an increase in power consumption (leakage power) due to leakage current of transistors in CPUs. Specifically, most of power consumption of conventional CPUs is power consumption (operation power) at the time of calculations, while leakage power accounts for at least 10% of power consumption of CPUs in recent years.
In particular, a cache often has large capacity to achieve high CPU throughput, and corresponds to an integrated circuit whose leakage power is the largest among elements of a CPU. In particular, caches in a CPU for portable devices such as mobile phones and portable information terminals occupy more than or equal to half a chip area or more than or equal to half the number of transistors; therefore, a reduction in leakage power of caches is highly needed. Accordingly, attention is paid to a technique called normally-off computing in which power consumption of a CPU is reduced in such a manner that the supply of power to integrated circuits such as caches that are inactive is stopped by power gating (Non-Patent Document 1). The supply of power is stopped within a short time in the normally-off computing; accordingly, a memory element serving as a cache is required to not only be nonvolatile but also operate at a high speed. Flash memories, which are nonvolatile memories, are incapable of performing such high-speed operation and have an insufficient number of data rewrites for use as a cache.
In view of the above, a memory device in which a nonvolatile memory element which can operate at a higher speed and has a larger number of data rewrites than a flash memory is provided in addition to a volatile memory element which is conventionally used for a cache is proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic circuit which includes a volatile data holding circuit using an inverter and a ferro-electric capacitor and in which data can be held by storing the data in the ferro-electric capacitor even when the supply of power is stopped. Patent Document 2 discloses a nonvolatile latch circuit which is formed using first and second inverters connected in a cross-coupled structure and first and second magnetoresistive elements.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


Methods and apparatus to reduce the stopping time of a spindle motor are disclosed. An example method includes detecting a dissipation current flowing in a spinning motor; determining when the dissipation current drops below a threshold value; and, in response to the dissipation current dropping below the threshold value, applying a voltage to the motor to increase the dissipation current for a duration. In some examples, the voltage is removed from the motor when the motor reaches a predetermined rotational velocity to avoid reverse rotation.

A hard disk drive is a non-volatile storage device that stores encoded data on one or more rotatable storage platters. To read and write data to and from the platters, the hard disk drive includes read and write heads coupled to one or more actuator arms that move radially across the platters. A spindle motor is used to rotate the platters and is typically driven by a motor controller. The controller also typically stops the rotation of the spindle when the hard disk drive enters an inactive state.

Methods and apparatus to reduce the stopping time of spindle motors


An indicator mechanism or gauge is located in a golf club and provides an indication that the “sweet spot” on a golf club head has been hit and the speed of the club head. The indicator mechanism includes a sensor mounted on the head of a golf club and an indicator positioned on top of the shaft of the club. The sensor detects the impact of the golf ball and hydraulically transmits this information to the indicator mechanism. A visual indicator protrudes from the top of the golf club shaft and provides an indication of the speed of the golf club.

Millions of people enjoy the game of golf. One of the key elements of the game is to determine how far the ball must be hit. There are circumstances during the game when the ball should travel as far as possible and circumstances when the ball only has to travel a limited distance. The factors which determine the distance that a golf ball will travel include the initial velocity, launch angle, spin rate and spin axis of the ball. The initial velocity has the greatest affect on the distance traveled. There are two general methods for analyzing a golf club during a swing, visual analysis and quantitative analysis.
The visual analysis is typically done by a golf instructor capable of discerning the golf swing variables and suggesting corrections to the golfer to improve their swing. Another method of visual analysis is performed utilizing cameras to record the golfer's swing and then playing back the recordings and comparing them to a model swing. Using various camera angles and slow motion, the actual swing can be analyzed and changes determined for future swings.
Quantitative analysis, on the other hand, employs sensors to measure the various mechanical and physical properties of the golf club during the swing. Sensors such as strain gauges or accelerometers are typically attached to the golf club or head. Data collected from these sensors are then transferred to a display viewable by the golfer. A significant drawback associated with a number of these gauges is that the golf clubs must be provided with wires to send the data to the displays. These wires can be cumbersome and interfere with a golfer's swing such that an accurate measurement of the swing cannot be made.


A device for the wavelength-related stabilization of an optical filter, particularly a wavelength-division multiplexer/demultiplexer, comprises a Bragg grating arranged in the proximity of the filter and a waveguide for supplying a fixed optical reference wavelength to the grating. The grating is regulated to either a maximum transmission and minimum reflection or a minimum transmission and maximum reflection of the reference wavelength by controlling the temperature of the grating and of the filter.

The present invention is directed to a device for the wavelength-related stabilization of an optical filter, particularly a wavelength-division multiplexer/demultiplexer.
Wavelength-division multiplex/demultiplex methods, wherein different information are transmitted simultaneously by the same fiber on frequency channels defined by different optical carrier frequencies, are being increasingly utilized for the transmission and distribution of information via optical fibers, for example glass fibers. Narrow-band optical filters are required for the multiplexing and demultiplexing of these optical channels.
It must be assured in the optical network that the frequency-related or, respectively, wavelength-related position of the channels of these filters is also constant at various nodes, for example, the filters must be absolutely stabilized to specific wavelengths.
It must be assured in an optical network that the position of the channels of these filters is also constant at various nodes, for example, the filters must be absolutely stabilized for specific wavelengths.
This stabilization can already be assured in the manufacture of filters, for example, see copending U.S. Application Ser. No. 08/765,074, (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,171) which is the National Phase for PCT Application PCT/DE95/00745 claiming priority from German Application P 44 22 651.9 and the PCT Application was published on Jan. 11, 1996 as WO96/00915. However, in this filter, the transmission curves can shift relative to one another during operation of the filters at various locations, for example due to different ambient temperatures. This will lead to undesirable additional losses.
A temperature-stabilization of the filters and/or the employment of a reference wavelength have already been proposed for solving this problem. The reference wavelength can be utilized as either being centrally distributed or locally distributed. The central distribution is rather unfavorable, since the optical channel thereby employed is not available for useful signal transmission or is only available therefor to a limited extent.

Device for wavelength-related stabilization of an optical filter


A processor having a plurality of hardware resources can perform separate controls within a proper range according to the dependent relations of hardware resources troubled. In case a notification is made of the failure of the hardware resources constituting the processor, a processor control method decides the range of the hardware resources, which cannot be used because of that failure, as a failure range, on the basis of the dependencies of the individual hardware resources predetermined, and stops the use of the hardware resources of the failure range on the basis of that decision result. When the use of the hardware resources indicated by the failure range is stopped, the hardware is not stopped before a predetermined operation is performed not to affect the instruction processing procedure outside of the failure range.

The present invention relates to control of separating an error portion in processors capable of simultaneously executing instruction processing procedures.
In the present field of processors, a multi-core processor implementing a plurality of cores within a single processor in order to improve a throughput and a processor capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of threads by the single core, are on the way of becoming a mainstream at the present.
Further, the high-end server is employed for an operation that is not permitted to stop in many cases, and is, if a fault occurs, required to resume the operation by quickly separating the fault-occurred element.
Moreover, there are an increased number of high-end servers which include a system controller dedicated to controlling and monitoring the whole system in many cases, and the processor is equipped with a command/interface etc as an extended version of a JTAG (Join Test Action Group) interface for the IEEE 1149.1 standard entitled Standard so that an interrupt signal to the system controller can be controlled from within the system controller.
In a conventional error process, if an error occurs in the hardware, the software (OS) is notified of the occurrence of the error through high-level interrupt, and the OS switches over to an error processing routine from the normal process. The OS executes a so-called separating process (degenerating process) of specifying the fault-occurred element by repeating an access to the hardware, setting a flag showing the fault-occurred element and disabling the fault-occurred element from being used.

Processor controller, processor control method, storage medium, and external controller