A portable container, of the type of a suitcase, a trunk, a crate, a trolley, and the like, comprising a first shell portion and a second shell portion which are mutually articulated and can move between a configuration for closing an internal compartment and at least one open configuration for free access to the compartment; a safety device is coupled to the shell portions; the container also comprises an assembly for coupling the device to at least the first shell portion; the assembly is provided with: at least two inserts which are stably inserted in respective seats a slider, coupled to the device, a profiled element which is rigidly supported by the inserts and forms a guiding track for the slider, means for the rigid anchoring of the slider to the profiled element.

As is known, it is possible to find commercially various types of portable containers, such as trunks, crates, suitcases, trolleys, backpacks and other products, which are differentiated by shape, dimensions, materials and/or functionality as well as intended use, type of goods that can be accommodated therein, and/or reference customers.
In one embodiment which is by now well established, these products comprise a pair of shell portions that have an open boxlike shape and are mutually articulated about a rotation axis which is arranged along respective adjacent edges. The shell portions can thus pass from a closed configuration, in which they delimit an internal compartment designed to accommodate the objects to be carried, to an open configuration, in which one of them is rotated and partially spaced from the other in order to allow access to the compartment, and vice versa.
The constructive solution outlined above is adopted in various contexts and different applications: in many of them, the need is often felt to ensure that the open configuration is maintained until the user intervenes directly, i.e., preventing accidental closure of the container. This occurrence can in fact inconvenience the user, forcing him to perform a further opening action.
Furthermore, it should be noted that in some contexts, especially of a professional kind, the shell portions are made of a material that is rigid and strong enough to ensure the capability to carry considerable weight and/or withstand even powerful impacts, without being deformed and most of all without compromising the integrity of the contents of the compartment.
In these cases, however, indeed because they are intended for the safe transport of delicate and/or heavy equipment, the weight and dimensions of the containers and of the shell portions in particular are often considerable.
Therefore, the need to prevent accidental closures is even more important, since the sudden and uncontrolled movement of one of the shell portions can lead to violent impacts against the other one, with consequent damage to the container and sometimes injuries to the user if fingers or hands inadvertently end up between the shell portions.
It is thus known to resort to a gas cylinder actuator, which comprises a cylinder inside which a piston supported by a respective stem can translate alternately. The free end of the stem is fixed to one shell portion while the cylinder is fixed at the opposite end to the other shell portion. Thus, the actuator not only contrasts the accidental closure of the container but also performs an additional function, applying in fact a force during transition from the closed configuration to the open configuration, in order to reduce the effort required by the user (and this is obviously greatly appreciated in particular for heavier containers).
However, this constructive solution is not free from drawbacks.
Especially in professional applications, when the containers are designed to accommodate electronic instruments or in any case equipment that is sensitive to dust, water and/or contaminations in general, an equally fundamental requirement is the capability to isolate hermetically the internal compartment in the closed configuration.
In order to ensure this functionality, and as also prescribed by some standards of the sector, it is not possible to provide holes along the shell portions, for example in order to insert therein screws, nails or the like.
However, these very elements would be necessary in order to be able to easily couple the stem and the cylinder of the actuator to the respective shell portions.
Manufacturing companies are therefore forced to resort to complicated solutions of various kinds in order to ensure coupling while complying with the sealing requirements.
Among these, one of the most widely adopted ones provides for fixing said components of the actuator to inserts to be inserted in adapted pockets provided along the walls of the shell portions.
Thus, screws or the like mutually join the inserts and the components of the actuator and the necessary holes can be provided in the inserts, without compromising the integrity of the shell portions. Moreover, it is often possible to use pockets that are in any case already provided in the shell portions, since there are used for the reference of other components.
Even this solution is in any case scarcely practical, since fixing can occur only at pockets that have already been provided and obviously cannot be modified or moved (except for deep reworking of the shell portions). Even if two or more pockets are available along the same wall, the number of potential fixing points is in any case limited, and so is, accordingly, the inclination and the lever arm of the actuator.
Vice versa, these parameters are fundamental in order to define and modulate the forces involved, and in particular the force with which said devices contrast accidental closure and/or facilitate opening, and therefore it would be essential to be able to vary them freely in order to adapt to the specific requirements.
It should be noted that the limitations described above are obviously all the more present when one wishes to convert an existing portable container, assigning pockets intended for other uses to the fixing of the actuator.

Portable container and associated coupling assembly


A machine for distributing a material through a working unit along a ground surface in a direction established by an external reference includes front and rear devices for moving the machine along the ground surface, a steering control unit that functions to controlling the steering of the front and rear devices and, mounted along one side, first, second, and third steering sensors. The first, second and third steering sensors generate output signals indicative of their position with respect to the external reference. A processor unit utilizes the output signals generated by the first, second, and third steering sensors in a predetermined manner to cause the steering control unit to direct the machine generally in the direction established by the external reference.

In the prior art, machines for particular use in handling formable, hardenable material such as concrete are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,606,827 and 3,749,505 disclose a self-propelled, self-steering, and self-leveling machine adapted to for handling, conveying, compacting and distributing formable material upon or along a work location. The formable material is distributed in a desired grade, slope, and directional configuration as defined by an external reference, such as a string line guide. The string line guide extends along a desired path of travel which is followed by the machine.
In one embodiment, the machine includes a material receiving hopper disposed on one of its lateral sides. A conveyor elevates the formable material from the receiving hopper and transfers the material to a compaction hopper disposed on the opposite of the machine. The material is thereafter passed by gravity feeding to a working tool, for example, a mule shoe.
A pair of drive units are utilized to provide desired movement of the machine. These are implemented as front and rear track-type crawler assemblies. To effectuate steering of the machine, a sensor arrangement is disposed to detect the directional position of the string line guide and to detect the elevation of the string line guide. For detecting the position of the string line guide, a pair of electrical steering sensors are utilized. Each includes a bar member pressed into engagement with the string line guide by a biasing spring. A first one of the sensors is associated with the forward moving device. The other sensor is associated with the rearward moving device. The machine automatically moves the traveling sensor perpendicular to the line of travel to provide integrated steering control of the front and rear crawler assemblies.
While such machines generally work for their intended purpose, the two-sensor system fails to allow the curb-forming machine to be automatically steered around tight radius turns or sharp curves. As a result, the machine requires a override for the steering system such that a user is required to maneuver the machine around tight radius turns or the like. However, some degree of precision is lost when the automatic control is disengaged in favor of manual control. That is, in most cases the machine can no longer fulfill the purpose for which it is intended, i.e., to form smooth curbs or the like. Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an improved curb-forming machine that overcomes this noted deficiency.

Slip form control system for tight radius turns


A rough grinding wheel has a plurality of annular grooves with widths at the surfaces of the grooves that are less than the widths thereof at the bottoms of the grooves. This feature provides a space for fluid during the grinding process. A finishing wheel may be mounted on a common shaft with the rough grinding wheel. The rough grinding wheel is intended for use in a method for grinding the outer contour of a cam wherein the cam is rough-ground with the roughing wheel; after a first radial infeed, the rough grinding wheel is withdrawn and axially displaced for a second infeed; this process is repeated until the cam is rough-ground.

In a known method and apparatus of this kind (DE 37 24 698 A1) a roughing grinding wheel has the form of an interchangeable grinding wheel which can be removed from the grinding spindle. This interchangeable grinding wheel has sections to break the edges of the cams during roughing. During the grinding procedure the roughing wheel is not displaced laterally, instead the cam contour is roughed by a single plunge cut prior to the interchangeable grinding wheel being removed. A different roughing wheel is required for each cam width or for each chamfer form. During roughing the contact surface between the grinding wheel and the workpiece is large, to which no coolant is able to find access. This results in the feed rate having to be kept relatively low since excessively increasing the feed rate or cutting volume per unit of time would heat up the workpiece too rapidly. This in turn produces grinding cracks in the surface or even a change in the structure of the workpiece which is, of course, not wanted. This known method of grinding can be employed only to a limited extent also with new materials finding increasing application, especially e.g. hard shell castings or materials exhibiting quite different properties when being machined that those normally used formerly.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,562 and JP Abstract 54-83195 also describe working with two grinding disks, the roughing being done with a roughing wheel having a cylindrical grinding surface and the outer surface of the cam then being finished by means of a separate finishing wheel once roughing has been completed after one or more rotations of the workpiece. Here too, the disadvantages involved excessive heating occurs as already mentioned in conjunction with DE 37 24 698 A1.


A chock for holding open a valve member of a flush valve assembly of a portable toilet having an outlet for communicating the toilet with a storage tank, the valve member being associated with the outlet and movable between a closed position wherein the valve member blocks the outlet and an open position wherein the outlet is unblocked, and wherein the valve member is biased toward the closed position, the chock including a body member adapted for placement within the outlet so as to hold the valve member in the open position and allow communication between the outlet and the storage tank, and a handle attached to the body member for placing the body member in the outlet and for removing the body member from the outlet.

The invention relates to portable toilets and, particularly, to a chock for holding the flush valve of a portable toilet open so as to facilitate the cleaning and servicing of the toilet.
Portable toilets are widely used in numerous applications including recreational vehicles, trucks, temporary installations at work sites, and the like, wherein a limited capacity for waste water is available. Such toilets typically have a flush valve having an outlet and a flap or valve member which closes the outlet. The valve is typically biased into the closed position and opened by depressing a pedal, handle or lever or the like to open the valve. Conventionally, upon the release of such pedal, etc., the valve member returns to the closed position. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,145,773, 4,217,668, 4,710,988 and 4,974,899 are representative of such conventional portable toilet apparatus.
The water supply for flushing such toilets is typically actuated by the valve member or pedal so that when the pedal is released and the valve member closed, the flow of water into the toilet is stopped. Such a function is useful for obtaining efficient use of a small amount of flush water. However, when the toilet is to be cleaned or the system flushed by running water (either from the system or from an external source such as a hose) through the toilet and into the black water holding tank, the pedal, handle, etc. must be held depressed to keep the valve member open and, in some cases, to continue the flow of water. It would of course be desirable to provide a toilet wherein said cleaning operation can be performed without having to keep a foot or hand on the pedal or handle to keep the flush valve open.
It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for placement in the outlet of the portable toilet to hold the flush valve of the portable toilet open to facilitate cleaning.
It is another object of the invention to provide such an apparatus with a handle structure for convenient placement of the apparatus within the outlet and removal therefrom.
It is still another object of the invention to provide such an apparatus having a positioning structure for proper positioning of the apparatus within the outlet.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such an apparatus which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
Other objects and advantages will appear hereinbelow.


The present invention is a semiconductor module (20) in which, for example, twenty-five semiconductor devices (10) with a pnotoelectric conversion function are arranged in the form of a five row by five column matrix via an electrically conductive mechanism including of six connecting leads (21 to 26). The semiconductor devices (10) in each column are connected in series, and the semiconductor devices (10) in each row are connected in parallel. Positive and negative terminals, which are embedded in a light transmitting member (28) made of a transparent synthetic resin and which protrude to the outside, are also provided. The semiconductor device (10) comprises a diffusion layer, a pn junction, and one flat surface on the surface of a spherical p-type semiconductor crystal, for example. A positive electrode 6a formed on the flat surface and connected to the p-type semiconductor crystal, and a negative electrode 6b that lies opposite the positive electrode 6a with the center of the p-type semiconductor crystal interposed therebetween, are provided.

Conventionally, research has been directed toward a technology that involves forming a pn junction, via a diffusion layer, on a surface of a small-diameter spherical semiconductor element made of a p-type or n-type semiconductor and then connecting a plurality of these spherical semiconductor elements in parallel to a common electrode, this technology being put to practical use for solar cells, semiconductor photocatalysts, and so forth.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,659 discloses an example in which a solar cell is constituted by forming a p-type diffusion layer on the surface of a n-type spherical semiconductor, connecting the respective diffusion layers of a plurality of spherical semiconductors to a common film-like electrode (positive electrode), and then connecting the n-type core sections of these spherical semiconductors to a common film-like electrode (negative electrode).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,323 discloses a solar energy converter (semiconductor module) having the following constitution. Plural p-type spherical semiconductor elements and plural n-type spherical semiconductor elements are placed in series, and connected to a common film-like electrode, and respective diffusion layers of these semiconductor elements are made into contact with a common electrolytic solution, and then by irradiating with solar light, electrolysis of the electrolytic solution is induced.
So too in the case of the modules having spherical cells appearing in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,582,588 and 5,469,020, because the spherical cells are attached by being connected to a sheet-like common electrode, a plurality of spherical cells are suitable for connecting in parallel. However, they are not suitable for serial connection.
On the other hand, as shown in International Patent Publication Nos. WO98/15983 and WO99/10935, the inventor of the present invention has proposed a granular light emitting or light receiving semiconductor device in which a diffusion layer, pn junction, and a pair of electrodes are formed on a spherical semiconductor element made of a p-type semiconductor or an n-type semiconductor. Also, proposed is a semiconductor module, which is produced by connecting a plurality of the semiconductor device in series and then connecting a plurality of the serially connected bodies in parallel, and which can be applied to a solar cell, a photocatalyst device for electrolysis of water and so forth, a variety of light emitting devices, and color displays, and the like.
In the case of this semiconductor module, when any semiconductor device of any serially connected body enters an open state due to failure, current no longer flows to the serial circuit including above failed semiconductor element, and the remaining normal semiconductor devices in the serially connected body also enter a breakdown state, whereby dropping of the output of the semiconductor module is generated.
In addition, in the case of the spherical semiconductor devices having the positive and negative electrodes that were proposed by the present inventor, handling is a problem because the device is prone to rolling, and it is not easy to determine the position for forming the positive and negative electrodes nor to distinguish the positive and negative electrodes during assembly.
Therefore, the inventor of this application undertook research with respect to a technology for forming a pair of flat surfaces on a spherical semiconductor element and then for forming electrodes on these flat surfaces. However, not only was there then a large number of processes for the electrode formation, it also became evident that it was still not easy to distinguish between the positive and negative electrodes and that this technology was not very advantageous in terms of mass producing the semiconductor module by using a multiplicity of spherical semiconductor devices.
An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting or light receiving semiconductor module that makes it possible to keep any decrease in the output voltage and current to a minimum even when any semiconductor device fails, as well as a making method thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting or light receiving semiconductor module that facilitates distinction between the pair of electrodes of the granular semiconductor device, as well as a making method thereof. The other object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting or light receiving semiconductor module that also makes it possible to guide light to a position at an interval from the point of incidence or light emission point via the reflective action of an optical transmission member, as well as a making method thereof.

Light-emitting or light-receiving semiconductor module and method of its manufacture


A shaft rod for a heddle shaft is formed by a profile body (15) and an associated additional profile body, which are joined together by a detent means (25) and additionally by an adhesive bond. The detent means (25) is embodied such that it already holds the additional profile body (19) fixed and in the correct position on the profile body (15) when the adhesive that forms the adhesive seam (33) is still liquid or viscous, or in any case has not yet thoroughly hardened. This provision makes it substantially easier to manipulate the shaft rod (4) during manufacture.

It is known for shaft rods for constructing heddle shafts to be embodied of hollow profiles provided with reinforcing strips. Swiss Patent CH 525 352, for instance, discloses one such shaft rod in the form of a lightweight metal hollow profile, to the edges of which reinforcing rods of high-quality steel are glued. Gluing the steel profiles into appropriate recesses in the lightweight metal hollow profile is a work process that must be performed carefully and in which the steel profile must be fixed on the lightweight metal hollow profile until the adhesive hardens.
German Patent Disclosure DE 39 37 657 A1 likewise discloses a shaft rod with reinforcing profiles. They are placed in hollow chambers in the shaft rod, which is constructed of multiple parts, and are fixed there with the aid of an epoxy resin adhesive or the like. The multi-part construction of the shaft rod makes considerable demands in terms of manufacture.
From European Patent Disclosure EP 0 008 793 A1, it is also known for a plastic shaft rod to be provided with a metal profile rail on its short side. This rail has one or more anchoring pegs, which protrude into an inner chamber enclosed by the plastic shaft rod. The anchoring pegs are clamped between arms of the shaft rod. The arms are profiled on the inside, and with striplike protrusions they engage recesses in the peg. The pegs are held with considerable axial play. The securing of the metal profile rod is then done with adhesive.


A spatial information detection system, which is capable of, even when detecting spatial information from a common target space by use of a plurality of detection devices, achieving accurate detection without causing interference between the detection devices. Each of the detection devices has a light emitting source for projecting light intensity-modulated with a modulation period into the target space, a photodetector for receiving light from the target space, and an evaluation portion for detecting the spatial information of the target space from a change between the light projected from the light emitting source and the light received by the photodetector. The system includes a timing control portion for controlling the timings of projecting the lights from the light emitting sources such that a light projection period of the light emitting source of one of the detection devices does not overlap with the light projection period of the light emitting source of another detection device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spatial information detection system for receiving light from a target space, into which an intensity-modulated light is being irradiated, to detect information about the target space.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the past, the technique of detecting spatial information such as a distance to an object existing in a target space by receiving light from the target space, into which an intensity-modulated light is being projected, and determining a phase difference in modulation component between the projected light and the received light has been utilized. For example, this technique is disclosed in PCT International Publications Nos. WO96/15626 and WO2004/008175, and it is essential to use a detection device basically composed of a light emitting source for projecting light intensity-modulated with a predetermined modulation period to the target space, a photodetector having a photoelectric converting portion configured to receive light from the target space, and to generate electric charges corresponding to a received light amount, and an evaluation portion for detecting spatial information of the target space from a change between the light projected from the light emitting source and the light received by the photodetector.
By the way, because this kind of detection device projects the intensity-modulated light into the target space, there is an inconvenience when detecting the spatial information from a common target space by use of a plurality of detection devices. That is, when lights are simultaneously projected to the target space from the detection devices, it becomes difficult to distinguish the light projected into the target space from the light emitting source of one of the detection devices from the light projected from another one of the detection devices into the target space. In brief, because each of the detection devices cannot extract only the light projected by its own light emitting source from the lights projected to the target space, there causes a problem that the detection accuracy of the spatial information deteriorates.

Spatial information detection system including a plurality of detection devices with nonoverlapping light projection periods


A cable pathway system has a base with a bottom, a generally planar top surface, a first side, and a second side. The base is configured to be secured to an electronic equipment enclosure and also has an aperture formed therein and a wall positioned adjacent to the aperture. The wall has a curved surface that extends from the top surface to the bottom. A first sidewall extends from the top surface along the first side and extends generally perpendicular to the top surface and substantially along the length of the first side. A second sidewall also extends from the top surface along the second side and extends generally perpendicular to the top surface and substantially along the length of the second side.

Currently, typical cable pathway systems employ ladder racks or wire frame baskets. These racks and baskets are suspended from the ceiling by threaded rods embedded in the ceiling and may require additional time and/or labor to install. In addition, once these racks or baskets are installed, it is difficult to change or reconfigure the cable pathway systems without substantial labor. Furthermore, as the cooling requirements of data centers increase the height of the raised floor increases, thereby decreasing the clearance available between the top of the electronic equipment enclosures and the ceiling, making installation of these pathways even more difficult.
Therefore, there is a need for a cable pathway system that can be easily and quickly installed and reconfigured and that does not take up excessive space between the electronic equipment enclosures and the ceiling.


The TMR device has a structure including a lower electrode layer, a pinned layer, a tunnel barrier layer, a free layer, and an upper electrode layer which are successively formed on a substrate. The tunnel barrier layer has substantially a stoichiometric composition. The tunnel barrier layer may be a thin film of an oxide of AL formed by ALD method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tunnel magnetoresistance device.
2. Description of Related Art
There are a variety of electronic devices that utilize the magnetoresistance effect. MRAMs (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memories), magnetic heads, and magnetic sensors head the list of such electronic devices.
Electronic devices utilizing the GMR (Giant Magnetic Resistance) effect arising from the magnetic exchange coupling between laminated magnetic thin films are also being put into commercial mass production.
Meanwhile, the TMR (Tunnel MagnetoResistance) device is expected to provide highly sensitive and highly accurate electronic devices, because the MR ratio (Magnetic Resistance change ratio) of the TMR device is far larger than that of the GMR device.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3331397, for example, the TMR device has a structure including a lower electrode layer formed on a substrate, a pinned layer (fixed magnetization layer) formed on the lower electrode layer by laminating one or more magnetic material layers, a tunnel barrier layer made of nonmagnetic insulating material formed on the pinned layer, a free layer (free magnetization layer) formed on the tunnel barrier layer, and a metal electrode layer formed on the free layer.
The direction of the electron magnetic spin in the pinned layer is fixed, while that in the free layer easily inverts depending on an external magnetic field.
With such a TMR device, since a direct tunneling current flowing through the tunnel barrier layer largely changes depending on the energy potential between the pinned layer and the free layer, it is possible to measure the external magnetic field with high precision.
The direct tunneling current is affected by the properties of the material and the thickness of the tunnel barrier layer. That is because the tunnel barrier height, which determines the intensity of the electric field within the tunnel barrier layer, depends on the properties of the material and the thickness of the tunnel barrier layer. This is explained in more detail below. The tunnel junction resistance Rσ of the TMR device is given by the following expressions (1) and (2).Rσ=Cσ−exp(2κd)  (1)κ=(2mφ/h2)1/2  (2)
In the above expressions, Cσ is a value depending on electron states of the tunnel barrier layer and the magnetic layers putting the tunnel barrier layer therebetween, d is a barrier thickness of the tunnel barrier layer, φ is a barrier potential height from the Fermi potential, m is the mass of electron, and h is the Planck's constant.
As is evident from the expressions (1) and (2), the tunnel junction resistance Rσ decreases exponentially with reduction of the barrier thickness (or the thickness of the tunnel barrier layer).
It is desirable to make the thickness of the tunnel barrier layer as small as possible, because the MR ratio and the tunneling current increase with reduction of the tunnel junction resistance Rσ. In the TMR device, the MR ratio is defined as a tunnel junction resistance ratio between when the electron spin direction in the free layer is the same as that in the pinned layer and when the electron spin direction in the free layer is opposite to that of the pinned layer. Generally, the thickness of the tunnel barrier layer has to be smaller than 5 nm, desirably, 1 nm.
Generally, the tunnel barrier layer is a thin metal oxide film formed by a process including the steps of forming a metal film as thin as about 1 nm by PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) method, for example, by sputter deposition, and oxidizing the formed thin metal film through heating processing, plasma processing, or air exposure in an oxidation atmosphere.
However, there is a problem in that the conventional tunnel barrier layer formed by PVD method lacks uniformity in layer thickness and layer quality.
It arises from the fact that an island-growth phenomenon easily occurs during a process of forming a thin metal film having a thickness of the order of about 1 nm, which is equivalent to the total height of several to several tens of a molecular layer, and as a result, metal clusters are scattered over the surface of the formed thin metal film.
For such reason, the thickness of the tunnel barrier layer formed by PVD method is not uniform even if the formed tunnel barrier layer is subjected to oxidizing processing. This may cause local electric field concentration, a leak current, tunneling current variation, and pinholes within the tunnel barrier layer. These significantly degrade the performance of the TMR device.
Incidentally, it is known that a lamination of a ferromagnetic film and an antiferromagnetic film has a high coercivity because of the effect of exchange coupling therebetween. Accordingly, the pinned layer, which is required to have a high coercivity, is preferably a lamination of thin metal films. However, in this case, it is very difficult to control surface roughness of the pinned layer, because the pinned layer is formed by a process including the step of forming a thin metal film. If the surface roughness of the pinned layer is large, the drapability of the tunnel barrier layer over the pinned layer is lowered.
Several measures have been proposed for providing the pinned layer having a smooth surface. Such measures include forming the pinned layer by epitaxial growth or heteroepitaxial growth so that it has nearly a monocrystal structure, and smoothing the surface of the formed pinned layer by electron beam polishing. However, it is difficult to carry out such measures from economical and technical standpoints.
Furthermore, a surface phase tends to be formed when forming a thin metal film as the tunnel barrier layer on the pinned layer due to intermetallic diffusion therebetween. Such a surface phase makes it difficult to control the layer thickness of the tunnel barrier layer.
Incidentally, the TMR device is expected to be small in size for miniaturization of electronic circuits. However, as the size of the TMR device becomes smaller, the tunneling current and sensitivity thereof becomes smaller as can be seen from the following expression (3)Itun=J·S  (3)
where Itun denotes a tunneling current, J denotes a density of the tunneling current, and S denotes an effective surface area of the TMR device.
Since the tunneling current is proportional to the effective surface area of the TMR device, it is possible to increase the tunneling current without increasing the surface area of the TMR device by venturing to make large the surface asperities of the pinned layer, thereby making large the effective surface area.
However, if the surface asperities of the pinned layer are made larger, the drapability of the tunnel barrier layer over the pinned layer becomes worse, and accordingly the performance of the TMR device is worsened.

Tunnel magnetoresistance device with tunnel barrier layer containing residual carbon


According to one embodiment, a voice mail apparatus is connectable to a telephone exchange, records a voice message sent from a caller telephone terminal in a mail box corresponding to each telephone terminals, and reproduces the voice message in response to a reproduction instruction. The voice mail apparatus stores in a memory an audio file having approximately the same signal level as the voice message. The voice mail apparatus inputs the audio file in a voice processing device when a request for processing the voice message is given from a request source telephone terminal. The voice mail apparatus controls the processing gain such that the signal level output from the voice processing device becomes a prescribed level, while performing muting for the request source telephone terminal. The voice mail apparatus inputs the voice message to the voice processing device after completing controlling of the processing gain.

1. Field
One embodiment of the invention relates to a voice mail apparatus which records a voice message from a caller in a certain mail box and reproduces a voice message recorded in a desired mail box, as well as to a control method of such a voice mail apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, telephone exchanges such as a PBX (private branch exchange) and a key telephone main unit are used widely in office buildings and business facilities. Those telephone exchanges, to which a voice mail apparatus is connected, have a function of transferring, to the voice mail apparatus, a termination call from an outside line, for example, to an accommodated extension telephone when the extension telephone does not respond to the termination call, because it is busy or there is nobody around it.
Such voice mail apparatus have a function of storing messages from telephones, for example, in plural mail boxes (e.g., JP-A-7-162922).
Incidentally, in the above voice mail apparatus, in reproducing a voice message, first an instruction to reproduce a reproduction message number is sent to and reproduced by a DSP (digital signal processor). A similar procedure is followed also in recording a voice message. As a result, a long time is taken until an AGC (automatic gain controller) becomes stable and hence a message rise level is low. In view of this, a technique for improving the voice quality is strongly desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Voice mail apparatus and control method thereof


A hot-plug circuit for receiving a high-current load is disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hot-plug circuit comprises a transistor, a capacitor, a resistor, and a control circuit module. The transistor is coupled between a power supply and an input that is adapted to receive the high-power adaptor card. The capacitor is coupled between a first terminal and a second terminal of the transistor. The resistor is coupled to the first terminal of the transistor. Finally, the control circuit module is for applying a first bias voltage to the second terminal of the transistor via the resistor in order to turn the transistor off during an absence of the high-current load, and for applying a second bias voltage to the second terminal of the transistor via the resistor in order to turn the transistor on under a linear conduction mode upon an initial contact of said high-current load to the input. As such, voltage dropouts and noise transients from the hot-plugging of a high-power load are minimized.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a circuit for limiting current surges in general and, in particular, to a circuit for limiting current surges during hot-plugging of an adaptor card within a computer system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a circuit for eliminating voltage dropouts and noise transients during hot-plugging of a high-power adaptor card within a computer system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For a computer system that is required to be in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it is imperative that any service or modification to the system can be performed in a non-disruptive manner so that the system can continue to function without any interruption. Thus, the removal and installation of various adaptor cards to the system, each having its own set of functions, from and to a respective card slot of the system are often performed under a procedure known as "hot-plugging" or "hot-swapping."
Hot-plugging allows for system serviceability or expandability without requiring an entire shutdown of the system; however, hot-plugging also exposes a powered-up system to various potential hazards. A common hazard is the generation of voltage transients on DC power supplies due to an abrupt change in load from the insertion of an adaptor card that has a high-power requirement. Momentary voltage dropouts and noise spikes can cause errors to occur in any device that shares a common power bus. Further, sudden surge currents, nearly equivalent to a short circuit, can overwhelm the power supply regulation and distribution unit of the system, which will result in power dropouts to active logic cards.
One solution to this problem would be to design the computer system to have an independent power control unit or regulator at each adaptor card slot. However, this solution seems to be wastefully expensive because a spike-avoidance device or a power control unit is required for each adaptor card slot, regardless of whether or not the adaptor card slot is currently utilized. In addition, the probability of component failure also increases accordingly as the total number of components within the system increases. Furthermore, because the system is always ready to power up adaptor cards which may never be inserted, thus this solution may also be a waste of electricity.
Consequently, it would be desirable to provide an improved circuit for minimizing or eliminating voltage dropouts and noise transients during the hot-plugging of a high-power adaptor card.

Data processing system including a hot-plug circuit for receiving high-power adaptor cards

International Business Machines Corporation


An electronic device utilizing an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure. The electronic device comprises a housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) with an ESD protection structure disposed thereon. The PCB has at least one metal layer with a ground circuit and a functional circuit. The ground circuit includes at least one device-protecting area near the edge of the PCB and exposed on the surface thereof. The device-protecting area is covered by a thick conductive layer, and electric components are disposed nearby, such that static electricity can be transferred to ground through the ground circuit of the PCB to protect the electronic device from interferences and damages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure, and in particular to an electronic device or a printed circuit board with a simplified ESD protection structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
As technology improves, electronic components become more and more complicated reducing the tolerance for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electrostatic discharge (ESD). It is therefore conventional electronic devices require additional ESD protection circuits to protect important chips or other electronic components therein.
In most electronic devices, operating controls connect to specific pins of a chip to enable specific functions, such as controls for a CD drive or function keys of a mobile phone. Gaps between controls and the housing of the device, considerable electrostatic charges carried by users, which can enter circuits through air or direct contract, interfering with or damaging electronic components therein.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional ESD circuit of an electronic device. In FIG. 1, a control 10 is connected to a specific pin of a chip through a conventional ESD protection circuit 20. The ESD protection circuit 20 comprises a resistor 26, two Zener diodes 22a, 22b and two capacitors 24a, 24b. The positive pole of Zener diode 22a and the negative pole of Zener diode 22b are connected to the resistor 26. The Zener diodes 22a, 22b are individually connected to ground with the capacitors 24a, 24b connected in series to filter out high frequency noise. Electrostatic charges can be transferred to ground through the Zener diode 22b when the control 10 receives sufficient positive electrostatic charge, or through the Zener diode 22a when the control 10 receives negative electrostatic charge. Thus, the output voltage Vo of the ESD protection circuit 20 in unaffected by electrostatic charge, and electronic components are protected from EMI or ESD.
The conventional ESD protection circuit requires two Zener diodes, two larger capacitors and a distinct resistor. When an electronic device has a plurality of separately disposed controls, however, multiple ESD protection circuits are required to provide sufficient protection, thus increasing the cost of the device.

ESD protection structure and device utilizing the same


A system and method for hermetic packaging of glass sheets, that includes applying to the glass sheets surfaces that will be in contact with other adjacent glass sheets, from the cutting line, an anti-humidity chemical treatment that includes a watery solution from 1 to 2% in weight of a mixture of adipic and malic, adipic and citric, or malic and citric acids 50-50 in a dosage preferably between 100 and 400 mg/m2, to protect glass against condensation humidity or rain. Sprinkling over said surfaces of the glass sheets, 500 to 700 mg/m2 of separating powder of a selected granulometry less than 300 microns, forming a group of glass sheets. Placing a strip of cushioning material, such as the known as Polybubble Plastic, or corrugated cardboard, around the sides of the group of glass sheets, to provide a cushioning condition to the group of glass sheets during shipping and handling. Placing corners of cushioning material such as corrugated cardboard, in every corner of the group of glass sheets, on the strip of cushioning material. Wrapping hermetically the group of glass sheets along with the stripe and the cushioning material corners, with a thermo shrinking plastic of a determined thickness and preferably from 500 to 1000 caliber, forming a hermetic package. And applying heat to the package wrapped in plastic, to obtain a highly hermetic sealing, and placing the hermetic package in a container such as a frame or wooden box, in order to be handled as a hermetic package.

To pack glass sheets in order to send them mainly to the Central and South American markets, as well as to countries where high temperature environmental conditions prevail and high relative humidity, during a long period of time the combination of wooden boxes, plastic to wrap glass and separating paper between glass sheets have been used.
Approximately, until 1992 the use of a packing consisting of a wooden box completely closed was discontinued. This closed box packing was used for glass shipments to certain critical destinations for their high temperature, humidity, and transport and handling conditions. Said packing was substituted by a box called "huacal" type, also known as light box, with a considerably less amount of wood, which has been used years before by reason of less cost of packing materials.
A separating paper has been considered indispensable to protect glass sheets mainly against damage risks caused by condensation humidity attack or by wetness, as it is the case of the Central and South American markets and countries where similar environmental conditions prevail.
The hermetic packaging system and method of the present invention, seeks mainly, the substitution of the separating paper thought the combination of materials and a hermetic condition in the packing that will allow the adequate protection of glass during handling and shipping to the customers warehouses, with a considerable economical saving between 41% and 54% of the packing materials cost and depending the glass thickness being handled.

System and method for hermetic packaging of glass sheets


A portable apparatus for forming pipe from helical convulsions of elongated sheet metal. A decoiler, rolling portion and pivot are mounted on a trailer, with a rigid frame extending from pivot and being laterally pivotable at the pivot in relation to the trailer. A forming head, cutoff saw, and dump table are mounted on the frame and pivotable therewith so that various diameters of pipe can be formed.

This invention relates to pipe forming apparatus, and in particular to a portable apparatus for forming pipe from helical convolutions of elongated sheet metal.
Apparatus for forming pipe from helical convolutions of sheet metal is well known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,692 discloses a pipe making apparatus of the nature of that of the present invention, where the apparatus is installed in a factory or similar location, and different diameters of pipe are formed by moving the corrugating apparatus and coil reel in relation to a forming head, which is fixed in place. Pipe is then severed into discreet sections by a cutoff saw, not illustrated in the patent, formed in line with the forming head.
The inventor of the present application has also developed similar apparatus and ancillary equipment, as shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,030,330; 4,070,886; 4,160,312; 4,161,811 and 4,220,181. All such apparatus is normally formed to be installed place in a factory or the like, and not be transported from one worksite to another.
The assignee of the present application has previously developed a portable type of machine constructed on two custom trailers. That structure, however, while being portable, is quite expensive and has found little acceptance in the marketplace.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,262 discloses another form of portable pipe making apparatus when mounted on a single trailer. While being fairly crude, it does demonstrate the concept of a simpler, portable pipe mill, although it has found no acceptance in the marketplace.


There is provided a method, a system and a computer program product for supporting a decision making process. The system receives a decision model from a decision maker, the decision model used for determining a solution to a decision problem based on attributes and uncertainties of the decision problem. The decision problem includes information about a plurality of outcome vectors that represent all possible outcomes and the uncertainties associated with the decision problem. The system determines whether the received decision model can be solved without receiving any preference information from the decision maker. The system receives partially specified preference information from the decision maker if the received decision model cannot be solved without any preference information. The system solves the decision model with the partially specified preference information. The system recommends, based on the solution, one or more decisions to the decision maker.

This disclosure relates generally to decision making, and particularly to eliciting a minimal number of questions to a decision maker in order to solve a decision problem.
An influence diagram is a directed and acyclic graph for use in decision making under uncertainty. The influence diagram includes chance or random variables which specify the uncertain decision environment, decision variables which specify possible decisions to be made in a corresponding decision problem, and a utility function which represents preferences of a decision maker. Each chance variable is associated with a parent set (possibly empty) in a graph which together with that chance variable define a conditional probability distribution. A product of conditional probability distributions defines a joint probability distribution over all possible outcomes in the decision problem. Each decision variable has a parent set (possibly empty) including one or more variables whose values will be known at the time of making of corresponding decisions and may affect directly the decisions. The decision variables are typically assumed to be temporally ordered. A strategy or policy for an influence diagram is a list of decision rules including one rule for each decision variable specifying which decision to make for each value instantiation of the variables in its parent set. Solving an influence diagram is to find an optimal policy that maximizes an expected utility, i.e., achieves a goal of the decision maker.
A probabilistic decision tree (PDT) refers to a model of a decision problem that represents all choices, outcomes and paths that a decision maker may have. A main objective of building and solving a PDT is to find choices that satisfy the decision maker's situation and preference.
As an example, currently, in a health care domain, a patient considers attributes of treatment options before deciding which treatment option to undertake. Attributes include, but are not limited to: pain, disability, side effects, resulting state after a treatment, cost of a treatment, life expectancy. In this multi-attribute decision making, the patient is required to fully elicit his/her preference among all the attributes. The full elicitation from the patient can be time-consuming and cognitively difficult.

Interactive method to reduce the amount of tradeoff information required from decision makers in multi-attribute decision making under uncertainty

International Business Machines Corporation


An improved current detection start-up circuit for a reference voltage circuit which restarts a reference voltage circuit when a reference voltage drops by a predetermined level, i.e., turns off, due to noise or a variation of a system voltage. The circuit includes: a current detection circuit for detecting the current being applied to a reference voltage circuit; and a start-up circuit for starting the reference voltage circuit when the current detected by the current detection circuit is below a predetermined level.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional reference voltage circuit.
As shown therein, a start-up circuit 10 for a conventional reference voltage circuit 20 includes: an inverter 11 for inverting a reset signal /RESET; an NMOS transistor 12 the gate of which receives the output from the inverter 11; and an NMOS transistor 13 the drain of which is connected to the source of the NMOS transistor 12, the gate of which is connected to the drain, and the source of which is connected to a ground voltage Vss.
The reference voltage circuit 20 includes: a PMOS transistor 21 the gate and drain of which are commonly connected at the node N20 with the drain of the NMOS transistor 12, the source of the transistor 21 being connected to the voltage Vcc; a PMOS transistor 22, the source of which is connected to Vcc, the gate of which is connected to the gate of the PMOS transistor 21, forming a current mirror with the PMOS transistor 21; an NMOS transistor 23 the drain of which is connected at the node N20 to the drain of the PMOS transistor 21; a resistor 24 connected between the NMOS transistor 23 and the ground voltage in series; and an NMOS transistor 25 forming a current mirror with the NMOS transistor 23, the gate and the drain of the NMOS transistor 25 being connected to the drain of the PMOS transistor 22 and the gate of the NMOS transistor 23.
The operation of the start-up circuit 10 of the conventional reference voltage circuit 20 will now be explained with reference to FIG. 1.
First, when a source voltage is initially applied to the circuit, the reset signal /RESET maintains a low level for an initial interval as the system voltage rises from Vss toward Vcc, and the low level value of /RESET is converted into a high level signal by the inverter 11. Therefore, the NMOS transistor 12 is turned on, though the electric potential of the node N20 begins to decrease until the PMOS transistor 21 and 22 gets turned on. After /RESET goes to "high" level, NMOS transistor 12 is turned off and the reference voltage circuits 20 stars to be stabilized in its quiescent state. This is how the reference voltage maintains a predetermined value, i.e., reaches its quiescent state.
The system voltage varies. Sometimes the variation is a large drop in magnitude that is usually of relatively short duration, i.e., the system voltage can briefly drop far below Vcc. Such a drop in the system voltage can cause transistor 22 to turn off, which causes Vref to discharge from its quiescent value down to Vss.
Once Vref drops significantly below its quiescent value, very little current flows through from the voltage Vcc to ground through transistor 22 and transistor 25. Hence, Vref cannot return to its quiescent value unless /RESET undergoes a negative pulse. This can only occur, however, if the system power is removed and reapplied so as to trigger a power-on initialization. Thus, the conventional start-up circuit 10 is unable to restart the reference voltage circuit 20 if there is a dip in the system voltage sufficient to discharge Vref to Vss.

Current detection start-up circuit for reference voltage circuit


A lighting strip along the side of a schoolbus or other passenger vehicle between a door near the front of the schoolbus and the back side of the schoolbus to reduce the risk of people or other objects being injured by the schoolbus. The lighting strip may be focused downward to illuminate the ground and may provide vehicle status information and guiding information. Lighting strips may be provided on both sides of the schoolbus, and may also be provided on the back side of the schoolbus and on mirrors or mirror arms. Further, the lighting strips may be provided on the underside of the schoolbus along the passenger side. One or more floodlights may be provided on the roof or near the top of the schoolbus along the side with the door. An expandable crossing gate on the driver's side of the exterior wall is also provided.

Passengers exiting and boarding a larger vehicle, such as a schoolbus present the operator of the vehicle, such as the schoolbus driver, with the problem that the vehicle cannot be safely moved until the passengers have cleared the area around the vehicle. Mirrors mounted at various portions of the interior and exterior of the vehicle are often used to help the vehicle operator in determining when it is safe to recommence movement of the vehicle.
Schoolbuses pose a particular challenge because they carry children and society has set higher standards for protecting these children from themselves and from others, as they board and disembark from schoolbuses. Children are typically shorter than adults and therefore their visibility around and behind the schoolbus is more challenging for the schoolbus driver. Also, children may not be aware of the urgency of the need to clear the area around the schoolbus.
Schoolbuses have government mandated requirements for mirror systems to aid the driver in monitoring the students/children as they embark and disembark from the schoolbuses. A great body of prior art has been developed for such mirror systems, including so-called cross-view or cross-over mirrors, which provide a panoramic view to the driver, showing the children as they move about in front and alongside the schoolbus. Federal regulations that relate to cross-view mirrors are known as the FMVSS111 regulations.
More recently, camera systems have been used in the interiors of schoolbuses. As an example, the present assignee describes an interior camera and a protective closure therefor, in its U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,625.
However, poor visibility conditions, such as when it is dark or near dark outside or during misty or foggy conditions, present a problem for the schoolbus driver, even with the best mirror system and with the optimal camera system. Therefore, the need to provide for good visibility and illumination of the area around, behind and/or under the schoolbus remains.


An embodiment of the invention provides a chip package which includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first surface and an opposite second surface; a device region disposed in the substrate; a dielectric layer located on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of conducting pads located in the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the device region; at least one alignment mark disposed in the semiconductor substrate and extending from the second surface towards the first surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a chip package, and in particular relates to a chip package formed by a wafer level packaging process.
2. Description of the Related Art
A fabrication process of chip packages is one important step of forming electronic products. A chip package not only provides protection for the chips from environmental contaminants, but also provides a connection interface for chips packaged therein.
Because the size of the chip is shrinking and the number of pads is increasing, it has become more difficult to form wires which are electrically connected to the pads in the chip package. Also, the accuracy of the dicing process of chips affects the reliability and performance of formed chip packages. Thus, it is desired to have an improved chip packaging technique.

Chip package comprising alignment mark and method for forming the same


A pitch error compensating system compensates for a pitch error of a ball screw of a numerically controlled machine tool. A pitch error calculating means (4) reads a present value from a present value register (3), reads pitch error corrective quantities (.epsilon.n, .epsilon.pn) in a corresponding period, and outputs pitch error corrective quantities as pitch error corrective pulses (CP) at equal intervals in the period. The pitch error corrective pulses (CP) are added to interpolated pulses (CP) by an adder (5). Since the pitch error corrective quantities are not outputted all at once, the machine tool moves smoothly, and the quality of the machined surface of the workpiece is improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for compensating for a pitch error of a ball screw in a numerically controlled machine tool, and more particularly to a pitch error compensating system suitable for precision machining.
2. Description of Related Art
Ball screws for controlling movable components of numerically controlled machine tools do not have accurately constant pitches. Pitch errors of such ball screws are compensated for by computerized numerical control apparatus to increase positioning accuracy. According to a general pitch error compensating system, the strokes of respective axes are divided into suitable periods, and pitch error corrective quantities are measured in the respective periods. The measured corrective quantities are then stored in a nonvolatile memory. Each time an axis moves, the pitch error corrective quantity that corresponds to the present value of the axis is read from the memory, and added to or subtracted from interpolated pulses, thereby compensating the pitch error.
FIG. 6 of the accompanying drawings shows, by way of example, pitch error corrective pulses in a conventional pitch error compensating system. In FIG. 6, a first period P.sub.0 -P.sub.1 has a pitch error corrective quantity .epsilon.1, a second period P.sub.1 -P.sub.2 a pitch error corrective quantity .epsilon.2, and a third period P.sub.2 -P.sub.3 has a pitch error corrective quantity .epsilon.3, each period being indicated as a pitch error correcting period l. The pitch error corrective quantity in each period is outputted as a pitch error corrective pulse at an intermediate point of the period, and added to interpolated pulses.
A pitch error corrective quantity is outputted at once as a pitch error corrective pulse. If the pitch error corrective quantity is large, then the corresponding error corrective pulse is also large. The large error corrective pulse that is outputted at once is not preferable from the standpoint of positioning accuracy. Such pitch error corrective pulse may lower the quality of the machined surface in precision machining.


The present disclosure provides systems and methods for implementing a media sensing actuator for determining characteristics of a media stack including one or more medium located on an input unit. The media sensing actuator includes a switch and a bracket. The switch includes rotary members configured to drive an electronic circuit upon actuation. The bracket being biased to actuate the rotary members based on operative coupling with the media stack via at least one adjustment member on the input unit. The bracket is substantially curved.

Related art imaging apparatuses, such as printers, may include two sets of mechanical assemblies to detect the size of media received on a media tray. A first mechanical assembly includes various types of guide members, brackets, levers, stoppers, etc., located on the media tray, which are adjusted for adapting to the length and width of the media received in the tray. Based on the media size, the components move to a distinct receiving position in the tray, and create a predetermined pattern of projections and depressions that are unique to that media size.
When the related art media tray is pushed into a tray slot in the printer, the first mechanical assembly triggers a unique set of media sensing levers that are located on the media tray or inside the tray slot. For example, the first mechanical assembly may trigger a first set of media sensing levers for a letter-sized paper, and a second set of sensing levers for a legal-sized paper. Although these sensing levers are evenly spaced, there is an inherent uneven-spacing between the group of levers corresponding to the length of the media and the group of levers corresponding to the width of the media.
The triggered sensing levers then activate a second mechanical assembly including switches, springs, shafts, metal parts, and plastic components, which in turn send signals to a printed circuit board (PCB) placed beneath this assembly. The second mechanical assembly involves a complex design, and can engage with only evenly-spaced sensing strips, and does not account for the uneven spacing. As a result, the second assembly uses a large number of parts to separately engage unevenly-spaced length sensing levers and width sensing levers. This causes a significant increase in assembly time, manufacturing complexity and cost of the printer. It may, therefore, be advantageous to provide a simple and cost-effective mechanical assembly for detecting the media size.

Media sensing actuators and related methods of use and manufacture


The present application includes a sheath that is suitable for use in a variety of medical procedures. In one or more implementations, the sheath includes a shunt member, and a curvable portion. The curvable portion may be configured in various orientations to facilitate an intervention, such as a hemodialysis intervention, or the like, by an operator. The curvable portion may be configured to bend between a substantially straight configuration and a curved configuration. In implementations, the sheath may be configured to have detachable and/or interchangeable components (e.g., shunt member, curvable portion, etc.).

Sheaths are employed in a wide variety of medical procedures. For example, sheaths may be utilized when performing vascular procedures, genitourinary track procedures, gastrointestinal tract procedures, and the like. For example, individuals with renal failure require some form of hemofiltration in order to survive. The vast majority of these patients survive through hemodialysis. Most of these patients receive their hemodialysis through permanent, high flow, vascular conduits, created surgically in their extremities. Over time, these conduits can stop functioning adequately. One of the key elements of survival in this patient population is maintenance of adequate vascular access and function of these vascular conduits. In order to achieve this, the conduits require repair and maintenance throughout their lifespan. These repairs are usually performed in an interventional radiology suite, cardiology suite, and/or operating room by percutaneous (access from skin to conduit without large incision) technique. Sheaths are minimally invasive interventional tools used in such techniques.
Sheaths comprise temporary, external, conduit extensions that facilitate repair of the internal, permanent conduit from the inside. These conduit extensions communicate most commonly through the vascular system, but also can act as conduits between the external environment and any internal plumbing system, e.g. arterial, venous, biliary, portal venous, gastrointestinal tract, renal collecting system, excluded aortic aneurysm sac, central canal/thecal sac/epidural space. In this way, large incisions are avoided, recovery is quicker, treatment is less expensive versus surgery, and the life span of the veins and arteries used is prolonged. Generally, one to two sheaths are employed during each intervention.

Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska


The present invention provides a method for implanting ions in a substrate and a method for manufacturing an integrated circuit. The method for implanting ions in a substrate, among other steps, including placing a substrate (410) on an implant platen (405) such that a predominant axes (430) of the substrate (410) is rotated about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees or about 120 degrees to about 150 degrees offset from a radial with respect to the implant platen (405), and further wherein the substrate (410) is not tilted. The method further includes implanting ions into the substrate (410), the rotated position of the predominant axes (430) reducing shadowing.

Advanced integrated circuit design requires precise control of beam incidence angles. While a number of different types of beam incidence angle error exist, three of the more common types are cone angle error, beam steering error and parallelism error across the wafer. Cone angle error is typically a result of cone angle effects caused by the geometry of the wafer scanning system. Cone angle error causes within wafer variation. For example the beam angle error may be about −x degrees at one edge of the wafer, be approximately zero degrees as the center of the wafer, and be about +x degrees at the opposing edge of the wafer.
Steering error, on the other hand, tends to be a fixed error across the wafer that is introduced while tuning the beam between lots, implant batches, or whenever the tuning may occur. The parallelism error, for whatever reason, leads to random beam incidence angle errors across the width of the wafer. This error is particularly difficult to correct as a result of its random nature.
Unfortunately, without precise control of beam incidence angles, various different problems degrade the transistors of the integrated circuit. As an example, transistor asymmetry, variation, and depressed MPY often result due to beam incidence angle error. The beam incidence angle error also typically leads to gate shadowing and an asymmetric dopant distribution, both of which are undesirable.
Turning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, illustrated is an example of an implant system 100 that could lead to gate shadowing on a transistor device. The implant system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A includes one or more substrates 110 located on or over an implant platen 105. As is illustrated, a predominant axis of each of the substrates 110 is radial with respect to the implant platen 105. The radial nature of the substrates 105 in the example shown is accomplished by aligning an alignment feature 120 of the implant platen 105 with alignment features 125 on each of the substrates 110, the alignment features 125 on each of the substrates 110 aligned with a predominant axis of each of the substrates 110. The alignment features 120, 125, as one would expect, allow the substrates 110 to be easily positioned and aligned during an implant process.
Each of the substrates 110 theoretically have one or more transistor devices 140 located thereon that are being subjected to an implant process 130 as the implant platen 105 rotates. The transistor device 140 illustrated in FIG. 1B includes a gate structure 150, having a height (h), located over the substrates 110. The transistor device 140 illustrated in FIG. 1B is being subjected to the implant process 130 to form implant regions 160. As is illustrated, the combination of the implant beam incidence angle (θ) and gate structure 150 height (h) causes the implant regions 160 located within the substrates 110 not be placed equidistance from the gate structure 150. For example, one of the implant regions 160 is located a distance (d) from the sidewall of the gate structure 120, where the other implant region 160 is located adjacent the sidewall of the gate structure 150. While the distance (d) can be estimated using the equation d=h tan (θ), it nevertheless creates an undoped/underdoped region 170 defined by the distance (d) that often tends to cause serious operational problems for the transistor device 140.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a method for implanting dopants within a substrate that does not experience the drawbacks of the prior art methods and devices.


A power conversion system includes a bus bar, a switch coupled to the bus bar and configured to receive a DC input voltage from a voltage source through the bus bar, and a parallel fuse system. The parallel fuse system may be disposed on the bus bar in series with the voltage source and the switch. The parallel fuse system includes two or more parallel fuses, and may be configured for an inductance imbalance between the fuses, such that there is an asymmetric flow of currents through the fuses when the power conversion system is in operation. For the inductance imbalance, for example, the fuses may be positioned asymmetrically with regard to a shortest conductive path from the voltage source to the switch.

Field
Embodiments of the invention relate to power electronics systems. Other embodiments relate to inverters and other power electronics systems for converting one voltage waveform to another, e.g., for driving a load.
Discussion of Art
An inverter may be used to provide power to off-highway vehicles and other vehicles by transforming direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). An off-highway vehicle may be a vehicle that is not for use on roads designated for primary use by automobiles, and may include one or more engines or motors for energy generation and propulsion. Examples of off-highway vehicles include locomotives and other rail vehicles, marine vessels, mining haul trucks, other heavy mining or construction equipment, and the like.
In the event of a fault or failure of an inverter, multiple fuses can be used to prevent further damage to the remainder of a power conversion system. Multiple fuses are typically used to protect each phase of a power conversion system. However, if more than two fuses are used for circuit protection, the effective amount of energy required to melt the fuses (for circuit protection) may be higher than is desirable for a given application. Additionally, the fuses are typically located in the path of failure material, such as debris or plasma. In the event of a fault or failure of an inverter, fuses within the system may be inoperable due to the presence of plasma. Thus, the fuses may be unable to protect the power conversion system.

Inverter and power system with fuse protection


It consists in fastening the painting (2) or article in question inside a frame (1) with the collaboration of belts (4) which are tensioned appropriately between buckles (5) so that each belt (4) has the configuration of a flat ring inside which the painting (2) is accommodated, the painting remaining fastened with the collaboration of half-clamps (6) mounted on the belts (4) and fastened by means of the clamps (9). In this manner, the painting (2) or article in question is mounted in a "floating" manner inside the frame (1) which, in turn, is mounted in a floating manner in the transport vehicle by means of vibration-insulating supports (3).

Focusing specifically on the field of works of art and more specifically on paintings, for which the recommended system has essentially been designed, one of the known solutions, which is regarded as being amongst the most suitable, consists in using a rectangular frame with sides which are grooved on the inside, on two of which, in correspondence with one of the vertices of the frame, the painting to be transported is inserted, remaining completely fastened by means of its two other edges, which are initially free with respect to the frame, by means of setscrews appropriately installed between said edges and the corresponding sectors of the said frame.
This solution results in a solid fastening of the frame of the painting to the frame, such that, by subsequently and appropriately fastening said frame inside the transport vehicle, the painting is immobilised and there is no risk of the latter being able to suffer a blow, provided all the frames are appropriately fastened, yet this rigid fastening system means that the vibrations due to the normal operation of the vehicle are transmitted to the paintings which on occasion can lead to them being damaged, especially when dealing with very old works on which the paint is very dry. These problems apply to the transportation of other articles in respect of which the said vibrations may give rise to the loosening-off of screws, the breakage of fragile connections, etc.

Packaging system for paintings, other works of art and the like


A silver halide black and white photographic light-sensitive material which is improved in pressure resistance and storage stability is disclosed comprising a support having thereon a silver halide emulsion layer comprising silver halide grains, wherein said silver halide grains contain rhodium in an amount of 10.sup.-8 to 10.sup.-5 moles per mol of silver halide; and said grains are spectrally sensitized with a combination of sensitizing dyes (GS-1) and (RS-1), each represented by the following formula: ##STR1##

In recent years, transmission type light sensitive materials have been getting increased in the demands for color prints. In general, most prints have been printed on color paper and, on the other hand, there have been increasing cases where color prints have been made on black-and-white print paper from color negative films. At newspaper publishing companies and press agencies in particular, there has shown an increasing tendency to take an advantage that a single color negative film already photographed is applied to make a color gravure and an ordinary black-and-white print, so that the frequency of making use of color negative films has rapidly been increased. Recently among the press mentioned above, there has shown a tendency to replace a manual processing of black-and-white print paper with a roomlight handling type printer/processor unit so as to save the darkroom space. Accordingly, there have been demands for processing a black-and-white printing material capable of providing high-quality black-and-white prints from color negative films, which is suitable for making use of a printer/processor unit.
The tendencies of the recent printer/processor units include, for example, an essential factor that the latitude against pressure troubles is to be high in the tide of making further advances of high speed processing operations and, therefore, a light sensitive printing material has been so demanded that any image quality may not seriously be affected by the troubles such as undesirable sensitization, fog or desensitization produced by some slight damage produced in a printer/processor unit. It is also essential that any speeds or contrasts is not to be varied while a raw test sample is preserved for aging so that the printing conditions having once been set up should not be necessary to be changed and, therefore, a light sensitive material having an excellent storage stability has been demanded.

Silver halide black & white light-sensitive material comprising spectrally sensitized silver halide grains containing rhodium in a specific amount


A method and system for providing a telephone subscriber line high-speed access to a computer network is described. The telephone subscriber line is provided telephone service through a network access equipment. The network access equipment includes a telephone line function interface, access control logic, a high-speed interface, and a Remote Access Server. In a described embodiment, the network access equipment also provides access to a high-speed interface connected to a Remote Access Server providing access to the computer network. The access control logic recognizes the telephone numbers of telephone lines accessing the computer network which are provided telephone service through the network access equipment. These telephone lines can be connected to a high-speed interface connected to the Remote Access Server providing access to the computer network. The network access equipment provides the subscriber telephone line a high-speed data connection to the computer network through the high-speed interface and does not require data to be routed through the Public Switched Telephone Network.

This invention relates to providing remote access to computer networks. More specifically, it relates to a method and system for accessing a computer network such as the Internet or an intranet from a subscriber telephone line.
A variety of computing devices or resources are often operatively connected together to form a computer network. The computer network may be a Local Area Network (xe2x80x9cLANxe2x80x9d) that connects computing devices located within a small geographical area, or a Wide Area Network (xe2x80x9cWANxe2x80x9d) that connects computing devices located within a large geographical area.
To a gain access to the computer network from a remote location, a computer user with a telephone modem can use the Public Switched Telephone Network (xe2x80x9cPSTNxe2x80x9d) to establish a telephone connection to a dial-up telephone line providing access to the computer network. The PSTN is any of the networks, usually carrying telephony voice and modulated digital computer data, provided by the Regional Bell Operating Companies, ATandT, GTE, and other communication networks comprising multiple switching offices.
The dial-up telephone line is typically connected to Private Branch exchange (xe2x80x9cPBXxe2x80x9d) which switches incoming telephone calls to a Remote Access Server (xe2x80x9cRASxe2x80x9d). The RAS provides telephone dial-in access from the PSTN to the computer network. The RAS typically includes a plurality of modems to receive a plurality of incoming telephone calls from the PSTN telephone lines or trunks and/or a plurality of Network Interface Cards (xe2x80x9cNICsxe2x80x9d) to provide access to the computer network. The RAS interfaces and connects the plurality of modems to the plurality of NICs interfacing the computer network. Typically, a number of different types of modems and NICs are provided to accommodate different protocols, types of networks, and interfaces.
A telephone call to access a computer network thus originates at an originating switching office, may be sent through the PSTN via one or more intermediate switching offices, an end switching office, a PBX, and then to the RAS. At the end office, the incoming calls are received from the PSTN by the PBX and terminated to the RAS to provide access to the computer network.
There are a number of problems associated with using the PSTN to provide a data connection to access to a computer network such as the Internet or an intranet. A telephone connection routed through the PSTN passes through multiple switching offices, an end switching office, possibly a PBX, and then to the RAS to provide a data connection to the computer network. Transmission of a data signal through multiple switching offices may require the signal to be converted between various transmission formats through each switching office, significantly degrading the signal at each conversion and reducing its ability to accurately carry computer information. Thus, the routing of telephone calls through multiple switching offices in the PSTN may degrade the quality of the transmitted signal and reduce the bandwidth carrying capability of the connection. A device and method for proving a connection to the RAS without routing the telephone call through multiple switching offices of the PSTN is desirable.
In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, problems associated with providing access to a computer network via a telephone call connection routed through the PSTN are addressed. A system and method for providing a high-speed data connection to access a computer network is described. The system includes network access equipment providing a connection to a remote access server (xe2x80x9cRASxe2x80x9d) which provides a high-speed interface to access the computer network. Telephone calls to access a computer network can be routed by the network access equipment through the high-speed interface without requiring the computer data to traverse a telephone connection through the PSTN.
In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the network access equipment allows high-speed data access to a computer network from a subscriber telephone line. The network access equipment includes an access screening table, a telephone line function interface, access control logic, a high-speed interface, and a RAS. The access screening table may identify telephone subscriber lines capable of accessing the computer network through the network access equipment. The telephone line function interface provides the connection of the telephone line to the high-speed interface under the control of the access control logic. The high-speed interface provides the high-speed data connection to the RAS, which provides access to the computer network. The present invention is not limited to the networks, network devices, network connections, and network access equipment described, and other network components may also be used.
The illustrative method includes, dialing a telephone call to access a computer network from a subscriber telephone line and determining whether the subscriber telephone line is serviced through the network access equipment. If the subscriber telephone line is serviced from the network access equipment, the telephone call is redirected by the network access equipment to a high-speed data connection to the computer network.
An illustrative embodiment of the present invention offers several advantages over the prior art. The illustrative embodiment allows high-speed modem access to the computer network from telephone subscriber lines serviced from the network access equipment. The telephone subscribers serviced from the network access equipment can access the computer network through high-speed modems without routing the data connection through the PSTN. The high-speed connection provided by the network access equipment is free of the degradation caused by routing a connection through the PSTN requiring the data signal to be converted from various transmission formats as it is transmitted through different types of equipment.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with references to the accompanying drawings.

Method and system for high-speed interface access to a computer network using a subscriber telephone line


A posture training device comprising a substantially rigid support member including a plurality of slots and a plurality of straps. The straps are detachably coupled to the support member by inserting and sliding each of the straps into and through one of the slots. The slots extend between the support member's two opposing outer surfaces that are aligned substantially perpendicular to the individual's back when the device is worn. Each strap includes couplers at the ends of the strap for connecting ends each strap.

The present invention generally relates to a posture training device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device to improve a person's posture and train the person's back muscles to maintain the improved posture.
Some individuals have poor posture which has adverse effects. For example, poor posture is generally unattractive. Many people perceive individuals with upright posture as interested and alert, while individuals who slouch or stoop are viewed as lazy or awkward. These perceptions influence whether others positively view a person's work, or these perceptions can negatively affect how others regard the person's social status. In addition to being socially undesirable, poor posture causes various health problems. Among these health problems are curvature of the spine and a chronic stooping condition.
Health problems arise in part because poor posture is habitual and difficult to correct. Correction techniques which use verbal reminders can be ineffective. Reminders may fail because most people do not consciously choose their posture. Rather, posture is a position that the body's muscles are trained to assume.
To train the body's back muscles, devices are effective. One device is a restraint which physically forces the back's muscles to maintain the body in an upright position. When a person repeatedly wears the restraint, the muscles revert to proper posture position even at times when the restraint is not worn.
Thus, people need devices that correct posture and train muscles to maintain proper posture. Ideally, these devices are comfortable, portable and easily fastened and removed.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel posture training device and method to effectively train a person to maintain substantially upright posture.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved posture training device that is comfortable to wear.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved posture training device that easily attaches to a person's body and is easily removable as well.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved posture training device that is portable.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings described below wherein like components have like numerals throughout the several views.


There is provided a direct memory access apparatus and a direct memory access method.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a direct memory access apparatus and a direct memory access method.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Direct Memory Access (DMA) apparatus transmits data stored in memory independently from a processor and is widely used as a peripheral apparatus.
Generally, the direct memory access operation is used to move data block distributed with consecutive addresses such as a source address, a destination address and length field.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for describing an operation of a direct memory access apparatus according to a conventional technique, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram for describing transmission operation of data line complicatedly distributed in memory according to a conventional technique.
As shown in FIG. 1, a main processor 100 determines a transmission rule in a memory 120 with which a direct memory access apparatus 110 will perform in an applied program through a source address 130, a destination address 140 and a transmission length 150. In case a trigger source of the transmission rule is determined (not shown), when a particular trigger source occurs, a transmission operation from the source address to the destination address is performed independently from the main processor. The direct memory transmission operation like this is effective to the transmission operation of data line distributed with a certain length and a certain interval or data line distributed in consecutive memories.
However, as shown in FIG. 2, an operation for transmitting data line distributed in memory with a nonuniform interval and/or a nonuniform length in a source memory space 200 and/or a destination memory space 210 is not capable of being transmitted with one time rule and requires a plurality of transmission rule serialized in the transmission of each data element and needs a frequent operation of the main processor. In addition, this conventional transmission operation causes frequent interruption to deteriorate an effect of the direct memory transmission. Meantime, when considering an operation with the main processor excluding the direct memory access apparatus, since the above complex memory access causes frequent cache miss, using the direct memory access apparatus is advantageous. Therefore, an operation which has rules of variable length decoding, hashing, an assignment of subcarrier in OFDMA and which is inappropriate by a simple block transmission requires a transmission by the direct memory access apparatus which is capable of sending data line of variable length and interval at one time setting.

Direct memory access apparatus for sending data stored in memory separately from an operation of a main processor and direct memory access method using the same

Abstract: The direct memory access apparatus of the present invention comprises: a variable transmission rule map unit for setting a transmission rule with a variable block length and a variable block interval as a unit of memory transmission rule; a direct memory access unit for sending data line of the variable block length and the variable block interval, in case of access to the unit of memory by using the unit of memory transmission rule determined by the variable transmission rule map unit; and an interface unit for retrieving the unit of memory transmission rule, which is necessary for sending the data line of the variable block length and the variable block interval, from the variable transmission rule map unit and sending the unit of memory transmission rule to the direct memory access unit.

Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology


The invention relates to a sensor device for use, for example, in an automatic milking device and, in particular, for detecting the positions of the teats of an animal which is to be milked. The sensor device comprises a number of radiation sources which generate non-divergent radiation beams which have different positions and/or directions which are known in the control unit. The reflections from the irradiated object are detected using detectors, and there are means for distinguishing between the reflections from the various radiation sources, so that the control unit is able to establish the position of the object.

The invention relates to a sensor device according to the preamble of Claim 1. A sensor device of this nature is known from EP 0,455,305, which shows a sensor which can rotate about a vertical axis and which generates horizontally directed laser beams which, by means of the rotation of the sensor, cover the horizontal plane. The position of the object to be detected is determined by recording the direction of the laser beam and the distance from the object to the sensor in the control unit. The drawback of the known device is that the position of the object is highly dependent on the direction of the laser beam, which therefore has to be determined with a high level of accuracy, and this is difficult to achieve. Also, the means of measuring the distance between the sensor and the object are relatively expensive. The object of the invention is to eliminate the abovementioned drawbacks, and to this end the sensor device is designed in accordance with the characterizing part of Claim 1. In this way, the sensor device is provided with simple radiation sources and detectors for determining the position of the object reliably and inexpensively.
According to a refinement, the sensor device is designed according to the characterizing part of Claim 2. This makes it easy to distinguish between the various radiation sources.
According to one embodiment, the sensor device is designed according to Claim 3. This provides a further distinction between the various radiation sources, with the result that if appropriate it is also possible for a plurality of sources to be activated simultaneously.
According to one embodiment, the sensor device is designed according to Claim 4. In this way, the position of the object can be established with greater accuracy.
According to one improved embodiment, the sensor device is designed according to Claim 5. In this way, it is simple to detect two or more objects in the operating area.
According to a further refinement, the sensor device is designed according to Claim 6. Positioning the radiation sources next to one another in a sensor unit makes them easy to position with accuracy.
According to a further refinement, the sensor device is designed according to Claim 7. This makes activation and switching of the radiation sources easier and avoids thick cables with many different cores leading from the control unit to the radiation sources.
The invention also comprises a milking device according to the preamble of Claim 8. A milking device of this nature is known from the document referred to above. Using the abovementioned sensor device in accordance with the characterizing part of Claim 6 results in an accurate and operationally reliable device.
According to one embodiment, the milking device is designed according to Claim 9. In this way, the teats can be located in a simple manner.
According to one embodiment, the milking device is designed according to the characterizing part of Claim 10. In this way, it is simple to detect the position of all the teats of the udder simultaneously.
The invention also comprises a sensor unit according to Claim 11. A sensor unit of this nature is compact and easy to install, and it is possible to generate a large detection field without the need for a large signal cable leading to the sensor unit.

Device and method for automatically milking cows