An A/D converter which converts an analog current signal into a digital signal, includes: a filter removing a noise component from the analog current signal to output an analog voltage signal; a quantizer quantizing the analog voltage signal outputted from the filter to generate the digital signal; and a D/A converter converting the digital signal generated by the quantizer into an analog feedback current to feedback to an input of the filter, and supplying a bias current for the D/A converter to an output of a frequency converter via a path of the analog current signal as a bias current driving the frequency converter outputting the analog current signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an analog circuit of, for example, a communication device and so on, and particularly relates to an analog-digital converter, a signal processor, and a receiving device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a communication device including an analog-digital converter (hereinafter, called as an "A/D converter", "ADC"), it is necessary to adjust an input signal amplitude to be enough larger than a minimum resolution of the ADC and smaller than a maximum input signal amplitude of the ADC. As a method to adjust the input signal amplitude, for example, a method to use a variable gain amplification circuit can be cited, but in the variable gain amplification circuit, a problem is known in which a direct current offset varies. In particular, when a gain is controlled with following to a variation of received signal intensity in a radio communication in which the intensity varies, the direct current offset of an output may vary in accordance with the variation of the gain. Generally, the direct-current offset is removed by a feedback control and so on, but there is a problem that communication quality may deteriorate until a transient response converges. To avoid this problem, a method is studied in which an input dynamic range of the ADC is enlarged and a variable range of the variable gain amplification circuit is reduced, or the variable gain amplification circuit in itself is omitted.
Meanwhile, a study for a delta-sigma type analog-digital converter (DSADC) is in progress, in which a continuous time filter enabling an omission of an anti-alias filter required for the ADC is used (refer to L. J. Breems and others, "A 1.8 mW CMOS ΣΔ Modulator with Integrated Mixer for A/D Conversion of IF Signals", IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, April, 2000, Vol. 35, No. 4, p. 468 to p.
475). In the document of L. J. Breems and others, an example is reported, in which a frequency conversion circuit down-converting an IF signal of 50 MHz and a DSADC operating with a clock of 13 MHz are connected directly.
However, when the frequency conversion circuit and the DSADC described in the above document are applied to a radio receiver such as a cellular phone, it is necessary to supply a high frequency signal with low impedance for the extent that it does not affect a circuit operation. Accordingly, a high-frequency buffer amplifier consuming a relatively large current is necessary. In addition, a DAC for feedback constituting the DSADC in itself is a switch, and therefore, a power consumption thereof is small. However, a direct-current voltage supply circuit having enough low output impedance is necessary so as not to generate a voltage variation by an ON/OFF operation of the switch of the DAC, to supply a reference voltage to the DAC. Namely, there has been a problem that an elimination of power consumption is difficult as a total because the power consumption with including peripheral circuits increases conversely in the frequency conversion circuit and the DSADC described in the above document.

A/D converter, signal processor, and receiving device


It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique of conserving a functional group used for binding a physiologically active substance in the form of an inactive ester, and converting it to an activated ester by simple operations immediately before formation of an amide bond. The present invention provides a biosensor which comprises a substrate that has been modified with a phenyl ester group having a substituent whose electron-withdrawing ability is increased as a result of a chemical reaction.

Recently, a large number of measurements using intermolecular interactions such as immune responses are being carried out in clinical tests, etc. However, since conventional methods require complicated operations or labeling substances, several techniques are used that are capable of detecting the change in the binding amount of a test substance with high sensitivity without using such labeling substances. Examples of such a technique may include a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) measurement technique, a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurement technique, and a measurement technique of using functional surfaces ranging from gold colloid particles to ultra-fine particles. The SPR measurement technique is a method of measuring changes in the refractive index near an organic functional film attached to the metal film of a chip by measuring a peak shift in the wavelength of reflected light, or changes in amounts of reflected light in a certain wavelength, so as to detect adsorption and desorption occurring near the surface. The QCM measurement technique is a technique of detecting adsorbed or desorbed mass at the ng level, using a change in frequency of a crystal due to adsorption or desorption of a substance on gold electrodes of a quartz crystal (device). In addition, the ultra-fine particle surface (nm level) of gold is functionalized, and physiologically active substances are immobilized thereon. Thus, a reaction to recognize specificity among physiologically active substances is carried out, thereby detecting a substance associated with a living organism from sedimentation of gold fine particles or sequences.
In all of the above-described techniques, the surface where a physiologically active substance is immobilized is important. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), which is most commonly used in this technical field, will be described below as an example.
A commonly used measurement chip comprises a transparent substrate (e.g., glass), an evaporated metal film, and a thin film having thereon a functional group capable of immobilizing a physiologically active substance. The measurement chip immobilizes the physiologically active substance on the metal surface via the functional group. A specific binding reaction between the physiological active substance and a test substance is measured, so as to analyze an interaction between biomolecules.
As a thin film having a functional group capable of immobilizing a physiologically active substance, there has been reported a measurement chip where a physiologically active substance is immobilized by using a functional group binding to metal, a linker with a chain length of 10 or more atoms, and a compound having a functional group capable of binding to the physiologically active substance (Japanese Patent No. 2815120). Moreover, a measurement chip comprising a metal film and a plasma-polymerized film formed on the metal film has been reported (Japanese Patent Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 9-264843).
When a physiologically active substance having an amino group is allowed to bind to the surface of a biosensor having carboxylic acid, in general, the carboxylic acid existing on the biosensor surface is activated with 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3 ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) (which is a water-soluble carbodiimide) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in an aqueous medium, and the biosensor surface is then allowed to react with the amino group of the physiologically active substance, so as to form a carboxylic amide. Even when a biosensor surface such as those used in surface plasmon resonance analysis (SPR) or quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is produced, it has been reported that an amide bond is formed in water by the combination of EDC with NHS (JP Patent Laid-Open (Kokai) Nos. 11-281569 and 2000-39401).
However, when EDC is mixed with NHS in water, there has been a problem that "the stability of the obtained active ester is not sufficient and that it is hydrolyzed over time."


When the content of a paper document is aiming to be recognized in an apparatus that has a scanner, an image of the paper document is subjected to region segmentation processing immediately after the paper document is read, and a recognition operation to be performed on each segmented region is specified by an operator on the basis of the result of the region segmentation processing. Therefore, a recognition method to be performed on each recognition target item can be selected from among recognition by using a recognition service server, recognition by downloading a program module from a program server, and recognition by using a locally-stored program module. As a result, recognition processing can be performed more efficiently.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to recognition processing for image data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, it has become popular to summarize, manage, and store information in customer service businesses by using electronic data. However, for collecting the information from customers in these operations, paper is still widely used because of its high portability and universality.
To convert data presented on paper into electronic data, a scanner device for converting the content presented on paper into an image serving as electronic data and a recognition device of recognizing characters or the like in the image and of converting them into meaningful data are necessary.
Traditionally, scanners, which are used to convert an original document into images, are connected to computers as peripheral devices and operate only in accordance with programs in computers. These days, some apparatuses that have scanners include versatile central processing units (CPUs) and user interfaces so that the CPUs can execute programs, in addition to a program of controlling the apparatuses. In this case, it has become possible that the apparatuses perform various processing, in addition to scanning, by themselves.
Furthermore, with this feature, it has become possible that scanners execute character recognition programs and utilize the scanned image as meaningful data by themselves, in addition to converting the original documents into the scanned images.
For example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP), which is a device that combines several functions (e.g., scanning and printing) into one unit, can have an additional function of printing recognized addresses on cards or envelopes by incorporating into the MFP a process of recognizing characters from a document image and then converting them into character codes.
When an MFP to which a hard disk and a network function are added is used as a database storing read documents, recognizing the content of a document allows the MFP to extract a keyword relating to the content from the character strings and to exploit the keyword as an index for searching.
This case, however, has the following problems:
Problem 1: Since a CPU incorporated in an apparatus has only a low processing speed, the time required for performing character recognition processing is inevitably very long. Since a memory that can be used is limited, some processing cannot be executed, thus resulting in insufficient performance.
Problem 2: Since programs that can be stored in the apparatus are limited, processing is inevitably limited.
To address Problem 1, a method (hereinafter, referred to as Method A) of transmitting an image to an external computer connected to a network, making the external computer perform desired processing, receiving the result of the processing, and using the result is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-269253.
To address Problem 2, a method (hereinafter, referred to as Method B) of storing programs in a server connected to a network, dynamically downloading a necessary program into an apparatus, and executing the program is discussed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-084929.
For Method A, however, there is a problem in which because a document image obtained by scanning is transmitted in its entirety the transmission of the image is burdensome to the bandwidth used in a network when the image has a large size. In particular, if a user attempts to process a color document with high resolution, an image with a large size (several megabytes (MBs) to a dozen or so MBs) is transmitted in the network because a compression ratio cannot be increased above a predetermined level in order to avoid image degradation in text.
For Method B, no transmission of an image is required, so that the bandwidth used in the network does not have burdens. However, an insufficient performance problem resulting from the limitations in the power of the CPU and the memory resources remains unsolved.

Image processing apparatus and image processing method capable of executing high-performance processing without transmitting a large amount of image data to outside of the image processing apparatus during the processing


A semiconductor memory device comprises memory cell blocks M1-Mn disposed for respective I/O pads and a redundant memory cell block MR, a programmable circuit programmable based on a failed information for controlling transfer switches T1 and T2 to couple each of the I/O pads with corresponding memory cell block or with adjacent memory cell block by excepting a failed memory cell block and including the redundant memory cell block based on the failed information. In a roll call test mode, the I/O pads coupled with adjacent memory cell blocks output a fixed value regardless of data stored in the memory cell blocks to notify a failed memory cell block for facilitating failure analysis.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor memory device having a redundancy function and, more specifically, to a discriminating circuit provided in the semiconductor memory device for judging whether or not a redundancy function has been used to substitute for a failed memory block.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Recently, a semiconductor memory device is generally designed to include redundant memory cells for a redundancy function to replace failed memory cells by the redundant memory cells, thereby enhancing the product yield of the memory device with an increased storage capacity. Such a semiconductor memory device is often provided with a roll call circuit for discriminating whether or not the redundant memory cells have been used, for the purpose of failure analysis or product evaluation.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional roll call circuit, proposed in Patent Publication NO. JP-A-7(1995)-65595. The disclosed roll call circuit comprises a data output block DO1, a first read circuit 13 for reading data from a sense amplifier block, and a second read circuit 16 for reading the result of a roll call test. The data output block DO1 amplifies data on a write/read bus line pair WRBT/WRBN and outputs the amplified data through I/O pads. The first read circuit 13 receives data from the sense amplifier block (not illustrated) and outputs the data through the bus line pair WRBT/WRBN. The second read circuit 16 outputs the result of the roll call test to the bus line pair WRBT/WRBN.
The proposed roll call circuit further comprises a redundancy decoder 17, an X-decoder 18 and a roll call decoder 14. The redundancy decoder 17 receives through external pins A1-An (not-illustrated) address signals ADD1-ADDn, which are "High" or "Low" depending on "1" or "0" given to the external pins A1-An. The X-decoder 18 receives an address signal ADD0 which is "High" or "Low" depending on the signal given to an external pin A0, the address signals ADD1-ADDn and a signal RDS output from the redundancy decoder 17. The roll call decoder 14 receives the signal RDS from the redundancy decoder 17, a signal YRD from an address transition detector ("ATD") 19 and a test mode signal TM for allowing the memory device enter into a test mode.
The first read circuit 13 comprises a pair of N-channel transistors T20 and T21 and a NOR gate N04. The pair of n-channel transistors T20 and T21 function as transfer gates between a data line pair RBT/RBN from the sense amplifier block and the bus line pair WRBT/WRBN. The NOR gate N04 receives a signal RCE from the second read circuit 16 and a signal BSLB at the inputs thereof, and supplies an output signal to the gate of the transistors T20 and T21.
The second read circuit 16 comprises a NOR gate NO3 and a pair of N-channel transistors T18 and T19. The NOR gate NO3 receives a signal RCSB from the roll call decoder 14 and a test mode signal TM at the inputs thereof. The transistor T18 receives the signal RCE at the gate electrode thereof from the NOR gate NO3 and functions as a transfer gate between the ground ("GND") and the bus line WRBN. The transistor T19 functions as the transfer gate between the source line and the bus line WRBT.
The bus line pair WRBT/WRBN are clamped to the power source level by a clamp circuit 15 comprising gate-grounded pair of P-channel transistors T7 and T8 having a relatively small capacity for supplying a small charging current.
In a normal read operation mode of the proposed roll call circuit, the test mode signal TM is "High" since it is "Low" only during a roll call test, and therefore, the signal RCE is "Low". It follows that the N-channel transistors T20 and T21 are "ON" for a period while the input signal BSLB is "Low", and data supplied from the sense amplifier block through the data line pair RBT/RBN are fed to the I/O pads through the bus line pair WRBT/WRBN and the data output block DO1. In this case, no data are delivered to the bus line pair WRBT/WRBN from the second read circuit 16, because the signal RCE is "Low" and accordingly the transistors T18 and T19 are "OFF".
In operation for a roll call test mode, since the test mode signal TM is "Low" during the roll call test, data on the bus line pair WRBT/WRBN are determined in accordance with the level of the signal RCSB. If the signal RCSB is "Low", then the signal RCE is "High", causing the transistors T18 and T19 to be "ON", and the transistors T20 and T21 to be "OFF", thereby maintaining WRBT at "High" and WRBN at "Low". These data on the bus line pair WRBT/WRBN are delivered to the I/O pads through the data output block DO1. On the contrary, if the signal RCSB is "High", then the transistors T18 and T19 are "OFF" and the transistors T20 and T21 are "ON" for a period while the signal BSLB is "Low". The data from the sense amplifier block are, therefore, delivered to the I/O pads through the bus line pair WRBT/WRBN and the data output block DO1.
The X-decoder 18 decides which digit line is to be selected, in accordance with the address signals ADD0 and ADD1-ADD9. The redundancy decoder 17 decides whether or not a redundancy digit line is to be selected. The address transition detector 19 generates a one-shot pre-charging signal YRD for a dynamic circuit in the roll call decoder 14. In the roll call test mode, the roll call decoder 14 generates the output signal RCSB depending on the result of the roll call test. Accordingly, if data have been written into memory cells beforehand so that the data line RBT from the sense amplifier block is made "Low" and the data line RBN "High", the signal delivered to the I/O pads can be altered depending on "High" or "Low" of the signal RCSB. It follows that if the roll call test as described above is conducted while the combination of "High" and "Low" of the address signals ADD1-ADD9 is altered, it is possible to decide which redundant digit line has been used by determining the signals appearing on the I/O pads.
Referring to FIG. 2, the roll call decoder 14 shown in FIG. 1 comprises inverters I6-I8, a P-channel transistor T9, and N- channel transistors T22 and T23. The inverter I6 receives the one-shot pre-charging signal YRD, and the P-channel transistor T9 receives the test mode signal TM. The P-channel transistor T10 is connected in series with the transistor T9 between the source line and a pre-charge node, and receives an output signal from the inverter I6 at the gate thereof. The N-channel transistor T22, interposed between the pre-charge node and the GND, receives the test mode signal TM at the gate thereof. The N-channel transistor T23, connected in parallel with the transistor T22, receives the signal RDS from the redundancy decoder 7 at the gate thereof. The cascaded inverters I7 and I8 receiving an input signal from the pre-charge node raises the amplitude of the pre-charge node to thereby generate the output signal RCSB.
In operation of the roll call decoder 14 during a roll call test, since the test mode signal TM is "Low", the pre-charge node is pre-charged to the power source level during a high level of a one-shot signal YRD. However, if the signal RDS is "High", the level of the pre-charge node is determined by the resistance divisional ratio of the transistors T9, T10 and T23. The output signal RCSB is obtained by the inverter I7 having a ratio that makes the output "High" for that level of the pre-charge node, in association with the inverter I8. Since the test mode signal TM is "High" for the periods other than the roll call test, the pre-charge node is fixed at the GND level.
The signal RDS from the redundancy decoder 17 is "High" if the redundancy memory cells have been used, and "Low" if not. Accordingly, it is possible to judge whether or not the redundancy function has been used, by detecting the output signal of the redundancy decoder 17.
However, in a conventional semiconductor memory device of a type in which failed memory cells are replaced by redundant memory cells on a block-by-block basis, there exists no signal showing uniquely which memory cell block has been replaced because of the failure thereof. In this case, analysis of the cause of the failure is difficult.

Semiconductor memory device having a redundancy function


A cradle is provided for a handheld communications device (106). The cradle is comprised of a rigid structure (160), a latch actuator (302), a latch (300), an engagement face (514), and a resilient member (304, 304-1, 304-2). The rigid structure defines a compartment (202) for receiving the device. The compartment is comprised of an aperture and a sidewall structure (314). The latch actuator is comprised of a first end portion (716) and a second end portion (720). The latch actuator is movable in a sliding motion aligned with the sidewall between a first position and a second position. The latch is pivotally mounted to the first end portion of the latch actuator. The resilient member resiliently biases the latch actuator in a first position. The latch actuator is engaged when the device is inserted into the compartment and pushed down such that a force is applied to the latch actuator causing the latch to be moved to a second position where it engages the device.

1. Statement of the Technical Field
The invention concerns latch mechanisms, and more particularly, latch mechanisms for fastening a handheld communications device to a vehicular mounting system.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many latch mechanisms known in the art for fastening a handheld communications device (such as a radio) to a vehicular mounting system. Such latch mechanisms allow the handheld communications device to be stored for ready use in the vehicular mounting system. The latch mechanisms typically allow the handheld communications device to be quickly and easily inserted into the vehicular mounting system and secured therein for later use.
However, such latch mechanisms typically suffer from certain drawbacks. For example, latch mechanisms are often provided with numerous parts, a complicated assembly feature, and a large physical size characteristic. As such, there remains a need for a latch mechanism that provides users with a compact, cost effective mechanism that can be easily assembled.
It should be appreciated that a handheld communications device may be inserted and removed from a vehicular mounting system many times throughout a day. In this regard, the latch mechanism needs to provide users with easy and reliable insertion and removal features. It should also be appreciated that a handheld communications device can be damaged by external forces. For example, a vibration force is caused by driving a vehicle over a rough terrain. Such a vibration force can damage a handheld communications device. Therefore, the latch mechanism needs to optimize an interface between the handheld communications device and the vehicular mounting system such that a communications device will not be damaged by an external force.

Rigid structure with a latch mechanism for fastening a handheld device thereto


An integrated circuit test apparatus includes: a first test unit configured to output a current for a built-in self test (BIST) progress state for each internal circuit of an integrated circuit in a BIST test mode and to determine whether each internal circuit operates normally in a wake-up mode of the integrated circuit; and a first determination module configured to determine whether each internal circuit is in a stuck state based on a change detected by the first test unit.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
As the integration and the complexity of a circuit such as a semiconductor device increase rapidly, methods for examining or testing finished products also become more complicated. Various examination methods are provided to determine whether the produced products operate normally, and there is a design for testability (DFT) as a method that enables a test from a design stage.
As a representative method of the DFT, there is a scan method of checking operations of a combination circuit and a sequential circuit inside the device by inputting a test pattern from the outside of the device. This method is widely used because it can be automated by test software.
In a test method using the scan method, a test pattern is inputted to the semiconductor device by using test equipment and a test output signal is checked to determine whether there is an abnormality in the semiconductor device.
Meanwhile, in order to test the failure of the semiconductor device, a built-in self test (BIST) method having a test function is also widely used. In this method, a circuit for generating a test pattern and a circuit for compressing a response thereof are provided inside the device, so that it is possible to determine whether there is failure in the circuits without applying the test pattern from an exterior.
In the BIST method, the test circuit for generating the test pattern is provided in the semiconductor device to determine whether there is an abnormality in a functional circuit that performs the original function of the semiconductor device.
However, the related BIST method has a problem that it is not possible to know in detail an internal circuit where stuck has occurred among internal circuits of the semiconductor device. That is, since the semiconductor device is performing a reset operation (Reset Activate) during the BIST test, a signal outputted from the semiconductor device has an initial value and it is not possible to know information on the inside of the semiconductor device.


A moving member fixing apparatus includes a stationary gear, rotary gear, press member, and first and second flat inclined surfaces. The rotary gear is movably provided to the stationary gear. The press member presses the rotary gear to fix the rotary gear to the stationary gear, and cancels pressing the rotary gear so that the rotary gear is released from the stationary gear. The first flat inclined surface is formed to be associated with the stationary gear. The second flat inclined surface is formed on the press member and comes into contact with the first inclined surface

The present invention relates to a moving member fixing apparatus which has a stationary member and a moving member movable with respect to the stationary member and fixes the stationary member by pressing the moving member against the stationary member.
As the most typical example of a moving member fixing apparatus of this type, a printing switching apparatus for a sheet-fed offset rotary printing press with a convertible press mechanism is available which can perform both single-sided printing and double-sided printing with one printing press. The printing switching apparatus for a sheet-fed offset rotary printing press with a convertible press mechanism has a fixed gear fixed to the end shaft of a convertible cylinder, and a rotary gear fixed to and released from the fixed gear. When switching operation is to be made between single-sided printing and double-sided printing, the phases in the circumferential direction of cylinder groups upstream and downstream, respectively, of the convertible cylinder are adjusted.
As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,959, a conventional moving member fixing apparatus has a disk with a flange that fits in an annular groove formed in a rotary gear. The groove and flange portion have inclined surfaces that are to come into contact with each other. When the disk moves, the rotary gear is fixed to the fixed gear by the wedge operation of the inclined surfaces.
In the conventional moving member fixing apparatus, the groove is formed in the entire circumferential portion of the rotary gear, and the strength of the rotary gear decreases accordingly. The inclined surfaces of the groove and flange that are to come into contact with each other form curved surfaces in the circumferential direction of the rotary gear. It is difficult to obtain uniform working accuracy throughout the entire inclined surfaces. Thus, the moving member cannot be fixed to the stationary member reliably.


Disclosed are alkylphenyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates having at least one basic nitrogen and an average molecular weight of about 600 to 6,000 and wherein the alkyl group is substantially straight-chain of at least 15 carbon atoms. Also disclosed are lubricating oil compositions and concentrates containing said alkylphenyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed toward dispersants compatible in lubricating oil. In particular, this invention is directed toward dispersant additives compatible in lubricating oil which are alkylphenyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates having at least one basic nitrogen and wherein the alkyl group is a substantially straight-chain alkyl group of at least 15 carbon atoms.
The incompatibility of certain dispersant additives in lubricating oil, i.e., oils which contain other additives, is recognized in the art and arises in spite of the fact that certain of these additives are known lubricating oil dispersants.
Several theories exist as to the cause of the lubricating oil incompatibility of certain additives. Without being limited to any theory, it is possible that some of these additives interfere with other additives contained in the lubricating oil and either counterbalance the effectiveness of these additives or actually cause dissolution of one or more of these additives, including possibly the dispersant additive itself. In either case, the incompatibility of the additive with other additives in the lubricating oil demonstrates itself in less than desirable crankcase deposits as measured by Sequence V-D engine tests.
In another theory, it is possible that the additive will decompose in the lubricating during engine operation and the decomposition products are what cause increased crankcase deposits.
It is also possible that the incompatibility of the additive is related to its oil solubility. Lubricating oil incompatible additives are less than desirable insofar as their use during engine operation will result in increased deposits in the crankcase. This problem can be severe. For example, hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) aminocarbamate, including the hydrocarbyl poly(oxybutylene) aminocarbamate, are known to possess dispersant properties in lubricating oil. In this regard, it is recognized that the hydrocarbyl poly(oxybutylene) aminocarbamates are substantially more expensive than the hydrocarbyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates. However, because heretofore no known hydrocarbyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamate was found to be sufficiently lubricating oil compatible, it is necessary to employ the more expensive hydrocarbyl poly(oxybutylene) aminocarbamates which are sufficiently lubricating oil compatible. Accordingly, it would be particularly advantageous to develop a hydrocarbyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamate which is compatible in lubricating oil compositions.
The instant invention is directed to a novel class of hydrocarbyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates which are compatible with the lubricating oil composition. The novel additives of this invention are alkylphenyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates having a molecular weight of about 600 to 6,000 wherein the alkyl group is substantially straight chain containing at least 15 carbon atoms.
2. Prior Art
Numerous references disclose hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) aminocarbamates as fuel additives. These include the following U.S. Pat. Nos.:
4,160,648; PA0 4,191,537; PA0 4,197,409; PA0 4,236,020; PA0 4,243,798; PA0 4,270,930; PA0 4,274,837; PA0 4,288,612; PA0 4,521,610; and PA0 4,568,358
Of particular relevance is U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,837 which discloses that hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) aminocarbamates containing certain poly(oxyalkylene) chains, i.e., oxypropylene, when used in fuels employed in combination with certain lubricating oils, produce crankcase varnish. This reference further discloses that lubricating oil compatible hydrocarbyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates are improved by employing the poly(oxypropylene) as a block copolymer having 1 to 5 C.sub.9 to C.sub.30 oxyalkylene units.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,648 discloses an intake system deposit control additive for fuels which is a hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) aminocarbamate wherein the hydrocarbyl group is from 1 to 30 carbon atoms including alkyl or alkylphenyl groups. Specifically disclosed hydrocarbyl groups include tetrapropenylphenyl, olelyl and a mixture of C.sub.16, C.sub.18 and C.sub.20 alkyl groups. Likewise U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,612 discloses deposit control additives for gasoline engines which are hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) aminocarbamates wherein the hydrocarbyl group contains from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms including alkylphenyl groups wherein the alkyl group is straight or branched chain of from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms. U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,358 discloses diesel fuel compositions containing an additive such as a hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) aminocarbamate. This reference discloses hydrocarbyl groups such as alkyl groups of 1 to 30 carbon atoms; aryl groups of 6 to 30 carbon atoms, alkaryl groups of 7 to 30 carbon atoms, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,595 discloses hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) polyamines wherein the hydrocarbyl group is a hydrocarbyl radical of 8 to 18 carbon atoms derived from linear primary alcohols.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,233,168 and 4,329,240 among others disclose lubricating oil compositions containing a dispersant amount of a hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) aminocarbamate.
While these prior art references disclose C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 hydrocarbyl poly(oxyalkylene) aminocarbamates which include the poly(oxypropylene) polymers, none of these references disclose the unique hydrocarbyl group of this invention nor do any of these references suggest that use of this unique hydrocarbyl group would overcome the art recognized problem of lubricating oil incompatibility arising from using the prior art hydrocarbyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates.

Lubricating oil composition containing substantially straight chain alkylphenyl poly(oxypropylene) aminocarbamates


A semiconductor device of the present invention comprises: a substrate; a plurality of wiring layers formed over the substrate; a fuse formed in an uppermost one of the plurality of wiring layers; a first insulating film made up of a single film and formed on the uppermost wiring layer such that the first insulating film is in contact with a surface of the fuse; and a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film; wherein the second insulating film has an opening therein formed above a fuse region of the uppermost wiring layer such that only the first insulating film exists above the fuse region, the fuse region including the fuse and being irradiated with a laser beam when the fuse is blown.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a semiconductor device that includes redundant circuitry including fuses.
2. Background Art
In recent years, semiconductor devices have been miniaturized and increased in capacity and speed, resulting in an increase in the number of devices, or elements, formed therein. This has increased the influence of the defective device portions on the manufacturing yield of the semiconductor devices. Therefore, to prevent a reduction in the yield of semiconductor devices due to their defective device portions, many semiconductor devices have a redundant circuit configuration in which a plurality of spare (or redundant) memory cells are provided separately from the memory cells in the normal memory regions. With this arrangement, if a memory cell is found to include a defective element, this cell is replaced by a spare memory cell to salvage the semiconductor device and thereby ensure high manufacturing yield of the device.
One widely used method for replacing a memory cell including a defective element by a spare memory cell is laser trimming. In laser trimming, a wiring layer(s) functioning as fuses is cut off, or blown, by a laser beam according to a predetermined code to replace a defective memory cell by a spare memory cell. To prevent fuse blow defects in a laser trimming process, a method for blowing a fuse is proposed which applies a plurality of different wavelength laser beams to fuse wiring having a multilayer structure (see, e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-134616).
However, when a fuse is blown by laser trimming using a laser beam, the applied beam may affect layers under the fuse or regions around it. Therefore, if these layers and regions include wiring such as signal wiring and power supply wiring and devices such as transistors, these wirings or these devices may be damaged when the fuse is blown. To avoid this, a semiconductor device may be configured such that the regions right under fuses and regions therearound have no devices other than fuses formed therein. However, this prevents the miniaturization of the semiconductor device.
In a semiconductor device having a multilayer structure, a number of thin interlayer films are stacked upon one another. This means that a plurality of insulating films are formed in layers over the fuses. Naturally, this insulating film stack on the fuses includes all variations in the etching and in the forming processes of each insulating film. Therefore, it is difficult to limit the variation in the thickness of the film stack across the wafer surface or between lots to 200 nm or less.
On the other hand, when a fuse having a small film thickness is blown, the upward force of the blow is small. In such a case, the opening formed by the fuse blow is large, which may have an adverse affect upon adjacent fuses or devices. Therefore, to reduce the size of the opening formed by the fuse blow, the fuse must have a sufficient film thickness. As a result, the range of allowable thicknesses of the insulating film stack on the fuse is limited. For example, when the thickness of the fuse is 250 nm, the insulating film stack on the fuse must have a thickness of approximately 200 nm or less.
However, it is difficult to reduce the variation in the thickness of the insulating film stack on the fuses to 200 nm or less, as described above. Therefore, if the thickness of the insulating film stack is set to 200 nm or less, the surface of the fuses may be exposed where the thickness variation is at its maximum (that is, 200 nm), which is not desirable since such a situation can lead to an unreliable fuse blow.


An on-chip impedance matching includes a transistor and a tank circuit. The transistor is operably coupled to receive an input signal. The tank circuit is operably coupled to the transistor, wherein a tap of the tank circuit provides an output of the on-chip impedance matching power amplifier, wherein the tank circuit is tuned with respect to an antenna load of the on-chip impedance matching power amplifier.

Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire lined communications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices. Such communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards. For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof.
Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptop computer, home entertainment equipment, et cetera communicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communication devices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-point communications), the participating wireless communication devices tune their receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g., one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wireless communication system) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirect wireless communications, each wireless communication device communicates directly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connection between the wireless communication devices, the associated base stations and/or associated access points communicate with each other directly, via a system controller, via the public switch telephone network, via the internet, and/or via some other wide area network.
For each wireless communication device to participate in wireless communications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiver and transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g., a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communication networks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the receiver receives RF signals, removes the RF carrier frequency from the RF signals via one or more intermediate frequency (IF) stages to produce analog baseband signals, converts the analog low IF signals into digital low IF signals, and demodulates the digital baseband signals in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard to recapture the transmitted data.
As is also known, the transmitter modulates data in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard to produce digital baseband signals. The transmitter converts the digital baseband signals into analog baseband signals, which are mixed with one or more local oscillations to produce RF signals. The RF signals are amplified by a power amplifier and filtered prior to transmission via an antenna. To ensure proper antenna coupling, an impedance matching circuit is positioned in series between the power amplifier and the antenna. Because the impedance matching circuit is positioned in series, its losses directly impact the efficiency of the transmitter.
To minimize the losses of impedance matching circuits, off-chip components are used instead of lossier on-chip components. However, the use of off-chip components is in direct contrast with current wireless communication demands for greater component integration to improve performance, reduce size, reduce power consumption, and reduce costs.
Therefore, a need exists for a relatively lossless power amplifier and impedance matching circuit implementation for radio frequency integrated circuits.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

On-chip impedance matching power amplifier


An adaptor device for connecting a sheathed heater with a power supply terminal wherein an end of a heater wire of the sheathed heater and an end of a lead wire are inserted into an adaptor sleeve and the ends of the heater wire and the lead wire in the adaptor sleeve are connected by a flexible wire. The flexible wire is a stranded wire or in the form of a wave.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adaptor device for connecting a sheathed heater with a power supply terminal, and more particularly to an improvement of an adaptor device for connecting a heater wire of a sheathed heater such as a cable heater with a power supply lead wire, wherein the heater wire of the cable heater in the adaptor device is prevented from being broken.
2 . Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 shows a conventional adaptor device 2 for connecting an end of a heater wire 3 of a sheathed heater 1 of not greater than 7mm in outer diameter, for example, with an end of a lead wire 4 of a power supply, The end of the heater wire 3 is directly connected by welding with the end of the lead wire 4 in the adaptor device 2.
A reference numeral 6 denotes an insulating tube into which the ends of the heater wire 3 and the lead wire 4 are inserted, and a reference numeral 7 denotes a sleeve surrounding the insulating tube 6. A reference numeral 8 is an insulating powder material filled in the insulating tube 6 and the sleeve 7, 9 denotes a hermetically seal at each end of the sleeve 7, and 10 denotes a sheath of the sheathed heater 1. FIG. 2 shows a portion of the other conventional adaptor device 2, wherein the heater wire 3 is connected by a cylindrical intermediate terminal having a small inner diameter portion and a large inner diameter portion with the lead wire 4.
In such conventional adaptor devices, however, the heater wire 3 is liable to be broken in the adaptor device because the stress applied on the tip end of the heater wire 3 is increased due to the differences between the sleeve 7 of the adaptor device 2 and the lead wire 4 in the rate of thermal expansion. For example, if the sleeve 7 is larger in the rate of thermal expansion than the lead wire 4, an extendible force is applied on the tip end of the heater wire 3, whereas on the sleeve 7 is smaller in the rate of thermal expansion than the lead wire 4, a compressive force is applied on the tip end of the heater wire 3.

Adaptor device for connecting sheathed heater with power supply terminal


A large round baler is equipped with a wrapping device for wrapping a bale with a web of plastic net wrapping material. The device includes a pair of wrap material feed rolls arranged one above the other with a supply roll of wrapping material being directly supported by the upper feed roll so that during operation of the feed rolls in dispensing a length of wrap material being wrapped about a bale, the periphery of the supply roll is rotated at the same speed as the periphery of the upper feed roll so that no scrubbing takes place between the supply and feed rolls. A pressure applying device uses a pair of air or gas cylinders acting through a linkage to force a freely rotating roller to exert a force on the supply roll which is transferred through the roll to the feed roll. In this way variable friction forces are avoided which would interfere with the maintenance of a desired constant tension in the length of wrapping material so that the bale is wrapped tightly, but without rupturing the net material.

The present invention relates to net wrapping devices for large round balers and more specifically relates to an arrangement for feeding net from a supply roll of wrap material to the baling chamber of the baler.
Wrapping materials such as plastic sheet or mesh need to be kept under a certain amount of tension while being wrapped about a bale in order for the bale to be tightly wrapped for shedding moisture so as to prevent spoilage of the baled crop material. At the same time, the tension should not be so high as to cause the net to rupture or to be easily torn while being applied to the bale or during handling of the wrapped bale. Current designs of net wrapping devices involve supporting the supply roll of net material on support pads which rub against the exterior of the supply roll as the latter rotates in place as material is pulled off the roll during wrapping of a bale. Temperature and humidity also may affect the frictional characteristics of the plastic wrapping material. While it is known to construct the pads with special surface shapes to lessen the area of contact between the roll of wrap material and the pads and to make the supporting surfaces of these pads of materials, such as stainless steel, so as to provide a smooth, rust free surface, the rotation of the wrap material on the pads generates static electricity which produces "static cling" in the material which may interfere with proper feeding. Further, in order to accommodate for the change in the frictional resistance due to the loss in weight of the supply roll as material is used in wrapping a bale, braking bar arrangements have been designed which include a bar that engages the roll across its width and applies an increasing downward force on the material roll as the material is used. However, the frictional resistance to the rotation of the roll offered by the brake bars themselves is subject to frictional variations caused by temperature and humidity and/or due to variations in the oiliness of the wrap material and/or due to changes in the surface condition of the brake bar. By necessity, extreme smoothness, shape and positional relationship of the pads and the design of the braking bar have to be closely controlled in order to achieve the desired tension control.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,368, granted to Anstey et al. on Jan. 26, 1993 discloses a net wrapping device embodying specially shaped, stainless steel covered pads and a braking device, as described above, in an attempt to control the tension in the net wrapping material as it is wrapped about a bale.

Large round baler net wrapping device for dispensing net from a supply roll resting on a driven feed roll


A multimedia processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory tangible computer readable medium thereof are provided. The multimedia processing apparatus of the present invention includes an interface and a processing unit. The interface receives an audio stream continuously, wherein the audio stream is defined with a time line. The processing unit performs the following operations every a predetermined time interval: (a) deciding a first portion of the audio stream with reference to a time instant of the time line, (b) calculating an energy of the first portion of the audio stream, and (c) calculating a difference between the energy and a previous energy. The processing unit decides a plurality of second portions of the audio stream and decides a beat point for each of the second portions by selecting the time instant that corresponds to the maximum difference within the second portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multimedia processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory tangible computer readable medium thereof; more particularly, the present invention relates to multimedia processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory tangible computer readable medium thereof that decides beat points of an audio stream.
2. Descriptions of the Related Art
Due to the rapid development in the technology, multimedia of any kind has become ubiquitous in our daily life. People can derive pictures, videos, animations, audios, music files, and/or the like easily, such as taking them by recording device (e.g. cameras), downloading them from the Internet, etc.
There are some occasions that people have to utilize and/or manage these pictures, videos, animations, audios, music files, and/or the like. For example, a user may require a multimedia file including an audio, several videos, and several images for presentation. Conventionally, a user may utilize functions provided in a multimedia editing software to generate a multimedia file from scratch, which however is time-consuming.
Consequently, a technique that can easily generate a multimedia file by synthesizing different kind of media files is still in an urgent need.

Multimedia processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory tangible computer readable medium thereof


An internal combustion engine control apparatus basically comprises a reference intake air quantity calculating section, a maximum intake air quantity calculating section and an engine control section. The reference intake air quantity calculating section is configured to calculate a reference intake air quantity corresponding to when an intake air is taken in as a sonic flow. The maximum intake air quantity calculating section is configured to calculate a theoretical maximum intake air quantity. The engine control section is configured to control the engine by using an intake air quantity function between a first value obtained by dividing the reference intake air quantity by the maximum intake air quantity and a second value obtained by dividing an actual intake air quantity corresponding to the valve characteristics of the intake valve by the maximum intake air quantity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an internal combustion engine control apparatus configured to estimate an intake air quantity drawn into a cylinder of an engine. More specifically, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine control apparatus configured to estimate an actual cylinder intake air quantity in a simple manner in an engine configured to control a cylinder intake air quantity by varying the valve timing of intake valves.
2. Background Information
Conventional gasoline engines are provided with a throttle valve for controlling the intake air quantity, and the amount of air that passes through the throttle valve is measured with an airflow meter provided upstream of the throttle valve. In such conventional engines, the measured amount of air that passed through the throttle valve is generally used as a load indicator, which is used as a parameter for controlling the engine. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-256938 discloses a conventional internal combustion engine control apparatus in which an intake air quantity of an internal combustion engine (a gasoline engine) is controlled using a throttle valve to achieve a target torque. In the above mentioned reference, the quantity of intake air that passes through the throttle valve is estimated and the estimated intake air quantity is used as a load indicator for setting the target torque.
In other type of conventional engines, the amount of air that flows into the cylinder (hereinafter called "cylinder intake air quantity") is measured instead of the amount of air that passes through the throttle valve so that the cylinder intake air quantity is used as a load indicator. For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-050091 discloses this type of conventional engine that is configured to calculate the amount of air that flows into the intake manifold based on the output of an airflow meter, and to calculate the cylinder intake air quantity and the amount of air inside the intake manifold based on the difference between the detected amount of air that flows into the intake manifold and an amount of air (the cylinder intake air quantity) that flows from the intake manifold into the cylinder.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved internal combustion engine control apparatus. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Internal combustion engine control apparatus


A system that includes an amplification circuit; a resonant circuit that is arranged to receive the amplified signal and to output an resonant circuit output signal; wherein the resonant circuit comprises a continually tuned variable capacitor; a transformer that is arranged to receive the resonant circuit output signal and to output a transformer output signal; a coupler that is arranged to sample the transformer output signal and a reflected signal and to output a first signal that represents the transformer output signal and a second signal that represents a reflected signal; a detector that is arranged to receive the first and second signals and to output an impedance indicative signal a control circuit that is arranged to generate the resonant circuit tuning signal in response to the impedance indicative signal and for compensating for the impedance mismatch.

Systems that transmit RF signals usually include an amplifier, followed by some passive structures as filters and switches that are connected via a matching circuit to an RF antenna. The impedances of the RF antenna and the amplifier should be matched to fifty Ohms in order to optimize the transmission of RF signals via the RF antenna and minimize the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) at the RF antenna.
Variable Matching circuit s might include variable capacitors (varactors) such as Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) varactors that provide change in their capacitance value according to an applied an input bias voltage. The GaAs varactor have a relatively limited capacitance range (the ratio between the maximal capacitance and the minimal capacitance of the GaAs varactor is usually less than four) and thus can perform an impedance match over a relatively limited impedance and frequency ranges.
Furthermore, because the GaAs varactor operates in the reversed-bias region, it should not receive an input voltage that will drive the GaAs varactor into the forward-bias region. As a result, the GaAs varactor should manage only an input voltage having a constant (DC) and variable components (AC) where the AC component has relatively limited voltage swing.
The GaAs varactor exhibits a non-linear relationship between its capacitance and the input bias voltage. It is desired to operate the GaAs varactor in a linear (or almost linear) region of operation to minimize non-linear distortions. FIG. 1 includes a graph 10 that represents the varactor non-linear relationship between the capacitance and the input bias voltage. Cmin 11 Cmax 12 are the minimal and maximal capacitances of the GaAs varactor. Vmin and Vmax 13 and 14 are minimal and maximal values of the input voltage and are designed to maintain the GaAs varactor in a reserved bias region. Curve 15 illustrates a maximal tolerable voltage swing of the input signal. The minimum peak voltage of the AC component VPMIN 16 should not exceed the junction potential required to bring the GaAs varactor into the forward region and the maximum peak voltage VPMAX 17 should be less than maximum allowed reverse voltage defined by the break-down voltage of the device.
In FIG. 1, the maximum allowed change in the operation point VBIAS 18 depends inversely on the peak-to-peak voltage swing across the varactor structure as the operation range of the varactor is limited by the maximum allowed forward and reverse bias conditions. Thus to provide a wide variable capacitance range, enabling the implementation of variable matching circuit s large impedance and frequency ranges, the AC component across the GaAs varactor should be minimized.
There is a growing need to provide system and method for impedance matching of RF systems over a relatively large impedance and frequency ranges and while managing signals of high voltage swing.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Impedance matching system that has a transformer and method for tuning a system using a transformer


A nebulizer for liquids, particulate materials or liquids/solids suspensions, comprising, within a vessel (10) containing a reservoir (11), an upright duct (13) with a plurality of circumferentially spaced outlet apertures (20), enclosing a coaxial air line (14) feeding a plurality of jets (16) duly aligned with outlet apertures (20) in the upright duct (13) so that an annular column of material is drawn from reservoir (11) to be dispersed by entrainment in the air streams from the jets (16). Larger droplets may return to the reservoir (11) while the smaller fraction issues from the vessel through an outlet (12). The relatively large outlet apertures (20) and the large cross-sectional area of the column of the material prevent blockage at the nebulizer head.

This invention concerns a device for the production of a substantially uniform dispersion of droplets or particles from a fluid material such as a liquid or solids/liquids suspensions, or particulate free-flowing solids. Such aerosols or dispersions are widely used in the biological and medical research fields and in inhalation therapy, and are generated by the aerosolization of the liquid or other particulate substance by an air stream. The efficiency of the process is dependent upon the flow of the material through an orifice or jet.
In practice, when the material to disperse is or contains solid particles, the orifice or jet tends to block, thus restricting the use of such devices primarily to particle-free liquids.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which may be used to disperse materials containing solids in suspension or even dry particulate materials.
According to the present invention there is provided a device for producing a particulate dispersion, comprising at least one duct in which may be established and maintained a supply of a fluid material to be dispersed, a plurality of outlet apertures communicating with the or each duct and directed generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the or each duct, and a plurality of pressurised gas jets aligned or movable into alignment with the outlet apertures to force material through the latter from the or each duct thus to form a dispersion; characterised in that the cross-sectional area of each outlet aperture is not greater than the cross-sectional area of the duct communicating therewith.

Device for producing a particulate dispersion


An in-car information system includes a portable information terminal and an in-car device. The information terminal includes a storage unit in which applications are stored and a control unit that executes an application manager. The application manager has a launch function that enables execution of the application stored in the storage unit in the foreground and a communication function that enables execution of communication processing in the background to allow the information terminal and the in-car device to exchange information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an in-car information system, and an information terminal and an application execution method used in the in-car information system.
2. Description of Related Art
There are systems known in the related art that coordinate operations of a portable information terminal such as a portable telephone or a smart phone and an onboard device so as to allow an image and sound, originating from the information terminal as any of various applications is executed at the information terminal, to be output from the information terminal to the onboard device and ultimately allow the image and sound to be output at the onboard device. For instance, in a system disclosed in patent literature 1 (Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 2012-10287) functional information to be used to identify a specific function of an apparatus installed in a vehicle is held in a wireless IC tag or the like, and an information terminal, after reading the functional information, automatically starts up the corresponding application program.
In the system disclosed in patent literature 1, the application program corresponding to the functional information, having been started up at the information terminal, exchanges information with the partner on board apparatus. This means that a specific data format, a specific protocol and the like for the communication between the information terminal and the onboard device must be set in advance in correspondence to each application. However, the various applications may have been developed by different manufacturers and, furthermore, the manufacturer of an application program may be different from the manufacturer of the onboard device. For this reason, the quality of communication carried out between the information terminal and the onboard device may be different from one application to another and, in some cases, it may be difficult to carry out normal communication. In addition, an existing application will have to be modified so as to add a communication function enabling communication between the information terminal and the onboard device if it is to be used in the system.

In-car information system, information terminal, and application execution method


An electric storage cell includes a film-like casing configured to house a layered charge collector and electrolyte, and an electrode terminal connected to the charge collector and exposed to an outside of the film-like casing, the electric storage cell being chargeable/dischargeable using the electrode terminal, wherein bending portions of the film-like casing are formed in parallel.

An electric storage cell having a casing made of a thin-film material such as a laminate film has excellent space efficiency and heat radiation. Therefore, such an electric storage cell is used in a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery as well as an electric double layer capacitor.
In such a kind of the electric storage cell, the casing is formed, typically, through a press work. Therefore, as seen in a focal manner, portions subjected to a strong tensile or bending strain are distributed in places. Such portions are susceptible to a wrinkle or a crack causing liquid leakage.
JP2004-55171A discloses a reinforcing member provided in a corner of an inner surface of a concave portion of the film exterior.


A tumble dryer is provided having a heat exchanger through which a process-air stream flows in a first direction and a first duct which is arranged in fluid communication with the heat exchanger through which a process-air stream flows in a second direction and in which a lint filter is disposed. A tray having its own lint filter is removably attached to the heat exchanger and arranged between the duct and the heat exchanger.

Such a tumble dryer emerges from EP 0 477 554 B1, the contents of which is to be fully included in the present document. In this tumble dryer the heat exchanger through which the process air flows, despite the lint filter by which a large part of the lint arising during the drying process is trapped, is increasingly subjected to the effects of lint which the stream of process air carries with it out of a drum with washing to be dried and which, because of its small size, is not trapped in the lint filter. Such lint is deposited with condensing water vapor in the vicinity of the heat exchanger. In such cases the lint remains mainly in the inflow area of the heat exchanger and gradually forms a felt which perceptibly impedes the stream of process air and worsens the heat transfer within the heat exchanger. This can have significant adverse effects on the efficiency of the tumble dryer. A removable grating is provided on an inlet stream side of the heat exchanger, on which the lint is intended to be deposited and which can be taken out relatively easily to remove the lint. After the grating is taken out the lint can be removed by rinsing the grating through with water.
Whereas this provides a thoroughly practical aid for the removal of lint which is deposited directly on the heat exchanger, the problem remains of lint also accumulating in other locations in the duct for the process air between the drum and the heat exchanger. It is especially likely that condensation of moisture, which starts as soon as the process air stream has left the drum, will promote the deposition of lint. Such lint is especially deposited in the deepest part of the duct where the process air must be diverted from a vertically falling direction to a horizontal direction pointing towards the heat exchanger.


An insulation inspection apparatus includes a chamber in which a stator with a winding can be stored, an electrode movable along the outer circumference of a coil end of the stator winding, a voltage application unit applying voltage between the coil end and electrode, a sensor unit sensing leakage current and/or voltage drop between the coil end and electrode, and a pressure reduction unit reducing the pressure in the chamber.

The method of detecting an insulation defect at a winding is conventionally known.
For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 64-9360 discloses the method of detecting the presence and location of a pinhole in a winding by reducing the pressure in a vessel while constant voltage is applied to the winding of the rotating electric machine to cause partial discharge.
Further, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-248028 discloses the method of identifying the location of a coil defect by means of a liquid level sensor, including the steps of gradually supplying noncorrosive and conductive inspection liquid into an inspection tank, applying voltage across an electrode and coil to identify the location of the coil defect on the basis of the height of the inspection liquid surface measured by the liquid level sensor at the point of time when electrical conductivity is detected across the electrode and coil.
In addition, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-43301 discloses an insulation testing method including the steps of applying surge voltage to the coil, and detecting whether glow discharge is generated from the coil or not.
In detecting an insulation defect, identification of the location of the defect, in addition to the presence of such a defect, is important. Although the three documents set forth above disclose identification of a defective region based on a concept different from that of the present invention, none of the approaches are necessarily sufficient from the standpoint of identifying the accurate position.


A Fourier-transform interferometer with self-apodization compensation comprises at least one pair of mobile prisms forming a plate with thickness which varies at the same time as an optical path length difference is itself varied. The prisms are displaced using a mobile system with a single degree of freedom, comprising two support elements and at least two rotatably hinged levers. The interferometer is adapted to be installed on board a satellite, for spectral analysis of a radiation originating from the Earth's surface.

Using an interferometer for characterizing a spectral distribution of a radiation is commonplace. The interferometer produces an interference state between two secondary beams that originate from a single initial radiation beam and follow separate intermediate optical paths. A difference in length between the optical paths is varied, causing in turn a variation in the intensity of an output beam formed by superimposing both secondary beams. The spectral distribution of the radiation is obtained based on a Fourier transform of the intensity of the output beam, with respect to a parameter representing the difference in length between the optical paths.
It is thus known that a limited variation range for the difference in length of the optical paths generates a convolution profile in the spectral distribution that results from the Fourier transform. In particular, this convolution profile can have secondary maxima on each side of the main maximum.
It is also known that the difference in length between the optical paths of the two arms of the interferometer depends on the value for the angle of incidence of the radiation. For this reason, an angular aperture that is non-zero for the radiation beams that propagate in the interferometer produces at any moment several interference states, each corresponding to a different value for the difference in length of the optical paths. This results in a modification of the convolution profile in the spectral distribution resulting from the Fourier transform, known by the term self-apodization.
As stated in the article entitled "Communications à la Société Française de Physique", by P. Connes et al, Journal de Physique, vol 24, February 1963, pages 134-138, the Mertz interferometer allows this self-apodization to be compensated. To this end a component, the optical thickness of which is variable, is introduced into at least one of the two optical paths of the interferometer, and its optical thickness is varied at the same time as the difference in length between the two optical paths is also varied. When the two variations are suitably adjusted in relation to each other, the self-apodization of an interferogram obtained by means of the interferometer is compensated.
FIG. 1a is a functional optical diagram of such an interferometer with self-apodization compensation. The overall structure is that of a Michelson interferometer, with the references indicated in the figure having the following meanings:                F0 and FS initial beam and output beam, respectively,        1 and 7 splitting and compensating plates, respectively,        F1 and F2 secondary beams,        21 and 31 prisms arranged in opposite directions, preferably having equal apex angles and being possibly constituted by one same transparent material,        41 external face of the prism 31, having a reflecting surface effective for the radiation,        6 planor mirror, and        5 compensation assembly, possibly being a transparent plate with parallel faces.
At least one of the two prisms 21 and 31 is mobile in order to constitute, with the other prism, the variable-thickness optical element. In particular, the two prisms 21 and 31 can be moved simultaneously in opposite directions according to either one of the pairs of black or white arrows shown in the figure, in which an arrow shown on one of the prisms relates to this prism. The self-apodization compensation is obtained close to the optical axis when the following relationship is satisfied for each position of the prisms 21 and 31: D=e·(n−1)/n, where D is the difference in geometrical length between the two optical paths, measured along the axis of the interferometer, e is the difference in thickness between the compensation assembly 5 and the optical element formed by the two prisms 21 and 31, also measured along the axis of the interferometer, and n is the refractive index of the prisms 21 and 31 and of the plate that forms the compensation assembly 5, in the case where these three components are constituted by one same transparent material.
Many applications need to characterize the spectral distribution of a radiation under specific operating conditions. Such is the case, in particular, for analyzing from a satellite of a radiation originating from the Earth's surface. The interferometer must thus be robust, have reduced weight and dimensions, and its operation must be reliable and accurate.


Provided herein are libraries containing polynucleotides, where one of the polynucleotides encodes an antibody light chain with specific hypervariable regions HVR-L1, HVR-L2, and HVR-L3. Further provided herein are libraries containing polynucleotides encoding a plurality of unique antibodies, wherein each antibody comprises a heavy chain variable region and a light chain variable region. Also provided are antibodies, polypeptide libraries, vector libraries, cells, non-human animals, antibody light chains, methods of making an antibody library, kits, and methods of generating a bispecific antibody related thereto.

Monoclonal antibodies have become extremely useful in a wide variety of fields, including biological research, medical diagnosis, and pharmaceutical products. The variability of potential binding specificities allows for antibodies with valuable specificity and potency. However, this variability makes it difficult and laborious to screen through a huge number of antibodies to identify one or more with the desired properties.
One method of identifying an antibody of interest is to screen through an antibody library, such as a library of cloned B cell sequences, a phage display library, a yeast display library, and so forth. These libraries allow one to screen through a large number of antibodies, representing a multitude of unique antibody sequences, to identify antibodies with specific properties of interest, e.g., binding to particular target, binding affinity, selectivity, and the like. However, current libraries have particular limitations. Libraries derived from a biological source, such as a human B cell repertoire, are limited to those antibody sequences that can be cloned from the source. Synthetic libraries may include non-naturally occurring sequences as compared to biologically derived libraries, but they too are limited by the amount of antibodies that can be synthesized in a particular timeframe. Further, extremely large libraries require more time-consuming and exhaustive screening approaches; otherwise, only a fraction of the library can practically be screened for an antibody of interest.
Therefore, a need exists for the development of dynamic antibody libraries containing a robust set of dynamic units with well-defined developable sequence profiles for designing and constructing dynamic antibodies that are potentially more relevant functionally. Such libraries would greatly improve not only the diversity of the antibody binding sites on antibodies within the library, but also the efficiency of screening for antibodies harboring novel and/or conformational epitopes on a given antigen. Moreover, such libraries would increase the likelihood with which a particular antibody of interest might be identified with a high affinity and developability profile.
All references cited herein, including patent applications, patent publications, and UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Accession numbers are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety, as if each individual reference were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Dynamic human antibody light chain libraries


A method for producing a dry solid of cellulose nanofiber, the method comprising (A) preparing a dispersion in which cellulose nanofiber with an average fiber diameter of 2 to 500 nm is dispersed in a mixed solvent of water and a water-soluble organic solvent; and (B) drying the dispersion.

A cellulose nanofiber (hereinafter referred to as "CNF") is a fine fiber with a fiber diameter of about 2 to a few hundred nm. Since it has good dispersibility in a water-based medium, it is expected to be used in the fields such as food, cosmetics, medical products or paint, etc. Specifically it is expected to be used for retention of viscosity in paint, strengthening of food ingredients or doughs, retention of water, enhancement of food stability, low-calorie additives, or additives for emulsification stabilization, etc.
When CNFs dispersed in water (wet state) are dried, hydrogen bonds are formed among fine cellulose fibers in a solid, and it is difficult or impossible to restore the properties such as solubility, dispersibility, degree of sedimentation, and viscosity to those before drying (wet state), even if water is added to the dry solid. As such, the CNF is normally manufactured in a dispersed state in water (wet state), and used in a wet state, without being dried, for various applications. However, since wet CNF requires water of a few to a few hundred times the weight of CNF for its stabilization, it gives rise to many problems, such as securing of storage space, and an increase in the storage and delivery cost, etc. To solve these problems, freeze-drying method, critical point drying method, and a method of drying after pH adjustment (PTL1), etc. are proposed.

Method for producing cellulose nanofiber dry solid


Apparatus and methods for enhancing knowledge of the angle of attack of a streamer steering device are described, one apparatus comprising a seismic streamer having an orientation member including a body and at least one control surface; a sensor of the body adapted to measure a parameter indicative of angle of attack of the body; and a controller for adjusting the control surface based on at least the measured parameter. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the field of marine seismic instrumentation and methods of using same. More specifically, the invention relates to apparatus and methods for improving knowledge of angle of attack of a seismic streamer steering device.
2. Related Art
Marine seismic exploration investigates and maps the structure and character of subsurface geological formations underlying a body of water. For large survey areas, seismic vessels tow one or more seismic sources and multiple seismic streamer cables through the water. The streamers may be positioned using controllable steerable birds, deflectors, steerable buoys, and the like. To position streamers most efficiently, knowledge of the angle of attack of the steerable devices is needed. Currently, this knowledge is obtained indirectly using estimates of varying precision and accuracy.
It would be an advance in the art if knowledge of the angle of attack of the streamer steering devices could be obtained directly.

Streamer steering device orientation determination apparatus and methods


An Apparatus and method for forming elongated metal articles includes one or more rotating dies (1) each provided with an indentation (3). The indentation (track) is shaped so as to be complementary to the actual final shape of the resulting articles, and the dies (1) are designed and adapted to ensure/allow three rotational degrees of freedom under deformation by rotation of the dies.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming an elongated metal article and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method allowing three-dimensional forming of articles in a single one step process.
Numerous patent publications are known disclosing apparatuses and associated methods of forming elongated articles in multistage processes to convert, for example, extruded tubular Al-shapes into finished articles of desired configuration by stretching of the Al-shapes beyond the yield point of the material and subsequently/simultaneously employing a set of dies resulting in bending of the shapes.
However, all the hitherto known apparatuses do not assure a reliable, precise and economical manufacturing of three-dimensionally reshaped articles in one single operation without need for exchange and/or use of additional forming means (tools).

Apparatus and method for forming an elongated article


A split housing circuit breaker having an auxiliary switch for connection to remote indicators that reflect the condition of the breaker has an actuator moveable between ON, OFF, and TRIPPED. When the actuator is moved between the ON and OFF positions, an auxiliary switch lever holds an auxiliary switch plunger against its bias to a normally-open condition for the auxiliary switch. When the actuator is in the TRIPPED position or reset to the OFF position after a fault, the plunger is allowed to extend and the auxiliary switch moves to the dosed condition. A trip lever sub-assembly includes an auxiliary switch lever that selectively acts on the plunger, a trip lever that selectively holds the auxiliary lever against the plunger, and a pin and torsion spring to rotatably interconnect the two said levers.

This invention generally relates to circuit breakers having a three position actuator or handle and an auxiliary switch to provide remote indication of the circuit breaker condition. It more specifically relates to split case circuit breakers having a collapsible link and a sub-assembly that selectively engages the auxiliary switch.
The use of an auxiliary switch in the lower or bottom wall of a split case circuit breaker is well known. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,226, where a lever is pivotally supported inside the case for moving the plunger of the auxiliary switch when the movable contact arm is in a contact-closed condition. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,403 an auxiliary switch is provided in the circuit breaker side wall, and is operated by a lever that is engaged by a knee portion of the collapsible link coupling the movable contact arm and the actuator. This general concept is incorporated in the present disclosure by a pair of uniquely joined plastic levers that selectively operate an auxiliary switch in the bottom of the case.
Another known feature for a split case circuit breaker is to provide for visual indication of the breaker mechanism""s tripping device, that is, to visually show whether the contacts have opened due to an electrical overload. U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,162 shows such a feature in a breaker mechanism that provides for collapsing of the collapsible link whenever the circuit breaker mechanism has been electro-magnetically tripped. Circuit breaking movement of the handle/actuator is interrupted at a xe2x80x9ccenterxe2x80x9d position by a leaf spring that is carried by the handle/ actuator and that will engage the case when the collapsible link is collapsed. This ""162 patent does not suggest another approach to stopping the handle or actuator at a xe2x80x9ccenterxe2x80x9d position.
A prior art breaker of the type having a collapsible link that collapses whenever the mechanism is electro-magnetically tripped employs a metal lever to operate an auxiliary switch from the collapsed link. U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,226 shows such a metal lever mounted in the metal frame of the mechanism. The prior art does not, however, show or suggest that this feature can be achieved with a non-metallic plastic lever that is not pivotally mounted to the frame. The prior art metal lever of the ""226 patent is supported in the metal frame that supports the breaker mechanism creating an electrically conductive component close to the contacts and to the arc suppresser plates. The advantages of providing a plastic lever outside of and apart from the metal frame are important to meet present day dielectric criteria for circuit breakers generally.
While split case circuit breakers incorporating an auxiliary switch are known in the art, the auxiliary switch is generally designed to be normally-closed. That is, when these prior art breakers are manually switched ON or OFF, the auxiliary switch circuit remains closed. When an electrical fault occurs that trips these prior art breakers, the auxiliary switch changes to the switch-open condition. It is an object of this invention to disclose a circuit breaker that operates in the reverse manner. The auxiliary switch of the present invention remains in the normally-open condition when the circuit breaker is manually switched ON or OFF, and subsequently moves to the switch-closed condition when the circuit breaker undergoes an electrical fault. The present invention also maintains the auxiliary switch in the switch-open condition when the breaker is reset, but not when the actuator is manually moved from the ON to OFF position.
In a product currently marketed by the assignee hereof, Carling Technologies Inc., of Plainville, Conn., U.S.A., an auxiliary switch is operated by a bellcrank or L-shaped plastic lever that has one arm that acts as the auxiliary switch lever, and a second arm that is selectively engaged by the collapsible link mechanism to provide remote readout indication for the circuit breaker (e.g. tripped or not tripped only). Carling Technologies sells this unit as its xe2x80x9cC-Series Trip Alarm Circuit Breakerxe2x80x9d.
In accordance with the present invention, a circuit breaker assembly is provided comprising a housing, an electrical contact mounted on a contact arm that is moveable between contact-open and contact-closed conditions and biased to the contact-open condition, and an actuator selectively moveable between ON and OFF positions. The circuit breaker further includes a toggle mechanism that couples the actuator to the contact arm such that when the actuator is moved to the ON position, the contact arm is moved to the closed-contact condition. A trip subassembly is further included that has an auxiliary switch lever and a trip lever hingedly connected to each other, and an auxiliary switch changeable between switch-open and switch-closed conditions. This auxiliary switch is biased to the switch-open condition and is further connectable to a remote indicator. The auxiliary switch lever acts on the auxiliary switch when the actuator is moved either from the OFF to ON or from the ON to OFF positions.
The following describes general aspects of the preferred embodiment. When the circuit breaker actuator is moved to the ON position, the contact arm acts through the auxiliary switch lever to place the auxiliary switch in a switch-open condition. When the actuator is then moved to the OFF position, pressure on the auxiliary switch lever from the contact arm is released and the circuit breaker contacts open, but the trip lever holds the auxiliary switch lever against the auxiliary switch to keep it in the switch-open condition. Conversely, when the circuit breaker trips, the trip lever is mechanically pushed away by linkage connected to the actuator. The auxiliary switch lever cannot itself overcome the bias of the auxiliary switch, which consequently changes to the switch-closed condition. This switch-closed condition is maintained even when the actuator is reset (i.e. manually moved from the TRIPPED position back to the OFF position).


A motion guide device includes: a supporting body; a movable body which is movable along the supporting body; a roller which is configured to be rollable between the supporting body and the movable body; a roller holding member which is provided on the movable body to hold the roller, wherein the roller holding member comprises an upper roller holding member and a lower roller holding member, a protrusion is formed on the lower roller holding member, the protrusion is in a length direction of the movable body and opposite to a foot of the movable body, an opening is formed on the foot, the opening is opened to a side of the supporting body in the length direction to receive the protrusion, a protrusion width of the protrusion is greater than an opening width of the opening.

A linear guide as a type of motion guide device includes a track and a movable body mounted in a way that is movable along the track. A plurality of rollers that are rollable are arranged between the track and the movable body. A plurality of rollers circulate in a ring-shaped roller circulation path. The roller circulation path includes a load path, a no-load path and a direction changing path. The load path is defined by a track-side roller rolling surface provided on the track and a slider-side roller rolling surface provided on the movable body and opposite to the track-side roller rolling surface on the track. The no-load path is provided on the movable body and parallel to the load path. The direction changing path is in a U shape, provided on the movable body, and connects an end of the load path and an end of the no-load path.
In the above-mentioned linear guide, it is necessary to hold the roller holding member to prevent the roller rolling in the load path from deviation.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a motion guide device in which a protrusion formed on a retainer and a recess formed on a foot of a slider are combined with each other to form a combination, and the combination is formed at the center of the retainer in a length direction thereof. The protrusion of the retainer is formed to protrude toward the foot at a position facing a surface at the foot side of the slider and opposite to a lower part of the foot. Moreover, in a plan view, an outer peripheral shape of the protrusion is a hollow cylindrical shape, and an end on the foot side of the hollow cylindrical shape is cut off, so that the protrusion has a U shape that opens to the foot. In addition, the recess of the slider has an opening at a position opposite to the protrusion of the retainer. The protrusion is inserted into the recess from the opening. Due to the elastic deformation of the protrusion, the protrusion is engaged with the recess, thereby preventing or suppressing the center portion of the retainer from bending toward the track side.
However, the combination in this Patent Document 1 has the following technical problems.
First, the protrusion is formed into a hollow cylindrical U-shape, so that it is complicated and difficult to proceed it.
Secondly, since the protrusion is formed only at the central portion of the retainer in the length direction, it is difficult to reliably prevent the retainer from bending.
Finally, since the rolling elements are balls, there is no technical effect to prevent the rollers from deviation.
Patent Document 1: JP Patent No. 6131530


In the packaging of foodstuffs in flexible tubular sheaths made of plastic, natural guts or netting and closed by closing staples by means of closing machines, it is often desired to include in the closing staple a tag, which bears the inscription required for the package. Besides, such a tag is required to be able to be provided with a sufficient inscription and should have a portion which can be gripped by the closing staple. For that purpose a tag strip 1 is provided, which for its feeding is centrally provided with a continuous perforation line in the feeding direction and which between the tags 5 has a sufficiently long portion 4 which is narrower to such an extent that said portion when it has been severed from the preceding tag can be engaged and embraced by the closing staple 7.

When foodstuffs are packaged in tubular packaging sheaths which consist of plastic, natural intestine or netting and are closed by closing clips applied by closing machines, it is often desired to insert into the closing clip a tag which is provided with the inscription required on the packaging sheath. In some countries there are even regulations prescribing such tags to be provided with a large amount of information concerning the contents, weight, price per unit, total price and expiration date. The required information should easily be legible and clearly arranged on the tag and the tag must permit the inscription to be applied, mostly printed, before or after the sheath is closed, e.g., in automatic weighing plants. For this reason a sufficient size, particularly a sufficient width, is required. Besides, such tags must have a portion which can readily be received by the closing clip and can be gripped as the packaging sheath is closed.

Tag strip with perforations and staple engaging means