Electronic components of an optoelectronic sensor for a measuring system are arranged on the side of a semiconductor substrate that is facing away from a scale. The semiconductor substrate between electronic components and the scale is removed at those locations where the components emit or detect an electromagnetic beam. In this way, it is possible to arrange all of the electrical connections of the components and further electronic assemblies of the measuring system on a first side of the semiconductor substrate, and all optical components of the measuring system on a second side of the semiconductor substrate.

The present invention relates to an integrated optoelectronic sensor of a measuring system for scanning a scale with graduation markings, and to a method for manufacturing such sensor.
British Patent 1,504,691 and a corresponding German Patent Application 25 11 350 A1 describe a measuring system in which the movement of a first assembly relative to a second assembly is detected. For this purpose, there are two gratings, which are at a constant distance from each other, each being attached to one assembly, When the second grating is illuminated by the divergent light of a light source, the first grating generates a periodic image of the second grating. The image is not stationary if there is a relative motion between the two assemblies.
Photo detectors are also included, which have a periodic pattern and are fixedly joined to the second assembly. The first grating is a reflecting grating, and the second grating as well as the photo detectors are essentially in the same plane. The light source and the second grating can also be replaced by a pattern-generating light source, which generates the same image as would a conventional light source and a grating. The pattern of the photo detectors interacts with the image such that a periodic change of the output signal of the photo detectors occurs if there is a relative movement between the first and second assemblies.
One are disadvantage of this system is that the two assemblies are formed individually, separately from one another. As a result, a relatively large space is required to assemble the entire arrangement.
German Patent Application 197 01 941 A1, describes arranging a scanning grating on the side of a light-transmissive carrier that is facing a scale. The scanning grating is illuminated by a light source such that an image of the grating is projected onto the scale. A second grating is located on the scale, which reflects the image onto a pattern-generating photo detector. The light-transmissive carrier for the first grating is connected to the semiconductor material in which the pattern-generating photo detector is formed, so that the scanning grating and the photo detector are shifted exclusively in the measuring direction with respect to each other. The scanning grating and photo detector are at the same distance from the scale. German Patent Application 197 01 941 A1 also describes a scanning grating arranged on the side of the light-transmissive carrier that is facing away from the scale. An optical chip is arranged on the same light-transmissive carrier that contains the photo detector, on the same side as the scanning grating. This arrangement makes it possible to place the scanning grating and the pattern-generating photo detector at approximately the same distance from the scale.
The described system has the disadvantage that the light-transmissive carrier, on which the scanning grating is applied, must be joined to the semiconductor material in which the pattern-generating photo detector is formed. This connection must be carried out very precisely so that the pattern of the photo detector is aligned parallel to the grating, and the pattern and the grating have the same distance from the scale, This exact connection between carrier and semiconductor material is therefore very difficult to form.
The system also has the disadvantage that an optical chip has to be secured on the light-transmissive carrier. By securing the chip using chip-on-glass technology, it is inevitable that a distance will exist between the optical chip and the carrier. Because of this arrangement, the distances between the scanning grating and the scale, and between the photo detector and the scale significantly deviate from each other, which leads to a significant degradation of the optical properties of the arrangement.
German Patent 40 91 517 T1, describes a sensor for a measuring system made from a single block of semiconductor material. On the surface of a planar-configured light-emitting diode, there are photo elements configured as grating lines, through which the light-emitting diode can shine. In this way, a pattern-generating photo detector is formed, above or below which a pattern-generating light source is arranged.
One disadvantage of this sensor is that the photo detector pattern and the pattern-generating light source cannot have the same distance from a scale, since the light-emitting diode and the photo detector are disposed on top of each other. This varying distance to the scale in turn impairs the optical properties of the sensor.
European Patent Application 543 513 A1, describes a common semiconductor substrate made of III/V semiconductor material, such as gallium arsenide GaAs, having both a pattern-generating photo detector as well as a pattern-generating light source. Both of these components can be formed by a light-emitting diode and a sensor. By forming the pattern-generating light source and the pattern-generating photo detector on a common semiconductor material, the transmitting and receiving structuring can easily be placed as closely as possible in the same plane. Furthermore, a single-field scanning takes place in which the photo elements are shifted by [90xc2x0+(k*360)] degrees, with k being an integer. Therefore, a plurality of photo elements can be arranged so as to be shifted with respect to each other, in the measuring direction, by ninety degrees of angle plus whole-number multiples of three hundred sixty degrees of angle. In this ways the scanning becomes particularly insensitive to disturbances.
A disadvantage of this design is that there is no description how the pattern-generating photo detector and the pattern-generating light source can be manufactured on a common semiconductor material made of GaAs. If known technologies of semiconductor manufacturing from the related art are applied, this manufacturing process is very cumbersome and therefore expensive.
European Patent Application 720 005 A2 describes an optical sensor for a measuring system, which has a light-emitting component, a light-receiving component, and at least one optical component, which influences the beam of light emitted by the light-emitting component before the beam of light reaches the light-receiving component. This sensor has a distancing element, which defines a distance between the light-emitting or the light-receiving component and the optical component. According to the design, the optical sensor emits and receives optical signals on its side, so that all optical assemblies are arranged on the same side, and the leads for electrical signals are on the opposite side of the sensor.
One disadvantage of this system is that the light-receiving component, the light-emitting component, the at least one optical component, and the distancing element are all made as separate components, which must be manufactured and assembled separately. In view of the required tolerances for optical sensors of measuring systems, this process is very expensive. Furthermore, the optical sensor is relatively bulky, because the individual components must also be manipulated separately.
German Patent Application 197 20 300 A1 describes an electronic hybrid structural component with a chip-on-chip arrangement, where an implanted chip is arranged on a carrier substrate. For this purpose, the carrier substrate has at least one cavity in which is located an electrical insulating layer having a metallic layer on top of it. The chip implanted in the cavity contacts the metallic layer, as a result of which the latter is used as an electrical lead. If the implanted chip is a light-emitting diode, the metallization layer can also be used to reflect its beam on the walls of the cavity.
This arrangement has the disadvantage that both the illuminating direction of the light-emitting diode as well as its electrical contacts are arranged on one side of the semiconductor substrate, and light is only emitted on this one side.
German Patent Application 196 18 593 A1 describes a photo-sensitive detector element having an active region, the active region being configured between two adjoining layer areas of a layered arrangement, having differing charge carriers and within which an incident electromagnetic beam is converted into electrical signals. The position of the active region relative to the two adjoining surfaces is selected, taking into account the penetration depth of the beam, such that at least two contact elements can be mounted. The two contact elements form a connection of the detector element with an evaluation circuit on a surface which is situated opposite the photo-sensitive surface onto which the incident beam arrives.
In the manufacturing process of a detector element of this type, the following process steps are employed. A semiconductor substrate is doped to a defined extent, and an etching stop layer is generated immediately beneath a limiting first surface. A spatially selective etching away of the substrate present beneath the etching stop layer then takes place, until the etching stop layer forms a limiting second surface. Subsequently, a spatially limited layer area above the etching stop layer, having a different doping than the semiconductor substrate, is generated. The detector element contacts at least two contact elements on a side that is opposite the second surface. However, this document only discloses a photo diode, but no complete optoelectronic sensor is described.
There is thus a need for an integrated optoelectronic sensor and a method to manufacture it, in which the components of the sensor are formed in an integrated manner on a semiconductor substrate. Preferably, all of the electrical contacts are placed on one side of the semiconductor substrate, and all of the optical signals are emitted and received on the other side. The manufacturing process for this integrated optoelectronic sensor is also more cost-effective than current processes.
The system according to the present invention has a light source, photo elements, and an intensifier as well as an interpolation unit that can be integrated on one semiconductor substrate. All electrical contacts of the components of the sensor are arranged on the side of the sensor facing away from the scale, while the optical signals are emitted and received on the side of the sensor facing the scale. The small size of the assembly and the high degree of integration lead to reduced manufacturing costs. the optoelectronic chip having photo elements, light source, and evaluation electronics can be joined to the carrier for the scanning grating in a simple manner.

Optical detector for measuring relative displacement of an object on which a grated scale is formed


The invention provides an animal training aid or to for use in scent based animal training or activities. The aid or toy comprises: a housing comprising an interior cavity configured to contain a scented material that releases substantially no scent that is desirable to the animal in an unactivated state and releases a scent that is desirable to the animal in an activated state; one or more vents on an external surface of the housing, each vent in communication with the interior cavity so that a scent from the scented material can be released from the interior cavity to the exterior of the housing where it can be detected by the animal; and an activator for activating the scented material from the unactivated state to the activated state, the activator being operable from the external surface of the housing.

Training of companion, hunting and working animals is commonplace. Training involves modifying the behaviour of an animal either to assist in specific activities or undertake particular tasks, or to participate effectively in domestic life. For ease, further discussion herein will relate to training of dogs. However, it will be appreciated that the matters discussed could also be used or applied to the training of other animals.
Dogs are able to learn by classical conditioning in which they form an association between two stimuli, by non-associative learning whereby their behaviour is modified through habituation or sensitisation, or by operant conditioning whereby they associate a behaviour with a consequence.
There are a variety of established methods of dog training. Some of the better known are the Koehler method, clicker training, dominance-based training, and relationship-based training. The common characteristics of successful methods are knowing the dog's attributes and personality, accurate timing of reinforcement and/or punishment and consistent communication.
Dogs have an acute sense of smell and, therefore, scents can be used as part of a dog training program to lure the dog toward an object or person, or to reward the dog for a particular behaviour. For this reason, scent based dog training devices and toys are known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,145 discloses silica gel beads that conveniently release scent for use in training dogs to hunt using scent. Chew toys have been disclosed that contain a scent component in their manufacture to make them more attractive to dogs. One example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,415,741, a scented chew toy that allows the scented material to be inserted within the body of the chew toy during manufacture.
Other than for training, scents can also be used to pacify or reward animals.
A problem with many known scent based training aids and toys is the scent is not renewable and, as a consequence, the scent based aspect of the aid or toy has a limited life. There is a need for a training aid or toy in which the scent is replaceable. There is also a need for a training aid or toy in which the user can control how much scent is released from the aid or toy and/or when the scent is released from the aid or toy.


A clearance is set between a nail feeder and an outer profile portion so that the nail feeder can turn. A pin as a first restriction member that inhibits movement of the nail feeder to an ejection portion by engaging with the nail feeder and can release the engagement with the rotation of the nail feeder is provided to the outer profile portion. The position at which the nail feeder and a spring engage is set in deviation from the position at which the nail feeder and the pin engage, in a reciprocating direction of the nail feeder and in a vertical direction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a fastener driving tool that uses compressed air or gas. More particularly, the invention relates to a structure of a magazine for storing fastening members such as nails.
2. Description of the Related Art
When fastening members such as nails clog inside a fastener driving tool, the clogging fastening members must be removed. Hereinafter, associated technologies will be explained.
FIG. 9 shows a construction described in JP-A-2000-15589. A hole 5 is bored in a guide wall 4 of a magazine 3 and a hook member 6 is inserted. When the hook member 6 and a nail feeder 2 engage, the movement of the nail feeder 2 towards a nail ejection portion 7 can be inhibited. Consequently, when the nail 14 clogs inside an ejection port 23, the nail feeder 2 is hooked at an intermediate portion of the magazine 3 and the magazine is opened. The clogging nail can thus be removed.
FIG. 10 shows a construction described in JP-A-2000-334680. In this construction, a part of the nose 11 can open. A door member 12 rotates round a rotary shaft 13 as its center and can be opened and closed arbitrarily. When clogging of the nail occurs, the clogging nail 14 inside the ejection port 23 can be removed.
FIG. 11 shows a construction in which a protuberance portion 10 is provided to a fitting portion 9 of a feeder spring 8 to the magazine 3 and the nail feeder 2 is hooked to this protuberance portion 10. According to this construction, the magazine 3 can be removed from the main body of the fastener driving tool 1 when nail clogging or operation defect of the nail feeder 2 occurs but when the magazine 3 is removed, the nail feeder 2 engages with the protuberance portion 10 and cannot be removed from the magazine 3.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Disclosed is an image detector of the type comprising an array of photosensitive dots and an additional light source. The disclosed device can be applied to particular advantage in the detection of radiological images. The image detector comprises a photosensitive matrix and an additional source positioned on opposite faces of a support. The matrix is exposed to a radiation known as an incident radiation, a part of which is not detected by the matrix. The detector furthermore comprises means to promote the transmission of an additional radiation produced by the additional source with respect to the undetected part of the incident radiation. An arrangement of this kind enables an improvement in the contrast of the image, especially at the low spatial frequencies.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image detectors the type in which a matrix of photosensitive elements is associated with an additional light source. The invention can be applied in an especially promising manner to the detection of radiological images.
At present, it is usual to find large-sized image detector panels using matrices of photosensitive dots made of semiconductor materials, manufactured in particular by the technique of thin-film deposition. Most frequently, the photosensitive dots consist of amorphous silicon. Each of them comprises a photosensitive element (a photodiode for example) associated with a switch element constituted by a transistor or by a so-called switching diode.
The photosensitive dots form an array of rows and columns. The line-by-line activation of each of the switching elements enables the transfer, to a column, of the charges produced by the corresponding photodiode during the exposure of this photodiode to a measurement light signal, namely to a signal corresponding to an image to be detected. External multiplexer circuits are then used to read the charges of the different photosensitive dots.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A photosensitive matrix of the type indicated here above as well as its mode of operation and a way of making it are described in particular in the French patent application No. 86.14.048 (publication No. 2.605.166).
For the detection of radiological images, it is enough to interpose a scintillator between the photosensitive matrix and the X-rays in order to convert the X-rays into visible radiation or near-visible radiation to which the photodiodes are sensitive. It is the conventional practice, to this end, to coat the photosensitive elements of the matrix with a layer of a scintillating substance such as thallium-doped cesium iodide.
There are different methods of controlling the operation of the photosensitive matrices. These methods depend especially on the particular goals that are aimed at, the general organization of the matrix as well as the constitution of the photosensitive dots.
Some of these methods of control use an additional illumination of the photosensitive dots by means of an additional light source. This additional light source produces an additional light beam (hereinafter called an additional radiation) that is independent of the measurement light signal corresponding to an image to be detected. This case is fairly frequent, especially when the photosensitive dots are each constituted by a photodiode that is series-connected with a switching diode. Indeed, in this case, the exposure of the photosensitive dots to additional radiation is a relatively simple means of taking action on the value of a voltage present at the junction point of the photodiode and a switching diode, in each of the photosensitive dots.
This exposure of the photosensitive dots to additional radiation may constitute what is called an optical resetting or optical level-resetting operation. It is generally performed in a stage of the method that precedes the stage of exposure to the useful measurement signal. An optical resetting operation of this kind is described in the patent application No. 86.14.058 already mentioned here above.
Other methods of operation are known wherein an additional illumination of the photosensitive matrix is accomplished in order to create so-called drive charges in each of the photosensitive dots. A method of operation of this kind is described in the French patent application No. 88.12126 published under No. 2.636.800. In this operation, for each photosensitive dot, driving charges are added to the "signal" charges produced by the measurement light signal in order to improve the efficiency of transfer of these charges for the low values of the signal.
Whatever the reasons for exposing the photosensitive matrix to additional radiation, the additional light source (hereinafter called a "additional source") which produces this radiation is generally positioned on a rear face of the support of the photosensitive matrix, namely on a face opposite the one on which the matrix is made. An arrangement of this kind is made possible through the transparency of the support which is generally made of glass. Consequently, the level of transparency of the support is of great importance because the higher this level of transparency the greater is the degree to which, for the same result, it enables the emission of the additional radiation with lower power and hence provides for the greater compactness and lower cost of the additional radiation source.
However, this transparency of the support which is useful for additional illumination may also have a major drawback which is explained in greater detail with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 gives a schematic view of a cross-section (parallel to a line of photosensitive dots for example) of the structure of a standard image detector panel 1 of the type defined here above. The image detector has a matrix 2 of photosensitive dots p1, p2, p3 each formed in the example by a switching diode Dc associated with a photodiode Dp. The photosensitive matrix 2 is made on a first face 3 of a transparent support or substrate 4, made of glass for example. The image detector 1 furthermore has an additional source 6 applied to the second face or rear face 7 of the support 4 opposite the photosensitive matrix 2. The additional source 6 (using for example photoemissive diodes that are not shown) produces a radiation constituting the additional radiation mentioned here above, designed for example to obtain an optical resetting operation.
The photosensitive matrix 2 is illuminated by a so-called incident radiation represented by rays Ri. This radiation is the measurement light signal. The incident light to be detected is generally not entirely absorbed by the photosensitive dots p1, p2, p3. Indeed, a small part of the incident radiation Ri goes through the active material of these photosensitive dots (the amorphous silicon of the photodiodes Dp) without being absorbed. Another part goes through the detector panel 1 between the photodiodes in the free spaces between connections (not shown).
After the crossing of the glass substrate 4, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the paths tr1, tr2, . . . , trn, this fraction of incident light which has not been absorbed and therefore not detected is reflected or scattered uncontrollably. This light fraction then constitutes a parasitic light which may finally be detected by photosensitive dots other than the dots close to which it has passed or in which it has passed and more particularly through dots which are distant from it. The additional source 6 is shown as being applied against the substrate 4. It is possible to envisage an embodiment in which the additional source 6 and the substrate 4 are separated by a free space. Its thickness may be one or more millimeters or even one or more centimeters. This space forms a substrate-air diopter with the substrate. Light can be propagated in this space.
The overall result is a loss of contrast that is particularly pronounced at the low spatial frequencies.
One solution aimed at reducing the level of this parasitic light, drawing inspiration from techniques used in the field of image intensifiers, consists of the use of a less transparent support having a transmission T. In this case, the undetected light must go twice through the support in order to be picked up by a photosensitive dot and it is therefore attenuated by a factor T.sup.2. It is thus possible to make the parasitic light negligible. This approach has the drawback by which, in particular, the additional radiation must be 1/T times more powerful in order to fulfil its function.
It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the loss of contrast mentioned here above without in any way thereby having to modify the emitted power of the additional radiation.


An opto-mechanical deflector device is used for line displays and is worn by an observer. By use of the deflector device, the line presented by the line display on the observer's retina can be perceived as a two-dimensional image. The deflector device comprises, for each respective eye, a plurality of similar subsidiary deflectors which are spread out in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional matrix across a surface corresponding to the desired angle coverage for the respective eye. The subsidiary deflectors are provided in such a number that the lines which the line display presents can be seen unbroken, irrespective of the line of sight of the eye within the field of view of the deflector device.

Optical deflectors for deflecting light are found in a number of different forms and are included, for example in the presentation device described in Swedish Patent 500,061, as a component worn by an observer and used for widening the line presented by a line display. The above patent proposes opto-mechanical deflection by means of rotating or vibrating mirrors, or by means of rotating wedges. Electro-optical deflection is also proposed.
There are a number of demands and objectives in respect to the properties which should be satisfied by a deflection device worn by an observer and suitable for a presentation device according to this patent. The deflector device should have the following properties, among others being:
achromatic, PA1 mechanically simple, low in volume and lightweight, PA1 suitable for mass-production, for example by replica techniques, that is inexpensive, PA1 usable for several applications.
Opto-mechanical solutions have long existed in traditional instrumental optics. For example, use is sometimes made of a so-called optical micrometer. The latter can consist of two optical wedges which are turned towards one another, or a pair of lenses in which the lenses have the same refractive power, but different characteristics. When one lens is shifted sideways relative to the other, the optical beam path is refracted by an angle which is proportional to the movement. The optical systems can be rendered achromatic and generally give small residual errors. Other opto-mechanical deflector solutions involve various types of controlled or rotating mirrors, rotating prisms, etc. These optical systems have undergone extensive development on the basis of IR technology and laser technology. However, the known opto-mechanical solutions, as outlined above, still involve comparatively large and cumbersome mechanics, which are in addition relatively expensive and difficult to manufacture.
In recent times there have been considerable developments in the sector of micromechanics, and these developments have resulted in, among other things, micromechanical mirror matrices for image projection, etc. The production processes used in semiconductor technology are employed in the manufacture of the mirror matrices. The known mirror matrices are unsuitable for use as a deflector device worn by an observer, because the small mirror dimensions give powerful diffraction effects. It has also been proposed to use micro-lens matrices which can be displaced relative to each other. A micro-optical laser scanner based on micro-lens matrices is already known from M. Edward Montamedi, "Miniaturized micro-optical scanners", Optical Engineering, vol. 33, no. 11, November 1994, pages 3616 to 3623. This micro-optical laser scanner involves small dimensions, <1 mm, and there are both diffractive and refractive elements. On account of the diffraction effects which occur with these small dimensions, these micro-lens matrices are also unsuitable for use in the application according to the invention, i.e. to be worn by an observer.
Electro-optical solutions are in most instances based on some form of voltage-controlled crystal optics in combination with polarizers. They generally require high voltages, and this creates a problem. The solutions are often quick to implement, but require a relatively large construction volume.
Acoustic-optical deflectors are based on Bragg effects in acoustically generated gratings. Thus, they are in general greatly limited in chromatic terms, but otherwise have many attractive properties.
A new and promising technique uses so-called liquid crystals. A dynamic phase grating can be generated with high resolution, in principle a hologram. However, this effect is based on the wave characters of light and is therefore limited in wavelength.
In summary the opto-mechanical solutions lead to achromatic deflectors, but they can be cumbersome and difficult to manufacture. The other principles which have been mentioned above make use of the wave nature of light and are therefore limited spectrally or are even completely impossible because of diffraction effects.

Opto-mechanical deflector device for line displays


An apparatus and method are provided for inhibiting instruction manipulation. The apparatus has execution circuitry for performing data processing operations in response to a sequence of instructions from an instruction set, and decoder circuitry for decoding each instruction in the sequence in order to generate control signals for the execution circuitry. Each instruction comprises a plurality of instruction bits, and the decoder circuitry is arranged to perform a decode operation on each instruction to determine from the value of each instruction bit, and knowledge of the instruction set, the control signals to be issued to the execution circuitry in response to that instruction. An input path to the decoder circuitry comprises a set of wires over which the instruction bits of each instruction are provided. Scrambling circuitry is used to perform a scrambling function on each instruction using a secret scrambling key, such that the wire within the set of wires over which any given instruction bit is provided to the decoder circuitry is dependent on the secret scrambling key. The decode operation performed by the decoder circuitry is then adapted to incorporate a descrambling function using the secret scrambling key to reverse the effect of the scrambling function. As a result, independent of which wire any given instruction bit is provided on, the decode operation is arranged when decoding a given instruction to correctly interpret each instruction bit of that given instruction, based on knowledge of the instruction set, in order to determine from the value of each instruction bit the control signals to be issued to the execution circuitry in response to that given instruction.

The present technique relates to an apparatus and method for inhibiting instruction manipulation.
A data processing device may be arranged to execute a sequence of instructions in order to perform data processing operations. Typically, the data processing device will execute instructions from an identified instruction set, and information about the instruction set will be publicly available. In particular, published information about the instruction set will identify the instructions provided within the instruction set and how the various bits of each instruction are interpreted. For example, for a given instruction within an instruction set, it will be known which bits specify the opcode defining the operation required to be performed in response to that instruction, which bits specify any condition codes that are used to determine whether the instruction should be executed or not, which bits specify source operands (either as immediate values or with reference to register identifiers), and which bits specify the destination register into which the result should be written.
In modern data processing systems it is becoming more and more important to provide measures to protect those systems from attack by hackers. Various anti-tampering features have been developed for use within data processing systems, but one identified area of vulnerability is at the input to the decoder circuitry used to decode each instruction. In particular, at the input to the decoder circuitry there will typically be a set of wires over which the instruction bits of each instruction are provided. If an attacker can identify these wires within the data processing device, then with knowledge of the instruction set being used, it may be possible to identify which pieces of information regarding an instruction are propagated over which wires within the set of wires. It may then be possible for such an attacker to seek to employ a physical attack in respect of those wires, for example using laser photo injection or electromagnetic attacks, in order to seek to manipulate the values presented on certain wires. It will be appreciated that such an activity could cause the decoder circuitry to be presented with an altered form of the intended instruction, which as a result could alter the execution behaviour of the data processing device. Purely by way of example, by such an attack an attacker may be able to alter the bits specifying the condition information relating to the instruction, and hence alter the intended behaviour as to whether the instruction should be executed or not.
It would be desirable to provide an anti-tampering feature which could protect the data processing device from such an attack.

Apparatus and method for inhibiting instruction manipulation


A burner insertion aid for a burner includes a funnel-shaped component, wherein the funnel-shaped component has foamed polymer and an outer edge for mounting on a burner fastening device and also has an inner funnel region for the insertion of a burner mouth.

A burner, in particular for gasification plants, for example from Siemens Fuel Gasification Technology GmbH & Co. KG, is a sensitive component. With a mass of about 5 tones and an overall length of about 5 meters, the wall thickness in the region of the burner mouth is only 3 mm; behind it there are cooling surfaces through which water flows and a displacement body which regulates the water flow. The width of these cooling channels and the homogeneous coolant flow must necessarily be ensured during operation, since otherwise the heat introduced from the gasification space cannot be discharged correctly, which leads to thermal damage or destruction of the burner and due to this a production outage for the customer.
When moving and handling the burner, it is therefore strictly necessary to ensure that the region of the burner mouth is not mechanically damaged by impact. In particular when inserting the burner into the open flange of the burner support unit (BSU) and when inserting the burner into its transport container, it is necessary to ensure that impact on the screw bolts and further parts is avoided.
The current solution is careful and attentive handling of the burner by trained personnel. Burners of this size in the 500 MW class, however, are new devices hand have not yet been used.

Burner insertion aid for a burner, and method for inserting a burner


A memory system having a single-sided memory cell, a first voltage supply terminal and a control circuit is provided. The single-sided memory cell has a first node and a second node. Data values are written to the memory cell by selectively applying data signals to the first node or the second node, and data values are read from the memory cell from the second node. The control circuit is coupled to receive a data signal having one of a first state and a second state. The control circuit couples the first node of the memory cell to the first voltage supply terminal when the data signal is in the first state, thereby writing a first data value to the memory cell. The control circuit couples the second node of the memory cell to the first voltage supply terminal when the data signal is in the second state, thereby writing a second data value to the memory cell. Because the first voltage supply terminal is used to write both the first and second data values to the memory cell, problems associated with inadequate write voltages are eliminated by appropriate selection of the first supply voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a single-sided random access memory (RAM) cell and a method of writing data values to the same.
2. Discussion of Related Art
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional single-sided five transistor RAM cell 100 which is commonly used in integrated circuits such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). As used herein, a single-sided RAM cell is a RAM cell which is accessed by a single line during a write operation, and which is accessed by a single line during a read operation. Single-sided RAM cell 100 includes n-channel access transistor 101, p-channel transistors 102-103, and n-channel transistors 104-105. P-channel transistor 102 and n-channel transistor 104 are coupled between the V.sub.cc and ground voltage supplies as illustrated to form a first inverter 106. Similarly, p-channel transistor 103 and n-channel transistor 105 are coupled between the V.sub.cc and ground voltage supplies to form a second inverter 107. Inverters 106 and 107 are cross-coupled to form data latch 108. The output terminal of first inverter 106 and the input terminal of second inverter 107 are connected at node N1. Node N1 is also connected to the drain of access transistor 101. The output terminal of second inverter 107 and the input terminal of first inverter 106 are connected at node N2. Node N2 provides the output signal of RAM cell 100.
A data value is written to RAM cell 100 by asserting a logic high write control signal W on the gate of access transistor 101, thereby turning on transistor 101. When access transistor 101 is turned on, a data value D.sub.IN is applied to the source of access transistor 101. The data value D.sub.IN is thereby routed through access transistor 101 and applied to node N1.
RAM cell 100 can be in a logic high state or a logic low state. In the logic low state, node N1 is at a logic low voltage (i.e., n-channel transistor 104 is turned on and p-channel transistor 102 is turned off), and node N2 is at a logic high voltage (i.e., p-channel transistor 103 is turned on and n-channel transistor 105 is turned off). In the logic high state, node N1 is at a logic high voltage (i.e., p-channel transistor 102 is turned on and n-channel transistor 104 is turned off), and node N2 is at a logic low voltage (i.e., n-channel transistor 105 is turned on and p-channel transistor 103 is turned off).
To write a logic 1 value to RAM cell 100 while RAM cell 100 is in a logic low state, the write control signal W is asserted high, and a logic high data value D.sub.IN is applied to the source of access transistor 101. The logic high data value D.sub.IN typically has a voltage of Vcc. At low operating voltages, V.sub.cc (and therefore D.sub.IN) can be less than 2.5 Volts. Under these conditions, a relatively small voltage is developed across n-channel transistor 104, since the voltage developed across n-channel transistor 104 is equal to the voltage of D.sub.IN (e.g., 2.5 Volts) minus the threshold voltage drop across access transistor 101 (e.g., 1 volt). Consequently, for low operating voltages, the voltage developed across n-channel transistor 104 may be insufficient to reliably cause RAM cell 100 to transition from a logic low state to a logic high state. That is, the voltage across n-channel transistor 104 may be insufficient to pull node N1 up high enough to turn on n-channel transistor 105. If transistor 101 is fabricated using a deep sub-micron process, the n-channel threshold voltage does not scale down with the decrease in the operation voltage, thereby further exacerbating the problem.
Writing a logic low data value D.sub.IN to RAM cell 100 is relatively easy because a logic low data value D.sub.IN does not experience a threshold voltage drop across access transistor 101. As a result, the logic low voltage applied to node N1 readily causes p-channel transistor 103 to turn on, thereby causing RAM cell 100 to enter a logic low state.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a conventional writing-decoding system 200 for use with sixteen single-sided RAM cells 100A-100P. Each of single-sided RAM cells 100A-100P includes a corresponding access transistor 101A-101P and a corresponding data latch 108A-108P. Each of single-sided RAM cells 100A-100P is identical to previously described single-sided RAM cell 100 (FIG. 1). Writing-decoding system 200 further includes access transistors 201-221 and inverters 231-239 as illustrated. Address signals A7-AO are applied to inverters 231-238, respectively. Data input signal D.sub.IN is routed through access transistor 221 to inverter 239 when the write enable signal W is asserted high. The output signal of inverter 239 is provided to each of access transistors. 201-204. One of the address signals A7-A4 is asserted low, thereby causing the output signal from inverter 239 to be routed through one of access transistors 201-204. Each of access transistors 201-204 is coupled to four corresponding access transistors. For example in this embodiment, access transistor 201 is coupled to access transistors 205-208, access transistor 202 is coupled to access transistors 209-212, access transistor 203 is coupled to access transistors 213-216, and access transistor 204 is coupled to access transistors 217-220. Each of access transistors 205-220 is coupled to a corresponding RAM cell 100A-100P. One of the address signals A3-AO is asserted low, thereby causing the output signal provided by inverter 239 to be routed to one of memory cells 100A-100P. The write select signal WS is asserted high to provide access to a first node (i.e., node N1 of FIG. 1) within each of memory cells 100A-100P. Thus, RAM cell 100A is addressed by setting address signals A7-AO to 01110111, respectively, and setting the signal WS to 1. The D.sub.IN signal is stored in the addressed RAM cell in the manner previously described in reference to FIG. 1. However, decoding-address system 200 fails to remedy the difficulties encountered when writing a logic high data value to a single-sided RAM cell which is currently in a logic low state.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a conventional double-sided static RAM (SRAM) cell 200. As used herein, a double-sided memory cell is a memory cell which is written by a pair of input lines, and which is read by a pair of output lines. The input lines can be common with the output lines. Because double-sided SRAM cell 200 includes elements similar to RAM cell 100, similar elements in FIGS. 1 and 3 are labeled with similar reference numbers. Thus, in addition to n-channel access transistor 101, p-channel transistors 102-103 and n-channel transistors 104-105, SRAM cell 200 includes a second n-channel access transistor 201. Data values are written to SRAM cell 200 by asserting a logic high control signal W on the gates of access transistors 101 and 201, and providing a data value D.sub.IN and a complementary data value D.sub.IN bar to the sources of access transistors 101 and 201, respectively. Because a logic low value is always applied to either node N1 or node N2 during a write operation, SRAM cell 200 easily transitions between logic states. However, the second access transistor 201 causes double-sided SRA cell 200 to have a greater layout area than single-sided RAM cell 100.
It would therefore be desirable to have a single-sided memory cell which is capable of being reliably written, regardless of the current state of the memory cell and the value of the data value being written to the memory cell.

Single-sided RAM cell and method of accessing same


A fixing device for a plant supporting rod has a holder (6, 13, 20) that holds the plant supporting rod (3) inserted into the planting substrate (4) at the edge (8) of the plant container (1). In order to safely hold the plant supporting rod in all directions, the plant supporting rod (3) is supported against the edge (8) of the plant pot (1) approximately at the level of the edge (8) of the plant container (1) and in two directions that form an angle (.alpha.) with each other.

The present invention relates to a fixing device for a plant stake, comprising a holding device for holding a plant stake extending into the planting material to the rim of a plant container, wherein the plant stake in the region of the rim of the plant container is supported against the rim of the plant container in two directions forming an angle with one another, two retaining bars are provided which are affixable in the region of the rim of the plant container in order to support the plant stake, and the plant stake can be fixed to the retaining bars by a fixing device.
Plant stakes for supporting potted plants are usually put into the planting material, such as into potting soil or, with hydroponics, into a hydro material. The plant stakes may loosen with time and will then no longer offer reliable support for the plant. This is increasingly the case if the plant grows in a particular direction. Loosening of the rod may, however, also ensue when transporting the pot plant and above all outdoors, if the pot plant is exposed to the weather.
To overcome this problem, there have been attempts to attach the plant stakes via cords or wires by means of nails driven into a nearby wall. One of the problems associated with this method is that it will no longer be possible to move or turn the pot plant.
To fix the plant stake with respect to the plant container, it is known (from CH-A-636.748) to fasten a screw clamp to the rim of the plant container, from which former a rail departs that is directed toward the center of the plant container, the rail being urged against the rim of the plant container by means of the screw clamp. To this rail, the plant stake can be attached by a further screw clamp.
Yet, this known device has the disadvantage that the plant stake is still able to tilt to the side, as forces acting on the plant stake from the plant may only run in the direction of the rail, to enable them to be passed on into the plant container.
A fixing device for a plant stake by which the forces acting on the plant stake from all directions can be conducted into the plant container is known from CH-A-408.516. In accordance with this document, a carrying device is provided which can be clamped to the rim of the plant container and is equipped with a bracket of tubular construction projecting toward the center of the plant container. A lifting lug an be inserted into this bracket and fixed, with the lifting lug being displaceable against the bracket in the radial direction of the plant container. At its inner end, i.e. at its one end that is directed toward the center of the plant container, this lifting lug carries a jacket which is closed at its lower end and into which the plant stake can be inserted. Here, the plant stake does not come into contact with the soil of the pot plant, but via the plant stake very great forces are conducted into the bracket which is clampable to the rim of the plant container via the lifting lug, so that the bracket has to be of correspondingly rigid and stout design. This known fixing device for a plant stake is not only very complicated in construction and hence correspondingly expensive to produce, but by its bulky and stout construction will affect the appearance of the pot plant. Moreover, all of the forces are passed onward to the rim of the plant container exclusively, so that the latter has to resist a very considerable load.
A fixing device for a plant stake of the initially described kind is already known from FR-A-2 541 076. Here, two clamps are provided which can be put into position on the rim of the pot and each of which has an extension that points toward the center of the pot and serves as a guide rail for one pole each, the latter being displaceable along this guide rail in accordance with the diameter of the pot. The two poles are rigidly fastened to a cane supporting a plant stake. Thus, two poles arranged at an invariable angle to each other depart from the cane supporting the plant stake, such that the distance at which the clamps have to be fastened to the rim of the pot is rigidly prefixed.
From EP-A-0 058 738, a fixing device for a plant stake is known, consisting of a single clamp which can be affixed to the rim of the pot and from which a retaining bar projects toward the center of the pot. At its end, the retaining bar carries a pipe extension that is closed at the bottom and into which the plant stake can be inserted. Between the clamp and the retaining bar a weak spot is provided, such that in a vertically oriented plane the retaining bar can be swung horizontally about this weak spot which acts as a horizontally oriented articulated point.


A semiconductor memory device includes memory modules which have memories and a data bus which transfers data to the memory modules, in which the data bus comprises a low frequency band data pass unit which removes the high frequency component of the data and sends the data to the memory modules. The low frequency band data pass unit comprises a plurality of stubs which are connected to the data bus in parallel and are formed as printed circuit board (PCB) patterns. The low frequency band data pass unit comprises a plurality of plates that are connected to the data bus in parallel and are formed as PCB patterns. The low frequency band data pass unit has a shape in which parts having a wide width and parts having a narrow width are alternately connected. Therefore, without adding a separate passive device, the semiconductor memory device reduces the high frequency noise of data transferred through a data bus such that the voltage margin of the data improves, the cost for passive devices such as capacitors, is reduced, and the process for attaching the passive devices is simplified.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, and more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device having a data bus structure which reduces high frequency noise to data and passes only data having a low frequency.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor memory devices have been developed focusing on high integration and high capacity based on the high integration, while central processing units (CPUs) that are cores of computer system have been developed mainly focusing on high speed operation.
As a result, the difference between the operation speeds of the CPUs and memory devices continues to increase such that the operation speed of the memory devices becomes a major factor limiting the performance of a computer system.
In addition, in line with the recent trend in the memory, systems toward high speed and low power consumption, the operating voltage of a computer system is being lowered. With the operating voltage being reduced or lowered, the voltage level of a signal used for input and/or output data in a memory system is also being lowered.
However, since in line with the increasing operation speed, high frequency noise occurring in a computer system continues to increase, it is increasingly difficult to secure a voltage margin needed in system operation.
In order to secure a voltage margin of a signal needed in a system operating at high speed, the structure of the bus channel of the system should be optimized so that the signal voltage is maximized and high frequency noise occurring in the system is minimized.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an ordinary stub-type memory bus structure. Referring to FIG. 1, in the ordinary stub-type memory bus structure 100, a bus 160 is arranged on a system board, and each memory device 130 on a memory module 140 is connected to the bus 160 through a stub 150 corresponding to the memory device 130 on the memory module 140. A stub 150 has a shape that branches from the bus 160 passing through a module socket 120.
In the bus structure 100 using the prior art stubs shown in FIG. 1, the entire length of a channel, that is, the bus 160, is short, and accordingly, the propagation time of a signal on the channel is short and the electromagnetic interference is small.
However, by the stub structure, discontinuity and impedance mismatching on the channel occur causing reflected wave noise. Accordingly, due to the effect of reflected wave noise, at a high speed operation, serious distortion occurs in the waveform of a signal on the channel and high speed operation of the memory system is restricted.
That is, in the stub-type bus structure, due to the reflected wave noise on the channel, signal integrity degrades.
Therefore, in the stub-type bus structure 100, a stub resistor is generally used on a bus to lessen the degradation of signal integrity due to the reflected wave noise on the channel. The stub resistor is serially connected to the channel.
However, the stub resistor reduces the high frequency noise, and at the same time reduces the signal voltage on the channel such that if a low signal power is used, the size of a signal is further reduced.
Recently, in order to solve this problem, a method in which a serial resistor used for impedance matching on the channel is replaced by a parallel capacitor has been introduced. Though this method lessens signal voltage reduction caused by a serial resistor for channel matching, this method requires a complicated manufacturing process to add a capacitor to the channel in parallel.
To solve the above problems, it would be desirable to provide a semiconductor memory device having a data bus structure in which using only a printed circuit board (PCB) pattern, high frequency noise is removed and only low frequency band data is transferred.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory device comprising memory modules which have memories, and a data bus which transfers data to the memory modules, wherein the data bus comprises a low frequency band data pass unit which removes a high frequency component of the data and sends the data to the memory modules.
The low frequency band data pass unit comprises a plurality of stubs which are connected to the data bus in parallel and are formed as printed circuit board (PCB) patterns.
An end of each of the stubs, the end which is not connected to the data bus, is open.
The low frequency band data pass unit comprises a plurality of plates which are connected to the data bus in parallel and are formed as PCB patterns.
The plates are connected to the data bus through short lines formed as PCB patterns.
The low frequency band data pass unit has a shape in which parts having a first, wide, width and parts having a second, narrow, width are alternately connected.
The low frequency band data pass unit has a shape in which line parts having high impedance and line parts having low impedance are alternately connected.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory device having memory modules, which have memories, and a data bus which transfers data to the memory modules, comprising a plurality of stubs which are connected to the data bus in parallel and are formed as PCB patterns.
An end of each of the stubs, the end which is not connected to the data bus, is open.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory device having memory modules, which have memories, and a data bus which transfers data to the memory modules, comprising a plurality of plates which are connected to the data bus in parallel and are formed as PCB patterns.
The plates are connected to the data bus through short lines formed as PCB patterns.
According to yet still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor memory device comprising memory modules which have memories and a data bus which transfers data to the memory modules, wherein the data bus has a shape in which parts having a first, wide, width and parts having a second, narrow, width are alternately connected.
That is, a semiconductor memory device comprising memory modules which have memories and a data bus which transfers data to the memory modules, wherein the data bus has a shape in which line parts having high impedance and line parts having low impedance are alternately connected.
Therefore, without adding a separate discrete passive device, a semiconductor memory device as disclosed herein can reduce the high frequency noise of data transferred through a data bus such that the voltage margin of the data improves, the cost for passive devices such as capacitors is reduced, and the process for attaching the passive devices is simplified.

Semiconductor memory device with data bus scheme for reducing high frequency noise


An integrated circuit (IC) includes multiple circuits and functions which share multiple internal signal buses, three physical and five logical, according to distributed bus access and control arbitration. The multiple internal signal buses are shared among three tiers of internal circuit functions: a central processing unit and a DMA controller; a DRAM controller and a bus interface unit; and peripheral interface circuits, such as PCMCIA and display controllers. Two of the physical buses correspond to two of the logical buses and are used for communications within the IC. The third physical bus corresponds to three of the logical buses and is used for communications between the IC and circuits external to the IC. Arbitration for accessing and controlling the various signal buses is distributed both within and among the three tiers of internal circuit functions. Maximum performance is thereby achieved from the circuit functions accessed most frequently, while still achieving high performance from those circuit functions accessed less frequently. The IC may provided with a processor core with features that support In-Circuit Emulation (ICE).

Appendix A is microfiche (five sheets containing a total of 302 frames) containing copyrighted material, Copyright 1995, National Semiconductor Corporation, consisting of a C-language code listing for a CPU design for an integrated circuit in accordance with the foregoing discussion.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to integrated circuits containing a central processing unit and a number of peripheral circuit functions, and in particular, to such integrated circuits wherein the central processing unit and peripheral circuit functions communicate both among themselves and with external circuit functions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to the need for backwards compatibility with older generations, the x86 is one of the most complex instruction set architecture (CISC) microprocessors. For example, the large and complex i486 has over 400 instructions that must be implemented to maintain backward compatibility with the older generation x86 processors. Such complexity has resulted in few compatible processors or controllers which are suitable, e.g. simple in design, small in size and low in cost, for use in embedded control applications. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a processor or controller which is x86-compatible and yet suitable for low cost embedded control applications.

In-circuit emulator for emulating native clustruction execution of a microprocessor


A catalyzed Diesel soot filter and process. The Diesel soot filter incorporates a porous filter element coated with a catalytic agent so that Diesel soot from Diesel exhaust gas is deposited into contact with the catalytic agent when Diesel exhaust gas is passed through the porous filter element and so that the ignition temperature or oxidation temperature of the deposited Diesel soot is reduced. The catalytic agent is a mixture of alkali metal and cerium oxides. The mole ratio of alkali metal to cerium of the catalytic agent is in the range of from 0.5 to 5.

The instant invention relates to a catalyzed diesel soot filter and process for the reduction of the ignition temperature or oxidation temperature of Diesel soot filtered out of the exhaust gas of Diesel engines by a Diesel soot filter.
Diesel engines emit soot particles referred to herein as "Diesel soot". Diesel soot filters have been developed; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,455 to Doty, Moyer and Hughes, to filter Diesel soot from Diesel engine exhaust gas. Many prior art Diesel soot filters employ a honeycomb filter element encased in a sheet metal shell. The honeycomb filter element has an inlet end and an outlet end and a multiplicity of cells extending from the inlet end to the outlet end, the cells having porous walls. A fraction of the total number of cells at the inlet end are plugged and the remaining cells are plugged at the outlet end in a designed pattern so that Diesel engine exhaust flows through the porous walls of the filter element so that Diesel soot is filtered from the exhaust on and into the porous walls of the filter element. As discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,758 to Domesle et al., the temperature of Diesel engine exhaust gas under normal operating conditions is not sufficient to burn off the accumulated soot. Therefore, the back pressure of the exhaust gas through the filter increases over time to unacceptable levels.
One solution to the problem of soot accumulation in a Diesel soot filter is to periodically increase the temperature of the exhaust gas by, for example, electrically heating the exhaust gas or by burning an auxiliary fuel in the exhaust gas, to ignite and burn away the accumulated soot from the filter. Heating the exhaust gas to solve the problem of soot accumulation in the filter does, however, increase the fuel consumption of the Diesel engine.
A more efficient solution to the problem of soot accumulation in the filter is to coat the filter with a catalytic agent that reduces the temperature of ignition or oxidation of the accumulated soot. For example, the above referenced '758 patent coated a Diesel soot filter with a catalyst selected from lithium oxide, copper chloride, vanadium oxide/alkali metal oxide combinations, a vanadate of an alkali metal or of cerium, or a silver or alkali metal perrhenate, preferably of sodium or silver, or mixtures of these substances in order to reduce the ignition temperature or oxidation temperature of the accumulated soot. U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,689 to Manson disclosed a catalytic agent incorporating Platinum Group Metals (PGM's) that reduced the ignition temperature or oxidation temperature sufficiently so that the catalyzed diesel soot filter was self-regenerating at most diesel exhaust gas temperatures.
Despite the past advances made in the development of a Diesel soot filter catalyzed to reduce the ignition temperature or oxidation temperature of soot trapped therein, it would be a further advance in the art if such a catalyzed Diesel soot filter were discovered that used a less expensive catalyst.

Catalyzed diesel soot filter and process


A well system includes at least two well bores extending from a surface to a subterranean zone. Each of the two well bores is used to form a well bore pattern for the subterranean zone that intersects the other well bore and transports fluid from the subterranean zone to the other well bore for production to the surface. In addition, each of the two well bores is operable to collect fluids transported to the well bore by the well bore pattern formed through the other well bore for production to the surface.

Subterranean deposits of coal, shale and other formations often contain substantial quantities of methane gas. Vertical wells and vertical well patterns have been used to access coal and shale formations to produce the methane gas. More recently, horizontal patterns and interconnected well bores have also been used to produce methane gas from coal and shale formations and/or to sequester carbon dioxide.

Multi-purpose well bores and method for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface


Specific bits of an incoming transmission are compared against a predetermined bit pattern. If the selected bits do not match the predetermined bit pattern, then the incoming transmission is rejected as a false packet. The predetermined bit pattern can include legal values for predetermined bits in a plurality of fields. Notably, these legal values are set by a networking standard. A parity check may check may be performed in addition to checking for predetermined bits in other fields. A user interface can be used to determine the predetermined bit pattern.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of radio communications and more specifically to the field of detecting unwanted data in a wireless networking system.
2. Discussion of Background
Wireless data networks must function in environments with high radio noise and interference. In order to achieve maximum range, the receivers must operate at extremely low signal levels. As the signal levels move lower, both the noise and interference signals become large compared to the desired signals (the signal-to-noise ratio or "SNR" decreases).
Most available radio systems communicate data in packet form. A radio receiver detects the start of each packet and receives it. Noise and interference can interfere with the correct reception of the packets. In addition, the interference and statistical fluctuation of the background noise can cause the receiver to incorrectly believe a packet is arriving even when one is not. These "false packets" can interfere with the proper operation of the network.
In particular, false packets can reduce the throughput of networks using CSMA (carrier sense multiple access) schemes, which share the available bandwidth with a listen-before-talk style protocol. In such a network, false packets can have at least two detrimental effects. First, during the time that the wireless station believes a false packet is present, it will interpret the medium as busy and will not initiate the transmission of its own data. This will reduce the data flow from that station and slow the network.
False packets can also affect the reception of valid packets. Most communication systems include a predefined preamble code at the beginning of a packet. During normal operation, the receiver uses the preamble to perform a sequence of tasks including antenna selection, gain setting, frequency offset correction, symbol timing recovery, and channel estimation. These actions must be performed in a specific sequence, and must be completed by the time that the data payload in the packet begins. Once the data portion of the packet begins, these preamble activities stop to avoid interfering with reception of the data.
If a false packet causes a receiver to incorrectly commence preamble analysis, the receiver may be unable to synchronize to a valid packet that arrives later, because its receiver sequence is already engaged. In fact, the receiver may not be able to receive a valid packet until processing the false packet is complete or otherwise terminated.
A further complication is raised by terminating reception solely on the basis of a drop in signal strength. In the radio environment, the receive signal may decrease in magnitude over time due to fading. Drops in signal strength are common even on valid packets. Often, packets with significant drops in signal strength can be successfully received if the packet is not abandoned. Therefore, it would be unacceptable to terminate reception on the basis of a drop in signal strength alone.
Because false packets make the medium appear to be busy, and because they obstruct the reception of valid packets, they can significantly reduce the actual data throughput of typical wireless networks. There is therefore a need in the art for techniques and systems to reduce the amount of time a station spends attempting to receive false packets.

Method and system for detecting false packets in wireless communications systems


A multibeam electron tube with several approximately parallel electron beams passing through a body. Among the beams, at least some define an interbeam volume, each beam defining the interbeam volume being subjected to a perturbing azimuthal magnetic field induced by all the other beams. The tube includes an element allowing, in at least one conducting element located in the interbeam volume, flow of a reverse current in the opposite direction to that of the current of the beams, this reverse current generating, in the beams defining the interbeam space, a magnetic correction field whose purpose is to oppose the perturbing magnetic field. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention especially apply to the multibeam klystrons or traveling wave tubes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multibeam longitudinal-interaction electron tubes such as, for example, klystrons or traveling wave tubes.
2. Discussion of the Background
Klystrons, or traveling wave tubes, generally constructed about an axis, comprise several longitudinal electron beams parallel to this axis. These beams are often produced by a common electron gun, fitted with several cathodes, and are connected at the end of travel in one or more collectors. Between the gun and the collector, the beams pass through a body which is a microwave structure at the output of which microwave energy is extracted. This structure may be formed from a succession of resonant cavities and of drift tubes. The electron beams, in order to maintain their long thin shape, are focused by the magnetic field of a focuser which is centered on the main axis and surrounds the microwave structure.
The advantages of multibeam electron tubes are the following: the current produced is higher and/or the high voltage is lower and/or the length is shorter.
For approximately equal performance, the overall size of the tube is generally smaller. The electrical supply and the modulator used are thus simplified and more compact. The efficiency of interaction is better because of the generally lower perveance of each of the beams.
In the case of klystrons, the bandwidth is increased because of the fact that the cavities are charged by a higher current.
Compared with single-beam tubes, one of the main drawbacks is that it is difficult to generate an optimum magnetic focusing field which allows the beams to travel through the microwave structure without appreciable interception by the drift tubes.
In multibeam klystrons, the intercepted current, called the body current, is often about 4 to 8%, whereas it does not exceed 2 to 3% in conventional single-beam klystrons even when the beam is greatly high-frequency-modulated, as is the case with high-efficiency klystrons.
Excessive interception entails not only prohibitive heating, which requires a complex and expensive cooling system, but also poor operation of the tube since expansion, degassing, frequency changes, oscillations, excitation of spurious modes, reflected electrons, ion bombardment and perturbed interaction between the beam and the microwave structure may occur.
This interception is due to the increase in the space charge forces due to the effect of greater density modulation as one approaches the collector, thereby resulting in an increase in the cross section of the beams which consequently come closer to the walls of the drift tubes. It is also partly due to the focuser which inevitably produces a radial magnetic field in the regions where the axial magnetic field varies, that is to say near the gun and the collector. In addition, since the focuser is never perfect, defocusing parasitic magnetic components are produced.
Another important cause of defocusing specific to multibeam tubes is that each beam creates an azimuthal magnetic field which, depending on the configuration of the tube and its mode of operation, runs the risk of perturbing the other beams. This azimuthal magnetic field results, in the off-axis beams, in a centrifugal radial force which deflects them.
It is known that it is possible, by taking particular care about the configuration of the focuser and of its coil, to reduce the defocusing magnetic components.
It is also possible to contribute to reducing the radial magnetic field by using intermediate pole pieces in the body of the tube.
Improvements may also be made to the gun so that the lines of magnetic flux substantially match the path of the electrons as soon as they are emitted.
It is also possible to vary the inclination of the drift tubes so that they follow the general movement of the beams.
However, all these solutions do not combat the azimuthal magnetic field induced in an off-axis beam by all the other beams.
The object of the present invention is therefore to reduce, or even cancel, this induced azimuthal magnetic field without degrading the gain or efficiency characteristics.
To achieve this, the present invention proposes a multibeam electron tube comprising several approximately parallel electron beams passing through a body. Among these beams, at least some define an interbeam volume. Each of the beams defining the interbeam volume is subjected to a perturbing azimuthal magnetic field induced by all the other beams. The tube includes, in the body, means allowing, in at least one conducting element located in the interbeam volume, flow of a reverse current in the opposite direction to that of the current of the beams, this reverse current generating, in the beams defining the interbeam volume, a magnetic correction field which opposes the perturbing magnetic field.
The conducting element may be incorporated into the body or, on the contrary, electrically isolated from the body.
The means allowing the reverse current to flow in the conducting element incorporated into the body may comprise a ground connection, close to the input of the body, so that the reverse current comes from the current of the beams which is closed by this ground, the collector being at an intermediate potential between that of the cathodes producing the beams and ground.
Preferably, this ground connection is connected to a high-voltage supply which delivers the potential to the cathodes.
In this type of tube, whether for klystrons or traveling wave tubes, the body comprises a succession of cavities and, at the input and output of the cavities, the beams are contained in drift tubes. When the drift tubes are hollowed out within the same conducting block, this conducting block serves as a conducting element in which the reverse current flows.
To force the flow in the interbeam volume, the conducting block may have, in a central part encompassing the interbeam volume, a lower resistance than that possessed by a peripheral part of the block, located around the central part.
To obtain these various resistances, the central part may be made in a first material and the peripheral part in a second material, the second material having the highest resistance.
It is also recommendable to cut chicanes in the perimeter of the periphery of a block in order to increase the resistance at that point.
When two successive cavities have a common wall integral with a conducting block, a resistive insert may be included in the conducting block and the common wall, this resistive insert forcing the reverse current to flow in the conducting block in a loop around the insert and in the common wall on each side of the insert in opposite directions.
The means allowing the reverse current to flow may comprise a first connection means near the input of the body and a second connection means near the output of the body, these connection means being intended to be connected to a supply that has to deliver the reverse current.
In the configuration in which the conducting element is incorporated into the body, the latter and/or the collector must be electrically isolated from various members with which they are normally in electrical contact.
In the configurations in which the drift tubes are not hollowed out within the same conducting block, the interbeam volume is hollow in the drift tubes and it is possible to house therein the conducting element so as to be approximately parallel to the drift tubes and without any electrical contact with the body.
This conducting element may comprise a rigid section at the input and at the output of a cavity and a flexible connection which struddles a cavity while connecting two rigid sections connected on each side of cavity.

Multibeam electronic tube with magnetic field for correcting beam trajectory


A children's music player with control lockout includes a housing supporting a conventional audio music player having a plurality of control arms operable in connection therewith. An on button and an off button are positioned upon the housing to provide access thereto by a child user. The remaining player controls are supported within a control panel having a lockout mechanism utilizing a slide bar which cooperates with locking tabs on the controls to permit adjustment of the controls in one position and preclude adjustment thereof in the lockout position.

Music players such as cassette tape players and the recently introduced compact disk players have provided a convenient source of music entertainment for a great variety of users. While the particular structure used in such players vary substantially, all generally include a housing within which a transport mechanism receives the tape or compact disk in an operative installation. Playback apparatus interact with the music bearing medium to convert the information upon the tape or compact disk or other medium to electrical signals which are amplified and applied to one or more speakers to produce sound information such as music. In addition to the transport mechanisms, such players generally include a plurality of user operated controls which permit the user to structure the player operation. Such controls include sound quality controls such as volume, tone, treble, bass and the like together with operative or mode selection controls such as play, record, fast forward, rewind and pause.
The majority of music players produced are more than adequate for use by a variety of older children as well as adults of virtually all ages. However, young children are often also interested in music and music players. However, few, if any, tape or compact disk players are designed for convenient and easy to understand use by younger children. In most cases, the controls are extremely difficult for the young child to manipulate and understand. In addition, younger children often misuse such equipment by, for example, playing the music objectionably loud and so on.
Practitioners in the art have recognized the need for music players which are more easily operated by younger children. In addition, practitioners have addressed the interest of younger children in music making apparatus by producing a variety of music making toys and interactive music players. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,205 issued to Spector sets forth a SOUND TAPE PLAYER HAVING ANIMATED CHARACTER in which a player for prerecorded sound magnetic tape package in cartridge or cassette format is provided. A three-dimensional character is supported upon the player and interactively operated in response to the music produced from playing the tape.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,871 issued to Noto sets forth a TOY FOR CONVEYING PERSONALIZED MESSAGE in which a toy such as a doll or similar figure includes a cavity supporting a cassette player and a battery power mechanism. One or more switches are disposed about the toy and operatively coupled to the tape playing mechanism to operate the mechanism as the toy is manipulated.
French Patent 2,591,501 issued to Barraut sets forth an EDUCATIONAL ANIMATED TOY FOR YOUNG CHILD in which a figurine in the form of a furry animal includes a body having head and appendages and defining an interior cavity. The cavity may be used as a letter box for notes and may contain a cassette tape player coupled to a microphone which protrudes from the body. An electronic control circuit is operatively coupled to the toy figure appendages and is operative in response to appendage manipulation to control the tape player.
French Patent 2,413,101 issued to Ungar sets forth a CHILDREN'S TALKING TOY formed as a doll or soft figure which incorporates a recording appliance and cassette. The cassette is protected within the doll or toy figure body and control knobs are provided for manipulating the tape player.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,905 issued to Convertine, et al. sets forth a TOY RECORDER AND PLAYBACK APPARATUS in which a miniature tape recorder for use by children is provided. The recorder is normally incorporated within a toy such as a doll and arranged such that the child may be speak to the toy while recording and thereafter playback or repeat the spoken message. A microphone is provided which is operatively coupled to the recorder and supported within the toy figure. The tape mechanism is operated by a drawstring and spring force motor combination.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,918 issued to Berman sets forth an AUDIO-VISUAL CHILD-PARTICIPATING EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT CENTER in which a housing supports an audio-visual device. The device includes a screen upon which visual images are projected, an animated audio-visual feature, a kit containing different types of appliques and a switch to stop and restart the audio-visual feature at will.
German Patent DE 3710135-A issued to Hoff sets forth a CHILD'S TELEPHONE HANDSET WITH CASSETTE COMPARTMENT in which a toy telephone includes a cassette recorder and playback device. Tape information is provided which permits the child user to interactively converse with the tape conversation being played.
In addition to the foregoing described utility patents, a variety of design patents have issued showing different aesthetic appearances for children's tape players or toy tape players and recorders. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 267,662 issued to Lambert, et al., U.S. Pat. Des. No. 277,474 issued to Miura, U.S. Pat. Des. No. 297,551 issued to Ng, U.S. Pat. Des. No. 263,139 issued to Petrie, U.S. Pat. Des. No. 304,832 issued to Murphy, U.S. Pat. Des. No. 309,637 issued to Maezono, and U.S. Pat. Des. No. 311,006 issued to Hino, et al. are representative of typical children's music players or toy music playing devices.
While the foregoing described prior art devices have provided children with music players of different types, there remains a need in the art for a player more realistically configured and operated to be used by young children.

Children's music player with control lockout


The present application relates to an optical film and a use thereof. In the present application, through control of an alignment state of a liquid crystal compound in a liquid crystal layer, the liquid crystal layer may exhibit so-called reverse-wavelength dispersion while forming a single thin layer. An optical film including the liquid crystal layer may show optical modulation in a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting device (OLED), or the like, or may be used in various applications, for example, as an optical element capable of improving light utilization efficiency, an element for implementation of a stereoscopic image and quality improvement thereof, and so forth.

Films which exhibit optical anisotropy are used for various purposes.
These films may be used for purposes such as, for example, adjusting optical properties of a liquid crystal display (LCD), improving light utilization efficiency, or ensuring anti-reflectivity and visibility in an organic light emitting device (OLED). Further, the films as described above may be used to generate a stereoscopic image, or to improve quality of the stereoscopic image.

Optical film having a liquid crystal layer including twisted nematic liquid crystal compounds


A containing catheter for facilitating sequential treatment operations therethrough, is provided. The containing catheter comprises a median portion comprising an elongated, substantially tubular member, and a distal portion, comprising a distal stiff member. A catheterization apparatus is provided, comprising the containing catheter and an elongated inner catheter insertable into the containing catheter. A method of catheterization is provided, comprising providing the containing catheter, stiffening a portion of the containing catheter and inserting the stiffened containing catheter into a body conduit of a patient.

Known medical procedures that employ catheterization, typically involve use of a plurality of catheters in sequence. Specifically, several catheters may be inserted into a same body conduit and removed from it, sequentially, to perform a sequence of steps of a medical procedure. To take an example, in cryosurgical ablation of prostate tissue, a procedure may typically involve a step of insertion of a guiding catheter into the urethra for identifying the urethral course during ultrasound-guided needle insertion. A next step may involve removal of the guiding catheter and insertion into the urethra of a treatment catheter. Such a treatment catheter may be for example a warming catheter used to protect the urethra during cryoablation, or, as another example, a urethral straightener connected to a probe guidance mechanism as taught by Zvuloni et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,333 and in Patent Application US20090118724. A next step may involve removal of the treatment catheter and insertion of a post-procedure drainage catheter. Finally, the drainage catheter must also be removed. Various other well-known treatment procedures similarly require two or three or more sequential catheter insertions and removals.

Catheterization apparatus and methods thereof


A charge pump-type DC/DC converter is provided that steadily operates even when boosting reference voltage is low. A PMOS transistor for short-circuiting an output terminal of a charge pump of an initial stage with a booster reference voltage is provided to eliminate the influence of a parasitic diode of a PMOS transistor within the charge pump of the initial stage during build-up. The PMOS transistor is controlled by the voltage of another charge pump and the short-circuit described above is released by the increase of the output voltage of the other charge pump.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for attaining stable operation of a charge pump-type DC/DC converter.
2. Description of the Related Art
A multi-output charge pump-type DC/DC converter is known, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2005-278356, for example. This kind of charge pump-type DC/DC converter has a structure in which a plurality of stages of charge pumps is connected in series.
The conventional charge pump-type DC/DC converter generates a driving signal of the first stage charge pump by shifting the level of the power-supply voltage VDD by the output voltage of the first stage charge pump.
However, a problem has often occurred in the conventional charge pump-type DC/DC converter whereby the output voltage (initial value) of the first stage charge pump does not rise to the operating voltage of a level shifter when building up the DC/DC converter due to a parasitic diode of a transistor within the charge pump, thus generating no driving signal. This problem is particularly pronounced when the voltage (reference voltage) that is the basis of boosting is low.
Accordingly, a charge pump-type DC/DC converter that steadily operates even when the reference voltage is low is required.


A method of data replica recovery that is based on separate storage drives connected to a network where each storage drive has a storage space divided to contiguous storage segments and is electronically connected to a memory support component via a connection. Pairs of replicas, each of one of a plurality of data units, are stored in a manner that allows, in response to detection of a storage failure in one storage drive, to create replacement replicas in the memory support components of the other storage drives to assure that two replicas of each data unit can be found in the storage system.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to data management and recovery and, more specifically, but not exclusively, to management and recovery of distributed storage of replicas.
Storage systems often employ data replication to defend against disk failures. The data is partitioned into small contiguous units, and each unit is stored on more than one disk. If one replica happens to reside on a failing disk, the system may utilize another replica to recover.
Replication ensures consistency between redundant resources, such as software or hardware components, improves reliability, fault-tolerance, or accessibility. The replication may be data replication if the same data is stored on multiple storage drives. The replication process should be transparent to an external user. Besides consistency of replicas, the server nodes in a distributed system should be evenly loaded with replicas so that optimal application performance and network traffic is achieved.
A key parameter of replicating systems is the number of replicas to maintain for each data unit. This parameter reflects a tradeoff between safety and efficiency. Storing fewer replicas increases the risk of simultaneously losing all the replicas of a data unit due to several temporally adjacent disk failures. Conversely, storing additional replicas it reduces the effective storage size, as k replicas translate to 1/k usable space, induces higher network traffic, as more disks have to be synchronized upon data changes, and translates to greater energy consumption, because write operations induce additional disk/network activity, and because systems must utilize a higher number of disks to attain the same effective storage space.

Management and recovery of distributed storage of replicas

Technion Research & Development Foundation Limited


A method and system for preventing or minimizing false back pressure faults caused by a new particulate filter in an engine exhaust system. When a new particulate filter is placed in an engine exhaust system, the normal back pressure threshold for the fault detection system is increased by a new filter offset amount. Back pressure faults at the normal level are not recorded for a limited period of engine operation and only records back pressure faults that exceed the normal back pressure threshold by the value of the new filter offset.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system and method for preventing false back pressure faults caused by the replacement of particulate filters that trap particulate matter in exhaust gases of an engine.
2. Background Art
Particulate trap filters are provided in engine exhaust systems to filter particulates and soot from exhaust gases. For example, diesel exhaust gases must be cleaned in a particulate filter before being vented to the atmosphere to conform to environmental regulations.
Back pressure in an exhaust system may increase due to increased restriction caused by the accumulation of particulates in the particulate filter. Excessive back pressure may cause damage to the engine or decrease engine performance. Sensors may be used to measure the back pressure to avoid damage to the engine. An operator may be signaled to check the engine or particulate filter when the back pressure exceeds a predetermined level. The particulate filter may then be removed and replaced or regenerated to reduce back pressure to an acceptable level.
New particulate filters when initially installed in the exhaust system of an engine may exhibit excessive back pressure for a limited period of time, i.e. over a "break in" period for the filter. When the new particulate filter is installed, increases in back pressure relating to the new filter flow properties may result in confusion as to whether the new filter is functioning property and may result in unnecessary service inquiries. When an operator observes illumination of a check engine light ("CEL") or service now light ("SNL") that is diagnosed as having been caused by high back pressure fault, the operator may believe that the service was not properly performed or that the particulate filter is not functioning properly. False back pressure faults may also occur with new engines and may result in unnecessary customer complaints, service calls and warranty expense.
There is a need for a method and system for monitoring exhaust filter back pressure that does not provide false indications of excessive back pressure after a new particulate filter is installed in the exhaust system. A system and method are needed that can be adapted to and used with a variety of different types and sizes of engines and in a variety of operating conditions.

System and method for excluding false back pressure faults after installation of a particulate trap filter


An oral care implement for cleaning a user's tongue and/or soft tissue surfaces. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle extending along a longitudinal axis; first and second prong members extending from a distal end of the handle, each of the first and second prong members diverging from the longitudinal axis and having a distal end; a blade for scraping soft tissue, the blade extending between the distal ends of the first and second prong members; and the blade integrally formed with the first and second prong members, the first and second prong members transitioning into the blade at the distal ends of the first and second prong members.

According to the American Dental Association, a major source of bad breath in healthy people is microbial deposits on the tongue, where a bacterial coating harbors organisms and debris that contribute to bad breath. The tongue is a haven for the growth of microorganisms since the papillary nature of the tongue surface creates a unique ecological site that provides an extremely large surface area, favoring the accumulation of oral bacteria. Anaerobic flora and bacteria residing on the tongue play an important role in the development of chronic bad breath commonly called halitosis. In general, the bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). If there is enough buildup of the sulfur compounds, the result can be bad breath or oral malodor.
While bladed tongue scrapers have been used in the past in order to remove bacteria from the tongue, these scrapers are inadequate in respect to their effectiveness on the soft tissue surface of the tongue. Broad flat scraping blades are limited in their ability to reach between the papillae where the bacteria and microdebris have collected. Moreover, notwithstanding the benefits to be gained by any ability to clean the tongue, some users avoid the use of such blades because of lack of comfort on the tongue surface.
In addition to bladed tongue scrapers, toothbrushes have been developed that have a tissue cleanser on the toothbrush head. However, these oral care implements are limited in that the tissue cleanser is provided only on one major surface of the head and tend to be small in size and can be ineffective in scraping debris off of the tongue.
Furthermore, known tongue scrapers and soft tissue cleansers have a predetermined width. Thus, for persons with small mouths, such as children, these known devices are inefficient or uncomfortable to use. While a tongue scraper having an adjustable width is know, such adjustable width tongue scrapers are both cumbersome and complicated in their manufacture and use, thereby resulting in the devices being expensive to manufacture and/or undesirable to use.
Hence, there is a need for an apparatus for cleaning soft tissue within a user's mouth that provides effective removal of bacteria and other debris while maintaining comfort to the user. There is also a need for an apparatus for cleaning soft tissue within a user's mouth in which a size of the portion of the apparatus that contacts the user's soft tissue is adjustable. There is a further need for an apparatus for cleaning soft tissue within a user's mouth which is easy to manufacture and has user-friendly design.