A method and apparatus for two-stage packet classification, the two-stage packet classification scheme including a first stage and a second stage. In the first classification stage, a packet is classified on the basis of the packet's network path. In the second stage of classification, the packet is classified on the basis of one or more transport (or other) fields of the packet. Also disclosed are embodiments of most specific filter matching and transport level sharing, and either one or both of these techniques may be implemented in the two-stage classification method.

Traditionally, packet routing in computer networks is based solely on the destination address of a packet. This routing technique is generally associated with "best effort" delivery, and all traffic going to the same address is treated identically. However, packet routing based on destination address alone is insufficient to meet growing demands for greater bandwidth, enhanced security, and increased flexibility and service differentiation. To meet these objectives, equipment vendors and service providers are providing more discriminating forms of routing, including routing through firewalls, quality of service (QoS) based forwarding, and bandwidth and/or resource reservation.
Generally, a firewall comprises any component, or combination of components, capable of blocking certain classes of traffic (e.g., "unwanted" or "suspicious" traffic). Firewalls are often utilized in corporate networks and other enterprise networks, and the firewall is usually implemented at the entry and/or exit points—i.e., the "trust boundary"—of the network. A typical firewall includes a series of rules or filters that are designed to carry out a desired security policy.
Network service providers may have a wide array of customers, each requiring different services, service priorities, and pricing. To provide differentiated services to a number of different customers—or, more generally, to provide preferential treatment to certain classes of network traffic—equipment vendors have implemented a variety of mechanisms, including QoS based forwarding and bandwidth/resource reservation. The goal of QoS based forwarding is to provide service differentiation for a number of different customers and/or traffic types. QoS based forwarding may include, for example, forwarding based upon class of service, special queuing procedures (e.g., per-flow queuing), and fair scheduling methods. Integrally tied with QoS forwarding is bandwidth or resource reservation. Bandwidth reservation generally includes reserving a specified bandwidth for certain types of traffic. For example, bandwidth reservation may be applied to traffic between two points, or bandwidth reservation may be applied to traffic relating to a certain application (e.g., multimedia, video, etc.).
To implement the above-described routing methodologies (e.g., firewalls, QoS forwarding, bandwidth reservation) that provide more discriminating routing of network traffic, as well as to perform other policy-based packet forwarding techniques, it is necessary to classify packets. Generally, packet classification comprises distinguishing between packets belonging to different flows or between packets associated with different traffic types. As used herein, a "flow" is a series of packets that share at least some common header characteristics (e.g., packets flowing between two specific addresses). A packet is usually classified based upon one or more fields in the packet's header. One or more rules are applied to this header information to determine which flow the packet corresponds with or what type of traffic the packet is associated with.
A packet classification rule generally includes several fields that are compared against a number of corresponding fields in the header of a received packet, as well as an associated priority and action. The set of rules making up a classification database may be arranged into a prioritized list, and rules with higher priority are preferred over those with lower priority. When a packet is received, the contents of the packet (e.g., certain header fields) are compared with each rule in the classification database to determine the highest priority action that is to be applied to the packet.
A number of methods—both hardware and software implementations—for performing packet classification based upon header data are known in the art, including hashing schemes, bit parallelism techniques, and implementations utilizing content addressable memory (CAM). Hashing methods create groups of rules according to bit masks used in each field of the rules, each group of rules represented by a hash table (or tables). Identifying a rule matching a received packet requires a series of look-ups on the hash tables.
Bit parallelism splits an n-dimensional classification problem into multiple stages of a single dimension each. Each match in a single dimension returns a bit vector. The bit vector has a length equal to the number of rules stored in the system, and a bit in the bit vector is set if the rule corresponding to that bit specifies a range of values matching the appropriate field of the received packet. The rules that have their bits set in all returned bit vectors match the received packet. An improvement over the standard bit parallelism scheme is the aggregated bit vector (ABV) method. For the ABV method, each "full" bit vector is compressed and represented as a smaller size set of bits (called an "aggregated bit vector"). Each bit in the aggregated bit vector represents a group of bits from the full bit vector, and a bit in the aggregated bit vector is set if a least one bit among the associated group of bits (in the full bit vector) is set.
For CAM implementations, each entry of a CAM is associated with a value and a bit mask. The value includes one or more fields of a rule, and the bit mask specifies which bits of a search key are taken into account when the key is compared against the value. The CAM unit—which may be capable of simultaneously comparing the search key against multiple entries—returns an index associated with a highest priority matching entry, and this index is used for identifying the action for the packet.
A number of factors may impact the performance of the above-described classification schemes, including a high number of required memory accesses, large storage requirements, and (at least for CAM implementations) significant power dissipation. Because of the bandwidth and memory overhead, as well as other factors, these packet classification techniques may struggle to keep pace with advances in link speeds as well as growth in classification database sizes, and packet classification can be the bottleneck in routers supporting high speed links (e.g., gigabit capacity).

Method and apparatus for two-stage packet classification using most specific filter matching and transport level sharing


A process for selectively producing C3 olefins from a catalytically cracked or thermally cracked naphtha stream is disclosed herein. The naphtha stream is introduced into a process unit comprised of a reaction zone, a stripping zone containing a dense phase, a catalyst regeneration zone, and a fractionation zone. The naphtha feedstream is contacted in the reaction zone with a catalyst containing from about 10 to about 50 wt. % of a crystalline zeolite having an average pore diameter less than about 0.7 nanometers at reaction conditions. Vapor products are collected overhead and the catalyst particles are passed through the stripping zone on the way to the catalyst regeneration zone. Volatiles are stripped with steam in the stripping zone and the catalyst particles are sent to the catalyst regeneration zone where coke is burned from the catalyst, and are then recycled to the reaction zone. Overhead products from the reaction zone are passed to a fractionation zone where a stream of C3 products is recovered and a stream rich in C4 olefins is recycled to a dilute phase reaction zone in the stripping zone separate from the dense phase of the stripping zone. The olefins can be further processed and polymerized to form a variety of polymer materials.

The need for low emissions fuels has created an increased demand for light olefins used in alkylation, oligomerization, and MTBE and ETBE synthesis processes. In addition, a low-cost supply of light olefins, particularly propylene, continues to be in demand to serve as feedstock for polyolefin production, particularly polypropylene production.
Fixed bed processes for light paraffin dehydrogenation have recently attracted renewed interest for increasing olefin production. However, these types of processes typically require relatively large capital investments and high operating costs. It is therefore advantageous to increase olefin yield using processes with relatively small capital investment. It would be particularly advantageous to increase light olefin yield in catalytic cracking processes so that the olefins could be further processed into polymers such as polypropylene.
A problem inherent in producing olefins products using fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) units is that the process depends on a specific catalyst balance to maximize production of light olefins while also achieving high conversion of the feed components boiling in the 650° F.+ (about 340° C.+) range. In addition, even if a specific catalyst balance can be maintained to maximize overall olefin production, olefin selectivity is generally low because of undesirable side reactions, such as extensive cracking, isomerization, aromatization, and hydrogen transfer reactions. Light saturated gases produced from undesirable side reactions result in increased costs to recover the desirable light olefins. Therefore, it is desirable to maximize olefin production in a process that allows a high degree of control over the selectivity of C3 and C4 olefins.


Achromatic Component Addition technique for producing printed ink-jet images of high quality, low granularity, and increased resolution of dithered gradients. Drops of chromatic inks are combined with drops of achromatic ink in any predetermined ratio and in any predetermined order on predetermined areas on a printing medium to produce imaged areas having differing lightness and lower chroma. The technique increases the number of color levels without increasing printer resolution and effectively increases resolution of dithered gradients by requiring fewer addressable pixels to produce the same color transition.

The use of ink-jet printing systems has grown dramatically in recent years. This growth may be attributed to substantial improvements in print resolution and overall print quality coupled with appreciable reduction in cost. Today's ink-jet printers offer acceptable print quality for many commercial, business, and household applications at costs fully an order of magnitude lower than comparable products available just a few years ago.
An ink-jet image is formed when a precise pattern of dots is ejected from a drop generating device known as a "printhead" onto a printing medium. The typical ink-jet printhead has an array of precisely formed nozzles attached to a thermal ink-jet printhead substrate. The substrate incorporates an array of firing chambers that receive liquid ink (colorants dissolved or dispersed in a solvent) through fluid communication with one or more ink reservoirs. Each chamber has a thin-film resistor, known as a "firing resistor," located opposite the nozzle so ink can collect between the firing resistor and the nozzle. The printhead is held and protected by an outer packaging referred to as a print cartridge.
The print cartridge is mounted on a carriage that travels along the width of the printer. As the print medium and the print cartridge are positioned in the desired location in the printer, the appropriate resistor is electronically enabled. When electric printing pulses heat the thermal ink-jet firing resistor, a small volume of ink adjacent the firing resistor is heated, vaporizing a bubble of ink, and thereby ejecting a drop of ink from the printhead. The drops strike the printing medium and then dry to form "dots" that, when viewed together, form the printed image. A "pass" is completed once the carriage has spanned the entire width of the medium. A single image element (pixel) can receive one or more drops of ink during a single pass or multiple passes from the same or different nozzles. The number of passes depends on many factors such as the print application and choice of print medium. Examples of print application include graphics or text. Examples of different print media include plain paper, coated paper, glossy paper, or overhead projector transparency film.
Color ink-jet printers typically use only three inks of differing hues, magenta, yellow, and cyan, and optionally a fourth achromatic black ink. The magenta, yellow, and cyan colors are referred to as subtractive "primary colors." Other "secondary colors" can be generated using different combinations of the primary colors by ejecting drops of the primary colors using either or both dot-on-dot (DOD) and dot-next-to-dot (DND) methods. In the DOD method mixing of the primary colors occurs when the drops are placed on top of one another on the print medium. In the DND method the mixing of colors occurs at the side by side or DND interface boundaries. The ejection of multiple ink drops occuring either during the same pass or different passes is well known in the art. For example, the secondary colors of red, blue, and green can be obtained by combining the following colors, respectively: magenta and yellow, red and cyan, yellow and cyan. The number of color combinations produceable (color gamut or gamut volume) differs for different printing systems. The volume of the color space (gamut volume) and the surface of the color space (gamut surface) are affected by the choice of the imaging system components such as dyes and media, and the imaging technique such as inkjet and photography.
Any given perceived color can be described using any one of the well known color spaces, such as CIELAB and Munsell. For example, in the Munsell System a given color is defined using three terms, Hue, Value, and Chroma. Similarly, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the CIELAB color space, a color is defined using three terms L*, a*, and b* and additional terms such as C* (chroma) and h.degree. (hue angle) are used to further describe a given color, wherein EQU C*.sub.ab =(a*.sup.2 +b*.sup.2).sup.1/2 equation 1 EQU h.degree..sub.ab =tan.sup.-1 b*/a* equation 2
One attribute detracting from the perceived quality of a printed image is undesirable granularity. Granularity refers to the non-uniformity and graininess of the image as perceived by the observer. Granularity is a function of both the dot size and contrast. Dot size refers to the size of an ink-jet droplet on the print medium and contrast refers to the measure of difference between two lightness levels--see graylevel, below. The smaller the dot size, the lower the granularity. The lower the contrast between two dots or between the dot and the white of the printed page, the lower the granularity.
In order to decrease granularity and to print sharper and more definite images, either or both the printer resolution and the image graylevel must be increased. Printer resolution is generally referred to as the number of dots per inch (dpi) the printer is capable of producing. Graylevel (or levels of gray) basically signifies the range of perceived lightness between black and white. Although the term graylevel originated for describing gray produced via black-only (achromatic) printing, it is also used to denote the equivalent in color printing (levels of color). The terms color level, levels of color, and color graylevel, all describe colors produced via color printing where the resulting colors having the same hue differ in either or both their Munsell Value and Munsell Chroma. Thus, here, the term graylevel is understood to refer to both levels of gray in black and white printing and levels of color in color printing. Graylevel can be increased through the use of dithering techniques in binary printers or depositing more than one level of lightness (or level of color) in gray level printers, as described below.
The drop on demand system and most of the continuous ink-jet printing systems are essentially binary, i.e., at each image element (pixel) of the paper there must be placed a droplet of ink or no ink at all, thus the term binary. The color white is produced by the paper itself. This binary performance limits the range of colors that can be produced with an ink-jet printer since a binary printing system cannot produce graylevels (or color levels) using only one pixel.
Well known dithering techniques in which the image is divided into very small square matrices (also referred to as "super pixels") have been used to increase the number of graylevels in a binary printer. Each matrix contains a certain number of pixels, such as 2.times.2 or 4.times.4 pixels. To produce the perception of gray, the black is applied spatially extending in two dimensions in differing quantities. This method is called halftoning and the resulting perception that grays are produced is called graylevels and is explained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,203 entitled "Interlace Printing Process" by Doan.
The term graylevel can also be used to indicate the ability of a printer (a graylevel printer) to deposit, unlike a binary printer, more than one level of lightness (or level of color) at a single pixel site. This differs from the use of the same term employed above for binary printers which require more than one pixel site to produce graylevels.
Different techniques utilizing graylevel printers have been used to increase color levels. One approach to varying color levels is to provide different colorant concentrations of an ink of a given hue. These different inks can be stored in separate ink-jet print cartridges, each with a separate ink reservoir; in different ink reservoir, within the same ink-jet print cartridge; or separate off-board ink reservoirs where the ink-jet print cartridges do not have self-contained ink reservoirs. However, these approaches require a number of ink reservoirs or print cartridges and thus require expensive, complex systems.
Another approach to varying graylevel is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,128 entitled "Gray Scale Printing with Ink Jets" by Vaught. Vaught discloses a valving apparatus in a thermal ink-jet system for mixing clear ink vehicle (diluent) with the colored ink during the actual jet printing process to produce variation in visual print density (graylevel). Adapting such a system for color mixing in the firing chamber is suggested. Such techniques also require more expensive, and complex systems.
The use of white ink in some special applications has been described in patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,058 entitled "White Ink Compositions for Ink-Jet Printing" by Shimizu. The Shimizu patent, however, is limited to the use of white ink as an independent ink for printing on colored or dark print media.
Notwithstanding their recent success, intensive research and development efforts continue toward improving ink-jet print quality. In general, ink-jet print quality still falls short of that produced by more expensive technologies such as photography and offset or gravure printing. A surge in interest in ink-jet imaging (e.g., the rendition of pictures) has resulted in the need to produce near photographic quality printed images at a reasonable cost. The challenge remains to further improve the quality of ink-jet printed images without increasing their cost.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that although there are many processes and apparatus for improving the print quality of an ink-jet image, there is still a need for an approach that provides a cost effective and adaptable process for improving image quality without increasing printer resolution or relying on expensive and complicated apparatus.

Method and apparatus for improving image quality


Methods are provided for depositing a dielectric material. The dielectric material may be used for an anti-reflective coating or as a hardmask. In one aspect, a method is provided for processing a substrate including introducing a processing gas comprising a silane-based compound and an organosilicon compound to the processing chamber and reacting the processing gas to deposit a nitrogen-free dielectric material on the substrate. The dielectric material comprises silicon and oxygen.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the fabrication of integrated circuits and to a process for depositing dielectric layers on a substrate and the structures formed by the dielectric layers.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of the primary steps in the fabrication of modern semiconductor devices is the formation of metal and dielectric layers on a substrate by chemical reaction of gases. Such deposition processes are referred to as chemical vapor deposition or CVD. Conventional CVD processes supply reactive gases to the substrate surface where heat-induced or energy-enhanced chemical reactions take place to produce a desired layer.
Semiconductor device geometries have dramatically decreased in size since such devices were first introduced several decades ago. Since then, integrated circuits have generally followed the two year/half-size rule (often called Moore's Law), which means that the number of devices that will fit on a chip doubles every two years. Today's fabrication plants are routinely producing devices having 0.35 μm and even 0.18 μm feature sizes, and tomorrow's plants soon will be producing devices having even smaller geometries.
To further reduce the size of devices on integrated circuits, it has become necessary to use conductive materials having low resistivity and to use insulators having low dielectric constants (dielectric constants of less than 4.0) to reduce the capacitive coupling between adjacent metal lines. One such low k material comprises silicon, oxygen, and carbon, and may be deposited as a dielectric material in fabricating damascene features. One conductive material having a low resistivity is copper and its alloys, which have become the materials of choice for sub-quarter-micron interconnect technology because copper has a lower resistivity than aluminum, (1.7 μΩ-cm compared to 3.1 μΩ-cm for aluminum), a higher current and higher carrying capacity. These characteristics are important for supporting the higher current densities experienced at high levels of integration and increased device speed. Further, copper has a good thermal conductivity and is available in a highly pure state.
One difficulty in using copper in semiconductor devices is that copper is difficult to etch and achieve a precise pattern. Etching with copper using traditional deposition/etch processes for forming interconnects has been less than satisfactory. Therefore, new methods of manufacturing interconnects having copper containing materials and low k dielectric materials are being developed.
One method for forming vertical and horizontal interconnects is by a damascene or dual damascene method. In the damascene method, one or more dielectric materials, such as the low k dielectric materials, are deposited and pattern etched to form the vertical interconnects, i.e., vias, and horizontal interconnects, i.e., lines. Conductive materials, such as copper and barrier layer materials used to prevent diffusion of copper into the surrounding low k dielectric are then inlaid into the etched pattern. Any excess copper and barrier layer materials external to the etched pattern, such as on the field of the substrate, are then removed.
However, low k dielectric materials are often porous and susceptible to interlayer diffusion of conductive materials, such as copper, which can result in the formation of short-circuits and device failure. A dielectric barrier layer material is used in copper damascene structures to reduce or to prevent interlayer diffusion. However, traditional dielectric barrier layer materials, such as silicon nitride, often have high dielectric constants of 7 or greater. The combination of such a high k dielectric material with surrounding low k dielectric materials results in dielectric stacks having a higher than desired dielectric constant.
Additionally, forming damascene structures require the use of lithographic processes. For example, in process sequences using conventional lithographic techniques, a layer of energy sensitive resist is formed over a stack of material layers on a substrate. Many of these underlying material layers are reflective to ultraviolet light. Such reflections can distort the dimensions of features such as lines and vias that are formed in the energy sensitive resist material. One technique proposed to minimize reflections from an underlying material layer uses an anti-reflective coating (ARC). The ARC is formed over the reflective material layer prior to resist patterning. The ARC suppresses the reflections off the underlying material layer during resist imaging, providing accurate pattern replication in the layer of energy sensitive resist.
However, conventional ARC materials contain nitrogen, for example silicon nitride and titanium nitride. Nitrogen in the ARC layer may chemically alter the composition of the photoresist material. The chemical reaction between nitrogen and the photoresist material is referred to as photoresist poisoning. The altered photoresist material may not be lithographically patterned as expected and result in imprecisely formed features in the photoresist material or excessive photoresist residue remaining on the substrate surface after photoresist patterning, both of which can detrimentally affect subsequent processes, such as etching processes. For example, nitrogen may neutralize acid near a photoresist and ARC interface and result in residue formation, known as footing, which can further result in curved or rounded aspects at the interface of the bottoms and sidewalls of features rather than desired right angles.
Additionally, low k materials are susceptible to surface defects or feature deformation during polishing and removal of conductive materials under conventional polishing processes. One solution to limiting or reducing surface defects and deformation is to deposit a hardmask over the exposed low k materials prior to patterning and etching feature definitions in the low k materials. The hardmask is resistant to damage and deformation, and protects the underlying low k materials during subsequent material deposition and planarization or material removal processes, such as chemical mechanical polishing techniques or etching techniques, to reduce defect formation and feature deformation.
One difficulty when using hardmasks is that conventional hardmask materials do not have sufficient selectivity to oxide or metal during polishing, which may result in premature removal of the hardmask and expose the underlying material to the process. The exposed underlying material, such as the low k dielectric material, may be damaged and result in surface defects and feature deformation. Additionally, hardmasks, as well as ARC materials, may remain as part of the structure after the underlying dielectric layer is etched and contribute to the structure's overall dielectric constant. Conventional hardmask materials often have high dielectric constants of 7 or greater, which can produce dielectric stacks having a higher than desired dielectric constant. Current hardmask materials have not satisfactorily produced both low k material and sufficient polishing selectivity to be used in damascene fabrication.
Additionally hardmask and ARC material formed from conventional material have exhibited the formation of a porous surface containing a plurality of small holes. The small holes are referred to as pinholes. The pinholes can be formed completely through the ARC layer thereby exposing photoresist material deposited on the ARC layer to material underlying the ARC layer, such as silicon nitride. Nitrogen, for example, from silicon nitride, may diffuse through the ARC layer and chemically alter the composition of the photoresist material and result in photoresist poisoning.
Therefore, there remains a need for an improved process and material for forming dielectric materials suitable as anti-reflective coatings or hardmasks with a satisfactory etching selectivity for damascene applications.

Nitrogen-free dielectric anti-reflective coating and hardmask


In a multiprocessor system having a plurality of processors and main memory common to the processors, each processor includes at least one vector calculation unit which is specific to a vector calculation and which is independent of the vector calculation units in the other processors. A register holds a configuration signal representative of configuration of the vector calculation units in each processor. An access control unit controls access operations of the processors on the basis of the configuration signals in the processors to make the processors selectively access the main memory. Thus, the processors individually carry out the vector calculations to individually access the main memory.

This invention relates to a multiprocessor system which is capable of processing information at a high speed.
Since a super computer system has been manufactured by Cray Research Inc., Minn., U.S.A. and sold in the name of Cray-1 from 1978. Strong demand has occurred for the ability to carry out a scientific calculation at a high speed.
Under the circumstances, a recent requirement is directed to a computer system which can process not only a great number of vector elements at a high speed but also a great deal of jobs.
In order to satisfy such a requirement, a proposal has been offered about a computer system which comprises a plurality of vector calculation units specific to a vector calculation and an instruction control unit for controlling the vector calculation units. The computer system can certainly execute the vector calculation at a high speed by using the plurality of the vector calculation units and is very effective in processing a great deal of the vector elements at a high speed. However, the computer system mentioned above is not always suitable for processing a great deal of jobs because such jobs are not restricted to the vector calculation alone and any other processing can not be executed during the vector calculation.
On the other hand, a wide variety of computer systems have been proposed each of which comprises a plurality of processors and which may be collectively called multiprocessor systems. Such multiprocessor systems can quickly process a great deal of jobs and can therefore improve throughput. Herein, it is usual that each processor in such a multiprocessor system is similar in structure and operation to one another and comprises a single vector calculation unit in addition to a processing unit for a scalar calculation and an address calculation. This shows that each processor itself can not process a great number of vector elements at a high speed and consequently inevitably takes a long time for the vector calculation. Therefore, each processor is not suitable for carrying out the vector calculation of a great number of vector elements. This means that the conventional multiprocessor systems can not flexibly assign the jobs to the plurality of the processors.
At any rate, none of conventional systems as mentioned above completely satisfy the recent requirement because both a great number of vector elements and a great deal of jobs can not be flexibly processed in the conventional systems.

Multiprocessor system with vector pipelines


The present invention relates to a device and method for determining the presence of a specific compound in solution. The device includes a nanosensor having an electrically conducting pathway between at least a first and second contact. The device also includes a first receptor, suitable for binding a specific compound in the solution, attached to the nanosensor, and a second receptor also suitable for binding the specific compound while the specific compound is bound to the first receptor. The second receptor is attached to an enzyme added to the solution. When the solution having the second receptor is added to the device, and a second compound that is a substrate for the enzyme is subsequently added to the solution, a measured difference in an electrical property in the device before and after the application of the second compound is indicative of the presence of the specific compound in the solution.

There is an ever-increasing demand for miniature highly sensitive sensor devices suitable for manufacturing and industrial processing applications, environmental monitoring, as well as defense and homeland security applications. There is also a need for such devices capable of sensitive detection of biochemical and cellular responses in live cells and organisms. Indeed, the ability to rapidly detect minute concentrations of specific macromolecules is especially suited for clinical diagnostics, genomics, and drug discovery. However, conventional macromolecular sensing systems rely on labels, such as radiolabelled tags or fluorophores. There is currently a need in the art for devices, and methods, capable of label-free sensing. These devices, and methods, would likely significantly decrease the time needed for sample preparation, increase sample analysis throughput, and mitigate the need for target molecules modification.
One of the most promising platforms for label-free sensing is nano-wire field effect transistors (NW-FETs). These sensing devices, having the advantage of enhanced sensitivity due to the nano-scale channel confinement, operate by sensing the intrinsic charge of bound molecular species. For example, by binding a receptor protein or a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) oligomer to the NW-FET surface, the binding of the specific ligand or complementary ssDNA modifies the electric field surrounding the device, enabling direct electronic detection.
Single-crystal, semiconducting NW-FETs are also attractive as biosensors due to their exquisite sensitivity to bound charge and potential portable format. Nanowire devices configured as solution-phase sensors or ion-sensitive FETs (ISFETs) have been demonstrated as ultrasensitive sensors. For example, solutions with physiologic salt concentrations have ionic (Debye) screening lengths of ˜0.7 nm, which effectively neutralizes the molecular charge of a bound ligand beyond this distance. Thus, detection of such surface-bound ligands requires measurements to be performed in a low salt (1.5 mM) buffer to increase Debye screening lengths.
Although these, and other, silicon-based nano-sensors have been reported, they have exhibited poor sensing capabilities and their fabrication typically requires complex hybrid manufacturing methods having unreliable product performance and consistency. In addition, typical silicon-based nano-wire fabrication processes exhibit relatively poor material and device service life, thereby further discouraging nano-wire sensor incorporation into larger integrated detector systems.
Hence, there is a need for nano-sensor devices having improved sensing characteristics for enabling accurate and efficient detection of specific reagents in minute concentrations. There is also a need for a simplified fabrication process to produce nano-sensor devices having improved sensing capabilities that may be integrated into a variety of signal processing and information systems. Further, there is a need for a method that affects a solution pH change upon specific ligand binding.

Nanoelectronic-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay system and method


A gallium nitride-based device has Å first GaN layer and Å type II quantum well active region over the GaN layer. The type II quantum well active region comprises at least one InGaN layer and at least one GaNAs layer, wherein the InGaN comprises Å graded molar In concentration.

The invention relates to a gallium nitride-based device and method. More particularly, the invention relates to a graded In-content quantum well device and method.
A quantum well (QW) is a potential boundary that confines particles to a planar, substantially two-dimensional region. Each layer in a multiple quantum well structure has a very small thickness. The electrons and holes in the layer cannot move freely in the direction of thickness and are substantially confined two-dimensionally in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction. The two dimensional confinement increases bound energy of Coulombic electron and hole attraction so that excitons occur under heat energy at room temperature.
A QW can be formed as part of a semiconductor by having a material, such as gallium arsenide sandwiched between two layers of a wider bandgap material such as aluminium arsenide. A quantum well effect can be achieved in a device with alternating tens to hundreds of two kinds of very thin semiconductor layers with different band gaps. Such structures can be grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and chemical vapor deposition (MO-CVD). These procedures can provide a layer down to molecular monolayer size.
Because of a quasi two dimensional nature, electrons in a quantum well have a sharper density of state than bulk materials. As a result, quantum well structures are in wide use in diode lasers. They are also used to make HEMTs (High Electron Mobility Transistors), which are used in low-noise electronics.
Quantum well-based emitters (LEDs and diode lasers) in the blue, green, and red regime are important for solid state lightings and medical applications. These applications require highly efficient blue, green, and red diodes integrated in a single semiconductor chip. However only low efficiency can be attained with typical gallium nitride-based quantum wells such as InGaN-based QWs, particularly as emission wavelength is extended beyond green color into red color.
The GaN-based quantum well semiconductor suffers from two main issues. First is high defect or dislocation density, and second is large charge separation in the quantum well. High defect density can be caused by lattice mismatch strain and immature epitaxy of the nitride-material system leading to very high threading dislocation density, thus this results in high nonradiative efficiency. The large charge separation in quantum well results in low radiative recombination rate and low optical gain.
The drawings illustrate various gallium nitride-based devices. FIG. 8A shows conduction and valence band lineup of a type-II In0.18Ga0.82N—GaN0.98As0.02 QW. The QW hole is confined in the center GaNAs QW layer and the peaks of the electron and hole wavefunctions coincide with one another giving rise to high electron-hole wavefunction overlap Γe-hh˜68.9%. However as shown by FIG. 8B, for In-content beyond 18%, the affect of the polarization-induced electric field is so significant, that steep bending of the valence band edge is caused. As a result of this steep bending, hole confinement is shifted and the hole is now confined in the bottom InGaN QW layer (no longer confined in the center GaNAs layer). This shift in hole confinement leads to spatial separation of the hole and electron wavefunction peaks. This results in detrimental reduction in overlap, Γe-hh down to ˜35.5% in the FIG. B example.
There is a need for a higher performing gallium nitride-based device characterized by a reduced overlap in type II InGaN—GaNAs QWs with greater than 18% In content.

Graded in content gallium nitride-based device and method


A method for producing a glove, including a step of forming a dip-molded layer by dip-molding a latex composition containing a latex of a carboxyl group-containing conjugated diene rubber (A) and a metal compound (B) including a divalent or higher metal, and is substantially free from sulfur and/or a sulfur-containing compound as a cross-linking agent, and a step of irradiating the dip-molded layer with radiation.

Conventionally, a dip-molded article, such as a nipple, a balloon, a glove, a balloon, a sack or the like produced by dip-molding a latex composition containing natural latex represented by natural rubber latex and used in contact with a human is known. However, since natural latex contains a protein that causes allergic symptoms in the human body, there have been problems with dip-molded articles, in particular gloves, that come into direct contact with a living mucous membrane or an organ in many cases. Therefore, the use of synthetic nitrile rubber latex has been studied.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a latex obtained by copolymerizing 100 parts by weight of a monomer mixture comprising 65 to 84.5 parts by weight of a conjugated diene monomer, 15 to 25 parts by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated nitrile monomer, and 0.5 to 10 parts by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer, and 0 to 19.5 parts by weight of another ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable therewith, and a dip-molded article obtained by dip-molding a latex composition obtained by blending sulfur with such a latex. According to the dip-molded article described in Patent Document 1, the texture is excellent and sufficient tensile strength can be obtained, but stress retention is not necessarily sufficient. In particular, regarding such a dip-molded article, in the case of a glove, the glove also needs to have excellent stress retention in addition to having excellent texture and sufficient tensile strength, from the perspective of making the glove less susceptible to slackness (looseness or bagginess) when used.


An example computing device includes a photodetector to measure an amount of light incident on a detection surface of the photodetector. The example computing device includes a state sensor to activate the photodetector responsive to the computing device being in a detection state. The example computing device also includes a processor. An example processor identifies, during the detection state, a user gesture based on an output of the photodetector. The user gesture blocks light incident on the detection surface of the photodetector. The example processor also alters an operation of the computing device based on the user gesture.

Computing devices include hardware components that individually and collectively execute a wide variety of computing operations. For example, a computing device may include a processor, a memory device, a graphics card, a sound card, transistors and circuitry to connect these and other hardware components. Each of these hardware components have settings that may be adjusted to carry out different functionality. For example, a microphone and/or speaker may be activated or deactivated to allow or prevent audio input and output respectively.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A concrete anchor for securing the lanyard of a workman's harness to a fixed position on a concrete surface includes a cylindrical housing having an outer wall with openings therein and a rod that extends above the housing to which a harness can be attached. Hard metal balls within the housing are associated with each opening and are dimensioned so that a portion of each ball can pass through each opening but the entire ball can not pass therethrough. A pair of cones within the housing move the balls radially outwardly as the cones are moved upwardly by the rod which is spring biased upwardly. A visual marker carried by the rod normally lies within the housing but is visible from outside of the housing if said rod has moved up by a predetermined amount. This gives an indication that the anchor has been used.

The present invention is directed toward a concrete anchor and, more particularly, toward a concrete anchor that is adapted to be connected the lanyard of a harness of a construction worker to help prevent injury to the worker in the event of a fall.
During the construction or repair of buildings, bridges, road overpasses and other structures, workmen of various specialties frequently have to work at high elevations. To prevent injuries from falls, these workmen are provided with a harness and lanyard. Frequently, the lanyard is connected to a fall safety device such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,123 which issued to the present Applicant and which controls the decent and stops a worker from falling. In any event, the lanyard or the fall safety device must be secured to a fixed part of the structure. This can be directly to part of the iron work or to a horizontal life line such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,727 which also issued to the present Applicant.
There are, however, times when iron work or the like is not available and the lanyard or lifeline must be secured directly to a concrete slab. The concrete may be a floor or wall or even a concrete ceiling. To accomplish this, concrete anchors have been proposed and marketed in the past. To Applicant's knowledge, however, none has been satisfactory.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,729,821; 7,011,281 and 7,357,363 to Guthrie et al, for example, describe an expansion bolt that can be used in the construction industry and which is intended to be inserted into a bore formed in a concrete slab. The anchor shown therein includes a pair of semi-cylindrical outer chucks that are forced apart by an inner cone when a pulling force is applied to the cone. It has been found, however, that the patented anchor is not always reliable and can slip out of the bore if sufficient force is applied.
A similar arrangement is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,316 to Reeves. This patent also shows a pair of semi-cylindrical outer chucks forced apart by an inner conical or tapered member. As with the Guthrie et al. device, the Reeves' anchor can slip if sufficient pulling force is applied.
Steel balls that are forced outwardly by an internal cone or cam when the cam is axially moved have also been known. However, these function primarily as quick release locking pins rather than anchors. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,789 to Chausse et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,109 to Schiemer, II. To Applicant's knowledge, devices such as these have never been designed to function as concrete anchors.
Because the prior art has not proven to be satisfactory, a need exists for a concrete anchor that can be quickly installed but which will safely and effectively hold in place so as to protect a worker from injury in the event of a fall.


Transfer methods disclosed herein include transferring micro-LEDs from a first carrier to a second carrier. The methods include bonding the micro-LEDs to the first carrier using a first releasable bonding layer that releases when exposed to actinic light. The micro-LEDs are then secured to a second carrier. The first bonding layer is then irradiated through the first releasable bonding layer through the first carrier with the actinic light to release the micro-LEDs from the first carrier. The second carrier can be a display backplane having bonding pads and the micro-LEDs can be secured to the bonding pads.

Micro-LED displays utilize small LEDs (e.g., chip sizes below 100 μm) mounted to a display backplane that includes wiring to power the micro-LEDs. Color micro-LED displays employ triads (pixels) of red, green and blue (RGB) micro-LEDs. Sometimes the term "micro-LED" refers to chips that are smaller than 30 μm while the term "mini-LED" refers to chips have an intermediate size between 30 μm and conventional LED chips (>150 μm). The term "micro-LED" as used herein does not distinguish between mini-LEDs and micro-LEDs and both are included in the term "micro-LED."
Micro-LED displays offer superior brightness, higher power efficiency, and are more robust and flexible than other display technologies, such as back-lit LED displays, OLED displays and plasma displays. For this reason, micro-LED displays can, in principle, address a range of display applications from smart phones to HDTVs to large-scale outdoor displays.
A disadvantage of micro-LED displays is their fabrication complexity. Fabricating a micro-LED display requires placing the micro-LEDs on the display backplane. For example, fabricating full HD (FHD) micro-LED display of 1920×1080 RGB pixels requires placing about six million micro-LEDs with a final yield over 99.9999%. To meet the cost targets for many applications (and for smartphones in particular), the micro-LED chip sizes have to be smaller than 10 μm, preferably smaller than 5 μm, and ideally as small as 3 μm. This further complicates the micro-LED placement (transfer) process.
The micro-LEDs are transferred to a display backplane in sets called transfer fields. Typical transfer fields are relatively small (e.g., 10 mm-50 mm) so that multiple transfer fields are required to populate the display backplane. For example, for a 15 mm×15 mm transfer field, over 40 transfers per color or 120 transfers in total are required to populate a single 5.5″ full high definition (FHD) smartphone color display.
In addition, to avoid a checker-board effect on the final micro-LED display caused by sharp gradients in the micro-LED emission wavelength or brightness at the boundaries between adjacent transfer fields, the wavelength and brightness must be substantially uniform across the transfer field. A wavelength variation of <1 nm and brightness variation of <10% is desired to avoid sharp gradients in the color gamut white point at the boundaries of the transfer fields.
In view of the above, there is a need for more efficient fabrication methods for micro-LED displays, and in particular to more efficient micro-LED transfer methods.

Micro-LED transfer methods using light-based debonding


A rope system adapted to be connected between first and second structures comprises a rope recoil system comprising first and second rope recoil assemblies. The first rope recoil assembly defines a first length and a first predetermined rope recoil maximum limit at which the first rope recoil assembly fails when under tension. The second rope recoil assembly defines a second length, where the second length is longer than the first length. The rope recoil assembly is arranged between the first and second structures such that the rope recoil system is in a first configuration. When at least one of the first and second structures moves away from another of the first and second structures, the first rope recoil assembly fails and the rope recoil system reconfigures into a second configuration.

A rope assembly is typically a combination of individual elongate rope elements. A metal rope comprises metal wires, a natural rope comprises natural fibers, and a synthetic rope comprises synthetic fibers. The elements of a rope can be made of the same material, or a rope can be made of different rope elements. The number of rope elements, functional characteristics of the rope elements, and method by which the rope elements are combined will determine the operating characteristics of the rope.
When a rope assembly fails, at least a portion of the failed rope assembly may move in space, resulting in the potential for danger to persons and/or damage to structures near the point of failure. Movement of a rope assembly upon failure is often referred to as "recoil". The precise nature and extent of the danger posed by the recoil of a failed rope assembly depends on factors such as the nature of the rope assembly and the environment in which the rope assembly is used.
The need exists for systems and methods that minimize the recoil of a rope assembly and thus the danger posed by failure of the rope assembly. The need also exists for systems and methods that allow a user of a rope system to detect whether a rope forming a part of the overall rope system has been loaded past a predetermined design limit.

Systems and methods for controlling recoil of rope under failure conditions


Systems and methods for controlling access by a set of agents to a resource, where the agents have corresponding priorities associated with them, and where a monitor associated with the resource controls accesses by the agents to the resource based on the priorities. One embodiment is implemented in a computer system having multiple processors that are connected to a processor bus. The processor bus includes a shaping monitor configured to control access by the processors to the bus. The shaping monitor attempts to distribute the accesses from each of the processors throughout a base period according to priorities assigned to the processors. The shaping monitor allocates slots to the processors in accordance with their relative priorities. Priorities are initially assigned according to the respective bandwidth needs of the processors, but may be modified based upon comparisons of actual to expected accesses to the bus.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to data processing systems and methods and more particularly to systems and methods for controlling the manner in which multiple agents such as computer processors access a resource such as a communication bus in order to improve the distribution of accesses by the various agents and to thereby reduce congestion and delays related to accessing the resource.
2. Related Art
Computer systems are becoming increasingly powerful, and are used not only for scientific and business purposes, but also for entertainment purposes. For instance, some computer systems are used with multimedia applications to present information to a user in the form of sounds, music, still images, video images, and the like. Some computer systems are optimized for these multimedia applications and, in fact, some computer systems are designed exclusively for multimedia applications such as games.
Computer systems that are designed to execute multimedia game applications and other multimedia applications often make use of more than a single processor. These systems may have multiple processors, where one or more of the processors can be dedicated to performing different types of functions. For example, one processor may handle mathematical computations or control functions, while another processor handles video generation and yet another processor handles sound generation. The separation of the responsibilities assigned to each of the processors (or groups of processors) allows the processors to be optimized for that particular types of the functions for which they are responsible. The different processors are typically interconnected and operate interactively to coordinate the different functions of the system.
Typically, the different processors that are operable in a multimedia game system are each connected to a common bus. This bus enables the common control on the processors to coordinate their activities and also enables the exchange of data between them. Additionally, the bus provides a means for communication of the outputs of the different processors to the appropriate output devices. Because of the many functions that must be performed by the multiple processors, there is a great deal of information that is communicated by this bus. Because there may be periods during which many of the processors may be attempting to access the bus to communicate commands or other data to various other parts of the system, there is potential for congestion on the bus. In other words, the processors may attempt to communicate an amount of information on the bus that exceeds the capacity of the bus.
There is therefore a need to implement a mechanism to prevent congestion on the bus. Conventionally, access to the bus by the various processors has been controlled by putting a hard limit on accesses to the bus by each of the processors. For example, there might be four processors coupled to the bus. Each of the processors would be allowed a predetermined number of accesses to the bus (e.g., commands issued to the bus) in a given period. For each processor, once at the number of accesses reached the predetermined number, that processor with no longer be allowed to access the bus.
This mechanism for controlling access to the bus, however, is not ideal for a number of reasons. One of these reasons is that the pattern of accesses by the different processors may be irregular. This may be problematic because, in multimedia systems, it may be necessary to provide access and a more regular fashion in order to enable the processors to meet the real-time demands of the multimedia application that is being executed. This problem may be illustrated by an example.
Referring to FIG. 1, a graph illustrating the bandwidth utilized by a particular processor is shown. It is assumed for the purposes of this figure that there are four processors, each of which is allowed to access the bus in a round robin fashion until it reaches its allocated number of accesses. It is further assumed that the processor for which the bandwidth usage is graphed in FIG. 1 (processor A) needs 50 percent of the bus's bandwidth.
As indicated above, the bus accesses for processor A are shown in the figure (as curve 110). Initially (between time t0 and t1), none of the processors has reached its predetermined allocation and therefore all four processors take turns accessing the bus. Processor A therefore gets 25 percent of the bandwidth. At time t1, three of the processors reached their allocations and are therefore prohibited from accessing the bus for the remainder of the period (i.e., until time t2). Thus, only processor A is allowed to access the bus during the period from time t1 to t2. As noted above, this may cause problems, in that processor A may need more than 25% of the bus bandwidth during the period from t0 to t1, and the other processors may need more than 0% of the bandwidth during the period from t1 to t2, in order to meet the real-time requirements for each of the processors.

Systems and methods for bandwidth shaping

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.


This disclosure relates to an automobile polisher and in particular to one including: a housing having a front handle and a rear handle for making it easier to be held; a clutch mechanism having a toothed ferrule, a control rod, a spring, a sliding disc and an axle, said control rod extending through said housing to engage with a main gear, said sliding disc being fitted between the main gear and said control rod so as to prevent said main gear from being damaged by said control rod; a gear changing mechanism composed of a first gear, a second gear, said main gear, a frame and a casing, said first gear being disposed at the right side of said main gear and pivotally mounted within said casing, said first gear being provided with upper threads and lower threads in which the former may be moved by the control lever to engage with the toothed ferrule, and the latter to engage with the upper threads of the main gear thereby transmitting the power to the frictional disc, said second gear being disposed at the left side of the main gear and pivotally mounted within the casing.

It has been found that in the prior art an automobile polisher sold on the market is simply composed of a motor, a foam-rubber member, and a piece of waxing cloth. However, such an automobile polisher is fixed in speed and so it will be too fast for applying wax but too slowly for finishing. Hence, an automobile polisher with variable speeds has been developed to eliminate the drawback. Nevertheless, this automobile polisher utilizes the principle of varying the electric current to adjust the speed thereby making the torque become smaller when the speed is decreased and therefore easily making the motor stop when subjected to pressure.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automobile polisher which may obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.


An engine device for a work vehicle is configured to include a first case that removes particulate matter in exhaust gas of an engine and a second case that removes nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas of the engine and configured to mount the engine on a travelling vehicle-body frame on which right and left running wheels are arranged, and the engine device has structure in which the first case is supported on the engine, and the second case is mounted on the travelling vehicle-body frame via support bodies.

Regarding work vehicles such as a tractor and a wheel loader, an opening/closing fulcrum shaft is arranged in the rear portion of a hood for covering an engine, and the hood is rotated about the opening/closing fulcrum shaft, for the purpose of improving the efficiency of maintenance work for the engine arranged in the front of a travelling vehicle body. Also, a technology of purification treatment has been known theretofore, in which a case (hereinafter referred to as "DPF case") in which a diesel particulate filter is internally provided, and a case (hereinafter referred to as "SCR case") in which a urea selective reduction catalyst is internally provided are provided in the exhaust path of a diesel engine as an exhaust gas purification device (exhaust gas after-treatment device), and the exhaust gas is introduced into the DPF case and the SCR case, thereby purifying the exhaust gas discharged from the diesel engine (for example, see Patent Literatures 1 to 3).


A video output apparatus includes a video output unit which outputs a video signal while switching the format of the video signal between a first format and a second format for expressing color differently. The video output apparatus also includes a mute signal generation unit which generates, as a muting video signal, a specialized video signal expressing a color in which the difference between the color displayed when the specialized video signal is interpreted in its own format and the color displayed when the specialized video signal is interpreted in a different format is a minimum. The video output apparatus further includes a selection unit, which selects one of the video signal outputted by said video output unit and the mute signal generated by said mute signal generation unit and outputs the selected signal, and a control unit, which causes the selection unit to select the mute signal in a period including the switch performed by the video output unit.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video output apparatus which sends a video signal to a receiving apparatus such as a television receiver, and particularly relates to a video output apparatus in which the color format of the video signal can be switched.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In recent years, devices that handle digital video signals have become common due to the spread of Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs) and digital television broadcasting.
The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard can be given as an example of an interface which connects a sending device that sends a video signal (i.e. a DVD player) with a receiving device that receives the video signal (i.e. a television). HDMI is an interface for transmitting baseband digital video signals to receiving devices, and is being implemented in consumer devices while maintaining backwards compatibility with the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) standard widely used in personal computers (PCs). A single HDMI cable connects the sending device with the receiving device, and transmits baseband video and audio data. The supported color format of this transmittable video signal is not limited only to the RGB signals used in PCs; HDMI also supports luminance and chroma signals (hereafter referred to as "YCbCr" signals), which are generally used in television receiving devices.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a simplified configuration of a system connected via HDMI. This system includes a sending device 10 and a receiving device 20. The sending device 10 and the receiving device 20 are connected via an HDMI cable. An HDMI sending unit 700 included in the sending device 10 sends video data and audio data to the receiving device 20 via the HDMI cable. Identification information packets are multiplexed with the video signal. The identification information packets indicate whether the video data is an RGB signal or a YCbCr signal.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the position, within the video signal, of the identification information packets multiplexed with the video signal. In FIG. 2, a progressive image with a resolution of 720×480 pixels is shown as an example. Furthermore, a single identification information packet is multiplexed in each frame during the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the video signal.
The sending device 10 can, via remote-control operations or the like performed by a user, switch the color format of the video signal being sent to a desired color format, in accordance with the abilities of the receiving device 20 or based on the user's preferences.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the HDMI sending unit 700, which is capable of switching the color format of the video signal. As shown in FIG. 3, the HDMI sending unit 700 includes a video input unit 701, a color conversion unit 702, an identification information packet issuing unit 703, and a video output unit 704, and switches the color format via a CPU 710 provided within the sending unit 10.
The video input unit 701 inputs YCbCr or RGB video data.
When conversion has been instructed by the CPU 710, the color conversion unit 702 converts the YCbCr signal to an RGB signal in the case where a YCbCr signal has been obtained from the video input unit 701, or converts an RGB signal to a YCbCr signal in the case where an RGB signal has been obtained from the video input unit 701. However, in the case where conversion has not been instructed by the CPU 710, the video signal obtained from the video input unit 710 is not converted, and is outputted as-is to the video output unit 704.
The identification information packet issuing unit 703 generates identification information packets which indicate whether the video signal is an RGB signal or a YCbCr signal. The receiving device 20 performs color conversion in accordance with the identification information packets in order to display the image.
The video output unit 704 multiplexes the video signal obtained from the color conversion unit 702 with the identification information packets, and transmits the multiplexed signal over the HDMI cable in accordance with the HDMI specification.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control sequence for switching the color format performed in the HDMI sending unit 700. FIG. 4 shows a control sequence executed in the case of switching from a YCbCr signal to an RGB signal. The horizontal axis indicates time. In addition, the top four signals are signals on the sending device 10 side, while the bottom two signals are signals on the receiving device 20 side. In other words, FIG. 4 shows the following items, in order from the top down: commands outputted by the CPU 710 to the HDMI sending unit 700; inputted video data inputted to the color conversion unit 702; video data outputted by the color conversion unit 702; identification information packets issued by the identification information packet issuing unit 703; received video data received by the receiving device 20; and received identification information packets.
Upon detecting a remote control operation for switching the color format, the CPU 710 outputs, to the color conversion unit 702, a switch command indicating that the YCbCr signal is to be switched to an RGB signal (T1), and then outputs, to the identification information packet issuing unit 703, a switch command indicating that the identification information packets indicating a YCbCr signal are to be switched to identification information packets indicating an RGB signal (T2). The difference in timing of the two switch commands spans several frames. The reasons for this difference in timing between the two switch commands are as follows. First, the CPU 710 operates not only the HDMI sending unit 700 but also the sending unit 10 as a whole, and thus the period of the switch command increases in accordance with the processing load required for controlling the entire sending unit 10. Furthermore, the processing power of the CPU 710 is lower than that of PCs or the like.
Due to the timing difference between the two switch commands, a timing difference also arises between the timing at which the video data outputted from the color conversion unit 702 is switched and the timing at which the identification information packets issued from the identification information packet issuing unit 703 are switched. As a result, the timing difference travels through the HDMI cable, and a difference between the timing at which the received video data is switched and the timing at which the received identification information packets are switched (the period "Ta" in FIG. 4) arises in the receiving device 20.
During the period Ta, in which the color format of the received video data and the color format indicated by the received identification information packets differ, the receiving device 20 mistakenly interprets the received video data as being of the color format indicated by the received identification information packets, and displays the video data. The result is color scrambling during the period Ta.
In order to mask visual noise arising when the video format of a television broadcast is switched from progressive to interlaced and vice versa, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2000-333088 discloses a technique in which the video is muted for a period starting from before the video format switch and continuing until after the video format switch.
However, there is a problem with the above conventional art in that while it is possible to mask visual noise arising when switching between video formats with different scanning methods, it is not possible to mask the color scrambling that arises when switching between video formats that have different color formats. In the example given in FIG. 4, color scrambling spanning several frames occurs in the video display when switching the color format, and while the scrambled colors occurs only for an instant, it is sufficient to give a user a sense of discomfort and cause the user to worry that the sending device or the receiving device may have malfunctioned.
FIG. 5 is a table contrasting the color data of RGB and YCbCr signals in regards to black and white colors. In FIG. 5, black and white color values are shown for a 24-bit RGB signal and a 24-bit YCbCr signal respectively. In the RGB signal, black is expressed by the values (R, G, B)=(0, 0, 0), while the white is expressed by the values (255, 255, 255). On the other hand, in the YCbCr signal, black is expressed by the values (Y, Cb, Cr)=(16, 128, 128), while white is expressed by the values (235, 128, 128). For example, if an RGB signal expressing black is mistakenly interpreted as a YCbCr signal, or vice versa, an image of differing color and brightness will be displayed. When colors are interpreted incorrectly between color formats which express colors differently, scrambled colors will occur.
FIG. 6 is a table showing combinations in which scrambled colors occur. Each row in FIG. 6 indicates the pre-switch color format, whereas each column indicates the post-switch color format. "4:4:4" for the YCbCr signal indicates that the ratio between the number of pixels for the luminance signal Y, the number of pixels for the chroma signal Cb, and the number of pixels for the chroma signal Cr is 4:4:4. In the same manner, "4:2:2" indicates that this ratio is 4:2:2. "8-bit" for the RGB signal indicates that each RGB component is of 8 bits. In the same manner, "12-bit" indicates that each RGB component is of 12 bits. In FIG. 6, scrambled colors do not occur in color format conversion between RGB signals for which the bit numbers for components differ and in color format conversion between YCbCr signals for which the pixel number ratios differ. On the other hand, there is a problem in that scrambled colors when switching color formats between RGB and YCbCr signals.
It can be thought that scrambled colors will not occur if, for example, there is no difference in the timing between the command issued from the CPU instructing the color format switch and the command issued from the CPU instructing the identification information packet switch. However, even if there is no difference in the timing, the problem of scrambled colors occurring still exists in cases where the receiving device has low processing power, the receiving device cannot synchronize its interpretation of the identification information packets with a change in the color format of the video signal, and other such cases.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention, which has been conceived in light of the abovementioned problems, is to provide a video signal sending device which reduces the occurrence of scrambled colors when switching video signals between different types of color formats, thereby alleviating a sense of discomfort or worries of malfunctions on the part of the user.

Video output apparatus, control method thereof, and video device


An improved sulfider is provided for receiving high temperature catalysts from the hydrocarbon cracking operation and subjecting the catalyst to a sulfur-containing gas. The sulfider unit includes a plurality of gas injector tubes each individually removable from the sulfider while gas is continually injected into the sulfider treatment chamber through other of the injection tubes. Each injector tube may extend through a lowermost end of the sulfider, and has a central tube axis arranged substantially vertically when the tube is mounted to the sulfider housing. Fluid output ports are provided in sidewalls of an upper portion of the tube, and the tubes may be continually operated for extended periods of time without significant plugging problems. A service valve and packing unit associated with each injector tube enable partial removal of the tube from the treatment chamber without leakage of hydrogen sulfide gas, followed by closing of the valve and complete removal of the tube and packing unit. During service or repair, flow of gas to one of the tubes may be terminated and that tube repaired and placed back in service while the sulfider remains operational, thereby substantially reducing the downtime of the sulfider.

Various processes require that material be treated with an elemental sulfur-containing gas. This treatment process frequently involves a "bed" of material to be treated, with a sulfur-containing gas rising through the bed to treat the material. Material may be continually input to and removed from a chamber in a sulfider, and the treatment may occur at a high temperature provided by the incoming material. Sulfider equipment is thus well suited for a continuous flow-through process rather than a batch process. Fluid injector tubes have long been used to input the hydrogen-containing gas into the lower portion of the bed within the treatment chamber, while an upper portion of the sulfider acts as a settling chamber to allow treated material fines to settle by gravity back to the bed.
Those skilled in the cracking of hydrocarbon feedstock have long recognized the value of various solid catalyst to yield more valuable end products. These catalysts typically may be manufactured from various synthetic crystalline materials, and are utilized in powder form with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 100 microns. The solid catalyst become contaminated or poisoned by "metals" during the hydrocarbon conversion, with the term "metals" referring to contaminants in the form of either free metals or relatively non-volatile compounds. U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,253 and U.S. Pat. No. Re. 27,639 generally disclosed techniques for preparing a suitable catalyst for cracking hydrocarbon feedstocks.
Various techniques have been devised for removing metals from the hydrocarbon conversion catalyst so that the catalyst can be returned to service. One commonly used technique is to chlorinate a contaminated catalyst at elevated temperatures. According to the technique described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,197, the contaminated catalyst is demetalized by contacting the catalyst with at least one chlorine-contaminating component. Vapor phase chlorination is preferred at a temperature of approximately 600.degree. F., followed by an inert gas purge by approximately 1000.degree. F. Chlorination can be effective to move vanadium from the catalyst, and also for placing nickel poisons into a form soluble in an aqueous solution. After chlorination and washing, the demetalized catalyst may then be returned to a fluid bed reactor vessel for cracking hydrocarbons.
As disclosed in the '197 patent, contaminated catalyst from the fluid bed catalytic cracking operation may be passed through an initial sulfiding process for enhancing the removal of nickel and vanadium during the subsequent chlorination and washing processes. During the sulfiding step, the poisoned catalyst is contacted with elemental sulfur vapors, such as H.sub.2 S, at a temperature of from 500.degree. F. to 1500.degree. F. According to the prior art, this sulfiding step is preferably performed using an in-line or continuous flow-through process by passing the heated catalyst into a sealed reactor having metal walls. H.sub.2 S is introduced into the bottom of the reactor and passed upward through the fluid bed formed by the catalyst.
The injection tubes or nozzles in catalyst sulfiders have been of a conventional design for fluid bed reactions. A central injection pipe was passed through a lower end of the sulfider, and a plurality of tubes or nozzles extended horizontally outward from a header at the upper end of the pipe. The plurality of tubes thus resembled spokes which effectively covered the cross-sectional area of the sulfider with the injected gas. Each tube has a series of drilled ports in its lowermost surface, and the injected fluid was directed downwardly to increase its effectiveness at treating all of the material in the bed.
The hydrogen sulfide generator, the flow line from the generator to the injector tubes, and the injector tubes themselves produce scale or debris which tend to plug the ports of the injection tubes. When these ports plug, the material in the bed is not efficiently treated by the hydrogen sulfide. The sulfide accordingly must be shut down, the bed of catalyst removed, the ports in the injector tubes cleaned, and the catalyst bed again formed to allow continued treatment. It was not uncommon to operate a sulfider for approximately one month, then shut the sulfider down for a period of one week or more to clean or replace the injection tubes. Maintenance costs for the sulfider are thus high, and more importantly, extensive hydrocarbon cracking equipment must operate at the reduced efficiency while the sulfider is down, or extra sulfiders must be constructed to treat catalysts while the injector tubes of a sulfider are cleaned and the sulfider returned to service.
The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, and improved methods and apparatus are hereinafter disclosed for substantially minimizing repair and maintenance costs for injector tubes used to introduce a sulfur-containing gas into a bed of material to be treated. The techniques of the present invention are particularly well suited for reducing the maintenance and plugging problems of a sulfider used in hydrocarbon cracking operations to assist in demetalizing catalysts by subjecting the contaminated catalyst to the sulfur-containing gas.


A method and apparatus for debugging software for the purpose of modification of the target program""s behavior and/or collection of data pertinent to a target program""s execution. New user actions are compiled and converted into a dynamically linkable module. The existing program is run under the control of a dynamic action linker. The dynamic action linker modifies the existing program by inserting the new actions in the memory image. The insertion is accomplished by automatically recognizing and modifying object code sequences in the existing program to call the new actions. Once the modification phase has finished modifying the existing program""s memory image the new program is run without additional interruption, the new actions acting as if they were present in the original source code for the program.

The invention relates to debugging of computer code. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for debugging computer code that does not require modification of the target executable program that is to be debugged.
Computer programming has become a very complex operation because of the increased sophistication of computers and the increased complexity of tasks to be carried out by computers. Further, computer hardware is now relied upon for mission critical tasks, such as air traffic control, communications, medical equipment, and the like. It follows that computer software, i.e. a computer program, is controlling these tasks. Note that the phrase xe2x80x9ccomputer programxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to a set of software instructions and/or routines for controlling computer hardware. The word xe2x80x9capplicationxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to the practical use of the program, for example, inventory control, accounting or any other use.
Of course, a higher level of software complexity results in a higher potential for programming errors, known as xe2x80x9cbugsxe2x80x9d. For example, many programs consist of thousands or even millions of lines of code. The sheer volume of code creates great potential for bugs. Also, as a result of the size of most computer programs, the code often is developed by plural teams of programmers each working on a different portion or aspect of the program. The teams may accomplish similar tasks in a different manner or otherwise produce code that is incompatible with code developed by other teams. Due to the huge reliance on computer software in just about every aspect of society, it is important to find and eliminate as many bugs as possible in an efficient manner. Also, it is often desirable to insure the performance of a computer program. For example, the end user may want to be guaranteed that a particular variable is updated very quickly.
To find errors in code and assure performance, a process called xe2x80x9cdebuggingxe2x80x9d has developed. One form of conventional debugging is called xe2x80x9cinteractive debuggingxe2x80x9d. Interactive debugging includes stopping the program at desired break points, known as xe2x80x9cbreaksxe2x80x9d, for examination of program status. xe2x80x9cNoninteractive debuggingxe2x80x9d does not stop the program. However it uses debugging statements which are inserted into the source code and the source code is then compiled into machine code including the debugging statements. Once all errors have been eliminated and the program is operating in a desirable manner, the debugging statements are removed from the source code and the program is recompiled and used for its intended task.
Conventional debugging techniques, while sometimes effective, have several shortcomings. In particular, conventional noninteractive debugging techniques require access to the source code for insertion of the debugging statements. Often, the user license for a particular program does not grant access to the source code or the right to change the source code. Therefore, in most cases, the user must rely on the developer of the software to provide all debugging. Often programming errors occur only in a particular application of a program and thus are not caught by the developer during initial debugging. Also, the developer may be unavailable or unwilling to provide subsequent debugging services. Further, even if access to the source code is not an obstacle, the program as run during noninteractive debugging has been altered to accommodate the debugging statements. Therefore, the program might not run in the same manner during debugging as it will during normal operation. The debugging statements may mask errors, create errors, slow operation, or otherwise affect the function or performance of the program. Finally, many programs behave differently or even refuse to run when stopped. Therefore, conventional interactive debugging using break points is not reliable and is difficult to implement.
It is an object of the invention to overcome the limitations of conventional debugging techniques.
It is another object of the invention to permit debugging of a computer program without stopping execution of the program.
It is another object of the invention to permit noninteractive debugging of a computer program without accessing or altering the source code of the program.
It is another object of the invention to conduct performance testing of a computer program under actual executable conditions of the program.
It is another object of the invention to conduct requirement verification under actual executable conditions of the program.
It is another object of the invention to increase the speed and efficiency of software development.
It is another object of the invention to facilitate software comprehension.
The invention uses xe2x80x9cdynamic linkingxe2x80x9d to use the existing target program executable for debugging and thus avoids the long edit-compile-link cycles inherent in the use of debugging statements in source code. By linking new user actions into the executable image, the target program is allowed to run as it would normally run thus allowing debugging of time sensitive programs without the need to stop execution thereof. Calls to the user actions are inserted into the memory image during loading of the target program. The calls can be inserted at any time during or after transfer of the executable code into memory. Accordingly, the term xe2x80x9cloadingxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to any time during or after transfer of the target program into memory for the purpose of running the program. The invention can be used to locate and fix programming errors, for requirements verification, for performance evaluation, for software comprehension, or for any other evaluation of software. Accordingly, the term xe2x80x9cdebuggingxe2x80x9d as used herein refers broadly to any type of diagnosis or evaluation of software.
A first aspect of the invention is a method for debugging a computer program comprising the steps of developing a debugging subprogram having a user action for debugging a target program, loading the target program for execution, inserting a call to the debugging subprogram into a memory image of the target program during the loading step, and executing the target program.
A second aspect of the invention is a computer readable medium having instructions for debugging a computer program recorded thereon. The medium a includes a first set of instructions for loading the target program for execution, and a second set of instructions for inserting a call to a debugging subprogram having user actions into a memory image of the target program during loading of the target program.


The present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for obtaining product training images, and a storage medium. The method includes: obtaining product images on each of product webpages in an e-commerce website, and determining a product feature vector of each product image on the product webpage; dividing the product images on the product webpage, and determining a target image set of the product webpage according to an image dividing result; classifying target image sets of the product webpages according to the average product feature vector to obtain at least one type of image set; and generating the product training images according to the at least one type of image set.

Product retrieval is an important technology, which is applicable for product image recognition. Product image recognition help users to quickly find the product they want and recommends the right product. In product retrieval, accurate product recognition of the target image uploaded by the user through a pre-established product recognition model is very important for quickly finding the desired product. However, in the process of establishing the product recognition model, a large number of training sample images consistent with the distribution of real scene are required.
In the related art, if tens of millions or hundreds of millions of training data is acquired, the cost of manually labeling is quite large. Therefore, how to quickly generate training data consistent with the distribution of real scenes is a problem that needs to be solved urgently.

Method and apparatus for obtaining product training images, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An improved engine control system using a NOx sensor is disclosed. In one example, the NOx sensor structure and/or signals are modified to improve distance transmission of NOx sensor output signals so that at least some processing electronics can be relocated remote to the sensor and in an engine control unit, or other such control unit utilizing the NOx sensor signals, and controlling the NOx sensor heaters, if applicable.

Various types of NOx sensors have been proposed for use in engine control to improve performance and reduce emissions. In one example, an electronically heated dual pumping cell (chamber) type sensor is used that provides both oxygen concentration and NOx concentration.
In general, a first voltage is applied across the first pumping cell which results in oxygen being pumped out of a first chamber. The first chamber may be connected to the ambient measurement gas through an aperture or porous diffusion barrier. Once all of the oxygen has been removed from the chamber, the pumping current saturates at a level proportional to the rate of oxygen diffusing into the first chamber. The limiting current from the first cell can be a measure of the oxygen concentration in the measurement gas and can be proportional to air/fuel ratio. The pumping current from this first cell may be on the order of milliamps in engine exhaust applications.
The second pumping cell in the sensor dissociates the NOx and pumps out the oxygen liberated from the dissociation. The pumping current output from the second cell can be a measure of the NOx concentration. This second pump cell may be located in a second chamber adjacent to the first chamber and connected by another aperture or porous diffusion barrier. However, because in engine exhaust application NOx concentrations may be significantly lower than oxygen concentrations, and because NOx must diffuse through 2 separate diffusion barriers, the oxygen pumped by the second cell from the dissociation of NOx may be very small. Therefore, the resulting limiting pumping current may also be very small (on the order of nanoamps), as compared to the milliamps arising from the first cell.
In prior approaches, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,536, separate electronic processing (including A/D converters) from the engine control unit has been used to provide accurate sensing of both oxygen and NOx. It is presumed that such redundant processing is needed in close proximity to the sensor to process the pump currents and control the heater. In other words, long signal wires between the sensor and electronics may result in loss of signal and increased noise. Thus, the small pumping current may limit the distance between the signal processing electronics and the sensor (thereby resulting in multiple processing units), and may also require fairly sophisticated ammeters to accurately measure the signal.
The inventors herein have recognized a disadvantage with such an approach. In particular, providing separate processing electronics, especially in close proximity to the sensor, may create numerous issues. First, cost is significantly increased due to the electronics, and cost is further increased due to the harsh exhaust environment that these electronics must endure.
The above issues may be addressed by, a system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
a sensor adapted to be coupled into an exhaust of the engine, said sensor outputting at least a first signal indicative of oxygen and a second signal indicative of NOx;
a controller receiving at least said first and second signal, said controller processing said first and second signal, and controlling said engine by adjusting an engine actuator based on at least one of said first and second processed signals; and
a transmission amplifier coupled to said sensor configured to amplify said second signal before it is transmitted to and received by said controller.
In another embodiment, the above issues may be addressed by a system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:
a sensor adapted to be coupled into an exhaust of the engine, where exhaust gas enters at least a first pumping cell that outputs at least a first signal indicative of oxygen, and then enters a second pumping cell through an passage, the second cell outputs at least a second signal indicative of NOx, and the passage configured to produce said second signal such that it can be transmitted to a controller;
said controller receiving at least said first and second signal, said controller processing said first and second signal, and controlling said engine by adjusting an engine actuator based on at least one of said first and second processed signals.
As such, the inventors herein have recognized that the NOx signal current levels are driving the use of a processor and other electronics close to the sensor. Further, they have also recognized that only the NOx signal generally is of low pumping current levels. Thus, in one example, the current forming the NOx signal is amplified such that wiring losses are reduced and the processing electronics, including the NOx and oxygen signal and heater control electronics can be moved to the engine control unit. In another example, a NOx sensor structure is provided to increase current forming the NOx signal such that wiring losses are reduced and the processing electronics, including the NOx and oxygen signal and heater control electronics can be moved to the engine control unit. These embodiments may also be used in combination, if desired.
Note that there are various types of transmission amplifiers, and various types of NOx sensors that provide at least a first and second output. Further, while the above example relates to NOx sensing, the approach can be applied to any oxygen containing species, such as SOx, CO2, and/or H2O, for example.


A secondary device receives an instruction message accompanied by a counted value and compares the received counted value with a counted value stored in an internal memory. Thus, it is determined whether the currently received instruction message is the same as a previously received instruction message and an execution of a process based on the previous instruction message was completed. When the received instruction message is not the same, the secondary device transmits a response message after executing a process according to the received instruction message. In contrast, when the instruction message is the same, the secondary device transmits a response message based on a process history in the internal memory without executing the process according to the received instruction message.

There is known a network system in which a network device as a primary device (so called "master") controls other network devices as secondary devices (so called "slaves") (Refer to Patent document 1).                Patent document 1: JP-2000-250850 A
In such a system, after receiving an instruction from the primary device, the secondary device transmits to the primary device a response that a process has been executed according to the instruction. After receiving the response, the primary device continues subsequent processes.
When the response from the secondary device does not reach the primary device within a predetermined period because of a certain reason, the primary device generally issues the same instruction to the secondary device again to urge the secondary device to execute the process and respond.
For instance, a response from the secondary device may not reach the primary device because of a reason such as a trouble in the communication channel. In this case, in spite of having executed the process based on the previous instruction, the secondary device may execute the same process again in response to the same instruction from the primary device.
This consumes the resource of the secondary device unnecessarily; further, the response from the secondary device can reach the primary device after the secondary device has executed the same process in multiple times. This results in worsening the response of the secondary device to the instruction from the primary device.

Network system, network device, and program product