A nonlinear video editing apparatus has a magneto-optical disk for storing a compressed video data, a hard disk for temporarily storing the video data transferred from the magneto-optical disk, and a FIFO buffer for storing the video data from the hard disk for continuously producing the stored video data to an expander at which the compressed video data is expanded. The hard disk has the random access performance faster than that of the magneto-optical disk. Thus, the FIFO buffer can supply the video data to the expander without any interruption.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video editing apparatus for editing video images by dividing the video into plural image shots and then recombining said shots.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a conventional nonlinear video editing apparatus. The video editing process with this apparatus consists of dividing a linearly recorded video signal into plural image shots, and then resequencing the reproduction timing of these shots according to the editing information.
The concept of this video editing process using a video tape medium is illustrated in FIG. 14, in which the source video tape is, for example, the tape obtained at the spot where the action took place, the MO (magneto-optical) disk a temporary recording medium on which the video signal from the source video tape is compressed and stored, and the master video tape is, for example, the tape used for news broadcasting in which various numbers of shots from the source video tape are rearranged. The rearrangement of various shots are possible, because of the random access on the MO disk.
As shown in FIG. 14, the video signal of the source video tape 1301 from frame 101 to frame 104 is named shot A; the period from frame 111 to frame 114, shot B; from frame 37101 to frame 37104, shot C; and from frame 37111 to frame 37114, shot D. It is noted that each of shots A, B, C and D includes four frames.
These shots are temporarily stored in the MO dusks and then copied to the new master video tape 1302 in the sequence shot A, shot C, shot B, and shot D. As a result, when the master video tape 1302 is subsequently reproduced, the edited video signal is linearly reproduced in the edited sequence A, C, B, and D.
The editing information used for the editing process shown in FIG. 14 is shown in the table in FIG. 15. This editing information comprises a shot name identifying the shot in the original media, i.e., the source video tape; the first and last frame numbers indicating the recording position of the shot on the source video tape; a shot number indicating the order in which the shots are reproduced from the master video tape; and the first and last reproduction frame numbers identifying the first and last frame numbers of the resequenced shots during reproduction in the master video tape.
Referring again to FIG. 13, the video editing apparatus comprises an editing information memory 1201 storing the above editing information. Data is entered to the editing information memory 1201 by the editor using a keyboard 1202 and/or mouse 1203 or other data entry device.
A magneto-optical (MO) disk 1204 is used to store the video information in a JPEG compression format. The MO disk 1204 is a removable, random-access storage medium accessed using a MO disk drive 1205. The MO disk drive 1205 has a minimum data transfer rate of 8 megabits/sec., and requires a maximum 90 ms to access any given random data.
This standard of MO disk drive performance can be easily achieved: the PMO-650 magneto-optical disk drive marketed by Pinnacle Micro (Irving, Calif., U.S.A.) achieves a data transfer rate of 4.2 megabytes/sec., i.e., 33.6 megabits/sec., in synchronous burst mode transmissions, and an effective random data access speed of 19 ms.
The MO disk drive 1205 is connected in this video editing apparatus by a SCSI interface cable 1206. Data from the MO disk 1204 is input to a 56-kilobyte capacity data FIFO buffer 1207. Data from the data FIFO buffer 1207 is input to the JPEG expander 1208 for data expansion, and is then displayed on the monitor 1209.
The reproduction controller 1210 controls the MO disk drive 1205 according to the editing information from the editing information memory 1201.
The vertical synchronization signal generator 1211 supplies the frame frequency of the NTSC signal to the overall system.
The video signal is compressed according to the JPEG standard to an average capacity of 8 kilobytes/frame before being sequentially stored to the MO disk 1204 with the first video frame assigned to sector 0 of the MO disk 1204. Note that the MO disk 1204 has a 512-byte sector size. Note, also, that if the first frame of each shot is X (such as 101) and the last frame is Y (such as 104), the first and last sectors of each shot can be obtained by the simple equations 16(X-1) and 16Y-1, respectively.
Storage of the video data from the source video tape 1301 to the MO disk 1204 is shown in FIG. 15.
FIG. 16 is a flow chart of the reproduction process of the reproduction controller 1210. This process is described briefly below.
When the reproduction command from the user (editor) is received (1601), the reproduction process begins (1602). This reproduction process starts with a video reproduction set-up routine (1603), is followed by a continuous reproduction routine (1604), and then terminates (1605).
It is to be noted that the variable N used to express the number of the image shot to be processed is used in common throughout the reproduction process. In the above example shown in FIG. 14, since there are four shots A, B, C and D, N increases 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the maximum N.sub.max is 4.
FIG. 17 is a flow chart of the video reproduction set-up routine (1603).
When the video reproduction set-up routine is started, the variable N is initialized to `1` (1702).
In step 1703, it is then determined whether a compressed video signal of four frames or more in duration is stored in data FIFO buffer 1207. If there is, the process terminates (1707); if not, control passes to the next step (1704).
In step 1704, the editing information `a` is referenced, and the MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to access the starting sector of shot number N on the MO disk 1204.
The compressed video data `c` of shot N is thus output from the MO disk 1204 to the data FIFO buffer 1207 (1705).
In step 1706, the counter is then incremented (N=N+1), and the process loops back to the test (1703).
The process terminates when step 1703 branches to step 1707.
This operation is described in more detail below with application to the editing information shown in FIG. 15.
When the video reproduction set-up routine is started (1701), the variable N is initialized to `1` (1702), and it is determined whether a compressed video signal of four frames or more in duration is stored in data FIFO buffer 1207 (1703). Since there is not at the initial stage, control passes to the next step (1704).
In step 1704, the editing information `a` is referenced, and MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to access sector 640.sub.H at the beginning of shot number N on the MO disk 1204.
The compressed video data `c` of shot 1 is thus output from the MO disk 1204 to the data FIFO buffer 1207 (1705). The data from sector 640.sub.H to sector 67F.sub.H of the MO disk 1204 is written to the data FIFO buffer 1207 at this time.
The counter is then incremented to N=2, and the process loops back to the test (1703).
In this pass, however, step 1703 determines that there are four frames or more of compressed video data stored to the data FIFO buffer 1207, and control branches to step 1707, thus terminating the video reproduction set-up routine.
FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the continuous reproduction routine. This routine basically comprises two subroutines that execute in parallel: a JPEG expansion control routine 1801 for controlling the JPEG expander 1208 from the data FIFO buffer 1207, and a data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802 for controlling data transfer from the MO disk 1204 to the data FIFO buffer 1207.
FIG. 19 is a flow chart of the JPEG expansion control process 1801.
Once the JPEG expansion control routine starts, it is determined whether compressed video data is stored in the data FIFO buffer 1207 (1902). If there is, control passes to the next step (1903); if not, the process terminates (1904).
In step 1903, one frame of compressed video data `d` is read synchronized to the vertical synchronization signal from the data FIFO buffer 1207, and JPEG expansion control signal `f` is output to the JPEG expander 1208 to expand the compressed data and thereby reproduce the original video data `e`. Control then loops back to the test (1902).
As a result, one frame at a time is reproduced synchronized to the vertical synchronization signal for as is long as there is compressed video data stored in the data FIFO buffer 1207.
FIG. 20 is a flow chart of the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802.
Once the data FIFO buffer fill routine starts, it is determined if there are four or fewer frames of compressed video data stored in the data FIFO buffer 1207 (2002). If there are, control flows to step 2003; if not, it loops back to 2002.
In step 2003, the editing information `a` is referenced to determine whether shot N is equal to or less than the maximum shot number N.sub.max. If it is, control flows to step 2004; if not, it jumps to step 2007 and the process terminates.
In step 2004, the MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to access the starting sector of shot number N on the MO disk 1204.
The compressed video data `c` of shot N is thus output from the MO disk 1204 to the data FIFO buffer 1207 (2005).
In step 2006, the counter is then incremented (N=N+1), and the process loops back to the test (2002).
The process terminates at step 2007.
Continuous reproduction of the editing information shown in FIG. 15 is shown in FIG. 21 and described below.
In FIG. 21, the upper section (a) illustrates control of the MO disk drive 1205 with the passage of time; and the lower section (b) shows the change in the number of frames remaining in the data FIFO buffer 1207.
When continuous reproduction starts, i.e., at 0 ms on the time scale, it is assumed that shot 1, i.e., shot A is already transferred to the data FIFO buffer 1207. Thus, there are already four frames of shot 1 stored in the data FIFO buffer 1207. The condition for the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802, particularly step 2002, is therefore satisfied, and the MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to the MO disk drive 1205 to access the starting sector (90EC0.sub.H) of shot 2, i.e., shot C, on the MO disk 1204. The MO disk drive 1205 therefore accomplishes a seek operation to access sector 90EC0.sub.H. The worst-case access time required for this operation is 90 ms.
Thus assuming the worst-case access time of 90 ms is required, 90 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, the 64 sectors, or 32 kilobytes, of data from sector 90EC0.sub.H to sector 90EFF.sub.H corresponding to shot 2 are read from the MO disk 1204 and output to the data FIFO buffer 1207. Because the data transfer rate of the MO disk drive 1205 is at worst 8 megabits/sec., this data transfer requires approximately 32 ms; data transfer is therefore completed at 122 ms after the start of continuous reproduction.
Thus, from the starting moment at 0 ms, access to the sector 90EC0.sub.H on the MO disk 1204 starts and, at the same time, transfer of four frames of shot 1 from data FIFO buffer 1207 to JPEG expander 1208 starts. In other words, the access operation in MO disk 1204 and the transfer operation in FIFO 1207 are carried in parallel.
It is noted that the transfer of the frames from data FIFO buffer 1207 to JPEG expander 1208 is carried out such that, during one frame transfer, no data shift takes place in FIFO buffer 1207, but when one frame data is transferred, data shift of one frame takes place in FIFO buffer 1207. It takes about 33 ms to transfer one frame. Thus, as shown in FIG. 21, such as by line L2, the amount of data remaining in FIFO buffer 1207 is decreased in steps.
After 90 ms from the start, the access operation to the sector 90EC0.sub.H on the MO disk 1204 completes so that transfer from MO disk 1204 to FIFO buffer 1207 starts. By the data transfer from the MO disk to the FIFO buffer, the data amount in FIFO buffer 1207 increases linearly, as shown by line L1 at the bottom of FIG. 21. At this time the step decrease in the FIFO buffer still continues. Thus, after 90 ms on the time scale, the linear increase L1 and the step decrease L2 of the data in the FIFO buffer 1207 are effected simultaneously. Thus, the data amount in FIFO buffer 1207 would be L1+L2 to present a serrated line as shown in section (b) in FIG. 21.
At the end of this data transfer operation, i.e., at a moment just before 133 ms on the time scale, 5 frames of data are stored (remain) in the data FIFO buffer 1207. The counter N is also incremented to N=3 after this data transfer operation, so that in the next cycle, shot 3 (shot B) will be transferred from the MO disk to the FIFO buffer.
At 133 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, there are again 4 frames remaining in the data FIFO buffer 1207. The condition required for the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802 (2002) is therefore again satisfied, and the MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to the MO disk drive 1205 to access the starting sector (6E0.sub.H) of shot 3 on the MO disk 1204. The MO disk drive 1205 therefore accomplishes a seek operation to access sector 6E0.sub.H. The worst-case access time required for this operation is 90 ms.
Thus assuming the worst-case access time of 90 ms is required, 223 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, the 64 sectors, or 32 kilobytes, of data from sector 6E0.sub.H to sector 71F.sub.H corresponding to shot 3 are read from the MO disk 1204 and output to the data FIFO buffer 1207. Because the data transfer rate of the MO disk drive 1205 is at worst 8 megabits/sec., this data transfer requires approximately 32 ms; data transfer is therefore completed at 255 ms after the start of continuous reproduction.
At the end of this data transfer operation, the number of frames stored (remaining) in the data FIFO buffer 1207 again increases to 5. The counter N is also incremented to N=4 after this data transfer operation, so that in the next cycle, shot 4 (shot D) will be transferred from the MO disk to the FIFO buffer.
At 267 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, there are again 4 remaining frames in the data FIFO buffer 1207. The condition required for the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802 (2002) is therefore again satisfied, and the MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to the MO disk drive 1205 to access the starting sector (90F60.sub.H) of shot 4 on the MO disk 1204. The MO disk drive 1205 therefore accomplishes a seek operation to access sector 90F60.sub.H. The worst-case access time required for this operation is 90 ms.
Thus assuming the worst-case access time of 90 ms is required, 357 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, the 64 sectors, or 32 kilobytes, of data from sector 90F60.sub.H to sector 90F9F.sub.H corresponding to shot 4 are read from the MO disk 1204 and output to the data FIFO buffer 1207. Because the data transfer rate of the MO disk drive 1205 is at worst 8 megabits/sec., this data transfer requires approximately 32 ms; data transfer is therefore completed at 389 ms after the start of continuous reproduction.
At the end of this data transfer operation, the number of frames stored (remaining) in the data FIFO buffer 1207 again increases to 5. The counter N is also incremented to N=5 after this data transfer operation, so that in the next cycle, since shot 5 is not defined in the MO disk, no data will be transferred from the MO disk to the FIFO buffer.
At 400 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, there are again 4 remaining frames in the data FIFO buffer 1207. The condition required for the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802 (2002) is therefore again satisfied, but because there is no shot 5, condition 2003 is satisfied and the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802 terminates.
The JPEG expansion control routine 1801 deletes one frame of data from the data FIFO buffer 1207 at each vertical synchronization cycle, and the JPEG expansion control routine 1801 terminates 533 ms after the start of continuous reproduction because test 1902 in the JPEG expansion control routine 1801 returns NO.
By means of the conventional nonlinear video editing apparatus as described above, FIFO can continuously provide data to the JPEG expander 1208 without any stop during the transfer of shots A, C, B, D. In other words, the data FIFO buffer 1207 is never emptied with this video data sequence during said transfer. Thus, in the above example of the editing information shown in FIG. 15, it is therefore possible to continuously reproduce the video stored to the MO disk 1204. The following problems are, however, presented by this nonlinear video editing apparatus of the prior art.
It is assumed below that the editing information is as shown in FIG. 3. This editing information differs from that in FIG. 15 only in that shot B is only two frames long instead of four.
The operation in this case is described below. Note that the video reproduction set-up routine is the same as with the data shown in FIG. 15. Continuous reproduction based on the editing information shown in FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 22 and described below.
In FIG. 22, the upper section (a) illustrates control of the MO disk drive 1205 with the passage of time; and the lower section (b) shows the change in the number of frames remaining in the data FIFO buffer 1207.
When continuous reproduction starts, i.e., at 0 ms on the time scale, there are already four frames remaining in the data FIFO buffer 1207. The conditions for the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802 (2002) are therefore satisfied, and the MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to the MO disk drive 1205 to access the starting sector (90EC0.sub.H) of shot 2 on the MO disk 1204. The MO disk drive 1205 therefore accomplishes a seek operation to access sector 90EC0.sub.H. The worst-case access time required for this operation is 90 ms.
Thus assuming the worst-case access time of 90 ms is required, 90 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, the 64 sectors, or 32 kilobytes, of data from sector 90EC0.sub.H to sector 90EFF.sub.H corresponding to shot 2 (shot C) are read from the MO disk 1204 and output to the data FIFO buffer 1207. Because the data transfer rate of the MO disk drive 1205 is at worst 8 megabits/sec., this data transfer requires approximately 32 ms; data transfer is therefore completed at 122 ms after the start of continuous reproduction.
At the end of this data transfer operation, 5 frames of data are stored (remain) in the data FIFO buffer 1207. The counter N is also incremented to N=3 after this data transfer operation.
At 133 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, there are again 4 remaining frames in the data FIFO buffer 1207. The condition required for the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802 (2002) is therefore again satisfied, and the MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to the MO disk drive 1205 to access the starting sector (6E0.sub.H) of shot 3 (shot B) on the MO disk 1204. The MO disk drive 1205 therefore accomplishes a seek operation to access sector 6E0.sub.H. The worst-case access time required for this operation is 90 ms.
Thus assuming the worst-case access time of 90 ms is required, 223 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, the 32 sectors, or 16 kilobytes, of data from sector 6E0.sub.H to sector 6FF.sub.H corresponding to shot 3 (shot B) are read from the MO disk 1204 and output to the data FIFO buffer 1207. Because the data transfer rate of the MO disk drive 1205 is at worst 8 megabits/sec., this data transfer requires approximately 16 ms; data transfer is therefore completed at 239 ms after the start of continuous reproduction.
At the end of this data transfer operation, the number of frames stored (remaining) in the data FIFO buffer 1207 has increased to only 3. The counter N is also incremented to N=4 after this data transfer operation.
Because there are only 3 frames remaining in the data FIFO buffer 1207, step 2002 of the data FIFO buffer fill routine 1802 is immediately satisfied (YES), and the MO disk drive control signal `b` is output to the MO disk drive 1205 to access the starting sector (90F60.sub.H) of shot 4 (shot D) on the MO disk 1204. The MO disk drive 1205 therefore accomplishes a seek operation to access sector 90F60.sub.H. The worst-case access time required for this operation is 90 ms.
Thus assuming the worst-case access time of 90 ms is required, 329 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, the 64 sectors, or 32 kilobytes, of data from sector 90F60.sub.H to sector 90F9F.sub.H corresponding to shot 4 are read from the MO disk 1204 and output to the data FIFO buffer 1207. Because the data transfer rate of the MO disk drive 1205 is at worst 8 megabits/sec., this data transfer requires approximately 32 ms; data transfer is therefore completed at 361 ms after the start of continuous reproduction.
However, at 333 ms after the start of continuous reproduction, the one remaining frame in the data FIFO buffer 1207 is read and expanded, thus emptying the data FIFO buffer 1207, satisfying step 1902 of the JPEG expansion control routine 1801, and thereby effecting an interrupt and terminating the continuous reproduction routine.
Therefore, when reproducing by means of a conventional nonlinear video editing apparatus based on the editing information video data stored to the MO disk 1204, poor random access performance results in the data FIFO buffer 1207 emptying when the video data shots are short as shown in FIG. 3, or when the data compression ratio is low and the data size of the same number of frames increases, and continuous reproduction therefore becomes impossible.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A tubing reel assembly including a drive assembly, a swivel assembly, a reel, and a stand. The drive assembly includes a drive assembly adapter that connects the reel and the drive assembly, a drive assembly mount that connects the drive assembly and the stand, and a rotational power source. The swivel assembly includes a swivel assembly adapter that connects the reel and the swivel assembly, a swivel assembly mount that connects the swivel assembly and the stand, a bearing, and a hydraulic swivel. The reel includes recessed hubs that allow the overall width of the tubing reel assembly to be reduced, and the recessed hubs are used for connecting the drive assembly to the reel and the swivel assembly to the reel.

1. Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to coiled tubing units utilizing a direct drive tubing reel assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Oftentimes in the development and production of an oil or gas well, elongated tubing is inserted into the well from the surface for such purposes as the injection of certain types of fluids for stimulation of the production, displacing fluids in the well, for performing cleaning operations on the production tubing, as well as various other purposes. A continuous length of tubing is inserted into the well from a large reel at the surface. In the oil and gas industries, this process is known as coiled tubing.
A coiled tubing reel assembly includes a reel (otherwise known in the industry as a spool or wheel) on which the tubing is spooled, a stand for supporting the reel on which the tubing is stored, a drive system for rotating the reel and creating back-tension during operation of the reel, and a swivel assembly (typically hydraulic) to connect the coiled tubing to a fluid source/hydraulic pumps. The drive system is typically a chain driven system or a direct drive system, each having their own advantages/disadvantages which are commonly known in the industry.
Conventional designs of tubing reel assemblies, such as chain driven tubing reel assemblies and direct drive tubing reel assemblies, have significant issues in reel replacement in the situation where a different size coiled tubing must be used. Specifically, for changing a small-sized coiled tubing to large-sized coiled tubing and vice versa, the bore size of the hydraulic swivel would be an issue because of the sudden area change (expansion or contraction) at the swivel and coiled tubing. To solve these sudden expansion or contraction issues, using a proper size hydraulic swivel that has similar bore size with coiled tubing is preferred. However changing the hydraulic swivel to one with a proper bore size on a conventional tubing reel assembly is often difficult or impossible. Additionally, the tubing reel assembly may have a plumbing issue because the connection is typically located at the inside of the reel.
For the reasons included above, it is therefore an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a tubing reel assembly that permits easier reel and hydraulic swivel replacement as well as easier maintenance for the entire assembly.

Tubing reel assembly for coiled tubing systems


A dimming system of a lamp using a light-emitting device includes: a power source including a power input terminal, a dimmer connected to the power input terminal, and a rectifier circuit; a lighting unit including light-emitting devices from a first light-emitting device to an nth light-emitting device; a light-emitting drive unit including a plurality of switching circuits individually connected to an output terminal of each of the light-emitting devices, and dimmer control circuits connected to the switching circuits of the first light-emitting device and configured to sense whether or not a current supply channel for the first light-emitting device is normally operated, and to output a control signal; and a dimmer drive unit parallel-connected to a connection line between the power source and a power input terminal of the first light-emitting device to form a bleeding current supply channel, and having a switch.

In general, a dimmer is an apparatus designed to physically adjust brightness of an incandescent lamp and for a long time has served as a lighting device capable of controlling light due to its characteristics described below.
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a basic operation of the dimmer, VAC refers to an alternating current (AC) power voltage, and VDIM refers to an output voltage of the dimmer. When the AC power voltage is phase-cut by the dimmer, the differential output voltage is divided into regions having the same value as that of a region having a positive or negative value as shown in FIG. 1A. At this time, in order for the dimmer to be turned on normally, a current over a specific value must flow in a region, a voltage value of both ends of which is a positive or negative value. When the voltage is a positive or negative value, and the current is zero or under the specific value, the dimmer is turned off in a corresponding cycle, the output voltage is discharged.
Furthermore, the incandescent lamp has an electrical resistance property because electric power consumed in a tungsten filament is converted into heat and light, and thus when a voltage is applied to both ends of the incandescent lamp, it enables current to flow.
Accordingly, the incandescent lamp very well satisfies a condition that "current should flow when a voltage value required to a dimmer operation is present at both ends."
However, the incandescent lamp has high energy consumption, and accordingly, lamp technologies adopting a light emitting diode (LED) as a power source for energy saving have been continuously developed.
The light-emitting diode (LED) is a current drive device, and may normally operate when a constant current is stably supplied. In particular, since a drive current of the LED, which needs high electric power, is large (normally, 350 mA or more), a lot of heat is generated from the LED itself, and accordingly, a deterioration rate of luminance is larger than that of the LED at low electric power. This is directly associated with the LED's life span and acts as a very important factor in the lighting market.
For such a reason, the LED at high electric power is generally driven by a constant current, and here, a pulse width modulation (PWM) method is used so that the voltage of a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) used as the power supply of a first constant current can be more efficiently used.
However, due to the LED's characteristic of being driven by a constant current, additional circuits and various electronic components constituting the corresponding circuits are required for this method, and this leads to an increase in manufacturing costs of the lamp.
For such a reason, a method of rectifying an alternating current power source and applying it to a parallel-connected LED module is used, and LED lighting in which this method is used refers to AC direct type LED lighting. Accordingly, hereinafter, in the description regarding such an LED lighting type, the term "AC direct type LED lighting" will be used.
FIG. 2 is a view showing one example of conventional alternating current (AC) direct type LED lighting, and as illustrated in the drawing, a VAC voltage is outputted as a voltage VDIM in a phase-cut form by passing through the dimmer. Furthermore, the voltage VDIM passes through a rectifier, and thus a differential voltage thereof is converted into a single ended VRECT.
Furthermore, according to a level of the AC voltage converted into a common ground voltage, the VAC voltage is operated in a state of being divided into the operation sections of LED1 and CH1, LED1+LED2 and CH2, LED1+LED2+LED3 and CH3. At this time, even in the case of drive circuits in a form in which a separate LED current control unit is not provided, the same principle that the number of LEDs and corresponding channel current sources are combined according to a level of the input AC voltage and are driven is applied.
FIG. 3 shows operational waveforms at the time of applying a leading edge type dimmer to the AC direct type LED lighting according to FIG. 2, shows a case in which steepness of the operational waveforms of the dimmer is relative high, and shows voltage waveforms and current waveforms by steps and a normal or abnormal status of operation by sections.
As illustrated in the drawing, when the value of I_LED is more than a specific value, VDIM and VRECT waveforms follow waveforms of the Ac power source, whereas when the waveforms of VDIM and VRECT enter the section in which the value of I_LED is low, the waveforms of VDIM and VRECT cause malfunction regardless of the waveform of the AC power source. Due to this, LED currents are not maintained until the value of an AC voltage is reduced to zero, and the dimmer is turned off in advance. This is shown as a phenomenon in which a charge of a parasitic capacitor component being present in a dimmer output is naturally discharged to a leakage current path as a discharge path of the charge disappears. Accordingly, the value of VRECT is maintained at a high level, and thus minute electric currents also flow in a direction of the LEDs.
At this time, since a slope value of the dimmer is sufficiently large, brightness of the LEDs in a normal operation section is very high compared to that of the LEDs in an abnormal section, and accordingly, a user can feel that an operational status of the LEDs is a normal status without a large problem.
However, as shown in FIG. 4, when the wave steepness of a dimmer operation is relative low, an abnormal operational status of the LEDs is clearly recognized by the user.
That is, unlike FIG. 3, FIG. 4 shows voltage waveforms and current waveforms by stages and existence or non-existence of normal operations by sections when the wave steepness of the dimmer operation is relative low.
As illustrated, when all channels of the LEDs should be turned off because a dimmer wave steepness is low, the dimmer and drive circuits are abnormally operated in the entire region, and at this time, LED leakage currents generated due to a residual voltage of a parasitic capacitor component being present in the dimmer output cause an incorrect operation in which LED lighting is maintained in a state of being not turned off while shining dimly even in a dimmer angle section in which the LED lighting should be turned off.
In other words, the conventional AC direct type LED lighting causes a phenomenon generally called a flicker phenomenon which is one of very unsuitable factors in using the lighting lamp.

Dimming system of lamp using light-emitting device


The entire process of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is simplified by using oligonucleotide-immobilized microplates made of, e.g., polypropylene, to which oligonucleotides are securely immobilized and which can be subjected to thermal cycles of PCR. RT-PCR is preferably conducted in solid-phase. Capturing of mRNA and RT-PCR can be conducted in the same plates. The cDNA synthesized from the mRNA captured on the microplates can be used more than once. Further, in combination with the microplates, a filter plate is used for the preparation of cell lysates wherein target cells are placed on the filter plate, and a lysis buffer is passed through the cell layer on the filter to transfer cell lysate directly to the microplate via well-to-well communication.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) following cDNA synthesis from mRNA (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR) to analyze gene expression of any specific mRNA in cells and tissues has become common technique, because of its better sensitivity and less labor-intensive manipulations than the traditional Northern blot (Kawasaki E S, Wang A M, "Detection of gene expression. In: Erlich, E A. PCR technology", New York: Stockton, 1989; 89-97). Furthermore, because recently available recombinant Tth thermostable polymerase has activities of both reverse transcriptase and DNA polymerase, both steps can be performed simultaneously in a single tube without changing the buffer system (Myers T W, Gelfand D H, "Reverse transcription and DNA amplification by a Thermus thermophilus DNA polymerase", Biochemistry 1991; 30:7661-6). However, it still requires purification of total RNA or mRNA from cells and tissues, which takes additional time-consuming, and labor-intensive step(s).
It has been reported that mRNA is successfully captured by an oligo(dT)immobilized polystyrene (PS) microplate (GENEPLATE®, Hitachi Chemical Co., Japan, and AGCT, Irvine, Calif.) (Mitsuhashi M, et al., "Gene manipulation on plastic plates", Nature 1992:357:519-20, Miura Y, et al., "Fluorometric determination of total mRNA with oligo(dT) immobilized on microtiter plates", Clin Chem 1996:42:1758-64, Miura Y, et al., "Rapid cytocidal and cytostatic chemosensitivity test by measuring total amount of mRNA", Cancer Lett 1997:116:13944) followed by single- and double-stranded cDNA synthesis on the plate (Tominaga K, et al., "Colorimetric ELISA measurement of specific mRNA on immobilized-oligonucleotide-coated microtiter plates by reverse transcription with biotinylated mononucleotides", Clin Chem 1996:42:1750-7). Once double stranded cDNA is formed on a PS microplate of GENEPLATE®, sense stranded cDNA can be removed and used as a template for multiple PCR experiments (Ishikawa T, et al., "Construction of cDNA bank from biopsy specimens for multiple gene analysis of cancer", Clin Chem 1997:43:764-70). Unfortunately, PCR cannot be performed on this PS microplate, because of its heat instability during the denaturing step in PCR cycles. Although heat stable polypropylene (PP) tubes and microplates are primary vessels for PCR, it is difficult to immobilize oligonucleotides onto a PP surface, because of its extremely chemically stable surface characteristics. However, oligo(dT)-immobilized polypropylene plates have recently become available.
As described above, RT-PCB is a very useful technology in various fields including diagnostic molecular pathology (Bortolin S, et al., "Quantitative RT-PCR combined with time-resolved fluorometry for determination of BCR-ABL mRNA", Clin Chem 1996:42:1924-9). However, there are many steps involved in the analysis of RT-PCR; collection of cells, purification of RNA/mRNA, cDNA synthesis, PCR, and quantitation of PCR products. In particular, the purification of intact RNA molecules is the critical first step for the successful RT-PCR, and this requires labor-intensive multiple manipulations to eliminate or inactivate endogenous or contaminated ribonuclease (RNase) in cells and tissues. Although recent PCR technologies allow researchers to continuously monitor the quantity of PCR products with various in-line or off-line verification procedures of amplified PCR products (Morris T, et al., "Rapid reverse transcription-PCR detection of hepatitis C virus RNA In serum by using the TaqMan fluorogenic detection system", J Clin Microbiol 1996:34:p2933-6, Wittwer C T, et al., "The LightCycler: A microvolume multisample fluorimeter with rapid temperature control", BioTechniques 1997:22:171-181), lack of a simplified RNA preparation system prevents full automation of RT-PCR.


A method and system for processing a handover request in a wireless network. The method includes sending a first message by a first base station to a mobile station. The first message includes a first handover request. Additionally, the method includes receiving a second message by the first base station from the mobile station. The second message includes a second handover request, and the second handover request includes an indicator indicating whether the second message has been sent from the mobile station in response to a third handover request. Moreover, the method includes processing information associated with the second message by the first base station, and determining whether the second message has been sent from the mobile station in response to the third handover request based on at least information associated with the second message.

The present invention relates in general to telecommunication techniques. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for handover negotiation in wireless networks. Merely by way of example, the invention is described as it applies to base-station or mobile-station initiated handovers, but it should be recognized that the invention has a broader range of applicability.
Techniques for wireless communications have progressed through the years. A wireless network usually includes base stations and mobile stations. For example, a mobile station (MS) refers to a station that is to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified geographic locations. As an example, the mobile station is a mobile communication device. In another example, the mobile station is a cellular phone. In yet another example, a base station (BS) refers to a set of equipment that can provide connectivity, management, and control for one or more mobile stations. Often, a mobile station communicates with other devices through an air-interface provided by a base station. For example, the air-interface refers to an interface between the base station and the mobile station. Usually, the air-interface can be changes through a process called mobile station handover (HO). During handover, the mobile station, for example, can migrate from an air-interface provided by one base station to another air-interface provided by another base station. The mobile station handover can be initiated by either the mobile station or the base station for various reasons such as mobile-station movement, change in connection quality, and/or change in network configuration.
FIG. 1 shows a simplified conventional wireless network. The network 100 includes base stations 110, 112, and 114, and a mobile station 120. The base stations 110, 112, and 114 each are connected to a wired network 130. For example, the wired network 130 uses internet protocol (IP). The mobile station 120 communicates through an air-interface with the base station 110. The handover of the mobile station 120 can be initiated by the base station 110 or the mobile station 120.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are simplified conventional diagrams for mobile-station handover initiated by base station in wireless network. In the network 100, the base station 110 sends a request message to the mobile station 120 to initiate a handover. The request includes a list of base stations to which the mobile station 120 can be handed over. If the mobile station 120 determines the requested handover to be suitable, the mobile station 120 selects one base station from the list and sends an acknowledgment message back to the base station 110. For example, in the acknowledge message, the mobile station 120 also informs the base station 110 that the base station 112 has been selected. Subsequently, the mobile station 120 is handed over to the base station 112.
FIG. 4 is a simplified conventional diagram for mobile-station handover initiated by mobile station in wireless network. In the network 100, the mobile station 120 sends a request message to the base station 110 to initiate a handover. For example, the response message includes a list of base stations to which the mobile station 120 can be handed over. In response, the base station 110 sends a response message to the mobile station 120. For example, the response message also includes a list of base stations to which the mobile station 120 can be handed over. If the mobile station 120 determines the handover to be suitable, the mobile station 120 selects one base station from the list and sends an acknowledgment message back to the base station 110. For example, in the acknowledgement message, the mobile station 120 also informs the base station 110 that the base station 112 has been selected. Subsequently, the mobile station 120 is handed over to the base station 112.
As shown in FIGS. 2-4, management messages often are exchanged between a mobile station and a base station during a handover process. For example, the management messages include:
1. MOB_BSHO-REQ: This is a request message sent by a base station to a mobile station to initiate a handover.
2. MOB_MSHO-REQ: This is a request message sent by a mobile station to a base station to initiate a handover.
3. MOB_BSHO-RSP: This is a response message sent by a base station to a mobile station to acknowledge receipt of MOB_MSHO-REQ.
4. MOB_HO-IND: This is an acknowledgment message sent by a mobile station to a base station. For example, the acknowledgment message indicates that the mobile station is about to perform a handover, cancel a handover, or reject a handover.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show simplified conventional partial formats for request message and response message for handover respectively. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the request message is called MOB_BSHO-REQ, and the response message is called MOB_BSHO-RSP. For example, the MOB_BSHO-REQ message is sent from the base station 110 to the mobile station 120 for initiating a handover. As another example, the MOB_BSHO-RSP message is sent from the base station 110 to the mobile station 120 to acknowledge receipt of another request message called MOB_MSHO-REQ.
For carrying out a handover successfully, the mobile station and its corresponding base station often have to agree on a handover configuration. For example, the handover configuration includes a list of base stations to which the mobile station can be handed over, and/or an action time. Since a handover usually is initiated by the mobile station or the base station, the initial handover request often is made based on the current information possessed by the initiating entity. The initial request may not satisfy the receiving entity for carrying out the handover. For example, the mobile station is moving, so the information which the base station has used for making a handover request may not reflect the situation when the mobile station receives the handover request. Therefore handover negotiations often are performed.
Hence it is highly desirable to improve techniques for handover negotiations.

Method and system for handover negotiation optimization for wireless system


A cover structure of an internal combustion engine of a motorcycle includes an engine that is mounted on a motorcycle and includes a cooling device for cooling the engine. The cover structure includes a sprocket cover portion that covers from the width direction of the vehicle. The cover structure also includes a pipe cover portion that covers from the width direction of vehicle a discharge side hose and an intake side hose of the cooling device. The cover structure further includes a side surface cover that includes a joining portion which is vertically arranged from the sprocket cover portion towards the pipe cover portion so as to be in parallel with the discharge side hose. The intake side hose is arranged side by side in the width direction of the vehicle and integrally joins the sprocket cover portion with the pipe cover portion.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cover structure of an internal combustion engine for a motorcycle.
Description of Related Art
Conventionally, there has been known a cover structure in which cooling water pipes of an internal combustion engine are covered with a pipe cover provided integrally with a sprocket cover (for example, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-51077). In Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-51077, two cooling water pipes are aligned in the front-and-rear direction.

Cover structure of internal combustion engine for motorcycle


A novel thermal coupler apparatus and method to couple a cryocooler or another cooling device to a superconducting magnet or cooled object allows for replacement without a need to break the cryostat vacuum or to warm up the superconducting magnet or other cooled object. A method uses a pneumatic actuator for coupling, and a retractable mechanical actuator for uncoupling. Mechanical closing forces are balanced between the intermediate temperature and low temperature cooling surfaces and do not transfer to the cooled object. The pneumatic actuator provides permanent control under mechanical closing forces in the thermal coupling.

The progress of cryocoolers in the past 20 years has brought the technology to the state where magnet cooling in the absence of liquid cryogens is a more attractive option than with the use of liquid helium for some applications. In addition to cost and convenience, the absence of liquid helium is attractive from the point of safety, as the issues with rapid pressurization of the cryogen and possible release of helium gas to environment surrounding the device can be avoided. Cryogen-liquid-free magnets require fewer external subsystems, fewer services, and thus are also more portable.
Many applications of the cryogen-free technology have been implemented, from magnets to detectors, for applications in outer space as well as on the ground.
The present liquid-free cryocooler technology is very reliable, with present Mean-Time-Between-Failures of about 10000 hours for Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers and 20000 hours for pulse-tube cryocoolers. Although adequate for short-term applications, for long term application means of being able to replace the unit for maintenance are necessary.
Usual thermal insulation for the cooled object and for the cryocooler cold head includes vacuum isolation of the cold surfaces. Apiezon N grease is used in couplings for a better thermal contact and improved thermal conductivity at cryogenic temperatures in vacuum. In demountable (those that need to be disconnected) couplings, indium gaskets are used for the same purpose. Indium gaskets compressed in the coupling with a pressure at which indium flows plastically provide a good thermal contact in the connected couplings, with reliable demountable joints.
For some long-term applications, it is desirable to replace the head of the cryocooler without breaking the cryostat vacuum around the cold object, and sometimes even without warming up the device. The need for removing the cryocooler head, without cooled device warm-up, demands features of both the thermal management system as well as for the vacuum that surrounds the cooled magnet. It is a purpose of an invention hereof for a mechanical and thermal coupler and a method of providing a quick thermal and mechanical connect and disconnect of a cryocooler, which does not require warm-up of the cooled device while replacing a cryocooler, which can be performed quickly without influencing the cooled object vacuum, and which can be conducted without any forces being applied to the object to be cooled, which is generally sensitive thereto. It is also important, where possible, to provide for such quick thermal and mechanical connect and disconnect of a cryocooler without applying any force to any of: the cooling device itself, the walls of the cooling device vacuum or the walls of the cooled object vacuum. For better thermal coupling, the coupler should also provide reliable and controllable contact pressure between the cryocooler cold head and the cooled object thermal stations through the coupler of the demountable thermal joints.


Hardness of a resin substrate of an optical disc is selected to be greater than hardness of a cover layer of the optical disc, at least when information is recorded on the optical disc. A laser beam is transmitted to an organic dye layer of the optical disc through the cover layer and a protection layer when information is recorded on the optical disc. The organic dye layer is sandwiched by the protection layer and a reflection layer. The substrate has grooves on its surface, and information is recorded between the grooves. The organic dye is heated and expands upon information recording, but a stress generated by the deforming organic dye layer is mainly transferred toward the cover layer. Deformation of the reflection layer and crosswrite upon information recording can be prevented. Therefore, the optical disc can record information between the grooves at a high density. Alternatively, the optical disc may be configured such that heat transfer toward the protection layer from the organic dye layer is set to be greater than heat transfer toward the reflection layer from the organic dye layer when the light beam is radiated for information recording.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a write once type optical disc.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, conventional write once optical discs, such as CD-R (recordable) and DVD-R, have the following structure. A transparent, resin substrate has guide grooves on one surface of the substrate. On this surface, an organic dye is applied by spin coating. Then, a metallic reflection layer, made from for example gold, silver (or silver alloy) and aluminum (or aluminum alloy), is formed on the organic dye layer. Finally, a protection layer such as an ultraviolet ray curing resin (referred to as "cover layer") is applied on the metallic reflection layer. In order to record information on the optical disc having such structure, a laser beam for information recording is radiated on the substrate side. The laser beam decomposes the organic dye so that a refractive index changes. Heat generated by the laser beam also deforms the guide grooves and the reflection layer. As a result, pits are formed on the optical disc as recorded information.
A next generation, recordable optical disc system (referred to as "DVR" or "DVR-blue" system) has been developed recently. For the DVR (Digital Video Recorder) system, a violet laser is utilized as a light source for information recordation and retrieval, and an object lens having a high numerical aperture such as 0.85 or more is employed. A cover layer of the DVR has a thickness of about 0.1 mm, and the laser beam is radiated on the cover layer side. This suppresses an influence of optical aberration caused when the object lens having a high numerical aperture is used. This in turn increases a recording density so that a large quantity of information can be recorded on the optical disc.
A write once optical disc utilizing the DVR system is referred to as "DVR-R disc" or "DVR-blue disc". The direction of the laser beam radiation is different from the DVR-R disc compared to the conventional write once optical disc such as CD-R disc and DVD-R disc. Thus, the accumulating direction of the layers formed on the resin substrate of the DVR-R disc is opposite that of the CD-R and DVD-R. This is sometimes called a "reverse stack" structure. Further, the DVR-R disc needs a dielectric protection layer to protect the organic dye layer from a non-cured ultraviolet curing resin during formation of the cover layer. The ultraviolet curing resin forms the cover layer. Thus, the structure and manufacturing method of the DVR-R disc are different from the CD-R disc and DVD-R disc.
As understood from the above, the DVR-R disc should be manufactured with materials and structure particularly suited for the DVR-R disc.


The present invention discloses a water dispersible polymer particle stabilized by a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide dispersant. The present invention also discloses a heterogeneous method for forming polymer particles comprising providing a water immiscible organic phase comprising at least one monomer dispersed in a continuous water phase and a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide, and polymerizing said organic phase to yield polymer particles stabilized with hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide. Also disclosed in the present invention is a heterogeneous method for forming polymer particles comprising providing a water immiscible organic dispersed in a continuous water phase, polymerizing said organic phase, and adding bydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide to yield polymer particles stabilized with hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide.

Polymer particles encompass an important technology which has found uses in a very wide variety of areas including paints, protective coatings, adhesives, matting agents, absorbent materials, additives for building materials, drug delivery systems, sizing agents, ink additives, bioanalytical systems, cosmetics, and chromatography materials. Polymer particles are usually synthesized in heterogeneous systems consisting of an organic phase and an aqueous phase resulting in an aqueous dispersion of the polymer particles. Colloidal stability is imparted to the particles by a dispersing compound that is usually a surfactant or an oligomeric or polymeric amphiphile. Many of the properties of the polymer particle and its aqueous dispersion are dictated or influenced by the choice of dispersing compound used. These properties include stability of the dispersion to aging, settling, shear, extremes of temperature, and the presence of other materials such as electrolytes, humectants, and flocculants. The choice of dispersing compound wild also influence the size and morphology of the particles as well as the rheology of the dispersion, its propensity toward foaming, and the amount of coagulum formed during the polymerization process.
Nonionic surfactants represent an important class of dispersing compounds. These compounds are desirable in that they afford particles a much higher tolerance toward electrolytes than do ionic dispersants. It is known in the art, however, that the overall colloidal stability of the particles toward other conditions (aging, heating, high shear, etc.) is usually much lower than for particles stabilized with ionic surfactants. Thus, it is commonly practiced in the art of heterogeneous polymerizations, (notably emulsion polymerizations) that nonionic surfactants are used in tandem with an ionic surfactant (usually anionic) in order to gain sufficient colloidal stability. Thus there is a need in the art of heterogeneous polymerization for a nonionic dispersant which yields particle dispersions with colloidal stability which is comparable to those obtained with ionic surfactants.
Miniemulsion (also known as "microsuspension") polymerizations are a specific type of heterogeneous polymerization in which a chain polymerization occurs within a pre-formed oil-in-water dispersion in which the monomers are contained within the oil phase. It is known that for this type of polymerization (see Sudol, E. D. and El-Aasser, M. in Emulsion Polymerization and Emulsion Polymers; Lovell, P. A. and El-Aaser, M. Eds.; John Wiley and Sons Ltd.: New York, 1997; p. 699-721) a "cosurfactant" is needed in order to prevent Ostwald ripening of the particles. This cosurfactant is a hydrophobic compound, such as hexadecane or hexadecanol. This component, though necessary, may be unwanted for certain applications in which its presence might be deleterious. Thus there also exists a need for a surfactant useful for miniemulsion polymerization, which alleviates the need for a cosurfactant.
Hydrophobe-capped polyacrylamide oligomers have been reported as milling agents for pigment particles in inkjet inks, as stabilizers for photographic coupler dispersions, and as stabilizers for organosilver particles. U.S. Pat. No. 6.127,453, US 2001/0031436 A1 and U.S. Ser. No. 09/776,107. These applications, however, each involve the stabilization of species that are not polymer particles (i.e. silver behenate particles, pigmented colorants, and photographic coupler solvents). It is known in the art that different classes of chemical species will have fundamentally different requirements for dispersants and the use of these dispersants in these applications would not suggest their usefulness in stabilizing polymer particles.
In Comun. Jorn. Com. Esp. Deterg. (1995), 26, 323-35, the authors report the use of polyacrylamide as a dispersant in an inverse emulsion polymerization. This compound, however, is a different chemical composition than the hydrophobically capped polyacrylamide oligomers reported herein and would be expected to have fundamentally different activity as a stabilizer of polymer particles.
The object of this invention is to provide dispersant-stabilized polymer particles which show improved excellent colloidal stability when dispersed in aqueous media.

Polymer particle stabilized by dispersant and method of preparation


Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure overcome one or more deficiencies in conventional approaches to stereo playback. In particular, various embodiments attempt to cancel or reduce the sound distortion and/or noise from “crosstalk signals” such that stereo effect can be maintained and/or enhanced. In some embodiments, the various embodiments attempt to reduce and/or compensate for the loss of low frequency (bass) sound signals. Moreover, a listener's position, such as his/her head position, can be tracked such that the enhanced stereo playback can be maintained if the listener changes position.

Users are increasingly utilizing electronic computing devices for entertainment purposes. For example, a user of a computing device can watch a movie or television, play games, surf the Internet, etc. on the computing device. The user can also listen to music, an audio book, a podcast, the radio, etc. on the computing device. In addition to entertainment, the user can use the computing device for various other purposes, such as communication purposes including making telephone calls, video chatting, engaging in web cam sessions or web conferences, etc. Sometimes the user may want to use the audio speakers of the computing device. For example, a user watching a movie or television on a tablet computing device may wish to use the speakers of the tablet rather than headphones. Similarly, a user engaging in a video call on a smartphone may wish to use the speakers of the smartphone for convenience. Moreover, a user may use a laptop to watch online streaming video from the Internet without using headphones. Whatever the case, audio playback is often meant to be stereo. However, the sound quality of stereo playback from the speakers of a computing device may not be as good as that from external speakers separate from the computing device. For conventional stereo playback, the quality of the perceived playback depends at least in part on the distance between two speakers (e.g., left and right speakers). As the distance between the two speakers decrease (e.g., as is the case with smaller computing devices), the playback sound quality decreases as well and the listener (i.e., user) may end up perceiving stereo playback practically as mono.

Enhanced stereo playback with listener position tracking


Integrated circuits including a MIMCAP device and methods of forming the integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary method of forming an integrated circuit including a MIMCAP device includes pre-determining a thickness of at least one of a bottom high-K layer or a top high-K layer of the MIMCAP device, followed by fabricating the MIMCAP device. The pre-determined thickness is established based upon a pre-determined TDDB lifetime for the MIMCAP device and a minimum target capacitance density at an applied voltage bias to be employed for the MIMCAP device. The MIMCAP device includes a bottom electrode and a dielectric layer disposed over the bottom electrode. The dielectric layer includes a stack of individual layers including the bottom high-K layer, the top high-K layer, and a lower-K layer sandwiched therebetween. At least one of the bottom high-K layer or the top high-K layer has the pre-determined thickness.

On-chip capacitors are common components of integrated circuits. These capacitors are used for a variety of purposes: illustrative examples include bypass and capacitive matching as well as coupling and decoupling. The design and implementation of capacitor structures in integrated circuits may be dependent upon one or more symmetrical structural, target circuit quality and low parasitic resistance performance characteristics.
Metal-Insulator-Metal Capacitor (MIMCAP) devices are one type of on-chip capacitor and are generally formed during back-end-of-line (BEOL) processing. In integrated-circuit fabrication lines, front-end-of-line (FEOL) conventionally refers to earlier process stages that directly modify the semiconductor substrate or the immediate contacts to it; for example, dopant diffusion and implantation, sputtering of gate films, oxidations, and the patterning steps associated with these. In contradistinction, the BEOL is metallization for interconnects and vias (vertical interconnects between planar interconnects) and associated non-conducting depositions and growths (for example, polymers, glasses, oxides, nitrides, and oxinitrides) for electrical isolation, dielectrics (for capacitance), diffusion barriers, and mechanical passivation (in particular, to prevent failure of interconnects by electromigration and stress migration). FEOL and BEOL are used to refer to the levels of an IC fabricated in the corresponding stages. BEOL is the metallization layers and associated insulating layers, and FEOL everything below that (mostly transistors).
It is often difficult to form MIMCAP devices that meet target minimum capacitance requirements at an applied voltage bias for the MIMCAP device while also achieving sufficiently long reliability lifetimes given constraints during BEOL processing. Optimal MIMCAP fabrication details and structure will in general depend upon the reliability lifetime requirements (typically in years), the magnitude of the applied voltage, and whether reliability is required for voltage drops across the device from top electrode to bottom electrode that are positive only, negative only, or either positive or negative (bi-directional).
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide integrated circuits including a MIMCAP and methods of forming the same with the MIMCAP having a specified reliability lifetime while still attaining a minimum target capacitance density at an applied voltage bias for the MIMCAP device. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

Integrated circuits including a MIMCAP device and methods of forming the same for long and controllable reliability lifetime


Multi-segment RF probes for automatic slide screw impedance tuners include a multitude of slugs, which are individually adjustable towards the center conductor of the slabline and spaced against each-other in order to create the required capacitance and transmission line space values needed for synthesizing resonant networks to match arbitrary reflection factor patterns over a given frequency range. The multi-segment probes are optimized using network synthesis software within the limits of the capacitance and inductance values allowed by the hardware. The probes allow constant phase testing for 100 MHz bandwidths or more.

This invention relates to load pull testing of microwave power transistors using automatic microwave tuners for synthesizing reflection factors (or impedances) and match the transistors (device under test, or DUT) at the input and output at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies.
Modern design of high power microwave amplifiers, oscillators and other active components used in various communication systems requires accurate knowledge of the active device's (microwave transistor's) characteristics. In such circuits, it is insufficient and inaccurate for the transistors operating at high power in their highly non-linear regions and close to saturation, to be described using analytical or numerical models only. Instead the devices must be characterized using specialized test setups under the actual operating conditions.
A popular method for testing and characterizing transistors for high power operation is "load pull" and "source pull". Load pull or source pull are measurement techniques employing microwave impedance tuners 2, 4 and other microwave test equipment, like signal sources 1, an RF (Radio Frequency) load 5, control computer 6 and digital connections 7, 8, 9 between the computer and the tuners and test equipment. The microwave tuners 2, 4 in particular are used in order to manipulate the RF impedance conditions under which the DUT 3 is tested (FIG. 1).
Electro-mechanical tuners (see ref. 1) are used in most cases for high power load pull testing, because they have several advantages, such as long-term stability, higher handling of RF power, easier operation and lower cost, compared to other type of tuners such as electronic and active tuners. FIG. 2 shows a front view and cross section of an automatic electro-mechanical tuner using the "slide-screw" tuning concept; a slotted airline (slabline) 215, with two RF connectors 25, 26 at both ends is embedded in a solid housing 216, which also comprises a mobile carriage 28 and means for horizontal drive, typically a lead screw 217; the carriage 28 slides smoothly on polished and grounded shafts 219. The carriage 28 comprises electrically driven 20a stepper motor 20, which is powered by a control computer 6, running appropriate software and controls the movement of a precise vertical axis 21. At the bottom end of the axis 22 an appropriate clamp 22a holds the RF probe 23 and secures its exact and repeatable positioning very close to the center conductor 24 of the slabline 215. Moving the probe 23 closer to the center conductor 24 increases the amplitude of the reflection factor, and moving it along the axis of the slabline 215, at constant distance from the center conductor, controls its phase. The vertical probe control is shown in FIG. 3.
A cross section of the 'slide screw' showing slabline, probe and vertical tuning mechanism is included in FIG. 3; in this configuration adjustable metallic obstacles (probes or "slugs") 30 are inserted into the transmission media of the tuners, which is a slotted coaxial or parallel plate airline (slabline) 31; the capacitive coupling between the vertical probe 30 and the central conductor 32 of the slotted airline (slabline) creates a wideband RF reflection factor (Γ) for the electromagnetic waves travelling along the slabline, of which the amplitude can be adjusted by inserting (or withdrawing) the probe 30 further into (or from) the slabline and reducing (or increasing) the gap between the probe 30 and the central conductor 32 and therefore increasing (or reducing) the value of the capacitance between the center conductor 32 and the probe 30.
The probe 30 is held and guided by the vertical axis 33 of the tuner and is moved vertically 34 by the axis 33, which is driven by a vertical lead screw and computer controlled stepper motors, known in prior art (FIG. 3 in ref. 2), FIGS. 2, 3.

Wideband tuning probes for impedance tuners and method


An apparatus for mounting dual hoop assemble in a predetermined and selected area of an item that includes a base and a mounting section including panels that is connected to the base via a connecting system that allows the mounting area to move outwardly and inwardly in relation to the base and left to right and vice versa in regards to the proximal end of the base. The apparatus includes two inner hoop support sections that are able to tightly hold and support the inner section of a dual hoop assemble of any size and shape, each one of said inner hoop support section having one elongated plates with a central groove; knurled screws inserted in a groove, holding brackets inserted in aid knurled screws and knurled screw handle knobs to secure each one of the holding brackets. Loosening or tightening said handle knobs facilitates the selection of a predetermined horizontal position of the inner hoop holding brackets in the mounting section. The inner hoop holding sections are connected to sliding units of lateral supports via knurled screws. Loosening said knurled screws allows the movement of the inner hoop holding section vertically along the mounting section, while tightening said knurled screws, allows the inner holding section to be confined in a predetermined and selected position. The holding brackets included in the apparatus are able to hold the inner hoop section of a dual hoop assembles of different sizes and shapes. In some embodiments of the invention, a central panel comprises a second mounting area convenient for mounting dual embroidery assembles onto small items, once the central panel is repositioned along the base, thus providing an apparatus with a dual mounting area for items of different sizes. In other embodiments, the central panel may be withdraw from the mounting section, generating a mounting section ideal for embroidering medium size items.

Embroidery of garments and other items is a very well known process, which is directed to decorate fabrics and other items. The section of the material to be embroidered requires to be stretched or tensed previous to be embroidered. A convenient manner to obtain a taut fabric section is to positioning said fabric section in between a dual hoop assemble, which consists of two different sections: an inner section that receives the fabric in the first place, and an outer section that, once is snap into the inner section, capture or enclosed the section of the fabric to be embroidered. The prior art discloses different devises useful in the positioning of dual hoop assemble in a fabric. However, in some instances, such devices must be connected to frames and usually are permanently installed in heavy benches and they are difficult to move from one place to another and are intended to be used in a particular working area. Furthermore, most of the known embroidery devices are designed to be used only with a dual hoop assemble of a particular shape or geometry and of a particular size, thus such devices are of limited or restricted used. Another limitation of known embroidery devices is that they are used in embroidering single size items only, which also limits the use of such devices in embroidering items of different sizes. Another difficulty of the process of mounting a dual hoop assemble in a fabric is the lack of reproducibility or accuracy in positioning the embroidering in a particular position of a given multiple number of the same items to be embroidered, such as the uniforms of social, sports and other groups. Therefore, there is a need of a portable, collapsible, light weight apparatus for mounting or positioning fabrics in a dual hoop assemble that may be used with dual hoop assemble of any shape and sizes and that provides the versatility in mounting sections for items of different sizes and that facilitates the mounting or positioning of the dual hoop assemble in the same position of items of the same type, thus providing a high degree of accuracy and reproducibility in the process of positioning an embroidering in the same position of multiple items of the same type.

Portable apparatus and method for mounting embroidery hoops


An electrical box includes a back wall and a front wall, configured to be essentially parallel to a mounting surface when the base is installed to the mounting surface, and a pair of interchangeable top and bottom walls. Each interchangeable top and bottom wall is connected to the back wall and the front wall. The electrical box includes a side wall connected to each of the other walls and an open end opposite the side wall that is configured to receive an electrical device therein. A standoff extends laterally from the back wall. The standoff is configured to provide a mounting structure and to position the electrical box away from the mounting surface. The electrical box is configured to receive a top-mounted hood to cover the open end when the base is installed with the open end positioned to face either of the right side or the left side.

Electrical outlets with covers may be used in areas that are exposed to water or that require wash-down of all equipment on a regular basis, such as the food and beverage industry. These electrical outlets typically are mounted with spacers to set them away from the wall to provide access for cleaning and to prevent collection of contaminants.

Side-open wet-location electrical box and cover


A method for repairing a damaged inlet cap of a turbine engine includes removing a damaged portion of a structural fiber layer positioned beneath a first erosion-resistant layer. A structural replacement layer is applied to the inlet cap to replace the removed portion of the structural fiber layer and a second erosion-resistant layer is applied to the inlet cap so that the second erosion-resistant layer is positioned over the structural fiber layer.

The present invention relates generally to the field of turbine engine maintenance. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for repairing an inlet cap of a turbine engine.
Turbine engines, especially those for use with airplanes, typically include an inlet cap (also referred to as an inlet cone front segment) located upstream of the air intake fan. The inlet cap is rotatably mounted to the turbine engine to affect the flow of air into the air intake fan.
Inlet caps require periodic maintenance to address wear and damage incurred by the inlet cap. Such wear or damage can be caused, for example, by birds striking the inlet cap or by particulate matter causing abrasion to exterior surfaces of the inlet cap. In addition, engine maintenance and service procedures can cause damage or wear to the inlet caps.

Method of repair for inlet caps of turbine engines


A method and system for dynamically plotting an element on an image using a table. A page background is created using the image. A table is created containing the element. The table contains a first buffer row, an element row and a second buffer row. The first buffer row positions the element in the table. The element row displays the element and the second buffer row positions any additional characters on the page below the image. The element is overlaid on the image by displaying the table containing the element over the page background containing the image.

The location of an element within an area may be described graphically by plotting the element on an image of the area or in writing by describing the location of the element using text. It is generally easier to comprehend a graphical description of the location of an element than a textual description of the location of an element. For example, the location of a building may be described by a map showing the location of the building or may be described by an address for the building. It is easier to obtain information about the location of a building using a map than using an address, especially if the building is located in an unfamiliar area. Another advantage of using a map is that a map conveys information about the surrounding area which an address may not convey. A map may show that a building is located near a landmark, whereas, an address may not indicate that a building is located near a landmark.
The location of a business may be a critical factor in a consumer's decision to patronize the business. For example, location is usually important to a traveler when selecting a hotel. A business traveler may desire a hotel located near an airport or near a customer's place of business. A recreational traveler may desire a hotel located near a beach or near a theme park. An address may not help a traveler select a hotel located near a landmark because an address may not convey information about the area surrounding the hotel. However, a map may help a traveler select a hotel located near a landmark because a map conveys information about the location of the hotel as well as the surrounding area. Ideally, a traveler may evaluate the location of a hotel by viewing the hotel plotted on a map of the area before the traveler makes a reservation at the hotel.
For any given area, there may be a number of hotels within the area. By viewing the locations of the different hotels within the area, a traveler may select a hotel based upon location. However, if there are a large number of hotels within the area, a traveler may wish to view only the locations of those hotels which provide certain amenities or which fall within a certain price range. The hotels within the area may be filtered by eliminating the hotels that do not provide the amenities specified by the traveler and the hotels that do not fall within the price range specified by the traveler. The traveler may view each of the remaining hotels on a map of the area to select a hotel based on location, amenities and price. A method for quickly filtering hotel data and a method for quickly and accurately plotting hotels on a map are needed so that the traveler can evaluate hotels based upon location, amenities and price.
The data for the location, amenities and price of a hotel, as well as the data for a map of the area may be available on a network such as the Internet. In a networked environment, the data for an element such as a hotel may be stored in a remote memory storage device. Similarly, the data for an image such as a map may be stored in a remote memory storage device. In a networked environment, the program modules for plotting an element on an image are distributed between a client and a server. Current technologies for distributing program modules for plotting an element on an image between a client and a server include server technology, client technology, and client-server technology.
In any of the current technologies, the client sends a request to a server to plot an element on an image. In response to the request from the client, the server obtains data for the element and the image from a remote memory storage device. To plot an element on an image using server technology, the server uses the data for the element and the image to create a new image. Once the new image is created, the server sends the new image to the client. The client displays the new image using a program module commonly referred to as browsing software. An advantage of server technology is that the new image is independent of the browsing software used by the client. Another advantage of server technology is that only the new image is sent to the client. The client does not receive the code to generate the new image because the new image is created by the server. A disadvantage of server technology is that there is a significant delay between the plotting request and the display of the element plotted on the image. The delay is due to the server performance required to generate and send a new image. A new image is used for each element plotted on the image.
Client technology shifts the performance requirement from the server to the client. To plot an element on an image using client technology, the client downloads the element data and the image data from the server. The client also downloads a program module to plot an element on an image. The image is created and the element is plotted on the image by the client using the downloaded program module. An advantage of client technology is that once the data and the program module have been downloaded by the client, the element may be quickly plotted on the image. A disadvantage of client technology is that a lengthy delay is incurred when the client downloads the data and the program module. Another disadvantage of this technology is that the program module to plot an element on an image may only operate with certain operating systems or browsing software.
Client-server technology is a mixture of client technology and server technology. The program module to plot an element on an image resides in the client and data for the element and the image reside in the server. An advantage of client-server technology is that client download time and server performance time are reduced. A disadvantage of this technology is that it may not be platform independent. A modified client-server technology is needed which retains the advantages of the current client-server technology and is independent of the platform used by the client.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system for dynamically plotting an element on an image quickly and accurately.

Method and system for dynamically plotting an element on an image using a table


The present invention makes a request for location registration inhibition at a key pad portion which is manipulated by an user of a mobile radio telephone. A first memory stores the inhibition request therein, and a display displays the inhibition request. A controller does not control (i.e., does not cause to be generated) a request for location registration with respect to the base station even though the user of the mobile radio telephone moves between registered location areas when the inhibition request is stored in the first memory.

The present invention relates to a mobile radio telephone, and more particularly to a location registration inhibition control apparatus for a mobile radio telephone and a control method thereof.
In the case where an user of a mobile radio telephone (hereinafter referred to as "telephone") moves over a location registration area consisting of a predetermined plural service zones, the telephone requests a base station to make location registration in order to reduce a period of time necessary for transmitting a signal from the base station to the telephone. Upon receiving a request for location registration from the telephone, the base station requests a control station to execute the location registration. The control station has a current location of the telephone stored in a location information storage station in response to a request from the base station.
In such location registration, when a telephone's user moves at a high speed by car or the like, the telephone is caused to frequently move between a plurality of service zones. As a result, the frequency of the location registration of the telephone is increased with such a problem that it gives a load to the control operation of the control station relating to the location registration.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, there has been known a location registration system disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 5-130019 published on May 25, 1993.
This location registering system is so designed that a telephone detects the signal quality of a received signal, and when the signal quality is deteriorated, it is judged that the telephone's user moves at a high speed. In the case where it is judged that the telephone moves at a high speed, for example, even though the telephone's user moves over a location registration area, the system inhibits a request for location registration from the telephone to a base station.
By the way, in the mobile radio telephone system used;. in Japan, a transmission dial number for calling a telephone is different between a short-range call and a long-range call. This is because the control station smoothly conducts accounting to a call side that calls a telephone (hereinafter referred to as "call side"). The call side, for example, dials 030 when making a short-range call equal to or less than 160 km, and dials 040 when making a long-range call greater than 160 km.
The control station calculates a distance between the call side and a called telephone on the basis of a location registration area in which the called telephone exists, and judges whether a call from the call side should be made by the long-range call or the short-range call. In the case where the call side calls with a dial "030" regardless of a fact that a call from the call side should be made by the long-range call, the control station announces a message "please redial with a dial "040"" to the call side. On the contrary, in the case where the call side calls with a dial "040" regardless of a fact that a call from the call side should be made by the short-range call, the control station announces a message "please redial with a dial "030"" to the call side.
Hence, in the case where the user moves to a location where a call cannot be made without a dial of 040 regardless of the fact that the user promises the call side in advance that he is at a location where a call can be made with a dial "030" which is the short-range call, the control station announces a message "please redial with a dial "040"" when the call side calls the telephone. This leads to such a drawback that the system informs the call side that the telephone's user has broken his promise with the call side.
In order to solve the drawback of this type, it is possible to turn off the power supply of the telephone. However, in this case, because the control station announces a message "the power supply of the telephone is off" to the call side, there is a possibility that the call side suspects that the telephone's user has broken his promise with the call side.

Location registration inhibition control apparatus for mobile radio telephone and its method thereof


A protection apparatus for a spot network substation has a plurality of receiving lines connected between a network bus and a plurality of power sources. Each receiving line is connected to a primary switching device, a network transformer and a protector CB. A detector for detecting a phase of each receiving line voltage and a judging unit for judging the detected phase are provided on the primary side of each network transformer. A previously stored basic phase is compared with the detected phase of the receiving line voltage. If there is a lag in the detected phase of the receiving line voltage, it is judged to be a power-stop of the corresponding power source and the protector CB is tripped.

The present invention relates to a protection apparatus for use with a spot network substation or a main/sub 2-line receiving substation, and more particularly to a protection apparatus for a substation having a circuit capable of generating a reverse power flow to a power source at an electric power company.
A spot network substation is well known in which reverse power flow is generated. Since power supply reliability is very high, the spot network substation is widely used for building substations. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. JP-A-7-68624, in a conventional protection system for a spot network substation, a plurality of receiving lines are connected between three-phase and three-line power sources and a network bus connected to circuit breakers (CB's) for supplying power to an air conditioner, an elevator, and the like. Each of the plurality of receiving lines is connected to a primary switching device, a network transformer, a protector CB and a current transformer in succession. For example, the current transformer detects reverse energizing current upon energization of the network transformer by the network bus when a power source is stopped. This detected reverse energizing current causes a network relay connected to the current transformer to judge a presence of a reverse power flow state, i.e., a power-stop of the power source and trip the protector CB to protect the spot network substation. This system is collectively called a spot network protector.
In this spot network substation, in order to deal with an emergency when power supply from power sources is stopped because of some accident, an emergency generator is connected to one end of the network bus to supply power to an emergency facility only when power supply to all the receiving facilities is stopped. Recently, demands for efficient use of facilities have become intense and switching to a co-generation system as an uninterrupted generator has been desired.
Various types of power sources such as spot network power sources and main/sub 2-line power sources have been used recently depending upon power user requirements. These various types of power sources are required to be managed collectively because of demands for efficient use of power sources. Furthermore, in order to improve reliability of power supply of spot network power sources over a conventional system, for example, some three-line spot network power sources supply power from different transformers and different substations. Collective management of these power sources with different transformers generates a voltage difference between power sources.
However, the spot network protector for a spot network substation has a reverse power tripping function as described above. If a generator connected to a power line is operated, current flowing from the network bus connected to the generator through the power source causes to trip the protector CB. Therefore, this system is difficult to use if the generator is to be operated at high efficiency such as in the case of a co-generation system. Furthermore, an emergency generator cannot be switched unless a full power-off is effected which is therefore inevitable.
If the voltages of power sources become unstable, voltages between a plurality of receiving lines of the spot network substation become different. Therefore, power is supplied from a high voltage receiving line to a low voltage receiving line, and a reverse power tripping function operates at the low voltage receiving line so that the spot network substation cannot operate normally.
If another substation such as a main/sub 2-line receiving substation is connected to spot network power sources and a generator connected to a power line is used, there is no reverse power tripping function. In this case, therefore, power is transmitted to a stopped spot network power source. As described above, currently used protection units cannot collectively manage spot network power sources, main/sub 2-line receiving power sources, and the like, in terms of operation safety and reliability.

Protection system for power receiving station