A process for forming an increased surface area, buried contact region, for a MOSFET device, has been developed. The process features creating a mini-trench, in an insulator filled shallow trench, exposing a vertical surface of the semiconductor substrate, along the side of the mini-trench. An angled, phosphorous, ion implantation procedure, creates a buried contact region along a top surface, as well as along the vertical surface of the semiconductor substrate, exposed in the mini-trench.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, (MOSFET), device, and more specifically to a process used to create a buried contact feature, for the MOSFET device.
(2) Description of Prior Art
The semiconductor industry is continually striving to improve the performance of MOSFET devices, while still attempting to maintain, or even to reduce the cost of manufacturing MOSFET devices. These objectives have been successfully addressed via micro-miniaturization, or the ability of the semiconductor manufacturing community to fabricate MOSFET devices with sub-micron features. The smaller features result in decreases in performance robbing, parasitic capacitances, as well as decreases in performance degrading resistances. In addition the sub-micron features allow comparable logic and memory functions to be obtained on smaller semiconductor chips, thus resulting in more semiconductor chips per starting substrate, thus reducing the cost of a specific MOSFET chip. Several semiconductor fabrication disciplines, such as photolithography and dry etching, have contributed to the trend to micro-miniaturization. For example the use of more sophisticated exposure cameras, as well as the use of more sensitive photoresist materials, have made the attainment of sub-micron images in photoresist layers, routine. In addition the development of more advanced dry etching tools have allowed the sub-micron images in photoresist layers to be successfully transferred to underlying materials, used for the fabrication of MOSFET devices.
In addition to the advances in specific fabrication disciplines, contributing to the attainment of sub-micron MOSFET devices, specific MOSFET structural developments have also played a role in successfully creating sub-micron MOSFET devices. For example the ability to contact the source and drain region of the MOSFET device, outside the active device region, has resulted in smaller MOSFET devices, thus creating higher performing and less expensive devices. The use of a buried contact process, featuring the placement of a doped region, adjacent to a source and drain region, and contacting this region via a polysilicon layer, has allowed the active device region of the MOSFET device to be decreased. The amount of area allotted to a buried contact region has to be minimized to satisfy the high density design objectives for static random access memory, (SRAM), designs. However the amount of contact area, between an underlying buried contact region, and an overlying contact layer, has to adequate, to avoid resistance problems, that can result in performance degradation.
This invention will present a process for increasing the contact area between a buried contact structure, and an overlying contact layer, by removing a portion of insulator, from an insulator filled, shallow trench, during the buried contact patterning process, followed by an angled, buried contact, ion implantation procedure, used to create the buried contact region. Subsequent polysilicon deposition, and patterning, creates a buried contact structure, to a buried contact region, in which the buried contact region is comprised of a region formed in the top surface of the semiconductor substrate, as well as a region of buried contact, formed on the sides of the semiconductor substrate, exposed in the shallow trench. Prior art, such as Huang, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,881, describe a process of forming a crevice in the semiconductor substrate, followed by ion implantation of the buried contact spices, in the creviced region. However that prior art does not use a side of a shallow trench, for the increased surface area, nor does that prior art employ the angled ion implantation procedure, for formation of a buried contact region, on the exposed sides of the semiconductor substrate.

Method of increasing the area of a buried contact region

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


A method of fabricating a field effect transistor (FET) includes forming a channel portion over a first surface of a substrate, wherein the channel portion comprises germanium and defines a second surface above the first surface. The method further includes forming cavities that extend through the channel portion and into the substrate. The method further includes epitaxially-growing a strained material in the cavities, wherein the strained material comprises SiGe, Ge, Si, SiC, GeSn, SiGeSn, SiSn or a III-V material.

When a semiconductor device, such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), is scaled down through various technology nodes, high-k gate dielectric layer and metal gate electrode layer are incorporated into the gate stack of the MOSFET to improve device performance with the decreased feature sizes. In addition, strained structures in source and drain (S/D) recess cavities of the MOSFET utilizing selectively grown silicon germanium (SiGe) may be used to enhance carrier mobility.
However, there are challenges to implement such features and processes in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication. For example, it is difficult to achieve enhanced carrier mobility for a field-effect transistor (FET) because strained materials can not deliver a given amount of strain into channel region of the FET, thereby increasing the likelihood of device instability and/or device failure. As the gate length and spacing between devices decrease, these problems are exacerbated.

Method of making a strained structure of a semiconductor device

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


In an optical semiconductor device module constructed by an optical semiconductor device having a light emitting portion on its top surface, a mounting substrate adapted to mount the optical semiconductor device thereon, and at least one conductive leaf spring adapted to fix the optical semiconductor device to the mounting substrate and supply power to the optical semiconductor device, the leaf spring is formed by a plurality of rectangularly-shaped terminals, and natural frequencies of at least two of the rectangularly-shaped terminals are different from each other.

1. Field
The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an optical semiconductor device module used in a head lamp or the like of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in the same way as a chip resistor module and a chip capacitor module, an optical semiconductor device module or a light emitting diode (LED) module mounted on a vehicle is constructed by fixing an LED element to a mounting substrate, using solder portions, screws or spot welds, which will be explained later in detail.
However, when the LED element is fixed directly to the mounting substrate using solder portions, screws or spot welds, cracks could occur in the solder portions, the lead frames could be deformed, or the LED element could break down. This also will be explained later in detail.
In order to easily replace the LED element with a new one, other approaches are to press lead frames onto a mounting substrate by a detachable cover (see: JP-2003-101072A), to press lead frames onto a mounting substrate by metal plates (see: JP-2003-243721A), to fix lead frames to a mounting substrate by a locking component (see: JP-2003-331635A), to press lead frames onto a mounting substrate by fitting metal plates (see: JP-2003-347598A), and to fix lead frames to a housing by fitting attachments (see: JP-2006-066108A, JP-2006-302714A and JP-2007-141549A).
However, when the metal plates or attachments are used, an opening for the LED element is required in the metal plates or attachments, so that the light emitting portion and lens of the LED element could be damaged which would invite the reduction of light flux and the deterioration of light distribution. On the other hand, when the metal plates or attachments are fitted into the mounting substrate or housing, the contact characteristics of a new LED element could deteriorate after the metal plates or attachments are again fitted into the mounting substrate or housing.
A further prior art optical semiconductor device module is constructed by an LED element having a light emitting portion on its top surface, a mounting substrate for mounting the LED element thereon, and two conductive leaf springs for fixing the LED element to the mounting substrate and supplying power to the LED element. In this case, each of the leaf springs is formed by a plurality of rectangularly-shaped terminals of the same shape (see: FIG. 15 of JP-2007-141549A).
In the further prior art optical semiconductor device module, however, since the rectangularly-shaped terminals have the same shape so that their natural frequencies are the same, when one of the rectangularly-shaped terminals vibrates due to vibration of a vehicle, the other rectangularly-shaped terminals simultaneously vibrate, i.e., resonate. Thus, the vibration of the leaf springs is enhanced, so that lightening and darkening of the LED element would be repeated, and at worst, the LED element would be separated from the mounting substrate.

Optical semiconductor device module having leaf springs with different rectangularly-shaped terminals


Embodiments of the invention are concerned with frequency scanning antennas for transceiving radio frequency energy for use in detecting and monitoring ground-based targets.

Frequency scanning antennas are used in radar systems in order to scan across a given region for the presence of objects. As is known, such frequency scanning arrays can steer a beam in an angular plane in response to input signals of varying frequencies. Particular examples of frequency scanning arrays include the serpentine waveguide, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,574 and the travelling wave wire antenna, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,290,688.
Alternative mechanisms for steering a beam include mechanical devices comprising an antenna that physically moves in space, or phased antenna arrays that are arranged to steer radiation as it is transmitted or received. A problem with the mechanical radar systems is that their operation is reliant on physical components and associated control and moving parts. This inventory of parts is costly and can require a commensurately large power source.
One known group of electronic devices is phased antenna arrays, which apply various phase shifts to signals, thereby effectively steering the received and transmitted beams. These electronic devices are commonly used in RF sensor and communications systems because they do not involve physical motion of the antenna and are capable of moving a beam rapidly from one position to the next. Whilst radar systems incorporating such devices can provide an extremely accurate measure of the position of targets, a problem with these types of electronic devices is that adequate control of the beam requires often several arrays of electronics components; this increases the physical size, complexity and cost of the radar system.
Frequency scanning arrays have been combined with moving parts that rotate in another plane, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,574. However, a problem with this combination is that it incurs the size and cost shortcomings of regular mechanical scanning system and performance-wise, is less accurate than the phased antenna systems.

Abstract: In one arrangement the frequency scanning antenna is embodied as a structure that is capable of steering a radio frequency beam to a plurality of different angles about the antenna structure: the antenna structure comprises at least two array antennas and a controller for controlling input of energy to the two array antennas, and the array antennas are disposed within the antenna structure such that the antenna structure is capable of steering a beam to a first angle using one of said two array antennas and of steering a beam to a second angle, different to said first angle, using the other of said two array antennas.

Abstract: Thus in embodiments of the invention two or more array antennas are arranged to form an antenna structure, and the feed to a respective antenna array of the antenna structure is coordinated so that individual scan areas can be combined to generate an increased overall scan region.


A rubbing method, i.e., a method of forming an alignment layer, of a liquid crystal display device includes providing a substrate, applying an alignment layer on the substrate, applying a magnetic field to the alignment layer by a magnetic field generator and firing the alignment layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and particularly, to a rubbing method of an LCD device, using a magnetic field.
2. Description of the Related Art
With recent developments of various portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and notebook computers, demand for light weight, thin profile, small flat panel display devices is increasing. Present research includes active development of flat panel display devices including liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, plasma display panel (PDP) devices, field emission display (FED) devices, and vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) devices. Of these different devices, LCD devices are actively being developed due to the simple mass-production techniques necessary to produce them, their simple driving systems, and high picture quality.
FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to related art. In FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display device 1 includes a lower substrate 5, an upper substrate 3, and a liquid crystal layer 7 formed between the lower and upper substrates 5 and 3. The lower substrate 5 is a driving unit array substrate and includes a plurality of pixels (not shown), wherein each pixel includes a driving unit, such as a thin film transistor. The upper substrate 3 is a color filter substrate and includes a color filter layer for implementing display color.
A pixel electrode and a common electrode are respectively formed on the lower substrate 5 and the upper substrate 3. In addition, an alignment layer for aligning liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 7 is formed on the pixel electrode and on the common electrode. The lower substrate 5 and the upper substrate 3 are attached by a sealing material 9, and the liquid crystal layer 7 is formed therebetween. The liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer 7 are driven by a driving unit formed at the lower substrate 5, wherein a quantity of light transmitted through the liquid crystal layer 7 is controlled to display an image.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for fabricating a liquid crystal display device according to the related art. In FIG. 2, the fabrication process of the liquid crystal display device is roughly divided into a driving unit array substrate process for forming a driving unit at the lower substrate 5, a color filter substrate process for forming the color filter at the upper substrate 3, and a cell process.
In FIG. 2, a step S101 includes forming a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines on the lower substrate 5 using the driving device array process for defining a plurality of pixel areas. The step 101 includes formation of thin film transistors, and driving devices that are connected to the gate lines and the data lines at the pixel areas. In addition, a plurality of pixel electrodes, each of which is connected to one of the thin film transistors through the driving device array process, are formed. The pixel electrode drives a liquid crystal layer when a signal is transmitted through the thin film transistor.
A step S104 includes formation of a color filter layer of R, G, and B colors, and formation of a common electrode on the upper substrate using the color filter process.
Steps S102 and S105 both include formation of alignment layers on the upper and lower substrates, wherein the alignment layers are rubbed to provide the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer formed between the upper and lower substrates with an initial alignment and surface fixing force (i.e., pre-tilt angle and orientation direction).
A step S103 includes scattering a plurality of spacers onto the lower substrate for maintaining a uniform cell gap between the upper and lower substrates.
A step S106 includes formation of a sealing material along an outer portion of the upper substrate.
A step S107 includes attaching the upper and lower substrates together by compressing the upper and-lower substrates together.
A step S108 includes dividing the attached upper and lower substrates into a plurality of individual liquid crystal panels.
A step S109 includes injection of the liquid crystal material into the liquid crystal panels through a liquid crystal injection hole, wherein the liquid crystal injection hole is sealed to form the liquid crystal layer.
A step S110 includes testing the injected liquid crystal panel.
Operation of the LCD device makes use of an electro-optical effect of the liquid crystal material, wherein anisotropy of the liquid crystal material aligns liquid crystal molecules along a specific direction. Because control of the liquid crystal molecules significantly affects image stabilization of the LCD device, formation of the alignment layer is critical for fabricating an LCD device that produces quality images.
In general, the alignment layer forming process includes a printing process and a rubbing process. The rubbing process provides uniform alignment of the liquid crystal molecules to achieve a normal liquid crystal driving, and is a main factor contributing to uniform display characteristics.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show an alignment layer rubbing process. As show therein, in the alignment layer rubbing process, an alignment layer 101 made of polyimide is formed on a substrate 100 having several cells, each cell having a thin film transistor or a color filter. An ion blower 103 operates on the alignment layer 101, thereby removing static electricity, and thin pieces of ionic materials generated in the rubbing process from the alignment layer 101. In the rubbing process, a rubbing roll 102 having a rubbing cotton 105 is rotated in place, and the substrate 100 is moved to the right by using a stage 116 and a driving roller 117 so that the alignment layer 101 passes under the rubbing cotton 105. In such a manner, a pattern is formed on the surface of the alignment layer 101. Here, not only the alignment layer 101 but also other substrate parts come in contact with the rubbing cotton 105. And, a rubbing pattern of the alignment layer 101 is controlled by upwardly or downwardly controlling the rubbing roll 102 to constantly maintain a gap between the substrate 100 and the rubbing roll 102. However, a step is generated because of the difference in height between the substrate 100 and patterns such as thin film transistors that are formed on the substrate. Moreover, because it is formed on the entire thin film transistor pattern 130, the alignment layer 101 is also applied on the step generated by the thin film transistor pattern 130 on the substrate 100.
Moreover, if the rubbing cotton 105 comes in contact with an alignment layer, formed at a position where the thin film transistor pattern 130 is formed, after the rubbing cotton 105 contacts with the alignment layer that is formed at a position where the thin film transistor pattern 130 is not formed, the rubbing cotton 105 can become damaged and then scratch the alignment layer formed at a position where the step does not even exist. That is, fine damage of the rubbing cotton 105 can cause scratches on the alignment layer in the rubbing process. When the rubbing cotton 105 advances into an active region 170, such a defective rubbing frequently occurs. Once defective rubbing occurs, scratches are continuously made on the active region 170. In addition, defective rubbing occurs in both twisted nematic (TN) mode LCD devices and in plane switching (IPS) mode LCD devices, and, especially, the defect is worse in IPS mode LCD devices.
As so far described, the rubbing method using the conventional rubbing roll is disadvantageous in that the rubbing cotton can be damaged by a step of a pattern, thereby causing scratches on the alignment layer. In addition, in the rubbing process, alignment layer remnants are generated in a valley formed in the alignment layer, and dusts are caused to float by rubbing cotton naps generated at the rubbing cotton. The scratches or dusts are main factors causing stains on a screen.
In addition, the rubbing method according to the related art is disadvantageous because space utilization is degraded as the rubbing roll becomes large in response to a large substrate, and uniform rubbing is made difficult because of inconstant pressure applied to the substrate by the rubbing roll.

Rubbing method of liquid crystal display device


A multi-chip integrated circuit and an interactive communication method for the multi-chip integrated circuit are provided. The multi-chip integrated circuit includes multiple low-voltage chips connected in series with each other instead of an ultra-high voltage chip, to reduce requirements on technology for the chip. In addition, the multiple chips communicate with each other through internal communication ports based on a differential signal, to enhance reliability of communication. Two adjacent chips are connected in series and a low-voltage power supply is arranged, so that a voltage difference between communication ports of the two adjacent chips is small.

Reference is made to FIG. 1, which is a structural block diagram of a battery management circuit according to the conventional technology. A chip IC is configured to monitor voltages of M batteries. If each of the voltages of the M batteries has a maximum of 6V, a voltage that a port VC(n) bears reaches to (6*M)V. In an application scenario of multiple batteries connected in series such as an automobile, the port VC(n) may bear a maximum voltage of greater than 100V. In this case, requirements on technology of the chip IC are extremely high, resulting in a significant increase in cost.

Multi-chip integrated circuit and interactive communication method for the same

SILERGY SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY (HANGZHOU) LTD


A cabinet for a loudspeaker with a preferably circular cross-section, in which the loudspeaker is closed on the front side substantially flush with one side of the cabinet and wherein means are provided for positioning the cabinet, wherein, starting from the periphery of the loudspeaker, the cabinet expands all round obliquely towards the rear for a specific distance, and in which the oblique surface consists of a plurality of oblique partial surfaces arranged at differing shallow angles side by side and/or one behind the other, and the cabinet tapers rearwardly of the specific distance towards the rear so as to be closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cabinet for a loudspeaker.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Arranging loudspeakers in box-shaped cabinets, so-called enclosures, is known. Disturbances due to diffraction and interference occur on cabinets of this kind. The sound source of the loudspeaker which is ideally a point sound source produces a primary sound wave which sets up several time-delayed secondary sound waves at the edges of the loudspeaker cabinet The primary wave is superimposed with the secondary waves and produces pronounced interference phenomena within hearing range. Because of this undesired effect, enhancements and attenuations in the transfer characteristic result at certain frequencies. Moreover, the pulse response deteriorates as a result of the secondary waves arriving time-delayed. The attempt has been made to counter this effect by chamfering or rounding the edges However, it has been concluded that, even with a spherical cabinet as shown, for example; in DE-A-37 20 374, with conventional dimensions marked diffraction effects occur at the critical transition between the flange of a circular loudspeaker chassis and the spherical shape.


A gas burner assembly for connection to a source of gas comprises a burner body having a sidewall and a main gas conduit. The main gas conduit has a burner throat and the sidewall has an inner surface, an outer surface and a top surface. A plurality of primary burner ports are disposed within the sidewall dividing the sidewall into a plurality of sidewall islands. A burner cap is removeably disposed on the sidewall. A plurality of paired opposing ridges are disposed on the top surface of the sidewall wherein a single pair of opposing ridges are disposed on a respective sidewall island so as to define a plurality of carryover slots between the opposing ridges, the top surface and the burner cap. Each carryover slot has an inlet and an outlet. The paired ridges comprise a radial taper that narrows from a point adjacent the inner surface of the sidewall to a point adjacent the outer surface of the sidewall such that the flow area at the inlet of the carryover slot has a value that is less than the value of the flow area at the outlet of the carryover slot so as to reduce fuel-air mixture velocity and produce a low velocity, stable carryover flame that reduces the tendency of the main flame to lift.

This application relates to atmospheric gas burners, and in particular relates to improvements in gas burner flame retention.
Atmospheric gas burners are commonly used as surface units in household gas cooking appliances. A significant factor in the performance of gas burners is the input rate of the fuel-air mixture within the burner. The maximum fuel-air input rate is typically determined by the flame stability limit about the periphery of the burner. At high input rates and consequently high fuel-air velocities, the flames are not stably attached to the burner ports. The flames burn in an unstable, detached manner typically called lifting. Lifting is generally accompanied by objectionable noise and increased carbon monoxide emissions.
Conventional burners employ smaller burner ports, termed retention flame ports, adjacent to or below the main flame ports to reduce the tendency of the main flame to lift. The velocity of the fuel-air mixture through the smaller retention port is generally lower then the velocity through the main flame ports, reducing the tendency of the retention flame to lift and resulting in improved stability of the main flames.
The retention flames emanating from each respective retention flame port also assist in carrying flame from port to port during an ignition or re-ignition. In current burners, however, retention flames are only partially effective in controlling lifting and can interfere with the flow of secondary combustion air towards the main burner ports, resulting in higher carbon monoxide emissions.
Accordingly, there is a need for an atmospheric gas burner which is better able to establish flame about the periphery of the burner during ignition or re-ignition. Additionally, there is a need for an atmospheric gas burner having a reduced tendency for flames to lift from the burner ports, especially at high fuel-air input rates, and for reduced carbon monoxide emissions.

Atmospheric gas burner assembly for improved flame retention and stability


A method for feeding a recording medium includes the steps of: feeding the recording medium along a sheet-feeding path by a unit feeding amount, detecting an entrance of a rear end of the recording medium into a jumping alarm area, dividing the unit feeding amount into minute divisional feeding amounts such that the recording medium is fed by each minute divisional feeding amount when the rear end of the recording medium enters the jumping alarm area, detecting a jumping amount of the recording medium corresponding to a rotation of a driving roller when a jumping phenomenon occurs in the recording medium, and adjusting the minute divisional feeding amount to cancel the jumping amount.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a peripheral structure of an image recording part of a conventional image recording apparatus. As shown in the drawing, a recording head 91 is installed in the upper side of a sheet-feeding path 90 and is configured to scan in the width direction of a recording sheet P and to eject ink onto the recording sheet P. A platen 92 for supporting the recording sheet during the recording is disposed in the lower side of the sheet-feeding path 90 opposite to the recording head 91. The conventional image-recording device is constituted in this manner. Moreover, at the upstream and the downstream in the sheet-feeding direction of the recording head 91, driving rollers 93 and 94 and pressing rollers 95 and 96 are respectively provided at the opposite sides of the sheet-feeding path 90 to constitute a sheet-feeding device. Although not depicted in the drawing, the driving rollers 93 and 94 are designed such that a driving force is transmitted from a driving power source such as a motor or the like via a gear or the like. The pressing rollers 95 and 96 are movable up and down and respectively urged toward the driving roller 93 and 94 by springs or the like to be brought into close contact with the driving rollers 93 and 94.
The recording sheet P, fed from a sheet tray (not shown) by the sheet-feeding device, is nipped by the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95, disposed at the upstream, and is fed to the upper side of the platen 92. When the leading end of the recording sheet P has arrived to the lower side of the recording head 91 and the recording head 91 starts to scan, the recording head 91 ejects ink onto the recording sheet P. The driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95 are intermittently driven at a predetermined linefeed width. The recording head 91 scans whenever the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95 are intermittently driven, and these operations are repeated such that an image is recorded in a desired area in the recording sheet P fed at every predetermined linefeed width. Moreover, when the leading end of the recording sheet P has arrived at the driving roller 94 and the pressing roller 96 at the downstream, the image recording is performed in the state that the leading end of the recording sheet P is nipped by the driving roller 94 and the pressing roller 96 and the rear end of the recording sheet P is nipped by the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95. Additionally, when the recording sheet P is further fed, the rear end of the recording sheet P passes through the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95, and the recording sheet P is fed by the driving roller 94 and the pressing roller 96 at the downstream. Furthermore, after the recording of the image, the recording sheet P passes through the driving roller 94 and the pressing 96 and is discharged to a sheet discharge tray (not shown).
Here, when the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95, which are installed at the upstream of the recording head 91, form a nip area where the roller surfaces of the rollers are close contact with each other. When the rear end of the recording sheet P passes through the nip area, the urging force of the pressing roller 95 is applied to the rear end of the recording sheet P as the nipping force by the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95 is suddenly released, so that the recording sheet P is pushed out in the sheet-feeding direction. Due to the pushing force, there is generated a so-called jump that the recording sheet P is fed more than the predetermined linefeed width. When the jump is generated, the recording position in the sub-scanning direction is shifted. For example, due to the jump, there are generated specks or white spots in the recorded image when printing the image on the whole area of the recording sheet, such as the case of printing photographs.
In order to solve the above-described problem, there is known a method for controlling the driving roller 93 to feed the recording sheet S by an amount that is smaller than the predetermined linefeed width by an estimated jumping amount that is likely to be generated when the rear end of the recording sheet P passes through the nip area between the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95 (See JP-A-9-240088). In other words, when the rear end of the recording sheet P passes through the nip area between the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95, the rotation of the driving roller 93 is controlled to feed the recording sheet P by an amount that the jumping amount is subtracted from the predetermined linefeed width. By doing so, even if the recording sheet P jumps, the linefeed width is not increased and the white spots can also prevent from being formed.
Moreover, there is known a method for obtaining a feeding error by detecting the jumping amount of the recording sheet P using the revolution of the driving roller 94 disposed at the downstream of the driving roller 93 and the pressing roller 95 and for compensating the feeding error (See JP-A-2002-361958) In other words, when the recording sheet P jumps, the driving roller 94 nipping and feeding the recording sheet rotates more than the predetermined linefeed width. Thus, the feeding error can be obtained from the revolution of the driving roller 94. When the feeding error is detected, instead of performing the above-described usual image recording by the recording head 91, the recording sheet is fed in the reverse direction and the recording head 91 then performs scanning. Also, instead of the reverse feeding of the recording sheet P, the number more than the usual number of nozzles of the recording head 91 may be disposed in the feeding direction. While shifting the using nozzles so as to correspond to the feeding error, the image can be recorded on the recording sheet. By doing so, the specks and the white spots can be prevented from being formed even if the recording sheet P jumps.

Recording medium feeding method and image recording apparatus


A method for compressing a neural network model, includes: obtaining a set of training samples including a plurality of pairs of training samples, each pair of the training samples including source data and target data corresponding to the source data; training an original teacher model by using the source data as an input and using the target data as verification data; training intermediate teacher models based on the set of training samples and the original teacher model, one or more intermediate teacher models forming a set of teacher models; training multiple candidate student models based on the set of training samples, the original teacher model, and the set of teacher models, the multiple candidate student models forming a set of student models; and selecting a candidate student model of the multiple candidate student models as a target student model according to training results of the multiple candidate student models.

With the development of artificial intelligence technologies, deep learning based on neural networks has achieved good performance on various machine learning tasks, such as image classification, machine translation, speech recognition and so on.
At present, in order to obtain an optimal network model output result, deep neural network models containing multiple network layers and parameters of extremely large scale are usually used. Although such complex network structure significantly improves the output result of the model, it also causes the difficulty of deployment on mobile devices with small storage space. On the other hand, it also results in too long inference delays on low-power mobile devices with poor computing performance, which is not practical. Therefore, techniques of efficiently compressing complex neural network models to reduce model storage overhead, improving model inference speed while minimizing the damage to translation quality caused by the compression have become critical techniques for practical application of the network models in mobile devices, and are currently research hot points in industry and academy.
For neural network model compression, commonly used methods include parameter quantization, matrix decomposition, model pruning, and knowledge distillation. Among them, the knowledge distillation method can not only compress the model to reduce the complexity of the model, but also alleviate the problem of reduced prediction accuracy caused by model compression, and has become the mainstream of the neural network model compression methods. In the knowledge distillation model compression method, models with large scale parameters and complex network structures are generally referred to as "teacher models", and models with fewer parameters and relatively simple structures are referred to as "student models". Output information of the teacher models at intermediate layers of the network or classification information at an output layer is obtained, and such extra knowledge generated from the teacher models is used to guide training of the student models. In the training, a KL divergence or the like is generally used as an optimization target of the knowledge distillation.

Neural network model compression method, corpus translation method and device

Beijing Xiaomi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.


The present invention relates to a rotorcraft blade (1) provided with a dynamic balancing system having a balancing device (10). The balancing device (10) is embedded in the inside (INT) of the body of the blade (1) in such a manner that it does not open to the outside (EXT) of said blade (1).

The rotor that provides a rotorcraft with lift, and possibly also with propulsion in a helicopter, is made up of a plurality of blades.
Once they have been fabricated, it is found that blades present differences in terms of mass and in terms of aerodynamic characteristics. Manufacturers therefore ensure that the various fabrication tolerances are as small as possible, but differences nevertheless remain between one blade and another.
It is therefore necessary to make provision for making adjustments, known as "balancing" by the person skilled in the art, so that all of the blades present the same characteristics.
Firstly, each blade must be capable of generating the same lift at a given pitch angle.
Consequently, the blades are provided with small control surfaces that are located on their trailing edges close to their free ends, and that are known as "tabs" to the person skilled in the art. Any change to the setting of such a tab relative to the airfoil of the blade generates a force that modifies the lift of the blade.
By adjusting the setting of tabs dedicated to this function, it is possible to achieve aerodynamic balancing of the blades.
In principle, this adjustment is performed by moving each tab manually through an appropriate angle, which angle is possibly different for each of the blades. To do this, each tab is generally constituted by a metal sheet that is secured to the blade for balancing.
Nevertheless, with reference to document U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,324, it is also possible to provide actuators for controlling the inclination of blade tabs. However, it can be difficult to convey electrical power supply means or actuator control means through the rotor and the blade.
Secondly, the blades need to have the same static moment, where static moment is defined as the product of the mass of the blade multiplied by the distance between the center of gravity of the blade and the axis of rotation of the rotor.
The manufacturer thus performs static balancing by mounting heavy elements on a blade. These heavy elements modify both the mass of the blade and the position of its center of gravity, thereby modifying its static moment.
Finally, and thirdly, it is necessary to balance the blades dynamically so that they induce identical twisting moments.
To perform dynamic balancing, it is appropriate to ensure from one blade to another that the distance between the center of gravity and the thrust center of the blade is the same.
A first type of system, described in particular in document U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,456, consists in dynamically balancing a blade with the help of flyweights suspended from the blade root.
Nevertheless, given the complexity of that first type of device and its repercussions on the aerodynamic efficiency of the blade, it is more usual to use a second type of device that seeks to cause heavy elements that are inserted at the tip of the blade to move along the chord of the blade.
Document EP 0 237 772 describes a balancing system comprising a cavity that is closed by an access hatch, the cavity receiving heavy elements in a given distribution along a chord.
Document DE 4 036 708 provides for inserting blocks made up of small plates that are secured to one another by a nut in an orifice of the blade that is closed by an access hatch. Balancing is performed by adjusting the number of plates.
Similarly, document FR 2 781 196 provides for inserting heavy elements in a housing that is open to the outside in order to perform dynamic balancing while conserving a static adjustment. When the heavy elements have been placed in their housing, it is closed by means of an access hatch.
The blade described in document FR 2 315 433 has three orifices in which stacks of heavy elements are arranged.
Each stack has a threaded rod passing therethrough so that the heavy elements are held in position by a self-locking nut screwed onto the rod.
Document DE 1 955 061 provides a housing formed at the tip of a blade, two heavy assemblies spaced apart by a spring being arranged in the housing. The housing is then closed by a cover.
The heavy assemblies have a threaded rod passing through them which rod projects from the housing by passing through the cover.
By turning the threaded rod, an operator moves the assemblies along the chord of the blade in order to balance the blade.
Thus, in systems of the second type, by modifying the locations of the heavy elements in an orifice, or by modifying their masses, an operator can balance the blade.
Nevertheless, balancing is constricting insofar as it often involves a large number of operations beginning with opening/closing the access hatch of the housing and continuing with manipulation of the heavy elements.
Furthermore, it is found that systems of the second type all open to the outside of a blade. The presence of closure hatches or covers is then not sufficient to avoid corrosion occurring on the various parts making up the system concerned.
Finally, devices of the second type can lead to problems of safety in the event of an access hatch opening in untimely manner, with the heavy elements possibly being ejected from the blade.

System and a method for dynamically balancing a blade


A sheet metal casket comprises a casket shell having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, and a bottom wall, and a casket cap closable on the casket shell. At least a portion of at least one of the shell and cap are fabricated of clad sheet metal formed from first and second different metals.

Currently sheet metal caskets are constructed from various metals such as carbon steel, stainless steel, copper and bronze.
Steel caskets have heretofore been provided with protection against corrosion by electrically connecting a sacrificial anode made of zinc or magnesium to the casket, whereby the casket becomes the cathode of an electrolytic cell in the presence of ground water. Examples of such cathodic protection are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,475,902 and 3,052,946, hereby incorporated by reference herein.
It is desirable to provide steel caskets with protection against corrosion without incurring the material and labor costs associated with fabricating and installing a sacrificial anode of the type shown in the '902 and '946 patents.
Precious metal caskets such as those fabricated from copper and bronze can be more expensive than steel caskets because of the price of the raw material. Also, because the stiffness and strength mechanical properties of the various steels are typically greater than those of the various precious metals, the wall thickness of a precious metal casket may have to be thicker than that of a comparable steel casket in order to provide the necessary stiffness and strength, further exacerbating the cost differential between a typical steel casket and a typical precious metal casket.
It is desirable to provide a precious metal casket at a lower price yet which does not compromise the stiffness and strength of the casket.


The invention provides a working unit control apparatus of an excavating and loading machine which can always judge a start of an excavation control at a proper timing. The working unit control apparatus has excavating state detecting means (43, 44) detecting an excavating state of a vehicle, and a controller (25) has a load judging portion (48) judging on the basis of a detecting amount, and automatic excavation control means (51) setting and outputting an automatic excavation command value to each of control valves on the basis of the judgement of said load judging portion, and an automatic excavation control is started when a boom lever is operated and it is judged that a vehicle is under excavation.

As a construction machine performing an excavating and loading operation, there is a wheel loader having a bucket in a front portion of a vehicle and mainly excavating a loaded object such as crushed stones and rocks, earth and sand, or the like by the bucket so as to load on a dump truck or the like. FIG. 10 shows a side elevational view of the wheel loader.
In FIG. 10, a wheel loader 1 is provided with a working unit 5 having a boom 3 attached to a front portion of a travelable vehicle body 2 in such a manner as to freely move in a vertical direction, and a bucket 4 pivoted to a front end portion of the boom 3 in such a manner as to freely rotate in a vertical direction. The boom 3 and the bucket 4 are operated by operating levers (not shown) provided within an operating room 7 mounted on the vehicle body 2. At a time of excavating a loaded object 6 so as to load on the bucket, the boom operation and the bucket operation are alternately performed while forward moving the vehicle toward a heap of the loaded object 6. In this case, rotating the bucket 4 around a pin 8 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 10 is called a tilting operation.
A technique of semi-automatically controlling a bucket angle of the bucket 4 in correspondence to a change of a boom angle of the boom 3 so as to improve an operating efficiency, in the excavating operation mentioned above is shown in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-96601. In accordance with this publication, a relation of the bucket angle with respect to the boom angle at a time of excavating is previously stored, and the bucket angle with respect to the boom angle operated by an operator is controlled so as to satisfy the relation mentioned above after a control start signal is input from the operator. That is, the bucket angle is controlled so that a detecting amount of a bucket angle detector becomes a stored target bucket angle.
However, in accordance with the prior art mentioned above, the operator determines the control start. A skilled operator can properly judge the control start timing so as to improve an efficiency of the excavating operation, however, it is hard for an operation having a low skill level to properly judge the excavation start timing. Accordingly, there is a case that the operating efficiency can not be improved because the control start timing is not properly judged, further, there is a case that the operating efficiency is reduced in some controls.
Further, in accordance with the conventional art, when the boom angle becomes a predetermined angle, the bucket is tilted by extending a bucket cylinder controlling the bucket angle for a predetermined time. However, in this control method, there is a case that the bucket angle corresponding to the boom angle can not be obtained due to a relief of a hydraulic circuit in the bucket cylinder or the like. In this case, since the bucket cylinder does not extend to a stroke end when the boom angle reaches a predetermined angle and the excavating control is finished, the tilt of the bucket is insufficient and a load scattering is generated. Further, since the bucket cylinder extends to the stroke end before the excavation control is finished, the hydraulic circuit of the bucket cylinder is wastefully relieved. Accordingly, it is impossible to control the working unit in accordance with an intention of the operator and the operating efficiency can not be improved.

Working unit control apparatus of excavating and loading machine


An aqueous coating composition comprising a hydrophilic cationic polymer having an amino group (A), nonionic polyalcohol (B), a tri- or more valent silane compound (C), and water (D). According to the aqueous coating composition of the present invention, it is possible to produce an organic and inorganic hybrid coating film having a high degree of hardness and excellent abrasion resistance in relative mild production conditions by a simple method.

Silica films obtained by a sol-gel reaction have been widely known as a film having a high degree of hardness. However, when a film is obtained by using only silica, cracks are generated in the film. Therefore, anti-cracking properties of the silica film are improved by using an organic polymer having film forming properties and toughness together with silica.
As a composition which provides a silica film containing an organic polymer, a uniform solution in which an amide group containing non-reactive polymer and hydrolysable metal oxide such as a specific silane are dissolved uniformly in an alcohol solvent has been suggested (For example, Patent Document 1). When the uniform solution is used and the hydrolysable metal oxide is subjected to a hydrolysis polycondensation reaction to make it a gel, an organic•inorganic complex transparent homogeneous substance in a film state can be obtained by keeping it in a film shape until the gelatinization of the uniform solution and removing the solvent. However, the uniform solution contains an alcohol solvent; therefore, it has been desired to change the alcohol solvent to an aqueous solvent in order to decrease environmental load.
In addition, as a silica film forming solution containing an aqueous solvent, a coating solution which comprises a silane compound, organic strong base, and a polar group containing polymer, and in which the silane compound is dissolved in the presence of the organic strong base, has been suggested (for example, in Patent Document 2). However, the coating film obtained by the coated solution has an insufficient degree of hardness and insufficient abrasion resistance in the filed of an inorganic coating film including a coating material. Therefore, it has been desired to improve these properties.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H3-212451
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H11-271521


The inventive directionally-adjustable LED spotlight is comprised of a fixed heat sink and an LED-array-bearing structure. The LED-array-bearing structure is adjustably attached in a heat transfer relationship to the fixed heat sink.

In LED light fixtures, heat management is a highly important criteria since LEDs produce heat that is directed primarily in the direction opposite from the light emanation. Therefore, it is desirable to have a heat sink or other heat dissipation apparatus located behind the LED array. This need for a heat sink has led to the configuration of LED fixtures to include a heat sink in a fixed relationship to the LED array.
Furthermore, this fixed relationship between the heat sink and the LED array has caused difficulty in designing an adjustable spotlight type fixture while utilizing LEDs, because the combination of the heat sink with the LED array, leads to an elongated arrangement that is difficult to reposition and leads to tall fixtures when incorporating both the heat sink and the array into the fixture. In light fixtures intended for positioning at considerable height, this presents particularly great difficulties for effectively positioning and locking the spotlight into place.
While a vast array of LED light fixtures have been developed, a need exists for an improved LED spotlight fixture adapted for easy repositioning yet still having effective heat dissipation characteristics


The invention provides systems and devices for an easily replaceable bearing system for a gunner stand of a vehicle. The bearing system reduces vibration from the vehicle on the bearings, decreases wear and tear, and reduces audible rattling. The bearing system includes a shuttle having a backplate and protruding geometry. Biased members are removably attached to the protruding geometry and are configured to create tension on rails of a gunner stand, holding the bearing system within the rails.

Gunner stands, present in many armored vehicles, raise and lower from within the vehicle to allow a gunner shoot from a turret at the top of the vehicle. In order to raise and lower the stand, the top platform that the gunner stands on may be attached to a scissor lift. The scissor lift includes bearings that slide along rails, allowing the platform to raise and lower. Over time, the bearings can wear out from use and vibrations of the vehicle. The bearings need to be replaced in the field, as the sending the armored vehicle to a shop is not feasible during military operations. Therefore, the bearing system must be easily replaceable in the field. However, most bearing systems in the current art are difficult to replace due to being securely attached to the scissor lift and rails in order to withstand use and vibrations. Therefore, a need exists for a replaceable bearing system that can be easily disassembled and reassembled in the field during military operations while withstanding use and vibrations of the vehicle.

Removable bearing system for a gunner stand


A classifier and a method of separating material using such a classifier are disclosed. The classifier comprises a mixing chamber having a mixing fluidization floor and a concentration chamber having a concentration fluidization floor. The concentration fluidization floor and at least a portion of the concentration chamber is located below the mixing fluidization floor. The method of separating material using such a classifier comprises delivering material to be separated into a mixing chamber of the classifier, fluidizing the material in the mixing chamber; transferring some of the material to a concentration chamber of the classifier in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, fluidizing the material in the concentration chamber, forming a concentrating fluidized bed in the concentration chamber, separating the material with at least the concentrating fluidized bed and drawing heavier portions of the separated material from the concentration chamber.

The classification of particles according to their size and/or weight is often used in mineral processing. In order to classify these particles it is common to locate the particles in a solution to form a slurry. This slurry is then passed through various types of equipment in order to separate the particles into different sizes and/or densities.
One of these types of equipment is a classifier that separates particles according to their size and/or density. Reflux classifiers typically have a slurry which is fluidised and passed through a plurality of parallel plates, or lamellae, which use gravity to separate solid particles from the liquid. In order to operate the Reflux classifier needs the material being separated to form a fluidised bed, which is the primary form of gravity separation.
However, for low grade minerals, typically high value minerals such as gold or diamonds where head grades are in the order of a few percent or lower, only a relatively small portion of the feed material results in underflow. This results in the Reflux classifier having difficulty forming an effective fluidised bed. In some cases it can take many hours to form a bed and, during this time, no effective separation or concentration occurs, resulting in lost productivity. Furthermore, even once a fluidised bed is achieved, the mineral concentrations are so low that they typically need to be processed multiple times to yield the desired mineral output. This complicates processing, further increasing capital and running costs and further reducing efficiency.
It will be clearly understood that any reference herein to background material or information, or to a prior publication, does not constitute an admission that any material, information or publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, or is otherwise admissible prior art, whether in Australia or in any other country.


An appliance includes a processor, a medium, a registration application, and a monitoring application. The registration application includes instructions in the medium that, when read and executed by the processor, configure the registration application to write a transaction identifier to a start message, the transaction identifier identifying the appliance, write a dataset of interest identifier to the start message, and send the start message to a database. The dataset of interest identifies a group of appliances including the appliance. The monitoring application includes instructions in the medium that, when read and executed by the processor, configure the monitoring application to monitor operations executed on the appliance, write data resulting from the operations to a data message, and send the data message anonymously to the database. The data message is signed with a member key associated with the group of appliances.

Enhanced Privacy Identification (EPID) is a digital signature scheme. A group public key in EPID corresponds to multiple private keys. A private key can be used to generate a signature. The signature can be verified using the group public key.
EPID is an extension of Direct Anonymous Attestation (DAA). DAA is a cryptographic scheme for providing anonymous signatures. DAA is used for the Trusted Platform Module created by the Trusted Computing Group.
A feature of EPID is that keys issued can be blind. The issuer need not know a member's private key. The EPID signatures are anonymous. The EPID signature cannot be opened to identify the member. The linkability of an EPID signature and members of a group depend upon the base values that are chosen and revealed during the signature. Signatures using a common name verifier can be linked. A signature using a random signature cannot be linked. Signatures using different name verifies cannot be linked. EPID signatures or keys can be revoked.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A poultry processing device having a pair of substantially flat cooperating side-by-side thin blade-mounting members with a pair of cooperating blades mounted upon and extending forwardly in angled relation from the forward portions thereof, and secured at their rear portions by a transverse pivot pin. An adjustable spring member encircles the pivot pin and has opposite end portions each secured to a different one of the mounting members to urge the blades toward open position. A shiftable pin connects one end of the spring to one of the mounting members and shifts between a variety of positions along the length of one end portion of the spring to vary its torque. The lower blade extends downwardly at about a 45.degree. angle and is longer than the upper blade to compensate for the slicing action of the upper blade which results from the location of the pivot pin. The two mounting members pivot in side-by-side relation within the palm of the hand and a pair of spacer posts extend between the rear portions of the mounting members rearwardly of the pivot pin, one above and one below, which brings the two blades into slightly angled relation. The pivot pin is above and to the rear of the finger grips on the mounting member for the lower blade. The side-by-side assembly of the thin flat mounting members provides a hand-opening and closing action which greatly alleviates stress on the part of the user, as compared to the use of conventional scissors, and greatly minimizes the carpal tunnel syndrome problem currently experienced by so many poultry processors. A thumb rest is carried by the mounting member for the upper blade above and to the right side of that blade so that movement of the thumb is in a plane parallel and immediately adjacent to the palm of the hand of the user rather than at a sharp angle thereto, as is the case in the use of scissors for the same purpose.

The state of the art in poultry processing tools is currently characterized by the use of a conventional scissors to snip away undesirable pieces of cartilage, tendons, broken bones, etc. The lower blade of the conventional scissor, however, is operated by the thumb and the upper blade is controlled by the user's index and middle finger, the latter two (2) fingers extending at substantially right angles to the palm of the user's hand and the thumb extending at a 60.degree.-80.degree. angle to the flat of the palm. This angled relationship is frequently the cause of what is known in the poultry industry as the "carpal tunnel syndrome" which develops in the wrist of most workers who perform this type of work regularly over a span of several years.
The "carpal tunnel syndrome" is evidenced in the area of the carpal tunnel of the user by inflammation, swelling, and pain, and eventually incapacitates the user for that type of work. The carpal tunnel is an area at the inner side of the human wrist through which a nerve runs to the hand and which frequently is a cause of trouble for people who utilize their hands and fingers a great deal, such as pianists, typists, fabric manufacturing workers, knitters, tennis players, poultry processors, etc. Such excess activity may cause tissue to develop in the area of that nerve adjacent the base of the hand. Substantial development of such tissue brings pressure to bear upon that nerve, with resultant inflammation and pain. Relief is obtained primarily by surgery in which the excess tissue is cut away and removed, so as to alleviate the pressure upon the nerve and terminate the pain caused thereby. Such surgery is both expensive and painful and, in addition, incapacitates the worker for a substantial period of time. Moreover, the patient is well-advised to cease that type of employment rather than to risk further complications and redevelopment of more of such objectionable tissue.
In the center of the human wrist, bones and a ligament form a narrow tunnel containing tendons and a major nerve, called the median nerve. The median nerve conducts sensations from the hand, up the arm, to the central nervous system. When the nerve is compressed at the wrist, the hand and fingers are affected adversely. The synovium around the tendons may become thick and sticky due to the normal wear and tear of the aging process or repetitive hand movements, thus pressing the nerve against the tunnel. Various conditions may cause wrist structures to take up extra space in the carpal tunnel. Since bones and ligaments are not compressible, this puts pressure on the nerve, resulting in the symptoms known as "carpal tunnel syndrome".
The "carpal tunnel syndrome" is caused by compression of the median nerve between the substantially inelastic carpal ligament and other structures within the carpal tunnel. The volume of the contents of the tunnel can be increased by organic lesions such as synovitis of the tendon sheathes. Even though no anatomic lesion may be apparent, flattening or even circumferential constriction of the median nerve may be observed during operative action of the ligament. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome occur in the hands and fingers and evidences itself as numbness, tingling, and burning sensations, "pins and needles", and pain in the middle and index fingers and thumb, and sometimes in all five fingers.
Poultry processors normally work with the scissors in wide-open position for maximum purchase in the cutting operation. That position maximizes the angle of the thumb to the palm of the hand and to the area called the carpal tunnel area, thus substantially increasing the likelihood of the development of the objectionable tissue in the carpal tunnel area, as described above. It can be seen that the flesh of the thumb approaches and retracts from the carpal tunnel area as a scissor is manipulated in such a manner and position, to thereby facilitate the development of such undesirable tissue. The repetitive movements of the fingers required of such poultry processors lead to the development of the "carpal tunnel syndrome" in many of them.
My invention is directed toward obviating, or at least greatly minimizing, the tendency for the development of the "carpal tunnel syndrome" by poultry processing workers engaged in such activities.


A method and system for joint wireless and fixed network optimization for heterogeneous cellular networks includes performing a feasibility evaluation for an x-haul network comprising at least one of a fronthaul network and a backhaul network, after determining base station locations and radio frequency (RF) parameters. The feasibility evaluation may determine, based on a network graph, which small cell locations are accessible according to actual network demand and based on cost metrics for different types of network links.

Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to cellular networking and, specifically, to joint wireless and fixed network optimization for heterogeneous cellular networks.
Description of the Related Art
As cellular networks that provide wireless network access to mobile user devices have been further developed over the years, new generations of cellular networking standards have been implemented about every decade since the first generation (1G) systems were introduced. As each new generation appears, different frequency bands and new transmission technology has enabled higher data rates to be provided via cellular networking.
In a traditional cellular network, such as up to the third generation (3G) systems, radio frequency (RF) components and a fixed network (often an optical network) to link the RF components have typically been viewed as individual and separate systems that may be separately designed and implemented. Underlying this design approach has often been the assumption that, for any given set of traditional cellular RF components, the fixed network would have sufficient throughput capacity to accommodate the resulting bandwidth demand. Furthermore, because such traditional cellular networks have been comprised of so-called "large cells" (including so-called "macrocells" and "microcells") that are relatively few in number, the access to and availability of the fixed network for cell base stations has not generally been a feasibility constraint for a given cellular network design. Therefore, for such a traditional cellular network design, RF engineers could primarily focus on radio considerations to design cell placements and optimal coverage for a given service area.
Advancements in 3G systems have included a distributed base station architecture in which a remote radio head (RRH) was separated from a baseband unit (BBU) in a base station using an optical fiber (or sometimes a microwave link) for more flexible network design and rollout. The network segments that connect standalone RRHs with centralized BBUs at cell locations are referred to as a "fronthaul" network in the distributed base station architecture, while a "backhaul" network refers to the network that interconnects BBUs.
Recently, post-3G cellular network systems have been widely adopted, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), and continue to grow rapidly. Many new radio access network (RAN) technologies and wireless topologies continue to be developed for LTE, including so-called heterogeneous wireless network architectures that include numerous so-called "small cells" (including so-called "picocells" and "femtocells"). Because the number of small cells in a heterogeneous cellular network may be much larger than the number of large cells in traditional cellular network architectures, heterogeneous designs may be relatively complicated due to the factors of optimal radio coverage with minimal interference and accessibility of each small cell to the fronthaul or backhaul network, among other factors.
Furthermore, new cloud-RAN (C-RAN) cellular wireless network architectures are being used that provide further advantages from implementing LTE-Advanced features, such as Coordinated MultiPoint (CoMP) and Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC), which rely on inter-cell communication and coordination to improve performance of cells that may provide an economic benefit to the overall cellular network. Because new features such as CoMP, ICIC and Enhanced ICIC (eICIC), rely on very tight timing synchronization, low latency, and very high bandwidth in the wireless domain, certain performance demands on emerging fronthaul networks may approach or exceed those of the backhaul network.
Accordingly, the availability of a suitable fixed network to support emerging cellular network topologies, such as C-RAN, may no longer be a valid assumption for every proposed cell in a given network design. Conversely, RF issues, such as interference, may limit the utilization of high performance fronthaul or backhaul networks (referred to collectively as "x-haul" herein), resulting in wasted network capacity that is economically undesirable.

Joint wireless and fixed network optimization for heterogeneous cellular networks


Apparatus, and an associated method, for converting an inband signal, such as a DTMF signal, into a form to permit transmission thereof to a receive station. An inband signal, such as a DTMF signal generated by a wireline device is applied to a digital transmitter, such as a fixed cellular terminal having a digital transceiver. The inband signal is detected and encoded. The inband signal is encoded in a manner to permit its transmission according to an appropriate air interface standard.

A communication system provides a manner by which information formed at a source location can be transferred to a destination location. To effectuate such transfer of information, a communication system is formed, at a minimum, by a sending station and a receiving station interconnected by a communication channel. The communication channel forms a communication link between the sending station and the receiving station. The sending station includes circuitry for converting the information which is to be communicated to the receiving station. Such circuitry forms a communication signal which is communicated upon the communication channel to the receiving station. And, the receiving station includes circuitry for receiving the communication signal transmitted by the sending station and for recovering the informational content thereof.
A wireline, telephone system is a type of communication system. PSTNs (Public Switched Telephone Networks) form the infrastructure of a wireline telephone system. Conventional telephones, or other wireline devices, are coupled to a PSTN by way of wireline connections. Both voice and data communications can be communicated by way of such a telephonic system. PSTNs have been installed throughout significant portions of the world. Telephonic communications effectuated therethrough are widely utilized.
A radio communication system is a communication system in which the communication link formed between the sending and receiving stations is formed of a portion of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum. A wireline connection is not required to form a communication channel interconnecting the sending and receiving stations. A radio communication system is therefore particularly advantageously utilized when a wireline connection between the sending and receiving stations is unavailable.
A cellular communication system is a type of radio communication system. Analogous to the telephonic communications permitted pursuant to a wireline telephonic system, telephonic communications are also permitted pursuant to a cellular communication system. The infrastructure of a cellular communication system is coupled to a PSTN. But, radio connections with mobile terminals obviate the need to install wireline connections to effectuate communications with such terminals.
The mobility permitted when communicating by way of a cellular communication system is much greater than that permitted when a wireline connection is required to effectuate communications. Due in part to the increased mobility of communications permitted by a cellular communication system, use of a cellular communication system to communicate telephonically has become increasingly popular.
Attempts have been made to increase the communication capacity of a cellular communication system. By increasing the communication capacity of a cellular communication system, increased numbers of users are permitted to communicate by way of such a system.
Some cellular communication systems have been implemented using digital technologies. In a digital communication system, the information which is to be communicated is digitized. Once the information is digitized, a communication signal formed therefrom can be transmitted in a bit stream. Two or more communication signals can be thereby multiplexed together by way of a selected, access technique. For instance, time-division-multiple-access (TDMA) communication systems utilize sequential multiplexing of bursts upon a carrier. The bursts are transmitted during selected time slots of frames formed of a plurality of time slots.
The GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) cellular communication system is exemplary of a digital cellular communication system. GSM communication systems have been installed throughout significant areas in which cellular communications are provided.
As noted above, cellular communication systems are popular in many instances due to the increased mobility of communications permitted therein. In some areas, also, access to conventional, wireline telephonic service is unavailable or limited. The costs associated with installing the wireline infrastructure required of conventional wireline systems are significant. In areas in which such wireline infrastructure has not already been installed, the installation instead of a cellular communication system is a cost-effective alternative.
Therefore, in areas in which the existing infrastructure of conventional wireline systems have not already been installed, it is anticipated that installation of cellular communication systems shall instead be made. Telephonic communication shall, in such instance, be effectuated by way of a cellular communication system.
Most simply, a cellular transceiver can be used to effectuate the telephonic communications. However, many communication devices are constructed for connection to a conventional, wireline system. Connection of such communication devices to a cellular transceiver permits such communication devices to be continued to be used even when a wireline system is otherwise unavailable.
Fixed cellular terminals have been developed which permit the connection thereto of one or more communication devices. Conventional, wireline telephones are exemplary of such communication devices. Normal telephonic communication is permitted of a user utilizing the conventional telephone. Communication signals provided to the fixed cellular terminal from the conventional telephone are transmitted by the fixed cellular terminal to the cellular network infrastructure of the cellular communication system. Downlink signals transmitted from the cellular network to the fixed cellular terminal are, in turn, provided to the conventional telephone.
Most normal, telephonic communications are permitted by way of a fixed cellular terminal. However, when the fixed cellular terminal is a digital cellular transceiver, such as a GSM cellular transceiver, DTMF signals generated at the conventional, wireline telephone are not necessarily accurately communicated by way of the cellular transceiver. DTMF signals are generated by a user of the conventional, wireline telephone when carrying out any of many telephonic functions. Generation of the DTMF signals are required, for instance, to gain entry into, and to make use of, many automated telephone services.
In a digital transceiver, an input speech signal is encoded using a vocoder. The vocoder used in a GSM cellular transceiver, for instance, does not guarantee waveform integrity of a signal applied thereto. As a result, accurate encoding of a DTMF signal in a manner to accurately ensure its subsequent recreation cannot be guaranteed.
When a GSM cellular transceiver, or other digital transceiver, forms a standalone device, actuation of a telephonic key actually causes the generation of a code instead of a DTMF signal. The code is transmitted to, and received at, the cellular network. A DTMF signal is created responsive to the received code. Thereby, problems associated with the inability of the vocoder to encode accurately a DTMF signal are avoided. However, when the transceiver is coupled to a separate wireline telephone, or other wireline device, DTMF signals are applied as inputs to the GSM cellular, or other digital, transceiver.
A manner by which a DTMF signal generated by a conventional, wireline telephone, or other device, could be converted into a form to permit the digital cellular transceiver to communicate accurately an indication of the DTMF signal would therefore be advantageous. Use of a fixed cellular terminal to effectuate telephonic communications would thereby more closely resemble that of a conventional, wireline telephonic network.
More generally, a manner by which to convert an inband signal into a form to permit a digital transmitter to communicate accurately an indication of the inband signal would be advantageous. An inband signal is a signal which is transmitted within a channel upon which a signal of another signal-type is transmitted.
It is in light of this background information related to telephonic communications that the significant improvements of the present invention have resulted.

Inband signal converter, and associated method, for a digital communication system


A method of detecting analytes in a microfluidic sample includes introducing at least one type of analyte, at least one type of carrier particle, and a fluid into a mixing chamber of a system. The at least one type of analyte binds to a site on the at least one type of carrier particle to form a microfluidic suspension including at least one analyte-bound particle suspended in the fluid. The at least one analyte-bound particle is separated from the fluid by exposing the suspension to physical forces, magnetic forces, or combinations thereof. A spectrophotometric property of a solution is altered using the at least one analyte-bound particle. The altered spectrophotometric property is measured with an optical detection system.

The present disclosure is generally directed to a method of detecting analytes in a microfluidic sample, and a system for performing the same.
Assays are often used in the biochemical, medical and environmental fields to detect the presence and/or concentration of one or more analytes. Numerous assays (including immunoassays) are known where the analyte is either an antigen or an antibody. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (also known as ELISAs) have recently become popular, especially in the medical field. This may be due, at least in part, to the fact that an ELISA is capable of quantitatively determining the concentration of, for example, drug(s) in a urine sample, or detecting the presence of, for example, HIV in a blood sample. Particle-based ELISAs have recently been developed, in which antibodies are directly bound to particle surfaces. Such assays generally include the following advantages: 1) an increased surface area relative to binding antibodies to a wellplate surface, and 2) the ability to separate the particles from a liquid phase after reaction using, for example, magnetism or density difference.
Particle-based ELISAs are typically performed by first manually pipetting and mixing the various reagents, including antibodies, antigens, enzymes, other chemicals, and/or carrier particles. Particles are subsequently separated from fluids via the application of some force, for example, magnetism in conjunction with ferrous oxide particles, followed by washing. Spectrophotometric detection is typically performed by transferring (e.g., via a pipette) an aliquot of the particles to a wellplate, and then measuring the wellplate with a bench-scale optical reader. Tests are run independently, or using a simultaneous series, and the results are generally processed manually. Automated ELISA systems have recently been implemented as benchtop models to reduce time and labor costs often associated with manual ELISA systems. These automated systems may, however, require additional bulky and relatively heavy equipment, and/or typically utilize conventional wellplate approaches. Portable, automated systems using smaller, disposable coupons may be a desirable alternative to the benchtop models, however, such systems may be limited in the type of force used for particle separation.

Method of detecting analytes in a microfluidic sample and a system for performing the same

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method and means of modifying the multi-rate high speed data CDMA system by increasing the physical layer data rate to n times the basic IS-95 rate, while not increasing the frame size proportionally to avoid the use of larger frames, and varying the data rate by changing the number of frames, N, transmitted during each period of T sec, using the relationship R=N.times.F/T, where R bps is the physical layer data rate, F bits is the physical layer frame size, and T sec is the frame period and the interleave depth. Using this approach, the data rate can be varied between F/T bps and N.times.F/T bps using the same set of allowed frame sizes. Further, a major frame of data is formed using a fixed number of minor frames in combination, which minor frames are full rate and simple fractions of a full rate, i.e., 1/2 rate, 1/4 rate, and 1/8 rate. A basic data rate is established which is the data rate that will use a single full rate frame. The sizes of the minor frames needed to generate a major frame are determined by dividing the desired data rate by the basic data rate to form a ratio, the integer portion of which ratio indicates the number of full rate frames and the fractional portion of which determines the size of the single fractional rate frame to use. The full rate frames are concatenated with the single fractional rate frame to produce the final frame structure that is transmitted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multi-rate communication systems, such as the CDMA cellular telephone network, and more particularly to a method and means for providing a communication frame structure that can support a number of different physical layer data rates.
2. Prior Art
In existing multi-rate communication systems, such as the CDMA communication system using the IS-95 Standard, the communication messages or transmissions are transmitted using a frame structure having physical layers with different data rates. According to the IS-95 communications standard, transmissions have a physical layer frame size F, a frame period T, and a physical layer data rate R. Details of the many aspects of this technology can be found in the standards publications identified by IS-95A, TSB74, and ANSI J-STD-008, which are familiar to those of skill in the art and incorporated herein by reference.
One approach for varying the data rate is to keep the same frame size and vary the frame rate, e.g., frames may be generated every 5 ms, instead of every 20 ms as is typical, in order to increase the data rate from 9.6 kbps to 38.4 kbps. With this approach, however, the minimum air interface data rate is 4.8 kbps, rather than 1.2 kbps, which is not economical since, for instance, it wastes bandwidth. Additionally, various system timing parameters are based on the frame rate so that a change in the frame rate results in changing other system timing parameters, which changes are not desirable. Further, frames of data are interleaved over a single frame and, as it is desirable to maintain an interleave depth of 20 ms for good error correction, a frame of 5 ms, and thus an interleaving depth of 5 ms, would not provide adequate interleaving for good error correction.
Another approach is to keep the same frame rate and define different frame sizes. However, this may lead to very large frame sizes for high data rates, which results in a higher frame error rate (FER). Also, a large number of different frame types must be implemented to accomodate the various data rates in between the lowest and the highest data rate.
Thus, these two approaches to varying the data rate have limitations regarding efficiency.
Problem to be Solved:
In multi-rate communication systems, therefore, a frame structure is needed that can support a number of different physical layer data rates efficiently.
Objects of the invention:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a framing technique that overcomes the limitations in both the above-noted prior art schemes.
It is another object of the invention to provide a frame structure that can support a number of different physical layer data rates efficiently.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a framing technique that supports a large number of data rates using only a small number of different frame types.

Framing technique for a multi-rate CDMA communication system


The present invention relates to a method and system for displaying a video signal in dependence on a user interaction. The system comprises a display for receiving the video signal, at least one transmitter for transmitting location signals, and at least three transceivers for receiving the location signals from the transmitter and for transmitting modified location signals. The geometric locations of the at least three transceivers are known to a computing device. The computing device is then able to derive a transmit location of the location signals based on the received modified location signals, wherein the computing device is adapted to modify the content of the video signal in response to the derived transmit location in dependence on the user interaction.

Short-range wireless technologies in the wireless local area network (WLAN) space as well as wireless personal and body area networks (WPAN and WBAN) continue to proliferate rapidly. Similarly, wireless technology is increasingly applied to feed high-resolution video signals over a digital video interface (DVI) to hand-held or detachable flat panel displays (FPDS) as well as to stationary displays, e.g., display panels mounted on a wall a missing feature in these applications using DVIs is the capability to support user-aware, real-time or quasi real-time interactions in response to the user's position and orientation relative to the video display. Typically, conventional wireless video display systems operate by transmitting compressed video signals to the display, such that the latter requires decompression circuits, over license-free but narrow designated radio spectrum bands; however, these narrowband wireless systems can generally not support the desired high data rates for the transmission of raw high-resolution video signals. Furthermore, narrowband wireless systems are generally not capable to support applications requiring a precise indoor location tracking capability.
To mitigate the threat of a future spectrum shortage, additional radio spectrum in the form of the ultra-wideband (UWB) radio channel was recently made available for use in the USA in the range 3.1 GHz-10.6 GHz. European and Asian authorities are also preparing rulings to enable commercial marketing and use of devices based on UWB radio technology (UWB-RT).
High-definition television (HDTV) and high-resolution video display rendering will use DVIs with the added disadvantage that high transmission data rates are to be used between the video signal source and the display. For example, the digital DVI (DVI-D) standard link allows a digital connection from a set-top box (STB) to a display eliminating unnecessary digital to analog conversions and keeping the signal digital. Almost all STBs use DVI-D and do not carry any analog signal. An HDTV capable TV set has maximum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels (60 Hz AC power supply) and should only use a single link (cable or wireless), as do almost all DVI equipped displays. However, plasma screens and flat panel displays (FPDs) can have much higher resolutions and refresh rates and could use a dual or multiple DVI-D links. The requirement for very high data rates between the video signal sources and high-resolution displays is particularly demanding if the video signal is to be transmitted wirelessly to the display. Thus, there is a need for new solutions to increase both the effective data rate and the link distance between the video source and the display. This problem prevails equally when connecting a personal computer (PC) to a high-resolution video display through DVIs or other digital interfaces.
One possibility to overcome this problem is to split a high-rate data stream into multiple lower-rate data streams to achieve a compound data rate equal to the desired high-data rate. In such cases, designers are faced with the problem of choosing the best possible multi-stream technology for a given set of system parameters and criteria. There exist two different approaches: a) support of multiple data streams by means of co-located and non-interfering networks, also called piconets, and b) support of multiple data streams within a single communication cell based on a suitable multiple access (MA) technique. All of these approaches are based on an efficient channel access method and the most popular prior art MA methods are briefly described hereafter, listing their known features and suitability when applied to networks with terminals based on UWB-RT.
MA techniques, e.g., Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and in particular Rate Division Multiple Access (RDMA) as described by Martin Weisenhorn and Walter Hirt, "Novel Rate-Division Multiple-Access Scheme for UWB-Radio-Based Sensor Networks", IEEE Int. Zurich Seminar on Communications, pages 76-81, February 2004, have been known for some time. Some of these techniques could be applied to mitigate the high-rate video distribution problem. For example, when using RDMA, each data stream is transmitted by a binary antipodal signal, preferably with a low duty cycle, that can be distinguished at the destination receiver by an appropriate, unique choice of a user-specific pulse rate or a combination of at least two user-specific pulse rates. However, it may be advantageous in certain applications to combine the features and benefits of the basic RDMA method with one or more of the prior art multiple access methods.
Known wireless (video) displays include:                PDA-like screens of low pixel resolution (320×240), near/full-motion video (15/30 fps (frames per second)), in high or true color format (12, 16 or 24 bit/pixel);        tablet—SVGA up to XGA resolution, 16/24 bit/pixel, with full or reduced refresh rate; if full-motion video is supported, then the video stream is commonly MPEG-encoded when sent over a wireless channel, with data rates of 1-10 Mbps; and        video projectors and TV displays with internal MPEG decoding engine and Wi-Fi® capability with nominal data rates of 11-54 Mbps (Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance).
While some of the above will support full-motion video in DVD or even HDTV quality, none of these display devices can sustain the high-resolution full-rate refresh requirements of a standard PC over a wireless channel. A distinction is made between a cinematographic and "full-motion" video display of 25, resp. 30 fps, and a more demanding notion of "full-rate" computer monitor, with refresh rates in excess of 60 fps. Here the requirements of full-rate display refresh are addressed.
A question worth asking is: How to wirelessly connect a full-rate high resolution PC monitor? A brief step-wise calculation of the bandwidth requirements yields the following results:                a) A typical PC monitor resolution ranges from XGA (1024×768) up to QUXGA-W (3840×2560); most common resolutions are SXGA/+(1280×1024) and UXGA (1600×1200). The large scale introduction of HDTV will drive the standard PC resolution up to QXGA (2048×1536).        b) The minimum refresh rate for PC displays in TFT LCD technology is 60 fps.        c) Unlike video codecs such as MPEG-2/4, there seem to be no general codecs for GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces). A universal GUI display that works with a common operating system uses the least common denominator, i.e., un-encoded video transmission between the computer video source and its display. Otherwise, the lack of a large enough market would not allow the widespread use of full rate/motion wireless displays.
Thus the net bandwidth required by an XGA display at 60 fps is: (1024×768 pix)×(24 bit/pix)×(60 fps)=1132 Mbps or 1.132 Gbps. Assuming a 25% overhead for wireless encoding and protocol, the raw data rate for XGA is ˜1.4 Gbps; for QXGA: ˜5.7 Gbps; for QUXGA-W: ˜17.7 Gbps.
Considering SXGA/UXGA, the most likely resolution used for PC, notebook and HDTV flat screens, it is found that the raw data rates are also very high for wireless transmission (SXGA: ˜2.4 Gbps; UXGA: ˜3.5 Gbps).
From the above it follows that there is still a need in the art for a scheme that allows displaying of a video signal on a display without cables and in particular in dependence on a user interaction. It would be further advantageous if the scheme enables a user-aware wireless video display offering full rate refresh at high resolution.

Method and system for user-aware video display