An improved waveguide circulator that eliminates the need for quarter-wave dielectric transformers or impedance steps in the interface waveguide for broadband operation is described. The circulator designs in the prior art all require impedance matching elements outside of the ferrite element in order to achieve acceptable performance. Through the use of this new invention, broadband circulator performance can be achieved without the addition of impedance matching elements in order to minimize the cost, size, mass, and loss of the circulator.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to waveguide circulators for the non-reciprocal transmission of microwave energy; and more particularly to a novel approach for reducing the size, insertion loss, and cost of a waveguide switching circulator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ferrite circulators have a wide variety of uses in commercial and military, space and terrestrial, and low and high power applications. A waveguide circulator may be implemented in a variety of applications, including but not limited to low noise amplifier (LNA) redundancy switches, T/R modules, isolators for high power sources, and switch matrices. One important application for such waveguide circulators is in space, especially in satellites where extreme reliability is essential and where size and weight are very important. Ferrite circulators are desirable for these applications due to their high reliability, as there are no moving parts required. This is a significant advantage over mechanical switching devices. In most of the applications for waveguide switching and non-switching circulators, small size, low mass, and low insertion loss are significant qualities.
A commonly used type of waveguide circulator has three waveguide arms arranged at 120° and meeting in a common junction. This common junction is loaded with a non-reciprocal material such as ferrite. When a magnetizing field is created in this ferrite element, a gyromagnetic effect is created that can be used for switching the microwave signal from one waveguide arm to another. By reversing the direction of the magnetizing field, the direction of switching between the waveguide arms is reversed. Thus, a switching circulator is functionally equivalent to a fixed-bias circulator but has a selectable direction of circulation. Radio frequency (RF) energy can be routed with low insertion loss from one waveguide arm to either of the two output arms. If one of the waveguide arms is terminated in a matched load, then the circulator acts as an isolator, with high loss in one direction of propagation and low loss in the other direction.
Generally, these three-port waveguide switching circulators are impedance matched to an air-filled waveguide interface. For the purposes of this description, the terms "air-filled," "empty," "vacuum-filled," or "unloaded" may be used interchangeably to describe a waveguide structure. Conventional three-port waveguide switching circulators typically have one or more stages of quarter-wave dielectric transformer structures for purposes of impedance matching the ferrite element to the waveguide interface. The dielectric transformers are typically used to match the lower impedance of the ferrite element to the higher impedance of the air-filled waveguide so as to produce low loss. There are several disadvantages to using transformers in such a manner. When dielectric transformers are used, RF losses can be introduced in various ways, such as the following: losses in the dielectric material itself, increased losses in the waveguide surfaces due to the high concentration of RF currents on the metal waveguide surfaces disposed directly above and below the dielectric transformer element, and losses in the adhesives typically used to bond the transformers to the conductive housing. Importantly, the use of dielectric transformers also takes up additional space in the waveguide structure, thereby increasing the minimum size and weight of the circulator.
Previous patents (U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,158; U.S. Pat. No. 3,277,399; U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,780, Pub. No. WO 02/067361 A1) have described approaches for achieving broad bandwidth through the addition of impedance matching elements. Broadband circulators have high isolation and return loss and low insertion loss over a wide frequency band, which is desirable so that the circulator is not the limiting component in the frequency bandwidth of a system. Broad bandwidth also allows a single design to be reused in different applications, thereby providing a cost savings. These prior art approaches for achieving broad bandwidth generally involve the addition of quarter-wave dielectric transformers or steps in the height or width of the waveguide structure to thus achieve impedance matching of the ferrite element to the waveguide port. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,158 discloses achieving impedance matching by providing a step or transition in the waveguide pathway. This technique eliminates the standard dielectric transformers, but is very sensitive to dimensional variations, resulting in a design that is difficult and expensive to manufacture reliably. This design also relies on the presence of a significant gap or spacing between adjacent ferrite elements, increasing the size and weight of the structure. These methods all require impedance matching elements in addition to the ferrite element in order to achieve acceptable performance. Other patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,010, discuss changing the shape of the ferrite resonant structure to achieve broadband performance. However, these ferrite structures are restricted to fixed-bias applications with a single direction of circulation. Lastly, my co-pending patent application, Publication US2003/0107447 titled MUILTI-JUNCTION WAVEGUIDE CIRCULATOR WITHOUT INTERNAL TRANSITIONS (the '7447 application publication), incorporated herein by reference, describes implementations wherein the impedance matching elements have been eliminated between adjacent ferrite elements by careful selection of the width of the waveguide pathway in the region of the ferrite elements and the use of a de minimis air gap (less than a fraction of a wavelength) between the adjacent ferrite elements. That application, however, describes use of conventional quarter wavelength dielectric transformers for those protruding parts of the circulator (which in a Y-shaped element are referred to as legs) not directly adjacent to another protruding part of an adjacent circulator. The '7447 application claims many of the same benefits of improvements in size, loss, and complexity of this new invention, but the prior approach utilizes the symmetry in the adjacent ferrite elements for impedance matching. This technique is only applicable between two adjacent ferrite elements, and the embodiments disclosed therein still utilize the traditional quarter-wave dielectric transformers for impedance matching in the circulator legs that do not face or abut an adjoining ferrite junction. Accordingly, it can be seen that a need yet remains in the art for a circulator with reduced size, weight, and cost and which can avoid the need for separate elements for impedance matching. Therefore, the present invention is directed to providing such a broadband switching circulator wherein performance can be achieved between a ferrite junction and a waveguide port interface without the addition of impedance matching elements.


A method and apparatus for the imaging of a labeled biological sample. The method comprises illuminating the labeled biological sample, generating members of a time series of images if the labeled biological sample, generating a plurality of difference images between later members of the time series of images of earlier members of the time series of images and combining the plurality of difference images to generate a final image of the labeled biological sample.

Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention relates to a method, an apparatus and a computer program product for the imaging of a labeled biological sample.
Brief Description of the Related Art
A number of so-called "super-resolution" imaging technologies have recently emerged. These super-resolution imaging technologies include stimulated emission depletion (STED), photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM). These super-resolution imaging technologies enable the imaging of labeled biological samples, by separating the emission of fluorophore labels attached to the biological samples in space or time, thus overcoming the resolution limit of conventional light microscopes. Methods like PALM and STORM activate only a few of the fluorophore labels, followed by fitting. These methods assume that the emission (fluorescence) comes from a single point. STED achieves this by turning of neighboring ones of the emitters (fluorophores) by using a second, donut-shaped STED laser. Such prior art methods therefore localize only single labeled molecules or use a spatially non-uniform illumination and a non-linear photo-response. Given the impact on biological research, the super-resolution imaging technology has thus gained great attention. Assembly of a super-resolution device and running the super-resolution device or acquiring an integrated solution can be expensive and customized systems have been shown to currently outperform commercial ones.
Confocal laser scanning microscopy is one example of a method for obtaining high resolution optical images of a complex object with a degree of depth selectivity. The complex object can be, but is not limited to, a biological specimen. The optical images of the complex object are acquired by a photo-detection device and are subsequently reconstructed by a computer. This computer reconstruction allows a generation of a 3-D reconstruction of the complex object.
In a confocal laser scanning microscope, a laser light beam passes through an aperture and the laser light beam is subsequently focused by an objective lens into a small volume within or onto a surface of the biological specimen. The biological specimen may be labeled with a fluorophore such as fluorescent molecules, antibodies or fluorescent particles. Labeling of the biological specimen with the fluorophore is particularly common for biological applications of microscopy. Scattered and reflected laser light as well as any fluorescent light from the fluorophore of the labeling of the biological specimen is collected by the objective lens. Consequently a beam splitter separates the collected light based on its spectral characteristic. The collected light is than detected by a sensor, such as a light sensitive device. This light sensitive device used in confocal microscopy is typically a point detector such as a photomultiplier. In a spinning disk microscope the light sensitive device can be a charge coupled device (CCD). Moreover in front of the light sensitive device there may be a filter to allow selective passage of light with a specific fluorescent wavelength whilst blocking the laser light beam of the original wave length (i.e. the scattered and reflected laser light). The light sensitive device transforms the light signal into an electrical signal that is passed to a computer where the electrical signal is stored in an image memory in the computer.
Several examples of imaging systems are known in the art in which a time series of images are made of a particular object and difference images are generated. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,459 teaches a matched filter for x-ray hybrid subtraction in which low energy and high energy x-ray exposures are made before and after an injected x-ray contrast medium arrives at a blood vessel of interest. The '459 patent teaches two different procedures for obtaining a sequence of x-ray images that yield signals or data representative of a hybrid subtraction image. The method of '459 can be used to eliminate signals due to bone and ensure that signals representative of the blood vessel filled with the x-ray contrast medium remain.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,476 teaches a method to detect an object in which two images are taken of a particular object at a different time and one image is subtracted from the other image. The resulting subtracted image is separated into two components: a positive difference image and a negative difference image. The two components are processed to determine whether—the object is present or not. In the example given in the '476 patent, the method is used to inspect solder paste as to whether the object mayor may not be present.

Method and apparatus for the imaging of a labeled biological sample


A method for setting the internal-external rotational position of a prosthetic femoral component with respect to the tibial comprises: forming a cylindrical surface on the posterior femoral condyles. The cylindrical surface is formed about an axis extending in a proximal distal direction with respect to the femur. A template is placed on the distal femur which has a cylindrical guide surface for engaging the posterior femoral condyles. When placed against a planar resected surface of the distal femur the guide surfaces contact the cylindrically shaped posterior condyles. The template is rotated on the cylindrical guide surface as the knee joint is moved from flexion to extension until the template cylindrical guide surfaces are in a position with respect to the tibial condyle surfaces to properly balance the knee ligaments.

The present invention relates generally to a femoral component having curved or radially shaped anterior surface of the posterior condyles and instruments for use in implanting the same and more particularly for instruments for use in balancing the ligaments extending between the femur and tibia.
Structures that made up the knee joint include the distal femur, the proximal tibia, the patella, and the soft tissues within and surrounding the knee joint. Four ligaments are especially important in the functioning of the knee—the anterior cruciate ligament, the posterior cruciate ligament, the medial collateral ligament, and the lateral collateral ligament. In an arthritic knee, protective cartilage at the point of articulation of the femur with the tibia has been worn away to allow the femur to directly contact the tibia. This bone-on-bone contact causes significant pain and discomfort. The primary goals of a knee procedure are to replace the distal end of the femur, the proximal end of the tibia, and often the inner surface of the patella with prosthetic parts to avoid bone-on-bone contact and provide smooth, well-aligned surfaces for joint movement, while also creating a stable knee joint that moves through a wide range of motion.
One of the challenges in knee surgery is to properly balance ligament tension, especially in the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, through a full range of motion of the knee. The collateral ligaments, which connect the distal femur and proximal tibia on the medial and lateral aspects of the knee, account for much of the stability of the knee. If one of the collateral ligaments is too lax or too tight relative to the other collateral ligament, the knee will typically be unstable, range of motion may be limited, the patella may track improperly, and the femur and/or tibia may wear unevenly, leading to arthritis and pain. Uneven ligament tension after knee surgery will typically cause joint instability and poor patellar tracking, limited range of motion, and impaired function of the knee, as well as uneven, increased wear of the prosthetic device, which often necessitates repeat surgery. Thus, it is imperative for the short and long-term success of a knee procedure to achieve balanced ligament tension in the knee through a full range of motion.
The components of a total knee prosthesis may be selected and positioned to balance ligament tension. Since the femoral and tibial components of the prosthesis are attached to cut surfaces of the distal femur and proximal tibia respectively, placement and orientation of the bone cuts are also critically important. Typically, the tibial component of the prosthesis is positioned on a flat, horizontal cut surface of the proximal tibia (at a 90 degree angle relative to the long axis of the tibia), and the position and orientation of the tibial component typically do not vary greatly from knee to knee. Therefore, most of the variation in positioning of the total knee prosthesis typically occurs in positioning the femoral component and the femoral bone cuts. The surgeon makes these femoral bone cuts to achieve a position and orientation of the femoral prosthetic component so as to optimally balance ligament tension through a full range of motion of the knee.

Method for setting the rotational position of a femoral component


A first electrically conductive layer whose thickness is equal to or smaller than the skin depth of the radio wave used for communication, a dielectric layer whose permittivity is changed by application of electric field, and a second electrically conductive layer whose thickness is equal to or smaller than the skin depth of the radio wave used for communication are sequentially stacked near a resonance element which is formed on the front surface of a dielectric substrate having a ground layer formed on the rear surface thereof. The effective permittivity of the dielectric layer is changed in a wide range by changing a voltage applied between the first and second electrically conductive layers to change the electric field applied to the dielectric layer. As a result, the impedance of the resonance element is changed, and when a plurality of resonance elements are arranged closely to each other to construct a filter, the coupling degree between the resonance elements is changed. Therefore, characteristics such as the resonance frequency of the resonator and the pass-band frequency of the filter are controlled by controlling a voltage to be applied.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a high-frequency device used in a communication unit, and more particularly to a resonator or filter or a high frequency device using the resonator or filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
A communication unit for communicating information by wire or radio is constructed by various devices such as an amplifier, mixer, and filter and includes various devices utilizing the resonance characteristic. For example, the filter has a plurality of resonance elements and has a function of permitting passage of signals only in a specified frequency band. The filter is required to have a small insertion loss and a characteristic for inhibiting passage of signals in a frequency band other than the desired frequency band, and in order to meet the requirement, it becomes necessary to use resonance elements having a large unloaded Q value.
As a method for realizing a resonance element having a large unloaded Q value, a method using a superconducting material as a metal conductor constructing the resonance element and using a material such as sapphire or MgO having an extremely small loss as a dielectric substrate is provided. However, in this case, since the unloaded Q value becomes 10,000 or more and an extremely sharp resonance characteristic can be attained, the desired characteristic cannot be attained if the resonance characteristic is not adjusted with high precision at the stage of design.
In order to overcome the above problem, a resonator and a filter having a function of adjusting the resonance frequency is proposed (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 1-190001, hereinafter referred to as Document 1). In this example, the resonance element is constructed by superconductors having two different values of critical magnetic field and the resonance frequency can be changed by adjusting the intensity of the magnetic field applied to the superconductors to deteriorate the superconducting characteristic thereof. However, with this method, it is necessary to use a magnetic generator for providing a strong magnetic field to change the characteristic of the superconductor, thereby making the size of the device large.
As another method, a method using a heater provided near the resonance element formed of a superconductor and deteriorating the superconducting characteristic by heat is known (Y. Nagai, D. F. Hebert and T. Van Duzer, Appl. Phys. Lett, Vol. 63, No. 6.9 August, 1993, p. 830, "Properties of superconductive bandpass filters with thermal switches", hereinafter referred to as Document 2). With this method, the device becomes simple in construction in comparison with the method using the magnetic field as is disclosed in the document 1, but this method has a problem that the operation speed becomes low since it is necessary to supply a current to the heater for heat generation. In order to enhance the operation speed, it is necessary to maintain the environment temperature of the filter at or near the critical temperature T.sub.c of the superconductor. However, it is extremely difficult to maintain such an environment temperature.
Further, in the methods disclosed in the documents 1 and 2, the low loss property of the superconductor is sacrificed by deteriorating the superconducting characteristic of the superconductor. For this reason, there occurs a problem that the low loss property and the adjustable range are in a trade-off relationship.
Further, as a still another method, a method for changing the resonance frequency by providing a gap in the central portion of the transmission line, disposing a dielectric material whose permittivity is changed by application of voltage on the gap portion and applying a voltage to the transmission line is provided (James A. Beall, Ronald H. Ono, David Galt and John C. Price, IEEE MTT-S Digest, 1993, P.1421, "TUNABLE HIGH TEMPERATURE SUPERCONDUCTOR MICROSTRIP RESONATORS", hereinafter referred to as Document 3). However, this method has a problem that only a resonator having a unloaded Q value of 1000 or less can be realized since a gap must be provided at the current maximum point in the central portion of the transmission line used as the resonance element.
Among the conventional techniques for changing the resonance frequency as described above, the technique for changing the resonance frequency by adjusting the intensity of the magnetic field applied to the resonance element including the superconductor and deteriorating the superconducting characteristic thereof requires a magnetic generator for providing a strong magnetic field to change the characteristic of the superconductor and the size of the device becomes large.
Further, in the technique for changing the resonance frequency by heating the superconductor of the resonance element and deteriorating the superconducting characteristic thereof, the operation speed is low and the low loss property of the superconductor is sacrificed.
Further, in the technique for changing the resonance frequency by disposing a dielectric material whose permittivity is changed by application of voltage on the gap portion provided at the center of the transmission line and applying a voltage to the dielectric substance via the transmission line, a resonator having a large unloaded Q value cannot be realized.

Tunable resonance device controlled by separate permittivity adjusting electrodes


A semiconductor device includes a data compression circuit that performs sequential processes based on timings of an external clock signal. The sequential processes include compressing data input in parallel, latching the compressed data, and outputting the latched data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a semiconductor device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device such as a dynamic random access memory which is hereinafter refereed to as a DRAM.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-280106, filed Oct. 30, 2008, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, semiconductor memory devices such as DRAMs have been increasing in its capacity, while increasing the cost for testing wafer. There are techniques to avoid the increase in the cost for testing wafer. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication, No. JP-A-2001-338953 discloses a technique for avoiding the increase in the cost for testing wafer, wherein a plurality of chips is measured at the same time. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication, No. JP-A-2000-11695 discloses a parallel test technique that compresses a plurality of bits into one bit and outputs the compressed bit to the outside of a chip in order to reduce the test time.

Semiconductor device with output buffer control circuit for sequentially selecting latched data


A system for determining a treatment plan in active ion beam treatment, to minimize unwanted dose, while maintaining or improving target dose coverage, whereby a beam is split into at least two sub-beams and where each sub-beam has a range shifter of different settings.

The present invention relates generally to solutions for minimizing unwanted dose in active ion beam radiation treatment of a target volume while maintaining or maximizing target dose coverage. More particularly, the invention relates to a system, and a corresponding method, for determining a treatment plan for active ion beam treatment, such that both unwanted dose minimization and maintained or maximized target dose coverage is obtained. The invention also relates to a computer program and a processor-readable medium.
Radiation treatment typically involves subjecting a target, such as a tumour within a patient, to one or more radiation beams. Ideally, a specific dose should be delivered to the target and minimal radiation should reach the surrounding tissue. In particular, the radiation to critical tissues or organs, such as the heart, brain and bladder, should be minimized, whereby the maximum and minimum doses for various tissues and organs are specified in a set of clinical goals. To verify a calculated radiation dose, the one or more radiation beams may instead be subjected to a verification phantom, in which the delivered dose can be measured.
In the field of radiation therapy treatment planning, treatment planners usually generate a radiation treatment plan, also referred to as a treatment plan, after having knowledge of the to-be-treated target volume in a patient's body by obtaining images of the target volume and surrounding regions, using for example a computer tomography (CT) scanner. The target volume is usually an organ in the patient's body that is affected by a tumour, for example a cancer.
In active scanning ion beam therapy, the ions are delivered in modulated pencil beams, also referred to as spots, grouped in several energy layers within a certain range of treatment energies supported by the machine. The energy limits of the machine will limit the ion range in the beam direction. The upper limit is in most cases sufficiently high to cover the most distal part of the target, while the low energy limit is sometimes too high, which could result in a situation of not being able to cover superficial targets. To be able to cover targets with parts close to the patient surface, range shifters of water-equivalent materials and different thicknesses are used. The range shifters will directly decrease the range of the ions, which is desired. However, a side-effect of the use of range shifters is that the pencil beam size, also referred to as spot size, increases and the lateral penumbra gets worse.
The use of inadequate planning methods often leads to inadequate radiation therapy treatment plans, which in turn leads to poor target dose coverage and/or unwanted dose distribution reaching the surrounding tissue and organs. In worst case, this may lead to the target volume not receiving the required treatment dose and/or damage to critical tissues or organs, such as the heart, the brain etc.
The inventor has therefore found that, in ion beam radiation treatment of a target volume, there is a need for minimizing dose to organs-at-risk (OAR), while maintaining or improving target coverage.
There is further a need for improved parameter generation and generation of a radiation therapy treatment plan without making it more complex or time-consuming for the planner, to allow both more and less experienced planners to produce improved plans, within reasonable time frames.

System and method for determining a treatment plan for active ion beam treatment


A pivot arrangement between a mirror head and a mirror mounting bracket of a rear vision mirror for a motor vehicle which uses a disc spring with a negative spring rate over part of its travel. The disc spring has a height to thickness ratio of greater than √2(1.414).

Conventional foldaway or breakaway mirrors used on the exterior of motor vehicles which rotate about a central spigot require a spring element to keep the mirror stable in a drive position. It is necessary to prevent vibration of the mirror caused by motion of the motor vehicle and wind passing over the mirror.
The same spring element that provides the stability can also, via a detent system, provide a torque to resist accidental displacement of the mirror head under small forces but under large forces the detent arrangement and the spring element force can be overcome to allow the mirror case to rotate about the spigot. This is done primarily to protect the mirror from damage, to protect the third party object that collides with the mirror from damage or to reduce the overall width of the vehicle.
The use of a spring element loaded to prevent vibration and to provide a torque to resist accidental displacement is necessary for both manual fold mirrors and many power fold mirrors. It is independent of the construction of a spigot, whether that be integrated, bayonet or the like, and it is also independent of the detent system used. It is also independent of the type of construction or assembly system used.
A spring used with a preload and detent system for a motor vehicle external mirror goes through a number of different stages during assembly and operation. First the spring has a free length or maximum extension. Next the spring is preloaded during assembly until it is in the drive or installed position. In some systems such as a bayonet assembly the preload position is not the same as the installed or drive position as there may be an intermediate step in the assembly process that overcompresses the spring. During foldaway or breakaway the spring is further compressed to a new position. The displacement of the spring during this foldaway or breakaway compression is referred to as the working stroke. After foldaway or breakaway the mirror can then be reset to the drive position and the spring will return to the installed position.
It should be noted that the process as discussed above is true for manual and power fold systems although some power fold systems do not compress the spring during the power fold cycle but all compress the spring during a manual cycle.
The main aim or target of the spring and detent design is to achieve a minimum spring preload stroke for ease of assembly, to achieve a minimum spring damp force for mirror stability and to achieve a target spring force coupled with the detent system that gives a target breakaway torque for the mirror.
It is generally desirable, however, that once the compression of the spring has occurred to overcome the detent then the spring force applied to the pivot assembly and hence the amount of torque necessary to be applied to rotate the mirror head about the pivot assembly is a minimum at all stages so that there is minimum stress in the system during foldaway and breakaway.
Other aims are to achieve the free rotation torque requirements of the mirror and any park detent torque requirements and upon reset achieve a smooth positive re-engagement in the drive position. It is also desirable to minimise the total package size for styling freedom and reducing mirror extension away from the vehicle by allowing the glass to sweep over the top of the pivot.
In the past spring elements in mirror systems have used coil springs but these generally require a large preload stroke but during breakaway torque increases during rotation until escape is achieved but upon reset they achieve positive re-engagement in the drive position but the action is often violent. Coil springs do not minimise a total package size.
It has also been proposed to use positive spring rate disc springs and while these can minimise preload strokes during foldaway or breakaway tension increases which puts extra loads on the system and during re-engagement into the drive position the action can often be violent.
It is an object of this invention to provide a pivot system and in particular spring loading for a detent system which overcomes one or more of the problems discussed above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia Pty Ltd


The integral type Analog/Digital (AD) converter includes: a comparator configured to compare a reference voltage of a ramp waveform with an input voltage and output a comparison signal; a DLL circuit configured to generate a plurality of clock signals; a delay adjustment circuit configured to delay the comparison signal; a counter configured to count a time from starting of changing of the ramp waveform to the inversion of the outputting from the delay adjustment circuit and output the counted result as a high-order bit; and a TDC configured to latch and decode the plurality of clock signals when the output of the delay adjustment circuit is inverted and output the latched and decoded result as a low-order bit, wherein the TDC starts an operation thereof by the inversion of the comparison signal, and stops the operation thereof by the inversion of the output signal of the delay adjustment circuit.

An example of an integral type Analog/Digital (AD) converter used in a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, etc. is a single slope type AD converter. The single slope type AD converter compares an analog input voltage and a reference voltage having a ramp waveform linearly changed according to a time using a comparator, counts a time until an output of the comparator is inverted using a counter circuit, and outputs the counted result as a digital value.
An example of a technology of further speeding up the AD converter or further improving a precision of the AD converter is a technology of performing AD conversion by measuring a time when the output of the comparator is inverted in more detail using a Time to Digital Converter (TDC) and outputting the measured time together with the output of the counter.
For example, an integral type AD converter 101 disclosed in Non Patent Literature 1 includes a comparator 10, a counter 30, a TDC 140 and a Delay Locked Loop (DLL) 50 as illustrated in FIG. 11. An operation of the integral type AD converter 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 12. In the integral type AD converter 101, the comparator 10 compares an analog signal yin with a reference signal ramp having a ramp waveform linearly changed according to a time and outputs the compared result as an output voltage vcomp. As illustrated in FIG. 12A, the reference signal ramp is linearly changed according to a passing of time, and a magnitude relation between the analog input signal yin and the reference signal ramp is reversed at a time point tinv. An output vcomp of the comparator 10 is inverted at the time point tinv. The counter 30 counts a time up to the time point tinv based on a reference clock signal which is input, and outputs the counted result as an output result out2.
FIG. 12(b) illustrates a portion obtained by enlarging a portion around a time point tinv of FIG. 12(a). The TDC 140 measures a time period t within a period T corresponding to a reference clock, which is configured from a starting time point of the period T to the time point tinv, and outputs the measured result as an output result out1. A detailed measuring method will be described with reference to FIG. 13. The DLL 50 outputs four clock signals CLKA, CLKB, CLKC and CLKD having the same frequency as that of a reference clock signal, and having different phases each of which is changed by 45 degrees. The TDC 140 latches values of the four clock signals CLKA, CLKB, CLKC and CLKD at the time point tinv when the output of the comparator 10 is inverted. For example, in FIG. 13, a magnitude relation between the analog input signal yin and the reference signal ramp is reversed at the time point tinv, and the output vcomp of the comparator 10 is inverted. At this time, the clock signal CLKA is in a high level zone, the clock signals CLKB, CLKC and CLKD are in a low level zone, and the values of the clock signals CLKA, CLKB, CLKC and CLKD are latched. As described above, the TDC 140 measures a time of the time point tinv within one clock period in a time unit more minutely than the one clock period, using phase information indicating whether each of the clock signals CLKA, CLKB, CLKC and CLKD is in the high level zone or in the low level zone.
Further, an AD converter disclosed in Patent Literature 1 also includes the comparator 10, the counter 30, and the TDC 140, and performs the same processing as that of the integral type AD converter 101 disclosed in Non-Patent Literature 1.

Integral A/D converter and CMOS image sensor

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY


A method and system for suspending log-based updates to a database in a manner that permits resumption of log-based updating without reinitializing the database. The method and system thereby permit efficient alternation between a log-based update mode and a database access mode. Unplayed log records are protected as revisions of database pages at the time that the log-based update was suspended. This approach permits log-based updating to resume at the same point at which log-based updating was suspended. In order to ensure consistent data for access while in database access mode, a roll-back procedure creates consistent data pages that are used for access and discarded when log-based update resumes.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to database access techniques, and in particular, to a method for providing read-only access to content of a database by suspending a log-based update mode in a manner that enables resumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
Availability of data in databases is of primary concern for database managers and users. The ability to access data for numerous purposes is becoming increasingly important, and there are increasing numbers of access techniques for retrieving useful information from databases.
Providing many users with access to a large database, requires equipment adapted to handle a volume of data input and output (I/O). The rate at which this I/O is provided and the number of concurrent access requests are major factors affecting a response time of the database system. Response time is another factor considered important by database managers and users.
A third concern of many database managers is disaster recovery. Many large database systems have disaster recovery systems in place to handle a primary database failure, and to provide a backup in case data is corrupted by human error, etc. Many of these disaster recovery systems require one or more backup copies of the database to be saved. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a primary database server 10a having a buffer pool 12a, and disk storage 14a for holding the primary data; a secondary database server 10b having similar components, for storing the backup data; and a database management workstation 16, all interconnected by a packet network 18. The primary database server 10a may be a very busy entity having hundreds of users concurrently updating and retrieving data.
Generally the procedures for copying data from the primary disk storage 14a to the backup disk storage 14b is relatively expensive in terms of I/O, and in some cases, it requires exclusionary access to the primary database server 10a, resulting in a temporarily unavailable primary database. While known mirroring techniques greatly improve this process, duplication of the primary data is still a hardware-intensive process. Given the desire to minimize interruption of availability of the primary database server 10a, and occupation of the I/O hardware, it is therefore known to copy the data once, at a time=t, and then use logs of changes made to the primary database after time=t to update the backup database thereafter. The backup data is maintained concurrent with the primary data to within a guarded temporal lag. After the log of transactions effected at the primary database is created, it is forwarded to the backup database server 10b, in a procedure known as log shipping.
Log shipping is well known in the art. In accordance with common practice, every time the primary database is changed, the transaction is recorded in a log, which is usually stored for audit purposes, etc. Copies are made of this log, and shipped to the backup database server 10b. After a certain time delay, the logs are "replayed" at the backup database, unless processing is interrupted, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
As previously noted, each log record defines an action that has been applied to a database object at the primary database server 10a. A log record is retrieved (often in parallel with other log records), and is read (step 50). It is subsequently determined (in step 52) if the transaction of which the log record is a part is open. If the transaction is not open, a procedure for opening the transaction is executed (step 54). All pages that are included in the database object identified in the log record are retrieved from the default page locations to the buffer pool (unless they are currently instantiated at the buffer pool), in step 56. In step 58, the page(s) are retrieved and updated, so that the previous changes to the primary data are then made to the backup data. Once the log record replay is complete, it is determined, in step 60, whether the transaction is now ready to be committed, and if it is the transaction is completed (step 62). Actions necessary to record the effect of the log record are then effected, in step 64. In some embodiments a log sequence number (LSN) may be updated on the retrieved page(s) so that the page indicates a last completed transaction applied thereto, a completion log may be updated and the status of the page may otherwise be updated. If another record exists in the update log, this procedure is repeated by returning to step 50.
At any time during this replay process a stop command may be issued (step 66). The stop command may be issued in response to an error condition, a failure, a user input from the management workstation 16, or a programmed response. For example, if the log is empty, or a database manager issues a stop command, the process will halt. If the log is empty, the stop command will likely be issued after step 56, or after step 50, depending on program implementation.
These log record updates may be made in parallel, using known concurrent processing techniques. Consequently many (active) transactions may be ongoing at any given time. When a stop command is issued, in step 66, all active transactions are halted. Each of the active transactions is rolled-back (step 68), in a manner well known in the art. Basically, rolling back a transaction involves undoing changes to the pages that the transaction's log records affect.
As each transaction is either rolled-back or committed, the database after the rollback procedure of step 68, is in a consistent state. In step 70, abort logs and compensation logs are appended to the transaction log, overwriting any log records following a current log record. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, compensation log records are written to indicate the actions taken to undo the changes to the pages effected by the log records of active transactions. Abort records are written to indicate which log records have been stopped.
The backup database is now taken out of update mode, and can be accessed. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the data in a consistent state can be used for many purposes. More particularly the backup data may be used for any procedure that requires a substantial amount of I/O resources, and therefore cannot be performed at the primary database server 10a without incurring unacceptable performance penalties. For example, generating month-end forms often requires collation of a substantial amount of data, as does creating charts and performing data manipulation operations to generate desired output. Month end forms are much more expeditiously generated using a copy of the database than by retrieving the data piecemeal, and reassembling the data at a workstation. Copies of databases in the consistent state may also be used for myriad database analysis procedures, for model and system testing and design, etc.
Once the work has been completed, or desired parts of the backup data has been copied to a third location where the work will be completed, the backup database is returned to service as the backup to the primary data. In accordance with known techniques, the current backup database is erased, and a new copy of the primary data is taken at time=t, and copied to the disk storage 14b (step 72). The records of transactions applied to the primary data after time=t are then forwarded to the backup database. The backup database may therefore be returned to the log-based update mode (step 74), and thus receive the records of transactions, and continues replaying the data as before.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, recopying the primary data to the backup system is a time consuming operation that requires considerable I/O, resources (and network bandwidth when the secondary is not directly connected to the primary). Nonetheless, current highly robust methods for updating data do not terminate in a manner that permits the recommencement of the update process because versions of changed and undone pages that are needed for recovery, and the log records themselves, cannot be recovered. Accordingly there exists a need for a method and system for suspending a log-based update of a database, that permits resumption of the update process.

Method and apparatus for interrupting updates to a database to provide read-only access

International Business Machines Corporation


In a position detecting apparatus, a magnetic scale part has a magnetic pattern formed by magnetization along a longitudinal direction. An increased magnetization part is arranged at an end portion of the magnetic scale part in the longitudinal direction. The increased magnetization part is magnetized with an increased intensity of magnetization as compared to the magnetic scale part. A magnetic field shaping part is disposed adjacent to the magnetic scale part for shaping a magnetic field generated from the magnetic scale part. A magnetic detection part detects both the magnetic field from the magnetic pattern of the magnetic scale part and the magnetic field from the increased magnetization part. The magnetic detection part is arranged in opposed relation to the magnetic scale part movably in the longitudinal direction of the magnetic scale part. The magnetic pattern and the increased magnetization part are arranged along a track through which the magnetic detection part moves.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a position detector, and more particularly to a position detector using a magnetic scale member.
2. Description of the Related Art
A magnetic scale sensing apparatus using a position detector (magnetic scale), which includes a magnetic sensor using a magnetoresistance (MR) element or the like and a scale member which is magnetically patterned, has been known as an origin detection device of a magnetic encoder.
To determine the position of the magnetic sensor, the magnetic scale sensing apparatus needs to detect the position of an origin of the scale. In one known origin detection method, a magnetic mark for origin detection is provided in a channel different from that of the scale member, and the origin is determined by detecting the magnetic mark (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the conventional method of detecting the origin point, a magnetic mark for origin point detection is provided on a separate channel, hence a magnetic sensor for detecting the origin point must be provided separately from another magnetic sensor for scaling.
The magnetic scale sensing is applied, for example, to a slide control used for setting parameters corresponding to filter characteristics or frequency characteristics of input and output signals, or parameters for adjusting input and output levels in a mixing console (for example, see Patent Document 2).
When the magnetic scale sensing is applied to a slide control, for example, a magnetic sensor is mounted on a moving block and a magnetic pattern is detected as the moving block is moved in a movement guide carrying a magnetic scale member having the magnetic pattern. The position of the moving block, the amount of movement, and the direction of movement thereof are determined based on the detection of the magnetic pattern, and parameters are set based on the determination.
The magnetic scale sensing can achieve highly accurate detection while the position detector decreases in size. However, difficulties in managing the gap between the magnetic scale and the magnetic sensor are on the rise. The gap between the magnetic scale and the magnetic sensor that is mounted movable relative to the magnetic scale must decrease as the pitch (interval) between poles of the magnetic scale decreases.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 6-84893
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-332074
[Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-53915
[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-148842
[Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-195367
[Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-227055
In the conventional method of detecting the origin point, a magnetic mark for origin point detection is provided on a separate channel, hence a magnetic sensor for detecting the origin point must be provided separately from another magnetic sensor for scaling, thereby causing problems such as over-size of the position detector which causes enlargement of appliances using the position detector and increase of costs.
Generally, since the position detector is constructed such that the magnetic sensor moves relative to the magnetic scale, the position detector needs clearance (allowance) for movement. Slidability is degraded if the clearance is set to be as small as possible, whereas loss of sensing pulses or jouncing may occur if the clearance is set too large.
Therefore, it is necessary to set appropriate clearance when setting the magnetic scale and the magnetic sensor. However, the gap between the magnetic scale and the magnetic sensor opposing each other may be reduced below a critical level due to a variety of reasons such as uneven clearance within a slide range due to aging. In this case, it is difficult to obtain a resolution of signals having a logic value "0" or "1" when employing a method in which an origin, which is a Z phase representing the reference point of the magnetic scale, and A and B phases, which are signals that are 90 degrees out of phase and are produced by reading pitches magnetically recorded on the scale, are detected together. That is, the logic value may be erroneously kept at "1" or may be kept at "0."
Taking into consideration these circumstances, one can consider increasing the gap between the magnetic scale and the magnetic sensor and decreasing the magnetic intensity (magnetization) of the magnetic scale in order to perform appropriate sensing. However, these solutions are susceptible to external magnetic disturbance. In addition, the gap between the magnetic scale and the magnetic sensor needs to decrease as the accuracy of the position detector increases and the size thereof decreases as described above. Further, when the magnetic scale is weakly magnetized, the magnetic scale is very susceptible to disturbance such as magnetic fields produced by a magnet located near the magnetic scale, for example, the magnetic scale is easily demagnetized and the magnet of the magnetic scale is weakened or directed sideways due to disturbance. Accordingly, it is necessary to magnetize the magnetic scale in a full range (i.e., to magnetize the magnetic scale so as to maximize the area of a hysteresis loop of magnetization). Furthermore, if the gap between the magnetic scale and the magnetic sensor is simply set to be small and the magnetization of the magnetic scale is simply set to be large, then the magnetic sensor may oppose the magnetic scale with its magnetic sensitivity being within a saturation range and it is thus difficult to obtain sufficient signal resolution.


A Hall-type ion source for generation of ion beams for technological applications presents itself a hybrid ion source, where properties of closed drift systems and end-Hall ion sources are combined for more efficient operation. An ion source has shorter central magnetic pole than regular closed drift ion source with magnetic screens that provide positive magnetic gradient in an ion source's discharge channel. An ion source with these combined properties has higher ratio of ion beam current to discharge current than end-Hall ion source and wider range of discharge parameters than closed drift ion source.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to technology of ion and plasma sources, and more particularly to Hall-type ion sources producing high-current ion beams that can be utilized in thin film processing technology. Historically, thrusters, or accelerators of ions were utilized for space application to move, or stabilize space satellites since early 70-ies. Ion sources that can be considered a spin-off of electric propulsion thrusters have the same operational principles. However, they do not need to be light and efficient as thrusters; they need to accelerate ions, produce high ion beam currents with regulated ion beam mean energy, be efficient in vacuum etching, deposition, in assisting to certain physical processes involving interaction of sputtered particles with surface of a substrate. Hall current in ion and plasma sources is a result of interaction of electrical charge carriers—electrons and ions caused by separate direction of electric and magnetic fields. Change of conditions leading to a value of charged particles density by a value and geometry of magnetic field, shape of electrodes and discharge channel leads to separation of charged particles caused by particles different trajectories and appearance of Hall current, which is directed to a normal to vectors of electric field, E and magnetic field, B.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For technological applications, one of Hall-type ion sources was introduced in 1989 in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,032 by Kaufman, et al., which in 2003 was modified in form of a modular ion source by Kaufman, U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,431 B1. This ion source also considered as gridless ion source with a discharge chamber determined by a conical shape of a hollow anode, and also called an end-Hall ion source with a circular discharge region and only an outside boundary. In 2003 Sainty obtained a U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,301 B2 called "Ion Source". This patent has a very similar concept and design of a Hall ion source as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,032 by Kaufman et al., and practically the same conical shape of a hollow anode, with some minor changes such as a gas distributing system (reflector), which in Sainty's patent is at an anode potential. In Kaufman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,032, and in Kaufman U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,431 B1 a gas distributing system is at floating potential. These publications are incorporated herein by reference.
In general, among gridless ion sources there are two most common types of ion sources, both also called as Hall ion sources: a closed drift ion source with annular discharge chamber and an end-Hall ion source with a circular discharge chamber occupied mostly by a hollow anode of a conical shape. However, for a distinction, the first one will be called a closed-drift ion source and the second one, an end-Hall ion source. Both types of ion sources utilize a Hall effect that playing a major role in acceleration of ions.
Ion sources with closed electron drift have been utilized from early seventies, since appearance in space of first Russian thrusters with closed electron drift in 1972. A detailed review of closed drift ion sources/thrusters features, which is applied to any Hall-current sources, is described by Zhurin, et al., in article "Physics of Closed Drift Thrusters" in Plasma Sources Science & Technology, Vol. 8 (1999), beginning on page R1. This publication is incorporated herein by reference.
Such ion sources operate in a following way. Working gas supplied into a channel close to anode is ionized by electrons moving under impact of electric field from cathode to anode in a radial magnetic field. In a traditional performance, an ion source comprises of anode, cathode, discharge chamber with accelerating channel, a magnetic system with magnetic poles, magnetic means provided by electromagnetic coils, or permanent magnets, a central core and a magnetic path. A magnetic system is designed in a way that in an annular accelerating channel a mainly radial magnetic field is realized. An electric potential is applied between anode and cathode, and an electric field in a discharge channel is directed approximately parallel to an ion sources axis. A working gas, which must be ionized, is supplied into a discharge channel through anode. Though it is possible, and used frequently, working gas is applied through a separate gas distributor, regularly placed under anode area, and from this area a working gas is directed into an anode area.
In closed drift ion sources, there are two main types of ion sources distinguished with length and material of a discharge channel. One type, called a magnetic layer ion source, which has a discharge channel length that is greater than its width and usually has discharge channel made of dielectric material; though, there are types of a magnetic layer ion source that discharge channel walls made of a conducting material. The other type, called an anode layer ion source has a discharge region length that is less than its width and its walls made of conducting material. Both sources have very similar characteristic performance with some non-fundamental differences.
In Hall ion sources a magnetic field value is selected in such a way that Larmour radii for electrons, rLe and ions, rLi calculated through energy corresponding to applied potential difference satisfy to a condition: rLe<<L<<rLi, where L is a characteristic dimension of an acceleration region in an ion source's discharge channel. In Hall ion sources a cyclotron frequency of electrons, ωe must be greater than a frequency of electron collisions, ν with other particles and discharge channel walls, i.e. ωe>>ν=1/τe, where τe is an average time between electron collisions with other particles and discharge channel walls. That is why so-called Hall parameter, ωeτe that utilized for a characterization of electron magnetization is ωeτe>>1.
The condition for magnetization of electron component in plasma (ωeτe>>1) and, at the same time, an ion component is not magnetized (ωiτI<<1) means that a determining process in closed drift ion sources is an ion current motion in a discharge region, and an electric field is "suspended" on a magnetized electron component. In end-Hall ion and some other types of ion sources, electrons in certain areas of discharge channel occupied by plasma (at exit in end-Hall ion sources) can be only partially magnetized. In such cases, Hall effect leads to a change of direction of electron motion and to a corresponding change of volumetric forces forming and accelerating plasma flow. Hall parameter, βe determines a relative value of a Hall electromotive force and influence of a magnetic field on plasma electric conductivity, σ:βe=EHall/E==|j×B|/[(1/σ)|j|en]=σB/en=ωeτe. With the increase of a Hall parameter, ωeτe a motion of charged particles across of a magnetic field becomes more difficult and particles begin to drift with a velocity, ν=(E×B)/B2, or in mutually orthogonal fields, E and B. A drift velocity can be determined through a ratio of electric and magnetic fields, νdrift=E/B.
In closed-drift and in certain area of end-Hall ion sources a primary motion of electrons is in azimuthal direction. Because an azimuthal electron velocity is significantly higher than a longitudinal electron velocity component, electron trajectories are almost closed. And this determines a name of a first one: a source (or a thruster) with a closed electron drift.
End-Hall ion sources also can be called sources with closed electron drift, however, a situation here is different. A Larmour electron radius, rLe is smaller than L, but only at a gas distributor/reflector, where a magnetic field usually is quite strong. In existing end-Hall ion sources this value is from 600 to 1000 G. And a magnetic field in this area has mainly an axial direction. Magnetic field decreases significantly from a gas distributing area and at the discharge channel's exit it is only about 50–60 G. In general, in existing closed-drift ion sources, a magnetic circuit is designed in such a way that a magnetic field increases from anode to a discharge channel's exit. The best efficient operating closed drift ion sources have a magnetic maximum optimum value of about 200–450 G for Argon and 450–750 G for xenon. In end-Hall ion sources the applied magnetic field lines are mainly axial at the top of gas distributing system-reflector and are mainly radial at exit of discharge channel, close to an external magnetic pole. The end-Hall ion sources have a negative magnetic gradient and the closed-drift ion sources have a positive magnetic gradient in a discharge channel.
In a process of ion sources operation, a motion of electrons takes place from cathode to anode region and to anode itself, this motion is accompanied by collisions with atoms of working material, with ions, with discharge chamber walls and due to discharge oscillations. As it was above noted, ions are practically not magnetized and they move mainly along applied electric field and are accelerated in this field. A flow of ions "captures" necessary number of electrons produced by an external source of electrons, so these ions become neutralized and together they develop a plasma flow.
Since electrons drifting in an azimuthal direction neutralize an ion volumetric charge in an ion source's discharge channel, in closed drift and end-Hall ion sources there is no limit for an ion beam current by a space electric charge. This feature is a significant advantage of closed-drift and end-Hall ion sources in comparison with electrostatic or so-called gridded ion sources.
Because electrons in magnetic field are moving along magnetic field lines relatively free before their collisions with neutral atoms, in a first approximation it is possible to consider the surfaces going through magnetic field lines in an azimuthal direction as surfaces of equal potential. This is one of major ideas in a possibility and necessity to control and focus an ion flow through a selection of a corresponding configuration of magnetic field lines.
In both types of ion sources, end-Halls and closed-drift types it is necessary to have a source of electrons to start a discharge and ionization of a working gas. Analysis of discharge at low pressure (rarefied regimes, P≦1 mtorr) and moderate discharge voltages (50–1000 V) and currents (1–20 A) shows that from about 50 to 350 V a discharge represents itself so-called a non-self-sustained discharge and from about 350 V and higher it represents a self-sustained discharge. It means that, in order to maintain a discharge in a discharge channel of these ion sources, it is necessary to provide a source of electrons at discharge voltages under about 350 V. For ion sources with operating discharge voltages over 350 V it is necessary to start discharge and after its beginning it can maintain itself providing electrons from small sparks in vacuum chamber and ion source's discharge chamber itself.
Hot filaments and hollow cathode electron sources are generally used as cathodes in closed drift and end-Hall ion sources. Hot filaments, which utilize a tantalum and tungsten wire, can produce electron currents from about 0.1 A to about 30 A. Modern hollow cathode-neutralizers make possible to obtain electron currents from 0.5 A to 75–100 A with a flow of working material that in 10–50 times lower than in an ion source itself. However, there are other types of cathodes that can be utilized for neutralization of Hall-current ion source's ion beam, such as a "plasma bridge" and a "cold hollow cathode", a device utilizing a glow discharge in a longitudinal magnetic field.
One of the most distinguished features of a U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,032 by Kaufman, et al., as it was above mentioned, is that a magnetic field strength decreases in a direction from anode to cathode: page 2, lines 55–59; page 10, claim 1, lines 60–64; page 11, claim 4, lines 55–59. This provision is very distinct and emphasized through the whole patent and makes it, as was above mentioned, an ion source with a negative gradient of magnetic field. And this particular feature, a decreased value of a magnetic field along an ion source's discharge region, substantially reduces a range of operation conditions of an end-Hall ion source, especially in the range of discharge voltages over 300 V, and can be considered as a major shortcoming of that type of ion source.
There are other important shortcomings of existing end-Hall ion sources caused by a negative magnetic gradient of magnetic field in a discharge channel of such an ion source. These are the following shortcomings that necessary to mention:
a) An ion beam current, Ib is only about 20–25% of a discharge current, Id or Ib/Id≈0.2–0.25, because the conditions for efficient ionization of atomic particles in a discharge chamber do not exist;
b) Ratio of equivalent mass flow current, Im (Im=ema/M, where e is electron charge, ma is working gas mass flow, and M is working gas atomic mass) of consumed mass flow to an ion beam current, Im/Ib≧1.2, which means that at low discharge currents (Id<5 A) and high mass flows, the most portions of working gas is not utilized efficiently. However, at higher discharge currents (Id>5 A)Im/Ib≦1.2, meaning that a certain portions of working gas is double ionized particles. For good efficient operation of ion source an ion beam current and equivalent mass flow current must be close to each other, or Im/Ib≈1.
b) A gas-distributor, called sometime as a reflector, which is usually under a floating potential (it assumes plasma potential of a discharge channel), as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,032 by Kaufman et al., or at anode potential, as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,301 B2 by Sainty, has very short time. Its central part is bombarded by energetic ions that are a part of a whole anode flow that, in general, is moving outside of a discharge chamber but some substantial parts are moving in opposite direction, to a gas distributor. In result, in a central part of a gas-distributor/reflector after about 10–20 hours of operation at discharge currents, Id≧5 A, and Vd≈150 V, there can be observed either a hole, or a big chunk of material is removed by sputtering from a central part of a gas-distributor, depending on discharge parameters. This shortcoming feature is not only forces to frequently substitute gas-distributors, but their sputtering contaminates process's targets and substrates by a gas-distributor's material, because after an ion bombardment sputtered particles move out of discharge chamber and become deposited all over a vacuum chamber and other parts.
c) Existing end-Hall ion sources have problems in operation at discharge voltages over 300 V. High amplitudes of discharge current and oscillations are developed and prevent normal discharge process making a range of operation insufficient for certain necessary conditions in many cases in technology: discharge currents should be over 10 A and discharge voltages should be 1000–1500 V. Such operation conditions, with high discharge currents and voltages significantly enhance sputtering and deposition. The developed oscillations are explained by a configuration of a magnetic field that decreases from anode to cathode, or a negative gradient of a radial magnetic field.
d) An ion beam coming out of end-Hall ion source is very divergent: due to a decreasing magnetic field, and due to a design of an end-Hall ion source that has an external magnetic pole piece placed quite wide following an anode's conical shape.
Thin film deposition in many cases requires ion assisting of low energy ion sources. Magnetic field configuration with strong axial component of magnetic field makes possible for end-Hall type ion sources to operate at discharge voltages, Vd lower than 100 V, at 40–50 V with Argon and at 20–30 V with Xenon. Closed drift ion sources with strong radial component of magnetic field at ion source's exit make possible to start discharge at voltages from 100 V to over 1000 V with practically all working gases. A combination of both types of ion sources helps to extend a range of operating conditions.
A B-E (magnetic-electric fields) discharge should effectively combine several functions: to prevent direct motion of electrons from cathode to anode, forcing electrons to drift to anode in closed loops, to generate and accelerate ions in a discharge channel. In general, a B-E discharge always has oscillations and instabilities of main operating parameters: discharge current, Id and voltage, Vd. Oscillations and instabilities were found by researchers from the beginning of studying closed-drift and end-Hall ion sources and thrusters. However, most instabilities and oscillations actually is a part of normal operation of ion sources. And, a presence of oscillations in plasma with intensity that does not exceed certain critical value, even if they lead to a partial decrease of efficiency of ion production, can provide stable operation of ion source in regimes that could not be realized otherwise. However, instabilities and oscillations that become about 100% of discharge current, Id and voltage, Vd can destroy normal discharge and extinguish ion source operation.
In general, there are many different types of oscillations accompanying B-E discharge. Among them there are several groups of the most prominent and important oscillations that can disrupt normal operation of an ion source. More detailed information about oscillations in B-E discharge can be found in a mentioned article by Zhurin, et al., "Physics of Closed Drift Thrusters" in Plasma Sources Science & Technology, Vol. 8 (1999), beginning on Page R1. These oscillations are:
Contour oscillations are longitudinal oscillations with a characteristic frequency of 1–30 kHz. Their mechanism is due to instability of ionization region in a discharge area. These oscillations are most intense oscillations and at the regimes with developed oscillations of this type there are observed a 100% modulations of discharge parameters. Contour oscillations can be suppressed by a correct configuration of a magnetic field, discharge voltage, working mass flow, and parameters of power supply.
Ionization oscillations have maximum frequencies in a range of tens to hundreds of kHz. These oscillations are caused by an azimuthal wave traveling in a direction of electron drift; they are connected with an ionization wave of a working material. This instability appears beginning from a certain critical value of a parameter IdB/ma (where Id is a discharge current, B is a magnetic field, and ma is a working material mass flow); with a growth of this parameter an amplitude of a discharge voltage increases achieving 15–25% of a nominal discharge voltage. Ionization instability can be decreased substantially with a higher discharge current, when a regime of complete ionization is observed.
Flight oscillations are characterized by a broad spectrum of frequencies in a range of 100 kHz up to 10 MHz and they correspond to an ion flight time through a discharge channel. Amplitude of flight oscillations can achieve 20–30% of value of discharge parameters. Plasma potential and particles density are pulsed along an ion source synchronously; however, these oscillations are non-symmetrical along azimuth, and this leads to development of alternating electric fields. Plasma turbulence increases with appearance of flight oscillations.
Spoke-type oscillations. Every type of ion source always has a certain range of optimum operation parameters such as discharge current, Id and voltage, Vd, working material (gas) mass flow, ma, magnetic field, B. Before an ion source starts operation in optimum regime, at a low-voltage part of volt-ampere characteristics of discharge there always takes place an ionization instability of a spoke type that rotates in an azimuthal direction with a constant velocity, vφ≈cvEz/Br, where cv is a constant in a range of 0.4–0.8. A structure of this oscillation wave (20–60 kHz) is characterized by an increased electron concentration, ne.
High-frequency oscillations are typically in a range of 1–100 MHz. They are hybrid azimuthal oscillations developed in an ion source with a negative gradient of a magnetic field. These oscillations are harmful for end-Hall type ion source in a whole discharge channel and in closed drift ion sources they are important at an ion source's exit, where magnetic field changes from positive to negative gradient.
The most intensive are contour oscillations. These oscillations are also a problem for end-Hall type ion sources, where a magnetic field decreases in a discharge region. Such oscillations lead to a substantial divergence of ion flow, to sputtering of a discharge channel, to unnecessary discharge channel's heating.
Due to great importance for solution of oscillation problem for optimization of processes in closed drift and Hall-type ion sources, it is necessary to use different ways for stabilization and suppression of instabilities. Besides of above mentioned article by Zhurin, et al., "Physics of Closed Drift Thrusters" in Plasma Sources Science & Technology, Vol. 8, beginning on page R1, there are many other studies devoted to oscillation problem in ion and plasma ion sources/thrusters such as Zhurin, et al., "Dynamic Characteristics of Closed Drift Thrusters", published at 23rd International Electric Propulsion Conference, Sep. 13–16, 1993, IEPC-93-095, beginning on page 1, and Randolph, et al., "The Mitigation of Discharge Oscillations in the Stationary Plasma Thruster", published at 30th AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference, Jun. 27–29, 1994, beginning on page 1. These publications are also incorporated herein by reference.
A fundamental criterion for suppression of instabilities in Hall-current closed drift ion sources/thrusters was introduced by Morozov in article "On Equilibrium and Stability of Flows in Accelerators with Closed Electron Drift" in Russian publication "Plasma Accelerators", Proceeding of 1st All-Union Conference on Plasma Accelerators, Moscow, Publishing House "Mashinostroenie", 1973, beginning on page 85, that in Hall-current ion sources/thrusters with closed electron drift, in order to have a flow with suppressed oscillations, it is necessary to utilize in a discharge channel a magnetic field with a positive magnetic gradient: ∂Br/∂x>0. Morozov's publication is incorporated herein by reference. In above mentioned article by Zhurin, et al., in an article "Physics of Closed Drift Thrusters" in Plasma Sources & Technology, Vol. 8, on page R8 there is information about this stability criterion.

High-efficient ion source with improved magnetic field


When a user requests a RAM or other semiconductor memory to be compiled with a number of rows that is not a power of two, the compiler creates the RAM with one extra row. The rows requested by the user are placed at contiguous row addresses starting at zero and ending at one less than the number of rows requested. The highest of these row addresses is placed permanently in a comparator by the compiler. The comparator then compares each row address input to the RAM to the row address contained in the comparator. If the row address input is higher, then the comparator selects the extra row. The extra row can be written into or read from in the same manner as any other row in the RAM. The delay of the comparator is comparable to the delay of the address decoder, so that the RAM operates within the same specifications regardless of whether the address decoder selects a row or the comparator selects the extra row.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an illegal address detector for semiconductor memories, and more particularly to an illegal address detector for semiconductor memories having word depths that are not a power of two.
2. State of the Art
Semiconductor memories have conventionally been designed to include a number of memory words that is a power of two, since an address input having n address lines maybe used to uniquely address 2.sup.n memory words. In custom integrated circuit design where user requirements are well-known, it is not uncommon for a particular application to require a number of memory words greater than a power of two but considerably less than a next power of two. In such an instance, space savings may be realized by designing the memory to have only the number of memory words required such that space that would have otherwise been used for additional memory words to reach the next power of two may be devoted to other purposes. Custom design of semiconductor memories may be readily performed using computer-aided design tools known as memory compilers.
When a semiconductor memory is designed to have a number of memory words that is not a power of two, provision must be made for the user's inadvertently addressing memory locations that do not exist in the memory. Otherwise, the output of the memory will be unpredictable, and in the extreme case, damage to the semiconductor memory may even result. In memories using precharged bit lines, for example, if a word that does not exist in the memory is addressed, the bits lines both remain high, and may float from their precharged high state to unpredictable values. Even if the semiconductor memory remains unharmed, higher power consumption nevertheless results.
One possible solution to this problem would be to add a circuit that would sense the floating bit lines and pull one of them low. Such a circuit incurs a speed penalty, however, in that it slows down the normal operation of the memory. Time must be allowed for one of the bit lines to go low before the circuit can begin to sense that this has not happened and that one of the bit lines must be pulled low. If the memory is being operated at top speed, such a circuit, although it may solve the problem of higher power consumption, is unable to solve the problem of unpredictable outputs from the memory.
What is needed then, is a simple, easily compiled circuit that may be included in semiconductor memories having a word depth not equal to a power of two to make the memory outputs predictable, and to make the memory operate within the same specifications (power, speed, etc.) no matter what address is applied.

Illegal address detector for semiconductor memories


The present invention provides a treatment agent composition for fiber products capable of producing an exceptional odor-eliminating and odor-preventing effect against various odors. This treatment agent composition for fiber products comprises: (A) highly branched cyclic dextrin; (B) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an amine compound having within each molecule one to three C10-26 hydrocarbon groups optionally split with an ester group or an amide group, a salt of the amine compound, and a quaternized form of the amine compound; and (C) at least one compound selected from (C-1)-(C-3) below: (C-1) a fatty acid expressed by RaCOOH (Ra is a fatty acid represented by a C8-35 alkyl or alkenyl group), (C-2) a silicone compound, and (C-3) an aliphatic alcohol represented by RbOH (Rb is an aliphatic alcohol represented by a C8-35 alkyl or alkenyl group).

For removing offensive odors from textile goods and preventing the textile goods from smelling bad, various trials have conventionally been made to reduce the offensive odors by means of sensuous deodorization, physical deodorization, chemical deodorization, biological deodorization and the like. Although technical improvements have been still introduced, there is no satisfactory solution for deodorization in the present circumstances. Therefore, the need for more effective deodorization of textile goods has been still high.
The respective deodorizing or odor preventing methods are based on different deodorizing or odor preventing mechanisms. For example, the sensuous deodorization is a method to make a person insensitive to offensive odors by taking advantage of fragrance or the like. However, some offensive odors may become more striking. The physical deodorization is a method to prevent the release of bad smells by trapping the odor constituting ingredients into some molecules or pores existing on the base material. However, silica and cyclodextrin, which are conventionally used for physical deodorization may not work to take in the ingredients of bad odors in some cases. The chemical deodorization is a method to cause a chemical reaction with the ingredients constituting bad odors, thereby weakening the malodors or converting the odor-constituting ingredients into odor-free ingredients. However, bad odors have various ingredients, some of which may not be subject to any chemical reaction. The biological deodorization is a method to control bad odors resulting from decomposition of sweat or the like by decreasing the number of bacteria and preventing the growth of bacteria on the skin. However, this method does not work when the bacteria or the like are not involved in the bad smells.


Provided are a system and a method for providing information by using a near field communication. A method for a first device to provide information to a second device includes receiving a first message broadcasted from a communication apparatus since the first device is located within a near field communication range of the communication apparatus; receiving a second message from the second device since the second device located within the near field communication range of the communication apparatus is in near field contact with the first device after the first message is received; authenticating the second device using the second message; and providing predetermined information related to the communication apparatus and the second device since the second device is authenticated.

As multimedia and network technologies are improved, devices may communicate with each other to transmit and receive various types of information, thereby providing various services to users. In particular, in the case of performing near field communication between devices, secure provision of information from one device to another becomes important, and appropriate information needs to be provided from the device to the other device. Accordingly, there is a need for a technique that enables the device to efficiently authenticate the other device and effectively provide the appropriate information to the other device.

System and method for providing information using near field communication


To relieve a user of a first fixed or mobile terminal from consulting messages deposited in a voicemail server, the voicemail server notifies the first terminal of the presence of a deposited message associated with the identifier of a second terminal, immediately after off-hooking and transmission of the identifier. The message is transmitted to the first terminal only if the user wishes to listen to it so as to decide whether or not to hold the call to the second terminal. Otherwise, it proceeds with the setting up of the call to the second terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of notifying a user to whom a message is addressed, of the depositing of the message in an electronic mail service of a telecommunication network, such as a switched telephone network or a radiotelephony network.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Servers for notifying deposited messages are at present designed so that notifications are transmitted either periodically, or as soon as a first user comes off-hook, to the first user terminal for which the messages are intended, to indicate to the first user that he has received messages.
If the first user has received a large number of messages, for example during a long absence, the message notification service does not offer the facility to identify among all the messages those which originate from a second user. The first user must listen sequentially to the new messages that have been deposited in the mail service during his absence until he reaches the messages deposited by the second user.
If the first user wishes to communicate quickly with the second user, without listening to all the deposited messages, or after listening to only some of them, the first user calls the second user, taking the risk of not knowing information that the second user may have transmitted him in the deposited messages, and that the second user may think the first user has listened to.

Notification of the presence of messages deposited in a voicemail server


Techniques for query-based data modification are described herein. In some examples, a first search of searchable data may be performed based, at least in part, on a first query. A second search of the searchable data may be performed based, at least in part, on a second query. One or more results of the first search may be provided. Input may be received for associating a first result of the first search with the second search. At least a first modification, related to the input, to perform on the searchable data may then be determined. The first modification may then be performed on the searchable data.

Many computing systems allow users to organize and store data using a hierarchical organization system, such as a tree-based and/or folder-based organization system. Hierarchical organization systems are popular with many users because they provide a simple system for organizing data. However, hierarchical organization systems have a number of associated drawbacks. For example, hierarchical organization systems may restrict users to a particular organizational convention, even when the particular organizational convention may not be familiar or natural to the user. Moreover, hierarchical organization systems may be unable to resolve complex modifications of data items, such as modifications in which the user's intent may be ambiguous or may have more than one possible outcome. In addition to hierarchical organization systems, another common data management technique is a search-based system, in which users may formulate queries to search underlying data. Search-based systems may appeal to users by allowing users to submit queries that target specific data that is of interest to the users. However, many search-based systems may also be inefficient, such as by forcing users to repeatedly formulate queries and offering limited, if any, capability to modify the underlying data being searched.


A process for recovering alumina values from a first liquor having an initial concentration of aluminate ions and hydroxyl ions in solution is described. The first liquor is treated with a hydroxide of a metal other than aluminium to form an aluminium-bearing layered double hydroxide and produce a treated stream of first liquor, the treated stream of first liquor having a final concentration of aluminate ions less than the initial concentration of aluminate ions. The aluminium-bearing layered double hydroxide is separated from the treated stream of first liquor. Thereafter the clarified treated stream of first liquor is returned to a first location within an alumina refinery. The separated aluminium-bearing layered double hydroxide is contacted with a solution containing carbonate ions to form a slurry comprising an insoluble salt of the metal other than aluminium and a second liquor comprising aluminate ions released from the aluminium-bearing layered double hydroxide.

The Bayer process has been used to recover alumina values from bauxitic ores for over a century. The process centres on the following reversible equations, for gibbsitic and boehmitic or diasporic ores, respectively (1):Al(OH)3+OH−Al(OH)4−  (1)AlO(OH)+OH−+H2OAl(OH)4−  (2)
A schematic flowsheet showing a basic implementation of a traditional Bayer Process is illustrated in FIG. 1. Blended bauxite ore is first mixed with a portion of the recycled spent liquor and subjected to grinding to reduce particle size. The resultant slurry is then treated via a process known as "desilication" or "slurry holding" to remove soluble silica minerals present in the bauxite, typically in the form of insoluble sodium aluminosilicates.
The desilicated slurry is then mixed with the remainder of the spent liquor and the alumina values of the bauxite extracted via a process referred to as "digestion". In digestion, the conditions are manipulated so as to drive equation (1) or (2) towards the right hand side. During digestion, the free caustic dissolves the aluminous mineral from the bauxite to form a concentrated sodium aluminate solution leaving behind a mud residue of undissolved minerals and impurities, principally inert iron oxides and hydroxides, titanium oxides and silicious compounds. The mud residue is often red in appearance due to the presence of the iron minerals and is thus commonly referred to as "red mud". Digestion is favoured by using conditions of high temperature and pressure and these are in turn dependent on the type of ore being treated. Gibbsitic bauxite can be digested at temperatures ranging from about 100-180° C., although 145° C. is most common. Boehmitic or diasporic bauxites are less soluble and require temperatures in the vicinity of 250-270° C. to effect digestion. The equilibrium expressed in equations (1) and (2) can also be displaced to the right hand side by increasing the concentration of free caustic (hydroxyl ions).
In a typical alumina refinery, steam is used to heat the desilicated slurry to the temperature required for digestion. This steam is partially recovered from a series of flash coolers used to reduce the temperature and/or pressure of the mud-laden pregnant liquor that leaves the digesters. The final stage of heating uses high pressure steam from a boiler, usually a powerhouse boiler. Typically the flash coolers are used to reduce the temperature of the mud laden pregnant liquor to the atmospheric boiling point by flowing through a series of flash vessels which operate at successively lower pressures.
After flash cooling, the pregnant liquor is separated from the mud residue in a process referred to as "clarification". The slurry is fed to one or more settling tanks in which the solid particles sink to the bottom and are removed, typically by pumping to the mud washing circuit. Flocculants may be added to the settling tanks to improve the rate of mud settling and achieve good clarity in the settler overflow liquor.
The mud washing circuit relies on a counter-current decantation process to recover as much sodium aluminate as possible for re-use to minimise loss of alumina and caustic values and to cleanse the mud residue so that it can be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner. The washer overflow that subsequently exits the first stage mud washing tank is either directed to the settling tanks, or mixed with the settler overflow liquor to form clarified pregnant liquor. The washed mud residue from the final stage in the mud washing circuit is typically pumped to a mud disposal lake. The counter-current mud washing circuit is fed with wash water, typically fresh water, condensate (condensed steam) or recycled water from the mud disposal lake (known as "lake water"), or combinations of the above.
The clarified pregnant liquor which overflows the settling tanks is subjected to filtration before being sent to the precipitation stage in which the equilibrium of equation (1) (reproduced again below) is driven towards the left hand side to form pure Al(OH)3, also referred to as "gibbsite".Al(OH)3+OH−Al(OH)4−  (1)
Precipitation is initiated by seeding, and is favoured by conditions that increase the supersaturation of the liquor, such as reducing the temperature, increasing the concentration of aluminate ions, or diluting the solution. The precipitated gibbsite is separated via hydrocyclones, thickeners or filters. The remaining liquor, after evaporation to remove excess water that has entered the process with the bauxite and various washing steps is referred to as "spent liquor" and will have aluminate ions and hydroxyl ions present in an amount that depends on the temperature, seed surface area and residence time of the precipitation stage. To recover the alumina values and caustic, the spent liquor is recycled to digestion. Thus the spent liquor that is recycled to digestion has dissolved alumina present in it.
The primary goal of the Bayer process is to extract the maximum amount of alumina values (Al) from the bauxite fed to digestion into solution and then completely recover this dissolved alumina from the solution in the form of gibbsite during precipitation. The upper limit of the refinery's precipitation yield is set by the difference between the solubility of alumina in a particular liquor at the digestion temperature and the solubility of alumina in that liquor at the temperature used for precipitation. It follows then, that maximizing this difference is a primary aim of most alumina refineries.
Increasing the solubility of an aluminous mineral by raising the temperature or caustic concentration carries a number of unwanted consequences, including increasing the dissolution of siliceous materials. In the prior art, one method for increasing the alumina content of Bayer liquors derived from the less soluble boehmitic and diasporic ores involves "sweetening" the liquor (after digestion of the primary ore) with a small amount of a secondary gibbsitic ore, in a second digestion step.
To date, there is no known method of increasing the alumina concentration of the liquor after digestion.
One of the main avenues for alumina loss in an alumina refinery is in the liquor that is pumped with the mud residue from the settling tanks into the mud washing circuit. This liquor is supersaturated pregnant liquor having effectively the same concentration of aluminate ions as the pregnant liquor sent to precipitation. The liquor that overflows each stage in the counter-current mud washing circuit becomes progressively cooler and more diluted with wash water. This effectively increases the supersaturation of the liquor, encouraging precipitation of gibbsite in accordance with equation (1). The mud particles in the residue have a high surface area that further encourages such precipitation of gibbsite in the mud washing circuit. Any alumina that precipitates in the mud washing circuit in this manner is lost, as is any dissolved alumina in the liquor reporting to the mud disposal lake.
There is a need for an alternative method of maximizing the recovery of alumina values in an alumina refinery.

Alumina recovery using aluminum containing layered double hydroxide

BHP Billiton Aluminium Australia Pty Ltd.


A crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer composition obtained by mixing 100 weight parts of at least one type of thermoplastic elastomer, 0-200 weight parts of a rubber-like polymer, and 1-50 weight parts of ultra fine carbon fibrils whose diameter is 3.5-70 nm and whose aspect ratio is greater than 5 against 100 weight parts of the combined mixture of the aforementioned elastomer and rubber like polymer.

The present invention relates to a polymer compound which contains a thermoplastic elastomer, or more specifically it relates to a thermoplastic elastomer compound with superior reinforcing characteristics as well as with either electrical conductivity or electrical insulating characteristics, produced by compounding ultra-fine carbon fibrils.
Recently, there is an increasing demand for electrically conductive or electrically insulating polymer materials used in electronic parts or semiconductive layers of power cables for the purpose of preventing static generation or interferences from external electromagnetic waves.
Conventionally, the method of filling electrically conductive carbon-black in a matrix polymer has been used as a way to add electrically conductive characteristics to a rubber. Although it achieves the desired electrical conductivity, the method fails to reinforce the strength of the material. On the other hand, the system of adding reinforcing type carbon-black results in the desired reinforcing effect when as much as 30-100 phr is filled (wt. parts against 100 wt. parts of rubber). However, the system is absolutely ineffective in increasing electrical conductivity.
Incidentally, both reinforcing and electrically conductive effects can be obtained by compounding chopped carbon fibers which possess both of these effects. However, such fiber is not necessarily a satisfactory reinforcing material because of its poor molding characteristics, the poor surface appearance of the molded products, and anisotropic nature. Moreover, its reinforcing effects depend on the processing conditions since its short fibers break during the processing.
Recently, ultra-fine carbon fibrils became available, and the possibility of compounding such carbon fibrils in a resin or rubber-like polymer has been discussed. However it has been difficult to obtain a material with well balanced properties including suitable hardness and superior elasticity.
The present invention intends to offer a thermoplastic elastomer compound which possesses a reinforcing effect and both electrically conductive and electrically insulating effects, as well as balanced strength and elasticity.