The present invention provides an image processing method for CDSEM for determining a measuring range of an image of a target pattern measured by a CDSEM machine. The image processing method of CDSEM comprises: obtaining a first gray scale image based on the image of the target pattern; performing Fourier transform to the first gray scale image to obtain a first frequency spectrum distribution; filtering out frequency spectrum components whose absolute values of ordinate are greater than preset threshold in the first frequency spectrum distribution to obtain a second frequency spectrum distribution, the preset threshold relates to the background noise and the signal frequency of SRAF features; and determining the measuring range based on the second frequency spectrum distribution.

The critical dimensions (CD) of large scale integrated circuit chips are getting smaller with the development of IC manufacturing technologies. To monitor the accuracy of pattern dimensions post exposure and development of lithographic steps, CDSEM tools are used to measure the critical dimensions of the photo resist patterns on the wafer, to check if CDs meet the specification requirements.
Measuring the patterns which have been exposed, especially measuring the one-dimensional pattern, is an important task in IC manufacturing. For example, at the early stage of process development, measuring the pattern data of Focus-Energy Matrix on the wafer under exposure conditions not only checks the lithography process window, but also determines the best exposure conditions including the optimal focus and the optimal dose, that enables IC manufacture process.
Generally, the optimal exposure dose is often decided based on linear measurement of critical patterns, and common critical patterns include the width of dense lines or the spacing of dense spaces. Therefore, the accuracy and success rate of dense line/space pattern measurement are critical.
When measuring the patterns using a scanning electron microscope dedicated for critical dimension measurement (CDSEM) machine, the CDSEM machine images patterns to be measured first, then selects and marks the measuring range, and finally performs measuring in the selected range. As shown in FIG. 1, the solid line box is the measuring range selected, the solid line inside the measuring range is the central line, and the dashed line box in the measuring range is the position of line edge.
The result of measuring is affected by the marker's selecting range. There are two setting methods of a marker, one method is to place the marker manually in a certain position, and the other is to place the marker according to the pattern of the design layout. In actual measurement, the positions of the marker might deviate from the range of the pattern to be measured. Generally, there are two reasons for these deviations: 1. The interference caused by the exposure and development of Sub-Resolution Assistant Feature (SRAF) that has been widely used in advanced patterning improvements; 2. The background noise of imaging is strong. These two reasons both affect the success rate of CDSEM measurements, resulting in inaccuracy or less efficiency.
To solve the aforementioned problem, the present invention provides an image processing method which can automatically determine measuring ranges and mitigate the interference from the exposure and development of SRAF and the background noise from the patterns to be measured.

Image processing method and device for CDSEM

SHANGHAI HUALI INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CORPORATION


A method is provided for delivering data messages in an inter-vehicle ad hoc network. The inter-vehicle ad hoc network utilizes a multi-hop routing protocol for storing, carrying forward and distributing a data message to various vehicles traveling along the road. The method includes determining a first cluster consisting of a group of vehicles proximate to one another traversing along a road in a first direction. A determination is made as to which vehicles within the first cluster are trailer vehicles for re-broadcasting messages based on vehicle position within the first cluster. An event is detected in a travel path of the first cluster by one of the vehicles in the first cluster. The event is reported to other vehicles in the cluster. At least one vehicle in a second cluster moving in an opposite direction to the first cluster is detected. The data message is broadcast from the determined trailer vehicles to the second cluster.

An embodiment relates generally to reliable data message delivery for an ad hoc vehicular network.
Vehicle to vehicle communications are typically used to notify other vehicles of events that are occurring which may directly or indirectly affect vehicles traveling along a road. Vehicles disseminate messages containing information to other vehicles within a broadcast range for notification of the various driving conditions. In the case of vehicle safety applications, the objective of message dissemination is to reduce accidents by forewarning vehicle drivers of such conditions. When a vehicle receives a notification message, the receiving vehicle attempts to re-broadcast the message to other vehicles within its broadcasting range for alerting other vehicles of the existing condition.
The drawback with the above described system is the flooding of messages (e.g., broadcast storm) within the network. When the majority of the vehicles within a broadcast range attempt to re-broadcast messages, the wireless channel becomes overloaded, resulting in packet collision. The result of such an overload is performance degradation that affects communication reliability. Moreover, vehicles traveling behind those vehicles broadcasting the information that are outside of the broadcast range will not obtain such warnings.

Reliable packet delivery protocol for geocast protocol in disconnected vehicular ad hoc network


A method for verifying data consistency between update-in-place data structures and append-only data structures containing change histories associated with the update-in-place data structures is provided. The method includes loading data from an update-in-place data structure to a first set of hash buckets in a processing platform, loading data from append-only data structures to a second set of hash buckets in the processing platform, performing a bucket-level comparison between the data in the first set of hash buckets and the data in the second set of has buckets, and generating a report based on the bucket-level comparison.

The present invention generally relates to verifying data consistency, and more particularly verifying data consistency between update-in-place data structures and append-only data structures.
Emerging processing solutions provide a platform for curation and analysis of massive amounts of live (continuously updated) data by integrating big data processing with recovery log capture technology associated with update-in-place data structures, such as a relational database management systems (RDBMS). Big data refers to a massive amount of structured and/or unstructured data that is too large to process with traditional database techniques, e.g., a query-in-serial. Big data platforms may use distributed storage architecture (e.g., a distributed file system) and a distributed processing architecture. To support queries over a temporally complete, continuously updated history of RDBMS change data, processing solutions may continuously append the change history into big data targets, such as an append-only data structure (e.g., a log file/table stored in a distributed file system associated with a big data platform). However, data changes due to faulty replication processes, data corruptions, operator errors, and the like, may occur at the side of the update-in-place data structure or the side associated with the append-only data structure.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention concerns a piezoelectric resonator (10), intended to be packaged in a case, including a base (12) formed of a first fixing zone (121), a second central mechanical uncoupling zone (122) and a third zone (123) opposite to the first fixing zone. At least two vibrating arms (13a, 13b) extend from said third zone, on each of which at least one groove (141a-144a, 141b-144b) is formed on at least one of the top or bottom faces of the arms. The resonator is characterised in that the base is provided with a hole (15) through the second central mechanical uncoupling zone.

Tuning fork piezoelectric resonators are known in which the electrical excitation field is created in a direction parallel to one of their faces by electrodes, some of which are arranged on said face. Such a tuning fork resonator 1, shown in FIG. 1, includes a base 2 and two vibrating arms 3a and 3b extending from the base. With a view to reducing energy consumption owing to excitation by a more homogenous electrical field, there is known, particularly from FR Pat. No. 2 467 487, which is incorporated herein by reference, to provide at least one groove 4a and 4b on the bottom and/or top faces of each of the arms, such that the arms generally have an H-shaped cross-sectional form, as is visible in the cross-section A-A of FIG. 1.
Although of small dimensions, of the order of a millimeter, such piezoelectric generators are still too bulky in light of the ever increasing demand for miniaturisation of electronic equipment, such as portable telephones or watches.
One solution recommended in the prior art, shown in FIG. 2, and described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,587,009 consists in providing notches 5a and 5b on the flanks of base 2 of the piezoelectric generator. The main purpose of these notches 5a and 5b is to mechanically uncouple zone 6 of base 2, used to fix resonator 1 in its case, from vibrating arms 3a and 3b. Notches 5a and 5b enable, more specifically, the vibrations, which generate a movement in the zone of shoulders 7a and 7b, to be uncoupled. This mechanical uncoupling between base fixing zone 6 and vibrating arms 3a and 3b enables the size ratio between base 2 and arms 3a and 3b to be reduced and thus the total size of resonator 1 to be reduced without thereby altering the operating mode.
However, such a solutions has certain drawbacks. An analysis of this prior art solution has demonstrated that these notches 5a and 5b do not enable the tuning fork to be uncoupled from thermal stress generated by the lack of thermal tuning of the thermal expansion coefficients, thus resulting in the propagation of a static mechanical stress in a median zone 8 of base 2 located between the two arms 3a and 3b. Moreover, dynamic elastic stress is maximal in this median zone 8. The results of this combination of static mechanical stress varying with temperature and the dynamic elastic stress is an alteration in the features of resonator 1.
One solution for improving the resistance of the resonator to these types of stress is the use of a flexible adhesive agent, like for example conductive silicon adhesives, for mounting the resonator in its case. Nonetheless, such flexible adhesive agents exhibit problems of adherence and resistance to shocks, such a solution is thus undesirable.
Moreover, notches 5a and 5b weaken the mechanical structure of resonator 1, which raises a problem in the event of shocks, and more specifically in the event of lateral shocks. Indeed, when there is a lateral shock, the forces exerted on the whole of resonator 1, i.e. on arms 3a and 3b and on base 2, result in maximum stress at the point of intersection between each notch 5a and 5b and base fixing zone 6.
It is one of the main objects of the invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by making a piezoelectric resonator having, on the one hand, a reduced size as well as an equally reduced energy consumption, and on the other hand, good resistance to the various stresses that the resonator may undergo, as well as good shock resistance.


The invention relates to a novel magnetic resonance imaging apparatus. The nuclei, protons or the paramagnetic electrons of an imaged object are cyclically polarized during a period of about one second with a permanent magnet which is then quickly shifted away from the imaged object in a permanent magnet carrier tube, so that the field of the permanent magnet would not have an interfering effect on the immediately following signal-collection for MRI-imaging. The permanent magnet can be manipulated or shifted back and forth in the tube either magnetically, pneumatically, hydraulically or mechanically. The apparatus also includes another permanent magnet or a resistive magnet coil couple, which is located in the tube near the opposite end of the tube, and which generates a homogeneous magnetic field within the imaged area. The apparatus includes a gradient coil system for generating a time-dependent magnetic field gradient necessary for imaging, as well as a coil system for producing an electromagnetic radio-frequency excitation signal to be linked with the nuclei or paramagnetic electrons of an imaged object as well as for registering the response of the nuclei or electrons to said signal. A control unit is used to control the above coils and to receive the information therefrom for producing an image or some other representation thereof.

Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI is a fast-growing diagnostic modality. The method was discovered towards the end of the 1970's and it provides similar slice images as X-ray tomography, but with improved contrast and resolution. The annual demand on the market is currently in the order of 1000 apparatus units. The most significant drawback of the method is probably its high costs. The price of a single installation is typically up to 1.5-2 million dollars or more. The most important reason for this is that the available pieces of apparatus are designed as general imaging eguipment and are capable of producing images of the entire human body. Therefore, their most expensive component, a magnet, becomes large in size and high in price.
There would also be a lot of interest in the market towards cheaper equipment that could be special equipment for just imaging some certain member of the body, such as the ankle, knee, wrist, maxillary joint, thorax etc. Thus, in the MRI-field there is a definite demand for inventions relating to better and cheaper imaging magnet systems.
The current MRI equipment employs three types of magnets: superconducting, resistive and permanent magnets. The superconducting ones produce the best result: a field generated thereby is at the same time powerful (<1.5), stable and homogeneous in a large volume. However, this type of magnet is the most expensive one of them all. The permanent magnet is capable of producing a second strongest field (<0.3-0.5T) but these magnets are very heavy and relatively expensive as well. The resistive magnets are the cheapest ones but produce the lowest field (<0.1-0.2%) and often spend quite a lot of electricity and cooling water.
In his invention U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,931 R. Sepponen describes a means for lowering the price of an imaging magnet without compromising the image quality. The imaging is effected by means of two fields: The first step is the alignment or polarization of image-signal emitting protons (or other nuclei) with a powerful field Bp. This is followed by quickly changing the field into another Bo for effecting the actual imaging. A benefit gained by this method is that the imaging field Bo can be maintained quite low, for example 0.02-0.04 T, without actually losing any of the signal. A low field can be generated at a low cost, e.g. by means of a resistive magnet and, at the same time, it can be made sufficiently homogeneous and stable.
On the other hand, the polarizing field Bp can also be produced at a low cost, as its homogeneity and stability need not be particularly good. The Bp-field must be switched off rather quickly, appr. 0.1 s, as demonstrated by Macovski (A. Macovski et al.: Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, USA). It can be generated by using a magnet winding other than that used for producing Bo, whereby the generation thereof will be inexpensive since the Bp-magnet need not have particularly good homogeneity and stability.
An apparatus of the invention and its operation are illustrated in more detail in the accompanying drawing, in which

Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method


A platform of the type holding a plurality of normally-open electric switches in position for activation of a selected individual switch by application of a force in a direction normal to a surface of the switch by a portion of a human body. An exemplary platform according to the invention forms a dance platform on which a user steps to activate switches in accordance with instructions viewed on a video display device. A joining structure may by used to hold two platforms in a side-by-side competition arrangement. A security vault may be affixed to structure associated with platform to resist theft of a commercially available game controller adapted to operate the video display and to receive switch input from a platform. Certain aspects of the invention include one or more, typically inert, practice platforms structured to represent the user interface surface of an activatable platform. A method for using a system of active and inert platforms is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to platforms operable to hold normally-open or normally closed switches in a fixed orientation in an electric circuit for activation of a selected switch by application of a force onto the switch by a portion of a human body.
2. State of the Art
Platforms of the type holding normally-open switches in a fixed arrangement for activation of a selected switch by placements of a user's foot are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,227,968 and 6,410,835 to Suzuki et al. Such platforms are used commercially in a competitive game format, and may be characterized as dance platforms. A dance platform includes nine tiles that are approximately 11 inches square; arranged in three rows of three tiles each, in a tic-tac-toe type pattern. Each tile represents, a place for a user, or platform operator, to stand. Indicia, such as arrows, are displayed on certain tiles. The operator of such a dance platform tries to stand on indicia in accordance with instructions visible on an associated video display. The video display is mounted for viewing by the platform operator. In a competitive arrangement, a pair of dance platforms are disposed in side-by-side harmony so that a pair of users can see the video display at the same time. An output caused by switch activation is provided from each platform as feedback to a controller operable to evaluate a user's performance.
In one commercial arrangement providing competitive dance platforms operable as a game, the platforms are disposed in association with a video display and controller substantially as a single unitary structure in an arcade setting. Such an arrangement provides a measure of theft resistance to individual components of the system, but consequently reduces portability of the system.
Software has been commercially developed for use with commercially available game consoles or controllers, such as the Sony PlayStation II and Microsoft Xbox, for individual use in a home environment. Portable dance platforms configured to interface with such game controllers to replicate an arcade gaming experience are commercially available from several sources. It is believed that a manufacturing Company located in China is distributing dance platforms through a plurality of business names, including My—My Box; Red Octane; and Buynshop.
Commercially available dance platforms include types that may be either rigid or roll-up. Rigid platforms may be characterized as including structure operable to maintain their planar shape, and to hold their switches in a fixed relative orientation. Typically, switch elements of such platforms are mounted on a substrate made from wood. Rigid platforms tend to be heavier, which reduces ease of transportability. Switches of certain rigid platforms include a plexiglass plastic tile, which carries a sheet of electrically conductive foil, suspended over a copper coil element. The tile is suspended about its perimeter by a rim of open cell foam adapted to bias the tile (and its conductive foil) apart from the copper coil. When a user steps on the tile, the foil is displaced into bridging contact across positive and negative terminals of the copper coil element. Unfortunately, the foil often flakes off, leaving a bridge on the copper coil, and results in a "stuck button". The plexiglass plastic tiles also tend to break under extended use of the platform. Furthermore, the open cell foam wears out over time, resulting in a "stuck button" or a button that can misfire or send a false signal.
Platforms of the roll-up type tend to be light in weight, and by rolling up, can easily be transported and stored in a reduced-size volume. Companies selling roll-up type platforms include: Naki International, having a place of business at 5101 Commerce Drive, Baldwin Park, Calif. 91706; Mad Cats, having a place of business at 7480 Mission Valley Road, Suite 101, San Diego, Calif. 92018; and Pelican, having a place of business at 181840 East 27th Street, Vernon, Calif. 90058.
Roll-up platforms typically include a pair of electrically conductive film elements spaced apart by a thin (perhaps ¼ inch) layer of perforated open cell foam. Such platforms tend to be more delicate, and typically are operated without shoes on a user's feet. When a user steps on a switch portion of such a platform, the conductive elements make contact at perforation locations under the user's foot. Unfortunately, the open cell foam wears out under repeated use, causing false signals. The conductive film elements also wear out, flake apart, and can cause misfire signals. Certain competitive moves cannot be performed on a roll-up platform, because the platform cannot maintain a planar shape under certain user movements. In fact, operating a roll-up platform at an advanced level of play can cause the foam and switch elements to migrate or move with respect to an opaque covering. Consequently, a user stepping on a valid switch location may inadvertently cause a signal from a neighbor switch that has migrated.
It is important to a user of a platform for that platform to be accurate, so that no false signals are sent to a controller. Switches in a platform desirably are responsive to a user's contact, fast acting, and reliably and repeatably activated by a user properly engaging a switch portion of the platform. Preferred dance platforms provide a "feel" to a user in harmony with the "feel" of an arcade game sold in the United States by the Konami Arcade Division since 2001 and known by the name "Dance Dance Revolution" or DDR.
It would be an improvement in the art to provide a switch carrying platform operable in various physical therapies. A further advance would provide a portable platform having a responsive "feel" and reliable normally-open switch action. An additional advance would provide a dance platform causing a reduced repetitive stress impact on a user. A further advance would provide structure to resist injury to a user arising from the user stepping onto an edge portion of the platform. Another advance would provide structure to couple a pair of platforms in a side-by-side arrangement for competitive operation of the pair of platforms while operators of the platforms make reference to a single video display. A still further advance would provide a reduced-cost practice platform. Yet another advance would provide a system for obtaining exercise in a group setting. A still further advance would provide a platform and a theft resistant arrangement for an associated controller.


An embodiment of the present invention provides for a jack-winch assembly. The assembly includes a jack; a winch, secured to the jack; and a crank. The crank is independently engageable with the winch and the jack. The crank shifts between a first position, where the crank engages the winch, and a second position, where the crank engages the jack. In another embodiment, a jack-winch assembly is provided that includes a winch; a jack, secured to the winch; and a crank. The winch includes a base; a drum that is rotatably secured to the base; and a gear for driving the drum. The crank is engageable with both the gear and the jack to independently operate the winch and the jack. The crank includes an actuating member to shift the crank between a first position, where the crank engages the gear, and a second position, where the crank engages the jack.

Jack mechanisms for raising and lowering objects relative to the ground and winch systems for pulling objects relative to a stationary object are known in the art. Further, these mechanisms are typically stand-alone mechanisms utilizing their own operational and mounting components. One particular use for such mechanisms is in the automotive industry for use with towed trailers that carry boats or other recreational vehicles. Typically, a pivot jack is mounted to the front end of a trailer for raising or lowering the trailer tongue relative to the ground. Further, a winch may also be mounted to the front end of a trailer so that objects such as boats or other objects may be pulled onto the trailer.
Numerous types of jack mechanisms are known which are mounted to a trailer to raise or lower the trailer tongue relative to the hitch of a towing vehicle typically for mounting or dismounting the trailers therefrom. These jacks also keep such trailers in a level position when the trailer is disengaged from the towing vehicle. Oftentimes, these jacks are pivotally mounted to the trailers so that the jack may be pivoted to a horizontal, stored position when not in use.
Winch mechanisms are also commonly used in the field to pull heavy loads. One such operation encompasses driving a trailer down the egress ramp of a lake or river and connecting the winch line to the boat. Once connected to the boat, the winch can be operated to pull the boat out of the water and onto the trailer or gently slide a boat from the trailer into the water. The winch is generally constructed such that the handle is connected through a pinion gear to a drum gear that is affixed to a drum. The pinion gear increases the torque capacity that an operator can handle. A reversible ratchet mechanism is selectively operable to restrict reel rotational movement in one direction while enabling rotation of the reel in the opposite direction. The pawl and ratchet arrangement can be selectively operable into a forward-engaged mode, a reverse-engaged mode, and a free-spooling mode.
In the prior art, the jack mechanism and the winch mechanism are separate mechanisms having separate components requiring their own mounting position, operation space, and operation components. The present invention offers advantages by reducing costs through the consolidation of components by integrating the jack and winch mechanisms. Such integration can permit one or more shared functions, shared mounting, or shared components. It is further contemplated that the invention may include the automatic retraction and pivot of the lower jack tube, typically having a wheel thereon, so that the lower jack portion can be automatically stored when not in use.


In an LTE/LTE-A system, a UE subscribes to an MBMS service in a source cell. In one embodiment, the UE with ongoing MBMS service handovers to a target cell. The UE obtains MBMS information of the target cell before or after the handover. The UE then determines MBMS service continuity in the target cell based on the obtained MBMS information. In another embodiment, the UE with ongoing MBMS service reselects a new cell. The UE makes cell reselection decision based on obtained MBMS information of its neighbor cells. If the subscribed MBMS service is discontinued after handover or cell reselection, the UE releases MBMS bearer and informs a NAS entity. If the subscribed MBMS service is available after handover or cell reselection, the UE keeps MBMS bearer during handover or cell reselection. By acquiring MBMS information, the UE is able to maintain continuous MBMS reception after handover or cell reselection.

A Long-Term Evolution (LTE) system offers high peak data rates, low latency, improved system capacity, and low operating cost resulting from simple network architecture. An LTE system also provides seamless integration to older wireless networks, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). In LTE systems, an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) includes a plurality of evolved Node-Bs (eNBs) communicating with a plurality of mobile stations, referred as user equipments (UEs).
Enhancements to LTE systems are considered by the third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) so that they can meet or exceed International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced (IMT-Advanced) fourth generation (4G) standard. One of the key enhancements is to support bandwidth up to 100 MHz and be backwards compatible with the existing wireless network system. Carrier aggregation (CA), where two or more component carriers (CCs) are aggregated, is introduced into LTE-Advanced systems to improve overall system throughput.
Multimedia Broadcast and Multicast Service (MBMS) is a broadcasting service offered via existing GSM and UMTS cellular networks. Recently, evolved MBMS (E-MBMS) has been introduced in the LTE specification for broadcasting or multicasting TV, films, and other information such as overnight transmission of newspapers in a digital form. To facilitate MBMS in LTE systems, a multicast control channel (MCCH) is used for the transmission of MBMS control information in each MBMS Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area, and a multicast traffic channel (MTCH) is used for the transmission of user traffic to UEs receiving MBMS data packets. MBMS has the major benefit that the network infrastructure already exists for mobile network operators and that deployment can be cost effective compared with building a new network for the service. The broadcast capability enables to reach unlimited number of users with constant network load. The broadcast capability also enables the possibility to broadcast information simultaneously to many cellular subscribers, such as emergency alerts.
An important feature of a mobile wireless system such as LTE is the support for seamless mobility across eNBs and the entire network. Fast and seamless handover (HO) is particularly important for delay-sensitive services such as VoIP. Likewise, MBMS service continuity is also important for MBMS user experience. The mobility of a UE should affect MBMS service reception as less as possible. However, there is no network-assisted MBMS service continuity supported by the current LTE specification (e.g., in LTE Rel-9). Before any network solution is available, MBMS service continuity can only be supported by UE-centric solution. Furthermore, with the addition of carrier aggregation (CA) in LTE-A systems, and with the possibility of network base stations (e.g., eNBs) covered by multiple MBSFN areas, it is foreseeable that an eNB can be associated with more than one MBSFN areas. UE-centric solution for MBMS service continuity under such scenario is also desirable.

Methods to support continuous MBMS reception without network assistance


An electronic module includes a substrate, which includes a dielectric material having multiple sides, including first and second sides, and first and second cavities indented respectively within the first and second sides. First and second conductive contacts within the first and second cavities are configured for contact with at least first and second electronic components that are mounted respectively in the first and second cavities. Conductive traces within the substrate are in electrical communication with the first and second conductive contacts.

Modern electronic devices contain ever larger numbers of components and increasing degrees of complexity. At the same time, designers are required to fit these components into ever smaller end-products.
These conflicting demands have led to the development of highly-integrated approaches to chip design and packaging. For example, multi-chip modules (MCMs) typically contain multiple integrated circuits (ICs) or semiconductor dies, and possibly discrete components, as well, on a unifying substrate. The MCM can then be assembled as a single component onto a printed circuit board. Some advanced MCMs use a "chip-stack" package, in which semiconductor dies are stacked in a vertical configuration, thus reducing the size of the MCM footprint (at the expense of increased height). Some designs of this sort are also referred to as a "system in package."
Although IC chips are usually mounted on the surface of an MCM or printed circuit substrate, in some designs an IC may be mounted in a recess in the substrate. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,557 describes an imbedded component integrated circuit assembly, in which IC components are imbedded within a laminate substrate disposed on a thermally conductive core, which provides a thermal sink. The circuit components are electrically connected to the IC via flexible electrical interconnects, such as flexible wire bonds. An electrically-insulating coating is deposited upon the flexible electrical interconnects and upon the exposed surfaces of the integrated circuit assembly. A thermally-conductive encapsulating material encases the circuit components and the flexible electrical interconnects within a rigid or semi-rigid matrix.
As another example, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009/0279268 describes a module that includes a first module unit provided at a top surface with a cavity and a second module unit on which one or more electronic devices are mounted. The second module unit is at least partly received in the cavity of the first module unit. The cavity may be formed in a dual-step structure.
U.S. Patent Application Publication 2012/0104623 provides another example, in which a semiconductor substrate has a plurality of different size recesses formed in the substrate to provide a stepped interposer. A conductive via can be formed through the stepped interposer. A first semiconductor die is partially disposed in a first recess, and a second semiconductor die is partially disposed in a second recess. The first semiconductor die is electrically connected to the second semiconductor die through a conductive layer.
Some electrical devices are designed to be trimmed after assembly, for example by removing material from a thick-film resistor with a laser until the desired resistor value is achieved. (A notch cut in the resistor by the laser decreases the width of the film and thereby increases the resistor value.)
In this regard, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,245 describes a ball grid array arrangement comprising a dielectric multilayer substrate, in a lower metallization layer of which is disposed an array of solder balls. A passive circuit element is integrated into at least one of the metallization layers. The arrangement may take the form of an IC carrier or multichip-module carrier having transmission structures situated within a central die-attach area of the substrate and having also a peripheral area containing bonding structures for the mounting of at least one chip or chip module. A passive circuit element in the form of an inductor may be formed in the upper metallization layer between adjacent groups of bonding structures. In order to achieve tighter tolerances, a combination of triplate and surface microstrip constructions may be employed to allow trimming and tuning of these components after manufacture, by arranging for the majority of the length of a resonator or filter element to be defined in the triplate format described above, but completing the length with the addition of a short length of microstrip formed in the upper or lower metallization. Laser or abrasive trimming may be employed to adjust the length and resonant behavior of the line.

Electronic module allowing fine tuning after assembly


A process is described for generating, through ion implantation, any desired concentration profile. This is accomplished by providing a set of mono-energetic doping concentration profiles which, when superimposed, generate the desired concentration profile (in a manner analogous to generating a square wave by superimposing multiple sine waves). The ion current, accelerating voltage, and dose needed to generate each member of the set is then computed and fed as input to software that controls the operation of the implanter. The various profiles from the set are then implemented while the ion beam remains stationary, thereby generating the desired profile at that spot. The beam is then moved to the next intended location and the process is repeated. In an alternative embodiment, each profile in the set is implemented over the entire surface scanned by the beam and then the process is successively repeated for the remaining members of the set.

For many years now, ion implantation has been used to great effect for the controlled doping of semiconductors. The material to be implanted is first ionized, an ion current is extracted from the ion source and the ions are accelerated by the application of high voltage to form a beam that strikes the target (normally a semiconductor wafer) wherever intended. Depending on their arrival energy, the ions will penetrate some distance below the surface of the target before coming to rest, usually in interstitial positions within the semiconductor lattice where they are inactive. This is normally followed by a rapid thermal anneal (RTA) step during which the implanted donor and/or acceptor ions migrate to nearby substitutional locations in the lattice and become active there.
Referring now to FIG. 1 we show there a schematic plot of concentration (of implanted species) as a function of depth (below the semiconductor surface). Curve 11 represents the form obtained from implanting a single ion species all of whom arrive at the surface with the same energy. Exactly how far any given ion penetrates will vary, depending on exactly where the incoming ion enters the lattice. For example, an ion that collides head-on with a lattice atom may be reflected back from the surface or it may be deflected sideways and follow a path that is more nearly parallel to the semiconductor surface than normal to it. Alternatively, an ion arriving between two lattice atoms may, in some cases, find itself in an intra-lattice channel and continue for a substantial distance before coming to equilibrium.
Thus, as seen in curve 11, the concentration profile that results from conventional ion implantation has the shape of a distribution curve that peaks at a depth corresponding to the magnitude of the acceleration voltage that was applied to the beam. For the purpose of optimizing the electrical performance of devices the idealized concentration profile (obtainable by simulation) is, in general, different from the actual implantation distribution curve. For example, the ideal curve for a particular device might be as outlined by dashed line 12, i.e. flat out to the desired depth and then falling to zero beyond it. A straignt profile of this sort cannot be obtained from one implantation.
FIG. 2 illustrates the individual implantation profiles that are typically achieved in the formation of an NPN bipolar transistor. Curve 21 is flat as it represents the profile of the bulk N-type semiconductor material itself. A layer of P-type material was then implanted (to form the base region) and had a profile corresponding to curve 22. Finally, the emitter region was formed and had a profile corresponding to curve 23.
At any given depth, the contributions to the conductivity from all the various implants at that depth add up, with N and P dopants cancelling one another. Thus, the final concentration profile has the appearance shown in FIG. 3, with net conductivity due to either species gradually reaching zero as the actual P-N junctions (between 31 and 32 or 32 and 33) are approached. In an ideal device the concentrations would remain constant until the junction was reached and then would immmediatedly change to the opposite conductivity type. It would therefore be a distinct advance in the device fabrication art if concentration profiles could be tailored into any desired form, particularly flat profiles.
After searching the prior art, we were unable to find any references that teach the formation of custom profiles through ion implantation. References that we found to be of interest include Glavish (U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,116 January 1996 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,879 September 1997) who discloses systems and methods for generating time varying magnetic fields. These systems are used, inter alia, for magnetically scanning an ion beam and an ion implantation system.
Weisenberger (U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,270 May 1989) describes an ion implantation system that is well suited to treating a large number of wafers at a time without being subject to charge buildup problems.

Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, Ltd.


The present teachings are directed toward electrocatalyst composition of an alloy of platinum and tungsten for use in fuel cells. The alloy consists essentially of platinum metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 20 percent and about 50 percent, and tungsten metal present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 50 percent and about 80 percent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present teachings relate to electrocatalyst compositions comprising an alloy consisting essentially of platinum and tungsten, with platinum present in an atomic percentage ranging between about 20 percent and about 50 percent.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The desire to reduce the amount of expensive platinum group metals needed to obtain a desired level of performance for an electrocatalyst is an ever present operational parameter for the design of many operations involving electrocatalysts.
Enhancement of catalyst performance by alloying platinum with various less expensive metals is one of the possible avenues to either reduce the amount of platinum required, or perhaps increase the efficiency of the catalyzed reaction, or both. For instance, the cathode reaction of a typical proton exchange membrane fuel cell ("PEMFC") can utilize an electrode containing a platinum-based catalyst to drive the oxygen reduction reaction.
A need exists for electrocatalyst compositions that reduce the amount of platinum needed to achieve a desired performance level.

Platinum and tungsten containing electrocatalysts


Systems, devices, and methods for producing a three-dimensional visualization of one or more of a drilled wellbore, a bottom hole assembly, a drill bit, a drill plan, and one or more lithology windows is provided for drill steering purposes. A drilling motor with a toolface in communication with a sensor system is provided. A controller in communication with the sensor system is operable to generate a depiction of the drill plan, a depiction of the drilling motor, and one or more lithology windows, and to combine these depictions in a three-dimensional visualization of the down hole environment. This visualization may be used by an operator to steer the drilled wellbore.

At the outset of a drilling operation, drillers typically establish a drilling plan that includes a target location and a drilling path to the target location. Once drilling commences, the bottom hole assembly (BHA) may be directed or "steered" from a vertical drilling path in any number of directions, to follow the proposed drilling plan. For example, to recover an underground hydrocarbon deposit, a drilling plan might include a vertical bore to a point to a side of a reservoir containing the deposit, then a directional or horizontal bore that penetrates the deposit. The operator may then follow the plan by steering the BHA through the vertical and horizontal aspects in accordance with the plan.
In slide drilling implementations, such directional drilling requires accurate orientation of a bent housing of the down hole motor. The bent housing is set on surface to a pre-determined angle of bend. The high side of this bend is referred to as the toolface of the BHA. In such slide drilling implementations, rotating the drill string changes the orientation of the bent housing and the BHA, and thus the toolface. To effectively steer the assembly, the operator must first determine the current toolface orientation, such as via a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) apparatus. Thereafter, if the drilling direction needs adjustment, the operator must rotate the drill string to change the toolface orientation.
During drilling, a "survey" identifying locational and directional data of a BHA in a well is obtained at various intervals. Each survey yields a measurement of the inclination angle from vertical and azimuth (or compass heading) of the survey probe in a well (typically 40-50 feet behind the total depth at the time of measurement). In directional wellbores, particularly, the position of the wellbore must be known with reasonable accuracy to ensure the correct steering along the desired or planned wellbore path. The measurements themselves include inclination from vertical and the azimuth of the well bore. In addition to the toolface data, and inclination, and azimuth, the data obtained during each survey may also include hole depth data, pipe rotational data, hook load data, delta pressure data (across the down hole drilling motor), and modeled dogleg severity data, for example. Dogleg severity is a measurement of the total curvature of the wellbore expressed over a standard length, typically 100 feet.
These measurements may be taken at discrete points in the well, and the approximate path of the wellbore may be computed from the data obtained at these discrete points. Conventionally, a standard survey is conducted at each drill pipe connection, at approximately every 95 feet, to obtain an accurate measurement of inclination and azimuth for the new survey position.
Information regarding geology may also be obtained during a drilling operation. In some cases, an operator may have access to geology information about a well from external sources, such as offset geological surveys. However, these sources may be challenging for an operator to interpret without an extensive training or a geology background. Furthermore, geology information from external sources is often general in nature and not well suited to various aspects of an actual drilling operation. External geology data may be especially difficult for an operator to analyze correctly while controlling other aspects of a drilling operation.
As a drilling operation proceeds, the operator must consider the geology information and information from available surveys to follow a drill plan. Often, this requires the operator to perform regular corrections to the drilled wellpath. This typically requires the operator to manipulate the drawworks brake and rotate the rotary table or top drive quill to find the precise combinations of hook load, mud motor differential pressure, and drill string torque, to properly position the toolface. This can be difficult and time consuming. Each adjustment has different effects on the toolface orientation, and each must be considered in combination with other drilling requirements, such as the composition of surrounding formations, to drill the hole. Thus, reorienting the toolface in a wellbore is very complex, labor intensive, and sometimes inaccurate. Furthermore, information required to steer the drilling BHA is generally transmitted to the operator in a textual format in conventional systems. The operator must consider the implications of this textual information, formulate a visual mental impression of the overall orientation of the drilling BHA, and try to formulate a steering plan based on this mental impression, before steering the system. A more efficient, reliable, and intuitive method for steering a BHA and visualizing surrounding geological formations is needed.

Downhole 3D geo steering viewer for a drilling apparatus


Disclosed herewith is a composite type computer system that can assure that a PCI tree to be allocated to a computer is configured completely before the computer is powered. The composite type computer system includes a PCI switch that connects plural computers through PCI interfaces; plural PCI devices connected to the PCI switch; a system controller that controls the computers; and a PCI manager that controls allocation of the PCI devices to the computers. The system controller carries out processings in the steps of (a) powering an object computer to start up its OS; (b) acquiring the identifier of a PCI tree allocated by the system controller to the computer and PCI tree management information denoting the status of the PCI tree; (c) retrying the powering or canceling the powering of the computer if the acquired PCI tree management information denotes the status “not initialized”; and (d) carrying out the powering for the computer if the acquired PCI management information denotes the status “initialized”.

IT systems typically represented by those of the Internet sites are configured by various servers such as WEB servers that display information to users, AP (application) servers that unite and process information, DB (data base) servers that stores information, etc. Those servers use computers, each being configured by a CPU, a memory, I/O devices, etc. Because such an IT system is configured by many servers as described above, there has appeared a blade server recently so as to make it easier to manage those servers. One blade server includes many computers (e.g., as disclosed in the JP-A No. 2002-32153). Furthermore, because there has been realized a CPU that can include plural processor cores (multicore CPU), thereby the CPU processing performance has been improved and accordingly the CPU has come to be used more efficiently, virtual server techniques have also appeared to operate plural virtual servers in one computer.
Computers use I/O devices such as the NIC (Network Interface Card), the FC-HBA (Fiber Channel-Host Bus Adapter), etc. to connect networks and storages for communications. And as described above, if one computer operates plural servers, the number of I/O devices per computer comes often to be short comparatively. In order to solve such a problem, there are some well-known techniques. The multi-route PCI switching technique and the multi-route I/O virtualization technique (IOV IO Virtualization) are typical ones. The multi-route PCI switching technique enables the connection between plural computers and plural PC devices that are I/O devices and the multi-route I/O virtualization technique enables one PCI device to be shared by plural computers. The former multi-route PCI switching technique can change the number of PCI devices connectable to one computer scalably (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,058,738: "Advanced Switching Technology Tech Brief", issued in 2005, written by ASI-SIG, pages 1 to 2; etc.) The latter multi-route I/O virtualization technique can increase the number of I/O devices virtually by enabling one PC device to be shared among computers. Using those techniques, therefore, can solve the problem of the shortage of I/O devices that might otherwise occur when virtual servers are used.

Computer system and management method thereof


Ground noise associated with lead inductance in electronic systems containing multiple lead integrated circuits is substantially reduced by including, for each chip driver lead that carries a signal, a complementary lead which carries the the inverse of that signal. These balanced pairs are continued not only in the wire bonds and lead frame of the integrated circuit, but also through any connecting assembly such as a printed wiring board or multichip module to the associated balanced chip receivers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electronic devices and, in particular, to multiple lead electronic devices.
2. Art Background
The enhancement of device density in integrated circuits (ICs) has seen rapid progress. This increase in density has caused a concomitant increase in the number of leads associated with the IC. Indeed, integrated circuits having up to 256 leads are readily available. These leads are dedicated for chip drivers (IC circuit output which drive external interconnections), ground returns, power and other signals. Typically, these leads, 10 emanating from the silicon chip (FIGS. 1 and 2) or multichip modules 60 (FIG. 3) and terminating at a lead frame as shown at 20 in FIG. 1 or on a circuit board, 30 in FIGS. 2 and 3, are spaced a minimum of 0.004 inches and are at smallest 0.001 inches in diameter and 0.10 inches in length. Generally, these connections from the silicon to the lead frame or circuit board are made by wire bonding--a process that entails thermosonic bonding of the leads to pads. Lead lengths attainable with conventional technology such as lead bonding because of mechanical constraints, are unlikely to be reduced much below 0.04 inches. Nevertheless, there is a strong desire to reduce lead length since this results in reduced lead inductance.
An A.C. signal generated by a chip driver and returning on one or more ground leads produces a potential difference across the common ground leads. (An A.C. signal includes digital signal information.) For integrated circuits with a large number of chip drivers which rapidly switch in the same direction (e.g. 16 chip drivers switching in 1 ns and even more significantly 32 chip drivers switching in 1 ns), the combined effect of this induced ground potential difference (sometimes referred to as ground bounce) or inductive noise is significant. That is, an induced transient potential difference occurs between the ground plane 42 (FIG. 4) present in teh driver integrated circuit 45 and the ground plane 41 associated with interconnects (e.g. printed wiring boards, PWBs) that provide electrical communication between these integrated circuits. This significant difference in potential between ground planes produces errors in information processing. Inductive noise of the power leads is of less concern because by-pass capacitors can be applied very close to the chips to help reduce power fluctuations.
The difference in ground potential is proportional to the rate of change of driver current, the number of chip drivers switching, the combined ground return (including via 43, the ground plane, 41, ground via 70, ground lead 10, and via 44) inductance, and inversely proportional to the number of ground returns. (See A. J. Rainal, AT&T Bell Laboratories Technical Journal, January 1984.) Thus, the induced ground potential becomes larger and errors become more frequent with increased current rate of change which in turn increases with increases in data rate or decreases in rise time, T.sub.r, increases in the current difference, .DELTA.I, incurred during the rise time and increases in the number of chip driver leads N.sub.d. Generally, for .DELTA.I N.sub.d /T.sub.r values above 16 ma per ns, error rates become significant and for values above 32 ma per ns become of even greater concern. (For analog signals, a similar figure of merit is appropriate. If IC's having both analog and digital circuitry, errors from the digital component generally predominate.)
A variety of approaches has been employed to reduce inductive noise, (also denominated ground bounce, simultaneous switching noise, or delta I noise). For example, non-linear circuitry has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,398,106. Additionally, solder bump leads have been proposed, at least in part, to reduce inductance. In this approach, small nodes of solder are present on the integrated circuit at each electrical connection point. Corresponding nodes of solder (or bare contact pads) are present on the printed wiring board. Alignment and reflow of the solder bumps produce a plurality of relatively low inductance connections. However, the use of solder bumps and other relatively recent technology is substantially more expensive than conventional wire bonding and has not achieved the reliability of wire bond technology. Since wire bonding is a mature and reliable technology with a large capital investment, it is quite desirable to reduce the inductive noise and retain the wire bond technology.

Balanced circuitry for reducing inductive noise of external chip interconnections


A new class of composites results from a matrix of fibers, such as fibers of carbon, alumina, ceramics, and aluminosilicates, interwined in a network of fused metal fibers. The composites can be fabricated to have varying surface area, void volume, and pore size while maintaining high electrical conductivity. Composites are readily prepared from a preform of a dispersion of the metal fibers, other fibers, and an organic binder such as cellulose, by heating the preform at a temperature sufficient to fuse the metal fibers and to volatilize at least 90% of the binder. Where a carbon fiber is used, the metal fibers are fused at a temperature causing a loss of less than about 25%, and usually under 15%, by weight of carbon fiber.

This application relates to novel composites having high surface area, variable porosity and void volume, good conductivity, and displaying chemical stability in corrosive environments. The composites have mechanical and structural integrity and can be prepared in virtually an endless variety of shapes. For the sake of simplicity and clarity of exposition, the composites which are our invention will be discussed from the aspect of their use as electrode materials. However important this particular application may be, it needs to be stressed at the outset that the claimed composites have significant utility outside the field of electrochemistry, but such uses are omitted here only for convenience.
Carbon based electrodes are currently used in many high energy density and/or high power density applications, such as Li/SOCl.sub.2 batteries, liquid double layer capacitors, and fuel cells. The maximum energy and power densities obtainable from these devices depend upon various physicochemical rate phenomena occurring at the electrode-electrolyete interface. For example, in the case of high energy density lithium/thionyl chloride batteries, deactivation of the carbon cathode limits operation of the battery at high (>10 mA/cm.sup.2) discharge rates. Since deactivation arises from the preferential precipitation of solid reaction products at the exterior of the cathode, thereby blocking its interior surface area from participating in the reaction, the power density of the battery during discharge is limited by the porosity, the void volume, and the active or accessible surface area of the carbon cathode.
When the cathode becomes blocked, as described above, the interfacial electrochemical reaction of the anode becomes limited by the dissolution rate of the reaction products into the electrolyte, which in turn is controlled by the precipitation rate at the cathode. Attempts to improve the fabrication and design of the carbon cathode has had limited success. Much of this activity has involved the addition of metallic elements such as copper to the carbon or the coating of the cathodes with transition metal phthalocyanines. Other efforts have utilized various carbon pretreatment procedures or different types of carbon blacks with various physical properties. However, past attempts appear not to address the intrinsic problem associated with carbon blacks, viz., the inaccessibility of small pores within the microstructure of the material and the existence of low void volumes in the outermost layers of the carbon. To provide high power density cathodes what is needed are materials which are flexible, have high specific surface areas, have varying and adjustable porosities and void volumes to accommodate reaction products as precipitates without significant loss of surface area, and which are corrosion resistant.
In liquid double layer capacitors the energy density increases with increased active surface area of the electrode presented to the electrolyte, whereas the power density is controlled and limited by slow diffusion of electrolyte through the microporous electrode material. To increase both the energy and power density of these capacitors requires increased diffusion processes, which prefer large pores and high void volumes, and higher levels of specific surface area, which entails small pore sizes and low void volumes. To date the requirements of large pores/high void volume and high surface area tend to be mutually exculsive. Consequently, since increased energy density involves increased surface area and increased porosity, power dense devices become more and more limited by diffusion processes as the surface area of the electrode is increased.
In fuel cells, an effective electrode material should exhibit high catalytic activity and high electrical conductivity to minimize joule losses within the device. The electrode should be highly porous to provide free access to both the gases and the electrolytes. The optimum pore size distribution of the electrode material is a compromise between several factors. For high strength, low porosity and small pores are desirable. For low polarization, large pores with maximum internal surface area are more desirable. Electrodes also contain metals such as platinum, nickel, and so forth, which are good catalysts for fuel oxidation and oxidant reduction. The catalytic activity depends on the active surface area of electrode as well as the contacting of the electrode with reactants consisting of fuel and electrolyte. For this reason, controlled wetting of the electrode poses one of the more severe design limitations confronting the device in order to provide optimal contacting at the gas-liquid-catalyst interface in the absence of weeping, bubbling, and flooding.
Carbon is an especially attractive electrode material, and high surface area carbon electrodes typically are fabricated from activated carbon blacks. However, a major difficulty in fabricating and utilizing high surface area carbon electrodes has been in physically supporting the carbon. Carbon black usually is used in the powdered form which cannot be easily supported unless poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) or other types of binders are used. Our radically different approach has been to combine dissimilar and normally incompatible materials to form a physically stable composite structure which exhibits properties intermediate to the constituent materials. In the context of carbon electrodes, the resulting materials have a high surface area, variable porosity and variable void volume, are structurally stable, and can be fabricated in a virtually endless variety of shapes and sizes. More particularly, high surface area carbon fibers and highly conductive metal fibers have been combined in an intertwined sinter-locked network or grid which is structurally stable. The resultant high surface area and conductive composite allows high accessibility to gases and electrolytes while providing adjustable porosities and void volumes. Interlocked networks of thin fibers can be bonded to metallic backings, serving as current collectors and bipolar electrolyte separators, to provide flexible electrode structures which can be readily assembled into devices even when one of the components is relatively brittle or does not normally bond or adhere to the metal backing.
A generic approach to high surface area has been to disperse carbon blacks in an organic resin which serves as a mechanical framework. Solomon in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,647 exemplifies one approach by using a matrix of carbon particles within an unsintered (i.e., unfused) network of carbon black-filamentary PTFE. The use of PTFE as a matrix for carbon particles has been investigated extensively. However, the addition of PTFE reduces the electrical conductivity of the cathode active layer (Solomon et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,500,647, 4,518,705, 4,456,521) and the cost of using PTFE has led others to seek alternative means of holding the carbon black together (Aubrey D. Smith, National Technical Information Service Technical Note, Report Date-Feb. 1986, 1 page, NTN86-0166).
A somewhat different approach employs carbon particles in a carbonized matrix. For example, Christner et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,115,528) prepared a porous carbon sheet by coating carbon fibers with furfuryl alcohol and a catalyst effective for its polymerization. The mixture was formed into a mat, heated to effect polymerization, and the resin then was further heated to carbonize the resin. The patentee in U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,028 dispersed carbon fibers in an organic binder containing organic poreforming granules, then heated the mix to carbonize the binder and volatilize the poreformers. In both of the foregoing the carbonized matrix supplies structure (i.e., rigidity and mechanical strength), whereas in our composites structure is afforded by a grid of fused metal fibers.
Zuckerbrod et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,856 describes an electrode with a layer of paste consisting of carbon particles, stainless steel particles, a fluorinated polymeric binder, and a catalyst for decomposition of peroxides. It is noteworthy that such a paste must contain at least 20 weight percent stainless steel relative to carbon particles. Finally, Watanabe and coworkers, [J. Electrochem. Soc: Electrochemical Science and Technology, 134, 1318 (1987)] used polyethylene glycol as a binder for carbon blacks, then pressed a film of the resulting material on nickel wire for use as a cathode in a lithium cell. It may be mentioned in passing that electrochemical electrodes have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,831 consisting of a pile fabric where a portion of the yarn is metallic. The patentees mention that the metal fibers in the yarn may be bonded, as by sintering, brazing or welding.
However useful and significant the carbon fiber-metal fiber network previously referred to may be, it seems to us that it is but one example of a class of composites with a range of uses transcending those of electrochemical applications and encompassing such diverse areas as cellular supports in biochemical reactors, magnetic separators, and filters; a short exposition of some of these uses is deferred to a later section. As to the composites themselves, it appears to us that one can specify their lowest common denominator, that is, those irreducible features which are necessary and sufficient to impart to the class of our composites those characteristics which make the class desirable from a materials point of view. A necessary feature is that the composite be a network of at least two different fibers. The fibers could be chemically different, for example, a metal fiber and a carbon fiber, or they could be physically different, for example, two fibers of the same metal but with different cross-sectional dimensions, length, or aspect ratio. The second and only other necessary feature is that there be a number of points in the network where the fibers are physically connected, i.e., bonded. There is versatility and variability here, too, such as the relative number of bonded points, whether fibers "interbond" (i.e., bonding between dissimilar fibers), whether they only "intrabond" (i.e., bonding between similar fibers), and if there is intrabonding whether all classes of fibers so bond or whether only, say, one kind of fiber bonds. The resultant composite is then a network of at least a first and a second fiber where the second fiber is interlocked in the network of bonded (i.e., physically connected) first fibers.
A pictorial, somewhat fanciful, and certainly non-literal overview of our invention is depicted in FIG. 1. The left hand region, designated by A, represents a physical mixture of two kinds of fibers as shown by the open and dotted strands. The case where only one of these fibers is intrabonded is depicted by B, that where both kinds of fibers are intrabonded is depicted by C, and that where the fibers are interbonded is depicted by D. The relative amounts of the two fibers will quite obviously influence the void volume of the composite. The density of bonded points will affect structural flexibility and, where the bonded fibers are electrically conducting, the conductivity of the composite. Where one fiber is non-porous, the relative number of the two fibers will determine the porosity of the composite. In short, from this oversimplified pictorial representation one can easily see how the final properties of the composite can be varied and one can appreciate that the properties of the composite can be a blend of the properties of dissimilar, normally incompatible materials--that is, the properties of the composite are themselves a composite of the properties of the materials forming the network. This attribute can not be stressed too highly since it is, if not unique, rarely found, difficult to achieve, and highly desirable for new materials.

Preparation of mixed fiber composite structures


A spin casting apparatus, method of manufacture for producing a molded article from a polyurethane material, shown as a non-pneumatic tire, where a mold that is formed in sections or halves and has an inner cavity formed to have the shape of the article to be manufactured and is separable to release that article after manufacture. The mold is secured to a support plate of the apparatus that is journaled to turn axially imparting a centrifugal force into the mold. The support plate is connected to or is arranged to be connected to a motor assembly for turning, and includes a clamping arrangement for maintaining the mold halves together on the support plate. An annular trough is formed in the mold immediately adjacent to a mold interior cavity inner circumference to receive a polyurethane material liquid passed thereto, and to, in turn, pass that liquid through a trough annular opening or ports into the mold cavity. The polyurethane material is selected to begin to react, forming a foam, as support plate turning is initiated, providing immediate centrifugal forces into the material to uniformly distribute it throughout the mold cavity, compacting it against the cavity walls to form an article having a uniformly increasing porosity from a dense outer circumference to its inner circumference. The preferred polyurethane material is composition of polyisocyanates, with water as a polyol, and preferably includes a blowing agent to produce carbon dioxide gas during curing and provides for, after mixing, a time delay in seconds to allow the mixture to fill the mold annular trough and at least partially travel into the mold cavity, before the mixture begins to react. An article, such as a bicycle, wheel chair tire, or the like, can be formed in the apparatus and by the method to have a non-porous ring-shaped outer skin, with a foam interior, and has a uniform declining density in porosity from its outer surface to its interior and may include a wire loop, or the like, molded into a tire bead, as a tension retainer member.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the apparatus and method for processing polyurethane foams to form bicycle tires and the like.
2. Prior Art
For a number of years polyurethane foams have been used to produce products having outer integral skins that surround or partially surround a foam core. In such earlier developments, it has been recognized that bicycle and wheelchair tires can be, and in practice have been, produced from such foams to have an outer integral skin, and a foam core. Such products have gained acceptance because they give a ride that is rather comparable to pneumatic tires while not being subject to air loss, blow outs, and the like. Examples of such earlier developments are shown in U.S. Patents of two of the inventors, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,943,223 and 4,855,096, that the apparatus and method of the present invention improves upon to provide a tire of consistent quality with an appropriate density, and of minimum weight and resistance to rolling.
The present invention, unique from earlier technology, provides an apparatus and method that is useable for the production of non pneumatic tires and other products that will have a uniform density variability from the outer circumference to the inner diameter, providing ride comfort that is comparable to that of a pneumatic tire with greater wear life than pneumatic tires and is not subject to puncture or blow out.
In the past, solid and cellular polyurethane tires, semi pneumatic polyurethane tires, solid rubber tires and solid tires made from various other materials have been developed as set out in the above cited U.S. Patents of two of the inventors and by others. Examples of such earlier apparatus and processes for spin casting items from liquid elastomers are shown in a number of earlier U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,200,180; 3,505,437; 3,751,551; 3,956,448; 4,049,767; 4,379,104; 4,387,070; 4,416,841; 4,472,340; 4,478,567; and 4,479,769, and in Canadian Patents No.'s 875,065 and 1,092,296. Additionally, non-pneumatic tires, and the like, preferably formed utilizing rotational or spin casting processes are shown in another U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,815 to two of the present inventors, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,348,597; 3,605,848 and Canadian Patent No. 1,032,445, with a patent to Pointer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,128, showing a tubeless tire that is preferably formed from a polyurethane material and includes a thermoplastic cord formed in the tire bead for reinforcing that bead that the invention improves upon by a utilization of a continuous cord fitted therein in the molding process that is preferably formed as a continuous metal wire, providing uniform support at all points around the tire bead with little or no stretch.
While the above cited prior art shows that polyurethane foams have heretofore been used for producing tires, and the like, such have not provided molded items that are free of variations in density throughout a finished product. Further, such earlier apparatus and methods have produced tires, and the like, with voids and blemishes, in the product surface, which defects have greatly limited the market acceptance of such products. Additionally, other defects that non pneumatic tires have exhibited in a use and practice of earlier apparatus and methods are addressed and solved by the present invention to include a production of a tire that will remain securely attached to the rim over time and, in use, will maintain a proper circumference during use. Further unique to the invention, a tire manufactured using the apparatus and by the process of the invention will include a center line rib to decrease resistance to rolling, and a shoulder lug and improve off road traction over earlier designs, and provides for an improvement in static spring rate by closely controlling of the density of the foam as is preferably used in the tire manufacture to dramatically improve tire spring rate and the rolling resistance. Also, as an improvement over prior tire designs, the invention addresses and solves the problem of a non reliance of the tire outer skin in relationship to its inner core by dispensing with a utilization of a skinning foam like earlier tires have incorporated, thereby yielding an improvement in cell structure and density of the molded item. A tire is thereby provided that exhibits a higher density around its outer diameter, or tread surface, as compared to a somewhat lower but controlled density around its inside diameter.

Spin casting apparatus for manufacturing an item from polyurethane foam


A metal element adsorbent in the form of a hydrogel prepared by treating a condensed tannin with a base, in the presence or absence of an aldehyde so as to avoid precipitation of cross-linked tannin and produce a hydrogel. The inventive adsorbent exhibits high adsorption properties for metal elements and a low flow resistivity when used in a packed column. Methods for use of the inventive adsorbent are disclosed.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of preparing a metal element adsorbent which can adsorb actinides such as uranium, thorium, transuranium elements, and the like; heavy metal elements such as cadmium, lead, chromium, mercury, iron, etc.; or metal elements such as cobalt, cesium, strontium, and the like.
Also, it relates to a method of adsorbing and separating the metal element from a solution containing the metal element by using the adsorbent.
II. Description of the Related Art
Nuclear fuel elements such as uranium, thorium, etc. are contained in the waste liquid effluent from nuclear fuel processing facilities. The prior art discloses a method of preparing an adsorbent for these nuclear fuel elements which is made from "kaki-shibu", that is, persimmon juice (Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Applications No. 63-61998 and No. 1-155947). This adsorbent is a hydrogel composition which is produced by reacting a kaki-shibu with an aldehyde or an acid such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, etc., thereby causing the gelation of the persimmon tannin.
The present applicant has previously filed a patent application regarding a method for producing an adsorbent of insoluble tannin which comprises dissolving a tannin powder in an aqueous aldehyde solution, adding ammonia to the resulting solution to form a precipitate, and aging the precipitate to obtain the insoluble tannin (Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No.3-206094).
In the former method of preparing a hydrogel composition, the raw material is limited to kaki-shibu because tannins extracted from a natural product other than kaki-shibu will not react with an aldehyde or an acid, wherby a gel will not be formed.
The latter method of preparing an adsorbent of an insoluble tannin is problematic because the insoluble tannin is made from a tannin powder which is an aggregate of finely divided particles. When the insoluble tannin is packed into a column of a waste disposal plant and waste liquid is passed through the column, the insoluble tannin changes to the form of finely divided particles, thereby increasing the flow resistivity. For example, a waste liquid will pass through a column packed with an adsorbent consisting of the insoluble tannin at a space velocity of 17 h.sup.-1 at most. This rate means that it is insufficient to increase the throughput or processing ability of the waste liquid.

Method of preparing metal element adsorbent and method of adsorbing and separating metal element using the same


Of carrier liquids extracted by an carrier liquid extracting device from a liquid developer obtained by mixing together yellow, cyan, magenta, and black liquid developers, the carrier liquid of particularly high purity is recycled for concentration control of the yellow liquid developer and the carrier liquid of purity a little lower than the aforementioned purity is recycled for concentration control of the cyan, magenta, and black liquid developers. A carrier liquid extracted from the yellow liquid developer is recycled for the concentration control of the yellow liquid developer, and a carrier liquid extracted from the liquid developer obtained by mixing together the cyan, magenta, and black liquid developers is recycled for the concentration control of the cyan, magenta, and black liquid developers. This permits efficient use of carrier liquids to be recycled without having an influence on the image quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wet image forming apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image by using liquid developers of a plurality of colors to thereby form a color image.
2. Description of Related Art
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, it is predominant practice to transfer an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum by using a powdery developer. An image forming apparatus has been recently proposed which forms an image through development by using a liquid developer in which toner particles are dispersed in a carrier liquid. Known as such a wet image forming apparatus is, for example, an image forming apparatus as disclosed in patent document 1 which forms color images by using liquid developers of mutually different colors, for example, black, magenta, cyan, and yellow, and then sequentially transfers these color images to thereby form a full-color image.
It is known that, as disclosed in patent document 2 for example, for liquid developers of a wet image forming apparatus as described above, only a carrier liquid is extracted by using a carrier recycling device from the used liquid developer and then recycled.
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-No. 2005-315948
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-No. 2005-77896
In a wet image forming apparatus as described above, a liquid developer whose concentration is controlled to a desired level by mixing a carrier liquid with a condensed liquid developer or the like is supplied to a photosensitive drum. At this point of time, it is possible, as disclosed in patent document 2, to use carrier liquids to be recycled as the carrier liquids used for the concentration control.
When the carrier liquid to be recycled is used, it is preferable that the carrier liquids be extracted from the used liquid developers of different colors (for example, black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) all at a time in order to increase the amount of carrier liquid extracted. That is, the liquid developers of the different colors are once mixed together and then the carrier liquid to be recycled is extracted from the mixed liquid developer.
However, a carrier liquid extracting device usually used has difficulties in completely removing toner particles from the used liquid developers of the different colors, thus leaving the toner particles, although small in amount, in the extracted carrier liquid. The use of such carrier liquid extracted from the mixed liquid developers possibly results in a phenomenon that the toner particles of the other colors appear outstanding in, for example, the yellow liquid developer. This therefore involves a problem that color reproducibility becomes unstable at the time of image formation.

Wet image forming apparatus recycling carrier


A self-moving mechanism, a slide incorporating the same and a method of self-moving a slide are provided. A slide incorporating a self-moving mechanism is a self-moving slide and includes a first slide member slideably coupled to a second slide member. A self-moving mechanism is coupled to the second slide member. A slot having a first longitudinal portion and a second transverse portion is formed on a housing of the mechanism. A slider having an actuator is guided within the slot and slides along the housing and couples with the first slide member for moving the first slide member relative to the second slide member.

The present invention is directed to self-moving slides, self-moving mechanisms for slides, and to methods for self-moving slides. Drawers are typically coupled to cabinets using slides. These slides are typically two-member slides or three-member slides. A two-member slide includes a stationary member and a telescoping member. The telescoping member is slideably coupled to the stationary member and can telescope relative to the stationary member. A three-member slide includes three members, namely, a stationary member, an intermediate member, and a telescoping member. The intermediate member is slideably coupled to the stationary member and the telescoping member is slideably coupled to the intermediate member. Both the intermediate and telescoping members telescope relative to the stationary member. Moreover, the telescoping member can telescope relative to the intermediate member. Typically the slide stationary member is coupled to the cabinet and the telescoping member is coupled to a side of the drawer.
The problem with many drawers is that they tend to open after they are closed. Another problem with drawers is that when they are pushed to close, they sometimes do not close completely because they are not pushed with sufficient force or alternatively they are pushed with more force than necessary causing the drawers to slam against the cabinet and then re-open. Another problem is that the drawers do not open easily.
Consequently, a mechanism is desired for use in slides that will keep the slides in a closed position when the slides are fully closed and that will also help the slides self-close as they reach close to the end of their rearward travel. Similarly, a mechanism is also desired for use in slides that will help self-open such slides.

Self-moving mechanism and slide incorporating the same


There is disclosed a wearproof floating magnetic head slider adapted for a lap top computer. The magnetic head utilizes the contact/start & stop system. A protective film of a high hardness is formed at least on parts of the sliding surface of the slider. The protective film is made of SiO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2 - Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, or MgO-SiO.sub.2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a floating magnetic head slider which shows improved wear resistance without adversely affecting the characteristics of the magnetic head and which is prevented from sticking.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Presently, the contact/start and stop (CSS) system is often used in the floating magnetic heads of hard disk drives, because the CSS system makes the structure simple and reduces the cost. In this CSS system, when a disk is rotating at a high speed, the magnetic head is made to float about 0.1 to 0.3 .mu.m off the surface of the disk. When the rotation of the disk is brought to a stop, the sliding surface of the head is pressed against the surface of the disk. This stationary condition is then maintained. Therefore, when the disk is started and stopped, large frictional forces are produced between the disk and the magnetic head. It is normally desired that the coefficient of friction occurring at this time be set less than 1.
One conventional countermeasure taken to avoid the wear between the magnetic head and the disk surface is to form a very hard film made of SiO.sub.2 or graphite oil the surface of the magnetic disk. Another prevailing countermeasure is to form a lubricating film on the surface of the magnetic disk. The present situation is that almost no countermeasure is taken to protect the magnetic head against wear.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 61163/1986 discloses a magnetic head slider having a protective film of carbon on its surface, for protecting the slider against wear. Japanese Patent Publication No. 276074/1990 discloses a magnetic head slider whose surface is made uneven to reduce the coefficient of friction.
In the above-described prior art techniques, the hardness of a magnetic head whose wear resistance is not improved is lower than that of a disk having improved wear resistance. Where they differ greatly in hardness in this way, the magnetic head of a lower hardness is worn away by the surface of the disk, thus producing particles. This increases the coefficient of friction t, which in turn increases the possibility of a head crash. Where the surface is made uneven to reduce the area of frictional contact, if the disk surface and the uneven surface differ greatly in hardness, then problems take place in the same way as in the case of the use of a hard film of graphite described above.
The sliding surface of a slider using a ferrite or calcium has the following problems. In recent years, the recording densities of magnetic heads have tended to be increased. With this trend, heads are made to float a less distance above the disk. Also, disks on which metals are sputtered have been increasingly adopted. In this way, the wear resistances of the sliding surfaces of sliders have been required to be improved further. Experiments were made on sliders made of ferrite as well as on sliders made of calcium. It was confirmed that when the number of CSS tests reached several thousands to tens of thousands, the coefficient of friction exceeded 1, scratching the disk surfaces. Also, head crashes occurred. In this manner, these drives are not satisfactorily reliable.
One contemplated countermeasure taken to reduce the coefficient of friction between the sliding surface of the slider and the disk is to make both surfaces specular. Where the contact/start and stop system is adopted, the magnetic head is pressed against the surface of the disk when the disk stops. If the head is kept at rest for a long time, they are stuck on each other. This phenomenon is known as sticking. Also, when the drive is set into operation, the flexure that holds the magnetic head is deformed or the disk surface is scratched.
A so-called head-loading mechanism is presently available to prevent the aforementioned sticking, in which, when the drive is stopped, the magnetic head is raised from the disk. Unfortunately, this mechanism is complex in structure and expensive to fabricate. Recently, hard disk drives of smaller diameters have been installed in lap top computers. In this case, there is a possibility that magnetic heads are used under severer mechanical environments than conventional desktop computers. Moreover, the number of CSSes tends to be increased because of the adoption of so-called sleep mode, wherein, when data is not accessed, the rotation of the disk is stopped to save the electric power consumed.


A phase noise detection apparatus comprises a laser beam, an optical resonator coupled thereto at a coupling point and a photodetector receiving light from the laser beam. The laser beam and the resonator coupled thereto convert phase noise of light transported by the laser beam prior to the coupling point into intensity noise of light transported by the laser beam thereafter. Intensity noise is converted into an electrical signal by the photodetector. The electrical signal is sent through a first signal path and a second signal path such that the first signal path transports a signal substantially proportional to the intensity noise, which is integrated in an integrator in the second path. Relative gain of the two signal paths can be adjusted and the overall gain of the signal path is preferably such that the optical phase modulator at least partially cancels said phase noise in the optical domain.

Laser phase noise is an important metric that can drive the performance of systems ranging from instrumentation to communication systems. Opto-electronic systems reducing laser phase noise are an ongoing development topic. In particular, achieving the performance of high performance bench top lasers by cleaning up the output of cheap and compact semiconductor lasers is a very important goal. High power semiconductor lasers (above a few tens of mW) tend to have severely degraded linewidth. The linewidth broadening of high power distributed feedback (DFB) lasers is for example typically a result of laser phase noise, so that cleaning laser phase noise could lead to a dramatic improvement of high power semiconductor laser linewidth. Laser phase noise is typically a limiting factor in instrumentation, and can be a limiting factor in long haul communication due to fiber dispersion. With the increasing importance of phase encoding in optical communications, laser phase noise also increasingly becomes problematic in the absence of fiber dispersion since laser phase noise is directly converted into amplitude noise at the receiver optics. Such encoding schemes include binary phase shift keying, differential phase shift keying, quadrature phase shift keying, as well as homodyne or heterodyne (coherent) receivers. On-chip resonators with quality factors (Q-factors) on the order of 100 million have also been demonstrated (see D. K. Armani, T. J. Kippenberg, S. M. Spillane, K. K. Vahala, "Ultra-high-Q toroid microcavity on a chip", Nature 421, 925-928 (2003), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.) These allow, for example, on-chip generation of frequency combs (thus also acting as a multi-wavelength light source), or can be used to generate ultra-low noise RF reference signals (see D. Eliyahu, D. Seidel, L. Maleki, "Phase noise of a high performance OEO and an ultra low noise floor cross-correlation microwave photonic homodyne system", Proceedings of Frequency Control Symposium, 2008 I EEE International, Honolulu, Hi. pp. 811-814, 19-21 May 2008. ISBN: 978-1-4244-1794-0 DOI: 10.1109FREQ.2008.4673111, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). In order to couple to resonators with such ultra-high quality factors, a light source with correspondingly small line width has also to be used. Since using a bulky and expensive laser defeats the point of using an integrated resonator, the ability to clean up a high power semiconductor laser is particularly powerful in this context.
As a first building block for laser phase noise removal, a laser phase noise detection scheme is required. Typically, an imbalanced interferometer is used, where one of the arms of the interferometer contains a delay line. When the interferometer is properly biased (at the 3 dB point) this results in an output signal whose power corresponds to the derivative of the phase noise, for slowly varying phase noise. Precisely, for a time delay τ and a time varying phase noise φ, the output power of the interferometer is proportional to (1+ sin(φ(t)−φ(t−τ)))/2 which is approximately (1+τ×dφ/dt)/2 for a slowly varying phase, ω denotes the angular frequency of a sinusoidal phase perturbation, i.e. φ=φ0 sin(ωt). The output of the imbalanced interferometer is then ½+ sin 2φ0 sin(ωτ/2)cos(φt−ωτ/2))/2, i.e. the small signal laser phase noise to modulator output power modulation transfer function is given by sin(ωτ/2). This is the conversion gain of the imbalanced interferometer optical phase noise detection scheme. For slowly varying phase noise, increasing the delay line also increases the sensitivity of the noise detection scheme. However there are high frequency zeroes in the transfer function corresponding to ωτ/2=π+N×π, wherein N is an integer. Increasing the delay line also pulls in the high-frequency roll off towards lower frequencies, leading to a sensitivity/optical bandwidth tradeoff. Also, since at low frequencies the interferometer essentially applies a derivative to the phase noise, its output is typically followed by an integrator. This way the transfer function zero at ω=0 is compensated for since the aggregate electro-optic transfer function becomes sin(ωτ/2)/ω.
Phase noise reduction is also described in 3. M. Bagheri, F. Aflatouni, A. Imani, A. Goel, H. Hashemi, "Semiconductor laser phase-noise cancellation using an electrical feed-forward scheme", Opt. Lett. 34, 2979-2981 (2009), hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Broadband optical phase detection and phase noise removal with an optical resonator


A continuous weight-update device for a synaptic element including at least one MOS transistor comprises a floating node having a capacitance associated therewith, the floating gate comprising at least a part of the floating node, first and second input lines, first and second error lines, an electron tunneling structure coupled to the floating node for tunneling electrons from the floating node, and an electron injecting structure coupled to the floating node for injecting electrons onto the floating node. Control circuitry is responsive to signals on the first input and error lines, for activating the electron tunneling structure, and control circuitry is responsive to signals on the second input and error lines, for activating the electron injecting structure. Circuitry is provided for driving signals onto the first and second input and error lines. Both a single synapse and an array of synapses incorporating the continuous weight-update device are also taught.

1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention pertains to neural networks and to electronic circuits for performing the learning function. More particularly, the present invention pertains to circuits for adjusting a synaptic weight based on the product of an input signal and an error signal.
2. The Prior Art
Many schemes have been proposed to use floating gate structures as weight storage for analog neural networks. Any such network requires a synaptic update mechanism which allows the weight to be changed depending on the combination of an input signal and an error signal. The most popular update rules currently in use implement some form of gradient descent, in which the weight is decreased when the input is of the same sign as the error, and is increased when the input has a sign opposite to that of the error. This form of learning is thus inherently a four quadrant computation. The desirable properties of such an update mechanism when implemented in an analog integrated circuit are small size, ability to work continuously (i.e., to use the signal while it is being updated), and freedom from high-voltage circuitry requirements within the synapse cell itself. The learning rate of such an update mechanism should not vary widely between circuits on the same chip.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a continuous weight-update apparatus for use with a synapse in a neural network.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an encoding of input and error signals, and a circuit for using these encoded signals to compute the control signals for a tunneling structure and a hot-electron injection structure to provide a continuous weight update apparatus.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a neural network including a plurality of synapses, each of the synapses including a continuous weight update-device.
This and other objects of the invention will be apparent to any person of ordinary skill in the art from the description of the invention contained herein.

Continuous synaptic weight update mechanism