A system and methodology for decimal multiplication in a microprocessor comprising: a recoder configured to recode decimal digits of a first operand to a corresponding set of {−5 to +5}. The recoder also configured to recode decimal digits of a second operand to a corresponding set of {−5 to +5}. The system also includes a multiplier array of digit multipliers, each digit multiplier configured to generate a partial product of a selected digit of a recoded first operand and a recoded second operand; and an adder array of digit adders, each adder configured to generate a sum of the partial products, wherein a least significant digit of the sum is shifted to a results register, and each adder includes carry feedback.

Decimal multiplication is a complex operation to implement in computer hardware. Typical methods for implementing decimal multiplication involve the computation and accumulation of partial product terms. The two data inputs to the operation are called the multiplier and the multiplicand. Commonly, the multiplier is separated into individual digits, and these digits are used to select multiples of the multiplicand which form the partial products. The partial products are summed to form the final product.
An existing method for reducing the amount of computation or computation time required to generate the partial product term uses a read only memory (ROM) to store all the possible products of two digits which range from 0 to 9. Such a methodology therefore, requires a 100 entry memory array, an equivalent programmable logic array (PLA) or combinatorial logic. Another method reduces the number of stored products by performing special tests for digits equal to zero or one. Thus only the combinations of digits which range in value from 2 to 9 are required yielding 64 combinations. These methods employ a linear array of digit multipliers to form each partial product term.
While these methods of multiplication are very simple and relatively easy to implement for decimal multiplication in hardware with a shifter, an adder, a product accumulator, and the like, it will be appreciated that for binary multiplication it takes one cycle to process one multiplier bit to form a partial product, an operation with an n-bit multiplier will take in the order of n cycles to finish. Such a long cycle-per-instruction (CPI) time in the current world of high-speed computing is considered a prohibitive solution. Therefore to achieve shorter CPI for multiply instructions, as mentioned above, additional hardware is expended to calculate the partial products in groups at a time and build the necessary adders to process them simultaneously. This brute force approach does decrease CPI but it also increases the chip area dedicated to the multiplication functions. Adders in particular, are difficult to handle, especially with the area and timing constraints that usually accompany the functional specifications. Many methods have therefore been formulated to decrease adder size through decreasing of partial products by processing the multiplier multiple bits at a time. One of the more popular methods is the Booth recoding algorithm.
The Booth recoding algorithm is a method for reducing the number of partial products produced from a given n-bit multiplier through multiple-bit scanning. It is based on the concept that a string of binary ones, where the least significant bit of value '1' holds a significant value of 2n and the string of ones is z bits long, may alternatively be represented as 2n+z−2n. For example, the string 0b0111 may be represented as 23−20=7, and the string 0b1110 as 24−21=14.
In the previous example, the weight of each bit is equal to 2n where n is the positional value of the relevant bit. The detection of a string of ones is done by overlapping the scanned group of multiplier bits by one bit. Applying this counting method to multiplication, where the scanned number is the multiplier in a 1-bit scan with an overlapping bit, is as simple as giving a bit that is at the end of a string (the least significant bit in the string), detected by a '1' bit whose overlapping bit to the right is a '0', a value of −(2n)*(multiplicand); a bit that is at the beginning of the string (the most significant bit of the z-bit string), detected by a '0' in the position with the overlap bit equal to '1', a value of (2n)*(multiplicand); and a bit that is in the middle of a string of 0's or 1's a value of zero. This is summarized in the table below, where the leftmost bit is the bit in position n of the string and the rightmost bit is the overlap bit needed for string detection. The "Justified Multiplicand Value" column gives the multiplicand-multiple value, the significance of this value may be implied with the position of the relevant scanned bit.
TABLE 1Truth-Table For Radix-2 Booth RecodingMULTIPLICANDJUSTIFIED MULTIPLICAND2-BIT SCANVALUEVALUE000x  0x01(+2n)x+1x10(−2n)x−1x110x  0x
The key to advantageous implementation of the Booth recoding method is in increasing the number of bits that are scanned in a group, thereby decreasing the overall necessary scans of the multiplier as well as the number of partial products and the hardware necessary to combine the partial products. A popular scan-group size is 3 bits, composed of 2 scanned bits with an overlap bit in the least significant position. Its popularity is based on the fact that the necessary multiplicand-multiples needed to realize the recoding is simply 0×, ±1×, and ±2×, all relatively easy to formulate using shifters, inverters, and two's complementation methods to realize all possible multiples, whereas larger scan-group sizes necessitate adders to formulate higher multiples such as ±3×. It is evident that while Booth recoding simplifies the multiplication task, it too is complex and burdensome. Booth recoding, while well suited for its intended purposes, does not exhibit the same benefits for decimal multiplication. Therefore, it would be of benefit in the art to have a multiplication methodology that reduces CPI and complexity of hardware and algorithms to perform multiplication.

Decimal multiplication using digit recoding

International Business Machines Corporation


A header tube for heat exchangers with a tube segment having slots which are perpendicular to the tube axis and spaced in the longitudinal direction and separated by webs, into which hollow flat pipes can be inserted and joined to the contact surface of the respective slot. The webs each have a pair of stampings to strengthen the material on each side of each web and the webs are shaped largely flat such that the cross-section of the tube segment has a largely D-shaped profile. A method of manufacturing the header tubes is also presented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a header tube for heat exchangers. More specifically, the invention relates to header tubes that are strengthened by using stampings on each side of webs formed in the tubes and flattening the webs so that the cross-section of the tube has a D-shaped profile.
2. Related Art
In known types of header tubes, the stability of the webs in the transition to the cylindrical surface of the tube is achieved in some designs by lightly pressing down the middle of the webs at their highest point, until they are more or less flat or have a concave shape toward the inside of the tube. However, the change of direction of the surface toward the inside of the tube only results in a change of the slope of the transition to the cylindrical surface of the tube.
Other designs have transverse separating walls within the tube which are perpendicular to the tube axis, whereby each transverse wall radially supports one of the webs. The installation of the transverse walls to stabilize and hold the webs results in additional time and cost factors.
Another type of header tube is described in European Patent Document EP 0 198 581 81, which concerns a heat exchanger with header tubes that are spaced apart and largely parallel to each other. Each of the header tubes has spaced holes in the shape of slots which are perpendicular to the tube axis and separated by webs of metal.
The slots in the tube segment of one of the header tubes are arranged to be directly opposite corresponding slots in the other header tube. Hollow, flat pipes are installed between the header tubes and inserted in the associated slots, to be rigidly attached to the slots by soldering the contact surfaces such as by soldering. Each of the webs is convex, both across the header tube and also along the direction of the tube axis, having a largely curved surface, i.e., the parts of the tube segment between the slots are shaped as a dome.
In order to improve the poor strength of the curved webs of metal in their transition to the cylindrical surface of the tube, the edges of the slots, which are parallel to the flat pipes are folded over perpendicular to the tube axis. Shaping the slots in this way represents an additional time and cost factor during manufacture.
When the heat transfer fluid flows through the heat exchanger, this can result in pressure fluctuations which are transferred to the domed webs as vibration or shock waves, which can endanger poorly soldered connections between the flat pipes and the header tubes.

Header tubes for heat exchangers and the methods used for their manufacture


A radiation-sensitive composition includes a polymer composition and a radiation-sensitive acid generator. The polymer composition includes a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer includes a repeating unit shown by a following formula (1). The second polymer includes a repeating unit shown by a following formula (2) and does not include a repeating unit shown by the formula (1).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a radiation-sensitive composition.
2. Discussion of the Background
In the field of microfabrication represented by fabrication of integrated circuit elements, in order to obtain a higher degree of integration, the miniaturization of processing size in lithography is progressing. However, it is extremely difficult to form a fine pattern of no more than 0.3 μm with high accuracy by a conventional method using a visible light ray (wavelength: 800 to 400 nm) or a near ultraviolet ray (wavelength: 400 to 300 nm). Therefore, the use of deep ultraviolet rays represented by KrF excimer (wavelength: 248 nm) laser, ArF excimer laser (wavelength: 193 nm) and the like, X rays such as synchrotron radiation, charged particle rays such as electron beam has been studied intensively. Of these, especially, the lithography using an excimer laser has already been put into practical use and has been applied widely in manufacturing integrated circuit elements because of its high output, high efficiency and others.
And, as a resist suitable for deep ultraviolet rays such as an excimer laser, a "chemically amplified resist" has been used, in which, a radiation-sensitive acid generator which generates an acid by irradiation of radiation (hereinafter referred to also as "exposure") is used and the catalytic action of the acid improves the sensitivity of the resist.
As such a chemically amplified resist, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. S59-45439 discloses the combination of a resin protected by a t-butyl group or a t-butoxycarbonyl group and a radiation-sensitive acid generator; Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. S60-52845 discloses the combination of a resin protected by a silyl group and a radiation-sensitive acid generator. Further, as for chemically amplified resists, there are many other reports including Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H02-25850 disclosing a resist containing a resin having an acetal group and a radiation-sensitive acid generator.
However, due to the increasing complexity of integrated circuit element structure in recent years, in forming transistors having a three-dimensional structure represented by the Fin-FET or the like, lithography processes for patterning a resist pattern on a substrate having steps of polysilicon or the like have increased. In such a process, at the time of exposure, an insufficient amount of light which reaches the foot of the step causes a problem that the solubility of the resist at the exposed area is low and an undissolved residue of the resist (hereinafter referred to as scum) is left. Particularly, in the lithography process for forming a resist pattern for an ion implantation mask in which a lower-layer antireflection film cannot be used, as coupled with the effects of standing waves due to reflection from the substrate, applying conventional resist materials is becoming difficult, and a resist which better prevents a scum from being left has become demanded.


A search engine user interface that reduces the need for explicit search rules; dynamically responds as user input is entered to give immediate feedback to a user; is not limited to searching data residing in a single store; and may be used with a plurality of search engines, is provided. The search engine user interface provides search functions for a plurality of types of file metadata and types of file content. The search engine user interface provides an active query box, query editing, word-wheeling, and query narrowing and broadening. The user interface provides accordion behavior for visual elements of the user interface, integrated custom tagging, multiple independent search parameters, and filtering and integrated custom tagging in a common file dialog box.

A software module called a "search engine" is often used to search for particular data in a body of data on a computing device. While it is possible to programmatically access and use a search engine, it is preferable to access and use a search engine through a user interface, i.e., a search engine user interface. In the past, most search engine user interfaces have been designed to interface with the kinds of files specific to particular application programs. For example, to find Microsoft® Word files, the search engine user interface in Microsoft Word is used. While the Microsoft Word search engine user interface is easy to learn and use, it is designed to search files specific to Microsoft Word.
An example of a more general purpose search engine user interface is a Web search engine user interface such as the Web search engine user interface included in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Typically, a Web search engine user interface comprises a text box in which searchable terms are entered, a button to launch a search, and an area to display the results of a search. A Web search engine user interface has the advantage of enabling searches of a plurality of different files. Since most users are comfortable with entering searchable terms into a text box, a Web search engine user interface is fairly easy to use for simple searches. If a simple search fails to return useful data or returns too much data, a more complex search is required. Complex searches involve using formal queries to retrieve data. A formal query is a set of instructions written in a well-defined query language using strict rules of composition. A formal query is assembled in a search engine user interface and submitted to the search engine. The search engine uses the formal query to find data the user has described in the formal query. The search engine returns the data to the search engine user interface so the user can view the data. If the user understands the query language and composition rules, a well-formed query is composed and the search is usually successful. When the search is not successful, it is often difficult for the user to discern what parts of the formal query need to be modified to achieve satisfactory results.
A user may have difficulty composing a formal query or discerning which parts of a formal query to modify because the query language and composition rules do not adequately represent how a user thinks about how to search for data of interest to the user. A user typically searches for data according to properties of the data that the user can recall. The properties of the data the user can recall may or may not be searchable, or may or may not be made available in the search engine user interface. For example, one user may remember a time span during which an e-mail was received while another user may remember a key phrase included in the subject line or body of the e-mail. If time span is one of the searchable properties employed by the search engine user interface, but key phrase is not one of the criteria, the user who remembers only the key phrase is not able to compose a query suitable for retrieving the e-mail message. Alternatively, if key phrases is one of the properties employed by the search engine user interface, but not time span, the user who remembers the key phrase can compose a suitable query, but not the user who only remembers the time span.
Often, searchable properties, such as the aforementioned exemplary searchable properties, may be employed by one search engine user interface but not by another search engine user interface. This limitation may require a user to use more than one search engine user interface to conduct a search and coordinate the results of searches. Using more than one search engine user interface is undesirable because of the additional time required and because users are required to learn the nuances of a plurality of search engine user interfaces.
Even if a user understands the query language and composition rules of a search engine user interface, a user may have difficulty discerning which parts of a formal query to modify because the search engine user interface does not respond quickly enough or because the results of the search do not match the user's expectations. For example, a user may generate a query containing the phrase "electric car" intending to find information on electric automobiles. If, after 15 seconds the search engine user interface has not returned any results, the user may stop the search, believing the search to be unsuccessful, and check the spelling of "electric car." If the user decides "electric car" is spelled correctly, the user will restart the search. In this example, after 30 seconds, the search engine user interface may respond with data having to do with radio controlled toy cars, electric golf carts, and electric automobiles. It may be difficult for the user to decide how to modify the query to increase the specificity of the information returned and/or speed up the response. Another drawback to contemporary Web search engine user interfaces is that the returned information usually comprises Universal Resource Locators (URLs) and summaries of the files with little information to help the user understand how the files relate to the user's original request for information.


A method and apparatus is provided for an efficient way to perform a transformation of vectors, such as color vectors of pixels in a digital image. The transformation involves the sequential operation of a set of input functions, a transformation matrix, and a set of output functions on an input vector to generate an output vector. For a given matrix, a plurality of look-up tables are generated, each look-up table is associated with a vector element and stores words each corresponding to a possible value of the associated vector element. Each word in a look-up table has multiple segments, and each segment represents the product of a matrix element and the result of operation of a respective input function on the possible value of the associated vector element. For a given input vector, the look-up tables are referenced to obtain words corresponding to the values of the input vector elements. The words obtained from the look-up tables are added to produce a resultant word. The resultant word is then parsed into segments, and the segments are passed through respective output functions to derive respective elements of the output vector.

Interactive computer graphics is the most important means of producing pictures since the invention of photography and television. With the aid of a computer, digitized images can be edited to achieve a variety of effects such as changing the shapes and colors of objects, forming composite images, and correcting defects in the images.
Until recently, real-time editing of digital graphic images was feasible only on expensive high-performance workstations with dedicated, special-purpose, hardware. The progress of integrated circuit technology in recent years has produced microprocessors with significantly improved processing power and has also reduced the costs of computer memories. These developments have made it feasible now to provide advanced graphic editing capabilities in computer software designed for personal computers. As a result, the software industry sees a booming growth of computer graphics applications for personal computers.
One challenge constantly facing the designers of computer graphics applications is the need to reduce the amount of computer processing required to perform the graphic editing operations. Digital image editing is calculation-intensive. This is because a digital image typically contains from hundreds of thousands to millions of pixels. Even a simple editing operation may require the modification of many pixels, and the computing time can become unacceptably long if many calculational steps are required to modify each pixel in the image. This concern of calculational efficiency is especially significant for graphic applications operating on personal computers, due to the relatively restricted calculating power of such machines.
For example, many common operations that manipulate the colors of a digital image involve generally the transformation of the color vector of each image pixel from one point in the color space to another according to a transformation matrix. Examples of such operations include changing the tint of the image, altering the contrast and brightness, and colorizing black and white (or even color) images. Such a matrix transformation requires calculating the product of the color vector of the pixel being modified with the transformation matrix, which involves a series of multiplication and summation operations. Thus, many calculational steps have to be performed for transforming the color vector of each pixel, and the computing time required to transform the entire image can be very long. As a result, the application can become unacceptably slow in responding to editing instructions entered by the user. This is highly undesirable in view that the flexibility and responsiveness of the user interface is a key factor to the commercial success of graphics software designed for the personal computer market.
Matrix transformations are widely used in many areas of digital data processing besides image color transformation for a large number of different effects. Examples include spatial coordinate transformation and digital filtering. Accordingly, an efficient implementation of a general matrix transformation is needed in many different fields of digital data processing.

Method and apparatus for vector transformation involving a transformation matrix


A plant in the Compositae family in which the Nr gene, for resistance to Nasonovia ribisnigri (a troublesome lettuce aphid) is present without any associated genetic information responsible for "Compact growth and Rapid Aging," or CRA, at least to the extent that the CRA phenotype is not expressed. The resistance gene preferably originates from L. virosa. The removal or change of the genetic information resulting in the CRA phenotype is caused by recombination event(s) in the vicinity of the gene. Plants are generally selected in which one or more recombination events have taken place, either in the same or in successive generations. Such recombination events may be accomplished either by meiotic crossing-over or by the use of molecular biology tools such as the AFLP technique known in the art.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to new plants of the family Compositae, in particular lettuce plants of the genus Lactuca which are resistant to the aphid Nasonovia ribisnigri and herein display agronomically desirable traits.
2. Description of the Related Art
Aphids cause much damage in vegetable cropping. They feed on the phloem of the plants and thereby cause reduced or abnormal growth. Living aphids or aphid remnants make the harvested product unsaleable. In addition, honeydew, a sugary liquid secreted by the aphids, forms a sticky layer on the leaves. Aphids are greatly feared, not only because of this direct damage, but also because they spread virus diseases.
Nasonovia ribisnegri is the aphid species which in Europe is found most frequent on lettuce grown in the field. N. ribisnigri is particularly harmful because it prefers to feed on the young leaves of the plant. The aphids hereby become easily trapped in the closing lettuce heads, making them difficult to reach for pesticides. Especially in the crisphead types of lettuce, which form a tight head, this causes great problems. Crop farmers limit the damage caused by aphids by repeatedly spraying pesticides on the growing crops, in particular when the weather conditions are favourable for the reproduction of aphids. The use of excessive quantities of pesticide is undesirable from an environmental viewpoint. Pesticides moreover miss their target in particular cases, as described above for instance in the case of closing lettuce heads.
Resistance of the plants on which aphids occur (host plant resistance) is an environmentally-friendly alternative for the use of pesticides to control the development of aphids in for instance lettuce. Therefore extensive research has already been done into resistance to N. ribisnigri and into the inheritance of this type of resistance. For a number of lettuce cultivars a partial resistance to N. ribisnigri was described (Dunn, J. A. & Kempton, D. P. H.(1980) Tests of Agrochemical and Cultivars, No. 1, (Ann, appl. Biol. 94, Supplement): 58-59). An almost complete resistance to N. ribisnigri was found in the wild Lactuca variety L. virosa L. (Eenink A. H. & F. L. Dieleman (1983) Euphytica 32:691-695). This Nasonovia resistance in L. virosa was found to be caused by a single dominant gene, which is called Nr gene.
In 1981 L. sativa plants were released by the former Institute for Horticultural Plant Breeding (IVT, now part of CPRO-DLO) in Wageningen which contained in their genome an L. virosa chromosome fragment having the Nr gene for resistance to N. ribisnigri. These plants resulted from a hybridization program with L. virosa and L. sativa, in which L. serriola was used as bridge species. A bridge species is used when two species can only be crossed with one another to a limited extent, as was the case with L. virosa and L. sativa.
The released plants were of an undesirable type in respect of phenotype and agronomic traits (non-heading, poor cultivation characteristics).
Because of the undesirable agronomic traits these plants were used by breeding companies as hybridization parent for the purpose of obtaining plants by genetic recombination and selection, which combine resistance to N. ribisnigri with good agronomic traits.
L. sativa is an annual species but, when it is cultivated under artificial light at an increased temperature, 2-5 successive generations can be produced within a year. Backcrossing procedures are a generally known and suitable method for crossing genes from a "donor parent" into a genetic background with a high agronomic value. In general the introgression of a dominant gene into an agronomically acceptable phenotype can be achieved by 3-5 backcrosses, followed by 2-3 self-pollinations. 5-8 generations in 3-5 years are therefore required to obtain agronomically acceptable plants having the desired gene in their genome. However, although plants having the Nr gene were already released in 1981 to seed companies, the successful transfer of the Nr gene to agronomically acceptable lettuce plants has so far not yet been reported.
It is now the object of the present invention to provide plants of the family Compositae, and in particular new lettuce plants, which combine resistance to aphids of the species Nasonovia ribisnigri with agronomically good traits.
This object is achieved according to the invention in that it was found in the course of a selection program that the application of this resistance in lettuce plants having good agronomic characteristics was prevented by negative side-effects caused by the L. virosa chromosome fragment, on which the Nr gene was situated, when it was inserted in an L. sativa genome. Compared with cultivated lettuce plants without the N. ribisnigri resistance, plants which were homozygous for the Nr gene in fact displayed a reduced growth, a lighter green color and accelerated degradation of chlorophyll in the older leaves of the generative plant (when the plant is bolting). This resulted in generative plants having completely or partially white older leaves and/or reduced plant height. This agronomically undesired phenotype will be further designated in this application as "CRA phenotype", meaning "Compact growth and Rapid Ageing". FIG. 1 gives an example of the difference between normal lettuce plants and CRA plants. In the vegetative stage the CRA symptoms are particularly apparent when the plants grow under stress (for instance at low temperature).


In certain embodiments a device is provided for electrorotation flow. In certain embodiments the device comprises a microfluidic channel comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed to provide dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces that are perpendicular to hydrodynamic flows along the channel; and a fluid within the channel providing the hydrodynamic flow along the channel; wherein the device is configured to apply focusing voltages to the electrodes that provide an electric field minimum in the channel and that focus cells, particles, and/or molecules or molecular complexes within the channel; and where the device is configured to apply rotation-inducing voltages to the electrodes that induce rotation of the cells, particles, molecules and/or molecular complexes as they flow through the channel.

Label-free characterization of cells based on their sizes, membrane properties, stiffness, and dielectric properties can be applied for cell identification and disease diagnosis (Jones (2003) IEEE Eng. Med. Biol. Mag., 22(6): 33-42). Electrorotation (ROT) is a useful method for characterizing cells' dielectric properties. The rotation speed of a cell in a rotating electric field is dependent upon the cell's dielectric composition and its relative polarization property to the surrounding medium. Through measuring cells' rotation speeds at different frequencies and in different media, cells' dielectric properties can be extracted (Arnold and Zimmermann (1988) J. Electrostatics, 21(2-3): 151-191).
To measure the ROT speed of a cell, four electrodes are typically arranged in a crisscross pattern on a substrate. When a cell is located at the center of these electrodes, four ROT signals with different phase delays are applied to these electrodes. Conventionally, prior to the measurement, a cell needs to be trapped in the center of these electrodes before rotation. Every cell under measurement needs to be positioned at the same location with the same electric field strength for fair comparison. Positioning single cells in a microfluidic device is not trivial and a time-consuming task. In addition, the measurement result is adversely affected by the friction force between the rotating cell and the substrate. Correction of the rotation data is required to extract the dielectric properties of a cell.
Methods have been proposed for caging and levitating single cells above the substrate to avoid the friction problem (Benhal et al. (3025) Lab on a Chip, 14(15): 2717-2727; Han et al. (2013) Analyst, 138(5): 1529-1537). For example, by using a three-dimensional (3D) octode, in which four crisscross electrodes are patterned on both the top and the bottom substrates, a cell can be trapped in the center between the top and the bottom substrates to avoid the friction issue during rotation. However, the throughput is a major issue. It takes minutes to stabilize the flow, and stably trap a cell in a cage and rotate it to obtain the ROT spectrum, and release it from the cage for the next measurement. Although parallel cages can be patterned to increase the throughput, loading single cells into these cages, imaging them sequentially, releasing them after measurement, and repeating the same procedure for the next measurement is still a time-consuming process (Fuhr et al. (1992) Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)—Biomembranes, 1108(2): 215-223; Ino et al. (2011) Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 153(2): 468-473; Rohani et al. (2014) Electrophoresis, 35(12-13): 1795-1802).

Device for continuous focusing and rotation of biological cells and its use for high throughput electrorotation flow cytometery

The Regents of the University of California


A dispensing system is provided which assists in preventing oxidation of a product having an oxygen labile component. The system comprises a container having an internal chamber and a neck providing access to the internal chamber. A pump is attached to the neck of the container. The pump projects into the internal chamber. A gas producing structure is attached to a portion of the pump that projects into the container. By one or more mechanisms, the gas producing structure gradually releases a gas, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or any other gas that is substantially unreactive with the labile component of the product. The released gas provides two advantages. First, the gas serves to keep internal pressure of the system at a constant level. Second, the gas released is one which will not degrade labile components of the product. The ability of this dispensing system to at least partially fill the headspace of the package with a gas that does not readily degrade the labile component of the product aids in slowing down the degradation of that product. Therefore, since oxygen is displaced by released gas in the headspace, the oxidation process is slowed.

For the convenience and ease of dispensing, products are very often sold in pump packages. These packages comprise a container for the product and a pump for dispensing the product from the container. The basic function of most pumps is based on displacement of the product. Valves open and close in order to transfer product from a reservoir to the point of application. Most pumps share the same construction principles in that they have a central reservoir that collects and holds the product for dispensing, and a piston within the reservoir which provides a passageway to the dispensing point. The piston is the main component that pressurizes the product within the reservoir before dispensing.
The general sequence of functions to dispense product from a pump is as follows: With the pump on a container, and the container filled with the product to be dispensed, the first action is depression of the actuator of the pump. This moves the piston, which is attached to the actuator, down into the reservoir, compressing the product within the reservoir. The compressed product lifts a top valve within the piston, allowing the product to pass out of the actuator. As the actuator and piston return to the starting position, a vacuum is formed in the reservoir which closes the top valve. As the vacuum increases, a bottom valve, at the base of the reservoir, opens allowing the product to be pulled into the reservoir from the container. The continual opening and closing of the valves, under compression and vacuum, pushes the product through the system. By design, the flow of the product is in one direction, pulling product up into the reservoir, and then displacing it out through the actuator.
Because the product is pulled from the container, thereby decreasing the amount of product within the container, a vacuum is created within the container. If this vacuum is allowed to build up, the pump ceases to function at the point where the vacuum within the container equals the force required to pull the product into the reservoir. Therefore, at the time the bottom valve opens to fill the reservoir with product, a passageway opens between the container and the outside atmosphere. This passageway allows the vacuum within the container to dissipate so that the contents within the container can be kept at the same pressure as that of the outside atmosphere, thereby never allowing a vacuum pressure to be reached which would cease pump function. This process is known as "venting" and allows oxygen to enter into the container to equalize the pressure.
Products that contain labile components, such as fragrances, biologically active materials, fats, oils, or any other components that react with oxygen, tend to have their characteristics change over time with exposure to oxygen. This happens because certain components of the product degrade when exposed to oxygen. That is, when the product contacts the air, the labile component oxidizes and changes character, e.g., either by a loss of activity, or an alteration in odor or appearance. When products are placed within a container with a venting pump, the product is continually exposed to oxygen as the product is dispensed. This presents a particular problem when the product contains one or more labile components. Over time, this continual exposure to the air causes the labile component of the product to oxidize, thus changing the characteristics of that product.
The present invention provides a dispensing system that assists in preventing the oxidation of biologically active components of a product.
The present invention further provides a dispensing system that will not interfere with package aesthetics.
Also, the present invention provides a dispensing system that is inexpensive to manufacture.
Further, the present invention provides a dispensing system that is simple for a consumer to operate.


A periphery exposing apparatus for exposing a periphery of a wafer having a curved circumferential peripheral portion and a linear portion comprises a spin chuck for rotatably supporting the wafer, a light source disposed above the spin chuck for exposing the wafer periphery, and a detector for detecting the line or portion. When the linear portion is being exposed, the light source is moved along the linear portion, rather than circularly around the periphery.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for exposing peripheral portions of objects such as semiconductor wafers and, more specifically, to an apparatus for exposing the periphery of an object to remove photoresist applied on the periphery of the object.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, positive resist is being applied to a surface of a semiconductor wafer, a ceramic wafer or the like. The resist on the periphery of the wafer is removed by exposing the periphery of the wafer before or after exposing the desired patterns.
FIG. 1B is a side view of a conventional apparatus for exposing the periphery of a wafer and FIG. 1A is a plan view taken from the portion IA-IA of the apparatus for exposing the periphery of the wafer shown in FIG. 1B. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the conventional apparatus for exposing the periphery of a wafer comprises a table 11 for supporting a wafer W, a first motor M1 for rotating the table 11, and an illuminating apparatus Mv for exposing from above the periphery of the wafer W placed on the table 11. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the conventional apparatus for exposing periphery of a wafer has the below described structure. One illuminating apparatus Mv is provided spaced apart by a prescribed distance from the center of the wafer W, and the wafer W is rotated by the first motor M1, so that the periphery of the wafer is exposed. The periphery of the wafer W comprises an arc portion and a linear portion called an orientation flat. Exposure of the wafer periphery is carried out for the entire peripheral portion including the arc and the orientation flat portion.
When the wafer W is exposed by the conventional apparatus for exposing the periphery of the wafer, the arc portion can be exposed. However, at the linear portion, the distance of which from the center of the wafer W is shorter than that of the arc portion, the illuminating light illuminates outside the wafer. Therefore, the linear portion can not be exposed.
Therefore, the exposure of the linear portion has been carried out in the following manner.
(1) A plate cam having similar shape as the wafer W and which rotates in synchronization with the wafer W is provided, and a cam follower provided on the illuminating apparatus Mv is moved along the profile of the plate cam, so as to expose the linear portion by approximately the same width as the arc portion (plate cam method).
(2) Means for mechanically or optically detecting a wafer end portion (boundary between the arc portion and the linear portion) is provided. The detecting means detects the wafer end portion, and when the exposure portion moves from the arc to the linear portion, the wafer W is rotated with the distance from the center of the wafer W to the illuminating apparatus Mv adjusted so that the position of illumination by the illuminating apparatus Mv goes along the linear portion. Consequently, the linear portion can be exposed by approximately the same width as the arc portion (end portion detecting method).
The basic idea of the conventional methods is as follows. Namely, both the arc portion and the linear portion are exposed and the width of exposure of the arc portion and the linear portion are made approximately the same, with the wafer rotating at a constant speed. The conventional methods based on this idea have the following disadvantages.
(1) The illuminating apparatus Mv exposes a constant width from the outer periphery of the wafer W toward the center thereof. Therefore, referring to FIG. 2A, when the illuminating apparatus Mv illuminates the wafer end portions F1 and F2, the width of exposure L1 near the wafer end portions F1 and F2 becomes smaller than the width of exposure L0 of other portions, since the wafer end portions F1 and F2 have convex shape. This phenomenon becomes more conspicuous at the wafer linear portion Ws, and therefore, exposure by the same width can not be realized at the linear portion Ws.
(2) From the same reason as described above (1), when the illuminating apparatus Mv illuminates the wafer end portion F2 as shown in FIG. 2B, the length of exposure l1 in the inner side and the length of exposure l2 at the outer portion is very much different from each other (l1<l2) in the same period of time. Since the length of exposure at respective points in the width direction shown by a in FIG. 2B are different from each other, the amount of exposure per unit area in the same period of time becomes different. Consequently, uniform exposure can not be realized.
(3) When the resist is applied on the surface of the wafer W, the wafer W is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow of FIG. 3. As shown in the figure, the resist tends to be collected on the end portion on the upstream side of the direction of rotation of the wafer. Consequently, the resist becomes thick in this region Wa (see hatched portion in the figure). Since the exposure is done with the wafer W rotated at a constant speed, the resist can not be sufficiently removed in this thick region Wa.
When the speed of rotation of the wafer W is made sufficiently slow in order to surely remove the resist of the thick region Wa, the amount of exposure is increased. However since, the total processing speed is reduced, the throughput is also reduced.
(4) The width of the thick region Wa (portion represented by b in FIG. 3) described above (3) generally becomes larger than the uniform width L0 of exposure. However, the width L0 of exposure is constant, the resist outside the exposure width L0 can not be removed, even if the thick region Wa should be entirely exposed.
(5) When the chip size is large, the pattern region P by the step exposure is considerably distant from the linear portion Ws as shown in FIG. 4. Unnecessary resist must be removed over regions as wide as possible from the linear portion Ws to the portion represented by the two dotted line. However, if the width of exposure L0 is constant in the arc portion Wc and in the linear portion Ws, the resist which is not in the exposure width L0 remains as it is.
(6) When the wafer W is treated in the succeeding processes, prescribed portions of the wafer W are gripped by clamping pawls k as shown in FIG. 5. In order to provide stable clamping, the regions Wk to be clamped must be exposed by the width larger than the uniform exposure width L0. The reason for this is that when the clamp region Wk is exposed by the uniform width L0, the resist at the portions to be clamped is not exposed, therefore the resist peels when it is gripped by the pawl k.

Apparatus for exposing periphery of an object


This invention is a process for producing low fat meat products comprising trimming the meat to no more than 11%, by weight, fat, cooling the meat to approximately 40 degrees Fahrenheit, comminuting the meat to approximately 3/8 inch particle size, mixing between 0.5 and 5.0%, by weight, oat bran and betwen 0.3 and 3.0%, by weight flavoring with the comminuted meat, and comminuting the resulting mixture to between 3/16 inch and 1/8 inch particle size to produce a low fat meat product that, when cooked, has the mouth-feel, texture, juiciness and tenderness of normal fat comminuted meat products.

In the past, removing of fat from foods has typically been associated with a loss of quality, especially in meat products, as it is difficult to maintain the desired flavor, texture and moisture in reduced or low fat formulations.
A variety of approaches exist for the replacement of fat in meat products including the use of hydrocolloids such as seaweed extracts (carrageenans, agar, alginates), fermentation gums (xanthan gum), cellulose gums (MCC, CMC, HPC, MC), plant seed gums (locust/carob bean gums, guar gum), starches, and processed plant products (wheat bran, soy products, other brans, Oatrim (R), etc.).
Additionally, many of the reduced or low fat meat formulations have a "cardboard" taste associated with them that greatly reduces consumer acceptance of these products. Further there are often objectionable flavors in grain/meat products which are easily detectable and juiciness is lacking.

Method of preparing low fat meat products


In one embodiment, a portable computerized data communication device in a data communication system may include, for example, a user interface; a computerized system controlling operation of the device; a device housing having a normal closed condition defining an interior space within the device housing, and having an interior electrical connector within the interior space; and the device having an open condition providing access to the interior space while the device housing is in the open condition to enable connection with the interior electrical connector of a peripheral device equipping the device to perform a new function.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 365(c) applicant also claims the benefit of prior International Application No. PCT/US90/03282 having an international filing date of Jun. 7, 1990, said International Application claiming priority based on the aforesaid co-pending U.S. applications, having an international publication date of Dec. 27, 1990 as International Publication No WO90/16033.
The benefit of 35 U.S.C. § 120 of the following further pending applications filed as continuing applications under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of the aforementioned U.S. and International applications is hereby claimed: U.S. Ser. No. 07/633,500 filed Dec. 26, 1990. Said application Ser. No. 07/633,500 is in turn a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/626,711 filed Dec. 12, 1990, now abandoned.
The benefit of 35 U.S.C. § 120 of the following further pending applications filed as continuing applications under 35 U.S.C. § 120 is hereby also claimed: U.S. Ser. No. 07/547,087 filed Jun. 29, 1990, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 07/406,822, filed Sep. 7, 1989 which was a continuation of co-pending Ser. No. 07/104,653 filed Oct. 2, 1987.
Each of the above U.S. and international applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Portable computerized data communication device


A compression short with a magnet pocket for relieving back and hip pain includes a garment of resilient fabric shaped to compliment the pelvic region and legs which presents an upper edge and has a waistband joined to the upper edge. A pocket panel is secured to the inner surface of the garment at the back thereof to form a pocket within the shorts. The pocket has a central portion and a pair of opposed elongated arms. The central portion extends substantially longitudinally adjacent the wearer's tailbone, and the arms extend laterally from opposite sides of the central portion adjacent the wearer's hips. The central portion and the arms are adapted to selectively receive a magnet of complemental shape therein to relieve pain at the wearer's back, tailbone and hip areas. The pocket configuration allows for easy insertion and removal of the magnets and also secures the magnets in the proper place over the wearer's back and hips.

Compression shorts or pants have become widely used and accepted as a garment for active individuals and athletes engaged in sports and physical activity ranging from walking to football. The basic function of compression shorts is to serve as an athletic girdle and support the muscles of the abdomen, lower back and thighs. This is accomplished through the use of stretch fabric which is placed in tension as the pant is pulled into position on the wearer's body. Typically available in either thigh or knee-length styles and in various colors, compression shorts are soothing and comfortable as well as fashionable and functional and are ideal for groin, quad, hamstring and stomach muscle compression.
Active individuals and athletes that commonly wear compression shorts may develop muscle or joint pain in various regions of the pelvic area, such as the lower back and hips, possibly resulting from injury, arthritis, stress or overuse. It is believed by some that such pain responds to magnetic fields. For instance, one study published by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in November 1997 entitled "Response of Pain to Static Magnetic Fields in Postpolio Patients: A Double-Blind Pilot Study", found that the application of a device delivering static magnetic fields of 300 to 500 Gauss over a pain trigger point results in significant and prompt relief of pain in postpolio patients suffering from myofascial and arthritic pain.
As a result, magnetic products designed to provide pain relief are quickly gaining popularity. "Magnet Therapy" is used among athletes and other active individuals for relief from and prevention of injuries and other ailments.


A photoconductor containing a first layer, a supporting substrate thereover, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer comprised of at least one charge transport component, and wherein the first layer is in contact with the supporting substrate on the reverse side thereof, and which layer contains a semi-penetrating polymer network formed from crosslinking a suitable fluoropolymer, and within which network structure is penetrated with a polycarbonate.

This disclosure is generally directed to layered imaging members, photoreceptors, photoconductors, and the like. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to multilayered flexible, belt imaging members, or devices comprised of a first layer, a supporting medium like a substrate, a photogenerating layer, and a charge transport layer, including a plurality of charge transport layers, such as a first charge transport layer and a second charge transport layer, an optional adhesive layer, an optional hole blocking or undercoat layer, and an optional overcoating layer, and wherein the supporting substrate is situated between the first layer and the photogenerating layer. More specifically, the photoconductors disclosed contain a first anticurling layer or curl deterring back coating (ACBC) to render imaging member flatness, and which layer is in contact with and contiguous to the reverse side of the supporting substrate, that is this side of the substrate that is not in contact with the photogenerating layer and which first layer, the ACBC of present disclosure, is comprised of an interpenetrating, and more specifically, a semi-interpenetrating polymer network wherein a fluoropolymer like polyvinylfluroride, fluorinated polyethylene, or polyvinylidene fluoride form the network structure having a suitable polymer, such as a polycarbonate incorporated into the resulting crosslinked matrix.
In some instances, when a flexible layered photoconductor belt is mounted over a belt support module comprising various supporting rollers and backer bars in a xerographic imaging apparatus, the anticurl back coating (ACBC), functioning under a normal machine operation condition, is repeatedly subjected to mechanical sliding contact against the apparatus backer bars and the belt support module rollers, to thereby exacerbate ACBC wear characteristics. Moreover, with a number of known prior art ACBC photoconductor layers formulated to contain a polytetrafluoroethylene fluoride particle dispersion, there results mechanical interactions against the belt support module components which can generate electrostatic charge-up, causing substantial belt drive torque increases such that at times total belt cyclic motion stalling is incurred. A further disadvantage is that an ACBC coating solution prepared to contain a polytetrafluoroethylene fluoride particle dispersion can be difficult to effect a homogeneous particle dispersion, and these particles exhibit flocculation problems thereby adversely impacting the coating solution shelf life. To resolve these and other problems, especially as these problems relate to a number of known ACBC associated mechanical problems and other disadvantages, there is provided a novel ACBC layer with scratch and wear resistance and surface lubrication to effect a contact friction reduction with the belt support module components, and which ACBC layer comprises a polymer network, and more specifically, a semi-interpenetrating polymer network in which, for example, a fluoropolymer forms the network structure with a polycarbonate penetrating inside the crosslinked material matrix.
Also, attempting to enable photoconductors comprising an ACBC layer to simultaneously possess high surface lubricity, acceptable wear and scratch resistance properties has often been a challenge as the combination of material properties that would be favored to enhance one of the properties would usually undermine the other, thus reducing the materials design latitude. These and other disadvantages are eliminated or minimized with the photoconductors disclosed herein.
In embodiments, the photoconductor disclosed includes a curl deterring back coating or ACBC layer on the reverse side of the supporting substrate of a belt photoconductor. The ACBC layer, which can be solution coated, for example, as a self-adhesive layer, on the reverse side of the substrate of the photoreceptor, may comprise a number of suitable materials such as those components that minimize the surface contact friction reduction and prevent or minimize wear/scratch characteristics of the photoconductor device. In embodiments, the mechanically robust ACBC of the present disclosure usually will cause a reduction in the layer's thickness to the extent that will adversely effect its anticurling ability for maintaining an effective imaging member belt flatness, for example when not flat the ACBC layer can cause undesirable upward belt curling, which adversely impacts the imaging member belt surface charging uniformity, manifesting into print defects, which thereby prevent the imaging process from continuously providing a satisfactory copy printout quality. Moreover, ACBC wear also produces dirt and debris resulting in dusty machine operation condition. Since the ACBC layer is located on the reverse side of the photoconductor substrate, it does not usually adversely interfere with the xerographic performance of the photoconductor, and hence decouples the mechanical performance of this layer from the electrical performance of the photoconductor (which are generally mutually exclusive), and it separates the often conflicting requirements from the charge transport layer crack and scratch resistance, respectively, and therefore permits, for example, the efficient development and use of photoconductors with ACBC having an effective reduction in surface contact friction and excellent wear/scratch characteristics.
The photoconductors illustrated herein, in embodiments, have excellent wear resistance, surface lubrication for lowering contact friction, extended lifetimes, elimination or minimization of photoconductive imaging member belt ACBC scratches, and effecting the prevention of triboelectrostatic charge build-up thereby reducing the imaging member belt drive stalling issues during an imaging belt dynamic machine function.
Also included within the scope of the present disclosure are methods of imaging and printing with the photoresponsive or photoconductor devices illustrated herein. These methods generally involve the formation of an electrostatic latent image on the imaging member, followed by developing the image with a toner composition comprised, for example, of thermoplastic resin, colorant, such as pigment, charge additive, and surface additive, reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,560,635; 4,298,697 and 4,338,390, the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, subsequently transferring the toner image to a suitable image receiving substrate, and permanently affixing the image thereto. In those environments wherein the device is to be used in a printing mode, the imaging method involves the same operation with the exception that exposure can be accomplished with a laser device or image bar. More specifically, the flexible photoconductor belts disclosed herein can be selected for the Xerox Corporation iGEN® machines that generate with some versions over 100 copies per minute. Processes of imaging, especially xerographic imaging and printing, including digital, and/or color printing, are thus encompassed by the present disclosure. The imaging members are, in embodiments, sensitive in the wavelength region of, for example, from about 400 to about 900 nanometers, and in particular from about 650 to about 850 nanometers, thus diode lasers can be selected as the light source. Moreover, the imaging members of this disclosure are useful in color xerographic applications, particularly high-speed color copying and printing processes.


A device for the destruction of disc media is provided. The device includes an engagement member disposed within a housing portion, and a support member on which the disc media rests against. An actuating force is applied to move the engagement member and support member together, thereby pressing the disc media between the engagement member and support member, and causing the disc media to break into pieces. The data stored on the resultant broken pieces of disc media are now not easily readable, and may be discarded.

Disc media is used to store data, and includes, but is not limited, to compact discs (CDs), DVDs, Pocket CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, etc. The data which is stored on the disc media may be permanent, or not easily erased or written over. With the development of recordable disc media, business and personal record information are now being kept on disc media. This information is often times confidential. When data changes or is updated, a new disc may be used to record the information. The prior disc media typically may be stored for interim archival purposes, and then discarded. Media may also be used to transfer data or information between users, computers, servers, etc., and will then need to be destroyed.
A problem occurs when this information is to be disposed of, concerning how to destroy the stored data. Data stored on discs which are simply discarded in the trash could be easily retrieved by unauthorized persons. Thus, a need exists for a device which effectively renders the data unreadable, destroys the media, or makes the media non-functional before the discs are disposed of.

Device for the destruction of disc media


A core comprises a plurality of core split members having yoke portions and tooth portions and arranged in such a circumferential shape that the yoke portions contact with each other while the tooth portions being directed inward. The core further comprises a ring contacting with the yoke portions, and stoppers mounted on the outer face sides of the yoke portions for fixing the ring on the yoke portions. The yoke portions and the ring are formed in corrugated shape to mesh with each other, and the stoppers are formed with projections that engage with the inner side of the ring. This structure provides both the rotating electrical machine core having the core split members arranged in the circumferential shape and fastened to each other while preventing occurrence of a stress and a positional displacement between the core split members, and a rotating electrical machine.

Heretofore, there has been a rotating electrical machine including core split members which are circumferentially arranged and on each of which a coil is wound in concentrated winding pattern. For such a core, for example core split members made of powder consisting primarily of iron or the like into a nearly-T shape in plan view are used. This core split member generally has a tooth portion extending in a radial direction and a yoke portion wider in a circumferential direction than the tooth portion. The predetermined number of the core split members are circumferentially arranged by making the yoke portions contact with each other to produce a nearly annular core.
Here, there is a shrink fitting method as a method of producing the core by firmly connecting the core split members circumferentially arranged to each other disclosed in for example Patent Document 1 or 2. This method is achieved by circumferentially arranging core split members and fitting a nonmagnetic ring or case heated to high temperatures around the core split members, thereby fastening the core.
Patent Document 1: JP2003-88013A
Patent Document 2: JP2002-136013A

Rotating electrical machine core and rotating electrical machine


In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving data representative of an electrical circuit including an arrangement of devices, inputs, outputs, and power sources; pairing the devices based on a complimentary feature shared between the devices, the complimentary feature being associated to an operational characteristic of the devices; grouping the paired devices into device clusters based on common features shared between two or more of the paired devices; arranging the device clusters based on locations of input, outputs, or power connections of the device clusters to optimize electrical isolation or electrical connections between the device clusters; and generating discrete portions of the arranged device clusters to form a physical layout representative of a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit, such that when the discrete portions are integrated together they form a physical manifestation of the electrical circuit.

Integrated circuits may include one or more types of transistors. Planar transistors are a very common transistor technology. Planar transistors are manufactured using a conventional planar (layer by layer) manufacturing process and in which the transistor junctions reach the semiconductor surface in one plane. For example, FIG. 1 shows exemplary planar transistor 100.
Non-planar transistors, also referred to as three-dimensional (3D) transistors, are transistors in which the transistor junctions reach the semiconductor surface in different planes, such as a raised source-to-drain channel, e.g., as exemplified by a Tri-Gate transistor, or a raised channel (called fin) from source to drain, e.g., as exemplified by a fin field-effect-transistor (FET) (FinFET). A FinFET has the gate placed on two, three, or four sides of the channel, or wrapped around the channel, forming a double gate structure. FIGS. 2A and 2B show exemplary 3D Tri-Gate transistor 200, and FinFET 250.
Another example of non-planar transistor is the nanosheet (NS) transistor (also known as lateral gate all around (LGAA) transistor. FIG. 3 shows exemplary NS transistor 300.
Complementary FET (CFET) is another type of non-planar, 3D transistor in which, e.g., two FETs (e.g., an nFET and a pFET) are stacked vertically, with a vertical common gate that form horizontal channels. For example, FIG. 4 shows exemplary CFET 400. As can be seen from FIG. 4, CFETs have the advantage of resulting in simplified access to the FET terminals, which can result in smaller layouts.
FIG. 5 shows exemplary vertical transistor (VFET) 500, in which source-gate-drains of each transistor are stacked vertically. VFETs are referred to as vertical transistors because the channel is vertical, as shown in FIG. 5.

Method for automated standard cell design


A calibration method of an optical transceiver module includes the steps of receiving an input voltage, detecting an optical signal for generating an input power based on the optical signal, generating a compensating power based on the input voltage, and generating a calibrating power based on the compensating power and the input power.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an optical transceiver module and a calibration method thereof, and in particular, to an optical transceiver module capable of calibrating an operation voltage and a calibration method thereof.
2. Related Art
The optical communication technology has gradually become a mainstream in the communication technology because it has the advantages of low radiation and high transmission speed.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a conventional optical transceiver module 1. Referring to FIG. 1, the optical transceiver module 1 has a receiving unit 11, a transmitting unit 13 and a control unit 15. The receiving unit 11 receives an external optical signal 111, and converts the optical signal 111 into an electric signal 112. The control unit 15 transmits the electric signal 112 to a host 10. In addition, the control unit 15 controls the transmitting unit 13, converts a data signal 131, which is an electric signal coming from the host 10, into an optical signal, and then transmits the optical signal out. However, the gain and the offset of the receiving unit 11 of the optical transceiver module 1 may fluctuate due to different compositions. In addition, the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the optical transceiver module 1 may cause influence due to the fluctuation of the operation voltage of the receiving unit 11. For example, when the operation voltage is insufficient, the RSSI of the optical transceiver module 1 may be poor such that the overall sensitivity of the optical transceiver module 1 is poor.
The prior art has improved the problems caused by the variations of the internal elements of the receiving unit 11 by adding gain compensation and offset compensation to the optical transceiver module 1. However, the influence caused by the fluctuation of the operation voltage still cannot be solved. Thus, it is an important subject of the invention to provide an optical transceiver module capable of calibrating the operation voltage and a calibration method thereof.

Optical transceiver module and calibration method thereof


A media streaming home network system including at least one media client, which requests for a media streaming service through the Internet under a dynamic or static Internet Protocol (IP) environment, a media server, which detects network address information from the media client or a gateway connected to the media client, performs an access authentication process for the media client, and provides the media streaming service requested by the media client when the media client is authenticated, and a control server, which relays control messages transmitted between the media client and the media server, and provides the network address information of the media client to the media server. The media server can perform a process for authenticating the media client, using routing table information of the media client, without exchange of authentication information at an application level, even when both the media server and the media client use dynamic Internet Protocols (IPs), so that it is possible to rapidly and conveniently achieve the client authentication, while constructing a firm security system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a media streaming home network system and a method for operating the media streaming home network system, and more particularly to a media streaming home network system and an operating method for the media streaming home network system, in which a server performs a process for authenticating a client, using routing table information of the client, without exchange of authentication information at an application level, even when both the server and the client use dynamic Internet Protocols (IPs), so that it is possible to rapidly and conveniently achieve the client authentication, while constructing a firm security system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional home network system is schematically illustrated. This home network system will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1.
Recently, construction of home network systems has been increased. Such a home network system is implemented by connecting a plurality of electric home appliances through a network installed in a home or building such that the electric home appliances are mutually controlled. In order to effectively perform such mutual control, one of the electric home appliances is set as a server, and the remaining electric home appliances are set as clients.
Meanwhile, where the client appliances have access to the Internet, it is possible for the server to provide media streaming services at the request of the client appliances. In this case, it is necessary to provide a function for performing a security authentication required for data transmission and reception between the server and the clients.
Where the conventional home network system illustrated in FIG. 1 has the above-mentioned functions, it may include at least one client appliance 10, a media server 20, and a control server 30.
When the user desires to receive a media streaming service, he accesses the media server 20 via the Internet through the client appliance 10, and requests the media server 20 to provide a multimedia data stream stored in the media server 20.
Control messages transmitted between the client appliance 10 and the media server 20 are relayed by the control server 30.
That is, the client appliance 10 accesses a web site operated by the control server 30 to download a web page from the web site, and requests the control server 30 to provide a media streaming service through the web page. In response to the request of the client appliance 10, the control server 30 transmits, to the media server 20, network address information including the IP address and port No. of the client appliance 10.
Upon receiving the network address information from the control server 30, the media server 20 compares the received network address information with network address information transmitted from the client appliance 10. Based on the result of the comparison, the media server 20 performs an authentication procedure for the client appliance 10.
This system is implemented under the condition in which the client appliance 10 uses a static Internet Protocol (IP) address. The static IP address of the client appliance 10 may be a network address assigned to the client appliance 10 by an Internet service provider (ISP) for a fee.
When the client appliance 10 initially accesses the control server 30, the network address information including the IP address and port No. of the client appliance 10 is stored in the control server 30.
The static IP address does not vary depending on the environment of the network. Accordingly, the network address information stored upon the initial access of the client appliance 10 to the control server 30 is also used in every subsequent access authentication procedure.
Generally, the client appliance 10 can be connected to the Internet, using a static IP address or dynamic IP address provided by an ISP.
Internet connection services using static IP addresses involve considerably high installation and maintenance costs, and a very low service speed as compared to the servicing expense. For this reason, most homes use Internet connection services using dynamic IP addresses.
Where the client appliance 10 uses the latter Internet connection services, it is assigned a new IP address whenever it is connected to the Internet.
For this reason, the IP address newly assigned to the client appliance 10 is different from the IP address previously inputted to the media server 20 and control server 30. As a result, the media server 20 cannot perform an authentication process for the client appliance 10, using the IP address stored in the control server 30.
In order to solve this problem, whenever the client appliance 10 is connected to the control server 30, the authentication process for the client appliance 10 must be carried out by manually inputting an ID and password at an application level by the user. However, implementation of a system for such a security authentication is complex and expensive.

Media streaming home network system and method for operating the same


This invention relates to the field of internal quality control in diagnostic analysis, particularly in the analysis of microorganisms or other small particles, such as the detection of bacteria, protozoa, yeast, fungi, viruses, prions and the like, in water or other potable fluids, food, blood, urine, faeces, cerebro spinal fluid, and the like.

Water is routinely tested for the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Detection relies on immunofluorescence techniques to stain cysts and oocysts with a green fluorescent dye. The stained sample is examined using epifluorescent microscopy and the number of green fluorescing cysts and oocysts recorded.
The methodology involves numerous processes is which cysts and oocysts can be lost. It is, therefore, important to perform stringent quality control to monitor the performance of the methodology. At present, quality control is an external process that involves analysing a standard that contains a known number of cysts and oocysts. Such a quality control test is typically performed after analysing 10 or 20 samples. This external quality control is far from ideal. Losses of cysts and oocysts can very greatly between different samples. Some samples may be unsuitable for analysis. Furthermore, if the quality control result is poor then all results from the 10 or 20 samples must be discarded.
The same situation applies to diagnostic analysis in a wide variety of fields, where an external quality control is subject to the relevant diagnostic analysis being applied as a measure of performance/accuracy.
A need accordingly exists for accurate, convenient, cost-effective, and repeatable quality control in diagnostic analysis, which is currently not met by the prior art.


A process of producing N-acyl amino acid based surfactants of Formula I,

N-Acyl amino acid surfactants are widely used in personal care applications in addition to the other industrial applications. They fall in the category of anionic surfactants and are significantly milder than the rest of the anionic surfactants. For example, surfactants like sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium cocoyl N-methyl taurate are commercially used in face washes, body washes since they exhibit good cleansing power and are milder to skin and hair compared to other anionic surfactants. Alkanoyl sarcosinates find applications in mouth washes and in dentifrices, in general, due to their bacteriostatic activity. There are a host of other areas where N-acylated amino acids are commercially used such as in petroleum products, as lubricants, in metal processing and ore floatation. (N-acylated amino acid as surfactants, J. D. Spivack, Chapter 16, in 'Anionic surfactants, Vol 7, Surfactant Science Series, Edited by W. M. Linfield). Commercially, they are manufactured from a two-step synthesis that involves fatty acid and various amino acids such as glycine, sarcosine, N-methyl taurine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine and arginine. These are some of the most commonly used amino acids that are used to manufacture N-acyl amino acid surfactants. However, virtually all amino acids, chiral or racemic, natural or synthetic can be used in the manufacture of N-acyl amino acid surfactants. Also, amino acids used in the surfactant manufacture do not have to be α-amino acids. Also, the acid group in these amino acids can be any other acidic group other than the carboxylic group. Amino sulphonic acids (e.g. N-methyl taurine) have been condensed with fatty acid chlorides and to create commercial surfactants such as sodium N-methyl-N-cocoyl taurate. In the manufacture N-acyl amino acid surfactants fatty acid or a mixture of fatty acids is reacted with amino functionality of amino acids through the intermediacy of fatty acid chloride under typical Schotten Baumann conditions as shown in scheme 1 (U.S. Pat. No. 2,790,7799 (1953), U.S. Pat. No. 2,790,779 (1957), U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,931 (1974)).

Schotten Baumann condensation between fatty acid chloride and an amino acid is typically done in aqueous medium, however, use of mixed solvent systems (solvent and water) is also reported (U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,517 (2002), U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,829 (1999), US Appl. Pub. No 2005/0085651 (2004) and WO2009/065590 (2009)). A few other patents teach about preparation and purification of N-acyl amino acid surfactants that are essentially made by following the same route of condensing fatty acid chloride with amino acids (JP Pat No 2923101 (1991), JP Appl Pub No 04-149163 (1990), JP Pat No 3362468 (1993)).

The precursors of N-acyl amino acid surfactants, the fatty acid chlorides, industrially, are manufactured by reacting fatty acids and a halogenating agent, either phosgene or thionyl chloride as depicted in schemes 2 and 3. The chlorination is usually catalyzed by N, N-dimethyl formamide (DMF). DMF or similar substituted formamides form a complex (Vilsmeier complex) with COCl2 or SOCl2 which is the actual catalytic species (U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,186; U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,082; U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,560; U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,328 & U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,427) in chlorination of acids.

Abstract: wherein, R is selected from C6 to C22 alkyl group, R1 is selected from H, C1 to C4 alkyl, R2 is selected from all groups on α carbon of natural amino acids, R3 is selected from COOX, CH2—SO3X, X is selected from Li+, Na+ or K+. The process comprising steps of:    A) preparing fatty acid chlorides by halogenating fatty acids with either phosgene or thionyl chloride in the presence of catalytic amount of same or other N-acyl amino acid surfactant of Formula I or anhydrides of same surfactant; and    B) reacting fatty acid chloride of step (A) with an amino acid in the presence of a base.


Disclosed is a method of calibrating a depth image based on a relationship between a depth sensor and a color camera, and an apparatus for calibrating a depth image may include a three-dimensional (3D) point determiner to determine a 3D point of a camera image and a 3D point of a depth image simultaneously captured with the camera image, a calibration information determiner to determine calibration information for calibrating an error of a depth image captured by the depth sensor and a geometric information between the depth sensor and a color camera, using the 3D point of the camera image and the 3D point of the depth image, and a depth image calibrator to calibrate the depth image based on the calibration information and the 3D point of the depth image.

1. Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for calibrating a depth image, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for calibrating a depth image based on a relationship between a depth sensor and a color camera.
2. Description of Related Art
A depth sensor performing triangulation using a structured light, for example, Microsoft Kinect, may obtain a result including an error when employed by an end user, due to assembly tolerances during production and errors in optical portions.
Also, a geometric relationship between a depth sensor and a camera may need to be obtained when a texture of an object is extracted through simultaneous use of the depth sensor and the camera. When a precise definition of the geometric relationship is absent, an error may occur with respect to texture information associated with an object on which a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction is to be performed.
A conventional apparatus for calibrating a depth image may obtain a geometric relationship with a color camera, based on a depth image measured by a depth sensor, and thus, a depth image calibrated by the conventional apparatus for calibrating the depth image may include an error due to an error included in the depth sensor.
Accordingly, there is a desire for a method of calibrating an error of a depth sensor, and calibrating a depth image through obtaining a geometric relationship between the depth sensor and a color camera

Apparatus and method for calibrating depth image based on relationship between depth sensor and color camera

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


Disclosed is a preparation method of a polycrystalline silicon ingot. The preparation method comprises: providing a silicon nucleation layer at the bottom of a crucible, and filling a silicon material above the silicon nucleation layer; heating the silicon material to melt same, adjusting the thermal field inside the crucible to make the melted silicon material to start crystallization on the basis of the silicon nucleation layer; and when the crystallization is finished, performing annealing and cooling to obtain a polycrystalline silicon ingot. By adopting the preparation method, a desirable initial nucleus can be obtained for a polycrystalline silicon ingot, so as to reduce dislocation multiplication during the growth of the polycrystalline silicon ingot. Further disclosed are a polycrystalline silicon ingot obtained through the preparation method and a polycrystalline silicon wafer made using the polycrystalline silicon ingot as a raw material.

As an emerging renewable green energy source, solar energy has become a research hotspot. With the rapid development of solar cell industry, polycrystalline silicon which is of low cost and suitable for large-scale production has become one of the leading photovoltaic materials in the art, and is gradually replacing the dominance of the traditional silicon produced by Czochralski process in the solar cell materials market.
Currently, the preparation of polycrystalline silicon ingot mainly adopts directional solidification system method (referred to as DSS) and crystal growth furnace technique provided by GT Solar Company. The method generally comprises heating, melting, solidifying and growing crystals, annealing and cooling steps, etc. In the solidification process of crystal growth, accompanied by the continuous cooling of the bottom of the crucible, the melt silicon nucleated randomly and spontaneously, and then the random nucleation gradually grows. However, since the initial nucleation has not been controlled, the nucleation process is prone to generate dislocations, resulting in disordered crystalline orientations and nonuniform crystalline grains. Thus the polycrystalline silicon ingot obtained by this method is of low quality. The photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell produced by such polycrystalline silicon ingot is relatively low. Therefore, in order to obtain a polycrystalline silicon ingot with low dislocation density, high-quality and less defects, it is very important to provide a DSS method for efficiently creating good initial nucleation of polycrystalline silicon ingot.

Polycrystalline silicon ingot, preparation method thereof, and polycrystalline silicon wafer

JIANG XI SAI WEI LDK SOLAR HI-TECH CO., LTD.


Methods, systems, and devices for signal processing are described. Generally, as provided for by the described techniques, a wearable device may receive an input audio signal (e.g., including both an external signal and a self-voice signal). The wearable device may detect the self-voice signal in the input audio signal based on a self-voice activity detection (SVAD) procedure, and may implement the described techniques based thereon. The wearable device may perform beamforming operations or other separation procedures to isolate the external signal and the self-voice signal from the input audio signal. The wearable device may apply a first filter to the external signal, and a second filter to the self-voice signal. The wearable device may then mix the filtered signals, and generate an output signal that sounds natural to the user.

The following relates generally to signal processing, and more specifically to seamless listen-through for a wearable device.
A user may use a wearable device, and may wish to experience a listen-through feature. In some examples, when a user speaks (e.g., generates a self-voice signal), the user's voice may travel along two paths: an acoustic path and a bone conduction path. However, distortion patterns from external or background signals may be different than distortion patterns created by self-voice signals. Microphones picking up an input audio signal (e.g., including background noise and self-voice signals) may not seamlessly deal with the different types of signals. The different distortion patterns for different signals may result in a lack of natural sounding audio input when using a listen-through feature on the wearable device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Seamless listen-through for a wearable device


Disclosed is an improved method and system for implementing parallel processing of computing operations by effectively handling dependencies between different sequences of computing operations. In some approaches, some or all operations corresponding to dependencies between different sequences of operations are duplicated among the different sequences. This approach may be used to implement parallel processing of EDA tools.

The invention relates to computing systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods for improving the performance of computing systems.
Modern computing systems are often called upon to process massive amounts of data. The amount of processing that is required to handle large volumes of data may overwhelm computing systems that utilize only a single processor. As a result, many computing functions are now implemented using parallel processing.
Parallel processing refers to the concept of speeding-up the execution of computing operations by dividing the operations into multiple fragments that can execute concurrently, each on its own processor. A set of operations being executed across n processors might execute n times faster than it would using a single processor, subject to any overhead associated with parallelizing the operations.
One problem faced by systems when attempting to parallelize operations is the existence of dependencies between different sequences of operations. For example, consider a parallel processing system in which a first sequence of operations is processed by a first CPU and a second sequence of operations is processed by a second CPU. Assume that the first sequence of operations requires the value of a given variable v, but that the variable v is established by the second sequence of operations. In this circumstance, a dependency exists between the flow of the first sequence of operations and the second sequence of operations since the first sequence cannot proceed until and unless it acquires the value of variable v from the second sequence of operations.
Such dependencies negatively affect the ability of system to parallelize computing operations. When dependencies occur between sequences of operations, they may be translated into synchronization operations, and into a data communication between CPUs on a distributed parallel platform. This forces a serialization of the operations and prevents true parallel processing.
Conventional computing systems are unable to effectively handle these types of dependencies in sequences of operations. For example, consider conventional electronic design automation (EDA) tools. The electronic design process for an integrated circuit (IC) involves EDA tools used to describing and design the behavioral, architectural, functional, and structural attributes of an IC or electronic system. Despite increases in processing power for modern computing systems, EDA execution times have not kept pace with modern designs since many modern IC designs being produced by electronics companies are constantly increasing in complexity and number of transistors. Constantly improving IC manufacturing technologies create IC chips at ever-smaller feature sizes, which allow increasingly greater quantities of transistors to be placed within the same chip area with each new generation of semiconductor processing technology. One reason parallel processing of EDA tools has not been efficiently implemented is because large amounts of dependencies typically exist within any attempt to parallelize EDA operations.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method and system for implementing parallel processing of computing operations by effectively handling dependencies between different sequences of computing operations. In some embodiments of the invention, some or all operations corresponding to dependencies between different sequences of operations are duplicated among the different sequences. This approach may be used to implement parallel processing of EDA tools.
Further details of aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention are described below in the detailed description, drawings, and claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, and are not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention.

Method and system for parallelizing computing operations


An approach is provided in which a sample point system allocates sample point identifiers to a root node included an index tree that includes multiple leaf nodes. The sample point system distributes the sample point identifiers to the root node's child nodes, and recursively traverses through the index tree's hierarchical index levels and distributes the sample point identifiers from the child nodes to a subset of the index tree's leaf nodes. In turn, the sample point system collects sample data from the subset of the plurality of leaf nodes corresponding to the distributed sample point identifiers.

The present disclosure relates to uniformly collecting leaf node sample data throughout an index tree of a database.
Database query optimizers typically require statistics in order to produce optimal query plans. Index statistics may include a number of keys, a number of unique keys, a number of hierarchical levels in an index tree, etc. These statistics are normally gathered by traversing the entire index tree and is a resource-intensive operation and requires substantial I/O bandwidth, especially for large index trees. Users often avoid gathering statistics in a timely manner because of the impact to the system performance while calculating the statistics, thus leading to sub-optimal query plans.

Gathering index statistics using sampling


A scissor-like device having narrow jaws and a ratchet tooth closing clamp between the two handle halves that operates like a hemostat, i.e. it maintains the jaws in a fixed position. The jaws are either curved or wedge-shaped to pry the teeth slightly apart during the filling procedure. In a first embodiment closing the handle separates two teeth from a center tooth. In a second embodiment closing the handles separates two adjacent teeth.

In dental filling procedures for molars and premolars, a metal matrix band is placed around the tooth to be worked on. It is desirable to slightly separate the one or two adjacent teeth (one in front and one behind) depending on the size of the filling. If the filling is on a forward portion of the tooth, only the forward adjacent tooth needs to be separated from the matrix banded tooth. If the filling goes from front to back of the tooth, both adjacent teeth need to be slightly separated from the affected tooth.
The reason for the separation is to allow the adjacent teeth to move towards the filled tooth after the filling is completed to close up the gap. This prevents food particles from being lodged in the space between the filled tooth and adjacent teeth.
Tooth separator devices have been in use that include movable wedge shapes, threaded clamps, wedges and other mechanical devices.
It is the purpose of this invention to provide an adjustable tooth separator that maintains a fixed separation between one or more teeth.


A windscreen wiper device comprising a wiper blade with a spoiler at a side thereof facing away from the windscreen to be wiped, wherein the wiper device further includes a connecting device having a substantially U-shaped cross-section. Legs of the U-shaped cross-section are connected to the wiper blade on opposite sides thereof. An interior space is left open between the connecting device and the wiper blade for forming a water channel for transporting rain water therethrough.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove, in which groove at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm is pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one end thereof, with the interposition of a joint part, wherein the wiper blade comprises a spoiler at a side thereof facing away from the windscreen to be wiped.
2. Related Art
Such a windscreen wiper device is generally known. This prior art windscreen wiper device is designed as a so-called "flat blade" or "yokeless blade", wherein no use is made of several yokes pivotally connected to each other, but wherein the wiper blade is biassed by the carrier element, as a result of which it exhibits a specific curvature. The spoiler is also called an "air deflector".


The present invention provides a hole saw or core drill bit for cutting annular holes in materials such as concrete, asphalt, masonry, rock, stone and related materials. The bit includes an elongated cylindrical body having a first end portion and a second end portion, a mounting platform at the first end of the body for attaching the bit to a driver and a cutting head at the second end of the body. The cutting head constitutes a plurality of cutting segments mounted on the annular face of the second end portion of the body. Each of the segments includes an outer portion, a middle portion and an inner portion. Each of the portions includes diamond particles dispersed throughout. The inner portions and the outer portions of the segments each have a greater concentration of diamond particles as compared to the middle portions. This dispersion of diamond particles provides a core drill bit with improved performance.

Diamond core drilling equipment is used extensively to drill circular or annular holes in a variety of material. Annular holes are formed in concrete, asphalt, rock and related materials for a variety of reasons. For example, holes are drilled in concrete for the purpose of correcting the settlement of pavement. Such settled concrete pavement is customarily restored to proper position by boring holes into the pavement and packing mud therethrough and beneath the pavement in order to raise and restore its level position. Further, for example, holes are also commonly drilled in concrete and similar materials so as to provide openings to utility conduit cells located beneath the surface of cast concrete floors of office and factory buildings. Further, for example, holes are also commonly drilled in concrete or masonry to facilitate the mounting of objects such as posts or pipes.
Generally speaking, diamond core drilling equipment comprises a motor-driven core drill assembly and a core drill bit or hole saw. The core drill assembly may embody various configurations, but such assembly generally comprises a base and a guide column extending up from the base. A carriage is provided between the column and the motor for guiding the motor along the column. Mounted to the motor is the drill bit. U.S. Pat. No. 3,464,655 to Schuman is an example of a prior art core drill assembly.
The prior art provides various types of core drill bits or hole saws. However, the majority of the commercial bits used today have cutting heads formed of a diamond impregnated material. More particularly, the cutting head comprises a plurality of cutting segments or teeth mounted at the distal end of the cylindrical body of the bit. Each of the segments includes a uniform concentration of diamond particles dispersed throughout the segments. Examples of prior art diamond core drill bits or hole saws are shown in a promotional brochure entitled "Laser Welded Dry Diamond Hole Saws For Brick And Block" distributed by Diamond Products of Elyria, Ohio, and dated Jan. 1, 1988.