A circuit for controlling the threshold voltage in a semiconductor device. The circuit includes a substrate bias sensing block, and oscillater, a charge pump and a current supplying transistor. The substrate bias sensing block prevents substrate bias from decreasing below a predetermined value and includes a voltage divider including a plurality of PMOS transistors coupled in series between a power supply and the substrate bias, wherein each first junction of each transistor is connected with the substrate and each second junction with each gate. The block includes a latch being applied by the voltage of the first junction of one of the PMOS transistors and the inverted voltage of the corresponding second junction. A very low subthreshold leakage current can be obtained by maintaining a high threshold voltage in the standby mode, and low power consumption and high speed operation can be accomplished by lowering the threshold voltage with the low supplied power in the operation mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit for controlling the threshold voltage in a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a circuit for increasing the threshold voltage only when a semiconductor device is standing by, preventing increment of subthreshold leakage current generated in which uses the low threshold voltage for a high speed operation of the semiconductor
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, with the light weight and miniaturization of electronic devices, high speed operation and low power consumption semiconductor devices have been required. Furthermore, it is also required that the semiconductor devices particularly, using a battery, should be designed to lower their power consumption while they are standing by.
In general, lowering a supply power leads to lower power consumption of the semiconductor devices, and lowering a threshold voltage enables the semiconductor devices to operate at a high speed.
In the stand-by mode, however, lowering a threshold voltage causes increment of the subthreshold leakage currents, thereby cutting down the expected life span of the battery, with a high speed operation of the semiconductor devices.

Circuit for controlling the threshold voltage in a semiconductor device

Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.


The electronic properties of molecular junctions of the general type carbon/molecule/TiO2/Au as examples of “molecular heterojunctions” consisting of a molecular monolayer and a semiconducting oxide. Junctions containing fluorene bonded to pyrolyzed photoresist film (PPF) were compared to those containing Al2O3 instead of fluorene, and those with only the TiO2 layer. The responses to voltage sweep and pulse stimulation were strongly dependent on junction composition and temperature. A transient current response lasting a few milliseconds results from injection and trapping of electrons in the TiO2 layer, and occurred in all three junction types studied. Conduction in PPF/TiO2/Au junctions is consistent with space charge limited conduction at low voltage, then a sharp increase in current once the space charge fills all the traps. With fluorene present, there is a slower, persistent change in junction conductance which may be removed by a reverse polarity pulse. This “memory” effect is attributed to a redox process in the TiO2 which generates TiIII and/or TiII, which have much higher conductance than TiO2 due to the presence of conduction band electrons. The redox process amounts to “dynamic doping” of the TiO2 layer by imposed electric field. The memory effect arises from a combination of the properties of the molecular and oxide layers, and is a special property of the molecular heterojunction configuration.

A central effort in the field of molecular electronics has been the investigation of molecules as rectifiers, switches, storage devices, etc., in microelectronic applications. The goal of the present invention is to provide a means to alter junction conductivity via a chemical change induced by an electrical stimulus.
Electron transport (ET) through molecules in molecular junctions is fundamental to the area of molecular electronics, and understanding the relationship between molecular structure and transport is a prerequisite to the eventual design of molecular circuit components. The factors which determine ET through molecules oriented between metallic contacts has been investigated in single molecule devices based on scanning probe microscopy, as well as molecular junctions containing 103-1012 molecules in parallel. It is clear from the results reported to date that ET depends on molecular structure as well as the nature of the "contacts" between the molecules and the conductors. Several reviews on molecular junctions and molecular rectification have appeared, and research on ET mechanisms in such devices remains active.
Several laboratories have investigated "hybrid" devices involving the interface between a molecule and a conventional semiconductor such as silicon, gallium arsenide, and TiO2. Research areas as diverse as dye sensitized solar cells and molecularly modified quantum dots also involve a combination of molecular and semiconductor properties. Our lab has investigated carbon/molecular/TiO2/Au junctions in some detail, and compared them to similar junctions lacking the TiO2 layer. By combining a molecular and semiconductor layer in the junction, one can in principle exploit the distinct electronic properties of each material in a "molecular heterojunction". For example, robust negative differential resistance has been observed in polyphenylene vinylene/TiO2 heterojunctions, with the phenomenon being attributed to alignment of energy levels between the PPV and TiO2. We have described carbon/nitroazobenzene (NAB)/TiO2/Au junctions in which electrons are transferred between the NAB and TiO2 to produce rectification and conductance switching.
During both the spectroscopic and electronic characterization of Carbon/NAB/TiO2/Au junctions, both transient and persistent conductance changes were observed, whose origin was not completely clear. Potential pulses applied to such junctions produced a transient current lasting a few msec, followed in some cases by a slow (10-100 msec) conductance increase which persisted for several minutes. This "memory" effect may have technological value as well as mechanistic consequences, and deserved further study. Although Raman Spectroscopy established that NAB is reversibly reduced and oxidized in NAB/TiO2 junctions only ˜8 nm thick, the fate of the TiO2 accompanying NAB redox events was not amenable to Raman monitoring, and was not determined directly. It is clear from these investigations that electron injection into the TiO2 film is directly involved in the electronic behavior of the junction, but the events accompanying injection are not yet evident, including their relationship to observed changes in junction conductance.
The present invention clearly defines the conductance changes which occur when carbon/molecule/TiO2/Au heterojunctions are subjected to an applied electric field. Fluorene (FL) junctions were investigated rather than previously studied NAB devices in order to simplify the problem by reducing the possibility of redox reactions in the molecular layer. Carbon/FL/TiO2/Au junctions were compared to carbon/TiO2/Au analogs to determine the influence of the FL layer on electronic behavior. In addition, a carbon/Al2O3/TiO2/Au junction was investigated as an analog with a high-barrier insulator in place of the FL layer.
In view of the present disclosure or through practice of the present invention, other advantages may become apparent.

Electronic junction devices featuring redox electrodes

The Ohio State University Research Foundation


Disclosed herein is a device for driving a LED for a flash of a camera, such as a digital camera or a camera of a mobile phone, which is capable of driving the LED in two modes to reduce power consumption. The LED drive device comprises the LED, a continuous low current driver for continuously supplying current which is lower than or equal to rated current of the LED to the LED, a high-current pulse driver for supplying current which is higher than the rated current of the LED to the LED for a predetermined period of time, and a mode selector for selecting one of the continuous low current driver and the high-current pulse driver to drive the LED. According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent unnecessary power consumption and deterioration of reliability of the LED, and obtain an image of brighter picture quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for driving flashes for photographing used in a camera, etc., and more particularly to a device for driving a light emitting diode (LED) for a flash of a camera, such as a digital camera or a small-size camera of a mobile phone, which is capable of driving the LED in two modes to reduce power consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the popularization of digital cameras, recently, various mobile communication terminals, including mobile phones, have been marketed with small-size digital cameras contained therein. Flashes are provided in such digital cameras to supply light of an amount required for shooting at night.
A strobo which employs a xenon tube as a light emitting element is used as a flash in a general camera. The xenon tube emits light by being supplied with power previously charged on a main capacitor in response to a trigger signal. On the other hand, the charging of the main capacitor is performed just after the camera is powered on or after the strobo emits light, and requires a standby time of several seconds. For this reason, the strobo employing the xenon tube is disadvantageous in that the photographing cannot be performed for the standby time. Further, since the main capacitor is large in size, it is hard to apply the strobo employing the xenon tube to a small-size unit such as a mobile communication terminal.
Recently, an LED has been spotlighted as a light source replacing the xenon tube with the above problems. This LED is advantageous in that it requires no standby time, and is appropriate for miniaturization of an associated unit since it needs no large-size main capacitor.
An LED for a conventional camera flash is driven in such a manner that it continuously emits light of an amount necessary for photographing. That is, the LED continuously supplies light of an amount necessary for photographing even while a user determines a composition of a picture to be photographed. For this reason, for photographing in a very dark environment, high current must be continuously supplied to the LED in order to secure a desired amount of light for the photographing. In such a conventional LED drive system, an LED may continuously supply light of an amount desired for an image capture moment, resulting in an increase in current consumption. Moreover, current which is higher than rated current of the LED may be continuously supplied to the LED in order to secure the desired amount of light.
This conventional LED drive system has the disadvantage of significantly reducing the lifetime of a battery, particularly in a camera of a mobile communication terminal, due to unnecessary current consumption, and adversely affecting reliability of the LED due to the continuous supply of excessive current to the LED.

Device for driving light emitting diode for flash of camera


A flexible electronic color display includes a light-emitting diode (LED) matrix formed from an interweaved weft of conductive strands and warp of light-emitting diode (LED) fiber of a conductive core coated with a p-doped semiconductor and then an n-doped semiconductor of light-emitting polymer. Each conductive strand physically and electrically couples to each LED fiber at one location to form an LED that may activated as a pixel. Alternating LED fibers of different hues may provide a color display, especially for a relatively fine weave or for displays viewed from a distance. Alternatively, conductive strands and LED fibers may be selected having sufficient transparency that layers of multiple LED matrices, each having a selected hue, may form a color flexible display. In addition, methods for fabricating the LED matrix and for detecting and eliminating flaws from the LED matrix allow for economical manufacture.

The present invention generally relates to electronic, light-emitting displays.
Electronic displays present various forms of display information, such as text, graphics, and video, as a pixelized image to a user. The presentation of pixelized display information may be an essential function of an electronic device, such as personal computer. In other applications, pixelized display information enhances the features of an electronic device, such as enabling a cellular telephone to be readily programmable and to provide functions such as digital paging.
A number of electronic display technologies are available, each having specific attributes that limit their application. Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), for instance, are widely used for computer monitors and televisions. CRTs have good color, contrast, and brightness, as well as being a mature, economical technology. CRTs are not particularly compact, being limited by the geometries imposed by its electron gun and pixel elements formed at substantially perpendicular relation to the electron gun. Moreover, the vacuum requirements of a CRT dictate a heavy glass construction. Thus, the size, weight, rigid fragile construction, and power consumption of CRTs limits their use in portable applications.
As an alternative to CRTs, plasma screen technology allows for a display flatter and wider than CRTs and rear projection televisions. However, plasma screen technology is difficult to manufacture, and thus expensive. Moreover, although flatter than CRTs, plasma screens have similar limitations as do CRTs for weight and rigidity. Consequently, plasma screen displays are used in certain notebook computers and relatively expensive portable devices.
Various other technologies allow for flat, lighter weight, and lower power consumption than CRTs, appropriate to more portable applications. Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) and active matrix LCDs are widely used in notebook computers and personal digital assistant (PDA) products, for example. To provide a degree of flexibility and resistance to impact, plastic LCDs are known. Also, LCDs are generally less expensive than other displays of comparable size; however, LCDs are generally too expensive to incorporate into limited life, disposable products.
Consequently, a significant need exists for a light weight, inexpensive display, especially a color display that is suitable for use in portable electronic devices and a variety of applications.
The present invention generally provides a light-emitting fabric that provides for a flexible display suitable for use as a substitute for known portable electronic displays, as well as enabling new applications unsuited to known display technology.
In one aspect consistent with the invention, a light-emitting diode (LED) matrix is formed from interlaced weft of conductive strands and warp of LED fibers. The LED fibers have a conducting core, a first doped layer surrounding the core, and a second doped layer surrounding the first doped layer. The first and second doped layers form a light-emitting semiconductor junction. Each conductive strand electrically couples to each LED fiber at a respective lateral location, forming a light-emitting diode (LED) at each lateral location.
In another aspect consistent with the invention, a method of fabricating a light-emitting diode (LED) matrix includes making an LED fiber. The LED fiber is formed from a conducting core that is clad with a p-doped semiconductor to form an inner strand. Then, the inner strand is clad with an n-doped semiconductor. At least one of the p-doped semiconductor and n-doped semiconductor includes a light-emitting polymer so that the conducting a current at a lateral location on the LED fiber creates an LED.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A terminal engagement-insertion portion for an electromagnetic coupling device to be inserted into the through hole of a yoke is provided with two terminal holding portions and each of which has a coil engagement-insertion groove and a terminal engagement-insertion hole. In addition, an insertion portion to insert the guide portion of a terminal housing thereinto is defined between the terminal holding portions. While the guide portion is being inserted into the insertion portion, the terminals are electrically connected with the ends of an exciting coil, respectively.

This invention relates to an electromagnetic coupling device comprising a yoke assembly in which the ends of an exciting coil are electrically connected to the terminals of a connector held by a yoke.
An electromagnetic coupling device in the prior art, particularly an electromagnetic clutch which is installed on the compressor of an air conditioning system for an automobile and which is used as a power transmission device, has a structure wherein the terminal housing of a coil side connector, connected with a power source side connector, is held by a yoke and wherein a pair of terminals embedded in the terminal housing are electrically connected to the ends of an exciting coil.
The yoke assembly of an electromagnetic clutch proposed in the official gazettes of Japanese Patent Applications Laid-open No. 127662/1995 and No. 127663/1995 (hereinbelow, termed the "preceding invention") comprises a yoke including a coil bobbin around which an exciting coil coated with an insulating film is wound, an annular groove in which the coil bobbin is snugly fitted, and through holes into which projections provided on a flange lying on one side of the coil bobbin are inserted; a pair of terminals which are inserted from outside into the through holes of the yoke and whose distal ends are pressedly fitted on the projections of the coil bobbin; caulking pieces with which the respective terminals are integrally formed and to which the initial winding end and terminal winding end of the exciting coil are respectively fixed by caulking; a casting resin which is poured into the annular groove of the yoke so as to insulate the exciting coil from the exterior; and the terminal housing of a coil side connector which is formed of the casting resin. Incidentally, the bent caulking pieces of the terminals and the corresponding ends of the exciting coil are electrically connected in such a way that the coating film of the exciting coil is perfectly torn off owing to heat generated by the exciting coil energized.
In addition, a diode package which functions as a surge voltage absorbing device is assembled in the terminal housing of the yoke assembly. The diode package is constructed as a separate component lest a diode should damage under heat and pressure when the terminal housing is molded with the casting resin. Further, the diode package has a structure including a concavity in which the case of the diode is accommodated, a pair of through holes into which the pair of terminals are individually inserted, and a guide portion which is extended outside and which is engaged with a recess formed in the terminal housing of a power source side connector. Herein, the pair of leads of the diode are individually projected into the through holes. In addition, while the respective terminals are being inserted into the through holes of the diode package, this diode package is snugly fitted into the terminal housing, whereby the respective terminals and the corresponding leads of the diode are electrically connected.
With the yoke assembly of the preceding invention, the terminal housing is integrally molded using the casting resin of the exciting coil, and hence, the pair of terminals are previously fixed to the projections formed on the flange of the coil bobbin. Besides, the initial winding end and terminal winding end of the exciting coil are led out of the through holes of the yoke, and the caulking pieces of the respective terminals disposed outside the yoke are caulked, thereby to electrically connect the ends of the exciting coil and the terminals. In the electromagnetic clutch which is installed on the compressor, the yoke assembly is constructed between a rotor, which is supported through a bearing around a cylindrical portion provided on the front housing of the compressor, and the side surface of the front housing of the compressor. Accordingly, the development of a yoke assembly in which the quantity of protrusion of the terminal housing is small is desired in order that the full length dimension of the compressor on which the electromagnetic clutch is installed may be prevented from enlarging.
Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide an electromagnetic coupling device comprising a yoke assembly in which the quantity of protrusion of a terminal housing is small. Additional objects of this invention will be apparent from the discussion below.


This is a device for capturing and removing bodies or articles from within a vessel, such vessels as may be found in the vascular system or the genital urinary tract. It includes a core wire which has attached at its distal end a plurality of fibers. The core wire may be introduced through a catheter to a selected site and further advanced and "twirled" to engage the offending foreign body. The retriever and its targeted foreign body are then withdrawn using the catheter.

Vaso-occlusive devices, particularly helically wound coils, are surgical implements that may be placed within vessels or other openings in the human body. Although more widely used as devices to block the flow of blood through a vascular lumen, such devices may also be used to block other body lumen such as fallopian tubes or bile ducts or the like. Widely known and used a variant of the vaso-occlusive device class is a helically wound coil which, after having been given a primary form, is wound into a second form. The vaso-occlusive device is typically delivered through a catheter having a small interior lumen. The devices having secondary forms are constructed to such a way that they conform to the shape of the interior of the catheter during the period they are being deployed. After exiting the distal tip of the catheter, the device will then often attain the secondary shape discussed just above.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,069 describes a vaso-occlusive coil having a linear helical configuration when stretched and having a folded, convoluted configuration when relaxed. The stretched or primary condition is used when placing the coil at a desired site within the body. The coil assumes its relaxed configuration once the device is properly placed within the body. The secondary shape is one which is better suited to occlude the vessel or opening in the body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,911 , to Chee et al, shows a variation of the vaso-occlusive coil in which a number of fibrous elements are attached to the coil so to enhance the thrombogenicity of the coil assembly.
Still another variation of the vaso-occlusive coil is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,122,136 and 5,354,295 , both to Guglielmi et al. In these variations of the generic vaso-occlusive device, the helically wound coils or wires are maintained in mechanical connection with the pusher wire which propels the coils through the delivery catheter. The connection between vaso-occlusive coil and delivery or core wire is through the use of electrolysis in the joint between the two sections. The Guglielmi et al. devices have the significant benefit in that as the physician places the coil in the human body, the placement is precise prior to the step of severing the mechanical connection.
It may be desirable in some instances to either remove a vaso-occlusive device which has been mal-placed within the human body or to retrieve a section of surgical implement which has been allowed loose within the body. A variety of retrievers are available for such service.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,219 , to Rappe, shows a medical retrieval snare suitable for retrieving foreign bodies from inside the vasculature. The Rappe device uses a core wire which passes through a tubular body, out the distal end, and is attached at the distal end so to form a single loop. This loop is used to snare, e.g. a vaso-occlusive coil and withdraw it through the guide catheter. Its use relies upon the skill of the attending physician in manipulating the snare so that it "lassoes" the offending device.
Other devices are recognized for the purpose of removing objectionable materials from within the human body. One such device is an embolectomy catheter described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,503 , to Clark, III. In this device, a spiral coil or auger is placed at the tip of a catheter so that it may be turned and screwed into the thrombus and then pulled out of the vessel. The clot is said to become dislodged from the vessel and generally comes out with the catheter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,715 shows a device characterized as a multi-pronged laparoscopy forceps. The forceps found at the end of the catheter assembly are of a somewhat typical design in that they have pinchers which are aligned in such a way as the forceps assembly is retracted into the catheter, the forceps' fingers pinch together for grasping an object.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,028 , to Suma, describes a device having a number of prongs located on the end of a long wire placed within a tubing assembly. These prongs are positioned so that they are able to inosculate a blood vessel--that is hold an incision open-- during the period that a graft is being installed. A similar appearing device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,219 to Petruzzi. This patent describes a manipulative or grasping assembly adapted for use in conjunction with various endoscopic instruments. The tool is one having an elongated shaft with resilient, flexible fingers at the distal end. The tubular sheath is attached in such a way that it forms a sliding platform and operates as a control mechanism to engage an object using the flexible fingers of the shaft.
Another design for extracting foreign objects from the body is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,626 , to McGirr. This extractor device includes a self closing basket at the distal end of a catheter. The basket closes automatically about a captured object when the control line is released.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,978 to Ginsburg, shows a device for catching emboli from the bloodstream. It is a strainer which is collapsible within a catheter. The strainer may be placed within a vessel and is of such a configuration that blood flows through the strainer. When an embolus passes to its vicinity it is caught in the netted strainer device. The strainer may then be collapsed, enclosing the embolus, and withdrawn through the allied catheter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,789 , to Tagachi et al, shows a device characterized as "observation assisting forceps." An inner shaft member is placed within a tubular hollow sheath. The distal end of the shaft member has a number of tipped fingers which are biased to expand radially when the interior shaft member is pushed distally out of the hollow sheath. The primary use of the device is to move aside organs and the like when making an observation with an endoscope.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,151 , to Wallstein, shows a device for implantation or extraction of stents using a multi-fingered device and a catheter with an interior actuating rod.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,440 , to Hillstead shows a tubular catheter having a pair of opposing wire loops which may be manipulated from outside the body. In general the device is used to remove previously employed stent from the body.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,094 , to Kline, shows a medical device which may be used as a medical snare to remove articles from the body. Among the structures disclosed as various types of snares are the cages, loops, and forceps shown in, e.g., FIGS. 8 through 17.
None of these devices which may be inserted into the body through various tubular access devices uses the concept found in the inventive retriever structure described below.


A panel attachment member and system for shielding a vehicle in an off-road setting. The panel includes an exterior portion and an interior portion. A lip is disposed around the interior portion. A magnetic cut-out is attached to the lip for magnetically securing the panel to the vehicle. Moreover, at least one suction cup is disposed on the interior portion for further securing the panel to the vehicle via vacuum pressure contained within the suction cup. A valve is attached to the suction cup for releasably securing the panel to the vehicle.

Vehicle manufacturers have recently experienced a high demand for vehicles capable of traversing an off-road setting such as four-wheel drive sport utility vehicles. Sport utility vehicles, while of rugged construction, have recently become more luxurious and often are provided with paint finishes in the nature of luxury automobiles. Thus, when the vehicle is used in off-road settings such as for fishing expeditions, camping expeditions, four wheel drive recreation, and the like, there is an enhanced likelihood of damage to this finish. For example, it is common during such use to encounter bushes, tree branches, and off-road debris which tend to scratch, dent or otherwise damage the finish of such vehicles. Current vehicle shielding devices are disadvantageous in that they are difficult to apply to the vehicle, tend to easily dislodge from the vehicle if jarred in the off-road setting, and lack in the degree of protection they offer.
The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a panel attachment member and system for shielding a vehicle that is more effective and convenient to use as compared to the prior devices. The panel includes an exterior portion and an interior portion, as well as lip disposed around the interior portion. A magnetic cut-out is attached to the lip for magnetically securing the panel to the vehicle. At least one suction cup is disposed on the interior portion for further securing the panel to the vehicle via vacuum pressure contained within the suction cup when applied to the vehicle. Means are further provided for releasably securing the at least one suction cup or member to the vehicle and may be accessed from the exterior portion of the panel. The means for releasably securing the at least one suction cup to the vehicle includes an air valve attached to the at least one suction cup and which is in air flow communication therewith. The air valve preferably comprises a base and valve stem attached to the base. A first air passageway and a plunger is also included. The plunger is disposed in the first air passageway of the air valve. The air valve also comprises a piece that is attached to the plunger and mounted on a spring such that the plunger is spring loaded. The air valve further includes a second air passageway formed in the base and extending through the air valve such that when the plunger is depressed and the piece thereby displaced, the first air passageway is in communication with the second air passageway thereby releasing the vacuum pressure contained within the suction cup. The panel also includes a standoff that is attached to the base at a first end and integrally formed with the exterior portion of the panel at a second end. The standoff preferably surrounds and protects the valve stem. The panel also includes a sealed cover that is attached to the panel and has a first flange and a second flange disposed below the first flange. When installed in the panel, the second flange of the seal cover is disposed in an annular groove contained within the panel and the first flange is used to pry the seal cover off of the panel. The seal cover is for sealing the air valve from the environment. Also preferably, the panel is constructed of a non-porous, non-fibrous plastic material that is preferably Poly Vinyl Chloride ("PVC"). The magnetic cut-out of the present invention also prevents flow of air, seepage of moisture, and other environmental elements from reaching a section of the vehicle to which the panel overlays.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a system if provided for shielding the vehicle. The vehicle has a plurality of sections and a panel for covering each of the plurality of sections. Each of the panels includes an exterior portion, and an interior portion, a lip disposed around the interior portion, and a magnetic cut-out attached to the lip for magnetically securing the panel to one of the plurality of sections of the vehicle. Also included is at least one suction cup disposed on the interior portion for further securing the panel to one of the plurality of sections of the vehicle via vacuum pressure contained within the suction cup when applied to one of the sections of the vehicle. Also included is at least one magnetic strip attached to each of the plurality of sections of the vehicle not covered by the panel to shield these sections from damage when the vehicle is traversing an off-road environment. Also included are means for releasably securing the at least one suction cup to one of the plurality of sections of the vehicle. The means for releasably securing the at least one suction cup to one of the plurality of sections of the vehicle comprises an air valve attached to the at least one suction cup and which is in air flow communication therewith.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


The present invention provides a system, apparatus and method for accurately identifying optical or digital impairments on a span using FEC errors identified at an intermediary node. This information may be provided to an end node within a network to switch to a redundant path around the impaired optical path or span therein. In one embodiment of the invention, signal degradation is identified by analyzing FEC data within a FEC decoded signal at an intermediary node. An identification of signal degradation provides an indication of a potential failing span within an optical link, which may be provided in-band or out-of-band to a terminal node so that a signal may be switched around a failing path, or span therein, prior to an actual failure event.

A. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to optical networking node architectures and configurations, and more particularly, to protection switching of FEC-encoded signals.
B. Background of the Invention
The importance of optical networking technology in today's society is well understood. Optical networks allow large amounts of information to be transmitted at high data rates across very long distances. In optical long-haul or metro-ring scenarios, multiple channels or wavelengths are multiplexed together and inserted into a fiber optic cable that spans a relatively long distance. The optical signal, comprising multiple wavelengths, propagates within the fiber optic cable until its destination is reached. This signal is demultiplexed and the individual wavelengths further processed at a destination node.
The reliability of networks is extremely important and network operators require that their networks operate with an extremely low failure rate. A network failure event may lead to a large amount of data being lost and may significantly impact the companies that rely on the network. These network failures may also cause financial losses to the network providers and require significant efforts to repair. In order to minimize the number of failure events, networks are built with layers of redundancy.
Networks generally provide redundant paths between network nodes to improve reliability. Data is switched between these paths in the events of failures, latency issues or other factors that may reduce the reliability of data be transmitted between the nodes. The management of traffic across these redundant paths may be performed using different techniques and in accordance with various protocols.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wave division multiplexing ("WDM") network link. The link includes a plurality of transmitters 110, each having a forward error correction ("FEC") encoder 112 and electrical-to-optical converter 115. A multiplexer 120 multiplexes the optical signals generated from the transmitters 110 into a WDM signal that is inserted into optical fiber. The link may also include various intermediary devices such as optical amplifiers 130 or regenerators (not shown) to amplify or otherwise repair the WDM signal as it propagates along the link. At a receiver node, the WDM signal is demultiplexed into wavelength components by a demultiplexer 140. These wavelengths are sent to a plurality of receivers 150, each having an optical-to-electrical converter 155 and FEC decoder 157.
WDM and other metropolitan, regional and long haul fiber optic transmission systems typically utilize forward error correction ("FEC") encoding and decoding to correct single or multiple bit errors in a transmitted bitstream. The encoding and decoding process is typically limited to one transmitter/receiver link, defined as being the signal path between the electrical-optical converter 115 of the transmitter 110 and the optical-electrical converter 155 of the receiver 150. This FEC encoding compensates for errors generated within the optical signal and also provides an indication of the health of the link or signal path. However, as will be discussed in more detail below, FEC encoding may also mask indications of a degrading link, optical path or span therein.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary protected network in which multiple redundant paths are provided in order to provide high reliability against fiber and equipment failures. A client signal is provided to a multiplexer 210 that is coupled to a working path 220 and a plurality of protection paths including a first protection path 230 up to an Nth protection path 240. Each path, including the working path and protection paths 1 through n, can include one or more concatenated transmitter/receiver links (link a through span m) and may include additional optical or electrical switches (not shown).
The client signal is "bridged" or replicated to the multiple independent paths, one of such paths being selected to be delivered to the client receiver. Each of the paths terminates at a receiver 240 that includes an end-to-end error detection module 250. A selector 270 selects a signal from one of the paths and transmits the signal to a client receiver. A detected error statistics memory 260 may also be provided that stores information about identified errors on each of the signal paths.
In selecting a desired signal path from multiple paths of transmissions of the same client signal, the decision of selecting the optimum client signal path is a determination based upon schemes that select the signal path according to various factors. A first factor that may be used is the absence of a recognizable signal generally indicated by a loss of optical power or a loss of frame condition, which may be detected at the end terminal receiver of the signal selector 270. A second factor is recognizable signal with an unacceptable bit error rate at the end terminal receiver of the signal selector 270.
A third factor is the reception of an alarm indication signal ("AIS") which is an indication generated by an upstream node and transmitted to the far end receive node. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary AIS scenario in which a signal is transmitted by a transmitter 310 on a link comprising multiple intermediary nodes 320, 330, 340. An end receiver 340 receives the client signal and an AIS detector 350 identifies the presence of the AIS. A selector 360 selects a particular client signal and forwards it onto a client receiver.
Referring to FIG. 3, the upstream intermediary node 320 detects an optical or digital impairment in the link and generates an AIS. The MS is inserted into the client signal and a transmitter transmits the AIS and client signal onto the link. The AIS may be inserted within the client signal or may have a dedicated channel in which MS and other control signals are communicated. After the AIS detector 350 receives the inserted MS, it may respond in a number of ways including switching the signal onto a redundant path.
A problem with this selection schemes is that, due to the nature of a FEC encoded system, the selection of a new desired signal path from among multiple signal paths often results in the transmission of a substantial number of errors to the client receiver before the selection can be transpired. More specifically, systems with high FEC gain will allow the client signal to be received essentially without errors even though the condition of the link over which the client signal is transported has a marginal condition in one or more of the concatenated spans that make up the signal path. By marginal condition, it is meant that at least one span has a marginal capacity to successfully transport the client signal but since the signal is FEC encoded, accurate recovery of the signal is realizable.
For example, the pre-FEC error rate may be marginally acceptable and then a subsequent change in the polarization mode dispersion causes the pre-FEC error rate to move from the marginally acceptable point to a point just below an acceptable rate, which will result in a high post-FEC error rate and loss of signal integrity. The far end selector may be able to select at this point a different signal path for the client signal reception, but due to the latency of the error detector in the receiver and the selector, at least a portion of the degraded or corrupted client signal may be transmitted to the client before the switching to a better client signal path of the client signal can be successfully transpired.


Media content is provided using thumbnail-based images and respective archives linked thereto. In accordance with one or more embodiments, access is provided to interactive single-page and multi-page thumbnail images, with each thumbnail image being linked to at least one of a plurality of media-content units in respective sets of the media-content units (e.g., to pages within respective articles each having one or more pages, with each page having predefined text and image data in a set layout). Archive data is identified and communicated for each media content unit, responsive to user input data indicating a selection of one of the thumbnail images, and based on availability of the archive data locally at a user device.

Many media categories, such as music, home video, books, and television, have been substantially impacted by the advent of digital distribution. To date, the availability of free content on the internet has diluted publishers' ability to sell print products. This has contributed to print advertising declines, and online advertising has not made up for the loss. Some industry observers foresee a continuing and inevitable slow decline in revenues, based on value migration to tech players, similar to the decline in other media sectors.
In addition to the above, the ability to provide content in a manner that is scalable, usable and readily valued/attributed has been challenging. For example, media content is provided using a myriad of different delivery approaches, and to end-user devices that vary tremendously from user to user, and also change dramatically over time as technology evolves. Distributing the media content such that the content is available in a readily-accessible manner has also been challenging. For instance, the storage capability of end-user devices such as reader type tablets can be limited. In addition, content delivery over networks can be time consuming and subject to issues relating to one or more network components, bandwidth, network availability and others.
These and other aspects have presented challenges to the delivery, selection and presentation of media content.

Device, system and method for image-based content delivery


Techniques are provided for controlling on-chip termination (OCT) impedance using OCT calibration blocks that serially transmit OCT control signals to input/output (IO) blocks. The OCT control signals are serially transmitted through a shared conductor. An OCT calibration block can transmit OCT control signals to one or multiple IO blocks. The IO blocks can be programmed to select OCT control signals from one of the calibration blocks. Enable signals enable one or more of the IO blocks to receive the selected OCT control signals. The OCT control signals are used to control the on-chip termination impedance at one or more IO buffers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic circuits, and more particularly, to techniques for transmitting on-chip termination control signals in serial to input/output blocks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Signal reflection can occur on transmission lines when there is a mismatch between the impedance of the transmission line and the impedance of the transmitter and/or receiver. The reflected signal can interfere with the transmitted signal, causing distortion and degrading signal integrity.
To solve this problem, transmission lines are resistively terminated by a matching impedance to minimize or eliminate signal reflection. Input/output (IO) pins on an integrated circuit package are often terminated by coupling external termination resistors to the appropriate IO pins. However, many integrated circuit packages require a large number of termination resistors, because they have a large number of IO pins. Therefore, it is becoming more common to resistively terminate transmission lines using on-chip termination (OCT) to reduce the number of external components.
In order to provide a precise resistance value for on-chip termination (OCT), an OCT calibration block is used to calibrate the resistance using an off-chip resistor as a reference value. The OCT calibration block generates an N-bit code and transmits the N-bit code in parallel to IO buffer regions. N number of parallel conductors are used to transmit the code from an OCT calibration block.
In a field programmable gate array (FPGA), M number of OCT calibration blocks are used to support input/output (IO) banks having M number of unique IO standards. Each of the OCT calibration blocks routes an N-bit code in parallel to all of the IO banks on the chip so that the IO buffers in each IO bank can be configured according to any of the IO standards. This scheme uses M×N number of conductors going all the way around the periphery of a chip.
Take, for example, an FPGA that has 10 OCT calibration blocks and 40 IO banks. If each OCT calibration block generates a 24-bit code (12-bits for the PMOS transistors and 12-bits for the NMOS transistors), 240 conductors are needed to transmit the 24-bit codes in parallel from each of the 10 OCT calibration blocks. Also, shield conductors may be used to isolate each set of codes. Such a large number of conductors would dramatically increase the peripheral area of the chip.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide techniques for controlling on-chip termination that limit the number of routing conductors used to transmit the OCT control signals.

Techniques for serially transmitting on-chip termination control signals


A method for application of an agricultural product to a field, the method includes acquiring real-time sampled data using real-time agricultural sensors, wherein the real-time agricultural sensors include a soil sensor, auto-calibrating the real-time agricultural sensors using statistical characteristics of the real-time sampled data to determine an application rate, and applying the agricultural product to the field based on the application rate.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to variable rate material management for agricultural landscapes. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to auto-calibration of real-time sensors used in the application of agricultural products such as agrochemicals and seeds, including soil content sensors.
Problems in the Art
Various methodologies are available to crop producers which allow them to apply agrochemicals. Some methodologies use real-time active crop or soil sensors for variable rate control of agrochemicals and seed rate. Yet problems remain in providing effective calibration of these sensors.
Another problem relates to fact that organic matter content of a soil is a significant variable in modern soil management and relates to a soil's adsorption of pesticides, its water holding capacity, and its yield potential are often related to its organic matter content. By sensing a landscape's organic matter content in real-time, the potential of applying agricultural products without the use of preprocessed maps will allow producers to optimize their use as well as maximizing profitability.
Conventional agricultural equipment is designed to apply chemicals and plant crops at uniform rates within a field, regardless of changes in soil type or organic matter content. This can result in an over application of chemicals in some areas of the field, an under application in other areas, overplanting in some areas and under planting in others. It would therefore be desirable to provide a prescription application system which would rapidly and accurately adjust chemical and seeding rates by sensing variations in soil type and organic matter as equipment traverses a field. There is thus a need for an apparatus that will sense the organic content of soil as chemicals are being applied or crops planted so that the application of the chemicals or the seeding can be adjusted based upon the sensed organic matter content of the particular area of the field to be treated or planted. In the past couple decades, there has been interest in developing agricultural equipment capable of sensing soil organic matter content and adjusting the corresponding application rate of herbicides, seeds or fertilizer as the equipment moves across the field. Such sensing systems require knowledge of the mathematical relationship between organic matter content and soil color. In general, progress in developing such sensor systems has proven to be unsatisfactory because the developers have attempted to develop universal relationships between organic matter content and sensor output. The problem with this approach is that it is known that different soil associations can have different relationships between organic matter content and soil color. Another problem faced in developing an accurate real-time soil organic matter sensor is that the scene, i.e., particular area of the soil that is being observed by the sensor, must have a generally uniform surface. These sensors typically work by reflecting light off the scene. If the surface of the scene is not uniform, the reflectance will vary in response to surface roughness changes yielding erroneous results. Variations in the surface of the scene can be caused by differences in soil texture, size of the soil aggregates, moisture content, etc. Ambient light can also adversely affect the accuracy of such sensors by introducing a second, variable source of light which is also reflected from the scene and picked up by the sensor.
What is needed are systems and methods which are simple and convenient for agricultural producers to use while still resulting in application of agrochemicals and agricultural materials in acceptable and desirable manners.

Optical real-time soil sensor and auto-calibration methods


The present invention relates to a method for detecting mitochondria alterations, which comprises the following steps: (A) providing a separation element and a sample; (B) mixing the separation element and the sample, wherein a detecting sample is obtained through the binding of a DNA fragment on the separation element to mitochondrial DNA in the sample; (C) dividing the detecting sample into a comparison group and a detection group; (D) adding an amplification solution into the comparison group and the detection group respectively to begin a DNA amplified reaction, and further adding a restriction enzyme into the detection group, wherein the amplification solution comprises a labeling reagent and a primer pair; and (E) detecting amounts of the labeling reagent in the comparison group and the detection group respectively after the DNA amplified reaction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for detecting mitochondria gene alterations and, more particularly, to a method for detecting mitochondria gene alterations by means of a single primer pair.
2. Description of Related Art
Mitochondria are the main sites in cells where oxidative phosphorylation occurs and adenosine triphosphate is synthesized, and energy to human and animal cells comes from. Furthermore, mitochondria not only can provide energy, they also work to take part in apoptosis, cellular differentiation and signaling, as well as cell growth and cell cycle. Hence, whether the mitochondria genes are defective or not is instrumental to the functioning of human and animal cells.
Recent studies have found that mitochondria genes can be made susceptible to gene variations, including mutations and deletions, when exposed to attack of free radicals that are generated during oxidation. Such alterations in mitochondria genes can heavily influence biological functions related to mitochondria or can even lead to cell death. An example of known diseases or symptoms incurred by mitochondria gene alterations includes degenerative diseases. Some studies have also suggested that link between mitochondria gene alterations and cancers. Hence, detection for alterations in mitochondria genes would prove to be helpful for diagnosing diseases in clinical practices.
The majority of currently understood methods for detecting mitochondria gene alterations are focused on using direct DNA sequencing; however, the technicality of direct DNA sequencing is complicated and the material and the device required in its operation are expensive, so this technique has not been widely received by testing services and institutions.
In response, it is desirable to provide a rapid and simple device and method for detecting mitochondria gene alterations, which can be applied to clinical uses to examine mitochondria gene related diseases, and from which to use as a reference for treating or diagnosing diseases.

Method for detecting mitochondria gene alterations


Provided is a composite material for sliding members which comprises a titanium carbide matrix and graphite particles excellent in crystallinity which are uniformly dispersed in the titanium carbide matrix. This composite material has self-lubricity and high wear resistance together with the excellent properties of titanium carbide such as high strength, high hardness, high melting point, low specific gravity and high electrical conductivity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a material for sliding members which comprises a composite material of titanium carbide and graphite. More particularly, it relates to a composite material for sliding members which comprises a titanium carbide matrix and a uniform dispersion of graphite in the matrix and which is excellent in self-lubricity and wear resistance.
2. Description of Related Art
Titanium carbide is a ceramic having excellent characteristics such as high strength, high hardness, high melting point, low specific gravity and high electrical conductivity, but is employed only in limited uses for structural materials because of its brittleness. For example, it is used merely as dispersions in cermets or ceramics.
Recently, for obtaining ceramic sintered bodies comprising titanium carbide excellent in mechanical properties as a base, researches have been made on adding various metals, carbides, nitrides or carbon to titanium carbide. Especially, carbon has been being studied as a second phase to be added to titanium carbide because of its self-lubricity based on its molecular structure and compatibility with carbides.
For example, Japanese Patent Kokai (Laid-Open) No. 63-230569 proposes a sintered body comprising titanium carbide and 30% by weight or less of a carbide, a nitride and/or carbon contained as impurities and a method for producing the sintered body. However, the invention of this patent publication has developed titanium carbide as structural materials and it does not require sliding characteristics for titanium carbide. Accordingly, there has been no idea of obtaining materials to be used for sliding members by dispersing graphite in titanium carbide utilizing the above excellent characteristics of titanium carbide.
Furthermore, as materials comprising titanium carbide, "Nippon Seramikkusu Gakujutsu Ronbunshi", 97[5], 1989, pp. 507-12 has proposed a composite material of boron carbide-doped titanium carbide and carbon. However, this literature does not relate to sliding materials. The literature discloses a material comprising titanium carbide in which 5-15% by weight of graphite having a particle size of 3-5 .mu.m is dispersed for improving brittleness of titanium carbide using carbon black. It is clear that since carbon black is used as the raw material, carbon is not uniformly graphitized and even if the composite material is used as materials for sliding members, it is not suitable for that purpose.
As mentioned above, there have been no examples of obtaining materials for sliding members using titanium carbide and utilizing the self-lubricity of graphite.


Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor BCN compound layer and a metallic BCN compound layer and/or an insulating BCN compound layer, wherein the semiconductor BCN compound layer and the metallic BCN compound layer and/or insulating BCN compound layer are stacked one upon the other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices using semiconductor BCN compounds such as a light-emitting device and a solar cell.
2. Discussion of the Background
In recent years, various devices using semiconductor materials are used in the field of electronics.
For example, a semiconductor light-emitting diode is generally used as a light-emitting device for a display purpose. Likewise, a semiconductor laser is generally used for an optical communication and for information processing. The light-emitting diode and semiconductor laser, which are close to each other in the principle of light emission, are constructed to comprise a pn junction. To be more specific, electrons and holes are injected into the semiconductor layers forming the pn junction by applying a forward bias voltage across the element, with the result that these electrons and holes are recombined in the vicinity of the pn junction so as to emit light. When it comes to the light-emitting diode, spontaneous emission is radiated as a result of the recombination. On the other hand, when it comes to the semiconductor laser, the emission as a result of recombination is allowed to resonate between resonating planes so as to bring about an induced emission, thereby obtaining an oscillated light having uniform phase. The semiconductor laser is featured in that it can be miniaturized, can be operated with a high efficiency, and permits a rapid modulation.
However, the wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting diode or the semiconductor laser is limited by the band gap of the light-emitting layer, resulting in a failure to cover the entire wavelength region of the visible light. Semiconductor materials used in the semiconductor laser include, for example, InGaAsP, which is used in an infrared laser, and InGaAlP, which is used in a red laser. When it comes to a blue laser, GaN, ZnSe and ZnS are under study. However, these semiconductor materials leave room for further improvement in the crystal quality and lack in reliability. Further, the conventional semiconductor materials contain harmful elements such as As and Se and costly elements such as Ga and, thus, are not satisfactory in terms of environmental problems and manufacturing costs of the semiconductor laser. Such being the situation, vigorous studies are being made in an attempt to develop novel semiconductor materials which emit light of wavelengths covering a wide range.
What should also be noted is that a high importance is placed in recent years on the necessity of substitute energies for petroleum. Further, the environmental problems are turned serious. Under the circumstances, a solar cell utilizing sunlight, which is a safe and unlimited clean energy, has come to be used. Solar cells using semiconductor materials such as a single crystal, polycrystalline or amorphous Si or GaAs have come to be put into practical use to date. The solar cell includes as a basic construction a semiconductor pn junction or a semiconductor-metal Schottky junction. If the semiconductor layer acting as a light absorption layer is irradiated with sunlight, numerous electrons and holes are generated and accelerated in the vicinity of the junction so as to cause a flow of current. When it comes to an element of a pn junction type, the electrons and holes flow into the n-type and p-type semiconductor layers, respectively. Also, a voltage is generated through an external load resistor.
The solar cell is required to satisfy various characteristics. Particularly, it is important to improve conversion efficiency, i.e., a ratio of the output at an optimum operating point to the input sunlight. In many cases, an improvement of the conversion efficiency permits also improving other characteristics. In the case of a silicon solar cell, which is most widely used nowadays, a conversion efficiency of 24% has already been obtained in a laboratory level. However, the value in the practical level is not so high. Specifically, the conversion efficiency in the practical level is only about 20% even in a solar cell using a semiconductor material of GaAs/AlGaAs which is said to exhibit a high conversion efficiency.
Where a junction is formed between two layers, strain or stress is generated at the interface between the two layers because of a difference in lattice constant between the two layers. The particular strain or stress is one of the reasons for a failure to improve the conversion efficiency of the solar cell. Specifically, the strain or stress forms a deep energy level within the semiconductor layer so as to provide a recombination center between the electron and hole, leading to a low conversion efficiency. Naturally, it is very important to develop semiconductor materials and combinations of semiconductor materials and metal materials capable of forming a good junction interface.
Further, in many various semiconductor devices other than the light-emitting device and solar cell, a marked improvement in device characteristics can be expected by using semiconductor materials and combinations of semiconductor materials and metal materials having a suitable band gap and capable of forming a good junction interface.
Under the circumstances, the present inventors have paid attention to BCN compounds as novel semiconductor materials. It is possible for the BCN compound, which is represented by a general formula B.sub.x C.sub.y N.sub.z (x, y, z.gtoreq.0), to have two kinds of crystal structures, i.e., a cubic system and hexagonal system. In general, the crystal growth of the BCN compound is achieved by a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method. Under the general conditions differing from the atmosphere of high temperatures and high pressures, the BCN compound grows into a crystal of hexagonal system having a layered structure. The properties of the BCN compounds having a layered structure depend on the combination of the component elements, ratio of the component elements, and arrangement of the atoms of the component elements. Depending on these factors, the BCN compounds exhibit various properties similar to those of metals, semiconductor materials having various band gaps, and insulators. For example, it is well known in the art that graphite consisting of carbon atoms alone exhibits properties of a semi-metal. Boron nitride (BN) is known well to be an insulator having a band gap of about 6 eV. Further, it has been confirmed by recent research that BC.sub.3 and C.sub.5 N are metals. Still further, it is reported by the present inventors that BC.sub.2 N is a semiconductor (J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 78, No. 4, pp. 2880-2882, Aug. 15, 1995). What should also be noted is that these BCN compounds have the same crystal structure and are close to each other in the lattice constant.
A semiconductor device having a BCN compound actually used therein is unknown to the art. However, it is considered possible in use effectively the BCN compounds in various semiconductor devices by utilizing the various properties of the BCN compounds pointed out above. In order to use the BCN compounds in the manufacture of a semiconductor device exhibiting desired characteristics, it is necessary to control as desired the compositions of the BCN semiconductor layers, to control the doping of p- and n-type impurities in the BCN semiconductor layers, and to suppress the defects in the BCN semiconductor crystals and junction interfaces.

Semiconductor device using semiconductor BCN compounds


A process for preparing 2-oxindole includes catalytically reacting isatin with hydrazine hydrate in a polar solvent containing a dissolved weak base at an elevated temperature to form the 2-oxindole product.

1. Field of the invention
This invention relates to a process for preparing 2-oxindole compound, more particularly to a process which involves catalytically reacting isatin with hydrazine hydrate in a polar solvent in the presence of a weak base to form the 2-oxindole compound.
2. Description of the related art
Oxindoles, which have the following structure (structure I ): ##STR1## are known as an intermediate in making certain types of pharmaceutical related products, such as adibendan (structure II), a cardiotonic agent for congestive ##STR2## heart failure, which comprises an oxindole moiety (structure I ). Various tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which are useful for regulating epidermal growth, are also prepared from 2-oxindole. The 2-oxindole (structure III ) can be substituted or unsubstituted, and has the following structure: ##STR3## wherein R is an alkyl, alkoxyl, aryl, phenoxy, halogen, or hydrogen.
It has been known in the art that 2-oxindole can be prepared by a method (D. S. Soriano, J. Chem. Edu., 1993, 70, 332) illustrated by the following reaction: ##STR4## In this method, isatin (structure IV) is reacted with hydrazine hydrate in an anhydrous methanol to form an intermediate (i.e. indole hydrazone) in a suspended form in the reaction mixture. The intermediate is then separated from the reaction mixture and purified by crystallizing means. The purified intermediate is dried and subjected to the Wolf-Kishner reduction in an anhydrous ethanol solution in the presence of a strong base, such as sodium ethoxide, at an elevated temperature so as to yield the 2-oxindole product. The yield of the 2-oxindole obtained by this method can reach up to 69%.
The method described above is complicated because of its requirement for separating, purifying, and drying steps in the process of preparing the 2-oxindole. The method also requires the use of expansive anhydrous ethanol as solvent in the reaction mixture because sodium ethoxide can react with water and therefore lose its activity for catalyzing the reaction. In addition, this method uses a large amount of sodium ethoxide which is normally prepared by reacting sodium with anhydrous ethanol. Since sodium is extremely active and dangerous, the use of sodium ethoxide would give rise to safety concerns for this method.
Another method of preparing 2-oxindole is described by Crestini and Saladino, Synth. Commun. 1994, 24,2835, and is illustrated by the following reaction: ##STR5## In this method, isatin is first dissolved in pure hydrazine, and then reacted with pure hydrazine under heat to form the 2-oxindole product. The yield of the 2-oxindole obtained by this method can reach up to 76%.
The method described above requires the use of a large amount of pure hydrazine to dissolve the isatin for later reaction. It is known that pure hydrazine can cause severe explosion hazard when exposed to heat or reaction with oxidizers. Hence, the use of pure hydrazine requires extreme caution, which makes this method impractical.
Both methods described above are reported to use a high temperature of about 200.degree. C. for the reaction to take place. Such high temperature would consume much energy, and in the case that a strong base is used as a catalyst, results in the need of a reactor made from a special material for anti-corrosion purpose.


For providing earthquake data for a defined area, stored are locations of a plurality of earthquake epicenters and seismic parameters associated with a plurality of seismic zones. The seismic parameters are indicative at least of magnitude and likelihood of earthquakes in each of the seismic zones. A location of a selected epicenter, within the defined area, is determined (S31) from the stored locations. Determined from the seismic parameters is a selected magnitude (S34) associated with a selected seismic zone comprising the selected epicenter. Established are characteristics of a plurality of earthquake events (S3) in the area over a defined length of time. The characteristics of an earthquake event include at least a selected epicenter and a selected magnitude. Generated is a signal indicative of the characteristics of the earthquake events. Enabled is an easy to maintain earthquake hazard model, having flexible and simple parameterization, and providing earthquake data consistent with historical data.

Despite many advances in seismology and although many attempts have been made by seismologists and others to create systems for earthquake predictions, many experts do not believe that a system for predicting effectively and precisely individual earthquakes would be possible. However, more general forecasts, estimating the likelihood of an earthquake of a particular magnitude affecting a particular location within a particular time span, are used to establish seismic hazard. Furthermore, for various purposes, it is desirable to determine how specific geographical areas will be affected by earthquakes over a defined length of time. This determination of long term earthquake data is particularly useful for controlling earthquake simulators, e.g. earthquake simulators that are fully computer-implemented, showing representations of earthquake events on a display, or earthquake simulators that comprise motion drivers that move mechanically parts of a model of a geographic area. Moreover, the determination of long term earthquake data is useful for generating stochastic earthquake event sets for application in loss estimation tools, used, for example, in the insurance and reinsurance industry, or for structuring pure parametric catastrophe bond deals.

System and method for providing earthquake data


A disk drive housing that can attenuate noise. The housing may include a first layer that is attached to a second layer, and a gap located between the first and second layers. The layers and gap may be configured to attenuate acoustic energy within a relatively broad frequency range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hard disk drive that has an integrated Helmholtz resonator which attenuates noise generated by the drive.
2. Prior Art
Hard disk drives contain a plurality of transducers that are coupled to magnetic disks. The transducers can read and write information by magnetizing and sensing the magnetic fields of the disks, respectively. The disks are rotated by a spindle motor that is mounted to a base plate.
The transducers are typically integrated into heads that are mounted to corresponding flexure arms. The flexure arms are attached to an actuator arm that is mounted to the base plate. The actuator arm includes a voice coil motor that can move the transducers across the surfaces of the disks. The voice coil motor allows the transducers to access information located within different radial tracks of the disks. The disks, spindle motor and actuator arm are all enclosed by a cover that is attached to the base plate.
The spindle motor and voice coil motor generate noise that is transmitted into the environment through the cover and the base plate of the drive. The spindle motor may also create vibration that is converted into acoustic noise and emitted by the drive. Additionally, the rotating disks create a flow of air that may generate fluid perturbations and resultant acoustic noise. Acoustic noise is undesirable particularly when the disk drive is assembled into a consumer product such as a computer or a digital video recorder.
Co-pending application Ser. No. 09/585,914 discloses a hard disk drive housing that attenuates acoustic noise generated by the disk drive. The housing includes multiple layers that can be designed to create a transfer function that attenuates, or rolls off, acoustic noise within a range of frequencies. The bandwidth of the metal laminate acoustic filter is relatively narrow. It would be desirable to provide a hard disk drive that attenuates the noise generated by the drive in a relatively broad bandwidth. It would be desirable to attenuate the noise without significantly increasing the size of the hard disk drive or the cost of producing the hard disk drive.
One embodiment of the present invention is a disk drive housing that can attenuate noise. The housing may include a first layer that is attached to a second layer, and a gap located between the first and second layers. The layers and gap may be configured to attenuate acoustic energy within a relatively broad frequency range.
FIG. 1 is a top sectional view of an embodiment of a hard disk drive of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the housing;
FIG. 3 is a top sectional view showing one embodiment of a gap in a hard disk drive housing; and,
FIG. 4 is a top sectional view showing another embodiment of a gap in the hard disk drive housing.

Hard disk drive cover that contains a helmholtz resonator which attenuates acoustic energy


An integrated circuit having a first circuit unit, which is put into a power-saving mode by a control apparatus and into a predetermined initial state when changing from the power-saving mode to a regular operating state. A second circuit unit is put into a power-saving mode by the control apparatus, during which the second circuit unit buffer-stores data and/or instructions adopted immediately prior to the power-saving state, with the second circuit unit resuming and providing the data and/or instructions when changing from the power-saving mode to the regular operating state. The second circuit unit has an input connection to which a first potential is applied in order to change to the power-saving mode and during the power-saving mode, and to which a second potential is applied in order to change to the operating state and during the operating state.

Integrated circuits for battery-operated systems, such as mobile telephones, or for contactlessly operated systems, such as chip cards, can have only a particular minimum power consumption, stipulated by standards, in "standby" or "sleep" mode. During the standby or sleep mode, which are also called power-saving mode, no arithmetic operations or other signal changes are executed within the integrated circuit.
One method for saving energy involves all those parts of the integrated circuit being isolated from the supply voltage in power-saving mode whose electrical operation is not required again until the integrated circuit leaves the power-saving mode and resumes its normal operation or regular operating state. Circuit units which can be readily transferred to a power-saving mode contain, by way of example, circuit elements for producing control signals whose storing elements are permitted to lose their information in the power-saving mode because they are automatically set to a particular initial state (reset) before the regular operating state is resumed.
There are also circuit units, such as parts of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the integrated circuit, whose isolation from the supply voltage would result in a loss of energy and/or time or even in a loss of information when this circuit unit is put into the regular operating state again. Such circuit units include, by way of example, SRAMs, cache memories, register files and parts of data paths. Said circuit units contain instructions and data for the CPU and also its intermediate results and state registers, such as the "program status word" (PSW) and the "program counter" (PC).


The invention relates to a method of and a device for measuring ion mobility, wherein ions in a medium are carried by means of an electric field and their mobility is measured. The measurement is facilitated by keeping the medium in a shear flow of the Couette type.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of measuring ionic mobility, wherein the ions in a medium are carried by means of an electric field and their mobility is measured. The invention also relates to a device for measuring the ionic mobility, comprising an electric field for carrying ions in the medium and an ion meter for measuring the ionic mobility.
The measuring device of ionic mobility herein refers to a device that is used for measuring the ionic mobility in the medium and the mobility distribution in the electric field. Generally, the medium that is measured by these devices, in practice, a gas, is ionized before the actual measurement, for example, by using a radioactive source, a corona discharge or ultraviolet light.
2. Description of the Related Art
One typical method of implementation of the device comprises a drift tube, which examines the time taken by the ions in the gas when to move a given distance under the effect of a given electric field. As ions that have different mobilities take different times travelling the distance, a mobility spectrum is obtained by means of this method. U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,363 and WO 89 09934, among others, describe the basic technique of the drift tubes. In addition, there are numerous patents that present various improvements to this technique. Typically, the technique uses a closed cycle, wherein only part of the gas that is examined is allowed to influence the actual measurement.
Another way to examine the ion mobility in gas is to use a solution of the aspiration condenser type, wherein the ions are deflected by an electric field that is perpendicular to the flow direction of the gas. Their mobility in the electric field determines, how far the ions fly before colliding either with walls or collector electrodes placed on the walls. The ions that collide with the collector electrodes generate a measurable flow, from which the ion mobility distribution of the measured gas can be deduced at a given accuracy. Typically, the ionized gas that is examined by this technique is allowed to travel as such through the measuring device. Patent FI75055, among others, describes this technique. Patent WO 03 081224 describes slightly different ways of implementing this type of cell structure; among others, a more precise way of measuring the mobility distribution by means of a reference electrode and an alternating field voltage. Applications US 2003/0047681 A1 and US 2005/0178962 A1 disclose the axial flow of a sample medium between two parallel cylindrical surfaces of an FAIMS analyzer. A challenge posed by these techniques is to equalize the gas flow travelling through the cell, among others. Furthermore, because of the open structure of the cell, any variations in the ambient temperature and, thus, also the temperature of the gas that is measured have a direct effect on the measured signal. In some cases, the laminarity of the flow and the service life of the pumps that are used for pumping the gas also pose a problem. The typical noise level of the pumps is also quite high.

Method of and equipment for measuring ionic mobility


Aspects of the present disclosure include methods, apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing a removal code of a tag includes providing information associating the tag with a merchandise item, wherein the information includes a removal code for removing the tag from the merchandise item, receiving, from a requesting device, a request for the removal code, authenticating the request, and transmitting, in response to successfully authenticating the request, the removal code to the requesting device, wherein the removal code is configured to be transmitted by the requesting device to the tag to remove the tag from the merchandise item.

Merchandise offered by a vendor may be sold via the online store of the vendor, and/or one or more "brick-and-mortar" stores of the vendor. For the online store sale, a customer may digitally place an order for merchandise via the online store, and the vendor may ship the ordered merchandise to the customer. For the physical sale, the customer may enter the one or more brick-and-mortar stores of the vendor and purchase the merchandise. Unfortunately, for both online sales and physical sales, the vendor and/or the customer may encounter loss due to external theft, internal theft, and/or operational error. For example, thieves may steal the merchandise from the one or more brick-and-mortar stores of the vendor. In other cases, an employee of the vendor may also steal the merchandise. In another example, merchandise may be lost during inventory or transport due to operational errors. For the online sale, thieves may steal the merchandise after the vendor delivers and leaves the merchandise somewhere accessible to the thieves (e.g., leaving at the front door of a delivery location).
Whether selling via the online store and/or the one or more brick-and-mortar stores, many vendors utilize loss-prevention measures to minimize the number of misplaced or stolen merchandise. Some loss-prevention measures include security monitoring, inventory tracking, and article surveillance. In particular, article surveillance may include using a tag (e.g., electromagnetic, magneto-acoustic, or radio frequency (RF) tag) attached to the merchandise. However, many tags may be inconvenient to use, may be removed only by the employees of the one or more brick-and-mortar stores, and/or may not be suitable or convenient for online sales of merchandise. Further, the tags may have limited functionalities. Therefore, improvements in tags are desirable.


Some embodiments include apparatuses having a switching circuit included in a buck converter; an output node; an inductor including a first portion having a first terminal coupled to the switching circuit, a second portion having a second terminal coupled to the output node, and a third terminal between the first and second portions; and a capacitor coupled to the second terminal, the second terminal to couple to a first additional capacitor, and the third terminal to couple to a second additional capacitor.

Voltage converters, such as buck converters, are part of power management units in many electronic devices or systems, such as computers, tablets, and cellular phones, to provide power supply voltage for circuits (e.g., digital circuits) in the device or system. A buck converter can operate in continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). DCM often needs high output capacitance for acceptable output voltage ripple. Many conventional techniques are designed to deal with such a voltage ripple. However, as described in more detail below, many of such conventional techniques still have limitations.

Multi-terminal inductors for voltage regulators


An integrated circuit includes at least a first fuse and at least a first processor. Each fuse is in either a conductive state or a non-conductive state. The first processor is configured to operate at one of at least a first issue rate or a second issue rate responsive to the state of the first fuse. The first issue rate is lower than the second issue rate. In another embodiment, the first processor is configured to execute fewer instructions in a period of time responsive to a first state of the conductive state or the non-conductive state of the first fuse than the first processor is configured to execute in the period of time responsive to a second state of the first fuse. A method includes: (i) determining if an integrated circuit comprising at least one processor has a performance rating that exceeds a government-imposed export restriction; and (ii) in response to the performance rating exceeding the export restriction, blowing at least one fuse on the integrated circuit. The processor responds to a blown state of the fuse by executing, during use, fewer instructions per period of time than the processor would otherwise execute.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the field of integrated circuits and, more particularly, to meeting government-imposed export restrictions for integrated circuits.
2. Description of the Related Art
The governments of various countries may impose export restrictions on high performance computer systems and/or integrated circuits that include processors. The export restrictions may be implemented for security reasons, for example. High performance processing power can be used for simulating weapons designs, such as nuclear weapons. Additionally, high performance processing power can be used to perform powerful encryption and/or to break powerful encryption algorithms.
The government of the United States of America (the "U.S. government") imposes export restrictions on computer systems and integrated circuits that include processors. The export restrictions are based on the performance level of the processors, as measured in Million Theoretical Operations Per Second (MTOPS). The U.S. government defines the maximum MTOPS that may be exported to a particular foreign country. If the MTOPS of a given integrated circuit is less than or equal to the maximum MTOPS, that integrated circuit may be exported to the foreign country. If the MTOPS of the given integrated circuit is greater than the maximum MTOPS, that integrated circuit may not legally be exported to the foreign country unless a specific license is granted by the U.S. government for the particular export transaction. In some cases, the U.S. government may prohibit any export over the MTOPS limit. The manufacturer of an integrated circuit which exceeds the MTOPS limit for a country may either choose not to export the integrated circuit to that country, or may negotiate with the U.S. government for an increase in the maximum MTOPS (or for a license for the export transaction, in some cases).
The U.S. government currently imposes export restrictions on a variety of different countries, grouped into levels (or tiers). Countries in the first tier have no export restrictions applied (any MTOPS level may be exported). Countries in the second tier have a first MTOPS limit below which export is allowed (although record keeping may be required as to what entities the export was made to). Export above the first MTOPS limit is generally not allowed unless an individual license is granted approving each export transaction. Countries in a third tier have a second MTOPS limit lower than the first MTOPS limit, and the second MTOPS limit is used, similar to the first MTOPS limit, for the second tier countries. For countries in a fourth tier, no export is allowed. For practical purposes for many manufacturers, if a given integrated circuit exceeds the applicable MTOPS limit, the manufacturer may not export the integrated circuit to the affected country. The costs of obtaining the license for the transaction may exceed the profit available in the transaction. Also, as mentioned above, the government may not grant the license. Thus, the integrated circuit manufacturer may be prevented from exporting integrated circuits to some countries.
Since the export restrictions are based on the theoretical number of operations performed by the integrated circuit per second, the operating frequency of the integrated circuit is a factor in the MTOPS of the integrated circuit. Typically, manufacturers offer their integrated circuit products at several different operating frequencies (also referred to as "speed grades"). Over time, the speed grades at which an integrated circuit is sold may increase (e.g. as the design is improved, the semiconductor manufacturing process with which the integrated circuit is built is improved, etc.). At some point, the MTOPS of a new speed grade may exceed the MTOPS limit even if lower speed grades do not. Thus, the manufacturer may be forced to limit which speed grades of a given integrated circuit may be exported, even if some speed grades are exportable.

Limiting performance in an integrated circuit to meet export restrictions


The invention describes the preparation and isolation of xanthophylls from plant sources, whereby a transesterification process is utilized without the necessity of an aqueous format.

Carotenoids are yellow, red and orange pigments that are widely distributed in nature. Although specific carotenoids have been identified in various fruits and vegetables, bird feathers, egg-yolk, poultry skin, crustaceans and macular eye region, they are especially abundant in marigold petals, corn and leafy vegetables. The correlation between dietary carotenoids and carotenoids found in human serum and plasma indicate that only selected groups of carotenoids make their way into the human blood stream to exert their effect.
Carotenoids absorb light in the 400-500 nm region of the visible spectrum. This physical characteristic imparts the yellow/red color to the pigments. Carotenoids contain a conjugated backbone composed of isoprene units, which are usually inverted at the center of the molecule, imparting symmetry. Changes in geometrical configuration about the double bonds result in the existence of many cis- and trans-isomers. Mammalian species do not synthesize carotenoids and therefore these have to be obtained from dietary sources such as fruits, vegetables and egg yolks. In the recent years, carotenoids have been attributed several health benefits, which include prevention and or protection against serious health disorders.
Carotenoids are non-polar compounds classified into two sub-classes, namely more polar compounds called xanthophylls or oxy-carotenoids and non-polar hydrocarbon carotenes like [beta]-carotene, lycopene, etc. Both the sub-classes have at least nine conjugated double bonds responsible for the characteristic color of the carotenoids. Xanthophylls have ring structures at the end of the conjugated double bond chain with polar functionalities, such as hydroxyl or keto groups. Examples of xanthophylls include lutein, zeaxanthin, capsanthin, canthaxanthin, J3-cryptoxanthin, astaxanthin, etc. As natural colorants and also for their role in human health, xanthophylls containing lutein and zeaxanthin have attracted the renewed attention of scientists and researchers in the biomedical, chemical and nutritional field in recent years.
Lutein and zeaxanthin contribute to yellow and orange-yellow color respectively. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be present in plant material in free form (non-esterified) and also as esters. Lutein is present in green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and broccoli in the free form while fruits like mango, orange, papaya, red paprika, algae and yellow corn. These sources generally contain lutein in the form of its esters etc. Lutein is also present in the blood stream and various tissues in human body and particularly the macula, lens and retina of the eye.
Marigold (Tagetes erecta) flower petals are a rich source of lutein in its esterified form. The ester portion(s) are fatty acids. Dried marigold flowers contain approximately 1-1.6% carotenoids by weight and lutein esters content accounts for 90% of the total carotenoids. The xanthophyll fatty acid esters composition in marigold oleoresin chiefly consists of lutein in its ester form as di-palmitate, myristate-palmitate, palmitate-stearate, dimyristate and monoesters.
Lutein obtained by the hydrolysis of lutein esters from marigold have been found to be identical to the lutein found in fruits, vegetables and in human plasma and the macular region. After absorption, the human body cannot distinguish the source of lutein. Therefore, a widely cultivated and commercially processed raw material like marigold, which is already used by the food and feed industry, is an attractive source for lutein in view of abundant availability and cost considerations.
Essentially, lutein esters and lutein in the free form are commercially important nutraceuticals obtained from marigold flowers. Dried flowers are used for obtaining marigold extract or oleoresin. By subjecting the extract/oleoresin to saponification, xanthophylls in the free form are obtained. The resultant alkali salts of fatty acids obtained from the saponification are removed and the xanthophyll containing mixture of lutein and zeaxanthin purified further.
In the fresh marigold flowers, lutein esters exist in trans-isomeric form, whereas exposure to heat, light, oxygen, acid, etc. catalyses isomerization from trans- to cis-lutein geometric isomeric forms. As a nutraceutical and food additive, the trans-isomeric form of lutein is preferred because of better bio-availability and deeper yellow color compared to the corresponding cis-isomeric form.
In virtually all the processes described in the literature, including patents, invariably the first step of isolation and purification of the xanthophylls, such as lutein, is the aqueous saponification of oleoresin (specifically marigold) using an alcoholic and/or aqueous alkali preferably KOH. The saponification steps in these processes generally employ the use of water in the process. The processes additionally involve extracting and re extracting with solvents such as tetrahydrofuran or halogenated solvents. Additionally, many of the processes utilize elevated temperatures, such as about 70° C., that can degrade the material or isomerizes the olefinic bonds. Therefore these processes are inappropriate for industrial scale-up operations due to high cost & toxicological considerations.
Therefore, a need exists for a process to prepare solid xanthophylls that eliminates the use of water, high temperatures for saponification, and or reduced amounts of solvents.

Process for the preparation of xanthophyll crystals

Multi-Tech Specialty Chemicals, Co., Ltd.


The method of forming a semiconductor structure in a substrate comprises, forming a first trench with a first width We and a second trench with a second width Wc, wherein the first width We is larger than the second width Wc, depositing a protection material, lining the first trench, covering the substrate surface and filling the second trench and removing partially the protection material, wherein a lower portion of the second trench remains filled with the protection material.

The present invention relates to a method of forming a semiconductor structure in a substrate comprising insulating layers with a different thickness and a semiconductor structure formed therewith.
Semiconductor structures can comprise insulating layers, with a different thickness, in order to fulfill certain tasks. For example, technologies for integrated circuits (IC) offering high voltage vertical trench double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (TDMOS) as power transistors, need a thick insulating layer, for example, an oxide layer on the bottom and the side walls of the trenches. This thick oxide layer, here named also as field plate oxide (FPOX) can be thermally grown at a high temperature. After growth, the FPOX can be structured by applying additional processes, so that it remains on the bottom and the side walls of the trenches of the central part of the cell field trenches and all over inside the peripheral trenches. At the same time, another thick oxide on the planar part of the semiconductor structure should be present, this thick oxide is here also named field oxide (FOX). The field oxide can be grown at a lower temperature than the field plate oxide. This is compatible with a previous implantation of the semiconductor structure, which is needed to ensure the correct functionality of the structure. The implanted region can fulfill a certain task, for example, it can act a channel stop-zone for a parasitic depletion MOSFET. A n-type implantation for example can be used for a depletion n-channel MOSFET formed in the substrate. The field plate oxide and the field oxide have their own optimal growth conditions and final thickness. Normally, the desired thickness of the field oxide is greater than the thickness of the field plate oxide.
For the fabrication of such a semiconductor structure, e.g. a TDMOS, comprising insulating layers with different thickness, it is desirable to reduce the number of mask steps for cost and yield reasons and to ensure, at the same time, the proper functionality of other semiconductor structure parameters. For the TDMOS transistors a soft topography of a boron-phosphorus-silicate-glass (BPSG) layer covering the field oxide should be for example also ensured.

Method of forming a semiconductor structure comprising insulating layers with different thicknesses