In a prediction model generating apparatus 1, data obtaining unit 11 obtains text data; variable group classifying unit 12 classifies the data into a plurality of variable groups; variable scoring unit 13 scores the data of at least one of the plurality of variable groups by associating that data with the data of another group; variable input unit 14 takes the data of the scored group as a response variable, and the data of the other group associated with the scored group as an explaining variable, and inputs those data to machine learning unit 15. The machine learning unit 15 generates, through machine learning, a prediction model predicting the response variable from the explaining variable.

With respect to travel, techniques for recommending various travel details have been developed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique that enables useful information to be provided to a traveler during a trip without requiring requests, location information, and so on from an information terminal carried by the traveler.

Prediction model generating apparatus, travel suitability predicting apparatus, prediction model generating method, travel suitability predicting method, program, and recording


Provided is a release coating composition including a combination of branched polyorganosiloxanes. The first branched siloxane in the combination is an MDQ siloxane of unit formula: (R13SiO1/2)a(R2R12SiO1/2)b(R12SiO2/2)c(SiO4/2)d, a≥0, b>0, c≤995, and d>0. The second branched siloxane in the combination is an MDT silsesquioxane of unit formula: (R13SiO1/2)e(R2R12SiO1/2)f(R12SiO2/2)g(R1SiO3/2)h, e≥0, f>0, g≤995, and h>0. Each R1 is independently a monovalent hydrocarbon group free of aliphatic unsaturation and each R2 is an aliphatically unsaturated hydrocarbon group. The release coating composition further includes a crosslinker having at least 3 silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule, a platinum group metal catalyst and an inhibitor.

Silicone release coatings are useful in applications where relatively non-adhesive surfaces are required. Single sided liners, such as backing papers for pressure sensitive adhesive labels, are usually adapted to temporarily retain the labels without affecting the adhesive properties of the labels. Double sided liners, such as interleaving papers for double sided and transfer tapes, are used to protect the self-adhesive tapes.
Known silicone release coatings suffer from the drawback that if a release coating composition is formulated to have desirable ultra-low release force, the coating may suffer from migration.

Polyorganosiloxane release coating and method for its preparation and use


A DC-coupled buffer is provided with two switch transistors controlled by a delayed version of an output signal for the DC-coupled buffer. A first one of the switch transistors functions to cut off a current discharged into ground that would otherwise flow while an input signal for the DC-coupled buffer is discharged. A remaining second one of the switch transistors functions to increase the operating speed of the DC-coupled buffer.

The power supply voltage for digital cores has decreased as transistor dimensions shrink. But input/output (I/O) legacy standards typically use higher power supply voltages. If a core signal must be transmitted to external circuits, it is thus conventional to level-shift the signal from the internal power supply voltage to an I/O power supply voltage. An example of such a signal would be a clock signal from a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) controlled in a phase-locked loop. A clock buffer for the clock signal not only buffers the clock signal but level-shifts it from the internal power supply voltage to the I/O power supply voltage.
The clock buffering and level shifting may be performed using a number of alternative architectures. For example, the input clock signal drives an internal node through a capacitor and a resistor in an alternating current (AC)-coupled buffer. The resulting passive devices in an AC-coupled buffer decrease density. Moreover, the time constant for the resistor-capacitor (RC) combination limits the frequency range for an AC-coupled buffer. To avoid the need for passive devices and the associated frequency limitations of an AC-coupled buffer, it is known to use a direct current (DC)-coupled buffer. An example DC-coupled buffer 100 is shown in FIG. 1. DC-coupled buffer 100 resides within an input/output (I/O) power domain powered by an I/O power supply voltage VDDH. An inverter for inverting an input clock signal Vin to form a complement or inverted clock signal Vin_b resides within an internal power domain powered by an internal power supply voltage VDDL that is lower than the I/O power supply voltage VDDH.
The inverted clock signal Vin_b drives a gate of a first pull-down NMOS transistor M1 having a source tied to ground. The drain of the first pull-down transistor M1 will thus be pulled low when the input clock signal Vin is low. The drain of first pull-down transistor M1 is tied to a current mirror terminal 120 for a current mirror formed by a diode-connected PMOS transistor P1 and a current-mirror PMOS transistor P2. In particular, a drain and a gate of diode-connected PMOS transistor P1 form a current mirror terminal 120, which is also tied to the gate of current-mirror transistor P2. The sources of transistors P1 and P2 are tied to a power rail for the I/O power supply voltage VDDH. The discharge of the drain for first pull-down transistor M1 will thus switch on diode-connected transistor P1 to conduct a current that is mirrored by current-mirror transistor P2.
The drain of current-mirror transistor P2 is tied to the drain of a second pull-down NMOS transistor M2 having a source connected to ground. The input clock signal Vin drives the gate of second pull-down transistor M2 such that second pull-down transistor M2 will be off when the inverted input clock signal Vin_b is high (charged to VDDL). The current conducted by current-mirror transistor P2 will thus charge an internal node 110 in response to a falling edge for the input clock signal Vin. An inverter 115 inverts the voltage of internal node 110 to drive an output clock signal Vout. The output clock signal Vout will thus be discharged low to ground in response to the falling edge of the input clock signal Vin. In response to a rising edge of the input clock signal Vin, second pull-down transistor M2 switches on to pull node 110 low so that inverter 115 charges the output clock signal Vout high to VDDH. Although DC-coupled buffer 100 does not need any passive devices and does not have the frequency restrictions of an AC-coupled buffer, the serial combination of diode-connected transistor P1 and first pull-down transistor M1 discharges current into ground while the input clock signal Vin is low. In addition, the response of the output clock signal Vout to the rising edge of the input clock signal Vin is slowed by a struggle between current-mirror transistor P2 and second pull-down transistor M2 because current-mirror transistor P2 will still be on at the rising edge transition of the input clock signal Vin and will thus slow the discharge of internal node 110. DC-coupled buffer 100 thus has relatively high power consumption and reduced operating speed.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a DC-coupled level-shifting clock buffer with reduced power consumption and increased operating speed.

High-speed low-power level-shifting clock buffer


A multi-chip package with signal line compression for testing of the multi-chip package. The multi-chip package includes an interposer and two or more integrated circuits attached to the interposer. The interposer includes multiple data signal lines for data communications between the two integrated circuits. The data signal lines are also coupled to one or more test contacts through an interface circuit. The number of test contacts is smaller than the number of signal lines, which allows a large number of signal lines to be tested with a smaller number of test contacts.

The present disclosure relates to multi-chip packages, and more specifically a multi-chip package including an interposer that allows efficient testing of integrated circuits (IC) disposed thereon.
A common trend in modern electronics is for each new generation of devices to become increasingly smaller and lighter. One of the technologies used to meet these requirements is multi-chip packaging. A multiple chip-package or multi-chip module is an electronic package where multiple ICs or discrete components are packaged together on a unifying interposer. A multi-chip package has the advantage of integrating several different functions into a single, dense, space-saving package.
Multi-chip packages and their components may be tested at various stages in the manufacturing process to ensure proper functionality. For example. ICs may be tested by their vendors before they are attached to a multi-chip package to improve package yield. Additionally, heat stress during package assembly may introduce additional failures even if the ICs are known good parts. Thus multi-chip packages may also be tested after assembly of the package to identify failing parts. Testing can range from simple contact tests verifying that an IC is correctly attached to the interposer and that the chip I/O is functional to complex test patterns verifying full functionality of an IC (e.g., full memory array test of a memory chip). The contact tests for verifying proper connectivity become increasingly important for ICs that have a wide I/O interface.

Multi-chip package and interposer with signal line compression


A bonding apparatus according to the present invention bonds a semiconductor chip to a conductive member in the face-down style without heating the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip which consists essentially of silicon is placed on leads which are put on a TAB tape. A glass plate member is mounted on the semiconductor chip. An infrared light beam is irradiated onto the semiconductor chip from above the semiconductor chip. Transmitted by the semiconductor chip, the infrared light beam illuminates bumps. As a result, the bumps heat up and melt. Since the semiconductor chip does not absorb the infrared light beam, bonding of the semiconductor chip to the leads does not cause a rise in temperature of the semiconductor chip. The bonding apparatus according to the present invention makes the face-down style bonding possible.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved technique for bonding a semiconductor chip to a conductive member such as a lead and a land pattern.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An apparatus 1 such as that shown in FIG. 1 is widely used to bond a semiconductor chip to a conductive lead by the TAB bonding method.
The apparatus 1 includes a pressure tool 7 which houses a heating mechanism, and a pedestal 6. Bonding using the apparatus 1 involves mounting a semiconductor chip 2 on the pedestal 6 and placing leads 4 on bumps 3 in registry therewith. A TAB tape TP is formed by an insulation tape 5 and the leads 4 adhered on the insulation tape 5. With the semiconductor chip 2 mounted on the pedestal 6 and the leads 4 registered onto the bumps 3, the heated pressure tool 7 pushes the leads 4 downwards. The heat of the pressure tool 7 flows to the bumps 3, thereby melting the bumps 3. The melted bumps 3 then cools down and hardens. As a result, the semiconductor chip 2 is bonded to the leads 4.
Although the bumps 3 are exaggerated regarding the thickness in FIG. 1, in reality, the bumps 3 are quite thin. Hence, when the semiconductor chip 2 is pushed downwards by the heated pressure tool 7, top surface of the semiconductor chip 2 is spaced from the bottom face of the pressure tool 7 by substantially no distance. Due to this, the conventional bonding process as above permits the heat of the tool 7 to be transferred in a considerable amount to the semiconductor chip 2 via the leads 4 and the bumps 3.
This in turn causes the temperature of the semiconductor chip 2 to jump up, which will deteriorate electrical and other characteristics of the semiconductor chip 2.
Further, bonding using the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 requires that the semiconductor chip 2 is placed below the leads 4, i.e., in a face-up relation to the leads 4. This is because if the leads 4 are placed below the semiconductor chip 2, heat of the tool 7 will have to pass through the semiconductor chip 2 on the way to the bumps 3 and will inevitably cause an enormous increase in temperature of the semiconductor chip 2.
For the reason immediately above, it is not a practical choice to bond the semiconductor chip 2 with its bonding surface down, i.e., in the face-down style, by the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.


There is provided a method for controlling bio-slimes in a clean circulating water system through a physical-chemical-superconducting high gradient magnetic separation coupling process. An inorganic composite flocculant is added to circulating water to gather Zoogloea in the circulating water with micro-nano particles in hydrosol through demulsification to form alum floc. The resulting water passes through a superconducting high gradient magnetic separation system. A magnetic field strength of the superconducting high gradient magnetic separation system and flow rate of the circulating water are controlled to generate strong magnetic flocculation to allow floc to grow, such that the Zoogloea in the circulating water wraps the micro-nano particles to separate the Zoogloea from water.

High-temperature equipment is commonly used in most industries, and the circulating cooling of such equipment is often required. For an open recirculating cooling system, during its operation, a growing number of suspended micro-nano particles are generated in the cooling tower because of suction under negative pressure and increased cycles of concentration, which provides favorable conditions for the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and algae, contributing to formation of bio-slimes.
The formed bio-slimes greatly affects the normal, continuous and stable operation of the recirculating cooling system, which is a worldwide problem. Especially for the open recirculating cooling system, the bio-slimes will not only aggravate the corrosion, causing equipment damage and production stoppage, but also increase the resistance of water delivery and the pressure of the pump, increasing the operating cost of the motor and reducing energy efficiency. Moreover, the bio-slimes adhere to tube walls, which easily causes the blockage of the heat exchange tube and the cooling tower filler, increasing the heat transfer resistance, lowering the mass-transfer efficiency and increasing energy and water consumption.
Currently, the common clean circulating water treatment method employs the water treatment agents such as cleaning agents, pre-filming agents, dispersing agents, scale and corrosion inhibitors, bactericides and algicides, and slime stripping agents, which have high cost-efficiency and good affinity. Among these water treatment agents, the bactericides and algicides and the slime stripping agents are most commonly used to control the bio-slimes. However, the continuous addition of oxidizing bactericides and algicides and the slime stripping agents will make the bacteria and algae in the circulating water be resistant to these agents. Meanwhile, the water treatment agents remaining in the water adversely affect the long-term and stable operation of the recirculating cooling system, and increase the operation cost.

Method for controlling bio-slimes in a clean circulating water system through a physical-chemical-superconducting high gradient magnetic separation coupling process

University of Science and Technology Beijing


A baseball game is made realizable in an environment difficult to achieve with a dedicated game apparatus and a joy stick for such an apparatus. When a player team is at bat, the positioning point of the bat of a batter character relative to a ball character and the batting action of the batter character are determined by manipulating a mouse 22, while, when the player team is in the field, the pitching action and the pitch course for the ball character displayed moving from a pitcher character toward the batter character are determined by manipulating the mouse 22, and upon the end of the game, the particulars of the game results and the particulars of the batting results and pitching results of the player team are uploaded to a recording unit 42 in a server system 16 connected via a network 12 to computers 14.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium whereon a game procedure control program is recorded, to a server provided with that recording medium, and to a game procedure control method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, competitive games such as tennis, soccer, and baseball have come to be widely played on the monitors of programmed computer apparatuses. The content of such games is very diverse, but commonly, in almost all cases, a player (a game player) uses a control input device to control the behavior of a player character, and a score is awarded on the basis of how aptly the player character behaved toward a ball put in play by a competitor character controlled by the computer apparatus or a human game opponent. In the case of a baseball game, for example, scoring is based on how well a batter character that is the player character hits back a ball thrown by a pitcher character that is the competitor character.
The particulars of the control inputs made at such time by the player mainly include determinations of the position and attitude of the batter character, bat type selection, bat adjustment, and bat swing timing, swing position, and swing angle, etc. In order to effect such control inputs as these, a control input device connected to the main unit of the computer apparatus is usually used. This control input device is generally made so that it detects amounts of displacement in the X-coordinate direction and Y-coordinate direction input by the player, specifies some two-dimensional coordinate position, and communicates that specified coordinate position to the main unit of the computer apparatus. The position and so forth of the batter character are effected by specifying this coordinate position. Also, a timing signal is generated when a switch is depressed at some time, with provision made so that that timing signal is communicated to the main unit of the computer apparatus. The bat swing timing is determined by that timing signal.
Largely categorized, there are two types of computer apparatuses, namely those specially made for games, such as dedicated game apparatuses, and those which can handle a wide range of applications, such as personal computers. In the case of the former, an analog joy stick, digital joy stick, or controller on which such are mounted is used for the control input device. An analog joy stick has sensors deployed at the base end of a projecting member of a prescribed size for outputting X coordinates and Y coordinates as analog values, so that, when a player manipulates the projecting member by tilting same with his or her fingers, any coordinate position in a two-dimensional area can be designated in accordance with the amount of that tilt. A digital joy stick usually has cross-shaped keys that have sensors (or switches) for eliciting coordinates in various directions, namely up, down, left, and right, made so that, when a player continually depresses one or two keys, any coordinate position in a two-dimensional area can be designated.
The control input device for a personal computer, on the other hand, is generally a pointing device such as a mouse, portable trackball, or portable slide pad, etc. Of these, both the mouse and the portable trackball each have a pair of sensors for detecting amounts of displacement in the X coordinate and Y coordinate, respectively, and a ball member that simultaneously drives both sensors. These devices are made so that, by rolling the ball member in a target direction, either directly by the player""s hand or indirectly via the surface of the desk, a coordinate position in a two-dimensional area can be designated. The slide pad has sensors for sensing the position where it is touched by a human finger, the direction of movement thereof and the amount of movement thereof, made so that any coordinate position in a two-dimensional area can be designated based on the sensing results. In principle, the slide pad implements the mechanism of a mouse or the like with digital techniques.
The main difference between control input devices used with a dedicated game apparatus and those used with a personal computer lies in the way the pointer is manipulated. Specifically, in the case of various joy sticks, the pointer is usually not displayed on the screen. This can be said to be advantageous in the sense that the visual recognition characteristics on the screen are not lost. Data corresponding to the pointer (hereinafter called the virtual pointer) do exist inside the apparatus, but because that virtual pointer will be dislocated so long as the player continues to press the projecting member or cross-shaped key, the joy stick is superior to a mouse or the like in terms of operability when simply causing a displacement in a desired direction by a certain amount, or quickly returning to the home position.
Nevertheless, the data input by the joy sticks relates only to the displacement direction, and the relative size of the displacement in the virtual pointer can only depend on the relative length of the input time. With a mouse or the like, on the other hand, the pointer is always displayed. Moreover, the data input by the mouse or the like relates both to displacement direction and displacement amount, whereupon it becomes possible to input pointer displacement direction and displacement amount with a single manipulation, irrespective of the relative length of the input time. That being so, the mouses and the like are superior to the various joy sticks for applications in games where the pointer is displaced to a random position at high speed and a next action is required at that displaced position.
At the present time, dedicated game apparatuses are more commonly used than personal computers as computer apparatuses for games, and the content of game programs presupposes control by the control input device of a dedicated game apparatus. Nevertheless, the pointer is not displayed in a dedicated game apparatus, as noted above, whereupon it is very difficult to implement a game wherein the pointer is accurately displaced to a random position at high speed and a next action at that displaced position becomes necessary. With a dedicated game apparatus, moreover, the person running the game is limited to the person who purchased it, and there are impediments to implementing games wherein many people can freely participate. Compared thereto, a general purpose computer apparatus such as a personal computer has a broad user base, and has a broader usable range than a dedicated game apparatus as relating to communications infrastructure such as networks.
Thereupon, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable recording medium whereon a game procedure control program is recorded, a server, and a game procedure control method that are capable of implementing a game in an environment difficult to achieve with a dedicated game apparatus and a joy stick used with such an apparatus.
In order to achieve the object noted above, according to the present invention, a computer-readable recording medium whereon a game procedure control program is recorded for causing a pointer and a game image containing a plurality of game character to be displayed on a monitor screen of a computer and for, at the same time, receiving the input of instruction particulars relating to the display position of a pointer resulting from movement control inputs on the monitor screen for that pointer from a pointing device such as a mouse, and clicking operations with that pointing device, made by a player, and executing a baseball game, wherein: the baseball game is one that is advanced by a player team and a team based on computer control, using a ball character as a game medium, alternately coming to bat and taking to the field; and the game procedure control program determines the positioning point for the ball character at the bat of a batter character and the batting action of the batting character by manipulating the pointing device when the player team is at bat, determines a pitching course and pitching action, by control inputs from the pointing device, for the ball character caused to be displayed moving so as to proceed from a pitcher character toward the batter character when the player team is in the field, accepts the end of the game, and causes the game result particulars and the particulars of both the batting results and the pitching results of the player team to be uploaded to a recording unit in a server connected to the computer via a network.
Based on the above invention, a pitcher character throwing a ball character and a batter character hitting the ball character that is hurled in are displayed on the monitor screen, and, when the player team is up to bat, the positioning point for the ball character at the bat of the batter character and the batting action thereof are determined by manipulating the pointing device. When the player team is in the field, the pitching course and pitching action for the ball character displayed moving so as to proceed toward the batter character from the pitcher character are determined by manipulating the pointing device. When the game is finished, the particulars of the game results together with the particulars of the batting results and pitching results for the player team are uploaded to a recording unit in a server connected via a network to the computer operated by the player. Thus it becomes possible to implement a baseball game in an environment difficult to achieve with a dedicated game apparatus and a joy stick for such an apparatus.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description along with the accompanied drawings.

Computer-readable recording medium whereon a game procedure control program is recorded, server, and game procedure control method

Konami Computer Entertainment Osaka, Inc.


Systems and methods for providing passive haptic feedback are described. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an actuator for bringing a manipulandum and braking surface into contact and thereby providing a resistance. The manipulandum includes scroll wheels, scroll drums, linear sliders and similar user input devices. The actuator may be, for example, electromagnetic or piezo-electric. An embodiment of the present invention may include a processor in communication with the actuator for providing the haptic effects.

Electronic device manufacturers are constantly striving to produce a rich interface for users. Conventional devices utilize visual and auditory cues to provide feedback to a user. In some interface devices, kinesthetic feedback (such as, without limitation, active and passive force feedback), and/or tactile feedback (such as, without limitation, vibration, texture, and heat), is also provided to the user, more generally known collectively as "haptic feedback." Haptic feedback provides additional cues that enhance and simplify the user interface.
A device may incorporate a variety of technologies for providing haptic feedback, including both active and passive devices. Active haptic feedback devices, including, for example, motors, add energy to a system; passive devices, such as brakes, remove energy from the system.
Conventional passive haptic actuators utilize magnetic particle brakes, magnetorheologic or electrorheologic brakes, or magnetic (non-friction) brakes. Each of these conventional approaches suffers from disadvantages. These conventional devices are expensive and difficult to produce. They are also larger than is practical for implementation in small, handheld devices, such as cell phones, personal digital assistants, and the like.
Conventional magnetic particle brakes utilize a powder comprising particles of a magnetic material. When a current is applied, the particles line up and cause the powder to expand. Rheologic fluid brakes utilize a fluid that changes viscosity when a current is applied. These types of devices are expensive because of the cost of the materials and because of the need to retain the fluid within the device.
A magnetic brake generates a magnetic field, and when a piece of metal passes through the magnetic field, an anti-current is generated, causing a resistance to movement of the metal. Conventional magnetic brakes require the metal to be moving at high speed to be effective. Thus, these devices are not practical for relatively slow moving user interface elements.

System and method for providing passive haptic feedback


A classroom barrier comprising a sliding panel or hinged panel designed to block a classroom door or window opening in certain emergency situations such as the presence of an armed assailant. The barrier is locked from the inside with no chance for it to be unlocked from the exterior. The classroom barrier is simple to operate, bullet resistant, and impenetrable for some predetermined length of time.

In today's society there has arisen a need to provide protection for students against active shooters (gunmen) attacking defenseless victims on school campuses. There are many approaches being considered for such protection including but not limited to; more campus police, arming teachers, ballistic backpacks, etc. The present invention simply attempts to make Almost any classroom a "safe room". Creating "safe rooms" on campuses drastically reduces or eliminates the "opportunity" and permits trained professionals adequate time to respond to the threat. The barrier must be simple to operate; it must be bullet resistant and it must prevent breaching for some predetermined length of time, thus allowing time for local police/SWAT to respond.


Described is a method of treating a skin condition in a subject. The method includes applying topically to the subject an effective amount of an aqueous Astragalus seed extract solution to a skin area in need of reducing or slowing the skin condition. The aqueous Astragalus seed extract solution is prepared by a procedure including the steps of: soaking dried seeds of Astragalus seed in an aqueous solvent to form a suspension; boiling the suspension for at least 30 minutes; and filtering the suspension so as to obtain the Astragalus seed aqueous extract solution, the weight ratio of the dried seeds of Astragalus seed to the extract solution being 1:100 to 75:100.

Astragalus is a large genus that contains about 3000 different species, including Astragalus seed, also called Flatstem milkvetch seed or Astragalus complanatus.
Astragalus seed is widely grown in northern China. According to traditional Chinese medicine, it is efficacious in improving vision, liver functions, and kidney functions. However, its use in skin care has not been reported.
There are many skin care products for treating skin disorders and conditions, such is as acne and age spots. Chemical ingredients in many of these products are irritating or even harmful to the skin. There is a need for natural skin care products that have no side effects.

Astragalus seed extract solution and its use for treating skin disorders and conditions


In a melt shop for melting scrap to make steel, increased tonnage output for continuous casting for a given primary melt capacity can be obtained by stacking heated ladles of molten steel in inventory at a holding station before the ladles are transferred the ladle refining station or stacking refined ladles, or both, in advance of commencement of casting.

Conventionally, a melting facility in a steel mill that accepts scrap iron and steel as an input and produces molten steel ready for casting in a continuous caster as an output (frequently referred to in the industry as a "melt shop") includes at least one and frequently two or more primary melting furnaces of the electric arc type, at least one and frequently two or more refining facility stations, and an overall excess capacity in order that a continuous supply of molten steel can be provided to the caster. If the rolling facility downstream of the caster is designed to operate with only a standard width (and thickness) of casting--in other words, if the production rate of steel output per hour is constant--then it is a fairly simple task to design a melt shop that will supply just enough steel to keep the caster fully supplied (with a slight overcapacity to provide a margin of error). However, most steel mills are required to produce cast slabs of variable widths--in a contemporary facility, typically anywhere from 4 ft. wide to 10 ft. wide or wider. This requirement presents the problem that if the melt shop is designed to supply a continuous supply of molten steel for a long sequence of casting (say) 10-ft.-wide castings, then it will necessarily have a large overcapacity when producing, say, 4-ft.-wide steel castings. This overcapacity is typically provided at the expense of a significantly higher capital outlay than would be needed if standard-width castings only were produced, and higher capital costs lead to higher steel prices.
As steel pricing becomes increasingly competitive, it is highly desirable to reduce the capital costs associated with any equipment used in the steel mill. The capital cost associated with melt shop furnaces and associated equipment is significantly high.
Capital cost also can be higher than necessary if the melt shop takes more plant room than necessary, especially if an inefficient layout requires more or larger peripheral or support equipment (exhaust arrangements, cranes, etc.) than would be necessary for a compact and efficient layout.
Associated with the primary melting furnace in melt shops of the type under discussion are scrap bucket delivery means, charging means, and ladle transfer means. The scrap bucket delivery means is conventionally a car movable along a trackway, the scrap bucket being carried on the car from a loading area external to the melt shop into the melt shop to a bucket unloading position in the vicinity of the primary melt furnace. The charging means includes an overhead hoist or crane--the bucket is then hoisted by the overhead crane and its scrap contents are dumped into the furnace to charge it. The ladle transfer means is typically a car movable along a trackway running from the tapping position underneath and proximate to the primary melting furnace to a holding position outside the primary melt area from which the ladle filled with molten steel may be conveyed by an overhead crane or other suitable conveyor to the refining facility.
Ladles are pre-heated by a gas-fired burner, at a ladle pre-heating station, before being passed to the primary melt furnace for filling.
It is conventional that after primary melting, ladles full of molten steel will be passed directly to one or more refining facility stations for metallurgical treatment and passed thereafter to the caster. The term "refining facility" is used herein to refer to what in the industry is usually called an "LMF" or "ladle metallurgical facility (furnace)". The refining facility is the secondary heating facility used for adding small amounts of metallurgical agents to a ladle of molten steel, bubbling with argon gas, and stirring, as well as heating to a desired casting or holding temperature. If two such refining facility stations are used, the caster accepts ladles first from one refining station and then the other so as to obtain a continuous supply of steel. The refining may be done in two stages at the refining facility--in a first stage, heating and argon bubbling may occur, and in a second stage, metallurgical agents may be added and the metal may be stirred to obtain uniform consistency. Normally, the electrode set is removed before the second stage begins.
Generally speaking, conventional primary scrap melting furnaces and refining facilities are each provided with a discrete electrode, or set of electrodes at least in the case of the refining facility, which latter typically operates on 3-phase alternating current.
Molten steel produced by the primary melt furnace is conventionally poured into a ladle that is then transported to the ladle finishing and refining facility. Direct current is unsuitable for use in the refining facility arrangement, because there normally cannot be a bottom electrode in a ladle. Typically, a trio of AC electrodes are used in a three-phase AC installation for providing electrical energy to the ladles in the refining facility.
To ease the refining requirement in the refining facility, it is desirable to provide a supply of alloying agents in bulk for introduction into the primary melting furnaces. This enables the primary melt to attain roughly the metallurgical composition desired for the melt. At the refining stage, trim alloys may be supplied in smaller quantities to bring the final composition of the melt to that desired.
Continuous casting cannot be carried on indefinitely--there is the necessity of shutting down the melt shop and the caster from time-to-time in dependence upon the satisfaction of a series of orders for varying quantities of product of various dimensions, and to perform maintenance and repair operations. As far as possible, however, it is desirable to be able to conduct maintenance and repair operations without any more down-time than is necessary. It is desirable to design the melt shop to be able to provide a continuous supply of molten steel to the caster for as long as required to fulfil the order at hand, or until failure of the submerged entry nozzle from the tundish into the caster mold. This may require several hours of continuous casting, and the melt shop must be able to generate the required supply.
Furthermore, energy consumption in the melt shop tends to be significantly higher than energy consumption in any other part of a steel mill. The cost of electrical energy depends not only upon the average amount of energy consumed over a period of time, but also upon the peak energy load required from time-to-time. In a typical melt shop for melting scrap, both electricity and natural gas are consumed. Electricity is consumed for the primary melting furnaces and the refining facility, and, of course, for associated blowing and pumping equipment. Natural gas is consumed to provide auxiliary heating of scrap in the primary melt furnace to provide pre-heating of ladles etc. Again, to the extent that energy expense can be reduced, the output of a steel mill can be priced competitively.
In order that a conventional melt shop be designed to match the output of the primary melting furnace(s) to the output of the ladle metallurgical refining facility, consideration has to be given to the differing lengths of time during which each type of equipment operates to perform its intended function. It will be found that the time required to perform the primary melt for a given tonnage of steel provided to fill a ladle, will exceed by a considerable margin the time required to perform the metallurgical refining, heating of the ladle contents to casting temperature, and superheating the ladle if need be. This means that there tends to be an inherent imbalance between the output of the primary melting furnaces and the refining facility that must be accommodated to permit an appropriate continuous supply of molten metal to be provided to the caster for continuous casting. One way of dealing with the imbalance is to provide a higher primary melt capacity than refining facility capacity so that the total capacity of the primary melting furnaces in tons per hour is at least approximately matched to the total capacity of the refining facility in tons per hour. This approach to melt shop design is satisfactory from the point of view of balancing the output of both the primary furnaces and refining facility, but if widely differing slab widths must be produced in the mill, the excess capacity either in the number of furnaces or in the designed tonnage capacity of furnaces adds significantly to the capital cost of constructing the melt shop.

Melt shop scheduling for continuous casting


Portable data storage apparatus includes a housing having a front wall, and an opening in the front wall. A circuit board is located within the housing. A connector is electrically connected to the circuit board and extends outwardly therefrom for movement therewith. A cap is pivotally connected to the housing for movement relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. An operating mechanism operatively connects the cap and the circuit board for moving the circuit board and the connector with the movement of the cap. The circuit board and the connector are in a retracted position when the cap is in the first position, and are in an extended position when the cap is in the second position.

USB flash drives are now quite popular for data storage and transfer, authentication, and so forth. The normal construction has a body with a connector extending from the body. A releasable cap covers the connector when the USB flash drive is not in use. The cap may be a separate component, or may be attached to the body. However, caps become lost, or may be accidentally removed from the cover or connector and the connector can be damaged. This renders the USB flash drive virtually useless.

Portable data storage apparatus with connector retraction


There is provided a display apparatus including a wiring pattern formed over a substrate, a first insulating film which is laminated over the wiring pattern and in which a contact hole is formed in an up-down direction at a specified position, lower electrodes each formed over the first insulating film and including a contact portion that is inserted through the contact hole and electrically connected to the wiring pattern, a light emitting layer formed over the lower electrodes, an upper electrode formed over the light emitting layer, a light emitting region regulating member regulating a light emitting region where the light emitting layer is interposed between the lower electrodes and the upper electrode as a region including the contact portion, and a color filter disposed over the substrate in a region corresponding to at least the contact portion.

In recent years, self-emissive display apparatuses that use LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) as light emitting elements have become widespread. In such display apparatuses, a light emitting element is disposed between an anode and a cathode and light is emitted by applying a voltage to the element. A region where the element is interposed between the electrodes is called a "light emitting region". The larger the proportion of the display region occupied by such light emitting regions, the more efficiently such display apparatus can emit light.
However, in reality, the size of the light emitting regions is limited due to various reasons. For this reason, technologies for having light more efficiently outputted from the limited light emitting regions have been proposed. As one example, JP 2008-218296A discloses a technology that controls the light distribution angle, distribution, and the like while keeping the light distribution characteristics uniform by reflecting light with concave mirror portions erected around the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements.
Meanwhile, JP 2007-171828A discloses a technology where a pixel driving circuit of a display apparatus causes a light emitting element to function in a reverse bias as a capacitive element. In such case, the size of the light emitting region affects the capacity when the light emitting element functions as a capacitive element. Here, the larger the light emitting region, the larger the capacity when the light emitting region functions as a capacitive element.

Display apparatus, method of manufacturing a display apparatus, electronic appliance, and method of driving a display apparatus


The plasma processing method comprises the step of removing an organic material film forming an upper layer relative to a patterned SiOCH series film by the processing with a plasma of a process gas containing an O2 gas, wherein the plasma has an O2+ ion density not lower than 1×1011 cm−3 and an oxygen radical density not higher than 1×1014 cm−3.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma processing method, particularly, to a plasma processing method in which organic materials such as a photoresist film remaining on the surface of the target object to be processed after, for example, the etching process is removed by using plasma and also relates to a plasma processing apparatus used for working the plasma processing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In various semiconductor devices, the miniaturization and multi-layered construction of the wiring structure are being promoted in accordance with the progress in the degree of integration that has been achieved in recent years. Since the miniaturization of the wiring structure tends to invite an increase in the capacitance between adjacent wirings, a low dielectric constant material (low-k material) has come to be used for forming an interlayer insulating film. In, for example, the technology known to the art as the damascene process, a wiring groove is formed by selectively etching an interlayer insulating film, followed by burying Cu having a low resistivity in the wiring groove thus formed and subsequently planarizing the interlayer insulating film by a CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) treatment so as to form a wiring. A low-k material such as a SiOCH series material is used for forming the interlayer insulating film.
In the manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, an etching treatment utilizing the photolithography technology is carried out for forming a device structure. For example, in the damascene process referred to above, a photoresist film formed on the interlayer insulating film is patterned and, then, the interlayer insulating film is subjected to an etching treatment by using the patterned photoresist film as a mask so as to form a wiring groove in the interlayer insulating film. Further, the remaining photoresist film is removed by an ashing process. The ashing process can be carried out by a plasma processing using, for example, an oxygen gas plasma. However, it is known to the art that the low-k material tends to incur a so-called "plasma damage" that the low-k material is affected by the plasma in performing the ashing process, with the result that the low-k material is oxidized and denatured. For example, if the interlayer insulating film incurs the plasma damage, various problems are generated. First of all, in the subsequent washing process with a dilute hydrofluoric acid (HF), the denatured portion of the interlayer insulating film is dropped so as to bring about a change in the shape of the etched portion. An additional problem is that the film quality is lowered so as to elevate the dielectric constant. As a result, the wiring capacitance is increased, and a delay of signal is invited.
Under the circumstances, Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2000-183040 proposes a method that a hole is formed first by etching in an organic interlayer insulating film, then, an underlying substance is allowed to be attached to the side wall of the hole by performing a reverse sputtering in order to prevent the organic interlayer insulating film from being denatured or changed in shape by the ashing treatment in the subsequent step, followed by performing a plasma processing.
Also, Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 7-211492 proposes a method of carrying out a plasma ashing treatment by using a mixed gas consisting of oxygen and a rare gas and having a pressure of 100 Torr in order to prevent the damage caused by the function of ions in the ashing stage, though the technology disclosed in this prior art is not directed to a low-k film such as a SiOCH series film.
However, in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2000-183040 quoted above, it is necessary to employ a new additional step of the reverse sputtering process in order to suppress the plasma damage, leading to the demerit that the number of process steps is increased. In addition, the conditions themselves of the ashing treatment have not yet been studied.
In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 7-211492 quoted above, the processing is carried out under a relatively high pressure close to the ordinary pressure in order to suppress the damage done by ions. Naturally, it is impossible to apply the method disclosed in the patent document quoted above as it is to the ordinary plasma ashing process that is carried out under the state close to the state of vacuum (e.g., to the ashing process disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2000-183040 quoted above).
As pointed out above, the prior art was not satisfactory in the aspect that the plasma damage done to the low-k film such as a SiOCH series film is suppressed by controlling the conditions of the ashing treatment.

Plasma processing method and plasma processing apparatus


When forming a hat-shaped cross section member having, on its cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, vertical wall portions on both sides, and flange portions on both sides connected to the respective vertical wall portions, and a top sheet portion connected to the vertical wall portions on both sides, and having a bent portion bent in the longitudinal direction with the flange portions positioned outside by using punches and dices, a dice shoulder radius of the dice for obtaining the shape of the hat-shaped cross section member is set to R0, the hat-shaped cross section member is formed by the dice having a dice shoulder radius R1 larger than the dice shoulder radius R0, and then the hat-shaped cross section member is formed by the dice having the dice shoulder radius R0.

In recent years, there has been often used a member whose cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal direction has a hat shape, (which will be called a hat-shaped cross section member hereinafter), for a structure member of an automobile vehicle body. A hat-shaped cross section member 1 is formed and worked into a shape depicted in FIG. 1, for example, and has a bent portion 2 bent in its longitudinal direction with flange portions positioned outside.
In the case when the hat-shaped cross section member is formed and worked so as to have the bent portion 2 as above, springback ascribable to residual stress occurs, and as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2, hanging down in three-dimensional directions occurs in the longitudinal direction based on the bending point. The correction of this hang-down shape cannot be conducted by the correction of springback in a conventional two-dimensional shape (an opening of a U-shaped cross section in a cross section taken along I-I in FIG. 1). Note that an amount of springback is defined to be the value of an amount of hang down in the vertical direction from the desired shape of a tip portion of a product.
As above, in the forming of the hat-shaped cross section member, securing the shape freezing property is a very important technical challenge.

Forming method of metal member excellent in shape freezing property

NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION


A header for an agricultural harvester has a frame with a floor surface and an auger to laterally transport crop material towards a central aperture, wherein a cutter bar forms the leading edge of the header and is moveable via a slide between a retracted and an extended position, the header further includes a belt conveyor for transporting crop material from the cutter bar to the auger, the belt conveyor is provided with a belt-length-adapting mechanism so that the length of the belt is changeable between a short track and a long track respectively corresponding to the retracted position and the extended position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to headers for combines. More particularly, it relates to headers having cutter bars that extend laterally across the width of the leading edge of the header.
2. Description of the Related Art
Headers are devices that are mounted to and across the front of agricultural combines to cut crop plants and direct them toward a crop-receiving opening of the combine for threshing, separating and cleaning inside the combine. Thereby, the header typically has a width that is significantly larger than the width of the crop-receiving opening of the combine. To this end, the header comprises a crop transporting mechanism to transport the crop towards the central crop-receiving opening of the combine.
Headers may use a reciprocating cutter bar or knife that is disposed across the leading edge of the header adjacent to the ground. The cutter bar severs the plant stalks close to the ground. A reel is also typically provided on these headers to control the tops of the plants. The reel pushes the top of the plant rearward, causing the plant to fall onto the header. The header transports the plant laterally toward a central portion of the header where there is a crop-receiving aperture. Once the crop passes through this aperture it is received in a crop-receiving aperture of the combine, which further conveys the plant back rearward into the combine for further processing.
There are two common types of headers, wherein each type of header applies a different technique to transport the crop laterally. The first of these is called an "auger platform" or "auger header". An auger header comprises an auger in the form of a helical screw that extends laterally across the width of the header. The auger is mounted for rotation at a rear end of the header directly above a floor surface of the header frame. In operation, crop plants fall onto the header directly in front of, or somewhat against the auger. Thereby, the crop plants get caught between the auger and the floor surface so that, due to the rotation of the auger, the crop plants are laterally transported towards the crop-receiving aperture.
The second type of header is called a "draper platform" or "draper header". A draper header has no auger located at the rear of the header. The floor surface of the header is instead formed by two generally flat endless loop conveyor belts mounted to move the crop in the lateral direction to the middle of the header. The conveyor belts are typically located immediately behind the cutter bar and take the place of the floor and the auger of the auger header. A central conveyor is located between these two conveyors to receive the cut crop material and convey it rearward into the crop-receiving aperture.

Harvester header with belt length adapting mechanism


A game machine for high-speed execution of iterated transformation decoding based on a drawing command or data loaded from a recording medium. The drawing command, fractal transformation parameters or data loaded from a recording medium 24 are stored in a main memory 21. A drawing texture, expanded on a VRAM 23 in a graphics processing unit 22, is iteratively transformation decoded in accordance with the drawing command or the fractal transformation parameters transferred under control of the CPU 20. The generated texture is displayed as a picture on a CRT 32 of the graphics processing unit. This realizes high-speed iterated transformation decoding of the texture and a restored picture of high picture quality while realizing iterated transformation decoding with a significantly reduced calculation volume.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a picture information processing method and apparatus and an entertainment apparatus. More particularly, it relates to such a picture information processing method and apparatus and an entertainment apparatus in which a picture is generated by iterated transformation decoding processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a conventional typical picture compression system, there is known a so-called JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) standardized by ISO. This JPEG system uses the DCT (discrete cosine transform) and is known to achieve optimum encoded or decoded pictures subject to assignment of a larger volume of bits. However, if the number of encoding bits is decreased, block distortion proper to DCT becomes outstanding to render subjective deterioration more apparent.
On the other hand, a picture compression system utilizing the IFS (iterated function systems) is recently stirring up notice. This system exploits the self-similarity of a picture on the premises that, if a portion of the picture is taken out, there exists in the picture another picture portion strongly resembling the taken-out picture portion. This IFS system has a merit that decoding is not dependent at the time of decoding on resolution because the block distortion is not apparent as in JPEG and self-similarity between blocks of different sizes in the picture is exploited. This IFS system, also termed fractal encoding, is retained to be promising in a variety of the fields of application.
The technique described in Japanese Laying-Open Patent 5-57062 exploits the function proper to the fractal encoding, that is the function of restoring the picture with a smaller information volume, in a game machine. Referring to FIG. 1, showing a block diagram for this technique, there are connected, to a system bus 62 to which is connected a CPU 50, a work VRAM 51, a ROM 52, an external interface (I/F) 53, a fractal drawing unit 55, a GDC (graphics display controller) 57 and a keyboard (KB) I/F 60. To the external I/F 53 is loaded a game ROM 54. A VRAM (video RAM) 56 is connected to the fractal drawing unit 55 and to the GDC 57, while a CRT (cathode ray tube) 59 is connected via a graphic I/y 58 to the GDC 57 and a keyboard 61 is connected to the KBI/Fxy 60.
The operation of the above-described configuration is as follows:
When the game ROM 54 is loaded on the I/F 53, and the power is turned on by actuation of a power source switch, a pre-set amount of the leading end portion of the game software is read from the game ROM 54 for storage in the work VRAM 51. An initial picture contained therein is transferred to the GDC 57, which then expands the transferred initial picture on the VRAM 56 and reads it at a pre-set period in order to transfer the read-out picture to the graphic I/F 58 and output the picture on the CRT 59. On reception of a command entered by a user from the keyboard 61 via KB I/F 60, the CPU 50 reads out corresponding figure data from the work VRAM 51, in accordance with the command, to transfer the read-out data to the GDC 57 or to send a command for movement of the displayed figure to the GDC 57 to update the displayed picture.
In the game software, read out from the game ROM 54 via the external I/F 53 and stored in the work VRAM 51, there are contained, in addition to the conventional control program and figure data, a fractal figure drawing command and a program. The fractal figure drawing command and the program are made up of equations setting out rules for figure formulation (algorithms) and initial values on the starting positions for figure drawing. If data read out from the work VRAM 51 in accordance with the command etc entered from the keyboard 61 is the fractal figure drawing command rather than the figure data, the CPU 50 transfers the command to the fractal drawing unit 55, rather than to the GDC 57. On reception of the command, the fractal drawing unit 55 sequentially generates figure elements, such as line segments, in accordance with the initial values and equations, and expands the generated figure elements on the VRAM 56 to draw natural objects, such as mountains, trees or leaves of the trees, or characters. It is thus possible to draw complex figures of larger data volumes in accordance with the fractal picture drawing commands of a smaller data volume.
In the aforementioned Japanese Laying-Open Patent 5-57062, there is made no specified explanation as to which fractal drawing command should be given to draw which pictures.
In the above-described prior-art example, in which the fractal figure is drawn in accordance with the picture-drawing command, the figures that can be drawn are limited such that there is not provided the function of compressing and restoring the natural pictures or textures at large.
Independently of the above-described technique, there is employed the JPEG system as the compressing encoding technique for a texture (picture) in case of effecting texture mapping to an object shape frequently used in a personal computer or on a game machine. The result is that, since the apparent resolution of the texture is increased on zooming the object shape, the block distortion proper to DCT is enlarged to render the picture deterioration more apparent to give a blurred displayed picture devoid of sharpness.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a picture information processing method and apparatus and an entertainment apparatus whereby a decoded picture less susceptible to deterioration of the picture quality of the texture on zooming the object shape obtained on texture mapping.
A picture information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes main memory means for storage of data containing fractal transformation parameters, picture processing means for effecting iterated transformation decoding using the fractal transformation parameters stored in the main memory means to generate a picture, picture storage means for expanding a picture generated by the iterated transformation decoding, display control means for display-controlling the generated picture, actuation inputting means, and control means for controlling the processing by the picture processing means and the display operation by the display control means responsive to an actuating input from the actuation inputting means.
According to the present invention, an initial picture is restored at the time of effecting iterated transformation decoding using fractal transformation parameters stored in the main memory means and iterated transformation decoding employing the fractal transformation parameters is effected based on the restored initial picture to generate a picture.
By an actuating input, an iteratively transformation decoded picture is generated and decoded. By effecting iterated transformation decoding based on the restored initial picture, the iterative transformation decoded picture can be generated at a high speed with a smaller number of tomes of reiteration.
According to the present invention, a picture is generated by iterated transformation decoding using fractal transformation parameters stored in the main memory means. The picture generated on iterated transformation decoding is expanded on picture storage means. The generated picture is display-controlled and the picture processing and display is controlled responsive to the actuating input from the actuating input means to effect iterated transformation decoding of a picture, such as texture, at an elevated speed responsive to actuation.
Since the initial picture is restored, and a picture is generated by iterated transformation decoding based on the restored initial picture, the iterative transformation decoded picture can be generated at a higher speed than if a picture is generated by iterated transformation decoding from an optional initial picture.
By using a decoded version of a pre-encoded initial picture, the data volume can be reduced for the initial picture.
By providing a geometry calculation unit for effecting high-speed calculation of the geometrical information, such as coordinates of the polygon on which to map the texture, it is possible to obtain a more realistic texture-mapping picture.
By providing a cache memory in the main memory, and by storing and transferring data such as the drawing command or fractal transformation parameters, it is possible to realize an elevated overall processing speed.
By providing a texture cache in the picture processing means, the drawing texture can be accessed and transferred at an elevated speed to elevate the drawing speed.
By directly copying a portion of plural pixels as a transformation unit in a domain block in a range block, at the time of restoring an initial picture and effecting iterated transformation decoding based on the restored initial picture, by way of the contracting picture transformation processing, the volume of calculations can be significantly diminished to enable high-speed processing.
Moreover, by generating an enlarged picture by iterated transformation decoding another enlarged picture generated prior to the first-stated enlarged picture, at the time of effecting zoom display using enlarged pictures of plural stages, the processing volume can be reduced significantly to elevate the processing speed and to realize effective utilization of the work area of the picture memory.

Picture information processing method and apparatus and entertainment apparatus


The present invention relates to angioplasty dilatation catheters. Specifically, the perfusion dilatation catheter of the present invention is used in coronary angioplasty, but it is equally applicable to renal, cerebral, and peripheral angioplasties. The catheter is comprised of a long flexible tubular shaft having an expandable balloon affixed near the distal end of the shaft and surrounding the circumference of the shaft. Upon expansion, the balloon's cross-section is circumscribed by the circular perimeter of the target vessel cross-section. The balloon tip has a minimum of two rounded apices, wherein the maximum height of the apices does not exceed the nominal radius of the target vessel, and further wherein multiple radii of the balloon tip cross-section are of lesser radial dimension than the nominal radius of the target vessel. Thus, due to the unique shape and configuration of the balloon, a path for blood to flow past the balloon tip during expansion is formed through the areas of submaximal tip radial dimension. The remainder of the dilatation catheter incorporates conventional catheter features, including at least one lumen.

The technique of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PCTA), wherein a preshaped or flexible guiding catheter is introduced into a cardiovascular system through the femoral or brachial artery under local anesthesia, is known in art. The guiding catheter is positioned in the entrance of the target coronary artery. A dilatation catheter with an expandable balloon tip is advanced through the guide catheter and manipulated into the branches of the coronary artery until the balloon is appropriately centered on the stenotic target lesion. The balloon is then inflated with a radiopaque contrast, which is a liquid that enables one to locate the position of the catheter using X-rays. The balloon applies pressure in a direction generally radial to the vessel wall to compress and remold the atherosclerotic material into a significantly more patent internal configuration. Current balloon dilatation catheters employ a fixed or movable steerable guide wire which negotiates the serpentine coronary vasculature in an atraumatic fashion to provide a path for the passage of the dilatation catheter.
Inflation of conventional dilatation balloons completely blocks the artery, and thus interrupts distal coronary blood flow. The duration of balloon inflation is of necessity limited by the resulting coronary ischemia, and manifest or incipient clinical instability. Typical inflation times may range from 15 seconds to 120 seconds. Maintenance of coronary perfusion during dilatation would greatly enhance the safety of coronary angioplasty, particularly in vessels serving large areas of myocardium. Prolonged inflation times would also be desirable to increase the likelihood of adequate vessel patency post-dilatation. Prolonged balloon inflation times also increase the probability of maintaining vessel patency or opening, following abrupt arterial closure due to intimal disruption, vessel dissection, or endoluminal thrombus formation.
In addition, it is known that the process of angioplasty injures the inner surfaces of the involved artery. It is believed that a condition known as restenosis is to some degree initiated by this injury to the artery. Restenosis is the recurrence of severe renarrowing in a coronary artery at the site of prior angioplasty, and to some degree, the condition of restenosis involves the growth and proliferation of scar tissue initiated by angioplasty. Thus, there is a need for balloon designs resulting in a lesser degree of vessel wall injury than that caused by current balloon designs. Current balloon designs have more surface area in contact with the vessel wall and are therefore more likely to cause extensive disruption to the cellular lining of the vessel.
Therefore, it would be desirable for an angioplasty catheter to provide for continuous blood flow (perfusion) past the stenotic region in the target coronary vessel even during periods of balloon inflation, and to provide for a lesser degree of vessel wall injury upon inflation. Such a perfusion dilatation catheter would permit prolonged balloon inflations to achieve the advantages elaborated above without provoking clinical instability, as long as the inflated balloon catheter assembly provides physiologically adequate coronary flow rates. However, in order for a perfusion angioplasty catheter to be of true clinical utility and suitable for routine use as the dilatation catheter of first choice by medical practitioners of the art, it must additionally incorporate advances available in the current genre of angioplasty catheters. Some of these advances include: balloons having a small diameter when collapsed, so as to enable the balloon to pass through abnormal areas of extreme constriction or blockage; balloons having excellent tracking ability over steerable coronary guide wires, such that the balloons conform to the paths of the guide wires; and balloons having enhanced pushability through tortuous coronary circulation and through severely stenotic lesions.
Numerous angioplasty catheters which afford varying degrees of coronary perfusion during balloon inflation have been described in the prior art. However, none of these catheters incorporate all of the necessary attributes mentioned above into a single device, and hence these catheters are not suitable for widespread first line use.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,790,315, to Mueller, Jr. et al. discloses a perfusion catheter wherein small holes are placed in the hollow shaft of the catheter adjacent to the proximal and distal ends of the balloon. These holes provide a flow path for blood during the angioplasty process and if the vessel collapses following dilatation. The cross-sectional area provided for flow, however, is small and suboptimal.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,031 to Conway et al. discloses a steerable perfusion dilatation catheter with a fixed guide wire assembly. The steerable guide wire in this device is integral to the dilatation catheter and does not have to be removed to optimize coronary flow during balloon inflation. This device, however, again provides limited cross-sectional area for coronary blood flow and exhibits an increased collapsed crossing profile which limits its ability to traverse lesions of critical stenotic severity. Any increase in the cross-sectional area of the hollow central balloon catheter shaft to augment perfusion rates further increases the crossing profile and also decreases its desirable flexibility and tracking properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,017 to Sahota also discloses a perfusion balloon wherein flow is achieved during balloon inflation through the hollow central shaft of the catheter by means of proximal and distal shaft side holes. In addition, Sahota discloses angioplasty catheters of complex construction which incorporate multiple small balloons deployed circumferentially around a central hollow shaft and which further incorporate multiple individual tubular ports for inflation and deflation of the balloon subunits. Some designs use a single dilating balloon in which significantly thickened portions of the balloon wall are provided for non-uniform compliance during inflation. The complex construction of the balloons of Sahota severely decreases their flexibility, trackability, and markedly increases their lesion crossing profile. These limitations have continued to prevent adaptation of balloons of said design to clinical art.
Similar limitations apply to the steerable perfusion angioplasty dilatation catheter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,519 to Songer et al. The device of Songer et al. also has an integral but movable guide wire which cannot be removed or replaced if the technical complexities of the procedure require it.
U.S Pat. No. 4,909,252 to Goldberger discloses a perfusion angioplasty balloon having a donut-shaped cross-section with a central opening which provides for blood flow through a passage, when the balloon is inflated. This device, however, utilizes a complex balloon geometry requiring redundant balloon surface folds which greatly enlarge the collapsed crossing profile of the angioplasty balloon and also limit the flexibility and tracking of the distal balloon assembly.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,713, 4,710,181, and 4,738,666, all to Fuqua, and European Patent No. 400,713 to Deuss, disclose balloon catheters wherein an expandable balloon tip capable of exhibiting several discrete diameters is achieved. The balloon material folds on itself redundantly in the longitudinal dimension to provide one or more invaginations which are constrained either by an external retaining sheath or by heat welds of limited strength. The balloon catheter achieves a second and larger diameter when the constraints are physically removed or are overcome by sufficient inflation pressure. The folds of these longitudinal invaginations, however, are in contiguity and do not afford blood flow during balloon inflation.
It is apparent that what has been needed and heretofore unavailable are perfusion angioplasty balloon catheters which provide excellent and physiologically adequate coronary blood flow past the area of lesion stenosis without compromising or limiting other necessary and desirable properties of the angioplasty catheter assembly. These attributes, as outlined above, include the low lesion crossing profile, fully exchangeable guide wire capability, and favorable tracking, flexibility, and longitudinal force transmission characteristics provided by the current genre of non-perfusion angioplasty balloon catheters. The present invention satisfies these needs.


A method for communication includes receiving a spatially-multiplexed signal using multiple receivers to produce multiple respective received signals. The spatially-multiplexed signal includes multiple simultaneously-transmitted symbols, which are selected from respective sets of constellation symbols, each constellation symbol representing a respective set of values of a group of data bits. Combinations of the constellation symbols are traversed iteratively. Each combination includes one constellation symbol from each of the sets of the constellation symbols and represents N data bits. The traversed combinations are searched for a combination that matches the received signals. During traversal of the combinations, at least 2N measures of likelihood regarding the values of the data bits represented by each traversed combination are accumulated. The accumulated measures of likelihood are processed to produce soft bit metrics. The values of the data bits carried by the multiple transmitted symbols are reconstructed responsively to the soft bit metrics.

Some communication systems, commonly referred to as Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems, transmit and receive simultaneously using multiple transmit and receive antennas. Some MIMO systems use the multiple transmit and receive antennas to provide enhanced capacity by applying spatial multiplexing of signals. In a typical spatial multiplexing scheme, two or more signals, which carry different data streams, are transmitted simultaneously via different transmit antennas. The signals are received by a receiver having multiple receive antennas. The receiver performs joint detection of the multiple received signals.
Several methods for joint detection of spatially-multiplexed signals are known in the art. For example, Agrell et al., provide a survey of several closest-point search methods that can be used for signal detection in "Closest Point Search in Lattices," IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume 48, number 8, August 2002, pages 2201-2214, which is incorporated herein by reference.
As another example, Damen et al., describe several Maximum-Likelihood (ML) decoding algorithms for Gaussian MIMO linear channels in "On Maximum-Likelihood Detection and the Search for the Closest Lattice Point," IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume 49, number 10, October 2003, pages 2389-2402, which is incorporated herein by reference. Another method for decoding a spatially-multiplexed signal, and an associated receiver, are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2007/0268813, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
Some joint detection methods provide soft outputs. For example, PCT Application WO 2006/135141, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a soft output sphere decoding method for a MIMO system. The method includes the steps of detecting a ML symbol nearest to a received signal, calculating a lattice point nearest to the received signal and having a symbol bit opposite to the detected ML symbol for all bits of the received signal, and calculating a ratio between a distance from the received signal to the detected ML symbol and a distance from the received signal to the calculated lattice points for each bit.
Studer et al., describe several performance-complexity trade-offs in the implementation of soft output sphere decoders in "Soft Output Sphere Decoding: Performance and Implementation Aspects," Proceedings of the 40th Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers, Pacific Grove, Calif., November 2006, pages 2071-2076, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Efficient decoding of spatially-multiplexed signals


A system and method for inputting motion measurement data into a computationally based device are provided. In a first version three-axis accelerometer determines components of an inertial force vector with respect to an orthogonal coordinate system. The accelerometer includes a sensor die made of a semiconductor substrate having a frame element, a proof mass element, and an elastic element mechanically coupling the frame and the proof mass. The accelerometer also has three or more stress-sensitive IC components integrated into the elastic element adjacent to the frame element for electrical connectivity without metal conductor traversal of the elastic element.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor devices, Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), sensors and more specifically to three dimensional (3D) three-axis accelerometers, vibration sensors and inclinometers for consumer and other applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
MEMS accelerometers are known for more than 25 years and they are widely used in different areas. Automotive air-bag applications currently represent the biggest MEMS accelerometer market. Furthermore, there are only few known MEMS accelerometers that can measure all three components of an acceleration vector, three-axis accelerometers and 3D accelerometers.
The market for 3D accelerometers includes hand-held devices, cell phones, PDAs, hand-held computers, gaming devices, remote controls, etc., health and sport products including ergometers, smart shoes, patient posture indicators, pacemakers, biometric devices and systems, etc., monitoring systems for civil projects such as bridges, buildings, etc., smart toys, virtual reality devices, and more. However, these markets require low-cost, stable and reliable three-axis accelerometers, which have impeded market growth because of their high cost. The cost of 3D accelerometers can be dramatically reduced Therefore, there is a need for low-cost single die 3D accelerometer that possesses all the above-mentioned features.
FIG. 1 illustrates the principle and shows a structure of a three-axis accelerometer die with an elastic element in the form of uniform diaphragm 14 serving, as a suspension of a proof mass. The structure contains a frame 12, a proof mass 16 and a suspension 14 that connects the frame 12 and the proof mass 16. The proof mass 16 is characterized by its three dimensions: length 71, width 72, and thickness 73. Similarly, the suspension 14 is characterized by its three dimensions: length 74, width 75, and thickness 76. In general, thickness of the frame 77 can be different from the thickness 73 of the proof mass 16. The structure is formed in a silicon wafer using deep etching from the backside of the wafer, as it is shown in FIG. 1.
Center of gravity 9 of the proof mass 16 is located below the neutral plane of the suspension 14. Being loaded with vertical (Z) acceleration (perpendicular to the front surface of the chip), the proof mass 16 moves vertically following the direction of the force of inertia (FOI) 11. At a lateral acceleration (X or Y), parallel to the surface of the chip, the proof mass moves in rocking mode. One side of the proof mass 16 tends to move up and its other side tends to move down. In general case, as it shown in FIG. 1, when FOI 11 is applied in a random direction, the motion of center of gravity has all three components x, y, z in the coordinate system X, Y, Z.
Vertical acceleration creates stresses of the same sign along the periphery of the diaphragm. Lateral acceleration creates stresses of different sign along the periphery of the diaphragm near the frame and adjacent to the areas where the proof mass is coupled with the diaphragm. Stress distribution in the diaphragm depends on the direction of acceleration vector and this stress distribution is unique for each combination of direction and magnitude of acceleration vector.
Stress sensors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, located in eight local areas on the diaphragm, sense the stress created by a force. Being properly located in different places on the diaphragm, stress sensors provide signals representative of the local stress sensed, which allow measuring all three components of acceleration vector.
If other than a diaphragm type of suspension is used then the vertical acceleration will create stresses of the same sign in the respective areas of suspension. Lateral components of acceleration create stresses of different magnitudes in local positions of the suspension.
As a result, lateral components of acceleration vector can be detected, for example, using a differential signal from the sensors and vertical component of acceleration vector can be detected using sum of the signals from some of the sensors or all sensors.
The 3D accelerometers based on micromachined silicon chips with piezoresistors on the elastic element, suspension, for example flexible diaphragm or beams are known. Prior art, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a)-(b), uses a sensor chip 10 with a rigid frame 12 and a proof mass 16 of a die, connected with the frame by a thinner elastic element 14. In FIG. 1 this elastic element is a diaphragm. In FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b) the elastic element is a combination of beams 90, 92, 94, 96.
Fabrication of 3D accelerometer die described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,749 and shown in FIG. 2b requires a non-standard initial material—silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers with buried cavities 80 formed in the handle wafer 82 below the suspension beams 14 before bonding handle wafer 82 and device wafer. After thinning of the device wafer the device layer 84 is used for suspension beams 14.
Use of non-standard initial material is undesirable in high-volume production for reasons including: high cost of initial material, additional processing steps in fabrication, limited number of suppliers, and potentially lower quality than standard initial materials.
FIG. 3(a)-(b) illustrates the examples of prior art piezoresisrors layout on the surface of elastic elements of three-axis accelerometers.
The piezoresistors 1, 3, 5, 7 in FIG. 1 are located at the periphery of the diaphragm adjacent to the frame 12, while piezoresistors 2, 4, 6, 8 are adjacent to the proof mass 16 and proper corresponding resistors are electrically connected into three Wheatstone bridges accommodating X, Y and Z components of an applied inertia force vector.
The disadvantages of these designs can be summarized as having: large numbers of stress sensitive components, poor long-term stability due to the metal interconnections on the surface of the suspension for the bridges, limited mechanical overload protection, large fluctuations in X, Y, Z sensitivities, large cross-axis sensitivity, no process integration with other sensors and CMOS, no scaling down in size and cost without compromising its performance.

System and method for a three-axis MEMS accelerometer


Methods, systems, and devices for command block management are described. A memory device may receive a command (e.g., from a host device). The memory device may determine whether the command is defined by determining if the command is included within a set of defined commands. In the case that a received command is absent from the set of defined commands (e.g., the command is undefined), the memory device may block the command from being decoded for execution by the memory device. In some cases, the memory device may switch from a first operation mode to a second operation mode based on receiving an undefined command. The second operation mode may restrict an operation of the memory device, while the first mode may be less restrictive, in some cases. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device may indicate the undefined command to another device (e.g., the host device).

The following relates generally to a system that includes at least one memory device and more specifically to command block management.
Memory devices are widely used to store information in various electronic devices such as computers, wireless communication devices, cameras, digital displays, and the like. Information is stored by programming different states of a memory device. For example, binary devices most often store one of two states, often denoted by a logic 1 or a logic 0. In other devices, more than two states may be stored. To access the stored information, a component of the device may read, or sense, at least one stored state in the memory device. To store information, a component of the device may write, or program, the state in the memory device.
Types of memory devices include magnetic hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), resistive RAM (RRAM), flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), and others. Memory devices may be volatile or non-volatile. Non-volatile memory, e.g., FeRAM, may maintain their stored logic state for extended periods of time even in the absence of an external power source. Volatile memory devices, e.g., DRAM, SRAM, may lose their stored state when disconnected from an external power source. Dynamic memory devices, e.g., DRAM, SDRAM, may lose a stored state over time unless they are periodically refreshed.
In some cases, a memory device (e.g., a DRAM device) may be configured to recognize a set of commands corresponding to unique instructions (e.g., read, write, refresh). For example, if a memory device receives a command, the memory device may execute the command according to the indicated instruction. Improving memory devices, generally, may include increasing memory cell density, increasing read/write speeds, increasing reliability, increasing data retention, reducing power consumption, or reducing manufacturing costs, among other metrics. Improving a memory device's operation based on received commands is desired.


A vehicle navigation device for use on a vehicle includes a user interface that receives information on a first place and a destination, a GPS sensor that detects a position of the vehicle navigation device, and a memory that stores navigation rules information. The vehicle navigation device also includes circuitry that calculate a plurality of routes from the position of the vehicle to the destination, extracts different navigation rules, which are different from navigation rules of the first place, from navigation rules in the routes, categorizes the different navigation rules into at least two groups of first rules and second rules, determines a route from the plurality of routes, and controls the user interface to output information on the first rules before the vehicle starts driving, output navigation information on the route, and output information on the second rules when the vehicle is where the second rule is applicable.

In recent years, it has become increasingly common for people to drive a vehicle in foreign countries or drive in plurality of states with different traffic rules. Therefore drivers have to obey the traffic rules in each country or state accordingly. However, it can be difficult to know rules in different countries or states, which are different from the rule he/she is familiar with, and to obey the rules appropriately at appropriate locations. Therefore, sometimes it is dangerous to drive in foreign countries or states where different traffic rules apply.

Vehicle navigation device, a method for navigating and a non-transitory computer readable medium


A semiconductor device includes a bit line structure on a substrate, the bit line structure having a polysilicon layer pattern doped with impurities, and a metal layer pattern on the polysilicon layer pattern, a first spacer surrounding and contacting a sidewall of the bit line structure, the first spacer having a constant thickness, and a capacitor contact structure on the substrate, an air gap being defined between the capacitor contact structure and the first spacer.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, example embodiments relate to a semiconductor device including a wiring structure and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A buried channel array transistor (BCAT) and wiring structures, e.g., a bit line, electrically connected thereto, may be formed to manufacture a semiconductor device with a high integration degree. Sidewalls of the wiring structures may be covered by a spacer.


An irradiation device includes a fluid treatment chamber having first and second opposing sides configured to receive a biological fluid container therebetween, and at least one light source disposed adjacent at least one of the first and second sides of the fluid treatment chamber. The at least one light source includes a light guide having a front planar surface that defines in part the at least one of the first and second sides of the fluid treatment chamber, and at least one light emitting diode (LED) disposed at an edge of the light guide outside the fluid treatment chamber and configured to direct light into the light guide. The light guide has a back surface opposite the front planar surface, the back surface with one or more reflectors that depend into the light guide in the direction of the front surface.

Biological fluid processing systems may be configured to process biological fluid, such as may be drawn from a patient, to provide a product that may be returned to the patient, for example. These processing systems may include a reusable processor or separator, as well as a disposable fluid circuit or set. According to certain systems, the circuit or set may be connected to the patient to exchange fluids with the patient. The set may also be connected to various containers that include other fluids, such as wash solutions and the like.
During the processing, the biological fluid may be combined with a photoactive compound, and then the fluid may be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. For example, the fluid may contain mononuclear cells (MNC), and may be combined with 8-methoxypsoralen ("8-MOP"). It is believed that the combination of 8-MOP and the photoactivation causes apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of T-cells.
At present, the MNC is collected in a long flexible container or bag that is disposed in a photoactivation device, such as is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 7,433,030. These long flexible containers are irradiated using long UV bulbs, which bulbs are disposed parallel to the container, typically both above and below the container. Further, the length of the UV bulbs and the length of the flexible container is approximately the same, Because of the use of large numbers of long UV bulbs, these photoactivation devices may make high power demands, resulting in added expense.
The photoactivation devices typically also include some form of mixing mechanism to mix the fluid in the container, because the cells nearer the surface of the container, and thus nearer the UV bulbs, receive a higher dose of radiation than cells in the center of the container. In addition, care is required to ensure an even thickness to reduce the likelihood of formation of hot and cold regions in the container during photoactivation. Because of the issues with conventional technology, and particular those issues relating to maintaining an even fluid thickness, the volume of biological fluid treated using such technology may be limited.

System and method for irradiating biological fluids