A friction clutch in which carbon input disks are coupled to a flywheel by radial slots in their peripheries. Carbon input disks are coupled to a drive shaft by means of inner, radial slots and a metallic hub which contains slot-matching fingers. The input and output disks as well as the hub are axially free standing when the clutch is disengaged. The design distributes load more uniformly over the carbon plates than previous devices and allows greater service life of the clutch.

This invention relates to improvements in carbon to carbon friction clutches.
These mechanisms employ carbon disks for both the driver and the driven plates; the disks are free standing, i.e. the carbon is not applied as a facing material for steel disks. Carbon in this application has two major advantages: its coefficient of friction increases with temperature--a desirable property when the clutch is engaged and disengaged repeatedly in short periods of time; it has a density which is half of that of steel--light weight clutches can easily be designed with the use of carbon.
Carbon also has two disadvantages: it has a relatively low compressional strength and it abrades easily. In recent years methods have been devised for improving carbon's physical properties. In one process (Watts et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,932,568) carbon particles are heated, mixed with phenolic resin and molded into plates under heat and pressure. Another process (Nitz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,533) involves the adding of carbon reinforcing fibers to a carbon matrix and hot pressing the latter in a mold. These and other processes have made it possible to design a clutch which uses free standing disks of carbon. This kind of unit is described by Marin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,353. A carbon to carbon clutch of this type will operate satisfactorily at low and moderate loads. A carbon driven plate which depends on carbon teeth to mesh with steel splines in an output shaft would fail in shear as the load became high, even with the improved carbon material. In racing cars loads are very high as the driver accelerates and decelerates during various maneuvers. A carbon to carbon clutch made in accordance with the prior art would therefore have a limited life.
If a suitable means were available for reinforcing the driven plates against compressional failure, the second disadvantage--high abrasion rate can also be minimized. The driving and driven plates can be arranged so that they "float" during clutch disengagement. This allows both sets of plates to "rearrange" themselves axially prior to each re-engagement, a situation which minimizes abrasive wear. It is also possible in a carbon to carbon clutch to use less steel in the overall construction, substituting lighter metals, with the net result of increased maneuverability during racing.
It is one objective of the present invention to reinforce the driven carbon plate so that it can withstand high compression loading.
It is a second objective to incorporate an axial "floating" action in the clutch so that a uniform and low wear rate is achieved and the effects of initial axial misalignment are minimized.
According to the present invention the driver and driven plates are mounted between a clutch cover and the flywheel of the car's engine. Separation between cover and flywheel is maintained by a series of radially distributed blocks bolted between them. The driver plates contain apertures on their outer peripheries to accommodate the blocks; the driver plates thus have axial freedom when the clutch is disengaged because they can slide axially along these blocks. The driven plates contain a central hole with slots formed at even intervals around the periphery of the hole. A splined, light-metal hub containing fingers which fit the slots serves to couple the driven plates to the output shaft. The number of slots in the carbon driven plates can be chosen to vary the area of contact with the hub and thus control the compressional load. The driven plates can "float" when the clutch is disengaged on the hub fingers and as a result of the hub's movement on the spline.
Another feature of the present invention is the reduction of the temperature gradient between the driven carbon disk and the output shaft. The metal hub serves as a heat sink between the carbon and the steel output shaft. Expansion differences between the carbon of the driven plates and the metal of the hub fingers and however not important because of the non-rigid attachment.
One embodiment of the invention will be described to illustrate the general principles with respect to the following drawings.


According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes: first and second plate-shaped portions which extend in a stacking direction of each layer of a first stacked body and a first direction intersecting the stacking direction and are arranged between the first stacked body and a second stacked body on both sides of the second stacked body in a second direction intersecting the stacking direction and the first direction; and an isolation layer that penetrates at least the uppermost conductive layer among a plurality of conductive layers and isolates the uppermost conductive layer in the second direction. The isolation layer extends in a portion of the first stacked body in the first direction toward the second stacked body, and is connected to a side surface of the first plate-shaped portion from a first region on an inner side of the first and second plate-shaped portions.

In a three-dimensional non-volatile memory, for example, memory cells are arranged three-dimensionally in a stacked body in which a plurality of conductive layers are stacked. In order to make these memory cells function, some conductive layers among the plurality of conductive layers are sometimes isolated inside a layer and partitioned into several portions.


RAID storage systems and methods adapted to enable the use of NAND flash-based solid-state drives. The RAID storage system includes an array of solid-state drives and a controller operating to combine the solid-state drives into a logical unit. The controller utilizes data striping to form data stripe sets comprising data (stripe) blocks that are written to individual drives of the array, utilizes distributed parity to write parity data of the data stripe sets to individual drives of the array, and writes the data blocks and the parity data to different individual drives of the array. The RAID storage system detects the number of data blocks of at least one of the data stripe sets and then, depending on the number of data blocks detected, may invert bit values of the parity data or add a dummy data value of “1” to the parity value.

The present invention generally relates to memory devices for use with computers and other processing apparatuses. More particularly, this invention relates to the use of solid-state drives in combination with redundant arrays of independent drives (RAID) configurations.
Mass storage devices such as advanced technology attachment (ATA) drives and small computer system interface (SCSI) drives are rapidly adopting non-volatile memory technology, such as flash memory or another emerging solid-state memory technology including phase change memory (PCM), resistive random access memory (RRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM), organic memories, or nanotechnology-based storage media such as carbon nanofiber/nanotube-based substrates. Currently the most common solid-state technology uses NAND flash memory components as inexpensive storage memory, often in a form commonly referred to as a solid-state drive (SSD).
Briefly, flash memory components store information in an array of floating-gate transistors, referred to as cells. The cell of a NAND flash memory component has a top gate (TG) and a floating gate (FG), the latter being sandwiched between the top gate and the channel of the cell. The floating gate is separated from the channel by a layer of tunnel oxide. Data are stored in (written to) a NAND flash cell in the form of a charge on the floating gate which, in turn, defines the channel properties of the NAND flash cell by either augmenting or opposing a charge on the top gate. This charge on the floating gate is achieved by applying a programming voltage to the top gate. Data are erased from a NAND flash cell by applying an erase voltage to the device substrate, which then pulls electrons from the floating gate. The charging (programming) of the floating gate is unidirectional, that is, programming can only inject electrons into the floating gate, but not release them.
NAND flash cells are organized in what are commonly referred to as pages, which in turn are organized in what are referred to as memory blocks (or sectors). Each block is a predetermined section of the NAND flash memory component. A NAND flash memory component allows data to be stored, retrieved and erased on a block-by-block basis. For example, erasing cells is described above as involving the application of a positive voltage to the device substrate, which does not allow isolation of individual cells or even pages, but must be done on a per block basis. As a result, the minimum erasable size is an entire block, and erasing must be done every time a cell is being re-written.
In stand-alone drives, the above-noted "pre-erase requirement" of the NAND data structure can cause performance degradation. However, with the use of house-keeping functions, such as coalescing and pro-actively erasing blocks containing old or obsolete data (garbage collection) and subsequent reclaiming of the blocks through TRIM functionality, a reasonable status quo can be maintained over most of the life span of a drive. In this context, it is important to note that as many blocks as possible have to be in the "erased state" in order to allow fast write access.
The "pre-erase requirement" of the NAND data structure poses an impediment to the use of NAND flash memory components in redundant arrays of independent drives (or devices), commonly referred to as RAID. A typical implementation of RAID technology employs a RAID controller for combining an array of disk drives into a logical unit where all drives in the array are interdependent. Most implementations of RAID technology employ data striping, which is a known technique for segmenting logically sequential data when storing data to different physical storage devices. The most prevalent forms of true RAID (not counting RAID Level 0 or Level 1) are RAID Level 5 and RAID Level 6. RAID Level 5 typically uses Hamming code based on XOR calculations to generate the checksum of corresponding bit values across the array. In contrast to, for example, RAID Level 4, which uses the same principle and stores the parity data on a dedicated drive, RAID Level 5 uses distributed parity, meaning that the parity values are stored in blocks across all drives belonging to the array using a rotating scheme. As an example, a Level 5 RAID configuration is represented in FIG. 1 as using three data blocks and one parity block for each set of stored data, resulting in four drives (devices).
As known in the art, parity calculations using the XOR operator are widely used to provide fault tolerance in a given set of data. These calculations can be carried out at the system level with a central processing unit (CPU) of a host computer, or by a dedicated microprocessor. As represented in FIG. 2(a), the result of performing the XOR calculation on two different bit values (0 and 1, or 1 and 0) is 1, whereas the result is 0 for two identical bit values (1's or 0's). By extension, any even number of identical bit values (1 or 0) will result in a parity value of 0. In the case of hard disk drives or volatile memory systems (such as SDRAM), this particular feature has no bearing on functionality. However, in the context of NAND-based solid-state drives, and in particular because of their unidirectional programming mode of operation, the XOR result can pose a severe problem. As represented in FIG. 2(b), if a RAID Level 5 configuration contains an even number of drives, then the parity calculation is carried out across an odd number of blocks belonging to a stripe. In contrast, FIG. 2(a) evidences that the parity calculation is carried out across an even number of blocks belonging to a stripe if the RAID Level 5 configuration contains an odd number of drives. For a RAID Level 5 configuration containing NAND flash-based solid-state drives, if a drive erases or else writes "1's" to all bits, the corresponding parity block is programmed as all "0's." Because of their unidirectional programming mode, NAND flash-based drives do not allow any further update of the block without selectively erasing the particular block on the drive having the parity data for a given stripe. The same problem occurs in all cases where partial pages are being written, in that typically the part of the page that is "not written to" is programmed to all "1's" or FF byte values. Consequently, the parity block will have all corresponding entries programmed to "0." If the unused part of the page is updated on any block, the parity block must also be updated. However, this is not possible unless the entire data set is moved to a fresh block, starting from "FF" values.
The situation described above can cause an excessive number of unnecessary program/erase cycles for blocks used for parity values. Aside from slowing down the write speed, the result can be excessive wear on these drives. Particularly in the case of data updates, the stripe block allocation across the different devices in the array may not change. Therefore, the drive holding the respective parity data will be rewritten with new parity data to new blocks, leaving all previously used blocks programmed to "00," which constitutes the worst case scenario for wear, programming and erase time.
In view of the problem outlined above, RAID Level 5 and also RAID Level 6 (dual distributed parity) are effectively crippled in terms of implementation with NAND-based solid-state drives. Therefore, new strategies are needed to adapt these and other RAID configurations using parity calculations for use with NAND flash-based solid-state drives, as well as any other solid-state storage media with similar behavioral characteristics.

Raid storage systems having arrays of solid-state drives and methods of operation


A lock device includes an inlet arranged in a vehicle and having an inlet housing into which a charge cable is insertable. A lock mechanism is capable of locking the charge cable to the inlet. The lock device includes a lock mechanism attachment portion arranged in the inlet housing and enabling attachment of the lock mechanism to the inlet housing. The lock device may be located on an outer surface of the inlet housing and may include a movable lock pin that serves to retain a lock arm of the charge cable and may also be used to retain a lid for closing the inlet. With this system the inlet housing and lock mechanism form a single unit for ease of assembly.

Vehicles that emit less carbon dioxide, such as plugin hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, are environment-friendly and have become popular. Such a vehicle is powered by a battery, and the body of the vehicle is provided with an inlet (charge inlet) used to charge the battery. A power plug of a charge cable provided in a charging facility is connectable to the inlet. When a power switch of the power plug is turned on, power is supplied through the charge cable to charge the battery. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-161898 describes one example of such a power plug.

KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO


The invention relates to a method of slitting photographic print material comprising providing at least one rotary anvil shearing device and at least one rotary knife shearing device wherein said at least one rotary knife has a rake angle of between about 50 and 70 degrees, and passing photographic material between said anvil and said knife to cut said material.

During the manufacturing of color paper it is necessary to cut the material lengthwise prior to its exposure, to reach suitable size for customer use. The photographic paper is formed in long, wide sheets, then spooled into large rolls. These rolls must be slit to suitable widths in a very accurate manner. It is important that the slitting be performed without damage to the sensitive photographic materials that are on the paper substrate. Further, it is important that slitting be performed without creation of substantial dust which might lead to undesirable contamination of picture surfaces after development.
Generally the knives utilized for cutting photographic papers have been arrangements of circular knives on shafts, with the paper being fed between the shafts with knives. The circular knives are brought together such that they touch and overlap slightly at the edge. It is common for one knife to have a square edge called the female knife, and the other knife to be ground at some angle, this knife called a male knife. In this way, many strips can be simultaneously slit from a wide sheet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,821--Munier et al discloses such a cutting device. EP 0 737 552--Blandin also discloses a knife and anvil cutting device.
The male circular knife generally has been applied to the upper or photosensitive side of the paper during slitting with the female knife in contact with the other side. However, in some instances, the reverse has been practiced. Typically the knife blade previously used has had a low rake angle, 10-15 degrees, ground on the edge, the low angle was used because it was an improvement over a square edge with no rake, and a mid range angle, such as 30 to 45 degrees.
In some instances, there has been found to be discoloration, such as yellow dye formation on the cut edge of photographic pictures after development. Further, there is a continuing problem with dirt and debris generated during cutting that will contaminate images during development.

High rake knives for color paper slitting


The present invention relates to a chemical additive for use with treatment fluids suitable for removing contaminants from oil and gas wells. In one preferred embodiment, the additive includes: a first surface-active agent having an HLB in a range of about 5 to about 9; a second surface-active agent having an HLB in a range of about 11 to about 13; a third surface-active agent having an HLB in a range of about 14 to about 33; a coupling agent; and a coalescing solvent.

Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and heteroatomic organic compounds of varying molecular weight and polarity. A common practice in the petroleum industry is to separate crude oil into four chemically distinct fractions: saturates, aromatics, asphaltenes, and resins.
Oil production from a well can decline suddenly or over time due to precipitation of solids, with one of the most serious precipitation problems being the creation of formation damage, i.e. partial or complete blockage by precipitated solids (asphaltenes, paraffins) within the formation in-flow production zone, on the well casing and even its associated equipment through which hydrocarbons and co-produced water must pass in order to be extracted from the well for recovery. Another problem is the adsorption of asphaltenes on the reservoirs mineral surfaces, whereby the wettability of the reservoir is changed from the preferred water-wet condition to a oil-wet condition and thereby further reducing the potential oil recovery. If the plugging damage of crude contaminants and deposited crude oil constituents on the well formations adjacent to the well casings and the well casings and its associated equipment is periodically removed, and the wettability of the reservoir returned to a more nascent-like water-wet and hydrophobic formation water condition, the overall production of the "treated" well can be expected to return to its previous or even improved productivity. In spite of treatment, over time, the crude oil production may gradually decrease as the precipitation and wettability problems slowly recurs or sudden decline may occur again requiring further treatment to restore its productivity.
Current techniques for removing these contaminants and solids via treating (could be viewed as cleaning) an oil well include the injection of various well-known solvents, oils, acids, bases, liquefied gases, water, alcohols, glycols, and glycol ethers and various mixtures of these liquids into the well where they are given time to work followed by removal. The injected treatment fluids generally cause the asphaltines and paraffins in the zone to break up and remix into the crude so they can be removed from the well. The various fluids also dissolve, disperse, or suspend a variety of other contaminants such as scale, drilling residues, rust and the like which may be also be obstructing the casing, perforations, or nearby formation to varying degrees, thereby allowing oil in the production zone to more readily flow into the casing and eventually be brought to the surface. Additionally, the treatment fluids may be used to break down and remove asphaltenes precipitated on the formations mineral surfaces and may assist in returning the well to a preferred water-wet condition.
The treatment fluids are injected into the well, under varying pressure and volume conditions, depending on the well conditions and treatment objectives, allowed to remain in the well for a period of time, which also varies according to the fluid and well conditions, then the mixture is drawn out of the well with the expectation that the mixture will remove most of the deposited contaminants that have collected on the well casings, perforations, and the porous formation adjacent the perforated well casings. One such treatment fluid includes the use of petroleum distillates (hot or cold). Another such treatment fluid mixture includes the use of hydrochloric and other acids. Yet another treatment fluid mixture includes aromatic solvents such as xylene, toluene etc. Other treatment fluid mixtures include one or more types of liquefied gases. Additionally, other treatment fluid mixtures might include any of the previously mentioned fluids with the addition of short chain alcohols, glycols and/or glycol ethers, or fresh or saline waters.
In order to effectively remove the built-up contaminants and precipitated solids on the well casings and the adjacent formations, the casings and formations must be effectively wet to enhance removal of the contaminants and crude oil. While the foregoing treatment fluids are effective to varying degrees, the cleaning effectiveness of these fluids would be increased by the addition of an additive that substantially improves the wetting properties of the treatment fluids or mixtures. What is needed is a well treatment fluid additive that increases cleaning effectiveness by improving the overall wetting properties of the treatment fluid. What is also needed is a well treatment fluid additive that provides substantially improved treatment effectiveness resulting in higher volume production and extension of the time interval these higher volumes occur before the well production declines and another treatment cycle is required.

Additive for enhanced treatment of oil well contaminants


There is disclosed a facsimile apparatus which transmits a predetermined signal, such as CNG signal, during pause periods succeeding the transmission of telephone number signals. This operation prevents the delay of CNG signal detection in case the receiving side has an automatic telephone/facsimile switching function, and also prevents the facsimile communication being erroneously cut off in case the pause period of the calling side eventually overlaps with the CNG detection period of the receiving side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data communication apparatus for effecting data communication after sending out a dialling signal.
2. Related Background Art
There is already known a facsimile apparatus which is capable of calling a destination station and thereafter automatically effecting facsimile communication. In the facsimile communication, it is customary to set a time for initial identification (TI) for detecting an effective response signal from the destination and to inspect the expiration of said time by so-called TI timer.
It is also already known, at making a call, to enter or store in advance pause data for determining the timing of start of facsimile communication, in addition to the telephone number data.
FIG. 6 shows the sequence of signals in call making in a conventional facsimile apparatus, wherein the left-hand side shows the signals from the calling (image transmitting) side while the right-hand side shows the signals of the called (image receiving) side.
As shown in FIG. 6, the calling side transmits dial data (tone or pulse signals) A corresponding to the telephone number, and then CNG signals.
The called side, in case of automatic reception, switches the line to the facsimile unit, and, upon detection of the CNG signal, transmits a protocol signal (such as DIS) of the called side.
FIG. 7 shows a case of providing a pause period according to pause data entered in advance. A pause period D is provided after the transmission of the dial data. In the illustrated example, there are inserted three pause periods of a unit length each, corresponding to three sets of pause data.
At a pause digit, the conventional facsimile apparatus interrupts the transmission of dial data and does not transmit any signal to the telephone line (D in FIG. 7).
The TI timer is started after the transmission of all digits (including pause data), as indicated by C in FIG. 7. The transmission of the CNG (facsimile call) signal is started after the start of said TI timer.
In an overseas automatic call, plural pause periods are automatically set or registered by the user at the end of dial data as shown in FIG. 7, in order to prevent the transmission from being inhibited by the overflow of the TI timer as the connection time is longer in such call.
However, in such conventional structure, if the receiving side is a facsimile apparatus with automatic telephone/facsimile switching function, the detection of the CNG signal is delayed by the time of the pause period inserted by the calling side, because the CNG signal transmission is started after the processing of the pause digit. Also if the CNG detecting period of the receiving side overlaps with the pause period of the calling side as shown in FIG. 7, the receiving side may mistake the call as a telephone call, whereby the facsimile communication may be terminated by an error ending.


In a hydraulic tensioner, an oil pressure control recess, at a proximal end of a cylindrical, plunger-receiving hole, receives from an oil supply, and also receives oil which oozes past a check valve and an inner sleeve inside the plunger, thereby returning the oil, which would leak to the outside in a conventional hydraulic tensioner, to the interior of the plunger.

As shown in FIG. 5, a conventional hydraulic tensioner 500 comprises a plunger 510 having a hollow portion 511 with a closed end 511b, and open toward the inside of the tensioner. The plunger 510 fits into a cylindrical hole 520 in a tensioner housing 520, and is extensible and retractable in the tensioner housing so that it can maintain engagement with a timing chain. An oil passage 522 allows oil, supplied under pressure from an oil source, to communicate with the cylindrical hole 521. A check valve block 530, which is slidably fitted into the cylindrical inner surface 511a of hollow portion 511, allows oil to flow toward the closed end 511b of the plunger 510. A spring 540, interposed between the check valve block 530 and the closed end 511b, biases the plunger forward, and at the same time holds the check valve block against a sleeve 550, which is seated on an end portion 523a of a hole 523 in the plunger. Hole 523 has a diameter d2 which is smaller than the diameter d1 of the cylindrical hole 521. The check valve block 530 is thus held at a fixed position in the tensioner housing 520 although it is slidable relative to the inner circumferential surface 511a of the plunger 510.
In the conventional hydraulic tensioner 500, the oil passage 522 communicates with an internal space IA of the inner sleeve 550, which functions as an oil reservoir. The oil fills a high pressure chamber HA between the closed end 511b of the hollow portion 511, and the check valve block 530, from the inside of the inner sleeve 550, through the check valve block 530. The plunger 510 is always pressed toward the timing chain by the biasing force of the spring 540, to apply chain tension to the chain.
When the plunger 510 is pushed back into the tensioner housing by an impact applied to the plunger through the timing chain, oil in the high pressure chamber HA is discharged through an oil discharge passage 526, which connects the cylindrical hole 521, to the outside of the tensioner housing 520. The oil flows through gaps between the outer circumferential surfaces of the check valve block 530 and inner sleeve 550, and the inner circumferential surface 511a of the plunger, thereby absorbing, and reducing the effect of, the impact force.
The conventional hydraulic tensioner 500 is disclosed at page 1, and shown in FIG. 1, of Japanese Patent No. 3054068. The conventional tensioner must be subjected to secondary machining to form the oil discharge passage 526, and fine secondary machining to form an oil supply opening 551, which provides for fluid communication between the oil passage 522 and the interior of the inner sleeve 550. The requirement for secondary machining resulted in a significant increase in the time and cost for manufacturing the conventional tensioner. Another problem encountered in the operation of the tensioner was that oil tended to adhere to and clog the oil discharge passage 526 and the oil supply opening 551, especially after the tensioner was in use for a long period of time. The clogging of these passages can result in unstable operating conditions, that cannot be easily remedied.
Another problem with the conventional tensioner was that a significant amount of oil was consumed as a result of discharge through passage 526 when impact forces were encountered. Thus, the engine oil pump was required to have sufficient power to supply oil to the tensioner under varying conditions. Moreover, when the engine is stopped, the engine oil pump also stops, but the discharge of oil from the tensioner cannot be avoided. Under such conditions, the amount of oil in the tensioner body 520 tends to be inadequate when the engine is restarted, and the tensioner cannot properly accommodate impact forces applied through the timing chain until the interior of the tensioner is re-charged with oil. Accordingly, wobbling of the timing chain occurs as the engine is started, producing noise known as a "wobbling sound."
The objects of the invention are to solve the problems of the conventional hydraulic tensioner; to provide a hydraulic tensioner which is simpler in construction, and can be manufactured in a shorter time and at a lower cost; to suppress the consumption of oil by the tensioner; to achieve stable application of tension; and to eliminate wobbling sounds in the timing transmission medium upon starting of an engine.


The disclosed embodiments relate to a light guide (100) and a luminaire (700) including such a light guide (100). The light guide (100) guides light emitted in a first direction (500) from a light source (200) comprising at least one light emitting diode (210). The light guide (100) directs a major part of the light in a second direction (600), wherein the first direction (500) is not equal to the second direction (600). The light guide (100) comprises an upper part (110) having a shape of a cone, and a center axis (120) of the upper part (110) is in the first direction (500). The light guide (100) can be used with reflectors (800) that have originally been manufactured for use with high intensity discharge lamps or halogen lamps but because of the light guide (100), the reflectors (800) can be used together with light sources (200) in the form of at least one light emitting diode (210).

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) or modules comprising LEDs, generate light in the form of a half sphere instead of the omnidirectional light pattern emitted by other present art light sources like HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps and halogen lamps. A LED light source is also often located at the bottom of a reflector. This makes it necessary to develop reflectors designed specifically for such LED light sources which can be cost and capacity demanding. Furthermore, standard LED light source applications often suffer from glare.


Subject-data-to-be-collected representing an element to be collected is generated or selected, when a server and any one of a plurality of hand-held information terminals cooperate with each other to perform predetermined information processing by using data transmitted and received between the server and the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals. Each of the plurality of hand-held information terminals transmits to and receives from another one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, the subject-data-to-be-collected. Thus, pleasure of collecting the subject-data-to-be-collected by communication among the hand-held information terminals, is provided.

A technique that enables exchange of game data among hand-held game apparatuses capable of wirelessly communicating with each other has been known to date. In such a technique, when a condition for communication is satisfied among different game apparatuses which are within a communication-allowed range, the different game apparatuses perform transmission and reception of exchange conditions for exchanging game data among the game apparatuses. When the exchange conditions are satisfied, the game data is exchanged.
However, in the technique described above, since the game data which is previously stored in the game apparatuses (game cartridges) is exchanged, the game data which can be exchanged and collected is limited. Therefore, there is a room for improvement in maintaining of a user's motivation for collecting data from other game apparatuses.
Therefore, a feature of the exemplary embodiments is to make available an information processing system and the like capable of maintaining a user's motivation for collecting data that is a subject to be collected.
An information processing system according to the exemplary embodiment includes a server, and a plurality of hand-held information terminals connectable to the server via a network, and includes a first processor configured to generate or select subject-data-to-be-collected representing an element to be collected, when the server and any one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals cooperate with each other to perform predetermined information processing by using data transmitted and received between the server and the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals. Further, the plurality of hand-held information terminals each include a first transmitter and receiver configured to transmit to and receive from another one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, the subject-data-to-be-collected.
In the features described above, the server and one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals cooperate with each other to perform information processing by using data which is transmitted and received between the server and the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, thereby generating or selecting the subject-data-to-be-collected. The subject-data-to-be-collected which has been thus generated or selected is transmitted and received between the hand-held information terminals. Therefore, wide variations in the subject-data-to-be-collected can be obtained, so that a user's motivation for collecting the subject-data-to-be-collected can be maintained. For example, the subject-to-be-collected such as an image can be added on the server side, and distributed to the plurality of hand-held information terminals, thereby enabling the number and the kinds of subjects-to-be-collected to be increased.
According to another feature of the exemplary embodiment, the first processor may operate such that the server generates or selects the subject-data-to-be-collected by using data transmitted and received between the server and any one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, and transmits, to the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, the subject-data-to-be-collected having been generated or selected. The first transmitter and receiver may transmit to and receive from the other one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, the subject-data-to-be-collected transmitted from the server.
In the features described above, since the subject-data-to-be-collected is transmitted from the server to the plurality of hand-held information terminals, a plurality of pieces of subject-data-to-be-collected and/or data on which the subject-data-to-be-collected is based need not be previously stored in each of the hand-held information terminals, so that a memory capacity to be used or load of a memory can be reduced in each of the plurality of hand-held information terminals.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, the first processor may operate such that any one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals transmits, to the server, associated data which is associated with the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals or a user of the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, and the server generates or selects the subject-data-to-be-collected using the associated data transmitted from the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals.
In the features described above, the subject-data-to-be-collected to be distributed to each of the hand-held information terminals can be determined by using, for example, information unique to each of the hand-held information terminals or a user thereof.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of hand-held information terminals may further include a positional information obtaining section configured to obtain positional information about a user or about a corresponding one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, and the first processor may generate or select the subject-data-to-be-collected by using the positional information
In the features described above, the subject-data-to-be-collected which is transmitted and received between one of the hand-held information terminals and another one of the hand-held information terminals can be associated with a position of each user or each hand-held information terminal.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of hand-held information terminals may further include a region information obtaining section configured to obtain region information about a user or about a corresponding one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, and the first processor may generate or select, by using the region information, the subject-data-to-be-collected having been subjected to sorting according to a region.
In the features described above, the subject-data-to-be-collected which is transmitted and received between one of the hand-held information terminals and another one of the hand-held information terminals can be associated with a region of each user or each hand-held information terminal.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, the server may further include an identification information obtaining section configured to obtain identification information for identifying a relay device which relays communication between each of the plurality of hand-held information terminals and the server, and the first processor may generate or select, by using the identification information, the subject-data-to-be-collected having been subjected to sorting according to the identification information.
In the features described above, the subject-data-to-be-collected which is transmitted and received between one of the hand-held information terminals and another one of the hand-held information terminals can be associated with the relay device. For example, each of the hand-held information terminals obtains the subject-data-to-be-collected which is different according to a location at which the access point is provided. In a case where an access point is provided for each chain store, each of the hand-held information terminals obtains the subject-data-to-be-collected which is different for each chain store.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, the subject-data-to-be-collected may be data representing a portion of one complete content.
In the features described above, for example, one complete content which is self-concluded as it is, such as an image, a music, a moving image, or binary data representing a game program, is divided into a predetermined number of pieces, and a user is allowed to enjoy collecting (fragmentary pieces of) such one complete content. Further, such a subject to be collected can be added anew, and distributed.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, the subject-data-to-be-collected may be data representing an individual element of a predetermined collection of elements.
In the features described above, for example, a user is allowed to also enjoy collecting data representing an element to be collected, such as a trading card. Further, such a subject to be collected can be added anew, and distributed.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, the subject-data-to-be-collected may be specifying data used for specifying a predetermined portion, a predetermined region, or a predetermined period of the entirety of the one complete content, and each of the plurality of hand-held information terminals may further include a storage section configured to store all data representing the one complete content, and the specifying data.
In the features described above, when data representing a completed state obtained by each subject-to-be-collected (a state in which all the subjects have been collected) is stored in each of the hand-held information terminals, data transmitted and received between the hand-held information terminals may indicate only a location of the data in the completed state, for example. Therefore, an amount of data to be transmitted and received can be reduced.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of hand-held information terminals may further include an output processor configured to perform a predetermined output process by combining a plurality of pieces of the subject-data-to-be-collected.
In the features described above, a user is allowed to enjoy collecting fragmentary pieces (which make no sense if they are each handled as an individual piece) to complete some content.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, the first transmitter and receiver may connect to another one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, which is a short distance away, and transmit to and receive from the one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals connected thereto, the subject-data-to-be-collected.
In the features described above, the subject-data-to-be-collected can be transmitted and received between the hand-held information terminals which are positioned physically at a short distance.
According to still another feature of the exemplary embodiment, the first transmitter and receiver may use a short distance wireless communication to wirelessly connect to another one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals, which is within a communication-allowed range, and transmit to and receive from the other one of the plurality of hand-held information terminals which is wirelessly connected thereto, the subject-data-to-be-collected.
In the features described above, for example, a user can collect the subject-data-to-be-collected by only going out with the hand-held information terminal, thereby reducing user's efforts for collecting the subject-data-to-be-collected.
According to the exemplary embodiment, a user's motivation for collecting data to be collected can be maintained.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Information processing system, computer-readable storage medium having information processing program stored therein, and information processing method


A system and method for multi-party communication includes determining a trending common identifier within a media platform and generating a communication channel within a communication platform based on the common identifier. The method and system includes, in response to a join request from each of a plurality of users, connecting the plurality of users to the communication channel, where the communication channel is an open communication channel for active audio communication between the plurality of users across the communication platform and facilitating audio communication between the plurality of users, including providing a visual display on the communication platform, including visual display of the active audio communication across the communication platform.

Multi-party communication has long been an enjoyable form of various individuals to share information with each other. Early forms of this communication included citizen band (CB) radios, where users were able to transmit and receive messages over a defined distance. Users could openly talk with other users on various channels, where these channels were dictated by radio frequencies.
A common utilization of this type of multi-party communication was for road travelers, including semi drivers and hobbyists. For instance, truck drivers could share information about traffic issues within a particular distance. Other uses include hobbyists having random conversations with other users from their home radios.
Network-based computing has further enhanced the ability to multi-party communication, including users talking within online discussion boards or audio distribution networks. Where there are known audio distribution systems, such as distributing musical playlists, transmitting podcast, there are also known online communication platforms for video conference or voice-over-IP.
Present technology fails to account for integrating audio communication with trending or timely topics arising from social media platforms. Where trending topics arise, there is a current need for the ability to generate a platform allowing users to engage in discussions about those timely topics. There is a need for a communication platform working with or integrated into a social media platform allowing for the timely generation and/or management of a communication channel relating to a trending topic. There is a need for the communication platform to have management controls and engagement protocols for facilitating meaningful engagement thereacross.

System and method for multi-party communication of trending topics


A child-resistant container closure constructed according to the present invention comprises a disk shaped cover plate attached to body section formed as a substantially cylindrical wall. A movable handle or tab is attached to the cover plate to aid a user in pulling the closure from a container in which the closure is installed. A well or recess is provided in cover plate to house the handle in a closed position. A ridge on the end of the handle cooperates with a mating ridge in the wall of the recess to retain the handle in a closed position. A resilient spring is provided in the recess so that when the handle is released from the recess, it is urged into a position in which it may be conveniently gripped by a user. An undercut groove or notch is provided on the outside surface of the cylindrical wall adjacent the cover plate. The notch engages a mating lip or ridge extending inward from the inner surface of the mouth of the product container to secure the closure to the product container. The depth of the notch is gradually reduced along a predetermined angular portion thereof to reduce the amount of force required to remove the closure from the container.

This invention relates to container closures, and more particularly to closure devices for prohibiting access to container contents by children while permitting such access by adults.
Many useful products, such as medicines and household cleaners, cannot be made inherently safe from improper use by children and others who may be unable to appreciate the danger presented by the product. A common problem with the distribution of such products is prohibiting access to the product by children while permitting access by adults. Accordingly, a variety of child resistant closures have been developed for use with common product containers. Such closures generally include an obstacle which is intended to be relatively difficult for a child to avoid but which can be easily overcome by an adult.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,872 discloses a child resistant closure plug for use with a container having a substantially cylindrical mouth. The closure has a cylindrical body portion which extends into the mouth of the container, and a disk-shaped cover portion which is attached to the body. An undercut groove or notch is provided on the outside surface of the cylindrical body portion where it meets the cover. A corresponding lip is provided on the inside wall of the container mouth to engage the undercut groove. The groove and lip thus cooperate to retain the closure in the container, and substantial force is required to overcome the cooperation of these elements to remove the closure.
A hinged flap or tab is provided in the cover to serve as a handle or lever f or removing the closure from the container. A recess is provided in the cover in which the tab may be retained in a closed position when it is not being used to remove the closure from the container. When the tab is in its closed position, its upper surface is substantially flush with the upper surface of the cover. The tab and recess have cooperative means to release the tab when downward pressure is applied at a predetermined position.
Because it is extremely difficult to remove the closure from the container without using the tab handle, and because the handle is captured in its recess unless downward pressure is applied at the correct location, it is difficult for children to remove the closure. The fact that the upper surface of the handle is flush with the upper surface of the cover conceals the existence of the handle and the proper method for releasing it. Thus, children are unlikely to discover the handle or discern the method for releasing it through inspection. A legend, which younger children cannot read, may be inscribed on the cover or container to instruct adults concerning removal of the closure.
Although the prior art closure described above appears to adequately protect against access by children, it is also relatively difficult for some adults to operate. Several features of the prior art closure create obstacles which are particularly difficult for people with poor eyesight, impaired coordination, limited strength, or other disabilities, to overcome. In particular, the retaining groove of the prior art closure cooperates so well with the inside lip of the container mouth that the large amount of force required to pull the closure from the container exceeds the capability of many product users. In addition, once the handle of the prior art closure has been released f rom its recess, it tends to remain in a position very close to the upper surf ace of the closure. It is difficult for some users to see the handle in that position. For other users, particularly those with limited manual dexterity or other coordination problems, it is difficult to move the handle into a position displaced from the top surface of the closure so that it may be gripped for use.


Improved hydrogenation catalysts consisting essentially of reduced or at least partially reduced ruthenium and tin on a refractory oxide support which is insoluble in aqueous acid. Such catalysts are very durable and exhibit high conversion rates in aqueous acidic solution hydrogenation of hydrogenatable precursors (e.g. maleic acid, succinic acid, gamma-butyrolactone etc.) and high selectivity for their conversion to 1,4-butanediol and gamma-butyrolactone and their mixtures.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved hydrogenation catalyst, and a method for using the catalyst in a hydrogenation process. More specifically but not by way of limitation the invention relates to the production of 1,4-butanediol and gamma-butyrolactone and mixtures thereof from a hydrogenatable precursor such as maleic acid, succinic acid, their anhydrides, esters, gamma-butyrolactone and mixtures thereof in an acidic aqueous medium in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst consisting essentially of reduced or at least partially reduced ruthenium and tin on an aqueous acid insoluble refractory oxide support.
2. Description of Related Art
Various methods and reaction systems have been proposed in the past for manufacturing tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) by catalytic hydrogenation of maleic acid, succinic acid, their anhydrides, esters, and/or related hydrogenatable precursors. Also a variety of hydrogenation catalysts have been historically proposed for this purpose including Group VIII noble metals, combinations of them and also their combinations with rhenium, tin and germanium deposited on various inert supports. These methods and the catalysts described heretofore produce different amounts of a number of hydrogenated products. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,636 describes the use of a catalyst composite comprising palladium and rhenium on a carbon support for making THF, BDO or mixtures thereof from a variety of hydrogenatable precursors. Also Japanese patent application publications (Kokai) 6-157490, and 6-179667 disclose methods for preparing THF by catalytic hydrogenation of maleic anhydride or maleic acid in the presence of an acidic substance using as a catalyst a rhenium compound and a Group VIII metal. Comparative examples illustrate the use of a catalyst comprising ruthenium and rhenium supported on a carbon support without the acidic substance being present.
Methods are known in the art for the selective production of THF by the catalytic reduction of hydrogenatable precursors. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,636 teaches that the relative ratio of THF to BDO can be increased by increasing one or more variables selected from operating temperature, contact time, and hydrogen space-time. It is also known from numerous references such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,905, that dehydration of BDO to give THF is catalyzed by acid and that increasing the acid concentration results in an increase of the relative ratio of THF to BDO. U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,952 relates to an improved catalyst and method for the production of THF, GBL and BDO by hydrogenation in aqueous solution; the catalyst consisting essentially of highly dispersed, reduced ruthenium and rhenium on a carbon support. THF and GBL are the principal products from this process, THF usually predominating and only minor amounts of BDO and GBL being produced. Japanese patent application publication (Kokai) 5-246915 teaches the use of any Group VIII noble metal, including palladium and ruthenium in combination with either tin, rhenium or germanium as a catalyst for aqueous phase hydrogenation of carboxylic acids or esters. The reference distinguishes the claimed subject matter from previous aqueous phase hydrogenation catalysts incorporating these metals by virtue of specifically claiming the use, as carrier, of porous carbon having a BET surface area of at least 2000 m.sup.2 /g. The main products which result from this process are THF and GBL. Japanese patent application publication (Kokai) 6-239778 describes the catalytic hydrogenation of maleic acid using supported ruthenium and tin bimetallics. In the examples silica is the support. Titania and zirconia are disclosed also as supports. It is a feature of this catalyst that performance is improved by the addition of alkali metal compounds or nitrogen containing bases. Yields of 30 to 50% BDO are obtained in autoclave reactions with GBL constituting the other major product.
Japanese patent application publications (Kokai) 6-116182 and 7-165644 also relate to the use of ruthenium and tin bimetallics for the catalytic hydrogenation of maleic acid to produce THF, GBL and BDO. In the first reference the preferred support is silica modified with titania or alumina and the highest yield of BDO shown in the examples is 3.5%. Comparative examples are described in which non-modified silica and titania are the supports. In both cases the yield of BDO is below 1%. In the latter reference the addition of platinum and rhodium is also necessary and silica is the only support used in the examples, with titania and silica being disclosed as possible supports. The highest yield of BDO shown in the examples is 15%.
An important area subject to improvement is selectivity with respect to the products of a catalytic hydrogenation process. Selectivity is defined herein to refer to a measure of the percentage of the principal products of a process which in the case of this invention are BDO and GBL. The processes described heretofore do not teach how BDO or GBL or their mixtures can be selectively produced while producing only small amounts of THF, alkanols, carboxylic acids and alkanes as byproducts. The greatly improved selectivity obtained with the process of this invention is of important commercial significance since it allows for the more economical production of BDO and GBL, two commodities with a variety of uses.
Both BDO and GBL can be readily converted to THF which is a widely used solvent in many processes. THF is an excellent solvent for high polymers such as polyvinyl chloride and as a monomer it is used in the production of polyether polyols.

Ru, Sn/oxide catalyst and process for hydrogenation in acidic aqueous solution


In an input protection circuit, a bipolar protection device is constituted of a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first diffused layer of a second conductivity type formed in the substrate and connected to an input signal pad, a second diffused layer of the second conductivity type formed in the substrate to extend in parallel to the first diffused layer but separately from the first diffused layer by a first space, and a third diffused layer of a high impurity concentration and of the first conductivity type formed in the first space in the substrate to extend in parallel to the first and second diffused layers, in junction with the second diffused layer but separately from the first diffused layer. When a backward biasing voltage is applied, the thickness of a depletion layer formed is made large, so that generation of hot carriers is minimized. Thus, increase of a leakage current caused because hot carriers generated by application of an overvoltage were injected into a field oxide film, can be prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an input protection circuit for use in a semiconductor device, and more specifically to an input protection circuit comprising a protection device configured to absorb an electrostatic noise applied to a semiconductor circuit element by use of a bipolar action, and a protection resistor using a buffering effect based on R.multidot.C time constant of a resistance and a capacitance.
2. Description of Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a diagrammatic section view of an input part of a prior art semiconductor device. In addition, FIG. 2A is a layout pattern diagram of an input protection circuit in the prior art semiconductor device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along the line X--X in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the input part of a prior art semiconductor device shown in FIG. 1.
The prior art input protection circuit designated by Reference Numeral 100 in FIG. 3, comprises an input signal pad 15(IN) selectively coated on an interlayer insulator film 14 formed above a P-type silicon substrate 1, and a first bipolar protection device NPN1 constituted of a first N.sup.+ diffused layer 11 connected through a contact hole CH1 to the input signal pad 15(IN) and formed at a surface portion of the P-type silicon substrate 1, and a second N.sup.+ diffused layer 12 formed at the surface portion of the P-type silicon substrate 1, to extend in parallel to the first N.sup.+ diffused layer 11 but separately from the first N.sup.+ diffused layer 11 by a constant space, for example, 1.6 .mu.m, a P.sup.+ diffused layer 13 formed in the above mentioned space and joined to the first and second N.sup.+ diffused layers 11 and 12 (this P.sup.+ diffused layer 13 being also connected to a channel stopper 4), and a VCC power supply line 15(VCC) connected to the second N.sup.+ diffused layer 12.
The input protection circuit 100 also includes a second bipolar protection device NPN2 which is formed similarly to the first bipolar protection device NPN1 but which is connected to a GND power supply line 15(GND) in place of the VCC power supply line 15(VCC), an input protection resistor R having a pair of N.sup.+ diffused layers 10R selectively formed at a surface portion of opposite ends of a diffused layer 2R, which is formed simultaneously with an N-well 2 (a first terminal, which is composed of one of the pair of N.sup.+ diffused layers 10R, is connected to the input signal pad 15(IN), and a second terminal, which is composed of the other of the pair of N.sup.+ diffused layers 10R, is connected to an input signal internal wiring conductor 15(INA)).
The input protection circuit 100 further includes another protection device (BVds element) composed of a gate electrode 6B coated through a gate oxide film on a surface of the P-type silicon substrate 1, an N.sup.+ drain region 7BD formed selectively on the surface portion of the P-type silicon substrate 1 and connected to the input signal internal wiring conductor 15(INA), and an N.sup.+ source region 7BS formed selectively on the surface portion of the P-type silicon substrate 1 and connected to the gate electrode 6B through a contact hole CH2 and to the GND power supply line 15(GND).
If an electrostatic overvoltage is applied to the input signal pad 15(IN), the bipolar protection device NPN1 or NPN2 exerts a bipolar transistor action to put the input voltage in a negative resistance region, so that the overvoltage is suppressed. Furthermore, a buffering caused by the time constant of a resistance of the input protection resistor R and its wiring capacitance, prevents an abrupt spike from reaching an internal circuit 200. Thus, the electrostatic overvoltage is prevented from being applied to the internal circuit 200.
As mentioned above, the bipolar protection device NPN1 and NPN2 of the prior art input protection circuit have the P.sup.+ diffused layer 13 which is formed, for the purpose of improving the device isolation, between the N.sup.+ diffused layer 11 connected to the input signal pad and the N.sup.+ diffused layer 12 connected to the VCC power supply line or the GND power supply line. When a backward high voltage is applied to the N.sup.+ diffused layer 11, hot carriers are generated in a depletion layer, and a portion of the generated hor carriers is injected into and accumulated in a device isolation oxide film 3. This is a cause for a leakage current.
In addition, since the thickness of the depletion layer of a N.sup.+ P.sup.+ junction is narrow, a relatively high voltage cannot be ultimately applied. For example, under a condition prescribed under MIL-STD-883C, if the voltage applied to the input signal pad exceeds +600V in comparison with the VCC power supply line or the GND power supply line, the leakage current after this positive voltage is applied, becomes 0.1 .mu.A or more.
As mentioned above, the prior art input protection circuit is disadvantageous in that the leakage current is easy to occur.

Input protection circuit for use in semiconductor device having an improved electrostatic breakdown voltage


A touch sensor integrated type display device includes a plurality of first electrodes each including a plurality of first electrode patterns, which are adjacent to one another in a first direction and are connected to one another through at least one first bottleneck, and a plurality of second electrodes arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first electrodes are arranged in the first direction. The plurality of first electrode patterns and the plurality of second electrodes are alternately disposed along the first direction. At least one unit pixel electrode is disposed correspondingly to each first electrode pattern. Each first electrode pattern includes an electric field shielding portion disposed between the unit pixel electrode and the second electrode.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a touch sensor integrated type display device capable of recognizing a user's touch operation.
Discussion of the Related Art
In recent years, various input devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, and a digitizer, have been used to allow users to interface with home appliances or information telecommunication devices. However, when the user makes use of these input devices, user's dissatisfaction increases because the user is required to learn how to use the input devices and the input devices occupy space. Therefore, a convenient and simple input device capable of reducing erroneous operations is required. In response to this demand, a touch sensor for enabling the user to input information by directly touching the screen with his or her hand or a pen was suggested.
The touch sensor has a simple configuration capable of reducing the erroneous operations. The user can also perform an input action without using a separate input device and can quickly and easily manipulate a display device through the contents displayed on the screen. Accordingly, the touch sensor has been applied to various display devices.
The touch sensor used in the display devices may be classified into an add-on type touch sensor and an on-cell type touch sensor. The add-on type touch sensor is configured such that a display device and a touch sensor are individually manufactured and then the touch sensor is attached to an upper substrate of the display device. The on-cell type touch sensor is configured such that components constituting a touch sensor are directly formed on the surface of an upper glass substrate of the display device.
There is a problem of an increase in a thickness of the display device because the add-on type touch sensor has a structure in which the touch sensor is mounted on the display device. Further, the visibility of the display device is reduced by a reduction in brightness of the display device resulting from the increase in the thickness of the display device.
On the other hand, the on-cell type touch sensor shares a glass substrate with the display device because the touch sensor has the structure in which the touch sensor is formed on the surface of the glass substrate of the display device. Therefore, a thickness of the display device using the on-cell type touch sensor is less than a thickness of the display device using the add-on type touch sensor. However, the entire thickness of the display device using the on-cell type touch sensor increases because of a touch driving electrode layer, a touch sensing electrode layer, and an insulating layer for insulating the touch driving electrode layer and the touch sensing electrode layer which constitute the on-cell type touch sensor. Further, the number of processes for manufacturing the display device using the on-cell type touch sensor increases, and thus the manufacturing cost increases.
Accordingly, the need for a touch sensor integrated type display device capable of solving the above-described problems has arisen. An example of the touch sensor integrated type display device includes Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0110906.
A touch sensor integrated type display device disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0110906 divides display common electrodes and allows the display common electrodes to serve as touch sensing electrodes. Hence, the touch sensing electrodes are separately required. Thus, the touch sensor integrated type display device disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0110906 can solve the problem generated in the add-on type touch sensor and the on-cell type touch sensor.
However, in the touch sensor integrated type display device disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0110906, when there is a change (i.e., change in a display pattern depending on image information) in the screen in a display drive, an alignment state of liquid crystal is changed and thus a dielectric constant is changed. Hence, a capacitance between a touch driving electrode and the touch sensing electrode is changed. In particular, the change in the dielectric constant depending on the change in the alignment state of the liquid crystal at a boundary between the touch driving electrode and the touch sensing electrode greatly affects the change in the capacitance between the touch driving electrode and the touch sensing electrode. In this state, when a touch driving voltage is applied to the touch driving electrode, the touch sensing electrode recognizes the touch driving voltage as changes in the capacitance.
Accordingly, the touch sensor integrated type display device disclosed in Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-2013-0110906 erroneously recognizes the touch operation even when there is no touch operation, and thus generates the erroneous operation.

Touch sensor integrated type display device


The subject invention concerns methods and materials for assessing a patient's likelihood of responsiveness to an immunosuppressive therapy. The subject invention is contemplated for use with patients having an autoimmune disorder. In an exemplified embodiment, the methods of the invention are used for assessing and/or treating a patient with MDS. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises analyzing T cells of a patient for dysregulation of CD4+ and/or CD8+ T cell subsets, and determining the patient's likelihood of responsiveness to IST based on the level of dysregulation of the patient's CD4+ and/or CD8+ T cell subsets. In one embodiment, an increased likelihood of patient responsiveness to IST is associated with an increased percentage of CD4+ and/or CD8+ effector memory T cells and/or terminal effector memory T cells for a patient. The subject invention also concerns methods for treating a patient with an autoimmune disorder, such as MDS. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises determining if a patient is likely to respond to IST, wherein said determination is made using a method of the present invention for assessing likelihood of responsiveness to IST; and if the patient is determined to be one likely to respond to IST, administering an effective regimen of IST to the patient.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are acquired clonal disorders of hematopoietic progenitors that are characterized by peripheral cytopenias and cytologic dysplasias (Greenberg et al., 1997). There is a strong association between bone marrow failure and autoimmunity that transects classical autoimmune processes such as aplastic anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Felty's Syndrome, and large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia (Colmegna et al., 2008; Loughran, Jr., 1998; Starkebaum et al., 1997). Similar to these quintessential autoimmune bone marrow failure syndromes, hematopoietic suppression by a T-cell dominant autoimmune process and IST responsiveness has been proposed in younger MDS patients. In MDS cases where hematologic improvement is observed after IST, the response can be durable leading to improved long-term survival (Lim et al., 2007; Molldrem et al., 1997; Biesma et al., 1997). Despite a clear therapeutic benefit and a basic understanding of immune pathology, IST is rarely offered to MDS patients as a treatment option in the United States due to an uncertainty about the appropriate selection of patients for such therapy (Steensma & Tefferi, 2003). There is an underlying concern that inappropriate use of IST may negatively impact risk for leukemia progression, which occurs in 30-40% of MDS cases. This is of particular concern in younger patients that may benefit from allogeneic stem cell transplantation (List et al., 2004). The identification of immunological factors in addition to younger age to guide appropriate selection of patients for IST based on immune pathobiology is critical to the optimization of MDS treatment.
In MDS patients of younger age, a higher frequency of clinical responsiveness to immunosuppressive therapy (IST) with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and/or cyclosporine-A (CyA) suggests that unique immune pathobiology contributes to the refractory cytopenias observed in such patients. Factors associated with response to IST included HLA-DR-15 genotype, age, <5% marrow blasts, low risk for leukemia transformation and in some studies hypocellularity (Lim et al., 2007; Sun et al., 2008). Among these factors, younger age is the most consistently linked clinical feature associated with IST responsiveness in both patients with aplastic anemia and in patients with MDS (Sun et al., 2008; Young, 2002). A model of immune pathogenesis first proposed by Molldrem et al suggests that unique or overexpressed antigens stimulate CD8+ T-cells, induce T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire contraction through expansion of memory cells, and repress hematopoiesis through cross-reactive antigens expressed on normal bone marrow progenitors (Molldrem et al., 1998). In the subset of patients responsive to immunosuppression, effects of the self-reactive T-cell populations are thought to be eliminated by the immunosuppressive actions of these drugs (Molldrem et al., 1998; Kochenderfer et al., 2002).

Biomarkers for predicting response to immunosuppressive therapy

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


In the discharge surface treatment method, an electrode having a cylindrical shape and a work are aligned face to face with a predetermined gap therebetween in a machining fluid. The electrode is a green compact electrode formed by compressing metal powder or powder of a metal compound or ceramics powder, or a metal electrode. A hard coat film of the material with which the electrode is made or a reactant of this material is formed on a surface of the work because of the energy generated during the electric discharge.

The present invention in general relates to a method of surface treatment using electric discharge and an electrode used to obtain the electric discharge. More particularly, this invention relates to a method of surface treatment using electric discharge in which a gap discharge is carried out in a fluid.
A method of surface treatment using electric discharge (hereafter, discharge surface treatment method) is known. In the conventional method, a discharge in the form of pulses is generated between an electrode (hereafter, discharging electrode) and a work. The discharging electrode and the work are aligned face to face with a predetermined gap (hereafter, discharging gap) in a machining fluid. The discharging electrode is a green compact electrode or a metal electrode. The green compact electrode is the one that is formed by compressing metal powder or powder of a metal compound or ceramics powder. A hard coat film made of the material with which the electrode is formed (hereafter, electrode material) or its reactant is formed on the surface of the work (hereafter, work surface) because of the energy generated due to the electric discharge. This conventional method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open gazettes (JP-A No. 8-300227, JP-A No. 9-19829 and JP-A No. 9-192937).
In conventional discharge surface treatment methods, a formed electrode is not used, but a solid discharging electrode having a simple shape that can be easily produced, such as a round rod-shaped electrode. The discharging electrode is made to scan the work surface.
However, when a discharging electrode having a shape of a round rod is used, as illustrated in FIG. 4(a), the length L of the electrode surface in the scanning direction is the longest in the electrode center portion and it is gradually shortened toward the sides. Therefore, when the discharging electrode passes by during scanning, an area through which the center portion passes has a longer time to face the discharging electrode, while another area through which a side portion passes has a shorter time to face the discharging electrode. For this reason, as illustrated in FIG. 4(b), the resulting coat film becomes thicker at the area through which the electrode center portion with the long length L of the electrode face passes, while it becomes thinner at the area through which the electrode side edge portion with a short length L of the electrode face passes, with the result that the electrode passage of only one time forms a levee shaped coat film c with variations in the film thickness, failing to form a coat film face with a uniform thickness.
When a coat film is formed along a straight line portion, a discharging electrode of a prismatic rod having a square shape in its cross-section maybe used. However, when, upon application of the prismatic rod discharging electrode, the scanning direction of the discharging electrode is changed, the orientation of the discharging electrode has to be rotated as in the case of spring processes, resulting in a difficult and time-consuming task.
Moreover, in the case of the discharging electrode of a round rod, upon carrying out the process on an edge portion of a mold, etc., the end face of the electrode is consumed as the process proceeds, with the result that, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the edge portion e of a work W is surrounded by the end face A of the electrode in such a manner that discharging is concentrated on the edge portion e, causing round edge corner portions with edge sagging.
In order to solve this problem, a method has been proposed in which the discharging electrode is rotated around the center axis line thereof; however, even if the discharging electrode is rotated, it is not possible to solve the problem of variations in the coat film thickness depending on the positions through which the discharging electrode passes.
Here, in a discharge coating method in which the tip of an electrode is allowed to slightly contact a work and the electrode material is transferred and fused to coat the work little by little through the discharging energy, a hollow pipe electrode is used as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open gazettes (JP-A No. 8-53777 and JP-A No. 1-139774).
The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems. It is an object of this invention to provide a discharge surface treatment method which can form a coat film with a uniform thickness in the discharge surface treatment method by using the gap-discharging process in a fluid, and which can also form a coat film without causing edge sagging, and also to provide a discharge surface treatment electrode used for such a discharge surface treatment method.
The method of the present invention, which is a discharge surface treatment method in which an electric discharge in the form of pulses is generated between an electrode and a work, the electrode and the work being aligned face to face with a predetermined gap therebetween in a machining fluid, the electrode being a green compact electrode formed by compressing metal powder or powder of a metal compound or ceramics powder, or a metal electrode, so that a hard coat film of the material with which the electrode is made or a reactant of this material is formed on a surface of the work because of the energy generated during the electric discharge, wherein the electrode is cylindrical in shape.
Because the electrode is cylindrical in shape, the length of the electrode face in the scanning direction is made virtually equal to each other between the electrode center portion and the electrode side edge portions. Accordingly, a coat film having virtually the same thickness at the electrode center portion and at the electrode side edge portions is formed so that a coat film surface having a uniform thickness can be formed. Moreover, since the electrode has cylindrical shape, different from a square shape, it does not have any directivity with respect to the scanning direction (shifting direction) Thus, it is not necessary to rotate the direction of the discharging electrode even when the scanning direction of the discharging electrode is changed.
Moreover, the present invention makes it possible to provide a discharge surface treatment method for forming a hard coat film while rotating the discharging electrode having the cylinder shape around its center axis line.
Therefore, the rotation of the discharging electrode around its center axis line allows the discharging electrode to be consumed in a uniform manner, thereby providing a uniform coat film thickness as well as preventing sagging at edge portions.
The electrode of the present invention, which electrode is used in a discharge surface treatment method in which an electric discharge in the form of pulses is generated between an electrode and a work, the electrode and the work being aligned face to face with a predetermined gap therebetween in a machining fluid, the electrode being a green compact electrode formed by compressing metal powder or powder of a metal compound or ceramics powder, or a metal electrode, so that a hard coat film of the material with which the electrode is made or a reactant of this material is formed on a surface of the work because of the energy generated during the electric discharge, wherein the electrode is cylindrical in shape.
Therefore, the length of the electrode face in the scanning direction is made virtually equal to each other between the electrode center portion and the electrode side edge portions; thus, a coat film having virtually the same thickness at the electrode center portion and at the electrode side edge portions is formed so that a coat film surface having a uniform thickness can be formed. Moreover, this discharging electrode has a cylinder shape so that, different from a square shape, it does not have any directivity with respect to the scanning direction (shifting direction); thus, it is not necessary to rotate the direction of the discharging electrode even when the scanning direction of the discharging electrode is changed.

Method of surface treatment using electric discharge and an electrode


A circuit detects values stored in bit cells of a memory circuit, for example, a memory circuit with single ended sensing. The circuit injects a charge into a bit line coupled to a bit cell to detect the value stored in the bit cell. A level detector detects the voltage level of the bitline as the charge in injected in the bitline. The sensing circuit determines the bit value stored during the charge injection phase. If the bitline voltage reaches above a high threshold voltage level as the charge in injected in the bitline, the circuit determines that the bit cell stores a first bit value (for example, bit value 1.) If the bitline voltage stays below a low threshold voltage level as the charge in injected in the bitline, the circuit determines that the bit cell stores a second bit value (for example, bit value 0).

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to memory circuits in general and in particular to sensing schemes for memory circuits with single ended sensing.
2. Description of the Related Art
System on chip (SOC) designs are being increasingly used in consumer electronics market due to their low power consumption and high speed. A large portion of the chip area of an SOC is occupied by memory circuits. SOCs are increasingly using read only memories (ROM) to improve their power consumption and speed. For example, digital signal processors (DSP) implement fixed coefficients for mathematical processing such as digital transforms using ROMs.
Conventional ROM circuits perform bitline pre-charge and discharge operations. The voltage levels of the ROM cells are sensed after the discharge of the pre-charged bitline. Waiting for the bitline to discharge often contributes to large memory access time. Conventional memory circuits therefore have large memory access time, thereby slowing the performance of the SOC chips using the ROM. Furthermore, full precharge and discharge operations result in higher dynamic power dissipation in conventional memory circuits.

Sensing scheme for high speed memory circuits with single ended sensing


A set-top unit for processing a cable signal from a cable television system for use on a television, where the set-top unit includes one or more programming tuners in addition to a control tuner, can reduce the time required to locate the cable system's control channel by having all available tuners, the control tuner and programming tuner(s), search the band of possible frequencies of the control channel simultaneously. The band of frequencies is divided among the available tuners in the set-top unit, with each tuner searching an assigned portion of the band for a control channel. With multiple tuners searching for the control channel(s), the time required to acquire the control channel is minimized.

In a typical cable television system, each subscriber is provided with a set-top unit, also called a set-top box or set-top terminal. The set-top unit is a piece of electronic equipment that is used to connect the subscriber's television, and potentially other electronic equipment, to the cable network. The set-top unit is usually connected to the cable network through a co-axial wall outlet.
The set-top unit is essentially a computer that is programmed to process the signals from the cable network so as to provide the subscriber with the services of the cable system. These services from the cable television company typically include access to a number of television channels and, perhaps, an electronic program guide. Additionally, premium channels may also be provided to subscribers for an additional fee. Other video programming services such as pay-per-view events and video-on-demand may also be provided over the cable network. The set-top box is programmed to provide these and all the other services of the cable system to the subscriber.
However, the services of the cable system are not necessarily limited to providing television programming. Some cable companies now offer internet access and e-mail over their cable networks at speeds much faster than are available over conventional telephone lines. Some cable companies also offer telephone service. It is anticipated in the future that more and more data services will be provided over the cable network. Eventually, each home or office may have a single connection, via the cable network, to all electronic data services.
When a new set-top unit is connected to the cable network, it must be initialized. To initialize a set-top unit, the unit must be provided with the programming required to allow it to function within the specific cable system to which it is connected and to thereby provide the services for which the subscriber has paid. Each cable system, built and managed by different cable system operators, may be set-up and function differently than other cable systems. Consequently, initializing a set-top unit includes physically connecting the set-top unit to the cable system so that the unit receives the signal from the cable system and programming the set-top unit to identify and tune a control channel within the signal from the cable system.
The control channel is a piece of broadband signal used for supervisory services. Specifically, the control channel is used to provide the set-top unit with instructions and data sent by the cable system operator. Without the data from the control channel, the set-top unit will be unable to make appropriate use of the signal from the cable system, e.g., recognize television programming on the in-band channels of the composite signal from the cable system. The headend is the facility from which the cable system operator broadcasts the control channel and television signals and provides other services over the cable system.
The frequency for the control channel could be programmed into the set-top unit during manufacture. However, different cable systems will likely use different frequencies to transmit their control channel. If more than one control channel is used, the configuration of control channels is even more likely to vary from system to system. Consequently, each set-top unit must be able, when connected to the cable system, to dynamically locate the control channel or channels so as to receive the necessary information required to allow the set-top unit to operate with that particular cable system.
Typical set-top units have a control channel tuner which is used to tune the control channel from within the composite signal received over the cable television system. The data of the control channel is the provided by the control channel tuner to the set-top unit's circuitry. Conventionally, in order to locate a control channel when a new set-top unit is first connected to a cable system, the control channel tuner in the set-top unit scans through the entire frequency band that might contain the control channel(s) until the control channel(s) is located. This involves a brute force search which requires stopping and testing each possible frequency.
Consequently, this search for the control channel requires a period of time during which the set-top unit cannot be used to watch television or provide any other services of the cable system to a subscriber. Consequently, there is a need in the art for an improved method and system of locating the control channel of a cable television system so as to minimize the time the set-top unit must spend searching for the control channel during which time other functions of the set-top unit are not available.

Method and system for minimizing the time required to acquire a control channel of a cable television signal with a set-top unit


A supplemental heater is provided for use with a conventional cooking unit, such as an outdoor gas barbecue. One embodiment comprises a flexible hose which is linked to a conventional combustible fuel tank with an adapter. The other end of the hose is connected to the supplemental hand-held heater. The supplemental heater may also comprise a selectively controllable mechanism for igniting the combustible fuel and for controlling the flow of gas through the supplemental heater. The supplemental heater is designed for supplying additional heat to the items which are cooking on a grill of the main cooking unit.

Most conventional cooking apparatus, such as outdoor gas grills, comprise a grill adapted to support at least one food item, and a source of heat which is mounted a fixed distance from, typically below, the grill. The heat generated at the heat source typically does not provide uniform heating over the entire cooking surface of the grill. Burners for outdoor barbecue grills are usually configured in an H-shape which provides uneven heat distribution to food items spread across the grill. Non-uniform heating results in non-uniform cooking of the food items unless those items are moved to a different area on the grill during cooking.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a way of supplying supplemental heat to the food items located on portions of the grill which typically receive less heat.
It would also be desirable to provide a person cooking with greater flexibility and control over the amount of heat supplied to food items being cooked.
It would further be desirable, in certain applications, to provide the person cooking with the ability to accelerate the cooking process with a supplemental heat supply applied to the top surface of food items while a fixed heat source is cooking the bottom.

Cooking apparatus with supplemental heat source


A semiconductor memory of the present invention includes: a plurality of memory cells; a pair of local bit lines connected to the plurality of memory cells; a local sense amplifier for amplifying a potential difference between the pair of local bit lines; a pair of global bit lines electrically connected to the pair of local bit lines through a switch; and a global sense amplifier for amplifying a potential difference between the pair of global bit lines, wherein the local sense amplifier includes a plurality of transistors, each of the plurality of transistors included in the local sense amplifier is a transistor of a first conductivity type, and the global sense amplifier includes a transistor of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory, and particularly to a highly integrated semiconductor memory with a decreased area.
2. Description of the Related Art
High integration and decrease in area are required of a semiconductor memory. The high integration and decrease in area of a semiconductor memory depends upon the advancement of micro-lithography. With the micro-lithography, a micro-lithography process based on miniaturization of a processing dimension, such as a 0.2 .mu.m process and a 0.15 .mu.m process, has been developed. However, there will be a limit to such miniaturization of a processing dimension.
In order to realize high integration and decrease in area of a semiconductor memory, the arrangement of memory cells and sense amplifiers on a circuit, as well as the micro-lithography are important. This is because the area of the semiconductor memory is mostly occupied with the memory cells and the sense amplifiers.
As described in Japanese Laid-open Publication No. 2-4467, as a method for arranging memory cells and sense amplifiers, a folded bit line method and an open bit line method are known. According to the folded bit line method, a bit line and a / bit line are arranged on one side of a sense amplifier portion (hereinafter, the symbol "/" refers to a logical NOT bar). According to the open bit line method, a bit line is arranged on one side of a sense amplifier portion, and a / bit line is arranged on the other side of the sense amplifier portion. The folded bit line method has the advantage of resistance to noise. However, in this method, memory cells are arranged at every other crossing point of bit lines and word lines, so that high integration cannot be achieved. The open bit line method has the disadvantage of vulnerability to noise. However, memory cells can be arranged densely, so that high integration can be realized.
In recent years, since the high integration of a semiconductor memory has advanced, and noise or the like caused by a coupling capacitance between lines becomes significant, the folded bit line method does not necessarily have the advantage of the resistance to noise. Because of this, an open bit line method capable of realizing high integration is being considered.
As a sense amplifier of a semiconductor memory, as described in Japanese Laid-open Publication No. 2-4467, a sense amplifier composed of a CMOS circuit using PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors is known.
However, when both a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor are used for a sense amplifier, a well is required for separating the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor. This makes it difficult to decrease the area of the sense amplifier.
If the open bit line method is used, a pair of bit lines will become imbalanced, which worsens the sensitivity of a sense amplifier, resulting in a delay of access time and an increased cycle time.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.