A “Concatenative Synthesizer” applies concatenative synthesis to create a musical output from a database of musical notes and an input musical score (such as a MIDI score or other computer readable musical score format). In various embodiments, the musical output is either a music score, or an analog or digital audio file. This musical output is constructed by evaluating the database of musical notes to identify sets of candidate notes for each note of the input musical score. An “optimal path” through candidate notes is identified by minimizing an overall cost function through the candidate notes relative to the input musical score. The musical output is then constructed by concatenating the selected candidate notes. In further embodiments, the database of musical notes is generated from any desired musical genre, performer, performance, or instrument. Furthermore, notes in the database may be modified to better fit notes of the input musical score.

1. Technical Field
The invention is related to music synthesis, and in particular, to automatic synthesis of music from a database of musical notes and an input musical score by concatenating an optimal sequence of candidate notes selected from the database.
2. Related Art
Techniques for synthesizing music sound are most commonly split into one of two categories, including "model-based synthesis" techniques and techniques based on "concatenative synthesis."
In general, "model-based synthesis" techniques use a "recipe" for creating sound from scratch, wherein new waveforms are generated with different qualities by modifying the parameters of the recipe. For example, one conventional model-based synthesis technique generates expressive performances of melodies from a model derived from examples of human performances. A related technique synthesizes instrumental music, such as a trumpet performance, by using a performance model that generates a sequence of amplitudes and frequencies from a music score in combination with an instrument model that is used to model the sound timbre of the desired instrument.
In contrast, concatenative synthesis is an idea that has typically been used in the field of speech generation, but has recently been applied to the field of music generation. In the context of speech generation, concatenative synthesis generally operates by using actual snippets or samples of recorded speech that are cut from recordings and stored in a database. Elementary "units" (i.e., speech segments or samples) are, for example, "phones" (a vowel or a consonant), or phone-to-phone transitions ("diphones") that encompass the second half of one phone plus the first half of the next phone (e.g., a vowel-to-consonant transition). Some concatenative synthesizers also use other more complex transitional structures. Concatenative speech synthesis then concatenates units selected from the voice database then outputs the resulting speech signal. Because concatenative speech synthesis systems use actual samples of recorded speech, they have the potential for sounding "natural."
In the context of musical sound synthesis, some concatenative synthesis schemes operate by using a database of existing sound, divided into "units," or "samples" with an output waveform being generated by placing these units or samples into a new sequence. For example, one conventional sound synthesis scheme uses concatenative synthesis to generate sound that represents a new realization of a musical score, played using sound samples drawn from a large database. In general, this scheme relies on a very large database of recordings to construct a great number of "sound events" in many different contexts, with a large emphasis being placed on an analysis of each sound event for extraction of features that are used in evaluating and selecting samples having the best fit transitions. Natural sounding transitions are then synthesized for a music score by selecting sound units containing transitions in a desired target context relative to the music score. Another conventional sound synthesis scheme provides a "musical mosaicing" approach that uses concatenative synthesis to automatically sequence snippets or samples of existing music from a large database to match a target waveform.
With any of the aforementioned concatenative synthesis based music generation techniques, score alignment is an important consideration. Consequently, one technique uses a dynamic time warping to find the best global alignment of a score and a waveform, while a related technique uses a hidden Markov model to segment a waveform into regions corresponding to the notes of a score.

Creating music via concatenative synthesis


A tool box includes a base portion with two side walls, two sliding plates slidably disposed to the two side walls and a plurality of receiving members pivotally connected between the two side walls at two ends of a front side thereof. The receiving members further are pivotally connected to the two sliding plates at the two ends of a rear side thereof. An actuating member is pivotally connected between the two side walls at two ends of a front side thereof, and between the two sliding plates at the two ends of a rear side thereof so that when pivoting the actuating member about the two ends of the front side thereof, the two sliding plates and the rear side of each the receiving members are moved upwardly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool box comprising a plurality of receiving members pivotally connected between two sliding plates which are actuated by an actuating member so that when operating the actuating member, the receiving members are pivoted an angle corresponding to a horizontal plane.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Conventional tool boxes generally includes a base portion and a cover which is pivotally connected to the base portion in which a plurality of recesses are defined so as to receive tools therein. Those recesses are integrally defined in the base portion so that there are limitations of types and/or shapes of tools to be received. Furthermore, the base portion is designed to put on a horizontal surface so that a user has to search the tools received in the recesses because some tools disposed in a faraway side of the base portion could be hidden, and the tools have to be picked vertically from the recesses and this action is not convenient for the user, a preferred direction of picking the tools is about 45 degrees corresponding to the horizontal plane. These shortcomings can be seen in most of the tool boxes presented in the market.
The present invention provides an improved tool box including a base portion and a cover wherein a plurality of receiving members are pivotally connected between two sliding plates which are actuated by an actuating member so as to slide the sliding plates to let all the receiving members be pivoted inclinedly. Therefore the above mentioned shortcomings may be mitigated.


An exemplary thin film transistor substrate (30) includes a base substrate (31) and a gate electrode (32) formed on the base substrate. The gate electrode includes a bonding layer (321) formed on the base substrate and an electrically conductive layer (322) formed on the bonding layer. The bonding layer includes one of aluminum oxide and zirconium dioxide.

Typically, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) utilize thin film transistors as switching elements. The liquid crystal display generally includes a thin film transistor substrate, on which the thin film transistors are formed.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of part of a conventional thin film transistor substrate. The TFT substrate 10 includes a base substrate 11, a gate electrode 12 formed on the base substrate 11, a gate insulating layer 13 covering the gate electrode 12 and the base substrate 11, an amorphous silicon (a-Si) layer 14 corresponding to the gate electrode 12 and formed on the gate insulating layer 13, two impurity-doped a-Si layers 18 formed on the a-Si layer 14 and being generally opposite to each other, a source electrode 15 formed on one of the impurity-doped a-Si layers 18, a drain electrode 16 formed on the other impurity-doped a-Si layer 18 and being generally opposite to the source electrode 15, and a passivation layer 17 covering the source electrode 15 and the drain electrode 16.
The gate electrode 12 is made of copper (Cu) to minimize resistance-capacitance (RC) delay caused by parasitic capacitors and parasitic resistors between the gate electrode 12 and a corresponding gate line (not shown). However, the adhesion strength between the copper gate electrode 12 and the base substrate 11 is weak. As a result, the gate electrode 12 may desquamate from the base substrate 11.
Referring also to FIG. 15, this is a cross-sectional view of part of another conventional thin film transistor substrate. The thin film transistor substrate 20 includes a base substrate 21, and a gate electrode 22 formed on the base substrate 21. The gate electrode 22 includes a barrier layer 223, a conductive layer 222, and a bonding layer 221, disposed in that order from top to bottom. The bonding layer 221 is formed on the base substrate 21 and is made of molybdenum (Mo). The conductive layer 222 is made of copper.
The main constituent of the base substrate 21 is silicon dioxide (SiO2). Most metallic materials have weak adhesion with silicon dioxide. Typically, the adhesion strength between a metallic material and silicon dioxide ranges from 0.5 joules per square meter (J/sq.m.) to 2 joules per square meter. That is, the effect using molybdenum as a bonding layer 221 to increase the adhesion strength between the gate electrode 22 and the base substrate 21 is limited. As a result, when the TFT substrate 20 sustains significant shock, the gate electrode 22 may desquamate from the base substrate 21.
What is needed, therefore, is a thin film transistor substrate and a method for fabricating the thin film transistor that can overcome the above-described deficiencies.

Thin film transistor substrate with bonding layer and method for fabricating the same


An acoustic filter apparatus is provided. In examples discussed herein, the acoustic filter apparatus includes an acoustic ladder network configured to pass a signal in a series resonance frequency and block the signal in a number of parallel resonance frequencies. The acoustic ladder network is coupled to a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch circuit that includes a number of MEMS switches. The MEMS switches may be selectively controlled (e.g., closed and/or opened) to cause a modification to a selected parallel resonance frequency(s) among the parallel resonance frequencies. As such, it may be possible to flexibly configure the parallel resonance frequencies of the acoustic ladder network based on application scenarios. Further, by employing the MEMS switches having improved figure-of-merit (FOM) over conventional silicon-on-insulator (SOI) switches, it may be possible to reconfigure the parallel resonance frequencies with reduced insertion loss, thus helping to improve performance of the acoustic filter apparatus.

Wireless devices have become increasingly common in current society. The prevalence of these wireless devices is driven in part by the many functions that are now enabled on such devices for supporting a variety of applications. In this regard, a wireless device may employ a variety of circuits and/or components (e.g., filters, transceivers, antennas, and so on) to support different numbers and/or types of applications. Accordingly, the wireless device may include a number of switches to enable dynamic and flexible couplings between the variety of circuits and/or components.
Notably, a conventional switch, such as a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) switch, may create a relatively higher on-resistance (RON) when the conventional switch is closed and a relatively higher off-capacitance (COFF) when the conventional switch is opened. Accordingly, the conventional switch may suffer a degraded figure-of-merit (FOM) (FOM=RON×COFF) and cause unwanted insertion loss to degrade RF efficiency and/or performance of the wireless device. In contrast, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch typically has a FOM that is at least ⅓ lower than the FOM of the conventional SOI switch. As a result, it may be possible to reduce the unwanted insertion loss associated with the conventional SOI switch by replacing the conventional SOI switch with the MEMS switch, thus helping to improve RF efficiency and/or performance of the wireless device.

Acoustic filter apparatus having configurable parallel resonance frequencies


A heat transfer element includes a container having a heat input section for receiving heat generated by a heating element and a heat output section for radiating the heat outside, and condensable working fluid that is vacuum-sealed in the container to transfer the heat received from the heat input section to the heat output section and that is moved between the heat input section and the heat output section by a capillary action member. The container is composed of a resin containing a thermoconductive material. A cooling device includes the heat transfer element, a heat sink disposed adjacent to the heat output section to radiate the heat received from the heat output section, and a fan for supplying cooling air to the heat sink.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat transfer element disposed in a casing of an electronic device to transfer heat generated by a heating element in the electronic device, and to a cooling device and an electronic device having the heat transfer element.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electronic device, for example, a so-called notebook personal computer, includes a display section and a main body. The main body has a keyboard, and a heating element, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), disposed therein. The heating element generates heat during operation. In order to radiate heat of the heating element out of a casing of the main body, a cooling device is disposed in the casing.
This type of cooling device has a heat pipe. The heat pipe is also called a heat transfer element, and includes a metal container filled with condensable working fluid. Heat from the heating element is transmitted to a heat input section of the container, and the working fluid is thereby evaporated into vapor adjacent to the inner wall of the heat input section. The working fluid then moves to a heat output section of the container where the pressure and temperature are low, condenses adjacent to the inner wall of the heat output section, and emits latent heat of condensation.
In this way, heat from the heating element is radiated to, for example, a radiating fin in the heat output section by the heat pipe (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-237579, page 5 and FIG. 9).
Containers of heat pipes are conventionally made of metal in order to increase-the thermal conductivity, as described above. With weight reduction of electronic devices, there is a demand to reduce the weight of the heat pipes. It is, however, difficult to further reduce the weight of the heat pipes made of metal.
Metal containers have a sealed structure in which they are hermetically sealed with their ends covered with caps to ensure a vacuum therein. Therefore, the containers are expensive and lack reliability because, for example, working fluid is apt to leak during actual use.

Heat transfer element, cooling device and electronic device having the element


An apparatus and method for selectively etching an encapsulant forming a package of resinous material around an electronic device includes a source of etchant solution and an etching assembly including an etch plate and a bell jar or cover, the etch plate and bell jar forming an etching chamber. Optionally, an etch cup or fixture is supported by the etch head or the electronic device package is mountable in the chamber directly on the etch head. A source of pressurized gas such as nitrogen provides a positive pressure about 2 PSI to the bell jar and to flow the etchant solution through the etch head and onto an exterior surface of the electronic device package so that the encapsulant is etched and when break out occurs on a side wall of the package, the pressure in the bell jar is vented to a waste reservoir and the pressure at the etchant solution source is reduced so that etchant solution flow is instantly stopped to prevent any damage to the electronic device by excessive etching.

Plastic packaging of various electronic devices including semiconductor chips have been employed for some years. Typically an epoxy resin is molded around the chip, a central portion of a lead frame and bonding wires or other connections between contact pads on the chip to inner lead fingers on the lead frame. It is often desirous to decapsulate the package at least in part to allow for inspection, test and repair of the chip and the wire bonds to the chip and inner lead fingers, after at least part of the epoxy covering these elements is safely and effectively removed.
Commonly, concentrated acids such as sulfuric and nitric acids or other solvents for the resin have been employed. Problems in prior art decapsulators and methods include difficulty in controlling the desired amount of etching, in removing debris formed in the etching process, prevention of damage to the package including interior metallization and providing for adequate safety.
An early patent in the decapsulator art is Wensink U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,809 where a jet etch apparatus includes an etching block and a jet pump provides for etchant flow.
A Decapsulator sold by B&G International, Inc. of Soquel, Calif., namely a Model 250, includes an appropriate acid resistant gasket seated on an etch head and the device to be decapsulated is placed on the gasket. A safety cover closes automatically when the process is started, clamping the device in place. The gasket on the etch head allows the chamber to be sealed and pressurized with nitrogen to approximately two PSI. The etching is started when a metering pump moves etchant from a heat exchanger located in plate with a sinuous passage into a cavity formed by the gasket, the device and the etch head. The acid remains in the chamber for a short period of time, where it reacts with or attacks the encapsulant material. After the etchant has been allowed to work, the pump is activated again and a fresh volume of acid is moved into the cavity. This process continues until the desired amount of device exposure is achieved. When the integrated circuit is exposed at the end of the etch cycle, the pump runs continuously to flush the cavity. After this rinsing period the entire system is purged with nitrogen, blowing all waste materials into the waste bottle. At the end of the process, the safety cover opens automatically and the device is removed for post-etch cleaning.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,179 discloses a method and apparatus for selective spray etching of an epoxy encapsulated chip. A diaphragm can be raised or lowered to direct flow of etchant, and debris is removed without moving the chip from the chip carrier. Used etchant is collected and recycled. U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,991 shows a process for etching copper sheets in which a pumped source of etchant is heated. U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,798 shows an etching process for tungsten residue on a semiconductor wafer including a sealed apparatus with an etchant inlet port and suction removal of etching byproduct.
In at least some of the prior art devices various deficiencies have been encountered. For example, a fixed etch head is provided which limits the area of the package which is to be etchant attacked; external auxiliary heaters must be used to heat the etchant; excessive etchant fume or seepage limit seal life; there is inefficient removal of etching debris; a particular slowness of the etching process is present due to non-reactive materials at the etch face; and there is a lack of keeping acid consumption low.
In the related application a first acid-resistant syringe pump operates as a positive displacement pump utilizing a standard syringe as the displacement cylinder and piston connected to a first flow valve. To eliminate any problems resulting from non-pulsing flow, a second acid-resistant syringe pump 40 is positioned upstream of the first valve and in connection to a flow line to introduce an oscillating flow of etchant solution. This second pump will, during the etching portion of the process, keep moving acid into and out of an etched cavity being continually formed on the package exterior which is exposed to the etchant, and which action eventually provides the desired decapsulation of the package.
Small outline transistors, commonly known as SOT'S, typically have a length of about 2 mm a width of about 1 mm and a thickness of about 0.5 mm. The epoxy encapsulation of an SOT typically will have a wall thickness of about 0.25 mm. Special problems have arisen with respect to decapsulating these very small electronic device SOT packages. If the etch process is terminated only on the basis of time of etch, the entire device can be digested with attendant damage to the small electronic device including bonding wires and metallization.
Prior art decapsulation etching has used negative pressure on the waste side of the etch head to transport acid to the device being etched. This process automatically terminates when an air leak is created by the side wall of the etched cavity etching through. The use of negative pressure creates a problem by causing the acid to release vapor in the etched cavity. The vapor prevents even etching and reduces the overall etch rate by reducing the efficacy of the acid. This process will leave acid in the lines between the acid control valves and the etch head because of the termination of all acid transport when an air leak is created. This also prevents rinsing the device being etched at the end of the etch process.

Decapsulator for decapsulating small plastic encapsulated device packages


Apparatus and methods for control of one or more functions within a premises. In one embodiment, the control apparatus comprises a “universal” electronic switch which can be configured according to any number of different desired functional and/or aesthetic schemes. The apparatus uses removable and replaceable control elements which are purely mechanical in nature, thereby allowing consolidation of all electrical functions within the parent control module. An improved control circuit including thermal overload protection is also disclosed, as are methods of operating and manufacturing the apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of electrical circuits and related apparatus, and specifically to apparatus and methods useful in controlling one or more functions or operations of equipment such as might be used in a home, office, or other premises.
2. Description of the Related Technology
A variety of different mechanisms for the control of premises lighting and other functions/appliances are known in the art. Various types of wall "toggle" or dimmer switches are ubiquitous throughout such premises. However, a salient disability of these prior art devices relates to their single-purpose configuration; i.e., such devices are generally made to perform a predetermined function, and their design and construction is determined accordingly so as to minimize the cost of manufacturing. For example, a simple wall light switch is configured to switch a light fixture or other such appliance, and the mechanical and electrical portions of the switch are designed to support only this function, with their components being arranged in an integrated (i.e., non-separable) fashion. No changes to the function or configuration of the switch can be made (especially by the consumer), short of a wholesale replacement or swapping-out of the switch assembly.
Some prior art approaches (described in greater detail below) do permit changing of face plates so as to allow the consumer to, inter alia, coordinate the appearance and color of the apparatus to the prevailing decor; however, this capability is purely directed to limited aspects of the aesthetic features and not any underlying function of the apparatus. Furthermore, changing just the faceplate of a switch or other such control apparatus does not address the aesthetics of the switch rocker or switch actuator itself; i.e., the consumer is still restricted to the color/appearance/style of the existing rocker or switch actuator, unless they desire to replace the switch assembly as a whole, which typically requires the services of skilled electrician as well as the purchase of a new assembly.
Furthermore, a plurality of different configurations requiring different tooling and assembly, components, etc., is required under the prior art. For example, such prior art approaches require the manufacturing and control of inventory on multiple different configurations of control element in multiple different colors, thereby creating a matrix of many different combinations. One can readily appreciate the burden this imposes on manufacturing (e.g., many sets of molds, polymer formulations for different colors) and distribution (many SKUs or inventory numbers to keep track of and stock/price).
Another deficiency of the prior art relates to the lack of adaptability of "intelligent" premises control devices such as wall mounted electronic controllers. Normally, such controllers are pre-programmed and installed by a technician, and control various appliance and other functions within the premises based on user- or technician-entered programming. A simple example of such a device is a programmable thermostat. While these types of devices vary greatly in terms of functionality and level of sophistication, all generally suffer from the disability of not being able to be configured or aesthetically adapted to their surrounding environs. Other than perhaps being able to change a faceplate, these devices are not designed to permit easy user-based customization of their aesthetic facets (e.g., appearance and/or sound). For example, the display and menu structures are generally fixed, as is the color, shape, etc. of the mechanical portions of the device. Furthermore, the functions of the device are generally determined at time of manufacture and installation, and hence the addition or substitution of new or different functions is not permitted. Control of such functions via a PC or other such device, while allowing much greater flexibility and programmability, is unwieldy and inconvenient, since the user must access the requisite functions via the PC which may or may not be local to the area from which they desire to control the function in question.
Yet another deficiency with prior art premises control devices relates to their lack of self-protection against improper installation. In many cases, consumers (and even skilled electricians) will install or operate such devices in a manner which causes one or more of the electrical ratings of the device to be exceeded, thereby resulting in a thermal overload condition. For example, the consumer may simply put too high of a wattage (watts=J/s) rating bulb in the controlled circuit's fixture, thereby drawing too much current (P=IV). This can lead to electrical and/or mechanical component failure, including even melting the polymer portions of the switch or controller due to the excessive current draw (and hence heat generation) for which the device was not designed. Such prior art devices generally have no indigenous mechanism for either identifying such overload conditions, or mitigating them before damage (or even fire) is caused.
A variety of different approaches to premises function and appliance control are evidenced in the prior art. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050162273 to Yoon, et al. published Jul. 28, 2005 and entitled "Apparatus and method for remotely controlling household appliances" discloses an apparatus and method for remotely controlling household appliances connected to a home network. A power line and a network processor are installed in each household appliance, enabling a household appliance user to remotely control the appliances from a place outside of as well as inside a home. Information about all conditions of the household appliances can be displayed on a screen displayable household appliance so that the user can recognize the operations of the appliances even during spare moments. A low-price built-in server is installed in each household appliance to assign the corresponding appliance a unique IP address simply over the Internet to be controlled according to an external user control command. A home server is connected to each of the household appliances such that the corresponding appliance receives a control command, sent in transit by a user from a mobile terminal.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050154496 to Chapman, et al. published Jul. 14, 2005 and entitled "Appliance diagnostic display apparatus and network incorporating same" discloses an appliance diagnostic display and interface system providing a centralized user interface for appliance diagnostic information and control of system self-tests is provided. This centralized user interface is provided via an intelligent thermostat that includes an LCD display. The intelligent thermostat interfaces, via wireless or wired communications, with the appliances installed in the home. The intelligent thermostat then generates and displays various user interface screens that allow particular appliances to be selected. Separate appliance specific screens are then generated that allow the user to access the diagnostic information in system test functionality provided by the individual appliance. Soft function keys provided on the intelligent thermostat allow multi-functional access to the features of the invention depending on which screen is currently being displayed.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20050145468 to Kim, published Jul. 7, 2005 and entitled "Control panel assembly and method for controlling thereof" discloses a control panel assembly for making it easy to manipulate buttons of home appliances, the control panel including at least one LED connected to a circuit board for selectively emitting light, a switch connected to the circuit board and provided adjacent to the LED for controlling a home appliance, a control panel provided in front of the LED and having at least one first hole, and at least one elastic button coupled with an edge of the first hole for selectively coming into contact with the switch in response to a user pressing the button, the elastic button having a pushing member including a first light-transmitting part for transmitting there through light emitted from the LED.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040054747 to Breh, et al. published Mar. 18, 2004 and entitled "Pervasive home network appliance" discloses a Pervasive Home Network Appliance (appliance) for controlling of home devices in a home network, whereby such appliance may also be accessed automatically or via an additional interface, such as by a cellular (mobile) phone or an Internet browser. The pervasive home network appliance may be implemented by a method and an appliance for facilitating communication between a user interface and one or more external devices. The appliance comprises at least one control adapter for transforming a particular communication protocol to be established between the user interface and at least one of the control adapters, one or more device adapters for transforming a particular communication protocol to be established between one of the external devices and the respective one of the device adapters and a routing engine for routing messages being produced by one of the control adapters to the appropriate one of the device adapters.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20040046454 to Kang, published Mar. 11, 2004 and entitled "Complex home appliance and method of controlling and installing the same" discloses a complex home appliance and a method of controlling and installing the same. The complex home appliance includes a single power supply unit shared by two or more component home appliances of the complex home appliance. The two or more component home appliances are controlled by a single control unit of the complex home appliance. The complex home appliance can be operated in a simultaneous operation mode in which the two or more component home appliances are simultaneously operable, and an individual operation mode in which only one of the two or more component home appliances is operable. The complex home appliance includes a mode-setting unit to set the simultaneous or individual operation mode. The complex home appliance includes a power cut-off unit which supplies power to the single power supply unit and cuts off the supply of the power in response to being electrically opened at the time of an electrical overload.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,598 to Lim, et al. issued Jul. 26, 2005 and entitled "System and method for transferring home appliance control data" discloses a system and method for transferring home appliance control data, wherein a control data provision server stores a plurality of data for control of a home appliance and a unified Java application for execution of the plurality of control data. The control data provision server stores the same number of Java applications as that of a plurality of Java virtual machines contained respectively in a plurality of Java phones, resulting in no necessity for each Java phone to download respective Java applications whenever downloading respective control data. Therefore, the control data provision server can be reduced in capacity and burden thereon, and in turn in construction and maintenance costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,919,792 to Battini, et al. issued Jul. 19, 2005 and entitled "Control device and method in a system of household appliances" discloses a method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of appliances in a home network, in which each appliance in the network has an associated descriptor comprising information for controlling the appliance. A control device for controlling the plurality of appliances includes a microprocessor for loading and processing descriptors associated with the appliances and a graphics generator for generating a display of markup language pages or page parts based on the descriptor information. The control device uses descriptors of a plurality of appliances to aggregate appliance control functions of the same type for a plurality of appliances in order to display aggregated functions on a single page.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,798,341 to Eckel, et al. issued Sep. 28, 2004 and entitled "Network based multiple sensor and control device with temperature sensing and control" discloses a multifunction sensor device which provides various transducer functions for performing temperature sensing, humidity sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, thermostat functions, switching functions, load switching and dimming functions, displaying actual and set temperature values, displaying time of day values apparatus for putting the device in an on/off or auto mode. Key elements include mounting the diverse sensors or transducers within the same housing that can be mounted to a wall in a flush manner, eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel in the device, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor. The device can transmit and receive real time data, relative data and actual discrete data in addition to switching and controlling loads locally or remotely.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,407 to Song, et al. issued Jun. 15, 2004 entitled "Control panel assembly for home appliances and method for manufacturing the same" discloses a control panel assembly for home appliances devised for a better external appearance and more stable operation is disclosed. The control panel assembly includes a substrate provided with at lest one switch for operating home appliance and at least one display element for displaying the operation state, an external film configured to make it possible for an user to access to the switch and the display element, and a control panel allowing the substrate to be installed therein, the control panel injection-molded to be inserted in the external film and integrated with the external film.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,700,333 to Hirshi, et al. issued Mar. 2, 2004 and entitled "Two-wire appliance power controller" discloses a power level controller and method for an AC electrical appliance that can be implemented in the plug of the appliance, controlling power in response to switch closures on the appliance and/or remotely located switches, or alternatively, may be implemented as a module into which an existing appliance is inserted, thereby providing a retrofit solution for appliance control. By using multifunction switches having steering diodes, multiple commands can be transmitted to the controller, all without the need for additional control wires, since all commands are superimposed on the two conductors that deliver power to the appliance. In addition, the independent control of two polarity sensitivity loads may be implemented. With implementations using integrated circuits, the internal electrostatic discharge diodes within the integrated circuit may be used for the power supply to yield a very low parts count system.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,697,757 to Eckel, et al. issued Feb. 24, 2004 and entitled "Local network based multiple sensor device with electrical load control means and with temperature sensor and heat detector that is exposed to ambient air by diffusion" discloses a multifunction sensor device that acts as a heat detector and performs various transducer functions for temperature sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, switching functions, and a mechanism to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device operates in diverse environments in which sensors are utilized for energy monitoring and control, end user convenience or HVAC control. Key elements include overcoming the difficulty of mounting diverse sensors or transducers within the same device or housing; permitting these various sensors to exist in a single package mounted to a wall; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial hysteresis. A temperature sensor is exposed neither to the flow of air in a room or area nor in an airflow channel where a chimney effect may occur.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,653,933 to Raschke, et al. issued Nov. 25, 2003 and entitled "Autonomous local area distributed network" discloses an autonomous local area distributed network which provides a peer-to-peer network to connect nodes and devices using low cost and low bandwidth communication techniques, thus allowing the network to share node resources and distribute programming tasks across the different nodes. Home appliances and devices such as refrigerators, televisions, light switches, light fixtures, garage door openers, stereos, and the like may be configured as nodes on the peer-to-peer network. Operational programs, referred to as "sequences," may be distributed across nodes in a network to enable the maximum utilization of available node resources.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,253 to Rintz issued Aug. 19, 2003 entitled "Light switch assembly" discloses a light switch cover for use with conventional "rocker" and "toggle" type switches. The cover generally includes a mounting bracket which is attached to the electrical box, along with the switch and a face plate which is attached to the mounting bracket. For "rocker" type switches, the face plate is preferably constructed from a soft material to allow the user to operate the covered "rocker" switch, but can be made of a combination of hard and soft materials. For "toggle" type switches an aperture is provided in the face plate to operate the toggle. Preferably, the outer surface of the face plate is provided with a decorated design or other indicia. The light switch can also be utilized where more than one switch is provided. For multiple "rocker" switches, a diverter bar is provided on the mounting bracket, to absorb pressure being asserted on one "rocker" switch from also transferring to an adjacent "rocker" switch and inadvertently turning "off" or "on" the adjacent "rocker" switch. An inner or sub-frame can be provided to allow for an outer frame of any shape with a standard shaped mounting bracket. This assembly includes an outer frame, a flexible decorative sheet, an inner/sub frame and a mounting bracket. The cover assembly completely covers a switch assembly, while allowing the switch assembly to be operated while covered.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,399 to Eckel, et al. issued May 14, 2002 and entitled "Network based electrical control system with distributed sensing and control" discloses an electrical control system including a plurality of electrical devices which communicate over a network and interfaces and works with non-protocol devices and signals that only send/receive an on/off digital signal or send/receive one of numerous analog signals. The devices communicate with one another over a network implemented using different types of media. The system includes the necessary user interfaces, network management system interfaces and displays to provision, administer, operate and maintain the electrical device network. The system is particularly suited for lighting control applications to control the lights and/or other electrical loads within an office, building, room or home by motion detection, ambient light sensing, switching functions, dimming functions, temperature sensing functions and humidity sensing functions. Most devices are equipped to put the device in an ON, OFF, or AUTO mode.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,866 to Sizer, II, et al. issued Apr. 30, 2002 and entitled "System and apparatus for controlling an appliance situated within a premises" discloses a system and apparatus for controlling an appliance situated within a premises such as a home or office has a premises controller for receiving and storing appliance control information. The premises controller includes a wireless transmitter for generating and transmitting a packet of appliance control information to an appliance controller based on the stored appliance control information. In one aspect of the invention, the appliance controller is spaced from the premises controller but within range of the generated packet transmission for interfacing with the premises appliance. The appliance controller further includes a packet receiver for receiving the packet of control information. In one aspect of the invention, the premises controller has a microprocessor. An infrared pulse generator is operatively connected to the microprocessor and generates and transmits an infrared pulse code to the appliance.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,433 to Rye, et al. issued on May 8, 2001 entitled "Appliance control" discloses an automated appliance control system includes a unit which transmits binary coded address and function control signals along the a.c. power line to a plurality of appliance control modules connected to the power line at various locations in the home. The binary coded signals transmitted along the a.c. power line are in the form of binary rf bursts which occur before and after the a.c. power line zero crossing points.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,130 to Tansi, et al. issued Apr. 27, 1999 and entitled "Electrical receptacle cover with modular inserts" discloses a cover for a surface mounted electrical box in which are placed one of a selected group of receptacles each having different electrical plug blade contact arrangements, sizes and shapes. The partial cover has a cut-out and receives therein a selectable modular insert which contains apertures which correspond to the plug prong contacts of the receptacle. The modular insert locks in the cut-out and fits flush with the remainder of the partial cover. Thus, the cover is assembled to match the receptacle within the box.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,191 to Bassett, et al. issued Jan. 6, 1998 and entitled "Appliance interface apparatus and automated residence management system" discloses a method for bringing an appliance and/or an electrical or mechanical system of a residence into communication with another, or with a control device within the residence, or with an other communication source outside the residence, so as to establish a home automation system, or enlarge upon an existing automation system. An appliance interface module apparatus is also provided for facilitating communication between an appliance, and the automation system as a whole. The appliance interface module may be capable of controlling, upon command, the specific detailed operations of the appliance to which it is attached, and may, upon inquiry, transmit data which has been recorded, stored and/or calculated by the module.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,190 to Zimmermann issued Nov. 28, 1995 and entitled "Method and apparatus for resource allocation in a communication network system" discloses a control communication network system adapted for distributed control and communication between various home electrical appliances in a manner that eliminates the need for a central controller and eliminates or greatly simplifies the manual assignment of addresses, control relationships or other network resources. The system utilizes a process of "hailing" for addresses or resources by newly introduced network devices combined with a process by which declaratory statements are used to convey identification or resource availability information to potential controlling devices. The present invention comprises a lightswitch which can be dynamically "taught" to control or to be controlled by any other similar lightswitch in a given house without special wiring or user intervention other than the toggling of a simple "teach/learn" switch associated with each lightswitch.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,175 to Robinson, et al. issued Mar. 1, 1994 and entitled "Modular higher density communications coupling system" discloses a modular higher density communications coupling system including a universal platform for supporting multiple connectors from a single outlet hole is disclosed. The platform includes a main body member having a registration ridge extending forward of the main body member for extending into a standard sized outlet hole. A pair of apertures adjacent to each other extend through the main body member and are generally surrounded by the registration ridge. A pair of connector housings are attachable to the rear of the platform in alignment with the apertures for housing connectors. A pair of retaining members on two sides of the apertures hold the connector housings in position. A pair of support members extend rearwardly from the main body of the platform on the other two sides of the apertures. A termination plate is mounted in the support members, the termination plate having a plurality of electrical couplings for connecting the wire from a wall to the connector. A grounding screw mount provides easy access from the front, side or rear. The relationship between the retaining members, apertures, and support members facilitates a higher density of electrical couplings than previously possible in the prior art. Telecommunications apparatus of the type identified within the specification, in combination with the aforesaid, is contemplated as coming within the scope of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,325 to Robinson, et al. issued Apr. 21, 1992 and entitled "Modular higher density communications coupling system" discloses a modular higher density communications coupling system including a universal platform for supporting multiple connectors from a single outlet hole. The platform includes a main body member having a registration ridge extending forward of the main body member for extending into a standard sized outlet hole. A pair of apertures adjacent to each other extend through the main body member and are generally surrounded by the registration ridge. A pair of connector housings are attachable to the rear of the platform in alignment with the apertures for housing connectors. A pair of retaining members on two sides of the apertures hold the connector housings in position. A pair of support members extend rearwardly from the main body of the platform on the other two sides of the apertures. A termination plate is mounted in the support members, the termination plate having a plurality of electrical couplings for connecting the wire from a wall to the connector. A grounding screw mount provides easy access from the front, side or rear. The relationship between the retaining members, apertures, and support members facilitates a higher density of electrical couplings than previously possible in the prior art. Telecommunications apparatus of the type identified within the specification, in combination with the aforesaid, is contemplated as coming within the scope of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,860 to Robinson, et al. issued Apr. 16, 1991 and entitled "Modular higher density communications coupling system" discloses a modular higher density communications coupling system including a universal platform for supporting multiple connectors from a single outlet hole. The platform includes a main body member having a registration ridge extending forward of the main body member for extending into a standard sized outlet hole. A pair of apertures adjacent to each other extend through the main body member and are generally surrounded by the registration ridge. A pair of connector housings are attachable to the rear of the platform in alignment with the apertures for housing connectors. A pair of retaining members on two sides of the apertures hold the connector housings in position. A pair of support members extend rearwardly from the main body of the platform on the other two sides of the apertures. A termination plate is mounted in the support members, the termination plate having a plurality of electrical couplings for connecting the wire from a wall to the connector. A grounding screw mount provides easy access from the front, side or rear. The relationship between the retaining members, apertures, and support members facilitates a higher density of electrical couplings than previously possible in the prior art. Telecommunications apparatus of the type identified within the specification, in combination with the aforesaid, is contemplated as coming within the scope of the present invention.
The "Uni-Base Wall Mounted Controller Body with Scene Control Capability" manufactured by Leviton Manufacturing Co, Inc. comprises a controller body adapted to interface with a plurality of different face plates. Similarly, the "Wall Transmitter Base & Keypad model XPT4" distributed by X-10 comprises a wall transmitter base which includes a controller body adapted to interface with a plurality of different face plates.
Based on the foregoing, there is a salient need for improved premises control apparatus that is (i) highly flexible and adaptable in its configuration, both from a functional and aesthetic perspective, and (ii) very cost effective to manufacture, stock and implement. Such apparatus would ideally allow the consumer to perform most or all of the functional and/or aesthetic changes or modifications they require using commonly available tools or devices, and would also ideally protect itself against improper installation or misuse by the consumer.


An electronic votive light suitable for outdoor applications. The electronic votive light may be formed from a standard votive light assembly and an illumination cell with the same form factor as a candle used in a standard votive light in order to enable the illumination cell to be disposed within a standard votive light. The illumination cell in accordance with the present invention includes an LED, powered by a battery pack. The battery pack may consist of 6 standard D-cell battery, which, based on the relatively low power consumption of the LED, are able to keep the LED illuminated for a substantial amount of time, for example one year or more. The illumination cell in accordance with the present invention is formed from corrosion proof and corrosion resistant materials which make the device particularly suitable for outdoor applications.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric votive light and in particular to a corrosion resistant electric votive light suitable for outdoor use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Votive or vigil lights are known to be used for various purposes in both indoor and outdoor applications. Such votive lights normally include a base or candle holder for receiving a votive candle. An example of indoor votive light is described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,940. Due to the limited life of votive candles when lit, electronic votive lights for indoor applications have been developed, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,890,085; 4,177,407; and 4,675,578.
Votive lights are also known to be used in outdoor applications. Both candle and electronic outdoor votive lights are known. An example of an electronic outdoor votive light is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D347,906. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,065,291; 5,255,170; and 5,564,816 disclose other types of electronic illuminated memorials, normally found at cemeteries. In addition U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,343 discloses a cemetery memorial with an audio system. Such outdoor electronic devices utilize solar cells in order to power the illumination or audio assembly within the device. Such solar cell driven devices have several disadvantages. First, such systems rely on capturing sun light and converting it to electrical power for powering the illumination or audio system within the device. Such solar systems can thus only deliver limited amounts of power. Secondly, such solar cell driven devices are only able to produce power on sunny days. As such, traditional votive light assemblies with candles, as generally illustrated in FIG. 1, are typically utilized in outdoor applications, for example, in cemeteries. More particularly, a known votive light, generally identified with the reference numeral 20, includes a generally cylindrical transparent housing 22 closed on both ends by ferrules 24 and 26. A stake 28 is attached to bottom ferrule 26 to allow the votive light assembly 20 to be mounted in the ground. A votive candle 30 is normally inserted within the housing 22. The top ferrule 24 is removable to enable access to the housing 22 for purposes of lighting and/or replacing the candle 30. Such votive light assemblies are available from the Arthur Allen Manufacturing Co. of Elkhorn, Wis. One of the problems with such votive assemblies 20 is that the candle 30 burns out in a relative short time, for example, less than a day. Thus, there is a need for providing a votive light which stays lit for a substantial amount of time and is also corrosion resistant for use in outdoor applications.


There is provided a catalyst for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon oil, which comprises an inorganic oxide support containing a certain amount of phosphorus oxide having provided thereon: at least one selected from metals in the Group 6 of the periodic table, at least one selected from metals in the Group 8 of the periodic table, and carbon, and which has a certain specific surface area, pore volume, and mean pore diameter, a process for producing the same, and a method for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon oil using the same.

Recently, a global trend toward stricter quality regulation values for petroleum products (hydrocarbon oils) has emerged to improve atmospheric environments. For example, a reduction of sulfur compounds in gas oils is desirable because sulfur may adversely affect the durability of after-treatment apparatus expected to provide effective control of diesel emissions, such as oxidation catalysts, nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction catalysts, and continuous regeneration-type filters for removing particulate matter from diesel exhausts.
Under these circumstances, develop of a technique of ultra-deep desulfurization for reducing most of the sulfur compounds in a hydrocarbon oil is being regarded as important. A possible technique generally usable for reducing the sulfur compounds of a hydrocarbon oil is to use severer operating conditions for hydrodesulfurization, e.g., reaction temperature and liquid hourly space velocity. However, when reaction temperature is elevated, a carbonaceous matter precipitates on the catalyst and hence catalytic activity rapidly decreases. Moreover, use of a lowered liquid hourly space velocity results in a decreased purification ability although desulfurization is enhanced, so that it becomes necessary to enlarge the scale of the facility.
Consequently, the best way of attaining the ultra-deep desulfurization of a hydrocarbon oil without using severer operating conditions is to develop a catalyst having an excellent desulfurization activity.
Many investigations are recently being made on various subjects such as the kinds of active metals, methods of active-metal impregnation, improvements of catalyst supports, regulation of catalyst pore structures, and activation methods, and the following results of development have been reported and known on novel deep desulfurization of a gas oil as one example.
For example, there has been known a process for producing a catalyst which comprises impregnating a support with a solution containing a compound of a metal in the Group 6 of the periodic table (hereinafter simply referred to as "Group 6 metal"), a phosphorus component, a compound of a metal in the Group 8 of the periodic table (hereinafter simply referred to as "Group 8 metal"), and an organic acid, followed by drying at a temperature of 200° C. or lower (see, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Moreover, there has been known a catalyst containing an oxide support and a salt or complex of a Group 8 metal selected from cobalt and nickel and a heteropolyacid of a Group 6 metal selected from molybdenum and tungsten thereon, wherein a concentration of the Group 8 metal is from 2 to 20% by weight in the basis of the support, a concentration of the Group 6 metal is from 5 to 50% by weight in the basis of the support, and free water is substantially not present (see. Patent Document 3).
Furthermore, there has been known a catalyst comprising a support and a Group 6 metal and a Group 8 metal thereon, which is obtained by adding a hydroxycarboxylic acid in an amount of 0.3 to 5.0 equivalents to total number of moles of the Group 6 metal and the Group 8 metal, followed by drying at a temperature of 200° C. or lower (see, Patent Document 4).
As above, there have been proposed various catalysts and processes for producing the same and also proposed catalysts having higher desulfurization activity which can be produced in a simple and convenient manner and with which the ultra-deep desulfurization of a hydrocarbon oil can be realized without using severer operating conditions. However, it is still desired to develop a catalyst having further improved activity and a longer catalyst life.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-299960
Patent Document 2: WO04054712A1
Patent Document 3: JP-A-6-31176
Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent No. 3244692

Catalyst for hydrotreating hydrocarbon oil, process for producing the same, and method for hydrotreating hydrocarbon oil

Abstract: Thereby, the catalyst can be produced in a simple and convenient manner and sulfur compounds in the hydrocarbon oil can be exceedingly highly desulfurized and simultaneously nitrogen compounds can be diminished without necessitating severe operating conditions.


The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates interaction between an electronic device and a remote display. The system includes a first application and an encoding apparatus on the electronic device, and a second application and a decoding apparatus on the remote display. The encoding apparatus obtains graphical output for a display of the electronic device and a first set of touch inputs associated with the graphical output from a first touch screen. Next, the encoding apparatus encodes the graphical output, and the first application transmits the graphical output and the first set of touch inputs to the remote display. Upon receiving the graphical output and the first set of touch inputs at the remote display, the decoding apparatus decodes the graphical output. The second application then uses the graphical output and a visual representation of the first set of touch inputs to drive the remote display.

1. Field
The present embodiments relate to techniques for driving remote displays from electronic devices. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to techniques for driving a remote display using visualizations of gestures on an electronic device, as well as techniques for sharing gestures between the electronic device and the remote display.
2. Related Art
Modern portable electronic devices typically include functionality to create, store, open, and/or update various forms of digital media. For example, a mobile phone may include a camera for capturing images, memory in which images may be stored, software for viewing images, and/or software for editing images. Moreover, the portability and convenience associated with portable electronic devices allows users of the portable electronic devices to incorporate digital media into everyday activities. For example, the camera on a mobile phone may allow a user of the mobile phone to take pictures at various times and in multiple settings, while the display screen on the mobile phone and installed software may allow the user to display the pictures to others.
However, size and resource limitations may prevent users of portable electronic devices from effectively sharing media on the portable electronic devices. For example, the display screen on a tablet computer may be too small to be used in a presentation to a large group of people. Instead, the user of the tablet computer may conduct the presentation by driving a large remote display using a screen sharing application on the tablet computer.
Hence, what is needed is a mechanism for facilitating the sharing of media from a portable electronic device.

Gesture visualization and sharing between electronic devices and remote displays


Some embodiments of this invention include methods for treating disease and methods for administering a compound of Formula (I). In some aspects of the invention, diseases can be treated by administration of compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I). Pharmaceutical compositions of some embodiments of the present invention comprise a compound of Formula (I).

CXCR4 is a class A G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that can bind stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1 also known as CXCL12), a CXC chemokine. Chemokines are members of a gene family of cytokines that can promote inflammatory and immunological responses by effecting the recruitment of appropriate leukocyte populations. Although chemokines have been characterized as promoting directed migration of leukocytes, they can also have roles outside the hematopoietic compartment. CXCR4 can be expressed constitutively in normal tissue.
Class A GPCRs have been characterized structurally by seven membrane spanning helical domains, an extracellular amino terminus, and a carboxy terminus on the intracellular side of the membrane. The seven transmembrane (TM) domains appear to be joined by three extracellular (ECL) and three intracellular (ICL) loops. Some crystal structures of CXCR4 appear to be reported in Wu et al., Science, Vol. 330, pp. 1066-1071 (2010).
CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor and a natural ligand for CXCR4 is the chemokine CXCL12. It appears that CXCR4 can be expressed on the surface of breast cancer cells. And in some instances, CXCR4 can play a role in both angiogenesis and metastasis in several tumor types, including, but not limited to, basal cell carcinoma, thyroid cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, neuroblastoma, ovarian, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, breast, colon, lung, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. CXCR4 expression by the tumor cells appears to be involved in tumor cell migration and in homing of the neoplastic cells to sites where non-malignant stromal cells express CXCL12.
Accordingly, there exists a further need (1) for treatment of disease (e.g., cancer) with a composition that may target CXCR4 or a G-protein, (2) for modulation of activity of CXCR4 with a composition, and (3) for providing pharmaceutical compositions that may treat diseases related to CXCR4 or G-proteins. Some embodiments of the present invention may address one or more of these needs.

Methods of treating CXCR4-expressing cancers

University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.


A method, module, and program product for detecting signal strengths in a hardware description language, such as Verilog, that does not provide for such detection. The method includes the steps of creating a wired net configuration that provides for a data input signal and a controlled reference signal; varying the controlled reference signal based on a desired signal strength to be detected; and comparing the input signal with the controlled reference signal to determine if the desired signal strength has been detected.

1. Technical Field
The present invention is related to hardware description languages. More particularly, the present invention provides multi-level or single strength signal detection in a hardware description language (HDL), such as Verilog, that does not easily provide for such detection.
2. Related Art
The current Verilog core standard does not provide any way to test for the specific strength of a signal. One solution to this problem is the use of the Verilog Programming Language Interface (PLI) standard. As known in the art, PLI provides a mechanism for interfacing Verilog programs with programs written in the C language, and for accessing the internal databases of a Verilog simulator from a C program. PLI is used for implementing system calls which would have been hard to do otherwise (or impossible) using the Verilog syntax. To this extent, PLI provides a way to extend the functionality of a given Verilog simulator that supports the PLI (as described in the IEEE 1364-1995 Verilog standards document).
A major drawback to using the PLI is that it is very cumbersome. To test the specific strength of a signal, for example, a C compiler is needed, and a custom C function must be written to perform the signal strength detection. The custom C function must then be linked (statically or dynamically) with a user's specific Verilog simulation tool executable, and then the user's Verilog HDL must be coded to make use of the newly written PLI routine.
There is a need, therefore, for a reusable Verilog module that is capable of performing signal strength detection.

Multi-valued or single strength signal detection in a hardware description language

International Business Machines Corporation


Method for fabricating a semiconductor device in which a by-product of etching is deposited on a photoresist film for using as a mask. The method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of depositing a polysilicon, and a bottom anti-refection coating on an entire surface of a substrate in succession, forming a photoresist film pattern on a predetermined portion of the bottom anti-refection coating, etching the bottom anti-refection coating by using the photoresist film pattern to deposit by-product of the etching on sidewalls of the photoresist pattern to form spacers, and etching the polysilicon by using the photoresist film pattern and the spacers, to form a line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to a method for fabricating a semiconductor device in which etching by-product is deposited on a photoresist film used as a mask.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In a logic device, particularly, a flash memory device, the higher the packing density of the device, the smaller the Critical Dimension (CD) becomes. Consequently, if a floating gate pattern of the critical dimension below 130 nm is to be formed, not only the critical dimension of the gate pattern, but also the critical dimension of a space between adjacent gate lines becomes smaller, i.e. below 100 nm.
This requires reducing the thickness of the photoresist film to match the depth of focus of a KrF light source of a 248 nm wavelength. However, a balance must be achieved between reducing the thickness of the photoresist film for matching a depth of focus and maintaining a minimum required thickness of the photoresist film for etching. If the proper thickness of the photoresist film is not obtained, a defective pattern, such as deformation, or collapse of the pattern, is likely to happen.
To solve this problem, instead of using a KrF light source, an ArF light source of a 193 nm wavelength can be used in fabrication of a polysilicon transistor. However, since the critical dimension of a space between adjacent gate patterns is below 100 nm, the fabrication of the polysilicon transistor is difficult and takes a long time.
Following is a description of a method for fabricating a semiconductor device of a micronite pattern by using the KrF light source in accordance with the related art. The related art method for fabricating a semiconductor device will be described with reference to the attached drawings.
FIGS. 1A-1G illustrate sectional views of a semiconductor device as it is fabricated according to a method of the related art.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a gate insulating film 11, a polysilicon layer 12, a first insulating film 13, and a Bottom Anti-Reflection Coating (BARC) 14 are deposited on an entire surface of a substrate 10. The BARC serves for preventing a standing wave from occurring, in which a light passed through a photoresist film and interfers with a light reflected by the wafer during an exposure step thereby impairing the formation of a pattern profile after exposure and development of the photoresist film.
A photoresist film is coated on an entire surface of the substrate 10 including the BARC 14, and subjected to selective exposure and development, to form a photoresist film pattern 15.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the photoresist film pattern 15 is used as a mask for the selective removal of the BARC 14, to form a BARC pattern 14a.
Referring to FIG. 1C, the photoresist film pattern 15 is also used as a mask for etching the underlying first insulating film 13, to form a first insulating film pattern 13a.
Referring to FIG. 1D, a second insulating film 16 is formed on an entire surface of the polysilicon layer 12 including the insulating film pattern 13a.
Referring to FIG. 1E, an etch-back of the second insulating film 16 is performed to form sidewall spacers 16a at sidewalls of the first insulating film pattern 13a. The etch-back is an anisotropic etching of flat surfaces so that, in FIG. 1E, the second insulating film 16 is removed completely from an upper side of the polysilicon layer 12 and an upper side of the first insulating film pattern 13a, both of which are the flat surfaces, while only slightly removed from an upper side of sidewalls of the first insulating film pattern 13a, thereby leaving a portion of the second insulating film 16 even after the etching.
Referring to FIG. 1F, the first insulating film pattern 13a and the opposite sidewall spacers 16a are used as a mask for etching the polysilicon layer 12, to form a polysilicon pattern 12a.
Referring to FIG. 1G, the first insulating film pattern 13a and the sidewall spacers 16a left on the polysilicon pattern 12a are removed.
The polysilicon pattern 12a formed in this manner is used as a gate line or a gate electrode. The related art method for fabricating a semiconductor device suffers from poor process yield caused by repetitive and complicate deposition and etching steps, and contamination with defects caused by the use of many apparatuses coming from the repetitive, and complicated deposition and etching processes.
Additionally, the related art method uses an oxide hard mask to form a gate pattern with a line to line space critical dimension of below 100 nm.
Repetitive etching and film deposition as done in the related art complicate the fabrication process, require many apparatuses, and have a poor process yield caused by the contamination defects.


In an example, a process of forming a polymeric material is disclosed. The process may include chemically reacting a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material with a diamine to form a diamine-modified PVC material. The diamine has a chemical formula (CH2)x(NH2)2, where x is not less than 2. The process may also include chemically reacting a halogenated phthalate plasticizer with the diamine-modified PVC material to form a polymeric material having a phthalate plasticizer covalently bonded to a polymer chain.

Plasticizers may be used to improve the flexibility of some polymeric materials. As an example, a plasticizer additive may improve the flexibility of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material in order to provide a sufficient degree of flexibility to allow the PVC material to be used for a particular application. For example, a plasticizer additive may provide sufficient flexibility to a PVC material to allow the PVC material to be used as an insulating material for wires/cabling of information technology hardware. In some applications, such as immersion cooling of information technology hardware, leach-out of plasticizer additives may result in degradation of the material properties of PVC-insulated wires/cabling.

Polymeric materials having phthalate plasticizers covalently bonded to a polymer chain

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


An input video stream of video content may be encoded and transmitted from a provider to an intermediary, which decodes and edits the video content, and then re-encodes and transmits the video content to end viewers via an output video stream. When re-encoding the video content, the intermediary may determine to selectively re-use and/or not re-use input motion vectors from the input video stream, for example based on an amount of distortion associated with editing of the video content. In some examples, input motion vectors may be re-used for re-encoding of certain portions (e.g., frames, parts of frames, etc.) of the output video stream and not re-used for re-encoding of other portions of the output video stream.

Video content may commonly be delivered from a provider to one or more end viewers over one or more communications networks, such as the Internet. To allow the video content to be delivered in a reliable and efficient manner that does not consume excessive network bandwidth, the video content may typically be encoded for delivery to the end viewers. In some examples, it may be desirable for an intermediary to receive and edit the video content from the provider before it is delivered to the end viewers. In one specific example, an intermediary may receive the video content from the provider, perform various recognition (e.g., facial detection, facial recognition, etc.) operations on the video content, edit the video content, and then deliver the edited video content to the end viewers. For example, the intermediary may detect human faces within various frames of the video content and draw bounding boxes around the detected human faces. In these and other examples, the intermediary may receive encoded input video content from the provider, decode the input video content, edit the input video content to form output video content, re-encode the output video content, and then transmit the re-encoded output video content to the end viewers.


A clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit is provided. A phase detection circuit receives an input signal and a clock signal to output a first voltage signal. A first comparing circuit determines whether the first voltage signal is within a voltage range to output a first up signal and a first down signal. A counting circuit updates a counting value according to the input signal and the clock signal. A second comparing circuit determines whether the counting value is within a value range to output a second up signal and a second down signal. A selection circuit outputs a second voltage signal according to the first up signal, the first down signal, the second up signal, and the second down signal. A voltage controlled oscillator outputs the clock signal according to the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a clock and data recovery circuit with bidirectional frequency detection, in which two types of frequency detection are combined.
Description of Related Art
Clock and data recovery (CDR) is a critical task in all serial communication systems. The main objective of the CDR is to recover the data from the serial input bit stream in an error-free, power and cost-efficient manner. Due to the communication technology progresses, lots of transmission standards are developed such as the universal serial bus (USB), thunderbolt, high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) and so on. In some display application, the transmission speed varies by resolution, refresh rate, or operating mode. In order to recover the transmitted data for numerous communication standards and transmission speed without external reference clock in the receiver end, a wide range frequency detector and a wide band voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) are indispensable in such development. However, in some wide-range frequency detectors, it may not precisely trace the frequency of the serial input bit stream; and on the other hand, a precise frequency detector may not have wide frequency range. Therefore, it is an issue in the art that how to provide a precise and wide-range CDR circuit.

Clock and data recovery circuit with bidirectional frequency detection and electronic device using the same

NCKU RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION


A dense binary memory switch device combines the function of a pass transistor and a memory cell and has low programming and operation voltages. The device includes a charge storage region coupled to a gate electrode through a gate dielectric layer and directly contacting a channel region. The charge storage region contains quantum structures, deep traps or combinations thereof and is charged by carriers injected from injection regions that are in direct contact with the charge storage region. Fabrication of the device at low temperatures compatible with back-end-of-line processing is further disclosed.

Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are integrated circuits generally characterized by configurable logic blocks with programmable interconnects. FPGAs are designed to be reprogrammed subsequent to manufacture. A combination of a pass transistor and a memory cell such as static random access memory (SRAM) is conventionally used as a binary memory wiring switch in FPGAs. The area taken by the pass transistor and the SRAM cell (comprised of several transistors) is a large fraction of the total area inside a FPGA.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Junction field-effect quantum dot memory switch


To cool heat-emitting electronic components, a compact, non-moving-parts compressor, an evaporator in juxtaposition to the electronic components and a condenser are mounted as a unit, preferably within a vacuum can. A heat exchanger is mounted external to the can but in proximity to the condenser. The foregoing comprise a unit which may be detachably connected to a host pump and heat exchanger. The unit may be removed from the system of which it is a part for upgrade and maintenance. All its components are thermally isolated from the ambient atmosphere to prevent water vapor condensation corrosion.

1. Field of the invention.
The present invention relates to sorption systems wherein a sorbate is alternately adsorbed onto and desorbed from a sorbent. More particularly, the invention relates to a refrigeration sorption system for cooling electrical components wherein the sorbate is desorbed from the sorbent using electromagnetic waves.
2. Related Art.
Certain electrical components, such as the microprocessors in conventional computers, generate a substantial amount of heat during operation. It has been determined that the performance of a microprocessor can be enhanced significantly by effectively removing this heat. In addition, in accordance with conventional semiconductor practice, it is known that the operating speed of a microprocessor can be greatly increased if the microprocessor is operated at low temperatures.
In adsorption and desorption systems, which will be referred to herein as xe2x80x9csorption systemsxe2x80x9d, a first substance called a sorbate is alternately adsorbed onto and then desorbed from a second substance called a sorbent. Specific sorbates and sorbents will usually be selected for a particular sorption system to produce a desired effect, which is dependent on the affinity of the two substances. During an adsorption reaction, which is also referred to as the adsorb cycle or the adsorb portion of the sorption cycle, the sorbate is drawn .onto and combines with the sorbate to produce a sorbate/sorbent compound. During the desorption reaction, which is also called the desorb cycle or the desorb portion of the sorption cycle, energy is supplied to the sorbate/sorbent compound to break the bonds between the sorbate and sorbent molecules and thereby desorb, or in other words separate or drive off, the sorbate from the sorbent. Substantial energy is imparted to the sorbate during the desorption reaction, and this energy can be harnessed for various uses.
An exemplary refrigeration sorption system may use a polar refrigerant, such as ammonia, as the sorbate and a metal halide salt, such as strontium bromide, as the sorbent. During the desorption reaction, which occurs in an enclosure called a sorber, the refrigerant molecules are driven off of the salt and, into a relatively high pressure, high energy gaseous state. The refrigerant gas is subsequently condensed and then. evaporated to produce a cooling effect. The evaporated refrigerant gas is then channeled back to the sorber, where it is once again adsorbed onto the salt in an adsorption reaction. The sorption cycle is repeated numerous times depending on the cooling requirements of the refrigeration system.
In certain prior art sorption systems, the desorption energy is supplied by a conventional heater. In such a system, a great deal of thermal energy is required to stochastically heat the sorbate/sorbent compound to the degree sufficient to break the bonds between the sorbate and sorbent molecules. As a result, the sorbate, sorbent and sorber are significantly heated, and substantial time and/or energy are required to remove this sensible heat and cool the sorbers and sorbent before the next adsorption reaction can proceed.
In the refrigeration system of this invention, the desorption energy is supplied in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as radio frequency waves or microwaves, generated by, for example, a magnetron. Instead of heating the sorbate/sorbent compound, the electromagnetic waves selectively pump electrical energy into each sorbate-sorbent bond until the bond is broken and the sorbate molecule is separated from the sorbent molecule. Therefore, the sorbate, sorbent and sorber are not heated during the desorption reaction and consequently do not need to be cooled before the next adsorption reaction can proceed. As the desorption reaction is essentially isothermal, the overall performance of the refrigeration system is greatly improved.
According to the present invention, a refrigeration system for cooling an electrical component is provided which comprises a sorber having a housing defining an enclosure, a sorbate/sorbent compound located within the enclosure, the sorber including a port through which a sorbate may be communicated into and out of the enclosure, and means for electrically coupling the sorber to an electromagnetic wave generator, wherein electromagnetic waves transmitted by the electromagnetic wave generator are propagated through the enclosure to desorb the sorbate from the sorbate/sorbent compound. The refrigeration system of the present invention also includes a condenser connected to the port downstream of the sorber, an evaporator connected between the condenser and the port and positioned in close proximity to the electrical component, and a controllable expansion valve interposed between the condenser and the evaporator. In this manner sorbate which is desorbed in the sorber is condensed in the condenser and then controllably released into the evaporator to create a cooling effect and thereby cool the electrical component, after which the sorbate is drawn back into the sorber.
The absorbent bed must be able to provide sufficient heat and mass transport capabilities to allow for rapid adsorption of the refrigerant vapor. Without sufficient heat removal, the mass flow would have to be reduced, or alternately cooling power would be lost as the adsorption pressure would rise with sorbent bed temperature. Consequently, the goal is to maintain the adsorbent bed as close to the hot side heat rejection temperature as possible. The electromagnetic nature of the desorption phenomena places further restrictions on the architecture of the reactors as it cannot interfere with the propagation of microwave plane waves (TEM).
A microchannel reactor design is provided to satisfy the foregoing requirements. Although microchannels are often envisioned as being rectangular parallel channels, the exact geometry of the channels has very little effect on heat and mass transfer characteristics. Rather, the performance of the channels is largely dictated by channel depth and flow rate parameters. Flexibility and channel geometry accommodate the electromagnetic compatibility requirements of the reactor.
Microchannel reactors operate on the principle that within a microchannel, the thermal boundary layer is structurally constrained to less than half of the width of the fluid channel. Heat transfer and laminar and transition flow regimes vary significantly from macroscale channels. Heat transfer in flow regimes is coupled to liquid temperature, velocity and channel size.
One feature of the invention is that the refrigerator and component cooled thereby may be conveniently removed from the system for upgrade or maintenance.
In accordance with the present invention, it is important that all chilled components of the system must be isolated from the ambient atmosphere to prevent condensation from forming on the cooled parts or on the external surfaces of paths to the cooled parts which are exposed to the atmosphere. Isolation prevents corrosion and other problems which are caused by the presence of condensed water.
One of the features of an embodiment of the system is that the desorption compressor is physically compact. This permits the compressor to be placed inside the removable module which includes the electronic components. The removable interface is associated with the hot end condenser of the refrigeration system. The hot end condenser is either a part of a countercurrent liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger or is cooled by evaporating a liquid from the hot surface. The demountable interface is the low pressure liquid loop to the heat exchanger. Detaching the module from the low pressure liquid loop is preferably accomplished using conventional double ended shut off fluid disconnects.
The isolation of the system from the atmosphere is obtained by enclosing the unit in a vacuum can. The hot end condenser may be used as one surface of the vacuum can (or a portion thereof) or be in close heat transferring proximity thereto. The compressor, evaporator, and cooled electronic components are supported away from the surface of the vacuum can so that there is no direct connection between an external surface of the vacuum can and the evaporator. This arrangement makes water vapor condensation unlikely and prevents corrosion of parts.
The high speed electrical signal connections to the electronic components may be made by means of optical coupling, utilizing fiber optics or by free space transmission through a window, in all situations providing for best thermal performance. It is also possible to provide such connections using a thin film on a polymer or glass flex circuit, although such a connection has potential difficulties in balancing the conflicting requirements of high thermal impedance with low electrical losses.
DC Power for the electronic components may be brought into the vacuum can through power feed-throughs which are thermally lagged to the hot end condenser before connecting to the cooled components.
It will be understood that the functions of the apparatus herein described include the following:
1. Providing a high insulation environment for low temperature cooling.
2. Providing an optical coupling into and out of this environment.
3. Providing a single high side heat removal path for both the cooling shell (heat load) and the solid state chemical reactor (sorber assembly) by using a single high side heat exchanger.
4. The device benefits from compactness, ease of fabrication, serviceability and modularity.

Refrigeration system for electronic components having environmental isolation


The invention is a novel photo-induced method for converting large quantities of silver nanospheres into nanoprisms, the nanoprisms formed by this method and applications in which the nanoprisms are useful. Significantly, this light driven process results in a colloid with a unique set of optical properties that directly relate to the nanoprism shape of the particles. Theoretical calculations coupled with experimental observations allow for the assignment of the nanoprism plasmon bands and the first identification of two distinct quadrupole plasmon resonances for a nanoparticle. Finally, unlike the spherical particles from which they derive and which Rayleigh light scatter in the blue, these nanoprisms exhibit scattering in the red, permitting multicolor diagnostic labels based not only on nanoparticle composition and size but also on shape.

Size is an important parameter in nanoscale materials that can provide control over many of their physical and chemical properties, including luminescence, conductivity, and catalytic activity. Over the past century, colloid chemists have gained excellent control over particle size for several spherical metal and semiconductor compositions. This chemical control over particle size has led to the discovery of quantum confinement in colloidal nanocrystals and their exploitation as probes in biological diagnostic applications, LED materials, lasers, and Raman spectroscopy enhancing materials. In contrast, the challenge of synthetically controlling particle shape has been met with limited success. Nevertheless, some physical and solid-state chemical deposition methods have been developed for making semiconductor and metal nanowires, nanobelts, and dots, and there are now a variety of methods for making rods with somewhat controllable aspect ratios using electrochemical and membrane-templated syntheses.
Less is known with respect to solution synthetic methods for non-spherical particles such as triangles or cubes. However, methods do exist for making colloidal samples of Pt cubes and pyramids (Ahmandi et al., Science 272:1924 (1996)), and PbSe, CdS, and Ni triangles (Fendler et al., J. Am. Chem Soc. 122:4631 (2000), Pinna et al., Ad. Mater. 13:261 (2001), Klasu et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci U.S.A. 96:13611 (1999)). Promising recent work has resulted in methods for synthesizing BaCrO4, CdSe and Co nanorods and distributions of arrow-, teardrop-, and tetrapod-shaped CdSe nanocrystals (Li et al., Nature 402:393 (1999), Peng et al., Nature 404:59 (2000), Puntes et al., Science 291:2115 (2001), Manna et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 122:12700 (2000)). All of these solution methods are based on thermal processes, and in most cases, with the exception of rods, yield relatively small quantities of the desired particle shape. However, much like particle size-control in nanoscale materials led to the discovery of new and important fundamental science and technological applications in diagnostics, optics, catalysis, and electronics, synthetic methods that lead to control over particle shape can be expected to lead to important fundamental as well as technological advances. Therefore, the development of bulk solution synthetic methods that offer control over particle shape is of paramount importance if the full potential of these novel materials is to be realized.


Provided are a method and device for sending an uplink channel and a method and device for receiving an uplink channel. The method includes that a terminal device determines a first transmission resource on a first time unit on a first carrier. The first transmission resource is configured to transmit a first uplink channel. The first transmission resource is allocated with N frequency domain units on a frequency domain, where N is a positive integer, and N≥2. The method also includes that the terminal device transmits the first uplink channel by the first transmission resource. By means of the uplink channel transmission method in embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal device can utilize a transmission power more efficiently.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method and device for sending an uplink channel and a method and device for receiving an uplink channel.
When a New Radio (NR) system is applied to a licensed carrier, since signal transmission on the licensed carrier is not limited by a maximum transmission power spectral density, a terminal device may use the maximum transmission power of the terminal device to perform transmission of an uplink signal on a Resource Block (RB) to ensure uplink coverage.

Method and device for sending uplink channel, and method and device for receiving uplink channel

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


A hand-push garden tool and a control method thereof. The hand-push garden tool comprises a main body, wheel and a handle assembly. The wheels are mounted on the main body, the handle assembly is mounted on the main body. The handle assembly comprises a handle, a first control rod and a second control rod. The first control rod is mounted on the handle and can rotate relative to the handle, the second control rod is mounted on the handle and can rotate relative to the handle, and the first control rod and the second control rod are coaxially arranged. The first control rod and the second control rod of the hand-push garden tool can coaxially rotate and cannot affect each other, the garden tool is convenient, beautiful and clean and tidy, and design spaces are saved.

Lawn mowers are generally provided with a self-propelled function. Therefore, a control rod of a self-propelled motor and a control rod of a mowing motor are provided on a handle of the lawn mower. The two control rods are generally arranged on both sides of the handle. However, due to structural interference, the two control rods cannot be coaxial, which makes the distance between one control rod and the handle is inconsistent with the distance between the other control rod and the handle, resulting in the poor operating experience.
It is necessary to provide a garden tool to solve the above problems.