A method of fabricating an FET includes forming an active layer including a low dopant concentration layer, forming a recess in the active layer so that the bottom of the recess is present within the low dopant concentration semiconductor layer, forming side walls in the recess, and forming a gate electrode in the-recess using the side walls as masks. The gate length can be precisely reduced by the side walls. Further, even when the active layer is anisotropically etched to form the side walls, the low dopant concentration semiconductor layer is subjected to the etching. Therefore, a part of the active layer where a greater part of channel current flows is not adversely affected by the etching. Therefore, any variation in the thickness of the active layer does not vary the channel current of the transistor.

FIGS. 7(a)-7(i) are sectional views illustrating process steps in a prior art method of fabricating a field effect transistor (hereinafter referred to as an FET).
Initially, as illustrated in FIG. 7(a), an n type GaAs layer 2 having a dopant concentration of 3.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3 and a thickness of 3000 .ANG. is grown on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate 1 by molecular beam epitaxy (hereinafter referred to as MBE). Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 7(b), an SiO.sub.2 film 3 having a thickness of about 3000 .ANG. is deposited over the n type GaAs layer 2 by plasma chemical vapor deposition (hereinafter referred to as plasma CVD).
In the step of FIG. 7(c), a resist pattern 4 with an opening 4a having a prescribed width is formed on the n type GaAs layer 2 by conventional photolithographic techniques.
Using the resist pattern 4 as a mask, the SiO.sub.2 film 3 is subjected to reactive ion etching with a gas mixture of CHF.sub.3 and O.sub.2 through the opening 4a, forming an opening 3a in the SiO.sub.2 film 3, followed by removal of the resist pattern 4 (FIG. 7(d)).
In the step of FIG. 7(e), using the SiO.sub.2 film 3 as a mask, the n type GaAs layer 2 exposed in the opening 3a is subjected to dry etching to remove a prescribed portion of the GaAs layer 2, thereby forming a recess 2a. Thereafter, an SiO.sub.2 film 5 about 5000 .ANG. thick is deposited on the SiO.sub.2 film 3 and in the recess 2a.
In the step of FIG. 7(f), the SiO.sub.2 film 5 is subjected to reactive ion etching with a gas mixture of CHF.sub.3 and O.sub.2. Since the etching proceeds anisotropically in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the n type GaAs layer 2, portions 5a of the SiO.sub.2 film 5 are left on the opposite side surfaces of the recess 2a. These portions 5a are called side walls hereinafter.
Thereafter, a WSi film 6 and an Au film 7 are successively sputtered on the SiO.sub.2 film 3, on the side walls 5a, and on the bottom of the recess 2a (FIG. 7(g)), and the Au film 7 and the WSi film 6 are patterned by ion milling and reactive ion etching, respectively, resulting in a gate electrode 8 as shown in FIG. 7(h).
After removal of the SiO.sub.2 film 3 and the side walls 5a with an aqueous buffered HF (BHF) solution, source and drain electrodes 9a and 9b comprising an ohmic metal are formed on the GaAs layer 2 at the opposite sides of the gate electrode 8 to complete an FET 100 shown in FIG. 7(i).
In the prior art method of fabricating an FET, the side walls 5a are formed on the opposite side surfaces of the recess 2a, and the gate electrode 8 is formed on a part of the bottom of the recess between the side walls 5a. In this process, a gate electrode having an accurately reduced gate length is formed in the recess 2a with high reliability. More specifically, since the width of the side wall 5a depends on the thickness of the SiO.sub.2 film 5, the width of the side wall 5a can be varied by verifying the thickness of the SiO.sub.2 film 5. Therefore, an opening region having a width equal to a desired gate length of the gate electrode 8 is formed at the bottom of the recess 2 with high accuracy.
However, in order to reduce the gate length with high accuracy, both accurate control of the thickness of the SiO.sub.2 film 5 in the step of FIG. 7(e) and strong anisotropy of the reaction ion etching of the SiO.sub.2 film in the step of FIG. 7(f) are required. In this reactive ion etching, if the applied RF voltage is increased and the pressure of the etching gas is reduced to increase the anisotropy of the etching, the etching selectivity between the n type GaAs layer 2 and the SiO.sub.2 film 5 is reduced, so that not only the SiO.sub.2 film 5 but also the n type GaAs layer 2 are etched as shown by a dotted circle A in FIG. 7(f). In this case, the thickness of the n type GaAs active layer 2 beneath the gate electrode is varied in a completed transistor, resulting in variations in the operating characteristics. To be specific, in the above-described n type GaAs active layer 2 having a dopant concentration of 3.times.10.sup.17 cm.sup.-3, when the active layer 2 is excessively etched by 13 .ANG. in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the active layer 2, the current of the transistor varies by about 1 mA per gate width of unit 100 .mu.m. This variation can be reduced to some extent by reducing the dopant concentration of the active layer. That is, when the dopant concentration of the active layer is reduced, current flowing per unit thickness is reduced, whereby the variation in the current to the variation in the thickness of the active layer is reduced. However, when the dopant concentration of the active layer is reduced, the transconductance of the transistor is degraded, and the gain during RF operation of the transistor is reduced.
Generally, in an FET, the gate breakdown voltage that has a considerable influence on the output characteristics increases with an increase in the distance between an edge of a gate electrode and an edge of a gate recess (hereinafter referred to as a gate edge to recess edge distance). Therefore, also in the prior art method shown in FIGS. 7(a)-7(i), the gate edge to recess edge distance can be increased by increasing the width of the recess 2a. However, in order to increase the gate edge to recess edge distance in the prior art method, both the width of the recess 2a and the width of the side wall 5a must be increased. Since the width of the side wall 5a depends on the thickness of the SiO.sub.2 film 5, the thickness of the SiO.sub.2 film 5 must be increased to increase the width of the side wall 5a. Then, the etching precision in the etching of the SiO.sub.2 film 5 (FIG. 7(f)) is lowered, resulting in a variation in the gate length and an increase in the etching time.
It is well known that the gate breakdown voltage increases with a reduction in the dopant impurity concentration at the interface between the active layer and the gate electrode. In a prior art method, however, the increase in the gate breakdown voltage is achieved by inserting a low dopant concentration layer in an active layer and forming a gate electrode contacting the low dopant concentration layer. In this case, the low dopant concentration layer is present in the active layer at portions beneath source and drain electrodes, so that the gate-to-source resistance increases.

Method of making field effect transistor

by Yoko Kohno, heir/legal representative of the remaining minor heir.


The present invention relates to liquid compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, a liquid hydrophobic bleach activator and a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant according to the formula R.sup.2 --C(O)--N(R.sup.1)-Z, wherein R.sup.1 is H, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl or a mixture thereof, R.sup.2 is C.sub.5 -C.sub.31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxycarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof, said compositions being formulated either as an emulsion or a microemulsion. The present invention further encompasses a process for pretreating soiled fabrics with a liquid composition comprising such a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant, whereby improved stain removal performance is delivered.

Peroxygen bleach-containing compositions have been extensively described in laundry applications as laundry detergents, laundry additives or even laundry pretreaters.
Indeed, it is known to use liquid compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach and a bleach activator in laundry pretreatment applications. Although said liquid bleaching compositions provide good bleaching performance when used to pretreat a soiled fabric, there is still some room to further improve them regarding for example the stains/soils removal performance delivered when pretreating said soiled fabric.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide improved stain removal performance on a variety of stains/soils under pretreatment conditions, i.e., when applied directly onto the soiled fabrics, and left to act onto said fabrics before washing said fabrics. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide liquid compositions containing a peroxygen bleach and a liquid hydrophobic bleach activator, which deliver improved stain removal performance on a variety of stains/soils under pretreatment conditions while not compromising on their bleaching performance.
It has now been found that the above object can be met by using a liquid composition comprising a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant to pretreat soiled fabrics. Indeed, it has been found that the addition of a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant, as defined hereinafter, in a liquid composition, e.g., in a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and optionally a liquid hydrophobic bleach activator, allows to deliver improved stain removal performance on fabrics under pretreatment conditions, as compared to the stain removal performance delivered by the same composition without said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant, or to the same composition but with another surfactant like for instance a nonionic ethoxylated surfactant (C.sub.14 -C.sub.15 7EO) instead of said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant. Thus, in its broadest aspect, the present invention encompasses the use of said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant, in a liquid composition, for improving the stain removal performance of said composition under pretreatment conditions, on a variety of stains. The present invention also encompasses liquid compositions comprising said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant, a peroxygen-bleach and a liquid hydrophobic bleach activator. Indeed, it has further been found that the addition of said polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, in the liquid peroxygen bleach-containing compositions of the present invention comprising said liquid hydrophobic bleach activator, contributes to emulsify said hydrophobic bleach activator so that said compositions are formulated either as microemulsions or as emulsions. Thus, the compositions according to the present invention allow to provide improved stain removal performance when pretreating soiled fabrics while exhibiting also excellent chemical stability, even upon prolonged storage periods.
An advantage of the present invention is that the improved stain removal performance obtained when pretreating fabrics with the compositions of the present invention is noticeable on a variety of stains/soils including greasy/oil stains, like make-up, lipstick, dirty motor oil and mineral oil, greasy food like mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce, bleachable stains like tea and enzymatic stains like blood and grass.
EP-A-598 170 discloses an emulsion comprising hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof, a hydrophobic liquid ingredient and an emulsifying system comprising two nonionic surfactants with different HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balance). No polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants are disclosed.
Co-pending European patent application number 95203330.6 discloses a liquid bleaching composition comprising hydrogen peroxide, a liquid hydrophobic bleach activator, said composition being formulated as a microemulsion of said hydrophobic liquid bleach activator in a matrix comprising water, said hydrogen peroxide, a hydrophilic surfactant system comprising a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant. No polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants are disclosed.


A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named xe2x80x98Eckalohaxe2x80x99, characterized by its inflorescences with irregularly lobed pale yellow and pink bi-colored flower bracts; irregularly lobed green and dark green bi-colored leaves; uniform, compact and mounded plant habit; very early flowering; and excellent post-production longevity.

Euphorbia pulcherrima.
The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant, botanically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd., and hereinafter referred to by the name xe2x80x98Eckalohaxe2x80x99.
The new Poinsettia a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Encinitas, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new Poinsettia cultivars having flower bracts with desirable colors, uniform plant habit and excellent post-production longevity.
The new Poinsettia is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of a unnamed proprietary induced mutation, not patented, that originated by exposing unrooted cuttings of the Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. cultivar Eckabri, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,880, to gamma radiation. The new Poinsettia was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant within a population of plants of the irradiated selection on or about Mar. 19, 1999, in a controlled environment in Encinitas, Calif.
Asexual reproduction of the new Poinsettia by terminal cuttings taken at Encinitas, Calif., since 1999, has shown that the unique features of this new Poinsettia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of xe2x80x98Eckalohaxe2x80x99. These characteristics in combination distinguish xe2x80x98Eckalohaxe2x80x99 as a new and distinct cultivar:
1. Inflorescences with irregularly lobed pale yellow and pink bi-colored flower bracts.
2. Irregularly lobed green and dark green bi-colored leaves.
3. Uniform, compact and mounded plant habit.
4. Very early flowering, natural season flower maturity date is November 18 for plants grown in Encinitas, Calif.; response time, about 7.5 weeks.
5. Excellent post-production longevity.
Plants of the new Poinsettia can be compared to plants of the cultivar Eckabri. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Encinitas, Calif., plants of the new Poinsettia differed primarily from plants of the cultivar Eckabri in the following characteristics:
1. Leaves of plants of the new Poinsettia were irregularly lobed and green and dark green bi-colored whereas leaves of plants of the cultivar Eckabri were oak-leaf shaped and solid dark green.
2. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia were irregularly lobed and pale yellow and pink bi-colored whereas flower bracts of plants of the cultivar Eckabri were oak-leaf shaped and solid pink in color.
Plants of the new Poinsettia are most similar to plants of the cultivar Eckaiden, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,888. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Encinitas, Calif., plants of the new Poinsettia differed primarily from plants of the cultivar Eckaiden in the following characteristics:
1. Leaves of plants of the new Poinsettia were irregularly lobed and green and dark green bi-colored whereas leaves of plants of the cultivar Eckaiden were oak-leaf shaped and solid dark green in color.
2. Plants of the new Poinsettia flowered about one week earlier than plants of the cultivar Eckaiden.
3. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia were irregularly lobed whereas flower bracts of plants of the cultivar Eckaiden were oak-leaf shaped.
4. Flower bracts of plants of the new Poinsettia had larger and darker pink centers than flower bracts of plants of the cultivar Eckaiden.


A chronic subdermal silver-silver/chloride (Ag—Ag/Cl) electrode for the recording of biopotentials is disclosed. The electrode is comprised of an Ag—Ag/Cl distal end that is placed subdermally by various methods. The recording electrode is made of solid, multi-stranded or a ball of pure silver and the whole length of the electrode is insulated except for the distal end which is used for voltage recordation. The electrode can be placed subdermally by an introducer apparatus such as hypodermic or sewing needle, a split-cannula, a staple, or a suture. Once placed, the introducer apparatus can be removed leaving the recording wire/element in place. The recording electrode can be placed at any location on the body to record the local biopotential (EEG, EOG, EMG, EKG, etc). It can be left in place for hours, days, or weeks, as it will record without any further adjustment.

Biopotential electrodes have been used for more than a century to record the electrical potential at the site of the electrode application. The most common electrode is the disc electrode that can be composed of almost any conducting material to promote low impedance and high quality of signal properties. These electrodes are easy to apply as they are either held in place with the conductive paste, glue, or a self-sticking media. They are considered to be an acute electrode as they eventually deteriorate in signal quality as the impedance increases or they become loose and fall off. This type of electrode needs to be replaced, or adjusted every 12-24 hours to ensure signal viability. One of the "best" surface, recording disc electrodes is the silver-silver/chloride type. However, a skill technician must apply the electrode after careful skin preparation. Eventually (usually between 12 and 24 hours), this electrode needs to be tended to, in order to apply more conductive jelly and reestablish a low impedance and signal integrity. The main disadvantages of the surface disc are: it requires placement, fixation and maintenance by a skill technician; it requires maintenance every 12-24 hours; and it is very susceptible to artifact.
Another type of electrode is the subdermal needle electrode, which is usually composed of a solid metal (such as tungsten, stainless steel, platinum, etc.). It can be inserted subdermally and provides an immediate biopotential signal. The quality of the recording is reasonable but they are prone to artifact and usually have high impedance. They are usually considered to be acute electrodes (minutes, hours) as their rigid properties limit their application on freely moving subjects. Their main disadvantages are: they are a rigid electrode that can cause injury; they are prone to movement and other forms of artifact due to the rigidity and high impedance; and they are acute electrodes.
Several years ago, workers in the EMG field used hypodermic needles to insert stainless steel wires into the muscle to permit acute EMG recordings. Later, in a specific application, this technique was modified by Ives and Gloor in 1977 (Ives, J. R. and Gloor, P. New sphenoidal electrode assembly to permit longterm monitoring of the patient's ictal and interictal EEG. Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol, 1977; 42:575-580) to place a chronic sphenoidal recording electrode in order to record the patient's EEG from the area of the mesial temporal lobe. Wyler then further modified this technique as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,625 (issued Feb. 21, 1989).
The present invention discloses a Ag—Ag/Cl electrode element that can be of any shape or size (solid, stranded wire, ball of pure silver with a silver-silver/chloride coating) depending on the application. Specifically as an example, a multi-stranded, Teflon insulated, silver wire with a silver-silver/chloride recording tip can be placed subdermally at any body location (human or animal) where one desires to chronically record a biopotential. The insertion device, or introducer, can be a hypodermic or sewing needle, split-cannula, a staple, or a suture. As an example, the multi-stranded pure silver wire with a Ag—Ag/Cl recording tip electrode can be placed by hand using a hypodermic needle as taught by Ives in 1977, 1978 and 2005 (Ives, J. R. and Gloor, P. New sphenoidal electrode assembly to permit longterm monitoring of the patient's ictal and interictal EEG. Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol, 1977; 42:575-580; Ives, J. R. and Gloor, P. Update: sphenoidal. Electroenceph. Clin. Neurophysiol, 1978; 44:789-790; Ives, J. R. New Chronic EEG Electrode for CCU/ICU Monitoring. J. Clin. Neurophysiol, 2005; 22:119-123.) and Wyler (supra).

Technique for design, and placement, of a subdermal Ag—Ag/Cl biopotential electrode


A construction of metal walls or closed containers which are used for storage. A wall or shell formed of several sheets of metal (5, 6) juxtaposed at their longitudinal edges (9, 10), resting on longitudinal elements (2, 3) and transverse elements (4). The longitudinal edges of these metal sheets form receptors (13, 14) subject to pressure from transverse movable pushing elements, thereby maintaining one of the edges (9) in abutment with the other (10) and generating lateral, strengthening tension. A method of construction of any individual wall or container by immobilizing sheets of metal (5, 6) along their longitudinal edges (9, 10) on longitudinal elements using opposing transverse force exerted locally and at intervals along the entire length of two adjacent sheets of metal (5, 6).

Silos inside buildings are often made using a skeleton or a framework in the general shape of a silo, with an exterior shell made of sheets of metal.
The covering of the silo constitutes its interior wall per se, which is in direct contact with the material or the products stored inside. In general, the exterior is attached to the skeleton or framework using conventional methods such as screws, rivets, or the like, while keeping the interior surface as smooth as possible. With this type of construction, it is also necessary for the areas with the greatest exposure to shocks or the areas with wide spaces between portions of the framework to have longitudinal and lateral reinforcements such as girders bracing the structure.
These traditional, prior art designs have numerous drawbacks, particularly from the construction perspective, and involve manual labor when constructing a silo, which is increased even further by the addition of lateral or longitudinal reinforcements.
A silo with a suspended exterior shell is known in the art and described in French Patent Publication No. 2 658 171 in the name of the applicant. This silo consists of a succession of metal forms fastened at their upper edges onto the longitudinal frame elements, and attached in overlapping arrangement at their lower portion in much the same way as roofing tiles or shingles are positioned.
This type of silo eliminates a considerable amount of manual labor and offers quite an improvement over traditional silos. In effect, it is necessary merely to position the metal forms, which have pre-shaped upper edges conforming to the elements of the framework. This is a simple, quick job which can be accomplished by a semi-skilled worker. However, certain aspects of this type of silo can be improved.
One such aspect concerns the edges of the sheets of metal, which have irregular transverse ridges. The products inside the silo, which are in direct contact with these discontinuous areas, may become damaged or even stuck to the ridges, depending upon their nature. The irregularities in the interior silo surface may also mark the stored products if they are made of a deformable, flexible material. This problem often arises during storage of products such as plastic bottles, as a fair number of such bottles emerge from storage with unattractive striations or marks resulting from contact and friction with the edges of the sheet metal. This cosmetic flaw is considered serious enough that silos of this type are not used by certain producers who bottle their products in plastic containers.
The second aspect concerns the possible formation of linear openings between two successive sheets of the metal covering the silo, and in general, the development of frequent leaks in such assemblages, allowing air and dust to enter. For this reason, this type of silo is unsuitable for storing bulk products, particularly food products.

Wall or casing made of metal stretched over a frame or structure, and construction procedure


High-speed measurements of the output power level of a laser are obtained by using a high-speed laser output power monitoring device that is capable of producing an electrical feedback signal having an amplitude that varies as the output power level of the laser varies. A high-speed amplitude detector receives the electrical feedback signal and detects the amplitude of the feedback signal and produces an optical modulation amplitude (OMA) detection signal. The OMA detection signal is received in a high-speed amplitude measurement device that measures the OMA and produces an OMA measurement value. The OMA measurement value is then processed by the laser controller to obtain a modulation current control signal, which is then output to the laser driver to cause the laser driver to adjust the laser modulation current to obtain a desired or optimum laser output power level. An average amplitude measurement value may also be obtained using an average amplitude measurement device that processes the OMA detection signal produced by the high-speed amplitude detector to obtain the average amplitude measurement value. The laser controller receives the average amplitude measurement value and processes it to obtain a bias current control signal, which is then output to the laser driver to cause it to adjust the amplitude of the bias current to obtain a desired or optimum average laser output power level.

Lasers are used in many different industries for many different purposes, such as, for example, in the medical industry for medical procedures, in the printing industry in laser printers, in the defense industry in a variety of defense applications, and in the optical communications industry for transmitting and receiving optical signals. In many applications, the output power of the laser is monitored and controlled to maintain the output power at a desired or required level. Due to the wide variations in laser parameters such as, for example, laser slope efficiency (SE) and laser threshold current (ITH), maintaining the optical power at a particular level is challenging because temperature and process variations and aging of system components also cause the output power level to vary. Many techniques and systems have been used or proposed to control and maintain the output power of the laser at required levels over temperature and process variations and time.
It is common practice in the optical communications industry to use a low-speed monitor photodiode to detect light output from a rear portion of the transmitter laser (or a portion of the output power reflected back through optical lenses) and to use this optical feedback to measure and control the average transmitted output power level of laser. In general, the average transmitted output power level, PAVG, of the laser can be controlled by controlling the bias current, IBIAS, of the laser. Thus, if the optical feedback indicates that PAVG has fallen below the required level, increasing IBIAS by an appropriate amount will raise PAVG to the required level. Similarly, if the optical feedback indicates that PAVG has risen above the required level, decreasing IBIAS by an appropriate amount will lower PAVG to the required level.
As the optical feedback path described above is used to maintain PAVG at the required level, the laser is modulated with a modulation current, IMOD, to cause the laser output power level to be adjusted between an output power level, P1, that represents a logic 1, and an output power level, P0, that represents a logic 0. The amplitude of the modulation current IMOD1 corresponds to an output power level of P1. The amplitude of the modulation current IMOD0 corresponds to an output power level of P0. The laser threshold current ITH has an amplitude that is sufficient to cause the laser to begin producing laser action (i.e., to emit stimulated radiation). The amplitude of the threshold current ITH needed to produce laser action varies due to factors such as, for example, temperature and aging. Due to these variations in the amplitude of ITH that is needed to produce lasing and variations in the slope efficiency (SE) of the laser, periodic adjustments are typically made to the amplitudes corresponding to IMOD1 and IMOD0 in order to maintain P0 and P1 at the necessary respective output power levels.
A variety of techniques have been used to control the amplitude of the modulation current. One known technique sets the amplitude of the modulation current at a level that achieves a desired extinction ratio (ER) or optical modulation amplitude (OMA) at a fixed temperature or time. The amplitude of the modulation current is then increased or decreased based on an analog temperature coefficient, or in a digital control system, based on a temperature measurement and/or on an aging timer. This technique generally provides suitable results if the laser SE variation is controlled well enough to maintain the ER/OMA and the laser performance within specifications. A disadvantage of this technique is that using a single temperature reference point means the adjustment to the amplitude of the modulation current is essentially based on a "guess" of changes of the SE in direction and amount based on statistical or other data. Because the change in the SE often is not linear and can change from positive to negative slope from one temperature to the next, it is difficult or impossible to determine the optimal adjustment in the amplitude of the modulation current. In addition, this technique can also limit laser yields because the SE and ITH limits need to be within sufficiently tight tolerances to guarantee that a suitable level of performance will be achieved without the necessity of testing each laser over temperature and customizing each laser based on the results of testing.
Another known technique involves measuring the amplitudes of the modulation current needed to maintain the required output power levels PAVG, P0 and P1 over a range of temperatures on a part-by-part or wafer-by-wafer basis. The amplitude values obtained during testing are programmed into a lookup table (LUT) memory element or other non-volatile memory element. A controller uses a temperature measurement value to index into the memory element and read out the corresponding amplitude value for the modulation current. The amplitude of the modulation current of the laser is then set to the value read out of the memory element. One disadvantage of this technique is that it requires over-temperature testing during manufacturing, which is very time consuming and expensive. In addition, it is difficult to factor in aging when using this technique, which means that the amplitude of the modulation current often will not be set to an optimal level.
Another known technique involves measuring ITH in situ by adjusting the modulation current amplitude while measuring the optical feedback signal produced by a low-bandwidth monitor photodiode and calculating the corresponding SE based on the low-speed feedback signal. The measured ITH and calculated SE are then used to calculate the amount of modulation current needed. An advantage of this technique is that the existing low-speed monitor photodiode feedback path is used. A disadvantage of this technique is that it requires a large amount of signal processing to be performed to make the necessary calculations, and is therefore computationally intensive. Another disadvantage is that the method is performed during module power up or module programming, and generally cannot be used while transmitting actual data.
A similar technique also uses the existing low-speed monitor photodiode feedback path to calculate SE, but also modulates a very small amplitude signal at low frequency on top of the IBIAS supplied to the laser. This low frequency signal is then extracted from the feedback signal, amplified and used to calculate SE. The calculated SE is then used to determine how to adjust the modulation current amplitude. This method can be used while transmitting actual data, but requires that high accuracy circuits such as amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs) be included in the feedback path. In addition, this technique also requires a significant amount of signal processing, and is therefore computationally intensive.
Another technique that has been proposed involves using a high-speed monitor diode in combination with an amplitude detector to monitor the output power level of the laser and adjust the amplitude of the modulation current to achieve the required output power level using an analog feedback loop. This technique requires an additional high-bandwidth feedback path for the amplitude detector, which makes obtaining stable operation extremely difficult. In addition, the performance of the amplitude detector can be significantly affected by temperature variations, which can lead to less than optimal performance. Also, the amplitude detector dissipates a large amount of power relative to the rest of the transmitter due to its high bandwidth and continuous operation. Because of these difficulties, this technique has been proposed, but not actually implemented. This technique and the present invention were commonly owned at the time of the present invention, and are currently owned, by the assignee of the present application, Avago Technologies, Inc.
It would be desirable to provide a way to monitor optical feedback at the rate at which the data is transmitted because it would enable direct measurements of the OMA and/or ER to be obtained, which then could be used to adjust the amplitudes of IBIAS and IMOD as needed to obtain the desired or optimum laser output power levels. As described above, using the low-speed feedback path provides data from which an inference can be made from as to how much to adjustment the amplitudes of IBIAS and IMOD. Because this inference is made from low speed or DC measurements, it often does not result in adjustments being made to the amplitudes of IMOD and IBIAS that provide the optimum or desired level of performance. Providing the ability to successfully use high-speed optical feedback to obtain direct measurements of OMA and ER could also eliminate the need to use complex signal processing algorithms or to perform calculations based on age, temperature measurements or DC information that is not 100% correlated. Accordingly, a need exists for a way to use high-speed optical feedback to obtain direct measurements that can be used to adjust the amplitudes of IBIAS and/or of IMOD to achieve the optimum or desired laser output power levels.

Method and apparatus for controlling output power levels of a laser used for optical data transmission based on data rate-speed optical feedback

Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


The invention relates to a method and a transmitter implementing the method, wherein signal errors caused by high-rate power control commands are eliminated. The invention is based on weighting a signal to be supplied to an amplifier while the gain of a power amplifier is in a transition state.

As wireless telecommunication systems become more and more common, the aim is to increase the performance of radio systems as close to a theoretical maximum as possible. In this development work, the dynamics of the transmission power of transmitters plays an important role. The required transmission power of a transmitter may change due to external reasons, such as a change in the radio transmission path between the radio transmitter and a receiver or when the radio transmitter starts or stops transmitting an active time slot.
Good transmission power dynamics of radio systems requires that the output power of power amplifiers of transmitters should be provided with a wide operating range. It is typical for the power amplifiers used in radio systems that high output power of a power amplifier provides good efficiency but, at the same time, the linearity of the power amplifier is reduced. A power amplifier operating at a good efficiency level thus causes non-linear distortion to an amplified signal or, alternatively, a power amplifier operating within a linear range operates at a poor efficiency level, wasting power.
In the prior art solutions, a transmitter may operate at two or more power levels that are determined according to the transmission power needed. The power levels are provided by changing the power of a signal supplied to the power amplifier, and simultaneously optimizing the operating point of the power amplifier in order to minimize power consumption. A drawback of the prior art solutions is the slow response of the element used for controlling the operating voltage of a power amplifier and the resulting delay in achieving the desired amplification of the power amplifier in proportion to the necessary rate of change in the transmission power. The delayed amplification of the power amplifier causes distortions in the amplified signal, impairing the performance of a radio system.

Method for controlling signal power in transmitter of radio system by weighting, and transmitter therefor


A fishing lure furnishing is provided, comprising a fishing lure body having an elongate member extending therefrom, wherein the fishing lure body comprises a first side having a non-planar contoured body surface and opposite thereto a second side having a planar body surface, wherein the fishing lure body comprises one or more first apertures disposed at a bottom portion of the fishing lure body; and one or more sets of hooks removably coupled to the fishing lure body, wherein each set of hooks comprises a plurality of hook segments coupled to one another, wherein each hook segment is coupled at a first end adjacent one or more coupling mechanisms disposed within the one or more apertures and terminates at a second end in a hemispherical shape, wherein the one or more coupling mechanisms detach from the lure body or one or more sets of hooks when a threshold amount of force is applied to the one or more coupling mechanisms.

Artificial fishing bait, such as fishing lures, are commonly used by anglers to attract and catch fish. Often, anglers manufacture or purchase specific fishing lure designs according to the type of fish being sought and/or the angler's aesthetic preferences. Such lures are produced with the aim of successfully catching a live fish and do not serve much of any other purpose. Given the artistic nature of the homemade fishing lure production process and the desire to incorporate the fishing lifestyle into one's everyday life, many anglers desire to enjoy their work and pastime even while not actively fishing.
Some anglers repurpose their favorite lures as home furnishings. However, such repurposing is not practical given the small form factor of the lures, the inability to easily arrange the lure within the home and the danger that the barbed hooks pose to residents of the home containing the lure furnishings. Typically, the lures are not visible enough as furnishings and do not allow for arrangement of the lure within the home in the manner in which the lure is most often used in practice—suspended horizontally in a fluid. The lure is rather placed upon an existing home object where it rests unappealingly or is suspended vertically via its fishing line eye where the barbed hooks remain a safety hazard for residents of the home and particularly for children or pets therein. Removal of the hooks takes away from the authenticity of the lure and grinding down of the hook ends can be tedious and dangerous.
It would be advantageous to provide a fishing lure furnishing having a form factor large enough for visibility as a furnishing, one or more hooks that are not a hazard to residents of the home having the furnishing, a coupling mechanism allowing the ability to be arranged in a realistic position relative its practical use and the ability to modularly produce various furnishings from a common lure template.
The present invention overcomes these obstacles by providing a fishing lure furnishing that may be produced via a mold of desired size to accommodate visibility of the furnishing, one or more hooks that may be made from a flexible material with hemispheric hook ends in place of a hook point/barb while the hooks may further comprise breakaway couplings to ensure any hook-related snags do not result in harm, a horizontal suspension mechanism allowing the furnishing to be suspended horizontally upon a wall or from a ceiling and a furnishing body that may be modularly utilized to create, for example, light switch cover furnishings, clock furnishings, picture frame furnishings, lampshade furnishings and the like.


A drive device with an electric motor with permanent magnets and a pole top more particularly for use with servo drives in motor vehicles. A relay is provided for switching the motor current with at least one electromagnet, which contains a relay coil and a relay armature, and with at least one relay contact. The relay is mounted in the pole top of the electric motor and the magnetic field lines of the electromagnets are closed through the permanent magnets and the pole top of the electric motor.

European Patent Publication No. 0 474 904 A1 discloses a commutator gear drive unit for the window lift drive of a motor vehicle wherein the motor shaft of the commutator motor is connected to a wormshaft of the gear unit and the commutator of the commutator motor is mounted in brush socket parts for the brush holder which are molded integrally on a flat conductor plate. The flat conductor plate has several structural elements serving to control the commutator motor, including two motor relays which serve to energize the motor winding for the following motor states: "resting", "turning right" and "turning left".
The motor relays take up a considerable amount of space on the conductor plate and thus substantially affect the structural size of the complete control unit. Owing to their close proximity to the electronic components of the conductor plate, electrical breakdowns may result from the switching processes of the motor relays. Accordingly, additional casings or circuitry are required which lead to a further increase in the structural size of the drive unit.
Relays having a tri-stable behaviour for controlling commutator motors for the motor states "resting", "turning right" and "turning left" are known. German Patent No. 32 43 266 C2 discloses a polarized relay which consists of two first yokes which have a U-shaped cross-section which are positioned with their short arms facing each other. The polarized relay also includes second smaller yokes which are enclosed at a distance by the first yokes. A permanent magnet having a magnetic axis running at right angles to the large faces the yokes is mounted between the first and second yokes. The second yokes furthermore enclose an exciter coil which encloses a rod-like armature which is displaceable in the direction of coil axis. The rod-like armature has two ends lying outside of the exciter coil which are formed as plates which are displaceable between the inner faces of the short arms of the first yokes forming pole faces, and the end faces of the second yokes.
The armature consists of two rod halves divided radially in the center of the exciter coil and between which a coil compression spring is mounted whose pretension is measured so that the plates of the armature in the current-less state of the exciter coil adjoin the pole faces of the short arms of of the armature in the current-less state of the exciter coil adjoin the pole faces of the short arms of the first yokes, whereas in the current-charged state of the exciter coil, one or the other plate adjoins the corresponding end faces of the second yokes, depending on the direction of the current flow.
German Patent Publication No. 35 46 382-A1 discloses a polarized electrical mini-relay which is designed as a two-way reverser relay. A leaf armature and reflux elements are mounted at each of the two free ends of a coil core. The leaf armatures are held by permanent magnets arranged in series and during excitation of the coil carry out a synchronized switching process.

Drive device with an electric motor and a relay switching the motor current


A bicycle saddle includes a saddle shell, a frame and two pneumatic cushions. The saddle shell has a relatively narrower front end and a relatively wider rear end. The frame has a relatively narrower front end connected to a bottom side of the front end of the saddle shell, and a relatively wider rear end located below the rear end of the saddle shell. The pneumatic cushions are spacedly disposed between a bottom side of the rear end of the saddle shell and the rear end of the frame. The pneumatic cushions each have an enclosed chamber that is filled with gas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bicycle saddle and more specifically, to a bicycle saddle that is equipped with two pneumatic cushions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Metal coil springs are widely used in the conventional bicycle saddles for absorbing the shock brought about by the bicycle in motion. The metal coil springs are generally disposed between the underside of the saddle shell and the supporting frame that is connected to the seat post of the bicycle. This conventional design is defective in that the coil springs are not effective in absorbing shock and too heavy. In addition, the metal coil springs are apt to make noise when the coil springs are compressed and decompressed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,710 discloses an improved bicycle saddle having two resilient members made of elastomeric material, such as polyurethane. U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,524 also discloses a bicycle saddle installed with two block bodies made of a plastic foam material, such as a microcellular polyurethane elastomer. The resilient members and the block bodies respectively disclosed in the aforementioned patents are more effective in absorbing shock and lighter in weight in comparison with the above-mentioned metal coil springs. Further, no noise is made when they are compressed and decompressed. However, since the resilient members and the block bodies are solid, their shock-absorbing effects are still insufficient and their weights are still too heavy.

Bicycle saddle having pneumatic cushions


A pickup system for an electrical musical instrument having strings includes two pickup windings to respond to playing of the strings. A third winding is included. A switch connects any of the three windings in electrical series with either of the remaining two windings so that any of three respective pairs of connected windings can be selected. The windings of each of the respective pairs are connected such that interference such as 60-hertz hum is canceled.

This invention relates generally to pickup systems for electrical musical instruments and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to switchable hum-canceling windings for electric guitars.
One technique for amplifying the sound of a stringed musical instrument uses electromagnetic pickups positioned beneath the strings of the instrument. Such pickups include one or more coils or windings of wire wrapped around one or more metallic cores or pole pieces which are themselves magnetic or which are magnetized by adjacent magnetic material. The strings of the instrument pass through the magnetic field and cause an electrical signal to be produced in the winding(s) when the strings vibrate within the magnetic field in response to being played. The produced electrical signals correspond to the notes played on the strings, and the electrical signals are electrically amplified and broadcast to create the amplified audible music.
Of particular relevance to the present invention is the single-coil pickup, which is a type of pickup that typically has a brighter tone than a conventional multiple-coil humbucker pickup. This single-coil type of pickup is known to have a shortcoming due to its tendency to respond not only to the adjacent string vibration but also to ambient electromagnetic interference. This interference arises from other electrical devices (e.g., lights, motors, transformers, etc.) in the area which are powered by conventional alternating current power (at a frequency of 60-hertz in the United States, for example). This produces distortion, such as a 60-hertz hum, in the amplified music.
Although this problem is well-known and despite various proposed or implemented solutions for canceling this hum, there is still the need for a hum-canceling pickup system which is relatively simple and inexpensive to implement yet which allows for different tonalities to be selected by the player and which also enables relatively high power output and which still retains the bright tonality of a single-coil pickup.

Electrical musical instrument pickup system including switchable series-connected hum-canceling windings


A non-volatile memory device may include a first semiconductor layer including a peripheral region, the peripheral region including one or more peripheral transistors on a lower substrate. The non-volatile memory device may further include a second semiconductor layer on the peripheral region, the second semiconductor layer including an upper substrate, the second semiconductor layer further including a memory cell array on the upper substrate. The upper substrate may include a first upper substrate on the first semiconductor layer, a first layer on the first upper substrate, and a second upper substrate on the first layer.

The inventive concepts relate to memory devices, and more particularly, to non-volatile memory devices and methods of fabricating the same.
Recently, along with the multi-functionalization of data communication devices, there are demands for increased capacity and higher integration of memory devices. As the memory cell size is reduced for high integration, operating circuits and/or wiring wires in memory devices for operations and electrical connections of the memory device are becoming more complex. Therefore, memory devices having excellent electrical characteristics with improved integration are demanded.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Non-volatile memory devices and methods of fabricating the same


The present invention is concerned is a target acquisition system for use in touch screen graphical user interface for selecting a desired target from a plurality of potential selectable targets, comprising means for defining a local region of interest (ROI) of predefined shape and area; means for, on contact of a finger of a user on the touch screen, allowing activation of the ROI; means for ordering the potential selectable targets within the ROI into a one-dimensional (1-D) ordered list; means for mapping movement of the finger on the touch screen; and means for selection of the desired target from the plurality of potential selectable targets. The system is configured to allow operation of the defining in step a), the activation in step b), the ordering in step c), the mapping in step d) and the selection in step e) in a single touch action.

Touch input is increasingly popular in the past decade due to the popularity of mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers. Although it is extremely convenient and intuitive to use our finger to interact with such devices as an input mechanism in place of a conventional mouse, it has one limitation. Human fingers have considerably large fingertip size, commonly referred to as the "fat finger" problem, making it a challenging task for at least some users to acquire small targets from dense target clusters due to two difficulties. First, the fat fingertip problem leads to low input precision. Second, it causes occlusion during target acquisition tasks. These two difficulties are particularly obvious when the screen size of the device is small.
The present invention seeks to overcome the aforementioned problem, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the public.

Target acquisition system for use in touch screen graphical interface


There is provided a motor control device for controlling a stepping motor having at least two coils. The motor control device includes a controller applies a pulse voltage being subjected to pulse width modulation to each of the coils and provides a stop period to a target coil being subjected to switching of a direction of the coil current, during which the application of the pulse voltage to the target coil is temporarily stopped. The controller also performs a control to set on-duty of the pulse voltage applied to all of the coils except the target coil to be either 100% or 0% during the stop period. An out-of step of the stepping motor is detected when a back electromotive voltage induced in the target coil during the stop period satisfies a predetermined out-of-step determination criterion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor control device and a method for detecting out-of-step and particularly to a motor control device for controlling a stepping motor and a method for detecting out-of-step in the stepping motor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A stepping motor is a motor which is driven in synchronous with pulsed power. The stepping motor is able to realize an accurate positioning control with a simple circuit configuration. For example, the stepping motor is used as an actuator for an air conditioning unit installed in a vehicle. In a usage of the stepping motor, it sometimes happen that synchronization between an input pulse signal and rotation of a motor is lost and thus the control of the stepping motor is disturbed when an excessive load or a sudden change in speed occurs. This state is referred to as "out-of-step."
Techniques for detecting the out-of-step of the stepping motor are disclosed in documents such as EP 1460757 A1, JP-A-2009-261045 and JP-A-2012-016221.
EP 1460757 A1 discloses an out-of-step detection technique to provide a stop period in a period of each step unit in a control signal of a stepping motor. In the stop period, supply of control signal is stopped only by a time short enough to not affect the rotation of the stepping motor. The technique disclosed in EP 1460757 A1 detects an out-of-step of the stepping motor by measuring a back electromotive voltage induced in a coil during the stop period.
JP-A-2009-261045 discloses a technique which allows a stepping motor to be used in the maximum torque and detects an out-of-step while the stepping motor is driven by the technique disclosed in EP 1460757 A1. In the solving means section of the Abstract of JP-A-2009-261045, a configuration is disclosed in which a means 5 for supplying a control current to coils 4 of each phase so as to drive a stepping motor 1 and a means for separately measuring back electromotive voltages (VA, VB) induced in each of the coils of each phase are used to stop the control current of the coils of the each phase in the order of each phase by a time t that is short enough not affecting the rotation of the stepping motor at a predetermined time (T1 to T6) during one step stepping of a rotor 3 of the stepping motor and to measure the back electromotive voltages during the stop. In this way, the out-of-step is detected when the measurement results in at least one phase coil meet a predetermined out-of-step determination criterion.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory views showing an operation of detecting an out-of-step of a motor according to a comparative example, which is disclosed in JP-A-2009-261045.
FIG. 8A is a time chart showing an A-phase control current. A circle shown on the right is an enlarged view of a part near time T1.
Time T1 to T6 indicates each time during one step stepping of a rotor of a stepping motor according to the comparative example.
Macroscopically, the A-phase control current flows in a positive direction at time 0 to T1, flows in a reverse direction at time T1 to T3 and flows in a positive direction at time T3 to T5.
Microscopically, the A-phase control current becomes zero over a time interval t near time T1. This time interval is often referred to as "energizing stop period." The motor control device detects an out-of-step by measuring a back electromotive voltage of the A-phase coil during the energizing stop period.
FIG. 8B is a time chart showing a B-phase control current. A circle shown on the right is an enlarged view of a part near time T4.
Time T1 to T6 indicates each time during 1 step stepping of the rotor of the stepping motor according to the comparative example.
Macroscopically, the B-phase control current flows in a positive direction at time 0 to T2, flows in a reverse direction at time T2 to T4 and flows in a positive direction at time T4 to T6.
Microscopically, the B-phase control current becomes zero over a time interval t near time T4. The motor control device detects an out-of-step by measuring a back electromotive voltage of the B-phase coil during the energizing stop period.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a part near time T1 in FIGS. 8A and 8B. In a waveform diagram of each phase control current, a solid line indicates a control current and a dashed line indicates a target current. In the comparative example, both the A-phase coil and the B-phase coil are controlled while the control current flowing through the A-phase coil and the B-phase coil is set to the target current value.
As shown in FIG. 9, when the A-phase control current is a positive value, a pulse voltage having a predetermined duty is applied to the A-phase coil.
During a time period in which the A-phase control current is zero, which corresponds to the energizing stop period, a back electromotive voltage is generated in the A-phase coil. An out-of-step of the stepping motor can be detected by the back electromotive voltage. At this time, a pulse voltage having a predetermined duty is applied to the B-phase coil. As shown by an ellipse labeled "D" in FIG. 9, noise generated in the on-off switching of energizing executed by a pulse width modulation (hereinafter, referred to as PWM) is superimposed on a waveform of a back electromotive voltage of the A-phase coil during the energizing stop.
In the object section of the Abstract of JP-A-2012-016221, it is disclosed that the detection precision of an out-of-step of a stepping motor is improved. In the solving means section of the Abstract of JP-A-2012-016221, a motor control device 10 is disclosed in which a controller applies a pulse voltage subjected to pulse width modulation to each of coils of a stepping motor 20. The stepping motor 20 includes at least two phase coils, through which coil currents having different phases flow, respectively, and a rotor configured to rotate by periodically switching a phase of the coil current flowing through each phase coil. A back electromotive voltage measuring unit 126 provides a stop period where the application of the pulse voltage to the coil is temporarily stopped when a direction of the coil current flowing through one phase coil is switched and measures a back electromotive voltage induced in the one phase coil during the stop period. An out-of-step detecting unit detects an out-of-step of the stepping motor 20 when the measured back electromotive voltage meets a predetermined out-of-step determination criterion. During the stop period, a voltage controller sets, to a fixed voltage, all coils other than the coil where the back electromotive voltage is measured

Motor control device and method for detecting out-of-step


This invention relates to a biotechnology invention concerning human phosphatidic acid phosphatase. More particularly, this invention relates to three variants of human phosphatidic acid phosphatase namely PAP-α(1 and 2), PAP-β and PAP-γ and uses thereof.

Phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP) (also referred to in the art as phosphatidate phosphohydrolase) is known to be an important enzyme for glycerolipid biosynthesis. In particular, PAP catalyzes the conversion of phosphatidic acid (PA) (also referred to in the art as phosphatidate) into diacylglycerol (DAG). DAG is an important branch point intermediate just downstream of PA in the pathways for biosynthesis of glycerophosphate-based phospholipids (Kent, Anal. Rev. Biochem. 64: 315–343, 1995).
In eukaryotic cells, PA, the precursor molecule for all glycerophospholipids, is converted either to CDP-diacylglycerol (CDP-DAG) by CDP-DAG synthase (CDS) or to DAG by phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP). In mammalian cells, CDP-DAG is the precursor to phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and cardiolipin (CL); whereas diacylglycerol is the precursor to triacylglycerol (TG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) in all eukaryotic cells. Therefore, the partitioning of phosphatidic acid between CDP-diacylglycerol and diacylglycerol is an important regulatory point in eukaryotic phospholipid metabolism (Shen et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271: 789–795, 1996).
In addition to being an important enzyme for glycerolipid biosynthesis, PAP is also an important enzyme for signal transduction. PAP catalyses the dephosphorylation of PA to DAG. DAG is a well-studied lipid second messenger which is essential for the activation of protein kinase C (Kent, Anal. Rev.Biochem. 64: 315–343, 1995); whereas PA itself is also a lipid messenger implicated in various signaling pathways such as NADPH oxidase activation and calcium mobilization (English, Cell Signal. 8: 341–347, 1996). The regulation of PAP activity can therefore affect the balance of divergent signaling processes that the cell receives in terms of PA and DAG (Brindley et al., Chem. Phys. Lipids 80: 45–57, 1996).
Various forms of PAP have been isolated in porcine (Kai et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271: 18931–18938, 1996) and rat species (Brindley et al., Chem. Phys. Lipids 80: 45–57, 1996). Furthermore, the putative amino acid sequence of murine PAP has been identified. Kai et al., supra. Prior to the instant invention, however, human PAP had not been identified or isolated.
Genes coding for PAP have been identified in E. coli (Dillon et al, J. Biol. Chem. 260: 12078–12083, 1985) and in mouse (Kai et al., J. Biol. Chem. 271: 18931–18938, 1996). Furthermore, the following GenBank human cDNA clones are available: accession nos. H17855, N75714, and W70040. No uses were known, however, for these polynucleotide sequences.
Accordingly, there is a need for the identification and isolation of human PAP and for methods of using human PAP, for example, for the dephosphorylation of a substrate.


A hub for mounting a steering wheel on a shaft includes a plastic injection molded frustum-shaped body having a generally planar upper surface of a predetermined first diameter and an opposed generally planar lower surface of a predetermined second diameter larger than the first diameter. The upper surface is adapted to receive a plurality of fasteners for attaching the steering wheel thereto. A mounting bore extends through the body between the upper surface and the lower surface, and defines an inner surface that is adapted to receive an end of the steering shaft.

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for mounting a steering wheel and, in particular, to a hub for mounting a steering wheel on a shaft.
Prior art mounting hubs, used for boats, golf carts, lawn tractors and the like, typically are mounted on a center shaft and the steering wheel is attached to the hub, generally using bolts or screws. The mounting hub is typically constructed of a cast metal material such as aluminum and the center shaft is typically constructed of a steel alloy. These prior art cast metal mounting hubs have disadvantages in that the mounting hub is subject to corrosion, particularly in a salt water environment. The corrosion occasionally freezes the mounting hub onto the center shaft, making it impossible to remove or, in a worst case scenario, can result in failure of the steering wheel hub.
The prior art cast metal mounting hub is heavy and disadvantageously requires painting for appearance purposes after being manufactured. In addition, the prior art mounting hub often requires a secondary manufacturing process whereby threads are inserted into the cast metal mounting hub to accept a bolt or screw to attach the steering wheel thereto. Alternatively, the prior art hub requires an inefficient assembly process where the steering wheel is bolted onto the mounting hub.
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a hub for mounting a steering wheel on a shaft that is lightweight, is corrosion resistant, is cost effective to manufacture, and does not require painting after being manufactured.


A rotating-machine test fixture includes a base, a flexible member and a wedge member. The base includes a longitudinal axis and receives a rotating machine so that an axis of rotation of the rotating machine is aligned in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The flexible member includes a first end attached to the base at a first location and a second end slidably attached to the base at a second location to hold the received rotating machine against the base. The wedge member is coupled to the base and moves in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base. The wedge member may be selectably positioned between the received rotating machine and the base to align the axis of rotation of the rotating machine to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base.

Rotating machines, such as alternators and starter motors, are used in vehicles. Alternators are typically driven by a belt that is driven by the engine of a vehicle. When rotated, alternators supply electrical power that may be used in the vehicle and/or engine. Alternators are typically removable, but are rigidly mounted via a bracket to the block of the engine or the chassis of the vehicle. Starter motors are electrical motors that are typically removable, and rigidly mounted to an engine or transmission casing, and that have an electrically driven pinion gear extending from the starter motor to engage a component, such as gears on a flywheel of the engine in order to be able to rotate the crank shaft and start the engine. It is often desirable to test alternators and/or starter motors on a test bench at a location where the alternators and/or starter motors have been removed from the vehicle. Such testing, for example, may be desirable before installing a new alternator or starter, or may be desirable when removing an existing alternator or starter for testing to diagnose vehicle problems. When testing an alternator, it is desirable to be able to attach a belt to the pulley of the alternator and drive the alternator belt with a motor so that the alternator is securely, but removably mounted, and so that a belt may be tensioned. When testing starter motors, the starter motor is typically connected to a device that provides power to the starter motor so that the motor may be selectively operated. In such situations, it is desirable to be able to securely hold the alternator or the starter motor in place in a convention location during testing.

Alternator and starter motor test fixture


A down-hole assembly used to locate an existing window in a main cased well bore and guide equipment through the window and into a lateral well bore after removal of a whip stock. The assembly includes a running tool with a convex section detachably connected to a concave section of a guide member. The running tool includes a window locator that locates the window. The guide member includes an inclined or wedge shaped portion for guiding tools or equipment through the window and into the lateral well bore so that remedial work can be carried out.

In the exploration for oil and gas, a main well bore is drilled and cased. The well bore may be a vertical or horizontal well. It is often necessary to drill one or more lateral wells off of the main well bore. These lateral wells are usually drilled to increase production from the producing zone or enter new zones which may contain a hydrocarbon reservoir. To drill a lateral well, a whip stock is run into the main well bore on a work string and anchored at a location where the lateral well is to be drilled. The upper end of the whip stock has an inclined face. A milling bit on a tubular is diverted by the whip stock's inclined face into the casing wall where a window or opening in the casing is made for a lateral exit from the main well bore. The whip stock may be removed from the well bore after the lateral has been completed.
After removal of the whip stock, the need may arise to reenter a lateral well to clean it out or conduct remedial work. The present invention provides a reliable, cost-effective means to locate and reenter a lateral well bore after the whip stock has been removed from the main well bore.

Lateral well locator and reentry apparatus and method


A sheet cartridge includes: a label sheet having plural label portions temporarily attached at a predetermined label pitch to a long backing sheet, and plural label position detection target portions provided at a detection target end portion that is one end in a direction of width of the backing sheet and configured to detect a print start position and a cutting position for the each label portion; and a cartridge case which accommodates the label sheet that is wound, in such a way that the label sheet can be reeled off, and in which a detection opening for exposing the each label position detection target portion for detection is formed.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a sheet cartridge, a label creation apparatus and a control method for a label creation apparatus, configured to print on each label portion while feeding a label sheet having plural label portions provided on a long backing sheet like a die cut label sheet, and to cut the label sheet on rear side of each printed label portion.
2. Related Art
According to the related art, a label creation apparatus is known which includes: a cartridge loading section where a sheet cartridge accommodating a label sheet having plural label portions provided on a long backing sheet is loaded; a feeding section which reels off and feeds the label sheet from the sheet cartridge; a printing section which performs printing on each label portion of the label sheet that is sequentially fed within the sheet cartridge; a cutting section which cuts the backing sheet on rear side in a feeding direction with respect to each printed label portion that is fed out of the sheet cartridge; a detection section which is provided downstream in the feeding direction from the cutting section and detects passage of each label position detection target portion of the label sheet that is sequentially fed; and a control section which controls the printing section based on the detection of the passage of each label position detection target portion by the detection section so as to start printing on each label portion from a planned print start target position, and also controls the feeding section based on the detection of the passage of each label position detection target portion by the detection section so that the backing sheet is cut at a planned cutting target position with respect to each label portion (see, for example, JP-A-2011-178147).
For the label sheet accommodated in the sheet cartridge of such a label creation apparatus, it is preferable that the space between the planned cutting target position for each label portion and the planned print start target position for the subsequent label portion (cut-print space) is set to the shortest possible length in order to reduce the space between label portions and thus increase the number of label portions per unit length. This cut-print space needs to be equivalent to at least the separation distance between the printing section and the cutting section in the feeding direction in the label creation apparatus, plus the distance by which the label sheet is fed until each label position detection target portion reaches the detection section after the feeding is started (detection feed distance).
However, if the detection section is provided downstream in the feeding direction from the cutting section, as in the related-art technique, the detection feed distance is longer by that amount (see FIG. 10 of JP-A-2011-178147). Therefore, the cut-print space becomes longer and the space between label portions becomes longer.
Thus, in order to reduce the detection feed distance, providing the detection section between an outlet of the sheet cartridge and the cutting section may be considered. However, with such a configuration, the separation distance between the printing section and the cutting section is increased in order to secure the installation space for the detection section. Therefore, the cut-print space cannot be reduced after all.

Sheet cartridge, label creation apparatus, and control method for label creation apparatus


The present invention aims at providing a pressure sensor having excellent reliability in sealing a pressure reference chamber and a method for manufacturing the pressure sensor. A movable electrode is formed on an opposing surface side of a diaphragm formed on a pressure-receiving substrate, and an opposing electrode is formed on a region opposing the movable electrode on an opposing substrate. From the movable electrode, a conductive film, and a terminal wire on an inner surface of a through-hole are arranged as conductive wires (lead wires). In addition, from the opposing electrode, a lead wire, a conductive film opposing the lead wire and constructing a contact point, a conductive film and a terminal wire of a castellation are arranged as conductive wires. The pressure-receiving substrate and the opposing substrate are anodically bonded together via the conductive films and, and a specific region including the opposing surface side of the diaphragm is sealed.

Conventionally, as a pressure sensor detecting pressure from the amount of deformation of a diaphragm, there is a pressure sensor as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The pressure sensor according to the document has a structure in which a silicon substrate having the diaphragm functioning as a movable electrode and a glass substrate are bonded together and thereby a surface side of the diaphragm is sealed as a pressure reference chamber.
The diaphragm flexes or deforms due to the reflection of a pressure difference between an external pressure and a reference pressure in the pressure reference chamber under a use environment, whereby the diaphragm is in a state of contacting with a dielectric layer on the glass substrate. Under the dielectric layer of the glass substrate is formed an opposing electrode, so that a function as the pressure sensor is performed by detecting the contact area change dependent on the external pressure as a change of interelectrode capacitance. The pressure sensor having such a structure is called a touch-mode capacitive type pressure sensor and has high detectivity and high-voltage tolerance.
Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-214058
In the above-described pressure sensor, bonding of the silicon substrate and the glass substrate can be performed by anodic bonding. Compared with bonding using a bonding material (such as a wax material), the anodic bonding is suitable to appropriately adjust the reference pressure in the pressure reference chamber because it is not accompanied by generation of gas, as well as it is a method suitable to exactly define a gap between the movable electrode and the opposing electrode (dielectric layer).
However, anodic bonding is a technique requiring high flatness of bonded surfaces and has a problem that it is difficult to obtain a good bonding strength when the flatness is insufficient. Nevertheless, in the structure of the above-described pressure sensor, since a conductive wire for capacitance detection is led out so as to traverse a bonded region from the pressure reference chamber, a level difference equivalent to a film thickness of the conductive wire is produced on the bonded surfaces. Thus, it is difficult to perform a reliable sealing of the pressure reference chamber by anodic bonding.

Pressure sensor and method for manufacturing pressure sensor


A vacuum cup is disclosed for use in a programmable motion device. The vacuum cup includes an open inlet for coupling to a vacuum source, and a vacuum cup lip on a portion of the vacuum cup that generally surrounds the open inlet. The vacuum cup lip includes an inner surface that defines the open outlet through which a vacuum may be provided, and includes noise mitigation features on an outer surface of the vacuum cup lip.

The invention generally relates to programmable motion systems and relates in particular to end-effectors for programmable motion devices (e.g., robotic systems) for use in object processing such as object sortation or order fulfillment.
End-effectors for robotic systems may be employed, for example, in certain applications to select and grasp an object, and then move the acquired object very quickly to a new location. End-effectors should be designed to quickly and easily select and grasp an object from a jumble of dissimilar objects, and should be designed to securely grasp an object during movement. Certain end-effectors, when used on different objects of different physical sizes, weights and materials, may have limitations regarding how securely they may grasp an acquired object during rapid movement, particularly rapid acceleration and deceleration (both angular and linear).
Many end-effectors employ vacuum pressure for acquiring and securing objects for transport and/or subsequent operations by robotic systems that include articulated arms. Other techniques for acquiring and securing objects involve electrostatic attraction, magnetic attraction, needles for penetrating objects such as fabrics, fingers that squeeze an object, hooks that engage and lift a protruding feature of an object, and collets that expand in an opening of an object, among other techniques.
In applications where vacuum pressure is used to acquire and secure objects, an end-effector may include a vacuum cup having a compliant lip that contacts the object to be grasped. The compliant lip may be formed of a polymeric or elastomeric material that is flexible enough to allow it to adapt to variations in surface structures. The lip may facilitate creating a seal with a surface despite irregularities such as bumps and texture on the surface. The flexibility allows the vacuum cup to conform to the shape of objects or to wrap around corners of objects to create an adequate seal for acquiring and securing the object.
When a good seal is not created between a flexible vacuum cup and an object however, (due for example, to the nature of the product or because the vacuum cup is overhanging an edge of the object), the portion of the lip of the vacuum cup that is not well sealed may contribute to making noise, sometimes a substantial amount of noise, and the noise level may be above safe limits if human personnel are in close proximity to the programmable motion device. Other types of end-effectors, however, including vacuum cups with less flexible lips (in addition to those using electrostatic attraction, magnetic attraction, needles for penetrating objects such as fabrics, fingers that squeeze an object, hooks that engage and lift a protruding feature of an object, and collets that expand in an opening of an object), are less effective at acquiring and moving a wide variety of objects.
There remains a need therefore, for an end-effector system in a programmable motion system that may select and grasp any of a wide variety of objects, and then move the acquired objects very quickly to a new location while not producing an unacceptable level of noise.

Systems and methods for providing, in programmable motion devices, compliant end effectors with noise mitigation


A device of the present invention obtains a character string of a speech recognition result and a confidence factor thereof. A time monitor monitors time and determines whether or not processing is delayed by checking the confidence factor and time status. When the processing is not delayed, a checker is asked to perform manual judgment. In this event, speech is processed and the manual judgment of the speech recognition result is performed on the basis of the processed speech. When the processing is delayed, automatic judgment is performed by use of the confidence factor. When the character string is judged to be correct as a result of the manual judgment or the automatic judgment, the character string is displayed as a confirmed character string. When the character string is judged to be incorrect, automatic correction is performed by matching on the basis of a next candidate obtained by the speech recognition, texts and attributes of the presentation, a script text, and the like. Character string after the automatic correction is displayed as an unconfirmed character string.

The present invention relates to a caption correction device. Particularly, the present invention relates to a device, a method, a program and the like for correcting, in real time, a caption for a speech recognition result of a presentation or the like.
In recent years, provision of captions for information transmitted through speech has been actively encouraged in order to secure accessibility for people with hearing disabilities, seniors and the like. It is also conceivable that there is a substantial need to provide captions for speech in presentations or the like. As conventional methods of providing such captions, the following two typical methods can be cited.
Respeak
A Respeak is a method in which a speaker in the middle respeaks speech made by an actual speaker toward a speech recognition system while listening to the speech. Since the respeaker in the middle is specially trained, he/she can respeak the speech at a high recognition rate even in such a difficult situation.
Stenography
A Stenography is a method in which, generally, a few people take tarns to input contents provided by a speaker while summarizing the contents.
However, it is conceivable that such manual provision of captions is unlikely to spread due to its high cost per unit time. For this reason, many methods have been proposed of creating captions in real time by using a speech recognition technique. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Official Gazette No. Hei 6 (1994)-141240 discloses a technique for creating captions by speech recognition using a method of deciding optimum assumptions in production of TV programs, and the like. Moreover, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Official Gazette No. 2001-092496 discloses a technique for improving a speech recognition rate by 2-pass processing. On the other hand, techniques have been disclosed for supporting operations of checking and correcting speech recognition results, which are manually performed by a checker (judge), without relying solely on the speech recognition (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Official Gazette Nos. 2003-316384, 2004-151614 and 2005-258198).
Generally, in speech recognition, desired recognition rates cannot necessarily be obtained in reality. For example, according to information from a certain demonstration experiment field, a recognition rate of at least 85%, preferably, 90% is required for real-time captions. A recognition rate of 85% may be achieved solely by the speech recognition. However, in reality, the recognition rate is heavily dependent on various conditions. For this reason, it is a reality that a sufficient recognition rate cannot be achieved in many cases.
For example, a result of a certain demonstration experiment shows as follows. The average recognition rate is 81.8% (range: 73.4% to 89.2%.) In addition, a probability that the recognition rate exceeds 85% is 27%, and a probability that the recognition rate exceeds 90% is 0%.
Furthermore, other than the problem associated with the recognition rate, there are also many problematic cases as follows. Words included in speech made by a speaker are erroneously converted into discriminatory expressions, provocative expressions and the like, which are not intended by the speaker, by the speech recognition in the same manner. For example, "JI-TTAI" which means an entity is erroneously converted into "JI-I-TAI" which means own dead body, or the like. Then those expressions are displayed as captions without being corrected, causing a problem.
Moreover, for the speech recognition, handling of proper names is very important. For this reason, many systems have a dictionary registration function. However, there is a case where, when several words are registered, words have the same sound, but are written in different Chinese characters from one another. In this case, it is often hard to judge which one of the words is intended, and incorrect conversion is carried oat. For example, for the name "Yasuko", it is not at all uncommon that a plurality of candidates are registered as different proper names that have the same sound, as is the case with "Brown" and "Browne" that have the same sound but different spells. Similarly, such systems are surely provided with functions for registration and setting of forms such as numerical values as well. However, the registration is performed in a single uniform way. Accordingly, there is no way of judging, word by word, which one of the forms is intended by the speaker in the case of free speech.
The methods as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Official Gazette Nos. Hei 6 (1994)-141240 and 2001-092496 depend solely on the speech recognition result, and do not include a method of checking by humans, a method of correcting incorrect recognition or the like. Accordingly, it is conceivable that the methods are less effective in handling the provocative expressions and discriminatory expressions not intended by the speaker.
Moreover, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Official Gazette No. 2003-316384 discloses the following method. Specifically, when speech is made by a speaker, the speech is converted into a text. A checker judges whether or not each word included in the converted text is incorrect. Thereafter, when a word is judged to be incorrect, the judgment is presented to the speaker. Then the speaker is urged to repeat the speech over and over again until the speech is correctly transcribed. However, this method places a burden on the speaker. Furthermore, from the technical perspective, no matter how many times the words not correctly transcribed are repeated, it is not necessarily that those words are correctly transcribed in the end. For this reason, overhead on the speaker increases, and thereby a problem concerning the real-time characteristic also remains.
Furthermore, in the method as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Official Gazette No. 2004-151614, it is conceivable that problems still remain of the real-time characteristic and costs since check and correction are all manually performed.
Meanwhile, the method of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Official Gazette No. 2005-258198 discloses a device for setting the timing of displaying predetermined contents of speech in synchronization with reproduction of the speech. However, a method of achieving real-time caption display is not disclosed.
As described above, there are many problems in production and correction of real-time captions. Problems to be solved by the present invention are as follows.
Specifically, the first problem to be solved by the present invention is concerning the real-time characteristic. As the solution of this problem, the present invention provides a caption display system which can display captions generated by converting speech into characters, in real time (in other words, within maximum allowable delay time.) In addition, the second problem to be solved by the present invention is concerning the cost. As the solution of this problem, the present invention provides a caption display system which uses a method less expensive than conventional methods such as the respeak and the stenography. Moreover, the third problem to be solved by the present invention is concerning the speech recognition. As the solution of this problem, in the present invention, keyword matching is performed so as to further improve understanding compared with the case of performing the simple speech recognition. By performing the keyword matching, incorrect conversions of discriminatory and provocative expressions not intended by a speaker and incorrect conversions of proper names and forms, are avoided as much as possible, compared with the case of performing the simple speech recognition.

Correction of a caption produced by speech recognition