The present invention relates to a method for producing an epitaxial substrate having a III-V group compound semiconductor crystal represented by the general formula InxGayAlzN (wherein, x+y+z=1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1) having reduced dislocation density, comprising a first step of covering with a mask made of a different material from the III-V group compound semiconductor so that only portions around points of the crystal constitute openings by using a III-V group compound semiconductor crystal having a plurality of projection shapes and a second step of growing the III-V group compound semiconductor crystal laterally by using the III-V group compound semiconductor crystal at the opening as a seed crystal. According to the present invention, an epitaxial substrate having a III-V group compound semiconductor crystal having low dislocation density and little warp is obtained.

Nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductors represented by the general formula InxGayAlzN (wherein, x+y+z=1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1) have controllable direct type band gap corresponding to from ultraviolet to red depending on the composition of a III group element, consequently, can be utilized as a material for a light emitting device of high efficiency ranging from ultraviolet to visible light. It is theoretically possible to manufacture an electronic device excellent in environment resistance utilizing a property as a semiconductor even at high temperatures under which conventional semiconductors cannot operate, due to larger band gap as compared with semiconductors such as GaAs and the like generally used up to now.
However, nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductors cannot easily perform crystal growth of a bulk single crystal, and free standing substrates of practically endurable nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductors are still under developing. Therefore, substrates widely used currently are sapphire and the like. Usually, methods of epitaxial growth such as a metal-organic chemical vapor deposition method (hereinafter, abbreviated as MOCVD method) are used.
However, a sapphire substrate has a lattice constant different significantly from that of a nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductor, resultantly, it is impossible to grow directly on this a crystal of a nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductor. Therefore, there is invented and usually used a method of growing amorphous GaN, AlN or the like once at lower temperature, relaxing lattice strain, and then, growing a crystal of a nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductor on this (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 63-188983). By this method, the quality of a crystal of a nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductor has increased dynamically.
However, since a discrepancy of lattice constant between a sapphire substrate and a crystal of a nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductor is not resolved, dislocation, this is a crystal defect, is still present at a density of as high as 109 to 1010 cm−2 in the crystal of a nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductor. This dislocation is a problem since it remarkably decreases the performance of an device such as life or the like.
Then, recently, as a method of reducing dislocation generating based on the discrepancy of lattice constant from sapphire, there is suggested a method in which on GaN having dislocation present in high density, a mask patterned with SiO2 and the like is formed, GaN is grown from a window portion of the mask and the mask is covered by lateral growth to obtain a flat GaN crystal, and there is also reported that dislocation density can be decreased to 107 cm−2 by blocking dislocation from the template using a mask (Appl. Phys. Lett. 71(18) 2637 (1997)).
On the other hand, as a method of obtaining a free standing GaN substrate, a method is reported in which on a sapphire substrate and the like, a GaN crystal is epitaxially grown, and sapphire and the like are removed by using etching or laser (Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. vol. 38, p. L217-219 (1999), JP-A No. 2000-129000).
However, this method has a problem that because of a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between sapphire and the like and GaN, warp occurs in a cooling step after growth, consequently, warp or crack remains on the resulted free standing substrate, further, a problem that dislocation density sufficiently reduced cannot be obtained.
As a method of solving these problems, there is suggested a method in which a metal thin film made of Ti and the like having a catalytic action promoting decomposition of GaN is formed on the surface of GaN, then, a thermal treatment is conducted on this under an atmosphere containing NH3, to form TiN in the form of mesh on GaN and simultaneously to form a void of reverse cone shape on the ground GaN in the mesh space, and GaN is laterally grown on this TiN, then, this is peeled by using mixed liquid of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid to obtain a free standing substrate having a dislocation density reduced to about 107 cm−2 and little warp. (JP-A No. 2002-343728)
However, also this method has a problem that warp is not sufficient though it is decreased and nitriding of Ti and formation of a void in GaN are conducted simultaneously in a thermal treatment, consequently, control of the void proportion and adjustment of the degree of nitriding of Ti and the like are difficult and stable production of a substrate of low dislocation is difficult, a problem that mixed liquid of hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid is necessary for conducting peeling, and other problems.

Substrate of gallium nitride single crystal and process for producing the same


An electronic device protected by a novel barrier layer is provided. The barrier layer can protect against contamination and degradation arising from many sources, including oxidation and moisture. The barrier layer includes a barrier material that can include oxides, carbides, and compositions of sodium, aluminum, and fluorine.

Organic electroluminescence (EL) has been studied extensively because of its possible applications in discrete light emitting devices, arrays, displays, backlights, and segmented displays. Such devices are suitable for many applications, including lighting and sign applications. Organic materials can potentially replace conventional inorganic materials in many applications and enable wholly new applications. The ease of fabricating organic EL devices promises even more efficient and durable materials, which can contribute to further improvements in device architecture.
Organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) function much like inorganic LEDs. Depending on the actual design, light either passes through a transparent electrode deposited on a transparent glass substrate, through a transparent top electrode, or both. The first OLEDs were very simple in that they constituted only a few layers. Recent developments have led to OLEDs having many different layers (known as multilayer devices), each optimized for a specific task.
A performance limitation with some OLED devices is reliability. It has been demonstrated that some of the organic materials are very sensitive to contamination, oxidation, and humidity. Furthermore, some of the metals used as contact electrodes for OLEDs are susceptible to corrosion in air or other oxygen and/or moisture-containing environments.
To obtain efficient OLED devices, low field electron injection generally requires low work function cathode metals, such as Mg, Ca, Li, Ba, or CsF, which readily react with oxygen and water. A low work function calcium cathode, for example, survives only a short time in air due to rapid device degradation caused by atmospheric moisture and oxygen. Such highly reactive metals can also undergo chemical reactions with the nearby organic materials present within the device, which can also have negative effects on the device. Utilizing a low work function material cathode requires careful handling of the device to avoid contamination of the metal, and immediate, high quality encapsulation of the device if operation in the atmosphere is desired.
Many approaches have been attempted in order to solve the problem of device instability and degradation. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional device. OLED 100 includes substrate 110, anode 120, organic emitting layer 140, cathode 160, and getter 180. Mechanically installed top cover 190 and adhesive sealant 195 are applied to seal the device from the atmosphere. The top cover is often glass, metal, metal film, metallized plastic, or a plastic film with inorganic constituents. The adhesive sealant can be applied in many ways, for example, as a glue or laminate.
In addition to the mechanically applied cover and sealant, a sacrificial or "getter" layer 180 is deposited on the device. Because the getter layer includes a low work function material, such as a metal, that degrades or reacts with any moisture or oxygen that diffuses through the cover/sealant, the getter helps prevent degradation of the lower layers of the device.
However, at least two disadvantages exist for this method. First, pinholes often exist in the getter layer which still provide ample pathways for oxygen and water to reach the electrode metal below. This phenomenon is more completely described in Y. Sato et al., Stability of organic electroluminescent diodes, Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol. 253, 1994, pp. 143–150, for example. When the water passes through the getter and cathode layers, it reaches the emitting layer, causing dark spots in the display. While the combination of mechanically applied covers and adhesives with getter layers slows atmospheric contamination of the device, it may not prevent such contamination.
Second, as the getter layer residing directly on cathode 160 is oxidized and absorbs moisture from the air, it corrodes the cathode. As the cathode is corroded, photon yield or efficiency is reduced, thus darkening the display. Therefore, the lifetime of current organic light emitting devices is limited due to this inability to prevent atmospheric degradation of their highly reactive interior components.
Organic LEDs have great potential to outperform conventional inorganic LEDs in many applications. One important advantage of OLEDs, and devices based thereon, is that they are less expensive than their inorganic LED counterparts. Organic LEDs can be deposited on large, inexpensive glass substrates, or a wide range of other inexpensive transparent, semitransparent or even opaque crystalline or non-crystalline substrates at low temperature, rather than on expensive crystalline substrates of limited areas at comparatively higher growth temperatures (as is the case for inorganic LEDs). The substrates may even be flexible, enabling pliant OLEDs and new types of displays.
As can be seen from the above description, there is an ongoing need for simple and efficient materials and methods for protecting the interior layers of active electronic devices, including organic light emitting devices. The present invention overcomes at least one of the disadvantages associated with conventional devices.

Encapsulation of active electronic devices


A supply source for delivery of a CO-containing dopant gas composition is provided. The composition includes a controlled amount of a diluent gas mixture such as xenon and hydrogen, which are each provided at controlled volumetric ratios to ensure optimal carbon ion implantation performance. The composition can be packaged as a dopant gas kit consisting of a CO-containing supply source and a diluent mixture supply source. Alternatively, the composition can be pre-mixed and introduced from a single source that can be actuated in response to a sub-atmospheric condition achieved along the discharge flow path to allow a controlled flow of the dopant mixture from the interior volume of the device into an ion source apparatus.

Ion implantation is an important process in semiconductor/microelectronic manufacturing. The ion implantation process is used in integrated circuit fabrication to introduce controlled amounts of dopant ions into semiconductor wafers. An ion-source is used to generate a well-defined ion beam for a variety of ion species from a dopant gas. Ionization of the dopant gas generates the ion species which can be subsequently implanted into a given workpiece.
Carbon has emerged as a widely used dopant in the semiconductor industry for a variety of material modification applications such as inhibiting diffusion of co-dopants or enhancing stability of the doped region. In this regard, carbon dioxide (CO2) has emerged as a common dopant source for carbon ion implantation. However, it has been observed that CO2 behaves as an oxidizing gas which tends to oxidize tungsten ion chamber components to form various tungsten oxide (WOx) deposits along electrode surfaces and chamber components of the ion apparatus. The occurrences of such deposits are problematic, as they deteriorate the electrical properties, thereby requiring a higher voltage to sustain a stable plasma. However, higher voltages can result in voltage discharge, which causes electrical shorting and momentary drops in the beam current. The beam current drops are commonly referred to as "beam glitching". The beam glitching degrades the ion source performance to a degree where the process cannot operate with acceptable efficiency. In such cases, the user may be required to abort the implant operation and perform maintenance or replace the ion source. Such downtime results in productivity loss of the ion implantation system. Hence, it is necessary to maintain proper functioning of the ion source for extended periods of time in order to perform a high quality implant process.
In view of the undesirable deposits associated with CO2 as a dopant source for ion implantation, carbon monoxide (CO) has emerged as an alternative dopant gas source as a result of the lower oxygen content in CO. The lower oxygen content reduces the amount of WOx formation. However, CO has been observed to form heavy carbon (C) and tungsten carbide (WC) deposits during the operation of the ion source. C deposits are a result of plasma decomposition of CO, whereas WC deposits form as a result of the interaction of CO and its plasma fragmented products with tungsten-based chamber components. The C/WC deposits can create beam glitching, thereby creating concerns of short ion source life.
Furthermore, CO is a toxic gas which poses significant safety and environmental challenges. CO is typically stored in cylinders under high pressures. Storage of CO under high pressure is unacceptable because of the possibility of developing a leak or catastrophic rupture of the cylinder. Accordingly, standard high pressure cylinders for CO pose hazards of the unintended release of these fluids from high pressure cylinders.
There is an unmet need to reduce deposits in an ion chamber when utilizing a carbon-based dopant gas source for carbon implantation, along with a method and system for a safe storage and delivery device for carbon-based dopant gas sources. Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

Storage and sub-atmospheric delivery of dopant compositions for carbon ion implantation


A fuel tank covering (26) to cover an upper portion of a fuel tank (25) supported by a motorcycle frame structure (FR) covers an intermediate portion of the fuel tank (25) ranging from a front end portion to a rear end portion with respect to a direction widthwise of the motorcycle, and includes a shielding portion (36) configured to cover a mounting area at a front portion where a key cylinder (35) disposed forwardly of the fuel tank (25) is mounted on the motorcycle frame structure (FR).

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel tank covering for a motorcycle, which is used to cover a portion of an upper portion of the fuel tank to improve the exterior look of such fuel tank.
Description of Related Art
Hitherto, some of the motorcycles currently used make use of a covering to enclose an upper portion of the fuel tank such as disclosed in the patent document 1 listed below. Also, some of the motorcycles similarly now in use make use of a tank covering to enclose a filler cap of the fuel tank such as disclosed in the patent document 2 listed below.


Disclosed are multivesicular liposomes (MVL's) containing biologically active substances, the multivesicular liposomes having defined size distribution, adjustable average size, adjustable internal chamber size and number, and a controlled and variable release rate of the biologically active substance. The process involves encapsulating at least one biologically active substance and optionally an osmotic spacer in a first aqueous component encapsulated within the liposomes. The rate of release of the active substance into the surrounding environment in which the liposomes are introduced can be decreased by increasing the osmolarity of the first aqueous component or increased by decreasing the osmolarity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multivesicular liposome composition of liposomes encapsulating biologically active substances. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods to produce and use multivesicular liposomes with controllable release rate of the encapsulated substance.
2. Description of Related Art
Optimal treatment with many drugs often requires that the drug level be maintained for a prolonged period of time. For example, optimal anti-cancer treatment with cell cycle-specific antimetabolites requires maintenance of a cytotoxic drug level for a prolonged period of time. Cytarabine is a highly schedule-dependent anti-cancer drug. Because this drug kills cells only when they are synthesizing DNA, prolonged exposure at therapeutic concentration of the drug is required for optimal cell kill. The therapeutic effectiveness of such agents is often further complicated by the fact that the half-life after an intravenous or subcutaneous dose may be as short as a few hours. To achieve optimal cancer cell kill with a cell cycle phase-specific drug like cytarabine, there are two major requirements: first, the cancer cell must be exposed to a high concentration of the drug without doing irreversible significant harm to the host; and second, the tumor must be exposed to the drug for a prolonged period of time to maximize the number of cancer cells which are in the susceptible DNA synthesis cycle of cell proliferation.
An example of another class of drugs that are schedule-dependent is the aminoglycoside class of antibiotics. For instance, amikacin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic which has clinically significant activity against strains of both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Under existing therapeutic procedures, the drug is normally administered by intravenous or intramuscular routes on a once or twice a day schedule. The most commonly used clinical dose is 15 mg/Kg/day which is equivalent to a maximum recommended daily dose of 1 g per day. However, this approach results in systemic exposure to the patients, and depending on the drug, increases risk of toxic side effects. Consequently, a local depot slow-release preparation for treatment of infections such as those confined to a local region of soft tissue or bone would be advantageous in increasing local tissue levels of the drug, compared with therapeutic systemic doses, while reducing or avoiding the systemic toxicity of the free drug.
Especially useful would be controlled release preparations that can be used to deliver therapeutic levels of drugs over periods ranging from hours, days, or even weeks.
One approach which has been used to provide controlled release compositions for drug delivery is liposome encapsulation. Among the main types of liposomes, multivesicular liposomes (Kim, et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta; 728:339-348, 1983), are uniquely different from unilamellar liposomes (Huang, Biochemistry; 8:334-352, 1969; Kim, et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta; 646:1-10, 1981), multilamellar liposomes (Bangham, et al., J. Mol. Bio., 13:238-252, 1965), and stable plurilamellar liposomes (U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,803). In contrast to unilamellar liposomes, multivesicular liposomes contain multiple aqueous chambers. In contrast to multilamellar liposomes, the multiple aqueous chambers of multivesicular liposomes are non-concentric. The prior art describes a number of techniques for producing various types of unilamellar and multilamellar liposomes; for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,803 to Lenk; U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,506 to Baldeschwieler; U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,871 to Papahadjopoulos; U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,179 to Schneider; U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,052 to Papahadjopoulos; U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,372 to Taylor; U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,166 to Marchetti; U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,054 to Mezei; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,703 to Redziniak; Szoka, et al., 1980, Ann. Rev. Biophys. Bioeng., 9:465-508; Liposomes, Marc J. Ostro, Ed., Marcel-Dekker, Inc., New York, 1983, Chapter 1; Poznansky and Juliano, Pharmacol. Rev., 36:277-236, 1984. The prior art also describes methods for producing multivesicular liposomes (Kim, et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 728:339-348, 1983).
In the method of Kim, et al., (Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 728:339-348, 1983) the encapsulation efficiency of some small molecules such as cytosine arabinoside, also known as cytarabine or Ara-C, was relatively low, and the release rate of encapsulated molecules in biological fluids was high. Subsequently, a composition was developed which used hydrochloride to slow the release rate of encapsulated molecules in biological fluids (U.S. Patent continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 08/020,483, filed Feb. 21, 1993, by Kim).
Further research has shown that the release rate of substances from multivesicular liposomes in human plasma can be controlled by means of varying the nature of the acid solution in which the substance is dissolved prior to forming the multivesicular liposome (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/153,657, filed Nov. 16, 1993, Sankaram and Kim). In these studies, certain mineral acids such as hydrochloric, nitric and perchloric acids produced the slowest release rates, whereas other acids, such as acetic, trifluoroacetic, and trichloroacetic resulted in intermediate release rates. The fastest release rates were obtained using di- and tri-protic acids such as sulfuric and phosphoric acids. The composition of liposomes produced by this method has the disadvantage that it requires the use of acid to produce a multivesicular liposome with desirable drug release kinetics. Furthermore, some of the acids which might provide desirable drug release rates from multivesicular liposomes may present pharmaceutical process problems, such as corrosion of metallic containers and parts used in the manufacture. Also, potential problems with the stability of acid-labile substances could be avoided if multivesicular liposomes which are practical in an in vivo environment could be produced without the use of acid.
Studies have shown that the rate of release of the encapsulated biological substance from liposomes into an aqueous environment can be modulated by creating a membrane potential by introducing protonophores or ionophores into liposomes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,056). In addition, a method for controlling the release rate of drugs from vesicle compositions is disclosed in European Patent Application EP 0 126 580. In this latter method, a composition was provided comprising a solution of a therapeutic agent encapsulated in vesicles which were suspended in a solution containing sufficient solute to provide a certain osmolarity. This osmolarity was at least substantially isotonic with respect to the osmolarity of the solution within the vesicles which, in turn, had a greater osmolarity than physiological saline. The osmolarity of the solution within the vesicles was held constant, while the osmolarity of the solution in which the vesicles are suspended was varied. Under these conditions, the release rate decreased as the suspending medium approached an isotonic, or even hypertonic relationship with respect to the solution within the vesicles. However, a drawback of this method is that the osmolarity of the medium into which the therapeutic agent is released must be varied in order to control the rate of release. As a consequence, these compositions are severely limited in terms of their practical use, for example, in pharmaceutical applications, since the osmolarity of the biological fluid at the site of administration of the drug delivery system is substantially fixed and cannot be varied. For example, biological fluids such as plasma, are close to isotonic with respect to normal saline (0.9 wt % NaCl in water), which has an osmolarity of 310 mOsm. Therefore, the osmolarity of the suspending medium should ideally be close to 310 mOsm.
In view of the perceived limitations with existing liposome compositions and production methodology, techniques which do not rely upon the use of acids for production of stable multivesicular liposomes are needed. The present invention addresses this need.

Preparation of multivesicular liposomes for controlled release of encapsulated biologically active substances


A concurrent component mounter (1) having storage hoppers (2) and a template (3) with component dispensing outlets (4). The mounter (1) also has communication passages (5) each providing communication between respective hoppers (2) and one of the dispensing outlets (4). Associated with each of the hoppers (2) is a component agitator (6). There is also a circuit board conveyor (22) and a circuit board fiducial detector (23) operatively coupled to a controller (24). Tracks (25,26) with associated drives (27,28) are operatively coupled to the controller (24) to effect movement of the template (3) along two axes (A,B).

Component feeding is a well-known process in Surface Mounting Technology (SMT). In general, a feeder is used to sequentially supply surface mountable electrical components to a pick up location for subsequent placing, by a pick-and-place machine, onto a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) which is pre-printed with solder paste.
One form of feeder is a tape and reel feeder in which the electrical components are packaged on a tape that is wound onto a reel. The tape comprises individual pockets each containing one of the electrical components that are individually sealed in the pockets by a covering of thin film. In use, the film is removed when the tape enters the pick up location therefore leaving a pocket containing one of the electrical components in a position accessible by the pick-and-place machine. Unfortunately, the tape is substantially wider than the components located in the pockets which therefore increases the width of the feeder. Further, the reel and apparatus for removing the film also adds to the width and overall size of the feeder.
Hopper feeders also known as bulk or tube feeders are an alternative to tape and reel feeders. Hopper feeders comprise a hopper in communication, along a downwardly sloping passage, with the pick up location. The downwardly sloping passage makes use of gravity for supplying the components to the pick up location. To further assist the supplying of the components to the pick up location a combination of gravity and air blasting has also been used.
The pick up location of such hopper feeders has an abutment wall and an aperture. The abutment wall abuts the components supplied from the hopper before they are removed, through the aperture, by the pick-and-place machine. The supply of components to the pick up location must be controlled, otherwise undesirable amounts of friction between the abutment wall and an abutting component can result. This friction is due to a mass of stacked components in the downwardly sloping passage pushing the abutting components into the abutment wall. Accordingly, this friction may cause problems when the pick-and-place machine attempts to remove the abutting component. Further, unnecessary friction between the abutting component and an adjacent component can further hinder the removal of the abutting component.
In order to reduce the friction described above, the supply of components to the pick up location is mechanically controlled to separate components in the downwardly sloping passage from a component in the pick up location. For example, one conventional approach is to use a pneumatically controlled slotted disk located horizontally in series between the pick up location and sloping passage. The slotted disk has two diametrically opposite slots for sequentially engaging a component. The disk rotates through 180 degrees in a timed sequence to thereby transport an individual component, engaged in one of the slots, from the passage to the pick up location.
In use, both conventional hopper feeders or tape and reel feeders are positioned on either sides of a conveyor track extending along a length of a pick-and-place machine. The conveyor track transports printed circuit boards into an area of the pick-and-place machine to allow components, fed from the hopper feeders or tape and reel feeders, to be mounted to the circuit boards. Such pick-and-place machines are expensive and their high speed moving parts are subject to wear and high maintenance costs. Further, each component is sequentially mounted to the printed circuit board which is time consuming and therefore can result in increased manufacturing overheads.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,324 there is disclosed an apparatus for placing electronic components on a circuit board. This apparatus has a template which is supplied with components from hoppers. The template is then moved to a position in alignment with and adjacent to the circuit board to allow connector pads of the components on the template to be aligned with corresponding pads located on an underside of the circuit board. The combination of the template and board are then rotated 180 degrees so that the components are located on top of the circuit board. The template is then removed and the components connector pads can then be soldered to the corresponding pads on the board. Although this apparatus concurrently places electronic components on a circuit board, it is unnecessarily slow due to the required movement of the template to the position in alignment with and adjacent to the circuit board. Delays are also caused by the rotation of the template and board which may also cause component misalignment.

Concurrent component mounter and method of concurrently mounting components


A heatable hair crimper has a hollow handle and a comb formed of metallic prongs in rows and columns. Alternate rows are mounted to a metal base plate heated by a pad. When a plunger is squeezed the plate is moved so that hair extending across the comb in the columns is formed and held in tortuous paths while heat is applied via the prongs. Jointed levers are disposed within the hollow handle and are straightened by squeezing action on the plunger.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to hair crimpers.
2. Description of Prior Art
Hair crimpers are known for imparting curls or waves to strands or bundles of hair to make the hair more attractive or a head of hair easier to shape. Often the presently known crimpers incorporate heating elements that lie along inside the crimping elements and heat is used to deform (that is, wave or crimp) the hair. Such heated crimpers are relatively clumsy and are especially unsuitable for crimping hair close to the scalp. This is one short-coming that makes present crimpers unable to "bulk" hair adjacent the scalp as required for many desirable hair styles.


A first capacitor is charged by a driving current. A second capacitor is charged by a driving current. A first discharging transistor discharges the first capacitor in accordance with a charged voltage of the second capacitor. A second discharging transistor discharges the second capacitor in accordance with a charged voltage of the first capacitor. The oscillation circuit generates an oscillation signal in accordance with the charged voltages of the first and second capacitors. An oscillation restarting circuit, when the first and second discharging transistors simultaneously perform discharging and thus oscillation stops, causes the discharging of the second discharging transistor to stop, and thereby, restarts the oscillation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oscillation circuit, and, in particular, to an oscillation circuit in which oscillation is performed as a result of two capacitors being alternately charged and discharged through transistors.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of an example of an oscillation circuit in the related art.
The oscillation circuit 1 in the related art includes a power source 2 which supplies a driving voltage VD, a driving current generating circuit 3 which generates driving currents in accordance with the driving voltage VD supplied by the power source 2, capacitors C1, C2 which are charged by the driving currents generated by the driving current generating circuit 3, a discharging NPN transistor Q1 which discharges charge of the capacitor C1 in accordance with a charged voltage of the capacitor C2, a discharging NPN transistor Q2 which discharges charge of the capacitor C2 in accordance with a charged voltage of the capacitor C1, a diode component D1 which maintains the charged voltage of the capacitor C1 at a predetermined level and a diode component D2 which maintains the charged voltage of the capacitor C2 at a predetermined level. Thus, the oscillation circuit 1 forms a oscillation circuit using a multivibrator.
The driving current generating circuit 3 forms a current-mirror circuit, and includes PNP transistors Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7 and a constant-current source 4. The emitter of the transistor Q3 is connected to the positive voltage side of the power source 2, and the collector and the base of the transistor Q3 are connected with one another. The emitter of the transistor Q4 is connected to the positive voltage side of the power source 2, the base of the transistor Q4 is connected to the base and collector of the transistor Q3, and the collector of the transistor Q4 supplies a driving current. The emitter of the transistor Q5 is connected to the positive voltage side of the power source 2, the base of the transistor Q5 is connected to the base and collector of the transistor Q3, and the collector of the transistor Q5 supplies a driving current. The emitter of the transistor Q6 is connected to the positive voltage side of the power source 2, the base of the transistor Q6 is connected to the base and collector of the transistor Q3, and the collector of the transistor Q6 supplies a driving current. The emitter of the transistor Q7 is connected to the positive voltage side of the power source 2, the base of the transistor Q7 is connected to the base and collector of the transistor Q3, and the collector of the transistor Q7 supplies a driving current. The constant-current source 4 is connected to the collector and base of the transistor Q3, and draws predetermined currents from the collector and base of the transistor Q3, and the bases of the transistors Q4, Q5, Q6 and Q7.
The collector of the transistor Q4 of the driving current generating circuit 3 is connected to one end of the oscillation capacitor C1. The discharging transistor Q1 which discharges the capacitor C1 and the diode component D1 which maintains the voltage of the one end of the capacitor C1 at the predetermined level are connected between the connection point of the one end of the capacitor C1 and the collector of the transistor Q4, and the ground.
The collector of the discharging NPN transistor Q1 is connected to the connection point of the one end of the capacitor C1 and the collector of the transistor Q4, the emitter of the transistor Q1 is grounded, and the base of the transistor Q1 is connected to one end of the oscillation capacitor C2. Switching of the transistor Q1 is performed in accordance with the charged voltage of the capacitor C2 and thus the transistor Q1 controls charging and discharging of the capacitor C1. The diode component D1 is an NPN transistor Q8, and the base and the collector of the transistor Q8 are connected with one another, that is, diode component connection is performed. The base and collector of the transistor Q8 are connected to the connection point of the one end of the capacitor C1 and the collector of the transistor Q4, and the emitter of the transistor Q8 is grounded. The diode component D1 maintains the one end of the capacitor C1 at the forward voltage VF of the diode component D1 when the capacitor C1 is charged.
The collector of the transistor Q5 of the driving current generating circuit 3 is connected to the other end of the capacitor C1, and supplies a charging current to the other end of the capacitor C1.
The collector of the transistor Q6 of the driving current generating circuit 3 is connected to the one end of the capacitor C2, and supplies a charging current to the one end of the capacitor C2.
The collector of the transistor Q7 of the driving current generating circuit 3 is connected to the other end of the oscillation capacitor C2. The discharging transistor Q2 which discharges the capacitor C2 and the diode component D2 which maintains the voltage of the other end of the capacitor C2 at the predetermined level are connected between the connection point of the other end of the capacitor C2 and the collector of the transistor Q7, and the ground.
The collector of the discharging NPN transistor Q2 is connected to the connection point of the other end of the capacitor C2 and the collector of the transistor Q7, the emitter of the transistor Q2 is grounded, and the base of the transistor Q2 is connected to the other end of the capacitor C1. The diode component D2 is an NPN transistor Q9, and the base and the collector of the transistor Q9 are connected with one another, that is, diode component connection is performed. The base and collector of the transistor Q9 are connected to the connection point of the other end of the capacitor C2 and the collector of the transistor Q7, and the emitter of the transistor Q9 is grounded. The diode component D2 maintains the other end of the capacitor C2 at the forward voltage VF of the diode component D2 when the capacitor C2 is charged.
Operations of the oscillation circuit 1 will now be described. FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show operation waveforms of the above-described oscillation circuit 1. FIG. 2A shows the collector voltage of the discharging transistor Q1, FIG. 2B shows the collector voltage of the discharging transistor Q2, FIG. 2C shows the base voltage of the discharging transistor Q1, and FIG. 2D shows the base voltage of the discharging transistor Q2.
With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, at the time t1, the discharging transistor Q1 turns off and thereby the collector voltage of the transistor Q1 is changed to and maintained at a high level. Further, at the same time, the discharging transistor Q2 turns on and thereby the collector voltage of the transistor Q2 is changed to a low level. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2C, the voltage of the one end of the oscillation capacitor C2 falls and charging is started.
At the time t2, the capacitor C2 has been charged via the one end of the capacitor C2 by the charging current supplied by the transistor Q6 of the driving current generating circuit 3. Then, when the voltage of the one end of the capacitor C2 becomes the turn-on voltage of the discharging transistor Q1, the transistor Q1 turns on and thereby the collector voltage of the transistor Q1 is changed to a low level as shown in FIG. 2A.
When the collector voltage of the discharging transistor Q1 is changed to the low level, the voltage of the other end of the oscillation capacitor C1 falls, and, as shown in FIG. 2D, the base voltage of the discharging transistor Q2 falls. As a result, the transistor Q2 turns off. The oscillation transistor C1 is charged since the base voltage of the transistor Q2 falls at the time t2. Then, when the voltage of the other end of the capacitor C1 becomes the forward voltage VF of the diode component D2 at the time t3, the transistor Q2 turns on. When the transistor Q2 turns on, as shown in FIG. 2B, the collector voltage of the transistor Q2 is changed to the low level. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2C, the base voltage of the transistor Q1 falls, and the transistor Q1 turns off. Charging of the capacitor C2 is started again.
The operations between the times t1 and t2, and the operations between the times t2 and t3 are repeated. Thereby, the oscillation signals shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are obtained from output terminals TOUT1 and TOUT2, respectively.
In the oscillation circuit 1 in the related art, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, oscillation is performed as a result of switching of the discharging transistors Q1 and Q2 being performed alternately. When the transistors Q1 and Q2 turn on simultaneously due to noise or the like, the oscillation stops and it is necessary to disconnect the power source 2 to restart the oscillation.


The embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for displaying an input method interface, a device, a terminal and a storage medium, relating to the field of human-computer interaction technologies. The method includes: displaying a first user interface of a first application; displaying a first floating window on the first user interface, the first floating window being configured for displaying a second user interface of a second application; and displaying a second floating window on the first user interface when a text input operation signal from the second user interface is received, wherein the first floating window and the second floating window are displayed concurrently, and the second floating window is configured for displaying an input method interface.

Input methods are indispensable applications in smartphones, which are convenient for users to quickly enter text information.
In the related art, when inputting text using the input method, a lower display portion of the screen is used to display an input method interface including a keyboard, and the user can input text by clicking or selecting corresponding key buttons on the keyboard.

Method for displaying input method interface of improved accuracy of input, device, and terminal

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


In at least one embodiment time separated pulse pairs are generated, followed by amplification to increase the available peak and/or average power. The pulses are characterized by a time separation that exceeds the input pulse width and with distinct polarization states. The time and polarization discrimination allows easy extraction of the pulses after amplification. In some embodiments polarization maintaining (PM) fibers and/or amplifiers are utilized which provides a compact arrangement. At least one implementation provides for seeding of a solid state amplifier or large core fiber amplifier with time delayed, polarization split pulses, with capability for recombining the time separated pulses at an amplifier output. In various implementations suitable combinations of bulk optics and fibers may be utilized. In some implementations wavelength converted pulse trains are generated. A method and system of the present invention can be used in time domain applications utilizing multiple beam paths, for example spectroscopy.

Utilization of pulsed laser sources has increased in industrial and scientific applications. In particular, applications of ultrashort laser technology have increased over the last few years in metrology, imaging and material processing applications. Fiber-based ultrashort systems are now well established for numerous applications, and are particularly well suited for high repetition rate applications at low-medium pulse energy. However, in either passive or gain fiber, the peak power of the amplified pulse is constrained because of the pulse distortion and signal shifting out of the gain spectrum caused by nonlinear effects, for example Raman shifting. Chirped pulse amplification is often used to greatly extend the capability of fiber systems. Pulses are temporally stretched, thereby lowering the peak power, then amplified and recompressed. Such constraints also apply to other optical media as the pulse energy scales up, for example Nd:based bulk optical amplifiers.
The following patents, published patent applications, and publications relate, at least in part, to fiber lasers and amplifiers, ultrashort laser material processing, optical measurement techniques, and/or various arrangements for generating groups of laser pulses: U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,602; U.S. Pat. No. 6,664,498; U.S. Pat. No. 6,954,575; U.S. Pat. No. 7,088,878; U.S. Pat. No. 7,580,432; U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2002/0167581; U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2003/0151053; U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2005/0218122; U.S Patent Application Pub. No. 2010/0272137; WIPO Pub. No. 2009146671; Strickland and G. Mourou, Opt. Commun. 56, 219 (1985)., H. Hofer et. al., Opt. Lett. 23, 1840 (1998); M. E. Fermann et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 84, 2000 (2010).
Various applications require multiple beams or pulse trains. In such applications, pulses in the multiple beams may have a well-defined relative time interval, requiring some level of synchronization. Time domain measurements are an example. More specifically, with optical time gating or correlation techniques, a first beam is used for optical interaction with a sample, and a second beam is used for a time gating or correlation function. Specifically, for an ultrashort measurement, synchronization is needed to obtain the desired time resolution. Terahertz spectroscopy, optical pump-probe spectroscopy and other time gated imaging processes utilizing an ultrashort pulse laser fall into this application category.
Conventional laser-based systems used for such applications are often designed to create pulses with sufficiently high energy, and to subsequently divide the beam into multiple beam paths in the application system.
Amplification of high intensity optical pulses in an optical fiber and other gain media, for example regenerative amplifiers, ultimately requires consideration of nonlinearity. Often the pulse energy constraint results in limited average power. Increasing the average power without loss of pulse energy would be a useful improvement for high peak power pulse laser systems.
Therefore, a need exists to extend the peak power capability of pulsed laser sources, including fiber based systems, regenerative amplifiers, thin disk lasers, and the like.

Optical pulse source with increased peak power


A reserve tank structure for enhancing the degree of freedom in the layout of the filling portion of the reserve tank and the mounting bracket and the degree of freedom in the layout of parts around the reserve tank. A reserve tank structure includes a reserve hose for connecting a reserve tank to a radiator. The reserve tank includes a tank body portion for reserving a cooling water with a filling portion that extends upwardly from the tank body portion and includes a water supply port on an upper end thereof. A hose plug is connected to an end portion of the reserve hose. Mounting brackets support an intermediate portion of the reserve hose wherein the mounting bracket is mounted on the filling portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reserve tank structure wherein a reserve tank is connected to a radiator by way of a reserve hose.
2. Description of Background Art
A radiator cools cooling water by using an air current and by using a fan to create a flow of air over the radiator. The radiator is mounted on a vehicle that includes a water-cooled engine. A reserve tank, that can supply or discharge the cooling water for adjusting an amount of water, is connected to the radiator by way of a reserve hose. See, for example, JP-A-62-76795.
A reserve tank which is described in JP-A-62-76795 includes a tank body portion which reserves cooling water and a filling portion which includes a water supply port formed in an upper end thereof. Further, a plurality of mounting brackets, that support the reserve hose, are mounted on an outer peripheral portion of the tank body portion in a projecting manner.
In the structure of the reserve tank described in JP-A-62-76795, in addition to a filling port, a plurality of mounting brackets are formed on an outer peripheral portion of the tank body portion in a projecting manner. Thus, it is necessary to adopt a layout which can obviate the interference of the filling portion and the mounting brackets with each other. Accordingly, the layout of the filling portion and the mounting brackets is restricted. Further, the layout of parts around the filling portion which are required to obviate the interference with the filling port and the mounting brackets is also restricted.


The present invention provides a dialog system, a dialog execution method and a computer program which are capable of easily updating input information and output information of a dialog scenario and easily changing a plurality of modalities by using a general-purpose dialog scenario. In a dialog system that receives information from outside, controls the pursuit of dialog along the stored dialog scenario and outputs information along the dialog scenario to the outside, a dialog scenario written by using information for identifying the meaning of words/phrases used in the input information and the output information is stored, one or a plurality of words/phrases are stored in association with information for identifying the meaning of words/phrases, input information is analyzed, a corresponding word/phrase is extracted based on the derived information for identifying the meaning of words/phrases, and output information along a dialog scenario stored, based on the extracted word/phrase is outputted.

The present invention relates to a dialog system, a dialog system execution method and a computer memory product which permits smooth communication of information between a computer and a user.
With the recent rapid improvement in the processing ability of computers and the popularization of communication environments such as the Internet, the users have increasing opportunities to acquire information through computers, and the computers have increasing opportunities to notify the users of information. Hence, it is urgent to develop dialog interfaces that allow not only engineers having a thorough knowledge of computers but also ordinary home users who are not necessarily familiar with computers to receive various information services while communicating with a computer.
A dialog system for providing various information services sets a dialog procedure corresponding to a specific service. Setting a dialog procedure for each individual service requires the developer of the dialog system to perform complicated work, and consequently the development cost of the dialog system increases. Nowadays, therefore, many dialog systems having a general-purpose dialog scenario applicable to a large number of services have been developed.
For example, user's input information inputted from an input unit and output information (screen or voice information) outputted to an output unit, and the system's processing procedure for the user's input information are written in a dialog scenario. By applying the dialog scenario to a plurality of services, there is no need to set a dialog procedure for each individual service.
Typical examples of languages for writing a dialog scenario include HTML that realizes a dialog using a screen, and VoiceXML that realizes a dialog using voice. Moreover, not only description languages for realizing a single modality, for example, a description language dealing with only the screen or voice, but also description languages such as X+V and SALT for realizing multi-modality including a combination of screen and voice, and description languages such as XISL extendable to applications other than screen and voice are used (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-234789 (1996)).
A dialog scenario is composed of expression data representing expressions to be outputted to the user by the dialog system, recognition data for receiving an input from the user, and execution procedure data that is the procedure of executing an expression and an input. In the case of VoiceXML, for example, a prompt indicating a character string subjected to voice synthesis is written as expression data, a voice recognition grammar is written as recognition data, and the procedure of executing prompt output and voice recognition is written as execution procedure data.

System and method for updating information for various dialog modalities in a dialog scenario according to a semantic context


A vehicular control system includes a smart key carried by a user and operated by an embedded battery and a verification ECU mounted in a vehicle. A wireless communication is made between the smart key and the verification ECU. The smart key performs periodically a switchover of a detection sensitivity for detecting a transmission electric wave transmitted from the verification ECU between a normal sensitivity and a high sensitivity. The high sensitivity has a detection area of the transmission electric wave greater than a detection area of the normal sensitivity. The constant use of the high sensitivity is unnecessary to detect the transmission electric wave. This enables a reduction of the consumed electric current of the battery for detecting the transmission electric wave with the high sensitivity.

Patent document 1: JP 2000-73635 A (U.S. Pat. No. 6,552,649 B)
A keyless entry system or smart entry system is conventionally known to lock and unlock a door of a vehicle without need of a user inserting a key into a key cylinder.
In the keyless entry system, a user manipulates a button in a key of a portable terminal to thereby transmit a wireless signal; upon receiving the wireless signal, an in-vehicle apparatus locks or unlocks a door of the vehicle.
In contrast, in the smart entry system, an in-vehicle apparatus (smart ECU) mounted in a vehicle transmits a request signal; a smart key (portable terminal) transmits a response signal in response to the request signal. The in-vehicle apparatus collates the received response signal and unlocks and locks a door of the vehicle based on the collation result.
Patent document 1 proposes a vehicular control system that transmits an electric wave of high frequency from an in-vehicle apparatus in order to extend a detection area of a portable transceiver in an area surrounding a vehicle.
Further, Patent document 1 proposes a configuration which has short-range areas and long-range areas larger than the short-range areas in an area surrounding a vehicle. Further, according to a degree of an approach of the portable transceiver towards the vehicle, the short-range areas and the long-range areas are switched therebetween, thereby detecting the approach of the portable transceiver. The short-range area is a reachable region of a short-range use signal carried on electric waves of low frequency. The long-range area is a reachable region of a long-range use signal carried on electric waves of high frequency.
When entering the long-range area where the electric waves of high frequency are transmitted, the portable transceiver replies a reply signal. The in-vehicle apparatus recognizes the reply signal, thereby detecting the portable transceiver. Thus, unnecessary consumption of an in-vehicle battery is prevented because the in-vehicle apparatus switches the detection areas of the portable transceiver.

Vehicular control system and portable terminal


A container for storing and dispensing viscous liquids which dispenses from the bottom of the container and which has a self-closing, non-drip dispensing spout. The dispensing spout may be provided on the bottom of an upright container having a cap at the other extremity or as a part of a removable cap for the container having a flat upper surface for storing the container in an inverted position. A self-operating closure allows one-handed operation of the container. The self-operating closure has a pivotable dispensing tube and valve with an open position and a closed position which is operated by the pivoting action of the dispensing tube. The pivotable dispensing tube and the valve are biased into a closed position to make the closure self-operating. A detent may be provided for holding the pivotable dispensing tube in an open position against the bias. The closure is operated by urging the pivotable dispensing tube past the detent, either manually or by setting the dispensing bottle down on a horizontal surface, whereupon the dispensing tube and therefore the valve are urged to a closed position. The fluid passage through the pivotable dispensing spout is configured so that, when the dispensing spout is in the closed position, any fluid within the passage will tend to flow back toward the closed valve instead of dripping from the end of the dispensing tube.

Viscous liquids, such as liquid soap, hand lotion, sun screen, shampoo, hair conditioner, or food condiments like mustard, catchup, mayonnaise, etc., pose particular difficulties in dispensing. The viscosity of these liquids makes it difficult to dispense them from standard, top-opening containers because the liquid tends stay in the bottom of the container even when the container is inverted. It often takes considerable patience on the part of the user to wait until the viscous liquid reaches the opening or the dispensing spout on the top of the container after the container is inverted. If the container is only partially full or if the liquid is particularly viscous, the weight of the liquid by itself is sometimes not enough to create sufficient shear force to overcome the viscosity and to initiate flow. The user must frequently resort to shaking or banging the container to coax the liquid out. It would be much more convenient for the user if the liquid were always close to the opening or dispensing tube of the container so that it is immediately ready to be dispensed.
One attempted solution to this problem that has been available for years is the use of pump-type dispensers on containers for viscous liquids. The dispenser pump typically has a scavenging tube which reaches down to the bottom of the container. Once the pump is primed with the liquid, it generally stays primed so that the liquid can immediately be dispensed by pressing on the pump without waiting for the liquid to rise from the bottom of the container. This, however, is an incomplete solution to the problem. Pump-type dispensers are rarely effective at dispensing all of the liquid which is inside the container, especially when the liquid is viscous. Some liquid nearly always remains in the bottom of the container beyond the reach of the scavenging tube. This is wasteful and it is frequently frustrating to the user who struggles to get the last bit of product out of the container. Particularly with viscous liquids, the dispenser pumps are also prone to dripping between uses which causes some small mess on the counter or shelf or on the outside of the container. Another problem with this solution is that the long, thin tubes that lead to and from the pump mechanism have a tendency to clog when the liquid dries or thickens in the tubes between uses. The complexity of dispensing pumps also makes them prone to breakage or mechanical failure and also adds to the expense of the container. Pump dispersers of this type are convenient for stationary, countertop use, but they pose special problems when traveling because the pump mechanism can be inadvertently activated inside of the user's luggage or purse when something presses against the pump when closing the luggage or when things move around inside the luggage during travel or baggage handling. Adding a locking mechanism or overcap to the pump dispenser for storage or travel solves this problem, but it increases the complexity and cost of the container.
Another solution to the problems associated with dispensing viscous liquids which has gained recent popularity in the packaging industry is the use of self-standing tube containers. Typically, a self-standing tube container consists of a flexible plastic squeeze tube or bottle with a screw-on cap that is adapted to act as a base to stand the tube on its end. The cap may be a simple screw-on lid or it may have a flip-top or a dispensing tube or spout incorporated into the cap. The cap is made with a wide, flat end surface that provides a stable base for standing the tube or bottle up on its end. Because the closed end of a squeeze tube is pointed, the cap is generally the only surface of the container suitable for standing the tube on a shelf, insuring that the container will always be stored in the correct inverted position. Likewise, when the container is a flexible plastic bottle, the end of the bottle opposite the cap is sometimes made with a rounded end so that the cap is the only surface suitable to stand the bottle on a shelf. Because the container rests on the shelf in an inverted position with the cap down, the liquid inside always settles near the opening or dispensing tube of the container for immediate dispensing. However, this too is an incomplete solution to the problem. Simple screw-on caps are inconvenient in this application, because it often requires three hands to operate them. If a user has picked up a container of, say, hand lotion with one hand and taken the cap off with the other hand, the user must put the cap down in order to dispense the hand lotion onto the free hand. Now the user has the container in one hand and a dollop of hand lotion in the other. He or she does not have a free hand left to pick the cap up and put it back on the container. However, he or she cannot set the tube down to finish applying the hand lotion because the only standing surface on the container is on the cap which is currently lying by itself on the countertop. This frustrating situation usually results in odd contortions or careful juggling acts to apply the lotion or to finagle the cap back onto the container without a free hand. Flip-top caps or caps with built-in dispensing tubes simplify this problem because the cap remains attached to the container during dispensing, but it is still difficult to close the container without a free hand so that it can be set down while applying the dispensed lotion. It would be desirable therefore to provide a container which does not require a spare hand and can close itself after the user is through with dispensing.


A method, system, and computer program product is provided for automatically searching and injecting a multi-person chat history into a chat session, and allowing users to inject a multi-person chat history into a new chat session. After comparing new chat session participants with chat history participants stored in a chat log within a predetermined temporal window to determine a number of similar participants after the new chat session is created, there is performed one of injecting the chat history into the new chat session automatically when the number of similar participants is at least as great as a first predetermined threshold; or prompting a user response to inject the chat history into the new chat session when the number of similar participants is at least as great as a second threshold, where the chat history is injected into the new chat session when the user affirmatively responds to the prompt.

On-line network chat, or real-time computer chat, is well known and typically involves communication amongst two or more client computers across a computer network via a conference, or chat room. When a chat session is established in chat room, messages sent from a client computer that is party to the chat session are sent to all other clients that are party to the session. The distribution of messages amongst the participating clients takes place substantially in real-time thereby giving the users of the client computers a sense of real-time communication with others.
Well known in the art is the ability to store a chat history, or a record of all client communications during a particular chat, that has taken place during a particular chat session to a storage medium. Often, however, chats about a single subject can take place over multiple chat sessions. In these situations, the chat history from a previous chat would be useful to retain context for the current chat session. Current solutions, however, do not recognize the continuation of a chat session and do not allow retrieval of a chat history for use in a current chat session.

System, method and computer program product for intelligent multi-person chat history injection

International Business Machines Corporation


A monitor support structure generally comprises a clamping unit, a rotatable arm, a support arm, a pivotal connecting unit, a linking rod, and a shiftable unit. The clamping unit is provided for fixing so as to allow the monitor support structure to hold and support an article. The pivotal connecting unit allows the support arm to shift upward or downward for adjusting the tilt angle of the article. Besides, the elastic devices provide the elastic force for pulling the support arm downward so as to share the weight of the article. Moreover, the linking rod can balance the weight of the article for steadily supporting the article.

The monitor support structure must be angle-adjustable, frontward/backward adjustable, and leftward/rightward adjustable, besides providing the basic support function. With the gradual improvement in high-tech product, the traditional CRT monitor is gradually replaced by the LCD monitor. The LCD monitor has certain volume and weight even if it is thin and light and occupies smaller space. Therefore, the user must apply a certain amount of force for adjusting the angle of the support structure.
Furthermore, there exists a tendency to provide the LCD monitor with a bigger screen size, which makes the LCD monitor heavier. As a result, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a monitor support structure with better support torque and make it suitable for all view angles.


Methods for testing magnetoresistance of test devices with layer stacks, such as MTJs, fabricated on a wafer are described. The test devices can be fabricated along with arrays of similarly structured memory cells on a production wafer to allow in-process testing. The test devices with contact pads at opposite ends of the bottom electrode allow resistance across the bottom electrode to be measured as a surrogate for measuring resistance between the top and bottom electrodes. An MTJ test device according to the invention has a measurable magnetoresistance (MR) between the two contact pads that is a function of the magnetic orientation of the free layer and varies with the length and width of the MTJ strip in each test device. The set of test MTJs can include a selected range of lengths to allow the tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) and resistance area product (RA) to be estimated or predicted.

Magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cells including magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) memory elements will be described as examples of devices that can be used with the method of the invention. MTJs can be designed with in-plane or perpendicular magnetization directions with respect to the film surface. The free magnetic layer in an MTJ memory element has a magnetization direction that is switchable in either of two directions. The resistivity of the whole MTJ layer stack changes when the magnetization of the free layer changes direction relative to that of the reference layer, exhibiting a low resistance state when the magnetization orientation of the two ferromagnetic layers is substantially parallel and a high resistance when they are anti-parallel. Therefore, the cells have two stable states that allow the cells to serve as non-volatile memory elements.
The MRAM cells in an array on a chip are connected by metal word and bit lines. Each memory cell is connected to a word line and a bit line. The word lines connect rows of cells, and bit lines connect columns of cells. Typically CMOS structures include a selection transistor which is electrically connected to the MTJ stack through the top or bottom metal contacts. The direction of the current flow is between top and bottom metal electrode contacts.
Reading the state of the cell is achieved by detecting whether the electrical resistance of the cell is in the high or low state. Writing the cells requires a sufficiently high DC current flowing in the direction through the MTJ stack between the top and bottom metal electrode contacts to induce a spin transfer torque that orients (switches) the free layer into the desired direction. The amount of current needed to write the cells is higher than the current that flows during the read process, so that a read operation does not change the state of the cell.
A memory element of MRAM typically consists of a bottom electrode, a MTJ (Magnetic Tunnel Junction) with a barrier layer such as MgO sandwiched between a top magnetic layer underneath a top electrode (TE) and a bottom magnetic layer on top of a bottom electrode (BE). One of the magnetic layers serves as the free layer with a switchable magnetization, and the magnetization of the reference layer remains fixed in normal operation. In a typical fabrication process the layers of the memory element/device are deposited and patterned, then the back end of line (BEOL) process is performed as a series of steps in which the top electrode is connected to a bit line. The core component of the STT-MRAM (Spin Torque Transfer Magnetic Random Access memory) is the magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). The resistance area product (RA) and tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) qualities of the MTJ critically affect the performance of STT-MRAM. The ability to characterize these properties (RA, TMR) during fabrication is important for quality control and reduced overall cost. In the prior art RA and TMR can be characterized both in the sheet film level (before etching) and after back end of line (BEOL) process. However, there is a need for RA and TMR characterization right after MTJ etch process before the wafer moves into BEOL process. Such a characterization ability is important for etching quality control, speeding up production evaluation and reducing development time.
A method that is preferably nondestructive is desired for obtaining timely feedback in the design/research process and for monitoring of fabrication process after the MTJ pillars have been etched on the wafer.
Worledge, et al. have described a method for measuring magnetoresistance (MR) and resistance area product (RA) of unpatterned magnetic tunnel junction film stacks. The RA is measured by making a series of four-point probe resistance measurements on the surface of an unpatterned wafer at various probe tip spacings. The probe tips are spaced apart on the order of microns for typical applications. The MR is obtained by repeating the measurement while applying different magnetic fields. (Worledge, et al.; Magnetoresistance measurement of unpatterned magnetic tunnel junction wafers by current-in-plane tunneling, Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 83, No. 1, 7 Jul. 2003, pp. 84-86; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,927,569.)
Commercially available automated metrology tools (e.g. from CAPRES), which are designed for measuring selected magnetic parameters of unpatterned MTJ film stacks, use multi-point probes with probe tip spacings in the micron range. Four- and twelve-point probes are available for these automated metrology tools. As an example, a CAPRES twelve-point probe is used with a 12-by-4 multiplexor (MUX) to select a total of 495 different pin-configurations each with different probe spacings (pitch). This approach allows the selected tests to be performed with different probe spacings without having to have the tips be movable with respect to each other. Existing automated metrology tools also provide means for applying a selected magnetic field to the test sample.

Devices and methods for measurement of magnetic characteristics of MRAM wafers using magnetoresistive test strips


A system for simulating a network includes a request processor operably connected to a simulation engine. The request processor receives a request for network simulation data and input data relating to a topology of a network including node data and relationship data with relationship parameters. The simulation engine outputs a stream of event data based on the relationship data to the request processor and generates respective events by determining a source node and a destination node and corresponding relationship parameters, determining an event time, and determining a transfer value. The simulation engine also, in response to a determination that the transfer value does not exceed a current resource level of the source node, decrements the current resource level of the source node by the transfer value, increments a current resource level of the destination node by the transfer value, generates event data, spawns an event generation process, transmits update data, spawns at least one additional event generation process, and streams the event data to the request processor for transmission to a user device.

The present invention relates to network simulation methods and systems.
Commercial-scale computer networks can be large and complex, and accordingly, it can be difficult to understand their behaviour using analytical methods such as those based on graph theory. For this reason, engineers or technicians wishing to gain insight into network behaviour have more recently turned to network simulation software.
A particular problem which arises in computer networks used in the financial industry, such as card payment networks or Automated Clearing House (ACH) systems, is that in addition to their complex topology, the nature of the data being transmitted across the network is highly confidential. Testing of algorithms (such as fraud detection algorithms) or network performance is therefore challenging, because of data security and privacy requirements. In addition, there can be data ownership issues since network participants may own the data rather than it being centrally available. Payments data is extremely sensitive in nature and thus access to it, and subsequent analysis, requires strict compliance with the law, typically meaning that access can only be obtained in restricted physical or digital environments.
The present invention seeks to address the above difficulties.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for simulating network events


A system for coupling a heat sink to an electrical device independently of a clamping member that is used to place a coupling force between the electrical device and a substrate to which the electrical device is to be electrically connected. The system includes a clamping member adapted to push the electrical device against the substrate, to assist in electrical connection between the electrical device and the substrate, the clamping member defining a through-hole leading to the electrical device. There is also a heat-conducting member in the clamping member through-hole and adapted to thermally contact the electrical device to conduct heat away from the electrical device. A heat sink is in thermal contact with the heat-conducting member, to dissipate heat from the electrical device.

In a typical connector, an electrical device such as a computer chip is electrically connected to the pad array on a chip carrier or substrate board by applying pressure to the top surface of the device with a rigid clamping element. The electrical connection is then made through a variety of conductors or conductive contacts, including but not limited to: an electrically conductive interposer material, mechanical pins, conductive contact pads, or conductive materials.
Most times, proper electrical contact between the device and the substrate requires a particular compressive load that is proportional to the number of contacts. This compressive load is typically applied to the device by a rigid plate activated by any of a number of different controlled-force or controlled-displacement mechanisms.
In a typical connector, the device is contacted over its entire contact surface by the full pressure of the clamping member. Often there are regions on the device that could be damaged by contact at full clamping pressure. If these areas are relieved in the clamping member such that the clamping member does not touch the device in the relieved areas, there might be insufficient heat transfer into or out of the device.

System for loading a heat sink mechanism independently of clamping load on electrical device


The optometric apparatus desinged to reduce the number of switches for operating the apparatus and facilitate the switch operation of the apparatus, thereby allowing the examiner to conduct the examination efficiently. The optometric apparatus for performing optometry by selectively disposing in a test window a corrective optical system having various optical elements and by presenting a target of a target presenting device to an eye to be examined through the test window, the optometric apparatus comprising: driving circuit for electrically driving the corrective optical system; item designating switches for designating a correction item to be changed for changing a refraction characteristic of the test window; selecting switches for setting a plurality of steps to change the correction item and for selecting one of the plurality of the set change steps, the selecting switches being common to a plurality of correction items; and change designating switches for designating the change of the refraction characteristic of the correction optical system on the basis of the change step which is set on the basis of signals from the selecting switch and the item designating switch.

The present invention relates to an optometric apparatus for examining the visual function of an eye to be examined.
An optimetric apparatus in which a test target is presented for an eye to be examined to examine the visual acuity of the eye to be examined is conventionally known. Also, an optometric apparatus is known which has an optical unit in which a correction optical system constituted by a combination of optical elements is selectively disposed in a test window by rotating a lens disk in which a multiplicity of optical elements having various optical characteristics are arranged to subjectively examine the refractive power of the eye to be examined. These apparatuses are generally provided with an operation panel having a multiplicity of switches for inputting and commanding to operate the apparatus.
Recently, an apparatus which is designed to provide control in a concentrated manner by means of a single operation panel by combining these optometric apparatuses has been provided. Further, an apparatus has been proposed which allows even an examiner with little expert knowledge or experience in optometry to easily perform optometry by programming the test procedure in operating such an optometric apparatus. In such an apparatus, an optometric program is formulated by preparing in advance a basic optimetric procedure. However, since the examination policy can change depending on the examiner, an arrangement is provided such that the setting of an optometric program can be inputted by the examiner himself or herself to allow a number of optimetric programs to be selected in one apparatus.
Further, an electrically-powered apparatus has been proposed in which the changeover and disposition of the correction optical system is effected by a motor or the like. In this type of apparatus, after various items such as S (spherical power), C (cylinder power), A (angle of cylinder axis), and the like are designated, a switch for changing numerical values is operated, thereby allowing the correction optical system on the optical unit side to be adjusted in interlocking relation to the input of that switch signal. The examiner is able to change the step of adjustment of the numerical value for each item in conformity with the state of the eye being examined or the examination policy.
However, if the optometric apparatus is thus provided with a multiplicity of functions, it is necessary to provide on the operation panel a multiplicity of exclusive-use switches, such as a switch for changing the correction optical system, a switch for changing over the test target, a switch for selecting an optometric program or advancing the program, and switches for selecting the range of adjustment step for the respective items. If the multiplicity of switches are provided, the operation panel becomes complex, and it takes time even in searching switches. Further, there is a limit in the number of switches which are arranged on the operation panel.
Furthermore, in a case where, in the input of numerical values for the respective items, numerical values are changed by large degrees and are subsequently finely adjusted, there has been a drawback in that if numerical-value changing switches are operated by selecting the range of adjustment step by the exclusive-use switches on each such occasion, the switch operation is complicated, and it takes time in the examination.


A method and an electronic device for network search. The network search method in an electronic device includes scanning a frequency band corresponding to a first communication system to search for a first Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN); when discovering a second PLMN as a result of the scanning, determining whether a frequency band of the second PLMN and a frequency band of a second communication system overlap each other; and when the frequency band of the second PLMN and the frequency band of the second communication system overlap each other, scanning the other frequency band excluding the overlapping frequency band in the entire frequency band corresponding to the second communication system to search for the first PLMN.

As electronic devices such as smart phone and tablet Personal Computer (PC) rapidly advance, the electronic device allowing wireless voice call and information exchange becomes necessary for daily life. When first introduced, the electronic device provided the features of portability and wireless communication. As technology has advanced and wireless Internet is introduced, advanced portable terminals are now provided as multimedia devices supporting functions such as schedule management, games, remote control, image capturing, and projector, to thus meet user's demands.
In particular, as various communication systems are provided recently, the electronic device supports various communication systems. For example, a mobile electronic device supports at least two communication systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA). For the wireless communication, the electronic device needs to search for an accessible Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) by scanning a frequency band corresponding to the communication system. The short scanning time of the frequency band allows the rapid communication.
However, the related art scans the whole frequency band supported by the electronic device based on the communication system. As a result, as the number of the communication systems increases, the frequency band scan time for the PLMN search also increases.
In this regard, what is needed is a method for shortening the frequency band scan time in the electronic device supporting the plurality of the communication systems.

Method and electronic device for network search


A cover of a simple construction is provided which can deal with a distance variation between battery posts. The cover 6 is made of a rubber material and has a narrow box-like configuration. A bottomed middle portion of the cover 6 forms a tubular portion 107 through which a braided wire 3 of a battery connection terminal 1 is to be passed, and the opposite ends thereof form post cover portions 108 for covering battery posts 2. Further, slits 9 are formed in side walls between the tubular portion 107 and the post cover portions 108, so that the post cover portions 108 can be bent upward. In this way, since the cover 6 can be elongated and contracted according to a distance between the battery posts 2, it can be easily mounted and the action of an undesired force on the cover 6 due to the vibration of batteries 5 can be effectively prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cover for at least partially covering a connection terminal for connecting battery posts.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the development of electric automotive vehicles, a plurality of batteries are connected to construct a drive source of large capacity. A battery connection terminal is used to connect the batteries. The battery connection terminal is constructed such that terminal portions, fittable to the respective battery posts, are provided at the opposite ends of a braided wire.
A cover made of a resin is mounted on this battery connection terminal. The prior art cover has a narrow box-like configuration having an open lower surface, and the opposite ends thereof are fittable to the spaced-apart battery posts.
Since the prior art resin cover has a fixed length, it cannot be mounted if a distance between the battery posts varies even due to a slight displacement of the batteries. Further, if the batteries vibrate while the cover is mounted, the cover may be forcibly pulled according to the vibration, with the result that the cover may be subject to an undesirable stress.
To overcome the above problem, the prior art cover may be provided with a mechanism for elongating and contracting it according to a distance variation between the battery posts. However, such a mechanism makes the cover larger and is not economically preferable.
The present invention was developed in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cover for a battery connection terminal which has a simple construction and is preferably capable of dealing with a distance variation between battery posts.


The invention concerns an integrated circuit comprising means of delivering, on at least one output, a predetermined output voltage representative of a logic level, means of distributing a mains voltage and means of generating an internal voltage reference lower than the mains voltage, comprising means of connecting the mains voltage to the output and means of limiting and/or detecting the voltage at the output at the predetermined output voltage value, taking into account the reference voltage.

The invention concerns, in particular, the communication between two integrated circuits, e.g. via a USB connection. A USB buffer must in fact provide logic actions "1" and "0" at output, on a connection which can reach an output of 500 pF of capacitance, with a switching time of approximately 20 ns. The USB standard specifies that level "1" must have a voltage of 3V, whatever the mains voltage may be.
Normally, a USB buffer is just a power switch and is powered by a regulator delivering a constant 3V. This regulator must therefore have a very large output capacitor 15, in order to be able to support the peaks in current, in the region of 100 mA for 20 ns. In fact, it would not be able to react in 20 ns (as illustrated in FIG. 2) without this capacitor, and the voltage would then drop greatly without the latter.
FIG. 1 illustrates such a device. It therefore comprises a regulator 11, comprising an operational amplifier 111, which receives a Vbgap reference voltage on its positive terminal, for example, of 1.2 V. This operational amplifier 111 is connected to a transistor 112, this latter looping back to the negative input of the former, via a resistor 113. This regulator therefore delivers a DC voltage of 3 V to be regulated, with the aid of the external capacitor 14, which is directed in particular towards the buffer 12.
This buffer comprises two transistors 121 and 122, PMOS and NMOS respectively, which receive a command signal 123, and deliver on a resistor 124 the invention corresponding to the desired logic level.
As mentioned above, in order to obtain a response time below 20 ns, it is necessary to provide for an external capacitor 13, of a value of 500 pF for example. This necessitates providing for a specific output terminal on the integrated circuit, in order to connect this external capacitor 13.
Furthermore, such a capacitor increases the cost of the assembly, as well as the space required and the complexity of assembly.
Moreover, a regulator, assuming the presence of an operational amplifier, leads to a significant crowding of the surface of the integrated circuit.
The objective of the invention is in particular to reduce these various difficulties with the state of the art.
More specifically, one objective of the invention is to produce an integrated circuit capable of delivering a predetermined output voltage representative of a logic level, whatever the mains voltage, which does not require any external component, particularly a capacitor, to support peaks in current.
Another objective of the invention is to produce such an integrated circuit, which does not require the presence of a standard USB regulator, assuming the presence of an operational amplifier.
Another objective of the invention is to produce such an integrated circuit, which allows for simplifying the design, manufacture and assembly of the integrated circuit.
In other words, one objective of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient technique which uses little of the silicon surface, to produce such an integrated circuit.
The objective of the invention is also to produce such an integrated circuit, which offers a very short rise time up to the desired voltage, e.g. in the region of 20 ns.

Integrated circuit delivering logic levels at a voltage independent from the mains voltage, with no attached regulator for the power section, and corresponding communication module


An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a dual-in line memory module (DIMM) socket having a first electrical circuit component embedded in a latch of the DIMM socket. The first electrical circuit component has a first exposed electrical contact that is to contact or not contact a second exposed electrical contact of a second electrical circuit component that is embedded in a housing of the socket depending on whether a corner of a DIMM is or is not properly inserted into the DIMM socket.

Increased performance of computing systems is frequently achieved by integrating more signal wires into smaller and smaller form factors. An area of concern is the electro-mechanical coupling of a memory module, such as a dual in-line memory module (DIMM), to a motherboard or other base electronic circuit board. Here, as the distance between I/Os becomes shorter and/or the number of I/Os increases, failure mechanisms of the module/bard attachment are likely emerge.

Dual in-line memory module (DIMM) socket circuit to detect improper insertion of a DIMM edge into a DIMM socket


A reduced-voltage/zero-current transition (RV/ZC-T) PWM converter includes an added active resonant network shunting the active power switch to reduce the switching losses in both the active power and and passive rectifier switches. The active power switch turns-on under reduced-voltage while the rectifier diode turns-off under zero-current. A soft current turn-off of the rectifier makes this converter suitable for high voltage applications where the reverse recovery losses of the diode can be considerable. An auxiliary switch included in the resonant network also operates with zero-current- switching.

Size and weight is a major design variable in the design of any power supply. The size and weight of a conventional pulse- width-modulated (PWM) supply, of a given power rating, may be significantly reduced by increasing its switching frequency. This reduces the size of energy storage components in the circuit since energy storage levels per cycle are reduced at the higher frequency. Without a change in circuit design the increase in switching frequency increases power losses due to the increased number of power switching transitions within a given time interval. Therefore, in order to operate power supplies at high switching frequencies, and gain the full benefit of reduced size and weight, the power switching losses need to be minimized. A number of soft-switching power processing techniques, using "soft" waveforms have been developed to reduce these switching losses. These switching losses are reduced, in some power processing techniques, by circulating energy due to power switch transitions within the power supply as opposed to allowing it to dissipate.
One of the first power processing techniques developed to minimize switching transition losses was the zero-voltage-switched (ZVS) quasi-resonant-converters (QRC). The voltage across the switch is constrained to be zero at the off-to-on transition of the power switch by use of resonant signals. In quasi-resonant-converters resonant signals are quenched within a single cycle of operation. The ZVS-QRC significantly reduces the turn-on switching loss without increasing the current stress through the converter (relative to conventional PWM converters). Unfortunately, in single-ended topologies the voltage stress applied to the principal active power switch is increased considerably and is dependent on the line and load voltage. Furthermore, the junction capacitance of the rectifier diodes causes large parasitic ringing. Parasitic ringing is detrimental to the operation of the converter and this ringing in conjunction with the increased voltage stress of the active switch, limits the number of applications of ZVS-QRCs.
Zero-voltage-switched (ZVS) multi-resonant-converters (MRC), developed subsequently, minimize the effect of this parasitic ringing present in ZVS-QRCs. ZVS-MRCs absorb all of the major parasitic elements in a typical power supply. But soft-switching operation of the semiconductor components in a ZVS-MRC is achieved at the expense of an increased circulation of energy. ZVS-MRCs operate with increased current and voltage stresses as compared to traditional PWM converters, resulting in increased conduction losses that limit application of ZVS-MRCs to high-frequency, low power applications.
A recent family of switching converters utilizes zero voltage/zero- current transition (ZV/ZC-T) in which switching losses are significantly reduced in both active and passive power switches. These switching converters, as well as those converters of the prior art described above, generally have a limited load range because of the requirement of zero voltage switching. It is desirable for switching converters to have a wide range of load accommodation in order to achieve commercial acceptability.

Reduced voltage/zero current transition boost power converter