A design structure for capacitor having a suitably large value for decoupling applications is formed in a trench defined by isolation structures such as recessed isolation or shallow trench isolation. The capacitor provides a contact area coextensive with an active area and can be reliably formed individually or in small numbers. Plate contacts are preferably made through implanted regions extending to or between dopant diffused regions forming a capacitor plate. The capacitor can be formed by a process subsequent to formation of isolation structures such that preferred soft mask processes can be used to form the isolation structures and process commonality and compatibility constraint are avoided while the capacitor forming processes can be performed in common with processing for other structures.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to design structures for fabricating trench capacitors and, more particularly, to design structures for trench capacitor fabrication which is free of requirements for process commonality and thus applicable to decoupling functions, particularly for application specific integrated circuits (ASICs).
2. Description of the Prior Art
Use of capacitors in integrated circuits has led to the design of many different configurations of the plates and dielectric thereof in an effort to better match the electrical and mechanical characteristics to the requirements imposed by the overall integrated circuit design. In particular, compared to large arrays of small capacitors in memories, decoupling applications to prevent variations in voltage caused by current load at one part of a circuit such as an integrated circuit from propagating to another part of the circuit require capacitors of relatively large size and capacitance value in relatively small numbers, often individually in specific locations on a chip which is generally densely integrated with other types of structures.
It is recognized in semiconductor manufacture that the formation of many types of structures may be affected by local conditions at the reaction interface. For this reason, it has often been the practice for reliably forming structures in small numbers, to form additional or "dummy" structures surrounding or interspersed with the structures of interest. Formation of such additional structures beyond those required not only improves reliability of formation of the intended structures but may also provide a degree of redundancy for substitution for and structures having marginal properties. However, doing so for larger structures to meet minimum pattern density constraints consumes correspondingly more chip space.
Additionally, process cost and compatibility are unavoidable concerns in integrated circuit manufacture and often require trade-offs or impose constraints on technologies which can be utilized as well as device complexity such as collars, multiple polysilicon fill deposits for deep trench capacitors and complexity of contact formation. For example, MOS transistors are often the technology of choice for application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) but have required MOS capacitors for decoupling even though MOS capacitors exhibit significant leakage while development of large capacitances is difficult and consumes large chip space. Further, known methods of fabricating decoupling capacitors has required formation of the capacitors prior to defining the active area(s) of the chip, generally with recessed isolation or shallow trench isolation (STI) formation requiring a hard mask and is thus incompatible with the soft mask process of choice.


Provided are a motor and an optical apparatus each including: a rotatable rotor having a cylindrical magnet; a first coil; a first outer magnetic pole portion which is disposed at a center portion of the first coil and which is opposed to an outer circumferential surface of the magnet within a first predetermined angle range; a second outer magnetic pole portion which is adjacent to an outer circumference of the first coil and which is opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the magnet; a first inner magnetic pole portion which is adjacent to the outer circumference of the first coil and which is opposed to an inner circumferential surface of the magnet; a second coil; a third outer magnetic pole portion which is disposed at a center portion of the second coil and which is opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the magnet within a second predetermined angle range; a fourth outer magnetic pole portion which is adjacent to an outer circumference of the second coil and which is opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the magnet; and a second inner magnetic pole portion which is adjacent to the outer circumference of the second coil and which is opposed to the inner circumferential surface of the magnet. Accordingly, there are provided a motor and an optical apparatus which realize higher output without impairing miniaturization.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cylindrical motor and an optical apparatus using the motor.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structural example of a conventional stepping motor, and FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view schematically showing a state of a magnetic flux that flows from a stator of the stepping motor shown in FIG. 17.
In the figures, two bobbins 101 having stator coils 105 concentrically wound therearound are juxtaposed in an axial direction, and are held between and fixed to separate stator yokes 106, respectively. An inner diameter surface of each of the stator yokes 106 is formed with stator teeth 106a and 106b, which are alternately arranged in a circumferential direction of the inner diameter surface of the bobbin 101. The stator yokes 106, each of which is integrally formed with the stator tooth 106a or 106b, are fixed to two cases 103, respectively. Thus, there are formed two stators 102 respectively corresponding to the two stator coils 105 for excitation. A flange 115 and a bearing 108 are fixed to one of the two cases 103, and another bearing 108 is fixed to the other case 103. A rotor 109 is composed of a rotor magnet 111 fixed to a rotor shaft 110, and the rotor magnet 111 forms a radially extending gap portion with respect to the stator yoke 106 of each of the stators 102. The rotor shaft 110 is rotatably supported by the two bearings 108.
In the conventional compact stepping motor described above, the cases 103, the bobbins 101, the stator coils 105, and the stator yokes 106 are concentrically disposed in the outer circumference of the rotor 109, which raises a problem in that the motor is increased in outer dimensions. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a magnetic flux, which is generated due to energization of the stator coils 105, mainly passes through an end face 106a1 of the stator tooth 106a and an end face 106b1 of the stator tooth 106b. Thus, there has been a problem in that the magnetic flux does not act on the rotor magnet 111 effectively, making it impossible to attain higher output of the motor.
With the objective of solving the above-mentioned problems, there has been proposed a motor with the structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-331666 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,356). FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the motor. In this figure, reference numeral 311 denotes a magnet; 312 denotes a first coil; 313 denotes a second coil; 314 denotes a first stator; 314a and 314b denote first outer magnetic pole portions; 314c and 314d denote first inner magnetic pole portions; 315 denotes a second stator; 315a and 315b denote second outer magnetic pole portions; 315c and 315d denote second inner magnetic pole portions; and 316 denotes a connecting ring for holding the first stator 314 and the second stator 315. Reference numeral 317 denotes an output shaft to which the magnet 311 is fastened and which rotates integrally with the magnet 311. The output shaft 317 is rotatably supported by respective bearings 314e and 315e of the first stator 314 and the second stator 315.
The motor in accordance with this proposal is structured such that: there is formed the magnet 311 composed of a cylindrical permanent magnet circumferentially divided into equal parts to be alternately magnetized to different poles; the first coil 312, the magnet 311, and the second coil 313 are sequentially arranged in an axial direction of the magnet 311; the first outer magnetic pole portions 314a and 314b and the first inner magnetic pole portions 314c and 314d, which are excited by the first coil 312, are opposed to the outer circumferential surface and inner circumferential surface of the magnet 311 on one axial side thereof, respectively; the second outer magnetic pole portions 315a and 315b and the second inner magnetic pole portions 315c and 315d, which are excited by the second coil 313, are opposed to the outer circumferential surface and inner circumferential surface of the magnet 311 on the other axial side thereof, respectively; and the output shaft 317 as a rotary shaft is taken out of the cylindrical magnet 311. The motor with this structure can realize higher output and reduction in outer dimensions of the motor. Further, the reduction of the magnet 311 in thickness can reduce the distance between the first outer magnetic pole portion and the first inner magnetic pole portion and the distance between the second outer magnetic pole portion and the second inner magnetic pole portion. Thus, a magnetic resistance in a magnetic circuit can be decreased. Therefore, a large amount of magnetic flux can be generated, thus making it possible to maintain high output, even if a small current is flown through the first coil 312 and the second coil 313.
However, the motor of the type described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-331666 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,356) has a disadvantage that the length in the axial direction is long as in the conventional stepping motor shown in FIG. 17.
As a motor whose axial length is short, there is one shown in, for example, FIG. 20 (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. H07-213041 and 2000-50601). This motor is constituted of plural coils 301, 302, and 303 and a disc-shape magnet 304. The coils 301 to 303 each have a thin coin shape, as shown in FIG. 20, and the axes of the coils are arranged parallel to the axis of the magnet 304. Further, the disc-shape magnet 304 is magnetized in an axial direction of the disc, and a magnetized surface of the magnet 304 is arranged to be opposed to the axes of the coils 301 to 303. In this case, as shown by arrows in FIG. 21, the magnetic fluxes generated from the coils 301 to 303 do not completely and effectively act on the magnet 304. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the center of rotational force acting on the magnet 304 is at the position separated from an outer diameter of the motor by L, and thus, a small torque is generated relative to the motor size. Moreover, a center portion of the motor is occupied by the coils 301 to 303 and the magnet 304, which makes arrangement of other components in the motor difficult. Furthermore, since the plural coils are required, there is a disadvantage in that energization control on the coils is complicated, and that costs rise.
On the other hand, there is known a device for driving diaphragm blades, a shutter, a lens, or the like with the use of the above-described motor of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-331666 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,356) or the like. However, the motor of this type has an elongate cylindrical shape. Thus, when used as a driving source for the diaphragm blades, shutter, lens, or the like, the motor needs to be arranged to be in parallel with an optical axis within a lens barrel of a camera. Therefore, a radial dimension of the lens barrel has the total value of not only a radius of a lens and a radius of a throttle opening but also a diameter of the motor.
FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the size of a cross section of a lens barrel base plate or light amount adjusting device in the case of using the cylindrical stepping motor as shown in FIG. 19. In FIG. 22, the motor is represented by symbol M; the lens barrel base plate or light amount adjusting device, 400; an opening portion, 401; a diameter of the motor M, D1; a diameter of the opening portion 401, D2; and a diameter of the lens barrel base plate or light amount adjusting device 400, D3. Based on the above, the diameter D3 of the lens barrel base plate or light amount adjusting device 400 is at least more than (2×D1+D2). When the motor shown in FIG. 17 is used, the diameter D1 of the motor M corresponds to the total of the diameters of the coil, magnet, and stator, which means that the diameter D3 of the light amount adjusting device 400 becomes extremely large.
Further, in the case of the motors of the types described in FIGS. 17 and 19, the position where the magnetic flux generated through energization of the first coil acts on the magnet deviates from the position where the magnetic flux generated through energization of the second coil acts on the magnet in the axial direction of the magnet. Therefore, in the case where nonuniformity in magnetization exists between the positions in a direction parallel to the axis (that is, the position on the 314 side and the position on the 315 side in FIG. 19), the accuracy of the rotation stop position of the magnet may deteriorate.
In view of the above, the applicant of the present invention has proposed a motor that solves the above-mentioned problems (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-23763 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,066)). The motor is provided with: a rotatable rotor having a cylindrical magnet, which is divided into equal portions in a circumferential direction to be alternately magnetized to different poles; a first outer magnetic pole portion which is excited by a first coil and opposed to an outer circumferential surface of the magnet within a first predetermined angle range; a first inner magnetic pole portion which is excited by the first coil and opposed to an inner circumferential surface of the magnet; a second outer magnetic pole portion which is excited by a second coil and opposed to the outer circumferential surface of the magnet within a second predetermined angle range; and a second inner magnetic pole portion which is excited by the second coil and opposed to the inner circumferential surface of the magnet. In the motor, the first outer magnetic pole portion and the second outer magnetic portion are arranged on the same circumference with the magnet as the center.
Although the motor disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-23763 is not susceptible to an influence of nonuniformity in magnetization of the magnet and has a short axial length, the motor has a structure in which all the outer magnetic pole portions are arranged in the inner circumferences of the coils. Thus, there has been a problem in that, when the outer diameter of the motor is to be reduced, the range in which the outer magnetic pole portion opposes the outer circumference of the magnet is limited (the area where the outer magnetic pole portion does not oppose the outer circumference of the magnet is large), which leads to low output.


Provided is a method supporting a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) between a subscriber station and a base station in a broadband wireless access communication system. The method includes transmitting at least one HARQ enabled uplink burst from the subscriber station to the base station; generating ACKnowledgment/Negative ACKnowledgment (ACK/NACK) information according to the received HARQ enabled uplink burst at the base station; mapping the generated ACK/NACK information to a bitmap at the base station; and transmitting the bitmap through a downlink information from the base station to the subscriber station.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method for operating a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) scheme in a broadband wireless access communication system and, more particularly, to a method for operating an uplink/downlink transmit response for effective utilization of a HARQ scheme.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a 4th generation (4G) communication system, which is the next generation communication system, research has been actively pursued to provide users with services having various qualities of service (QoS) at a high transmission speed of 100 Mbps. The current third generation (3G) communication system supports a transmit speed of about 384 kbps in an outdoor environment having relatively bad channel conditions and a transmit speed of a maximal 2 Mbps in an indoor environment having relatively good channel conditions
A wireless Local Area Network (LAN) communication system and a wireless Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) communication system generally support transmission speeds of 20 to 50 Mbps. Because the wireless MAN communication system has wide service coverage and supports a high transmission speed, it is suitable for supporting a high speed communication service. However, the wireless MAN system does not accommodate the mobility of a user, i.e., a subscriber station (SS), nor does it perform a handover according to the high speed movement of the SS. The wireless MAN system is a broadband wireless access communication system having a wider service area and supporting a higher transmission speed than the wireless LAN system.
Accordingly, in a current 4G communication system, a new type of communication system ensuring mobility and QoS for the wireless LAN system and the wireless MAN system supporting relatively high transmission speeds is currently being developed to support a high speed service to be provided by the 4G communication system. In this context, many studies are being conducted on using an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) scheme for high-speed data transmission over wired/wireless channels in the 4G mobile communication system. The OFDM scheme, which transmits data using multiple carriers, is a special type of a Multiple Carrier Modulation (MCM) scheme in which a serial symbol sequence is converted into parallel symbol sequences and the parallel symbol sequences are modulated with a plurality of mutually orthogonal subcarriers (or subcarrier channels) before being transmitted.
The Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) scheme is a Multiple Access scheme based on the OFDM scheme. In the OFDMA scheme, subcarriers in one OFDM symbol are distributed to a plurality of users (or SSs). Communication systems using the OFDMA scheme include an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16a communication system and an IEEE 802.16e communication system. The IEEE 802.16 communication systems utilize the OFDM/OFDMA scheme in order to support a broadband transmit network for a physical channel of the wireless MAN system. Further, the IEEE 802.16 communication systems are broadband wireless access communication systems using a Time Division Duplex (TDD)-OFDMA scheme. Therefore, in the IEEE 802.16 communication systems, because the OFDM/OFDMA scheme is applied to the wireless MAN system, a physical channel signal can be transmitted using a plurality of sub-carriers, thereby achieving data transmission of high speed and high quality.
The OFDMA scheme can be defined by a two-dimensional access scheme, which is a combination of the Time Division Access (TDA) technology and Frequency Division Access (FDA) technology. Therefore, in data transmission using the OFDMA scheme, each OFDMA symbol is distributed to sub-carriers and transmitted through predetermined sub-channels. Herein, the sub-channel is a channel including a plurality of sub-carriers. In a communication system using the OFDMA scheme (OFDMA communication system), predetermined number of sub-carriers according to system conditions are included in one sub-channel.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a frame structure of a conventional TDD-OFDMA communication system. Referring to FIG. 1, the frame used in the TDD-OFDMA communication system is divided between downlink (DL) 149 and uplink (UL) 153, according to the time unit. In the frame, a protection time interval named 'Transmit/receive Transition Gap (TTG) 151' is arranged at a time interval for transition from the downlink 149 to the uplink 153 and a protection time interval named 'Receive/transmit Transition Gap (RTG) 155' is arranged at a time interval for transition from the uplink 153 to the next downlink. In FIG. 1, the horizontal axis represents the OFDM symbol number 145 of the OFDMA symbols and the vertical axis represents the sub-channel logical number 147 of the multiple sub-channels.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, one OFDMA frame includes a plurality of OFDMA symbols (for example, 12 OFDMA symbols). Also, one OFDMA symbol includes a plurality of sub-channels (for example, L sub-channels).
In the IEEE 802.16 communication system described above, all sub-carriers (especially, data sub-carriers) are distributed to all frequency bands, in order to obtain the frequency diversity gain. Further, in the IEEE 802.16 communication system, during the transmit/receive time interval, ranging is performed in order to adjust time offset and frequency offset, and adjust the transmit power.
Referring to the downlink 149, a preamble 111 for synch acquisition is located at the k-th OFDMA symbol, and broadcast data information such as a Frame Control Header (FCH) 113, a downlink MAP (DL-MAP) 115, and an uplink MAP (UL-MAP) 117, which must be broadcast to the subscriber stations, is located at the (k+1)-th or (k+2)-th OFDMA symbol. The FCH 113 includes two sub-channels to transfer basic information about the sub-channel, the ranging and the modulation scheme, etc. Downlink bursts (DL bursts) 121, 123, 125, 127, and 129 are located at the OFDMA symbols from the (k+2)-th OFDMA symbol to the (k+8)-th OFDMA symbol, except for the UL-MAP located at the (k+2)-th OFDMA symbol.
Referring to the uplink 153, preambles 131, 133, and 135 are located at the (k+9)-th OFDMA symbol and uplink bursts (UL bursts) 137, 139, and 141 are located at the OFDMA symbols from the (k+10)-th OFDMA symbol to the (k+12)-th OFDMA symbol. Further, a ranging sub-channel 143 is located at the OFDMA symbols from the (k+9)-th OFDMA symbol to the (k+12)-th OFDMA symbol.
In the IEEE 802.16 communication system, the transition from the downlink to the uplink is performed during the TTG 151. Further, the transition from the uplink to the downlink is performed during the RTG 155. Further, after the TTG 151 and the RTG 155, separate preamble fields 111, 131, 133, and 135 may be allocated to acquire synch between the transmitter and the receiver.
According to the frame structure of the IEEE 802.16 communication system, the downlink frame 149 includes a preamble field 111, an FCH field 113, a DL-MAP field 115, UL-MAP fields 117 and 119, and a plurality of DL burst fields (including a DL burst #1 field 123, a DL burst #2 field 125, a DL burst #3 field 121, a DL burst #4 field 127, and a DL burst #5 field 129).
The preamble field 111 is a field for transmitting a preamble sequence, which is a synch signal for synch acquisition for the transmit/receive time interval. Further, the FCH field 113 includes two sub-channels to transfer basic information about the sub-channel, the ranging and modulation scheme, etc. The DL-MAP field 115 is a field for transmitting the DL-MAP message. The UL-MAP fields 117 and 119 are fields for transmitting the UL-MAP messages. Here, the DL-MAP message includes Information Elements (IEs) as shown in Table 1 below.
TABLE 1SyntexSizeNotesDL-MAP_IE( ) { DIUC 4 bits if(DIUC==15) {  Extended DIUC dependentvariableSee 802.16a/16e OFDMA PHY Specifications  IE } else {  if(INC_CID==1) {The DL-MAP starts with INC_CID = 0. INC_CID istoggled between 0 and 1 by the CID_SWITCH_IE( ) (See 802.16a/16e OFDMA PHY Specifications)  N_CID 8 bitsNumber of CIDs assigned for this IE   for(n=0;n<N_CID;n++) {    CID16 bits   }  }  OFDMA Symbol Offset10 bits  Subchannel Offset 5 bits  Boosting 3 bits000: normal (not boosted)001: +6 dB010: −6 dB011: +9 dB100: +3 dB101: −3 dB110: −9 dB111: −12 dB  No. OFDMA Symbols 9 bits  No. Subchannels 5 bits }}
As shown in Table 1, a DIUC (Downlink Interval Usage Code) represents the object of a currently transmitted message and the modulation scheme in which the currently transmitted message is modulated before being transmitted. A CID (connection Identifier) represents the CID of each subscriber station corresponding to the DIUC.
OFDMA Symbol Offset represents the offset of a symbol resource allocated to each DL burst. Subchannel Offset represents the offset of a sub-channel resource allocated to each DL burst. Boosting represents a power value increased in the transmit power. 'No. OFDMA Symbols' represents the number of allocated OFDMA symbols. 'No. Subchannels' represents the number of allocated sub-channels.
As noted from Table 1, the downlink information of the IEEE 802.16 communication system is expressed in combination with information about each subscriber station according to the DIUC. Therefore, each subscriber station can analyze the data targeting the subscriber station itself, only after demodulating the entire DL-MAP message.
The UL-MAP message includes Information Elements (IEs) as shown in Table 2 below.
TABLE 2SyntexSizeNotesUL-MAP_IE( ) { CID16 bits UIUC 4 bits if(UIUC==12) {   OFDMA Symbol Offset10 bits   Subchannel Offset 6 bits   No. OFDMA Symbols 8 bits   No. Subchannels 5 bits   Ranging Method 3 bits000: Initial Ranging over two symbols001: Initial Ranging over four symbols010: BW Request/Periodic Ranging over one sysbol011: BW Request/Periodic Ranging over threesymbols100~111: reserved } else if(UIUC==14) {   CDMA_Allocation_IE ( )52 bits } else if(DIUC==15) {   Extended DIUC dependentvariableSee 802.16a/16e OFDMA PHY Specifications   IE } else {   OFDMA Symbol Offset10 bits   Subchannel Offset 5 bits   No. OFDMA Symbols 9 bits   No. Subchannels 5 bits   Mini-subchannel index 3 bits000: no mini-subchannels used001: starting with mini-subchannel 1010: starting with mini-subchannel 2011: starting with mini-subchannel 3100: starting with mini-subchannel 4101: starting with mini-subchannel 5110, 111: reserved }}
As shown in Table 2, a CID (connection Identifier) represents the CID of each corresponding subscriber station and an UIUC (Uplink Interval Usage Code) represents the object of the message to be transmitted by the corresponding subscriber station and the modulation scheme in which the message is modulated before being transmitted. The other information elements are similar to those in Table 1, so description of them will be omitted here.
According to the frame structure of the IEEE 802.16 communication system as described above, the uplink frame 153 includes a ranging sub-channel field 143, a plurality of preamble fields 131, 133, and 135, and a plurality of UL burst fields (a UL burst #1 field 137, a UL burst #2 field 139, and a UL burst #3 field 141).
The ranging sub-channel field 143 is a field for transmitting ranging sub-channels for the ranging, and the preamble fields 131, 133, and 135 are fields for transmitting preamble sequences, i.e. synch signals for synch acquisition for the transmit/receive time interval.
According to the prior art as described above, each subscriber station (SS) cannot be identified by the bursts transmitted from the base station (BS) to the SS but can be identified by the bursts transmitted from the SS to the BS. Accordingly, the prior art described above is not proper for use of a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) scheme in order to increase the transmission throughput when high speed transmission is required in a digital communication system. Therefore, in the prior art, transmission efficiency may be degraded due to errors in the wireless data transmission.
Further, the IEs, as described above, must be transmitted to all SSs through the MAP message by the most robust modulation scheme, such that they can be delivered to an entire cell area covered by the BS. However, as noted from the above discussion, the IEs are inefficiently included in the MAP message, that is, control data of an over burdensome size in the high speed data transmission system must be maintained. Such inefficient control data decreases the proportion of the actual data traffic in the entire traffic.

Method for operation of HARQ in a broadband wireless access communication system


System and methods are disclosed for identifying as well as distinguishing between cerebrovascular abnormalities. The system comprises a medical imaging device configured for capturing plurality of images of a cerebrovascular region of a subject and communicating the same to a computing device. The computing device comprises one or more modules configured for extracting features from the captured images, grouping the cerebrovascular region into one of blood vessel type and non-blood vessel type and further extracting features associated with the blood vessels to classify each point on the blood vessel into one of a non-branching, converging and diverging type. The system further comprises a user interface for interactively viewing the results of the classification thereby providing a means to identify cerebrovascular abnormalities.

Generally, cerebrovascular disease includes a variety of medical conditions that affect the blood vessels of the brain and blood flow through the network of cerebral arteries and veins supplying to the brain. The arteries deliver oxygenated blood and other nutrients to the brain, and the veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, removing carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and other metabolic products. Any change in the structure of the arteries or the veins results in cerebrovascular diseases which may be broadly classified into non-aneurysm and aneurysm related diseases.
Early diagnosis and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases is very important in preventing morbidity or death. With the advancement in technology, computed tomography (CT) perfusion imaging, digital subtraction angiography, CT angiography, etc. are frequently applied as an alternative to invasive angiograph, to evaluate hemodynamic changes and to visualize lesions in patients with acute cerebrovascular diseases. For example, a conventional system for cerebrovascular disease detection comprises a computed tomography (CT) scanner which enables the acquisition of high quality CT angiography (CTA) images and one or more processors that assigns points of interest (POIs) in the image data/images. That is, the one or more processors assign POIs on blood vessels within an image of a subject based on defined characteristics that are associated with a cerebrovascular condition, calculates one or more features of each POI, and identifies one or more cerebrovascular abnormality suspects based on the calculated features, wherein calculating the one or more features comprises one of calculating a distance from the POI to a centre line, calculating a radius of the vessel, calculating a planeness of the vessel at the POI, calculating a shape index at the POI, etc.
Further, various algorithms are developed for automated detection of cerebrovascular diseases using CTA images. However such algorithms rely on the local image features extracted along vascular branches, and hence are only able to produce local predictions that independently characterize centreline points along the vascular branch. Further, conventional algorithms generally fall short of the accuracy levels needed to achieve real clinical utility, due to the high variability in shape and appearance of abnormalities. For example, the conventional systems fail to detect rare abnormalities such as cerebral venous malformations—as these include abnormal connection between arterial and venous system bridged by abnormal channels which are tortuous and non-spherical in nature. Further, the conventional systems fail to detect developmental venous anomaly—a bundle of abnormally developed veins, dissecting aneurysm, thrombosed aneurysm, etc.

Method and system for identification of cerebrovascular abnormalities


Photolithographic apparatus, systems, and methods that make use of optical compensation devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, an imaging mask includes an optically transmissive substrate. A first patterned region is formed on the substrate, and a second patterned region is formed on the substrate that is proximate to the first patterned region, the first patterned region and the second patterned region each having a plurality of optically transmissive and optically attenuating regions formed on the mask. An optical compensation region is positioned proximate to at least one of the first patterned region and the second patterned region that is configured to change a phase of the illumination radiation incident on the at least one of the first patterned region and the second region by altering an optical property of the substrate.

The incorporation of increasing numbers of discrete devices into progressively smaller integrated circuits remains an important challenge in the manufacture of Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) structures. For example, the implementation of complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology into integrated circuits usually involves imparting a prescribed set of manufacturing attributes to the integrated circuit, such as selected dopant concentrations, channel lengths, interconnect dimensions, contact shapes, or other pertinent attributes, which collectively permit the integrated circuit to provide a desired function.
Many of the desired features in VLSI structures may be formed using photolithographic methods. Briefly, and in general terms, a photolithographic mask (or reticle) is formed that includes a desired pattern corresponding to a particular masking step for the structure. The pattern generally includes optically transparent areas and optically attenuating areas that are suitably arranged on an optically transparent supporting substrate. The mask may then be positioned proximate to an illumination system and a layer of an illumination-sensitive photoresist material applied to a semiconductor wafer. The illumination system projects illumination radiation through the optically transmissive portions of the mask and onto the photoresist material, which suitably changes the properties of the photoresist material. Subsequent development of the exposed photoresist material thus permits the selective differentiation between exposed and non-exposed areas in the photoresist material so that the desired pattern may be subsequently formed on the semiconductor wafer.
When a wavelength of the illumination radiation is greater than a minimum feature size expressed on the mask, various optical effects may adversely affect the quality of features formed on a semiconductor structure. For example, a mask used to form a memory device array may include patterns having different orientations, such as a first set of generally horizontal features in an array portion of the memory device, and a second set of generally vertical and/or mixed features in a peripheral logic region. Although the illumination system may permit the first set of features to be accurately resolved at a first focal distance, undesired optical aberrations (including, for example, astigmatism) in the illumination system generally permit the second set of resolvable features to be accurately resolved only at a second focal distance that is different from the first focal distance. In one commonly employed method, a focal distance is selected for the illumination system that is intermediate between the first focal distance and the second focal distance so that the first set and the second set of features are projected from the mask and onto the wafer to yield a device pattern on the wafer having a correspondingly intermediate pattern resolution. As device features continue to decrease in size, however, the foregoing optical compensation method may be unable to generate device patterns at an acceptable resolution level.
Therefore, there presently exists an urgent need in the art for optical compensation methods, systems, and devices applicable to sub-resolution photolithography that permit aggressive reductions in device feature size.

Optical compensation devices, systems, and methods


A golf cart umbrella holder comprising a mounting device fastened to the frame of a golf cart by a screw, a clamping device fastened to the mounting device by a screw to hold a socket for holding an umbrella. The clamping device has teeth on a contact wall to the mounting device around a circle respectively meshed with teeth on the mounting device. By changing the meshing order between the teeth on the mounting device and the teeth on the clamping device, the angular position of the umbrella relative to the golf cart is adjusted.

The present invention relates to a golf cart umbrella holder for holding an umbrella on a golf cart.
The golf is an outdoor game in which a player using special clubs attempts to sink a ball with as few strokes as possible into each of the 9 or 18 successive holes on a course. While playing on the course, the players may be suffering the beating of the weather. Therefore, a golf player may hold or ask a caddie to hold an umbrella for protection against the sun or rain. However, it is not convenient to carry an umbrella by a golf player oneself.
The present invention has been accomplished under the aforesaid circumstances. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a golf cart umbrella holder which can be conveniently fastened to the frame of any of a variety of golf carts for holding an umbrella. It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf cart umbrella holder which can be conveniently adjusted to change the angular position of the umbrella on a golf cart.
To achieve these objects, there is provided a golf cart umbrella holder which is generally comprised of a mounting plate fastened to the frame of a golf cart by screw means, a clamping device fastened to the mounting device by screw means to hold a socket for holding an umbrella. The mounting device is comprised of two symmetrical plates having each a channel through respective inside wall which receives the frame of a golf cart. The channel has a V-groove and two chamfered opposite top edges which make the mounting plate applicable for fastening to any of a variety of golf cart frames. The clamping device has teeth on a contact wall to the mounting device around a circle respectively meshed with teeth on the mounting device. By changing the meshing order between the teeth on the mounting device and the teeth on the clamping device, the angular position of the umbrella relative to the golf cart is adjusted.

No. 35-1, Jih Hsin Street, Tu Cheng Hsiang


A backlight module comprises a backplate having a baseplate and side plates, a direct-lit LED array, edge-lit LED arrays and a light guide panel. The light guide panel is located above the baseplate. The direct-lit LED array is disposed between the baseplate and the light guide panel. The edge-lit LED arrays are disposed at two sides of the light guide panel and facing light incident surfaces thereof respectively. Light scattering structures for scattering light rays are disposed on a light exiting surface or on a bottom surface of the light guide panels. With the LED arrays and the light scattering structures, the light guide panel is divided into three backlight regions. Displaying of the backlight module is controlled region by region by the light scattering structures and the LED drive circuit to improve the brightness of the backlight module and reduce the power consumption of the liquid crystal module.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of liquid crystal 5 displaying, and more particularly, to a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD) comprising the same.
2. Description of Related Art
LCDs currently available all comprise a liquid crystal module and a backlight module adapted to provide backlight for a liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal module. Because the liquid crystal panel does not emit light by itself, the backlight module must provide a uniform light source having adequate brightness to the liquid crystal panel so that the liquid crystal panel operates to display an image normally.
However, conventional liquid crystal modules using backlight have an invariable power consumption during operation; that is, brightness of the backlight cannot be adjusted according to brightness of an image to be displayed by the liquid crystal module. In other words, the brightness of the backlight cannot be adjusted region by region, and this is unfavorable for energy saving.
Some backlight structures which can adjust the brightness region by region have been proposed. Such backlight structures generally accomplish adjustment of the brightness region by region by splicing light guide panels together. However, this way of splicing light guide panels together causes problems of nonuniform brightness and chromaticity at splicing gaps.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Backlight module and LCD comprising the same

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


There is provided a musical information processing terminal that enables reproducing performance data and audio data that are transmitted and received between the musical information processing terminal such as a terminal for a teacher and a terminal for students through a communication network with a simple construction and without an unnatural feeling being given to users. At least one of performance data that instructs generation and control of musical tones and audio data that represents audio waveforms is received from an external musical information processing terminal through a communication network. The performance data or the audio data is reproduced. Data to be reproduced is selected either from the performance data or from the audio data. The data to be reproduced is determined according to the received data and the selected data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a musical information processing terminal for reproducing musical information which is transmitted and received in a musical lesson or the like performed through a communication network, a control method for controlling the musical information processing terminal, and a program for implementing the control method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a musical classroom where musical lessons are performed through a communication network, there are used a terminal for a teacher which is provided with an electronic musical instrument and a microphone. When a teacher plays the electronic musical instrument, performance data in the MIDI format (MIDI data) is generated by the teacher playing the electronic musical instrument, and when the teacher speak to give comments or musical instructions, his speech is picked up by the microphone to generate audio data. Each time such MIDI data and audio data are generated, the MIDI data and the audio data are transmitted from the terminal for the teacher to a plurality of terminals for students. On the other hand, the plurality of terminals for students are each provided with a reproducing device that reproduces MIDI data and audio data from the electronic musical instrument and the microphone of the terminal for the teacher. The reproducing device reproduces MIDI data and audio data received from the terminal for the teacher in order in which they are received.
In this system, on the side of the terminal for the teacher, the teacher's performance using the electronic musical instrument not only generates MIDI data from the electronic musical instrument but also generates actual sounds of the electronic musical instrument which are input to the microphone. Thus, the actual sounds of the electronic musical instrument are contained in the audio data transmitted from the terminal for the teacher to the terminals for students. However, there occurs a delay in reproduction of the audio data relative to reproduction of the MIDI data due to a difference in transmission time and reproduction processing time between the two kinds of data. Therefore, if the MIDI data and the audio data are reproduced in the order in which they are received, the reproduction sound of the MIDI data and the reproduction sound of the audio data are slightly shifted in timing so that they overlap each other, resulting in overlapping reproduction like round singing.
One way to avoid such shifting is, for example, that the reproduction of the MIDI data is delayed by an amount corresponding to the reproduction delay time of the audio data so as to reproduce the two kinds of data in synchronism with each other. However, such synchronized reproduction is technically difficult to perform, and it is particularly difficult to eliminate the shifting for all the plurality of terminals for students.

Musical information processing terminal, control method therefor, and program for implementing the method


A method and a device for the characterization of living specimens from a distance are disclosed. The method comprises: acquiring an image of a living specimen and segmenting the image, providing a segmented image; measuring a distance to several parts of said image, providing several distance measurements, and selecting a subset of those contained in the segmented image. The method also processes the segmented image and the distance measurements referred to different positions contained within the segmented image by characterizing the shape and the depth of the living specimen and by comparing a shape analysis map and a depth profile analysis map. If a result of the comparison is comprised inside a given range, parameters of the living specimen are further determined including posture parameters, location or correction of anatomical reference points and/or body size parameters, and/or a body map of the living specimen is represented.

Methods and/or devices for remote characterization of living specimens are known in the field.
For example, EP3158289, of the same applicant of present invention, relates to a method and device for automated parameters calculation of an object such as a pig or other livestock animal. The method comprises: acquiring, by a two-dimensional camera, in a scene, a two dimensional image of at least one object; identifying the object within the acquired two dimensional image; calculating, by a first means, the size of a pixel of the object in the acquired and segmented two dimensional image taking into account the distance between the object and the two-dimensional camera; and calculating, by a second means, several parameters including at least the size, dimensions, body part dimensions, body features, weight and/or volume of the object by using said calculated size of the pixel and an a priori model of the object, wherein said a priori model includes information linking different parts, contours or shapes representative of several objects (200), previously acquired with a two-dimensional camera, with several parameters said several objects.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,474,085 provides a method and apparatus for remote sensing of livestock, using a thermographic image sensing system, in order to determine one or more of the number, weight, location, temperature, carcass pH, etc., of animals in a surveillance area. A thermographic image comprising pixels of the area is sent to a digitizing board in a microcomputer, where the image is converted into a number array. The numbers are then interpreted by software to provide the desired information in a decipherable form.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,420 discloses a system that measures the three-dimensional phenotypic characteristics of an animal, such as a dairy cow. The system uses a large number of modulated laser light beams from a Lidar camera to measure approximately 100 points per square inch of the animal Each laser beam measures intensity, horizontal, vertical, and depth dimensions, and by combining the measurements, the system composes a very accurate three-dimensional image of the animal. The system calculates the desired phenotypic measurements for conformation of the animal by combining measurements of selected points on the animal. The system then stores the measurements for each animal in a computer data base for later use. The system also stores a light intensity image of the animal's markings which is compared to other stored images.
US-A1-20150302241 discloses systems and methods for improving the health and wellbeing of subjects in an industrial setting. The systems may include a camera arranged so as to observe one or more features of a subject, and a processor, coupled to the camera, the processor configured to analyze one or more images obtained therefrom, to extract one or more features from the image(s) of the subject, and to analyze one or more of the features, or sub features nested therein to predict an outcome of a state of the subject. In particular the system may be configured to generate a diagnostic signal (e.g. an outcome, fever, mastitis, virus, bacterial infection, rut, etc.) based upon the analysis.
Document "Black cattle body shape and temperature measurement using thermography and KINECT sensor" introduces a black cattle body shape and temperature measurement system. As the authors of this document indicate, it is important to evaluate the quality of Japanese black cattle periodically during their growth process, not only the weight and size of cattle, but also the posture, shape, and temperature need to be tracked as primary evaluation criteria. In this study, a KINECT sensor and thermal camera obtains the body shape and its temperature. The whole system is calibrated to operate in a common coordinate system. Point cloud data are obtained from different angles and reconstructed in a computer. The thermal data are captured too. Both point cloud data and thermal information are combined by considering the orientation of the cow. The collected information is used to evaluate and estimate cattle conditions.
None of these prior art documents allows however performing fast (below the seconds regime) and automated measurements to obtain reliable, reproducible and accurate estimation of the 3D orientation and/or posture parameters of the living specimen and/or computing a body map thereof while the living specimen is freely moving in a farm or in its natural environment.

Method and device for the characterization of living specimens from a distance


This electrical connection structure for wiring boards comprises: a plurality of wiring boards which are arranged along one side of a display panel and distribute electric power and/or an electric signal for driving the display panel; and a connector which is mounted on the wiring boards adjacent to each other, and electrically connects the wiring boards via a belt-like wiring material. Terminal connecting region and connector fixing region of the wiring board are configured to enable both first mounting of the connector with a direction in which the belt-like wiring material is inserted from the display panel end and second mounting of the connector with a direction in which the belt-like wiring material is inserted from an end opposite to the display panel. Thus, the present invention provides an electrical connection structure for wiring boards, in which an insertion direction of a connector can be reversed.

Conventionally, as an electrical connection structure for a wiring board, there is a structure comprises a printed wiring board to distribute an electric signal and/or power to a plurality of TCPs (Tape carrier packages) on which a driver to drive a liquid crystal display panel is mounted (see JP 2007-134357 A (Patent Document 1), for example.

Electrical connection structure for wiring boards and display device


A projector comprises a light source unit, a light guide element, a first focus element, a second focus element, a micromirror element and an image unit. The light source unit provides a light beam. The first focus element comprises a first focal length f1. The second focus element comprises a second focal length f2, wherein

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a projector, and in particular to a minimized projector.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional projectors, the light beam is reflected and focused many times by optical elements to control the performance (especially the brightness and the size) of images and to minimize the dimension of projectors. However, focal lengths of multiple optical elements are not integrally considered and distances between them are usually arranged based on previous design. Thus, dark edges and deteriorated brightness can often found in images, particularly in compact projectors.

Abstract: 2.0  <            f      2              f      1        <      3.6    .  The light beam travels from the light source unit, passing the light guide element, the first focus element, the second focus element and the micromirror element to the image unit.


Provided is a stepped conductivity arrangement between a carbon-based element and a down conductor of a wind turbine rotor blade, which stepped conductivity arrangement includes a transition interface arranged to electrically connect a first electrically conductive part and a second electrically conductive part, wherein the first electrically conductive part extends from the down conductor, the second electrically conductive part extends from the carbon-based element, and wherein the electrical conductivity of the transition interface decreases in the direction of the second electrically conductive part. The embodiments further describe a wind turbine rotor blade comprising such a stepped conductivity arrangement and a method of providing such a stepped conductivity arrangement.

A rotor blade of a wind turbine is at most risk of receiving a lightning strike on account of its exposed position. Therefore, it is critical that the lightning protection system (LPS) of a wind turbine is properly designed to protect the rotor blades from lightning damage. This is usually done by arranging a high-voltage metal cable as a down conductor in the blade interior and connecting it to the grounding system of the LPS. Receptors at various points along the outside of a rotor blade are connected to the internal down conductor, providing a safe current path to ground when lightning strikes the rotor blade.
A problem with this type of LPS arises when the rotor blade is designed to incorporate weakly conducting elements, for example one or more carbon-based structural or functional parts comprising carbon fibre (referred to more simply as "carbon elements" in the following). Carbon elements may be used for various purposes, for example as load-bearing elements, heating mats, de-icing mats, etc. However, in the event of a lightning strike to a rotor blade, the impedance of its down conductor, the magnitude of the lightning current and the frequency components of the lightning current combine to generate a potential drop along the down conductor that can be in the order of millions of volts. Such a large potential difference can result in a flash-over between the down conductor and any carbon element in the vicinity. Furthermore, mutual induction between a down conductor and a neighbouring carbon element may give rise to electric currents in the carbon element. Either of these effects may cause significant structural damage to the carbon element and to any other material in the flashover path. A damaged load-bearing carbon element can lead to structural damage in the blade. A damaged carbon element of a sub-system such as a de-icing system or a heating system can result in malfunction or failure of that sub-system. Initially, damage to carbon element(s) may go unnoticed, but the damage may become worse under cyclic loading of the rotor blade, and may ultimately result in catastrophic failure of the blade well within before the end of its expected lifetime.
Therefore, even though the conductivity of carbon is much lower than that of a metal down conductor, this property must be taken into consideration for the rotor blade LPS.
In one approach, the rotor blade LPS can be electrically coupled to any carbon elements using electrical connectors that deliberately allow part of the electrical current from a lightning strike to flow in a controlled manner through the carbon elements. However, it is difficult to achieve a satisfactory electrical connection between the metal down conductor and the carbon elements because of the very different electrical conductivities of the two materials. This difference manifests as a discontinuity or "sudden drop" in electrical conductivity at the junction between the metal down conductor and the weakly conducting carbon element. Arcing may result when a large electric current is faced with such a conductivity discontinuity. Arcing can result in melting or scorching of material in the vicinity. Following such an event, the blade structure may suffer from voids, bonding damage, delaminations, expansion, cracks, etc. These types of damage can propagate and become worse under cyclic loading of the rotor blade, so that catastrophic failure may ultimately ensue.


There is provided an electrode for a lithium secondary battery where particles, composed of an active material capable of occluding and releasing lithium, are arranged on a current collector, the active material particle being directly bonded to the surface of the current collector in a state where the bottom of the active material particle is imbedded in a concave portion formed on the surface of the current collector. A second particle layer may be provided on a first particle layer comprising the active material particles directly bonded to the surface of the current collector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrode for a lithium secondary battery, and a lithium secondary battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a lithium secondary battery, which uses a non-aqueous electrolyte and performs charge/discharge by transfer of lithium ions between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, has been utilized as one of new-type secondary batteries with high output and high energy density.
Silicon is a material that is capable of occluding lithium by forming an alloy with lithium. Due to the large theoretical capacity, silicon is attracting attention as a material for an electrode of a lithium secondary battery, with which improvement in energy density can be sought. However, there has been a problem in that an electrode using silicon as an active material is inferior to a carbon material such as graphite in terms of cycle characteristics. One of the causes of this is considered as follows. Since expansion and shrinkage of the active material during charge/discharge are large, the active material is pulverized by stress generated due to the expansion and shrinkage, or is released from a current collector, leading to reduction in current collectability.
The present inventors made the following finding: favorable cycle characteristics are exhibited in such a manner that, in an electrode produced by depositing an amorphous silicon thin film or the like on a current collector such as a copper foil by the CVD method or sputtering method, a slit is formed in the direction of the thin film thickness due to charge/discharge, and the thin film is then separated along the slit into columnar form (International Publication pamphlet No. 01/31720, etc.).
When the electrode is produced by formation of a thin film by the CVD method or sputtering method, it is necessary to keep the inside of a device vacuum, and when the electrodes are to be produced in large quantities, a large-sized vacuum device is required.

Electrode for lithium secondary battery and lithium secondary battery


A pressure measurement device with a selective altitude threshold crossings accumulator and method therefor provides for selective accumulation of relative pressure thresholds. A pressure sensor measures atmospheric pressure and provides analog pressure signals representing measured atmospheric pressures. A digital-to-analog converter converts the analog pressure signals to digital pressure signals for a computer which then computes altitudes corresponding to the measured atmospheric pressures. The computer assigns a threshold flag value which corresponds to the relative direction (e.g. "up" or "down") from a first (e.g. lower) altitude to a second (e.g. higher) altitude when the magnitude of the first-to-second altitude differential exceeds a first threshold. The computer then generates a unit count when both the relative direction from the second altitude to a third (e.g. lower) altitude opposes the first-to-second altitude direction and the magnitude of the second-to-third altitude differential exceeds a second threshold. An accumulator accumulates the unit counts, and the accumulated count is displayed on a display device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pressure measurement devices, and in particular, to pressure measurement devices which measure and selectively process relative pressure differentials corresponding to opposing pressure thresholds.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the sophistication and costs of solid state pressure measurement devices, such as altimeters, have increased and decreased, respectively, their uses have become varied and widespread. With respect to sports-related activities, various types of accumulating altimeters, in particular, have become popular. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,427, which is commonly assigned to the assignee of the present invention and the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses an accumulating altimeter having ascent and descent accumulation thresholds particularly suitable for bicyclists. The altimeter disclosed therein has selective ascent and descent accumulation thresholds which allow the altimeter to initially ignore altitude gains or losses below predetermined amounts, while accounting for altitude gains and losses exceeding such predetermined amounts.
As a further example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,694 discloses an altimeter which accumulates and displays altitude gains or losses over selected intervals. As disclosed therein, this type of altimeter can be useful for snow skiers who wish to accumulate total altitude changes during a day of skiing.
While altimeters, and particularly accumulating altimeters, can be useful for many sports-related activities, some activities may require some processed form of altitude information other than a mere accumulation. For example, it would be desireable in some activities to determine not only the present altitude or the cumulative altitude changes, but to also determine how many opposing altitude transitions of a selected magnitude have been encountered.

Pressure measurement device with selective pressure threshold crossings accumulator


A dual gain pressure control solenoid having two individually wound coils. One coil has a greater number of turns than the other coil and operates as a high force coil. The coil with a lesser number of turns operates as a low force coil. The low force coil provides improved resolution over a predetermine range of input current, while the high force coil provides less resolution but greater force. The coils may be used in various operational modes in order to achieve improved resolution over a predetermined current range.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to solenoid actuators and, more particularly, to a dual gain variable control solenoid having two individually wound and controlled coils for actuating a control element and achieving a desired transfer function.
2. Discussion
Pressure control solenoids are commonly used for numerous applications to electromagnetically actuate an armature which in turn forces a valve element to provide pressure control. In automotive vehicles, solenoids are widely employed to control pressure to a clutch to engage transmission clutch elements or to control pressure to a brake element. Pressure control solenoids are also used to control a valve to vary the opening of a valve port between an open and a closed position.
Conventional pressure control solenoids generally include an armature which is actuated by an electromagnetic attraction and an electromagnetic coil wound about a bobbin. A valve element is often displaced by the armature and a return spring often urges the armature in a direction opposite to the direction of the electromagnetic forces. The electromagnetic attraction of the electromagnetic coil and the resiliency of the return spring apply opposing forces to the armature to vary fluid flow through a valve port which is opened or closed by the valve in a cycle.
Dual coil control solenoids are also known. The typical dual coil solenoid generally includes a pair of electromagnetic coils wound about the bobbin and typically applies opposing forces to the armature. Force in one direction urges the armature in a first direction, while the force in the opposite direction urges the armature in an opposite direction. The conventional solenoids are usually controlled to provide on or off current supply to the coil or coils and therefore resultantly, generally provide a pair of valve positions.
Present applications increasingly require good resolution at low control pressures while maintaining the capacity to provide high control pressure in the same application. For example, some applications require more adequate control of the force applied to or displacement of the armature to apply a wide range of forces or pressures to clutch elements in an automatic transmission where varying forces or pressures are desired.
It is therefore desirable to provide for a dual gain variable control solenoid for actuating a control element to achieve a desired amount of force or pressure.
It is further desirable to provide a dual coil control solenoid having independent variable control currents for each coil.
It is yet further desirable to provide a method of operating a dual coil control solenoid to provide dual gain control of the armature.

Dual gain pressure control solenoid having one bobbin with two individually wound coils, a high force coil and a low force coil for improving transfer function


A first amplifier circuit samples an input analog signal and holds the sampled signal for a predetermined period of time. A first analog-to-digital converter circuit samples the input analog signal and converts the sampled signal into a digital value of a predetermined number of bits. A first digital-to-analog converter circuit converts an output signal from the first analog-to-digital converter circuit into an analog signal. A first subtracting amplifier circuit with a capacitively coupled input receives a signal at one end of a capacitor connected to an input terminal of the subtracting amplifier circuit and which samples a signal occurring at the other end of the capacitor, the subtracting amplifier circuit subtracting an output signal from the first digital-to-analog converter circuit from an output signal from the first amplifier circuit, The first digital-to-analog converter circuit outputs the analog signal to the capacitor before a first switch is turned on, in order to adjust charges stored in the capacitor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an analog-to-digital converter and, more particularly, to an analog-to-digital converter for converting an analog signal into a digital value in multiple steps.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a variety of additional functions are built in mobile appliances such as a mobile telephone set, including image pick-up function, image playback function, moving image pick-up function and moving image playback function. In association with this, there is an increasing demand for miniaturization and power saving of an analog-digital converter (hereinafter, referred to as an AD converter). One mode of AD converter that addresses this demand is known as a cyclic AD converter that cycles through stages (see, for example, patent document No. 1). Patent document No. 1 discloses an AD converter of a pipeline type comprising two blocks that include a conversion block of a cyclic type.
[patent document No. 1]
JP 4-26229
In the AD converter shown in FIG. 1 of patent document No. 1, a first switch SW1 is provided between a sample and hold circuit S/H2 of a first AD/DA block and a sample and hold circuit S/H3 of a second AD/DA block, and between the sample and hold circuit S/H2 and a parallel A/D converter AD2.
We have identified a problem associated with an AD converter of this type. Namely, if the sample and hold circuit S/H 3, for example, is embodied by a circuit with a capacitively coupled input such as a switched capacitor operational amplifier, the output of the operational amplifier used in the sample and hold circuit S/H2 is adversely affected by charges stored in a capacitor connected to the input terminal of the operational amplifier, causing settling time to be extended.

Analog-to-digital converter in which settling time of amplifier circuit is reduced


Hematocrit in a blood sample is visualized by separating blood plasma from red blood cells in the blood sample on an absorbent substrate provided with a blood plasma soluble dye. Methods and devices to achieve the visualization are described.

Hemoglobin determination is one of the most frequently performed tests in hospitals. Anemia, or a decrease in hemoglobin concentration, is a sign of an underlying disease process. Mild anemic states often cause no symptoms because of the body's ability to compensate for the deficiency in hemoglobin, at least on a short term basis. With increasing severity of anemia, however, the resulting increased cardiac stress may cause tachycardia, shortness of breath, and headaches. In its most severe form, anemia may lead to coma and death.
A commonly used determinant of hemoglobin concentration in whole blood is hematocrit. Hematocrit is generally defined as the volume fraction of whole blood that is occupied by red blood cells. The hematocrit of a normal healthy person is generally about 45% (about 42 to 52% for men and about 36 to 48% for women). Much lower values than the foregoing are a sign of anemia. Hematocrit can be determined by centrifuging a whole blood sample in a volumetrically calibrated centrifuge tube (or capillary centrifuge tube) to settle all of the red blood cells at the bottom of the tube, leaving the plasma at the top. A "buffy coat" of white blood cells just above the red blood cell layer indicates complete separation. The volume % of red blood cells is then calculated by dividing the volume occupied by the red blood cells by the total volume, and multiplying by 100. Plasma and red blood cells must be disposed of after the test is complete. The test also requires a centrifuge, making it impractical for home use.
The standard laboratory hematocrit test generally requires that the blood be drawn and tested by a clinical technician or other health care provider. Biological waste disposal problems are generated as well. There is an ongoing need, therefore, for a hematocrit testing device that can be utilized by an individual, at home, or by health care professionals, which is relatively simple to use, can be performed with a small, capillary blood sample, that does not require use of a centrifuge, and that minimizes and simplifies blood disposal after the test is complete. The hematocrit measuring device of the present invention fulfills this need.

Method and device for measurement of hematocrit


A floor tom-tom is mounted on three floor tom-tom legs via three tom-tom mounting devices. Each tom-tom mounting device is composed of a memory lock and a floor tom-tom bracket located on the memory lock. The tom-tom mounting device is configured to be capable of fixing the floor tom-tom bracket to the memory lock.

The present invention relates to a drum mounting device for attaching a drum, such as a tom-tom, to a bass drum, a stand or the like. The present invention also pertains to a drum.
For setting up a tom-tom, a tom-tom holder attached to a bass drum or a cymbal stand, a dedicated tom-tom stand or the like is generally used. As a tom-tom bracket applied to such a tom-tom holder or a tom-tom stand, ones such as described below have been proposed.
A tom-tom bracket 100 shown in FIG. 14 is composed of a bracket body 101 and a memory lock 102. The bracket body 101 is fixed to a shell of a floor tom-tom FT, and the memory lock 102 is fixed to a rod R constituting a floor tom-tom leg. To use the tom-tom bracket 100, first, the memory lock 102 is fixed to the rod R with a bolt 103 and a nut 104 or the like. Next, using the bolt 105 and the nut 106 or the like, the tom-tom bracket 100 is attached at a predetermined position on the rod R to which the memory lock 102 has been fixed. Accordingly, the floor tom-tom FT is attached to a plurality of floor tom-tom legs, and set up on a floor surface. The memory lock 102 is for making the rod R memorize the mounting position of the floor tom-tom FT. That is, by fixing the memory lock 102 to the rod R, the rod R can be made to memorize the mounting position of the floor tom-tom FT when the floor tom-tom FT which has been detached from the floor tom-tom legs in order to store the floor tom-tom FT is reattached to the floor tom-tom legs again, so that the setting of the floor tom-tom FT can be quickly completed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,811 discloses a tom-tom bracket 110 provided with a memory lock function. The tom-tom bracket 110 is provided with a support plate 111, and hooks 112 and 113 located at upper and lower ends of the support plate 111. To use the tom-tom bracket 110, first, the tom-tom bracket 110 is fixed to an L-shaped rod LR protruding from a tom-tom holder fixed to a bass drum (not shown). Next, a tom-tom T is attached to the tom-tom bracket 110 by hooking the hooks 112 and 113 on an upper hoop UF and a lower hoop LF of the tom-tom T, respectively. Thus, the tom-tom T is attached to the L-shaped rod LR, and mounted on the bass drum.
According to the tom-tom bracket 100 shown in FIG. 14, however, in order to adjust the height of the floor tom-tom FT in relation to the rod R, the following work is required. First, the bolt 103 screwed on the nut 104 is loosened so that the memory lock 102 is movable on the rod R. Next, the nut 106 screwed on the bolt 105 is loosened so that the bracket body 101 is movable on the rod R. Then, after the bracket body 101 is moved and the height of the floor tom-tom FT is determined, the bracket body 101 is fixed to the rod R by tightening the nut 106 to the bolt 105. Then, after the memory lock 102 is arranged in the fixed position of the bracket body 101, the memory lock 102 is fixed to the rod R by tightening the bolt 103 to the nut 104. Such work is troublesome and laborious for a user, since tightening and loosening the bolt 103, the nut 106, and the like is repeated many times.
Further, according to the tom-tom bracket 110 shown in FIG. 15, the hooks 112 and 113 are only hooked on the upper and lower hoops UF and LF, respectively, and the tom-tom T is not fixed to the L-shaped rod LR. Therefore, when the tom-tom T is lifted with hands in order to adjust the height of the tom-tom T, the upper and lower hoops UF and LF are easily detached from the hooks 112 and 113. Therefore, the work for adjusting the height of the tom-tom T is not easy. Further, since the tom-tom T is not fixed to the L-shaped rod LR, the attitude of the tom-tom T attached on the bass drum is unstable.


A firewall dynamically adapts to changes in a utility computing system. The utility computing system has multiple nodes that are dynamically provisioned in different roles. The different roles are best served by different security and/or Quality-of-Service (QoS) policies. The firewall selects and applies security and/or QoS policies to a node or group of nodes based on the roles provisioned to the node or group. The firewall detects when the provisioning of a node changes, and dynamically applies a new security and/or QoS policy to the node based on the new provisioning. The firewall thus provides adaptive network-level security and QoS functionality to a utility computing system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains in general to utility computing and network security and in particular to a firewall for protecting a utility computing system environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Utility computing is a paradigm that provides scalable access to computing resources much like electrical utilities provide access to electricity. A utility computing system has a pool of computing resources that can be dynamically provisioned to meet the changing demands of an enterprise. For example, during a typical day, 30% of the resources can be provisioned as web servers to serve HTTP requests, 40% of the resources can be provisioned to provide back-end database support, 20% of the resources can be provisioned to run JAVA middleware software, and 10% of the resources can be left idle in order to provide extra computing power during peak periods. Should demand for one of the resources increase, the utility computing system can dynamically provision some of the idle resources and/or re-provision some of the other resources to meet the demand.
At its core, the utility computing system contains a set of computers acting in the provisioned roles. The computers can be real or virtual, and can be provisioned in multiple roles. For example, the utility computing system can contain a computer that is provisioned to act as both a web server and a database server.
Computers within a utility computing system that are provisioned as web servers, database servers, or in other roles that require interaction with clients have interfaces that are exposed to the Internet and/or other networks. Due to these interfaces, the computers are susceptible to malicious behavior on the network. Thus, a computer acting as a web server and executing particular web server software is susceptible to any vulnerabilities in that software. Such vulnerabilities present a security risk and the risk is further magnified because of the large numbers of computers that are often present in a utility computing system.
A firewall is a common way to protect computers from network-based attacks. However, a firewall is not well-suited to utility computing systems where there are multiple computers in dynamically-changing roles. An administrator setting the firewall's policy might allow communications to all ports that are used in all of the potential roles, thereby creating a security risk by providing greater than the minimum set of access rights. Alternatively, the administrator can configure the firewall to provide the minimum set of access rights for a specified role, thereby running the risk that the computer will not function if it is dynamically provisioned into another role. Neither of these options is desirable.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a firewall that is suited to protecting a utility computing system.


A system and method for improving dynamic memory removals by reducing the file cache size prior to the dynamic memory removal operation initiating are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the maximum amount of physical memory that can be used to cache files is reduced prior to performing a dynamic memory removal operation. Reducing the maximum amount of physical memory that can be used to cache files causes the page replacement algorithm to aggressively target file pages to bring the size of the file cache below the new maximum limit on the file cache size. This results in more file pages, rather than working storage pages, being paged-out.

1. Technical Field
The present invention is generally directed to an improved data processing system. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system and method for improving the performance of dynamic memory removals in a data processing system by reducing the file cache size.
2. Description of Related Art
In systems that support dynamic logical partitioning (DLPAR), such as IBM's eserver pSeries computer systems, resources may be dynamically moved between partitions within the system. The moving of resources between partitions may be performed for various different reasons. For example, it may be desirable to consolidate a plurality of virtual machines, new logical partitions may be initiated requiring a rebalancing of resources, web servers associated with various ones of the logical partitions may have different peak usage times requiring moving of resources between the logical partitions at different times of day to accommodate the peak usages, and the like.
With DLPAR systems, resources are moved between partitions dynamically, i.e. performed non-disruptively while partitions continue to run. When DLPAR operations are in progress, the performance of the operating system may suffer slightly as resources are being examined and rebalanced. When a resource is added, it is immediately made available for use, in the same way as if the operating system had booted with the resource. More information about Dynamic Logical Partitioning in the eserver pseries computing devices may be found in the whitepaper entitled "Dynamic Logical Partitioning in IBM eserver pseries," International Business Machines Corporation, Oct. 8, 2002, available from International Business Machines Corporation at wwwl.ibm.com/servers/eserver/pseries/hardware/whitepapers/dl par.html, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Most DLPAR operations can be performed in a short amount of time and, in general, the performance benefit associated with resource addition and removal will scale proportionally to the change in resources. One main exception is memory removal. When an operating system dynamically removes real memory from a running system, the performance of the system is often negatively impacted, especially if the majority of physical memory is in-use.
The Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) operating system uses virtual memory to address more memory than is physically available in the system. The management of memory pages in RAM or on disk is handled by the Virtual Memory Manager (VMM). Virtual-memory segments are partitioned in units called pages. A paging space is a type of logical volume with allocated disk space that stores information which is resident in virtual memory but is not currently being accessed. This logical volume has an attribute type equal to paging, and is usually simply referred to as paging space or swap space. When the amount of free RAM in the system is low, programs or data that have not been used recently are moved from memory to paging space to release memory for other activities.
On a system where physical memory is heavily utilized, dynamically removing a range of memory will result in a significant amount of paging activity as virtual memory pages are written out to disk to accommodate the system's smaller physical memory size. The virtual memory pages involved in these mass page-outs can be broken into two categories. The first category is file pages that are used to cache file data in physical memory. Because file pages are paged out to the same location on disk from which they came, paging space does not need to be allocated for file pages residing in RAM.
The second is working storage pages which are used for processes data heap, stack, shared memory, etc. Working storage pages are transitory and exist only during their use by a process. Working storage pages have no permanent disk storage location. Working storage pages must also occupy disk storage locations when they cannot be kept in real memory. The disk paging space is used for this purpose. Working storage pages in RAM that can be modified and paged out are assigned a corresponding slot in paging space. The allocated paging space is used only if the working storage page needs to be paged out. However, an allocated page in paging space cannot be used by another working storage page. It remains reserved for a particular working storage page for as long as that page exists in virtual memory.
When a process references a virtual-memory page that is on disk, because it either has been paged out (written to disk or paging space) or has never been read, the referenced page must be paged in, and this might cause one or more pages to be paged out if the number of available (free) page frames in RAM is low. The VMM attempts to steal page frames that have not been recently referenced and, therefore, are not likely to be referenced in the near future, using a page-replacement algorithm.
A successful page-replacement keeps the memory pages that are actively being referenced in RAM, while the memory pages not being actively referenced are paged out. However, when the RAM is over-committed, it becomes difficult to choose pages for page out. This is because the pages will probably be referenced in the near future by currently running processes. The result is that pages that are likely to be referenced soon might still get paged out and then paged in again when actually referenced. When RAM is over-committed, continuous paging in and paging out, called thrashing, can occur. When a system is thrashing, the system spends most of its time paging in and paging out instead of executing useful instructions, and none of the active processes make any significant progress. The VMM has a memory load control algorithm that detects when the system is thrashing and then attempts to correct the condition.
On systems where all of the physical memory, e.g., RAM, can be shared between file pages and working storage pages, the page replacement algorithm will not distinguish between replacing file and working storage pages. Thus, the mass amount of page-out input/output (I/O) operations that are initiated during a memory remove operation often involves a significant amount of working storage pages. This can have severe negative performance impacts on a system for several reasons. One of the principal reasons is that, because many of the pages being paged out may correspond to the working storage virtual memory used for different processes' working sets, and a large number of pages must be paged out to accommodate the memory removal operations, many of the pages that are paged out may need to be paged back in as the applications continue to run and re-reference the paged out memory pages. Thus, significant thrashing is generated as processes bring their working set of pages back into physical memory.
Having a large number of processes waiting for page-ins to complete can make the system almost unusable until the processes' working sets have been brought back into physical memory. Thus, not only is the system's performance bad during a memory remove operation, but a system's performance may remain poor for a significant duration even after a memory remove operation has completed.
Another reason for the significant negative affects of dynamic memory removal is that most high-end systems are configured with a small amount of paging space that is usually only spread among a very small number of disks. The large amount of paging activity that is generated during a dynamic memory removal operation is often bottle-necked by the small number of disks that are used for paging space. This results in long waits for I/O operations to complete.
Thus, it would be desirable to have an improved mechanism for performing dynamic memory removals that avoids the drawbacks set forth above.

System and method for improving performance of dynamic memory removals by reducing file cache size


Embodiments relate to a SRAM, in which a well isolation method may be applied so that an N-well and a P-well are separated from each other and that well walls of opposite conductive types are formed on facing sides. Also, the active regions of NMOS and PMOS may be connected to each other and the contacts of a PMOS drain and an NMOS source may be united to one so that the contacts are moved to the active regions of wide parts. A size of the common contact may be one to two times the size of a contact defined by a design rule. The active region may have a round bent part. The common contacts are arranged to be asymmetrical with each other. Therefore, it may be possible to secure the process margins of the active regions and the contacts, to improve a leakage current characteristic, and to improve yield. Also, it may be possible to prevent the dislocation of the active region and to omit a conventional thermal treatment process so that it may be possible to simplify processes and to reduce manufacturing cost.

A SRAM device may be a semiconductor memory device. Information stored on an SRAM device may be left intact while power is supplied. Hence, it may not be necessary to periodically refresh the SRAM device. An integrity of the SRAM device may be smaller than the integrity of a DRAM device. However, power consumption may be lower and processing speed may be higher in the SRAM device. An SRAM cell may be composed of six transistors. These may include two pull down transistors, two pull up transistors, and two access transistors.
FIG. 1 is an example illustration of a cell layout of a related art SRAM device and FIG. 2 is an example sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, to form pull-down NMOS transistor 10a and pull-up PMOS transistor 10b, N-well 11a and P-well 11b may be formed on the silicon substrate. Active region 13 may be defined by device isolation layer 12 formed on a silicon substrate and a gate may be formed on the silicon substrate to cross active region 13. Source/drain 15a/15b may be formed in active regions 13 on both sides of gate 14. Source/drain 15a/15b and the gate may be connected to metal interconnection 17 thereon through contacts 16a, 16b, and 16c and silicide layers 18 may be formed on source/drain 15a/15b and gate 14.
In the SRAM cell having such a structure, a region in which contact 16b of PMOS drain 15b may be formed and a region in which contact 16a of NMOS source 15a may be vulnerable regions that may cause leakage current in relation with any read/memory operation of the SRAM device. However, the related art SRAM device may not be able to avoid lack of process margin that may be caused by the layout.
That is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, since contact 16b may be positioned at both ends of active region 13 in the case of PMOS 10b and contact 16a may be positioned in a bent part of active region 13 in the case of NMOS 10a, the margin of processes related to the active regions and the contacts may be lacking. In particular, in the case of NMOS 10a where contact 16a may be positioned in the bent part of active region 13, even when the contacts are slightly misaligned or when the size of the contacts are large, a leakage current characteristic of the SRAM device may be degraded.
Also, when contact 16a may be positioned in the bent part of active region 13, active region 13 may become sharp to secure a contact space. However, in this shape, stress may be concentrated and may affect the dislocation of active region 13. Hence, a sequential heat treatment process may be required.
Furthermore, although contact 16b of PMOS drain 15b and contact 16a of NMOS source 15a may be bound together through the metal interconnection as illustrated in FIG. 2, contact 16b and contact 16a are separated from each other using wide device isolation layer 12 to reduce the margin of the metal interconnection process, which can degrade the leakage current characteristic due to the alignment and size of the contacts.


Deterioration of a power storage device is reduced. Switches that control the connections of a plurality of power storage devices separately are provided. The switches are controlled with a plurality of control signals, so as to switch between charge and discharge of each of the power storage devices or between serial connection and parallel connection of the plurality of power storage devices. Further, a semiconductor circuit having a function of carrying out arithmetic is provided for the power storage devices, so that a control system of the power storage devices or a power storage system is constructed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an object (a product including a machine, a manufacture, and a composition of matter) and a method (a process including a simple method and a production method). In particular, the present invention relates to a power storage device, a control system of a power storage device, a power storage system, an electronic circuit, a semiconductor device, a display device, a light-emitting device, and an electrical appliance, and further to a driving method thereof and a manufacturing method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a power storage device, a control system of a power storage device, a power storage system, an electronic circuit, a semiconductor device, a display device, a light-emitting device, and an electrical appliance which include an oxide semiconductor, and further to a driving method thereof and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, various power storage devices such as secondary batteries including lithium-ion secondary batteries and the like, lithium-ion capacitors, and air cells have been actively developed (e.g., Patent Document 1). In particular, demand for lithium-ion secondary batteries with high output and high energy density has rapidly grown with the development of the semiconductor industry, for electrical appliances, for example, portable information terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, and laptop computers, portable music players, and digital cameras; medical equipment; next-generation clean energy vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs); and the like. The lithium-ion secondary batteries are essential as rechargeable energy supply sources for today's information society.
As another example of the conventional power storage device, there is a power storage system in which a plurality of battery cells is connected in series (e.g., Patent Document 2).

Power storage device control system, power storage system, and electrical appliance

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